Nellie stripped off his shirt, letting it hang on the arm Nelson was holding. Grabbing the Velcro straps of his bulletproof vest, she started ripping them off and lifted it off as Michelle told him to put his leg down. Undoing his belt, Nellie dropped his pants, and Michelle tapped his legs and pulled them off.
“I got him,” Nellie said, grabbing Matt’s other arm. When Nelson let go, he pulled the shirt off as Nellie led him down the hall. Gavin ran over and grabbed the clothes off the floor and carried them to the washer.
Walking over to the couch, Nelson grabbed Matt’s rig and carried it into the kitchen then set it on top of the refrigerator. He turned to see Gavin looking at him. “Grab a plastic bag so we can strip down Ashley’s car,” he told him, and Gavin ran over to the garbage can and pulled a bag from the box beside it.
They went outside and took everything out of the car, even removing the license plates. In the trunk, they found two soft gun cases and a hard suitcase that Nelson had never seen with Matt before. Curious, he opened one, and his eyes got wide looking at an M-4A3 and a UMP 45. On the side of each was stamped, “Property of the U.S. Government.”
“Holy shit,” Nelson mumbled, and Gavin looked over.
“One is just like your AR, Dad. What’s so special about the other one?” Gavin asked, looking at the weapons.
Looking down, he saw his son leaning over, looking into the trunk. “Gavin,” Nelson said, zipping up the bag and pulling it out with the other one. “Carry these inside, and tell Momma that these bags hold trouble but keep them near,” he said, holding out the bags. With the straps over his shoulders, Gavin struggled to hold them off the ground as he carried them to the front door.
Looking back in the trunk, Nelson found a suitcase and knew it was Matt’s and took it out, checking to make sure nothing else was left in the trunk. Closing the trunk, he went through the car one more time and found a Barbie doll head under the passenger seat. Throwing it in the bag, he stood up and realized Matt had left the keys in the ignition.
Taking the keys and closing the door, Nelson grabbed the garbage bag and suitcase and carried them inside, using the side door. He found Michelle putting the gun cases in the empty gun safe. “Where in the hell did he get this?” she asked in a loud whisper, closing the safe door.
Looking at Michelle like she lost her mind, he said, “Baby, I can’t use the force today because my Jedi powers have been drained, so I can’t read his mind or make him speak.” He paused for a moment. “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for.”
She shook her head and smirked. “You’re so weird.” She wanted to say something about his Star Wars toys. Once again, she held her tongue; Nelson was very much a Star Wars geek and didn’t like those big action figures called toys.
“See, I lost the force. You were supposed to say, ‘These aren’t the droids we are looking for,’” he said, dropping the bag and suitcase.
“I swear if you ask me to strap bagels on the side of my head, I’ll hit ya.” She grinned.
A grin split his face. “How about wearing the Leia slave costume when she was on Jaba’s barge?” he asked.
Unable to help it, Michelle laughed. “You find one, and I’ll wear it,” she offered.
“Oh yeah, you say that now,” he said, throwing up his hands.
She walked over and hugged him. “You’re so bad,” she said, grinning. “You know those are government weapons, right?”
“Yes I do,” Nelson said.
“One bag has a windbreaker that has ‘Homeland Agent’ and the seal on the back,” she told him.
That startled Nelson, making him jump. “He took them from the crime scene,” Nelson mumbled.
Stepping back, Michelle got nervous. “You don’t think the police know he’s here, do you?”
“Shit, baby, half of them have been over here for cookouts,” he said.
Michelle was about to say something when they heard a phone vibrate, then Michelle let out a yelp and jumped. “I forgot about this,” she said, taking out her prepaid phone. “Hello,” she answered and listened. “I know he doesn’t have it. We are still at the house,” she said into the phone. “We have been ready to go and would’ve been gone, but you said stay put, so don’t get high and mighty with me, or I’ll kick your ass,” she snapped.
“Is that Gerald?” Nelson whispered, and she held up her hand.
“What are we doing?” she snapped at the phone. “Well, my husband convinced me to wear the slave costume Princess Leia wore on Jaba’s barge and molest me. What the hell are you doing?” she almost yelled. She listened and held out the phone, looking at the screen, then put the phone back to her ear. “Hello, are you there?” she asked into the phone.
After a few minutes, she snapped, “Well, you asked, so be prepared for the answer.” She listened. “No, he doesn’t have one for me to wear,” she sighed, rolling her eyes. “We are getting off topic. What did you call for, and just to let you know, we are leaving before tomorrow morning whether you like it or not.”
Listening for a minute, she stomped her foot. “Enough about the costume!” she shouted. “If my husband wants me to wear it and molest me, he can, and you can’t watch and record it!” Nelson took a step back and started to think where he could get one as Michelle listened. “Yes, the others are here with their stuff,” she said. “I’m not going to say why we have to leave on the phone,” she growled. “Okay, see you then,” she said and hung up.
