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Post by papaof2 on Feb 2, 2013 0:32:14 GMT -6
Chapter 25 - Monday afternoon
"What's the shiny thing on your cast, Terry?"
"It's a plastice bag to keep it clean, Lexi. Grandpa made it from the bag newspapers came in. I don't think he ever throws anything away - he just finds another way to use it."
" Daddy said we all need to think twice before throwing anything away 'cause new things aren't being made anymore."
"Well, only a few new things; we get new dresses for the wedding!"
"You're right little sister. I'd almost forgot that. Do you think the Trotters will be invited?"
"It sounds like the Trotters might be special to you, Abby. I'll ask Daddy to invite them."
"Well, er.., um.."
" Does he have a brother?"
"He, who?"
"The Trotter boy you like."
"Bobby is mine!" "If you say so, Terry. I'm not ready to choose a husband yet."
"Our grandmother knew her future husband when she first saw him - on the first day of fourth grade. She was nine years old."
"Wow, Abby! I didn't know people could tell that young."
"Apparently not many can - but not many can find water either."
"Find water?"
"Yeah. You use a couple of sticks or wires and walk across the yard. Where the sticks or wires cross, there's water under the ground."
"Really? How does it work?"
"George Black said it a rare talent - on;y a few people can sense where the water is. The pump on the front porch is on a well drilled where I found water with the dowsing rods."
"Can Terry do it too?"
"Yes, but it's lots harder when you can't use both hands. Dowsing seems to run in families - we're cousins to George and he can do it."
"Can you show me?"
"Let me look for something to use. I think these bent wires will work. We need to tell Uncle Jack what we're doing so he can stay with us."
" Daddy, Abby's gonna show me how she finds water. Will you stay with us while we walk across the yard?"
"Abby can dowse?"
"Un huh. I found the well for the pump on the front porch."
"I've heard about it but never seen it. You go ahead and I'll be close by."
"How do you make the wires turn?"
"I don't, Lexi. They turn when I walk over where the water is. I know there are a couple of places on the same side of the house as the pump. I hadn't looked on this side before but it looks like there are a couple of good places here as well."
"Can I try?"
"Go ahead, Lexi, but don't be sad if you don't find anything. George said that not many people have the ability to dowse."
"OK. Show me how to hold the wires."
"Like this."
"Now what?"
"Hold them out in front of you and walk slowly in a straight line."
"They moved!"
"OK. Come stand by me. Now close your eyes and take ten steps."
"They moved again!"
"You have the gift too, Lexi."
"If it runs in families, can Daddy do it?"
"That depends on whether you got the ability from your Momma or your Daddy. You wanna try, Uncle Jack?"
"I don't think you'll let me rest until I do. Show me how to hold the wires."
"Like this, Daddy. Now walk that way."
"They didn't move."
"Lexi, remember that not everyone can dowse. You musta got it from your Momma. Did she have any special abilities?"
"She always knew when rain or snow was coming - even if you couldn't see a cloud in the sky. Do you remember me telling you about that, Lexi?"
"Yes, Daddy. Rain and snow are just different forms of water, so I guess she could tell where the water was. Does that mean I got the ability from her?"
"Yes, Lexi. We now know that you have a very special part of your mother inside you."
"You told me Mommy'd always be part of me. Thank you for giving me another happy memory of her."
"You're welcome, sweetie. From the looks of the three of you, we may have to dig wells at every spot you found to have enough water to get you clean. I didn't believe your Grandpa when he was trying to tell me how dirty you would get playing in the barn. It looks like the only clean spot on the three of you is Terry's cast - and that only because it's covered in plastic. Time for you to be in the shower. I'll ask Kate to check your ears and hair and anywhere else she thinks may need extra attention today. Since she grew up playing in the barn, I'll guess she knows where the dirt tries to hide."
"You're silly, Uncle Jack."
"No, just teasing my favorite nieces."
"Are me and Terry your only nieces?"
"As far as I know, so you must be my favorites."
"That's what Grandpa said about us being his favorite and only grandkids - then Lexi got here. Are you gonna find more nieces?"
"I don't think so, Abby, but you'll be the first to know if it happens. Head for the house. Leave your shoes on the porch and let me brush some of the dirt and straw off you before you go in the house."
"OK."
"Kate, can you handle three dust bunnies?"
"If I take them one at a time. I think someone will have to clean the bathtub after they all get clean."
"I'll do it."
"Why you, Abby? Isn't that a yucky job?"
"Yes, Lexi, it's yucky, but we initially came here with an agreement to help with the work in exchange for food and a room. What we got was a new Grandpa and now we help because that's what family does."
"I've heard the last part of that sentence from someone else, Kate."
"That someone would have been me, Jack. It seems to still be a good measure of the love within a family - even unrelated people who came together by accident."
"Not an accident, Aunt Kate. Grandpa says it was divine purpose."
"I certainly can't argue with that, Terry. You and Abby have been good for him and I think he's been good for you."
"He tells us how smart we are and he always sees the good in what we try to do. It's a lot better than being called 'trailer trash'."
"I would never think of you as 'trailer trash'."
"You never saw us dirty and in ragged clothes, either. He asked us if we wanted to stay here and help him for food and a room. It'd been a long time time since anyone asked or cared what we wanted to do. We'd have stayed if that was all we got, but he took care of us when we were hurt and checked on us when we had nightmares - just like we were really family."
"I can't think of a more 'real' family than one that's made up of people who care about each other and want to be together."
"That's us, isn't it?"
"Yes, smart girl. I put pajamas for all of you in the bathroom so these dirty bodies won't be scattering dust all the way to your bedroom and back. I need Abby to wash her hands so she can help Terry, then she can shower, then Lexi. I will be inspecting each of you, so plan on washing your hair - or having me wash it - more than once and probably putting up with me washing your ears."
" Do we hafta?"
"She's right, Lexi. Me and Terry had to wash our hair twice the last time we got this dirty - and Grandpa had to wash our ears cause we can't see in them or behind them."
"Girls, your Grandpa said you could help with the cornbread tonight if you finished your showers in time. You should start now."
"OK, help me with the bags on my cast."
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Post by freebirde on Feb 2, 2013 7:22:32 GMT -6
Yeah! Another section! Keep it up.
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Post by kaijafon on Feb 2, 2013 13:17:00 GMT -6
Thank you! great chapter! Lot's of family bonding! love it!
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Post by topsgt on Feb 4, 2013 9:23:19 GMT -6
Great story, I have enjoyed and have looked back into my own family life and see Grand parents and lessons learned. Thank you for the reminders.
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Post by papaof2 on Feb 9, 2013 15:17:21 GMT -6
Chapter 26 - Monday evening
"Can we do the cornbread, Grandpa?"
"Yes, Terry. When the other girls finish their showers, the three of you can decide which shape you want your cornbread in."
"Shape? Isn't cornbread always round in an iron skillet?"
"No. There are other ways to cook it. We have muffin pans..."
"Like cupcakes with icing!"
"No icing on the cornbread, but maybe a little butter and we have cornstick pans..."
"They look like corncobs."
"Interesting description, Terry. You think about which you might want and the others will also get to tell their preferences."
"You have muffin pans for the cornbread!"
"I think I know which shape you like, Abby."
"You can butter the top and let it soak in - then butter the inside after each bite."
"Maybe I should have called you 'Butter' instead of 'Peanut'."
"Just call me Peanut Butter."
"OK, silly girl. I don't think Terry's made up her mind yet and we're still waiting for Lexi."
"I'd have been here sooner but I had to wash my hair twice and then Kate washed it again!"
"Lexi, your hair is down to your shoulders - that's much longer than Abby's or Terry's and would take more time and effort to wash. They want their hair longer, so in a few months they'll be spending just as much time washing their hair as you did today."
"We can do cornsticks?"
"That depends on what the three of you want. Lexi wants cornsticks, Abby wants muffins. Terry?"
