“You will be traveling east for most of your trip home, northeast once you hit mile three. This compass will help right your course if you get turned around.” Chip was a big, tall deliberate man. You could tell he controlled the volume of his voice and his movements like a giant in a teapot factory.
At some point in Chip's explanation of the canteen system, Blue grabbed my hand and began to pat me on the shoulder. “This bottle will remove some salt and solids from groundwater, but I wouldn't drink anything you find past the five-mile mark. Those water reserves are likely tainted.
You will have a dozen small water pouches distributed across your suit and bag. As you drink, your pack weight will decrease, but so will your exposure time and life expectancy.” A scar ran down Chip's face from his eye to his collar bone as if someone had tried to cut his face off. It was all I could do not to ask him how he got it.
“Blue, when your parents ask your husband's name, what should I tell them?”
“Crackstone is our last name. Everyone here calls me Chip. My first name is John, but my father's first name is also John. Hey, it's better than Crack and less ominous than Stone. Little John really doesn't fit me, so I'm stuck with Chip.”
“Can't argue with that logic,” I snickered. Blue grabbed my hand tightly.
“This drive holds the message for my family. You must understand my mother is going to be awful to you when you see her. This will be a social status attack on her, and she will take the opportunity to play the victim.
“I ask that you to take this to them personally and explain to my father that I found a life where I matter. I would rather live happy for two years and die in the dirt than to return home and marry the ten-year-old son of my mother's business partner.”
“Oh, Blue, I didn't know they had asked that of you?” I hugged her to me.
“Asked? My mother doesn't ask or forgive or praise people. She criticizes and harps and rants. If I stay here, I will be loved and cherished for me. I honestly don't know how to respond to the kindness these people have shown me,” Blue explained.
“Don't worry, Sweetheart. I will teach you how to love yourself.” Chip lifted Blue out of her chair, carried her out of the tent, and kissed her. “We will be back later to help you dress and pack for the trip. Get some rest and be sure to eat well today.”
Visitors from every family in the settlement arrived throughout the afternoon. Violet was a gracious hostess even though I knew she was tired after the past few days of turmoil. She reminded me of my grandmother in that way. Her calmness and grace under pressure were comforting to witness.
Some visitors brought dry fruits and meats, others arrived with skin creams, herbal tonics, and clothing. One man carried a small collection of herb seeds he saved over the years. He heard of my mother's work rebuilding the seed bank. He thanked me for making the trek home so no harm would come to the settlement. Soon after he left, a woman arrived with another collection of fruit pits for my topside family.
One woman brought scavengers bars made with layers of dried apricot topped with chopped almonds, pickled sweet beets, and chopped thick bacon. Each calorie-packed square sat wrapped in a cloth dipped in beeswax and tied with white twine.
Hours went by, and still, there was no sign of Zeke. I took Chip's advice and napped mid-day after having a small steak and pickled red onions for lunch. I showered and dried off well before writing my name in permanent marker across my stomach. It was harder to do than I expected, but there needed to be some way to identify my body if the worst happens.
One of the guests brought me a pair of thin blue cotton pants and a matching long sleeve shirt to wear under the leather day suit Chip was busy modifying for me. I put on the clothes and went to the main tent area to search for socks only to find Blue and Chip waiting in the main tent area.
“Blue, I'm glad you are here. Can you write my citizen number across my shoulders with this pen?”
“What are you doing, Karine?” Blue asked.
“I already have my name on my front. I can't write on my own back.” I lifted my shirt a few inches to show the pair my penmanship. Chip's eyes began to tear, and he abruptly left the room.
Violet walked over to me and held her hand out for the pen. “I can help you with that.”
“Thank you, Violet. My number is 251899.” Blue looked at me very strangely.
“I might not make it home, Blue. I have to mark my corpse so anyone who finds it can alert the township.” Blue looked around the pile of supplies for socks and boots. She located a new looking pair of white socks, and some used brown lace-up boots.
“That is very practical of you, Karine.” Violet smiled and handed me the pen after she finished with my number. Blue handed me the socks and boots and helped me put them on.
“Does Chip think it's time for me to leave?” I asked.
“Not yet, few hours still. He's timing your exit for maximum shade.” Blue put her hand on my arm. “We want to take you to be blessed before your trip,” she whispered apologetically.
“Seriously, everyone already blessed me look around.”
“There is a Pastor and a Priest here. They would like to bless your trip. It can't hurt,
