After the End: Survival Read Online Free PDF Page A

two boys who found her. And maybe have you take me to the place so I can look it over."
    "Sure. The sheriff said you might want to do that. Those boys are neighbors and it's dinnertime. I figure they'll be putting on the feed bag about now. If you're up to it, we might do the same. Yolanda makes a pretty good stew."
    Pete nodded. "That'll work. I'd be much obliged for the meal."
    Pete followed the red pickup truck for the short drive to David's home. They stopped along the way, David going to the door of two adjoining houses to let the boys’ parents know they'd be back "in a little bit" to question the youngsters.
    David's house was a brick ranch style home on 8th Avenue in the southwest part of Canyon. The mostly brown grass showed signs of having been mowed. Inside the house Pete was introduced to David's wife, Yolanda, and their year old daughter. Yolanda was dark, thin, and a little taller than her husband. Her black hair was plaited in a single braid. She greeted them both with a smile.
    "My cousin Mary told me about you. She lives over by Quail Creek. You helped her get rid of her bladder infection. She hasn't had any more trouble, but she doesn't like drinking all that juniper tea. I tried some and it was terrible. I don't know how she drinks it. I haven't ever had a bladder infection and I hope to God I never get one. I drink lots of water, and I always wipe from front to back." She paused for a second. "Why don't men ever seem to get bladder infections?"
    Pete was taken by surprise. "Uh, I think it's because the urethra, that tube that comes out of the bladder is longer and not so close to the, uh, anus."
    "Hmm." She didn't sound convinced. "OK. A friend of mine once got a kidney stone, and she said it was worse than having a baby." Yolanda continued her verbal onslaught while she served the meal, which was excellent, consisting of beef stew and cornbread. It had been cooked outside off the back porch in an electric oven modified to heat from wood. They'll be lucky to get six months out of that stove, Pete thought, simultaneously realizing there was no shortage of unused electric stoves. While the men ate, Yolanda kept their bowls full while stuffing tamales (‘You need to come by for supper tonight, Pete.’) and played with the baby, who spent the time contentedly in a playpen a few feet away.
    "Isn't it terrible what happened to that girl? I sure do hope y'all catch whoever it is that did it. That person should not be running around. Pete, what are you growing in your garden this year?"
    The quick change in subject took Pete by surprise.
    "Well, it's mostly herbs. I don't have the time to be messing with vegetables. I do have a few tomatoes and potatoes. And so many people end up with a surplus I don't ever seem to lack having enough of everything else."
    "You're sure right about that. Last year I know I put up enough. We're still eating 'em, and I'm ready to start canning again already. I got some carrots last month more than a foot long. Onions as big as baseballs. You play much baseball, Pete?"
    Pete's mouth was full, so he just shook his head. Yolanda took it from there. David just ate, never saying a word, a little smile on his face.
    "Well I guess you know about the baseball teams that have been playing this summer. My David, he plays shortstop for the Canyon team. They call themselves the Buffaloes, which I think is kind of silly, 'cause there ain't too many animals stupider than a buffalo, and my David, he sure ain't stupid," she said, putting her hand on David's shoulder and squeezing it.
    "But baby, you know I'm crazy . . . about you," said David.
    "You're just saying that because I made you stew today." Yolanda gently slapped David's outstretched hand, which was making it's way up the back of her leg.
    "No, baby, it's because of the tamales we're having tonight."
    "You just better behave yourself, boy, or you might not be getting any of anything tonight." David just grinned.
    "Yolanda, this is the