Stealing Second (The Amendments Book One 1)

by Nicholas Antinozzi

  “Sure it’ll be expensive, but we can’t let that stand in our way. If Americans aren’t willing to roll up their sleeves and do what needs to be done, right now, there’s no hope for this beautiful country of ours. We need to put aside our petty differences, which is how our government has divided us, and stand together for a common cause. This is our country, not theirs. We have to organize as Americans and take it back from the corporations and special interests. People have to see that. The two-party political system is broken. It’s an illusion. We need to take what’s salvageable from both parties and create something that people can believe in.”

  “You must have been giving this a lot of thought.”

  “I was thinking about this before you were born. Yeah, I’ve given it a lot of thought. But I’m not alone. There are lots of people out there, just like me. We’ve got to get everyone on the same page and that isn’t going to be easy.”

  “You mean it’s going to be expensive, right?”

  “Of course, but it goes deeper than that. We’re going to have to change the way people think and that isn’t going to be easy. America’s problem is an ever-growing chasm between the right and left. This chasm didn’t happen by chance. It was created as a diversion. Americans need to wake up to that. Both sides are one and the same. That’s the message I’d like to send to America.”

  “But how do you plan to deliver it?”

  Dad looked at me as if a light bulb was suddenly switched on. “What’s on your mind, Gary?” he asked. “If there’s something you’d like to share with me, go ahead and do it. Do you think I’m crazy for having a dream? Our country was created by men who shared the same dream. I’m simply trying to preserve it for future generations.”

  “No, I don’t think you’re crazy at all. I agree with everything you said. I may not be up to date on current events, but that doesn’t mean I can’t see what’s been going on. What if I told you that I could finance your message? What would you say if I suddenly came into a whole bunch of money, more than you could possibly imagine. What if I told you that it was yours to use, however you wished?”

  Dad laughed, just like I knew he would. “What, did you win the lottery?”

  I shook my head. “No, I only wish it were that simple,” I said, and then I began my story about the buried treasure.

  Chapter 21

  The next few days were for the dead. A few of the area farmers had taken it upon themselves to gather the bodies and create temporary morgues. We found Duke lying under a canvas tarp in a neighbor’s barn. The smell was hideous and something I’ll remember for the rest of my days. Cheryl was beside herself with grief, but she was also stronger than I ever could have imagined. During those terrible days, I learned a great deal about death. The Great Equalizer is also a test to be taken by those left behind. Those who pass begin to put it behind them. Those who fail are consumed by it and begin to die a little bit each day until they either die themselves or make the grade and finally begin to move on. Including Kyle, there were dozens of suicides in our little town in the days following the raid on the camp.

  The United States military was a constant presence during those days. We were told that there were still rogue groups operating in the area and that the roads were unsafe. This prevented us from driving to Milaca and retrieving the gold. Even as we buried our dead, I was able to think of little else.

  We buried Duke behind the barn, next to Gunner and Thor. He loved those dogs and I think he would have liked that. Dad carved them all wooden tombstones and he used his wood-burner to highlight the names and dates. They were horribly beautiful.

  Cathy and Violet followed me around like an extra pair of shadows. I told Cathy that if she wished to rejoin her unit, she was free to do so, and Violet would be welcome to stay as one of the family. She wouldn’t hear of it and swore she would never go back to the military. I can’t say that I blamed her, but I was worried about what might happen to her in the future. Despite everything that had happened, she was still a deserter. I knew the army wouldn’t turn their heads to that sort of thing. Gradually, Cathy and Cheryl began to form a friendship. Violet started spending time with Matt and Janis and it warmed my heart to see them playing together. Things seemed to be gradually returning to normal, as close to normal as the times would allow. I began to think about the future.

  Dad was torn about what to do with the gold. He agreed with me that we should retrieve it as soon as possible. But he wasn’t so sure that he could use it to suit his purposes. What bothered him wasn’t so much his conscience, but more a matter of explaining how he was able to fund his movement. There were still laws to follow and taxes to pay. Foolishly, I had never given this the slightest bit of thought.

  We were told that great chunks of the United States were still in the hands of the United Nations. The entire West Coast from Washington State down to the southern tip of California was being held captive. The middle of the country had been retaken by the United States military, but a great swath from Wisconsin on east stretching down to the original Mason Dixon Line all belonged to the government and their army of United Nations soldiers. Battles were being fought less frequently, at least that is what we heard. Both sides seemed to be taking stock of the situation and there was an uneasy truce.

  Cash became something to set aside; it simply held no value, no meaning, in the new world. Thankfully, Dad still kept a dozen milk cows and nearly a hundred head of prize beef cattle. How they weren’t run off or stolen during their captivity is a mystery. We found them at the very back of the pasture. Dad led them back to the barn with a white five-gallon bucket. You’ve never seen happier cattle. Dad formed alliances with other farmers and we never lacked for good food.

  A week after arriving back at the farm, Dad sent me to town to see if I could barter for some diesel fuel for the John Deere. People were free with their food, but as tight as a drum with their fuel. I rode my bicycle to town and that was how I ran across Jack. He was working at the Co-Op and he seemed genuinely happy to see me. We talked for a while and I learned that during his absence, his home had been trashed by U.N. soldiers. “We’re living in a tent, Gary,” he said. “I’m paid for the work that I do here in canned food. It ain’t much of a life.”

  I could tell by the stench of his breath that a portion of his wages, were being paid by the bottle, but I didn’t mention it. I had never much cared for Jack. He was crass and rude and a hopeless alcoholic, but he had also been part of our group. We weren’t together for more than a few days, but we were together long enough to where I felt that I owed him something. His eyes lit up when I told him about life on the farm. “There’s no booze there, Jack,” I said. “But we have plenty to eat and everybody is expected to pull their fair share of the load. I could talk to my dad. I can’t make any promises, but I’d need you to promise me that you won’t drink if I can get you in.”

  Jack waved his hand in the air, as if he were swatting a fly. I should have known right there that he was going to lie to me. “Gary, on my dead mother’s grave, I swear to God that I won’t touch a drop if you can get us in. I’d be in your debt for the rest of my life. Helen is about ready to leave me. Have pity on me, we’ve been married almost forty years.”

  Believing him, I assured Jack that I would see what I could do. I left him there, dirty, salivating, stinking; a man with good intentions, but drowning in a jug-full of alcoholic lies.

  I found a couple of sources for diesel. Neither source was reasonable, but both seemed desperate to sink their teeth into some fresh beef. I told each man the same thing. I gave them my dad’s name and the address to the farm. I left them by saying the first one to deliver would be eating steaks for dinner. Hunger is a powerful motivator. I hadn’t even made it back home and Dad was finalizing the deal for a 55-gallon drum of number two diesel. Later that night, I talked to my mom and dad about Jack.

  The next day, tearfully, Jack and Helen moved out to the farm. What a mistake.

  Cathy became distant
and I thought it was because of her trying to establish relationships with the others. Something changed in her when Jack arrived. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I was sure I wasn’t imagining it.

  Ten days had passed since we had arrived back at the farm. We were told that there were still rogue groups of UN troops on the loose. As much as I wanted to drive over to Milaca and dig up the gold, I knew Dad would never forgive me if I left before we were given the all clear. I spent my days working around the farm. Nights were spent dreaming of the gold. I wondered about Ace and his family. I missed him, as if he were the big brother I never had. I also wondered about Lisa, but in her case I was merely happy to know she had been reunited with her family.

  The day had been blistering hot and the evening was downright sultry. I talked Cathy into taking a walk. I needed to know what was on her mind. When I tried to take her hand, she pulled it away. The effect was the same as a slap. “What the hell is going on with you?” I asked. I had spent the past few days walking on eggshells and I was done pretending to be stupid. “Was I imagining how you felt about me?”

