CHAPTER SIX
Nacho came racing around the corner, with my dad a few steps behind. “Anya, you didn’t let me know you were on your way back.” He stopped in his tracks at the sight of Cocoa. Nacho forgot everything his trainer taught him and went into crazy-bark mode. “Nacho!” my dad called sternly and crazy-bark mode came to a halt, to be replaced with a long, vibrating growl.
Riley’s head peeked out of the screen door. “Daddy, Anya brought a wild animal home!”
It’s like she wants me to slap her.
When my dad’s disapproval turned on me, I did the only thing a girl could do in a situation like that. Pointing at my accomplice, I blurted out, “Justin did it!”
Justin’s grip on the baby bear tightened. “He’s an orphan, Levi, and his name is Cocoa.”
My dad shook his head and gestured for us to follow him to a shed on the side of the house. There, he dug around for what he was looking for. The leash was an electric blue and he had to adjust the collar to fit Cocoa’s fat neck.
Alexi ran from around the back of the house and came to a halt at the sight before him. “Riley said you guys brought home a bear!” Grabbing the leash from my dad’s hand, he kept jabbering, “I’m going to teach him tricks. We’ll call him Fang and train him to rip off zombie heads.”
“His name is Cocoa,” I protested.
“Cocoa?” Alexi shouted. “That’s a sissy name! Do you want all the other bears to kick his ass?”
“Alexi!” my dad scolded.
“Well, it’s true. Anya’s trying to make Fang soft,” he defended, already pulling Cocoa away as if trying to protect him from becoming soft.
“We’re not keeping him,” my dad stated.
And that’s where my great idea came in. “We could give him to Mac.”
Alexi’s face went defiant and Justin swiped the leash away from him. My dad thought it over for a moment. “We’ll take him to Mac’s and see if he wants him.”
“Of course Mac will want him,” Alexi grumbled moodily. “He’s a kickass predator.”
“I’ll go with you, dad. Just give me a few minutes,” I told him, rushing into the house.
Riley was pouting on the couch in her signature arms-crossed, chin-down pose. Anything for attention. She was probably just worried that with the bear around, she wouldn’t be the baby anymore. How she’d survived the apocalypse this long I’d never understood. Oh wait, I think maybe I had something to do with that.
“Where are you guys keeping that thing?” she asked snidely.
Tapping my index finger against my chin, I told her, “I’m thinking he can bunk with us in our room.”
“No way! I already have to put up with you and your freaky voodoo powers. I’m not putting up with that animal tearing up my stuff.”
“Chill out, Riley, we’re taking him to Mac. Where’s Paulina?” Already walking down the hallway, I heard her confirm Paulina was asleep upstairs. She usually worked in the garden in the morning with whoever was scheduled to help her that day. We each had a day of the week but most of us would pitch in an extra here and there.
In my room, I grabbed the bags with the boots and clothing I’d picked up for Mac on our last supply run. Getting to my knees, I dug around under my bed until I found the bottle of Macallan scotch I’d hid under there. This would hopefully sweeten the old man into taking in Cocoa until he was old enough to find his own way.
On my way out the door I heard the little witch mutter freak under her breath. Now, I could either be the better person by ignoring her or I could throw something at her. The soccer ball one of the boys had left by the front door hit her smack on the forehead. Her indignant screech was music to this freak’s ears.
On my way to meet my dad outside the barricade, a street urchin ran up me. Oh wait, that was our newly acquired orphan, Zeke. How he’d gotten so dirty again so soon after the scrub down he’d had before Paulina would allow him to sleep in the house, I didn’t know. He and Nacho had become fast friends and I figured suggesting to Paulina they bathed together from now on would be a brilliant idea.
Narrowing my eyes at him, I asked, “What have you been up to?”
“What’s it to you, blondie? Do you see me askin’ what you do with your time when you ain’t makin’ out with numbnuts?” The kid was impossible.
“You know,” I began, “there’s an orphanage of sorts at the Fort Collins settlement. The kids there do chores all morning long. How good are you at milking cows?”
Zeke gave me a disgusted look. “Is that the best you can do, blondie? Your dad done and woke me up this mornin’ to work in the stables.”
“Oh yeah?” I asked while I exited the barricade. “How’d that go?”
“It didn’t go at all. I didn’t get my freedom from those jackasses y’all killed just to play slave to a new bunch of jackasses. I told your dad he could eat the shit he was tryin’ to make me shovel and hightailed it outta there.”
