Not Dead in the Heart of Dixie (51 page)

Marisa stuck her hand out and said “My name's Marisa and this is my boyfriend, Jason. This is my Mom, and this is our friend, Soo. We didn
't know anyone still lived here. What's your name?”

The girl stared at Marisa, but didn't lower her gun. “What do you want here? We have no food. If that's what you're looking for, you'd best be on your way” she said.

That .38 special stayed in the air, pointing straight at me while I explained who we were, why we were there, where we'd come from, and offered a huge apology.

She asked q
uestions for about five minutes before she lowered the gun and invited us in. I was relieved and couldn't believe that we were invited in.

She
told us to sit while she went to tell her sister it was okay to come out. I felt like I was in dreamland again. I thought about telling everyone to run for the door while she was gone.

She came back down a long hall and told us that her sister and Grandpa would be there in a minute. She sat in a wing back chair to wait for them. She still had the gun pointed in our general direction and was waving it around while she talked.

It wasn't long before we heard someone shuffling down the hallway and someone else, whispering as they came.

A tiny little black man appeared from the hallway. He had the whitest hair I've ever seen and was dressed in silk pajamas with a matching smoking jacket. I remember thinking that he looked just like an older version of Nelson
Mandela. He had a handkerchief in one hand and he was gripping a walker underneath it.

There was a teenage girl walking beside him, encouraging him to
keep going. He finally made it and sat down in a cozy chair. The teenage girl sat on a piano bench beside him.

He raised his hand and swept it across the room as he said “Welcome to my home. I am Edward Wilson and these are my granddaughters, Shawna, and Lisa. How can we help you?”

I loved him immediately. He was so refined and gentle. He was proud of his home and his granddaughters. I could somehow see the kindness emanating from his soul. I wanted to take him and his granddaughters back to Kapper Hill.

I told him our entire story from beginning to end. He listened intently and didn't look away. When I told him something sad, he looked sad. When I told him something happy, he looked happy. Finally, I finished my story and asked for his own.

He started out by saying that he was ninety-two years old and still had his own teeth. He seemed proud of that and considers himself in great shape for a ninety-two year old. He says the only problems he has is that his bones and muscles get “stiff” and its “impossible to walk without support.”

He retired twenty-five years ago. He had his own Architect and design business, and many of the buildings and homes in this area were designed by him. His mind seemed sharp and clear.

His son and wife were killed by a drunk driver when his granddaughters were very young. He's been their guardian ever since. Shawna is eighteen and Lisa is sixteen. “Almost seventeen” she interrupted to say. He smiled at her and squeezed her hand.

The girls have been looting houses in the neighborhood for food. They had approximately a month's supply of food in the house when the world fell apart. The girls have killed HDI's, fought off gang members, and “convinced” troublesome surviv
ors to “be on their way.” They’re tough as nails and good with weapons. They've both had martial arts training and are good at that as well. I wanted those girls on my side.

T
he houses around the neighborhood are almost empty and they have enough food to last three more days.

He said he would be happy to visit our compound to see if it's a place he'd like his granddaughters to live because, obviously, they can no longer live here.

He said he “will not walk in this world much longer” and wants to make sure they are in a safe place. He prayed that someone good would come along, and believes that his prayer has been answered. In other words, he invited himself and his granddaughters to come and live with us. How could we say no?

Jason asked if there was gas in the SUV and Mr. Wilson said there was. Jason followed us home in the Cadillac SUV with Mr. Wilson and his granddaughters inside. We loaded his walker and several other things
, including a huge generator, into the goat trailer while Shawna and Lisa loaded their remaining food, clothing, and personal items in the back of the Cadillac.

We arrived home, and when everyone saw that we had company
, they came out to greet us. The entire group fell in love with Mr. Wilson and everyone says they like the girls as well. Those girls can talk like magpies!

For tonight, Mr. Wilson is sleeping on the chaise and Shawna and Lisa are sleeping on the sofa bed. I have no clue where we're go
nna put them. I guess we could enclose and insulate the garage. Maybe something will come to me by morning.

Meanwhile...

Mick got a good bit of the moat filled in. He said that one more day ought to do it. I think Kevin has backhoe duty tomorrow, but I'm not positive.

Marisa and Carisa made a venison roast for supper. Carisa plugged the big crockpot into the power strip and put the roast in this morning. She added a couple cloves of garlic,
Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth. It was ready and falling apart at supper time.

They opened several jars of red baby potatoes, and experimented with dehydrated broccoli and cheese powder for side dishes. It turned out to be pret
ty darn good. The roast was delicious.

Mick told them that it was now one of his favorite meals.
Mr. Wilson told them that it was the best meal he'd ever had. They were glowing like those old, toy glow worms.

Our new members a
te every drop off their plates and thanked us numerous times.

We got huge brownie points with Nana for bringing home
textbooks. She told Amber and Michael that school starts tomorrow. They’re still young enough to be excited about it.

For some reason, I wanna be close to Mr. Wilson. He is a truly good man and that's rare to find these days. I bet I can learn a lot from him. I know I can tune-up my manners.

Three more mouths. Where are we going to put them and how are we going to do this?

I'm heading to bed and ponder that question while I try to fall asleep.

Bye for now.

