Walkers (Book 1): The Beginning (18 page)

     Famous last words.

                                          
CHAPTER
17

     I put the finishing touches on my lipstick, that looked out of place on me, but it'd been a long time since I went to a funeral.  Melody finally figured out how she wanted the funeral it to be and what was going to be said so it should be interesting.

     I hate funerals.  Far as I'm concerned, funerals are for the living, not the dead.  I don't want  the last image of my loved one to be of them lying in a casket.  I had some relatives that used to take pictures of the dead in their caskets. Talk about morose.  Dave was comfortable in one of the cabins on a bed.  There isn't any heat so maybe comfortable isn't the right word to use and he is dead so he probably doesn't even notice. Who knows, right?   Melody does and that's what matters but it still gave me the shivers.

     I went to the dining room where everyone was settled at the table eating a light breakfast.  I fixed my coffee, feeling everyones eyes on me.  I was still wearing jeans and a tee but they were black.   It was the best I could do and I doubted Dave minded.  Everyone else looked dressy or as dressy as they could not owning anything dressy.   I sat at the table and sipped my coffee in silence, just managing not to moan at the wonderful taste.  The lodge believed in making all their guests as comfortable as possible, so had invested in the best Columbian coffee.   When it ran out I knew where there was a Starbucks. Mason took my hand, and I smiled at him.

     When Melody came in we all sat upright like we were uncomfortable.  It's hard to be comfortable in the face of all that pain.  She lumbered to the table where Flynne helped her sit.  I wondered at her due date, because she looked huge at eight months.  I guess I can't be called an expert on that kind of thing but it made my back hurt to look at her. She smiled her thanks and his face lit up.  When did that happen?

    We all rose at the same time, like we were on the same wavelength and filed into the great room where we solemly stood in front of the fireplace.  Randy had painted a portrait of Dave and it was propped up on the mantle.  Soft music played, while Melody spoke of the wonder of her brother and twin.  Some of the stories she told was humorous and some were sad but she celebrated his life in a manner that made me jealous.  That kind of closeness was unique and I was honored to see a part of it no matter how small. 

    We all spoke of Dave.  A few of us who didn't know him well, just said a few sentences, Joe spoke of a friendship that was closer than blood and how the loss of that friendship would always be felt.  I cried with Mason's arm around me.  The funeral was over when Melody took down the portrait and silently carried it to the clinic where she shut the door.  Flynne was uncertain what to do, so I gave him a hug before going to my room to change clothes.

     Mason knocked on my door a few minutes later and I answered it in my robe.  It didn't take him long to remove it and prove to me that life was indeed wonderful.  I thought I wouldn't be in the mood but he changed my mind. It led to other things and as we lay relearning how to breath, wrapped around each other like a vine, I just felt better.

     That was the idea, right?

     The kitchen was busy when I returned a few hours later.  I watched the goings on in silence as I ate a cinamon roll and drank orange juice.  Everyone was busy and when someone moved the other person moved out of the way like it was a dance.  I had plans that morning also.

     One of the small tables near the corner of the room was laden with arrows, shafts, quivers, points and my crossbow that I was planning to re-string.  One of those speciality stores on the strip mall they'd gotten stranded in was an archery store.  They brought back cases of arrows and tips.  I had a five gallon bucket of arrows made up but I like to be prepared so I'd finish them up.  I had several quivers that were mounted next to  windows on each side of the house filled with arrows. A large bucket was filled with them at each door too.  I had a rifle strapped to the door frames with velco and a shelf with extra ammo on a hand made shelf next to that.  Yea, I know what you're thinking...overkill, right?  You never know.

     I was also trying to wrap Christmas presents.  There were some already under the tree and I wanted to add my own.  Sneaking out to the trailer was becoming a job because somone was always trying follow me.  I took my big plastic bag and headed out the door anyway.  I was doing a good deed today so my step was light.

    The weather had turned really cold overnight.  I pulled the scarf over my mouth and nose making it easier to breathe and spent some time trying to unlock the frozen trailer.   I set the small lantern on a crate inside and picked out some things out that I thought everyone would like, pulling the dividing curtain around behind the other stuff so you couldn't see what else was there.

