Chapter 12
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Over the next few weeks things seemed to return to normal, aleit a different normal than before Febuary 4th. Classes continued. Eve enjoyed her history and science classes more than before. But part of her did wonder what the point in learning these things was right now. Her home-economic classes learned to make food, and desserts, and sent much of it to Ark workers in care-packages, Her art teacher encouraged them to make cards of encouragement for these workers. Eve didn't mind doing this, felt very patriotic and proud. Lunch-hour conversations turned to ELE, one way or another some were considering joining a summer program to build an Ark, earn more lottery chances. There was talk that Mason would give those with small children more lottery chances. Thus a number of girls were considering getting pregnant soon. The boys were, for the most part, willing to help. They figured that as fathers they'd also have more chances. Others were going the other way. They were considering suicide, with little chance of getting into an Ark, and the countdown getting smaller every day, some thought it better to just end it all now. Eve didn't want to die. But she wasn't sure about bringing a child into this world right now. The summer program seemed like a good idea. Eve was becoming used to her mother drinking again. Kendall at least seemed to be a functioning alcoholic. She made meals, cleaned the house, and ran her errands. But at night she lost herself in liquor. Zack spent most of his waking hours at Ravenwood. Maybe that was his way of coping, but at least he was trying to save lives. Eve tried to be understanding. She wouldn't have started smoking were it not for ELE. Eve didn't smoke at home, usually outside school or on the way home. She bought her ciggaerettes at the local store. The clerks weren't suppossed to sell to minors, but that seemed less important lately. This one clerk, Ed, had always seemed polite before Febuary 4th. Now, he insulted rude customers. Eve couldn't blame him, he'd been nice his whole life, what point was there in putting up with jerks now. When Eve got home she watched the news, wondering if there was anything new she should know. But he also looked for more coverage of the Nikki Calendar story. That coverage didn't last long, so she hoped for more scandals she could lose herself in. At one point in March she saw a bank commercial. The narrator said "NASA says the world might end on July 20th 2036. If that's true, you don't really need a retirement plan. But just in case the sun rises on July 21st, you might want to talk to us." The end of the world was something of a running joke. Eve doubted her parents would mind, or even notice, if Adam came into Eve's room. But Eve still wanted to feel safe, alone in her room with Cujo. This room was still her safe place.