Title: Dealing With A Solemn Trend

Rating: M (Language & Situations)

A/N: Dick Wolf owns characters, all others are mine. NO LINKS BETWEEN REALITY & THIS CHAPTER ARE INTENDED.

WARNING: SEVERAL CHARACTER DEATHS REFERENCED IN THIS CHAPTER.


Felicia got over her depression, although it took a couple months, yet it lead to an unfortunate pattern for the family. They'd get to enjoy life for a few years, only to alternate who's depressed by deaths, and who settles estates after them. A few days after Dean passed, Tynie asked Dr. Manzfeld for a special consent, to re-invoke her past as a judicially afforded defender. He gave her a modified one, knowing a combination of all the scams that've been known to make the news, the fact the New York State Bar's having numerous attorneys investigated for various forms of fraud, and the family's losses, left Tynie choiceless. The only part she can't do is use firearms for any reason, but Bobby, DaJuan, Ted, Davin, Frank, Tyler, Clint, and JT vowed to keep their gun cards active in spite of it. As a show of gratitude, Tynie called Steven, to find out if she could legally be made an emergency payor for the family's firearms related purchases. "I wish, Tynie. The New York State Firearms Licensing Bureau forbids it, because a lot of people have used the gun show loophole in background check rules, to get guns for prohibited possessors lately. As I understand it, that emphasizes convicted felons. I just got the notice on it this morning, so the best I can do is: ask you to serve as a witness for your relatives, whenever you can." Steven lamented. "Steven, the worst I can see happening is, you find out I sent someone in my place. You'll be told why I did that, when it's needed, too." Tynie desisted. "Sounds good, Tynie." Steven allowed.

Wishing each other well, she put her phone up, and growled a breath. "We heard, sis. I'm not sure we were meant to, but I agree with your reaction." JT reviewed. "We all do, sis. If people would respect gun restrictions, it wouldn't be necessary, but still." Damian amended. "I know. What pisses me off about it is, those fuckers took out my chance to keep a last vow to Bill." Tynie ruminated. "Sis, I knew my dad, well enough to know, he'd understand you had to find another way to keep your word, because shit you couldn't prevent came up. We just heard a prime example of that, so just relax, and let us help you find those alternatives." Ted disputed. "Ok." Tynie rasped. "I may have one, that'll cover us all, sis. As you know, my Explorer's on it's last legs, and Damian doesn't want me paying for another round of repairs. I don't blame him, because they would probably go beyond my car's worth. So, if you'll agree to use your deal with Steven, on our family's next round of car replacements: I'll pray to Bill swearing your last vow's just been covered." Tyler accommodated. "Deal." Tynie claimed.

Nodding once, Tyler bowed his head, proving the last line in front of God and all his living relatives. Waiting for that to be finished, Tynie walked up on her cousin, moved behind him, and hugged him. As part of it, she aligned her lips with his right ear, and whispered through her teeth "You realize how you just did that gave me perfect grounds to insist you're the first one to get a new car.. Right?" "Guys, I just got word. Tynie fears we'll have more wrecks soon; if we don't replace all our cars, ASAP. Considering the fact, we're driving older models, so what I said about repairs is most likely true for you guys, I'm not arguing her logic. If anything, I'm using it to support having you create a rotation on this idea, while my car gets replaced." Tyler re-termed. "I'm you guys's backup. She didn't know I'd volunteer for it, but it's because trying to mix this plan with being armed, isn't safe. Of course, it means I'll need Bobby to watch over my baby." Clint rebelled. "I'll be glad to, brother." Bobby ensured. Standing tall, Tynie warned "Babe, Tyler wasn't entirely clear. He didn't bullshit on my name, but I may have to make an urgent loan out of the proof. It'll depend on if he has card issues, or we hear of any ATM ones, so you may want to brace yourself, for defending this to our bank." "Consider it done, baby." Bobby sated. "Thank you." Tynie murmured. Liberating her cousin of the embrace, Tynie followed him through the process of junking his Explorer, with Clint in tow.

