We all cheered at the news and gave high fives all around.
I wasn’t too surprised, but hearing it firsthand made a huge difference.
“And one last thing,” continued the Colonel. “Keep your friends traveling behind him far enough back. He doesn’t want to see them in his rearview.”
“Yes, sir,” I called back after a pause, adding, “it’s Lance here, and I’ll let them know.”
* * * *
The good news spread throughout the camp. We got hold of our friends, who agreed to stay another half day behind, and let James know that Ronna’s group would likely bypass them as well.
Both groups gathered this morning to discuss the upcoming days and our departure.
I stood to thank David, Beatrice, and the rest of the group for hosting us.
“I hope we didn’t eat up all your food,” I joked, “but we will leave you with a half dozen yo-yo fishing reels to make up for it,” tossing the box to Mark.
“It’s been just the best having you all here,” said Beatrice, standing with David’s assistance. “These old bones don’t always do what I tell them to. I’m getting along in years, and I’ve had an easier life than most, I would imagine. But you all”—waiving her right arm around the room at the adults—“you have a unique opportunity to start over.”
“But we have to start from the very bottom,” said one man from Nate’s group.
“No!” declared Beatrice. “That’s where you’re dead wrong. You are all not starting from the bottom, but from the top, and you get to shape these young children’s futures one simple day at a time. Do you all know how long a day is when you’re surrounded by nature and not a care in the world—no traffic, no bosses, no deadlines or late nights? Do you? Well, I do, and it’s longer than you can imagine. So long it makes one lifetime feel like five, and that is what I pray for each and every one of you here. To find that simple magical day for yourselves and repeat it over and over until your bones get so stiff, you need help standing.”
We cheered her on as she waltzed around the room.
“It’s the getting started that’s hard,” she called out, spinning Veronica around.
* * * *
We spent the afternoon finishing the first greenhouse, minus the planting.
As promised, Ronna’s group passed us by without a second look.
Our group met after dinner briefly, with a plan to leave in two or three days.
“Our friends should be here tomorrow,” I told them, “but they have been held up for a few days already and shouldn’t need much of a break except to have Sheila and Vlad take a look at their truck and trailer.”
More than a few of our group were getting nervous about the trip.
It’s one thing, I thought, leaving town when you don’t have a choice, but quite another to leave a safe place you have called home for the last two weeks.
Either way, we were a group. And besides Tina staying—and hopefully not Mike and Sheila—the rest of us would be on our way.
I understood what Joy was talking to Mike about, and maybe I was selfish but we needed him and Sheila as much as anyone else, or even more, for this last leg of the trip.
* * * *
Joy and I got the call from Mark that our friends were at the junction on top of Raton Pass.
We gave them directions down the winding dirt road, with confirmation from Nate that the original ditch trap had been filled in, as he promised Joy.
“Be careful, because the bridge is out,” I told them. “I’ll meet you on your side of it. Take your time, but the roads should be clear and you should make it in about an hour.”
Hudson, Jax and Hendrix were excited about seeing their old friends again. They had spent so much time together over the past several years that they all felt like second cousins.
Talking with David, we agreed that as long as there were no people seen on the way in, we would keep my friends’ truck and Airstream trailer over on the other side where the bridge was and not attempt a river crossing, just to turn back around and do it again in a day or two.
Sheila and Vlad had been working on our vehicles and trailers, as well as David’s.
I didn’t need to ask David about Mike’s pending decision. Who would mind a great mechanic and Terminator-style fighter staying with their group?
If it were just up to Beatrice, I thought, he would stay for sure.
I decided to let God handle it and not ask any questions.
Honk! Honk! Honk! came the sound from across the river.
Joy and I, with the kids, made our way over to the edge of our side on four-wheelers.
“Hold tight, guys! We will be over to get you,” I called out loudly.
* * * *
David, back at camp, got a visit from a grumpy man of the mountain, carrying his pug under his arm.
“What’s all this racket over here?” he asked angrily. “It sounds like New York City at rush hour. Honk! Honk! Honk!”
David had to laugh. “Sir, you didn’t think all the shooting, helicopters and planes the other day were disturbing. But a couple of truck honks gets you upset?”
“That’s different, and you know it. Shooting is one thing, and this here is another,” the old man continued.
“Sir, we will try to keep the noise level down, and you’ll be happy to know that those men across the river are no more.”
“Well, at least that’s something,” he grumbled, walking away.
* * * *
We got everyone safely across the river.
