Tammy and Ringo by N.C. Reed

would become even more capable and self-reliant than she was now. Her father had taught her pretty well already.
    “I’m sorry, Ringo,” her voice broke through his thoughts. He looked up, surprised to see her standing right in front of him.
    “What?”
    “I’m sorry about earlier,” she said. “I. . .well, to be honest, I didn’t know what to say, so I ran away. I’m sorry.”
    “Nothing to be sorry for,” Ringo shrugged. “Believe it or not, I understand. You’ve been through a lot since yesterday.”
    “So have you,” Tammy pointed out, joining him in walking back toward the house.
    “Not like you,” Ringo shook his head. “I already lost most of the things that you lost. Only I lost them along the way. One here, another there. You lost them all at once. No matter how tough you are that’s a hard blow. If anyone’s got some leeway coming, it’s you I’d say.”
    “And you did great yesterday,” he added. “Most people would have panicked at one time or another going through what we did yesterday. You didn’t.”
    “I might have if not for you,” Tammy admitted.
    “And I might still be in Memphis fighting for my life or dead without you,” Ringo shrugged. “It evens out.”
    “You’re determined to do this, aren’t you?” she asked as the two stepped up onto the porch and sat down.
    “I don’t know yet,” he admitted. “Until I talk with these people Hiram wants me to speak to, I don’t know what they want or if I can do it. He thinks I can, but. . .I won’t know until I know. If that makes sense,” he added, snorting.
    “It does,” Tammy assured him. “I wish you wouldn’t go,” she added.
    “I plan on coming back,” he told her honestly. “This is supposed to be a one- time thing the way I understand it. Once I’ve done what they want, I’m planning on coming right back here. And stay as long as Hiram and Helen will have me.”
    “You’re welcome to stay as long as you want, dear,” Helen said, walking out onto the porch. “Not to intrude, but I couldn’t help hearing that. Both of you are welcome to stay here with us.” She sat down.
                 
    “I’ve had a word with Hiram about this scouting trip, too,” she continued, her voice almost frigid. “He had no right to lay that on you.”
    “Why not?” Ringo asked calmly. “It needs doing. Maybe I can do it. He’s trying to help, that’s all. Do whatever he can to make things safer.”
    “That doesn’t change the facts,” Helen said tartly. “You’re not trained for this kind of thing. I think he forgets sometimes that not everyone has his background. Or his sense of adventure.”
    “I’ve never had much of a sense of adventure,” Ringo nodded. “But I’m not untrained. I can take care of myself just fine. I’m more worried about actually being of any use to these scientists.”
    “We’ll talk to them later tonight,” Hiram promised, following Helen onto the porch and taking his own seat. “I don’t know what all they’ll want but you can be sure they’ll want samples, pictures, maybe a video of their behavior. Behavioral patterns, how they respond to what stimuli. . . .”
    “I think we can talk about something else right now, dear,” Helen said firmly, and Hiram nodded, contrite.
    “Right. You and me’ll talk later about it, Ringo. And to the CDC, too.”
    “I still wish you wouldn’t,” Tammy said softly.
    “And I still may not,” Ringo reminded her again. “We’ll see.”
    *****
    The first thing Ringo noticed about Doctor Meredith Baxter was that she probably hadn’t slept much lately. There were dark circles under her eyes and her face had a drawn, haggard look to it.
    The second thing was that she did indeed squint at everything, including the web cam she was using to talk to Hiram.
    “This is the young man I was telling you about, Doctor,” Hiram said, once the connection was established.
    “Thank you, Colonel,” Baxter smiled tiredly and Ringo