223shootersc
Veteran Member
Sometimes the warmest feet get cold.... Thanks, CCG!
Story Market Day
- Thread starter ComCamGuy
- Start date
Armadillo3
Contributing Member
Thanks CCG!
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Dave’s House
“That new dress will look nice on you.” Sam said as they sorted through the clothes Stephen and Elsa brought back for Jessica.
“Yeah, the neckline will really enhance the cling-wrap.” Jessica said.
Samantha could tell there was still a lot of ‘hurt’ in Jessica, in spite of the cheerful, comic tone she said it in.
“I know it feels like forever, but that stuff will be gone soon, and the dress will look good.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one crinkling every time they breath.”
“I know it’s been hard. I know it has to suck in so many ways I couldn’t even imagine, but the extra anything we do right now to help your body heal right…” Sam was saying when Jessica snapped back.
“…is better than all the hell it would be to try and fix it later. I know, I’ve heard the speech. I know you guys keep telling me it’s going to make things work better, but I’m the one always sticky and sweaty. I’m the one wrapped in plastic. I’m the one massaging my thighs and chest while doing deep-breathing exercises and flutter kicks three times a day!” The outburst tapered off as Jessica seemed to run out of steam.
“By the time we get north, most of this stuff will be behind you. That’s why we are doing so much, pushing every aspect we can think of to get you healed up. Elsa said they have a pool, so you can float and take all the pressure off your skin for a change. It should be all healed by then, even if it’s still pink and tender. And that pink new skin will look fabulous in this new dress.” Sam held up the dress again.
Jessica sighed before she answered Sam. “There going to be any boys there?”
“That sounds like an ‘Elsa’ question. We’ll ask her later.”
“That new dress will look nice on you.” Sam said as they sorted through the clothes Stephen and Elsa brought back for Jessica.
“Yeah, the neckline will really enhance the cling-wrap.” Jessica said.
Samantha could tell there was still a lot of ‘hurt’ in Jessica, in spite of the cheerful, comic tone she said it in.
“I know it feels like forever, but that stuff will be gone soon, and the dress will look good.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one crinkling every time they breath.”
“I know it’s been hard. I know it has to suck in so many ways I couldn’t even imagine, but the extra anything we do right now to help your body heal right…” Sam was saying when Jessica snapped back.
“…is better than all the hell it would be to try and fix it later. I know, I’ve heard the speech. I know you guys keep telling me it’s going to make things work better, but I’m the one always sticky and sweaty. I’m the one wrapped in plastic. I’m the one massaging my thighs and chest while doing deep-breathing exercises and flutter kicks three times a day!” The outburst tapered off as Jessica seemed to run out of steam.
“By the time we get north, most of this stuff will be behind you. That’s why we are doing so much, pushing every aspect we can think of to get you healed up. Elsa said they have a pool, so you can float and take all the pressure off your skin for a change. It should be all healed by then, even if it’s still pink and tender. And that pink new skin will look fabulous in this new dress.” Sam held up the dress again.
Jessica sighed before she answered Sam. “There going to be any boys there?”
“That sounds like an ‘Elsa’ question. We’ll ask her later.”
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, CCG!
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
North
Barbara settled in for her last rest and sleep cycle. She should be at the cabin soon. She could feel the warmer, moister air as she was dropping in altitude. This late spring snow would be gone in a couple weeks around the cabin, even while it stuck around higher up the mountains where she just came from. She wished it was still colder down here. The snow was a wet, heavy thing down here now. It was harder to walk through, made her wet and colder than the dry powder higher up.
The soup was warm and helped drive back the chill in her legs. They were always sensitive to the cold now, or at least compared to before. She hung most of her outer layer up around her little camp, hoping the heat from the camp stove would maybe dry them some. Whether it did or not, she knew going to bed wet wasn’t a good idea, at least if she wanted to wake up from her slumber ever again.
With things wet, there really wasn’t a good option other than her sleeping bag and bivy sack. They were a pain to put away, and not something you could do effectively in a hurry, but she would be warm and dry. OK, warmer and drier. No sign of pursuit and the heavy snows higher up to mask her trail, she shouldn’t have a big worry of having to bolt away in a hurry. It was still stealthier than a big campfire to keep her warm and dry her out.
Barbara had some powdered soup mix and the last of the backstrap from the deer for fuel. She followed this with another cup of water heated on the camp stove with pine needles for flavor and nutrients to wash down a Naprosyn. She scanned her hiding spot one more time before sliding into her sleeping bag. The soft lining felt good on her cold skin. Soon she was out.
It was about an hour later.
She knew where she was again. She had been there a thousand times.
It was twilight. She had been here forever. She couldn’t move. Her skin was cold and on fire. Anytime she moved was a new experience in agony. Everything went black.
Rocks banging on the car. Darker still. A voice. Jamie.
“Hold on! They are bringing help! We will get you out! I’m here! Don’t quit, Barb!”
“God, I’m cold…Why is it so dark?” She could barely hear her own voice.
“I’ve got your head wrapped. You took a bump and I had to wrap it. That’s why you can’t see out of you left eye. It’s covered.”
Barb’s hand reached up for her face. She could feel the cloth on her face. It was wet.
“Jamie, I’m cold.”
Jamie’s hand left hers. NO!
“Jamie! Don’t leave me!”
“It’s ok, Barb. I’m right here. I’m just getting something to keep you warm.”……
Barbara settled in for her last rest and sleep cycle. She should be at the cabin soon. She could feel the warmer, moister air as she was dropping in altitude. This late spring snow would be gone in a couple weeks around the cabin, even while it stuck around higher up the mountains where she just came from. She wished it was still colder down here. The snow was a wet, heavy thing down here now. It was harder to walk through, made her wet and colder than the dry powder higher up.
The soup was warm and helped drive back the chill in her legs. They were always sensitive to the cold now, or at least compared to before. She hung most of her outer layer up around her little camp, hoping the heat from the camp stove would maybe dry them some. Whether it did or not, she knew going to bed wet wasn’t a good idea, at least if she wanted to wake up from her slumber ever again.
With things wet, there really wasn’t a good option other than her sleeping bag and bivy sack. They were a pain to put away, and not something you could do effectively in a hurry, but she would be warm and dry. OK, warmer and drier. No sign of pursuit and the heavy snows higher up to mask her trail, she shouldn’t have a big worry of having to bolt away in a hurry. It was still stealthier than a big campfire to keep her warm and dry her out.
Barbara had some powdered soup mix and the last of the backstrap from the deer for fuel. She followed this with another cup of water heated on the camp stove with pine needles for flavor and nutrients to wash down a Naprosyn. She scanned her hiding spot one more time before sliding into her sleeping bag. The soft lining felt good on her cold skin. Soon she was out.
It was about an hour later.
She knew where she was again. She had been there a thousand times.
