Enforcing Home (22 page)

Thad announced his arrival by asking, “Is this is a private party, or can anyone come?”

I was happy to see that on such a dreary morning he had that signature smile. “You’re always welcome brother,” I said as I gripped his hand.

Perez came stomping out of the bunker. “I’m outta here; you guys can have this shit.”

Thad slapped him on the back. “You got it, buddy. Go dry out.”

“I’m out too,” Ian said as he fell in behind Perez.

“Thanks guys; appreciate it,” I said as they headed off.

“Eww, this thing is full of water!” Taylor shouted.

“Yeah, I’m going to get some pallets. Thad, you want to come give me a hand really quick?” I asked.

“You know it,” he quickly replied.

“Let me go get the truck. There are some pallets out behind my old place. I used them for the bee hives I had back there.”

“We’ll be here,” he replied.

I quickly headed for the house and got the truck and drove back up the road. Thad was standing in the rain waiting, and hopped in. At the house, I pulled around back to where the pallets were stacked up.

“Think it’s going to rain all day?” Thad asked as he got out of the truck.

“I hope not. We were supposed to get some stuff airlifted in today. Sarge said they won’t fly in this kind of weather.”

I opened the back of the Suburban and Thad tossed in one of the pallets. As I turned to walk to the stack, I thought I saw something. Actually, I was certain I saw a person over at the burned-out remains of Don’s old place. Thad was bent over grabbing another pallet, and I moved up beside him.

“I just saw someone at the place next door.”

Thad didn’t react; he hefted a pallet and started to move towards the truck. “Where at?” He asked in a quiet voice.

“To the left of that big downed tree. The one he was cutting when the chainsaw got him.”

Thad nodded and tossed the pallet into the truck. I was behind him with another, and threw it in as well. As he passed me heading back to the stack, he said, “I don’t see anything.”

Picking up another pallet, I said, “I’m certain I did.”

“I believe you; you need to call Sarge on the way back and let him know,” Thad said as he grabbed the last pallet.

Once the last one was in the truck, we got back in and headed out the way we had come in, which took us a little closer to the spot we were talking about. As we passed by, I casually looked at the tree but didn’t see anything, and told Thad. He told me to call the old man as soon as we got to the road. As I pulled out onto the paved road, I did just that. Sarge responded quickly to the radio call, and I informed him of the situation.

“
You sure?”

“Positive.”

Before he replied, Ted’s voice came over the radio in a hard whisper, “
We’ll move that way and take a look.”

“Morgan, let the folks at the bunker know, and tell them to keep a sharp eye out. Ted, you check in every ten minutes and watch your ass.”

We both replied in the affirmative. At the bunker, I helped Thad and Danny get the pallets in place. They made a huge difference keeping everyone out of the water.

“This is real nice, a lot better,” Lee Ann said.

“Yeah, it’s not so bad now,” Taylor added.

Thad and I told them about the person we had seen, and that the guys were moving in to take a look. I stressed that they needed to keep a sharp eye out, and that meant behind them too. Thad and Danny said they’d be extra cautious and for me to go get some rest and dry off. I was tired and wet and didn’t argue. Besides, I had the radio and would know if anything happened. I told Danny I’d leave the truck though, just in case they needed it; and I walked home.

Slogging through the mud on the way home, Dalton came out of the trees on the side of the road. I was surprised to see him because I never knew where the guy was.

“What the hell are you doing out here in the rain?” I asked.

“Just out poking around. It’s the perfect day for someone to start some shit, so I’m just wandering around, kinda keeping an eye out.”

“I appreciate it. You really stepped up the other day at the barricade. Having someone else around to help with security is a big plus.” Any concerns I had about this vanished at the barricade. He was all in when the chips were down. Everyone here now knew where he stood, with us.

“Thanks. It’s nice to be some place I can close my eyes and actually sleep. I don’t mind pitching in.”

I looked around. “Well, be careful. Some of the guys are out on patrols. I’d hate to see a friendly fire incident.”

“Murphy’s Law, friendly fire isn’t.” Dalton replied with a grunt.

“I’m headed home, need some sleep.”

Dalton wiped some rain from the brim of his Boonie hat, “I’ll be around.”

“For how long?” I asked. He cocked his head to the side and looked at me. “You know, how long are you going to hang around? As you’ve seen, everyone here pitches in, and you kinda fell right into it as it seems. I’d like to think you’re now part of our team and that you’re going to be around.”

