Then she went off a tangent that surprised me. Well, no, actually it didn't. I figured she would wait a little bit before bringing him up again. I should have known better. Carol was always direct and to the point. She asked me "Loco says Max is a big warlord now. He has over a hundred people he is leading. Is this true?"
"Yep" I replied.
A little softer she asked "He has a woman?"
"Yep."
Something was up. I could see her mind whirling away. She may be Carol but I wasn't the same Gardener she once knew. At least that was what I wanted to believe.
"Okay. But you want to hear how I got here. I owe you that. Then I want to ask a favor of you. Will you listen all the way to the end of my story before you ask me any questions?"
I shrugged. "Sure Carol."
She looked at me. I mean really looked at me. I don't know if she felt it. Probably not. I did. The connection was still there and it powered up like it had never been shut down. Life truly is a complicated bitch sometimes.
edited
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
American Apocalypse IV - Heartland - Chapter 3j
I looked back at the town. I should do something special to let the people coming know we were not to people to trifle with. I laughed out loud and said it again. I loved the "not people to trifle with" part. I was bad. Yes I was. I was also alone. I ended up using the spray paint we carried to leave markers for the Horde scouts who screened the main body advance. I spray painted "Freya Cometh!" on a wall and said "The hell with it." "Going to have work on the scary calling card part" I thought to myself and started pushing my bike towards the hill.
I was almost to the hill when I got a bad feeling and froze in place. I waited a bit and then slowly eased down into the grass and waited. When it felt right I crawled to a small rise and looked around it and back at the town. They had come in on foot from somewhere outside of town. Probably to the north. No blowing into town yelling and hooting from the packed bed of a pickup truck. Someone had their shit together. That was not good.
It took me another 45 minutes to make the last half mile to the hill. I wanted to avoid any chance of being spotted. I also had to drop my bike. I figured I would go back far it later. That was going to be another problem. What do with Carol and her friends. "Hell" I thought."We would have to take them back." That me smile because it meant I would get to see Night. I was okay with that.
I ran across Loco before I found the rest of them. I gave him the hand sign for multiple enemy and he nodded and pointed at his binoculars. I followed him in. He had armed all the women. Hopefully they knew what they were doing. The odds were pretty good they did. My guess was for the first time in over a hundred years the remaining American population was proficient with firearms. It was somewhat jarring to see Carol armed. She seemed pretty comfortable with it.
I settled down and drank some water. Loco took the first watch. I would take the second which would last until just before dawn. I was going to be dragging tomorrow and probably hurting. After Loco disappeared int the bush Carol and I sat there and studied each other. I don't know what she saw but I saw the same womans form but the etching around the eyes and the eyes themselves belonged to a different person. Same but not the same.
I was thinking about that when she told me "Show me that arm. I want to clean that gash." She pulled it off and we both looked at it. Stitches would probably be a good thing but I told her to butterfly it for now. She started cleaning it out and I looked at the top of her head as she bent over my arm and wondered how soft her hair would feel. I pushed that thought aside and asked her "So how was it Carol? How did you end up here?"
She stopped for a minute. I was getting ready to say "Don't worry about it. Some other time" when she sighed and said "I really hoped I would run into you or Max. It was...ugly G. No. Not ugly. Beyond ugly." Then she began telling me her story. The three women behind her laid silent in the grass and watched us both as she began to talk.
I was almost to the hill when I got a bad feeling and froze in place. I waited a bit and then slowly eased down into the grass and waited. When it felt right I crawled to a small rise and looked around it and back at the town. They had come in on foot from somewhere outside of town. Probably to the north. No blowing into town yelling and hooting from the packed bed of a pickup truck. Someone had their shit together. That was not good.
It took me another 45 minutes to make the last half mile to the hill. I wanted to avoid any chance of being spotted. I also had to drop my bike. I figured I would go back far it later. That was going to be another problem. What do with Carol and her friends. "Hell" I thought."We would have to take them back." That me smile because it meant I would get to see Night. I was okay with that.
I ran across Loco before I found the rest of them. I gave him the hand sign for multiple enemy and he nodded and pointed at his binoculars. I followed him in. He had armed all the women. Hopefully they knew what they were doing. The odds were pretty good they did. My guess was for the first time in over a hundred years the remaining American population was proficient with firearms. It was somewhat jarring to see Carol armed. She seemed pretty comfortable with it.
