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Post by bretf on Aug 27, 2021 14:04:00 GMT
Welcome home bretf , hope you had a good time off. Wanted to say...IT'S ABOUT TIME YOU GET BACK HERE WITH ANOTHER CHAPTER. Sorry just had to jerk your chain a bit LOL Thanks. It was long, grueling and sad. Drove away with a full van and my son. We left Tucson with a nearly empty van and no boy.
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Post by bretf on Aug 27, 2021 14:06:46 GMT
Chapter 20
Kevin was at work early, spending his free time on the internet. He worked on the lists of prep items he hoped to buy, searching for the best prices. A sheet of paper on his desk was covered with notes by the time Janice arrived. Watching, he waited until she had her coffee and was relaxed at her desk. Then, he rose and went to talk to her.
“Good morning, Janice. Have a good weekend?”
“Yep, nice and lazy. How about you?”
Kevin flushed, and said, “Yes, very nice. I got some stuff done around the place. And I hate to impose, but I was also thinking about some things I need. You get the office supplies at Costco, don’t you?”
She sipped her coffee, and then said, “Yeah, why? Do you need me to pick something up for you?”
“Well, I was just wondering if I could go along with you next time and check the prices on some things. You know, see if it’s worth the entrance fee.”
“It’s a membership, not an entrance fee, but I get you. Or course you can go. But don’t you have a membership? As crowded as it gets, especially on weekends, I thought everyone must have a membership.”
“I haven’t since the kids were little. We got diapers and formula there but it didn’t seem worth the hassle after that.”
Janice took a longer sip, thinking. Wednesday wouldn’t work because of his laundry. And it was out of character for him to ask to go along so it was important to him. She consulted her calendar. “Okay. Well, we are running low on some things. How’s lunchtime tomorrow sound? I don’t see that Walt has anything scheduled so we could leave Jack and Jill with him.”
Kevin’s face, concerned when he made the request, relaxed. “Great. I’ll ask Walt when he gets in.”
“Leave him to me,” Janice said.
“Okay, well, thanks. Now I better get at it.”
Kevin returned to his desk. He had a few more minutes before he had to get to work so he did a bit more surfing. Storing baking supplies concerned him, especially flour. It was well known weevil eggs, among other undesirables, were often present and would hatch and destroy stored provisions.
Listed most often for storage were airproof buckets and oxygen absorbers. He couldn’t afford everything some of the preppers recommended. There must be a better, less costly method. Wondering what some of those people did for work, they obviously had more disposable income than he did, he looked for a workable method.
Kevin’s face relaxed as he read the final site he had time to visit. Freezing, that was the answer. All he had to do was freeze flour, rolled oats, and other grain products for a few days. Then, he could use the popcorn tins he’d found at the thrift store for storage. Thank goodness Debbie didn’t take the freezer!
#
As Janice picked up supplies for the office, Kevin roamed the aisles. At each item he was interested in, he shot photos of the product sizes and cost. Later, he’d put all the information onto a sheet of paper. With his research complete, he located Janice, waiting near the check-out lanes.
“What, with everything in this store, you couldn’t find anything to buy?” she asked.
“Oh, I saw plenty, but I’m not ready to buy today. Tell you what, though. Let me treat you to lunch for letting me tag along. I’ve heard great things about the Costco hotdogs.”
Janice laughed. “Sure, I’ll take you up on that. They are pretty good. But you know, the saying is the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, not a woman’s. Besides, I’m taken.”
#
Wednesday’s lunchtime found Kevin at the laundromat. Tammy’s parting words from Sunday ran through his mind. I can come and see you another time. Or you can always stop in at The Watering Hole. It seemed he’d do his laundry alone. Head down and shoulders slumped, he went to the machines, pulled his whites from the washer and stuffed them into a drier. I should’ve just done everything in one load so I can get out of here.
A shadow darkened the door and it began to open. She came!
He broke into a smile as Tammy entered. Again, she didn’t have dirty laundry, only carrying a paper bag in each hand. A delicious aroma filled the enclosed space.
