Perfect Picnic

Part Two

Autumn +4 weeks

"Do you have any idea how much damage you have done with your little stunt, Ellie?" I asked her while shoving potatoes in to my mouth. I am going to enjoy my food, no matter what is going on around me. Dang it, Tommy and I deserve one nice afternoon, don't we? "You have been making great progress in getting people to accept you. In a single moment, you set yourself back months ..."

"It true, Joel," Ellie said sighing sarcastic, while leaning against his arm. Joel just rolled his eyes at her. "Imagine, I might not get the blue plate next time."

Lord give me strength, I though as Ellie returned to her gumbo grinning. Ellie's gutter mouth is hard enough for most people, myself included, to deal with since most of us have not grown up speaking vulgar with a sprinkle of English for flavoring. Her wit though, when she added that in her arguments, made her tongue was as deadly as her bow.

"Maria?" my radio squawked before I could respond.

"I'll take care of it," Tommy said grabbing my radio. Walking away, I could hear him responding to Steven. "This is Tommy, Maria is eating, what can I do for you."

"Look, Ellie; this is a small community, do you understand? And in small communities, it is hard for others not to want to know their neighbors are up to; sadly some take it a bit too far, I will agree. Still, we want everyone to know everyone else so there a sense of kinship and they feel the need to protect everyone else."

"I understand that Maria," jerking her thumb at Joel who was silently eating his food. "That is why he drags me kicking and screaming to church every Sunday morning. He wants me to be seen being all neighborly as possible. Okay, I get it; and maybe I might even admit that sometimes, maybe, it isn't so bad standing around talking to people after mass … maybe ..."

"So you're admitting I was right," Joel raised an eyebrow in anticipation.

"Pftt, you wish."

"Worth a shot."

"Steven want to let you know your dad is at the plant, dropping off the food to the guys there, they will be heading back in a hour or so." Tommy said dropping back into his seat next to me with a smile.

I grabbed his hand and returned the smile, I wish dad had stay within the Line today, well every day he was in his sixties after all. Still, he likes to make sure the men and women at the plant don't miss out on the great meals when they are assigned there during community events.

Of course, if he was here; then he could deal with these two instead of Tommy and me!

"Look, can we all be a little more serious here for a minute," I said as Ellie piled the topping on her burger.

"Nope," Ellie proclaimed as she held her burger in her hands. "First, I am going to finish eating my burger then ..."

"Cheeseburger," Joel said tipping his mug back.

"What?"

"It's a cheeseburger."

"It's a burger with a piece of cheese on it."

"Exactly."

If one of them starts going who is one first, they will both be sorry. I have no idea what I would do yet, I just know it will be bad.

"What's the difference?"

Tommy started to snicker, I squeezed his hand and shooting him a look, he does not need to encourage them right now! "Listen, Ellie, Joel; we need to focus here."

"You're the one who wants to know everything about the past. The proper name is a cheeseburger."

"Fine," she look up at the sky, letting out a sigh. "First, I am going to eat my cheeseburger, happy?"

"Peachy"

"I still don't get why everyone is making such … mm" she made the oddest noise and her eyes got bigger then I though possible. She keep making these little squeaks as she jiggled in her seat. Joel just mumble darkly while shaking his head. "What is this?" She was able to say once she finished swallowing.

"I told you it is a cheeseburger."

"I know that asshole," she slapped him in the shoulder. "What kind of meat is this? I've never tasted … it's not rat, or squirrel or anything else I've eaten! What is this?"

"It's beef," Tommy supplied, her head whipped away from Joel so fast I though she was going to snap it, staring so intently at my man it look as if her eyes were trying to pop out of her sockets. "It comes from the cows we ..."

"Those big, fat,ugly, hairy, things that just lay around all day eating and shitting? Those things produce this … this ..." Her head whipped back around to Joel even faster, "Joel!"

"No."

"Please, please ..."

"I am not getting you a cow ..."

"I'll take care of it ..."

"It won't fit in your room, we don't have anywhere else to keep it."

"Pftt, who said anything about my room, you can sleep on the couch ..."

"We already had this discussion when you found out where bacon came from ..."

"Joel, this is almost as good as bacon! Imagine it Joel, bacon in the morning … these heavenly creations at dinner … think about it, Joel!"

"Or you can have the bacon on the cheeseburger," Tommy said grinning. I hit him in the leg, hard while Joel's eye shot heat rays into his brother, by that grin neither of us had any real effect.

"You can do that," I almost didn't hear her, her voice was so tiny. And her expression, you would think she has just seen the Gates of Heaven the way her eyes were shining. Tommy was grinning like a little boy while rubbing his leg as Ellie spun back around, somehow getting her legs under her, she started bouncing and chatting, "Please, please!"

