Surviving (2 page)

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Chapter 2

The Team

Mobile, Alabama

May 15, 2020

              Steve royally screwed up several trips with numerous calls from his business and his women. He said that he just could not live without his cell phone. He got calls from seven different women in one day during the last trip. The calls were a real nuisance, like fingernails on a damn chalkboard. If AIDS didn’t get him, one of them would for a damn phone call just as you sighted in a 12 pointer. They all cared a lot about Steve, but his little head always did the thinking for him when it came to women. Steve was a loveable character who could charm the pants off a nun. This always got him into trouble because he did not know when to stop; the newest lady and the current one were always either pulling each other’s hair or trying to kill Steve. He had been married three times and had had many ladies before, during and after all of his failed marriages.

              Steve Jones was an attractive 46-year-old “black” guy that stood 5’ 9’’ and weighed 175. He had jet-black hair, a broken nose that gave him character and a snake tattoo on his right forearm. The ladies loved the rascal’s southern charm. They clung to him in droves, he had told many stories about threesomes around the campfire.

              Steve was a Black man; he was not an African American. When hearing the term, “African American,” he replied that he was 100% American. He thought that if you stayed off drugs and worked hard you could do anything you wanted in the USA. While he was not a Republican, he was by no means a Liberal.

He managed a speed shop that specialized in building hot rods for rich doctors and lawyers. He had built several ’32 high boys and hopped up numerous Mustangs and Corvettes for Mobile’s elite. “Toys for Bad Boys," was the name of his shop. John used him to build engines. He drove a V10 Dodge Ram that had a Viper motor and enough chrome under the hood to see one’s self in. Of course, he picked up the ladies in his red Viper. His business made a great profit, but the cars, ex-wives and girl chasing took all his money. He was broke on a good day.

              Gus looked like a monkey making love to a football on the last trip, trying to watch the tiny assed screen of an iPhone, strapped to his damn wrist while trying to fish. Try to imagine a grown man standing in the middle of a stream casting a fly rod while attempting to watch a baseball game on a wrist mounted iPhone. He fell twice that day, broke his rod and lost the damn phone. They all told him not to make bets on games during the yearly outing. He never listened. Gus never lost a lot of money, but bet almost every day on some type of sporting event. It was as close to an addiction as possible. He would be on his cell phone at night betting on the next day’s games.

              Gus McCoy was born old. While he was only 49, he had always been the one to keep a cool head and them out of trouble over the years. He had been in the Special Forces, one tough fellow who could break a man in half if pushed, but would not hurt a flea. He had served in Iraq (the second one) and had won the Medal of Honor for holding off over a hundred enemy insurgents single-handed while his wounded friends were picked up by a chopper. He took three rounds in his arm and legs, but fought on until all could be extracted. He must have looked like John Wayne holding that SAW and mowing down jihadists as fast as they charged his position.

              Gus was 6’ 1” and 225 lbs. of pure muscle and short-cropped gray hair. Around the shop, he was called the “Grouch.” He liked to debate on almost any topic, but loved politics and hated Liberals and Democrats. Scott would wind him up tighter than a tick by talking about the “Socialist” grand liberal ideas or government policy turned sour. It was good-natured, but you could always see Gus’ ears turn red when Scott got to him and Scott always got to him.

              He and Robin have been married for 24 years; they have three daughters and five grandkids. Robin was the love of his life and she could never understand Steve’s womanizing or John’s divorce. He is a devoted father and grandfather. His girls were not outdoors types and the grandkids ranged from three to ten years old or he would be trying to take the three boys on the trip. He was trying to raise them “right” as he put it; they would be true outdoors people. John hoped that Gus was right, but their dads were real wusses and roughing it was beer instead of cocktails.

              John had known Gus for over 10 years; he is John’s best friend and he loved him like a brother. He manages John’s Mobile body shop and is the best in the business. John and Gus met in a bar in Italy while on R&R; they both were working on a black ops mission in the Middle East. A friend had said the wrong thing to the wrong guy and the fight just broke out when Gus stepped in and ended it. He quickly kicked, punched and tossed all five of the bad guys out on their asses. John bought him a drink and they were friends ever since.

              Scott’s talking drives the rest of them to distraction. It really isn’t talking; it is his damn singing along with the music coming from an IPOD. No country, no western, no Carrie or Miranda, not even good old rock and roll. Just heavy metal, yelling and screaming! What a pile of crap! They finally got him to use headphones on the last trip so that they would not hear the god-awful crap, but then he just started singing louder along with the music.

