Chapter Text
“So, to summarize, the Green Flu is, of course, a type of flu that was recently discovered in Pennsylvania. CEDA has put out a statement that everyone should stay home, wash their hands, and avoid contact with those infected as it spreads quickly. Can you tell me anything more about this, Julie?”
“Thanks, Mark. Yes, that’s a good summary. CEDA wants everyone to be cautious about the Green Flu since it’s new and they are still researching it, but they’re working hard to release more information on it. We just want our friends in Pennsylvania to stay safe and prevent the possibility of spreading the virus. We have asked that, if anyone is going out, to wear a mask and remain 6 feet from other people.”
“Do you think other states need to prepare for this?”
“CEDA is working with the governor to employ mandatory quarantining, so I wouldn’t say so, especially with the airports shutting down, but as we like to say, ‘clean hands save lives.’”
Mark laughed and repeated the slogan. “Thank you for joining us today, Julie, and for all the information you’ve provided us. Now let’s hand it over to Gideon with sports.”
Natalie shut the TV off. She stood and stretched her arms, letting out a soft grunt when it elicited a pop in her back. The news was abuzz with the Green Flu, but everywhere said the same thing: stay home, wash your hands, wear a mask, don’t be around infected people. No, no one else needs to worry because CEDA is taking care of everything. Natalie happened to appreciate the mandates. No contact with other people? No problem. There was no talk of those mandates coming to Texas, though, and she doubted it ever would. She’s overheard conversations at the diner she frequents for breakfast, the Green Flu a hot topic, especially among the older patrons.
“Mark muh words, ain’t nothin’ the government can do. It’s gonna spread like wildfire, and before yuh know it, one of us’s gonna have it.”
“Shoot, even if they did, I ain’t doin’ none of that quarantine stuff. I just can’t, not with Rhonda’s doctor bills. Just can’t ‘fford to stay home…”
“I think it’s hogwash. Probably just another stunt from the government to put people against each other.”
A myriad of other opinions were heard, but she couldn’t do anything about it, so she wouldn’t worry. Even if it did spread to Texas, she knew her and her family would be cautious about it. Natalie didn’t have to have breakfast at the diner, and aside from getting hay and feed, she didn’t go to town much. Too much work to do around the house.
Natalie quietly stepped through the kitchen and out the back door, holding it open for her dog to come out before shutting it. He was the latest edition to the William’s household, a German Shepherd that was dumped down the road. He was an energetic puppy, smart, and protective the more time Natalie spent with him. She smiled as she thought back on it, giving his head a pat as she walked to the feed shed. Training and grooming took more time and effort than she expected having no prior knowledge on how to care for his breed, but it was well worth it. Still energetic but listened to commands well.
“Good boy, Dakota,” she said softly. His ears perked up upon hearing his name, but otherwise just followed her along.
The sun was just coming up over the horizon when Natalie began her work. Feed the chickens, get them fresh water, let them out of the coop to graze before going into the barn to tend to the horse and two cows. She let them out to pasture before cleaning up their stalls, replacing the old straw bedding with new, lastly cleaning out the troughs and refilling them. Dakota wandered out of the barn to the pasture, watching the animals mosey about and eat at the grass, and once Natalie had finished the chores in the barn, came outside as well and took a seat next to Dakota. The sun had come over the tree line whilst Natalie worked, the soft orange of the sunrise turning into a bright blue. Dakota’s ears twitched and he sat up, panting as he looked behind himself.
Natalie turned as well, waving to her younger brother, Jesse as he walked up.
“Hey, ugly,” he said,
“If I’m ugly, you’re ugly, doofus. Twins, remember?” Natalie rebutted.
He rolled his eyes. “Obviously I’m the better looking one. Duh. Anyways, mom wants you to come get breakfast.”
“Oh… Right, early breakfast ‘cause of church,” Natalie sighed. She ruffled Dakota’s head before standing up, lifting her arms over her head until a pop emitted from her back.
Jesse laughed and walked back with Natalie. “You sound like a glow stick.”
“I am pretty bright, aren’t I?”
“Sure, Nat, sure.”
As they approached the house the strong aroma of coffee flooded Natalie’s nostrils. Inside, the coffee scent was accompanied by the smell of pancakes, the sweet scent making Natalie’s stomach growl. She broke away from Jesse to go wash up, glancing at the grandfather clock in the living room as she passed by. 8 o’clock. Since she had time, she showered and changed into her Sunday clothes, which were just a nice t-shirt and a nice pair of jeans, without wearing a trucker cap. Upon entering the kitchen, her mom handed her a plate of pancakes before she sat across from Jesse.
