Praying for Grace Read online

  “It looks like a Hobbit house,” said Hoot.

  “Yeah, it does,” echoed Clark.

  “Let me take Abbey,” said Gus quietly. “You’ve taken a long enough turn.”

  “I can get her,” said Danny.

  Clark let Abbey slide down off of his back. She stood on her own feet for a moment but looked weak and disoriented. As she wobbled on her feet, Danny lifted her onto his back. Alice led the way down the hill and toward the unusual concrete home.

  I could tell that Clark was anxious to see his wife again. He began talking non-stop.

  “The place is well insulated. There’s a well with a hand pump inside. All the gray water is filtered back into the earth. We don’t have electricity but really haven’t a need.”

  “Clark, brother,” said Gus. “Tell us about it once we’re inside?”

  Clark looked embarrassed. “Sure.”

  Trees gave way to a grassy meadow as we reached the bottom of the hill. The odd home stood before us, less than fifty yards away, nestled into a gentle slope. It looked smaller from this angle.

  “Is that the front door there?” asked Hoot.

  “Yeah.”

  “How’d you manage to build in a National Park?” asked Gus.

  “Wasn’t easy. That’s mainly why it’s so well hidden. Laura and I decided to go off the grid, so we just hauled materials in over the years and built it. She’s always been a free spirit. Adventurous. Never has played by the rules.”

  “I’m looking forward to meeting her,” said Gus.

  “I’m going now,” said Alice as she left the tree line and began walking toward the house. I followed her. Mid-way, a door opened and a woman walked out. She was tall with dark hair piled on top of her head and wore a tank top and free-flowing skirt.

  “Alice!” she called. “Are you ok?”

  “I’m alright,” Alice called back. “I have friends with me; they’re ok people.”

  “Laura!” yelled Clark.

  The dark haired woman took a moment to respond, as if she didn’t know just what to do. I heard Clark running, and the woman brought her hands up to her mouth in disbelief. As soon as he reached her, he engulfed her in his arms and the two of them fell to the ground together. I could hear her crying.

  Alice looked back at us. “We should hurry and get inside.”

  Danny closed the gap to the home and walked inside, still carrying Abbey. Hoot and Alice were close behind. Gus caught up to me and took my hand in his. As we passed Clark and Laura, Gus reached out and patted the man on the shoulder. Only a moment later, Clark and his wife followed us inside. Laura locked the door, which meant fastening a chain, locking a deadbolt, and sliding a wood two-by-four into brackets.

  “How, Clark? How are you here?” asked an overwhelmed Laura.

  “In time, sweetheart, but first we need to get this little girl tucked into bed.”

  “What’s wrong with her?”

  “We think pneumonia,” said Gus. “Do you have any antibiotics?”

  “We do,” said Alice.

  “Where’s Megan?” Laura suddenly asked.

  “She didn’t make it, honey,” said Clark grimly.

  Laura put a hand to her mouth. “Oh, no! Oh, Alice…”

  “Dan, follow me,” said Clark. “You can put Abbey in one of the spare rooms.”

  Laura was busy hugging Alice. “Clark, put her in the front room. The other one is Al’s.”

  I followed Clark and Dan deeper into the home. The inside was a lot larger than I would have guessed. Walls were curved to form hallways that resembled tunnels. In some places they reached ceiling to floor, but in others they were just half-height pony walls. They were fascinating, made from a mosaic of wine and soda pop bottles with concrete used as mortar. The resulting random color scheme reminded me of stained glass. Round cylindrical skylights dotted the ceiling in seemingly random placements. The interior was gray unpainted concrete. The walls and rooms I had seen so far were curved with no right angles.

  The hallway leading to the bedroom was dark, with barely enough light by which to see. The room itself was better lit, with one of the unusual skylights placed in the center of the ceiling. A small bed sat off to one side of the room. The mattress sagged and it was covered in an old handmade quilt.

  “I’ll pull the covers down,” I said quickly, stepping around Danny and Abbey.

  I quickly drew the covers back and Danny laid her on the mattress.

  “I’m thirsty,” whispered Abbey.

