Nancy seeing the look of shock mistook it as why would Nancy see Bruce naked. “We have been camping several times and the boys don’t feel the need to cover up, baby,” Nancy clarified.
“No shit,” Angela said then looked at Debbie. “I want to ask you a question please,” Angela said to Debbie.
Debbie looked at the small woman not wanting to answer any more questions about the wave or fighting. Debbie had to admit she really liked Angela a lot and even loved her. This small woman had fought to defend her family and friends then proven herself a valuable asset to the family. Debbie looked at Angela and nodded her head for the question.
Angela asked, “Did you take off running and screaming the first time you saw Bruce naked?”
The question caught Debbie off guard and she just started laughing with sore stomach muscles as Nancy joined in. Stephanie just stared at Angela.
“When did you see Bruce naked?” Stephanie asked with attitude.
“At the hospital and on the trip here,” Angela told Stephanie then looked at Debbie. “Well did you?” she asked.
Debbie stopped laughing and replied, “No.”
“Debbie you’re not much bigger than me. I can tell you, if I wouldn’t have took off running, I would have shit twice and died,” Angela informed her.
“Bruce was the first boy I ever saw naked Angela. He was the one I played doctor and house with,” Debbie told her.
“That’s what you had to compare the rest of the male population with?” Angela asked in disbelief.
“Bruce is the only man I have ever been with,” Debbie replied.
“You have my up most respect Debbie. I would’ve chickened out,” Angela replied and Nancy agreed with her.
Stephanie just looked at the women. They should not talk about Bruce like that and what was the big deal. He was a boy so what. Debbie saw the look on Stephanie’s face. “Bruce is well endowed Stephanie,” Debbie told her.
“That’s no reason to run away,” Stephanie replied defending Bruce.
“The hell it isn’t. Physics still plays a part in making love girl,” Angela told her.
“Well Debbie didn’t run so I think you are just exaggerating,” Stephanie replied to Angela.
Debbie called the group back to order, “Ladies we have a lot of work to do with a lot of people counting on us so let’s get this done.”
The little group finished the list out for the next three weeks at 1900 and headed downstairs to eat. The laughter had done the souls good to hold back the grief and terror they all felt. Laughter was going to be scarce in the coming months and the memories would get them through some tough times ahead.
Chapter 17
It was 1700 the next afternoon when Bruce led his patrol home. They were all riding horses, which was the only reason they were alive. Several times the blues had tried to ambush them or charge them when the patrol ambushed them. Only with the horses did they stand a chance to pull back and cut the blues down.
Bruce adjusted little SCAR across his chest. He was sitting on his solid black Frisian stallion that was seventeen hands high. It was a war horse of old and when he rode it, he felt like a knight riding off into battle. Bruce called his horse Nightmare. Several blues had found out that Nightmare was not afraid of them as he rode them down. When a ton of horse steps on you it tends to hurt and if he keeps doing it, you tend to die. One blue had tried to sneak up behind Nightmare only to be kicked in the chest and sent sailing ten yards. Nightmare let out a neigh that Bruce thought sounded like a laugh.
When they were a mile out from the farm Bruce called over the radio, “Base, big daddy one patrol returning, don’t get trigger happy. Is the hunting team scoring yet?”
“This is base, we see you big daddy one and are waiting on you. Hunting team is out and starting to score,” Pam replied.
That morning Mike had dropped off nine people at a two story house fifteen miles to the southwest. Then the group was put on the roof to see if they could thin the blues in that area.
Bruce’s patrol had taken down almost two hundred since dawn when they left the farm. The groups were ranging in size from ten to fifty. Through the day, mission control would guide them to blues for them to hit. When the patrol opened up on them the blues would charge them, only to be cut down, until the last group. The last group they had to chase down, to kill them. While the patrol chased the blues, they kept roaring. It was only after Bruce and his patrol had taken them down that they were told by base that several groups of blues were heading to them. The pack they had chased had called for help and others had responded. That required thought, planning and worst of all communication, all that combined worried Bruce.
