Apocalypsis 04 - Haven

were thinking what?”
    I pulled my hand away. “I was thinking that I shouldn’t be out here talking to you like this.”
    He frowned. “Really? No. That’s not what you were going to say.”
    I changed tack, knowing he’d keep bugging me until I fessed up. Paci was nothing if not persistent. “I talked to Bodo last night and this morning.”
    “Soooo, how does that figure into what we were just talking about?”
    “I told him about us … about what we did.”
    “What’d you do that for?” Paci seemed totally mystified.
    “Because! It was the right thing to do!”
    “All you’re going to do is hurt him with that story. You should have just left it alone.”
    “No shit, Sherlock. Thanks for the relationship tips. Not that they help me now since I’ve already blown it.”
    Paci was back to grinning now. “Feisty, aren’t we? So what’d he say?”
    “Not much. I’m pretty much counting on him dumping my ass.”
    “And you’re sad about that?”
    “Of course I’m sad. I love him, Paci. You know that.”
    “I do. I know that. Don’t get mad at me. I’m just … you know, what you did with me wasn’t that bad.”
    “How so? I kissed another guy. That’s bad in anyone’s book.”
    “No, that’s not what happened. What happened is, you thought your boyfriend was dead, and all the evidence suggested he was dead, so you kissed a boy who threw himself at you. Once. That’s nothing to lose a relationship over.”
    “Says you.”
    “Says anyone with a brain. Says anyone who really loves you.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    He shrugged. “It means that if you were my girl and you thought I was dead and kissed Bodo once or even a couple times, I’d forgive you. A justified kiss is a stupid thing to destroy a relationship over, especially with a girl like you.”
    His explanation floored me. Part of me wanted to stand up and yell, Yeah, Bodo! What he said! and another part of me wanted to curl up and cry my eyes out. Is Paci right? Is Bodo’s love for me so shallow that it can’t weather even the smallest storm? I was so confused, I didn’t know which end was up.
    “I gotta get out of here,” I said, walking away quickly, lost in my miserable thoughts.
    “I’m coming with you. To Kahayatle.”
    “I know!” I said, yelling but not looking back. Talk about a complication. I was about to head out into the badlands with a gorgeous guy who was crushing on me and not afraid to show it, while the love of my life was giving me the cold shoulder. This was making my former high school life seem like a piece of cake in comparison.
    ***
    Peter had us packed and ready to go by first light, five days later. I’d hand-picked my team with care, selecting kids I knew I could trust and who had the skills to hold their own against canners and whatever nightmares we’d probably encounter on our trip.
    I had a private meeting with Derek, who assured me he’d hold the fort down and work with Peter until my return. Flick stood as his second in command, anxious about getting as much of Peter’s planning done before we got back. I felt really good about leaving Haven in their hands.
    Fohi got left behind along with Yokci, who promised to take care of the feisty Little Bee. Even though his wounds had not yet healed, and he was barely strong enough to stand for longer than thirty seconds at a time, Fohi kept insisting up until the minute we walked out the door that he was coming with us.
    “What are you going to do about any demolitions work you might need? I’m the expert, you know. I’m in charge of that.” Fohi was standing up with his arms crossed in front of him, trying to act like his legs weren’t shaking with the effort. I might have taken him seriously regardless of the tremors if he hadn’t been standing there with Fuzzybeans balanced on one shoulder and Freak-the-Cat on the other. Something about fuzzy kittens as shoulder ornaments took all the seriousness out of what he was saying.
    “Dude, that kitten is giving you a shoulder massage,” said Rob, laughing at how Fuzzybeans was kneading the material on Fohi’s shoulder with a singular focus. It was like she was in a trance.
    Fohi reached up and fluttered his fingers in her face, easily distracting her and starting her on a new course of play - the attack Fohi’s finger game. “Cut it out, Fuzzybeans. Daddy’s being serious right now. Play later.”
    “I can’t take you, Fohi. Peter needs your help here. As demo expert,