Saturday, November 20, 2010

Chapter 9: The morning after

9

Chris woke-up and looked at his watch; It was eight O’clock on Saturday morning. He tried to piece together the night before but his pounding head and stale tasting mouth reminded him.

“Ugh, I’m never drinking again.” He said to himself. It had been a long time since he had that much to drink. The memories of the rest of the night were washed away with his second beer on the rooftop.

He thought about sitting up and getting dressed. He could hear Jerrid and Mama in the Kitchen and he didn’t want to be rude, sleeping in all day. First he needed to lay a little longer until his head and inner ear allow him to be vertical--for more than three seconds. He curled into a fetal position with half of his legs hanging over the bed. He could feel a draft making it’s way down his back, he tried to pull the covers around him some more but they wouldn’t budge. He tugged a little harder then they tugged back. He flipped over to his right side to confront who or what was playing tug-O-war with him.

Katrina was laying with her back to him. She kept her eyes closed with the light from the window penetrating her eyelids. Her whole body was in pain from the level of toxicity in her blood.

She was still dressed in her clothes from the night before so Chris assumed nothing happened between them, but he had to be sure.

“Hey...” He shook her lightly, “Hey. What are you doing here?”

“This is my house,” she mumbled.

“I know. What are you doing in my bed?”

Katrina turned over and stared at him a moment. “You asked me to sleep here last night,” She waited for a response from him and leaned up on her elbows. “Oh, you don’t remember,” She rubbed her face, “You said you were scared and asked if I would protect you.”

“I did?”

Katrina nodded and chuckled “You were joking I think. We were both pretty drunk though.”

“Did anything happen?”

“Well, you’re still alive aren’t you?”

“No, I mean between us? Did we…?”

“Oh, no. Look I’m completely dressed.” She lifted the blanket to flash him her fully clothed figure. I wouldn’t have minded, she thought before mentally disciplining herself.

“Okay good.”

“Good?” Katrina was aware she took that the wrong way; thinking Chris would never want to have relations with her.”

“Don't take that the wrong way. I just meant I’d hate to complicate this for you.” He would have been open to start something with Katrina if they lived in the same city; she was his type but he didn’t want to use her for sex. “I don’t want to hurt you either.”

“I get it. Okay. Just think of it as a sleep-over.”

“I’m going to get dressed and go out to the kitchen, it sounds like Mama and Jerrid are up.”

“Okay, I’ll be out in a minute. I can smell egg and pastry; breakfast is almost ready.”

Chris sniffed the air, but couldn’t smell anything.

Chris grabbed his jeans off the floor and pulled them on under the covers. He grabbed a shirt nearest to him and glanced at Katrina who was lying with her eyes closed, willing her stomach to stop turning. She needed to give herself a shot as soon as she could stand. That would cut her hangover in half. She was starving and knew the medication would cut that in half, too.

“I’ll see you out there?”

“Yup.”

Jerrid was sitting at the kitchen table sipping a coffee and reading a newspaper. He looked up and nodded at Chris as he came in. When he looked back at the paper, Chris walked over to the kitchen where Mama was making something that smelled like it would help his hangover.

“Sit Chicken, I’ve made a breakfast quiche for y'all, it’s just cooling. Coffee?”

“Yes, please.” He sat down in the wooden chair waiting for someone to strike up a conversation.

Mama set a cup of terra-cotta colored coffee in front of him, along with two Tylenol and one vitamin.
“Multi-vitamin, it will help your hangover.”

“How’d you know I take cream in my coffee?”

“Oh, lucky guess I suppose, you look like a cream type of guy.” Jerrid chuckled through his nose and peered at Chris through the tops of his eyes. Mama winked at him and wandered back towards the kitchen. “Where’s Trinket?”

Chris stiffened, wondering if she already knew where she was. He glanced at Jerrid who could be less interested in him at the moment.

“Uh, sleeping I guess?” Mama didn’t reply which made Chris even more curious. “Do you want me to wake her?”

“No no, hangovers affect her more than us. Leave her be.”

“’Kay.” Chris could hear the crackling of bacon in a frying pan and his mouth started to water. “Smells delicious.”

