by Robert Boren
“You know where park is?”
“Yeah,” he said, pulling his phone out of his pocket. He tapped the GPS app, causing the voice to give directions.
“You want me to hold?”
“Sure, sweetie,” Jeb said, leaning over to hand the phone to her.
“Small town. Hope bad guy don’t see us.”
“We aren’t a convoy,” Jeb said. “I can barely see Jackson and Earl behind us.”
“That good. Go through middle of town. Need gas?”
“Probably be a good idea,” Jeb said. “I’ll stop.”
They took the off-ramp, and pulled into the truck stop a block down the street.
“Want me to help you to the restroom?” Jeb asked.
“Wait till fueled, then drive by store,” Rosie said.
“Okay,” Jeb said, getting out to pump the gas.
“Here come Jackson and Earl,” she said, looking in the side mirror.
The small SUV pulled up to the island next to them, and Jackson jumped out, going to the pump. “We’re on fumes. Glad this was here.”
Earl got out of the passenger side. “Hey, Jeb!”
“Hi, Earl. A lot behind us?”
“The cars I can see behind us are mostly Clint’s people. The only one I know very well is John Harper.”
“Ah, the guy with the killer dogs,” Jeb said, chuckling. “Glad he’s with us.”
“You and me both,” Jackson said. “The hounds from hell!”
“Speak of the devil,” Earl said, pointing. John Harper’s truck pulled into a gas island. He got out and waved. Several more vehicles pulled in after him.
“Hope we don’t draw too much attention,” Jeb said.
“We’ll be out of here in a couple minutes,” Jackson said. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Tank’s full,” Jeb said, pulling the gas nozzle out and putting it back on the pump. “I’m gonna take Rosie over to the restroom. See you guys soon.”
“Okay,” Earl said.
Jeb got back into the Jeep and pulled it over to the store, then helped Rosie out. They were done in a few minutes, stopping at the counter to get a couple of coffees on the way out.
“We go,” Rosie said. “Many people here now.”
“Yeah. There goes Earl and Jackson.”
“Good, should not bunch up too much,” Rosie said.
Jeb drove off the gas station lot, following Jackson and Earl down the main street. Part of the town was quaint, with an old downtown section. Beyond that it was mostly late 20th Century buildings.
“Look at Walmart,” Rosie said, pointing.
“Great, right on the outskirts,” Jeb said. “If Frank didn’t get enough tents and sleeping bags, we can hit it later.”
They drove through the small industrial area, and out into the country west of town along Highway 62.
“Damn, it’s as flat as a pool table out here,” Jeb said.
“Oil wells. So many. Thought Texas oil dry up.”
“Nah, still plenty of black gold around here,” Jeb said. “This park must be in the boonies.”
“That good,” Rosie said. “Getting close on GPS.”
“Look, Jackson and Earl just made a left turn.”
“Place look empty. Sure open?”
“Yeah, Frank’s son-in-law called and made reservations.”
Jeb made the turn, and they parked behind Jackson and Earl’s SUV.
“I wait,” Rosie said.
“You won’t be too hot?”
“No, you be quick,” Rosie said.
“Yeah,” Jeb said, getting out. He trotted over to the office. Jackson and Earl were at the counter talking to a middle aged woman.
“Hi, there,” she said, her graying hair cropped short, her slender form moving gracefully behind the counter. “You with these guys?”
“Sure am,” Jeb said.
“I’m Cheryl. You guys don’t have to pay anything right this minute. Hank handled that for today.”
“Hank?” Earl asked.
“That’s Frank’s son-in-law,” Jeb said.
“Oh, yeah,” Earl said. “Great.”
“Pretty dead out there,” Jeb said.
“Yeah, this isn’t our good season, and since we’re so close to the border, people have been staying away. You guys are gonna be a big help.”
The door opened behind them, and John Harper walked in.
“Hey, guys!” he said, smiling. “Home sweet home.”
“Yeah, I’m ready to stop driving, that’s for sure,” Jeb said.
“Where did you guys come from?” Cheryl asked.
