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Post by papaof2 on Dec 27, 2018 20:37:05 GMT -6
I somehow get the feelin' that their friend Cliff is just down the road. We all know that Cliff loves to travel as he's been seen on every PAW fiction board out there, plus those catering to western adventures, mysteries, romance, sci-fi...
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Post by papaof2 on Dec 27, 2018 23:59:26 GMT -6
Chapter 41 - Saturday, 17 July - Trip, Day Two
2:20AM
'James. James. Wake up. Someone's trying to open the roll-up door.'
'What?'
'Listen.'
'OK. I hear whispers and someone's trying the latch.'
'What'll we do?'
'You get behind the gun safe. I'll trigger the alert to Charles and I'll get out some protection.'
Beep!Beep!Beep! Beep!Beep!Beep!
'What's that, Charles?'
'James hit the remote alarm. I should be armed and outside.'
'Both of us. You take the 12 gauge and hand me the 20 gauge with the video camera on it.'
'You got it and the painfully bright LED lights are on both of them. Here's a box of shells.'
'Bird shot?'
'Damaging to deadly up close but not likely to penetrate vehicle metal.'
Ker-chunk!
'Let's go.'
'I see two.'
'Light 'em up.'
"You in the hoodies! On the ground! These are shotguns and we can't miss at this distance."
"But we're just going to the restroom…"
"You're going the wrong way and I have video of you trying to open that truck."
"But…"
Ker-chunk!
"And we heard you from this side of the door. On your knees! Hands on your head! Fingers locked! I have zip ties."
"Great job, Jesus! It'll be easy, you said. No one there, you said. You picked two trucks full of cops!"
"Shut up, Manuel!"
"I told you they did decoys! But no, you knew better! Now we're both dead!"
"Shut up!"
"Now that we have your confession on video, I think we'll lock you in one of the trailers and take care of things later in the day - maybe in the afternoon when we're 50 miles from the nearest cross road. We'll use these gags. I'll help you blindfold and bag them."
---
"James, why didn't you report this?"
"Charles, we'd be here for hours plus the local justice system has revolving doors and these guys would be back out doing the same thing tomorrow. We'll put them out with food and water for a few days and they can walk to civilization. With the lights in their faces tonight, they haven't seen any of us well enough for identification and the blindfolds take care of that for tomorrow. Loading them into the body bags before putting them in the trailer tonight is an excellent fear factor and also means we're not handling 'potty call' for them."
"Remind me never to cross you."
"Or wake me up at 2AM while you're breaking and entering."
"That, too."
---
5:30AM
"Well, it tastes like blueberry pancakes even if it does look more like pancake dough."
"Andie, I tried to warn you. Some of the MREs are decent but some are difficult to get past your tongue - often more of a texture thing than their taste."
"Definitely texture on this one, Charles. At least the coffee is decent."
"Laurie brought her Keurig and the 20-odd kinds of coffee and tea pods she had. We have power so why not have the comforts of home?"
"James, do we have enough power to do that where we'll be staying?"
"Laurie, you better ask Andie. She's the one who talked with Jack."
"All I know is that Jack said 'limited power from the creek'. Maybe some kind of waterwheel arrangement? That's something we won't know until we get there and try it."
"Maybe use the generator?"
"How much is that cup of coffee worth? I'm beginning to wonder if others know about the coming flu epidemic because the reported prices of gas and diesel are already up a dollar each on gasbuddy.com this morning and it's not yet 6AM. We need to be on the road. One last trip to the necessary and I'm ready to roll."
"Us, too."
"Andie and I made PB&J sandwiches with some fruit on the side for all of us. We won't have to stop for lunch. We'll still do the regular stretch breaks but if we can save the time of one meal we can get another hour on the road. With the increase in fuel prices, I'm concerned that we may need all the hours we can get."
"How late do we drive today?"
"If we skip supper until we're at the next RV Resort - or eat another sandwich - we can be there before midnight and that one does have security patrols. It'll be a long day after a short night but better to push for a more than 1000 mile day now than after another long day."
"Delaying a meal won't bother either of us. Let's just get there as soon as we can. Lead the way."
"We refuel in 600 miles. Wagons, Ho!"
---
"Charles, should we let them out of the trailer?"
"We just passed an exit to a little town. We'll pull off in two minutes and put them out. You may want to stay upwind of them. Tell James."
'Stop for delivery in two minutes.'
'Roger.'
---
"James, the smell was awful!"
"Laurie, I told you to stay in the truck because it would be bad."
"Will anyone help them in that condition?"
