“Did Dwight take you boys back down to Richey’s to fill that pig up?” Bud asked. Roosevelt reached into the cab of the old fire truck and pulled out two plastic bags full of chips, candy bars and other junk food items.
“He did and he also let me restock my snack stash!” Bud chuckled at the big man's appetite.
“Good. Maybe you’ll make it to Denver without much of a fuss.” Bud replied.
“We sure as hell hope you’re right.” Johnny said. They both sat down in the car and closed the doors as Bud walked over to the window. He stuck his hand inside and gave each men’s hand another quick, firm shake.
“I’ve said it once, but I’ll say it again, you guys are welcome back here anytime. We hope you come back and see us one day but if that doesn't happen then we wish the best of luck to you both.” Bud said.
“Same to you sheriff. If we ever have to come back this way, you can bet we’ll be coming by here. Until then you folks stay safe.” Johnny replied as he twisted the key in the ignition. The engine roared to life as Bud gave them a single nod and stood up straight. He gave the roof of the bronco three quick pats and took a step back as Johnny put the truck in gear and eased down on the throttle. The truck rolled forward at an even pace and Johnny checked his rearview mirror to see Bud and several others waving them goodbye.
Chapter Twenty-Six
9:17 a.m. January 5, 2049
Central Tennessee
"Where we at?" Johnny asked, opening his eyes and yawning as he looked over at Roosevelt. He straightened up in his seat, stretching his back as much as he could while seated in the car.
"A little way outside of Nashville." Roosevelt responded, keeping his eyes on the road.
Johnny nodded, reached into the center console and grabbed a clear one-liter soda bottle they had filled with water back in Sweetwater. He unscrewed the cap and took a long drink before replacing the cap and dropping it back unto the console.
"Fell asleep for a minute," he said.
"Forty-five minutes." Roosevelt corrected. Johnny chuckled.
"Forty-five long minutes." Roosevelt continued.
"Yeah, my bad. Sor…"
"Forty-five long, lonely minutes!" Roosevelt exclaimed, raising his voice as he teased Johnny. He steered the wheel to the right, taking the bronco halfway off the road to avoid a small group of cars parked on both sides of the two-lane road.
"Guess I just needed a little extra beauty rest. I'm no perfect specimen." Johnny said, jabbing back at his friend.
"I know that's right!" Roosevelt replied, looking over at Johnny, "Actually you might need a little more." He joked.
"Man, shut up." Johnny smirked.
"So, what next?" Roosevelt asked. Johnny shrugged.
"We can go straight through Nashville or we can avoid it and go around." He said. Roosevelt stared out the windshield for a long moment, he slowed down, maneuvering around an overturned yellow semi that had jackknifed and blocked half of the road. After passing the wreck, he pressed his foot down and sped up. The leafless trees on either side of them began rushing past as he raced down the seemingly empty country road.
"Nashville has got to be a disaster. No way we pass through there easily." Roosevelt finally spoke.
"It'll cost us a lot of time to go around." Johnny said, matter-of-factly.
"How much? I don't feel like risking it man. I'm tired, I don't want to run, or fight, or die, or almost die. It costs a few extra hours, but we can spend those hours on these quiet ass country roads, enjoying the scenery, playing eye spy or something." Roosevelt ranted.
"Few hours under normal circumstances, could mean days at this point." Johnny argued. Roosevelt's gaze went from the road in front of him to look at Johnny and then back to the road.
"You wanna go through?" He asked.
"I want to go through." Johnny reiterated.
Roosevelt gave a long silent nod, still staring forward before speaking.
"Let's go through, gotta get to papa Truman," he said.
"Better add the gas Bud gave us before we get there. Probably best not to give ourselves a reason to stop in the city." Johnny suggested. Roosevelt nodded, turning the wheel and guiding the truck toward the right side of the road. The two men climbed out of the Bronco and walked toward the back. Roosevelt stretched his back and looked up at the clear blue sky, using his hand to shield his eyes from the bright sun. A constant cold breeze blew through the area, whistling as it moved through the trees. The sun was moving higher into the sky and if not for the relentless wind, it was certainly warmer than it should be in January.
Johnny pulled open the rusty tailgate with a loud creaking sound his left hand and stepped back. Roosevelt reached in and grabbed the first can, a large yellow ten gallon can with a black spout. He sloshed the liquid around.
"A little over half full." He said, handing the can to Johnny and turning back for the second can. A faded red five gallon can with a yellow spout. The two men carried the cans around and sat them on the road beside the truck.
"I'll pour 'em in, you just watch my back. Don't let anything sneak up on me." Roosevelt said, flipping open the hatch, revealing the bronco's gas cap.
Johnny nodded as Roosevelt unscrewed the cap and placed it on the roof. He removed his pistol from his holster with his left hand and let it dangle at his side before leaning
