Into the Mist, page 30
“It’s too soon,” said Stella. “It’s only been four days. People are still in shock.”
“I do agree that this is rather forced levity,” said Karen. “But the sentiment is sound.”
“Well, I’m looking forward to slapping one of those thick beefsteak tomatoes you ladies raved about earlier on my burger—or rather, burgers,” said Ford. “And did you see over there next to the condiments and salad stuff that there’s an enormous vat of potato salad?” He lifted his cup. “Here’s to it not having raisins in it.”
Mercury clinked her cup against his. “I wish, but there are a lot of very white people here, so don’t get your hopes up.”
There was a stirring in the people in the park as a black SUV pulled up. Ron Shaddox, who still carried a tissue to blot his perpetually bleeding nose, got hastily from the driver seat and opened the back door. A tall, lean woman wearing a cream-colored pantsuit with a sparkly USA flag lapel pin and bright red stilettos got gracefully from the backseat and made her way through the park, followed closely by Amber. The woman’s long blonde hair was straight and precisely cut at her shoulder blades. She was pretty— beautiful even—with big, dark eyes and glossy pink lips that formed a perfect Cupid’s bow. She could’ve been anywhere from thirty-five to fifty-five. Like Stella, a woman who aged gently and somehow defied gravity and time.
People greeted her and she smiled radiantly as she shook hands and waved. On the basketball court turned dance floor, a man Mercury recognized as silent Wes from the night before turned over a wooden box and then offered the woman his hand as she carefully stepped to the top of it. He handed her a microphone, which was attached to the dated boom box.
“Ron and Wes are carrying again,” Ford whispered to Mercury just before the woman began to speak.
“Good evening, Madras!” Her voice was strong and steady, and it reflected her smile. “For those of you who don’t already know me, I’m Eva Cruz, the mayor of this wonderful town.”
There was a spattering of applause, which her raised hand quieted.
“Some may say it is too soon to have a gathering, a Madras festival, but I am a great believer in hope, and I mean for our monthly festivals—starting with this one tonight—to be an outward sign of our hope for the future. I want to share some news the good people manning our radios have relayed to me. As we already knew from a truck driver who passed through here yesterday, the West Coast is gone—and east of the Mississippi has been hit so hard that there is little to no communication coming from there, though we will continue to try to reach out to survivors.”
“Hit by what, Mayor Cruz?” a man’s voice called from the crowd.
“Franklin, I was just getting to that. Because our great nation’s communication has been severed, we will probably never truly know who bombed us. The information we do have has come from truckers and amateur radio enthusiasts—may God bless them. We know that firebombs exploded and then detonated a sonic element that released a toxin into our atmosphere.”
“The green fog?” A woman called.
“Yes, exactly,” said the mayor. “The capitol of every state was hit, as well as our major military installations. We believe our allies were targeted too, but with everything except the most basic forms of communication destroyed, it’s difficult to know exactly which countries might have survived the attacks. We have heard nothing from Canada, and that saddens me terribly.
“What we do know is that our brave military retaliated before their bases were destroyed. According to our own retired Colonel Dees.” She paused there and looked around the crowd. “Is the Colonel here tonight?”
Franklin’s disembodied voice responded. “No, Mayor. Haven’t seen her yet.”
“Well, then I’ll go ahead and pass along what our military expert shared with me earlier today. The Colonel assured me that we do not have to worry about being invaded—thank the good Lord. Our ICBMs, that’s intercontinental ballistic missiles, for you civilians”—Cruz smiled to take the sting from her words—“would have decimated our enemy, but even though there is no longer a threat of invasion, we will have to deal with fallout, as our retaliation was nuclear.”
“The bombs that hit us—the green fog—do we know whether it’s nuclear or not?” Franklin shouted over the murmuring crowd.
