“Two weeks at the very least,” Ian answered and saw Percy give a jolt. “Dude, that’s over four square miles and they’ll have to go over every square foot, look in each cubby hole, and search each structure from top to bottom. Then do it several more times, just to make sure none were missed. Don’t forget as they do that, they must keep working on the next fence, gates, and the greenhouses.”
“How will the fence hold until they get up the second one?” Heath asked.
“Unless another wave comes through, it should be okay,” Lance answered. “It’s diverting those on the parkway around Bimble.”
“Parkway?” Percy asked.
“Highway 25E,” Jennifer answered as Sandy stepped out from the clubhouse.
“Hey, people are waiting to eat,” she called out to them.
“Mom, we don’t have to feed them,” Lance moaned. “If they’re hungry, let them eat. They don’t need us to feed them.”
Still not used to even that little rebellion from Lance toward his mom, Jennifer rolled her eyes but Lilly popped Lance’s arm. “You chill out with your mom,” she warned him as Sandy headed over.
“Anyone who’s waiting for me to feed them can starve,” Lance snapped.
“Lance!” Sandy shouted. “You stop being nasty to Lilly!”
“She’s my girl but I wasn’t being mean, just stating fact,” Lance spouted out.
Casting her eyes to the heavens, “I do love him, but I’m going to kick his ass,” Sandy sighed. Dropping her eyes to the group, “Let’s eat so we can start the meeting,” she said, but was staring hard at Lance.
Smiling, “We’ll be there in a minute, Momma. I promise,” Lance told her in a pleasant tone. Loving the way Lance reverted back to his old self, Sandy patted his cheek and headed back inside. When she was inside Lance spun to Ian, holding out his left hand.
“Pay up, bitch,” Lance snapped. Giving a groan, Ian dug in his pocket and then slapped a gold coin in Lance’s hand. Watching the exchange, Jennifer shifted her eyes to Lilly who just shrugged.
“What was the wager?” Lilly asked.
Never taking his eyes off Ian, “Ian bet Momma wouldn’t take up for you over me,” Lance grinned. It was the fact there was a bet on the subject that seemed to disturb Jennifer and Lilly.
“Ian-,” Jennifer started, then just stopped. “Never mind,” she sighed. “Let’s go eat.”
Chapter Eleven
Inside the clubhouse
They walked inside to see the massive open area filled with tables. A line was formed at the kitchen area as people loaded plates from the bar and then headed to a table. Lilly couldn’t help but grin, seeing many adults and kids looking at Ian and Lance like superheroes. After washing up in the sink and spotting the Ladybugs at the table where those at the cabin always sat Lilly grabbed Lance’s hand, leading him through the maze of tables.
The Ladybugs always fixed their plates and what worried Lilly, the Ladybugs knew what she liked and didn’t like. With Lance, it wasn’t a surprise since they had been with him for so long, but the fact the Ladybugs had watched and learned what she liked did unnerve her on many levels.
Setting her AR on the table, “Thank you, Ladybugs,” Lilly smiled as Lance moved around the table to kiss Allie, Carrie, and Jodi on the head. As she walked around and did the same, Lance put his AR on the table and sat down.
“Wait till you try the Muscadine wine Mr. Seth made,” Allie sang out. Lilly glanced at the wine glasses on the table and like always, the glasses were a quarter filled. It was tradition, but there were some times Lilly just wanted to grab the bottle and down it.
“I’m glad because that stuff last week tasted like paint thinner,” Lance chuckled getting comfortable in his chair. When Lilly sat down beside him, they waited for the others in the cabin group to join them. It didn’t surprise Lilly that the Ladybugs had already been through the line to get their own plates and then had returned to get hers and Lance’s. Everyone in the coalition always gave way to the Ladybugs, even the three assholes Cory, Rhett, and Rita.
Tyler and Chris were the first ones back to the table, and Lilly saw both still wouldn’t look Lance in the face. Lilly knew Lance didn’t hate them, but he really didn’t like them and she couldn’t get the ‘WHY’. The fact Ian treated them the same way was what really bothered Lilly. Thinking about it, Lilly couldn’t even remember Lance and Ian ever talking about Tyler and Chris.
