No Normal Day (18 page)

The
first two months following the event rolled
into
four and then six. Life in Beth and Jack's compound was
finding
a routine, a rhythm of daily existence. The elderly neighbors across
the street eventually just quit even taking the offerings that Jack
left on their porch. He knew
that
they were dead now. It didn't seem right but he had
left
them in the home that they lived in for so long. The family of three
and the two teenagers down the street were still holding on. David,
the now 17 year old son of Jason and Dianne, had
formed
a
friendship with the girl and her brother. They maintained
contact
with Joel, his family and the friends on the lake. Each of these
survivor groups knew one or two more. A network of bartering and
sharing what could
be
spared, had
grown
up between them all. Some had gardens, some had
water,
and all, even the teenage girl had
learned
to search and scavenge.

Scavenging
trips have become less and less productive. Those who had
survived,
learned early on, not only to plunder for themselves but to gather
barter worthy items where-ever they found
them.
It did
seem
that less people were still alive or around. Perhaps, it was the
military “rescue”. Of course, the horrid scent of death
had
not
diminished. The city was particularly putrid and dangerous. The
network of survivors were all appreciative of the benefits of their
connections. However, in these times, this
after
world
demanded
a
self preservation attitude and the contacts were minimal.

Jack's
family had
celebrated
birthdays, mainly for the kids and their versions of holidays. It
really took
little
to make a child believe that something was special. Soon, it would
be
Christmas, the first Christmas in this after world. It would
be
so very bittersweet. He and Beth were so thankful that they and their
family were together and surviving. Yet, they were so sad, that life
had
dealt
them all this hand. David had
asked
Beth, if they could invite
the
teenage girl and her brother and the family of three for a Christmas
meal. Beth agreed
that
would
be
nice. There were
a
short few days, when even the adults could
forget
that their lives had
been
turned upside down. There was a lot of planning for gifts for the
children, lots of
secretive
plans for giving and the girls were all stretching their imaginations
to concoct a Christmas dinner. Unless a big fat turkey came
strutting
by, that wouldn't be on the table. They had
spotted
a few chickens, when they were out on the hunt. They agreed, that
would be a good thing to have. But, catching them and a rooster,
where to pin them, etc...that was a project they hadn't tackled yet.

Beth's
latest and greatest
before
artificial tree was drug out of the
storage shed and placed in the living room. Everyone enjoyed placing
on the tree, the dozens and dozens of ornaments that Beth had
collected for years. The kids had a ball and the adults found a new
appreciation for the memories that clung to nearly every little
decoration. On Christmas morning, at least one present for everyone
was under the tree. Beth and the girls even took some things from
their precious stores and put ribbons on them, for the guests. David
found a pretty necklace, sparkling through a pile of debris on the
floor of a department store, he was giving it to the teenage girl.
Mostly, there were useful items that each of them had ran across and
thought would work for someone and some special boxes of candy.

The
biggest surprise of all, Lee gave Lynn a ring. It was a simple one
that he found in the same store that David spotted the necklace.
Lynn, like her mother, didn't really care for diamonds and fancy, so
a turquoise and silver band made tears slide down her cheeks and got
Lee a huge kiss. No-one was really surprised and everyone was
thrilled for them. Lee and Cody had already become,
one of the
family.
They
were
invaluable members of the team that supported and
protected the compound. Beth hugged them both, with a thought,
who
in the world will marry them?
Immediately, she laughed at her
thought. The only thing that matters was their commitment to each
other, a piece of paper had very little meaning in the after.

The
day was a happy one, filled with laughter and a feeling of security.
The guests asked a lot of questions about the fortifications of the
compound and some of the other provisions and innovations the family
had created, to make survival more than just a struggle. The girls
and Beth really outdid themselves in putting together a meal. It took
both cookers and the propane grill, but the job got done. They opened
two canned hams, a big pan of dressing was made with cornbread and
canned chicken, they had instant mashed potatoes, boxed mac and
cheese, some cans of vegetables. Beth even discovered a can of
cranberry sauce in the back of the stores. Some jars of fruit and
boxed whipped cream made fruit salad. Bisquick and canned peaches
created a big cobbler, there were no bake cookies, made from cocoa
and oatmeal. It really was a Christmas Dinner.

After
the guests had left, with many thanks and ideas for improving their
own situation, the family sat around the long table that was put
together from some smaller tables, in the common area. They had put a
log or two in the fireplace. The men and boys have gone out, on a
couple of days and cut firewood and hauled it back to the compound.
The temperatures were still mild, usually January and February were
the really cold months in East Texas, the small fire still felt good
as the evening set in. Even a holiday was not a time to let down
their guard and the sun sets early this time of year. Eric and Matt
got up to take the first watch. Trish went out to check on the coffee
that was brewing on the cooker, she returned to report that it was
ready if anyone wanted a cup.

The
kids were playing with the small toys that Santa brought. BJ walked
steady and strong now, Brook had turned 5 and Nicky will soon be 7.
One of the girls, Trish, Dianne or Lynn worked with the little ones
about an hour each day, in their version of home school. As everyone
was gathered around the long table, Lee said, “I would like to
bring up something”.

