Chapter 15

The next morning, we ate breakfast and then poured the cement. It looked good with no rain expected. We just had to hope since there were no weather guessers but each of us. We mixed and poured. It was a clear day. We put a cover over our cement and kept it lifted up to avoid it touching our cement but protect it from things falling into the cement before it cured.

After lunch, we were at loose ends waiting for the cement to cure. Then, we would assemble our little building and place the water wheel and generator. We could run wire but put that off. We knew we would be able to do that but there was no rush at this time.

Ed took us into the radio room to teach us about the two radios he had set in place. He said, “Today, I want to demonstrate the other radio. It’s a two meter/four forty or a dual-bander or a VHF/UHF radio. The names follow its functionality. It has two bands that it receives and transmits Both are FM and the radios usually work off repeaters. The former owner had programmed it for most of the repeaters from north of here down to Macon. With a good, directional antenna, you can get to most of them. A repeater is an automatic radio that has a high antenna and a powerful transmitter. This radio is good for fifty watts on VHF and twenty-five on UHF which isn’t bad. I had a handheld radio that would do five watts either way. Hams used to be able to tune their two meter radios to listen to the police and fire departments until they went digital and encrypted. We still might hear some activity if there is any. I know the gang used cellphones totally. I was never asked about radios and never offered any information about them.”

“I need to try to call the Stevenson’s because they’re late.” I pulled my phone and punched in Jim Stevenson’s number. It rang until it went to voicemail. I left a message. “Does anyone have any ideas about what to do? I’m inclined to go to Macon and see what we find.”

Ed asked, “Are you afraid of another ambush?”

Sarah said, “Yes. We don’t know exactly where they had lived nor do they know exactly where we live. We had expected a call when they were close.”

“We’re half way through the afternoon.” Ed said. “Why don’t we hook up radios and leave in the morning?”

“I was inclined to have us go barging in but Ed, your plan seems better to me.”

“Hank, planning is more your style. Let’s do that. It’s safer.”

Sarah grinned. “Alice is right. Ed, let’s set up three trucks.”

I tried to call Jim again still without results. Alice had his son’s number which also went to voicemail. We readied three trucks for the morning.

In the morning, we had breakfast and loaded up. My phone rang. It was Jim and I immediately put him on speaker. Jim, what’s happening. I expected you yesterday.”

“We were slow getting moving and then found an ambush before it found us. We’ve been trying to work our way around since. I think I’m in the area finally. I wanted to be as sure as possible that we were beyond the ambush before calling.

“We found an empty house for last night. We had to backtrack and go around the lake to get clear. We’re now south and west of the lake. I think we’re ready to start north. I found a road map in a convenience store. We are on State Route Eleven heading north.”

“Okay, Jim.” Sarah smiled and nodded. “Stop when you get to Mansfield. We’ll meet you there. We were about to head out.” Alice smiled and nodded from her phone. “We had told the gang that we were close to the lake. A hanger-on was caught but the gang ran out of patience with him before he could tell them where we are. We’re in three trucks, all of them white. See you soon.”

We pulled in at Roosters Drive-In which was located on Highway Eleven. We parked the trucks outside and went in to wait. About fifteen minutes later, Jim and his family drove up pulling a trailer. Everyone came outside to greet them.

We reentered with the Stevensons to sit and talk over soft drinks.

Jim said, “I’m glad we were on the lookout. That gang had two ambushes set up though they were looking both ways but more toward Covington. It wasn’t hard to hear them and sneak up on their location. They weren’t nice about ‘that broad’ who told them you were here. They seemed to be worried about a Captain Rogers. They mad him sound like a bad guy.”

“I’m glad you got around them.”

“Thanks for the warning. We might have walked into their ambush otherwise.”

I noticed that Trevor was sitting close to Alice and that they were whispering together.

I said, “Perhaps we should head to our home. Then let you pick a house of your own so you can get moved in.”

Alice volunteered to ride with the Stevensons to “keep them from getting lost.” I smiled at that. We caravanned back with the Stevensons parking on the circular drive. Everyone got out and went inside to the air conditioning and to talk.

We served cold drinks to everyone. Jim said, “This is a great setup you have here. I couldn’t hear the generator.”

“No.” I said. “It’s a water wheel and is back from here a distance. We’re powering two houses off the grid and can add more easily.”

Sarah added, “It’s been a nice area for light farming ... Now, we’’ll have to be more serious about that. The houses all have fields for horses, cattle or truck gardens.”

“Uncle Hank, do you have a house in mind?”

“No, but I think you might.”

“Yes, Sir. One house over one in back looks good and was clean when we inspected it. I think they would like it.”

Sarah grinned. “And you would like to have Trevor handy.” Alice blushed a bright red as did Trevor.

Jim said, “I guess Jane and I should have a look at it.” He grinned. “Perhaps Alice would be willing to direct us to it.” Both Alice and Trevor nodded energetically.

A little later, they left. Alice called me telling me that they were moving into the house.

Ed had Joe and Bill to help him with the radios. I was really at loose ends when Sarah said, “Let’s go help the Stevenson’s and tease Alice and Trevor.”

I shrugged and then said, “Okay. Hopefully, they won’t tease us back.”

Sarah smiled impishly, “There’s something to-tease us about?”