by S A Ison
“Angela’s sleeping there,” she complained.
“That’s okay. Go sleep with her,” he said, and set her down. He and Marilyn watched as their daughter staggered back into the house. Marilyn laughed.
Willene came out with another basket and handed it to her brother. “This should be the last of it. I’ll make sure the girls go potty before we leave. I’ve also packed some fried eggs and biscuits to eat on the way, and I’ll be bringing a couple of thermoses of coffee.”
“Sounds good,” Harry said. He turned to Marilyn. “Did you want to get a couple more quilts?” He asked his wife.
“Yeah. That way, we can all snuggle down,” she said, and went back into the house. Harry took the basket down the hill to the waiting wagon. The horses were hobbled, so they didn’t have to worry. Monroe had already fed the chickens and milked the cow. All chores had been completed. It was a four-hour ride to town, and it would be a long ride back this afternoon, but no one minded.
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Alan hitched up the small buggy to the horse. His wife, Megan came out with several baskets of goods. Homer followed her, his tail wagging. It was nearly noon. The sun was warm on his shoulders and Alan turned to take the baskets from Megan.
“I can’t wait to see everyone,” Alan grinned.
“Me either. They’ll get to meet Wilber now,” Megan said of their two-month-old son.
“I wish Pop Pop could have met him,” Alan said sadly.
“Me too, honey,” Megan said softly, and kissed her husband on his head. Alan secured the baskets and checked the straps on the horse. His grandfather had died in his sleep two years ago. He’d been heartbroken, but he knew his grandfather was at rest.
He saw one of his neighbors walking toward town and lifted a hand in greeting.
“How goes it?” he called.
“All’s good, Deputy Alan,” the man grinned.
“Headin’ into town?” Alan asked.
“Sure am. Me and the missus will head out in a bit. Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” the man laughed.
Alan grinned, and turned as Megan came out with their son. He was bundled up tight against any chills. Alan helped her up into the small buggy, and then got up beside her. He gathered the reins and snapped them smartly. The buggy jerked, and they headed into town.
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David walked back from the farm. He’d helped Jutta and Gerhard with the wagons. They would swing by to pick himself and Mary up in an hour. Mary was out in the yard when he arrived, hanging laundry. He saw her and smiled.
“Everything about ready?” she asked.
“Yeah. All three wagons are loaded. Jutta is running around frantic. Milly is about to bust; I think that baby will come any day now,” David laughed.
“Yeah, I saw her yesterday. She looks miserable. Jutta thinks she’s having twins,” Mary laughed, grimacing. Just then, Howard came busting through the front door.
“Mommy, Rachael is crying. She’s hungry, Mommy.” The five-year-old fretted about his baby sister.
“I’ll get her,” David laughed. He walked into the house, Howard trailing him.
“Why is she crying, Daddy?” Howard asked.
“Because she wants up and is excited to go to town,” David laughed. He picked up his thirteen-month-old daughter and brought her to him and kissed her cheek.
“Let me, let me,” Howard said, and David held the child low for Howard to kiss. He then set his daughter down and Howard grabbed her hand.
“Easy, honey. Let her walk on her own,” David said softly.
“Okay, Daddy. When are we gonna leave?” Howard asked.
“Soon. We’re waiting on Aunt Jutta to get everyone ready, then they’ll come by with the wagons and pick us up. Let’s go out and help your mom finish hanging laundry,” David suggested.
“Okay, Daddy. Come on, Rachael, we gotta help Mommy,” Howard said, and flew out of the house.
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Katie came downstairs. Clay had just come home from the office. He was officially off today but wore his uniform. He walked over and kissed his wife.
“About ready to head to the park?” he asked.
“Yeah. The kids are as ready as they’ll ever be,” she laughed. They looked up as the twin boys come through from the kitchen. The four-year-old brothers had an apple each, huge in their small hands.
“You boys ready to go?” Clay asked.
“Yeah, Daddy. We ready,” Mark answered, and Kyle nodded solemnly, his large dark eyes serious. Clay bent and picked both boys up in his arms, and they wrapped their sticky fingers around his neck, the apples falling to the ground.
