Survival Series Collection II Three Short Stories: Survial Series, #2

By J. Gordon Monson

This is a collection of three separate short stories. They each tells of young people experiencing very difficult times, some even life threatening events. The three separate stories entertain you with realistic experiences that could happen to anyone of us. The three titles: "Freewheeling;" a story of Duffy who is in transition from one career to a search for what he may want to pursue in his future. He has some unexpected disruptions which are life changing happenings along his way. In "Runaways;" a story of two young men, Ryan and Blake, who want to find out what it feels like to be out from under their mother's control for the first time. The pros and cons of being on their own become very real to them the first few days out. In "A Job Title," Ben finally finds work doing something he loves, and in a very tough job market. It is almost like he is getting paid to have fun, until an unexpected scary event happens. Read on to see what else he finds, some not so good and some very good.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J. Gordon Monson
• Release date: Oct 23, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386499381

J. Gordon Monson

The author went from telling his children bedtime stories to enlarging his work to novel-length stories offered to readers beyond his own household in 2012.

Book preview

TABLE OF CONTENT:

FREEWHEELING:

CHAPTER 1  THE EXIT

CHAPTER 2  THE ACCIDENT

CHAPTER 3  CHANCE ENCOUNTER

CHAPTER 4  THE DATE

CHAPTER 5  FUTURE PLANS AND QUESTIONS

CHAPTER 6  FUTURE PLANS OR NOT

CHAPTER 7  WEDDING PLANS

RUNAWAYS:

CHAPTER 1  THE FLIGHT

CHAPTER 2   TRAVELING MEN

CHAPTER 3  THE CENTER

CHAPTER 4  JOB SECURITY

CHAPTER 5  SCHOOL PLANS

CHAPTER 6  THE LAKE

A JOB TITLE:

CHAPTER 1  JOB SEARCH

CHAPTER 2  SETTLING IN

CHAPTER 3  FIRST SNOW

CHAPTER 4  TRAVELING MAN

CHAPTER 5  MID WEEK WEEKEND

CHAPTER 6  DOUBLE BREAKDOWN

CHAPTER 7  THE SNOW SEASON

CHAPTER 8   WINTER ENDS

He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youth shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall. But they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:29-31 NKJ

FREEWHEELING 

CHAPTER 1   THE EXIT

The countdown to freedom was just eleven days away. Eleven days before Marvin McDuffie would put on his Navy uniform for the last time, and then say good bye to Uncle Sam. His duty station for the last three years has been at the Naval Weapons Station in Concord, California. His military life career was almost completed. Ten days, sixteen hours, and forty-five minutes later, Duffy (as his military buddies called him) would finish serving his twenty years of duty, muster out and look forward to what the various unknowns that civilian life had for him.

This big, ruggedly handsome sailor had kept his chestnut colored hair in a regulation cut for all of his years in service. Duffy was known by his fellow crew members as a man of integrity with a big heart and an equally big smile to boot. His tours of duty had taken him to many parts of the world with only rare visits back home.

It was just one year before his military retirement when his sister, Stella, called him to let him know about the terrible accident. Their parents had been tragically killed when a drunk driver plowed into their car. Stella was crying when she shared this awful news, Mom and Dad were both instantly killed in the crash. They didn’t suffer and, thankfully, they are both fine Christian believers. She asked, Marvin please let me know when you will get here so we may plan their memorial.

Losing my parents was a terrible shock to me. My folks were not old by anyone’s standard and they were both in really good health. Healthier than most people in their early sixties. I was so glad to be able to spend last Christmas at home with them, along with Stella and Bob and their two children, Tim and Nicky. They had driven up from Mesa, Arizona to spend their Christmas with family. I had taken two weeks off to spend with my family. It was a really good time to catch up on all the things I was missing by being away so much.