“Hey, Kev, I hope you’re hungry.”
“Hi. I, uh, wasn’t sure I’d see you today.”
She tilted her head and a look crossed her face. “I’m sorry you felt that way. I’ve been enjoying our mid-week dates. Of course, I was coming.”
He didn’t mention the absence of her laundry. The alarm sounded as the washer with his colors finished. “Uh, I need to switch this load.”
“Okay, while you do that, I’ll get this ready. And you didn’t answer when I asked if you’re hungry.”
Bent over the machines and not turning to face her, he said, “Yeah, well, if I wasn’t before, I am now. That smells wonderful. Did you make it?”
“Ha. I don’t prepare food, I serve it. Now, let’s eat while it’s hot.”
He kept his head over the drier while Janice’s comment about lunch the day before ran through his head. Janice had only been joking, but … So, where’d the cobbler come from? Smiling, he stood and turned. “Sounds good. What’re we having? It doesn’t smell like a Reuben.”
“Nope, we’re branching out today. I brought Phillie cheesesteaks and garlic fries.”
“Can’t go wrong with those,” he said with a smile, even though his stomach was roiling. Picking up his sandwich, he took a bite. His mind was racing and it tasted like he was chewing sawdust. But you know, the saying is the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, not a woman’s. What the heck is going on?
#
Despite his misgivings, after work, Kevin drove to the Chef’Store. The restaurant supply store sold in large quantities, just like Costco. They also sold to the general public. And an important point in Kevin’s mind, they didn’t charge a fee just to enter.
He wandered the aisles, comparing prices to the list of prices he’d compiled. After going through the aisles that interested him, he returned to the front of the store and got a flat-bed cart.
Kevin left the store with fifty-pound bags of flour, rolled oats, and sugar. He’d be back. But not until next payday, after his guns were paid off.
#
With no remaining appointments, Kevin left work early on Friday. Jack and Jill sat attentively as he didn’t take the direct route to home. He talked to them as he drove. “I was thinking I’d get four hens. That’d be enough for us. But something’s going on. What do you guys think?”
Jill turned and licked his face. Jack looked at him, staring into his eyes.
Kevin broke the stare to look back at the road. Focusing on the highway, his hands squeezing the steering wheel, he said, “Yeah, you’re right. But I’m starting to fit the pieces together. I don’t know why I haven’t been listening to you two. And I don’t have a clue of what this puzzle will look like when the last piece is in place.”
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Post by Ozarks Tom on Aug 27, 2021 14:39:51 GMT
A little slow on the uptake, isn't he?
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Post by wildhorseluvr on Aug 27, 2021 16:36:29 GMT
A little slow on the uptake, isn't he? He’s not the only one. Something has been bugging me about this story from the first chapter, so I went back and started rereading from the beginning. I’m pretty sure I just figured it out. If I’m right, Bret has pulled one over on us and he’s hidden it right there in plain sight. 🤣 Laughing my butt off, and anxious to read the next chapters. Bret, you’re good! 😁 *ETA- I guess I should say pulled one over on me…am I the last one here to figure this out and everyone else has been keeping quiet about it? I picked up on a couple of big clues early on but didn’t see the forest for the trees until now. 🙄
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Post by bretf on Aug 27, 2021 22:52:52 GMT
A little slow on the uptake, isn't he? He’s not the only one. Something has been bugging me about this story from the first chapter, so I went back and started rereading from the beginning. I’m pretty sure I just figured it out. If I’m right, Bret has pulled one over on us and he’s hidden it right there in plain sight. 🤣 Laughing my butt off, and anxious to read the next chapters. Bret, you’re good! 😁 *ETA- I guess I should say pulled one over on me…am I the last one here to figure this out and everyone else has been keeping quiet about it? I picked up on a couple of big clues early on but didn’t see the forest for the trees until now. 🙄 Hmm, I hope you're not giving me undue credit. Now I might have to go back and read what I've written. This whole thing is fluid, and the ending (only in my swiss-cheese head) has been revised 3 or 4 times. What leads up to that reveals itself to me a bit at a time.
