by S A Ison
Earlier that day, Willene had fed Angela and had given her to Marilyn while she went into the attic to find the boxes filled with old baby clothes and other baby items. The attic was filled with well-marked boxes, both by her mother and grandfather. The boxes were well organized by year, she’d laughed, they didn’t throw out much.
With her LED headlamp, she pushed and shoved the boxes around in the massive attic. It took nearly an hour, and she’d been covered in dust and cobwebs, but she found what she’d been looking for. She sat back on her heels and sighed happily. A soft smile lit her face and she wiped at the sweat on her forehead, smearing dust across it, making muddy streaks.
Because they’d not had much money back then, her mother had used cloth diapers on her and her brother. Her mother had laughed about the stinky things, but said she thought the twins were healthier for it. She had changed them more often than she would have if she’d used disposable diapers.
She smiled when she found old pictures of her and her brother. She found old toys that she vaguely remembered. She also found old games, like Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit. She set those aside to take below, it would be nice to have a rousing game night every now and then. Entertainment was in short supply and it would be nice to laugh and do something that wasn’t linked to survival. She even found an old Yahtzee game and laughed. She and her brother would argue over the game. They would laugh and accuse each other of cheating. Fixing the dice.
Willene yelled down from the attic, calling Harry to come join her. He came and laughed at all the things she’d pulled out. He picked up the Yahtzee game and waggled his eyebrows. She sniggered and had Harry haul several boxes down and put them in her room. She’d got the diapers and changed the baby, who’s bottom was still red from the long time she’d sat in her own mess.
There were quite a few disposable diapers, but Willene planned to use those solely at night. Yesterday, she and Marilyn had cleaned Angela up, giving her a warm bubble bath in the kitchen sink. The child was enchanted with the bubbles. Katie checked her out, to ensure that she was healthy. They put salve on the child and diapered her with a clean kitchen dish towel.
Willene felt calm, she’d thought she’d be overwhelmed with having a baby in the house, but it wasn’t so. She’d wanted a child for so long and so, fell easily into the role of motherhood. She seemed to know what the baby needed, an innate understanding. She was already falling in love with the baby.
As far as she could tell, they baby suffered no trauma from her experience, though that might show up later on in her young life. She was almost sure that the baby had been hidden before the violent act. Once more, only time would tell. She hoped for Angela’s sake, she’d suffer no phycological long term effects.
Once Angela had been cleaned up, her small butt salved and powdered, she was fed once more. Since she was old enough, they fed her regular food, some oatmeal and fried apples, which Angela loved. Willene had also made powdered milk and fed the thirsty baby. It might take a few days to get her hydrated properly.
She’d eaten well today, and seemed no worse for her terrible circumstances. Willene had let her walk and explore the house, holding her tiny hand as they walked down the stairs. Angela didn’t seem to understand the absence of her family, and Willene knew that child would never remember them. That broke her heart most of all. To be so completely forgotten.
Tonight, they had made mashed potatoes, fried rabbit, green beans, dandelion greens and fried apples. Angela had eaten gleefully, much of the food ending up in her soft dark curls. Willene smiled to herself at the memory.
Replete, the child had passed out and hadn’t moved since. She’d been passed from one person to another, each wanting to hold her. Her soft rounded cheek pressed into Harry’s chest, he had her now.
“You wouldn’t think they’d be so heavy when they sleep.” Harry said in wonder, his face tilted down.
“Well, she’s a healthy little thing, thank the lord Jesus on the ever lovin cross. Or she’d have been in worse shape. I think she’d been there for only a day, it is a miracle something didn’t come along and hurt her.” Willene said, wiping a stray hair from her eyes.
“That’s true and it was also good that it hadn’t rained, or she’d might have died from exposure.” Marilyn added softly into the dark, the soft creaking from her rocking nearly hiding her words.
“She’s safe wit us now, that’s certain fir sure. I’s spect she’s got many mommas now.” Boggy said, his head twisted around.