I settled down and drank some water. Loco took the first watch. I would take the second which would last until just before dawn. I was going to be dragging tomorrow and probably hurting. After Loco disappeared int the bush Carol and I sat there and studied each other. I don't know what she saw but I saw the same womans form but the etching around the eyes and the eyes themselves belonged to a different person. Same but not the same.
I was thinking about that when she told me "Show me that arm. I want to clean that gash." She pulled it off and we both looked at it. Stitches would probably be a good thing but I told her to butterfly it for now. She started cleaning it out and I looked at the top of her head as she bent over my arm and wondered how soft her hair would feel. I pushed that thought aside and asked her "So how was it Carol? How did you end up here?"
She stopped for a minute. I was getting ready to say "Don't worry about it. Some other time" when she sighed and said "I really hoped I would run into you or Max. It was...ugly G. No. Not ugly. Beyond ugly." Then she began telling me her story. The three women behind her laid silent in the grass and watched us both as she began to talk.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
American Apocalypse IV - Heartland - Chapter 3i
I stripped Ricky of his camelbak. He wouldn't be needing it anymore. I had Loco search the bodies while Carol and her friends searched the houses for anything of value. I didn't let them go to far because we hadn't checked every house. I was gambling on my sense that everything, at least for now, was good. What was making me antsy was the feeling that it wasn't going to last. While they did that I dug a shallow grave for Ricky. It wasn't much and he deserved better.
When I got done I went and found everyone and we did a very brief service. I said "In Freyas name we bury this warrior. May he meet us at the gates when we arrive. Amen. Then I got everyone moving. As I did I heard one of Carol's girls ask "Who the hell is Freya?" She replied "Why do you care? If G is okay with it than you are." I wanted to hear the stories, both Carols and the other girls. I also wanted to know more about the cult or whatever the hell it was. It was going to have to wait.
I pulled Loco aside and asked him "What do you think?" I didn't have to qualify it or go into detail. He knew what I was asking. He looked up at the sky, pursed his lips, did a quick scan of the horizon and where the sun was, and said "Get out of town, off the roads, and up on a hill for now. After that it's your call."
"Yeah. I don't think we are going to be able to push them hard." He nodded. I added "Going to need to feed them sometime too."
"Yep."
I looked around. The closest good hill was about three miles away. Once we made that I would think about our next move. I indicated the hill and told him "That's it. You got point." I found Carol, told her crew to drop about half the crap they were carrying, and told them the plan. I looked at the women and said "Keep up. Shut up. We can do this." They all nodded tight lipped. I still didn't know what happened here but they seemed very okay with leaving it behind. "You okay Carol?"
She replied "Yeah. Lets get the hell out of here."
"Okay. Follow Loco."
I took a knee and watched them go. I was going to give them a long lead. If anyone came hunting us I wanted them away from the first contact. Nobody looked back I noticed.
When I got done I went and found everyone and we did a very brief service. I said "In Freyas name we bury this warrior. May he meet us at the gates when we arrive. Amen. Then I got everyone moving. As I did I heard one of Carol's girls ask "Who the hell is Freya?" She replied "Why do you care? If G is okay with it than you are." I wanted to hear the stories, both Carols and the other girls. I also wanted to know more about the cult or whatever the hell it was. It was going to have to wait.
I pulled Loco aside and asked him "What do you think?" I didn't have to qualify it or go into detail. He knew what I was asking. He looked up at the sky, pursed his lips, did a quick scan of the horizon and where the sun was, and said "Get out of town, off the roads, and up on a hill for now. After that it's your call."
"Yeah. I don't think we are going to be able to push them hard." He nodded. I added "Going to need to feed them sometime too."
"Yep."
I looked around. The closest good hill was about three miles away. Once we made that I would think about our next move. I indicated the hill and told him "That's it. You got point." I found Carol, told her crew to drop about half the crap they were carrying, and told them the plan. I looked at the women and said "Keep up. Shut up. We can do this." They all nodded tight lipped. I still didn't know what happened here but they seemed very okay with leaving it behind. "You okay Carol?"
She replied "Yeah. Lets get the hell out of here."
"Okay. Follow Loco."
I took a knee and watched them go. I was going to give them a long lead. If anyone came hunting us I wanted them away from the first contact. Nobody looked back I noticed.