“Thanks Chicken.”

Chris heard his bedroom door open. He turned in his chair to look down the hall. Katrina was closing his door and opening the bathroom door. He turned back towards Jerrid-- who saw the same thing. Jerrid stared at Chris a moment before clearing his throat and re-occupying himself with the two-day-old newspaper he was reading. He glanced at Chris only once more through the corner of his eye. Chris, in a moment of panic shook his head; he wanted to yell that nothing happened, but Mama hadn’t seen it and he didn’t want to make a bigger situation of it than it already was.

“What’s your plan today Chicken?” Mama put a slice of the breakfast quiche in front of them both, along with silverware and napkins. They both looked at her to see whom she was referring to. She looked at Chris waiting for a response. Jerrid folded his paper and set it on the chair beside him. He grabbed the quiche with his hand like a piece of pizza and finished it in three bites.

“Oh, I have to go talk to Glen O’Hare. Soon actually.”

“About what?” Jerrid asked through a mouthful of egg and crust.

“Oh, didn’t you hear? I’m thinking about becoming one of Forest Hills’ finest, Glen’s going to show me the ropes. I think I might even get a badge today.”
Mama chuckled and took Jerrid’s plate to get him another helping. Jerrid finished chewing his food, “Are you being a smart ass?”

“Yes.”
They both dropped the subject and Mama came to sit with them.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

End of Chapter 8: Up on the roof

.......“And you give me shit about not wanting to come back here.” Jerrid yelled from his horizontal position a few feet away.

“We have to go there.” Chris encouraged.

“I suppose you’re right.” Katrina felt strong in that moment, knowing Chris would come with her and knew she would finally be able to enter her home again. Mama had offered to come with her before, but there was something about having a frail old later that didn't make her feel quite as secure as having a six-foot-two man with her. She smiled sincerely at Chris and looked over at Jerrid, who was trying to drink his beer while lying on his back.

They walked over and sat next to him. Chris leaned back, propped up on his elbows enjoying the clear view of the stars; they were spectacular dots of light in the dark sky with no city lights or smog to interfere with their brightness; Chris could clearly make out the constellations and even see what he imagined was part of the milky way.

Jerrid’s cell phone rang and he fumbled for it in his pant pocket, knocking over his beer in the process. “Shit. Hello?”

Katrina watched Jerrid intently and Chris watched them both curiously.

“Clint, Hi. Okay so you got her secured in the basement? Is she talking yet?” Jerrid nodded to himself “Okay, just keep her there overnight; we’ll come in the morning." He paused to let out a deep, meaningful exhale. "Well, If you’re not going to tie her up, Make sure she can’t get out.” With no goodbye he hung up the phone.

“Are you guys holding someone hostage or something?” Chris asked, very serious.

“Technically,” Katrina replied. Chris locked his eyes on her. “Well, what did he say?” She asked Jerrid.

“He’s got her back in the basement but he couldn’t ger her restrained; she kept trying to bite him. Apparently she hasn’t said anything yet but she’s… hungry. He said she’s moving normally but not fully there—mentally-- Yet.”

“So it’s working.”

“I guess so. You’ll have to try and give her another dose tomorrow and see if that will bring her back even more.”

Chris slid his bum into the circle more, “Does somebody here want to tell me what the hell is going on? Please.”

Katrina glanced over at him as if she forgot he was there. “It’s Emily.”

“Emily? I thought she wasn’t around anymore.”

“What made you think that?”

“Well you said—“ Chris thought about it, and realized Katrina never did mention her death. “She’s alive and she’s infected still?”

“Yes. I brought back some of the medication they were giving me and testing on others in Colorado. I wanted to see if they would work on her.”

“You mean you stole and smuggled some medication.” Jerrid added.

Katrina didn’t acknowledge the last accusation; “I figured if she stayed alive this long, maybe she can be helped; treated and cured. I didn’t want you to come with me to Clint’s today, because I was giving her the first dose. One or two more and she should be good--from what it sounds like.” Katrina was very happy with the possibility and it showed on her face.

Chris didn’t feel the same way, “Uh, Good?”