  We were behind the barn. Cathy was dressed in a t-shirt and a pair of Cheryl’s capris. Her forehead was covered in sweat and her hair was damp with perspiration. Oddly enough, I have never wanted a woman more than I wanted her at that moment. You always want what you can’t have, why is that? She turned to me and stopped walking. “You weren’t imagining anything,” she said. “I’ve had a lot on my mind and I might as well be straight with you. I want to turn myself in. I have to come clean, Gary. If I don’t do it now, I’ll be running for the rest of my life.”

  I hadn’t expected this and my mind suddenly raced ahead. “What about Violet?” I asked. “What happens to her if you’re locked up? What happens if they force you to join the fight? Are you out of your mind?”

  “Don’t you think I’ve thought of that? I’m pretty sure they won’t lock me up. My guess is that a lot of soldiers did just what I did. They can’t prosecute me for not joining the enemy. Don’t you see, Gary? I have to do this. I can’t stay here.”

  “What about Violet?”

  Cathy turned away and stared off into the hazy sunset. “I was hoping she could stay with you.”

  “What about your mom? Don’t you think she’d be better off staying with her?”

  Cathy spun around and shook her finger at me. “That’s the first place Jim would look for her. Do you think I want him showing up at my mom’s and taking her away? What kind of life would she have?”

  “You don’t even know if he’s still alive.”

  “Look, if you don’t want her, I’ll take her away with me. I’m sure they have places for girls like her. I’m doing this, Gary. With or without your help, I’m doing it.”

  “Of course she can stay with us. You know that. I just wish you would’ve talked to me about this.”

  “I wanted to, I really did. You can’t imagine how I feel. I’m a soldier, Gary. How could I look Violet in the eye after this thing is over? This is what I signed on for. I have a duty to protect and serve my country.”

  “When were you thinking about leaving?”

  “I’m leaving in the morning.”

  “What if we hadn’t had this talk? What were you planning to do, just walk away?”

  “I was going to leave a note. I didn’t want to, but I thought it was the only way. What do you think your folks are going to say?”

  I thought about that. I knew they would understand and that they would welcome Violet with open arms. The truth was, I wasn’t thinking about Violet, I wasn’t even thinking of my parents, or even Cathy. I was thinking about me. “Where does this leave us?” I asked. “I thought we might’ve had something.”

  Cathy stepped over and put her arms around my waist. She then kissed me for the first time in days. I was angry with her, but I gave into the kiss. We stood there for a long time and she grew more passionate with each passing second. Finally, she pulled away and she took a furtive look around. “Take me,” she said.

  “Take you?” I asked. “Take you where?”

  “Take me here, take me now. Take me to your shack. I want to be with you, Gary. This might be my last opportunity to be with a man. I want to make it special, for the both of us. I love you.”

  I wasn’t expecting her to say that, but I knew I couldn’t let the opportunity pass. I took her by the hand and I led her to my fort. Wordlessly, with Kyle’s dried blood splattered against the far wall, we took each other.

  Chapter 22

  Early the following morning, Cathy left the farm. Foolishly, I agreed to explain things to Violet. For some strange reason, I thought she would understand. She spent the next two days in tears. Cheryl and my folks were more understanding and they took turns talking to her. Neil began spending a lot of time with her and that seemed to help. But by the third day, Violet had retreated to her special place and I thought we had lost her.

  Dad continued talking about his plan to form a political party of regular people who had grown tired of the way things were. He didn’t seem to think the war would last long. Jack had kept his promise to remain sober and Helen and Mom became fast friends. By this time, I had become obsessed with digging up my treasure. It had been two weeks since we stormed the camp. Despite Dad’s protests, I couldn’t wait another day. I decided to go that night. As luck would have it, a slow-moving thunderstorm arrived at just after dark. I waited until long after the candles were out and I snuck out of the house.

