My Beloved - Dime Story 2

[methos]

Some of you will remember part of this from fs. Maybe with you all poking at me I'll get it finished.

My Beloved

My Dearest Beloved,

I write this not knowing when I will be able to mail it to you. No doubt mail there has stopped just as everything here has.

I was at the jobsite when it happened. I imagine a moment ten times more powerful in everyone’s minds now than ‘where were you when JFK was shot… the space shuttle blew up… 9-11…

When the lights went out of course we were at the top of the mill tower. It was a long walk down. What we found on the ground immediately told me what was going on, not to mention how out of shape I am. Too many years with the pipe I suppose. You should have hounded me more. Its part of your job, but I forgive you. Please forgive my weaknesses. You always told me that there were worse habits. Now I wonder. I still have tobacco for a couple of days, but the mere thought of running out makes my mind race with panic even more than the current circumstances that the land finds itself in. Odd feeling.

Larry and I walked down the mill tower only to find all below mild chaos. There was no power on to be seen.

When I heard someone comment that their car wouldn’t start I immediately checked my cell phone. The blank screen told me all I needed to know.

I told Larry that we needed to go Now. Giving our hasty farewells to the people at the plant we walked back to the hotel.

The chaos increased the further we got into town. Thank goodness Portland is a pretty calm place. I can’t imagine going through this in California, dreadful hateful place.

I hate traveling, being away from home and you and the kids. I should be there now with you, weathering the storm with you.

My beloved. I hope you are safe. Don’t panic. This is one of the reasons I always told you to keep a months supply of food on hand. I may have never told you this, for fear that you would think me crazy. I disguised my fears with talks of snow storms and the like. Half truths I know, but I didn’t want you to think less of me as a husband, less of me as a man.

I never told you of the stuff I cached. You were asleep all of those long nights I hauled load after load of dirt. There are things now that could help you and the kids, hidden from your sight from the fear of what you would think of me.

Looking back now in this light I guess I have failed to protect you. I’m so sorry.
I’m closing now to spend some time with the Man, to pray for your safety. The Gideons will serve their purpose tonight. I hope they won’t mind if I take the good book on my travels back to you.

Love you so much and miss you terribly. Hope to be in your arms soon.
Love,
Me
Kiss Kate and Marshall for me. Tell them that daddy is coming home.

[kyrsyan]

Good. Please do finish it. It would be horrible to leave us hanging.

[nancy98]

Krysyan, if he does't we'll "Get a rope". LOL

I don't remember this at all yet. But thanks for posting it here.

[debralee]

Thank you. This is good.

[sssarawolf]

Oh yes we need it finished . Thank you.

[hummer]

Suspensefull beginning......please post more.

[methos]

Thanks for all the kind comments and encouragement.

Letter 2

My Beloved,

We’ve stayed here at the hotel for two days now preparing for the journey east. I’ve fashioned my computer case into a little more useable form, its original purpose is long gone. I found though that the battery from the computer will still spark steel wool really well.

The hotel receptionist has graciously allowed us access to whatever we can carry if we’ll escort her home. Its not far out of the way so we’ll oblige her request. I’m sure that the fires we saw last night in the distance and the gunfire we heard made her pretty nervous. Guess she’ll grow out of the pink hair and piercings in a hurry now.

Civilization is truly never more than two meals away from chaos.

I couldn’t sleep last night anyway. I had nightmares about you and the kids. I always do when I’m away, never sleeping until the last moment.

I hope you paid attention when I taught you how to run the generator. There’s more than enough diesel to run until I get back. I know that life would be pretty miserable without water, especially when the diapers run out. Can you potty train a one year old when times are desperate? Ha Ha.

I can just hear Kate asking you to change the batteries in the tv or the refrigerator. Oh to be young again and unafraid of the big things!

Anyway, tomorrow is the day. We’ll make our way west out of town after dropping off the receptionist. Not sure why she trusts us, must be the midwest hick in us coming out. Anyway, it should at least be a pretty walk and the weather is decent. We’ll find out first hand how Lewis and Clarke felt. 1,800 miles back to heaven. Lets see, 20 miles a day that’s 90 days. Not good at all my love. Winter will be fast on our heels all the way. I don’t think a stroll through South Dakota in that will be much fun.

I must close now. The preparations are made, and our stomachs are full.

Miss you love, every moment of every day. I shouldn’t be here.

Love
Me

[Dreamer]

Love it! Please keep it coming.

[sabretech2001]

Yes, this is good. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with this.

[methos]

Letter 3 for tonight. Feedback is always encouraged.

Letter 3

My Beloved,

We’re on the road now, Larry, Regina and me. Two Iowan’s in the exact wrong place at the exact wrong time.

