The next morning, I conducted an exercise class for the group scheduled on that day. Everyone was there except Nate Robard. After the class I spoke to Vera. She was evasive about Nate's reason for missing class. While we spoke, I noticed a bruise over her cheekbone she'd tried to cover with makeup.
After a shower, I sought out Vivian Alverez. Her room was next to the Robard’s. I found her in the office working with Janice Holescheck on scheduling. We stepped outside where we could talk in private.
"I talked to Vera Robard this morning. She has a dark bruise on her left cheek she's trying to hide. Have you heard any indication from their room that they may not get along? Like maybe he's abusive?"
Vivian frowned and nodded. "They fight a lot. Not they, but he. Mr. Robard yells a lot at Vera, and both kids. I never hear a word from Vera, but Mitch, he stands up to his fat father. I wouldn't be surprised if Nate abuses Vera, but I don't know that for fact."
Nate was in the kitchen arguing with Andrea Michaels when I got there. James Anderson was at the sink washing pots and pans as he avoided taking sides.
Andrea calmly stated, "What you've said is fine for a fast food joint where the emphasis is on quantity. In this kitchen I turn out quality, and we'll continue to do it my way."
Nate saw me and raised his arms in despair. "I can't work with this woman. She refuses to listen to anything I tell her. I could make this operation much more efficient."
I stopped in front of Nate. "Andrea is the cook. This is her kitchen, and you are a helper. You don't tell her anything. Your job is to do what she tells you. No arguments."
"That's bullshit. I've managed restaurants for the last fifteen years and she should be working for me. I'm not a helper and I'll not clean up after her or do her bidding."
I'd had enough. In a huff, I spoke loudly. "Andrea owned and managed her own highly rated, successful restaurant, and she's more than competent. You'll do the job you've been assigned, or you won't eat. I've had enough of your attitude, and it's got to stop. Our people have worked together for over two years with only minor issues. It's you who causes all the trouble. We can't even put you on guard duty by yourself because you don't take it seriously and nap on shift.
"These aren't even the reasons I came to you this morning, but I don't want to hear anymore about those issues. Do your job without causing trouble.
"Now, why did you miss your exercise class?"
"The exercises are too hard for me. I can't and won't do them."
I invaded Nate's space and pushed up against his protruding stomach. "You will do them because you being overweight, slow, and clumsy can get someone else killed trying to save your life when you can't get away from a group of zombies. You've got to start thinking of your family and the other people here instead of whining and complaining every minute. I've scheduled you for an exercise routine at eight tomorrow morning. Be there," harshly, I spat the words at him,
Andrea spoke as I turned to leave. "Ira put Nate on a diet, but that isn't working either. Throughout the day, he constantly snatches bits of food. I can't watch him every minute, and he won't lose any weight if he's left in here every day. Can you find another job for him?" I raised my arms, shook my head in aggravation and stalked off.
Along with James Anderson and Vince Gonzales I was scheduled to explore new ground in our never-ending search for food and weaponry. But on the morning before our departure, Vince's dad requested his son remain at our base to help remove and rebuild a large diesel engine.
Later that morning at our weekly meeting, I asked for a replacement for Vince, and Kira Schafer was the first member to volunteer.
We talked about the contest to choose a name for our compound and I explained in detail my view of what the future held for us. No one disagreed with me, but it caused many of the group to come face-to-face with a reality they hadn't wanted to accept. For several, it was a rude awakening as tears dribbled down their cheeks. Later I was glad I hadn't mentioned that in the far future we might have to move our compound when we lost electric power to the deep well pumps that supplied our water. Hauling water from the lake daily for thirty to forty people would be a challenge using a tank on a wagon pulled by a team of horses.
Marilyn passed a contest slip to each person and asked that the entries be brought to her by Saturday.
Shane, Ed, John, Andrea, and I had met days before to discuss how to prepare for the future I envisioned. After the discussion, our consensus was to erect another building by the barn to house the horse drawn farming and transportation equipment we would eventually need. It would be reconditioned and stored there until needed.
There were four riding horses and a herd of twenty Black Angus cattle penned by the animal barn. We'd need to locate and catch at least eight heavy bodied draft horses to pull the equipment we'd listed. I'd often wondered why the zombies only attacked humans and not other animals. Even the cats and dogs that roamed around the compound were immune to the undead. No one knew the answer, but we were glad because deer, cattle and pigs that now roamed freely were three of our primary sources of fresh meat.
Everyone at the weekly meeting, except for Nate, appeared