Picturing that scene in my head, I had to stifle my laughter. “Did he catch you yet?”
The boy’s chest puffed out a bit. “Naw, but that mean-ass brother of yours, the one with the colored girlfriend, well I’ve been dodging that big oaf all day since.”
“Do you like the taste of soap?”
“What kind of ignorant question is that?”
“Then watch your mouth before someone puts it in there. And I suggest you quit referring to Melanie in such derogatory terms before Viktor takes a belt to you.”
“He’d have to catch me first,” Zeke boasted fearlessly. We were just coming up on some of our vehicles where my dad had Cocoa on a leash. Zeke stopped dead in his tracks before yelling, “Is that thing real?”
“Yep!” I heard called out from above us. Looking up, I saw Alexi standing atop the barricade.
“Are we keepin’ it?” Zeke asked in awe.
“We’re taking it to a friend of ours who lives nearby,” I explained as I met my dad at the back of the vintage military Jeep we’d commandeered from this place that restored them in Fort Collins. There was a goldmine of old military vehicles with the keys hanging up in the office.
“Can I come along?” Zeke pleaded, sounding more his age and less like a foulmouthed trucker.
“Sure, why not?” I agreed wryly. It’d be interesting to see what Mac made of the kid.
Tying Cocoa up in the back of the Jeep, my dad then joined Zeke and me in the front. I had my tomahawk and a handgun just in case. My dad was carrying a machete along with his favorite shotgun. Zeke had a survival knife strapped to his thin waist and I wondered how skilled he was with it.
As we drove away with my dad behind the wheel, I looked back to see Alexi messing around with his slingshot, probably trying to shoot birds out of trees. Out of all creatures, I think birds had it easiest. Beyond reach in the trees, they were rarely devoured. Justin must have returned to the watchtower and Viktor and Melanie must be off somewhere, probably getting things ready for the party tonight.
Since my hair was braided down my back today, the breeze from riding in the topless Jeep only pulled a few shorter strands loose. Out of habit, I scanned the area, using my sixth sense to check for the undead. I felt a small vibration, indicating that something was barely within range, likely just a couple of them that would pass by the area.
The drive to Mac’s was about four miles when taking the roads. The distance was shorter if you were cutting through the wilderness on an ATV. Approaching Mac’s humble abode, I saw smoke rising from the chimney and huffed at his recklessness. It was fine for our family to take risks like that because we had safety in numbers, in addition to my ability. Our neighbor, Willard Mackie, or Mac for short, lived in an old two-bedroom cabin he’d decorated on the outside with both the American and Colorado flags hanging from posts on either side of his front door and decorated on the inside with antlers and old photos from his army days.
Hearing our car approach, Mac was waiting on his front porch, cigar in one hand and rifle in the other. A
t sixty-five, he was still in good health. With salt and pepper hair, mostly salt, and a mostly pepper beard and mustache, in his plaid flannel shirt and suspenders he looked the stereotypical mountain man. Mac was born and raised in the Rockies and, apocalypse be damned, he’d die here too. Unlike us, he’d occupied this same cabin before civilization came to an end.
Sauntering toward where we’d parked outside his tripwire perimeter, his stocky figure moved to the back of the Jeep where he looked Cocoa over. “Found yourselves a grizzly cub?” His cool blue eyes then moved to Zeke. “And a man cub also?”
When I saw Zeke was about to mouth off again, I cut him off. “They’re presents for you, Mac.”
Two bushy eyebrows rose. “Look more like unwanted castoffs, missy.”
My father moved to the back of the Jeep to shake Mac’s hand. “She’s just trying to ruffle your feathers, old man. We’re keeping the kid, but we were hoping you’d take in the bear.”
Joining them, I added, “His name is Cocoa.”
“Now, what kind of girly name is that?” he asked, clearly offended.
I gave up. No one liked my name for the baby grizzly. “Fine, whatever, Mac. Name him what you like.”
“Don’t remember agreeing to keep him, missy” Mac responded grumpily.
Knowing that he was more bark than bite, I tried to rile him up. “Well, if you don’t think you can handle him. . .” I taunted.
Mac gave me a dirty look. “Didn’t I tell you the last time I kicked you off my property to never return?”
