by Ron Foster
“I am just glad enough to be quit moving at the moment.” I declared and got assenting comments all around.
“Guys, I am not to worried about anyone invading our camp tonight, because this disaster is young; but lets talk a bit about that, because I want to go to sleep soon.” I said speculatively to my bunk mates.
“I been thinking about that, I will take a watch if you want David.” he offered in my direction and glanced over at an attentive Stewart.
“Well, I don’t see a high risk of a unguarded camp, but let’s kick it a bit. I think we need as much rest as we can get, while we can, and others coming our way if we let this fire go out won’t even know we are here, if they pass in the night.” I said considering the possibilities.
“Light discipline is a must, no telling what kind of moths will come to our flame if we were all sleeping. “Dump said looking pointedly towards Stewart’s passion for building bonfires.
“Dumpie, how long you been listening to Blake and crew kicking it?” I chortled.
“Light suppression,” I said laughing out loud “is one of those terms we bandy about, when I am not supposed to be smoking a cigarette at night.” I stated while firing me one up.
Dump got a devilish grin on his face, made worse due to the flickering flames of the campfire in back of him and responded with, “They say a sniper can see you light cig at a mile at night.” Dump produced from his overheard stash of soldier lore.
‘That’s a fact Truck; I used to have to hide under a poncho to keep smoking these damn things before. Hey! Anyone seen a cigarette truck, out here anywhere?” I said producing a loud laugh out of Stewart. He held up a crumpled half pack of smokes
”I was on the look out for one and had half of mind to try to charge you for these, but seeing that we are all brethren of the coast now, like a bunch of pirates, you may have them free with my compliments.” he said passing them over to me.
“Thank you, Stewart!” I exclaimed not even bothering to make remark about the brand name and deposited them in my shirt pocket.
“That just earned you a new pair of socks. I was going to wrestle a dollar out of you for… Rental mind you, like leasing shoes at the bowling alley.” I said smiling.
”Damn! Show you two a street corner and I bet you would own it in a week.“ said Dump grinning.
“Stewart, you don’t really have anywhere to go, you want to consider joining the Dump Truck Tribe? I need a resourceful soul like you. My last statement took Dumpie unawares and he turned to Stewart and said, “Come on the more the merrier! The Truck Tribe, I like that, awful nice of you David.” he said beaming in my direction.
“How about it Stewart?” I asked.
An uncomfortable Stewart squirmed in his chair and responded after a momentary pause.
“Gents, I am honored to be asked, and kindly fellows you are to have a use for an old man, but my travels need to be towards my kith and kin, if I ever want to see the shores of my own land again.” he carefully said with what looked like to be a tear welling up in his eye in this dim light.
“Stewart, do you have much family back home?” I softly asked, recognizing he was troubled.
“ Well, me Mum and Da passed awhile back, but I have my connections and my heart back home as I guess we all have our obligations and friends needing us about now.” he replied suppressing a show of emotion among men towards tears.
“Yes, my friend, I got worries and responsibilities a plenty too, that I sort of put out of my mind till now.” I said dolefully.
“Let’s talk about some brighter things and consider our dinner for the night, what’s everybody willing to share for the pot?” I inquired digging in my improvised pillow case bag for some Campbell’s chicken noodle soup.
“Hey, I got two of those.” said Dump producing his scavenging out of a similar sack, all the while looking like a bald, beardless, tattooed Santa Claus.
“I got ZILCH in the soup department, but I foraged us up a good fry pan out of a car over there, that has some more pots and pans in it.” Stewart said producing it.
“Well, it might taste a bit nasty, but for foods sake, Dump and I got a couple of cans of Tuna to add to it, so we got something to stick to our ribs past noon tomorrow.” I suggested.
“I just as soon have the soup and Beer.” Dump countered making a face.
“I am in agreement.” Stewart said looking similar to Dumps grimace of my culinary suggestion.
“Fine by me, but your belly is going to be touching your backbone soon enough and it won’t sound so bad.” I made them recognize, but did get in agreement that it was a bad idea for this evening.
“David, you want to stay with me awhile when we get to Newnan? Now, before you object, I got plenty of relatives living mostly close and they would take you in on my say so and you could restock and regroup a bit.” he said inquiringly.
“That’s awful nice of you Dump, and I may yet take you up on that, but I gotta get home. Can we talk more on the prospect” I said while not burning any bridges.
“Sure, just want you to consider it” he said forgiving an outright refusal of hospitality and possible stupidity on my part.
“We got a long road up ahead, Dump, all options are on the table, and I am thankful for your generosity, but I got folks needing me that are on my mind.” I said wistfully.
“Understood.” is all he said.
We all contemplated the fire light in silence for a bit, and the possible or improbable need to smother this soothing fire at the moment.
“Dump, can we go country route from here and get off the main drag?” I said, considering what I needed to explain next.
“Oh yeah, I been thinking about that, we can get off at the, uh, I think next or the one after that exit to head in my direction, but it’s out of the way for you.” he said studying me.
