Another 20 Miles Read online

  Damon smiled. He might be okay after all.

  Chapter 2

  Ethan's words hung heavily in the room, like a thick cloying fog they could almost feel.

  "What?" Elliott didn't try to hide the shock in his voice. Even Aaron ceased the verbal assault on his father. Cameron stepped out from behind Aaron.

  "No! We just found each other again. Doctors don't know everything. Find a different doctor!" His voice trembled as he spoke.

  Ethan smiled at his youngest son. "Well, looks like that's not possible now, and even if it were, it wouldn't matter. It's been confirmed. I have cancer."

  Elliott was shaking his head slowly. He closed his eyes and tears started down his face again. When he opened them back up, he looked at Ethan and said, "What kind?"

  Ethan replied, "Pancreatic, like Mom. The doc said I have about three months. It's already moved into my liver and stomach."

  Elliott reached for a chair to steady himself. "I need to sit down." Ethan took his father's arm and helped him into the chair. He took a seat beside Elliott. Cameron sat next to Ethan; Aaron took the chair on the other side of his grandfather. When they were all seated, Elliott took a good look at his son. He could see his eyes were slightly sunken in and that his clothes seemed a bit too big. "How long have you known?"

  Ethan looked down at the table. "Two months. I spent the first one drunk and feeling sorry for myself. Then I decided I should probably start getting things in order. That's when I messaged Cameron. I really wanted to see you boys before … you know … but I was pretty sure Carly would never let me. Honestly, I wouldn't blame her. I was a sorry excuse for a husband, father — hell, for a man for that matter. I left you all for my own selfish reasons. Maybe this is karma kicking me in the ass for it. Probably genetic, but still …" He let the comment hang in the air.

  Elliott's face was a mixture of shock, sorrow, and anger. He all but shouted at Ethan, "What about me, your dad? Nothing was stopping you from seeing me or calling me at least! Two months we could have been getting to know each other again and you took that from me, too! I guess you still ain't over that selfishness, huh?"

  "I'm sorry, Dad. I know I should have let you know what was going on. Like I said, I didn't want to believe it at first. I thought I had a stomach bug that just wouldn't go away. When they said it was cancer, a kind they couldn't really fix at that point, I went off the deep end. Hell, I'm not even forty years old. How could this be happening? They started me on chemo anyway but after the first session I told them to shove it. I told them if I was going to die either way, I wasn't spending the last of my days heaving and miserable. The doc said he didn't blame me; said he'd probably be the same way.

  "I couldn't sleep last night. Something was nagging at me hard to come see you. So, I got in my car headed this way. Brighton isn't really a bad drive, but I was about five miles away when the flash came. Been walking since about an hour after that."

  "It took you all day to walk five miles?" Cameron asked.

  Ethan turned to him with a sad smile. "Yeah, pretty lame, I know. But my energy level is kind of low, so I had to stop and rest more often. Speaking of which — you got anything to eat, Dad? I haven't had a bite since last night."

  Elliott started to stand. "Yeah, we've got some cold pork chops and biscuits left from supper."

  Aaron stood quickly and said, "I'll get it, Pap." He laid a hand on his grandfather's shoulder as he went by on his way to the back porch where the leftover meat had been placed in a cooler. Elliott patted the hand on his shoulder then turned on his son.

  "You live in Brighton? How long? How long have you been ten minutes away and not called or anything? Last I heard you were down in Louisiana working on an offshore oil rig."

  "I just got back a couple of weeks ago. I quit my job, cashed in my retirement, laid up drunk, then came home. I've got a buddy from high school that lives up there. He's letting me crash at his place for now."

  "Why didn't you just come home? You could've stayed here. I've never said you weren't welcome." Elliott could not hide the hurt and anger in his voice.

  "I guess I was afraid you might say no, Dad."

  Elliott replied, "Then you don't know me at all."

  Aaron came back in with the zippered bag of meat and laid it on the table in front of Ethan. He pointed to a plate in the center of the table covered with aluminum foil. "Biscuits are over there. Paper plates underneath them." He went back to his seat without another word.

