The Aftermath

A Great State: The Aftermath

Book Two

by

Shelby Gallagher

Post-Apocalyptic Fiction & Survival Nonfiction

www.PrepperPress.com

This is a work of fiction. Characters and events are products of the author’s imagination, and no relationship to any living person is implied. The locations, facilities, and geographical references are set in a fictional environment.

A Great State: The Aftermath

The second book in the A Great State trilogy.

Written by Shelby Gallagher

Copyright © 2018 by Shelby Gallagher

All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America.

Prepper Press is a division of Kennebec Publishing, LLC

To my kids Joel and Johnny,

You are a blessing. You inspire me. I put your future and your opportunities before mine. Your legacy has just begun. You have one shot at making it count. Grab onto life, press on the gas, and make it count.

Mom

Table of Contents

Title Page

Chapter 30 - Meet Some More Neighbors

Chapter 31 - Headed to Town

Chapter 32 - Pooling Resources

Chapter 33 - Target Practice

Chapter 34 - Rural Planning

Chapter 35 - Trading Post

Chapter 36 - Halloween Ghosts

Chapter 37 - Saltines and Caviar

Chapter 38 - Winter’s Long Labor

Chapter 39 - Unto Us a Child is Born

Chapter 40 - Start with a Bang

Chapter 41 - Spring Forward

Chapter 42 - The Great Compromise

Chapter 43 - A Grand Plan

Chapter 44 - Details, Details, Details

Chapter 45 - Methinks the Lady Doth Protest Too Much

Chapter 46 - Bump in the Night

Chapter 47 - In the Dark of Night

Chapter 48 - Cincinnati

Chapter 49 - The Highway

Chapter 50 - Sacrificial Blood

Chapter 51 - So the Journey Begins

Chapter 52 - Babies are Valuable

Chapter 53 - Taking the Offense

Chapter 54 - Shadows

Chapter 55 - Lookouts

Chapter 56 - Be the Warrior

Chapter 57 - Dealers

Chapter 58 - Justice

Chapter 30

Meet Some More Neighbors

Oh my God, Ned said, as Julie concluded her colorful story of traveling from Oregon. In Ned’s world of scarce news, he had learned there was an evacuation effort in Oregon — something about federal funding and some other fuzzy details. He had no idea that, essentially, the infrastructure of the United States was fractured. The ability to maintain law and order was failing or tenuous at best.

Floyd then told his travel story. He did not flee fires. He fled riots — violent and bloody riots. After leaving his home, he traveled through Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and the outskirts of Cincinnati. While not all the states he passed through were Great States, those three cities had riots. From the dark look on Floyd’s face, Ned could tell that he had seen unspeakable violence.

After Cincinnati, I decided to take country highways. I won’t ever take a freeway through a major city again after seeing what I saw in Cincinnati, Floyd said.

He went on to describe, in vague terms, watching rioters tip over vehicles and run people over with cars. He witnessed criminals beating innocent people who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time; he described seeing motionless people laying in bloodstained streets. There were stores in flames, empty gas stations with looters streaming in and out of broken glass doors, and lawless gangs of criminals armed with nail-covered batons prowling streets as they hunted for victims.

I couldn’t risk being the next person in the wrong place at the wrong time, Floyd whispered with a crack in his voice. If my opinion mattered, I’d say we are really close to civil war, if we aren’t already there.

Ned repeated the only words he had said since hearing Julie and Floyd reveal the details of their travels. Oh my God. He put his elbows on the table and rubbed his temple with his fingertips.

In Cincinnati? Julie gasped. What were they rioting over? They aren’t a Sanctuary State!

Our president. Nothing else. His recent withdrawing of funding from Sanctuary States was simply the match to light the fire of their angst. Cincinnati is a Sanctuary City. So, while the state isn’t, cities like Cincinnati are rioting because they believe they are next, Floyd explained.

I guess, philosophically speaking, those cities have good reason to be concerned that their funds might be pulled. If the president can enact such a measure on states, the cities will be no problem! Julie said. This is just as I predicted, though I wasn’t expecting riots on a large, organized scale across the nation. She sighed.