"I want it in the big skillet."
"Anyone here like cornbread and milk for a snack or for breakfast?"
"Me."
"Me."
"Me."
"Me."
"Me."
"It seems that all of us do. What if we make something for each of you and plan on having the leftovers tomorrow and later?"
"Crystal never did more food than we'd eat at one or two meals. Why are you cooking this much bread?"
"Abby, how much work is it to get wood for the stove, set the fire and keep it hot while the bread bakes?"
"A bunch."
"Is there any reason to do that twice when we don't have to?"
"No way!"
"So we'll fix enough cornbread tonight to last us a couple of days and not have to bake again tomorrow."
"You're smart. Grandpa."
"Yep, Terry, some smarts rub off on me every time one of my smart girls hugs me."
"Now you're being silly."
"No, Lexi. Just enjoying teasing my favorite grandkids."
"I like being with my new family."
"Then it's time to help cook for that family. Here are aprons for all of you. Abby can read the recipe and measure the ingredients, Lexi can pour them into the bowl, Terry can stir. When the batter is mixed, I'll pour it into the three pans and put them in the oven."
"Kate, I never knew cornbread could be fun. Your Dad makes an adventure out of what most kids would see as a chore."
"That brings back memories and I wish I could there working with him - but I don't think an ant could squeeze into that tight little group."
"I think you're right, but it's sure been good for Lexi. She's almost bubbly and she's talking about her Mother without tears. I had hoped she'd find people who gave her a feeling of family, but I never dreamed of an instant extended family: cousins her age who are like sisters - or a new grandfather who immediately made her feel accepted."
"I'm glad I convinced you to come here, Jack."
"Me too, Kate. Think we should go back in the kitchen or have they even missed us?"
"I saw Dad smiling toward this doorway, so he knows where we are, but he's had the girls discussing the merits of peanut butter, honey, sorghum and maple syrup on cornbread."
"I guess a romantic guy like him would have given your Mother a dozen roses on Valentine's Day?"
"You're close - he planted a dozen rose bushes in the shape of a heart where she could see them from the window over the kitchen sink."
"At least I know where your expectations are."
"Jack, Kate. The cornbread will be ready soon and I'm frying slices of cured ham and the last of the potatoes from the root cellar."
"On our way, Dad. Does the table need setting?"
"If you'll get plates and glasses down for Abby and Lexi, I think Terry can manage the knives and forks."
"We wanna say the blessing together."
"That's fine, Lexi. You lead."
"God is great..."
"Kate, after this meal I have to ask. How did your Mom's cooking compare to your Dad's?"
"Better with the fancy things like cake or mousse or apple jelly. Equally good on the basics."
"No wonder you're such a kitchen chemist - you had two good teachers."
"And I had many opportunities to practice."
"That she did. In high school she often had complete charge of the evening meal while her mother and I did other things. She also worked in the kitchen at the Baptist church for some of the meals they had there."
"So that's why Uncle Josh had you in charge of the kitchen on his farm - you had previous experience. I know we were all happier when he quit trying to cook."
"His cooking was reason enough to volunteer for the job."
"It's gettin' dark, Grandpa. Is it too late for a bedtime story?"
"'Too late', Terry?"
"Yes, Lexi. Grandpa doesn't want to light the kerosene lamp to read by 'cause we can't make any more kerosene."
"But there's a thingie of kerosene on the train."
"That 'thingie' is a tank car. What do we do when that tank car is empty, Lexi?"
"Terry said we can't make any more, so I guess we'd do without. Can we make candles?"
"Good thought, smart girl. Do you know how to make candles?"
" Don't you know? Abby and Terry said you know how to do everything."
"Well, certainly not everything. I do have lots of books that tell how to do things."
"Then show me which book so I can read it and learn how."
"You can read, Lexi?"
"Un huh, Terry. I taught myself 'cause there wasn't any kindergarten to go to or TVs to watch or computers to play with and there were books that Daddy got for first grade. I need help with some of the big words, but I started reading a book about Pocahontas while we were on the train."
"Would you like to read the story tonight?"
"Will you help me, Grandpa?"
"Of course."
"Remember to tell Daddy about Wild Bill tonight so we can hear about it tomorrow."
"After the three of you are asleep. Here's the chapter we're on."
"You did very well, Lexi."
"You helped me with a lot of words."
"You still did well for a self-taught reader. Tell us if you want to read another night. You too, Abby. Terry can have a turn after we get school started and she's comfortable with trying. Brush your teeth and get in bed. Before you ask, I'll get the generator flashlight so you can provide each other with light to brush by."
"Come tuck us in when we're brushed?"
"Just call me."
"Are they asleep, Kate?"
"Yes, Dad. They finally tired of trying to listen while we read. Just how bad is the story of Jack's uncle?"
"Other than people dying and bodies being dismembered, not too bad."
"I see why you don't want the girls to know details. What happened?"
"We were on a routine patrol when an IED blew up the driver's side of the Humvee that Josh was driving. His radio operator got out a call before he was hit by rifle fire from a rooftop on his side of the vehicle. The gunner swung the .50 around on the first shooter and got him, but was hit by fire from a rooftop across the road. Our driver pulled our Humvee up close to Josh's vehicle to reduce the uncovered distance we'd have to move the injured. I got to Josh and used my belt for a tourniquet on what was left of his leg. They were still firing from the roof above us so I used a grenade launcher to knock the shooter out. The other guys from our Humvee were returning fire to several rooftops and our radio guy called for air support. He got the call out just in time. A child walked out in the road - she might have been four or five - and kept looking back at the doorway of one of the houses. Someone there apparently was telling her to get closer to the Humvee. One of our guys was yelling in the local dialect for her to get back in the house. She stopped and looked around, then whoever was in the doorway waved a stick of some kind and the girl started crying and walking closer. Then she blew up..."
"Are you OK, Dad?"
"Can you get me some water and the heart medication in the cabinet on the left?"
"Here you go. Just sit and get your breath. I see why you don't want the girls to hear this."
"Thanks, Kate. I can go on now. Adult suicide bombers are one thing - wiring a little kid is a whole different ballgame, so we started playing by different rules. We had some anti-tank weapons and I put a rocket in the window of each of the four closest houses. I was too angry to notice that I'd been shot or that I'd been hit in both legs by shrapnel from the Humvee. When the Cobras got in walkie-talkie range I told them about the little girl and which houses had been involved. They took out everything on both sides of the road for a hundred yards. At least one of the houses was some kind of explosives or ammo dump, as it went up and took six or eight other houses with it. The blast from that knocked me out and I woke up in the hospital with the Captain telling me I was a hero. I'm not a hero; I was just doing my job. A hero would have saved that little girl."
"How many did you save, Dad?"
"Josh and six others. The guy who'd been telling the girl to go back died instantly in the explosion - he was out of the armored vehicle and just too close to her.
"Unless you were Superman with X-ray vision, superspeed and bulletproof, I don't think anyone could have saved the girl, Dad."
"Maybe not, but it made me damned mad that I couldn't."
"You never told me most of this."
"You didn't need to know. Your Mother knew - I woke her up many times with my nightmares."
"Jack, how much of this can Lexi handle?"
"She knows about people getting shot and things getting blown up from the riots in Texas. She knows that Uncle Josh has a plastic leg and that he has it because he was hurt in an explosion. She can probably handle learning that her Grandpa took care of her Uncle Josh and some others when they were hurt, even though Grandpa was hurt while doing so. How bad are the scars?"
"Not too bad below the knee. My thighs look like a map of a railroad yard. Unless we go swimming, I don't plan to show that to them. Since any swimming is likely a month or more away, they'll have time to become accustomed to the fact that I was hurt and have some scars."
"Mr. Mason, I'll let you play it by ear for any questions Lexi or the others have. I agree that it's fodder for bad dreams but we need to give our kids as honest a picture of the world as they can handle. I'm very sorry that I mentioned 'Wild Bill' and bought it all up again."
" Don't be sorry, Jack. I agree that the kids need to know as much as they can manage and the hurt is a little less each time I share the story. I think there was only one 'damned' this time, instead of me raging on and on."
"I was too angry to notice."
"I think we could all use something calming. There should be chamomile tea on the right side of the pantry, next to the coffee and the other teas. The camp stove is on the porch; the kettle is filled and ready to go, so heating water will only take a few minutes."
"I'll get the tea, Kate, if you'll start the stove."
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Post by kaijafon on Feb 14, 2013 20:13:19 GMT -6
great chapter, as always! loving this story
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Post by papaof2 on Feb 16, 2013 13:02:27 GMT -6
Thank you.
I lost last weekend plus Monday and some of Tuesday to whatever 'bug' is currently making the rounds - spending all day coughing and blowing my nose kills all creative energy. I did stay home until the fever was gone so I wouldn't share it with anyone else ;-)
Hope to be back to writing this week.
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Post by papaof2 on Feb 26, 2013 0:36:35 GMT -6
Chapter 27 - Tuesday morning
"What are you doing with the cornbread, Abby?"
"Last night Grandpa said we could have it for breakfast."
"Cornbread for breakfast?"
"Yes, Lexi. It's lots better than corn flakes."
"Really?"
"Try a bite."
"It's yummy! Can I have some?"
"We need some help to make more milk."
"I can help you with that, Abby."
"Thanks, Uncle Jack. Do you like cornbread for breakfast, too?"
"I like it with sorghum or maple syrup or honey - and I know that there's honey and maple syrup in the pantry. Any takers?"
"Honey for me, Uncle Jack."
"OK, Terry."
"I want it like cornflakes, Daddy."
"OK, Lexi. The milk will be ready in just a minute."
"Can I help?"
"You can stir - gently, so you don't splash it out on the counter."
"Yes, Daddy."
"I see you're all working on breakfast. Is one shape of cornbread better than another for breakfast?"
"Only if you're putting honey or jelly on it. It doesn't matter if you're breaking it up for cereal."
"Very good, smart girl."
"I like my new Grandpa."
"I like you too, Lexi."
"You like us a bunch - we all got our choice of how to make the cornbread last night."
"Seems it was OK to make that much - everyone is having some for breakfast."
"Grandpa, tell us about Wild Bill."
"After everyone finishes eating, Terry."
"OK, but everyone hurry up."
"You may not be able to wait, but the rest of us will take the time to enjoy breakfast and each other's company."
"I guess I can wait, if I gotta."
"You 'gotta', silly girl."
"She's not being silly."
" Do you think the story will be different ten minutes from now than it would be right now, Lexi?"
"No."
"So I can tease Terry for being silly?"
"It's OK when you tease, 'cause it's like getting a hug with words."
"Then I can start giving you a goodnight tease instead of a hug?"
"That's not what I said! Why are you laughing, Daddy?"
"I think you just got your morning 'hug with words', Lexi."
"I like being here and getting hugs from across the table."
"If everyone has finished breakfast, put your dishes in the sink and let's go sit on the safa."
"OK."
"Lexi, do you remember your Daddy's Uncle Josh?"
"He's almost as nice as you Grandpa."
"I think you're right, Lexi."
"You know Uncle Josh?"
"We were in the military together. He's the one who named me 'Wild Bill'."
"Tell us about it, Grandpa."
"I'll tell you as much of the story as you need to know now. If you're still curious by the time you're 12 or 13, I'll tell you more."
"But we wanna know ..."
"Girls, I told you last night that I would only tell you as much as Jack thought was OK for Lexi to know. No arguments or I'll hold the story until you're all ready to accept the rules."
"Terry, we can find out more later."
"OK, Lexi. Go ahead, Grandpa."
"Josh and I were in the same company and often went on patrol together. This particular day, Josh's Humvee..."
"Is that like a Hummer?"
"Yes, Abby. The original Hummer 1 was basically a civilian version of the Humvee, but with more comfortable seats, carpet and air conditioning. Later civilian versions weren't as big or as capable."
"OK."
"Anyway, Josh's vehicle was leading and an explosion damaged the driver's side of the truck where Josh was. I got Josh out and gave first aid for his injuries..."
"Is this the explosion that got his leg?"
"Yes, Lexi. That's when it happened."
"Were they shooting at you, Grandpa?"
"Yes, Terry. They were shooting at all of us. That's how several people were injured. I parked my Humvee close to Josh's vehicle so we could get them in the vehicle with us, but then there was another explosion. One of our people was killed and most of us were injured, so we radioed for help. When the helicopters got there, they shot back at the bad guys and apparently hit the building where they kept explosives because there was a really big explosion - then I woke up in the hospital."
"Hospital? How bad were you hurt?"
"Abby, I'd been shot once. The second explosion did a lot of damage to our Humvee and I was hit in the legs by some of the flying pieces..."
"Can I see the scars?"
"That's some of the scary part of the story, Terry. Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Abby and Lexi. What about you?"
"Me too."
"Me three."
"OK, smart girl. I'll pull my trouser leg up as far as it will go."
"Yuck! Does it still hurt?"
"It doesn't hurt, Terry, but I'm not as flexible as I once was."
"This scar goes up higher than I can see. Are there more scars above your knee?"
"Yes, Abby. There are a lot of scars there. If we ever go swimming, you can see them then."
"You got hurt taking care of other people then, just like when you tried to take care of me Sunday. You're nice, Grandpa."
"Thank you, Abby. Girls, you need to get dressed so we can check the garden and you can take care of the rabbits."
"Yes, Grandpa."
"That went better than I thought it would. I expected even more questions about gory details."
"Mr. Mason, I think they believed your threat to put the story off until they agreed to the rules."
"That wasn't a threat, Jack - it was a promise. They would hear the story, but on my terms. I expect there'll be more questions later, after they've had time to think about it."
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Post by philipinoregon on Feb 26, 2013 23:02:28 GMT -6
Papaof2, never worry about posting schedule, those of us who are hooked will wait upon you, and your schedule!
Great storyline!!!!!!
Err, is there another post yet? ;^)
philip,
the last line is most definite, tounge in cheek!
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Post by papaof2 on Mar 11, 2013 10:38:16 GMT -6
Chapter 28 - Tuesday noon
The girls enjoyed the challenge of "The three of you get to fix lunch" - although they did need some help with the beverages. Sandwiches were PB&J as I expected, but cut diagonally - Lexi's explanation was "It's easier to eat without getting it on your face if you start at the points." I enjoy these creative minds.
That also challenged me to check my written lists to see what I may need to be creative about before Alex, Carl, and Doc get here to discuss our future county government. I think we need one person to coordinate things, but knowledgable people over various aspects - roads, garbage, law enforcement (maybe that should be security?), power, food production and distribution. Food production needs equipment and my notes say Wally Green had the chemicals to make bio-diesel. Need to add a bit to that - Wally had his own museum of alternate power vehicles: a restored Stanley Steamer that he drove in parades and one or two (maybe more?) steam tractors; a wood gas farm truck from the WWII era and an old Ford tractor that was also converted. If anyone knows about wood gas conversions or is willing to go through some books, we might be able to convert some other vehicles - probably need to be able to weld for that.
Other things to cover: Who worked at the refinery? Anyone growing medicinal herbs? (I have a decent book on herbal medicine, but you need a plant in your hand to make medication from it.) Anyone besides Jack and a few of the people with him who know about steam power? Anyone have enough heirloom seed to share or do we need to explore the empty farms? Why didn't I think about seed last fall before the insects and rodents had a chance to do major damage? Maybe having some young minds around has been a good thing for me - they've gotten my old mind back in gear. Alex said they needed someone to take care of them - in some ways, they're taking care of me. Guess that can work both ways...
"Is something wrong, Grandpa? You look so serious."
"No, Abby, just thinking hard about some things - including how much I like having you girls around."