“We have not seen any evidence that the bombs that hit us were nuclear. Our guess—and that’s really all it can probably ever be—is that our enemies counted on the biological agent to wipe us out.” Her voice hardened. “My additional hypothesis is that they meant to invade us, which is why they chose not to use nuclear devices—so that our beautiful, God-fearing country would remain fertile and be able to support our enemies.” The mayor waited for the angry shouts of the crowd to die, and then she continued. “I’m sure we’ll be debating for generations what happened, how, and why. But for now we must focus on surviving and rebuilding in a world that has been permanently changed, but that is something we can do, will do—together with the help of our blessed Savior, who has answered our prayers and made Madras a true sanctuary!”
The mayor paused as people applauded.
“I know this news is a lot to take in, but I must remind you that if you have not gone by our courthouse, which has been repurposed as a clinic, and let our nurses draw your blood, please do so sooner rather than later. We’ve all seen evidence of the horrifically destructive nature of the green fog. Now we know it is a weaponized biological agent. In order to study it and be ready for whatever it might do to us as time passes, we need to understand it. So, especially those women who were exposed, please—for the good of the community—I ask that you get your blood drawn.” She paused again to smile at the crowd. “Well, I can smell the delicious food cooking, so I won’t keep you from—”
“From going home? From leaving this hellhole?”
Everyone turned to look at the woman who had interrupted the mayor.
“Oh, shit! It’s Moira,” said Stella.
Moira strode onto the basketball court. Ron and Wes had stepped away from Cruz but now, like members of the Secret Service, they moved closer to the mayor while Amber met the woman and stood in front of her, blocking her from reaching Cruz.
“Moira, we’ve talked about this and—” Amber began, but Moira sidestepped her and kept walking toward the Mayor.
“No! I will not be patronized and lied to anymore. I came to town to get supplies. You know—the stuff the good people of this town are giving away free to anyone who wants or needs it. Unless you don’t intend on remaining in Madras. Then what? Then we’re shoved in a classroom, forced to give blood, and kept from leaving.”
“Moira,” said the mayor, “no one is forcing you to remain in town. No one is forcing anyone to remain in town or do anything they do not wish to do.”
“Oh bullshit!” Moira shouted. “I got here the afternoon of the nineteenth, and I’ve been asking for my truck to be returned to me so that I can leave since then. It’s the twenty-second. I gave my damn blood like you said I had to do. And now I want to go home.”
“Moira, you know that we’ve been talking with you about your home.” The condescension in Amber’s voice was so clear Mercury wanted to cringe. “It’s not the way it was before.”
“Oh, Amber, shut the hell up. I’m not stupid or crazy. Of course it’s not the way it was before. None of our homes are as they were! My home is my business, not yours.” She turned to face the mayor. “Are you going to let me leave or lock me back in that damn classroom again.”
Mayor Cruz pressed her hand to her chest. “Moira! No one would lock you in anywhere!”
Moira laughed humorously. “Really? Then I guess my door was stuck last night after I had words with your lackey, as well as today until dusk. Whatever. I want to leave. Now. I do not give two shits that it’s dark. I could find my way home blindfolded.”
“Then, by all means, you may definitely leave,” said the mayor. “Ron, please give Moira a ride back to the school. Have her truck loaded with whatever supplies she needs, and let her be on her way. Moira, I sincerely apologize if it seemed as if we were keeping you here against your will. We only want what’s best for you.”
“Eva, I’m a grown woman who is a good decade older than you. Hell, I babysat you when you were a kid! I know what’s best for me. And I don’t need a ride back to the school. Just get my truck and meet me there.” Moira whirled around and marched from the park.
Mayor Cruz’s smile was forced and tight. “I apologize for that disturbance, but I’m glad it’s given me the chance to right a wrong. Amber, could you please go to the school and be sure Moira is well cared for?”
“Of course, Mayor Cruz!” Amber hurried off, with Ron trailing after her.
