Page 54 of Night of the Living Manny
“Hey.” He pulled her away from the generator and into a hug. “Hey, it’s okay.”
“It isn’t either. None of this is okay.”
“No, I know.” He sighed. “I know. You’ve been so damn brave.” He kept telling her that because it was true, but he knew it didn’t make it any easier.
“I just couldn’t…. It won’t open.”
“Okay, I have man hands. Gimme a shot. It might just be vapor locked.” He twisted, and yeah, it was on there hard. He wrenched it, and it popped. “There. It was really caught up.”
“Thank you. I tried. I swear.”
“You did great. Wanna know something?”
“Uh-huh.” Susanna wiped her cheeks off.
“I’m scared to death. I wanted to puke today. But I drove because you guys needed a safe place.”
“Me too. Daddy more than either of us, I think.” She sighed, rubbing her arms.
“I think so. He feels like this is his fault, and you’re his flesh and blood.”
“Yeah.” She closed her eyes, took a deep breath. “Let’s fill this up and get inside.”
“Sounds good.” He helped her carry gas cans. The sight of her shotgun made him shiver. Maybe he should get her to give him a lesson. “Tell me next time and I’ll come help, okay?”
“Sure. What do we need to do in the house?”
“I just need to feed everyone.” He guided Susanna back in, and they took the gas cans to set them by the garage door.
“Sandwiches?” she asked.
“Sounds good.” They would start using canned stuff when they had to. Right now they still had bread and all.
“I’m thinking grilled cheese.”
“Are you now?” he teased.
Susanna grinned at him. “Uh-huh.”
“That’s ambitious, but I’m down.” He made her laugh, at least.
“I like how you make them.” She ducked her head, but he saw she was still smiling.
“Well, then. Grilled cheese it is.” He was gonna make her day better any way he could.
“Thank you. For everything.”
“You’re welcome. Go doctor your fingers. I’ll start sandwiches.”
She looked at her hand and scowled. “So much for nails. Meet you there.”
“They’ll grow. I swear.”
She smiled for him one more time, this one tired but not shaky. “I know. Thanks for being so nice to me, Brenden.”
“Hey, that’s easy.” She was a good kid, strong and brave.
“I feel like everything is a mess.” She was done crying, though. “So you make grilled cheese and I’ll create a veg.”
