Home Coming (The Survivalist Book 10)

by A. American

  “It’s been a while since I’ve had any. Where in the world did you get it?”

  “Morgan and Linus brought it back,” she replied. “They’re always coming up with something.”

  I introduced Mom and Dad to Kay and they sat chatting while Mel prepared them a plate. Mom was looking around the kitchen and asked, “Do I smell bread?”

  “Whatever it is, it smells amazing,” Dad added.

  Kay jumped, “Oh! Yes, there is bread. I need to get it out of the oven!”

  Kay removed the loaf from the oven and tipped it out of the pan. The smell was incredible, and I could only imagine how it made Mom and Dad feel.

  “Give it just a minute and I’ll slice some up for you,” Kay said as she set the jar of butter out on the counter.

  Picking up the jar, Mom asked, “Butter?”

  “A man in Altoona makes it. We trade for it,” Kay said.

  Mom looked at Dad wide-eyed. “I told you it was better here,” I said.

  Kay went ahead and sliced the bread, even though it wasn’t yet cooled. She placed a thick slice in a plate for each of them and slid it across the counter along with a butter knife. Mom took the knife and spread a generous amount of butter on the steaming piece of bread on her plate, then handed the plate of bread to Dad and he did the same.

  I watched Mom as she took the first bite of the bread. Her eyes were closed, and she had a look of sheer ecstasy on her face. She even let out a little moan as she chewed. Mel slid bowls in front of each of them with leftovers from the previous night’s supper. Mom and Dad both quickly ate, savoring every bite and commenting repeatedly about how good it was. Naturally, Kay dismissed the compliments. I went to the fridge and took the tea jug out and kept their glasses full. We talked as they ate, sharing stories about what we’d all been up to since the Day.

  In between bites, Dad told of how they were at home on the Day. That when the power first went out, they just assumed it was another routine outage. They realized it was something more when they went out to Mom’s car for a trip to town for dinner out at Cracker Barrel, figuring with the power on the blink that they might as well eat out. But the car wouldn’t start, nor would Dad’s truck.

  “That’s when we realized there was something major wrong. We knew it wasn’t just the usual temporary power outage,” Mom said.

  “I went around to the neighbors,” Dad said. “No one’s car would start. I started thinking about you talking about the EMP and what that would look like and I knew that must be it.”

  I nodded. “It took me a minute to figure it out too. And I was standing on the side of I-10. At least you were at home.”

  “How’d the people in your neighborhood react?” Danny asked.

  “They came together.” Dad replied. “We had a couple of issues early on, but once we got rid of those trouble makers, it was good. Everyone banded together. Worked together, shared what they had.”

  “It wasn’t like that here,” Mel said.

  “Nope,” Danny added.

  “You guys had trouble?” Dad asked.

  Danny nodded. “For a long time, actually. We had some people that wanted to try and take charge. But their idea of taking charge was just to try and take advantage of the situation.”

  “We had to fix that,” I said. Dad looked at me but didn’t say anything.

  “How long did it take you to get home?” Mom asked me.

  “About a month, I think. Give or take.”

  “And there were still problems when you got here?” Mom asked. I nodded, “Oh yeah.”

  “We had a couple of neighbors that wanted to come into the house and inventory our food and supplies,” Mel said. “I wouldn’t let them in,” she nodded at Danny. “Danny helped me. It was scary though.”

  “Were the girls at home when that happened?” Mom asked.

  “No, they were at school, in programs. I drove the Suburban up there to get them. That was a problem. Not only because I had a truck that ran, but because the school didn’t want to let them go. But I got them out and we came home.”

  Dad looked at me, “That old Suburban still runs?”

  I nodded. “Oh yeah. That old Cummins runs just fine. She’s a little worse for the wear now, seen some hard days. But it runs, and we still use it.”

  “The benefits of a diesel,” Danny added.

  We talked for a while, filling in more of the blanks. Mom and Dad ate their fill, which was considerable for the two of them, and drank a gallon of tea. Mom commented on the tea and asked how we sweetened it. I told her how we got the sugar.

