The Journal: Raging Tide: (The Journal Book 4) (26 page)

*

After everyone had gone home, the three of
us cleaned up the few dishes and glasses. It was late, and although
I had slept in, I was suddenly very tired. The air outside was once
again dropping in temperature in spite of it being May. I think the
past several months of a mild winter were now being paid for. Tom
put another log on the fire and we pulled up chairs to enjoy the
warmth and one final drink before heading off to bed.

“I think that went well, don’t you?” Jim
said, stretching his long legs out in front of him.

“Yes, it did, and Jason is already asking
for more details. He senses we left a lot out.”

“Well, you did,” Tom said. “I mean I
understand you don’t want them to know about the kidnapping, but
the details of everything else were pretty sketchy. They’re going
to be curious as well as concerned.”

“I will tell them more as it comes up, Tom,”
I stated. “So much happened that it’s hard to talk about just yet.
They will have to be patient… and so will you.” I smiled at my
long-time friend.

“What’s on the agenda for tomorrow?” Tom
asked.

“I think we need to deal with the trailer
contents as soon as possible. And that means getting it inside
where we can inventory all of it,” Jim said. “What kind of hours
are you keeping at the township hall? We’re going to need help
moving things. With this bum hand I can’t do a great deal yet.”

“I’m taking tomorrow off,” Tom said. “Maybe
even the next day.” He looked at us. “Damn, it’s good to have you
back!”

“Now that that is decided, I’m going to
bed.” I tossed back the water in the bottom of my glass and set it
in the sink. “Good night, Tom.”

As I came out of the bathroom after having
brushed my teeth and washed my face, Jim was there, looking out the
glass door of the walk-out basement.

“Jim, we need to talk about our
arrangements,” I said, broaching the subject gently.

“Yes, we do, Allex. I cherish the time we
spend in the same bed, but I’ve slept alone for so long I don’t
think I can share a bed every night and get enough sleep,” he said
apologetically.

I chuckled. “And here I thought I was going
to be saying that.” I kissed him softly. “Join me whenever you
want, and I’ll do the same.” With that, I went into my room,
leaving the door slightly ajar. I heard him running water in the
bathroom. A few minutes later, I felt the mattress give beside me
as Jim snuggled up and we fell asleep.

May 20

Jim left the
house early to meet with his security team. He was anxious to know
what had gone on in town during the last six weeks, though he did
promise to be back in an hour to start on the inventory.

“I’m going to run this mail bag up to the
Sisters so they can start sorting. I’m sure once people find out
there is mail, they’ll be anxious to know if they have any,” I told
Tom.

“I’m going to set up some sawhorses and
planks so we can organize all of your booty,” Tom grinned, “so take
your time.”

*

I found Sister Margaret at the supply shop
after there was no answer at the house.

“Good morning, Allexa. It was delightful to
hear about your travels last night. Thank you so much for inviting
us,” she said.

“I’m happy you could join us. I’ve brought
the mail bag I mentioned. With the meticulous records you kept
during the flu sweep, I know you will be able to sift through this
quickly. I did notice a certain amount of junk-mail. Maybe those
who don’t get any mail might enjoy the catalogues and circulars,
even if they’re out of date and unusable.”

“What a generous thought. I’ll be sure that
nothing is wasted,” Sister Margaret said, taking the canvas bag
from me.

*

I met Jim as I was walking down the
driveway. We continued arm-in-arm, mostly from habit from when he
helped me walk on bruised and broken feet, partly just because.

With Tom manning the dolly, he and I moved
three twelve bottle cases at a time down into the empty wine
cellar. We left the boxes stacked, not seeing any reason to put
things away just yet. Next were the cases of liquor. Again, we
stacked them out of sight. Moving the tubs of canned goods was
proving to be more difficult considering how heavy they were.

“How in the hell did you two get these in
here?” Tom grunted.

