A Dish Best Served Cold

by T J Reeder

The girls wanted fuel so one of the guys filled the tank and then told them to be damn sure to have the seat belts on because these things will roll if your not careful. They roared off in a cloud of dust but I did thank him for his words. He smiled and said john them girls ain’t gonna screw up, they just love jerking your chain and everybody knows it but you. Well I know it damn it but…… shit!

  The ball is mounted and we went over to hook it to the trailer which was also brand new and looked as long as a freight trailer, I asked about the cargo container and was told it was a 20 footer and after it was loaded there was room for the jeep if the girls didn’t kill it before then, all we could see was dust where they had been.

  One of the men got a big fork lift while we took the truck and trailer to the container which we loaded almost before I could get out of the dodge. They had it dogged down with chains and binders and were waiting for the girls to show up which took a good while, so we drove back to the office and one of them went in and brought out three very cold beers, I had died and gone to heaven!

  We had two more before the girls showed up covered in dust and the jeep looked like it was ten years old but it was purring, then I noticed Walker was in there with them, all seat belted in and grinning like a fool.

  I just looked at them and laughed, they were as wild as wolves, ten times more dangerous and as funny as a room full of kittens.

  They bounced out and grabbed my beer and passed it around, beth took a small sip to wash the dust down, Willard went in to get more and brought out an ice cold Dr pepper for Beth who smiled and said thank you, the outlaws were too busy choking down their whole beer to do more then nod, both finished and belched like a couple of red neck truckers. Wilson the other dude went in and brought out a bucket of beers in ice, that settled them down and I grabbed one before they took the whole bucket.

  They sat down on the ground and Beth leaned on me and whispered “thank you”! for what says I? The jeep she said, they love it and they just know you set it up for them. I laughed at that but I wondered if I did. I’ve never been a jeep fan, they are too small and the last one I drove was the old CJ5 and it was dangerous as a bed roll full of rattlers. The last fatal I worked as a Deputy Sheriff involved one and I never forgot it.

  These new ones had longer and wider wheel bases so were much safer, IF the drivers don’t get crazy. If they already crazy then …I don’t know. Beth said, they will settle down because the baby means as much to them as anybody else and they aren’t gonna risk missing out on the arrival. I hoped she was right, they were so competitive that I worried. But I wouldn’t change them for anything.

  We headed for the Fort after thanking Willard and Wilson for their hard work and the cold beer. I was in need of food so we headed for the chow hall. The menu for the night consisted of Prime Rib and all the usual stuff that goes with it. The head cook said he wished pigs were as available as cows, I agreed, I loves me some pork roast and ribs. I guess we need to think about raising our own but I’m not sure they will do well out here in the desert, he also said they needed more chickens because they don’t have enough eggs. Now that is something we can help with, we are over loaded with chickens and eggs, the boys with their 22’s keep the local varmints at bay so except for the Hawks and Owls we really don’t lose many and we have a lot of broody hens, I told him we could help him out on that issue, he was thrilled. And on second thought I know Texas is flat over run with wild hogs and we might be able to help out there. Catch them young and raise them up and they tame right down what with free food.

  We had other things to look for in Texas so it’s not just a trip to better us personally, I worry bout that stuff,

  Between the beer and the long day I was beat and said I was gonna take a shower and headed for the room, Shortly joined by all here of the girls, the shower was plenty big enough for all of us but the insisted on crowding in on one shower head, I sigh, they laugh.

  Bed was wonderful, I think I was out like a light as were the girls, I woke up to one warm body next to me and it was May, I laughed and said your turn? She smiled and said naa, we flipped a coin, I lost! Ha-Ha-H…. funny… We rejoined the crew in the chow hall and feasted on the usual, Hot cakes and bacon and eggs, I figured and was right that Sandy and Beth had cooked it.