  “We’ll get you some water, Abs,” whispered Danny sweetly to her.

  “I’ll grab it,” said Clark. He hustled out of the room, skirting around Gus on the way.

  “How’s our girl doing?” asked Gus quietly.

  Dan looked up. “She’s thirsty. Clark’s getting her a glass of water.”

  “Alice is off looking for their stash of pills. I want to try to get some antibiotics down her, and Laura’s heating some broth,” said Gus as he sat on the edge of the bed. “Hey beautiful, how are you feeling?”

  Abbey answered with a cough that sounded like it originated deep in her chest.

  “Shhh, don’t try to talk if it makes you cough,” said Dan.

  She looked from Gus to Danny. “Where are we?” she managed to whisper.

  “We made it to Clark’s house. We’re safe. Don’t talk, ok?” said Danny.

  “So thirsty,” she said.

  “I’ve got water for you,” said Clark, who thankfully returned. “It’s from the well, about as cold as you can get.”

  Alice walked in just behind Clark. “Laura told me these are both antibiotics,” she said, handing two small pill bottles to Gus.

  Gus read their labels and thought for a moment. Deciding on one over the other, he twisted the cap off of the bottle and shook a large white pill into the palm of his hand.

  “Abbey, darlin’, I need you to sit up to swallow this pill. Think you can do that?”

  She nodded weakly. Danny helped her sit and Gus transferred the pill to her hand. She slipped it into her mouth and weakly held her hand out for the glass of water. Before long she was tucked in, and quickly fell asleep.

  “Dan, she’ll probably sleep for a while,” said Gus as he stood. He looked exhausted, as I’m sure we all did. “I’ll check on her in a couple hours.”

  “Thanks, Gus. After what happened last night, I’ll stay in here with her,” said Dan as he kicked his shoes off.

  “I understand,” answered Gus. “Wake me if she needs anything.”

  Clark, Gus, Alice, and I all left the room. There was no door to close.

  “Laura said to come eat when you can,” Alice said quietly as we walked back toward the entry room.

  ***

  Laura’s rabbit stew was delicious. She hadn’t expected extra company, so servings were small. Even so, it was more than any of us were accustomed to after so many days on the road. The dining table was small and made out of wood that Clark had harvested from the surrounding woods. Alice took Dan a bowl of stew before retreating to the room she had shared with her mother. She was too upset about losing Megan to eat.

  As evening approached the light level in the home dropped significantly.

  “I’ll light the fire place,” announced Laura. “Clark, can you cover the front window?”

  “Sure thing.”

  “We can’t risk people seeing the firelight,” explained his wife. “You might have noticed most of the daylight comes from above. The only vertical window is on the front wall. We did that to keep the place hidden.”

  “Clark told us,” said Gus. “You both really made something special here.”

  “It’s our dream home,” said Clark.

  “There’s only three bedrooms. Alice is in hers, and your sick friend and her boyfriend are in the second. Clark and I will need ours tonight; I’m sure you can understand. The rest of you are welcome to sleep on the couches in the back of the house. Just keep the front door locked,” she warned. “Tho
se things wander through here from time to time. Usually they keep going, unless we draw their attention.”

  “Hoot, do us a favor tonight?” asked Clark.

  “What’s that?”

  “Keep the fire going? It’ll keep the whole place warm.”

  “No problem. Just show me where the wood is.”

  “Follow me,” said Laura. “I’ll show you all to the family room, give you a quick tour.”

  Gus and I walked hand in hand behind Hoot and Laura. She first showed us the restroom, which she said was one of two. The second was in their master bedroom. Water for the toilet and sink was pumped by hand. The shower was similar, where water was pumped to a trough much like the showers back at the base. None of the water was heated, but we had become used to that. She told us that the used wash water drained directly to their garden, which she promised to show us during daylight.

  Eventually we settled in what she called the family room. It was large and oval with an open circular fireplace in the center of the room, which vented through a pipe in the ceiling. Clark joined us, bearing blankets. Gus and I settled in for the night, utilizing the only sleeper-sofa in the room. Hoot lit the fire, and Laura and Clark turned in for the night and spend much needed time together. They left the room wrapped in each other’s arms. Hoot claimed a long sofa on the other side of the fireplace. From elsewhere in the house, I heard Alice sobbing.

