Day 38
Buck wasn’t going to admit it, but he was glad the damn Chinese or North Koreans or Russians or whoever had stepped up and begun bombing.
They’d come to him at first light, a dozen cousins he’d always been friendly with.
He’d kept his hurt and feelings to himself, stone-faced as he stood on the back of his pickup truck, two loaded rifles within easy reach.
Buck had made sure to be above them. Let them understand his power in a mental and physical sense. They were here to beg him to help the family, even though everyone had more or less abandoned him a few days ago.
“We’re heading out,” cousin Renny said.
Buck shook his head. “Why? We make our stand. We fight the enemy on our own soil. On our own properties, where we know every nook and cranny. We set traps. Wipe out roads so they can only funnel in one way.”
Renny shook his head. “They got tanks and missiles. Heard a report they have over a hundred warships off the coast of San Francisco. Thousands of men with better weapons than we got. Jeb says we need to start heading east and hook up with other groups. Safety in numbers.”
Buck wanted to scream.
Jeb had taken over, while Buck was pushed off to the side. He’d been trying to crash here and there, but had spent last night sleeping in his truck. While no one was outwardly hostile toward him, he could see the looks: they didn’t want to step up and vouch for him openly. It felt like an election, and he was way behind in the damn polls.
“My brother is in charge then?” Buck asked, trying to keep the stone face but knowing they could see the anger in his eyes.
Most of them looked away. Renny shrugged. “Not really in charge of anything, just someone who knows what he’s doing. He was in the military.”
Buck hopped off of the pickup and threw his arms in the air. “He’s my damn brother. You don’t think I know he was in the damn Marines? Guess what, though? Did he tell ya how long he lasted? Not long at all. He was cut from the military. Discharged. Does that sound like a leader to you? I’m surprised he finished boot camp.”
Jeb had been honorably discharged because of what was happening at home with his parent’s being so sick and Buck in prison. It had been a noble sacrifice for Jeb, but Buck didn’t care about the facts right now. “If he abandoned our United States Military, you think he won’t run away at the first sign of trouble? Nah. We’re wasting time. I say we stand and fight.”
Renny turned to walk away. “I’m leaving. It doesn’t matter who’s leading us, either. The writing is on the wall, Buck. Grab your gear and get with us or get left behind. This place will be swarming with commies soon enough.”
Buck put his head down, defeated, as the cousins left.
Now what? I need to get it together, Buck thought. He frowned. I need to talk to Jeb but without that bitch around. I’m sure they’ve shacked up already.
Buck went to their parent’s house first and saw Jeb’s truck in the driveway.
You can do this. Be the better man. Bide your time, Buck thought.
He got out and took a few steps before the front door opened and Jeb stepped onto the porch. Alone, which was a good thing. Buck didn’t want to face Jeb and Pamela at once again and get double-teamed.
“Afternoon, brother,” Buck said, taking off his cowboy hat and swatting flies with it. “Heard you’re the Big Cheese around these parts now.”
Jeb crossed his arms. Buck noted the pistol in the holster at his side.
“What do you want, Buck? Heard we were leaving today and wanted to see if you could bum a ride?”
Buck chuckled. “I ever tell you about some of the things I had to endure in prison?”
Jeb shook his head. “No time for reminiscing, Buck. Time to save our family. I need to know what your plans are.”
“I was gonna stay and fight. Defend our lands. But it looks like I’ll be the only one. Never seen so many Sawyers give up so easily,” Buck said.
“I guess you ain’t been listening to the radio much, or you’d know the overwhelming odds against us. Even the military is heading east, conceding all of California.” Jeb leaned against a post. “What do you want?”
Buck cocked his head to the side. “I want to live.”
Jeb stared at him for a moment. “Then follow us out of here.”
“With you as the leader? No one will respect me.”
“I’m gonna be blunt, brother, because that’s how us Sawyers are…no one respects you because of what you did to Pam. Everyone knows the power went to your head, and there are rumors you had something to do with Dusty’s death, too.” Jeb sighed. “I know you didn’t do it, but you know how whispers turn into gossip and then shouting. I’m leading everyone out, but I’m not in charge. We’re going to find the military and let them protect us. Lead us to wherever it is we’ll be safe. That’s all I care about.”
“Where’s Pamela?” Buck asked.
Jeb frowned. “Stay away from her. You get that? Not only does she want nothing to do with you, but I want you to steer clear. She’s with me now.”
“Is that so? Couldn’t wait for dearly departed Dusty to kick the bucket before you stepped into his shoes.” Buck ignored the fact he’d tried it first. “Little brother is all grown up.”
Jeb put a hand near his weapon.
Buck laughed. “Use it or lose it, kid. If you draw on me it will be the last thing you do.” Buck put up his hands and started to back away, angling to his truck. “When do we leave, Jeb? I see the writing on the wall. Chico and our homes aren’t worth saving anymore. Not with the foreigners running roughshod over California. Give me a place and a time and I’ll be there.”
“We leave tonight at nine. Pack as much stuff as you can in your pickup. You might need to take a passenger or two as well. Make sure you not only fill up but have extra gas cans. I know you have a few at your place.” Jeb nodded and went back inside.
Buck drove away, frustrated and feeling cuckolded by his little brother.
Pamela might not be the prettiest lady around, but she would make a great wife. She’d also pump out a few kids for Buck, too.
Except Jeb is in my way, Buck thought.
He went home and cleared the few items worth anything into a couple of garbage bags: some clothes, his extra pair of work boots, his weapons and ammo, the other two cowboy hats, and every can of soup, beans and tuna left. He guzzled the last of the milk, tossed the six-pack of Miller Light on the front seat, and made sure the gas tank was full and the extra four five-gallon red cans were loaded onto the bed of the truck.
They’d leave in two hours. Buck wondered what he was going to do now.
Maybe I can help out Jeb, prove to him I’m loyal and not worthless, Buck thought. Take advantage of any situation that comes along.
Buck drove back to Jeb’s house. Our parent’s house, Buck thought. Half of it should rightfully be mine, but instead I’m renting a room in the middle of nowhere.
Jeb met him at the door, wary and still armed.
“I came here to help,” Buck said. There weren’t any new vehicles in the driveway, which meant Jeb was probably still alone. “I haven’t been back to the house in a long time, either.”
“You were here a couple of hours ago.” Jeb was blocking the doorway.
Buck pushed past his brother, tensing when he got next to him, wondering if Jeb was going to attack. Jeb stepped away and Buck smiled.
“I see you’ve done some redecorating,” Buck said.
“Not really. You’d been away a long time. Mama did most of this.”
Buck walked down the hallway, Jeb following.
“What have you done to my old room?” Buck asked. He opened the door and frowned. “Seriously?”
His former room was now filled with cardboard boxes, broken furniture, a dusty, stationary bike and a stack of pots, pans and dishes.
“It wasn’t like you were coming back to reclaim your room,” Jeb said. He narrowed his eyes. “Besides, the will said I got everything. You can ask the lawyer.”
“That lawyer is dead,” Buck said. He was pissed.
“Are you packed and ready to go?” Jeb asked.
Buck nodded. He forced his anger down. There would be time in the future, when Jeb wasn’t looking or as wary, and when that bitch Pamela was around, for him to make his move.
Besides, it will be nice to see someone else get shit for trying to do the right thing, Buck thought. He’d let Jeb try to work with Sawyers, which was like wrangling a herd of cats. “I’ll help you pack, little brother.”