  The head cook came over and offered to buy them but he figured he couldn’t afford to feed them. I told him I got that a lot. We laughed, they didn’t, May asked if he was implying they were fat? He said OH Hell no!!, yawlz fine, then he turned red and beat feet for the kitchen, they have a way of doing that.

  Sandy asked if there was still room for more stuff, I said not if it goes bang, we have enough of that stuff. She said no she had asked and found there was a supply of windows in containers and wanted to look at them, I hugged her and said baby anything you want!! She said cool coz they have a lot of 45 ammo! I was beat. They laughed all the way to the truck to go window shopping.

  Willard and Wilson were already and took us right to the containers that held windows. It took two hours but the found what they wanted, tall double hung windows, they explained that with the double hung they could lower the top glass and let the hit air out.

  I acted impressed, but I knew that before they were born, I’m old, and wore out, and tired and did I say old? And about to become a daddy…jeeze.. The windows were loaded before I could blink and Willard asked if we had power in the canyon, I said we did and he said pull down three more containers, next thing in the container was the biggest refrigerator I’ve ever seen, then they said stop at their office where we loaded about a hundred cases of beer.

  I was thinking the canyon ladies were gonna steal this thing long before it ever got a beer in it but I never said anything to the guys. But then I had a brain flash and asked if they had ever found any reefer vans out on the roads, they had and brought them in. Now I was thinking. I asked if they knew anybody who could drive a tractor with one and they of course said they would be happy to do it. They said the reefers ran on propane and they had been salvaging propane tanks by the dozen as well as trucks with 5000 gal tanks on them. They said to head home and they would be over in a day or two. I love these two ol boys.

  We headed home, slow and steady and pulled in right at dark. We just parked and headed for bed. Morning brought getting the container unloaded and I was right, the ladies started in about the big fridge, I told them to hold off a day or two and there would be one a hundred times bigger coming in, I think they didn’t trust me but Beth said it was so and they was good enough.

  Harv and his guys came to see what I had and were going bat shit over the saw mill as I figured they would, I could see it was gonna get a lot of use. I told them my idea for the reefer trailer and they were up for that.

  I also planned to ask Willard and Wilson to bring another one for Harv’s family area as well as one for The Bremmers who had settled in a canyon on down from Harv’s bunch, I figured we could make this reefer idea work just fine and that would help a great deal and make life a bit easier for the ladies.

  And I could keep my beer cold! And my nice big fridge was gonna go in the new house, we was gonna get half assed civilized. Yea I know, but I’m old and tired and I like cold beer and did I mention I’m old?

  I’m still torn over the trip to Texas for big Oak and cedar logs or to the much closer pine tree country. Harvey said in his opinion using Oak was very much preferable, I said ok. I’m easy and I wanted to see Mom and Miz Sheri who was gonna shit over a third wife plus a baby coming. I might not be able to pull Beth away from her. So we were going to Texas, cool.

  Only one issue in my mind, was it right to expend fuel just to haul logs back to make our new home even more over the top then it was? I worry about this kind of shit. But when I mentioned it I was surprised to hear the women talking about us bringing back some Hickory because they wanted to try smoking some meat. None of them thought I should be worried about it.

  I’m continually blown away at hos peoples personalities have change
d in just a few years, things they would have started a bloody feud are now not worth even thinking about. We live in a communal life style and share everything, If somebody came up right now and said hey I want a house on a ridge, everybody would say go find your location and we will help. No time clocks, no rush, wanna stop and take a nap or make love? Go do it, nobody’s gonna care unless your endangering the group like walking away from guard duty but that’s like maybe four hours every few days so nobody is worried about that, in fact we have people who due to age or an injury can’t do much and they are thrilled to have guard duty to be of use. Lecture over for the day, we have packing to do.

  Unloading the container wasn’t as easy as loading it without the big forklift but we got it done right where it could be of use. The truck was fussed over by the under worked mechanics and it was ready to roll.

  The back loaded with the things we needed and all the stuff the girls were taking as gifts from the Fort for our Texas families.

