Shopping for Old Auntie

Posted on Wed Jul 17th, 2024 @ 4:20pm by Dante & John ("Dodger") Smith

2,469 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Winter is Coming
Location: Manhattan
Timeline: September 6, 2010 - 4:20 p.m.

Mom and Pop stores were all the same. Small with narrow aisles and shelves that held the basics. No electricity meant no refrigeration and that meant that an odor permeated the store. Mr. Gevorgyan was the kind of proprietor who only tossed things away when Mrs. Gevorgyan demanded it. You never know, he would say in his heavily accented English, when this might come in handy. Their son, Arakel (Ari to his friends), on his infrequent visits home called it a 'square egg' store and to an extent that was true. No electricity and windows covered with advertisements meant that the shop was dim but the Infernals came prepared.

The littlest kids carried large flashlights and it was their job to shine light on the shelves so that labels could be read and the the right things taken. Everyone, from the littlest to the oldest, had a job to do. Usually more than one. Dante saw it as teaching them how to survive. He, himself, did not come into the store; instead, he stood guard outside in case an adult made a surprise appearance. Everyone helped. sure, but he felt it his job to make sure they were also protected.

After picking the lock, Dodger instructed the Infernals what to collect (including cookies and crackers) and let them get down to business. As the little one's shined flashlights and older kids filled their backpacks, baskets. He looked for the candy aisle and after finding it he found what he was looking for. Walking back to the front of the store, he went outside to where Dante stood vigilant. He tapped him on the shoulder, "A KitKat bar, as promised." He said handing his friend the bar. After a moment he spoke again. "Store has a lot of what we need as well as what Auntie needs." He stated, "Going to be a good haul."

"Thanks," Dante said. One of the younger Infernals came out nearly dragging a heavy backpack which Dante picked up, tucking the kitkat into the front pocket, and settled the weight across his own shoulders. Relieved of his burden, the boy ran back inside to find something else to carry. A can dropped onto the ground, slipping out of eager hands, and the girl froze because making noise was always a problem. Dante leaned into the store, whistling sharply, which was, as every Infernal knew the signal to leave. Unlikely that the noise would draw them that quickly but he took no chances. "Come on, let's go visit Old Auntie."

Dodger was instantly on alert. As Dante whistled, he went back into the store to quietly hustle everyone out. "Take what you already have, Leave the rest. We can come back another time for the rest." Though he quickly moved to the candy display and grabbed a couple more KitKat bars. Before he exited the store, he made a final pass through making sure no Infernal was left behind. Exiting the store, he pulled the door closed and it locked behind them. No One would know of their nighttime visit unless someone actually opened the door and stepped in. he bent down and picked up a backpack and threw it across his shoulders. He nodded to Dante, "Everyone's out. All clear."

Dante pulled the gate down and locked the padlock because it never hurt to make things harder on anyone else who came looking and he was under no illusions about the Infernals being the only ones left in New York. Far from it.

Old Auntie lived nearby which was one of the reasons why the Gevorgyan store was such a find. The fastest ones, with the least burdens, acted as road guards, creeping up to the intersections, checking alleys and the like. Once everything was clear the group moved on. Took a bit longer but it was safer when they had to travel above ground.

Old Auntie lived on the top floor of a run down brownstone which was on the verge of being declared unfit for habitation when the virus hit. Already in her eighties, she would have died early on if not for Dante and his Infernals. In the summer, even with the windows open, the rooms were stifling. In the winter, the wind blew through as though there weren't any walls. But it was home to her and had been for her entire married life. She vowed to die in her own bed and there was always that question, coming through the door, whether this would be the time.

Dante led the Infernals through the streets and alley ways of the city. Dodger took his place at the rear of the group and constantly looked behind to make sure no rival gang was sneaking up on them or worse the undead were closing on their position. He followed the group to the ancient brownstone where Auntie lived. She lived on the top floor so at least in the summer she got some breeze. Now with winter coming she would also get the coldest temperatures. The Infernals did all they could to help her. Getting charcoal for a grill even lugging a gas grill up to the roof. They found extra think blankets for her; anything they could to make her life at least more bearable.

There were signals. If you wanted the Infernals to help you, you knew the signals. Red meant warning and everyone of the group knew to check her windows before going anywhere near the building. Red and blue together meant the trouble was human. Any sort of flower meant all clear.

Dante checked the windows as a matter of habit and noted who among the group checked on their own and who didn't. He'd bring it up later at the meeting; after dinner, they all gathered around to talk about the day. The good things. The bad. That's when he gave out treats and punishments. A bouquet of plastic flowers was clearly visible and he heaved a sigh of relief. "All clear," he said. "Dodger, did you separate out hers from ours?"

As they had drawn nearer to Auntie's building, Dodger's eyes had scanned her windows. He knew the signs well. Once he saw the plastic flowers in the window, he heaved a silent sigh of relief and then immediately got to work in separating Auntie's supplies from theirs. He was especially aware of making sure the cookies and crackers were in their supplies. It took a few minutes but when he had finished Aunties supplies were bundled neatly in several backpacks the little ones could handle. Dodger has a silent thank you had placed several candy bars in Auntie's group. Knowing she liked the treats. He looked to Dante as the Infernal leader asked his question, "Done and Done Dante," he replied with an air of satisfaction.

The deal had always been that the group visited her together; mostly because Auntie often had small treats for them. She mended clothes, knitted scarves, and the like. Today as they entered, she had a platter of tortillas stuffed with refried beans rice. "One for each of you," she called out. "Come in. Come in." To Dante and Dodger she added, quietly, while the younger ones crowded around the table, "the last of my flour but it's worth it, seeing them smile like that."

