Deceptive Mayhem: Dakota Destruction Book 4 | America's New Apocalypse by Millie Copper

Author:Millie Copper [Copper, Millie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Merissa

The crisp morning sun bathes the cozy living room as I sit in the rocking chair, my hands cradling my ever-growing belly. Mother Pearl insisted on the new piece of furniture. She said the ability to rock and soothe the baby will make our lives much easier.

Jesse Talbot carried the heavy wooden chair from the furniture depot to my house while I walked alongside him. Like everything else needed for our day-to-day living, I used a ration chip to buy the piece. As an expectant mother, I receive extra rations compared to others. My food rations exceed Pearl’s, and I have specific ration chips for baby furniture and clothes.

The rocking chair didn’t qualify as baby furniture, which caused Pearl to raise a fuss when we originally went looking for one. I’m sure the poor woman in the store didn’t know what to do when Pearl started talking. My mother-in-law has a way of making her point known with a serene smile on her face while being less than kind.

The weird thing is, unless you really know the woman, you may not even realize what just happened. I’ve been on the receiving end of Pearl’s tongue enough times to know exactly what she was saying. In the end, the woman gave a weary sigh and told us to take whatever we needed.

I glance at my watch and release a quiet breath. Today is a rare morning off for me. I’m expected at the hospital at 1330 hours to join Dr. Wolff on her rounds, which will include visiting Kemeera, Mindy, and the children. I have some time before I need to get going.

I lean back, my thoughts continuing to wander, exploring the intricacies of my relationship with Pearl. We’re forever bound by our shared love for her son and the anticipation of my unborn child. Living together has been a challenge. Living during this time in history has made the challenge even more difficult.

I open one eye and glance around the room. Pearl is at the kitchen table, working on her mending, the tip of her tongue showing between her lips. She has two pots of water on the stove to boil and sanitize as part of her water crew job. Sewing and water sanitation are common jobs for the elderly. They do the work they’re able to do in order to contribute to our struggling society.

Not that there’s a large population of elderly remaining. Many were lost in the early days of the attacks, even before the EMP. In the last eighteen months, the population of those over the age of sixty has plummeted.

Pearl lifts her head, a smile softening her weathered features. “It’s nice to see you relaxing.”

I lean forward in the rocker and return her smile. “It feels weird to just sit.”

“You need it. The doctors are sure you’re not overdoing it? Today’s, what, February 2nd? Only two months and he should be born.”

I silently add “or she” as I give a nod.

“When did you say they’ll get the new medic trained?” Pearl asks.

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