We had an abundant supply of fruits and vegetables and Scotty focused his attention on grains and nuts. The increased rainfall in the upcoming winter months will provide all of us a sustainable source of fresh water.

  Scotty’s distillery was producing some potent fuel and tasty Bourbon. Every week or so we would take the boat out and go fishing. We would encounter a small pod of Dolphins, not really knowing if it was the same from our ‘maiden voyage’ but they seem to like our company, except for Rosie, she did not like them at all.

  Returning from a fishing trip one late afternoon, we were loading up the truck, the dogs picked up on a scent at the exact time I felt a strange sensation. We all turned in unison as we watched a woman, who stood in a long flowing sundress and quickly re-entered her vehicle parked at the opposite end of the parking lot. All the dogs scattered except for Ginger.

  The woman looked petrified sitting in her car with the window open just a few inches. She was in her mid-fifties; bushy long red hair and she looked very healthy. Jillian, Scotty, Ginger and I approached her.

  “Hello! We mean you no harm. My name is Greg, this is Jillian and this is Scotty.” I said politely smiling with my hand on my pistol, looking around for anything suspicious and catching just glimpses of foliage moving from the posse as they moved into position. Scotty was all smiles as he subconsciously tucked in his shirt and re-seated his baseball cap.

  “I saw your boat leave this morning. I’ve seen it come and go and finally located it to this marina. What are you using those guns for?” The woman asked, nervous and a little intimidated.

  “Any fish that is thinking about eating one of us.” Scotty said.

  “What’s your name?” Jillian asked politely snapping the cover on her purple .38 on her hip.

  “Helen; Helen Sanders.” She replied.

  “You sit in that car any longer and you’re gonna be poached!” Scotty said with a friendly smile.

  “Please, get out of your car slowly and let her smell you; do NOT pet her or smile.” I said firmly.

  “Where are the other dogs? That makes me, a little nervous.” Helen said looking around from inside her vehicle.

  “No reason to be nervous; if your intentions are pure.” Scotty said, with a hint of a warning that any deception would not end well for her.

  “Her name is ‘Ginger.” I said with a smile as Ginger heard her name and wagged her tail a couple of times as Helen looked around again.

  “Exit slowly, let her smell you, and…” I said as Helen interrupted: “…and don’t smile. Why?” Helen asked.

  “Because showing teeth is considered a warning.” I said. Helen’s expression showed that she understood and cautiously exited the vehicle.

  “Hello Ginger.” Helen said softly as Ginger approached very slowly, nose sweeping the air.

  “Next time we meet, I’ll be sure to bring some cookies.” Helen said quietly as Ginger heard the word ‘cookies’ and smelled her pockets. Ginger’s tail began to wag a little as Helen was startled a little to see Pete sitting like a statue at the front of her vehicle, sniffing the air and looking directly at her.

  “Just don’t make any sudden movements; and everything will be, fine.” I said. Helen was startled again to see Jeff, sitting just like Pete at the back of her vehicle, his eyes shifting from Pete to Helen. Jillian, Scotty and I suppressed our laughter as Jeff tried to look intimidating like Pete; but he was just too damn cute. Becky walked up slowly next to Ginger and started smelling Helen.

  “You are just adorable!” Helen said looking at Becky as she smelled Helen’s hands and her tail started to wag. Jeff saw this and broke formation resulting in a disapproving grunt from Pete, causing Jeff to fall back into position and remain poised. Helen kept touching the top of her head, as Rosie was on top of her vehicle smelling her hair.

  Rosie’s stealth went unnoticed by Helen and it appears that she is friendly and poses no immediate threat. I stepped forward and held out my hand as Helen seemed relieved as she greeted Jillian and Scotty with a friendly smile and firm 2-handed greeting.

  “You might want to sit on the ground for your official inspection.” Scotty said. The dog’s excitement mounting, as they watched for my command. Jillian started taking pictures, that brought a curious look from Helen as she sat on the ground smiling.

  “… Okay.” I said and all the dogs converged on Helen, except for Rosie who stood on top of the vehicle closely monitoring the activity. Helen laughed out loud as the dog’s noses inspected every inch of her and expected to be petted.

  “That’s enough!” I said after about a minute, breaking up the posse as I helped Helen to her feet.