  “I just can’t believe there’s help out there and nobody is getting it,” she said.

  “People are getting it. We gave a lot out. We were giving out food and all manner of supplies at the park in Eustis when we were attacked once. A lot of people lost their lives that day,” I said.

  Danny held up his hand, “And a lot were injured. That’s the day we lost Bobbie.”

  Mom got a worried look on her face. “Is it safe here? We had some trouble back home, but nothing like what you’re talking about.”

  “It is now,” I replied. “We’ve eliminated all the real trouble. After our last little mission, we now have enough firepower to fight off anyone. So yes, it’s safe here now.”

  Mom looked out the kitchen window and saw Little Bit and kids playing in the yard. She stood up and walked to the door and stepped out on the porch. We all followed her and stood, watching them play. After a moment, Mom and Dad went out the screen door into the yard. The kids looked up. Naturally, Jace and Edie didn’t know who they were, and it took a moment for Little Bit to recognize them. But when she did, she screamed and ran towards them.

  “Grandma! Poppee!” Mom knelt down and caught her as she crashed into them. She picked the little girl up in a tight hug.

  “Look at you! You’re so tan and you’ve gotten so tall!” Mom said.

  Hugging Mom’s neck, Little Bit replied, “I’ve missed you so much! Where were you?”

  “We were at home, honey.”

  Little Bit kissed her on the cheek, then leaned out and kissed Dad on the cheek and wrapped her arms around his neck as well. “Poppee!” She shouted. “I’m so happy you’re here!” She released him and leaned back, a look of surprise on her face, “I have a baby squirrel! His name is Ruckus! He fell out of a tree and daddy caught him in his hat. You want to see him?”

  Dad tussled her hair and said, “I sure do. Are his eyes open yet?”

  Wiggling to get set down, she took Dad’s hand. “No, they’re not. I have to feed him anyway; you can help.” She grabbed Mom by the hand and led them back up to the porch.

  I sat down and watched them. Little Bit opened the box and took the little rodent out. She cupped it in her hands, then handed it to Dad, reminding him to be careful, he’s just a baby. I sat and watched them with a proud smile; it was as if nothing bad had ever happened. Like she’d just seen them last weekend and it was a normal thing for them to be here today. Such is the mind of a child, and I envied it. Mom and Dad sat down, Little Bit climbed up into Dad’s lap and sat there while she fed Ruckus.

  The three talked, about the things a seven-year-old finds interesting, naturally. But it wasn’t about the conversation. It was about being there with her. Because while Little Bit acted the way she did, I could see it on Mom and Dad, the weight of the time lost. Of the uncertainty of ever seeing her again. Tears ran down Mom’s face as she ran her hand through Little Bit’s hair.

  “Where are the other two?” I asked Mel.

  “They took some stuff down to Fred’s. They should be back soon.”

  Jace ran up to the edge of the porch and called to Little Bit, “Ashley, come play with us!”

  She looked at Dad and asked, “Can you wipe his butt?”

  He smiled and took Ruckus as she scampered down out of his lap and jumped from the top step into the yard. She was at a full run when she landed. Mel went over and took the squirrel and I sat down beside Mom
and Dad.

  “Who are these two?” Mom asked looking at the kids.

  “They came here some months ago with their parents. But the parents were killed. We just barely managed to save the kids. Danny and Bobbie took them in.”

  “Danny always did want kids,” Mom replied. “Sad that they lost Bobbie as well,” she added.

  “It was sad for all of us,” Mel said.

  Mom looked up at her. “I know it was and I’m so sorry.”

  Mel looked out at the kids. They were back to the slip-n-slide and she said, “She’s still here though. We have to be grateful for what we have and not dwell on what we’ve lost.”

  “Aint that the truth,” Dad said.

  A noise in the house got our attention and Mel went inside. She returned quickly with Lee Ann and Taylor. When the girls saw their grandparents, they both started to cry and rushed over to them. The emotions started again as they were all a knot of hugs, muffled words and tears. I left them on the porch, to give them all some time. Mom and Dad were here now and there would plenty of time to spend with them. I wasn’t in a hurry.