The table could fit 6 despite the William’s being a family of 4, but Mrs. Williams loved to host get-togethers for friends from church. It was an old, wooden thing, only given a clear coat rather than stained, with uncushioned chairs to match. The wood floors reflected the sunlight that poured through the windows and illuminated the kitchen, so the old chandelier light didn’t need to be on. The only thing that wasn’t wooden was the cream-colored countertop and the floral wallpaper adorning sunflowers and vines. While it wasn’t Natalie’s taste, it was nostalgic and cozy.
“Can you pass the butter, dad?” Natalie asked.
He hummed, slowly reaching for the butter dish as he continued to read the paper, groping at nothing for a moment before he grabbed it, however, he was glued to the article and held the dish still. Jesse snorted when Natalie stood and grabbed it from him before slathering some butter on her pancakes, drenching them in syrup after. “Thanks.”
“No problem, sweetie,” he mumbled, hand still in the air.
The front page of the paper had the headline, “GREEN FLU IN TEXAS.” Natalie swallowed the food in her mouth then asked, “So, are there any updates on that new light in town?”
Her dad didn’t reply right away, not until their mom tapped his shoulder as she sat down. “Ah, sorry. No, no updates, but they should put that light up. That intersection is getting bad through there; no one knows how flashing red lights work it seems”
She only hummed in reply since she had taken another bite. The number of crashes that began happening at that intersection worsened when school started back up, so Natalie just assumed it was students trying to get to school, and luckily none have proven fatal yet.
“Your pancakes are gonna get cold, dear.”
“Sorry, Ruthie, I was just reading about this flu.”
“All good, Ryan, just be sure to get started. The paper isn’t going anywhere.”
Their dad smiled and folded it back up, set it to the side and began eating. “Glad you found out bananas could be substituted for eggs. I’ve missed pancakes.”
“It was actually Amelia’s suggestion! She’s so smart when it comes to food,” Ruth laughed. She looked to Natalie. “Chores go okay?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Good.”
Natalie glanced between her parents before looking at Jesse. He stared down at his plate as he ate, pancakes devoid of any extra toppings. “Sleep okay?” She asked him.
“Mmhmm.”
A sigh escaped through her nose, lips turning up a bit. “Good. I think last night was some of the best sleep I’ve had in a while.”
“I wonder,” Ruth began, popping a blueberry in her mouth. “You never seem to sleep well. I hope you don’t have some sort of insomnia.”
“No, I don’t think so. Just sore sometimes, thinking about the chores for the next day too much.” Natalie ate another bite. “I’m fine, mom.”
Ruth opened her mouth to argue but was interrupted when her phone chimed. She stood and went to the counter since she had left it there. “Oh, it seems Pastor Ben needs help setting up for tonight’s senior event after service.”
Ryan looked over his shoulder at her. “Oh, yeah? We can help.”
“Okay, I’ll let him know.”
“Um… mom?” Jesse piped up. “I have to get to work at 11. If we stay after service, I’ll be late.”
“No, it won’t take that long to setup.” She waved him off and sat back down.
“But it’s across town, it’ll take 10 minutes to get there from the church, and service ends at—“
“I know, Jesse, it’ll be fine. It’s probably just a couple of tables and chairs.”
Jesse sighed sharply, pushing his chair back to face her. “Mom, if I’m late, they’ll write me up. I need this job.”
“I’m sure they won’t do anything drastic,” Ryan chimed in. “Not like everyone is pining to work at Burger Tank. They won’t do anything even if you are late.”
Jesse opened his mouth, intent on arguing, but Natalie stood up with her plate. “I’ll take you.”
“Oh, he’s just worried over nothing,” Ruth snorted.
“A job isn’t nothing, y’all,” Natalie argued.
Jesse stood as well, most of his food still left on his plate when he set it by the sink. He mumbled about changing into his uniform before he left the kitchen. Natalie watched him go then put her own plate in the sink. She washed it, cleared Jesse’s, then washed his as well. She looked at the stove, pursing her lips before she grabbed the pans and the batter bowl, starting to wash those as well.
“I wish you wouldn’t encourage that attitude of his,” her dad eventually said. “He’s gotta learn to trust us to get him places since he doesn’t have his own car.”
“He’s trying. That’s why he’s got that job, dad, he’s doing his best to save up.”
“I doubt it, probably buying weed with whatever he makes. Only Heaven knows how many hiding spots he has for that junk.”
Natalie sighed and wiped her hands on the towel hanging from the oven handle. She took a step forward, her mouth opening, but closed it again. Instead, she gave her dad’s shoulder a squeeze and kissed the top of her mom’s head. “Since it’s almost time to go anyway, we’re gonna go ahead and leave.”
“Well, thank you for taking him,” Ruth said, smiling at Natalie. “Be safe.”
“Always am.”