John threw Virgil's paper down with an oath. Scott had faxed theirs through
so he could see what he was supposed to write.
'VIRGIL!' he roared, up in thunderbird five, he could shout as loud as he wanted and no-one would care.
He angrily picked up his piece of paper and then an evil smile slowly spread across his face, ha, he'd show his brother that two could play at the telling secrets game.
'John Tracy' he smiled as he started writing, 'captain's log, stardate 190,' he grinned as the Star Trek theme began in his head and then mentally shook himself, 'come on John' he told himself, 'Alan's counting on you'. He scribbled out his earlier sentance and began to write........................
John Tracy here,
I am the middle child in a family of hooligans, let's get that straight from the beginning. Scott's overprotective to the point of obsession, Gordon's crazy, Virg drives me insane and then their's you Al, you baby brother, get your own way all of the time........but I love you all!
I wouldn't have it any other way.
Before I get on to my own experiences, I'm just going to tell you something I want you to tell everyone else about. It's about Virgil (hah, right back atcha big bro, this'll teach you to tell my secrets).
When I made one of my visits to Virgil's college while I was still at High School, I was surprised to find, my usually 'sought-after' brother without a girlfriend. When i enquired about this Virgil mournfully told me that all the girls were happy to be his friend but nothing more. I decided to find out why.
I met a pretty blonde named Tammy, who shared her thoughts with me, I learnt the horrific truth. The girls thought our Virg was gay. Tammy claimed that Virgil's love of music and the arts had prompted them all to suspect.
I decided to have a joke at Virgil's expense, I'm not Gordon's brother for nothing, and told her I was his ex- boyfriend (she had no idea I was his brother) and a little confused about what I wanted. Tammy proceeded to convince me that women were better, and by the end of the night I was never more sure of my sexuality. Unfortunately for Virg, word spread that he was definately gay, thanks to my help and he was not too happy when I eventually told him why none of the guys stayed in the showers when he entered.
There you are Al, I'm sure you and Gordo can blackmail him with that one.
John's heart constricted as it always did at the thought of writing or talking about his mother.
I'm sure it's pretty obvious by my behaviour at the mere mention of mom's name, that it's hard for me to talk about her. I'm going to try to explain that to you.
I have just a few memories of mom, but they're all so vivid, it's as if she died yesterday, not almost 20 years ago. I remember her singing me to sleep on her lap, I remember her talking to me at night, she used to tell me to follow my heart not my head, did you know that? She always said that as much as she loved dad, he tended to follow his head, not his heart. That's why I know she'd be proud of him, setting up the, 'family business', following his heart. Mom and I were always very close, she seemed to have time for me, all the time, she never told me to leave her alone, which I used to get continually from Scott, being the pesky little brother I was. I suppose you'll think I'm a bit of a nut-job but I still talk to her sometimes, at night. I don't know why, but I feel closer to her up here. I know Scott thinks I like it up here because I don't have to face reality, but that's not true, this is my reality. Another little embarrassing memory about Scott, when he first got called for assignment with the air-force, Scott would never admit this sober, he told me when he was drunk, his commander told him, "You weren't chosen because you are the best pilot in the Air Force. You were chosen because you are the class clown and frankly, you're expendable." Hah! There's plenty more embarrassing memories where that one came from!
Sometimes I look at you and Gordon and you remind me so much of mom in some way, that I almost have to catch my breath. Just the other week when I was at home, Virgil laughed at something and I had to physically leave the room, he sounded so much like her, it still hurts. I guess Scott's right in the sense that I've never gotton over losing mom, but who really gets over something like that? You and Gordo didn't know her so it was like you had nothing to get over, but believe me when I say, I wouldn't trade places with you guys for a second, because I treasure those 5 years I had with her more than anything.
Right, I know Virgil mentioned my love-life, which he damned well shouldn't have! Now I guess I'll have to explain.
Virg is right, I found it really hard to join the 'business'. I met a girl while I was on location at Camp David, looking at the telescope, for my new Physics book. No yawning, I'm telling you it was fascinating.
Anyway this was about 2 years ago, I was called to meet this woman who was supposed to be giving me a tour, so there I was, waiting to meet this old biddy when this stunning and stunning is the only way to describe her, young woman approached me.
Man, she was beautiful, anyway I could tell the attraction was mutual, she introduced herself as Jess, and after she gave me a tour, we went out for a meal. It was so great, we saw each other every night for 2 weeks and on the 14th night of dating, I can honest to god, say that that was the best night of my life, we used Jess' card to get into the giant sattelite at Camp David. I'm not proud of this but we made love inside the sattelite, alright I am proud!
It was so exciting, their were security guards outside and we were worried that despite getting clearance we would be discovered, anyway our worries proved to be right and we were discovered. By the police!