  As the afternoon turned into early evening, the house began to fill up. Everyone made their way to Danny’s in ones and twos. Crystal and Janet arrived with Mike and Ted. Dalton came in alone, as was usual. Fred and Aric showed up with Jess and Doc. The house was getting packed. I was sitting on the front porch with Dad and Sarge. They were trying to see who could drink their coffee the fastest I think. I sipped on some tea and listened.

  There were voices everywhere. I could hear people on the back porch and the kids were running laps around the house in an unending game of tag. Kay came out of the house and refreshed the coffee. It made me so happy. To be sitting on the porch with Dad on what seemed like an ordinary day in an ordinary life.

  Mel and Kay had prepared a massive pot of beef stew, the last of the cow we’d found on the road. I guess the arrival of the heifers was a sign that it wasn’t to be the last beef we’d ever eat, and it was put to good use. It was paired with fresh biscuits and everyone enjoyed the meal and the company.

  I was getting up to carry my plate into the house when a Hummer drove down the road. I stopped to see who it was and was surprised to see Scott step out. As he came up to the house, I asked, “What’s up? Something wrong?”

  “No, no, nothing is wrong. I just need to talk to Danny and Thad.”

  “They’re on the back porch,” I said, curious what he needed.

  He went into the house and I followed him in. When Kay saw him, she immediately thrust a bowl into one hand and a biscuit into another. Scott pretended to protest, but not very hard or convincingly.

  “Thank you, Miss Kay,” he said as he stuffed half a biscuit in his mouth.

  “You just eat all you want. Now go out back and sit down. I’ll bring more biscuits.”

  He went out the back door and I stepped into the kitchen and rinsed my bowl and put it in the sink. By the time I went out the back door, Scott’s bowl sat empty on the table and he, Thad and Danny were walking around the side of the house.

  “Where are they going?” I asked Mary.

  She shrugged, “I don’t know. Scott said he needed their help for a minute.”

  I walked around the porch, trying to catch up with them. By the time I got out front they were already in the truck and backing out.

  “What the hell are they up to?” I asked no one in particular.

  “Sit down, Morgan,” Sarge said. “He needed a hand for a minute. Your mom and dad are here tonight, let them handle it.”

  “Whatever. Would just like to know what’s going on,” I replied as I dropped back into my rocking chair.

  “This is real nice,” Dad said looking out over the yard.

  “You get enough to eat?” I asked.

  He patted his belly; I could see it under his shirt. “I sure did. First time I’ve actually said that in nearly a year.”

  “Told you it was better here.”

  He looked over at me. “It is. But Linus has been telling me some of what you all have gone through. It took a lot to make this happen.”

  I nodded. “A lot of work. A lot of lives too. All we can do is stay at it. No one is going to do it for us.”

  “Well, you’ve done a hell of a job, son.”

  “It wasn’t just me. I just did my part. Everyone here did theirs. That’s why we’re all here.”

  “Told ya,” Sarge said and Dad smiled.

  “What?” I asked.

  “He said you wouldn’t take any credit. But that everyone is here because of you.”

  I shrugged. “I don’t see it that way.”

  “Morgan,” Sarge started, “you may not see it. But you have, like a gravitational pull that draws people together. Name one person here that you didn’t bring here. Everyone here owes all of this to you.”

  “Not true,” I replied. “Danny was here.”

  Sarge’s face contorted, “Would you quit being an asshole and just take the compliment!” Then he looked at Dad. “Don’t know how you did it. I could only imagine what a pain in the ass he was when he was young.”

  Dad smiled, “He wasn’t that bad. And he’s really making up for it now.”

  “Ha! There!” I shouted back at Sarge. He shook his head and Dad and I started to laugh. We got to the old man and he soon joined us.

  It was dark when we saw the lights of the Hummer coming back down the road. “About time they got back,” I said. But it stopped and turned into my driveway. “What the hell are they doing?” I asked as I got to my feet. As I started to step off the porch, the lights started moving again and the Hummer pulled back into the yard.

