In the Midst of Tribulation (14 page)

"No, I'll just expect a repayment at a future date to named later."
"I can handle that," Jay murmured as strong fingers sought out the knots of tension in her back and neck. "That feels good."
"I'm no expert."
"Maybe not but it's been a while since I've had anyone give me rub down."
Piper worked silently for a while. "How long have you and Harmony been together?"
"Ten years." Jay took in a deep breath and released it slowly. "She was my North, my South, my East and West. My working week and my Sunday rest."
"What's that?"
"It's part of a funeral poem from W.H. Auden."
"You think she's gone?"
"If she's still out there, she'll come back to me. I haven't given up hope yet."
"I don't think you should."
Jay turned slightly and looked over her shoulder. "Really?"
Nudging her back around, Piper nodded. "Really. It took us a month to get here from Oakland and we had a general idea of where we were going. It would have taken her at least three times that just to make it to the Los Angeles area. I can't imagine what would be entailed in searching the city for single survivor."
Jay reached up and wiped away a couple of tears. "Thanks. It's good to hear someone else's voice saying things like that."
Patting her on the head, Piper leaned back and watched Jay return to her side of the hot tub. "I just said what I believe. Besides, she would have to work to find food and shelter and that will add even more time to it." Seeing Jay's hopeful smile let her know that she had said the right thing.
"I don't know about you but I'm ready to turn in."
"I'll come inside in a bit." Piper wanted to spend a little longer in the dark thinking about the strong back that her fingers had touched and wasn't sure if the dim lighting in the house could hide her flushed skin.
"All right." Jay stood up and stretched. She was unconscious of the affect that her unclad body was having on Piper. "I'll see you in the morning," she called as she pulled a towel around her shoulders.
Piper croaked a good night and sighed when the door closed. It was just her luck to be developing a crush on a woman still in love with her absent girlfriend. With gentle strokes, she began to touch herself. Letting her mind roam free, she fantasized about a dream lover, strong and capable, who bore a more than passing resemblance to her host.
 

~ In the Midst of Tribulation ~
by Mary Griggs

Classification: Original
Rating: For adults only because of sexual situations and violence.
Disclaimers: This is an original story and the copyright belongs to me. The hymns and spirituals quoted at the beginning of each chapter belong to the attributed authors. Definitions at the beginning of the story are courtesy of Wikipedia (
http://en.wikipedia.org
). Bible verses are from the King James Version.
This tale takes place after a catastrophic war. There are scenes of violence, including one in which sexual violence is alluded. There are also graphic descriptions of two women loving one another. If any of this offends or distresses you, find something else to read.
Feedback: I appreciate your comments and feedback. Contact the author at
[email protected]
Summary: A small group of survivors attempt to create a community in the post-war world.
Explanation of Tribulation
Tribulation is the period of immense suffering and sacrifice, greater than anything before in history
that is generally thought to occur before the Second Coming of Jesus and the end of the world.
For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.
Mathew 24: 21-22

Chapter Eleven - Come Ye Thankful People Come
Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
Come to God's own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.
Words: Henry Alford, 1844. Music: George J. Elvey, 1858
Everyone was stuck indoors as the rains came down for the third straight day. It was no gentle, summer shower but a sky-opening deluge that had people thinking of looking for gopher wood. The small pond had flooded to almost twice its usual size and small tributaries were developing in the rest of the yard.
Piper paced around the living room, moving from window to window as she watched the spread of the water. Occasionally, she would fling herself down on one of the daybeds. Those periods of inactivity would never last long.
"Could you just rest a while?" Martha finally asked.
Susan agreed. "Yeah, you're making the floor dizzy." They and the kids had returned early the day before from fishing. They had tried to stick it out but, once the beach went underwater, they gave up and came back to the house.
"Sorry," Piper answered, not really meaning it. "I'm just a little stir crazy."