  “Do they do that to everyone they meet?” Helen asked smiling and fixing her bushy red hair.

  “No.” I said with an unfortunate look.

  “Pete; here, broke a man’s arm who poked me in the chest; and Rosie…” I gestured above and behind Helen. “… killed a man that held a knife to Jillian’s neck.” I said in a matter-of-fact tone. Helen’s face immediately changed from happy to grave as her eyes opened up a little. Reluctantly and slowly, Helen turned around to see Rosie’s massive size towering above her as she stood on the roof of Helen’s vehicle with a piercing stare with her amber eyes.

  Helen gasped and turned back around slowly to face me, as Rosie silently jumped off the roof and sniffing Helens shoes. Helen was petrified. She looked at me with the expression of ‘help’. Helen did not move as her eyes welled up in tears as Rosie slowly walked past her not taking her eyes off her.

  “That is NOT a dog.” Helen whispered to me. Scotty leaned in; “Don’t be in a hurry to make friends with her.” Scotty said with a hand on her shoulder, smelling the air and looking down.

  “Why does everyone pee when they meet us?” I said looking down to Pete and Jeff as they sniffed her shoes. Helen turned as red as her hair in embarrassment as Jillian stepped in to assist.

  Scotty and I finished packing up the truck and we were inspecting Helen’s vehicle. “All electric!” Scotty said after looking under it and inside at the blank dashboard. A small caliber hand gun on the passenger seat, a shoulder bag and a case of wine in the back seat.

  Jillian, Helen and most of the dogs were returning from the boat, Helen dressed in a pair of Jillian’s sweat pants and flip flops and one of my Hawaiian shirts.

  “Tell us about this car!” I asked Helen.

  “It’s all electric! I can get about seventy–five miles on a full charge!” Helen said excitedly.

  “This is a prototype; I think there are a couple others.” Helen said as she turned it on.

  “You live 13.2 miles from here?” Scotty asked.

  “Maybe… why?” Helen said in a flirtatious tone. Scotty turned red and Jillian interrupted the awkwardness.

  “Would you like to join us for dinner?” Jillian proposed. Scotty and I exchanged glances. Helen responded; “That would be lovely! I don’t run into many people…well, actually, any people! Good conversation, food and wine is just what I need! I’ll bring the wine. Okay?” Helen said with enthusiasm.

  “Yes, that would be nice; however, until we get to know you a little better, I would like the location of our home to remain a secret. Is this acceptable?” I asked Helen in a flat sincere manner that was not misleading.

  “That sounds, fair… but how do I know I can trust you?” Helen said using the same flat sincere tone.

  “You don’t. You can choose who will drive you and your car.” I said as I closed the gate on the truck.

  “Judging by your tone and your friend’s reaction, the only one YOU will be comfortable with… is you.” Helen said smartly. Jillian walked up to Helen and put her arm around her. “I like her more and more every minute!” Jillian said with a firm hug.

  Ginger insisted on riding with Helen and I as we were not two miles from the marina and the Suburban stopped and Ginger bolted out and barked the whole way to the small vehicle. Jillian’s voice over the two -way radio in my hand; “She was driving us crazy!”

  “No problem.” I said to Jillian as I got out and tilted the seat for her to get into the tiny back seat area, next to the case of wine. Helen did not say anything, staring at the floor, so I broke the silence; “How many people have you run into since…” I said as Helen interrupted my sentence and turned to look at me with what seemed like a nervous response, talking very quickly.

  “Well, about a year after, I ran into this woman, she looked like a hippie and smelled just awful. She was talking crazy about a camp in Oklahoma that survivors were welcome. She never said a city or town; just Oklahoma. Anyway, she wanted me to drive her there and I said no, I’m not interested, and she pulled a gun out, we struggled and I got it away from her and she ran away screaming.” Helen said.

  “Where did you say this happened?” I asked.

  “I didn’t. It was just outside San Francisco.” Helen said.

  “Anyone else?” I asked. Helen hesitated and her dialog and cadence was reduced by half as I turned to look at her.

  “A man, dressed in a military uniform, that didn’t even come close to fitting him, oversized, he was standing on the side of the road facing straight ahead, arms at his sides. I slowed down, and he did not move. I could not see his face because his hat was too big. He creeped me out, so I took off. I kept looking in my rear-view mirror and he did not move.” Helen said.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  “Maybe someone dressed up a mannequin as a goof?” Jillian’s voice over the two-way radio. Helen grabbed the radio from my hand.