Here’s the problem — not many states are Sanctuary States. Certainly Oregon, Washington, and California picked a fight with the president. But, many states have Sanctuary Cities, and they are the next battle. We need to realize something-there are Sanctuary Cities in Colorado. The riots could come close to us. For sure, those escaping riots will be driving on the highway that runs through Smoky Flats, Floyd warned. Colorado also has a governor who is sympathetic to becoming a Sanctuary State. Look at what he did to the gun laws!

Oh my God, Ned repeated for a third time.

He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. It was all too much to digest. He leaned back, put his hands on the back of his head, and stared at the ceiling for a moment. Then he spoke. I know you two have been through a lot in your travels, but I need to ask a favor. Western Lakes Association is holding an emergency board meeting tonight because residents are getting wind of the unrest out there. It would be great if you could come and relay your experiences. I think people need to get a firsthand account of what is really happening out there.

They don’t know? Julie asked.

Residents don’t know the scale or extent. They have heard rumors on their AM radios. Very few have TV up here, since most don’t want to pay for cable. They need to hear it firsthand. Folks who own property, just like you, will be coming here to find refuge in the properties they usually use for ski season, Ned said. He stared up at the ceiling again for a moment. Remember the concerns I had and shared with you awhile back about the lake — the fishing? All those things were decided, no problem. But now we need people to adjust their thinking. The world you just described will find its way here, he said. I know sharing these accounts won’t be easy for you two, but people need to know what we’re dealing with, what the city will be like, how our supply lines to the town store will change, and so on. People need to prepare, if they haven’t already. They need to step up. Think about securing Western Lakes Association and putting safeguards in place. The time has come.

***

Later that evening, Ned led Floyd, Julie, and Joel along the road to the clubhouse for Western Lakes Association. It was an old, two-story house that had been converted into a clubhouse. The ground floor had several couches, a pool table, and a ping pong table. In the corner was a soda machine that dispensed soda in glass bottles.

Wow, Julie said as they entered. This brings me back. So many childhood memories! Ping pong and orange soda. It’s too bad the soda machine is empty… I could go for a bottle of nostalgia.

A platter of sandwiches sat on the ping pong table surrounded by cans of soda and cookies. The room was full of people. Ned put his arm around Julie and pointed her to a bench along the wall. He noticed her flinch when he touched her shoulder blade. He pulled his hand away just as Julie grabbed Joel’s hand and sat down in the hub of noise. Floyd sat next to his daughter.

Ned knelt down. I need to make a report as the caretaker. Larry Wilkes is the board chair. He pointed to a man at a card table stationed next to the massive fireplace. He’s a good guy. I told him earlier what my report would be, and that I would yield much of my report to you. No one here I can see is unfriendly in any way. They are all residents. Make note of them. These meetings will change in the future as the ‘vacationers,’ as we call them, arrive. You are considered vacationers, so people will be a little untrusting. That’s okay. You’ll gain credibility by your report tonight. I need these folks to raise their awareness and be willing to help with security. In the bigger picture, we also need to make a plan to partner with the four other associations around Smoky Flats to guard the interest of the whole valley. That is the end goal. Tonight, we need folks to simply listen and take in the seriousness of what is happening.

Got it, Julie said.

Larry gaveled the meeting to order. Ned noticed that Joel was eating a sandwich and had a can of soda in between his feet. Floyd had a few cookies on a napkin but he wasn’t eating them. Julie didn’t have any food, and was fidgeting in her seat, looking nervous.

***

The emergency meeting of the Western Lakes Association will come to order. I am Larry Wilkes, your board chair. I understand that we have many people here tonight who may not be regular attendees to these meetings. Because of that, if you do speak, for the sake of all of us, but especially the secretary recording the minutes, please identify yourself by stating your name and address within the association. If you are not an association member, I ask that you refrain from speaking. This meeting is to conduct the emergency business of members only. Any questions?

Everyone looked around. It was almost an unspoken introduction of faces. Julie felt very self-conscious, like every eye was on her and her family. Ned sat on the fireplace hearth, near the card table where Larry was seated, and looked at Julie.

He mouthed, It’s okay, and winked at her.

She realized that she must not have been wearing a poker face — her emotions were obviously right on display.

Seeing as there are no questions, let us move right to the reports we have for tonight. Buster Jepson, our vice chair, has a report. Buster, you’re up, Larry declared.

Buster, a large man in a threadbare, plaid shirt, was seated at Larry’s immediate left. As he stood up, he pushed his black watch cap up on his forehead. His forehead was pasty white and his face was tanned. He looked like a man who spent most of his time outdoors.

