statue again, just like the day they took Grandpa Logan. I knew it was weak of me but I had to turn away. The memories were starting to cloak me like fire and they were burning my flesh. I wished I could be like Mom. If I couldn't run away physically, I wanted to run away in my head. I could simply close my eyes and go to another place where nothing scared me or limited me. I could fill the crevices in my mind with Reese again and I knew if I did that, I would be all right.
But I couldn't let myself escape. Not physically, and not into my own head. Dad needed me. I stood up straighter and taller as an invisible string tugged at my spinal chord. I walked back into the living room like I had nothing to prove and nothing to hide. I sat back down on the chair, pressed my knees together once more and leaned forward refusing to let intimidation and fear cause me to shrink away. Unless someone told me otherwise, I had every right to hear the conversation between GP Nolan and my father.
Protect Dad.
Remember Reese.
These convictions gave me strength. These two men gave me strength.
“Can you give me an approximate time in which the symptoms began? Any symptoms, including but not limited to stuffy nose, fever, headache, sneezing?” I shifted my eyes cautiously over to my father but he was sitting calmly as if this interrogation did not bother him in the least. He was a master at keeping his cool in terrifying situations. How long had he been involved in whatever he was involved in? How much time had he been given to perfect this facade? I had been given less than a day. Hours, only. I did not possess his skills, but I was trying my best.
Dad shrugged. “I think I only started sneezing this morning.” I raised an eyebrow. Something was off about that. I recalled learning about nasopharyngitis in science class and how after being exposed to the virus it took one to three days for symptoms to present themselves, but hadn't he only run into the little girl earlier this morning? If his encounter with her had been earlier, she wouldn't have still been clutching his torn shirt, would she? How could he already be showing symptoms if he had contracted the virus from her?
“Have you traveled anywhere unusual over the last three days?” GP Nolan asked him.
I knew it.
One to three days. Dad nonchalantly shook his head.
“I've been working strictly in Garden 19 for the last two weeks. I've worked alongside 0-719, 1-004 and 0-832. Distributors arrived toward the end of my shift on Monday to transport some of the harvest. I don't recall their ID numbers but I'm sure if you pulled up the shipment schedules you could find out easily enough. I haven't participated in any social activities for at least a week so the only others who would have been exposed would be my wife, and my daughter.” I inwardly cringed. Despite my dad being so calm and cooperative, did he have to mention my mother and I? Thank goodness she didn't hear that, she was in no emotional state to deal with even more fear. GP Nolan sighed and nodded toward one of the flatfoots.
“Put in a communication to Connecticut and have them quarantine C-2246,” he nodded toward me, “Ruby's mate with whom she was meeting with tonight. His family, too. Anyone he's had contact with after he met with Ruby.” How did GP Nolan know Connor's ID number, and why? Maybe Dad told him before I arrived back. At least, I hoped that was the explanation. “Just as a precaution, to prevent the virus from spreading inter-divisionally.” Flatfoot One briskly walked to the door and exited.
Good riddance, Asshole.
I wanted to say that out loud so
But I couldn't let myself escape. Not physically, and not into my own head. Dad needed me. I stood up straighter and taller as an invisible string tugged at my spinal chord. I walked back into the living room like I had nothing to prove and nothing to hide. I sat back down on the chair, pressed my knees together once more and leaned forward refusing to let intimidation and fear cause me to shrink away. Unless someone told me otherwise, I had every right to hear the conversation between GP Nolan and my father.
Protect Dad.
Remember Reese.
These convictions gave me strength. These two men gave me strength.
“Can you give me an approximate time in which the symptoms began? Any symptoms, including but not limited to stuffy nose, fever, headache, sneezing?” I shifted my eyes cautiously over to my father but he was sitting calmly as if this interrogation did not bother him in the least. He was a master at keeping his cool in terrifying situations. How long had he been involved in whatever he was involved in? How much time had he been given to perfect this facade? I had been given less than a day. Hours, only. I did not possess his skills, but I was trying my best.
Dad shrugged. “I think I only started sneezing this morning.” I raised an eyebrow. Something was off about that. I recalled learning about nasopharyngitis in science class and how after being exposed to the virus it took one to three days for symptoms to present themselves, but hadn't he only run into the little girl earlier this morning? If his encounter with her had been earlier, she wouldn't have still been clutching his torn shirt, would she? How could he already be showing symptoms if he had contracted the virus from her?
“Have you traveled anywhere unusual over the last three days?” GP Nolan asked him.
I knew it.
One to three days. Dad nonchalantly shook his head.
“I've been working strictly in Garden 19 for the last two weeks. I've worked alongside 0-719, 1-004 and 0-832. Distributors arrived toward the end of my shift on Monday to transport some of the harvest. I don't recall their ID numbers but I'm sure if you pulled up the shipment schedules you could find out easily enough. I haven't participated in any social activities for at least a week so the only others who would have been exposed would be my wife, and my daughter.” I inwardly cringed. Despite my dad being so calm and cooperative, did he have to mention my mother and I? Thank goodness she didn't hear that, she was in no emotional state to deal with even more fear. GP Nolan sighed and nodded toward one of the flatfoots.
“Put in a communication to Connecticut and have them quarantine C-2246,” he nodded toward me, “Ruby's mate with whom she was meeting with tonight. His family, too. Anyone he's had contact with after he met with Ruby.” How did GP Nolan know Connor's ID number, and why? Maybe Dad told him before I arrived back. At least, I hoped that was the explanation. “Just as a precaution, to prevent the virus from spreading inter-divisionally.” Flatfoot One briskly walked to the door and exited.
Good riddance, Asshole.
I wanted to say that out loud so
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