Monte Vista Village, Toxic Soup (The Survivor Diaries) Read Free Page A

someone willing to open the door. I actually knew these neighbors. Well, at least we had had conversations on the street while walking the dog.  I had almost forgotten their last names because we always just called them “The Architects”. The Richmond’s are both architects, and Jill opened the door wide and gave me a hug so hard I could barely breath.
    “Thank God you came,” Jill burst out with. I was confused. Had she been waiting for me?
    “Hi, Jill,” I just barely breathed out. Hershey jumped up, excited for the group hug.
    “Let her go,” exclaimed Joseph, as he rolled to the door in his wheelchair. “Come in, come in.”
    “Hershey, down boy,” I commanded.
    Jill must be in her sixties. She is of sturdy build, with long grey hair and glasses. Joseph is about the same age, and if I recall, he has been in the wheelchair for around ten years. I am not even sure what put him there, but I would never come out and ask. I was raised with manners. Truth is, it doesn’t really matter.
    I had never been inside their house before. There was a giant, floor to ceiling, bay window overlooking the whole bay. The trees had yet to obscure their view. I would be jealous if I hadn’t believed that none of us would be around to enjoy it soon enough. In fact, this house would probably come crashing down when the bombs hit, as would ours.
    Jill had been inside our house several times asking to look in our yard for her lost cat. Ever y day for a month she would put up flyers and searched the neighborhood for her beloved sixteen year old cat. She was a very driven woman. Sadly, she never did find Bunny, the cat.
    “I was thinking about coming to see you and your mother. How are you guys doing? We are a mess. I can’t reach my daughter in North Carolina. She must be so scared.” It was like she had been keeping in all of her fear, and with the sight of me she opened up the avalanche of worries she had built up and just let it all out.
    “Stop, Woman! Let the girl tell us what she came here for! Please,” Joseph scolded.
    “You’re right,” she said. “Come and have a seat.”
    “Thanks,” I said, taking the proffered seat. Hershey came and settled in at my feet. I pet him as I spoke. I think petting him was a way of keeping myself calm. “Actually, I just went to the two houses between us and no one answered. I’m glad you did. I was getting ready to give up.”
    “Well,” started Jill. “I know that the Kaufman’s are at their home in Chicago. He’s a pilot, as you know.” I actually didn’t know that, but, embarrassed, I just nodded my head and she proceeded. “I heard Chicago was wiped off the map, so I guess they won’t be coming back. Too bad, really. They are, were, such nice people.”
    She stopped and I could read the sadness on her face. She was thinking of her daughter, I was sure of it. I reached out and patiently placed a hand on top of hers. A tear slid down her face.
    “Anna and Stan are at home,” she went on. I think Anna is in a bad emotional state. That’s probably why they didn’t answer.”
    “I thought that might be the case. They don’t know me from Adam, so I completely understand.” And I did. I don’t know that I would have opened the door to a stranger right now, either. I continued, “I thought it might be a good idea to take down some information about our neighbors, in case. You know…” I trailed off.
    Understandingly, Jill shook her head, but Joseph took over. “What kind of information are you looking for?” He looked at me with a distrusting grimace.
    “Joe,” Jill proclaimed. “Stop it.”
    I went on, trying to sound matter-of-fact. “Well, things like, what you do for a living, what you might need in the upcoming days, what you might be willing to give to those who might be in need, that sort of thing.”
    “Ah, huh! That’s exactly what I thought!” He said, as he raised a finger. “Can’t you see I am in this wheelchair? What do you think I can do