Crashed: The Death Of The Dollar

by Cooper, William

  Then Mike heard something that not only grabbed his attention, but woke him up enough that he nearly tipped his chair over trying to join the others around the radio. He got there just in time for the report to end, with the anchor saying they'd return with weather reports and news about some new law that was likely to be implemented in the next week.

  He stared at Stacy. "Um, did... did I just hear them say 'Soviet Union'?" he asked.

  She nodded as Amy said "yes," to confirm what he'd heard. He was only barely old enough to have vague memories of the collapse of the old Soviet Union. He could remember watching the Berlin Wall being torn down on TV as his teachers told all the kids they were witnessing "history in the making."

  "What's going on?" Jessica asked, overhearing the exchange between Mike and Amy.

  Stacy looked up at her "Russia has taken back over a lot of Europe and parts of the Middle East. We made some threats to stop them, but China stepped up and took over almost all the other countries around them, all the way over to Afghanistan, and all the island nations north of Australia."

  Mike couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Oh man! No way!"

  “Oh, there's more," Amy added. "The news said we couldn't stop them without triggering a global nuclear war. And now we've annexed both Canada and Mexico. Canada apparently volunteered after Russia said it planned to take Alaska back. I guess we took Mexico by force for their oil and agriculture."

  "Mike," Stacy said with the most serious tone of voice he'd ever heard her use. "There are now three global superpowers. We're not the only one anymore." She paused as the gravity of the situation sank in on everyone. "We're now the North American Union. The U.S.S.R has been reinstated. And China has formed The People's Republic of Pacific States."

  Mike sat back on the couch. The whole world had now changed twice in the last year. "Well, on a good note, the Guard is going to have it's hands full trying to integrate Canada and Mexico. No doubt the Mexicans are going to be fighting this, as they should."

  They all sat silent again. Even though they were as isolated from it all as anyone really could be, there was still an uncomfortable tension in the air.

  "Well, I need to go check on the animals," Mike broke the silence.

  "It's done," Taylor said. "Brad and Jason took the snowmobile up to the south slope to check on the animals up there. Steve and the little ones are building snowmen. I tended to the barn with Brad before he took off."

  He walked over to the kitchen for more tea. "Y'all gotta start leaving some stuff or I'm going to just get fat and lazy," he said, half jokingly, half serious.

  Mike stood at the window looking out at a growing army of three-foot-tall snowmen, and smiled as the kids threw snowballs at each other. With so much craziness going on, he took peace in knowing that there were eleven people who were still able to enjoy themselves and eat well, even if six of them were still having a hard time emotionally.

  All four of the ladies had come to stand with him and watch the kids play. "This is the first time in two weeks I've seen them smile or laugh," Amy said as her eyes swelled with tears.

  "Oh, um, please don't start crying," Mike said uncomfortably.

  Amy leaned in to him and hugged him tight as she let out a laugh.

  "Ever hear of tears of joy, Mike?" Jessica said.

  Amy backed off from Mike. "I'm just happy to see the kids happy again after everything."

  Mike just sighed and looked up at the ceiling. He figured this would be a good time to stay quiet. "Damn this," he thought to himself. "All my years building this ranch, and estrogen now surrounds me, four-to-one."

  Mike still had something about the Hepworths he was curious about. "So Amy, I never did ask you where you planned on going in the spring? Or where you were headed when we found you?"

  "We're going over west of Cedar City. Bethany's parents live in Newcastle, and my brother and his wife are in Modena."

  "Damn, that's a long ass way to walk. That's gotta be a hundred miles or so."

  "We know they'd all take us in, and figured it'd be the best way to kind of spread the burden around while keeping the kids as close together as we could." She paused and let out a long sigh. "I guess we'll still head that way come spring. I'm going to have to let Bethany's parents know -"

  "Don't worry about that for now," Jessica said, hoping to avoid more sadness. “You guys are safe now. The kids are happy and warm."

