The Days After (Far View)

by J. Richardson

  She, Airi and Cynthia walked in the deep beige sand of the beach that skirted the bay. They checked out the remains of the cottage that would be Airi and Tanner's. It was much smaller than the place they now all lived in. It would need quite a bit more repair, however and they would definitely have to scavenge for materials. The women picked up an occasional shell and just explored. The day was pleasant, Fall was certainly whispering it's arrival. They had traveled further than they noticed from the beach house. The recognizable loud click of a rifle engaging stopped them in their tracks.

  Maggie knew Cynthia already had her gun at the ready, she put her hand on her friend's arm to say wait. The big sun hat had seen better days, she lifted the wide brim and looked up at a slim figure on the deck above, a rifle in his hand. “Hello,” she said.

  The young man said, “You don't need to be around here. Go away.”

  “Sorry, we were just exploring a little. Didn't mean to trespass. Do you live here?”

  “GO-AWAY!” he raised his voice and his rifle.

  A barefoot girl, not much older than the man, who had to be barely out of his teens, stepped onto the porch. He said, “Get back in, Sis.”

  She peered over the edge of the porch and Maggie smiled up to her. “I think it's okay,” said the girl. She gently pushed her brother's rifle down. A sound of children laughing drifted from inside the house.

  Cynthia stepped forward, “I'm Cynthia, this is Maggie and Airi. Do you have children?”

  The girl looked uncertain, then she pushed open the door and three children, all under ten years old, burst onto the porch, followed by another man who came to stand by the sister.

  “Oh my goodness,” said Airi.

  The girl said, “Wait right there.” She descended to join them on the beach. The brine scented and damp wind blew across the four women, the girl pulled them under the shelter of the stilted house.

  “You do live here then?” Maggie repeated.

  “Yes, we do. About three months ago, we escaped slavers in Houston. My parents were killed when they took my brother and I, about four years ago. The two oldest children were also captives, the youngest is mine,” she explained.

  Airi had already noticed the girl of about three with cotton color hair that peeked out between the deck railing at them, “She's beautiful. What about the other man?”

  “He's my partner, the father. He was with the slavers, but really wasn't like them. He helped us escape. We just couldn't bear to leave the other two children there.”

  Cynthia said, “You're all very young. How are you surviving?” She had already noted that the house had some repairs and the children looked pretty healthy and clean.

  “Oh, we do fine. We fish and way around on the bay, there is a small group of survivors. They are good people and they have been showing us how to grow some food. They grow things and we've bartered some with them. We stay away from the main island and we'll never return to Houston.”

  Maggie said, “I promise you, we mean you no harm. We are only interested in making homes here, too.” She pointed back towards the beach house. “I believe your brother has already spotted us. Let us know if we can help you.”

  ***

  Of the six companions, only Cynthia had ever lived where the winters were mild. And she only lived in Mobile as a young girl. The winds on the coast were very often strong and the climate was humid, but it was amazing to them to not be fighting extreme cold and snow. They worked most days and with some occasional help from the two young men that the women met, by Thanksgiving not only Tanner and Airi's cottage was livable but also a house for Tom and Cynthia.

  The new acquaintances vouched for them, Will and Tanner were introduced to the survivors on the distant bayside. Even though late in the season, between the work on the houses they managed to plant a small garden. Their hopes were high to not to have to live on fish alone for the winter. Hunting would eventually be an option, but for the time being they had plenty of other work to do.

  It was small and scattered and new but it was a settlement. The three couples were very content, even in their primitive environment and they had no desire to venture out and acquire more. Will had always been particular to keep a calender. When Maggie saw that in less than a week it would be Christmas, they decided to plan a dinner and include the brother, sister, partner and children. The thought of young children being around for a Christmas celebration put them all in the spirit and they spent the next few days coming up with small presents for them. A squatty evergreen bush had to do as a tree and they decorated with shells and feathers and some of Maggie's thin ribbons.

  The clouds in the sky hung dark and heavy on the day of their Christmas, yet nothing darkened the joy of the children and everyone swam in their excitement. Airi had spent hours entertaining and playing with the children. She happily received their hugs and watched the small troupe walk down the beach, a lantern lighting their way. She really felt exhausted and even a bit nauseous. An old plastic lawn chair was a welcome resting place, she stretched out her legs, her hands across her middle and closed her eyes.

  Maggie put her hand on her shoulder, “Okay, sweetie?”

