We had Julia and Dave over for dinner one evening in early November. We popped a one-hundred-year-old bottle of red wine we’d ‘shopped’ for in Cheyenne. It was amazing and went very well with the steaks and salad we had for dinner that night. Afterwards we sat in front of the fireplace, with Dave and I sipping scotch and the ladies finishing the bottle of wine.
The conversation went from final preparations for winter to the doc’s facility in Colorado, and whether we should investigate, or just let it alone. With winter coming on and still having a few preparations to make, we decided against a foray to Colorado.
We continued with the winter preparations. Dave and I both shot an elk. The herds of deer, pronghorn and elk were increasing each year. We would have no problems with meat what with our small herd of cattle, sheep, the few pigs we had and the chickens.
For me it was the vegetables. We just couldn’t get enough. What we harvested would not last the winter, even though Julia and Ruth had canned most of the produce. We had canned goods left over, but they were beginning to show their age and were no longer reliable. We tried opening bags of frozen vegetables in markets – that did not go well. We did find some freeze-dried vegetables and put them away for…later.
The only good note we really had was at Dave and Julia’s home. The previous owners had stocked enough dried and long-storage canned goods for twenty-five years. That included five-gallon buckets with freeze-dried vegetables. When reconstituted, they were okay, a little cardboard-like in texture, but okay. They also had five-gallon buckets of vegetable seeds for planting. We would certainly put them to good use in the future. We had already collected seeds from our ‘shopping’ trips and had buckets full ourselves.
Both of us had sizeable gardens. However, they were just a bit larger than hobby gardens. We needed to increase their size and that meant more fencing to keep the animals and other unwanted things out. We planned for that in the spring, with Dave and me building fencing and Julia and Ruth plowing and planting. Dave and I decided that not only would we find him a tractor outfit with backhoe and a bucket, we would find smaller versions for our ladies to use for plowing and such.
One frosty Sunday morning, I was preparing my Bible study notes when Ruth came downstairs and sat in my lap. She kissed me deeply and snuggled in. I was a bit taken aback by her mood, as it was not amorous. I think she was missing her folks, friends, and acquaintances, and asked her as much.
“Yes, I’m sad their not around. I wish Mom and Dad could have seen this place. Dad would have flipped.” She looked me in the eye and said, “You would have had him sold with the scotch.”
I smiled at her and said I missed my family, too. I told her I missed going to a movie and having real popcorn. I missed the sound of children in stores and the airplanes going over. I missed the sounds of helicopters, ambulances, car horns and the everyday sounds we used to take for granted. We sat a few minutes longer enjoying each other’s company and closeness.
She got up and said, “Would you like some breakfast?”
“Just some toast and another mug of coffee is all I want this morning; thanks,” I answered.
“Okay. Strawberry or apple?” she asked.
“Apple, please,” I said with my stomach beginning to growl. Her apple jam was wonderful. Strawberry, peach, and the apple tied for first place as far as I was concerned.
A few minutes later, she brought our breakfast over to the table, said a prayer and ate. We had some small talk but nothing very important. I went back to my notes for Bible study and Ruth cleared the table, topped off my mug of coffee, earning a kiss and a smile, and was almost back to the kitchen when a knock on the door came. Sam lifted her head just as surprised as we were.
Ruth looked at me, as both of us were surprised, and she asked, “You expecting Dave?”
“No, are you expecting Julia?” I asked back.
She shook her head and went over to the door, opened it, and promptly screamed a fearful scream I’d never heard from her before. She threw open the door and stumbled back several steps, holding her hands out for balance. Sam flew to her side and began to growl.
Standing on the porch was…a man…I think. If he’d been five hundred yards off and I had my rifle, I would have shot him as he looked like a zombie. But Zs don’t knock! I lifted my Bible as it was the only thing close enough to use as a weapon and rearing back with it, was about to toss it when the thing in the doorway - spoke!
“Don’t throw it, mister, please,” he said holding his hands up. “Will the dog bite?”
It talked. It actually spoke…and said please. The three of us stood there looking at each other – Julia and I with amazed looks and he with a fearful look we could see even through the dirty, filthy really, unkempt beard and oily, ragged-long hair.
Several minutes went by with the three of us staring at each other and he, mostly at Sam, when Ruth finally broke the spell getting Sam by the collar and asked the apparition, “Who are you?”
He looked at her, quickly removed his tattered hat and said, “Bost, Chet Bost, ma’am…beg your pardon, but I can’t believe you’re real”
“B…Bo…what was that?” Ruth asked him.
“Bost, ma’am, B, O, S, T, Bost; my first name is Chet. May I ask your names, please?” he timidly asked.
Shaking my head, a little, I walked over holding out my hand and said, “Please excuse us; my name is Sutton, Douglas Sutton, this is my wife, Ruth, and that’s Sam. Please call me Doug.” I took his proffered hand and we shook.
His gnarled hands, even more so than mine, felt like dried leather and the nails filthy and broken. He stunk of body odor, stale…whatever, and just poor hygiene. His clothing was torn and tattered, dirty beyond belief and hung on him like loose skin might. He was rail thin with sunken, chocolate brown eyes. However, his smile was huge and genuine.
“Where’s my manners, please come in,” I told him, but he looked at Sam and balked. “It’s okay, now that we’ve shaken hands, she’ll be fine.”
He actually wiped his shoes on the welcome mat and stepped in the house. His eyes got huge as he looked around and stopped on the fireplace. He pointed at the fire and said, “May I?”
“Certainly, you may,” Ruth told him continuing to hold Sam.
His head spun at the sound of her voice and he stared at her for a moment then said, “Pardon me, ma’am, sir. It’s just I haven’t seen another human for…” he looked down at the floor and continued with, “I…I don’t know. I haven’t heard a ladies voice in…well that long either. Pease forgive me for my manners.”
Ruth said, “So far your manners have been impeccable,” brushing him off with a wave.
She walked over to him bringing Sam with her and escorted him to the fireplace. He put his hands out letting Sam get a smell of him, then held them to the fire and said, “That’s the warmest thing I’ve felt in months.”
I walked over and standing to his side asked, “Where do you come from?”
“Here in Wyoming, near Wheatland. This still Wyoming?” he asked.
“Yes, Albany is just to the south about six miles and Centennial is just north about three miles. How have you been living out there and how did you get here?”
“I’ve been walking for months and months, running sometimes because of those things. Almost got me a few times, but I’ve fought and won so far. Centennial huh, I was hoping to make Cheyenne, guess I still have a way to go, huh?” he chuckled. “I live day by day - that’s the best I can do with what I have, it’s all outside. I left it on the porch if that’s okay?”
“That’s fine,” I said, then, “You don’t want to go to Cheyenne unless you have weapons and a plan. It’s very dangerous over there and we haven’t seen any humans in quite a long time. How about some breakfast then you can go up and take a shower or a bath and we’ll find you some fresh clothes?”
Chet just looked at me with a staring, wondrous and disbelieving look. “You have water…a shower…a bath…hot water?”
“We have everything you could want,” Ruth told him with a smile. “How about I fix you a ham steak, eggs and toast for breakfast? Doug, would you get him a mug of coffee?”
“Sure,” I said and turned for the kitchen.
He turned with me, still standing at the fireplace, watching me captivated as I got a mug out of the cabinet and poured it full. “Chet, you take milk or sugar?”
He couldn’t get the words out he was so amazed, but finally said, “No, sir, just black, please.”
I looked at Ruth and said, “Babe, get on the horn and tell Dave and Julia we have a surprise over here and they need to come on over. Don’t tell them, we’ll keep the surprise until they get here. And tell them to bring the brood.”
“There are more people here?” Chet asked.
“Yes. Julia and Dave Malone, and they live across the valley from us to the east, about five miles from here. They used to live with us until we found them another home across the way. Dave was a Deputy Sheriff for Albany County, the county you’re in right now. They’re nice people. Come on, let’s get you something to eat and drink,” I said, handing him the mug.
He tentatively sipped the brew and, bringing his other hand up to the mug, hugging it to his chest said, “I haven’t had anything this good in a long, long time. All I’ve had is water…and some of that was not so good; thank you.”
Ruth said the Malone’s would be over in about a half-hour and told Chet to sit at the table while she fixed him some food. Chet and I sat at the table and he took a long slug of the coffee. He smiled and looking at me said, “You said, ‘horn’, just a minute ago. You have phone service?”
“No, we have radios we salvaged from the sheriff offices’ police cruisers. We took the base station and antenna and set it all up in our vehicles and both homes. We keep them on all the time, well because of a threat we’ve had lately.”
He quickly interrupted and said, “Not those guys in the black army vehicles?”
Ruth and I looked at each other and looking back at him I said, “Yes, actually, they’ve given us some trouble lately. You know about them?”
“They shot at me…twice. First time was up near Medicine Bow and last time was about twenty miles north of here, almost a week ago. They have a huge gun, probably a fifty caliber by the sound of if. Da…er excuse me, they almost got me then. Bullet blew a tree down I was lying behind. I got a few splinters in my back and leg but was okay. What have they been doing to you?”
“Tried killing us, too. We were up on the top of Centennial Ridge, cutting wood for the winter when they ambushed us with the same kind of rifle. Just so happens we have those, too, and I was able to…well let’s just say those two won’t be bothering you or us anymore.”
“You got ‘em! That’s great. I wished I’d had a rifle the first time. I could have hit ‘em from where I was. They were down the hill from me. It would have been an easy shot.”
Ruth, from the kitchen asked, “What kind of rifle did you shoot when you had one?
“I had a 30-06 Remington that was my Dad’s rifle. When I ran out of ammunition for it, it became dead weight, so I left it up north of Medicine Bow.”
“Well, we’ll outfit you with a new rifle, handgun, and shotgun, with all the ammunition you can carry if you want.”
“You’re joking,” he said.
“No, we have quite the armory here and the Malone’s have one that rivals ours,” I explained. “We’ve scavenged all over Wyoming and northern Colorado, for food, supplies, weapons and ammunition. We were fortunate to get into the bunkers at an Army National Guard base, and collect M4s, M240 Bravo machine guns and a lot of other equipment.”
“Wow, I’ve looked in a few places but didn’t feel right about it so left their stuff alone,” he said.
“In today’s world you no longer need to worry about that. Dave has told us those laws no longer mean anything, man’s laws that is, that only God’s laws matter now.”
“I see your Bible, there, you a believer?” Chet asked me.
“Yes, a long time now. Every Sunday we get together either here or over at the Malone’s place and have a dinner then a Bible study. I try to give a kind of a sermon type talk using the word.”
“You a Pastor?” Chet asked.
“No, not officially, just appointed our ‘Spiritual Advisor’ for the four of us. I love to study and research the Bible and like very much to share what I’ve learned. Today is Sunday, so I’m finishing my notes for tonight. If you’d like, you’re more than welcome to join us for both dinner and the talk, and you can sleep in our guest room.”
“I’m a Christian. Do you know that makes us brothers in Christ?” he asked.
I stuck my hand out again and said, “Yes, I do, brother.”
That’s when the puppies broke out and scampered everywhere, barking, growling, and wrestling. Chet’s eyes were big as saucers. Sam went to lay down in front of the fireplace. I chuckled at Chet’s reaction and said, “Dave and Julia, the Malone’s have the rest of the litter, four more puppies. I asked them to bring ‘em over so they could see mom and play with the others.”
“Wow, I haven’t seen anything like this in a long time,” he said with a smile.
“Time to eat,” Ruth, announced. She sat the plate of eggs, toast, and steaming ham steak in front of Chet, with a knife, fork, and napkin. She then refilled his coffee mug and asked, “Would you like strawberry or apple jam for your toast?”
I though he was going to cry. His eyes glassed over, he bowed his head and his prayer went, “Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for the blessing letting me find these good people in this time of strife. Thank You so much for this food and this Christian family You led me to. Bless them abundantly, Father, and keep them from harm. Again, Father, thank You so much for this day; in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
Ruth and I both added Amens to the prayer and afterwards, I thanked him for the kind words and blessing. He looked at both of us and to Ruth, said, “Strawberry, please.” We laughed.
Right then, another knock on the door came so I got up and opened the door. Chet immediately stood up as Julia was first to enter, with Dave and the four puppies on her heels. Dave looked at me and said, “What’s the big surprise?”
I pointed and said, “Julia and Dave Malone, meet Chet Bost.”
Chet stepped out from the table and proffered his hand for shaking by both. After the introductions, Julia said, “Please, sit down and eat. You certainly look like you need to.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” he said and went to sit back down.
“My, he has manners,” Julia said with a smile.
The puppies stormed Sam and played in front of the fireplace, not giving us the time of day.
While Chet ate, Julia and Dave bombarded Ruth and I with questions, the four of us watched him inhale the food and coffee. As soon as he emptied his coffee mug, Ruth refilled it earning a smile and a thank you from the young man.
He finally sat back after his breakfast and said, “I haven’t eaten anything like that in months and months and months. Ya’ll know what year it is?”
I told him the date and he said he figured it was September or October. “I lost track of time and dates when my watch died. I threw it away – the weight thing again. When you’re on your feet, not riding around in a car, the smallest amount of weight counts, ‘specially when someone’s shooting at you.”
“Who’s shooting at you?” Dave asked.
We explained about the black hummer and Dave just smiled, that devious little smile of his, knowing they wouldn’t be shooting at anyone anymore.
“Ruth and Doug tell me you’re a Deputy,” Chet said.
Dave gave his story and Julia did, too. I broke in and said, “Chet, you want more to eat? You’re certainly welcome to have more and I’ll even cook to give Ruth a break.”
“No sir, this was just fine and the best if I may add, thank you ma’am again,” he said to Ruth.
“Then scoot upst
airs and we’ll get you cleaned up and some new clothes. You want to shower or take a bath. I’ll get you a toothbrush, and if you want, a razor.”
“Do the bath, brother, you’ll love it. I do,” Dave offered.
Chet smiled and said, “I guess the bath, please. Will I have time to soak?”
“You’ll take as much time as you want or need. Shoot, you can drain the tub after you clean up and refill it with clean water and soak for an hour if you want. Take a book with you if you want,” Dave told him pointing at the library.
“He for real?” Chet said, aiming a thumb back towards Dave.
“He sure is. Actually, have you ever had a soaking bath in a heated jet-tub?” I asked.
“No sir, I haven’t.”
I gave my devious smile and said, “Dave, my friend, let’s escort Mister Bost to the Underground.”
Leaping up Dave said, “Tremendous idea my good man.” Then looking at Chet, said, “Right this way, sir.”
Chet became suspicious then and looking back at me, Ruth, and Julia, said, “This makes me nervous.”
Ruth and Julia each grabbed an arm and led him to the Underground’s entryway. I passed them then the puppies passed me, and we all headed up. Ruth and Julia told Chet to follow the gang and Dave said he’d bring up the rear. The ladies gave him a little push up the first few steps and Ruth said, “Go on, you’ll be fine. You’ll love the jet-tub and the storeroom up there will have everything you’ll need for new clothes. Now go and get cleaned up.”
Two hours later, a refreshed, well-dressed, clean-shaven young man stepped out of the Underground’s doorway into the living room. His hair washed and combed to the back, his eyes sparkled, and his smile was tremendous.
Ruth got up and said, “My, my, what a change. You look like a completely different human being. How do you feel?”
“Words cannot describe it nor say how appreciative I am over this treatment. I…I…” and sat down, collapsing actually, and began to cry and pray. The four of us gathered around him, lay hands on him and prayed, too.
I'm Tired of Zombies | Book 2 | Full Scale War Page 9