Options Are Good by Jerry D. Young Read Free Book Online Page A

admitted.
     
    “There is more than one way to skin a cat,” Bandy said carefully. “Options are good, and there are plenty of them. Some better than others, some more expensive, some less. All depends on the ultimate goal and budget.”
     
    “Well,” Bob said, looking first at his wife and then his daughter, “The budget will be there. Though I can’t speak for Angus, I think he’s willing to do almost anything to get out of this mess.”
     
    “I hate to say it, Sir, but it is almost better that it has come up now. Forewarned is forearmed. I suspect if they are this overt now, they would be a real danger in the PAW, especially if no one knew of their plans. They would come out of nowhere and do their thing, before anyone could react.
     
    “Now, at least two people with the means to take action know. And will be prepared for not only just what is going on, but for what could happen in the PAW.”
     
    “What is ‘PAW’?” asked Magdalene, looking up from her book.
     
    “Post-Apocalyptic World,” Ana-Bella said before Bandy could respond. She looked over at Bandy. “I’ve been doing some research,” she added with a smile.
     
    Bandy smiled back. “You pick up quick.”
     
    “Fortunately I found a preppers acronym list that has covered all of the acronyms I’ve run across. Preppers use a lot of acronyms.”
     
    Bandy laughed. “Yes, I suppose we do.”
     
    There was silence again as the four went back to what each was doing.
     
    Bob was obviously disappointed when Bandy didn’t offer up any additional details before all were ready to go to bed, but didn’t protest.
     
    The next morning Bandy was up even earlier than usual, due to being in unfamiliar surroundings. He almost just stayed in his room, to work on the computer, but went ahead and showered and then dressed in a nice pair of slacks and dress shirt.
     
    He headed downstairs to get something out of the truck. When he came back in he found Magdalene already at work in the kitchen on Thanksgiving Dinner.
     
    “Is there anything I can help with, Mrs. Sheridan?” Bandy asked, expecting a quick negative. But Magdalene surprised him.
     
    “Sure,” she said. “Wash up and you can help me with chopping some vegetables and things. My arthritis is acting up a little this morning. Seems cold.”
     
    “It is quite chilly out,” Bandy said, setting his attaché case at the end of a kitchen counter. He washed his hands at one of the two kitchen sinks and took over the chopping chores Magdalene had been doing.
     
    “Oh, the house is quite warm enough. I just get a chill from time to time lately over the way things are going.”
     
    “I understand,” Bandy said.
     
    “I think you probably do,” Magdalene replied. “Would you care for some tea? That might help warm me up this morning.”
     
    “Yes. Please.”
     
    Magdalene set about making the tea, and finding out a few things about Bandy as she guided the conversation skillfully, and subtly, about Bandy and his life.
     
    Bandy wasn’t unaware of what she was doing, but she was easy to talk to, and he decided that her knowing some of his background would be better in the future than her not knowing. So he followed along, and let out a few minor secrets.
     
    But when Magdalene asked about his military service, and she saw his reaction, she quickly changed the subject. But there was something about his military service that bothered him more than a little. She decided speculating about it wouldn’t do any good. It would probably be something that Ana-Bella might get from him, but Magdalene doubted that she could herself. At least right now.
     
    Ana-Bella came in then and quickly ushered Bandy out of the kitchen, taking over what he was now doing. “Sorry I overslept, Mother,” she said, watching Bandy pick up the attaché case to head for the study.
     
    He’d barely been at it fifteen minutes when Bob came into the study. “You’re up early,” Bob told Bandy. He seemed