Author's note: Wow! Am loving the reviews so far! Thanks to Elsa Jay for reminding me of the correct way to spell Tracy. I had been so caught up with other details that I hadn't thought about the spelling. Because of the feedback and the fact that my mind keeps going with this I'm posting early! Yay! Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 2
Scott Tracey could just barely recall a time when his dad wasn't too busy working to help him out with his brothers. At first, his mom had been the manager of the house and family. She knew how to get a five year old Gordon out of the pool, or a seven year old John away from the telescope. She had known how to get a sulking, preteen Virgil to take out his anger and frustration out on a car, canvas, or the piano, rather than his brothers, and she knew just what to say to help prepare each brother for having Alan as a baby brother. She had taught Scott many things, but the one thing she hadn't taught him, was how to take her place when she was gone. He couldn't help but wonder if they would be in this situation if she was still there.
"Sergeant Tracy," said one of the agents who had brought him here, "I can take you to see your brothers and your father now."
Scott nodded gratefully and followed the man into a cafeteria looking area. He could tell quickly that the doors were guarded, but there was no listening devices or cameras that he could detect. He was informed to sit in the room and wait for the others. He sat and waited for the agent to leave the room before returning to his thoughts once more, going back to when this had all started.
Eight days 96 hours and 31 minuets before
Scott walked plane with sweaty palms. He had manned a plane on a three person mission in the middle of a danger zone with a -20% outcome of survival. He had faced the harsh desert sand storms and deadly heat of Iran. He had even seen combat first hand in the middle of a dog eat dog firefight. But he was more nervous for what was to come within the next 48 hours. Getting out of the terminal went relatively smooth and was Scott was pleasantly surprised at what was waiting for him. A tall and lanky 22 year old with white blonde hair Scott could recognize anywhere made eye contact with him. Immediately, Scott rushed over and enclosed him in a firm embrace. They stayed like that for a minuet before the younger man said,
"Hey, Scooter,...you're kinda crushing my rib cage."
Scott reluctantly let go of his younger brother, "It's good to see you John."
John smiled and nodded in agreement, then motioned toward the exit and helping Scott with his bag, he asked, "So how have you been Private?"
"It's Sergeant now and good, but enough about me," replied Scott putting an arm around John's thin shoulders, "how have you been, couldn't tell much from the video chats."
In truth, Scott thought John looked a little pale and thin, of course John was always skinny as a fish bone, but it was the dark circles under his brother's eyes that had him worried. He credited this as too much coffee and not enough rest. Something that could easily be amended where they were headed.
"I'm fine," laughed John, "you were the one deployed over seas."
The two quickly reached the car while reminiscing and Scott finally got the courage to ask, "How are the others?"
Scott had chat more with John than anyone else in the family, partly, because John was the only one Scott knew wasn't mad at him anymore. John let out a sigh as he started the car.
"Virgil's ok, the shop's doing pretty well and he's still taking a couple of med classes online, Gordon's doing alright at the community college..."
"Any change on the water situation?" Scott interrupted, trying not to sound too hopeful.
John shook his head sadly,"He still won't go near it, and I think almost everyone's given up on trying to make him."
Scott nodded then asked, "And Alan? Last I talked to him, he was having trouble with a couple of classes."
"Not just a couple unfortunately," John replied solemnly, "Alan got suspended a couple weeks back."
"What?! What for?"
"Well,..." John said," he put red dye in the shampoo dispensers for the guy's locker room, cut his morning classes three times, and challenged a couple guys to a drag race on the school football field."
Scott let out a low whistle, shaking his head, "Bet Dad read him the riot act."
"Something like that."
"What about you?" He asked John, "how are your classes going at the university?"
John smiled brightly, "You know me, can't seem to get my head of of the clouds."
John was majoring in astronomy at Stanford, where he also ran track and had a minor in engineering. In his spare time, he informed Scott, he was trying to learn another new language. Since they were kids, John had tried to learn as many languages as he could. By the age of twelve he spoke eight fluently. John was the one everyone had expected a lot from, after Scott had left.
"How's dad?" Scott asked after John finished.
John seemed to almost cringe, "You're gonna have to see about that one for yourself Scooter, it's kind of hard to explain."
Scott senses began to go on full alert, his subconscious remembering the last time his dad had stared acting wired. The rest of the drive went relatively quiet, until John made a turn moving away from their destination. Noting the look of confusion on Scott's face, John explained.
"I called ahead and Virgil's still at the shop, I figured we could see him first."
When Scott let out a sigh, running a hand over his eyes wearily, John said, "Gotta pick and choose your battles Scooter."
Scott glared at his younger brother, "Don't use military logic on me, Johnny, and don't call me Scooter."
"Whatever you say captain control freak."
Scott groaned afraid that all his old childhood nicknames were coming back to haunt him this weekend.
Present
The sound of the doors opening shook Scott from his thoughts. His heart nearly melted with relief when he heard a familiar voice call out,
"Scott?"
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