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Thursday Morning
Rob sits at his control center, checking systems and reading news reports. Ethan plays a game called Hopscotch, Bomb Watch on his VUE. He hops around the main gallery, avoiding exploding blocks on the floor. Occasionally he steps on a bomb and launches his body onto a couch. Alyssa reads a book from the library. It feels strange to hold the paperback book in her hands and turn the aged, yellow pages.
Courtney works in the kitchen where she has discovered a well-stocked refrigerator and prepares breakfast. They eat at one of the long dining tables, huddled together at one end.
Rob can see Courtney is still having a tough time adapting to the new environment. “Excellent breakfast, dear. We’ve all had a big shock. At least we’re landing on our feet. We’ll get back out in the world, when it’s safe.”
A tear runs down Courtney’s cheek.
Rob frowns. “I didn’t mean to upset you, dearie.”
“It’s just, all the things that our society taught us are important, everything we strived for: money, career, fashion, social status, all those worldly things we love so much. It will all vanish. It was all meaningless. I know it’s silly, but I can’t help but mourn the life we’re leaving behind.” Courtney wipes her tears away. “I’ll be fine. I just need time.”
She reaches out to hold the hands of her children. “At least we’re together. Thank you, Rob. I don’t know what we would have done without you.”
“And the hideaway,” adds Ethan.
“This is a chance to learn what is truly important. Family. Family is what matters. Family is never meaningless,” Rob says, in a sober tone.
A loud alarm sounds. Courtney nearly jumps out of her skin, letting out a frightful squeak.
Rob runs to his desk, checks the security monitors and calls out, “Everything’s fine. That’s the front door alarm. It’s Rodrigo, one of the Martinez boys. Remember, I told you about them.” Rob silences the alarm.
Courtney steps to Robs desk and looks at the video screen on the wall. Several people are walking through the mine shaft toward the blast door. “Let’s greet our new cave mates with a nice welcome.” Rob says, taking Courtney’s hand. Rob pulls Courtney to the heavy door. Ethan and Alyssa follow closely behind.
Courtney seems unsure of what’s happening. “Our what?”
Rodrigo greets Rob as he steps through the blast door. Rob hugs Rodrigo. “Welcome, Rodrigo, welcome. I’m glad you made it. I expected you last night. Did you have much trouble?”
Rodrigo wears a sour face. “When I got home last night, I told Isabel we need to move the family to a hidden place inside the mountain. For our protection, I told her. But she doesn’t want to leave the house. She knows about the meteors in Pasadena, but Long Beach is far from Pasadena. Nothing happened in Long Beach. Everything’s OK. When we got those Perth messages. We thought it was a joke. When she saw the news about Washington, D.C., she asked me to bring everyone here! Stubborn woman.”
Rob looks behind Rodrigo to see several family members. Rodrigo moves aside, allowing his wife to step through the door and into the main shaft. Her eyes dart around questioningly, trying to size up the strange place her husband has told her about.
Rob can see that Isabel is nervous. “Is this your wife, Rodrigo?”
“Yes. My wife, Isabella,” Rodrigo offers. Isabella stands next to her husband, allowing the others to move through the blast door. A series of people carrying heavy bags and boxes of food stream through the door and file into the main shaft. Rodrigo introduces each one as they step through the steel door. “This is Inez, my wife’s sister, and her husband, Edgar.” Edgar nods politely as he steps past. “And this is my wife’s mother, Maria, our daughter Mary, our son Carlos, and Inez and Edgar’s daughter, Clara.” Everyone smiles politely as Rodrigo introduces them.
Courtney is taken aback by the number of people, but she smiles and attempts to be courteous, greeting them all. “Such a lovely, large family. I’m sure there’s room for everyone. We were just saying that family matters the most,” she says, haltingly.
“Let’s get your gear inside, then I’d like everyone to gather in the main gallery. We’ll get the living quarters assigned. I’m sure everyone will be comfortable.” Rob works to herd the group down the mine shaft to the main gallery.
Rodrigo and his family drop their bags in the large room, then leave to get another load from the truck. Edgar grabs a cart in the supply room to load with gear. Rob catches Rodrigo by the arm and pulls him aside. “Where’s Eddie? Have you heard from him?”
“I called him. He knows we are here. He said he will join us, but his wife can be difficult. Even more stubborn than my Isabel.”
“People don’t believe they’re in danger until it hits them on the head. I suppose if people never saw rain it would be hard to sell umbrellas. I hope Eddie can convince his wife. I have a feeling yesterday’s asteroid events are just the beginning. The next several days could get much worse,” says Rob.
Rodrigo nods agreement then walks to the entrance of the mine to bring in more supplies. “Oh, how many people would Eddie consider immediate family? I guess I should have asked before. It’s just that we have somewhat limited space and resources, and well...”
Rodrigo pauses for a moment before answering. “I don’t know. Maybe ten or twelve,” he says, adding people in his head.
“Oh, my!”
As the Martinez family returns to the main gallery, the Munday kids sit at the far end of the long dining table, shy of the strangers filling the main gallery. Alyssa scoots closer to Ethan and whispers to her brother, “I was hoping it was Dad.”
Ethan quietly agrees. “Me, too. Now the mine is full of people we don’t know.”
The children’s apprehensiveness creates tension in the room.
Rob plays host. “Ah, here we are. Everyone, this is Ethan and Alyssa. Courtney and Rick’s offspring. You’ve met Courtney. Rick should be along soon. Ethan and Alyssa, this is the Martinez family. At least part of the family. Remember, I told you Rodrigo and his brother, Eddie built the hideaway with me.”
Ethan mentally counts the new arrivals. “Part of the family? There’s more?”
Rodrigo smiles and is about to speak when Rob interrupts him. “Rodrigo’s brother, Eddie and his family will join us. They should arrive any time now.” Rob says moving his glance from Rodrigo to the kids, to Courtney, and back to Rodrigo.
Alyssa moves to stand with her mother as she sizes up the Martinez family. “I think we’re gonna need a bigger cave.”
Ethan walks across the room and stands in front of Carlos. Carlos is a year older and three inches taller than Ethan. Ethan holds out his hand. “I’m Ethan. What’s your name?”
Carlos shakes hands with Ethan. “Carlos,” he says, flatly.
There’s a pang in Ethan’s heart, but he forces a smile. “I’m glad you made it here safely. Welcome to Munday’s Hideaway.” Ethan’s gesture breaks the tension. Everyone feels welcome and starts the work of settling in.