  Scott, Thad and Danny all got out of the truck and walked towards the porch. They all had grins on their faces and I looked them over and said, “You’re all grinning like an ass eating briars. What’s up?”

  Danny didn’t respond; instead, he walked past us and disappeared around the corner of the porch. When the lights went out, I looked over my shoulder and said, “Shit, now what?”

  As I turned to go see what was wrong, Scott grabbed my arm. “Hang on a sec there, boss.” He raised a radio and called, “Go ahead and close it”

  “Close what?” I asked.

  It’s closed. Came the reply. Danny had appeared at the corner of the porch and Scott looked at him and nodded. He disappeared again, and the lights suddenly came back on. As well as another sound, it was loud and obnoxious. But a cheer erupted from inside.

  “What the hell is that?” I asked.

  Danny came around the side of the house. He was grinning from ear to ear. “It’s the AC. It’s on.”

  “What? How?” I asked, then I looked at Scott. He was almost vibrating with excitement.

  “We got the line back up out here. And we powered up the Kangaroo store in Altoona on our way out, the lights are on there too.” I looked over at my house; it was dark. “Come on,” he said, “we turned the mains off on all of the houses.”

  “You have the power on all the way out here?” I asked.

  He nodded. “Yep. Since we had to disconnect Eustis, we focused on running it out here. The Kangaroo in Umatilla has power now too, and the lights are on there as well. Come on, let’s go turn your power back on.”

  Dad got up and the three of us walked over to the house. The big cable I’d connected the solar system to the house with was still plugged in, but the breaker for it was off. Scott nodded at the panel as he held a flashlight, “Go ahead, turn it on.”

  I flipped the main and nothing happened. The house was still dark. But then, we didn’t leave lights on like we used to. After a moment, the AC hummed to life. “Well I’ll be damned,” I said as we walked around to the front of the house. I went inside and flipped the switch for the porch light, it came on and I walked over to the thermostat. It read eighty-six degrees. The LED screen worked. I checked it and adjusted it down to seventy.

  Turning around, I grabbed Scott in a hug, “Holy shit, man, thi
s is awesome!”

  “Baker is on her way down. We’re going to make sure that all the houses in use are good to go. You guys will be able to sleep in AC tonight.”

  Already there were trucks and ATVs zipping around the neighborhood. Mel and Mom showed up at the front door and came in. “Is the electricity really on?” Mel asked.

  I nodded. “Yep and the air’s running too.”

  With tears in her eyes, she wrapped her arms around Scott, “Thank you, thank you, so much. Thank you.”

  “Oh, it’s nothing, Mel. We’ve been working on it for a while now,” he replied.

  She turned to me suddenly and said, “This means we won’t sweat at night anymore!”

  “Yeah, I cranked it down to seventy,” I said with a huge smile.

  “Is that as low as it will go? Turn it all the way down!”

  “It won’t do any good. The AC has to pull all the moisture out of the house and that’s going to take a while. We won’t feel any real difference until tomorrow probably.”

  “I’ll take anything I can get. We need to go back over to Danny’s. We have a surprise for dessert tonight.”

  As we walked back over to Danny’s, a large bucket truck rumbled down the road. It pulled up in front of Danny’s house and then Baker, Terry and Eric got out. Baker was smiling from ear to ear and asked, “Well, what do you think?”

  Kay was on the porch and practically ran out to her. “You are a sweetheart!” She shouted as she wrapped her arms around Baker.

  “We were trying to get it here sooner. It really all came together today,” she replied. “We got power on in a couple of places in town as well. There’s still people at the Kangaroo in Altoona. They’re all standing around under the lights of the gas island like cavemen looking at a fire. Pretty funny.”

  Sarge came down off the porch as well and held his hand out. “Hell of a job. Hell of a job.” He shook Baker and Terry’s hands. Having been harassed by Sarge way too many times, Eric wouldn’t get close enough to him to shake his hand.

  “You all come up and get some supper. Then we’ll all have dessert,” Kay said.