So, You Want to Live Past Next Tuesday

by Billy Bob Richardson

  “The structure of our male/ female relationships bothers you. There are no religious implications to them, no adolescent day dreams. It might not seem romantic enough, but our relationships tend to be based on somewhat more practical considerations than what romance novels suggest. No one knows what a full scale, all-out nuclear attack might do to the world. Or a catastrophic bio weapon attack. Depending on the type of disaster, you can see figures from a few hundred thousand killed to a few hundred thousand left alive as the total world population.

  “In Colorado we have something like 6 to 8 military bases between Denver and Pueblo, the most populated areas of the state. Peterson Air Force base for one would draw a lot of attention in any conflict. The government requested some studies about the loss of life in a more or less full out exchange of nukes. Estimates go as high as 80% of the population dying. If it was only 75% that means the population of Colorado would drop to 125,000. Throw out those over 50 and under 5 you would have a population of something like 100,000 to err on the high side. Let’s say for the sake of argument that you only lose 50% of those to hunger, cold, disease, poisoned water, etc. That would leave you 50,000 people. After a winter or two of no services and little to no food deliveries, what would you have left? 25,000 or less? That would leave you something like 4 people per square mile.

  “What if you had 300 to 500 people tucked away in a relatively safe place, with supplies and the knowledge to farm/ranch? Had a doctor and nurses along with a well-stocked clinic? That’s why you will see people educated in the sciences, agribusinesses and animal husbandry in our family. Of course our relationships are based on attraction, but those people are trained and cross trained to be able to make an agrarian society based on 1800’s level technology. How valuable would it be to have people whose educations are based in small farming techniques, small herds of meat animals, dairy, carpentry and blacksmithing in the same relationship? Who rebuilds a population base? Starving sick people? Or healthy, trained family groups?

  “Perhaps we sound too calculating, emotionless in our efforts to survive. My father used to quote an old saying, two can live as cheaply as one and that if they had to, two could survive on love, then laugh. I hear love soup is pretty thin, though. Doubtful about the importance, or lack thereof, that we put on love? Just take a look at the way Madd and Itsy look at each other. It isn’t that we have a lack of love, it is more like we have more than enough love to cover more than just one other person per lifetime.

  “Do I expect an all-out nuclear attack some day? Actually, no. Take China, for example. We are one of China’s biggest trading partners, it would take something really extraordinary to make them want to destroy us. I don’t totally discount it though. Keep in mind, man’s capacity to kill his fellow man isn’t really limited to nuclear devices. He is perfectly capable of devising other methods to kill the same number and more.

  “Sorry Al, I know it’s a little bit like you asking what time it is, and me telling you how to build a Swiss watch.”

  “Actually I found it very interesting. Frightening, but interesting. I know you weren’t trying to give me fast and hard numbers, just illustrating how the population could drop if things got bad enough. The problem is, it sounds all too plausible. Over the years I have read plenty of plans that called for just that level of destruction. So far the terrorist groups haven’t been able to come up with what they need, but when they do, they won’t hesitate to use it against us. Thank you for taking the time to give me a different perspective on what it might take to survive a truly devastating world event.”

  “OK guys, enough of all this serious stuff, let’s get cleaned up and go to dinner. I could eat a whole cow,” Roy told them.

  With a grin Al asked, “Roy, how do you like your steak?”

  “Drag him in, knock off the horns, wipe its behind, and throw it on the plate.” Roy was laughing as hard as anyone.

  Chapter 4

  Southeastern Colorado, current main family ranch/farm.

  Al had been invited for a visit and was enjoying it immensely. He was surprised to find that Lieutenant Miller, the company First Sergeant and soldiers from the platoon, along with their wives and significant others were there for five days as well. He didn’t know Miller all that well but liked what he did know. It was nice not being the only outsider there. Of course, it wouldn’t be fair to say he had been treated as an outsider. Far to the contrary, he had been treated like an old friend who hadn’t been around for a few years.

  Something many civilians don’t know is that military wives or significant others, especially ones whose husbands are serving together in a combat zone, tend to form closely knit groups for mutual support. They watch each other’s children, go shopping and generally spend a lot of time together. Even those not physically close can become friends in the days of Facebook and instant messaging. Itsy and some of the other girls had become friends with the Lieutenant’s wife Meriam. Their husbands and boyfriends being in mortal danger gave them common ground. In this particular case the Lieutenant’s wife was the de facto leader of their little group.

  Fraternization between officers and enlisted men when off duty is a delicate matter.

  In the strictest interpretation, fraternization is a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. “To be actionable, the offense has to be a violation of the customs of the armed forces. Not all contact or association between officers and enlisted persons is an offense. Whether the contact or association in question is an offense depends on the surrounding circumstances. Factors to be considered include whether the conduct has compromised the chain of command, resulted in the appearance of partiality, or otherwise undermined good order, discipline, authority, or morale.”