"You're not gonna give us to Mr. Black in another week?"
"Not ever, unless you want to leave."
"Terry! Group hug!"
"Why, Abby?"
"We're staying with Grandpa! He's not gonna give us to Mr. Black next week."
"Yippee!"
"Easy girls. Don't break my ribs with your excited hugs."
"We won't; we just want you to know how glad we are to be staying here."
"I know - and I think my ribs will remind me for a week."
"Give you to Mr. Black?"
"Lexi, when we came here, Grandpa - only he wasn't Grandpa then, he was Mr. Mason - said he'd take care of us for two weeks while they found someone who could take us permanently. But now we're family and we're staying here."
"He's not really your Grandpa, Terry?"
"He takes care of us like our Grandma Betty did and he looks like a grandpa, so that's what we call him. Sounds more like family than 'Mr. Mason'."
"I understand. I call Kate 'Mom' sometimes because it feels right, even if she's not my mother and she's not married to Daddy yet."
"Sorry about your ribs, Grandpa."
"That's OK, Abby. I can tell you're happy. You want to tell Mr. Trotter and Mr. Black that you're staying here when they come for our meeting in a little while? Although the smiles on your faces may give it away before you say anything."
"If they don't guess, we wanna tell them."
"I need to spend some more time with my notes before they get here. You want to watch out the front windows and tell me when you see people coming?"
"Left window is mine!"
"Right window is mine!"
"Where can I watch?"
"The window behind the sofa, Lexi. That's the way the Blacks came Sunday, so I think that's the way they'll come today."
" Did I just hear you put three little girls on watch?"
"Yes, Kate, but I won't call it 'on watch' until they've done it several times. Then I can tell them that being 'on watch' is just like whichever previous event seems appropriate."
"Mr. Mason, you often make a game or an adventure out of learning. Where did you learn that?"
"My grandfather and my father both taught that way. If possible, you make something fun - or at least interesting - until it becomes a habit. It seems to have worked for Kate."
"It did, Dad, and I plan to use it with Lexi whenever possible. Will the others be here before the girls get bored with watching an empty road?"
"I'm guessing ten minutes or so - Carl knows how long it takes by wagon from his place to ours and he still has wind-up clocks."
"Then we'll let you get back to your notes."
Now where was I when I was so joyously interrupted? Scavenging the empty farms: seed, tack, fuel (including firewood, although that may already be gone), cold frames, tomato cages, bagged animal feed, baled hay, tools, work clothes, weapons, ammunition, female supplies, welding equipment and supplies (oxy-acetylene unless fuel is available for a generator or a gasoline/diesel powered welder), OTC and prescription medications...
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Post by papaof2 on Mar 13, 2013 14:56:05 GMT -6
Chapter 29 - Tuesday afternoon
"I see a cloud of dust!"
"That's usually the first thing we see, Lexi, unless it's been raining."
"It's a horse and wagon."
"How many people, Abby?"
"Two in the seat, maybe more in the bed of the wagon."
"Thank you, girls. You may play in your room or help set up snacks in the kitchen."
"I'll help."
"Me too."
"Me three."
How easily they agree to work together. Would someone who didn't know them ever guess that they're not related? And I get to enjoy their interactions daily.
"Hello the house."
"Hello, Carl, Alex, Doc. My surveillance team had already alerted me to your arrival."
"Surveillance team?"
"The girls needed something to do so I had them watching from the front windows."
"You don't waste time starting the 'staying alive' lessons, do you?"
"No, Doc. I try to cover some important lesson every day."
"I know at least one of them can and will shoot to protect family."
"I'll be working with all three girls this week."
"Isn't the little one a bit young?"
"Lexi's almost six. She's had a lesson on gun safety and one on disassembly and cleaning. She paid attention better than some adults - and could quote me safety rules as well as disassemble and re-assemble the pistol."
"A little Annie Oakley?"
"My comment exactly, Carl."
"What's on the agenda, Bill?"
"I made copies of my list for each of you and the girls are bringing in coffee and cinnamon rolls."
"They made cinnamon rolls?"
"Yes, Alex - and with a minimum of help."
"Are you girls floating because you're so pleased with your cooking or is there something else behind those smiles?"
"Grandpa said you might guess."
"Guess that he doesn't plan to let you move in with us?"
"That's right, Mr. Black. We're staying here."
"I thought that might be the case, since Bill also has the biggest smile I've seen on him in a long time."
"Girls, ask Kate and Jack to join us - and you can if you want to. The things we'll be talking about today will affect your future and you might have some ideas we could use."
"But we're just dumb kids."
"No, Terry. You're my smart girls and I think you can help us."
"If you say so..."
"Let's start with you getting the big dry erase board and some markers."
"OK. C'mon Lexi. It takes two of us to get the board and somebody has to carry the markers."
"While they're gone - anyone object to them sitting in and us doing some 'kid level' explanations as we go?"
"I think it's a good idea, Bill. I know they've had other ideas that you found useful so a different point of view should help with this also. Guess we should keep the meeting short so they don't run out of attention span?"
"I doubt that we'll be here more than 45 minutes, so not a problem. Just make notes on things that need more in-depth study and we'll address them another day."
"I vote for Bill to be in charge of whatever governing body we come up with. I never saw a county meeting that lasted less than two hours, even if they accomplished nothing."
"We don't even have a design in place yet, Doc. How can you be so sure?"
"Because you always get to the heart of the matter, even if toes are stepped on along the way. Your approach usually has those folks apologizing for standing in the way."
"I don't know that I'd describe things that way, Alex."
"Maybe not, but those are Kaitlin's words about some of the 4H meetings."
"We got it."
"Thank you, girls. Can you get it up on the table or do you need someone taller to do that?"
"We need help."
"I got this end, Doc. You get the other one."
"OK, Alex. On three."
"Because you girls may not know all the words in my notes, I'll use some simple symbols on the board. A table for the people who will be in charge, a cow's face for things sbout animals, a little car for things about vehicles, a little tractor for things about farm equipment and so forth."
"That's good, Grandpa."
"I'll read an item from my notes and draw its symbol. Then we can talk about how that thing might be done. I'll start with the people who would be in charge of getting things done, such as getting the electricity back on, getting farms ready for crops this spring, and so forth."
We spent more than an hour and the girls were still interested, just tired - they used a lot of brain power coming up with ideas. While they recharge their batteries with milk and cinnamon rolls, I'll copy down the notes on the board and organize them for the next meeting. I think we may have the girls join us next time as well - many of their ideas were either workable as presented or led to another way of doing something. Why am I surprised? I keep telling them that they're smart - I just don't listen to myself enough. We also need input from some of the 'people who've always lived here' (Abby's words) and from some of the 'train people' (Lexi's words). I'll never be able to keep up with them when they're older...
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Post by freebirde on Mar 13, 2013 15:03:12 GMT -6
Another good chapter! I drop by here once or twice a day to see if you put up another chapter.
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Post by papaof2 on Mar 14, 2013 20:01:16 GMT -6
Chapter 30 - Tuesday evening
"If you three get your pajamas on and brush your teeth, I think there might be time for a couple of chapters of Little House."
"We'll be right back!"
"We're ready for 'Little House'."
"Come closer and smile for me."
"OK, but why?"
"You're back too soon. Go brush properly and floss - and you only get one chapter tonight."
"I told you he'd know, Abby."
"How was I to know he'd check that close?"
"No bickering, girls. Go brush so you'll have time for one chapter."
"Yes, Grandpa."
"Abby, do you want to read tonight?"
"You're not mad at us?"
"A little unhappy that you weren't truthful, but not mad at you. Lots of kids try to shortcut things."
"I'm glad we're family and you love us no matter what we do. Chapter 7?"
"Yes, Peanut."
"'Peanut'? Where'd that come from? I don't have a special name!"
"Lexi, when you've been here longer and I know more about you, I'll come up with a name for you, too."
"OK, I guess."