Buster Jepson. Vice chairman. I live on Granite River Road. My report tonight is going to focus on the status of getting the lake stocked this fall. Our scheduled load was supposed to be delivered this coming weekend. My calls to the hatchery for a status report are not being returned. I have read the same headlines all of you are reading. I gotta wonder if the hatchery is somehow affected by all this upheaval. My recommendation is that we entertain a motion to implement the ‘lake sustainability policy’ we put into place last year for this very scenario.

Any questions for the vice chairman? Larry piped up.

Yes. Betty Conklin. Marblehead Circle. Can the vice chairman please remind us what the lake sustainability policy is? asked an elderly woman wearing overalls and a purple sweater.

You bet, Betty. Last year, we agreed that if the hatchery couldn’t make a scheduled delivery of our lake-stocking for whatever reason, we would change our fishing policy for members. Currently, those who are paid on their annual membership dues can fish two fish out of the lake per day, and that extends to visitors. I give us a fifty-fifty chance that the truck isn’t coming Saturday. If it doesn’t happen, then we automatically implement a policy that members are then allowed to fish one fish out of the lake per day, and no fishing privileges will be extended to visitors. The plan was decided so that we could maintain healthy fish levels during a time when replenishment would be unavailable. Since times are so uncertain right now, we might get a truck in a week or so. Maybe I’m just being optimistic, Buster concluded.

Andy Cahill. I also live on Granite River Road. I make the motion that we implement the policy if the truck doesn’t come on Saturday.

I’m going to call your motion out of order, Mr. Cahill. The policy this association agreed upon last year was that the policy would automatically be implemented if a truck didn’t show up. We’ll know by Saturday night, won’t we? Larry said as he tapped his gavel to conclude the discussion.

Julie wondered if some of the residents didn’t like the lake sustainability policy, and if it had been met with some level of opposition last year.

Larry continued. Since this is an emergency meeting, we will table our regular committee meetings and commence our caretaker’s report. Ned, you’re up, sir.

Ned stood up. Ned Collins. Crystal Springs Rd. Caretaker. Keeper of the association. Buster is going to pass out a few copies I printed off headlines from around the country about what is happening. I want each of us to take about ten minutes to read everything. I need to be able to reference them in the next part of my report.

The room was still and silent except for an occasional turning of a page. Julie read the news from various outlets. Not much was new to her since she had been listening to the radio as she traveled. Her father seemed a bit surprised at the extent of the fires on the west coast.

Julie turned to a page from an Oregon news outlet. It had a map of Portland and Eugene. Julie’s eyes were drawn to the Eugene map. It had colored overlays over a street map of the city. Red overlays indicated neighborhoods that were burned down. Yellow indicated neighborhoods that were evacuated and had extensive damage. Green neighborhoods were those where people were allowed to be in their homes but had to be ready to evacuate. The homes with no overlay were in the clear — there was no concern of fire. The caption read, Residents are encouraged to check this map often. Officials indicate boundaries are subject to change on a moment’s notice. The time stamp of the article was from earlier that afternoon.

She looked closely at the map; Julie and Joel’s house was in the red zone. Julie’s ears started ringing. Her face felt hot. Her breath quickened, and she could feel the emotions rising from deep within. This is not the fucking time to lose it, Julie, she scolded herself. Her father tapped her shoulder. She realized she was shaking, and that he could feel it.

What is it? he asked, his expression turning grim when he noticed the tears in her eyes.

Julie pointed to the map, to where her house was located.

Oh my God, Julie. He exhaled.

They tried to stay quiet as everyone read their news quietly. Trying to maintain her composure, Julie stood up and stepped outside. As soon as she was through the closed door, she ran to the edge of the property, bent over with her palms on her knees, and threw up. She stayed hunched over and cried. There were no sounds, only tears.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and jumped up and screamed. Shit! Don’t do that! Julie yelled. It was Ned.

Don’t you have a report to give? she yelled at him, realizing she didn’t need to.

I asked your dad to tell his story first and then went looking for you, hoping you weren’t changing your mind. You okay?

