January 24, 2003- Arrivals
"John to base, radio check. Over." John unkeyed the mike and waited.
"Base to Uncle John. I read you five by five. Over" Heather's voice came out of the truck radio speaker a moment later.
The truck went out the gate and turned right towards Archer. After a few hundred yards John forced himself to slow his speed after he hit a patch of ice and went into a slide, narrowly avoiding leaving the pavement. "Damn it!" he growled, "I hate driving on this crap. How did y'all get through the winter up North every year Luke?"
The doctor grinned, "Mainly we tried not to drive when the roads were icy until after the plows and salt trucks had gotten out. If we did have to drive on ice or snow we had studded tires or chains, neither of which you're likely to find here I admit."
The truck crept along, the headlights reflecting from the snow covered road and trees. Finally, about a mile out of Archer they came upon Miguel's flat bed truck perpendicular in the road with its flashers blinking. Behind the truck stood the man tying a rope underneath a small red car they immediately recognized as Lisa's. John carefully pulled over to the shoulder and the two men got out. The passenger door of the flatbed opened and Lisa got out.
"Hi!" she said, embarrassment plain on her face. "I, uhmm, slid off the road into the ditch when I hit a patch of ice. Miguel was kind enough to come to my rescue."
She walked around the front of the truck and joined the two men as they walked over to where Miguel was finishing his knotwork.
"Buenos noches John" Miguel said, a wide grin on his face. "I'm rescuing one of your females - again. You should keep better track of them!"
John's face went red then he grinned himself. "Well, you know how it is Miguel. They go to school and get ideas about being independent and all. Besides, she's Luke's female, not mine!"
Luke laughed and said, "Looks like I've been remiss in my duties."
Lisa cast a level gaze at them and said, "OK, you guys. That'll be enough of that!"
Miguel said, "I think the rope will hold. John, if you'd get behind the wheel of the car I'll pull you out. I've spread sand over the pavement for traction. Really should use salt, but who has that much of it in Florida?"
The men took their respective positions and with a groaning of the big motor Miguel dropped his truck into first gear and powered the little red car out of the ditch. Once they were both on the pavement he stopped and got out. He untied the rope as John and Luke looked over the back of Lisa's car. The bumper was pushed in slightly but the vehicle was otherwise drivable.
They were considering the situation when Lisa looked up at Luke and said, "Uhhm, honey, you're not angry with me are you?"
Luke looked at her and said, "No, why? It was an accident. We nearly went off the road ourselves getting here. There's a lot of ice on the road since it doesn't see much traffic now."
His wife looked relieved. "There is a lot of ice, more than there was when I came in this morning. I suppose the dark surface of the road must have warmed enough to melt the snow this afternoon and it froze again as the sun went down. If it's still icy on Monday I'll drive more slowly."
John said, "I'm glad to see it was just some ice! I have to admit my heart was in my mouth there for a while wondering if we were going to have… trouble… again. Slick roads we can handle."
With a look of surprise Lisa said, "Oh! I'm so sorry John! It never occurred to me that my failure to come home on time might be interpreted that way. I should have had Miguel call the house for me."
"It's no big deal" John replied. "But in the future I think it would be a good idea to check in as soon as possible. Probably be a good idea for you put a radio or bag phone in your car. We're a little too far out for those tiny handheld cell phones to hit a tower."
"That's a good idea John." Luke said. "We both have the little handhelds but have gotten out of the habit of using them here in the county because they don't have enough power to get a reliable signal. If we buy a house out here we're going to have to have a stronger phone."
Miguel looked interested. "Luke are you planning on moving out of town to live with your rustic cousins?"
The doctor grinned and said, "Yes, we are. As soon as possible in fact. Nothing like a brush with disaster to show you what's important and what's not. As soon as we can get the materials to finish the repairs on the house we're going to put it on the market and look for something out in the country, on this side of the county. John's been a very gracious host but it's getting to be time we find our own place and become a more solid part of the community."
"Well then" the shopkeeper said, "I will keep my eyes open for places for you. I think there will be many homes on the market soon as the economy struggles to revive itself. Now that the government has… rejuvenated… the dollar and allowed the banks to reopen there will be many forced to sell their homes I believe. I may have something to offer you myself in a couple of weeks."
Lisa asked, "Do you think the banks are going to foreclose on mortgages? Surely that would be bad with so many people out of work?"
The man shrugged. "I think the banks must try to recoup something from their investments but whether the government will allow them to take people's homes from them for failure to meet their mortgages I cannot say. Personally, I think we will see many, many banks fail in the near future now that the economy is trying to start breathing again. The shock and paralysis of the Impact is beginning to wear off but the economic impact we are only just now starting to feel. I would not keep anything I would mind losing in any sort of institution. Eventually the failures will slow, then stop and a new world will begin to unfold but we are not there yet."