  Stacy looked over to Mike "Can you try to radio out a message to let their family know what happened, and that Amy and the kids are safe?"

  "Oh yeah. We're supposed to work on moving the radio station today," Mike said, being reminded by Stacy's idea.

  "Mike, can you do that first? They need to know. And I'm sure that would help give Amy some peace of mind."

  "Yeah, as soon as the boys come back with the snowmobile, Taylor and I can go do that and get started."

  Later that evening, as Mike and Taylor came back to the barn with the last of the radio equipment, Mike noticed the Suburban wasn't there. "I guess they took the Hepworths back down to the other house," he said. Taylor only gave him a funny look as she hurried through unloading the sled. When they were done, she took him by the hand and started leading him over to the greenhouse. "Um, Taylor, what are you doing?"

  "We both need to shower and get cleaned up," she said as she had to pull him through the door.

  Mike noticed a lantern, towels and clean clothes for them both over by the shower. He also saw a tarp had been hung up between the shower and hammock. "Taylor, I don't -"

  She put her finger over his lips. "I'm not stealing from Jess and Stacy's idea. You'll go first, then wait for me."

  As Taylor was finishing her shower, she called out to Mike from behind the tarp to button his shirt all the way up. He had no idea what was going on, but she knew he'd have it only half way buttoned up and wanted it different for some reason. And he didn't understand the tarp, as none of them had worried about privacy in there for a long time. Mike sat there waiting, somewhat impatiently, for a good while. "Taylor," he called out. "I'll just meet you inside."

  "You'll sit your ass right there. I'm almost done."

  He sighed and sat a few minutes longer, getting lost in his thoughts about everything that had happened recently. From behind him, he felt Taylor's hand on his shoulder.

  "I'm ready," she said.

  "It's about time -" he started. "Um, WOW!" he exclaimed in total surprise. Taylor smiled at him as he looked her over. She had on a well-fitted, strapless blue dress that came down to about mid-thigh. Her hair was done nicely instead of the normal ponytail she kept it in. And she had on a little bit of lipstick and eyeliner.

  Mike's face told her all she needed. He was very impressed. "I've never seen you in a dress, or with makeup," he said, stumbling over his words. "What's all this?"

  She put her finger over his lips again. Locking her arm with his, they walked back to the house. He couldn't help but to keep looking over at her as she walked with her head high and eyes straight forward.

  As they walked in the door, the delicious smells were overwhelming. There were only two chairs left at the table, which had candles lit and plates set out nicely.

  "Taylor, what's all this. You know I -"

  Again with her finger over his lips. "Now I know you're not seeing the teen-aged girl you remember so well right now. I know because you've never looked at me like you did when you first saw me tonight."

  "Taylor, you look absolutely beautiful. I mean, damn. Stunning."

  She smiled and spun around for him.

  "I hope you're not -"

  "Hush, Mike. Okay, I'm not trying to seduce you or anything like that. So relax. Sex is not in the plans."

  He let out a big sigh of relief.

  Taylor crumpled up her face at his sigh. "Alright, I'm not going to take that personally. I know if you hadn't known me so well for so long, you'd be all over me right now."

  "Um, well -"

  "I know, it's
awkward. But I'll be twenty-one this year, and I just want some idea of what it's like to be on a date. The others are spending the night at the old house with the Hepworths. It's just me and you. We're going to have dinner and watch a movie. No expectations. Just.. I just want the experience of a date, so I don't feel too awkward when I meet a guy one day."

  "These are some really conniving women," he thought to himself as he looked around at the work Stacy and Jessica must have spent the afternoon on. "Well, this is certainly interesting," he said with a grin.

  "Oh, shut up. You're going to have fun. We'll have a good evening."

  He sat down at the nicely arranged table while she quickly went about serving dinner. "You know, I don't think I've seen a movie in probably fifteen years. What are we watching?" he asked.

