Gathering Home
Page 30
I shake my head. I can’t throw it away. The people I love will depend upon me to kill again.
“Want to trade sandwiches?”
I only did what I had to do for the sake of those I love. I did the right thing. I am a good man, aren’t I?
“Want to trade sandwiches?”
“Dear God,” I pray, “save me from these thoughts!”
I unload my AR and lean it against the wall of the porch, remove the battle belt, and tuck my Glock inside my waistband. With a heavy heart and leaden feet, I limp up the steps to the door. For the sake of those inside, I smile before I open it.
Everyone is in the great room. Tears are flowing, and Jill is still embracing Lizzy. Even Dad and Ryan have tears in their eyes. The room becomes silent, and all eyes fall on me. My smile starts to tremble, and my whole body is quivering. Jill is looking straight into my eyes. She releases Lizzy and stands, coming toward me. Her gaze does not falter as she comes toward me.
Chapter 67
Jill
Enter the Man
Day 13
While I’m on my knees interceding for my daughter and the man I love, the front door opens. I don’t hear it, since all things have been removed from my mind save this one plea.
“Dear God, my Father in heaven. Bring my Lizzy and John home to me, I plea!”
I hear a gasp, then a shriek, and open my eyes. Running into the great room is Lizzy! I jump up and let out a shriek of pure joy. She runs to my embrace. The joy! I can’t describe it. Tears are rolling down my cheeks, and I’m unable to speak. We embrace each other. Oh, my sweet baby girl is in my arms!
“Thank You, dear God!” I whisper.
Lizzy is weeping loudly, her breath coming in gasps. She can’t speak, either. We hold each other tightly, allowing the love to flow through our embrace. I don’t ever want to let her go!
Lizzy’s head is buried in my chest. My hand is upon her head, gently caressing her hair.
“Oh, my Lizzy. Oh, my darling baby girl. I’m so glad you’re safe. My baby girl. Thank God we are together again.”
“Oh, Mom! I thought I would never see you. I thought you were dead. I love you so much. Thank you for not giving up. Thank you for coming home. Thank you for sending Mr. Carter for me.”
We continue to hold each other as the minutes pass. My mother is standing by Mr. Johnathan, crying along with him. Will is nearby, tears on his cheeks, too. Even Ryan is wiping tears from his eyes. None of that matters at this moment. Lizzy is in my arms. My sweet baby girl has been returned to me.
I whisper another prayer. “Thank You, dear God. I thank You so much.”
I glance up. John is standing in the doorway. A giant of a man. Not in size, but in his heart, and in his actions. He promised to bring me home, and he did. He promised to bring Lizzy home, and she is in my arms now. What price has it cost him? I know the physical pain he has been through; I’ve seen the emotional turmoil and the inner battles. He has had to do things no man should have to do. The battles, the stress, the jeopardy, he has endured them for me. Despite the turmoil, he has remained faithful to me in all things.
Time has stopped. There is no one else present before me, only the man. I look into his eyes across the room. In the midst of the joy, he is suffering. I take a step closer. His eyes follow me, pleading. His smile is starting to falter. I stop one step away, still gazing deeply into his eyes. There is sadness there. Yet he does not reach for me. I step closer and place my hand upon his chest. He is trembling, as if some great sorrow is inside. I lay my head upon his chest. He goes to his knees, and I follow him down.
I pull him close, placing his head on my chest. He wraps his arms around me and holds me tight. Without a word, I hold him, caressing his hair with my fingers.
“John, I know the price you have paid is heavy. You have brought me home. You have brought our children home. I love you, John.”
I lay my head over on his. His trembling starts to subside. “Thank you, Jill, for still loving me.”
“John, I will always love you. As long as God gives me breath, I will love you. I will never leave you nor will I forsake you. I will never part ways from you, John. Never.”
I feel the calmness and strength return to this good man. He stands and pulls me up. He kisses me softly. “Jill, all that I am I give to you.”
Time returns to the now. Together we enter the great room. Ryan is the first to approach. I release John as the two friends embrace. There aren’t many words that pass, but the meaning of the embrace is clear. These men would risk their lives for one another. John releases Ryan and turns, looking directly into the eyes of his son.
I watch this scene before me. The bond of a father and his son. Lizzy steps away from Will, and father and son embrace. The embrace is powerful. A father’s love for his son and a son’s need for his father are clear to all around.
“Dad, I knew you would come. I always knew you would come.”
“Yes, son. I’m here. You have been a man. I’m proud of you. I’m proud you have stood by Lizzy and have kept her safe. You both can rest and relax now.”
Then John goes to his father. The same scene is played before my eyes again. Mother steps aside, and a father’s love for his son and a son’s need for his father is again evident for all to see. The whole scene before me only confirms we are in the company of good men.
“Jill, let’s fix these men something to eat,” my mother says. “I know they must be starving. Lizzy, come help us, dear.”
We follow Mom into the kitchen. She pulls me close and hugs me tight.
“Jill, I have never before witnessed what I have seen this day. Never! These are good men. Darling, you are John’s strength. I see it clearly.”
“Yes, Mother, I am. And he has become the very air I breathe.”
