Chapter 7 The aftermath

Tony's point of view

Clint's children vanished, followed by my two children, Lilian, Stephanie, Linda, Shawn and Maria Hill. Nat took over, she put out a message to those who had been left behind by Thanos's snap instructing them to come to the tower…

Bruce had a team downstairs in the triage ward, tending to injuries and counselling the bereaved.

Jay, Pepper, Mom and I were cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Dad and some of the others donated blood and clothes to help the victims. I heard Vince say

"I'm glad you're OK. Tony and Pepper are arranging things for those left behind by the Snap… Linda was… one of the victims… and so were Steph, Lilian and Shawn… thank you that would be very much appreciated… of course… absolutely" and I gave Pepper a questioning look.

"He's talking to his best friend…"
"I thought they weren't speaking"
"That was all a big misunderstanding. Uncle Vince had been poisoned. They quarrelled and… Uncle Vince collapsed then his friend realised he had been poisoned by a pesticide called Methyl Iodide."

"How did his friend know? I mean that's an extremely random fact"
"Because I build golf courses for a living… I have to know that sort of stuff" said a voice. Standing before me wearing a pair of very smart leather shoes and a navy blue business suit with a red tie was Vince's best friend.

"I'm sorry running for president didn't work out"
"It's OK… it's a stressful and thankless job… In one way I'm glad Paul Heyman usurped me. I mean I know I would have been great at it, but the truth is I'm too old to do it now… If we ever get out of this mess… you should consider running Tony. You have a big heart, and you're a good person, you're smart, people like you. You try to be ethical… You're a good leader. You would make an excellent president. I can see you being a success if you decide to run"
"Thank you sir, but I don't know if I want to do it and forgive me but it's not really something I have the headspace to think about right now"

"I understand. Listen, I'm not exactly cut out to be an Avenger but, I think I can help with some of the relief effort"

"I would appreciate that very much sir, thank you"

"My pleasure."

We started organising things for the people who had been left behind, little realising the true extent of what Thanos had done. All the time we were working I was thinking about what Vince's friend had said.