Reconvening with her kin, Tynie kissed her husband's cheek, crafting a trend in the trio. "Guys, I have good news, and I have bad. The good news is, Peter has agreed to keep us on as legacy clients. He stands by my baby's plan, too. The bad news is, our area DMV union's last contract expires in a month, and Peter's heard there's a ninety-eight percent chance they'll strike. You may get pissed at me for this, but I used that to back warning him, his crew stands just as high a chance of junking all our current cars in the next three weeks." Clint proclaimed. "You did right, brother. I'll have my baby tell you how all this worked out, later, too." Anita deemed. "Alright." Clint accepted. Pinching her nose between her left index finger and thumb, Tynie shut her eyes, and muttered "Bill, if you can hear me: we need you guys's backup. Hopefully, y'all have seen why, from above. If so, and you'll cover us, I swear I'll make Dom Perignon, White Zin, Cokes, and Sake Kings, our permanent honor drinks. Our family may be surprised by my coming to you instead of Jimmy, but it's because all this shit came out in your house, so I felt it was best to give you another act of respect."

Seconds later, she felt a rush of peace hit her, causing her to say "I figured you'd take the deal, brother. We miss and love you all." Reopening her eyes, and freeing her nose from her grip, Tynie leaned her head back. "Sis, I didn't expect you to do that. On the same side of it, you were right to show us, more ways we can honor them. Sadly, given what Peter heard, I can't let you relax long." Tyler bemoaned. "I'll relax when we're done with your end of our car replacement deal, brother. You just explained why, so now, I need to meet with you and Clint in the home office." Tynie balked. Kissing their spouse's cheeks, Tyler and Clint saw Tynie do it, before they headed to have the meeting she wanted. Secluding them in what's now Ted's home office, Tyler brought today's events, current.


Taking a seat in front of Ted's computer, Tynie discovers it has master software updates pending, and immediately authorizes them. As she reclines in her seat, Tyler checks Kiki's computer for the same thing, only to repeat how Tynie started the first batch. "Want me to let them know?" Clint asks. "After we do the research, brother. Trust me, it beats having them get mixed news on their computers, especially given our family's latest luck. You know what I mean by that, too." Tynie hedges. "You've got it, sis." Clint concurs. A matter of seconds later, there's a knock on the home office door. Heading to answer it, Clint finds Kiki standing on the other side, with a scowl on her face. "What's wrong, sis?" He worries. "I don't know if you guys got them or not, but some system standard news alerts just came through. Evidently, all Williamsen car dealers are being shut down, because they developed a habit of buying borderline junk quality cars, doing shitty upgrade jobs on them, and selling them at seriously hellacious markups. Bobby sent me to warn you guys, because Tia told him she's scared we'll fall victim to it, before the shutdowns are totally done." Kiki replies. "We haven't checked our phones yet, sis. Tynie told us not to, because she and Tyler found out your computers needed updates, and she didn't want us risking damages we can avoid. She also forbade us from letting you know how your computers are running, until after we find out what kind of car Tyler wants, and where he wants to buy it. He'll probably cuss me out and kick my ass for this, but I'm using what you just said as grounds to bar us from going to any Williamsen dealer. You can tell the family, they can use my restriction on their new cars, though." Clint reconsiders. "He was absolutely right to make that rule, sis. I know he wasn't sure I'd see it that way, but still." Tyler reneges. "I'll let them know, after I do something else." Kiki debates.

Curious, Clint smirks, gets briefly hugged, and sees Tyler and Tynie get hugged as well. Departing the room, Kiki retains her word, and learns it inspired Frank to change their plan. Now, he intends to ask Tynie to mass-text the family, with news on what dealership she visits and how it goes. Depending on them getting good news, Frank will set a new rotation of who replaces cars and when, then have Davin arrange for the junking tows around the same time. "Davin, before I text Tynie to let her know, I have to know. What do I owe you, for backing my honey, this time?" Anita proposes. "Promise me, you'll split texting every main nearly person on our bank accounts, so they have the evidence. You'll have to text yourself instead of Frank, because of his post in this plan, though. He may hate how I'm defining that, but it includes him bracing himself to defend your use of your power of attorney on that account." Davin answers. "He suspects someone at our bank, or the feds, will give us problems. If he's right, that evidence will help cover every ass in this house." Keisha realizes. "That's why this plan change is fine by me." Frank defies. "I'm ready whenever you are, brother." Anita coaxes. Nodding to her, Davin grabs his phone, and leads his cousin through enacting the newest deal. Simultaneously holstering their phones, Anita hears her spouse's text alert go off, due to new messages from Tynie.

