by S A Ison
“Since we’s cuttin these trees down, why not cut’em inta small chunks here an now?” Boggy suggested.
Harry looked at Boggy for a moment and a slow smile spread on his face.
“I don’t even know why I didn’t think about that. You are right, because come next year or the following, I don’t think we’ll have gas for the chainsaws. Or at least any useable gas.” Harry laughed, shaking his head. He smacked Boggy on the back, who grinned shyly.
Both men turned the chainsaws to the task of delimbing the trees and the slow process of cutting the massive trunks down to size. It was hard work, and dangerous as well. The kickback from a chainsaw could easily cut off a limb or even slice into torso or face.
The chunks of tree trunk would dry faster and make for easier transporting as well. For now, they would leave most of the tree chunks up in the forest. They worked methodically, choosing trees that were big and some that were dying.
They found two large trees that had been downed sometime in the last couple years.
“At least we can use this for this winter.” Harry said smiling.
Boggy nodded, he took a drink of water that they’d carried in bottles. They were reusing the bottles from bottled water. There was little wasted or thrown out. It was quiet around them as they took a break. In the distance, they heard the cry of a woodpecker and then they rhythmic drumming on a tree. Harry breathed in deeply.
“It’s peaceful here.”
“It sure is, I’s likes this place a lot. You’uns got a nice parcel o land.” Boggy smiled, looking around in the forest. The both froze when they hear the gobbling of a tom turkey. Both grinned at each other. Boggy got up slowly and reached for his hunting rifle, his eyebrows waggling. Harry laughed softly and nodded.
He watched as Boggy slipped away into the woods silently. He heard the gobbling once more, this time closer. He waited for a long moment. He knew Boggy was an excellent hunter and turkey on the menu would be nice. Harry liked using what was around them. Dipping into their stores was okay, but harvesting from the land was better.
Once more he heard the bird, and then a shot. He jerked slightly and stood, waiting. He listened, turning his head this way and that. Then he heard branches snapping. Then he saw Boggy’s tall form, his rifle up against his shoulder and then saw in his hand the body of the turkey.
Harry gave a shout of laughter, and saw Earl and Clay coming up through the woods. They both had their weapons to the ready and he smiled and waved. They brought their weapons down. Boggy came toward them, raising the turkey and grinning hugely.
“Dang, that’s some kinda bird you’uns got Boggy.” Earl laughed and took the bird from Boggy and hoisted it in the air.
“Yeah, it’sa heavy boy.”
Clay reached over and took the bird from Earl and lifted it experimentally. A broad smile curing his face.
“Nice shooting Boggy.” Clay said, and handed the bird to Harry to admire. Harry lifted the bird and cocked his head from side to side.
“I’d say nearly twenty pounds, what do you think Boggy?”
“I’s say, pertnear close to it.”
Everyone sat on a large log or chunk of wood to relax a moment and enjoy the momentary quiet. They all smiled at each other like idiots, happy about the turkey.
“I’s guess I’d better git that bird ta the women, I’s spect Willene will be mad if she’d don’t find out what the shootin was all bout.” Earl said getting up and grinning as he picked up the heavy bird.
Clay laughed and slapped his back, “Yeah, you know they want to know everything, and I don’t want them to worry either, about the shot. Good shooting Boggy and thanks for dinner.”
Harry and Boggy watched as the two men disappeared with the bird. Harry sighed and picked up his chainsaw. Boggy did the same. Harry began to cut the dead tree into smaller, more manageable chunks. Once that was done, he and Boggy loaded up an old wagon and Boggy took off toward the house.
Harry knew Earl would begin to split the wood and stack it. Earl had tried to help the day before, but it was difficult for him to walk in the woods with his prosthetic leg. Boggy would deliver the dead wood and come back for another load. Harry turned to the next large log and began to cut that down. He was glad for the downed trees, they would need it for cooking now since there were more people to feed and also for laundry and heating in the winter.
