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Choices, part 4 Cierra glanced to the east and noticed that the sky was getting darker. It wasn't the darkness that came from the setting sun but like inky clouds, blocking out all light. The few remaining families followed her eyes and one woman whimpered in fear. Her husband comforted her, telling her not to worry. "It's miles away, we have plenty of time," a soldier told the people. He studied Cierra's face. She was looking very tired from jumping to and fro. She had taken five bus loads of people to Mother Earth and preparing to take the last one. She had taken the supplies first and ordered the first bus load to begin assembling the tents for people. Although she allowed most people to transport, there had been a few she rejected. One was a man who apparently abused his wife and family. Cierra had tried to convince the woman to bring her children to safety but she was too intimidated by her husband to leave without him. Cierra didn't have enough time to debate with the woman or think over whether or not she should take the kids. She had sadly watched them leave. She had turned back two men, brothers, who had attempted to smuggle in handguns and drugs. They had been taken away from the transport site and kept care of. The people nearest the back of the crowd had heard muffled shots and the soldiers returned without the condemned men. One child had smuggled her pet gerbil in her pocket and Cierra didn't have the heart to take it from her. She allowed the animal to 'slip' past. She allowed a boy to sneak through with his small iguana. They were losing so much she couldn't say no. The only people she allowed to take their firearms were the police officers. The officers had arranged for the prisoners to escape their cells about three hours after the last of the people were transported. The keys had been tied to string that would be burned by a candle once it got low enough. Since the candle would take ten hours to burn that low, they had plenty of time before the prisoners got hold of the keys and unlocked the doors. The last items she would transport would be the animals. They would remain in the trailers until morning and then the survivors would then assemble the pens and allow them out. "I noticed that the emergency sirens didn't go off," JP noted. "I told them not to," the lieutenant told them. I figured things would be tense enough without them blasting in our ears. Well, we're the last of the people. Shall we?" he asked Cierra. She nodded and had everyone take hold of her skin. She brought everyone to Mother Earth and looked around in exhaustion. "I'm too tired to ride home," the shaman told her friends. JP put her arm around her. "Let's find some sleeping bags and crash," she suggested. The sun was nearly down and although people seemed shaken, a few seemed to be thinking well enough to heat food over camp fires. Robbie fetched their horses and brought them to the edge of the camp where the honor guard set up tents and started a fire. They had brought along their own food, knowing that eating canned goods now would upset their systems. JP went to the stream and pulled a line from the water, pleased to see almost all the hooks had fish attached. She began cleaning the fish while another woman took her knife and skewered the fish. They would cook them over the fire and eat bread, fresh corn, and greens for dinner. None of the survivors seemed eager to approach them now. Parents made sure their children ate then insisted on them going to bed. No one seemed energetic, merely sitting around the fires and staring at the flames. Cierra watched people from a distance, already considering who would be placed in charge. Several seemed likely candidates, taking charge of setting up tents, cooking, and crowd control. She knew she needed to send at least one bonded couple to the camp to get things rolling. Probably Pam and Eva since they wanted to have time to spend with Pam's parents. "Hey, guess what I found out before we left this morning?" Robbie grinned. "What?" "I saw Eva's family." "And?" JP said, wondering about the shit-eating grin on Robbie's face. "Did you know Eva's big sister is Sue Saitou?" "No way!" JP gasped. There was no way they were related. The two women couldn't be more different. Sue Saitou was one of the most famous Asian actresses in Hollywood, and built like a brick house. No way could scrawny little Eva be related. "Yes, way. I wonder why she never mentioned it?" Cierra grunted. "If you were built like Eva would you mention you were the sister to one of the hottest actresses in Hollywood? I wouldn't. I bet she feels like a sickly monkey next to her." "Man, one with all the brains and one with all the looks. Hardly fair," JP muttered. "Um, I said about the same thing. It seems Sue has a degree in microbiology, too. Acting just pays better." "Poor Eva. Well, at least she's married to Pam. Pam won't let her forget who she thinks is the sexiest sister." "You got that right. I'm amazed Pam hasn't killed off her wife with her show of affections yet." "Not for the lack of trying," JP giggled. The women laughed. Pam and Eva's sex drives were well known. I wonder how they're doing?" __________ The Previous Day at Napa village "Mum!" Pam shouted, amazed to see her parents. She had thought they'd not fly all the way to America for a mere picnic. She ran to her mother and threw her arms around her. Pam next burrowed into her father's arms, breathing in deeply the scent of his familiar aftershave. "My baby girl, where have you been? Others, they see their