"Read for us, Abby."
"You'll help me with any words I don't know?"
"Of course."
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Post by papaof2 on Mar 17, 2013 15:03:19 GMT -6
Chapter 31 - very early Wednesday
"No!!"
Who's screaming?
"Not again!"
One of the girls. There wasn't anything going on yesterday to trigger a bad dream, was there?
"No!!"
"Abby."
"Not again!"
"Abby!"
"No!"
"Abigail, wake up!"
"Grandpa? You're OK? You're not shot?"
"I'm fine, Abby. You've been having a bad dream."
"But they hit you! And they shot you!"
"What's all the yelling?"
"Abby had a bad dream, Lexi."
"Were the bad guys in gray and black uniforms?"
"How did you know that, Terry?"
"They were in my dream too, Abby."
"Were their uniforms like the ones the men had on last Sunday, Terry?"
"Kinda, but the squiggly lines were different."
"Girls, I think you need a group hug then you Abby and Terry can tell me about their dreams."
"Me too?"
"You too, Lexi? I didn't hear you or Terry yelling."
"I couldn't yell. There was something sticky over my mouth."
"Me too."
"Let's go to the kitchen. If all three of you had similar bad dreams, we need to see what caused them."
"You're doing hot chocolate again, Dad?"
"Sorry we woke you, Kate."
"That's OK. I'll start the camp stove and the girls can help you with the other things."
"Thanks, Kate. Since I heard Abby yelling, I'll start with her dream then continue in alphabetic order."
"That's not fair - we shouldn't have school on top of bad dreams!"
"The other choice is by age, which means you have to do arithemetic."
"You can't win, Terry."
"I know, Abby, but I had to try."
"It sounds as though you're feeling better already."
"You make things seem like they're just the same as daytime."
"Then it's less scary to talk about your dream?"
"Un huh. You're nice, Grandpa. You always take care of us when we have bad dreams. Crystal and Rob would call us babies and go outside and scratch on the window like an animal to scare us more."
"I don't think you need anything else scary, but I want to hear your dreams. Abby?"
"I don't want you to go to the meetings at the church. The men in the gray and black uniforms want to kill you. In my dream, they hit you and they shot you. I don't want you to die!!"
"It's OK, Abby. No one is going to kill me."
"But this is important - like when I wanted me and Terry to learn to shoot. Somebody has to keep you safe."
"I understand that you, Terry and Lexi can sense some things that the rest of us can't - you were right about the importance of knowing how to shoot. I'll listen to all three dreams and we'll see if we can understand what they mean. Lexi?"
"I saw more of them coming in but I couldn't move my hands or feet and I couldn't yell 'cause something sticky was over my mouth."
"Where were you?"
"In the room at the back of the church where people hang their coats."
"Terry?"
"Me too. Same place with sticky stuff on my mouth and I couldn't move."
" Does anyone remember how many bad guys were there?"
"Two with me and Lexi and Bobby. Maybe five or six up front and some along the sides."
" Did they have weapons?"
"The big one up front hit you with his pistol then he shot you when you tried to get up."
"That's one, Abby. What about the others?"
"The others up front had big guns, like the ones last time. I don't remember about the ones on the sides."
"They had the same guns as the ones up front, Terry. The ones with me and you and Bobby had pistols."
"Where were you, Abby?"
"I wasn't anywhere - it's like I was floating up at the ceiling watching and I couldn't do anything!"
"Sit here by me on the bench and I'll keep an arm around you until you feel safe."
"I don't need to feel safe. I need to know that you're safe. Can Ed and George be up in the balcony with their rifles again?"
"I don't think that would work again. If there are bad guys looking to hurt someone at the church, I think they'll check the balcony first thing."
"But we gotta do something!"
"I agree, Abby, but from the yawns I see, we might all think more clearly if we talked about this in the morning after breakfast. You OK to go back to bed?"
"If you come tuck us in."
"Finish your hot chocolate and I will."
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Post by patience on Mar 17, 2013 21:53:09 GMT -6
He better pay attention to the girls! Sounds like someone has it in for them at the church, but who would be wearing uniforms with everything gone to pot in the world? Makes me wonder....
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Post by Lobo solitario on Mar 19, 2013 13:05:01 GMT -6
He better pay attention to the girls! Sounds like someone has it in for them at the church, but who would be wearing uniforms with everything gone to pot in the world? Makes me wonder.... Where not the members of the ‘MAG’ that originally accosted them at the church all wearing the same or similar BDU’s?
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Post by freebirde on Mar 19, 2013 15:56:06 GMT -6
'Wild Bill' better be wear his vest with the chicken plate in it. I hope this doesn't mean something is going to happen to Abby!
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Post by kaijafon on Mar 19, 2013 20:15:44 GMT -6
Thank you so much! I'm really enjoying the story. Sometimes I don't get signed in but I still read it.
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Post by papaof2 on Mar 21, 2013 18:42:34 GMT -6
Chapter 32 - Wednesday morning
"Jack, could you and Kate ride out and notify Alex Trotter, Carl Black, Doc Wilson and the available ROTC members among the train people that I'd like to meet with them later today?"
"Is this in response to the girls' shared bad dreams?"
"Yes, Kate. That all three of them see something in the future gives their premonitions great value in my estimation."
"Knowing how accurate Abby was before, I agree, Dad. Where and when do we all meet?"
"I'd like to keep this meeting off the radar, so we'll meet at the Miller place after lunch and say that we're reviewing its suitability as a schoolhouse and any repairs that may be needed before it's used."
"I like that, sir. It's something that's been discussed in the area, so no one will think it's unusual for multiple people to meet there to evaluate the place. Do you think there might be surveillance in place for some of us?"
"Just hedging my bets, Jack. If it's another effort by the remnants of the MAG, that could easily be the case. If it's someone else, we don't know enough yet. While you're out, get Alex to stop by the Ishams' place and ask them to scan all bands for local radio traffic. I don't know for certain if anyone's out there now, but, if so, it would be good to hear them before we see them."
"How would we confront a large, well-armed group?"
"Very carefully, beginning with some discreet recon to see where they are, who they are, how they're armed, and what they want. Just basic guerilla warfare. Speaking of warfare, I want Abby to get a book off the shelf for me. It's 'Brassey's Book of Camoflage'."
"Under 'B', Grandpa?"
"No, Abby. Only fiction is done alphbetically. Non-fiction books filed by their Dewey Decimal classification."
"They mentioned that and a 'card catalog' at school, but we used the computer to find books."
"Can't use a computer, Abby - there's no 'lectricity. Is a card catalog like the Sears catalog, Grandpa?"
"Terry, a catalog is a collection of things, so the card catalog has information about books - each has its own card - instead of information about shirts or shoes or shotguns."
"So I can find where a book is by finding its card in the card catalog?"
"Yes. The little cabinet with a dozen drawers has my card catalog in it."
" Do I look for the book's title?"
"Yes."
"I found the card, but it doesn't tell me which bookcase or shelf, just a bunch of numbers."
"Those numbers do tell you where to look. There's a three digit number beginning with '94'."
"I see it."
"Look at the labels on the sides of the bookcases."
"They have numbers on them! 000-291, 292-510, 511-815, 816-999. Oh, I see. I'll be looking at the last bookcase and looking for numbers starting with '94'."
"That's my smart girl."
"I found it!"
"Bring it to the table. I think you'll need both hands - it's a big book."
"I do. It's heavy."
"Put it here and I want to look up several types of camoflage and see if the one you saw in your dream is in here."
"OK."
"Let's see - Asian camo, that may be the right place. Girls, I want you to come look one at a time, so you don't influence each other. Abby's already at the table so she can be first."
"There's a lot of them!"
"Yes, about 450 patterns that have been used over time. I'll show you five patterns and you tell me if any of them match what you saw."
"OK."
"This one! No, maybe this one."
"Any of the others?"
"No, just those."
"Terry?"
