by S A Ison
“Leave those in the truck, I’ll have the boys go and fetch them and take them to our storage units. I’ll get Sarah to meet you at the cottage.” Cliff said and turned, heading back up to the porch. The men on the porch turned and went back into the house. Flynn looked over at Xandra, tears in his eyes and he pulled her into his arms and hugged her hard.
“Oh, my god, I can’t believe they’ll let us stay.” Xandra whimpered softly. Flynn nodded; his throat was too closed with emotion to say anything. He let go and turned to get back into the truck. He pulled the truck slowly around the side of the house and saw several small cottages. There was a woman, with a calico apron on, hands on her hips. Her hair was short and beginning to gray. She was sturdy looking and tall. She had a soft smile on her face, which had fine lines that creased around her eyes.
Pulling the truck to a stop, Flynn got out.
“I’m Sarah, Cliff said you two were to stay here and work the farm with us. This will be you’re place. It has electricity, but not too much. Enough to flush the toilet and run the lights. Cliff and I always have everyone in for all the meals. We make sure everyone is well fed for a long day of work.” The woman beamed and seemed genuinely happy to have them.
“Thank you, Sarah, we really appreciate your kindness and Cliff’s as well. For letting us come work for you.” Xandra said earnestly.
“Yes, mam, we really do appreciate it.” Flynn put in. Both stepped into the little cottage. It had a small kitchen area, but only a sink and counter. There was no stove, nor refrigerator. There was a coffee pot on the counter. There were a couple of jars with what looked like sugar and powdered creamer. It was simple but clean decor. There was a small kitchen table, with two chairs. A red gingham tablecloth was spread across the small table. The living room bled into the kitchen. There was a small sofa and coffee table. There was also a book shelf, with an assortment of paperbacks.
The wood floors were clean but unfinished pine. There was a braided rug on the floor, faded but in good repair. One room was a bedroom with an old fashion brass bed. There was a soft yellow handmade quilt on the bed, with large crisp white pillows atop. A small chest of drawers and a small closet. The other room was a bathroom, that had a small window with white curtains, with strawberries embroidered on the bottom edge. A toilet and simple sink. There was a shower stall. On the floor was a bathmat and trash can under the sink. It was small, but neat. To Flynn, it looked wonderful.
He turned and smiled at Xandra, who smiled back.
“It’s just perfect Sarah, thank you.”
“I’m glad you like it. The water comes from the house, so you’ll have hot water. We only ask that you don’t take long hot showers. We’re conservative here.” She added, almost embarrassed.
“Mam, a cold shower would be just fine for us. The ability to get clean and stay clean is something Xandra and I have come to cherish. In the truck, we’ve got a lot of supplies we brought with us. Quite a bit of that is soap and shampoo.” Flynn’s face flamed a bit. He and Xandra had gone weeks without bathing. He’d never been a neat freak, but he’d always been a clean man. When he’d lost power, he’d lost his ability to bathe. When he’d found Xandra, she’d stunk so badly, he could only surmise that he’d been the same.
“Alright then, you two get settled, we’ll be eating in an hour. If you miss a meal, you don’t get to eat later, so be on time. After lunch, Cliff will give you a tour of the farm and assign you both chores.” Sarah smiled at them both.
“Yes, mam.” They both said at once. She turned and left them alone. Flynn turned to Xandra and hugged her tightly to him.
“I can’t believe we found a place to live. We have a bed, food and water. And it’s so nice here.” Xandra said in amazement.
“I know. Let’s get our stuff out of the truck and you can unpack. I’ll take the truck over to the red barn and then come back and help you.”
It didn’t take long to unload their possessions; they didn’t have much. He pulled several bottles of shampoo, a few bars of soap and two cans off coffee out of the supplies. The rest he drove over to the barn. He also left the weapons inside the truck. He figured if Cliff wanted to arm him, he would. But he hoped Cliff would also teach him how to use the weapons. He walked back to the cottage, now his home. For the first time in months, and he shook his head at the thought, months, he felt safe, he felt at peace. Whatever Cliff asked of him, he’d bust his ass like nobody’s business.
