No Normal Day

by Richardson, J.

  When they had been back in the warehouse, loading up supplies, Jack, Lee and Eric had discussed whether they should try to sneak down near the Interstate and check out the activity that Lee had seen in the binoculars. Lee seemed to be apprehensive and in the end, they all agreed. With the babies at risk, they did not want to go anywhere near a situation that they were not sure of. Jack did not want to believe that the US military was up to anything that was not in the best interest of the citizens. But then, it would not be the first time that people were harmed when a government supposedly was acting with good intentions. Before he made this little rescue mission, he had talked with Jason. Jason had confided in him, his discomfort with some of the Marshall Law mandates. Better, just to steer clear of unknowns for now.

  The farms and country houses with ponds and cattle and horses, floated by as they were moving back towards home. These people may have the best chance of making it, the longest. It will take the devastation a while to reach them. I don't know if anyone will be untouched by it, in the end, though.

  It was less than a week since the unexplained event had occurred, the wagon with all it's acquisitions and the rest of Jack and Beth's family pulled up the drive. The garage door was raised and once again, the chaos of relief and welcome enveloped the family. Cody was introduced. Everyone was helping get the ridiculous pile of stuff on top of the car unloaded, so it could be pulled in the garage. Everything from inside the car could be unloaded, once it was secure in the garage.

  It was already late in the day. Trish walked through her dad's shop and garage, past the boy's beds and gear and onto her parent's patio. She held Brook in her arms and Nicky's hand. She saw the little trailer in the corner of the back yard, there was a line strung up with clothes hanging on it. Pots were cooking on two different cookers. BJ spotted his young cousins and toddled toward them, giggling. She put Brook down and plopped in a lawn chair. She felt the hand wringing stress that had become part of her nature, what-is-this, what is happening? The lush backyard of my parent's retirement home looks like some kind of hippie hill-billy compound. Gram's big chest full of old toys had been moved to the back patio, next to the well barricaded wooden gates. An old rug was spread in front of it. BJ pulled Brook and Nicky over to play. Eric was over at one of the pots, he sniffed at what was cooking, “Um-m, smells good.”

  Jack and Lee brought two big trash bags to the patio. All the boys drifted away, not really interested. Jack dumped out the bag that had mostly medicines in it. Beth laughed, “I feel like a pirate, counting his “booty”. She was picked up bottles and checked them out. She found the bottles of Lynn's medication, “Lynn, look...oh thank god Jack, you found some of her meds.” They were all discussing the other “found” supplies, Trish got up and went into the house to get something to drink. It was really dark inside, she looked sadly at the plywood covering the windows across the dining room. There was a lantern sitting on the bar, giving off a soft glow. She opened the refrigerator and was amazed to see that the light came on and it was cool, there were even some ice cubes, a few of them plopped in her glass. In the cabinet where her Dad usually had bourbon, sure enough, there was a bottle. She splashed some in the glass. There was a 7-up bottle on the counter, but she soon realized it was water. Adding some to the glass, Trish took as big a gulp as she could handle.

  Walking to the back door, she looked out. Her whole family, plus some extras were sitting around, talking and laughing. They are freakin' rummaging through stolen property. Maybe it was the booze, but it suddenly seemed funny, she felt a giggle bubbling up. She was feeling better, as a matter of fact, she was feeling good. Right here was everyone important to her. She didn't always agree or get along with her sisters or even her parents but they all loved each other, very much. Together, they could make it through Hell or High Water, as her grandma used to say. She took another big swig of her drink, walked out on the back porch, “Hey Mom, what's cooking?”

  Chapter Five

  THE COMPOUND

  Trish and Dianne strung up the tarps, using a double thickness and dividing the house garage in half. Beth's shiny new SUV had been pushed out of the garage and the gas siphoned out. Dianne said, “Jason and I already have some shelves, lets put together some of those that you brought. We can put them back to back, on each side of the tarps. We can push two of those roll away beds from out in the storage building together, for you and Eric. And I think there are some cushions that will make the girls beds.” Trish checked out Dianne's small space, on the other side of the tarp. Dianne always was good at making something out of nothing.