  “No sweetie, the wind was really strong across the road and it was an open field on either side; like in ‘North by Northwest’!” Helen said.

  “I’m creeped out just hearing about it.” Scotty said in the background.

  “Anyone else?” I asked.

  “About nine months ago I was picking fruit in an orchard and I could have sworn I seen a young boy run between the tree lines. I yelled out for about a half hour in the direction he went but never received a response.” Helen said, not totally convinced she seen him.

  “What about animals?” Scotty asked.

  “Rabbits, I’ve got about seven that keep eating up my garden. I’m not a very good shot and only killed one. I was never good at preparing fresh… meat, and I felt guilty for just killing it and not eating it.” Helen said remorsefully.

  “I’m sure something made use of it.” Scotty said.

  “You’re right! It was gone the next day! Helen said as her dialog increased.

  “Oh! And I saw a horse way off in the distance one day and I see more birds, squirrels and small rodents all the time.” Helen said as I put the small vehicle in park in our driveway, completely forgetting about the ‘secret location’ clause.

  Jillian was just laughing shaking her head as she opened the doors and the dog’s poured out, barking and chasing each other and making their way towards Helen, welcoming her to our home. Rosie patrolled the perimeter with Jeff and Becky who protested, but followed her with noses against the ground.

  “WOW!” This is beautiful!” Helen said immediately walking towards the garden areas. Jillian showed Helen our agricultural layout and I heard her going through the list of crops we have planted. Scotty and I unloaded the truck and exchanged our assessment of Helen.

  “She seems harmless.” I said.

  “She sure talks a lot.” Scotty commented.

  “So did you when we first met.” I reminded him; he shook his head in agreement.

  “Isolation effects people in different ways I suppose.” Scotty added.

  Scotty and I prepared today’s catch of three pretty big Yellow-tail which drew the attention of all the dogs. Scotty and I agreed that larger fish were easier to fillet than a bunch of little fish. Nothing went to waste. If anything was left over it was mixed in with Jillian’s compost boxes. Ginger was the only one that did not seem to like raw fish. She would eat a couple of pieces and walk away. Jillian would take and marinade the fish in a bath of olive oil, garlic, green onion and whatever she decided on during her walk through the garden. Whatever marinade was left over, Jillian would serve as a seasoned flatbread appetizer.

  Scotty asked if he could take a shower because he smelled like a fish and asked if he could borrow a razor. “What! And take off that manly scruff! Sure, no problem.” I said as he just grinned.

  I decided that a quick swim would remove any fish smell and I did not want to waste water. I did not own a ‘bathing suit’ and Jillian and Helen were still in the gardens on the other side of the street, so I stripped off my clothes and jumped in the pool. The sound of the pool splash drew the immediate attention of all the dogs, who came running from different directions. Pete showed up first, followed by Ginger who came running full speed and launched in to join me, she loved the water and swimming. Pete, not so much since our ocean encounter, he would stay close to me and lick my arm. Rosie, Becky and Jeff showed up from across the yard near the property drop off and used the ramp. Rosie would swim around a little and stand on the ramp and play lifeguard. Becky and Jeff were getting big and swimming helped with their fitness program.

  “Even though the sun is setting, I can see a full moon!” Helen said standing with Jillian on the deck with two baskets full of produce.

  “GREG! We have guests!” Jillian said in a disapproving tone walking toward the kitchen.

  “Scotty’s taking a shower and I didn’t want to smell like fish guts.” I said with just my head above the water at the pool edge. Helen leaned over a little near the pool edge and gave me a wink.

  After about five minutes I called out to Jillian; “Sweetheart? Can you get me a towel… please?” Jillian eventually showed up on the pool deck with a small hand towel from the kitchen. Helen, standing next to her holding back her laughter. Jillian dangled it above my head and dropped it just out of arms reach from the pool’s edge. I signed heavily, stood up and walked up the ramp. I bent over to pick up the towel and held it over my chest and said to Jillian and Helen: “Don’t look. I’m shy.” As I walked past the both of them. Scotty appeared just as I was exiting the pool area, he was clean shaven and hair combed.

