Knight Parade Fourth Chapter to Grandmother's House We Go

Chapter Four:

To Grandmother's House We Go

Between the technology shut down, the nuclear blast, and the riots, Mike's parents have had more than enough of the craziness. They make the big decision to ensure the protection of their family and move out to the family farm. Really, you have to wonder how they stuck it out this long anyway.

It is the day after the riots and being a Saturday there is no school, which really doesn't matter because after the riots the old society is obviously broken. The result is that parents will no longer be sending their kids to an unsupervised school.

Mike arrives home from spending the morning at Justin's place to find his parents loading up the family vehicles: dad's truck and mom's car. Again, Mike's car ran out of gas some time ago and there was simply no gas left in town for him to fill up with. Mike had pain no attention to the lack of gas and drove around to his heart's content, usually to smoke, but his parents were slightly more aware and had driven sparingly since the shut down.

Mike walks up to his father who is placing a box of clothes in the bed of his truck and asks, "What's going on Dad?"

Larry answers with a huff as he wipes sweat from his brow, "We're moving out to your grandparent's farm, with some of the other brothers and sisters. It's just not safe here anymore and we need to be near the family. Plus on the farm we can raise what we need for food and hopefully be safer."

Now Mike's grandparents retired from farming as a business some time ago. Mike's uncle now farms most of the land and has some livestock: cows, pigs and horses. The farm is pretty big, about three thousand acres in all, with the main family home place and two other smaller houses on it. Both are old, big farmhouses with five to six rooms each, plenty of room for the family to bunk down in as there are six brothers and sisters in the family. But the last thing Mike wants to do is move out of town away from his friends, and to deal with his cousins, yeah that sounded like a good time. But before Mike protests, as his father expected him to, he stands contemplating for a moment. He looks at his father and then over to his mother who is helping Chris put food in the truck of her car.

Mike thinks to himself, "This is probably for the best, and arguing would be pretty pointless right now."

He then asks his father, "Can I go run and tell Justin quick?"

Larry looks at his son mercifully, trying to remember what it was like to be seventeen and ripped away from your friends, "Of course son, but be quick Mike, I want to get out there before dark."

Mike answers, while already running toward Justin's place, "No worries Dad..."

Justin's place is seven to eight blocks away, the closest of his friends, but the trip can be made in decent time on a dead run. Huffing and puffing Mike runs through Justin's garage and into the house, Pete and Tim are there too.

Justin jumps up with a surprise as Mike runs down into the basement and asks concerned, "Mike, what the heck is going on?"

Mike answers struggling to catch his breath after the run, "Crap, just wanted to let you guys know my family is moving out to my grandparent's farm tonight."

Pete stands up from the couch and says with an angry tone, "Dude, that sucks, what's the deal?"

Tim moves to the edge of his chair and answers Pete while continuing to look at Mike, "His dad thinks it will be safer for his family, right Mike, really can't blame the guy."

Mike nods, still slightly out of breath, and says, "Yeah, well I need to bail, just wanted you guys to know, you guys remember the way out to the farm right?"

Justin walks over to Mike, puts a hand on his shoulder and says reassuringly, "Yeah, no problem man we'll get out there and I'm sure you'll get into town too."

Mike says, feeling slightly better about the situation with Justin's reassurance, "Yeah it just sucks, having to deal with the fam. Hey, you guys had a bad feeling since this thing started?"

Tim takes his eyes off of Mike and stares down at the floor folding his hands and responds, "Yeah man, real bad."

Mike looks from Tim to Pete and back to Justin, deep in thought for a moment and then says with an authoritative tone, "Hey, if something goes down let's have a meeting place, you know just in case. I was thinking the old auditorium, it has the big stage and lots of small rooms to hide in and no one goes in there anymore, asbestoses and crap."

Justin smiles at Mike and thinks to himself, "Mike can be surprisingly resourceful when the situation demands."

Justin then concurs, "Yeah that will be perfect, hey man you take care, things have gotten bad and I think they're going to get worse."

Mike says in a defeated tone beginning to worry again, "Yeah I think so too, anyway later, oh yeah, can you let Claire know what's going on?"

Pete cannot help but smile at the sense pf responsibility Mike has for Claire. Pete responds, "Yeah and then I'll bone her."

Mike knows Pete is just crapting around but the remark still does not sit well with him. Mike says in a slightly angry tone, "Frig off man."

Pete responds, realizing he should know better than to frig with Mike about Claire right now, "Of course we'll let her know man and we'll look out for her too."

Mike smiles, knowing his friends would do anything for him and says, "Thanks."

Mike heads back home, not as quickly this time, he has a lot of things on his mind. He needs to have one last smoke before leaving town, who knows when he will get the next chance for one of those. Smoking always seems to help him get his thoughts in line and he thinks about living out in the country, missing his friends, and missing Claire's smile, she was cool crap all right, cool crap. Mike returns home and helps the family finish loading up the vehicles and they head out to the farm. The farm is only about ten miles out, not too bad, a quick ride by car, and not bad by horse, as Mike will soon find out.