"No. Sorry. Seriously. I can’t stress to you enough. Do not come up behind me like that. Please call out to me first. Man, I’m sorry. It’s not you… it’s me, Julie apologized and explained all at once. Seriously, sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you." She took a deep breath and wiped her eyes with the back of her sleeves.

It’s okay.

Ned, did you see the Eugene burn map? Julie asked as she tried to calm herself.

I did.

If that map is correct, then my house is destroyed, Julie said. This is news to me and I’m taking it a little hard.

Julie, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. He reached out to her with one hand and she instinctively drew away. So umm… Julie, let’s just have your dad tell his story, and then I can wrap this up. No need for you to tell your story. I think the news reports and his story will be enough, Ned said. Why don’t you stay out here, and when the meeting is done, I’ll walk you all home.

No. I’m fine. Just give me about five or ten minutes. Seriously. I got this.

She knew she could pull it together for a few minutes. Later, she would go find a place to work out an ugly cry. She was good at that. Julie stood up. She cleared her throat and took a few cleansing breaths before going back inside.

Julie took her place by her father, cleared her throat, and told her story.

Hi, I’m Julie. I now live on Mueller Circle. This is my father, Floyd, and my son, Joel. I used to live here. Julie pointed to the piece of paper, hovering over the red section where her house once stood. She moved the picture around the room for everyone to see and felt like a teacher showing off an illustration in a book. So, bear with me. This is the first time I’ve seen this map and it’s… umm…. Julie paused while she swallowed down her tears. So, uh… four… or maybe five days ago… I don’t know for sure, my son and I evacuated Eugene, Oregon when we saw the fire lines.

Julie continued to tell the story of traveling to Smoky Flats — the attempted robbery at Roberta’s, the news pieces she heard on the way, crossing states lines, listening to the radio, and getting papers so she could reside in Colorado legally.

I’m not sure what my dad here told you, but I know his story is a little different than mine in that there aren’t the fires in the east coast states like there are in the west. Regardless, the unrest is volatile and dangerous.

She sat down and put her arm around Joel, who had started to cry. Julie laid her head on the back of his. The room was silent and tense. Reading the news on a piece of paper about events far away was one thing but getting first-hand witness accounts was another. Her story visibly jolted the residents of Western Lakes Association.

Folks, I’ll be brief — I want to get Floyd and his family home sooner rather than later. I also want to thank them for telling us what has happened. They certainly didn’t have to, Ned said kindly, trying both to bring the meeting to some sort of order, and to get to the conclusion fast. I want put forward a motion to direct our association chair to assemble a security detail for the safety of Western Lakes Association. I am happy to chair that detail, if the chairman feels I’m fit to do so, Ned proposed.

I second, Floyd answered.

I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Larry piped up.

Andy Cahill, Granite River Road. Please give a description of what this committee or detail will be like.

You bet. Thank you, Andy. I picture eight to ten of us — hopefully spry men — to establish gate duty at the two entrance points to Western Lakes Association, which is private property, I might add. I would also like to establish a lookout detail to watch the gates from a distance, to report back any potential dangers coming into the property. The mission of this detail is to prevent anyone from entering this property who does not belong here. The only folks who should be here are property owners. The association has a working list of owners and their property locations. Additionally, we have a working list of those who pay association dues. Those lists will be what we use to establish our security detail.

So, is your position that no one can be here unless they have property here? Andy redirected.

Andy, that is actually our current policy, Ned answered.

So, why don’t we have such a security detail now, if that is the case? Andy asked.

Julie looked at Andy’s smug expression, framed by bright red hair, and felt like slapping some sense into him.

"Andy, we have resources here. All the folks who have visited here know that cabins are empty, have food in them, and can offer shelter. Those folks know the lake has fish that can be a food source. People like Floyd and his family come here because they are property owners, and I have no beef if those folks come here to do that. I do have a beef with all those who might have come for Thanksgiving six years ago and know there are resources here, and find themselves in a desperate situation. I’m happy to help people in other ways, but I’m not willing to sacrifice everything all of us have. If word gets out that we are giving stuff away, we will be overrun, and we’ll end up like Eugene or the other cities you just heard about, Ned explained. You’ll remember I brought up this concern when we agreed to the fishing policy last year. And now, here we are."

Julie didn’t understand why this needed to be spelled out for Andy. It wasn’t that hard to understand!

Seeing no further discussion, all those in favor of the motion, say ‘aye.’ Larry took the vote. There were no nays.

