Stepping into the line of fire
Chapter 27
The sound of joyful singing was filling the forest…
"Oh they built the ship Titanic to sail the ocean blue
And they thought they had' a ship that the water would never' go through
But the Lord's almighty hand
Knew the ship would never land
It was sad, when that, great ship went down.
It was sad…It was sad…It was sad when that great ship went down!
Husbands and wives little' children lost their lives
It was sad when that great sh…"
"What on god's green earth is going on Bobby?" shouted John interrupting the happy song.
"We're just havin' a little' sing song Sammy and I…don't be such a pain in the ass!" Bobby slurred.
"What's wrong sir? Can't you take a cheery song?" Interrupted an even more merry Sammy.
Even drunk, Bobby realised that things were rapidly going south. "John…listen to me… I gave your Sam here a finger. He's a little drunk that's all… He doesn't know what he's saying!"
"You mean to say that you gave my son alcohol? Are you out of your mind Bobby? he's only fifteen goddam it!" Bobby did cringe a little at that.
"He was sad John. I thought I'd cheer him up a bit".
"He's going to be sad all right. Sam! Go to your tent. Bedtime!" roared John.
"Why? It's too early…I'm not a little kid ya' know" slurred a very drunk Sam.
"Sam if ya' know what's good for ya' you'll get to that tent at the count of three. Do I need to count Samuel?" even drunk Sam recognised the tone in his father's voice but the alcohol gave him a kind of false courage.
"I don't see why I should. You're a bully…a stupid ol' goat…" and then he burst out laughing. The sound was so loud that he did not hear John begin to count.
1….2…. Bobby jumped in.
"He's drunk John it's my fault. He doesn't know what he's doing let alone sayin'. He's missing his brother…" John…
John was in no mood to listen. "Sam! Get to bed now!" suddenly his youngest sort of got a bit of his sanity back but not enough…
"Right! I'll go to bed but not because you're tellin' me because I want to!" John lunged forward and grabbed his son by his arm, he then marched him to his tent and delivered an almighty swat to his backside as he put him inside.
"You and I are having a talk tomorrow Sam. You know better than to ignore direct orders. No drinking for ya'. This is a goddam' hunt and it is turning into a shit shower!" John left his son there, making sure he was turned on his side in case he puked up during the night. He then marched off in the direction of Bobby who was sitting where he had left him looking very contrite and dejected.
"I'm sorry John. It's just the kid was so down. Dean's with his gal' and he feels alone. He feels as if his big brother doesn't like him anymore.
"Where's Dean Bobby?" John questioned suddenly suspicious.
"I don't know. I'm not his dad" Bobby shouted back. "You've made that very clear a number of times."
"I think you better hit the hay too Bobby, before you and I have words…"
"OK John…." Bobby slurred… "You're right I've overdone it, won't happen again sir" Bobby pronounced that last word with drunken venom. Bobby stood up wobblily and staggered wearily back to his tent.
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John was determined to find his wayward son and his Delilah. He thought a little and worked out that around the supply area might be the best place to start. He could not find them there so he stopped, sat down and listened. His listening skills had always been top notch. He knew how to turn all other sounds off and concentrate on the one he really wanted to hear. Soon he was not disappointed. John got up and went forward by impulse, following his gut reaction. He saw them naked, lying in the moss bathed in the red rays that promised a beautiful day tomorrow. Well it would not be so beautiful for them, he fumed.
"Dean! Report!" John commanded in the strongest tone he possessed.
Dean and Angela jumped so high that it was almost comical. Angela grabbed her clothes but Dean somehow just stood at attention naked as the day he was born. John glared at him.
"What did I tell ya' about keeping your head in the game? Am I the only sap here to care about this fucking hunt?" he bellowed.
Dean knew that his ol' man did not really ever use the F word so he reckoned he must be in deep shit. He decided to remain silent.
"Right. You, boy, are grounded. You will stay in camp and hit your tent after super until this hunt is over. Do I make myself clear Dean?" John was furious.
Dean looked at his dad straight in the eye and nodded affirmatively.
"Can't hear your head rattle boy?"
"Yes sir. I understand."
John then turned to Angela. "You're grounded too. I cannot believe that you have lost the plot so much. Don't you understand that if we lose sight of our objective we are fucking screwed! Now get back to camp. Both of ya'. I want you in your tents. Lights out."
"Sir it's only six?" Dean pleaded.
"Bed!" John ordered.
They all made their way back to the camp and Dean and Angela did as they were told. Dean turned to his sweetheart and whispered.
"Bed without supper…does he think we're five?"
"Dean! Stop the whingeing and do as you're told."
Dean gulped and followed the order. Angela did not see any reason to argue so she went to her own tent.
John sat down on the log in front of the fire. Sighed deeply and poured himself two fingers of Jack which he had never needed so much in his entire existence so far. If Ugoliant didn't kill him, his crazy family would.
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