  “Who the hell is this guy?” I said with a gesture of my thumb as Ginger gave a small bark, not recognizing him right away.

  “That’s more of you I ever wanted to see.” Scotty said looking straight ahead.

  I returned to the patio and fired up the grill, the familiar sound of a cork being pulled reached my ears. As well as gentle conversation and laughter from the kitchen was comforting and welcome as I looked into the yellow California sun stretching out to me across the Pacific. Rosie came over and placed her head under my hand and looked up to me with a contented look. I knelt down and placed my head next to hers as she rubbed against me. I held her happy face between my hands and spoke to her: ‘Our pack is strong.’ Rosie rarely interacted with me and I considered this one of my most memorable as we watched Becky and Jeff wrestling in the grass.

  Everyone came out to the patio carrying something as they set the table. Jillian approached handing me a glass of wine and giving me a kiss with a big smile.

  “You’re in a good mood!” I said.

  “It’s nice to have girl talk.” Jillian said smacking my ass and giving me the ‘look’. Helen pretended not to notice as she helped Scotty set the table with a smirk.

  We all had plenty to eat, the fresh salad, veggie kabobs and Yellow-tail were delightful. The dog bowls still had some food remaining as they lounged in their favorite spots. We played Gin rummy, drank wine and listened to Dick Dale cd’s well into the night. Helen was married and going through a divorce when the virus hit. Her ex-husband worked for a company near the Ventura Naval base and was in China.

  “Our house was ninety percent green before all this happened. It was not much of a change for me. We tested prototype green gizmos all the time. I have two buildings full of stuff; just like the car!” Helen said very animated.

  Jillian, Scotty and I all looked at each other. Helen saw this exchange and said to Scotty: “Maybe you can find a use for it, it’s just collecting dust.”

  “I would very much like to look at your buildings.” Scotty said as I let out a small burst of laughter. Scotty’s face turned red knowing what he said sounded inappropriate and could easily have been mistaken for a subliminal goal he was considering. Helen placed her elbows on the table and leaned in facing Scotty with a blank expression that was difficult to read. Scotty was on the spot and nervous. Jillian and I placed our elbows on the table just like Helen and all stared at him. Scotty stood up and addressed Helen: “I meant no disrespect; I apologize for my remark and hope you can forgive me.”

  Helen stood up, walked over to Scotty and whispered in his ear. Judging by his bulging eyes, his comment was received loud and clear to Helen. Jillian got up and asked if anyone want’s some coffee. I quickly responded and joined Jillian in the kitchen.

  “She could be a valuable asset.” I said to Jillian as I filled the teapot with water.

  “Scotty seems to be interested in her assets as well.” Jillian said with a smile.

  “Scotty isn’t too old for… you know?” Jillian reluctantly asked.

  “Are you kidding me!” I said astonished.

  “I don’t know!” Jillian responded.

  “All I know is, if I was in his position, I would be able to cut diamonds.” I said looking into her eyes. Jillian looked down and grabbed me. We silently turned off the lights and went upstairs.

  The next morning, Helen invited us to her house as we re-heated leftovers and drank coffee and tea as a light fog was present outside.

  Scotty and I followed Helen and Jillian as we snaked our way along a number of roads. Scotty highlighted a map of every turn and obstacle we encountered.

  The ‘house’ I guess it could be called was built into the side of a mountain, a huge array of solar panels strategically placed to utilize the maximum amount of sun. A huge green house and gardening shed and the two large buildings on either side of the driveway.

  “Cookies for whoever catches a rabbit!” Helen said as we all exited the vehicles.

  The dogs went in all different directions, Rosie, Becky and Jeff trotted towards the garden’s, noses on the ground. Four rabbits took off as Rosie jumped into the middle of one of the gardens. One ran right toward Jeff who killed it instantly and Becky chased down one that was exceptionally fast.

  Rosie caught one pretty far out in a field and decided it was lunch time. Ginger and Pete stayed with us as Helen welcomed us to her home.

  “Everything is nine volts.” Helen said showing us the professionally installed and modular design of her highly sophisticated and efficient ‘earth ship’.