  Ethan smiled at him across the table. "Thank you, Aaron. Man, it's like looking in a mirror seeing you."

  "Like you chewed him up and spit him out," Elliott said. "That's what my granny used to say when someone was the spittin' image of their momma or daddy. It's been like watching you grow up all over again with how much he looks like you."

  "Except I won't be abandoning my family like you did," Aaron replied with a belligerent tone. The smile on Ethan's face faded and was replaced with a look of guilty sadness as he stared at the table.

  "You're right, son— uh, Aaron. I deserve that. But I really want to make it up to you guys and I don't have long to do it. How do we get past this?"

  Aaron laughed loudly. "Get past this? If you think showing up here saying you're dying is going to grant you instant forgiveness for what you've done, you better think again. Sorry, that ain't happening." He paused for a moment, then smirked as he said, "Boy, I can't wait till Mom gets here. This is going to get really interesting."

  Ethan's head jerked up. "What? Carly's coming here? When? How?"

  Aaron snorted and replied, "Yeah, with Nana and Pops and Uncle Will. You'll get to face the whole family. I don't know when; whenever they figure out how to get here. They will though. I don't think it's something you're going to enjoy."

  "This is good," Ethan said. "I need to make amends with all of them, too."

  Aaron all but shouted at his father. "Make amends? You think you can fix this with an apology? I remember! I remember Mom crying every night for weeks. I remember the power getting disconnected because she couldn't afford to pay the bill and wouldn't ask Nana and Pops for money. I remember eating chicken noodle soup for supper every night for days because she found it on sale. We had nothing for a long time. She worked and went to school at the same time to get a good job to give us a better life. What did you do? Not one thing. No calls, no letters, and sure as hell no money. It's too bad you're dying, but you know what? You've been dead to me for years. Nothing new." Aaron stood abruptly and left the kitchen. They heard the bedroom door slam shut. Everyone was quiet as his words resonated in the room. Finally, Cameron spoke.

  "Aaron is kind of emotional, especially where Mom's concerned. I guess since he's the oldest, he kind of acts like the man of the family."

  "He is the man of the family, Cam," Elliott said. "He has been for years. Yeah, you've had me and your Pops, but when it came down to just the three of you, he was there trying to fill the role. Somebody had to," he said, looking pointedly at Ethan.

  "Message received, Dad," Ethan replied testily. "I'm a piece of shit. Everybody knows. Now what, huh? Maybe I should just leave …"

  "No! Please stay!" There was a pleading tone in Cameron's words. "We can get through this. It's just not going to happen overnight, right? We're talking about ten years of you not being here. That's not going to just be forgotten by anybody, including me. But, given the situation … I mean, you're not gonna be around much longer … I'm pretty sure Mom will at least hear you out … you know, eventually."

  Elliott nodded in agreement. "He's right, Ethan. No one is going to just get over it, no matter what your health condition is, but the Chambers are good people, compassionate folks. We'll figure it out. For now, I think we should all get some sleep. You can have your old room until they get here. We'll talk more in the morning."

  Ethan stood up and took his plate to the garbage can. He turned back to his father and said in a calmer tone, "Okay, Dad. Sleep sounds good. It's been a long day. Thanks for
letting me stay, by the way. You didn't have to."

  Elliott snorted. "The hell I didn't. Bottom line, you're family. With what we've got going on right now, family needs to be together. Plus, the more folks we have, the stronger we are."

  Ethan looked questioningly at his father. "Stronger? Why do we need to be stronger?"

  "Because this is it. This is the thing I've been saying could happen. This is the shit-hit-the-fan event. It's going to get bad, people are going to get ugly, and I guarantee you we will have to fight to survive."

  "Fight who, Dad? What do you think is going to happen?"

  Elliott shook his head. "We'll talk about it in the morning. Everybody needs to get some shut eye. The bed has fresh sheets. The boys and I changed them out earlier." He turned to Cameron. "Cam, go ahead and get ready for bed. Leave the door open so the heat can get in. You can use the bathroom if you need to go. Just don't flush. I'll do that after everyone finishes their business."

