The shed was originally big enough for maybe a pickup truck and some storage space. Since we weren't planning to put a truck in it it would be plenty enough space for a workbench and lots of storage. Not that that could match our inventory -- 999 of anything is a bit much for a cabinet -- but it'd let us offload small quantities of stuff we didn't want to throw away.

  Door frames are a bit more complicated than simple wood panels. You have to allow for it in the wall, you have to make it strong enough to hold the door, and if it's a supporting wall (which, thankfully, the shed doesn't exactly have any of), it needs to be structurally strong enough for weight pressing down from above.

  It would be simplest to not bother with the original bay door, but it's Sam's shed and he might some day want one. So, current plan is a wall with a frame with a smaller wall inside bolted in place. Won't be big enough for a winnebago, but then neither is the entire shed. Maybe we'll find a barn or something in the future.

  Probably bassackwards to build the door panel before the door frame, but the panel was just more of the same of what we'd been doing, so I went ahead and finished it first. We leaned it against the finished side of the shed; it can stay there until I figure out the frame. Or maybe actually ask someone about how to make one.

  Tsu'na and I broke for dinner at the diner before my bouncer shift. She'd been coming to the Pit and reading while I was on duty (never got into Zane Grey myself...I'm more Tony Hillerman), but this time she said she wanted to go map from the air, which, on goobbue-back/head, can really only happen at night. So we stopped at the store to pick up a couple LED flashlights and she headed off to explore.

  The guys at the Pit pretty much keep to themselves. Tsu'na and I work there, but we're still newcomers and outsiders who don't talk a lot about where we're from or what we did there. I tell them we were fighting overseas, but I don't want to talk about that too much in case I run into an actual combat vet who knows the talk and the signs better than I do. Outside of that I don't have a lot in common with these folk, so I smile, nod, listen a lot, try to be a friendly face (even when I'm telling someone he's had enough for the evening) and stay courteously aloof with any women that get brought in...I suspect neither the guys nor Tsu'na particularly want me getting too friendly with the women.

  Last night was the only fight I actually had to break up. A couple guys got into a shoving match, so I went over and got between them. They both turned on me. I grabbed a shirt in each hand, hoisted and dumped them both on their backs on the pool table. But I kept smiling. The friendly face that broke up their fight. I let go of their shirts, asked "We good?" and got nods in response. My work was done.

  I hung out after closing while Sam locked up. I considered getting out my journal to see where Tsu'na was, but I didn't feel like explaining a GPS-enabled book, so I sipped a cider as Sam went through the motions.

  BamBam

  Sam and I looked at each other.

  "The hell was that?"

  "Was it coming from the shed?"

  Sam reached under the bar and got out a shotgun I didn't know he had. Oklahoma low-grade bar, so not a shock, but still something to remember.

  BamBam BamBam

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  We went quietly out the back door. I took lead, and as we came alongside the shed I motioned Sam to stop and crouch. I did the same, got out my phone and turned on selfie cam to use it as a mirror to look around the corner.

  "Oh." I relaxed. "It's just my wife."

  "Your wife? The hell's she doing?"

  The noise stopped and Tsu'na came around the corner in her Dancer gear. She looked down at me. "What are you doing, Husband?"

  I rose. "Checking the premises for signs of vandalism. Seen any?"

  She glanced back around the corner. "I may have caused some."

  We followed her around the shed. She'd set up a camp lantern near the door panel, which she'd apparently been using for target practice, judging by the dents and splintering. As we studied it I slipped my arms around her from behind. "I'd've made you a training dummy if you'd asked me."

  "I did not plan this. It was…"

  "An impulse decision?"

  "Yes. I am sorry. I will help you make a new one."

  "I'd appreciate it. Guess this one's yours now."

  Sam peered at the damage to the boards. "The hell were you hittin' it with?"

  She held up her Dancer weapons. "My throwing chakrams."

  "What, those rings? Like...Xena?"

  I chuckled. "Yeah, I married Xena." I released Tsu'na and waved Sam to the side. "Why don't you give him a demonstration, my love?"

  She nodded and went into combat stance.

  BAMBAM

  The rings slammed into the wood and rebounded into her waiting hands.

  BAMBAM BAMBAM

  She picked up the rhythm as she worked into her combos.

  BAMBAM BAMBAM BAMBAM BAM

  She caught the rings and shifted smoothly into a passive stance. Sam stared at her open-mouthed. I smiled. "Magnificent, isn't she?"

  "Where'd she learn to do that?"

  "We had the option of training in different exotic weapons."

  "The army teaches you to use those?"

  "I never said we were in the army."

  "You said...deployment overseas."

  "Yeah, but not the army. We were contractors." As Sam opened his mouth again I added, "Which we're not supposed to talk about."

  "Yeah...right. So...you can do this too?"

  "Sure. I'd show you, but I don't have my rings right now. Maybe tomorrow?"

  "Yeah, okay."

  I walked over and picked up the lantern. "I think you've done enough vandalism tonight, my love. Let's go home."

  We left Sam staring at the damaged panel in the dwindling light. As we got out of his sight I asked, "So what brought on this particular impulse?"

  "I was feeling...restless, I think. We have not used the chakrams in so long. I wanted to feel...more whole."

  "I understand. It's been pretty quiet here. Kinda like we're newbies all over again. Why didn't you use a tree?"

  "It would upset the seedseers if I hurt a tree."

  "I suppose it would. Okay, let's plan some more hunting before too long."

  "Yes, Husband."

  "After you help me make a new door panel."

  "...Yes, Husband."