Story Market Day

[ComCamGuy]

Rebuilding Lives, Bit by Bit


Violet found herself for the first time wishing they had Tim’s big ass SUV. The only thing they had with more than two seats was Veronica’s convertible surplus G-Wagon. Even with the heater cranked all the way up, they were thankful for their jackets.

“OK, we need to focus on some unpleasant things. Right now, we need to replace your lost clothes. Lots and lots of underwear. Tons of socks, undies, t-shirts, long underwear, 20-30 pairs for both of you. Short sleeve shirts, long sleeves, pants, shorts, coats, jackets, hats, gloves, everything. Shoes, boots, all of it.”

Violet was expecting something, anything from Derek and Gretchen. Instead, they were quiet. She looked over at them. They seemed lost in thought.

“Guys! Each grab a cart and shop quickly. I will look for other stuff we might need like sleeping bags and packs and such. I’m also shopping for me and Veronica. There are five different outdoors shops we can hit. If they are all open, we will be in good shape.”

Derek had the first question.

“So, we don’t know if any of them are still open?”

“Nope, we don’t. So, shop in each store like it’s the only one we can. When we go to the next, we shop to fill any gaps from what we get from the last one.”

Violet could still see some hesitation in them.

“Look, don’t worry about the cost, or getting too much. We need to take advantage of the opportunity. When we get in there, I am going to talk to the clerk or the manager. I will tell them you lost everything in a house fire, which you did. I will not tell them about your parents. They may come over to try and help. I didn’t want them to bitch about us loading up the carts”

 

[ted]

Thank you.

 

[Sportsman]

Thank you! These holiday posts are quite welcome.
Let us know, when you can, what the general population thinks right about now. Loading up the carts at a wholesale club store is one thing, doing it at BigR or <shudder>Dicks would really draw attention in normal times.

 

[ComCamGuy]

Thank you! These holiday posts are quite welcome.
Let us know, when you can, what the general population thinks right about now. Loading up the carts at a wholesale club store is one thing, doing it at BigR or <shudder>Dicks would really draw attention in normal times.

that’s why Violet was going to talk to the managers about them loosing everything in a house fire. Going through an REI with a manager loading up a cart draws not as much of a panic reaction

 

[ComCamGuy]

And in the Ogden/ Salt Lake area there are easily about a dozen good outdoor stores for them to choose from including things like REI, Black Diamond, sportsman’s warehouse, Canyon Sports, Safari Supply, and so on and so forth

 

[ComCamGuy]

A Long Way from Normal Still


Violet was having flashbacks from a few weeks ago, shopping for her own new wardrobe, with a few notable changes. The shelves were thinner, and a couple of the places on their lists weren’t open anymore. Her idea of coordinating with the managers worked liked a charm. They had helpers digging in the back, trying to match up sizes and finding thing that were not on the shelves. The time they spent was cut in half with the assistance the stores provided. This was appreciated by everyone. They all wanted to get home as soon as possible.

Violet knew Veronica had a ton of outdoor gear but there might not be enough for four people. Violet was on the lookout for good quality backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads and all the real camping wants. They hadn’t broached the idea of moving to meet up with Paige yet, but Violet was trying to shop like they were coming with them.

“Guys, we will end up doing some more shopping tomorrow. Today was clothes and food. Tomorrow will be tools. Both of you were real good with bows when we were teaching you guys but you need real hunting rigs. Veronica will work on that with both of you. What I need you to work together on is serious fishing rigs. Your fishing may soon be one of the ways we feed us and those fluffy dust mops.”

Gretchen had to ask.

“What’s up with Veronica and the dogs? They are really good and behaved awesome when we were out this morning. She still doesn’t seem comfortable with them like you are. Shoot! You even speak their language.”

Violet wondered how much to tell them. She remembered all those years ago and knew why Veronica was still skittish around dogs. All the blood, the screaming, being half deaf for days after Pappa Ivar had to shoot them, one still locked onto his only daughter.

Violet remembered helping Veronica change her dressing. Veronica was horrified at everything. She helped her slather the scars with so much vitamin E, the commissary ran out twice. Veronica wouldn’t wear a two piece for over a year until they faded. She didn’t know how much was enough to understand and how much she had to keep her friend’s background private.

