Apocalypsis 03 - Exodus

it.”
    “We’ll only clean what we need to start,” said Peter. “But as our community grows, obviously we’ll have to spread out.”
    “So you really want to build something out here, huh?” asked Bianca. “Like with strangers and stuff?”
    I shrugged. “Why not? We’re all strangers, and we get along just fine.”
    “Maybe we won’t once we live together,” said Gretchen. “Bianca snores, you know.”
    “That’s okay,” I said. “Peter has gas. We’ll all just have to learn to accept each other and our issues.”
    Peter sighed heavily. “We need a name for our town. Happyville is too … ugh . I can’t even think of a word.”
    “Dorky?” suggested Winky.
    “Goofy?” said Gretchen.
    “Delusional?” added Ronald.
    “Okay! I get it! It’s a stupid name! Geez, pick a new one, already.” I hid my smile behind my hand, pretending to pick my teeth.
    “What happened to Apocalypsis?” asked Peter. “I liked that one.”
    “I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe it’s too depressing, to be reminded of what got us here. I’d like something more hopeful-sounding. Something that stands for what we want this place to be, not what’s already happened to us.”
    It went quiet as everyone tried to come up with a more suitable name.
    “See? Not so easy, is it?”
    “Eden,” said Jamal.
    “Too religious. Plus that’s what the Amazon girls are calling their place, I think.”
    “How about New New York,” said Bianca.
    Ronald frowned at her.
    “What?” she said, pouting. “I liked New York.”
    “Buzz! Try again,” said Peter.
    “Bryn, what’s your last name?” asked Ronald.
    “Mathis. Why?”
    “Well, lots of towns in the United States were named after someone, using their last names. Like Washington, for example.”
    “Mathisville,” said Peter, thinking about it.
    “Mathistown,” suggested Jamal.
    “Mathis City,” said Winky.
    Hearing my name over and over like that in this context made me think of my dad. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t even be here.
    “What about Derek Mathis City?” I said, not entirely convinced it was any good for a city name, but feeling like I wanted to pay homage to my father. “I know it’s stupid, but that was my dad’s name. And he was the most amazing person I ever knew.” I got choked up at the end of my sentence, unable to finish and tell them what an impact he’d had on my life.
    Bodo squeezed my hand and reached over with the other to rub my arm.
    “I don’t have a problem with that,” said Gretchen. “It’s not stupid, to try and remember the people we loved and who tried to take care of us.” She looked at the others.
    “Bryn’s dad did a lot for her. For all of us, really,” said Peter. “Without the training he gave her, I’m pretty sure we’d all be dead right now. Every single one of us. It’s had a trickle-down effect, protecting each of us at one point or another.”
    “Fine by me,” said Ronald. “Our daddy was a good guy too. Maybe we can name a part of this place after him.”
    “What was his name?” I asked, wiping the tears from my cheeks.
    “Gerald. Gerald Williams.”
    “Good idea. This can be the Gerald Williams building,” I said.
    Everyone nodded.
    “I want to name da gardens after my mudder,” said Bodo. “Da Birgitta Ruster Gardens.”
    “Lily should have something with her name on it,” said Peter softly.
    “How about the hospital? I’m sure we’ll have one,” I suggested.
    Peter nodded. “She would have liked that, I think. The Lily Heggenburger Clinic.”
    A full two seconds went by before three people snorted. Then the rest of us, save Bodo and Peter, started giggling.
    “What?” said Peter, offended. “It’s a perfectly good name.”
    “Heggenburger? Is that seriously your last name?” I asked. “I can’t believe I didn’t know that before now.”
    “Yes,” he said, lifting his chin. “I’ll have you know it has a distinguished history.”
    “I like it,” said Bodo. “It’s a nice Cherman name. Hegen meanss cherish or maybe … harbor.”
    “What about the burger part?” asked Bianca, clearing her throat, trying to get serious.
    “A burg is a town and a burger is a person who lives in a town. So, Heggenburger , dats a person who liffs in da town of harbor or cherish. Kindt of like dat, but not exactly.”
    I nodded my head. “Sorry, Peter. That name is actually pretty cool, and perfect for a hospital. I’m sorry I laughed.”
    “Apology accepted,”