Stella and I were their only children so we each had inherited half of our parent’s estate. I had also managed to save and invest much of my own funds. So between my own mutual funds and the money and property I had inherited, I had substantial retirement funds tucked away. It is certainly enough so I would be in no big hurry to find employment after my Navy retirement. Because of these resources I could wait to decide where I wanted to settle and what job I would eventually take. It should give me time to do some traveling before settling down. Stella and Bob wanted me to settle close to Mesa, but I wasn’t sure that is where I wanted to land. I needed time to scout out the territory.

During the last year following my parent’s death, I began formulating a long range retirement plan. I bought a restored pickup truck with a camper shell, along with a small travel trailer. I spent a few weeks stocking the small travel trailer with everything needed for a cross country trip. I also ordered a travel plan from the travel club. When it arrived, I marked out a route that would take me through a number of areas that might qualify as a final stopping place. This plan was exiting the military base for the last time, and then heading south. I wanted to keep to the back country routes to avoid as many big cities as possible, having seen too many big cities during my time in the Navy. I’d have the luxury of keeping on the less traveled roads. This plan would take me through places of what the real world really looks like away from all the plastic, concrete, and neon found on the interstate highways and in the big cities. I confess I really liked people, but not dealing with the fast pace life and congested living that goes along with living in or near most big cities.

The last few days before I mustered out went by much to slowly. I had already been replaced in the communications center, and training my replacement had been short and too easy. My temporary assignment was at the single enlisted men’s barracks supervising a maintenance crew. This required very little of my time, so I. played pool for several hours each day while my crew worked. On the second to the last day, I was required to check out at Navy personnel and at the medical dispensary. That same evening I was invited to meet up with most of my former co-workers for a going away party. Generally I disliked gatherings like these. However, since I was the reason for the party, I had to show up. It actually turned out to be better than expected. I enjoyed myself even though I stayed up later than usual, ate far too many slices of pizza, and drank too many sodas. The effects of doing so plus the excitement of discharge caused me to sleep poorly on my last night at the base. Then my departure the next morning was not anything that one could call normal. After finishing some last minute packing at about nine that morning, I planned to be on the road heading south towards Yosemite Park, which was my first stop. My mini kitchen was stocked with food and plenty of fresh water. The auxiliary batteries were all charged, and all of my worldly possessions were on board. When I reached the main gate the guard asked me to pull over for a vehicle inspection. He explained that this is standing orders to search all campers or travel trailers leaving the base. It was during this search in my travel trailer that he found some suspected contraband. I was detained until the camp guard officer could be summoned. They ushered me into a waiting room next to the guard shack.

I shook my head, what on earth is this all about. Did one of my so called friends play a trick on me by stashing something in my trailer? Maybe there was something in there left by the previous owners? But why haven’t I caught it before? I’ve gone through every nook and cranny of that little trailer before I started stocking it for this trip. I never found anything suspicious. What was this contraband that caused this delay? What would happen if I were detained indefinitely? Okay I can’t dwell on that possibility. I have to think that this is just some routine delay.

I couldn’t sit down, but just paced back and forth in that waiting room. Thirty whole minutes later the guard officer finally arrived. He told me he would be with me in just a few moments, and then he proceeded to make a phone call. Fifteen minutes later he finally got around to dealing with my situation. The officer first talked to the guard who had searched my trailer, and then he began interviewing me. Maybe interrogating is a better word. He first asked about my travel plans, What do you plan to do with the marijuana we had found in your travel trailer? Is it for your personal use or are you planning to sell it?

I was speechless for a few seconds, totally blown away by his question. Finally I spoke, Marijuana, no Sir, I don’t know anything about any marijuana. I’ve never used the stuff, nor have I ever attempted to buy or sell any of it. Then I speculated, I wonder if this is some prank by one of my so called friends. Someone could have easily stashed it in my trailer at any time in the last couple days. I’ve had the trailer here on base for several days. I didn’t feel it was necessary to lock it here with all the security we have. Someone could have stashed it in my gear at any time.

Finally I asked him, Could I see this item that has caused this question?

The officer looked at me for a couple seconds, then opened the desk drawer and produced the package in question. It was wrapped in a clear plastic. I almost began to laugh. However, considering the gravity of the matter, I stopped and simply spoke, Sir, this is not marijuana. It’s a raw herbal spice called Rosemary. It’s in a raw dry state. I can easily see how someone could mistake it for marijuana. If you will open it and smell it, you would know exactly what it is.

