A/N: Here I am, back again. Whew, but what a long chapter. This replaces Chapter 2 as most difficult one to write. First off, apart from Longarm's son, father, and possibly wife (aka: "Elise" in this one,) little is known about the families of the C.O.P.S. (re: Sundown and Jeremy's first vacation scene here). So I don't know if I can call them OC's or borrowed characters. Also, pending to the vacation scenes, I had to research both the Alamo and the Grand Canyon on Google. A chockful of information, too. Now, I know it's better to visit these places, and experience them, and blah, blah, blah, but if you can't afford to physically travel, the Internet makes a great research tool. Research, research, research, that's what I want to encourage of all writers, fanfiction or otherwise. Anyway, read and review.
Chapter 19
The day Sundown and Jeremy left for vacation, Big Boss was sitting at his desk, pondering. He was thinking about how frightened the boy looked when he stared at his face. Yet, Big Boss believed Jeremy would be the perfect pawn to get to Valerie.
"Augh!" he griped. "If only we can lure that kid of hers into our territory, and think of some ways to amuse him, we can easily persuade Valerie to throw those C.O.P.S. over for any one of us. Hopefully, she'll choose me."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Big Boss," Dr. Badvibes said. "You will remember from my own unsuccessful attempt to woo her that she's said romancing one of us will look very bad to him. And the sight of us frightens that boy so. We all saw how perplexed he looked when he came with the C.O.P.S. to get her. The only way we can succeed is if we pretend to be nice and trustworthy to him." He started to grin. "And I think I can pull that off better than the rest of you. I'm sure he'll enjoy an afternoon field trip to the science museum. How about the rest of you?"
Buttons, Crusher, Turbo Tu-Tone and the Big Boss all looked at each other. They never had any ideas. Then suddenly, the Sunday newspaper arrived at the office. Normally, Big Boss would look at the local news first, but he decided to search through all the advertisements for anything fun. In the back of the first section, he noticed that the State Fair would be held in Empire City from August 13th to the 19th.
"Ahh, this is perfect!" he declared. "Young Jeremy will enjoy himself a day at the fair."
"Gee, Unca Big Boss," Berserko said, "ya think you'll fit on all da rides?"
Big Boss swatted him with the paper and responded, "Shaddup, you nincompoop! I was thinkin' that we'll all take him, spend time with him individually, and make him choose between us. Then whomever he chooses will be successful in winnin' Valerie's love. And, again I'll say, it will be me."
"Don't be so sure of y'self, Big Boss," Buttons warned. "I can outride you on anythin'. He'll be havin' the most fun wit me." He looked at all the others glaring at him.
"That sounded very snobby, even fer you, Buttons," Crusher commented.
Big Boss was looking through the phone under the "B" section, but couldn't find Valerie's name. "Dammit," he mused. "What the hell is her phone number? Blast, but I wish I'd gotten it when she kicked me outta her house two weeks ago." And then it came to him. "What am I thinkin' about? I don't need her number. Boys, we're gonna pay a visit to her place tonight."
Meanwhile, when they arrived in Houston, an older man and a younger woman greeted Sundown and Jeremy. The man's hair was almost all white, and his skin was as wrinkly as a raisin. Jeremy inwardly guessed that he was in his mid-seventies. The woman had chestnut-colored hair, and both people had lighter-tanned skin. The woman reminded Jeremy a little bit of his Aunt Rhonda.
Sundown smiled at his family as he went to them. "Papa!" he called. "Lynette!"
"Hey, big brother!" Lynette replied as they embraced. "Happy belated birthday!"
Mr. Calhoun embraced his son, then turned to Jeremy. "And this must be Jeremy," he said. "Oh, I can't believe all the things you told yer mama an' me about him. This poor boy probably can't do very much, can he?" He turned back to Sundown. "You say his birth father was responsible fer this? That man should be in prison, not free to run a home an' business in Anytown, USA."
Sundown immediately wanted to talk about something else. "You ain't ever said you were comin' to the airport to git me. Now I knew this was Sunday, an' I told Jeremy before we took off that we may be goin' to your house fer dinner."
"Well, just because yer flyin' in on a Sunday," Mr. Calhoun said, "it don't mean we're breakin' family tradition."
"An' speakin' of which," Sundown continued, "we should maybe check into the hotel I reserved, the Happelin, before we go. It's this new one on Fannin Street, ever heard of it? I was attracted to the inexpensive price, about forty bucks per night. An' the best part is this one has a 'kids stay free' deal all summer. Then, I rented a truck fer this whole trip–"
"You can tell 'em to put it on hold until you get back later tonight," his father insisted. "I ain't lettin' ya drive in a separate vehicle from yer family."
Sundown and Jeremy checked into the Happelin, and were impressed by the room they received. Two single beds, and a 20-inch TV across from them, with television and cable movie guides. Beside the bed Jeremy immediately chose, he saw a wooden desk with a lamp and a laptop, probably used for Internet access. There was a lighting fixture above each bed, and in between them, a small set of drawers with a non-video telephone. Across from Sundown's bed was an easychair with a leather surface end table next to it, consisting of another lamp with a bowl of wrapped candy. Jeremy looked back and forth between the telephone and the laptop. "Sundown!" he called. "How… do… you… want to… contact… Mom?"
Sundown set his suitcase on his own bed. "I reckon maybe we should give yer mama a call when we git to my parents' house," he said. "Now let's go. Papa an' my sister are waitin'."
Next, Sundown gave his father directions to Heinrich Car Rental. When they arrived, Sundown told the counter clerk where he was going, and gave his request for his rental. "I reckon I'll be back sometime between ten-thirty an' eleven. Can ya put it on hold 'til then?"
"Not a problem, sir," the clerk replied, typing the request in.
It was a half-hour drive to the town where Sundown grew up. On the way there, he was saying to his father, "Now, Papa, there may be some things I probably haven't told ya 'bout Jeremy. First, Mama's still cookin' quite a bit for Sunday dinners, ain't she? Well, his stomach ain't all that big, so maybe you should tell her–"
"Oh, Sundown, now yer mama will be upset if Jeremy don't eat enough of her cookin'," Mr. Calhoun replied. "We'll just encourage him to take as much time as he needs. Two hours, if necessary. One servin' an' no dessert. I'm sure yer girlfriend will agree."
"An' there another thing you must keep in mind. Jeremy will probably misbehave some of the time, so–"
"I can probably guess that Jeremy shouldn't be whipped at all," Mr. Calhoun finished. "Your mama an' I will be receptive to that, but I don't know about your brother an' his wife. You know how quick they are to paddle their kids when the need be."
"They'd better not tell him to eat so fast," Sundown said. "If I have to tell Valerie that Jeremy got upset over critical elders, she'll dump me harder than a tumbleweed." He proceeded to tell about Valerie's family reunion, and how she didn't want Jeremy to be there because of her cousins. "That's why she insisted on this trip."
"Well, I reckon it's good that he's here wit you, son."
In the back, Jeremy stared at Lynette and asked, "Do… you… have a… husband?"
"I do have a husband," she answered. "I live with him an' our three kids in Houston. They're attendin' church this mornin' an' they should be out very soon. They'll be joinin' us later today." Then, Jeremy started moving his head around in front of her, so she called, "Sundown! Jeremy's movin' his head around all of a sudden. How do I make him stop?"
"Just leave him be," Sundown answered. "Valerie said that his neck muscles aren't so good, so he'll do that. He'll stop by himself after a while." Jeremy kept moving his head until they arrived at the Calhoun house.
Lynette took the boy into the house for Sundown, and the four of them found it empty. The kitchen clock read ten minutes after noon. There were pots and pans set out on the counters, and a roast beef and turkey thawing in water in the sink. "Looks like yer mama decided to go to the market after church," Mr. Calhoun said. "Sundown, maybe you should wait until she gits home before ya call yer girl." He looked at the Sunday paper on the dining table. "Why don't you two read the funnies to Jeremy while you wait. I'll fix up some grilled cheese fer lunch."
Sundown and Lynette read two comics to Jeremy each when their mother came home, carrying a paper bag with vegetables. Just as they were about to greet her, she noticed Jeremy and went past them. She pinched his cheeks and said, "Aw, an' this must be the lil' boy you told me about, Walker. He looks so sweet." She turned to her son. "Too bad yer girlfriend didn't git her vacation leave; I still think you should've brought her wit ya. What does she do again?"