Monday, May 3, 2010
American Apocalypse IV - Heartland - Chapter 3h
I may hurt tomorrow but right now I was juiced and flying. I hit the grass and weeds outside the building and came up looking for targets. It was not a problem finding them as I had almost landed on a guy who thought looking through the window was a good idea. It wasn't for him. I jacked the lever action on the Marlin and looped wide around the corner. There were three of them forming up in a stack to go through the door. I shot the guy who was watching the other two backs. He was quick. I was lucky that he shot high. I dropped the Marlin and drew the Ruger. That was good for one of the two and Loco took the other one by shooting through the wall. "Kind of sloppy" I thought.
I yelled "Clear!" Then I spun around to make sure it really was. Loco came out the door fast, saw me, cut to the left, and then fell awkwardly to the ground. I had forgotten the roof guy. I looked up, saw him back lit from the sun, a black silhouette, and shot him. "That was too freaking close you idiot" I thought as I ran towards Loco who was struggling to get back on his feet while holding his arm. "Inside!" I yelled, my voice croaking from dryness and we headed back in.
I dropped him with Carol who looked pretty calm considering everything that was going around her. Then I want to see what was up with Ricky. Nothing was. He was dead. I counted two bodies in the door and one outside. He had died with his weapon in his hands so he was guaranteed a seat in Freya Heaven. At least that was what she said. Myself, I wasn't in any hurry to find out. I took a second to put a compress on my arm where I had cut myself and started checking the perimeter.
The first thing I did was find the ladder the look out used to get up to the roof and climbed up it to take a look around. Off to the east, about two blocks away I saw two pickup trucks pull out onto the county road and haul ass away from town. "Good" I thought. "Good fucking riddance." It also meant that we needed to get moving. Like soon. I went back down the ladder and realized I was hearing noise. People noise. I walked around the building puzzled and a bit pissed at myself. I was thinking "I forgot rooftop guy. What else did I miss?" It was a storm cellar. Big weathered wooden doors almost flat to the surface of the ground. They were secured with a long bolt with a nut at the end that kept it from slipping through the twin handles.
I looked at door handles and listened to voices crying. All I heard was female ones. Visions of basements past went through my head and took with it any sense of invincibility I still harbored. Instead cold dread and a immense sadness washed over and through me. A little voice said "You don't have to do this. You know that don't you?" I thought "Fuck you little voice", unscrewed the nut, and flung open one of the doors as I stepped to the side.
Their heads appeared like gophers blinking in the light. All three were female and the oldest looked to be 26 years old an a 100 too many ugly things seen. Their clothes were dirty, and like Carol, they had gone through skinny to emaciated. I stood there looking down on them, my gun drawn, and I almost felt foolish. The 26 year old said "Hey."
I replied "Hey. That all of you?"
"Yep."
"Thank you Jeebus!" shot through my head. I was going to have to check, but I wasn't going to do it right away.
The little blond, a real one at that, asked me in a whisper "Are you one of the Blessed?"
I kind of laughed and replied "Probably not the way you mean it. If you mean a local peckerhead, then nope, I'm not."
She replied "Good. They started climbing out and I backed up to give them some room. I didn't holster the Ruger either. The 26 year old one almost grinned when she saw that and said "Not the trusting sort are you?" I replied "You know anyone who is alive that is?" She didn't have answer which was answer enough.
I herded them into the building and when they saw Carol they squealed, yelled her name, and ran stiff legged to her. I followed along behind and saw she had patched Loco up. The girl she had knocked upside the head was still out. Not a good sign. Carol looked up, smiled, and looked past me and I saw the smile fade. I squatted down next to her and Loco and asked him "How you doing?" He grinned "Not bad. It missed the bone." He looked around "Ricky?" I nodded and his grin disappeared "Aw shit."
I told him "Yeah well, he took three with him."
Loco nodded and said "Yeah. That was some crazy shit G." I shrugged. There wasn't that much to say about it. It was what it was. Carol said "Let me look at your arm G." While she did she casually asked "So where is Max?" She kept her head down when she asked so I couldn't see her eyes. It was just as well. She couldn't see mine either because in asking that enough had already been said.