“Outside of Sharon Springs, Kansas,” Jeb said.
Cheryl got a concerned look on her face. “You’re that Jeb?”
Jeb shot her a shocked glance.
“There aren’t going to be problems here, are there?” she asked, looking nervous.
“Shouldn’t be,” Jeb said. “How did you know about me? And how did you know where we were?”
“Everybody knows,” she said. “You guys are folk heroes, you know. Who are these guys?”
“I’m Jackson, and this is Earl.”
“Heard of you too,” she said. “Hank’s father-in-law. Is he the Frank?”
Jeb cracked up, shaking his head yes. “This is insane. I had no idea we were so well known.”
“They’re behind us about half an hour,” Earl said.
“I’d better get going,” Jeb said. “Rosie’s baking out in the car.”
“Here’s a map and a tag,” Cheryl said, handing it to him.
“Thanks,” Jeb said. “See you guys in a few minutes.”
He trotted back to the Jeep and got in.
“How go?”
“She knew who we were,” Jeb said. “It’s flattering and all, but it makes me nervous as hell.” He drove down the road, following the map. They went past the clubhouse and pool, past the RV sites, and through a break in the split-rail fencing. The tent area was flat dirt, posts with ticket clamps sticking out of the ground every twenty yards down several dirt roads.
“No shade,” Rosie said.
“Yeah, should have had the guys pick up some awnings.”
Jackson and Earl drove up to the space next to them. John Harper followed.
“Here come the troops,” Jeb said, helping Rosie out. He pointed to the line of cars driving towards them. There were more than twenty.
***
“How much further?” Frank asked. He was driving now, Hank in the passenger seat, Jane and Sarah on the couch with Lucy.
“We’re only about twenty minutes out,” Hank said. His phone rang. He put it to his ear.
“Hello?”
“You should’ve told me who these folks are.”
“Cheryl?”
“Yeah,” she said. “You’re Frank Johnson’s son-in-law?”
“I don’t advertise that. You okay with this?”
“As long as there’s no battle here,” she said.
“We certainly aren’t planning that,” Hank said.
“What are you doing here?”
“Frank’s group had to leave Kansas, because the enemy was heading there,” Hank said. “We’re on our way to hit the enemy on the other side of the border.”
Frank looked over. “Don’t say too much,” he whispered.
Hank nodded. “They’re good people, Cheryl. We want to leave our women and children at the park while we go into New Mexico.”
Cheryl was silent for a moment. Hank shot a worried glance at Frank.
“Dammit,” she said. “Okay, I love my country. We all have to do our part. Come on ahead. All I ask is that you be honest with me. If we’re gonna get hit, I want to be gone. I’ve got people who need me. Daughter who’s a single mom with three kids. Understand?”
“Yes, of course,” Hank said.
“Okay, I’ll see you soon. There’s nearly thirty people here already.”
“Good. Thanks, Cheryl.”
“No problem.” She ended the call,
and Hank took the phone away from his ear.
“Now I feel guilty,” he said.
“She okay?” Jane asked.
“Yeah, after some thought,” Hank said. “She wants her country back. She asked that we tell her if her place is gonna get hit, so she can clear out before they show up.”
“We’ll do that, of course” Frank said. “When the battle is going on, some of our people will still be there. We want them to be safe too.”
“The town is coming up,” Hank said. “About four miles.”
***
General Hogan’s Humvees pulled up to the gate. Kurt and Mary parked behind them, then Charlie and Hilda. They all got out.
“Sparse country,” Charlie said.
“Yeah, not much tree cover,” Hilda said. “Glad we’re past the hottest part of the season.”
“Let’s go to the office,” General Hogan said. “I want to get these Humvees away from the highway as soon as we can.”
“Yeah,” Jerry said. “Too much advertisement.”
They all rushed into the office. Cheryl turned around, her mouth dropping open when she saw General Hogan.
“I know who you are,” she said. “Thought you were missing.”
“I am,” General Hogan said, chuckling. “Mind if we go back there right away? I don’t want our vehicles sitting next to the highway for too long.”