“We didn’t; we filled them in place,” Jim
said. “Why don’t we take two of those plastic crates over there,
and partially empty this first tub? That should make it easier to
move.” We worked steadily for an hour, sorting the cans of food as
we emptied a crate or tub.

I was taking an empty crate back to the barn
when I noticed Sister Margaret coming down the driveway.

“I’m so glad you’re here, Allexa!” she
exclaimed excitedly. “You have a letter!”

“Me? A letter?” I took the envelope from her
and saw the return address was from my sister! I turned away
without saying a word. The emotions that swept through me would be
hard to describe: relief, happiness, even dread on what news may be
inside. I walked past the garage where Jim and Tom were sorting
cans, and into the house. In my basement room I closed the door
before I carefully opened the letter.

Dear Allex,

I hope you get this, I
really do. We hear so little about what is going on in the Upper
Peninsula and what we do hear is all bad. I so want to believe that
you are alright.

I can’t thank you enough
for nagging me into prepping! I know I was a reluctant student, but
after that first ice storm when I lost power for a week in the
winter, and I had enough food and water and a camp stove to cook
on, well, I knew you were right and just looking out for me. Things
got a bit rough for a while after the ash cloud, but I’m doing
okay.

When that big quake hit in
December I was so worried about you. Then when the flooding
started, I was worried about ME. You know how I’ve always wanted
waterfront property? I got it now! Well, almost, sort of. I only
have to hike a half mile to get to the new shore! I dug out one of
Daddy’s old fishing rods last week and went fishing. You remember
the glass rod we found under the wooden steps at the lake? I
thought it might bring me good luck. I didn’t catch anything, but
at least I remembered how. It reminded me of all the times we went
camping. We learned so much back then, didn’t we?

I’m going to keep telling
myself that you got this letter. I don’t know if there is any way
for you to write back, but I won’t give up hope.

I love you sis!

Pam

“Allex, are you in here?” Jim called out,
knocking on my door. He opened it and saw me weeping. “Allex,
what’s the matter?” He pulled me into a hug and I handed him the
letter. “Oh, this is good news, isn’t it?” he asked after reading
it, still holding me. I could only nod.

I went into the bathroom to blow my nose and
wash my face.

“It’s wonderful news, Jim,” I said when I
returned. “I didn’t realize just how much I missed my sister. To
know she survived the ash clouds fills me with joy! I wish there
was some way I could let her know I got her letter and that I’m
fine and so are the boys.” I sat back down next to him.

“We’ll figure something out, Allex, I
promise.”

*

We worked for the rest of the day sorting
and stacking cans. There was so much there.

“You two made quite a haul,” Tom said when
we were finally done. “What are you going to do with all of
it?”

“Most of it will be for the three of us,” I
said, looking at Jim for confirmation.

“It’s not going to the town?” Tom
questioned.

“Our primary mission was to find my men in
the Soo, and a safe route to Marquette, not to scavenge food for
the town,” Jim asserted. “That we found some makes it ours.”

“I see.”

“Maybe you don’t, Tom, you weren’t here a
year ago. I’ve given this town enough. I gave them my own food and
supplies and they gladly took it. I gave them my knowledge and my
council, and they refused it. I’ve done enough.” I paused for a
moment, looking at Jim for support. “I’d like to give some of this
to my sons, though they also are on a tight learning curve to fend
for themselves and to be honest, they’ve got more years ahead of
them than we do.” I looked at my two best friends. “Jim and I have
been to hell and back, Tom. I think we’ve earned the right to be a
bit selfish and to enjoy our lives now and that includes a bit of
gourmet food and good wine.” I grinned at him, hoping to ease the
tension. He nodded thoughtfully.

“I suggest we put it back in the bins,
labeled, and take it downstairs,” Jim said. “You can decide now or
later what you want to give the boys, Allex.”

“I’ll wait. Maybe Rayn is having cravings
for something special.”

May 21

The temperature was even colder this
morning, almost as if we were entering a second winter, or maybe
the winter we didn’t have. While at Sawyer, I heard the winter on
the Keweenaw was brutal, with heavier than normal snow and subzero
temperatures.

