More Harry Hogan stories!
Harry looked up from his computer as the office door opened and Max Marshall walked in. "Hello, Max. We haven't seen you in a while. Were you gone?"
Bertie went over to the coffeepot as Max sat down, shaking his head. "I went out west to visit my sister and brother, and their families. Three days before I was due to fly home, I broke my left leg and had to have a steel rod put in. They wouldn't let me come home until it was fully healed."
"Not good," Bertie said. She handed him a steaming mug of coffee and went back to her desk.
"No kidding." Max sipped the coffee cautiously. "They've got me on a bone density treatment for osteoporosis, and I couldn't walk outside for a while, had to use a cane and only walk on smooth surfaces."
"That must have been difficult," Harry said. It was well known that Max walked every night because the fresh air helped him sleep better, and also seemed to keep him from sleep-walking. Prior to that, Max had been a notorious sleepwalker.
"It was at first, but it improved when I could limp across the patio. This is my longest walk so far and it felt good."
"So what have you been doing to occupy your time?" Harry asked.
"I've been making plans to turn my basement into an emergency shelter, with supplies to last up to six weeks. I’m also going to add an emergency exit."
Harry frowned. "Any particular reason?"
Max laughed. "Being stuck in the house for several months made me realize something."
"What's that?" Harry asked, wondering if he was ready for the answer.
"That I'm not as well prepared for emergencies as I thought I was," Max said. "I sometimes had to depend on the kindness of others, and that's not me. I like to be independent."
"I can understand that," Harry said. "So you're not planning for an apocalypse?" He was well aware of Max's alien theories and beliefs.
Max shook his head. "I'm just planning ahead in case of an emergency. With climate change, you never know when a storm disaster is going to hit."
"Many people do that, including me," Bertie said. "You should include bottled water too."
"Don't forget the toilet tissue," Harry said, with a chuckle. "You know what happened at the start of the Covid-19 lockdown."
"That was nothing but panic," Max said.
"A serious hurricane could cause the same reaction," Bertie cautioned.
Max nodded. "That's why I plan to stock up in advance... no panic shopping. In case of flood or wildfires, I'm also ready in case I have to evacuate."
"I'm almost afraid to ask," Harry said, frowning.
"I just bought a small travel trailer," Max said proudly. "I'll be able to take all the essentials with me, and park anywhere there's room."
"You can also use it for short vacations, "Bertie said, and both men nodded their agreement.