I laughed out loud. The last time I’d visited, a couple weeks ago, I’d joked that Mac was sweet on Paulina. She’d sent with me some cookies she’d made, along with all the fixings for fajitas. Mac had had a twinkle in his eye that I’d mistaken for love. I joked with him he was either smitten with the food or the woman who’d made it. He’d promptly ejected me from the premises.
“But Mac,” I pouted in a whiney voice, “Look what I brought you!” Grabbing the bottle of premium scotch from the back of the Jeep and the bags of boots and clothing, I held them out to him. “Who’s your best buddy?”
My dad ushered Zeke forward, who’d been watching the interaction between me and Mac. “This is Zeke. We found him in Grand Junction when we were raiding. The bear, Anya and Justin found after its mother was taken down by a group of zombies.” Zeke’s expression was defiant, as if expecting a putdown.
With an aggravated grunt, Mac turned back to his house. “Well, come on then. Bring the bear with you.”
Stepping carefully over tripwire, I led the way with Zeke and my dad following. The smell of some stew or soup cooking filled the main room. There was freshly prepared jerky in jars on the small kitchen table. Mac propped his rifle against the fireplace and stirred whatever concoction was simmering over the flame.
“The boy looks malnourished. If you want, you can stay for supper.” His crotchety attitude contradicted his generous words. I secretly thought Mac liked the company. Even cranky old men got lonely sometimes. We’d offered for him to move in with us before, or at least closer, but he was adamant we’d only get on his nerves.
“Did you eat lunch, Zeke?” my dad asked the boy, who was eating the jerky with his eyes.
The kid shrugged. “Ate breakfast, but don’t remember anyone offerin’ lunch.”
Maybe if he hadn’t been so busy hiding from anyone who would give him chores. . . .
I opened a jar and handed him a few pieces of jerky, then belatedly informed Mac, “I’m giving Zeke some of your jerky. I’ll pass on the stew, Mac, but if Zeke can have some?”
“I’ll pass, too, old man,” my dad said.
Mac brought a bowl for Zeke and himself and they both dug in. Zeke was still gobbling it down when Mac finished. “I suppose I’ll take in the bear until it can fend for itself, as long as it doesn’t try to eat Oscar.” Oscar was Mac’s evil cat. The thing tried to claw anyone who came near it, except Mac, of course. I was more worried about Cocoa’s safety.
“Cocoa doesn’t want to eat your demon cat, Mac. Where is the spawn of Satan, anyways?” I teased him.
Zeke washed down his meal with a glass of water and promptly belched. Mac gave him an irritated glance then turned his attention back to the bear. “Bud.”
“What’s that?” my father asked.
“I’ll call him Bud,” Mac decided. “After my bunkmate in boot camp.” Not as creative as Cocoa, but I wouldn’t be the one cleaning up after the animal. Mac scratched his beard while looking thoughtfully at Bud. “I’ll have to get a kennel to keep him in at night and when I can’t watch him.”
“I could go into town with you and see if there’s anything there,” my dad offered.
“I suppose I might need help getting it into the back of the truck,” Mac said.
“Do you want me to go with you?” I asked, not too keen on them going around without me.
My dad shook his head. “No, Anya, you take Zeke back home and I’ll be home in an hour or so.”
“That reminds me. How’d you like to come to a party, Mac?”
“What for?” he was hesitant to ask.
“It’s Riley’s fifteenth birthday,” I clarified, already predicting his response.
Mac stood up, taking both his and Zeke’s bowls to the sink. “Last time I went to one of those, I ended up with pink confetti in my hair. I’ll pass.”
“Paulina will be there,” I reminded him in a singsong voice.
When Mac’s face started turning red with what I hoped was a blush, but was probably anger, I decided to get out of there. Grabbing Zeke’s hand, I tugged him out of his chair and bounded towards the door. “Well, the offer stands. I’ll get the orphan home and see you later, dad.”
My dad chuckled from behind me. “See you at home, Anya.”
It was an improvement not to be kicked out of his house again. Given a few more minutes, though, and who knows.
Paulina was icing the cake in the kitchen when we got home. Alexi was off somewhere, probably with Justin. Riley was upstairs getting ready for her party, probably caking on the makeup. Viktor and Melanie were out back hanging up decorations. Nacho was sleeping behind an armchair.
