Chapter 3
A Touchy Subject
At P3 on the Northern California Base of the Olympian Security Agency and Spiritual Center
"Shouldn't you lay off the booze and go home?" John asked Bailey. He was growing more concerned about his friend every day. "Shouldn't you be minding your own business John? I will go back to the place where I live when I'm darn good and ready," Bailey answered in a soft but clearly ticked off voice.
"Come on Bailey! This is me your dealing with. We've been friends for a long time and what ever it is that is bothering you maybe I can help with." "How? Are you going to use some of your new god powers on me?" Bailey asked sarcastically. John didn't take his friend's snide remark to heart though. Something was gnawing at Malone.
"Is that what you want me to believe that this is about?" John shook his head. "That you're jealous because you didn't end up having a lineage that included the gods? Neither did George so you're not alone. Besides you were given sufficient powers to handle what you need to."
"Maybe it is because I don't feel like I fit in here." "That's crap too. Blood or no blood we are your family and you know it. We need you and you need us especially since both your girls have grown up and have their own lives and families now."
"You could say the same thing about most of the team here too. Gracie has her sons, you have a wife, a brother, great grandparents, and in-laws, Rachel has her family in Buffalo to visit, and George well he's pretty much learned to be content with being a loner. And of course Sam has Tom."
"Right!" John said knowingly. That's the crux of your problem in a nutshell isn't it? That Sam has Tom." "Shut up John. I've already told you my personal life is no one's business but my own."
"Sorry to disagree with you there pal, but you're making it our business. You've been meaner than a rabid dog, and we are worried about you. It is affecting the team." "Well maybe I should just resign and spare you all from this old rabid dog." "Don't do that. Don't twist my words or my meaning. I didn't say old and no one wants you to leave. We just want you to get you act together because we care about you."
John let the silence linger waiting for a response. "Don't you have a wife waiting for you at home?" Bailey asked rhetorically. It was the type of response John knew he should have expected but it was frustrating nonetheless. "Yeah I do," he answered. "And I should be getting back to her. Just think about what you are doing to the rest of us and more importantly what you are doing to yourself." John tossed a tip on the bar for the bartender, patted Bailey on the shoulder and then left. At least he didn't have to worry about Bailey driving anywhere. Hopefully he'd just orb himself back to Olympus or crash in his office. To bad that wasn't the only concern John had about his dear friend and mentor. Learning Curve
A Touchy Subject
At P3 on the Northern California Base of the Olympian Security Agency and Spiritual Center
"Shouldn't you lay off the booze and go home?" John asked Bailey. He was growing more concerned about his friend every day. "Shouldn't you be minding your own business John? I will go back to the place where I live when I'm darn good and ready," Bailey answered in a soft but clearly ticked off voice.
"Come on Bailey! This is me your dealing with. We've been friends for a long time and what ever it is that is bothering you maybe I can help with." "How? Are you going to use some of your new god powers on me?" Bailey asked sarcastically. John didn't take his friend's snide remark to heart though. Something was gnawing at Malone.
"Is that what you want me to believe that this is about?" John shook his head. "That you're jealous because you didn't end up having a lineage that included the gods? Neither did George so you're not alone. Besides you were given sufficient powers to handle what you need to."
"Maybe it is because I don't feel like I fit in here." "That's crap too. Blood or no blood we are your family and you know it. We need you and you need us especially since both your girls have grown up and have their own lives and families now."
"You could say the same thing about most of the team here too. Gracie has her sons, you have a wife, a brother, great grandparents, and in-laws, Rachel has her family in Buffalo to visit, and George well he's pretty much learned to be content with being a loner. And of course Sam has Tom."
"Right!" John said knowingly. That's the crux of your problem in a nutshell isn't it? That Sam has Tom." "Shut up John. I've already told you my personal life is no one's business but my own."
"Sorry to disagree with you there pal, but you're making it our business. You've been meaner than a rabid dog, and we are worried about you. It is affecting the team." "Well maybe I should just resign and spare you all from this old rabid dog." "Don't do that. Don't twist my words or my meaning. I didn't say old and no one wants you to leave. We just want you to get you act together because we care about you."
John let the silence linger waiting for a response. "Don't you have a wife waiting for you at home?" Bailey asked rhetorically. It was the type of response John knew he should have expected but it was frustrating nonetheless. "Yeah I do," he answered. "And I should be getting back to her. Just think about what you are doing to the rest of us and more importantly what you are doing to yourself." John tossed a tip on the bar for the bartender, patted Bailey on the shoulder and then left. At least he didn't have to worry about Bailey driving anywhere. Hopefully he'd just orb himself back to Olympus or crash in his office. To bad that wasn't the only concern John had about his dear friend and mentor. Learning Curve