by N. C. Reed
“How old?”
“You know, I didn’t ask,” Rhonda admitted. “But the little girl looked like she was close to your age, and the boy maybe a year younger.”
“Neat!” Mary grinned. Rhonda looked at the girl from the corner of her eye. Mary seemed to be recovering well from her ordeal. Rhonda shuddered every time she thought of her being alone for so long. Her lack of a good food supply, coupled with the inability to have proper hygiene had taken it’s toll.
But a couple days of decent food and safe sleeping had helped her along. Rhonda was giving her vitamins every day as well, just as Amy had ordered. The wounds on her little body were looking better each time Rhonda washed and re-bandaged them. Emotionally, Mary was still on a roller coaster. Sometimes talking and acting like a normal pre-teen girl, others she broke down into tears for no apparent reason. But Rhonda knew the reason. Everyone did.
“Well, home sweet home,” Billy sighed tiredly. “I don’t reckon you got the eggs, did you?” he asked Mary.
“Yep!” she smiled. “Toby brought me over here, and helped me feed the horses, and I got the eggs then.”
“Well, good job,” Billy told her. “And I ‘ppreciate it.”
“Me too,” Rhonda smiled. “That was very thoughtful of you, Mary.”
“Ah, I enjoyed it. Toby’s nice.” Billy looked at her for a moment, but didn’t say anything. Rhonda’s eyes danced just a bit, but she managed not to giggle.
“Well, I’m goin’ in and takin’ a load off,” Billy announced. “I gotta see about hookin’ up the PV cells at the old Smith place tomorrow, and gettin’ the panels up.”
“Anyone helping you?” Rhonda asked.
“Ralph and George are,” Billy nodded. “Still take most of the day, though. I just hope there’s enough to make do.” They had scavenged all the panels, inverters and batteries they could find, but not everyone used solar, even in the far rural areas they lived in. Most places where people could afford them had at least a small system, for power outages, but it took more than a three or four panel set-up to power a house.
“Well, what time are you going up there?” Rhonda wanted to know.
“Not till after eight or so,” Billy shrugged. “I’m sleepin’ in tomorrow.”
“Eight is sleeping in?” Mary looked aghast.
“Around here it is,” Rhonda nodded. “Early to bed and all that,” she grinned.
“Ohh-kay,” Mary drew out the word. “That would explain certain people’s grumpiness,” she eyed Billy carefully. He snorted.
“So does gettin’ shot at,” he reminded her, and she blushed, but then grinned.
“At least I didn’t hit ya!”
“For which I am truly thankful,” Billy said dryly. “You sit out here in the cold all you want. I’m goin’ inside.”
*****
A week seemed like a long time, and it was in some cases. Waiting a week to see a doctor, for instance. That was a long time. But there was a lot of work to be done before winter, and a week didn’t seem so long when it was stacked up against a list of things that had to get done.
The entire first day of that week, for Billy, George and Ralph, anyway, was spent on and off the roof of the Smith house. Installing PV cells, running lines, and hooking up inverters took up the entire day. Billy lost count of how many trips he made up and down the ladder. But, by the time they’d finished, the house was ready. The Kelvey’s power needs would be met, although Billy didn’t think they’d be able to run the microwave and the washer at that same time. Still, they’d eventually find more panels. Any type of solar equipment was high on their salvage list.
“Well, that’s one thing off the list,” Ralph sighed, as they gathered their tools and equipment.
“Yeah,” George nodded. “Too bad there’s umpteen more behind it.”
“Won’t take too long, on most of it,” Billy said. “Biggest thing is just makin’ sure we’re good for winter. I’d love to have some more food put away for the stock, but most of what’s out there is. . . .” he trailed off, thinking.
“What is it, Billy?” George asked.
“We been worryin’ all this time about feedin’ them hogs. There’s corn and soy and milo all over this valley, just lyin’ there. Folks that raise hogs in a big way just turn the pigs into the harvested fields and let’em glean the leavings.”
