by A. American
Rounding the corner at Danny’s, I heard laughter, a lot of laughter. Everyone was on the back porch, and I could hear Dalton’s voice. From the sound of things, he was entertaining the group. Coming up on the porch, I saw Dalton sitting at one of the picnic tables with everyone sitting around talking. Finding Mel and the girls, I sat down with them.
Bobbie and Miss Kay came out of the house with a large skillet of scrambled eggs and set them out. Dalton looked at the pan, “Are those real eggs?”
“Yes sir, fresh from the chickens,” Kay said as she scooped some onto a plate and handed it to Jess.
Each time she loaded a plate, Dalton’s eyes were glued to it as it passed before him. Kay naturally served the women and girls first, as it should be. But Dalton did get the first plate after them. Closing his eyes, he held it up to his nose and inhaled deeply.
“Man that smells good. The last time I had eggs was in the spring when I found a Sandhill Crane nest.” He scooped a bite into his mouth. His body went limp as he chewed, “Oh man that’s good.” Getting a chuckle out of everyone.
Kay smiled, “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“It is. From the bottom of my heart, it is.” Dalton replied as he took another bite.
Mel leaned over as we ate and whispered, “Who is he?”
“He came up last night, seems like a decent guy.”
“Is he going to stay here?”
I shrugged, “Dunno; we’ll see.”
As we ate, we discussed the day’s activities. There was a lot of work to be done; fortunately, we had enough bodies to tackle it. Sarge wanted a patrol to go out. It would be him, Mike and Ted. The rest of us were going to work on the bunker. The design was well understood at this point, and we hoped to finish it today. The addition of Dalton would certainly help. Once everyone was fed, we got things ready for the day.
Thad brought in one of the water jugs and put what ice we had in it. The hand tools were being gathered and loaded into the Suburban. Danny was out checking the chains on the saws and I was dragging out a wheelbarrow when Kay came up.
“Morgan, we have a bunch of eggs, too many. Do you think you could go trade some with those people down the road for some vegetables?”
“Yeah, I’m sure they’d like them.”
“I’ll go get them for you. It would be nice to have some fresh veggies.”
After shoving the wheelbarrow in the back of the truck, I went inside. Kay had a basket full of eggs; I had no idea the chickens were so productive.
“Wow, how many do we have left?” I asked.
“Several dozen. I’m just worried they’re going to spoil.”
Picking one up, I noted, “We could always preserve them.”
“How are we going to do that?” Bobbie asked from the sink.
“I know there’s some mineral oil around here somewhere. All you have to do is wipe them with oil. Covering the shell completely prevents them from spoiling. They’ll last a long time.”
Kay leaned against the bar and crossed her arms, “I’ve never heard that. You sure it works?”
Nodding, I replied, “Oh sure, the other way is to use this stuff called sodium silicate, commonly called waterglass; but we don’t have any of that. The mineral oil will work just fine.”
Kay looked at the basket, “In that case I’ll take some of these out. There will still be plenty to trade; but if we can store them, we can certainly use them.”
Kay took a couple dozen out of the basket. Bobbie said she had some mineral oil, and they would coat the eggs with it. I took the basket out to the truck and set it in the front seat. Everyone was already walking down to the bunker. Mel and the girls waited for me. As I got in the truck, Little Bit asked if she could drive.
“I think you’ll still fit. Climb up here,” I said, patting my lap.
She quickly stomped her way into my lap. Amazing how kids always manage to step in the one place you don’t want them to. I steered us out the gate and let her take over. As we passed those walking, she was sure to honk and wave, making sure everyone saw her driving. Once everyone arrived, we got to work. I was hoping we could finish this project today. All we had to do was roof the structure.
With the center loadbearing poles in place, we laid logs across them that spanned the width of the bunker. With the ends resting on the outer walls and center supported, the basic structural foundation was complete. We then started covering the top with more logs.
“We’re going to need more,” Thad said as he rolled the end of a log into place.
Danny, Thad and Dalton volunteered to go with him to cut more, and they headed off with the tractor. While they were gone, the rest of us put the last logs we had in place and took a break.
I’d just sat back against the wall of the bunker when Jess asked, “Are we going to get some weapons training in today?”
“I’m sure you will. We’re almost done with this. When they get the next load here, that should do it.” I looked up at the logs over my head, “I’ve been thinking about the roof. I want to spread some plastic out on it and cover it with dirt to keep the rain out.”
“Good idea, I was thinking the same thing,” Jeff said.
Lee Ann and Taylor were sitting in opposite corners of the bunker asleep. I envied them; teenagers could fall asleep anywhere. I remember those days of falling asleep in class. Man I miss that.
I decided to try and speed the process up. “Hey Jeff, want to help me spread the plastic on what we’ve already got down? We could even start piling the dirt on.”
Jeff jumped up. “Yeah, let’s do it.”
