The Journal: Raging Tide: (The Journal Book 4) Read online

  “Yeah,” I said, “and pins and needles, fishhooks and line, nail files or a comb.”

  “Matches!” Jim joined in.

  “I’ve got an extra five gallon bucket we can set up just for trade items,” I offered. “I’ll ask the nuns to make up small sewing and fishing kits. Maybe two fishhooks stuck into a piece of cardboard with ten yards of line wrapped around it. One pack of fishhooks and one spool of line could make two dozen kits, we can spare that; same with sewing needles and thread.”

  We finally decided on a five gallon bucket filled with fishing kits, sewing kits, toothbrushes, combs, a bag of a dozen matches tied with a rubber band, several baggies with a half cup of salt, a bar of soap cut in quarters, generic aspirins, cable ties, emery boards, and baggies with one cup of rice. It was a good thing the food warehouse truck had a case of sandwich baggies.

  JOURNAL ENTRY: April 2

  I spent several hours last night going over my lists and separating them into work-oriented projects, ones that I can enlist others to help with.

  I took my newly revised barter list and let myself into the store front that was once the Downriggers Bait Shop. The nuns, Sisters Agnes, Margaret and Lynn have done wonders to the shop that now holds all the supplies that were removed from the Walstroms store in Marquette before the city burned to the ground.

