Ch 118
John had talked with Catherine Weaver, then the owner of the ICON5 planes like Joan had bought. They agree to come to the White house. Joan also agreed to fly to the White House. John also had the Secretary of the Nuclear regulatory Commission come to the White House on the same day. The ICON 5 CEO also brought two airplane mechanics with him like John requested. He didn't know why, but was sure it would be explained.
One agency that had more red tape than was needed to wrap the Earth up in, was the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. John understood why, a nuclear accident could be a very serious threat and possibly poison a large area for generations, if the proper precautions were not followed. This Commission though was holding sole power to allow, or disallow any use of radioactive material.
The head of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission was an older man with a fringe of white hair on his head named Robert Wheeler. His thick glasses and a constant frown were ever present. While the other candidates for president were giving speeches and struggling to get the most votes, John sat down with Catherine, Mr. Wheeler, the ICON 5 CEO, and of course Cameron, Delilah and Joan, who'd just flown in.
John asked, "Mr. Wheeler, what are the regulations for allowing a nuclear powered device to be used on transportation. Say, a car or an airplane?"
"Not allowed," Wheeler said flatly. "Military ships are the only ones granted permission for mobile sources of nuclear energy, and they are very tightly controlled. There is too big of a risk for a crash from a plane, or especially a car, to allow them to use any type of radioactive material."
"Even if this material in question has been proven safe to use as a power source?" Catherine asked.
"It can never be proven safe enough!" Mr. Wheeler stated. "A single accident could mean thousands of lives and possibly deadly contamination! It can never be allowed." Mr. Wheeler stated.
Catherine raised and eyebrow. "Even if the power source had been proven to be impervious to damage, except being melted at extremely high temperatures, say above 500,000 degrees?"
"The case could crack open," Mr. Wheeler said firmly.
Catherine stated in return, "Mr. Wheeler, the power devices I am speaking of have been shot, blown up, dropped from an airplane, plunged underwater at depths up to 800 feet, and have been subjected to extreme shock. None off them have yet to suffer any damage or failed to operate, except if submerged in extremely high temperatures."
Mr. Wheeler frowned at her. "You are saying you have already made and used, illegal Nuclear devices!"
"I duplicated the design, yes. It is the same design that Cameron and Delilah here use for their power supplies." Catherine said and motioned to them. "Just a little more powerful version."
"My power supply has never failed me," Cameron said.
"Mine either," Delilah added.
Mr. Wheeler looked at them and scoffed. "You're telling me you have nuclear power supplies inside you?"
"We do," Cameron stated. "Myself and Delilah are original terminators, built in the future. We only need nutrients to keep out bio-systems alive. Our children use nutrients more extensively that we do. They don't need their own nuclear power supplies."
"That's impossible!" Mr. Wheeler stated. "If you had these nuclear sources inside you, your children would be mutated, if you could successfully grow a fetus!"
"Don't call me mutated!" Joan said, frowning at him.
Mr. Wheeler eyed her.
"Joan is my daughter," Cameron stated. "There is nothing wrong with her."
"These power supplies are sealed," Catherine stated. "They are also good for approximately 140 years. From scanning the Connor children, the energy source in them is biological that supplies the electricity for their internal motor and pump needs. Similar, I imagine, to what electric Eels use to produce the powerful shocks they have."
"Hold on," The CEO of ICON 5 said. "That electric motor in your plane," he said looking at Joan. "Do you power that yourself?"
"Oh no, that has a few of those nuclear power cells. They do a real good job too!" Joan said happily.
"You are flying a nuclear powered plane?" Mr. Wheeler asked in shock.
"Yeah, so?" Joan asked eyeing him.
"There is no ... that is illegal! That plane will be confiscated!" Mr. Wheeler stated heavily.
