Free The Last Blade Of Grass by Robert Brown Page B

Hannah and William to pack up all of your toys and books. We’re going to take everything to the ranch, okay?”
    Hannah jumps up and goes over to Olivia. “We like the ranch,” they both say almost in unison.
    “Katherine? How about you? Need anything? How are you and yours set up?”
    “We’re okay, Eddie. I do need a solar charger, a back-up water filter, and maybe a few more guns.”
    “Go and grab the supplies you need and put them on the counter. As for the guns, get what you need off the shelves or out of the counters, and I’ll see if I can part with them. Okay?”
    “That’s fair. I’ll get it now.” And she heads to the shelves.
    “I guess that leaves me,” says Jessie
    “How are you set up?” I ask.
    “Not too good. I haven’t been prepping long, and I was only preparing for a short term economic collapse. I mean, I have two guns, some ammo, and some food stored up, but nothing for long term. And definitely nothing for a long term siege of violent attackers. I have been putting most of my money into silver, gold, and barter items like coffee and alcohol. I didn’t think things would go completely south and thought I just needed a few months to half a year of food to get by initially and maybe some things to bribe corrupt officials once things started turning around.”
    “You’ve got skills though, right?” Billy asks.
    “I can weld and do all kinds of odd jobs,” Jessie says hopefully.
    I nod, and say, “Well, I have a caretaker at my ranch. He is good, but it never hurts to have someone extra around. Especially with more armed patrols needed. How are you set up Billy? Could you use someone with Jessie’s skills?”
    Billy nods. “Honestly, yes. Skilled manpower I could definitely use. My wife and I were thinking the economy would collapse further as well, and were planning on bringing in some of our neighbors. They are all older folks, and we have already been helping some of them. A few of them have canned food storage and a few hunting guns, but not really a prepared mindset and I’m not sure how well they would do on scheduled round the clock watches. You can come to my place if you want Jessie. Is there anyone with you?”
    “I’m not sure. I have a girlfriend, but she went to visit her parents in San Francisco.” Billy frowns.
    “I’m sorry, Jessie,” I say while I shake my head. “That could be Mars now considering the distance and population between her and us.”
    “I know, I tried calling her, but they must be out somewhere, because none of them are picking up.”
    “It’s up to you, Jessie. You can come to either of our places.”
    “I don’t live too far from Billy, so I think that will be my best bet to be able to check if Emily or any family and friends show up at my place.”
    Billy and I look at each other, and Billy says to Jessie. “Just keep trying her and get back to your place to pack stuff up. You can bring it all to my house and let her know where to come when you get in touch with her, okay?”
    “Yeah, that sounds good,” Jessie replies.
    Katherine sets another gun on the counter next to her items and says she’s done.
    “Katherine, give me a minute, okay?” I say. “I need to make a sign to put out front so people don’t keep trying to get in.” I grab a can of spray paint and head out the door after Jessie who is leaving.
    I keep sheets of plywood in a shed at the side of the house and grab two, dragging them to the front of the store, and lean them up on each side of the door. On one I paint STORE CLOSED INDEFINITELY. On the other I write, ALL ITEMS SOLD OUT.
    One car pulls into the parking lot as I’m finishing up with the second sign. They read the signs, turn around, and speed away. I’m sure they’re off to the next location they hope has something.
    Once back inside, Billy and Katherine are sitting at the counter. Billy asks, “Is it right to turn people away like this, Eddie? It isn’t really the Christian thing to do.”
    I