"This is what the men in the room with us had on. The one up front with the gun had this one on."
"Lexi?"
"This one for the men in the room with us. That one up front. Some of the men on the side had something like this but it had some green in it."
"That's interesting."
"Odd interesting or scary interesting, Dad?"
"Both. There's some Woodland - what the MAG wore - but the other two are Chinese urban camo..."
"Chinese?"
"Yes, Jack. But urban camo out here indicates they're in the wrong place - they need something that blends with grass and trees, not cityscapes. Why would they be interested in this area?"
"'Cause you know how to get the 'lectricity back on?"
"Very good, smart girl! They could be looking to set up a local or regional command center and would need long-term power to do so. The mix of camo patterns may indicate that they're a force made up of multiple small units that are the remnants of larger forces sent to try to restart the big power plants. That they seem to be with some MAG members tells me that those MAG members have gone over to the enemy."
"Mr. Mason, are you saying we're in World War III and the Chinese are behind it?"
"It certainly seems that way, Jack. Perhaps the little country everyone thought started things actually had more help than anyone knew."
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Post by papaof2 on Mar 27, 2013 15:51:01 GMT -6
I haven't forgotten this project, just been way too involved in the real world. Maybe in the next week or so...
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Post by papaof2 on Apr 1, 2013 12:16:03 GMT -6
Chapter 33 - Wednesday afternoon
"I'm Bill Mason,. I think you all know Jack, Lexi and my daughter Kate. These are my other granddaughters, Abigail and Teresa. The others are Alex Trotter, Carl Black and Doc Wilson."
"I'm ROTC Lieutenant Arnold Sullivan and I'm pleased to meet all of you, especially you, Sergeant Mason. The others are ROTC Sergeant Virginia Wallace, ROTC Corporal Hal Johnson, and ROTC Corporal Alyssa Nelson. Virginia and I are mechanical engineers, Hal is electrical, and Alyssa is civil."
"Glad to have all of you with us. While we're here, everyone check the place inside and out for any needed maintenance and for any tools or supplies that would be needed for a learning garden. As the ROTC military skills are somewhat fresher than the rest of us, I'd appreciate it if you would look the place over with an eye to what it would need to make it a relatively safe schoolhouse."
"OK, Bill. Alex and I will also check the outbuildings for tools and to see if there's a good place to store firewood."
"Thanks, Doc."
"Kate and I will check for school-type furniture, such as tables and chairs. Desks would probably have to come from the old school."
"You're right, Jack. When Alice has a firm list of kids and their ages, we can take a wagon to the old school and bring back what's needed."
"Alyssa and I will do a perimeter recon. Virginia and Hal can examine the house."
"Excellent."
"What can we do, Grandpa?"
"Two things. Check the bathroom to see if there's a place to put a pail of water for washing hands and another for flushing the toilet, then check the outhouse to see whether it has seats or just a board with holes and if there's a place to put a roll of toilet paper."
"That's yucky and you're just giving us something to do to keep us busy."
"Wait a minute, Lexi. Would you want to be at school all day with no toilet paper and no way to wash your hands?"
"Not really. I'm sorry, Grandpa. I didn't think you'd have kids doing anything important - but this is. C'mon, Abby and Terry."
"Carl, we'll measure wall space that could hold a chalkboard or a whiteboard. When the markers all dry up, we'll be using chalkboards and getting chalk from the deposit at the back of Jim Sutton's land."
"I'm glad you remembered that, Bill. I'd completely forgotten there was a chalk deposit there. Have you ever written down what resources we have and where they are?"
"There's a three ring binder in my pantry that I've been working on for several months. I also drew some simple maps - not everyone can identify a given location by its former owner. The 'train people' - as one of the girls described them - have no idea who Jim Sutton was or where he lived. As long as the road name signs survive, we can direct people to an address or an intersection. Things could deteriorate in the future such that we would have to say 'It's a ten minute walk past the house with two barns.'"
"You can be so encouraging at times, Bill."
"I know. We should get everyone together inside to go over what they've found. I did bring paper and pencil to keep notes."
"I'll walk around the house and send them all in."
The reports didn't take long: one seat in the outhouse OK, the other one cracked; couple of shingles damaged on the back of the house; two windows that appear to be painted shut (that must be fixed before it starts getting hot); a dining table that can seat maybe ten but only seven chairs; a coffee table - little kids can sit on the floor to use it; the woodstove and its chimney appear to be in good condition; there's a woodshed with a couple cords of wood in it; the countertop in the bathroom is long enough to hold a couple of pails - one for handwashing water, one for flushing water (Maybe use a pan for handwashing and dump that water in the 'flush' pail?); need an ash pail for the woodstove; need shovels, rakes, and hoes for the garden plus some seeds (Can we find someone to break up that plot with a tiller or a horse-drawn plow before the kids start on it?). The girls suggested some play stuff: Terry wants balls and jump ropes; Abby wants swings and a "climbing thingy"; Lexi wants a basketball goal. The balls and jump ropes should be no problem but the swings and other fixed equipment would have to be built or located and moved. The ROTC group wanted to discuss what they found and write up a formal report. Good experience for them and an excellent way for me to get organized data.
"Abby, Terry, Lexi. I want each of you to tell your dream. I think it's important for Alex, Carl, Doc and the others to know what you dreamed."
"But you got hurt!"
"Only in the dream, Abby. If more people know what you saw, they might be able to prevent it. You go first, then Terry, then Lexi."
"OK. Well, it was at the church..."
"Thank you, girls. I know it's scary to tell about the dreams again, but they will help us make some decisions. Based on the different uniforms, my first guess was that the group was made up of multiple small units from different forces. Perhaps detailed to check the small hydro plant here or perhaps the remnants of larger forces that originally intended to work on bigger electric plants but for some reason they could not."
"I checked with Ed Isham on my way here. He said he's heard some apparently close transmissions in Chinese. He only has what he described as a 'tourist vocabulary', so he didn't understand much of what they said. He did record some of it, hoping to get a translation later. I don't know of anyone local that can help."
"I do, Mr. Mason. Abraham Chen, who's fluent in Mandarin and in whatever dialect his grandparents spoke at home, came with us from Texas. He's been asking where he could help."
"Jack, if you can get Abraham to the Isham place, we might learn more about what may be happening. Can you do that today? If you're still there near sunset, it would be better to come back to our house than to try get him back to town in the dark. He can sleep in the bunkhouse as well."
"I'll leave from here. Kate, are you OK riding back in the wagon with the girls?"
"Go ahead and take my horse, Jack. I know Abe can ride and that's the fastest transport we have now."
"Anything else before we leave?"
"Sir, we'd like to know what you find in those messages."
"I'll get a copy of whatever we learn to you as soon as we can, Arnold, probably tomorrow."
"I think you've covered everything, Bill. Alice is out checking on the kids that she may be teaching and she'll probably be by your house in an hour or so. Let her know what we found here and what our plans are. If anything needs changing, she can let you know and you can add it to your notes."
"I'll do that, Carl."
" Did anyone else notice that this 'meeting' only lasted 45 minutes? I think Bill should be in charge of all the local meetings."
"I've heard that comment before, Doc."
"But it's still valid."
"You're ganging up on me again, Alex."
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Post by kaijafon on Apr 2, 2013 22:15:17 GMT -6
thank you so much!!!
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Post by papaof2 on Apr 4, 2013 13:05:07 GMT -6
Chapter 34 - late Wednesday afternoon
"Can we go get the chickens from the woods, Grandpa?"
"Not today, Terry."
"Why?"
"Several reasons: Alice Black is coming by to do some testing to see where each of you would be in school; it's going to rain soon; I plan to bake bread."
"How do you know it's gonna rain?"
"Come outside and I'll show you. See those clouds in the west? Those are rain clouds and they're moving this way. If you watch for a couple of minutes, you can see how fast they're moving."
"That's really fast!"
"Which means we'll have strong winds and maybe thunderstorms. There's also an indicator inside the house."
