Jon Smith

by Richard Proctor

  The last comment brought a strange look from the commanders. They saw that their commander had a respect for these outliers which in some way gave them a good feeling as in the end they were still hesitant about the whole ordeal.

  “In the end gentleman, it will all come down to our will against theirs and I believe that we will prevail.”

  The meeting went on for another hour as the group discussed varying battle plans. Also in the discussion was the interlacing of roadblocks that would be used starting in January with the arrival of the troops. At conclusion the group broke up and the company commanders left. Colonel James was left staring at the 3D topographical map as Major Jeffers approached.

  “Colonel James, it is my impression that you are not very enthused about our mission.” said Jeffers.

  James looked at his second wondering where this discussion would lead.

  “No I am not enthusiastic about it as I have a problem fighting Americans.”

  “But sir, we are no longer Americans, we are soldiers of the Order, or rather we are soldiers of the world. These people that we are off to vanquish are no different than the confederate criminals of the American Civil War of the 1860s. These groups of separatists hold to old ways and old beliefs and as such need either to be eliminated or at least brought in to conform.” said Jeffers.

  James looked again at the man in front of him and realized that any further discussion would be pointless. The Major was not real army but more of a political soldier that had managed to rise in the ranks by kissing ass rather than deeds. He had not fully reviewed Jeffers record but now intended to do so in order to ascertain what kind of a man was his second. At this he turned to Jeffers before departing.

  “Well Major, as soldiers we do our duty and that is what I intend on doing.”

  Chapter 9

  Christmas Eve dawned bright and clear in the valley as the day before had brought another fresh eight inches of snow. The Snow was at a considerable depth for the time of year and caused much extra work in regards to cleaning porches, hauling firewood, and keeping the interior roads cleared. It also brought solace to those that knew such weather continued to for stall the events that would come when there was no snow. But few were thinking of that as it was almost Christmas. While many in the valley continued to be deeply religious there were others that recognized the religious value of such a holiday but also looked forward to the pagan traditions that Christmas brought. The Christmas trees, the merriment, and the feasting were all combined into a wonder of joy of the season.

  For Jon Smith, this was his time of year as he delighted in the decorations, the festivities, and the presents he had gotten for his family. Realizing that Catherine and Amanda had not enjoyed a Christmas in ten years, he planned on making this one the best that they would ever have. As the four sat at breakfast they were discussing what the next two days would bring as all this was something new for Catherine and Amanda.

  “So what do we have in store for Christmas?” asked Amanda.

  “Well today about the only thing that has to be done is that Chris and I need to meet some folks at the party field and build the bonfire for this evening.” said Jon.

  “I tell you, you folks love to have bonfires and parties don’t you.” said Catherine.

  Jon thought a moment about the question and gave the best answer he could.

  “Why yes we do. We enjoy life here and one way we do that is have parties and drink our wine. Much of our time is devoted to work and survival and because of that it feels good to let loose every now and then. Also it is another slap in the face for the World Order because I am certain that they would not approve of the wastefulness of such things.”

  “Well that is a statement that is true.” said Catherine.

  “So we will go to the bonfire about eight o’clock and stay till about ten. It gives a chance for the folks in the valley to wish each other a Merry Christmas.” said Chris.

  “Everybody in the valley comes to this?” asked Amanda

  Chris gave a brief laugh with a smile.

  “Yes Amanda, Nathan will probably be there.” said Chris.

  Amanda gave a slight blush but it was no issue for anyone at the table. Both of her parents approved of her seeing Nathan and Amanda would soon be seventeen and it was expected that she would have an interest in boys.

  “And I am certain that Chris will also have several young ladies waiting for him there as well.” said Catherine.

  “So for tomorrow, what are the plans as it is Christmas?” asked Catherine.

  “About all we do is relax and have a nice meal about four in the afternoon. I think we will have standing rib elk roast.” said Jon.

  “Are we to have guests as we did at Thanksgiving?” asked Catherine.

  “Just Doc is coming. Every body else is pretty well taken care off.”

  “You think a lot of Doc don’t you?” asked Catherine.

  Jon looked out a window as he prepared to answer the question. His mind went back ten years ago to when he and Chris first came to the valley.

  “Doctor James Pierce is one of the smartest, wisest, and most caring men I know of. He was one of the first people in the valley as he came here two years prior to Chris and I. He told me he came here to get away and find peace. He had served in the first Gulf War back in 1991 and then started a practice. After about ten years of the practice he said that he just got fed up with all of the crap that medicine had become. He wanted to go to a place where he could just help people and they would pay him as they could. When Chris and I got here he was one of the first folk to come to our camp. He helped me with the construction of this cabin and taught me some things about living and surviving here. He also helped me a lot with Chris.”

  “Well that is the first time I actually heard his real name. He is a good man.” said Catherine.

  “That he is just like many of the folk here.”

  “Now it is time for Chris and I to go cut some wood.”

