“When I got up this morning, I knew something was wrong. Mom usually gets up really early and she wasn’t…she wasn’t in the kitchen. I didn’t hear anything, so I went outside to check.

“The animals hadn’t been fed, so I took care of them first. Then I walked around the house to the front yard, and there she was. Sitting on the ground. Staring at nothing.”

Abby stared at Cal. “Really? End of the world? Okay, Cal, let’s say I know exactly what you’re talking about. And let’s say I believe you aren’t entirely off your rocker. Let’s take it one more step: who should be ready? And how? And for what?”