     The trailer had been a refridgerated trailer, or reefer, so it had sections that were divided by panels that could be raised and attached to the ceiling when that section was empty.  This made it possible to haul frozen items and things like milk and cheese in the same trailer. I was using those panels to hide my gifts from others.

     I went back into the kitchen and motioned for Sissy.  "Get something warm on, you're going Christmas shopping".  She frowned at me but put on her coat and gloves anyway.  She tried very hard not to argue with me.  I had scared her good a while back and she walked on eggshells around me.  I grabbed a knitted cap and slapped it down on her head and then we went back to the trailer.  She oood and aaaaahed for several minutes before she started picking things out.

     I told her to take the stuff back to her room and I'd bring wrapping paper and tape over later.  "Why are you doing this?  You didn't have to you know.  It's not like they're giving me anything."

     "Well, that's where you're wrong.  You're getting something from everyone here and you want to know why?  Because that's the way we are.  We wouldn't for one minute consider hurting your feelings on Christmas day.  I didn't want you to feel bad about recieving and not being able to give, so I'm helping you out.  I'm not a complete ass."  She smiled at me, took the bag and said "Your right, you're not a complete ass."  I followed her back into the house smiling.  She made a joke, how cute.

     I'd brought the gift Lacy had ordered for Randy.  She had given me the request before I went to Walmart and I was able to find it right off.  She already had some paper to wrap it with, so she grabbed it and shut the door.

     I went to Duke's Den to see how he was coming on the communication system.  He was working on something in front of the monitors and jumped when I walked in the door.  Must be a Christmas gift.  Everyone was jumpy, trying to make gifts and get them under the tree.  Someone had found a Christmas CD and music was playing softly in the background.  The smell of pine made it actually feel like Christmas and I was in a good mood again.

     "I've just about figured out a long distance communication system but I still need to test it."   I wasn't sure what that entailed but since no one was going anywhere alone anymore I'd let the guys figure it out.  I wanted to get through December with no one else dying.

    Mason walked out of the dining room door about the same time I was entering and grabbed me, kissing the stuffing out of me.  "Where ya goin?  I asked.  He smiled making my tummy clinch.  "Now don't you want to know?"  I smiled and playfully punched him in the arm.  "Watch it."  he said playfully, "I don't play fair."  I kissed his nose and smiled.  As he continued past me he smacked me on the behind hard enought to sting.
That's so you know what's coming later
,  he thought, and I blushed.

     Flynne came out of the clinic, quietly closing the door.  "How is she?"  I asked.  He ran his hand over his bald head and sighed.  "I think she'll be ok, it'll just take time.  She seems better now that the service is over, but still sad which is to be expected.  Joe thinks the baby's ok, so thats good.  How are you doing?"

     "Better now the service is over.  I hate those things mostly because I don't know how to act.  If  I laugh is anyone gonna be offended?  Am I close enough to the deceased and his family to cry?  I don't know.  I'm just glad it's over.  Mel will be okay because she's strong and resilient and she'll bounce back.  She just needs to do the whole grieving thing.  You stay close to her and she'll be fine."

     "I was wondering, in all that stash if you've got in that locked trailer out back, you might have something nice I could talk you out of  for Melody?"

     "I was wondering when you would want to go shopping.  You should know everyone here has something for you under the tree.  If you want, we can go out later.  It's  colder than a witches tit out there and my feet are frozen so let me thaw them  before I go back out."

      "Sure, no problem.  I've made several things but they are big and for Christmas Eve.  I just want something special for Melody.  After lunch will be fine, just holler when you're ready."

     Duke yelled for me to come back.  He pointed at the monitor and there was Randy and Howard dragging something behind them.  They'd gone out to check on the area where the walker had gotten through before and make it secure.  Then they were to bring back the camera that patrolled the gate area.  They were waving wildly and pointing towards the road.  So I knew we had company again.

