Bodhi awoke with the sunrise. As always, he grabbed the Baron cowboy hat from mother and pulled it on firmly. He didn’t care why she bought it, or who gave it to him, it was a good hat, and he was going to make good use of it. He made some coffee with a bit of whiskey and went outside, walking past Marcus still asleep on the couch. He enjoyed the town best in this cool early light. He took a sip and took a moment for a large stretch. Early birds were chirping loudly. The world was better this way, Bodhi thought. All the superficiality of fashion and celebrity, politics and pandering, entertainment and decadence gone, and that was a fine thing. Everywhere was like old Montana, stripped of the frivolous leaving only the essence of living. He heard footsteps on the road behind and he turned. Doc Peterson was heading his way.
“Good morning Doc.”
“Morning Mr. Graves, how did you and your sidekick fare? It’s good to have you back. You know you guys really shouldn’t stay out there that long. Scary types n’ all, but you can take care of yourselves I suppose. You run into any trouble? Is your right-hand man still sleeping? Hey, you find me any medicine?”
“Nope, just an MRI machine, figured you could use that.”
Bodhi slapped the MD on the back and Doc laughed.
“Actually Doc, we been seein’ some pretty nasty dead folks out there.”
Doc frowned, “Yeah, you’re not the only ones.”
“Well, it’s disturbing, and I think we will either stay closer to town from now on or go out less often, or both.”
“That may be wise.”
“Doc,” Bodhi grabbed Doc Peterson’s shoulder, “I ain’t nothing if I ain’t wise.” He delivered that to Doc a big grin and a wink, “In fact my pappy always said that I had a head as big as a horse’s ass. I’m sure he meant I had a big brain. Don’t you think Doc?”
Doc laughed again, “Your father didn’t say that?”
“No, he didn’t, but he could have.”
“Hey, I came over to tell you guys that Anders and his group haven’t come back yet, and he typically doesn’t stay out long. You guys know him better than I, so I thought I would see what you think.”
Bodhi put a hand to his short beard. “That’s not good Doc. Anyone go looking for them?”
“No, people are scared.”
“Alright, let me wake up the boss and see what he wants to do.”
“From what I understand he took Sarah Fuller out with him.”
“What?” Bodhi shook his head, “That was a dumb ass thing to do.”
Doc nodded.
“Anders and Sarah, and I suppose Troy Goodman’s with?”
Another nod.
“Alright, thanks for letting us know, see ya Doc.”
Back inside the house Marcus was still asleep on the couch. Bodhi made some coffee and tapped his slumbering brother on the forehead while saying, “Hey you awake?” That was enough to make Marcus’ eyes flutter open.
“Damn it Bodhi.”
“How’d you sleep?” Bodhi asked handing him a mug. Marcus sipped his drink, and Bodhi continued, “Anders’ group hasn’t come back yet.” Marcus looked up, clearly bothered. Anders was a good man, originally from Scandinavia, and well over six feet tall. He loved kids and the children in town could never get enough of him.
“Anyone looking for him?”
“Nope, and Sarah is with him,” Bodhi started to pull on his boots. “Doc dropped by a few minutes ago.”
“We need to go look for them.”
“Yup.”
Despite the bad news from Doc, Bodhi felt good. Someone had dropped off a basket of grapes in the small kitchen for them. Bodhi shoved a handful into his mouth, and the grapes exploded in juicy sweetness.
This town did have a chance after all, Bodhi thought, despite Marcus’ foul moods.
The land on the southwest of town had crops growing, mostly easy ones: beans, peas, tomatoes, grapes, strawberries, spinach, potatoes, and squash. All of these came in strong this season. The area had good water supply, good rains, and rich soil. There were plenty of trees for fire and construction. Even a few new buildings were starting to go up.
The town was in many ways back to pioneer life, but in other ways the modern world was starting to appear again. The nearby city of Springdale had some factories that had survived, and the townspeople were able to convert them into making ammunitions, still essential in a dangerous world. The two towns had begun trading when the Washburn crops came in. Gasoline was still found by hunting parties but there were rumors in Springdale that a town near the coast had a refinery online.
On the way out of the house, Bodhi snatched another handful of grapes. Marcus grabbed the shotgun, which he was rarely without, and a pistol from the top of the wall clock. The clock was forever frozen at 2:17PM but it hardly mattered. Date and time were a thing of the past, replaced by season and weather. After strapping the holster on, Marcus grabbed the present for Tiffany and headed out the door. Bodhi was behind him with the box of ammo under his arm. As they walked through town and crossed First Street, Marcus saw the little red-headed nine-year-old girl that reminded him of better days. Bodhi knew Marcus had a soft spot for redheads. She spotted them and ran from the other children who were all playing a game of kickball in the street.
“Mr. Graves, Mr. Knight!” she came bouncing towards them. Their differing last names had been the subject of many arguments between them over the years but had been eventually put in the category of ‘things we don’t talk about’ by the two men.
