Odd Billy Todd (27 page)

Toby was about to be sent to the living room, but Billy himself stopped that.

“Sorry, Miss Em, your boy’s all grown up,” he said, leading Toby out to the patio table where the men were congregating. Soon everyone was digging in, getting to know one another, and reliving the prior days events.

Despite the fact that the newly arrived Maness and Purdy families hadn’t even begun to unload their belongings, the four families spent the majority of the morning, and on into the early afternoon, simply discussing plans for the future. There would be plenty of time, everyone seemed to have decided, to unload. It was more important that the people involved get to know one another, and that plans for the days to come be hammered out, or at least sketched out, in some cases.

Division of labor, work that still needed to be done, problems that needed to be solved, everything and anything that could affect their ability to survive was laid on the table, with options and ideas from all sides. After the meal, the adults had all gathered outside in the agreeably comfortable fall afternoon. Amy got a notebook and pen from Rhonda and began taking notes.

Partway through the discussion, Shelly had approached Rhonda quietly, asking to talk to her alone. Rhonda was surprised, but nodded her agreement. The two young women found themselves on the front porch, sitting in the afternoon sun.

“I need a favor,” Shelly told Rhonda, looking down at the floor of the porch.

“Sure,” Rhonda said at once. “If I can do it, I will.”

“I need to learn to shoot,” Shelly said firmly. Nothing could have shocked Rhonda more.

“I’ve been an idiot,” Shelly admitted, looking up at Rhonda. “I. . .I don’t have any real excuse, other than I just. . .all of this has just overwhelmed me, I guess,” she held up her hands in a palms-up gesture. “After that first night, when you and mamma tried to tell me what was what, I guess I started opening my eyes a bit more. And then the trip into town. . . .” She trailed off, shaking her head.

“And then, seeing what happened in Franklin, seeing that poor girl. . . .” She trailed off again, but her eyes hardened as she looked Rhonda in the eye.

“I don’t want to be like her. I don’t want to be a victim. I need to learn to protect myself, and help my family. I’m already learning all I can from mamma. How to cook, sew, can, about gardening. I mean, we can’t garden this time of year, but there are books galore, and I think mamma has most of them,” she laughed. “I’ll be ready come spring time.”

“But I can’t just sit back and depend on Daddy and Toby, and you and Billy for that matter, to protect me. I need to be able to do it myself. More than that, I’m tired of being dead weight. I want to do something. To help,” she emphasized. “I want to be able to defend my home, and my family. Daddy told us what happened yesterday. He said Toby ‘manned up’ when he had to, and did what he had to.”

“He did,” Rhonda nodded firmly. “He was calm, cool, and dependable.”

“He hasn’t said anything about it,” Shelly admitted. “I tried to talk to him about it, but just shrugged it away. Said he didn’t do much of anything except help load the trailer, and drive the Ford. Daddy says different, though. And daddy don’t stretch the truth for nobody.”

“Toby acted like a man, that’s for sure,” Rhonda agreed. “Don’t push him too much about, Shelly. I’m sure he’s working’ through the fact that he probably killed at least one man yesterday. Maybe more. It’s not an easy thing.”

“Did you?” Shelly asked. “I don’t. . .I shouldn’t have asked that,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Rhonda held up a hand. “It’s an honest question, especially considering what you want. And the answer is I don’t know,” she shrugged. “I didn’t stop to look. I shot at two men, and I’m certain I hit at least one. Did it kill him? No idea. Considerin’ they were shootin’ at me at the time, I won’t lose any sleep over it, though.”

“I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t either,” Shelly admitted, almost reluctantly. “Especially after what I seen in Franklin. That was. . .that was bad.”

“Yeah, it was,” Rhonda agreed. “Well, I guess if you want to learn to shoot, we need to figure out what kind of guns you need.”

“Daddy said I could have that little carbine that he has,” Shelly offered. “The one he had for Toby to use.”

“If you want too, sure,” Rhonda nodded. “But I’ve got what was left in daddy’s shop. Granted, it wasn’t much,” Rhonda fibbed a little. “But it’s what we let Toby choose from. And your dad,” she added. “I don’t mind letting you do the same thing. We’ll need to get you a good kit together. I have pretty much anything you’ll need. When do you want to start?”