I yelled "Clear!" Then I spun around to make sure it really was. Loco came out the door fast, saw me, cut to the left, and then fell awkwardly to the ground. I had forgotten the roof guy. I looked up, saw him back lit from the sun, a black silhouette, and shot him. "That was too freaking close you idiot" I thought as I ran towards Loco who was struggling to get back on his feet while holding his arm. "Inside!" I yelled, my voice croaking from dryness and we headed back in.
I dropped him with Carol who looked pretty calm considering everything that was going around her. Then I want to see what was up with Ricky. Nothing was. He was dead. I counted two bodies in the door and one outside. He had died with his weapon in his hands so he was guaranteed a seat in Freya Heaven. At least that was what she said. Myself, I wasn't in any hurry to find out. I took a second to put a compress on my arm where I had cut myself and started checking the perimeter.
The first thing I did was find the ladder the look out used to get up to the roof and climbed up it to take a look around. Off to the east, about two blocks away I saw two pickup trucks pull out onto the county road and haul ass away from town. "Good" I thought. "Good fucking riddance." It also meant that we needed to get moving. Like soon. I went back down the ladder and realized I was hearing noise. People noise. I walked around the building puzzled and a bit pissed at myself. I was thinking "I forgot rooftop guy. What else did I miss?" It was a storm cellar. Big weathered wooden doors almost flat to the surface of the ground. They were secured with a long bolt with a nut at the end that kept it from slipping through the twin handles.
I looked at door handles and listened to voices crying. All I heard was female ones. Visions of basements past went through my head and took with it any sense of invincibility I still harbored. Instead cold dread and a immense sadness washed over and through me. A little voice said "You don't have to do this. You know that don't you?" I thought "Fuck you little voice", unscrewed the nut, and flung open one of the doors as I stepped to the side.
Their heads appeared like gophers blinking in the light. All three were female and the oldest looked to be 26 years old an a 100 too many ugly things seen. Their clothes were dirty, and like Carol, they had gone through skinny to emaciated. I stood there looking down on them, my gun drawn, and I almost felt foolish. The 26 year old said "Hey."
I replied "Hey. That all of you?"
"Yep."
"Thank you Jeebus!" shot through my head. I was going to have to check, but I wasn't going to do it right away.
The little blond, a real one at that, asked me in a whisper "Are you one of the Blessed?"
I kind of laughed and replied "Probably not the way you mean it. If you mean a local peckerhead, then nope, I'm not."
She replied "Good. They started climbing out and I backed up to give them some room. I didn't holster the Ruger either. The 26 year old one almost grinned when she saw that and said "Not the trusting sort are you?" I replied "You know anyone who is alive that is?" She didn't have answer which was answer enough.
I herded them into the building and when they saw Carol they squealed, yelled her name, and ran stiff legged to her. I followed along behind and saw she had patched Loco up. The girl she had knocked upside the head was still out. Not a good sign. Carol looked up, smiled, and looked past me and I saw the smile fade. I squatted down next to her and Loco and asked him "How you doing?" He grinned "Not bad. It missed the bone." He looked around "Ricky?" I nodded and his grin disappeared "Aw shit."
I told him "Yeah well, he took three with him."
Loco nodded and said "Yeah. That was some crazy shit G." I shrugged. There wasn't that much to say about it. It was what it was. Carol said "Let me look at your arm G." While she did she casually asked "So where is Max?" She kept her head down when she asked so I couldn't see her eyes. It was just as well. She couldn't see mine either because in asking that enough had already been said.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
American Apocalypse IV - Heartland - Chapter 3g
We were in a kitchen. Someone was screaming over by the stainless steel table to my left. Loco was up and I watched as he sent a three round burst towards the back door. I holstered the handguns and struggled to unsling the Marlin. Somehow in my semi somersault move I had gotten the sling tangled up in all the crap I carried on my belt now. I yanked hard and snapped the swivel. "Shit" I thought "Worry about that later." Who ever it was that was screaming by the stainless shut up which was very nice of them. I looked over at Loco and he signed me that he was headed out the back. I signed back "Wait" and yelled "Carol!"
From behind the stainless steel table two heads popped up. One was Carol. The other was a scared and pissed looking girl of maybe sixteen who was trying to pry Carols hand away from covering her mouth. I pulled the Colt and tossed it underhand to Carol. She caught it nicely but she had to let go of the girl who began screaming "Help!" Carol clubbed her with the Colt. The screamer disappeared and Carol grinned. The teeth had gone yellow but the smile was still great.
