by N. C. Reed
“Debbie, you can’t keep stuff like that from me,” George told her. “Now, more than ever, we have to be there for one another, and support one another. And it’s not just for us, either. We have to be strong for one another so we can both be strong for Georgie. He’s gonna grow up in a much harder world than we did. We’ve got to work together, for our own happiness and for his.”
“I know,” Debbie cried softly. “I’m so sorry I’ve added to your burden, my dear husband. I never meant to. I tried so hard, but I couldn’t. . . .”
“No more of that,” George placed a finger to her lips. “None. From now on, we talk about things like this. Amy says we can beat this. You just need help, that’s all.”
“And I’ll be here for you, no matter what.”
*****
Word passed slowly but surely throughout the small community about Debbie’s condition. No one bothered to inform the new arrivals, figuring it wasn’t any of their business. They hadn’t been here, anyway, so there was no reason for them to know anything.
Amy looked through the meds that Billy and the others had brought back from Columbia and found a couple that would help Debbie.
“I think she’ll be fine in a few weeks,” Amy informed George. “She’ll have some rough spots as the drug flushes out, and then she’ll have some more as she relearns how to cope without the meds. Just be patient. She’ll need it.”
“I will,” he promised.
Billy had ridden over to talk to George that afternoon, wondering if he was intending to go out anymore, with Debbie in such a condition.
“No,” George said firmly. “She needs me to be here, and so does my son. I’m staying put.”
“Think that’s a wise decision,” Billy nodded in approval. “Meantime, I got a project or two I can work on. Imagine ever body else does too. We made a goodly haul, back there. I think we can afford to sit home a spell.”
“You did really good back there Billy,” George said. “Really good.” Billy nodded, but said nothing. He didn’t know what to say, or what to think about it, anyway.
“I’m glad you went with me,” George added, smiling.
“Enjoyed it myself,” Billy grinned. “Reckon I’ll be gettin’ home. Gonna ride up and check on the new folks first, I guess. You need anything, you let us know, hear?”
“I will Billy, and thanks.” Billy nodded again and pulled Samson around toward the Clifton farm, Rommel already out in front.
As he rode, Billy thought about the last few weeks. He’d been busy, and hadn’t really figured things together like he normally would. He didn’t like that. Too easy to forget, to make mistakes.
Their food situation was pretty good at the moment, and being able to clean out two trucks of canned goods, along with a good bit of flour, meal, and oil, hadn’t hurt. True, they had more mouths to feed now, but a lot more food, too. And three more adults and two teens to help share the work load that new mouths entailed.
The train arriving in Columbia had bothered Billy. He had wondered where they were, and if they had gone on to greener pastures. Now, he knew they were still around. Still moving from place to place. They wouldn’t find much to their liking in Columbia, Billy knew. But they’d find plenty of fuel, and likely some other goodies still lying around.
If they took the time and effort to look through the houses, they’d likely find some usable goods, as well as guns and ammunition, but they wouldn’t find any in the stores. And thanks to George, they wouldn’t find anything at the Armory either. Billy paused, thinking about the weapons from the armory.
Those would be real military weapons. Automatic rifles, machine guns, maybe some heavier stuff, he didn’t know for sure. A lot of firepower in the wrong hands.
And right now it was sitting inside a truck and trailer in a pasture. Along with every round of ammo the armory had contained.
That just wasn’t safe, he figured. That stuff needed to be broke apart into smaller groups of equipment, and hid. Stashed where it could be got to in a hurry.
Thinking of that reminded Billy that his own cache’s still weren’t in the ground, either. He shook his head in disgust at that realization. What was he thinking? Was he getting lazy?
No, no chance of that with Rhonda around. She kept him jumping like a frog in a fireplace. He wasn’t lazy, but he had forgotten. There were plenty of excuses he could make, he figured, but he tried not to use excuses. If he got into a habit of it, then he’d start using them all the time.
And that just wouldn’t do at all. He had to keep focused. Had to keep things going. He wasn’t just responsible for himself, anymore, or even just him and Rhonda. Now there was Mary to think on, and Danny as well. He had to figure them into everything, and make sure they were safe, cared for, and well provided for.