  Jon and Chris put on hats and gloves and headed out toward the truck. Jon ignited the engine and began to navigate the vehicle over the snowy roads.

  “Dad, aren’t you glad that Amanda and Mom are here for Christmas?” asked Chris.

  “Son, I can’t tell you what it means to have us all together. While I enjoyed just you and me over the last ten years I have missed those two a lot.”

  Chris smiled and looked out the window at the scenery. The trees were covered with snow and Christmas was in the air. He was thinking about all that had gone on the last year and was thinking that there was good and bad.

  “Dad, do you really think that the Order will send more troops in to take us out of here? I really hope they don’t because if they would just leave us all alone we could have a great life. Why can’t some folks just live and let live instead of making people live a certain way.”

  Jon looked at his son and smiled.

  “Chris, you have grown and gotten quite wise. I wish I could put you in front of one of those Grand Governors so you could ask him point blank. But son, I do believe they will be back and with much better equipped and trained troops. We will have quite a fight on our hands and the only way to maybe make them leave us alone is to really bloody them. Maybe, even then though that won’t end it.”

  The truck pulled into the field where other men had already shown up to work. Mort, Riley, Angus, Doc, and JT were part of the crew. Dave pulled up right after Jon and Chris and they all were soon cutting trees and hauling wood. They were careful to find the dead ones as fresh wood just wouldn’t burn. After a couple of hours the pile was quite high and the men stopped to get a drink of water.

  JT took his cup of water and raised it up.

  “Merry Christmas boys.”

  At once all the men said Merry Christmas.

  “Tonight should be real nice as it looks like a clear night. Better
have all the ladies bundle up though and we should have some good drink to keep us warm.” said JT.

  “Oh don you worry about dat fellas as I have some strong brew for tonight.” said Mort.

  “I bet you will.” said Jon.

  The work party broke up and headed back toward their homes. The remainder of the afternoon at the Smith house was quiet. Jon and Amanda retired to the library while Chris was back in his bedroom. Catherine was away in the bedroom taking a nap as she had started to do the past few weeks. About six o’clock the family enjoyed a small meal and then prepared for the evening gathering. Warmly dressed and of course prepared with beverages they headed to the party field about eight. As they arrived the bonfire was just being lit as there were a good one hundred and fifty folk already there.

  Amanda soon located Nathan and the two retired to a more private area of the field, no doubt for a bit of making out. Chris found the two girls he was looking for and spent the time with them. Jon and Catherine mixed and mingled with all the folk. It was a festive atmosphere and for once politics never entered the conversation. A strange thing considering that it always seemed to be a subject being around Jon Smith. At about ten all the valley people gathered around the fire and at once began to sing.

  Silent Night was the traditional song that marked the ending of the gathering and this evening the song was quite beautiful as the notes spread toward the cloudless night.

  Jon and family were in the truck and soon were walking inside the warm home.

  “Well kids, it is off to bed and Santa comes tonight.” said Jon.

  “Oh Jon don’t tell me that, never mind what was I thinking as this is your favorite time of year.” said Catherine.

  Bedroom doors closed and the house went into a peaceful night of slumber.

  The next morning Jon was on the back porch, with a wry smile on his face and a warm cup of coffee. The dawn had just come up and it was to be a glorious Christmas morning. Catherine came out about twenty minutes later and leaned over to kiss her husband.

  “Merry Christmas Jon.”

  “Merry Christmas to you honey.”

  “My you know I haven’t uttered that phrase in ten years and it feels really good to do so.” said Catherine.

  “Yea, it is probably illegal to say those words back in the Urban world.”

  “Not sure if it is illegal but it is definitely not politically correct speech.”

  Jon just shook his head and took a drink of coffee.

  “What a screwed up world.” he said.

  As the kids woke Jon moved the whole family around the Christmas tree and to the surprise of Amanda and Catherine there were wrapped packages under the tree.

  “Presents, we actually have presents?” asked Amanda

  “Yes ma am we do.” said Jon.

  Amanda, Chris, and Catherine sat on the sofa as Jon laid their gifts in their laps. Chris also reached around the back of the tree and pulled out three gifts as well. The girls had no concept that this was going to happen and as such spent the next few minutes apologizing.

  “You two gave Chris and me the best gift we could have ever had by coming here to live with us.” said Jon as his eyes misted up.

  The tears were much more obvious on the girls.

  “Well open your gifts that Santa brought.”

  And with that the packages were opened. Amanda opened up a pair of fur lined boots and a nice fur lined jacket. Catherine also received a pair of fur lined boots and two sweaters. For Chris it was a nice hunting knife and a wrap around pack set that he could fasten around him numerous pouches. Jon had a box in front of him that was from Chris and proceeded to open it. As he opened it his eyes stared down and he had a smile on his face.

  “Chris, I don’t know how you found this but this is something special to me.”