  We rolled out early and made good time to Shiprock where we found Charley waiting for us as usual, I will go to my death still wondering how he knows. I know the Canyon Commo people aren’t telling him or so they say. I know his young men are all over the place just watching but they don’t have hand sets.

  I file it under PFM and hear giggling in my head, I ignore it. We stopped for just a few minutes to say hi and for the girls to fill up on Old Woman wisdom or maybe to gather up a supply of powdered bat wings ( You’re gonna regret that one buddy boy! In my head ) Shit ( stop cussing!) sigh.

  Charley smiled and said John you will never learn will you? I guess not was my reply. He warned us to avoid strangers because the sickness was still far away but people were moving around a lot more.

  His men were stopping strangers from entering Navajo country which I had not heard, but if figures. Better early then late.

  The girls bounded out and said lets roll buttercup! Which got a laugh from Charley, I think they do that crap just to get to me, Charley said “No shit Sherlock “ Now I’m laughing. I also noticed the girls didn’t tell him to stop cussing. Rank really does have it’s privileges unless it’s me. I sigh again, Beth leaned over and kissed my cheek, May leaned forward and wrapped her arms around me and Sandy ruffled my hair, what there is of it. We rolled out.

  I dropped the peddle to the metal as they used to say so we could make it to the Texas state line before dark, which we did and found Bear and Harry waiting for us all smiles and big hugs for Beth. Sandy tapped him on the chest and said if you squeeze too hard I’ll hurt you! He laughed his loud beller and wrapped Beth up in his huge arms and lifted her off the ground, she was laughing while Sandy was kicking him in the shin. He set her down and was laughing at Sandy when Mrs. Bear arrived and smacked his head which was a reach and reminded him she was in a family way. He never blinked and just kept smiling. I swear everybody in the whole country must know Beth is pregnant!

  Mrs, Bear herded the girls away from bad influences and met up with Mrs. Harry who was hurrying along glaring at Bear who ignored it all and smiled big.

  I swear, the woman just recently roared into a fight in a chopper manning a M-60 with blood in her eyes now she’s a marshmallow? I don’t get it. Bear and Harry led me to the mess hall and the cold beer, life is easy in Texas, the world goes to hell but by god their beer stayed cold. I love their priorities! Protect the women and kids and keep the beer cold. What’s not to love.

  I told them the full story of the ambush and the chase and the ambush and the chase leading up to capturing Mr. El Gato Negro. I brushed over the things I did to him and Bear asked if Sandy had really just shot the shithead while he was demanding a lawyer.

  I said yep but you know Sandy, never one to pass up a chance to shoot assholes, Bear laughed long and loud, Harry was quiet so I asked why, he said he wondered what kind of information we could have gotten out of him.

  I had not thought about that but doubted it was worth keeping him alive wasting good air and said as much. Harry sighed and agreed, I love Harry, never stops thinking, Bear? Well he’s like a 300 pound almost 7 foot version of Sandy.

  Shoot it, if it moves shoot it some more. Both are right.

  We talked about the LA war and the coming plague if that was what it really was. They had pretty well closed down Texas as much as possible, the entire Texas national Guard was activated and helping seal the road ways from the big cities where there might be outbreaks, it wasn’t gonna be easy but they had plans laid on to have fall back road blocks and if need be would shoot if they had to. It was a crappy thing but necessary to protect the whole. I was so happy we didn’t have that issue in the canyons. And with few roads it was easier to close down access.

  We spent the night and all had breakfast together and we rolled out early. It was so different in East Texas from our home, the trees were green and of course it was humid which kills me but it was good to be back even if only for a while.

  We rolled up to the gate before dark and were met by two strangers pointing rifles at us, this I didn’t like. I opened the door and stepped out only to hear one say get back in the truck and head on out of here. I didn’t do that I walked right at the fool and asked who he was, he replied by asking who in the hell I thought I was. I said well son, I don’t “Think”, I know who I am because I knew who my daddy was ( yes I was tired and getting pissed ) which of course pissed off the one talking.