That was his responsibility.
Which reminded him that he hadn’t taught Danny to shoot, yet. Well, he already knew how to shoot, but Billy hadn’t gotten him a better rifle, and made sure he knew how to use it.
Mary needed the same thing. She had that Ruger, but it was awful heavy. She needed something light. Easy to shoot. He wondered what was in that stuff from the armory. There might be a light carbine in there. He might need to look through it, unless Rhonda had something for her. They could ride over to the gravel pit range and get the two youngsters used to their new weapons.
Which reminded him that Danny couldn’t ride a horse. Something else he needed to take care of. These days, people had to know how to ride. They didn’t have a finite supply of fuel, and they couldn’t waste what they had running around here on the farms.
He’d have to teach Danny to ride. Fortunately, there were some new saddles and tack they had picked up at the Tractor Supply in Columbia. They’d be able to outfit the boy. Even had some boots. There’d be a pair in there somewhere he could wear. He’d have to add clothes and weapons for the two kids to their caches, he realized with a start. And up the amount of food in them.
And that reminded him that his own caches weren’t out, yet. Which in turn reminded him again that the equipment from the armory was still sitting in a barn lot. . . .
He reined Samson around with a sigh, shaking his head at himself as he headed home.
He had way to much to do to be out visiting.
*****
“Whatcha doin’?” Danny asked, finding Billy in the barn. Billy had only just closed the floor door and recovered it when the boy popped in.
“Just workin’ some,” Billy told him. “What you up to?”
“Nothin’ at the moment,” Danny shrugged. “Miss Rhonda sorta ran outta things for me to do, so I got while the gettin’ was good.”
“Smart boy,” Billy nodded in approval.
“You need any help?” Danny asked.
“As it happens, reckon I do,” Billy told him. “We need to get you outfitted.”
“What’s that mean, ‘xactly?” Danny asked.
“C’mon and I’ll show ya.”
“Well, look at you!” Rhonda exclaimed as Danny came into the yard. He was wearing a pair of Carhart overalls, a wide brimmed Stetson, and Durango boots. He was also carrying a saddle, complete with rope, saddle bags, and rifle scabbard. Beneath the overalls was a deep blue denim Carhart shirt. Billy was carrying bags which apparently held other clothes for the boy.
Danny blushed under the scrutiny.
“Danny, you look mighty handsome, all dressed up like that!” Rhonda praised the boy. Danny’s face got even redder, and he looked at the ground, scuffing his right boot along the ground.
“Aw, cut that out,” he protested.
“You go and put your things away, Danny,” Billy told him. “Tomorrow, we start teachin’ you to ride.”
“Oh boy!” Danny enthused. He almost ran to the barn to store his saddle. He was back in a flash, gathering his new clothes and streaking toward the house.
“Ain’t gonna make tomorrow get here no quicker, runnin’. And you trip and hurt yaself, you ain’t gonna be
able to ride!” Billy yelled, laughing.
“I’ll be careful!” Danny promised, never slowing, or turning. Rhonda laughed as the boy ran out of sight. She turned to look at Billy.
“I thought you had stuff to do today?” she remarked.
“I do, and I did,” Billy nodded. “I got stuff to do right here. That boy needed outfittin’, and he needs to learn to handle and care for a horse. And he needs a new gun, and learn to use it. Mary does too, for that matter.”
“Plus, we gonna have to redo them caches, makin’ allowance for the to o’ them, and then get’em hid. And there’s work to be done here, that I ain’t been gettin’ done.”
“So that’s changin’ as o’ now. I’ll be spending a while at home, for a change.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Rhonda smiled beautifully at him.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
Danny Tatum did not enjoy flying. Rather, he didn’t enjoy landing, once he had been sent flying by the mule headed gelding he had picked for himself from the herd of horses gathered from the surrounding area.
“Ooofff!”
“Git up, and try it again,” Billy ordered.
“That’s five times already!” Danny protested, getting slowly to his feet an brushing himself off.