“Can we do it tomorrow?” Shelly asked. “Or even start today, if you want. I’ll do it whenever you have time.”

“Well, let’s do this,” Rhonda offered, after pausing to think. “Let’s get you fixed up with what you need today. You can see what fits you best, and we’ll get you geared up. After that, we’ll spend the rest of today goin’ over what you pick out, and fittin’ your gear to you.”

“Then, tomorrow, we’ll head out to the gravel pit. We’ll start with something light, a .22. Once you’ve got the shooting part down pretty good, then we’ll get you set up on the rifle and pistol you pick out, and you can practice with them. I guess we all need to practice a little, anyway. Would it bother you if Toby and Billy go along? I’m sure Toby will want to practice some more, and we need to have someone else along, just in case.”

“In case. . . .?” Shelly asked.

“Well, we don’t think anyone else is around,” Rhonda told her. “But if they are, I’m sure they’d love to run up on two girls, all alone in the country side. See what I mean?”

“Oh,” Shelly said softly. “Yeah. No, it won’t bother me. Long as they don’t make fun.”

“Billy would never make fun of anyone,” Rhonda told her flatly, and Shelly had the good grace to blush at the rebuke, reminded of all the times she’d poked fun at him.

“And I don’t think Toby will either, after yesterday,” Rhonda continued. “He see’s things more seriously now.”

“Okay, then,” Shelly stood. “I guess we ought to get started.”

*****

“. . .but I had just sold off my little herd right before the virus,” George finished. “So yeah, I think I can look after the herd pretty good. Won’t be able to move’em alone, of course,” he added.

“Wouldn’t expect you too,” Jerry shook his head. “Just work’em and keep an eye on’em day-to-day like. We’ll be gettin’ a better fix for’em soon. Likely split’em up between there, my place, and Billy’s, I guess,” he looked at Billy.

“Yeah, good idea,” Billy nodded. “That way, if one group get’s infected, it maybe won’t spread to the others. The cattle will be important for us, time’s to come. I think it’ll be one of our better chances to trade or sell off things.”

“Probably,” Ralph nodded. “I mean, there’s plenty of other things, too, but food will be a big deal, especially by next year. All the canned stuff will be long gone. In fact, there’ll be some lean wintering’ for most people, ‘fore it’s done.”

“Figure you’re right,” Jerry nodded. “We can get a good crop in next year. Likely gather all we can eat, and then some. We can always trade off or sell what we can’t eat.”

“You know once folks realize you got a good food supply, some’ll be like to try and take it, right?” George asked.

“We do,” Jerry nodded. “That’s why we’re going’ to such great pains to keep our location hid. That won’t work forever, o’ course, but it gives us time to prepare.”

“We’ll eventually need more folks,” George said, albeit reluctantly. “There’s good land here. But eventually we’ll need more than just us to take care of it. And to protect it,” he added.

“Thought about that too,” Billy nodded. “One reason we were so pleased about Ralph knowing’ you all,” he grinned. “We’ll just have to take things as they come, right now. If we happen on some good folk, then we can always ask’em to join us, if they’re of a mind to.”

“I. . .I know a couple guys might can help,” George said, with a little hesitation. “They were. . .well, we served together. Good guys, and able. One’s married, and got two young’uns. Other one's still single, kinda young guy, but a good boy. I talked to them up in Franklin not long after the plague, so unless something else has hit'em, they’re still around.”

“Both from the Army, then,” Jerry mused.

“Yes, sir,” George nodded. “Like I said, good guys, and capable.”

“Think they’d want to?” Billy asked. “Join us, I mean. If they’ve got it good where they are, they might not,” he pointed out.

“Pete may not,” George admitted. “He’s the young one. Livin’ alone, like he does, he can take care of himself fine. Might not want the responsibility. Terry, though, he’s got two kids, boy and a girl. Him and his wife might well welcome a chance to be in a place like this. Security, neighbors, what have you.”

“Well, we can feel them out, comes time,” Jerry offered. “I’d say, for now, we got about all we can do, for the moment. But that means we need to take a look at some of the nearest houses, I reckon. Make sure they’re livable.”

Rhonda entered just then, and whispered in Billy’s ear. He looked up at here, and nodded.

