Hank signals that we’re pulling over. Gus waves and they both pull their bikes in behind us.
“Let me tell them, I think they’ll accept it better coming from me.” I tell Hank as I climb out of the van.
Hank snorts a sarcastic response. “Okay, Boss lady.”
“You really are a shit, you know that,” I bark back under my breath as we walk back to the bikes.
Leo asks, “Is there a problem?”
“Yeah, I think there is.” I tell them as I put my hands up to my ears. “Do you guys realize how much noise your bikes make, especially now when there’s nothing else moving?”
Leo shakes his head and slaps his handle bars. “Shit. That’s why those guys found us and shot at us yesterday.”
Hank, unwilling to let me handle things, blurts out, “Exactly, and that’s why we don’t think it’s a good idea for you to ride your bikes to our place.”
Gus’s body tenses and he glares first at me and then at Hank. “You telling us we can’t come now?”
Hoping to defuse the situation, I put my hand on Gus’s shoulder. “Of course not, I just think we need to come up with a plan. Like find a place to hide your bikes and you guys ride back the rest of the way in the van with us.”
The idea of being without their bikes has both Gus and Leo looking like sad puppies.
“What are we gonna do, walk everywhere?” Gus grumbles as he pets the horses painted on his gas tank. “She’s pretty special to me, you know.”
I sympathize, “I know how much your bikes mean to you. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t dangerous.”
Hanks adds, “There’s lots of cars left in the neighborhood.”
Gus moans, “I hate riding in a cage.”
Hank looks confused. “Cage?”
I pat his arm. “Bikers call cars cages.”
“Because you’re trapped in four walls.” Gus adds as he draws a square in the air.
Leo offers a solution. “A storage facility. We find an empty unit and store our bikes.”
Gus sighs then nods in agreement. “Okay, where’s a nearby storage place?”
“There’s one about a mile from the house.”
An hour later, Hank pulls the van into the Garcia’s garage and the four of us pour out.
Hoping to ease the tension between the men, I ask Hank, “Can you give them the nickel tour, explain the pools etc. while I fix us some lunch?”
After giving me a dirty look, Hank points to the backyard, “Tour starts right there.”
I slip my arms around Hank and whisper,” Play nice.”
“I’ll try.” He grunts and heads for the door.
Glad for a few minutes alone, I head over to my house.
Why’s Hank upset? I don’t get it. With eight guys in the car gang, and maybe even more, we sure can use the extra man power. Plus, there’s scavenging, the garden, the cats, the dogs, guard duty … then a light bulb moment…he thinks I’ll choose one of them over him. Shit, he’s jealous. Stupid idiot!
When the three of them arrive for lunch, they’re laughing and all buddy-buddy. I guess they handled their differences and nobody’s bloody or black and blue. Good.
These men can eat. I thought I made enough. Not! I heated up two large cans of chili and ended up adding a third can.
I purposely sit across from Gus and Leo during lunch. I want a better look.
Gus is rugged looking, with deeply tanned skin and shoulder-length dark, almost black, hair he wears tucked behind his ears. His eyes are a deep brown and his nose has several bumps like it has been broken a few times. He’s sexy as anything. Prize fighter handsome.
Leo is the smaller of the two with slicked back, dark blonde hair. His facial features look like he’s never been in a fight. The thing I like is he always has a smile.
After everyone finishes eating, I pick up my clipboard.
Before I even say one word, Hank chuckles and points at my hands. “Looks like it’s meeting time.”
Gus laughs and pokes Leo with his elbow. “We should get her a gavel and a kutte with a President rocker on it.”
“You guys, I’m not the damn president, just an organizer. It’s what I do.”
Hank groans, “What’s a rocker?”
Leo points to the Treasurer patch on his kutte. “This is a rocker.”
Leo, acting like a school boy, snaps to attention, sits up straight in his chair and folds his hands. The other two miscreants are quick to follow.
“Funny…very funny.” I give them the finger and begin with my plan. “I propose we have lunch and dinner together every day. Breakfast will be every man for himself.”