“Huh,” Ralph stopped, looking at him. “I. . .you know, I knew that, but it never occurred to me.”
“Me either, and we used to do it with cows,” George shook his head sadly. “Why in hell didn’t I think o’ that?”
“We’ll have to see about which fields are fenced okay enough for it,” Billy warned. “And we can’t just leave’em out there, neither. On account o’ the wild dogs, and coyotes. Not to mention any cougars around.”
“I don’t know that the dogs would be a serious problem, Billy,” George replied. “Hogs are mean by nature. The boars alone would probably stomp any dogs that got inside. The cats, now, that’s something else again,” he said thoughtfully.
“Well, hadn’t thought about that,” Billy nodded, thinking. “We need to talk to Jerry about this, I reckon. But that can wait one more day, far as I’m concerned. I don’t know ‘bout you fellas, but I’m hungry.”
“Me, too,” the others chorused, then laughed.
“See ya’ll in the mornin’.”
*****
“Yeah, that would work,” Jerry nodded. “I should o’ thought of it, too, Billy,” he patted Billy’s shoulder. “I raised hogs for years. Only got out of it cause the price fell out of’em. It was easier to buy than to raise, and it was a lot of work.”
“Well, we maybe can look things over, once we get caught up,” Billy offered. “Meanwhile, what you think we should do tomorrow?”
It was the bi-weekly ‘meal’ where the Todd’s and the Silvers’ got together for supper. Tonight they were at the Silvers’. Billy was studiously ignoring Mary’s blatant mooning over Toby. Toby was too.
Rhonda was watching the going’s on with a definite sparkle in her eyes, both at Billy’s wary glances, and Toby’s discomfort. She was pretty sure that it was a harmless crush, and one that Mary would get over it soon, and that Toby wouldn’t do or say anything bad in the meantime was a given.
But, in their greatly reduced world, the fact was there weren’t many options for either one, and Toby was only four years older than Mary. That was a lot, right now, but in another three years it would mean nothing.
But we don’t have to think about that tonight, she shook herself. Tonight we just enjoy.
*****
The week had gone by fast. In that time the folks on the “Farms” had managed to get everything on the list finished, but at the cost of being completely exhausted.
So of course that was when the Blaine and Kelvey families had called to announce they were ready to go. Hasty radio codes had been worked out so that eavesdroppers wouldn’t realize what was being planned. After what had happened on the trip to reach the Maness and Purdy families, no one was taking any chances.
Terry had informed them that far ranging parties were increasing, taking food and other supplies from wherever they could find them. The group at the farm had postponed the trip for one day to rest, and outfit for the trip.
“Truck tank is full,” Billy said, as everyone who was going had gathered around the table in his dining room. “We’re only taking one truck, so we’re good.”
“There’s three private vehicles, but they have drivers for all of them,” Terry added. “All we need is people to help run security.”
“I figure we take the Ford and run blocker with it,” Billy continued. “We got three maps fixed up, with rally points, and two different routes, in case we get separated. None of’em show where we are,” he added. “The last rally point is at Gauge’s Grocery store.” Jerry nodded at that. Gauge’s had closed long before the plague, but was still a landmark used by locals, as it had been for years. He and Billy had even
talked about using the building as a market, once they reached that point. But for now, it was a good meeting point, about eight miles distant from the Farms.
“We’ll leave ‘fore dawn,” Billy told them. “Be nice to start headin’ back this way by two hours after first light. If we can, that’d give us plenty o’ light left to get folks settled.”
“George will ride with Terry,” Ralph said. “I’ll ride with Ben. That way, someone is with each party who knows how to get where. That work?”
“Long as someone from their group rides with me,” Billy nodded. “I wanna make sure we can bust up any roadblock we come across. I’ll need an extra gun.” He looked at Jerry.
“You, Toby, and Rhonda will secure the farm while we’re gone. We can’t keep leaving ourselves uncovered like we have been. If these ‘parties’ are going further and further out, then sooner or later they’re liable to find us, even if it’s by accident.”