"How can something inside the house tell you about the weather outside?"
"Come with me and you can see, Abby. This is called a barometer. It measures the pressure of the air above us. That pressure changes with the weather. When it goes up, we usually have nice weather. When it goes down, we have rain or storms. The gold needle is the indicator. The black needles on either side let you determine which way the indicator has moved since the last time you checked it and reset the black needles."
"It's gone down a bunch."
"Yes it has, Lexi. I hope your Daddy and Abraham get here before the storm does."
"If you bake bread in the kitchen stove, it'll be warm in here when they get back - like the day we went to the Blacks' house."
"Very good, Terry. You girls check for kindling and firewood in the kitchen and bring some in if we need it."
"OK."
"Hello the house."
"Hello, Alice. Come in and have a seat and talk with Kate while the girls get the flour and dough off, and I'll put your horse in the barn."
"Flour and dough? They're baking?"
"We're doing apple bread!"
"That's a subject I hadn't thought of - maybe school should include some cooking?"
"And probably sewing, gardening, preserving food and game hunting/snaring plus building a fire."
"Maybe I should read the 'Little House' books again. But how would I interest boys in sewing?"
" Dad could talk to the boys about sewing sails for a small boat. The girls are getting Little House chapters for bedtime stories. He reads most of the time, but Abby and Lexi have each read a chapter this week."
"Lexi? I thought she wasn't in school yet."
"She'll be six this summer, but she taught herself to read using the materials Jack had collected for homeschooling."
"She's already reading way above her grade level - the Little House books are often considered fourth grade material. I'm not sure whether I can provide enough challenges for a kid like that. I do have some grade level indicator and IQ tests with me, so I can see where each one is."
"Except for the white stripe in Abby's hair, the three of you did a good job of cleaning yourselves up."
"Cousin Alice, can you stay 'till the bread's done?"
"Sorry, Abby, but I have two more families on my list for today."
"Are you sure? Grandpa said it was gonna..."
CRASH!
"What was that?"
"Today's thunderstorm saying 'Hello', Abby. Lightning hit the old oak across the road and split it in two."
"I wanna see!"
"Me too!"
"Me three!"
Rattle. Rattle! RATTLE!
"What's that, Grandpa?"
"Hail on the tin roof, Lexi. Alice, I don't think you'll be going anywhere for a while. I hope Jack and Abraham found shelter somewhere."
"Abraham?"
"He came with us on the train. He makes super kites that really fly!"
"Thank you, Lexi. He's also fluent in a couple of Chinese dialects, Alice."
"Chinese?"
"Stay here until he and Jack arrive and you can get the details."
"Kate said something about sewing sails?"
"Yes. I had a small sailboat that I made the sails for. I don't think the boys would see that sewing as 'girly'."
"It's gettin' dark, Grandpa."
"That it is, Terry. Abby, can you bring the kerosene lamp from the kitchen? Terry can bring the lighter and Lexi the pad it sits on."
"We're done."
" Did anyone check the timer on the bread?"
"It's too dark."
"Take the generator flashlight and check the timer while I light the lamp."
"I thought you didn't use kerosene unless you had to?"
"I'm putting the lamp where it will light the windows so it'll be easier for your Daddy to find the house."
"You're nice, Grandpa. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"The timer has about 20 minutes left."
"Are the oven gloves and the cooling racks on the counter?"
"Yes, Grandpa."
"When the timer goes off, one of you can squeeze the generator flashlight while I get the bread out."
"Me!"
"Me!"
"Me!"
"Only one of you. Listen to how I'll choose and don't say anything until I say your name. I'll pick a number between one and ten..."
"Six!"
"How did I say you were to answer, Terry?"
"When you called my name."
" Did I call anyone's name?"
"No."
"What should I do with you?"
"I don't get a guess."
"OK. I need a number from Abby."
"Nine."
"Lexi?"
"Two."
"My number was seven. Who's closest?"
"Abby is. I woulda been if I'd just waited like you said."
It seems our little red-haired girl is sometimes impetuous. Wonder if Charlie Brown would have liked her in spite of it?
Ding!
"Terry, you take the light."
"I lost my turn, Abby."
"But I can choose to share mine."
"You're the best big sister ever."
"Hello the house."
"Hello the drowned rats. Put your horses in the barn and give them whatever care they need, then come inside. There are towels and dry clothes in the bathroom and we have hot tea in the kitchen."
"Mr. Mason, I'm Abraham Chen. Thank you for inviting me here. I don't think we'd have found our way to town."
"Thank you for the light - it's hard to see any landmarks in this storm."
"You're both welcome. Go get dry clothes then come to the kitchen where it's warm."
" Daddy, Grandpa just took the bread out of the oven. Hurry so you can get it while it's hot."
"Feels so much better to be dry and warm and not searching for shelter from egg-sized hail."
"I'm glad you're back, Daddy. I think Kate is too."
"You're right, Lexi. I was worried about him being out in the storm - especially when lightning took out the tree across the road."
"That's why the place didn't look right! But where's the tree?"
"My guess is the wind took both halves across the field and it's now against the fence on the far side."
"Abe was able to translate the recordings Ed Isham had. We now have a written record to work from."
"Good work. I think we should eat before we start on the messages, There's a pot of chicken noodle soup on the stove and, as Lexi said, the bread is hot."
"Can I say the blessing?"
"Yes, Lexi."
"God is great. God is good. Thank you for getting Daddy home safe. Amen."
"Amen."
"Abraham, I'm Alice Black. I'll be the teacher in the one room school we're planning."
"Nice to meet you, Alice. Please call me Abe - if you say Abraham, I want to look to see if my father is behind me. My sister Martha was teaching fourth grade before everyone got sick. We tried to get her to come with us, but she stayed to teach the children at Josh's farm."
"So her interest in Alex Wu had nothing to do with her decision?"
"I try to forget that part, Kate. I'm too young for my little sister to be getting married."
"Alice, have you decided what the kids will call you?"
"'Miss Black' seems rather formal but 'Miss Alice' sounds old fashioned. Since we're currently living the 1850's again, I think it'll be 'Miss Alice'."
"Girls, time to clear the table and Miss Alice will start the testing to see where you should be in school."
"Can't we call her 'Cousin Alice', since we're cousins?"
"I want you to think about something for a minute, Abby. If you call her 'Cousin Alice' at school, will the other kids think you're getting special treatment because you're family?"
"They might think that, Abby - and they wouldn't like us or her."
"You're right, little sister. We can only use 'Cousin Alice' when we're with family. At school, we'll say 'Miss Alice' like everyone else. Didn't you say there are some tests that tell how smart kids are, Grandpa?"
"Yes, Abby. Those tests are handled differently depending on a child's reading and writing skills. Each of you will get time with Miss Alice to test what you already know and to get an idea of just how smart you are."
"But we're not smart."
"Based on what I've heard from and about my young cousins, I think there's a strong probability that all of you are smarter than the average kid your age. We'll know more in a little while. Mr. Mason, is there a place we can close the door to keep out distractions while testing?"
"I'll light a kerosene lamp in the bedroom. There's a small table that you could use in there."
" Do you have a way to monitor elapsed time? Some of the tests have a time limit."
"There's a wind-up clock in the bedroom and there's a wind-up timer in the kitchen."
"I should have remembered the timer - the side conversation between Abby and Terry was priceless."
"It would be hard not to like someone with those qualities, wouldn't it? Which girl goes first?"
"I'll take them by age, starting with Lexi. The abbreviated testing I'll perform will take about 45 minutes for each one."
"Lexi, go with Miss Alice. Abby and Terry, I have a 'Where's Waldo' book you haven't seen yet."
"Where did you have it hidden? Are there any more?"
"I won't answer either of those questions, Terry. I might need another surprise for you in the future."
