Jon took another drink and sat down.
“You’re right; I need to relax about this. It is just hard for me as I love her so much. You know Doc, leaving her and Amanda ten years ago almost killed me and now that I have them back I just want my life to be as it is.”
“Well Jon, all I can say is treasure each day and every moment and it will all work out.”
Jon shook his head in agreement and got up to turn the meat. The elk rib roast was really looking good now as the small fat area had turned brown and had started to sizzle. He sat back down and flexed his hands as if to relieve them.
“Getting a little arthritic Jon? asked Doc.
“Could be but I think it is just the cold acting on them. Or it could be that over my years of life, playing football and rugby that I have broken six fingers and one bone in my hand.”
“Yea that could do it.”
“Doc, do you think this thing with the Urban World is ever going to end? I mean we are in for a fight come April time frame and even if we win what then?” asked Jon.
“Well I don’t think they will give up and I don’t think that they are going anywhere. Fact is I believe the next six months is all we have left in this valley, our paradise. I believe that if they lose they will then just use aerial weapons and destroy us.” said Doc.
Jon looked into his hands and flexed them again.
“Even if we just gave in then we would lose this valley anyway. I think you are right and as such I think we need to be prepared to move if need be.” said Jon.
“Jon, if you were going to move where would we go?” asked Doc.
“Well I am not going to suggest where we should all go but I know where I would go. I would move to Alaska. I understand that the there are more of us up there than Urban people and that they live more like us. Also there is good trade and good land. Yes Alaska is where we will go.”
Doc thought a moment and looked at Jon.
“Well that sounds good to me; if we have to go then we go north. Maybe Riley, JT and Mort would go as well.” said Doc.
“Well we do need a plan so after the holidays at our next training let’s bring it up.”
Catherine stepped out on the porch and nuzzled up next to Jon.
“My it is cold out here. Well any way what is our time frame on the meat?”
“I would say ten more minutes. Is everything else ready?” asked Jon.
“Yes the table is set, wine opened and the rest of the food is ready.”
“Great as I am hungry.’ said Jon.
“Well bring it in when it is done.”
She leaned over and gave Jon a kiss. He grabbed her and gave her a squeeze.
Doc looked over at them and had a smile on his face.
“Jon Smith, you truly are a lucky man.”
“Yes I am.”
The back door opened and Doc and Jon carried in the roast. They laid it on the table and took a look around the cabin. The Christmas tree burned bright with the season and the fire place had a lovely roaring fire. Jon had also made a point to hang stockings on the mantle as he had kept the family ones from years back. Chris had hooked up the music pad and was playing old recorded Christmas songs through the PC speakers. Jon took one of the bottles of red wine and examined it.
“Doc, where did you get this? Fifteen year old Australian?” asked Jon.
“You forget that Dick is a master at imports.” said Doc.
“Dick is one crazy guy but thank God he is there.”
Jon poured a sip of wine in his glass and swirled it then took a drink.
“Excellent, just excellent, thanks Doc.”
He then filled all the glasses and bid the family stand behind their chairs.
As Jon was not overly religious he did not practice a constant association with the maker, however on such occasions he found it fitting and proper to do so.
“Lord, we thank you for this food you have provided and for this your season. We also thank you for the most excellent brother we have in Doctor James Pierce. I also thank you for my family and most of all for bringing us all together. Thank you. Amen.”
Then the feast began. As plates were filled and slowly eaten the family and Doc exchanged stories of Christmas when they were kids. The stories brought back fond memories and sad ones all the same. After dinner and some coffee, Doc bid the family goodbye and headed for home. Dishes and pans were soon cleaned and put away for the evening.
The food and drink sank in and the family was ready for early bed. Chris and Amanda bid their parents good night and headed back to their rooms. Jon needed some fresh air and grabbed one last cup of coffee and headed toward the back porch. Catherine grabbed a blanket and joined him.
“Well, did you enjoy Christmas honey?” asked Jon.
“It was one of the best I have ever had. I can’t believe I ate as much elk as I did.”
“Good to see you eat it. Doc says you have lost some weight. Are feeling alright?”
“Well I am a bit tired but it just may be the cold and time of year.
Jon finished his coffee and put his arm around Catherine.
“How about we go inside and go to our bed?” said Jon.
“What, do you still have some energy?”
“My dear, I always have the energy for that.”
Chapter 10
The holidays had passed and mid January set in on the valley. The cold and the snow contained many outdoor activities with the exception of collecting firewood and trips to the meat lockers. The young folk of the valley headed back toward schooling and each day was much like the next. Jon and Catherine had gotten up and prepared Chris and Amanda and had sent them down to the Millers house for a math lesson. Amanda was working on geometry and Chris continued with his calculus. Jon had just been outside arranging some fire wood and came in.
“Hey Catherine, want to take a walk to the back stream and see it frozen over.”