“We’ll handle it,” Jerry promised.
“About that,” George spoke again. “I’ve been looking for a place for an observation post. I think I’ve got a good spot picked out. I thought once we get back, and settled, I’d let Pete take a look. We can build a small shed, maybe get a stove in there for some heat. We may want to think about manning that, at least during the day.”
“That ain’t no bad idea,” Jerry mused, thinking about it. “If we had warning before someone just showed up, then we could have time to get things into position before any kinda trouble reached us. We need to see about that.” “Soon’s we get this done,” Billy nodded, trying to get back on track. “As it stands, now, it’s me, George, and Ralph going. We’ll take supplies for staying overnight, and a little extra. Anybody got anything to add?”
“Seems like you’re going shorthanded,” Rhonda said, not happy that she was being left behind.
“Ain’t no help for it,” Billy said, shrugging. “We can’t keep leaving this place unattended, and that’s just a fact. We done took too many chances with that as it is.” The others nodded in agreement. Except Rhonda. Of course.
“All right, then,” Billy brought the meeting to a close. “We’ll plan to leave here by four. I’ll be by to get you fella’s by then. Anything else?” No one had anything, and the meeting broke up.
“I think I should be going with you,” Rhonda said firmly, once the meeting had ended, and everyone had gone.
“I’d like it, but we can’t keep doin’ that. Not now, anyway,” he added, nodding toward Mary, who was watching a DVD. Rhonda looked at her, then back to Billy.
“You’re blaming her?” Rhonda asked, eyes narrowing.
“I’m not blamin’, I’m explainin’,” Billy emphasized. “Fact is, we’re responsible for her now. And this here is the last time we’re doin’ this, at least for a while. I like these new folks pretty good, and I’m glad they’re comin’, but I don’t want us goin’ so fast with this.”
“And she needs someone here with her,” he added. “Not to mention the fact that if something happens here, Toby and Jerry will need your help. Once I get back, we’ll see about cachin’ our stuff, so that no matter where we are, we’ll be near something we might need. Since what happened in Franklin, I don’t think we need to worry about too many caches on that trip. Ain’t likely we’ll be going much,” he admitted.
“Yeah, I’d thought about that,” Rhonda nodded. She hadn’t counted on how keeping Mary Jerrolds with them would impact their lives so much. She was used to going everywhere Billy went, and she didn’t like not being able to. She looked at Mary again, however, and realized that she was willing to make those sacrifices in order to give the girl a good home.
Debbie hadn’t said anything more about Mary living with them, just as George had promised. She didn’t seem bitter about it, either. Rhonda was willing to forget it, so long as Debbie did. And, she figured she could have handled things better, herself.
“Anyway, I got a early mornin’, so I’m gonna get cleaned up and hit the hay,” Billy said. He kissed Rhonda lightly, and headed upstairs. She watched him go, still wanting to make the trip, but knowing that Billy had made good sense.
But then, he always did.
That didn’t mean she had to like it.
*****
The next morning was cold. Not the cool, chilled or ‘nippy’ they had been experiencing, but plain old, downright cold.
Billy went outside and started the truck, turning the heater full blast, before coming back inside. Rhonda had gotten up behind him, and he found her in the kitchen, fixing him something for breakfast, and a lunch to take with him. He stopped for a moment just to look at her, in her flannel sleeping shirt. It was one of his, and it caught her about mid-thigh. Her hair was still askew from a fitful night of sleep, and her make-up free face was just about the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
Rhonda looked up.
“What?” she asked, seeing that he was looking at her.
“Just lookin’ at ya,” Billy smiled. “You’re ‘bout the prettiest thing I ever seen, ever. You know that?” She colored at that, her face going red, but she smiled, looking back down at what she was doing, and biting her lip.
“Thank you,” she murmured. Billy walked the short steps to where she stood, and wrapped his arms around her from behind. She leaned back into the embrace, and the two of them just stood there for a moment.
