Prepper's Sacrifice Read Free Page B

allowing the interns to ‘get their hands dirty,’ something she seemed exceptionally fond of. However, until now, her hours consisted of bringing everyone coffee and ensuring that everyone’s schedules were on point.
    ‘How are you doing, Mr. Thomas?’ She turned to Stewart, extending a hand which he pretended not to see.
    ‘Pretty good, Lizzy.’ He smiled.
    ‘Lucy,’ she said quietly.
    ‘Sorry?’ Stewart said, not hearing what it was that Lizzy mumbled.
    ‘Lucy, sir. My name’s Lucy.’
    ‘Ah, yes. I’m so sorry dear. Long night.’
    It wasn't that Stewart was trying to mess her name up on purpose. He just wasn’t very good with names. Today wasn’t the only day that he’d called her something close to her name, but not close enough. He wasn’t sure who was more embarrassed by it; her or him.
    ‘Can I get you anything, then?’
    ‘Oh, no thank you,’ he said, ‘I’m all set. Wife made sure to make me a nice big thermos this morning.’
    ‘Oh, isn’t that sweet...’ Before Lucy could say anything else, Stewart had disappeared into his office.
     
    ***
     
    ‘Home so early?’ Anne said, surprised to see her husband perched in front of the television.
    ‘Can you believe it, Anne? They’re still not saying anything about these new Ebola patients.’
    Anne rolled her eyes. She wanted a normal conversation. A, ‘hi dear, how as your day’ kind of conversation. But Stewart was acting as though Ebola had tapped him on the shoulder and stared into his eyes.
    ‘Don’t you think it’s getting to be a bit too much now?’ she asked calmly.
    ‘It damn well is. Three cases in the span of a week. You know what this state will look like in a month. Everyone will be walking around with face masks and whatnot.’
    ‘That’s not what I meant, Stewy. I meant you talking about Ebola, Ebola, Ebola. It’s getting to be a bit much. Can we just watch a movie or something?’
    ‘Yeah, of course. Let me just head to the pantry and check our pile first. That way, we can head right to bed after and not have to worry about getting the shopping list ready in the morning.’
    ‘Yeah, sure.’ Anne was a slight bit relieved, though not less annoyed. Surely a movie would get his mind off a virus that had nothing to do with them, a virus that had only infected three people, not the millions like Stewart was making it seem like?
    Anne headed to the bedroom. The dull walls were starting to get to her. Though she’d been the one who insisted on keeping them white, now, she felt as though a little color would work wonders. She placed her cellphone on the small table in front of the window before pulling the perfectly pleated striped curtains back and allowing a glimmer of light to bless the room. However, the sunlight wasn’t the only thing she let in. Ed, or peeping Ed as she liked to call him, was in his regular spot by his bedroom window, peeping out in hopes of seeing something exciting. Anne headed to their king sized bed and kicked off her heels before slipping into more comfortable attire. She then turned on her laptop and sorted through all the movies she’d watched and the ones she was dying to see. She figured that since Stewart had been such a pain with his talk of the virus, she’d annoy him with a chic flick.
     
    ***
     
    In the meantime, Stewart was in the pantry, checking his list for all the things they could use. Fifty items later, he felt as though he’d written down most of the things they would need.
    ‘Are you ready?’ Anne yelled to Stewart, who she assumed was still in the pantry.
    ‘Yeah, heading up now.’
    In the bedroom, Anne was already comfortable with a few pillows tucked behind her back. Stewart joined her to see that the movie she picked out.
    ‘Ah, I see what you did there.’ Stewart smiled.
    ‘Well, I think it’s a fair tradeoff. I listen to you rant on about Ebola and you get to enjoy girl’s night with a great girl film.'
    Anne could tell that the movie bored almost each