Leading his patrol into the farm towards the barn, Bruce stopped and watched his team get off their mounts. Buffy was riding a quarter horse the family had picked up for friends of the kids to ride when they came over.
Bruce climbed off his horse and spoke to everyone, “I want everyone to put your gear up and tend to your horse. If you don’t know how, watch others and do what they do.” Everyone took care of their horse then walked them to the field to feed them.
As Bruce walked to the house he could see the frame of the community building was already up as Debbie grabbed his hand. “I get the shower first stud muffin,” Debbie told him.
“That’s not fair sugar mama,” Bruce told her.
“Well, you could take one with me but you can’t boil me alive,” Debbie replied adjusting the pack on her back.
“I have to get clean baby,” Bruce told her.
“Clean yeah, not sterilize your body,” Debbie replied.
“Ok, you can have the shower first,” Bruce told her.
Debbie looked back at Danny and Matt. Debbie had put Matt on the patrol because she just wanted to see for herself Danny and Matt together. Matt always remained alert but would snatch quick glances at Danny and she would do the same. They were walking side by side now talking to each other. Debbie could see they wanted to hold hands but did not want to give up the cover. If Bruce wouldn’t have told her, Debbie still wouldn’t have seen it. Now Debbie could see it plain as day. Debbie leaned toward Bruce.
“They’re so cute. They keep it very low key and I don’t think they should. I wish we weren’t the only ones who knew about them,” Debbie told him.
“Yeah they did very good today. Even in pitched battle they took care of business and for teenagers in love that takes some doing. What do you mean we’re the only ones who know?” Bruce said.
“Well, of course Jake and Mary but I also meant them as well. Mary came running out of the house as soon as we rode in and I’m sure David knows,” Debbie said.
“I was talking about Buffy,” Bruce told her. Debbie stopped and looked at Bruce in shock.
Bruce saw the look and said, “No baby, she didn’t see it. Danny told her and made her swear not to tell anyone.”
“And Buffy told you?” Debbie asked.
“Hell no! I don’t think she would tell me if she was dragged across hot coals. When we talked yesterday in the game room, she wouldn’t look up. I knew then Danny had told her. I can also say, Buffy will not tell Danny we know because Buffy will think Danny will blame her that we know,” Bruce told Debbie.
“Bruce, we can’t let the kids ever think that. It would really hurt Buffy’s feelings,” Debbie replied.
“That’s why we aren’t going to do anything. They will tell us when they’re ready,” Bruce told her.
Debbie started walking toward the house, a plan starting to form in her mind. Bruce could see the wheels turning in her mind. “Baby please don’t form some outlandish plan,” Bruce begged her.
“Why not, I got you didn’t I?” Debbie pointed out.
“Well, yes you did,” Bruce admitted not able to argue that point.
“Does Stephanie know?” Debbie asked.
“Why in the world would she know?” Bruce asked.
“She sleeps in Mary’s room with her,” Debbie pointe
d out.
“Debbie, Stephanie is the smartest person I’ve ever met but there is no way she’d see this. The kids know how close she is to you and Nancy so they wouldn’t tell her,” Bruce told her.
“Stephanie is a lot like someone else in that matter,” Debbie replied.
“Debbie, Stephanie is not in love with me. She might be infatuated with me but that’s all,” Bruce told her.
“Whatever,” Debbie said waving her hand.
“I almost slapped you. Debbie you sounded just like Danny,” Bruce told Debbie.
“Well, we learned it from you, so go and slap yourself,” Debbie told him as they crossed the patio.
“Debbie, they will tell us. Give them time and don’t force them,” Bruce pleaded.
“I won’t,” Debbie promised as they walked inside.
The clan now ate in shifts, those that had already eaten were in the game and theater rooms. Bruce sat down in his chair not really caring about eating, he just wanted to rest. He loved his horse but did not like smelling like him. Millie brought over a plate for him and Debbie and sat them down in front of them.
