Bruce squinted his eyes at Mike. “I put up my truck for dowry,” Bruce told Mike rounding the table walking toward Mike.
Mike answered, “I, offer my truck as dowry for my daughter,” Mike said walking toward Bruce.
When they got close to each other, they embraced each other in a bear hug. The tension left the room as everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
“Can I borrow your truck?” Bruce asked.
“If I can borrow yours,” Mike answered.
They turned to Nancy with arms across each other’s shoulder. Debbie who was still hugging Nancy was staring with her at the two insane men who had stolen their husbands.
“Well it’s fixed,” Bruce told Nancy. Nancy just mumbled gibberish.
“I know she speaks English, I’ve heard her use it before,” Bruce said to Mike.
“I think English is her second language,” Mike answered.
“I’m going to kill both of you, with a heavy blunt object,” Nancy replied in an angry voice.
“I’ll help you,” Debbie assured her. The four kids ran in front to the daddies offering themselves as human shields.
“We can’t hurt the kids,” Nancy said. Nancy looked at the girls, “You could have told Debbie and me. We would have listened. Now come tell us all about it.”
The girls ran over to the mothers hugging them, then sat down beside them and started talking. Angela and Stephanie went over to join in. Matt and Jake stood up shaking their daddies’ hands.
Mike grabbed Matt, “Son, that’s how you look at a girl in a bikini not full combat gear and don’t say it,” Mike stopped Matt.
Bruce put his hand on Matt’s shoulder, “Son, it really wouldn’t bother me as bad if Danny was wearing a bikini when you look at Danny like that.”
Matt looked at them, “Danny is always beautiful but when she is decked out man is she-,” Mike put his hand over Matt’s mouth. “Son, I will find a water hose,” Mike threatened.
The family talked till 0100 and finally went to bed. Everyone in Bruce’s room grabbed a sleeping kid and headed upstairs. They all piled in bed. Debbie on the right with Cade and Angela beside her then came the Stephanie and PJ with twins beside Bruce.
Debbie sat up and looked toward Bruce, “I don’t know if I’m ever talking to you again Bruce.”
Bruce sat up. “What the hell did I do?” Bruce asked.
“I sat and watched you convince Nancy that she knew when she didn’t. Then you totally disarmed her like you do me and anyone else you want to,” Debbie said throwing her head down into her pillow.
“I didn’t do anything,” Bruce lied.
Stephanie spoke up, “I think Bruce handled it great.”
Debbie sat back up, “Stephanie you’re supposed to take my side.”
Stephanie looked at Debbie, “Well, he did great and everyone was happy in the end.”
“Stephanie, Bruce doesn’t walk on water,” Debbie told her.
Laughing Stephanie answered, “Of course he can’t Debbie. If he could, he couldn’t swim.”
Angela laughed and snorted at the same time finally getting out, “Debbie, Bruce did do good.”
“I didn’t even see how he did it,” Debbie said throwing herself down on her pillow. “How did you know Mike suspected? Don’t say you saw it on his face because I was watching it,” Debbie added.
“Debbie, Mike has the worst poker face in the world,” Bruce answered laying back down.
“That was great. Is it like that all the time up here?” Angela asked still giggling and snorting.
“This room is drama central,” Debbie admitted.
“Oh Cade and I have to stay now,” Angela said.
Debbie turned over kissing Angela, “You can stay as long as you want and remember we love you but you have to take my side.”
Angela looked at Debbie frowning, “Let me take his side this one time.”
“Ok this time. Tomorrow we will move your clothes up here. Stephanie shares the closet with Bruce, you will share mine,” Debbie said turning over.
They all drifted off to sleep. Around 0300 Bruce woke up screaming, “Caterpillars!” scaring PJ awake. Throwing the blankets back he saw Angela’s little socked feet on his leg. Reaching down, he pulled her socks off throwing them in the floor then Bruce laid back down grumbling. PJ started hitting him in the head with an empty bottle. Not in the mood, Bruce just closed his eyes ignoring PJ falling back to sleep. PJ gave up trying to wake up Dada and crawled onto his chest and went to sleep.