"No, it will not," John stated. "These power supplies Mrs. Weaver is producing are safe and reliable. They are not some new, untested idea. They are a proven, reliable source of energy that gives off no external radiation. For reliability, these power cells are about the best we can find, and do not have the troubles of wind or water generated electricity. If these eco-nuts want to have a real alternate source of energy, they are the only viable option available. These cells don't depend on weather, rainfall or the sun shining."
"That is IF I approve them!" Mr. Wheeler stated.
"Wrong," John said. "Mr. Wheeler, you're fired. Mrs. Weaver, would you take over being Secretary of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission until the incoming President appoints someone else?"
"Yes, of course, John." Catherine said. "My next meeting is with the Army Chief of Staff about using our Nuclear powered tanks. Are you attending that one also?"
"You cant do this!" Mr. Wheeler cried, red faced.
"I can, and I have," John stated.
Mr. Wheeler got up and stomped out.
"Just make sure they know the subject of these power cells is Burn-your-eyes out and rip your tongue out, Top Secret." John said and scanned the group here. "No one talks about them, understand?"
"Then why am I here?" the ICON 5 CEO asked.
"So when this does become public knowledge, you can be the first to start making planes that never need refueling," John explained. "You've made a very nice little plane, and much safer than others of that type I've seen."
"Thank you, Sir!"
.
Mr. Wheeler wasted no time on running to the press with the story of John Connor planning to use a nuclear fuel cell to power transportation vehicles, and even had a working nuclear powered airplane.
The press rushed to find out the details, and begged for an interview with John about this 'concept'. John was sure they were going to storm the White House if he didn't agree.
So much for secrecy. There were a lot of reporters. John had it set up on the back lawn of the White House. Even with the fast notice, 30 reporters showed up. He'd barely hugged Joan goodbye for her flight home the next morning when they were showing up.
With only her and a bag, Joan took off and lifted up in the air in the space of 30 yards. He, Cameron and Delilah waved to her as she flew away. They then went over to the podium.
"Mr. Connor, was that the nuclear powered plane that just took off?" one man cried.
Behind the podium John said, "It was. It's a prototype. These fuel cells are basically indestructible, they've been tested for a while now, and proven to be a long term reliable power supply. They don't heat up due to the reactions that make electricity, and they are sealed so there is no danger of leakage. They are completely safe. A car or plane crash, if it happens will not cause any type of nuclear reaction, or even damage the cell. That plane that just left even has an emergency parachute to bring the whole thing down with hardly any damage to the plane and none to the pilot, let alone the power cells tucked safely inside. "
"Do you see this as an alternative to oil and gas?" A woman asked.
"Eventually," John replied. "I know many people are worried about more carbon in the atmosphere. Frankly, they don't need to be, but that's beside the point. The point is people want a viable alternative. Eventually, after much more testing and development, they will have one. This isn't going to be a over-night answer. Until we get an answer, we are going to still need oil and gas. Choking the country off of our current energy source and demanding and answer right now, isn't going to do anyone any good." Seeing a hand up John pointed to him. " Yes?"
"How come we have never heard of this?"
"Because we didn't know if it was going to work and be safe," John told him.
"Does your timing in letting people know about it have anything to do with the elections next week?" a woman asked.
John frowned at her. "Lady, I don't give a shit about the elections. The only reason you heard about it early was some loud mouthed asshole ran to the press to blab it. Nothing is ready yet for any type of production. As I said, much work needs to be done, designs need to be finalized, factories need to be made or shifted in what they produce ... tons of work and workers will be needed to get this going. You might see some results a year from now. That is, if we're lucky and things go smoothly. With any new product, problems crop up along the way. Right now, we don't even have companies lined to even begin being ready to produce."
"Mr. Connor, may we ask who the test pilot is for that plane?"
"My daughter Joan."
"Wasn't she in that terrible plane crash?"
"That was Jackie. Yes, Jackie was horribly injured, but she lived and recovered from her free fall from 3000 feet up. She doesn't like to fly, for obvious reasons. Joan usually plays football for the Dallas Cowboys and the Austin Acoustics."
"Isn't Joan the one who has that alligator for a pet?"