  "Jess had a western movie she said she'd bet you'd love. It's called Angel and the Badman."

  Mike thought to himself, "Jess is a sneaky little shit." He knew that movie. He watched a lot of John Wayne westerns as a kid in the children's home, and it had been one of his favorites. A rough cowboy tries to resist the advances of a young, beautiful and innocent farm girl, only to fall in love and settle down with her at the end.

  Chapter 11

  Organized Resistance

  The morning of February 16th brought a massive winter storm to the region, and everyone on the ranch was hunkered down playing games and reading. Mike was the only one to go out, and that was only for chores.

  Over on State Highway 18, well over a hundred miles to the west, Bishop Christensen was creeping along in his car, heading north, to try and find Amy's family that he had received Mike's message about. He knew he was looking for a Bishop Carter, who was the head of the Newcastle LDS ward, and figured he would know the family.

  Bishop Carter was sitting with his father-in-law, enjoying a game of chess, when his doorbell rang. "May I help you?" he greeted the stranger standing in the snow at his door.

  "My name is James Christensen, I'm the Bishop from Toquerville. May I come in?"

  "Yes please. I'm Larry Carter, but I guess you knew that."

  "Well, unfortunately I come with bad news. Do you know a Dale and Trisha Westen in Newcastle? Or a Scott and Gerri Burdick over in Modena?"

  "I know the Westens quite well, why?"

  "I got word yesterday that the Westen's daughter, Bethany, has died."

  "Oh no! I'll have to go let them know. Do you know what the funeral arrangements are?"

  "Well, there's more. Can we sit?" Bishop Christensen continued as the two sat in the living room. "Bethany's husband and his brother were murdered by some guardsmen, making way for their wives and kids to escape. Bethany and her son, Evan, died from exposure in the mountains. Bethany's sister-in-law, Amy, is Scott Burdick's sister. Her husband was killed to, and their baby daughter died from exposure as well."

  Bishop Carter was silently in shock at the news. He had known Amy when she was younger.

  "There won't be a funeral. Amy and the remaining five children are safe."

  "I'll be damned! You're talking about that family that the fella who does the Thomas Paine Radio talked about last night, aren't you?" said a voice walking in from the next room. "And you're saying this Amy lady and kids are staying with that Thomas Paine fella?"

  "I didn't say that," Bishop Christensen said evasively.

  "Yeah, they are. Don't you go worryin' about that lady and kids,” the old man said. “If they're with him, they're as safe as anyone can be."

  "I'm sorry, and you are?" Bishop Christensen inquired.

  "Please excuse my father-in-law. Dad, this is James Christensen from Toquerville. James, this is my father-in-law, Phillip Brown."

  "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Brown."

  "So do you actually know this Thomas Paine character?" Phillip asked.

  "Yes, and you talk like you do as well."

  Phillip only nodded, reminding him of Mike's demeanor.

  "So why do you say they're so safe with him," Bishop Christensen asked.

  "Just you asking that tells me you don't know him all that well," Phillip replied.

  "Who is this guy?" Bishop Carter cut in.

  "He's the guy who started that illegal food distribution," Bishop Christensen answered.

  "He lives up in the mountains east of here a-ways," Phillip added.

  "You know where he lives?" Bishop Christensen asked.

  "Hell yeah I do. He's got a nice ranch. Not a man I'd care to piss off neither."

  "Yeah, he's a little rough around the edges. I kind of annoyed him once and found my face being slammed into the hood of his truck."

  Phillip couldn't control himself, laughing so hard he cried as he imagined Mike slamming this skinny little man's face down. "What'd you do to piss him off?”

  Bishop Christensen dropped his head, knowing this old man was going to laugh at him even more. "I tried to give him a hug."

  Phillip continued laughing so hard he was struggling to breathe and started coughing. "Dammit, man. I've known him damn near ten years now and I don't even try to shake his hand. You're either a lot more brave than you look, or you're just as stupid as you look."