“Now, let’s return to our festival,” said the mayor. “Abby, please put on my favorite song, and let’s all remember that hope is alive while we eat, drink, and make merry! May God bless Madras and America!” Eva clapped her hands and the crowd joined her—at first quietly, and then more enthusiastically as the woman who had been so helpful at the clothing tent cranked up the volume of the boom box. The opening lyrics to Whitney Houston’s 1980s hit “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” blasted from its archaic speakers.
Mayor Cruz lithely stepped down from the box and motioned for everyone to join her on the dance floor. Like that had released a dam, people began dancing, and within minutes it was as if Moira had never existed.
“That was some shit,” said Mercury.
“Well, we know that poor woman is mentally ill,” said Karen.
Stella shook her head. “No, we don’t. We only know what Amber told us last night, and like I already said, she lies.”
“So, your intuition is telling you Amber was lying about Moira?” Karen asked.
Stella let out a long, frustrated breath. “You know it doesn’t work like that. I don’t get a list I can check off. All I’m sure of is that Amber has lied. A lot. And, Karen, I want you to think about this. Why are you so willing to believe these strangers over me?”
Karen opened her mouth to respond but was interrupted when Mayor Eva Cruz appeared suddenly in front of their little group. Her smile was radiant. “You good people must be the group Amber told me arrived late last night. Teachers from out of state and their backpack guide, correct?”
“That’s right.” Mercury held out her hand. “I’m Mercury Rhodes, and these are my friends and fellow teachers, Stella Carver and Karen Gay.” The mayor shook their hands. “And, of course, our guide—Oxford Diaz.”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am,” Ford said as he shook the mayor’s hand.
“When I found out we had a group of teachers join us, I had to welcome you personally. Now more than ever the education of our young people is so important.”
“We certainly agree with you on that,” said Karen.
“I hope you’re settling in nicely. I believe Amber has you at our elementary school.”
“She does,” said Stella.
“The hot showers were quite a lovely surprise,” said Karen.
“Well, please know that those rough accommodations are only temporary. As soon as we’re sure which homes are sound enough for occupants, we’ll be moving people to more permanent shelters. As teachers, I assume you’d like to live close to the school.” Cruz’s smile included the three women. She turned to Ford before they could respond and continued. “And our engineers could certainly use your muscle, Mr. Diaz.”
“I’m always happy to help,” said Ford.
“Well, then, I look forward to getting to know the four of you. Madras is now your home. Oh, just a small thing—as I said earlier, please go by the clinic to get your blood drawn.” The mayor patted Karen warmly on her shoulder. “Though I believe I heard that you already did so.”
“Yes, I did. The nurse was quite pleasant,” said Karen.
“See!” Cruz’s smile beamed. “There’s nothing to be worried about.”
Wes materialized behind the mayor and cleared his throat before saying, “Excuse me, Madame Mayor, one of the doctors would like a word with you.”
“Thank you, Wes. Well, duty calls. It was so nice to meet all of you. Please, enjoy our little festival, and again, welcome to your new home.” She nodded congenially at each of them before she followed Wes back through the crowd.
“She seems lovely,” said Karen.
“Seems being the key word,” said Mercury. “What do you think, Stella?”
“I think she was telling the truth—just not all of it,” said Stella.
“Must you see evil in everything?” Karen whispered angrily.
“Look, I didn’t say she was evil. All I said is that she’s not telling us everything,” said Stella. “And as I was saying before the mayor graced us with her presence—I want you to think about why you’re so willing to believe everything these people tell you and question everything I tell you. Do that and get back with me later. Now, I’m going to chug the rest of this mediocre wine and then get out on that dance floor before we have to leave.”
“We’re leaving tonight?” Ford asked.
“Well, not yet. But we won’t be here tomorrow at this time,” said Stella. She grabbed Mercury’s hand. “Come on, Acorn. Let’s cut a rug.”
CHAPTER
34
MERCURY WIPED THE sweat from her forehead as Prince’s “Little Red Corvette” came to an end.
