“Unfortunately, you already know. From this side of it, it’s just like any other flu. Keep her comfortable, make sure she gets plenty of fluids, and…”
Cooper knew the rest and had already tuned her out. He began thinking of Jake and how to help him in this terrible crisis. He also knew he had to talk to Dranko to get the full skinny on what was happening with this illness. He knew he would have the best information around.
Cooper turned away before she’d finished speaking and Lisa stopped in mid-sentence. She was surprised, but not shocked, because she had known for many years that Cooper Adams was a man of incredible focus and action once a course had been chosen. As he began to head downstairs, she returned to the bedroom to look over Elena.
Cooper would typically descend the stairs at a bound, barely touching most of the stairs on his way down. Today, he descended slowly, methodically, the weight on his shoulders showing clearly. His mind raced to catch up to the events unfolding all around him. Already, he was calculating possibilities, probabilities, and options. His mother, after watching his early athletic success and how he reacted to the difficult circumstances of his childhood, used to tell him that he was, “a man born for crisis.” It was true. Cooper was rarely debilitated or overwhelmed by circumstances, but would quickly formulate a response based upon whatever situation he was confronted with. Of course, he never had the heart to tell his mother that it was the very shattering experiences from early in his life that had forged him so. He further withheld that he had sacrificed much of the innocence that every child deserved into that crucible.
He entered the kitchen, the early morning light casting a doubtful glow across the green paint that adorned the walls. A myriad of cracks in the plaster loomed larger than before, transformed into gaping schisms in the walls and ceiling. He had promised Elena a hundred times that he would fix them since they had moved in, but something more pressing always kept him away from that job.
Dranko and Jake sat, huddled, in the corner at the small, wrought iron bistro table that lay in the breakfast nook. They had been in earnest, whispered, conversation. Dranko had his arm around Jake and a look of deep sympathy. Dranko’s face shined in the light from the nearby window while, in contrast, Jake’s lay in shadow. Next to Jake sat a full glass of water. They both turned to face him as he entered the room.
Cooper mustered one of the feeblest smiles of his life, “How are you guys doin’?”
Dranko merely nodded in response. “Fine,” Jake answered.
“Jake, will you take that water up to the bedroom. I’d like one of us to be in with your mom. I will be up in just a few.”
Jake got up and ambled past Cooper. He tussled his son’s hair as he did so. He poured himself a glass of water and then faced Dranko, who stood up and faced his friend.
Cooper caught his eyes, “OK, Dranko, what’s the story? What do you know?” Cooper’s father had often told him that his definition of a friend was one where you could dispense with the cumbersome politeness of society and just get down to business without so much ‘varnish.’ At a time like this, Cooper finally understood the wisdom behind those words.
“Well, it’s a mess, brother. The worst part is whatever this is, Brushfire is moving so fast…”
“How fast?” Cooper quizzed.
“So fast that no one knows what’s really going on. First, let me tell you what I do know. Right now, I know about a dozen neighbors just within the block that have this thing. But, the number grows by the hour. Lisa is on a set of rounds in the neighborhood. She’s making the circuit about every four hours and she always comes back with more names.”
“How many dead? How many recovered?”
“So far, five dead. In addition to Sally and Walt—Mrs. Collins, Miguel Garcia, and the Garfield’s newborn,” Dranko saw Cooper’s expression and added, “Yes, you got it. This thing doesn’t seem to have a preference for age or race. So far, the only recovery is Lily Stott, that old biddie. I swear nothing will kill her. She’s too ornery. But, she was also one of the first to come down with it, so Lisa says there is hope for others.”
“Have you, or her, heard anything that gives you a guess on how many this is killing?”
“My online contacts, including one in Seattle, give me a guess that we’re looking at a 50-75% infection rate with a 25-50% death rate. Lisa thinks it will be less than that.”
Cooper’s fist crashed into the counter with a loud thud, “Damnit, Dranko, that’s a pretty big range. Don’t you have any better details?!”
Dranko paused to let his friend gather himself. “I know, brother. I’m working on it.” He then put his hand on Cooper’s shoulder and looked him straight into his eyes, “Prepare for the worst. From what Lisa has told me, Elena has taken it hard.”
Cooper blinked back tears. He didn’t care about crying in front of Elena or his son, but he hated to do so in front of another man. “Yeah, yeah. I hear you.” Almost automatically, he switched gears as easily as most men turned on a light, “What else is going on? Where are things with the hospitals? The police?”
“Just shot, brother. Overwhelmed. They can’t cope with what is going on. Nothing anyone has ever planned for—or hell, even discussed—had something with this level of contagion and morbidity—whatever it ends up being. Add on top of that is just how fast this thing is moving. They simply can’t handle it. They don’t even know where patient zero is for the love of God! From what I’m hearing, this thing sprung up in dozens of places—worldwide—all at once.”
“What?” Cooper exclaimed.
“It gets worse, I’m afraid. None of this has been on the news, but the Internet and my ham radio contacts have told me about the first breakdowns in order. It’s happening in both the big cities and even in some small towns, too.
“Violence? Already?” Cooper shook his head in disbelief.
“Nobody has ever seen something like this. People are panicked, brother. Everywhere.”
“Anything around here?”
“Not that I’ve heard yet. Maybe our Northwest friendliness is saving us,” his laugh ringing hollowly.
Cooper returned a half-smile. Dranko continued, “That being said. You should get to the store as quickly as you can and pick up every non-perishable food you can. I haven’t heard that the stores are getting picked clean yet, but it’s bound to happen very soon. No matter what the numbers end up being, the supply chains will be severely disrupted. I can watch Jake if you want.”
Cooper nodded, “What about you? Do you need to go to?”
Dranko smiled self-assuredly, “Nah. I’m pretty well set. You remember, I’ve always tried to be prepared…”
Cooper interrupted him, “Yeah, I know. For everything. Just like a Boy Scout.”
Dranko nodded, holding up three fingers in a mock Eagle Scout salute.
Cooper thought for a moment, “OK, I will check with Lisa and go as soon as they’re open.”
“Alright. I’ll get back to my place and I’ll be back in an hour. Oh, and do you have ammunition for your pistol?”
Cooper cocked an eyebrow, “Yeah, a little. Why?”
“Well, bring it with you. I think the threads are going to fray pretty quickly. I’d buy some more for it today, if you can.”
After Dranko left, Cooper and Jake spent an hour in silent vigil with Elena. Lisa left to make her rounds in the neighborhood. Before long, Jake had fallen asleep, head in his father’s lap.
Chapter 4
When they arrived at the supermarket, after their drive down Hawthorne, Cooper was surprised to see open spots in the parking lot. For some, fear of the disease is bigger than any thought of running out of food right now. That will change very soon. He exited his pickup and Jake scrambled out behind him. He pulled him tightly against him and whispered, “Stay close.” People moved quickly to and from their cars. Most looked around furtively while loading their groceries.