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Casper’s gut cramped hard. He leaned over and vomited, his body pulling and jerking hard. He must have eaten something, that didn’t agree with him. His hand shook as he took a drink of water. He’d have to send someone out to get more bottled water. His community had grown to nearly one hundred and twenty people. Many were here in the center of the city with him. Javier and Ramon kept most of the citizens in line. There were only a few trusted souls with weapons, he’d confiscated them early on.
“Casper, you okay?” Javier asked, though he looked pale as death warmed over, himself.
“I think it was something I ate. You need to make sure those women are cooking the food right. Especially the fresh meat.” He said and bent over with a fresh bout of vomiting.
“I think you’re right. There are quite a few people sick. Maybe a stomach virus. I’ll talk to them.” Javier agreed.
“See about getting more bottled water. If we can’t, make sure they boil the water from the fountains.” Casper said, wiping the foulness from his chin. He felt weak and a fever was brewing in his head. Could it be the virus? Coming to finish off its work?
“I’ll get on it.” Javier said and left Casper.
Casper wondered if it was the food that was being prepared? The women they’d found had taken over cooking for the group. Except those on the outlying areas, who kept the food stores guarded, everyone else ate in the center of the city. There was a fire going all the time, with things brought from homes. Tables, chairs, books and so on. Fuel for the fires.
Some of the men had shot a gazelle, he’d not been happy, but he’d welcomed the fresh meat. It had tasted a bit gamey. It had been a little rare for his tastes. Perhaps that was it? Did the women wash their hands? He knew they didn’t bath, but did they wash their hands? Did they butcher the meat properly? Then his heart skipped a beat, was this some kind of disease? Like Cholera? Or E.coli?
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Paadi and BJ were making a run. Since finding the three men in the woods, Brian had suggested that one man stay at the camp at all times. If he were to go hunting, he’d take Paadi or Emma. If they were to go out and scavenge, BJ or one of the women would go with the man. It had spooked them all, knowing that the men were roughly five miles from their camp. Walking, it would only take a couple hours, driving, a matter of minutes.
They’d all agreed that if any of the men showed up, they were to be shot on sight. They had children and supplies to protect. Paadi was pretty sure that the men wouldn’t blink twice hurting the children and stealing everything they’d worked so hard for. They were making less and less runs now, having gotten everything they could. They’d gotten books, notebooks, paper, pens, pencils, crayons and so on for the children. In the fall, they’d start an abbreviated school for Hailey and Amanda. Coop and Dillan were a bit young, but they could at least be exposed to learning.
Today, they were on the lookout for movies and books. Because of the solar panels, they’d decided to get a couple of flat screen TVs, several DVD players and movies. Come winter, there would be a lot of time on their hands. Reading and movies would keep them happy, along with boardgames. BJ had some DVDs in his RV; they had been for his own boys. Paadi figured that the adults might like their own movies as well. She was an avid reader and also wanted books. Also, child appropriate books as well. They were heading to a strip mall that had a book store along with JoAnns. Emma had asked for bolts of material, threads, needles and anything Paadi could get her hands on. Even a sewing machine. Push comes to shove; they could make clothing and rep
air clothing.
Paadi looked over at BJ, his eyes were on the road, scanning constantly. She was glad. When she’d first met him, she’d thought he was something like milk toast, weak. But she’d been wrong. He was a good man and a good father. They all knew that Dillan couldn’t replace his own boys, but BJ seemed to come out of the shell he’d been hiding in. He laughed more and joked more. She was glad. She too was laughing more, as was Brian and Emma. They were healing from their losses. Never to be forgotten, but life went on, as did the struggle to survive.
She and Emma had spent nearly the entire day yesterday, canning green beans. They’d gotten a bumper crop of the things. They’d replanted a few weeks after planting the first crop and in a couple weeks, they’d have more beans to can. They’d put up thirty quarts of beans. That was a hell of a lot. She was glad that BJ and Brian were building the second storage shed. She was also glad that it would be well insulated. She’d not want to lose all they’d canned because the jars froze. The building was taking longer because they were essentially building a building inside the other. The walls were ten inches thick, along with the floor and ceiling.