"Law enforcement, especially if they see the DVD taped to the one guy's hat or the thumb drive tied to the other guy's buttonhole. Those have the video that shows what they were doing to end up here. I doubt that they'll get any help from the local Navajo people."
"Where'd that video come from?"
"Andie edited the gun cam video she made in the wee hours to ensure none of us or our vehicles could be identified but the actions of the 'hoodie guys' were obvious."
"You can do that?"
"With the right tools. Andie's very good at it. You want a sandwich?"
"Not for a while."
---
'James from Andie.'
'Yes?'
'Gas station ahead. Prices not yet increased. Time to fill up again.'
'I'm right behind you.'
---
"James, this may be the last time we see fuel prices under $6 a gallon."
"I guess $5.99 is technically 'under $6'. How do you know about the increases, Charles?"
"Checked gasbuddy.com for cities in the next 500 miles. Everything is well over $6 and is over $7 in a few places. The prices here will go up in a matter of minutes - their delivery tanker is pulling in. We made it just under the wire."
"If prices are going up that fast, can we get enough diesel to get there?"
"Based on the fuel mileage so far, we have enough if we use what's in the fuel cans on the trailers. If we can fill up once more, we'll get there with half a tank or more."
"I thought you planned to avoid some of the cities but we've just been barreling through on I-40."
"I've been watching for what can best be described as 'convoys' of trucks with both private security and highway patrol escorts. I left the one we were in to fill up here but there's another one that's now about ten minutes out. They were queuing up at the last weigh station as we passed it so they should almost be here by now. They have a number of vehicles from the same rental agency so no problem for us to join them as we joined the previous one. Andie, the CB has reports of a wreck or wrecks and smoke on I-40 in Amarillo. See what exits there are maybe 30 to 50 miles this side of Amarillo and whether we can get from that exit to US 287."
"Wait while I check the paper maps."
"Charles, Adrian is about 50 miles this side of Amarillo and Vega is 35 miles. Adrian has 214 that goes south to 86 which will take us east to US 287 or we can go another 15 or so miles south on 86 to US 70 which will also take us east to US 287. At Vega, we'd take US 385 south either to 86 or US 70. We'd follow the signs to Caddo where we'd get on US 75 to Atoka then on 3 to Antlers and then 271 and 144 to Octavia. From there I go to the map Jack sent me."
'James, unless we see or hear something to change my plan before we get there, we'll spend the night at the RV Resort near Tucumcari and be back on I-40 in the morning. We might or might not hear something on the TV or radio - AM, ham, CB, whatever - that tells us what happened but not continuing into Amarillo on I-40 is probably a good idea. We'll plan to exit at Adrian to avoid Amarillo. 214 goes south to 86 which goes east to US 287. This will avoid Oklahoma City and pass somewhat north of Wichita Falls. US 70/287 goes through Ardmore but it's so small I don't think it will be a problem.'
'How small?'
'I-35 in Ardmore has a Flying J, a Holiday Inn, a La Quinta and a Best Western. I think they gave it a name because "Ardmore" is shorter than "where US70 crosses I-35".'
'How do you know?'
'Google Maps are sometimes useful. Have Laurie search for Ardmore.'
---
'You're right.'
'Before we do anything else, we take time to arm everyone with handguns, shotguns and rifles. Handguns on your person; others within easy reach if not in your hand. Smoke could be an accident but it could be riots and an intentionally blocked highway. These trucks can move a roadblock of two Hondas but not a loaded Peterbilt.'
'Understood. Laurie is opening cases as we speak.'
'So is Andie. Keep your eyes and ears open.'
'Will do.'
---
"We're safe here, Charles?"
"As safe as a private security force can make things, Andie - so better than last night but sleep with your handgun under your pillow. And we won't get much sleep. It's almost midnight and we should be on the road with the sun. Tomorrow's drive is likely to include a lot of two lane roads and not all of them in the best repair because our destination is the poorest county in the state. I expect to spend 14 hours or more getting through the next 600 or so miles. I'd like to get there before sunset so we're not dealing with our road trains on country roads in the dark."
"Then we need to be up before 5."
"Welcome to another very short night."
---
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Post by texican on Dec 28, 2018 0:23:11 GMT -6
PP2,
Only one diversion so far....
But,
One more day to go which will probably be interesting....
Texican....
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Post by 9idrr on Dec 28, 2018 20:37:26 GMT -6
PP2, Only one diversion so far.... But, One more day to go which will probably be interesting.... Texican.... Yeah, don't he do a good job of makin' it "interesting"...?
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Post by kaijafon on Dec 29, 2018 12:41:28 GMT -6
Thanks so much!