My loss of focus was restored by the sound of several high powered bursts coming from Rickys side. "Shit" I would have liked to had a look from above about what was happening outside but my Freya connection was on the blink. I had noticed that once we had put more than forty miles between us and her the connection was sporadic. Our goddess, at least at this point, was about as reliable as most cell phone phones were back when the Burners were taking down cell phone towers daily.
"Well shit" I thought. I was paid the big bucks to make decisions like this. Behind the stainless steel table was a stainless steel sink and counter. Above that was a window. Going out a door was stupid at a time like this. I pointed at the window and gave Loco the two sign. Two minutes, two seconds, two whatevers. Then I pointed at the door. Hopefully he understood. I wanted him to go out the door after I went out the window and distracted who ever was out there. He nodded, and I started running. I leaped, launched again off the table, and went through the window with the Marlin reversed and the wooden butt making contact with the glass first. It was not pretty. It was real glass not spun sugar like Hollywood. I felt my arm get raked like a claw from a jagged piece of glass and knew I was going to be adding to my collection of scars. I remember watching a football player getting interviewed about what he felt like on Monday after a game. His reply was he woke up every Monday feeling like he had been a car wreck the previous day. That pretty much summed it up for how I usually felt after a day like this.
From behind the stainless steel table two heads popped up. One was Carol. The other was a scared and pissed looking girl of maybe sixteen who was trying to pry Carols hand away from covering her mouth. I pulled the Colt and tossed it underhand to Carol. She caught it nicely but she had to let go of the girl who began screaming "Help!" Carol clubbed her with the Colt. The screamer disappeared and Carol grinned. The teeth had gone yellow but the smile was still great.
My loss of focus was restored by the sound of several high powered bursts coming from Rickys side. "Shit" I would have liked to had a look from above about what was happening outside but my Freya connection was on the blink. I had noticed that once we had put more than forty miles between us and her the connection was sporadic. Our goddess, at least at this point, was about as reliable as most cell phone phones were back when the Burners were taking down cell phone towers daily.
"Well shit" I thought. I was paid the big bucks to make decisions like this. Behind the stainless steel table was a stainless steel sink and counter. Above that was a window. Going out a door was stupid at a time like this. I pointed at the window and gave Loco the two sign. Two minutes, two seconds, two whatevers. Then I pointed at the door. Hopefully he understood. I wanted him to go out the door after I went out the window and distracted who ever was out there. He nodded, and I started running. I leaped, launched again off the table, and went through the window with the Marlin reversed and the wooden butt making contact with the glass first. It was not pretty. It was real glass not spun sugar like Hollywood. I felt my arm get raked like a claw from a jagged piece of glass and knew I was going to be adding to my collection of scars. I remember watching a football player getting interviewed about what he felt like on Monday after a game. His reply was he woke up every Monday feeling like he had been a car wreck the previous day. That pretty much summed it up for how I usually felt after a day like this.
American Apocalypse IV - Heartland - Chapter 3f
Brother Tom did not like the look on my face. I'm not sure why. I was smiling my happy smile. Much later I overheard a new troop ask one of the vets "Does Gardener ever smile?" His question was greeted by silence, then one of the old timers replied "Kid, you don't ever want to be around when he smiles." One of the others added "When he starts smiling people die." Then they began arguing about if whether or not my eyes changed color too. I quietly turned, walked away, and when I was sure no one was looking at me I laughed.
They thought I smiled because I enjoyed killing. The killing wasn't what made me smile. In fact that part rarely registered with me. I smiled because of how good it felt to walk the edge once again. I did not feel more "alive" as much as I felt completely focused. Everything that made me -- me, all the software, all the hardware, began running at total capacity. All the internal bullshit, all the nagging pains in my body, all the doubts disappeared, and I knew. I mean I knew what had to be done. Usually that meant killing pieces of shit masquerading as human beings. I was okay with that. I was especially okay with it right now.
