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slide the measuring stick into
the gas tank. She marked the fuel door to indicate how much
remained, and then we’d move on to the next.
    Once she had the hang of it, we split up and covered
twice the territory. We’d meet back at the intersection where we
started, and I’d mark the map with the separate routes we took and
the quantities of fuel left behind.
    Before long, I was riding ahead to open a line of
tanks for her. She’d walk the line, measure and cap and then mark
the results. We did about a hundred cars and trucks and discovered
more fuel than I had storage for.
    —It’s getting late in the day. I think it’s time to
get you home.
    —I’m ready. I’m exhausted from getting on and off the
bike.
    —Do you trust me enough to take you, or do you want
to find your way from here?
    —I’ve already made my decision about that. You’re
going to take me home.
    —Mine, or yours?
    My huge grin only encouraged Caitrin to roll her
eyes.
    —All right then. Climb on for the last time.
    Caitrin was all smiles when she threw a leg over for
her ride. Even the shotgun digging into my back couldn’t take away
from the day’s accomplishments.
    —I really liked having you along. Maybe we can do it
again soon.
    I could only hope.
    —It’s nice having someone else to talk to after all
these months.
    Someone else? I allowed the slip-up to pass
unnoticed.
    —If you want, I can pick you up and we can roam
around looking for whatever it is you need to make your place more
livable.
    —That would be good. There’s lots I need for the
winter coming up.
    I knew she wouldn’t let me take her all the way home.
It didn’t surprise me when she asked me to pull over. She started
to explain, but I held up my hand.
    —It’s not necessary. I understand. If it was the
other way around, I’d do the same.
    —Thank you, Russel.
    She kissed me on the cheek.
    —It’s been a great day.
    —For both of us, I’d say.
    Caitrin blushed. She turned and fast-trotted in the
direction of an alley. She turned and waved. I pointed the bike in
the direction of my own home.
    I had plenty to think about. It had been a shock to
come upon Caitrin waiting patiently at my door. When the truck
arrived and she disappeared, I thought she had left for good. That
she took a chance and ran indoors to avoid detection surprised
me.
    It pleased me that she trusted me enough to spend the
night. I still had no idea whether we’d make a team. For now, I’d
run with it and see what might develop.
    Once home, I unlocked the door and went around
checking that the curtains were closed before firing up the
generator.
    I washed off the day’s accumulated grime. I put a
potato in the oven and threw some chicken into a batch of spices
before putting it on the stove to simmer. I stretched out on the
sofa and forgot all about a shower.
    The explosions in my dream turned into pounding.
Something was pounding on the roof. Wait. No. Not the roof.
    Confused, I rolled over and fell off the sofa. That
forced me to recognize the sound.
    In the dark, late at night, I refused to turn on the
lights. Instead, I opened the door. I didn’t even have a shotgun
within easy reach. Caitrin must have heard me turn the lock. She
burst through the open door. In her haste, she almost knocked me
down.
    I reacted to her panic and quickly swung the door
shut and locked it.
    —You scared the bejesus out of me. What’s going
on?
    She couldn’t talk. She couldn’t catch her breath.
Huffing and puffing, she must have ran all the way from her place.
I left her to calm down and return to some semblance of sanity
while I went to check on dinner. She followed, and watched while I
set another place at the table.
    Caitrin still hadn’t said a word.
    —It looks and sounds like you need a dose of reality.
Sit down and take your time. While I wait, perhaps you can fill
your stomach and figure out what it is that you want me to
know.
     
     

 
     
    SEVEN
    Russell and Caitrin
     
    Caitrin paced