It was twilight. She had been here forever. She couldn’t move. Her skin was cold and on fire. Anytime she moved was a new experience in agony. Everything went black.
Rocks banging on the car. Darker still. A voice. Jamie.
“Hold on! They are bringing help! We will get you out! I’m here! Don’t quit, Barb!”
“God, I’m cold…Why is it so dark?” She could barely hear her own voice.
“I’ve got your head wrapped. You took a bump and I had to wrap it. That’s why you can’t see out of you left eye. It’s covered.”
Barb’s hand reached up for her face. She could feel the cloth on her face. It was wet.
“Jamie, I’m cold.”
Jamie’s hand left hers. NO!
“Jamie! Don’t leave me!”
“It’s ok, Barb. I’m right here. I’m just getting something to keep you warm.”……
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Later, at the Cabin
The guys were out cutting more wood when she came into the clearing. The greetings were heartfelt and devolved into harsh admonishments for staying gone so long in a feeble attempt to cover up their worry. Everyone moved inside the cabin, where Barbara was subjected to another round of scolding, this time by an eight-pound Kerfuffle.
Before everyone got too deep in questions and answers, Barbara begged off, at least long enough to go upstairs, shower and get into some clean, dry clothes. This worked for everyone except Kerfuffle, who rode her shoulder all the way up the stairs.
“I’ll go hang her stuff up in the garage to dry for now while you get some food warmed up.” Benji said, his arms full of gear.
“Hang the meat up too. Once it thaws, we can break it down into more usable bits.” Randy said from the kitchen where he was refilling the iron teapot they kept on the fireplace. It kept a little humidity to the air, and they always had hot water. He figured Barbara would want a good warm drink by the fire after so many days out in the weather.
The guys were out cutting more wood when she came into the clearing. The greetings were heartfelt and devolved into harsh admonishments for staying gone so long in a feeble attempt to cover up their worry. Everyone moved inside the cabin, where Barbara was subjected to another round of scolding, this time by an eight-pound Kerfuffle.
Before everyone got too deep in questions and answers, Barbara begged off, at least long enough to go upstairs, shower and get into some clean, dry clothes. This worked for everyone except Kerfuffle, who rode her shoulder all the way up the stairs.
“I’ll go hang her stuff up in the garage to dry for now while you get some food warmed up.” Benji said, his arms full of gear.
“Hang the meat up too. Once it thaws, we can break it down into more usable bits.” Randy said from the kitchen where he was refilling the iron teapot they kept on the fireplace. It kept a little humidity to the air, and they always had hot water. He figured Barbara would want a good warm drink by the fire after so many days out in the weather.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Upstairs
The only thing slowing Barbara down from getting into the shower was getting Kerfuffle off her shoulder long enough to get undressed. All her clothes ended up in a pile on the floor. She would sort them out later. Emptying the pockets and such didn’t feel like much of a priority at the moment. Well, except for one thing. She bent over, rummaging around until she found the right pocket.
The satellite message device went into it’s charging cradle on the desk next to the picture of her and Stephen. By the time she got out of the shower, it should have enough juice she could check it and send Stephen a message she was home, back in the cabin safe and sound. She looked at the picture again. Behind her she could hear the sound of the shower change pitch like it always did when the hot water arrived. She pulled out one of the desk drawers. In it was an envelope. She found what she was looking for and put the rest away. She set her treasure next to the picture of her and Stephen.
She stared at it a moment, stared at the grins on their faces, remembering the ski instructor who took it that day. She and Jamie were on top of the world, at least for another four or five hours that day. She missed Jamie, one of a thousand ‘what-might-have-been’ casualties of that day. She knew Jamie would like Stephen if she ever got a chance to meet him.
The water cascaded down over her, the warmth forcing her eyes closed as it fought the chill in her.
She knew where she was again. She had been there a thousand times.
It was twilight. She had been here forever. She couldn’t move. Her skin was cold and on fire. Anytime she moved was a new experience in agony. Everything went black.
Rocks banging on the car. Darker still. A voice. Jamie.
“Hold on! They are bringing help! We will get you out! I’m here! Don’t quit, Barb!”
Barbara’s voice echoed in the shower stall. “It’s ok Jamie, I won’t”
The only thing slowing Barbara down from getting into the shower was getting Kerfuffle off her shoulder long enough to get undressed. All her clothes ended up in a pile on the floor. She would sort them out later. Emptying the pockets and such didn’t feel like much of a priority at the moment. Well, except for one thing. She bent over, rummaging around until she found the right pocket.
The satellite message device went into it’s charging cradle on the desk next to the picture of her and Stephen. By the time she got out of the shower, it should have enough juice she could check it and send Stephen a message she was home, back in the cabin safe and sound. She looked at the picture again. Behind her she could hear the sound of the shower change pitch like it always did when the hot water arrived. She pulled out one of the desk drawers. In it was an envelope. She found what she was looking for and put the rest away. She set her treasure next to the picture of her and Stephen.
She stared at it a moment, stared at the grins on their faces, remembering the ski instructor who took it that day. She and Jamie were on top of the world, at least for another four or five hours that day. She missed Jamie, one of a thousand ‘what-might-have-been’ casualties of that day. She knew Jamie would like Stephen if she ever got a chance to meet him.
The water cascaded down over her, the warmth forcing her eyes closed as it fought the chill in her.
She knew where she was again. She had been there a thousand times.
It was twilight. She had been here forever. She couldn’t move. Her skin was cold and on fire. Anytime she moved was a new experience in agony. Everything went black.
Rocks banging on the car. Darker still. A voice. Jamie.
“Hold on! They are bringing help! We will get you out! I’m here! Don’t quit, Barb!”
Barbara’s voice echoed in the shower stall. “It’s ok Jamie, I won’t”
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Later, Downstairs by the Fire
It was a rollercoaster of a tale as Barbara filled Benji and Randy in on everything that happened on her trip. The surprise of the deer, the worry of the dogs, the revelation of the hunters, the worry about being trailed back here, the late spring snowstorm enabling her getaway, all wove together into something much more captivating than another movie marathon. This took hours, and the subsequent follow-on questions and plotting had barely begun when Barbara called a close to it. These weren’t things that needed solved or answered this evening. It needed fresh rested minds.
Barbara was warm, dry and comfortable there by the fire. Kerfuffle was firmly planted on her lap with no signs of moving. Maybe, just maybe Kerfuffle could keep her off the cliff face this evening and she could get some sleep. She was sure Jamie would understand and approve.
It was a rollercoaster of a tale as Barbara filled Benji and Randy in on everything that happened on her trip. The surprise of the deer, the worry of the dogs, the revelation of the hunters, the worry about being trailed back here, the late spring snowstorm enabling her getaway, all wove together into something much more captivating than another movie marathon. This took hours, and the subsequent follow-on questions and plotting had barely begun when Barbara called a close to it. These weren’t things that needed solved or answered this evening. It needed fresh rested minds.
