The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series Read online

  Dean held tightly to the bucket. “Yes, well, it was easy. Now we need to get a sample of her milk.” Dean placed the bucket under the cow while everyone stood around and watched. He wiped his hands off on the back of his jeans and reached under the cow. He paused, reached again then stood. “Ellen, you do it.”

  “Me? I’m not touching it. No way.” She looked over at Andrea. “She has flies.”

  Andrea waved her hands. “Uh-uh. Nope. I’m a city girl. I’m a cow virgin.”

  Ellen turned to Frank. “Frank?”

  Frank fluttered his lips. “Yeah, right.”

  Dean looked around. “How hard can it be?” He faced the cow. “I’m gonna milk you.” He knelt down at her side and very gently pinched the udders between his fingers and lightly pulled. “Nothing’s happening, maybe she’s dry.”

  William stepped forward. “Christ, Dino, you’re not seducing the thing, you’re milking it. Watch out.” He moved Dean aside. “I’ll show you.”

  “Dad, you know how to milk a cow?”

  “Dino.” William squatted. “Did you forget I worked my way through college on a dairy farm?”

  “Oh.” Dean remembered. “That’s right. If you knew how to milk a cow, why didn’t you say so? Why’d you let us go back and forth on it?”

  William looked up at his son. “I thought it was pretty funny.” He grabbed hold of the udders. “I’m going show you how to milk first, then what you have to do with the milk so we can drink it.” William then proceeded to milk the cow, while the others watched the good doctor put his well-trained hands to work.

  Sunday, June 21st

  Ashtonville, Connecticut

  The hour of daybreak on the first day of summer brought the intrusive sounds of honking horns and air brakes as four semi-tractor trailers rolled onto the street where everyone resided. Summoning everyone from their beds, Joe and the others waited patiently in the street for everyone to greet their arrival home.

  Those who were half awake brought a sense of relief when they walked to the street and saw the others had returned. The trucks that they had brought were a sign that the survival plan was about to move into high gear.

  Once everyone was present, Joe grabbed their attention. “We’re sorry for waking you up like this, but we couldn’t wait to see you. Before you ask . . . and Ellen, don’t whine . . . Henry and John stayed behind so they could get things up and running, energywise. It’s up to all of you; we can brief you now or wait until later.”

  The choice was given. Even though it was early, impatience won out over sleep, and they voted to listen to what the returning four had to say.

  Joe took a deep breath as he opened up his notebook and looked upon the eager faces seated before him. “Now, we have been working all week on this, and we hope we can get your support. We think we have this thing pretty much worked out. First off, let me say I think it’s gonna work. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but we can do it. This place, this community in Montana, needs stocking, and here’s how we’re going to do it. We’ve broken the list into four categories, as you can see by the four trucks, and we’ve assigned you to the trucks. If everyone sticks to their assignment, we can stay on track and perhaps be in Montana by August. Now George is going to tell you what we’ve come up with. George.”

  George stood. “All right, Ashtonville can’t be left unattended and neither can the kids. Maggie and William will stay back with the children. The first truck to go out will be the cloth and clothing truck. That will take Andrea, Jenny, and Miguel. You three need to spend the next couple days laying out your mapping and planning. You have to come up with clothing to be stockpiled and issued--blankets and any other cloth items that you can think of.”

  Andrea raised her hand. “So we are to go about the countryside looking for all of this, sort of a scavenger hunt?”

  “Exactly.” George answered. “Basically that’s what all of you must do. But I need to remind all of you, planning is essential. If you know what you are to get and where to get it, the easier it will be to get it all back here in one week. Next is food, we have assigned Frank and Jonas to this. They are to gather food. Realistically, one truckload will not be enough. Hopefully by September we will have the warehouses in Montana stocked to their fullest. Keep in mind, this isn’t food for our long-term survival, it’s food to hold us over until we are self-sufficient. Frank led us to three endearing and experienced farmers. Tomorrow Henry and John will be meeting them halfway. They’ll be in Montana when we get there, and they are confident that they can at least get the greenhouses going, along with livestock if we find any. Yes, Ellen.”

