John's eyes were wide as he listened to his little brother talk about and describe the dream he had. The older blonde held Alan to his chest as he comforted the quivering boy. Alan had begun shaking when he spoke, but managed to keep the tears he felt pricking his eyes at bay. Describing the dream and all that happened caused Alan to be thrown back into his hellish nightmare.
"Whoa, that is one doozy of a nightmare there sprout." John tightened his hug, but kept in mind not to hold on too tight. Alan's pain meds were beginning to wear off, and John didn't want to cause him unnecessary pain. "Now I can understand why you don't want me to tell the guys. I fear that it would make them…distant."
Alan nodded mutely before he wrapped his left arm around John's waist, tightening the hug a fraction. Alan wanted to see his other brothers, but wondered whether he should tell John that. Alan didn't want to seem weak by asking to see his other brothers, but he didn't want to isolate his other brothers either. It just seemed so confusing.
"You know, Gordo, Virge and I had to duke it out to see who would get to come see you for breakfast." John gently ran his fingers through Alan's blonde hair.
"Duked it out how? Dad doesn't approve of fighting, so I can't see any of you guys fighting to see me." Alan felt what little energy he had start to slip away. Turns out he hadn't gotten as restful of a night as he thought he had. Just reliving the nightmare as he explained it to John was mentally and emotionally exhausting.
"Dad chose a number and made the three of us guess. We had to play that number game that dad plays with you and Fermat." John smiled softly, noticing Alan was struggling to remain awake. It was a little past noon, and the younger blonde was blinking repeatedly to keep his eyes open.
"Wait, three? But where was Scotty?" Alan's head was beginning to tip forward as he continued to battle with his fatigue.
"He sacrificed his chance to play to give Virgil, Gordon and I a fair shot to see you. Gordo and I tied in the end for the number game." John smiled warmly when Alan rested his head on John's chest…right over his heart. Alan was losing the battle with remaining awake.
"Bet, Gordo and Virge weren't too happy not being able to see me." Alan mumbled out. He was trying his absolute hardest to remain awake, but he was fighting a losing battle.
"No, not really. They were ready to breathe fire when they lost. But then it is always brains before charm isn't it?" John lowered his voice as he spoke. Alan's eyes were slowly creeping closed.
"Yeah…" Alan unconsciously nuzzled John's chest, getting comfortable where he was resting. Hearing the rhythmic beat of John's heart was slowly lulling him to sleep. Yet this time, he didn't feel the anxiety or the fear. He felt warmth, love and concern radiating from John and it relaxed him enough to slip into a peaceful sleep.
"Before I forget sprout. I know it's a little late to ask, but what do you want for Christmas?" John hoped to take advantage of the time that he would have when his other brothers were visiting Alan to go pick up a couple small gifts for his family. He had been up on Thunderbird 5 for the last month and had been unable to pick up anything.
"All I want…for Christ…mas is…my fam…ily." Alan slipped off into the realm of dreams. Tears welled in John's eyes as his bottom lip trembled and a knot formed in his throat. It moved John that all Alan wanted for the holiday was to be with his dad and brothers together as a family. The Tracy clan didn't know how lucky they were to have gotten there in time to rescue Alan and Fermat. Had they gotten there any later the results would have been devastating.
"Trust me sprout. You will get your wish; Santa couldn't possibly refuse that gift. We won't leave your side, ever. I love you…baby brother." John placed a soft kiss on the crown of Alan's head before slowly easing Alan back to lie on his pillows. The younger blonde didn't stir as John tucked him in.
TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB
Jeff Tracy pulled into the parking lot of a college. The Tracy patriarch looked around at the desolate building. The students and staff of Wharton's were forced to transfer to the local community college to resume classes after the New Year and Jeff was fortunate to have gotten ahold of the headmaster of Wharton's. The college had been able to forward his call to the temporary office of Headmaster Harvey Flynn. Shutting off the car, Jeff disembarked from the vehicle and made his way into the building.
Approaching the front desk, Jeff was met with a tired looking woman. Either she had a cold or she hadn't slept in a little over a day. The woman had dark circles under her eyes, and she was pale as she typed away on her computer. Jeff cleared his throat to gain her attention. The woman's tired eyes swept over to look at him and she hurriedly stood up to greet the expected visitor.
