Jonah Cottoneye 4
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"It's been spotted in Del Sol Valley," said Hugh Caliente. "Nikita says the scientists think that it has an affinity for desert climates."
"Durn," said Hank Cottoneye. "I'd always hoped that what happened in Strangerville would stay in Strangerville."
"We've lost our money tree," Hugh continued, "and so have the Zests and the Lee-Scotts."
"Ours is gone, too," said Hank.
"All our businesses have shut down, and so have those in Oasis Springs," said Hugh. "And this is probably the last time we'll be able to meet in a restaurant. I've been given early retirement, too."
"Hope as well," Hank told him. "She's cross because painters aren't considered 'essential workers.' But police are, so I should be going."
"Oh, there's one bit of good news from Nikita's lab -- babies, toddlers, and children appear to be immune."
"What about teens?" asked Hank.
Hugh shrugged. "They don't know yet."
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Either way, it didn't matter. Jonah was becoming a young adult.
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"Should we keep him here?" Hank asked Hope. "He's always complained about how small this place is."
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"Well, he has his robot construction set-up here," said Hope.
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"And he just installed a solar panel and dew collector, so it looks like he's planning to stay for a while," said Hank. "On the other hand, what with the volcano and all, he's never going to get this place as green as he wants."
"We should ask him what he wants to do," said Hope.
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Jonah meanwhile was reading his acceptance letter from Foxbury Institute. "Distinguished degree, physics, scholarship..." he couldn't wait to tell his parents.
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"I've been accepted!" he shouted. But then he noticed that his parents looked sad. "Is something wrong?"
"Strangerville will almost certainly be put under quarantine," Hank told him. "We've got some money saved up for your education -- we think you should move while you can."
"Especially if you want to go to college," said Hope. "They might not let you come if they think you're contaminated."
"Look upon it as an opportunity," said Hank. "You're keen on living in a green area, so go someplace where there are lots of trees."
"You could come with me," said Jonah. "We could all move."
Hank shook his head. "I've got to stay and look after your grandfather's memorial. Now go before the quarantine becomes official."
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So Jonah found himself in Glimmerbrook, a place where there were lots of trees and not much else. He signed up for classes and built a somewhat eco-friendly house. All the appliances would need upgrading, but he bought a dew collector and a solar panel. And then a couple more solar panels, as his bills seemed to keep going up.
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In fact, it soon became obvious that Jonah was going to need some kind of income. Luckily, his programming skill was high enough that he was able to get a couple of freelance gigs. Even away from Strangerville, that seemed to be the only kind of work possible.
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His college classes seemed to be going well. Jonah had plenty of room to set up his presentation board inside -- something that wouldn't have been possible at his parents' house.
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One evening he called Nanette and invited her over.
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"The house is still pretty small," he said, "but there's room to put in another bedroom and bath."
"And a study," said Nanette. "I'll need to have a place to write my poetry. And what about your robots?"
"I don't know," said Jonah. "Making robots is going to increase the industrial footprint."
"So put up some more solar panels," said Nanette. "You love making robots, you know you do."
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What with homework and gigs, Jonah was surprised when it was Harvest Day already. He appeased the gnomes with coffee and pie.
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And then he went back to Strangerville for a visit.
"I'm supposed to arrest you," his dad grumbled. "You're not supposed to be here."
"Dad, I don't have the simid-4.1, and you and Mom don't, so what's the problem? And I'm not going to see anyone else while I'm here."
"Even so, I'm an officer of the law, and you're in violation of quarantine."
But Jonah could tell that his parents were glad to see him. He assured them that he was eating well, that he was doing all his homework, and that he was okay for money. And then he left, going back to Glimmerbrook, which was not quite yet home.