Monday
, March 17

I was trying to be super quiet when I got up to make coffee. Sha
wna and Lisa woke up anyway. I felt terrible for waking them.

They sat at the kitchen table and talked my ear off while I drank coffee. I offered them coffee, water, milk, or apple juice, and they both chose milk.

They said that their grandfather had a serious talk with them last night and they're grateful that we allowed them to come here. The thought came to mind that these girls might make good role models for Carisa, Valerie, Merry, and Amber.

Nana came in to help me
with breakfast. We decided on oatmeal and canned fruit.

We were in the middle of figuring out how much we
needed to make, since we had three additional people, when Lisa screamed and fell to the floor. Shawna ran to her and picked her up while asking what was wrong. Lisa pointed toward Mr. Wilson. They both stood over him and cried.

Mr. Edward C. Wilson went to heaven last night. I believe he was only holding on until he
found a safe place for his granddaughters. My heart was aching for the girls and I was upset that we'd lost such an incredibly good man.

We wrapped him in sheets and t
ook his body to his Cadillac.

Nana and I finished making breakfast and everyone was somber while they ate. Neither Shawna nor Lisa ate a bite, and neither of them said a word while Nana and I cleaned the kitchen.

They went out front to make small talk with Jeremy and Valerie who were standing watch. I guess they're still out there. The rest of the crew headed out to work on their plans for the day.

Mick and Dane are digging
Mr. Wilson’s grave in our little graveyard. We'll have a small service after lunch.

I don't even know these girls
, and now I'm responsible for them. My mind is in a fog.

3:00 PM...

Lunch was a somber affair. We had grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.

We all went over for Mr. Wilson's memorial service. Pop tried to say comforting words for the girl’s sakes. I don't know if those words gave them any comfort, but a couple of the bible verses gave comfort to me.

After the service, Shawna handed me a letter her grandfather
wrote last night. I brought the letter home to read, and I'll type it out for you.

Dear Mrs. Kapper,

If you are reading this letter, please know that I am now where I wish to be. I am
in heaven with my darling wife, Patricia, and my son, Ethan. You can be certain about this because our Father promised it to whosoever believeth in him.

If our Father allows, we will be watching Kapper Hill Compound. We will welcome with open arms any deserving member that passes from earthly life into heaven, however, I hope to see none of you for many years.

My earthly passing is good for your community and my granddaughters. It will prevent any further burden or imposition my failing health might have caused.

I have spoken with my granddaughters regarding the contents of this letter and they have both agreed to follow my instructions. I am currently overwhelmed with emotion. Please, bear with me.

Forgive any spelling or grammatical errors within. I learned to read and write at the age of twenty and haven't practiced the art of written language as often as I have practiced my “gift of gab.” Had I known how important written correspondence would become, I would have studied it vehemently years ago.

Both Shawna and Lisa have been trained with firearms and the art of self-protection. It is a necessity these days, especially for young women. When my son left us, I decided
to provide both girls with the most intense and eclectic education(s) available.

Both girls have spent many years learning at one of the best boarding schools in the country. They are well educated in fine arts and music along with reading, writing, and arithmetic. I taught them self-preservation and unwave
ring confidence. I'm sure you’ll discover their worth as time passes.

They will mourn for me greatly. Please allow them to recover with as much time as needed.
We should all be flattered that those we care for the most will mourn the absence of our presence.

I trust that you and your beloved husband will
care for my most precious gems and keep them safe from the dangers of this sorrow filled world. I only ask that, should you find yourselves incapable of carrying out this responsibility, you find a deserving family who will be blessed by the joy of their company.

The girls can, no do
ubt, care for themselves, but alas, they are very young and in need of guidance. I believe I have found love of life and very level heads in you and Mick. After ninety-two years, a man learns to trust his instincts. Mine tell me that you will care for my girls as your own. I doubt very seriously that I’ve been fooled.

The house in Blanket Cove belongs to the girls equally
. They have been instructed to allow your group to receive and utilize anything of use you find there. Check the attic, you may be surprised.

I bid you a fond farewell
and thank you for considering my request. In my heart of hearts, I believe you’ll accept this challenge.

Kind Regards,

Edward C. Wilson

I knew that man was an angel is disguise. I've decided to treat these girls like they’re my own. They are welcome to stay here and work at surviving with the rest of us. I cannot prevent either of them from leaving if they choose, but I hope they won't.

I don't know what everyone else is doing, but I'm going to lie on my bed
and mourn until supper. See ya later.

10:30 PM...

Mick has decided to get sheet rock
, insulation, carpeting, and paint from Lowe's. We’ll transform the garage into a large bedroom for Shawna and Lisa.

They both want to stay here and work, just like everyone else. Shawna asked that we add them to laundry and cooking duty as soon as we see fit. She also wants to stand watch, fight “insidious monsters,” and help with anything else we ask of her.

Both girls had culinary arts and party planning classes at their boarding school. We might be in for some gourmet meals.

Both are them are well trained to
safely and correctly use weapons. Both have archery skills, and are trained in several martial arts. I should ask them to give lessons to us all.

Shawna was on the t
rack team and tennis team. She can run like the wind.

Lisa is very talented on the piano and with music
, in general. Finally, my old piano can stop collecting dust. Nana asked if she’d give piano lessons to anyone interested, and she said she'd love to.