Lamp Black: Second Edition, Disaster, Preparedness, Survival, Awakening (The Gatekeeper Book 2) (10 page)

J
ohn found Jenna working in the master bedroom closet. With a bent hanger, she had hung an oil lamp from the highest rack in her closet. It cast a comfortable light in the enclosed space, more than enough to reveal the pile of clothing strewn on the carpeted floor at her feet. Jenna was standing on her toes, stretching to reach a storage box on the top shelf, when John cleared his throat. She turned and saw him standing there, and with a finger she pointed to a box and said, “Don’t just stand there, grab that box for me?”

John normally would have reacted before her request, but he was concerned. Jenna wasn’t one to haphazardly throw things around, especially in her own closet. Something was also messing with her head. “What are you looking for?” he asked.

“I’m looking for something to wear when I go outside,” she replied. “All I have are jeans and running clothes. Everything else is business attire, like dresses and suits. And look at my shoes, they’re all heels, except for my running shoes,” said Jenna, as she lifted one of her feet to emphasize her conclusion.

John wasn’t sure what brought on this episode of clothing insecurity, but he figured it had something to do with her having to find clothes for Corbin. But she had nothing to be insecure about. John knew she had more than enough useful clothing to wear outside. “You know the ash isn’t going to be around forever,” said John, as he grabbed the plastic box from the top shelf and set it on the floor next to her feet, “and I’ve got your hiking boots in the garage,” he offered, when she still didn’t reply.

“John, I didn’t do anything to prepare myself. We’ve got food, water, electricity . . . yes, I saw the Christmas lights in the hall, that works really well . . . but I don’t have any clothes. If we have to go anywhere . . . I’m not ready.”

“You’re more ready than you realize. Besides, you don’t really need any special clothing, just comfortable stuff. And you’ve got plenty of dark and earth-toned workout clothes that won’t make you stand out. And what you don’t have, I can get for you. Trust me, you’ll be fine,” finished John.

Jenna put her hand on John’s DCUs that were hanging on the rack next to her. He continued to maintain two complete sets of duty uniforms, even after retiring. They were hung in the closet next to his business suits, with all the patches and pins attached, as if he expected to be called up and reinstated on active duty at any moment. Jenna never understood why he kept his duty uniforms hanging in the closet, but she wasn’t inclined to criticize his inability to completely separate himself from the army, so she let it go. But the DCUs were now a reminder of how John was always prepared for something, and she was prepared for nothing. “You’ve got all your army stuff to wear,” replied Jenna, as she pointed to John’s uniforms again, defeat edging into her voice, “I don’t have anything like this.”

John had an idea. “Look, why don’t you take some of my old camouflage uniforms and size them down. After dinner, once the refrigerator chills up, plug your sewing machine in and alter them to fit. I’ve got a duffel bag full of old army uniforms. Here, take this one.” John handed her one of his ready DCUs.

Jenna nodded and smiled. She hung John’s uniform back on the rack and said, “Yeah, I can do that. And I can make a set for the kids too,” she replied, clearly feeling better about her clothing options.

“Great. I’ll bring the uniform duffel bag in from the garage, and you guys can choose what camo pattern you want while I make dinner.”

“Thanks, honey,” replied Jenna, and she reached up to wrap her arms around John’s neck. She pecked his cheek and added, “I’m sorry I got upset.”

“I wouldn’t say you were upset, but it does make me wonder what other people are thinking right now. At least we have something to use, something to build upon.” Wanting to change the subject, for Jenna’s benefit as much as his own, he asked, “What do you want to do with Corbin? I think you’re right, there’s something going on there.”

“I think we should feed him,” answered Jenna, “but after that it’s up to you. You may have to walk him home.”

John nodded. He had already considered that option. “OK, let me get dinner going and we can talk more about him. I love you. Are you going to be OK?”

“I’ll be fine. I love you, too,” said Jenna, as she gave John another hug and kiss.