"Valerie's in advertisin'," Sundown replied.
Mrs. Calhoun looked at Jeremy again, and said, "I reckon I've seen this boy before." She retrieved the current month's issue of South West Woman magazine, and searched through it. She found it in the recipes section, that new Neapolitan Ice Cream Puffs ad. "I knew it! This is the same boy in this cereal ad."
Sundown and Lynette took the magazine and read it for themselves. "Yeah, Valerie showed me that while she had my birthday dinner in the oven yesterday," he said. "Did it all by herself. Told me it was the highlight of her career. An' speakin' of which…" He went to the living room to call Valerie.
He waited through three rings when she answered. He saw her smile on the video screen and said, "Hey, Valerie. Just wanted to let ya know Jeremy and I arrived here safe."
"Where are you?" Valerie asked. "It doesn't look like you're at your hotel."
"Aw, we checked in 'bout forty minutes ago," Sundown replied. "My dad an' sister picked us up from the airport. We're at my parents' house. Her husband and kids are due to come any time now, an' my brother and his family will be comin' later this afternoon."
"Sundown!" his father called. "Is that yer girlfriend on the phone?"
"Let us talk to her!" his mother added.
"That's them," Sundown told Valerie. "Here's yer chance to meet 'em, an' Lynette. I'll put 'em all on." Seconds later, the three of them gathered around the phone. "Hi ya!"
"You must be Valerie Boston!" Mrs. Calhoun gushed, then introduced herself, her husband and daughter. "Our Walker's told us so much about ya."
"Ma'am, you must be the only one who still calls him Walker," Valerie laughed. "I think I'd laugh my ass off if I had to call him that, should we be married. I don't want to be rude, but why don't you call him Sundown, like everyone else?"
"Believe me, honey," Mr. Calhoun said, "I've been tryin' to git her to do that ever since he first got that name from the C.O.P.S. team. But she still won't do it, 'cuz she still sees him as her lil' boy."
"So, Sundown tells us you're in advertisin'," Lynette said. "What exactly do you do?"
"I've been project manager at Lancer and Sussex Agency's main branch since moving here to Empire City," Valerie answered. "Before, I used to just work on various project teams, now I lead them. I've worked with Lancer and Sussex my whole career. When I separated from my husband – whom I won't talk about, so don't even bring him up – I threw myself into this work, and my old boss was so impressed with my efforts. I've only been here for two-and-a-half months. And I don't want to brag, but I've had a flawless record as PM so far."
Mrs. Calhoun showed Valerie the infamous cereal ad in her magazine. "The lil' boy in this piece looks so much like Jeremy," she said. "I hear you were responsible for this."
"I was," Valerie replied. She told about her recent business trip, and the commercials and cereal box photo shoot. "Jeremy's going to be shown all over the country by this fall, at the latest."
"Well, we still think you should've came out here with Walker," Mrs. Calhoun said. "After all that work, you've obviously earned y'self a vacation."
Boy, have I ever, Valerie thought. But she said, "Well, remember it's only been two-and-a-half months. My new bosses agree that I've earned a vacation, but they think the timing is too soon."
"There's another thing we'd like to ask, if ya don't mind," Lynette said. "Sundown's also mentioned there's some competition between him an' other men from his C.O.P.S. team fer yer hand. I hope he's been treatin' ya nicely; we already think you're such a flower."
"He has, Lynette," Valerie said. She stopped herself suddenly. She didn't want to reveal how many times she and Sundown had sex. "At my birthday party three weeks ago, the whole competition showed up at my house, and Sundown gave me this beautiful diamond necklace I'm wearing. I've worn this to work almost every day." She had a thought and chuckled. "And speaking of my birthday, it was a perfect opportunity for Sundown to meet my whole family. And here I am, meeting you all over the phone. It's so weird. Now I wish I had come out there with him and Jeremy. It would've been so nice to do this in person."
Valerie spent another fifteen minutes talking with the Calhoun family before speaking with Sundown and Jeremy. She said to Sundown, "I'm so glad you got in all right. Take good care of yourself. Why don't you call me in a couple of evenings?"
"Sure thing, darlin'," Sundown replied.
She said to Jeremy, "Jeremy, try to behave the best you can at the house, okay? And don't eat too much."
"My mama will see to that eatin' thing," Sundown assured Valerie. Then each puckered up and kissed their telephones. When she hung up, she heard the doorbell. She was disgusted to see Big Boss and his gang.
"God, how many times do I have to kick you out of my house before you get the message?" she sighed.
"Now, Valerie, is that any way to talk to a potential suitor?" Big Boss replied.
"What do you guys want?"
He barely got himself through her front door. He looked all over the living room. "Yer right, Buttons, Crusher, Turbo," he said. "It is a beautiful livin' room."
Big Boss went over to the sofa, but Valerie stopped him. "I don't want you to destroy this thing!" she insisted. "Now why did you and your followers come here?"
"Well, I was just thinkin' 'bout yer boy this mornin'," he said, "an' I thought maybe my men an' I can do somethin' special with him."
"Like what?"
"Well, whatcha up to this weekend?"
"Family reunion at Empire City Park." Valerie rolled her eyes, immediately thinking about her cousins. "I swear, if anyone tries to antagonize me about my son…"
"Cheer up. Didja know the State Fair is in town this Thursday? It's here for an entire week, see? An' I'm guessin' there'll be lots of kiddies there."
"Yeah, lots of kids at the reunion," Valerie replied. But Jeremy won't be among them. "As for this State Fair, I may have seen it on the TV ads a few times, but otherwise, I've been a bit busy to think about it. I'm sure my Aunt Margaret has, though, and will probably want to take everyone there on Sunday as a surprise. I'll call her later tonight." She indeed looked nervous.
"Well, I was thinkin' maybe my men an' I could take young Jeremy there perhaps next Monday or Tuesday," Big Boss proposed. "We can take turns accompanyin' him on all the rides, and play loads of midway games wit him, see? It'll be the time of his life. Then afterwards, we can ask him which one he wants–"
"To date me!" Valerie finished. "Well, maybe this is the perfect time to tell you all that Jeremy just left town this morning, and will be away for the next two weeks. Sundown took him for a little bonding vacation. Just the two of them. So you're out of luck, big time!"
Big Boss and his gang looked at her with wide eyes. "WHAT!" he screamed. "Sundown! That cowboy copper! Blast, but I've been beaten out – AGAIN!"
"Would this be a bad time to mention that Jeremy will also be going on a bonding trip with Barricade at the end of this month?" Valerie asked.
Big Boss slapped his forehead and groaned. "Well, that's just great, woman! You let yer own son to skip town wit men you've only known fer a coupla months! I'm gonna crash yer lil' reunion an' tell everyone what a shitty mother you are. Ya don't know what they're capable of. They could molest the poor boy or somethin'."
Valerie looked shocked, sickened, and immediately slapped Big Boss. "Motherfucker!" she screamed. "How dare you even suggest that with these good guys and my child! I'll have you know that Jeremy loved them from his first sight! I know I did! They may have been strangers at first, but Jeremy seems to trust them more than he ever did his father! You should be ashamed of yourselves for even thinking that kind of shit!"
She went to the door and opened it swiftly. "Leave my home now! All of you! You're not welcome in my life or Jeremy's! At least the C.O.P.S. love us more than you ever could! And yes, I will let the door hit your ass on the way out!" Wordlessly and disgusted, the gang walked out, all glaring at her on the way. She slammed the door when the last one, Big Boss, stepped outside. She thought she heard a thud, and Big Boss complaining about his rear end hurting. But she didn't care. She closed the curtains, so she wouldn't even see the limo drive off.
At dinner that evening, Jeremy was eating only three bites of turkey, and half a forkful of mashed potatoes, at a time. After twenty minutes, his plate was only half-empty. He had eaten his peas and corn first. The Calhouns were trying to talk amongst themselves, but instead, had been arguing with Sundown's conservative older brother, Chuck, and his wife, Gloria, who were sitting across from Jeremy. They'd been lecturing him throughout the whole meal.
"Eat faster, Jeremy, dammit!" she barked. "There ain't no reason for you to go as slow as that!"
