He spent the time he wasn’t working, sleeping, or eating scanning the bands on the radio. He was ecstatic at hearing the occasional voice, but he was unable to contact any of those he heard, at least initially.
CHAPTER SIX
As fall passed into early winter, Rex made contact with an amateur that had survived in Upstate New York. Then he found three in the Ozark Plateau region. Slowly, day by day, week by week, a small radio network was organized, with regularly scheduled contact times and frequencies.
Always in the back of his mind was the possibility of hearing from his father, since Jay had already used the resources of Amateur Radio Operators to get a message to the family. But as the months passed and the long winter turned finally to spring, there was still no word.
It was at that time that Dave Monroe showed up on the family’s doorstep. Rex was using the garden tiller on the front yard, creating more garden space. Not only were they going to need the food themselves, they wanted a surplus for trade. There was a farmer not too far out of town that finally found the Amateur Radio Network and offered meat in trade for root vegetables, like potatoes, carrots, onions, and turnips. Soup and stew vegetables that would store well. Also corn and soup beans of several varieties. The Jones would get rabbit, chicken, and goat in return.
Rex’s hand went to the pistol on his hip when he looked up and saw a man walking up the street toward them. His clothes were torn and dirty, but the rifle he carried over one shoulder looked clean and ready for use. Rex noted the signs of Dave having suffered through a serious bout of radiation poisoning. His former head of carefully coiffed hair was gone almost completely. Only a few long strands remained.
“Rex! My boy! You did make it through!”
“Yes, Mr. Monroe. I see you did, too.”
“Where is your lovely mother and equally lovely sister?”
“I’m right here,” Kathy said. She lifted the barrel of the rifle up as she came out of the house. It had been trained on Dave from the time he’d first spoken, before she recognized him.
“You look fit. Everyone been getting plenty to eat?” Dave asked, walking past Rex and up to the front porch of the house, where Kathy stood.
“We’re doing okay,” Kathy replied. She made no move to set the gun down or invite Dave inside.
“Wish I could say the same. I came back to make sure you and the kids were okay, and take care you, since Jay is out of the picture.”
“Jay isn’t out of the picture,” Kathy said coldly. Remembering Roxie telling her how she felt when Dave looked at her, and the way she felt herself, Kathy had no intention of letting Dave become part of the family.
“We’re doing okay for ourselves until Dad gets home.” Roxie spoke from behind her mother.
“Why don’t we discuss it over lunch?” Dave said, looking at his watch. “I’m sure you can spare a bite for an old friend. One that has your best interests at heart.” He took one step up toward the porch, but Kathy stood where she was. She noted the watch on Dave’s wrist. She’d looked for watches once as a present for Jay and recognized the expensive Rolex. Dave didn’t have that kind of money.
“We don’t need to discuss anything,” Kathy said. Over her shoulder she told Roxie. “Fix Mr. Monroe a sack lunch.” Looking back at Dave, she continued. “I’m sure you want to see how your house has fared. Pick up a few things for your journey.”
Dave’s eyes narrowed. “I wasn’t planning on continuing. I’ve come back home to stay. Why are you treating me like this? I’ve come to take care of you. A woman alone, with two children, needs a man around to take care of them.”
“We’ve managed,” Kathy said. “And we will continue to manage without your help or interference. You don’t look well. I suggest you join one of the groups over near the state line. They are crying for farm laborers.”
Kathy saw the angry flash in Dave’s eyes, quickly hidden. He hadn’t liked Kathy’s dismissal, or suggestion he should work as a laborer. He went up another step. “Far enough, Dave,” Kathy said, lifting the barrel of the rifle slightly.
“You’d shoot me?” Dave asked. He barked a laugh. “You don’t have it in you. You’re probably dying to get a man back in your bed. But I understand you have to put up a front for the two brats.”
Kathy’s eyes flared in anger. Dave was becoming unhinged. “What happened to you, Dave?” she asked. “You wouldn’t have dared speak to me like this before the attack.”
Dave took another step up as he replied. “I’ve been through the wringer, woman! I stayed in my basement and got sick as a dog. You obviously had a real shelter, from the looks of the three of you. You could have invited me in. But you didn’t. I couldn’t take it after two weeks. I tried to get in here, but your security is too good.
“I went down to the city hall and they took me in, but we got a lousy cup of soup a day. I won’t live like that. I deserve better. When the gang came through… Well, let’s just say I found a way to survive.”
“You told them to come here!” Rex almost yelled. He’d moved closer to the house, his hand still on his pistol grip.
“And it made no difference. None of them came back with the food and… well… I was to be well rewarded for guiding them to a successful score.” He took the final step up onto the porch and grabbed for Kathy’s gun.
He didn’t get a hand on it. Kathy was ready for the move and stepped back smoothly. She probably would have shot him, except Rex had leapt up the stairs and tackled Dave around the knees. Dave went down hard, face first onto floor of the porch.