John left Jenna to straighten up the closet and returned to the kitchen. He passed the kids as they were heading out. “Where are you guys going?”

Adam answered for the group. “We were gonna go upstairs and look outside.”

“I’d rather you not. At least for the moment. I need your help. Follow me.”

They followed John into the garage. John grabbed the ladder and pulled down a duffel bag from the overhead garage rack. “Take this into the family room and dump it on the floor. Your mom will be in to give you instructions in a minute.”

Adam carried the duffel bag into the house, and Abby and Corbin followed close behind. John returned to the kitchen and started dinner. He was browning ground beef on the stove when Corbin piped up. “That sure smells good, Mr. Anderson. What are you making?”

“I’m making chili, Corbin. Would you like to stay for dinner?” replied John.

“Can I? Yes. Thanks Mr. Anderson.”

“I’ll take you home after dinner,” added John, and the look on Corbin’s face instantly changed from happiness to despair. John again
wondered what was going on in the kid’s mind. “Is everything OK at home?” he asked.

Corbin nodded and turned his attention back to the clothes. John saw that he wasn’t willing to talk about home, so he dropped the subject. He knew he would find out soon enough what was going on at Corbin’s house.

John watched them interact as they rummaged through his collection of old army uniforms. The collection contained mostly the standard forest-patterned BDUs, the ones with the familiar green, brown, black design that were used by the army from the mid 80’s to the early 90’s. But there were also a few desert pattern uniforms from Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as a few pair of the olive-drab uniforms of the early 80’s. Mixed among the older uniforms were also several worn pairs of DCUs that John used on his most recent combat duty in Iraq. The kids shuffled through the pile of clothing with curiosity and interest, asking questions about the different patches and camouflage patterns. They pulled the uniforms on and appraised each other’s choices. It was the perfect distraction.

John returned to making dinner and noticed Jenna walk by with the sewing machine in her arms. He was glad she found purpose with a project that she could enjoy, because they all needed a distraction from the ash. Jenna quickly organized the kids and instructed them to identify one set each. John was happy to see that she included Corbin in the project, even if it would cost him a uniform. Excluding Corbin would have dampened everyone’s mood, so it was worth the uniform. Besides, he had a strong feeling that Corbin would be with them longer than dinner.

Thirty minutes later they were sitting at the table, ready to eat. John blessed the food and they quietly ate chili, with rice and cornbread. Dinner talk eventually emerged, and began to focus on some crazy YouTube comedian that John had never heard about. He smiled along for most of the conversation, but he remained lost in thought about tomorrow, about everything really, but mostly about what tomorrow
would bring. He knew he shouldn’t worry about the future, but it was in his nature to think and plan ahead. For now, he knew the only way to stay sane was to take everything a day at a time, especially when it concerned the ash.

Jenna and the kids cleaned up the dinner dishes while John repacked the extra uniforms and stowed them away in the garage. It was Adam’s turn to wash the dishes, which was met with some complaint, but he quickly adjusted to the primitive technique of hand washing the dishes once Abby offered to help dry. While they were busy, John took the opportunity to pull Corbin aside and talk privately with him about his visit.

“Corbin, can you please come with me for a minute?”

“Sure, Mr. Anderson,” replied Corbin, without reservation.

With his whaler’s lantern in hand, John led Corbin into the garage. He asked Corbin to sit on a folding chair while he sat, in reversed fashion, on one in front of him. “So, I need you to tell me what’s going on at home?” asked John. He saw no point in beating around the bush. Direct questioning was the best approach when dealing with someone Corbin’s age. Corbin looked left and right, as if contemplating an escape. He was having a hard time maintaining eye contact with John. “Look, Corbin, I’ll find out what’s going on soon enough. I’ll go up to your door when I drop you off, and I’ll ask to speak with your parents.” Corbin’s eyes grew wide, but he quickly looked down. “You’re not in trouble, Corbin,” added John, “I just want to know if everything’s OK at home.” Corbin glanced at John and he saw that the kid’s eyes were starting to well up with tears.
Good work, John
, he said to himself,
now you made the kid cry
. “Corbin,” he said, as he put a hand on his shoulder, “just tell me what’s going on at home.”

