"Okay, so is that a yes?" he asked.
They all turned to look at Jessica. She gave her normal slight grin as she walked up to hug him. "I love you," was her answer.
"Alright. I know you don't need to bring too much. Your dressers and clothes should be it, right?"
"I think so," replied Jessica. "There's a lot we can leave down here and just come back as we need." She paused for a moment as the others got to work. "Can we talk for a minute?" she said quietly, motioning Mike outside.
"Is everything okay, Jess?"
"Um, well -" She was obviously nervous. "Um, I'm pretty sure I'm pregnant."
Mike didn't know what to do or say, but the eruption of cheers from Stacy and Taylor inside didn't leave him any chance to respond to her either. Mike and Jessica couldn't resist laughing at them as they excitedly rushed outside to celebrate. Brad, completely clueless as to what all the commotion was about, came outside as well. As usual, he said nothing, just walking up with a puzzled look on his face. Mike grabbed him into his side to hug him.
"Looks like someone's going to be a big brother!" Taylor shouted.
"Oh, this is so awesome!" Stacy added. "You're going to be the best big brother in history!"
"Hey, you two," Mike cut in. "Don't you have stuff to do?" letting them know to go away for a few minutes.
Taylor turned back as she was walking in the door, "Oh, hey, I think you're going to need a bigger house."
Mike, Jessica and Brad sat down together. Mike put his arm around her and squeezed her into him, kissing her forehead to reassure her that they were in this together. He looked over at Brad. "What do you think little man. Are you ready to have a little brother or sister?"
He smiled real big as he nodded his head up and down. Mike just rubbed his head. "Go on back inside so we can talk."
"Okay," Mike sighed. "Before we go getting so happy about this, um, how do we make sure you really are?"
Jessica just rolled her eyes at him. "I am pregnant. I've missed two periods, and there's nothing else going on that would explain that. Besides that, most women just tend to know what's happening inside our bodies. It's just like with Brad. I just knew then too. Except this time, at least I know who the father is." She still felt ashamed about not knowing who Brad's father was. It was the one and only thing from her prostitution days that she felt embarrassed about.
"Look,” Jessica continued, speaking more softly and glancing towards the house. “Stacy's all excited for us right now, but by tonight I'm betting she's going to be pretty upset."
"Why is that?" he asked.
"She can't have kids, Mike. She's infertile. Most of the time it doesn't bother her, but I'm sure it will some now."
"Oh, damn," Mike said. "I had no idea."
"Really, Mike? Don't you think that if she could have kids, she'd probably be out here with the same news?"
"Okay, okay. Give me a break. My whole few months of experience with women leaves me a bit naive sometimes still. Let's go get a move on and get things - Wait, are you going to be alright to do this? I can move your stuff for you. You just sit tight."
"Oh no. Don't you start pampering me. When I need help, I'll let you know. But I'm going to keep doing my part around here."
"Well, then get off your ass and get it in gear," he told her with a smirk. She got up, smacked him playfully on the arm, and got busy getting her things together.
Brad's stuff was the hardest to move, since they brought his bed and dresser, and had to get them into the loft. After lunch, Mike reminded them that they had to get food together for a drop off the next day. They got the animals they were taking into a pen, then loaded up twenty crates of produce and stacked them in the root cellar.
They met up with Bishop Christensen and his crew as normal the next day, except for Taylor staying behind at the ranch. The crew from Saint George had made a habit of loading the livestock and produce into ten to twelve trucks and trailers and taking different routes to their separate areas. The Bishop was eager to talk to Mike.
"Hey, Thomas. How's life in the shadows treating you?" he said in his normally jolly tone of voice.
"Well, we've had a lot going on. I think I'm going to need your help for a change," Mike told him.
"Oh, you name it and I'll find a way to make it happen."
"Well, we're pretty certain Jessica is pregnant."
"Congratulations man!" the Bishop grabbed his hand to shake it and laughed. "That's awfully neighborly of you!"
Mike had to make himself resist the urge to punch him. He'd thought about hitting him a few times in the past too, but just too see if he could not be so obnoxiously happy all the time.
"Well, Bishop, obviously we're going to end up with a need for a lot of baby stuff. And for us, making quick runs to the corner Walgreen's isn't exactly an option. So I'd like to start stocking up whatever we need soon."
"I'll have a truck load of boxes ready for you next time we meet. The government gives diapers away without question or taking off anyone's value. I'm sure we can come up with some other things that would help out through the pregnancy."
The Bishop turned towards his wife. "Hey, Susan, could you please come here?"
"What do you need Hun?" she asked. "We're kind of busy moving these crates and giving them back the old ones."
"Would you pull Mr. Paine's wife to the side and speak with her. They're expecting. See if you and the other ladies can start working on maternity clothes and finding out anything she wants or needs."
"Oh, that's wonderful news!" Susan exclaimed. Jessica heard her and knew exactly what they were talking about. "Which wife?" she asked.
"We're not part of these polygamist groups ma'am. We're not religious at all," Mike quickly interjected, an annoyed tone in his voice. "It's Jessica who is pregnant."