Catherine was not in the main room and did not respond. Jon walked toward the bedroom where he saw her sitting on the floor up against the bed. She was pale and seemed to be struggling. He ran to her side and leaned over her.
“Honey, are you alright? Did you fall or something?”
Catherine looked up into his face.
“Jon, get me down to Doc.”
Jon did not hesitate as he grabbed a blanket to put around her and then grabbed a coat and hat. He lifted her in his strong arms and began to carry her toward the truck. He knew he was a strong man but she seemed light as a feather. Placing her on the passenger side he went around and got in the drivers seat and ignited the motor. Jon soon had the truck heading the five miles or so to Doc’s. He drove with a purpose and a passion, trying to hide his look of concern from Catherine. But for Jon Smith, when it came to his family he could not hide the look.
He pulled the truck up into Doc’s driveway and promptly got out and went around to get Catherine.
“Jon, I think I can walk ok now. Let me give it a try.”
She stood up and with a little support from Jon made it up the stairs to the door. Jon knocked on the door and a moment later Doc opened up.
“Well what do I owe the pleasure?”
Doc barely finished as he looked at Catherine and then Jon and knew this was no courtesy call. Doc took Catherine by the arm and with Jon’s help got her back to his examination table where she laid down. Doc pulled out a stethoscope and listened to her heart. He then checked her blood pressure.
“What happened?” asked Doc.
“I just felt faint and collapsed.”
“I found her by the bed Doc.” said Jon.
“Well your heart is ok sounding but your blood pressure is up.”
Doc looked at Jon.
“Jon, why don’t you step out and let me examine her. Catherine, I want to draw some blood and pu
t it through some tests.”
Jon didn’t want to leave but a reassuring look from Catherine compelled him to let the doctor and patient be alone. Jon walked out to Doc’s den where he sat down. The room was like most family rooms in the valley. Doc had a nice stone fireplace with a big boar’s head mounted above it. On the mantle were pictures of Doc in his military uniforms and pictures from combat long ago. The fireplace had a fire going that needed some tending so Jon grabbed a few more logs and placed them in. He sat wondering what next. He started thinking back to the ten years prior and began to drop into a slow guilt about having left Catherine and Amanda. Had those ten years put such a strain on her that it brought on the cancer? He then began to think about what he would do if he lost her. It never came to Jon that essentially she had been gone from him for ten years. But then he had always held the hope that they would be together again and in the end that hope had been met.
Doc went over to a cabinet and pulled out a plastic syringe that he could extract blood. Catherine sat up while Doc stuck the needle in and drew a test tube of blood.
“Here, put this gauze on the needle spot.”
Doc walked back and put down the test tube and grabbed a Band-Aid. He put the Band-Aid over the needle mark and helped Catherine up.
“Why don’t you go out and sit with Jon while I work on this blood. I should know something in about fifteen minutes.”
Jon brought Catherine out and sat her on the sofa.
“Well Doc, what do we know?”
“I drew some blood and have to run some tests. I’ll be back out in a little while when I know something.”
Doc went back and began to place the blood in the spectra analysis devise. It would provide a read out on the blood and would tell him if the cancer was active again.
Jon looked over at Catherine and pulled her to rest on his shoulder. He tried his best to look strong and prepared but it was only a false countenance. Catherine looked up at him and felt the pain within him. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it.
“Don’t you worry; this is all going to be ok. You have to be strong for the kids and for me Jon.”
Jon looked again at her and smiled.
“Oh, don’t worry, I will be strong. I will be strong enough that I will find a way to beat this. Nothing is going to take you from me now, not now.”
The two sat looking at the fire holding each other. Doc came out and sat down in a chair in front of them, holding a print out. He ran his fingers through his moustache and looked at them.
“Ok, I have to be straight up. Jon, Catherine, the cancer is back and active. I don’t have the means to know how far it has spread but just based on my clinical opinion it is spreading.”
Jon looked down and ran his fist into his other palm. He looked over at Catherine as she had a half smile on her face as if she didn’t comprehend what had been told to her. The fact was she fully knew and was trying to face the news as best she could.
“As you both know there is little we can do here for this. I can give you some pain pills and some other medicine that might help but the fact is I just don’t have the means.”
Jon looked back at Doc.
“Any word from Mexico?”
“No and last I talked to Dick most of the roads were shut down with some exceptions. We still have a shot.” said Doc.
“Maybe I ought to go down there and get it myself.” said Jon.
Doc looked straight at Jon and gave a stern reply.
“No sir, first Catherine is going to need you, second, the Order probably has a price on your head, and everybody else needs you here. Also Jon it is still only a shot that those drugs would work. Let’s just wait and see.” said Doc.
“Jon, he is right. Let’s just let nature take its course ok honey?” said Catherine.
Jon looked at Catherine and acknowledged that both she and Doc were right.
Doc went back into his clinic and came back with a small box filled with pills.
“Now these you can take if you start to feel pain. These I want you to take two times a day. Also I have loaded up some vitamin C and I want you to take six of these a day. Catherine I know it will be hard but I want you to get as many calories in you as you can stand. Jon, potatoes and high fat foods for her ok.”
