“That’s why I just cut loose,” Gerald replied.
“Find anything then?” Nelson asked.
Gerald nodded. “Yeah, a federal radio and a coil-bound presentation notebook called ‘Homeland Disaster, Plan and Reaction: For Law Enforcement Only.’ It’s quite an interesting read. It clearly calls out the nonexistent FEMA camps and detention centers and the use of the nonexistent rail cattle cars to be used for transporting dissidents.”
“Well, there are a few people I wish I could show that to that said I wore a tin foil hat. I did for a reason,” Nelson said, putting down the apple core. “Bernard, you hear anything while we trekked here?”
“Oh, let me tell you, it’s open season on federal officials. They haven’t announced the exact numbers on the news, but online, the body count is over three hundred. Someone bombed the IRS building in Atlanta, killing another forty or so, and wounded double that,” he said, getting up. “The mainstream media is only reporting ‘Violence against Federal agents.’”
“Any action by the government?” Nelson asked, wanting more food as his stomach let out a rumble everyone could hear.
Walking around the bar, Bernard headed over to the coffee pot. “Yes, the web is reporting a lot of people have been detained, and anyone putting up resistance is shot,” he said, pouring a cup. “The numbers are actually frightening.”
Getting up and grabbing the apple core, Nelson threw it in the compost can and searched for more food. “It’s only going to get worse,” he said, opening the fridge.
“Yeah, you’re right about that.” Gerald smiled, watching Nelson dig through the fridge. “The government announced this morning they seized all bank accounts, and once again, it’s illegal for citizens to own gold and silver. All gold must be turned in to the Federal Reserve in the next two weeks. Only approved jewelry and coins may be kept after a certificate is issued. It’s a ten-year sentence if you don’t comply. If you own a safe deposit box, it must be opened in front of a bank employee and its contents reported.”
Grabbing several slices of cheese, Nelson closed the fridge. “Yeah, that would escalate some violence,” Nelson agreed as he unwrapped the cheese.
“They did announce on the disappearance of a state trooper on the news affiliate out of Springfield,” Bernard said, getting back on his stool. “Nellie told me about the trouble you all had,” he said, looking at Nelson.
“Only mine?” Nelson said, and Matt snickered.
“Yeah, all of yours, but another station mentioned three officers killed on Highway 19,” Matt said. “Seems like this group isn’t the only one dropping law enforcement around here; seven other officers have been shot, and two more are missing.”
Bernard took a sip of coffee. “The governor is expected to declare a state of emergency later today.”
“Any riots?” Nelson asked, finishing the cheese.
“A few,” Nancy said, walking up behind Bernard. “Nothing bad. The people the government pissed off aren’t the ones just sitting at home, not working, getting checks. It’s the workers who lost money. They aren’t going to burn a business and hurt another working class family. They go after the ones responsible.”
Nodding, Nelson said, “Eloquently put.”
“Get to the table,” Nellie said, and Nelson took off, almost knocking Nancy down as he dropped in his chair. Nellie laughed, bringing bowls of food over. “Bernard, go get the kids from outside.”
As Bernard walked over, Michelle carried over more bowls of food. “I take it you won’t be feeding Devin?” she asked, looking at Nelson with a smile.
Nelson dropped his shoulders and let out a sigh. “Yeah, I’ll feed the soccer ball head. Where’s he at?”
Letting out a laugh and slapping Nelson’s shoulder, Michelle said, “Don’t call him that. I’ll feed him, baby. I don’t want you biting one of his hands off.”
“He laughs when I call him that,” Nelson objected, grabbing his plate. “Besides, his head is way out of proportion with his body. Gavin’s or Olivia’s wasn’t that big.”
Nellie walked over and popped him on the back of the head. “Don’t you say that about Devin. It just means he is going to be a big man.”
Nelson never stopped loading his plate even with the pop to his head. “Then Devin will be the size of a house,” he said, putting his full plate down. The front door opened, and the laughter of kids filled the house as they ran in and jumped in their chairs. Michelle walked in carrying Devin and Mike. Passing Mike off to Ashley, Michelle sat down beside Nelson.