John said, "Yeah, she does. There's not a whole lot that scares Joan. Any other questions about this new power source?"
"One last question!" a man towards the back asked. " Do you have a prediction on how the Presidential race will turn out?"
John nodded. "Sure! The President will be ... Not. Me. Everyone! Don't vote for me, vote for the other guy and not that crazy woman, Please! We've had enough idiots here in the White House."
Some of the reporters laughed. "Have a good day, folks!" John said with a wave, and went back inside.
.
Due to the 'green' movement seeing John Connor was doing something about alternative energy, and just not making campaign promises about it, he got another uptick in the polls.
.
A woman's talk show came on and one of their main topics was Joan Connor. The fearless football quarterback and now as had been learned, test pilot for the very first nuclear powered plane.
"This young woman is amazing!" the Blonde hostess said. "Getting information on Joan was harder than we thought it would be since she's the quarterback for a leading NFL team."
"It was!" the brown haired older woman beside her said. "Usually celebrities love media attention. If Joan isn't on the football field, she's impossible to find! We do have this one clip of Joan at home, we think, since her alligator is in it also."
It was a clip of the alligator bumping her with it's nose and knocking her down on her hands and knees to get partway under her and bump her up.
"That's not aggressive behavior, it's almost like a dog wanting attention!"
When the alligator grabbed her shirt and towed her down to the dock, they grinned as she tried to get out of the shirt, and kicked her boots off. The alligator pulled her off the dock into the water, the audience laughed. They watched Joan surface closer to shore,her shirt gone and the alligator floating in the water just in front of her. They watched her feed it, then she she gave it a hug. It put a paw on her shoulder to hug her back. The last part of the video, the alligator got it's front paws on the edge of the dock. Joan went under and the alligator lifted. She surfaced holding it's back feet and lifted it up as it crawled back on the dock. Joan got back up on the dock behind it.
"Did you see that? That alligator has to go around 800 pounds, and she lifted it up out of the water!"
"There is no doubt Joan Connor is very strong! Look at some of the plays she does, and she manages to throw linebackers twice her size out of her way. Even when she is tackled by three or more men, single attempts she shrugs off, she gets back up like it's nothing!"
"We don't have the clip where Joan was shot on the field," the blonde said. "That was too graphic for TV. From what we know, even after being shot in the chest, Joan's first worry was being able to get back up and keep playing. Bleeding profusely and on the ground, her only worry was the game. THAT is serious dedication to your job!"
Joan Connor is one of a kind," the dark haired woman said. "Even her boyfriend calls her the 'Energizer Bunny', she just doesn't stop. A woman, not only on a woman's football team, but also in the NFL and she's quarterback for both teams! She is doing things no one had ever attempted to before."
"Joan Connor will go down in sports history, there is no question about that." the Blonde agreed.
The brown haired woman looked a the camera and said, "Joan Connor, if you're watching, please come do a show with us!"
"We also found Joan likes to swim with a mermaid tail on. The dark haired woman said. "This picture is from a show she did with her family when she was in high school. The man who gave it to me said it was like seeing a Sea World show."
The picture showed Joan and Jackie in the air over the water, reaching for each other, looking like they were going to collide. "To be able to swim and jump like that, has to take some serious leg muscles, and dedicated practice."
"There is no doubt Joan Connor is a serious athlete."
"She's a beauty too!" The blonde said. Up came a few Sports Illustrated pictures of Joan. "One thing we discovered, is Joan will not do a nude shoot, or even a topless one. She is very set on that."
"She's not bulked up, but LOOK at that definition!" the brown haired woman swooned as a picture of Joan in a bikini and holding a football showed. "It's almost like she's carved in stone!"
"She's so strong, you'd think she'd be built like a refrigerator. She's what, only five five in height?"
"I'm all for putting her up as Woman of the Year," the blonde stated. "Let's face it, there is no one on the scene today that can even hold candle to Joan Connor. In ability, drive or looks!"