Finally the matter was cleared up and their apologies were given. I was then quickly released to be on my way. After a one and a half hour delay, I began heading west on Port Chicago Highway to begin the first leg of my journey. Considering it was almost lunch time, I decided to skip lunch and just make an early dinner stop. I was confident I could still make it to Yosemite and set up camp well before dark, if no other unexpected stops occurred.

The remainder of that day went by without any unusual happenings. I did arrive at the northern end of the park with lots of daylight to spare. It felt good to know I had the freedom to make my own schedule and come and go as I pleased. No more answering to Uncle Sam with my every move. That sense of complete freedom was something I could never have felt at any time in the last twenty years. The weight of twenty years of commitment had been lifted from my shoulders in just one day. The feeling of that was more than I could explain. Maybe in time I could share completely what it all meant. Maybe when the opportunities to see and do much of what was on my wish list, then I might have a better explanation of what this freedom feeling all meant.

My very first real meal I fixed as a civilian was a chicken breast, long grain brown rice and steamed broccoli, with a couple sugar cookies over ice cream for dessert. After my dinner I did my normal reading which was a couple Bible chapters before ending the day. My timing to be reading in Exodus, the children of Israel crossing the floor of the Red Sea on dry land and escaping Egypt, was appropriate for my own exodus from twenty years of military service. The Navy was nothing like what I had read about the problems the people had in Egypt, but still my exodus was big for me.

My plan was to spend a few days site seeing at the park, and then play it by ear as to when I would head further south and then east. On my third morning there I was back in my little truck again heading south. This route took me over Tioga Pass at almost 10,000 feet elevation, then south on highway 395 to the next planned stop at Kings Canyon National Park. The little trailer pulled sweet even over the high passes. The desert crossing should be the real test for my truck, even though the temperature was cooler by this late in the year.

The new CD player/recorder and the easy listening music were sure good company for me on this solo trip. I had equipped the travel trailer to enjoy the music in the evenings as well. I looked for an RV park for the next stop so I could take on more fresh water and recharge the batteries in the trailer. I hoped to find a place somewhere along Lone Pine or Lake Owens area to do that. My stop was just beyond Lake Owens, which put me right in the middle of the Mojave Desert near Barstow. My next planned stop was just over the Arizona line at Lake Havasu City. I hope to take time to see the sites there before heading further east, with plans to stop in Mesa to visit Stella and her family.

I was looking forward to a little down time to relax around the big lake. Maybe even try a little fishing. I needed to check to see if I needed the appropriate license and then see if the fish were biting.

CHAPTER 2  THE ACCIDENT

On my drive along the lake, the sun was shining on the mirror-like still water in such a way that it was blinding. I almost pulled off to wait for the sun angle to change, but then when the road curved away from the sun it was fine. Shortly, it again curved back again blinding me. I started to pull over when I noticed a big eighteen wheeler coming up behind me very fast. If that driver was having the same sun problems as I was, we could both be in a world of trouble. I pulled completely off the road but the truck driver apparently still couldn’t see as he plowed into the back of my trailer. Everything seemed to be going in slow motion. I said a very short prayer at that moment, God Help!

The big rig pushed my truck and trailer right through the railing and over the edge. The drop was several bounces and then the whole world was rolling. The last thing I remembered when I saw the water coming at me very quickly was my own words, God help me!

The hospital began their work on this unidentified accident victim. They had determined that other than a big bump on his head, a broken left arm and a broken right leg he would live. His head injury was their biggest concern as they could only guess how serious that was. It had been enough to knock him out. They were planning to do some brain scans and an MRI to determine the extent of his injury. The arm and leg were made immobile for the time being until they followed through with their evaluation of the head injury. The MRI proved fine, but the size of the bump pretty much told them that he would be suffering a serious concussion. They could only wait to see if there was any brain swelling or any other signs that might require further treatment. After the brain scan both broken bones were set, and they then moved him to an area of the hospital where he could be monitored moment by moment.