              This is Scott’s good side; he goes downhill from there. He’s going to school to become a politician. Yes, a degree in political science and then a Masters. They all told him, “Damn, boy get a real job fixing things with your hands, building engines, repairing cars like a real man. Get your hands dirty kind of stuff.” John had said many times, “What a waste of time, a damn politician.” He took after his mom, not John; John always made his living with sweat and hard work.

              Scott got a late start on college because he joined the Army when he turned 18. He said he did it to find himself and that it had not hurt him any. He was right, the Army made a man out of him. He grew up and started taking life much more seriously, except for his taste in music.

              He was in an Armored Cav unit stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs. He had a ball operating the Bradley Fighting Vehicles and playing war games. He learned a great deal about small arms and reconnaissance during his short stay in the military.

              When he got back to Mobile, after his hitch in the Army, his best friend Jim introduced him to Joan, who was a friend of Jim’s girlfriend. Joan was a cute little black haired beauty who was quiet and very low key. She was 5’4” and only weighed about 110 lbs. soaking wet. They looked like Mutt and Jeff together, but they made a great pair. What they say about opposites being attracted to each other must be true. They were getting serious and probably would get married after he graduated.

              Scott Harris was a good-looking boy of 26 years. He stood 6’0”, weighed 190 pounds and had brown hair and blue eyes. He had real promise too; he had built his own car from scratch. It was a ’65 Mustang and he still has it and drives it every day. Damn, a 15 year old who could build his own car that was damn impressive. Too bad, he wanted to be a damn politician! Yeah, Gus and John taught him and kept him after it when he got tired or disgusted. They were very proud of him and had plans for him to manage one of John’s shops, but no, he wants to be a damned politician. Gus and John are still proud of him and now after the Trip they respect him as a man.

              Jim is a real pain in the ass and is Scott’s best friend. He works at John’s original Mobile shop prepping cars for painting; he’s quite good at it actually.               Jim Payne is the worst pain in the ass of all the guys; he snores like a foghorn. No one can sleep. The asshole can be heard for miles. They damn near broke his ribs on the last trip trying to wake him up. Fish jump out of the water when he cuts lose, paint flies off the walls. He’s awful loud. Gus shoved a sock in his mouth and nearly got killed on the last trip. Jim jumped up and nearly beat the crap out of Gus and John before they were able to wake him up. No one would have thought the kid was that strong, Gus is one mean assed bastard and John is no slouch. It turned out Jim was a Black belt and one mean mother when he gets riled up. Hell, they knew that he played around with all that Jap slapping stuff, but he got a hell of a lot better at it than they had ever thought.

              Jim Payne is 25 years old and only 5’ 6” tall and barely weighs 155 soaking wet. He had blond hair, was good-natured and a dependable worker. Hasn’t met the right girl, but has one cute girlfriend, Imelda. They all drool when she visits him at the shop.

              Jim grew up at Scott’s house, he was usually at home there and John and Ann thought of him as their own son. John knew his parents and did not think much of them. They were into their own lives and did not have much time for Jim. Jim was a good boy and was a good friend for Scott since he had no other siblings. Scott started out pretty much alone until Jim came along.

              John had bitched, moaned and groaned about the others ruining their trips over the years, perhaps John over did it. They rebelled! That is how the idea for the back to basics trip came about and how they found out what they were really made of. You see, they were meeting last winter to plan the next outing and John mentioned a couple of their faults that ruined the past trips and they came out in attack mode! John never saw it coming; he worked hard putting these outings together for years getting the gear and food ready. This went on for years; he never knew that he annoyed anyone. Then they jumped on him like a duck on a June bug. Never in over 10 years of camping with this crew did John ever hear one critical word about his behavior. John knew that he was no saint, but was nothing like the others; he would never bother anyone. Bullshit! They set him straight. They said that he cussed too much.

              John thought, “Me, fucking cussing too much, what a crock of crap.”

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Chapter 3

The Trip

Mobile, Alabama

May 15, 2020

              The Trip was meant to be fun for five friends and buddies. It was understood that it would be mentally and physically demanding. No one dreamed that The Trip would change all of their lives and set them up for some of the greatest challenges a man could endure. The Trip was meant to be fun. The Trip was meant to help old friends patch up some differences. It was meant to be many things, but damn; it was just a trip. Who would have thought their lives would be in danger and that they would suffer so much and pay such a dear price.

              They had all agreed that there would be no radios, TVs, cell phones, CD players, gadgets or the other bullshit tapestries of modern convenience. These things always ruined their other outings and strained their relationship. This was to be the trip to end all trips. This was not to be a run up to the lake or a walk in the park. Other trips had been fouled up by each of them trying to get away, but always taking their work or commitments with them on their yearly outings. They were the best of friends, but they annoyed the hell out of each other at times.

