Reinke Faces Life

It happened in Church – October 19, 1962
Chapter Sixty Seven – Juggling Too Many

Wednesday 14 Nov (begins)

0000

Did you turn off

Jody sat bolt upright. She was losing her mind. She woke Roy up sleeping a polite, respectable, chaste distance away. “My water” she squealed at him. He was a little foggy: “It’s OK. We have an hour to get to the hospital. It’s your first one. They take longer.” He got up and looked for her bag and his keys.

She had to laugh.

The laughing woke him the rest of the way up. “What’s so funny?” he grumped. She said: “I forgot the water. And, you thought we were having a baby. That was so sweet.” Roy said a bad word. “The Water!”

They both hustled to Sally. They whizzed to Sally, unlocked her, and went outside. The water wasn’t overflowing. It wasn’t even running.

As they went back in Sally. They met the off half of the Church OP who said: “I took the liberty of turning it off. It was beginning to overflow. So I thought you must have gotten busy or just forgot about it. Hope that was OK. I probably should have called. But, if you were sleeping, there was no reason to wake you up. Sorry, if that was wrong?” “No that was perfect. Everyone has to cover for everyone else. Thanks. We’ll be back at human being hours to finish up.

They walked back to their spot in the gym. As they were snuggling down, Jody said: “Roy, that was a nice thought about a family.” “Jody, as soon as we get to Vermont, we’ll do things right.” She felt blissful.

+++++

Lurp out

0400

A good hour! Brother Kevin had made believers out of everyone. Maybe superstitious; like ballplayers. Getting out and set up early had resulted in zero casualties. Luck, the fact there was no opposition; who knew, who cared?

Brother Kevin found them in Sally, waiting, for him. All of them and a new comer. Brian was waiting to deliver the CB to Brother Kevin. “Brian, you’re going to wear yourself lugging these things around. Besides, isn’t paranoia a heavy enough load?” Brian showed a cruel grin: “Plenty of time to rest in ten days; when we are in Vermont. I’ve got a hunch we are on a cusp. Carefully teetering. Like the old movies. Narrow road with a canyon beside us. One push and over we go. Just a hunch! But the CBs could be used to bring trouble down on us in a hurry. If I’m wrong, we’ll laugh about it over a soda pop in Vermont. If I’m right, well, we’ll never know that.” “Brain, you keep doing whatever you feel needs doing. On the canal, many times, I went with my hunches and they kept me alive. So you’ll never hear me laugh. Ever.” Brian was reassured to keep his paranoia active. “Brother Kevin, remind me, next time we steal radios, to steal lighter ones.” They laughed. Hugged. And, Brian gave him a mock salute; he returned it.

Brother Kevin went thumbs up to the team. Thumbs up in return. He dialed the Office: “Lurp Jumping off.” “Green board. Back safe. God’s speed!”

Center in a pair. Other two leap frog. Fast. efficient, effective. 211w211 was a long jaunt up Broadway and left on 211. It took a half hour. No birds; too bad. No dogs; good. No people; mixed blessing. No Bravo Golfs; very good. Set up in the four corners. 211 was one building in from the corner. Top floor minus one apartments. Back from the windows. Set the signals. One window right today. Unlimbered the rifles. Brother Kevin was trying a new wrinkle today. Every person had a small flashlight. From back inside their apartment, aiming at their counterparts, they could use the light to code. Neat. Split up, but not out of contact. It looked like a framed light. But no risk of exposure unless you were lined up right and looking for it. Brother Kevin setup the CB and keyed: ‘angels in heaven’ and heard ‘mother goose out’. Now they just had to wait, watch but mostly listen.

Dawn was always an inspiring sight. Brother Kevin found that he was beginning to remember some of the prodigious book of prayers he was to pray everyday. Amazing what the mind can do when it focuses. He too was still ‘itching’; like Brian, this was all going too easy. Vermont couldn’t come too soon.

+++++

Wake Up

Marie woke. One of the twins was trying self-service. It knew there was breakfast in there somewhere. It made Marie laugh silently. There were people around. John didn’t count. So she draped a blanket, unzipped her sweat suit, and allowed the baby to home in on its target. Like every thing in life, a little struggle is good.

After the dining, she was sure there were duties at the south end. Was she ever going to be diaper free? Not that it mattered, it was just a chore. Would it be different when she had her own? She hoped not. She was sad for the babies’ mother, never to have know these simple joys. In the sisterhood of women, she promised that these babies would have a good start. Genes matter; nurture matters too. Marie was giving her all for these children, all her classmates, and all the guests. Would it be ‘enough’? Serious question!