“Sure, go ahead, then come back on foot and I’ll give you the tags.”
“Thanks so much,” General Hogan said. He rushed back out, and his group headed to the back of the park. Charlie and Kurt watched them out the window.
“You guys don’t need to go right away?” Cheryl asked.
“No, we’re in civilian vehicles. It’s no problem. Thanks for taking us in.”
“No problem,” she said. “Probably heard of you guys too. Who are you?”
“I’m Charlie and this is Hilda.”
“Kurt and Mary,” Mary said, smiling.
“Oh, you’re the doctor,” Cheryl said.
“How is everybody finding all of this out?” Jerry asked. “Jeb told us you knew who he was too.”
“I don’t know where the stories are coming from, but they’re all over. I probably hear more than most because of my customers.”
“Makes me nervous,” Jasmine said. “Oh, we’re Jerry and Jasmine. Heard of us too?”
“Yeah,” Cheryl said. “Wow. You guy’s will have to give me your autographs before you clear out.”
Kurt laughed. “Maybe we ought to do a group picture and sign it so you can put it on your wall. I want one for my park, assuming there’s anything left of it after this mess is over.”
Cheryl grinned. “That’s a good idea.”
“We have another group of Humvees on the way,” Jerry said. “Is it okay if we call them and tell them to drive right in? It’s a larger group than the one General Hogan came with.”
“Sure,” she said.
“Great, thanks,” Jerry said. He walked outside with his phone as Jasmine got their tickets with the others.
“Wow, what’s that?” Cheryl asked, seeing a big semi-truck pulling onto the driveway.
Kurt laughed. “That’s Clint’s armored truck.”
“Clint is with you guys too? He’s almost as famous as you guys are.”
“A bunch of the people who got here earlier are with Clint’s group,” Charlie said. “John Harper’s here, isn’t he?”
“Oh, yes, he showed up,” Cheryl said. “Could you go tell that semi to go ahead?”
“Sure, thanks,” Kurt said, leaving the office. He came back in with Jerry after a moment.
“All set,” Jerry said. “Ned’s group is only about fifteen minutes away.”
“They the last?” Cheryl asked.
“They’re the last of the Kansas people, assuming everybody stayed in the same order they left in,” Charlie said. “Frank’s group ought to be getting here any minute.”
“They’re from Kansas too, aren’t they?” Cheryl asked.
“Yeah, but they were on a rescue mission up in Montana,” Jerry said.
“Who were they rescuing?”
“Hank and Sarah,” Jerry said.
“Oh, now all of this is makes sense,” she said. “Any other famous people showing up?”
“Malcolm Davis,” Charlie said.
Cheryl’s eyes got wide. “What’s he doing with you guys?”
“Long story,” Jerry said. “His friend George is with us too. They’ve become very important members of the group.”
“Hey, guys, here comes another big batch,” Mary said, watching out the window.
“Who?” Jerry asked.
“I see Jake’s bob-tail, and Terry and Trish are in that awful tow truck pulling Gabe’s back-hoe.”
“All right! There’s George and Heidi,” Jerry said.
“Just wave all of them in,” Cheryl said. “Okay?”
“Will do,” Jerry said, trotting back out.
“You look worried,” Hilda said.
“I feel like my park is a giant target,” Cheryl said. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll do my part.”
***
“Well, this place hasn’t changed much,” Hank said, looking around as they went down Highway 62. “It was a fun place to blow off steam.”
“Nothing here,” Jane said. “What did you guys do?”
“Oh, the usual fireman feats of skill and daring,” Hank chuckled. “Plus an epic poker tournament and lots of beer consumption.”
“Boys will be boys,” Sarah said. She looked at her mother and giggled.
“There’s the turn,” Hank said, pointing. Frank drove in and pulled all the way forward in the staging lane. Dobie parked behind him, followed by Malcolm. The two vans pulled up into parking spots in front of the office. Everybody got out.
“Want to do the honors while I take out the dogs?” Dobie asked.
“Sure,” Gabe said.
“I’ll take Lucy,” Jane said. Sarah followed her. Everybody else went into the office.