"Mr. Mason, I don't know how you keep up with even one of these girls. Each has an IQ somewhere over 130. That's the closest I can get with the testing materials I have available - it seems no one thought to collect materials to check whether we had some geniuses amongst us. Lexi is understandably uneven in her word-for-word reading, but her comprehension is at least third grade. Terry has a great sense of people relationships, such as grandmother is mother's mother or father's mother, and good numerical concepts and comprehension. Abby's word-for-word reading is uneven, but her comprehension is probably sixth grade. All three have good spatial concepts, which may explain why Abby and Terry shoot so well. Do you explain things to them as though they were adults? If so, that could explain their advanced comprehension."
"Yes, he uses big words and keeps a dictionary out in front of the other books."
"Then he's giving you exactly what you need, Abby."
"I've just been doing the things that worked for Kate."
"Now I know why Kate made valedictorian."
"What's a 'valedictorian', Uncle Jack? When Grandpa gets that look, he always says 'Use the dictionary'. OK, I'll look it up."
"That's exactly what I was going to say, Abby. I think you read my mind."
"I don't think you want to ride home in the storm, Alice. You and Kate swapped clothes a lot when you were teenagers, so she may still have some that will fit you. You'll be sharing the fold-out bed in the sofa with Kate, but there are enough doors in this old house to give privacy in every room."
"I'd take a pallet on the floor and consider it fine living in comparison to riding in the rain and hail. Are you folks on the sunset to sunrise sleep cycle?"
"Most of the time, although we try to get in a bedtime story each night."
"Will you read to us tonight, Grandpa? And do the funny voices for their neighbors?"
"If you go brush, floss, and get your pajamas on."
"Be right back!"
" Don't be back too quickly - that cost you a chapter of Little House one night."
"We remember."
"Getting ready too quickly cost them a chapter?"
"They only brushed the outsides of the front six teeth, hoping I wouldn't notice. When they were back so quickly, I had them smile big for me and the blackberry jam from supper gave them away."
"I was thinking the maturity I've seen in them whenever I'm around them was how they always were, but I just found out that they act like real kids at times. It's good that they feel safe enough to try the limits. I understand why you and Mrs. Mason were so loved by the foster children you had. Back to schooling; I think Abby, Terry and Lexi could be a challenge for any teacher - most classes don't have that many off-the-chart kids. I made a list of supplies, materials and lesson sequences appropriate for each girl if you decide to homeschool. I may have had the universty level courses in teaching, but you have a knack for it. The girls might have more opportunity for social interaction at the new school, but the learning environment won't be any better than what they'd have here."
"Thank you, Alice. I've never thought of myself as a teacher, just someone who passed along what he had learned to other people."
"I don't think there's a better definition of teaching than that."
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Post by papaof2 on Apr 15, 2013 15:34:52 GMT -6
Chapter 35 - Wednesday evening
"End of this chapter - time you three were in bed."
"But we didn't get to hear what it was that got translated!"
"Not tonight, Abby - nothing that might be fodder for bad dreams this close to bedtime. I promise that we'll talk about it in the morning and we'll probably have some questions about possible details in your dreams."
"Come tuck us in?"
"Yes, Terry, I'll do that."
"You're gonna talk about the translations with Daddy and Abraham and Miss Alice and decide what we can know, like you did with 'Wild Bill'?"
"Yes, smart girl. Just like before. Enough for you to be informed and maybe help us, but not so much that it causes more bad dreams."
"Good night, Grandpa."
"Good night, Lexi. Good night, Terry. Good night, Abby."
"You did us in different order tonight. Why?"
"One of two reasons. See if you can decide which one and you can tell me in the morning. Reason one is I don't want to get in a rut of always saying the same thing. Reason two is the order in which the three of you asked questions."
"You think they'll settle down when they know we're discussing the translations of the radio messages, Dad?"
"I think the rain and occasional small hail will cover what we're saying, unless they try to sneak down the hall in the dark."
"I wondered why you skipped the door to that room when you were oiling hinges today. Now I remember - it's the 'sneaky kid' alarm that you used on me when I was around their ages."
"Worked well then; should be just as good now. I do want to ask them about insignia on the uniforms in their dreams. I don't know how much fine detail they'll remember, but knowing units, ranks and some names would be helpful."
"You think there was that much detail in their dreams, Mr. Mason?"
"It's possible that there was, Abe. They noticed that the soldiers in their dreams were wearing three different camo patterns and carrying different weapons. I'd like for you to read each group of associated messages aloud and let the rest of us toss out ideas and questions that come to us."
"I'll start with the oldest message and go through them in sequence."
'Turtle Base to Turtle One.'
Screek!
"Uh oh."
"Back to bed, girls."
"OK, Grandpa."
"Your alarm worked, Dad."
"Yes it did. Sorry for the interruption, Abe."
"Too bad we can't do that to these troops."
"Hold that thought, Abe, there may be a way to do that. Go head with the messages."
'This is One.'
'Any food in that warehouse?'
'A little flour, salt, and sugar but not much else.'
'I want real food like beef and rice. Bring it all, anyway. I'm hungry.'
'Me too.'
That sequence set the tone for most of their communications - some didn't bother with unit designators, just names. Most of the exchanges don't sound very 'military' - the tone just isn't right. Could it be that they've lost so much leadership that the force is mostly conscripts and there are few or no experienced military leaders? I must talk with the girls in the morning. If they remember any rank insignia they could have the answer to my question.
The other dozen or so message sets were similar. There were some English messages in the mix. Some of the speakers sounded native (probably all MAG members - I recognized a couple of names) and others were obvious non-native speakers. If we could have someone at the Isham place all the time, we'd likely have very good intel. Abe says there's another person who's fluent in a couple of the dialects he heard, so the two of them could provide dawn to dusk radio monitoring. We need to get them in place with enough food for a couple of weeks - don't want to leave the Ishams low on food before their garden starts producing.
This has been an interesting exercise - each of us saw specific things in each series of messages. I hope the girls will see even more. We know that there are at least three groups that are together - two small groups of Chinese Army from different units (infantry, engineers) and some of the MAG members. The Chinese units were tasked with getting power back up somewhere in the area and setting up a regional command center but now they don't have enough skilled people to do either. The vaccine they were given before they left China appears not to have been very effective - it may have slowed the incubation of the fever by some weeks, but they still had more than 90% fatalities after they arrived in the US. Their units in other countries had similar losses - maybe the bug mutated after it was released or maybe they were vaccinated against a different bug than the one used in the attacks? They've set up camp in the primitive area of the retreat, which gives them access to water from a stream and plenty of tress to cut for wood - although not even pine burns well when it's green. They're short on food because they were told gardens would be producing by now and they didn't bring much with them. That was definitely bad intel on their part - gardens might be producing now in southern Florida or southern California but not here.
"It's late and I expect to be awakened early by three very curious kids. Good night, all."
"Good night, Dad. Abe, I think you'll find an extra toothbrush in the bunkhouse. Alice, give my Dad five minutes to brush his teeth then we can have the bathroom. I grabbed some pajamas out of my old room while the girls got their story, so the green ones are yours."
"You remembered!"
"I think green has been your favorite color since you played the frog in our first grade play. The only color that might supersede that would be the gold of a wedding ring from a certain man we know."
"I'm not sure he even remembers that I exist."
"More likely, he's still working up the courage to ask you. I know that he told you it was important for you to complete your education without him as a distraction, but saying 'Marry me?' three years ago wouldn't have had anywhere near the depth of responsibility and commitment it does now. We're all still adjusting to our 'new normal' so just give him time."
"You're right, Kate. Is there an alarm clock in here?"
"No, but if you open the curtains on that window, the sun will be in your face first thing in the morning - a light sensitive person like you should find that all the alarm she needs."
"I better not let you talk to you-know-who. You'll tell all my secrets."
"Isn't that what a best friend is for?"
Sent from my M1061 using proboards
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Post by freebirde on Apr 15, 2013 18:31:04 GMT -6
Yeah!!!! Another chapter!
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