  Armed with Kyle’s little shovel, I hopped into Mom’s Buick and started it up. The gas gauge read between a half and a quarter tank. I estimated that roundtrip the drive would be about 120 miles. I would be cutting it close, but it was a chance I was willing to take. I had become consumed by the gold. Nothing else mattered.

  The rain was really coming down and I was pretty sure that no one had heard me leave. Mom and Dad had always been sound sleepers and I knew that everyone had put a full day in at the farm. I drove well below the speed limits on the deserted highways. I used one of Dad’s maps to chart my course. I found only one campground on the map. I knew it had to be the place.

  I wasn’t in a big hurry and I wanted to conserve as much fuel as possible. I bypassed Mason and then I drove through the empty town of Thistle. The parking lot of the burned out church was still filled with the vehicles of the dead. The rain slowed to a drizzle and I began to remember landmarks that we had passed on our hike. Though it had only been a few weeks ago, it felt like ages had passed since that time. The campground snuck up on me and I almost drove past it. I caught the brown and white sign at the last second and I slammed on the brakes.

  I drove in slowly, following the muddy road around to the back of the empty campground. My heart sank when I pulled into the campsite. The ATV was gone. I rubbed my eyes and stared blankly ahead. I knew I was in the right place. I pulled Mom’s Buick into the parking spot and shut off the engine. The needle to the gas gauge was just below a quarter tank. I was reasonably sure I could make it back to the farm. This was just a passing thought. My mind was zeroed in on the gold. Someone had taken the ATV, I couldn’t help but wonder if whoever had taken it, had stumbled upon the gold. Of course, this was impossible. The gold was buried along with the bundles of cash. If some had taken it, they would have had to of known where it was buried. I thought of Cathy and of her sudden patriotism. I thought of Ace and of his strange ability to read minds. If my gold was gone, one of them would be responsible.

  With my flashlight in one hand and Kyle’s shovel on the floor at my feet, I forced myself to wait. I knew I hadn’t been followed, but that didn’t mean I was alone in the campground. I waited until the windows were steamed up until I dared step out into the wet darkness. The rain was light and the night was black. With my heart in my throat, I flicked on the flashlight and walked over to where I had buried the gold. As I drew near, I grew certain that I had been double-crossed.

  But when I came across the spot, it looked untouched. I
had imagined a mound of dirt with an open hole. I quickly shut off the flashlight and again, I waited. I don’t know why. Looking back, there was something special about that moment. From the very minute I had filled in that hole the entire episode had taken on a dreamlike quality. None of it seemed real. The rain picked up and finally, I began to dig.

  Six scoops later, I unearthed the knapsack. My head felt like it would explode. I pulled it up out of the ground and brushed it off. Inside, I could feel the fat rolls of cash. I ran back to the car and stuffed it into the trunk. I then ran back to the shallow hole and I dug up the three heavy bundles. One at a time, I lugged them over to the Buick and I stowed them away. For some odd reason, I returned to the hole and I filled it in. Muddy and soaked to the bone, I climbed back behind the wheel and I backed out of the parking spot.

  I had done it. All of my worries had been for nothing.

  I drove like a ninety year-old woman, following the same roads that had taken me back to the campground. I sang songs I had learned as a child in school, happy songs; the types of songs that conjure up old memories of boundless possibilities. I have never felt better than I did during the drive back to the farm. Even the gas gauge seemed to cooperate. The needle read just under an eighth of a tank when I reached the outskirts of Pine City. Everything was going my way.

  Or so it seemed.

  The clock on the dashboard read 1:25 a.m. when I pulled into the driveway. My heart sank when I saw candles burning in the kitchen window. The rain had stopped and I could see shadows moving about. I cursed under my breath. Someone had noticed my absence and now they were worried. I knew how my parents thought. The cash and the gold would mean nothing to them, not really. I had taken their car without asking and I’d disappeared into the night. That was a breach of their trust. I had been taught from an early age that trust was hard to gain and easily lost. I could only hope that given time, I could make them understand my reasons for leaving.