Bruce looked up at Millie, “You don’t have to serve us Millie. I’m somewhat capable of getting my own food as is Debbie,” Bruce told her.
Millie looked at him, “I know that but in my kitchen I dos what I want. If I wants to sit down and feed ya I wills, do I make myself clear?” Millie asked with iron in her voice.
Bruce pulled off his gloves and picked up his silverware replying, “Yes ma-am.” Millie started back to the food line.
Mike sitting in his chair at the opposite end leaned forward. “I told her the same thing and she threatened to spank me with a wooden spoon. I don’t believe most people but I think she would’ve done it,” Mike told Bruce.
Millie yelled at Mike, “I hears you Michael, don’t make me get my spoon.”
“Yes ma-am,” Mike replied to Millie then said to Bruce. “See what I mean.”
“Shut up Mike before you get us in trouble,” Bruce told him. Bruce was not in the mood to get popped with a wooden spoon today. Millie brought the rest of the family plates of food and Danny was fixing to say something but Bruce shook his head no and Danny kept her mouth shut.
Millie walked over and filled Debbie’s glass back up with tea and told her, “Girl you needs to eat more if’n yous gonna hang with Bruce, going off to war.”
Debbie just laughed, “I don’t want to get fat, Bruce might not like me anymore.”
“Girl, this boy thinks the sun rises just for you,” Millie told her as she filled more glasses. “You can’t weigh more than a hundred.”
“I weigh a hundred and nineteen pounds,” Debbie told Millie. Debbie did not like being reminded how small she was. Debbie pointed at Angela, “I’m bigger than her,” sounding a lot like a teenager that had her feelings hurt.
“That’s not saying much. Little Angela can’t tip the scale no mores than ninety soaking wet. I don’t knows how her little frame coulda had a baby as big as Cade,” Millie replied.
Angela sat up saying, “Well Debbie is a total badass. She can handle Bruce’s big-,” Angela stopped looking at the kids around the table and just started eating.
Bruce blushing changed the subject, “Mike how was the hunting team doing?”
“They’re getting some good kills but the blues don’t advance until they turn on the radio,” Mike answered. Jake had rigged up a radio to play recorded voices and screams that the hunt team had put in a car with the windows rolled down. The team could operate it with a remote control.
“I don’t like it. Those fuckers are getting smarter,” Bruce said taking a bite.
Stephanie spoke up, “Bruce, they’re following predictable animal behavior. I feel they will end up at the level of chimps. Chimps are some of the most aggressive hunters in the world.”
“I know that Stephanie but chimps take years to learn hunting tactics that these assholes are learning in months,” Bruce told her.
“Bruce, the higher areas of the brain are dead. They will learn to use bludgeoning weapons like chimps but the areas that make us human with complex thought are dead. In successive generations they might get that back. Since this is the result of genetic manipulation instead of hundreds of thousands of years, it might only take thousands,” Stephanie told him.
“Well, now we know we have to exterminate them from the planet. Once they can fight like us, we’re screwed,” Bruce replied.
“Bruce, we have to exterminate them anyway. They see us as competition and will try to kill us. Infected might be scared of us but they will still try to kill us. I can see now, they hate us and animals are not supposed to have emotion. When they attack us, you can see and feel the hate they have for us. Other scientist would laugh at me for saying that. But, that’s what I feel,” Stephanie told him expecting Bruce to laugh at her for saying something so stupid.
“Stephanie, I’m proud of you. You followed your gut feeling and you’re right, they hate us. This is going to be a battle of the species. Not only do we have to worry about blues but also other humans, I use that term loosely, that want to rule us,” Bruce told her and she smiled at the compliment.
The group made small talk and got updates on construction from Paul. Then Bruce and Mike went to sit in the theater room in their recliners. Debbie kissed Bruce and told him she was going to take a shower. Bruce and Mike played with the kids for an hour until Buffy came down and told Bruce mama wanted him upstairs. Buffy told him she had to watch the twins and PJ and had to bring them up in thirty minutes.