Looking up at Nelson, she saw a stupid grin on his face. “You can’t find one, so forget about it,” she said, putting the phone in her pocket. “Gerald will be here before noon. His sister’s with him. They had to pull over off the road last night so a convoy could pass them. He wanted to come here and wait a day, but I told him we weren’t, and he said we would talk about it when he got here.”
“I can find one,” Nelson said, still wearing the stupid look.
Walking over, Michelle grabbed his arms. “Baby, I need the other head thinking right now,” she told him.
Dejected, the stupid look fell off his face along with the hopes of the costume. “Okay,” he mumbled.
“When we get to the farm, you and I will sneak off into the woods,” she enticed him.
That perked him up. “Okay,” he said. “They have any trouble?”
“He didn’t say,” she answered, looking at her watch. “I recorded the president’s message, and it’s already started.”
“Fine, let’s go watch the idiot,” he said as she turned toward the door.
Walking inside, they found the girls at the table with Gavin. Devin was in his swing, laughing, and Nellie was holding Mike and feeding him. “Nellie, why didn’t you come and get me?” Michelle asked, moving over to the table and saw the girls were eating.
“Didn’t need to. I can take care of them,” she said with a smile. “These last few years have been some of mine and Bernard’s happiest with you and the others.”
“Do I need to feed Devin?” Michelle asked as Nelson headed to the living room and turned on the TV.
Nellie shook her head. “No, he ate a bowl of eggs with biscuit and drank a bottle.”
“And he’s still awake?” she asked, shocked, looking at Devin just laughing away.
“I think he’s fighting it,” Nellie said, looking up.
“My fellow Americans,” was heard in the living room, and they both headed in as the president started.
“I know many of you are distraught about the government decision to take over the savings, but the action was felt necessary to protect the retirement future of millions of Americans. It was done for your good,” he stressed.
“The violence being directed at government workers will not be tolerated. Your elected officials along with myself felt this was the best course of action to preserve America, and violent actions will change nothing. The law was passed, and it was ruled within the constitutional limits by the Supreme Court by unanimous decision, and violence won’t change that,” he said wi
th a harsh tone.
Nelson looked at Michelle. “I feel like he’s trying to scold us,” he said as the president continued.
“People not showing up for work can’t and won’t be tolerated. The nation is paying a dear price for it. So I have enacted an executive order from one of my predecessors that puts the work force under federal control. Starting tomorrow, anyone not reporting to work will be picked up and detained by police. It is mandatory that all businesses report workers who don’t show up. Only businesses that have been closed by the ATF will remain closed, and those workers are advised to find new employment as those businesses will only be allowed to open once the ATF has deemed them to provide a service to the general public. All medical, transportation, law enforcement, energy production, water, and city workers who don’t show up will be detained and fined,” he said with a stern expression.
“Now, the Federal Reserve will allow banks to open Thursday, but banks will only allow two hundred dollars a week to be withdrawn. Those cashing checks must open an account but may only receive two hundred dollars. No other institution is allowed to cash checks other than banks. Checks and credit cards may still be used, but excessive use on an account, and the bank can lock the account. This is being done so people don’t run out and withdraw all their money, thinking the sky is falling.
“Your money is still there, and those that had their savings turned over to the social security administration will receive statements in the next few months. You will still be able to borrow against your account as long as your bank approves it.
“We know people have to eat, so up to two hundred dollars a week per person in a household may be used from any bank account. The hoarding of food will not be allowed or tolerated and if discovered will be confiscated. Then, those responsible will be detained and fined. Any household may only keep a ten-day food supply on hand. All government-sponsored food programs will continue with no changes as will all government assistance,” he said, narrowing his eyes, “as long as the violence stops.
“I signed an executive order that went into effect last night that requires that all guns possessed by the public must remain inside the residence of the owner. No firearms are allowed outside any home for any reason. This leaves the second amendment intact and protects the federal workers trying to do their jobs. Over a hundred have been killed in the last forty-eight hours, and this will not be tolerated. In my executive order, I mandated any federal agent that feels threatened has the right to use any force necessary up to and including deadly force. Any federal employee has the right to do so without the fear of prosecution. Only law enforcement, federal agents, and the military are allowed to have weapons in public.
“As many of you have seen, our military has been deployed in the streets of America to bring peace back to the streets. Any person seen trying to burn or destroy a bank will be seen as an enemy combatant, and deadly force is authorized. This has to stop,” he said, hitting the desk with his fist. “Over a thousand banks have been burned down or destroyed, and the FBI is investigating each one, and those responsible will be brought to justice.
“I’m sure many have heard about another order I signed that went into effect last night that brings all petroleum products under federal control. Starting Thursday morning, citizens must report to their local law enforcement and receive a fuel ration card. You must show how far you drive to work or why you need more, and the appointed office will grant you a card to use for fuel that may only be used for transportation. No establishment that sells fuel may do so until the cards are issued and may only give the amount allotted. Those that break this executive order will be detained and fined. We must protect our natural resources and stop the importation of oil to make America independent.