It was hard and heavy work, with only their hands. Harry was glad that the chainsaws worked. He had plenty of gas and figured he’d cut down a few more trees than was necessary. He didn’t know how long the chainsaws would last nor the gas to run them. Cutting a tree down by ax was a daunting thought.
He and Boggy had cut ten trees the day before. They’d cut them into six-foot sections. But he would go back with Boggy’s idea and cut them down further. Boggy came back through the woods and smiled as he loaded the wagon and departed. Harry kept the chainsaw going.
They’d now cut nearly twenty trees, large hardwoods. The trees and their wood, would last them for some years. Years after the chainsaw would be useless. At first Boggy didn’t understand why they were downing so many trees. But when Harry mentioned about the loss of the chainsaws in a year or two, Boggy had smiled. He shook his head.
“That thar is some far ahead thankin, an I’s spect it’ll save us a lot of hard labor.” He grinned.
“Work smarter, not harder my Peapot use to say.” Harry laughed, wiping the sweat from his face. It was a hot day, but he could tell the nights were starting to get cooler. If they used their resources wisely, they could live comfortably for many years to come, even with all the extra people.
He thought that perhaps tomorrow, they would cut down more trees. The more he thought about it, the more he hated the idea of having to chop down trees with an ax. Then cutting the tree into smaller chunks and so on. He knew it was the old way of doing it, but he didn’t think he’d actually want to do it that way if he could help it. Plus, if the men were incapable of cutting down the trees later, the women would be hard pressed as well.
Willene could cut wood with the best of them. But as they all aged, their strength and infirmaries would hinder them. He was trying to think ahead. Boggy was the only really young man there. Katie was young, but she was a tiny woman and he doubted she’d have the ability to fell a tree.
He was used to everyone now, and it seemed odd that they’d not been there all along. He thought fleetingly of his Fran, but pulled away from the thought, he’d never see her again, and he’d moved on. He was surprised that everyone got along as well as they did. Their personalities seemed to mesh well. Everyone worked hard to make it work, to ensure all chores got done, all watches taken, so everyone was able to sleep soundly and safely.
Time was passing fast, and he’d not heard from Alan. He hoped the boy was okay. He thought about going and finding the boy, but he didn’t want to draw attention to him, it had not gone well their last trip to town. He was also low on gas, and if he planned another trip, they’d have to siphon more gas, he could get it from Willene’s car and Marilyn’s car. He hoped the kid could make it back soon.
He knew that Willene and Katie were in the kitchen canning green beans they’d picked earlier this morning. Marilyn had babysitting duty, and she was snapping the beans. Now they had a turkey to pluck, or perhaps Clay or Earl would take over that duty.
Clay was roaming, keeping watch, he’d seen him earlier, before the turkey shoot, making his rounds with Brian and Charley at his heels.
He knew Earl was back to chopping wood, and he could hear they rhythmic thump of the ax. He saw Boggy once more and smiled. He helped load the wagon once more with the heavy logs. He and Boggy made their way to the wood pile pulling the heavily loaded wagon behind. They unloaded the wagon and tossed the logs into a pile awaiting the ax.
Earl stopped and took off his bandana and wiped his face grinning.
“I spect we’uns ul have plenty o wood fir the winter.” He said, leaning on the long ax handle.
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“Yeah, we dropped quite a few trees and sectioned them up. I don’t know how long this old chainsaw will last, maybe longer than the gas.” Harry said. He heard the women laughing from the house and smiled. He also heard Monroe squealing and laughing.
Earl smiled, “Yonder little man wanted ta help me. Hated ta send him on, bless his little heart. Now I’s spect he wants ta help with the turkey.”
“Sounds like he’s giving Charley and Brian a run for their money. I guess the dogs didn’t go with Clay, deciding Monroe was more fun than patrolling.” Harry laughed, he could now hear both dogs barking at the child who was squealing in reply.
Boggy brought him the dipper from the well bucket. It was cold sweet water and he drank, enjoying the cold feeling of it going down his throat. He walked over and dipped another scoop full and drank it down. He dipped again and brought it to Earl who gratefully took it and drank it down.
“That thar is some good water.” He said, smacking his lips.
