CHAPTER EIGHTY-EIGHT
(part two)

Friday evening — 5:45 P.M.

“Mommy?” Katy asked.

“Yes, Katy-baby,” Jill said.

They were snuggled together in the pillows near the back of the chapel. Paddie was curled up next to Jill. With Katy’s head lay on Jill’s lap, they spoke in quiet, intimate tones.

“Do you have a special power?” Katy asked.

“No, baby, I’m hopelessly normal,” Jill said.

“How come Naomi says you have a special power?” Katy asked.

“Naomi must be mistaken,” Jill said.

“But she says when you were my age you could heal things,” Katy said. “She told me when I was sick. She said you didn’t heal me when I was sick because you forgot you could do it.”

“Do what, Katy-baby?”

“Heal people. Animals. Stuff like that,” Katy said. “That’s what you’re doing when you help me with the dreams. You heal me. Daddy too. That’s why he’s gotten so strong.”

“I just love you Katy-baby. Daddy too,” Jill said. “When you have a dream, I love you back to me. I loved you when you were sick too.”

“Are you sure you never loved little animals, birds and squirrels the same way?” Katy asked. “Even when they were dead?”

Jill didn’t respond. Instead, she caressed Katy’s head hoping she would fall asleep.

“Mommy? Why won’t you tell me?”

“Oh,” Jill sighed. “It was a long, long time ago and I did something really bad. I promised myself I would never do that again. Never ever.”

Katy was silent for a while. They heard a something crash against the floor upstairs.

“Mommy?”

“Yes, Katy-baby,” Jill said.

“Why won’t you do it now? You did it when I had the bee sting. Remember when we were at that store and I was really sick? You did it for Auntie Honey. By her bedside.”

“If it happens now, it’s just a mistake or an accident.”

“But you would do it to save me?”

“I don’t think I can do it by choice. When you grow up Katy…”

“Naomi says you can. Would you do it to save Daddy?”

“Katy…”

“Would you do it to save Delphie? Or Auntie Valerie? Or Grand Mommy? Because Naomi says that you’re the only one who can save all of us.”

~~~~~~~~

Friday evening — 5:55 P.M.

When the kitchen door slammed closed, Mike jumped to his feet. Pulling and tugging, he dragged the solid maple kitchen table to block the door.  He closed and locked the door to the apartment stairs.  He pulled an armoire over to block the door. Certain they were safe as safe as he could make them, he turned to Valerie.

Valerie writhed on the floor. Unsure of what to do for her, he wrapped himself around her. He closed his eyes and willed his strength into her.

Until he saw blood.

“You’re bleeding,” he said.

“Babies, Mike. Babies are dying.” Valerie grunted.

Mike scowled. Picking up his cell phone, he dialed 9-1-1. No response. His phone wasn’t working. He shattered the phone against the wall. From his position on the floor, he snatched at the kitchen phone on the wall.

One try. Missed.

Another try. Miss.

Finally, he had the phone in his hand. No dial tone.

“Mike save my babies,” Valerie said. She passed out.

Mike lifted her into his arms. He carried her to the security panel. With his precious bundle in his arms, he was able to open the tunnel door. There was only one person who could fix this now. He only hoped she was hiding in the Chapel.

He carried Valerie into the tunnels.

Denver Cereal continues tomorrow….