  As long as the acts and circumstances don’t lead a reasonable person experienced in the problems of military leadership to conclude that the good order and discipline of the armed forces has been prejudiced, or compromise and respect for the officer isn’t compromised contact isn’t an offense. None of that applied to the wives, of course. So Itsy and the other girls from the family had invited all these folks to have a country vacation.

  Miller had been a little blindsided by his wife’s suggestion that they take up the family on their invitation to vacation at their farms. She wanted to meet Itsy and the others face to face. Facebook and electronic communications were fine but they were no substitute for actually meeting the person behind them. She was insistent that it would be good for all of them to get out of the city, ride horses and go fishing. Judging by the children in the group, it was a wild success. With all these open spaces they could run and scream to their hearts’ content.

  There were plenty of kids from the family for them to play with and there always seemed to be a group of older, more mature kids in those groups. He suspected they were there to make sure none of the city kids did anything really stupid and got hurt.

  While he knew Ivan, Madd and the others under his command to some degree, and found them to be excellent soldiers, by necessity he had kept them at arm’s length. At any time he might have to give an order that caused their death. It was never easy, but it was easier if you didn’t know them too well on a personal level.

  Even with his wife’s urging he might not have come if it hadn’t been for the First Sergeant. He not only liked Ivan and the others, he held them in high regard. In his opinion, meeting on a level social field would not cause problems later when they were back in combat. The Sergeant also pointed out that all the guys had less than a year to go before their contracts were completed. They would be gone before anything really raw happened.

  It always paid to listen to the opinions of the First Sergeant and he was glad he had listened this time. He was having the time of his life, eating delicious food, and making a total pig of himself. Everyone he met treated him like they had known him for years. They were great people. A little odd in their relationships, but still great folks. Maybe he was being somewhat unfair in that odd thought. His wife
didn’t seem to find Itsy and the others to be odd in the least. Guess you never knew what a women would find odd or offensive.

  After five days of a great time he was going to hate heading home. Still, with some leave left there were things at home that needed doing before he had to report back in.

  “Madd, you got a minute?”

  “Sure thing Al, having the Lt. and all the folks over was great, but with doing some of the entertaining I am sort of behind on things that need doing. Grab a bike, I need to get down to the barn and get busy trimming hooves on the working horses.”

  “You know, I really liked riding my bike as a kid, it’s nice that you guys use so many of them to get around.”

  “It’s fun, and faster than walking all the way to where we keep the stock. And it is very fuel efficient. Al, open that gate and let the horses in.”

  Al was a good guy and made for good company, but sometimes it was easier to do a thing than it was to take the time to try and explain the job to someone new.

  “They will just come in on their own?” asked Al.

  “Yep, these working horses are very good natured and kind of playful. Those coming in are a very curious bunch and will come see what we are doing. Course, it doesn’t hurt I have some apples cut up in my pocket and they can smell them. Once they get into this small corral, shut the gate so they don’t wander back out.”

  “What is that contraption, Madd?”

  “You lead a horse up into it and the bars in front keep him from walking on through. When they are in, tie off their halters so they can’t back up.”

  “So you have them trapped, I get that, but how does that help you trim their hooves?”

  “Those big thick ropes on the side go around a leg, then you pull the leg up and tie off the rope. Holds their legs still so you can work on the hoof.”

  “I wondered how anyone could work on those monsters. Don’t they object to standing on three legs?”

  “Some don’t much care for it, but our horses are very even-natured and smart. They have been through this before and are pretty patient. Between each leg I give them a piece of apple to apologize for hauling their legs up in the air.”

  “What do you do exactly, Madd?”

  “Well, first you remove the old shoe, and then you clean off the under part of the hoof. It is tough but there is a sharp tool that you use to trim the bottoms. Then you use that heavy rasp over there to shape the hoof for the new shoe. Uncle Jed will be here to make the shoes and shoe the horse; matter of fact, there he is.”

  “I feel like a third wheel here, anything I can do to help?”

  “There is a crew in the barn, you already met them. They are cleaning out the stalls and washing things down. Grab a pair of boots from that box at the front and give them a hand if you would.”

  “10-4, Madd.”

  Hours later Al was tired, but feeling good at what he and the others had been able to accomplished in the barn. Time to look around for Madd.

  At the horse corral Madd was finishing up and wondering where AL had gotten off to when he saw him leave the barn and head his way. Putting away the tools and turning the last horse out to pasture he closed the gate and went to meet Al.

  “Madd, you about done?”

  “Yep, just locked up the tools so we have a couple of minutes for you to get to know the horses. Here, take these apple pieces in your hand and feed one to each horse. Be careful to keep your hand flat so they don’t nibble a finger.”

  “They like fingers?”

  “No, not really, but they have big strong jaws and teeth. They might not actually bite through a finger but you can sure get a hell of a pinch. Mostly they use their lips to gently take it off your hand, but it doesn’t hurt to be careful. You wanted to talk about something?”

  “I do, but I don’t know how to start.”

  “We better get these horses back where they belong. Walk with me and we can talk about what’s bothering you.”

  For ten minutes they worked silence before Al said, “Why do you think something is bothering me?”

