“Go on.”
Jason lifted the paper and read. “John was the fiction writer who made us all see the reality of survival. He was never without a sarcastic and humorous thing to say. His quips will be missed, but many will live on.” He set down the paper. “Just random thoughts. What do you think?”
“It’s good.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah.”
“You haven’t talked to him yet, have you?”
“No,” Nora answered in a whine. “I mean what am I supposed to say, ‘oh, hey Rick, by the way, in the last few weeks, because you know, it’s been thirty years, I found a hot guy, who used to get facial peels, to sleep with.’”
“Hot guy? And come on, we’re more than bed partners and you know it.”
“Yeah.”
“And you don’t need to tell him about us yet. That will come. We have time. Just talk to him, I’m sure he has a ton of things to share with you.”
“I do want to know about Lilly.”
“See. Go talk to him,” Jason said.
“What if he…?”
“Nora.” Jason set down the pencil. “I think you’re missing an important point. Rick married someone else. He fell in love and loved this person for years, right? He told Malcolm that he felt bad because, basically, he was over you. When he woke up today…he loved his wife. That doesn’t go away Darlin’. Now, instead of pacing, wasting time and being worried about his feelings toward you, be a friend and ask about his feelings toward everything.”
“Wow, you’re good.”
“I know.”
“Even with harsh skin.” Nora leaned forward and kissed him. “I’ll be back.”
“I’ll be here.”
Jason was right, and Nora, carrying the jug of moonshine, walked outside. Rick was by the fire. He looked out of place. The only one there that was from Salvation. Although he could talk about subjects of the past and everyone would understand.
When she arrived, Rick had just finished telling a story about the virus and how things shut down. He peered up to her with a “Hey.”
“Hey.” Nora sat down and put the moonshine on the ground next to her.
Rick nodded at the jug. “I knew you like to drink, but are we bypassing glasses now.”
“No.” She laughed. “I’m just making sure everyone has some.”
“How are you Nora?”
“Sad. My friend was killed. We lost a newcomer.”
“And?”
“And what?” Nora asked.
“Well, I was waiting. You used to follow sad with sarcastic or funny no matter what the subject. Unless it was like, tragic. But that was you. You covered your feelings with humor.”
“I think I lost my funny.”
“No.” Rick said.
“Yeah, no kidding. When I told everyone I was a comedian, they said, they didn’t get it. They said I don’t strike them as funny. Hunter laughs at my jokes.” She shrugged. “How about you? How are you?”
“Tired. Emotional. Glad to see you.” He squeezed her hand. “Even though I probably look like my father to you.”
Nora crinkled her brow. “You do.”
“I figured as much.”
“I know you remarried. What happens now with your wife? I mean, you’ll want to go back for her and Lilly.”
“I’m dead to them.”
“Oh, no.” Nora gasped. “What did you do?”
“Nora, no.” Rick laughed. “I’m dead. In Salvation you leave when you turn seventy. That’s the rules, like it or not. On your seventieth birthday they throw you a ‘Better Life’ party, your family all say good bye, your spouse gets a settlement, and they take you, and put you to sleep like a dog. But…” he exhaled. “When they took me they told me they were taking me to your group and I would live with all of you. I was happy that I didn’t have to die, but I… And I’m so sorry if this hurts you, but I would rather be home with Jeanette right now.”
“I’m not hurt. I understand.”
“She has my heart.”
“Okay that stung a little bit,” Nora said. “But I’ll get beyond it.”
“There it is. A tad of humor. Maybe you just need to bring it out.”
“Maybe.”
“So, do you have, I hate to use the word boyfriend, but someone you’re close to in this new world for you?”
“Kind of yeah,” Nora said.
“Malcolm?”
“What? No.” Nora laughed. “Jason.”
“The guy who looks like he used to be a pop star when he was young. The preacher?” Rick shook his head. “He a good guy?”
“Actually, he’s a really good guy.”
“Good. Because I’ll be watching.” Rick grabbed her hand. “We always had a good connection. I need that friendship with you. And whatever this world tosses, we’ll get through it.”
“Yes, we will.”
“Now pass me that moonshine, will you?”
Nora did so, with pleasure.
“The bullet was deep,” Cole explained to Trey. “Luckily he’s fleshy.”
From the other room, Malcolm yelled out. “I’m not fat, if that’s what you’re saying.”
Cole pulled the door closed. “He’ll have to take it easy on that leg. It’ll heal. He’s not resting as you can see, so if you spot Nora and that jug of moonshine, send her in here.”
“I will. Can I go talk to him?”
“Sure. But make it quick. I want him to sleep.”
Trey thanked Cole, and after a single knock walked into the small hospital style room. “Sorry, I’m your nurse.”
“I’m fine. Just please send Nora in here with the moonshine.”
“I’ll do that.”
“While I’ve been in here, have you guys discussed where we are headed?”
“Not really. East. That’s as far as we got.”
“I just wished we knew. I mean, are they already chasing us, will they chase us?”
Trey’s eyes widened.
“What?” Malcolm asked.
“Maggie’s Aldervice. I can make a private connection without Salvation hearing. They’ll think Maggie is calling, they don’t know she’s dead.” He pulled out the Aldervice.
“Who are you calling?”
The Aldervice beeped.
Colonel Norris answered. “Maggie, how are you feeling?”
“It’s not Maggie. It’s Trey.”
“Yes. I am well, aware. You need to take care of yourself.”
“Can you tell us anything?”
“SalCom notified me there was trouble. We lost four medical personnel. They say the Genesis people slaughtered them all. We’re supposed to start a search tomorrow for them. We believe they headed south. Not sure. Maybe back to Texas. We’ll find them. Eventually. As long as they stay away from the Wasteland. My men won’t go there.”
“Thank you,” Trey said. “Thank you so much for that.”
“You’re welcome. And um, Maggie, don’t lose your Aldervice. They locked a trace on it and we don’t want to lose track of you in case of trouble.”
“Thank you. Thanks again.” Trey ended the call.
“I thought he was a dick at first,” Malcolm said. “But he turned into a nice guy. Even if he didn’t know who Chuck Norris was.”
“Don’t let him fool you, he did,” Trey said. “Okay, so we know. They’ll be coming for us. Lose the Aldervice and get a move on it, first thing. “
“And he told us where to go. You should go tell Hunter and the others.”
“I will. I’ll be back.” Trey moved to the door.
“And bring that moonshine.” After calling out the order, Malcolm felt the pain in his leg. It caused him to cringe, and he guessed it would hurt him for some time.
He rested back and began to think about things. He had to think about the days ahead and where it would take them. Planning ahead was not like it used to be, in the new world, under the new circumstances, it was one day at a time. It was possible that for a while they would live a life on the run. Malcolm’s only hope was that after all they had been through, lost, and all that had been taken from them, that one day, they would be able to just stop running and live some sort of normal existence.