Let's just say that being arrested was pretty humiliating, espescially for indecent exposure. It took Jess and I 2 hours to convince the police that we weren't after state secrets, trying to assassinate the president or stealing confidential information from the satelitte.
Unfortunately I was forced to ring someone to post my bail. There was no way in hell I was ringing Dad, so immediately I thought of Scott, big brother was in the Air force, and although I was guaranteed a lecture i would be able to avoid the teasing that I knew Virgil would inflict upon my already embarrassed ego.
But, as luck would have it, he wasn't in his quarters and horror upon horror I had to ring Virgil, as awful as this prospect was, it was either ring big brother number two, or face Dad's wrath. Virgil of course was appallingly unsympathetic and howled in laughter down the phone,but he came and got me out. And surprisingly promised to keep his mouth shut about my little escapade. (didn't last long did it Virg, it's been what, only 2 years?)
Anyway, our happiness took a nose-dive, unfortunately Camp David did not find the situation as funny as Virgil and Jess was fired. She was upset and I was upset but we knew we cared a lot about each other, so she moved into my apartment, you know the one in Key West, remember I mentioned to you and Gordon on the video-phone that I had met someone and we were pretty serious. Anyhow Jess started to look for a new job, I started writing my book and then I got the call from Dad about the new business.
I said it now and I'll say it again, it was awful timing! I knew how much Dad needed me to be a part of the 'business' but he also made it clear that I was not allowed to include Jess in any of his plans. Well, we had a huge row, with me telling Dad I wanted no part of the business and Dad telling me he was disappointed in me. But the long and the short of it was , it wore me down. It kept nagging at me that I was leaving all you guys in the lurch. Jess knew something was wrong, but I couldn't tell her, it was all strictly 'confidential'.
I figure Dad must have told Virg my reaction, and because Virg was the only one who really knew how much I cared about Jess, he came down to visit. He told me that I should do what my heart was telling me and I can honestly say that it was the hardest decision I ever had to make. But I remembered what mom told me the morning she died, she sent me, Virg and Scott off to school and she said, 'stick together boys,look after each other' as we went in.
So it was with a heavy heart I said goodbye to Jess, goodbye to my old life. But I still miss her sometimes and I still feel those twinges of regret at leaving the one woman who healed my heart behind, but I know deep down I made the right choice. You guys needed me, Dad needed me, and that Al, is what family's all about, being there when you need them.
My motto is by my favourite author Oscar Wilde, 'We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars.'
I'm one of the lucky ones.
Hope this helped, Kiddo.
Love John xxx
'VIRGIL!' he roared, up in thunderbird five, he could shout as loud as he wanted and no-one would care.
He angrily picked up his piece of paper and then an evil smile slowly spread across his face, ha, he'd show his brother that two could play at the telling secrets game.
'John Tracy' he smiled as he started writing, 'captain's log, stardate 190,' he grinned as the Star Trek theme began in his head and then mentally shook himself, 'come on John' he told himself, 'Alan's counting on you'. He scribbled out his earlier sentance and began to write........................
John Tracy here,
I am the middle child in a family of hooligans, let's get that straight from the beginning. Scott's overprotective to the point of obsession, Gordon's crazy, Virg drives me insane and then their's you Al, you baby brother, get your own way all of the time........but I love you all!
I wouldn't have it any other way.
Before I get on to my own experiences, I'm just going to tell you something I want you to tell everyone else about. It's about Virgil (hah, right back atcha big bro, this'll teach you to tell my secrets).
When I made one of my visits to Virgil's college while I was still at High School, I was surprised to find, my usually 'sought-after' brother without a girlfriend. When i enquired about this Virgil mournfully told me that all the girls were happy to be his friend but nothing more. I decided to find out why.
I met a pretty blonde named Tammy, who shared her thoughts with me, I learnt the horrific truth. The girls thought our Virg was gay. Tammy claimed that Virgil's love of music and the arts had prompted them all to suspect.
I decided to have a joke at Virgil's expense, I'm not Gordon's brother for nothing, and told her I was his ex- boyfriend (she had no idea I was his brother) and a little confused about what I wanted. Tammy proceeded to convince me that women were better, and by the end of the night I was never more sure of my sexuality. Unfortunately for Virg, word spread that he was definately gay, thanks to my help and he was not too happy when I eventually told him why none of the guys stayed in the showers when he entered.
There you are Al, I'm sure you and Gordo can blackmail him with that one.
John's heart constricted as it always did at the thought of writing or talking about his mother.
I'm sure it's pretty obvious by my behaviour at the mere mention of mom's name, that it's hard for me to talk about her. I'm going to try to explain that to you.
