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Right here’s the quick story that began all of it! Expensive Diary: It’s Me, Jessica is now accessible in paperback.
Expensive Diary,
It’s humorous to jot down one thing like that. For that matter, it’s humorous to jot down in any respect. On one in every of Dad’s scavenger journeys, he got here throughout a stack of composition books, pens, and pencils in a dumpster. He introduced all of them dwelling and informed me to begin a diary. Again in regular occasions, seven months in the past earlier than the ability give up, I’d have simply seemed up on my telephone ‘What’s a diary?’
With the ability gone, so too went the web. So I requested him, ‘What’s a Diary?’ He gave me a humorous look, blinked just a few occasions, shook his head, and mentioned it was a journal to maintain monitor of each day issues, essential occasions, and my ideas and emotions on the time. I ought to write it as if I used to be writing a pricey good friend.
So, right here I’m, Diary. Sitting in my chilly bed room with my stuffed bear, sporting socks, slippers, sweatpants, a winter hat, and a heavy sweater.
In all probability ought to again up and clarify the explanation for all that.
Let me begin over.
Expensive Diary,
It’s me, Jessica.
Seeing as how that is the primary time I’m writing you, I’ll let you already know what has occurred over the previous seven months and even some issues earlier than.
About this time final yr, Dad bought what he known as an incredible Christmas shock reward: a promotion to administration. I do know what a promotion is, however I used to be not too certain in regards to the ‘administration’ half as he was describing it. Appeared like extra of a headache ‘managing’ that many individuals, conferences each in particular person and on Zoom.
Nevertheless it got here with an enormous pay elevate. Two months later, we moved from our tiny, crappy condominium throughout from the subway tracks to a small however very good home within the ‘sub-burbs.’ Mother and Dad had been very enthusiastic about it. I suppose it’s good however older. Dad mentioned it was a Fifties-era starter dwelling. My room is larger. We’ve a garden and yard with woods behind it. Nevertheless it took me a few month to get used to the . . . quiet. It’s deafening! No subway trains operating until late at night time. No police sirens. No vans or automobiles driving by. No gunshots now and again. I imply, I can hear the wind outdoors my window proper now.
College was totally different, too. It was a lot nicer and clear, and all the things appeared new. Sporting a uniform was totally different. I really kinda appreciated it. No pondering of what I needed to put on to high school. No taking the general public buses both. Dad would simply drop me off on his approach to work, and Mother would choose me up.
Diary, right here was the loopy half! The varsity didn’t have cellular phone protection or wi-fi. Actually! They mentioned it disrupts class, and we spend an excessive amount of time looking at screens. We have to discuss extra to one another face-to-face! At first, I assumed it was just a little bizarre, however actually, it was identical to dinner at dwelling. No telephone on the dinner desk, and I talked with my dad and mom.
I made associates with a number of college students from totally different teams. Regardless that we had been all sporting uniforms, there have been nonetheless totally different cliques: Jocks, hoods, stoners, preppies, and possibly one other half dozen I don’t even know exist. I had associates from all teams, besides one group of women, who took a right away dislike to me. One in every of them, Savannah, tried to bully me in the future. Earlier than I may put my books all the way down to defend myself, one of many jocks, Christy, informed Savanah to again off or she would “put you in a harm locker.” I’m not certain what a ‘harm locker,’ is, however Christy needs to be a MMA fighter and is in coaching for it. Savannah and her associates by no means seemed in my route once more.
So, the primary few months had been going fairly good. Mother was all excited to have a yard to plant a backyard and began ‘raised’ beds in mid-April. Dad’s work was, as he put it, ‘hectic,’ however he appeared to love it and the paycheck that went with it. We had been even speaking about happening an actual household trip to an actual seaside on the ocean. Mother bought an electronic mail from an organization that was concerned about her work. She known as it ‘headhunted’ and took the job. She laughed and known as it extra pay for a similar work she was doing. College was going effectively. I celebrated my sixteenth birthday in early Could. Dad mentioned he would get me a automobile, and I may get my driver’s license. That may have by no means occurred if we nonetheless lived on the outdated condominium. I must take driver’s ed, however that class didn’t begin until after faculty set free for the summer time.