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Post by rmswmo on Dec 29, 2018 13:19:44 GMT -6
Thanks for a story that builds, has depth and detail. Has a story as well as teaching and details about 'how to'. Reading through I noted (I think I noted, may be wrong) that Jack is a psychologist (which you may be able to do all on line, and which CMS would love to have but can usually afford only SCSW/etc.) and psychiatrist (which is an MD (medical school, can't do on-line) and then a residency in psyc. Having 2 Ph.D. when done with tour is I guess possible, but not MD-Psychiatrist; if psychiatrist, ? mention med school after discharge ? Letting a kid go down a water slide a week or two after brain surgery with risk of impact hitting the water at the bottom would not be an allowable activity...... want to, can't, try little kid slide still with an adult, delayed gratification for next time we go to a water park.. Using a tractor bucket to push in fence posts ? I have done it, NOT easy, does not work very well. A Post Driver attachment for the back of a tractor (or the front of a skid steer) works MUCH better.... but even more likely is any fence contractor would already have one. Water pumping windmill location: I do NOT know about OK, but here in SW MO down in a valley is not a very reliable place to site a windmill (I know, I have one - BUT that was the only practical location for another well, and it's a wide open valley East and West). Did you mention drilling wells for the wind mills ? Is there (err... could there be) a hill not too far away, put well and windmill on top of the hill.... cost of running PVC pipe is pretty cheap, and could source several of the properties ? Roof top mounting is 'OK' for wind generators, esp. little 750 watt one's.. but not ideal. Annoying vibration noise in the building.... ? want more detail there ? The roof was very well built, solid enough to attach a windmill. This is not an ideal location, but we can get them up real quick and think about a tower location, possibly up on the hill behind the barn in the future.... Just my $0.02 worth - please take it with a grain of salt and do with it what you will.... Robert
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Post by papaof2 on Dec 29, 2018 14:51:33 GMT -6
I try not to take a lot of artistic license with characters or storyline, but you will find some, such as the 2 PhD's and the water slide.
Setting wood fence posts with the blade of a big CAT dozer is something done on a late friend's small farm. The neighbor on the shared fence line had the CAT and it made short work of setting the posts. The farm came about because the friend's wife wanted to raise show goats (Nubians?). When he discovered how expensive that was going to be, he named the place "King's Ransom Farm".
Early on, Jack thought about re-using old windmill towers for mounting the wind generators (Chapter 3).
With the recent heavy rain, pushing a fence post into the ground would be less difficult but, yes, a fence contractor might have his own tools - that's somewhat less likely for someone in a rural area who's interested in using the bush hog on Jack's tractor to clear out along some of the fence line (Chapter 37).
While there is a creek, the area is flat enough for adequate wind with the reference to seeing other windmills in the area (Chapter 3) and they're on some of the higher ground: "road goes downhill" (Chapter 4) . The windmill at the homestead is for the existing well, as a backup for the electric pump.
If you have time to be a proofreader, I could email or PM a copy of each chapter before I post it. Just be aware that you might become a target for the MOAR hounds if they find out you're involved in the process ;-)
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Post by rmswmo on Dec 29, 2018 15:01:37 GMT -6
Humm...... I have thought of trying to write fiction, proofreading might be a first step and be a way to 'give back', so yes if you think it would be helpful, e-mail me a copy as most days I could get right to it. NOT on Tuesday and a few other days per month. I have written quite a bit of technical documents, know my grammar sucks, and tend to be too wordy on details, so always used someone to edit me (never got around to trying an grammar program).
Robert
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Post by papaof2 on Dec 29, 2018 15:15:12 GMT -6
Don't worry about your grammar - even Microsoft Word doesn't always get it right, occasionally suggesting changing something to "you is" which is typically only correct in the context of "you is both singular and plural".
Long in the distant past, I had "Miss Susie" as my 9th grade English teacher. She instilled proper grammar with such fervor that even freshman football players sometimes cowered before that 4-foot-something lady. I generally get it right the first time, but anything I'm thinking of publishing (Kindle) goes under the eyes of my retired schoolteacher wife ;-)
I'm not an expert in all areas so I'll listen to someone who is better informed - listen, but perhaps still take a bit of license ;-)
I'll PM the next chapter when it's ready.
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Post by texican on Dec 29, 2018 21:31:14 GMT -6
If you have time to be a proofreader, I could email or PM a copy of each chapter before I post it. Just be aware that you might become a target for the MOAR hounds if they find out you're involved in the process ;-) PP2,
I would be pleased to proofread your chapters....
Now, does this mean that the chapters will come faster?.?.?.?
That would definitely thrill the greedy Moar Hounds....
Texican....