They all clasped hands as Bernard said grace. As soon as he said, “Amen,” Nelson started shoveling food into his mouth. He was doing it so fast everyone just stopped and watched in awe. They watched the food disappear, and Nelson stood to refill his plate, oblivious to everyone watching.
“Um, baby,” Michelle said, stunned, “you really don’t need to eat that fast.”
“He really ate it?” Matt said from across the table. “I thought he threw it down his shirt.”
Shoveling mashed potatoes on his plate, Nelson stopped and noticed everyone looking at him. “What? I’m starved,” he announced and continued loading his plate.
“Baby, I know I don’t cook as well as Nellie, but you don’t have to rub it in,” Michelle said, holding out her plate for him to put some food on it.
“Pfft,” Nelson scoffed and started loading her plate. “Your cooking is very good, baby, but I haven’t ate much because I was a little on the nervous side,” he admitted.
“You could’ve said something,” she told him as the others started getting food.
Finished loading Michelle’s plate, Nelson set it down in front of her. “What good would that have done besides made you nervous?” he asked, sitting down. With a conscious effort, Nelson slowed down his eating.
Picking up a spoon, Michelle started feeding Devin some mashed potatoes. “Sorry to tell you, babe, but I was so nervous my hair was falling out,” Michelle told him. “Baby, we need to bring Devin’s high chair from the cabin.”
Nellie looked up and around the table. “Bernard, you didn’t bring out the high chairs we bought?” she snapped, turning an icy gaze at him.
“I put them together. I just forgot to bring them down,” Bernard said, almost jumping up and running out of the room. Everyone heard him run up the stairs.
“Nellie, you two didn’t have to buy highchairs,” Michelle told her.
Holding up her hand, Nellie replied, “Don’t, Michelle. These babies need chairs at the table like everyone else. You and Ashley can’t keep bringing their chairs in and out of the cabins.”
Michelle took a breath to retort, but Nelson grabbed her arm. “Don’t,” he warned. “If you’re bad, she does stuff worse than spank you.”
Looking at Nelson, Michelle watched his left hand come up and cover his chest. “Um, uh,” Michelle stuttered. “Ah, thank you Nellie.”
Thunder rattled the house as Bernard ran down the stairs. “Bernard, quit running or you’ll fall and hurt the high chairs!” Nellie yelled out.
Somewhat startled by that, Matt asked, “What about himself?”
She waved her hand. “Him hurt by a fall? Please. Matt, six years ago, that bull out there knocked him down and stepped on his jewels,” Nellie announced, making Matt and Nelson cringe. “Bernard didn’t even go to the doctor. He just came in, laid down on the couch, put an ice bag on, and took some Motrin. Three hours later, he was back out at work. He was moving slower, I’ll admit.”
Leaning over to Michelle’s ear, Nelson whispered, “That happens to me, get a gun and just shoot me in the back of the head. In fact, we will put it in our living will right next to no prolonged life support.”
Hearing that, Michelle busted out laughing as Bernard carried in two very nice wooden high chairs. “I’m serious,” Nelson told her and looked at the chairs. “Did you, uh, buy those?” he asked as Bernard set one down beside Michelle.
“Yep, the last time we came up,” Bernard rep
lied and Michelle turned and stopped laughing, looking at the high chair.
“At the baby store in Springfield?” Nelson asked.
“Sure did. They showed us how hard it was to turn over and even had me stand on one,” Bernard said proudly. “Thing didn’t even creak. It can be turned into a regular chair and the top taken off then used as a booster seat.”
Shaking his head, Nelson said, “Bernard, that chair cost two hundred and fifty dollars.”
“Shut it, Nelson,” Nellie snapped.
“They let us have them at two twenty apiece since we bought two,” Bernard told him, grinning.
Ashley froze, putting Mike in the chair. “You paid what?” she asked.
“Ashley, put Mike in and feed him,” Nellie told her with a hint of iron.
“We wanted to bring all the kids out here and give you four some time alone,” Bernard said, sitting down. “Now, we looked at those other chairs and just didn’t feel comfortable putting the babies in them.”