It was Memorial Day weekend when the ability went out.
I awakened Saturday to a greater than traditional quiet home.
I walked into the kitchen, staring into my telephone with no cellular phone connection bars.
Dad mentioned it have to be a big energy outage to take the cell towers down, too. He commented on how we must restrict opening the fridge door to maintain issues from going dangerous until the ability got here again on. He did pull out eggs and bacon to make breakfast potato hash casserole. He had to make use of the grill lighter to begin the flame on the propane range.
That afternoon, out of boredom, Mother and I went for a stroll within the neighborhood. Diary, it’s actually bizarre. Individuals wave to one another and say ‘hello.’ That by no means occurred within the outdated neighborhood, even within the condominium advanced.
After we bought again to the home, the neighbors throughout the road had been out on their entrance porch, sitting in rocking chairs. We went over to say ‘hello.’ Sam and Joanna had been retirees, having lived there for 30 years. They appeared to know everybody within the neighborhood by identify. They mentioned their neighbor behind them had a ‘HAM’ radio and will discuss to individuals throughout the nation and even typically in Europe. He mentioned the ability outage was not simply in our space however for many of the state, and somebody he talked to mentioned it was nationwide.
Mother didn’t appear too involved, however when she informed Dad, he seemed nervous when she informed him that bit of reports.
After two days of no energy, Mother and Dad began what they known as an ‘stock’ of issues we had readily available. So we might not have to maneuver as a lot ‘crap’ as mother put it to the brand new home, we used up as a lot as we may of canned items, what was within the fridge and freezer in our tiny condominium, not that there was a lot. As soon as within the new home, Mother and Dad bought a membership to a bulk low cost large field retailer and restocked from there. Every part was in bulk sizes, multi-paks, flats, or got here in industrial-sized containers. The pantry within the kitchen was simply larger than all the cabinet house within the condominium. It appeared large after we first moved in, however it was shortly crammed ground to ceiling. Something that didn’t slot in there went into the storage. On the time, it appeared like lots.
Monday got here, and nonetheless no energy. Out extra of behavior than the rest, I bought up and dressed for varsity. Dad did the identical for work. He pulled into the college car parking zone to see it was closed, however there have been quite a lot of different dad and mom there to drop off their youngsters, too.
Dad and I bought out, and he talked with different dad and mom whereas I talked to a few of my classmates. Some I knew, others I didn’t.
One boy just a few grades decrease than me mentioned his dad was curing and smoking all of the meat. One other mentioned his dad was ‘canning’ all their meat over a propane boiler. I didn’t know what both of these meant.
Dad and I went again dwelling.
Mother and Dad went out into the storage and spoke in hushed tones. That’s once I started to fret.
Properly, Diary, it’s that point within the afternoon to assist Dad get some dry firewood. Extra tomorrow.
Expensive Diary,
The place was I?
Oh, sure. It was a few week with out energy when issues began to get bizarre.
Our neighbors throughout the road had been sitting on their rockers, speaking with a person. He had a rifle slung over his shoulder and a handgun on his hip. He had a really large, black German Shepard with him. Dad poked his head out the entrance door to see if one thing was mistaken. There should not have been, because the neighbors waved him over. I noticed the person provide his hand because it seemed just like the neighbors made introductions and Dad took the person’s hand and shook in greetings. They talked for about half an hour when Dad got here again, and the person and his large canine left.
Dad had Mother and me sit down on the eating room desk, and he repeated what our neighbors and the person mentioned.
The ability outage was, in actual fact, nationwide.
With out energy, water didn’t come out of the faucet. The bogs didn’t flush. Fuel pumps didn’t work. Credit score and debit playing cards didn’t work. Grocery shops didn’t get resupplied. We had been fortunate, so Dad mentioned. Our neighborhood was a lot older, with separate wells and septic programs. Dad did should make a hand pump-like device to pump water out of the effectively, however not less than we had water.
