Mason turned in my arms and kissed my nose. Cupping my check in his hand, he smiled. "It's hard for me to see you hack a walkers head to mush then see you all concerned about kids. You're like two different women, but I love them both. Don't worry, brat, we'll figure out something." Then he kissed me gently at first but it changed into something else entirely and we ended up being late for breakfast, again.
When we finally managed to arrive for the coffee I'd been smelling for over an hour, Lacy and Sarah was cleaning up the kitchen. "Where's everyone at?" I asked, as I poured some creamer into my mug.
"The guys are showing Sid and Andy around. They plan to take them hunting in the morning but today they want to show them the ropes." I had no idea what 'ropes' she was talking about but I knew the kids would be ok with the guys.
We were throwing around ideas about how to provide more sleeping quarters when we heard squealing coming from the area of the turkeys. Running out we soon discovered, several eggs had hatched and we had baby turkeys. Quickly gathering up whatever we could find to plug the holes in the fence, we trapped them all inside. Now we needed to figure out how to feed them but Sarah came through when she grabbed one, tipped its head in the water and rubbed its throat to make it swallow. After a time, the turkeys were drinking water and eating what they're supposed to. When Lacy asked Sarah where a corporate lawyer learned to take care of baby turkeys, she just smiled and went back inside. We hounded her for hours but she never would reveal where her talent came from.
Later that day we heard another commotion and when we stepped out on the porch we saw the guys coming back leading a cow. Her calf was trotting along behind her balling its head off. Sid and Andy had the biggest smiles on their face but all I could think of was yippee, fresh milk. I think Mason was a bit jealous that he wasn't in on the rodeo, but he enjoyed the telling of the capture as the boys acted out the whole story.
When things died down a bit I stood. "I have an idea." Everyone stopped what they were doing and prepared to listen. Ah, that's so nice. "I was thinking we could bring in some mobile homes and attach them to this building. We could make the homes into just bedrooms and build some kind of covered walkway between them and this building. Since this is the kitchen/dining room we wouldn't need the kitchens in the homes and Duke can plumb them like the campers are now."
"That has merit but we can barely get the 53 foot trailers down that hill let alone 70 foot trailers." This was from Howard.
"That's true, Howard, but some double wides aren't that long and I don't think we'd have that much trouble."
"Yep, girl, that would work but does anyone know where there's a mobile home dealership?
"I've already looked several up and have the directions so when we go back to town we can check them out."
"That might work, but what if the guys don't want to move out here?" Andy said, as he got up to get him some more coffee. He really liked the stuff and always had a mug in his hand. This one read "Dead Heads." I'm not sure what it was referring to.
"Well, we have to take that chance. The way I see it, since we are leaving in June, you only have to put up with us those few months while we teach you all we know."
"Yeah," Clint said, "and they know a lot about survival. If you're here you could learn a lot easier than if you're in town."
"What else do we need to learn?" Sid said.
"Well, when we went hunting this morning, you had no idea how to gut the deer...hell, you've never eaten venison before today and you don't know how to process it or how to make jerky or can..."
"OK," Sid said throwing up his hands, "you make a great point. I see the advantages of living here with the little ones growing up in the fresh air and sunshine. I'll see what I can do to talk them into it but don't count on anything."
I looked over at Mason who smiled and winked at me. I'd just have to cross my fingers and hope for the best.
The guys made plans to leave in the morning to find a couple of double wides. At least four of them would have to leave and then they'd have to find four trucks to move them. We wanted to have them in place and ready to move into by the time we brought the kids back. I elected to stay home. I let Sid and Andy go in my place to see how to secure the area so I guys could acquire.
Sarah put a large roast in the oven, and made bread while I sat on the porch and listened to Lacy talk to Randy on the phone. I'd told her a head of time no phone sex and she grinned cute and winked at me. Before I could ask what that meant, Randy called and I'd listened to sweet talk for the past ten minutes. Finally, I went back into the dining hall where Sarah, Mercy, Sam, Melody and George was talking at the table. I'd already seen Sandy out with the kids and after a head count saw that everyone was ok. I wondered briefly when I would stop counting heads but I didn't figure it would be anytime soon.
