Several people spoke at once as pandemonium took over. I yelled and waved my arms for everyone to calm down. "Okay, Nate. Who do you suggest replace me?"
Nate clearly struggled. "I have management experience, I can lead these people."
There were loud hoots of derision and laughter from across the crowd.
"Nate, your family has been embarrassed more than enough, so I won't even put that preposterous suggestion to a vote. The only job open to you is in the garden crew. But your laziness won't be tolerated. You have to show improvement or you can leave. No one here is going to carry you. This is not an entitlement based welfare society."
Before Nate could retort I said, "That's it, the meeting is adjourned."
I heard Nate say, "Pack your things, we're leaving. I'll go get the Humvee." In unison Mitch and Suzie yelled, "No, Dad." Mitch put his arm around Suzie and stood next to Vera. "We're not leaving. We're staying here. Suzie and I have talked about it and we're not going with you if you leave."
Most of the people drifted away. Several hung close-by watching the antics. I spoke with Shane while we both kept an eye toward the Robard family.
Nate stepped to Mitch and slapped him hard in the face with an open palm. Mitch staggered a step but unflinchingly stood his ground. "I said go pack and do it now or you'll get another smack."
Shane and I and several others surrounded the Robards instantly. I grabbed Nate's arm. "Don't you dare strike any of them again. If you want to leave, go; but if your family chooses to stay, they're welcome here." I turned to Vera. "I hope you'll stay, too. You won't live long if you leave here because Nate isn't capable of defending any of you. Please stay for the sake of your children."
Vera still sat. She looked up at Nate with indecision etched on her face.
Susie sat and hugged her close, pleading evident in her gaze. Mitch knelt in front of Vera. "Please, Mom. We need you here with us. Let him go. All he does is complain about you and knock you around when he's mad. End it now and let us all get away from his temper tantrums and abuse. We have a home here, and me and Suzie aren't leaving."
Vera made eye contact with Nate for several seconds, and then she shook her head. She stood, put her arms around both children, and they walked away. Susie looked back with tears flowing but didn't stop. I guessed it was probably the only major decision Vera had ever made of her own volition.
Nate glared at Vera and his kids and screamed, "Go to hell! I don't need you! You'll be sorry for turning on me." He turned back to me with a venomous stare. "Okay, Tom. You and your ilk have managed to turn my family against me, so I'll leave. When we got here I had guns and some ammunition and the Humvee. Are you going to keep them or give them back?"
I turned to Shane. "Have the Humvee brought up. I'll gather his guns and give him extra ammunition." Kira stood to the side watching. "Kira, will you ask Andrea to put enough food and bottled water for a week into a box, and have it moved to door nine?"
Nate was still in front of me. "You should be ready to leave in fifteen or twenty minutes." Martin Radcliff stood ten feet away observing us. "Martin, will you escort Nate until he leaves. If he goes to his family’s room for anything and causes trouble shoot him on the spot." Nate was further surprised when I said. "If you cause any trouble before you go, you'll be shot dead, so tread lightly. I've had enough of your hateful crap. You're nothing but a little bully who beat your wife and intimidated your kids. We'll all be better off without you around."
I turned on my heel and stalked away to the armory for Nate's guns and ammo. Minutes later, Nate drove off as I made two silent wishes: one, he'd survive okay in spite of my animosity for him, and wish number two, that I'd never see the pugnacious fool again.
The rest of the day I purposely avoided people. When I finished all the tasks I intended to I stepped outside and waved at Shana Thompson who'd come on duty in the southeast guard tower. I sat on a bench in the fading sunlight and a light breeze, leaned back against the siding, and reviewed the happenings of the past week. It had been one hell of a week and I was beat.
A soft voice said, "Want some company?" Kira looked at me sympathetically before she sat. "You alright?"
I smiled weakly and nodded. "Yeah, I'm good. But for some reason I feel like I went ten rounds with a professional boxer. A heavy weight boxer with a hell of a punch. This has been some week."
"It's been a painful week, with the death of James and all the stress you're under from day to day. But remember and bask in the fact that you practically got a standing ovation earlier today from all of us when your leadership was challenged. Everyone here is glad to have you as our leader, caretaker, confessor and most importantly friend."
"And that includes you?"
"Yeah, that includes me. Definitely me."
Kira scooted closer until we touched shoulder to shoulder, thigh to thigh. We relaxed and together watched the sun set peacefully behind the
