by Patrick Shea
The trip was uneventful. They found a clothing store that catered to young women who liked to display their bodies to the public, and Shelly tried on quite a few pieces before they made their final choices. Ben was as quiet as a mouse during most of this, although he voiced his approval or disapproval occasionally.
But he did what they hoped he would, which was to point out those things now in style with the young people. Sam knew that kids his age dressed differently, and that some women tried to stay young by dressing the same way. She thought this approach would work well for Shelly.
Chapter 8
Chapter Thirty: Jack’s Back
Thursday: Tennessee River Valley
Jack had become accustomed to the thought that he was going to survive. He didn’t particularly like the thought, but there wasn’t much he could about it. He now fully understood the guilt feelings the others had told him about.
He thought by now he had helped this group get a good start. He had liked the progress Sam had made with the Yellowstone group and he thought it was because, in large part, of the many meetings she had with the group and how she shared everything. Of course being pretty much locked into the park added stability the other groups did not have.
He had taken a group of veterans he thought capable of withstanding a trip into Knoxville to bring back the equipment they would need to hold daily meetings. He had found a catering firm who specialized in large outdoor weddings and parties.
They found all of the tents they needed to sit a group of up to three hundred people, although he fervently hoped the group would not grow that large. With the tents and chairs they also found a large number of standing propane heaters, made to heat the inside of the tents. Finally, he had found plenty of outdoor carpet they could use as a floor so the tent didn’t turn into a mud hole during the winter rains.
They had erected the meeting tent in the middle of a large meadow near the parking area for the RVs. Almost everyone attended the meetings and Jack realized the biggest problem would be keeping enough fuel on hand for the heaters. But he knew they would work that out.
He had gradually spent less time conducting the meetings and Charlotte had now taken over that task. The group seemed fine with that. Not everyone of course, but most of them. He had not yet told them that he was leaving but he thought he would do so either this evening or in the morning. He wanted to get on the road tomorrow, or Saturday at the latest.
He had spent most of his time tracking survivors through email, cell phone and radio. There were still hundreds of people out there who either hadn’t or couldn’t get to one of the groups. Jack was going to find those that wanted to join but for some reason or another had not. He knew he wasn’t obligated to do this but he wanted to. He knew in the back of his mind it was probably just an excuse to go and do something, but he was okay with that.
That afternoon Jack asked Charlotte, Jane and Heather to meet with him in his RV. Jack opened by saying, “Ladies, I have good news for you. I’m going to get out of your hair.”
The three women just looked at him, so he continued, “I feel compelled to see if I can find and help some of the remaining survivors join groups. There are so many out there that we haven’t yet found, I’m afraid they must need help.”
Charlotte said, “Jack, this is no surprise, but I’m sorry you’ve decided to leave. I think before we go we should have another election to see who the group wants as a leader.”
“I don’t think so Charlotte, the group has voted you and me into leadership positions for a reason. I’m not resigning; I’m just going in search of other survivors. I don’t know where I’ll go for sure, but I’m going to start along the eastern seaboard and go as far north as the weather will allow. I’ll play it by ear from there. It shouldn’t take that long, maybe a couple of weeks or a month.”
Jane and Heather spoke at the same time and both said, “I’m going with you.”
No one laughed and Jane said, “Jack, you could use help and you know it. One of us can drive while the other searches for survivors on the web and helps navigate. It would save a lot of time. And, I’m a better cook than you are.”
Heather spoke up and said, “Jane, you are doing too much good here to just leave, the kids would miss you terribly, and after what they’ve been through already I don’t think you should leave them. On the other hand I don’t have much to do here and I can help Jack also. Probably not as good as you, but I’d learn.”
Jack said, “Ladies, I really appreciate the offers but I’m going alone. I agree it would be more efficient with two of us, but I don’t know what’s going to happen out there, and I don’t want to put either of you in danger.”
Jane said, “After what we’ve been though you think I can’t handle myself?”
Jack grimaced at that. Jane was quickly returning to her old self and after the problem with Karl Schumann she was even more confident than before. Even Heather had matured very quickly after that day. It seemed like a lifetime ago but it was just a couple of weeks.
He responded, “I think both of you are capable. I’m not trying to insult either of you by underestimating you, but this is something I feel I need to do alone. If I find out I’m wrong, I can always come back for help.”
Heather had tears in her eyes when she said, “But Jack, we’ve made such a good team, the four of us, how can you just leave us?”
“Heather, I don’t look at this like I’m leaving you. I’m just going to see if I can help some other people. You guys are like family to me, I wouldn’t desert you.”
Jane said, “Well call it what you want, but it sounds to me like that is exactly what you’re doing. You don’t even know that anyone out there needs your help.
Jack looked at Charlotte, almost in desperation. Charlotte said, “Don’t look at me for help, I think you’re crazy for leaving, and even more crazy for going alone. I know you’re a very capable man, but you’re also very stubborn, and I think this time your stubbornness is getting in the way of good judgment. I do agree with Heather, that Jane would be sorely missed by the kids if she left, but there are others here that would be willing to help. I think any of the military men would volunteer to help.”
