by A. American
“What’s that?” Ted asked.
“It’s a 1945 Chateau Mounton-Rothschild, I’année de la victoire,” Sarge said in nearly perfect French.
“It’s wine, let’s drink it,” Mike said reaching for the bottle.
Sarge slapped his hand, “Get your booger pickers off it! This isn’t just any wine. This was bottled at the end of World War Two. This is a very special wine.”
Mike sneered at the bottle, “Still say we should drink it.”
Sarge put the bottle back in the safe and continued to poke around. Finding a black leather case, he removed it. Once out, he realized it was a holster. Unsnapping it, he removed a German Luger pistol.
“Now we’re talking!” Ted said.
“It’s a ’41 SS Luger,” Sarge said, inspecting the markings.
“Cool, let me have it,” Mike said.
“The last thing we need is for one of us running around with a damn Nazi Luger. I think we’ll leave it here,” Sarge said as he put it back in the safe. Looking back at Mike, he asked, “You know the combination to this thing now?”
“Yeah,” he replied, handing Sarge the piece of paper with the combination.
Sarge shut the safe and locked it. “Good; whoever owned this thing had some interesting tastes.”
“And collected some weird shit,” Ted added.
Mike snorted, “Tell me about it; I was hoping it was full of cool shit, not this crap.”
“You inbred Neanderthals; this is cool shit. There are some really expensive and rare things in there. This guy was a collector of some sort. There are coins, watches and all sorts of stuff in there,” Sarge shot back.
“It may have been valuable at one time, but it ain’t worth shit now,” Mike replied.
“Dinner’s ready down the road. Let’s go get something to eat,” Sarge said as he headed for the door.
After dinner, Thad went to the garden to tend to the plants. He was often there, it relaxed him. He was adjusting the stakes on the tomato plants when Mary walked up, “Can I help?”
“Sure; hand me that twine?” Thad replied.
Mary handed him the roll and knelt down, “They’re getting big, the plants.”
Thad smiled. He was proud of the garden. “They sure are; I tend them every day.”
Mary held the top of one of the plants so Thad could tie it, “They’re so green.”
“Yeah, just takes the right fertilizer, some water and plenty of sun. Lord knows we’ve got plenty of that lately.”
“What are you fertilizing them with?”
“Pig shit.” Thad caught himself, “I mean, manure.”
Mary laughed, “Pig shit is good fertilizer.”
Thad laughed, and then took a more serious tone. “You ok? You don’t talk much.”
Mary nodded, “I’m getting better. I was shaken up when I got here, but I’m doing better little by little.”
Thad cut a piece of twine. “You had a rough time, huh?”
She picked up a stake, “Not as bad as Jess.” She looked up at Thad, “but she’s really strong. I wish I were as strong as her.”
Thad patted her shoulder, “You’ll be alright. You’re stronger than you think.”
Mary smiled and they continued to work in the garden, pulling weeds and propping up plants that needed additional support. Thad tended the plants gently; they were important. A food source like this was more valuable than gold at the moment.
“I can’t wait for this okra to grow out,” Thad said.
“I like okra. Look, this one has a fruit on it already,” Mary replied.
“Fried okra is my favorite.”
“How are we going to fry it? We don’t have any shortening.”
Thad smiled, “I got something better, hog fat. We butchered a hog and I rendered the fat, we got lots of it. Morgan showed us how to make a flour from Kudzu roots, and we can dust ‘em in that and fry ‘em up.”
Mary smiled, “I can’t wait.”
Thad looked at the little bud at the base of a flower, “Looks like you’re going to have to.”
“That’s alright; it’ll be worth it.”
Thad stood up, “I think we’re done here. Let’s head in before the skeeters come out.”
They walked back to the house together. As they walked up on the porch, Mel let out a sigh and fell onto one of the picnic tables. Bobbie looked over and asked how it went.
“Brandy looks fine. I set the food on the porch and backed up into the yard. When she came out to get it, we talked. She said Edy is sick, but not bad. She thinks it’s just a cold. Tyler came out and said she was already getting better.”
“I hope so. I hope everything is ok,” Bobbie replied.
“Me too; but who around here’s had a cold?” Danny asked.
Mel looked at him, “That’s what I was thinking.”
Thad let out a loud sigh, “There’s nothing in this world I hate more than little ones being sick.”
Bobbie looked at me, “I guess now I understand why you quarantined them.”
I felt horrible. I didn’t think it would happen. I shook my head, “Let’s hope it’s just a cold, and that they’ll get better.”
Jess came out on the porch carrying an oil lantern. She set it on one of the tables and sat down. Fred came out and joined her. The two sat there uncomfortably as we talked about the situation across the road. After a moment I noticed that they seemed out of sorts.
“What’s eating you two?” I asked.
Fred looked at Jess, like she was nervous to speak. Before she could say anything, Sarge, Ted and Mike came around the porch. “Evnin’ everyone,” Sarge announced.
Mel stood up and walked over to the picnic table where a large pot sat with the night’s dinner, “You guys hungry?” She asked as she picked up a bowl.
