Forgotten Forbidden America: Rise of Tyranny (25 page)

As Michelle walked past, Gerald smiled, looking at Nelson. “I’m glad you two have an idea what’s about to go down,” he said. “I was always worried that everyone would think we could just ride out what happens like in a fairy tale.”

“I know it’s going to get bad,” Matt grumbled at Gerald then turned to Matt. “Your wife can be creepy at times, but could she really drop the hammer on women or kids?”

“If they are armed or pose a threat, she wouldn’t hesitate,” Nelson answered and saw Matt take a breath to speak. “Now, if they are unarmed and don’t leave, she would persuade them. But don’t think for a second she would hesitate. She didn’t before,” Nelson said, getting up.

In a state of shock, Matt just looked at Nelson as Gerald nodded. “The sand box really did suck,” he stated.

“Yes, it did,” Nelson replied, walking out.

When Nelson was gone, Matt looked over at Gerald. “Those two must have seen some shit,” he said in a low voice.

Gerald nodded. “I pulled their records,” he said, getting up. “They’ve been downrange. I think a lot of married couples are going to have the same experience those two have had before long. Nelson and Michelle are just ahead of the power curve.”

“Come on; supper’s ready!” Nellie called out from the kitchen.

The group sat down to supper, laughing at the two flour-covered girls. After supper, Gerald got up and whispered into Bernard’s ear. Grinning, Bernard nodded as Gerald turned to Nelson. “Hey, Nelson, can you help with something at the cabin?” Gerald asked.

“Sure,” Nelson said, pushing his chair back and getting up. Grabbing his rifle, Nelson kissed the kids and Michelle then followed Gerald out the back door. “What do you need me for?”

Looking over his shoulder as Nelson caught up, a sly grin broke across Gerald’s face. “Want to show and give you something,” Gerald replied.

Seeing the sly grin, Nelson shook his head. “Dude, I don’t have room for anything else,” Nelson replied.

“Oh, for this, you will,” Gerald replied confidently. Opening the door to his cabin, Gerald led Nelson to the kitchen. On the table was a cardboard box. “Open it,” Gerald said, pointing at the box.

Suspicious and expecting a gag, Nelson cautiously moved to the table, forcing his body to relax so he wouldn’t jump if a gag was coming. Pulling the tape off the box and gently opening it, Nelson saw fabric and metal. Confused, he pulled out the stuff and gasped. Feeling his pulse quicken, he almost begged, “Where did you get this?”

“Springfield,” Gerald replied with a grin. “That’s why I was late getting to your house. Nancy found a store online. It was closed, but I broke in.”

Like the object was fragile and holy, Nelson gently placed it back in the box. “I always wanted to get one, but what was the point?” he said, closing the box, then looked up. “Why?”

“I have geek tendencies that lean in that direction,” Gerald admitted. “If I ever found someone who would wear it, I probably would’ve married them.”

Picking the box up, Nelson pulled it to his chest. “I have to ask Nellie and Bernard if they will watch the kids,” he announced, walking over to Gerald.

“I already did,” Gerald grinned as Nelson stopped in front of him.

Leaning over, Nelson hugged Gerald. “Thank you,” he said.

“I’m not wearing it,” Gerald said, caught off guard, then returned the hug. “There is one catch,” he said as Nelson let him go.

Confused, Nelson shook his head. “Huh?”

“I want a picture,” Gerald told him. Startled, Nelson jumped back. “Not a picture of what happens, just a picture of what it really looks like on a real woman.”

“Deal,” Nelson said, holding out his hand.

Laughing, Gerald shook it. “You better head home,” he said.

Too excited to think or question Gerald, Nelson almost broke into a run out of the cabin. Trotting over to his cabin, Nelson almost yanked the door off the hinges. Walking in, he saw Michelle sitting on the couch. “What the hell did Gerald want?” she asked, leaning back. “Bernard told me to head home because you would want to talk.”

Not able to talk, Nelson just stood frozen, looking at her with a boyish grin. “What the hell are you two planning?” Michelle asked, getting worried as she stood up. Not answering, Nelson just looked her up and down like a predator would. “Nelson, I’m about to spin,” she warned.