Out at the old farm Grandpa Tony meets Mike and his family as they pull in. Tony does not look his seventy-six years, he has a very tan, weather-beaten face. Even though technically "retired" he works the farm every day and is in better shape than most forty years olds. Grandpa Tony was Deborah's father and three of Deborah's other siblings and their families are already at the farm, excluding Mike's uncle's family who already lived there. Aunt Jean and her family live in Texas and Uncle Harris lives in New York , there has been no word from either and the family is very worried.

The long gravel lane that leads to Mike's grandparent's house winds like a serpent through green corn fields for almost a quarter of a mile before it reaches the edge of the thick grove that encircles the farm place. The grove is so dense you cannot see more than a few feet into it and Mike remembers as a young boy he ventured into the grove on Christmas Day. Even though it was a freezing winter day the center of grove was pleasantly warm and the grass was still green on the ground.

Surveying the old farm place as they drive up it seems to Mike that a lot of work has already been done. Grandpa Tony's first priority after things began to shut down was to get the old livestock buildings back in shape and then begin building wagons that could be pulled by the horses. Tony is a wise man, very wise indeed, he knew how to prepare and how to survive. But three months in a Korean prisoner of war camp will do that for ya, Mike knows there is not much Grandpa can't do.

As Mike and his family pull up to the main house Grandpa, and a few of the other family members make their way outside to greet them. Grandpa's dog Buster also runs, barking loudly, toward the vehicles to make his own greeting. Buster is a two-year old Labrador-Retriever mix, a huge black dog with a great personality. He still has a lot of puppy in him and seems to have boundless energy, jumping and slobbering over anyone who gets in his way.

Grandpa yells at the dog as Mike begins to open his door, "Down Buster, stupid dog. Well it's about time you slow pokes got here, we almost ate without you. It's good to see you Matt and Chris, and I haven't seen you for awhile Mikey, glad you could make it."

Mike says smiling as he walks up and gives his Grandpa a hug, "Me too Grandpa, good to see you."

"Hey Mike, how's it going?" Says cousin Kyle, a young blonde boy, as he makes his way to the front of the group. Kyle is three years younger than Mike and absolutely idolizes him and will not leave him alone at any family gatherings. He is a good kid, just kind of shy and awkward, Mike mostly feels sorry for him and tries to throw him a bone when he can.

Mike walks over and shakes Kyle's hand and says, "Hey Kyle, how's it going, good to see you."

Kyle responds almost beaming with excitement, "Yeah man, yeah, good to see you too."

As Chris gets out of the car he runs up to Grandpa and asks with an excited voice, "Grandpa, Grandpa, can we go ride the horse now?"

Tony answers laughing, "You know what Chris, let's go inside and get some food, and we can take the horses out tomorrow, OK?"

Chris, obviously disappointed, asks with a big frown on his face, "Tomorrow, you promise?"

Tony, still laughing, reassures his grandchild, "Yes Chris, tomorrow, I promise."

The rest of the family are saying their "heckos" and asking their "how are yous" and after Tony gives them just a few minutes to catch up he lets out an ear piercing whistle with two fingers in his mouth, as only Tony can do. This of course stops everyone in there tracks and Grandpa yells so everyone can hear, "Well let's help them get their stuff to their rooms, if everyone grabs something it won't take much. Let's hurry and get everyone settled as soon as we can, I'm hungry."

The family falls into line as directed by their patriarch and help Mike and his family get settled. The house is very old, the original part is well over one hundred years, and it has been built in pieces over time. Each family adding to it as their own family grew. The result was a three story, six bedroom, two full bath home that seemed more of a bed and breakfast than a family home. The house was a rich brown color, with tan trim and huge amounts of vine growth around the side and back of the house. Because of the thick grove the house was well protected from the wind and shaded.

Mike follows Tony to the room that he will be sharing with his two brothers and dumps his stuff on a single bed next to a window. Squeezing through the crowd Mike then makes his way to the kitchen. The wonderful aroma of turkey is unmistakable as he finishes the flight of stairs and rounds the corner into the kitchen. Grandma Millie is standing at the stove stirring some gravy. Her back is to Mike and she speak abruptly with a slight cackle, "Michael, my child, it's so good to have you here, come and give your old granny a hug." She then turns and stretches out both arms waiting for Mike to come to her.

Mike thinks to himself, "How the heck did she know I was here, old lady must have ears like a hawk."

Regardless of his surprise Mike makes his way toward his Grandmother and gives her a big hug. Her whole body is warm and especially her hands from working in the kitchen and Mike enjoys the warmth and strength of her embrace.

Mike says after escaping from Grandma's hug, "It's good to see you to Grandma, how are you feeling?"

Grandma turns back to the stove and answers in a raspy tone, "Oh Michael except for this darn burning arthritis I feel like I'm nineteen again." She then begins to bellow with laughter. Mike thinks to himself, she's frigin' crazy but she is one terrific lady.

Mike laughs simply to pacify her and responds, "Oh Grandma, if you feel nineteen again I have some friends I could introduce you too."

Grandma roars with laughter again and says with tears in her eyes, "Oh crap Michael, at my age, trying to keep up with a young man again. I can barely keep up with you Grandfather anymore."