“Yeah, she can be like me.”

“Okay, so didn’t you think that this would have been helpful information to me? You have a weapon of possible mass-destruction hidden in your uncle’s basement, which you just happen to be holding captive.” Chris stood up to walk this new information off. “Oh, I wish my head would stop spinning,” He sat back down. “Wait, what happens if she gets out and she’s still hungry?”

Katrina couldn’t think how to answer the question without worrying Chris any further. Jerrid filled in: “Then we could potentially have a problem on our hands.” Chris and Katrina laid down beside Jerrid, looking at the sky and contemplating the possible outcomes if Emily were to escape. Jerrid frowned; “I’m out of beer; it spilled.”

End of Chapter 8: Up on the roof

.......“And you give me shit about not wanting to come back here.” Jerrid yelled from his horizontal position a few feet away.

“We have to go there.” Chris encouraged.

“I suppose you’re right.” Katrina felt strong in that moment and knew she would finally be able to enter her home again. She smiled sincerely at Chris and looked over at Jerrid, who was trying to drink his beer while lying on his back. They walked over and sat next to him. Chris leaned back, propped up on his elbows enjoying the clear view of the stars; they were spectacular dots of light in the dark sky with no city lights or smog to interfere with their brightness; Chris could clearly make out the constellations and even see what he imagined was part of the milky way.

Jerrid’s cell phone rang and he fumbled in his pant pocket for it, knocking over his beer in the process.

“Shit. Hello?”

Katrina watched Jerrid intently and Chris watched them both curiously.

“Clint, Hi. Okay so you got her secured in the basement? Is she talking yet?” Jerrid nodded to himself “Okay, just keep her there overnight; we’ll come in the morning. If you’re not going to tie her up, Make sure she can’t get out.” With no goodbye he hung up the phone.

“Are you guys holding someone hostage or something?” Chris asked, very serious.

“Technically,” Katrina replied. Chris locked his eyes on her. “Well, what did he say?” She asked Jerrid.

“He’s got her back in the basement but he couldn’t ger her restrained; she kept trying to bite him. Apparently she hasn’t said anything yet but she’s… hungry. He said she’s moving normally but not fully there—mentally-- Yet.”

“So it’s working.”

“I guess so. You’ll have to try and give her another dose tomorrow and see if that will bring her back even more.”

Chris slid his bum into the circle more, “Does somebody here want to tell me what the hell is going on? Please.”

Katrina glanced over at him as if she forgot he was there. “It’s Emily.”

“Emily? I thought she wasn’t around anymore.”

“What made you think that?”

“Well you said—“ Chris thought about it, and realized Katrina never did mention her death. “She’s alive and she’s infected still?”

“Yes. I brought back some of the medication they were giving me and testing on others in Colorado. I wanted to see if they would work on her.”

“You mean you stole and smuggled some medication.” Jerrid added.

Katrina didn’t acknowledge the last accusation; “I figured if she stayed alive this long, maybe she can be helped. I didn’t want you to come with me to Clint’s today, because I was giving her the first dose. One or two more and she should be good--from what it sounds like.” Katrina was very happy with the possibility and it showed on her face.

Chris didn’t feel the same way, “Uh, Good?”

“Yeah, she can be like me.”

“Okay, so didn’t you think that this would have been helpful information to me? You have a weapon of possible mass-destruction hidden in your uncle’s basement, which you just happen to be holding captive.” Chris stood up to walk this new information off. “Oh, I wish my head would stop spinning,” He sat back down. “Wait, what happens if she gets out and she’s still hungry?”

Katrina couldn’t think how to answer the question without worrying Chris any further. Jerrid filled in: “Then we could potentially have a problem on our hands.” Chris and Katrina laid down beside Jerrid, looking at the sky and contemplating the possible outcomes if Emily were to escape. Jerrid frowned; “I’m out of beer; it spilled.”

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Chapter 8: leaving the bar

.....Katrina said something to Jerrid, which only received a nod in return and they started back towards the table. No one in the bar was bothered by the situation—-they didn’t even notice.