This is our second day out from Portland. From our map I’d say that we’re making good time so far, but we’re sore and the food is going fast.

I tell you, that first day was a wild one. We walked the hotel receptionist home before leaving town, Regina was her name. The street she lived on was home to little bistro’s and coffee shops, all of which had been burned to the ground. I don’t think she was prepared for that possibility. While we were waiting around for her to decide what she wanted to do a gang of about twenty rounded the corner. I’m not usually a good judge of character, but after five seconds of looking at them we high tailed it out of there with Regina in tow.

Now we’re a group of three. Strength in numbers I guess. She’ll travel with us to her parents place in Blalock.

There are fewer people on the road now. Their mood is strange. Nobody meets your glance, talking is at a low murmur or stops completely when you pass a group. People seem to huddle together even though the weather is warm.

Its seemed obvious from the beginning that one or multiple EMP's or a solar flare has stopped almost everything. We've even seen two national guard vehicles along the road, hoods up, dead as doornails. I would have thought that all of our tax dollars would have hardened a few vehicles. Instead, the fastest thing moving today were the birds and some long haired hippy on a Schwinn.

The only motorized vehicle I saw was a Super M, just like mine. That’s hopeful since I showed you how to run it. You were paying attention right? Maybe it could get you to town if needed. Unfortunate for us they guy was not in the mood to give us a lift.

I stopped in the post offices in Gresham and Bonneville to try to mail these. The one in Gresham was closed, the Postmaster in Bonneville laughed at me. I’ll hold on to them in hopes that we’ll find something operating yet.

Tomorrow will be another long day no doubt and we’re really starting to feel it. Larry has the advantage on me being a volunteer fireman and in better shape.

I think once we get to Hood River we’ll try to find a church We hope to make that tomorrow. Maybe they’ll be handing out some food.

You were always the better observer than I, but now, at the slow pace of walking you notice all sorts of things that just pass by in the car. Our fast paced lifestyle has stolen so much of life’s wonders from us. Nature surrounds us and if we just had the means we could feed ourselves still. I do have some ideas on that, but I’ll keep it a secret to share with you the next time I write.

Maybe it’s the scare of the time in the city, maybe it’s the walking, but the colors are more vibrant, the sounds more crisp. I feel truly alive.

Its time to close now. Need the sleep.

Love,
Me

[Kathy in FL]

I do remember the first letter but the addition of "letters on the road" is very moving.

[debralee]

Please keep them coming. Enjoying this very much. Thank you.

[nancy98]

Thanks. Most enjoyable.

[methos]

I know I must be doing something a little right if I'm entertaining an expert like Kathy. Thanks all.

Letter 4
The Dalles, Oregon

My Beloved,

Greetings from the City of the Dales. My head has probably been on swivels since we arrived here this afternoon. There’s quite the dam here and it’s the first I’ve seen close up. All of that concrete is very impressive.

Even more impressive was our reception last night in Hood River. We were lucky enough to find a church to take us in for the night, put warm food in our bellies and water in our bottles. The conversations have been pleasant and the people friendly, still there is a quiet tone underlying all about. There is constant fear for the future I think. All people wonder what is waiting just over the next sunrise, how long the food will last, how long the power will be out, how long with that neighbor still be a neighbor and not an enemy.

It was good to see those townsfolk pulling together. It reminded me of everything I have reason to walk home for.

Rumors run rampant. Its the Chinese, its the North Koreans, the muslims, I even saw, I swear, the brother of the guy on the Schwinn say that there was an accident in Area 51. Go figure.

I hope that our neighbors there have been helping out. I always pushed you to get to know them. I hesitated to tell you that you should because you never know when you might need to call on them. Remember that time I called Eric and three in the morning because you were having trouble carrying our child? I simply asked him how fast he could be there, didn’t even tell him who I was. Ten minutes later he was there for us. Don't know how fast he drove down that gravel road that night. Never thought to ask. Nothing but a simple thanks was needed.

I must admit though that I’m now growing tired of our pink haired traveling companion. “I’m tired, I’m cold, I’m hot, I don’t like beef stew, this blanket stinks.” She should count herself lucky to have a blanket under her. She seems to take little pleasure in the sights that surround her. Having grown up around here maybe she’s used to it.

Larry has taken to not even talking to her now. I think he’s grown tired of her whining. I’m amazed that he hasn’t snapped at her yet. I know I’ve come close a couple of times. If we’re lucky we’ll be rid of her in a day or so. Maybe once she’s back with her family she’ll be happier. I know I would certainly be happier in your arms now.

Our break is done for now. Its back to the road for us and the warm thought of freeing ourselves from this extra burden and being a few miles closer to you.

Kiss the kids, hug yourself,

Love

Me

[hummer]

You are good.........I can feel the emotions............thank you...