I reached back, gripped the hilt, and slid the sword that Freya had given me from it's sheath. I had learned through practicing this move that if I did it exactly right it sang a very nice metallic zing song as I did. I loved that. I smiled a little more and Brother Tom's eyes widened a whole lot. Not for very long. My right hand gripped the hilt next to my left, I pivoted and swung into him. His head separated cleanly but the wood used in building his throne was made of better stuff. I left the blade buried in the wood and drew both the Ruger and the Colt firing as I did. Elder Bobs soul was only a step or two behind his leader, as were the rest of his loyal brethren who had been seated with us.
I looked around the room and inhaled the smell of blood and gunpowder. My work here was done. Perhaps two seconds had passed. It was time to move. Loco and Ricky were staring at me, well they could still earn their keep. "Rickey! Block the door." I wanted one of the picnic tables in front of the door we came in through. "Loco! On me." I retrieved my sword and headed for the door Carol had gone through. Loco understood what I wanted. I hoped Rickey did. Loco went through the door and cut right. Once that would have made a difference. It didn't anymore. As soon as he did the door jamb and part of the wall exploded. Someone had a shotgun. That meant I had next to no time to clear it before they recycled. I dove through, somersaulted, and halfway through it slammed into the woman who had just fired the shotgun.She went down in a heap and I got a good look at unshaven legs and stained underwear before I shot her.
edited
They thought I smiled because I enjoyed killing. The killing wasn't what made me smile. In fact that part rarely registered with me. I smiled because of how good it felt to walk the edge once again. I did not feel more "alive" as much as I felt completely focused. Everything that made me -- me, all the software, all the hardware, began running at total capacity. All the internal bullshit, all the nagging pains in my body, all the doubts disappeared, and I knew. I mean I knew what had to be done. Usually that meant killing pieces of shit masquerading as human beings. I was okay with that. I was especially okay with it right now.
I reached back, gripped the hilt, and slid the sword that Freya had given me from it's sheath. I had learned through practicing this move that if I did it exactly right it sang a very nice metallic zing song as I did. I loved that. I smiled a little more and Brother Tom's eyes widened a whole lot. Not for very long. My right hand gripped the hilt next to my left, I pivoted and swung into him. His head separated cleanly but the wood used in building his throne was made of better stuff. I left the blade buried in the wood and drew both the Ruger and the Colt firing as I did. Elder Bobs soul was only a step or two behind his leader, as were the rest of his loyal brethren who had been seated with us.
I looked around the room and inhaled the smell of blood and gunpowder. My work here was done. Perhaps two seconds had passed. It was time to move. Loco and Ricky were staring at me, well they could still earn their keep. "Rickey! Block the door." I wanted one of the picnic tables in front of the door we came in through. "Loco! On me." I retrieved my sword and headed for the door Carol had gone through. Loco understood what I wanted. I hoped Rickey did. Loco went through the door and cut right. Once that would have made a difference. It didn't anymore. As soon as he did the door jamb and part of the wall exploded. Someone had a shotgun. That meant I had next to no time to clear it before they recycled. I dove through, somersaulted, and halfway through it slammed into the woman who had just fired the shotgun.She went down in a heap and I got a good look at unshaven legs and stained underwear before I shot her.
edited
Thursday, April 29, 2010
American Apocalypse IV - Heartland - Chapter 3e
"Well, not much to tell you really." I told him. I looked around. We were in a fairly large room that was empty except for a couple of picnic tables that had been pushed together to form one long table. About halfway down the table were a pair of nice silver salt and pepper shakers. There was a china cabinet which held dishes and a side table that was empty. At the head of the table, where Brother Tom sat of course, was a rough hewn wooden chair that looked a lot like a throne. On purpose I was sure. Behind it on the wall was another version of the same flag they had flying outside. It was actually a satin bedsheet that had been spray painted. Who ever did it had held the nozzle to close and the paint had run.
On his right sat Elder Bob and Brother Tom had gestured for me to sit on his left. His men, all four who had followed us in, took their seats below the salt. The empty space above it was supposed to be filled by Ricky and Loco. Ricky had moved to sit down, Loco growled at him, then he walked away from the table and took up position against the wall by the open door that probably led to a kitchen. Ricky started to take the same wall but Loco looked at the far wall and back at him. Damn, he was slow about some shit but he got the message and moved over to the far wall by the china cabinet. Brother Tom did not like this at all. He opened his mouth, thought about the loss of face involved, and shut it. Inwardly I grinned.
