“How many have you done?” Allexa asked from behind her face mask, dropping the towel into the sink.
“None.”
“First time for everything, Doctor. Just fix him!”
They worked silently for several minutes while the doctor probed the wound. Finding the small caliber bullet, he eased it out and dropped it in a dish. He cleaned the wound again and stitched up the hole.
“That wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.” The doctor smiled and realized how inappropriate that was to say. “I’m going to give him some antibiotics for the infection, but he’s lost a great deal of blood, Allexa.”
“I’ll go get Jason,” she said, peeling off her surgical gloves.
“I can’t cross type,” James said, reminding her of their lack of facilities.
“You don’t need to. They’re the same type and have already proven compatible.” She dashed out the door to find her other son.
***
Jason was walking down the street toward the school when he saw the Hummer careen around the corner. He had just left the house he’d been working on for over a week.
“Get in!” Allexa yelled, slamming on the brakes. “Eric’s been shot and needs some blood!”
***
“You know, bro, you probably have as much of my blood in you as I do,” Jason chided his brother when Eric opened his eyes.
“Hey, any time you need it back, just say so.” Eric closed his eyes again and slept.
Jason left, concerned for his brother, and passed Rayn coming in to trade places. “He was just awake and talked. I think that’s a good sign. Dr. James said he could go home when he can stay awake.”
“We will all be glad for that,” Rayn replied. “When are you going to take Allex to the new house?”
“Not until Eric can be part of it.”
***
The following day, Tom White walked up the street with Allexa.
“Where are we going?” Allexa asked.
“You’ll see, just be patient,” Tom said.
They passed Bradley’s Backyard, and Harold waved at them. Tom stopped at the gate that was the entrance to the fenced in yard at what had been Bradleys’ house, where they met Jason and Amanda, Eric, with his arm in a sling, and Rayn. They ushered Allexa to the porch, knowing she couldn’t see her green camouflage ATV parked in the garage.
When Eric opened the door for her, Allexa looked perplexed, until she stepped inside. The living room held her couch, TV, all her DVD’s, her end table, lamps and bookshelves. Even her paintings were on the walls. Her lip began to quiver. She wandered from room to room with the group following her. Her bed and the familiar patchwork spread were in the bedroom, along with her dresser, and the closet held her clothes. Even the curtains were hers. The second bedroom had been converted into a pantry with the shelves from the one at the wrecked house. There wasn’t as much on the shelves as before. Many of the canning jars had been broken when the tree fell on the greenhouse during the tornado, claiming much of her remaining home canned food supply.
Jason came up behind her and whispered, “Eric and I combed through the wreckage and found what we could of your…umm…arsenal. Everything we could find and the buckets of ammo are in this closet.” He tapped his hand on a door. “If anything is missing, let me know and we’ll take another look, okay?”
Allexa nodded and left that door closed for now.
In the kitchen she lost her composure and started crying when she saw her wood cook stove and her rocking chair beside it. “How did you get the stove here? I thought it was crushed.”
“Only the pipes were damaged and we got them bumped out. What Earl Tyler couldn’t fix he made new,” Jason told her proudly. “I couldn’t salvage that table though, the one you hid under. The cupboards were splintered, but oddly the countertops were mostly intact.”
Allexa ran her hand across the familiar green marble surface and saw her favorite cookbook, A Prepper’s Cookbook: 20 Years of Cooking in the Woods, sitting on a bookstand. She spotted her refrigerator and the basic gas stove she’d used for so many years.
She opened drawers to find the flatware she had had for over thirty-five years; the cupboards held her dishes and cookware.
“It’s a good thing you had spares of the dishes in the barn, Mom. Most of what was in the house were smashed. Sorry, we could only save a few of your wine glass collection though,” Eric apologized. “The other day you said you didn’t have a home anymore. We hope this will be it now.”
“How did you get this done so quickly?” Allexa asked, stifling another sniffle and trying not to dwell on what Eric had just said.
“Everyone pitched in, Allex, even me,” Tom said. “Not that I wanted to lose my housemate, though I do feel better now that you are in town, close by and safe.”
“The town ladies, led by Amanda, scoured the house a room at a time, and were finished in less than a day.” Jason gave his wife a squeeze. “And the men were more than happy to keep moving stuff until everything was here and in place, once I made some repairs. The only thing we didn’t change was the flooring. The hardwood is in good condition though, and I can refinish it later if you want.”
“Everything in the cupboards and closets were washed before we put them away,” Amanda chimed in to reassure her mother-in-law. “Tufts’ litter box is in the laundry room for now. I didn’t know where you would want it.”
Allexa nodded in acknowledgement, her throat closing when she tried to speak.
After looking out the window to the backyard, Allexa found the back door and stepped out. There was her bird bath, with water running down through the miner’s pan, splashing into the chipped concrete bowl. Her miner had found her. A garden plot had been turned up and her few vegetables were in pots, waiting to be planted. She went back inside and turned to her family. “I don’t know what to say, except…thank you.” She wiped the tears away again yet they continued down her cheeks. “This is a lot to take in. I think I’d like to be alone for a little while.”
“One last thing…” Eric opened the refrigerator and brought out a chilled bottle of champagne that Tom had found in his wine cellar. Rayn poured six glasses.
“Welcome home, Mom,” Eric and Jason said together, raising their glasses.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Allexa stretched slowly, running her sensitive hands down the soft cotton sheets, and opened her eyes. She focused on the unfamiliar ceiling, sat up with a jolt, and looked around. When her breathing returned to normal, she swung her legs over the edge of the soft bed and sat a moment. There was her dresser, and beside it was the brass hook that held her blue terrycloth robe. And she remembered.
Tufts meowed from the doorway, bringing her back to someone’s need besides her own.
“Breakfast time already?” she said to the cat. “I hope they remembered to bring some of your food,” she mumbled, making her way to the kitchen where the coffee was already brewed.
***
Out of long habit from living without power, Allexa filled a large water jug from the tap and placed it in the freezer. Tonight, she knew the refrigerator would start to warm with the power off, and she would put the ice in to keep cool what little she had. In the morning, she would again rotate it, deciding some habits were good to keep.
***
By noon Allexa had planted the rescued tomatoes, peppers, and green bean plants into her small plot. The paintings in the living room were rearranged more to her liking, her dirk was hanging in the hall now, and her underwear was back in the appropriate drawers.
She was bored.
Allexa grabbed the mail satchel from the Hummer and walked down to the Nuns Shoppe to check in with the sisters.
“I’m so sorry to hear about Eric’s injury,” Sister Margaret said, her eyes shining with sincere sorrow.
“As long as he t
akes it easy for a week or so, he’ll be fine,” Allexa said. “In all the excitement I forgot to bring you the mail we collected at Sawyer.”
The nun scanned through the bag. “Not much correspondence, although I do see several magazines and catalogues. That will cheer everyone up!”
“I’ve been meaning to ask how the mail is being delivered. Now that I’m back in town I could help.”
“I do appreciate the offer, however, Sister Lynn has taken that duty. You know how much she loves to socialize with the townspeople.”
***
“I don’t see why everyone is so worried about me,” Allexa said through gritted teeth. “I only want to dig up some of the herbs from my…the other yard.”
“Your sons love you, Allex. We all do. And I don’t think you realize the scope of their anxiety when your house collapsed with you inside,” Tom said. “Give them some time to adjust that you are still as feisty and hardheaded as always.” He smiled. “And remember, it’s one of your own rules that no one goes anywhere alone. Harold volunteered to go with you, and I think he’s anxious to see what he might be able to dig up as well.”
“Fine.” Allexa sat hard in the nearest chair with her arms crossed, scowling. “He better hurry, it looks like another storm is approaching.” Black clouds were circling to the west and approaching at an alarming speed.
“I’m not sure we should be going anywhere, Allex,” Harold said, shaking a few raindrops from his jacket when he entered the town office. Without a sound of warning, the sky opened and a deluge of murky gray rain descended, filling the asphalt parking lot with muddy puddles. Moments later it stopped and the weak sun was shining again.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the sudden changes in the weather,” Allexa said. “Let’s go before it starts again.”
***
“That squall must have hit only in town; this ground looks dry,” Allexa commented, emerging from her old Subaru. She opened the tall sliding doors to the big brown metal barn that was untouched by the tornado and found a shovel, a spade, and a couple of plant flats. “Spearmint is in the center of the yard, where the birdbath is… was. Oregano, thyme, and sage are at the other end where the greenhouse…was.” Her voice hitched slightly. She already missed all of it. She headed to the other side, near the garden.
“What’s over there?” Harold asked.
“Tarragon, chives, and catnip,” Allexa replied. “I’m sure Tufts will appreciate some of his stash.”
“Your garden was really big,” he commented, admiring the fenced in area. “Are there any salvageable perennials in there? We might as well get all we can while we’re here.”
“There are some strawberries, rhubarb, and horseradish I think we should take. I’m going to be selfish and take the asparagus for myself,” she said possessively and frowned. She wasn’t used to being selfish; every now and then it was good for the soul though.
They dug and potted in silence for an hour, lining up the full containers near the back of the car. Allexa drew off some water from the nearly dry cistern and gave all the plants a light drink, then Harold carefully lifted each one into the back of the car.
***
“What do you think of starting a new garden just for all the herbs?” Harold asked, unloading two of the pots they had filled at Allexa’s new home. “Maybe at the Inn, so Marsha has easy access for cooking?”
“Good idea. Perhaps in the beds that held annual flowers. The ground is already turned, and I think it would look nice. I think I’ll keep the catnip though, and some chives for my yard,” Allexa replied. At the Inn she backed into a parking spot painted with yellow lines, silently laughing at herself for being so rigid. They emptied the back of the dark green car, with the exception of a few more pots. “You can handle this, right? I’m taking the rest of my stuff home.”