“Be six, you don’t stay on’im this time,” Billy said flatly. “Ain’t his fault, it’s yours. Horse is saddle broke, and has been near on two years. He ain’t been rid in a while, so he’s starchy, but you can’t just heave up on a horse, and ‘spect him to allow you to be givin’im orders. You got to take charge, and be confident. Horse can smell fear, same as a dog can. You’re showin’im fear, and he’s dumpin’ ya cause of it. Now git back on.”
Danny muttered under his breath as walked to where the horse was standing. How could he show confidence? An idea came to him, suddenly. He reached the rein, and pulled it in, taking the halter in his left hand and pulling the horse’s head toward him. He looked right into the gelding’s eyes as he spoke.
“Now you listen here, you glue factory reject,” he said, voice soft but stern. “I’m tired o’ this. Me and you, we gonna be friends whether you like it or don’t. So the best thing you can do is stop all this flighty nonsense, and learn who’s the boss. And that’s me, case you ain’t got it yet, hear?” The horse snorted, but Danny held it’s gaze. The horse was the first to look away, stamping the ground as it did so.
“Billy, is this safe?” Rhonda asked quietly, concern plain in her voice.
“‘Bout as safe as wrasslin’ a wildcat,” Billy nodded, never taking his eyes off Danny. “But he picked the horse. And that paint is a good horse, too. Danny needs to get’im under control. Once he does, that horse’ll be a fine mount for him for years to come.”
“What if he get’s hurt?”
“He get’s hurt,” Billy shrugged. “Life’s like that. What if somethin’ happened to you and me tomorrow? Sure, the rest will help’em, but these two gonna be on their own for the most part. They got to learn.” Rhonda could see the sense in that, but she was still worried as Danny stepped into the saddle again.
Once seated, Danny took the reins, and nudged the big gelding’s flanks with his heels. The horse tried to buck, but Danny was ready this time, and grabbed the saddle horn with one hand while yanking the horse’s head up with the other. The gelding fought him, and tried to turn, but Danny had seen that move too, and instantly pulled the reins in the other direction.
The gelding surprised him then, going with the reins, only faster. Danny almost went flying again, but managed to dig his feet into the stirrups, which coupled with his death grip on the saddle horn helped him stay on. As the gelding floundered for a second, Danny quickly wrapped the reins around the saddle horn, and used his now free hand to smack the horse soundly between the ears.
The gelding’s ears went flat, and he bucked. Or at least he tried to. With the reins around the saddle horn, the horse was unable to get his head down enough to buck sufficiently hard enough to dislodge the teenager.
Billy watched with approval as Danny met the horse halfway every time the gelding tried to move. After what seemed like an hour to Danny, but was actually less than five minutes, the gelding suddenly stopped, whinnying slightly in defeat. Danny held him a bit longer for good measure, then reached down to pat the horse’s shoulder. Reaching into his coat pocket, the boy produced a quarter of an apple, which he leaned forward and offered to the horse. The gelding sniffed at it, the carefully took the offered fruit, munching it loudly.
“Good boy,” Danny patted the shoulder again, stroking the horse lightly. The horse’s tail flickered, and he whinnied again, this time more friendly. Danny rewarded him with another piece of apple, then nudged the big gelding slightly, guiding him to where Billy and Rhonda sat watching.
“How ‘bout that?” he grinned, and Billy nodded in satisfaction.
“I think you’ve convinced him,” he said, leaving his perch. “Now, let’s see can you ride him around the farm ‘thout him givin’ ya the heave.”
*****
Once he had mastered the gelding, Danny wanted nothing more than to ride every minute of the day. He paid careful attention as Billy showed him how to care for the horse, and made sure he repeated Billy’s motions. He rubbed the horse down faithfully when he rode him, made sure he was clean and healthy. And every now and then slipped him a slice of apple.
“What are you gonna call’im?” Billy asked, as Danny was saddling the gelding for a ride over to the gravel pit.
“Call him?” Danny asked. “I hadn’t give that no thought at all.”