"Dude, I totally understand." Meeting Piper's eyes, Susan inclined her head to where Doris was sitting. At the glum nod, she shrugged her shoulders. "After all this time, I know how hard it is to be stuck inside."
"I'm glad we're back inside," said Carol.
"Me, too."
Cody fiddled with his tiles. "I am so glad to be dry and warm again."
"My fingers and toes are still a little pruney," added Eva, holding up her hands.
"I know if I had been out there, I would be happy for the forced rest. But I wasn't." Piper began pacing again. "Once the rains started, we couldn't work outside because the garden was simply too muddy."
"And chopping any more wood was out unless one of us wanted to risk losing our grip on an axe handle." Jay smiled at the glaring Piper. "You deserve a break what with the buck processed and one log chopped."
Sighing, the stocky woman went over to the fireplace and added another log. "I know I'm being a big baby but I'd really rather be doing something."
"How about reading a book?"
"Or joining our game?" Cody asked. "I'm getting killed on this one and would love to have the tiles reshuffled."
Cody, Carol and Eva were sitting in front of the fireplace, playing scrabble. Piper looked from them to Martha and Susan who were snuggled up on the couch. In the easy chair, Jay was reading in the low light.
The cozy scene was enough to bring a slight smile to her lips. A smile that dimmed when the next voice spoke.
"We are running out of things to wear." Doris complained as she tried to repair a split seam on Eva's pants.
Jay looked up from her book. "What kind of clothes do you need?"
"Everything. I don't think we have anything that doesn't have a tear or a rip in it." She held up a shirt and another pair of pants and put her fingers through the holes.
"I might be able to help with that."
"What do you mean?" Doris laughed. "In all the other stuff you've got in the basement, you've got a clothing store too?"
"No. Just the raw materials." Jay put a bookmark between the pages of her novel and stood up. Walking over to one of the day beds, Jay lifted the mattress to reveal several bolts of cloth stored in a cabinet underneath. She pulled them out, calling out the material. "I've got flannel, wool, denim, and several different bolts of cotton." She stopped and glanced over her shoulder. "That's cotton twill for pants, broadcloth for shirts and jersey for underwear." She walked over to the other daybed and motioned for Piper to stand up. Under that mattress were several more bolts and a couple of boxes. "I've got stuff in each of the day beds. Upstairs are skeins of yarn to make sweaters and socks. In this box are buttons, zippers, elastic and Velcro. The other is filled with spools of thread and needles."
"This is freaking cool," enthused Piper. She ran her fingers through the colorful cloth.
"Thanks. I'm glad this stuff will find some use before the bugs get to it."
"I don't know how to make clothes." Doris shook her head. "I've never had to do this before."
"It's all right. The bottom shelf of that bookcase has pattern books." Jay pointed to bookcase near the front door.
Carol went over to the indicated shelf and pulled out several titles. "Neat, see all these different shirts." She handed one of the books to Eva. "And awesome, we can make dresses."
Jay shrugged at the look she was receiving from Susan. "That pattern book was Harmony's idea."
"I like the fit of these pants," Cody whined.
"You can also take apart things you like but aren't wearable anymore and use them as a template for a new set." Jay attempted to reassure him.
Susan was overwhelmed with emotion. She stood next to the Martha who filled her arms with different bolts. "Jay, this is fabulous."
"I'm sure."
They all looked at Doris.
"What?" Jay asked, confused by the sarcastic tone.
"This is all well and good but why are you only showing it to us now."
"What do you mean?"
"We've been here for almost a month and you've kept this from us this whole time."
"Two weeks and, I beg your pardon, but you didn't tell me you needed new clothes until now," she answered reasonably.
"What else are you keeping from us?"
"I'm not keeping anything from you."
"What do you call hiding things we need?"
"They were hardly hidden. Those are built in cedar chests."
"And how were we to know that?"
Jay shook her head in bafflement. "What is your malfunction, Doris?"
