Chapter 4. Getting settled in Mama's

cont.......
Chris touched his forehead after Mama. It felt like she had sent soothing electricity through her fingers and regardless of being embarrassed to have a huge Band-Aid strapped across his forehead, He nodded; “ham’s great”. Like Katrina, he felt very comfortable with Mama and knew why she chose to come back to her.


4.
“Mama?” Katrina shouted into the kitchen. “Is the Plaza hotel up and running?” She flashed Chris a ‘play along glance’.
“No. It’s not. Well, it is, but Chris is not staying there.”
“Why?” Chris asked.
“No one should have to stay in a place with that kind of energy.”
“Mama!” Katrina wasn’t fond of Mama’s perceived notion to pick up on energy. Mama turned and walked back into the kitchen.
Chris glanced at Katrina. “It’s nothing. Mama’s just really superstitious. Plaza Square is where two consecutive massacres happened. A group of people were hiding out in the hotel because their house had been a feeding ground at some point. They were discovered by the infected and every single person was destroyed. The new hotel staff cleaned up the place thinking that the infected wouldn’t strike twice in the same spot. The hotel re-opened and the infected found the place again. Every time someone, or a group of watchmen would go in to kill them off, they were outnumbered and attacked joining the already massive group of…zombies. Eventually the watchmen stopped going and the town just hoped they would starve to death, or if they came out to feed then they could kill them.”
Mama was watching Katrina tell the story very intently waiting for a moment where she could interject with her comments but Katrina kept talking: “It wasn’t until recently where they were able to restore the hotel…again”
“And get the blood stains out of the carpet.” Mama burst. “No one goes there anymore. If they can help it.”
“Hmmm.” Chris chuckled and scratched his head. “Where would you recommend I stay?”
“You’ll stay here with us. I have an extra room and I’d like the company. It’s been too long for an old woman like me to be cooped up by myself.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it. But are you sure?”
“Yes.” Mama dropped a plate in front of him on the table. The ham sandwich was on fresh bread and was garnished with a pickle. Mama had even cut it diagonally reminding him how his mom used to cut it for school. His stomach grumbled in anticipation since he hadn’t eaten all day. Mama sat down at the table bringing the remaining sandwiches and some napkins.
“Have you been making bread every morning for the café like you used to?” Katrina asked.
“Three cheeses, four raisin-cinnamons and six plain loaves.” Mama smiled. “Mary-Jo has been asking about you. I think you should go see her tomorrow.”
Katrina’s mouth was full; she nodded. She wasn’t overly excited to see the aunt of Mary-Anne Dawes and the sister of the woman who’s family took over her family’s business. Still, Mary-Jo was not like the rest of her family and definitely doesn’t benefit from their wealth.
Chris was ignorant to the situation but was excited to meet more locals. “Mama, you really have three bedrooms in this apartment?”
“Yes, this place is a lot bigger than it looks. It’s the majority of the top left side of the building.” Mama got up and took their empty plates into the kitchen.
“What’s on the right side?” Chris remembered the barren windows next to Mama’s apartment.
Mama turned away from Chris and became quiet all of a sudden; not jumping in to say something right away. She looked up at a painting in front of her.
Katrina noticed Mama’s stillness and knew she was uncomfortable talking about it. She offered her voice; “Nothing’s there anymore.” She said. No one goes over there either.” Her eyes turned to the familiar spot in her lap to finish destroying the frayed end of the string on her jacket.
“Lets show you around then hmm.” Said Mama Handing Chris an extra key to the apartment. She was smiling but Chris doubted it was sincere. He stuffed the key in his pocket and Mama motioned for him to follow her around the kitchen area through the long hallway.
Immediately to the right and left of him were two made-up bedrooms. The right bedroom was a good size, painted a dark shade of purple with three large windows and faced the street. The bed had dark purple and black striped sheets. The walls were covered in abstract paintings that seemed to be just swirls and splatters of deep colorful hues. They were on canvases though not in frames and seemed unfinished. The room on the left was the complete opposite; painted a baby yellow with a white duvet was un-tucked on the bed. He knew right away that the first room was Katrina’s.
He followed Mama and found there was another room on the left farther back, which was significantly smaller and set up like an office with a futon and desk.
“This room will be yours.” Mama said. “I don’t use the computer. I don’t even think it works, so you won’t have to worry about sharing with me.” At the furthest point of the hall Mama pushed the door open to a bathroom. “Self explanatory.”
As they turned and were walking down the hallway back towards the kitchen Chris noticed a door that Mama didn’t show him. “What’s in there?” He asked.
“Oh honey, that’s just storage. But there’s a pull-down ladder that goes to the roof.
Chris nodded, thinking about how the ladder would normally be used for a fire escape, but to the people of Forest Hills, that ladder would be a zombie escape. Katrina was in her room unpacking. She had her back towards the door. Chris decided not to bother her.
Mama went back into the kitchen and started digging through the refrigerator as if she had left some money in there and forgot where it was. “Are you still hungry honey?”
“No, Thank you. The sandwich was great.”
“Good. I know I have a secret stash of chocolate in here somewhere.”
Mama continued rummaging as if her life depended on that candy.
“I’m just going to go grab my bag out of the car.” He stepped backwards towards the door
“OK honey. Be careful on those steps and hurry back. I’ll lock the door behind you.”
“OK, I’ll be back in a flash.” Chris knew that old women had their habits, but didn’t think she had to lock the door if he was only going to be gone for a minute. He ran out the door and got half way down the steps before realizing he forgot the car key in the apartment. He cautiously ran back up and let himself into the apartment.
“Sorry, just forgot my...”
Katrina and Mama looked up at him. He could tell they were in a deep conversation. Katrina was hunched over the counter like a wild animal, Mama looked defensive but handed him the key smiling. “Here.” She smiled wider as Chris tentatively reached for the key. Chris looked at Katrina, her body relaxed and her features lightened. She only met his glance for a second before moving her eyes back to the counter. She didn’t like being caught in compromising situations and knew that Chris would interpret this the wrong way.
Chris thanked Mama and hurried out the door. He wanted to know what they were talking about but had a strong suspicion it was about him. He decided that there would probably be a lot of secret conversations about him while he was in Forest Hills. “Thanks. I’ll be right back.” Chris said as if to warn them of his speedy return.