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Post by bretf on Aug 31, 2021 12:44:41 GMT
Chapter 21
Their heads hanging out the window anticipating their master’s return, Jack and Jill detected intriguing scents emanating from the box he carried when he exited the chicken hatchery. They were no longer interested in him, just the box. Rather, the contents of the box. Inside it was eight Rhode Island Red hens.
“Easy, guys. You’ll meet them soon enough. And they’re not food. You’ll have to protect them, just like you watch out for me,” Kevin told them. He put the box in the bed of the truck, shook his head at his pals, and got in the driver’s seat.
The dogs ignored Kevin as he drove home. They stared at the box in the back of the truck. Kevin glanced at them through his rear-view mirror. “You know, if you keep that up, I’m going to have to wash that window.”
They didn’t care, continuing to press their noses against the glass. He shook his head and drove on.
When he got home, the dogs forgot all their manners, jumping across him the moment he opened the door. They ran to the side of the truck, standing on their hind legs, trying to see into the back; trying to see the intriguing box.
“Guys, for goodness sakes, I know this rig isn’t pristine, but do you have to add claw marks to the side?”
Again, he was ignored, and again, he shook his head.
Kevin reached in and picked up the box. In a stern voice that finally got through, he said, “Down. Sit.” Surprising him, they did and he brought the box out. They instantly forgot his commands and snuffled it.
Shaking his head, he headed for the chicken pen. As he walked, he told them, “Really, you guys will have to protect them.” He should’ve saved his breath. Jack pranced to his left, snuffling the box, and Jill mirrored him on his right side.
He got to the chicken pen and went inside, pulling the gate closed behind him. The dogs appeared to be affronted, being left out of such an important venture. He nearly shook his head at them again. Instead, he smiled and said, “Okay, get ready for the main event.”
He placed the box on the ground and looked around. The feeder and waterer were both full from the day before when he’d done all he could to prep for the hens. Kneeling, he opened the top of the box and reached in. Drawing out a hen, he held it up towards his buddies. “This is a chicken. They’ll feed us with their eggs, not their flesh, okay?” He released the hen, and then picked out three more before turning the box on its side and pouring out the rest of the birds. Jack and Jill paced the side of the pen, whining, as the hens looked around.
The chickens were in a small enclosure, but it was more room than they were used to after spending their lives in the hatchery. As tentatively as they moved, Kevin decided it’d be a while before he allowed them to range outside the pen. All they’d known was confinement and it’d take time for them to acclimate. Of course, the dogs needed to accept them as well.
He turned the box up on his side and sat tentatively on it. It was precarious but it supported him. A couple of the hens cautiously scratched the ground. The others joined them, checking out what they’d scraped up. Several minutes passed. The dogs calmed; somewhat. Maybe it was long enough, he could bring them in the pen, one at a time.
He stood and reached for the gate. The dogs tensed, no longer looking at the hens or him. Instead, they were looking up the lane. He followed their looks and saw the moving van maneuvering down the narrow lane.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2021 14:12:36 GMT
Is Debbie coming back or is Tammy being that presumptuous?? LOL
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Post by woolybear on Aug 31, 2021 16:54:12 GMT
Ya know if I had guys sniffing around me like that I'd be pretty put off with them. I'd feel like they were out casing me or my place, but then again maybe that's my paranoia coming out lol.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2021 14:29:05 GMT
bretf, where are you??? I'm patiently waiting to see what's happening in our story! LOL (Truly - I hope all is well with you.)
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Post by bretf on Sept 8, 2021 12:32:28 GMT
Chapter 22
Kevin watched as the truck rumbled up the lane, the peaceful quiet of the evening interrupted by the diesel engine. The truck turned at the long driveway to the neighbors’ house, swung off it, and stopped. The peace was further disrupted by the alarm as the truck reversed. It seemed unnaturally loud as the truck backed and turned, pulled ahead, then turned and backed again.
