223shootersc
Veteran Member
thanks for the new chapters and explanations of the intrigue
Pride Goeth Before A Fall
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
SheWoff
Southern by choice
I have to say thank you for the story. I look three times a day for new chapters LOL. Yep, that full moon brings out the crazy folks every time it hits. I hated working ER on a full moon Saturday night, when it seems to be at the worst! Even nursing up on a regular floor gets to be a challenge during a full moon too.
She
She
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#109
Cheryl set a fine table, Ev appreciated the supper and he told her so. "Tell me," Cheryl said forthrightly, "What in the name of heaven went on here."
" I panicked, pure and simple. When I couldn't find you, I noticed that your chore clothes were gone and I went to the barn. After that, the world crashed. Sorry love, I..." Ev faltered and then fell silent. There wasn't an excuse worth mentioning.
"Ev, do you mind if I say something?" Cheryl had her serious face on, her eyes looking straight into her husband's soul. "I think you need to de-stress and pay attention to our house and home. You are so overworked, with little sleep and no attention to your personal self. I want you to promise that for the duration of this storm, you will be here, on the farm, with us. Please."
Ev sat back in the chair. Is that all she wanted. Being here was his proper place anyway. Ev frowned, what was she getting at, kinda going the long way around what ever it was.
Cheryl was reading his face. Gently she said, "Ev I think you have become an adrenalin junkie, you get a rush by being involved with the biggest and the latest and the most dangerous."
"What," he yelped, "Nah, I'm not like that. I've only been helping Will until Kevin could get better."
Cheryl nodded without saying a word. She got up and started clearing the table. "All I'm asking is that you say for the length of the storm," she repeated quietly. "I don't think you can."
"Have a little faith in me," Ev protested a touch. hotly. It wasn't like Cheryl to doubt him, to push when she should know better. Being pregnant must be fooling with her thinking process.
"Just till the storm is over," she repeated, splashing water from a jug into a dish pan. Sadly, she washed the dishes and rinsed them with hot water from the stove. Stacking the dishes in the drainer, she finished tidying the kitchen and filled a small basin with face washing water. Her hair smelled like hospital, and she sure wanted to get rid of that.
Later that night, when Ev was sleeping as hard as the dead, Cheryl felt tears on her cheeks. Praying, she asked for strength and wisdom. Hurting down to the ends of her toes, she blessed God for their baby, asking for a healthy child.
The morning was scarcely lighter than the dark. Snow and wind tore through the trees, breaking branches and hurling them many feet beyond their mother trunks. The barn was a hazy shadow through the blizzard, and Evie's place was obscured by the snow.
Ev felt a little confined, boxed in, if you could call it that. He put on his coat and went out to pace on the porch.
Evie and the grandchildren sat in the warm kitchen, lingering over breakfast. Still in their pajamas, they were watching Benny fix up the month of December in the calendar. The young man carefully put an X in the spent days, right up to Wednesday the 19th, today he exclaimed with glee.
He had papers with the grids marked off for the next three months, excited, he agonized over printing the numbers just so in the small corner boxes. Clora and Sandra stood flanking their brother, hanging on his every move. Evie smiled at the group, imprinting it in her heart. This was a picture scene if one was ever special. Too soon, she knew they would be grown and most likely gone.
Slowly she got up to pour more coffee. She looked over the beans, soaking in the blue bowl. She dumped them in the strainer and poured a cup of fresh water over. Into the pot the beans went, along with a couple of bouillon cubes and water from the jug on the counter. Thinking back on Ev's admonition that she wasn't cooking enough, Evie added rice to a pan and set it to cooking.
Unopened boxes of food were still stacked in the kitchen, and curious Evie opened the top container. Flour, sugar, yeast, coffee, cocoa, the wonderful basics that they needed. For the first time, in a long time Evie, felt there was hope for the future. With careful management, they had enough until the spring wild foods were ready.
Clora and Sandra got dressed as they lazied into the morning. The dress patterns were carefully laid out on the material rescued from the prom dress. Everything fit except a small corner of Sandra's dress. Evie used a tape measure to check the thin child's measurements, hoping that with a little fudging they could squeeze the out dated pattern into a Cinderella gown for a princess.
Evie was concerned to find that Sandra actually needed a pattern two sizes smaller than she expected. Her measurements were closer to a four year old's, excepting Sandra was taller. Maybe, just maybe, the boys weren't the only ones not getting enough to eat.
I need to keep better track, Evie chastised herself. These kids need better care. Evie was so used to being in super frugal mode, that it was hard to cook more than would be eaten in one meal. Without the luxury of refrigeration, food spoiled.
Evie altered the smallest pattern and helped the girls pin the pieces to the material. All the time instructing the how's and why's of doing the sewing in a particular way. "Follow the instructions," she said over and over. "If you don't understand, ask, or pin it together before you sew."
"Now begin by drawing the wheel toward you, and rock your right foot," Evie instructed as Clora started slowly on the practice piece she was putting through the foot powered treadle machine.
"I can't believe I'm sewing," Clora giggled. "This is fun."
All day, until the light faded, Clora and Sandra worked at sewing. Evie praised the good, softly pointed out the bad and encouraged the 're-do's until the skirts of the dresses came together.
Benny was equally busy, finishing a twelve month calendar as the glow from the lamp made it impossible to see clearly.
Inky came and went outside several times, protecting the tiny house from all sorts of imagined evils that could be lurking just outside the kitchen door. Because he couldn't find any wrong doers, Inky knew his strategy was working.
Cheryl set a fine table, Ev appreciated the supper and he told her so. "Tell me," Cheryl said forthrightly, "What in the name of heaven went on here."
" I panicked, pure and simple. When I couldn't find you, I noticed that your chore clothes were gone and I went to the barn. After that, the world crashed. Sorry love, I..." Ev faltered and then fell silent. There wasn't an excuse worth mentioning.
"Ev, do you mind if I say something?" Cheryl had her serious face on, her eyes looking straight into her husband's soul. "I think you need to de-stress and pay attention to our house and home. You are so overworked, with little sleep and no attention to your personal self. I want you to promise that for the duration of this storm, you will be here, on the farm, with us. Please."
Ev sat back in the chair. Is that all she wanted. Being here was his proper place anyway. Ev frowned, what was she getting at, kinda going the long way around what ever it was.
Cheryl was reading his face. Gently she said, "Ev I think you have become an adrenalin junkie, you get a rush by being involved with the biggest and the latest and the most dangerous."
"What," he yelped, "Nah, I'm not like that. I've only been helping Will until Kevin could get better."
Cheryl nodded without saying a word. She got up and started clearing the table. "All I'm asking is that you say for the length of the storm," she repeated quietly. "I don't think you can."
"Have a little faith in me," Ev protested a touch. hotly. It wasn't like Cheryl to doubt him, to push when she should know better. Being pregnant must be fooling with her thinking process.
"Just till the storm is over," she repeated, splashing water from a jug into a dish pan. Sadly, she washed the dishes and rinsed them with hot water from the stove. Stacking the dishes in the drainer, she finished tidying the kitchen and filled a small basin with face washing water. Her hair smelled like hospital, and she sure wanted to get rid of that.
Later that night, when Ev was sleeping as hard as the dead, Cheryl felt tears on her cheeks. Praying, she asked for strength and wisdom. Hurting down to the ends of her toes, she blessed God for their baby, asking for a healthy child.
The morning was scarcely lighter than the dark. Snow and wind tore through the trees, breaking branches and hurling them many feet beyond their mother trunks. The barn was a hazy shadow through the blizzard, and Evie's place was obscured by the snow.
Ev felt a little confined, boxed in, if you could call it that. He put on his coat and went out to pace on the porch.
Evie and the grandchildren sat in the warm kitchen, lingering over breakfast. Still in their pajamas, they were watching Benny fix up the month of December in the calendar. The young man carefully put an X in the spent days, right up to Wednesday the 19th, today he exclaimed with glee.
He had papers with the grids marked off for the next three months, excited, he agonized over printing the numbers just so in the small corner boxes. Clora and Sandra stood flanking their brother, hanging on his every move. Evie smiled at the group, imprinting it in her heart. This was a picture scene if one was ever special. Too soon, she knew they would be grown and most likely gone.