John rolled over and woke when his cast stuck him. She thought; ‘served him right for going and breaking it.’ Forgetting of course, that he didn’t set our to break it. He was up and moving now. He swapped her babies; demonstrating real prowess, he did both south ends with out a mishap. Not bad for a clueless man.

+++++

What do we have

0500

‘able seaman. one male maybe the same one moving from park east on d street.’ ‘mother goose, continue to observe and report, out’

0530

‘general sherman. man, woman, grocery cart with multiple children. moving north on twelfth.’ ‘mother goose, continue to observe. out.’

‘heavens angels, did you copy the general.’ ‘mother goose, yes, do you have instructions from hq.’ ‘no stand by’

OP1 was the de facto radio room and secondary Office. They rang the office and asked for someone in leadership in OP1 Red Two.

The Office called the gym and got one of the adjutants watching the Leaders in the gym. They went and brought John to the phone. ‘Office here. We have a family passing General Sherman heading north on Twelfth Avenue. I have contact with Lurp. Do we want them?” Good Samaritan or not. “Office please communicate to the Lurp the message ‘good samaritan; your discretion’. “Aye aye, sir.” John shook his head. Where did all the military metaphors come from.

‘heavens angels, message from the tip top. four words, good samaritan your discretion, do you copy.’ ‘mother goose, message received and understood. will action. angels in heaven out’

Brother Kevin had been hand the ‘sack’ as they called it. Sack of what no one knows. Gold or excrement? Best decision is the one closest. He’d leave two thirds here on the primary mission. He’d take one team to check it out.

‘mother goose, tell tip top, he may have to make a pick up. angels will split with one cohort. rest stay on mission. split will go to observe. angels in heaven out.’

And, he packed up the CB. He signaled the diagonal team to join him downstairs. He signaled the other two the details. Is this what they meant about ‘adapting’. He was downstairs. They did a quick leapfrog over toTwelfth and 211. He positioned one behind him in between parked cars with the CB. The other in front of him under a parked truck. Pulled a trash can from the corner into the middle of the street, then he slung his rifle behind him and sat on it. In the middle of the street. As non-threatening as he could be.

It wasn’t a long wait. He heard them long before he saw them. They were really trying to be quiet. Not very successfully. He saw them, long before they saw him. He yelled “howdy folks” in his friendliest voice. The man yelled back. “Stay away. I’ll shoot.” Brother Kevin doubted that he was even armed, but best to take no chances. “Well that would be a big mistake. I have two rifles aimed at you right now. I mean you know harm. Ever hear of the Good Samaritan?” “You hurt?” “No but you will be if you keep doing what your doing. Did you know you blundered past one of our outposts? You’re coming from gang country and going towards another gang’s country. The results would not be pleasant. This was a another gang’s country but we put them out of business. So you’re safe for the moment.” “What can I say?” “Well, why don’t you come on over and we can chat a little. I may have some thoughts that interest you. If not, you can proceed on your way.” He could hear them talking. “Coming in.” “Come ahead. Angels stand easy.” Now he was scared. This is where stuff broke down. The family pushed their wagon ahead to him. They were unarmed. They looked dirty and scared. “Hi, my name is Brother Kevin. And, up to a few weeks ago, I was a teacher at Good Shepard School a few blocks south of here.” “Please to meet you, my name is Wally. My wife, Wilma. Corney, but the girl isWinona and the boy is Wilfred.” “Pleased to meet you W’s. That’s great. Can’t wait for you to meet the H’s. They are another family we gathered near here. Where are you headed?” “Away from NYC. My wife’s relatives are in Ohio and mine are from Washington State of. What do you know of the outside world?” “Not much. There is civilization in Vermont, New Hampshire, and elsewhere who knows. We’re going to Vermont. If you like to join us, you’re welcome. We’ve been collecting folks to join the original survivors from the school. Your call. I can tell you that we know there are active gangs on all sides of you. Not very pleasant folks who have interesting ideas how to treat their fellow man. What did you do for a living before this nonsense?” “I was a chemist. Organic chemistry to be precise. Wife is too, but she’s been homemaking.” “Well, I did some chemistry once upon a time. Seems like three life times ago. I imagine real skills will be in demand in the civilized world. Would you like to bum a ride with us?” “Very much so. I have nothing to offer.” “Well, nothing is demanded. Just help out as you see a need. We’re pretty loosey goosey. Now let me call for your ride.” “Ride?” “Yeah, we’re going to Vermont. It’s a long way and we’re riding.”

