No Normal Day Read Online Free PDF Page A

exchanged a look.
    Lee
said, “Probably not going to get any better up ahead”
    “ I
think you're right” Jack replied. He forced himself
up out of the chair, “I'm not that far now, from home, I have
got to get moving. My wife will be so worried.”
    “ Just
sit for a little longer and rest, we will be sure you get on your
way.” Lee and Cody nod to each other.
    Jack
eased back into the chair, just couldn't seem to keep his eyes open,
soon he was out. He woke up a bit disoriented, Cody shook his
shoulder. It had only been an hour but he slept like a dead man. It
was dusk, the creeping dark moved in fast and he pushed himself up
from the chair. He said, “I've got to go.” Lee stood in
the doorway of the tiny kitchen.
    “ Hey
man, I've got this old four wheel ATV out back. I haven't used it
much lately because I don't have a trailer. Not much riding room
around this little place. Anyway, I do keep it running. It's not a
speedball or anything, I think you can sit on the rack in the back. I
have already tied your bag on, got it pulled around front. I can get
you home a lot faster than those feet”.
    Jack
thinks it sounds better than a cadillac limo at this point. They
moved out to the porch, the light was nearly gone and it was eerie to
see no lights anywhere in sight. Lee said, “No head lights, so
you'll have to hold this flashlight.” Jack climbed on the rack,
not real comfy but no complaints. Cody cleared the two front steps,
walked over and stuck his hand out to Jack, “Thanks Jack, for
getting me home.”
    Jack
shook the hand, grinned and said, “It was nice to meet you kid,
take care of yourself.”
    The
ATV was purring and Lee spoke above the noise, “Cody, I don't
think this will take me much more than an hour. You go inside and
lock up. Don't open for anybody but me.”
    “ Gotcha”,
with a wave he turned and
went inside.
The ATV rumbled it's
way toward the road, Jack pointed the
flashlight they twisted their
way between the cars in the very last glow of daylight.

    ***

    It
was completely dark outside now and inside the house, an hour or so
earlier the rooms had lost the last hints of daylight. Beth lit the
lanterns in the kitchen and bedroom and a candle in the bathroom, off
of their bedroom. A large candle burned on the mantle in the living
room, which was open to the kitchen and small dining area. On the
kitchen stove, covered in foil, sat the grilled pork chops, a pot of
vegetable beef soup, and a pot of chili. She had opened a can of
beans and warmed them and cut up about half of the tomatoes and fresh
vegetables that were left. She even had some cornbread, Jack's
favorite, made in a skillet with a lid on the propane burner. A
pitcher of tea sat on the counter, although after today there won't
be ice. She treated herself to a glass of wine with an ice cube in
it. Beth realized that it wasn't classy to have cold wine, she didn't
give a rat's ass...she liked her wine cold. She perched on a stool at
the kitchen bar, the revolver on the hard surface in front of her.
She was really tired from more activity than she was used to and
stress. The wine made her even more sleepy. She didn't feel
comfortable going to the bedroom and getting in bed or even going to
her comfy chair or the sofa. It was so darn quiet and still, every
little sound seemed magnified. She could see a few very dim glows
like hers, in a window or two.
    The
counter top was cold and soon her head rested on
her arm. She dozed with
her hand on the gun, one slip-on sandal dangled from
her foot. Lights flashed across
the oven front and there was a noise. Half asleep and not really sure
what she saw or heard, she jumped up,
gun in her hand. She tried to
barely crack the blind and see out in the blackness. Some kind of
motorcycle or four wheeler was parked in the drive. She caught a
glimpse of two figures moving around to the front of the house. Was that her heart
pounding out of her chest or was it pounding on the front door .
She eased