“Veronica had a real bad dog attack as a kid so it takes longer for her to trust a dog. It will be fine, she will loosen up with them, just give her time.”

 

[ComCamGuy]

Back to the House


Violet was worn out. Been a while since she stayed up for two days straight. They pulled into the garage. It took effort to climb out of the SUV. She knew they needed to finish up things so she could get some sleep. Shit! She still needed to move her stuff to her new room.

“Guys, Bring your stuff upstairs. Gretchen, your new room will be the end of the hall on the left. I still need to move some stuff out of it. Derek, you will be in the room next to hers.”

“I don’t want to kick you out of your room!” Gretchen objected.

“It’s ok. I’m just moving across the hall. You need the room I’m in and I don’t mind the other room, where you might. Don’t worry, all four bedrooms have an awesome private bathroom.”

“But what about the dogs? Will there be a problem with them up in the main part of the house?” Derek sounded worried.

“We got four dog beds. Veronica is putting one in each of the four bedrooms. There won’t be a problem with them. So, sort your stuff and meet me inside.”

Violet headed straight in. She would unload her and Veronica’s stuff tomorrow.

 

[ComCamGuy]

A Surprise


Violet went to her soon to be old bedroom to move her stuff, only to find it already moved into the camo bedroom. Veronica had been quite busy it seemed. A lot of the excess hunting gear was gone, the closet was empty except for Violet’s stuff and the new bed and dresser were set up and ready.

She went in to thank her and give a report on what they saw, but Veronica wasn’t in her room. Violet also didn’t see the dogs. That was odd. They should have been out here investigating who came in.

None of the vehicles were missing, so she must be somewhere in the house. Through the kitchen, nothing. For some reason, she didn’t want to call out. Dinning room, nothing. She found her in the den.

Veronica was asleep on one of the big sectionals. With all they have been doing. This was no surprise. What was a bit shocking was the two pups on the couch with her, one with its head in her lap. She pulled out her phone and took a picture before she decided whether to call the dogs or not. Violet figured she must know they were there. She thought she saw Veronica stroke the head of the dog her in lap. In the end she backed quietly out of the room deciding to letting sleeping dogs lie.

 

[ted]

Thank you.

 

[Sportsman]

Thank you. Guess she'll get over her dog apprehension sooner rather than later. Love the dogs.

 

[ComCamGuy]

6126 & 6128 re-edit

 

[ComCamGuy]

A Long Winter’s Nap


Violet walked back down the hall to the bedrooms where Derek and Gretchen were putting away their new clothes.

“So, you two get settled in. There is plenty of food in the fridge. Veronica and I need to get some sleep. We have more to track down tomorrow. The dogs are down with her. I will bring them up here in a moment.”

“I don’t know how we can ever thank you two enough for taking us in. With everything going sideways in the world, we had no right to expect anything and here you are doing everything. I…” Derek was too choked up to say any more. Instead, he gave Violet a big hug. Soon, Gretchen joined in.

When everyone broke the embrace, Violet was also wiping tears from her eyes as well.

“OK, well, get some food and some sleep. I know I will. I’ll be right back with the dogs.”

Violet quietly walked back down to the den on the other side of the house. Peeking in, she saw neither the dogs nor Veronica had moved. Violet spoke softly in almost a stage whisper.

“Senshi, Onna,” She saw both dogs lift their heads, turning to the doorway. She spoke softly again. “Kuru.”

Both dogs slid quietly off of the couch and moved to Violet. She scratched both their heads and led them back down the hall to the bedrooms. Both the pups and the kids were happy to see one another again.

“Alright guys, hold it down, the old people need some sleep.”

Violet went into her new room. Looking around, she saw Veronica had moved all the bathroom stuff as well. She took a quick shower and then off to bed.

 

[Sportsman]

The makings of a new cohesive family. Thank you.

 

[FNFAL1958]

I'm confused about the word Kuru my search states its a neurological aliment due to cannibalism. What am I missing?

 

[Dumb Blonde]

I'm confused about the word Kuru my search states its a neurological aliment due to cannibalism. What am I missing?