"An' stop starin' at yer damn plate an' look up!" her husband added. "How many times d'ya have to be told?"
Sundown and Lynette were staring at Jeremy. His fork was wobbling as his body shook. His eyes were shut as he was near crying.
"Don't make me use my wooden spoon on you two!" Mrs. Calhoun lectured at them. "Walker an' I told ya as soon as y'all arrived – Jeremy's got severe mental challenges, one of them bein' a tiny stomach! Ya think he can eat so much in one sittin'? An' he may not be able to finish that! Why, that plate will be eighty percent gone before he declares himself full. He ain't gonna have no room for no dessert fer awhile. Why, when we spoke to his mama, she told us he don't generally eat that much."
"That ain't no excuse for him to be so tardy!" Gloria said. "We would never put up with this from any of our kids. You wouldn't either. Look, most of us are already done, and he's still sitting there, nibblin' at small pieces of turkey! I'll betcha his serving's stone cold by now!"
"You should be glad he's eatin' like that," Lynette said. "He's actually settin' a good example fer your children. My God, they eat like the food's gonna run away from them!"
Jeremy was still chewing the two pieces of turkey he forced into his mouth. Chuck pounded on the table and yelled, "Swallow! And start chewin' wit yer mouth closed!"
"Quit yer harpin'!" Sundown demanded. "You've been on him since before dinner even started! Give him a damn break!"
"Y'know, we warned Valerie about you two," Mr. Calhoun said.
"Sundown! Dad!" Chuck snapped back. "He needs to learn some manners an' respect! How will he learn if we don't–"
"He can't learn very much thanks to his heavy brain damage," Sundown said. "Not if yer yellin' at him like that all the time! I thought I told ya that when I was tellin' 'bout this!"
"Sundown, that's a load of bull!" Gloria insisted. "I've worked with children like him in my teachin' career. I know that a sharp tongue an' an occasional whack can git kids like this one to cooperate."
"Gloria, how often were these kids shaken as lil' babies?" Sundown asked. "D'ya even know what happens when you shake a baby? They come out worse than even children wit polio!"
Five minutes later, Jeremy had finished his turkey, and left half a serving of potatoes. He looked up at everyone and weakly announced, "I'm done."
"No, you ain't, young man!" Gloria snapped. "You still got some of yer potatoes left. Finish them off before you leave the table."
Jeremy screamed as if he was starting to cry. He yelled loudly, "I SAID… I'M… DONE! I CAN'T… EAT… ANY… MORE! MY… STOMACH… IS TOO… FULL! I WANT… TO BE… EXCUSED!"
Chuck slammed his hand on the table, pushed himself out of his chair, and picked up a paddle in the corner of the dining area. His two older children, twenty-two and eighteen, sensed what was going to happen, as did Lynette. She helped her nephews keep Chuck away, as Sundown shielded the frightened Jeremy.
"Lemme through, Lynette!" Chuck yelled. "Boys, let go of me! That kid needs to be taught a lesson, disabilities or none!" Lynette immediately took her angry brother into the living room, while Mrs. Calhoun took Jeremy from Sundown, and took him and Lynette's young children downstairs to play in the basement.
But he wasn't interested in playing with them much. Upstairs, the adults were yelling so loud, he could still hear a bit with his bad ears. He could only pick up various bits, though. Mrs. Calhoun talking about messages sent through spanking that would, "crash an' fall from Jeremy's head." Gloria's voice saying something about giving "this Valerie woman tips," probably on how to discipline Jeremy effectively. He couldn't make out what Sundown was saying, but he could hear Chuck's voice yelling all over the house, "Yer girlfriend is a fuckin' spineless idiot!" Jeremy was horrified, and started crying loudly enough to not hear the rest.
Lynette's children took Jeremy in a spare bedroom to calm him down. The argument upstairs became nothing more than just muffled screaming. They were playing with a travel game of snakes and ladders. They were just about finished the first game when they noticed Jeremy was starting to enjoy himself. After two more, Mr. Calhoun came in and announced, "Children, yer Uncle Chuck an' Aunt Gloria just left. Yer Grandma insisted that the cousins stay the night, an' she an' I will be takin' 'em back in the mornin'."
Lynette's nine-year-old daughter asked, "Grandpa, what did Uncle Chuck say?"
"Well, darlin," Mr. Calhoun said, "he's made it clear that he don't like yer Uncle Sundown wit Jeremy's mama, an' he told Uncle Sundown he'll be outta his life fer good should they be wed."
Jeremy was just staring into oblivion for a few minutes. Then he started to quiver, and sob a little. He and Sundown were just starting to get closer, now he felt as if the family wanted to tear them apart.
"Oh, come on, Barricade," Valerie said. "Mayor Davis would never approve of a project like that. Not if what I'm hearing is true."
She and Barricade were having dinner at Manchu Chong's Restaurant two evenings later. He was explaining more about the plan Bulletproof created with their Commissioner Highwater, to put a crackdown on youth and organized crime, to increase street patrols in looking out for gang activity, to increase school liaisons to inform students about the dangers of crime come the new school year, and most importantly, to put Big Boss and his gang behind bars for good. Valerie didn't think it would ever happen.
"He has to, Valerie," Barricade said. "That is, if he understands what's good for Empire City. After what happened to Bowzer, Bullseye and Mirage, we just have to say enough is enough."
"But do you know how much it's going to cost?" Valerie asked. "Between putting volunteer officers on extra shifts and recruiting new ones to get enough manpower, investing in all new weapons and gear, publicity, and whatever else you need, it's going to cost over two million dollars. Do you think the mayor is going to want to spend that much money?"
"Well, Bulletproof and Highwater will do all they can to talk him into it," he answered.
She finished eating a chicken ball and another bite of spring roll. "Barricade, get real. He's probably going to want to find out what the Big Boss' next move is. Rhonda's been bitching about this when I talk to her lately. She says Davis is so submissive to this asshole's plans, and that all he cares about is keeping costs low to build his own political ego. She thinks this man should be impeached. And this has been a hot topic at work, thanks to Cindy, Elise and Teresa."
Suddenly, she saw Teresa enter the dining area with a strange man, someone Valerie never met before. She guessed it was a blind date. "And speaking of which…" Teresa saw her, smiled and waved. Valerie smiled naturally and waved back. She decided not to worry. After all, Teresa just saw them having dinner together. This probably won't go around the workplace tomorrow. She hoped, anyway.
She turned back to Barricade. "Besides, I don't think the Big Boss will try anything funny on Empire City for a while. He's been after me again. But this time, he's been more interested in Jeremy. He and his cronies wanted to take him to the State Fair that's coming to town, and make him decide between them. Can you believe that?"
"I can, but I don't want to," Barricade answered.
"And you should've seen how pissed he got when I told him Jeremy already left with Sundown on vacation. I tell you, this guy is obsessed with me." The waitress came by, and Valerie ordered more tea. "And, in thinking of Sundown, we should get back to my place after the movie. I told him to call me tonight."
Barricade gave a disapproving look, and Valerie sighed. She'd forgotten one very important rule for objects of competitive love – you don't loudly think about another competitor when you're on a date with someone. The date will feel like he's taken a back seat. "Oh, God, I'm so sorry, Barricade."
"This was probably before you made this date with me, wasn't it?" he asked. She didn't answer, just stuffed her cheeks with Chinese rice and noodles.
She decided to take him back to her place after the movie anyway. She suggested, "Just make yourself comfortable on the sofa. I'll go and make us some vanilla milkshakes."
"I'd love that, honey," he replied. "Thank you."
She had poured a shake for Barricade, and had just put in milk and ice cream to make her own, when the phone rang. She suspected who it was, yet got confused when her screen said, Image unavailable. "Uh, hello?"
"Valerie?" said the voice. "Valerie, baby, this here's Sundown. Told ya I'd call."
"Sundown, how lovely to hear from you," she replied. She wondered if Barricade was overhearing her. She half-expected him to rip the phone out. "But, um, where are you calling from? I don't see you on my video screen."
"Oh, the hotel we're at's got these old phones from thirty years ago," Sundown said. "It's quaint an' not too expensive, but they're too cheap to invest in anythin' technological."
"Where's Jeremy?"
"Oh, he's just fell asleep. Yer right, baby, this boy can fall asleep faster than the Texan thunder booms. Don't think I can wake him up even though I'm speakin' normally."