“Be right back,” he said, getting to his feet and following Rhonda off to the side.

“So what about Billy?” George asked Jerry, when Billy was gone. “He seems like good people.”

“He’s fine people,” Jerry corrected. “Good boy, good raisin’. Man couldn’t have a better friend, or neighbor.”

“Every once in a while, he seems, I don’t know, unsure of himself, I guess,” Ralph put in. “Don’t see it often. And when the pressure’s on, he always seems to be confident enough.”

“Billy has some issues,” Jerry spoke slowly, weighing what he should say. “Had a learnin’ disability as a boy. He’s pretty much licked it, thanks to his folks, hard work, and his own plain stubborn refusal to give up. He’s smart as a whip in some things, but others, especially social situations, he sometimes trips up. He’s more practical than anything, I think. He can see the simplest solution to any problem, when most try to make it complicated.”

“He’s strong as bull, and I mean that near literal. Shoot the wings off a fly, too. He’s a kind and gentle soul, most times. When he’s riled, though, he’s a force o’ nature. And anything that even looks like it might threaten the little’un there,” he nodded to Rhonda, “probably won’t live too long.” He briefly explained what had happened at the road block.

“I like him,” Amy said firmly. “When we were in that truck yesterday, he was as cool as ice. We were all scared silly, but he just went and did what had to be done, cool as you please.”

“I agree,” Debbie said at once.

“Well, he was a bit nervous, himself,” Jerry chuckled. “Mostly about drivin’ that semi, though. I don’t reckon I ever seen, or heard tell, of Billy actually being afraid of man nor beast. Take that dog o’ his,” he nodded to Rommel, who was laying off to the side, watching the ‘new people’ warily.

“That dog was livin’ wild, in town. Had been for a week or two. Billy made friends with him, and that dog hardly leaves his side, now. If Billy had been afraid, I figure Rommel would have tried to tear him to pieces.”

“Probably,” Ralph was studying Rommel. “That’s some dog. He must weigh a good one thirty. Maybe closer to one fifty.”

“That little one, the gyp,” he pointed at Dottie, “that’s Rhonda’s dog. Ain’t near as old, still just a pup, really, but comin’ along nicely, I think. They’re pretty lucky. Wouldn’t mind havin’ a dog o’ my own, nowadays. Always seemed more trouble’n they was worth, before,” he admitted.

“Well, one of my female Anatolian’s will be coming in season, soon,” Ralph offered. “I already decided to let her bear a litter. Figure we’ll need the dog’s to help with the cattle. Annie’s are great stock dogs. And good against almost any kind of predator.”

“I’d sure like one, happens you have a good litter,” Jerry admitted.

“You’ll have one,” Ralph promised. “I think dogs, especially good ones, are going to be very useful from now on. Way more than just pets, too,” he added. Billy came back about then.

“We was talkin’ ‘bout seein’ houses,” he told the others. “Why don’t you take’em to see some o’ the ones around here tomorrow, Jerry? I got somethin’ I gotta do tomorrow,” he added.

“Orders from headquarters?” Jerry grinned.

“Somethin’ like that,” Billy agreed, grinning himself.

“I don’t see why we can’t,” Jerry shrugged. “Horseback okay with you folks?” he asked. Everyone agreed that it was.

“Well, sounds like a deal, then.”

“I think we’d better be going,” George got to his feet. “We got a load o’ work to do, still.”

“Got some catchin’ up to do myself,” Billy nodded, and so did Jerry.

“I’ll be around about eight or so, tomorrow, then,” Jerry told them. Good-byes were said all around, and soon Billy and Jerry were alone, watching the others walk back over the hill to their new home.

“So, what you got to do tomorrow?” Jerry asked, teasing. He didn’t expect an answer, since he was playing. He really didn’t expect the answer he got.

“Teaching your daughter to shoot, looks like.”

“What?” Jerry was stunned.

“Well, not me,” Billy admitted. “She asked Rhonda to teach her. Said he wanted to learn how to defend herself. I think seein’ that girl in Franklin, the one we found? I think that opened her eyes. Rhonda agreed to do it, and I figure me and Toby will trail along. Toby can use a little practice, I’m sure, and I’ll just sorta watch over everything.”