“My folks aren’t there,” he said, as he rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands.

“What do you mean they’re not home?” asked John.

“They’re not there, OK! I don’t want to talk about it!” Corbin was becoming agitated, and his emotions were bordering on hysteria.

“OK, calm down. Everything will be all right. I’ll run you home and we’ll go see what’s going on. If your parents aren’t home when we get there . . . well, then I’ll bring you back here and you can stay with us until they return. Will that work?” Corbin nodded and wiped his eyes again. “OK, then let’s go back in and make some plans,” said John as he stood. Corbin rose and followed him into the kitchen.

Adam and Abby had just finished the dishes, and they were hovering around Jenna as she talked about making their uniform alterations. John wasn’t sure what to make of Corbin’s story, but he knew it wouldn’t be hard to get to the bottom of it. Given the conditions outside, he wouldn’t be surprised to find Corbin’s house empty, but he wanted to make sure. He needed to know what Corbin’s parents were up to, why they would allow their only child to walk the streets of the neighborhood when the ash was falling around them. There could be any number of reasons why Corbin’s parents didn’t make it home from work yesterday, but he wasn’t going to upset the boy with speculation and personal opinion. However, he did need more information.

“I’ll get ready and we’ll head over in a few minutes,” said John, as he patted Corbin on the back. “For now, go join the fun until it’s time to leave.” John motioned for Jenna to follow him into the other room for a private chat. She looked concerned, but she got up from behind the sewing machine and told the kids she’d be right back. John’s private talks were seldom good news, so she followed him into the living room wearily. “Something’s going on with Corbin,” he said. “He’s not being honest about why he’s here.”

“Oh,” replied Jenna. She peeked around the corner to check on the kids and said, “I thought it was something more serious.”

“It is serious,” said John.

“Why do you say that?” asked Jenna.

“He’s lying. I recognize the signs,” said John. “He’s wasn’t being truthful when we talked in the garage.”

“He’s a kid, John, not a Soldier,” said Jenna. “You shouldn’t interrogate him like that. You’re not in Iraq anymore.”

“This isn’t about Iraq, Jenna,” said John, mildly irritated at his wife’s disposition and reference to Iraq. Her apparent misconception of his interest in Corbin’s wellbeing also annoyed him. “This is about finding the truth. Corbin’s desire to hide something from me . . . someone who’s not a threat to him. It tells me it’s something big,” finished John.

“You’re right, I’m sorry. It’s just that . . . well, never mind,” said Jenna.

“What?” asked John, “you can’t leave me hanging like that, babe.”

“He’s just a kid, John.”

John nodded and looked Jenna in the eye, “Kids his age were carrying AK-47s and trying to kill me in Iraq. Jenna, he’s not a baby. But let me ask you this, are you OK if he stays with us?”

“You think it will come to that?” asked Jenna in reply.

“It’s only a feeling,” replied John.

“Do you think something happened to his parents?” asked Jenna.

“I don’t know, but I’ll take him to the door and see what happens.” It was John, this time, who peeked around the corner into the kitchen before returning his attention to Jenna. “I told him that if no one’s home he could come back and stay with us until his parents come get him.”

Jenna nodded and asked, “Sure, he can stay with us. But will you take a radio with you this time? I need to be able to talk to you when you’re out. The door knock codes are great for coming and going, but what if you get hurt? It would take us forever to find you in the ash.”

It was John’s turn to nod. “You’re right. I should have taken a radio with me to the shop. I don’t know how well they’ll work in the ash, but I think it’s better than nothing. Besides, the ash isn’t falling as hard as it was before. I’ll set them up before I go. Anything else, love?”