Gods Look Like You | Brian Quinn

Quarantine Quarrells

"Paige! The entire world is in a panic right now, okay? We can't just go out and get pizza." Allison was in the middle of washing laundry and deep cleaning Brian's apartment. He was making a generous trip to the store to battle of the crazies for toilet paper, water, and food. The local stores are almost cleared, some even boarded up.

It was almost in Allison's thoughts to stay up at her family cabin, but Brian thought the trip would be too much for the cats. Allison wanted to roll her eyes when he said that, but the truth was that she loved the cats too.

"Call Brian! Tell him to get some. He's already out there." Allison stopped and raised an eye at her daughter, who could read her face instantly. Without another word, she dragged herself back to the living room and cuddled up with Brooklyn cat.

"These fuckin masks!" Brian yelled as he busted through the door, mask halfway up his face. Alli couldn't help but laugh, the cats flying up the stairs at the loud commotion.
"Baby, relax," Allison said, reaching to grab the falling bags and blinding mask. She pecked his lips and went to help put away the groceries. "How was it?"

"I stopped at Sal's and got four 32 packs of toilet paper." Brian smiled, opening the door to grab the rest of the things.
"Sal saves the day!" Allison clapped her hands and called Paige over to help put the groceries away.
"Those packages are almost as big as she is, Alli," Brian argued, gesturing to the little girl's struggle to bring a package to the bathroom.

"She can handle it. She's been spoiled the last two weeks," Allison retorted, turning her back to the scene to put away canned goods in the cupboards.
"Well, that's because she's a princess." Brian was falling in love with the kid more every day. It scared the crap out of him, because he never pictured himself as a father. He skipped all the hardships of Paige's life, but he was here now and enjoyed spending time with her. She was the coolest kid he'd gotten to know and love.

Just then there was a knock on the door - the pizza guy.
"Did you call him?!" Allison was actually smiling because she couldn't believe it.
"No! I swear!" Paige was worried, but her smile grew across her face when she saw the specific pizza box from their favorite spot.
"Doesn't this look amazing?!" Brian's smile matched Paige's. Allison got paper plates out of the cupboard and some paper towels, bringing them over to the dining room table.

They enjoyed their pizza as Paige put on a dance performance for the both of them. For every other kid, Brian use to pretend to be fascinated, hiding his non interest and boredom. Paige actually entertained him, especially when she attempted to break dance. Allison couldn't help but laugh at her daughter, the stand up comedian. 
"In a few years, she'll be taking over the show."
"Melana and Paige are no longer having play time at Joe's, that's for sure." It was only a joke, she knew Paige loved everything about their house. Running endlessly and playing in the dollhouse until night fall.

It was now 8 pm and Paige was asleep, her head in her mothers lap. Allison ran her fingers through her hair, as tipsy as she was, concentrating on her daughters chest rising and falling.
"What are you thinkin over there, beautiful?" Brian had noticed that Allison had been a little off all day. It's been almost an entire month since the city was in a panic. The first week, Alli was by herself, but Brian didn't want to spend time away from her. He didn't know how long it would be until the madness was over.

"Sometimes I wish I could hide us away in the cabin."
"You and Paige?"
"And you," Allison added, looking up at Brian with glossy eyes.
"You mean like when you wanted to run away when her dad got out?" Brian still was bitter, though they had discussed that she in fact, was extremely intoxicated and  afraid.
"Brian, how many times have I said that I didn't mean it? It was just a thought that popped into my head. I don't run away from my problems."