Being cooped up inside for a few days had left the family cold and a little on edge, and Jennifer worried about how her family would deal with being stuck in the house during the coming winter. David had been glad to get out of the house and back to work for the past couple of days, which surprised Jennifer. For a kid who wouldn’t take the trash out without a protest, David’s enthusiasm for work indicated just how sick he was of being stuck at home with the family. Emma was again withdrawing more and more but wouldn’t talk about her worries, leaving Jennifer to wonder what, of the dozens of possibilities, the problem could be. Even Emma’s instructor for her school group had been concerned. Spencer, of the three kids, still seemed to be the least affected by the changes. He missed his TV shows and movies and favorite cereal, but still found joy in simple things, like messing around outside.
“Good morning! How are the two of you?”
Jennifer looked up to see Grace waving as she walked towards her.
“We’re surviving. How about you?” she called back and headed towards her neighbor. She tried to sound upbeat, but wasn’t sure she’d succeeded.
“I’m good. Just coming out to see about harvesting the rest of the potatoes. It looks like the ground is still too wet. If the weather stays nice, I should have them in by the end of the week.”
“You’re pretty amazing, Grace. Are you going to need any help getting them in?”
“If you don’t mind. Work always goes faster when you’ve got a friend to share it with.”
“I’d love to help. You’ve done so much for us. I don’t think we’d have made it this far without you. How’s Chuck doing? You’d mentioned he was sick.”
Grace’s smile left her face. “Oh, not too well. It’s his diabetes. His insulin has run out, and he’s got me worried.”
“You’ve never said anything about Chuck having diabetes. Can I do anything to help?”
Grace shook her head. “No. I don’t know what anyone can do. You know how stubborn he is. He won’t tell me how he’s doing, but I can tell it’s not good."
“How serious is it, Grace?”
“With the type he has, it’s serious. I try not to think about it, and I try not to worry, but Jennifer, what am I supposed to do? Without his insulin, and at his age…I don’t want to lose him.”
“I’m sorry Grace. I had no idea it was like that. I can check with Carol to see if she has any suggestions, but I don’t know.”
“Don’t let it get you down, sweetheart. Chuck wouldn’t want that. He’d be upset if he knew I’d worried you about him, so let’s not talk about that. Have you had any more troubles? Any more break-ins? We worry about you too, you know.”
“No, there hasn’t been anything else. I’m hoping that issue is history.”
“We hope so too. We don’t realize how much we depend on others, until there’s no one there for you. But anyways, no sense dwelling on depressing things. I’ll come knock on your door when I’m ready to harvest, probably by the end of the week. Alright?’
“Sounds good. Just let me know. I’ll bring Emma over with me. It would be good for her to have something to keep her busy.”
CHAPTER 29
Saturday, October 29th
Montana State Line
Kyle spotted the blue sign up ahead on the side of the road. He’d known by the mileage markers that he was getting close, but to actually see the sign sent a surge of adrenaline through his body. He picked up his pace and was close to a jog when he was finally able to read the words. Welcome to Montana. He stopped at the sign and set his cart down, then walked over to the sign and touched it tenderly, as if it was a long lost friend. Dropping to his knees, he raised his arms over his head and let out a victory cry. “I did it!” he yelled at the top of his lungs. “I’m in Montana!”
He knew he still had a long ways to go, 444 miles to be exact, but to be in the same state as his family, breathing the same air and seeing the same sky, seemed to make everything lighter. He stood, triumphantly, for a few moments, wanting to share this achievement with someone, but the only cheers he heard were the sounds of birds flying overhead, oblivious to his accomplishment. With the celebration over, Kyle picked up his cart and once again headed north.
October 31st
South Central Montana
Day 59
Cold and windy today. The weather scares me now, so I’m hesitant to move along if there’s a chance for storms. I waited for a couple hours in someone’s abandoned Camry, then headed on before noon when the skies started to clear. Day ended up being a short travel day as the wind was too much, and I was tired. Passed Custer’s Battlefield. Reminded me of our vacation 5 years ago, just before Spencer was born. I remember that it was the last stop on our itinerary, and we made it home before dark. Now I’ve got more than 2 weeks to walk. Life has come full circle, even Custer would have made this journey faster than me, at least he would have before the Indians got him.
I’m not seeing many people on the road; in fact, I’ve only seen 1 other walker in the last 3 days. Not sure if it’s because of where I am, or because people have already made it to their destinations, but things are quiet. Food is the never-ending challenge. Have killed and eaten a few rabbits, but hate to waste the ammo, plus I have to build a fire to cook them. Some canned food would be nice, as would a microwave, spices, something with flavor. My shoes are worn, but I think they’ll make it. Just hope my feet and knees hold out. The clothes Rose gave me have kept me warm, and I’m glad to have them. The thought of walking through our front door now seems like more than just a dream, and being on familiar ground makes the days more bearable in some ways, tougher in others.
I love you all.
Saturday, November 5th
Deer Creek, Montana
Jennifer closed the door to Emma’s room, where David and Spencer were now sleeping, and walked down the hall to the living room. The faint moonlight through the windows gave just enough illumination for her to see her way around, and she moved comfortably without a flashlight. She checked the front door to be sure it was locked, found it secure, and went to her own bedroom. Removing her robe and slippers, she crawled into her bed, discovering that Emma had rolled over onto her side of the bed once again. Jennifer gave her daughter a push to scoot her to the far side but was glad that Emma had left a comfortably warm spot in the otherwise cold sheets.
As she always did, Jennifer lay awake with her thoughts, worrying about the kids, about Chuck next door, and wondering where Kyle might be. With Kyle still on her mind, she drifted off to sleep.
She was in the middle of a dream, a dream where she and Kyle were on a date at a fancy Italian restaurant, when an ice-cold hand clamped down hard on her mouth. Her eyes flew open and she struggled in the near darkness to see who was there. She reached to grab the hand and felt the cold steel of a knife blade press against her throat. “Don’t resist, Jennifer,” she heard Doug say in a harsh whisper. She stopped struggling, looked up, and saw his face hovering over hers. It was the face of a monster. His eyes were two dark, sunken shadows. His cheeks were gaunt and covered in a wiry beard that had grown in since she’d seen him last. His lips were cracked and scabbed, and parted in an evil grin that revealed his crooked teeth.