Mike smiled, “Miss Mel, that’s not a question you ever need to ask me. If you got food, just hand it to me.”
Mel loaded his bowl with some of the venison stew that was the night’s dinner, “Here Mike.”
Sarge stepped up and intercepted the bowl, “Mind yer elders, snot nose.”
Mel slapped his hand. I thought I would faint. “Mind your manners, Linus.” I’d never heard her use his Christian name. Hell, I didn’t realize she knew it.
Sarge stopped, stunned like a deer in the headlights. Mike smiled broadly and gently took the bowl, “Thank you, Mel.”
Sarge stood there for a moment, uncertainly. “Now, Linus, would you like a bowl?” Mel asked.
Sarge nodded, “Yes ma’am.”
I started to laugh. It was funny. Here was the hardest, crustiest old bastard amongst us being rattled by my wife. It’s amazing how a woman can affect a man, as I was about to learn. Mel looked at me, pointing the ladle she was scooping the stew with. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll shut up.”
I was caught completely off guard. This was the woman I’d known since high school. The one that I snuck around with, riding on the back of my motorcycle. I’d known her for nearly thirty years; and yet, at this moment, I didn’t know if she were serious or not. So I did what any intelligent man would do; I shut up. Mel filled a bowl for the old man and handed it to him. He looked at her, “Thank you, Miss Mel.”
“You’re welcome, Linus. There’s enough for seconds if you want it.” She replied. Mel then looked at Ted. “Ted, would you like some?”
Ted, probably the smartest man amongst us, smiling and dripping with politeness replied, “Yes ma’am, please.”
As Sarge walked past me, he winked. I was still confused. Then he took a seat across from Mike. Glancing at Mel as he lowered himself into his seat, he whacked Mike on the knuckles with his spoon. Mike let out a yelp. Sarge quickly jabbed his spoon into his
bowl and took a bite. And with pure innocence in his voice, asked, “What’s the matter, Mikey?”
Mike shook his hand and grinned at the old man, “Oh nuthin’.” He held his hand up as if to inspect it, “I think I got a splinter.”
Sarge, smiling as he chewed, replied, “Gotta watch them splinters.”
Mel didn’t see it. I couldn’t imagine how she didn’t; I saw it all. Maybe that was it, the difference between men and women. She’d called him out when he was there in front of her, but now that moment was gone. All I knew was that she’d just put the old man in check; I was still amazed. But one thing was certain, these guys never ceased to crack me up.
I noticed Jess fidgeting again, and asked what was up. She looked at Fred, and Fred said, “You guys said you were going to get us a rifle.”
I stood up, “Indeed we did. Let’s go see what we have.”
Sarge and the guys followed me into the bedroom where the weapons from the camp were kept. There was a pile of them. I deferred to Sarge to decide what would be best for the ladies. Sarge picked through the weapons, pulling two ARs from the assortment. They were the ones from the DHS goons killed earlier, and in great condition.
“I think this would be good for you two.” Sarge said, inspecting the rifles. “Nearly new, hardly fired and only dropped once.”
“Are they French?” I asked.
Sarge laughed, “Tomorrow we’ll spend some time at the range to get you up to speed.”
Jess took the weapon and looked it over. Mike reached in and grabbed the muzzle of the weapon once when she swept him with it. “Never put anything in front of this you don’t want to destroy.”
Jess blushed, “Sorry.”
“It’s ok; you’ll learn,” Sarge said.
Mike and Ted spent some time going over the controls of the weapons for the girls. They needed some familiarization now since the weapons were going with them tonight. Since they didn’t have any training yet, Sarge gave them each one loaded magazine, telling them to not put them in the weapons tonight.
“I’m giving you these because the rifles are useless without them. But I don’t want you to put them in your weapon until you’ve had training. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to run and gun.”
The girls nodded and promised not to load them. Fred said Aric knew how it worked, and if anything came up, he would take care of them. That was a bit of a relief, knowing he would be there to ensure there were no accidents. Now that arming them was taken care of, everyone started to head to their respective houses. Danny and I were scheduled to relieve the barricade shortly, so I walked Mel and the girls home.
“I want to go fishing tomorrow,” Little Bit said as she followed behind us.
I looked back, “We don’t fish for fun anymore kiddo; those fish in the pond are a resource we can’t mess with.”
“Maybe we could have a fish fry; it would be nice. I think everyone would like the change in menu,” Mel said.
“Yeah! A fish fry!” Little Bit shouted.
“Can we help catch them?” Taylor asked.
I wrapped my arm around her. “Sure, I think it’s a good idea, fish fry tomorrow!”
After getting the girls settled, I kissed Mel and told her I’d be back in a few hours. This time she didn’t resist. She just gave me a hug and told me she’d see me later. It felt good that she was coming to accept the way things were. I found Danny sitting on one of the four wheelers, and hopped on the back.
Pulling up to the barricade, I hopped off. “You guys head back and get some supper.”
“Sounds good to me,” Jeff said as he climbed on the ATV.