  “What about those tv tables, are there two more? And where did you get the rugs, this concrete will be pretty cold and hard,” said Trish.

  Dianne smiled, “You know Mom, says she doesn't hang on to stuff...but, there is a box of throw rugs out in storage and there's two more tables. Tons of linens in that big trunk.” By noon, the garage was converted into a two bedroom space, not a maximum of privacy but it is livable.

  Beth and Kat were out in Jack's garage, they hung tarps down the center so the boys would have a bunk space. They put up a couple more of the shelves for their use. The rest of the garage would have to be used for not only the station wagon but for any shop work that had to be done. There was a long work bench that ran down one end and Jack's tools were all underneath and on shelves in this garage. Some things had to be moved out to the storage shed, which was quickly filling up.

  Jack and Eric had been boarding up the remaining windows with the new lumber. They were not going to board up the back windows, for now, they really need the light. Jason and Lee were stringing more of the barb wire along the top of the back privacy fence. The four men come into the garage, gathered some more supplies. Beth and Kat stood beside the station wagon, looking at the long scratches down the side of the car, there was a crack across the bottom of the windshield and the odd wheel, on this side. They were clucking their tongues in disapproval. Beth said, “Looks like a War Wagon now.”

  “Well, that monster has pretty much saved our asses, the last few days,” said Jack. The other men tossed in their expressions of agreement, “Damn straight!...you got that right!....” From that day on, War Wagon was the name for the hand me down station wagon.

  It was now a month since the “event”. Jack and Beth's home had become a compound. Everyone had a least a small private space. They had maintained the kitchen, dining and living area of the house, for a common place. It would be several months before the weather here would be cold. But, they would eventually need the inside space to gather and there is a fireplace in that room. Everyone, shared in the chores that had to be done. The twins, who were a bit immature for their age, enjoyed Nicky and the two younger children. They were a big help with watching and entertaining them and all of the children could do some light chores.

  The work to keep them functioning was an everyday necessity. All of the daily things, such as cooking and washing clothes, bathing...things that had been easy when the convenience of electricity existed...now were not so easy. And there was eternally the necessity for economy and frugality. They were still managed to keep enough fuel to run the generator for a short time each day. Choices had to be made as to what merited the use, other than the refrigerator. They dug a deep hole in the back corner of the yard, so they could burn their trash. Just digging the hole was a hard job.

  There were unintended consequences of the fires burning in the back yard, however. Twice in the last week, the watch had stopped someone trying to climb over the fence. The barb wire was unexpected and sent the first intruder, yelping away. A night or two later, Jason and Dianne were standing the midnight to 4:00 watch. Jason had been really rationing his cigarettes, he was indulging in one as he and Dianne walked the perimeter, starting from opposite sides of the yard to meet up in the middle. He had Lee's AR15. Dianne, like all of the sisters now, was comfortable with carrying a gun. She carried a .22 rifle. They were just about to meet up in the center of the back stret
ch of fence, when a noise caused Dianne to turn. It was a moonlit night, in the shadow of the trees she really couldn't see anything. She swept a flashlight up along the fence top. There, a blanket or something had been tossed over the barb wire topped fence and a leg was coming over. Jason was right behind her, he pointed his flashlight at the same spot. Dianne dropped her light, raised the rifle and fired. There was a howl of pain and the climber disappeared. Lee stumbled out of the trailer, jerking up his jeans,.45 in hand.

  Several voices could be heard on the other side of the fence, a shot zinged through the fence about a foot behind Dianne. Lee motioned for Dianne to get down. Jason stretched up and could see well enough over the fence to spot a second intruder reaching for the fence. He motioned for Lee to follow him to the inside corner of the fence. The side fence that joins the back had the rails that held the panel boards together, running on the inside. Lee lifted himself up on the center rail, so he had a good view over the fence. Jason took off his shirt, rolled it up and used it to cover the barb wire, he dropped over the side fence. He was still caught by some barbs but moved along and hugged the wooden panels to see around the corner.

