Cat and the Belle

by Victor Cruz

  Out of the front of the pharmacy came sprinting the large brown and white dog. The mutt’s mouth was covered in brown canned dog food that Maxson had opened for him and let him eat while he checked the trucker. Its tongue was hanging out the side of his mouth as he nearly leaped the entire distance of the parking lot to jump into the car.

  “Good boy,” Excitedly encouraged Colton who made it obvious that he wanted to bring him home with them more than anybody else.

  “Anybody got a name for the new recruit?” Reggie asked as they pulled out of the parking lot and made their way back to the truck.

  “We’ll think if something. Let’s just grab that truck first and foremost.” Maxson said

  “Right on, brotha’,” Reggie agreed.

  Colton rolled down the window to the back seat and the dog stuck his head out the window to smell the breeze. Colton joined him for a second with his head out the window and his hands on the steering wheel before being yelled at by Maxson.

  Yargan liked the dog and was petting him all over his body, even going as far as to rub his red beard against the dog’s fur.

  Well at least we have a few happy faces, Maxson leaned over to unzip his black duffle bag to make sure Catalina’s item was still there.

  It surely was, and he zipped the bag back up with a grin. Anticipation built within him for the upcoming awkwardness that would ensue.

  Maxson smiled, having his own happy face.

  Home delivery

  The group returned with their new diesel engine truck and Maxson had to resist the urge to honk the horn that he knew was thunderous. There was no telling what lied in the darkness around them. He parked it next to the big yellow school bus that they had all rode in together when they arrived at the Parson Farm initially. It had been with them ever since they escaped the rec center that had become overrun by thousands of the dead. Henry had been meaning to fix it to get it ready to get back on the road at Catalina’s request, but he had fallen ill before he could.

  Konrad was with his temperamental younger brother Eddie. Dustin and Slug were also sitting with them when Maxson walked up to the front of the house from the garage. They were all sitting on the porch relaxing in the three folding chairs they had found in the abandoned home that was on the highway. Dustin was standing, but was so short that he wasn’t even towering over the others.

  “Look who finally decided to come back home!” Konrad called out abrasively.

  “It’s Maxson,” Slug stated the obvious. James Lugvart got the nickname “Slug” for being perceived to be slow in wit, but not in intelligence. He was actually a successful business owner with two pawn shops in the Rockport. Average height vertically, but horizontally the size of two men with a big belly and a horseshoe crown atop his otherwise bald head.

  “What are we having a party?” Maxson commented to the drinks in their hands, excluding Slug who wasn’t much of a drinker.

  “We were before you came,” Eddie coldly stated with dark piercing eyes that were just as cold as his words. He sat next to Konrad while was using his long knife to sharpen the end of a stick to make a spear. The group would use the spears on fish or even frogs by cutting four prongs into the tip. Unlike his older brother, Eddie was quiet, but just like Konrad, he was a ticking timebomb.

  “Well don’t let me stop you,” Maxson matched Eddie’s tone.

  “We won’t,” Eddie’s eyes narrowed further before he took a long drink of his beer with his eyes transfixed on Maxson.

  “Who’d you kill for the truck?” Konrad said, cutting the tension he was pretending to be oblivious to. Raising a glass of brown liquid to his mouth and sipping. He hadn’t even bothered to clean up all of the blood from the deer earlier and was still covered in its dried fluid that was turning a brown color.

  “A dead man who didn’t need it as much as we do,” Maxson gave his straight-forward response with the black duffle bag that contained the medicine and Howards glasses. Maxson’s hand was on the outside of the back, but right top of Catalina’s requested item as though he was giving it an extra layer of protection while speaking with Konrad.

  “What’re we going to do with that thing? Wouldn’t even fit half of us in there, even with that big cab in the back!” Snorted Konrad.

  “Henry will figure it out,” Maxson nodded.

  “Yeah… if he makes it,” Huffed Konrad.

  Dustin, who had a smooth plain babyface, finally spoke up snidely. “Maybe we should take bets?”

  Konrad gave a burst of brief laughter. “I wouldn’t take those odds, Dusty!”