Action item. Ned, please report to the association at our next meeting what is happening with the security detail. Anyone interested in being a part of that detail needs to check in with Ned. You heard him — we need some willing men to step up, Larry prodded. The chair would entertain a motion to schedule our next emergency meeting a week from today, same time, Larry continued, moving the meeting along.

Rhonda Glasgow, Bear Point Avenue. I would so move, a woman near the back door piped up.

Second, Andy Cahill said.

And on that note, if there are no objections, this meeting of the Western Lakes Association is now adjourned. Folks, be safe and keep your powder dry. Larry tapped the table with the gavel.

Chapter 31

Headed to Town

They walked back to the cabin in silence, until Julie couldn’t stand it any longer.

Ned, please don’t feel like you have to walk us home. You have been kind, and you have a lot on your plate with the new detail you need to oversee, she said.

Julie, you have heard difficult news tonight. It would be rude to just send you all off and say goodbye. I’m happy to simply walk you to your driveway and head home. I have time for that. It’s the least I can do, Ned answered evenly.

Her father changed the subject. Ned, put me on your list for that detail. Not sure how spry I can be, but I can stand at a gate and keep out trespassers, he offered.

Joel suddenly piped up. Hey, I’m interested, too. I know I’m only thirteen, but I think I might be able to help.

That would be great. You know, my son Johnny is also interested. Now that I think about it, he’s older than you, but you might like meeting him, Ned said to Joel.

So, Ned, since it looks like I might be staying for a while, and school is probably starting soon, can you tell me where I need to go to get Joel enrolled in school? Julie asked.

"Funny timing — I just got the email from Johnny’s school yesterday. Students around here are bussed to the public school about fifty miles away. All the kids normally meet out at the state highway to get the bus. When it’s snowing, it’s dicey just to get Johnny to the road. Now that he’s older, he has a car and usually drives himself to school, because he participates in sports all year round. But, there is a problem with both options.

Fuel prices are through the roof right now. Fuel in the city is ten dollars a gallon. In Smoky Flats, it’s twelve bucks! The notice yesterday said that bus routes have been redrawn, and students are expected to get themselves to drop-off points that are within ten miles of the school they attend. At the current price of gasoline, it will be near impossible for kids to go to school. I mean, parents can carpool, but, wow. If everything continues this way, I wouldn’t be surprised if schools end up closing. I’m sure enrollment will drop.

Okay, yikes. Well, Joel, no school for you until we figure that out, Julie said as she rubbed Joel’s back. I’m sure you’re disappointed.

Joel reached behind Julie and gave her a sideways hug. There are worse things, Mom. There are much worse things.

***

Two days later, Julie was in the barn’s storage room, bathed in the soft light that emitted from the chick box heating lamp. She left the overhead light off, and sat on a stool with her elbows on her knees, her face in her hands, and tears streaming down it. The long-overdue ugly cry was having its time. Julie had held it together since the board meeting so that she could continue to put things in order for her father and Joel. The ugly cry was her moment to give her emotions their voice. She heard a knock on the barn door. Must be dad or Joel.

Just a moment, Julie called out. She rubbed her face with her sleeve, though she knew it was useless. Unfortunately, when she started an ugly cry, it was hard to stop it.

Who is it? Julie called out as she struggled.

It’s Ned. Your dad told me you were in here.

Umm, Ned, this is not a great time. Can you tell me what you need? Or maybe we can talk tomorrow?

Julie, I am not a nosy person. I don’t want to interrupt you. I was going to go into town tomorrow. Wondered if you wanted to come with me? Thought you might want to see if there is anything from the store you want, or maybe set up a box at the post office. Federal mail service should be kind of fun to watch happen up here, Ned said through the door.

I would like to join you, yes.

Great. I’ll pick you up at, let’s say, eight in the morning?

Sure, Julie replied, and was met with a long moment of silence.

Julie wondered if Ned was gone. She wanted to relax and let whatever was left of the cry have its moment. She sat and waited, but no more tears came. Julie knew they would come back again. And maybe a few more times after that.

***

Ned stood outside the door, feeling jittery. It killed him when a woman cried. He had seen Julie do it twice in almost as many days, and it was making him anxious.

Gentlemen fix things that make women cry. You can’t fix this one, Ned, he told himself.