  ***

  The smell of cooking wafted through the family room as we were waking for the day. Gus wasn’t in the fold-out bed with me, but Hoot was awake and sitting on the couch across from the fire, putting his shoes on.

  “Morning,” I said.

  “Hey, Zoe. Good morning.”

  “Where is everyone?”

  “Laura’s in the kitchen making breakfast. She won’t let anyone help. Gus is in with Abbey and I think Dan’s taking a shower.”

  “How’s Abbey? Do you know?” I asked.

  “Not sure. Gus hasn’t come out yet.”

  “I’m gonna go check on her,” I said as I swung my legs out from under the covers and onto the ground.

  Like a gentleman, Hoot stood to help me up. I took his hand gratefully, as getting up and down was becoming difficult due to my rapidly growing belly. I noticed that he was looking at me funny.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “Your neck. It’s green.”

  Feeling self-conscious, I put a hand up to my throat to cover it.

  “I’ll go look at it in the bathroom,” I mumbled as I hustled to leave the room.

  “I’ll have Gus come find you,” he called as I rushed away.

  I found my way back to the bathroom. Like the bedrooms, this room had no door. Getting into it, though, required walking through a narrow man-made tunnel of wine bottles and concrete. Once inside it felt quite private. Dan must have finished his shower, as I found myself thankfully alone. Daylight streamed in through one of the skylight cylinders, brightening the room significantly. The cabinet top was constructed of a mosaic of small colorful tiles that surrounded a ceramic sink. A single mirror leaned against the concrete wall just above the colorful vanity. True to Hoot’s word, my neck was covered in faint green lines. Looking closer, white lines mingled with them just as they did on my abdomen.

  Someone had set dry towels out on a cabinet that sat in the corner of the room, opposite a bright pink toilet. Had I been in a better mood, the toilet would have made me laugh. I unbuttoned the shirt I was wearing and let it fall to the floor. I startled slightly when I heard Gus call my name.

  “I’m in here,” I called back softly.

  He rounded the corner into the bathroom while I was looking at my reflection. I didn’t break my gaze with the mirror as he walked up behind me.

  “Hoot said you were in here,” he said softly.

  “My neck…” I whispered.

  He wrapped his arms around me and nestled his chin between my shoulder and my neck. “Do you feel ok?”

  I tilted my head to the side. “I guess so.”

  “You look so sad, Zoe.”

  “I guess I’m just worried.” My own words brought my thoughts back to Abbey. “How’s Abs?”

  “Sleeping still. I got her to wake up long enough to take another antibiotic pill and some Tylenol. Her fever feels lower but she’s still got that damned rattle in her chest.”

  “Do you think she’ll be ok?”

  Gus straightened up and began unhooking my bra. “I think so. At least I hope so.”

  I let the bra slide away from me, and watched in the mirror as Gus’ hands gently caressed my swollen breasts, which were also riddled with faint white and green lines. My thoughts turned to baby Emmett. “I am sad, Gus,” I said randomly, touching on what he had said moments before. “We’ve lost so much and I have a sinking feeling we’re about to lose so much more.”

  He gently turned me to face him. “I have no words,” he said as he kissed my cheek gently.

  “Then just hold me? Just hold me and tell me everything will be ok?”

  He held me close, but was unable to tell me what I needed to hear.

  CHAPTER 16

  After a very cold shower, Gus and I dried off, dressed, and met the others in the kitchen. Laura made oatmeal, flatbread, and coffee for breakfast. Dan was busy placing a bowl of broth and a cup of tea on a tray for Abbey. He looked exhausted.

  “Dan, you need to get some sleep. Let me sit with Abbey after breakfast?” suggested Hoot.

  “It’s ok,” he said with a hint of a smile. “I’ll sleep in there with her.”

  “You sure that’s a good idea?” asked Gus with a hint of disapproval in his voice.

  “Why wouldn’t it be?” asked Dan.