Brother Kevin walked to the rear and called out the team. He fired up the radio and coded. Encrypted of course. “mother goose, i have two adults and three children to join. send a ride please to my location. bway and the cross where I went.” “mother goose to partial heaven’s angel cohort. roger, one motor, to your location to pick up five. please authenticate, your boss name in school’ ‘brother prefect’ “heavens angel cohort, one ride, ten minutes, need anything else.” “bring the water for the marbles. might as well deliver it.” “mother goose sending van and water. mother Goose out”

Brother Kevin was really hanging out here.

++++++

Breakfast

Crats got opened by others. John served water. Advice and sympathy no extra charge.

He reviewed all the things that needed to get done today with anyone who would listen. Several times.

No doubt some actually listened.

He was summoned by adjutant, “Roy is taking the van to pick up those people. He’s delivering a CD ration of water and Brother Kevin will deliver it.”

Yup, things were spinning quickly.

+++++

Bus out; bus back

Roy hefted the CD ration of water out of the Church where they had it staged for loading when the time came. It was not very big. But it was heavy. He put it out int he street and went to get the bus by the school. He ran. He didn’t want anyone to steal his ride. Or his chance to ride. Everyone would jump at a choice assignment.

June joined him on the bus duty. She felt she could put the folks at ease while Roy did the transport.

While he hadn’t driven anything this big before, Roy felt it was actually easier. No shifting. No clutch. No wonder Marie picked it up so quick. It was really just aiming.

Down Isham, left on Broadway. They were there in nothing flat. June popped off and introduced herself to the W family. It was obvious they were hurting. She helped them on the bus and carried their meager possessions. The shopping cart would never fit. She promised them all the food, water, showers, clean clothes, and a safe place to rest. They felt shocked. “We never expected this.” June responded: “Please you honor us by allowing us to help.”

Roy and Brother Kevin manhandled the water barrel into the shopping cart. They hit Brother Kevin’s CB and coded. ‘mother goose, rescue wagon arrived safely and picked up the cargo. angels has the water and willdrop it off.” “partial angels cohort, hurry, the recovery team is gathering.” “mother goose, remaining angels in place, will hurry though. catseye marble: you listening. thirsty yet” “partial angels cohort: no, we’ve been rationing.” Brother Kevin coded: “marbles see you soon cohort out”, gathered up his escort, and pushed the heavy cart headed up Broadway. Just the way the W’s were going.

At the bridge, one of the marble-tes showed him the way around to the cut out. They dropped the water there. Left the cart there as well. A lot lighter, they shook hands and returned the way they came. From Broadway, Brother Kevin looked up and saw several brush piles, fallen trees, rocks, and lumps. If they didn’t move, they were invisible. Even if they did move a little, it might be invisible.

+++++

Organizing recovery

Sam called all the folks into the gym. “Short Leg takes the School’s roof. Out the school door, board the bus, say hi to Marie your driver, first stop is the garage. Two driving teams with John to retrieve cars. Bus continues to 211w211. Linda’s team Secures the roof. Guests, same Volunteers, second element. I’ll clear for Sean5 211 west 211th #49 and we have to get his violin and his dad’s coin collection. Lisa’s team will hold the street. Same as yesterday. Use the time wisely. When we return, the Linda and Lisa teams stay on the bus. Everyone else oof in an orderly fashion.Alyssa and the driving teams will re-board and we’re going to the depot for three trucks.”

“Move out”. He called the Office. “Expedition away”. “Green board. God’s speed.” It was routine. He was a tour guide.

Very boring.

At the garage, John had the doors open and the teams were going down the ramp before the bus pulled away. Sam bet they’d be out of there in ten minutes or less. Not sitting duck in a big old bus like he was.

Sam was wrong. The driving teams were on their way home in seven. John locked up the door and drove a third car. Never would know when they’d need an extra one. It was Chevy. He was a Ford man. But you stole what you could get and this was easy.

At the site, Sam went with Sean5. He kicked the door in and cleared the apartment. One of these days, they’d find someone home. He called down for Sean. The boy locate the violin immediately He seemed over joyed to get it. Guess when you have a gift, you need to practice it. The coin collection was bigger than Sam expected. It was in a small tool chest. Like an auto mechanic uses. Luckily it was on rollers. Sam thought a bad word. Luckily they weren’t on the fifth floor. Sean showed Sam haw the draws came out and they brought them down a landing at a time. Now Sam regretting not bring more help. Always surprises.

The Guests were done. Nothing found. Maybe their hearts were not in it. They helped move the coins.

When the coins were on the bus, with the violin and three pillowcases, he ordered the retreat. Tour guide, that’s all he was. Some Centurion. with no enemies to battle.

