Anthony Newman - American Survivor

Cloe moved closer and hugged Joe then said, “Joe, I’m so sorry you had to go through that alone. Is there anything we can do to make your life a bit brighter?”

“Joe stood up and said, “Yes there is. Cloe, you need to just be yourself. The rest of you can all learn what it takes to survive and lead a long and healthy life. That would make me happy. Cobie you know the way back to your cabin. Cloe, please teach them how to catch rabbits. I’m heading home to rest up a bit. Cloe, I’ll fetch the supplies for The Bunny Ranch and help you get started. I’ll check on you from time to time. Goodbye, “Joe said as he hugged Cloe and picked up his backpack and carry bag.

Jane said, “But Joe you just got here, and we want to get to know you better.”

The new people all asked Joe to stay longer, but he replied, “I’ll be back, but I don’t want to wear out my welcome.”

Cloe went to her mother and said, “I guess that’s what you wanted.”

Ginny overheard the comment and just shook her head as she went to join Jane and the kids where Cloe was to teach the rabbit snaring class.

Cobie sat on the porch with Dan and watched Cloe deftly teach the other how to provide food for their families. Dan said, “I’ll bet you are very proud of your daughter. Did she learn how to trap in the Girl Scouts?”

“No, Joe taught her how to hunt, fish, and trap. She even cleans the animals and cuts them up to be cooked or smoked. She is becoming quite the outdoorswoman.”

“Too bad Joe is withdrawing back into his own world. We could learn a lot from him. We owe our lives to him. He single-handedly killed two armed men who were trying to break into our hideout,” Dan said as he watched her face.

“He told me he ran off two men. I’ll bet he didn’t kill them.”

“Lady, we had to walk through the blood and guts to escape from our hideout. Joe took both armed men on with a knife because he didn’t want gunshots to draw attention to our hideout. The man is a hero to us. I’m sorry that you two have had a spat, but I’d recommend you get over it and play nice,” Dan said in a very calming voice.

Several days passed before Joe poked his head out of his cabin. He was in a crappy mood and went from sulking to being pissed at the world and didn’t know why. He convinced himself it had nothing to do with that arrogant black haired bitch in the old cabin. He did know that he missed Cloe and Bennie a lot and wanted to go see them but first, he had to make another run down to Ashland for the stuff to make the rabbit cages. Cloe had become very special to him, and he wanted her to succeed with her Bunny Ranch.

He checked his backpack, cleaned all three guns, and strapped on his pistol belt before hiking south to get the Jeep parked at the new neighbors. The days were all above freezing now, and the weather was very dry for this time of the year. He knew there would be some grass bent but didn’t want to leave muddy tracks for people to follow.

Before he left the cabin, he placed two of his Grandma’s letters in his backpack and read the one for that day.

Dear Joe:

I’ll bet you’re still trying to get that last picture out of your head. Now, on to more important things, I’ll bet your aunts and cousins are really pissed at me for leaving all the land to you. By now, they have figured out that I gave Alfred a lovely home in Oregon and a beach house in Florida. You know Alfred was 30 years younger than I was and earned every dime of what I left him.

I hope Alfred is lying on a beach with a hot chick that’s thirty years younger than he is. He deserves a great life.

Well, the medicine fogs my mind, and I may not make much sense at times but never forget that you are very special to me.

Joe laughed and wondered how his Grandma kept the affair a secret so long. He wished his dad were there to fill him in on some of the new tidbits he had learned.

Joe covered the mile and a half to the neighbor’s cabin and was surprised to see Cloe outside cutting firewood with their saw. He saw one of the boys skinning a rabbit and the others fetching wood from farther out in the woods.

“Hey Cloe,” Joe hailed.

“Joe, I miss you,” Cloe yelled as she ran up and hugged him.

“Is this the smart assed young lady that gave me hell for a week?” Joe teased.

“Yes, but I learned quickly that you were just trying to help me and not harm us,” she said as she glared at her mom as she approached.

“You are a good person and Cloe I’ll always be there for you,” Joe hugged her as he replied.

“Joe, you can have your cabin back. We moved into the old cabin here so we won’t inconvenience you any longer,” Cobie said with a touch of arrogance.

“You didn’t have to leave. It wasn’t bothering me. What if the owner of these cabins shows up one day? Will you pack up and live in the forest? Oh, suit yourself miss independent. I didn’t come here to see you anyway. Hey Dan,” Joe said as he left Cobie and walked over to Dan.

“Good to see you, Joe. Can you sit a spell and tell me a bit, about what you plan to do about gardening and raising animals. Cloe told me you two had some good plans before her mom got the burr up her ass,” Dan said.

“Dan, I have more than enough seeds and plan to get more tonight. I’m heading into town tonight to get the stuff for Cloe’s Bunny Ranch and to get a long list of supplies I need. I’ve decided to raise a large garden and raise goats. We will add some cows when we can find them. Several grassy areas would support the cows, but they might make us targets. I’ll be glad to help you, but I will demand that you read some books on farming and do your share of the work,” Joe said.

“Sounds fair to me. Joe, why don’t you and Cobie patch things up? She’s as crabby as a mule since you two split up. She’s a great woman and not too hard to look at either,” Dan said.

“Dan, we were never together. I just helped them out for a while. I’ll be honest and tell you that I thought things were going in the right direction, but that woman wants to make it on her own and wants no help from anyone else. She can’t stand a helping hand or someone else making a decision. I also think she got jealous when Cloe and I started getting along. I will leave her alone and let her figure her own life out.”

“I think she would be worth your effort,” Dan said.

“After my last experience, I doubt if any woman is worth the effort,” Joe replied. “Which reminds me to try and find a dog, maybe one to breed with Bennie. Although I’d bet, Cobie had him neutered.”

“Perhaps you haven’t found the right woman,” Jane said as she walked up behind Joe.

“I’m not looking for one, and I kind of like it like that for now. Maybe later I’ll change my mind, “Joe said.

Jane had walked up from behind, laughed, and asked, “Can you put up with one more on your trip into town? We need some supplies also, and I want to go along.”

“I’ll tell you up front that I don’t like the idea, but I’ve recently learned that people are free to make their own mistakes. If you go, you will do what I say when I say or don’t go. If you don’t do what I just said, you’ll never go with me again,” Joe said.

“That sounds familiar. Do what the big man says,” Cobie said.

Cloe replied, “Mom that was not fair.”

Jane replied, “Joe when I get the experience and courage enough to go by myself, I will. Until then I want your guidance and help. I’m in and won’t let you down.”

“Okay, get a backpack and a carry bag like mine so we can haul what we find back to the Jeep. I plan to hit the Co-Op and the Grange stores. What do you need?” Joe asked.