No Normal Day III (West)

by Richardson, J.

  Pat was much more accustomed to scavenging and scrounging, she had been on the road all these years. The four friends had to get back into the way of thought. As Unity had become more self sufficient, growing food, raising the livestock and chickens, hunting and bartering, the inhabitants had become accustomed to the life style. The years went by and much of the twenty first century world was rotting away. There was less and less and then practically nothing to scavenge. It was decaying and the earth was reclaiming it's land. The people who had survived were providing for themselves.

  It was about noon and they had not spotted any houses, other than country homes and barns completely collapsed, some with the rotting asphalt roofs flat to the ground. Weeds and grass were grown over the ruins and an occasional brick chimney stood alone in a field. Pat spotted a low brick house sitting back off of the road. The doors gone, the windows broken out, the metal roof rusted. She pointed out the house and said, “Let's check out that place.” They needed a break and the horse needed a rest, so they moved towards the shell of a home. One tall tree was shading a small end of the house. A steamy stench floated out from the open doorway. Years before, after humans had ransacked the abandoned home, the animals had taken their turn. Eventually, there was nothing edible left and the house was left to weather away.

  They pulled a jug a clean water from the bag and tried to be careful with their drinks. Cody took out his flashlight and they moved into the stagnant air of the structure. If there had been any breeze it would have been blowing through unobstructed. Today, there was not a breath of a breeze. The evidence of animals was everywhere, the furniture rotting away and the smell of mildew strong. There was a big pantry off of the kitchen. Of course, food was long ago gone. They did find three old glass cider jugs that would be handy for water. They found a couple of old saucepans. The few cans left on the shelf were puffed up and the dried foods scattered or crawling with bugs. On a very top shelf, back in a corner, Cody spotted a box of rock salt. When he pulled it down he saw a couple of cans, Hormel chili and a can of corn. They were not puffed out. There was an old tin Christmas popcorn can. Ashley opened it and found some clothespins and six flour sack towels like the ones they had lost. Sitting on the floor was a gallon of bleach.

  In a bedroom closet, they found about half a dozen long sleeve man's shirts. They were not rotten, though faded and had a few holes. There were odd shoes scattered over the floor. Cody matched up two tennis shoes that came close to fitting him. Shawna found one red tennis shoe and one white that she could stuff something in the end of and wear. The boots were really giving them fits with steady walking. Pat said that her boots were good, she was very used to walking in them. She had a second pair and thought that David could wear them when he was ready for walking. Ashley finally found a pair of pull on soft boots sticking out from the edge of a falling down bed. There was a mouse nest in one, but when she cleaned that out, they would do. Opening drawers in an old chest, they pulled out any sock that wasn't rotten or full of mice poop. In the bath there was a bottle of rubbing alcohol and a big bottle of Ibuprofen. It was probably not good, they took it anyway. It wasn't exactly what you would call a haul. They did, however, find some things that they could really use.

  That evening, they camped at another small pond that was drying up. They were able to wash out their shirts, fill their new glass jugs and doctor their blistered feet. They rinsed out some of the mismatched socks and let them dry for morning. David was really tired and he went to sleep early. Bull actually poked around the camp a little and seemed to be getting much stronger. The chili appeared to be safe and got mixed in with lots of rice.

  The cowboys and cowgirls now looked more like hobos. The girls were wearing their big blousey shirts, tied in a knot at their waists. Shawna had on her mismatched shoes, all of them wore mismatched socks and their jeans were dirty. They were still wearing their western hats. The chestnut mare carried David and Bull rode in the litter, although the dog had walked for quite a ways on this day. They moved towards the small community on the map. They hoped not to find any trouble there.

  ***

  It really was just a community. As they walked into the town, they saw just a few old businesses and nearly century old houses in various states of decay, lined the side of the street. Then they came upon a large three story brick building. It looked like a school and like so many schools at the time of the event, it had a six foot chain link fence completely surrounding it. This fence was topped with barb wire. They could see a garden behind and to the side of the building, within the perimeter. It was not an abandoned structure. It was a big risk, they really needed to see if there were survivors there. They hoped to God that it would be good survivors. The very scraggly looking group walked to the locked gate in the fence. Cody whistled, and shouted, “Hello-o, is anybody there?” It was a few minutes and the front double doors of the building swung open. Two men with rifles across their shoulders walked about halfway down the front sidewalk.

  One of them spoke, in a not unkind voice, “Hello. I am sorry folks but we cannot take anyone in.”

  Cody's fingers were inlaced in the chain link and they tightened. He took his hat off and said, “Sir, we absolutely mean you no harm. We have had quite a bit of bad luck. If we could just have a safe place to stay for a night or two. My brother here, has been hurt and...could I speak with your leader?...are you the leader?” One of the men turned and went inside. Shortly, an older man in a western hat came down the walk.

  He looked the five over and the dog. “Son, I would like to help you. But...”

