Chapter Seven: Keep Calm and Carry On:

-Nancy-

I don’t like the hand that I was dealt. But I don’t have a choice. I can’t contact my husband and I don’t have anywhere to go. Still, I have to make the most of it. My daughter and my baby need this. It could be worse. I don’t know how further I could go pregnant with a two-year-old daughter.

I looked up when I heard a knock on the door.

“Are you okay?” Mick asked. I dropped my hand from my forehead and sighed.

“Yes,” I said. “Just give me a minute.”

“Okay,” he said. I didn’t move until I heard him leaving. Mick is a bit odd. He’s been alone for so long. But he doesn’t mind it. He seems to be uncomfortable around my daughter and me. I’m guessing he’s not a big people person.

I know what you are thinking. I am not looking to “fix” him. I am just trying to get by. That’s how we all are. Mick probably is too. It looks like we’re going to need each other if we are going to survive. Okay, I am going to need him. He doesn’t really need me.

I rubbed my forehead. How did this all get out of hand? I don’t even remember what the argument was about. Is my husband even looking for me? Or did he just write me off? He wouldn’t stoop that low, would he? Our children are here with me. His drama with me is one thing. But can’t do this to the kids. He can be so stupid at times. I looked down at my stomach.

“Your dad can be an idiot,” I said.

Ava doesn’t have a clue about our drama. In a way, I envy her. She’s just lost in her own world. However, it would be long before she notices that her father isn’t here. I am not looking forward to telling her in the softest way possible. I gritted my teeth.

I couldn’t focus on that. Right now, I have to survive until the winter is over. Well, at least I have a home and there is food to eat. Though I have to wonder how long the latter is going to last. How much more food is in this neighborhood? The water is drinkable here too. The main problem is medical attention. I looked down at my stomach. I’m going to be due in two more months. I doubt that Mick knows how anything about childbirth. We’re really going to have to try and call for help. Plus, what if I die and my husband never comes back? Mick is going to have to take care of Ava. Is he even good with kids? Does he even tolerate them? He is good with Marshmallow. (That dog is pretty cute.)

And what is Mick to me? A means to survive would be too cruel. I don’t really know about him. He doesn’t know anything about me either. He could turn around and try to kill us. Or even worse. But I can’t think about that now. I have to survive for my kids. I have to keep Ava healthy and happy. I have to try for a healthy baby. I stood up. But first, there is something that I have to do.

I found Mick, Ava, and sitting around in the living room. They looked like they were playing with cards. He was shuffling them for what I assumed was a magic trick or something. It’s good to see that he is keeping her entertained while I think about what to do next. Mick looked up and saw me.

“Nancy?” he asked. I took a breath and lifted my chin.

“If we are going to do this, we need to talk,” I said. Mick blinked at me for a moment.

“Okay…” he said.

“Good,” I said. “Good.” I walked over to the couch and sat down.