TWO – OMNI MISSION
With Martin’s ranch seeming so far off the grid, the kids and I resolved ourselves to a tech free visit. I wasn’t expecting internet, let alone the amazing speed we picked up.
Maybe it was the wide open area and clear sky that just made conditions too perfect.
He had the greatest front porch ever. One of those big wraparound porches with comfy rocking chairs lined up like he was expecting company. The weather was so perfect I could have stayed out there all night.
Plus, I had a great signal.
There were a lot of notifications from our Olympus group. Particularly comments on a post about when we should get there.
Some, like me, were already on their way. There were a few worried they wouldn't get there in time.
The advice was if you don’t get to Olympus before it starts, journey slow, take cover, and watch the sky.
Easy enough. But that wasn’t my worry. I’d be there with the kids in time to help set up.
The screened porch door opened with a squeak and slammed against the frame. When Martin stepped out, he had two bottles of beer and handed me one. Then he paused to light a cigarette
“Nice night,” he said.
“I thought you quit smoking.”
“Let’s try this again.” He sat down next to me. “Nice night.”
“It is. I thought you quit smoking.”
“I did and started again. Drinking, too.” He smiled. “Talking to the new boyfriend?”
“Huh? No,” I laughed my response. “Please. It’s my scientist friend I met in a group.”
“Scientist friend? From the weather service?’
That made me laugh again. “Ya know what’s funny, is when he friend requested me, he thought I worked as a meteorologist there. I had to tell him I was a Chief Listening Officer.”
“What exactly is that? You did that for Burger King, too, right?”
I nodded. “Yeah, your job all day is to watch social media for people talking about the company.”
“Sounds like a cake job.”
“It’s very stressful, Martin.” I took a drink of my beer. “One missed tweet and it can be your job.”
“Is it the stress that made you leave Lane?”
“Of my job? No.”
“Did he turn into a drunk? I know a lot of rodeo people who do.”
I shook my head. “Not Lane.”
“Is he beating you?” Martin asked. “I heard a lot of rodeo men beat their wives.”
I scoffed. “Please. No. I would beat him in a fair fight.”
“Then what is it?”
“Women. He has a little thing on the side,” I said. “Mary Sue or Betty or some old fashion cowgirl name.” I looked at him. “What? No comment about how a lot of rodeo men cheat?”
Martin shook his head. “That would be labeling.”
“You’re funny.”
“But he isn’t beating you.”
“No!”
“Then you can work it out.”
“No.”
“Affairs can be forgiven and not repeated. Beatings cannot.”
I stood and walked to the railing. “Martin, I am not going to stay with someone who has affairs. I’m not. And don’t give me the old man macho response it was something I did.”
“I’m not saying it was. I’m saying it takes two to make a marriage work and two to make it go bad.”
I shook my head. “Marriages can be bad, but there is no reason to stray. None. I worked my job, I was there. I took care of the kids and cleaned the house fairly well.”
“You’re right. But don’t you think after twenty years you owed him a note?”
I paused in taking a drink. “Who told you I didn’t leave a note?”
“Carlie.”
“Oh, she has a big mouth.” I returned to my seat. “He knows.”
“Because you told him you knew about the affair.”
“I didn’t tell him anything. Can we not talk about this?” I asked. “I have more stressing things to worry about.”
“Sure. I take it leaving your husband wasn’t the reason you packed up a beater RV and came here?”
“No, it wasn’t.”
“Is it a financial problem?” he asked. “I can help.”
“No, Martin, I’m here …” Before saying anything else, I looked to see if the kids were in earshot. “I’m here because the world is going to end.” I turned my head to look at him when I saw him choking on his beer.
“Sorry.” He wiped his mouth. “I was just not expecting that.”
“I did kind of just blurt it out.”
“Is this something that’s going to happen soon?”
There was something pacifying about his tone. “You don’t believe me.”
“I believe you believe it. When is this supposed to happen?”
“Probably it will start in the next week. It could happen as soon as two days.”
Martin nodded slowly. “That’s concerning.”
“See, make fun, I was going to ask you to join us at the safe haven.”
“What is that?”
“The only place on this continent that won’t be touched.”
“And you have access to this place?”
“Martin, you’re making fun of me.”
“How is this supposed to happen?” he asked.
Again, I looked over my shoulder.
“Are you making sure the kids don’t hear?”
“Yes.”
“You dragged them in an old RV and weren’t going to tell them where you were going and why?”
“I don’t want to scare them.”
“Oh, of course not. Now, how is this going to happen?”
“Geo-warfare.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“Geo-warfare. It’s a type of bomb. Instead of nuking the enemy you freeze them or drown them or whatever. Different types of bombs.”
“A weather bomb?”
“Yes, and stop being condescending,” I said. “I’m not kidding. It’s called the Jupiter project, it’s been in development for twenty years and it’s starting tonight.”
“We’re getting into a weather war with another country?”
I huffed out forcefully. “No. It’s testing tonight. Shooting a bunch of weather bombs up there. Like making rain where it’s a drought, cold in heatwave. There’s a bunch. I’m surprised we haven’t seen the launch. I’m looking, I’ll let you know if I see them
“I appreciate it. If they’re testing these weather bombs, how is it the end of the world?”
“Because it’s gonna backfire and set off a series of events and storms which will cause calamity, chaos and death ….” I stopped talking when Martin held up his hand. “What?”
“How do you know all this? From working
