Ch 16
Same disclaimer Applies. And who should I dedicate this chapter to today? Susan D…come on down!
The sun was high in the sky, beaming down rays of warmth. Marco basked in its glow.
Here he was almost two months removed from outer space, and he was taking in the sun's radiance on South Beach. The most beautiful beach in the country.
The shimmering sapphire ocean spread out for miles, and the white sand was hot at his toes. Up the beach (and away from his protective circle of bodyguards) beautiful people were lying around, soaking up the beautiful day. He took a sip of his margarita and lay back in his beach chair, adjusting his sunglasses.
Total relaxation.
Something he hadn't had much of since returning to Earth.
Military intelligence questioned him for days about the gang's little trip to Kelbrid space. They yelled at him, saying how illegal it was, how dangerous it was to go alone, and how thankful they all should be that Jake was the only person seriously hurt. Then they congratulated him for defeating 'The One'. The President wanted to award Jake the Medal of Honor.
These military people confuse the hell out of me. That's why I like living the good life.
He was glad that the Army wasn't going to punish Jake for the mission. If he were any other soldier, he probably would be in the brig until he was balding.
"Ay papi!" One of the girls kissed his cheek. "Dame un beso!" (A/N: That means give me a kiss in Spanish)
"Un momento, Claudia, y tu, Maria,"
He took another sip of his margarita. Free drinks and 2 gorgeous women lying next to him. He loved this place
"Ah…this is the life, isn't it, Bird-boy?"
Marco and Tobias were relaxing in lounge chairs on the private beach outside of his condominium on South Beach. Marco had a beautiful woman on each arm.
Of course, Marco would use his celebrity to his advantage… Tobias thought to himself.
Marco owned the penthouse of one of the nicest condominiums on South Beach. Basically, the whole area was Marco's playground. He knew all of the owners to the hottest clubs and bars and got in for free. He could eat five-star meals and enjoy all the drinks he wanted on the house, at any time. Marco even owned his own yacht, and sailed down to the Bahamas from time to time, when he wanted to get away from the 'hassles' of the mainland. Even Weatherbee would have a great time under these circumstances.
If you're Marco, this IS the life…
"Yeah man, I guess,"
Not that there was much for Tobias to complain about. Despite his terrible vision, the human party life was fun.
But it just wasn't his thing. To be honest, he would rather ride thermals high in the sky with a certain eagle.
God how he missed Rachel! All of the girls, especially blondes, that Marco hung out with reminded him of her. But none of them, not even the supermodels, had an iota of her style and grace.
Looking a litter further down the beach, he saw a couple playing around in the water.
"Johnny! Stop splashing me!" the girl screamed as the guy splashed water on her.
The guy pulled the girl in for an embrace.
"You are so beautiful Tracy…" The guy said.
Tobias had to look away. One more second and he would burst into tears.
She always loved the beach…
Marco could hear his cell phone ring.
"OK girls, give Mr. Wonderful a second.
He flipped open his cell phone.
"Hello. Mr. President? Yes, this is Mr. Jones. Call me Marco, sir. Yes, yes. Jake didn't pick up? Well, his condition is a serious one, sir. I'll try to get in contact with him right away. Ax is? You released him? We're on our way. You'll get in touch with Cassie? Great. Thank you Mr. President."
Marco hung up.
"Lovely ladies, I have to go," Marco gave each one a kiss on the cheek.
"What's going on?" Tobias asked.
"That was the President. Ax has been released from military custody. The President wants us to hold a press conference in the Rose Garden to commemorate our return, since the anniversary is next week. He wants us all to be there. Bird-Boy, we're going to D.C."
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Jake wheeled himself into his apartment. God, he was so tired! PT drained him. He never remembered being so exhausted in his life. He wanted to go falcon tonight, but he barely had the energy to think.
The answering machine in his living room was blinking.
2 new messages.
He rolled over ad hit the 'play' button on the machine.
"Hi Jake, this is your dad, you mom and I just-"
BEEP! Message deleted.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Berenson. This is the President of the United States. We released Aximili-Escgarrouth-Isthill form military custody today. I am calling to request your presence at the White House Rose Garden. We are holding the annual press conference to commemorate the liberation of this planet, and this nation, from the alien invasion. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Have a good day."
Jake looked in his walled. He had $7.68. Not nearly enough to get a monthly transit-pass, let alone a round-trip ticket to D.C.
He finalized disability payments with the Army, and he would receive $275 a month. Even so, he would have to wait at least 2 months to save up enough cash. And what about the regular stuff he needed every day like food and medicine? Even with his VA co-pay, everything was so expensive.
He didn't want to bug Marco for the money. Lord knows Marco did enough for him already, getting him this apartment rent and utility-free. He knew Marco wouldn't mind but…
I feel like a parasite…
And Cassie, forget about it. If she wouldn't even return his calls, why would she do anything else for him?
He tried to wheel himself down the hall, but his chair kept hitting the empty beer bottles from last night. His half-eaten pizza on the coffee table was attracting flies.
Man, I should really clean this place up. That nurse'll be here tomorrow…
Then again, the apartment was half-unpacked anyways.
I can just blame it on the movers; she'll never know it was me.
He went into his bedroom, and using the handlebars to get him on the bed, carefully sat himself down. He used his arms to move one leg, than the other, into the right position for sleep. Finally, exhausted, he closed his eyes and fell into dreamland.