“I have some worries what an exit is going to look like off this maze.” I declared, thinking about my next statement before I carried on. “It’s going to look like a rock concert or a flash mob as folks wander in, and overwhelm what ever resources might be there” I suggested.
Stewart considered this possibility and its ramifications for a moment. ”David, what do you think the world trade center downtown Atlanta is going to look like come next week”? He said cautiously.
“Going to be hell, Stewart, every foreigner from every country is going to try to make their way there that got stranded in the city or highway.” I let that sink in for a moment.
“Stewart, not to alarm you, but make you aware; people that are different from mainstream in society start to get hated for whatever reason, after a disaster if recovery is not quick.” I said sympathetically, but directly.
“Shit, I am no better than a Paki blighter in this town, then.” Stewart said, thinking about his colonial roots and problems caused in his own cites. He went on further, looking off in the distance, as he could envision Koreans, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, Pakistanis, etc. all converging on one spot in a myriad of languages and confusion and being set upon by the locals, like this was somehow their fault or that they were not worthy of the same respect as humans as those that had more historic roots in the area.
“Dump, could you, I mean, would you give me your address in case I need to, what did you call it Dave, “Bug out” if it gets too bad?” Stewart said pleadingly.
“No problem, welcome to the Dumpie clan, if you need too, oops Tribe, right David?” He said extending his oversize mitt in Stewart’s direction, which was received and shook heartily.
“Let me find a bit of paper and pencil.’ Stewart said, while rummaging in his luggage.
“David, I got an old spinster cousin on the outskirts of Newnan. We should be able to make it to in a day or so, if we going the back way. “Dump said speculatively.
“A rest and a friendly face a day or two from now, might just be exactly what we need to recharge our batteries, my friend.” I said in agreement.
“Stewart, I’ll draw you map, or
better yet, we find a regular road map in the morning and I will mark a route out.” Dump said turning towards the older Brit and grabbing another can of suds.
Almost simultaneously, Stewart and I said we had maps from today’s treasure hunt.
“You know that’s kind of dumb of me not to pick one up, just because I knew where I was headed.” Dump said a bit apologetically.
“Gotta think ahead. Right, Dave? Home may be where the map tells you, not your senses, I think you said.” He said eying the cans of soup sitting on the ground in front of him.
“Always have an alternate route and be ready with a detour at the worst possible moment is a plan indeed Dumpy.” I replied while digging out my key ring.
“You know how to use a P38 Truck”? I inquired producing one and handing it over for his inspection.
“Heard of them but never played with one” he replied unfolding the tiny can opener attached to the key chain.
“ Give her here , I know about such” said Stewart and half opened a can as a demonstration before passing it back to Dump to finish and practice on,
“Hell that’s about as quick as a regular one” Dump said gleefully reaching for another to start on.
“Its all in the wrist, once you master the technique there is nothing to it.” Stewart said reaching for the opened can and pouring the contents into his fry pan.
“Tell me a bit about your cousin Dump”/ I inquired.
“Well she is big as a house but not hard to look at” he began before Stewart and I started laughing at his description.
“Runs in the family” I said smirking at Dump
“See I told you he was a smartass” Dump said to Stewart handing him the other can but not taking any offense.
“ She’s had many a suitor but lives at the old family place by herself and just well, likes it that way and aged enough that men don’t come around much anymore” He said describing his relative.
“Hell of a cook though, Dave, if there’s something left to cook after the refrigerator and freezer turned off Dave, you’re in for a feast. She’s raising chickens though so I reckon we eat either way” he declared.
“Sounds like a winner to me! How far do you think her place is”? I questioned trying to discern the map in the dim light.
“I dunno, 8 or 12 miles, it’s a bitch to think about hoofing it versus driving it.” He contemplated.
“Well one day’s forced march” I offered.
“Probably, but you said something about staying out of the noon day sun and walking more at dusk like we were in the desert ‘ He countered.
“Well if we got a destination in mind we don’t have to pace ourselves that strictly “I contemplated.
“We will be there by 7 or 8 at night if we just take it light” I said hopefully.
“I am figuring about the same” Dump said rubbing his feet.
“Soups on” said Stewart digging in his picnic basket for some bowls and pouring straight out of the pan a portion for each of us.
“Don’t need to soil a spoon I will just sip it out of the bowl with my beer” Dump said.
“Even though at the moment we got lots of water to wash with, I second that” I declared.
“We going to leave at first light or as soon as I wake up Stewart. As us country boys say, I feel like I been road hard and put up wet” I said venting how tired I was but I don’t think Stewart understood my saying. The party continued on for awhile and despite my own admonishment not to over indulge we did and I woke to the sun rising with the mung head.
“Wake up call Dump, I said to my traveling partner who appeared to my bleary eyes to be a beached whale.
Stewart stirred and sat up remarking “Blimey the world ends and we still gotta go to work”
“Dump wake your big ass up buddy” I said nudging him.
“I am awake, I just can’t move yet “Dump said rising up on one elbow blinking at the sun.
“Its early as hell and getting hot already” he moaned.