  Ellen lowered her hand “We have a cow.”

  “That’s nice now …” George paused. “A cow.”

  Ellen nodded. “Dean and I found it. Brought it back. But she may have some unknown vet illness. Even though William has a remarkable tug and jug method for the milk, I won’t drink it until we’ve tried to test for everything.”

  George noted William’s irritated sigh then looked at Ellen. “Is the cow sick?” he asked.

  “That’s what we’re trying to determine, George. Unfortunately neither Dean nor I are vets. So … we’re winging it.”

  William sighed.

  George shifted eyes to William, then back to Ellen. “What makes you think she might be ill?”

  Ellen stated. “She has flies.”

  “Flies?”

  “Lots of them. Everywhere. They are always on her, around her, in her eyes.” Ellen shuddered. “Horrible. Flies.”

  Finally, William sighed even more heavily with a slap to his thigh. “For goodness sakes, Ellen, for two intelligent people you and Dino are idiots. She doesn’t have flies.”

  “Yes, she does,” Ellen said. “You’ve seen them.”

  “No, flies are attracted to her like every other cow. She doesn’t have flies. You speak like she has lice or …”

  “Oh,” Ellen scratched her head. “Thank you for that.”

  William huffed. “She doesn’t have flies like it’s a disease.” He peered to George. “The cow is fine. The milk is fine. I’ve been drinking it since we got her.”

  Dean blinked. “Dad, I told you not to do that until we tested her. That wasn’t very smart.”

  “Well, neither is thinking a cow is diseased because flies buzz about her, but that didn’t stop you.”

  George held in his chuckle, cleared his throat, and continued. “We’ll make arrangements for the cow. Thank you, William. And on that …I’m glad, Ellen, you and Dean work well together because you are our medical-supply people. We have a hospital there that needs stocking. Everything is needed. We figure William can help you compile your list. Dean, Miguel is going to spend tomorrow with you teaching you to drive the truck. Yes, Frank.” George called upon him.

  “Dean in a semi?” Frank asked. “Driving?”

  “Yes,” George responded.

  “Dean?” Frank said again, only this time really motioning his head Dean’s way.

  Joe aggravated, intervened. “Christ, Frank, that’s what the man said. Dean driving a semi.”

  Frank huffed and placed his hand out to indicate short.

  “Oh,” Joe nodded. “Yeah.”

  George added. “Ok, Dean, you might want to bring a phone book or something to reach the pedals.” Frank’s snicker caused George to pause, but not for long. “Finally, Joe and I are on paper. That includes books and so forth. We have also decided to have a couple computers running other than the ones Dean has for his equipment. And I’ll let Miguel finish this up.”

  As George sat down, Miguel stood, he spoke slowly. “I hope to have you driving trucks well. Dean, the pedals might be …”

  “A reach,” Dean nodded “Yeah, I know. Continue. I’ll bring a pillow.”

  “Thank you,” Miguel said. “By the end of this week, everyone will go out to get what they have to find and return in one week. We will make three trips to Montana. Take a truck out, unload it, set up, and again un
til we finish. On the very last trip, we will load a cargo plane with our stuff and fly it out. Because of fuel and no place close to land the plane, we cannot make every trip by plane.”

  George interjected. “We’ll get more in depth with each of you on an individual basis this week. But there is still one more very important task left, and for that, we have an assignment for Johnny and Denny. This place in Montana has no real name. That is your task. This week you will name our town. And whatever you two decide on, that’s what it will be.”

  “Yes!” Denny clenched his fist. “We get to name the town, this is way cool.”

  “We have to be serious, Denny.” Johnny calmed him. “We’re starting history with this.”

  George smiled and closed his notebook. “All done. Now we have to get some rest before we stop by and see you guys all sometime today.”

  Frank rubbed Johnny’s head. “Wow, John, you and Denny name this place.” He smiled at his son, and at Ellen. “Are we talking yet?”

