Free Sky Zone: A Novel (The Crittendon Files) by Creston Mapes

for expeditions, extended journeys, civil-defense usage, and disaster-relief operations.”
    Pamela stared at the box, dumbfounded. “That’s great, Mom.”
    “That’s going to save our lives when the big one hits,” Faye said with her mouth full.
    The girls looked at each other and giggled.
    “Don’t tell me you’ve been talking to the girls about that stuff,” Pamela said.
    “Only making them aware of the possibilities, so they won’t go into shock when it happens. We’ve all got to prepare mentally for anything.”
    “Okay, girls, that is all in-family talk. Not a word about any of that to your friends.”
    “Oops!” Faye put a hand over her mouth and continued in a muffled voice. “I told Rachel and Larissa.”
    Pamela rolled her eyes. She just didn’t have the energy to address it any further. “Well, no more,” she said. “Where’s Daddy?” Jack usually greeted her when she got home.
    “He’s been shut in his office for the last hour. On the phone,” Margaret said. “I’m hoping it’s a hot job lead.”
    If only! If Jack got a job, Pamela would turn in her notice in a heartbeat—the very next day! Not that she wasn’t grateful or dedicated, but she would be going on maternity leave anyway. Whoever replaced her could have the job as far as she was concerned.
    She went back to the den, knocked, then opened the door and started to say hello.
    “Hold on—” Jack said, but he wasn’t on the phone. His head was buried in his hands at the desk.
    “Sorry.” Pamela’s heart stopped. Was he crying? She closed the door and stood in the hallway, frozen.
    “What is it?” Margaret came up behind her. “Did he get something?”
    Pamela’s face flushed. Every time Pamela turned around, her mother was there.
    “He didn’t get the job?” Margaret pried.
    “Mom, I don’t know! He wants to be alone. Please, just give us a little space.”
    “Well, excuse me.” Margaret walked away curtly.
    Pamela immediately regretted losing her patience.
    There had been a lot of regrets lately. Words that shouldn’t have been spoken. Frustration. Stress.
    What was wrong with Jack?
    The door opened, and Jack looked at Pamela, his eyes red. “Can you talk for a minute?”
    “Of course.” She went in and sat on the ottoman.
    “How was your day?” he said. “How are you feeling?”
    “Fine. What’s wrong, honey?”
    He plunked down in the chair, his head dropping to his chest. “I’ve been on the phone with the bank. We missed our house payment last month. I didn’t tell you because I thought there was a grace period, and I was due to get a check from EventPros.”
    “Okay …”
    “The grace period was only five days. We’re late.”
    “Jack.” She got on her knees and slid over to him, putting her arms around his waist. “Honey, it’s okay—”
    “It’s not okay! It’s not okay on many fronts. It’s not okay with the bank. It’s not okay for our credit. And it’s not okay for me to keep letting you down. Look at you. You’re seven months pregnant. You should be home !”
    He drew her in and tried to suppress the sobs.
    She tried to comfort him. “Listen, honey—”
    “Why is God doing this? It’s been months! What did I do that was so wrong? Why haven’t I gotten a job yet?”
    She’d asked the same questions a million times.
    “I don’t know.” She held him tight, their heads next to each other. “I just don’t know.”
    “I feel so bad, having you head off to work each day, all day long …”
    “Honey, it’s not like you’re sitting around eating popcorn and watching movies. You’re working at the arena, applying for jobs all day, keeping the house up, getting me and the girls off in the morning … putting up with my mother.” Pamela laughed and squeezed Jack tighter, forcing him to chuckle.
    “She’s been a big help.” He pulled back to look at her.
    She wiped his tears away with her thumbs. “I bet she would help us, you know, lend us a little bit—”
    He