Dalton sniffed and looked out into the woods. After a short pause, he said, “I’ve never been much of one for the whole group dynamic. There’s always some asshole that wants to be King Turd on shit island.” He looked me directly in the eye, “But it does seem a little different here. Hell, I can’t tell who the chief of this band of Indians is, and I like that. There’s obvious order; and like you said, everyone pitches in without being told what to do. If you’ll have me, I’d be happy to stay on.”

I offered my hand. Dalton surprised me by grabbing my forearm in the manner of the Romans. I gripped his as well. “We’d be honored to have you,” I said.

Dalton gave my arm a firm shake. “I’d be honored to be a part.”

“I’m going to get some sleep. You need to start coming around for meals too. We eat together, I think you know when,” I said.

Dalton nodded, “I’ll be around.” He turned and walked back into the trees on the side of the road. He was certainly a man of few words.

I stopped on the porch to take off the coat and my boots. Hanging the coat on a nail, I sat down and pulled my boots off. I was soaked from the waist down and didn’t want to go in the house sloshing water all over. The dogs were all on the porch, and in their usual manner, paid no attention to me. I reached down and rubbed Meathead’s ears. He lifted his eyes and thumped the floor with his tail a couple of times but made no other effort.

“You are positively worthless,” I said with a smile.

Hearing me speak, Drake lifted his head and looked at me. Not finding whatever it was he was expecting, he laid his head back down. Again, I smiled. Maybe they weren’t worthless; they did bring a smile to my face. Opening the door, I was met with a wave of warmth. While the temps outside weren’t cold by any stretch, the rain had cooled things off noticeably. Looking across the living room, I saw a small fire burning in the fireplace. Mel and Little Bit were all piled on the couch. They’d pulled the coffee table up and had their legs sprawled out on it.

Little Bit looked up, “Hi Daddy. I made a fire.” She pointed at the fireplace and beamed with pride.

I smiled and stepped in. “You did a good job too.”

Mel, who had been dozing, looked up, “Hey babe. It was chilly in here, kind of clammy feeling; so we made a fire.”

“Good idea. It will keep the house dried out. I’m soaked, so I’m going to go change and join you guys. Looks pretty comfy.”

I went in the bedroom and stripped out of the wet clothes, tossing them into the bathtub. After changing into dry clothes, I went back out to the kitchen. I wanted a glass of tea. The box of tea was sitting on the counter. I smiled and ran my hand across it as I passed. We’d separated a lot of it out, with most of it at Danny’s. Since everyone was eating meals at his place, it only made sense. But I made sure to have plenty here.

With a glass in hand, I headed for the living room. Stopping by the fireplace, I prodded the fire with the iron and added a small log to it. I fell into my recliner and rocked back. We spent the afternoon like that. No talking, just relaxing to the sound of the rain on the roof and the crackling of the fire. It was so nice.

Our relaxation was interrupted by the dogs barking. I got up and looked out the window to see Sarge coming down the drive in the Hummer. Mel sat up and looked over, asking, “What’s going on?”

“Sarge is here. Let me go see what’s up.”

I slipped on a pair of Crocs and went out on the porch. Sarge pulled up and shut the wagon down. “Come on; we’re going to town.”

I looked up into the drizzle. “Why?”

“We’re going in to talk to Sheffield and get things ready for tomorrow. Fawcett said the weather will be cleared up this evening and they’ll be able to get in.”

I stretched, “Alright, give me a minute.” Going inside, everyone was up now. The fire in the fireplace was just a smoking pile of ash. “I’ve got to go into town.”

Little Bit jumped up, “Can I go?” She shouted.

I looked at Mel, but this time she didn’t object. Smiling at Little Bit, I replied, “Sure. Get dressed.”

She jumped up and ran off to her room. Mel waited till she was out of sight to tell me to be careful. I smiled and told her I would.

“We shouldn’t be too long; just going in to set up for the delivery tomorrow.”

“Ok, I’ll be next door when you get back.”

Little Bit came out of her room, dressed and ready to go. She had the small pack she carried everywhere with her. It was her
kit
as she called it, and was actually a pretty good one. I’d put it together for her a couple years ago when she started to get interested in what I was doing. She carried it every time we went into the field on hikes or kayaking. Now though, she got to use it for real, not just sit in the living room floor and play with it.

“I’m ready,” she announced.

“Come on then, let’s go.”