  When their new four-legged recruit ran up to the group they all jumped back. Konrad was immediately displeased with its presence. “G’damn what the fuck is this animal doing here?”

  “We found him at the pharmacy,” Admitted Colton.

  “This animal is named Achilles,” Maxson stated to them without warmth, a subtle warning that the dog belonged to them. Its name came from its golden armor coat of fur and the natural helm that formed on its face from the white streak of fur. It had the mentality of a charging warrior and invaded Eddie, Slugs and most of all, Konrad’s personal space. Maxson had to hold back a smile seeing the dog bothering the men on the porch. For all of the work Maxson felt he had been doing, they were looking far too relaxed for his liking and he was already becoming fond of their new furry friend.

  Konrad kicked at Achilles when he was sniffing his boot, but the dog managed to dodge him unscathed. It growled in response and quickly snipped at his pant legs to grip it in his jaw. Between Konrad kicking and Achilles twisting around as it yanked at him, it was a comical sight. Maxson got a chuckle out of it at least.

  Konrad finally kicked the dog off him and stood to his feet, spilling his drink. “God-damn dog made me spill my drink!” He took one step and sent his boot right at the animal’s head who easily evaded him once again. The entire time Eddie and Dustin seemed more amused by Konrad’s reactions than worried about the dog.

  “Hey! It’s only a dog! Cool it!” Colton yelled at Konrad’s excessiveness. Achilles instinctively retreated back to walk in anxious circles near Maxson and Colton. It paced around huffing and puffing like the big bad wolf that was breeded into it.

  “What do you need a dog for, Maxson? You already have Colton. Or is he not piss trained yet?” Konrad stared at the blonde-haired blue-eyed Colton.

  Colton stared back with his small eyes becoming even smaller to become mere slits on his face. “Fuck off, Konrad.”

  “Keep that smelly mutt away from me,” Konrad was pointing at Maxson and Colton with the hand that held his drink. “Or else, I’ll butcher him for tomorrow’s stew.”

  “Mmm. Stew,” Slug gave a goofy giggle to himself while wondering what was for dinner. He was off in his own world and didn’t understand the argument that was happening right in front of his face.

  “Better not,” Reggie piped up before Maxson could respond. Achilles followed suit by stopping on all four paws to growl and bark at Konrad until Colton began to pet him.

  Eddie calmly set the spear down against the home’s brick wooden siding that was red flakes that were chipping off. Playing with the knife he coldly joined the fray. His eyes were on Reggie who had just opposed his older brother. “Right. Better not. But it’d be a real shame if that ugly mutt ran into the end of my knife. Wouldn’t it boy?”

  “A real shame,” Dustin chimed in. He was always quick to instigate, especially when he had his posse around him. Reggie’s chest began to expand and his arms began to sprawl out to take up more room.

  Maxson knew Reggie would only escalate the situation further and it signaled him to take control. Slinging the bag over his back and cracking his knuckles one hand at a time in an overly macho attempt. It might have felt over the top, but Maxson was willing to see if any of the three were willing to test him. “If anyone lays a hand on that dog, then I’m going to lay my hands on them. Got me?”

  Yargan grunted. If for no other reason, but to let everyone k
now that he was part of the fray.

  Eddie smiled wickedly seeing he got a rise out of Maxson, but Dustin cowardly shrunk. Konrad was clearly annoyed by Maxson’s assertion of authority over the group as a whole. He had never encountered a man equal in stature to himself such as Maxson and knew he had to watch his tongue more than he was used to.

  Slug shook his head making his jowls jiggle and big wide eyes that were pleading. He wasn’t afraid, but rather wanted it to be known that he wasn’t cruel to animals. “No Maxson, I would never. I love animals. They are the best.”

  Konrad scoffed loudly at Slug’s softness. Eddie just stared at him and shook his head in disapproval. Dustin glared over at Slug accordingly, only after Konrad and Eddie reacted.

  “I believe ya, Slug,” It was good enough at least for Maxson. He wasn’t going to press his luck with the Essex brothers with the tension that just become pressurized. Maxson walked up to the porch and sliced their group in two as he entered the house using his body language to speak louder than his words.