Extending his arms, Nelson held out the box over the back of the couch. “You promised,” he told her.

Way beyond confused, Michelle took the box, “What?” she asked. Nelson just kept looking her up and down. Giving up, Michelle put the box on the couch and opened it. Unlike Nelson, she didn’t need to take it out. Michelle knew what it was at first glance. “I’m going to kill Gerald,” she stated, looking up with a flat expression. “Then, I’m breaking your legs.”

The boyish grin never left Nelson’s face. “You promised,” he said.

She snatched the box up. “Because I never believed it would happen,” she said, walking down the hall. “I’m showering first,” she called back in a not-so-nice voice.

When he heard the bedroom door slam, Nelson took off out the back door, running back to their underground storage containers. He started rummaging around until he found the plastic storage bin he was looking for. Elated, Nelson ran back to the house. Dropping the bin on the kitchen floor, he headed for the kids’ bathroom.

It was an hour later when Michelle walked out of their bedroom, feeling foolish. She walked into the living room and didn’t see Nelson. Looking in the kitchen, she noticed his tactical vest and rifle on the table. “Nelson,” she called out in an irritated tone. Hearing the kids’ bathroom door open, she turned around.

All the feelings of foolishness and annoyance vanished when she saw the look on Nelson’s face as he gawked at her. Seeing the joy and boyish pleasure on his face put her at ease. Smiling, Michelle put her hand on her hip, cocking it to the side. “You like?” she asked.

Nelson just shook his head dumbly as Michelle stood in front of him wearing the Leia slave costume. “Wow,” he finally mumbled.

Tossing her head, sending the wig extension over her shoulder, she looked back at him and noticed what he was wearing. “You dug out your Han Solo outfit?” she laughed.

“Oh yeah,” he said, walking over.

Michelle held out her arms, embracing him. “I feel ridiculous,” she said but didn’t care because of the devious grin on Nelson’s face.

“Sorry,” Nelson said, stepping back to look at her.

“I don’t really think you are,” Michelle told him. “Did you have this put up the whole time until I gave in?”

He shook his head but did not take his eyes off of Michelle. “No, Gerald broke into a costume store in Springfield before he came over to the house,” Nelson told her, thinking what she said was actually a good idea and wondering why he hadn’t thought of it.

Closing her eyes but still smiling, she said, “Yeah, I’m going to shoot him.”

“There is one thing,” Nelson said, taking his eyes off her body. “Gerald wants a picture.”

The smile fell off her face. “Oh hell no.”

“It’s just like wearing a bikini, baby,” Nelson protested. “It turns out Gerald is a Star Wars geek too.”

That took Michelle off guard. “I never would’ve believed that about him,” she admitted.

Dropping his eyes back down to Michelle’s body, he reminded her, “You said the same thing about me.”

Not able to help it, Michelle grinned and chuckled at Nelson. “You are the only soldier I ever met that had Star Wars figures in their Hummer. You have asked for this since you met me, and you’re just going to stand there?” she asked.

“Savoring the moment,” Nelson admitted. “So no pictures?”

Giving up, Michelle shook her head. “Fine,” she gave in. “I suppose you want some as well?”

Tearing his eyes off her body, Nelson looked at Michelle like she was crazy. “Well yeah.”

With a long sigh but smiling, she said, “I get to pick out the picture for Gerald, and no one—and I mean no one—gets to see the others,” she told him. In a flash, Nelson was gone, running down into the basement. He came back carrying a camera bag.

As soon as Nelson ran back into the room, he just stared at her, yanking out the camera. “Nelson,” Michelle said. “I do want some pictures of both of us.”

“OH YEAH!” he shouted.

“Dressed,” Michelle added.

“I’ll take that,” Nelson said, let down but still excited. He put the camera on the counter and set the timer at five-second intervals. He ran over, and the two posed for several pictures. After a dozen, they went over and looked at them. They both laughed and Nelson pulled Michelle into the living room and took several more as Michelle posed.

After ten minutes, Nelson stopped and looked at the pictures on the small screen as Michelle laid sideways on the couch, looking at him. “Nelson,” she said, bending her arm and propping her head up in her hand.