Paulina took one look at Zeke and told him that if he didn’t clean himself up, he wouldn’t be getting any cake. The poor kid’s eyes bulged at the sight of all that sugary goodness and he shot up the stairs like a rocket. We’d put him in Paulina’s room for now, but would probably move him in with Justin and Alexi when Kyle and I started rooming together.
Thinking of my cute fiancé, I went looking for him. He was lying face down on his bed, sleeping. I knew Paulina had asked him to butcher some chickens today for dinner. Riley loved fried chicken and mashed potatoes. Paulina usually made buttered yams along with it. We were eating good tonight.
I lie down on top of him, my front to his back, and nibbled on his ear. “Wake up and entertain me.”
Kyle murmured in his sleep and turned his head. This didn’t deter me. I simply started kissing his neck. My sleeping man liked that, if the humming noise he made was any indication. “That better be you, Anya,” he muttered, not opening his eyes.
“And if it were Nacho?” I whispered.
His back rumbled and I knew he was silently laughing. “What time is it?”
“Time for you to get up and party!”
Kyle rolled over, bringing me on top of him. “How’d it go at Mac’s?”
“He took in the orphaned bear but turned away the orphaned boy.”
“You didn’t seriously try to get rid of the kid?”
Melting into his warmth, I snuggled against his chest. “You know I wouldn’t. Besides, who’d teach us new ways of cursing if Zeke left?”
“You have a point,” Kyle conceded. “So, what are you giving Riley for her birthday?”
“Some dresses I scavenged when we were in that department store a few months back.”
“Speaking of dresses, am I going to be seeing those legs at
our wedding?” He ran a hand over my jean-clad thigh, making me shiver.
“You’re only marrying me for my hot body,” I teased him.
“And you’re only marrying me to get at my big-” he got out before I punched him in the stomach.
“Shush, Kyle! That’s supposed to be our secret.”
“Love you, babe,” he said with a kiss.
The door slammed open and Riley barged in. “I have nothing to wear!”
Could she be any more of a cliché?
With a groan, I hauled myself up. “Quit being a drama queen and follow me.” Kyle smacked my bottom as I walked away and I gave him a smile over my shoulder.
“Dorks,” Riley said, making me rethink what I was about to do.
“Shut it, or I won’t give you one of your birthday presents early,” I warned her.
She squealed, “Gimme!”
Going into the sixth bedroom that we used for storage, I took one of the presents out of its hiding place. I’d taken my time wrapping it and tied a thick silver ribbon over the shiny wrapping paper. Riley ripped off the silver bow first.
“Oh. My. God. I love it!” she exclaimed, holding the royal blue dress up against herself. It, along with the other dresses I’d picked, was stylish and feminine but not too short that my dad would have a heart attack. Riley darted out of the room without so much as a thank you. Not that I was surprised.
She was trying the dress on when I got to our room. Her makeup was already done and you’d think she was about to act on stage with how much of it there was. Going into the closet, I pulled from the hanger a black and white floral sundress. Getting dressed, I added some black flats and a necklace.
This was sort of my party too, celebrating me and Kyle getting engaged. As if there were ever a question of whom I’d marry. Apocalypse or not, we were destined to spend our lives together, whether it be working ordinary jobs and raising a family in suburbia or killing zombies and scavenging for supplies.
Adding eye makeup and lipstick, I sat at my vanity and closed my eyes, reaching out to test the activity in the area. It was all clear. Let’s party!
Entering the kitchen, I gave Paulina a skeptical look when I saw Zeke. He was sitting at the dining room table, cleaned up, hair brushed and wearing an old outfit of Justin’s. A little too big for him, he must’ve scrounged it from the basement. The red polo shirt was slightly wrinkled, but I think it may be the nicest thing he’d worn in a long time.
“Don’t you look debonair, Mr. Ezekiel?” I complimented.
“Deba-what?” His little freckled nose scrunched up.
“It means you look good, kid.” I giggled at his blush and gave him a pat on the back. “Make sure you ask Riley to dance.”
Out back, Melanie was setting out silverware on the table and Viktor was lighting tiki torches. The sun was low in the sky and those would come in handy before long. Riley had requested a tropical themed party, so the place was made up like a luau.
Melanie, stunning in a strapless, coral dress and a white lei, placed a blue lei around my neck. “Aloha, bride-to-be.”
“Oh, Melanie, are you okay with me and Kyle getting engaged? Viktor. . . .” I trailed off.