Barbara was warm, dry and comfortable there by the fire. Kerfuffle was firmly planted on her lap with no signs of moving. Maybe, just maybe Kerfuffle could keep her off the cliff face this evening and she could get some sleep. She was sure Jamie would understand and approve.
larry_minn
Contributing Member
I have to admit when I visualized extent of burns. In a SHTF world. I mentally though “the odds are not in her favor”
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, CCG! Sometimes all we can do is bare the pain and remember we are alive!
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
This one is memories....
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Conflated memories & dreams in my tiny mind . . .
Mind you I do wear 7_5/8 headgear . . .
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The Next Morning
It was a re-energized group at breakfast. Randy, Benji and Barbara were discussing the latest message from Stephen.
“The two smaller rooms are still mostly set up. We still haven’t scraped up a dresser for one of them, but bed and nightstands are there.” Benji said.
“It’s not like we can just run over to Ikea. They will have to make do until we ether find something or build something.” Randy added.
“We still have almost a month from Stephen’s guestimate. We might come up with something by then. Let’s look at the putting Samantha in the one on the end with the dresser and his brother Gabriel in the other one. That way she doesn’t have to hear all the clatter of people on the stairs and in the bathroom all the time.” Barbara pointed out.
“So, she gets the better room because she’s a girl? Isn’t that a little sexist?” Benji said with a grin.
“Why, yes it is. What of it? You two did all the work on your rooms and they are twice the size of the other two. It’s not like I’m suggesting one of you moving down to one of the other rooms and giving it to her. Modesty demands we girls need our privacy sometimes.” And then she laughed.
At this, Benji and Randy laughed too. Too many times in the yurts and out on the firelines was modesty and privacy thrown to the wayside, guys and girls changing clothes and other things out in the open among others of opposite sex. Discretion yes, but privacy? Not so much.
“I’ll check to see if there’s enough wood to bang together some storage bins at least for the other room.” Randy said when they all finished laughing.
“I’ll get the sheets and blankets aired out so they are ready when they get here.” Barbara said.
“I’ll dig out the other chairs for the table. Kerfuffle might have to give up her eating spot with six of us.” Benji said, looking over at where Kerfuffle was sitting at the end of the table, taking a bath.
“Maybe not. I’ll look at the wood. We might be able to tack a small thing onto the end of the table like the old baby chairs. Then she will have a spot with all of us, but not taking up table space. She’s been eating there so long, it would be rude to boot the little thing now.” Randy said, looking down at Kerfuffle too.
“At least most the snow will be gone by the time they get here. I was worried with as much was coming down.” Benji commented.
“There was at least two or three times as much up in the high meadows. There’s probably going to be snow there until June.” Barbara added.
“Maybe go out to the east next week to look for more game?” Randy asked.
“Yeah, we’ll stay away from the high meadows for a while. The deer and such should be coming down soon anyway. Probably better hunting to the east anyway. You can show me what Randy has been teaching you with the bow.” Barbara agreed as she stood up. “Well, I need to do laundry and repack some stuff, then I’ll get those sheets.”
It was a re-energized group at breakfast. Randy, Benji and Barbara were discussing the latest message from Stephen.
“The two smaller rooms are still mostly set up. We still haven’t scraped up a dresser for one of them, but bed and nightstands are there.” Benji said.
“It’s not like we can just run over to Ikea. They will have to make do until we ether find something or build something.” Randy added.
“We still have almost a month from Stephen’s guestimate. We might come up with something by then. Let’s look at the putting Samantha in the one on the end with the dresser and his brother Gabriel in the other one. That way she doesn’t have to hear all the clatter of people on the stairs and in the bathroom all the time.” Barbara pointed out.
“So, she gets the better room because she’s a girl? Isn’t that a little sexist?” Benji said with a grin.
“Why, yes it is. What of it? You two did all the work on your rooms and they are twice the size of the other two. It’s not like I’m suggesting one of you moving down to one of the other rooms and giving it to her. Modesty demands we girls need our privacy sometimes.” And then she laughed.
At this, Benji and Randy laughed too. Too many times in the yurts and out on the firelines was modesty and privacy thrown to the wayside, guys and girls changing clothes and other things out in the open among others of opposite sex. Discretion yes, but privacy? Not so much.
“I’ll check to see if there’s enough wood to bang together some storage bins at least for the other room.” Randy said when they all finished laughing.
“I’ll get the sheets and blankets aired out so they are ready when they get here.” Barbara said.
“I’ll dig out the other chairs for the table. Kerfuffle might have to give up her eating spot with six of us.” Benji said, looking over at where Kerfuffle was sitting at the end of the table, taking a bath.
“Maybe not. I’ll look at the wood. We might be able to tack a small thing onto the end of the table like the old baby chairs. Then she will have a spot with all of us, but not taking up table space. She’s been eating there so long, it would be rude to boot the little thing now.” Randy said, looking down at Kerfuffle too.
“At least most the snow will be gone by the time they get here. I was worried with as much was coming down.” Benji commented.
“There was at least two or three times as much up in the high meadows. There’s probably going to be snow there until June.” Barbara added.
“Maybe go out to the east next week to look for more game?” Randy asked.
“Yeah, we’ll stay away from the high meadows for a while. The deer and such should be coming down soon anyway. Probably better hunting to the east anyway. You can show me what Randy has been teaching you with the bow.” Barbara agreed as she stood up. “Well, I need to do laundry and repack some stuff, then I’ll get those sheets.”
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Down South, Late One Evening
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on or do I have to guess like when we were kids?” Stephen asked Samantha.” He had followed her outside when she abruptly left the group when they started talking about the seating plan in the vans for the trip north. This was the latest out of place thing with Samantha when things turned to their preparations. He had just blown them off to nerves, preoccupation with Jessica’s condition, or his imagination. Well, not this time.
“I’m not going with you.”
“What do you mean, you’re not going? You can’t stay here! You’re not making sense!” Stephen was beyond shocked at this. Was it some sort of denial, like back when they were getting ready to leave their old home? This didn’t make sense at all!
“I’m not staying here, I know that. That’s not what I said. I said I’m not going with YOU. I’m going on with Bill, and Dave and Jessica. I’ve been talking with Elsa. They have a ton of space, more than they could ever use. That’s where Jessica is going, and that’s where I’m needed. You don’t need me. You want me to go with you, but Jessica NEEDS me to go with her. She’s lost so much already.”
Stephen just stood there, trying to digest what Samantha said. A lot of little things snapped into place now. This wasn’t a snap decision. Samantha had been leaning this way then working towards this from when they first realized Jessica might actually survive her burns.