 

[Smitty60]

It means to come in Japanese. I had to look it up also.

 

[ComCamGuy]

It means to come in Japanese. I had to look it up also.

Exactly! Come!

 

[ComCamGuy]

The First Morning of a New Start


Violet and Veronica felt a lot better in the morning. The sleep was a welcome rest. Violet wasn’t sure when Veronica came back to her bedroom, but she heard the shower going in her bathroom, so it was sometime during the night.

“Coffee” Veronica said when she came out of her bedroom into the hallway.

“I agree. I see the kids are up.” Violet gestured to the two empty rooms across the hall.

They heard sounds coming from the kitchen. Time to investigate.

Coming into the kitchen, the first thing they noticed was the smell of cooking. Rounding the corner, Gretchen was sitting at the table, with the dogs laying around her feet. Both furry heads came up to pay attention to Veronica and Violet’s arrival. Violet smiled, but she notices Veronica seemed startled.

“Veronica, it’s ok. They are good puppies.” Violet told her quietly.

“Guys, breakfast is almost ready. We heard the showers stop so we could time it right, we hope.” Derek was over by the stove stirring something.

Veronica was still standing at the entryway to the kitchen, looking over at Gretchen and the dogs.

“Veronica, I know, but they are very obedient and well behaved. They have accepted you and would protect you.” Violet said. She placed her hand on Veronica’s arm. Veronica was trembling.

“I know they are good. I can’t help it! Besides, how can we know they have accepted us?” Veronica’s voice was trembling too.

Violet wasn’t sure if it was the right time, but she needed to do something. She pulled out her phone.

“Veronica, these two see all of us, or at least Derek, Gretchen and you as their pack. They would defend you, not attack you.” Violet tried to convince her as she swiped through her phone to pull up the picture.

“They won’t hurt you. They are sweet and harmless!” Gretchen blurted out.

Both dogs sat up, paying attention to the highly charged emotions rolling around the kitchen.

When the dogs sat up, Violet felt Veronica jump. She had to get ahold of this situation.

“Veronica, you getting scared isn’t going to help. I know why but these are good loyal and helpful. If they held any animosity or violence towards you, we would know.”

“How the hell do we know they have accepted us?” Veronica snapped.

“Because of this!” Violet replied, holding out her phone for Veronica to see the picture of the dogs sleeping on the couch with her.

Veronica’s eyes went wide, her skin went white and she slumped, falling back into Violet, who lowered her to the ground.

“Well, that might have gone better. Derek, give me a hand.” Violet said.

 

[Griz3752]

The old saw holds true: 1 picture .......

Sure cuts to the chase though

 

[ComCamGuy]

Veronica wasn’t sure what happened for a moment. She was sitting in a kitchen chair with Violet kneeling in front of her. Standing behind Violet were Derek and Gretchen. Gretchen was talking to Violet and Derek.

“I don’t get it! The dogs seem to love her, they stayed with her on the couch, haven’t even jumped up on her. What’s the problem?”

Violet had Veronica’s hands in hers, trying to comfort her and paused to answer Gretchen’s question honestly.

“The pups are wonderful. It has nothing to do with your dogs. It’s from long ago. It’s not your fault.” She turned back to Veronica when she feels Veronica pull her hands free.

“You want to know what the problem is?! You want to know?!”

It was a rare moment Gretchen and Derek had never seen from Veronica, one Violet knew she tried very hard all the time to control. Veronica reacted without thinking without planning or plotting every outcome. In exasperation Veronica grabbed the hem of her t-shirt on one side, yanking it high up, exposing her whole chest and side.

“The biggest flap the dogs tore loose, it took over ninety stitches to tack back down! Eight months to get full use of my arm again! A real great time in junior high school!”

With her t-shirt up, Derek and Gretchen could see several large scars on Veronica’s chest and abdomen. Very pale but they were there and visible.

Violet knew exactly where the scars were. She had seen them back when she first got them, and as she helped her with her recovery. She reached forward and gently pulled the hem of the shirt from Veronica’s fingers. She pulled the shirt back down.

“Veronica, I understand. I remember the whole thing. These aren’t those dogs. These guys can be the ones to show you, help you get past it. Please trust me about them.”

