#2
"Easy Wayne, old ladies don't travel fast. Especially when the ground won't stop moving." Evie tottered as aftershocks kept rolling.
"Sandy, hang on to Grandma. Spread your legs, like your standing on the deck of a boat, roll with them." he shouted as he dove in the house. "Are the BOB's still in the pantry?"
"Yes," Sandra yelled. "Be careful."
Wayne came scrambling out the door, 2 fairly large duffel bags in hand. As the trembling continued, the top section of the stovepipe came clanking down.
There was a loud crash inside the house, Evie turned to look, dismay on her face. Unconscious habit had her stepping back toward the house, going to see what had happened.
"Gram, you can't, com'on we have to go, this is important," Wayne hefted the duffel's, looking surprised at the weight. "Sandy, guide her," he ordered.
Across the pasture, he could see Ev ushering Cheryl and Christy outside. Ev reached in his pickup and tooted 3 times, motioning a 'come over' arm wave. The trio started down the drive way; Ev came roaring down the road, the pickup sounding like a rat-a tat-tat noise as it hit the bumps at high speed.
Wayne threw in the bags, hoisted Sandra in to crouch in the back, practically picked Evie up and deposited her in the front seat. Hopping in the back, he hit the cab sharply and Ev turned a circle and went for high ground.
"Hang on," Ev ordered loudly, he turned and headed for the ridge. The ground was cracked, fissures opening here and there, disappearing and reopening at random. Huge pine and fir swayed, and rocks tumbled. Behind them a cedar of ancient age toppled across the road. Dust and branches flew around in the air, a thick haze hanging in the choking dust.
Sandy shivered as the cool breeze blew across her back. Wayne handed her his coat, never taking his eyes of the road behind them.
"Thanks," she muttered as she wrapped the too large coat around her. "This is a bad one, isn't it?"
"Sit down, there are rocks and limbs in the road ahead," Wayne reached for Sandra, pulling her down to the pickup bed as she started to topple over.
"We left Inky," Sandra started to tear up. "I can't believe I forgot him."
"He'll do OK, animals have sensitive abilities to tell things like this. Tell you what, I'll go back for him when we get you and Gram to high ground," Wayne's hand trembled as he handed his friend a hanky. He sure couldn't stand to see her cry. It was stupid of him to forget the dog, he knew how sensitive she was. Sandy nodded and gave him a smile.
Higher and higher the old pickup toiled, Ev dropped a gear, slowing considerably as he had to weave in and out of rocks and downed trees and branches of all sizes.
Nearing the top of the ridge, Ev had to stop when he couldn't maneuver around a tree. Cutting the motor, they all listened to the silence. Not a sound, no birds, no small animals rustling in the brush, no wind. It was spooky silent. Every thing but Christy. The five year old chattering like a magpie.
Wayne vaulted lightly to the ground, opening the tailgate and handing Sandra down. Quickly he unloaded the jumbled assortment of bags, boxes and duffel's and the largest, ugliest old army tent he had ever seen.
"We need to go back," Wayne said to Ev quietly as they lumped the camp goods to a open area.
Wayne eyeballed the height of the surrounding trees and moved the tent another 20 feet into the small meadow.
"I like the way you think," Ev said as he passed with a tub of stuffed animals and toys. Wayne smiled as he looked at the very unnecessary items. Kids, but Christy settled on a blanket setting up her friends in order of importance. Playing, she was near yet not in the way.
"Look," Sandra cried, pointing toward the distant ocean. As far away as they were, it was easy to see the water receding.
The two men exchanged a look, both hoping they had made the correct decision. Ev grabbed for Cheryl's and Christy's hands. "Dear Heavenly Father," he started, giving Wayne, Evie and Sandra time to reach for each other.
Ev's strong voice prayed aloud as he asked for protection and mercy. The ground trembled again as the onrushing wall of water hit the land. Several more aftershocks moved the earth.
"I need to sit down," Evie said weakly. "This is quite a happening."
Wayne picked her up and set her on the tailgate. "Thank you dear," Evie patted his arm.
"Here Grandma, sit here," Christy pulled her blanket to the back of the pickup. Evie smiled and nodded her agreement. "Let's go over by the tent, we can use the blanket to sit on there." Evie looked at the ground, and started to slip herself down off the tailgate.
Ev was closest, so he grabbed her by the waist and put her gently on the ground. "I think you should have the chair, the ground is too cold." Ev tried not to show it, but he was startled at how little the old woman weighed. If she didn't wear that skirt, that had more yardage in it than a Bedouin tent, she would probably blow away.
Cheryl and Sandra worked at gathering material for a fire. Rocks were placed tn a keyhole design, pinecones were pounded with a rock to form a dry base for the dead sticks. Cheryl went to the pickup glove box and retrieved the box of matches. Soon the crackle of fire burned wood and faint blue smoke was headed skyward.
"We'll be back soon," Ev promised Cheryl. She looked at him calmly, "We left some things, would you grab them please. This is important Ev," and Cheryl spoke under her breath. Ev nodded. And Winked. He tugged at Christy's pig tail until she protested, "Daddy, don't do that."
Wayne sidled up to Sandra and handed her his smallest pistol. "Keep it tucked away," he advised. "shells, and a knife. Do you have a belt with you?" At her nod, he smiled at her and loped away. Ev had the pickup running, turning the ancient Ford around to start downhill. Wayne had to increase his speed to make it into the passenger's seat.
Ev looked at Wayne, the bearded youngster looking every bit like the mountain man he was. Neither man spoke as they tore down the mountain to the houses they hoped were still there.
Jennings McCann stomped on the brakes. The sudden lurching stopping the incessant bickering coming from the back seats. The overloaded Surburban crammed with kids, dogs and who knows what.
"I'm gonna throw out all the garbage," he warned in a crabby voice. "I'm real sick and tired of listening to you kids bicker and fight. Unless you want to see all those fancy do-dads thrown over the bank, CUT THE NOISE," he yelled with excessive force into the suddenly silent vehicle.
Tammy McCann gave her husband a measured look. One that said, you asked for this. Now you've got it, your complaining?
Jennings started the Chevy and headed for Evergreen. Even the dogs were silent, as the miles rolled on.