"How was dinner with your parents?"
"Oh, darlin', it turned into a disaster once Chuck an' Gloria came." Sundown relayed to her what happened, the fight they had, the threat his brother made to him, and she sounded like she was ready to cry. "Aw, Valerie, don' cha cry now. I did everythin' I could to protect him from Chuck's wrath. Lynette an' my nephews kept him from even comin' near Jeremy."
"Well, how wonderful that some members of your family know the realities of children like Jeremy. And in such a conservative state, too." She breathed lightly to calm herself. "Damn conservative parents, why can't they see there's a reason why they're called special needs children?" She decided change the topic before she got depressed. "So, what did you guys do these past two days?"
"Well, we took a leisurely drive around Houston so I could show him the whole town, all the landmarks." Sundown replied. "You should've seen Jeremy, he was so interested in it."
"He was always good with geography," Valerie said. "He may not be good with maps of cities he's never seen, but give him a U.S. map with dots for cities, and tell him where certain cities are and he'll point them out. Give him a blank world map, and he'll show you where certain countries are."
"We finished by stoppin' at the Museum of Natural Science," he continued. "He loved the insect zoo an' that new exhibit on the Jurassic Era the best. Later on, we went to the planetarium to see a show called Starry Night Dreams. Jeremy was so enamored by the colors. Everyone was pointin' out constellations, but the both of us had some trouble. But he was very good at pointing out the planets, and he was so interested in the sun an' the moon, even the Milky Way."
"That's interesting," she said. "Jeremy was never all that good with Science."
"I woke up this mornin' with the notion that Jeremy will be goin' back to school soon, so I took him shoppin' all day today for new clothes. We focused mainly on dress shirts an' jeans fer fall, and sweatshirts fer winter. Spent around four hundred bucks alone. I'll show ya some of the stuff we bought. It's a lot." He paused. "An' I might take him back to shop for school supplies before we leave fer Arizona. Ya got a list of specific stuff he needs?"
"This is a special school for the handicapped," she explained. "All he needs are a couple of binders, some paper, pencils and pens, and instruments for drawing."
She never saw Barricade sneaking up to her, but she could feel his hands cupping her breasts. She laughed vicariously at the feelings and said, "Barricade! Save it for later, okay? I'm on the phone!" But he continued to kiss her neck.
"Barricade!" Sundown shouted into the phone. "What in hell is he doin' to ya, Valerie! Don't he know it ain't polite to interrupt?"
Barricade took the receiver from her and said, "Sorry, Sundown, but Valerie just became busy again." He kissed her lips twice. "She'll have to call you back some other time." He hung up, took her back to the living room and sat her on the loveseat.
He put a CD of soul groove songs in the player, then began to dance sexy for her once he heard the voice of Marvin Gaye. Barricade was still in his uniform the whole date, so he stripped the top part off piece by piece.
"Valerie," he said while he danced. "Valerie, you don't realize how much we need each other. You don't realize how much I love you, how much I care. So why can't you make up your mind? If I could tell everyone in the world about us, they'd tell you to take me over the rest of them. So why don't you just say it. Say that you want to be with for the rest of your damn life!"
She gasped as he ripped his T-shirt off. He left his pants and shoes on, though, and he walked up to her to put her hands on his chest. "Valerie!" he said with an air of desperation. "Oh Valerie, but if this bare chest of mine could talk, it'd say that it deserves the look from your eyes. It'd wish that you could touch it more often. It'd promise to keep you warm on the coldest of winter nights." She was persuaded, and started to kiss all over his body.
"Oh, Barricade!" she breathed. "Barricade, I don't know what to do now. I sent Jeremy away so he could get close to Sundown. And the way you want me to play…"
He got onto the loveseat and stood on his knees over her. "Is the best way to get my point across to you." He laid her down and began to make smooth, saucy love to her, caressing her neck, cupping her breasts again, then went back up to her shoulders, making his way to her cheeks.
"Oh, Barricade!" she repeated a little louder. And as he continued to kiss her, she found herself repeating this a few times more.
They continued to make love throughout the next two songs, then when it was over, Barricade started to turn out all the lights. He picked Valerie up, swung her into his arms, carried her to her bedroom as if they were going to their honeymoon suite. He left the music playing on the player, and his stripped clothes on the floor.
Sundown and Jeremy left Houston the next day, and drove to San Antonio. While on the highway, Jeremy asked, "Sundown,… did you… ever… do any… police… work… in… San… Antonio?"
"Nope," Sundown answered. "Spent most of my career in Houston, with a small stint in Austin. But I'll tell ya one thing, son – nobody tours the state of Texas without visitin' the Alamo. It's practically the most famous shrine in all of Texas. You know, the man whom the city of Houston's named after, Sam Houston, he was a key figure in this piece of Texas history. He was known fer the famous phrase, 'Remember the Alamo.'"
"Didn't… Mom… tell… you?" Jeremy said. "I'm… horrible… at… history. Always… have… been."
"Don't you worry, pardner," Sundown assured. "I'll explain it to ya the best I can. This here's somethin' that'll stay wit ya fer a long time comin'."
Jeremy listened to the radio for a few more minutes, then turned it off when the song ended. "Can… you… tell me… more… about… the Alamo? You… seem… to know… so much."
Sundown laughed aloud. "So yer that interested, are ya? Ya think you can apply y'self enough to understand? Yer mama says that's yer trouble in school." He cleared his throat rather loudly, while Jeremy positioned his head on the back of his neck, so it wouldn't move. "Well, Jeremy, this played a very important part in the Texas Revolution. In December of 1835, a group of Texan and Tejano men went up against the Mexican army who zoned themselves right in San Antonio. They fought practically wall to wall for five days 'fore they made 'em surrender. An' two months later, in February of 1836, a general named Santa Anna brought his army to San Antonio, which surprised their enemies. It never fazed them, and they decided to defend the Alamo as a large team."
"How… long… did they… stay?"
"Thirteen days, during which a man named William Travis called for help in many Texan towns. By the eighth day, there were twenty-two volunteers, bringin' the army to almost two hundred. An' they all decided they'd rather die protectin' the Alamo, than surrender to the Mexicans. Among them were a knife fighter named Jim Bowie, an' a famous frontiersman named Davy Crockett."
"Did it… work?"
Sundown shook his head. "Nope. Now, folks are still arguin' 'bout this, but on the sixth of March, the Mexican army assaulted on the defenders, runnin' in the darkness 'fore the dawn. This all happened at daybreak, now. When they got to the Alamo's walls, there were cannons and smaller arms goin' off from the inside, so some attacks never went through. Didn't stop 'em from climbin' the walls, stealin' a cannon and usin' it to blast open the doors. Now, it must've been a big army, 'cuz the defenders struggled 'til they couldn't do anymore. An' in a short time, too, the battle ended by sunrise, leavin' about 180 men dead, an' the Mexicans had won. Then they burned all the dead as a sign of disrespect. At least, that's what I was taught in History class."
Jeremy looked disappointed by that outcome. He lowered his head, but Sundown gently brought it up. "The point is," Sundown told him, "these men died as heroes, and gave up a lot for people like you an' me to live freely. That's why many people see it as a shrine of liberty. D'ya understand, son?"
"I do," Jeremy replied. "Will… you… tell me… more… about… the… heroes of… the Alamo?" Sundown smiled, and started off with Davy Crockett.
When they arrived, Sundown pointed at the shrine and said, "Lookit that, son. That very area was where the defenders were attacked. Before it all happened, it used to be a church fer missionaries and their Native converts."
He had Jeremy stand at the entrance so he could take his picture. Jeremy had his head positioned on his neck again. Sundown stared at him and said, "Uh, Jeremy, can't ya position yer head straight? Ya look like yer slouchin'."
"It's… the… only… way I can… keep… my head… from… moving," Jeremy called. "Hurry… up. I… don't know… how… much… longer… I can… keep… it… like this."
Sundown snapped two pictures, then stopped a passer-by and asked, "Sir, would ya mind takin' a coupla shots of that boy an' me." He gave him the camera, went over to Jeremy, and positioned himself so the boy was resting on his shoulder. He got the camera back as they went inside.
The first thing Jeremy saw was a group of state flags. "Each one represents the where the defenders grew up," Sundown explained. He then saw all the artifacts belonging to the heroes, and took both of Jeremy's hands. "Best so you don't touch anythin.'"