Jack and Jill were just outside the chicken pen from Kevin, still watching. Jack whined softly; Jill emitted a low growl, accompanied by raised hackles.
“Easy guys,” Kevin murmured. “It’s okay as long as they stay over there.” He picked up the box and exited the pen. After securing the gate, he knelt between the dogs and rested a hand on each of them. Then all three watched the truck.
It stopped in front of the closed garage door. Kevin hadn’t noticed until that moment the overhead door had been installed. The entire building had been constructed in record time.
Moments after the truck stopped moving, the driver shut the engine off and the noise stopped, replaced by the whoosh from the release of airbrakes. Then it was quiet. Eerily quiet. Birds that’d been calling minutes earlier, the occasional frog, the hum and buzz of insects, were silent. It seemed as if they were also watching the truck.
Kevin tensed as the passenger door opened. A moment later he tensed even more. Both dogs growled low. Their lips curled up revealing their sharp canines. The unmistakable shaved head emerged; the huge man got out of the cab. Kevin jerked as the truck doors slammed closed. The big man walked to the rear of the truck. Kevin couldn’t see the driver but guessed he’d been part of the crew working on the road.
Reaching under his light jacket, he ran his hand over the grip and tested, pulling the pistol an inch out of the holster. It moved freely. He emitted a sigh. I was hoping I’d seen the last of that thug.
The garage door opened and the men swung the back gates of the truck open. Kevin quit watching, drawn to turn towards the sound of another vehicle approaching. It was a large black SUV. He couldn’t be certain but surmised it was the same one that’d been there before, the one driven away by the man who’d had the large man apparently begging for his life.
Kevin patted his pistol again and very quietly told the dogs, “I think we need to go to the house. I’d feel more comfortable with the shotgun at hand.” But he didn’t rise right away. Instead, he pulled the phone from his pocket, opened the camera app, zoomed in, and shot pictures of the vehicles and their license plates. He waited another few moments until the driver emerged. He appeared non-descript at the distance but was stylishly dressed. Kevin shot two more photos, then more when the men from the truck joined the SUV driver.
“Now we’ll go,” Kevin said. With one more look at the neighbors’ place, his blood ran cold. The man had opened the car’s rear door and leaned in. He straightened with a military-style rifle in each hand, passing them to his companions. Each gun was mounted with a large scope and long magazines extended from them. He reached in again, emerging with another of the rifles. Motioning, he said something undecipherable into the SUV, and stepped back, closing the door after two yapping Chihuahuas jumped out. They scampered around the men’s feet as if daring them to kick as they went to the garage.
Kevin had no idea what was going on over there but couldn’t imagine anything good. He shuddered.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2021 16:53:16 GMT
hmmmm.....
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Post by ceresone on Sept 10, 2021 15:56:10 GMT
I didn't go back to check, maybe I'm confused, but didn't he have a wood cook stove in the shed and a chimney in the kitchen?
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Post by bretf on Sept 10, 2021 18:40:58 GMT
I didn't go back to check, maybe I'm confused, but didn't he have a wood cook stove in the shed and a chimney in the kitchen? Nope (or if I put that in, it was an accident) Without checking myself, I think it was in his memories of his grandparents place when he was trying to figure out everything they did. Sorry I can't be certain. It's been a while with a lot going on. (That's what complete edits are for once the story is finished.) Maybe Wildhorseluvr knows.
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Post by bretf on Sept 10, 2021 18:44:04 GMT
Chapter 23
Kevin hadn’t made it to the house when he was startled by the phone ringing in his pocket. Taking a moment to collect his wits, he fished it free and looked at the display as it continued to ring. “Hello.”
“Hey Kev, how are you?”
“Uh, doing good, thanks. How are you, Tammy?”
“Bored. And hoping I could see you. I can’t leave work but it’s pretty slow for a Friday. Can you come by? You can tell me how your chicken trip went. I could get a couple of prime rib sandwiches ready.”