"I'd say the closest is her best friend, Allison Young, who she plays with on the Austin team." The dark haired woman said, then winked and added, "You know, they are in a relationship together, with Bob Tanner."
"No way, all three of them?" the brown haired woman cried.
"Rumors have it they are even getting a house together."
"Wow, he must be a stud!"
The blonde gushed, "She's just like her parents, John, Cameron and Delilah Connor. "Back in their college days, Cameron was the Iron Maiden on their football team, Delilah was the Bulldozer. They never lost a game. Joan's nickname seems to be 'TNT'. It's true, she is dynamite out there on the field."
"I have to wonder though, are those boobs real?"
"I think so, it's not like she has suddenly popped out. If you look at her pictures over time, they have been growing. She started playing football in high school. The first team to pick her up for pro ball was the Austin Acoustics when she was a senior."
"I'm so jealous."
"You know, at five, five, doesn't that make her the shortest Quarterback ever?"
"No that status goes to K.K. McTheaney of Seattle, she was only five three. She was a great quarterback too."
The brown haired woman threw her hands up and asked, "Who said short girls can't compete?"
They all laughed.
The blonde announced, "We'll be right back after this commercial message!"
.
Louise had noticed it before, but didn't pay much attention to him. They had just gotten finished with a practice for a concert, and the young man with the wild looking light/dark brown streaked hair had come close to sniff her again. She knew Jason from school. He was a quiet boy who didn't interact with too many people. Jason was handsome in his own way, and although not real tall, he was built. She would imagined he would be playing sports, not a violin. Still, he was good at it. He appeared to be more thoughtful and introspective than the average boy his age. Still, why did he sniff her every change he got? Did he think she stunk or something?
Louise was ready to leave, and noticed Jason's sister was waiting by the car for him. Louise hung around a bit outside until Jason came out. His head was down, like he was focused on his task. Louise intercepted him and thinking to make a funny, she asked, "Hey, wolf boy."
Jason stopped dead in his tracks and eyed her, almost fearfully. "What?" he asked.
"Or maybe dog boy?" Louise asked with a grin. "I have to know, every time you're near me, you sniff me."
He blushed. "It's just an ... allergic reaction," he explained weakly.
"You're allergic to me?" Louise asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No! it's environmental factors," he said sheepishly, not quite looking at her. He cast a weak smile at her.
"Jason, we need to be going," His sister Karen said, suddenly close by. She cast Louise a hard gaze, hooked Jason's arm and towed him away. Jason went willingly.
"A little overprotective, are we?" Louise wondered aloud. She watched Karen put Jason in the passenger side, then got in the driver's seat and drive them away. About 2 years older than Jason, Louise knew of Karen, but not much about her in particular. Maybe she had a brother fetish?
Louise could understand it some. She really likes her brother JJ. Back before her parents died, she had a crush on JJ. As time went on, she found him to be a good friend, but especially since Peggy came along, that was all he could ever be. Peggy had hinted at all of them together, but Louise didn't want to share. For the family Peggy and now Lily came from, that was normal, and even expected. Maybe she was selfish, but Louise wanted her man to be hers alone. It was too bad Jason had such an over-protective sister.
.
Louise got home in time to clean up the house some before dinner. She helped clean up after dinner, then got to watch Dad on the news talking about Joan's airplane, and asking people not to vote for him. She also caught the news segment afterwards of some 'We love John' supporters getting petitions up to beg John to run and accept the Office of President. One man interviewed told his opinion of John Connor.
