Conflicted Home (The Survivalist Book 9) by A American (learn to read books TXT) 📕

I patted him on the back. “I’m really happy for you. Both of you, buddy.”

He smiled in reply. “Thank you, Morgan.

“You guys leaving tomorrow?” Danny asked.

“We have to get the trucks in the morning. Once they’re loaded, we’ll head out,” Sarge replied.

“You guys have fun and stay safe.”

“I’m going to leave you guys to it,” I said. “I’m tired and tomorrow is going to be a long day.”

“Me too,” Sarge said. “You fellers stay safe out here tonight.”

They said goodbye and we left. I headed back towards the house in the dark. I had the NVG in a pocket on my vest, but chose to take in the darkness. I heard the dogs coming up the road, their tags jingling. When they got to me, they all stopped for a head rub. I knelt down and rubbed their ears and scratched their backs. Tails wagged and tongues lolled from their mouths. They licked my face and arms, and it made me smile. They were utterly useless. Unless you counted putting a smile on your face.

Once they were satisfied with their attention, they continued on their way. I wondered where they were going. They moved as though they had a plan, knew exactly where they were headed and what they were after.

Sitting in front of the porch were several large trash bags. I kicked one and the sound of empty plastic bottles inside replied. The girls had collected quite a number of them. I guessed when we returned from our trip to see the Wizard I’d get on that project. There was always something to do.

Inside, I went to the kitchen and cut a piece of Biltong and chewed it. Going into the bedroom, Mel was lying in bed reading a book. She looked up briefly when I came in, then returned to her book. I took off my gear and laid it beside the bed before stripping down.

“I’m going to take a shower,” I said with a piece of meat dangling from my mouth. She didn’t reply.

I took a quick shower. The piece of soap was small, but sufficient. Shampoo was a thing of the pastpast, but I washed my hair with the homemade soap as well. The water was cool, not cold, or maybe it was and I didn’t care. Either way, I enjoyed the shower and lingered for a bit, letting the water cascade over my head. Getting out, I dried off and walked to the bed naked.

I adjusted the fan so it was blowing across us and slid between the sheets. We used only a top sheet as anything more was just too hot. I longed for fall and winter to arrive. I looked forward to sleeping in the cold, the colder the better as far as I was concerned.

I reached over and rubbed Mel’s thigh. “Goodnight, babe.” She closed her book and looked at me. “I know you’re not happy,” I said.

She patted my hand. “I’m not. But I also know that you have to go do these things. You’ll be riding in an armored truck with plenty of people. I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

“I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to hear you say that. I will be alright; we all will. Is there anything you need? I’m going to be trying to get some things like flour and soap.”

“We need feminine pads. No one has any and they’re all using rags. It’s really gross.”

“Why didn’t anyone say anything? We could have figured something out. How about you? What are you doing?”

“You remember we bought those Luna pads. The girls and I have been using those.”

I remembered ordering those. They were reusable pads. I’d forgot about them until now. But I guess that was a really good idea. “I’m glad we did.”

She snorted. “You are? You have no idea how happy I am. I couldn’t imagine what we’d be doing. So, get some pads for everyone else.”

“Have you thought about making any?”

“Any what?” She asked.

“You know, something like those Luna pads.”

She obviously wasn’t into the idea. “Out of what?”

“The outside of the ones you have are like felt and the inside is some kind of cotton batting. I’m sure we could find something.”

“You just see if you can get us any real ones.”

I lay back on my pillow. “That’s not a long-term solution.”

“Everything doesn’t have to be a long-term solution.”

She lay back and I rolled over, putting my arm over her. “Everything does need to be long-term. That’s how we need to think. Love you, babe, goodnight.”

She pulled my hand up and kissed it. “Goodnight.”

I woke up early to the sound of rain. Getting up, I tried not to wake Mel. But she woke up anyway and asked if I wanted breakfast. I told her no. “Just stay in bed, babe; it’s early.”

She rolled over and pulled the sheet up over her head in reply. I quietly dressed and pulled the armor back on and slung my rifle. Before leaving, I went to the fridge and poured myself a mason jar of tea and ate another piece of Biltong before heading out. The dogs were back on the porch, asleep of course. The rain was heavy under a slate sky. It was early, but darker than it should be for the hour. Not a good omen for the start of the day.

Setting my tea on the handrail, I pulled my poncho over my head. Tea in hand, I left and headed for Danny’s. The porch was empty but I could see light through the front window and went in. Sarge, Mike, Ted and Jamie were sitting in the kitchen having a cup of coffee. Seeing me, Miss Kay asked if I wanted a cup. I help up the mason jar and replied, “No thanks, Miss Kay. I already have mine.”

“One of these days, you’ll have to learn to drink coffee like a grownup,” Sarge jabbed.

“Oh, I will. About November when it’s fit weather for a