“Let’s call it a day, boys, I’m tired and I’ve had enough of wood work for the day.” Harry suggested.
“Sho nuff sounds good ta me, I’m plum tuckered out. I’s spect I’s ul sleep good tanight.” Earl laughed.
The men headed to the house and around, coming onto the porch. Harry smiled at Marilyn who was holding Angela while Monroe ran up and down the hill, the dogs chasing him. He sat beside Marilyn and reached for the child and held her in his arms. He played patty cakes with her hands, causing her to giggle. Earl walked past and patted the baby on the head and then headed into the house.
Harry heard him laugh when the women said something. Clay came around the corner of the house and stepped up on the porch. He sat down in one of the rockers, and looked out over the valley. It was late afternoon, and the breeze had picked up.
“Getting a little airish.” He said to no one in particular.
“Yeah, but I can’t say I’m not enjoying it, I worked like a mule today.” Harry laughed.
Boggy went into the house next and Harry heard him go upstairs. He suspected that the young man was going to wash up, he was very fastidious when it came to being clean. He suspected it was due to working in the coal mine. You might go in clean, but you came out coated in black dust.
Brian came back to the porch and laid down by Clay’s feet panting heavily, his chest going up and down. Clay laughed and petted the dog’s head.
“I’d say this is the most exercise Brian has ever had, I wish I had a fraction of the energy that Monroe has.”
Harry laughed and set the wiggling Angela down, who tottered over to the dog and dug her fingers into his scruff. The dog was patient and closed his eyes, too tired to care.
“I can’t imagine having that much energy, I could have cut down the whole forest with it.” Harry laughed, using the handkerchief to wipe at his face.
“Monroe, you’re too close to the barricade, come back up son.” Marilyn called loudly, a clear warning in her voice.
She then jumped up, and Harry looked at her and then down the hill. A man had come through the bushes and had snatched up the boy, holding the wiggling child to his chest, a large knife held to the child’s neck.
Marilyn grabbed Harry’s arm in reflex and squeezed it, crying out in fear and anguish.
“I want food, I want lots o food. Send it down in a big poke, or I’ll cut this young’un’s throat. Now!” the filthy man screamed and jerked Monroe hard against him to stop the child squirming. Both dogs began barking, the hair standing ridged on their backs. Clay signaled Brian to quiet and the dog sat, though he whined in a low tone, his hair still erect. Charley was rushing in but not going close to the man and boy below.
“Get him what he wants.” Harry said and disappeared into the house. He went upstairs into his room and shifted his rifle. He checked for a shell, then he zeroed in on the man below. His heart was hammering his chest and he felt the cold dread creep through his body. He could see that the man was filthy, in his late forties or older. He had a dirty gray beard and wild hair, his face gaunt beneath the filth and hair. His eyes were wild and he rocked back and forth with the child dangling from his arms.
Monroe was afraid, but didn’t seem to be terrified. He waited and then saw Clay and Marilyn starting down the hill, carrying a pillowcase full of supplies.
“Just the woman.” The man screamed, and he brought the knife up under Monroe’s jaw. Harry hissed, anger moving through his veins. He could see blood running down the child’s neck, it wasn’t a lot, but the man had nicked the child’s tender neck.
He watched Marilyn make her way down and she stumbled. He knew she was terrified for her son. She reached the man and held out a large pillowcase full of food. The man said something and she moved closer. He threw the boy aside, Charley running up to the boy and licking him. The man grabbed Marilyn and yanked her to him, his arm going around her waist, knife at her throat.
The breath left Harry as he saw the man dragging her backwards with him. If he got through the barricade, he could easily hurt Marilyn before they could get to her. His mouth tightened and he looked through the scope, lining up the shot. He hated that she was so close, but he couldn’t let the man take her.
Taking a deep breath, he let it out, time slowing down in his brain and he caressed the trigger and made the shot. The stranger flew back and down, taking Marilyn with him, and for a terrifying moment, he was horrified he’d killed her, his heart dropping into his stomach and his mouth going dry as ash.