Bruce smiled as he took off to the kitchen to grab his weapon then headed upstairs unbuckling his vest. Walking into the bedroom, he saw Debbie on the bed drying her hair with a towel. Bruce started shedding clothes. “Thirty minutes baby, I still have to take a shower. I can’t be snuggling up to you smelling like a horse,” Bruce told her stripping in record time heading to the shower.
“Hold on stud muffin, I want to talk to you,” Debbie told Bruce as he looked at her in disbelief. Debbie seeing his face asked, “Do you always think about getting some lovin from me?”
“Pretty much, yeah,” Bruce replied honestly.
“Ok, I want you to turn that part of your brain off and listen,” Debbie told him. Bruce did not like that when it was directed at him. Debbie just smiled then said, “Stephanie is goin’ to start sleeping in here with us.”
Bruce just looked at her stunned to the core. Then he replied, “I’m not enough for you anymore?”
“I’m going to ignore that, now listen. The kids will be able to spend more time together now and will want to bring out their relationships into the open. I told Stephanie I wanted her to sleep with us to help with the kids. You and I are always goin’ out on patrols and needed a little help but she bought it. Well, what do ya think of my plan?” Debbie asked.
“Baby, even the thought of you bringing another woman to our bed is intriguing. I’m not all that thrilled. I’ve known you almost my whole life so I can mark ‘that’ off. I asked you that once and I got popped with a little fist and yes it hurt. Now, I will have to fight more for my spot to sleep in. The twins, PJ and you think I’m part of the bed and y’all have to lay on me. Now there is another grown up to battle. Can I just sleep on the floor?” Bruce asked her a little irritated.
“It’s a good plan,” Debbie told him with a pouty face. Bruce could see sadness spread across her face. He wanted to tell her that the plan wouldn’t work because it left too much to chance and had no direction.
Looking at her Bruce said, “It’s a good plan baby.” Bruce felt like the biggest sissy in the world but he couldn’t disappoint her.
Debbie ran over and kissed him. “Hurry and get in the shower baby,” Debbie told him and he went to the bathroom. Watching Bruce close the door, Debbie smiled, she had found a way to start her preparations without making Bruce suspicious.
Several minutes later, Debbie heard a knock at the door. She opened it to see Stephanie
standing there and Debbie motioned her in. Debbie looked at Stephanie. She was wearing a flannel pajamas and fluffy socks. Debbie pulled her to Bruce’s dresser.
“Hurry, take off those pajamas and socks. Bruce and the kids put off enough heat and if Bruce feels socks touch him he wakes up,” Debbie told her.
“Debbie, this is too weird. Let me sleep on the floor,” Stephanie whispered to her.
“Stephanie, I told you the kids won’t bond with you. They have to trust you, if something happens to me and Bruce. They have to have someone there for them. Aren’t you going to help me with the kids?” Debbie asked her.
“Yes Debbie, but this is still very weird,” Stephanie replied as she took off her pajamas and put on the t-shirt and a pair of Bruce’s boxers. When she put on the t-shirt she could smell Bruce and thought this might not be so bad. Then she put on Bruce’s boxers. Stephanie had always wanted to wear them. All the girls in the family wore them, except her, even Nancy and Angela wore them.
Buffy brought the twins and PJ to the room, she put PJ on the bed. Buffy looked at Stephanie in Daddy’s t-shirt and boxers and drew her eye brows together. Debbie, seeing Buffy’s reaction kneeled beside her.
“Buffy, Stephanie is going to sleep in here now so the girls and PJ will accept her into the family. If something happens to me, you or daddy, they have to know someone is here for them,” Debbie told her.
Relief flooded over Buffy’s face, “That’s good thinking Mama,” Buffy said then looked at Stephanie. “Don’t get on Daddy’s pillow or he might roll on top of you and whatever you do don’t wear socks to bed. Daddy yells out ‘caterpillars’ waking up kicking the covers. He really freaks out,” Buffy gave Stephanie some advice.
Blue Plague Survival Page 28