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She squinted her eyes and crossed her arms. “You’re welcome, but seriously, I think you should walk softly with your job. Something’s not right. And get over this shit with your husband.”
“Okay,” I agreed. “I’ll keep my eyes open, and I know Sam and I will work this out.”
I mopped up the white powder that rested all over the floor. Lori told me it was pointless until the end of the day, but I still wanted to keep my hands busy. It helped push thoughts of Sam away, if only a little.
All I could do about Sam was wait for him to come around. The facts hadn’t changed. Dean had been a perfect gentleman the past few days, borderline kind. He’d visited BeLew’s classroom and had even brought them some plants for science class. I couldn’t explain to Sam that Dean had backed off, because he refused to look at me, let alone talk to me.
Lori nudged my arm. “Hey, could you keep an eye on the boys for me? I’m running down to the lower decks.” Lori had a large cloth sack hung over her shoulder like some sad, apocalyptic Santa.
“Oh, wow, so you’re doing this on the regular I see. You’re making this horrible decision, like now. You are insane. Seriously, are you a strong swimmer without the use of your hands?”
She pushed through the swinging doors, ignoring my commentary. She took a pause and turned back to me. “Why don’t you come with me?”
“And leave four boys to run amuck without supervision? That’s another way to get thrown overboard zip-tied.”
“Sam’s out there with them.” Lori gave a nod of her head towards a corner table. I walked up to see for myself, and there he sat. A fresh plate of food was placed in front of him while he rustled BeLew’s hair. He had that big, stupid grin on his big, stupid face.
I miss him.
Maybe it was frustration or the desperate need to get away, but I snapped, “Fine, let’s go. I can point out how crazy you are after seeing it for myself. Then you’ll have to believe me. You tell Sam to watch the kids.”
“Oh, for the love. This stupid fight,” Lori hissed, putting her sack down and walking towards their table. They spoke for a moment while regret coursed through me. Going to see the two hundred was a terrible decision, but I wanted to help Lori and avoid Sam until he talked to me first. Sometimes when you win, you lose.
She sauntered back, and too stubborn to back out, I picked up the heavy bag, and we headed out.
The path down took over half an hour, and at some point, I groaned, realizing I would have to take all the stairwells back up. It got colder the deeper we went, and the sounds of the ship were ominous. Every creak or clang made me flinch, as if the floors above us would collapse. My nightmares of sinking deep into black water crept into my mind, and I shook my head to break them free.
When we entered a large room of flickering lights stuffed with people, I knew we had arrived. There were mattresses strewn on the floor, hanging bunks, nets draped from the ceiling, and a few tables scattered around. Overall, the conditions were deplorable.
I helped Lori unpack containers and bag up empty ones. There were maybe a dozen kids that watched us, waiting for the first turns at snacks.
“Are you all liking school?” I asked. I had a basket of rolls, still warm, that I passed out to them.
“They don’t go to the school,” a male voice came from behind me. Startled, I shot around, almost dropping the food. It took me a moment to register, but I knew him. It was Luke from the RHIB all those weeks ago. It seemed like a lifetime ago. He reached out and hugged me. “Did he make it?” Luke chuckled. “Your husband?”
“He did,” I smiled. “He’s doing well.”
“She isn’t talking to him,” Lori chimed in. “But his leg healed up. You two know each other?”
“So, there’s still a chance for me, then?” Luke beamed and turned to Lori. “We had a wild make-out session when I was sure her husband and all of us were going to die a grisly death.” He took a few steps back from me and raised his hands. “Oh shit, am I going to make it? How healed up are we talking? Should I watch my back? I remember him being a large guy.”
I gave a guttural laugh, and the tray of rolls almost slipped out of my hands. I couldn’t remember the last time I truly giggled. The kids laughed because kids are like that, sponges that absorb the feelings of those around them. I needed to be happier around BeLew. They needed me to laugh and feel joy.
“Oh, wow. I wouldn’t call it a make-out,” I laughed. “You got a kiss as you saw us off. I can’t say I’m sorry about it.”
Luke beamed in my direction, and Lori grabbed my tray before I poured our hard work all over the floor.
“Well, aren’t you just swimming in available men?” Her tone was jovial, but there was a nip to it. “Luke is part of the medical team. He comes down here to check on everyone when he’s done with his shift. It’s kind of him.”
“It’s nothing,” he brushed Lori off. “What else am I going to do, pace around the boat for the hundredth time?”
I certainly understood that. “Why don’t the kids go to school? I thought we had an oversupply of teachers?”
“Because they want more growers,” Luke answered. “Not that we would ever be short on food the way Lori works her magic.”
God, this man is a flirt. I love it. We need some shameless romance.
“So, the kids are working in agriculture? Are you serious?”