  “For purposes of civility,” Ellen replied as she got up from her chair.

  “Huh?”

  “She meant ….” Dean approached.

  “Don’t.” Frank ordered. “Don’t even proceed to tell me what she meant. And what do you want? Aren’t you gonna spend enough time with her on the road?”

  Ellen gasped. “Come on, Dean. Let’s go start our list.” It was apparent Dean had more to say to Frank, but Ellen physically persuaded him to move on.

  “Keep going. You two suck at lists.” Frank shook his head then noticed his father looking at him. “What?”

  “What the hell is the matter with you?” Joe barked.

  “Everything. Why are Dean and Ellen going out together for this?”

  “Frank, they’re in charge of medical stuff. I had you two paired up, but everyone said ‘no’. Besides, your strength is needed elsewhere. It’s only a week.”

  “A lot can happen in a week, Dad.”

  “Well, yeah, Frank, it can. Hell, the world ended in a week.”

  “And they can go out on this trip and change my life again.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Joe said. “You and Ellen have been together, right or wrong, for a long time.”

  “We’ve been having issues.”

  “Why don’t you put forth an effort to resolve these issues before you two go out?”

  Frank chuckled, “They can’t be resolved. Not in a week.”

  “Do you really think the issues between you and Ellen are so bad that one week with Dean will change everything with you?”

  “Oh, yeah.” Frank said.

  “Frank, please.” Joe scoffed. “I highly doubt that. Look, if it will make you feel better, why don’t you tell me the issues.”

  “One. One issue.”

  “Easy enough.” Joe folded his arms and gazed upon Frank with fatherly assurance. “Tell me about the issue and I will assure you there’s nothing to worry about.”

  “Thanks,” Frank proceeded. “Ellen wants a baby. I don’t. Not yet. Not for a while. She asked me. I turned her down. Problem being she doesn’t want to wait. She wants a baby and wants it now.”

  “A-ha,” Joe nodded and sighed out. “Well, I’m getting some sleep.” He gave a swinging pat to Frank’s arm. “Night.”

  “Whoa. Whoa. Wait. You said you’d assure me that I have nothing to worry about.”

  “I did say that, didn’t I?” Joe inhaled. “Well …” He turned. “Night.”

  “Dad, wait.”

  “Fine, you wanna hear what I have to say?” Joe waited for Frank’s agreement. “Resolve this. Agree to the baby. Something. I know Ellen. So do you. If she’s headstrong … you really do have to worry about the week.” Joe smiled. “See you in a few. Night.”

  Before Frank could say anything Joe was gone, and Frank was left standing there alone.

  ^^^^

  Dean, Ellen, and William worked hard on a preliminary list. They spoke of so many different medical supplies and products that Ellen feared her dreams would be filled with rolls of dancing gauze. After departing the Hayes duo, Ellen retired to her porch with a book. She wasn’t a big reader, but Jenny called it one of her escape books, and it wouldn’t hurt to try.

  Clear her mind. Read a teen romance. It was better than thinking of bandages.

  Lantern at the brightest, Ellen heard the tiny ‘pat’ but ignored it. Again, it happened, ‘pat’, a few seconds break, then ‘pat’. About the forth of fifth time it was really close. Too close; the pat hit her page.

  She raised her eyes. “Frank, why are you throwing pebbles at me.”

  “To get your attention.” He leaned against the porch railing. “You were ignoring me.”

  “I’m reading.”

  “I’ve been standing here for ten minutes.”

  “It was a good scene.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Frank lifted the book. “Love Trap at Whitman High?” He chuckled. “Good book.”

  “For your information, Mr. Smarty Pants, I like it. What do you want?”

  Frank laid the open book over the railing to hold the place. “This. To talk.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you and I haven’t really talked all week. We’ve been, how did you put it, civil.”

  “We also have been at each other’s throats.”

  “Over a single thing. One thing. And this has to affect our lives. Don’t …” He held up his hand. “Our lives.”

  “Frank, nothing is the same anymore.”

  “Ok, stop.”