After a long hen session, we went outside and tried to decide just where the homes would be located. In order for them to be hooked to the house it would be best to use one of the windows so it could be made into a door to the new place. They'd have to position them into a V shape to the house because one of the hot springs was in the way. So we pulled bushes, moved rocks and repositioned one of the campers so the way would be clear.
The first of the houses arrived just after lunch. The guys pulled up one behind the other and we stood around looking silly while we tried to figure out how to get the two halves lined up into one whole. An hour later, the other two halves of the other house arrived, lining up behind the other two and Clint and Flynn joined the fun.
"No one thought to see if the dealership had instructions on how to do this."
"Well, someone can go back or maybe there's something online." Everyone turned around and stared at Duke. He threw up his hands, turned around and stomped into the cabin to do his magic on the computer. The women climbed around inside the houses, oohing and ahing. They both had furniture and appliances, yea.
Duke came through on the instructions of connecting the two halves so the remainder of the day was spent, putting one house together. A lot of cussing and yelling accompanied the process so the women found ways to stay out of sight. Well, you know me, I sat in the yard, under the shade of a pine tree, sipping my raspberry tea and enjoying the show. They finally quit when the plastic was removed from the middle of the home. It was a log cabin wanna-be but somehow it fit right in.
The men barely had the energy to clean up and eat that night and after a long night of listening to Mason snore, the next day was a repeat of the day before. I was bored quickly so decided to make lists. Lists for Christmas, lists of food stores, clothing, medicine, books for the new school we'd need. By the end of the day, we had one broken toe (Howard) and numerous scrapes and cuts. We'd be able to go back the next day and bring back the kids and start the long process of emptying the warehouse. I was looking forward to it.
Sid and Andy was pretty excited about the move. I don't think they were too keen on it when they first decided to do it. But after spending some time outdoors, hunting and exploring they'd decided it was great. They'd both picked up some color along the way and put on some weight. The change was noticeable.
We left early the next day, with Lacy going along with us. She really missed Randy if she was venturing out of the relative safety of home. I'd tried to explain what she was going to find but I guess she couldn't imagine it, so she decided to find out for herself. I'm pretty sure Randy had the place cleaned since we left so she'll never see the horrors we did.
I was right about the place being cleaner. Nevada met me at the door, throwing her arms around my waist and hanging on. I looked over at Mason and he was smiling like crazy. I stuck my tongue out at him as Nevada took my hand and led me to her 'room'. The kids ran all over the place to the extent that there seemed to be twice as many of them. Someone had cleared a space in the middle of the warehouse and hung ropes making a huge swing set. Cardboard mats almost a foot deep lay underneath the swings in case someone fell, cushioning their fall. I had a feeling Ran
dy had a part in this.
A shrill whistle sounded sending every child in the building towards the break room. Ah, meeting time. I noticed right away the bed had been removed. Some chairs had been placed there instead and Clint, Mason, Lacy and Randy sat in the chairs while the children were gathered around Sid and Andy. They were extolling the virtues of the cabin. The children were hypnotized as the boys explained hunting, fishing and swimming in the hot springs. The new houses were described along with the cabin and the big kitchen and food in the freezer and the cow etc.
A small hand would go up every once in a while but otherwise they just listened. Sid motioned me over before the idea was put to a final vote. I stood awkwardly in front of the small audience wishing like hell, I been notified before hand of this speech. Mason looked at me, smiled and nodded. That's all the encouragement I needed.
"This place would be your home, not ours. We plan to return to Montana in June, so we wouldn't be there very long at all. We'll help you learn all you'll need to survive on your own."
"Like what?" The little blue eyed girl asked. I couldn't remember her name. My bad.
