No Normal Day

by Richardson, J.

  They had water and they were pleasantly surprised to have beverages. They couldn't put it off any longer. They drove down the road that led to the house of their old time friends. The neighborhood was a wreck. Beth's heart raced as they neared the house on the lake. All seemed quiet, Jack got out and walked to the door. He knocked loudly on the door, “Anybody here? It's Jack,” he pounded and repeated. Nothing. Around the corner of the house, a figure slipped. “ Jack?...oh my god, is that you, Jack?” Beth was out and running, there were tears and hugs. They motioned for everyone to get out and more hugs and tears occurred in the back of the house. It turned out, the friends had a compound of their own. Most of their large extended family were there and another couple of mutual friends and their daughter and grandson. They of course, had plenty of water and they were surviving much like Jack and his family. They had been friends with these people since they were kids in school, it was an enormous relief to find them safe. The wife brought out a big pitcher of ice tea. They introduced Lee and Cody, they exchanged stories and concerns. Lee told them to be on the watch for military, even though he doubted that rescue would reach out here in the rural lake communities.

  The friend said that his son had brought a ham radio. They had picked up a message on the radio, that made them think some other of their mutual friends had made it safely to their farm, about three hours away. They said that messages were beginning to network around, concerning people trying to locate others. Jack said, “I have been thinking of trying to find a short wave, although, I know nothing about it.”

  Lee said, “I know a little, my dad used to have one. And, you know how smart all of the boys are. We will have to work on that.” So, they parted reluctantly. They promised to try and make contact, if they can.

  Making their way back to the compound, they were feeling upbeat. This had been a good day.

  Chapter Six

  BEFORE AND AFTER

  In the world before, life was rich with what America had become accustomed to. Sure, there were the haves and the have nots. And often, the distance between was vast. Still, there was always a promise, an availability, a possibility that you could change and better your situation. But, this was a new world...and Jack had found nothing to make him believe that there was anything different anywhere on this earth. In this new world, the before was quickly fading into a memory. The after, for Jack and his family and for the few survivors that they were aware of, was an everyday goal of surviving to see another day. Since they were citizens of the great before, they strived to make their lives at least resemble the life they once lived. Even though these times were not normal, one thing was surprisingly constant. No matter how hard you tried to do the right thing, to keep your little lifeboat steady, the waves of trouble would find you.

  The first two months following the event rolled into four and then six. Life in Beth and Jack's compound was finding a routine, a rhythm of daily existence. The elderly neighbors across the street eventually just quit even taking the offerings that Jack left on their porch. He knew that they were dead now. It didn't seem right but he had left them in the home that they lived in for so long. The family of three and the two teenagers down the street were still holding on. David, the now 17 year old son of Jason and Dianne, had formed a friendship with the girl and her brother. They maintained contact with Joel, his family and the friends on the lake. Each of these survivor groups knew one or two more. A network of bartering and sharing what could be spared, had grown up between them all. Some had gardens, some had water, and all, even the teenage girl had learned to search and scavenge.

  Scavenging trips have become less and less productive. Those who had survived, learned early on, not only to plunder for themselves but to gather barter worthy items where-ever they found them. It did seem that less people were still alive or around. Perhaps, it was the military “rescue”. Of course, the horrid scent of death had not diminished. The city was particularly putrid and dangerous. The network of survivors were all appreciative of the benefits of their connections. However, in these times, this after world demanded a self preservation attitude and the contacts were minimal.

  Jack's family had celebrated birthdays, mainly for the kids and their versions of holidays. It really took little to make a child believe that something was special. Soon, it would be Christmas, the first Christmas in this after world. It would be so very bittersweet. He and Beth were so thankful that they and their family were together and surviving. Yet, they were so sad, that life had dealt them all this hand. David had asked Beth, if they could invite the teenage girl and her brother and the family of three for a Christmas meal. Beth agreed that would be nice. There were a short few days, when even the adults could forget that their lives had been turned upside down. There was a lot of planning for gifts for the children, lots of secretive plans for giving and the girls were all stretching their imaginations to concoct a Christmas dinner. Unless a big fat turkey came strutting by, that wouldn't be on the table. They had spotted a few chickens, when they were out on the hunt. They agreed, that would be a good thing to have. But, catching them and a rooster, where to pin them, etc...that was a project they hadn't tackled yet.

  Beth's latest and greatest before artificial tree was drug out of the storage shed and placed in the living room. Everyone enjoyed placing on the tree, the dozens and dozens of ornaments that Beth had collected for years. The kids had a ball and the adults found a new appreciation for the memories that clung to nearly every little decoration. On Christmas morning, at least one present for everyone was under the tree. Beth and the girls even took some things from their precious stores and put ribbons on them, for the guests. David found a pretty necklace, sparkling through a pile of debris on the floor of a department store, he was giving it to the teenage girl. Mostly, there were useful items that each of them had ran across and thought would work for someone and some special boxes of candy.