But then, he saw her struggling up. She was covered in blood, but as far as he could tell, she wasn’t injured. She shoved off the dead man’s arm, and staggered to her feet. She turned and looked down at the fallen man, wiping the blood from her face with her forearm. She then kicked the man hard three times, but he didn’t move. She ran and picked Monroe up holding the boy tight to her chest and started up the hill, looking back behind her.
Harry flew downstairs, his feet pounding the steps and then he ran out the door and off the porch, landing hard on the ground. He ran to Marilyn and caught her and Monroe in his arms and held them tight to his body.
“Christ, I thought I hit you Marilyn, I’m sorry, I had to make the shot, I couldn’t let him take you past that barrier.” He said, crushing Monroe between them, who was squirming, but his small arms were wrapped around Harry’s neck.
“You had no choice Harry, he wasn’t going to let me go, he said so. Said I was his prize.” Marilyn said in a shaky voice, her voice choking off.
Harry gave her a final hug, a kiss grazing her forehead and he pulled back, Monroe still attached to his neck, his face buried in Harry’s chest. Harry hugged the boy, patting his narrow back and carried him up to the porch, as Boggy and Clay went down to take care of the body. When he passed Earl, the child reached out to him and Earl took the boy, holding him close to his chest. Earl’s eyes were filled with unshed tears, his lips trembling. He looked at the child’s neck and looked over to Katie who nodded and went into the house.
Willene was holding Angela to her, and went to Earl to look at Monroe’s neck, which was still bleeding, but only a little. Katie came back out with her doctor’s bag and opened it up. She pulled out sterile wipes and began to clean Monroe’s neck, while Earl held him. Marilyn stood behind, rubbing the child’s back. Monroe had stopped crying and held his arms around Earl’s neck, a death grip.
“It looks superficial, no stitches will be needed. I will put ointment on it and we’ll leave it to air dry. He’s had his tetanus shot?” Katie said, looking up at Marilyn who nodded.
“That was too close, we need to put a line across those apple trees, so Monroe knows not to go beyond that point. Maybe put little flags on them, like a reminder.” Willene suggested.
“I think that is a wonderful idea, maybe also twenty feet before each tree line.” Marilyn added, her voice still shaking. She sat down beside Earl on the swing, he was holding Monroe in his lap, rocking him, rubbing the child’s back.
“I’s d
one thought that thar stranger wassa gonna hert this baby.” Earl said finally, finding his voice, which trembled.
“I think he would have, and worse had he not gotten the food and me.” Marilyn said, her hands shaking as she smoothed back her hair.
“I wonder why the dogs didn’t pick him up?” Katie asked.
“He may have been down there for quite a while. And he was filthy as hell, they may not have recognized the smell. Or he could have covered his scent.” Harry guessed.
“He smelled horrible, like rotted meat and feces.” Marilyn said and shuddered.
“Maybe Clay can train Charley to patrol and guard.” Willene suggested, setting Angela down on the porch to play. She toddled over to Charley who was panting on the porch. Everyone looked down at the dog.
“My god, that was too close.” Katie said, her face pale.
“I’m damn glad you’re a good shot brother.” Willene said and patted Harry on his shoulders. His shoulders felt tight and he shifted them a bit to ease the tension. It had been close, too close and he stopped himself from thinking and imagining the worst.
A while later, Clay and Boggy were coming up the hill, both sweating profusely. When they reached the porch, Clay said, “We found a deep trench about thirty feet into the tree line. There was a bunch of apple cores there, and some green beans. I think he’s been here a while, watching us.”
“Jesus.” Marilyn breathed.
Everyone looked at each other, and then the dogs. “There’s no telling when he came, maybe in the night, but looks like he’s been there at least a week. He defecated right by the trench, it really stinks down there. We took the body about a mile down the road and took it into the woods.”
“I’s don’t thank we’uns should burry that thar trash, juss throw’em out.” Boggy said, anger lacing his voice, his mouth drawn down and his dark brows knotted. Harry guessed he was also thinking about the two men he’d killed.