“Hey, guys!” I said. “Man, it’s good to see you!”
“Me too!” added Joy.
The kids ran behind us and Adan’s son brought his soccer ball out.
“What’s going on here?” asked Kat, pointing to Joy’s ankle and my leg.
“It’s a long story,” said Joy, “but I’ll catch you ladies up on everything going on here. Follow me,” she told them, introducing them around camp.
“You said you lost two on the way?” I asked Shane.
“Yeah, a couple—some other friends you’ve never met. No kids thankfully, but those guys just panicked when we got in a bad spot and ran right into harm’s way.”
“Did the kids see it?” I asked.
“Yep, every bit of it, I’m sorry to report,” he said with a sigh.
“We’ve had our fair share of that as well,” I told him.
“I honestly can’t believe we’re here talking with you,” said Adan. “I never would have thought something like this would be so hard, and we’re only halfway.”
“That’s true,” I responded, “but we’re bigger now, more powerful, and most of all, we’re seasoned. There’s a lot to be said for having experienced something before.”
I followed Joy around, with the men in tow, and we got everyone properly introduced.
Vlad, in predictable fashion, introduced himself to Kris’s sister straight off.
“You’re even prettier than Lance has described to me!” he began.
“Why does everyone keep doing this to me?” I asked. “No, I didn’t describe you in detail and only said you were pretty when Vlad asked.”
She blushed, and everyone, including our new guests, got some fun at our expense.
“Let it be known (especially you, Vlad, and David) that from this point forward, if I attempt to describe anyone, man or woman, I will fully expect you to stop me by any means necessary. Are we agreed, gentlemen?” I said.
“I’ll agree,” said David. “But only because you’re leaving! Otherwise, it would be too fun to give up.”
“And Vlad?” I asked.
“Me—you know I do what I do. No promises here, either!”
Now everyone was laughing.
“As fun and awkward as this conversation is becoming,” interjected Mike, “Sheila and I have an announcement. We have become friends, if you will, with both groups here, and we discussed the possibilities of both asking to stay on here and moving down the road to Sad
dle Ranch. We have decided to continue with the original journey and see that those heading north get there in one piece. Once there, we will make further plans on how to raise Javi and give him the best shot at a prosperous life.”
Joy and I were relieved to hear their decision to continue with us.
* * * *
I wasn’t looking forward to crossing the river again with the trailers, but this time we would have more help if needed.
It was decided by all that we would stay one more day and get the trailers across the bridge tomorrow. Several of us would sleep on the trailers with the dogs overnight. Then we would head out early the following day.
I prayed with Joy this night that we were doing the right thing by continuing the journey.
As hard as it would be, we knew it was the right choice.
* * * *
“Last day,” I called out, waking up early the next morning. “Let’s get these trailers ready to move.”
The camp was busy, with people loading supplies and packing up everything but the bare essentials needed for the next 24 hours.
Lucy, along with Lonnie’s wife, volunteered to clean out our porta potty before the trip. We all knew it needed to be done but they were the first to step up.
I got a pass from driving the trailers over, due to my leg injury.
Lonnie, Jake and Mike all took turns, making sure to keep everything as dry as possible and not get stuck.
I rode passenger on the last one, thankful the kids weren’t around to see the bodies of the pseudo-soldiers near the river. I had offered to help David with them, but he said they would take care of it.
As we popped up on the other side of the river and up the road, I wanted to check out the Airstream trailer.
“I can’t believe we didn’t think to grab a few of these on the way,” I told Shane. “We probably drove right past a few dealerships on our way up here.”
“Come on in,” he said, opening the door.
The smell hit me first before I could see anything. It was sweat and food…and feet! Like my boys in summer at the end of a long day outdoors.
“It smells terrible in here!” I said.
“Didn’t use to be that bad, but the generator gave out on us a few days back,” replied Shane.
“Maybe just crack a window,” I joked.
“Yeah, guess you just kind of get used to it after a while.”
“I vote we all get in one last dunk in the lake before the end of the day,” I added.
* * * *
The groups were now divided for the rest of the day, as our trailers needed constant supervision. Most adults pitched in so we could all get some time to say good-bye to our friends, both old and new.
David and Tina invited Joy and me, along with our boys, up to their new house for tea and snacks.
Our boys were going to miss Veronica and Suzie, and so would Joy and I. If Tina hadn’t stepped in and taken care of them, they would be coming with us. Though I hadn’t known them long, it felt like I was leaving part of my family behind.