“Yep, that’s certain fir sure.” Earl echoed.
Willene hid a grin, she’d known Earl for years, but had never known he had a soft heart. The more she got to know the man, the more she liked and respected him. She knew he’d come from a hard life and an unkind family, she knew his parents had been alcoholics and abusive.
He’d stepped up to the plate though, and she was glad he was a member of their house now. Monroe seemed very attached and stuck close to him. Monroe was a sweet child, Marilyn had done a wonderful job with raising him. Monroe chattered like a magpie but Earl never seemed to mind. The child gravitated to the man and Earl showed the child how to work around the farm house, explaining things very patiently and allowing the young boy to help whenever he could.
Willene had watched them together and had laughed. When Earl walked, he limped, but near the end of the day, he limped heavily, she guessed the pain in his leg was more prevalent. The boy would hold his hand, as though helping Earl along, each chatting to the other. Marilyn would stand with her and they’d watch them out in the garden. Earl pointing at this or that. They couldn’t hear them, but you could see the child was paying attention.
“Who knew Earl could be such a wonderful role model.” Willene laughed one day.
“I’ll swear, Monroe loves that man. I’m glad he has someone who will teach him things. Harry is good to him too, and Clay and Boggy, it is like he has many fathers.” She’d said and smiled. Willene had put her arm around Marilyn and hugged her.
“I expect, we’ve become one big family.” She’d said.
She batted at a lightning bug that had flown near her face. They were out twinkling in the yard, and made it look magical. She could smell rain in the air, but didn’t think it would come any time soon.
“I’m glad you found all those baby clothes and diapers, I was thinking about giving them all a good washing tomorrow.” Katie said from the glider.
Willene laughed, she and Katie were usually on the same wavelength. “I was thinking the same thing.”
“I’s needs my clothes warshed too. Mebe I kin warsh mine?” Earl asked shyly.
The women on the porch burst out laughing, and Earl ducked his head. Willene rocked forward, putting her hands on her knees.
“It isn’t you Earl, just a joke about men washing their own clothes.” Willene assured the man, and the women laughed harder. It felt so good to laugh, it released the hurtful feelings, Willene felt they all needed a good laugh.
Earl grinned, but had the distinct hunted look that many men sported when a group of women cackled. His look caused another peal of laughter from the women. Willene noticed the other men were quiet, staying out of the line of fire.
Willene wiped her eyes, and stood, she reached for Angela and she took note that Harry was reluctant to give her up. She grinned at her twin, “I’ll pass her back to you when you wake me for my shift.” She assured him.
“You sure you want to stand watch?” Harry asked.
“I sure do, and we can all take turns watching her. I’m glad we found that playpen, I wish mom had kept the crib.” She said.
“I’ll look in the barn tomorrow, it might be stored up in the hayloft. I know Peapot put a lot of things up there over the years. I can look.” Harry suggested.
“Sounds good, night ya’ll.” Willene said, taking the baby. She heard the goodnights as she went into the house.
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Mary Deets laid on her pallet weeping. Someone had stolen her food. She’d be
en nauseated earlier and so had held on to her meager breakfast. She’d fallen asleep, but when she’d awaken, her food was gone. Who would steal from a pregnant woman?
She felt someone near and asked, “who is there?”
“It’s me, Julie. Are you okay Mary? Is the baby okay?” Julie Elliot asked, worry in her disembodied voice.
“Someone stole my food, I was queasy earlier, and when I woke up, it was gone. I don’t know why I’m crying. It is just that being in this dank black hole, it was the only thing to keep my spirits up. Now I have to worry about eating enough for me and the baby.” Mary explained, her voice a little wobbly.
“What in the wild world? Who would do that? Hold on, let me see what I can do.” Julie said and moved away.
Mary Lou Jaspers came up to Mary and squatted near the woman. Mary Lou reach out a hand and gave Mary a small withered apple.