"Then how… will… you… be… able… to take… pictures?" Jeremy asked.
He was too busy staring at Davy Crockett's buckskin vest to look at anything else. He pointed at it and asked, "Sundown,… can you… take… a… picture… of me… wearing… that?"
Sundown examined the vest and replied, "Don't think they'd let ya put it on, kid."
A family of tourists overheard this, and stared at Jeremy. The father commented, "That vest would be a bit big for him to begin with." His little girl added, "How old is he, anyway?"
"His name is Jeremy," Sundown replied. "He'll be eleven in a week-and a-half." Then he glared at the father. "An' what business is it of yours, anyway? It's very rude to be commentin' on a kid's height like that." The parents ignored him, and started to look at artifacts.
"Let's come back here later," Sundown suggested. Then, Jeremy started to move his head around, so Sundown took him outside before anyone could notice. His head was still moving for a few more minutes, and other tourists were starting to take notice. Every time Sundown noticed a tourist beginning to ask, he would quickly explain, "Weak muscles in his neck. He was shaken quite a bit as a tyke." Some took pity, others looked like they didn't care.
Sundown took Jeremy to the gardens next. He had to hold the boy very close, so he wouldn't trample the flower beds as they walked past. He brought him to them anyway, and Jeremy knelt down to try and smell them. A woman who saw this said, "Uh, little boy, I don't think those flowers have any scent." She picked him up and stood him right up. Sundown smiled at her.
Then, without warning, Jeremy broke away from Sundown and started trotting onto the lawn. He was trotting and jumping around, rolling around and doing somersaults, screaming happily. More visitors were staring at him, wondering what was with him. Some wondered what kind of energy he had. Others wondered whether or not he'd ruin the lawn or stain his clothes. One concerned older couple was standing near Sundown, looking at Jeremy. The man pointed and asked, "That your kid?"
"Actually, he's my girlfriend's kid," Sundown answered. "He's had Shaken Baby Syndrome since infancy, and he'll do stuff like that sometimes."
The man loosened his belt, removed it, and gave it to Sundown. "Here," he said, "you can borrow this fer a few when you git him." But he threw it back at him.
"Yer outta yer cotton-pickin' mind!" he shouted. "I ain't gonna use no belt on a mentally disabled kid like him! Who in hell d'ya think you are? My girl don't take kindly to people disciplinin' her son like that! She'd shave my hide if she knew I spanked him, hand or belt or paddle, in public or otherwise!" The disgusted couple walked away.
Suddenly, Jeremy got up and went back to Sundown, immediately wrapping his arms around him. Sundown chuckled and said, "I reckon you'd better stick by me until we leave. I know, let's take a walk around to see what's what. I'll show you some things that'll interest you." He pulled him closer, and they started exploring the landmark.
"You sure you want all of us at your family reunion," Bowzer asked.
It had been two days since Bowzer, along with Bullseye and Mirage, left the hospital as of that Wednesday evening. He and Valerie were at the same trail he and Jeremy went to, walking Blitz. Valerie's family reunion was only several days away.
"I think it'd be nice if the four of you were there," she said. "Besides, it's like I told Barricade yesterday at dinner, this police project of Bulletproof's isn't going to get off the ground anytime soon, because of that excuse for a mayor you have."
"Come on," Bowzer said. "Most of the time, Mayor Davis doesn't even know he's being used in Big Boss' plans."
"And when he does find out, he goes along with it like a damn Stepford wife," Valerie ranted. "Rhonda's always said it's because he wants to cut costs to make himself look good as a politician, and she's right. So, of course he won't approve of it because of money. It's essential greed, and if that's not the ultimate scandal, then what is? This man just has to leave office, and a new mayor elected, before this plan can be put into effect." She picked up a dead branch and threw it for Blitz. "So, you guys might as well come meet my whole family at the reunion. I'm sure Bulletproof has decided to give you all the day off. He's probably just keeping it from me to surprise me."
"He may not let all of us go, Valerie. You never know what the Big Boss and his gang will come up with next."
"What, for Empire City, or for me?"
Bowzer looked at her questionably, then Valerie explained the incidents at her graffiti ad assignment with the roses, and at her house when he asked about Jeremy. "He's backed off in the past few days, but I'm sure he's coming up with something really big to lure me into his little love trap. His followers, too. Can't they take the hint? I don't want them!"
Bowzer stopped her, took her hands, made her look in his eyes. "I don't want you just for the sex, Valerie. Every day while I was in that hospital, I thought of only you."
"And I wish I could've seen you more often. Only that Sunday afternoon after I kicked Big Boss out of my house. I'm still kicking myself for it."
He gripped her hands tighter. "Valerie, I know you haven't forgotten that night Blitz attacked Jeremy. Would I have really begged for your forgiveness and another chance if I never loved you? Would I have really cried over losing you for it if I never loved you? You are the only woman that means anything to me, Valerie. It isn't fair that I have to fight members of my own crime-fighting team for your love. I'm scared that you'll pick Barricade, or Sundown, or Mace, or Highway. What do I have to do to win your heart?"
"Just treat me like I want to be treated," she said. "And treat my son like I do. That's all I ask."
"But I do, Valerie. I do."
And suddenly, Bowzer and Valerie came closer to each other, and he kissed her soft and sweet, lasting only a few moments. He stared so lovingly into her eyes, touching her hair lightly. "See? I love you so sweetly. And I'd love to be at your reunion this weekend. I want to meet the family that I want to marry into."
He was about to kiss her again when they heard a whimper and a few gruffling noises. They looked down to see Blitz with the stick in his mouth. Valerie smiled and threw the stick back for him to chase again. She and Bowzer said nothing, but continued to walk to catch up.
Two days later, Valerie and Mace were having dinner at Rhonda's house. Margaret and Polly were also there, so they could all talk about the reunion. But Rhonda was too preoccupied with Big Boss and the youth crime wave in the city. She'd been ranting about it throughout the whole meal.
"That stupid Mayor Davis!" she lamented. "I still can't believe Bulletproof Vess had to postpone this special police conference until further notice! And at the last minute, too." She went to fetch the previous day's newspaper. "See this? He and the entire police force had been trying to convince the mayor to give the green light to a two-million dollar project to help clean up Empire City's crime mess and save our children, and spread this to other needy cities!"
"I ain't happy about this, either, Rhonda," Mace said. "But Davis probably means quite well in his decision-makin'. Some schemes of Big Boss' mean his very life if he don't go along with 'em. You know Big Boss is that deadly."
Valerie looked over at Margaret, who was glaring at Rhonda. "Rhonda," she said. "I know you're angry about the crime wave and political affairs in this city. But promise me you won't bring those things up at the reunion tomorrow. A lot of our relatives are easily put off by things like that."
Valerie quickly turned to her sister and said, "Don't worry, Rhonda. I'll bet these people don't read the newspaper enough."
"That's because they're not interested in what goes on in Empire City," Polly suggested. "They're not like us."
Margaret clinked her fork to her wineglass rapidly. "If we can get back to the reunion," she interrupted, "I'd like to announce that Laura, Barbara and Graham have just completed a large scrapbook of family memories and memorabilia especially for this event. Laura brought it when she and the kids flew in from Oregon two days ago, and it is extraordinary…"
Valerie had tuned out when she heard Laura and Barbara's names. All she could think about was Jeremy, and how good it must be for him to not be around if they felt the need to discipline anyone. She knew Laura had a three-year-old granddaughter, and was picturing Laura and Barbara's reactions if the girl's mother accused Jeremy of teasing her, or accidentally spilling punch on her. What a goddamn lie that would be! she thought. Laura and Lisanne know Jeremy isn't the type to knowingly tease. She decided to forget that. No matter what they talked about, if Laura and Barbara brought up Jeremy at any time, it would be a disaster.
Suddenly she heard Margaret yelling out her name. She jumped and stared at her aunt, who looked peeved at her.
"Are you listening?" Margaret asked. "Aren't you interested in the book your cousins produced? It's going to be quite an important display of family history. And about your call to me on Monday, I thought about it, and I've decided that all the children will be going to the fair on Sunday."
"Sorry," Valerie replied. "I was just thinking about Jeremy. Did you already tell the cousins he's not going to be there?"
