Isolation , Jones, Nathan [top 20 books to read TXT] 📗

sympathy and outrage. “What a piece of work!” she snapped when he finished. “I thought she was pretty impressive with how she came in and distributed the vaccine and supplies and got the quarantine camp organized in less than a day. But I should've known she wanted something in return, especially when the entire town doesn't seem eager to rush off and take her offer. Isn't over a thousand volunteers enough for her?”

“I guess not,” Nick said, leaden weight sinking into his gut as the reality of his situation settled in. “There's always strings attached, and one of them is wrapped around my neck.” He put an arm around her and rested his cheek on her head, feeling morose. “And I just finished quarantine so we could be together. I'm so sorry about this.”

“About what?” Gen demanded, outrage winning out. “All you did was help the town and protect us all, and now she's holding prison and forced servitude over your head!”

Hard to argue that. “Even so, I think I have no choice but to take her offer. It beats hard labor, at least, and she seems sincere about wanting things to work out well for me as long as I do things her way.”

Some of his girlfriend's anger faded into resignation and she nodded. “I think you're right.” With a sigh she pulled back and picked up her pace, voice turning determined. “All right, let's get home and pack our things. We've got a lot to prepare for before noon tomorrow.”

For a second Nick actually misheard her, since he wasn't expecting this. Then he caught her eye to make sure she meant what he thought she did. “You want to come with me?”

Gen scowled, at the situation not at him, although her eyes sparkled. “I've been waiting months to be with you . . . I'm sure as heck not letting you wander off without me now.” She hesitated, turning pensive. “Besides, I was always kind of on your side about joining the rebuilding efforts. Billy's doing okay here in these conditions, but if I can get him back to a place with power, running water, plentiful food and other resources, and access to proper medical care, I think it's best for him to go. I hate to take him away from his grandparents, but we can sort out visits and stuff.”

To his embarrassment, he felt his eyes burning with tears. He never could've asked her to do this, but knowing that she wanted to go with him was a tremendous weight off his chest. It almost made the situation bearable.

“Thanks,” he said, voice thick. “Having to join the rebuilding efforts wasn't the worst thing, it was the thought of leaving you and the kids behind.” He hugged her closer. “This means a lot.”

Gen grinned at him, although her cheeks turned a bit pink. “Well I mean, don't assume it's all completely unselfish . . . I'm also banking on the fact that Gorstrom's project to rebuild America will have pizza places and hamburger joints.” She closed her eyes, a look of intense longing crossing her face. “After months of eating out of cans or plain meals made from staples, thinking about how good restaurant food tastes feels almost indecent.”

Nick's stomach rumbled as his mind jumped unbidden to all his favorite places to eat, which now seemed like a distant memory. “I hadn't even thought of that,” he admitted. “Maybe this won't be so bad after all.”

That brief moment of optimism was shattered when they got back and the kids, led by Ricky, rushed over to hear the news. Cara, who'd been watching them with Val, came over as well, but Val was nowhere in sight.

For that matter, neither were any of Nick's scavengers; their friends and family joined the crowd around Nick and Gen clamoring for news, but it turned out their worry was because their own loved ones had also been taken to the relief camp soon after Nick went with Corporal Preston.

It looked as if Gorstrom had moved quickly to go after everyone accused of wrongdoing since the pandemic started.

Nick wanted to answer his friends' questions and ease their fears, but he also wanted to give the bad news to his kids in a more personal way, so he could make it as easy for them as possible. He shot Gen a helpless look, and she seemed to understand his dilemma; he supposed she was facing it as well, with Billy.

Although breaking the news of a move was easier than breaking the news that you had to leave them, maybe for years.

“I'll fill everyone in,” his girlfriend said firmly, ushering everyone towards the outdoor tables where they shared meals.

That left Ricky and Tallie hovering close to Nick. “Dad, what's wrong?” his son asked, knowing him well enough to tell there was a problem. “Are Ben and Chet in trouble?” His lower lip trembled as he said that; he liked the brothers, like everyone seemed to.

Nick sighed and picked Tallie up in one arm, kissing her cheek, and offered his son his other hand. “Come on, let's go find some shade and I'll tell you all about it.”

Leading them beneath a maple at the edge of the property gave him time to find the best way to break the news to them. He didn't want to go into specifics, mostly because they wouldn't understand the nuances of the situation and he didn't want them to think he was a bad person.

But he also needed to be truthful.

Settling down on the grass with both his kids on his lap, looking up at him with furrowed brows, he took a deep breath. “You know Administrator Gorstrom represents the President of the United States, right?” They both nodded solemnly. “Well, that gives her authority to give orders to us about some things. And it turns out that she's ordering me to go and join the rebuilding efforts. I'll be doing the same sort of work I did before Zolos showed