Early the next morning Marina busied herself sweeping out the bunker. It was hard keeping up with the bear fur and dog hair. She also had to tell Lonely—more than once—that bears really do poop in the woods. In the woods Lonely!

Earlier Speed and Lonely were arguing about the difference between vegetarians and vegans. In order to shut them up Marina sent them fishing. When Lonely got excited about the prospect of eating saltwater fish Speed was triumphant. He'd proven Lonely was neither vegan or vegetarian.

Bell slept peacefully unaware, in her tidy Murphy bed, with Grace at her feet and X curled up on the floor next to her. She had herself two wonderful guardians. Each would die for her a thousand times over.

Marina wondered how she'd ever handle a house full. When it was just her and her grandson it was hard, but manageable. But now her nerves were shot. Why did she have to have things just so? Did things have to be her way or the highway? Would she ever be ok with a little dog hair and fresh fish guts? She dreamed of taking care of hundreds but just a sweet over-sized man, a meek blind girl, a brown bear and two German Shepherds were unravelling her.

The Author spoke to Marina's heart.

Fear not. Cast your cares upon Me for I care for you. Don't be anxious about anything. Talk to Me Marina. You are not alone. You don't have to do things with spit and vinegar. Rely on Me.

Marina sighed and wondered how many years she'd been learning the same lesson. Ten years? Twenty years? Thirty years?

She heard the Author's voice once again.

As long as it takes daughter.

Lonely bounded through the door with three fish in each paw and a half a fish in his mouth. He dropped them on the newly cleaned concrete floor and said, "You're welcome."

Bell stirred. She sat up and sniffed. "I smell fish."

Marina spoke as patiently and as softly as she could. "Lonely take those fish outside. Try and be a bit more civilized."

Bell giggled. "A civilized bear!" Grace licked her on the nose. X sat up too. He loved listening to the animals speak. It reminded him of his boyhood puppy whom he still missed so much.

As Lonely tried to gather the flopping fish he responded, "Bears are more civilized that most people—and dogs."

Speed hacked. "Ha! I'll bet you don't even know what civilized means."

Lonely retorted, "It means polite and well mannered."

Speed argued, "Of which you are neither! You dropped half dead fish all over a spotless floor."

"ENOUGH!" Marina shouted, "If you two can't be polite and well mannered than you can both stay outside."

Lonely was hurt. "But I brought lunch."

Marina calmed down. "In a civilized society we need to put one another first. Treat others as we'd like to be treated."

Lonely's feelings were hurt. He sniffed, "But I'd love for someone to drop fish at my feet. It's how I'd like to be treated."

Bell chuckled. "He's got you there Nana."

Marina knew when she'd been beaten. She gathered the fish into a metal bucket, grabbed a hefty red axe off the wall and asked everyone to follow her outside.

Once outside she handed X the axe instructing him to cut up a large fallen oak tree into stool sized pieces. He cut through the tree like butter. Next she instructed Lonely and the dogs to gather sticks and stones and place them in a pile.

Bell asked, "What can I do Nana? I'd like to help with the bonfire."

Marina was pleased. This young blind girl could see more than most people. She led Bell to the pile of stones and helped her place them into a large tight circle.

Once the stools had been anchored, and the wood stacked in the center, Marina spoke, "Each of us are like these rocks. Alone a rock isn't much good. Except maybe to be used as a weapon—"

Bell chimed in, "—Or a paperweight!" She held up a weighty stone.

"Very true young lady..." Marina continued, "But together we can do more than steady papers in the wind. We can become something greater."

Grace added, "Like a building!"

Marina nodded then sat down on a stump. As her grandson Leon was fond of saying, 'It's time for Nana to impart some ancient wisdom.' She slowly breathed in and out while silently asking the King for help. "In the Author's word we learn that we're living stones being fitted together as a spiritual house. Now I realize most of you haven't grown up with The Book or any books for that matter... but you must understand that all of us are fearfully and wonderfully made. We need one another. We shouldn't fight—throw stones so to speak—but rather use our lives for the betterment of others."

Bell felt for the circle of rocks and carefully placed the final stone then sat back on her stump. With a piece of flint Marina lit the bonfire then she taught her new family a hymn:

Hallelujah, thine the glory!
Hallelujah, Amen!
Hallelujah, thine the glory!
Revive us again.

Revive us again - fill each heart with thy love;
May each soul be rekindled with fire from above.

Hallelujah, thine the glory!
Hallelujah, Amen!
Hallelujah, thine the glory!
Revive us again.

Marina reached behind her, into the ashes which were once, "The Wood's Shoppe: building your mind through books," and pulled out the top of antique barbeque grille. Things like that were always happening to her. Before she even asked she had what she needed. She and the King were tight like that.

X carefully placed the fish on top of the makeshift grill and manned the fire. By noon they were all eating a picnic of delicious striped bass.

-End of Chapter 36-

Author's note: I think I understand why some author's write sequels. You become attached to your characters. You want to know what they're up to. What's the next season in their life? I'm coming to the close of the sequel to "The Wasting." I may make it a trilogy or maybe give it the best possible ending and let the readers decide what happens next. If you're ever lost for inspiration, read: The Book.

Thanks for your reads, votes and comments!
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