4 Sisters of the Apocalypse

46- Jo

Jo

Amy and I waited for Beth at Penn Station for almost an hour. . Finally she texted us how she needed to help a sick woman.  She'd meet us in Lindenhurst.

On the train back to Long Island I could scarcely wrap my mind around what had happened. I tried to take Bob away but my baby sister healed the man. Apparently he is a Christian who had all sorts of ailments and addictions--and an abusive childhood. I'm not jealous that Amy set him straight...  That's why I called her out there. Mom told me too. That's another odd thing: we're taking orders from a dead woman.

"We're on the slow train Jo. Let's read some of our mother's journals. Yours or mine?"

"I didn't bring mine... after what happened..." I stared out the window looking at the poorest communities whizzing by. They were shabby row houses or delabetated apartments.  Rich people would never put up with the noise from the train. Poor people wouldn't have transportation so they need to live close to it.

Amy asked cheerfully, "A penny for your thoughts, big sister?"

I blurted,"Poverty sucks. Can you heal that?"

"Don't be silly Jo. Jesus said, 'The poor will always be with you.'

I became angry. "Why? Why will the poor always be with us?"

Amy wrinkled her smooth brow. "I suppose it's because humans--for the most part--are as selfish as shnit."

I teased, "Amy March, did you almost say a curse word?"

"Almost doesn't count." She teased back then laid her head on my shoulder.

I leaned my head on top of hers. And smelled her strawberry scented shampoo.  "You haven't done this since you were little."

She closed her eyes. "You treated me like your equal today. You've never done that before."

"I'm sorry Aims. I love you kiddo."

"Me too," She snuggled closer to me.

Suddenly the train came to a screeching halt. Amy and I hit the seat in front of us hard.

A conductor came bustling through. "Is everyone all right?"

No one seemed injured but everyone was frightened.

I walked toward the conductor.  "Did we hit something? Has there been a derailment?"

"No, Miss. Please stay in your seat." He raised his voice. "Everyone remain calm. This train is returning to Penn Station."

The reporter in me needed answers. "Why? Can't we get off at another stop and take a different train line out to Long Island?"

The doors opened briefly as 8 heavily armed military officers entered. The senior officer spoke abruptly. "Everyone sit down and remain seated. Manhattan is under a quarantine. You will return to Penn Station and then to your places of residence. If you don't have one there is a shelter being set up in Port Authority."

I remained standing. "We need a bit more information officer."

"All you need is to sit down and shut up. You will cause a panic!"

"No you are! Give us information. Why is Long Island off limits?"

The military police officers began handing out hospital face masks wrapped in plastic. We were instructed to put them on. "Once your masks are in place our medic will check each of your temperatures." The medic began pointing the theremonetor gun at each person's forehead. If it was even slightly elevated they were brought to a different train car.

Amy whispered to me. "I feel hot Jo. I'm scared."

"Just take off your coat and here..." I handed her a bottle of water. "Take a few sips before he heads this way."

We overheard the man explain to an elderly fellow, "For now the spread seems to be contained in Manhattan and the governor wants to keep it that way.  It is not a suggestion--it's an order."

As Amy's temperature was being taken I said a prayer. I hadn't prayed since my mother died.

The gruff man in fatigues mumbled, "Normal. Next...

Amy asked, "But our family is expecting us by three."

The medic grumbled. "There's no cell service underground. By now it's all over the news anyway."

Amy turned to me. "Uncle Jay and Aunt Catherine will be worried sick." She got out of her seat and crossed to the nearest military officer. "How do you know the disease hasn't hit Long Island yet? My Aunt isn't feeling well."

The officer pulled out his clipboard. Oh really? What's her legal name and address?

I grabbed Amy by the arm. "Sit down Amy. Our Aunt is fine--she has allergies is all. They've got cats."'

Once I had Amy in the seat and the officers were several rows up I whispered, "Do you want to see Aunt Cathering in an internment camp? Forced quarantine? Let's calm down and think...

Then we both had the same thought. "Mother!" I had my suspicions before. An otherwise healthy woman dying of respiratory disease after a tonsillectomy!

We tried googling about the symptoms but there was no service between Jamaica Station and Penn Station.

Amy looked so sad and worried.  She looked as if we had missed the bus and she didn't want to get detention. "Oh Jo, what're we gonna do?"

I whispered in her ear. "We got tricks up our sleeve remember?"

She whispered back. "They're not tricks, they're gifts--from God."

"Okay, call them what you will. Once we get back to the city we'll find Bethie and then the three of us will make it to Long Island."

"Jo, what about Meg?"

I whispered a bit too loudly. "Meg and Rory are probably already there. You know how he likes to leave at the crack of dawn." Imitating Rory, "'Gotta beat the traffic.' Rory acts like an old dad and he's not even 22."

Amy giggled.

A military officer in a gas mask walked near our seat. He seemed to be spying on us. I tried to make a joke. "I like your mask-- you look hot."

The officer put his hand to his weapon. "Do you think pandemics are a laughing matter? I can arrest you for obstruction of justice!"

Amy intervened. "Officer, my sister meant no disrespect. We're all a bit nervous. I'd prefer you'd walk away and leave us alone."

He did.

"See? Tricks!" I gloated.

"No,  gifts... and I just saved you." Amy gloated.

"No saving necessary. I coulda..." I wanted to tell Amy about my pop out powers but there were too many military police around. Once we were safe and alone I'd reveal my secret. I swallowed my pride. "Thanks little sis. You're the best." She snuggled close to me and I knew I'd done the better thing.

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