Gretchen and Derek didn’t know what to say. The scars spoke for themselves.

“I’ll tell you what, Violet. I’ve been trying, and I will keep trying, but don’t push it and if I get twitchy, give me some space.”

“Deal!” Violet had a smile on her face now.

She turned her head to look at Derek and Gretchen who nodded their heads. The dogs looked up at them and then over at Violet and nodded their heads as if to agree.

“Let’s get to that food you worked so hard on. We have a lot to do today.”

 

[Sportsman]

Understandable. We’ll see her getting through it.

 

[ComCamGuy]

#6140 re-edit

 

[Texican]

Being attacked by viscous dogs, would leave one with physical damage, emotional and mental scars which can be overcome.

Texican....

 

[ComCamGuy]

Later, Running Errands


This morning it was Veronica running around with Derek and Gretchen while Violet stayed at the house with the dogs. Veronica seemed to have recovered from her outburst before breakfast

One of their first stops was the base. Veronica had to run into her office to pick up a few things. Derek and Gretchen stayed in the car while she ran inside.

“Derek, what are we going to do? It’s Veronica’s house and she was really freaked out with the dogs!” Gretchen said from the back seat.

“She said it was ok. Violet said it was ok. We will be fine.” Derek tried to reassure his sister. He didn’t want his little sister to worry. That was his job.

“I don’t know, those scars were pretty bad. “

“Look, Veronica said it would be OK, and I believe her.
Derek countered.

“You didn’t see how bad those scars were.” Gretchen said, her voice full of concern.

“I was standing right there. I saw how bad they were, Gretchen.” Derek sounded frustrated now.

“You didn’t see crap! You were too busy staring at her tits, you perv!”

“I did too see the scars!” Derek was embarrassed at being caught. Hell, he was a healthy seventeen-year-old boy, and there were naked tits right there in front of him. He couldn’t help it.

“You were staring at her tits then, and you have been sneaking glances since then.” Gretchen was glad the conversation took a different path. This distracted her from her worry, even if just a little while.

Now Derek’s embarrassment was off the charts.

“Look, don’t say anything about that, please!” Derek didn’t know what else to say.

“I won’t rat you out but you better contain yourself. If she catches you, you will end up hanging from that hook in the garage!” Gretchen smiled and slapped his shoulder as she continued. “Now, here she comes. At least put your sunglasses on so she doesn’t catch you as easily.”

Veronica wasn’t sure what the two were laughing about when she got back to the SUV.

 

[Cohickman]

Your levity is good, it helps counter your fear of death!

 

[Sportsman]

Hey, he's a male. That's bred into us. Now, how long can these two go without having to go in to work?
Thank you.

 

[ComCamGuy]

At Mark’s Shop


“Hey, Mark. These are my friends Derek and Gretchen. They can fish and hunt, but I need tools for them. Fishing gear and bows. Derek go pull the fishing gear you need. Gretchen, go start looking and pulling the bow stuff we were talking about and I’ll be right over to help.”

Gretchen and Derek went over to start work pulling the stuff while Veronica continued talking to Mark.

“Some bad things happened and these two are now under my care. Housefire. They lost everything. They are the reason I need the two additional pistols. ”

Mark looked from Veronica over to the two teenagers and back to Veronica.

“Do I want to know why you want to give kids Roland Specials?

Veronica gave him one of her looks.

“I know,I know, just do it. Don’t worry. I should be able to. You know me, I will try to make it as inexpensive as I can.”

“I think I can take care of you on that, Mark. I have something to trade, but it should cover the pistols, the fishing stuff, the bows, everything.”

“Oh? Bar of gold in your bag? I haven’t even given you the shotguns yet.” Mark was now intrigued.

“I told you not to worry.”

Veronica set a leather case down on the cabinet. Mark looked at the leather, the craftsmanship, the markings. Now he was really intrigued.

“This isn’t…” shaking his head in disbelief as he slid open the leather shotgun case.

Inside the leather case was an older green case, the words ‘Drilling M30 Mit Munition U Zubehor GE’ stenciled on the lid. Carefully, he opened the case. Inside the case was a real old school Drilling, three barreled gun.