There was just no way Billy could credit his being here, with her, like this. His life hadn’t been supposed to include anything like this. He’d known it for as long as he could remember. Yet, here he was. Here she was.
He finally released her, and sat down to eat. She joined him, but just nibbled at a little pancake, not really hungry. Billy ate, both because he was hungry, and because it was cold. He expected a long day. Hunger would make it longer.
At last he had to go. He got reluctantly to his feet, taking the bag Rhonda had set out for him. It held some water, and, he chuckled, a Coke. He kissed her.
“I’ll see you tonight.”
“You had better,” she warned. “Please be careful.”
“Promise.”
She followed him to the door, but didn’t go outside. It was cold, and she didn’t want to see him drive away, anyway. Once he started moving, she closed the door, bolting it tight. She looked down to where Rommel had gone to the window, watching as the truck left the yard.
“Bad luck to watch him out of sight,” Rhonda said softly. Rommel looked up at her, his tongue running across his nose. When he looked back, the truck was gone.
He followed Rhonda upstairs to bed, and cuddled next to her as she tried to go back to sleep. She was grateful for his presence.
It was a long time before she finally got back to sleep.
*****
“Damn, it’s cold!” Ralph exclaimed as he climbed into the Ford.
“Sure is,” Billy nodded. “You guys all right? Ready to go?”
“We’re good,” George nodded.
“Well, I guess it’s time we went, then,” Billy said, putting the truck in gear.
They were silent for several minutes, no one really saying anything. Billy used his NVG to drive, keeping the lights off. Car lights would carry a long way, with the leaves off. He didn’t want any telltale signs like that to give them away.
Once they got on the main highway, Billy used his lights, and put the goggles away.
“Anyone else got a funny feeling about this?” Ralph asked.
“Funny how?” George asked.
“You know, like. . .well, odd,” Ralph shrugged. “Like something ain’t right.”
“No, other than it’s a long trip, for these days, and it’s cold, and we’re leaving our families alone, and going through what might be hostile territory, and . . . .”
“Okay, okay, I get it,” Ralph groaned. “Yeah, I guess that’s it. I really didn’t want to leave this morning.”
“Don’t think any of us did,” Billy said. “Fact is, with all that’s goin’ on, we’re all
uneasy about leavin’ the Farm uncovered, even for somethin’ like this. But this is it. Once we get this done, we’re pretty much home for the winter, barring any unforeseen happening.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Ralph agreed. “I don’t feel anything bad about the trip. I just didn’t want to leave.”
“Get used to it,” George shrugged. He didn’t want to leave either. But he’d done it over and over again when he’d been in the Army. He never had liked it.
“Well, we’re on our way, anyway,” Billy noted. “Sooner we get there, sooner we’re home.”
“Amen.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
For a wonder, the trip up went smoothly. Of course, that just made everyone more jumpy. The feeling that things weren’t right somehow just wouldn’t leave Ralph alone, and it was contagious. More than once the three men debated turning the truck around and going back, postponing the trip for another day.
Eventually they decided against it. They needed to get this ordeal behind them, and get the newer families settled in. If this morning had been an indicator, their mild weather was coming to an end.
Billy pulled up into the Kelvey’s drive to see Ben already outside, taking last minute boxes to his truck. He waved when he saw the Ford, and walked over to say hello.
“You boy’s are a sight for sore eyes,” he told them. “Thought sure we’d have some trouble, yesterday.”
“What happened?” George asked, glancing at Ralph.
“Heard a good bit o’ shootin’ over to the east,” Ben informed them. “Went on for some time. At first I thought someone was just out practicing, but the fire was sporadic, and more than one gun. Or even two.”
“Heard any word about it?” Ralph asked.
“Not as yet,” Ben admitted. “And I hope time any news gets here, we’re long gone,” he added.
“We will be,” Billy nodded. “You guys ready?”
“Sure are,” Ben nodded. “Got just what we kept out for the night in the house, and I just loaded some o’ that. Everyone is up, dressed, fed, and ready to go.”