"Well, how to sew, can your own vegetables, sew up a cut, how to skin a deer, forecast the weather, when to plant, how to fix the solar panels. There's lots of things you need to learn. You can play in the yard, chase the turkeys and in general enjoy being a kid. It would beat living inside this tin can. We even have brand new homes made for you so you can each have your own room and decorate it any way you want." I looked at Nevada and she smiled at me and gave me a thumbs up.
"We'll leave you alone to decide. Come on Mason, I want to try out those swings." We all trooped out of the break room, my heart in my throat, as I pretended to ignore the scene taking place in that small room. It's a good thing I had Mason swinging me or I'd of eavesdropped. Soon we heard clapping and yelling and I knew they'd made up their minds. Nevada came running up and I nearly drop kicked her before I got the swing stopped and she threw herself into my arms.
"We all said yes. I'm coming to live with you and play with the turkeys." She tilted her head back and looked up at me with tear filled eyes. Oh crap. Not tears, I don't do well with tears. I tried to smile back at her and then I just hugged the stuffing out of her. She jumped back, grabbed my hand and said, "Come on. Help me pack," and off we went to her room.
It all the hustle and bustle I hadn't noticed the two women sitting in the corner till Nevada pointed them out to us. I walked over to them and asked. "You're packed already?"
"No, we don't have anything that we really want to take." Lucy, I found out later had arrived with the clothes on her back and judging from the sweats she was wearing, this was all she owned now. They were clean anyway. Her friend, Angie, was in the same fix.
"Well, I think we can remedy that, since your both the same size as our cook. We'll see about getting you some new clothes soon but there is just so much we can do now. Do either of you know how to handle a gun?"
They looked at each other then back at me. "Yea, we can shoot. Our dads used to take us deer hunting before the virus. It's been awhile but I think we can remember."
"I was thinking more along the lines of protection but hunting works too. We'll figure out some of the other stuff you'll need to learn along the way because come June our group goes back to Montana and you'll need to know as much as possible about just about everything."
I looked at them and thought they'd be ok. "Could you keep the little ones out of the way for a bit, we're going to load the trailers and I don't want anyone to get hurt."
So the kids were kept out of the way, while pallets were loaded and then trailers. Things we couldn't use right then like fridges and such we put near the docks in case we had to have them in the future.
It took the remainder of the day to get back on the road. I knew the ladies were fixing up the homes for the kids and Lucy and Angie would take the master suites of each home to monitor the smaller children. The other house would be for the older children and we'd let them decide how to handle that. We'd managed to find some inflatable mattresses so they can have some beds and one pallet was full of silk sheets and comforters. Curtains and what-knots would just have to be made or we could steal them from the houses in the vicinity.
I was feeling pretty good about things all the way back. I was surprised to see the extent the women had gone to when I saw curtains, TV's, CD players and toys taken from the houses in the area along with plants hanging from hooks in the ceilings and along the paths in front. The guys still had to build connecting rooms to the cabin so they could come and go without going outside but we had other things to do in the meantime. Like feed the masses, get the kids settled with a minimum of fighting over nearly everything and hugs, lots and lots of hugs.
By bedtime, the kids, now totaling 15, and the adults were ready for bed. I didn't know I could feel so happy and pooped at the same time. Mason gave me the evil eye but I could tell he really didn't mean it cause he was worn out too, but it felt nice that he wanted me to know he was thinking of me, or was it him too, nope I think from rummaging around in his head he was wanting me. When we went to bed that's just what he did...all night. With his knee between mine and a hand cupping one breast, each breath ruffled my hair just a bit but it was a comfortable feeling and I soon went to sleep after the star streaked across the sky and an owl hooted.
CHAPTER 18
The first thing I noticed the following morning was the quiet. You'd think with 14 kids running around there'd be a storm of noise. There wasn't and I was worried first thing that morning. I kept looking out the windows as I dressed, looking for Mason at the same time. I tried to mind find him but wasn't getting anything. I wasn't worried about it cause sometimes he would so busy with something that his mind closed down. But still...Where was everyone?
