Forgotten Forbidden America:: Patriots Reborn (16 page)

“Nelson,” Steven’s wife said, walking quickly up to the fence. “Hank isn’t protecting him. Steven told Palmer, turning in his own son and daughter. He told those agents that Vance and Emily were learning how to shoot guns over his objections.”

“You would stand up for a man that turned in his own kids?” Nelson asked, flabbergasted.

“I’m not standing up for him!” Hank shouted. “I threw him out of the house.”

“Oh, so let me get this straight,” Nelson said with a hard voice. “He turned us in, marked my wife and kids to be raped, and I’m supposed to be satisfied with you ‘threw him out?’”

Dropping his shoulders, Hank looked down. “What else was I supposed to do? If I let him leave, he will just lead them here.”

Nelson looked over at Steven’s kids. “Vance, right?” he asked, and the boy nodded. “You want to be tied up and raped with your mother and sister tied up beside you being raped? I notice none of you have spoken up in Steven’s defense, so I think you know he’s a very big threat to your life.”

“No, sir. I don’t want that to happen to my momma and sister,” Vance said, stepping over and pulling Hank’s arm. “Shoot him, Uncle Hank. I can’t. I’m sorry.”

Hank looked up at Bernard. “He’s my little brother,” he said with watery eyes.

“So I have your decision,” Bernard said, turning around. “Get in the truck.”

“Wait,” Hank said as they moved to get in the truck. “I can’t, but could you?”

Stopping beside the truck, Bernard thought about the request. “Can’t someone here do it?” Nelson asked. “If this was one of our group, we’d do it.”

“Nelson, put a sock in it,” Gerald said, stepping over to Hank. “I warned you about Steven when I came over here to help you. We mean you no harm and want you and yours to survive this coming war. We could do it without you, but it would be much easier with your group. With both groups, we stand a good chance out here. I want you to look at this from our side. We want to help you, and we’ve proven that, but you have a traitor of blood and country here. Is he really worth all those that are depending on you?”

Closing his eyes, Hank nodded. “I understand. You didn’t ask for anything; you just wanted to help. I’ll do it.”

Hank turned around and walked off toward the barn. “I’ll come with you,” Gerald said, jogging over beside him and walking with Hank.

Bernard looked at Hank’s wife. “Judy, I’m sorry, but we can’t risk Steven being around.”

“Bernard, I tried to shoot the son of a bitch after the agents left, but Hank took that pistol Gerald brought over here for me away. Hell, even Wilma grabbed a knife and tried to stab him,” Judy said with no remorse.

Wilma turned, looking at Judy. “Judy, I’m really sorry I cut Hank, but he got in the way. Please tell me what I can do so you won’t be mad at me.”

“Served his ass right for getting in the way,” Judy snapped. “I ain’t mad at ya. You were protecting your babies with your very life. That’s what a momma does. I used to not like you, but after that, I’m proud to call you sister.”

Wilma lunged at Judy, wrapping her arms around her, squeezing her tight. Judy smiled, hugging her back as Josh walked over to Nelson. “Nelson, there were two little boys you made stay as we left. Adam and Alex. We went back for them but couldn’t find them. You know what happened to them?”

“They are at the house,” Bernard said, turning around.

Josh gave a sigh of relief. “Shit I’m glad. Me and Kevin were in the worship hall when some cop cars pulled in. We watched Nelson and someone else shoot the crap out of them. Kevin grabbed my arm, saying the guys that rescued us were doing what they said, holding off the cops so we could escape, and we needed to worry about our families.”

“I appreciate you going to look,” Bernard said, putting a hand on his shoulder.

Nelson reached in the truck and pulled out a small notebook and pen. Closing the door, he walked up to Josh and pulled the back of his shirt down. Letting it go, Nelson flipped the notebook open and started writing.

“You putting a ‘kick me’ sign on my back?” Josh asked, smiling.

“No,” Nelson said, looking at Josh’s pants. “You wear a thirty-four, thirty-six in pants?”

“Yeah, why?”

Nelson continued writing. “Size ten shoe?”