"No."

"I am the 'L'," she said holding his shoulders, "you can not resist my cuteness." She then turned her head, gave him the most adorable smile … I wanted to go 'aw' when I saw it … and I know she is trying to manipulate him. She just told us she was going to manipulate him and … still, I felt like the worst villain in the world as I explained why she couldn't get a cow.

"Ellie, I am sorry sweetheart, but we don't have enough cows yet to sell any," she turned towards me … . Oh crap, now she is pouting … she is looking even more adorable … why do I let myself get pulled in to these arguments. "Plus it takes about five to six years for a cow to get big enough to get the beef from it."

"You mean I have to wait five more years before I get another burger?"

I swear she is never getting around any children Tommy and I might have in the future, forget her medical condition; if she ever taught them how to look so sad to get their way I will have no self control left by the time they turn two. They will be spoiled rotten.

"No, no," Tommy said falling for it too. Great, I need him to be strong and he folds up faster then me. "We will be able to have another one around summer," He looked to me to confirm as I nod in agreement. Wait, why I am agreeing? She is doing this on purpose, to both of us! "Then you can have more then, I'll even make sure they have bacon too."

"Okay, I guess I can wait," she said in a sweet but sad voice. Then she slowly turn to Joel, who look unimpressed with her, so she slap his arm hard. "See, they can't resist me; why can you?"

"I'm immune," Joel said dryly while Tommy and I exchanged eye rolls.

"You're an ass," she said going back to her burger.

"So I have been told."

I just … I just … I should have … why couldn't dad be here to deal with this? I thought as I ran both hands thru my hair.

"Well, watching her eat is making me hungrier," Tommy said grabbing my plate, "you want me to get you so more?"

"No, I'm good but thank you honey," I said. He is so cute and sweet; I know I'm the luckiest woman in the world. I would be even luckier if he would try to get his sister in law? ... Niece? … His brother's annoying side kick to listen for two seconds!

"I'm still in the mood for more," Joel said getting up from Ellie's side. "You want another one?"

"Hmm, yes, please." Ellie said giving him a genuine smile. "Thank you, Joel."

"Anytime," he said, his voice didn't sound all that different to me but she started blushing and really smiling.

I don't think I will understand either one of them. But now I had an advantage, they were separated. Talking to one while their partner was around was almost impossible, especially with that Jedi Mind trick thing they do when they just say each others names. I can finally get my wayward … whatever she is … to listen to reason, which will be a hell of lot easier then talking to Joel again

"Now, Ellie I know you … um Ellie," Okay, her little groans of pleasure was making this … a bit more difficult, "Ellie, honey, could you maybe stop making those noises for a minute."

"I knew they had to be lying," she said softly with her eyes close.

"Um, excuse me?"

"Those other kids, in Boston," She said taking another bite and eating it just as slowly. "They always claimed that sex was the best thing in the world, there's no way sex could ever be this great."

"You're joking, right?"

"Um, no, I am not ..." Brett looked between Joel and Bruce with a look of incomprehension as they both stared him down.

"The Steelers? And you want me to feed you after you said that about the Steelers?" Bruce slowly shook his head.

"But … but … L found this book," the thirty year old man stuttered, he was old enough to have played midget football, he hadn't played since then until today, but was still unsure in face of the two older men. "It said the Steelers won the most Super Bowls out of all the teams."

"That doesn't mean anything," Joel said with a ghost of a grin."After all, ask anyone and they will tell you the best NFL team was, of course, The Cowboys."

"Chiefs" Bruce said.

"Patriots," we all three named different teams at the same time. Now Bruce and my brother looked at me as if I was growing a third leg out of my skull instead of Brett. "What? They were the best of the best."

"Not your fault Joel," Bruce said with a sigh as my brother hung his head, letting out a long breath. "Everyone family has one, just leave him locked in the attic like we did in Kansas City." Turning back to his grill, with a shit eating grin, he pulled some more ribs off the flames. "Here you go, now you go read about a real team …. sshess Steelers." After Brett happily moved along Bruce favored us with a smile, "So what can I get you Joel and your the half-wit brother?"

"I'll take some more ribs, they ain't so bad for someone whose not from Texas, and Ellie wants another burger, if you don't mind."

"I knew she would love that burger," Bruce laughed as he threw down another patties.

"She wants him to buy a cow," I added as Joel snorted. "and a pig too."

"Why a pig?"

"That girl would eat bacon all day long if I let her." Joel then gave me a stink eye, "and thanks for letting her know about bacon burgers. She is never gonna shut up about them now."