“Samantha…”
“I know what you’re thinking. Your thinking ‘she lost a mother, I lost a child’, but it’s deeper than that. It’s not that we are replacing what each other lost. I’m helping her get through the loss, and helping her helps me. As much as I want to be around you and Gabe, this is someone who needs me, and somewhere I can start from scratch.”
“You would have been a hell of a mother.”
“Not then. I would have been horrible. Maybe now? At least this way I can try some of it out before I look at getting one of my own to keep.”
“Does Jessica know yet?”
“No, but I need to tell her soon. She has been sandbagging some of her recovery. I think it’s to delay things. If I tell her I’ll be staying with her and going north to Elsa’s with her, her recovery will speed up.”
“Who else knows?”
“Right now? I’ve just been talking to Elsa about it. I think part of her angle is hoping you will end up there too. She has a serious adult version of a crush on you, you know.”
“Elsa’s a wonderful woman, and whoever ends up with her will be a lucky guy, but unless Barbara comes to her senses and kicks me to the curb, it won’t be me.”
“Hey, at least it’s good to know you have options, and even better to know even with such an option, your still fully committed to Barbara. She must be a special person.”
“She is. You’ll see when you meet her one day.”
“Someday. You better get with Gabe and make sure he’s not spreading our stuff across too many carts since it’s just going to be you and him.”
“Yeah. We might want to send some stuff with you to keep for us since you’re riding and we are walking, too. Do you want to tell him, or should I?”
“Just tell him I’m too spoiled for that kind of hike.” She smiled.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on or do I have to guess like when we were kids?” Stephen asked Samantha.” He had followed her outside when she abruptly left the group when they started talking about the seating plan in the vans for the trip north. This was the latest out of place thing with Samantha when things turned to their preparations. He had just blown them off to nerves, preoccupation with Jessica’s condition, or his imagination. Well, not this time.
“I’m not going with you.”
“What do you mean, you’re not going? You can’t stay here! You’re not making sense!” Stephen was beyond shocked at this. Was it some sort of denial, like back when they were getting ready to leave their old home? This didn’t make sense at all!
“I’m not staying here, I know that. That’s not what I said. I said I’m not going with YOU. I’m going on with Bill, and Dave and Jessica. I’ve been talking with Elsa. They have a ton of space, more than they could ever use. That’s where Jessica is going, and that’s where I’m needed. You don’t need me. You want me to go with you, but Jessica NEEDS me to go with her. She’s lost so much already.”
Stephen just stood there, trying to digest what Samantha said. A lot of little things snapped into place now. This wasn’t a snap decision. Samantha had been leaning this way then working towards this from when they first realized Jessica might actually survive her burns.
“Samantha…”
“I know what you’re thinking. Your thinking ‘she lost a mother, I lost a child’, but it’s deeper than that. It’s not that we are replacing what each other lost. I’m helping her get through the loss, and helping her helps me. As much as I want to be around you and Gabe, this is someone who needs me, and somewhere I can start from scratch.”
“You would have been a hell of a mother.”
“Not then. I would have been horrible. Maybe now? At least this way I can try some of it out before I look at getting one of my own to keep.”
“Does Jessica know yet?”
“No, but I need to tell her soon. She has been sandbagging some of her recovery. I think it’s to delay things. If I tell her I’ll be staying with her and going north to Elsa’s with her, her recovery will speed up.”
“Who else knows?”
“Right now? I’ve just been talking to Elsa about it. I think part of her angle is hoping you will end up there too. She has a serious adult version of a crush on you, you know.”
“Elsa’s a wonderful woman, and whoever ends up with her will be a lucky guy, but unless Barbara comes to her senses and kicks me to the curb, it won’t be me.”
“Hey, at least it’s good to know you have options, and even better to know even with such an option, your still fully committed to Barbara. She must be a special person.”
“She is. You’ll see when you meet her one day.”
“Someday. You better get with Gabe and make sure he’s not spreading our stuff across too many carts since it’s just going to be you and him.”
“Yeah. We might want to send some stuff with you to keep for us since you’re riding and we are walking, too. Do you want to tell him, or should I?”
“Just tell him I’m too spoiled for that kind of hike.” She smiled.
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Later
Stephen was still sitting outside. He was still trying to digest Sam’s news. He promised mom he would take care of her. Wait, that wasn’t right, exactly. He promised he would make sure she was taken care of. That’s different. She is going with people to a new location where she will have food, water, shelter, and more importantly, safety. Dave and Bill will make sure she is good. Elsa wouldn’t let anything happen to her.
Elsa. There’s another issue. She’s nothing if not persistent. She’s everything he would look for in a girlfriend. That’s the problem. If he hadn’t met Barbara, Elsa would be darn near perfect, as a girlfriend.
Barbara didn’t feel like a ‘girlfriend’. She felt like…he didn’t know how to put it. She made him feel like she was a missing part of him that made him feel whole? Kinda cheesy, try again. Partner, lover, girlfriend, they all came up short, only fit a part of what she made him feel when he was with her, and empty barely scratched the surface of how he felt when she wasn’t around.
The gravel crunching broke his train of thought.
“Sam told me. That will make Jessica happy.” Bill said as he stood there.
“Yeah. Hope that’s not going to be a problem.”
“Not exactly. Elsa says there’s plenty of everything and she’s thrown out the welcome mat and said the more the merrier.”
“I know, and I don’t know how to thank your brother for this.” Stephen said.
“You can do it yourself when you come visit.”
“I will, but I’m not sure how soon that will be. I have to get back and see how things are when I get to the cabin.”
“Better wait too long before you come visit. A father misses his daughter.”
“Huh?”
“I don’t know what your brother and my daughter are planning, but it better be some version of him coming with me and Lacy, or my Lacy going with you and your brother. Anything else would be stupid. I know my daughter, and stupid isn’t normally in her nature. Gullible, yes, but not stupid. You better talk to Gabriel and figure out what’s going on. I figure you have a better shot at it than if I grill Lacy.”
Stephen just hung his head. First Sam, and now Gabe? What the hell is going on?
“Sir, I’ll try to get a straight answer from him and get back to you as soon as I know.”
Stephen was still sitting outside. He was still trying to digest Sam’s news. He promised mom he would take care of her. Wait, that wasn’t right, exactly. He promised he would make sure she was taken care of. That’s different. She is going with people to a new location where she will have food, water, shelter, and more importantly, safety. Dave and Bill will make sure she is good. Elsa wouldn’t let anything happen to her.
Elsa. There’s another issue. She’s nothing if not persistent. She’s everything he would look for in a girlfriend. That’s the problem. If he hadn’t met Barbara, Elsa would be darn near perfect, as a girlfriend.