“Hi, Cheryl,” Hank said as he walked into the office. The rest followed.
“Hey, sugar,” Cheryl said. “Good to see you. This is all of the coaches, right?”
“Yeah, but we brought two vans along too. Okay if we have spaces way back by the tent area?”
“No problem,” she said. “Hardly anybody else here.”
“Thanks,” Hank said. “This is my father-in-law Frank. That’s Malcolm Davis, with Ted Crowley and Agent Williams of the FBI.”
“Wow,” she said, looking them over. “Malcolm Davis.”
“George here yet?” Malcolm asked.
“Yes, he’s already back there,” Cheryl said as she made out the tags.
“Most of us are here, then, sounds like,” Frank said.
“The last group said there was a bunch of Humvee’s coming in, with another car or two.”
“Ned’s people,” Malcolm said.
Dobie came in. “She here yet?”
“Don’t know,” Gabe said. “Are there two women with two small kids and a couple of teenagers here yet?”
“Saw the teenagers,” Cheryl said. “No young kids yet.”
“Probably with Ned and Clint,” Dobie said. “Last I talked to her, that’s who they were with.”
“Let’s go, folks,” Frank said. “The Wi-Fi working?”
“Should be,” Cheryl said. “Password is SeminoleRV.”
“Great, thanks,” Frank said. “Let’s go, folks.”
Everybody left with their tags and drove to the back of the park.
“You look nervous,” Gabe said to Dobie as he was dropping the levelers on his fifth-wheel. “Call her. It’ll only take a second.”
Dobie nodded, and pulled out his phone. He held it to his ear, then shook his head. “Went straight to voice mail.”
“Maybe her battery just died,” Gabe said. “Don’t worry about it yet.”
Frank and Jane had the setup done on their coach in a m
atter of minutes. General Hogan trotted over. “So this is Hank?”
“Yeah,” Frank said. “Hank, General Hogan.” The two shook hands.
“Good to meet you, General Hogan.”
“Likewise,” he said. “And this must be Sarah. Lovely.”
Sarah blushed as she walked up. “Hello.”
“Those the captured vans?” General Hogan asked.
“Yep,” Frank said.
Malcolm walked over with Ted and Agent Williams.
“Good place,” Malcolm said.
“It’ll do fine,” General Hogan said.
“When do we attack?” Ted asked.
“The enemy should get to our park in about two hours,” Frank said. “Assuming they haven’t been tipped off. I’ll fire up the laptop and see if the snapshot app has picked up any change in direction.”
“Yeah, you do that, Frank,” General Hogan said.
“Here comes Ned’s group!” Ted shouted, pointing to the long line of Humvees heading towards them.
“Hey, Dobie, there you go!” Gabe shouted.
Dobie rushed out of his trailer and looked at the lineup. “I don’t see her,” he said in a panic.
“Relax, she’s probably at the office,” Jerry said, walking up. “I made a deal with Cheryl to wave the Humvees in so they aren’t visible from the road. Called them up and let them know. That’s why she’s not in here yet.”
“Oh,” Dobie said, sheepish look on his face.
“Go on,” Gabe said. “I’ll finish up here.”
“No, I’ll wait,” Dobie said. “Why look like an idiot? Let’s get this camping gear handed out. We’re gonna lose sunlight before too long.”
He ducked back into his trailer and tossed out sleeping bags and tents. Malcolm, Ted, and Agent Williams did the same. They rushed arms full over to the fence between the tents and the RVs.
“You connected, Frank?” Jane asked as she came into their coach.
“Having trouble. I think we should take the laptops into the clubhouse.”
“Well, help me with the camping gear first, okay?”
“Sure, honey,” Frank said, getting up.
After a few minutes, there was a large pile of tents, sleeping bags, and tarps by the fence, along with the Coleman stoves and lanterns. People were picking them up, some tents already taking shape.
“Oh, forgot the water bottles,” Gabe said, rushing back to the storage compartment on Dobie’s rig. He saw another Jeep and a Crew Cab truck heading their way. He chuckled.