Twenty One Hundred by Steven Anderson

Author:Steven Anderson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hillcrest Media Group, Inc.

Chapter Six

The date was February 25, 2040 and—the next day--Jack had to go back to work at the North Lake News. He held a freshly brewed cup of coffee in his hands as he looked out the picture window at frozen Lake Superior still in the grip of winter. He contemplated what the future had in store for him, for Sandy, and for their baby—yet to be born.

Jack said, “Sandy, you should call your doctor to find out if you are pregnant.”

“I think I am.’

“I know; but, you should find out for sure. Have you made an appointment?”

“Yep. Tomorrow morning.”

“Good.”

The next day, Sandy came back from the doctor’s office with a beaming smile. The results were positive. She was definitely pregnant. The doctor estimated that she was about 5 weeks along, and he set the tentative due date for October 25, 2040. She was in good health and was free to travel. Sandy prayed to God that she would have a healthy baby.

“Dr. Merton said that I could call him when I got home so you can talk to him. Just wait a minute, and I’ll get him on the videophone.” Sandy said.

“Jack, Dr. Merton is on the video screen.”

“Jack, congratulations. Everything looks good so far. Sandy should have a healthy baby. Keep in mind there’s a long way to go.”

“Right, I understand. Thanks for all your help so far, doc.”

“Here, take a look at the ultrasound. I’ll put it up on the monitor.”

“Anything, that I should do?” asked Jack.

“Just help Sandy keep on track with her diet and exercise plan, no mountain climbing. Sandy will be back for monthly checkups until delivery.”

“Thank you doctor,” Sandy remarked.

“That’s why I’m here. Don’t hesitate to call. Bye.”

“Jack, this will be so great,” Sandy said, as she wiped a tear from her eye.

“I know.”

“It’s going to change our lives.”

“For the better,” Jack said. “Well, I’ve got to go to work. I love you. See you later.”

At the daily staff meeting, Bill Nordstrom, editor for the North Lake News, reported on the major developments that had recently occurred in the old 48 states of the Old United States. Air travel had resumed on a limited basis in many areas including the North Central Alliance—although it would be another week before the Duluth airport would open. It was expected that air traffic would continue to grow in the coming months. The second major event had been the decision of the Great Lakes Water Pipeline Commission to proceed with the extension of the pipeline to Mexico City. (Something that Jack Thorson thought was a big mistake prior to the attack, and he thought that it was an even crazier idea now.) The commission members believed that the violence would be contained, and that future attacks would be on a smaller scale. They were under a lot of pressure from developers to continue the project. Too many people had too much money invested in the pursuit of expanding the pipeline to let the project drop.

Bill Nordstrom suggested that Jack take a trip down to the country of Florida, as his next big assignment.

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