"Yes, that's right," the Bishop said sarcastically. "They're all just neighbors."
Mike really wanted to hit him. "Well, as of yesterday, they all live with me now. That was just for convenience with winter around the corner."
"Look, Thomas, we don't judge how you guys live. And we don't care. A blind man can see that all three of those women love you. And your little boy over there is sure something to be proud of. Good kids don't happen by accident." The Bishop was more serious than Mike had ever heard him before. "We've got some other matters to discuss."
"Okay, shoot," Mike said.
"There's a lot going on," he began as they sat on Mike's tailgate. "Vegas is seeing a lot of fighting. Nevada ranchers traveled to the city to start fighting back after the BLM took over all the range cattle, with the well-known Hage and Bundy families leading the charge. Then the casinos shut down. Performers were refusing to work without real pay, and no one could use their value to gamble with so they lost their customers. It was rioting for the first week, but then they apparently started coordinating more structured attacks. From what I'm hearing, a lot of people have died and the feds are sending in troops."
"Wow," Mike said in amazement. "We've heard only of some 'disturbances' on the news."
"Oh there's more, Thomas," the Bishop continued. "There's a lot of people kicking up their own little news stations. Most of it's just local stuff. It's short lived reports since they're trying to avoid having their signals traced. But we've picked up some reports from all the way up in Richfield too, and some of what they're doing is relaying reports from Provo, Salt Lake, Grand Junction and even Denver."
"Yeah, we've heard a little bit of that, but not a lot. We've been pretty busy so we're just hoping to catch some of it when we're able to tune in. Harvesting and winter preparations have monopolized our time."
By this time Stacy, Jessica, Brad and Susan had all walked up, and the others had left with the food to deliver and livestock to process.
The Bishop went on, "Well, it seems most of the broadcasts happen at the top of the hour. They only last about ten minutes or so, and we never know what station they're going to be on. But maybe knowing that will he
lp you guys be able to follow more of what's really happening."
Mike gave the Bishop a nod.
"Hey Mmm.... Thomas," Stacy spoke up, almost giving away Mike's real name. "What about that cool radio station thing you've got? You said you could send voice and computer stuff all over the world didn't you?"
He shot her a somewhat mean look. "Look, I don't know how involved in all this I want to be. Giving away food is fine, but that's it."
"You've got a radio station?" the Bishop asked, showing significant interest. "Well, before you reject the idea, I've got more to tell you. Word of you has gotten around. Now, don't be mad at me or anything over it, please. I swear I've never said a word outside of the crew that comes with me."
Mike was livid, and it was clear to anyone as his face went straight red and his breathing picked up. Stacy backed up, having never seen him angry like this, even when they'd first moved up to the mountain.
"Look, Mr. Paine, most of the info out there about you is way off. It's inaccurate and should never be able to lead anyone to find you. If anything makes me think any of you face any danger, I will find a way to let you know immediately."
Mike's redness faded away some and his breathing slowed.
Bishop Christensen continued. "It's not just the food. The rumor mill is in full swing. The name 'Thomas Paine' is on most people's tongues. Some think you're the former governor using an alias, from before the feds shut down the state government. Most seem to think you're a retired army general. But the one thing everyone seems to believe: you're here, and you're capable of leading a successful resistance against the government," he concluded with a half-hearted smile.
"What a bunch of bull shit!" Mike said angrily and dismissive. "Dammit, I don't mind dropping off food to help out some every few weeks, but that's it. I just want to live my life in seclusion. Enjoy my peace."
Jessica grabbed Mike by the hand. "Hey, look at me. Don't be mad. You know in your heart we're safe. Yes, we enjoy our peace. You've given us a terrific life even in the worst imaginable time. All he's asking is that you think about doing something to help bring peace, or maybe some freedom, back into everyone's life. Just think about it."
Stacy grabbed his shoulder from behind. "I agree. Think about it."
Mike looked down at Brad sitting there soaking up every word. He looked back up, and gave Mike their nod.
"Oh, so you're against me too huh?" Mike said to him with a hint of humor in his voice.
"Excuse me, Mr. Paine," Susan wanted to get her two cents in. "I'm fifty-seven years old, and in my fifty-seven years, I've never seen a name bring hope to people's faces like yours does. Even without seeing your strong and imposing stature, just your voice conveys power and authority. A word from you, and people will listen. An idea from you, and everyone will listen. Please, give this some thought."
Mike started to walk away. He really didn't want to talk anymore. "Mr. Paine, there's still more I think you should know about," the Bishop added.
"Damn! What!?" Mike said loudly.
"There's a lot of talk about actively fighting back. And I know you don't want to hear it, but it's inspired by the rumors about you."
"No!" insisted Mike. "We can't provide enough food for people to fight back against the hand that feeds them, and right now that hand is the federal government. They fight back, those who aren't killed by the biggest and best armed police and military force on the planet will die of starvation. No!"
"Well, that's not entirely true, sir," the Bishop knew he was pushing the wrong buttons, but he felt he had to finish. "John Otis, from Cedar City, came to see me a few days ago. Someone told him that I was the contact to you."
