Family & Friends
12
The tiny house Ed had brought with him had been placed in an empty space beside The Infirmary Trailer and given to Kevin and Amy and a young girl of about 13 named Katy who Amy has taken under her wing. Katy had found her way here sometime during the Gathering on an old bike carrying only a knapsack and a small bedraggled kitten named Lionheart and begging to stay. She said the bike belonged to her Step Brother but he was 'sick' when she left so he wouldn't miss it; no one seemed to know anything else about her other then she had obviously been severly abused and was barely literate. ***** The other truck held all the supplies needed to build 2 more of the tiny 2 and 3 bedroom houses; Joe had also donated plans on how to build them and even add extensions. The first one was almost finished with a second floor containing 4 small bedrooms added which the Kidmans were moving into. The other was promised to Lizzie and Ashara, they had asked Penny to share the house but she'd declined so David was taking the second bedroom with the 3rd being used as a counciling room and church office. On his next trip down from Dover the following weekend Joe brought another 3 houses and building supplies for the chapel. "That first house attracted so much attention while we were building it that we have orders coming in from everywhere; the men are working overtime and Joe's selling them as fast as they can make them. In fact we are so busy we've had to quit taking on any new remodeling or construction jobs. I brought some of the brochures Little Joe had made up for you to look at so you can get a general idea of what can be done with them and figure out how to come to terms with any of the residents who want to puchase one." he explained that night at dinner. "The only snag I see in all this is that we need to start paying you - there's no way there can still be a credit balance on our account." Kyle said. "You'll have to talk to Little Joe about that. He's running the business now." Joe said changing the subject. ***** Sue Kidman who actually used to teach has taken over at the school while Amy is on bed rest until the baby is born. Her daughter-in-law Trisha is helping with the younger children We have grown so much that the classrooms for the older children have temporarily been moved over to the library in the main house which has left enough space in the converted sheds to put in a daycare center. ***** Once the rains stopped the winds started picking up and we fell quickly into a typical late fall pattern of warm days and cold nights and those who came from further south in the middle of a summer heat wave were soon feeling the change in the weather. When the Council met on Wednesday Starr suggested that the women make another trip to Dover and pick up whatever we could in winter wear and more supplies. "Sounds great, I can use a road trip; but while we still have internet access and can get deliveries why don't we order say a dozen or so children's coats in toddlers, small, medium, large, and extra large for boys and girls and the same for adults along with gloves, hats, scarfs and boots and winter clothing from some of those clothing outlet stores - and it's not too early to think about Christmas too while we're at it." Lizzie said. "That's a great idea we can use the empty campers or order a couple of sheds from Ed as annexes to the General store and put clothing in 1 and a Christmas and gift shop in the other - we can post a notice on the board to find someone to run them. White Eagle, you and Ashara are in charge of merchandising so you can take this and run with it however you see fit. Everyone agree? Alright then, what's next?" I asked. ***** "As much as I dislike the idea Andy and I think it's time we set up some kind of permanent dentention center and holding cell." Danny said. "You all know we had to pull Bill Nolin off Johnny Stewart the other night, They'd both been drinking and Bill decided Johnny was making a play for Sissy; Johnny was, but we couldn't get Bill calmed down so when we finally got the 2 of them separated we locked him up in one of the small sheds for the night hoping when he sobered up they could work it out. Some time during the night Johnny took off with Sissy and the baby so naturally when Bill found out he took off to find them but the next problem may not solve itself." "That also brings up another problem. We need to determine and post a written statement disclosing grounds and proceedures for expulsion from Sanctuary in the event the need arises." Steve said. "We also need to make an effort to collect and lock up the firearms floating around, some of our people are actually carrying." "And make sure anyone found carrying a weapon without prior authorization will be immediately expelled from Sanctuary." Steve added. " And we think we should organize patrols and start sending them out, in case you all haven't heard things are getting bad out there and it's only a matter of time before the trouble reaches us." Andy finished. "You have yourselves and the twins and Bobby; recruit anyone else you need and take care of it. Pull a couple of the vacant cargo vans over to the far field and set up a couple of the extra solar panals." "Penny you were a Legal Assistant right, can you work with them to make sure everything's legal? We can get April to cover you in the office if you need her. Get Walt to help, he's a retired Attorney and I think at 1 time was a D.A. or something; then we'll run it by Steve at the next meeting." David said. "Mr. Kevin," Katy yelled running in "Momma Amy says come NOW." ***** After a long night with no sleep during which we all waited in the main house, Tina came in just after sunrise. "It's a perfect baby boy. 11 pounds 9 ounces and 17 inches long, 10 toes and fingers, and a full head of coal black hair. His name is Paul Blackwell Jorganson and he has the bluest eyes I've ever seen. 'The Doctor' says in about 30 minutes the family can see him and the new Mother for a few minutes. Got any coffee Mom?" Exactly 20 minutes later we were all gathered out in front of the infirmary waiting for permission to enter. Katy had planted herself in front of the door and refused to let anyone in until one of the doctor people said it was okey. Finally Dragon opened the door and said we could come in a few at a time. "Ms Jo, Amy says you and Danny and and the children should come in now and Katy she wants you too." "I thought you were going to be my first grand child, little one but the Goddess had other plans." I said looking down at the perfect child Kevin had placed in my arms. "Instead She sent your Uncle Danny, his beautiful wife, and 2 more wonderful Grandchildren to help watch over you; too, and this entire glorious community of Sanctuary and of course your Grandmother who loves you dearly." "That's what Granpa said last night," I heard Katy whisper. "Katy, what was that you just said?" I asked looking up. "The man last night said almost the same thing but no body was supposed to know he was here, I know he was Paul's Grandpa because he told me so and he looked just like him." I bent down and kissed my Grandson on the forehead and then handed him back to his Momma. "Yes you do look just like your Grandfather, my love." "I need to do something, but I'll be back later." I said getting up from the chair I'd been sitting in. "I'll go with you." Lizzie said kissing everyone goodbye. ***** We stood in front of Paul's stone for a few minutes and then Lizzie pulled a stone from her pocket and laid it on the ground. "Congratulations Grandpa; now I'll leave you and Grandma here to talk while I take care of some other things. Love you both." she said kissing me on the cheek and walking away. "You always did have to be first at everything didn't you, My Husband?" I said sitting down.
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