“Yes baby,” he said, drooling over the pictures.

“You going to save me or what?” she asked, looking at him seductively.

Looking up, Nelson saw her spread out on the couch and tossed the camera into the recliner. “Let the force be with me!” he called out, running toward the couch.

Chapter 14

The next morning, Nelson and Michelle walked to the gym holding hands and smiling at each other. They were wearing workout clothes but had on tactical vests and were carrying their rifles. Michelle moved closer, lifting Nelson’s arm over her shoulders. “I should’ve worn the stupid thing sooner,” she admitted.

“Hey, I’m just glad you finally wore it once,” Nelson admitted with a grin.

She laughed. “Oh, I can guarantee you I’ll wear it again,” she promised. “The only reason I finally gave in was I never expected you to get one now,” she confessed. “If I would’ve known how you would’ve reacted, I would’ve done it a long time ago.”

Stopping, Nelson said, “It was worth the wait.” He leaned down, kissing her.

As Michelle let the kiss go, she leaned back, looking up at him. “I’m not strapping two bagels to my head again, so don’t ask,” she told him, smiling.

Laughing at that, Nelson turned and pulled her along toward the gym. “That’s alright by me,” he told her.

Reaching the gym, they found it was empty as they started their workouts. It wasn’t long when Matt and Ashley walked in and joined them. Hearing the door close, the group turned to see Nancy looking at them. “What do I have to do?” she asked. Michelle and Ashley walked over and helped Nancy stretch then let her work out with them.

Just over an hour later, the group left the gym, heading to the house with Nelson and Matt following the girls. “Nellie and Bernard watch your kids too?” Nelson asked.

“Uh, huh,” Matt said with a grin. “Nellie said if we didn’t leave them and spend some time together, we were getting in trouble.”

Nelson laughed as they walked in the kitchen. They found everyone else already sitting at the table. Putting down their weapons, the group joined them. Michelle stopped for a second then went back to her vest and pulled something out of a pocket and walked over to Gerald.

She held out an envelope. “Here and shut up,” she warned with a smile.

Gerald took the envelope and looked at Nelson. “You have a good woman,” he stated.

“The best,” Nelson agreed, leaning down and kissing the kids.

As Gerald put the envelope in his vest, Matt looked at both of them. “What is that?” he asked.

“Gerald, I will shoot you,” Michelle warned, sitting down. “It won’t be fatal, but it will damn sure hurt like hell.”

Gerald picked up his fork and glanced at Matt. “A present,” Gerald said then turned to Michelle. “I tried to pay a hooker in Vegas to wear one, but she wouldn’t,” he stated before filling his mouth with egg.

“What’s a hooker?” Brittany asked, looking at her mother.

Hearing the little voice, Gerald paled as Nelson sprayed food across the table then yelled as egg got stuck in his nose and started burning. Matt dropped his fork, and Bernard’s coffee cup hit the table, spilling as they both busted out laughing. Then, Bernard shouted as the coffee poured off the table on his lap. Jumping up but still laughing, Bernard left the room.

Grabbing his napkin, Nelson tried to blow the egg out of his nose but was still laughing until he turned to see Michelle’s face. With great effort, Nelson sat up. “Got egg in my nose,” he said, getting up and walking out.

Pounding the table, Matt looked around and noticed all the women’s faces except Nancy’s were stone. Self-preservation kicked in. “Sorry,” he said, wiping the smile off his face and dropping the laugh. “I need to go to the bathroom.”

As Matt walked out, Nancy noticed the looks Michelle, Nellie, and Ashley were giving her brother. “You’re on your own, brother,” Nancy said, getting up.

With a trembling hand, Gerald set his fork down. “I’m sorry for that,” he pleaded, suddenly very happy none of the women were armed.

“What’s a hooker, Uncle Gerald?” Brittany asked again.

Taking a deep breath, Gerald looked across the table at the little girl. She was looking at him with an innocent and inquisitive face. Not sure how to respond, Gerald looked toward Michelle. “Well, you said the word so explain it,” she growled.

“Watch your mouth as you do it,” Nellie warned. “I have two bars of lye soap if you don’t.”