“Anybody wants some coffee” I offered
“You will not be putting that foul brew in me pot” said Stewart reaching for his tea pot.
“Hey compromise buddy, I just need some hot water and I am in charge of remaking the fire” I said staggering to my feet,
“That’s right you got instant, sorry it’s just that I got my pot seasoned just right” Stewart said while regaining his own feet.
“Dump you think that cousin of yours is going to object to some night visitors” I said
“Do what”? He replied still trying to orient himself.
“She ain’t going to take a pot shot at us appearing after dark in the middle of this shit is she” I explained.
“Oh, no, she probably just thinks the powers out and hasn’t even tried her car yet, she don’t get out much.” He said moving the Van as he used it for support to get up.
“Damn you said a mouthful then Dump, I wonder how many people actually don’t know the shit hit the fan yet” said Stewart observing my fire building tepee skills.
“My mom for one” I said with a twinge.
“It will be alright buddy” said Dump patting me kindly on the back.
“Gotta get home” I responded despondently and resumed my arranging some sticks and trash together to light.
“How old is she Dave”? Stewart asked.
“85 and feisty as hell, she’s been thru hurricanes she will be ok till I get there” I responded with a nod to myself.
“My Mamma is probably out in her garden cussing about the electricity because the well pump won’t work for her to water it” Dump said with a big yawn.
Dump and I had a cup of coffee and Stewart enjoyed his tea as we all contemplated our soon separating of the ways.
“Stewart, it’s been nice, we gotta head out. Want me to wash up these cups”? I asked gesturing towards them.
“No, I got the KP today, going to miss you blokes” Stewart replied extending his hand for a shake.
”You going to do well Stewart, but don’t lose Dumpies address” I said while getting my gear together.
“ Oh I am going to do fine, you mates even made me a proper hotel if your not going to be being taking your mats along with you” Stewart chuckled.
“Mats are free, laying on them costs a dollar” Dump said hugging him around the shoulder with a smile.
He looked at us seriously for a moment and said “Fare thee well”.
“And to you, Stewart.” I replied and we set off on our journey towards our destinations with the sounds of our temporary host washing up and whistling a tune; and now and then singing a few words, the only ones I could catch though were ‘Fare thee Well, Fare the Well…’ sending us off.
“Fine fellow” Dump said breaking my thoughts of what lay ahead today.
“That he was, entertaining to say the least” I exclaimed while re-shouldering my pack to the opposite side and already sweating out a few too many beers.
“Looks like some more early starts ahead “said Dump gesturing towards a line of people off in the distance.
10
NOT NECESSARILY THE RIGHT ANSWER
The Group in front of us grew in size as we approached and I could start making out faces. Leading the pack appeared to be a Georgia Highway Patrol Officer in full regalia and every age and race following up his advance.
“Hello” I said as we approached.
“Hi” came back the suspicious response from the LEO.
“How’s it looking down the way?“ I questioned him surveying the pack of bedraggled strangers. Something wrong here I thought. The wayfarers looked more subdued and fearful than I would have expected.
“Pretty bad multi car wreck a mile or so back, it’s kind of gory so you might want to change lanes” He said sizing us up through dark sunglasses.
“How about the way you came, any trouble?” he said expectantly, surveying the road we just came down
“Not too many wrecks” I offered.
�
��Many people?’ he countered.
“No, it’s pretty deserted most everyone seems to have headed for the nearest exit.” I replied eying the group who seemed to be making a point of not paying too much attention to our conversation.
“Any water?’ he asked pointedly.
“Uh yea, possibly there’s a Perrier truck over in the other far lane” I said diverting him from “Stewart’s store”.
“Was it open” he asked like I was supposed to produce my driver’s license or something.
“Didn’t look in it, I don’t like the taste of it anyway” I nonchalantly said back.
“Thanks” he replied and then waved his hand like he was leading a wagon train or something and said “Let’s move out”! and crossed over the median to the other lane.
Dump was looking puzzled and asked “why did you do that?”
“I got a feeling that gung ho freak might try to say Stewart was looting or something. I am wondering if some of those people following him are prisoners or just refugees putting up with him for protection.” I said watching the band of people moving off the road.
“They might just miss Stewart entirely over in that far lane. Did you really see a Perrier Truck over there?’ Dump inquired
“Thought I did...“ I said grinning and turning to resume our trek once more.
“That looks like a good place to crossover” Dump said gesturing towards a break in the median barrier ahead.
“Yea it does. You know I found 500 bucks under the mattress of the truck I was in yesterday. You need some?” I asked.
“That was a lucky find. Not much to spend it on out here but it might be useful later on. If I need some Ill holler at you” he said while already starting to sweat profusely as the day was warming up. We trudged along occasionally making small talk for the next couple miles and then took the exit ramp to the county road Dump directed me to take.
“You know you might be able to buy a gun of some sort off my cousin, she inherited a bunch of them from her uncle and father awhile back and I don’t think she ever did much of anything with them.” he advised me.
“Damn, that would be great Dump!” I said looking down the mostly desolate two lane road we had begun traveling on.