The men had also picked up spray insulation to cover the plywood on the interior walls and ceiling. It would look like hell, but it would keep the interior cool in the summer and warm enough in the winter, as not to freeze anything. BJ had also made a thick door to go along with it. It had required special hinges which they’d had to fabricate. It wasn’t pretty, but it worked.
Emma had set up one of the utility rooms in the house as the medical storage. BJ had made her shelves that lined each wall. He’d even made a hidden compartment in one of the high shelves for drugs. To keep the children out, but also anyone who broke into the place. Paadi didn’t anticipate that, because if anyone got that close to the storage closet, then they had bigger problems than prescription drugs. Little by little, things were getting sorted out. The large ten by ten storage shed helped get much of the bulky goods out of the house. The children’s seasonal clothing, along with their future clothing was stored there, stacked neatly in the back along the walls. It was now easier to move around in the house.
BJ was now working on a kitchen, there had been a utility closet with a sink, so he tore down part of the wall and was in the process of making them counters. They’d picked up counter tops from the showroom. Brian and BJ had taken the sink and countertop off the floor model. They’d also taken a few of the cabinets. He’d hung the cabinets, which now held their dishes. It was all a work in progress.
She looked up when she saw that BJ was pulling into the strip mall. She had quieted a few empty boxes with her as well as cloth shopping bags. She wasn’t leaving here without entertainment. BJ carried the AR15 and his Glock, she had a shotgun, along with her service weapon. They’d all set aside time each week for target practice and drills. The dogs had begun to patrol their camp on their own. It was funny to watch them. They took their job seriously. She’d found the tattoo on the inside of Buddy’s ear. He’d been a police dog. He’d also gotten Daisy pregnant and they were all looking forward to puppies.
They had raided a veterinary clinic when they found out that Daisy was pregnant. They got ampoules of distemper and Rabie serum. They’d also picked up flea and tick prevention as well. No one wanted to itch. She hoped that the serums would work and not harm the puppies. They also picked up wormer. Paadi shivered at that thought. Ewww.
“What’s the matter? Your face looks funny.” BJ grinned at her.
“I was just thinking about worming the dogs. Jesus Christ, the thought of it makes me want to puke.” Paadi said and made gagging noises.
BJ turned bright red and began to snigger. She shot him a filthy look.
“I sure as hell don’t see what’s so goddamned funny about that.” She said, looking over her glasses. BJ’s eyes crinkled and squinted up tight, but he didn’t laugh again. She guessed that he wanted to, but knew better. They both took out their flashlights and walked into the bookstore. The door was unlocked.
“You head to the kid’s section; you know what they like. Also, if you can find any puzzle books and that kind of thing for them, get it. It will be kind of like a fun school activity for them. I’m going for adult content.” Paadi grinned. BJ nodded and walked through the aisle. The store smelled of stale air and paper, books and old carpet. The lights from the window helped and the store wasn’t so deep that the light didn’t filter to the back. She used her flashlight to look at titles of books.
An hour later, they loaded up the truck and drove the short distance to JoAnne’s. She ended up picking twenty bolts of cloth, two sewing machines, scissors, spools of thread, of all colors. She also found crafts and projects, knitting, how to books, cross stitch and everything she could even conceive of. There was quite a lot she’d not even considered, so she picked it up. They just might have to build another storage shed.
“I almost feel like a hoarder. All this stuff.” Paadi laughed as they pushed two carts around.
“I’d be afraid if we didn’t get as much as we could. I keep telling myself, once the gas goes, we’ll essentially be alone and on our own. That is a frightening thought.” BJ said, looking over at her.
Paadi raised one of her blocky brows, and smiled crookedly. “We’re already on our own and have been on our own.”
“Sure, guess you’re right.” He snorted.
“I know, it’s just once the gasoline is gone, we can only travel on foot. And unless our three assholes turn into wonderful neighbors, there is really no need to leave our camp. I’m hoping at some point, someone or several someone’s, who are decent people will head our way. It just seems like there are more assholes out there than decent people.”