This being the absolute last thing he wanted to hear, Mike turns bright red, shakes his head, and responds, "Grandma you're crazy."

Grandma turns to Mike, smiles, and says in a very sweet tone, "Oh Michael, that's why you love me."

By this time the rest of the family has moved into the dining room and everyone sits down for a huge meal. This is the first time in a long time that this many of the family have been together, all twenty-two of them, it is a grand feast of turkey, ham, potatoes, stuffing, vegetables and three kinds of pie. Grandma always goes all out and she never disappoints. The whole meal is cooked on the old wood burning stove, very impressive, that kind of work is an all day affair. Grandma and Grandpa do have a generator, which they do not have on at this time, and a large amount of fuel. But like I said Grandpa knows how to survive and that fuel may be more needed at a later time.

Grandpa says grace before the meal as he always does.

Tony, "Lord, I thank you for this meal and I thank you for this family and the love and strength you have given us. We will need that strength in the days ahead and I ask that you bless and keep us. Lord, I pray for those of this family not with us and ask you to keep them safe and if they are already with you, take care of them for us until we meet again. Bless those Lord who are lost and need to find their way and those that are looking for the lost. In your sons name I pray, Amen."

The family finishes the meal and talk by fire light until about ten or so and then they begin to meander to their sleeping quarters. But Mike decides to meander outside for some fresh air, it is now late spring but it is cool enough this evening outside to need a jacket. Mike walks around to the back porch and catches the unmistakable smell of Grandpa's tobacco before he rounds the corner.

Tony is obviously startled at first but then relaxes when he sees Mike and says, "Looks like you caught me son."

Mike laughing and shaking his head at his grandfather responds, "Those things will kill you Grandpa."

Tony takes a drag off his smoke and answers Mike, "They will kill you too son," as he hands Mike one of his hand rolled cigarettes. Mike personally does not care for them, but a smoke is a smoke and he probably will not get too many of these.

Tony lights Mike's smoke and scolds, "Don't tell your mother or she'll kill me."

Mike takes his own drag and looks out into the night, "Oh Grandpa, what the frig do you do?"

Grandpa answers also looking out into the night, "Not much."

After a moment of smoke filled silence Grandpa says rather apologetically, "Sorry you had to be drug out to the farm with your family son. That has to be quite a downer for a young man like yourself. But I'm glad you're here, we're going to need you. I'm going to need you, but if you want a horse to get into town you let me know."

Mike laughs almost spitting the smoke out of his mouth says, "Grandpa I don't even know how to ride a horse."

Grandpa responds rather matter-of-factly, "Well, then you will learn tomorrow."

Mike shakes his head at his Grandfather knowing that this old man would do anything for anyone no matter how inconvenient and says, "Thanks Grandpa."

Grandpa flicks his almost finished smoke out into the night and returns to an authoritative tone and says, "Now finish that smoke and get to bed, you'll need your rest, trust me."

Mike flicks out his own smoke and sighs, "Yeah, goodnight Grandpa."

Mike's sleep is very troubled that night and it's not just because he is in a room with his two brothers. It is the dream again, but somehow it's different this time. Mike let's go of Tim as usual and falls toward the ground but this time he does not wake before he hits the ground, he actually hits the ground. Thinking back the next day this seems weird to Mike as "they" always say that if you hit the ground in your dream you die in real life. But in the dream, after he hits the ground, and just as Mike thinks he can open his eyes, he wakes up to his arm being shaken, it is his father.

Larry says, trying to shake his son awake, "Time to get up kid, there's work to do and Grandpa wants your help on the north buildings and he said something about horses."

Mike still half asleep, says without thinking, "Crap Grandpa."

Larry responds sharply with a disapproving tone, "Watch your mouth kid."

Mike, now fully awake, answers apologetically, more sorry that he got busted than anything else, "Sorry dad."

Mike brushes his teeth with the water basin in the room, dresses quickly and heads outside. He makes his way to the north buildings where Grandpa is waiting with two horses. The day is bright and the smell of the wild flowers in the grove is almost intoxicating. Mike has no idea what they are but they smell even better than his mother's petunias.

As Mike reaches the north buildings Grandpa says, smiling at his obviously drowsy grandson, "Time to ride son, let's go."

Now Mike has seen enough westerns to think he knows how to at least mount the darn horse and maybe even ride it. But it is not that easy. He does get on the horse alright but once he is on the horse, it begins to move, which horses have a tendency to do. Mike tries to get it to stop with a pull of the reigns and a "whoa boy", and the horse eventually does come to a stop. But it is almost thirty yards from Tony when it does and it has gotten turned around in the opposite direction.

Grandpa cannot help but chuckle at the young man and instructs, "Now just use your legs to steer the horse and coax it with the reigns, just let the horse do the work and you'll be OK."

Mike yells back at Grandpa, slightly annoyed at his current situation, "Let the darn horse do the work, well apparently the horse and I differ on where exactly to do this work."

Grandpa responds now with a full out laugh, "Oh crap, you'll figure it out, now try it again."

Mike and Grandpa work on riding until lunch time and after lunch they work on the north buildings getting them ready for livestock and storage.