Neighborhood Watch 9: After the EMP by EE Isherwood

Author:EE Isherwood [Isherwood, EE]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Isherwood Media
Published: 2023-10-03T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

We came home to cheers and clapping.

Everyone parted as the truck made its way between the two shipping containers acting as our new front gate. The crowd fell to each side, slapping high-fives with me and Carmen as we held our arms out the doors.

“Hey, Frank,” Pierce said from behind Carmen’s seat. “Do you ever talk to the guy who lives with Trish in that place? Is he ever around here?”

He pointed out Carmen’s window to the last house on the block, next to Trevor’s old place. Penny had explained to Pierce that his real estate agent lived on the same street as him, but I had never seen her or her husband.

“No one has seen or heard from either of them since this all started. We have no idea what happened to them.”

“Ah, okay,” he said.

I found it odd for him to ask the question. He should have been more focused on his wife and daughter, who were approaching with the others on the street ahead. The blonde daughter walked hand-in-hand with her mom.

“I’m going to park here. We can unload this truck once we’ve had a chance to visit.” I didn’t want to spend a lot of time talking and shaking hands, but I could tell my friends weren’t going to allow me to jump out of the truck and get right to work. After being gone for so long, it was probably a good idea to reassure them I was back, but also that my trip to the outside world was a worthy one. “Let me take the heat for a bit, then you guys can climb out the back.”

“I want to see my Chuckie,” Helen reminded me before turning away.

“Oh, I know,” I answered.

“Are you ready to get out?” Helen said to one of the children. “I know I sure am!”

“Yeehawwwww!” the girl answered, sounding far more enthused than earlier. I didn’t know a thing about her condition, but her non-verbal nature made me think she didn’t have her full mental capabilities. If that was the case, then her enthusiastic reply made even more sense.

“That’s for sure,” Helen said to the child.

I immediately wondered where we were going to put the two special needs kids. None of us were set up to take care of them long-term. What type of medications did they need? What could they eat? How would they get around? I was sure we would work it all out, but my brain addressed practical problems and solutions around the clock these days.

Shane was at my door as I opened it. He held the yellow 4-pound hammer for me to take.

“Frank, I feel stupid doing this, but the kid asked me to get this to you before you set foot on the street. Besides, I wanted to be the first to give Sonny a crack on the arm when he gets out.”

Nikki’s mom, Amy, was only a few feet away, listening to Shane.

“Guys, Sonny and Jammer are safe, but they aren’t in the truck with me.

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