EXCERPT
We sat around drinking coffee for a while, then Billy decided to go to bed. Dude followed a few minutes later and left me all alone in the caf.
I was thinking and rehashing everything over in my mind, all the things that led me here. Jessie, my eight year old daughter and I were living in Arizona after my wife had died. One morning we were awakened by an awful smell, something I had never smelled before. We had covered our faces with wet bath cloths and towels for a couple of days to enable us to breathe. After the smell there was a slow rain for a couple of days that cleared the air.
When the rains ended and we went to town we could find no one, absolutely no one. We left Arizona for south Alabama and along the way we found a baby that had somehow survived. We also found my ex-wife and her sister. They had survived the same way as we had.
In Alabama we found my son and his family. They had survived in a similar manner. We also found three children, two boys and a girl. Ann and I decided we wanted to be husband and wife again. My grandson and his girlfriend decided they wanted to get married.
We decided to come up here in a round about way, through Tennessee and Ohio, then across the northern or at least the center part of the former United States.
We picked up a bunch of kids in Indiana, then in Wyoming we found two more couples. In Oregon we found my youngest daughter and her two girls. Then a doctor and his sons. Later down in Grants Pass we had rescued several people from a building that had exploded, and two ladies who had been kidnapped and were being beaten and raped by a couple of preverts that had killed their husbands.
Then the storms had set in. These were unusually sever storms. Was I wrong to bring all these people out here? Should we try to go to southern Texas? Or Mexico? Or maybe even south Florida? It was bothering me as I sat at the table staring out the window into the darkness.
Jim, wake up. Dude shook me awake. Did you stay down here all night?
I guess so, I said looking up at him. Is it morning?
Sure is, he answered. Storms still as bad as ever, maybe worse. How come you didnt go to bed? He already had coffee made and set a cup in front of me Try this, maybe itll help.
I took a sip and then told them what I was worrying about. Neither of them said anything. I finished my coffee, then went into the kitchen to cook breakfast.
We ate in silence. Billy got up and removed the dishes to the sink. Ill melt some more snow and wash them up. He said. That is when I can open the door.
Jim, Dude began slowly, thoughtfully. About what you were worrying about last night. The answer is no. No! You were not wrong to come out here. No! You were not wrong in making the round you did through Alabama and Ohio. And no, we dont need to pack up and go south.
Just stop and think, he said after a pause. If you had not taken that round what would have happened to all of us? You saved the baby. YOU RESCUED Ann and Sue. Jerry and his family would have survived, but what about the kids from the city?
Then theres Buster and me and our wives. We were talking about suicide when you found us. We thought we were the last people on earth. No! you came around just like you were supposed to.
As for going south, I dont think that would help matters any.
Sure were having a bad time up here. But if you look at our overall condition, were doing great. We all have good homes. We have plenty of food and heat, plenty of warm clothes, and every body helps every body else when its needed. I say no to all your questions. We are right where we need to be and I believe The Lord wanted it this way or we would have been somewhere else.
My family would have survived, Billy added. But we would not have a good community like we have without your rambling. Now we can all start our own farms next spring if we want to. These storms are just purifying the land. Its killing a lot of bad animals like dogs and cats and the deceased and weak animals. Only the strongest will survive to replenish the land.
Thats the same with people. Only the strongest and best will survive. That means planning ahead, putting up food and everything, like we did for ourselves and our animals. And making sure we have plenty of fuel for our stoves and heaters.
See what happened to those guys down in Grants Pass.
They were living from day to day, trying to live at other peoples expense. It worked once but you see what happened to them in the end.
So dont be so hard on yourself. It was our decision too you know.
Maybe its just being trapped here away from the family. I said. I just cant take being closed up like this very well.
I guess we all get down in the dumps when we get trapped, Dude said.
Listen. Billy said.
We all kept quiet for a couple of minutes. What are we listening for? I asked.
The wind, Billy answered. Its not as loud as it was. Maybe this storms going to be a short one. Sure enough, the wind had died down a little. We looked out the windows, the snow had slacked up too.
Maybe well get to go home this afternoon. I said.
But it was not to be. We would have to spend another night here.
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