Examining them, Frank reports "Guys, I just learned. Tynie wants the fourteenth of this month excluded from our plan, because that's her next appointment day. If any of you have the issues Keisha mentioned arise, Tynie wants you to call me, Clint, or her out to you; on a code red. She's aware it'll run her a couple Sake Kings, but she felt running that debt's fairest, especially since the feds and our bank may join forces to prove Keisha's theory, against more than one of us at the same time. Clint respected Tynie's logic, but he doesn't want her paying that debt until our new cars have been street legal for a month. I'm not disputing his decision, because of the DMV union strike news, but she asked me to let you all know. Tyler's researching a new car dealership as we speak, and he'll have her update me, when they're in private, even if it's the confines of Clint's Expedition." "I'm good with that. How about you guys?" Tia dares. Replying in perfect sync, Tia's remaining relatives all say "Yep!"

Flinching a nod, Frank paraphrases that in a reply to Tynie, then exchanges love. Storing their phones, Frank wraps his arm around his wife, as Tynie resumes working with Tyler. Almost an hour passes, before they finish the updates and find out Luftring Ford is ten miles west of Bill's. They also have A+ ratings with the BBB and past customers, which leads Tynie to instruct "Tyler, warn our bank you're about to give these guys a shot. Then, explain why and swear to God all it'll take for you to get me to defend it is, flipping me off." "I'm on it now, sis." Tyler obliges. Retaining his word, Tyler sees Tynie print off proof of their research, then shut both computers down. Deftly securing those papers, Tynie's diverted as her cousin's call ends, so she doesn't see his phone get put up. "Our bank's administrators ordered all staff to note accounts for anyone affected by the shit with Williamsen dealers, so all transactions for three days are covered as part of fixing the problem. According to Tania, that means the notices will clear us with the feds, but they must be arranged by mains on accounts. So, after we leave here, I have to let Frank know." Tyler informs. "I'll text him on it, so he has evidence." Clint overrules. Curtly nodding, Tyler witnesses that happen, before Tynie leads them from the room. As soon as they get near the others, Clint updates that group, as Tyler and Tynie stand by. "Tyler, I respect your preference to break news to us in person. Clint was right to make it so I had evidence, though. We don't know if the bank policy you learned about will change or even get revoked, but that's why I'll need Tynie to urgent text me the minute you guys are done at Luftring's. If it's bad news, I'll call a code red at my house to arrange a work around. If not, I'll have my baby text everyone else, advising only mains on accounts handle the car replacement. You'll be updated when the time's right." Frank digresses. "Ok." Tyler cites.

Deeming it a cue, Tynie approaches her husband, kisses his cheek, and receives one in kind. Quietly reusing her moves with their spouses, Clint gets ready to leave, Tyler and Tynie following suit. Surrendering his car keys to Tynie, and kissing her 1cheek, Clint hears her say "Tyler, I just got word. You're to ride behind tinted windows, until we get back here. Clint wants it that way, because he fears some asshole will warp Frank's theory into grounds to target you. Of course, this means I'm to keep Clint's keys on me, and you're to let him drive your new car while we're making it street legal." "Tyler, I wouldn't dispute that if I were you. He's trying to protect you, especially since we don't know how many assholes are out, if any work at Luftring's, or how much money will be involved." Anita chides. "Sis, all I plan to do is, add a meal out and tankup to our itinerary. Frank will be texted, if anything changes it, too." Tyler interferes. Accepting it with a nod, Anita sees that trio head out, and locks up behind them. Sleekly escorting Tyler to the back seat, Tynie overtakes the driver one, leaving the front passenger one for Clint. Driving away, she has no idea her eldest sister's praying nothing impedes their plan, yet Tynie does wind up battling traffic. Thanks to it, nearly four hours goes by, before the plan for Tyler's new car is complete.

