6:30AM.
 
The sun rose at around 6AM though Fernando wanted a bit more rest. But the sunlight is causing too much interference with his sleep pattern, and Macey is not helping much either.
 
Looking around through a parted curtain, the area is covered in a couple of inches of snow. He knew that it rains in these areas around this time of year, but Elsa freezing the local air has turned the rain into snow, and lots of it. An inch of rain is about 10 inches of snow, so one has to do the math.
 
The inside of the camper was toasty warm thanks to the propane heater, but the bare painted metal walls were ice cold to the touch. At least the floors were covered in rubberized carpeting, insulating it from the ice cold metal.
 
"Like it or not, it's time to get up. Wash up your hands and face and put on yesterday's clothes and put a change of clothes in a bag to take to Hondo's truck. No way you are going to take a shower here." Fernando tells his little girl.
 
Macey sits up and looks outside one of the curtain covered windows, seeing the parking lot covered in several inches of snow. Fernando puts his hand on the curtain to close it.
 
"Put on the coat and boots I got for you a couple days ago and I'll carry you to Hondo's camper. We leave through the driver door, his truck is right there." He tells her.
 
"OK Daddy..." Macey says to him as she crawls under the blanket to get to the edge of the bed. She gets out from under the blanket in just her t-shirt and panties, walking over to the sink in the camper. She turns on the water tap but nothing comes out. "There's no water, daddy."
 
Fernando thinks, 'Swell, the water tanks, which are under the camper have frozen.' He then tells his little girl. "OK, get dressed and put your toothbrush and tooth paste in the bag with your change of clothing."
 
He then reaches for the radio, hoping Hondo or Val is listening in. Not caring is anyone is in, he calls for them on the last known channel they were on. "Hondo, Val, you out there?" He repeats himself, "Hondo, Val, you out there?"
 
After about a second, Hondo picks up, "I'm here. Wuz up Jefe?"
 
"Can you open your truck from the front passenger door in about 5 minutes? We got no water or much of anything else as it's all frozen over and we will be coming in from that side." Fernando explains.
 
"OK Jefe. Five minutes it is." Hondo replies.
 
"See you then." Fernando replies.  He then turns to Macey, "Get dressed fast, we only got a few minutes to be ready."
 
"OK daddy..." Macey says. She then turns to him as she gathers her things, "Daddy, do you love me?"
 
"Never doubt or question my love for his little girl - which is you right now. What's up?" He says and then asks.
 
"You are. daddy." Macey points to his groin.
 
"Alright. Being raised in a whore house, you must have seen more than your fair share of penises." Fernando says out loud to himself but she heard it.
 
"I have seen whole lot of penises. Yours is the biggest one I ever saw, well, almost saw, stuffed in your underwear." Macey says.
 
Fernando sits next to her as he gathered his things to put on. He puts on his shirt and pants as he says, "We will deal with that some other time. Now get your skinny butt dressed so we can have something to eat."
 
It takes them a few more minutes to get dressed. Before stepping out to the Driver's seat, he turns off the propane heater and pulls down the pop-up camper tent to close it. Fernando opens the driver's side door and steps out into calf high pile of the cold fluffy white stuff. Hondo opens the second passenger door of the truck, closest to the door to the VW Camper's driver's door. Fernando picks up Macey with her things in the bag and turns her around to send her through the Hondo's open truck door. Hondo grabs her and pulls her into the truck, and then points to Zoe at the end of the truck/camper doorway. Macey wastes no time in getting to her friend.
 
Fernando closes the door to the VW Camper and then steps in Hondo's truck.
 
"Everythin' froze in there?" Hondo asks.
 
"The propane heater kept us warm but the water tanks are outside under the bus and they froze over." Fernando says as he stamps out the snow off his boots outside the truck.
 
"You're welcomed to be here anytime." Hondo says.
 
"Thanks..." Fernando replies.

