Starting Over

Admiration

"OMG, he was soooo good looking." Clair says

"I know," I say, still blushing

"That man is a hardass and very demanding." Saundra pipes in. We just turn and look at her. "I have been under his command for the past 4 months. He's like a god damned robot. He never shows emotion, like he refuses to get too close to anyone."

"That doesn't mean he isn't hot. I could stare at him forever. His brothers are gorgeous, too. But Timothy's eyes are just so...." I can't explain how he made me feel just now with the intensity of his stare.

"Anyway, how has it been going here." Saundra asks

"It's been fairly quiet. We get a group every now and then. Dad usually sends them on their way. I heard that several families have tried settling into some of the abandoned houses, but after a few weeks, they usually move on." I explained

"The last I heard the rest are heading out soon to join the fight?" she questions

Clair answers her. "Yes, dad is getting everyone ready he wants to be prepared for almost anything, You know dad." Saundra nods

"Yes, I do, but it's not like fighting an enemy on their soil. This is our own mostly." She says,"It's hard to fight against men and women when you had fought alongside them in the past." We all just walk along quietly after that.

........

I called on the radio to let them know we were approaching the gates.

"We're getting close, over."

"Getting the gates ready, over."

As we approach, the gates open enough to let one person in at a time. We quickly get through, and the gates close. We are surrounded by the men and women of the community with guns pointed at us. This was a precaution to ensure that we were not coerced into bringing dangerous strangers into the homestead. Once everyone's identified. Saundra and Johnny head to the radio room to debrief Uncle Frank. We had lost 4 men to injuries. Several in this group had sustained minor wounds that needed tending and rest to heal.

Johnny informed Uncle Frank that several men joined up with them along their way to the battle front. When they left, there were 50 men and women when they got to the war zone their numbers had increased to 250. Most had experience, but some were just high school-aged boys. This didn't sit well with Uncle Frank he always hated that the young were sent to be cannon fodder.

"We encountered many more headed out to fight on our way in. Lieutenant Colonel sent them to join his troops at the front. He gave them some provisions to help get them through. They looked starved, scared, and bitter. The world we knew a year ago of internet, gaming, cell phones, and a quick run to town for anything you may want is over. Right now, if a store is open, they are price gouging to an extreme. Most are taking orders through locked doors and handing the products through a pet door to keep thieves out." Saundra said

"How are the provisions on the front?" Dad asks

"So far, we have been getting supplies through, but most of us can't cook. We have been serving our men, MRE's. We have been roasting some wild game, but you know what that's like. It ain't no backyard, BBQ. We are going to need to find a cook. If these men and women are fed, their moral will stay higher." Johnny commented.

"We found a Chuck wagon on Mrs. Gains property, and a bunch of cast iron cauldrons and Dutch ovens. I had heard the last part because mom sent me out to get everyone for dinner. I didn't mean to interrupt." They were all staring at me like I had lost my mind. "Well, Mr. Gains used to do the outdoor chuckwagon contests. All that equipment has been stored in a barn because Mrs. Gains doesn't like to do it alone."

"Jason, get on the radio and see if we can buy the equipment. If she says yes, we'll head out in the morning to look it all over." Dad tells Uncle Jason,"The rest of you go and have dinner. You deserve it. As soon as we knew you were heading home, the ladies had been cooking up a feast."

"I'm salivating thinking about Jaqs bread." Saundra says, and Johnny is about to jump out his skin he's so excited about real cooked food.

"I wasn't here." I giggle, "but I'll cook some tomorrow." I say

her smile drops. "Tomorrow, I'm going to hold you to it." Saundra giggles like a little girl and takes off. Leaving everyone dumbfounded at that combat hardened women who will barely smile.

I'm just smiling and about to leave when we get a response from the ladies' community.

"This is Timothy, I have Mrs. Gains here. Over" His deep resonate voice filled the room and sent shivers down my back. What the hell is going on with me. He is way way older than me. There is no way he would ever be interested in me.

"Jaq brought to our attention that you have a chuckwagon and a bunch of outdoor cast iron cookware. Over."

"Yes, I do......ohhh over," came a sweet voice

"Mrs. Gains we would like to buy all your equipment. For the war effort. Would you sell it to us. Name your price? over."

"I couldn't charge you for that. It's wasting away in that barn. I will give all my equipment to Jaq, for all she has done for us. over"

"Mrs. Gains, that's too much. over." I responded

"No, if she wants you to have it, she can give it to you. It's my belated birthday present to her. I saw her admiring my collection but thought she wouldn't want them........... ohhh, over."

we were all chuckling at her she was just so sweet. "Thank you, Mrs. Gains, this will be a great contribution to our war efforts. over, " Uncle Jason said

His voice came over the line again. "If you need our help, let us know. over. " The silence was deafening to me when the conversation was over.