I have just a few memories of mom, but they're all so vivid, it's as if she died yesterday, not almost 20 years ago. I remember her singing me to sleep on her lap, I remember her talking to me at night, she used to tell me to follow my heart not my head, did you know that? She always said that as much as she loved dad, he tended to follow his head, not his heart. That's why I know she'd be proud of him, setting up the, 'family business', following his heart. Mom and I were always very close, she seemed to have time for me, all the time, she never told me to leave her alone, which I used to get continually from Scott, being the pesky little brother I was. I suppose you'll think I'm a bit of a nut-job but I still talk to her sometimes, at night. I don't know why, but I feel closer to her up here. I know Scott thinks I like it up here because I don't have to face reality, but that's not true, this is my reality. Another little embarrassing memory about Scott, when he first got called for assignment with the air-force, Scott would never admit this sober, he told me when he was drunk, his commander told him, "You weren't chosen because you are the best pilot in the Air Force. You were chosen because you are the class clown and frankly, you're expendable." Hah! There's plenty more embarrassing memories where that one came from!
Sometimes I look at you and Gordon and you remind me so much of mom in some way, that I almost have to catch my breath. Just the other week when I was at home, Virgil laughed at something and I had to physically leave the room, he sounded so much like her, it still hurts. I guess Scott's right in the sense that I've never gotton over losing mom, but who really gets over something like that? You and Gordo didn't know her so it was like you had nothing to get over, but believe me when I say, I wouldn't trade places with you guys for a second, because I treasure those 5 years I had with her more than anything.
Right, I know Virgil mentioned my love-life, which he damned well shouldn't have! Now I guess I'll have to explain.
Virg is right, I found it really hard to join the 'business'. I met a girl while I was on location at Camp David, looking at the telescope, for my new Physics book. No yawning, I'm telling you it was fascinating.
Anyway this was about 2 years ago, I was called to meet this woman who was supposed to be giving me a tour, so there I was, waiting to meet this old biddy when this stunning and stunning is the only way to describe her, young woman approached me.
Man, she was beautiful, anyway I could tell the attraction was mutual, she introduced herself as Jess, and after she gave me a tour, we went out for a meal. It was so great, we saw each other every night for 2 weeks and on the 14th night of dating, I can honest to god, say that that was the best night of my life, we used Jess' card to get into the giant sattelite at Camp David. I'm not proud of this but we made love inside the sattelite, alright I am proud!
It was so exciting, their were security guards outside and we were worried that despite getting clearance we would be discovered, anyway our worries proved to be right and we were discovered. By the police!
Let's just say that being arrested was pretty humiliating, espescially for indecent exposure. It took Jess and I 2 hours to convince the police that we weren't after state secrets, trying to assassinate the president or stealing confidential information from the satelitte.
Unfortunately I was forced to ring someone to post my bail. There was no way in hell I was ringing Dad, so immediately I thought of Scott, big brother was in the Air force, and although I was guaranteed a lecture i would be able to avoid the teasing that I knew Virgil would inflict upon my already embarrassed ego.
But, as luck would have it, he wasn't in his quarters and horror upon horror I had to ring Virgil, as awful as this prospect was, it was either ring big brother number two, or face Dad's wrath. Virgil of course was appallingly unsympathetic and howled in laughter down the phone,but he came and got me out. And surprisingly promised to keep his mouth shut about my little escapade. (didn't last long did it Virg, it's been what, only 2 years?)
Anyway, our happiness took a nose-dive, unfortunately Camp David did not find the situation as funny as Virgil and Jess was fired. She was upset and I was upset but we knew we cared a lot about each other, so she moved into my apartment, you know the one in Key West, remember I mentioned to you and Gordon on the video-phone that I had met someone and we were pretty serious. Anyhow Jess started to look for a new job, I started writing my book and then I got the call from Dad about the new business.
I said it now and I'll say it again, it was awful timing! I knew how much Dad needed me to be a part of the 'business' but he also made it clear that I was not allowed to include Jess in any of his plans. Well, we had a huge row, with me telling Dad I wanted no part of the business and Dad telling me he was disappointed in me. But the long and the short of it was , it wore me down. It kept nagging at me that I was leaving all you guys in the lurch. Jess knew something was wrong, but I couldn't tell her, it was all strictly 'confidential'.
I figure Dad must have told Virg my reaction, and because Virg was the only one who really knew how much I cared about Jess, he came down to visit. He told me that I should do what my heart was telling me and I can honestly say that it was the hardest decision I ever had to make. But I remembered what mom told me the morning she died, she sent me, Virg and Scott off to school and she said, 'stick together boys,look after each other' as we went in.
So it was with a heavy heart I said goodbye to Jess, goodbye to my old life. But I still miss her sometimes and I still feel those twinges of regret at leaving the one woman who healed my heart behind, but I know deep down I made the right choice. You guys needed me, Dad needed me, and that Al, is what family's all about, being there when you need them.
My motto is by my favourite author Oscar Wilde, 'We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars.'
I'm one of the lucky ones.
Hope this helped, Kiddo.
Love John xxx