The only others who sat at their table were Heath, Robin, Dwain, and Kathy. They sat at the cabin table because their kids were there. The hall was filled with chatter as the rest came over, sitting down. When all were seated, they held hands and said grace. Not many other tables did, but they all lowered their voices out of respect.
When grace was finished, Lance smiled across the table at the Ladybugs. “Jodi, you still have a way to go, so not yet,” Lance said, and they all looked at him confused. “After I show Ian it’s safe, this week we’ll let you get hands-on.”
Throwing their hands in the air, “Yes!” Allie and Carrie sang out, and Jennifer swore Jodi looked relieved.
A clang sounded from the table and everyone turned to see Mary had thrown her fork down. “Lance!” she barked. “We have plenty to do besides setting up for Allie and Carrie to ‘get hands-on’.” Until the moms had gotten back, Jennifer had never heard Ms. Sandy yell at Lance, but she’d damn sure heard Ms. Mary yell at Lance. Jennifer had even heard her own mother yell at Lance for the same thing Ms. Mary had. The reasons were sitting on the other side of the table, pumping their fists in excitement.
“Mary,” Sandy called out softly. “If Lance thinks they need to learn this way, we should let him. If Ian agrees with the precautions, I don’t see a problem.” Closing her eyes, Jennifer sighed because she had heard Ms. Mary yell at Ms. Sandy for the same reason, Allie and Carrie. Her mom had never yelled at Ms. Sandy but had damn sure gotten stern a few times.
“Jesus, Sandy,” Mary groaned out. “We have enough shit to do. Hell, no sooner than we get one thing done, Ian and Lance come up with ten more! Yes, I want Allie and Carrie to learn to take care of themselves, just like I want everyone to learn that. But they can take a backseat.”
Opening her eyes, Jennifer stared at her sister and Allie, wondering what the fuck was so special about them. Nearly twice Carrie’s age, there had been many times Jennifer had wanted to punch her own sister in the face. Jennifer loved Carrie, but at times couldn’t stand her. Yet, Lance, Ms. Sandy, Mr. Johnathan, Mr. Bill, Uncle Doug, Jason, and many in the neighborhood had adored the two and had done nearly anything for them.
Turning to look at Lance down the table, “Lance, will this take much time to set up?” Sandy asked.
“No,” Lance scoffed.
Not about to continue because Ian would join in on Lance’s side, Mary just picked her fork up. “Sandy, we talked about this many times. They can’t get everything they ask for.”
“I most certainly haven’t given Allie and Carrie everything they’ve asked for,” Sandy snapped.
Pausing her forkful of food in front of her mouth, “Sandy, you’ve bought Allie more clothes than I did,” Mary grumbled, and Jennifer nearly chimed in the same for Carrie. “It was you, if I’m not mistaken, who said Allie needed a pink .22 at your house when we went to that gun show last year.”
When she’d been at Lance’s house, Jennifer had gotten a chance to see just what the Ladybugs had there. Not able to help it, Jennifer joined in the conversation. “Don’t forget about all the toys in the guest room downstairs at Momma Sandy’s house.”
Turning to Jennifer, “You’re my daughter now, so take my side,” Sandy whispered.
“Sandy,” Mary said lowering her fork. “The only reason you stopped buying toys for Carrie is because Jed and Yolanda begged, then told you to stop.” Oh, Jennifer remembered that two years ago when her mom and dad had gone down to Ms. Sandy’s. Carrie had walked around the house for three days with tears in her eyes, and it had been one of the few times
when her mom and dad hadn’t given in.
“The girls needed stuff at my house!” Sandy cried out, and Lance nodded in agreement. “They were there every day.” Having had this argument with Sandy many times since they’d moved into the neighborhood, Mary just shook her head and then finally emptied her fork.
“Yeah, they were down there every day,” Jennifer scoffed in a low voice. “They were spoiled down there. Why wouldn’t they go there every day? Half the clothes for ‘Allie’ in the guest room just happened to be Carrie’s size.”
Leaning over and whispering in Jennifer’s ear, “You need to leave that shit alone,” Ian warned her. “Lance told you they were ‘Allie’s’ clothes because your mom and dad didn’t want Momma Sandy to spend that kind of money on Carrie. Momma Sandy said it was her money and she could spend it however she wanted. But I should point out, they never said a thing to Uncle Doug about buying Carrie hunting clothes, and those are expensive.”