Although Heather’s eyes had moistened she had not yet cried, and now she seemed to have herself under control when she said, “Jack, I agree with Charlotte, that you should take someone to help you. Your going alone just doesn’t make sense. Just something like slipping on rocks and breaking a leg could be fatal if you’re by yourself. But I’d like that someone to be me. You and Jane and I have spent a lot of time together since we first met and you know that we would get along okay, and that I am capable of doing some of the things you don’t like doing. Please think about it for at least a little while.”
Jack had to smile to himself, that was quite a speech from Heather, and unfortunately, it was extremely logical. He didn’t especially want to share an RV with another man for the next month or two, especially one he knew little about. And taking two RVs defeated the initial purpose of having a second person along. On the other hand, he knew he could live with Jane. They had shared an RV for the first week, until he found his own, but Charlotte and Heather were right that her leaving the kids she cared for would be too hard on the kids.
But, sharing an RV twenty four hours a day with a sixteen year old female made him nervous. Something like that would be completely inappropriate in the old world and if it was another man trying to do so, Jack would be suspicious. He wasn’t sure he wanted to put either himself or Heather in such a position. He trusted himself and her, but it still seemed inappropriate for some reason.
Jane spoke up and said, “Jack, I hate it that I can’t join you, but I know Charlotte is right, I can’t just walk away from the kids. But I don’t see why you don’t take Heather with you. We all realize she’s young enough to be your daughter, and she could learn a lot from you. And if you aren’t expecting serious trouble you could use her help. Why are you hesitating?”
“Jack, I’m not planning on seducing you or anything, you’re almost as old as my dad was. You know you don’t have to worry about that.”
“I do know that, but I still feel like it’s inappropriate. Charlotte, Jane, what do the two of you think?
Charlotte answered first, “Jack, you are an honest and honorable man, we all know that, and I know that Heather will always be safe with you. I think in this new world that’s what we should go by. Not feelings that existed in the old world where we protected everyone from everyone. That won’t work today.”
Jane said, “Jack, you need the help. We’re the only three you feel comfortable around all of the time, and two of us really can’t leave with you. Take Heather and all of us will feel better.”
“Let me think about it overnight. I’ll let the group know this evening that I’m leaving to look for other survivors, and if they ask me I’ll tell them I’m thinking of taking Heather along to help me, but I haven’t decided yet. If they don’t ask me I won’t say anything about needing help. I think that’s the best I can do for now.”
The ladies all agreed with Jack and they planned on meeting in Charlotte’s RV for breakfast in the morning.
Jack made the announcement that evening and a couple of people asked him if he was going alone. He told the group that he was thinking of taking Heather but had not yet decided. No one seemed surprised. Jack knew in part that was because not everyone in their group of 250 knew who Heather was, and those who did assumed the best. Lastly, those that knew them well looked at Jack as a father figure for Heather. What surprised Jack was that he enjoyed playing that role.
The reaction of the group made the decision for Jack and after the meeting he told Charlotte that he was going to take Heather, if she had not changed her mind.
Charlotte said, “Jack, that girl will follow you anywhere you want to go. That’s part of both the joy and the stress of being a parent.
Jane walked up as they were talking and Jack told her of his decision.
Jane said, “Jack, I think that’s the right thing to do, but be careful with her. People that age get their feelings hurt easily, and they don’t normally know what to say when that happens, so you might not even know you’ve upset her, or why. I’m going to ask her to call me every day so I can offset any damage you do. I know you’re sensitive for a man, but that isn’t nearly sensitive enough for a teenager.”
Charlotte added, “Jack, don’t argue with her, she’s 100% right on this one.”
“Now I’m worried I’ve made the wrong decision, maybe I should go alone.”
“Don’t be silly, we just told you the right thing to do was to take her with you. Jane’s just telling you that we know you’ll act like a man, and as women we’ll have to do damage control for you now and then. That’s been going on since the start of time.”
Jack shook his head and told the two of them he would still join them for breakfast. Now he was going to go and tell Heather the news and let her know what she should pack.
Heather opened the door immediately, and when she saw the look on Jack’s face she said, “You’ve decided to go alone haven’t you?”
As Jack entered the RV he said, “No. Actually I’ve come to tell you to start packing if you still want to come.”
Heather whooped and threw herself at Jack as she said, “That’s wonderful, thank you for trusting me. I’ll work as hard as I can to help you. But why did you look so serious when you came in?”
Jack disentangled himself and said, “Let’s sit down and talk for a minute. The serious face is because I just told Charlotte and Jane that I was going to take you and they both lectured me on lacking sensitivity or at least enough sensitivity for a young girl. They’re going to call you every day to talk through my mistakes, whatever that means.”
Heather giggled and said, “I think they’re just being protective of me, but I’ve seen you when you’re upset, so maybe their right.”