  The biggest surprise of all, Lee gave Lynn a ring. It was a simple one that he found in the same store that David spotted the necklace. Lynn, like her mother, didn't really care for diamonds and fancy, so a turquoise and silver band made tears slide down her cheeks and got Lee a huge kiss. No-one was really surprised and everyone was thrilled for them. Lee and Cody had already become, one of the family. They were invaluable members of the team that supported and protected the compound. Beth hugged them both, with a thought, who in the world will marry them? Immediately, she laughed at her thought. The only thing that matters was their commitment to each other, a piece of paper had very little meaning in the after.

  The day was a happy one, filled with laughter and a feeling of security. The guests asked a lot of questions about the fortifications of the compound and some of the other provisions and innovations the family had created, to make survival more than just a struggle. The girls and Beth really outdid themselves in putting together a meal. It took both cookers and the propane grill, but the job got done. They opened two canned hams, a big pan of dressing was made with cornbread and canned chicken, they had instant mashed potatoes, boxed mac and cheese, some cans of vegetables. Beth even discovered a can of cranberry sauce in the back of the stores. Some jars of fruit and boxed whipped cream made fruit salad. Bisquick and canned peaches created a big cobbler, there were no bake cookies, made from cocoa and oatmeal. It really was a Christmas Dinner.

  After the guests had left, with many thanks and ideas for improving their own situation, the family sat around the long table that was put together from some smaller tables, in the common area. They had put a log or two in the fireplace. The men and boys have gone out, on a couple of days and cut firewood and hauled it back to the compound. The temperatures were still mild, usually January and February were the really cold months in East Texas, the small fire still felt good as the evening set in. Even a holiday was not a time to let down their guard and the sun sets early this time of year. Eric and Matt got up to take the first watch. Trish went out to check on the coffee that was brewing on the cooker, she re
turned to report that it was ready if anyone wanted a cup.

  The kids were playing with the small toys that Santa brought. BJ walked steady and strong now, Brook had turned 5 and Nicky will soon be 7. One of the girls, Trish, Dianne or Lynn worked with the little ones about an hour each day, in their version of home school. As everyone was gathered around the long table, Lee said, “I would like to bring up something”.

  Dianne said, “We know mister, you have the hots for our sister! You want to drag her away to that little bed on wheels that you inhabit and have her all to yourself.”

  There was laughter, Lee gave Lynn a look filled with longing and said, “That's a good idea but it's not what I would like to talk about right now. I have been thinking about the house next door. Jack says that it was in foreclosure before everything went to s---. Other than some intruders, animal or human, no one has been there or ever will be, is my guess. I think we should bring it into the compound and it would give us all some space to spread out.”

  Jason said, “There is no fence around the place. God knows what is inside. It would take a whole lot of work, on everybody's part.”

  “Of course, there is a septic system, just like all the houses in the neighborhood. The extra space would be great. I believe that it's a three bedroom house, two bath house.” added Jack.

  Lynn spoke, “Well, last week, when Lee and I went to get water at Joel's, we stopped and explored the house. It's really stinky, definitely has had some animals in there at some time. But it's not impossible, it could be cleaned out.” She placed her hand over Lee's, “Why don't you tell them our ideas, hon?”

  Everyone looked at Lee, he took a drink of coffee and said, “Now listen, these are just our suggestions, if we do this it will be like always, everybody has input. Lynn and I think that we have all become used to living in this compound, with the family. We think that we all, actually like the commune style life. We enjoy the eating together, sharing the work and having the common room to all gather. The house next door would mainly add a little more sleeping space and privacy for all of us. Trish, we feel like that you and Eric, could take the living room of the house. You could divide it up however you like to make a space for the girls and ya'll would have a bedroom of your own.”

  Eric gave him a thumbs up and said, “I like that idea, man.” He gave Trish a wink.

  Lee continued, “There is a large master bedroom, Jason and Dianne could take that. We could put the twins in the smallest of the three bedrooms and Lynn and I would take the last. That frees up the spare bedroom in Jack and Beth's house, for Kat, Tate and little BJ. The boys could move from Jack's garage into the house's garage, after Dianne and Trish move out. The whole big garage would be open again, it would be available for our shop, storage for the War Wagon's maintenance supplies and other projects we are constantly needing to work on. Of course, the house next door has a garage and other storage. That would be very useful for extra food and supplies. And, we would be adding yard space for our garden.” The wheels were already turning in all of the family's heads, they talked and nodded in agreement.