Barbara didn’t feel like a ‘girlfriend’. She felt like…he didn’t know how to put it. She made him feel like she was a missing part of him that made him feel whole? Kinda cheesy, try again. Partner, lover, girlfriend, they all came up short, only fit a part of what she made him feel when he was with her, and empty barely scratched the surface of how he felt when she wasn’t around.
The gravel crunching broke his train of thought.
“Sam told me. That will make Jessica happy.” Bill said as he stood there.
“Yeah. Hope that’s not going to be a problem.”
“Not exactly. Elsa says there’s plenty of everything and she’s thrown out the welcome mat and said the more the merrier.”
“I know, and I don’t know how to thank your brother for this.” Stephen said.
“You can do it yourself when you come visit.”
“I will, but I’m not sure how soon that will be. I have to get back and see how things are when I get to the cabin.”
“Better wait too long before you come visit. A father misses his daughter.”
“Huh?”
“I don’t know what your brother and my daughter are planning, but it better be some version of him coming with me and Lacy, or my Lacy going with you and your brother. Anything else would be stupid. I know my daughter, and stupid isn’t normally in her nature. Gullible, yes, but not stupid. You better talk to Gabriel and figure out what’s going on. I figure you have a better shot at it than if I grill Lacy.”
Stephen just hung his head. First Sam, and now Gabe? What the hell is going on?
“Sir, I’ll try to get a straight answer from him and get back to you as soon as I know.”
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Stephen wasn’t sure what to make of all these shifts and changes. It seemed every time he had a handle on things, had the way forward all laid out, boom, shit just goes sideways. Now he had to find out what the hell was going on with Gabe and Lacy. He knew he had better do it either tonight or first thing in the morning. It needed done before he and Elsa went out on another sweep.
Elsa. That was another issue waiting to flair up if he wasn’t careful. He never knew how someone could be in love with two people at the same time, but Elsa was the first person who ever made him even curious about the question. He wasn’t wired that way, and the couple people who he met who claimed to be able to do it always collapsed into a shitshow sooner or later.
He was too old to get caught up in that sort of drama. He knew better and more importantly, he knew how to guard against sending off any mixed signals that might give Elsa the wrong impression or lead her on. He was so glad he took after his mother in some things. His father would be flirting and stringing her along, purely for his own amusement and to see a smile on her face, never thinking of the broken heart left behind later. That was what he had to worry about with Gabriel. Better to figure it out tonight.
Stephen tracked him down at Dave’s. Gabe, Jessica, Lacy and Dave were playing cards while Samantha was reading something in the living room.
“Hey, Gabe. Let’s take a walk.”
“I’m kinda in the middle of a game. Can it wait?”
“Samantha can play your hand. It won’t take long.”
“Sam sucks at cards. She doesn’t know when to cheat.” Gabe said with a smile.
“Just get off your ass and help me clear some things up. I still have other stuff to do before I go to bed.” Stephen put a bit of iron in his voice now. He didn’t want to do this in the first place, and he didn’t want to put up with Gabe’s shit either.
The pair walked outside. Stephen didn’t want to have this conversation where it could put others on the spot. He wanted it to be one hundred percent him putting Gabe on the spot, without wiggle room, distractions or others to deflect his queries.
“OK, what was so important you just had to pull me away from a good card game?” Gabe said as Stephen stopped walking.
“There’s some shit going on. I don’t know how much you know, but I got hit with some stuff a little while ago and some of it was some rather pointed questions about you and Lacy. I’m going to put it to you straight. No bullshitting, no ‘well, you know’ wink and grin crap answers. You guys got an expiration date on your romance, or are you going with them to Montana like Samantha, or are you two coming with me?”
Gabe’s face went through a bunch of changes as Stephen asked his question. Gabe had one of his own.
“Samantha’s going to Montana? What the hell?”
“She’s going with Jessica. That leaves you and me hiking to my place, or at least I thought that was the plan until Bill cornered me and asked some very pointed questions about your intentions moving forward with his daughter. So, is it three of us hiking, or am I going by myself?” Stephen didn’t mean to sound as pissed as he did, but being left out of the planning by at least one or both of his siblings while he was working his ass off trying to get them north to safety, only to have his legs jerked out from under him…
“I love her. She loves me. We were going to ask if it would be a problem if she came with us.”
Now Stephen was curious or was it worried.
“Why does she not want to go with the rest of her family to Montana? I’m sure Bill and Dave wouldn’t have a problem with it.”
“She’s lived at home her whole life. Going there, it would be more of the same. Even with it being a new place, it would still be living with her family.”
“So, she was thinking living with your family would be better than living with hers?”
“Yeah,” Gabe grinned. “It’s a new place and not feeling like only half an adult. She felt some freedom living in the dorms in college, until it went bad with the quake. Moving back home gave her some flashbacks to being a kid all over again. If you can put up with us, we would like to come with you.”
Stephen wasn’t ready for such a laid-out explanation. He had to ask another question, even though it would make him a hypocrite.
“Are you going to ask her to marry you? It would be the proper thing.” He wasn’t ready for the next answer.
“Seriously considering it. I thought if I propose and she accepts, we could give it a trial run, then end of summer, we could go out to Montana and do the wedding.” Gabe gave his patented smile before he continued. “Maybe by then you will get your thumb out of your ass and propose to Barbara.”
Stephen stood there a moment. “The idea has been weighing on my mind recently."
Elsa. That was another issue waiting to flair up if he wasn’t careful. He never knew how someone could be in love with two people at the same time, but Elsa was the first person who ever made him even curious about the question. He wasn’t wired that way, and the couple people who he met who claimed to be able to do it always collapsed into a shitshow sooner or later.
He was too old to get caught up in that sort of drama. He knew better and more importantly, he knew how to guard against sending off any mixed signals that might give Elsa the wrong impression or lead her on. He was so glad he took after his mother in some things. His father would be flirting and stringing her along, purely for his own amusement and to see a smile on her face, never thinking of the broken heart left behind later. That was what he had to worry about with Gabriel. Better to figure it out tonight.
Stephen tracked him down at Dave’s. Gabe, Jessica, Lacy and Dave were playing cards while Samantha was reading something in the living room.
“Hey, Gabe. Let’s take a walk.”
“I’m kinda in the middle of a game. Can it wait?”
“Samantha can play your hand. It won’t take long.”
“Sam sucks at cards. She doesn’t know when to cheat.” Gabe said with a smile.
“Just get off your ass and help me clear some things up. I still have other stuff to do before I go to bed.” Stephen put a bit of iron in his voice now. He didn’t want to do this in the first place, and he didn’t want to put up with Gabe’s shit either.
The pair walked outside. Stephen didn’t want to have this conversation where it could put others on the spot. He wanted it to be one hundred percent him putting Gabe on the spot, without wiggle room, distractions or others to deflect his queries.
“OK, what was so important you just had to pull me away from a good card game?” Gabe said as Stephen stopped walking.
