The day of the bomb
It had been years since Jake had set foot in the Jericho Public Library. The last time was when he was in high school and no he wasn't there to study. There weren't many people there being that it was the middle of the day so Elizabeth was easy to spot. He walked over to the table and took the seat in front of her. "Working hard or hardly working," he asked. Elizabeth looked up at him and then back down at what she was doing. "Working hard?" She put up her index finger and continued to write. When she was done she closed her book and notebook and threw her pen in her purse. "Outside," she said. "They frown on talking in here." Jake followed her outside and down the stairs. "Ok so…," Jake stared, but was interrupted by Elizabeth giving him a hug.
"Where the hell have you been?"
"Around. You know, doing stuff. Not being here. You get the picture."
"You missed the funeral."
"Yeah. I was away, couldn't make it home."
"Just like the 1000 point game," Elizabeth said under her breath.
"What?"
"Nothing. Dad's pissed."
"I figured that one out."
"Duh. You had to see the parents to find out where I was. Did you get your money?"
"No."
"Me either. Dad says I can't have it until I graduate."
"Speaking of school, shouldn't you be there now."
"There is an art to scheduling classes Jake. My last class of the week ends Thursdays at 10 and that gives me until Sunday night if I want to come home. It just so happens that my Monday morning class is canceled next week, so I don't have to be back until my five o'clock class. I had a paper to do, need some quiet, so I decided to come home." Jake nodded, agreeing with her logic. He picked up her right arm and looked at the brace on her wrist. "I was fooling around with the team last week. Got it bent back a little far," Elizabeth said, answering the question she knew was coming. "Dr. Green said I have to wear for a few weeks so everything can get aligned back in the right spot."
"Dr. Green."
"Yeah, when April starts getting on me about the wrist I call her Dr. Green because that's who she is." Jake laughed. The two stood in silence for a minute. "Your leaving again."
"Come on Lizzie you know there is no place for me here anymore."
"This is your home dummy."
"Yeah where your dad, who happens to be the mayor, can't stand the site of you."
"Your exaggerating."
"Am I?" Elizabeth looked at the ground and sighed. "Where are you going?"
"I don't know." Elizabeth gave him the yeah right look. "Seriously I don't know. I'm just going." Elizabeth gave him another hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Well, it was really good to see you." Jake hugged her back and gave her a kiss. "You bet Lizzie." She watched as he walked to the car. "Oh Lizzie. When you guys play Kentucky again, don't take the Elite Eight loss out on that number 33. Those ref's made some horrible calls. They cost you guys the game." Elizabeth smiled. "Next time I'll have to sit where they can hear me. Maybe then they will get it right." Elizabeth looked at him, surprised. Did he just say next time? "I had to make up for missing that 1000 point game, didn't I?"
After the bomb
The last time Elizabeth saw Town Hall this chaotic they were having their Christmas party. She made her way to find her father. No one every questioned her walking back there. Today, she didn't think anyone knew she was there. "Eric either find someone to find your sister or go yourself. I want to find her before your mother panics when she's not home," Johnston ordered.
"Found her," Elizabeth said.
"Oh thank god," Johnston said walking over to hug his daughter.
"Anyone have an explanation to the big mushroom cloud in the sky," Elizabeth asked as she hugged her brother. Both Eric and Johnston shook their heads no. "Jesus. I tried to call mom, but I can't get in touch with her. All there is is static."
"The phones aren't working," Gray Anderson told her. Elizabeth gave him the who asked you looked. "Who invited the talking idiot," she asked. Gray didn't look hurt. He knew she didn't like him, especially when he announced he was running against her father for major. "Lizzie, come on," her father said.
"Sorry. Anything I can do to help?"
"Yes. Go home and let your mother know you're all right."
"Dad." Johnston looked at Eric and then back at his daughter. He put his hands on his shoulders and looked her in the eye. "Go home and let your mother know you are all right. That is how you can help me."
"Watching mom?"
"Lizzie I am sure I have plenty for you to help with here, but your mother will not hear of it. If for some strange reason she does get back her and I will put you to work with your brother. Is that ok with you?" Elizabeth shook her head yes and hugged her father and brother before leaving. She got halfway to the door when she turned around and called out, "Dad."
"Yeah honey."
"What about Jake?"