History of the Trap: July Nightmares Part 4

4

She kissed him goodbye.  Longingly, lovingly.  She handed him his lunch.  It was in a Three Wiseguys lunch pail, and featured a baked potato that had been slathered with raspberry butter and imitation bacon bits.  For now, potatoes were still coming from the seemingly limitless pantry, but they had planted in our budding gardens, and Mr. Bruchow was stunned by their accelerated rate of gestation.  Soon we would have a plethora of fruits and vegetables to supplement the wild raspberries, strawberries, apples and mushrooms we had found.

Sue Boschman pulled away, but found it impossible to let him go.  "I've talked with Mr. Bowtin.  He is ordained, and would be happy to officiate."

Tom Bodell looked at her with a wry grin.  "Another excuse knocked to the ground!"  He kissed her again to show that he was just kidding.  "Are you sure about this?  It could be just a few more weeks and the tunnel could be far enough along that we could out, and we could get married with our families there."

She shook her head no.  "We're seventeen.  I don't know about your parents, but mine would be less than thrilled.  Better to present them with an already established fact when we get out, then ask for permission."

Tom nodded his affirmation.  "I agree.  We're on the same page.  I don't want to wait any longer.  Why not this Sunday?"

Now it was Sue's time for a sly grin.  "Already arranged, Tom.  2 PM in the cafeteria courtyard.  Be there or be square."

"Count on it.  I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Yes, I overheard this conversation, as the tunnelers were getting ready for their day's digging.  They were getting closer, and both Tom and David Yankovich thought they were at a crucial stage.  They had jerry-rigged some explosives, and there was great debate as to how they were to be used.  Tom was skeptical that they could be used safely.  David was utterly convinced that they were using every precaution.

Sue went on to try to hand Tom a hunting knife.  Where she had gotten it, I'm not sure.  It might have just been something she had kept in her locker.  She was worried that the digging would attract the attention of the military and government conspiracy she was convinced was holding us, and experimenting with us.  She had often lamented that more people at school didn't have guns that we could use, in case the government came for us.  Given everything that happened over the years, having guns involved would have been wrong on so many levels, I can't even count them all.  The one gun that did emerge later was not what I would call a positive thing.

Jim Kurrash was there, and Mary Estill was saying goodbye to him.  A little less affectionate than Sue and Tom's goodbye, but tender nonetheless.  Lisa and I were just there, finishing up our breakfast, before we started on our own day's activities.  I would be breaking for the TV studio soon.  Randy Fitch was going down with the handheld camera into the tunnel today with Ronald Houseley, Bob Short's sidekick/announcer.  The footage would not be shown until the next day.

I was getting ready to tell Linda goodbye, when Morgan LaDona Tigh came between us.  "Lisa!" Morgan snapped.  "You ready?  Let's go up to the Care Center!  Let's get things ready in case one of these losers stubs their toe!"  Morgan and Lisa were nurse assistants at the part of the library that had been converted into a care facility.  A thousand people and not a doctor in the bunch.  We did have a couple nurse practitioners, and Miss Jane Symms, the health/P.E. teacher had a year of med school.  That's as good as it got.  We were dangerously low on basic supplies, including antibiotics.  The next big outbreak could be devastating. Yeah.  Real devastating.

Lisa squeezed my hand and pulled away.  The tunnelers left to go to the entrance of the fallout shelter that led down into the tunnels.  I could see Tom Bodell already arguing with David Yankovich. 

Dr. Duncan, as I've said, I fill in the dialogue as best I can.  I don't have a photographic memory, but I remember this phrase, the reaction, the very air and smell and air of it.  I turned to Sue and said, "Well, another day in the coal mines!"

Sue smiled.  A knowing, happy smile.  Her lover was gone for the day, but soon he would be back, and by Sunday they would be man and wife.  Sue smiled. 

For the very last time.