  Colton, Yargan and Reggie went to grab a bowl of stew with Achilles on their heels. As Maxson walked into the house, he could hear Konrad, Dustin and Eddie giving Slug a hard time for being the animal lover that he was. Almost out of earshot, Konrad’s voice boomed out as a last-ditch effort to hold the superior ground.

  “Next time bring back some whiskey why don’tcha?!” His cackle of laughter sounded closer to a hyena than a grown man nearing his forties. Dustin joined the laughter, but the younger brother remained silent, quietly steaming.

  These boys are going to be problems. Maxson thought before hearing his voice called from the top of the stairs.

  “Maxson! You’re back!” Belle’s voice squealed and jumped onto her tippy toes from the top of the stairs that lead to the second floor. The sun made her hair look strawberry blonde as it swayed around. She ran down the stairs and her perky breasts bounced with each step. When she reached the third step she was done running and jumped onto Maxson who caught her in his powerful arms. The black duffle bag displaced and swung over his shoulder to lay against his back. Her long legs in black leggings instantly clamped around his waist while her arms draped over his neck and shoulders to embrace him.

  “Careful, there’s medicine in this bag,” Maxson said, before he thought. And Catalina’s item…

  She remained hanging on him like a monkey while Maxson began to walk up the stairs slower than usual. Belle-Lyanna nuzzled her nose against his neck with her landing to press against his hardened chest. The towering man already had over 240 pounds of muscle to carry up the stairs just counting himself, but the extra weight of the bag and Belle would give him his final workout of his trip.

  “C’mon, old man! I thought you were strong!” Giggled Belle.

  “And I thought you were light,” Maxson fired back with a small wink.

  Belle only dropped to her feet once they reached the top. Offended, her mouth was hanging open while she slapped at Maxson’s shoulder. “Hey! I’m not fat!”

  Maxson nodded giving her a reassuring smile, “No. No, you are certainly not.”

  His eyes went down her body that had the length of a super model, but with just a hint more muscle tone. She may have had a slim body, but she was not frail or week by any means. Coupled with her stamina, dexterity and flexibility, she would have been quite the athlete.

  Maxson could envision her competing as a cheerleader or possibly a volleyball player. She wasn’t abnormally tall, but her height was taller than the average woman and close to the average man. Either way, Maxson had to push away the dirty thoughts he had about the 18-year-old.

  Maxson saw Howard exiting Henry’s room and grabbed at the bag that he had put the pile of glasses. “Howard!”

  Howard looked over squinting, “Maxson?”

  “I have something for you!” Maxson turned to Belle. “Sorry doll, I’ll see you after I talk to Henry and grab a bite to eat,” Maxson’s hand gently came to nudge at the small of her back as he walked the other direction.

  “Okay. Don’t forget about later!” She called out. “Because, I’m not going to!”

  Howard used a hand to touch the wall as he walked down the hallway towards Maxson. Blind as a bat Maxson wondered how he even made it to the rec center the night they all met. Maxson pulled out the glasses and handed them over.

  “Oh wow. Thank you, young fella’!” Howard appreciatively praised. “I knew I could count on you.”

  “Sorry we didn’t find them earlier,” Maxson said.

  “You found them. That’s all that matters, sonny.” Howard was already trying them all on. It wasn’t until the last pair, that had a flamboyant design that looked like they were for a female. By the look in his Howards eyes though, the design of them didn’t matter. “Oh wow… these are actually great! Oh my… Oh my… Maxson, I haven’t been able to see since we left the rec-center and fled Rockport… I could almost drop to my knees and kiss your feet!”

  Maxson nervously chuckled seeing that his eyes were welling up and he was so happy that he might, “No, no… please don’t do that, sir. I’m happy to do it.”

  Howard hugged him suddenly and the small man’s strength was surprising to the large Maxson who stood there unsure of what to do. So, he gave Howard an awkward hug back.

  “You’re such a wonder… kid!” Howard said while holding him.

  Gaudy mocking of Howard came from Dustin who could hear them from downstairs. “Ohhh Maxssssooon, you’re such good boy. What-a-Wonderkid!”