Picking up his spoon, Nelson announced, “I’m not saying another word, Nellie, so quit looking at my chest.”
Putting Devin in the high chair, Michelle whipped her head around, looking at Nelson, who was just eating. Then, she turned to Nellie, who was glaring at Nelson. “We have always seen these kids as part of our family, and you even made us their grandparents,” Nellie said. “Okay, guardians, but same thing. If we want the best for them, so be it. Keep on, and I’ll have Bernard hold you down, and I’ll pull out each hair on your chest one by one.”
Dropping his spoon, Nelson covered his chest with both hands. “Hey, no need for that. You can send them to college for all I care, but don’t be pulling out the chest hairs one at a time. I can guarantee I’ll scream like a little girl.”
“I’d eat a bullet first,” Matt mumbled.
The others around the table smirked at the two. “Thank you,” Nellie smiled. “We bought some clothes, and Bernard bought both of them John Deere outfits.”
“That’s nice,” Nelson said, picking up his spoon, but kept an eye on Nellie. If she came at him, Nelson was going to make a run for it.
“Thank you, Nellie, Bernard,” Michelle said, trying not to laugh at Nelson. Ashley walked over and hugged both, thanking them.
As they finished eating, the adults just leaned back in their chairs. The two girls went to the living room and played as Gavin sat beside Nancy, talking to her. As Michelle took Devin out of the high chair, she asked, “What’s on the agenda for today, baby?”
“Rest,” Nelson said, almost making her legs give out in shock. “The stuff is covered up, and it doesn’t smell like rain.”
“I need to write this down,” Michelle said, putting Devin on her shoulder. “You’re not going to work until you drop.”
“No point. Lots of work needs to be done, but it can wait a day or two for us to put the stuff up,” Nelson replied.
“You gonna have enough room for all that?” Matt asked with doubt.
“One of the containers is completely empty, and another is half empty along with the basement,” Nelson replied, and Matt still had a look of doubt. Behind each cabin, they had buried forty-foot cargo containers, turning them into underground storage. Matt had two behind his house because that’s all he and Ashley could afford. Nelson had four. No one knew how many Gerald had because he was always adding more.
“Hey, Nelson, we may want to put most of the arms away from the house,” Gerald offered.
Closing his eyes, Nelson said, “I’m not making several hundred caches.”
“I had four more containers delivered. We just have to empty them and take one out and bury it,” Gerald told him. “You have made caches?”
“Of course we have, but I’m not making that many because I would forget where they were,” Nelson shot back. “What’s in the containers?”
“The last of some odds and ends. I thought we would need razor wire, half-inch sheet steel, few claymore mines, paneling, and stuff like that,” Gerald told him nonchalantly.
Not even surprised or stunned, Nelson said with a straight face, “That’s cool.”
“When do you want to start on the area around the house, Gerald?” Bernard asked.
Gerald thought about it. “Well, we need to start in the next few days so the grass can start to cover up the dirt. We don’t want attention from nosy drones, and freshly turned dirt shows up real well,” he answered.
“Have you changed anything?” Matt asked, rubbing his full but flat belly.
“Just some minor ones,” Gerald told him. “I say let’s take the rest of today off and unload tomorrow. Nelson, let’s just put the extra stuff in your basement, and if it won’t fit, we can use mine. Then, the day after, we can start on the fortifications.”
“Hey, big brother, don’t forget we have to wire up the cameras we put out and put out the rest,” Nancy interrupted.
“Sis, something to ward off attackers needs to get done, and it needs to be done so we can start the grass growing on it,” he told her.
“If we don’t have a warning, the defenses won’t mean sh—” Nancy caught herself, looking around the table at the kids. “They can just come right up to the front door.”
“I’m not arguing with you about this again. I’m telling you we need this first,” Gerald told her, closing his eyes. He knew this wasn’t over.
“Okay, how about this,” Nancy said, leaning on the table. “How about Gavin and I put them in while you and the others put in your covered ditch and dirt wall?”
