Chapter One
MEADOW SHACK
Tues. June 21st
Bonjour Meme,
I woke this morning feeling like this is the day Me' Loss and I make it back home, it is only a matter of crossing over the jagged basalt mountains and reaching the other side. And that is what I set out to do, cross over, and make our way home.
And another miracle happened, meme! Me' Loss spotted a black-eared, white rabbit with black eye circles, and a large black nose, zig-zagging in front of us. Me' Loss and I gave chase and the rabbit ran down a narrow ravine, I hadn't seen before; and we came to a large open meadow.
And then I saw the shelter at the far end of the meadow. I was more than excited. I was hoping the people in the shack had a phone to call home and then Me' Loss and I would be rescued!
Me' Loss continued after the rabbit, and I ran towards the rock and wood shelter, the best I could without shoes, but running was pointless, the shack was unoccupied and deadbolted.
But I had an idea; and once I found the deadbolt key (the oldest trick in the book), I saw a table in the middle of the one-room shack, all sorts of foods and supplies sitting on open shelves, stacked several feet high, and plastic wrapped blankets and pillows stacked even higher inside the shack.
Now I sit here at the table looking at all that we have been blessed with; we have food, fire, and even an ax for cutting more wood, if needed. The shelves are covered with dust, and the food maybe too old to be safe; but we have food! Outside, by the door is a big blue barrel with a sign that reads: Fresh Drinking Water – Every Drop Counts!
In the back corner of the single-room shelter is a wood stove the size of our kitchen microwave, and a two-foot window in the right-side wall, cloudy and yellow from age. There are sleeping bags, blankets, books, and board games stacked to the ceiling. And neatly folded coats, hats, gloves and boots on an overflowing laundry shelf. We will have warmth from the cold!
And looking somewhat out of place in this primitive shelter, on the northeast side of the room, mixed among an overflowing shelf containing knives, hammers, hand shovels, reels, and various fishing lures, are handcuffs, leg irons, and belly chains; and leaning against the sides of the shelf, an assortment of fishing rods of various styles and lengths, and a lethal looking bang stick. I don't think the shack was used just for fishing and hunting!
We have no phone, no company—yet we've been blessed for sure by God!
Sleep well, meme.