WWIV - In The Beginning

Early the following morning, when the sun was just giving light to the eastern sky, I sat alone in my living room, thinking. Alexis and Jim slept soundly in my bed. They agreed to come inside after the mosquitos got thick. Alexis would have preferred anywhere over my place. But Jim and I squared things up after I returned to Ted’s, before Alexis came back. He got it; at least he said he understood.

  I pondered my future. My new plan was to get on my bike and take Buddy and myself north to the Osceola bridge, some 35 miles north of where I sat this morning. From there I could hook into Highway 8 and take that east to Highway 51 in the center of Wisconsin. Continuing on south from there, I would have various options for my approach into Milwaukee.

  According to my new calculations, Milwaukee was 350 miles away on my new route. If I made ten miles an hour on my bike and traveled 12 hours each day, I would be reunited with my family in three days; four tops. That is if my family was still in Milwaukee. But that’s a chance I was willing to take. I needed them badly. Regardless of what Alexis said last night, I missed them more and more each passing day.

  Once reunited, we could somehow make our way north to Bayfield. I still believed that was the best spot for all of us to ride out this storm. We’d be safe there, away from people, away from trouble. We’d make it somehow. Just exactly how, I wasn’t so sure about this morning. But we’d do our best. At least we would all be together.

  Before I could make my great escape, I needed to run a quick errand. I had to make my way over to the closest pharmacy and get some essential supplies for my neighbors. Ted had never made his way out to look for insulin. From his shaky appearance last night, I could tell he was in desperate need of some. I was sure they would still have insulin at the store. Jim needed an antibiotic. His wound looked sore, but not infected. Yet. A week or two of meds would ensure his full recovery. Thankfully he had found a stash of antidepressants in his back room a few days ago. I laughed; out of the woods with the possibility of killing himself, now others were trying to do the deed for him. How pointless this all seemed this morning.

  The streets were quiet as I pedaled alone amongst houses filled with still sleeping residents. With any luck I’d be back in less than a half hour and most of the people would still be asleep. The morning heat didn’t seem as harsh as the previous week had been. Still, I could feel the ever-present humidity found on most August days. Thus, it would be a carbon copy of the previous week. Clear, warm, and humid.

  My brakes squeaked as I pulled in front of the drug store. As I had suspected, the front doors were smashed and tiny pieces of glass peppered the sidewalk in front of the brown brick building. Fortunately I saw no one guarding the front entry. Carefully I stepped through the shattered windows that once would have barred my entry at this early hour.

  Inside, the store was dark. I paused, listening for footsteps or voices. Hearing none, I continued towards the rear of the store where the drugs were kept. I knew what I was looking for, so it should be a quick pull and run. That was my plan until I saw a lone man sitting on the pharmacy counter. He looked at me and smiled. I continued to stare, only at the gun in his hands. He wasn’t the pharmacist, he wasn’t the police, but it was obvious he was the man in charge.

  “Good morning,” he called out. “How can I help you today?” He smiled strangely at me. Like he was far too happy to be of assistance. I approached the counter cautiously as he slid behind.

  “You must be the new pharmacist.”

  He chuckled. “Well, I’m the new drug dispensing agent. Some people call me the dealer, but that sounds so harsh.” He laid his gun on the counter. “And what do you find yourself in need of today?” I didn’t like the grin he gave me. It looked evil, cynical.

  “I need some insulin, and some antibiotics. I’ve got a couple of neighbors in need.” I tried to sound brave. I wasn’t sure he saw me as a brave person.

  “Got names for those drugs? I’m, ah, not the regular guy you know.” There was that grin again.

  “I know the one man who needs insulin said something about Humalog. I’m not exactly sure, but for a diabetic, anything’s better than nothing. Maybe amoxicillin or penicillin for the other injury, something like that.” I stepped closer and leaned on the counter. He gave me a leer. “Can I jump back there, maybe help you find it? Make it easier for both of us.” He nodded and approached.

  “Yeah, sure.” He picked up his gun. “I’ve got a flashlight here. That’ll help too. You got money?” He stared seriously. Money, I knew this would come up.

  “I’ve got $100, that’s all.” I shrugged to show my innocence. “Will that do?” I could see him consider my offer.

  “Insulin’s been pretty popular these days. No one’s asked for any antibiotics yet.” He nodded slightly, checking me out further. “Sure, that’ll do. Since it’s for your neighbors and all. Yeah, you seem okay.” I breathed a sigh of relief.

  Within five minutes I was on my way back home with drugs in hand. I grabbed whatever he would let me of both medications. I pulled a bottle or two, and looked back at him. Until he told me to stop, I figured I was okay. I had four bottles of amoxicillin and many, many vials of Humalog. Not bad for $100.

  I had also grabbed as much sterile gauze and hydrogen peroxide I could fit in the bag I found in the store. Jim needed it for his wound. And no telling what other injuries my six neighbors may have to endure in the coming future.