"Hello sir, welcome to Bunker Hill Community College. How may I help you?" The woman undoubtedly had a cold judging on her nasally sounding voice. She sounded like she was suffering from a head cold.
"Ah yes…I called earlier about having a meeting with Wharton's headmaster Harvey Flynn." Jeff nodded at the woman, gently shaking his head when she offered her hand to shake. 'Note to self: Wash hands thoroughly when you leave. I would hate to transfer the cold to Alan and Fermat. Also double up on vitamins.'
"Yes, he is expecting you. Go up the first flight of stairs on your left and go up two floors, turn right and three doors down you will find Mr. Flynn's office." The receptionist leaned over the desk's edge and pointed towards the stairwell at the end of the hall. Jeff offered a kind smile to the woman before going down the hall. Mr. Flynn was in for a nasty wakeup call, one he was sure never to forget.
TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB
Scott sat on the bed in his hotel room with his back against the headboard. He was instant messaging with an old air force friend on his laptop. Apparently news of the Wharton fire rescue had reached foreign soil. Scott's air force friend was stationed in Bahrain and he had written to Scott when he heard from a colleague that Wharton's school for boys had burned down to the ground. Isaac Jones had met Scott when they entered the air force and were in the same barracks.
Pvt. Jones: Hey Whirlwind, how goes it?
Scott: It's going.
Pvt. Jones: What no 'Hey you old devil'?
Scott: Sorry, I just have a lot on my mind right now.
Pvt. Jones: Is this about the Wharton fire?
Scott: How did you hear about that?
Pvt. Jones: Dude, just because I am in Bahrain right now, doesn't mean my head is buried in the sand. I keep up with all the current events taking place stateside.
Scott: I meant no offence, it's just…I never imagined that something such as a school fire would have reached foreign soil.
Pvt. Jones: I am just yanking your chain…I heard about it from my Lt. He and his wife lives in Boston, and she told him about the Thunderbirds arriving at the fire.
Scott: Oh.
Pvt. Jones: I was writing to find out if your little brother is all right. I know you told me him and that Hackenbacker kid both go to Wharton's.
Scott: …
Pvt. Jones: Oh god. Don't tell me that Alan was hurt in the fire.
Scott: Okay, I won't tell you.
Pvt. Jones: He was wasn't he? How bad?
Scott: Pretty badly. He and Fermat both have been admitted to the burn unit in Massachusetts General Hosp. with severe burns.
Pvt. Jones: No! Not your little brother and that Hackenbacker kid.
Scott: Yeah, Alan is facing multiple surgeries to restore the lost feeling in his feet. Fermat will need maybe one or two surgeries to repair the torn muscle in his lower leg, but that's all we know right now.
Pvt. Jones: Oh dude…I am so sorry. Please if there is anything I can do just name it.
Scott: It's okay. Alan and Ferm are both alive and recovering. It will just be a while before we can see either of them up running around and causing havoc back at home.
Pvt. Jones: It most certainly is not okay Scott! I mean…Jesus dude!
Scott: No it's okay…or it will be eventually. I still can't believe that this happened. I keep waiting to wake up and for this to be all…just some sort of bad dream.
Pvt. Jones: It sounds like you are still in shock.
Scott: We all are.
Pvt. Jones: How are your dad and brothers handling it? Are they okay?
Scott: They are handling it about the same as me…just bouncing from pillar to post.
Pvt. Jones: Damn it all. So…have you heard yet what caused the fire?
Scott: No. The authorities are conducting an investigation right now, but so far we haven't heard anything.
Pvt. Jones: I hope they come back with results that will shed some light.
Scott: Me too Jersey Devil…me too.
Pvt. Jones: Heh, you haven't called me that since you hung up your cap and left the air force Whirlwind.
Scott: I know. Perhaps when this is all over, and you are stateside…we can meet up and have a couple beers and shoot the breeze, you know catch up.
Pvt. Jones: Yeah, I'd like that. Maybe go see about picking up a couple ladies.
Scott: Sorry…no ladies for me. I quite enjoy my life as a bachelor right now, maybe some other time.
Pvt. Jones: I hear ya there. I am not ready to be tied down right now either. Give it another 15 years then I'll be ready.
Scott: Wow…you fully intend on making your momma beg for grandchildren from you?
Pvt. Jones: No, Mikey gave her a granddaughter, but then he was nearly slapped silly by momma…became a dad at 17 and all that jazz.