  “What’s was that sonny?” Howard asked, hearing Dustin.

  “That wasn’t me, but don’t worry about them. Enjoy your new eyes.,” Maxson reassured.

  I hate how cramped we all are in this place.

  He could hear Dustin laughing by himself, but was sure that the Essex brothers found amusement in his taunts. Maxson wanted to make an example out of Dustin, but smaller man wearing the female glasses wouldn’t let go. Howard spoke with his hands clasping one another with gratitude. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Maxson!”

  Maxson retreated away from Howard with the bag still over his shoulder. He waved Howard off and even had to gentle keep him at bay with his palm to thwart his advancing hugs. “Honestly, Howard, it’s okay! It’s okay.”

  Howard finally gave up his advances on Maxson and walked off with an extra pep in his step with his new outlook on life. His lens covered eyes were now uncovering the depths of intricacies in his surrounds. The home he had lived in since after leaving Rockport was suddenly new to the older man again.

  The door to the room Henry was recuperating in was slightly cracked open, but Maxson gave a light knock out of courtesy. He watched Howard looking around the house and examining the place he had been staying at as though it was the first time that he had ever seen it. A pleasant feeling washed over Maxson for him to experience his own first time’s in a long time. The feeling made him slightly uncomfortable, but he didn’t spend too much time dwelling in the discomfort. Life had been rough on him even before the world went to hell and there were bigger things to worry about than his own disposition.

  “Come in,” Catalina’s voice summoned from the other side of the door.

  Maxson walked into the room to see Henry on the bed with his eyes closed sleeping in between the two Latina sisters, Catalina and Inez. His giant mustache covered his entire upper lip and hung down so far that it moved with each struggling breath. A thick set of hair was still on his head and was just as long as Maxson’s. While Henry let his white hair out to grow wild, Maxson’s jet black mane was usually tied back to keep out of his own face.

  “About time.” Inez said in a toughness that was not intended to be as rude as it sounded.

  “Inez. What did I say about the negativity?” Catalina scorned her older sister who ignored her. Inez sprang out of the chair that had been sitting next to the bed to grab the bag from Maxson. While older, she was also shorter than her sister, but walked around like she was ten feet tall.
Her hair was braided tightly back on her head in skinny rows, like the muscles that corded her exposed arms. Inez would have been the brother of the two sisters with Catalina inheriting all of the feminine curves for the two of them.

  “You’re welcome,” Maxson said amusing himself while antagonizing Inez.

  “Let me guess. You boys beat down zombies to see whose cock was the longest? And I bet I can tell you whose idea it was,” Inez implied her husband Reggie who was loved to train using the creatures as punching bags. She had yelled at him before and hated that he used brass knuckles. She knew her husband’s close quarters weapon of choice were dangerous; even for him.

  “No, not at all,” Maxson lied to cover Reggie’s butt. “He was the perfect gentleman.”

  “I’m sure,” Inez’s eyes narrowed. She made it obvious that she didn’t believe him by the way she stared and finally ended her standoff with a shake of her head. “You are all a bunch of macho-headed idiots and are going to get yourselves and us killed.”

  “Inez!” Catalina snapped, shutting her sister up again.

  “Nah, Cat, it’s sort of true,” Maxson shrugged roguishly. “And coming from your sister, I take that as a compliment.”

  “That’ll be the day,” Was all Inez added not going to give him the satisfaction.

  Maxson enjoyed the spicy sister’s attitude, though he thought Inez could use some of her younger sister’s warmth while she prepped the old man for his shot. Taking no offense, Maxson nodded down to the old man in the bed with his hand instinctively hovering over his pocket while talking to Catalina. “How’s he been today?”

  “He’s a tough old man and doing a little better than yesterday,” Catalina’s positivity was refreshing and with reason. She didn’t want any negativity around Henry while he was healing because she felt that it conjured otherworldly evil. “Most importantly, he’s still alive.”

  “For now,” Inez said as she punctured the thin foil that was the lid with the syringe. Pulling it back out she pushed the remaining air out if before puncturing into the sleeping man’s arm.