Agreeing with a nod, “Uncle Doug was big enough to rape a sasquatch and you think my parents would say something about him spending money?” Jennifer scoffed. “I’ll drop it.”
Further down the table, Heath was really wishing he had lived near the families in the neighborhood before the meteor. “Can I ask what the meeting’s about today?” Heath asked.
“We have to focus on the ‘master plan’,” Lance answered and saw Heath slump his shoulders. “Heath, I made a small scale model and you’ll see with your own eyes, it doesn’t move around.”
Wiping his mouth off, “Ahh… Are you going to mention certain people being late for monitor duty?” Dwain asked. Dwain was shocked when Lance turned to Ian.
“Dude,” Ian huffed. “We’ve told them twice, and I don’t even want to know how many times Seth has talked to their asses. Our next talk will be laying them down and tucking them in for a dirt nap.”
Turning back to Dwain, “You have our answer,” Lance said.
“Lance,” Sandy called out. “That’s being a bit harsh.”
Shaking his head, “No, it’s not,” he replied. “Harsh would be killing the nut sludge jackoffs with a steel wire brush.” When Sandy went to speak, Lance raised a hand to stop her. “Mom, nobody rides this ride for free. Before you ask, no, we aren’t kicking them out either. I’m not worrying about one of them sneaking back a month or two later to take a shot at someone.”
“Or worse, going to one of the gangs and bringing a few of them inside the perimeter,” Ian offered. “They’ve been inside the perimeter and know where to move and not be seen. They wouldn’t be able to sneak maybe a dozen or so inside without getting spotted, but that could really hurt us.”
Rolling that around in her mind, Sandy understood the threat and gave a nod. “Fine. But Mary and I will do it if that action needs to be taken.”
The table went silent as Lance’s eyes got wide and Ian nearly choked on his food. “Over my dead body,” Lance snapped.
‘You don’t think we can?” Sandy popped off.
“Oh, I know you could, but you might get hurt,” Lance answered. “You could sprain your ankle walking up on their porch. Hit a deer on the ride over or get accosted by elves. You’re my momma and can fight and do what you want, but running this shitshow is on Ian and me.”
Hearing that Lance was just worried about her safety from accidents, Sandy couldn’t help but smile. “Would you have said the same to your father?” Sandy challenged.
Shrugging, “I wouldn’t have to,” Lance smirked. “Dad would just tell us to not get extravagant on the method.”
About to object to that, Sandy paused and realized Lance was more than likely right. “What if Doug said he would do it?” Sandy threw out.
“I would hand him the keys to a buggy,” Lance responded and saw that surprised his mom. “Momma, Jason tried wrestling Uncle Doug twice and got his ass stomped. Uncle Doug could pick Jason up over his head, then put Jason in holds we’ve never seen or heard of. As much weight as we’ve put on, it would still take two of each of us to equal Jason. Uncle Doug, I wouldn’t wrestle him even if Dad and Daddy Bill helped us. Ian and I tried wrestling Jason together and he whooped our asses in seconds.”
“Punk ass stuffed us in that sleeping bag and farted in it the last time,” Ian snarled. Just hearing that there used to be a person who walked the Earth and intimidated the boys seemed to unnerve Heath and Dwain.
“I can still worry about you,” Sandy sighed.
With a flat expression, “Then you can help braid hair in the mornings,” Lance offered, and the Ladybugs gave a collective gasp.
Turning to the Ladybugs, Sandy gave them a wink. “They love for you and Lilly to do their hair.”
“A boy shouldn’t even know there’s a ‘Fishtail Braid’, much less know how to do it,” Lance scoffed, and Ian snickered.
“Lance,” Sandy chuckled. “You spoil them more than anyone.”
Oh, Mary was about to object to that, but Lance spoke first and Mary just held her tongue. “I do not!” Lance cried out and Ian started to stand up and name instances, but Jennifer stomped his foot hard to make Ian drop back in his chair wincing.
“Lance, last week you built a new bunk bed. You can’t say it was for you,” Sandy grinned.