Chapter 26
It was November 1st. Bruce sat in his chair drinking coffee after his workout. His shoulder only hurt with certain movements but he could lift the same amount of weight he did before the piece of wood tried to kill him. Looking at his watch, it read 0610, Bruce looked around the community center to see people coming in after workouts. The night crew was eating before heading to bed.
The storage area and fence were complete. They were putting up several raised platforms along the fence to shoot attackers. The clan had been broken down to 10 person groups and was learning the ways to survive.
Bruce’s groups were the kids. His first class was going to be the 10-14 year olds. Bruce loved teaching the kids because they loved to learn, if you made it fun. Bruce was going over his lessons in his head as the rest of the family came in, grabbed some coffee and sat down.
Debbie and Stephanie kissed Bruce on the head before they sat down. Debbie looked at Bruce as she sipped her coffee. “Bruce baby, can I ask you a favor?” Debbie asked looking at him.
Bruce wanted to say ‘Hell No’ because when Debbie asked for a favor it was always something big that he didn’t want to do. Bruce knew better than to say no because he still had to sleep in the same room with her. “Sure baby, what do you need,” Bruce replied then gritted his teeth.
“I want you to talk to the women and girls we rescued from the gang’s compound. Some are having a real hard time adjusting. Some just look like hollow humans. Your talk with Mindy really helped her a lot. I think you can really help some of the women and girls. I know it’s a lot to ask and I wouldn’t if I didn’t think it would help,” Debbie told Bruce.
“You’re kidding, right?” Bruce asked, not believing what she had just said.
“No baby, I’m not kidding,” Debbie replied knowing Bruce was fixing to dig in his heels.
“You talk to them, you’re a girl,” Bruce told her.
“I have and so has Nancy, Angela, Stephanie, Millie and Father Thomas but we are not getting through to them,” Debbie answered.
“Well, then, I can’t do anything,” Bruce replied hoping to end the topic. Boys just did not talk to groups about that.
“Bruce, come on, please?” Debbie begged.
Then Stephanie started in, “Bruce, you could help most of the women. Please, just talk to them,” she pleaded.
Bruce just turned and looked at Stephanie then Angela chimed in, “Bruce, just try it once.”
Bruce turned to Angela then looked back at Debbie, “Boys don’t like to talk about that stuff.” Bruce said as Stephanie replied, “Page five, emotions.”
“What,” Bruce asked her.
“Nothing,” Stephanie replied.
“This isn’t fair, all of you ganging up on me like this,” Bruce told them.
Debbie smiled at Stephanie then looked at Bruce. “Please baby for me? If it doesn’t work then I will know we tried everything to save them,” Debbie told Bruce.
“Ok, I will try one time but that’s it. When do you want me to do it?” Bruce asked giving in.
“Tonight after supper. We will clear the center out so you can talk to all of them at one time,” Debbie answered glad she was not going to have to pressure Bruce into talking to the women.
Bruce nodded his head as Millie brought plates over serving breakfast. Bruce shoveled the food down before Debbie could ask for anything else. Standing up Bruce kissed Debbie and Stephanie then kissed Angela on the head as he left to get dressed.<
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After Bruce was dressed, he headed to the machine shop for his first class. Bruce had five .22’s with suppressors attached lying on a table behind the shop. He waited for the kids to show up. Bruce sat up targets at twenty and fifty yards. Then Bruce laid out five M-4’s with suppressors and magazines as his first group arrived.
Bruce pointed at the ground and told the kids to sit down as he started. “First, let me tell you a gun will kill you if you let it. It is just a tool, you are the weapon. If you accidently shoot one of the clan, it will be your fault not the guns. If any of you do not listen then you might kill one of your friends,” Bruce told the kids looking into their faces. Bruce saw he had their attention.
“You are the weapon not the gun, so you must be trained not the gun,” Bruce said then held up his right index finger. “This is your primary safety and the only safety you will ever trust. Machines fail so do not trust your weapon’s safety. Your finger is never to be on the trigger until you are ready to shoot something. When you shoot at something you shoot to kill it because if you wound your target it will kill you in return,” Bruce told the kids getting a lot of alarmed faces.