“There’s some shit going on. I don’t know how much you know, but I got hit with some stuff a little while ago and some of it was some rather pointed questions about you and Lacy. I’m going to put it to you straight. No bullshitting, no ‘well, you know’ wink and grin crap answers. You guys got an expiration date on your romance, or are you going with them to Montana like Samantha, or are you two coming with me?”
Gabe’s face went through a bunch of changes as Stephen asked his question. Gabe had one of his own.
“Samantha’s going to Montana? What the hell?”
“She’s going with Jessica. That leaves you and me hiking to my place, or at least I thought that was the plan until Bill cornered me and asked some very pointed questions about your intentions moving forward with his daughter. So, is it three of us hiking, or am I going by myself?” Stephen didn’t mean to sound as pissed as he did, but being left out of the planning by at least one or both of his siblings while he was working his ass off trying to get them north to safety, only to have his legs jerked out from under him…
“I love her. She loves me. We were going to ask if it would be a problem if she came with us.”
Now Stephen was curious or was it worried.
“Why does she not want to go with the rest of her family to Montana? I’m sure Bill and Dave wouldn’t have a problem with it.”
“She’s lived at home her whole life. Going there, it would be more of the same. Even with it being a new place, it would still be living with her family.”
“So, she was thinking living with your family would be better than living with hers?”
“Yeah,” Gabe grinned. “It’s a new place and not feeling like only half an adult. She felt some freedom living in the dorms in college, until it went bad with the quake. Moving back home gave her some flashbacks to being a kid all over again. If you can put up with us, we would like to come with you.”
Stephen wasn’t ready for such a laid-out explanation. He had to ask another question, even though it would make him a hypocrite.
“Are you going to ask her to marry you? It would be the proper thing.” He wasn’t ready for the next answer.
“Seriously considering it. I thought if I propose and she accepts, we could give it a trial run, then end of summer, we could go out to Montana and do the wedding.” Gabe gave his patented smile before he continued. “Maybe by then you will get your thumb out of your ass and propose to Barbara.”
Stephen stood there a moment. “The idea has been weighing on my mind recently."
feralferret
Veteran Member
CCG, thanks!
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Later
“They all fly the coop eventually, Bill. Parents are supposed to raise them right and get them ready to go out in the world and make it, make something of themselves and prosper.” Dave said as they were working on the vans behind Bill’s house.
“All that shit sounds good when it’s someone else’s kid. It’s different when it’s your own and you know it.” Bill said as he put another layer of paint on the bolts for the ladder up the side of the van.
“Yeah, and I know you’re getting off easy. Lacy has been a mellow, low-key kind of a daughter compared to Madison. Hell, high school came around and I couldn’t keep up with who she was dating. One week it was the place kicker for the football team, next week it was the goalie from the girl’s field hockey team.”
“Oh, I remember her! I think it was the purple hair and how it looked with Madison’s pink hair in the prom pictures.” Bill commented.
“Purple hair? No, that was the piccolo player. That girl was firmly planted in my memory. When I asked Madison what she saw in her, she would always tell me ‘nimble fingers and phenomenal breath control’.”
“Sounds like Madison, always going for the shock and awe effect. At least she calmed down once she got into college.”
“Oh, yeah, the damn ringleader of the three. At least Lacy was too young for some of the exploits she got Elsa into even though Elsa was the oldest and should have known better. Lacy is a good girl, well grounded and she could do a lot worse than Gabriel. Shoot! Her off in the forest without a lot of opportunities to get into trouble sounds like a good, safe place to have her.”
“Probably the next best thing to a convent, I guess. I trust Lacy, but I worry about her. Look at how I had to go rescue her from college after the quake.”
“Bill, look at who she will be with. Gabriel is a fine, resourceful young man, and Stephen will be there to ride herd on any problems. And if things go sour, she will still be able to come to our place.”
“She’s my baby girl. I worry. I can’t help it.”
“And she always will be. After we get to Jason’s and get settled in, we can start planning a trip over to visit Lacy, make sure of her situation. If it’s crap, we drag her home. Does that work?”
“Yeah.”
Dave grinned. “It will all work out fine. Shouldn’t be any problems. We just drive north to Jason’s, drop Lacy, Gabe and Stephen off along the way and get settled in away from all the crap down here. Simple. No state or government bullshit, no worry about getting shut down or run off, no other business headaches. That will be all Jason’s headaches. We just help out like little worker bees and enjoy the scenery and the weather.”
“Shit, with everything going on, the roads should be empty and peaceful.” Bill said.
“Yeah, sounds like the best sort of roadtrip. Take a little drive, drop some people off and relax.”
“They all fly the coop eventually, Bill. Parents are supposed to raise them right and get them ready to go out in the world and make it, make something of themselves and prosper.” Dave said as they were working on the vans behind Bill’s house.
“All that shit sounds good when it’s someone else’s kid. It’s different when it’s your own and you know it.” Bill said as he put another layer of paint on the bolts for the ladder up the side of the van.
“Yeah, and I know you’re getting off easy. Lacy has been a mellow, low-key kind of a daughter compared to Madison. Hell, high school came around and I couldn’t keep up with who she was dating. One week it was the place kicker for the football team, next week it was the goalie from the girl’s field hockey team.”
“Oh, I remember her! I think it was the purple hair and how it looked with Madison’s pink hair in the prom pictures.” Bill commented.
“Purple hair? No, that was the piccolo player. That girl was firmly planted in my memory. When I asked Madison what she saw in her, she would always tell me ‘nimble fingers and phenomenal breath control’.”
“Sounds like Madison, always going for the shock and awe effect. At least she calmed down once she got into college.”
“Oh, yeah, the damn ringleader of the three. At least Lacy was too young for some of the exploits she got Elsa into even though Elsa was the oldest and should have known better. Lacy is a good girl, well grounded and she could do a lot worse than Gabriel. Shoot! Her off in the forest without a lot of opportunities to get into trouble sounds like a good, safe place to have her.”
“Probably the next best thing to a convent, I guess. I trust Lacy, but I worry about her. Look at how I had to go rescue her from college after the quake.”
“Bill, look at who she will be with. Gabriel is a fine, resourceful young man, and Stephen will be there to ride herd on any problems. And if things go sour, she will still be able to come to our place.”
“She’s my baby girl. I worry. I can’t help it.”
“And she always will be. After we get to Jason’s and get settled in, we can start planning a trip over to visit Lacy, make sure of her situation. If it’s crap, we drag her home. Does that work?”
“Yeah.”
Dave grinned. “It will all work out fine. Shouldn’t be any problems. We just drive north to Jason’s, drop Lacy, Gabe and Stephen off along the way and get settled in away from all the crap down here. Simple. No state or government bullshit, no worry about getting shut down or run off, no other business headaches. That will be all Jason’s headaches. We just help out like little worker bees and enjoy the scenery and the weather.”