families, but you? You, we wait and wait for but you never once brought my grandbaby to see us. Where is my grandchild?" her mother demanded to know. Pam was flustered. She had left Mel and Kiona with Eva so she could gather wild greens for dinner. She hadn't expected to run into her parents at the family camp. "She's with Eva. I came out here to get fresh greens for dinner. Care to join me? Once I collect enough we can go back. We'll have plenty, really." Yola huffed. "Fine, I have waited all this time I suppose a few more minutes won't kill me." "Mum, don't go making me feel guilty. I have to help fix dinner for four families each night. I can't let them go hungry." Her mother let out a weary sigh. "I'm sorry, my baby. I forget sometimes that you are a grown woman." "I'll hurry, I promise. Here, Papa, hold this." Pam handed her father her collecting basket and began cutting greens from the garden plot. They were starting to wilt slightly and they wouldn't get fresh again until spring. Tomorrow she would probably go further afield and fetch different greens. Once her basket was full she took it from his hand and led them to the quad unit where she and Eva lived. Pam led them inside the cooler interior, bringing them to the central commons area. Eva was sitting at the bench with a baby on each knee. "Twins? Baby, I knew you were good but two of them?" Yola teased. "Mum! This one is Mel, your grandbaby," she said, handing the little girl to her mother. Mel was accustomed to strangers and didn't fuss. "And this one is Kiona, Cierra and JP's daughter," she explained, picking up Kiona and offering the fussy baby a breast. "Oh Dear, I quite forgot that women breast fed children in the wild," he father stuttered, looking away. Pam shook her head in amusement. Her father would have to get used to it here. "Mum, Father, this is Eva, my spouse," she introduced Eva. "Eva, these are my parents, Yola and Frank Johnson." "How do you do, sir? Ma'am?" Eva said politely, offering her hand to Mr. Johnson. "Quite well, quite well. I understand you're an engineer?" "Yes, sir. I'm a structural engineer." "Please, call me Frank. After all, we are family." Others began wandering into the commons area. Tracy and Robbie nodded and was introduced before Tracy returned to stirring the pot of wild rice and bean soup. Pam had fetched the bread and butter from the communal kitchen earlier and Eva had placed a pot roast inside the ceramic Dutch oven. Although it was late summer, the day had been cool enough to warrant using the oven. Brenda and Lisa next entered the quad unit but quickly excused themselves so they could bathe before dinner. They had been in the fields all day and didn't want to offend. Sara was last to arrive. She smiled politely at their introduction and sat down. They all chatted until Brenda and Lisa returned then dinner was set at the table. Yola reluctantly placed Mel in the crib and sat down. Prayers were shared and they began eating. "Mmm, interesting flavor. What sort of cow was this?" Frank asked. Eva glanced at Pam then cleared her throat. "It's not beef, sir. It's deer meat. It's a bit leaner so I cook it in vegetable fat and wine and a few herbs." "It's still tasty. Reminds me of water buffalo, doesn't it dear?" he mentioned to his wife. "Yes, although I wish this country had bush buck. I think nothing is more tender." "Sorry, fresh out," Tracy teased. "Maybe we can get Janice to bring some back with her on her next trip." Robbie shook her head. "If there is a next trip. I doubt if any of the scientists will want to go home now." Lisa rolled her eyes. "Lord, I forgot they don't know. And they won't be back for another six months probably." Eva changed the subject. The last thing she wanted to mention was that the crew and scientists on the ship wouldn't know that their families were gone when they returned. Only a few of the crew chose to bring along their wives and children because of the dangers involved. Then there were the scientists traveling by horseback. They still haven't returned from their study of the northern regions. They weren't due back for another three weeks at the earliest. "My parents and sister are here, too." Pam looked at Eva in surprise. "Why didn't you say so sweetie? We could have had them for dinner too." Eva shrugged. I couldn't get any where near my sister. Her fans were surrounding her." "Her fans?" Robbie asked. Eva looked defeated. "Yeah, she's Sue Saitou." "Oh my God! She's your sister? She never mentioned to the press about having a famous sister on Mother Earth," Tracy said, making Eva smile. Eva had always been overshadowed by her older and prettier sister. Not only did Sue have a degree in microbiology, she shrugged at her degree and went into acting for shits and giggles only to hit it big. "Well, I am positive your parents are equally proud of both their daughters. Both are intelligent women who have done well for themselves. I am sure they bore everyone when they brag and show off photos of their girls," Frank added gallantly. Eva blushed, not certain he was correct but pleased that her father-in-law was kind. He would make a good grandfather too. "Anyone care for dessert? I made some apples stuffed with nuts and cinnamon," Eva offered. "I'm in," Tracy said, cleaning her spoon and grinning. "You never turn down sweets. Anyone else?" "I hope you have plenty, young lady. I adore apples," Yola told her, holding up her bowl. "Enough for everyone," Eva winked, pulling the pan from the oven. In spite of all that happened, today was a good day for family, Eva thought. Next Chapter Email Me |