“Nine and a half unless it’s cowboy boots, then a ten,” Josh answered, figuring Nelson would explain later.

“Right handed shooter, correct?”

Josh nodded, but Nelson didn’t look up. “Yeah.”

Not saying anything else, Nelson walked off and started asking others the same questions. Josh turned to Bernard with a confused look. “He’s going to help you out so you can protect your family,” Bernard said and smiled.

Sighing with relief, Josh gave a thankful smile. “I never dreamed I would be asking Mr. Hank to put me and my family up.”

“All these years you and Kevin come out helping out on the farm is going to pay off nice for everyone.”

“Josh, we didn’t see you come down the road. How did you get here?”

“Crossed Frank’s farm into the forest and went cross country to stay off any roads.”

Bernard thought about that. “You think others could find that way?”

“Not unless they knew where this house was,” Josh said. “Besides, for some reason, the creek is really high, and it’s a pain to cross.”

“Yeah, Nelson did that to the creek. He wanted a moat for people to cross so we could shoot them,” Bernard laughed as Nelson stopped in front of Hank’s boys.

“Tim and Mark, right?” Nelson asked, flipping to a new page.

“Yes sir,” they said as Nelson looked them up and down. “I take it you’re teaching Vance and Emily to shoot?”

“We were helping Dad teach them,” Mark said.

Nelson looked at Vance and Emily standing behind Mark. “They’re not like what Gerald described.”

“They changed, Mr. Nelson. After Gerald came over and talked to us, Aunt Wilma, Vance, and Emily started helping out a lot. They don’t know much, but they try really hard, and we show them how to do stuff,” Tim said.

Nodding, Nelson looked down as he wrote. “Teaching someone to live and fight for family is the greatest responsibility you can have. You two take your time, and do it right. Those two really look up to you.”

“Yes sir, we will,” Mark said as a grin spread over his face.

“You boys are still growing, so some things will be big,” Nelson said, glancing up as he wrote. “Tim, you’re left handed?”

“Yes sir.”

Lowering his notebook, Nelson looked from one to the other. “If I give you stuff, you treat it with respect and use it correctly because there won’t be any more made. You’re both fighters; I can see it,” he said, looking each in the eyes. “I’ll come over some days and help Gerald teach you how to fight, but I want a promise. You fight for your group and family if it comes to it, and that means killing. If you’re attacked, we will come and help, but we expect the same. Cowards die alone. The weak die under a bully. The righteous, strong warriors fight for their family and friends knowing their family and friends will do the same for them.”

“We’ll fight,” Tim said, puffing out his chest. “You don’t have to give us anything else. You already gave us weapons.”

“No,” Nelson said, shaking his head. Tim deflated his chest. “I gave you tools only. You are the weapon. No matter what, you remember that. You use tools to work because you’re the machine. Killing is work, and you are the weapon. Living is work, and you use tools to do it, understand?”

Tim’s eyes lit up as the meaning of what Nelson was talking about hit him. “Whoa.”

“You get it.” Nelson smiled and turned to Mark, seeing him spellbound. “So do you.”

Stepping around Mark, Nelson stopped in front of Vance and Emily. As he stared at them, they looked up at him with a little fear. “You have nothing to fear from me,” Nelson said. He raised his notebook and started writing as Wilma stepped behind the kids.

“I understood what you told Tim and Mark,” Vance said.

“I know,” Nelson said, glancing up at the three. “You all understand now. Your family and friends see you different now that they know you won’t sell family and friends out. That includes me and my group.”

“We still have to prove ourselves,” Wilma said.

“You have to them, but you have to prove it to yourselves,” Nelson said as he started writing. “You now know what it’s going to take to survive this: hard work and trust in others.”

“We are working hard,” Emily said in a soft voice.

Nelson glanced at her as he wrote. “Yes I can tell,” he said. “Your hands have blisters, you have small scrapes on your arms, and you’re carrying yourself with pride, knowing you are helping the group survive.”

“You really think we are going to have to fight?” Wilma asked with a slight tremble in her voice.

“Yep,” Nelson said as he wrote. “You have already fought, but you meant kill, didn’t you?”

