The Odyssey of Bryce Redman

by fayremead

After Bryce Redman hears of anthrax in his birth town of Arnette TX, he tries without success to contact his older brother Stuart. Bryce returns to Texas to seek Stu . . . and soon learns firsthand that something much worse than anthrax is happening. In keeping with The Complete & Uncut Edition, this story is set in 1990.

16. At the Funeral Home

Bryce had been at Braintree Funeral Home before, as a sad orphan newly turned 14 in the company of 17-year-old Stu (who, on account of his long hard work in stockyards under the hot Texas sun, could have passed for 27 and then some). Their mother's parents and siblings had also been present, and had come in a slightly weatherbeaten 1968 Cadillac with stacked headlights. Stu had brought Bryce in his first car, a rusty red 1958 Plymouth Belvedere with tail fins.

Those had been the only two visitors' cars that time, Bryce remembered. The grounds had been impeccable and management wore black suits which looked brand new and perfectly tailored.

Twelve years later, visitors' parking was so crowded that an employee directed Bryce to a slot marked RESERVED. The man's nose was red and there were splatters of snot on one sleeve of his black jacket. The lawn behind him looked somewhat overdue for mowing. Two more cars came in behind the Banner party. Margot and Erin, deep in grief, held each other and seemed not to notice.

But Leon noticed. "Meyn Got!" he cried. "So many! Someone turn on the radio and let's hear what they're saying now."

Eddie brought up nothing but crackles of static as from distant lightning. Braintree's station was off the air. Eddie selected the same Houston news channel they'd listened to earlier.

Accidents, politics and two very bad guys still on the loose dominated the news. Finally the newscaster got around to anthrax. The Braintree area was still under quarantine but that was expected to end soon, as there were no new cases among residents at Ground Zero in Arnette.

Eddie bent to his snot-filled red bandana and spat a big wad in it. He said, "I'd love to tell them why Arnette has no new cases among residents."

Leon said, "Yes, why? Why cover this up?"

Bryce said, "When I was in Sociology 101 we were assigned a paper by one Glen Bateman, who wrote on that very subject. Whoever's in charge of this is seen as sincere but they're fanatical and if this sickness spreads they'll just be even more determined to keep covering up."

Eddie looked at the line of vehicles outside the parking entrance and said, "Not if, but when."