Without waiting for him to respond, she left, leaving him staring after her.
***
“I tried, Jason, I really did. Your mother doesn’t want to be involved with doing things with others right now,” Harold said. “I’ve seen this before, and it’s my opinion that she’s struggling with some depression. Not something unreasonable considering all she’s been through.”
“I guess,” Jason replied. “It’s so frustrating for us. She’s done so much for us, always has, that we want to do for her now, and it’s not working.”
“Your mother needs to be needed. She needs a goal, something to work at,” Harold said, wiping his hands on his work trousers. “Give her time. I’m sure something will come up.”
***
Allexa sat at her desk in the township office, idly tapping a pencil against the spiral notebook. After breaking the lead tip for the third time, she tossed the pencil in the top drawer without sharpening it and wandered into the communication room where Emilee was involved with a very animated chat. She watched her granddaughter for a few minutes and felt a wave of pleasure at how the girl had grown in the last two years.
“Who were you talking to?” Allexa asked when Emilee signed off and removed the headphones.
“Oh, hi Nahna. That was my mom. If I had known you were here I would have asked you to say hello to her. She misses everyone.”
“I’m sure she’s very busy,” Allexa commented.
“She sure is. With all the flooding in Florida, they had to move the EOC to Atlanta! She still makes time for her weekly call to me though.” Emilee gave Allexa one of her brightest smiles.
Allexa smiled in return, remembering the first time Emilee contacted her mother, Beth, on the ham radio. It was a joyous reunion for everyone. “I think it’s time for you to get back to class though.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Emilee scampered out the front door to her purple ATV and hurried back to school.
***
“I didn’t know you were here, Allex,” Tom said, setting his notebook down on his wide oak desk. “I was out checking fuel levels.”
“How are they holding up?”
“We use by far more diesel than we do gasoline,” he replied, “but we still have a good supply of both, thanks to the monthly shipments from Sawyer.”
“Good. I’m heading back home, Tom. Why don’t you stop over later for dinner? There are some things we should discuss about my trip with Eric,” Allexa said. She hadn’t yet had the opportunity to tell him about her “promotion.” She picked up her bike from where she had left it leaning against the building and pedaled slowly back to her house, never seeing what pulled into the parking lot shortly after she’d left.
***
“Allex!” Sister Agnes called out when Allexa rode slowly past the Down Rigger’s building. “You have a letter from your sister.”
Allexa leaned her bike against the building and joined the nun at the store’s office desk. “I guess I should have looked through the mail before dropping it off,” she said. The envelope displayed her sister’s flowery handwriting and she smiled, tucking the pink paper into her back pocket. Mail from her sister was very private and she wanted to be alone when reading it.
***
Several military vehicles pulling into the township parking lot drew Tom’s attention away from his paperwork. Paperwork Allexa usually took care of.
“What the…?” Two mossy green jeeps come to a stop, each with two passengers. The covered transport parked to the side and from the back, six soldiers emerged.
Tom immediately stepped out of the low building. “What can I do for you?” he asked.
One of them stepped forward and introduced himself. “I’m Captain O’Brian, United States Army, and we’re here to enforce martial law.”
“We’re already under martial law,” Tom said.
Capt. O’Brian stilled. He wasn’t military any longer and didn’t have any orders. This was the first resistance of any kind they’d come against during an initial contact. He thought
fast. “Who are you?”
“Tom White, mayor of Moose Creek. Again, what can I do for you?”
O’Brian smiled. “Well, Mr. Mayor, the first thing we would really appreciate is something to eat and a place to bivouac. We’ve been on the road for some time now, checking and securing the citizens whenever we find pockets of survivors. It’s been a few days since we left the good people of Sidney and my men are tired and hungry.”
“Of course. If you will follow me, I’ll take you to the Inn, where you will be fed, though it might not be much. Food is still scarce here.” Tom locked the office door and backed his car out of the parking area to lead the way.
***
The ten soldiers pushed tables together in a corner so they could talk privately. Marsha Maki carried bowls and spoons to the men, while her husband Arnie set the tureen of soup in the center of the table. Returning with two platters of sliced bread, one for either end, she said, “This is all there is right now, but you’re welcome to it. There’s another storm moving in. I’ve been instructed by the mayor to offer you the five vacant rooms upstairs. There is a communal bathroom with showers on the same floor. Power is shut down promptly at nine o’clock.” She backed away and left when she saw two of the older men leering at her.
“Stop it,” O’Brian growled. “We just got here. I don’t want you guys starting trouble right off the bat. Eat your dinner and be thankful for a hot meal.” He grabbed a slice of fresh bread and spooned the soup into his rank tasting mouth. He hadn’t brushed his teeth in days, ever since they were run out of Sidney and they had to leave precious supplies behind, including his toothbrush. He savored the warmth of the soup and longed for the days when the army took care of even the lowest ranking privates, like him.
The Journal: Martial Law Page 16