“You cooking?” Gus asks as he raises his eyebrows.
“Most of the time, but everyone will get a turn.”
Leo rubs his hands together, “I cook a mean steak.”
“Sorry, no steaks. Besides, we can’t barbeque, the smells could draw in trouble.”
Hank adds, “Guys, Shelley has read tons of stuff on prepping and survival. She knows what she’s talking about.”
“Thanks, Hank.” I look at Gus and Leo. “So, do you think the two of you will be comfortable across the street at the Henderson house?”
“Yeah, no problem. Gus and I tossed a coin on who gets the master bedroom. The bastard won. I’m taking the guest room.”
Gus gives me a thumbs-up and a Cheshire cat smile.
“Good. I’m glad it’s gonna be okay.”
I continue. “There have to be a few rules. First one is obvious. Everyone contributes.” I hold up my clipboard. “There will be two sheets of paper on this every day. One sheet will list the chores that need to be done that day and the other will be a list of things we need to find. I’ve added walkie talkies, night vision goggles and good work boots for Hank and me.”
I look at Gus and Leo’s feet. “If those boots are comfortable to walk in, they’re perfect.”
Gus reaches for the clipboard. “I wanna put binoculars on the list.”
“Put a trip to the pharmacy on there.” Hank points at Gus.
“Yeah, we need condoms.” Leo blurts out.
I stare him down. “Who you planning on screwing, Leo?”
His face turns beet red. “Just wanna be prepared. That’s all.”
This has the guys chuckling.
“Gus and Leo, you didn’t bring anything with you. Is your stuff at your clubhouse?”
“Yeah. We’ll need to make a trip over there.” Gus answers for both of them.
“We can go tomorrow when we hit up the camping goods store.” I hesitate and look down at the chore sheet. “Okay, then, this afternoon, I need help with the garden and the animals. After dinner, we’ll go to Albertson’s supermarket. I want to take three cars, and load them up. Water, canned food, rice, beans.”
Hank interrupts. “Toilet paper. Paper towels. Dish soap. Laundry detergent.”
I tap him on the shoulder and frown. “They get the idea.”
Leo has a confused look on his face. “Back up a minute. Animals?”
Hanks laughs, “Miss Softie,” he points at me, “our Marshmallow girl, has a house for cats and a house for dogs.”
I pretend to punch him in the arm. “You make me sound like an animal hoarder. The truth is, I found three cats in the houses I cleared. They’re living together next door in Ruth’s house. I also found eight dogs including the Garcia’s sweet basset hound. They’re at a house a few blocks away that has a large backyard and a big shed I’m using as a doghouse.”
“I’ll do the animals.” Leo says quickly with a big happy look on his face.
I can’t help but smirk, “You like animals?”
Leo nods, “Hell, yeah.”
“I’ll go with you, Leo. There’s a young German shepherd over there I’m thinking about training. You know, as a security dog.” Hank says as he takes his dishes to the sink.
Gus snickers and elbows Leo. “Tell them.”
Both Hank and I look at Gus like he’s crazy.
Leo squirms in his seat. “I know how to train dogs.”
“Well, great, you and Hank can work together.” I say as Gus continues his silly laugh. Wait? There’s more to this story. “Leo, where did you learn how to dog train?”
Leo swallows hard and looks down at his feet. “In prison. They had a dog training program as part of rehab.”
Hank shoots me a dirty, I-told-you-so look. “Sorry, but I have to ask, what were you in for?”
“I was caught with three pounds of marijuana and an unregistered gun. I was sentenced to seven years; did two.”
“Listen. Leo was a stand-up guy. There were seven of us brothers there that day. The drugs were in his saddlebag when we were pulled over. He never ratted on the rest of us and took the entire rap. A real stand-up guy.” Gus says as he puts his arm around Leo’s shoulders.
“But, that’s the past. I don’t do drugs. I don’t sell drugs. I promise.” Leo says as he looks me in the eye.
Hank’s response surprises me. “Hey, we’ve all made mistakes, Leo.”
“I agree with Hank; the past is past. You’re one of us now.” I add as I pat Leo’s shoulder.