Giving a sigh, Wilma mumbled, “Yes.”

“Say it then,” Nelson said. “If you’re afraid of the word, you’re afraid of the meaning and action. That could get you killed. Or worse, it could get others killed, and you live knowing they died for your mistake but still protecting you.”

“You really think we’ll have to kill out here?” Wilma asked as Nelson continued writing.

“We already have,” Nelson said, making Wilma cringe. “It wasn’t you, so let it go. You fought for your kids.” Wilma’s jaw fell open since Nelson never looked up to see her cringe. “Yes, you will have to kill, so expect it, and don’t feel bad about it. The only other option you have is be killed or live as a slave in torment. I chose to live so I can continue to protect my family and friends.”

Vance looked over at the severed hand in the bag as one of Uncle Hank’s dogs sniffed at it. “Is that really Mr. Palmer’s hand?”

“Yep, cut it off with a saw so I could use it,” Nelson said, writing. “Vance, what size shoe? Six or seven,” Nelson asked.

“Seven,” Vance said, looking down at his loafers. “I tried Mark’s old boots, but they were too big.”

“Unless they were Mark’s boots he wore in junior high, I would say so. That boy and his brother have big feet.” 

“These are all I have. We left home really fast.”

“Your mom was smart to make your dad leave fast,” Nelson said, making Wilma jump.

“How could you know that?” she asked.

“Easy,” Nelson said as he looked up. “You’re here.”

“There were shootings everywhere in Chicago. We had to go. I told Steven we were leaving without him, so he finally got in the car. I really wish I would’ve left him now for putting all of us in danger.”

“If you would’ve left him, he would’ve sold us out there, and we wouldn’t have had any warning. More than likely, most of us would be dead if Steven would’ve stayed in Chicago. You would be tied up watching your kids being violated in the darkest ways imaginable,” he said then looked back down at his notebook, writing. “You did the right thing so everyone could be protected. I’m sorry to ask, but what size…” he stopped, tapping his chest, not looking up from the notebook. “The other two women are close to my wife, so I pretty much know, but you’re…” He just let his words hang.

“Really, you have bras?” Wilma gasped.

He refused to look up. “Yeah, my wife bought some in different sizes,” he said, glancing up then back at his notebook. “But I’m not making promises.”

“Thirty-six double D.”

“Damn, missed that big time,” Nelson mumbled softly. “Size six shoe and right handed, correct?”

“Yes,” she said, seeing Nelson wasn’t going to look up.

“Vance, you’re the man in your family, and I think you have been for some time. It falls to you to protect them and help your mom provide. I did it; so can you,” Nelson said, looking at Emily. “Emily, you have to help him and your mom. You three have help, so learn.”

“Yes sir,” Emily said as Nelson closed his notebook. Nelson turned to see everyone staring at him.

“I’m a Jedi warrior, so don’t mess with me,” he said, tucking the notebook in his vest.

Judy walked up and hugged him. “You are a good man,” she said, kissing his cheek.

With a heavy face, Nelson looked at her. “Don’t let him drink this week, or you will lose him. Hank thinks he did something wrong when Steven was little, but Steven was broke a long time ago. Keep him busy every hour, and when he’s not doing something, make him teach something. He understands why, but he had to be the one to do this, or all of you would’ve died. After one week, let him have one drink, but remind him of all the work and dangers ahead.”

Nodding, Judy gave a weak smile. “For someone who just met Hank, you seem to know him rather well.”

“Just the type. I almost killed my brother when he killed a mother as he drove home drunk, so it’s not from my perception, I assure you.”

She smiled. “You didn’t ask me any questions.”

Nelson pulled out his notebook and flipped it open. “Judy Kimble, five-foot-six. One hundred sixty pounds, medium build. Hat size twenty-one. Size eight shoe, right handed, medium gloves. Thirty-eight C.”

Judy moved back, stunned. “Yeah.”

“Didn’t need to ask,” Nelson said, closing his notebook. As he shoved it in his vest, he said, “Your hound dog just took off with the severed hand,” then headed to the truck.