Paul Clayton - Crossing Over

“About four hundred miles.”

“Oh,” said Elly, “do you get to go home to see your family?”

Gabe smiled at her and looked around at Marie and Mike, “Actually, I’m planning on going when I get my next leave, which should be in two months.”

“Wow,” said Elly. Her eyes were bright. Then she frowned. “Are you afraid of this war, Gabe?”

“Nah,” said Gabe with bravado.

Mike blinked in thought as he lifted his fork.

“I am,” said Elly. “I don’t understand it.”

Gabe was attentive to her as he chewed.

“Most of us don’t, Honey,” said Marie.

“It changed everything,” said Elly. She looked intently at Gabe. “Do you miss the Internet?”

Mike and Marie smiled.

“Sure,” said Gabe. “Everybody does. They still have a military internet, but it’s not the same.”

Elly’s face was somber. “I miss Facebook the most.”

They laughed gently.

“I don’t,” said Mike, “I think we’re better off without it.”

“Not me,” Elly insisted.

“Well,” said Marie, “there were some nice things about it, especially in the beginning.”

A short while after they’d finished eating, Gabe stood. “I’m going to have to get ready for guard duty,” he said.

Marie watched Elly as she watched Gabe walking off and her heart fell a bit. Elly was absolutely taken with him. And what young girl wouldn’t be? He was intelligent, mannered, good-looking. Marie tried to dispel the sadness that was rising in her. She’d always worried that her only child might never know the happiness of love and domesticity. And now, with the upheaval in society, was that lost to everyone? And what about her relationship with Mike? He seemed to be changing, becoming more distant and overly-suspicious.

In the morning Mike, Marie, and Elly walked in the direction of the headquarters building as the light grew. They passed a couple of houses that appeared empty, then one, in front of which, three young women sat on lawn chairs, one of them holding a squirming toddler in her lap. Hip Hop music thumped through the open windows.

At the chow hall, Captain Moore sat alone under the tarp at one of the tables, a cup of coffee before him, smoking a cigarette. He stood and waved them over.

As they sat he said, “One of you might want to get your order in for breakfast. Tommy’s the cook. I told him your tab was on me. It’s just eggs and potatoes, or oatmeal if you’re watching your weight.” He smiled at Marie.

Marie turned to Mike. “What would you like?”

“Eggs and potatoes, and coffee.”

“Okay,” said Marie. “Elly, come with me.” They went over to the window in the side of the building. Tommy came to the window to take their orders.

“Well,” Captain Moore said to Mike as a camouflaged truck rolled slowly around the circular gravel street, “You probably haven’t heard the latest.”

“What’s that?”

“The Liberty League raided dozens of houses in Altoona, P A. They smoked a bunch of people that wouldn’t turn in their guns.”

Mike shook his head. “Wow. That’s awful.”

Moore nodded, watching Mike closely. “Sure it is. This shit’s only gonna get worse. You might want to consider staying with us for a while.”

Mike said nothing.

“There were a couple guys here the day before you.”

Mike’s pulse quickened. “Riding motorbikes?”

“One bike,” said More. “A thuggish-looking white kid with a wounded paw and a black guy. Know them?”

Mike realized they must have passed them when they were camped. “I’ve seen them back in our town,” he said guardedly.

“They described someone like you, said they were friends of yours. I didn’t buy that. I sure as hell don’t buy it now that I’ve met you and your family.”

Mike nodded. “Which way did they head?”

“They went on north. That was before we got word of the jump jet.”

Mike tried not to show too much concern. He’d have to be on alert from here on out.

“How old are you?” said More.

“Sixty.”

“That’s not too old. We could use you.”

Mike shook his head. “I want to get my family to safety first.”

Moore’s look was sincere. “It’s safe here. I could put you and your family up in an apartment.”

Mike recalled the three young women sitting outside the house they’d passed earlier. He was pretty sure they were there to service the soldiers. He was uncomfortable with the idea of him and his family spending any more time here. He felt like they’d be better off on their own. He shook his head. “No thanks.”

“Okay,” said Moore. He looked out at the flag stirring in a slight breeze in the little parade field. “But we have to keep the road closed a little while longer. Our assets north of here haven’t reported back yet.” Moore looked at Mike. “You can head back south towards that forest service road I told you about if you want.”

“I think that’s what we’re gonna do,” said Mike.

“Okay.” Moore leaned sideways as he reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out Mike’s .38. “You can have this back.”

“Thanks,” said Mike, putting it in his pocket. He glanced over at Marie and Elly; they were looking into the cook’s window.

“So,” said Moore, “you’re determined to make a run for the border, huh?”

Mike didn’t care for the “run for the border” wording, but kept that to himself. His first responsibility was to protect his wife and daughter. “That’s the plan,” he said.

Moore blinked, his look turning somber. “Well, you’re not alone. Reports are it’s getting pretty crowded up there, and chaotic. Were you in the service?”

“Yeah, Syria. I was just a kid. I was in supply and didn’t see much action. Mostly just the after-effects… the bodies. What about you?”

Moore shook his head. “No. Too young to serve. But I got involved with this Militia when the RPP formed and started their campaign. Those people have to be stopped.”

Mike said nothing in response. He thanked Marie as she set a paper plate of scrambled eggs and potatoes before him.

Captain Moore got to his feet. “Well, I have work to do,” he said. “I’ll let you all enjoy your breakfast. You all be careful, okay?”

Mike stood and shook his hand. “We will. And thanks for your hospitality.”

Moore smiled sadly at Marie and Elly who were setting their plates down on the wooden table. “Goodbye, folks.”

They ate quietly, Elly glancing around at the occasional passers-by. The day had warmed a little and things were quiet when they got back to the camper. Mike assumed most of the men were off on some kind of movement or training; there had been a lot of activity just before sunup, with people walking and talking, vehicles starting up and driving out. They cleaned the camper and got ready to go. Elly asked her mother if she could ride ‘shotgun.’ Marie agreed and Elly waited for her to get in, before climbing in beside her. She looked around hopefully as they slowly drove the circular road to the gate. Mike knew, of course, who she was looking for, but said nothing. As they came out onto the highway Elly’s face darkened.

“What’s the matter, Hon,” Marie asked, knowing full well what the matter was.

“Aw, I wanted to say good-bye to Gabe.”

Mike nodded. “Maybe we’ll see him again,” he lied.

“Really?” said Elly, brightening.

Marie smiled sadly at Mike, but said nothing.

“It’s possible,” said Mike.

Mike drove south. Soon Marie and Elly were asleep. When his odometer indicated they’d driven eighty miles he slowed and searched the wood line on the left carefully. He spotted the turnoff at the 86 mile mark, indicated by a short metal stake in the ground. He slowed further and turned in.