“Don’t be messin’ anythin’ up. Got my eyes on ya.”
The Sentry sat back down inside the observation post. He set his rifle in its slot on the rack and picked up his lunch. It was obvious he was rehashing the conversation he just had—speaking to himself and laughing between bites of his meal. Alone up there like he should be, miserable jerk.
Xavier made another pass through the empty courtyard, letting the green sanctuary flood his senses. Nature seemed foreign—a luxury. This instance within the enclosed farm was a pleasant escape. With no one on the path beside him as he searched, he felt alone. Finally, alone. He disappeared within the tall stalks in the field. One breath in, one breath out, timed perfectly. The air was muggy, but refreshing when compared to the stuffiness of the school. For a moment, he left the pungent smells of gasoline, sweat, and must behind. He felt invigorated as his nostrils filled with the unspoiled scent of his surroundings.
He rolled the sleeves of his maintenance shirt, welcoming the rays of the sun to tan his arms. How could he make this last? A long minute or two just to be—no work, no JCNs, no structure. An instant of life just to be. He closed his eyes.
“Dad, I think Mom lied. I don’t think—“
“Don’t say that about your mother.”
“Yeah, X.
“Tara, I don’t need your two cents on this.”
“Yeah, mind your own business.”
“You’re the one looking out the window all day. You should mind—“
“Stop you two! Your mother’s coming back. It’s just taking a bit longer than we thought.”
“That’s because everyone’s going to the hospital. Mr. Jones had a coughing fit out in his front yard this morning. It’s only a matter of time before he goes too.”
“Aren’t you just Mr. Wonderful today?”
“Cut it out! Can’t you both at least act like you two love each other? Or at least treat each other like family?”
“Sorry.”
“Sorry.”
“Dad… I just—I just don’t see this getting any better. Mom’s never coming back if it stays like this.”
“She’ll be back. She didn’t lie. It’s… she didn’t have all the information. We wait and keep doing what we have been—keep away from everyone else. The news is saying this Almawt thing is all over the world, not just the U.S.”
“I don’t care about that. I just want her back.”
“Xavier! Damn it, she said she’d be back in a month, okay? Quit being so selfish all the time. This virus is bigger than us. Your mother’s trying to make a difference, and once she’s done, she’ll be back. If it makes you feel any better, I’ll try and give her another call today.”
“Promise?”
“Do you two promise to get along?”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
“We’re family. We’ve been lucky so far, so act like it. Act like we can get through this together.”
“Together with Mom maybe…”
“Xavier!”
“Yes, sir.”
“Tara, quit with that look.”
“I’m the only one left…” Xavier opened his eyes and sighed. He kicked at the dirt and watched as a few loose rocks collided with a fence post. Abandoned. Where are you guys? He moved back and forth along the path while he continued to strike the ground with his foot. A barrage of small rocks hurtled through the grass, bending the blades as they tumbled through. I’m still waiting.
An unlucky dandelion along the paddock’s fence became the target of his frustration. His aim was off, but the amusement began to build. He continued to kick, driving more and more rocks toward his target, but it wasn’t long before the goat interrupted Xavier’s game by snatching the weed from among the grasses. She bleated—satisfied with her find.
A half-smile raised Xavier’s cheek as he made his way toward her. “Hey girl, you’re not going to leave me, right?” She moved her head between the rails and nuzzled it along the post. He scratched the thin goat along the ridge of her back. “That feels good, huh? I almost feel bad doing this, but you’re actually cleaning the dirt from under my nails.” He laughed lightly to himself while continuing to scratch at the wiry hair of her back. The goat’s tongue drooped from the right side of her mouth. “You’re a funny girl. I like you,” he said in a high-pitched voice one would use to talk to a baby. He looked around. I sound like a nutcase. I’d better cut it out.
He rubbed the goat along her sides and began to feel a tugging at his pants. “Hey! You can’t have that. These pants are in bad enough shape.” He tried to peel her jaw open, but it wouldn’t budge. He pushed her head away from him, yelling, “Quit! Quit biting that!” He hoped that it would scare the goat into obliging his request, but the goat persisted.
As he continued to try and forcefully remove her from his leg, she bucked back at him, cracking a portion of the rail. This goat is strong as hell! Xavier pulled back hard and fell backwards to the dirt. Rip! He groaned as he watched the fibers of his cargo pants appear and disappear from the goat’s mouth. “Aww, Come on!”
A loud fit of laughter came from the rooftop—the Sentry doubled over, halfway falling out of his seat. “Nice work!”
Ass! Xavier slapped at his pants then picked himself up from the ground. You know what? Screw that guy. He did his best to ignore the laughter. He couldn’t resist the goat’s dopey grin. At least you didn’t laugh at me…
Cautiously, he extended his arm forward, keeping his distance while he rubbed her muzzle. “You’re not getting me again.” He laughed at her. “You don’t know any better though, huh?” The goat kept chewing. “I still like you.”
“Do you now?”
Xavier flinched then turned to see who got the better of him. Lana. Did she see me fall? Xavier’s cheeks flushed, and his heart skipped. He couldn’t prevent it. Her beauty was disruptive. His words escaped him. Thought shifted to her. Emotion shifted to her. Get it together. She can’t possibly like you. She’s older than you. Stop! She’s just a girl. It didn’t matter. Xavier was stung.
“Uh, yeah!” he finally blurted out. “You snuck up on me there.”
“It wasn’t too hard. You’re here schmoozing your girlfriend.” She laughed out loud while resting her hand on the fence. “What’s going on with those glasses?”
“That bad, huh?” He forced a weak smile. These stupid things.
“No, not at all. They just—they make you look old.” She shook her head. “No, I didn’t mean that.” Her hand moved a few stray hairs from her face. “They make you look older, not old. You look good.”
Xavier couldn’t help but smile. Don’t get ahead of yourself. She said ‘they’ look good, not you. Or did she…? Say something! “Thanks,” he forced it out and then calmed himself, “but I don’t really have a choice. Grant seems to think my eyes could start affecting my work. I couldn’t deal with listening to him if that ever happened. Besides, now that I have them, I kind of wish I would’ve gotten them sooner.”
“Are they that big of a difference?”
“Definitely.” He took the glasses from his nose, moving them back and forth from his eyes while focusing on the rabbit hutches. The difference was obvious. “I really didn’t know how bad it was until I got them.”
“Well, good.” She paused for a bit, her eyes searching for something to talk about.
“How was lunch?” Xavier spared her from the awkward silence. “Good?”
“Yeah, it wasn’t bad at all. A nice stew made from venison and potatoes. They butchered the deer early this morning. I heard the Sentry that shot it bragging that he only used one round, but I’m not sure I believe that.”
“I thought I heard a shot this morning, but wasn’t sure. Used to be a normal thing. It’s been awhile now.”
Lana nodded in agreement. “Oh!” Her eyes lit up. “And they had some chips at lunch. Actual chips! They were expired, but the flavor was still good, not too stale either.”