Have you seen Sam? Mary asked.What do you want with Sam?I cant take care of all those littles with just John to help me.Howard shrugged. Who asked you to?That was too much. Mary was tall and strong. Howard, though a boy, was smaller. Mary took two steps toward him, pushing her face right into his. Listen, you little worm. If I dont take care of those kids, theyll die. Do you understand that? There are babies in there who need to be fed and need to be changed, and I seem to be the only one who realizes it. And there are probably more little kids still in their homes, all alone, not knowing whats happening, not knowing how to feed themselves, scared to death.Howard took a step back, tentatively lifted the bat, then let it fall. What am I supposed to do? he whined.You? Nothing. Wheres Sam?He took off.What do you mean, he took off?I mean him and Quinn and Astrid took off.Mary blinked, feeling stupid and slow. Whos in charge?You think just because Sam likes to play the big hero every couple years that makes him the guy in charge?Mary had been on the bus two years ago when the driver, Mr. Colombo, had had his heart attack. Shed had her head in a book, not paying attention, but she had looked up when she felt the bus swerve. By the time she had focused, Sam was guiding the bus onto the shoulder of the road.In the two years that followed, Sam had been so quiet and so modest and so not involved in the social life of the school that Mary had sort of forgotten that moment of heroism. Most people had.And yet she hadnt even been surprised when it was Sam who had stepped up during the fire. And she had somehow assumed that if anyone was going to be in charge, it would be Sam. She found herself angry with him for not being here now: she needed help.Go get Orc, Mary said.I dont tell Orc what to do, bitch.Excuse me? she snapped. What did you just call me?Howard gulped. Didnt mean nothing, Mary.Where is Orc?I think hes sleeping.Wake him up. I need some help. I cant stay awake any longer. I need at least two kids who have experience babysitting. And then I need diapers and bottles and nipples and Cheerios and lots of milk.Why am I going to do all that?Mary didnt have an answer. I dont know, Howard, she said. Maybe because youre really not a complete jerk? Maybe youre really a decent human being?That earned her a skeptical look and a derisive snort.Look, kids will do what Orc says, Mary said. Theyre scared of him. All Im asking is for Orc to act like Orc.Howard thought this over. Mary could almost see the wheels spinning in his head.Forget it, she said. Ill talk to Sam when he gets back.Yeah, hes the big hero, isnt he? Howard said, dripping sarcasm. But hey, where is he? You see him around? I dont see him around.Are you going to help or not? I have to get back.All right. Ill get your stuff, Mary. But you better remember who helped you. Youre working for Orc and me.Im taking care of little kids, Mary said. If Im working for anyone, its for them.Like I say, you remember who was there when you needed them. Howard turned on his heel and swaggered away.