Becca by Jennie Taylor Page A

while fighting the infected on the way back, how I got out of the car and was going to go back and try to save them, and even how the others refused to let me go.
     
    “You did what was right, coming back with them. You took care of what was most important.”
    “I feel like a failure. Why would anyone treat someone else like that?”
    “I don’t know, sweetheart.” He gave me a hug. “Has Bridget or any of the others given you any trouble?”
    “No. Not really. Other than a little whining when I assigned rooms.”
    “What did you come up with?”
    “David has the first room at the top of the stairs, Bridget and Amber have the one on the east side at the back and Tash and I share the west one. It’s too dangerous to use the bottom floor. One of those things might break in a window, or maybe even someone who isn’t infected.”
    “Yes. Well, what we can do there is put up some heavy shutters that we can close from the inside. We should get back and do that. I’m sure there’s some wood in the barn, or we can tear some off the barn if we have to.”
    “Dad... I... I’m so sorry.”
    “For what, Becca?”
    “I gave up on you. I doubted you, and... I didn’t think you were coming.”
    “That’s okay. You couldn’t know.”
    “And... and... I shot a guy. He wasn’t even infected, but I thought they were going to try taking the car from us, and I couldn’t risk it. So I shot him in the leg.”
    “I’m sure you had no choice.”
    “And I almost got Bridget killed.”
    “But you didn’t get her killed. She’s safe, and it’s because of you.”
    “Because of luck.”
    “Rebecca, when I sent you kids this way I was so worried. The rest of them were panicked. They couldn’t be trusted at all. You held it together for them. You did a great job.”
    “Oh yeah, and I sort of kidnapped Amber and David.”
    “I noticed that.”
    “I couldn’t leave them home alone.”
    “You did the right thing.”
     
    We headed back to the cabin. He paused along the way and sat on a huge bolder that was at the edge of the road. He nodded toward another and waited until I took a seat.
     
    “I don’t want your sister to hear this. I’m not sure I should be telling you.”
    “What?”
    “Your grandparents had been infected when we got there. It was hard on your mom.”
    “I’m so sorry.”
    “Bill was fine when we got to him, but before we even left he was attacked and killed by one of the sick people. It happened right in front of us. It was pretty bad.”
    “Wow. Mom was already pretty shaky. It must be hard. For you too.”
    “It was. She’s going to be okay, though. I think it does her a lot of good seeing you two doing so well.”
     
    Dad and I, along with David, spent the day putting boards up. We nailed them directly over part of the windows, but some of them we put on hinges so we’d be able to open them for light and to see out.
     
    Tasha, Bridget and Amber took care of Mom. They moved her into the downstairs bedroom, made her some soup, got her some Tylenol, got her something to drink. They did a good job making her feel as good as they could.
     
    “I think the house is sealed up pretty good.” Dad told me. It was bed time already. “I don’t think you’ll be needing the bells across the stairway.”
    “Okay. If you’re sure.”
    “Becca, I’m here now. You can relax a little. You don’t have to worry now.”
    “I hope so.” I shrugged. “I still feel responsible for them.”
    “Just go on up to bed now.”
    “Goodnight Daddy, I love you.”
    “Goodnight.”
     
    I went up and changed for bed, then climbed in next to Tasha. And we were talking for a few minutes, and then we started kissing. I rolled over and was sort of straddling her, bending down and kissing her. It was the most aggressive thing we’d done so far.
     
    “Before you go to sleep I was wondering...” Dad began. I hopped off of Tasha and pulled the covers over myself.  I didn't even hear the door open.