Everyone except the two sleeping princesses pitched in as well. Fred, Jess and Aric spread the plastic while I started shoveling dirt into the barrow. Jeff moved some dirt to create a ramp on one side of the bunker so we could get it to the top. It took a couple of loads dumped there as well, but we finally had a ramp to the top. After several back and forth rolls to compact the loose dirt, we were able to roll it up to the roof and start dumping.
We set up a pretty good system. With Mel helping me fill the barrow, Jeff would roll it up and dump, and Jess’s crew would spread it out. It didn’t take long to cover the portion of roof that was ready. Once we’d done all we could there, we started working on the sides. I wanted to pile as much dirt as we could against the walls. It would help hide it in a way, and increase the ballistic protection some. We were working on the front, packing dirt and pieces of wood around the viewports when Thad showed up with more logs.
“You guys got a lot done!” He shouted.
“We’re working on it,” I replied as I unchained the logs.
“I think one more trip will do it,” Thad said as I handed him the chain.
Looking back at the logs he’d just delivered, I agreed. “We’ll have these in place by the time you get back.”
As he rode out of sight, we got back to work. By the time the cutting crew returned, we had the last load of logs in place and were shoveling dirt onto them. The guys took a minute to grab a drink of water and cool off. Dalton filled a cup and took a long drink.
“Man, that’s like some sort of magic,” Dalton held the cup out looking at it. “I haven’t had ice water in forever.” He refilled the cup and drained it again.
“Yeah, we’re lucky. Makes it nice on a hot day,” Danny replied.
We all pitched in to get the last logs in place. We completed the rest of the roof with that last load, and pulled the plastic over it. The girls were up from their nap, and I put them to work on the roof spreading the dirt dumped there. The job was almost complete, and we were winding down when Sarge and the guys showed up. They were a bit of an odd sight as each of them was carrying a rake.
Jess shielded her eyes from the sun, “You guys been gardening?”
“Kind of,” Ted replied with a grin.
“We rake the trails we patrol. That way if anyone walks on them we can tell,” Sarge said.
Dalton was nodding his head, “Good idea.”
“Now that you guys are done raking, can we get to our training?” Fred asked.
Sarge smiled, “Yes ladies. Let’s go have lunch and we’ll get to it.”
“Lunch?” Dalton shouted. “You people eat three times a day?”
“We try,” I replied.
He slapped his stomach, “Damn, I’m going to get fat!”
“It isn’t much, but it keeps us going,” Mel said.
“I’m going to run over to Gena and Dylan’s house really quick to trade these eggs. Miss Kay wants some veggies, and I’m sure they have some.”
“Can I come?” Little Bit asked.
“Sure kiddo.”
“I’ll come with you too,” Danny said.
As everyone got ready to head back to Danny’s, Mel told me to hurry. I promised I would as we loaded into the truck. I stopped at the barricade and Ian came up to my window.
“Seen anything?” I asked.
Ian waved the question off, “Nope, nothing.”
“Just the heat, man it’s hot!” Jamie added.
“And only going to get worse,” Danny replied.
Jamie wiped her forehead, “Great.”
Pointing with my thumb over my shoulder, I said, “The first bunker is done. I guess we’re going to be moving this position back there.”
“Why? We won’t be able to see the road from back there,” Jamie asked.
I shrugged, “It is not mine to question why.”
Ian laughed, “Whatever, I don’t care either way.”
Danny leaned forward, “You still have water?”
Ian nodded, “Yeah, we’re good.”
“We’re going to run trade for some veggies; be right back,” I said as I put the truck in gear.
“By Mister Ian!” Little Bit shouted.
Ian and Jamie waved as we turned out onto the road. Danny was looking out the window and commented that we needed some rain.
“It’s dry; just be careful what you wish for,” I replied.
Pulling up at Gena and Dillon’s, I shut the truck off as Dylan came around the side of the house. He waved when he saw us.
“Hey Morgan, Danny. What brings you boys by?”
Taking the basket of eggs off the seat, I replied, “We were hoping to trade you guys some eggs for some veggies.”
He smiled, “We can do that; I’d love some eggs.”
As we were talking, Gena came out on the porch. We said our hellos, and Dylan told her we wanted to trade some eggs. She too smiled, “Oh that would be great! We have a lot of veggies; I’ve been canning for days.”
“Bring ‘em in the house,” Dylan said. “You want canned or fresh?” Dylan asked.
“I think fresh, they won’t last long,” Danny replied.
Gena looked at Little Bit, “And who’s this?”
I put my arm around her, “This is Little Bit.”
Gena smiled, “Hi Little Bit.”
She smiled, “Hi.”
Gena, took her hand, “Come with me, I have something for you.”
We followed Gena into the kitchen to find nearly every horizontal surface covered with fresh vegetables. Jars were sitting where the produce wasn’t, both full and empty. It was an impressive amount of food.
“Damn, looks like you guys have been busy,” I said.
Dylan looked around, “Yeah, and we’re eating as much as we can stand too.”
“I wish our garden was producing like this,” Danny said.
Dylan smiled, “That greenhouse is the best thing I ever did. Had no idea at the time it would save our lives, but it sure is.”