"Just trying to help my older brother," I said as kept a eye out for anyone walking up to us. I'm really not in the mood to hear anymore about dogs, neighbors, or any other picky little problems that people just can't get past on their own. I'm too busy now a days to be able to just stand around shooting the shit like this, three men standing around a grill talking about nothing. Twenty years ago or today, the feeling is just the same.

"You better remember to bring bacon the next time they have burgers or I ship her off to your place, let you deal with her and her damn 'I am the L, no resisting my cuteness' routine."

"Why wait," Bruce said reaching into a container in the back of his table. He pulled out two long strips of bacon already cooked. "I was going to eat a bacon burger myself but watching Ellie blow her mind would be well worth it." Joel and I started protesting as he slapped cheese on the burger and heated up the bacon. "No, no; L, she is good people, you know. L is always going out of her way to help people, so this my way of saying thanks to her. Plus, I remember those so called rations in the QZ, they keep you belly full, barely, but they tasted like crap. Man is smart but we never could replace God's own creations, there is just no replacing a good old fashion cow."

"Amen," I said as strongly as if I was in church.

"Thank you kindly, Bruce."

"You want to thank me," he jerked his thumb at me, mockingly shaking his head. "Get through to that brother of yours, … Patriots?"

"Everyone wants the impossible," Joel said with a wave as we skip the line down to the refreshments.

And now we had Pastor Ken and Barbra both standing there … fuck.

"Good day gentlemen," they both said as we walked up. "Can I interest you in some tea or lemon-aid?"

"Lemon-aid for Ellie and another beer for me."

"On your third beer already?"

Ah, and the claws are extended, Barbra really needs to take some lessons from Ellie on how to smile without making it look so fake.

"Second, I spilled one during dinner."

"I'll take the same," something told me we need to get back to the girls before …

"Speaking of young Ellie," Ken said walking over to me.

Fuck!

"I have recently learned that, during one of her expeditions with Mary-Ann and the boys, that a stash of pornographic magazines had been found in one of the motels. I have been assured that she had collected all such material before the devil could take root and poison the mind of our young people. Still, she has so far resisted turning over to me to be disposed of in a proper fashion. As well as some works of fiction that celebrate the work of the devil."

I seen a few porno in my days, hell half the internet had been porn, so it was no big deal to me … at that time. I know Joel has never really had any use for any of it but he has also never been against it either, his attitude as always been let others do what they wish. Still, since that Day; well, my views on that matter have changed, I can see now how it warped my views of women and sexuality.

"I'll talk to her, see if I can get her to listen to reason."

"Yeah, good luck with that," Joel snorted. Wait? Joel? "She has them locked up, the boys won't get a hold of themselves, plus she is going to be vigilante to make sure if they find any more she can get them before they do."

"You knew about this," Barbra screeched before I could say anything.

"Yep."

"And you approve!"

"Nope."

"You believe they should be tossed out and be destroyed?"

"Yep."

"Wonderful, wonderful news! Thank the Lord, for small favors. Pastor Ken,Tommy and you should go to her right now, and demand that she turn over that … nasty smut … so we can wash this filth from God's green earth forever!"

I really hate to see Barbra so happy, it makes me want to rethink my positions on … well everything.

"I agree, we should head over to her now, we have a chance to rebuild our way of life and we shouldn't waste this opportunity to make sure it is done right! I am sure between Maria, Tommy, you and I; we can make her understand what she needs to the right thing."

"I guess so, you ready Joel?"

"Nope."

Wait … what?

"What? You just said you don't approve of her having that disgusting trash," Barbra said her fake smile plastered on her face.

"She is preserving the past, I don't agree with it but it is her call."

"But Joel, surely you can see that there is no value in preserving such vile works that are a blight on God's world."

"She wants to learn where we went wrong, she can't do that if she only has what are positive influences. The bad mistakes matters as much as the good choices, she wants to understand the whole picture so the future doesn't make the same mistakes."

"So you do approve!" Barbra accused him, with one finger outstretched.

Joel for his part looked … bored … with everything going on. "Nope, I don't approve but it is her call."

"Surely Joel, if you would sit her down and express your disapproval with her actions; she would do as you wished." Joel snorted at that one which Ken ignored. "Young people such as Ellie, they need direction from their elders. Especially those who rebel, the more they fight the more they feel that deep need to be taken by the hand and, with caring and love, be shown the true path."

"Yeah, that just proves you don't know Ellie," Joel said picking up his beer and lemon-aid. "Secondly, we have discussed this, she present a good argument to me. Third, they will not be displayed nor check out by anyone; they are strictly for her own research. Nothing more."