Scott: Ooh…not good. How is he enjoying fatherhood?
Pvt. Jones: He's getting used to it. Can't stand it that momma and pops forced him to marry Janie when he got her pregnant. But he claimed to love her, so he agreed to marry and make an honest woman out of her.
Scott: Knowing how my dad raised us, that would probably be the same for us. No matter how old we are. Even Alan who is 14 knows to wait until marriage. And we can't exactly uninstall those morals. Especially when they've been drilled into your head since you were old enough to understand.
Pvt. Jones: Too bad Mikey didn't listen to momma when she warned him to always be safe.
Scott: It can't be all bad though. Your momma is probably doting on the little one and treating her like a princess.
Pvt. Jones: How did you know?
Scott: Because when Alan was born my grandma fell in love. She was always over at the house holding Alan, feeding him, changing him, singing to him. I swear my mom and dad both went through new baby withdrawals without getting their daily baby fix.
Pvt. Jones: Ha-ha-ha! I could just see your dad walking around following your grandma begging to hold the baby. 'Come on mom can't I hold my son?'
Scott: Oh my God thanks for the mental imagery. Now I can't stop laughing.
Pvt. Jones: No problem Whirlwind. Listen, I hate to cut this chat short…but I got a bunch of guys about ready to tear their hair out waiting to use the internet connection. Talk to you soon.
Scott: Okay, I got to go too. Phone is a-ringing.
Pvt. Jones: Go answer it. Don't stay a stranger now you hear me? I am expecting bi-weekly updates on how you and the family are holding up. I also want updates on Alan and Fermat.
Scott: Sure thing. Be safe, and don't go getting in any dogfights.
Pvt. Jones: No problem Whirlwind. Bye!
Scott: Bye.
Scott answered his phone without looking at the caller ID. So he was amazed when he heard a familiar voice. He wasn't expecting any phone calls so this one was a surprise to say the least.
"Hey, Scott." John's voice rang out and Scott put it on speaker phone so he could shut down his laptop and talk to his immediate younger brother.
"Hey, yourself. What's going on? Is everything okay with the sprout?" Scott exited out of the chat room he'd been in and logged out of his laptop.
"Yeah, everything is fine. The sprout fell asleep about thirty minutes ago. He was exhausted after visiting with me though. They upped his pain medication and he unfortunately began experiencing nausea from the higher levels of pain meds so they gave him some medicine to knock out the nausea and it just about knocked him out instead." John spoke softly, and in the background Scott could make out the sound of Christmas music.
"Where are you?" Scott couldn't recall if the hospital played Christmas music over their PA system or not.
"I am in the cafeteria at the hospital. I never had breakfast and I got hungry, so I am down here having a sandwich and coffee for lunch." Scott could now better identify the background murmurs of people and silverware clanking over the low din of Christmas music.
"You said Al experienced nausea…he didn't throw up did he?" Scott chewed slightly on his lip.
"Eh, no. He just started complaining of feeling queasy a short while after breakfast. Dr. Andreessen informed us that it's quite normal with high levels of oxycodone or morphine to experience some nausea. He was fine after they gave something to ease his nausea. He's sleeping now, and the doctor said the combination of pain meds and anti-nausea medications are likely to keep him asleep until later this afternoon. He'll be out of it when it's time for his next dressing change…so that will be a blessing." Scott could make out the scraping of chairs…apparently John was now on the move.
"So what prompted this call? Is watching the sprout sleep as interesting as watching paint dry or something?" Scott stood from the bed and packed his laptop back in its carrying case.
"No, I was calling to see if you and the guys wanted to meet me at the shopping center. I wanted to go purchase a new laptop to give to Alan for Christmas…you know to replace the one that was destroyed in the fire. I told Brains I was going and he asked if I could pick up one for Fermat too. Maybe I'll even see if I can find something that the sprout can make use of while he is recovering." John spoke quietly as he walked through the hospital's hallway. "I am actually just now leaving. I was going catch the bus."
"Sure I'll go. I've got nothing else to do." Scott knocked on the bathroom door to get Virgil's attention. Virgil had gotten in the shower not too long ago, and Scott was checking to see if he wanted to go. The bathroom door opened immediatly and Virgil stepped out, hair dripping…clutching his shirt in his hands. "Hang on, let me ask to see if Virge wants to go."