  The main floor has a children’s play area with all kinds of colorful toys and a well-padded floor to prevent injuries to the little ones. It is a warm and cheery place now. The main floor also houses the rooms that have been converted into displays of children’s and adult clothing. Upstairs, and logically away from the curiosity of little fingers, are the rooms filled with bath and cleaning products, lotions and hygiene care, as well as bolts of colorful cloth and rows of soft yarns.

  ~~~

  “Good morning, Allexa! What can I help you with today?” Sister Agnes beamed.

  “I’m hoping I can enlist your help with a few things I need for our trip.”

  “Darn! I was hoping it was to help talk you out of going,” she lamented.

  “Not you too,” I pouted. If it weren’t rude, I’d turn around and leave. “I really am tired of hearing what a bad idea this is.”

  I was only half joking. The entire town was abuzz with the pending road trip, not all of it good.

  Sister Agnes looked chagrined. “Oh, no, please. I was teasing. I know many people feel this trip is going to be too dangerous, though I don’t. Actually, I think it might be fun and just what you need. What can I do to help?” The sadness in her eyes flickered for only for a moment.

  “I plan on taking a bucket full of different items to trade with others we may find along the way. Useful things, like thread and needles. I have a list, though if there are any other simple items you can think of, please feel free to add to it.” I handed the piece of paper over to the nun.

  The three nuns had taken to dressing very casually and only wearing a short white coif head cap to express their station in the church. Father Constantine quickly got used to wearing whatever he felt like, with the addition of his clerical collar. There were times it looked very odd with a bright plaid shirt and jeans.

  “That’s a generous and noble act, Allexa. My apologies for my comment earlier,” Sister Agnes. She started reading the list. “Ah, teach a man to fish... These are very practical items for the most part. Do you have a preference how these are set up?”

  “I was thinking two, maybe three fishhooks, poked into a half of a three by five card, then wrapped with maybe ten or fifteen yards of fish line around the card. If we use one package of hooks and only one spool of line that will give us many to give away without shorting the people here. I’d like the needles done the same way. Maybe two sewing needles, six pins, a safety pin, and a selection of different colored threads. What do you think?”

  “Yes, those would be practical and desired. I’ll get our staff working on these right away,” Sister Agnes said.

  “Staff?”

  “Sort of,” she chuckled. “The younger children can cut the cards in half, while the older ones can handle the pins and hooks. I think the mothers that help out here would be best at winding the threads neatly. Most of the adults are looking for something to do, and so are the children.”

  “It’s good to see everyone working so well together.”

  “Well,” she hesitated, “not everyone gets along, but we’ve managed to rearrange the schedules to accommodate the difference in personalities.”

  “Good. Oh, here is a box of a hundred sandwich baggies to put things in. I don’t think we should have too much to give away. Everything needs to fit into one bucket and we don’t want anyone to think we have unlimited resources.”

  “One of the boxes we found in the trailer was filled with travel sized items. Would you like some of those for your bucket?” Agnes asked.

  “About the only thing I think would be handy would be aspirin, Ibuprofen, or allergy meds. Anything else I would prefer to stay here,” I replied. “Oh, and I need a haircut. Has anyone shown a talent in that area?” I absentmindedly ran my fingers through my now shoulder-length hair.

  “Sister Doris always did ours,” Agnes answered softly. “When Doris died from the flu last November, so much was lost with her. We do have a retired barber that has been helping out once a week. He will be here in an hour if you care to wait.”

  “Please have him save me a slot. I’ll be back shortly.” I made my way across the street to see Marsha Maki about some food supplies for the bucket. I didn’t mind in the least using my own storage and supplies for our trip, but not to barter away; some of that could come from the town. I’d given enough.

  *

  I found Marsha in the back room that she and her husband Arnie had designated for home-food supplies. It was her suggestion that people needed to fix some of their own meals and until they could grow gardens, that food came from the warehouse trailer, with Marsha keeping a close eye on it.

  “What is that?” I asked as I watched her filling in a grid on a chalkboard.

  “It’s the pool we’ve started, trying to guess how long you and the colonel will be gone,” she stated. “Many of the people are really excited about this trip and what you will find out. This is their way of sharing in the mystery of it.”

  “I see,” I said. “What’s the prize?”

  “There isn’t any, it’s only bragging rights,” Marsha said. “Now, what can I do for you?” she asked, dusting the chalk off her hands.

  “I’d like some staples as barter items,” I requested. “Like a half cup of salt in a baggie; one cup of rice; a quarter cup of yeast, things like that, I’ll let you decide. Not too much, I don’t want to put a strain on our town supplies. Ten baggies of each should be more than enough.”

  “When do you need it by?”

  “We plan on leaving in a couple of days. Is there a pool on that too?” I asked.

  “Not that I know of. Your departure is going to be common knowledge. I’ll get your trade items ready by tomorrow.”

  With that taken care of, I went back to get my hair cut.

  CHAPTER 2

  April 4

  “I see you waited for me to put the tent up,” Jim joked as he helped me stretch out the dull green four man nylon tent.

  “One person can do this easily, and I think we both should be able to do it without the other person,” I said to him.

  We pounded the stakes in and attached the lines to the corner loops. The poles were next, and with a bit of tightening on the lines, the tent was up. I unzipped the outer door, then the screen.

  “Do we really need that much room, Allex?” Jim asked. “This is a four man tent and it’s just us.”

  “The roominess is deceptive. Once we get the air mattresses and sleeping bags in, there will only be a small aisle down the center. Four people can fit, sure, elbow to elbow! Plus we should also keep our duffels, weapons and ammo cans with us at all times, don’t you think? There may be times we will b
e forced to cook inside the tent. It’s going to feel cramped if that happens.”

  “Now that you’ve brought up weapons, what are you planning on taking?” Jim asked.

  “I’m used to my 9mm Kel Tec, and thought I’d bring the M14 too. Plus I’ve got that knife. You remember, the one that Virginia soldier stabbed me with?”

  “I’d rather forget that whole debacle. I should have seen through Marlow sooner than I did. I’m sorry, Allex,” Jim said, sounding truly saddened. “Anyway, I have no problem with your Kel Tec, though I do think we should upgrade you to an M4 Carbine. It’s lighter, has a collapsible stock, and is usually a more reliable magazine feed than the M14. Don’t worry, I’ve got extra.”

  *

  We spent the better part of the afternoon packing and rearranging the gear in the back of the Humvee. We agreed on only one cooler since once the ice melted it would only be a storage chest. Using an empty cooler allowed us to get a good feel for how everything would fit.

  “I have to be honest, Allex, I didn’t think we would get everything in. Hummers aren’t noted for their storage capacity.”

  “Most everything can be nested, as you can see. That makes a big difference. The only thing I see I want to change is to add another bucket. The buckets are functional, though while we’re traveling they’re protection for the more delicate necessities.”

  “Like what? I thought nothing was glass.”

  “I know it seems redundant to have two coffee pots, the French press, and the small percolator. The percolator will mainly be for boiling water, and we can’t heat water if it’s full of coffee. Then there’s the Berkey; it has three fragile ceramic filters we need to protect. This will be our source of potable drinking water. The Berkey and the press can sit together in one bucket, and the kerosene lantern with its glass globe will stay in one by itself. That one we shouldn’t use for water anyway since there might be some fuel leakage.”

  “Makes sense.” He looked into the back again. “I see there’s still room for the duffels and sleeping bags. Are you sure we need the air mattresses?”

  “They take up next to no room. You can leave yours behind if you want, but I don’t want to sleep on the cold ground. I really think that cheap piece of plastic is going to make a world of difference in our comfort.”

  “We can always sleep in the Hummer,” Jim suggested. I looked in the back again and raised my eyebrows. “You win,” he laughed. “Okay, it looks like we’re ready.”

  “Yeah, it does.” I took a deep breath. “How about we leave in two days? I need to bake tomorrow.”

  April 5

  “Mom, you have to go with us to the Inn tonight,” Eric pleaded.

  “Why?” I asked. I know my sons all too well, and I’m sure they have something planned.

  “I didn’t want to ruin the surprise, but there’s a ‘going away’ party for you and the colonel. Everyone wants to say goodbye and wish you a safe journey.”

  “That sounds like we’re not coming back! It will only be for a couple of weeks, two months at the longest and we will be back,” I assured him. The look in his eyes said I hit a sore spot. My son was worried. “Okay, I’ll be there.”

  “Good! We’ll pick you up at five.”

  “Before you go, there’s something I need you to do for me,” I said hesitantly. “Even if it’s only for two weeks, I’d like you to move in here. You’re the best one to tend the green house and start the garden if we’re delayed getting back. And to watch over Tufts. Plus it will give you and Rayn some privacy.”

  Eric looked relieved.

  “That will give us a good break,” he said. “I love my brother, and I really like Amanda. She and Rayn get along well, but…” he paused, “there’s such a thing as too much closeness!”

  “So you’ll do it?”

  “Of course, Mom, we’d be happy to.”

  *

  “It looks like most of the town turned out for this farewell party!” Tom said, handing me a cup of punch. It was a fruity drink, and too much sweetness for my taste. It would be a good drink to nurse all evening.

  “I hope this shindig doesn’t last very long,” I said. “There are still things to do and since we plan on an early start, I need some sleep.”

  “Suck it up, princess. Your fans want to see you before you leave,” Tom joked. “Ah, there you are,” Colonel Jim said. “Ready for the big day tomorrow?”

  He rubbed his hands together in obvious glee.

  “Oh, yes,” I said. “What time do you want to get going?”

  “Best time is always daybreak.”

  CHAPTER 3

  JOURNAL ENTRY: APRIL 6

  I didn’t sleep well last night; I think it was the anxiety of today’s events. We’ve been planning this trip for a month and now it’s finally here.

