Storm Front

by Thomas A. Watson

  “Sure, son,” Nelson laughed. “One hour. Then you bring them to the cabin.”

  “Yes!” Gavin hissed, pumping his fist and then running for the door.

  After Gavin was gone, Gerald looked around at the other three. “I say, let’s go ask the others now,” he said.

  “Oh, Michelle knows,” Nelson said, heading for the stairs.

  “You talked about this in front of Ryan and Lucy?” Bernard asked, following Nelson up the stairs and stopping on the deck.

  “No,” Nelson scoffed. “On the way home, we wrote notes back and forth. It was Michelle’s idea to get Sean’s family to move here.”

  Walking past Nelson, “I know who’s the brains in your house,” Gerald said.

  When Gerald grabbed the door, “Are we going to talk about this with Wilma here?” Nelson asked.

  Holding the doorknob, Gerald froze. “No, I’ll take her home,” Gerald said.

  Stepping up, Bernard slapped the back of Gerald’s head. “I’m sure Vance and Emily are in the gym with the other kids. You don’t impress a woman by pissing off her kids,” Bernard snapped.

  “What?!” Matt and Nelson gasped.

  Gerald let the doorknob go, turning back around. “I’m just teaching them weapons,” Gerald cried out.

  “Boy, you’re hopeless,” Bernard said, shaking his head. “Ask Wilma if she wants to see the gym and we will talk to the others.”

  Nelson and Matt started firing off questions and Bernard moved between them and Gerald. “Boys, I can only deal with one of you acting like a brat, so stop it,” Bernard snapped, causing Matt and Nelson to jump back.

  Glancing over his shoulder, “Go,” he said to Gerald. When Gerald walked in, Bernard glared at Matt and Nelson. “Boys, leave this alone,” he said in a harsh voice.

  “Yes, sir,” Matt and Nelson barked out.

  They followed Bernard in and found the table cleared and the others sitting, drinking coffee. “Oh, shit,” Michelle said, seeing the serious faces. “I swear Nelson, if you say we are launching an attack on a military base, I’m kicking your ass.”

  “No, it’s about what you and I were talking about,” Nelson said, moving to the table as Devin stood up in Michelle’s lap, holding out his hands to Nelson. Nelson took Devin and explained what was said outside with the pros and cons, Nelson looked around the table. “Any questions?”

  “What did Gerald say?” Nancy asked, taking a sip of coffee.

  Matt laughed, “He was willing to give up his cabin.”

  Putting her cup down, Nancy nodded while raising her eyebrows. “I’m growing more proud of my brother every day,” she said with relief.

  “So, I take it you’re for it?” Michelle asked.

  Nodding, “Yes, we need more people we can trust and the Holmes family fit that,” Nancy said.

  “I thought we were talking about Dallas?” Ronald said, looking around the table.

  “Oh, sorry, Ronald. That’s their last name,” Nelson said as Devin laid his head on Nelson’s shoulder. “So, what’s your take?”

  “We need them,” Ronald said with a very serious tone. “As it stands now, we would be hard-pressed to defend an attack with the numbers we have here. I know Hank’s group is half a mile away, but a determined attacker could block them from sending help.”

  Looking around the table, “So, I put forth offering Sean’s family to join us. Those in favor, raise your hands,” Nelson said, raising his hand. Everyone at the table raised their hands.

  Michelle stood up, “Bernard, will you go with us tomorrow? I think you need to talk to Dallas as Nelson talks to Sean.”

  “That sounds good,” Bernard said.

  “Baby, can I get you to stay here?” Nelson asked, patting Devin’s back. Michelle nodded and held out her hands, and when Nelson didn’t give her Devin, she just took him.

  Giving Michelle a scowl, Nelson turned to Matt and Ashley. “I need you two to help drive the stuff over. We will be going through the woods,” Nelson said.

  With Mike asleep on her chest, Ashley jumped up. “Hell, yes!” she cried out, startling Mike. “Sorry, baby,” Ashley said, patting Mike’s back and putting him back to sleep.

  Nelson turned to Ronald. “I need you as well, to look at the stream and tell me what we need,” Nelson said.

  Ronald looked over at Nellie. “You okay watching my two?” he asked.

  “Ronald,” Nellie snapped, startling Mike again. “I have a good mind to spank your butt!” Ronald looked around for help, but nobody was coming to his aid. “You don’t have to ask me to watch any of these babies!” Nellie snapped again, but in a lower tone.

  “Ronald,” Nelson said and Ronald turned to him. “That’s why we never ask, because Nellie has already done that to us,” Nelson grinned. “Besides, if Nellie’s here, they are safe. Anyone foolish enough to attempt to hurt the kids will die a slow and very painful death.”

  “Then get fed into a wood chipper for chicken feed,” Matt snorted and started chuckling.

  “Matthew!” Nellie said and Matt stopped. “Ronald, you are part of this family, so I can spank your bottom. Ariel actually helps me so much, I feel I’m taking away from her studies and playing.”

  “No, Ariel tells me every night how much she enjoys that,” Ronald told her and then looked at Nelson. “I’ll come.”

  “Okay, that leaves Gerald, Nancy, and Michelle here with Nellie if trouble shows up,” Nelson said. “They are expecting us at noon.”

  Matt stood up, “We need to start gathering the stuff now then,” he said.

  Chapter 9

  Several hours later, Nelson walked into the cabin with an armload of stuff. Closing the door with his foot, Nelson stopped. Gavin, Olivia, Ryan, and Lucy were sitting on the couch and watching a movie. They all turned and smiled at him, then went back to watching the movie. Ryan and Lucy were wearing some of Nelson’s t-shirts and boxers. Realizing that only his clothes would fit them, Nelson shrugged as Michelle stepped out from the kitchen.

  “What’s that?” she asked, walking over and taking some of the stuff.

  “Gear for Ryan and Lucy,” Nelson said.

  Both jumped up, “Really?!” Lucy said.

  Nodding, Nelson set his pile down in one recliner and Michelle sat hers in the other. “New boots!” Ryan cried out, grabbing the combat boots.

  “Yeah, don’t get me wrong, I like your cowboy boots, but you need better boots,” Nelson said, passing the stuff out.

  “How did you know my size?” Lucy asked, looking at her boots with a grin.

  Michelle patted Lucy’s arm. “Baby, Nelson did that for a living,” she said.

  “You wear a ten and a half, the same size I do,” Nelson said, passing more stuff out. “Ryan wears an eleven.”

  “Uncle Scott wears a size nineteen in boots,” Ryan laughed.

  Bending over the recliner, Nelson slowly stood up and looked at Michelle. “I don’t have shoes that big,” he said in shock.

  “Oh, Uncle Scott has to go to a special store for his boots and clothes,” Lucy said, holding up camouflaged pants.

  “Wow,” Ryan said, lifting up a tactical vest.

  “Gavin can help you two attach the gear for your vest,” Nelson said, shaking himself out of the shock. “The clothes and gear is a little big, but I’m sure you will grow into it.”

  “Ryan, Lucy,” Michelle said. “Take the tags off and everything out of the packages, so we can wash this stuff after your clothes are done.”

  They both dove down into their pile and Gavin and Olivia came over to help. Michelle looked over at him. “I put together the stuff downstairs,” she said. “Want me to give them theirs now?”

  “Yes, they will need the backpacks to load up their stuff,” Nelson said. Michelle went to the basement and came back carrying two backpacks. When she handed them to Ryan and Lucy, they grabbed them in shock.

  “Wow, this looks like what soldiers on TV carry,” Ryan said in awe.

  “Oh, those are be
tter,” Nelson chuckled. “I take it you took a shower, Lucy?”

  Letting out a sigh, Lucy looked up at him. “Oh man, that felt so good,” she said in a dreamy voice.

  “I had to let Ryan use our bathroom,” Michelle laughed. “Lucy wanted to soak in the tub.”

  Nelson laughed and turned to see Lucy standing up and looking at him. “Need something?” Nelson asked.

  Putting her stuff down, Lucy walked over to him. “You and Ms. Michelle have one of those big handkerchiefs like daddy has from the Army,” she said, reaching out and touching the black shemagh around his neck.

  “I have one,” Gavin said and Lucy turned to look at him, then turned back to Nelson.

  “Can I have one? I hate askin’ with everything all of you have done, but Daddy likes his. He always said he would get me one,” Lucy said, touching the shemagh again. “I can work around here to pay for it and the other stuff you gave us.”

  Nelson looked up at Michelle, who was just grinning. “You don’t give her one right now and we will fight,” Michelle chuckled.

  Grabbing Lucy’s hand, Nelson led her to the basement. Letting her hand go, Nelson pulled down a large plastic bin and opened it. “You want one like mine with the small skull and crossbones?” Nelson asked.

  Seeing the hundreds of plastic wrapped shemaghs, Lucy gasped as Nelson held out one. Taking it, Lucy smiled and pulled it out of the plastic. “Thank you so much,” Lucy said smiling.

  Chuckling, “Think Ryan will want one?” Nelson asked.

  “I ain’t workin’ his off,” Lucy said, holding the shemagh close.

  Handing Lucy two more with different patterns, Nelson grabbed two for Ryan. “These are gifts,” Nelson said, putting the bin back up. When he turned, Lucy hugged him and kissed his cheek, then took off running up the stairs.

  Shaking his head, “I pity the man who ever tries to manhandle her,” Nelson mumbled, heading back upstairs.

  Walking into the living room, Nelson handed Ryan the shemaghs. Ryan was excited, but not like Lucy was. They both made piles for the washer and then sat back down. Gavin helped them attach magazine pouches and other gear to the vests.

  “Dad,” Gavin called out as Nelson headed for the kitchen.

  “Yes, son?” Nelson said, stopping.

  “They don’t have holsters for pistols,” Gavin called out.

  Walking back to the living room, Nelson saw Michelle putting on tactical slings like they used on Ryan and Lucy’s ARs. “Son, they have to be trained on pistols before they carry them,” Nelson said.

  “We are learning that Beretta you brought over,” Ryan said, working on his vest.

  “I wish I would’ve had one of those goin’ trappin’,” Lucy said, taking magazines out of packages. “That little .22 that Pappy has ain’t good for much.”

  “So, you two have used pistols before?” Nelson asked.

  “Yeah, dad had one he called a 1911, but he sold it when his truck broke down,” Ryan said. “Dad won’t sell a rifle, but will sell a pistol.”

  “Gavin, go get them drop holsters for the Beretta. You know where they are,” Nelson said as Ryan and Lucy looked up in stunned silence. “Guys, I’m not giving you the pistols until your dad says it’s okay.”

  “Yes, sir,” they both droned.

  “I’m going to take a shower,” Nelson said and Michelle looked up, putting the ARs back in the gunrack by the door.

  “When you’re done, bring your clothes so I can wash them,” Michelle said, moving over to help Lucy.

  Walking down the hall, Nelson peeked in Devin’s room and saw him sleeping in the crib. “Surprised Devin’s even here,” Nelson said, heading to his room.

  When he was done, Nelson came back with his clothes. Ryan and Lucy’s gear was stacked neatly along with the clothes waiting to get washed. Carrying his clothes to the washer, Nelson put them in the basket and then headed back to the living room.

  “Guys, we have a busy day tomorrow,” he said, then looked around. “Where’s Michelle?”

  “Mom is in the basement,” Gavin said, watching the movie.

  Moving for the stairs, Nelson stopped seeing Michelle come up. “Need some help?” Nelson asked.

  “No, I’m done,” Michelle smiled and Nelson looked down at the couch and saw Olivia passed out in Lucy’s lap.

  Bending over, “I’ll put her in the bed,” Nelson said.

  Not taking her eyes off the TV, Lucy pushed his hands away. “I can carry her, she don’t weigh nothin’,” Lucy said and Nelson turned to the TV.

  “You’re watching Star Wars without me?” he snapped.

  “Shh,” Ryan and Lucy said.

  “They’ve never seen it, Dad,” Gavin said, staring at the TV.

  Stumbling back and gasping, Nelson turned to Michelle with a scowl. “That’s child abuse,” he said.

  Walking past Nelson, Michelle kissed his cheek. “Babe, don’t,” she said, heading down the hall. “I’m taking a shower and going to bed.”

  Turning back to the couch, “Guys, when this one is done, bed. I promise you, Ryan and Lucy, you will be back over very soon to finish the series,” Nelson said and then headed down the hall.

  ***

  Sitting in the cupola of the Flyer, Nelson ducked under a limb as Ryan drove them through the woods. Behind them was a line of UTVs, pulling trailers. And at the very back was Ashley, driving the other Flyer with Gavin in the cupola covering their rear. Bernard, Matt, and Ronald were driving the UTVs. Lucy and Adam were riding shotgun in the Flyers.

  Nelson was shocked when he’d found out that Adam and Alex had stayed up late, helping Nancy fly the drones. Nancy let him know that Gavin was supposed to be there last night, but she’d told Gavin to take Ryan and Lucy to the cabin.