  Jon pulled out a raccoon skin cap and set it on his head.

  “I had one of these years ago but lost it. In fact I also had one when I was a little boy. What a wonderful Christmas gift. Thank you son.”

  “Well Jon, that cap is you that’s for sure.” said Catherine.

  The rest of the morning was filled with a long hike by the family to just enjoy the frosty morning. As is always the case when going out these days a rifle was needed for protection and surprisingly Amanda was the point for this excursion. As they walked Catherine looked at Amanda and shook her head.

  “Well Jon, I would have never believed it but you have her trained like you and Chris.”

  “What do you mean? There is nothing wrong with her knowing how to shoot and frankly this world has become very dangerous what with animal predators and human predators.” said Jon.

  Catherine laughed again.

  “I guess we have all become Jon Smith.”

  The family returned to the cabin for a snack of hot coffee and bread as it was now roughly noon. A few hours later Jon went out to the back and started up the outdoor fireplace to get ready to start cooking. The night before, they had thawed out a beautiful elk rib roast for cooking as this was to be the main course for the meal. Jon cracked open some wine and sat out back while the fire crackled. The coals were ready and the meat went on about three o’clock.

  Thirty minutes later there was a knock at the door and Catherine welcomed in Doc.

  “Merry Christmas Smith family.” said Doc.

  “Merry Christmas to you.” As Catherine gave him a peck on the cheek.

  “Doc stood for a moment and looked at Catherine as he had not seen her up close in several weeks. He thought she looked a bit thin and sullen and he began to question in his mind.

  “Catherine, how are you feeling as you look like you have lost some weight?” asked Doc.

  “I feel ok, just a little more tired lately. Maybe it is the cold.”

  “Maybe, but after the holidays I want you to come down and see me. I just want to make sure that cancer is still in remission.” said Doc.

  “Yes, I will, after we get through the next week.”

  “So where is the master of the house?” asked Doc.

  “Where do you think he is? He is out back with the fire roasting up the biggest hunk of meat I have ever seen and pouring back some wine.”

  “Well, let me set these fine bottles of Australian red here on your counter and go join him.” said Doc.

  Doc said hello to Amanda and Chris who were both on the sofa reading and enjoying the fire. As he walked out back he saw Jon in a chair, legs extended and drinking a full glass of wine.

  “Can I have a glass of that wine?” asked Jon.

  “Sure, I have the bottle here and an extra glass. I thought Catherine would come out but she seems to be a bit chilly today.”

  Jon took the glass and filled it up and handed it to Doc. Doc pulled up a chair in front of the fire and took a good drink of the wine.

  “Ah, that tastes good. Thanks for having me over for dinner as it sure beats having Christmas dinner alone.’

  “Doc, you are always welcome at our house.”

  Jon stared in the fire and took another drink. He had put the roast on the grill side and it was beginning to cook with a wonderful aroma.

  “Doc, you know I have never asked but why are you by yourself? Where you ever married?”

  Doc smiled and seemed to drift back to the past.

  “Yes I was married once. I was crazy about her and for a time she was in love with me. But she was different than I was. She had these liberal ideals and I was nothing like that. We had to stay off any serious discussions as we never agreed on anything. After a while we drifted apart as we began to have separate lives. Before I came up here we divorced. Luckily we had no kids.”

  “What do you think ever happened to her?” asked Jon.

  “Oh she found some liberal guy and settled in with a government job somewhere back east. I think in the long r
un it all worked out.” said Doc.

  Both men took another drink and Jon threw another piece of wood on the fire.

  “Jon, didn’t you tell me that Catherine was always one of those liberal types. If so how does she abide with the way you think.”

  Jon laughed. “Yea she still thinks that she is still kind of that way, but living here has changed her perspective.”

  Doc shook his head. “I guess being around Jon Smith can change anyone.”

  “Jon, have you noticed anything about Catherine? Is she dong okay?”

  “Well she seems a bit more tired than when she got here but that may just be adjusting to the lifestyle and the altitude.” said Jon.

  “I noticed that she has lost some weight Jon. I told her to come see me after the holidays as I want to run some tests.”

  Jon had a worried look on his face. He knew the situation but he had thought that the cancer had gone into remission as Catherine seemed to be improving.

  “Any word on our medicine from Mexico Doc?”

  “No, I talked with Dick yesterday and he told me a lot of shipments were delayed or had not arrived at all. It seems the Order is using troopers to set up road blocks to stop our transportation.”

  “Damn, that is not good. We rely on those shipments for many of our things here.” said Jon.

  Jon stood up and paced a bit in front of the fire. He then ran his fist into his hand and cursed.

  “If I need that damn medicine what the hell can I do?”

  “Now Jon, understand even if we get that and we need it, there is no guarantee that it is going to help. It is experimental and has had good results but don’t get too worked up. Fact is I haven’t even examined Catherine so don’t get so angry. It may be just what you said.”