Our End Of The Lake: Surviving After The 2012 Solar Storm (Prepper Trilogy) (21 page)

“This block you live on, as well as my Mom’s, have to become little city states that are organized and not little neighborhood gang turfs. The structure and the organization of the communities before we had this event must be maintained and it’s necessary to reestablish that normalcy now under the old guidelines that have already been accepted.” I said while the rationality and plausibility of the concept became more understandable and a general acceptance of the idea was received amongst my listeners.

“Sherry, you were very active in your neighborhood association, you elected officers, interviewed representatives, had meetings with law enforcement etc. to address the problems facing your normalcy of life, did you not?” I directed my attention towards Sherry’s awakening that the solution to the problem was nothing new or out of hand.

“That is correct David, the infrastructure is already in place to meet and agree to solutions to problems here in this neighborhood. How do we start to work on things, and what is the first on the agenda?” she said considering her bastion of safety no longer an island in a sea of distress.

“You call a meeting!” Betsy said surprising everyone with the most obvious solution looking nonplussed.

“See, you are all members of a committee that you did not know you were even members of.” I said, looking pleased with myself, as they excitedly made plans to contact the association for further actions as I exited stage right, while picking up all the glasses to play bartender with.

“Let me interrupt your deliberations a second.” I said, as I was serving drinks to my hostesses.

“Needs of those that cannot get to the distribution point and security for those that do, should be the first order of business for this meeting you propose.” I said taking my own seat and the conversation resumed like I was not even there, unless a question arouse they could not agree on.

I basically ignored my friends chatter, while I was considering how to start up similar strategies in my Mom’s neighborhood, when Sherry broke my concentration with a question.

“David, you think that ex FBI guy should be put in charge of security?” Sherry and the rest of the females tossed in my lap.

“I never met him, but he looked ok at a distance.” I said refocusing and considering on how he did not look like the typical Hollywood shade wearing prick, which was my current opinion of that service.

Sherry was a bit put-off about me not thinking her idea was wonderful, and I admit I had never personally met the guy and she had, so my judgments might be biased, but I had more questions to ask before committing to the sensibilities of anything.

“You might want to consider an old military infantry man too, but I want to talk to Mr. FBI as a diplomacy effort towards the group or association I will be forming, that he might be collaborating with.” Pausing long enough for everyone to see that a mutual alliance amongst different neighborhoods was part of a bigger plan to normalcy in my viewpoint.

“We need to have what is called multi agency liaisons to address all the concerns any group of people with different needs and responsibilities might face.” I said, apparently complicating the matter and perplexing my would-be advocates.

‘Sorry, it’s a lot to think about, this is what I do. I don’t manage the emergency; I coordinate at a central point a means of sharing a variety of different responses and communications.

“Dang, I always thought that you were practicing not answering a question straight, or with a question.” Betsy laughed and said as she handed me another drink.

“I got to quit partaking, or you all need to quit asking so many good questions, I am afraid this day’s trip has me second guessing my judgments and I am feeling a bit fuzzy.” I said to obvious looks it was my fault for overindulging, but they had mercy on my poor soul.

“Oh, quit trying to carry the burden and relax, David, sometimes it is best to act very slowly before you over react.” Sherry reminded me.

“I know you’re tired, David. Why don’t you eat something and we won’t quiz you anymore.” Sherry said while patting me and visually telling her friends that now was not the time to dog pile on me for answers I did not know.

“I got to get my head clear.” I said rising and stretching a bit.

“I am going to get the keys to the shed and put the tractor up and walk around front for a minute to clear the cob webs out.”

Who wrote that statement that says about how I been feeling for the last few days, I believe it was Robert Frost, but all I can think of is the miles to go before I sleep
.

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village, though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there's some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Daang! David you’re getting pretty skippy, thinking of stuff like that versus staying in the here and now. Well 6 days of hard drinking and exercise plus the stress will do that to you. I better stay here tonight and see Mom in the morning. Sherry said she was alright and even if you did come 200 miles by country rail, the old lady would hell raise you for dabbling in the sprits
.

I am just glad enough to be home and away from that hen party in the backyard for a moment, as much as I care about them. Dusk, the time the boogers and the haints come out, I was speculating on as I see moving shadows out of the corner of my eye.

Kids, teenagers actually are riding up on bikes at the far corner of the street congregating in a group of 6 or 7. Normally I would not think anything about the behavior, but they are looking about furtively like they up to something. We had a problem in the neighborhood prior to my appointment in Atlanta with break-ins and the cops told us at the association meeting it was suspected that juveniles were doing it as part of a gang initiation.

They see me watching them and I make sure to get more obvious about it by standing in the drive way and staring in their direction. I got all day and distance to win this contest, I think, leaning up against Sherry’s defunct car as they lose interest and move on.

Damn kids can be more vicious than adults can be and they have not learned life’s lessons yet about dire consequences, I had better add them to my list of predators to warn the girls about.

“You ok, David?” Sherry says behind me giving me a startle.

“I am ok; I was just watching and thinking.” I say in an odd moment of renewed mutual affection and hugging her.

“I am staying the night, you got space somewhere?” I ask unsure of the reply, but knowing I will have the refuge I need.

“I was going to tell you, that you should consider it, we will find you a place before the night’s over.” she offered warmly.

“We are going to make you something special for dinner I think you might like as a homecoming meal.” She said drawing my interest.

“What might that be?” I asked, filled with the joy of having some common ground to base presumptions on.

“Well, its not take out Chinese, but remember we bought that Mountain House Sweet and Sour Pork? I am going to add a can of shrimp to it as a treat and you can have double portions for making it home.” she said with a light pat, as we looked at one of the asparagus beds that wouldn’t be productive until next spring.

“That sounds absolutely wonderful!” My sprits were renewed at the prospect of Sherry tweaking all ready good food up to a culinary masterpiece and adding some special touches of spice and goodness. “I’ll go clean myself up, first.”

Refreshed, I returned to the kitchen and watched the roommates bustle around preparing a meal and could not help but think about how hard of times might be coming, as I saw lights and candles start to appear in the surrounding houses and nightfall started to settle on the city.

I thought I could wait to broach the subject of what I expected to happen next, but I considered time was of the essence and I needed some answers in order to safeguard my friends and family. I suppose I should have waited until after dinner to bring up the subject of possibly relocating, but the thoughts of how quickly I figured things could spin out of control made me anxious to speak.

“I am not trying to scare you all or raise any fears you must have already considered, but those food drops can’t last for long and there will be an end to the service that doesn’t look promising.” I said looking up solemnly and throwing a wet blanket on the party

“What are you getting at David? They already started distributing food faster than you said would happen if this type of thing occurred.” Sherry said with hands on hips and mad at me for spoiling the revelry with one of my doom and gloom proclamations.

“When what is stocked in Montgomery is gone, how will they get more? It used to be in this country we had enough wheat and other food to feed every man, woman and child in the US in the Strategic National Stockpile during the Cold war for 5 yrs. I don’t have the statistics in front of me but the figure is something like 5 days now. We dwindled and sold off our resources to other countries. Besides, that was when trucks were running.” I tried to reason

“What are you saying, David?” an obviously irate Sherry demanded to know.

“I am saying, before summer ends, we should think about bugging out!” I said in exasperation to shocked looks that looked very confused.

“Look I didn’t say we go tomorrow, I am just getting everyone to think about the possibilities.” To stunned silence before everyone began speaking at once.

‘WELL where can we go?” Sandra said above the hub bub.

“I am thinking Lake Martin. Look at this garden and we have been regularly watering.” I replied waving at the now barely visible, but earlier visible memorably drooping, drought affected plants. The only thing that seemed little affected was the asparagus plants in many beds. If we go I am taking those 3yr old roots with us I mentally added to my packing list.

‘We got time to discuss this later.” Sherry said and got back into the groove of making a delicious dinner and ending that subject for the evening.

One good thing about dehydrated food, it was quick, add hot water wait 10 minutes and eat mostly. Sherry worked with it and polished it, but it didn’t take very long and I soon had a heaping bowl of hot chow in front of me.

“This is GOOD!” I said exuberantly and Sherry commenced to explain the ingredients in her recipe, as I was starting to nod from the day’s fatigue.

“You’re sleeping in the computer room, I made you a bed.” Betsy said returning from the house.

“I appreciate that, Thank you. I don’t think I will be long for this world tonight.” I yawned

“David that Xantrec 1500 power pack of yours and those 12v lights you bought is what we use for the main lighting in the living room.” Sherry advised me.

“Is it working well? Have you hooked that fold up 120watt solar panel you were storing for me to it yet?”

“I haven’t needed to, but I am glad you are around to show me how to do it, if you are not going to need it yet?’ she said questioning slyly if I was willing to let her keep borrowing it.

“Oh sure, hang on to it for now, its just plug and play with the charging panel, but I will check you out on it tomorrow.” I replied allocating her the unit for now.

“I am going to go to sleep now. We’re going to get through this.” I said hugging Sherry good night.

SUNRISE

I awoke to a silent house and wondered what time it was because of the blacked out windows and feeble light from the one night light plugged in the Xantrec unit in the other room.

I dug my watch out and looked at the time, 5.30. I am not a morning person but I was anxious to get home.

I thought how often it was so easy if you wanted coffee you just cut the stove on. Well that is not happening here, Sherry had an electric range.

I went to Sherrie’s bedroom and called softly to her, “Sherry, Sherry…”

“Hey, David, what time is it?” She replied not bothering to open her eyes.

“Its early, I am taking off.” I said just wishing to say good bye.

“Hang on I will get up, let’s have coffee before you go.” she said starting to sit up.

“Ok, I will wait on you in the backyard and get the stove going.” I replied moving in that direction.

“Just use the little propane stove to heat some water, it’s a special occasion.” she said smiling and becoming fully awake. “I will get it in a minute; you don’t know where everything’s at.”

Sherry put purified water in a small kettle and got the propane canister stove going and motioned me out the back door.

“David after you went to bed last night I had a talk with Betsy and Sandra. They said ‘We go when you say’, David, but are you sure we have to go?”