We noticed an increase in rainfall and this really helped with our yield from the gardens. We canned seven cases of tomatoes, onions, peppers and beans. The corn was a total disaster and a waste of time and resources. During my spare time we selected a smaller R/V and upgraded it for our trip north and into Canada that included a trailer for our bicycles, assorted gear and a freezer. Everything was secure and we double checked everything for a two or three-month vacancy. Jillian plotted our course northeast up to Minneapolis. I wanted to stop in Las Vegas, just because.

  “What about area 51?” Jillian joked.

  “We have nothing to gain by visiting a government installation. I said.

  “So, what do you call our summer home?” Jillian asked.

  “Interesting point. Give me a couple of days on that one.” I said.

  We packed enough food for a complete round trip, just in case the compound was compromised. The dogs sensed our excitement and knew we were going on a trip. Pete was only half interested in Jess’ whereabouts and both agreed that it would not be a good idea to take her along. I set up solar powered video cameras around the house so we could retrieve any activity during our absence. We went through the three-page checklist twice and Jillian said “First stop… Vegas baby!”

  Las Vegas was a nightmare, bullet riddled, sun-bleached corpses littered the streets. Cars, trucks, buses pointing in every direction made driving difficult.

  “Not one of my better ideas.” I said as Jillian directed me out of the city and into a very nice gated residential area, again, at one time.

  “Let’s stretch and deploy a drone.” Jillian said.

  The once beautifully landscaped yards, now an adobe sepia tone of misery, gave me an uneasy feeling. The dogs picked up on it and were not in the mood for playing or exploring, senses on high alert as they swept the area for anything while relieving themselves. Jillian sat in a chair on the roof of the R/V taking notes while I walked around with the dogs listening to the silence. Even the wind was silent.

  “Not much around here, I got two houses that way and one this way.” Jillian said pointing east and south. Jillian handed me the controller and the chair from the roof and said “What’s wrong?” Looking at me, then the dogs.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  “I don’t like it here.” I said in a long slow sentence. Looking around sensing something odd.

  “Let’s get the fuck out then!” Jillian said jumping off the ladder. We packed up quickly and exited the area as Jillian barked out directions and some items inside the R/V hitting the floor from my aggressive driving. We finally found a long stretch of highway and Jillian sat in the passenger seat.

  “You Okay?” Jillian asked.

  “I don’t know, just a bad feeling that escalated.” I said as Ginger put her head in my lap and licked my hand as I petted her. Pete remained under the table.

  The one thing that we were acutely aware of is how each of us are feeling. We trusted and respected each other’s feelings, whether it was my high state of alert or Jillian’s sex drive. Ginger and Pete loved being moral support and security detail. They knew when it was time for work and when it was time for play.

  We drove through the mountains and camped at a nice National Park with a beautiful view. We actually saw a few birds gliding high in the sky as we built a campfire and watched the sunset. I got up and poured myself a glass of Scotch and asked Jillian if she wanted anything.

  “I’ll have a Scotch with you!” Jillian said to my surprise. I poured two glasses and handed her one of them as I sat down and pulled out a cigar.

  “You want one of these as well?” I asked as I snipped off the end.

  “No, I got my own.” Jillian said as she got up and went into the R/V. She sat down next to me, opened a bag and pulled out a ‘joint’.

  “You have to be shitting me!” I said laughing. “You nicked that from door number… 5, I think.”

  Jillian put the poor excuse of a ‘joint’ in her mouth and gestured for a light. She worked hard on trying to get it lit as the contents just poured out of the end and on the ground. We both laughed hard and she seemed to be a little embarrassed.

  “Okay Mr. Natural, let’s see you do better!” Jillian said handing me the bag and the rolling papers. I grew up in the early eighties, finding and smoking weed was a constant pursuit and recreation, plus I was a musician and it’s all part of the culture.

  “Wow! This smells really good!” I said as I broke up the large buds into a granular texture. I filled the rolling paper and with ‘tie dye’ precision, I produced an adequate joint.

  “Son of a bitch.” Jillian said totally impressed. Jillian lit it up as I outlined my teenage years of garage bands and musical influences. After a few hits, I was pretty buzzed and so was Jillian.

  “This stuff is so good; you forget to smoke it.” Jillian said.

  We discussed philosophical topics and assessments as well as other sensitive topics that did not need to be re-lived. We eventually sat in silence. “I think this was more enjoyable when life was simpler.” Jillian said standing up and staring at the night sky and flicked the remainder of the joint into the fire. Jillian came over to me and sat in my lap and snuggled in close. I stroked and smelled her hair and was aware that she was feeling frisky.

  “I’m a little cold.” Jillian said in a soft voice.

  “Well, let’s go in the R/V and get something hot inside you.” I said quietly.

  “How did you know?” Jillian said looking up at me.

  “…your hips are twitching.” I said.