Ned continued to stand there. He wanted to knock again and simply offer himself in some way but had no idea what he could offer. She was quick to refuse his hand at the meeting. Her house was gone, he couldn’t fix that.

I can’t just walk away from someone, especially a crying woman. The jitters were getting to him. Oh, jeez, she’s going to come out any minute thinking I’m gone, and I’m going to scare her to death… again. Ned decided to retreat as quietly as anyone could on the gravel path to the road.

His thoughts wandered as he walked. Julie. She had long, straight, brunette hair. She was no nonsense. She didn’t chatter on like women he knew. The ladies he saw at the town council meetings used about twenty sentences to say something that could be said in ten words. Teenage girls and their moms he saw at Johnny’s games seemed so interested in social events, clothes, hair, and friends. Julie didn’t seem that interested in those things, but he hadn’t seen her in those settings, either. What did Julie like to do for fun? What were her hobbies? He couldn’t imagine her doing anything but making her cabin livable. Julie was interesting to Ned, but he knew he needed to get her out of his head. She wasn’t approachable, and certainly wasn’t giving him a green light of any kind.

***

The next morning, Julie was standing on the road as Ned rounded the corner. He pulled up, and Julie opened the door and slid into the seat.

Good morning, she greeted with a warm smile.

Good morning to you, Ned replied.

Julie fastened her seatbelt, and Ned pulled into the driveway so he could turn around and head to Smoky Flats.

Ned, tell me about Smoky Flats, Julie asked, getting straight to business. What should someone know about the town?

Well, it’s certainly not the big city, thank goodness. Smoky Flats is really the central point of five different associations. Western Lakes Association is one of them. Western Lakes is one of the oldest ones. Each association is quite different, Ned explained. "Many of the associations have roots in being extremely large western homesteads. Think huge swaths of land and Little House on the Prairie kinds of homesteads. The five associations are basically old homesteads that were sold to developers to divide into lots and build. Because we are in rural Colorado, and not within so many miles of designated cities, the lots must be a certain size and spread out. Mountain folks don’t like tightly packed homes in their open spaces."

Gotcha.

The town council is made up of council members from each association. It will be interesting to see how the town handles the national news, Ned continued.

When is the next meeting?

Day after tomorrow, Ned replied. I think we have a town security issue not unlike what Western Lakes Association faces.

How so?

The way I see it, Smoky Flats is a little town perched in the middle of a state highway. The closest town is ninety minutes away. People will be escaping from cities, not only in Colorado, but from other states, just like you. They won’t be as nice as you. I think there will be a criminal element — an unstable element — as well as a clueless element. There will be the people we typically see coming through, like skiers and hikers. The town is not at all prepared for anything serious. We have no police force and depend on state police. I can guarantee you this — the state police have directed all resources to Denver, which is a Sanctuary City. The governor is a Democrat, who needs to decide if he is going to make a bunch of rioters in Denver angry, or face the new president. Depending on what happens with his decision, the colorful nature of patrons who make their way through Smoky Flats could get entertaining.

What could happen, do you think?

The gas station could be robbed. The post office isn’t much, but if someone simply wanted to be a jerk, they could vandalize it in some way. The property that has me concerned is the old restaurant. Do you remember that place? Ned asked.

Barely. What is the concern there?

"During the 2008 economic bust, the owners closed up the restaurant and let the property go to the bank. The bank hasn’t found a buyer. It’s sitting empty. About fifteen years ago, the owners had some prefab cabins put in the back — almost like a little hotel. It was nice for travelers going to the mountains. Those are all abandoned too. Patsy — she owns the gas station — is always complaining to the state police that squatters end up in those cabins or the old restaurant. She is always shooing them out. The state police are an hour away on a good day. They are not available to respond to issues like this in the current state we’re in.

So, if some colorful characters looking for trouble wanted to, they could squat there and be difficult to remove with the few resources available to remove them. I would prefer the buildings be taken down before we bring in that kind of element, Ned said.

Wow. Silly me for thinking mountain life was simple, Julie said with a laugh.

Want to go to the town council meeting with me? I promise I won’t ask you to speak.

Sure. I’d like to meet folks. She smiled.

So, there is a cheerful side to Julie, Ned thought.

Julie was pretty when she smiled; her eyes appeared to smile with her.

Ned