“Hello, sir. Did you call this in?” an officer approached JD. 


“Yes sir,” JD responded as he watched the firemen put out the fire.


“What happened?” the officer asked. 


“We were all in there watching the football game when these two guys showed up on the television. They hacked into the feed somehow,” JD explained.


The officer was writing in his notepad but stopped abruptly when JD said that last statement. 


“Two guys hacked into the feed?” The officer was rightly confused. 


“Yes,” JD assured him.


“Well, what did they say? Do you remember any of it? What did they look like?” the officer continued to ask. 


“Couldn’t see. They wore masks. One had on a donkey mask and the other an elephant mask. They were talking about following them, almost like a cult. I don’t really know their reasoning, though. They rambled a lot,” JD said.


“Wait here,” the officer went over to the other officers.


JD fought back tears trying to keep his composure. 


The officers returned.


“We’ll have to investigate everything and see how your story holds up. You’re the only witness alive. Were you here with anyone?” the officer asked.


JD fell to his knees. “Tony. My best friend, Tony. He was with me. He stayed behind after I left.”


The officers helped him up. “I’m sorry for your loss sir. We will be in touch if we hear anything more.”


JD got in his car, teary-eyed. He stared at the bar one last time, replaying the blast in his mind over and over like a broken record.


He had multiple missed calls from his wife. He decided not to call her back. He wasn’t in the mood to explain anything over the phone. He sent her a text message to reassure her that he was fine and that he was on his way home.


He headed home, still very upset. Once he got in his driveway, he sat in his car to decompress before going in. After about fifteen minutes, he went into his home. He was greeted by his wife, Lynn. She hugged him tight. “You scared me! I saw what happened on the news. Thank God you weren’t still inside! Is Tony ok?” She asked. They walked into the bedroom and sat on the bed.


JD just dropped his head and looked away.


“Oh my God baby. I’m so sorry. You were basically brothers. Friends since you were five. I don’t understand. How did you escape and he didn’t? What happened?”


JD sighed at the thought of having to relive the tragic event. “We were watching the game and all of a sudden, the TVs…they all went blank. Then static. Next thing we know, there are two guys on the screen. One wearing an elephant mask, the other wearing a donkey mask. My guess is that these guys were supposedly representing the government in a satirical way. They start going on and on about following them and waking up. It almost felt cult-like. Everything goes back to normal. Football is back on and of course, everyone acts as if nothing happened. I decided to leave. Tony didn’t. That’s when it happened.”


Lynn hugged JD tight and kissed him on the forehead. “I’m so sorry, honey. Well, this may not be the best time to tell you,” Lynn got up. JD anxiously got up after her.


“Tell me what?” JD asked. 


“I’m pregnant,” Lynn smiled. She was uncertain of the reaction she would get at this moment.


“What? That’s-that’s great! I can’t believe it,” JD had a newfound excitement. “How far along?”


“A few weeks,” Lynn responded. She was relieved that JD was so excited and 

that the news instantly cheered him up.


“I am just as shocked and happy as you since we lost the others. The doctor said I may never be able to get pregnant again. I pray this one works out,” she said.


“It will, baby. You’re pregnant against everything any doctor ever said. That’s nothing but God. If it’s a boy, I’m gonna name him Tony,” JD said. 


“Hey, hey. I want my girl,” Lynn shoved him playfully in the arm.


“You wouldn’t even know what to call her,” JD said.


“Actually, I do. I’ve always liked the name Ayvah Grace. And when she comes, that’s going to be her name and you’re gonna like it,” Lynn stuck her tongue out. 


“Grow up. You’re going to be someone’s mama. Man that child is doomed,” JD laughed.


“Hey! Someone has to tell the jokes around here. You’re always so serious. Gosh!” Lynn nudged JD’s arm.


“You lucky you’re pregnant, otherwise I’d body slam yo ass,” he said with a smile on his face. 


“Bring it on,” Lynn tackled him on the bed.


She laid on top of him as they looked into each other’s eyes. 

“I need a haircut,” JD said. 


“No. I like when your hair grows out. I mean, it’s nice looking regardless. You have good hair,” Lynn rubbed her hands through his hair. 


“Yea, my grandpa has to be like part Indian or something,” he chuckled.

“Alright, I gotta shower,” JD got up.


“I didn’t wanna say anything but whew,” Lynn placed her hand over her nose jokingly. 


JD took his shirt off and threw it at her face.


“Ew! Asshole,” Lynn said as she shook her head and smiled.