  In my mind, I kept hearing Alexis’ words from last night over and over. You choose to go out on the road and die. They bothered me this morning, a lot. Did journeying to find my family mean I would die? I didn’t think so. I’d be ultra careful and have a gun at all times. Already I knew the roads would bring danger. I just planned on avoiding it at all costs. Still, her words haunted me. Maybe it was the expression on her face that startled me most. So cold and severe. Like she knew exactly what she was speaking about.

  When I arrived back home, I saw Ted in his driveway, pacing. I pedaled right to him and handed him the bag of treasures. Peering inside, he smiled.

  “Now that’s a sight for sore eyes,” he said, holding up a box of insulin. “Well done, sir, well done.” He glanced over his shoulder towards his open garage door. Jim and Alexis had joined him. He stared back at me. “So today’s the day you start your journey?” I couldn’t tell if it was a question or a statement though. I nodded.

  “Yeah, leaving in a little bit. Need to make as many miles as I can today.” Stepping off my bike, I stretched. “Gonna head up through Stillwater and see if I can get across on the old lift-bridge. That won’t be too much of a detour.” Ted only half listened.

  “Sounds like a good plan,” he said. He stared down and continued. “Bill, I know you need to find your family. No one blames you for that.” His eyes came up to mine. “I know Jim and Alexis wish you were staying. I’m afraid they don’t see me and Charles as much help in this fight. I suppose I see their point. But I’ll try and do better.” Ted looked sad this morning.

  I patted his shoulder. “Speaking of fights, I have an idea. I’m going to break open Winston’s garage doors and leave mine up when I go. That way anyone can take whatever they need from his house. No more fighting over something like that. If more people come, just let them take what they want. Keep yourselves safe, but don’t try to stop them. They’ll leave.” I saw a hint of acceptance in Ted’s eyes. Good. “And you all need to grab whatever is worth taking, first. Leave the rest for whomever. Don’t fight anyone over any of that crap. Get what you want and be done.” Ted nodded his agreement.

  I needed a few last items from home. Mostly I wanted to grab the rest of the ammunition on my dining room table. The gun was in my pocket now. I wouldn’t make that same mistake ever again. Knowing exactly where the gun was would be my salvation, my safety.

  When I came back out of my house I ran to Ted’s shed and grabbed his ax. I walked kitty corner across the street to Winston’s place. Raising the ax, I hammered his garage door handle off and lifted the door open.
Next I went to his house door, inside the garage, and repeated the process. Inside his home the temperature was cool. Though I should have felt like a thief, I knew I was doing my remaining neighbors a favor. Maybe even a life saving favor at that.

  I came back to Ted’s and began my goodbyes. Charlotte and Alice hugged me tightly, tears filling their eyes. Charles shook my hand but refused to look me in the face. He gave me a simple “good luck” and released my hand. Jim actually smiled at me.

  “Hey, be safe out there, Bill. Real safe.” He stood and took my hand. “Maybe someday you’ll come back; you, Sharon, and the kids. Maybe someday, someday soon, everything will get back to normal. Maybe.” What Jim did next surprised the heck out of me. He hugged me; he actually hugged me. I had never known Jim to be much of a touchy feely kind of person. But this morning, when I could use it most, he gave me the human touch I so desired.

  Glancing around, I noticed Alexis missing from the group. Jim saw me look for the missing member.

  “She’s over at the house. There were a couple things she wanted to grab. Go say goodbye. She’s not that upset I don’t think.” Jim accepted my departure with grace. Perhaps Alexis would as well.

  Crossing the street one last time, I felt the sun intensifying. It was going to be another hot day. If we were lucky, rain might come soon and break this hot spell. I laughed to myself realizing just how dependent we had all become on technology for our every need. Once upon a time, like a month ago, I would have just flipped on the TV or radio to check the weather. Easy process. Now, we had no way to know if the heat would continue unabated for weeks, or if a monster cold front was on our doorstep. All we could do was watch the skies and hope for at least 30 minutes warning. And everyone was in the same boat, everywhere it seemed.

  Stepping inside Jim’s house I called out. “Alexis, are you in here?” I slowly ascended eight grey-carpeted steps to their living room. No response. “Alexis,” I called a little louder. Stepping into their kitchen I spied her sitting on their back deck.

  Alexis sat on a folding lawn chair, stoically. Staring at the park beyond her backyard, her attention never wavered. She refused to look at me. Only after a long pause did I see her lift a cigarette to her mouth and take a slow drag. When she finally exhaled, I watched the smoke drift aimlessly in the humid air.

  “I didn’t know you smoked.” I tried to sound cheerful and hopeful for her. It didn’t work. She continued to stare away, and took another drag. Finally after another long exhale she turned her head to me. I repeated myself. “Alexis, I didn’t know you smoked.” Her eyes weren’t sad, as I had expected. They were more upset.

  “I didn’t know you gave a damn anymore.” Slowly she turned her head, took another drag, and continued her stare into the green woods.

  I turned and left. There was nothing I could say. Just as I reached the top of her staircase, I spoke one last time. “Goodbye Alexis.” I wanted to say more. But I couldn’t. I slumped across the street to my bike and called for Buddy. With him by my side, I sadly left my neighbors, one last time.

  Chapter 16