“You’re shitting me. M30 Luftwaffe Drilling!12 gauge and 9.3x74R, in pretty good condition too!” Mark looked over at Veronica. “Are you sure you want to let this go? I’ll be more than glad to take it off your hands but do you really want to let it go?”

“Mark, I know you will love and cherish it. All it does is sit in the back of my safe. It should tell you how bad I need to outfit these two with everything they need.”

“You know me. I’ll take care of them. Give me a week to get the slides milled. I have the sights and I know where I can get the red dots.”

“Great! Now get in the back and get my other stuff while I start pulling bow stuff.”

 

[ComCamGuy]

 

[Sportsman]

Thank you.

 

[Lake Lili]

@ComCamGuy - that's just beautiful... makes the heart glad to know that there is quality like that around. Thanks for shring the images. - Lili

 

[FNFAL1958]

I can only dream of owning one of these works of art Vierling Four Barrel

 

[ComCamGuy]

Re-Edit #6147

 

[Shooter]

the drilling are made by magic, some of the best work I have ever seen, and made before all the fancy equipment. all done by hand,

I made a double rifle, from a double barreled shotgun. cut the barrels at about 4 inches long. reamed and tapped the inside of the shotgun stubs, and threaded 458 ID barrels. was able to fit the barrels to the stub, and chambered it in 45-70.I worked for almost a year, trying to get them to hit point of aim the same on both barrel, finally. put a 1.5 to 5 scope on the right barrel. and Iron sights on the left barrel.

was a lot of fun to shoot, but someone offered me a price that I couldnt pass up for it,

 

[ComCamGuy]

Sitting Around the Table the Next Day

“Derek, Gretchen, now the initial emergency has passed. Violet and I figured we need to talk.”
They were trying to not make this any sort of confrontational or authoritarian type of event. Each was sitting on one of the four sides of the kitchen table, recently cleared from the remains of the morning meal.
At Veronica’s words, Derek and Gretchen got a worried look on their faces and they looked at one another, uncertainty evident.

“Don’t look so scared. It will all be ok. Veronica and I just wanted to set some things into place to prevent misunderstandings from happening.” Violet tried to ease their fears. Veronica saw this too and needed to head it off, quickly.

“Guys, we have taken you in, have taken responsibility for you. Don’t worry on that account. We aren’t selling you to the copper mines or anything. We just figured we needed to make sure we understood one another.” She saw some of the tension start to leave their young charges. This brought a smile to her face as she continued.

“Food, clothing, shelter. We worked on the easy parts first. Now it’s the hard part. Violet and I have no experience being parents. We are not your parents and don’t intend to presume as much. What we are is your Guardians. One of the sets of paperwork I picked up at the shop yesterday was legal paperwork making Violet and I your temporary Guardians. What this does is prevent the state from getting involved and sending you to some foster home or group home and all the corresponding horrors involved.” Veronica shuddered at the thought of these two in some group home.

“Yeah, this is our way of trying to protect you and take care of you, especially with the way the world is going. But there is another part to this. Just as Veronica said, we have no experience being parents. We do, however, have experience working with younger adults. You two have behaved yourselves as proper adults in all our interactions with you. What we intend is to give you choices.” Violet said, looking both of them in the eye in turn, and then Veronica. She nodded once.

“So, we figured we would explain things about the situation and some of your options. First and foremost, at any time you feel this isn’t working out, being with us, you can leave, find somewhere else to be and live with or strike out on your own.”

At this, Gretchen and Derek looked a bit worried again. Violet started talking.

“No, we aren’t planning to kick you out. We just want to make sure you are here because you want to be here. Here’s the hook in the worm though. As long as you are with us, there are rules and a hierarchy of authority. This doesn’t mean we intend to be ordering you two around like little minions, but there will be times you will be told what to do rather than asked to do something. We wanted to make sure you understood this.” Violet was watching them as she said theis. She wanted good buy in before they went to the next topics.

“The biggest thing Violet and I expect out of you two is you to do the right thing because it’s the right thing, and not because we forced you too. We aren’t worried by anything we have seen since we’ve known you on that regard. One of those things is school. With everything that happened, we need to get with your school and set things up for you to continue. Last I knew, you guys were on remote schooling. With the holiday break just ending a couple days ago, you shouldn’t be too far behind. We need to get you back into a schedule to take care of school.” Veronica could see a mixture of emotions play across their faces at this.