+++++

Governor sends again

He again took that old poetry book from his shelf. He sat with pencil and paper and encoded a message. “Dear X: It may be time to leave your station. I’m aware of refugees coming north from your area of operation. I think you’ve done all you can trying to rescue our people. We don’t have the resources to mount a strike and free those poor wretches you discovered. Slave markets in ten days. How far the world has crashed in a few days. When I have details, I suggest you let them discover you and join them for the ride home. This may be your only chance to do so safely. Or relatively safely. Suggest that you burn the records. You carry everything important in your head anyway. Word to the wise, Frater Uno.” Promptly at ten, he pulled out an old radio unit and began sending code. He folded the paper and put it in his back pocket. He’d send it again at 2PM and every two hours until acknowledged. But that wouldn’t be needed, he heard “Frater semper” from the speaker.

+++++

Buffalo One / Mass #1

Jody and Roy were ready to move. She capped the bed that filled last night. Roy rounded up a driving team. Today they had to deliver this one to one of the Mass Move sites. #1 South. They’d do that first because it was closest to the bad guys. Roy commanded the team. It was a lot like yesterday. They left it at Vermilyea block down from 207th. It could go the two blocks when needed. This way if didn’t highlight where they were going to base. If some one set up and ambush on the water truck. They’d be at least two blocks off.

The drive was uneventful. He did the turns at dead slow lest the water bed slide off the top. When they parked the truck, he hid the keys under the front bumper passenger side. Little did he know that most truckers did that.

They hiked back to the school in route step. Other than atlatls, only Roy had a rifle. Didn’t need it. Didn’t see anyone either. Which was fine with him.

+++++

Cars Arrive

Jody was standing by Sally. Waiting for something to fill with water.

John followed by two other cars. He was identifiable by the cast hanging out the window. Things were really coming together.

The cars were parked neatly by the School. She could see them all pile into the van and they were off again. She’d have her trucks in a few minutes.

Half hour later, Jody could hear the diesels in the distance. Yes, they were really hanging out now. The van pulled around the corner. John jumped out to direct traffic. The first truck rounded the corner and he wave it wildly towards Sally. Second one, behind the van. Third one, behind the second.

Putting the first one in was an adventure. The Driving Team moved slowly. There were some missteps getting it lined up. She never felt like she had to run for safety. But it wasn’t crisp like yesterday. Hey, what do you expect with kids driving. After five minutes of jockeying, she had it where she wanted it. She yelled: “That’s good. Thank you.” One of the Fourths jumped out and chocked the wheels. The team got down to admire their work. They were all Fourths! She knew they were unstoppable. Inevitable!

+++++

Colonel’s surprise

The bell goes off.

Amy arrives this time. She was looking sharp. Rumor hath it that she had attracted the eye of one of the up and coming pocket protectors. She was shaping up to keep him interested. If she was like her Mom, the poor fool wouldn’t have a chance. To him, she’d always be that baby girl. But, time was transforming her into a vixen. The baby pocket protector would not have a chance.

She knocked and reported “The cast of characters was enlarging.” She read him the Guv’s message. “Jeffery programmed the Deathbed edition in before Matt returned it.” “Jeffery?” She blushed. “One of the pocket protectors.” “And what does Jeffery have to say about all this?” “Nothing, he’s just a bits and bytes fellow.” “No, I meant about all this.” Twirling his finger around her. She blushed even more. “He hasn’t noticed yet.” “He’d be a fool if he didn’t. And, I hope you’ll be very happy.” “That’s getting way ahead of everything”.

The Colonel was MI. He didn’t think so. He knew the whole D family.

Back to this chatty Guv. He had assets in NYC too. Interesting. Would that put the Children at risk? That was his concern!

Who were the Guv’s TWO radio buddies?

+++++

Duplicate Effort

Marie drove the bus to the depot. Didn’t like what she saw! She said to Alyssa: “Someone’s been here since last I left.” “How?” “See the end of the gate. That coke can isn’t where I left it.” Marie stopped the bus. Took her rifle and went to investigate. She didn’t see anything out of place. Just trucks ‘missing’. She returned to the bus. “It is OK, but I suspect John was here taking trucks up to school. We didn’t review the plan last night. Let’s get what we need and move out. If we get to the school and he has them there, let’s park them up by the school.”

Alyssa and teams spread out. The three trucks were under way. Marie closed the gate and reset her signal.

Sure enough. They pulled up on Isham and found a truck parking lot. They moved them to the school lot. Marie was annoyed. Alyssa was amused.

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