“You said it. I’ve nearly lost my hope for humanity. I still go back and forth on whether Brian and I should have out and out killed those men.” BJ looked at her sideways.
She reached over and patted him on the back.
“You probably should have shot them, but it would have been at the cost of your soul. They show up, trust me, I’ll blow their asses to hell.” She grinned.
“Yeah. But, if I do have to shoot them, I’ll not lose sleep over it.” He grinned back and winked.
On the way home, they took a different route. Both wanted to see what was going on elsewhere. There were homes few and far between, but from what they could see, they all seemed quiet and abandoned. They saw no one in their yards, they saw no signs of gardens. Pulling over, BJ shut off the engine.
“What’s the deal?” Paadi asked, leaning against her door. She’d been enjoying the ride and looking at the houses they passed.
“Just wanted to stop and listen, we’re a couple of miles from the back entrance. See if I hear anything or anyone close to this entrance to the park. Paadi grunted and opened her door and stood on the running board. There was the ubiquitous buzz of insects in the bushes at the side of the road. Birds flitted in and out of branches. In the distance, she heard several woodpeckers hammering away at trees. A blue jay squawked at them from a large oak.
“You know, it smells green here.” BJ said and looked over the roof at her and grinned.
“What the hell does green smell like? You’re just pulling my leg.” She laughed softly.
“No, really. I don’t know how to explain, but it just smells green. You know, plants, plant life.” He shrugged.
“Chowderhead.” She laughed and got back into the truck. BJ pulled back onto the road, they wound slowly down the road. Up ahead they saw two people on horseback and Paadi looked at BJ, pulling her Sig Sauer.
“Slow down and be ready. Don’t think they’re a threat, but let’s meet our neighbors. That’s what they look like anyway.” Paadi said softly.
ELEVEN
Xandra stood in the shower, letting the cool water wash over her tired body. She’d found out that Richland Farm made biodiesel from the corn they grew. Not only that, but they had a small cattle ranch, with twenty head of cattle, six milk cows, goats
, chickens and pigs. Cliff’s father, Cliff senior was the patriarch and was still active. Cliff had taken over the reins of the farm and had turned it into a money-making farm. With the price of oil and gas, Cliff had turned his farm into a gold mine with the biodiesel. They had several large generators that ran the farm and ran off their own fuel.
Their equipment ran off the biodiesel and the property had several enormous holding tanks for the fuel. Flynn had been amazed at the operation and had told her all about it and she’d smiled at his enthusiasm. He seemed to be blossoming here. After a large breakfast, he’d leave and she’d not see him until lunch. Then he’d leave and she’d see him at dinner. There were a few chores after dinner, but then the evening was theirs.
She was up around four and went to the house to start making biscuits and bread for the day. Sarah seemed to have boundless energy. She was upbeat and Xandra liked her very much. She was learning so much. And she was feeling more and more at home here.
Along with the corn, they also grew wheat, oats and potatoes. The farm boasted of an orchard of apples and peaches. Sarah also had her own personal garden, that was where Xandra helped her. It was a three acres garden with every kind of vegetable she’d ever seen.
Xandra was learning how to can the vegetables as well as how to kill and pluck chickens. She’d not enjoyed the process, but had loved the end result. There was a large chicken lot with a long building that housed the chickens. There were hundreds of chickens, pullets and chicks. The mount of eggs was staggering. No wonder they age eggs for breakfast. She was getting good at making the biscuits and she smiled at that.
The farm had seven farm hands, three of which were married. They lived in three other cottages. Those cottages were bigger since they had children. Cliff had two sons, Jake and Randy, who were in their thirties along with their wives, Beth and Mary and their children. The large farmhouse was full of people and laughter. Xandra was learning how to cook and how to take care of the garden, pigs, goats and chickens. Cliff’s daughters-in-law also helped Xandra. She liked both of the women, though they were a little older than herself, they’d taken her under their wings. They had pushed food on her, trying to feed her up.