              This trip was set up from the get go to stress hunting, a little fishing and fun. No work, no women, no distractions. Books, magazines and the Internet, they researched the topic very well and came up with an unusual and challenging two week visit to the great outdoors that would give them a taste for the real outdoors, just like Jim Bridger or an 18th century trapper would have experienced. Other than First Aid supplies, the only modern equipment would be their fishing equipment. Guns would be black powder just as Daniel Boone had. Everything else had to have existed in the early 1850’s or it would be left behind.

              Of course, since they were all Preppers, they would take their Bug Out Bags and personal survival weapons, but had no intention of using them.

              They all had their concealed carry permits and each one had a personal weapon on them at all times. John carried a KEL-TEC .380, but the rest had Ruger LCP .380s as concealed carries. The KEL-TEC was the lightest and barely made a bulge in his pocket. Some of their other friends and coworkers made fun of them at times, but they paid them no attention. Being prepared was a way of life for them.

              Gus wanted to take them down to Florida, to a lake just about 80 miles from Lake Okeechobee. No research, just from the gut. They had been to Florida five or six times and no one was interested.

              Scott wanted to go to Colorado, out east of Colorado Springs for some trout fishing. He had been stationed at Fort Carson for two years and loved the area, but had never been able to go back due to family commitments and school. Jim always agreed with Scott, does the boy have a brain?

              John really didn’t care where they went, but quite a few of his radio call in fans had recommended the Great Adventures Outdoors Co. to help them plan their trip.

              The past two years had been rather difficult for him, the divorce from Scott’s mother, Ann had been a terrible experience and John just wanted to get away from the shop and everything else.

              Steve looked up the “Great Adventures Outdoors” on the Internet. They were based out of Salt Lake City and flew clients into selected wild areas all over the upper Southwest, Four Corners area and Mid-northwest. He corresponded back and forth with them for over a month and obtained brochures for various outdoors experiences and a list of references. They flew groups into the great outdoors, landed on a lake, left them for a week or two and then returned to pick up the group. They had over a dozen planes ranging from a couple of DC3’s to modern 12 passenger twin-engine floatplanes. Maria, the GAO representative, and Steve became internet friends because of the prolonged dialog. Hell, you know Steve; he wanted to get in her pants just like all the rest. Being unable to see or talk to her in person just made it more intriguing. She sold Steve on a hunting and fishing trip to Idaho and he sold the rest of the group.

              Steve told Maria of their need to experience the great outdoors without all the distractions, a real roughing trip. Take very little food or water and live off the land. Catch some fish to eat and hunt the rest of the time. Maria had just the place in mind, guaranteed fish, game and drinkable water. It was in Idaho, just south of the Montana border.

              A lot of work goes into any trip; normally it took a week to get their gear together. This time it was much easier. Each man had a black powder rifle, fishing gear, a pup tent, a knife, two changes of clothes, a few cooking utensils and the first aid kit.

              Their Bug Out Bags were standard backpacks and all had three days food, water purification tablets, thermal blankets, weapons and ammo. Most also contained numerous other survival gear such as a magnesium fire starter, folding saw, buck knife and other assorted gear. John’s also had a KEL-TEC P11 9mm and a Mark I Ruger .22 pistols with 100 rounds for each. The others all had 9mm autos accept Gus and he had a Colt 1911–.45 automatic.

              The group just had to drive from Mobile to Salt Lake City and leave the rest to GAO. They could have flown to Utah, but Jim and Steve could not afford the airfare and while John’s book royalties paid for the trip, he could not cover the extra cost. While John’s business was quite profitable, the divorce had cleaned him out and Ann got half of the current business’ profit. He got to keep any money from expanding his body shop and custom car work business.

              The guys met at the shop the night before and loaded up their gear and road trip food and beverages. The RV was 35 feet long and slept six, but it seemed that everyone brought everything they owned. Gus quickly took charge and had them pare down the extra bullshit.

              “Steve, this ain’t no fashion contest; a pair of jeans, some shorts, a couple of shirts, socks and underwear are all you need.”

              Gus chortled and added, “You don’t need two big ass suitcases to go hunting.”

              He made all of them unpack their crap and repack to his specifications.

              Jim got after him, “Gus, I don’t remember you being my Momma or being put in charge of my ass.”

              Gus came over, wrestled Jim to the floor and then tickled him until he almost pissed his pants.

