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

feet and went to the kitchen window. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why did you bury her already?”

“You didn’t want to see her like that,” I said as I came up behind her. I pointed out the spot where she was resting. “She’s right there.”

She turned around and looked at me. “Who did it?”

“Don’t worry about them. I took care of them.”

“You kill them? How many were there?”

I took her hand. “Look, I don’t really want to talk about it. Just know it’s done. It’s over.”

Mel looked back out the window. “What are we going to tell Ashley?”

“I was thinking of telling her she was bit by a snake. I don’t want to tell her she was shot by someone.”

“I don’t like to lie to her. But, it’s probably better that way.”

“Come on. Let’s go get some dinner. I want to go to bed early tonight. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.”

By the time we made it back to Danny’s, the place had changed. Everyone was there, even Wallner. He said his guys were on duty and he wanted to come down and collect their dinner. We stopped in the yard to talk to Doc. He had the Geiger counter out and was taking readings.

“What’s it look like today?” I asked.

“Not much. Just barely above background.”

“That’s good, isn’t it?” Mel asked.

Doc nodded. “Oh yeah, real good. It’s what we want to see.”

“You heard any more about that unit they were sending to Tampa?” I asked.

“No,” Doc replied and nodded towards the porch. “Grumpy up there probably has. He’s been talking with Eglin on the radio quite a bit.”

I looked at the porch and asked, “What’s up?”

Doc shrugged, “Got no idea. He don’t tell me and I don’t ask. Less shit I have to worry about.” Doc then looked at Mel, “Sorry, Mel.”

Mel laughed, “Ronnie, I live with him. I can handle a little shit.”

Doc snorted, “Living with him, you gotta be able to handle truckloads of shit.”

“Thanks, buddy,” I replied, “thanks for that.”

As he started to roll the cord up for the remote sensor on the Geiger counter, he said, “What are friends for?”

As we walked towards the porch, Mel asked, “Who’s performing the ceremony? If Sarge is giving the girls away, who’s actually going to perform the service?”

“I have no idea,” I replied.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s all taken care of,” Sarge barked from the porch.

“Ok, then who’s doing it?” I asked.

“I just told you! Do you ever pay attention?”

I looked at Mel and palmed my forehead, “That’s right, don’t worry about it; he’s coming. I love that guy.”

Mel shook her head and said, “I’ll leave you boys to your games.” Then I headed inside.

I went up on the porch. Perez was still snoozing in the rocking chair with his feet stretched out, the heel of one boot resting on the toe of the other. I kicked the top one off as I passed him.

From under his hat, he muttered, “Aye, carbon!”

Sarge looked over at him and asked, “Has he done anything today?”

“Yeah,” I replied with great exaggeration. “He’s been riding herd on the kids all day.”

Sarge snorted. “Only person better for that would be Mikey.”

“Mmm, yeah, I’m gonna have to go ahead and disagree with you there. He’s been acting really flaky lately. Did I mention he’s been having a problem with his TPS reports?”

The old man cocked his head to the side and looked at me, “What the hell are you talking about?”

“You don’t watch many movies, do you?”

“No. Hollywood is full of fruits and nuts.”

As we talked, Dalton and Mike walked up. Dalton was filthy, covered in sweat and smelling like a forest fire. “What the hell have you been doing?” I asked.

“Been working, my precious.”

I laughed, “That’s funny.”

“What’s funny? Him calling you precious?” Sarge asked. “Seems a little quirtzy to me.”

Mike looked at Sarge and said, “You really need to get out more. You’re like a troop of the seven dwarfs, but they’re all Grumpy.”

Sarge cocked his head to the side and asked, “Ain’t you got some crayons that need eatin’ somewhere? Or maybe some windows to lick?”

Mike puffed out his chest, “I’ll have you know, I prefer paste. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I smell something wonderful coming from the house.”

Wallner came out the door as Mike was going in. He carried a large pot and several bowls. “Man, this smells so damn good!” He announced as he came onto the porch.

“You guys coming to the wedding tomorrow?” I asked.

“Someone needs to be down at the bunker.”

“We can let it go for a little while tomorrow,” Sarge said. “You and your boys come on up here in the morning. There’s going to be cake and everything.”

“No shit?” He asked with genuine surprise. “That woman of yours sure can cook, Top.”

“She ain’t my woman!” Sarge barked back. Catching Wallner off guard.

He looked at me and I mouthed the words, yes, she is, while I nodded my head. He smiled and said, “We’d love to come up. I’m just worried about leaving the place unsecured.”

“Don’t worry about it. It won’t take more than an hour or so,” Sarge replied.

Wallner nodded, “Alright then.” He looked at Dalton and said, “You look like you been working hard today.”

“The fires of the forge are hot, my friend.”

I looked up at Dalton and asked, “What are you forging now?”

He winked at me, “You’ll see.”

“I’m gonna take the guys their supper,” Wallner said as he headed off.

Sarge got up from his chair and stretched, in the way old men will do, and said, “Let’s go get us some supper before that window-licker eats it all.”

“Smashing idea, old chap!” Dalton shouted, “I’m simply famished!”

Sarge looked him up and down for a moment before deciding, “You’re one weird fucker.”

“Mmmm, indeed,” Dalton replied.

I kicked Perez’s feet, “Come on there, poppie. Supper is ready.”

He lifted his hat and rubbed his eyes, saying, “Call me what you want. Just don’t call me late for supper.”

As usual, dinner was a raucous affair. Maybe a little