  There was one man on the ground, two were stood behind the man that had been climbing the fence. Jason could see a gun hanging down in one man's hand. He could not see if there were more. He aimed the AR at the man with the gun, hitting him in the shoulder and the man fell back. A shot fired in his direction, the second man had a gun. The man dropped back off the fence, as Lee shot from his corner perch. Jason eased around the corner, the fourth man was running, he fired but missed. The man quickly disappeared in the darkness. Lee shouted, “Jason, are you okay?”

  “I'm good.” Lee pulled the dirty blanket that was wet with blood off and threw it over the side fence. He climbed over. Dianne dusted herself off and climbed right behind Lee. They moved with caution to the wounded. The man that Dianne shot was barely conscious, he moaned and bled badly from the wound in the upper thigh. The man that Jason shot in the shoulder was not conscious and the climber who was shot by Lee at pretty close range, appeared to be dead. Dianne was nauseous, she turned away, trying to push down the rising sick. She had never even seen a badly wounded person, much less been the one who caused the injury. They stood in silence for a moment in the empty church parking lot. By this time, Jack and Eric were up and the rest of the family awake. Jack was at the back fence.

  “Jason, are ya'll there, is anybody hurt?”

  Jason responded, “We are fine, we had a bit of trouble, though. Could you and Eric come around and give us a hand.” Jack and Eric went out the garage door and the boys closed it down behind them. Even though there had been several gunshots fired, there was no sign of anyone in the neighborhood. Truth was, shots had become a regular occurrence. Those that are left in the addition, didn't want to see or know. Behind the fence in the church lot, Jack scanned the scene. It was not cold but Dianne shivered. Jacks light showed dots of blood on her shirt, the barb wire got a peck at everyone. Lee gave a short report.

  “When I heard shots, I ran out. Dianne had shot this guy, trying to come over the fence.” He pointed at the man who was silent now. “Then a shot came through the fence. I moved to the corner, climbed up where I could see. Another guy was trying to climb the fence. Jason went over and moved up on them. He shot that guy on the ground, who had a gun. About that time, I shot the guy coming over the fence, from my corner. The fourth guy took off running and we missed him. The runner dropped his gun and here is another one. So, we inherited two more weapons.” Jack looked at his middle daughter. He just put his hand on her shoulder.

  “This is what we are going to do. Dianne, don't go back over the fence, just wait here a few minutes. The men and I are going to pull these bodies over across the lot, to the other side of the church. I don't know if they are all dead or alive but their buddy can come back for them...or not.”

  When they are finished, Dianne still stood, waiting and quiet. Jason jerked the blanket off of the fence, they would burn that. They go around to the garage door, tap out a previously agreed upon entry code on the metal panel. David, the youngest of the boys pulled up the wide door. They go through the entrance to the patio. In the bright moonlight, the three other boys, Dane, Matt and Cody are standing at intervals along the fence, guns in their hands. Dane asked, “Everybody alright, Poppa?”

  Dianne was softly crying. Jack answered, “Yes, son. Everybody is good. Thank you boys, for stepping in.”

  It was nearly 3 a.m, Lee said that he would go ahead and take the watch with one of the boys. The story was told to the other adults, all awake and waiting. The three boys came in and hugged Jason and Dianne. Matt said, “My mother, the sharp-shooter”. Dianne flashed a weary smile.

  Beth said, “Lets try and get a little sleep, it will be breakfast time.” Everyone moved towards their space. Dianne and Jason, very glad to rest for a while.