“I will teach you how to survive and use a gun turning each of you into a weapon. If you don’t have balls, you will have them after I’m finished with you,” Bruce told them getting several giggles.
“I’m not kidding. I’m training you so others out there can’t kill you or worse. I want your attention and respect. If you have a question, then ask. The only stupid question is the one not asked. Now let’s get started,” Bruce told them.
Bruce started with the .22 explaining how to shoot with iron sights and the basic workings of a firearm. Then Bruce paired them off showing them how to shoot the .22’s. After an hour, Bruce moved to the M-4’s. Bruce showed them how to take them apart and put them back together.
The kids showed enthusiasm taking the M-4’s apart and putting them back together. Then Bruce showed them how to shoot the M-4. The gun was big to most of them but they tried, always keeping muzzle discipline with the guns. At 1000, Bruce led the kids to the shop and explained the basics of close quarter combat (CQB). Bruce stopped at 1130, leading his group to the center for lunch.
The kids ran to the line to get some food as Bruce headed to his table. Bruce was the last from the family to arrive for lunch. Danny and Buffy were wearing karate gi’s since they were teaching hand to hand. Well, Danny was teaching and Buffy was helping.
Bruce sat down as Millie brought a plate over to him. Bruce looked at her drawing in a breath to say something but Debbie cut him off. “Shut up Bruce, you lost the bet. Until she stops, you will sit and eat what Millie brings you,” Debbie told him.
“I just want to get my own food once Debbie,” Bruce replied.
Mike looked at Bruce from the opposite end of the table. Mike rolled up his sleeve showing Bruce a red mark. “I tried today to get my own plate and she popped me with that damn spoon. Millie told me your bet was for the whole family not just you Bruce,” Mike told Bruce rolling his sleeve back down.
“Sorry brother,” Bruce apologized to Mike. Mike just grunted at Bruce.
Bruce turned to Danny asking, “How is hand to hand coming sweet pea?”
“Good daddy but I have to say most of these women are stupid. They think a woman can’t fight a man and I have to show them in each class,” Danny admitted shaking her head.
“That’s what most are taught baby,” Debbie told her.
“Well I’m glad I had my Daddy and not theirs. Daddy always told us the only person that can beat you is the one you let beat you,” Danny replied.
“You are being nice while teaching class Danny? These women don’t need some teenage girl telling them they’re stupid,” Debbie stated.
“No Mom, I’m being good, even if they are stupid. It’s just hard taking that out of their head,” Danny admitted.
Bruce spoke up wanting to stop the two, “Danny, how is Buffy coming along?”
“Great Dad she is ready for her black belt test in Kenpo,” Danny said in between bites.
“Danny, don’t you think you are exaggerating a little. You have only worked with her a few months,” Bruce responded.
“Dad, Buffy is my sister. How would it look if she was not a total bad ass, like me? I mean come on, I have worked with her every day. She has gotten really good but still has trouble with the hand weapons,” Danny stated.
“I really wish I would’ve been there when you gave birth to Danny,” Debbie said smiling at Bruce. He just shook his head.
Bruce turned to look at Buffy. She was just looking back at Bruce not believing he doubted her training. “Buffy get out beside the table. I am going to call out moves and for each one you get wrong, Danny owes me ten pushups,” Bruce told her. Buffy just looked at Bruce in shock. Danny just kept eating not worried.
Bruce watched Buffy move to the other side of the table wearing her black gi with a white belt. “Kata 1,” Bruce called out. Buffy started the movements of the kata moving in fluid motion. When she finished Bruce called out another kata. After Buffy completed it Bruce started calling out punches, blocks and kicks. When Buffy performed all of them, Bruce started calling out techniques for different attacks. Bruce continued the test for an hour. Everyone in the center had stopped eating to watch the little girl go through her test. When Bruce stopped, Buffy was drenched in sweat as she moved to her chair.
Bruce looked at Danny as Buffy sat back down breathing hard. “Danny I have to admit you taught her well. Why is she still wearing a white belt?” Bruce asked Danny.
