This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents in this story are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
This is the first submission of a three-part story. I could have put it in a different category, but the story as a whole seemed to fit best here.
"If you go with my recommendations, you'll be all set. I've documented it all in my report, including the three-year plan if you need to spread things out for financial reasons."
I looked at the two unofficial leaders of this group; Jason and Dave had been smiling through most of my report. I understand how they feel and have seen it in some of my other clients. It's satisfying to be so close to being self-sustaining.
We chatted about the streak of warm, clear weather as we walked toward the mouth of the cave and out into the open, shaded under a canopy of trees. When I looked around, I could make out multiple buildings, but you had to search for them. These people had done a fantastic job of blending in with their Appalachian surroundings.
It was early afternoon, and my flight didn't leave until tomorrow, a little before noon. I'd been invited to stay another night with them, for no reason other than the pleasure of it. I surprised myself by accepting. It wasn't unusual for my clients to ask me to extend my stay, but I'd learned that it was usually to pump me for more information or advice...for free. Sometimes they even asked me to join them.
These folks were different though. I liked them. Not that I didn't like a lot of my other clients but let's say I've run into some interesting characters in the last three years. I've listened to rants, crazy theories, and even paranoia. But that wasn't as common as people thought.
A lot of people don't understand what I do. Many that do, don't understand why. You can count my wife in that latter group. I'm a consultant, and sometimes a general contractor, who assists homesteaders and preppers.
That's right...preppers.
Preppers and homesteaders can range from poor to wealthy, and I've dealt with the full spectrum. Some have almost no money and others have very deep pockets. People without much of a budget can be fun to help as they tend to be very willing to roll up their sleeves and work for it. People that have the funds can manage amazing things.
That's where the general contractor part comes in. I help people build homesteads, compounds, and survival shelters. Sometimes I modify existing structures to add features like safe rooms, armories, and secret storage. Most of the time I don't do this myself; I coordinate and make sure it gets done. Not that I won't get my hands dirty on occasion.
A lot of people probably think, 'So what? A lot of people can do that kind of work.' They'd be right except for one thing...privacy. Many people that want these things done don't want everyone to know about it. My services are valued because I can complete the job with discretion.
I can pull off installing an underground bunker for a client, and in the end, the only people who are aware of both what it is and where it is, are the client and me. Is it easy? No. That's why I'm in demand and make excellent money.
On the consultant side of my work, it comes down to the fact that I've learned a lot about what to do and the right way to do it. I've also learned what not to do, which can sometimes be even more important. In general, I point out the essentials people need to be self-sustaining and even secure. A lot of it is basic, and your average Joe could figure it out. But people always take things we take for granted...and don't realize until we don't have them.
I'm one of those people that has a knack for seeing the big picture, being methodical about breaking it down, and noticing gaps as well as excesses. I learned it while growing up in Alaska. My parents had me while they lived on, what to this day they still refer to as, a commune. Today we'd simply call it a homestead. Self-sustaining. I loved it and learned a lot.
We reach a clearing and I can't help but admire this setting. It's early summer in the Appalachians, and we're in a hollow, or as my current clients call it, a 'holler'. As a matter of fact, they've named this homestead 'Hidden Hollow'. I half expect a moonshiner to step out onto the trail.
This group of friends has a farm a little further down in the valley. It's a beautiful old place that could be on a postcard; an old barn, quaint farmhouse, and an old, split-rail fence. That's where I'll bed down, so I can be up early and make it to Atlanta to catch my flight.
I first came here a year ago to give them some 'start-up' advice. They had solid plans, and I helped them make a few changes. One suggestion I had was buying the land we're on right now. Obviously, they pulled it off.
We've been gathering in this clearing every evening so far. They have a cozy fire pit and Jason brings out his guitar. Every now and then he plays a song and sometimes the group sings, but we all enjoy quiet conversation and the crackle of the fire. I could get used to this.
I'm sitting on one of the half-log benches talking to Dave's wife, Sue, as people start gathering around. My eye is drawn to a woman...Cassie...I think. She's extremely attractive; average height, long black hair pulled back in a ponytail, striking black eyes, and olive skin. Attractive enough that back in my single days, I'd have been tempted to ask her out.
I tried to talk to her two days ago, but she's quiet. Not unfriendly...more distracted than anything. I got the feeling something is troubling her and she's processing. I did learn that she's the animal expert for this small community. And I mean expert...she's a veterinarian. She runs a clinic out of the farm and brings some cash into the group.
Cassie's also the group's bee expert and is in charge of their modest apiary. They all pitch in, but she makes the decisions. They don't produce enough honey to sell, but they love it being on their menu.
This micro-community is made up of about twenty people. I've talked to almost all of them, but some haven't been here during my visit. They aren't opposed to expanding but aren't recruiting either. If a person has a skillset they need and is interested, they'll consider it.
They'd lost one member a few months ago...Dave told me. She was a survival expert and knew how to make cheese. What a combo! He must have been able to tell I wasn't able to remember her because he said,
"Purple hair?"
"Oooooooh...Right! I remember now!"
I did. I meet a lot of people, and if it's been a while, I have to be reintroduced; I usually forget names. But you tend to remember things like purple hair. She left, and it was a big blow to them. But I have to say, they have managed well without her.
After some pleasant camaraderie, Jason asks for everyone's attention.
"Hey y'all. I want to thank Bear for coming out and assessing our capabilities. We can go into the details later, but I'm happy to share that he says we're doing things right. If we stick to our plans our dream will be realized. In a couple years, we
all
should be able to stay out here full time!"
Everyone had broad smiles on their faces, a few even clapped. Even the withdrawn Cassie had a grin on her face. Good! I was going to be walking down to the farm with her soon and wasn't looking forward to it if she was going to be in a bad mood.
They looked at me, expecting me to say a few things.
"You folks are doing things right. I want to tell you, you're a great bunch of people. Fun to be around. Happy and hard working. I've learned if the people are positive, they have a better chance of success. You'll be fine."
