CHAPTER 5
George Bush International Airport, Houston, Texas 18:15 EST
“So you’re saying that a nuclear bomb might have caused this?” Ed asked, his expression and tone failing to conceal his disbelief.
Kyle nodded as his mind continued to race, trying to remember the details.
“Why don’t I see a huge mushroom cloud, or buildings being sucked over? Shouldn’t we all have been burnt up in the explosion?”
“Ed, you didn’t hear what I said. The bomb, assuming that’s what caused this, wasn’t detonated at ground level. If it had been, I’m sure it would have destroyed the city. The deal is this: if a nuclear bomb is detonated in space, the resulting electrical storm, or discharge, or whatever you want to call it, will wipe out everything electrical below it. Depending on how high the blast was, it could have impacted just the Houston area, or all of Texas, or even the entire country.”
Ed sank back into his chair, struggling to grasp the information. “How sure are you about this?”
“I’m sure about the effect of a bomb, but I’m not sure at all that this is what’s going on. I did some training with my company a few years ago. At the end of the sessions they were talking about worse case scenarios, and the nuke in space was the ultimate. It fries everything. It’s like lightning hitting every power pole in the country at the same time, but worse. The discussion was more of a curiosity than anything, but it was frightening, almost unbelievable. The big thing I remember is that it’s ’end of world as we know it‘ bad. I hope there’s some other explanation, and I’m open to it, but I can’t think of one.”
Ed looked at Kyle, trying to find something in Kyle’s expression that said “just kidding,” but it wasn’t there. “I want to get out of here,” he said, his voice pinched and dry. “I feel like crap, I’m not going to get on another airplane today, and I don’t think the FAA or CIA or CNN or whoever the hell it is that investigates plane crashes is going to be showing up any time soon to interview me.”
“You should get your head looked at,” Kyle said as he reassessed Ed’s wound. “You were out for awhile, and that cut was bleeding pretty badly. It probably needs some stitches.”
Ed looked at Kyle and laughed out loud. “You just told me that a nuclear bomb in space might have sent us back to the stone-age, and you’re worried about a cut on my head? I think I’ll be fine.”
“Just the concerned citizen coming out. It’s probably not a bad idea for you to get home. Probably safer than hanging around here.”
“What are you going to do, Kyle?” Ed asked.
“I hadn’t really thought about that. I was planning on being home tonight.”
“Do you have someplace to go?”
“No. I checked out of my hotel and turned in the car. Guess I’ll sleep here tonight and see if I can get some better information if things settle down. Who knows, maybe everything will be back to normal in the morning.” There was no conviction in his voice.
“Kyle, you can come and stay at my house. You saved my life. I’ll never be able to repay you, but at least that would be something. Besides, I probably shouldn’t be driving alone with a head injury.”
Kyle took another look around the airport, taking in the panic and chaos, and slowly nodded his head. “I’d like that. I don’t feel like staying around here any longer than I have to…this place could get dangerous.”
“If things are better tomorrow, I’ll bring you back down. If not, well, we’ll figure things out then.”
“It’s a deal,” said Kyle as he shook Ed’s hand then helped him up. “I really appreciate this.”
Deer Creek, Montana 19:30 EST
Jennifer walked the fifty yards across her vacant horse pasture to the next-door neighbors’ house, swatting mosquitoes as she walked and trying unsuccessfully to recall the first names of the older couple who lived there. She still hadn’t gotten to know the Andersons very well. It had been just over five months since she and Kyle had moved in, and most of their spare time had been spent making their new house a home, but the few times she had visited with the Andersons, they had seemed quite nice. Usually when Jennifer went for her morning walks, Mrs. Anderson was outside tending her yard, the flourishing garden and flowerbeds testifying to the attention they received. The two women would wave and exchange greetings or chat for a minute, but between Jennifer’s job and a busy summer their relationship hadn’t progressed much beyond that.
Jennifer knocked on the door and heard a noise from inside the house just before Mr. Anderson swung it open. He smiled warmly at Jennifer and she returned the smile, noticing his t-shirt that proudly proclaimed him to be “The World’s Best Grandpa,” a title that seemed to fit with his pleasant smile, round face, and gray hair combed carefully over the top of an otherwise bald head.
“Hello, Neighbor,” he said, his voice cheerful and friendly. “What can I do for you today? Lookin’ to borrow a cup of sugar?” His eyes twinkled as he spoke.
Jennifer was surprised by how friendly he was. “No. Thanks. I’ve got lots of sugar,” she answered. “I’m sorry to bother you. I’m your neighbor, Jennifer Tait.”
“Oh, I know who you are. I see you all the time, and it’s no bother. It’s always nice to have people drop by. You’re our new neighbor, with the three adorable children, correct?”
Jennifer nodded. “I live next door with the children -- not sure how adorable they are, but you’re right.”
“My wife’s told me all about your family. It’s so nice to have children around. Kids just make the world a better place. We’ve got ten grandchildren of our own, so we like to have little ones nearby. I’ll have to show you their pictures sometime. But enough about them, what is it you needed, Jennifer?
“I wanted to see if I could use your phone, if it’s working. I only have cordless phones and the power’s out. I’d like to call my husband. He’s supposed to be home tonight and I haven’t heard from him yet.”
“I’d love to let you use our phone, but ours are dead too.” Mr. Anderson said this just as happily as if he were announcing the birth of a new grandchild. “Grace was talking to our daughter in Spokane when the line went out. She thought she’d been hung up on but figured it out when she couldn’t call her back. I bet a car hit a transformer or a power pole because our power seems to be out too. Someone at the power company is going to be having a rotten Friday, don’t you think?”
Jennifer agreed.
“We sure get spoiled, don’t we? We always have power and never even think about it. Then it goes off for a couple of hours, and we can’t hardly seem to function.”
“Kyle, my husband, works for the power company, but he’s not back or I’d send him down to check things out.”
“Oh, that’s right. Your husband mentioned that when you moved in. I thought I hadn’t seen your husband for a little while. Is everything okay?”
Jennifer nodded. “Everything’s fine. His company sent him down to Texas to help with recovery after this last hurricane. He’s been gone for a couple of weeks but should be back later tonight.”
“Two weeks is a long time. I hope you know you could have come over if you’d needed anything.”
“That’s very generous, Mr. Anderson. If anything comes up, I’ll be sure to call.”
“Oh, please, not so formal. I’m Charles, and my wife is Grace, but I think you know her already. She’s taking a nap, or she’d come and say hello. And please, just call me Chuck. Everyone calls me Chuck, except for Grace. If she’s mad at me then it’s Charles Irwin, but I don’t need to air our dirty laundry to you, do I?”
Jennifer chuckled. “Don’t worry, Chuck,” she said. “Your secret’s safe with me. Thanks so much for your help. I’d better get back home and figure out something for dinner. It looks like it’s going to be sandwiches tonight, or maybe we’ll find something to barbeque. It was a pleasure talking to you again, Chuck. Please tell Grace hi for me.”