  Airi smiled, “Sure, just tired I guess. And my stomach feels a little sick.”

  There had been an assortment of dishes in the cabinets of the beach house, Maggie turned to gather up the used ones from their meal. Nothing matched, of course, but she was damn proud to have dishes. She stacked dirty plates in her hands and Airi said, “Guess I've got a little bug or something. I've had a sick stomach lately.”

  The plates slid from Maggie's grasp and hit the wooden plank floor, “Oh-my-god...you're pregnant.”

  The young daughter just laughed and then she stopped, looked to Tanner who appeared hypnotized, “I'm pregnant.”

  There was an outburst of congratulations and laughter, except from Maggie. Airi is going to have a baby and we live on a mother roachin' beach with no medical help or any conveniences. The joy of the day drained right out her toes and was replaced with cold fear for her daughter. She forced a smile to her face and joined in the happy chatter.

  Later away from Airi, she asked Cynthia if she had ever delivered a baby. The answer was no, she said that she had lost a baby when she was very young and never been pregnant again. Maggie had never had children. She assisted at the sanctuary with a couple of births, really knew little about delivering a baby.

  When the sister across the way heard that Airi was pregnant, she told her, “Don't worry, I had my little darlin' with only the help of my brother and hubby. You'll do great, you've got three women here to help. We can ask around down at the bayside camp, too. I think they have a nurse. Lucky we haven't needed care yet. I worry though, about the kids.” This was only the minutest comfort to Maggie and she knew that she would carry a knot in her stomach for the next few months.

  The Spring brought rainy, stormy weather, the lightening often illuminated the houses with bright flashes in a way those living there couldn't. Airi's sickness had vanished, she seemed to be healthy and not a bit concerned about the event that loomed only five months ahead. She insisted on helping in the garden today as they tried to get vegetables planted.

  The men had located an old child's wagon that they thought would haul their assorted water containers. It only bogged down in the deep sugary sand. Tanner had the idea of securing a pair of old water skies to the bottom, instead of wheels. They pushed and pulled and it worked decently, although Will thought I feel like a old mule when he tugged with a strap around his waist.

  The water wagon arrived at the garden and just about the same time, to the north a cloud of dust rose on the horizon and there was the rumbling sound of motors. Will said, “Take Airi and go to the cottage, it's the closest. Let us see what's coming.”

  The women hustled toward the small home of Tanner and Airi. The men stood with their guns at ready as the dust and noise drew closer. Tanner was the first to spot the metal crow sculpture and shouted, “Indi!” The
ah-oo-ga blasted out twice and the crazy quilt car twisted to a stop. Indi jumped to the ground, he and his friend grabbed on and slapped each other's back.

  As the dust settled, the Professor and the cocoa face of Rafe, looking as if he had been floured for baking beamed out. When the motorbike that was as mismatched as the auto halted, a small figure with hair striped in mimic of Indi and big goggles sprang to the ground. She ran right past the surprised men and into the arms of Cynthia who dashed in a dead run towards her. A few feet further Airi and Indi reached each other, fell to their knees laughing and embracing. Airi placed little kisses on his cheeks, “Oh, my funny friend, you are here,” tears streamed down her cheeks.

  To say that the reunion was a happy one would be an understatement. Later, sitting on the porch of Will and Maggie's the story was told. Doc said, “I'm pretty slow moving you know. We became nervous that we wouldn't make it over the pass and to the mountains before the Winter weather. We made a decision and turned south. By the time we reached the settlement of Bluffsville, you all were already gone. It was very cold by then and we...”

  Chloe, quite obviously infatuated by the wild and eccentric Indigo, her appearance a petite copy of the young man who wasn't a giant himself, jumped right in, “Indi was the mayor, don't you know and he just welcomed us right in. We stayed, I thought we would be there forever.”

  Rafe continued, “Then last Fall, Indi's mother Lou got very ill. Pneumonia it seemed. God bless her, she passed away before Christmas.”

  Tears wet Maggie's cheeks, “I'm so sorry, Indi. Your mother was a wonderful person.” The others joined in with their sympathy.

  Chloe couldn't stay solemn, “So, about a week ago, Indigo says, I think I'm going to find Airi and Tanner.” She gave her best imitation of the young man's neutral voice. “And so...here we are.” Her bracelets jangled just like Indi's.

  They moved inside now, the night was approached and the wind gusted higher. Maggie walked around their living area and lit some candles.