  Ashley spoke up, “Please, mister. We would work, maybe in your garden. We don't have anything to trade but we would do anything you needed to earn our keep. We know how to work.”

  The man noticed PFC Pat and said, “What is wrong with the dog?”

  She said, “Sir, that is my dog. He was snake bit. He is much better, just can't walk all day yet.”

  The man hesitated, then said, “Okay. Just for a couple of days, that's all we can afford to share.” He motioned to one of the men to open the gate. The man took off his hat and said, “Welcome,” as they came through the gate.

  “You can put the horse out back. We have a corral with a few horses.” said one of the men. Shawna said she and David would take the mare around.

  The older man said, “I am sorry but the dog will have to stay in the maintenance shed that adjoins the building. We have quite a few children. I am afraid that they might hurt him and then he might hurt them.”

  Pat said, “I understand. That's fine. I will stay there with him.” She looked down at Bull, “We pretty much stay together.” One of the men took her and the dog around the corner of the building. Cody and Ashley followed the leader through the big double doors of the old school house.

  Chapter Eight

  LIKE UNITY

  There was a long wide hall and you could see the glass of the doors in the back of the building. Nearly to the end of that hall the man turned into a door. Above the door was a sign, Cafeteria. It was a huge room with the original long lunch tables and kitchen area at the end. At least fifteen large windows made the room bright. There were maybe fifty people, men, women and children already sitting at the tables. The man spoke in a strong voice, “Friends, we have company. Please welcome them.”

  There was a murmur of welcomes and some of the men stood. David, Shawna and Pat were led into the room. The man spoke to the friends, “Are you hungry?” Cody nearly laughed, the question seemed so absurd.

  “You might say starved.” He looked down at their dirty condition. Would you have a place that we could wash up a little?” he said.

  The man motioned and two young children came forward, a girl and a boy. The girl took the hand of Shawna and led the three women away. The boy led the men. In old restrooms labeled GIRLS and BOYS they found jugs of water and towels.

  Feeling cleaner, they were seated back at one of the long tables. There were some wonderful smells coming from w
hat had once been the lunch line buffet. The older man stood in the center of the room and offered a prayer. There was silence and all bowed their heads, he gave thanks for their safety, the food and the visiting friends. About a dozen children went to the buffet, the women behind the buffet were filling plates and handing them to the youngsters. The children began to deliver them to the tables but no one touched the food. When everyone in the room had a plate, they went back for their own plates and then the women servers came and sat. Once everyone was seated and had a plate in front of them, there was a boisterous outburst of chatter and laughter. There was silverware scattered down the center of the tables. The diners took their utensils and began to eat.

  The plates were filled with six kinds of vegetables and a square of cornbread. The people at the table of the five friends, asked them curious and friendly questions. They were trying to keep their manners and not gobble down the hot fresh food. When they commented on how good the food was, a young girl at the table said, “Oh, you should be here on Sunday. We have meat and dessert.”

  When the meal was done, everyone took their plates and utensils to a table at the end of the buffet. Ashley and Shawna offered to help wash the dishes. The kitchen was huge with deep stainless steel sinks. Ashley thought that the soapy water actually smelled good and enjoyed dipping her arms and hands into the foaming liquid. Shawna dried and the women showed her where the clean dishes were stacked. Everyone was friendly and very interested in the adventures that the women had experienced on the road. Evidently, the food was prepared on fires out behind the kitchen. When they were putting away the clean dishes, they saw a huge pantry that was full of jars of canned and preserved food and baskets of fresh vegetables. There was an enclosed area between the kitchen and the outside cooking fires that had some grinding stones for grains and there were two big weaving looms. There was also a root cellar off of this area. Food was taken down into the much cooler room that would keep for the evening meal.

  With the meal done and cleaned up, the friends were shown to some sleeping rooms. At the end of the long hall, stairs led up to the second floor and from there, a stairway led to the third story. On the second floor, the old school rooms were all converted to sleeping rooms. They were all four shown to a room with about a dozen cots. They were given sheets, pillows and blankets. Rows of windows were open, allowing a small breeze to drift in. Downstairs in the maintenance shed, which was neat, clean and organized like the rest of this compound, Pat was provided with a cot and linens.

  The two days had come and gone and the travelers were still at the school house compound. They had not been asked to leave and they had been grateful because it was a respite that they needed. They all worked in the garden, did chores inside and out, around the school house. The women worked in the kitchen and helped with the children, when it was discovered that they were all three educated and well read. They learned a bit of the grinding and the weaving. David did lighter duty, helped with the horses. He would have a big round scar on the back of his head, fortunately, he seemed to have no permanent damage. Bull was nearly back to normal, except for a bald and healing spot that would forever give him a slight limp. He now had the run of the outdoor compound and often the children trailed around behind him, the dog had proven his gentle spirit.

