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“Those darn free samples of Viagra. Some salesperson dropped off a bunch during Bingo last week and Henry got his hands on some. Now he won’t keep his mitts to himself.”
    He took out his chew tin again and started pinching more of the brown stuff between his gnarled old fingers. Before he placed it in his mouth, he smiled wickedly and said, “Good times are coming your way, Mary. You ever hear that expression “save a horse and ride a cowboy?” I haven’t put my horses out to pasture yet, by golly, I am one mean steed.”
    “Okay,” I said raising my own hands; this whole conversation was making me queasy. “This is interesting and all, but if everyone’s okay, I really should be going.”
    Mary looked at me and frowned. “Are you okay, dear? You’re looking a little pale.”
    I was indeed getting very lightheaded. “Actually, I’m not feeling so good.”
    The last thing I remember before the darkness set in was the sound of Henry, groaning in dismay.
     

Chapter Thirteen
     
    I woke up in the back of their Cadillac, listening to Johnny Cash. The air conditioner was on and the leather felt cool against my warm cheek. Trying to ignore the urge to puke, I slowly sat up.
    “Oh good, she’s awake,” said Mary, smiling brightly at me from the front seat.
    “Water, please?” I croaked. My throat was so dry it hurt to swallow.
    “Of course, you poor dear,” she replied. She bent down in front of her legs and came back with a large bottle of water.
    “Thanks,” I whispered gratefully. The cool water soothed my dehydrated throat and I couldn’t stop drinking the bottle until it was completely gone.
    “I hope you don’t mind,” said Mary. “We had to take you with us on account of some zombies that were heading our way right when you were passing out. Don’t worry, though, we grabbed your gun and cell phone. There didn’t appear to be much more than that.”
    Henry muttered. “No, mustn’t forget the girl’s cell phone.”
    I ignored his sarcasm and thanked both of them instead. “Where are we going?” I asked as Mary handed me the phone and Ruger.
    “We’re heading towards Nashville,” said Henry. “Meeting my grandson, Tiny, out there.”
    Tiny?
    “Well, where are we now?” I asked, looking out the window. The roads were all identical, nothing but farmland.
    Henry pulled out an unlit cigar from his mouth he’d apparently been chewing on. “We’ve just passed through Canton and are heading south on interstate seventy-four.  We should be in Nashville in… oh… roughly eight hours. If we don’t run into any more trouble or crazy assed drivers,” he answered with the hint of a smile.
    “Honey, is there somewhere we can drop you off? I mean, you’re certainly welcome to stay with us,” said Mary. She bit the side of her lip. “That is…if you don’t have anyone left.”
    “My dad and some close friends are heading towards Atlanta,” I said. “I suppose they can just meet us in Nashville; if you don’t mind me tagging along, that far.”
    Henry opened his mouth to say something but Mary cut him off. “Listen, we’d love your company. What’s your name, honey?”
    “Cassandra Wild,” I said. “You can just call me Cassie.”
    Henry snorted. “Wild, huh? Well, if that just aint another sign from God to stay off the damn road.”
    “Now Henry,” murmured Mary. “Don’t be such a fuddy-duddy.”
    My stomach growled. “You…you wouldn’t happen to have anything to eat?” I asked. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had food.
    “Actually,” said Mary. “We were on our way to find something to eat ourselves. We didn’t exactly have time to prepare for a road trip.”
    “There’s a diner coming up soon. Might be some food there,” said Henry.
    Mary snorted. “Or we might be the food.”
    I sat back and called my dad to let him know what was happening. He agreed to meet up in Nashville; they were also, finally, on the road.
    “You talk to mom?” I