Introduction < | > Chapter 1.2
I finally feel like myself again. University was a blur, and then I returned to the Twinbrook.. and THIS... mess. The Apocalypse happened, just like all the doomsayers predicted. Until today, I felt so hopeless that I wouldn't even write in this diary. I went from burning hot dogs for a daily ration and working hard at my job to suddenly feeling full of hope. What changed? I did! I got yet another promotion, and was sent into space for the first time. Seeing space really seemed to put things in perspective.. there's no reason to stop living just because a silly Apocalypse happened, right? Upon returning home from work, I hurriedly pulled out my address book, and looked up my old boyfriend from my whirl through University. Since it was Monday and the phone lines were actually open, I quickly dialed him up. He was thrilled to hear from me, and he quickly agreed to come visit. I left the rest of my plans for the visit a secret, not wanting to overwhelm him while he was going through all the red tape of travelling in this crazy time. I had no intention of him ever going back to University (where he's been puttering away at one degree or another with little success). I wanted to start a family as soon as possible, and change this world for the better. I believe we can be a functioning society again, and I mean to prove it to everyone that it can be done!
Tiberius finally arrived Tuesday morning. and I wasted no time. He was surprised, but not resistant to my plans. Apparently he'd been thinking about me quite a lot since I graduated a couple short weeks ago. Hearing from me again had been like a jolt to his senses, he claimed. Start a family right away? You bet! ... then he paused, and thought hard for a moment. What about the kids? What would life hold for them in this crazy world? .. Right then and there, he decided he was going to get the school systems operational again. He was going to have to start at the bottom, but a little hope goes a long way... and he was as ready to change the world as I was. We had a small wedding ceremony at home, filled out all the paperwork for his moving in and the marriage, then spent a lazy afternoon in bed.
First thing the next day, he and I took a trip to the local school and filled out his job application. They seemed surprised to see anyone actually out and about without a military escort, but with my clearances, we could get away with it. They were in desperate need of entry-level playground monitors, since most people were too depressed and hopeless to even come into work anymore. The elementary school was still up and running - barely - and now Tiberius was a part of it. Trekking home through the snow in my.. I mean OUR little car was an adventure in itself. The snow drifts practically reach the windows on all the buildings we pass, and I see many curious faces peeking out through the windows. A car on the road isn't exactly a common occurrence anymore. I wonder just how many children are in those houses, hoping for a better tomorrow, just like we were.
By the time we got home, my stomach was roiling inside, clear evidence that our afternoon in bed had had it's logical conclusion. Excited, but feeling terribly sick, we put together an old but sturdy crib, and set out the potty chair I was sure we'd be needing soon. I also let my boss know I couldn't work anymore because I was needed to take care of the kids at home. Luckily, he was understanding, and we agreed to keep in touch. After our lunch of peanut butter jelly sandwiches, our one ration of the day, I felt better, so we went outside and built snowmen!
I hadn't built one since I was a child, but it came right back to me.. and seeing the curious faces of the neighbors watching made me realize that everyone else needed hope, too. Hopefully getting the school system up and working again will help.
Introduction < | > Chapter 1.2