"That's rich. You're in the wrong and you accuse me of having a problem."
"How am I in the wrong?"
"You're hoarding stuff. During World War II that was considered the worst possible offense."
"Doris, I hardly think I need to justify my actions to you. Yes, I collected materials for the post-apocalypse. Anyone else could have done the same. I will not apologize for planning ahead."
"Why didn't you tell us that you had it?"
"It's not like we've had a chance to go over every inch and inventory every item in this house. Trust me that as you tell me what you need, if it's here, it's available."
"I'm tired of being a pitiful pawn that you play with."
"Doris," Martha shouted. "Enough."
"No, it's not. You all act like lap dogs, sucking up to her."
Jay's voice was calm. "I don't ever recall asking anyone to kiss my ass."
"Oh, you never ask. You are all lady of the manor and we're here at your mercy."
"This is ridiculous. Everything I have is yours."
"But how do we know what you have if you keep hiding things?"
"I'm not hiding anything. I don't even remember all the stuff that's all over this house, unless I need it."
"We shouldn't keep finding things out like this."
Piper spoke up, "Doris, she's been more than generous to open her home virtual strangers. What more do you want? An inventory? Would that make you happy?"
She sniffed in disdain. "I'll be happy if we had more say in the running of our lives."
"You can have all the say you want. Just get the hell off my land first."
"Your land," she said in triumph. "See, I told you that she doesn't consider us full members of the household."
"And why should we? We've brought her nothing but trouble." Susan was very angry. "She's had to work double hard to provide food for us. She's offered us much more than we can ever repay."
"I'm not seeking any repayment, Susan. Frankly, I've generally liked having most of you on board."
"Out with it."
"What?"
Tapping her foot impatiently, Doris asked, "What is it that you want? Everything has a price and I am tired of waiting for you tell us."
"A little courtesy would not be out of order."
Martha grabbed her sister by the back of the neck when she would have spoken again. "Just shut up." There was a tense silence while the two sisters glared at one another.
Blinking first, Doris took a step away from Martha. "I don't know why you all are always mad at me. I'm just saying what you're too afraid to say."
Susan shook her head. "You don't speak for me and I'd appreciate if you'd stop insulting my friend."
Trying to change the subject, Piper looked from the bolts of cloth to the pattern books. "Who knows how to sew?"
"I do but I'm not about to sew everybody's by hand," answered Doris.
"Who said you had to?" Piper asked. "I'm willing to learn, if it means new clothes."
Doris turned to look at Jay. "Well?"
"Well, what?"
"You seemed to have thought of everything else. Don't you have a machine?"
"You are quite the piece of work, Doris." Jay shook her head. "Under that cactus there." She pointed what they had all thought was just a table. She opened the top to show them a foot peddle operated sewing machine.
"Do you know how to work it?"
"Yeah. When you're at that stage, I'll show you what to do."
"Jay, I can't tell you how great this is." Martha stepped toward her. Jay surprised her by moving back out of reach. "What's wrong?"
"I'm sorry. Just a little claustrophobic right now."
"Oh? Can I help?"
"No," she said. "I think I'll take a walk."
"But it's getting dark."
"It'll be better than being in here." Jay slammed out the nearest door and called the dogs. They had been curled up in their houses but they all leaped out at her command. Encouraging them to jump and bound around her, she set off down the driveway. At the fork in the road, she turned uphill and decided climb up to the remains of the old fire watching station.
With each stride, she muttered curses against Doris and her ancestors. She found it hard to believe that she and Martha were related. She also found it unreal that none of the others had killed her yet. "I can't imagine the kind of gall it takes for her to spew her guts out at everyone else when she's such a piece of work," she told the dogs. "Sure, I've got my share of problems but she's in a class by herself."
The pack wound their way up the mountain. Growing tired of swearing to herself, Jay sighed and asked her canine companions, "You guys don't think I'm only doing this because I want something, do you?"
Only doggy grins answered her. She balanced her way across a broken down bridge while her dogs ran down the culvert and across the small stream before joining her on the other side.
Out loud, Jay said, "I was getting lonely. I'm glad to have people in the house." She thought about that. "Okay, maybe not all the people that are currently in the house would I choose to invite but I'm not about to kick any of them out. There isn't a ulterior motive." Coming across a pinecone, she kicked it and the dogs chased it down.
"But she is right. I do resent having to spend my stash on her. She works my last nerve." Jay laughed, shortly. "Of course, that would be the only work she does without duress." Kicking the thoroughly chewed cone again, Jay watched the dogs race each other to it.
When the wind blew the rain off the surrounding trees and onto her, she cursed Doris again. "She's nice and dry in my house while I'm out wandering in the rain. Who's the smart one here?"
"Fuck me!" Jay yelled at the top of her lungs. The dogs whined around her. She sat down under the low branches of a young redwood. The dogs crawled around her to lean against her body.
"Sorry for shouting, guys. She makes me so angry." Rubbing and petting the closest dog, Jay told the chocolate lab, "My mama told me that you shouldn't wrestle with a pig because you both get dirty and the pig likes it. Do you suppose she knew somebody like Doris?"
She sat for almost an hour on the log, watching the moonrise from behind all the clouds. Her sweater clung to her and her butt was cold and wet when she realized that the rain was not going to lessen any time soon. Jay sighed and regained her feet. She headed back to the house, knowing that her patience was running entirely too low to continue dealing with that annoying woman. It didn't matter who she was related to, something had to change. She would have to talk to Susan in the morning.
Martha had waited for a few moments after Jay stormed out before whirling on her sister. "Where do you get off?"
"Yeah. You are the living end." Susan stroked her hand over the bolts of cloth. "This stuff is just fabulous and you treat it and her like they demean you. If you've got such a problem, why are you even here?"
"Where else can I go?" Doris wrapped her arms tightly around her body. "You've got them and her," she said, waving her hand and Cody, Carol and Martha. "What do I have?"
"You mean, other than your daughter and sister?"
"I mean that I'm tired of being alone and having to do everything myself. I want someone to take care of me for a change."
"Listen, Doris, I don't know what they're smoking on the planet you're living on but, I've got to tell you, you don't have a reason to be tired. You don't do half the work the rest of us do and I'm including your daughter in that. We have all been taking care of you for a long time." Susan took a deep breath. "You are lucky that Jay's been too generous to call you on your shit. I'm not. Start pulling your own weight and keep your mouth shut around Jay unless you've got something pleasant to say."
"Oh? So I don't even get to talk anymore?"
"I can't deal with this." Susan threw up her hands and turned to her partner. "Martha, you need to talk so sense into her. I'm going to soak in the hot tub."
The tall woman looked over at her sister. "You and me are going to have to talk about your behavior."
"Why is everyone on my case?"
"Because you've been entirely too selfish."
"I can't believe you'd say that to me."
"I should have said something earlier. You don't have any idea of your effect on other people."
"I don't have sit here and listen to this."
"Yes, you do." Martha was implacable. "You and are going to have a sit down tomorrow."
"Why don't you just dump on me now like everyone else?"
"Because all of our tempers are running too high right now. We need a breather or someone is going to say something that will be unforgivable."
Susan came out of the bathroom and asked, "Anyone care to join me for a soak?" Without waiting for an answer, she headed outside.
"Do you care that it's raining?"
She laughed at Piper's question. "It's not like sitting in the hot tub is a dry activity." Glancing over her shoulder, she asked her lover, "Are you going to join me?"
Martha shook her head at Susan's back. "No. I'm going to take a book to bed."
"Your loss. Try and stay awake until I come to bed, okay?"
"I'll try." Martha nodded at others. "You kids head to bed when you're ready. Clear the room when Piper wants to go to sleep."