His face softens, and he nods his head. “I won’t let you down.”
“We believe you.” I pick up the clipboard again. “One more thing, no lights can show at night. You two will need to hang blankets over the windows.”
Gus volunteers. “I’ll hang the blankets, then come help you with the garden.”
Hank puts his hand up. “First thing we need to do is hide the guns and the ammo.”
“Shit, you’re right. But where? There’s no room in the caches.”
“I have an idea.” Leo says as he walks into the kitchen and puts his hand on my refrigerator’s handle.”
Hank and I yell at the same time, “Don’t open that!”
Leo smirks, “Exactly. People know better than to open a fridge because of the rotted food inside. Why don’t we use the fridges for our gun storage?”
“Brilliant.”
Chapter Nine
Hank
Each one of us got a fridge to clean out. I feel bad for Shelley, she ended up with the short straw and got the Garcia’s super large commercial monster. I lucked out and got Levi’s; a small side by side model.
Hoping to help with the smell, I put a glob of toothpaste under my nose and a mask over my mouth and nose. Next, I shake open the extra-large black garbage bags Shelley gave us. All set, I take a few deep breaths and pull the fridge side door open. The rank smell of decayed meat and rancid vegetables explode like a bomb into the room.
“Jesus!” I jump backwards, gagging, and run out the open backdoor. “God, I think I’m gonna puke!” Bending over, bile creeps up my throat but thankfully my lunch stayed down. It takes a few minutes for my stomach to settle enough to try again. I psych myself up, take a few more breaths and go back to finish the job.
Not caring about neatness, I sweep everything into the bags shelf by shelf, and drawer by drawer. Once empty, I seal the bags and toss them out the back door. After a bottle of cleaner, a roll of paper towels and a spray can of Lysol, I put two rifles, two pistols and three hundred rounds of ammo for each weapon inside and close the door.
I didn’t touch the freezer side at all. No way.
“You ready?” Leo pops his head in Levi’s back door.
“Yeah, just finished.” I pick up my rifle and pack.
We’re heading over to what Leo’s nicknamed ‘Fido’s place’. Yeah, he’s a funny one. He’s growing on me, too. Gus not as much, I don’t like the way Shelley looks at him.
“Remember, we don’t want to be seen. We’ll clear each area before we step out. We’ll stick close to the houses as best we can and no talking.” I tell him as we reach the front of Levi’s house.
Leo volunteers, “I know hand signals.”
“Perfect. We’ll use them.”
After visibly clearing the first part of our trip, I take point and signal Leo to move out.
Leo moves like he’s trained; light on his feet and head constantly on a swivel. I’m beginning to think there’s more to him than he’s told us. He has good ideas, moves like a soldier and has an inner confidence he hides behind humor.
The trip to Fido’s place is uneventful except the dogs smell us and start barking when we’re still over a block away.
We enter through the side gate and are greeted by wiggles, licks and wagging tails.
“God, they’re so damn cute.” Leo says as he holds his hand out for them to sniff. “Hi guys, I’m a friend.” He sits down Indian style, right in the middle of all the dogs. “How are you’ll doing?” A tiny black and white mutt jumps into his arms. He responds with a laugh, “Well, hello, Princess.”
Bruno, the Bassett hound, jumps up and down putting his short legs up on mine. “Hi fella, how you doing?” I tell him as I join the fun on the ground.
Every dog wants attention, so I start rubbing tummies, shaking paws and giving out pats and hugs. After a few minutes, I break free from the pack and stand up. “We better go check their water and food.”
Leo stretches his legs and rises to his feet. “Show me what to do.”
I point at a blue plastic kiddie pool set up in the shade of a tree. “Shelley’s using that as a watering trough.” We walk over to check it and the dogs follow behind Leo like he’s the Pied Piper.
Their water is almost gone. Dog hair, leaves and a few bugs float on what remains. “The pool’s over there.” I point at the house on the left. We both grab buckets and head next door. “Shelley covered and treated the pool. It’s safe enough for the dogs to drink.”
