Starting Over

Planning

Carol stood in front of the ladies and started laying out a plan to start a fortification.

"Jaq and I have made an inventory of what building supplies I have. The biggest issue is that my house is falling apart." She layed a piece of paper in front of the ladies. "This is my inventory of all the building supplies, I also have 200 head of cattle and lbs and lbs of sead in the barn. oh, and I have 125 chickens, or I had chickens they have kinda scattered." Carol shook her head

Mary piped in. "My house has 25 bedrooms, and my plumbing is from the well. George put in the solar generators before this hell broke out. We can all put our hats in one basket and fortify my place. I'm alone, George, and the boys left to fight, and I haven't heard from anyone in 2 weeks." She stopped for a second and no one responded in fact they all looked at her like she was insane " I know I am judgemental and seem like a b***h but I would really love the company and it would really be ideal we could protect each other."

"Really, it would be an ideal location, and it's only 2 miles away from the homestead," I said to break the ice. " We could start a bartering system between the communities"

"Paul left a lot of building supplies in one of the barns we were planning on expanding the house." Josey said

"This is what I propose. Dad is an architectural engineer. Everyone go home tonight and take inventory of every resource you have. I will speak to dad and ask for his help. Nothing is too little. Everything may help, so no matter how trivial it is, write it down in the inventory." The joy and hope on all the ladies' faces made me feel needed and gave me purpose again. "We will get you through this. We will be stronger with this support system. So let's meet the day after tomorrow for another lesson and get a plan going." After that, the ladies started to leave with determination and a purpose.

Carol came to me and thanked me for giving them all hope. "See you in 2 days." I looked over her shoulder and saw Mary standing there next to her car. (The system has not completely collapsed yet. There's still gas stations and transit for people who could afford the astronomical fees.) She walked over and said to Carol.

"Come home with me, Carol. You can't keep those babies in this house. I would really love the company." Carol looks amazed, then tears started again.

"Alright, Mrs. Mary, we would love to come home with you." I waved bye and left when I turned around, I saw Mary carrying Jennifer the 2 year old to the car. Maybe she was just lonely.

.......

When I arrived home, I went looking for my dad. I found him and Uncle Frank in the radio room listening to broadcasts from all over the country. Battles have been fought in all major cities, leaving them in ruin. No laws could contain the masses bent on looting and destruction. People were leaving cities in droves looking for anything to help them survive. Reports of whole families in the country being murdered for their property were rampant.

"Dad, Uncle Frank, I need to talk to you?" I spoke up

"Hold on, baby, we are recording how far they gotten." My Dad says while marking the map again. "I'll leave it to you, Frank. Let me see what Jaq needs." Frank just nods his head and makes another mark

"What's up baby, how did the lesson go?" dad gives me a one shoulder hug as we walk out of the room.

"Dad, if I give you a list of supplies, can you work up a design for a wall around Mrs. Mary's home?" I blurt out knowing he and Mary have had words before

He looks at me, curious. I explain about all the ladies wanting to go in together, and Mary's place is really an ideal start she has solar generators, water, and room in her huge house. I explained that the women are scared and need help.

"Alright, I will start with the list you have and work something out. But it's going to take a lot of back work to get this done." dad says with a smile."Why help them, baby?" He asks me

"Because they don't deserve this either. I know it's a little late, but we can try. All the women want this now, so they will work really hard to achieve it." I replied."Besides, they are asking for help. They are our closest neighbors, and we can always barter between communities."

Dad smiles and nods again. "Alright, from what we can see is the hordes of people are heading this way, but we have about a month till we start seeing large numbers. If we all get on this, we should be able to get it done. I'm going to talk to the guys and work out a plan. Go let your mom know what we are planning to do."

"Alright, thanks Dad this means a lot to me." I say as I run into the house to find mom

"Hey guys," I say as I walk into the kitchen and see the mom the aunts and Clair talking at the table.

"How did it go?" Clair asks

"The lesson went really well, and most of the ladies were really friendly." I said as I sit to have a chat with them. I explained the situation and what dad and I discussed. Mom wasn't exactly pleased with the idea but she understood why I needed this.

"Being cooped up is making you stir crazy. I will admit I'm not really fond of some of those women but I won't stop you all from helping them." Mom had dealt with a few of the women in town, they could be cruel and petty. Now they even accuse everyone here of being weak and useless because our men had chosen not to fight in the war. But the truth was they are choosing not to fight yet. All the men wanted to ensure we were going to be safe before they headed out. Uncle Frank was training all the men and women on fighting techniques and combat weaponry.

"Mom I understand how you feel but some of the women are really nice and sweet. Carol for instance has 4 little ones and no way of supporting them." I said with a sad smile "As I was leaving Mary asked Carol to bring her babies and stay with her until we figured out where their community would be."

"Still doesn't mean she isn't a bitch." Mom said and we all laughed at the irony of the situation