  Lynn said, “I am wide awake now. Think I will make some coffee. I am sure Lee could use a cup.” They had put an old cabinet on the back porch. It was stocked with coffee, tea, seasonings, many of the things that were used to cook with everyday, even some of the pots and skillets, etc. Lynn prepared the camping drip coffee maker on the burner and lit it. She pulled out a couple of mugs. She didn't usually like coffee but as long as the powdered cappuccino flavored creamer lasted she would drink it. While the coffee was dripping, she went back inside, quietly moved to the locked closet where the guns and ammo were being kept. There were children in the house, they all knew the safety drill, except for the ones kept on or near the men, the extra guns were stored in the closet with the lock nearly to the top of the door. She stretched to open the closet, got the .380 in the canvas case and put it at her waist. She re-locked, moved back out to the patio. Lee and Cody walked up and down the fence line. Still not quite dawn, it would be soon.

  The coffee was ready, she fixed up hers and one for Lee. Lynn, not only wore the brace on one leg but she did not have perfect use of one hand. Still, she managed very well. She pushed the two mug handles together and grabbed them with one hand. The coffee was hot, so she moved carefully to where Lee had stopped and was watching her. “Thought, you might need a cup of coffee,” she said and then to Cody, “Why don't you go and get you something to drink?”

  Cody moved to the house. Lee said, “Um-m, what's in this?”

  “Cappuccino flavor...you like it? We probably won't have it for long, for now enjoy.”

  “Well, this has been an exciting night, huh?” said Lee. “Your sister did pretty good.”

  “Yeah, she is strong. I guess we all do what we have to.” Lynn blew across the cup and sipped the hot drink.

  Lee said, “Let's walk the fence. Do you mind?”

  When the sun was well up, they still walked back and forth. They had talked about the night. They talked about the past and about this scary present. He told her about his limp and she told him about hers. He talked about Cody and she talked about Mindy and Michelle. When all the residents of the compound had drifted out onto the porch and when the aroma of breakfast drifted from the patio, Lee and Lynn were still talking. No one commented, although a few looks were traded between the women when they came walking up to join in.

  Over breakfast, the duties of the day were discussed, everyone took a job. It was agreed that Jack and Eric would take the mower and trailer, with the water containers that they have emptied, to Joel's pond and get water. Joel and his family were holding up well. There was only Joel, his wife and several dogs, he was well prepared for a crisis. So far, he felt comfortable sharing water with Jack's family. They always brought food stores as barter. He had a garden and Jack was trying to get pointers. Although, Jack and family, had started a small patch in one side of the yard, only some of the seeds were sprouting up.

  Jack said, “Lee and anyone else that needs it can get some sleep. This afternoon, two of us men and two of the boys will go out and see if we can do some shopping.” They had to keep the War Wa
gon in good running condition, it was their life line to the outside. The men had made a couple of scavenging runs, always trying to add to their stores and always trying to acquire things from the constant list. Each time they ventured out into the city or the close by suburbs, it became more dangerous. Last night's incident was proof how the danger here at the compound was increasing. People's desperation and hunger multiplied every day and the items to loot were lessening every day.

  Jack also wanted to check on the Carpenters across the street. Each time he knocked on their door, he expected the worst. Sometimes, Mr. Carpenter answered, sometimes not. The last time, he answered Jack, but did not open the door at all. Jack told him, “Mr. Carpenter, here is a full propane tank and some food and water. I will leave it by the door.” It was gone later. He hoped that the old man was the one that got it. He honestly didn't know who else was in the neighborhood. Occasionally, he got a glimpse of someone, but mostly folks were locked inside or maybe just not there. More often than the smell of fires or food cooking, unpleasant and disturbing odors hung in the air. Rotting food, human waste and death was heavy on the outside. They tried to ignore it as best they could. Often, he saw the little ones wrinkling their noses. Some days, if the wind was blowing very much in a certain direction, they wore masks when they are out of the house. He felt lucky that the two houses on each side of them, the house next to the Carpenters and the large church facilities had never had people there, since the event. Unless of course, the desperate had moved in.