The Journal: Raging Tide: (The Journal Book 4) (31 page)

“The master electrician that came out on the
buses died in the flu sweep,” Father Constantine said. By the look
that clouded his eyes I’m sure he also thought of his sister Doris
being claimed by the same virus.

“I’ve no doubt that Jason or Earl Tyler can
do just as well,” I stated. “Speaking of Earl, how many are now
using his new wood burner? Does anyone know?”

“He’s done an amazing job, Allex,” Tom said
glowingly. “He really has. Everyone who needed a wood burning stove
now has one. There are even a couple of spares in his workshop in
case a house gets opened that doesn’t have one.”

“And the wood situation?” I asked.

“Keith continues to cut and split. The men
working in the woods are his helpers that take the split wood and
fill the trucks for delivery. The pile in the baseball field goes
down as people take some, then he fills it back up. For the out of
the way places, like where your boys are, he delivers on site. It
seems to be working well. Keith is happy to stay busy,” Tom
answered. “Anyone think there should be a time adjustment for the
weekends?”

“You mean for church?” Father Constantine
smiled. “No, I think the church should be under the same
restrictions as everyone else. We can set a good example. Besides,
if we had power during services that would limit everyone’s time to
get things done. I plan on continuing services from eleven to noon,
so the congregation can get home to do what they need to.”

“So,” Tom looked at his notes, “are we
agreed to start limiting the big generator use to five hours each
day, from one to six in the evening?”

The ayes had it.

“Now, about the gasoline,” Tom
continued.

“I think we should encourage everyone to use
bicycles whenever possible,” I said, thinking of my bike sitting
dry in the barn, “and save the gas for generators. There are a few
that can’t ride a bike, like the elderly, however, if we give them
the opportunity and encourage it, they might like it and get enough
exercise to help with their physical problems.”

“And the propane?” Tom asked.

Everyone was quiet, so I spoke up again. “I
think that should be saved for this generator, the Inn, and our two
houses,” I stated.

Father Constantine crossed his arms and
leaned back. “Isn’t that rather selfish on our part?”

“Yes, and no, Father,” I replied. “The Inn
could house many if need be. The township offices need to stay
running. Your house is home to four and I know you counsel people
in your home. You are the much needed spiritual leader of this
town.” I straightened my back for the rest, “And we three are
needed too. Using the diesel, gas, and propane at
our
discretion
, is the price the new residents are paying for our
services: the hospital, the Inn for food, church services, and for
our
guidance.”

“Allex is right, you know. We descended on
this town with no warning, and there is a price that needs to be
paid,” Tom was quick to agree. “If that price is all of the fuel we
brought with us, so be it. Of course, we’re using that fuel mostly
for the good of the people, so I personally have no objection.”

Put that way, the ayes had that point
too.

“How is the food holding up?” Jim asked.

“Pretty well, actually. Sadly, what has
helped the most is having fewer people to feed.” Tom looked down,
knowing two of the five at the table had lost someone dear to them
when the population was thinned. “Marsha and her crew have done a
fabulous job at rationing what’s going out and stretching what is
left. With the fresh seed from Mr. Wolfe has come renewed
enthusiasm in growing more food, which should start as soon as the
weather warms up more.”

“What if it doesn’t warm up?” I asked
cautiously. They all turned to look at me. “I’m hoping it does, but
what if it doesn’t? We’re going to be faced with a major problem if
we can’t grow food, guys, we need to address it
now
.”

“Let’s table that for one month,” Tom said,
clearly uncomfortable. “In that month we should know if there is
anything to be concerned about.” Everyone except me thought that
was a good idea.

“The supply shop is a non-issue for us since
it’s actually grown in inventory,” Tom stated. “I think that covers
it all. Does anyone have anything else to say?”

“Harold Wolfe mentioned that he would be
leaving as soon as the rain stopped,” Father Constantine added with
a frown. “It would be nice to have one more dinner with him.”
Father turned to me and grinned. “We five, as the town council,
should show him our appreciation.”

