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counted on something like this. In fact, Billy knew he hadn’t, because there wasn’t a notebook for “When You Might Be the Last Person Alive”. Daddy had been plenty smart, but there was no way he could have seen this coming.
    He started toward the house once more, feeling better now that he had remembered the List. The List would tell him who to go check on, who to trust, who to help, and who to ask for help, if he needed it. He didn’t think he would need it, but you never knew.
    He’d get The List out as soon as he got home. He stopped again, and took out his notebook. In block letters he wrote “If they ain’t on the list, don’t trust them.”
    There. He’d remember that now.
     
     
     

CHAPTER FOUR
    Billy parked the Ranger in the barn and went straight to the house. He wanted to take a look at The List before he forgot it. He knew he’d remember it again, since it was in his notebook, but he wanted to see it now. The idea that he just might not be all alone in the world had chased away some of his fear, at least for the moment.
    Billy almost ran the final few steps, taking the porch steps themselves two at a time. Rommel bounced along behind, sensing that his person was excited. Billy went to his father’s study, and looked at the shelf of notebooks and research material there. He quickly found what he was looking for and pulled the notebook down. It was dusty, he noted, and felt a momentary twinge at that. His mother would not have approved. He took his notebook out, made a note to dust the house, then put it away and grabbed the large three ring binder from the desk. Sitting in what had been his father’s favorite chair, Billy opened the book.
     
    Dear Son,
    I have made a list for you of the people you should be able to count on if there is ever a problem. Being able to count on someone, or trust them, doesn’t mean they get to know all your business. If they ask something I’ve told you should be kept
    secret, you don’t have to lie, nor should you be rude by saying ‘none of your business’. Just smile, and say ‘I’m okay for now. I’ll have to let the future take care of itself’.
     
    Doing this lets them know that you are okay, and that they don’t need to worry. One last thing. Remember that hard times sometimes changes people. Just because someone is on this list, doesn’t necessarily mean that you should automatically trust them. Think of it as a car problem. You think you know what’s wrong, but until you check under the hood, you can’t be sure.
     
    Always check under the hood, son.
     
    Love, Dad
     
    “Yeah, always check under the hood,” Billy repeated aloud. He could remember that. He took out his notebook again, and added ‘always check under the hood’ to his note about trusting people on the list. Once that was done, he turned to the next page. There was The List. His father had organized the list by distance. The closer someone was to him, the higher on the list. Sure enough, Mister Silvers and Widow George were right there at the top.
    The Widow George was first, Mister Silvers and his family second.
    Ignoring the rest of the list for now, Billy set the book on the desk, and looked at Rommel.
    “Let’s go check on the neighbors, boy.”
     
    *****
     
    Billy eased his truck into the Widow George’s driveway, careful to make sure she had plenty of time to see him coming. As he parked the car, he remembered again how Rommel had spooked the cattle. Turning to the dog, he pointed at him.
    “Stay.” Rommel looked at him, almost as if he was hurt, Billy noted, but he lay down in the seat. Billy ruffled his massive head lightly.
    “Good boy.” He got out of his truck, debating on whether or not to take his rifle. He was wearing his pistol all the time now, and the rifle might spook the elderly woman. He left it lying on the seat.
    Walking slowly, looking around him carefully as he went, Billy made his way to the Widow George’s carport door. Her car was still