"Ask me what?" Virgil slipped into his shirt; shivering at the cool temperature of the room…his long sleeve was so much warmer than the t-shirt he wore earlier.
"John wants to know if you want to join us at the shopping center. Al's asleep and John wants to get him a new laptop for Christmas." Scott opened the closet and retrieved his coat off the hanger.
"Sure, might as well." Virgil shrugged half-heartedly. What he really wanted was to see his baby brother and spend more time with him.
"Okay, Virge is tagging along…let me run down to the pool and see if Gordo wants to come and I'll call you back." Scott grabbed his wallet and door key before walking out of the room, leaving Virgil to put on his shoes.
"Ah, don't worry about calling me back. Either he does or he doesn't. Just meet me in the food court, I'm sure you guys must be hungry." John exhaled sharply. It was a little colder with the added wind chill.
"All right, see you in a little bit." Scott entered the elevator and went to ground level…where the indoor pool was located. He slid his door key card in the lock and entered the swimming lounge area. Gordon was the sole occupant.
Scott approached the edge of the pool and peered down to see his brother kick off the wall. The redhead would need to come up for air at some point and when he did; Scott would gather his attention then. Now wouldn't work, Gordon was in his element and couldn't hear anything but the sound of water rushing past his ears. Crossing his arms, Scott waited patiently. When the red head had to take a breather, Scott balanced on one foot and tapped the top of Gordon's head with the tip of his foot. Gordon's head shot up.
"Hey, what are you doing down here?" Gordon leaned on his arms over the edge of the pool, looking up at Scott.
"I came to see if you wanted to join me and Virgil for a trip to the shopping center down town. John called and he is going to take advantage of the sprout being asleep to go pick up a new laptop for him and Fermat." Scott couched down so he wasn't practically staring at his feet.
"Sure, can you hand me my towel? It's in that lounge chair over there." Gordon pointed over to the chair in particular where his towel lay. Scott retrieved it as Gordon hauled himself up and out of the water. "So, is that all we are doing?"
"No, we'll get a bite of lunch from the food court and go look at a new laptop for the guys…maybe get a little Christmas shopping in for each other. Might as well get something small, Christmas is only two days away after all." Scott offered his hand to the redhead to help him to his feet.
"Is there really only two days left until Christmas?" Gordon wrung out the legs on his swim trunks so he wasn't dripping on the elevator ride back up to their room. Draping the towel over his shoulder, Gordon and Scott made their up to their room.
"Yeah, it's hard to believe that it's the time of year of Al's favorite holiday and yet it's bittersweet. Christmas is supposed to be a happy occasion spent with your family, yet we are currently a discombobulated family that enjoys celebrating this holiday." Scott unlocked the door to their hotel room. Virgil sat holding the album they had looked at earlier…holding an envelope that looked like it would contain a disc of some sort. "Why don't you go get in the shower, then we'll go."
"Yeah, be back before you can say hokey pokey!" Gordon grabbed the clothes that Virgil laid out earlier and slipped in to the bathroom. Scott ignored what Gordon said in favor of checking out what Virgil was looking at.
"What do you have there Virge?" Scott peered over top of Virgil's head to see a white envelope.
It's a DVD that I found in Al's photo album. Look, it's labeled "Where do I begin?" It appears untouched; there isn't a scratch on it." Virgil offered the disc up to Scott. The eldest Tracy son looked at it, before glancing between his laptop bag and the bathroom door. He was wondering if he would have time to log in to his laptop, but decided against it.
"We can check it out later." Virgil nodded at Scott before replacing the DVD in its sleeve and laying it on the nightstand…sitting it directly on top of the photo album. Glancing at his watch, Scott realized that Gordon had been in the shower for the last 10 minutes.
"Right." Virgil sat up straighter when Gordon came out of the bathroom. The four brothers were currently experiencing cabin fever.
"Well, I'm ready we can go!" Gordon hopped on one foot as he hurriedly tied his shoes. He was bored, and wanted to do something.
"All right, I called the front desk already and the shuttle will take us to the shopping center. Free amenity to families of hospital patients." Scott held the door open for Gordon and Virgil, before shutting the door firmly.
"Really…cool." Virgil remarked dryly.