  ~~~

  “Did you remember the ice, Jim? I forgot to ask you about that last night,” I said when the colonel arrived shortly after six o’clock in the morning. With the city-sized power plant running the town for ten hours every day, it was much easier for him to freeze a gallon jug of water than me.

  “Yes, ma’am, it’s right here,” he replied, setting the old plastic milk bottle next to the cooler. “I also had Earl Tyler go over the Hummer front to back with a tune up and oil change. He’s been an unbelievable help. Auto mechanic, diesel mechanic, and when he said he could make anything he wasn’t kidding. Wait until you see the racks he made and attached to the sides for carrying the jerry cans! Oh, and he’s assured me he will keep the generators in top working order while we’re gone.”

  “Do you have a car kit for the Hummer?”

  “Like what?”

  “Basic tools, air compressor, towing straps, things like that.”

  “Standard issue, all in the built-in panels,” Jim replied. “Stop worrying, Allex. We’ve got it covered.”

  I sighed, knowing that I do tend to worry too much. “Then let’s get packing!”

  I looked around the kitchen at the piles of stuff to pack, wondering if it was too much or not enough, and then decided we would make do, no matter what.

  While we were loading the back of the vehicle, Jim noticed the second cooler I had set by the parking spot.

  “I thought we were only taking one cooler?”

  “We were, then I realized I only had a cardboard box for all the canned and dried foods. Cardboard is rather flimsy. Not only will the cooler be more stable, in the event we need it, it’s also water tight,” I explained.

  I loaded the fresh foods into the cooler with the ice: eggs, bread, butter, cheese, a couple of potatoes, tomatoes and lettuce from the greenhouse, and more water. The second cooler with canned meats, jars of bouillon, pasta, flour, sugar, salt, yeast, oatmeal, peanut butter, and jam was heavy so went in first. The heavy ammo cans were next. The rifles were right behind the seats and accessible, our personal weapons already on us.

  “Last in, first out,” Jim said as our duffels, sleeping bags, and the tent went on top of everything else. The chainsaw was the very last item to go in since it might be the first thing needed.

  I slipped back into the house to find Tufts. With all the activity making him nervous, I found him under the bed. I pulled him out and cuddled him for a few minutes, stroking his silky black fur, knowing it would be weeks before I saw him again.

  I looked around the kitchen one last time, not finding anything we might have forgotten. While Jim waited outside, I noticed him open each door and spray the hinges. Must be a bit of auto maintenance he does.

  My family came across the yard, one by one giving me a hug and shaking the colonel’s hand. There were a few tears, though I do think we all felt this was a good and joyous occasion.

  Emilee, now almost as tall as I and approaching thirteen years old, gave Jim a brief hug, very sternly saying, “You better take good care of my Nahna!”

  “Yes, ma’am!” Jim said jovially. “I will do that!”

  *

  “I hate goodbyes,” I s
ighed as we sped north on 695 to the 150 road and turned west.

  “So do I,” Jim concurred. “That’s a wonderful family you have there, Allex. There’s so much love and warmth.” He coughed, embarrassed, and we were quiet until the next turnoff.

  “Make a right turn here,” I instructed. “This is the new road leading to the mine and we shouldn’t have any obstructions for the next fifteen miles.”

  “You sound pretty confident about that,” Jim commented as he maneuvered the big vehicle north again. He gazed over the panorama of the wide asphalt road with wider shoulders. The forest landscaping was free of trees for a hundred yards on either side. “Oh, I see what you mean.”

  We drove another half hour in companionable silence, until the next turn.

  “Now we make a left onto that dirt road,” I said, pointing to a break in the trees and we were heading south again.

  “You seem to know your way around way out here,” he remarked.

  “This is where Kathy and I would come blueberry picking and mushroom hunting,” I replied, gazing out the window, remembering all the good times we had. “And yes, I miss her.”

  Another turn had us going west and then south.

  “Let’s stop here,” I said when we came to a clearing that was more like a wide spot in the road. “I want to go over the map with you again, now that we’re here.”

  The light morning breeze ruffled the edges of the map I spread out over the hood of the vehicle so we could both look at it. I traced our route with my finger.