  These people were kind. Cody thought a lot about how much like Unity, this place was. The group here was very different in many ways from his family. Still, the organized and determined actions of these people, the strong family values, their love and caring generosity was very familiar. There was such comfort in the hard working and intelligent ways that they protected the survival of their group. Cody made a promise to himself and maybe secretly to Jack, that he would carry these skills and values to the place he built a life. He very much, still dreamed that the place would be the Colorado cabin. Ashley came walking up to him, drying her hands on an apron and smiling. “Hey, whatcha thinking about?”

  He smiled back at her and looked into her deep blue eyes. “Ashley, do you still want to move on to Colorado? It's very nice here, isn't it?”

  She briefly touched his cheek, “It is very nice here, these people have been so kind to us. But, this is not Unity and this is not the place that we all agreed on. Don't you know by now, I want to go where you want to be?”

  Cody leaned down and gave her another of those unexpected and confusing kisses. He pushed his hair behind his ear and said, “Okay, we will talk to the others. We need to start preparing to leave. It is well into July. I know it is hot and dry but we don't have time to wait any longer.”

  They were all in agreement and once again feeling strong, wanting to be back on their way. Cody talked with the leader of the school house group. The man tried to encourage him to stay, he said they could even stay through the winter until Spring and then travel on. Cody gave it some consideration but he already knew it was time to go. They were growing so fond of these people and of the children, becoming comfortable. The people were obviously attached to them. This was not the plan and they would stay with their plan.

  The leader understood, he had grown to respect Cody. The two were standing near the cooking fires, the man was quiet for a while and then said, “We can spare one horse and that oldest farm wagon. We have the other two and rarely use the old one anymore. It would need some repair and maintenance. We will share what we can of our stores.”

  Cody was taken back, “Sir, we have nothing to give you for that. You need all that you have.”

  The man just smiled, something Cody had not often seen him do. “Son, you all have done more than your share around here. You have brought a lot of laughter and joy to the place. We'll share what we can and I will have no more argument.”

  Cody reached out to shake the man's hand, “I thank you.”

  The man said, “It is important that good people survive and try to rebuild some of this old world. You go with God, son. You and your friends...and your love.”

  Cody's head snapped around and he gave the man a questioning look. The old man just laughed, slapped him on the shoulder and walked away.

  ***

  The farm wagon was very similar to the one that they had lost. It was more rusted and weathered but a like size and four wheeled, with a seat across the front. David and Cody spent a day, oiling the wheels and being sure everything was tight and replacing a few of the floor boards. A horse close in size and weight to the chestnut mare was given to them and a good harness rig. They would take turns driving the wagon, a couple of them could ride at one time and a couple could walk. They quickly discovered, while they were getting the mare used to pulling again and working with the new horse, that Bull was not going to give up his seat of command on the wagon seat. Even with his slight limp, when he saw the horses and wagon he came flying up and onto the seat, barking at the horses.

  Between their preparations, they continued to help out around the school house compound. They all felt very indebted to these people. They had been at the compound more than three weeks. The people had gifted them with homemade clothing, shirts and each of them had one spare pair of a simple made pants, their jeans had been repaired. They once again all had a pair of shoes that fit and they could walk long miles in. Blankets were loaded on the wagon and there was one big tarp. They still had some of their rice and they were given flour and dried beans. About a dozen jars of preserved food and to start out, some garden vegetables, such as potatoes and onions, that would last for a while were carefully packed. Their sleeping bags and personal things were added. They had to clean and check out their pistols and the rifle, they had not had to use these weapons for the whole time at the school house. The evening before they were set to leave, the old man came to Cody and gave him a .22 rifle and some ammunition.

  After nearly a month at the compound, the five friends were loaded and ready to travel on westward. It was not as heart wrenching as the exodus from Unity but it was not easy. Some of the children clung to them and there were hugs and tears. Cody and
all of the friends just could not find enough words of gratitude for the unselfish giving from the people of the school house survivors. With shouts of “God speed” slowly fading away, once again they were on their chosen path. Pat and Bull were in their usual position. David wanted to walk for a while before the real heat set in so he and Shawna were walking. Ashley and Cody sat near the back of the wagon on the blankets.

  August was only about a week away and Amarillo was still about two hundred miles ahead. If they reached there, they would be over half way to their destination. Cody had studied his maps and was back in his traveling mode. What they had gained at the school house was invaluable, they might not have even survived without that help. Yet, time wise, they could not afford anymore big delays. It was hard to imagine with sweat dripping down his back but they needed to cover nearly 500 miles and arrive at Jack and Beth's Colorado cabin before the winter weather.

  ***

  The first week out from the school house compound went pretty smoothly. The five were rested and stronger, they had their second wind. They had food supplies and water. They quickly fell into a routine of walking and riding. The miles that they had covered since leaving Unity had taught them a lot. They knew to never let their guard down and they were being very cautious with their supplies. They rationed it out, being sure to eat well enough to keep up their strength. They did not pass up any opportunity to hunt or fish and save their preserved stores. They had left the school house with several gallons of water in the bucket, their cider jugs and another large container that the group had given them. They refilled and treated at any water source they found. These sources were not plentiful.