"So where are you coming from? You know how it is. We don't get the news like we used too." He smiled. I am sure he thought it was his best "Talk to me" one. Before I could say anything he banged on the table with his fist and yelled "Women! Where the hell are you! You got thirsty men in here. Bring us some water!" He continued "I am sorry that all we have to offer is water but this is a poor village. Perhaps we could convince you to tithe a small bit to the church. You are good Christians are you not?" Oh yeah. His boys who hadn't missed a word of what was being said popped a woody of nonverbal delight over this comment.
"Well Brother Tom, you know there are many roads that lead to the Fathers house." I remembered hearing someone say that once and liked it. It had lots of weasel in it without being nasty. He thought about it for a second, or pretended too, then he said "Yes, but there is only one God and one true path." He smiled at me. Then yelled "Water! Woman get your ass in here now!" I heard her voice saying "Coming!" before I saw her. That was a good thing. I needed it. A cold wave splashed over me and a jolt of pure energy lit up my nervous system. She came through the door struggling with a five gallon plastic container two thirds filled with water. Another woman was right behind her carrying coffee mugs on a silver serving tray. She said "Sorry Brother Thomas. The stupid bitch, I mean woman, had problems with the pump." She curtsied, set the cups on the table and told Carol "Don't splash the water all over the place when you pour."
She looked like shit. She probably hadn't been that skinny since she was twelve. Her hair was dull but when she looked at me, only for a second before dropping them, her eyes told me she was still alive. I slid my legs up over the seat and dropped them on the floor. Then I bent down and began retying my boots. I had too. I knew if anyone saw my face then it would begin. It would too, just not until she was out of the room. I heard her bare feet move across the floor and Brother Tom say "Do you have a problem with women knowing their place amongst your people? I didn't look at him first. Instead I looked at his men and then Loco. I heard Loco say softly "Holy shit." Then I turned to Brother Tom and said "No. Not at all."
On his right sat Elder Bob and Brother Tom had gestured for me to sit on his left. His men, all four who had followed us in, took their seats below the salt. The empty space above it was supposed to be filled by Ricky and Loco. Ricky had moved to sit down, Loco growled at him, then he walked away from the table and took up position against the wall by the open door that probably led to a kitchen. Ricky started to take the same wall but Loco looked at the far wall and back at him. Damn, he was slow about some shit but he got the message and moved over to the far wall by the china cabinet. Brother Tom did not like this at all. He opened his mouth, thought about the loss of face involved, and shut it. Inwardly I grinned.
"So where are you coming from? You know how it is. We don't get the news like we used too." He smiled. I am sure he thought it was his best "Talk to me" one. Before I could say anything he banged on the table with his fist and yelled "Women! Where the hell are you! You got thirsty men in here. Bring us some water!" He continued "I am sorry that all we have to offer is water but this is a poor village. Perhaps we could convince you to tithe a small bit to the church. You are good Christians are you not?" Oh yeah. His boys who hadn't missed a word of what was being said popped a woody of nonverbal delight over this comment.
"Well Brother Tom, you know there are many roads that lead to the Fathers house." I remembered hearing someone say that once and liked it. It had lots of weasel in it without being nasty. He thought about it for a second, or pretended too, then he said "Yes, but there is only one God and one true path." He smiled at me. Then yelled "Water! Woman get your ass in here now!" I heard her voice saying "Coming!" before I saw her. That was a good thing. I needed it. A cold wave splashed over me and a jolt of pure energy lit up my nervous system. She came through the door struggling with a five gallon plastic container two thirds filled with water. Another woman was right behind her carrying coffee mugs on a silver serving tray. She said "Sorry Brother Thomas. The stupid bitch, I mean woman, had problems with the pump." She curtsied, set the cups on the table and told Carol "Don't splash the water all over the place when you pour."
She looked like shit. She probably hadn't been that skinny since she was twelve. Her hair was dull but when she looked at me, only for a second before dropping them, her eyes told me she was still alive. I slid my legs up over the seat and dropped them on the floor. Then I bent down and began retying my boots. I had too. I knew if anyone saw my face then it would begin. It would too, just not until she was out of the room. I heard her bare feet move across the floor and Brother Tom say "Do you have a problem with women knowing their place amongst your people? I didn't look at him first. Instead I looked at his men and then Loco. I heard Loco say softly "Holy shit." Then I turned to Brother Tom and said "No. Not at all."
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