He screamed in rage and struggled to get up. But Rex had his arms in a tight hold. Kathy stepped forward, stooped down, and removed both the rifle from where it had fallen, and the pistol that was riding behind his belt in the middle of his back.
Roxie was standing in the doorway now, with a paper sack in one hand and her Glock in the other.
“You’ll regret this!” Dave screamed as Rex stepped back and let Dave up. Roxie tossed the bag of food to him and Dave caught it automatically. It was either catch it or have it hit him in the face.
“You’re lucky I don’t just shoot you!” Rex said. He had his pistol out now, too. “Just for what you were thinking you’d do to my mother and sister.”
“Why you little…” Dave growled and took a step toward Rex. But all three guns on him lifted and he knew he was a finger twitch from dying. Rather than dying where he stood, Dave whirled around and tromped down the steps. His long strides took him away from the house quickly.
Kathy, Roxie, and Rex kept his back in their sights until he suddenly turned and ran between two houses well down the street.
“This is a problem,” Kathy said softly. “He’ll probably be back.”
“I won’t hesitate next time,” Rex said. “I should have just killed him.”
“No, sweetheart,” Kathy said. “I should have handled the situation better and not let it get out of hand. Now… We need to keep working on the garden. But no one works outside without someone watching their back. And we go back to locking up tight at night. Roxie, stay out of sight, but keep an eye on the street while Rex gets back to tilling the front yard garden. I’m going to lock the house down, except for the front door so you two can get in quickly. And don’t hesitate. I’d rather you come inside a hundred times for no good reason, as not come in when it counts.”
“Okay, Mom. Let me get my carbine,” Roxie replied. She was gone for just an instant, and came back carrying her favorite firearm, the bullpup semi-auto action MSAR STG-556 .223 carbine. She handed Rex the rifle he usually carried. A short M1A in .308. He slung it over his shoulder.
“I got your back, Rex,” Roxie said, fading into the darkness of the living room.
“Thanks, Sis.” Rex went back to the tiller and started it up. He kept a watchful eye out, too, but trusted his sister to see anything he might miss.
Nothing happened the rest of that day or evening. The three Jones’ went to bed, a little tic of worry making it ha
rd to fall asleep.
For three days nothing happened. But everyone stayed alert. It was well they did. Dave came back the fourth day and he came back shooting. From behind the corner of a house across the street, two houses down, he triggered three shots from the twenty-two caliber rifle he’d managed to find going from house to house in the rest of the neighborhood.
Rex, planting seeds one by one in a short row, yelped in surprise and grabbed the back of his left hip. Roxie, two rows over, also planting, looked up and saw Dave advancing. She started to take her carbine from where it was slung over her back, but Dave screamed out, “Don’t do it, girl! I’ll kill him where he lays.
Roxie’s eyes cut to her brother. He was holding one hand against his hip, lying on his side. His hand was bloody and more blood was oozing between his fingers. She looked around and felt a sense of relief when she saw her mother, her own carbine raised to her shoulder. She had Dave in her sights.
“Put down the gun, Dave!”
“No! You put yours down! I’ve got the boy’s head right in my sights. I’ll pop it like a watermelon if you don’t lay down your guns and come out into the street.
“Don’t do it, Mom!” Rex said through clenched teeth. “You know what it means. I don’t think he can shoot fast enough to get me. Shoot him.”
“Shut up, boy!” screamed Dave. “I’ll put a shot in your guts first, if they don’t lay down their guns and come out into the street.
There was the sudden sound of a gunshot and everyone jumped in surprise. Kathy pulled the trigger of her carbine when the barrel of Dave’s rifle lowered slightly. Roxie moved quickly, grabbing Rex by the belt and helped him up to run for the house.
Kathy was suddenly puzzled. Dave dropped the rifle and turned around, his back fully exposed to her. There was another loud boom and Dave went down. Kathy shifted her sights when another man came into view from around the corner of the house Dave had been using as partial cover.
“Don’t shoot!” he yelled, holding up a large revolver over his head with his right hand. To Kathy, it looked like the man only had the one arm. His left shirt sleeve was rolled up close to his shoulder and there was no arm extending from it.
When he started walking, limping actually, toward the house, Kathy turned to tend to Rex. “Help me get Rex inside,” she told Roxie.
“But the guy…”
“It’s okay,” Kathy said, looking back once at the man. “It’s your father. Now help me with Rex.”
Her eyes cut to the man. He was hurrying forward, but Rex was groaning and Roxie leaned down and help Kathy get Rex to his feet and inside to the sofa. She ran to get the first-aid kit and gave it to her mother.
Jay came through the door and went right to the three. No words were exchanged for a long time, as Kathy, with Roxie’s help, and what help Jay could give with his one hand, tended to Rex. The twenty-two round had gone in deep and back out, but the blood was dark red and oozing, not bright red and spurting. No arteries had been hit.
With that now apparent, Jay spoke again. “There’s someone with me that can help. I’ll be right back.”