Finally a sheriff deputy brought in the man’s wallet. They now had his military ID. They were able to get his medical history from the U.S. Navy. However he remained unconscious and to keep him from further injuring himself should he wake up, they had him strapped down to the bed. They also started I V fluids so he would not get further dehydrated.

I opened my eyes and tried to move my arm to touch my head which was hurting. I couldn’t move either arm. I then tried to roll over to get out of bed. I noticed that I was in a place that I didn’t recognize. It looked like it was a hospital room. I then tried to move my legs, but was having the same problem. At that same time a nurse came in to check on me. I asked her where I was and why I hurt all over. She smiled and told me, Mr. McDuffie, you were in an accident and were brought in for treatment several hours ago. If you will agree to not try to move or remove this I V, I will remove these restraints that are keeping you tied to the bed.

Oh, so that is why I couldn’t move my arms and legs. How badly am I hurt?

Well yes, but we need you to be careful and lay still so you don’t further injure yourself. You have a broken left arm and a broken right leg. You also appear to have a serious concussion. That is likely why you have this big headache.  We’ve been monitoring you to make sure that there are no other injuries. It is good that you’re awake. Now we can ask you more questions that will help us to determine if you do have any other injuries. I’ll let the doctor know you’re awake. He’ll want to come in to talk with you.

When the nurse left I lay there wondering exactly what had happened to me. Then it hit me. I remembered the big truck, and then seeing the guard rail collapse in front of me. I remembered the fearful ride over the cliff, and bouncing more than once down that embankment, and then seeing the water below. I had a flash thought that I might end up in the water, but beyond that I couldn’t remember anything further. How did I get here at the hospital, and where are all my things? I thought about my truck and trailer. I didn’t know how bad off my truck and travel trailer were I could only imagine that they were in really bad shape between the eighteen wheeler and the guard rail, and then falling off that cliff. I had no idea if I did end up in the lake, after all that was the direction I was heading when I lost consciousness.

The doctor knocked and then came in to talk with me, Well sir, how are you feeling?

I frowned and answered, Well Doctor, I’ve got the biggest headache I’ve ever had in my entire life. And, I’m wounded on the left and the right side. But I’m thankful to be alive.

The doctor smiled and said, That’s a good thing. I would be concerned if you said you were feeling fine considering the size of that lump on your head.

Well, it may be easy for you to say this pain is a good thing, but I’m not inclined to agree with you.

The doctor filled me in on what the truck driver had told him. My truck and travel trailer were only inches from ending up in the lake. No one could understand why they didn’t go in. If they had gone in, you may have drowned before anyone could get you out. Then the doctor added, You need to be in the hospital for several days so we can monitor your head injury. You won’t be okay for release until your conditions improved, and you need to limit any physical activity at home until the concussion is gone."

I laughed at that, Doctor, the only home I have is that travel trailer. I just retired from the Navy. I was taking an extended trip around the U.S. when I ended up here with this accident. At this very moment I have no home to be released to. I may have to spend time at some local care center until I can recover sufficiently to get back on my way again.

The doctor smiled and responded, Well for now it appears that your big trip is delayed, at least until you are adequately recovered and until you find a new ride.

With that the doctor turned on his heel and left, leaving me with my major headache and lots of time to dwell on all the questions that were rambling around in my head. I had woken up, but to what? Where would I go after being released from this hospital? Maybe Stella could come to rescue me once that happened?

CHAPTER 3  A CHANCE ENCOUNTER

That same evening they moved me to a semi-private room. They had given me some pain killers for the headache which relieved some of my severe pain. When they brought me food I thought back to when I had last eaten. I remembered it was probably breakfast yesterday. No wonder I had this huge empty spot in my stomach. The evening meal wasn’t much; not like I was accustomed to, either from Uncle Sam or from my own table. After dinner I turned on the TV and the first thing I saw was the report of my accident on the local news. They showed my wrecked truck and travel trailer