FSOG: Girl in The Garden:
Coffee Line Cutting Girl
elliott-pov
August First Week: Cle Elum Lake: Salmon La Sac Rd and Timber Cove Dr
I'm chilling at 10 o'clock in this beautiful summer morning; After an earlier spill this morning. While water skiing just after dawn: hitting a submerge log during a hard crossing slice, a tumbled a good distance up the beach at nearby Wish Poosh Picnic Island & Beach. Got a nice road rash on my leg and equally painful patch with black & blue highlight on my left side and back.
First weekend of August is supposed to be better than what I've had so far. But I'm chilling, half bagged and pumped with aspirin and topical Anecream (lidocaine); and that stuff Christian's talks about for bruises and dents. Claude bruises him good. So he must know something useful, for once.
Right now; I'm under Terry's family cabin off Salmon La Sac Rd on Timber Cove Dr; on beautiful Cle Elum Lake. Sipping cold beer, relaxing in the shade, and just enjoying the first truly alone time in four months. Before the afternoon festivities, and games of this weekend commence.
The Entire Grey Construction crew, friends, and family are here for our annual blow out summer party. Close to hundred people. I rented the four closest cabins for the weekend. About twenty trailers or tent spread over the properties. Makes the party easier and less stressed. With everyone overnighting; The booze flows and no one get DUI's. Arranged for buses with remote, guarded parking on some land down Salmon La Sac Rd closer to Ronald. Got to protect my people and not annoy the neighbors.
Tobie said about a dozen fresh faced college girls are going to be about. If his Girlfriend Tanya, finishing her MBA: classmates, and friends drift in. Free beer, free food, great lake, and sandy beach. Clint and Mrs. Clint riding police on the gathering; no drugs, no abuse, and No means No or Clint take them for a walk in the woods. Maybe let Clint do it all the marshaling this year, my back in killing me. Better take more pain killing malted bliss.
Looking about me: We remodeled Terry's family cabin two years ago. I like what we did. The underbelly of the cabin is class 'A' work. Raised the main floor for underneath storage of boat and kayaks, swimming toys and other loads of fun stuff; added a loft sleeping space for all his nieces and nephews. Added a second bathroom, outdoor shower, solar panels, rain water catchment. Plus created an outdoor full kitchen with canopy.
Clint worked out using surplus mesh hammocks to suspend between the piles with eyebolts, keeping the kayaks up out of the dirt. A not permanent fixtures blocking the space and air flow. Lessening hazards in the dark shadows. Freed up room for the three small day sailor skiffs on wheeled carts. Upper mesh hammock makes extra storage for all the small beach stuff and camp games. The lower kayak bearing hammocks also makes nice relaxing shaded hideaway. Which is exactly what I'm doing right now.
I came here unattached because the last three months; all I seem to date are crazies and nut jobs. Needing a break; may even try celibacy? At least for a couple of months. If none of the college girls are super-hot.
Relaxing with a cooler full of ice-cold beer overhead in the top hammock. A padded mat makes my lower hammock especial comfortable, in the cool shade under the house. Perfectly hidden lair from the world; lattice on the outside keeps the big critters and petty thieves out and hides me in the cool shadows. Providing me privacy from all my adoring fans. Snoozing, letting the past months crazy chicks fade into memories. Dreaming of Christians new WSU Argocenter build coming up in September. He's letting my green technology have free rein to make it the model for green tech and agricultural innovations.
"Have you seen Elliott?" Wakes my stupor. Uh what?
"Clint said he took a skiff out a while ago." Shit! Lucy is Lily's skankiest older sister. Great just Great! Lucy's STD-Queen of Bellevue. Will have to make sure the guys and gals know that she's a health hazard.
Lucy was vote in high school: most likely to star in a Tijuana Dog & Pony Show and like it. Lucy already been expelled twice from college for pulling a train with most of the college football team; to say nothing of her sex trains with the basketball team and even the girls' varsity softball team in earlier High School years.
Lily nearly beat her as the girl voted most likely to set the gangbang Guinness Worlds Record before she drops out of college after several attempts; The hopeless fashion models make ends me with online porn. I don't understand how Mia could still be friends with them?