"But it is wrong!" Barbra screeched out again, seriously how does Nathan deal with that voice ever day. "It's a front to God if she allows that … that … material to exist!"

"That argument might have worked before she read the US Bill of Rights, right now this burger is getting cold so ..." without so much as a nod, Joel turned away heading back to the girls.

Leaving me there to face them alone, this must be his punishment for telling Ellie about bacon burgers.

"I will go to Ken about this if I have too Tommy," Ken said frowning.

"Maria and I will talk to her," I grab my own beer and lemon-aid. "You should know without Joel support, it won't matter. I doubt even Ken would get her to change her mind."

"I would hate to see her removed from the library, she does such good work for the town but I not sure someone with her views is the proper person to run such a valuable community asset."

"Just remember, it is her library; its her books and she pays rent for the space not the other way around." I said holding on to my temper. "I am sure Ken would be happy to remind you of that fact when you talk to him. Now if you will excuse me, my wife is missing me."

"Of course, my son; may God be with you," Ken said with a smile, Barbra looked as if she want to say more but decided to follow the Pastor's lead.

Of course, I can already feel those daggers she staring at me enter my back. I walk back to the girls, not moving too quickly but fast enough to catch Joel. My brother was quietly walking as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened. Then again, he probably already dismissed those two and pushed it out of his head. Joel has an amazing ability to ignore anything that …

"Uh-oh," Joel mumbled as he came to a stop.

"What?" I looked at the girls, Ellie was twisted in her seat to face us, looking normal as far as I can tell but Maria had that lost look on her face, as if something just happened that she doesn't understand how it happened. Which is odd, Maria is very good with people. "What's wrong?"

"Ellie is mad."

"You sure?" I asked, she doesn't look as if she was upset, "She looks okay to me."

"Yep. Just avoid eye contact, keep your hands away from your weapon, and if I tell you to run, run like hell."

"You're joking right?"

"God, I hope so," he said as he began walking towards the table. I really don't know my brother any more. He sat down next to Ellie who just remains silent and watchful while I sit next to my wife who looks nervous and sheepish. Joel put her burger on her plate and returned her stare for about a minute before he let out a sigh. "Okay, you got me this time, what's wrong?"

"How does she know what … that … thing try to do to me last winter?" Ellie said in a very even tone as if she was discussing the weather.

"Ellie please, let me ..."

"No, no it's alright Maria," Joel said … holy shit I never knew he could speak so softly. "Honey, listen; only Maria knows not Tommy or Kevin, alright." Ellie was quiet as Joel took on of her hands in his, "and she only knows because her and I were in the kitchen talking one night after we got here before we had our home, you had one of your nightmares." Ellie looked up and let out a breath, eye closed as she nodded. "She was frighten for you, I had to tell her, I'm sorry."

"I had that … one ..."

"Yeah, I don't think you even woke up enough to know where you were … I'm sorry ..."

"No, … no its okay Joel. I … I shouldn't have … I'm sorry I jump down you throat."

"That is what I'm here for," he said as she leaned into him.

"Sorry Maria, I … shouldn't," Ellie said not looking at my wife. "I just … I hate thinking about ..."

"No, oh no, no Ellie; I'm sorry." Maria said gripping my hand under the table. Later, I will find out what's going on, and why Maria never told me but for now I will just be the strong silent type. "But you should be proud, you fought him off, he never was able to do that. Many women don't … they can't … but you did, you are so strong."

Wait?! Is Maria talking about rape? I knew that Ellie had been captured by a group of cannibal in Colorado and decimated a large part of them, and Joel, still inured, destroyed still more but no one said … fuck.

"I didn't feel very strong."

"It's my fault, I should have ..." Joel said pulling her in deeper.

"You idiot," she said softly, with a smile in her eyes. "You were supposed to be recovering, not killing assholes." Ellie said patting his arm as she pulled away. "And you never told me what made you come look for me anyways."

"Just knew it." Then Joel gave her a cockeyed grin, "Anyways, you made sure that piece of shit never hurts anyone again."

"I'll say," Maria said with a shiver then glanced at me before whispering. "Forty whacks, all to the face."

"Well, he could found you, and tried to hurt you next, I wasn't going to let anyone hurt you, Joel." She then reached across the table and grabbed my beer … wait my beer! "And no one, and I mean no one, hurts my Joel."

"Ditto," Joel then raised his glass, they both salute each other then down the beers in one shot.

"Didn't Joel talk to you about drinking, Ellie?" Especially drinking my beer, I wanted to say but Maria look of annoyance at those two stopped me.