“Veronica can go talk to the schools if they give you any trouble about the missed days. Shoot, we need to go talk to them and introduce ourselves as your guardians anyway, so let’s put that on this afternoon’s agenda anyway.” Violet ended with a grin.

Veronica looked at them, reading their expressions, their posture, their body language and made up her mind to tell them the second half.

“Here’s the other part we need to talk on. With the way the government is going, things look to be going from bad to worse with few aspects looking to get any better. The trip Violet and I just came back from involved setting up some contingency plans. If things break down too bad, we have a plan to move.” At the word ‘move’ she saw the worry explode back onto their faces. “If, and I say again, if it comes to that, we wouldn’t be abandoning you here. Our plan is the four of us go. That is part of the reason we went on a bit of a shopping spree. The new location would be a lot of hunting and fishing and such for sustenance, just like it is becoming here. You need the equipment to sharpen your skills. That will be the job when you aren’t studying or in class.” Veronica wasn’t sure how they were handling the new bumps and flips in the rollercoaster of their lives.

Violet could see they needed some more smoothing.

“So, to accomplish all of this, we are going to treat you like the responsible young adults you have shown yourselves to be. Part of this is going to involve secrets. There are things we will teach you and ask you to do that you should tell no one else about for any reason. We will tell you what these are when they come up. For now, we just keep going like we have been, OK?”
The mood seemed to lighten some, but some uncertainty remained.

 

[Sportsman]

Thank you.

 

[ComCamGuy]

Several Days Later

Veronica was back at work now, leaving Violet with ‘kid duty’. The kids were getting caught up on their school work while Violet was spending a lot of time relearning Akitas and commands for them.

One of the big helps in all of this was setting a type of schedule. The structure reestablished some normalcy to everyone’s life. Violet had them doing some form of workout first thing in the morning, then Veronica would go to work. The kids would work on school work until lunch, then depending on Veronica’s schedule, they would practice something at the house or go fishing or hunting.

While the kids did schoolwork, Violet worked on other projects. The one that worried her was Veronica’s ‘oh shit’ defense plan project.

“Veronica, this is highly illegal! What happens if we have to use them?”

She looked up from the over/under shotguns and the Sawzall.

“Relax. If they come out of the safe then we aren’t worried about rules and laws any more.” Veronica tried to ease her fears.

“Gee, that makes me feel so much better! Do you really think we will get to that point?”

“Look, I figured if there was any possibility of it reaching that point, it would be better to have them and not need them. Besides, you’ve seen how bad it’s getting/ Think about our last trip back, or the two times before that. It’s a sliding scale, and sliding faster and faster.”

Violet reflected on the trips back and forth to Paige’s.

“You’re right. We both have been thinking about it. I guess that’s why we have been considering the move up to Paige’s grandfather’s to begin with. I just wanted to be wrong. I’ve been hoping it would change and all work itself out.”

Veronica smiled at her. "I know, and so have I. Not any more.”

Now Violet was worried.

“What have you heard to change your mind?”

“Nothing really solid. Just a gut feeling after a week of listening to all the traffic up and down the chain where no one seems to have a clue on so many levels. Nobody seems to know what needs done, how to get them to do it, or what it’s supposed to accomplish. We don’t have guidance and no one seems to be running anything beyond their own arms reach of control.”

This sounded like a horrible omen to Violet,

“So what you are saying is nobody is in control and nobody knows how to fix it. What about outside the military?”

“Shit! It’s even worse. With everyplace demanding federal aid, federal assistance, and the supply chain shattered and unable to flow, people are desperate. The briefings I got show the evacuations from the coastal bases to ones inland put a huge strain on the places the evacuees went. The DoD is drawing up new plans to move more units to different places, trying to consolidate resources to larger bases away from the major cities, just to keep the military members and resources safe.”

“Is that going to hit here? Is your base going to be one of the ones getting bigger or smaller?” Violet was trying to picture the bases and the towns they were in.