Very cautiously, Gerald started to explain to the five-year-old using tactful words and not describing the actual actions as the others came back in, not even smiling, glad they weren’t in trouble. “Well, little one, a hooker is a lady who…um…” He paused, wiping sweat from his brow, then a thought struck him. “A hooker is a lady who stands around, and when a guy wants a kiss from a stranger, he gives her lots of money, and she kisses him,” Gerald offered. As Gerald slowly explained, Michelle, Nellie, and Ashley smiled at his uneasiness. When he finished, Gerald prayed Olivia didn’t ask questions.

Making a disgusted face, Brittany said, “That’s nasty. Why would you pay a girl for kisses, Uncle Gerald?”

Relieved he wouldn’t have to explain further, Gerald admitted, “I’m stupid.”

Picking up her coffee cup, Nellie grinned. “I’m not going to argue. I trust that will be the last time you don’t watch your mouth with little ones around?”

Gerald nodded. “That is a guarantee,” he told her. “I think I would rather be shot at than have to do that again.”

Everyone laughed as they finished breakfast. Nellie kept the little girls and babies with her as the others left to get ready to start the day. Grabbing radios, Michelle, Nancy, Ashley, and Gavin loaded up gear on one of the UTVs and headed out.

Nelson, Gerald, and Matt got on another UTV, loaded it, and headed to the back of the five-foot cyclone fence around the yard. “Yard” was just a loose term for the area enclosed by the fence around the house and cabins. The yard was almost sixteen acres with a garden on the west side that was five acres. All three cabins had containers buried behind them with the back of the buried containers less than a foot from the fence.

Nelson stopped the UTV by the west back corner as everyone climbed out. Grabbing a tape measure, Gerald measured out twenty feet from the fence and Nelson drove a wooden stake at the spot. Measuring ten feet further back, Gerald held the tape in place as Nelson drove in another stake.

Letting the tape reel in, Gerald stood up. “Sorry about the hooker thing,” he said, looking at Nelson.

“Don’t worry about it,” Nelson said, walking over to the UTV and grabbing more stakes.

Moving down to the next spot, Gerald measured out from the fence as Nelson walked over, “You think Michelle is going to shank me?” he asked.

Putting the tip of the stake at the spot Gerald marked, Nelson said, “No,” and struck the stake. “Two months ago, Michelle got mad watching the news on TV and yelled out, ‘Motherfucker.’ The little princess heard that and wanted to know what that meant.”

“Oh, thank God I’m not the only one that did it,” Gerald sighed, measuring out from the stake.

“Hardly,” Nelson said, grabbing a stake. “I’ve had to explain several words to Gavin when I drove the family to Yellowstone. Not to mention why I kept holding up my hand, extending my middle finger.”

Tying a string to the first stake, Matt laughed as he walked over, running the string to the next stake and marking off the area. “You never learn to curse properly until you drive,” Matt stated as they moved down.

As they continued down the back fence, a low rumble crept up as Bernard drove the excavator over. Stopping inside the area they had marked off, Bernard sunk the big bucket and dug out a chunk of dirt. When the group reached the east corner, Bernard was halfway to them with an eight-foot-wide, nine-foot-deep trench stretched out next to the excavator.

Nelson looked over at the house to see Nellie sitting on the deck with the kids watching Bernard dig the ditch. The girls jumped up and down, cheering with each bucket of dirt. “Guess driving stakes and running string along the ground isn’t exciting,” Matt said, walking over beside him.

The three started working faster, trying to keep ahead of Bernard. When they reached the starting point, Bernard was turning the last corner. Gathering their equipment, the three climbed back in the UTV and headed for the barn. “Nelson, are you going to use that trailer you pulled here?” Gerald asked, stopping by the barn.

“No,” Nelson said, getting out.

“So you don’t mind if we use it?” Gerald asked as Matt hooked up a small trailer to the UTV.

Not understanding, Nelson shook his head. “Gerald, I don’t care what you do with it,” Nelson said. “I won’t be going to work again, and I don’t think that kind of situation will ever present itself again.”

