She smirked. “Smart.”
He tapped at his temples. “Kidneys.”
She chuckled then glanced at her watch. “You ready for the second round?”
His eyes widened and he shook his head. “I just took those a few hours ago. Surely it’s too soon.”
She shook her head as she stood. “That was the twice a day stuff. This round is the three times a day stuff.”
“Three?” His face fell and he pleaded. “Please no. My ass is raw from wiping.”
She glanced at his arm then back to his face. “How bad do you want to keep that thing?”
He looked down at his hand and wiggled his fingers. “I think it’s all healed. See? I can move my fingers now.”
“Right.” She planted her hands on her hips and her face seemed to pucker as she looked at him. “So you want me to get the chainsaw now or…”
Simon sighed and nodded. “Fine.” He looked up at her with puppy dog eyes. “I wish we had some milk to pour over them. I could eat them like corn flakes.”
“Some of these I think you have to stay away from dairy.” She popped her head back into the living room. “So I better not catch you blowing a cow.”
“Eww.” He shook his head. “I don’t think it works that way.”
She handed him a bowl with multiple colored pills. “Bottoms up.”
“I think my bottom blew up.” He took the bowl and reached for the water. “But if these shoot right through me, how are they going to help my arm?”
She shrugged. “I’m not the doctor.” She raised a brow at him. “I’m just trying really hard not to have to become a surgeon.”
Simon squared his shoulders. “Right.” He picked up a yellow pill and slipped it onto his tongue. “One for the money….”
29
Buck squinted in the early morning light. “Why so early, Hatch?”
“Early worm gets the bird, or some such.” Roger mumbled. He cradled his coffee cup as he struggled with the rear door of the SUV.
“We can cover more ground,” Hatcher replied as he tossed a go bag in the back. He leaned closer to Buck. “You armed?”
Buck patted his side. “Yes sir.” He gave him a nod. “Thanks again.”
“Just don’t make me regret it.” Hatcher slid into the passenger seat as Vicky got in behind him.
Buck started the vehicle and put it into gear. “Which direction do you want to go?”
Hatcher glanced back to Roger. “You want to check out the subdivision we were in when you were looking at houses?”
Roger shook his head. “The homes were nice, but the properties would be too difficult to defend.” He looked to Vicky. “You’ve lived here your whole life. Where would you suggest?”
Vicky sighed and shook her head. “The really ritzy places should have more land and may be gated, but there would be fewer homes there.”
Hatcher pointed ahead. “Just drive us towards Albuquerque, and if we spot anything that looks promising, we’ll stop and check it out.”
Buck pulled out and navigated through the city, heading south. He glanced in the rear view mirror at Roger. “What says we have to stay here? We could look up by Santa Fe.”
Hatcher shook his head. “Sorry buddy. There’s a half-dozen folks who want to stay at the retirement home.”
“So? Let ‘em.”
“Stanton promised that we’d come back and help them if they needed anything,” Hatcher replied.
“And I promised that they’d still have access to care if they needed it,” Vicky added.
Buck sighed. “So, we’re stuck in Rio Rancho.”
Hatcher chuckled. “Nothing says we’re ‘stuck’ anywhere. We just made commitments.”
“Speaking of…” Buck trailed off. “I understand that you’re our fearless leader and all that, but at what point did it become that you are expected to provide for all of these people for the rest of their lives?”
Hatcher gave him a concerned look. “What are you getting at?”
Buck shrugged. “I guess I just don’t get it. They look to you to cover every aspect of need, want or desire, but they get pissy if you do something without consulting them first.” He shrugged. “What if something happened to you? Then what would they do?”
Roger leaned forward to ensure he was heard. “People always look to a leader when times get tough. But they also want to feel like they have a say. It’s just human nature.”
“But why?” Buck asked. “It’s like they’re afraid to step out on their own. To do something for themselves of their own accord.”
“Dangerous times, bud,” Hatcher commented as he scanned the area. “People do strange things when their world gets turned upside down.” He patted Buck’s arm. “Hey, turn there.”
Buck glanced in the direction that Hatcher pointed. “See something?”
“Just take this road.” Hatcher rubbed at his chin. “I came this way with Hank and Wally when we dumped off the two crazy guys. I think I remember seeing a nice neighborhood with tall walls.”
Vicky sat up and looked over his shoulder as Buck turned. “Do you remember Stacey Adams? My friend from high school?”
Hatcher glanced at her. “The one with the legs?”
Vicky laughed. “Yeah, you used to say that her legs went all the way up to her armpits.” She chuckled again. “I think she used to live this way.”
“A bit upscale,” Roger commented as he stared out the window. “But I could be forced to live around here.”
Hatcher patted Buck’s arm. “Over there.” He pointed to the right. “That subdivision.”
“Nice wall,” Roger commented as Buck pulled the SUV onto the street. “No gate, though.”
“The walls are the biggest battle,” Hatcher commented as he searched the area. “We can put up a gate.”
Buck slowed the SUV and pulled to the side of the road in front of a near-mansion. “Not all of the houses have walls around them, though.”
Hatcher opened the door and stepped out. “No, but if there’s a wall along the greenfield, then we’re still good.”
Buck shot a questioning look at him.