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Post by papaof2 on Dec 29, 2018 21:52:53 GMT -6
Technically, the chapters could be produced slower - each set of hands slows things a little. I'll PM you when the next chapter is ready.
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Post by texican on Dec 30, 2018 1:27:59 GMT -6
Technically, the chapters could be produced slower - each set of hands slows things a little. I'll PM you when the next chapter is ready. Hopefully soon.... Texican....
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Post by frugalprepper on Dec 31, 2018 16:13:36 GMT -6
I have come down with flu like symptoms as I wait for the next chapter of this story...
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Post by texican on Dec 31, 2018 19:29:48 GMT -6
I have come down with flu like symptoms as I wait for the next chapter of this story... FP, The unique post of the day.... Texican....
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Post by frugalprepper on Dec 31, 2018 19:51:07 GMT -6
Texican, Unfortunately, I spent 16 hours in a car with my daughter as I am hacking away driving from TN back to TX where I belong. I suspect that I got infected Christmas Day at my sisters house. Several toddlers with runny noses and looking horrible. It made me think of this ongoing story as they are trying to make it to the homestead before word gets out.
I could not afford additional days on the car rental and had to have it back today as well as having to work. (I work from home, so no contaminating co-workers)
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Post by texican on Dec 31, 2018 20:13:17 GMT -6
Texican, Unfortunately, I spent 16 hours in a car with my daughter as I am hacking away driving from TN back to TX where I belong. I suspect that I got infected Christmas Day at my sisters house. Several toddlers with runny noses and looking horrible. It made me think of this ongoing story as they are trying to make it to the homestead before word gets out. I could not afford additional days on the car rental and had to have it back today as well as having to work. (I work from home, so no contaminating co-workers) FP, A memorable trip, even if it does not seem like it right now.... This is what memories are made from.... Happy New Year to All.... Texican....
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Post by udwe on Dec 31, 2018 22:25:14 GMT -6
Thank you!
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 1, 2019 18:36:31 GMT -6
Texican, Unfortunately, I spent 16 hours in a car with my daughter as I am hacking away driving from TN back to TX where I belong. I suspect that I got infected Christmas Day at my sisters house. Several toddlers with runny noses and looking horrible. It made me think of this ongoing story as they are trying to make it to the homestead before word gets out. I could not afford additional days on the car rental and had to have it back today as well as having to work. (I work from home, so no contaminating co-workers) Toddlers with tunny noses - the ultimate germ spreading force. Maybe we should describe them as the original domestic bio-terrorists? I seem to remember a lot more winters with some version of "the flu" in the house when my wife taught 3 years olds in preschool :-(
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Post by tckaija on Jan 1, 2019 19:45:11 GMT -6
Toddlers with tunny noses - the ultimate germ spreading force. Maybe we should describe them as the original domestic bio-terrorists?I seem to remember a lot more winters with some version of "the flu" in the house when my wife taught 3 years olds in preschool :-(
I know what you mean, there!
I have referred to the Grand-kids as walking Petri dishes for years!
... gotta admit though, when they are sick they come to GrandPa for the cuddles and snuggles they <need most> at thise times.... and I Do Not begrudge them that even tho I often catch their colds....
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 1, 2019 20:06:00 GMT -6
Lap time is often the most effective pain reliever / sleep aid.
Cleaned vomit off me and the recliner more than once though...
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Post by texican on Jan 1, 2019 21:32:35 GMT -6
Lap time is often the most effective pain reliever / sleep aid. Cleaned vomit off me and the recliner more than once though... PP2, That is what grandpas are for.... Texican....
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 3, 2019 0:35:05 GMT -6
Chapter 42 - Sunday, 18 July - Trip, Day Three
"Coffee, Andie?"
"Already, Charles?"
"Seems James and Laurie have been up a while - at least long enough to talk with some locals at the Resort Office. The pilot of the plane back home was a missionary to Africa who was home on furlough. The authorities are saying that gives weight to the argument that it might have been Ebola. We know better, as that's not how Ebola progresses. Closer to us, the smoke on I-40 was from a wrecked tanker - mix of gasoline and diesel. Traffic cams recorded the entire event, starting with the SUV that deliberately cut the tanker off twice, then drove into his front wheel forcing the tanker into a support for an overpass. No one is claiming responsibility yet but maybe they were all in the SUV which went up in seconds when the tanker split open and the gasoline ignited with a huge fireball. Eastbound I-40 is closed until things are cleaned up enough to determine what repairs are needed. The alternate route you found yesterday is certainly a better option. Fuel is available at Adrian and all the way to Ardmore. It's usually more expensive near the interstate but I'm guessing they have bigger tanks and are more likely to have diesel than a gas station in town. We top off the tanks there and proceed with our alternate route. I texted Jack and he will meet us and lead us as before…"
"Great! No more trying to decide if something is a road or a crease in a paper map!"