[AlaskaSue]

Good job, nice to see the quiet tone but there's an undercurrent you can feel. Looking forward to more, for sure!

[nancy98]

Hey! What are we? Chopped liver?

LOL

Thanks

[methos]

err, uh, maybe that came out wrong.

As by way of apology, and since its Friday and has been a very long week...

Letter 5

My Beloved,

I know, I know. Its been too long since I’ve written you. Every time I look at your letters in my bag I feel the pain of not being home.

We’ve been busy though, busy walking, busy running at times, and I must admit I’m ashamed of some of the things that I’ve done. Guess I thought if I thought on it long enough I’d find a way to crouch it in better terms.

We’re a group of two again. Regina is back with her family. There is a story by itself for sure.

We arrived in Blalock, or rather the outskirts of Arlington the day after leaving The Dales. Regina led us directly to her parents house on the edge of the town arriving late in the afternoon. It was a large looking affair, speaking of money loudly. Regina explained that her father was a powerful lawyer in the area and had done well for himself. Two knocks on the door and a long wait later the father did indeed appear. As soon as that door opened I knew that we were in trouble, or rather somewhat less trouble than Regina.

Her father’s size seemed to match the professional power she described and the disgust on his face wasn’t what I expected to see a father display upon the return of his only daughter safely home in such times. I could hear his hands tighten around the shotgun as we stood there looking at him.

All she said was “Hi Daddy” and he went off.

“Well, the world falls apart and look who comes running home. Life on your own got too tough for you eh? These two of your boyfriends?” I looked at Regina when he said this and saw the irritating young woman who had been with us disappear only to be replaced by a frightened little girl.

With her face hung low she asked if she could come home. The man at the door looked at her with what I could only describe as disgust.

“You can get your lazy butt in the house, but your boyfriends have to be on their way. There’s no extra food here.”

Regina scurried inside, leaving the two of us facing the man alone. She looked back once at us, as if to say something but couldn’t. I knew how she felt. I wanted to say something too but didn’t.

“Move along.” Were the final words and the door slammed shut. We stood there long enough to hear the shouts and the slaps then turned our backs on her and left. Neither Larry nor I spoke for many miles after that. I think we both knew that we had done wrong.

We could have offered to take her somewhere else, but that shotgun made taking the easy way out, well, very easy. After all, why endanger myself when I have to get back to you right? We couldn’t hardly traipse halfway across the country with her complaining every step of the way right? Right?

I guess your husband isn’t as strong as he thinks he is. Maybe his momma didn’t raise him as well as he thought.

Walla Walla is ahead and the word on the road is that there’s trouble there.

Sorry

Love

Me

[nancy98]

Thanks

[Deena in GA]

I've just started reading these and caught up so I could say, LOVE them! Thanks so much!!

[goinpostal]

Another good start!
Thank You for sharing.
Matt

[methos]

Letter 6

Sheriff's note:

Letter 6 was not readable, water damaged.

[sssarawolf]

OH ack Cliff clifff noooooooooooooooooooo. Moar please.

[debralee]

Oh no..what happened??? I was feeling a little guilty for reading over his shoulder while he was writing to his wife. I look the other way for a second and where are they? Need more quick please.

[kaijafon]

water damage? darn those ink pens! he should have written in pencil! ugh!

[ejagno]

I just read this for the first time. Please continue. I loved each of them.

[nancy98]

Letter 6

Sheriff's note:

Well that tells us that something right there.

[methos]

The sheriff? Never mind him, he's harmless.

Letter 7

Hills outside Mitchell, Oregon

My Beloved,

Its again been many miles since I have written you. Almost a week has passed now, and we haven't eaten in over three days.

We stopped at a small farmstead that we noticed had some ham radio antenna's outside. The man at the house seemed more interested in waving his rifle than carrying on an extended conversation about trying to get a message back home to you.

That's not the first rifle pointed in our direction lately I'm afraid. I don't mean to worry you. We are careful to avoid conflict, and that's one of the reasons its been so long since my last letter.

The Columbia River road was getting too dangerous. At first we only heard rumors of people being robbed, and worse, then we began to see the bodies. When we saw mounted horsemen in the distance a week ago we made a change of course. From the people we have gotten to talk to us highway 26 has been pretty quiet. Not much out here to steal anyway. We've been moving as hard and fast as we could after that.

The only problem with our current route is that it's a little more mountainous and clean water harder to come by. I think Larry's already come down with a little something. I haven't gotten sick at all yet, I guess I've eaten way too many old left-over's and toughened up my stomach. And you told me that was bad for me!