  Indi said, “More people have moved into Bluffsville and they are doing a good job of running the town. They don't need me, really.” He watched Maggie, “Anyway, you poor folks could use some help around here. You don't even have any power. How are you going to build a settlement without light?” He smiled at Airi, who knew the truth. They were the best friends the young man ever had and after the loss of his mother, he missed them.

  Airi stood behind Tanner and she placed her hands on her stomach that barely made a lump under her t-shirt, “That's great because Tanner and I are going to soon be three.”

  A beautiful smile crossed Indi's face, “Looks like it's time to start making plans and go to work, isn't it?”

  ***

  A lot more than vegetable seeds got planted that year. Four years after Will led his family to their seaside haven, the little settlement prospered. Doc and Rafe each took half of a beach house. The professor and Will were able to have long face to face conversations about the subjects that bored everyone else to death. Rafe remained single but often made trips to the bayside community where he had friends. An eclectic house of many hues with flags and decorations of all themes, sat not far from Airi and Tanner, underneath squatted the long auto and motorcycle. The house was home to Indigo, Chloe and the brother from down the beach. The three were as colorful as the migrating birds and totally simpatico, though the rest of the residents were not sure of anything about them.

  Six homes now dotted the beach at the mouth of the rivers. Behind them, rustic design wind turbines whirred and mellow lights not only twinkled in their windows at night, but also in the windows of huts and houses in the bayside community. Thanks to the intelligence of Indigo and the vision of all the young residents a village flourished. They often traveled out to locations to the west to search for supplies, but it was agreed that they would not investigate the big city. Indi's truck, which they had to learn to produce fuel for; which also produced the nice distilled drinkable spirits of Mayor's Brew, made exploratory trips. Sometimes successful, sometimes not. They kept their fortifications strong and were not interested in the world beyond their boundaries. They didn't even know if the rumors of restoration and government aid had materialized. Were the cities buzzing again? Did they resemble the America before the catastrophe? So far, no one had come to investigate an area with flickering lights and no caravans of cars arrived to bring vacationers to the beach. This was just fine with the people that lived where the rivers married the sea.

  A small head of coal dark shiny hair poked through the wood posts on Airi and Tanner's fenced deck and a three year old voice shouted, “Grandma, look! Look at me.”

  Maggie looked up, her stomach lurched a bit, “Oh, Lou-ci. Don't do that sweetie. Come down and see me.” As the tiny girl slowly stomped down the steps, she thought, That little stinker will be the death of me, she's far too brave. Airi had decided that Indi was way too unique to name someone after him, so they had named their daughter Lou, after his mother. Everyone called her Lou-ci.

  The girl reached her and she swung her around, making her giggle. Then Lou-ci said, “Grandma, I want to dig.” Maggie looked in her far view and saw Will, squatted down and carefully digging in an area that he had happened upon some ancient looking piece of ship wreckage a while ago.

  She put her grand daughter on the ground, turned her towards Will, “Then go and help your grandfather.” The girl wore a piece of cloth wrapped around her body, the last remnants of Maggie's blouse. She patted her small bottom and Lou-ci took off, her short legs pumping, flip flop shoes that were a little big slapping on the sand. She watched as the girl pounced on Will's back and they fell to the ground laughing. It seemed as if she could hear the echo of the heavy doors at Far View City slamming and once again, she and Will had sanctuary.

  Hope you enjoyed reading The Days After (Far View). I'm always glad to hear from my readers, so please e-mail me with your comments

  richardsonjo66@gmail.com

  *****The Days After series:

  The Days After (Big River)

  The Days After (The Tenth Year)

  The Days After (Far View)

  available on Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook and KOBO

  Four books in the No Normal Day series:

  No Normal Day

  No Normal Day II (Unity)

  No Normal Day III (West)

  No Normal Day IV (Travelers)

  available on Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook and KOBO----also, paperbacks with two novels in each volume are available on Amazon.

  Thanks for you support and interest. J. Richardson

  Table of Contents

  COPYWRIGHT

  Chapter One Under the Green Plateau

  Chapter Two A Spring Fever

  Chapter Three Outside

  Chapter Four Rolling on the River

  Chapter Five Lakeside

  Chapter Six Nothing is Forever

  Chapter Seven Big City Lights

  Chapter Eight The Far Horizon

  The Days After series:

  Four books in the No Normal Day series: