Total pages in book: 163
Estimated words: 150878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 754(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 150878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 754(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
I glanced to my left, out to the horizon. “I think we should stick to our original plan and get on the road.”
“To California?” Emily asked.
California felt like a universe away. So many bad things had happened to me there. I’d made such terrible mistakes within its borders. But I couldn’t help remembering what Mrs. Swanson had said about my mom the last time I’d seen her: We once promised each other that if anything happened to the other, she’d look out for Em and I’d look out for you. My mom wasn’t around anymore to look out for Emily, but I could do what she would have done if she’d been able. Right now, I was the only one who could. Plus, my uncle was there, and I wanted to make sure he was okay too. Not to mention the other people in the neighborhood, two in particular. “Yeah,” I answered.
“Get on the road to California?” Charlie blurted. “Using what?”
“Our feet,” I said. “We have no way to know from here what’s up ahead. I think we should find out. The alternative is do nothing, and I’m not cut out for that.”
I also had this deep sense that we needed to get on the road now before things really crumbled. The longer the power was off, the more desperate things would become. At a certain point—one likely approaching fast—it wouldn’t be safe to travel at all. Either we set off pretty immediately, or we hunkered down here. Again, I wasn’t cut out for sitting in place—I’d done far too much of that for too many years. But also, whether I could barter with my willingness to work and chip in or not, I didn’t feel entirely right asking these people to put us up when basic supplies might become extremely stretched. “It’d be best if we get a night of sleep and some food, if possible, and take off in the morning. Do you think we might buy some basic camping gear somewhere in town?”
The sheriff considered that. “I’d imagine we can collect a few sleeping bags and some backpacks. That’s not the type of stuff that’s going to be valuable to us here in our homes.”
“Great. Thank you so much. Is there anywhere we might rent a room?” I had a little bit of cash in my wallet, but not much. Still, I had to offer something and hope for the best.
The sheriff scratched his head. “Unfortunately, no. The nearest motel is about ten miles up the highway. And I have no idea if they’ve remained operational.”
“Would a family be willing to put us up? Like, I said, just for a night and we’re willing to pay, of course.”
“Money won’t do us any good right now. None of you work in the medical field, do you?”
“No,” I said. “But I can look at your son’s arm if you’d like me to. In exchange for a room for one night. If your son’s injury is a dislocation, or even a simple break, I can set it.” It was a risk. It’d been years since I’d set a bone, but it was also very straightforward. I remembered what to do and was willing to try. “If I deem it to be more serious than I can handle, I’ll leave it be, I promise.”
“You just said you didn’t work in the medical field,” the sheriff said.
I glanced at Emily, who was looking at me with some amount of alarm. “I don’t, but we lived on a farm. I watched the vet set many bones over the years. It’s a simple process that will immediately alleviate his pain.”
The sheriff’s gaze hung on me. “A farm?”
I released a breath. “I know animals aren’t humans, but there are enough similarities that I believe I can help. Or at least try.”
The sheriff was silent for so long, I was sure he was going to say no way. “Okay. You look at my boy’s arm. But unless you’re sure you can do more good than harm to him, then it goes no further than a look. Either way, one night in our home is all I’m going to be able to offer but it wouldn’t be right not to do at least that.” He gave the three of us a look in turn. “And I wouldn’t expect that everyone’s willing to do what’s right, once you get out there so be prepared for that. More to the point, the notion of right and wrong is going to shift the longer the power’s out. Frankly, there’s no telling what’s going on beyond Silver Creek.” An expression of something akin to torment passed over his face before he glanced away.
Charlie let out a sound that was somewhere between a grunt and a whine.
“Understood,” I said. “And thank you.” Then I looked at Emily and Charlie. “We leave first thing.”