"Yeah, he doesn't fit the typical candidate. He doesn't seem to care about 'political' correctness. One thing he does do is tell the truth! Between the two, I'd rather see him in Office because he DOES tell the truth, unvarnished and complete! That woman who's running is more mean mouthed than he is, and he called her on it when no one else will. Let me ask you this, who doesn't swear from time to time? I know, he's just an average Joe that got picked to do a job, but he's doing it. He's not trying to make friends with anyone to further himself, and he sure isn't the 'dictator', some would like you to believe. He was put as Administrator to get the new government going, and that is exactly what he's dong. The news is going nuts because he has two wives. I say big friggin deal! That's their business. Also, if he can have and handle two wives that should tell everyone he knows how to bargain and compromise. There ain't no way he'd hold onto them if he didn't. Neither of them are weak or meek, look at their history! Everyone should want John Connor up there. Ask me this, even the most 'green' candidates talk about alternative energy and are willing to wreck the economy to trying to get someone to produce an alternative energy source. How many of them will actually WORK to do it? ONE, John Connor. If needed, I'll get down on my knees and beg him to take office, I know all these other folks here will too!"
A cheer rose up from the crowd behind the man.
Louise thought it was funny, Dad wanted nothing to do with being President, but these people were seriously routing for him. In the election coming up, he was on the ballot, and another 'poll' showed he was in the lead with 48% of the poll results. People from both sides were liking Dad for various reasons.
Louise was hoping he'd lose, she wanted her Dad and mothers back home here where they belonged.
.
The next morning, Louise got ready for their dress rehearsal, the last one before they went to Johnson City to play at the classical theater there. One of the last places around that performed ballet, operas and classical music, it was a privilege and an honor to go perform there.
The outfit Louise had to wear was a bit of a mix. The instructions were slightly sexy, but in good taste and conservative. Jackie helped her come up with the outfit. First was classic black thigh high nylons and Joan's high heels she'd never worn after graduation. A black formal style coat, the black with pink trim bustier, and a long black skirt with a slit up the right side to upper thigh. Although Louise didn't have quite enough bust to fill out the bustier, it was fairly comfortable and lifted her mounds up to show the rounded tops. sexy but conservative. Everyone at home thought Louise looked great in it. Tomorrow, she'd have her hair done.
Going to practice, all the boys seemed to return to the default black tuxedos. Most girls wore similar black or dark dresses. There wasn't a 'uniform' to their band, but more like a dress code for dark clothing. They got in position, and began playing the whole concert.
One of the pieces was Louise's piano solo. Louise concentrated and played the four minute piece her best. When she was done, and the flutes and horns took up their major parts, she saw Jason was staring at her. His face was a bit flushed. Louise turned her music sheets to the next page and only then noticed, her jacket had come partway open as she'd played. She also noticed every movement she made, caused her breasts to wiggle. With how hard she'd been playing, she was sure they were dancing along in her bustier, and Jason was riveted on the sight.
Wonderful, she was now a 'breast' pianist. She straightened her jacket and followed along with the music for her next part.
One of the last musical scores they were to perform was one Louise had discovered. She'd heard Kouta and Kaede at home humming it. Curious about it, she found it was a hauntingly beautiful work called Lilium. Besides a wonderful score, this piece had words as well, sung in Latin. It was simple yet complex both at the same time. Simple in, as one piano and one violin was all the instruments required to play it, several singers were needed. A female opera type lead, bass male backup, and female tennor backup.
Louise was the piano, Jason was the lead violin player. Taylor, a girl with a powerful voice, was lead singer. They played the Lilium and for some reason, they played with an almost religious fevor, ensuring it came out right. Kouta and Kaede had come to hear the rehearsal. When they played Lilium, both broke down crying in joy.
Once they were done, they were all reminded to be here no later that eight AM to catch the bus. Their instruments would be loaded on the truck, tonight.
Back stage, Jason again walked close to Louise to sniff her. Louise caught his arm and asked, "OK, before mean sister shows up, WHY are you sniffing me?"
Meekly, Jason said, "I like the way you smell."
"Thank you." She then said, "I'm not unapproachable, Jason. We can go out and do something. Maybe grab some lunch together, or go see if Jackie has stuck someone up the nose yet with her sword?"
Jason cracked a grin. "I'd like to, but Karen said she's picking me up."
"You can tell her you're going out with me for a while," Louise prodded. "See if she wants to come along."
