Matt woke up well before dawn. His bedroom was cold, but it was incredibly warm under his covers. He braced himself and flipped them back. Yep. It was cold all right. His dresser gave up a stack of clothes that must have been left here after he had been discharged. They all still fit him thanks to the exercise regimen he maintained, but they were more than a little musty.
Still, it was better than the jeans and whatnot from yesterday. He dressed quickly, forgoing the shower for now. The gun found its new home in his waistband and he quietly went downstairs carrying his sneakers in his left hand. He was greeted by the smell of fresh brewed Columbian, but silence and darkness otherwise. Mama knew that he’d want his coffee after his morning routine.
He went outside and put his sneakers on. Fifteen minutes of stretching and then he broke into a slow jog. The gravel road that led from the house to the main highway was about a mile an a half. Under the clear country sky, where stars and moon were still visible, he ran. The easy cadence of his feet moving across the rock, his breathing, and the whisper of wind were the only sounds out here. He felt more like himself than he had in the past thirty-six hours. He made the circuit from house to road and back twice, praying with every step. He would have gone for number three, but the kitchen light was on. Mama was up.
He came through the door, ignored by the vicious attack beasts that had been warming Mama’s bed when he left. “Some guard dogs you guys are.”
Mama handed him a cup of coffee. “That thing necessary?” She asked.
He knew what she was talking about. “Look Mama.” He started to tell her not to worry, but though better of it. Mama would do what she pleased. “Yes Mama I do. My being here puts you in danger. This will help me protect you.”
“It’s that thing that put you here.” She poured her own mug. “Son, I’m not going to ask you to put that thing away. Just remember that when it’s your time, no big gun will stop the Lord from taking what’s His to take.”
“Yes Mama.” He sipped at the strong black brew. “Everyone else still asleep?”
“Yes. That brother of yours will probably sleep the day away and that young missus of yours was sleeping like an angel when I peaked in on her a few minutes ago.” Mama G sat and drank. “So when are you going to marry her?” The question was asked in a complete deadpan.
“Mama!” He realized he had gotten a bit loud and quieted his tone. “Mama, how can you even think about things at a time like this? I can’t very well marry her as a wanted man.”
Mama smiled. “You weren’t a wanted man last year. God willing you won’t always be one. You love her, son. Any fool can see that.”
“You got me there Mama. I could make all kinds of excuses, but you’d see through them all.” His coffee had cooled enough for him to take a long pull. “I’m just afraid. That’s what it boils down to.”
“Don’t let fear stop you from taking the good things in life.”
“I feel like I’ve walked into a Maxwell House commercial. Well except for the fact that the actors aren’t loaded for bear.” Jose’s voice drifted from the stairs.
Matt looked up. “Have you gotten that first paycheck yet? You know, for being so funny and everything.” He saw that his brother had the crate that he’d seen in the back of the jeep.
“Not yet, but keep hope alive.” Jose finished coming down the steps and gingerly placed the wooden box on the floor. He fixed himself a cup of coffee. “You’re obviously dying to know what’s in here, so I’ll tell you.” He set down the cup and opened the lid. “What I have here is a collapsible satellite dish. With it I’ll be able to hop on the ‘net and if we’re lucky find out some info about who’s after you.”
“I’m guessing that some assembly is required.” Matt said.
“You got that right.” Jose drank some coffee and grabbed a muffin from a plate on the counter. “And you’re recruited to help assemble.” The two men finished their breakfast and went into the growing light.
“You raised your boys well.” Robin said from her bedroom door.
“Thanks young lady. I credit the good Lord for most of how they turned out. I get credit for some of the bad stuff and their birth parents get credit for the rest.” Mama turned in her seat and looked at Robin. She saw a steel there that she had seen in the mirror for many years. “Have a seat and eat with an old woman.”
Robin took her invitation, grabbing a banana and a pouring a glass of orange juice from a pitcher on the table. “I heard you and Matt talking.”
“Eavesdropping’s a sin Robin.” Mama’s smile belied her words.
“One of many I’ll commit today no doubt. I’d be proud to be in your family.” Robin smiled back.
“You already are girl, you already are.” The tow women sat in silence watching the boys unpack and set up the small dish that Jose brought.
It did go up quickly and in inside of an hour Jose was back inside and had a host of electronic devices scattered around Mama’s dining room table. He hummed tunelessly as he worked on getting connected to the outside world. Robin helped where she could and Mama fussed about the mess.
