Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 126 - An Unexpected Visit

The rest of Passover was relatively low key. Finding the parts for, installing, and calibrating the new gas detector in the upper part of the cave became a bit of a project for the men, though the finished device was much smaller and in some ways less powerful than the one at the bottom of the shaft. Cooking and keeping the children entertained kept the women busy. Adjusting Melody's routine to accommodate the new medication was more of a footnote during a holiday that was family oriented in the extreme.

The Zimmermans came by, staying with Greg and Susan for a day or two. Cindy's family came one night to join them for supper, allowing them time to visit with the Cohens and to meet her new nephew Barry, Jim and Stephanie's baby boy. They celebrated Greg's birthday on Tuesday. Jessie spent time with Bert when she wasn't in school, and Zack came home unexpectedly for the weekend at the end of Passover, just long enough to say 'hi', Susan presumed.

Zack arrived late on the last Friday in April, long after supper was over and the youngest children were already in bed. He carried his bags directly to his room after saying hello to the rest of the family and their guests in the living room. Jessie and Jake promptly followed him, joining Zack to talk in his bedroom while he settled in.

"Will you finish your finals this term in time to be home for my graduation in June?" Jake asked him while Zack opened his bag and took some things out.

"I should be. We're done like right after Memorial Day," Zack said.

"Good. Then you'll be home for my graduation too," Jessie remarked.

"Are you graduating?" Jake asked.

"From 8th grade; I'm going to high school next year," Jessie informed them.

"And Kelly is going to school with me," Zack said. "She got in, and she graduates from high school in June, the day after you do, Jess."

"Are you going to Grad Night?" Jessie wondered.

"Yup. That's one of the good things about us graduating in different years. We get to go twice," Zack said. "Do you do Grad Night at your school?" Zack asked Jake.

"Yes. I've already got a date. She's not my girlfriend or anything, just a girl I know. Maybe we'll see you there," Jake proposed.

"Maybe," Zack said.

"Are you coming home for Melody's operation?" Jessie asked Zack.

"Are they finally going to do it?" Zack asked.

"Mama said they're supposed to," Jessie said. "She's got to stay healthy between now and then though so they can."

"Oh," Zack said. He frowned slightly.

"What?" Jessie asked.

"Maybe I shouldn't have come home," Zack told her.

"Why?" Jessie asked. "You're not sick."

"No, but my roommate is," Zack informed her.

"What does he have?" Jake asked curiously.

"The flu. We just got over mononucleosis in my dorm, now he's brought in the flu. He went to the student health center and everything, just to be sure. I came home in part because I don't really want to get sick again. I just got over mono like everybody else. So I'm trying to stay away from him this weekend," he answered. "I probably will though. I've been around him so much just by living there, I've probably been exposed. I wonder if that means I might be contagious." Zack's frown deepened slightly.

Jessie frowned too. "I don't want the flu. I don't like being sick."

"I don't either," Jake said and he backed up. "Stay away from me, Zack."