Broken Dreams(196)
“It’s just me,” Henry announced as he came back into the house. He looked defeated…and drunk. “I would like to apologize to everyone for my behavior. Sometimes I can be a real prat.” Not one person said a word. He stood quiet for a moment, looking at everyone, then he focused in on Addie. “Is there anything I can help you with for dinner?”
“You know, I could use someone to watch my back while I grill. I think there’s enough propane left to cook.”
“Sure, I can handle that.” Henry walked through the kitchen, without a glance in my direction, and went out back to check for undeads. Great, he was pissed at me. Just perfect.
Addie was pulling out seasonings from her cabinets. “Would you ladies like to make a dressing for the salad while I cook the chicken?”
“Yes, of course,” I said with mild enthusiasm. I admit that I’m no Julia Childs, but putting together a dressing would be easy enough.
“And you two can set the table, too. Everything you need is right in this area.” She waved her hand in front of the cabinets and drawers. Addie took the platter of chicken and headed out back.
***
Addie opened the door, and saw Henry starting the grill. “Oh, goodness, thank you.”
“It’s the least that I can do,” he said apologetically, flashing his charming smile.
“You need to take it easy on that girl. You’ll cause a divide within your group if you choose to keep acting the way you are,” she lectured.
Henry hung his head like a child. “I know. I’m ashamed of my behavior.”
“You need to be a little easier with that bottle, as well.” Henry looked off to the side. “Speaking from experience, it can damage relationships.”
“Sorry to hear that.” Henry didn’t know what else to say. He knew that he was becoming more attached to the booze, but he wasn’t ready to shake it yet. Nor was he ready to admit anything. He also knew that Elaina was watching his intake. The silence grew even more uncomfortable.
“I’m not going to lecture you about it because it’s none of my business and you know what you’re doing to yourself, but just understand that breaking the habit is a difficult road.” Addie cleared her throat. “Well, enough of that. So, tell me, where in England are you from?” she asked, placing the chicken on the grill.
“The east end of London.” Henry was careful not to elaborate or speak too much of the truth.
“I’ve always wanted to travel to the UK. But, because of one thing or another, it just wasn’t in the cards.”
“Family?” He was genuinely curious.
“Yes. I was married, and my husband passed two years ago. He was ill for a long time. He was an alcoholic.” Henry let out a loud exhale and shied away from Addie. Then, in a sad tone, she said, “I had a daughter, as well.”
“I’m sorry.” His voice was gentle and full of compassion.
“It’s kind of nice to have a group of people around. It’s been a little while. My daughter used to bring her friends over all the time. We always had a houseful. But it’s been lonely, as you may have figured out.”
“Did your daughter…?”
“I don’t know. I’ve looked for her every place that I can think of, but I can’t find her.”
“Where was she last?”
“At school.”
“And you’ve been to the school?”
“I have driven past, but there were a lot of those…zombies, I guess you would say.”
“We call them undeads.” Addie began pushing the chicken around on the grill.
“Right. Well, there were a lot of undeads roaming around so I couldn’t get into the school. Then I went to all of her friends’ houses. It took a while to get to all of the houses. I saw a few things I didn’t want to see. I have done some things that may not be forgivable at those pearly gates.”
“I understand. I, too, have done unforgivable things. A lot of unforgivable things.” Henry could commiserate. He knew all too well what it was like to do things that were unforgivable, and the emotional baggage that came with it. “Is the school close by?”
“Oh, about three miles down the road there.” Henry began plotting in his mind.
He walked around a little and scoped out the area. He was surprised at the lack of undeads roaming. Then he came up to a large pile of decaying bodies, all of which bore the obvious signs of being undead.
“Henry! Dinner,” Addie yelled out. She didn’t see him, but she headed back in the house with the chicken.
***
When Addie walked back in, the mouthwatering scent of the grilled chicken was the best thing that I had smelled in a long time. Canned tomatoes and peaches were getting a bit boring. Not that I was complaining because it was better than no food at all.