Meanwhile, Matt busied himself with the bags that Jose left in his room. They gave up another scattergun and large frame pistol like the one he now carried. He found a holster for both and quickly gave his a proper and far more comfortable home. There was also a small submachine gun that he recognized as a Heckler & Koch UMP. It had a folding stock and front hand grip and a long curving magazine. He wasn’t sure on the latest laws regarding gun control, but Matt was pretty sure it was illegal. Finally there were more magazines for the pistols and the UMP and enough shotgun shells to last well through next deer season.
He field stripped the pistols and the subgun making sure that they were thoroughly clean and in good condition. Then he took the weapons and ammo and headed downstairs. “Expecting an invasion bro?”
Jose was deep into what he was doing and didn’t look up. His answer of “Always.” made Matt smile. He put a shotgun at the front and rear of the house with tow boxes of shells for each. The submachine gun stayed slung at the small of his back and he set the second pistol near Jose.
Robin reached out and slid it to her. “This a Mk. 23? Why yes it is.” She slid it free from its holster.
Matt cocked an eyebrow. “You know about guns?”
“A little. I keep a Smith and Wesson revolver in my purse.” She caught surprised looks from both men. “Well I don’t advertise it. The shop isn’t in the best part of town. I practice with it once a week.”
Matt wasn’t quite sure what to say. “Well that’s good. So how did you recognize this?” He pointed at the gun on his hip.
“Some kids play SOCOM: Navy Seals at the shop and I get into a player vs. player match form time to time. Hey, testosterone isn’t required to get into that kind of thing.” She busied herself checking cable connections.
“Women will never stop surprising you boys.” Mama cackled from the stove. She was cooking up a pot of pozole for lunch.
Jose looked up at Robin. “You go ahead and use that thing then. I’m not gonna hit anything with it. Here’s hoping none of us will need to.” A few rapid keystrokes and a look of triumph creased his light brown skin. “And I’m out. So what did you say that bad dude’s name was?”
Matt answered. “Detective Winston called him Agent Peterson. No doubt that’s a fake. If you can find out about Winston too that would be great. I don’t know how badly he was hurt in the accident.”
“Will do.” Jose went to work. There wasn’t a lot to go on, but he’d worked with less.
“I’m gonna go out side and take a look around. Check the perimeter and lines of fire.” Matt looked at Robin. “Want to go with me?
“What a romantic offer. How can a girl resist?” She stood and attached the holster to her hip. She’d had to put on the clothes that she wore the day before, browns cords and a pale gray sweater. She took Matt’s arm and they walked outside. It was a nice enough day, cold but clear.
The area around Mama’s house was cleared for a few dozen yards. There were scattered trees between here and the highway. Most of the ground was covered in high yellow grass. The land used to be farmed. Matt remembered hoeing rows of beans, corn, and squash. They weeded spring and summer no matter what the weather. There were apple trees on the land and some blackberry bushes out behind the house. A few hundred yards behind that there was a line of trees that stretched for miles as far as he knew. Some of it was owned by the state and there were some small family farms whose land butted up to hers.
The important thing was that it should be pretty east to defend. There wasn’t much that you could hide behind. The grass would provide some cover but Mama kept the lawn near the house well groomed. Imaginary site lines appeared in his head, a mental overlay. Scenarios rain in his head. How would he take the place of the shoe were on the other foot. He chuckled.
“What is it?” Robin had been following him, noting the increasing concentration lines on his face.
“Oh I was just thinking how amazing the human brain is. You get something ingrained into you and it just stays.” He turned to Robin, a smile on his face.
It was the first real smile, the gentle Matt that she knew, that she had seen in days. “There’s more there. What are you thinking young man?”
“Marry me.” He said and held out his hands.
“What?” She stepped forward and took them.
“I’m sure you heard me young lady. Will you marry me?” He pulled her to him and kissed her plump lips.
She broke the kiss. “Yes. Oh yes.” She kissed him again. The two lovers stood there kissing for a few minutes.
Matt broke it this time. “Marry me now.”
Robin was confused. “Sorry?”
“A marriage is a promise between a man, a woman, and God, right?” He asked dead serious.
“Yes.” Robin answered.
“I Matthew York, take you Robin Delany, to be my beautiful loving wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part. I promise these things before you and God.”
Tears fell from her eyes. “I Robin Delany, take you, Matthew York to be my wonderful loving husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part. I promise these things before you and God. You may now kiss the bride.” This kiss lasted longer and was more intense. Robin stepped back and looked up into his eyes. “I’m still getting a church wedding when all this is said and done white boy.”
“Ma’am, yes ma’am.”