  Cameron stood up, stretched, and yawned. "Sounds good, Pap. Night. Night, Dad."

  Ethan smiled. "Night, son. See you in the morning."

  The two men watched as Cameron went down the hall. Elliott spoke without looking at Ethan.

  "You have two good sons, Ethan. It's a shame it took something like this for you to try to see them and get to know them. I just hope you don't waste this chance."

  "I'm not planning to. I don't know if Aaron is going to let me in though," Ethan said.

  Elliott turned to his son. "You'll have to earn your way in with him. It won't be easy. He was older than Cameron. He remembers more. But he's a loving kid. Do the work, Ethan. Hold your tongue and your temper. He's worth it. They both are."

  "What about Carly? She will not be happy to see me."

  "I'm guessing it'll take them a few days to figure out how to get out here. You should be able to make some headway before they do." Elliott picked up the lantern on the table. "It certainly has been a long day. Let's get to bed. We'll talk more in the morning."

  "Right behind you, Dad."

  Chapter 3

  "Guns? Did you just say guns, Dad?" Carly asked, indignation apparent in her voice and on her face. "Why do we need guns? We should be trying to find a way to get to Elliott and the boys. If the lawn mowers work, surely there are other vehicles out there that do, too. Maybe we could pool all of our money together to buy one from somebody. Hell, I'd be willing to rent it from them or pay them to take us there. Getting to Aaron and Cameron is the most important thing now that Will is here. Guns can't get us there. A car can." She stood up with her plate and took it to the kitchen. The others followed suit and Lauri told them she would handle the cleanup later. They walked into the living room and stood before the fire.

  "Yes, a car can, but we have to be able to keep the car," Joel replied.

  "What do you mean? We get in it, drive it there, end of story. How would we not keep it?" Carly's retort was tinged with animosity. "It's twenty miles, for God's sake. We can be there in thirty minutes!"

  Will interrupted her. "Well, first off there's probably going to be dead cars blocking the road, sis, especially on Brunswick Road, if that's the way you're talking about going. It's just two lanes wide. So, there's no way of knowing for sure how long it's going to take to get there."

  "Exactly. Will, how many people did you see on your way here who had guns?" Joel asked.

  Will considered the question. "The only ones I know for sure that had them were the guys who shot up Kroger and the two that tried to mug us outside the store."

  "Okay, so four guys out of however many hundred you saw this morning," Carly said. "How does that have anything to do with what we're talking about here?"

  Joel sighed. "Carly, what's right beside Kroger?"

  Carly looked thoughtful for a moment, then said, "The police station. So?"

  "So, if those people were brazen enough to shoot guns into the store or attack people on the street in broad daylight to steal supplies, when they are practically on the doorstep of the police department, what do you think they would do to get their hands on a running vehicle?" He gave her a moment to process that then went on. "The world changed this morning. From what Will just told us, it has already become a dangerous place, and this is just getting started. We are in no way prepared for the new way of life we will be leading. Survival of the fittest — or quite possibly the strongest — will be the new normal. We need something to even the playing field."

  "What good are guns going to do? I've never even handled a gun. No one here knows how to load them or shoot them or —"

  "I do," Amanda interjected. All eyes turned to her. Will was especially wide-eyed with interest.

  "You do?" he asked with a slight tone of admiration.

  Amanda grinned at him. "Yeah. Don't look so surprised. I come from a long line of hunters and fishermen. I got my first .22 rifle when I was ten, bagged my first buck when I was twelve. The only reason I don't have my pistol with me now is the campus is a no gun zone. Stupid policy in my opinion, but I live on campus so there's no reason to even bring it down when I'm here. Well, there wasn't until this happened. Really wishing I had kept it hidden in my car now."

  Lauri looked at Amanda somewhat horrified. "You think schools being gun free zones is stupid? I was a teacher for over thirty years and felt quite secure behind those walls."