As Doc was about to get on, I stopped him. “Little Edy is sick.”
He paused for a moment, “Mmm, let’s hope it’s nothing serious.”
“What do you really think?” Danny asked.
“We’ll just have to wait and see; too early to know yet,” Doc replied. “In the morning, I’ll go over and check on her. But there isn’t much I can do for her.”
“Well, let me know what you think after you see her,” I said.
He nodded and mounted the machine. Jeff started it up and they headed down the road.
“Well, here we are again,” Danny said as he rested on the barricade.
I joined him, “Yeah, kinda like groundhog day, huh?”
Danny nodded. After a moment, he said, “But it isn’t bad; I kind of like it.”
We hung out for a couple of hours, talking a little and walking out to the road to scan it in both directions. As usual it was quiet, nothing happening. I was out in the road looking up at the sky with the NVGs, looking for satellites. It was something I used to do with the girls, a game of sorts. It always amazed me how fast you could find one. One time we spotted the International Space Station. It’s the only thing up there that big. It was so bright and moving incredibly fast, so we couldn’t see it for long. But the girls got a kick out of it nonetheless.
I lowered the device and scanned the field across the road, and once again saw the small light. I took a look without the aid of the device and couldn’t see it. Lowering the device, I looked again and saw it. This time though it appeared it was coming across the field, towards us.
“Hey man, come out here,” I called to Danny. Danny came out and I handed him the tube, “Take a look out there, see the light?”
Danny looked across the field, “Yeah, looks like he’s out in the middle of the field this time.”
“That’s what I thought; almost like he’s coming straight at us.”
Danny watched the light for a moment, “Sure does. He isn’t very stealthy about it; he’s right out in the open.”
“Maybe he’s not hiding.”
Danny handed me the device back, “Maybe he doesn’t know we have NVGs.”
“Let’s keep an eye on him and see what he does.”
We walked back to the barricade and settled in to wait. From time to time we would check on the progress of whoever was out there. Each time, he was closer. It didn’t take long for him to close the distance to us; and he was standing in the field just on the other side of the fence from us.
“He’s just across the fence,” I said.
“What’s he doing?”
I handed Danny the tube, “He just squatted down, just sitting there.”
Danny took a look, “Well this should be interesting.”
He was less than a hundred yards from us. He’d done nothing to this point to give any indications of hostility. However, it was a little unsettling to have him just sitting there watching us.
“He has to know we can see him,” Danny said.
Looking through the tube at him, I replied, “I would think so.” Just as I said that, the man across the road rose to his feet and started towards the fence. “Here he comes.”
I watched as he slipped through the strands of wire, rather quietly I noted. As he approached the pavement, I leaned over to Danny, “He’s getting closer now. When I give the signal, let’s light him up. It’ll wash out his NVGs. Let’s see what he does.”
We rose to our feet, and just as he was walking onto the road, I said now! We both turned on the lights mounted on our carbines. The intense LED lights caused the man to stop and raise his hand to shield his eyes. Reaching up, he removed the NVGs from his head, still shielding his eyes with the other hand. In the light, we could see his weapon was slung over his shoulder and his hands empty, except for the goggle.
“Damn, that’s bright!” The stranger called out.
“What do you want?” I asked.
“Those lights out of my eyes for starters. That’d be great.”
We lowered the lights from his eyes a bit, but kept him lit up. “Thanks, those things are bright as hell.”
“N
ow, what do you want?”
“I’ve been watching you guys, and just wanted to drop in and let you know I wasn’t a threat. I’ve been in the area for some time.”
“We’ve seen your lights a few times; but what makes you think coming up here in the middle of the night is such a good idea?” Danny asked.
He shrugged, “I don’t move during the day if I can avoid it. I prefer to lay low and try and stay out of sight.”
“Why, who you hiding from?” I asked.
The man laughed, “Hell, everyone! You been out lately?”
“Yeah, we get around.”
The man nodded, “Yeah, you guys have four wheelers and trucks. I’ve seen them.” He paused for a moment and pointed to the water jug, “is there water in that?” I nodded. “Would you mind?”
“Sure, come on up, just keep that rifle slung.”
He raised his hands, “I’m not looking for trouble. I knew you guys have night vision equipment. That’s why I walked straight in like I did, so you could see me.”
He came up and filled a stainless water bottle from the jug, and quickly drained it. I was looking him over, trying to get a sense of him. The bottle he held was blackened from countless fires from the looks of it. He carried an AK and wore a chest rig full of magazines high on his chest. He was tall, and struck a rather intimidating appearance. Strapped to his hip was what looked like a Glock of some variation; and the handle of a large knife jutted out in front of him. On his back hung a small pack. From the way it sagged, it was obviously heavy. He refilled his bottle and took a seat on the barricade.
“So what made you come here tonight? Why now if you’ve been around for so long?” Danny asked.
He looked back over his shoulder, “I got pushed out; there’s a large group moving around out there. I bumped into a couple of them last night, and they weren’t particularly friendly.”
“We didn’t hear any shooting; what happened?” Danny asked.
