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  Jo filled her glass and said, “I remember when Mom first met Bill and said ‘What the fuck do you see in him.’ It took her several years to see the kind and gentle man that I fell in love with.”

  Will said, “I remember when Mom brought Jake home, and Missy was pissed because she wanted a baby sister. I was happy because it was now two boys against one girl.”

  Maddie said, “I remember the first words Momma Jane said when I met her. “Child, don’t move. You’ve been hit in the head.””

  They all laughed, and Will added, “At least you didn’t hear her tell me to get my hand off your boobs.”

  Maddie laughed and replied, “I did. I was faking being asleep until I knew what kind of people y’all were. Will I immediately thought you were a perv.”

  Even Missy had laughed at her comment before she said, “I remember Grandma cussing when Jake drove her golf cart into the lake. She jumped in, saved Jake, and pulled the cart out with Grandpa’s truck. Jake thought she was going to kill him. Instead, she took both of us out for ice cream and hid the keys to the cart.”

  Bob took a swallow of his whiskey and said, “About a year after Mary died and Jo invited me to Thanksgiving dinner she seated me next to her mother. I fell in love with her that night and felt guilty on the ride home the next day because I felt that I was cheating on Mary. It took way too long to get over that and join Jane as husband and wife. She was smart, beautiful, and very tough when she had to be.”

  Bob lifted his glass and said, “Jane, look up Mary in heaven and get to be friends. I’ll try not to join you anytime soon, but even God needs someone to stir the shit up every now and then.”

  They all lifted their glasses, toasted Jane and Jake and never forgot them.

  ***

  Jim Dickerson took over leadership of Lebanon until a fair election could be held, but the real reason for the delay was to root out any remaining friends of O’Berg. Lebanon was now down to less than four thousand people from a high of thirty-three thousand before the lights went out. Many had died from lack of medication, hunger, and the riots, but most just walked away hoping to find the FEMA camps.

  The only good news from the Senator’s occupation of Lebanon was that he forced most of the remaining people to put out gardens and gather all of the pigs, chickens, goats, and cows from the area west of Lebanon. With Lafayette, the Horseshoe, Pleasant Shade, and Jim’s farmer’s crops, the people in their group shouldn’t starve once the crops came in. The problem was making it until then.

  Bob resigned from his leadership position the day after Jane died to spend more time with his family and the community elected Jack to a one-year term as Mayor of the Horseshoe. Bob told Jack and his family that he would take assignments and lead combat teams as needed though he’d rather spend his time improving life in the Horseshoe.

  Jo was asked to become the Police Chief but declined due to her grieving process. Harold Hunter took the Police Chief’s job and made Ned his second in command.

  Bob took over the construction of the remaining security walls, guard towers, and with Maddie and Will’s help the general improvement of the infrastructure of the Horseshoe

  There were now four communities grouped together for their long-term survival, the Horseshoe, Lebanon, Fayetteville, and Pleasant Shade. Even the now abandoned town of Dixon Springs had been annexed by the Horseshoe and every criminal, drug pusher and thug were run out of town or shot. The fly in the ointment was that the city of Hartsville controlled the bridge over the river between Lebanon and the other three.

  About a month after freeing Lebanon, Ben proposed that they band together, force the crooked mayor out, and get the city to join their group.

  Bob asked, “Do we have any actionable intelligence from Hartsville?

  “Yes. I’ve had several of my men probing the town, and they report back that the mayor only has three dozen men on his side that keep the others in line. There were only 4,100 people living in the city before the shit hit the fan and now I guess there are less than 600,” replied Ben.

  Bob laughed and said, “A dozen thugs are keeping 600 people under control?”

  Ben responded, “Yes. Three-fourths are women and children, and the rest see the mayor and Police Chief as their legitimate leaders. They don’t have a clue that he has robbed them blind and killed over a quarter of their men for resisting his regime. He doles out the food and makes them work on the city’s farms.”

  “Well, you are the military guy, how do we kick the mayor, and his henchmen out of the town without getting the people killed,” asked Alice Jones from Pleasant Shade.

  Ben replied, “I’d like to propose that we infiltrate the town with about twenty fighters and silently take out their leaders and police force.”

  Jim replied, “Sounds like a job for the Wraith.”

  Will choked as he watched a tear come to his Papaw’s eye, and then said, “I think I know how to contact him.”

  Ben quickly turned and said, “How do you know how to communicate with him?”

  “I think that the Wraith is in our community and that if we have a group meeting and just mention the problem the Wraith might act on his own.”

  Ben replied, “That might or might not happen, and we can’t depend on this mythical crime fighter to solve our problems.”

  “Just trying to be helpful.”

  Ben went on to say, “I’ll need several volunteers for sniper and infiltration duties. I’d like to have the team ready ten days from now.”

  They all agreed, and the meeting was adjourned.

  Bob, Jack, and Will headed back to the Horseshoe from Lebanon and had to go through Hartsville. To avoid the ongoing conflict, they had begun giving the guards several cans of food each trip to allow them to go through the blockade and skirt around the city. They had to pay both trips so Bob handed the guards two cans of Spam, three cans of corn, and a large can of spinach. The guard waved them through, and they began the long trek around the city on the country roads. While this was occurring, Will chatted up the other guard and handed him something as they drove away.