  “She’s young, son,” said Clark.

  “Oh come on, don’t be gross,” replied Danny with a roll of his eyes. “It’s not like I’m going to screw her while she’s on death’s door.”

  “Danny!” I snapped.

  “Sorry,” he mumbled. “I know she’s young. She’s only fourteen. I respect her and won’t cross any lines.”

  Gus clapped him on the shoulder in approval. “Sorry if I struck a nerve.”

  “It’s fine.” Dan’s face reddened in embarrassment.

  “The oatmeal’s hot, better eat before it turns into a big cold clump,” said Laura, saving Danny from further embarrassment.

  “Thanks for breakfast,” said Hoot.

  “You’re most welcome,” she answered. “It’s the least I can do for you bringing my husband back to me.”

  “Well, we’re all glad we found him.”

  “Well me too,” said Clark with a grin. “It took far too long to get home.”

  I walked to the counter where Laura had left a pot of oatmeal and filled two bowls. I carried them to the table and nudged Gus as I passed. He took the hint and followed me to the table, where he sat to my right. The kitchen was warm and smelled of cinnamon.

  “I’m finding that little girl some birth control,” whispered Gus.

  I choked on my first bite of oatmeal. “Like you’re a glowing example of caution?”

  He sighed. Clearly, I hurt his feelings.

  “Leave them be for now. I doubt ‘doing it’ is even on their minds,” I said quietly to avoid other ears from hearing.

  “Dan’s a guy. Of course it’s on his mind.”

  I took a deep breath and spooned more hot cereal into my mouth. It was sweetened with raisins and brown sugar.

  “Laura, this is good,” said Gus.

  “Thank you. Sorry it’s not very fancy.”

  “It’s perfect,” I said as soon as I swallowed.

  “I’ll show you the garden after breakfast if you want?” she offered.

  I nodded. “Yes, please.”

  “Alice is a big help out there. She and Megan…” Laura’s voice trailed off.

  “How is she doing?” asked Hoot. “Alice, I mean.”

  “Haven’t seen her yet this morning,” said Clark. “She seems
strong in spirit, even if she is just a tiny thing. Just give her time.”

  “Maybe I should check on her,” said Laura.

  “Leave her be, sweetheart. Let her mourn,” said Clark.

  “Ok, but if she’s not out by noon I’m going to make her get up and get busy.”

  “Fair enough.”

  Gus put his hand on my knee.

  “Zoe, how’s your neck?” asked Hoot, to my horror.

  “She’s ok,” Gus answered for me.

  “What’s wrong with your neck?” asked Laura.

  I looked up from my breakfast and answered honestly. “I got infected on Day One. It left these green lines on my hip, and they spread when I’m pregnant.”

  “What do you mean infected, exactly?” pressed Laura with a look of concern on her face.

  “It’s ok honey, we’re safe with them,” said Clark gently.

  “Some of us have gotten infected with whatever caused this,” said Gus as he put his spoon down. Beneath the table he found my hand and gave it a squeeze. “Zoe can sense when the dead are near,” he continued. “Except for when she’s pregnant. It’s muted then.”

  Laura looked at us quietly for a moment. “When’s the baby due? You must be about eight months by the look of it?”

  I looked at Gus, not sure just what to say. He gave my hand another squeeze.

  “Laura, Zoe lost a baby just a couple of months ago. That pregnancy progressed unusually fast. Molly was born looking full term, but she died during her first night,” added Gus.

  Laura frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Ayup. So are we. She was a beautiful baby girl.” He took a deep breath. “This baby isn’t more than a couple of month’s gestation.”

  “I didn’t realize,” said Clark.

  “That’s a bit concerning, isn’t it?” asked Laura softly as she sat across from us.

  “It is,” answered Gus simply.

  “Can we talk about something else?” I whispered.

  “Sure, darlin’.”

  Laura looked at her husband. Overall she had the appearance of a weathered and hardened woman, yet at times her face held a softness full of compassion.

  “You all enjoy your breakfast,” she said as she stood with tears in her eyes. “I’m going to check in on Al.”