Anthony Newman: American Survivor

PS There are five letters that you need to read this week. They are in the front of the book.

I will be watching from above. Live a good life, and I know you’ll make me prouder of you than I already am!

Joe laughed several times as he read the letter and had tears flowing from his eyes by the end. On the table was a large three-ring binder with plastic pages that contained three sealed envelopes per side for a total of 134 letters and several paper maps. There were 30 letters to be opened one per day and then one per week afterward. A cover letter for the maps had in large letters, “Joe, your GPS doesn’t have the good stuff on it. You will need to use my maps with my hand printed notes to find my treasure or should I say your treasure.”

Joe read the first letter.

“Joe, now the fun begins. Go to the Outfitter store and purchase the items on the list below before you go to the property.

Joe took a gander at the list and saw several guns, ammo, a folding shovel, and lots of camping gear.

Joe’s dad and mom wanted him to go back home with them, but Joe was excited to go out and see his property, “Dad, I sat on my patio a week ago trying to decide if I should celebrate or be sad my two best friends were dead. Now I have land and some money out here in the woods of Oregon.”

“Son, do what you have to do, but where will you live?”

“I haven't been out to this tract of land in years, but I’ll never forget the main cabin that Grandpa built. Remember he was one of those people who thought the Russians were going to nuke us back in the day and wanted the cabin to be his retreat. I hope Grandma kept it and the other cabins up.”

“Okay son, I’ll go through your things and ship the items on your list to you next week. I guess the good news is now I’ll have a place to go hunting with you.”

“Dad, we both love hunting but haven’t been in years, but I remember like it was yesterday the camping trips we took nearly every weekend; oh, yeah let’s not forget that weekend you made me camp by myself to get ready for my Boy Scout Order of the Arrow. Then how you made me skin and prepare the game, we hunted. You know what, Dad, I loved that time of my life, and thanks to you and Grandpa, I know I can make it up there on my own, Hell, I prefer my own company to ‘bout anybody, ‘cept you, mom, and Grandma. Hey, Dad, I’ll bet you a dollar that I lose this extra weight I’m carryin’ around, too.

I’m going to spend a little money on hunting gear and live off the land. I’ll even grow my own food and raise some animals. Come on out when you can, and we’ll have a great time.”

Joe took his mom and dad to the airport and then drove to the Ford Dealer in Ashland to buy a used 4x4 to help him get around.

“You work for Ford in Murfreesboro. I can get you a squeal of a deal on a new F150,” the salesman said.

“I want that old 1975 Bronco on the back lot. The mechanic said it was in perfect running condition and has new tires. It will do fine to get back to Ashland every once in a while, “Joe pushed back.

“Just trying to help.”

The Bronco was black with a black rag top and soft full doors. It had a black interior and all the four wheeling goodies. It had a wench on the front brush bumper, and a handyman jack attached to the back beside a jerry can for gasoline. The tires were 35 inches, had massive lugs, and would go through any snow unless it high centered.

Joe sat at the salesman's desk while the salesman acted like he was trying to get Joe a good deal. There was a radio on the desk playing old ‘80s music when abruptly a newswoman said,” The Chinese have moved their aircraft Carrier Group closer to Taiwan, and the NSA reports the Chinese have moved several divisions of their crack troops to staging areas where their amphibious ships are located. Our President has ordered two more of our Carrier Groups to the area. We will keep you posted on any significant events.”

Joe ignored the announcer and read a hot rod magazine. Joe agreed to the price, and they signed the documents. He now had a Bronco.

The salesman told him about a place that had several used trailers, so Joe paid for the Bronco and headed out to find a trailer and purchase supplies. He bought a suitable trailer and then went to Cobb’s Outfitters and Outdoors Store in Ashland to purchase a few guns, ammunition, animal traps, and a long list of other items he thought he would need to live off the land.

He walked up to the camping section, where a man and the female department manager were having a heated discussion. “Mrs. Simms, I’m sorry you are being evicted, but I’m just the messenger,” the man said.

Cobie Simms answered with tears in her eyes. “But where will my daughter and I live? Everything is too expensive in Ashland, and most won’t take my daughter’s dog. Why is the building being torn down?”

She then quoted various laws and regulations, but the man replied, “Lady, some rich jerk from California bought several buildings and is tearing them down to build nicer homes that will sell for millions. Look you received notice 60 days ago and have to be out today. These guys have a dozen lawyers on retainer. Good luck.”

“But I can’t take off work. I’ll lose my job.” Tears flowed down her cheek as Cobie glared at the man.

The man ended the confrontation with, “Mrs. Connie M. Simms, the sheriff will be at your apartment at 3:00 pm today. Watch my men place your possessions out on the lawn for you to remove.”

The short, feisty lady said, “That’s Ms. Simms.”

Joe watched as the beautiful lady’s cheeks turned red and her voice cracked as she tried to keep her composure. Joe felt sorry for the attractive raven-haired beauty but went on with his shopping and minded his own business. After the betrayal by his fiancé, Joe didn’t have much sympathy for any woman in trouble, but the tears tugged at his heartstrings as he forced himself to walk away from her. As he walked away, he thought that the woman seemed very familiar. She was sharp-tongued, opinionated, and brilliant. He felt his Grandma would have said, “Boy that gal is built like a brick shithouse.”

He thought about this woman on and off the rest of the day while getting everything ready for his trip to the land.

Joe had almost finished his shopping when he walked past the archery department, tried out several compound bows, and decided to buy one. He hadn’t hunted with a bow since he was a Boy Scout. It seemed like a good idea, so he purchased the bow, arrows, and the accessories recommended by the sales clerk.

Joe was becoming more and more excited about returning to a life he had trained for as a child, He knew his weight would return to what, for him, would be normal.

Joe parked the Bronco and trailer in front of his motel room, checked the lock on the door to the trailer, and went to his room for the night. He turned on the news and took a shower. He lay down on the bed as the TV announcer said, “We have breaking news out of Taiwan. The entire Taiwanese financial banking system has been the subject of a cyber attack. Markets around the world are in chaos. Taiwanese officials are certain the Chinese military is responsible. Taiwan has threatened nuclear retaliation if the Chinese move troops toward them.

President Jackson has deployed two aircraft carrier groups to the area to assist Taiwan if this should become a shooting war. Jackson has warned the Chinese not to make any hostile moves against Taiwan.”

Joe fell asleep with only his new property on his mind. He wasn’t going to waste his time worrying about people ten thousand miles away.

Joe spent the next two days in lawyer’s offices and banks getting his inheritance handled and all of the transfers and paperwork completed. He took the time to read another letter from his Grandma. The letter read: