He set the pot on a burner and began opening cans for another. He saw a truck leave Otis’s home and pull to the entrance to the barn. A man in the rear of the truck began offloading armfuls of blankets and pillows into the willing hands stretched up to receive them.
The sun set on a well-fed group of survivors, most of them in tents, snuggled warm in bedding on pads of hay.
Ada led Max into King’s house and upstairs to the bedroom she’d occupied as her grandparents guest. Curled tight to each other, the luxury of a mattress and pillows claimed their weary bodies.
***
Max stood by the window in King’s bedroom gazing past the rain streaming down the glass. The courtyard in front of the house was empty of people, but an oblique angle through the open doors of the barn offered a view of several armed men near the entrance.
Major Hewitt was with them. His hand and arm gestures indicating he was giving the gathering some sort of instructions. The men began pulling black plastic bags over their heads, holes made in them to serve as improvised ponchos. They placed their rifles into other plastic bags and left the barn. Major Hewitt followed them out of the barn, but his course veered toward the house.
Max turned from the window and returned to Ada’s bedroom. She lay, with her head propped on her hand, studying him.
“Good morning, Miss Ada.”
“Morning Max. You seem rested and wide awake.”
“I am. That’s the first decent nights sleep I’ve had in a week. You’d better get dressed, Major Hewitt will be—.” Rapping at the front door interrupted him, “knocking on the front door right about now.”
Max left the room and went downstairs to welcome the Major.
“Morning, Major. You should have emulated you soldiers and worn a plastic bag. You’re soaked.”
“It’s coming down for sure. One good thing is it’ll keep all but the most desperate from out roaming.”
Max led him toward the smaller dining room adjacent to the kitchen. “That it will. Coffee?”
“No thanks, two cups already this morning. The women were up with the sun fixing breakfast. We need to set up a real kitchen soon. Need to do an inventory too. I was planning to bury the marauders, but that’ll have to wait for dry weather.”
Max said, “You’ve got plenty on your plate. I appreciate what you’re doing, Major.” He tried a tap, pleased to see water flow, and filled a kettle to set on the range. He took a seat at the table across from the Major.
“We have water pressure, so you must have the generator running.”
“Yes. There’s a shower in the barn. It’s been a long time since any of us have had a hot bath.”
“Tell me about it, but you do know the baths in the houses are for everyone’s use too.” Max said. “Ada will be thrilled with the news though.”
“Thrilled about what?” Ada asked, entering the dining room. She went straight to the pot on the stove to see if the water was hot.
“They have the generators running. Hot baths are in order.”
“Wonderful, but I thought the water heaters used propane.”
Major Hewitt responded. “They do, but the well pump needs electricity.
Ada smacked her forehead. “Doh. I knew that.”
The Major said. “We should see about a diesel pump for the future. Be nice to have a backup.”
“It sure would,” Max, agreed. “What brings you to the door this morning, Major?”
“A few things. Is this a good time for you? I can come back later.”
“No. This is a great time. We can talk while Ada and I have our obligatory caffeine fix.”
“Good, good. Where are the two girls? They still asleep.”
Ada asked, “You mean Judy and Angie. They’re at the barn.”
The major, laughed. “No, they’re in the house somewhere. One of the guards I posted last night reported they saw them come over here about midnight.”
The three at the table turned to the sound of a girlish giggle from the hallway near the doorway to the dining room.
“We heard that,” Ada called.
Angie and then Judy came into the room.
“We didn’t like sleeping in the barn,” Angie said, a big smile on her face. “Beside, I told Judy we belong to you and Mister Max now.”
Judy blushed crimson. “Angie. You can’t just say it like that. I told you they have to want us.”
“They want us, don’t you Miss Ada?”
Ada stuttered an answer. “It’s too early in the morning for that question. We’ll talk later.”
Major Hewitt intervened. “You children are out of line, especially you Angie. You can’t make decisions for other people. Go to the barn before you miss out on breakfast.”
Angie’s eyes welled, “But.”
The major pointed toward the front of the house. “No but’s, march yourselves to the barn.”
“Yes sir,” Judy said. She took Angie’s arm and led her away. Angie twisted her head, giving Ada a pleading look until she disappeared past the doorframe.
“Thank you Major.”
“No problem Miss Ada. Well, maybe there is a problem. Looks like the two gal’s have decided to adopt the two of you as parents. The little one is going to be heart broken.”
“Pretty as they are, I’m sure one of the women will take them,” Max said. “What’s on tap for today, Major?”
“That’s what I’ve come to ask you. What are your plans for us, now that you’ve got us?
Max looked to Ada. She shook her head. “It’s on you Max. I’m all ears. I’ll make the coffee.” She ignored the look he gave her and went to the range. “Coffee, Major?”
“I told the General no, but if there’s enough water, black if you don’t mind.”
Max said. “I like to run a scenario by you, Major. Ada said planting season is getting close. Between my farm and hers, there are acres ready for farming. You have goats, little pigs, chickens, rabbits already here. I’m sure there are domesticated animals on most of the farms the bangers raided.”
The major nodded. “Okay, I see where you going. We can set up a working farm. What do you see beyond that?”
“Expansion. You need more men for security, more workers for the farms... I see you moving beyond the boundaries of the two properties. Ada suggested a cooperative for mutual survival.”
“You want to start a town.”
“More than that, you can make a fortified, armed, sanctuary for decent people to be safe from bangers and marauders.”
“I agree it would be a good idea. Strength in numbers and good organization can go a long way toward providing safety. How do you plan to do it? What sort of society, socialist, communist, democracy?
“That’s the thing Major. I don’t plan to do it at all.”
Ada set cups of coffee in front of the men then came to the table with hers.
“Go ahead Max,” she said.
“Ada, I wasn’t prepared to talk about this because we haven’t talked much about the future beyond regaining our property and burying our dead.”
Ada smiled at him. “Max, it’s not our property any longer, is it? It belongs to these people.”
“That’s what I was going to say, but more than that. Major, Ada and I are not in charge. You are. You and the people here with you will make your own way forward. I’m not cut out for that sort of leadership.”
“Max, I’m glad to hear you say that. Some of the people were worried you were going to set yourselves up as King and Queen of the roost.”
Ada reached for Max’s hand. “No fear of that. All I want... I’m sorry Max. All we want is to see our families laid to rest in a proper burial place. We want to see their names on a gravesite, not a mound of dirt in the yard. After the service, we’re leaving.
“Max and I aren’t betrothed, but we are very good partners with a common set of goals. The only thing holding us here is not having said our goodbyes to the one’s we loved.”
It was the major’s tu
rn to sputter. “You’re leaving? Where to? Why?”
Max said, “I made a promise to Ada and to myself. We have a job to do in the town of Toccoa, more bangers to kill and more people to free.”
“And after that? The major asked.
“There will be no end to the bangers and the oppressed.”
The major shuddered. “Over a hundred dead and your lust for vengeance not satisfied. I don’t envy the road you’re on.”
Max shook his head. “You’re reading it wrong. Our vengeance ended when we shot the last two bangers who took part in the murder of our loved ones. Our forward path is serving justice to those who think they have the right to harm others. They will find that there is no safe haven for them to commit their atrocities.”
Ada squeezed Max’s hand tighter and turned her smile from him to the major. “Yeah, what Max said; Justice.”
The Major shuddered again and stood from the table. “I think you’ve cleared up any questions I had. This is the peoples place and we can make of it what we want. Max, Ada. I consider myself a pretty tough guy, but you two are scary.”
He left the house, his coffee untouched. Max reached for the cup and topped off his and Ada’s cups.
Max said, “So you’ve decided to hang with me long-term.”
Ada took a swallow from her cup. “Yeah, well don’t get a swelled head. You ain’t all that.”
“You need to show due respect to a General.”
Ada punched the shoulder of his splinted arm. “Jeez, Max. There’s something wrong with you.
They both turned to the sound of a familiar giggle from the hallway.
“If you two girls are back eavesdropping again, you’re taking a big chance of getting a whipping,” Ada half shouted.
Angie called back. “You can’t whip us. You ain’t our mama.”
“I can pretend I am long enough to get it done.”
A response was slow in coming, but little Angie had a good one.
“Okay”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The major organized a group to retrieve the bodies of Jacob and Otis, but it was a week before the ground dried enough for Major Hewitt to exhume the bodies of Ada and Max’s loved ones. Several of the men made simple, plywood caskets. Because of the condition of the bodies, the funeral was closed casket. The roughest thing, Max or Ada had ever done, was identify the remains.
Some of the ex-captive women were still in bad shape, in no condition to attend a funeral, but it was a large crowd who gathered for the burial. A Baptist lay-preacher from Phillip’s group spoke over the nearly two-dozen caskets arranged in rows.
After the funeral, Ada and Max spent three days at their cabin in the woods. In their shared grief, they drew closer than ever. Sex was not an issue. Max didn’t feel that attraction. He held a deep respect for Ada’s character, strength, and the vow that bound them, their promise to a dying man to avenge the murder of their families.
That vow was satisfied, but had morphed, grown to include any who thought to harm others simply because they felt the breakdown of society gave them free reign to enact mayhem and carnage. Max held comfort in the fact that bangers like the ones who attacked their farms would in time face the justice he and she were eager to deal. On the forth morning, they returned to Ada’s farm.
As they neared the edge of the field, guards hiding behind a shield of stacked logs, challenged them. One of the men at the post recognized them and waved them by.
Little Angie saw them as they topped the steps leading from the back pasture. She shrieked, and ran to them, with Judy trailing behind her. She practically bowled Ada over with her enthusiastic joyful greeting. Ada scooped Angie into her arms and hugged the little child.
“I knew you’d come back. Judy said you were gone for good, but I knew you would because you didn’t say goodbye or nothing.”
Judy stopped short, shifting nervously from one foot to the other. “I didn’t say nothing of the sort. I said maybe.”
Ada set Angie down and grabbed Judy, hugging her tight. Judy began crying. “I wanted you to come back,” she mumbled into Ada’s chest.
The kids walked with them into King’s front yard. Max felt Judy’s hand hesitantly seek his. He wrapped his hand around hers.
The same group of carpenters who made the caskets was repairing the damage the bombs did to the house. Ada, trailed by Angie, left Max’s side to go into the barn. Judy reluctantly released his hand to catch up with them.
Answering a question from Max, the head carpenter told him the Major was at the main road with a squad of men, guarding a crew putting a sign in place.
Max commandeered a truck from among many parked in the yard and left the farm, turning onto the secondary road leading to the main highway. He had to pass through a checkpoint at the end of King’s property, a blockade made from cars sideways across the road. Four armed men pushed one aside and waved him through.
Max stopped behind two vehicles at the intersection with the main road, and strolled to where the Major was standing beside a man armed with a rifle.
Major Hewitt, saw him, and glanced at his watch. “Good morning, General.”
Max extended his hand. “Good morning to you.” Max shook hands and then stepped to see the words written on the 4 by 8 sheet of plywood the crew were attaching to two posts anchored in concrete. The major moved to stand beside him.
The major said. “There was quite a heated meeting about this sign. Some wanted this to be an open community and a few wanted only what I call, elites.”
Max read the sign.
WANTED
ANY PERSON OF GOOD
CHARACTER
WILLING TO WORK.
APPLY AT
CHECKPOINT.
SUNUP TO SUNDOWN ONLY!
Max chuckled. “Easy enough to tell which side won.
The Major chuckled in return. “Yep, my side. Not enough people left alive for us discriminate. Are you here for a stay?”
“No, Ada and I need to collect some supplies. It’s time for us to head north to Toccoa.”
“We’ll finish here soon and I’ll be back at camp. We’ve been consolidating supplies. See Phillip. He can direct you to our quartermaster. If you have a list, he’ll help you locate what you need.”
“I appreciate that. See you at the farm, Major.”
Back at the farm, Max entered the barn, looking for Ada or Phillip. The first fifteen feet were relatively clear of obstruction, but he was amazed at the piles of supplies and other material stacked head high on both sides of the center aisle the full length of the barn, leaving only a narrow passage to walk through.
Ada was at a folding table standing beside Phillip. She saw Max and called him over.
Phillip reached to shake hands. “I was telling Ada about the thing’s we’ve accomplished in only a few days.”
Max said, “I can see you’ve been busy.” He waved toward the piles.
“The Major’s idea. He has armed crews and workers accompany former women captives to their homes. The workers bury the woman’s family members, and then under the woman’s supervision, and only if she agrees, anything of value is loaded and brought here. We’ve processed about half the captives and so far, all have agreed to help with our cause.”
“I’m amazed the banger’s left so much behind at the homes.”
“Well Max, all the bangers wanted was food, booze, guns and women. Ada says you’re here to get supplies and you’ll be leaving again tomorrow. I passed the list she gave me on to our quartermaster. I’m sure he’ll find everything you need.”
“Thanks Phillip. How are Susan and the girls?
“Glad you asked. Susan and the girls are fine, but your two, no. They’ve done nothing but cry since the moment you and Ada left. You have a mess on your hands and you need to figure out what to do about it. It’s not fair to them.”
“We’ll handle it,” Max said.
“According to Susan, the girls have everything well in hand,” Ada said.
“How’s that?” Max asked.
“Susan found their hiding place in the hayloft. Two backpacks loaded and ready to go. She thinks there’re planning to follow us when we leave.”
Max said, “I’m confused Ada. What does that solve?”
“They’ll follow us.”
“And?”
“And nothing. They’ll be ours. Jeez, you’re dense.”
“I guess I am.” Max was still confused, but decided to let that dog lie.
“You came on a good day,” Phillip said. “Some of the men were out rounding up stray cattle yesterday. One of the cows broke a leg and they had to shoot it. We’re having a barbeque this evening.”
“Sounds like fun.” Max said.
Ada took Max’s hand and led him from the barn. “Let’s grab a couple chairs and find someplace to sit away from everyone. I want to talk to you.”
They took two undamaged chairs from King’s porch the carpenters had set out of their way, and carried them to a large oak a hundred feet from the house. Ada set hers facing away from the houses and people. Max placed his beside it.
They sat in silence for a few moments. Max was waiting for her to speak.
“I don’t like it here Max. Too many memories, too much pain. Way too many people.”
“Do you want me to tell Phillip to rush the supplies and leave as soon as they’re ready?”
“No Max, but let’s not be around crowds, especially not the barbeque tonight. I know it’s wrong, but I can’t stand seeing people here, strangers at the place where I grew up. Max, this isn’t my home anymore.”
“To tell the truth, Ada, I’m not comfortable here either. You and I have changed too much. I feel nothing in common with these people. They’re good folk, but you remember the web I talked about? That’s what all places become when groups of people establish a society. I don’t do webs anymore.”
Ada said, “Angie and Judy have spun quite a web. I think I’m snared.”
“Yeah, but it’s a good web, isn’t it? They’ll be safer with us than staying here. Ada, I don’t think this community has in chance of hell of long-term survival. The gangs are going to become even more desperate. Some led by highly trained ruthless, military types. Regular people like these can’t stand against them. Slaughtered or assimilated is their fate.
DISASTER: Too Late to Prep Page 20