“We don’t know. There is a proposal that just came out to consolidate operations to the places with the ramp space to hold it. They proposed moving the F35s and the F-35 depot out of here up to Mountain Home in Idaho. It’s more isolated, with plenty of space for the units. They also want to move the depot repair of the C-130 down to Little Rock where the C-130 school is.”

“Shoot! If they do all of that, what will be left?” Violet wondered aloud.

“Not much. Any functions left that are still needed will move out to Dugway. They used to have a lot more Army units stationed out there. They had Rangers, a hospital, a whole lot more than they do now, so everything that they decide to keep local would end up out there.”

“Sounds like you might be in the same boat as me now, Veronica.”

“Yeah, that’s what it sounds like to me, too. So it might come down to choosing between moving out to the range or going up to Paige’s grandfathers place.”

“Well, oh master planner. It sounds like we need to start planning the trip north, I think moving to the range would be the worst of the two choices.”

“I guess so.”

 

[Sportsman]

Thank you.

 

[ted]

Thank you.

 

[Texican]

It is falling apart. The only unknown is when it will happen.

Thanks ccg for the chapter.

Texican....

 

[ComCamGuy]

“So, that’s what we are concerned with.” Violet and Veronica laid it all out on the table.

They said they were going to treat Derek and Gretchen like adults, well this was part of it. They explained the worry about the base closing, the food resources depleting and everything going to shit. They spelled out the possibility of moving out onto the range and the idea of moving up to Paige’s grandfathers, joining their own parents and friends.

“If we do this, it will be all six of us.” Veronica made a point to include the dogs in their discussion. Even though she was still twitchy and nervous around them, she was trying her best to adapt.

“Now, it’s not happening this week or anything, but the probability of one of those two things happening is getting higher and higher. It’s better if we start planning and preparing now instead of panicing and having to do it all of a sudden with almost no prep and forget a bunch of stuff or not get where we are headed.” Violet continued the discussion. She saw somber faces all around the table, including Veronica’s. Violet decided she needed to put a positive spin and drive things forward.

“Guys! We have some time! Instead of getting all doom and gloom, let’s look at it like preparing for a new adventure! Let’s take advantage of this time! More hunting! More fishing! What we catch, we either eat right away or whatever is not needed right now, we make into jerky or pemmican or smoke. We start trying to build up stocks of supplies we can take with us. Veronica and I talked last night. If it’s going north to Paige’s, then it’s one trip, no coming back for more stuff. That means each of you driving your own little trucks, and Veronica driving the Ent. She hasn’t decided but I will probably be driving the other G-Wagon unless she puts a tow bar on it and uses it like a trailer, in which case I’ll be driving the BMW.”

“Yeah, my decision on that is going to be driven by supplies and road conditions. I have a bad feeling the roads won’t be good enough to bring the BMW if we leave anytime real soon.” Veronica added.

Violet continued.

“So what that means to us? We are going to work harder on some of our lessons. Hand to hand and knife for sure, but also firearms. I told you the other day there will be things we will teach you and expect from you, things you aren’t to talk about. This will be one of them. Veronica is going to teach you about pistol shooting. You will end up with pistols of your own and expected to carry them as another tool to protect yourself and each other with.”

“Isn’t that illegal?” Gretchen said with worry thich in her voice. Veronica answered that one right away.

“Sure is, but so is assault, kidnaping, rape, and murder. What I am going to teach you is to be used in a life or death situation, one that the stuff Violet teaches you can’t get you out of. We will talk a lot more on the whys and whens as we go along. The other day when we came home and found you guys here, we told you we would protect you and take care of you. We meant it and this is part of it.” Veronica’s tone wasn’t harsh, but was definitely forceful and heartfelt.

“So, let’s start thinking about logistics and solutions. We figure thing one and thing two will be your co-pilots. We want to spread the food and supplies for all of us among all the vehicles so if one breaks down, we don’t lose everything. That’s the way we did it for convoys downrange. We aren’t packing things just yet, but it’s time to start thinking about what to pack and where.’ Violet tried to still sound upbeat.


“Get some sleep tonight. Tomorrow morning we are going to go start your pistol instruction.” Veronica added as the meeting broke up.