Startled, Gerald just stared at her. “Gavin?” he finally asked.
She nodded. “Yes, he’s smart and understands electronics better than you do. He’s small like I am and can climb trees, helping me set the others up.”
Gerald looked over at Nelson. “Hey, I’m for it, but both my dogs go with them,” Nelson said.
“Can I take a gun, Dad?” Gavin asked hopefully.
“Let me think on that,” Nelson offered.
“Dad, come on. I’ll be nine in a few weeks,” Gavin whined.
Sitting up, Nelson smiled at Gavin. “Well, nine,” Nelson said in mock amazement. “Guess we will have to get you a job so you can bring home some money. When you hit double digits in age, it’s all downhill then.”
“Dad,” Gavin grumbled.
“Son, it’s not that I don’t trust you with a gun. I just don’t know if you understand what that implies,” Nelson told him in a serious voice.
Gavin nodded. “If someone comes after us to hurt us, shoot them.”
Hearing those words from his son, Nelson’s heart dropped to his gut. “Yes, son, but when you aim at someone, doubt enters your mind, and that could get you hurt. I would rather you point and tell Zeus and Hera, ‘Kill.’”
Reaching up, Michelle wiped a tear out of her eyes. “Gavin, let your dad think about it,” she said, sitting back down. Bernard watched her sit down, and not able to take it anymore, he reached over, taking Devin.
“I’ll talk to you tonight, and if I feel okay about it, I’ll talk to Momma,” Nelson offered.
“Nancy will have her rifle and pistol,” Gerald stated as fact.
Nelson looked around the table. “I think we should all carry our rifles and pistols from now on,” he said.
“That’s a good idea,” Matt agreed.
“Nancy,” Nelson said, looking at her. “Will it take both of you to put the cameras up?”
“Yes,” she answered. “Not to mention putting down a fu… A bunch of wire.”
Nelson leaned back in his chair. “That’s what I don’t like. Neither of you could keep an eye out. I don’t really expect anything this fast out here, but if we don’t act like it will, something could happen,” he said, pinching his lower lip. “How about Michelle set up away from you two and keep an eye out?”
“Momma has to babysit me,” Gavin moaned, dejected.
Nelson laughed. “Son, it’s not babysitting; it’s called overwatch, and you will be doing the sa
me before long. It’s like guard duty. I learned a long time ago if you’re in hostile territory, don’t work and try to guard at the same time.”
Michelle looked over at him. “I told your stupid ass not to help clear the road,” she reminded him.
“I know, baby, and you were right. I’ve told you that the day it happened and the sixteen years since,” Nelson said. He closed his eyes, knowing Michelle was just getting started.
“You’re damn lucky that guy shot you square in the chest, hitting your ceramic plate,” she told him, and Nelson mouthed the words as she said them.
He nodded. “Yes, I was,” he said and continued to mouth along with Michelle.
“You weren’t an engineer, and our job was to keep our eyes open,” she said, reaching for her glass of tea.
“I know, baby, like I tell you at least once a year,” Nelson said.
After taking a drink, Michelle sat the glass down. “You had no right to get that mad about it,” she said as Nelson mouthed along. “Throwing a grenade and just running in that building.”
“I was the one with a bruise on their chest,” Nelson reminded her. “I got him, and I wasn’t gone very long.”
“You went into a building without backup,” she said. “I told you, and look what happened. You got shot, blew up a building, and got in a shootout with three insurgents in the building, leaving the rest of us outside in a hostile town as the engineers recovered the blown MRAP.”
Everyone was grinning not at the story but at Nelson mouthing the words perfectly as Michelle said them. “You two have this argument much?” Gerald asked, chuckling.
“Every three or four months,” Nelson answered, sighing and closing his eyes.
“Michelle outranked you, didn’t she?” Gerald asked.
“Yep,” Nelson answered.
“But did that matter?” Michelle asked, and Nelson mouthed the words. The only difference was Michelle was looking at Nelson when he did it. “I don’t say the same thing every time.”
Forgotten Forbidden America: Rise of Tyranny Page 20