Dodger watched the little ones eat more like devour the tortillas Auntie had made for them. "We got your supplies Auntie. I think there's a bag a flour in there as well as some surprises for you. Just like you surprise us." Dodger replied with a grin as he went and brought Auntie's supplies into the apartment. It took him two trips. "This should give you a few weeks Auntie. But you know if you need anything, food or medicine, just tells us and we'll get it. Dante will lead us to get whatever you need."

"You're a good boy," Auntie said, patting Dodger's forearm with on thin, veined hand. "Now go get yourself something to eat. Plenty for everyone."

Dodger smiled at Auntie's compliment. "Thanks Auntie. I'll get something to eat in a bit. Let the little ones eat first. They need the food more."

They all knew hunger. Knew what it was like to go without. To be too scared to sleep, to move, to breathe sometimes. But that was the before times. Now, they were Infernals and that meant regular meals. And there were rules about that too. You didn't steal food and you never ate unless everyone else was eating too. But in return? You had family. Never alone. Never scared. Learning every day how to survive in this world.

They sat on the floor, crowded together onto pieces of furniture, and somehow made it work. Some ate fast, others savored every bite and eyed the rapidly dwindling pile though they would never take extra. Dante's idea of punishments were ... not fun. No beatings. Usually not even harsh words. Just disappointment and chores that no one wanted to do. Washing socks and underwear. Cleaning out the composting toilets. That sort of thing. One of the kids had even had to cut everyone's toenails!

Dodger had gotten a tortilla and walked over to the window and sat down in front of it. He looked out on the street below and saw it was deserted and quiet. He could see nothing moving and heard nothing. He nibbled on the tortilla. He wasn't really hungry, but he ate to keep his strength up. He was useless to Dante and the Infernals if he couldn't pull his weight and more. It was what made them strong and united, all for one and one for all. All helped. No one got a free pass.

"Looks like you miscounted, Auntie," Dante said as he escorted her to the table and held her chair. "Enough for you to join the feast as well. You sit, I'll get you some water to go with it." He brought her back the glass of water and then busied himself putting away the groceries while he checked the state of things in her kitchen. He knew where things went because he'd been doing it every run. As a kindness at first but also as a means of checking up on her.

While she ate and the kids relaxed, trading jokes, Dante walked over to where Dodger sat. "Set up her pills in those, week at a time things, while I take care of the bathroom." There were three of them sitting on the counter, stacked on top of each other at the end of their visits, "and make sure there's extra in those bottles, will you?"

Dodger nodded, "I'll do it right now Dante. Don't worry Auntie won't be caught short." As he got up and moved into the kitchen to take care of the task at hand. It was the least he could do. Auntie looked after them, cooked for them, knitted scarves or clothes for them. They brought her, her meds and foods. It was a beneficial and good relationship.

The last job was probably the worst and while he used this as a punishment back in their den, here at Auntie's, he did it himself. He cleaned out the composting toilet and took the compost up to the roof to put in the bin. The liquid went over the side. Auntie liked to garden a bit and used the compost as fertilizer. Once that was done and the contents of the bathroom checked, he returned to the living room and sat down beside her.

"You remember to drink lots of water," Dante said. "You've got plenty here and we'll bring you more on our next run."

"You don't fool me for a minute," Auntie said around her gentle smile. "I counted those tortillas twice to make sure." She patted his arm, an awkward gesture, because unlike the others, Dante was more guarded around her. Caring but distant. "Thank you." What she wanted to add was all the ways the Infernals had changed her life. Kept her from starving, sure. Made sure she was safe. But these visits, the laughter of young children, the endless energy they brought with them, brought life with them. Encouraged her to keep going. For them. "Next time," she said, "I'm watching you eat."

"I do like a challenge." Grinning, Dante rose easily to his feet. "Infernals, time to go home."

Dodger had loaded all of Auntie's meds. Checked her water supply (she had plenty) When Dante spoke that it was time to for them to go home. He took some of the KitKat bars and went over to Auntie. "I, I um these are for you. I know you like them. Eat them before they go stale or melt but not at all at once." He gently warned. Then leaned forward and gently kissed her forehead. "See you next time Auntie." He said as he moved to join Dante and the others.

Auntie got up and walked to the door, stopping as she went to hug and kiss each of the Infernals in turn. A tiny drop of perfume, the expensive kind that had been a gift from her late husband, followed her as she moved from one to the other. "Thank you," she whispered into Dodger's ear. "I do love me some Kit Kats."

A radiant, genuine smile split Dodger's face at Auntie's compliment. "Thank you, Auntie." He returned, "You and Dante take care of us, watch out for us. Love us." He answered in a soft tone.

For Dante, there was a handshake but the smile was warm and packed with as all the affection she held for him. He answered with a nod but she saw that slight uptick at the corner of her mouth. "There are others," she said quietly. "In this building. That need help and could help in return."

"I'll think on it," Dante said quietly. "Take care of yourself, Auntie. Let's go, runners out."

The runners, fast and clever, headed down the stairwell first. It was their job to scout the surroundings and report back any problems that they saw. The rest of the group followed, Dante in the lead. Auntie watched them go, waving and smiling from the door way, and it was only when the last of them had disappeared into the stairwell that she sighed. Hard to see them go but now, she had something to work on. A meal for the Infernals. Two weeks to go through her recipes, to figure out what she had and how she could do it. Smiling, she reentered the apartment, closed and locked the door.

"So much to do now," she whispered but she was smiling as she said it.

 

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