  I felt embarrassed on my crude interpretation of what I thought was efficient and sustainable compared to what Helen showed us. Since the house was built in the side of a mountain it felt as though the air conditioning was on, but Helen said that it wasn't necessary because the temperature only varies a couple of degrees and is controlled by the relative humidity.

  “This is pure genius.” Scotty said with inspired awe looking around with his baseball cap in his hand.

  “As smart as he was, he was a total asshole to everyone.” Helen said with absolutely no feeling in reference to her ex.

  “Helen said that he had a vasectomy because he didn’t want to be bothered with children. He lied about his vasectomy and blamed Helen when they were first married.” Jillian said to me.

  “We had… I had, chickens, goats, cows, horses, cats. It was a small working farm until, everything died. I sold eggs, milk, cheese and produce to local markets.” Helen said.

  “Why didn’t you tell us this yesterday?” Jillian asked surprised.

  “I didn’t want you…” Helen said turning toward Scotty. “To think I was a half-wit hillbilly. When you told me how many acres you had, I felt, I don’t know… kind of substandard and second rate.” Helen said embarrassed with her head hung low. Scotty walked up to Helen and gave her a loving embrace. We all approached Helen and gave her a group hug.

  “Were your friends now, and we are very proud of everything you have done!” Jillian said to Helen as Scotty and I agreed.

  “Really? no one has ever said that to me before.” Helen said amazed.

  Ginger and Pete wedged themselves between our leg’s sensitive to Helen’s emotional state, and because she had dog cookies in her shoulder bag. Jillian and Scotty walked with arms around Helen as we made our way across the driveway. Becky came up to Scotty and dropped a dead rabbit on his shoe.

  “What a good girl!” Scotty said as he congratulated Becky as her tail whipped back and forth. Scotty picked up the rabbit and examined it and then gave it back to her as she tore through it near the garage. Jeff noticed this exchange and brought us a bloody rabbit head.

  “Good boy Jeff!” Scotty said using the exact same amount of praise as Becky, but did not bother to pick it up. This confused Jeff. Scotty looked at all of us and rolled his eyes. He picked it up by what looked like was an ear.

  “Good boy Jeff!” Scotty said as he examined it and placed it on the ground immediately followed by Jeff crunching away at it. “Who’s ready for lunch?” Helen asked cheerfully.

  Rosie walked up and laid down a rabbit in pristine condition. Her happy disposition, again off set by her blood-stained mouth and teeth. Scotty picked it up and examined it as its neck was clearly broken.

  “Thank you, Rosie!” Scotty said as Rosie trotted away with Becky and Jeff in hunting mode. Scotty and I prepared the rabbit for lunch as Helen and Jillian talked and the dogs smelled everything. After lunch we explored the contents of the buildings. Nondescript enclosures with a badge and a serial number. Some had interfaces we recognized, some that we did not.

  ‘Phantom Electronics’ was one of the companies and a couple of others, but Helen said that P.E was his main responsibility. Scotty and I focused on one particular unit, it was the size of a mini fridge and a common outlet hose connector out the back.

  “That pulls humidity and moisture, like a de-humidifier out of the air but very differently.” Helen said.

  “I have a smaller one that is used just for the toilets, it runs at night and through the morning. It’s real quiet and it fills up a holding tank. All four of those units do kind of the same thing.” Helen said pointing. I have to clean the filter every other day or so, you guys can take the two big ones, but I don’t have any spare parts for them. I’d like to keep the two smaller ones as a backup, Okay?” Helen said. Scotty and I looked at each other. “What do you want to trade for these?” I asked knowing that we do not possess anything of comparable value.

  “Trade? Please! I’m just happy to help out!” Helen said with sincerity.

  “Wow! Thank you!” We all said in amazement.

  “Now that I think about it, it’s going to cost you some of your sprouts…” Helen said to Jillian and I. “…and it’s going to cost you…” Helen said walking up to Scotty and whispering in his ear.

  “That’s a win–win in my book!” Scotty said louder than he should have.

  Jillian, Scotty and I were able to help Helen with some minor and major repairs that were things Helen called just in inconvenience that produced significant results in electrical efficiency and plumbing issues. Jillian and Helen put together a calendar of the days we would all get together and go shopping, fishing or just go out for fun. Helen and Scotty, apparently had their own calendar and seemed to be getting along just fine.