"I thought you might appreciate that."
"How will he know when to be there?"
"As we did getting there from the airport - we text him when we're at Fewell and he'll have time to get to Octavia before we do."
"He's still driving that green truck?"
"It's very easy to spot."
"That's true."
"Even easier this time as he'll have the blue lights on - remember that he's a Reserve Deputy."
"And his new father-in-law is the Sheriff?"
"How'd you guess, Charles?"
"I was making a smartass comment. You're serious?"
"Absolutely. We just drive the route until we see the light show. But he said to stay armed."
---
Bzzt!Bzzt!
[Jack, Fewell is just ahead.]
[On my way. Are the kids with you?]
[They went home with friends from summer camp last week. They're at Fort Smith. Easier to fly them there early than to have them in the truck with us for many hours.]
[My kids have seen pictures and want to meet them.]
['My kids'. You really do claim them.]
[Without question. They'll be disappointed but I'll tell them 'maybe tomorrow'. I doubt that you've seen or heard much news but the quarantine around the crash site has been extended out more than ten miles.]
[Then it's moving as fast as Laurie dreamed.]
[Yes.]
[Definitely getting the kids tomorrow.]
[I'll be your official escort.]
[Thanks, Jack.]
[So you're calm enough for me to be 'Jack' again?]
[Helps to be this close to home and family.]
[Speaking of home. Sally's house is ready for you but easier on you tonight if someone else cooks.]
[And we know how good that cooking will be - whether it's Sally, you, the girls or some combination of the six of you.]
[See you soon.]
"They're at Fewell…"
"Can we go?"
"Ask your Momma if she needs more help getting things ready for visitors."
"Momma?"
"They've been very good about helping with the meal, Jack. They can all go."
"Thank you, Momma!"
---
'Andie to James.'
'This is Laurie.'
'Flashing blue lights on the right ahead.'
'Looks like the same place as before.'
'At least there's room to park these road trains.'
'That's always a good thing.'
---
"Girls, stay in my truck until they're parked and open the doors. You don't want to get in the way of a road train."
"It's a road train for sure, Daddy - two big trucks pulling trailers and big vehicles behind that."
"You can shut the lights off now, Sarah."
"I got 'em!"
---
"They've stopped and are opening doors. I'll help Alice down and she can hold her cane. All of you hold hands so you don't run away from Alice - or drag her behind you."
"You're silly!"
"You're all smiling."
"You do that really good."
"I think you've said that before, Sarah."
"And I'll probably say it again."
"Hi, Aunt Andie, Uncle Charlie."
"Hi, girls."
"Hi, Aunt Laurie, Uncle Jim."
"Hi, girls."
"Alice is certainly moving better than the last time we were here."
"Aunt Andie, Momma and Daddy make me do PT every day - but I don't need the walker now!"
"I think you're doing the right PT if you're getting better that fast. Come here and give me hug."
"Yes!"
"Me too!"
"Me!"
"And me - from all of you!"
"And your Uncle Jim wondered if you'd remember us. I think that's been answered permanently."
---
"Daddy, can we ride in the big trucks?"
"If they have room for you, Sarah. They've been driving many hours and they may have made their 'nests' like the four of you do when traveling."
"Sarah, give us a minute to make some space and we can take two in each truck. Who goes with whom?"
"Alice with me so I can help her with the cane. Marie and Lisa together."
"Who in which truck?"
"Charles, I think you're driving the 15 speed and I'm sure my favorite grease monkey would like to learn …"
"Un huh!"
"Then Sarah and Alice with us; Marie and Lisa with James and Laurie."
"How long from here, Jack?"
"In time or miles?"
"I remember being asked that before."
"Considering the roads, the trailers and the fact that your vehicles ride like trucks…"
"Daddy!"
"He's right, Sarah."
"Maybe these new aunts weren't such a good idea - they have Daddy's sense of humor."
"Jack, I think she's a keeper!"
"I rather like her myself, Andie - and the other three as well."
"In the truck, Uncle Charlie, so we can get away from Daddy! I'll help Alice."
"James, Charles. I want you to park at our place as I don't think you could get multiple trailers up the driveway at Sally's place in the dark and you'll have more room plus adequate light to unhitch and unload at our place."
"Room to work and light to work by are good things. We'll be there when we get there. I'm sure the girls can direct us."