****
John, Jill, their children, and their parents are all gathered together in Repose. The journey has been difficult, and the physical and emotional challenges have been real. The scars—physical, mental, and emotional—will last a lifetime. None are as they were before The Day.
Yet, the challenges of survival have only begun. As they all gather home, one chapter in their new lives comes to a close, and a new one begins as they struggle along with their neighbors to survive in Repose during this apocalyptic time.
Glossary of Acronyms
10-4 – Radio slang for ‘Yes, I understand your message’
4G LTE – High-speed cellular service capable of both voice and data transmission.
AC Power – Type of electrical power typically provided by electric utilities and generators. Most homes in the United States use AC Power.
AR, AR15 – A variant civilian semi-automatic version of the original Armalite Rifle. Cosmetically similar in appearance to the current military M4 rifle.
ATM – Automated teller machine. Used for making banking transactions, including cash withdrawals.
ATV / 4-wheeler– All-terrain vehicle. A common term referring to four-wheelers and utility vehicles.
CCSO – Clarke County Sheriff’s Office
CME – Coronal mass ejection. Giant cloud of solar plasma drenched with magnetic field lines that are blown away from the Sun during strong, long-duration solar flares and filament eruptions.
DC Power – Type of electrical power typically provided by batteries and solar power systems.
DMV – Department of Motor Vehicles
EDC – Every day carry
ER – Emergency Room
EMP – Electro-magnetic pulse
EU – European Union
FRS - The Family Radio Service (FRS) is a private, two-way, very short-distance voice and data communications service for facilitating family and group activities. The most common use for FRS channels is short-distance, two-way voice communications using small hand-held radios that are similar to walkie-talkies. These radios are widely available online and from brick and mortar retailers like Walmart.
GHB – Get home bag. Sometimes
called a three-day bag or a bugout bag (BOB). Contains useful supplies to help you make it home in the event of an emergency situation.
Glock – Manufacturer of pistols of various types. Common pistol used by law enforcement agencies. The Glock 19 (G19) is the most popular pistol sold in America.
Ham radio – Amateur radio. Sometimes referred to as short-wave radios.
Hi-Point - Hi-Point Firearms, also known as Strassell's Machine, Inc, is an American firearms manufacturer of inexpensive yet popular pistols and carbines.
HVAC – Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Commonly used to refer to the equipment used to heat and cool homes and vehicles.
IED – Improvised Explosive Device
IR – Infra-red
IWB – Inside the waistband holster—as distinguished from a holster worn on the outside of clothing
JHS – Jackson High School
Joint Chiefs – The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a body of senior uniformed leaders in the United States Department of Defense who advise the President of the United States
Krav Maga – A hand-to-hand self-defense system developed by the Israeli Defense Force
LED – Light emitting diode
Kel-Tec – An American manufacturer of a variety of innovative pistols, rifles, and shotguns
Lortab – An opioid pain medication used to treat severe pain. Considered a narcotic and available only by prescription.
M4 – Current US-issued military rifle. Similar to the civilian AR15 version except with a shorter barrel and capable of full automatic fire.
MACE – Non-lethal eye irritant contained in small spray cans for personal defense. Trade brand.
Mini-14 – A popular semi-automatic rifle manufactured by Sturm, Ruger and Company, Inc.
MMA – Mixed martial arts. A form of hand-to-hand combat combining a variety of techniques.
MOLLE – Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment. It is used to define the current generation of load-bearing equipment and backpacks used by the US military and many civilians.
MRE – Meal Ready to Eat. Common pre-prepared long shelf life food. Used by the military and others.
MULE – A Kawasaki model of a UTV
NAPA – National Automotive Parts Association. Auto parts store.
NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NFA – National Firearms Act. The NFA was passed in 1934 and regulates the manufacture, transfer, and possession of certain firearms and accessories.
NSA – National Security Agency
NVD – Night Vision Device
PA – Public Address
PTT – Push-to-talk button used on two-way radio communications equipment
PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride. Commonly used in water piping on farms and in homes.
Remington - Remington Arms Company, LLC is an American manufacturer of firearms and ammunition. The Remington 700 bolt-action rifle and the 870 pump-action shotgun are among the most popular firearms in the United States.
RN – Registered Nurse
Ruger - Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. is an American, Southport, Connecticut–based firearm manufacturing company, better known by the shortened name Ruger. The Ruger 10/22 and Mini-14 are among the most popular firearms sold in the United States.
QD – Quick detach
SMV – Slow moving vehicle
SOLA – SOLA/Hevi-Duty Products. Manufacturer of power conditioners and surge suppression equipment.
Sub2K – A slim, folding, semi-automatic pistol caliber rifle manufactured by Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc.
UN – United Nations
UPS – United Parcel Service, Inc. Widely used for home and commercial delivery of packages.
UTV – A utility task vehicle typically used on farms and construction sites. Normally has a dump bed and capable of carrying two or more riders.
Walther - A German firearms manufacturer. Mostly known for their high-quality pistols. The Walther PK-22 is a popular .22 rimfire pistol and is often used in conjunction with a sound suppressor.
WD-40 – Trademark name of a penetrating oil and water displacement spray. Found in most hardware stores and other variety stores.