The person mentioned the native, state, and federal governments had been making an attempt to do one thing about all of it, however there was plenty of confusion, and nobody appeared to know what to do. He mentioned if the ability didn’t come again on quickly, issues had been going to go from dangerous to a lot, a lot worse.
By week two, we started to know what worse was. For some individuals, meals was getting quick in provide. Mother expanded her backyard. A few of the neighbors began gardens, too.
Week three was a lot, a lot worse. It had been practically half a yr since I heard gunshots in the midst of the night time, not to mention through the day. And never simply the standard gang banger popping off two or three rounds however dozens of photographs from totally different instructions from greater than two shooters within the distance. No police sirens adopted.
That’s when the neighborhood fashioned a militia.
We didn’t have any weapons, so Mother and Dad had been a part of the ‘help’ part.
A little bit over a month because the energy went out, I used to be over speaking with Sam and Joanna, when the person with the massive canine walked up. His identify was Jack, and his canine’s identify was Samson. Jack had simply returned from a ‘scouting’ journey to the West. He mentioned on the large river bridge, somebody arrange a blockade with heavy vans, large rigs, and over turned automobiles to forestall anybody coming from the town to our facet of the river. Individuals may nonetheless stroll throughout, however somebody demanded cost within the type of ammunition, gasoline, alcohol, antibiotics, or ‘different issues.’ I observed when he mentioned ‘different issues, ’ he mentioned it with a touch of disgust. He mentioned most individuals turned and walked again the best way they got here. However just a few demanded to cross with out paying the ‘toll.” That’s when the capturing began. Jack shook his head and mentioned it was like “capturing fish in a barrel.”
Mother had planted issues that grew fast, like chard, spinach, and a few inexperienced beans. It isn’t like I dislike them, however it was getting boring, the identical factor practically daily. Mother and Dad had been by no means what I’d name ‘fats,’ however they each misplaced weight to the purpose dad needed to punch further holes in his belt to maintain his pants up.
Then, just a few weeks later, Jack got here by to tell us a farm just a few miles down one of many again roads was on the lookout for ‘an trustworthy day’s work’ in alternate for meals. The subsequent morning, Dad bought us up early, and he and I hiked it to the farm. It took about an hour and a half to get there. Diary, it seemed like one thing proper out of a historical past guide. Huge, white farmhouse, clothesline, not one however three large barns. We had been about midway down the lengthy dust driveway when three canines got here out barking. Then, a person and a boy got here out of one of many barns with rifles. Dad mentioned to place my arms up and maintain calm. The person and the boy got here nearer, and requested us what we needed. Dad mentioned that Jack informed us there could be meals for ‘an trustworthy day’s work.’ On the point out of ‘Jack’, each the person and the boy relaxed. The person was Farmer Miller and his son was Billy.
Diary, what Jack didn’t point out about ‘an trustworthy day’s work’ was it was sizzling, sweaty, arduous work. The subsequent time I noticed Jack, I let him know that too. Jack not often smiled or laughed, however he did then.
For ‘an trustworthy day’s work,’ we bought two dozen eggs, they usually made us lunch. Lunch was a thick ham slice on toasted and buttered bread, an enormous glass of milk, and a small piece of apple pie. Diary, I swear it was price ‘an trustworthy day’s work.’
Dad and I turned ‘farm arms,’ coming to work for farmer Miller three or 4 days per week. We might get different issues than simply eggs. Ham, milk, beef, flour, and the occasional apple pie. We might see Jack on the farm about as soon as per week. Farmer Miller mentioned that Jack was the ‘go to’ man who may get issues others couldn’t. He was additionally somebody nobody messed with.
Being a farm hand was not all arduous work. I bought to speak with Billy and his two youthful sisters, Olive and Daisy. They don’t seem to be like different youngsters. They appeared extra grown up for his or her age. I requested Billy why I by no means noticed him at school as we must be in the identical grade. He mentioned he was home-schooled. After I mentioned I by no means heard of such a factor, he defined it to me, however I nonetheless didn’t perceive why they appeared so ‘totally different.’ However I didn’t say that to him. I used to be afraid I’d harm his emotions. I like him. I’m additionally studying every kind of latest farm issues. Billy is even educating me to experience a horse!