"We've had them creating that map to the grandparents' house so they'll know road and place names. They definitely know the mile or so leaving our place. I'll lead the way to 217. You can take your time on that stretch of road."
---
"Hello, Mr. Jackson. Do I hear a big truck?"
"More than one, Mrs. Jackson. I'll go and remind the girls to stay in those trucks until they are parked so they can unhitch and unload."
---
"Now that they're parked, can I help?"
"Me?"
"Me too?"
"You didn't ask this time, Alice?"
"I can't carry stuff and do the cane."
"What if you hold the door open while people go in and out?"
"I can do that!"
---
"Now that you're full and getting sleepy, I'll remind you of the properties you chose and that we'll need to get you moved in tomorrow."
"Jack, did you have to mention that much work after us spending days on the road?"
"Not quite that bad, Charles. I've recruited some help to unload the big items and you each have a barn that some things can be left in until you need them. Sally and the girls have a cooler for each couple so you'll have a 'ready to cook' breakfast."
"I'm liking these girls better each time I see them. Who's your help?"
"Another Deputy, Pete Davis, and his fiancée Molly. The girls have known Pete as long as they can remember and they call him 'Uncle Pete'. Pete and Molly own property just down the road from us and will be here around 8AM tomorrow. If you have anything on pallets, I have pallet forks for the bucket on the frontloader plus a pallet jack."
"Charles, I told you that Jack would probably be able to unload anything you had on the truck."
"If he can get the pallet jack up in the truck to move the things that are against the cab."
"I welded some lift channels on the pallet jack to be able to do that when the things I had in storage were delivered."
"Then it seems we're equipped to work hard tomorrow."
"Load up in whichever of your passenger vehicles you want to use and head over to Sally's place. It's set up with three days' food so you'll have a place to sleep if you don't get everything unloaded tomorrow."
"Andie, we need to go get the kids."
"Charles, Pete and Molly can work with James and Laurie while I escort you and Andie to and from Fort Smith. All of them can help you get your truck unloaded when you get back here. You rented those by the day?"
"No. For the week. We can turn them in at Fort Smith as soon as they're unloaded. The day after tomorrow if possible to reduce our expenses."
"Might need one of them to get our LTS order when it's delivered."
"When?"
"Wednesday."
"We can unload your covered trailer to the house and barn and use it. My truck can handle that trailer if your vehicle can't."
"That'll work."
---
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Post by gipsy on Jan 3, 2019 12:15:38 GMT -6
Things are coming together, but I have a feeling the trip tomorrow might have some excitement for some reason.
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Post by texican on Jan 3, 2019 16:26:04 GMT -6
PP2,
It is getting interesting....
Things are starting to fall apart....
Next chapter please....
Texican....
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Post by papaof2 on Jan 4, 2019 0:37:46 GMT -6
Chapter 43 - Monday, 19 July - Getting the Kids
Bzzt!Bzzt!
[Just turning on 217. Be there in a few.]
"Girls, your Daddy just turned on 217. Need your help to get lunch on the table."
"Washing my hands, Momma."
"Me too."
"Me."
"And me."
---
"Glen, give me back my PB&J!"
"Why, hairless cripple?"
"It's mine!"
"Then I'll cover your bald spot with it."
"Ow!"
"GLEN! Let her go!"
"You want some too, Sarah?"
"I'm not taking; I'm giving! Let her go!"
"Make me!"
Whump!
"Ooooooh! Aaaahhaahh!"
"Stay curled up on your side with this hand out! Momma! In the kitchen!"
"Sarah, why is Glen on the floor?"
"He took Alice's PB&J and rubbed it on her head. Her scar is bleeding!"
"We just… ran into… each other."
"Alice is so short she'd have left PB&J on his jeans. It's only on the hand under my foot."
"Dad, she… kneed me… in the…"
"Not another word from you, Glen! Sarah's analysis is correct. Maybe I should tell her to take you outside and finish what you started?"
"Not now, Uncle Charlie. I want to take that smile he had off his face permanently but I know my hands will hurt more tomorrow than it's worth now. Maybe a rain check after we fix Alice?"
"You have it, Sarah. Andie, we need a nurse for Alice!"
"On my way!"
---
"But Dad…"
"Glen! I said not another word. Sarah, if you'd let him up?"
"Yes, Uncle Charles."
"Not by my belt!"
"Hush or I might tell Sarah to take that rain check now."
"But…"
"Last time! Hush before I ask to borrow that wide belt on the rack by the door."
"You wouldn't!"
"I would. On your bare butt in front of everyone here!"
"Nothing to say, Glen?"
"No sir."
"Go sit on the porch."
"Yes sir."