“I think the five of us, plus Claire, and
the Sisters would make a good number,” Tom said. “Allex, will you
be willing to do a larger dinner party in a day or two?”

“I think with nine of us, an appetizer party
would be more appropriate for mingling. I’ll start working on a
menu.”

*

“What is going to happen to the town if our
little garden plot does well and the community garden doesn’t?
Jason is almost done building the heat retention shelter, so I
should be getting seeds in soon. If we get green beans and no one
else does, will we have to defend our food? Yes, I’m feeling
selfish right now, and I think I have a right to,” I said to Jim
and Tom while we sat by the fireplace having after dinner drinks.
The roaring fire felt good and took the chill off the air. A log
shifted and sent a plume of orange sparks dancing up the
chimney.

My comments were met with silence. “And what
about the greenhouse that Eric is tending? He’s growing quite a few
starter plants for everyone: tomatoes, peppers, squash and
eggplant. They will know there’s more. Will a cold summer put my
sons at risk?” I stood and paced.

“Allex, please sit down,” Jim said, his
voiced laced with concern. “We’re not ignoring this plight. You
must admit, though, that we don’t even know if there will
be
a plight! What’s that old saying? ‘Don’t borrow trouble?’ We have
enough issues to deal with, let’s not add more just yet.”

I sat down on the floor. “You’re right. I’ve
always been one to plan ahead, that’s all.” I paused. “No, not
‘that’s all’… that’s
everything
! That’s my belief system and
it’s what has saved my family from starvation, from attacks, and
from all these disasters: planning ahead.” I was feeling very
frustrated that my two housemates couldn’t see the potential
problem looming ahead of us.

“I think Allex could be right, Tom,” Jim
ventured. “Perhaps we should consider some kind of natural shield
for her garden, so others can’t see it. Remember, it’s
our
food too.”

“Maybe we should concentrate on making sure
everyone’s
garden does well,” Tom commented.

June 3

I walked
around the plastic sheeted structure Jason had erected. It wasn’t
very tall, barely covering the central pyramid that was home to all
the herbs and a few perennial flowers Kathy had planted in the
past. The seams were held together with several layers of duct
tape.

“This looks good, Jason, really good,” I
complimented him.

“There is one panel at the top you can open
to let out hot air, and two sides can be rolled up, whereas the
other two are anchored tight,” he explained.

“For now everything needs to stay closed
up,” I said, shivering from the cool breeze off the lake. “What’s
this for?” I asked, spotting a cut-off rusty barrel.

“I thought you might like somewhere to build
a fire, just in case it gets colder earlier than you want.”

“A smudge pot!” I exclaimed. “Thanks, I
hadn’t thought that far ahead. I’m guessing that’s also why you put
an air vent in the top, to let the smoke out, right?”

Jason grinned.

June 5

“How are your plans coming along for the big
party tonight?” Tom asked.

“I got a lot of the food done yesterday.
There are only a few things that I couldn’t do ahead,” I
answered.

“So what’s on the menu?” Jim chimed in,
peering over my shoulder.

“There are deviled eggs, cheese and soda
crackers, soft pretzels with fresh mustard, smoked oysters from our
road trip, an olive, pickle, and spiced beets dish, plus some
pickled sausage I found in my pantry. Today I will make up the
salmon balls and the Nori rolls. The Nori rolls will be a meatless
sushi, though I will have some of the very thinly sliced fresh
gravlax available for topping it, along with the pickled ginger
also from the road trip.”

“I’m getting hungry already,” Tom teased.
“Is there anything we can do to help besides eat?”

“Sure, the table chairs can go in the living
room so there’s room to walk around the food table. And you can set
up the bar on the island. Oh, and Jim, would you get a couple of
bottles of wine from downstairs? Two red and two white should be
enough,” I replied. “With as cool as it’s been, what do you think
about a fire in the fireplace?”

*

Our first guests showed up at five thirty,
with everyone else arriving shortly afterward. The food was well
received, even though there wasn’t a lot of any one thing. These
were appetizers not a meal. As anticipated, the nuns stuck with
wine, while Father Constantine went for the bourbon.

Promptly at six o’clock, the lights went
out. The fire illuminated the room with a cozy glow, however, I
knew that with the darkening sky we would soon need the lanterns I
had set out earlier. I lit the candles on the food table first and
that added a nice ambiance. Tom was quick to light the oil lamps
and the party never missed a beat.

I was listening to a conversation between
Clair and Sister Margaret about children’s clothing when I noticed
Jim approach Harold Wolfe. I joined them in time to hear Jim ask
Harold when he was leaving.

I slipped my arm through Jim’s possessively
and joined the conversation. “Harold, didn’t you mention before
that you usually stayed in a community at least long enough for the
seeds to start growing? Why are you leaving here so soon?”

“Normally I would stay, yes.” He hesitated
briefly, then looked at Jim and said, “But I know I’m not welcomed
here.”

“Has someone been rude to you?” Jim asked
cautiously.

“No one has been rude, no. Colonel Andrews,
you
make me very uncomfortable.” This blatant statement
stunned Jim. “It’s so very obvious the two of you care deeply about
each other, so I don’t understand why you consider me a threat,
sir.”

Wow, talk about coming right to the
point.

“My apologies, Mr. Wolfe,” Jim said humbly.
“This kind of a personal relationship is new to me and I’m unsure
on how to react to… jealousy.”

“Jim,” I said, “that’s very sweet. Please
understand, I have no interest in Harold, other than for his
gardening expertise.
You
are the only man in my life, sir.”
I smiled up at him and kissed him on the cheek. “Now, Harold, how
would you normally spend your time with a community?”

“I would stay where they assigned me,
working the gardens with them, doing whatever I could and in time
find a family to take me in for the winter. Then I would help with
the canning and any other chores to pay for my keep, and then move
on in the spring.”

“I know there are families who could use
extra help,” Jim said, “and I understand many here haven’t a clue
about canning. Please reconsider leaving.” I looked at Jim in
admiration.

“Thank you, perhaps I will.” Harold stuck
his hand out, they shook, and a new bond was formed.

*

As I readied for bed later, washing my face
and slipping on my night shirt, I turned to Jim and looped my arms
around his neck. “It takes a big man to do what you did,” I said
and kissed him lightly. “There are some things we haven’t talked
about yet, but I want to assure you I am strictly a one man woman.
You have my total loyalty, Jim, please don’t question it
again.”

He tightened his hold on me.

June 6

“Jason, I need you to look for something for
me,” I said when he stopped over to retrieve the rest of his tools.
“I want a gas stove.”

“Don’t you have a stove here?”

“Yes, but it’s electric, so I can’t use it
after six when the generator shuts down. I’m trying to think ahead
for winter too. If you can find me a basic gas stove, one that has
pilot lights and can be lit with a match, it would solve a major
problem I see coming. I want it installed in the basement, tapped
directly to the big propane tank.”

“Why the basement, Mom? Don’t you have the
grill on the lower deck for cooking down there?”

“Come winter, Jason, we won’t be able to
heat the upstairs and Tom will have to move down with us. Having a
gas stove will let me cook and bake and that will add extra heat to
the area. The grill won’t do that.”

Jason nodded as he contemplated what I said.
“I’ll get right on it.”

June 8

“Are you sure
about clearing Ken to return to work, Dr. James?” Jim looked
doubtful. “It’s only been two weeks since he was stabbed.”

“I’m not clearing him for active duty,
Colonel,” Dr. James said, looking alarmed. “I only told him it was
okay to start moving around. It’s my understanding that Ken and
Karen want to move into town and that would allow him to do desk
duty. He needs another two or three weeks of low activity.”

“Oh I see,” Jim snickered. “Your patient is
getting bored.”

“Do you have enough paperwork to keep him
busy and sitting?” I asked.

“I think that between the three of us, we’ll
have him wanting to go home early every day!” Tom laughed.

We used the now empty Haul Your Own and a
few volunteers to take Ken and Karen’s few belongings from their
house down the road over to the house on the lake they had
selected.