It took two days before we were ready to leave for California. I set up a few rudimentary silent alarms in strategic areas so when we return, we can be sure no one else has visited.

  “Do you want to stop in Minneapolis on our way?” I asked Jillian.

  “No. Maybe next time.” She said depressed.

  “One tragedy at a time is all I can take.” I said.

  The drive was uneventful except for high engine temperature on some of the bigger hills and the transmission was acting up.

  “I think it’s time we go shopping for another R/V.” I said.

  “First, we have to figure out how we are going to…” Jillian said not finishing the sentence.

  “Should we bury him in the front yard, backyard, in the house?” I proposed. Jillian shrugged her shoulders and looked out the window.

  We arrived at Tom’s house around 1:00 pm on a Tuesday or Wednesday I think, and inspected the area. Very beautiful houses, at one time. The front door was unlocked. No sign of forced entry. The spacious front room had six coffins all lined up; two were Military, covered with American flags.

  “So much for your family will be safe.” Jillian said looking around. I went into the garage and turned on my light. I found a furniture dolly that would work. We struggled but eventually placed Tom next to his family as Jillian placed an envelope and a couple of pictures on top of his flag.

  Jillian was sitting on a stone bench at the front of the house petting the dogs. I sat next to her and placed my arm around her and she put her head on my shoulder with a sigh.

  “Got to love this weather.” I said looking up at the silent blue sky.

  “I’m tired of driving around like gypsies, can we find a place to live? A big place, overlooking the ocean?” Jillian said softly.

  “Only if it has a swimming pool. I like to go skinny dipping.” I said. “Let’s go house shopping.” Jillian said standing up.

  After a couple of weeks, we found the perfect house in Malibu. The residents were not present and it looks like it was vacant before the virus hit. After about a month, we installed enough solar panels to power a couple of lights and the hot water tank. We used large generators for the refrigerator, and the pool filter. I was able to find a water truck to fill the swimming pool.

  “I’m going to go shopping.” Jillian said as she finished her tea one morning.

  “Give me about two hours.” I said.

  “No, I think I’ll go all by myself.” She said with a suspicious grin.

  “Take a gun and both dogs.” I said not comfortable with her decision. We have been in the house over a month. Non-stop activity of making it a self-contained, efficient and safe dwelling consumed most of our time.

  Building gardens and water collection required a lot of construction and re-construction. We modified the neighbor’s houses in the area to channel moisture off the roofs and into collection tanks as well as other methods. Water was a constant necessity that always seemed to be in short supply.

  Jillian and the dogs returned in about three and a half hours. She made three trips upstairs with boxes and bags that she insisted she did not need assistance with. She was all smiles as she went back and forth.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “You’re up to something!” I said to her through squinted eyes.

  “I have all kinds of surprises!” Jillian said in a mysterious tone. Her final box was placed on the kitchen counter.

  “Open it up!” She said barely able to contain herself, the dogs sitting with noses sweeping the air.

  “Lobster tails!” Wow. These are huge. Where did you find these?” I asked as I gave her a hug and a kiss.

  “I’ll show you tomorrow.” Jillian said as she pulled out a dusty bottle of red wine and handed it to me.

  “1958? Is that good?” I asked. I was not a wine snob. I did not know good wine from bad wine. We always selected the most expensive and figured that it was better than the cheaper brands.

  “I got you some new clothes. I put them in the ‘Guest’ bedroom.” Jillian said with a secret intention. Again, I looked at her through squinted eyes.

  “I hope you know how to cook those.” Jillian said pointing to the box.

  “I just hope they are still good; we’ll know as soon as we open the packages.” I said holding the frozen rock-hard package. Each of the lobster tails were vacuum sealed in thick plastic.

  “They will need to be thawed out first.” I said thinking out loud.

  “How long will that take?” Jillian asked as she walked out of the kitchen. “Dinner reservations will be at 7:30. I will need time to prepare.” I said. “That makes two of us.” Jillian said in a devious tone.

  I had no fucking idea how to cook lobster tails. I looked through the kitchen for cook books and eventually found one in the library. I selected a recipe that included what we had available or as close as possible without the possibility of compromising the entire meal. I set the table using the best dishes and found real silverware. I had twenty minutes to take a quick shower and to check out the clothes Jillian picked out for me.

  “I need to take a shower.” I yelled standing in the hallway by the door.

  “Shit!” I heard Jillian say quietly.

  “Just… close your eyes.” She said.

  “You have them closed?” She asked from behind the locked door.

  “Yes, I do.” I said. I heard the door open.

  “No peeking!” Jillian said in a serious tone and meant it.

  “Nail polish, coco butter…” I said as I walked through the room with my eyes closed taking in all the scents.

  “Just be quiet.” Jillian said playfully. When I was done with my shower, I notified her.

  “Keep your eyes shut.” She said as she led me out of the room.

  “Ten minutes?” I said to her as the door slammed shut, and I walked down the hall to one of the guest rooms. A dark blue suit and black shoes, Italian made, a name I could not even pronounce, all neatly staged in the large armoire. Four bottles of cologne, large gold and sapphire cuff-links and a black silk tie.

  “Hmm, no underwear. Commando tonight.” I said as I started to get dressed and selected a cologne. Everything fit rather nicely as I made my way downstairs to check on dinner. I lit the candles and put on some music.

  “How’s dinner coming along?” I heard Jillian say from the top of the sweeping stairs.

  “Couple more minutes.” I replied. Jillian walked down the stairs in a very short black cocktail dress, her hair was pulled over to one side and this was the first time I have ever seen her with make-up. As she took a step on the stairs, I could just make out the clasps holding on to her black hose. She walked elegantly in her high heels across the floor, the sound was even sexy, as I stood up from the table to receive her. She placed her hands on her hips and turned around slowly allowing me a complete picture.

  “You are absolutely stunning.” I said as I pulled out the chair for her.

  “Blue is definitely your color!” Jillian said checking me out. I clasped her face with both hands and gently kissed her.

  As I opened the bottle of 1958 wine – the antique patina on the bottle looked really classy in this setting, the mechanical timer in the kitchen went off. As I placed dinner on the table, Jillian poured the wine.

  The lobster tails were delightful and the potatoes, very salty. Watching Jillian eat was like looking at another person. We both were consumed by survival and being resourceful. We, mostly me, neglected the most basic of human need, of being wanted. Even her voice sounded different as we talked about the dinner. The candle light flickered on her face as her hazel eyes looked into mine.

  “Let’s go outside, it’s such a beautiful night.” Jillian said standing up and walking outside with her wine glass. I followed with my glass and the bottle.

  We toasted. The chime of our glasses seemed to resonate longer than necessary. A tone I do not believe I have ever heard before. I grabbed her glass and set it on the table and I approached her. We danced slowly to the music we could barely hear as I kissed her neck and pressed myself against her. She was only twenty-two years old but every bit a woman any man could ever hope for.