Page 101 of The Last Man on Earth

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I reach into my back pocket to pull out my phone. My thumb hovers over the power button, and I go back and forth on whether I’m ready for what’s waiting.

Because once I turn it on, everything changes.

But I ain’t no bitch, so I man up and press it, watching the screen light up, waiting for it to join the Wi-Fi, praying it don’t make the plane crash. And there they are. Missed calls. Texts. News alerts. My name.Hername. Headlines I don’t wanna see.

Reality.

I look at Ari, then at her belly, and I turn that phone right the fuck back off.

Chapter 52

Vincent

It’s been a fewhours and Ari’s awake now, chowing down on a sub sandwich and chips. I keep debating the merits of telling her what a shitshow it’s about to be when we land, but I don’t wanna worry her.

I tap the flight attendant’s arm when she passes by. “Can I get a pen and some paper?”

She nods, smiles politely, then brings me what I ask for.

I start jotting shit down. It helps me get organized.

To Do:

Find doctor for Ari

House for Ari

Car/driver for Ari

Security for Ari

Nutritionist for Ari

Housekeeper/cook for Ari

Personal shopper for Ari

My pen pauses, hovering over the paper before I write the last item.

Photographer

It all comes rushing back to me, and I realize I’m gonna have to replace somebody who was irreplaceable. But first, I have to talk to her family. The thought of it hits me like a gut punch.

Then there’s my sister. My aunt and uncle. My best friend’s parents. They all lost their children in that plane.

Fuck.

It’s all coming down on me like an avalanche.

I drop the pen on my tray and sit back, staring at my messy, desperate handwriting. It’s unrecognizable.

I don’t even fuckin’writethe same way.

The pilot comes on to say we’ll be starting our descent. Ari’s knocked out again, so I reach over and touch her arm gently.

“Wake up, my angel,” I whisper. “We’re about to land.”

Her eyes flutter open, unfocused for a second. “We’re here?”

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