“The next executive order that went into effect last night deals with the department of education. Schools will open and start next week, and all students must attend public schools. The school year will consist of eleven months out of the year. The summer vacation was started to allow children to help with the harvest, and this is no longer a valid reason. Our children must get used to showing up every day. Any private school that wishes to become public must contact the department of education for approval. Home schooling is no longer an approved means of teaching. We owe it to the next generation to give them the education they need.”
Softening his expression, the president smiled at the camera. “Citizens of America, when this crisis subsides, many of the executive orders will be laid aside, and our American way of life will continue with only minor changes. I encourage all of you that if you see anyone breaking the law or acting out of the ordinary to call the authorities. I thank you, and have a nice day,” he said, beaming at the camera.
When the screen switched to several people sitting around a table, Nelson turned the TV off. “This isn’t America any longer,” he mumbled.
“Notice he didn’t say ‘God Bless America’ at the end,” Michelle said.
He jumped up. “Did you hear the rest of that?” he asked, looking at her.
“Yes, baby, but America was built in Christian values, and now, they are mandating all kids must go to public schools to be brainwashed,” Michelle snapped.
“Baby, he just gave every member of the federal government a license to kill anyone they see as a threat without fear of prosecution, and you’re worried about school?” Nelson cried out, throwing up his hands.
Narrowing her eyes, she looked at him and thought about what he said, and her face slowly changed to shock. “Oh my God,” she muttered.
“To put it lightly,” he said, walking to the kitchen.
Looking around in a panic, Michelle said, “We need to get out of here.”
“Gerald will be here soon, and we can leave,” Nelson called from the kitchen.
With tears on her face, Nellie got up and put Mike on her shoulder and patted his back until he burped. “I’m going to lay him and Devin down,” she said.
“I’ll get Devin,” Michelle said, getting up.
Gavin walked over to his dad, who was just staring out the sliding glass door at the backyard. “Daddy, is it really bad?” he asked.
“Yes, son, it’s really bad,” he said.
“I’ll go to another school if it means we won’t get in trouble,” he said, grabbing his dad’s hand.
Turning and looking down at Gavin, Nelson smiled. “No, son, that’s not America. We decide what’s best for you, not the government. They can’t just do this to us because we work.”
“I’ll help,” Gavin smiled, and Nelson’s heart almost broke at the thought of his son fighting.
“I know, son. We have to protect the family,” Nelson said and hugged him tight then looked up at the girls at the table. They both looked scared, not understanding why everyone was upset. “Hey, let’s play a game,” he said, and they both smiled, getting out of their chairs. Taking off his rifle, he put it on top of the fridge and opened the back door. “The game is chase, and I’m it,” he said. Gavin, Olivia, and Brittany ran out the door.
Soon, the sounds of laughter were ringing through the air even with many heavy hearts on the ground.
Chapter 9
When Michelle came back to the kitchen, she heard laughter coming from the backyard and went to the window over the sink. Looking out, she saw Nelson chasing the kids around the yard. He would catch one, taking them down, and chew on their belly then jump up and go after another one. Feeling the tension leaving her body as she watched, Michelle realized that was the answer: Continue to live your life with your family, and fight to keep that.
Feeling someone beside her, Michelle glanced over to see Nellie smiling, watching the game outside. “That sound alone is worth fighting for,” Nellie said in a low voice.
Putting her arm around Nellie, Michelle nodded. “Yes it is,” she agreed. They watched for the better part of an hour then started to fix lunch.
It was almost noon when Nelson and the kids came in, drenched in sweat and breathing ha
rd but with smiles on their faces. Olivia ran over to Michelle. “Momma, Daddy chased us and ate our bellies!” she cried out with a smile filling her face.
Reaching down and picking grass out of Olivia’s hair, she couldn’t help but smile. “I saw, baby. Do you still have a belly to eat?” she asked.
Throwing up her arms, Olivia cheered, “Yeah!”
As the kids moved to the table, Nelson headed to the sink, turned on the water, and stuck his head under the faucet. With water flowing over his head, he held his mouth open, gulping down mouthfuls. Seeing Nelson with his head under the faucet, Michelle ran over to the shelves above the washer, pulled down a towel, and ran over to Nelson. She draped the towel across his back as he slowly stood up, pulling the towel over his soaked head.
“Tired?” she asked, grinning, as he dried his head.
He cracked the edges of the towel open to peek out at her. “No, dying of thirst and hot as—”
Michelle’s hand shot up, putting a finger across his lips. “I get the idea,” she chuckled then reached over, grabbing the glass of iced tea she had made for him. “You hungry?” she asked, handing him the glass.
Letting the towel rest across his shoulders, Nelson took the glass and almost drained it. “I could eat,” he said, smacking his lips.
They all sat down at the table, and after prayer, they ate as the kids talked about the game. Hearing cries down the hall, Nellie and Michelle took off and came back with Mike and Devin. As they fed the babies, the group just sat, enjoying each other’s company.
It was well past noon when the dogs jumped up, giving off low growls and looking at the front of the house. The table became instantly quiet, and Nelson jumped up and pulled his rifle off the fridge. Walking into the living room, he looked out the window on the door.
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