"Yes, but we're not in Texas, Tommy. Come on, keep up here."

"Not his fault, he is a Patriots fan." Joel said sadly. Ellie made a face, cringing she gave me a weak smile.

"Isn't there something we can do for him, a group or something ..."

"Very funny," I sighed as Maria just dropped her head on the table top.

"I thought so," Ellie said giggling softly. "It's getting too serious, lets go for a walk." Grabbing her hamburger and their backpack, she pulled Joel out of his seat as he quickly finished his ribs. "Come on, you old fart, or you still wore out from losing to Shawn."

"Hold your horses," He let himself be pulled up, then followed her as she walked around the table towards the field.

I looked at Maria, her head was still on the table as she muttered to herself. I don't even know why we try anymore with those two, they can be as fluid as water, annoying as junk mail and as dangerous as a bear with a toothache trapped in a room with full of bees.

"Hey you two," Both Maria and I turn to look behind us at Ellie and Joel standing a ways back. "Come on, it's time for a family walk, lets go."

The family walk … was a good idea. Tommy and I walked quietly beside Joel and his sidekick as she did majority of the talking, which wasn't much either, as we wondered hand and hand aimlessly around town. It was fascinating watching those two, they were so … dang it, they were complete with each other. It was like looking at two separate, contrary pieces of a puzzle that somehow fit snugly together.

It was also very relaxing, especially after dad called to let me know he was home. Ellie tried to get him to come out but he told her that us kids need time alone and he would see her in the morning. I wish he would've joined us as well, but he was old and probably just want to go to bed early. It would be sunset in a hour or so, I guess.

None of the town folk bothered us either, guess walking around with Jackson most odd ball couple did have a few positives. Steven also has been quite as well, which mean no one has called on the radio, might be nice peaceful night after all.

"What, you want to check out a book," Tommy said as we came to a stop. I looked up to see that we arrived at the old county building, which housed Ellie's library as well as Andy's medical clinic.

"Nope, we are going somewhere so you guys can get whatever has been bothering you for the past couple days off your chest, without worrying about anyone interrupting." Ellie said grabbing Joel's hand and opening the door for us. "We also promise not to doge anymore questions or sidetracking you, either." I let out a snort of annoyance as I followed them through one of the stairwells heading up, I knew they were up to no good all day, annoys me that they were able to do it so successfully. "This is why I choose this building, this is where I come when Joel annoys me, or to think or to ...", she opened the door to the roof, "spend a few quiet minutes with him."

I been up here myself a few times, it was the tallest building in town, it was a great place to survey the area before we put up those towers. Now, no one comes up here except those two I guess. She led us over to the west side, and sat down against one of the old air conditioning units that we had long scavenged. Joel sat down next to her, while Tommy and I kind of just stood there, not sure what to do.

"Come on, sit down," Ellie said as she moved over to sit in Joel's lap, his arms wrapping around her protectively. "I have one request, please let me talk first, wait until I am done before you say anything; and be patient, it could take awhile."

"Sure," Tommy said as we both sat down.

And we waited, as Ellie leaned against Joel, both of them looking off to the west. Tommy and I shuffled nervously for a couple minutes waiting for her to start, I am tired and annoyed I just want to go home, but all she does is stare at …

"Oh," I said breathlessly as I stared at the sunset. The colors, the bright red and light purples of the dying light reflecting off the clouds … I forgot … I forgot how pretty the sunsets are. I felt it all melt away as Tommy wrapped his arms around me, all the annoyance I had built up recently, all the worrying about my dad, Tommy, the town … my two newest family members, all the anger at God for allowing all this to happen … it all just lifted from me. I … I can't even remember the last time I just sat and watched the sunset, it has been so long. Tommy kiss my neck as he gently rocked me, maybe … maybe he knows, maybe he is feeling the same relief … maybe we need to do this again soon. As the last of the light disappeared, I heard a small voice in the darkness.

"And that is all I have to say about that."

"Thank you," I said just as quietly, not wishing to break the mood.

"Thank you, thank you both for everything, I know Joel and I are hard to deal with sometimes but thank you … he is safe I don't have to worry anymore about him. Joel is safe, and I can't thank you enough for that."

I then … man, I was misting up … I reached out, for the first time since I met her, I reached out and pulled her into an embrace. All fears of her infection was pushed to the side as we both began crying and hugging each other.

"You don't have to thank me Ellie, that what families are for," I said.

We must have been quite the sight if anyone had seen us, four grown adults siting around hugging and crying but … you know what … that is what families are for.

"Quite the girl you have there Joel," I heard Tommy say fondly.

"You have no idea."