“Here honey, eat this until we can figure something out. I can’t believe someone would steal from you. What is wrong with folks?” the invisible voice pondered angrily.
Mary sat in her bundle of bedding in the dark, there was a light flickering about twenty feet away, and it did little to dispel the crushing darkness in the coal mine.
“Thank you, Mary Lou, that is very kind of you.” She began to nibble on the apple. Though it was shriveled, it still had sweetness to it. It helped ease the hunger in her stomach.
She heard feet shuffling and she waited for them to draw closer, only seeing dark shapes.
“Mary, it’s David, when did this happen, do you know?” David Colman, a giant of a man, asked. He’d been watching over Mary, her own husband Howard had been murdered by his boss, Sherriff Danny Yates. Because she and her husband were black, her husband had been killed and she’d been put down in the godforsaken hole.
“I’m not sure David, when you gave me the food, I had tried to eat it, but I just felt too queasy to eat more than a couple bites. I put the food, wrapped in the paper towel by my head. I just laid down for a while and then must have fallen asleep. I just woke a bit ago, so I don’t know how long I’d been sleep.” She said, feeling better with the bit of apple in her and now that David was there. She’d come to depend on and trust him, he was a kind man and she was grateful he watched over her.
“That’s been about five hours Mary, it is near lunch. They should be sending food down shortly, so don’t you fret none. I’ll look into who is stealing food, though I do have my suspicions.” He said darkly.
Mary reached a blind hand out and touched David’s massive arm, and her hand slid down to clutch his large hand.
“Thank you, David. I just want this baby to be okay. There isn’t much food, and I know people are hungry. I’d have shared with them if they’d just asked.” She said softly.
She felt David’s other hand pat her own, “Don’t you worry Mary, I’ll make sure you get your food and that you’re kept safe. I won’t let anyone harm you or your baby.” He promised, his deep voice soft and soothing.
She brought his large hand to her cheek and pressed it there for a moment. She let it go and heard the big man shuffle away.
“If anyone can find out who is stealing, it is David. He’d been that security guard at the bank, I guess he can find a thief easily enough.” Mary Lou said, and Mary heard the satisfaction and smile in Mary Lou’s voice. She smiled as well. She’d remembered seeing David at the bank, and he always had an easy smile for everyone. She had noticed that the disreputable looking people seemed uneasy around him. She smiled at that thought.
She heard the familiar squeal of ropes, cables and gears which heralded the lowering of the food. Their request for more food had been heeded, though it wasn’t much more. A few minutes later, Julia had returned with food, wrapped up. It was bread, cheese and a fruit cup. Milk had been brought as well.
Mary thanked her and lifted her mask and began to eat slowly. She wanted to make it last. She felt the nausea begin to niggle her stomach, but fought it, her baby needed food. The earlier apple had helped as well and Mary thought on the kindness of Mary Lou, she’d worked for the mayor. Everyone had heard how the mayor had fired her, or rather kicked her out of his office. Their world had changed so fast.
She took another bite. Now more than ever, she was afraid if she didn’t eat it now, she wouldn’t have it later. She hoped that none of the children were doing without.
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Robby Rob sat in a small grotto that had been chiseled out of the rock, sometime in the long past. He pulled several bundles of food out of his shirt. He’d spent the morning slinking around the sleeping people, taking what he could find among them. If they were too stupid to leave uneaten food about, then it was all the better for him.
He ate a chunk of dried up bread hungrily. He’d been partying and drugging for so long, that he’d neglected to eat real food. When those white bastards had caught him and thrown him down in this stinking coal mine, it had taken a day or two for his body to stop craving drugs and alcohol and start craving food. Now it was painful not having something in his gut. Almost as bad as not having anything to drink. Damn them.
They expected him to work, to do hard damned labor. While all those women and kids sat on their asses and did nothing but eat. Well, if he had to work, he’d eat, and he’d eat their food too. There was a big man, they called him Hercules, but he thought his name was David. He’d seen the man at the bank. Him and that cop Stroh thought they could make him work.