“Heather, you’ve never seen me mad at you, in fact it’s usually myself I’m mad at when something goes wrong.”
“I know that, but you still get darned grumpy when something goes wrong. But that’s okay, I can handle it; you won’t have to worry about me.”
“Yeah, I just have to worry about you reporting to Jane and Charlotte things that I won’t even be aware of. Instead of that why don’t you and I talk when things don’t’ go right for us?”
“That’s fine with me but you’re the one who gets so quiet when you’re upset. But anytime you want to talk I’ll be happy to listen.”
Jack realized that this conversation had gone straight downhill, and he had no chance of turning it around. He wondered at what age young girls started assuming everything their mother’s told them about men were true? Or did they just believe all of this stuff through instinct?
He said, “Okay, you have a deal, we’ll talk through any problems we have. As long as we do that you can tell Jane and Charlotte anything you want.” Heather smiled knowingly and Jack did his best to ignore that look as he continued, “Bring your weapons of course. Have you been going to the range each day?”
“I have. I’m not a sharpshooter of course, but after our problem that first day I’ve done everything I can to prepare for the next time. The shotgun is easy, and the pistol isn’t bad up to about twenty yards. I’m halfway decent with the rifle if I’m shooting from the prone position, or if I can brace the barrel. I’m not too good free standing, but I’m getting better as I get stronger. I’m lifting weights each afternoon to gain strength in my arms, just for shooting. I’m going to take some small free weights with us so I can continue to get stronger. I’d like to stop along the way and restock our ammunition so I can continue to practice in the evenings.
“Harold, the range guy, has been really helpful, but I think I’m ready to just shoot now. Harold usually stands behind me and is liable to clap or shout, or tap me with his stick at any time. It drove me crazy for the first couple of days, but my focus is much better now. He told me if I wanted to return fire, I’d have to get through the distraction of someone shooting at me and he thought that would help,”
Jack had checked almost daily with Harold so he knew Heather was doing well at the range, and her self-assessment matched Harold’s perfectly. Jack was impressed with the weightlifting though, he didn’t know Heather had been working on her strength. He was really pleased that she had taken this so seriously. He didn’t believe she would need to do any shooting while on this trip, but in this crazy world you never knew what was going to happen next.
He said, “Heather, make sure you bring a couple of pair of jeans, some warm shirts and some thick socks. Its winter and we may be doing some hiking. If you don’t have a good down winter coat we’ll stop and pick one up, along with gloves and a hat. If your coat isn’t an earth color like dark green or brown leave it here. We don’t want to stand out when we walk.
“Okay Jack. I’ll bring my laptop of course, but other than that I’ll bring what you just listed and my personal stuff. What will we do about food? Can we carry enough in your RV or will we have to pull a trailer?”
“I think we’ll have enough space. Actually the RV has a lot of storage space, except for frozen food. If we run out we should be able to restock at a grocery store, there has to be some food left out there. Worse case is we’ll use the list of RVs waiting to be claimed and use those freezers, if they are still operating.
“Have you ever hunted or helped clean up game?”
Heather frowned but said, “No I haven’t, my family didn’t hunt. But I’ve thought about it and I know that by spring or summer I’ll have to learn how. I don’t expect you or anyone el
se to baby sit me. I’m not excited about hunting, but after seeing Jane do what she had to do to that Schumann guy, I’ve decided that I need to learn new skills, and I’m not going to be squeamish about it. I had a nice life as a teenage girl, but I’m ready to toughen up now.”
Jack didn’t say anything, but he was both sad about Heather growing up so fast, and pleased that she understood why she needed to move on. Jack said good night to Heather and told her they would leave right after breakfast in the morning.
By eight o’clock Jack and Heather were on the road. They drove south to I-40 and then east to I-95 and headed up the coast. While they drove Jack told Heather that he had been monitoring the web each day and had found some brief messages posted from people he thought might be in trouble. On the other hand it could just be someone playing around for no real reason.
The messages had been posted and erased almost immediately. Jack had access to the code since he had helped set up the website, and he could look at all messages, old and new. He had concentrated only on erased messages since everyone could see all other messages. The thing that made him suspicious was that no one had a reason to erase a message once it had been posted. He had planned on doing that over time, but not yet. Most of the messages that had been replaced, and there were only a couple of them, were from people correcting major mistakes. You had to be more than adept to know how to get a message off a web page once you posted it.
So he thought he might be following false leads, but they had bothered him enough to make him want to go in search of the authors.
He finished his explanation to Heather by saying, “So I was really worried about bringing anyone along in case this turned out to be more than a wild goose chase”.
She said, “Now I’m a little nervous. But I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you trust me to come along even though there might be trouble.”
“You know I have no intention of putting you in harm’s way. And I trust you enough to know that you will do everything I tell you to do, without question. After the fact you can ask me anything you want, but if something is happening, or about to happen, I have to be able to trust you to do exactly what I ask.”
