The Posh Prepper: An Apocalyptic Survival Thriller by Todd Knight

Author:Todd Knight [Knight, Todd]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Meadowlake Press
Published: 2023-02-26T00:00:00+00:00

Nick sat down and admired the steaming spread of turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet corn, and biscuits.

“Trace, this looks incredible,” Dana said.

Everyone echoed the sentiment.

“Should somebody, you know, say something?” T.J. asked.

“Zo, you want to say grace?” Brian asked, then turned to the group. “Would that be OK?”

Everyone nodded.

“Geez, Dad, don’t put me on the spot or anything,” Zoe said. “OK, everybody take hands and bow your heads.”

Nick held hands with Dana and Abby and closed his eyes.

“Tonight we think of—”

A chair screeched back.

Nick’s eyes shot open.

Mikey hopped out of his chair, sauntered around to Zoe, inserted himself between her and T.J., and clasped their hands.

Herman put a palm to his face and shook his head.

Zoe closed her eyes, and Nick followed. “Tonight we think of all the good people in the world who are suffering, alone, afraid. Our hearts are with them, and we pray that you watch over them, Lord, and protect them in this moment of darkness. We’re grateful to be prepped and safe, with shelter and money and resources to survive this awful plague.”

Zoe took a deep breath. “Please don’t give up on us, Lord. Don’t let this be the end.” Her voice trembled. “We know we are deeply flawed, hopelessly drawn to evil, but look past our shortcomings, our sins, and see that there is still good in this world, still good in us. Soften our hearts, so that we may see the good in each other.”

Dana squeezed Nick’s hand.

“Whatever tomorrow may bring, tonight we’re grateful to have each other. Tonight we’re a family, and that’s good enough. Amen.”

“Amen,” everyone echoed.

Abby pulled her hand away.

Nick opened his eyes, and everyone sat in silence.

“Jesus, kid,” T.J. said with glassy eyes.

“Was it too much?” Zoe looked at Brian.

He gave her a loving smile. “Just right, Z-Bird.”

Tracy dabbed her eye with a napkin. “Alright, everyone dig in before it gets cold.”

After a flurry of passing and scooping, everyone faced a full steaming plate. They took a first bite, buzzed about the flavors, and complimented the chef at the head of the table.

As everyone dined, Brian leaned over to Tracy. “Almost feels like Salt of the Earth, doesn’t it?”

Tracy took a big bite of potatoes, closed her eyes, and nodded.

“What’s Salt of the Earth?” T.J. asked.

Tracy, her mouth full of potatoes, looked at Brian to answer.

“Salt of the Earth was a restaurant we opened. Well, Tracy opened it, really. She was executive chef and designed the whole menu as a fun, elevated take on comfort food. It was incredible—lobster mac and cheese, ginger chicken-noodle soup, the Million Dollar Meatloaf—mmm, everything was to die for. People traveled from across the state, across New England, to try it. We were always packed, line out the door. And in the three years she ran it, not a single staff member left. That place…it was magical.”

“Anddd,” Dana said, “she won Boston Magazine’s Restaurant of the Year award two years in a row.”

“You never told me that, mom,” Zoe said.

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