Free Second Chances by Chris Hechtl Page B

back.
    “We'll keep it in mind,” Eric said, interrupting their talk. “Moving on then to the next thing on the agenda...” Eric said, pitching his voice to the others.

 
    Chapter 5
     
    John, the Southbys, Victor, the Gummers, and Trisha's fountain of pioneer knowledge helped them immensely. Eric leaned on them as experts but also drew intel from others. It was surprising what people could remember, things from kitchen sink chemistry to stuff they'd learned ages ago in home economics or other classes—even basic things like how to sew, make paper, cloth, clay, etc. Just knowing they could contribute something brought those who were depressed out of their own little worlds. Slowly people without rolls set themselves up in role as potters and other old skills.
    Communication was an issue, but Eric, John, Adam, Earl, Gerald, the Gummers, and a few others had walkie talkies and CB radios. Their phones were out. They had two so-called electronics experts, Gerald and Sal Woodward, but both had admitted to be more plug and play people when it came to radios. Both did promise to try to do something though.
    One important thing John and the handymen rigged was a watch tower. From that someone on duty could keep a lookout of the surrounding area and call out a warning to those below and in the fields if danger approached. Once they had the rickety thing up, he showed Earl and Hector how to build a spring house near the creek, a still and a smoke house out of tepees, lockers and other things. They did the work; he just showed them how to do it.
    Adam taught a couple guys on how to plow. It wasn't easy; they had to lift and guide the plow while keeping the flighty mules under control. It took a two-man team to do it. John admitted, it wasn't a woman's job, though a woman could control and guide the animals easily enough. But the lifting...that took a lot of upper body strength. He now knew Trisha's offer had been pure bluff. Oh, she might have gone ahead and done it for a while, but eventually, probably after a half hour or so of seeing her struggle would have gotten a guy or Adam to step up. She did lavish her husband with a little extra love and attention, cooing over his sore muscles. That seemed to mollify him a bit more and help him put it all in perspective.
    Even John took a turn at plowing, though he stumbled a lot. He did four rows before he was called off to another project. He'd gone back to give it another go, but instead he'd relieved Bert to keep watch of the area so the hunter could take a break. He'd been wary and a bit nervous about standing out in the open with a rifle, but he'd done his duty.
    Adam had been cool to him, but seeing John put in the effort to help and protect his valuable animals seemed to cool his ire a bit. They used the donkey and other animals to plow in the community for an area designated as a garden. They created a garden and rigged stakes for tomato and other plants. Posts and a rope were used as a temporary barrier to protect the ground.
    John didn't at first recognize the woman near him as they worked in the community gardens. She had braided black hair and a worn cowgirl hat. He did a double take when he realized it was Loni. She pursed her lips and moved on, ignoring him.
    John, Loni, Pat and the kids, and others plant truck gardens in the community on their own properties as well. “Why?” Eric asked, shaking his head when he saw what John was doing with the window boxes. “It seems like a lot of work to do stuff twice,” he said.
    “Why not?”
    “No, seriously, why?”
    “Because, well, I don't like having me eggs in one basket. One gopher infestation and we're screwed out there,” John said, waving a hand. “And don't get me started on pests...” he waved a hand. “Aphids? Bugs? Alien bugs?” He shook his head.
    Eric nodded grimly. “I'm still not sure what we can do about those,” he said. “If there is anything we can do,” he said finally.
    “Soap, um, I think