Tent City

Chapter 17 - Kelsie

I looked through the books in the library, trying my hardest to find the titles that Andy had recommended for me to read. After what felt like hours, I found at least 2 titles. I hastily removed them from the shelf and walked straight over to the counter, and checked them out.

I arrived home with about an hour to spare before Ben returned from Susan and Colin's. I quickly changed into plain clothes and started to read. It seemed like mere seconds had passed when I heard Ben's key tap on the door lock. I sighed. How could an hour fly past so quickly? So I had to put the book down and start doing Mummy duties, aka fighting Ben to take a shower and get dressed. He was in a more difficult mood than usual. So he fought me all the way, with everything I asked, he'd answer with a defiant "No! Don't wanna!" Even when I tried using an authoritative tone with him, it didn't work and seemed to encourage his defiance. I was increasingly becoming frustrated with him, I fought with all my might to not lose my shit and start yelling at him. All I knew was that I had to study, and the only day I needed to study was the day that Ben chose to be in a bad mood.

The only thing that seemed to calm Ben was telling him that we'd be leaving for the dining room to have something to eat. His mood seemed to change drastically; he became excitable, and I felt if he could bounce off walls like a ball, he'd be doing that right now.

I shoved the book I was reading tightly into the crook of my armpit, grabbed Ben's hand with my free hand, and then we headed for the dining hall.

The hall was alive with the echoes of excited conversation, I scoured the hall for a table, and my eye caught one in amongst the masses of people. I rushed over, nearly dragging Ben behind me.

I put my book down on the table to reserve it while I took ben over to the serving counter and helped Ben choose his dinner, and I chose mine.

The dining hall was set up in the style of a canteen and buffet hybrid. Ben decided to get his meal from the canteen while I chose mine from the buffet.

On our return, we ate, and then I started to study. I gave Ben some colouring in pictures supplied by the cooks just for him. He was becoming quite a spoilt boy, but I was happy.

He was 4 years old, soon to be 5, and he has now finally had the chance to be a child. He no longer went without meals. He was not surrounded by sickness, starvation, and death. He spent nights warm, safe, and in a soft bed, not on a thin mat on the cold hard ground with only the flimsy material walls of a worn old tent as a barrier to the cold nights or extreme weather we would experience in Tent City. His eyes were sparkling and no longer dull, and his little body was healthy, I almost forgot what he looked like when he was nothing more than skin and bone. The memories of the time spent in Tent City and my parents' death flooded back, I tried to compose myself, but a single tear escaped and ran down my cheek. I finally managed to refocus on my book.

I was deep into studying my book when I noticed Ben jump out of his chair and run towards the entrance to the dining hall. My gaze followed him, he was running towards somebody, I smiled as he grabbed the person around her legs, I knew it was Andy. Ever since Andy saved Ben's life, he grew more attached to her every day, and I could tell he loved her.

My heart swelled with happiness as I watched Andy interact with him. I knew that under her tough exterior and her professionalism, she was a complex person who experienced emotions and feelings at an intense level, and even though she tried her best to hide her feelings. I knew that she loved Ben, and I hoped that she cared and loved me just as much.

After all, I cared for her, and I wish that one day she would open up to me. Let me see the person she tries to hide so well.

I could almost tune into Ben's exited chatter as he led Andy over to our table. I pushed my thoughts and feelings about Andy down and tried for the second time that night to refocus on my studying.

Andy was impressed that I was reading one of the books she recommended. I tried to focus on studying, but all I could focus on was Andy. She looked relaxed, and I swear there was a sliver of happiness behind her dark blue eyes. I also noticed how normal she actually looked in civilian clothes. She even smelt different from what she normally smelt.

In my opinion, I think she looked way better in uniform, but it was nice seeing her out of it for a change. I found myself wondering what she would be like if there had been no war, no nuclear and chemical wastelands, no obliterated cities, and no contaminated water and food sources.

I wonder what she would be like if she had been raised as a bunker dweller and not a surface dweller. What if life was different, would we still have met? Or would our lives have never interlaced like they had now?

We chatted for a bit. Then Andy took Ben to the dessert buffet counter to choose his dessert while they were away, I remembered that I still had to ask Andy if it was okay for Ben to have a 5th birthday celebration To my surprise, when I did ask Andy, she said that it would be okay and would boost the morale of those who wished to attend.

Andy left a while later, leaving Ben and I by ourselves. After saying goodbye to Andy, Ben returned to colouring in his picture. I studied a bit more until I realised we were the only people left in the hall, and I didn't even notice the cleaners clearing the counters and buffet stands of the leftover food.

I was embarrassed by my inattention and quickly ushered Ben out of the hall while apologising to the cleaners. The ones that heard just gave a quick wave of recognition and then attended back to their work.

After finally getting Ben to brush his teeth, change into his pyjamas and tucked him into bed, I had a small amount of time leftover to study. I also recorded some voice messages to send to the cooks that were going to organise Ben's cake, and told the computer to send it to them first thing tomorrow morning. The computer acknowledged my command in her monotone, computerised voice.

I then got myself ready for bed, I told the computer to turn all the lights off, and put on my relaxation playlist which was a mixture of rainforest sounds, running water, and the white noise of an electric fan. I couldn't sleep without it.