“Uh oh,” Kyle said.
“It’s okay, honey. We can leave them here, and I’ll wash them when we get back,” Katie assured her son.
“Okay, Mommy,” Mark said.
They left the house and walked down the sidewalk. They passed several families also heading to the park. Mayor Mary Lou Jaspers would be setting things up at the bandstand. She had found old bunting years ago, and each year she decorated the bandstand. Clay knew it was important to her that everyone feel welcome and enjoy the celebration. They had a lot to celebrate, to be sure.
Mary Lou had initiated the work program, getting a lot of the open areas of the park plowed under and the areas set aside for planting large gardens. No one ate for free; everyone had to work in the community gardens.
Mary Lou had also set up hunting parties, and had even gone hunting as well. Clay had laughed at that. She was in for the long haul, ensuring they all had enough to eat. She was a good woman and worked hard along with everyone else.
The first few years had been hard, but Mary Lou had set up a seed swap at the celebration. Everyone was encouraged to share and swap seeds, also planting tips, and a thriving trade grew. Those living farther out came when they could, and there was always something to trade.
For Clay, there was very little work. Crime was nearly nonexistent. He worked alongside Mary Lou, hunting and working in the community garden. He also took food to outlying homes with elderly who couldn’t make it. It was a community effort, but all benefited from it.
He and Katie were looking forward to seeing Harry and his group. It was nearly six months since they’d last seen them. Clay had received word that Steven had died several years ago. He was sad, but Gideon had come last year with Ginny and Robert, and they seemed fine.
The children were all growing up, and it amazed Clay how fast time was going. They’d all grown used to life without power, without computers and all the other things that had made life easier, yet more complicated.
They arrived at the park, and his boys ran off to join other children. He kept an eye on them, but there was little to worry about. He laughed when he saw Harry and walked over, embracing the other man.
“How the hell are you, Harry? Where are Marilyn and Willene?” Clay laughed.
“We’re good. Marilyn is expecting this spring,” he grinned.
“Congratulations! That is wonderful news! Katie will be tickled,” he said, looking around for his wife, then spotting her. She’d already found Willene and Marilyn, and they were all hugging each other.
He then saw Monroe and Earl. “My God, but Monroe has shot up over the summer. He’s taller than his mother,” Clay said, surprise in his face.
“Yeah. I think he’ll be even taller than me,” Harry laughed.
“I bet he’s a big help,” Clay said.
“He is. And Kimberly and Angela adore him. The girls follow him around, whether he wants it or not.” Harry laughed.
Boggy came up and shook Clay’s hand, grinning.
“Hey, Boggy, how’ve you been?”
“Hey, Clay. Good. Been busy g’tting ready fir winter,” he laughed.
“Ain’t that the true,” Earl said, coming up from behind.
Clay shook Earl’s hand and smacked him on the back. Earl looked around, and grinned.
“Excuse me, boys. I think I done spotted the widow Baker,” Earl said,
and hurried off.
Clay laughed, and Harry shook his head.
“I thank Earl is sweet on Erma Baker,” Boggy laughed.
“I’d say you’re right. She seems pretty taken with him too,” Harry laughed.
“Looks like Boney and Bella May made it. Here they come,” Clay said, pointing to a small carriage. Between the two was a teen. Bella May had taken in one of the many orphans and moved in with Boney to consolidate resources.
“Looks like Monroe isn’t the only one getting tall, Jacob has grown at least six inches since I saw him last. I know he’s a big help to Boney and Bella May,” Clay said, watching as the small carriage pulled to the side, along with the other wagons and buggies.
Boggy turned and left the men, spotting a friend. Clay and Harry watched him leave, smiling. Then the two walked over to their wives.
The children played around them like wild puppies, their energy contagious as other children joined in. Laughter floated across the park, and people mingled and joined groups, then met with long-lost friends to catch up on gossip and memories.
Life had slowed down, but not stopped, in Beattyville. It was thriving, and though life was hard at times, it was good. There hadn’t been any strangers, or any more conflicts. The survivors were few, but they were strong.
They would continue.
