Life As We Knew It

On November 7, Miranda finds that Mrs. Nesbitt has died in her sleep. She remembers Mrs. Nesbitt’s instructions and sets out on stripping the house of whatever her family can use. She wants to start the kitchen, but it feels ghoulish to do that, so she starts with the attic. She manages to find a Christmas present of old baseball cards for Jonny, and then sets about securing more things. She finally goes to the kitchen and finds some bottled water. More importantly, Mrs. Nesbitt’s well still has water, and she begins filling jugs to bring home with her. She is careful to make sure no one sees her with the provisions; otherwise Mrs. Nesbitt’s house will be looted before she can return to get the rest of the provisions. She finds her brothers outside and tells them about Mrs. Nesbitt’s death and her wish that they should take whatever can be useful to them. They return to the house and are able to get the provisions without being spotted. The second time, Miranda stays behind, and tells her mother the news. She gives her mother the jewelry and the photo albums she took from Mrs.