"Graham told me that he told them as soon as he went back to Washington," Margaret said. "And they're very disappointed with you, Valerie. For starters, he also told me how shocked they were when he told them that you still have your five boyfriends." She looked disapprovingly at Mace.
"They called me to ask about it," Polly added, "and I said that you met them the weekend after you came here. Laura wants to know how you could allow Sundown to take Jeremy out of state when you've only known him for two months."
Valerie dropped her fork at this thought. "And she probably also wants to know how I could divorce my bastard husband after twelve years of marriage, as opposed to her twenty-eight-year marriage. And Barbara's twenty-one-year marriage!" She ate a huge forkful of baby carrots.
"Barbara's been married for twenty-three years, Valerie," Margaret corrected.
"Like I care." She swallowed her food. "I should just fake an illness and stay away. I swear, if they talk to me like they did five years ago…"
Her voice trailed off when she felt Mace's strong hand taking hers. "Don't talk like that, baby," he said. "If it's any consolation, Bulletproof gave some of us the weekend off in his frustration. I'd love to go to the reunion with you. After all, if I plan on marryin' ya, I'd like to meet the whole family."
That, along with Bowzer's desire to attend himself, gave her the confidence to go. And maybe if Barricade and Highway showed up, too, she could have enough to brag to relatives about how she changed since her divorce. Valerie turned to Mace, kissed him, and said, "Thanks for the change of mind, sweetheart." Happily, she ate another bite of her cheeseburger.
Several hours later, after Valerie and Mace left Rhonda's house, they went to the Empire City Park to watch the sunset. They found a spot near the bridge, remembering the Fourth of July fireworks display. Mace parked in a gravely spot across the roadway from a grassy spot overlooking the river. He retrieved his quilt from the trunk, took Valerie to the reserved spot and set it down.
"Ooh, this feels so soft," she said as they got settled. "I've never slept in your bed yet, have I?"
"Well, we can change that tonight," Mace said suggestively. She laughed and gave him a light tap.
He cleared his throat and took her hand again. "It's too bad I never bought a jug of wine for us to share."
"We had wine with dinner," Valerie said. "I want you to be sober enough to take me home."
"D'ya wanna see if we can get an ice cream cone?"
She laughed. "They don't operate this time of day. And wasn't that chocolate dessert Mom bought good enough for you?"
"Hey, just tryin' to be romantic." Mace put his arm around Valerie's shoulder and brought her closer. "Valerie, I thought this'd be a special time to say how much I love you. I love you more than I ever would the whole world. I'm serious."
Valerie smiled and put her head on his shoulder. "Oh, Mace, and I just adore you. Like I adore Highway and Bowzer and Sundown and Barricade."
"That's just it," Mace said. "Every time I think of you when you ain't with me, I'm forced to think of what yer doin' with the others. And I don't know how much more I can take."
"You want to make this lifelong, don't you?" She looked away from him, staring at the sky. "Oh, that's right, you threw Nightshade over for me, didn't you?" She sighed, thinking of her tough decision. "Jesus, now I don't know what to do. Barricade and Bowzer want to have me for life, too. And no doubt for Highway, too. Oh, I wish I could marry you all, but that'd make me such a bigamist. And four good fathers would look weird to Jeremy, although he'd much prefer it to one abusive one."
Mace shushed her. "I don't wanna pressure ya, darlin. I'll just hafta work harder to bring you closer to me."
"I shouldn't have to worry about this. I'm still nervous about tomorrow."
"You? Nervous?" Mace's laugh sounded quite boisterous. "Baby, yer gonna be showin' four strong, handsome, professional authority figures off to three hundred relatives this weekend. Trust me, nervous is the last thing you should be. And I'll even take you there myself."
"Well, I never asked any of the others, so I guess that'd be all right."
He brought her close enough to hug her. Valerie said nothing, but suddenly felt better. They both looked out at the sky, which was now an array of pink, purple and orange. The setting sun was a richer shade of orange, and it all made the picture of the bridge look beautiful. For those moments, the reunion was only in the back of her mind, never forgotten. With four lovers, she could earn herself a bad reputation within her family. And she had enough to worry about with those who may criticize her parenting.
Half an hour later, after kissing Mace on the porch and watching him leave, she went inside to hear the phone ring. She picked up to see Image unavailable on the video screen. "Sundown?" she asked. "Sundown, is that you?"
"Mom!" said the voice. "Mom, it's… Jeremy."
"Hi, sweetie," she said, smiling. "Where's Sundown."
"He's… in the… middle… of a… shave," Jeremy said. "He'll… be… out… soon… to talk."
"What are you doing up?" she asked. She looked at the time on the phone. Ten-thirty at night. "In Houston, it's a half-hour past your bedtime."
"I know," he said. "It's just… that… I've… been… thinking… of you… so… much,… and… Sundown… has, too."
Valerie touched her heart, certain she could feel it melting. "Oh, that's so sweet, honey. So what have you been doing since Sundown called?"
"Well," Jeremy replied, "yesterday,… we… went… to the… mall… for… more… shopping. Sundown… still… had… that list… of… school… supplies… that… you… wanted… him… to buy… for me. We… managed… to buy… everything… I'll… need."
"That's wonderful, sweetie," Valerie said. "Now you're all set for school."
Suddenly, she heard him say, "Here's… Sundown… right… now. I'll… have… to go… to bed. Good… night." And when she heard Sundown's voice, she said, "Sundown? How's Jeremy behaving? Did you show him the Alamo? How'd he like it?"
"He reckoned it was interestin'," Sundown answered. "He wanted to know all 'bout what happened, and I told him all I knew. Doubt he'll remember much of it 'fore school starts, though." He mentioned how Jeremy acted in the gardens, moving all over the lawn, and Valerie laughed.
"Well, that's typical behavior for someone like him," she said. She frowned when he revealed some of the comments made by tourists; she just didn't care for them. "Well, it'd be nice if someone was there to take pity. Maybe they gave you guys special passes to an Astros home game?"
"No, that ain't happened. But we did have a dip in the pool 'fore we started packin' this evenin'. We plan to leave early tomorrow mornin'. It's a long way to Arizona. I'm just 'bout ready to go to bed m'self. Oh, but I've spent ev'ry night in this very room dreamin' of you. I picture your beautiful body caressin' against mine. Oh, but I wish you'd been able to come wit me."
Valerie gasped and touched her throat. "Oh, Sundown," she breathed. "That was so wonderful of you to say that." She then remembered they had a long day of driving. "But maybe I should let you get your sleep. So good night, Sundown. I love you." She hung up slowly. Maybe she heard him wish her good night, too, but didn't really know. She was too nervous about the reunion. She went downstairs. Maybe her jukebox could help psyche her up.
Valerie didn't want to get out of bed the next morning, but knew she had to. She thought of Laura and Barbara, and their families, staying at a hotel. She thought of all the scrutiny she'd face with all the relatives who'd never see Jeremy. At least she knew what she'd tell them. "It's more important that he spend some alone time with a potential father," she said to herself. She repeated this as a mantra while she showered, dressed, made her makeup look perfect.
She went to fix her breakfast, checked the time on the phone. Twenty-five minutes to eleven in the morning. "Damn, but I shouldn't have slept in so late!" she muttered. She decided to fix toast and cereal. She was still terrified about today; she ate so fast. She stared at the clock for an hour. Mace didn't say what time he'd pick her up.
Sure enough, Mace arrived at just after one in the afternoon. She stared at his black polo and blue jeans and asked, "You look nice, but aren't you going to be a little warm in that? We'll be outdoors most of the day."
"Still, I look nice, and that's what's important," he reminded her.
They'd already left the residence area when he looked over her. She was frantically adding more mascara and lipstick. He asked, "You still nervous?"
"As ever!" she answered. "I can tell Laura's going to be on me the minute our eyes lock."
When they got downtown, Mace noticed a motorcyclist riding close to them. "Shit, that's Highway, ain't it!" he declared. "Damn, but I was hopin' he'd be workin' today."
Valerie looked out her window to see the cyclist driving alongside the car. It had to be Highway, she believed; he turned to her, smiled and waved. Valerie waved back, then turned back to Mace. He was too focused on the road to notice, and she took that as a good thing. No jealousy to worry about.