In the future, farmer Miller, Jack, and Dad had been speaking. Farmer Miller was involved in regards to the fall harvest. Not solely him however different farmers across the space. They bought their crops planted within the spring previous to the ability going out. However now, there was no market to promote to. No level in harvesting crops which can be going nowhere. All of the farmers had large tanks of diesel gasoline as they often purchased within the earlier winter when costs had been low. Now, higher to save lots of gasoline for different issues. Some farmers had been speaking about culling a part of their herds or flocks. Farmer Miller supplied Dad his personal starter flock of chickens for just a few days’ work. Dad agreed readily. Farmer Miller did say with crops going un-harvested, wild recreation can have an excellent winter. Deer, turkey, and different wild recreation shall be plentiful subsequent yr.
The man with the ‘HAM’ radio additionally stored monitor of what day it was. The significance of the seasons by no means occurred to me. The Winter Solstice was just a few days in the past. The shortest day of the yr. The longest night time of the yr. One other day nearer to Christmas after which a brand new yr.
I’m excited for Christmas tomorrow. We’ve been utilizing the propane for under cooking, utilizing the fireplace place for warmth that solely heats the household room. We’ve lots to prepare dinner an enormous meal. Dad traded Jack some moonshine for a wild turkey. Dad cured and smoked a ham Farmer Miller paid him for work. Now I do know what curing and smoking is. Mother is making home made stuffing with chunks of the ham, some wild mushrooms she discovered within the woods, walnuts from timber within the woods too, thyme she grew and home made rooster inventory. Mother had loads of inexperienced beans, snap peas, and onions for a inexperienced bean casserole. She can also be roasting carrots, parsnips, and rutabaga with a honey glaze.
We invited Sam and Joanna, and Jack to spend Christmas dinner with us. Joanna is bringing an apple pie. Jack is bringing one thing he calls a ‘venison’ meat pie, no matter that’s.
Expensive Diary,
For the primary time in . . . months, I really feel ‘fats.’ ‘Fats’ as in a really full stomach ‘fats.’ Every part was incredible. Even Jack’s venison meat pie was scrumptious. And the apple pie. I couldn’t assist myself! I had two servings! Everybody laughed at me.
Jack, Sam, and Dad all had just a few photographs of the moonshine dad traded Jack for. Jack additionally introduced two bottles of mulberry wine for us ‘women,’ as he put it. I didn’t prefer it, however Mother and Joanna certain did.
I used to be sitting in entrance of the fireplace with Samson’s large head in my lap, scratching his ears, when the lads started speaking. Sam heard from the ‘HAM’ man that issues in elements of the nation are very dangerous. Within the cities, there was one thing known as a ‘mass die-off.’ One thing about unsafe water, dysentery, illnesses, and lawlessness. The federal government at totally different ranges has failed.
It was then not solely did I really feel ‘fats,’ however ‘secure’ with Dad, Jack, and Sam behind me, Samson quietly loud night breathing in my lap.
Issues have been arduous because the energy went out. However I had a Christmas that plenty of different youngsters didn’t have. From what I get listening to them discuss, they by no means even made it to this Christmas.
About 1stMarineJarHead
1stMarineJarHead shouldn’t be solely a former Marine, but additionally a former EMT-B, Wilderness EMT (courtesy of NOLS), and volunteer firefighter. His first novel, Expensive Diary: It’s Me, Jessica, is now accessible in paperback on Amazon.
He at present resides within the nice white (i.e. snowy) Northeast together with his spouse and canines. He raises chickens, rabbits, goats, often hogs, cows and typically geese. He grows numerous veggies and has a bizarre fondness for rutabagas. He enjoys studying, writing, cooking from scratch, making charcuterie, goal capturing, and is at present increasing his woodworking expertise.