“You girls are going to do great here,” I told them.
“Yes, we are,” replied Veronica.
David and I sat on the back porch with my one glass of Scotch, having to be pre-approved by Nancy due to my antibiotics regiment recently.
“It’s been good having you guys here,” David said.
“It will be interesting to see if we ever cross paths again,” I replied.
We both sat quietly, listening to the wind in the trees.
“Did you get everything you wanted in trade?” I asked.
“Almost, brother.”
“Almost, huh? What did we miss?” I asked.
“I was kind of hoping for one of the Indians.”
“You want a bike?”
“I like to ride, and the four-wheelers are practical but nothing beats a true classic.”
“I’ll talk to the guys,” I told him.
* * * *
We had a final meeting with just our group tonight, laying out our plans for tomorrow morning and looking at the map. We decided on gifts for David, Mel and Beatrice, to be presented in the morning.
I slept on the open flatbed trailer with Lonnie, Vlad and Jake, while our new additions slept inside the Airstream.
We ended up splitting the dogs, with us taking Ringo, leaving Mini with Joy and the boys.
I never expected to be sleeping on this side of the river, but here we were, and the night was quiet, peaceful even, after the carnage of just a couple of days ago.
* * * *
We met early, packing our final belongings.
Everyone was there to see us off. Some from both groups gave short speeches, and I waited until the end to start.
“Beatrice,” I started, “you are the glue that holds the Raton Pass Militia together. I know Dean would be proud to see how you have all cared for each other and for us. Please remember that all of these gifts are from us all as a thank-you for sheltering us during our much-needed travel break. Beatrice, Joy and I were saving this for a special occasion, and we think this is truly one of those.”
“Don’t leave me in suspense!” she said. “What is it?”
“It’s a bottle of Hennessy 50-year old cognac from Cognac, France. My grandfather was stationed there in the mid-1950s, and they had a program where any family could purchase an entire barrel of cognac and return on the 50th year to have it bottled and shipped abroad. In 2006 we took a family trip to France and watched them bottle our barrel. What you are holding is the second to last bottle in our family. I remember David telling me in college that you enjoyed a cognac every now and then.”
“This will be a treasure,” Beatrice said, holding it close. “Thank you.”
“David,” I continued, “you lead this group with honor and integrity. You have created a new family and agreed to love and cherish your new bride all of your days. Veronica and Suzie have gained a caring mom, dad, and older brother. And I know they have chosen wisely.”
I held up my hand, and Mike roared around the new greenhouse on one of the Indian motorcycles. It was shining like it was brand new.
“David, Mike secured this bike not long ago, and Sheila has been secretly working on it half the night. This Indian is in top shape, and she’s yours.”
David was excited, and his new girls were already asking for a ride from Daddy.
“Last, but certainly not least…Mel, your bravery and gadgets gave us a fighting chance more than once. What do you get the man who has everything?”
Joy looked at Katie and Jonah and winked. Handing the folded dish towel in her hands to Mel, he wasn’t sure what to think.
He opened it to see the backside of a white coffee mug.
“Oh, I get it; I like coffee,” he announced. “Wait a minute,” he spoke loudly. “David gets a motorcycle, and all I get is a lousy...”
He glanced at Katie and Jonah, both gesturing for him to turn the cup around.
As he slowly turned the cup towards him, his voice trailed off.
“Oh, oh…” is all that came out quietly.
Tears filled his eyes as he turned the cup around for all to see. Everyone paused, with nobody speaking.
It read “The World’s Best New Daddy” and was signed by Katie and Jonah.
He held out both arms, and they ran to him, along with Tammy.
“Now I have everything,” he replied, still teary-eyed.
“I have a gift for you, from all of us, of course,” he said. “Tammy, please do the honors.”
She slid a dark sheet off the brightly illuminated television, with a DVD combo player.
“It’s not the 72-inch, but it’s a 40, complete with battery packs, and the kids can pick any ten movies out of the lot. Any ones you want except for The Princess Bride,” he announced, as he winked at Katie.
The children (and adults) were all very excited.
“Hold on. Hold on. We also have egg burritos,” announced Beatrice. “Last time y
ou had them, you were able to fight off the forces of evil, and now it will carry you across the first miles of your journey north.”
Lucy and Joy explained the “Hendrix Count” to our new travelers, so no child would ever get left behind.
Next World Series (Vol. 4): Families First [Hard Roads] Page 19