Danny looked at Bruce, “Daddy, you’re sifu not me.”
“Danny, you will present Buffy with her belt. You taught her, so the honor is yours. I’m very proud of you sweet pea,” Bruce filled with pride as he told Danny.
Danny ran over to Bruce wrapping her arms around his neck kissing him, “Thank you Daddy.”
Bruce looked at Buffy, “Buffy, you did very well and I’m proud of you also.” Buffy ran over to Bruce hugging him with Danny. Danny told Buffy to head to the gym while she went for a black belt and the girls took off.
Debbie just looked at Bruce. “We have a preteen and a teenage girl that can beat the shit out of most men. Don’t you think that is just a little scary Bruce?” Debbie asked.
Bruce put his arms around the twins sitting on each side of him. “Just think you have two more to look forward to,” Bruce said as Debbie stared at him. Then she got up and left the table. Bruce just thought Debbie believed he was being a smartass. Bruce did not see Debbie wiping tears from her eyes as she went back to her shooting class.
Bruce met his group of kids under the fort. He gave each kid a sheet of paper with a list on it. When the kids read through the list they all looked at Bruce.
“This is a list of things each of you will put in a backpack when we bring in some. This list is for your go bag. This bag is to stay packed and by your door at all times. You can add more stuff but be careful because you will have to carry it if we have to leave suddenly. Now the first item fish hooks and fishing line,” Bruce said then reached in one of the pouches on his vest and pulled out a small plastic box. “I keep mine on my vest, in case I’m separated from my pack,” Bruce told the kids.
Then Bruce showed how they could use the hooks to fish, catch birds or set traps. Bruce went over each item on the list and showed them how to use each one. At 1700 when the call came over the radio for classes to end the kids groaned. They were having fun with Bruce. Bruce promised them that they would continue tomorrow but their brains needed rest now.
Bruce led his group to the center for supper. Walking toward the center Debbie came over to Bruce wrapping her arm around his waist. “Don’t forget you promised,” Debbie said.
“I’ll do it baby, for you,” Bruce replied.
Debbie stopped and Bruce looked down at her. “Thank you baby. This means a lot to me. I want those girls to have a life,” Debbie told Bruce.
“You
know I will do anything for you,” Bruce assured her as he leaned down to kiss her.
“That’s why you’re my stud muffin,” Debbie told him.
Bruce swept her up in his arms, “Come on sugar mama let’s get some food.”
Bruce carried Debbie into the community center heading toward their table. The family gathered around to eat laughing and talking over the day’s activities as were most everyone else. Debbie, Stephanie, Angela and Nancy left the table during supper walking around the tables whispering in certain women’s and teenage girls ears. Then they returned to the table.
At 1900, Debbie walked to the front of the building and yelled for everyone’s attention. When the talking died down, Debbie spoke, “I would like for everyone to head to the patio Mike is going to go over the teams for the big runs we are going to do when it gets cold. The people Nancy, Angela, Stephanie or I spoke to, will you please stay in here we want to talk to you?”
The clan left the building heading to the patio leaving fifty four females in the center. When the crowd left the building, Stephanie closed the door and locked it. Debbie looked at the women and teen girls around the room.
“I have someone who wants to talk to you. Before he comes up here, I want you to listen to someone who has gone through what you went through,” Debbie said and pointed at a table. Bruce was shocked as Mindy stood up and walked to the front of the room and faced the group.
Mindy took a deep breath and Debbie moved beside her holding her hand. “I just want to ask each of you to please listen. He really helped me and opened my eyes. I have put what happened to me, behind me in the past where it belongs. He doesn’t sugar coat anything and he tells you just how to see the world,” Mindy finished and Debbie hugged her before Mindy sat back down.
Everyone looked at Debbie. “Bruce, will you come up now?” Debbie asked. Several women gasped, realizing Bruce was walking to the front of the room.
Bruce stopped in the front of the room looking at the group. Bruce took off his rifle laying it on a table, stalling for time as thoughts raced through his mind. Debbie walked over to him, “Speak from your heart baby,” Debbie said, then sat down.
Blue Plague Survival Page 43