Jason's face softened. "I do like you, Louise. There are things ... well, it just can't be."
This peeked Louise's curiosity. "What can't be?"
Jason moved to leave, Louise followed him. "Jason?" she asked. She hooked his arm to stop him. "Jason, please explain it to me," she asked softly.
"Let my Brother go!" came a snap from up ahead. Karen was striding towards them and looking angry.
"Your brother needs to open up a little, this is none of your business!" Louise told her firmly.
Quickly, Jason got between them. "It's fine Karen, back off," he told her.
Karen glared at Louise then said, "Jason, we're going home."
"Are you always a such a bitch towards your brother?" Louise asked, eyeing the woman unkindly.
Karen's nose flared.
"Karen!" Jason snapped, "Let's go home." He marched away with her.
Louise watched them go. Karen turned briefly to scowl at Louise. Jason turned her back around to head for the car.
If there was one thing Louise had learned, it was family was suppose to help each other. She's seen how miserable Peggy's parents were to her. Was it something similar with Jason? Was he being held 'within' the family for some reason. She decided she needed to have a talk with Karen with no one else around. Louise wasn't a schemer, but she knew Jackie was. when she got home, she was going to talk to Jackie about how to handle this.
.
Getting home, Karen went straight to their mother. "Mom, Jason is screwing around with a human girl!"
"I am not!" Jason said firmly. "She was trying to talk to me, and Karen is acting like she wants to rip her throat out!"
Their gray haired mother let out a sigh. "Jason, what have you planned with this girl?"
"How can I 'plan' anything?" he asked, flailing his arms up. "Miss guard dog here won't let me say anything to her. I know, we're suppose to fit in, but with how aggressive Karen is, SHE is the problem. People here talk to each other, Mom. Karen snapping at Louise is not helping!"
"She wants him, I can smell it!" Karen stated. "He is NOT for her!"
"Calm down, dear," their mother said firmly. "Jason, you know the mate you take must be family, Correct?"
Jason shifted in place and stayed quiet.
"Your cousins should be around here somewhere. When we find them, then you must chose. If we don't find them, then you must have Karen. You know that, don't you?"
"Our race depends on it," he said in a dull tone, hearing that many times before.
"It does," their mother said firmly. "I am hoping your father finds them soon." Shifting her gaze to Karen, she said, "Your father assured the sheriff we would cause no trouble here. Do not cause trouble and get us kicked out of town! This is the safest place we've been to in a long time."
"He's just a human," Karen grumbled.
"No, dear, he's not," their mother stated. "This Louise girl, what is her last name?"
Jason knew, but said, "I only know her as Louise."
"She's not a Littleton, is she?"
"No, Mom."
"She had dark brunette hair, like a normal human," Karen stated. "I've seen her around that Jackie Connor girl, the one with the bright blonde hair."
Their mother pointed at Karen and stated, "You stay away from Jackie Connor! That girl, all the Connors are real bad news! They would tear you apart! Do not mess with ANY Connors!"
"Yes, Mother," Karen said with a roll of her eyes.
"There also isn't a majority of what we call 'humans' in Driftwood," their mother added. "We all hide something, so be VERY careful before you show your fangs and claws to anyone! You may find they have bigger fangs and claws than you do."
Karen folded her arms in front of her. "I will be careful, but until we know we do have cousins near, Jason will be my mate, and I will fight to keep him."
.
Going down to get on the bus to head for Johnson City, Louise arrived a little early. She knew only band members could ride in the bus. That meant no matter how clingy Karen was with Jason, she could not stop Louise from sitting by him on the bus and talking to him. She got her bag in the storage compartment and waited by the bus for Jason to arrive. As usual their car pulled in and Karen was driving. She greeted Jason, then when he went to get on, she clasped his hand and lead him on. Screw you, Karen.
"What are you doing?" Jason asked as he followed her.
Louise beamed him a smile. "We're just going to sit and talk. Want the window seat?"
"Ah, whatever, you pick," he said.