John said, "Well, I don't know about you but I'm about to freeze. Miguel, you want to come to the house and have supper with us? It's the least we can offer after rescuing our wayward nurse here."
Miguel smiled. "My friend, I accept your kind offer! Carolita and the boys have gone to her sister's place in Otter Creek for the weekend so I was left having to fend for myself. Running a store and rescuing damsel's in distress I have some talent for but I'm afraid my cooking is rather barbarous."
"Very good!" John laughed, "Then let's put Lisa's little crackerbox in the middle and we'll head to the house. That bread the girl's were baking smelled mighty fine when we pulled in a while ago!"
-- -- -- --
Miguel stood and gave the assembled girls a low sweeping bow. "Senoritas, that was a most excellent repast! You have saved me from a terrible fate of eating my own cooking tonight. I am deeply in your debt!"
The girls giggled then Heather said, "But Mr. Miguel, we're not done yet! There's still dessert to come."
John's eyebrow quirked and he said, "Dessert? Sounds like an capital idea to me!"
Melinda giggled and went into the kitchen with Brittany. They returned moments later with a tall, dark chocolate cake studded with precisely ordered pecan halves. Brittany had a capped metal can that she unlidded to reveal a straw colored home made ice cream.
Miguel's eyes widened and then exclaimed "Carumba! What a cake! You made it yourselves? And the ice cream too?"
John laughed, "You should see what these girls get up to being trapped in the house for so long by the weather. I have to limit how much baking they do to keep from running through our stores too fast. If we didn't all work so hard we'd be positively rotund. Nothing like having your own cow for making ice cream. Too bad we don't have more vanilla."
"Uhh, actually Uncle John" Heather hesitantly spoke, "that's not straight vanilla ice cream. We're getting low on extract so this time we used a little of your whisky and made vanilla-bourbon flavor. You were in court so I called aunt Ann at work and she said that it would be OK."
With a look of mock outrage on his face the man whirled to confront his wife and she laughed. "Oh, don't you look annoyed at me John Horne! If you'd bought more extract instead of spending it all on whisky we'd have plenty for the ice cream."
He grinned and looked pointedly at the girls, "All I can say is that it had better be good. Now don't stand there looking smug, start passing out the goods before the ice cream melts!"
Heather sliced the cake while Brittany dipped the ice cream and Melinda handed round the bowls, giving the first to Miguel. He took a bite of the deep dark cake and closed his eyes. "Ah, yes. What a cake." He looked at John then said, "My friend, what a fortunate man you are to have such children in your household! But you are woefully short of strong backs to help you in your labors. Perhaps you'd care to trade say… Heather for my youngest son Alberto? He could help you with the heavy work and Heather could make cakes for me!" He winked at Heather's father.
Lisa spoke up and said, "On no you don't Miguel Alvarez! I've heard about Latin men! Besides, what would Carolita say?"
Miguel adopted a tragic expression and said, "Alas, but you are right senora. Carolita, she is a strong willed and hot tempered woman. It would soon lead to tragedy for the Alvarez men, I'm afraid."
Luke smiled broadly and cut his eyes at Lisa briefly while facing away from Heather. "Oh, I don't know Miguel. There may be a solution to your problem after all. Is not Roberto a man now and marriageable? Perhaps something could be arranged?"
Heather looked thunderstruck, "Daddy!" she said in a horrified tone.
"Exactamento!" Miguel said, "Perhaps such an arrangement can be made. Traditionally the girl's father would provide a dowry. What do you suggest?"
A crafty look came over the doctor's face. "Well, actually, in this case with Heather being such an excellent cook, and having somewhat less than plain features…"
"Daddy! 'less than plain features' my foot!" his daughter snorted, "Why…"
"Hush daughter!" Her father commanded, "I am bargaining with the father of a potential suitor."
The faces of all of the women around the table began to cloud but Luke pressed on intrepidly. "Actually, in view of the circumstances I suggest that it is YOU who should offer a groom's price for the bride."
Miguel looked disconsolate and said, "Very well, what must be must be. Will you accept an offer in cattle or do you require camels or sheep? Such livestock will take time to collect."
"Cattle!" Heather said in outrage, "Camels? Sheep? Daddy, you are NOT going to… to… trade me off for livestock!"
"Never did like camels" Luke responded, "Had one spit on me in Egypt once. Cattle will do. Twelve young heifers in exchange for my prime young heifer would suffice I believe…" The rest of his words were lost as dish towels and napkins thrown by the females wrapped around his head and the men burst out laughing.