"Shit! You're supposedly trustworthy friends are going to get me killed!" Mike interrupted.
"He said that he was working with all the regional farmers. John's got thousands of acres around Cedar, Enoch, and Parowan. He said the Holder Family was on board too, and they've got huge farms around Newcastle and Beryl that supply grain and milk. According to him, they got together with several big farms as far north as Beaver. When the crash first happened, they all moved and hid a lot of their herds in the mountains. At first they were concerned about mobs from the bigger cities traveling to this area to steal food. But then they kept them hidden because the government was stealing from them. They've agreed that if we're – you're - able to lead a resistance and win, they can feed everyone along I-15 from Beaver to Mesquite, and still have some left over for trade."
"It's not going to happen!" Mike said firmly as he walked away.
It was a longer drive than normal for him getting back home. He felt like the weight of the world had just been placed on his shoulders, and he wasn't happy about it.
Mike was quiet and withdrawn the rest of the day. He scanned the radio channels at the top of every hour, finding multiple broadcasts every time. Not much news that he hadn't just been made aware of, but he knew this was going to become a regular routine for him from now on.
"Are you going to be okay?" Taylor asked him. Jessica and Stacy had filled her in on all that the Bishop had to say.
"Eventually. I hope I haven't taken my bad mood out on any of you," he said.
"Nope. You're fine. We all understand. We rocked your world moving up here. It got rocked even more after the collapse. Now you've found out that Jess is pregnant, then had city folks ask you to shake up life even more, all in barely more than twenty-four hours. Just know that we all love you, and we'll be proud of you no matter what you decide."
She sat in Mike's lap and hugged him. They sat there silent for quite a while when he noticed it was time to scan the radio again. He reached over to pick up the radio, and found a broadcast almost immediately.
"Okay listeners," the voice said. "We've got some new news for everyone. Word is that riots broke out in Los Angeles a few hours ago. There are apparently hundreds, if not thousands, of homes and businesses burning. The Guard has merged with LAPD to suppress the violence, but so far the more they try to stop it, the more it grows."
"Jess! Stacy! Come out here," Taylor yelled.
Stacy came out and said "Jess fell asleep with Brad. What's going on?"
"Hush! Listen," Mike said abruptly.
The voice on the radio continued. "We're hearing similar reports out of several major cities. Phoenix, Chicago, Memphis, Atlanta, Miami, and all along the northern east coast. All state and local police forces, as well as several federal police divisions, are being merged with the Guard. There are also rumors that many in the military are starting to abandon their posts. This doesn't appear to be too widespread yet, but it seems that those who intended to protect our freedom aren't willing to follow orders to oppress our freedoms. Signing off now before they track me down. Until tomorrow!"
Taylor rested her head on Mike's shoulder. "This is all getting so crazy. You were right Mike, civil war is next."
"You said that?" Stacy asked.
He sighed. "Yes, I think I did."
"Look, don't get mad at me, but it seems to me that someone who knew this was all going to happen years ahead of time, and knew the steps that it would progress through, needs to be the voice people can follow to navigate their way through this mess." Stacy leaned over and kissed them both on the forehead. "I'm going to bed. You two don't stay out here much longer. I don't want you getting sick in this cold."
They sat for another thirty minutes in the cold and dark silence of the night. Eventually, Taylor got up, took Mike by the hand, and insisted he come to bed. "Leave it be for tonight. Any new news you sleep though will still be making news in the morning. Come on."
The next morning Mike woke up early and tried to slide himself out of bed gently so as not to wake Taylor. He got dressed in his long johns with a heavy coat, knowing it was very cold outside. With the faint moonlight to guide his way, he walked up to the mountain top to sit and try to make sense of what his life had become, and the situation at hand. He sat down against his antenna tower, the sound of his
wind generator blades spinning overpowering everything else in a strangely peaceful manner.
About two hours later, Jessica came up to check on him. It was still freezing cold, but the sun had started to bring first light over the distant horizon. She had a mug of hot mint tea to help warm his body, and sat down with him.
"How in the world did I get here?" he asked.
"If you're talking about walking up here to freeze to death, then I might need to worry about how the cold is effecting your brain," she replied sarcastically, hoping to lighten his mood.
"You know what I mean," he returned. "Eleven years ago I moved up here to leave society in my past. I only saw other people a handful of times per year. I had never really carried on a meaningful conversation in my life, and was content to never have to. I'd never felt love, received or given. I was just going to live the 'Jeremiah Johnson' life until I died unnoticed."
Jessica just sat and listened, to let him unburden his mind.
"Now look at me. I'm kind of a dad to a great kid. I've got another kid on the way... with one of two women I'm sleeping with."
"Two?" Jessica said curiously. "What about Tayl -"
"NO, no, no, no, no," he interrupted her.
"Really? Huh. But she sleeps in there with you as much as Stacy does," she inquired. "Little old me just gets leftovers once a week or so," she continued with a fake pouty face and a giggle.
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