Stopping at an empty row, Louise said, "No, your choice."
With a line behind them, Jason took the window seat to get out of the isle. Louise sat next to him.
Seeing Karen standing outside the car, Louise waved to her. "Jason, your sister knows you deserve to have a life, doesn't she?" She noted Karen's look of hate in return.
Jason cast her a sad look. "Louise, it's complicated."
"She had her mind set on what you should be doing."
He let out a sigh. "Yes, and so do my parents."
"What do you think you should be doing?" Louise asked.
Jason looked at her a moment then said, "I know you want to help, but there's not much you can do."
Evenly, Louise said, "I'm looking at someone I see as an acquaintance, possibly a friend who is having a hard time. I don't like people I know to have a hard time. I'm sure you love your sister. That's fine, it's the way it should be. If he's beginning to interfere with your life, then she needs to know she has to back off some. Your parents too. You're grown up now. What you do, should be your choice, not theirs."
"Louise, it's not that easy," he said as the bus started moving. "In my family we have ... obligations."
"OK, so what obligation says I can't even talk to you, or hang out with you?"
Jason rubbed his head. "We can't ever be more than friends," he stated.
"I'm OK with that," Louise offered. She then paused and said, "You wife has been picked out for you, right?"
"Yeah," he agreed heavily. "My family insists on it."
"I see," Louise said quietly. "You know, Daniel had that same problem. His parents had his wife picked out for him. When they found out he and Jackie were getting closer, they wanted to deny him his inheritance to keep them becoming any more involved. In the end, it didn't work. Daniel was happy to be destitute, so long as Jackie was with him. I'm not saying you should abandon your family, but somehow, you should make them see it's only right for you to decide something as important as who you will be happy with. Jason, this is the rest of your life we're talking about."
He stared at her and asked, "You are worried about me, aren't you?"
"Well, duh!" Louise said with a giggle, which made him smile.
"So your parent's haven't pointed you towards who they think would be best for you?" he asked.
"My parents died a few years ago. I'm adopted. I will tell you that my new parents want the best for me. They have been wonderful, and support what I want to do. Yes, growing up I did get into a little trouble, though Joan helped with that, but as far as how they want me to act or what to do, They encourage me to be myself."
"So what did you do?" he asked.
"Joan and I fed and alligator and it followed us into the house," she said with a wince.
"A small one?"
"At the time she was only about eight feet long."
Jason laughed. "No wonder you got in trouble! Was your Mom scared?"
"No, just angry. after she got it back outside, I did get a lecture, and was grounded."
Jason chuckled. "I take it that hasn't happened again?"
"It did, but it wasn't my fault, I wasn't even home at the time," Louise said. "Someone left the door open and it wandered in to take a nap on the couch. Yuka went in and not seeing it, she sat on it. The alligator wasn't happy being woke up like that. Yuka ran out of the living room screaming her lungs out. JJ said she nearly had a heart attack. She did have to go change her clothes and take a bath."
Jason burst out laughing so hard he held his stomach. He went on for a while and had to wipe his eyes out.
Louise watched him. He laughed so hard he was loosing his breath. "You OK there?" she asked chuckling along with him.
He gasped out, "That really happened?"
Louise nodded. "Allie Gator was so upset and went back outside by herself."
Jason chuckled on for a while. Louise smiled, happy to see his mood had gotten better.
"Allie Gator huh? Original name. So you named this alligator?"
"Nana did. She and Peggy are usually the ones who go out and feed her and the other little ones."
Jason let out another snorting chuckle. "You feed them? No wonder they are hanging around!"
Louise shrugged. "Joan started it. Yeah, none of the alligators will hurt any of us, but Allie Gator has a thing for Joan. It's like her dog or something."
"You have a strange family, Louise."
"I do, but they are lovable."
.
Following the bus, Karen remembered their mother said no causing trouble in Driftwood. She grinned, they would be in Johnson City, and she was going to teach that girl to leave her brother alone once and for all!