“Girlie, don’t even worry about it,” Melanie waved off my concern. “What Viktor and I have is good, we both know it. We don’t need to go about saying we’re married to be secure.”
“Lucky you,” I told her. “If Kyle and I aren’t official, we’re never going to get any action.”
Melanie grimaced. “Your dad and Viktor do have a double standard when it comes to you.”
“At least Paulina spreads the prudishness evenly. She’ll never quit harping about you and Viktor sharing a room until you tie the knot.”
“Too true, girlie.”
Kyle came out the sliding door, covered dish in hands. Wearing a black dress shirt and jeans, my guy looked good. I picked up a yellow and orange lei from the table and slipped it over his head. “You look debonair, honey.”
“Didn’t I just overhear you telling Zeke the same thing?” he questioned in pretend hurt.
“As if I would recycle my compliments!” I pretended my own hurt.
Smirk on those lips I loved so much, he came down for a kiss. Running my fingers through his brown wavy hair, I ignored Viktor’s pointed cough. I’d have to cut it again for him soon. It was starting to grow below his ears. Eventually we came up for air and I gave him an unused compliment. “You look sexy as hell wearing flowers.”
He rolled his eyes. “Much better, I think.”
“I’m here!” Riley announced, twirling around in her new dress. She saw the leis and rushed over to put on a turquoise one. Her eyes sparkled when she saw the pile of wrapped gifts.
Paulina, followed by Justin and Alexi, came out with the rest of the food. I went into the house to get the pitchers of tea and water. As I was bringing them out, I heard the front door slam and let out a sigh of relief. My dad walked in a moment later and I handed one to him. “You’re just in time. We’re just getting ready to eat.”
My dad rubbed his belly with his free hand. “I’m starved.”
“Did you guys find what he needed for Bud?”
“We did. Mac and I put the cage in his second bedroom.”
“Isn’t that his gun room?” I asked, stepping out onto the deck.
“Gun room slash Bud’s room now,” my dad remarked.
I shrugged one shoulder. “Whatever works.”
Kyle was just putting a CD in the boombox when we set the pitchers down. An old R&B track started playing. Once seated, we all started digging in. Paulina made plenty for everyone and enough for leftovers tomorrow. After lighting the candles and Riley making a big show of blowing them out, probably wishing for a boyfriend, the cake was eaten with just as much gusto. Zeke had two pieces. I wondered when he’d last celebrated a birthday.
“Hey Zeke,” I called from the down the table.
Mouth full of cake, he answered, “Yeah?”
“When’s your birthday?”
“How the fu-” he started to say before correcting himself. “How the heck should I know?”
“We’ll give you a birthday. When do you want it?” Melanie suggested.
“How about the fourth of July?” Alexi asked.
“Works for me,” Zeke agreed. “Just don’t give me a lame party like this one.”
Riley threw her napkin at him and an unconcerned Zeke brushed it away. “I’m ready for my presents,” she announced.
With much fanfare, each present was opened and admired. Riley made out good, receiving more clothing, makeup, accessories and even CDs. For once, Riley didn’t have anything to complain about. I have to say, going to stores and getting whatever you wanted for free did have its perks.
My dad surprised everyone with a colorful butterfly piñata. Alexi ran to fetch his modified baseball bat, planning to do some real damage, not that he was getting a go at the piñata with that thing. My dad looped the rope over a tree and handed Zeke a stick while Paulina blindfolded him with a bandana. Zeke was practically vibrating with excitement. He managed to hit it with the tip of the stick, but the piñata was otherwise unharmed.
“Riley’s next,” my dad announced. And so on it went, going by gender, then age until Viktor waved off his turn. Ridiculous, no one was too cool to smack a piñata with a stick.
Zeke was the one to break it open, and I thought my dad had been making it extra hard for the rest of us so this would be the outcome. He was the only little kid, and I doubt he’d had very much childish fun in his nine years. Even Riley didn’t complain.
“Yay, Zeke!” I shouted, clapping along with Melanie and Riley.
Zeke beamed at us. “I just pretended it was a zombie head I was bashin’ in!” Well, childhood pursuits were a little different nowadays.
The candy that poured out onto the ground was a mixture and although candy never really spoiled because of all the sugar in it, flavors and colors would fade. It did
n’t stop Zeke from trying a few pieces and spitting out most of them.