Parking in what's now Ted's driveway, she's lead from Clint's vehicle, moments before he exits Tyler's new one. Remotely locking both, Tynie's flanked on either side by her cousins, until she gets them into the house. Securing it again, she hears Clint announce "Guys, I'm about to owe Frank a bottle of Dom Perignon. He's been texted with why, but Tynie asked me not to have it repeated, until we're sitting down." "You don't owe me shit, brother. Tynie didn't know I'd look into helping Peter enhance his fleet, but it can't happen until his business lawyer's off vacation. Last I heard, that'll be Thursday, and I already have it set to be called if anything changes. Tia advised we delay the rest of our car replacement plan, until that's settled. Barring any of our cars totally dying on us, or needing repairs that exceed their worth, of course. I stand by that, because you guys were obscenely lucky not to meet up with anyone who believed a mass-panic version of the news on Williamsen's dealerships." Frank protests. "We bumped into one, at the Conlen's Gas N Go by the I-82/ State Route 15 interchange, but it was a teenager. Poor thing's mom taught her to believe everything Lia Snytern says is gospel, until I explained why Lia's the only Snytern I've heard still has a radio job. The kid's name was Caitlyn, and her dad, Shawn, was there the entire time. He asked me, if I'd mind repeating what I told her to his divorce lawyer, so he could use it against his pending ex-wife. Her name's Elizabeth, and I told him I'd help, if he let me speak to the attorney. He did, but his lawyer Jay McEntire, required I get compensated. Apparently, Jay's assistant Deanna heard Elizabeth bragging about what she did to Caitlyn, on her lunch break today. He needed more in-depth evidence, like my statement, or else a hearsay inadmissibility rule would've knocked out most of Shawn's case. I told Jay, all I'd take as compensation is, a promise he'd find a way to get Caitlyn out of Elizabeth's house for good ASAP, and a deal for everyone on Jay's end of the case to have cups of coffee in my honor behind my back. Sadly, the only way he could do it, meant he had to get my number, and warn me I may be called to vouch what I told him. He insisted on only using my number for that or to obey a material evidence warrant, so I took the deal." Tynie regales. "Hell, I would've, too." Kiki deems. "Babe, I'm pulling your involvement in our car replacement plan. You know how violent the Snytern listenership's reputation is, so you should understand it's a matter of your safety. If Jay needs to speak with me about this, give him my number, and ask him to treat it like he is yours." Bobby denounces. "Will do." Tynie slurs.

Mere seconds later, her phone rings, causing her to rush answering it. Finding Jay on the line, she updates him, and learns he's in Her Honor Eliza Solemarn's chambers. "I didn't expect you to be able to rig that so fast, Jay." Tynie deters. "It's alright, Tynie. I hope you're OK with me having Her Honor address you that way, though." Jay hedges. "It's fine, but if she needs me to have Bobby verify his end of this, I'll need a few minutes to get him on my line. Aside from it, you can put your end on speaker, so it's easier for Her Honor to get my statement." Tynie counters. "He already did, Tynie. You didn't know, but I admire you for not just assuming on it." Her Honor Solemarn intrudes. "Your Honor, that violates my code. You may not have known, but I'll give my statement, however you want." Tynie extolls. "Tynie, all I need for that is: you to either confirm or deny what I'm about to recap." Her Honor Solemarn absolves. "Oh, ok. Your Honor, another aspect of my code mandates I not do that, until you've been done speaking for at least two minutes. Bobby's the same way, because in our book, the only times we should interrupt a judge, involve potential life and death emergencies arising. Lord willing none hit while we're talking, but you had every right to know why there will be delays on our end." Tynie expounds. "I appreciate it, Tynie." Her Honor Solemarn reveres. "Anytime, Your Honor." Tynie replies. Using that response as a cue, Her Honor Solemarn recaps the news Jay gave her, which takes roughly ten minutes. "Your Honor, as God as my prime witness, literally every syllable Jay spoke on my name, was true. They were also fully consented, but I've realized it'd be.. I believe the phrase is.. More expedient to just get Bobby on this call to verify his end of our deal. If you'll let me put you on hold, I'll have it done in a few minutes." Tynie contrives. "That was a first for me." Jay mumbles. "Same here, but she had the phrase right, and she was right to amend her husband's offer that way. We've already discussed why, so now, I hope she understands I don't mind being put on hold." Her Honor Solemarn indemnifies. "As I said, it'll only be a few minutes, Your Honor." Tynie restates.