Marcus quickly removed the tag from Tiffany’s present and stuck it in his pocket. “Good morning, Emma,” he went down on one knee to meet her. “You can call me Marcus, like I’ve told you.”
“And you can call me Mr. Wonderful,” said Bodhi as he ruffled her hair which she quickly tried to brush back into place.
“Where have you been, it’s been so long?” Emma said with concern.
Marcus wasn’t great with kids, but certain ones he clicked with. Bodhi, however, was like the uncle that always tickled you until you peed. Emma was courageously friendly and that’s what both men found charming. Big blue eyes and a dash of freckles across her nose made her the talk of the town, at least that’s how she saw it.
“In the wild country,” Bodhi told her. He paid special attention to Emma, made sure she received a little extra food and found shoes that fit, things like that. He found it unfortunate that one day she would turn into a woman. Not her fault, he supposed.
“I don’t like it when you’re gone. And Anders goes too. Lots of you go. It makes the town feel empty.”
“But look what we found for you.” Marcus handed her the present. Emma’s eyes opened wide and her mouth even wider.
“Is it my birthday?” She said with amazement.
Marcus smiled, and Bodhi let out a barrel shaped laugh.
“I don’t know but maybe,” said Marcus.
“And you have a present to open,” shouted Bodhi.
“Best day ever!” Emma was hopping up and down and began pulling back the wrapping paper. Inside the box was a white princess dress. She thought it the most beautiful thing in the whole world and began spinning around holding it out high so she could watch it float in the air.
“Oh, thank you! Thank you, thank you!” She was still bouncing. “Can I go put it on?”
“If you don’t, someone else will,” encouraged Bodhi.
“Yesss!” and with that Emma ran down the street. “I will show you later,” She yelled over her shoulder as she was running away.
Marcus was grinning. “Just when you think the world will never be normal again.”
“Sometimes I think children are the only normal this world has ever seen.” Bodhi agreed. “Let’s go find Doc.”
Each morning Doc would be dealing with town business at the storage sheds. Likely they would find him with Mayor Coll. Much of the town was awake and busily organizing for the day’s chores. There was always plenty of work to do. Tending the fields and orchards, improving homes and buildings, and generally preparing for the winter, demanded everyone’s full attention. At the storage units past Main they found Doc Peterson and Mayor Coll organizing supplies and work assignments.
“Doc why hasn’t anyone gone after Anders?” asked Marcus in a direct tone.
“Morning Marcus,” Doc said as he handed some books to Josie Summers. Josie was a naturally beautiful woman who was a year or two younger than Marcus. She was from Tulsa and had been here almost as long as the brothers. Josie was the only teacher in town, she taught history in seventh grade, now she taught all the children any subject she could. She looked at Marcus as if she was about to say something, then turned away. This was something Bodhi was noticing more of lately, female glances in Marcus’s direction. These were the same delicate snares that took him in college, and a pattern that Bodhi was determined not to repeat. Having a father and a brother fall victim to female entrapment was plenty, and repeated performances were not required.
Doc led Marcus by the arm a few steps away from the gathering crowd. “No one is willing to.” He said firmly but softly so only Marcus could hear.
“It’s not some drifter, it’s Anders. He’s an important part of this town.”
“I know that and believe me we tried to get someone to go yesterday.” Doc was trying to not raise his voice, “But the fact is that more folks have gone missing lately. Rumors of raiders keep spreading and people are scared.”
“So that’s it?” Marcus was angry, “Are we back to every man for himself?”
“Hey, lighten up.” Bodhi broke in, “It’s not Doc’s fault.”
“No, I understand, but…” Doc had them step a few more paces away from the others, and Bodhi followed. “It’s dangerous to go out and people are focusing on rebuilding the town. Hunters know the risk they are taking, and the rest choose not to be hunters specifically because they don’t want to go out there.”
“How are we going to rebuild if we don’t look out for one another?” Marcus’s said.
“I understand, believe me I do, but we can’t force anyone to do it.”
“It’s simple,” Bodhi said, “we’ll go look for them, and we’re wasting time.”
Marcus looked coldly at Doc. “We shouldn’t have to Doc.”
The brothers really liked Doc and knew that Doc was right. As cold and uncaring as it was, life had become hard, and the people had hardened with it. It was as simple as that.
Bodhi walked over to Mayor Coll, “Where was Anders going?”
“They were headed into the eastern forest to look for game.” Mayor responded without losing focus on the people who were organizing for harvesting assignments. “Wild turkey I think.” Marcus and Bodhi had been there before with Anders. He figured they would setup camp at Loggers Lake, a good place for hunting wild turkey. Marcus walked off and jumped in the old Chevy.
Bodhi was close behind with some food rations now jammed in the top of the ammo box, and some beef jerky hanging from his teeth. “Let’s go,” he said behind a meaty grin.