"Really mom!" Heather said exasperatedly, "Did you hear that! Trade me off for cattle and sheep!"
Her mother gazed levelly at her husband, a glint in her eye. "It's just an unfortunate trait when it comes to boys, I mean men, that breaks out from time to time. If we hadn't stopped it when we did they'd be growing hair all over and grunting before long. It's just a cross that we women must bear in order to perpetuate the species."
John took another spoonful of cake and ice cream and said, "Heather, you are quite forgiven for taking liberties with my whiskey. This is excellent!"
Miguel looked thoughtful as he ate more of his cake then finally said, "I have a real proposition I would like to make to Heather, and Melinda and Brittany as well."
Heather looked sharply at him as did Brittany and Melinda but Lisa and Ann looked interested. "What have you got in mind Miguel?"
"It's a business proposition, actually. This cake is excellent as was the bread we had with our meal. As you know it is very difficult to get convenience foods of any description now. Many times I have problems even getting ordinary loaf bread. What I am proposing is to give your girls here a chance to earn some money if they like. I will supply the necessary ingredients, perhaps even some of the equipment if necessary, and the girls make them into such items as cakes, pies, and other comestibles as would be good to sell in my store. I believe I could get quite a mark-up on something as good as that cake which would allow us both to profit in the venture. I would, of course, pay them for their work and something to Ann and John for the use of their kitchen. The girls would be able to cook to their heart's content, make a little money on the side, and I would get very desirable convenience foods to sell. What do you think?"
Heather looked excited as well as Brittany and Melinda. Lisa and Ann looked thoughtful. "Well," Ann said, "I like the sound of it but what about the health department? Aren't there regulations about home kitchens being used to make commercial foods? I'm quite sure we could not pass an inspection. I'm not sure any home kitchen would."
Miguel nodded his head. He considered for a moment then said, "I do not think it will be a problem. At least not for a while yet. Conditions being unsettled as they are many are doing things that would ordinarily be frowned upon by our health police. I will run interference for the girls should any bureaucrats become ruffled. During hard times in the past many people have prepared and sold food from their home kitchens and I am sure it is happening across the nation even now. I believe our health police will simply have to bow to the inevitable until conditions become more normal."
John had been considering the idea since Miguel mentioned it and joined in the discussion. "I think you may have something there Miguel. This could be a real family effort. I supply the physical plant so to speak and the girls supply the skilled labor while you supply the raw materials and do the marketing. For the girl's part we can deal in cash but for the house I'd like to work out a barter deal. Ann here brought home some very detailed schematics and materials lists for a small-scale methane production plant that was developed in India some time ago which have been languishing in their archives for years. I'd like to go over it with you and see what you can come up with in the way of materials for building it. You help us build and expand our plant here and we'll use it to produce your baked goods."
Miguel rubbed his chin and said, "My friend. I think we have the basis for an understanding here. Allow me to source the necessary supplies and determine how much product I'll be able to sell and we can all of us sit down and bargain over the details. I'll be happy to help you build your gas plant. Such an installation could serve as a prototype for others to be built in the community as well. A bit of capitalistic self-interest and a public service at the same time!"
John looked at the girls and asked, "Does this sound like something you want to involve yourself in? It'll be a regular job, a must be done on time and done right kind of thing? Are you up to it?"
They looked at each other for reassurance and each slowly nodded. Heather turned to look at John and said, "Yes sir, I think we're up to it. We'd like to hear Mr. Miguel's detailed presentation when he's got it worked out."
"Very well then" John said as he put his hand out to Miguel and they shook. "Looks like we have the basis for an understanding. Get back with us when you've got your data and we'll discuss this in earnest."
Miguel stood and said, "Excellent! Senoritas, that was a most excellent meal. Ladies, I thank you for your company. It's growing late so I should be off before the snow gets any deeper." John walked him to the front door where he retrieved his coat, put it on and went outside. John came back into the kitchen and said, "Well, that was a fortunate accident you had there Lisa!"
She smiled and said, "Well, I suppose it did come out alright but I've still got to get my car fixed. I'm glad to be home and out of that snow."
The family cleared away the dishes and the girls began to clean the kitchen. Luke said, "I've got some notes that I simply must go over while it's still fresh in my mind" and excused himself. Lisa helped with the dishes. John went into the living room and turned on the radio to try to find some news.
<i>In Los Angeles today rioting broke out in the south side barrios in response to the Immigration Service sweeps rounding up undocumented aliens. President Bush made a statement about the effor…"</i> Ann came into the room and sat down next to her husband. "John, I've got some news of my own tonight."
There was something about the way she said that which made him uneasy but he kept his voice light when he asked, "Oh? What's up?"