  “What?”

  “Are we gonna really talk, because if we are, I’m coming on the porch with you.”

  Ellen sighed out. “Yes, we’ll talk.” She lifted a bottle. “I’m having a beer. Do you want one?”

  “Yeah, I’d like that.”

  “They’re next door, in the toilet tank of the powder room.”

  “Next door.” Frank nodded.

  “You want one, go get one.”

  “Man, you’re tough. I’ll be back.” Frank darted to the house next door and returned shortly with the beer. A chair was set up for him next to Ellen and that pleased him. He opened the bottle as he joined her. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Frank gasped after his first swig. “Man, that’s cold.”

  “The tank method. William taught us that trick.”

  “Here’s to William.” He lifted his bottle; he kicked his feet up to the railing. “So, truth out.”

  “Truth?”

  “I’m not handling you and Dean going out for a week.”

  “I see. Well, I’m not keen with you going out with Jonas for a week.”

  “What?” Frank looked at her then saw she was joking. “I get it, you’re kidding.”

  “Can I ask you why you aren’t handling me and Dean?”

  Frank just stared at her.

  “Ok, dumb question. Then … what can we do to make you handle this.”

  “Let’s talk about what has been tearing us apart.”

  “Talk or fight?” Ellen asked.

  “Up to you. I want to talk.”

  “Then we talk.” She turned her chair to face him. “I want a baby. You don’t.”

  “I’m not ready to have one. I don’t want to even try yet.”

  Ellen nodded “I understand that. Can’t you understand my need to have a baby?”

  “I understand that.”

  “Then I don’t understand how you cannot help me?” She said passionately. “I think about it from the time I wake until the time I go to bed. I imagine what it’s gonna be like to hold that child in my arms. To feel that. I want that.”

  “And eventually so do I. But not yet.”

  “Let me ask you a question,” Ellen said, “What would you do if I said I was pregnant now.”

  “You aren’t.”

  “But say I was.”

  “Are we pretending it’s mine?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then you aren’t that far along.�
��

  “Frank!” Ellen snapped. “Pretend. What would you do?”

  “Deal with it.”

  “Then why can’t you just help me get pregnant and then deal with it.”

  “It’s more than that, El.”

  “How can it be more than that?” she asked. “You get me pregnant, deal with it, I handle the baby. You don’t even need to be a part of its life.”

  “Stop.” Frank held up his hand. “Yeah, I do”

  “No, if you don’t want a baby, then you don’t have to be …”

  “Yes. … I do.” Frank was adamant. “And that is part, no, a huge part of my decision. El …” He grabbed her hand. “Kelly, the girls, they just died. Johnny, he may be too young to understand, but old enough to understand. You know what I mean? He’s gonna feel funny about the fact that his dad and El are having a baby, kissing, sleeping in the same bed, all so soon after his mom died. He’ll start questioning me, didn’t I love his mother? How can I answer that?”

  Ellen nodded. “I see your point.”

  “If Johnny watches us develop a relationship, take our time, there’ll be no questions.”

  “How long?”

  “I don’t know.” Frank shrugged.

  “Do you want a relationship with me?”

  “Of course I do.” Frank declared.

  “No, Frank, I mean it. Do you want a relationship with me? A real one. Time every day. Sit down and talk, be together. A couple. A couple the way a couple is supposed to be.”

  “Like marriage?”

  Ellen rolled her eyes. “Forget the word marriage, but in a sense, every aspect of it.”

  “I want us to be close.”

  “You want us to still have sex.”

  “I hate when you do that.” Frank barked. “You’re more to me than just sex.”

  “Then let’s be more than just sex. Be more than sneaking off after Johnny’s asleep, and sneaking back home before he or anyone else can see and open their mouth. All we’ve ever done was sneak around, Frank. If you want to be a couple, let’s do this right.”

  “I agree.” Frank nodded. “In time.”

  “Johnny time.” Ellen said. “Don’t get me wrong, I do understand that decision, I do understand you giving him time. But I need more.”