  As soon as the guards were out of sight, Will said, “There are four roadblocks that take up 16 guards out of the Mayor’s tiny army. They could all be eliminated without any danger to the snipers. There are three men at the police station at all times and another two guarding the Mayor’s house. My math says that with around the clock coverage that would be twenty-seven of the Mayor’s army.”

  “How do you know this?”

  “The Major isn’t the only one who gathers information on the enemy. The other guard will tell you anything you want to know for a can of warm beer. I have been talking with him on every trip over here for the past month. The people are fed up with the Mayor and his bunch of crooks, but their guns were confiscated, and the Mayor shoots anyone who questions his authority. The guard and most of the citizens want us to kick the Mayor and his henchmen out.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything in the meeting?”

  “The General didn’t want to hear from us kids.”

  Jack replied, “His mistake, but you could have told us the info.”

  “I just did.”

  Bob dropped Jack off and continued the conversation, “You’re not thinking about attacking the Mayor’s little army by yourself are you?”

  “No. Papaw, I’m not going to attack them by myself.”

  “Okay, smart ass. You’re not so big that I can’t bend you over my knee and bust your ass. Who’s in this with you?”

  “Maddie, so far and I think Mom will join us.”

  “Why didn’t you invite me?”

  “I knew I wouldn’t have to. Once you heard the plan, I knew you’d come to me.”

  “Asshole.”

  “That’s Grandson Asshole.”

  “I want payback to all criminals, thugs, gang bangers, politicians, and crooks.”

  “Maddie and I vowed to wipe them off the Earth.”

  “Get your Mom to join us, and w
e will put four Wraiths onto the playing field.”

  It was an hour before supper, so Will went into the camper and found Maddie in the shower trying to take a quick hot shower. Will had hung two of those solar shower bags above the camper, and one could get a nice hot shower if they were quick about it. Maddie had just turned the shower on as Will entered and began shucking his clothes. Maddie saw him running at the small shower buck-naked and said, “Hurry up the hot water won’t last. They both barely fit in the small shower but greatly enjoyed bathing together. Will lathered her back and then the rest of her body then switched off with her as she reciprocated. The water was now only lukewarm, and they rinsed quickly to get the suds off before the bags ran out.

  They stepped out of the shower just as the water ran low, quickly toweled each other off, and ran to their bed to make love before supper.

  Later Maddie lay on top of Will as they kissed and talked about Will and Bob’s trip.

  “Papaw wants to join us on our rat killing mission. Maddie sat up on top of Will and said, “That’s great. Now we just need your Mom, and we will have a force to be reckoned with.”

  Will pulled her down to his chest, kissed her, and said, “We need to forget killing thugs and practice making love again before supper. I love you and love being married to you.”

  Maddie kissed him and replied, “Perv. I knew you just wanted my body when you felt me up that first day while I was unconscious.”

  Will and Maddie were the last to join the family for supper and the last ones to the kitchen had to wash the dishes since they didn’t help cook the meal or set the table.

  “Darn, got to wash dishes again,” Will said.

  “You and Maddie could stop whatever you are doing and get here on time,” said Missy as she grinned at Maddie.

  “Maddie threw a roll at her and replied, “I like washing dishes.”

  Joan said, “Moving right along, how did the meeting in Lebanon go today?”

  Bob replied, “It was a good meeting. We have four communities in our little group and Lebanon is cut off from the rest of us by that asshole Mayor in Hartsville.”

  Joan answered, “Well we need to cut out that damned pain in the ass. I’ll volunteer.”

  “Lady, that’s the plan. Too bad the Wraith has been on vacation, or it would have been taken care of by now.”

  Missy added, “Yes, he would have shot the Mayor and his men.”

  “Joan quickly said, “Who said the Wraith is a man. She could be a woman who wants justice and doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty. Bob and Will trained me to shoot, fight with a knife, and kill with a compound bow. I’d love to get a crack at killing the men who….”

  She looked over at Missy and finished the sentence, “Abused me.”

  Bob replied, “You’ve got a point there; there’s nothing more dangerous than a momma bear protecting her cubs.”

  “Or a woman protecting her family. I sometimes wonder if y’all realize what a wonderful family that you have under this roof. You always have each other’s backs. You work hard and play hard, and you always find a way to have fun even in trying times,” Joan said.

  She started crying when she realized that her family was probably dead and she was alone in the world. Bob and Jo both gave her a hug, and Jo said, “Joan you are a part of our family now, and can stay with us as long as you like.”

  Jo told Will to join the others on the deck while she and Maddie washed the dishes. He bolted for the door as Maddie threw a wet dishrag at him.

  “Momma Jo, did you just break the single woman rule?”

  “Nope. I have long range plans for Joan.”

  “Oh shit. You are going to hook her up with Bob.”

  “Shusssssh. I know Bob is heartbroken now, but in three to six months, the desire to find a mate will kick back in gear. As you know well things move at twice the speed of sound for relationships after the lights went out. A woman without a man is fair game for those creeps and outlaws. A man without a woman is a lonely miserable bastard who won’t survive either. I just need to keep putting her attractive body in front of Bob every chance I get, and nature will take its course.”

  “You don’t think she will make eyes at Bill or Will do you?”

  “She wouldn’t look at Will, but Bill is closer to her age. Our job is to stop that before it gets started. I don’t think she will try for a married man with Bob and a few others around. Hell, she laughs at all of Bob’s jokes and spends a lot of time with him alone. Hell, they might become friends with benefits if nothing else.”

  “You are evil. My kind of evil. You know Helen hasn’t found a man either. Perhaps we sic both of them on Bob.”

  “Now that was pure evil. Maddie, I am so glad Will found you. He needs a strong woman, and I know you will make him happy.”

  “Mom, I love Will with all of my heart and soul. I want to be a great wife, but I’ll never be subservient to anyone. We will be equal but bend to the other’s needs when necessary. I love this family. Joan was right. This is a unique family, and I’m proud to be part of it.”

  “We’re glad to have you in our family, and I couldn’t have picked out a better mate for Will. Now back to match making. Let’s figure out how to get Bob to take Joan down to the swimming hole by the rocks.”

  Maddie replied, “Skinny dipping?”

  “No, we need to move slowly. Put them together whenever we can and make small suggestions that one might be interested in the other.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  ✼

  Chapter 13

  Day 60 – Return of the Wraiths

  It was over a month, and a half since Jane, Jake, and Izzy were killed, and thankfully, things had calmed down a bit for the family. The crying had ceased, but the grieving process would go on for a while longer. The family was strong, so life had to go on since people had to eat, the land had to be farmed, and people had to move on.

  Since Bob didn’t want to move another camper onto his property, Joan stayed in one of his bedrooms. Maddie and Will still had one of the new modular homes and Bill, Jo, and Missy had another modular home. Joan cooked most of the meals, did the laundry, and house cleaning for Bob and the others as her contribution to the family. The entire family worked at jobs for the community and tended to their large garden after their day jobs.

  It was late spring and warmer than usual for this time of the year in Middle Tennessee. The crops were growing well; they should have more than enough for themselves and be able to trade with the other communities for items they needed. The one setback continued to be the town of Hartsville.

  Jo watched her son and his wife holding hands as they walked over to the house for breakfast and wondered what kind of life her grandkids would have in this post-apocalyptic world. She knew that with Walt and the Senator dead things would get better but also knew there were still plenty of criminals and thugs out there to plague them on down the road.

  “Hey Maddie, bring Will over here for a minute.”

  “What’s up Momma Jo?”

  “No pressure, but how do you two feel about continuing Mom’s work taking out the trash.”

  They both laughed, and Jo was surprised at the reaction and upset that they didn’t take the subject seriously. Her face turned red, and she was about to walk away when Maddie replied, “I’m sorry, but the reason we laughed is that we were going to ask you to join us to finish Momma Jane’s work. Will and I vowed to rid the Earth of all vermin, so our kids will have a safer and better life.”

  “You aren’t….?”

  “Not yet, but the pills have run out and the condoms won’t last forever.”

  “Yeah, I’m not wild about giving Will another baby brother or sister. I talked with Doc about tying my tubes, and he is against it due to the risk of infection. Now he will do a vasectomy or neutering but nothing for us ladies.”

  Will grimaced and said, “I’ll pass. Besides we want kids, just not now.”

  “Back to the subject; let’s m
eet after breakfast to plan out our little adventure and make sure nothing goes south. Think about how to gather intelligence and long-range sniping. Let’ go on to breakfast.”

  “Oh, by the way, Papaw is also joining us.”

  “That’s great. Maddie, talk with Joan; I’ll bet she will join our motley crew.”

  Will replied, “I think we can bring her up to speed quickly, but do we need five people?”

  “Will, please this time just trust your Momma,” replied Maddie, who then added, “She knows what she’s doing.”

  “Son, I don’t want to lose anyone. My plan is to have two people perform the close in work while the other three stand back under cover and protect the attacker’s backs. Even if we are just sniping, I want several of us to watch for danger and prevent surprises.”

  Will said, “That makes sense. I’m in.”

  Maddie joined Joan to wash the dishes and started the conversation with, “Joan do you really think you could kill someone?”

  “Maddie, thank God no one has ever raped or abused you. I want to kill every person who rapes, kills, or damages any person, and may there be a special place in hell for anyone who abuses children. Girl, I think killing is the last thing that should be done in a society of ordinary people; however, we are in a situation where society has broken down, and the people must eliminate the bad people and pray to God they know the difference.”

  “Then join our little team and start killing the bad guys. We’re meeting at the swimming hole over by the rock bluff on the river. You can ride with Will and me. Bring something to swim in.”

  “I don’t have anything.”

  “You’re about my size. I have a couple of bikinis.”

  “Maddie, do you think that is appropriate?”

  “It’s either that or a t-shirt and shorts.”

  “I’ll take the bikini. Who’s on the team?”