  Now, Michelle and Mason were running the operation as Nancy and Alex got some sleep. The only reason Adam got to come was that he’d gone to bed at 0200 when they’d stopped flying the drones.

  Seeing the field ahead, Nelson gave a sigh of relief crossing the cattle guard. “Can I speed up?” Ryan asked over the intercom.

  “Ryan, we don’t have the supplies on the Flyer strapped down that good,” Nelson called back grinning.

  “Yes, sir,” Ryan called back, clearly dejected. When the house and trailers came into sight, Nelson smiled at all the people waiting on them.

  Ryan pulled up to the crowd and Nelson saw the entire family staring at the Flyer in shock as Ryan turned it off and climbed out. Making sure the GAU was turned off, Nelson climbed out as the rest of the caravan stopped with them.

  “That’s a Flyer72!” Cara shouted, pointing behind Nelson.

  “Yeah, so is the other one,” Nelson grinned, jerking his thumb over his shoulder. The group turned their heads as one when Gavin climbed out from behind the minigun.

  “Hey, dad,” Ryan said, walking up to Sean. In shock, Sean turned and looked at his son, jumping back. Ryan was dressed in full tactical gear.

  “Look, daddy!” Lucy said, running over and holding out her shemagh around her neck. Sean, along with the others, looked at the two kids with magazines strapped to their chest and ARs hanging to their sides. “I finally got one!” Lucy said cheerfully.

  Not able to speak, Sean pointed at the empty holsters on each one’s thigh. “Oh,” Nelson said. “I told them until you said so, I wasn’t giving them a pistol.”

  Blinking his eyes, Sean turned to Nelson and nodded. “So, they can have pistols?” Nelson asked and Sean nodded again.

  “I told you, Mr. Nelson,” Ryan said.

  “Ryan, you weren’t getting it until your dad said so,” Nelson said. Giving a sigh, “You know where they’re at,” Nelson said and the two took off.

  Walking up beside his dad, Gavin looked at the gathering of giants before him. “Wow,” he said, stopping. “How did they get so big?” he cried out. “I eat all my broccoli like momma tells me to and I’m not that big.”

  “Nelson,” Sean finally said. “You can’t give Ryan and Lucy that
stuff. You need it.”

  “Well, shit!” Nelson shouted, handing Gavin his rifle as Bernard walked up chuckling.

  “Told you,” Bernard said, stopping as Nelson started unbuckling his vest. “Sean, you may be bigger, but my money is on Nelson.”

  Turning back to Nelson, Sean saw him taking his gear off. “What?” Sean shouted.

  “I told you family… helps… family,” Nelson said, letting his vest hit the ground. “You want to tussle here or in the field?”

  Stepping in front of Sean, Dianna held up her hands. “Nelson, that stuff is expensive,” she cried out. “Look what you’ve already gave us!”

  “Dianna,” Nelson groaned. “You’re family, so I can’t tussle with you because you’re a girl.”

  Dianna just stared at him blinking. “My wife had to stay back...,” Nelson stopped and turned around. “Hey Matt, can I borrow Ashley?”

  “We have to tussle with all of them?” Matt howled out. Seeing Nelson nod, Matt sighed. “Okay, but remember, Ashley is little, so she can only tussle with one girl at a time.”

  Turning back to Dianna, “Okay, you and the other women will have to draw straws to see what order you tussle with Ashley,” Nelson said and Dianna stepped back when she saw Ashley’s diminutive form stripping off her gear.

  “Mr. Nelson,” Lucy cried out, running up. “You can’t be wrestling with daddy.”

  “Yes, I can. He’s doubting our commitment to family,” Nelson said and then looked up at Sean. “I want Lucy and Ryan on my team for this match.”

  Stepping to Nelson’s other side and speaking very softly, “I can’t wrestle my parents or Nanna and Pappy,” Ryan said.

  “Son,” Dianna gasped.

  “What? Everyone here said we were joining with them and you’re backing out on your word,” Ryan said. “Dad, you always say your word is your bond until death.”

  “Son, they can’t afford to give us this,” Sean cried out, gesturing at the tactical gear on Ryan and Lucy.

  “Well, I guess I shouldn’t tell you we have around four tons of food and more tactical gear. You know radios, night vision, and stuff,” Nelson said, tightening his gloves and even the small kids froze.