“That beats a cigar any day, Millie.” J.B. smiled, patting her hand.
“And you have no idea how much I need it tonight,” she said, sharing a glance with Krysty.
The redhead understood and moved closer to Ryan. Mildred had warned her the electric shock always hit men hardest in the kidneys. Nobody knew why; it just did. And from the grunts of pain she had heard when Ryan went to the bathroom before, they would only be exchanging some body heat in the bedroll tonight, and nothing more.
“And now allow me to offer something special. A rare treat, indeed,” Doc said, producing a dusty bottle bearing a wildly ornate label. “I found this in the locked cabinet of the store. The door was most stubborn, but I persisted to victory.”
“Mother of God,” Mildred gasped. “Is that what I think it is?”
“Quite so, madam.”
“Incredible!”
“Shine?” Jak asked, offering his plastic cup.
“Ah, but this is no ordinary beverage,” Doc said, using a small knife to cut away the wax sealing the cork in place. Switching to the screw attachment on his Swiss Army knife, the old man successfully opened the bottle with a loud pop.
“Now this should really breathe for an hour,” he apologized, pouring a small amount in the plastic cup of his mess kit before passing it along. “But our circumstances being what they may, I think we can dispense with that custom just this once.”
“Napoleon brandy,” Krysty read as the bottle came her way. “Good stuff, eh?”
“Absolutely the best,” Mildred stated, pouring a splash into her cup. Crystal goblets were what this should be served in, but those were from another time, a different world. “Now don’t gulp it down, take small sips.”
Ignoring the advice, Jak drained his cup in a shot, and his eyes sprang wide. “Damn,” he stated in appreciation.
“Indeed, Mr. Lauren.” Doc chuckled, biting back a smile at the pronouncement. “Not even the genius of Tennyson could have better described three-hundred-year-old Napoleon brandy than in such a manner.”
“Fucking grade-A hooch,” Jak agreed, adding another inch and sipping the potent brandy. It filled his mouth with a magnificent changing flavor, and slid easily down his throat to fill his chest with warmth.
Feeling the liquor begin to ease her muscles, Mildred added another splash to her cup and raised it for a toast. This was something they had not done for many months, and somehow it seemed appropriate this night.
“To absent friends,” Mildred said solemnly.
“Good toast,” Ryan said, lowering his cup, the soothing liquor easing away the ache in his joints. “But we’ve got to do this right and give names.”
“Trader,” J.B. said without hesitation, raising his cup.
“My sweet Emily,” Doc rumbled sadly, copying the gesture. “And dear little Lori.”
“Finn and Flynn,” Ryan added solemnly. “Rick and Michael.”
“Rona,” Dean stated.
“Christina and Jenny,” Jak said softly, his hand tightening on the cup.
“Mother Sonja,” Krysty whispered.
“Paddy,” Mildred continued. “And Ellie, too.”
Then Ryan stood and held his cup above the eerie blue flame. “Laurence,” he said simply.
The rest of the companions rose and extended their cups. “Laurence,” they chorused, and drank a sip, then poured the rest onto the flames, making the fire soar with a majesty that filled the office with a fleeting moment of heat and light.
After refilling their cups, little more was said for the rest of the night. The friends finished their drinks and took turns sleeping, listening to the silence of the huge city, feeling its million ghosts move by them in the darkness. But knowing that at least one of the unseen visitors would be forever by their side in any battle to come.
Chapter Fourteen
In the morning, the companions decided to delay exploring for the gateway and rest until they were all back on their feet. All of the companions were stiff and badly bruised from their recent battles.
A few days later, refreshed and invigorated, the group exited the bank at dawn to quietly ride their purring bikes through the still streets. Their packs and bedrolls were strapped across the rear fenders of the vehicles, lessening the load of equipment each carried, and making driving a lot easier.