“Holy shit, I’d forgotten how much I love those old songs,” said Stella, who used her pashmina to fan herself. “I haven’t danced this much and sung this badly at the top of my lungs for years.”
“Me neither, and I need something to drink.”
“Wait! Is that …” Stella paused and then, as a new song began, she grinned. “It is! Springsteen! “Dancing in the Dark”! OMG, slow dance with me!”
But before Stella could start twirling her around the basketball court, Mercury felt a tap on her shoulder.
“Do you mind if I cut in?” Ford asked her.
Mercury shrugged. “Sure, you can dance with Stella, but be warned. She has the endurance of a marathon professional.”
“He’s not asking to dance with me, Acorn.” Stella winked at Ford. “I’ll see if I can pry Karen off that picnic bench. Here’s hoping she’s finally liquored up enough to dance.”
“Gracias!” Ford returned Stella’s wink before he turned to Mercury and offered her his hand.
She took it and he began leading her around the court in a smooth two-step with the easy confidence that marks all good dancers.
“So, how many of those burgers did you eat?” Mercury asked playfully as she fell into rhythm with Ford.
He laughed. “Only two. I just pretended to eat more as an excuse not to dance.”
“But you’re a good dancer.”
Ford twirled her around and dipped her before he replied. “Yes, I am. But the woman I wanted to dance with was having a really good time with her best friend, so I waited.”
“Oh. That was, uh, very patient of you.” Mercury was glad she was already flushed from dancing with Stella because she knew Ford had just caused her to blush magnificently.
“I can be a very patient man. I know when to take my time, and prefer slow and thorough to fast and finished too quickly.” He held her gaze as a smile lifted the corners of his sexy lips.
“You definitely lead well,” said Mercury.
“That’s not all I do well.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely.” Ford led her through a series of intricate spins and turns that caused her dress to swirl alluringly around her and had her laughing like a girl.
The Springsteen song ended, and Toby Keith began singing about how he “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.” Ford easily changed tempo and continued to guide her around the dance floor.
“So, before the apocalypse what did you like to do besides hike and dance?” Mercury asked as she followed Ford’s lead.
“I’m a big bike rider, an amateur foodie, and I also like going to the movies.”
“Bike as in motorcycle or bike as in pedal?” she asked.
“Pedal, for sure,” he said. “And I love books. Powell’s—that’s a big independent bookstore in Portland—used to be my favorite place to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon.”
“You read? For pleasure?”
He laughed. “Absolutely. Why do you look so shocked?”
Mercury opened her mouth—thought better of what she was about to say—closed it, and reconsidered her response. As Ford held her close, she finally said, “I’ve been trying to figure out how to answer that without sounding like a man-hater and I’m not being very successful.”
Ford grinned. “It’s not man-hating to tell me you haven’t met a lot of grown-up men who read for pleasure. I don’t know many besides the men in my family either.”
“Well, good. Then that’s my answer. What kind of books do you like?”
“I read across genres. The truth is that I hate genre labels. I think they keep people from reading.”
“Oh my Goddess! I’ve been saying that for years! Like, even though there are some awesome romance books that I know my male students would love—because they’re labeled romance, it’s almost impossible to get guys to give them a try.”
Ford nodded. “Exactly. I really enjoy science-fiction and fantasy—especially sci-fi/fantasy written by women.” He grinned at her shocked expression. “Women tend to add more complex character development and—get this—sex to the genre. I enjoy both.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
Mercury studied him with new eyes as they moved together around the dance floor. “What’s one of your fav sci-fi or fantasy books?”
“That’s easy. I love the queen of sci-fi/fantasy, Anne McCaffery.”
Mercury thumped him on his broad chest. “Get out! Pern is my go-to comfort world!”
Ford’s grin was boyish with enthusiasm. “Hey, I’ve always wanted to be Jaxom and Impress my own white dragon.”