     "Hit the siren, Duke...I'll make sure Lacy takes care of Mandy and Bubba."  We had practiced it enough, but I was a worry wort and had to make sure.  If we invited them in, the curtains Sarah had made around the doors would hide the armory we'd installed.  Checking to make sure everything was in place, I stepped to the door with my shotgun in hand.

     The siren was low key but audible in every room.  Duke had also installed a revolving red lights from a police car around the place to add to the siren.  Definitely overkill.

     Randy and Howard showed up just as a heavily armored Humvee came around the hill.  I don't know why they have to drive those things.  The gas mileage sucks big time.  The cameras showed several more armed vehicles parked down the hill probably waiting for word before coming in.  I got an idea, so went back in and handed my gun to a startled Sarah.  "Go along with everything I say and do, okay?"  She nodded as I stood back from the door, leaning against the doorjam.  See I'm harmless.

     Mason shot me a look.  "What are you up to?"

     "I just read the guy and I think we can do this without blood shed.  So go along with me okay?"

     He frowned but nodded anyway, joining the men at the door to to welcome our visitor. An  aging, heavily overweight  man dressed in dessert fatigues with an unususal amount of  medals and bars (on fatigues?) slowly approached the steps with his hands raised.  Oh, yea, this was going to be fun.

     "Just take it easy, folks, I come in peace.  My name is General Ustes F. Widdlemier  (you have GOT to be kidding me) commander of the New Virginia City Minute Men Battalion of North America". (Huh?)  He hitched up his pants so they fit more snugly under his hanging belly.  Then pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the spittle from his chin.

     "Is this guy for real?"

     "Are you kidding me?"

     I was standing around listening to this and wanted to laugh so bad it hurt...the not laughing part that is.

      "Hide the guns except for one.  Duke, pull out that old Remington .22 you got for gophers.  Watch what you say, he may be bugged or plant bugs while he's here, which I hope to God isn't long."  Mason whispered, while everyone ran around doing just that.  Once Randy was armed with the rifle, we invited the General in and offered him a seat in the stuffed chair in front of the fireplace.  He refused, opting to stand in front of the fire, for better effect, I suppose.  Spreading his legs and trying to clasp his hand behind his back, he tried to look important and failed miserably. 

     Mason looked at me and raised his brows...ok, showtime.

     Smiling because I couldn't do otherwise, I pulled out a cuban cigar I'd found Duke hiding from Sarah eariler.   I was gonna tease him with it later but found it served a better purpose now.

     "Here you are, Sargent, you just let me light this for you."

     As I searched for something to light the cigar, everyone was trying to close their mouths and the General was stuttering, "That's General, little lady and I thank you for the kind gesture, but I had to quit smoking due to my health, you know?"  No fatso, I don't.

     "Well, that just a crying shame for an important, disquinshed man such as yourself to have to forgo such a time honored tradition as a fine cigar, Major.  You just let us get you a cup of coffee, okay, to made up for it.

     "Thats General, sweetheart (gag) and I would be honored to accept a cup of coffee, then maybe we can talk for a spell."  I swear he was slobbering with the thought of a the coffee.

     Sarah, rushed to get his coffee, while he examined us like we were fine horses to be bought.  I noticed the sweat that began to bead on his forehead and knew it wouldn't be long before he'd began to sweat profusely.  That was a nice fire we had going.

     We stood around and smiled stupidly at him until Sarah returned with the go-cup, capped and ready.  If he noticed the implication, he never let on.  Thanking her with a nod, he sipped the coffee and a look of surprise crossed his face.

     "Mighty fine, coffee ma'am, haven't had a good cup of joe in ages." He took another drink then seemed to remember what he was doing here.  He looked around for a place to set the mug, and finally turned and set it on the mantle.  The back of his shirt was sweat soaked.  I heard Sarah stiffle a laugh, and Howard coughed several times before we all managed to get hold of ourselves.

     "Now,"  he said wiping his sweaty palms on his pantlegs, leaving dark, wet stains, "if you ladies will excuse us, we men need to conduct some serious business."