They sat down at the table and before Chris had a chance to ask what happened, Mary-Anne Dawes used the effects of her liquid courage to approach Jerrid one more time. Chris tried to meet Katrina’s eyes to get some kind of answer from them instead. She didn’t look at him, but he could tell she was in a deep thought.

“Honey, you comin’ over to my place tonight?” Mary Anne asked.

“You know better than that.” Jerrid’s liquid courage seemed to taking effect as well: his hand was lightly resting on the crest of Mary-Anne’s butt.

“Right, my parents. So I’ll come back to yours then. Just like old times.”

“No.”

“What do you mean ‘no’?”

“No,” Jerrid dropped his hand as if he just realized where it was, and slid his chair back. “Not like old times; forget old times--in fact-- forget any times.”

Katrina was surprised by that comment; she didn’t think Mary-Anne and Jerrid had any combined past. He always said he thought she was repulsive. Chris was oblivious; it seemed like Jerrid had a past with most of the girls in the bar.

Mary-Anne was stunned. She turned on her four-inch leopard pumps and walked back to the table full of girls. Katrina followed her with her eyes to the table of girls who all looked unhappy. Mary-Anne said something, which raised them all to their feet. They all marched out the door single file.

Before Chris knew it, they had had about ten too many drinks and the bar was closing. Chris and Jerrid protested while Katrina dragged them all outside arm-in-arm. Looks like I won’t have any more trouble trying to make them get along she thought.

Gregory was in watchman mode; scoping out the streets, looking back and forth to make sure the sight was clear. “Okay, well I’m going to go home to my spinning bed. Are y’all going to be all right? Jerrid, do you want me to walk you home?”

“Home? Who’s going home?”

Katrina shook her head, “He can stay at Mama’s, it’s closer.”

“No, I don’t want to go there.” Jerrid protested like a little child; pulling back from Katrina’s grasp.

“Jerrid, give it up, it’s right there. We’ll hang out on the roof for a bit, have a beer and then you can sleep on Mama’s couch.”

Jerrid looked at Gregory with pleading eyes, but Gregory nodded for him to follow them.

“You’re welcome to come too Greg,” Katrina added.

“oh, no thanks Katrina, I’m pretty tired and I’ve got an early watch tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

Chris waved and they said their goodnights.

The three of them walked down Church Street until they got to Mama’s building. Jerrid was clearly distraught being inside the foyer. He fingered the scratch marks and looked around taking in the memories. Chris watched him with sadness.

“I see they still haven’t fixed that light situation,” Jerrid commented.

Katrina was flipping the switch repeatedly, “Nope, probably never will.”

They reached Mama’s floor and Jerrid walked through the door without looking down the corridor to his old apartment. He looked around the familiar room, “nothing’s changed.”

“You know Mama,”

Katrina grabbed a few beers out of the fridge and led them to the closet with the emergency roof escape, holding a finger up to her mouth to keep them quiet when they were beside Mama’s door.

They walked to the side of the building that overlooked the highway they came in on. Past it was trees and land as far as Chris could see. “Wow,” he exclaimed, “it stretches for miles.” He started wandering around the edge of the roof to take in the surrounding views. The side facing the forest showed a thick brush of trees stretching for miles—except for the small empty patch where Chris imagined the old farm might be. The side on Forest Road was a view of the rest of the town and Chris could see that it was not much bigger that he thought; there was one more street on the other side of Stumps, and the rest was forest until the trees stopped; they really were in the middle of nowhere. In the distance he saw a big machinery building and plant.

“Is that where they process the wood?”

Katrina walked over to look. She handed him an open beer. “Yup. Come over here,” She brought him to the last side, which had an amazing view of the church. “You see those houses just past the church.”

“Those mansions you mean? Behind the huge gates?”

“Yeah. Well, the one on the left is mine and the one to the right, kind of behind it is the Dawes,”

“You mean that house is still all yours?”

Katrina nodded, “I’m just to afraid to go back in; too many horrible memories. I haven’t been back and nothing’s been changed inside since my parents turned. At least that’s what Mama said. She’s the only one that’s been inside since.”

“And you give me shit about not wanting to come back here.” Jerrid yelled from his horizontal position a few feet away.