Page 41 of No More Billionaires

“Great,” I muttered, beginning to speed walk to the top of the ramp. I would’ve run if I hadn’t been certain it would lead to leakage.

Several gas stations, fast food restaurants, and even a hotel all stood at the top—in complete darkness.

“Shit. There’s no power—there must be some trees down on the lines near here.”

The first darts of panic struck me. I was already wetter than I wanted to be.

“What are we going to do?”

Larson looked over at me, reading my face. “Don’t worry. We’ll find a bathroom… if you still need to… do you?”

“Of course! What? You thought I peed my pants?”

He laughed at my expression of horror. “I wouldn’t think less of you if you had—”

I slapped his arm, the panic downshifting to simple worry. “No. I’m still hanging onto my dignityandmy bladder control… by a thread. But I really,reallyneed to find a place. Soon.”

“Okay, let’s try some doors. Maybe one of these places is open even without power.”

The first gas station we approached was locked up tight. The second one, too, though it wore an apologetic sign:

Sorry. No power. No gas. No public restrooms.

“Great.”

Now that I’d allowed myself to think about it again, it was getting harder and harder to hold it.

My bladder felt like it was soccer-ball-sized at this point and the internal burn it produced should’ve been enough to power each and every one of these buildings.

I’d begun to stare longingly at the dark alley behind the next building, determining just how much of my clothing I’d have to remove to keep from wetting it when Larson spoke up in an excited tone.

“Hey, I think I see some signs of life up there in that Burger Barn.”

I squinted through the wintry mix. “Really? Oh, you’re right. There are people in there, with cell phones or flashlights or something.”

We reached the door, which thankfully opened, and I went straight for the ladies room with barely a word to anyone.

Behind me I heard Larson greeting the crowd of fellow highway refugees. I returned to him a few minutes later, almost euphoric with the comfort of an empty bladder and the heat retained in the restaurant.

“Burger?” Larson held out a paper-wrapped package. “They lost electricity, but the grill is gas—the manager said they’re cooking up everything in the freezer and giving it away.”

I grabbed the warm sandwich, holding it up to one numb cheek and then the other, sighing with pleasure.

“I have never wanted a patty of mystery meat so much in my life.”

Larson gave me a sly grin and raised one brow. “And I never thought I’d be jealous of a Deluxe Barn-y Burger. Are you going to eat it or make out with it?”

I wrinkled my nose and pushed at his chest. “Shut up and eat your sandwich.”

There was nowhere to sit. Even the floor was covered in bodies, some sleeping, some awake. But I wasn’t complaining.

Not at first.

After almost an hour when the feeling had fully returned to all my limbs, the fatigue started to hit me. I sagged against the restaurant wall, needing to take a bit of pressure off my feet.

With a wide yawn, I leaned my damp head against the window.

Larson studied my face. “I’m going to go check the hotel up the street.”

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