MacArthur's Freehold

Chapter 32

Chapter 32 -- GBODVGTXFXKQCJL

Ted Sandefeur was unloading the last box of supplies when he heard the vehicle approaching. Looking up he saw that it was one of the late-model, but not especially new, four-wheel-drive favored by the people in the neighboring settlement. He carried the box inside and set it on the kitchen table, gave Martha a quick kiss.

"Be right back" he said, going back to the front door. He preferred to greet the visitor out by the road if he could, being cautious about strangers in or too near the house. The truck had just stopped, and as he approached he saw that Grant Page was driving. Bill Clayton was on the passenger side.

"How ya doin', Ted?" Grant said. He spoke like the natives, although not quite the accent of Ted and most of his neighbors. Well, not everyone spoke the same these days anyway, he thought. People in town sounded a little different.

"Pretty good" said Ted. "How about yourself?"

"Good as can be, I guess" Grant replied. "Mind if we get out and visit a bit? This truck's a little high off the ground"

"Sure, come on" said Ted, backing away from the door. The two men dismounted and Bill came around to their side.

"Everybody make it through the winter all right?" Grant asked.

"Yeah, we did all right" Ted said. "You all do all right?"

"Yeah. We got the necessities in before the weather turned bad and had plenty of supplies. We just holed up inside through the worst of it."

"That's what we do" said Ted. "Long as you get prepared there's nothing to worry about. The second winter we had was a bad one. Lucky it was the second, we weren't ready for something like that the first year. This last one was kinda bad, but nothing like, what was it six or seven years ago."

"I remember that one" said Grant. "We were still in Taylorville, electricity was off for almost a week in most of town. One of the things that got us thinking about setting up something more independent. The power grid is so fragile, they have a bad time in one state the people two or three states over get their power sent to fix their problem."

"Yeah" said Ted. "Martha's sister down in Texas said they had that one year. Sent their power to California or somewhere. We came out here hoping to get away from all what's going on out there, and we're pretty happy with our choice."

"We were hoping that too" said Bill. "But it's not looking too good. That's what we came over to talk about. Some of us have met a few of your people, but we haven't mixed much. We were looking to maybe have a little more contact, be better able to help each other out if necessary. We don't know much about how your community works, or you about ours. You have some sort of leadership, council, or something?"

"We have a council of elders" said Ted. "We're a church, although some of us are more, well you know, than others. But yeah, the council takes care of business, I guess. We're all in agreement about following our leaders, so we don't usually have any trouble."

"I see." said Grant. "We're not a church, but I guess you could say we're all in agreement, and elect a committee to manage things. Bill and I are two of the members. We'd like to have some kind of regular communications with you, if your people don't object. Let each other know what's going on, share information, things like that."

"It'd probably be good idea to see the council" Ted said. "If you want I can take you up and meet one or two if they're around. "Let's get in your truck and I'll show you where."