Pillars of Love

asing number of people being infected. They needed a plan.. In April, the world powers met in Washington, DC. and decided on a strategy to stop the pandemic. They would g

tion to protect people who had not yet contracted the disease. In May, they put the plan into effect but when the vaccination and the treatment drugs mixe

me closer, she could tell that they were just people wearing hazmat suits. Relieved that they were not aliens and that she wasn't the only live person in San Francisco, she frantically waved them down. They came over. She greeted them, "have you two seen anyone else? Alive?" "No, you're the first live person we've seen. And we're so happy to see you. We were afraid we were the only ones left," the taller one answered. "I am Hank and this is Becky. I'm surprised you're still alive. You're not wearing a hazmat suit." "Alecia here." She held out her hand and then realized they couldn't shake hands in their clumsy suits. In this frightening situation, why was she acting like she was in a high-pressure meeting? She chuckled mirthlessly - no meeting could ever be this stressful. "Why are you in hazmat suits?" Becky, in her small-sized hazmat suit, looked like she would blow away in any strong wind. "We heard they were going to do the aerosol- spraying of the vaccine and cure. We were afraid that it would hurt the baby so we put on these hazmat suits from my dad's work to be safe." "Baby?" Alecia inquired. "Yes, I'm five months pregnant. "We were going to Pleasanton to see her parents, but our ride didn't show up," Hank said. Alecia turned to Hank, "But what made you think that you and the baby didn't need the aerosol spray?" "We just didn't think they had tested it enough, so we thought we'd be safer without it,'' Hank answered. "I'm headed to Castro Valley to check on my parents. You can come with me." Alecia said. "It will be easier to get to Pleasanton from there" Becky looked at Hank. "How long do we need to keep these suits on? It's so uncomfortable." She shifted the helmet to make it fit more comfortably. "I don't know," he answered. "What do you think, Alecia?" "I'm not sure. Do you think that's what kept you alive? I wasn't wearing one and I'm still alive." Hank awkwardly hugged Becky. "I know it's uncomfortable, Sweetheart. But we've gone this far. Let's leave them on for the rest of the day, to be sure." Becky squirmed. "I can't. I have to pee and I can't hold it anymore." "I didn't think of that," Hank answered. "We need to take them off and find a restroom." Alecia pointed to the Starbucks. "They have a restroom. We'll have to break in, but under the circumstances, I don't think it matters. I'll go with you and see if I can figure out how to make some coffee. It won't be up to Starbuck's quality, but this morning I just need coffee of any kind. Soon they were back at Alecia's car with two cups of coffee and a hot chocolate. Becky and Hank had taken off their hazmat suits. Becky was petite, as Alecia had figured from the size of the suit. She had deep red hair that fell in a curly mass around her shoulders. Hank was tall and lanky and she could only describe his hair as a carrot-top. When Hank put Becky in the front passenger side of the car, Alecia noticed how tenderly Hank fastened the seatbelt around Becky, patting her stomach. "Everything good in there, young man?" Alecia asked if they had any ideas about how to get around the wrecks and on to Castro Valley. It seemed impossible. Police cars and ambulances were in the emergency lanes and a fire truck blocked all the other lanes. The three sat there in despair. "Wait!" Alecia tried to rub the tension from her forehead. "We can walk through, can't we?" "Walk all t