He’d gone with them, but he’d not worked. He chuckled softly at the thought. He’d gone through the motions, pretended to do the work, but he’d found places to hide. He was hidden now, eating his stolen food. He then pulled out two withered apples, at least he thought they were apples. It was pitch black, and he couldn’t see anything. He’d turned off his headlamp to stay hidden, he dared not turn it on and give himself away.
He heard footsteps and paused, waiting for them to pass. Once they did, he continued to eat. He finished the apples, core and all. He then pulled out a carton of milk. He made a face, it was warm, from the heat of his body. He drank it anyway, he needed the calories. He belched softly and pulled out another bundle. This one had a granola bar in it with a pack of crackers. He finished those off quickly.
He was still hungry but he’d have to wait, food would come in a bit, and he’d make his way back. He’d also make sure he’d get more from the useless kids and women. They were easy targets, they slept all the time. What a waste of food, he deserved it more.
He sat back in his small grotto and got as comfortable as he could. His body shivered, he would have killed to get a fix. He didn’t care if it was booze or drugs, just something to make the pain in his body go away. The food had helped, but his body craved something more. Maybe he could corner one of the women, it didn’t matter who it was, just someone to get off on. He’d have to hunt around, find a woman who was farther away from the group and the light. He’d not want to get caught or have some husband hunt him down.
He had to think of a way to get out of this hole. He didn’t deserve to be here. Those damned KKK, bunch of no good pecker-head white boys. And what was this shit about an EMP? He didn’t understand what everyone was talking about. They said that maybe North Korea had bombed them, or Russia or Iraq. Somebody send a bomb? He didn’t hear no explosion. Maybe those KKK assholes were just telling everybody a bunch of shit, making them believe it. He wasn’t that gullible, but he’d get out of here, one way or another.
No, he had to get out of here, no matter what it took. He wondered where Hobo was, he thought the man had the better part of this deal, he was probably out drinking somewhere or getting a good buzz. Damn it, he wished he were with Hobo right about now.
CHAPTER THREE
Willene sat on the porch, the night air had a chill in it. The windows of the farm house were open, letting in the breeze through the house. She held up the NVGs and looked around. Nothing stirred. Though hell had come, the night suggested a tranquility and she reveled in it. She would
take it where she could get it. They’d been lucky so far. She knew that luck would be short lived. Soon, people would be coming their way. Soon, there would be more killing.
She got up and headed to the back of the house, she walked quietly. She heard a whippoorwill calling softly deep within the dark woods. The ground was damp beneath her feet. She saw a shape in the dark and her heart slammed into her chest. Her hands trembled as she brought the NGVs and she let out a shuddering breath, it was Clay.
He was walking very slowly, and then she saw his dog following him. She walked toward him, her heart slowing. The adrenaline beginning to recede, making her slightly light headed.
“You should be in bed Clay. I don’t think wandering around in the dark is healthy. If you trip or fall, you could rip your wounds open.” She said softly.
“I couldn’t sleep. I keep thinking about that poor family we buried.” He said softly. He joined her as they walked the perimeter of the large yard. Their steps slow and careful.
“What do you think will happen to us Willene? I mean in the future.” He asked, his voice deep and slow.
“Live I guess, live and go on. Though I’m hoping without the threat of the KKK. Life will go on, at a slower pace. It will be driven by the seasons, how we grow our food and hunt. Like the old days, before technology.” She shrugged.
“You don’t think we’ll ever get the power back on?” Clay asked.
She heard the unease in his voice, “Clay, in the course of the next few weeks and months, people will be running out of food, if they haven’t already. The people who might know how to fix the problems of power and electricity may already be dead. Especially, if they live in the cities.” She said, and shrugged. It was difficult to think about so many people who would starve to death and who were already dead, the numbers would be staggering, and even more so in the days to come. She knew the biggest cities would feel the massive die off first, they had the highest populations.
