The One We Call Hope

~11~ New Friendships

     In the front of the store were Desirae and Alan sitting at the table, eating some chips from the aisle. Mrs. Christina walked down each aisle with a waddle, looking for some suitable food for herself. Dan and Dani were patrolling outside. Sofia and Lucy walked to the front of the store, and Sofia noticed that Desirae wasn't wearing her uniform anymore. Desirae wore a white long sleeved shirt with thick black leggings. She dressed in black winter boots and a white fur winter jacket. The jacket rested on her lap as she nibbled on the cheesy chips. Alan wore the same purple shirt and black jeans. He chewed on salty chips. Next to each other them was a bottle of water.

Desirae turned to Sofia and Lucy as they walked in. "Oh." She said surprisingly. "I don't think I've seen you much in sweatpants, Sofia. You look very different as well, Lucy." Desirae smiled lightly as the pair walked closer to her and Alan. "You both look very nice though."

"Thank you." Sofia giggled at her friend. She patted down her hair, remembering how messy it was in the mirror. "I just wish I had a brush for my hair."

Lucy stroked Sofia's hair, as if memorizing it. "I like it. It suits your look." At this, Desirae and Lucy laughed loudly, causing Sofia to feel flushed.

"Whatever!" Sofia stuttered. She crossed her arms and turned away from the small group of young adults. "I'm going to get something to snack on. I'll be right back." She walked over to Mrs. Christina, not noticing Alan's stare.

Mrs. Christina stopped at the canned food's section, looking between the canned corn and the canned beef. She hummed softly. She wore a long peach dress that reached her knees, long socks, and black dress shoes. Mrs. Christina wore a long white cardigan to match her overall elderly aesthetic. It honestly amazed Sofia that Mrs. Christina was still able to move around while she looked to be at least in her 80s. Sofia walked over to Mrs. Christina with a small smile.

"What are you looking for, ma'am?" Sofia softly spoke.

Mrs. Christina looked at Sofia then back at the canned food. "I'm trying to watch my diet for as long as I can, so I am trying to decide between," she picked up her two options and presented them to Sofia, "canned corn and canned beef." Sofia tilted her head. 'She has the luxury to think about these things?' Sofia wondered to herself and Mrs. Christina pouted to herself. "What do you think dear?" Mrs. Christina looked at Sofia, expectantly.

"Uh." Sofia hesitated as she looked at the two options. "Maybe the canned beef, to keep your strength up." Sofia suggested. "Protein, am I right?" As if telling a joke, Sofia put her hands out with a smile planted on her face.

Mrs. Christina grew quiet at the scene in front of her before letting out a small laugh before putting the canned corn back on the shelf. "Good answer. Bonus points for making me laugh with that awkward... Whatever that was." Mrs. Christina struggled for a moment trying to open the canned when a small pop of air escaped the enclosed cap and opened. She teared open the aluminum cap and placed it on the shelf before gesturing at the can. "Would you like some?"

"No thank you." Sofia shook her head. "I'm going to settle for some chips."

Mrs. Christina nodded and dug into the canned beef with her hands as neatly as possible. "I see." She chewed slowly at the beef. "It hasn't been long since the apocalypse started and yet, my mental health has dropped significantly." She sighed at this and looked up at Sofia, a sad smile on her face. "I lost my husband before the apocalypse started you know." Sofia immediately frowned at this. "So when the apocalypse came, I thought it was just a cruel way for me to see my husband." Mrs. Christina looked over at Alan. "Then that young man found me in the hospital and decided to help me." Sofia looked over at Alan. 'Alan?' "He fought our way out of the hospital and we just walked and walked for days. I felt like my knees were going to give out, but he was very patient. We slept in the grass, in abandoned houses, in not so abandoned houses." The elder chuckled at the last statement. "When we arrived here, Dan and Dani were outside, wondering whether or not they should go in. Alan introduced us and the three of them came in and killed all the zombies. Once it was clear, we stayed and just started making this place our home." Mrs. Christina looked at Desirae. "Desirae came here a few days ago, limping. She sprained her ankle. Dan was wary of her, but she proposed a deal. She said that if she helped with protecting this place, she can stay. So Dan agreed and she's been with us ever since." Mrs. Christina looked at Sofia. "Do you get it?"