Pulling the UTV over to one of the containers that Gerald had delivered, the three started unloading the paneling and boards on the trailer. “I want to hook it up to that old truck Bernard has,” Gerald said, pointing beside the barn at a 1966 Chevy pickup. The truck had seen much better days, and Bernard used it so he didn’t scratch up his new truck.

Before Nelson could answer, Matt interrupted. “What for?”

“I want to get some of those round bales Bernard’s not going to use, load them on the trailer, then drive the truck to a nice spot on the driveway. Then, using the tractor, turn the truck and trailer on its side like blocking the road off,” Gerald explained.

“Like someone wrecked instead of blocking the road off?” Nelson asked, grinning. “That’s a good one.”

Looking down at the little trailer behind the UTV, Matt noticed the trailer sitting real low. “Don’t think this tiny trailer can handle more,” he told them. “How will we drive out of here if we block the road off?”

“We will mostly be on UTVs, but if we need to, we can use the old logging trail in the very back corner. It leads to the Carrington’s driveway,” Gerald answered, carrying a ladder over.

“It’s covered in trees,” Matt protested.

Gerald shook his head. “It’s covered in shrubs that can be driven through,” he corrected, climbing in the UTV.

Nelson climbed in beside him as Matt jumped on the trailer, standing on top of the wood. “That’s not even a trail and would take the paint off my truck,” Matt called out as Gerald pulled away.

“Run and scratch your truck or die with a pretty one,” Gerald laughed out.

That hit Matt hard. “That is a good point,” he said as Gerald slowed beside the northeast corner of the moat. The berm across from them was very steep. Even if a person jumped across the moat, they weren’t landing on the berm with its seventy-degree slant and eight-foot height. It would take someone on hands and knees to climb up it on this side though the side facing the house was a gentle ramp.

Grabbing the ladder, Gerald lowered it into the moat and climbed down. Nelson looked at the vertical walls of the moat. “We need to shore up the sides,” he told Gerald. “One good rain, and we could lose three feet of depth.”

“I was planning to do that later, like winter or spring,” Gerald replied, looking up.

As Matt carried over the first of the lumber, Nelson shook his head. “We are getting to the end of summer. Fall can have some nice thunderstorms. It needs to be done soon, or we will have to re-dig the moat.”

“Need more lumber,” Gerald said, taking the paneling Matt passed down.

“We have Bernard’s sawmill,” Nelson told him, grabbing some lumber. “I really don’t want to crawl down there after we put those caltrops and razor wire in there.”

Not in the mood and knowing Nelson was right, Gerald replied, “Fine, we will start cutting down trees around us that will provide cover for an attacker.”

Hearing the excavator shut down, they looked up and saw Bernard had finished. Turning and looking at Nelson, Matt said, “You two keep coming up with more and we will be working on defenses for the next few years.”

“You have anything else to do?” Nelson asked, passing his stack to Gerald.

“Not really,” Matt said, shrugging. “I just want to find out what’s going on.”

“So do I,” Nelson replied as Matt passed down his stack.

“Gerald, what did you try to get a hooker to wear?” Matt asked, breaking into a chuckle.

As Nelson walked over, he could see Gerald’s cheeks turning red. “A Leia slave costume,” he mumbled.

“Oh man, you’re a Star Wars geek like Nelson?” Matt asked.

“Yep,” Gerald replied, taking a stack from Nelson.

Matt laughed. “I’m a trekkie,” he announced. “Ashley died when I asked her dress up like Lori.”

Hearing that, Nelson stopped. “Did she?” he asked.

“It took her a few years after going to the conventions,” Matt acknowledged with a grin.

Bernard walked over, joining them. “You three talk too much,” he said, grabbing a stack of lumber.

Nelson slid down the ladder and joined Gerald. “Just discussing the moat,” he said as Gerald took a stack of lumber.

It wasn’t long until the trailer was unloaded, and Matt and Bernard left to refill it. Nelson and Gerald started putting the one-by-fours across the top of the moat. They tried spacing them four feet apart but immediately saw that wasn’t going to work. The paneling they laid across it bowed under its own weight, and they still had to sprinkle some dirt on it.

They took the paneling down, moved the boards closer, and put the paneling up. “I don’t have enough boards to do it this way,” Gerald said, looking up at the quarter-inch paneling over them.