Deep Shadows by Vannetta Chapman

who know what to do in an emergency.” Patrick jiggled his leg, and then he asked, “Is the generator at Green Acres working?”
    â€œIt is, but even this morning they were shorthanded on staff. Can you imagine how bad it’s going to be if this aurora situation isn’t resolved soon? The computers are down, and no one can reach the corporate office. Why should the nurses and aides show up for work if they’re not going to bepaid? And how are workers supposed to get there without gasoline for their automobiles?”
    â€œWe’re a small town,” Shelby reminded her. “Some people will walk.”
    Bianca sat forward, her hands between her knees. “What you’re both saying is true, but Mamá has some valid worries. She is a stubborn woman, and I don’t think I can change her mind about this. I’m not even sure I should.”
    â€œIf that’s how you feel, Bianca, then we’ll help you.” Shelby reached over and squeezed her friend’s hand. “When does she want to move him?”
    â€œThis afternoon.”
    â€œAll right,” Patrick said. “We’ll go and get him after lunch.”
    â€œThere’s one more thing.” Bianca sat up straighter, as if she needed to improve her posture to handle the burdens she was carrying. “For the time being, I think it’s best if I moved back in with them. With no Internet, I have no work. Who is going to buy pictures during a global crisis? Without work I can’t pay my rent.”
    â€œI can help,” Patrick said.
    â€œNo. It’s best that I make this decision now. Mamá needs me, and it makes sense for me to be there. I won’t need to take much with me… some clothes and personal items.”
    â€œAre you packed?” Shelby asked.
    â€œYes. I took care of it last night. Everything I need is in two suitcases inside my front door.”
    â€œYou’ll want to take what groceries you have as well.” Shelby shared with them Max’s concerns about the food supply. “Best not to leave it in your apartment.”
    â€œSounds like we have a busy day ahead of us.” Patrick clapped his hands, as if he were coming out of a football huddle. “Oh, I almost forgot. Pastor Tony wants to have a meeting tonight after the mayor’s statement.”
    Shelby exchanged a worried look with Bianca. “Any idea what it’s about?”
    â€œNope. He asked me to spread the word, which I have now done. Undoubtedly you ladies have a grapevine that you can crank up.”
    â€œMy grapevine was on my cell phone,” Bianca said.
    â€œSame here, but surely between the three of us—four with Max—we can get the word out to a few people.”
    â€œLet’s start with Max.” Patrick had been watching out the front screen door. Now he stood, walked toward the door, and opened it. “About time you got here, bro.”
    Shelby glanced out the door and saw Max coming up the walk. He raised his hand in greeting.
    And the morning’s silence was shattered by the sound of gunshots.
    For a moment everyone froze. Then Max hollered at Shelby and Bianca to stay inside. He and Patrick sprinted across the street and north toward the intersection of Kaufman and Fourth.
    Shelby hurried to the door.
    â€œWhat happened?” Bianca asked, crowding in beside her.
    â€œI’m not sure.”
    â€œWe can’t see from here.”
    â€œI think we should go and find out.”
    Bianca hesitated, and then she nodded in agreement. “The guys might need help.”
    Shelby locked the front door and slipped her keys in her pocket. They hurried down the street to where a small crowd was gathering.
    As Shelby pushed her way through, she heard a woman say, “He has a gun. You’d all better stay back.”
    Max was standing in front of Rodney Tull. Nineteen years old with greasy hair and large gauges in his ears, he wore a black