"Sally, it looks like a couple of fingernail nicks in the incision. I don't see any loose stitches but I need to wash the nicks to see if they're deeper than that and then use some antibiotic ointment on them. You have running hot water?"
"The water heater was lit today for washing clothes. Jack, can you start the big gen for unlimited running water?"
"Power in two minutes since water will be running for an unknown amount of time."
"Can I come with you, Daddy?"
"Yes, Sarah."
"Good analysis, Sherlock."
"Thank you, but I really need to hit something!"
"I think you really want to hit someone multiple times but you're too nice a person to do that right now. I don't think he'll be as lucky if you're provoked again. Let's get the gen started and we'll go to the barn where there's an old punching bag and some boxing gloves. The gloves will keep your hands from being as sore as they would be if you hit it with bare knuckles."
"OK."
"You want to do the start?"
"Is the propane on?"
"Yes."
"I need the key."
"Here."
"OK. Switch to Normal. Key on. Press 'Start'. It's running. Wait two minutes?"
"It's warmer than that today. Count off 60 seconds as I had you do last time."
"One, one thousand. Two, one thousand. …ty-nine, one thousand. Sixty, one thousand. Breaker to ON."
"Let's go get you those gloves so you can burn off some of your adrenaline and your anger."
"Yes!"
"I HATE YOU!!!"
Thump!!!
"I HATE YOU!!"
Thump!!
"I HATE You!"
Thump!!
"I Hate You!"
Thump!
"I Hate you!"
Thump!
"I hate… Hold me?"
"In my lap; head on my shoulder. I'll help you get the gloves off. Let it all out. You were scared for Alice. You're angry with Glen for hurting Alice. You're angry with him for thinking he could hurt you. You're just a little afraid of yourself for how angry you've been. You might be a little surprised at how effective the moves I taught you were…"
"That's for sure! Did I hurt him?"
"Mostly his pride. He was suddenly on the floor and facing an angry opponent who was a head shorter…"
"I didn't want to hurt him, just stop him. I'm sorry!"
"Nothing to be sorry about. Someone hurt your sister who couldn't defend herself and you stopped him. No visible bruises, no blood, no broken bones - just an immediate stop. Those tears will help you let go of some of the anger."
[Sniff]
"You sure are smart for only being a Daddy for a month."
"And I have tissues for you. Feeling better now, snarky girl?"
"Un huh. Your shoulder and your hug always make things better."
"Should I tell Glen not to come back unless he plans to start with 'I'm sorry'?"
"And he'd better act and sound like he means it!"
"I think that's a given. Let's go see how Alice is."
"OK."
"Daddy, they got all the PB&J out of my scar and my eye."
"Your eye? Sarah only mentioned your incision."
"Jack, when we got the bleeding stopped Alice asked if we could do something about the 'sticky' in her eye. We got that too."
"Thanks, Andie."
"No, I should thank Sarah for taking immediate action to protect her sister and preserve the evidence. And for being a great deal more patient with Glen than he deserves. Sarah, I see you rubbing your knuckles. Did Jack find you something to hit?"
"A punching bag and some boxing gloves that swallowed my hands."
"Helps sometimes, doesn't it?"
"Un huh. His shoulder and hug help even more."
"I'm sure they do. Jack, I'll assume Glen should not be back here except in a seriously apologetic frame of mind?"
"Sarah did take Charles' offer of a rain check."
"I'll remind Glen of that. I'm sorry he went off like that but better that it happened when there was someone who could and would stop him immediately. Charles and I will both be having long talks with him."
---
"Sarah?"
"Yes, Melissa?"
"Would Uncle Jack teach me some of that self defense stuff?"
"Glen's been beating up on you?"
"Not much but I'll rather it was 'not any'."
"Daddy's in his office. Let's go ask him."
---
"Girls?"
"Yes, Daddy?"
"Yes, Uncle Jack?"
"Before you leave my office, I have something for Sarah."
"The .22 rifle already?"
"Yes. You showed a high level of responsibility when you only did enough to stop Glen, even though you were extremely angry with him. That's a very mature response to a bad situation. Do you remember where and how the rifle is to be kept?"
"In the rack by the front door, with the trigger lock in place and the magazine loaded but not installed."
"Very good. Have you decided whether you want to carry a handgun?"
"I think maybe I should to protect Marie, Lisa and Alice if you and Momma aren't with us. But where do I keep it so it's safe for them?"
"I love my responsible girl. Here's a keychain with keys to the house and the trigger locks on both…"
"But…"
"You don't need a pocket or a belt for this keychain. It's long enough to wear as a short necklace so no clothes needed to keep up with the keys…"
"He said 'no clothes' - you go naked?"