Gena took a jar down from a shelf and set a plate out on the table. She spooned a large piece of honey comb out onto the plate, “You like honeycomb, don’t you?”
Little Bit licked her lips, “Oh yes ma’am.”
Gena handed her a fork, “Here you go.”
She quickly set about eating the comb, honey running down her chin as she tried to stuff pieces too large into her mouth. She smiled as she chewed, rocking in the chair. It made all of us smile.
I handed Gena the basket. “Here are the eggs, Gena.”
She looked at the basket, “Oh they look wonderful. They’ll be so good in omelets.”
She set the basket on the counter and removed the eggs, placing them on a small towel in the sink. When the basket was empty, she started filling it with produce, asking all the while if we wanted this or that. We replied we’d be happy with whatever she gave us. She piled tomatoes and cucumbers, peppers, onions, squash and green peppers into the basket. Not done there, she gave us a big bag of okra, another full bag of green beans, and finally, a large bag of greens.
I looked into the bag of greens, “What are these?”
“That’s New Zealand spinach. We’ve got so much of it, there’s no way we can eat it all.”
Dylan grunted. “Yeah, I’ve been poopin’ green for a damn week.”
I looked at what she was preparing for us, “Gena this is too much, really.”
“No, no; you guys take it. We have more than we can use. It’ll go to waste if you don’t take it. That greenhouse really produces,” Gena insisted.
Little Bit finished her honeycomb, and wandered around the kitchen sampling the other offerings. Gena was all too happy to give her anything she showed interest in, and nothing was refused.
“You’re not hungry are you?” Gena asked.
Little Bit smiled, “I haven’t had lunch yet.”
“Looks to me like you just did,” Danny said with a laugh.
“I think you’ve had some of everything we have now,” Gena said looking around the kitchen.
I looked at the pile of food. “Gena, our trades are always lopsided. We always come out on top of the deals.”
“Don’t worry about it. We’ve got more than we can use. I’d rather give it to you than throw it away. You brought these eggs, and we really need them; so we’re just as thankful.”
“Well, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask us,” Danny added.
She waved us off, “Oh don’t you worry about it.”
We walked out on the porch carrying the produce. “Let me put this away,” I said.
Little Bit looked at Gena, “Thank you for the honeycomb, Miss Gena.”
Gena smiled, “Oh, you’re welcome, sweetie.”
A sudden burst of automatic fire sounded in the distance. We all looked in the direction of Altoona; it wasn’t very far.
“What the hell was that?” Dylan asked. The firing continued in long bursts.
“That sounds like a machinegun; it just keeps going,” Danny said.
I looked at Gena, “Hey, could she stay here for a minute?”
“What is it Daddy, I don’t want to stay here; I want to go with you.”
I patted her head, “It’s probably nothing kiddo, but I need to go check it out.”
Gena knelt down, “You can help me with my canning. You didn’t see the stove out back. You want to help?”
“Thanks Gena,” I said as I headed for the truck.
Danny hopped in and looked over, “What the hell are we going to do against a damn machinegun?”
“Let’s just go see what it is,” I replied. The gunfire was still sounding in the distance.
We pulled out onto the road and I stopped, looking towards Altoona. We didn’t see anything in the road, but it was still a little far off. I slowly started to roll towards the store, both of us keeping our eyes peeled. As the Kangaroo ca
me into view, I could see a number of people on the ground. There were a few others that appeared to be trying to offer them help.
“What the hell happened here?” Danny asked.
“I don’t know. See any shooters?”
“No”
We rolled into the chaos in the parking lot. There were several people who were obviously dead. The shouting and crying of those injured and those trying to help them filled the air. We both hopped out, weapons at the ready. I grabbed the first person I came to and asked what happened.
“Some soldiers showed up and started shooting. They just rolled up and opened fire.”
“Soldiers, are you sure?”
“They were driving a Hummer and were in uniform! Hard to miss the big damn machinegun they were shooting!”
I went back to the truck and grabbed the handheld radio. I called Sarge, “Swamp Rat, you there?”
“Go for Swamp Rat.”
“Get Doc up to the Kangaroo, there are several wounded up here. We need some help.”
“We’re on our way.”
“Don’t bring the Hummer.”
“What?”
“I’ll explain when you get here; just don’t bring the Hummer.”
We tried to offer help to those we could, but we didn’t have much to work with. I wrapped an old t-shirt around the leg of a man that was hemorrhaging. Blood was pumping from a wound just above his knee. I wrapped the shirt around his thigh above it. Pulling the ASP from my vest and extending it and using it as a handle, I torqued the shirt to make an expedient tourniquet. He screamed in pain as I applied more and more pressure. When the blood stopped spurting out, I stopped and told a woman that was with him to hold it in place, and then moved on to another person.
Danny was working on a woman; though from what I saw, it was a futile effort. She’d been shot in the chest and was gasping for air. A thick froth of blood filled her mouth every time she tried to get a breath. There wasn’t much that could be done for her in our current situation. It was only a matter of time before she would die.