To-by-For (318 Word Count June Entry)

“Barb? Barb, what the heck are you doing?”

"Shh, Ken! I’m listening."

“To what?”

"I am not listening to anything exactly, but listening for something!"

“Barb, honey, you're being silly.”

“I am not being silly. Just because I have not heard anything yet does not mean that there’s nothing to hear.”

“Barb, just because you want to hear something doesn't mean that there is anything out there to be heard. When will you face it Barb? Everyone and everything that was out there is gone; nothing but ash and the wind."

“Forgive me for having hope that maybe, just maybe, it isn't as bad as you think."

"Barb, sweetie, you heard the explosion."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean that everyone is, is..."

"Honey, hush now, don't cry. We are alright; we are safe. That is all we need to worry about now."

"Oh, God! Oh, God! Are you saying that we are the only people still alive, Ken?"

"Well, so what if we are? I highly doubt it, we are not the only ones that had a bomb shelter. But even if we were that wouldn't be so bad, would it?"

"I guess not. But..."

"But what?”

"Well, how will we fill the time?"

“Uh, talking I guess."

"So, what should we talk about then?”

“I don’t know. Anything.”

“Hmm, anything? You know what I have always wondered?"

"What's that, Barb?"

"I have always wondered about that girl from college, Suzy."

"What, uh Suzy?"

"Yes, Suzy. What was it about her that you liked?"

"Hmm, well I...uh."

"Come on, Ken, you did say that we could talk about anything."

"Yes, but..."

"Ken. Ken? Where are you going?"

"Barb, you had the right idea earlier."

"Right idea about what? And what the heck do you think you're doing?"

"Shh, Barb! I am listening."

"What for?"

"I am not listening for something exactly, but listening to anything..."

"Other than me."