As I walked to the cabin I listened and heard the birds, insects, turkeys making turkey noises and my stomach growling. It was still peaceful as I made my way onto the porch where I stopped and listened at the door. I could hear mumblings coming from inside but nothing to tell me why it was so quiet. I reached for the door handle the same time someone inside opened the door scaring the crap out of me.
Mason was startled to find me standing there too. "Damn, JD I was just coming to get you."
"Yeah, okay, well, here I am. Why is it so quiet in here?"
"Come on in maybe you can figure this out."
I entered the room to find all the new kids, sitting at the table, food in front of them, hands folded in their laps. I looked at the everyone else and almost at the same time they shrugged their shoulders. I guess they're waiting for me to do something. Sigh. Why is it always me?
So I walked over to the table and looked at the kids. "Eat." I said, and they started eating. Oh, well, that wasn't so hard. I walked over to the counter and got my breakfast and a cup of coffee. Moving back to the table, I sat next to Mason. Everyone just stared at me.
"What?" I said, tasting the oatmeal and deciding it needed some more cream. When I took a sip of coffee I saw everyone still staring at me. "Come on guys what's the deal?"
"Well, we tried all morning to get them to eat and they just sat there. We finally sent Mason in search of you. You come in and say one word and they eat. Why do you think?" asked Lacy.
"I don't know. Maybe they've been conditioned to only eat when told to. Did ya ask them?"
"Well, no. We were a bit confused by their behavior."
"Well, ask next time. When they're finished eating, I'll talk to them cause they really need to relax a bit. You all need to be a bit more assertive. Would you let Clarissa or Mandy get away with that? No. So just treat them like their yours and it should be ok. I shouldn't have to tell you what you already know. Where is Bobby? He'd straighten them out."
"He tried. They just ignored him."
"OK," I sighed. "I'll do it this time, but I'm not mama material. This isn't my job." When the newbies finished, they took their dishes to the kitchen then returned t
o their chairs.
I sighed.
When they'd all returned to their seats I got up and sat at their table. "I suppose you'd like to hear the new rules." They all nodded. "OK, this is the important one. You all ready to hear this?" They all nodded. " OK, you're kids, act like it. Play, nice, with each other. Clean up after yourself. No fighting, arguing or lying. The adult in your house is the one you go to with problems. If they won't help you then you come to one of us. If you want seconds, and there is seconds, then ask. If you want anything, ask. Period. Any questions?"
They all looked at each other and a hand went up. I nodded to Amy? Mary? I couldn't remember her name. She said, "We weren't allowed to play at the warehouse so some of the kids don't know how. Could you tell us what to do."
"You want someone to show you how to play?" I asked, surprise evident in my voice. I couldn't help it. They didn't how to play. I turned and looked at the crew. They were surprised too. Bobby was standing next to the counter with Mandy close behind. I motioned him over. He didn't want to come. So I motioned to him again. Finally, he walked slowly over, head down and stood next to me.
"You think maybe you could show these guys how to play?" He looked at them then at me. "Ah, gee, JD do I have to? Their little kids, I don't want to play with little kids."
"I will." Mandy said from behind us. We both turned at that. I looked past her to Sarah who had tears in her eyes. Well, hell. She nodded. "OK, Mandy, if you would be so kind as to introduce these guys to the fine art of playing I would appreciate it." Bobby quickly headed to the door and was soon gone. I turned to the kids at the table and said, "Mandy here is going to show you how to play. Listen to her, cause it's serious business and she is trying to help you. OK? Can you all do that?" They looked at each other, then nodded almost as one. It reminded me of a row of bobble heads. "Remember my rules and be nice to each other." With that I got up and returned to my breakfast. Mandy shooed the kids out the backdoor, and soon the squeals were tripled outside.
Walkers (Book 3): The Survivors Page 15