“I think we better go back inside, let Jo and Emma know that we haven’t forgotten about them.
It wasn’t long after we’d rejoined the distraught parents that Colleen came out, her smock covered in more blood than I thought looked healthy, but she was smiling. “We’ve removed the post, sutured a laceration of his right kidney, as well as the muscle tissue that had been torn. I am sure that he will recover. We’ll keep our eye on him and you need to keep him from doing anything active for at least a month! We can’t risk tearing open anything that we did on the inside.
Aeryn joined us in the waiting room as she was still drying her hands from cleaning up after surgery.
“When did you become Colleen’s assistant?” I asked in surprise.
“Six months ago, Dad. Six months,” she said sarcastically. I looked away quickly as my eyes burned, tears threatening to flow. I pulled her close to me and apologized, over and over, then she started crying. Knowing that Tony would recover, the others were relieved and stood watching a man and his daughter bond. Aeryn finally pushed me away.
“You’re smothering me and hey! What are you doing out of the house?” she said playfully, then turned to the others. “My compliments to Colleen on her mastery of surgery to put Tony on the road to a full recovery. On a side note, Toby and I are getting married in a week and we’re pregnant, due in about six months.” Aeryn smiled broadly and there were more hugs. Chris looked at me and started laughing.
Laughing at me. I probably deserved it. I was the old man of the group.
I bobbed my head slowly as he made no attempt to hide his mirth, while taking his turn in hugging and congratulating my daughter.
Just a small-town man, he’d told me. Chris was wise in the way of the world that others could only imagine. Chris knew me and understood that although I put on a brave and supporting face, I would have felt like I’d failed. He also knew that I was wrong to feel that way.
He finally stuck out a big paw and grabbed my hand. “Grandpa,” he laughed.
“If I was younger, bigger, and able to fight, we’d throw down over that,” I threatened. He didn’t buy it. “So, wedding in a week, huh? What are the details? Everyone is going to come. It’ll be the biggest thing we’ve had here in years, Chuck, and we need it. We need a big party to celebrate how far we’ve come and get in the right mindset for the way ahead.”
“I knew the marriage and baby parts, but not that it was in a week. I know nothing else, but I’ll tell you that it’s on them to plan and pull off!” I pointed to Aeryn and she gave me one thumb up. Colleen escorted Jo and Emma into the back area of the clinic so they could watch Tony sleep. He wouldn’t come out of it for some time, but Jo and Emma already set up a vigil so one of them would be by his side at all times.
“Hey!” Aeryn exclaimed, an angry look on her face. “I asked you a question, what are you doing here? Floyd, what did I tell you before I left?” Floyd wondered why he’d suddenly been included in her tirade. He tucked his tail between his legs and stood at the door, hoping someone would open it for him.
“You thought you could out-devious the old man? This is a lesson for that time very soon when you have your own kids. From that point forward, you will always be on your toes. The older you get, the smarter I’ll get.”
“Not sure about that one, Dad. I already think you’re pretty smart. How?”
“Hacksaw,” I replied.
“How long did that take?” she wondered.
“Long enough, but perseverance, young lady. Age and deceit over youth and ability any day.”
“You get home, now!” Floyd wagged his tail, hopeful that someone would open the door. He was ready to go. I was ready, too.
“I’m going home, but only because I want to, not because you ordered me to!” My retort came with head held high and chin thrust forward.
“Get in here, Mr. I’m Going Home,” Colleen called from the other room. Deflated, I limped in.
She wanted to check the wound so I had to take off my pants and sit on the exam table. I called Chris to join us, and Jo looked in to wave goodbye on her way out as Emma had the first shift with Tony, it appeared. I waved back happily. Jo ran the only restaurant, and she knew that many people counted on her cooking for their meals, so she had to go and get dinner started. She was reluctant, but we trusted our partners in the Community, and we trusted our friends. Then we did what we had to do.
“Can we early-up the meeting of the Council?” I asked while Colleen tortured me through various ministrations on my wound.
“You tore out two stitches, you knucklehead,” she said, showing her best bedside manner. I shrugged.
“I needed to talk with Chris. Ahhh!” I gasped as she pulled the torn stitches free.
“I’m sure we can. Let me make the rounds. I think we’ll be able to have one tonight,” Chris replied, looking at a spot on the ceiling as he planned his approach with the other members.
“You won’t be there,” Colleen told me. “You’ll be at home and that mangy beast will keep you there!” she said, pointing with an elbow at Floyd who sat on the tile unaware that he’d been given a job. Chris played with his ears until the half-wolf stood on his back legs and put his front paws on Chris’ shoulders in an attempt to lick his face.
“Sounds like the meeting will be at your house. I’ll stop by Jo’s and see if I can get some snacks for everyone. I better get going otherwise I’ll never be able to rally the troops. By the way, good job getting all of our stuff back. Besides your future son-in-law shooting you, did you have any other problems?”
“We’ll talk later,” I told him cryptically. Actually, I didn’t want to talk about it at all. Not now and not later. It was one of those events better shoved into the back of one’s mind, stuffed behind a big door that could be closed and locked.
“Shooting for six, Chuck. Take it easy,” Chris said as he made to leave. Colleen stopped him with a look.
“You’re taking him home,” she told her husband.
“Where’s the truck?” Chris asked me.
“Aeryn?” I yelled. She magically appeared one second later.
“Dad?” she tried innocently.
“Whatever you two did with the battery, put it back in, and then come here and get me,” I told my daughter. Without a word, she left. Chris looked at me, and I could only shrug.
Colleen waved a hand and Chris was off like a shot before she could change her mind.
I moved to the waiting area as a couple of other people needed a few minutes of Colleen’s time. She took care of them with kindness and grace, then ushered them on their way. Nikolai showed up to follow up on his nose. I stiffened when I saw him, but he only smiled and pulled up a chair next to me.
“All is good now. Best thing,” he said with his Russian accent, pointing to his nose. “It clear my eyes and I see perfectly. Bill is good guy. I am good guy. We are good guys together.”
“Yes you are,” I agreed. Floyd wasn’t too sure until Nikolai petted his head while feeding him a piece of jerky. Floyd sneezed it onto the ground and then dove after it. Peppered jerky in the style that some of the Russians preferred. I wasn’t sure that it was the best for Floyd, but I didn’t want to upset Nikolai, just when we’d built a new bridge. As I thought about it, I’d seen Floyd eat some pretty heinous garbage, and it had never bothered him before.
When the truck arrived, we excused ourselves and limped outside. I put Floyd in the back to avoid a replay of the earlier debacle. I climbed in, eyeing my daughter closely, seeing her grown up, responsible, and soon, with a family of her own. I could only see that I had lost her.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry that you had to grow up without me.” I didn’t say anything else. I wasn’t sure I could have even if I knew the words.
MEETING OF THE MINDS
“We’re the founders, the framers, the fathers and mother
s of this new country. Everything we do now will be analyzed and second-guessed for all time. We need to document everything we say and why. We need to make this foolproof, something that will stand the test of time. That is our challenge,” I said while sitting in my recliner, because I tried to stand, but Colleen forbade it.
My cabin wasn’t small, but it was packed solid with people; every square foot had someone squatting. It was getting hot because of all the bodies amid an August evening that was still warm. The entire Council was there, with their spouses, significant others, and friends. Amber and Lucas were there, as was Diane. I told her I was watching her, which only served to send her into uncontrollable giggles. I rolled my eyes at Charles, and he simply shook his head. Aeryn and Toby were there, but they were upstairs planning their wedding.
I was getting a headache.