“Reckon you ain’t got to name’im,” Billy shrugged. “Most do though.”
“Hmm,” Danny hummed thoughtfully.
Billy left the teen to ponder the question while he finished loading their gear. He and Rhonda were taking the two kids to the gravel pit today. Rhonda had produced one more CAR-15, which would be going to Mary. Billy had selected an M-4 for Danny, albeit one of the civilian models. Both had holographic sights on them now, as well as slings. The M-4 also had iron sights, and Billy saw no reason to remove them. The CAR didn’t have iron sights, being a ready for optics model.
They had looked long and hard at handguns for the two. Mary’s small hands had presented a problem, at least for now. She would eventually, probably anyway, grow into a larger pistol, but for now her choices were limited. Rhonda had one 3906 S&S, a single stack nine millimeter, which Mary had been able to hold comfortably. It was on the large size for her, but the single column mag meant that the grip was much smaller than say a model 59 variant. They had also chosen a pair of revolvers for her.
The first was a 2 ½ inch barrel Model 66 Smith. It was heavy, but the grip was good in her hand. It was chambered for .357, but would also take the less powerful .38 and .38+p rounds. The other was an even smaller Tarus model 85, a 2inch barrel five shot revolver. Both would be well within her ability to use now, and would still be fine when she was older and stronger.
Danny would get a pair of SIG pistols, model 229's, that they had found in the shop at Cottonwood. Both were nine millimeter, and his hand was already large enough to hold them. He also received a SIG .380, gotten from the same source, to use as a back up or hide out weapon.
The selection process was rounded out with a shotgun apiece, an 870 12ga for Danny, and a Mossy .410 pump for Mary. Billy had chosen a nice Remington 700 chambered for .270 for Danny as well, as a hunting rifle.
All in all, it was quite a load. Billy had decided to take a pack horse this time, since they would need a good bit of ammo, and would be gone much of the day. Finally packed, he waited as Rhonda and Mary ‘got ready’ and made their way out.
“Thor!” Danny exclaimed suddenly, and Billy turned to look at him.
“What?”
“I’ma call’im Thor!” Danny said proudly. “My horse, I’m gonna call’im Thor,” he added, at Billy’s look of confusion. Billy thought about that for a moment, then nodded.
“Good
strong name,” he approved.
“Here we are!” he heard Rhonda announce.
“And ‘bout time, too,” Billy muttered under his breath, where Rhonda couldn’t. . . .
“I heard that!” Rhonda shot back, sticking her tongue out at him. Shaking his head, Billy mounted up.
“Rommel, Dottie, lead off,” he ordered, pointing in the direction he wanted to go. The two Rottie’s obediently took off, Rommel as usual in the lead, while Dottie stayed closer to the horses.
*****
“Well, that should do it,” Billy nodded. The sun was much further along in the sky now. Both teenagers were busy collecting their empties. The lessons had gone well, and both had shown very god proficiency with the new weapons.
“I’m proud of them,” Rhonda nodded from beside him. “Especially Mary. She took to it very well.”
“She did,” Billy agreed. “Danny wasn’t kiddin’ when he said he was a fair shot. Once he got the sights right, he was all x’s. Boy’s a fine shot.”
“Yeah, he is,” Rhonda said, almost wistfully.
“What is it?” Billy asked, turning to look at her.
“I hate this,” she admitted, looking up at him. “I hate that these kids have to learn this.”
“Good for’em,” Billy shrugged. “I don’t hate for’em learnin’ to shoot. Ever body ought to know how. But I know what you mean,” he added. “I hate to think they’ll have to use’em for anything ‘cept huntin’ and sport.”
“I’m afraid they will, though,” Rhonda said softly. “I don’t know why, but I’m afraid. Things have gone entirely too well, for us, Billy. And you know that.”
“Well, I think things has gone well, considerin’,” he nodded. “That don’t mean it’ll change, though. We been mightly careful. I mean, sooner or later somebody’s gonna find us, or we’re gonna tell’em where we are. Reckon we can’t stay hid out forever.”