  Amanda returned her gaze and replied coolly, "Every school shooting has happened at a school with those signs. Who did they protect? Not the innocent kids who were killed, because a crazy person went on a rampage and knew there wouldn't be anyone there to shoot back. Not the teachers who used their bodies as a shield to try to protect their kids. I'm not trying to be disrespectful, Mrs. Chambers. I appreciate you opening your home to me. But those signs don't protect anyone and only prevent good people from defending themselves and those around them. Excuse me." Amanda walked down the hall to the bathroom. Lauri stood there with a look of shock watching her go.

  Joel went over to his wife. With a chuckle, he put his arm around her waist and said, "She makes a good point, honey. We were never gun people. We don't have any and didn't see a need for them in today's society. Make that yesterday's society. Today, we have a need, and I think I know where we might be able to get our hands on some. Will and I can go over in the morning and see. For now, let's see if we can settle down for the night. I'm beat. It's been a big day."

  "You can say that again, Dad," Will said. "I've been up since yesterday morning. I'm standing because if I sit I'll probably crash right there. I was running on adrenalin before, but since I'm home, I think I need sleep."

  Lauri snapped out of her mood and went into mom mode. "Oh, of course you do, dear. Carly and I brought stuff in here, so you can sleep on the couch, the chairs, the floor, wherever you want. It should be warmer in here than anywhere else. I better stay in the bedroom or no one is going to get any sleep but me. Without my cpap, it's going to be bad."

  "I'll take my recliner," Joel replied. "Did you get the heavy sleeping bags, too, darlin'?"

  Lauri nodded. "Yes, and I'll take one with me for some protection from the cold. Carly, what about you?"

  Carly replied sullenly, "I guess I'll take the couch unless you want it, Will."

  Will shook his head. "Floor is fine for me. I'm going to go comatose, so it won't matter. What about Amanda?"

  Amanda had returned from the bathroom. "If it's okay with everyone, I'll be fine in one of the bedrooms. Just an extra blanket or sleeping bag will do."

  "It's going to get pretty cold back there," Joel said. "I think it was supposed to get down around twenty tonight."

  Amanda smiled at him and replied, "I'm from northern Wisconsin, remember? That's a spring day for me."

  Joel laughed. "I guess I've lost my conditioning to it being down here as long as I have. We've got some sub-zero sleeping bags from our camping days. They're older but they should still protect you from the cold."

  "That will be great, Mr. Chambers. Thank you a
ll again for taking me in. I'm not sure what would have become of me if I hadn't run into Will."

  "Personally, I think you would have been fine," Will said. "I mean, you are pretty bad ass with a collapsible hiking pole." He grinned as he gave her a nudge with his elbow. "But I'm glad I ran into you, too. I think people — good people, anyway — are going to need each other now." He tried to stifle a yawn to no avail. "Okay, that's it. I've got to get some sleep."

  "No argument from me." Amanda answered his yawn with one of her own.

  "You all go ahead and get settled. I’m just going to wash up the few dishes we have and I'll be right behind you." Lauri headed toward the kitchen.

  "Mom, you're not doing the dishes by yourself," Carly called after her as she got up to follow.

  Amanda looked at Will. "Should I offer to help?"

  Will shook his head. "You spent the better part of the day walking in the snow and ice, carrying a good-sized pack; plus, fending off would-be attackers. You're excused."

  "Will's right. Let's get you settled down for the night, Amanda," Joel said as he stood up.

  "I'll take care of that, Dad," Will replied. "You get yourself settled in." Will grabbed one of the sleeping bags in the corner and headed down the hall. Amanda said good night to Joel and followed him. Joel headed into the kitchen.

  "I'm going to go out back and make sure the hens are in the coop and shut the door,” he told Lauri. “We'll have to get up early to let them out, but I'll feel safer if they aren't out running around before we get up."

  Lauri turned to him. "Is there a reason to worry about them, dear?"

  Joel shrugged. "Maybe not yet, but I don't think it will be long before someone figures out there's food running around in our backyard."