Standing by his wife, Bobby gently takes her phone, using it to enforce his end of this arrangement. "Your Honor, my wife wasn't entirely clear on the compensation aspect. What I've done is covered by it, so you and Jay don't risk problems with your careers. If your superior judge, or the US District Court Judicial Admissions Bureau needs this verified, have them call my wife's line and ask for her. You may want to consider this fair warning: She's reputed for jumping to make a federal case against anyone, who gives her absolutely any reason to believe anybody she trusts will so much as get a professional writeup. You and Jay are included, because of your professional status, and the nature of what drove our deal. Just so the record's clear, when I said "anyone," I meant it as in, the person who lead her to believe there will be issues, their entire payrolls, all their family, friends, and lovers. If she has to do it, I'll gladly swear under oath, I stand by it and will be honored to repeat it against anyone else who gives her problems." Bobby concludes. Making notes the entire time, Jay appeals "Hopefully, it doesn't come down to either of you enforcing Tynie's reputation. Don't get me wrong, it was sweet of her to make Her Honor and I qualify for it, but I'd prefer to have this case end as peaceably as possible." "We all would, Jay. Bobby hit my speaker button, but I know he did it so I could tell you, he had my blessing to explain that reputation to you guys." Tynie intends. "Alright, Tynie. I've noted everything, but can't allow Jay to update you on Caitlyn's custody transfer. New child privacy protection laws forbid it, so unless the calls Bobby mentioned become necessary, your part in this case is done." Her Honor Solemarn advises. "Ok. Your Honor, I hope all of you have a good one from here on out." Tynie prays.

Wishing the same for her, Her Honor Solemarn ends the call, right before Bobby stores his wife's phone. "Fuck me running." Tynie curses. "We don't want to see if Bobby's flexible enough to actually do that, sis. No offense, but I'll get you some Jack Daniels, so you can relax." Davin declines. "None taken." Tynie recoils. Claiming a seat by her spouse, Tynie sees that drink idea get extended to cover the whole family, then witnesses DaJuan, Davin, and Frank sit down. Enveloped in silence, they exchange smirks while drinking, then see the spouses of who got drinks rise to clean up. Rejoining their kin, Anita gazes around the room, while updating Tynie, Tyler and Clint on what they missed. Now, after the remainder of their car replacement plan, and Tynie's next medical appointment are done, the family will go on separate vacations. Tia requested it, so none of their houses are left unattended, and so they get a break from dealing with the solemn trend they've had. "How's this rotation set up?" Tynie probes. "Barring scheduling issues with travel sites or Dr. Manzfeld, your house is up first. I'm supposed to bring my baby over to housesit, then have you guys swap us out. After that, Ted's house is up, and Frank and Anita will watch their house." DaJuan answers. "My baby didn't know I'd prefer we back Frank and Anita, yet. It's fine, but I don't think we should set up our vacations too closely to our car replacements. We could learn the bank policy Tyler was told about is revoked, and God knows if that'll mean we have issues with the feds. Honestly, I believe we're best off keeping it that way." Clint contests. "Guys, I'm with him. Besides, using my appointment schedule as a baseline, is fairer to Dr. Manzfeld. Christ knows when he'll have low-tier insurance fraud issues like Dr. Perez, may He rest her soul. Frankly, that's something else we should leave in His knowledge base, if you get my meaning." Tynie refers. "I didn't even consider those angles." Tia grumbles. "It's OK, baby. She covered one I missed, so I'm pretty sure the others will agree to our plan change." Clint soothes. Replying in a chorus, his remaining relatives all say "We just did." "Guys, what do you say to us leaving today's business there?" Kiki dares. "Barring new shit going live, I'm in." Felicia obstructs. "Sis, if that hits, you can leave how it's settled to us men. Aside from it, Kiki was right, we've settled all we can for today." Davin reminds.