She ran over to Mel and gave her a hug, “See you later, Mom.”

I gave Mel a kiss, “Love you. See ya later.”

We went out and saw Doc sitting in the turret. I waved at him, “Didn’t see you up there earlier.”

“I just got here. Coming along to figure out where to set up the clinic.”

Little Bit waved at him, “Hi mister Doc.”

Doc smiled, his teeth shining through his beard, “Hey princess, you coming too?”

She patted her pack, “Yep, I’ve got my pack.”

Doc gave her the thumbs up, “Good; we’re prepared then.”

We hopped in, and Little Bit shared my seat. Sarge patted her head.

“I see you brought the boss,” he said with a smile.

She smiled at him and leaned over and gave him a hug, “Hi mister Sarge.”

It was heartwarming to see how he acted with her. He was definitely a grandpa at heart. Sarge started the truck and announced, “Let’s get this freak show on the road!” Getting a giggle out of Little Bit.

We stopped at the bunker on our way out. Lee Ann and Taylor came out to the truck. We asked if they’d seen anything, and they replied that it had been quiet. Danny and Thad were there, and told us they had it under control. Giving them a wave, we pulled off. Approaching the old barricade, Mike stepped out into the road. Sarge slowed to a stop and asked, “What’s up?”

“We found a hide someone was using over there. Looks like someone’s been poking around and keeping an eye on us.”

“Was it in that old tree?” I asked.

Mike nodded, “Yeah, right where you said it was.”

“Any idea how they were coming in and out?” Sarge asked.

Dalton walked out to the Hummer. “They were pretty careful, but I picked up a track.”

“Don’t go too far. Be a damn good way to get ambushed,” Sarge said.

“We’re not going to follow it far. I just want to see what direction they’re coming in from,” Mike said.

Sarge tapped his radio, “Call me if you see anything.”

Mike slapped the roof of the truck. “Will do, boss.”

When Sarge pulled out onto Hwy-19, I told him to swing by Gena’s place so we could check on her and Dylan. He thought that was a great idea; and in no time we were pulling onto their small road. Pulling up, Sarge honked the horn. Dylan cracked the door and looked out, the muzzle of an AK poking out as well. Seeing the Hummer, he smiled and the door swung open. He stepped out onto the porch and waved.

“Come up to the porch and get out of the rain!” He called as Gena came out of the house.

Sarge and I got out, and Little Bit ran past me up to Gena and gave her a hug. Gena bent over and took her by the hand, and with a smile said, “I bet you’ve got a sweet tooth.”

Little Bit jumped up and down, “You have honeycomb?”

“Of course aunt Gena has honeycomb. You come with me,” Gena replied, and led her into the house.

On the porch, Sarge and I shook Dylan’s hand. Dylan asked Doc to come in out of the rain, but Doc insisted on staying in the turret. We chatted for a few minutes, asking if Dylan had seen anyone or anything out of the ordinary.

“Nope, been quiet around here.” He held his hand out and let the rain running off the roof fill his palm. “Just the rain; we needed it.”

“Yeah we did,” I agreed.

Dylan pointed to a couple of blue drums sitting off the end of the porch, “Filling up my rain barrels.”

“Nice, nothing better than rainwater,” Sarge said.

“Keep your eyes open Dylan. Someone’s been poking around over near us. Don’t know what they’re up to, or even who they are. We just wanted to let you know and make sure you guys were alright,” I said.

Nodding, Dylan replied, “Thanks for the heads up. We’ll stay on our toes.”

Gena and Little Bit came out of the house. Little Bit was licking her fingers and I could see the sticky shine around her mouth. Smiling, I asked, “Was it good?”

Wide-eyed and sucking honey off her thumb, she nodded, “Mmhmm.”

“Thanks Gena,” I said, rubbing Little Bit’s head. “She sure likes coming to visit.”

Gena smiled, “She’s welcome here any time. Do you need any more veggies? We’ve got plenty.”

“No, thank you though. I think we’re alright for now.”

“I sure do like your squash though,” Sarge said. “Miss Kay fried some up in pig fat, and it was terrific.”

“We’ve got plenty. Just come by when you need it,” Dylan offered.

“We’ll take you up on it another time. We’ve got to get to town,” I said.

A slight frown appeared on Gena’s face, “How are those poor people?”

“We’re on our way to see. The Army is bringing in a field hospital tomorrow and medical personnel to help out for a while.”