  “Well we been opening and closing gates, coaxing horses in and out of pasturage for ten minutes and you haven’t said a word. So ya, I figure either you have a problem or you have a question so spit it out!”

  “I know, just don’t know how to get started.”

  “Let me guess. This concerns a certain girl whose name might happen to be Rose?

  “Ya, it does.”

  “So, you are taken with her and want to know how to proceed. Plus you want to know what the reaction of the family will be if you start to romance her. That about cover it?”

  “Pretty close, I just can’t get her off my mind. Especially since I have seen the farm and her here in the farm setting.”

  “Far as I know everyone likes you, Al. Still, you are an unknown quantity. You can’t actually say what you do, and we respect that, but it makes people a little reserved. Hard to let a man into your family when he can’t let you into his life at all. By this time Rose knows you are interested. Doesn’t take a genius to look at you two together to see you have the mutual hots for each other.”

  “That obvious, is it?

  “I think what gave you away is how you step on your own tongue when you’re around her.”

  “Guess I do. Any suggestions?”

  “She hasn’t told you to leave her alone, and she goes out of her way to spend time with you, so she is interested too. As far as the family goes, since she hasn’t run you off, they won’t interfere. She is respected and knows her own mind. I am going to go out on a limb here, so don’t you saw it off behind me. She spoke to me last night about you.”

  “She did, really?” The eagerness in Al’s voice was almost painful to hear.

  “Guy, you sound like a fifteen year old school boy.”

  “Sorry. It’s just that I’ve never met anyone like her before.”

  “Never mind. She wanted my opinion of you and advice on what kind of man you are. I’ll tell you what I told her. You two are in a corner. You can’t talk about things that the family and Rose might find pertinent. And you aren’t totally comfortable with our family yet. She won’t give up her family or the way of life she was raised in, that I can promise you.

  “Al, I gave this a great deal of thought last night and I can figure only one way you two have a chance. You go to her and ask her to give you some time. Then when you can, you come and stay with the family. You see if you can get to understand her and our family. She can take that time to make an independent evaluation of you based on what you show her here, while ignoring what you can’t talk about. You really need to find out what makes her tick and see if you are in tune with her.”

  “That sounds good to me, Madd. I like it here and while I don’t understand a lot about your family, they are great people. For a guy like me, your family and the ranch life is a little slice of heaven. You think the family will be OK with all this though, me being an outsider?” asked Al.

  “I’ll talk to the council, so there won’t be any problems. You come as often as you like, and there will be a place here for you.”

  The thought flashed across Al’s mind, who is this man? He is eighteen at the most but in the last few days Al had seen it happen over and over. When he speaks, the council and even Roy, listen. Amazing.

  The next afternoon Madd caught up with Al helping the girls in the garden.

  “Al, you have been invited to dinner up to the big house. We will go up together, be ready by 6pm.”

  “Sure thing, Madd.”

  “Madd, why are you taking him to dinner there, what’s up?” Rose sounded worried.

  “Popa sent word by Miss Charlotte to come up and bring Al, so we are going to dinner there.”

  “What’s it about Madd, is everything alright? Is Popa upset?”

  “Don’t look so worried Rose, it will be fine.”

  “But Popa never sees people from outside anymore, it does worry me.”

  “
Rose Marie, this is family business, there is nothing I can do about it. Popa isn’t going to shoot him, least I don’t think so,” Madd said with a grin.

  Rose didn’t like it but when they tell you it is family business all you can do is wait and see what happens. “Madd, don’t let anything happen, please,” begged Rose.

  Madd loved all his family, but had always had a soft spot for Rose.

  “If there is no other choice, I will intervene for you two, Rose. It isn’t a good time politically for this but if we have to the Riders will make sure nothing comes between you two.”

  The look of relief and the warm smile she showed him made any difficulties that might present themselves worth dealing with.

  When the time came Madd headed over to the house Al was staying in; as he approached Al stepped out on the porch.

  “You ready, Al?”

  “I am, but Rose seems pretty upset about this.”

  “Walk with me. The old gentleman is in his 90s and his body may be letting him down but his mind is still sharp. He hears about everything that happens and wants to meet you. Personally I think Rose is worried for nothing. We just have to wait and see.”

  When they got to the door, Madd knocked and waited. An older lady opened the door and Madd greeted her.

  “Evening, Miss Charlotte.”

  “Evening. Come to the sitting room, he is waiting for you.”

  Once they were in the room she backed out and left them alone.

  “Evening Popa, this is the man you wanted to meet.”

  “I hear you have our Rose Marie all flustered and excited, you going to hurt her?”

  “No sir, I would never do that!”

  Even in his 90s the man impressed Al.

  “Good, the cemetery for those who hurt my girls is getting a little full, we might have to extend it if you hurt her. The boys tell me that they believe you to be a good man, are you?”

  Al never doubted for a second that the old boy was serious. One way or another if Al hurt Rose, the old gentleman would try having him buried somewhere. The man got right to the point, you had to give him that.