Crashed: The Death Of The Dollar by William Cooper Read Free Book Online Page A

his mind.
     
    As they got to his house, Stacy was waiting for them on the porch. She got up and took him by his other hand, and they both walked him to the outdoor shower. Candles and a pair of oil lanterns were lit and set out around it. Nothing was said as they started undressing him. Jessica turned on the water, and they led him back in to it before undressing themselves and joining him. Mike couldn't hide his excitement this time. Stacy pulled out some soap she'd made earlier in the week. He noticed a stronger smell than their normal soaps. "Lavender," he thought. With Jessica on his right, and Stacy to his left, they began washing his body for him. They scrubbed firm, but not too hard. When they were done, they stood close against him as the water poured down, rinsing them off.
     
    As Stacy turned off the water, Jessica pulled out three chairs and sat him in the middle one. They sat on each side of him in the cool night breeze. All three of them had goosebumps, and none knew whether it was from the chilly air after a warm shower, or the emotions filling their thoughts. Mike still felt a little nervous, but was starting to relax some. It was probably the longest time without talking he'd spent around them since they met. He certainly had never imagined Stacy could be so quiet.
     
    Stacy got up, and took him by the hand. Jessica whispered into his ear, "No more fear, Mike. No more fear," as they led him inside. There he found his bed turned so it wasn't against the wall anymore.
    "Welcome to your first spa treatment," Stacy said invitingly as she guided him to lay on his stomach.
    "With a fun twist that'd be illegal anywhere outside Nevada if you paid for it," Jessica added with a giggle.
     

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 4
     
    Reaching Out
     
     
    The next morning Mike awoke to the sound of his name being said softly. "Mike. Mike. Time to wake up sleepy head." It wasn't Jessica's or Stacy's voice though. It was Taylor waking him up. "Come on Mike. Wake up."
     
    He slowly opened his eyes and realized that the other ladies weren't there with him anymore. It almost felt more like a dream than reality. Taylor pulled the covers off him and said in a louder voice "Come on Mike. Breakfast is on the table, and there's work needing tended to."
     
    She had his clothes set out for him and walked out to sit and read. Mike came out to find a glass of milk, and some meat and toast getting cold waiting on him. He walked over to Taylor, gave her a gentle rub across her shoulders, and said "Good morning."
    "Uh, huh. Pretty rare for you sleep in like that after an easy day."
    He just smiled as he sat to eat.
     
    After breakfast, the day kicked off similarly to most days. She went with him to the barn to gather eggs, while he milked the goats. Brad was there on his bike, waiting to join in on the daily routine of checking on all the animals. Jessica was at her place splitting wood, and Stacy working on laundry. Everything seemed like nothing had changed.
     
    Once morning chores were complete, Taylor approached Mike. "Is there any way for us to check on how people are doing? Like besides the news. Um, like, could we go in to town?"
     
    Mike was trying to get his chainsaw ready to take down a few dead trees for the coming winter's firewood, and to make room for new growth. "I'll think about it, Taylor," he said. "I really doubt we're going to go in to town, but we can probably get closer in to try and see what's going on with the binoculars or telescope. Maybe we can use a CB radio to talk to someone in town to see what's going on."
     
    She nodded, not thrilled with his answer, but happy they might at least try to see what's happening. It had been almost a month since the crash, and it was really starting to weigh on her that others might be suffering while they lived what was a pretty normal and comfortable life.
     
    He got the four trees dropped, and hauled two to his house before taking the other two to them. Jessica and Stacy