“Oh, come on!” Lance shouted. “The bunk beds are twin extra-long! When I looked at Allie, Carrie, and Jodi sleeping on the top bunk, it looked like a mass of limbs! I tried moving another bunk closer so there would be two side by side, but they refused to move. I had to make a new bed before one fell out and got hurt.” When Sandy had first seen the new bed that had full extra-long mattresses on the top and bottom, her first thought had been Lilly was going to sleep with Lance until Lance had explained his reasoning. Sandy had then asked why he hadn’t just made the top full and Lance had popped off, ‘Oh, so when I get out of bed, I could crack my head open?’.
“Then they might’ve been more open to change if they’d fallen,” Sandy replied.
Shaking his head, “There isn’t anyone at this table who can name a time when Allie and Carrie didn’t sleep in the same bed if they were under the same roof,” Lance challenged.
“I know I can’t,” Mary scoffed and for the first time, Sandy saw Allie and Carrie were the female versions of Lance and Ian. She turned to the Ladybugs and saw Jodi was sitting between Allie and Carrie. In Sandy’s mind now, this was to flood Jodi from all sides on how to be a Ladybug.
Turning back to Lance and just ignoring the challenge, “Lance, you dote on them and it’s okay,” Sandy told him.
Lifting his chin high, “I’m forced into compliance,” Lance stated with no shame.
“They don’t cry that damn long,” Ian moaned. Allie and Carrie promptly stuck their tongues out at him.
Knowing Lance wasn’t about to admit he babied ‘his’ Ladybugs, Sandy gave a small nod and dug into her thigh pocket, pulling out an envelope. Putting it on the table, she slid it down to Lance. “I want this done by Wednesday,” Sandy told him.
Heath dropped his eyes to the envelope and saw it was a business envelope stuffed with folded pages. Lance took the envelope before shoving it in his thigh pocket without even opening it. “Yes, ma’am,” Lance told Sandy.
This didn’t surprise Heath or Dwain. When the mommas asked for something it was done, no matter what was being worked on. The day after they’d arrived, the first thing Sandy and Mary had asked for was a place to put the horses. Lance and Ian had started it that day and were done the next. A seven-acre fenced-in field in the valley below the cabin.
One of the first things the boys had to do was get an auger for the track steer. Then they’d drilled the holes, cut trees, and limbed them out to turn the trunks into fifteen feet tall poles. After the poles were in the ground, they’d strung up barbed wire just like the diversion fence, strands six inches apart, but the horse pen fence was ten feet tall. Still not done, the boys had put up an electric fence because of the tigers. And being Lance and Ian, they’d modified the power unit they’d take
n from a farm. Heath didn’t know how much power was in the wire, but knew for a fact it shocked a tiger so bad it would fly back twenty feet. Uncertain if the tiger had jumped or the voltage had thrown it, Heath just stayed away from the humming wires.
“Mom, will you and Momma Mary go over the video and guard logs?” Lance asked.
After taking a sip of wine Sandy nodded, setting her glass back down. “We got them yesterday and we’re almost finished.”
“Ah, umm,” Dwain stuttered. “If those on guard see a person on the monitors, they’re supposed to notify everyone. What do you go over the logs for?”
“Stinkers,” Ian answered, then filled his mouth with food. As he swallowed, Ian saw Dwain still looking at him. “We record numbers in certain spots throughout the day and we’ve marked some just to see where they go.”
Cocking his head to the side, “Marked?” Dwain asked.
“Yeah, we mark them with paint,” Ian answered and watched Dwain’s eyes glaze over. “With a paintball gun.”
Robin turned to Heath. “I told you that one I shot last week looked like it had come from a paintball match.”
“Where in the hell did you shoot it at?” Ian asked putting his fork down.
Heath cringed as he reached under the table to tap Robin to shut her mouth, but was too late. “Near Cannon,” Robin answered.
Lance threw his fork down on his plate and then turned to look down the table at Heath. Heath just dropped his eyes to his plate and went back to eating. The fact Dwain was trying to look innocent let Lance know there was more to this story. “I don’t recall Cannon being inside the perimeter,” Lance stated turning to Ian. “Ian, have you expanded the perimeter without telling me?”
Leaning back in his chair as he looked down the table at Heath and Dwain, Ian shook his head. “No, I wouldn’t expand out without talking it over with you. That expansion isn’t planned,” Ian answered. “Cannon is two miles outside the perimeter.” Realizing what she’d just admitted to, Robin’s eyes got wide and then she snatched up her utensils to continue eating.
Forsaken World | Book 6 | Redemption Page 19