"I don't want anything to do with you, you annoying, nit-picking perfectionist old man!"
"So be it, Katie."
---
"Katie, you're sure about staying here?"
"Mother! I have food and water for months. What more do I need?"
"Company? Someone to watch your back? Someone to keep watch while you're asleep?"
"I'll be fine!"
"Still can't forgive your grandfather for being who he is?"
"His arrogant, annoying, everything-must-be-perfect outlook is unforgivable."
"While you're talking about arrogant, perhaps you should look in the mirror."
"Not you too, Dad!"
"For someone who wants to drive things other than a tractor, you missed the opportunity to learn about a unique vehicle."
"Why would I want to be in the rain checking stuff that's obviously OK or that truck wouldn't have gotten here?"
"Things wear out and break down from use. What worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. Did your iPad ever plug itself in to be recharged?
"Well… no."
"That's why your 'annoying, perfectionist' grandfather is out in the rain checking oil, transmissions, antifreeze, windshield wipers and washer fluid, tire pressures on both vehicles plus the trailer and all the cargo straps. Kelly was smart enough to take the learning experience."
"So she's gonna be driving at 12?"
"Probably not on the highway but perhaps around the farm when we get there. If any state government is working, a 'school and work' license can be issued at 15 if justified…"
"I could be driving there?"
"Only to and from school and work - and that only if they are having school and you find work and there is fuel, plus no one other than family in the vehicle with you. If paper mail gets started back, we'll let you know when we get there. If you don't hear from us, assume we're OK and the mail isn't working."
"But…"
"Yes, Katie?"
"I don't want you to go!"
"We've already had this discussion. Your Mom and I no longer have jobs. This house will go back to the bank next month. The cabin and its ten acres are owned free and clear and taxes are paid for the next five years. While it's fine for one person, it's just not big enough for all of us. The garden there is big enough to feed you and have a little extra for preserving or barter. Your grandfather's house has six bedrooms and enough other rooms for everyone to have some quiet space when they need it and you know how bad that is some days - almost everyone that survived the 'New Flu' has their anxiety attacks and needs a nearly silent place they can retreat to."
"But how would I get there if I don't go with you?"
"Most likely, you won't ever get more than a few miles from the cabin. The number of dead and dying people means the utility systems - electricity, water, sewer, natural gas - will soon shut down and with electricity gone the delivery systems for food, fuel, clothes, medications, first aid and hygiene products will shut down in a matter of days or weeks for lack of fuel for the trucks. Maybe sooner. We're leaving now because your grandfather brought enough fuel to get his truck and our SUV back to the farm. We may not see that much fuel here again for years."
"But I don't wanna stay here!"
"That's not what you said ten minutes ago."
"I can't stand to ride in the SUV with all of you - it's too distracting with multiple conversations going on or someone listening to a podcast."
"You could ride with your grandfather. He doesn't even have the radio on when he's driving - something about the best multi-taskers can only juggle seven things and paying proper attention to driving uses six of those tasks so you only have a little attention left for other things."
"No noise?"
"Only from the vehicle and the road, unless you start a conversation."
"I can take a pillow and sleep?"
"Why don't ask him? I just heard him come in from outside."
"Grandfather?"
"Yes, Katie?"
"Is there room to load these things on your truck to go to the farm?"
"You want to ride with me?"
"Yes. Please?"
---
End.
"So be it, Katie."
---
"Katie, you're sure about staying here?"
"Mother! I have food and water for months. What more do I need?"
"Company? Someone to watch your back? Someone to keep watch while you're asleep?"
"I'll be fine!"
"Still can't forgive your grandfather for being who he is?"
"His arrogant, annoying, everything-must-be-perfect outlook is unforgivable."
"While you're talking about arrogant, perhaps you should look in the mirror."
"Not you too, Dad!"
"For someone who wants to drive things other than a tractor, you missed the opportunity to learn about a unique vehicle."
"Why would I want to be in the rain checking stuff that's obviously OK or that truck wouldn't have gotten here?"
"Things wear out and break down from use. What worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. Did your iPad ever plug itself in to be recharged?
"Well… no."
"That's why your 'annoying, perfectionist' grandfather is out in the rain checking oil, transmissions, antifreeze, windshield wipers and washer fluid, tire pressures on both vehicles plus the trailer and all the cargo straps. Kelly was smart enough to take the learning experience."
"So she's gonna be driving at 12?"
"Probably not on the highway but perhaps around the farm when we get there. If any state government is working, a 'school and work' license can be issued at 15 if justified…"
"I could be driving there?"
"Only to and from school and work - and that only if they are having school and you find work and there is fuel, plus no one other than family in the vehicle with you. If paper mail gets started back, we'll let you know when we get there. If you don't hear from us, assume we're OK and the mail isn't working."
"But…"
"Yes, Katie?"
"I don't want you to go!"
"We've already had this discussion. Your Mom and I no longer have jobs. This house will go back to the bank next month. The cabin and its ten acres are owned free and clear and taxes are paid for the next five years. While it's fine for one person, it's just not big enough for all of us. The garden there is big enough to feed you and have a little extra for preserving or barter. Your grandfather's house has six bedrooms and enough other rooms for everyone to have some quiet space when they need it and you know how bad that is some days - almost everyone that survived the 'New Flu' has their anxiety attacks and needs a nearly silent place they can retreat to."
"But how would I get there if I don't go with you?"
"Most likely, you won't ever get more than a few miles from the cabin. The number of dead and dying people means the utility systems - electricity, water, sewer, natural gas - will soon shut down and with electricity gone the delivery systems for food, fuel, clothes, medications, first aid and hygiene products will shut down in a matter of days or weeks for lack of fuel for the trucks. Maybe sooner. We're leaving now because your grandfather brought enough fuel to get his truck and our SUV back to the farm. We may not see that much fuel here again for years."
"But I don't wanna stay here!"
"That's not what you said ten minutes ago."
"I can't stand to ride in the SUV with all of you - it's too distracting with multiple conversations going on or someone listening to a podcast."
"You could ride with your grandfather. He doesn't even have the radio on when he's driving - something about the best multi-taskers can only juggle seven things and paying proper attention to driving uses six of those tasks so you only have a little attention left for other things."
"No noise?"
"Only from the vehicle and the road, unless you start a conversation."
"I can take a pillow and sleep?"
"Why don't ask him? I just heard him come in from outside."
"Grandfather?"
"Yes, Katie?"
"Is there room to load these things on your truck to go to the farm?"
"You want to ride with me?"
"Yes. Please?"
---
End.