“Well, it is a girl’s dream, I can eat all I want.” said Catherine.
Jon and Catherine got up and prepared to go home. They bid Doc thanks and climbed into the truck. As they headed toward home Catherine looked over at Jon.
“What do you think we ought to tell the kids? Amanda probably understands but Chris?” asked Catherine.
“I think that they can and will figure it out. We just need to make sure that you get what you need.”
Jon helped Catherine up the front porch stairs and into the house. He set her on the couch with a blanket and proceeded to the kitchen.
“Feel like a cup of coffee with milk and sweetener?”
“Oh that sounds good, but Jon where are you getting milk this time of year?” asked Catherine.
“Well we have to go with powdered milk. Fact is when we move into these months the fresh stuff is used up. We have plenty of meat, rice, beans, bread, potatoes, onions, and other powdered stuff.”
“Well it beats the hell out of synthetic food.” laughed Catherine.
Jon brought her a cup of coffee and then proceeded to build a fire in the fire place. He had a nice blaze going and the room warmed up. As the sun was not bright this time of year and it was about two in the afternoon Jon lit some candles to give the room more light. Catherine took the moment to look around this room again. The huge stone fireplace was a truly beautiful sight. Even now the mounted deer, elk, and boar heads on the walls made her feel cozy. She looked back toward the open door of the library and imagined more days of reading and relaxing with the family.
“Jon, don’t ever regret leaving us and coming here. You did what was right and you have built a place that we should have always lived in. Chris and Amanda belong in a place like this, not that awful Urban World.”
“Catherine, I have always regretted leaving you and I still do. But it heartens me to hear what you have just said. I did what I thought was right and I am still doing what I think is right. I have not given up and you are not going to either. I am a fighter and when I get knocked down I get back up and stay in the fight.”
“Jon, I know that about you and that is what I love about you. You have a strength that not many people have. You have a physical strength, a moral strength and a mental strength.” said Catherine.
The front door opened at that point and in came Amanda and Chris. They were returning from their day at school and saw mom and dad sitting on the sofa. Both Amanda and Chris had bags that held their tablet PCs and Amanda was carrying her 30-30 rifle.
“Well what would they have said in the day, we send the kids of to school with books, lunch, and a gun.” said Jon.
“They would have locked us in jail.” said Catherine.
“What’s up?” asked Chris as he looked at his parents.
Amanda looked at her mother and knew exactly what was going on. Catherine gave a look at Amanda and in that feminine way communicated.
“Hey Chris, come on into my room and help me put away my things.” said Amanda.
“Ok I’m coming.” said Chris.
Chris and Amanda headed into her room whereupon Amanda closed the door.
“So what is going on with mom and dad?” asked Chris.
“Chris, sit down on the bed, I need to talk to you.”
Chris sat on Amanda’s bed and looked at his sister.
“Now when mom sent me to find you all she had a reason and you know what that reason was. The doctors had told her she had cancer and not long to live.”
“Yea, but she seems or seemed to be getting better.” said Chris.
“Yes she did but if you haven’t noticed, she has been getting weaker the past few weeks and has lost weight. I suspect the cancer is taking her over.”
Chris had a deer in the headlights look. Yes he knew the reasons but had not really faced the reality. The past few months with his mom and sister back had been heaven to him. Even with all the issues with the Urban Troops and such. The thought of losing his mom now really began to weigh on him.
“You think this is the beginning of her dying?” asked Chris.
“Well it might be and if it is we have to be strong. We have to be strong not just for mom but for dad as well. He is facing a lot and if we fall apart it isn’t going to help him.” said Amanda.
“Amanda, our dad is the strongest man on earth. Or I should say I believe he is.” said Chris.
“Yes he is but even the strongest man has a breaking point and something tells me that we are going to see it in the next few months.”
Chapter 11
Mid February brought a dry cold to the high mountain plains of the Western Region. While deep snow was still falling in the mountains and foothills, the lower areas were enjoying much milder weather. The people in the Urban world went on with their mundane lives of working their state job and finding entertainment in the evening. However just outside of the city there was a continuous buzz of activity. Location 231 was the code location for the airfield and collection point for the military. For the past several days large cargo planes had been landing and unloading as well as transports carrying troops. The 501st Regiment was now arriving in force and would soon be ready to do the bidding of the regional governor.
A humvee with a red pennant on the radio antenna pulled up and stopped in front of one of the buildings that had been erected in the makeshift base. Colonel James stepped out of the vehicle and paused to look over the area. To the right were several rows of buildings that would serve as troop quarters. In the center were logistic buildings and what appeared to be the mess hall. To the left was the motor pool which was rapidly filling with humvees, APCs, and Bradley’s. The number of troops and materiel were expanding as each cargo and troop transport plane arrived. Colonel James was readying his regiment for the job that they had been assigned.
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