Dianne
said, “We know mister, you have the hots for our sister! You
want to drag her away to that little bed on wheels that you inhabit
and have her all to yourself.”

There
was laughter, Lee gave Lynn a look filled with longing and said,
“That's a good idea but it's not what I would like to talk
about right now. I have been thinking about the house next door. Jack
says that it was in foreclosure before everything went to s---. Other
than some intruders, animal or human, no one has been there or ever
will be, is my guess. I think we should bring it into the compound
and it would give us all some space to spread out.”

Jason
said, “There is no fence around the place. God knows
what
is
inside. It would take a whole lot of work, on everybody's part.”

“
Of
course, there is a septic system, just like all the houses in the
neighborhood. The extra space would be great. I believe that it's a
three bedroom house, two bath house.” added
Jack.

Lynn
spoke, “Well, last week, when Lee and I went to get water at
Joel's, we stopped and explored the house. It's really stinky,
definitely has had some animals in there at some time. But it's not
impossible, it could be cleaned out.” She placed her hand over
Lee's, “Why don't you tell them our ideas, hon?”

Everyone
looked at Lee, he took a drink of coffee and said, “Now listen,
these are just our suggestions, if we do this it will be like always,
everybody has input. Lynn and I think that we have all become used to
living in this compound, with the family. We think that we all,
actually like the commune style life. We enjoy the eating together,
sharing the work and having the common room to all gather. The house
next door would mainly add a little more sleeping space and privacy
for all of us. Trish, we feel like that you and Eric, could take the
living room of the house. You could divide it up however you like to
make a space for the girls and ya'll would have a bedroom of your
own.”

Eric
gave him a thumbs up and said, “I like that idea, man.”
He gave Trish a wink.

Lee
continued, “There is a large master bedroom, Jason and Dianne
could take that. We could put the twins in the smallest of the three
bedrooms and Lynn and I would take the last. That frees up the spare
bedroom in Jack and Beth's house, for Kat, Tate and little BJ. The
boys could move from Jack's garage into the house's garage, after
Dianne and Trish move out. The whole big garage would be open again,
it would be available for our shop, storage for the War Wagon's
maintenance supplies and other projects we are constantly needing to
work on. Of course, the house next door has a garage and other
storage. That would be very useful for extra food and supplies. And,
we would be adding yard space for our garden.” The wheels were
already turning in all of the family's heads, they talked and nodded
in agreement.

Jack
said, “The first thing we would need to do is get the perimeter
secure. The fence between this house and the one next door could come
down and be usable. We would have to scrounge up some more, probably
could find plenty from empty houses around the neighborhood. And we
would have to get more barb wire, we have some, not near enough. The
windows would have to be boarded, that would mean scavenging for more
lumber. The women would have to be responsible for cleaning and
sanitizing the place.”

The
discussion, plans and lists began. The days were short now and the
temperature was often wintry cold but they all were anxious to get
started on this expansion. Trips were made to find supplies. They
decided it had come down to looting from the deserted and abandoned
homes in the neighborhood, before they resorted to returning to the
city, which they had avoided for a long time now. Jack really
detested this idea. Not just because it seemed so wrong to
him...these were his neighbors. Also, because like the Carpenter's
across the street, there would be death in some of these homes.

When
their search began, they discovered, not surprisingly that a large
majority of useable items of any kind, had already been taken. Jack
knew of a house that had a woodworking shop behind it. No sign
announces that, this area was not zoned for commercial. He knew that
the man was a cabinet maker and quite successful. They knocked on the
door...after all, they still survived, others must be... they were
not able to get any response. He saw no boarded windows. This house
was very close to the highway that had become a car graveyard, maybe
they were the first to see trouble. After they looked in some of the
windows and saw no sign of life, he, Jason and Tate moved into the
back yard and to the shop.

They
broke into the wide doors of the shop and found plenty of sheet goods
and lumber inside.
What a shame, all of this beautiful cabinet
wood and it will be used for boarding up windows.
Jack shook it
out of his mind. They loaded up plenty of lumber, some long bolts and
many useful items. At another couple of houses, they found a few cans
of food and some dry goods. Once, they caught a glimpse of a curtain
pulled back for a second but did not actually see a face. The
neighborhood was not completely empty.

They
had been so many dead pets, most dead for a good while now. Jack was
grateful that right before the event, they had lost their little dog
that had been their pet for twelve years. About a month after the
family had gathered together and were secure, two of the neighborhood
dogs had been standing at the garage door when it was opened. Looking
thin and dirty, a tall mixed breed lab, slash, doberman and a curly
haired small terrier, faced the door openers. It was love at first
site and they just could not turn them away. Anyway, barking dogs
were a very good alarm system. So, Big Dog and Little Dog became part
of the compound. No one had the heart to use their old pet names and
this was easy to remember. Both were gentle, maybe that's why they
found each other. They were a big source of joy for the children and
actually for all.