Tanya and Shane were there, but their teenager was at home watching their nine-year old son. Jo and Emma sent their regards. They knew how important this meeting was, but with Tony recovering following surgery and the restaurant, they just couldn’t break free. Terri was there, too. I suspect that was Chris and Collen’s doing as she had taken the duties as my nursemaid.
The worst part? I kind of liked it, and that made me feel guilty. I waved her to me and she came close. I gently pulled her head toward mine so I could whisper in her ear. I closed my eyes so a hair wouldn’t poke me. This only served to heighten my other senses. Her hair smelled incredible. I breathed deeply of it. Different from Madison’s. Intoxicating. My lips brushed her ear as I started to whisper. I felt the breath catch in her chest and her ear quiver. “Would you please stay after the others have gone, so we can talk?” She nodded. When I opened my eyes, her face was inches from mine, and she was smiling. It was impossible not to smile back.
When I turned to the others, I raised my hand for silence, but it was already quiet. All eyes were on us, flitting back and forth from Terri to me. I felt ashamed. There was fire in the pit of my stomach. What do I do, Madison? I asked her in my mind, but she wasn’t there to answer. The twins were and they had already suggested it was time to move on. I flushed in embarrassment as I realized that I’d already made my decision.
It would be nice to have an adult to talk with. I needed help in being there for the twins. Well, I just needed help. I saw the way ahead for the entire Community and Alaska as a whole, but I couldn’t see my own way past that night.
“Here’s what we already have in motion. Sumitomo Corporation used to own a major stake in the Pogo mine outside of Delta Junction. I’ve been in touch with them and they are willing to restart the mine, which includes fixing the road between there and Valdez. A good friend of mine will help improve the transshipment facility at the port. All of this is outside of U.S. government knowledge and approval. I have no intention of charging the tariffs that we’re supposed to because as of today, we’re cutting ties with the United States. We’re going to be our own nation and our first trading partner is Japan. We have yet to finalize the details, but I think we’ll get seven percent tax as well as maintenance and repairs on the road. Most importantly, it will open the flood gate. We will get more investment as people look to exploit our natural resources.” Many people shifted positions and looked uncomfortable.
“And yes, I meant to say the word ‘exploit,’ because that is what they’ll be doing. We can’t fish for salmon. We can’t dig for gold. We can’t cut lumber. We can feed ourselves and that’s it. That’s where our country left us. Maybe someday they’ll be our biggest trading partner and most valuable ally. They aren’t there for us. Look at us! A thousand pounds of meat gets stolen and it was a crisis. Ten years after we returned and nine years after receiving UN recognition, here we are, living a subsistence lifestyle.
“You know what? I’m tired of it and the older I get, the more of a burden I become. That’s not what I envisioned for the good people here. My intent is that we take control of our own destiny, without selling out. The governments want long-term contracts, but we are not in a position to do that with newcomers. Pogo has been here for a long time. Any expansion would be under a new contract. As the first, Sumitomo gets a better deal, but that doesn’t mean we’ll lay down and let them pollute the environment either. We’ll use the U.S. safety standards to keep everything aboveboard, at least for now. And that’s just the start of all the work we have to do. To become an economically viable country in the twenty-first century, we have to sell what we have, providing oversight to keep anyone from taking advantage. It means we need to claw our way into the modern era. That starts today.” My intensity increased as I spoke, feeling passion surge within me, especially as I looked at the good people packed into my home. When we finished, they’d go back to their homes, light a fire for warmth, and read by candlelight. I thought they deserved the opportunity to do more than just survive.
But I looked at happy faces. Couples holding hands, even after more than a decade together. They didn’t care about modern conveniences because their families came first.
“I challenge you all to make sure that we don’t turn our backs on what we have. I will throw everything away and return to subsistence living if we start losing our identity. We must remain true to ourselves. I’m going to be a grandfather and I want that child raised in the Community that we have now, but I also want that child to have the endless opportunity I had when I grew up. I want that for my children. I want that for yours, too.” I felt like I ended on a low note, but the people cheered and clapped. Maybe it wasn’t the words, but the sincerity they heard.