“She’s something else.” Leo says as he steps around a tiny Chihuahua.
“Yeah, she really is. I can’t believe how much she’s gotten done on her own.”
At the gate, Leo shoos the dogs back inside. “Stay.”
It takes four trips to clean and fill the trough.
“Where’s their food?” Leo asks.
“In the laundry room.” I open the back door to the main house and we both step inside.
Leo whistles when he sees the room full of supplies. “Good lord, how did she get all this here? There has to be ten thirty-pound bags of food, not to mention bags of treats and canned food.”
“Furniture dolly.” I chuckle and add, “Never underestimate a woman on a mission.”
“Glad she’s on our team.”
“No kidding.” I nod at the pile of dog dishes on top of the washer. “Shelley puts bowls in several places in the yard. Some of the smaller dogs won’t eat with the big ones and some are food aggressive.”
“Makes sense.”
We fill the bowls, some with large size kibble and some with special small bits for the little dogs.
Leo looks through the window. “Handsome guy,” and points at the German Shepherd, a gorgeous dog with a coat of brown fur and a thick golden mane and mask.
“He sure is. Got any idea how old he is?”
Leo takes another long look. “A year, maybe a little more.”
“Can you tell if he’s trained?”
“I’ll need to be alone with him to access his skills. I’ll take him next door, and use that back yard.”
I pull a red leash off the shelf. “Here.”
Leo grabs it and shakes some treats into his pocket. “Thanks. Adolph and I will be back in a bit.”
“Adolph?”
Leo smacks me in the arm. “Yeah, I always said if I ever had a Shepherd, I’d name him Adolph.”
Waving him off, I moan. “Go, have fun, I’ll put down the bowls and clean up the dog poop.”
“Why don’t you wait on the poop, I’ll help you when I get back.” Leo calls back at me.
“I’ll take you up on that.” After putting down the bowls, I ease myself into a lawn chair and watch the dogs eat, happy for a few minutes to myself.
Leo calls from over the fence. “Hank, you gotta c
ome see this.”
“Be right over.”
When I get there, Leo is walking the perimeter of the yard with Adolph heeling at his right side, his eyes fixed on Leo as if waiting another command.
“Are you kidding me? He’s trained?”
Leo gives me an okay gesture as he continues walking. “He’s still a little weak on some, but yes. He’s been trained using German commands.”
“German?”
“Yeah, many obedience schools train in German. Now watch.” He calls out in a stern voice, “Sitz.” Adolph immediately lowers down on his haunches. “Gut.” Leo reaches in his pocket and gives him a treat.
“Platz.” Adolph lays down with his head on his front paws. “Braver hund.”
Leo walks a few feet away and pats his leg. “Hier.” The dog rises and walks over to Leo’s side “Gut.” and is given another treat.
Leo looks over at me with a huge smile on his face. “I’ll do one more. Gib laut.” Adolph barks and we both laugh.
I walk over and pet Adolph. “Such a smart boy.”
“He knows basic commands, but there are some important ones he’s shaky on. I’ll need to work with him daily. If we can get him trained, he’ll be a real asset to the group.”
“What’s he weak on?”
“The ones dealing with guarding, but he’s a smart dog, it won’t take him long to learn them. I’ll need to keep him with me from this point on to establish the master bond. Do you think Shelley will mind if I bring him back with us?”
“Bring him and if she has a problem, we’ll just sweet talk her.”
Leo holds up his hands. “Sweet talking is your job. I’m terrible with women.”
“Let’s go clean up the poop and get out of here.”
Chapter Ten
Shelley
I’m on my knees pulling weeds when a dog snout appears between my legs and pushes against my girlie parts. I squeal and push him away from my crotch. “Rude dog!”
Gus laughs so hard he falls forward onto his hands, “You were just goosed by a dog.”
I throw Gus the finger as I pull the dog into a hug. “What are you doing here, big boy?”
Leo appears at the back door. “Adolph. Hier.” The dog breaks out of my arms and rushes to him. Leo points at the ground. “Sitz.” And the dog sits down and looks lovingly up at him with his tongue hanging out.
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