"Melissa?"
"Yes, Uncle Jack?"
"That's only with family and when the weather is warm enough. They're all required to have appropriate clothes for doing chores, when visitors are here and when we're off the property."
"You're tanned all over?"
"Except my feet - we hafta wear shoes of some kind when we're outside 'cause Marie broke a toe going barefoot last year."
"Really?"
"I'll pull up my shirt."
"But your Daddy…"
"Has already seen all of us when he talked us through using the sun shower bags during the big storm. And he had to do the overall first aid check on Marie when she slid out of the tire swing and hurt her ribs last month."
"Can I do that when I'm here? I hate the dead-looking white parts of my skin."
"Ask your mother and have her talk with Sally."
"Yes, Uncle Jack."
"Now back to Sarah's handgun. The belt for the holster will be more comfortable if it's in the belt loops of jeans or shorts than if it's against your skin. I don't have a shoulder holster that can be adjusted small enough to fit you, so the belt holster is your only choice."
"I'd probably feel better in front of strangers if I had some clothes on so I'll hang shorts and a tee shirt in here with the belt and holster on the shorts and change that for jeans in winter."
"That's my smart girl. Melissa, I'll mention your self defense request to your mother. I think she'll agree to that but you stay quiet about it. You might like to have an opportunity to surprise Glen as much as Sarah did."
"Sarah's right. You are the best!"
---
"Sally, Jack, I'll call you tomorrow if we can work something out."
"OK, Andie."
"Bye, Aunt Sally."
"Bye, Melissa."
"Bye, Sarah."
"Bye, Melissa."
"Bye, Sarah."
"That's 'Miss Jackson' to you!"
"But…"
"To the SUV, Glen."
"Yes, Dad."
---
"Missy?"
"It's Melissa."
"Melissa, why is everybody mad at me? It was just a little joke!"
"Not a joke now, doofus! Alice had brain surgery to remove a tumor that could've killed her. She has to be careful of all kinds of things with that big incision. And did you listen to anything Mom and Dad said on the way home?"
"Something about how much food they brought. No big deal. Uncle Jack probably has enough for all of us."
"It doesn't work that way. You messed up when Dad let you help with ordering the LTS food. You took the column for people not working hard…"
"What're we gonna do besides sit and eat?"
"Grow crops, raise animals, cut trees and chop wood for cooking and heating like Dad had told you! We have enough food for less than a year, not the five years Dad planned to order. That's your fault. He trusted you to do what he said but you got it wrong."
"I saved him a bunch of money…"
"You didn't 'save' anything. We'll need that amount of food and we won't have it."
"We can just take it…"
"Take it from Sarah who kicked your butt tonight?"
"Well, maybe not her but…"
"If you can't take it from a nine year old, you sure won't get anything from an adult."
"She's nine?"
"Her birthday's the same as mine."
"But she…"
"She kicked your butt!"
"Yeah, I guess she did. We're gonna get hungry, aren't we?"
"Unless you get your stuff together and stop acting like a stupid sixth grader, even if you'll be in seventh grade when - maybe if - school starts."
"I should tell Sarah I'm sorry?"
"You should think a long time about who you should tell you're sorry and I don't think she'll hear you if you say 'Sarah'."
"I messed up big, didn't I?"
"I guess it fits. You're always saying you're the 'big' brother so you did this 'big' too."
"I should start with Mom and Dad?"
"Only if you're serious about 'being sorry'. I know Mom and Dad will know if you're lying and I think Sarah will know when you get to her - and she'll decide to collect on that rain check."
"I better think this through."
"You have the rest of the night. I'm going to bed."
"Thanks, Melissa."
"You said 'Thanks'? Are you sure you're the same brother I had yesterday?"
"Not quite the same."
"I think I might like this one better."
"I hope everyone likes me better."
"Then learn some more about the improved you. Put away the picture from when you turned nine and the artist guy had you as one of the models for that water park statue. Put up this picture from camp."
"Who's that?"
"Jason, Elwood and you, pimply-faced pudgy-butt."
"But …"
"Big mirror on the bathroom door. Go look."
"What happened to me?
"Not swimming. Not playing soccer. Not riding your bike. Drinking Mountain Dew and scarfing down pizza and chips while killing zombies for hours. You never got danced with at camp because you have that 'middle school face' and 'middle school body' that you kept teasing all the girls about. You might want to be nice to Sarah - she has her own rifle and pistol if any real zombies turn up."
"She has guns? But she's a girl! And she's only nine!"
"That 'girl' who's 'only nine' had you on the floor crying with one move and zero weapons."
"I am so dead."
---
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