Slowly she got up to pour more coffee. She looked over the beans, soaking in the blue bowl. She dumped them in the strainer and poured a cup of fresh water over. Into the pot the beans went, along with a couple of bouillon cubes and water from the jug on the counter. Thinking back on Ev's admonition that she wasn't cooking enough, Evie added rice to a pan and set it to cooking.
Unopened boxes of food were still stacked in the kitchen, and curious Evie opened the top container. Flour, sugar, yeast, coffee, cocoa, the wonderful basics that they needed. For the first time, in a long time Evie, felt there was hope for the future. With careful management, they had enough until the spring wild foods were ready.
Clora and Sandra got dressed as they lazied into the morning. The dress patterns were carefully laid out on the material rescued from the prom dress. Everything fit except a small corner of Sandra's dress. Evie used a tape measure to check the thin child's measurements, hoping that with a little fudging they could squeeze the out dated pattern into a Cinderella gown for a princess.
Evie was concerned to find that Sandra actually needed a pattern two sizes smaller than she expected. Her measurements were closer to a four year old's, excepting Sandra was taller. Maybe, just maybe, the boys weren't the only ones not getting enough to eat.
I need to keep better track, Evie chastised herself. These kids need better care. Evie was so used to being in super frugal mode, that it was hard to cook more than would be eaten in one meal. Without the luxury of refrigeration, food spoiled.
Evie altered the smallest pattern and helped the girls pin the pieces to the material. All the time instructing the how's and why's of doing the sewing in a particular way. "Follow the instructions," she said over and over. "If you don't understand, ask, or pin it together before you sew."
"Now begin by drawing the wheel toward you, and rock your right foot," Evie instructed as Clora started slowly on the practice piece she was putting through the foot powered treadle machine.
"I can't believe I'm sewing," Clora giggled. "This is fun."
All day, until the light faded, Clora and Sandra worked at sewing. Evie praised the good, softly pointed out the bad and encouraged the 're-do's until the skirts of the dresses came together.
Benny was equally busy, finishing a twelve month calendar as the glow from the lamp made it impossible to see clearly.
Inky came and went outside several times, protecting the tiny house from all sorts of imagined evils that could be lurking just outside the kitchen door. Because he couldn't find any wrong doers, Inky knew his strategy was working.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Evie is doing what she should teaching them and Inky lol yep he is keeping the bad away.
Hickory7
Senior Member
This made me laugh I have known a few dogs that must be thinking this very thing.
Thank You for more story.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#110
John left the hospital feeling sorrow to the soles of his feet. The teen cried herself into a basket case, and Doc put her in the room Cheryl had vacated. The housekeeper had barely finished mopping herself out the door, when Doc guided the teenager in and had Donna put her in bed.
Donna helped the child into a gown and put the side rails up. Huddled in a tight ball, the girl refused to answer any questions, simply sobbing all the while. Donna smoothed the tangled hair aside and tenderly held her hand to the gal's cheeks. The small act of kindness caused the teen to cry harder, and Donna felt worse for her gesture. Silently she left the room with tears glistening.
Will swept the office floor, the mud clumps, snow puddle residue and wisps of hay from a farmers boots all went into the dust pan. As he straightened up, a shooting pain went up his back and into the back of his head. Cassy found him on the floor when she went searching for her new husband. Will was late for lunch.
Will was alive, but unresponsive, and apparently paralyzed. Doc moved the teen to the room the far side of Wayne and installed Will close to the nurses station.
Doc rubbed his forehead, it had to be a full moon night. The electricity responded by blinking, winking and shutting down. There was an over long moment before the automatic changeover on the generator kicked in. The delayed pause had all sort of alarms ringing, dinging and beeping. The noise added to the confusion, with people running back and forth.
There was a grinding, shuddering vibration and the hospital went black. There was a collected gasp from the nurses, aides and other floor workers, as the hospital went quiet. Doc whipped the penlight from his breast pocket and stalked over to the nurse's station.
"Get me mechanical!" he roared. The charge nurse grabbed for the phone and began to dial. She stopped, looked at the handset, and handed it to Phillips. In the pale yellow circle of light, Doc listened for the dial tone that wasn't there. Frustrated, the good doctor held a mini tantrum and threw the phone on the floor. For good measure, Phillips kicked the phone and sent it skittering down the hall.
"Where's Hobart," the next roar rose in timber.
"He's guarding the door," Donna burst in from the stairs where she had gone to check on the wayward electricity. Running back up stairs, she was out of breath. "The generator exploded."
Her announcement was met with additional gasps. "Do we have another backup," Doc spit out immediately.
"No," Donna was still fighting for breath. "We're SOL."
Phillips strode down the hall shouting curses, jerking open room door, after door, checking on his patients. Wayne was unchanged and Inghram was shouting for Donna to get the bed rails up all around. Will was just as unresponsive as when he arrived, and Phillips snapped his rails in a quick and sure motion. Cassy had the flashlight from Will's utility belt, playing over her husband's face.
"Sit down, don't leave him, and save the batteries. They maybe needed later." Doc was gone in a flapping of lab coat.
Fred the lineman had gone to bed, the first night in a week. Overworked by the long dangerous hours, the strain was too much. Some time during his exhausted sleep, a massive heart attack ended Fred's life. As the lights went out, Fred's phone started to ring. Angry citizens were calling to report their electricity was out, once again. Some of the aggravated people held on until the rerouted electricity failed at the major substation, and then the problem was solved.
Kevin finished his walk around and reported back to the office, as the ambulance was taking Will away. He felt like Barney Fife, when Andy was gone for the day. Kevin sat in the chair, put his boots on the desk and leaned back. The chair promptly went over backward as the deputy overbalanced, and it somersaulted the astonished man flat on his patootie.
In dire need of dignity Kevin scrambled up, looking right and left to see if he had been observed. Letting out a swoosh of air, he straightened his belt and checked his weapon. The deputy was locking up for the night when the lights faltered and went out. No time for supper, he shouldered into the snow and wind and headed for the hospital.
John left the hospital feeling sorrow to the soles of his feet. The teen cried herself into a basket case, and Doc put her in the room Cheryl had vacated. The housekeeper had barely finished mopping herself out the door, when Doc guided the teenager in and had Donna put her in bed.
Donna helped the child into a gown and put the side rails up. Huddled in a tight ball, the girl refused to answer any questions, simply sobbing all the while. Donna smoothed the tangled hair aside and tenderly held her hand to the gal's cheeks. The small act of kindness caused the teen to cry harder, and Donna felt worse for her gesture. Silently she left the room with tears glistening.
Will swept the office floor, the mud clumps, snow puddle residue and wisps of hay from a farmers boots all went into the dust pan. As he straightened up, a shooting pain went up his back and into the back of his head. Cassy found him on the floor when she went searching for her new husband. Will was late for lunch.
Will was alive, but unresponsive, and apparently paralyzed. Doc moved the teen to the room the far side of Wayne and installed Will close to the nurses station.
Doc rubbed his forehead, it had to be a full moon night. The electricity responded by blinking, winking and shutting down. There was an over long moment before the automatic changeover on the generator kicked in. The delayed pause had all sort of alarms ringing, dinging and beeping. The noise added to the confusion, with people running back and forth.
There was a grinding, shuddering vibration and the hospital went black. There was a collected gasp from the nurses, aides and other floor workers, as the hospital went quiet. Doc whipped the penlight from his breast pocket and stalked over to the nurse's station.
"Get me mechanical!" he roared. The charge nurse grabbed for the phone and began to dial. She stopped, looked at the handset, and handed it to Phillips. In the pale yellow circle of light, Doc listened for the dial tone that wasn't there. Frustrated, the good doctor held a mini tantrum and threw the phone on the floor. For good measure, Phillips kicked the phone and sent it skittering down the hall.
"Where's Hobart," the next roar rose in timber.
"He's guarding the door," Donna burst in from the stairs where she had gone to check on the wayward electricity. Running back up stairs, she was out of breath. "The generator exploded."
Her announcement was met with additional gasps. "Do we have another backup," Doc spit out immediately.
"No," Donna was still fighting for breath. "We're SOL."
Phillips strode down the hall shouting curses, jerking open room door, after door, checking on his patients. Wayne was unchanged and Inghram was shouting for Donna to get the bed rails up all around. Will was just as unresponsive as when he arrived, and Phillips snapped his rails in a quick and sure motion. Cassy had the flashlight from Will's utility belt, playing over her husband's face.
"Sit down, don't leave him, and save the batteries. They maybe needed later." Doc was gone in a flapping of lab coat.
Fred the lineman had gone to bed, the first night in a week. Overworked by the long dangerous hours, the strain was too much. Some time during his exhausted sleep, a massive heart attack ended Fred's life. As the lights went out, Fred's phone started to ring. Angry citizens were calling to report their electricity was out, once again. Some of the aggravated people held on until the rerouted electricity failed at the major substation, and then the problem was solved.
Kevin finished his walk around and reported back to the office, as the ambulance was taking Will away. He felt like Barney Fife, when Andy was gone for the day. Kevin sat in the chair, put his boots on the desk and leaned back. The chair promptly went over backward as the deputy overbalanced, and it somersaulted the astonished man flat on his patootie.
In dire need of dignity Kevin scrambled up, looking right and left to see if he had been observed. Letting out a swoosh of air, he straightened his belt and checked his weapon. The deputy was locking up for the night when the lights faltered and went out. No time for supper, he shouldered into the snow and wind and headed for the hospital.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Talk about a bad night SHEESH. Thank you.
These poor folks just can't catch a break. Sure hope none of our heroes (with the possible exception of Fred the lineman) gets into any problems when the power is off-again-on-again like this. I'm sure glad Ev is home and won't be able to get back to town. That way he will have to stay with Cheryl and take care of his own household first. But with Wil out of the picture for the time being they would be in a world of hurt if anything else goes wrong.
bad_karma00
Underachiever
Wow. Heavy stuff. Thanks!
223shootersc
Veteran Member
dang, no rest for the weary, good chapter
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#111
Kevin banged on the hospital door. "Hobie, open up, is everything alright in there."
Hobie pushed the door open a crack. "We got real problems, the generator blew and we don't have anyway to see in here. Can you get us some flashlights or candles?"
"I'll see what I can find, this is a real stinking night out here." Kevin shouted above the wind and through the two inch wide crack Hobart had opened. "You're right to be cautious Hobie, gotta watch out for the crazies and the hop heads looking for mischief."
Kevin couldn't see Hobart turn as white as the snow blowing in on the floor. The security guard hadn't thought about hoodlums trying to get in to loot the pharmacy. That piece of information was enough to make Hobie draw his gun and quickly relock the glass door.
Kevin fought his way back toward the center of town pushing against the force of the storm. He thought his best bet might be to rouse out the manager of the Co-op. He wasn't sure where else he might get that kind of stuff, so getting Sam out of bed was the best he could do.
At Sam's, the nice, fat barrel of a shotgun poked out the door and jammed him in the nose. Sam was down right grumpy at being jostled out of his warm bed. Once Kevin explained, the man withdrew the shotgun and invited Kevin in out of the weather while the lanky man got dressed.
Together they braved the storm once again as they felt their way through the dark town, the sidewalk already covered with six inches or more of snow. Sam's flashlight not much help, but better than nothing as they shuffled along.
The Co-op building was cold and darker than the Ace of Spades. Sam seemed to know his way around, and Kevin followed pulling the garden cart that Sam was filling with candles and Dietz lanterns. Another cart was filled with all the bottles of lamp oil available.
Sam strapped a tarp over each wagon and together they battled back to the hospital.
Hobie was no where to be found, as they banged and beat on the door. Kevin had waited out in the howling wind and suffocating snow about long enough, and he was drawing his gun to shoot through the door, when a strong light was blasted in his face.
Hobart turned the key, and let the half frozen men inside.
"For crying out loud, get that light outta my eyes," Kevin thundered. "I can't see a '@&%#@&' thing!
"Oh, yeah...........sorry," Hobie pleaded for forgiveness. "Doc is sure gonna like this."
At the mention of his name, Doc came striding through the ER doors and pushed the considerable bulk of the security guard to one side.
"Quick," he snapped, "in here. I need light to operate."
Sam and Kevin started filling and lighting all the lanterns they had brought. The light was the weak yellow kind, not the clear blue that Doc favored, but it would have to do.
As Phillips was examining Will, he discovered a sliver of glass in the sheriff's head. Located at the back of the upper neck where it joined the skull, Doc supposed the shard had worked itself in between the vertebrae and was sticking into the spinal cord.
Doc and Donna worked together, prepping Will for surgery. All the while Phillips was explaining to Cassy he wasn't qualified to do this kind of surgery, was wanting to get Cassy's permission, and needed Donna's help. Orders were flying, aides were rushing with sterile packs, drapes were positioned and Doc was gowned and scrubbed.
"You can't be in here," Donna pushed Sam and Kevin out the door. Cassy refused to leave, and Doc had her scrub and gowned before anyone could protest. Will was brought in and rolled very gently off the gurney onto the stainless steel operating table.
Laying Will on his stomach, the good doctor flooded the back of the sheriff's head with betadine and worked it around the newly shaven skull. Pulling the magnifying stand closer, he positioned it to his liking.
Donna held the one blue LED light on the point of interest, and Phillips snapped, "tweezers."
Twenty minutes later he straightened up, a long fine sliver of glass clamped securely in the tweezers. Cassy broke out into a sob and promptly fainted.
Doc laid the sliver on the tray and carefully went over the site looking for other offending hunks of glass.
The hospital temperature was cooling degree by degree, but Doc Phillips was sweating bucketsfull. Donna used gauze to dab at the moisture, discarding the squares like tissues.
"I think I got it all," he rasped with ragged breath. When he lay the instruments down, Donna handed him a towel. Doc said" thanks, I couldn't have done it without you. We make a good team."
Donna turned her cool, competent gaze on her adored doctor and blushed, as she said "thank you." Lowering her muscle cramped arm, Donna shut off the light. Gathering a deep breath of energy, she turned to clean the room.
John, Inga and Brett gathered around the back table. Coffee and cookies sat before them, disappearing as Brett steadily ate one after the other. Inga had started making oatmeal cookies with whole wheat flour and wheat germ, tucking in flax meal and bran. They were as solid as rocks, and the only thing that could ease Brett's appetite. It was nothing for him to eat 15 or 29 of the heavy pucks and wash them down with gallons of water, or milk if it was available.
The oil lamp turned low to conserve the fuel, John and Inga shuffled through the paperwork concerning the groceries John had brought back. He and Will had distributed boxes to the townfolk, enduring the tearful gratitude the bounty caused. As they checked off the names and the food, they wrote the date and who accepted the box.
Already there had been cries of foul, citizens that had received food and claimed they hadn't seen a thing. Greedy people that weren't aware of Brett with the camera that recorded the exchanges as they happened. Will had the first picture published in the paper, and after that, all complaints ceased.
John and Will were relieved when the grocery handout was finished. It left far more of a sour taste than it created good will in their hearts. They did make note of those townspeople in dire straits; but couldn't make another delivery until the weather permitted them to reach the outlying folk they hadn't contacted as of yet.
Each box had 10#'s of rice, beans, flour. Smaller packages of yeast, sugar, baking powder and baking soda, bouillion, cocoa and coffee. Packages of mint hard candy, salt, and chili power. Families got a large box of dried milk, couples got a small one. It was subsistence food.
Inga listened to the wind howl, and thought about her mother. Most likely they were hunkered down at home, never noticing the rest of the world was desperate with misery.
Kevin banged on the hospital door. "Hobie, open up, is everything alright in there."
Hobie pushed the door open a crack. "We got real problems, the generator blew and we don't have anyway to see in here. Can you get us some flashlights or candles?"
"I'll see what I can find, this is a real stinking night out here." Kevin shouted above the wind and through the two inch wide crack Hobart had opened. "You're right to be cautious Hobie, gotta watch out for the crazies and the hop heads looking for mischief."
Kevin couldn't see Hobart turn as white as the snow blowing in on the floor. The security guard hadn't thought about hoodlums trying to get in to loot the pharmacy. That piece of information was enough to make Hobie draw his gun and quickly relock the glass door.
Kevin fought his way back toward the center of town pushing against the force of the storm. He thought his best bet might be to rouse out the manager of the Co-op. He wasn't sure where else he might get that kind of stuff, so getting Sam out of bed was the best he could do.
At Sam's, the nice, fat barrel of a shotgun poked out the door and jammed him in the nose. Sam was down right grumpy at being jostled out of his warm bed. Once Kevin explained, the man withdrew the shotgun and invited Kevin in out of the weather while the lanky man got dressed.
Together they braved the storm once again as they felt their way through the dark town, the sidewalk already covered with six inches or more of snow. Sam's flashlight not much help, but better than nothing as they shuffled along.
The Co-op building was cold and darker than the Ace of Spades. Sam seemed to know his way around, and Kevin followed pulling the garden cart that Sam was filling with candles and Dietz lanterns. Another cart was filled with all the bottles of lamp oil available.
Sam strapped a tarp over each wagon and together they battled back to the hospital.
Hobie was no where to be found, as they banged and beat on the door. Kevin had waited out in the howling wind and suffocating snow about long enough, and he was drawing his gun to shoot through the door, when a strong light was blasted in his face.
Hobart turned the key, and let the half frozen men inside.
"For crying out loud, get that light outta my eyes," Kevin thundered. "I can't see a '@&%#@&' thing!
"Oh, yeah...........sorry," Hobie pleaded for forgiveness. "Doc is sure gonna like this."
At the mention of his name, Doc came striding through the ER doors and pushed the considerable bulk of the security guard to one side.
"Quick," he snapped, "in here. I need light to operate."
Sam and Kevin started filling and lighting all the lanterns they had brought. The light was the weak yellow kind, not the clear blue that Doc favored, but it would have to do.
As Phillips was examining Will, he discovered a sliver of glass in the sheriff's head. Located at the back of the upper neck where it joined the skull, Doc supposed the shard had worked itself in between the vertebrae and was sticking into the spinal cord.
Doc and Donna worked together, prepping Will for surgery. All the while Phillips was explaining to Cassy he wasn't qualified to do this kind of surgery, was wanting to get Cassy's permission, and needed Donna's help. Orders were flying, aides were rushing with sterile packs, drapes were positioned and Doc was gowned and scrubbed.
"You can't be in here," Donna pushed Sam and Kevin out the door. Cassy refused to leave, and Doc had her scrub and gowned before anyone could protest. Will was brought in and rolled very gently off the gurney onto the stainless steel operating table.
Laying Will on his stomach, the good doctor flooded the back of the sheriff's head with betadine and worked it around the newly shaven skull. Pulling the magnifying stand closer, he positioned it to his liking.
Donna held the one blue LED light on the point of interest, and Phillips snapped, "tweezers."
Twenty minutes later he straightened up, a long fine sliver of glass clamped securely in the tweezers. Cassy broke out into a sob and promptly fainted.
Doc laid the sliver on the tray and carefully went over the site looking for other offending hunks of glass.
The hospital temperature was cooling degree by degree, but Doc Phillips was sweating bucketsfull. Donna used gauze to dab at the moisture, discarding the squares like tissues.
"I think I got it all," he rasped with ragged breath. When he lay the instruments down, Donna handed him a towel. Doc said" thanks, I couldn't have done it without you. We make a good team."
Donna turned her cool, competent gaze on her adored doctor and blushed, as she said "thank you." Lowering her muscle cramped arm, Donna shut off the light. Gathering a deep breath of energy, she turned to clean the room.
John, Inga and Brett gathered around the back table. Coffee and cookies sat before them, disappearing as Brett steadily ate one after the other. Inga had started making oatmeal cookies with whole wheat flour and wheat germ, tucking in flax meal and bran. They were as solid as rocks, and the only thing that could ease Brett's appetite. It was nothing for him to eat 15 or 29 of the heavy pucks and wash them down with gallons of water, or milk if it was available.
The oil lamp turned low to conserve the fuel, John and Inga shuffled through the paperwork concerning the groceries John had brought back. He and Will had distributed boxes to the townfolk, enduring the tearful gratitude the bounty caused. As they checked off the names and the food, they wrote the date and who accepted the box.
Already there had been cries of foul, citizens that had received food and claimed they hadn't seen a thing. Greedy people that weren't aware of Brett with the camera that recorded the exchanges as they happened. Will had the first picture published in the paper, and after that, all complaints ceased.
John and Will were relieved when the grocery handout was finished. It left far more of a sour taste than it created good will in their hearts. They did make note of those townspeople in dire straits; but couldn't make another delivery until the weather permitted them to reach the outlying folk they hadn't contacted as of yet.
Each box had 10#'s of rice, beans, flour. Smaller packages of yeast, sugar, baking powder and baking soda, bouillion, cocoa and coffee. Packages of mint hard candy, salt, and chili power. Families got a large box of dried milk, couples got a small one. It was subsistence food.
Inga listened to the wind howl, and thought about her mother. Most likely they were hunkered down at home, never noticing the rest of the world was desperate with misery.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Inga still doesnt get it, it seems and yeaaaa on Will.
bad_karma00
Underachiever
Another good chapter to a great story. These are hardy folks you've created PNW. I bet they're based on people you know. Good for you.
I absolutely love how this thing is so realistic. Troubles come and go all the time without regard to need, weather, financial security or anything else.
This is just first rate work from start to here. I'm always checking for more, too!
I absolutely love how this thing is so realistic. Troubles come and go all the time without regard to need, weather, financial security or anything else.
This is just first rate work from start to here. I'm always checking for more, too!
I can never get enough of this story. Thank you so much!
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#112
The storm continued for 9 days. On the flat, there was more than 4 feet of snow, people were home bound, not by choice. People died. Some starved to death, others froze. It was the Christmas of the 'Great Dying.'
The first three days he was home, Ev thought he would go crazy. Then he went into a funky depression, staring morosely out the window into the white wall of snow. It took the whole nine days of the storm to de-stress and de-adrenalinize his type A personality.
The morning of the ninth day Ev was up early, chipper, and singing the Christmas carols that he refused to sing on Christmas day. Slices of bacon lay sizzling in the skillet and golden pancakes were puffing on the griddle. Coffee and hot water for tea bubbled merrily at the back of the stove.
Cheryl dressed and peeked out the bedroom door, unsure what might be happening.
"Morning dear Love," Ev swooped in with a kiss, twirling his beloved wife.
"Good morning," Cheryl greeted him warmly. "Welcome home." she added as Ev seated her at the table with a flourish. "Humm, breakfast at the Chez Wilson," she teased.
"Will Madam have the mint or the rose hip?" Ev inquired with a awful French accent, preparing to pour hot water into Cheryl's fancy china tea cup.
"Mint, thank you garson," she replied with an equally horrible attempt at French.
Cheryl felt a happiness inside that had been missing for a long time. Breakfast with her original Ev, put the world back into perspective. Together they made plans to do chores and Ev wondered if he should snowshoe over to Evie's and see how they were doing.
Evie and the grandkids had a wonderful Christmas. There were no presents, but there was home made food, home grown love and the confidence that comes from learning a task to benefit yourself. Christmas Day they roasted a chicken, had mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and pumpkin pie.
A special feast for a special day. The princesses dresses were finished, and Benny was not so delighted to find he had a newly made pair of twill pants and vest to match. Evie dressed in her best periwinkle blue crepe dress and the Hanson estate dined regally that afternoon. Sandra kept count of the rolls that Benny ate, and whispered to Clora and Evie the total her brother consumed.
Carefully they changed out of their finery to do dishes and Benny went out to feed Mr Ev's calves. Evie fretted the entire time Benny was outside, but Inky went along to keep the fire breathing dragon/calves at a distance. Benny brought in three armfulls of wood, remarking that they had about another three to four days worth of cut wood.
"Maybe the storm will let up and I can go see Mr Ev about cutting up more of the tree." Benny walked by and snitched another roll.
"Benny," Sandra said in a scandalous voice, "that's seven rolls. How can you eat so much?"
"I don't know," Benny said modestly, "It just happens. Beside you girls did a great making these rolls, they have a real moorish taste."
Clora went to slap away her brother's hand as he pretended to jerk on her pony tail. The young miss proud of the hair swept up and arranged in curls on top of her head. Sandra had her hair pinned up, but it had taken a bit more ingenuity on Evie's part. Sandra's hair had not grown as rapidly as Clora's, but the hair do glamorized the girl to her heart's content.
Evie washed, and the girls dried. The good dishes and silverware brought up from the basement just for the occasion, was carefully repacked and put away. The chicken was deboned, and the stripped frame put on to cook for soup.
Keeping an eye on Benny outside, Evie told the girls stories of Christmas back home, when she was a youngster. "I'm sorry that the weather kept us from going for a Christmas tree, next year we can do it for sure," Evie was in the plan making mode.
"Grandma, we have never had a tree," Clora said quietly. "It doesn't make any difference, I like Christmas and Jesus just fine."
"Grandma," Benny hollered from the kitchen door, "do you need anything else from outside?"
"I don't believe so, is Inky coming in with you?" Evie inquired.
"Yeah, I'll be sure to wipe his feet," Benny promised. "He really played outside. It won't be long," he slammed the door, shrugging out of his outdoor coat; "Mr Ev's calves are gonna be out of water."
Christmas Day, John preached his sermon to Inga, Brett and a sullen Patti. At the last minute Sam, Henry and Mildred showed up.
The church was freezing cold, the steps slick where they had been scraped, and everyone sat with their coats and hats on. Mercifully, John kept his urge of faith short and to the point.
Inga invited everyone back to the cafe for a Christmas dinner. Sam accepted and Mildred hauled Henry back home by the end of his woolen scarf. There was no way SHE was going to have Christmas in a diner, and that was that.
Stan and Jerry hotfooted it over when the group returned from service and the hardware guy and his son straggled in. For the first time since Leta's death, Patti didn't spend the afternoon sobbing and moaning.
The turkey was perfect, potatoes and gravy, green beans, rolls and three kinds of pie. Inga remembered the dinners her mother made, they seemed the best. Then and now.
Brett quietly and without calling undo notice to himself ate the remaining food. He about had to arm wrestle the hardware store kid for the last piece of pie, but he got it done.
The storm continued for 9 days. On the flat, there was more than 4 feet of snow, people were home bound, not by choice. People died. Some starved to death, others froze. It was the Christmas of the 'Great Dying.'
The first three days he was home, Ev thought he would go crazy. Then he went into a funky depression, staring morosely out the window into the white wall of snow. It took the whole nine days of the storm to de-stress and de-adrenalinize his type A personality.
The morning of the ninth day Ev was up early, chipper, and singing the Christmas carols that he refused to sing on Christmas day. Slices of bacon lay sizzling in the skillet and golden pancakes were puffing on the griddle. Coffee and hot water for tea bubbled merrily at the back of the stove.
Cheryl dressed and peeked out the bedroom door, unsure what might be happening.
"Morning dear Love," Ev swooped in with a kiss, twirling his beloved wife.
"Good morning," Cheryl greeted him warmly. "Welcome home." she added as Ev seated her at the table with a flourish. "Humm, breakfast at the Chez Wilson," she teased.
"Will Madam have the mint or the rose hip?" Ev inquired with a awful French accent, preparing to pour hot water into Cheryl's fancy china tea cup.
"Mint, thank you garson," she replied with an equally horrible attempt at French.
Cheryl felt a happiness inside that had been missing for a long time. Breakfast with her original Ev, put the world back into perspective. Together they made plans to do chores and Ev wondered if he should snowshoe over to Evie's and see how they were doing.
Evie and the grandkids had a wonderful Christmas. There were no presents, but there was home made food, home grown love and the confidence that comes from learning a task to benefit yourself. Christmas Day they roasted a chicken, had mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and pumpkin pie.
A special feast for a special day. The princesses dresses were finished, and Benny was not so delighted to find he had a newly made pair of twill pants and vest to match. Evie dressed in her best periwinkle blue crepe dress and the Hanson estate dined regally that afternoon. Sandra kept count of the rolls that Benny ate, and whispered to Clora and Evie the total her brother consumed.
Carefully they changed out of their finery to do dishes and Benny went out to feed Mr Ev's calves. Evie fretted the entire time Benny was outside, but Inky went along to keep the fire breathing dragon/calves at a distance. Benny brought in three armfulls of wood, remarking that they had about another three to four days worth of cut wood.
"Maybe the storm will let up and I can go see Mr Ev about cutting up more of the tree." Benny walked by and snitched another roll.
"Benny," Sandra said in a scandalous voice, "that's seven rolls. How can you eat so much?"
"I don't know," Benny said modestly, "It just happens. Beside you girls did a great making these rolls, they have a real moorish taste."
Clora went to slap away her brother's hand as he pretended to jerk on her pony tail. The young miss proud of the hair swept up and arranged in curls on top of her head. Sandra had her hair pinned up, but it had taken a bit more ingenuity on Evie's part. Sandra's hair had not grown as rapidly as Clora's, but the hair do glamorized the girl to her heart's content.
Evie washed, and the girls dried. The good dishes and silverware brought up from the basement just for the occasion, was carefully repacked and put away. The chicken was deboned, and the stripped frame put on to cook for soup.
Keeping an eye on Benny outside, Evie told the girls stories of Christmas back home, when she was a youngster. "I'm sorry that the weather kept us from going for a Christmas tree, next year we can do it for sure," Evie was in the plan making mode.
"Grandma, we have never had a tree," Clora said quietly. "It doesn't make any difference, I like Christmas and Jesus just fine."
"Grandma," Benny hollered from the kitchen door, "do you need anything else from outside?"
"I don't believe so, is Inky coming in with you?" Evie inquired.
"Yeah, I'll be sure to wipe his feet," Benny promised. "He really played outside. It won't be long," he slammed the door, shrugging out of his outdoor coat; "Mr Ev's calves are gonna be out of water."
Christmas Day, John preached his sermon to Inga, Brett and a sullen Patti. At the last minute Sam, Henry and Mildred showed up.
The church was freezing cold, the steps slick where they had been scraped, and everyone sat with their coats and hats on. Mercifully, John kept his urge of faith short and to the point.
Inga invited everyone back to the cafe for a Christmas dinner. Sam accepted and Mildred hauled Henry back home by the end of his woolen scarf. There was no way SHE was going to have Christmas in a diner, and that was that.
Stan and Jerry hotfooted it over when the group returned from service and the hardware guy and his son straggled in. For the first time since Leta's death, Patti didn't spend the afternoon sobbing and moaning.
The turkey was perfect, potatoes and gravy, green beans, rolls and three kinds of pie. Inga remembered the dinners her mother made, they seemed the best. Then and now.
Brett quietly and without calling undo notice to himself ate the remaining food. He about had to arm wrestle the hardware store kid for the last piece of pie, but he got it done.
bad_karma00
Underachiever
Sad, but also joyous, and as always, well written. Thanks.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
They better take care of that tape worm and sound slike Benny's is growing.
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Brett sure does need that worm treated, thanks for the new pages
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
Kua,
there are severe problems that happen if tapeworms are left untreated. The medicine to treat them is not without side effects either.
If you are interested, I urge one and all to investigate the problem and cure.
As hubby and I also used to haul all kinds of meat products, we cringe when commercials promote the eating of undercooked beef, chicken and fish are aired on TV. The meat looks delicious, and has so much potential to cause harm.
Untreated water is also a carrier, as well as guardia and a whole slew of 'yuccky' problems. The Hanson boy's in my story, drank water from the creek during one of their pasture adventures. An innocent act that may have profound consequenses.
Evie is accustomed to following an old time method of treating all kinds of worms in humans. Massive doses of onion and garlic have the ancient reputation of cleansing the body of unwanted parasites. Many people inside during the winter, in close quarters without proper sanatition, give all new meaning to the necessary use of 'spring tonic.'
there are severe problems that happen if tapeworms are left untreated. The medicine to treat them is not without side effects either.
If you are interested, I urge one and all to investigate the problem and cure.
As hubby and I also used to haul all kinds of meat products, we cringe when commercials promote the eating of undercooked beef, chicken and fish are aired on TV. The meat looks delicious, and has so much potential to cause harm.
Untreated water is also a carrier, as well as guardia and a whole slew of 'yuccky' problems. The Hanson boy's in my story, drank water from the creek during one of their pasture adventures. An innocent act that may have profound consequenses.
Evie is accustomed to following an old time method of treating all kinds of worms in humans. Massive doses of onion and garlic have the ancient reputation of cleansing the body of unwanted parasites. Many people inside during the winter, in close quarters without proper sanatition, give all new meaning to the necessary use of 'spring tonic.'
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#113
Ev strapped on his snowshoes and tested them for a few steps. He tightened the right heel strap and made a circle in the yard. "I'm going to Evie's," he advised Cheryl. "They may need wood."
"Have fun," she yelled at him. Looking at Ruby who was quivering with excitement, she said,"go, you won't be worth a darn if you stay home."
Ruby bounded out into the snow, and sank. Laughing, Cheryl went out to save her red heeler. Ruby looked chagrined, and shook herself hard before curling up on the porch rug.
Cheryl heated water, and treated herself to a hair wash and a bath while Ev was gone. Standing in the tub, she turned this way and that, looking at the slight belly bump reflected in the mirror. It was very easy to be emotional about the thought of being a mother, they had waited so long. It was easy to be excited, Cheryl dressed and sat with a cup of tea, looking over the pasture towards Evie's.
"Hello the house," Ev yelled. From outside, he could hear the scrambling of feet and the door jerked open.
"Hi Mr Ev." Benny was pushed aside as Inky rushed out to play protector.
Ev strapped on his snowshoes and tested them for a few steps. He tightened the right heel strap and made a circle in the yard. "I'm going to Evie's," he advised Cheryl. "They may need wood."
"Have fun," she yelled at him. Looking at Ruby who was quivering with excitement, she said,"go, you won't be worth a darn if you stay home."
Ruby bounded out into the snow, and sank. Laughing, Cheryl went out to save her red heeler. Ruby looked chagrined, and shook herself hard before curling up on the porch rug.
Cheryl heated water, and treated herself to a hair wash and a bath while Ev was gone. Standing in the tub, she turned this way and that, looking at the slight belly bump reflected in the mirror. It was very easy to be emotional about the thought of being a mother, they had waited so long. It was easy to be excited, Cheryl dressed and sat with a cup of tea, looking over the pasture towards Evie's.
"Hello the house," Ev yelled. From outside, he could hear the scrambling of feet and the door jerked open.
"Hi Mr Ev." Benny was pushed aside as Inky rushed out to play protector.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
Sorry to stop so abruptly. My grandkids need to visit this afternoon.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you.
sabretech2001
Contributing Member
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#113b.
"How is everybody doing today?" Ev was in high spirits and his cheery greeting made the Hanson's smile.
"Fine, fine," kids spoke over one another. "Did you and Miz Cheryl have a good Christmas?" Benny wanted to know. "How is Ruby?" Clora loved the neighbor's dog. "Is the baby here yet" Sandra was waiting for a little to cuddle.
"We had a good Christmas," Ev fudged a little on the 'good' part. "Ruby is great as always and no baby yet," he laughed at Sandra's sad looking face.
The sun broke through for the first rays of sunshine for more than a month. The brightness causing them to squint, Ev pretended to be amazed and nearly blinded by the brightness. Play acting he made the kids laugh and Evie finally made it to the open door.
"Ev," she greeted her neighbor warmly. "How are you and Cheryl?"
"Good, good," he replied. "I wanted to check on the calves, and the house was getting a little small inside." he grinned at Evie's knowing look.
"Well Ev," Evie teased, "wait till you see what Benny has done in the barn. Benny," she ordered, "go show Ev your surprise."
With the used hay strings, Benny had fashioned a cow halter of sorts for the yearling's. The black baldy was the first to model the latest in fashion accessories for the well-dressed steer. The flimsily halter was for the mind control only, as the steer led quietly behind the young herdsman. Benny had a hog cane he had found in the basement, and he calmly moved the big steer by tapping on the Herford cross.
"If you want them home, I can lead them there," Benny scratched the steer on the shoulder.
Ev could have sworn that the steer was purring like a cat. "This is Archibald," Benny laughed. "It's the most difficult name I can read."
"WOW," Ev was really impressed and said so. "Benny, this is fantastic. How did you accomplish teaching them to lead?"
"One day at a time," Benny smiled from ear to ear. "The white looking steer, the big one, still throws his head a lot and is not as easy to convince to follow. but he's learning.
"Yes, I'd really like them home. But not today, this snow needs to settle a great deal. I don't want to walk the pounds off them busting through this snow." Ev was thinking out loud. "How's the hay and water holding out?"
"Both are getting low," Benny gestured toward the barn feed room.
"And you're wood?" Ev inquired.
"Low also," Benny replied. "I need to make a deal with you, for use of your chainsaw and cut more rounds from the tree. Grandma is showing me how to split, so I have been able to keep us in wood. It feels good to be able to help." Benny said in his most mature voice.
Ev nodded, respecting Benny's feelings.
The hospital was the scene of utter chaos. With no electricity, all movement had to be done by the stairs with people bumping into one another. The elevator was defunct, isolating floors and prohibiting patient transfer. With out the electric, those patients on life saving support expired. The smell of death and the wailing of relatives was no different than a third world country realitity show.
Doc wasn't able to practice medicine as he had been taught; and he was slow on the uptake. It was crisis doctoring at it's worst. After three days of nonstop work, he collapsed on the cot in Wayne's room from exhaustion. Donna brought a chair and sat in front of the closed door. Sound asleep, she had matched Doc in every move he made and was just as tired.
Hobart put the word out on the street that he needed stout men with weak minds and strong backs to remove bodies and dig graves.
He got a crew of six, promising food, money and medical care as an incentive.
Jasper with his backhoe, finally dug himself out of his snowbound house and showed up at the Sheriff's office. Kevin greeted him with a firm handshake and a plea that he assist the boys down at the hospital.
The mayor and the rest of the town made the decision to clear a portion of the football field and dig a mass grave. The wailing increased, as relatives objected to the seeming inhumane treatment of their loved ones. They would have the option of clearing a gravesite of snow and hand digging the standard hole; or they could buy into a marker that would contain all the names.
Eventually, all the relatives came around to the majority line of thinking. The snow was stripped off and piled around the far goal post. Jasper used the extenda hoe function and dug twelve feet deep, and the length of the field. Bodies in body bags were placed with care and the blessings and services of John.
The town suffered as good people were laid to their final rest. The people that lived, worked and contributed to the town's health and welfare were simply gone. These people owned businesses, worked for the town and county, served the water and sewer plants and worked in the local co-op's. It was a terrible time to be in the living, having to deal with the guilt of not dying.
Inga opened the cafe after the funeral and the town gathered to give tokens of support to each other. Kevin, Doc and Henry did all they could to keep all the legal paperwork straight, and available to the survivors when they needed it.
The gathering went well, until Mildred started weeping loudly about the loss of her second cousin. Mildred bemoaned the loss of the bum that she had surreptitiously funded with Henry's money. Henry was ecstatic, one less drain on his dwindling salary. Suddenly she demanded in a loud, angry voice, "where is Will, why isn't he in charge here."
John stepped forward and explained the Sheriff was still in the hospital, deputy Kevin was here and in charge. Did she need anything in particular? Mildred was not used to being put off, when she demanded answers. "Where is the state, why are we being ignored, where and when will we get electricity and phone, why are we being allowed to die out here and nobody cares."
The questions were pointed and uncomfortable to hear spoken out loud. Actually, Mildred said things that everyone was wondering, but hadn't vocalized.
Inga filled the table coffee servers and placed more cookies around. There was a strained silence as Mildred's words were absorbed by the group. The mayor blustered a bit, but he had no answers. Kevin paced up and down the room and offered nothing constructive; and finally John responded to a wordless plea from Inga.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let us bow our heads," he invited and gave an ending prayer to the gathering. People slowly gathered up their outer wraps and left for home. Inga noted that out of all the people gathered, only about five people said thank you and nobody offered to help clean up. Her mother would have pitched a major fit at the lack of manners displayed. The more into the distressing financial and moral losses of the community, the worse people behaved. The more Inga thought about it, the more she valued her mother's calm, common sense.
When the cafe finally emptied, she went to stir the night's stew. Jerry and Stan sat huddled in the corner around the stove and gladly accepted the huge bowls of meat, vegetables and gravy. They had been part of the grave crew, and had worked hard in the cold, biting wind.
"What are you guys discussing," John joked as he sat astraddle a chair with a bowl and a spoon.
"Well," Jerry said around a mouthful of hot stew. "Me and Stan are gonna have to move into the station. Neither one of us can afford to heat our houses and the station both." he swallowed a cracker. "I'm out of wood and Stan is prit near out. We are figguring out how we can make it work."
Inga cut them both an extra large piece of chocolate cake for the super effort they had done today. "Thank you both," she offered the cake and fresh coffee. "I noticed none of our lovely citizens bothered to give you guys any appreciation, and you John, not a thank you either. That makes me so mad. They wanted to know 'where' all the services were, well I want to know where the common manners are."
Brett came in with a piece of cake for John, who declined. Brett, not to let any good cake go to waste, was forced into eating another slice. Sometimes cleaning up, was a heavy chore.
"How is everybody doing today?" Ev was in high spirits and his cheery greeting made the Hanson's smile.
"Fine, fine," kids spoke over one another. "Did you and Miz Cheryl have a good Christmas?" Benny wanted to know. "How is Ruby?" Clora loved the neighbor's dog. "Is the baby here yet" Sandra was waiting for a little to cuddle.
"We had a good Christmas," Ev fudged a little on the 'good' part. "Ruby is great as always and no baby yet," he laughed at Sandra's sad looking face.
The sun broke through for the first rays of sunshine for more than a month. The brightness causing them to squint, Ev pretended to be amazed and nearly blinded by the brightness. Play acting he made the kids laugh and Evie finally made it to the open door.
"Ev," she greeted her neighbor warmly. "How are you and Cheryl?"
"Good, good," he replied. "I wanted to check on the calves, and the house was getting a little small inside." he grinned at Evie's knowing look.
"Well Ev," Evie teased, "wait till you see what Benny has done in the barn. Benny," she ordered, "go show Ev your surprise."
With the used hay strings, Benny had fashioned a cow halter of sorts for the yearling's. The black baldy was the first to model the latest in fashion accessories for the well-dressed steer. The flimsily halter was for the mind control only, as the steer led quietly behind the young herdsman. Benny had a hog cane he had found in the basement, and he calmly moved the big steer by tapping on the Herford cross.
"If you want them home, I can lead them there," Benny scratched the steer on the shoulder.
Ev could have sworn that the steer was purring like a cat. "This is Archibald," Benny laughed. "It's the most difficult name I can read."
"WOW," Ev was really impressed and said so. "Benny, this is fantastic. How did you accomplish teaching them to lead?"
"One day at a time," Benny smiled from ear to ear. "The white looking steer, the big one, still throws his head a lot and is not as easy to convince to follow. but he's learning.
"Yes, I'd really like them home. But not today, this snow needs to settle a great deal. I don't want to walk the pounds off them busting through this snow." Ev was thinking out loud. "How's the hay and water holding out?"
"Both are getting low," Benny gestured toward the barn feed room.
"And you're wood?" Ev inquired.
"Low also," Benny replied. "I need to make a deal with you, for use of your chainsaw and cut more rounds from the tree. Grandma is showing me how to split, so I have been able to keep us in wood. It feels good to be able to help." Benny said in his most mature voice.
Ev nodded, respecting Benny's feelings.
The hospital was the scene of utter chaos. With no electricity, all movement had to be done by the stairs with people bumping into one another. The elevator was defunct, isolating floors and prohibiting patient transfer. With out the electric, those patients on life saving support expired. The smell of death and the wailing of relatives was no different than a third world country realitity show.
Doc wasn't able to practice medicine as he had been taught; and he was slow on the uptake. It was crisis doctoring at it's worst. After three days of nonstop work, he collapsed on the cot in Wayne's room from exhaustion. Donna brought a chair and sat in front of the closed door. Sound asleep, she had matched Doc in every move he made and was just as tired.
Hobart put the word out on the street that he needed stout men with weak minds and strong backs to remove bodies and dig graves.
He got a crew of six, promising food, money and medical care as an incentive.
Jasper with his backhoe, finally dug himself out of his snowbound house and showed up at the Sheriff's office. Kevin greeted him with a firm handshake and a plea that he assist the boys down at the hospital.
The mayor and the rest of the town made the decision to clear a portion of the football field and dig a mass grave. The wailing increased, as relatives objected to the seeming inhumane treatment of their loved ones. They would have the option of clearing a gravesite of snow and hand digging the standard hole; or they could buy into a marker that would contain all the names.
Eventually, all the relatives came around to the majority line of thinking. The snow was stripped off and piled around the far goal post. Jasper used the extenda hoe function and dug twelve feet deep, and the length of the field. Bodies in body bags were placed with care and the blessings and services of John.
The town suffered as good people were laid to their final rest. The people that lived, worked and contributed to the town's health and welfare were simply gone. These people owned businesses, worked for the town and county, served the water and sewer plants and worked in the local co-op's. It was a terrible time to be in the living, having to deal with the guilt of not dying.
Inga opened the cafe after the funeral and the town gathered to give tokens of support to each other. Kevin, Doc and Henry did all they could to keep all the legal paperwork straight, and available to the survivors when they needed it.
The gathering went well, until Mildred started weeping loudly about the loss of her second cousin. Mildred bemoaned the loss of the bum that she had surreptitiously funded with Henry's money. Henry was ecstatic, one less drain on his dwindling salary. Suddenly she demanded in a loud, angry voice, "where is Will, why isn't he in charge here."
John stepped forward and explained the Sheriff was still in the hospital, deputy Kevin was here and in charge. Did she need anything in particular? Mildred was not used to being put off, when she demanded answers. "Where is the state, why are we being ignored, where and when will we get electricity and phone, why are we being allowed to die out here and nobody cares."
The questions were pointed and uncomfortable to hear spoken out loud. Actually, Mildred said things that everyone was wondering, but hadn't vocalized.
Inga filled the table coffee servers and placed more cookies around. There was a strained silence as Mildred's words were absorbed by the group. The mayor blustered a bit, but he had no answers. Kevin paced up and down the room and offered nothing constructive; and finally John responded to a wordless plea from Inga.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let us bow our heads," he invited and gave an ending prayer to the gathering. People slowly gathered up their outer wraps and left for home. Inga noted that out of all the people gathered, only about five people said thank you and nobody offered to help clean up. Her mother would have pitched a major fit at the lack of manners displayed. The more into the distressing financial and moral losses of the community, the worse people behaved. The more Inga thought about it, the more she valued her mother's calm, common sense.
When the cafe finally emptied, she went to stir the night's stew. Jerry and Stan sat huddled in the corner around the stove and gladly accepted the huge bowls of meat, vegetables and gravy. They had been part of the grave crew, and had worked hard in the cold, biting wind.
"What are you guys discussing," John joked as he sat astraddle a chair with a bowl and a spoon.
"Well," Jerry said around a mouthful of hot stew. "Me and Stan are gonna have to move into the station. Neither one of us can afford to heat our houses and the station both." he swallowed a cracker. "I'm out of wood and Stan is prit near out. We are figguring out how we can make it work."
Inga cut them both an extra large piece of chocolate cake for the super effort they had done today. "Thank you both," she offered the cake and fresh coffee. "I noticed none of our lovely citizens bothered to give you guys any appreciation, and you John, not a thank you either. That makes me so mad. They wanted to know 'where' all the services were, well I want to know where the common manners are."
Brett came in with a piece of cake for John, who declined. Brett, not to let any good cake go to waste, was forced into eating another slice. Sometimes cleaning up, was a heavy chore.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Great chapter thank you.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#114
"Will honey, can you wake up?" Cassy talked to Will, trying to bring her husband to consciousness. She rubbed his legs, arms, back and face, hoping stimulation would help bring him forward. The temperature in the hospital had dropped another five degrees. It was getting cold enough to require wearing a coat to stay comfortable.
Cassy played with a idea that had been forming in her mind. Will's skin was cold, she was cold, she was taking him home. He needed warm food, a warm bed and familiar smells to bring him around.
The next time Brett showed up to sit with Wayne, she was gonna send him as a runner to ask Stan and Jerry to help. Brett ambled over after the funeral, ready to sit and read to his friend.
Brett agreed to talk to the guys, adding John and Kevin to the list. When it was decided, Cassy made it happen with the help of friends. The last thing Cassy saw was Brett standing at Wayne's door, tears in his eyes as he stared at his friend. She understood his despair, there was no hope unless something drastic happened.
Once Will was established comfortably; she asked the men to bring Wayne. They shrugged and went back for the teen. Brett was so thankful, he pushed Doc when the physician came striding up to protest. "Get outta their way Doc," he spit at the stunned man.
"There gonna freeze to death in here. We already took Will. You can help if you want too," Brett was ready to give the man the end of the of the backboard.
Doc Phillips was a realist, the state of the hospital was nothing less than a death trap. He reached for the carry handle and they dog trotted the teen to Will's house. Cassy had the second room ready when they arrived. The wood stove was cranked up high and warmth was slowly seeping into the house.
At her direction, Brett stood in front of the stove with a blanket until it was hot. Alternating between Will and Wayne, the ploy worked to bring the men to temperature. Brett went back to the hospital and removed some of the equipment needed for home care.
Nurse Donna about scared the crap out of him, when she grabbed his arm and demanded to know where Doc was. She took one look at the bedpan he was carrying, and smiled. "OK, I see how things are shaking down."
In the end, Donna and Inghram moved to Will's place, staying in the third bedroom. Donna thought it would have been perfect if they would have been in bed at the same time, but they alternated shifts. One catching a few winks of sleep while the other stood watch.
"So close, yet so far," she was muttering one morning while she waited for the coffee to perk.
"Whatcha saying?" Inghram came in the room trying to shake sleep from his eyes.
"Oh, I was just saying that I can't catch a break," Donna hastily amended as not to embarrass herself.
"You need a break, do you?" Doc tugged at her hair, surprising Donna with the physical contact.
"Yes," she looked at him with honesty in her eyes. "I do need a break," she repeated forcefully.
"Well then," Doc put his arm around her. "I guess we need to create one, don't we."
Donna touched his cheek with her red, chapped hand; and got a kiss on her fingertips. "Oh," she breathed in a husky whisper. "Oh my."
Standing close in front of the kitchen sink, they held each other, enjoying the tension and warmth they created. Eyes promised they would continue later.
Surrounded by warmth and familiar smells, later that night Will stirred. Cassy lay next to him in bed, half asleep but thrilled with the small movements. Will stretched his legs and grunted as he pulled at cramped muscles. She whispered encouragement, telling her man to rejoin the present. Finally, she was laughing and crying at the same time, making enough noise to bring both Doc and Donna in the room.
Hobart was the last soul in the hospital. Everyone else had left, taking their loved ones home with them. He secured the pharmacy and locked the double doors behind him. Striding confidently down the street pulling the wagons with more bravado than he felt, he wanted nothing more than to drop the handle and run.
Spooked by the shadows, howling wind and reduced visibility, Hobie practically ran into Will's house without knocking. Panting with the fear of the dark snapping at his heels, he pulled the snow covered wagons inside to begin melting all over the floor.
"Whoa Hobie, watcha got?" Doc materialized from around the corner.
"Doc, I'm sure glad to see you. These are the drugs. Couldn't leave them behind in the empty hospital. We gotta have a way to secure it. I can't guard the whole place by myself." Hobie edged over to the stove and stood hogging up the heat.
Doc nodded, recovering from the shock he felt at Hobie's revelation. He had dropped the ball, forgotten about a very basic, potential problem. Having the drugs here at Will's was no solution, that made them all vulnerable. What a problem.
Hobie was right to have been spooked. There were eyes watching where he went, and with what he had.
"Will honey, can you wake up?" Cassy talked to Will, trying to bring her husband to consciousness. She rubbed his legs, arms, back and face, hoping stimulation would help bring him forward. The temperature in the hospital had dropped another five degrees. It was getting cold enough to require wearing a coat to stay comfortable.
Cassy played with a idea that had been forming in her mind. Will's skin was cold, she was cold, she was taking him home. He needed warm food, a warm bed and familiar smells to bring him around.
The next time Brett showed up to sit with Wayne, she was gonna send him as a runner to ask Stan and Jerry to help. Brett ambled over after the funeral, ready to sit and read to his friend.
Brett agreed to talk to the guys, adding John and Kevin to the list. When it was decided, Cassy made it happen with the help of friends. The last thing Cassy saw was Brett standing at Wayne's door, tears in his eyes as he stared at his friend. She understood his despair, there was no hope unless something drastic happened.
Once Will was established comfortably; she asked the men to bring Wayne. They shrugged and went back for the teen. Brett was so thankful, he pushed Doc when the physician came striding up to protest. "Get outta their way Doc," he spit at the stunned man.
"There gonna freeze to death in here. We already took Will. You can help if you want too," Brett was ready to give the man the end of the of the backboard.
Doc Phillips was a realist, the state of the hospital was nothing less than a death trap. He reached for the carry handle and they dog trotted the teen to Will's house. Cassy had the second room ready when they arrived. The wood stove was cranked up high and warmth was slowly seeping into the house.
At her direction, Brett stood in front of the stove with a blanket until it was hot. Alternating between Will and Wayne, the ploy worked to bring the men to temperature. Brett went back to the hospital and removed some of the equipment needed for home care.
Nurse Donna about scared the crap out of him, when she grabbed his arm and demanded to know where Doc was. She took one look at the bedpan he was carrying, and smiled. "OK, I see how things are shaking down."
In the end, Donna and Inghram moved to Will's place, staying in the third bedroom. Donna thought it would have been perfect if they would have been in bed at the same time, but they alternated shifts. One catching a few winks of sleep while the other stood watch.
"So close, yet so far," she was muttering one morning while she waited for the coffee to perk.
"Whatcha saying?" Inghram came in the room trying to shake sleep from his eyes.
"Oh, I was just saying that I can't catch a break," Donna hastily amended as not to embarrass herself.
"You need a break, do you?" Doc tugged at her hair, surprising Donna with the physical contact.
"Yes," she looked at him with honesty in her eyes. "I do need a break," she repeated forcefully.
"Well then," Doc put his arm around her. "I guess we need to create one, don't we."
Donna touched his cheek with her red, chapped hand; and got a kiss on her fingertips. "Oh," she breathed in a husky whisper. "Oh my."
Standing close in front of the kitchen sink, they held each other, enjoying the tension and warmth they created. Eyes promised they would continue later.
Surrounded by warmth and familiar smells, later that night Will stirred. Cassy lay next to him in bed, half asleep but thrilled with the small movements. Will stretched his legs and grunted as he pulled at cramped muscles. She whispered encouragement, telling her man to rejoin the present. Finally, she was laughing and crying at the same time, making enough noise to bring both Doc and Donna in the room.
Hobart was the last soul in the hospital. Everyone else had left, taking their loved ones home with them. He secured the pharmacy and locked the double doors behind him. Striding confidently down the street pulling the wagons with more bravado than he felt, he wanted nothing more than to drop the handle and run.
Spooked by the shadows, howling wind and reduced visibility, Hobie practically ran into Will's house without knocking. Panting with the fear of the dark snapping at his heels, he pulled the snow covered wagons inside to begin melting all over the floor.
"Whoa Hobie, watcha got?" Doc materialized from around the corner.
"Doc, I'm sure glad to see you. These are the drugs. Couldn't leave them behind in the empty hospital. We gotta have a way to secure it. I can't guard the whole place by myself." Hobie edged over to the stove and stood hogging up the heat.
Doc nodded, recovering from the shock he felt at Hobie's revelation. He had dropped the ball, forgotten about a very basic, potential problem. Having the drugs here at Will's was no solution, that made them all vulnerable. What a problem.
Hobie was right to have been spooked. There were eyes watching where he went, and with what he had.