“Well, I’m not sure,” he said slowly, turning and looking at the neighbors’ place.
“Aw c’mon, Kev. I’m sure you haven’t taken time to fix something to eat, what with getting your birds.”
“Well …”
“Tell ya what. I’ll even get a couple of burger patties cooked for your dogs.”
“Hum.”
“And I’ll get a basket of onion rings and a tall iced tea for you.”
“Aw, I don’t know. I was thinking about a quiet evening here at home.” Turning to look at the neighbor’s place he told himself, As if.
“I’ve offered you a great dinner, a drink, conversation. The only thing I have left to offer is my body and I told you I’d stop acting like that. So, please, come to The Watering Hole. I’d really like to see you.”
Kevin was at his door but didn’t enter the house. Instead, he turned and watched the activity at the neighbors.
“Please, Kev,” Tammy said.
“Alright, you sold me. Prime rib, onion rings, iced tea, and intelligent conversation. It sounds like a good evening.”
“You could have dessert, too.”
Kevin didn’t ask what dessert she had in mind. He had a pretty good idea. Instead, he said, “Well, I’ve been trying to avoid desserts. I’d put on more pounds than I like, and now that I’m working them off, I don’t want to put them back on.”
The conversation stalled. After a long silence, Tammy said, “So, you’ll come in? Should I put in the food order?”
Kevin smiled. “Oh, yeah. I’ll be there. Give me ten to fifteen minutes.” He glanced down at his pals. “And Jack and Jill look pretty happy at the prospects of a burger.”
Tammy didn’t answer right away. When she did, she said, “I’m sure. But they’ll have to eat in your truck. Pets aren’t allowed inside.”
“I’m sure they’ll understand. At least with a burger, they will.”
Kevin took one more look at the neighbors’ place, gave a slight nod, and changed course towards his truck. “C’mon, guys. Let’s go to town and let someone else cook for us.”
#
Kevin pulled his old pickup truck to a stop in The Watering Hole parking lot. He lifted his phone, grinned and sent a quick text. At least as quick as he could with his large fingers on those tiny keys. The text sent, he looked up as the front door to the establishment opened and Tammy stepped out. She looked around and her face blossomed into a huge smile when she saw his truck.
Kevin got out, told the dogs to stay, and waved.
Tammy met him half way to the door. She opened her arms wide, offering and anticipating a welcoming hug.
Kevin smiled, reaching out with his right hand, grasping Tammy’s right hand. He pulled close to her and leaned in. “Thanks for inviting me. That sandwich sounds great.”
“Maybe you’d be interested in Adam’s Spare Rib,” Tammy said and tried to work her left arm around him.
“Spare Rib? Naw, that prime rib sandwich sounds great,” he said as he stepped out of her reach.
She shot a glare, there and gone. “Yeah, sorry, my mistake. It is prime rib.” She turned and stalked towards the door. After three steps, she stopped and turned. “Well, are you coming?”
Kevin looked at his truck. Jack and Jill watched his every move. He shrugged. Twin tongues lolled out and they followed him with their eyes. “Sure,” he told Tammy.
Standing inside the door, it took several moments for Kevin’s eyes to adjust. He scanned the room shaking his head. Two tables were occupied, as well as four barstools. He recognized three of the men at the bar from when he’d gone there from work. Why’d I waste so much time here? I could’ve been doing something worthwhile. Thank God I didn’t end up like those guys.
Tammy pointed at a table. “Let’s sit there.” She left him and went behind the bar.
Kevin went to the table, choosing the seat where he could see the door and the bar. He followed Tammy with his eyes.
Tammy carried two tall, condensation-covered glasses to the table. “Iced tea,” she stated when she placed them on napkins. Pushing one towards him, she said, “No sugar in this one. The food will be up in a minute.” Putting the minute to use, she checked the occupied tables, returning with the bill to one. The bell dinged at the counter as the cook placed two plates and a basket on it. Tammy picked them up, expertly handling the items, and returned to the table.