Hondo woke to the new day right at dawn.  He yawned and steached as he lay there bringing his thoughts together.  His arm bumped something he thought at first was Val.  He turned he head to look. He had to squint to get his vision into good enough focus as his glasses we're on the night stand.  He didn't bump Valentine but someone else.  Zoey lay on her side between them staring at him.  
 
Hondo(grogily) : you alright?  
 
Zoey: yep.
 
Hondo: when did you come in?  
 
Zoey: I dunno.  
 
Hondo : figures you'd be asleep still.  
 
Zoey: been awake for a while.  
 
Hondo figured she either had a bad dream,  or something but wasn't awake enough to push it any further. He figured if she wanted to say more she would.  No sense digging any deeper unless it became a problem.  
 
Hondo: alright.  Well,  Im gonna get a shower.
 
He sat up on the edge of the bed, clothed in just boxers.  
 
Zoey: can I go with you?  
 
Hondo (mumbled) : not awake enough for this.  . .
 
He looked over at her with one open eye.  She was sitting cross legged on the bed look at him waiting for an answer eagerly.  
 
Hondo: Look,  kitten,  showerin' just ain't somethin' for a father and daughter to do.  
 
Zoey: why?  
 
Hondo : showers are to get clean and ya can't shower with clothes on and it ain't right for us to be naked in the shower together.  
 
Zoey: why?  
 
Hondo : You see no problem with jumpin' in a shower with anyone naked?  
 
 
Zoey: not with just anyone.  You're  . .you're my dad.  Family it is fine.  Isn't it?  
 
Hondo : who told you that?  
 
Zoey: my . . . My parents. Did they.  . Did they lie???  
 
Hondo sighed : phuck
 
He could tell she didn't see anything sexual about it.  Probably when she was little her folks did shower with her and it was a memory she hung onto and associated it with feeling safe,  loved,  and at peace.  If so she may crave it to try to find that feeling in it's total innocence again.  He knew a lot of the old pioneer families often bathed together at rivers and bath day in the cold was done in the living area.  Many houses we're one room and no privacy,  yet people bathed and children were begat with audience,  not for the audiences entertainment,  mind you,  but because that's how it was.  Maybe her family was like that,  maybe they were of a more natural mind set,  whether that was from being wessen or a hang over from the hippy,  nature folks from  hondo's time line was anybody's guess. He wasn't ready to be in his birthday suit with his newly adopted , almost teen daughter. If they did it wouldn't be in sin,  but appearances could be misconstrued to easily unless everyone was on the same,  communal page,  which was all just too much for him to take in before having his coffee.  
 
Hondo: they didn't lie,  and it's not in of itself wrong,  damn,  I'm not awake enough for this.  . . I love you,  kitten,  but damn.  Where I am from it is not socially acceptable.  It looks bad.  Some bad people would misuse such things , so it's not done.  . . Listen,  I need to wake up and think on this more.  I'll try to explain things better later and maybe think up some sort of compromise..  .OK?  
 
Zoey frowned.  She looked down at a piece of string she found and played with it,  trying to act indifferent.  
 
Zoey: OK.  
 
Hondo swore softly under his breath again.  He was worried he was making her self conscious, some how.  How to make her conscious without being self-conscious was the question. He tookna quick shower to jump start himself. He cleaned up the night before so this was just to help wake up the body.  Caffeine would be needed to fully wake the mind.  He was in,  out,  and dressed in less than 5 minutes. Tonya was still asleep when he came out to make coffee.  Zoey soon came out and resumed staring at him.  
 
Hondo: if you're stayin' up might as well clean up and get dress.  
 
Zoey didn't say anything she just grabbed her stuff and ran to the bathroom.  She was out  10 minutes later. Hondo by that time was sitting down sipping his coffee.  She sat down across from him. Hondo stared at her as she stared at him for a few minutes.  He finally sat his coffee down.  
 
Hondo : come here.  
 
Zoey got up and came up to beside where he sat.  He tapped on his knee and she just looked at him,  cocker her head slightly in question.  
 
Hondo: sit.  
 