Chris ran to the car, opened the trunk and reached in to get his duffle bag.
“You new in town?”
Chris jumped, bumping his head on trunk.
“Sorry didn’t mean to give you a fright.”
“No, that’s fine.” Chris said rubbing his head. “I didn’t see you there. You must have snuck up” He turned around to look up at what was one of the tallest men he’d seen. The man must have been at least seven feet tall and even with Chris being six-two, this man still seemed a lot bigger than him. He had a full beard, and was very sturdy looking. Chris guessed by his attire that he hunted—or had just been hunting. He was wearing an army green cargo jacket with small tears along the arms. His pants were also dark green cargos, but with less pockets than the jacket. He wasn’t smiling and looked like he hadn’t smiled in a very long time. His face looked like it was made of rock and his pockmarked skin on his strong jaw line gave him an intimidating appearance
“I’m meant to have an element of surprise.” Using his pinky to point to his outfit; he had a cigarette between his thumb and index finger. Chris was amazed at the girth of each finger. “Are you new to Forest hills?” The man asked again. “I haven’t seen you around. My mother said that she saw you drive here with the Jones’ girl in this here rental car.”
Chris didn’t expect to be interrogated by an entire stranger. “Ugh, yeah. I met her on the flight to Lexington this morning. We were going to the same place so I offered to give her a ride.” Chris threw his duffle bag strap over his shoulder as a hint to the man that he wanted to get back inside.
“I suppose your staying here with Katrina and the grandmother—judging by you bringing your belongings into her house.” The man was studying Chris’ face with no remorse. “What brings you here anyways. Not really a place where outsiders should come—or want to come for that matter.”
Chris didn’t want to start talking to this man about his article; he could tell the man already felt such hostility towards him being there. Chris tried to read his face to judge how much he should divulge but he was a blank slate; not because he had a good poker face, but because he was so expressionless that his features couldn’t be read. Chris looked up towards the window of Mama’s apartment.
“I don’t really have time to talk about it, can I catch you later?”
“Yeah, I suppose you have to get going inside; the sun’s starting to go down.” The man snapped his head around like he was looking for something. Chris didn’t know why the sun going down had anything to do with his getting inside.
“The name’s Jerrid Lock.”
“Chris”. He stuck out his hand knowing Jerrid probably wouldn’t extend the courtesy.
Instead, he did; he shook Chris’ hand with a grip that almost crippled him. Chris winced, but recovered as soon as Jerrid let go. Jerrid didn’t remove his gaze from Chris’ face. When Chris walked towards the apartment door, he looked back at Jerrid who was standing in the same spot with his hand supporting his weight on the trunk of Chris’ rental. He watched Chris go inside.