Highway arrived at the park before Mace and Valerie did. She noticed a string of limousines – probably for out-of-town relatives – and Highway eyeing at the car as Mace parked, waiting for her to come out. But she noticed him approaching her. He opened her door, offering to take her out.
"Hey!" Mace called. "What's the big idea, Highway! It's my car, and I brought her! I should be the one to take her out!" He slammed his door on his way out.
"It's okay, Mace," Valerie said. "Actually, I'm glad that you both came." Soon, two more cars arrived, one of them being the white Ferrari familiar to Valerie.
"Oh, crap!" Highway said. Shortly thereafter, Barricade and Bowzer stepped out. Barricade was wearing the same outfit he wore to the police picnic. Bowzer had a navy button-down shirt and khakis. Highway undid his jacket to reveal a white shirt and black tie, and frowned. "And they look better than we do, Mace. Look at Valerie prodding over them like that."
She was through kissing Barricade and Bowzer, then united them with their colleagues. "So glad you all could come," she said. "I can tell some of my family will be impressed. Let's go. We have to meet Aunt Margaret."
She saw the Shewfelts and Lorimars, and Rhonda said, "Valerie! We thought you wouldn't come until later! Oh, but your dates look so handsome. They'll definitely win the family's approval."
Suddenly, Valerie noticed two somewhat familiar women standing with Graham. The taller one had dark brown hair like his, which she probably curled. The shorter one's hair was more chocolate colored, like Rhonda's. But she definitely noted one of the younger women. She looked like a younger version of the taller woman, and holding a child of her own. Her daughter and grandchild. In fact, they all brought their children, from the looks of the crowd. The younger woman was whispering to her mother, who informed her sister. She noticed their faces. Her most hated cousins! Laura Brainerd Whitler, the taller one, was obviously older, around early fifties, and Barbara Brainerd Jackman, the shorter one, was close to her fiftieth birthday, she guessed. She couldn't tell with her face looking so young.
But she knew who they were, and turned away. "Oh God!" she cried. "It's the Sourpuss Sisters!"
Barbara's voice sounded perkier. "Cousin Valerie!" she cried. "It's so good you could come."
"Barbara!" Laura cried. "We're still angry with her, remember."
Valerie started to make conversation, but her tensions were rapidly increasing. "Laura! Barbara! Five years later, we meet again. So, um, where are your husbands?"
"Jack's left behind in Oregon," Laura said. "He's in the middle of a very important case involving some fraudulent business practices. So far, it doesn't look very good. The evidence of customers getting ripped off continues to pile up in the courtroom. He just may lose this one."
"And Ross is on business in Madrid and Lisbon," Barbara added. "He's returning on the eighteenth. He's picking up some Spanish and Portuguese recipes to add to the menus for his restaurant. He already e-mailed this recipe for rice and hamburger enchilada."
Laura stared at the C.O.P.S. "So, I see you've bounced back since you divorced Tom," she said.
"Thanks," Valerie replied, and introduced her men to them. They shook the women's hands.
"Speaking of bouncing back," Barbara said, "Aunt Polly tells us that you're now project manager for Lancer and Sussex Advertising Agency right here in Empire City. What's your track record like here?"
"Oh, it's just been perfect," Valerie replied. "I've done around ten assignments for some very big clients, and haven't had a single rejection." She even mentioned some of them, including the Ice Cream Puffs ad, and the Breath For Life infomercial.
"Well, we should be proud of Jeremy, right, Laura?" Barbara said. "I mean, it'll probably be a few months before he becomes a promotion celebrity. Where is he, anyway?"
"He went down south for vacation with another one of my men, Sundown."
"Sundown! You said you had five, Val. I'd been wondering who that last one was."
"Well, I'm not impressed," Laura objected. "I'm sorry, Valerie, but isn't it bad enough you feel the need to get rid of the best man you ever could have? By that, I mean, TOM!"
Valerie's mood suddenly turned sour. "Tom?" she said. "Best man I could ever have? Maybe he was at the beginning of our marriage, but I was not the one who left him when I was pregnant, was I! Although perhaps I should have. Maybe then, I'd be able to spank him whenever he misbehaved." Now, she was sarcastic. Her tone was attracting relatives from a twenty-foot radius, including Polly and Margaret. "Of course, I would if he were able to learn right from wrong, right?"
Before Valerie could say any more, Laura griped, "Oh, there you go again with your inane passive-protective bullshit! Listen, woman, just because Jeremy's brain is severely damaged, it doesn't mean he can't benefit from good old-fashioned effective discipline. God, why are you so afraid to lay your hand on him? You have the whole family believing that spanking, slapping and beating will make him more stressed out and defiant. Sorry, but I must respectfully disagree." She turned to her mother. "Mom, you and Dad would still belt and paddle our backsides for being bad if we were shaken as much as Jeremy, wouldn't you?"
"I'm staying out of this, Laura," Margaret said.
"Oh, God, Laura, shut your ass up!" Valerie barked. "Five years since we last spoke, and nothing has changed, has it! You're still giving me unsolicited advice and unwanted criticism about my parenting! You're just like my parent co-workers, with the exceptions of Cindy and Elise! Remember those three bitches I told you about? My boss kicked them off the Breath For Life thing, remember, and this was why! And, get this, bitch – I don't appreciate it!"
"Valerie, don't call your cousin a bitch!" Margaret lectured.
Barricade tried to reason with Laura. "Laura," he said, "don't you know anything about family psychology? You do not take a mentally retarded child, and beat them with a belt, whip or paddle. And Jeremy is retarded, severely. Valerie realizes this, and that's why she's won't discipline him like that. Would you beat him every time he moved his head around? He can't help that because of his neck, remember?"
"Nobody asked you, you bastard!" she spat back. Valerie, the C.O.P.S., and the rest of the witnessing family, all gasped.
"Laura Anne Brainerd!" Margaret said. "You spent whole your motherhood preaching about having respect for authority, and here you are, taking to a member of one like that! You should be ashamed, miss!"
Barbara gave more polite criticism of her own. "That's another thing, Valerie," she said. "I don't want to put down your new life and your new romances. I really want to be happy for you. But Laura and I think you threw Tom away for no reason at all. Maybe he shouldn't have fiercely objected to you having Jeremy. But he meant well when he was disciplining him the way he did, and you know it."
Valerie looked nasty at Barbara. "Oh, and I suppose you think he meant well when he was shaking him every time he made a damn noise when he was a baby!" Her face got flushed, and tears started spilling from her eyes. Mace and Highway quickly held her together.
"Maybe he shouldn't have shaken him, either!" Barbara said. "God, Laura and I know better than that with our kids. But does Jeremy show any respect for you? Does he listen, and do what he's told? Does he refrain from talking back and getting physical with you?"
"May I answer, Barbara?" Karen volunteered. "Of course Jeremy behaves himself when he's at my house. He's always behaved himself. If I say he can't watch TV, he doesn't put up a fuss. And normally, he'll stay with me – unless he sees something scary, then he'll run off." She thought of time Jeremy saw Big Boss on TV at the mall. "And everyone knows he goes right to bed at nine. You just can't understand that certain bad behaviors are beyond his control, and there are lots of household chores he can't do."
"Don't give us that, Karen!" Laura spat. "I refuse to believe that a child like Jeremy has that little self-control! Nothing should be beyond him, and he should know there are certain ways he can and cannot act in public, or the privacy of one's home! That's fucking shit! And about the chores, you and Valerie can put stepladders in your kitchens, and have Jeremy do the dishes, at least!"
Valerie overheard the last part, stopped crying, and faced Laura. "Why, so Jeremy can fall off and hurt himself?" she asked. "Drop dishes into the sink and smash them against the steel, and cutlery, too? Did I also mention how clumsy and klutzy he can still be?"
"Christ, Valerie, it's not like he's still four years old!" Laura yelled.
"He still functions like it, Laura!" Polly said.
She sighed harshly. "Obviously, you're still the weak and lazy parent we criticized you as five years ago!" she said in a rather devilish fashion. "You're still coddling and spoiling your son with the wrong form of love! I'm beginning to see why you and Tom got divorced to begin with. And what do you do afterwards? Fall in love with five men and persuade them to adopt your parenting methods?" She stared at the C.O.P.S. again. "I've heard about you guys through Mom and Aunt Polly. You're supposed to exercise authority in your jobs, and you're in love with my incompetent cousin who has none." Back to Valerie. "And I'm really surprised that you're project manager for your company. You don't deserve it." Then, back to the C.O.P.S. "Just what do you see in her?"