  The other looked at me then the truck and then at the very pissed off Red Head who had gotten out of the truck and had taken her light jacket off, revealing the shoulder holster. And said Luke you best back off that’s John Walker and the woman is the one they call Wyatt.

  Now Luke was possibly inbred or just stupid cause he wasn’t gonna back down, so I repeated what the second guy said, my name and that we lived here part of the time.

  From out of the dark I heard a voice I knew! Good ol Fred who said Luke you stupid bastard your about the get yer ass killed, point that gun at the ground right now!

  Luke didn’t like it at all and watching his eyes I could see he was gonna be a problem, if not now the later, But for now he did lower the muzzle but just had to add that he would see me later. Sandy walked closer and said “ Well look real close shit head because your later is gonna be real short if you keep the shit up. Before he could raise the muzzle again fred hit him with a hard right to the jaw hinge and we all heard it snap and Luke dropped like a used condom.

  I was watching his partner but he told Fred that he would not work with luke again ever and wasn’t gonna have anything to do with him ever again coz the stupid bastard was gonna get himself and maybe others killed. I asked the man his name which was Duke and we shook hands while he tried to apologize but I waved it away and told him he wasn’t responsible for Lukes stupidity.

  Fred told Duke he would send another guard team to relieve him and somebody to take care of the idiot, we dragged him out of the way and drove on in to find Miz Sheri standing by our tent home with her soft smile of welcome. Hugging Sheri is like hugging Beth but even better if possible. She puts her whole being into every hug and you know you’re home when she does it.

  Sandy and May got their hugs and Sheri looked at Beth, then me and smiled and reached out for her and really hugged her and whispered in her ear, Beth smiled and got teary eyed and just held on to Sheri.

  At last they let go and Sheri looked at her closely and got a big smile and asked when the baby was due, How do they know? Well actually Miz Sheri is kind of a Witch, a good Witch, well Witch is a strong word but she just knows stuff, She hears things others don’t. I can’t explain it but she’s a lot like Beth or Beth is like her.

  I headed over to see mom, she still looks got for her age but she’s really lost a lot of short term memory, She thought I had been here all along so I just went along with it.

  I think growing old is vastly over rated and I think I’ll opt out of it.

  The tent was opened up and had been airing out for a while, all the spiders h
ad been evicted as well as anything else that had moved in. And it was just as comfy as when we left, Beth loved the earth oven and the fire place. But it had been a long day so we headed for the solar shower house and got cleaned up and found food waiting for us. A lot of the folks were there and had to hear all about our wars and adventures.

  One ol guy asked if we really burned Vegas to the ground, Sandy said damn skippy we did! He said good! Seems he had lost a lot of money plus got rolled by a hooker back in his youth which got a good laugh. It was funny how nobody seemed to miss the modern day Vegas. I always said it was a much cleaner and safer place when the mob run it, At least they kept the street crime down.

  Being tired we called time out for now but promised we would answer everybody’s questions in the days to follow and on that note we went to bed and slept hard.

  I woke up to wonderful smells, bread baking in the earth oven, compliments of Sheri, the girls making breakfast over the camp fire, lets see, can I guess?

  Hot cakes, smoked ham steaks and eggs and coffee! When they cook breakfast that’s what they cook, fine with me! I like it all. And it reminds me about taking hogs back to the canyon.

  We sat on the ground and stuffed ourselves, and I have to say I love eating this way, tables and chairs ore ok in their place but nothing beats sitting around the cook fire. It’s hard to find anything better.

  Breakfast over the girls took Beth around to show her off and introduce her to everybody and show her their range, I was thinking an after breakfast nap was in order but Rick showed up and joined me, he don’t drink coffee and never has but he had his never ending can of Pepsi. I swear he must have a ton of it stashed someplace.