"I got an e-mail from Carla yesterday. She's at the base in San Diego." He was sure that something serious was going down now. Ann usually spoke much more lightly when communicating family news.
"Well, I'm glad we've heard from her again. Been a long time since that first letter! How is she? And the kids and Aaron too?"
She stared at the fire in the stove for a moment then said, "It was partially about Aaron that she wrote me. She found my work address through the university web site. She never received the letter you wrote her about your dad dying and there's at least one letter that followed the first one she sent that never made it here. She's been hopping all over the country these last few months as the military moves its assets around. She said they were really trying to disperse as much of their critical functions as they could which meant dislocating a lot of people."
John considered this, "I'll bet they're worried about some sort of mass destruction attack and want to be able to cut their losses if a base is hit. She wouldn't be able to say that outright because it's a near certainty that all electronic communications are monitored now. May be why those letters disappeared too for all we know."
"One of the things she tried to tell us in the missing letters is that Aaron has never been found. She's said the scene at the wharves was chaotic at the time of the evacuation and no one has any idea what may have become of him but he wasn't on any of the ships that made it out of Norfolk, nor does he seem to have made it onto one of the planes that evacuated. As near as anyone can tell he was still in Norfolk when the tsunami hit. Officially he's still listed as 'missing' but she thinks he's dead."
He let out a long sigh, a somber expression cast over his features. "Well, I suppose it was too much to hope to think we'd be entirely untouched by the disaster. We should count ourselves lucky that Carla and the kids survived."
She hesitated a moment then continued, "Surviving is the problem now John. She says the Navy is really stripping itself in order to carry out its mission and is jettisoning everything that might slow it down. She's facing a mandatory hardship discharge because there isn't anyone to be responsible for Cindy and Neil since Aaron was lost. She wants to know if she can come here until she can get her feet under her. I told her that I'd have to talk to you. She's got to have an answer by Monday."
John closed his eyes and leaned back into his chair, hands rubbing his temples. "Jesus. When it comes, it comes in waves doesn't it? I figure that if we make a maximum effort to utilize all of our resources we'll get through the winter and far enough into spring to start getting some real food coming in without anyone here having to go on short rations and without having to ask for charity. There's just no way we'll be able to do that if we have to add three more mouths to feed to that equation."
"She's your sister, John. They're family." Ann looked somewhat bewildered at his response.
"Damn it! I know that!" he said harshly, "I know that. I didn't say they couldn't come here. I was just pointing out the hardship it was going to impose on everyone and… and… trying to resign myself to the inevitable. We're going to have to accept relief charity if everyone is going to eat. We've always put away more than we actually needed for just you, Mel, and myself and the livestock contribute even more but every bit of that surplus was taken up when we took in the Hatchers and Brittany. We're tapped out… Like it or not, I reckon I'll have to go down hat in hand and take that relief after all. I'll get over it… eventually… I suppose."
"Hon, I know it's hard but we're entitled to it." She said as soothingly as she could. "We won't be asking for anything that everyone else isn't entitled to. The government has always stepped in during times of disaster and we've done it for other countries for longer than you or I have been alive. It's only fair that they should do the same for us in our time of need."
He let out a long, long sigh. "Yeah, you're right. Doesn't make it any easier to swallow just the same. Going to be crowded here for a spell if they show up before the Hatchers are able to move out but we'll get by. It'll take more than that to knock us out of the race."
Neither said anything for a time but just watched the fire burn through the glass doors of the stove. Finally Ann spoke up and said, "There may be a partial answer to the problem, if you're willing to offer it to Carla. She didn't ask but she might be willing to consider it. We could let her just send the kids so that she could stay in the service. That way she'd still be employed in a good job and making a decent wage and we'd have one less person here to feed. Fostering your niece and nephew I guess you'd call it."
He said nothing for a time then replied, "It's an idea. She doesn't have to have an answer until Monday when you go back to work. Let's chew it over until then and make up our mind Sunday night. Taking in her kids would give us one less mouth to feed but it would mean I'd have FIVE kids to cope with during the week when the rest of you are at work. When the Hatchers move out we'll be down to just four but Heather's the oldest and the one who'd be the most help riding herd on the rest. But if Carla was able to stay in she'd be able to help us out monetarily and possibly benefits wise, I don't know. Of course, she could get killed too. Let us not fool ourselves about the amount of fighting our military is going to find itself involved in before matters get back to normal - if they ever get back to normal at all."
He fell silent and they stared into the fire again. John gave a rueful grin and turned to his wife and said, "Well, just when I thought we were finally seeing a clear path to the end we discover there's a valley full of problems still ahead. Let's think about it."