Amanda Carter in the L.A.Z., life after zombies Read Online Free PDF

everybody, calm down. I don’t think that we’re thinking too clearly right now. We’re all hot and worried, so let’s just take a time out.”
    His speech settled onto the group, apparently effective because no one spoke. He generally stayed out of their mother-daughter spats and let Jason handle it, but he glanced over to Jason’s still form a few yards away and sighed. He was worried.
    “Where’s Amanda?” Tammy asked. “How come she’s not back yet?” Her big brown eyes were looking questioningly up to her mother, with her face a little pinched, showing her worry.
    Maryanne looked to Roy and Samantha, who were both staring at her, but nobody spoke, and she didn’t know what to say. At least, Samantha wasn’t making a wisecrack.
    “Wow, you’re right Roy, it’s hot,” Maryanne finally said. “What did the temperature gauge in the Jeep say?”
    “Way to change the subject, Mom,” Samantha muttered.
    So much for wisecracks , Maryanne thought.
    “It said that it’s 117 degrees out here,” Roy answered, hoping that he didn’t end up in the middle of another one of their arguments.
    “How’d the driving lesson go, Samantha?” Maryanne asked, still trying to keep things light, even as sweat rolled down her back and rivulets of it moved down between her cleavage.
    This seemed to work, and Samantha snapped her head up quickly, looking interested. “I’m a great driver, just ask Roy.”
    Both Roy and Samantha laughed at this.
    “I said,” Tammy continued, undaunted and louder than before, “where’s Amanda?” Her little face was red, and she was scowling at her mother.
    “How’s about you and Tammy go sit in the air conditioning of the Jeep for a few minutes and cool down,” Roy said, tossing Maryanne the keys, which she deftly caught.
    “I don’t know that we should spare the gasoline,” Maryanne said, giving him a look of worry.
    “That isn’t what matters right now. Right now, you and Tammy need to get cooled down,” Roy said insistently. “What matters now is that I keep the three of you in good shape, or Jason’s going to yell at me when he wakes up.”
    “Why won’t anyone answer my question?” Tammy lamented with a whine, looking like she might burst into tears.
    Maryanne looked from Roy to her youngest daughter. The child was red-faced, sweating, and as a doctor, she knew how dangerous the heat could be.
    “What about Jason?” Maryanne asked. “It’s time to sit him up and get some water in him if I can and then douse him so that he doesn’t burn up out here.”
    “I’ll take care of it,” Roy said, giving her a reassuring nod.
    “I’m going too,” Samantha said, jumping to her feet.
    “No, you’re staying here and helping me with your father,” Roy said sternly.
    “Whatev,” the girl said, issuing an eye roll. “So where is Amanda anyway?”
    Roy gave Maryanne a wink, which he hoped would assure her that he could handle both Samantha and Jason in her absence. In return, Maryanne mouthed the words, “Thank you,” and left with Tammy.
    “Give me a hand with your father,” Roy said. “I need a glass of water.”
    Samantha complied without argument, and Roy went to Jason, lifting the man’s upper body to a sitting position. Jason never opened his eyes, and Roy could feel the heat radiating off of the man’s body. It will be a miracle if he survives the day , Roy thought but then worked to push it out of his mind. He was sure that Maryanne had had similar thoughts.
    It was difficult to hold Jason up because his body was so limp that he kept trying to slip away from Roy’s grasp in whatever place Roy was not holding on to. Finally, Roy got behind the man, using his knees as well to stabilize Jason’s body.
    Samantha returned with the water and knelt in front of her father. Roy felt sorry for the girl as he watched her skin turn ashen. There were a myriad of different emotions registering across her face as she lifted the glass to his lips.
    Water dribbled