We've gathered a few rocks to carry with us. Maybe we'll get lucky and be able to nail a bird or two for supper tonight. I've got plans for more than just carrying around rocks though for the next three months. I'm looking for the right tree to get a piece to fashion a long bow. I made one once years ago when my brother started to get into it, this time I'll have to do my shaving while I walk I guess. I hope the pocket knife holds out.

Larry and I haven't been talking much unless we need too. I think we've run out of life stories to entertain each other. We're not short with each other or anything. I guess we've come to the point where there's nothing to be said. Conversation is replaced by the endless crunch crunch of boots on gravel, or slap on pavement. I guess our former companion is weighing on us. She probably will haunt me for a long time.

I hope when all of this is over and I'm home I can find a copy of Lewis and Clark's journal to compare their trip to ours. I know they had to overwinter somewhere, but I don't have any desire to do that.

Tomatoes must be coming on hard and fast there now. Have you been canning? I wish I would have made you watch me hook up the lobster burners to the LP line so that you could boil the big canning pots. Hopefully my brother is with you and can hook them up for you. You're going to need to can anything that doesn't move and a few things that do. Can anything you can can. Ha Ha, get it? Boy I must be losing it. I'd better go for now.

Hugs and kisses all around.

Love,

Me

[sssarawolf]

Thank you; this was a nice find this morning.

[debralee]

Thank you. Nice to see they are still alive and walking. Would be nice if they could at least find a couple bikes somewhere. Their shoes are going to be wearing out.

[methos]

Letter 8

Outside Payette Idaho
Faber Family Barn

My Beloved,

I've found time and time again that a little knowledge can be a powerful thing, and lately, it can also get your clothes washed, a new pair of boots, and bring smiles to a few people's faces.

A lot of business is identifying a need and then filling it. Things aren't so different in our current situation. Larry and I had lots of needs we needed filled, we needed to find someone with lots of needs we could fill. Our new world is filled with lots of needs. Its filled with lots of people looking for someone to fill those needs. Some will find those filled by those who will do them wrong I'm afraid. This world is full of opportunities for those kinds also.

Our people with need happens to be Mr. and Mrs. Faber. An older couple quietly raising goats outside of Payette. As we happened to be walking by, we saw Mr. Faber trying to start his old Super M. Well now dear wife, here's something I happen to know something about I say to myself.

We hailed the house and asked if he needed help. It took thirty minutes of fast talking to convince him that we meant no harm, but that being done, we set to work.

That was two weeks ago and we haven't sat down dawn to dusk since. I got the tractor running after going through the points and starter brushes, Larry baled the hay. The leaks in the barn roof are fixed, the chicken coop is straightened, garden plowed...and on.

I mentioned earlier that I was pleased to see neighbors working together. Here we've seen what the opposite looks like.

This wonderful couple's neighbors were happy to run around like chickens with their heads cut off and leave these two to their own devices. If they would have know what was good for them they would have raced to these doors and begged to be of service. This is a case of the mind being willing, but their old bodies weak. The knowledge is still there, waiting to be shared.

The next gifts the neighbors would have found were in the barn, hand tools and implements from days gone bye. Using these I've been able to finish my bow and arrows.

Well my dear, for our troubles the Fabers gave us two good packs of supplies, their sons' trail bikes and a little camping gear. We head out at first light tomorrow to explore Idaho.

As one last parting gift to the old couple we tracked down the two highschool aged boys who'd been watching us bale hay and berated them up one side and down the other to head over in the morning to start as hired hands. Who knows, they just might save their own families lives and the Fabers to boot.

Hope this letter finds you well and busy.

Kiss all.

Love,

Me

[Deena in GA]

How nice to find more! These letters are wonderful!

[SheWoff]

I like the idea of the letters as he walks/travels for home. LOL feels like I am reading someones diary! Story is very good and I hope you finish this!

She

[sssarawolf]

Wonderful and yes put those dang kids to work and have them learn something .

[amarilla]

I'm enjoying. The letters are a great concept. Please write more.

A

[nancy98]

The sheriff? Never mind him, he's harmless.

Didn't mean he might be but if he's got the letters that means our hero didn't make it and the Sheriff is reading them. Right???

Thanks

[methos]

What if there was a zipper accident and one of them blew away?

[nancy98]

Sounded like he had other letters to me. ;-)

[debralee]

Thanks for the new letter. Nice that they were able to help the older couple and get some supplies for their trip.

Nancy, I hope your wrong about them not making it, but, I agree why is the sheriff reading them? Guess we will find out in time.

[kaijafon]

well, HE may make it home but what if SHE is NOT there or DID NOT make it??? then a sheriff would find the letters if HE left them on a table and shot himself....or something....

....sorry in a really morbid mood....kinda


(and there is a method to my morbidness, cause if this WAS the ending, now our dear writer won't be keen on using it....... lol!)