“This looks fantastic,” Kevin said. “I hadn’t realized how hungry I was.”
“They are good. Now dig in and tell me about your day.”
Kevin took a bite, savoring the flavor as he chewed. Then he started the narrative about getting the hens. He paused often to take a bite when Tammy had a comment.
The people she’d given the bill to stood. “Do you need to take care of them?” he asked.
“I suppose,” she said, “since technically I’m still working.”
While she was ringing the group up, a man entered the establishment. Looking furtively around, he spotted Tammy and approached her. Kevin was instantly on edge. Taking his phone out, he studied the screen, moving his finger near the display as if he was checking texts. Carefully, he pointed the phone in the general direction of the bar, snapping pictures. The man looked like too many of the dead-beat dads he saw at his work. The man pulled a wad of cash from his pocket. He exchanged it with Tammy for a carry-out bag she pulled from under the bar. Kevin slipped the phone back in his shirt pocket and took a bite of the sandwich.
Tammy returned to the table, carrying a pitcher. She topped their glasses off and sat down. As she stirred sugar into hers, she said, “So eight chickens. You’re going to be eating a lot of eggs.”
“I guess I am. But you know, baking uses a lot of eggs. You know, cakes and cobblers, things like that.”
“Yeah, I suppose so.” She took a long drink.
Tammy was up and down throughout the meal, taking care of the other patrons, and filling more takeout orders. Kevin noticed differences. While most people paid with plastic, two more paid with cash. And each time, Tammy had a rounded palm as she passed the bag over.
They were finishing the last two onion rings when another patron entered. Tammy hurried to the bar. Kevin slipped his phone out. He’d seen the man before, but not in the bar. He’d been part of the group working on the lane to his house. The lane to the new neighbors’ house.
When Tammy returned, Kevin stood and said, “I really appreciate the meal. Thank you very much. But I should be going.”
Tammy put on a hang-dog look then checked around the bar. “Let me walk you out.”
They walked silently to his truck. At the side of it, Kevin said, “Thanks again. Maybe We can do this again soon if you’re not too busy.”
“I’d like that. And would it be too forward of me to ask for a kiss in return?”
While part of his brain told him to run away, fast, Kevin grinned and said, “I can do that.”
Tammy wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in to him, pressing her lips to his. She broke the kiss and leaned back looking him in the eye. “That’s it? My God, Kev, I could get more heat out of a kiss with my brother.”
“Well, I –” he began but she shushed him.
“You get one more chance to do better.”
She leaned in with her entire body. Her breasts made contact before her lips. She kissed with a desire, devouring his lips, flicking her tongue out, forcing its way into his mouth. Her breasts pressed harder, and then her entire body seemed to mold against his. She ground her groin against him.
Despite his brain yelling at him to get in the truck and leave, Kevin found himself responding. It’d been so long. Too long since he’d had the pleasure of a woman’s body. He weakened, and allowed his tongue to duel with hers. His body came to life in ways it hadn’t for ages.
Tammy broke the kiss and leaned back. “Now that was more like it. I get off in a little over an hour. Do you think—”
Sounds from the truck drew their attention before she finished.
Kevin had left the windows down enough for the dogs to get air circulation. Jack had other ideas. He was forcing his way through the small opening, clawing and digging to get out. Jill was behind him, growling.
Jack cleared the window and forced himself between his master and the woman. His teeth were bared, his hackles raised.
Tammy backed away and uttered a very unladylike response in reference to the dog.
Kevin’s head cleared. “Sorry about that, Tammy, but I really should be getting home.”
“Yes, I suppose you should!”
As he drove towards home, Kevin looked across at his pals. “Thanks for watching out for me. I came close to falling. I knew it was wrong but I was weak. Thanks for saving me. And sorry about supper. You were supposed to get burger patties.”
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Post by Ozarks Tom on Sept 10, 2021 19:11:33 GMT
So they're dealing dope out of the bar?
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