True to ourselves, while at the same time dragging our families into a better place. It’s what people had worked for when I was growing up. Charles and Aeryn were the new generation. They knew this world best, having disdain for the lower forty-eight’s so-called modern society. They would be the future and would have to select what they wanted in it. We only needed to give them options.
And opportunity.
I didn’t have copies of what I’d written for our declaration of independence, but Terri committed to making them available tomorrow at the community center. I suggested I’d be there later in the day, but Colleen said that all independence business would be done in my home since I wouldn’t be traveling as per Colleen’s orders. Terri again volunteered to bring any correspondence to me.
Chris came to my rescue as I sat and looked uncomfortable, by telling everyone it was time to go. Aeryn and Toby had other ideas, yelling at everyone from the top of the steps.
“Our wedding will be Sunday noon, six days from now outside the community center. You are all invited!” she shouted, spreading her arms wide to take in everyone who was looking at her.
“If you don’t come, I’m putting your name on my list!” I yelled in support of my daughter. Toby beamed, which made my leg throb and reminded me that I still hadn’t gone to the bathroom since taking the pain meds. What a way to start a new nation.
Everyone queued past me as they left, each shaking my hand while not allowing me to stand. Then the last of the council members left, and Terri shut the door behind them. She turned and looked at me, her eyes sparkling. She was tall and thin with long black hair. I struggled to my feet, but she tried to push me back down.
I felt no pain as I stood and pushed her back against the wall, pressing my body tightly against hers. Blood pounded in my head. I rubbed her cheek with mine, happy that I’d shaved that morning. I nibbled on her ear and then bit her neck. She sighed and leaned into me.
I finally kissed her, and it felt funny. My heart raced. I pushed myself away from her and she looked at me with a soft smile and gentle eyes. I blinked the tears away as I held up my shaking hands. Terri looked past me. I turned to see both my kids and their partners on the steps watching me. Aeryn gave me the thumbs up while Charles nodded as Diane hugged him tightly.
“Don’t you have someplace else to be?” I asked them using my “dad” voice. They all scrambl
ed up the stairs. “Stop!” I yelled.
“Not you,” I said, pointing at Diane. She instantly frowned and her shoulders drooped. “Make sure she gets home safely.” I snapped my fingers and pointed at the door. More scrambling as two people raced out the front door and two more disappeared upstairs.
I felt hands encircle me from behind and lips caress my neck. I leaned my head to the side, giving myself to her. She started pulling at my shirt and I didn’t resist. She dug her short fingernails into my chest and I gasped, but it didn’t hurt. I turned around to find that her shirt was already off. She scratched my back as she bit her lip, intensely looking at my eyes.
We make decisions all day long on things that don’t matter much. And then there are times when we decide things that are life-changing. All we can do is hope that we’ve weighed our choices and made the best decision possible for ourselves and our families. In the past couple of days, it seemed that every decision that I had to make was life-altering. In that moment as I looked into Terri’s eyes, I realized that it was a year’s worth of decisions crammed into two days. I needed the time and had taken the time.
Today was a new day, the first day of yet another iteration of my world, and I’d do everything I could to make this life as good as any of my previous ones. That started this morning and would end much later tonight.
“Terri,” I whispered as she tried to put her finger to my lips. I caught her wrists and grinned. “I want to carry you to my bed, but I fear my leg can’t take it, or my lungs for that matter.” I laughed and she smiled. “If I lead the way, will you follow?”
She nodded, bending down to pick up her shirt and throw it around herself. She tipped her head toward the stairs. It was hard not to run. It had been so long. I almost knocked over furniture on my way across the living room. Floyd looked at me and then at the door. I continued upstairs with Terri close behind. Aeryn was in her room and when she saw us, my daughter’s response was instantaneous.
Fury (End Times Alaska Book 4) Page 9