“Shit, with everything going on, the roads should be empty and peaceful.” Bill said.
“Yeah, sounds like the best sort of roadtrip. Take a little drive, drop some people off and relax.”
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Elsewhere
“Now it’s out in the open, we don’t have to be sneaky about packing your stuff in the cart.” Gabe said as he lay next to Lacy in the bed.
“Yup.”
Gabe turned his head. “You’re not having second thoughts, are you? You said this was the right thing, that it would be better for you to go with me and Stephen instead of me with you and your family to Montana. I’m good either way. The important part is I will be with you.”
“Second, third, fourth and maybe even fifth thoughts, but my logical brain knows that’s normal. Who wouldn’t want to live in a romantic cabin int the middle of the majestic mountains with their significant other?”
Gabe propped himself up on one elbow now as he stared over at Lacy.
“As long as you remember it’s going to be us and four other people there, no mall down the street and I don’t think Amazon delivers there. We’re going to have to do a lot short term to keep things going until the country gets back on it’s feet.”
“We would have to do that at either location, so not a lot of change there. We will just be in a smaller group.”
Lacy’s matter-of-fact tone sounded better to Gabe than the TV movie of the week ‘everything will be perfect’ tone from before.
“True, if we are doing something that needs done, it will be because WE need it done, not someone else for them.”
“Exactly. We won’t have seven bosses and no real say in what needs done by who. Don’t get me wrong. I love Dad and Uncle Dave and Uncle Jason, but they still make me feel like a little girl sometimes. I’m not ten anymore.”
“I know what you mean. Sam and Stephen sometimes do it to me, even thought they don’t mean to. It’s just their protective streak. It’s ten times worse when it’s your kid I’m sure.”
“Like I said, logically I know these things but it’s still frustrating as all hell anyway. I guess us here in the very bedroom I grew up in doesn’t help either me or Dad’s mindset on this either.”
“Got a point there. Listen, they won’t be that far away. If anything happens on either end, we can take care of it.”
“I know, but I haven’t been more than an hour or two away from Dad other than some vacations and school trips. I’m looking forward to you and me together, but I’m allowed to be a touch nervous, aren’t I?”
Gabe took her hand and kissed it.
“You are allowed to be nervous, but remember, I’m not going to let anything happen to you, Stephen isn’t going to let anything happen to you. We will be fine.”
“I know. Everything will be OK as long as we are together.”
“Now it’s out in the open, we don’t have to be sneaky about packing your stuff in the cart.” Gabe said as he lay next to Lacy in the bed.
“Yup.”
Gabe turned his head. “You’re not having second thoughts, are you? You said this was the right thing, that it would be better for you to go with me and Stephen instead of me with you and your family to Montana. I’m good either way. The important part is I will be with you.”
“Second, third, fourth and maybe even fifth thoughts, but my logical brain knows that’s normal. Who wouldn’t want to live in a romantic cabin int the middle of the majestic mountains with their significant other?”
Gabe propped himself up on one elbow now as he stared over at Lacy.
“As long as you remember it’s going to be us and four other people there, no mall down the street and I don’t think Amazon delivers there. We’re going to have to do a lot short term to keep things going until the country gets back on it’s feet.”
“We would have to do that at either location, so not a lot of change there. We will just be in a smaller group.”
Lacy’s matter-of-fact tone sounded better to Gabe than the TV movie of the week ‘everything will be perfect’ tone from before.
“True, if we are doing something that needs done, it will be because WE need it done, not someone else for them.”
“Exactly. We won’t have seven bosses and no real say in what needs done by who. Don’t get me wrong. I love Dad and Uncle Dave and Uncle Jason, but they still make me feel like a little girl sometimes. I’m not ten anymore.”
“I know what you mean. Sam and Stephen sometimes do it to me, even thought they don’t mean to. It’s just their protective streak. It’s ten times worse when it’s your kid I’m sure.”
“Like I said, logically I know these things but it’s still frustrating as all hell anyway. I guess us here in the very bedroom I grew up in doesn’t help either me or Dad’s mindset on this either.”
“Got a point there. Listen, they won’t be that far away. If anything happens on either end, we can take care of it.”
“I know, but I haven’t been more than an hour or two away from Dad other than some vacations and school trips. I’m looking forward to you and me together, but I’m allowed to be a touch nervous, aren’t I?”
Gabe took her hand and kissed it.
“You are allowed to be nervous, but remember, I’m not going to let anything happen to you, Stephen isn’t going to let anything happen to you. We will be fine.”
“I know. Everything will be OK as long as we are together.”
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
But that's how we grew up . .
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
P 230, #9197? What surprise?
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The Next Day
“Well, now that we have scrambled this whole goat grab around, Do we pull everything out and reorganize what’s where to match the people?” Stephen said to the others out back with the vans.
“Yeah, the best thing would be to figure out who was riding with who, then work from there.” Bill said looking at the rest.
Everyone was out here, even Jessica. The process wasn’t pretty as everyone had an idea, then another, then that idea clashed with someone else’s plan. It took some time for the parameters to stabilize.
They wanted an even mix of people in each van. Both vans would have the front seats and one bench seat. From there on back would be cargo storage. The lighter stuff would go on the roof of the van. Both vans would pull a trailer, one an enclosed cargo trailer, the other a trailer made out of the bed of Stephen’s truck.
When it came time for Stephen, Gabriel and now Lacy to split off from the caravan, they didn’t want it to be a whole bunch of shuffling and shifting of people. They also wanted two people left in each van who could drive even after Stephen’s group left. Several different configurations bounced around until they finalized on one.
“So, it’s all even across the crews, two male, two female, two drivers in each after the split, four and four. Right?” Stephen asked as the group came to a consensus.
“Yup. Sam, Jessica and Stephen in the van with me, and Elsa, Lacy and Gabriel in the van with Bill.” Dave said after the exhausting half hour debate.
“Now that we have that figured, we need to pack the van. If we set aside some space at either the back door to the van or trailer, we could do a cook box to make food when we stop.” Stephen said to the group.
“I’ve used a couple cook boxes on the ranch. I can help you lay it out.” Elsa volunteered.
“Yeah, stop for one or two meals a day, but the idea is to just swap drivers most of the time and just keep pressing on. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can relax. I don’t like the idea of stopping, throwing up a tent or something and racking out. We’ve got the drivers, so we just stop to swap drivers, grab food and press.” Bill stated, a hard set to his jaw.
“I got an idea for that. I just need to dig out some more of that iron pipe you have in the garage, Bill, and I can make a cot frame at about the height of the back of the bench seat in the vans. That will give a place for the next driver to catch a nap as we go down the road. It would still be high enough we can pack crap underneath.” Dave said.