Zoey nodded and sat on his knee.  He put his arms around her and held her.  After a moment she wrapped her arms around his arms and lay he head back against his.  
 
Hondo: I didn't mean to hurt you,  little one.  Your parents were not wrong.  They just had different ways of doing things and you we're a lot younger when you were with them. I'm new at all this and I will screw up royally at times but know I'll always love you.  We will have special things that just you and I do. They may not be the same as things you used to do with your folks but I promise they will be just as special.  
 
Zoey: are.  . . Are you ashamed of how I look?  Am I ugly to you?  Is that why we can't shower together??  
 
Hondo : I am not ashamed of you at all and you are a beautiful little lady. I don't want you to be ashamed of how you look or be afraid to show yourself naked to me if it's needed. But for right now I just need you to trust me on this.  Maybe someday you will understand better.  I will try to explain it better later.  But just know it's not because of you.  I have to do my best before God Almighty to raise you now.  I am just not sure that is the best thing for us to do for your reputation.  Please believe me.  I'm struggling with all this.  Just know I love you.  
 
Zoey: I love you too,  dad.  I don't understand but I will try to.  
 
Hondo: try to understand,  trust me,  and obey me.  Those are the only things I need from you.  
 
Zoey : and my love?  
 
Hondo: That isn't required,  but it's the best gift you can give me.  
 
About that time the radio went off. It was Fernando.  It took Hondo a se one to get to it as Zoey had to get off his lap so he could get up.  Apparently Fernando's rig had frozen up and he requested to come over to their camper.  Hondo had no issues as they we're always welcome.  
 
Hondo: OK, jefe.  Five minutes it is.  
 
Fernando: see you then.  
 
Hondo : Kitten,  make sure the bathroom is cleaned up.  
 
Zoey: OK.  
 
Zoey ran into the bathroom to neaten it up,  as there were clothes in it from last night still.  
 
Hondo went over to Tonya.  
 
Hondo: Tonya,  Tonya,  come on gal,  gotta get up.  
 
Tonya : few more minutes dad.  
 
Hondo: can't.  Fernando and Macey are coming over.  Their camper froze up.  
 
Tonya: tired still.  
 
Hondo : OK.  You can sleep a bit longer in my bed.  
 
Tonya : mmhmm.  
 
She was almost back to sleep. He figured it was a mix of the bio pill drain and the long night,  plus she was still a teen. Hondo picked her up and she mumbled something incoherent.  He deposited her on his side of the bed and covered her up.  This stirred Valentine.  
 
Val: everything alright?  
 
Hondo: Jefe's camper froze up last night.  More of that ice kids doin' I reckon.  I seriously doubt that damned alien or Jeanette have a phuckin' clue what they are doin'.  
 
Val: Tonya alright?  
 
Hondo : yeah,  just dead to the world still. Zoeys up though.  Being a bit clingy too. Might have had a bad dream.  Not sure.  
 
Val: you need me up?  
 
Hondo: naw,  just rest.  Jefe and the little one need the bathroom for a bit and one of Jeanette's group is suppose to cook breakfast.  If they don't I will.  
 
Val: OK.  Don't keep it quiet for us.  
 
Hondo: OK.  Just relax for a while.  You've more than earned it.  
 
Hondo went out,  filled his coffee and started a new pot.  He. Leaned up Tonya's bed area with Zoey's help.  Almost as soon as they finished and the coffee had stopped brewing Fernando knocked on the door.  Hondo opened it and helped them in.  Macey raced over to Zoey and they bother we're talking to each other at a mile a minute rate.  
 
Hondo and Fernando talked for a moment as well.  Hondo got fernando a hot cup of coffee and told him. To make himself at home.  He also told Macey to feel free to use the bathroom.  
 
Zoey: I'll show her how everything works.  
 
Macey: you can talk to me while I clean up!  
 
Zoey: OK!  
 
They raced into the bathroom before anyone could say anything.  Zoey sat on the hamper while Macey used the shower and performed the usual morning hygenics before dressing.  
 