“Do you need me for anything at the office,
Tom?” I asked. “I need to get with Eric about the garden and the
greenhouse. They’re going to need most of my seeds, however, I plan
on resurrecting these raised beds for us and I’d like to do it
soon.”

“Do you really think things will grow this
year, Allex?” Tom asked, looking up into the ever present dark
clouds as he was leaving for the township hall.

“I don’t know, but I want to try. I’m also
going to ask Jason about doing a plastic dome over these raised
beds to help magnify and retain what sunlight we do get.”

*

I left Jim a note telling him I took the
Hummer and would be back within an hour. I didn’t like taking his
vehicle without his previous knowledge, but I didn’t know where to
find him. On the outside chance he might be having a security
meeting at the offices, I stopped there first.

“Yes, they’re in a private session right
now, Allex. What did you need?” Tom informed me.

“I just wanted him to know I took his ride.
Part of my going to see Eric is getting
my
car back.”

*

I found Eric and Rayn in the greenhouse
watering the foot high seedlings.

“Those are looking great. I see tomatoes,
peppers, and that’s squash – what kind?” I asked my son.

“Summer and winter both. The zucchini should
fruit quickly once it warms more,” Eric answered. “And the pumpkins
will need all the time we can give them.”

“I’ll be back to talk more about it. Right
now though, I need one of you to drive my car over to the township
so I can give Jim his Hummer back. It should only take us a few
minutes,” I said. “Oh, and can you help me get my bicycle down from
its hooks? That will be so much easier for me to use around town
than the car and faster than walking.” We removed the peach colored
bicycle from the barn and put it in the back of the spacious
Humvee, along with the matching helmet and a tire pump. It had been
a long time since I’d ridden it, though they say you never forget
how. Having Eric drive my car over would give me a few minutes to
talk with him privately when I took him back.

I left the keys in the Humvee and we drove
back to the house. As soon as we left the office parking lot, I
asked Eric what was going on.

He sighed. “I’m not really sure, Mom. Maybe
it’s Rayn’s changing hormones because of the pregnancy, but she and
Amanda are constantly bickering, and that’s with us living in your
house! When we were all together, it was worse. So I wasn’t looking
forward to having to go back.” He paused like he wanted to say more
but wasn’t sure if he should. “Some of it I can understand, and in
part it’s because of Emilee.”

“Emi? I don’t understand.”

“Because your house is so small, Emi’s been
sleeping over there, and… her behavior is changing.” He stopped the
car on the side of the road and turned to me. “If you are really,
really sure about letting us stay there, I’d like to make some
changes.”

“Like what?”

“I’d like to eliminate the TV room, making
that our bedroom, change the bedroom into a nursery, and put in a
bed for Emilee to get her back with us,” he said. Obviously he’d
been thinking this over.

“I think that’s a great idea, Eric. If you
were waiting for my permission, you have it.” How could I say no
when there was so much at stake? The look of relief on his face
said it all to me. “I’m sure we can find a spare twin bed for Emi
somewhere.” The Eagle Beach house instantly came to mind. “On
another matter, sometime soon I’d like us to take an inventory of
my long term storage buckets.”

“Why?”

“Because I want some of them.” I looked
sharply at my son. “You took over my house, Eric, not all of my
possessions. Between you, me, and Jason, we will decide who wants
what and divide it three ways.”

“There will be four of us soon,” Eric
muttered.

“And there are three with Jason, and three
with me,” I reminded him. “Plus you have the greenhouse now, and I
expect you to share in that because that’s what I would do.” I
patted his hand on the steering wheel. “Don’t worry, it will work
out, it always does.”

*

I took a bucket of rice, several boxes of
pasta, some flour, salt, sugar and yeast: basics I need no matter
where I am. In the food storage shed I found a bucket dated “y2k”.
It was hermetically sealed seeds, designed for long, long term
storage, all heirloom, and from my brother. This was what I would
start my new garden with.