Gerty…(7)

Johnny could tell that Gerty was deep in thought of the darkest kind when she got back to the truck. They loaded up and pulled out of the lot to destinations unknown. Johnny drove in silence for awhile leaving Gerty to work out whatever was going on inside her thoughts. After miles of silence Johnny thought of something that might cheer Gerty up. Keeping his idea a surprise Johnny waited for the next town and stayed the speed limit to keep his eyes peeled for an all in one store of some kind while avoiding any police interaction.
Luck was on Johnny’s side as a Walmart popped up and Johnny pulled in without comment. Gerty was half out the door when Johnny said’
"Sorry Gerty, this is a solo operation. I have a surprise for you so you have to wait your turn if you want to go in. I am also tired of doing all the driving so if you know how to drive you’ll be the new captain of the ship".
Gerty squealed with excitement at the idea of driving as that was something that rarely happened in her life. Gerty took the training like most teens but in between a less than supportive family life and her time "getting better" there was little time behind the wheel. Gerty did not share this information with Johnny though. Gerty’s experience at the diner was long gone in her memory as her excitement swallowed up the darkness. Johnny felt bad about asking but his cash reserves were drained to zero and Gerty had taken the man at the bars money so Johnny had to ask for some money.
"Hey Gerty, I hate to ask but I need some cash for inside. I hoping that you might have a few bucks to float us for some shopping." Gerty just smiled and said,
"J-man we are flush for cash. Sorry I kept on letting you pay along the way. I’ve been collecting and saving for some time now."
Gerty opened the center of her backpack, reached deep and pulled a wad of mixed bills that must have just been piled on the bottom. The blind grab netted well over $200 dollars and Johnny was impressed and a little concerned about how Gerty was collecting her money. Gerty asked,
"Is that enough for now cuz there’s alot more. Alot more. If you want you can have a nice watch or some rings to wear too." I’ve got my goodie bag pretty full."
Johnny just smiled in sheepish appreciation and said,
‘ No that’s more than enough."

Twenty minutes later Johnny was back at the truck with four paper bags of purchases with the insides carefully concealed from Gerty for her surprise. Johnny went to back of the the truck and stashed his bags away before Gerty could get too curious. Gerty had already moved to the driver’s seat and was squirming with anticipation regarding being able to drive. Johnny just gave her the warning about the speed limit and not wanting to attract the police and having to answer any questions concerning the last few days of their road trip. Inexperienced with the truck Gerty accelerated faster than she wished and then over braked to compensate for her quick start. After a quick laugh they were on their way. After a few uneventful miles Johnny asked,
"So Gerty, how much cash do have anyway?"
Gerty just kept on smiling as said,
"I dunno, maybe ten thousand or so. Plenty right?"
"Plenty indeed " replied Johnny.

Johnny kept watching the side of the road like he was looking for something and not just side window day dreaming. Suddenly Johnny said,
"There Gerty, that gravel road, hard right ahead.’
Gerty was not going to bypass the road and turn around so gravel flew and tires lost their purchase but the road was made with a minimal amount of fishtailing or ditch romping. Gerty seemed satisfied just to be driving and never questioned where they were going or why. Johnny continued to look out the window until eventually he ask to pull off the side of what was now little more than a two track. Gerty slide over and gave Johnny a hug but Johnny was quickly out the door and went  to the back of the truck. Johnny warned,
"Stay in the truck Gerty so I can get your surprise."
Gerty didn’t know what to think as she was the one who was normally full of surprises. Gerty decided to get her pack back in order and didn’t notice that Johnny had slipped away. Within ten minutes he was back to open Gertys door and take her by the hand off the road. After crossing a short stand of bush and trees Gerty and Johnny stepped out into a fallow field of wild flowers.A small blanket lay with a basket of cheese, wine, summer sausage and assorted crackers. Johnny had surprised Gerty with a picnic.
Gerty grabbed Johnny by the neck and hugged her man tighter than anyone she have ever done. No tears were shed from Gerty but a tiny spark of hope welled up inside that there may be life after death. Gerty ran through the flowers and for a moment let the past fall behind her.
Gerty and Johnny lay on their backs after the wine was opened and they dined. Gerty lay looking at the clouds and for the first time she could see shapes other than the demons in her mind. There was a blue sky and warm days. Gerty was not alone. Gerty didn’t feel alone.

"Hey there city slicker, you mind telling me why you have my private drive blocked with that damn truck of yours?"
Johnny looked up and there was 50 plus year old man with all the signs of being a local farmer or ranch owner. What was worse is that he has holding a 12 gauge shot gun in one arm although pointed to the ground in an unthreatening manner.
"This here is my land that you have your little soirée on and I’m not partial to no strangers on my drive or wandering around my property.’
The farmer was focused on Johnny and talking man to man as he thought proper regarding the trespassing issue. He did not notice that Gerty also had risen off the blanket. Mr. Farmer had ruined her moment of joy. The rage was instantaneous and undeniable.

Daddio he has a gun
way to late for him to run
it’s supposed to be my day
blow his balls off clean away

The ever resourceful Gerty who seemed to favor the knife was also the proud owner of a silver plated semi automatic 22. caliber handgun. The farmer never saw her coming and Gerty came around and gut shot him twice while shoving him over to neutralize the shotgun. Gerty piled on top of the man and shoved the gun to his cheek and warned,
"Don’t get no bright ideas Daddio."
Gerty freed the gun from the farmer with a firm yank of one arm while maintaining the handgun in his face with the other. Once the man was unarmed, Gerty stood up and loomed over the bleeding man. Gerty started screaming.
"My field. My flowers. My clouds and my blue sky. Fuck your road and fuck you!
Gerty shot the man with the .22 in the leg from less than a foot away. The man screamed in pain and then started choking out okays and I’m sorrys. The farmer did not know that Gerty did not like Daddios to make conversation and she shot the man in the throat. Still alive Gerty came close to the farmer and whispered,

No more words dear daddio
here’s the thing you need to know
say your pray

ers inside you head
 I assure you’ll soon be dead

Even with the injuries you could see the confusion in the eyes of the doomed man. This petite young lady who was picnicking on his property was clearly planning on killing him for reasons he could not understand.
Gerty picked up the shotgun and chambered a shell.
"I do wish to thank you for contributing to my gun collection. She is a beauty."
With that final comment Gerty aimed the barrel at the farmer’s groin and mercifully the final shot put the man out of his misery.
Gerty panting with the emotion of the moment was blood splattered and looked to be the serial killer that she was. Johnny said,
"Time to go sweetheart. That last one was real loud and we don’t want to have to kill off the neighborhood." Let’s get you cleaned up."
Gerty nodded with a big sigh and gave a small smile to Johnny.
"Loved the picnic J-man. You’re a keeper. Never leave me Johnny."
Gerty never called him Johnny before. Johnny wondered if that meant anything special.