Hondo shook his head as they ran off.  
 
Hondo: kids.  . .
 
Fernando: Tell me about it!  She isn't my first,  as you well know.  
 
Hondo: Speaking of that I want to ask you about how to handle this certain thing with her.  
 
Hondo started telling him about zoey wanting to shower with him and all that has happened,  and how it all seemed innocent but turning her down seemed to hurt her feelings as she didn't get it., bit he was interrupted by a knock on the door.  It was that new alien gal that Jeanette had taken in. Hondo opened the door.  
 
Mavis: Do you want me to get breakfast started?
 
Hondo: Might as well. That time of day, I reckon.  
 

Fernando takes one of the giant mutant chicken eggs and hands it to Mavis. "Hold this with both hands and shake it hard for a couple minutes to break the yoke and scramble the inside in its shell before you crack it open at the point. Then you can use a ladle to scoop out omelets, scrambled or mix it with some flour and biscuit powder for pancakes and biscuits. That one egg is about 22 small sized eggs, and a ladle's worth of egg is about 2 small eggs, so there should be enough for everyone. I'll get some of the oatmeal and meat going - bacon and sausage and pile it on the side. Hondo, you go some french fries or home fries?"
 
"There's a bag of fries you can use." Hondo says before his camper door knocks. He opens it to find Ruth there with a bag of supplies.
 
"I doubt we are eating outside. So I'll help make breakfast and then take my share to the camper to feed us." Ruth says as she walks in.
 
"Good. You can make the oatmeal, I'll make the meat and potatoes. What you brought?" Fernando says and asks.
 
"Some bread rolls and cheese." Ruth says.
 
"Good. We can have cheese omelets." Fernando says as he turns on the stove and puts a couple of pots and pans to cook in.
 
Ruth starts with the oatmeal, Fernando fries up some bacon and sausage at the same time he has the fries simmering on the back burner. Mavis begins cooking portions of scrambled eggs and omelets. With the oatmeal done, Ruth makes some pancakes and "Pan Fried" biscuits.  Much of the food is done and piled up in 20 minutes, packaging them is another matter.

Notes: It stands to reason terminology can change over a period of time. That has been established in the opening story. Also Moro and Mavis always said "hotcakes." They never said "pancakes." Let the confusion commence.
 
During our conversation of Charlton and the grey area between freedom of religion and a state religion, I said Charlton would rather have Judaism as a state religion than allow complete freedom of religion. Therefore anyone from Charlton, including Mavis, would stick to a kosher diet.
 
Quote from Fernando on Nov 3^rd, 2016, 10:12pm:

Mavis is wide eyed upon seeing the giant chicken egg. "I've seen fruits and vegetables that can feed a tribe; never have I seen a dinosaur egg."
 
Quote from Fernando on Nov 3^rd, 2016, 10:12pm:

"Pancakes? I don't know how to bake; I can learn. I was thinking of making hotcakes."
 
Quote from Fernando on Nov 3^rd, 2016, 10:12pm:

"Bacon? You have several members of the party from Charlton. You must have something kosher."

Fernando prepares a small plate from the piled items with a biscuit, a cheese omelet, a couple slices of bacon and some fried potatoes before walking to the bathroom door and calling, Macey! Your breakfast is ready!" He then sets a larger plate for Hondo and Val with bacon and sausage.
 
Ruth has gathered her share for everyone in her camper and then leaves.
 
All he can hear is giggling from inside the bathroom. He then says, "Macey, you got to the count of three to get your tail out here before I go in after you."
 
Inside the bathroom there is the sound of scurrying and commotion going on before it gets silent and then the door opens. Fernando is not too happy with the delay. "Your food is over there. I'll get your juice after I serve Val and Hondo their food. Zoey what do you want?" He says in a serious tone.
 
Zoey looks at Macey's plate and points at it, "That will be fine..."
 
"OK then..." Fernando replies as he quickly sets up another plate for Zoey and serves her and her father: Hondo. He looks at Hondo, Val and Tonya awake yet?"