              Scott went over to John and exclaimed, “Gus must have got laid last night, I’ve known him most of my life and that’s the most fun I can ever remember out of him.”

              John slept at the shop that night, but was up by 5:00a.m., checked things out and made a pot of coffee. He went over his bullet points for his show that morning and quickly moved on to eat some sausage and biscuits he had nuked in the microwave. Scott arrived just five minutes before the show started.

              “Good Morning LA, I love the U…S…A,"

              John asked his morning audience. “How are all of my Prepper Buddies doing this fine day in Lower Alabama?”

              He then added, “The President can kiss my redneck ass. I’m John Harris and I hope to have some fun today with my son, Scott, discussing how to put a Bug Out Bag together and what to put in the rascal that might save your neck one day. Scott, tell ’em what to put in their bag!”

              Scott proceeded to tell them every item and why it was important. This took about 45 minutes with John inserting jokes and his own personal experiences. He took two callers, answered their questions and moved on.

              John then added, “I know a few of you don’t appreciate guns like the rest of us, but one of these days you will say to yourself, I wish I had listened to old John and put a gun and ammo in my darned old Bug Out Bag. Now I have a Ruger MK I with 100 rounds of hollow point LR and a “P11, 9mm with 100 rounds of ball ammo. These two weapons give you the ability to put game on the table and protect yourself from the bad guys. As I always say, “a pistol is just a tool to get a real gun.” I’m also looking at adding one of those breakdown .22 survival rifles made by Henry. You might just kill a rabbit or two with that one.”

              John ended the show reminding his audience that he was on vacation for the next two weeks and that they would be hearing the best of “How to Survive” during his absence.

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              John went to the restroom to take a shower and freshen up before the rest of the guys arrived. He took a long hot shower thinking about Ann and wondering if he could get back with her. She was good in bed, even if she was above his raisin'. He walked out of the shower buck-naked right into JoAnne who smiled and asked him if he was happy to see her. He looked at her and saw that she had a halter-top that just barely covered her breasts and the shortest white shorts that he had ever seen. He then remembered to grab a towel to cover himself.

              “What are you doing in so early on a Saturday morning, JoAnne?” John asked.

              “Well, I was just worried about you, with no wife to take care of you. I want to make sure that you are taken care of,” replied JoAnne.

              She then walked up to him and wrapped her arms around him while rubbing her body against him. John forgot himself for a few minutes then came to his senses and pushed her away.

              John calmly told her, “JoAnne, you are the best person for your job and never have to do anything like that again. Your job just depends on your work. Sex has nothing to do with it.”

              He also told her that he had wondered why so many women quit their jobs before he started working there. She told him that his Dad got much better at hiding his womanizing after John and Gus started working there. John then told her that he was not interested in her, but that would never affect her job.

              JoAnne gave John a peck on the cheek and thanked him for being a gentleman then excused herself and walked away. As she walked away, John had to admit she had a fine ass. Just as he started to smile she turned and looked back, she smiled and walked away.

              John took a few minutes to call Ann, his ex-wife, to fill her in on this issue. He knew that JoAnne and Ann had been close at one time and he wanted her to look in on JoAnne while he was gone.

              “Good morning, Ann, how are you today?” John said in his friendliest voice.

              She replied, “What time is it, is the sun even up this early?”

              John filled her in on what had happened and what JoAnne had told him about his Dad and JoAnne.

              She sarcastically said, “John, you dummy, everybody in town knows what a whoremonger Buddy is, even your mom knows. John, I’m worried about you. JoAnne rubs her body on you and you didn’t give in and make love to her. I’ll bet you haven’t been laid since I left you.”

              John stammered and could not come up with a thing to say.

              Ann piled on with, “John, you were boring, but great in bed, so to help you I am going to set you up with one of my friends from the club. She’s 40, great looking and horny as hell...even you will get laid if you spend a minute with her.”

              John quickly replied, “I’ll find my own girl in my own time. I certainly don’t need you to find me a woman.”

              “So you think that you will just stumble over a perfect woman fishing and hunting out in those nasty woods that you so love. It won’t happen, Dumb ass. John even though you don’t believe it, I still care for you and want you to be happy, find a woman and treat her right. Take her on trips and buy her beautiful things,” Ann added.

              “So I have listened to you lecture me for ten freaking minutes. I was a good boy, now will you check on JoAnne?” John asked.

              Ann replied, “John, you cuss too much. I promise that I will check on JoAnne, but if you had just bent her over her desk and ravaged her, she would be happy, I would be happy and you might be happy.” Ann laughed and hung up.

              John thought, “Well that went rather well.”