“I like it. I’ll dig out the pipe.” Bill said.
“If you have the cots, I can help with reinforcing the cloth.” Gabe said.
“I guess until we have that in place, we can only set the stuff for each vehicle aside and get it ready to pack.” Stephen said.
“We can still work on our packs and carts.” Lacy said, smiling.
“Yeah, and we need to adjust the pack frame for you, too.”
“While you guys work on that, me and Jessica will go get lunch started.” Sam said.
They all had work to do and the road wasn’t getting shorter.
“Well, now that we have scrambled this whole goat grab around, Do we pull everything out and reorganize what’s where to match the people?” Stephen said to the others out back with the vans.
“Yeah, the best thing would be to figure out who was riding with who, then work from there.” Bill said looking at the rest.
Everyone was out here, even Jessica. The process wasn’t pretty as everyone had an idea, then another, then that idea clashed with someone else’s plan. It took some time for the parameters to stabilize.
They wanted an even mix of people in each van. Both vans would have the front seats and one bench seat. From there on back would be cargo storage. The lighter stuff would go on the roof of the van. Both vans would pull a trailer, one an enclosed cargo trailer, the other a trailer made out of the bed of Stephen’s truck.
When it came time for Stephen, Gabriel and now Lacy to split off from the caravan, they didn’t want it to be a whole bunch of shuffling and shifting of people. They also wanted two people left in each van who could drive even after Stephen’s group left. Several different configurations bounced around until they finalized on one.
“So, it’s all even across the crews, two male, two female, two drivers in each after the split, four and four. Right?” Stephen asked as the group came to a consensus.
“Yup. Sam, Jessica and Stephen in the van with me, and Elsa, Lacy and Gabriel in the van with Bill.” Dave said after the exhausting half hour debate.
“Now that we have that figured, we need to pack the van. If we set aside some space at either the back door to the van or trailer, we could do a cook box to make food when we stop.” Stephen said to the group.
“I’ve used a couple cook boxes on the ranch. I can help you lay it out.” Elsa volunteered.
“Yeah, stop for one or two meals a day, but the idea is to just swap drivers most of the time and just keep pressing on. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can relax. I don’t like the idea of stopping, throwing up a tent or something and racking out. We’ve got the drivers, so we just stop to swap drivers, grab food and press.” Bill stated, a hard set to his jaw.
“I got an idea for that. I just need to dig out some more of that iron pipe you have in the garage, Bill, and I can make a cot frame at about the height of the back of the bench seat in the vans. That will give a place for the next driver to catch a nap as we go down the road. It would still be high enough we can pack crap underneath.” Dave said.
“I like it. I’ll dig out the pipe.” Bill said.
“If you have the cots, I can help with reinforcing the cloth.” Gabe said.
“I guess until we have that in place, we can only set the stuff for each vehicle aside and get it ready to pack.” Stephen said.
“We can still work on our packs and carts.” Lacy said, smiling.
“Yeah, and we need to adjust the pack frame for you, too.”
“While you guys work on that, me and Jessica will go get lunch started.” Sam said.
They all had work to do and the road wasn’t getting shorter.
feralferret
Veteran Member
Thanks, CCG!
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, CCG!
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Alright guys, Pinball's calling. Wife and I will be heading down to play some pinball and destress. Big plus, we will keep working on Part 2 as we drive. What this means for people is the posts will be less consistent as far as time posted and such.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Really good timing for us; we're moving so, definitely not destressing and no time to spare.
Catch up to all y'all in a few days . . . . .
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Up North
“So, what’s the latest?” Randy asked Barbara as she filled her coffee mug.
“Stephen should be here by the end of next week. They finally got their act together and should head out in the next couple of days. Their plan has them driving straight through to the split point, then four or five days later, they should be here.”
“About ****ing time.” Benji said from where he was setting the table.
“If they are driving all this way, I still don’t know why they don’t drive the rest of the way here.” Randy said.
“Either Stephen wasn’t able to convince them to, or he doesn’t want to reveal the location of this place to others. Driving a bunch of vehicles here with people who weren’t staying would blow the whole ‘hidden’ aspect of this place.” Barbara said as she sat down at the table.
“I guess that makes sense, it just doesn’t sound like Stephen.” Benji said, shaking his head.
“I just hope he’s as careful once he’s on foot.” Barbara added.
“If we’ve got a week, then we should have the addition finished by then.” Randy said, followed by a couple groans from the others.
“Come on, the addition gives us a better workshop area and more storage to work with.” Randy said.
“As long as you have all the limber you need, and we don’t have to do the pit saw thing again.” Benji said.
“We wouldn’t need to do it that way if Barbara wouldn’t have said we couldn’t use the chainsaw lumbermill rig.”
“What else needs to be done, and how much do you need our help?” Barbara asked Randy.
“Floors need finished smooth and waxed, wallboards need cut and put in place, and then we can cut the doorway into the cabin and finish the doorway into the cabin.”
“Sounds like a lot of work.” Benji said.
“Not nearly as bad as cutting and shaping the exterior logs was. When do you want to start?”
“Breakfast first, then we get started.”
“So, what’s the latest?” Randy asked Barbara as she filled her coffee mug.
“Stephen should be here by the end of next week. They finally got their act together and should head out in the next couple of days. Their plan has them driving straight through to the split point, then four or five days later, they should be here.”
“About ****ing time.” Benji said from where he was setting the table.
“If they are driving all this way, I still don’t know why they don’t drive the rest of the way here.” Randy said.
“Either Stephen wasn’t able to convince them to, or he doesn’t want to reveal the location of this place to others. Driving a bunch of vehicles here with people who weren’t staying would blow the whole ‘hidden’ aspect of this place.” Barbara said as she sat down at the table.
“I guess that makes sense, it just doesn’t sound like Stephen.” Benji said, shaking his head.
“I just hope he’s as careful once he’s on foot.” Barbara added.
“If we’ve got a week, then we should have the addition finished by then.” Randy said, followed by a couple groans from the others.
“Come on, the addition gives us a better workshop area and more storage to work with.” Randy said.
“As long as you have all the limber you need, and we don’t have to do the pit saw thing again.” Benji said.
“We wouldn’t need to do it that way if Barbara wouldn’t have said we couldn’t use the chainsaw lumbermill rig.”
“What else needs to be done, and how much do you need our help?” Barbara asked Randy.
“Floors need finished smooth and waxed, wallboards need cut and put in place, and then we can cut the doorway into the cabin and finish the doorway into the cabin.”
“Sounds like a lot of work.” Benji said.
“Not nearly as bad as cutting and shaping the exterior logs was. When do you want to start?”
“Breakfast first, then we get started.”
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Sounds good . . Well except the surgery part.
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, CCG! Good luck on the surgery!
Best wishes brother. I hope it works out correctly!