Shared History 12

Shortly after the quake Francie began experiencing the familiar morning sickness that had plagued her when she carried her son . She had hoped to be spared but just as she began her third month as last time it settled in.The first bout she was slicing potatoes for breakfast when the odor of the lard melting brought on a wave of nausea that sent her running outside. When she returned paler than her usual pallor of late she weakly smiled towards Suzanne saying I think I may have a bug. Suzanne saying dryly it seems you may have the nine month variety raising an eyebrow in question. After agreeing she was Concerned this was the case no more was said about it till weeks later when Francie told Arlis It was almost definitely the case.As it turned out to be. Having gotten the solar generator to the cave and Powered Arlis hooked up his ham radio set to find out the conditions elsewhere. The west coast digging out still but winds had protected the farmland from ash from yellowstone. Five hundred miles east of the eruption the land heavily deposited and nonarable. As things stood Florida and California would be providing what crops available next year. The number of people effected in the hundreds of thousands either from lives lost or as refugees as homes destroyed or unlivable. Arlis,spent hours away as he cut wood,hunted, Patrolled the reserve.The women spoke openly now of the past no matter how troubled it reminded both of a simpler time in their lives. Suzanne discovered Arlis' parents had known about Francie since running into she and Arlis at lunch in Hannibal their home town.Arlis moved Francie there when he discovered she was carrying his child.His sister in St.Louis who was Suzanne's friend had been kept in the dark for that very reason.The web of lies and deception spreading outwardly catching the innocent and unaware within its ever increasing perimeter. Francie out of her respect for Suzanne had decided that she could not continue in the role she had played .She and Donny took the med unit as their quarters leaving Suzanne the South gallery and Arlis the east entrance where he kept guard at night. Three adults having lived as intimates at one time watching and waiting.Taking care of the day to day work at hand as time slipped by .Living as brother and sisters, each a part ,of this their own small tribe.Their world now. Suzanne worried as Francie grew heavier with child.Francie knew Suzanne would be her midwife ironic as it proved to be .