"Dammit, Laura!" Valerie screamed. "Did it ever occur to you that maybe they LOVE ME! They've loved me and Jeremy more than Tom ever did, that fuckhead! And these men are Jeremy's chances to have a real, loving, caring father. I want that for him! Which is why I sent him away with one of them. And guess what, he going away again, with one of these four, I won't tell you which one. But the point is for Jeremy to have a strong bond with a trustworthy man, which Tom wasn't! And I thank God I fell in love with policemen. At least he isn't afraid of authority anymore."
"Oh, and about that," Laura said, "I could understand if you fell in love with at least ONE of them, but you're apparently sleeping around with FIVE! You, my dear cousin, are the Queen Slut. Add to that a permissive mother and drama queen, and you have the worst combination ever. I don't know why Jeremy's in your custody. You're scarring him for life, and screwing him up."
"You fucking little bitch!" Valerie screamed. She threw herself at Laura, and shoved her onto the ground. She wasted no time as she pounded Laura on her head and face. They were pulling each other's hair, tearing each other's clothes, trying to hit, bite and choke each other. They were rolling around in the fight until they came to a tree, then Laura got up, stood Valerie up, started punching her. Valerie shoved her cousin again, and they were soon wrestling each other. They called each other all the filthy names – bitch, slut, whore, tramp, freak. The witnesses all ran up to separate them, but their grip was quite strong. But Mace and Highway used all their muscle to break the two apart.
"Hey, Laura," Valerie said, "remember that time at your house five years ago, when I wrote on your wall with Jeremy's marker before leaving, and refused to wash off? Remember what I wrote? 'Laura is a bitch!' I see that's still true today!" She broke from Highway and ran off along the walkway.
"Valerie, wait!" Highway called. Mace, Barricade and Bowzer all ran after them.
"I'm going to go talk to her!" Barbara volunteered, and ran off after the group of lovers.
After a hour-long rational, calming conversation, Barbara managed to persuade Valerie to come back. She'd resolved to try and have a good time, but it wasn't easy. Nobody ever criticized her parenting techniques for the rest of the day. Once in a while, she'd overhear Laura making a snide comment about her. But she avoided her for the rest of the weekend, even when she went to the fair for her romantic dates.
At the Grand Canyon, Sundown and Jeremy were staring at the majestic gorge in the late evening sunset. "This is… so… beautiful," Jeremy said. "The… orange… and… yellow… look… really… good… with all… that… brown…rock."
"Yeah, that is a pretty picture, ain't it?" Sundown said. "An' look at all those rock formations out there."
"Those… are… neat… shapes," Jeremy said.
He tried to look down to see if there was anything deep in the gorge. He squatted and put his head under the railing, but Sundown quickly took him out. "Careful, son," he said. "You could fall a long way if ya went over."
"Can… you… tell me… what's… down… there?"
"Well, down below lies the famous Colorado River, which digs out lots of limestone an' sandstone an' shale, all of which surround a ton of wildlife. An' there's layers of rock piled on top of each other. I reckon maybe we should take a tour of that part tomorrow. We'll both enjoy it." He looked back at the truck. "And I reckon we should sleep in the back. I wanna git up early enough to share the sunrise wit you."
He looked around, and saw two young lovers kissing passionately amidst the beautiful scene. He was touched, thinking of Valerie, and turned to Jeremy. He said, "Jeremy, I want you to know that I love you very much. I love you like I love yer mama. Look at that couple over there. This beautiful picture would've been perfect fer me an' your mama to share alone. And when I see her, I'm gonna tell her exactly how I feel about our love. Jeremy, I really wanna be yer daddy. That's why I wanted you on this trip, fer you to git as close to me as possible. An' it's workin'. I've given you enough warmth an' love fer you to love me back. I've heard you say you love me when I tucked you in at night. Don't you deny it. I don't want yer mama to pick anyone else. I've loved her from the first moment I saw her, an' I'm determined to take her as my bride."
"I… understand," Jeremy said.
When he turned again, the couple was gone. Sundown and Jeremy were left alone, so he picked the boy up, and held him like a child would a teddy bear. The sun had disappeared amongst the rock, so they kept focused on the colors in the sky. The picture still looked pretty.
It was eleven o'clock at night, only a few nights after the reunion weekend. Valerie was still upset with it. She knew Laura would never speak with her again, but thought there was some potential with the more polite Barbara. But she left Empire City just as mad at Valerie as her older sister. She'd called Highway, begging him to come see her. He did, and he spent the whole evening comforting her in the serene living room, with only a CD of lyric-free "Sounds of Springtime" classical music playing. He even said, "I'll even stay the night if you want me to."
"Could you, please?" she'd replied.
She decided it was time for bed, but she wanted to check her e-mail. "Highway, why don't you go to my bedroom now. I'll check my computer. I want to see if Cousin Barbara sent me an e-mail. I gave everyone my address." He nodded, and went down the hall.
She clicked on Outlook and waited a few minutes. Three messages since she last checked seven hours before. She gasped in happiness as she saw Barbara's name pop up in the From line, the message titled, About this weekend.
Valerie, it read. I'm sorry for my sister's behavior this past Saturday. Laura said that Mom gave her a good lecture while your boyfriends and I were tending to you. I can still remember Mom crying as we went back, something about Laura spoiling the reunion. I just got a message from her, with a new rule to enforce: the spanking debate and other touchy subjects are off-limits at all future family functions. I talked to Laura yesterday – she thinks you should definitely sign up for parenting classes, and that you might have ruined her relationship with Mom. I can tell it will take her forever to make up with her. As for me, I'm sorry for criticizing you about your divorce and new relationships. Mom also told me that you divorced Tom for Jeremy's sake. That was all it took for me to adjust. I wish you luck with you new romances, and when you make your decision, my family and I hope to see you marry. My two boys think it would be "really cool" to see you marry a police officer. Perhaps next time I'm in Empire City, I can stay with you in lieu of a hotel. I promise, no corporal punishment on Jeremy, ever. Love, Barbara.
Valerie just smiled. She was too tired to think of Laura, or her advice about parenting classes. She went into her bedroom, lit only by a lamp beside Highway. He sat up in her bed, bare-chested and grinning. She noticed his clothes on the floor, and slowly walked towards him, but received a surprised when he got out of bed. Highway was completely naked, and he kissed her in wanton passion as he stripped her clothes off. When she wore nothing but a bra and stockings, he took her back to his spot.
They were rolling all over bed, kissing and groping each other for some time, neither of them cared how long they went. He backed away afterwards, to pull the covers back for her. But instead of getting into bed, she pressed on him, and they started having sex again.
Highway had never felt so heated, so passionate before. He thought of Barricade and Bowzer at the reunion, and decided he couldn't keep his feelings to himself anymore. He turned her over, pulled the bed sheets over them, and gave her a soft look that begged her to be his.
"Oh, Valerie," he said. "I just can't stand being locked in this fight for your hand. I don't know how longer you and I can do this charade."
"But I can't make up my mind," Valerie told him. "I've never fallen in love with a more beautiful group of men in my life. Men whose touches have made me feel like a woman, and whose warmth has made me feel human. Men who've stepped up to the plate, and showed Jeremy what a father really has to do. Men who have made me feel whole and complete and–"
"But you can't marry all of us, can you?" Highway reminded her. He flipped her over so she lay on her stomach, and she could feel his dragger go down into her backside. "Oh, but if all the things I've done in the past weren't enough to make you choose me, maybe this will do it. Out of all the things I want in this world, your promise to marry me is one of them. Let my damn colleagues find loves of their own. I don't want to control you, I just want to make you mine, and you know damn well I have the best of intentions."
She couldn't answer him, just call out his name when his actions were getting rougher on her. She loved the feeling of his fingertips massaging her back, and she suddenly wished he could stay like this until morning. But she could've sworn Sundown took her like this before, yet she could never tell Highway this. It felt good for her, his touch, yet was it enough for her to choose Highway. They all proved in some way that love and sex go together.
A/N: There you have it. I'll try to get the next one up before Christmas. I'll get started on it ASAP.