Jay climbed to his feet awkwardly from the kneeling position he’d been in, and moved to the door. He waved his right arm and called out toward the street. “It’s okay! Come on up! Hurry! My son has been shot.”
Roxie had moved to the door and couldn’t hold back any longer. Her arms went around Jay and she said, “I’m so glad you’re back, Dad. I knew you’d make it.”
His one arm around her back, Jay held his daughter tightly for a few moments. But then three people ran up and Jay stepped back, taking Roxie with him.
“Kath, let Dr. Tanner take a look.”
Kathy hesitated, but when she saw the black bag the man approaching was carrying, she stood up and moved back. A woman followed the doctor and the two went to work on Rex. Kathy moved over and joined Jay and Roxie. Jay’s arm went around Kathy and he held her gently as she concentrated on Rex.
The third person, a young man in his late teens or early twenties stood quietly, his back mostly to the room as his eyes scanned the area outside, a rifle in his hands. Roxie eyed him, and the man, feeling the gaze, glanced around. He nodded and Roxie nodded back.
After a few tense minutes Dr. Tanner turned around and said, “He’ll be fine. The bullet did little damage going in, hit the hip bone, I think, and then, distorted, exited the back of his hip. It’s going to be painful for a while, but he should regain full use of his leg.”
“Thank you,” Kathy whispered and went over to Rex. His eyes were open and he smiled slightly, despite the pain. “Boy, Dad sure knows how to make an entrance, huh? Dad?”
“Yes, son?” Jay stepped over to join Kathy.
“I’m glad you’re back. What happened to your left arm?”
“It’s a long, boring story, Rex. I might tell it some time, but not now. Let me introduce you to Dr. Marcus Tanner, and his wife and nurse, Sue. The stalwart young man at the door is Antonio Santiago. The three of them have made it possible to get back home.”
“Don’t let him fool you, Dr. Tanner said. “Jay saved all three of us. None of us would be here, but for his heroic actions.”
“Now, Doc. Don’t be blowing things out of proportion. Now, seeing the carbine over your shoulder, Roxie, would you stand guard and let Antonio lend a hand with Rex.”
“Sure, Dad,” Roxie said, unslinging the carbine and taking Antonio’s place at the door.
The group disappeared down the hall, with Rex being carried to his bedroom. Jay and the new people came back to the living room. Jay told Roxie, “Your mother is helping Rex get settled. Any chance you could put together a lunch for us? We’ve not been eating very well lately.”
“Of course, Dad. Let me lock up and I have something ready in just a few minutes.”
Antonio watched with interest as Roxie worked the control to close the shutter for the front door, the only one open, due to the past danger of Dave. “With Mr. Monroe out of the picture we should be okay, but the plan in the manual you left, Dad, always stressed not taking chances.”
“So you followed the plan, huh?” Jay asked with a smile.
“We all read through everything, especially Mom. She refers to it all the time.” Roxie went into the kitchen and Jay showed the three newcomers the hall bathroom. A chemical toilet was set up.
“All the luxuries. Finally,” Sue said and shut the door.
The three men smiled and moved back to the living room to wait their turn. They talked quietly until Kathy joined them, and they moved the conversation to the kitchen so Roxie could join in.
The talk turned to what had taken place locally, the gentle efforts by Kathy and Roxie to learn what had transpired with Jay diverted. Someday Jay might talk about it, but not now. Not even that night when Jay cuddled with his wife in their bed in the master suite.
Dr. Tanner and Sue got the bedroom in the basement, and Antonio took the sofa. He said he preferred it to being down in the basement.
The next day, with Rex in a chair in the back yard, Roxie and Kathy showed Jay and the others what they’d done in the time after the attack. That afternoon, Antonio dug another grave in the side yard of the house next door and Dave was buried unceremoniously.
EPILOGUE
Less than a month later Rex was walking, with a limp, and back to light duty work. The garden was going well. Dr. Tanner and Sue were in great demand in the area for their medical expertise, and Jay, with Antonio’s willing help, uncovered Jay’s project pickup.
After a few preliminary tasks, Antonio turned the key, and the old truck fired right up. It smoked a bit for a minute, but then began to run smoothly. “Good work, Antonio,” Jay said, slapping the young man on the back. “And you’re sure you can switch out the gasoline engine for a diesel?”
“Yes, sir. That crate engine we found in that shop before we got here will fit, but what about fuel?”
“I can answer that,” Kathy said, coming up to them to announce that
lunch was ready. “One of the people Rex talks to on the radio regularly makes biodiesel. You said that would work, right, Jay?”
Jay nodded. “That’s what I always planned. But I never got around to switching engines. I want to save the gasoline for the tiller and things like that. We’ll just use the truck for emergencies until we get the diesel engine back here and Antonio can get it installed and we can get some of that biodiesel.
“Dr. Tanner and Sue will have primary use of it. Seems like that now that it is known there is a doctor able to work, he and Sue will be busy. Tell me something, Kath. Why haven’t you had the truck out and been using it?”
When A Plan Comes Together Page 7