  "Dad!” Bishop Carter cut in. “That's enough. This man's a guest in my home and you're not going to be that disrespectful to anyone here."

  "Well," Bishop Christensen interjected, "He is right. I knew Thomas well enough to know better than to try that. It was total stupidity on my part."

  "Dad, you're telling me a man willing to assault a Bishop is safe to trust a woman and her kids with?"

  "Hell kid, the only place safer is with the president. Naw, change that. The president has half the population wanting him dead, and China and Russia itching to nuke his ass. They're safer up there on that hill." Phillip was finally able to really compose himself as he continued. "Like your little Mormon friend here says, he's a bit rough around the edges. And he ain't so bad now as he used to be."

  "He used to be worse?" Bishop Christensen wondered how that was possible.

  "Yeah he was. It was them two kids, that girl and boy that moved up there with the whores, that started softening him up some. Taylor and Brad, that's their names. I couldn't believe he ended up warming up to them whores. I thought he was gonna kill 'em when they moved in down the hill from him. And I don't just mean he was upset."

  "He wouldn't take too kindly to it if he heard you referring to those nice ladies that way," Bishop Christensen said, feeling like he should defend Jessica and Stacy's honor.

  Phillip laughed. "You don't, know, do you? Hell, you don't know them for nothin'. Those ladies moved up there after they decided to stop spreadin' their legs for a livin' over in Vegas. I ain't callin 'em whores because I don't like 'em. That's just what they are. Or were."

  "Well, they don't live down the hill from him anymore.” Bishop Christensen explained. “They live with him. We thought they were polygamists when we first met them. So you know Jessica? She's pregnant, due some time in late spring I think."

  "Well I'll be damned! I knew he warmed up to them some over the years, but I wouldn't have expected they got that warm. Good for him! Tell 'em ole Phillip said congrats."

  Bishop Christensen just gave him a nod, trying poorly to mimic Mike.

  "Okay you two. I'm going to have to go notify their families," Bishop Carter cut in again. "I think that Scott goes to the Baptist Church, so I'll stop by their preacher's house to see if he's home after I meet with Dale and Trisha."

  "I'd like to go with you if that's alright," James said.

  "Same here. Me and Face Plant here can assure them that the rest of the family is in the safest hands imaginable," Phillip added, poking fun at Bishop Christensen's story.

  "I still don't see how you think they're so safe up there, Dad?"

  "Well boy, I'll tell you, if I could shoot as good as that recluse does, I'd have killed you from too far away to get caught before you ever took my daughter out on that first date. If you piss him off, you better be over a
mile away when you do it."

  "Is he really that good?" Bishop Christensen said with enthusiastic curiosity.

  "He's good enough that I wouldn't want him to give him the chance to get lucky."

  "Okay, you know what," Bishop Carter tried again. "You two can carry on your mutual lust for Thomas Paine now and stay here, or later and let's go notify these families. And Dad, if you're coming, please choose your wording carefully to let them know their grandkids are in good hands."

  The Westens didn't take the news well. Both cried hard, though Dale felt a lot of anger that he directed primarily at Phillip. They hadn't heard from their daughter in a while and were already worried. Dale Westen tried demanding that Phillip tell him where to go get his grandkids, but Phillip adamantly refused. Dale, in an emotional rage, even tried threatening him.

  "Sir, I'm more sorry than I can express for your loss. I can't bring myself to imagine losing my own daughter. But there's a lot of good reasons I can't tell you," replied Phillip.

  "Then at least tell me why? Why can't you tell me where to get them?" Dale screamed at him.

  "For starters, Mr. Westen, you'd never get there. You can't get there now because of the snow. And come summer time, you can't get there because he'd shoot you first, and identify you later. Either way, you wouldn't survive it. Those kids don't need to lose their grandparents, too."

  "And I'm supposed to trust my grandkids with a man who'd shoot their grandparents?"