October 31, 20––

Yesterday, and after no small amount of deliberation, Jennifer and I decided to attempt the journey to the home of my parents, a simple and good-hearted couple who are still graced with running water and streaming video My good wife was not without some trepidation. “I have no small concern,” she confessed, “for the safety and well being of our son. Surely the cannibal gangs will prize especially so tender a little soul.” I gently calmed her nerves (sweet, timorous Nightingale!), explaining that, in this new world, Adam would be more valued as a slave than a meal and his bodily safety was thus assured.  Another circumstances helped hasten our decision: only moments ago, Adam had eaten a bowl of Fruit Loops and was currently running in frenzied circles, spouting feverish snatches of ‘Penzance and occasionally stopping to gnaw through the walls. So prompted,we loaded up our old Honda Fit and started out.

As we began our journey , Jennifer spied a crew of groundskeepers sweeping fallen debris from the front of a local schoolhouse and, angel that she is, she resolved that we should bring them coffee in paper cups. It was thus that I found myself huddled with a small throng around the coffee service of a local 7/11. With lusty voices raised, we traded jests and gossip,reporting that the basement of Rev. H_____ was flooded, that Mr. U_____ still had power, or that Mrs. L____’s triplets had been stolen by mermen. The warmth of good fellowship suffused the establishment, even when they ran out of crumbcake flavored coffee (which is most delicious!), and I returned to the car with cups brimming with hot beverages and warm hope. The groundskeepers recieved their gifts with the traditional “God bless yer and keep yer, Mum,” and we continued on our way to Briarwood and to the happy home of my tender years.