Turning back, she raised it once more. She consistently hit the target each time, getting closer to the bullseye.
After about an hour, Joy declared she’d had enough, and they left. He took her to a hole in the wall diner they loved. They had the best barbequed ribs.
“I’m really proud of you, honey.”
“I can’t believe how good I did. I was nervous, but then, when I got those first two shots, it seemed to relax me.” She grinned, then took a drink of her sweet tea.
“You’ll be hitting the middle of that target soon.”
“I hope so. Oh, and I got a book the other day, I was going to tell you about it, but I kept forgetting.”
“What kind of book?”
“It’s about survival cooking, plant identification, all that kind of stuff. I really found it interesting. I’m hoping to learn how to cook with whatever is at hand, and outside as well. Plus, I’m starting to learn about medicinal plants for home cures.”
“Wow, that’s cool. Maybe I’ll take a look as well. Can’t have too much knowledge.” He smiled at her.
“Well, I figured, if the pioneers could survive all that time with even less that what we have, then with my knowledge of medicine, it only made sense that I learn about the medicinal uses of plants. If something happens and we don’t have the ability to go to the pharmacy, I’d better have some kind of knowledge that’ll help.”
“You’ll make one hell of a pioneer woman, between shooting the hell out of someone and curing them,” he laughed.
“Smartass. I know the statistics of gunshot wounds that come into ER. I also know there’re a lot of people coming into ER with wounds from mishandling their weapons. I just want to make sure I’m not one of them.”
“Yes, dear,” he said, and batted his eyelashes.
She laughed and smacked him.
“Eat up, knothead,” she laughed.
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. She turned and grinned at him. “What was that for?”
“Just ’cause. I’m really glad we’re working together on this prepping thing now. I’ve seen enough trash talk out there to know that many people look at preppers as crazies. I know, too, that a lot of our money goes into it.”
“I’d say it’s money well spent. Besides, if we really wanted to get something non-prepper, we’d do it. I think money should be used as a tool. We pretty much have everything we need as far as useless things go: two TVs we barely watch, smart phones, a landline telephone. I don’t mind spending money securing of our future.”
“Thanks honey, I mean it, for understanding and supporting me. It really means a lot to me. Sometimes I feel almost panicked, but then I look at our preps and I calm down.” He felt her warm hand pat his and he turned his hand and squeezed hers. She was a good woman. He wasn’t sure what he’d done to deserve her, but he was sure glad he had her. “Let’s say we go out to the movies tonight. We’ve not done that for a long time. Once we finish eating, we can go drop off the trailer and head in to town.” He grinned at her.
Her eyes widened, and a slow smile spread across her face. “Even a chick flick?”
He groaned and let his head drop to the table, nearly landing it in his plate. She laughed and poked him in the ribs.
“Ohhhhkkkkaaaayyyy,” he whined loudly, drawing several stares from other patrons. Dramatically, he slumped his body and shoulders slumped.
Joy laughed and smacked him on his arm, looking around. “You better quit.”
“Ohhhhhhkkkkkaaaaayyyyy,” he whimpered, and waggled his eyebrows at her.
Pike had been driving eight hours, with little traffic, and was making good time. He’d stopped only once for gas, and was now a couple hours out from Memphis. He looked out the side window and nearly slammed on the brakes. There was an Army Surplus and Antique store. Just ahead was an exit. He had to stop there.
There were all kinds of things he needed, and even then he wasn’t sure exactly what he would need. But seeing the Army Surplus reminded him that he had thought of getting an old Geiger counter. If he had thought something new would work, he’d get it, but he had a feeling new stuff wouldn’t work if there was an EMP detonation. He took the exit and drove around until he found a sign that indicated that the surplus store was ahead.
It had never really occurred to him to go to an Army Surplus store. He laughed and shook his head. He hoped they had a Geiger counter, but if they didn’t, he’d look around anyway. He needed something to wake his brain up from the mind-numbing driving. He’d never been a happy driver. Didn’t like to take road trips.
He looked at the clock. It was nearly 5 pm. Ye really hoped the store hadn’t already closed. Pulling up, he could see people still inside. Good.
Getting out of the truck, he walked into the store. What customers there were looked to be in no hurry, so he browsed around, looking at all the old things: knives, bayonets, even old cartouche boxes.
Then he saw a what he was looking for. It looked like a 1950s model. He had no real idea, but figured it was old either way. He took it to the register and asked the clerk if it still worked. The old man grinned and turned it on. The machine began to click softly, and Pike grinned. It was rusted in some places and the glass had a small crack in it. Most of the paint had rubbed off. A piece of military history.
“They made these things to last, son. You can’t go wrong with old technology,” the man wheezed, his balding head nodding. His glasses were set on the end of his nose, ready to fall off.
“Great, I’ll take it.”
“You expecting to go into radiation?” the old man asked, his large caterpillar brows wavering around in curiosity. Then he laughed and wheezed.
“No. It’s a gag gift for one of the guys at work,” Pike lied smoothly, and grinned.
He was back on the road within thirty minutes. He was antsy to get to Missouri, but he knew he couldn’t travel any faster than it took to get there. He’d always wished there were transporters. Now that would be cool, to just pop from one place to another. He was pleased with himself for thinking of the Geiger counter, and called Margo.
“Hey, guess what I found?” he asked, laughing.
“You might as well tell me. I’m tired and it’s been a long day. I had to deal with some a-hole tourists.” She laughed and he grinned, loving her laugher.
“I got us a genuine Geiger counter from an Army Surplus,” he said, grinning.
“Wow, that’s great. Hope it didn’t set you back much?” she said. He appreciated her concern, but could hear the excitement in her voice.
“No, not bad. I didn’t even think about visiting an Army Surplus until I saw it. I damn near wrecked the truck getting there,” he laughed.
“Good grief, don’t do that. That’s really cool, though. I wouldn’t have thought of it. I’m so new to this prepping game, really. Plus, new to the panic I feel when I think about POSEIDON.”
“I know, right? But I think we’ll learn more as we go. I should be there in a couple days. I’ll drive another hour or so, then stop for the night. I’ll let you know when I get close. Hope you have a better night and get some rest. And listen, I want to apologize again for bringing up your ex-husband. I’ve been kicking myself for it ever since.”
She laughed, and oh, how he loved her laugh.
“Look Pike, don’t worry. When I stopped traveling, I chose Maryville. I have to say, it’s the best thing that happened to me.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I fell in love with this place, especially Lake Mozingo. We’d stopped here a few times. It was such a quaint little place, you know and the people seemed friendly. Bobby passed through, but it just became less and less frequent. So, I divorced him and decided to stay on. I think it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Especially now, with all this business about POSEIDON.”