Slowly nodding, Felicia crafts a chain reaction, which is ended by Tia. Allowing silence to surround them again, Kiki ducks out to the restroom, restarting another family trend. Bobby finishes it this time, and joins his loved ones, in exchanging another smirk. Closing her eyes, then bowing her head, Tynie prays to Bill, again. This one, is over a concern, Tia's intentions will be impeded on. Mimicking her pose, Ted murmurs "Dad; if you would, get Jimmy and our other guardian angels in on clearing her worry. Poor thing's basically thrown caution and her restrictions to the wind for us, again. I believe you've seen how, but I swore to Bobby, Kiki and I'd take turns backing prayers to you. We believe, it's the best way to prove, we'll stand by that tactic, whenever it's used. Tynie didn't know yet, but my baby asked me not to explain it, until someone in our family prayed to you. We miss and love you all, and hope you understand, how we intend to ask for your divine protection." "Amen, brother." Tynie mumbles.

Carefully reclining, she feels a new rush of peace, seconds before Ted. "I need your backup on a round of Cokes and coffees, brother. You may hate the split second notice, but some of us have to drive home, and Christ knows what kind of cops are out right now." Tynie requires. "I don't want us to get that answer the hard way, sis. So, lead the way, and I'll join your plan." Kiki imposes. Obliging her, Tynie doesn't really see Frank trail them, yet Ted does. "You know, you don't have to relegate yourself to drink duty.. Right?" Ted worries. "I'll have Bobby switch me out, next time we come over. He had to deal with a judge today, so I figured, it'd be fairer for me to handle some of our drinks." Frank justifies. "Ok." Ted rasps. Collaborating on Tynie's drink idea from there, that foursome distributes the rounds, and reclaims their seats. "Frank, I don't know if you meant for us to hear you or not. If not, I'm sorry, but I'd feel better if you let me or Felicia do the swap out. As I understand our agenda, Bobby will have to contend with our insurance three times in less than a month. So, all I need to do now is, find out if Felicia will help me." Tia disputes. "I will, if you and Keisha back me on this round of cleanup." Felicia wavers. "Deal." Keisha and Tia reply, as one.

Enacting kin trends for leaving seats, that group heads for the kitchen to gather the cited drinks, then quietly serves them. Sipping the beverages without a word, cleanup's handled by Bobby, Tyler, Tynie, and Clint. Aside from the sounds of Ted's dishwasher being loaded and ran, and Coke cans being thrown away, the silence around this house is uninterrupted.

Convening as they've been for most of today, Tynie's family spends a couple more hours together, before preparing to disperse. Deftly infusing hug exchanges and restroom trips into it, Kiki eventually sees the bulk of her family out of the house. Locking up, she waits nearly two hours for word, everyone made it home safely. In those texts, Kiki's informed traffic caused the delay, and Tynie advised they share good night messages. Obeying, Kiki puts her phone up, then notifies her spouse and cousins. Alternating who gives her an understanding nod, DaJuan, Felicia, Ted, Davin, and Keisha let that lead into another hug exchange. Soon after it ends, they head to seclude in their areas, secretly hoping to end the day on a peaceful note.

Unbeknownst to them, all their loved ones are aiming for the same thing, in their respective homes, at almost the exact same time. Cuddling up as they await slumber, everybody Tynie loves eventually succumbs to it, while a question nags their minds:

Will our plan to replace cars and go on vacations, be interrupted by a return of our solemn trend?