They had raided a veterinary clinic when they found out that Daisy was pregnant. They got ampoules of distemper and Rabie serum. They’d also picked up flea and tick prevention as well. No one wanted to itch. She hoped that the serums would work and not harm the puppies. They also picked up wormer. Paadi shivered at that thought. Ewww.
“What’s the matter? Your face looks funny.” BJ grinned at her.
“I was just thinking about worming the dogs. Jesus Christ, the thought of it makes me want to puke.” Paadi said and made gagging noises.
BJ turned bright red and began to snigger. She shot him a filthy look.
“I sure as hell don’t see what’s so goddamned funny about that.” She said, looking over her glasses. BJ’s eyes crinkled and squinted up tight, but he didn’t laugh again. She guessed that he wanted to, but knew better. They both took out their flashlights and walked into the bookstore. The door was unlocked.
“You head to the kid’s section; you know what they like. Also, if you can find any puzzle books and that kind of thing for them, get it. It will be kind of like a fun school activity for them. I’m going for adult content.” Paadi grinned. BJ nodded and walked through the aisle. The store smelled of stale air and paper, books and old carpet. The lights from the window helped and the store wasn’t so deep that the light didn’t filter to the back. She used her flashlight to look at titles of books.
An hour later, they loaded up the truck and drove the short distance to JoAnne’s. She ended up picking twenty bolts of cloth, two sewing machines, scissors, spools of thread, of all colors. She also found crafts and projects, knitting, how to books, cross stitch and everything she could even conceive of. There was quite a lot she’d not even considered, so she picked it up. They just might have to build another storage shed.
“I almost feel like a hoarder. All this stuff.” Paadi laughed as they pushed two carts around.
“I’d be afraid if we didn’t get as much as we could. I keep telling myself, once the gas goes, we’ll essentially be alone and on our own. That is a frightening thought.” BJ said, looking over at her.
Paadi raised one of her blocky brows, and smiled crookedly. “We’re already on our own and have been on our own.”
“Sure, guess you’re right.” He snorted.
“I know, it’s just once the gasoline is gone, we can only travel on foot. And unless our three assholes turn into wonderful neighbors, there is really no need to leave our camp. I’m hoping at some point, someone or several someone’s, who are decent people will head our way. It just seems like there are more assholes out there than decent people.”
“You said it. I’ve nearly lost my hope for humanity. I still go back and forth on whether Brian and I should have out and out killed those men.” BJ looked at her sideways.
She reached over and patted him on the back.
“You probably should have shot them, but it would have been at the cost of your soul. They show up, trust me, I’ll blow their asses to hell.” She grinned.
“Yeah. But, if I do have to shoot them, I’ll not lose sleep over it.” He grinned back and winked.
On the way home, they took a different route. Both wanted to see what was going on elsewhere. There were homes few and far between, but from what they could see, they all seemed quiet and abandoned. They saw no one in their yards, they saw no signs of gardens. Pulling over, BJ shut off the engine.
“What’s the deal?” Paadi asked, leaning against her door. She’d been enjoying the ride and looking at the houses they passed.
“Just wanted to stop and listen, we’re a couple of miles from the back entrance. See if I hear anything or anyone close to this entrance to the park. Paadi grunted and opened her door and stood on the running board. There was the ubiquitous buzz of insects in the bushes at the side of the road. Birds flitted in and out of branches. In the distance, she heard several woodpeckers hammering away at trees. A blue jay squawked at them from a large oak.
“You know, it smells green here.” BJ said and looked over the roof at her and grinned.
“What the hell does green smell like? You’re just pulling my leg.” She laughed softly.
“No, really. I don’t know how to explain, but it just smells green. You know, plants, plant life.” He shrugged.
“Chowderhead.” She laughed and got back into the truck. BJ pulled back onto the road, they wound slowly down the road. Up ahead they saw two people on horseback and Paadi looked at BJ, pulling her Sig Sauer.
“Slow down and be ready. Don’t think they’re a threat, but let’s meet our neighbors. That’s what they look like anyway.” Paadi said softly.
ELEVEN
Xandra stood in the shower, letting the cool water wash over her tired body. She’d found out that Richland Farm made biodiesel from the corn they grew. Not only that, but they had a small cattle ranch, with twenty head of cattle, six milk cows, goats, chickens and pigs. Cliff’s father, Cliff senior was the patriarch and was still active. Cliff had taken over the reins of the farm and had turned it into a money-making farm. With the price of oil
