Nuclear Winter Whiteout by Bobby Akart (books for 8th graders .txt) 📕

She’d first become impressed with Tucker’s survival instincts when they sought shelter as the threat of the nuclear attacks materialized. Under the high-pressure conditions inside the fallout shelter, Tucker had kept a cool head and did everything to help his parents stay safe. Then, after they began their trek east, he had been so nonchalant with dealing with the dead bodies on the highway overpass that she became concerned. His acceptance of death, especially at the hands of two gunmen, had shocked her at first.

It was during those few minutes alone in the Bronco before the flash freeze overtook him that Tucker had assuaged her fears. He’d explained to her that he was never one to stir up drama, much less fabricate it, as many of his teenage friends did. In a very adult way, he’d stated there were enough challenges growing up without making up any.

He’d talked about drug use by his friends. Teenage pregnancies that parents were unaware of. Cheating on exams and term papers that went undiscovered. He’d been completely honest with her in those few minutes before they nearly froze to death.

As they talked in the hospital room alone, she realized Tucker had handled the freeze anomaly better than she had. It was her concern for Owen and the impulsive decision to charge out into the frigid air that had put them in peril. Tucker saved her, and now, with his ability to make a very heart-wrenching decision, he’d given Owen a better chance of survival as well.

On Dr. Brady’s orders, without objection from Lacey, she took some time to sleep. She was feeling much stronger and even took in some solid food, if you could call lime Jell-O and a cup of applesauce solid.

While she napped, Tucker donned his jacket and took a fifteen minute walk down the street to speak with Sheriff Mobley. He hadn’t stopped by the hospital that morning, and Tucker wasn’t sure if he was aware of his mom waking up.

To his surprise, Tucker learned that Sheriff Mobley had spent the entire morning making arrangements on behalf of the McDowell family. He was aware of Lacey’s condition, but he chose to give Tucker time alone with his mom before he stopped by to introduce himself. In the meantime, he’d done several things to benefit their anticipated travels.

First, he encouraged Tucker to keep his family in La Junta for as long as they wanted. One of the locals offered up a fully furnished rental property down the street from the hospital to be used for as long as the McDowells wanted it. Families prepared foods for them. The city manager gathered up packaged MREs to feed them on their journey once they chose to leave. Sheriff Mobley filled their gas containers and topped off the tank to their truck. And, with the help of several townspeople, they found a radiator hose to repair Black & Blue.

Except, Sheriff Mobley had a conversation with Tucker about the pristine condition of the vintage Ford. As they traveled southeast toward Florida and out of the Rocky Mountain region, they’d eventually come into only slightly more hospitable weather conditions. Also, based on reports, the EMP effect dissipated near Texas. Nonetheless, an operating vehicle like the classic Bronco would be a prize possession of anyone with criminal intent.

His solution? Make it ugly. It needed to be painted to appear run-down. A primer-gray fender here and some poorly spray-painted camouflage there. Even the gas cans should be painted to blend in with the truck. Then, to top it off, a nondescript tarp was recommended to hide one of the most valuable assets in America, gasoline.

Tucker asked Sheriff Mobley to hold off on the extreme makeover for Black & Blue until he spoke with his dad. He hoped that the amputation surgery would enable him to come out of his coma.

As they were having this conversation, Owen did just that.

A young male orderly had rushed into the sheriff’s office after running the mile from the medical center. He had been told by Dr. Brady to find Tucker and the sheriff. They piled into Sheriff Mobley’s Jeep and rushed back to the ER. Before coming to a stop, Tucker had flung the door open and raced through the entry doors toward the ICU. He was met in the hallway by Donna Ruiz, the ever-present nurse.

With Tucker barreling down on her, Ruiz stood in the middle of the hallway with both hands raised like a third base coach giving a signal to a base runner to stop.

“Tucker, Tucker, slow down. The doctors are still with your dad.”

“Is he awake? Is he okay?” Tucker nervously looked past her toward his dad’s room. He then looked toward his mom’s. He wondered if she knew, or maybe she was with him already.

“They’re still examining him,” Ruiz replied. “Both doctors said your father’s situation is a little more complicated than your mom’s. They need you to give them a little time, and then they’ll explain.”

“Does Mom know?”

She nodded. “Yes. In fact, I’d like you to join her so the doctors can speak with you both as soon as they come out.”

Tucker nodded his head rapidly, and she gently took him by the arm. As she led him down the corridor, he craned his neck to look in the small glass window in the center of his father’s door. The doctors in their white coats and several nurses obstructed his view, resulting in a sigh of disappointment. It was all he could do to restrain himself from pulling away from the nurse and bursting in there.

He entered his mom’s room and was amazed to see her sitting in a wheelchair, dressed in pajamas provided by the hospital staff. Clothing had been donated by several families who were aware of the McDowells’ predicament. Lacey was wearing red and white striped flannel pj’s from Victoria’s Secret.

“Hi, honey,” she greeted him with a smile. She stretched her arm up to grasp Tucker’s hand.