"Come on…perk up. We can go look and see if we can find something suitable for dad and Al for Christmas. Lord knows we haven't gotten anything yet. At least I haven't, don't know about you or Gordo." Scott pulled Virgil into a one armed hug. Glancing over his shoulder Scott could see that both Virgil and Gordon were only half as enthusiastic as they should be. Christmas in the Tracy household had always been a real festive state of affairs.
Growing up in the Tracy family, Christmas was always something to be celebrated. Interestingly enough it was their father that enjoyed the holiday. He enjoyed spending time with his sons decorating the tree the first evening in December. The love for the holiday was soon picked up by the youngest Tracy who would usually count down until they could decorate.
But over the years with Alan gone to school when the family would normally decorate, they began holding back. Jeff would refuse to decorate without his little helper by his side. So usually the evenings that Alan would get home for break is when the father and son duo would decorate. It was something they were able to bond over, having a common love for the holiday.
"No, I haven't gotten anything for either dad or Al. I don't know what to get them. I highly doubt they will be in the spirit for celebrating though." Gordon replied.
Stepping out of the elevator the three brothers were bombarded with music. Out in the atrium there were people milling around, some carrying mugs of hot chocolate from the hotel restaurant, others lounging in the chairs by the front door listening to the a recording of Andy Williams "It's the most wonderful time of the year" playing over the radio. Outside it was snowing softly and the colorful lights from the decorations illuminated the falling snow slightly, casting soft hues of green and red on the occupants entering and exiting the hotel.
"I haven't either. What do you get for someone you hardly know anymore?" Virgil remarked. After looking at the photo album of Alan's he thought he didn't know his little brother anymore.
"You'll find something. I'm sure of it." Scott pulled both of his brothers in for a one armed hug. "What do you guys want for Christmas?"
"I don't know." Both Virgil and Gordon replied softly.
TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB
True to his word, John was waiting in the food court where he waved over his three brothers. He already had two bags sitting beside his feet. No doubt they were the laptops that John decided to pick up for Alan and Fermat. The older blonde Tracy stood to clap his brothers on the shoulder, before offering them a seat. He sat looking at a soft drink cup.
"Hey guys. How was the trip?" John smiled at his brothers. Seeing Alan had raised his spirits and he felt peaceful. His nerves didn't feel like they were running on high speed right now.
"It was uneventful…unless you count the shuttle hitting ice and sliding in the parking lot." Gordon scratched the back of his head slightly. Now that he was at the shopping center, he no longer felt in the mood to be there.
"That's good…I suppose." John noticed both Gordon and Virgil were both gazing around at their surroundings. They both looked uncomfortable being surrounded by all the happy people perusing the shops for gifts.
"So, how about…we split up and go off in search of something for gifts after a bite of lunch." Scott looked at each of his brothers expectantly. Even though he felt just about as halfhearted about shopping, he was trying to make the best of a bad situation.
"To be perfectly honest, I'm not really hungry. I'll eat after I do some shopping. See you guys around." Gordon stared at his feet before turning and quickly mingling with the crowd of Christmas shoppers. He ignored Scott's calls to come back and continued walking ahead. He just wanted to be alone right now.
The depressed redhead walked around aimlessly. He hadn't really planned on doing any form of shopping, he just wanted to get away from his brothers and gather his thoughts. He was still trying to wrap his head around Alan having been harassed and threatened at school and him not knowing. He was kicking himself inwardly for not seeing his brother was in pain.
'What kind of brother am I? I couldn't even see that Alan was being hurt by a fellow student. I just want to see him and apologize. I am his big brother; I'm supposed to protect him. Not only that but how could I not know that Alan had developed close relationships with his friends?' Alan's group of friends was his family away from home, just like how his school was his home away from home.
Slowly Gordon raised his gaze when he heard a bell. There sitting outside a clothing store was a store shop Santa. He was sitting in a throne type chair and was ringing a bell to attract customers to the store as well as children to have their picture taken with the jolly round man and his elves. He shook his head annoyed at the loud ringing of the bell and shoved his hands in his pockets.
Pretending he didn't notice the obnoxious man in the red suit, Gordon slowly began making his way into the store. 'Might as well find a t-shirt with some witty remark on it, Alan does love those shirts.' Gordon sighed when the guy dressed as Santa started talking to him.
"Ho, Ho, Ho! What would you like for Christmas sonny?"