  Jack said, “The first thing we would need to do is get the perimeter secure. The fence between this house and the one next door could come down and be usable. We would have to scrounge up some more, probably could find plenty from empty houses around the neighborhood. And we would have to get more barb wire, we have some, not near enough. The windows would have to be boarded, that would mean scavenging for more lumber. The women would have to be responsible for cleaning and sanitizing the place.”

  The discussion, plans and lists began. The days were short now and the temperature was often wintry cold but they all were anxious to get started on this expansion. Trips were made to find supplies. They decided it had come down to looting from the deserted and abandoned homes in the neighborhood, before they resorted to returning to the city, which they had avoided for a long time now. Jack really detested this idea. Not just because it seemed so wrong to him...these were his neighbors. Also, because like the Carpenter's across the street, there would be death in some of these homes.

  When their search began, they discovered, not surprisingly that a large majority of useable items of any kind, had already been taken. Jack knew of a house that had a woodworking shop behind it. No sign announces that, this area was not zoned for commercial. He knew that the man was a cabinet maker and quite successful. They knocked on the door...after all, they still survived, others must be... they were not able to get any response. He saw no boarded windows. This house was very close to the highway that had become a car graveyard, maybe they were the first to see trouble. After they looked in some of the windows and saw no sign of life, he, Jason and Tate moved into the back yard and to the shop.

  They broke into the wide doors of the shop and found plenty of sheet goods and lumber inside. What a shame, all of this beautiful cabinet wood and it will be used for boarding up windows. Jack shook it out of his mind. They loaded up plenty of lumber, some long bolts and many useful items. At another couple of houses, they found a few cans of food and some dry goods. Once, they caught a glimpse of a curtain pulled back for a second but did not actually see a face. The neighborhood was not completely empty.

  They had been so many dead pets, most dead for a good while now. Jack was grateful that right before the event, they had lost their little dog that had been their pet for twelve years. About a month after the family had gathered together and were secure, two of the neighborhood dogs had been standing at the garage door when it was opened. Looking thin and dirty, a tall mixed breed lab, slash, doberman and a curly haired small terrier, faced the door openers. It was love at first site and they just could not turn them away. Anyway, barking dogs were a very good alarm system. So, Big Dog and Little Dog became part of the compound. No one had the heart to use their old pet names and this was easy to remember. Both were gentle, maybe that's why they found each other. They were a big source of joy for the children and actually for all.

  The whole family at times, worked on the house next door for over two weeks. Each day they built a fire in the fireplace. In warm clothes, with the back door open, they wore their masks when working inside. Removing dead vermin and what appeared to be the remains of a possum and cleaning everything with bleach, burning some things in a pile in the back. The windows, except for some in the very back were boarded up. The yard became one with Jack and Beth's yard and fencing was put up, much of it found at the back boundary of the church. Barb wire was harder to locate, they took some up from old fencing deep in the woods.

  Finally, by the end of the third week the compound encompassed two brick houses, with a huge long yard area. The new house was clean and smelled livable. The moving in, and re-locating was complete. Supplies had been stored in new places, creating a little breathing room and the maintenance shop had expanded to occupy Jack's big garage. It was hard work, but all were pleased with the results. Big Dog and Little Dog, sprinted excitedly from one end of the combined yards to next, the children not far behind them. The unoccupied little trailer was moved to the far corner of the new yard. Of course, this was a much larger area to keep secure, it was decided that three guards would have to work on each four hour shift, new schedules were made. Now everyone could take possession of their new spaces.

  The evening of the day that everything was finished, Lee and Lynn asked everyone to gather before dinner. To each other, they repeated their own words of love and commitment. Dane said, “And we pronounce you, man and wife.” Everyone applauded. Tonight, Lee and Lynn would also take possession of their new space and start their new partnership.

  The compound, their lifeboat had grown to resemble more of a Noah's Ark. And they would all soon be awash in the floods of trouble.

  The first wave came as a spell of very cold winter weather. There was an ice storm, with some snow flurries. The temperatures dropped to below freezing and stayed for two more days. This made guard duty and all chores pretty miserable to accomplish. Jack and
Beth had a very steep driveway, when it was iced, no vehicle went up or down. The War Wagon was going nowhere. They went through nearly all of their firewood, trying to keep the two houses just tolerable. The young children slept in front of the fireplaces.

  After a couple of days, the temps did rise above freezing and the ice melted. A trip to find more firewood was imperative. Jack, Dane and Eric were in the War Wagon. Jason drove the mower, with the small trailer behind. They moved along, in front of the compound and around the corner to the break in the fence. They could access the church back lot and go across to the woods. They had a chainsaw, it began to buzz, cutting into small trees. Dane had a hatchet and was knocking off limbs, Eric and Jason were loading wood. In a lull, when the chainsaw was just idling, there was the sound of motorcycles in the church lot behind them. They were deep in the woods, not visible. They killed the chainsaw and moved back towards the edge of the woods, on foot.