Ray Gorham - 77 Days in September

“I’d love to help. You’ve done so much for us. I don’t think we’d have made it this far without you. How’s Chuck doing? You’d mentioned he was sick.”

Grace’s smile left her face. “Oh, not too well. It’s his diabetes. His insulin has run out, and he’s got me worried.”

“You’ve never said anything about Chuck having diabetes. Can I do anything to help?”

Grace shook her head. “No. I don’t know what anyone can do. You know how stubborn he is. He won’t tell me how he’s doing, but I can tell it’s not good."

“How serious is it, Grace?”

“With the type he has, it’s serious. I try not to think about it, and I try not to worry, but Jennifer, what am I supposed to do? Without his insulin, and at his age…I don’t want to lose him.”

“I’m sorry Grace. I had no idea it was like that. I can check with Carol to see if she has any suggestions, but I don’t know.”

“Don’t let it get you down, sweetheart. Chuck wouldn’t want that. He’d be upset if he knew I’d worried you about him, so let’s not talk about that. Have you had any more troubles? Any more break-ins? We worry about you too, you know.”

“No, there hasn’t been anything else. I’m hoping that issue is history.”

“We hope so too. We don’t realize how much we depend on others, until there’s no one there for you. But anyways, no sense dwelling on depressing things. I’ll come knock on your door when I’m ready to harvest, probably by the end of the week. Alright?’

“Sounds good. Just let me know. I’ll bring Emma over with me. It would be good for her to have something to keep her busy.”

Saturday, October 29 th

Montana State Line

Kyle spotted the blue sign up ahead on the side of the road. He’d known by the mileage markers that he was getting close, but to actually see the sign sent a surge of adrenaline through his body. He picked up his pace and was close to a jog when he was finally able to read the words. Welcome to Montana . He stopped at the sign and set his cart down, then walked over to the sign and touched it tenderly, as if it was a long lost friend. Dropping to his knees, he raised his arms over his head and let out a victory cry. “I did it!” he yelled at the top of his lungs. “I’m in Montana!”

He knew he still had a long ways to go, 444 miles to be exact, but to be in the same state as his family, breathing the same air and seeing the same sky, seemed to make everything lighter. He stood, triumphantly, for a few moments, wanting to share this achievement with someone, but the only cheers he heard were the sounds of birds flying overhead, oblivious to his accomplishment. With the celebration over, Kyle picked up his cart and once again headed north.

October 31 st

South Central Montana

Day 59

Cold and windy today. The weather scares me now, so I’m hesitant to move along if there’s a chance for storms. I waited for a couple hours in someone’s abandoned Camry, then headed on before noon when the skies started to clear. Day ended up being a short travel day as the wind was too much, and I was tired. Passed Custer’s Battlefield. Reminded me of our vacation 5 years ago, just before Spencer was born. I remember that it was the last stop on our itinerary, and we made it home before dark. Now I’ve got more than 2 weeks to walk. Life has come full circle, even Custer would have made this journey faster than me, at least he would have before the Indians got him.

I’m not seeing many people on the road; in fact, I’ve only seen 1 other walker in the last 3 days. Not sure if it’s because of where I am, or because people have already made it to their destinations, but things are quiet. Food is the never-ending challenge. Have killed and eaten a few rabbits, but hate to waste the ammo, plus I have to build a fire to cook them. Some canned food would be nice, as would a microwave, spices, something with flavor. My shoes are worn, but I think they’ll make it. Just hope my feet and knees hold out. The clothes Rose gave me have kept me warm, and I’m glad to have them. The thought of walking through our front door now seems like more than just a dream, and being on familiar ground makes the days more bearable in some ways, tougher in others.

I love you all.

Saturday, November 5 th

Deer Creek, Montana

Jennifer closed the door to Emma’s room, where David and Spencer were now sleeping, and walked down the hall to the living room. The faint moonlight through the windows gave just enough illumination for her to see her way around, and she moved comfortably without a flashlight. She checked the front door to be sure it was locked, found it secure, and went to her own bedroom. Removing her robe and slippers, she crawled into her bed, discovering that Emma had rolled over onto her side of the bed once again. Jennifer gave her daughter a push to scoot her to the far side but was glad that Emma had left a comfortably warm spot in the otherwise cold sheets.

As she always did, Jennifer lay awake with her thoughts, worrying about the kids, about Chuck next door, and wondering where Kyle might be. With Kyle still on her mind, she drifted off to sleep.

She was in the middle of a dream, a dream where she and Kyle were on a date at a fancy Italian restaurant, when an ice-cold hand clamped down hard on her mouth. Her eyes flew open and she struggled in the near darkness to see who was there. She reached to grab the hand and felt the cold steel of a knife blade press against her throat. “Don’t resist, Jennifer,” she heard Doug say in a harsh whisper. She stopped struggling, looked up, and saw his face hovering over hers. It was the face of a monster. His eyes were two dark, sunken shadows. His cheeks were gaunt and covered in a wiry beard that had grown in since she’d seen him last. His lips were cracked and scabbed, and parted in an evil grin that revealed his crooked teeth.

Doug leaned in close, and she felt his hot, foul breath on her face. “I see you’re not sleeping alone,” he whispered in her ear. “If you don’t do everything I tell you to, I’ll cut her first,” he said, nodding to Emma. “Do you understand?”

Jennifer nodded, tears filling her eyes.

“I’m going to remove my hand. Don’t make me hurt your daughter.”

Jennifer shook her head, and Doug slowly removed his hand. “Please don’t do this,” Jennifer whispered as soon as his hand slipped off. “Doug, please. Not here. Not now,” she pled, tears running down the sides of her face.

“Shut up,” he spat back. “If you wake your daughter, things will get messy. Besides, you had your chance to do it your way. Now I’m doing it mine.”

“Doug, please don’t. I’ll come to your house in the morning. I’ll spend the whole day there. You can do whatever you want to me. I swear. Just don’t hurt my daughter, or my boys.”

“Shut up!” he said, raising his voice. “You think I’m stupid? You’ll show up with ten armed men. It’s every man for himself anymore, and I’m going to take what I want.” He slid his hand under the blankets and caressed her breast, causing her to flinch. “We’re going to do it right here, right now, and you’re going to act like I’m your lover and do everything I want. Do you understand?”

“Please, Doug,” she sobbed. “Not by my daughter.”

“Your daughter’s my insurance policy. This worked out well. If you don’t do whatever I want, I’ll hurt her first so you can hear it, and then you, and then maybe your precious boys down the hall. Got it?”

Jennifer nodded, another jolt of fear shooting through her at the mention of her boys and their location in Emma’s room. “How do I know you won’t hurt us even if I do what you want?” she asked, trying to control her voice.