"Please don't mock me sir, I am not really in the mood for the cheerful holiday season crap!" Gordon unintentionally snapped at the jolly man in the red suit before he began to storm away from the store shop Santa, intent on putting distance between them.
"Whoa kid. Why the long face? What's the matter?" The store shop Santa spoke in his regular voice.
"It's none of your business, just leave me alone!" Gordon hissed at the Santa, lowering his voice when several customers stared at him awkwardly for snapping at Santa.
"Sonny, it's the Christmas season. Don't let whatever is happening in your life dampen your holiday spirit." The man dressed as Santa started speaking in his Jolly old St. Nick voice and it irritated Gordon. How could the world be so happy, when he and his family was so miserable? It wasn't right!
"If I tell you why I am upset will you leave me alone?" Gordon faced the person he was speaking with. Gordon's pain eyes alone told the store front Santa that whatever it was upsetting him wasn't something within his control.
"Yes." The store front Santa stood up next to Gordon. Gordon found himself staring directly level with the store front Santa.
"Somebody that means the world to me is in the hospital right now…recovering from burns received in an out of control fire." Gordon shot another pained look at the Santa character.
"I am sorry to hear that. If it means anything we will keep you and your family in our prayers." Store shops Santa pat Gordon on the back.
"Thanks." Gordon spoke softly in reply to the store shop Santa.
"Now, just to keep up appearances now, what would you like for Christmas?"
"Honestly, all I want for Christmas is to see my little brother and to see his smile again. Christmas won't be the same without him this year." Gordon frowned at the reminder that he was supposed to be shopping for a Christmas present for both his dad and younger brother. Suddenly an idea came to mind and Gordon knew exactly what to get for his baby brother for Christmas. His eyes lit up at the thought of seeing Alan smile over his gift. It was perfect in Gordon's eyes.
"Thanks for the pep talk Santa! I gotta go do some Christmas shopping for my brother." Gordon's somber mood switched like the flip of a coin. Previously downtrodden and depressed, the copper haired Tracy smiled truly for the first time in days.
"No problem sonny. All you have to do is believe." The store front Santa smiled as he watched the copper haired Tracy walk away with a little pep in his step.
TBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTB
Coming to a stop in front of the door, Jeff straightened his tie. He wanted to remind Mr. Flynn of his position. He had enrolled his son and colleague's son to Wharton's because he had heard good things from clients and had felt reassured that with there being round the clock security…his son and his friend would be safe. Raising his hand, Jeff knocked three times. Jeff started when he heard the brisk voice the headmaster reply.
"Enter." Jeff straightened his tie again before opening the door.
He was Jefferson Tracy, ex-astronaut and multi-billionaire…he had to remind the headmaster of his position in the school as well as his role as father to Alan…a victim of bullying, harassment, and physical assault coupled with death threats. Jeff was not a happy man right now. Currently his youngest son was laid up in a hospital recovering from wounds caused by extenuating circumstances, haunted by the nightmares of the fire and his being victimized.
"Hello, Mr. Tracy." Mr. Harvey Flynn greeted his guest. The headmaster offered his hand to Jeff as a peace offering…Jeff was not swayed. He just simply stared at Mr. Flynn's offered hand…blatantly ignoring the offer to shake hands with the headmaster. No, Jeff just kept his hands by his sides.
"Mr. Flynn. I am sure you understand why I am here today." Jeff cut straight to the point. He was normally a very patient man (having raised five sons he had the patience of a saint) but right now his patience was wearing thin. He was tired of being lied to.
"Yes Mr. Tracy. From what I could gather in our phone call earlier…you would like to look over the copy of the note passed between your son and Mister Robert Flynn.
Jeff narrowed his eyes at the mention of the boy's name. Nobody hurt his son and got away scot free. Jeff planned on filing for assault charges against this Robert boy. He had no right to touch Alan's person. However, Jeff thought it was high coincidental that both the headmaster and this Robert boy shared the same last name.
"Correct you are Mr. Flynn. And might I advice that you get to it? I would like to go see my son in the hospital at some point today and I would rather not waste my time being here when I have better places to be. Am I understood Mr. Flynn?" Jeff replied tersely. His patience was beginning to have little holes form in it. If Mr. Flynn put one toe out of line, he would certainly be in for a major chastising.
"Yes, Mr. Tracy." Mr. Flynn paled slightly at Jeff's slowly rising ire. It was only a matter of time.