"You ready to carry out operation kick Grey balls. Lucy?" Recognizing the voice, Gia Matteo. Great the head crazy; she been trying to repeat last year's Aspen sex-fest during Christian's Chalet build. That was fun till she started to demand a ring and commitment. Gia the kind of girl you never take home to mother. She's a freak with few equals. Desperate skank gold-digger in blinking neon light staple to her forehead. Sobering up immediately.
"Sis. Got the tubes?" Shit this just got worse Gia little sister Audrey Matteo. One of the few to equal or even surpass her older sister. She told Grace after a one-night stand in Aspen while I was banging her sister, that she was my fiancée, pregnant, and wanted to attend Grey Sunday family dinner. Tubes?
"Well, it's simple? Lucy and me, Audrey, and Phyllis's: will get Elliott somewhere quiet for a three-way. Audrey or I'll blow him while you guys keep him busy eating your pussies; Distract him, know how he always trying to be the great lover. Making sure the girls always orgasm, before he shoots. We'll collect all those little Elliott baby makers in the fertility tubes. Tomorrow; we go to the Clinic and get invitro. Then make Elliott and Christian pay thru the nose."
"Our you sure Christian will pay?" The whore Phyllis's asks. Five year-ago, the skank, gold-digging super slut party girl hook Terry's introvert bookworm CPA brother into marriage, claiming a pregnancy; she lost the day before the wedding. She caught me drunk last Halloween. Tried to get pictures of me banging her. But Clint got the cell phone camera away from her, and deleted them. A big drunk mistake almost cost me several friendships. Since then, she's been dogging me.
"Christian would do anything for family and taking care of Elliott little bastards and us quietly would be worth a lot of money." Gia crows.
"What's the liquid in the tubes?" Lucy asks
"It's the stuff going to make our black Amex cards dreams come true." Gia sounds delusional. "The liquid in these test tubes keeps the sperm all heath and alive. Now? Audrey here your tube, don't open it till Dumb-dumb muscle head is ready to make us rich."
"Alright? We'll take the seating area to left, you take the far house to the right. Whichever side he lands near has first shot; remember he's stupid as a log, horny as a dog. We should be able to fill both test tubes." Audrey laughs. They head out to their ambush positions. Shit; I need to get out of here. Away from these crazies. The immature before me would have stayed and frustrated their plans. Now older and wiser me; runs like hell.
Rolling out of the hammock, feeling every inch of the road rash and make my way to the upper three-foot-tall access gate on the road side of the house; We put in for easier plumbing access. Looking around. Most everyone is on or near the beach side. I see Laurance, Tray's boyfriend. A solid guy, crawling out the hatch, Laurance looks to see if a hottie follows me.
Standing. "Laurance, I need a favor?" I beg. He listens.
He gets my bag from the house, all quiet and easy. Meeting me at my truck. Taking my car keys out of my bag; "Tell Clint; The Matteo sisters, Lucy Sullivan and Phyllis, Terry's sister-in-law are non-gratis; confiscate the test tubes they have."
"Shit! If I knew this was about the Matteo sluts. I'd been quicker. What with the test-tubes?" He asks.
Starting the truck "They planned to get me drunk, and harvest little Elliott's sperm to make babies; to get rich."
"That weird shit. Man. But I'll handle it for a fee?" Laurance pouts, nearly copying Mia's. Strangely fitting him. I'm tempted to get out and punch him into pulp, anyway. "Fee?" I ask; getting more pissed at everyone abusing my good generous nature.
"Yea, Boss man. Spuds and Burgers on you for Borowski Band debut in Portland town next month." Laurance beams like a happy bunny rabbit. Relaxing at the price. Got to like the kid. I was going to do that anyway.
"Deal: I'll throw in T-shirts with the band name with graphics: If they get poison sumac." I tease; till I see the evil glint in his eyes. Driving off. Headed to a bed and breakfast outside of Aberdeen Junction. Lana will help me.
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Aberdeen Junction off Copeland rd.
The sign before the imposing 1950 revival Victorian Queen Anne says it all and nothing to the unaware. 'The Victorian Night Flowers Conservatory Bed & Breakfast, Abbess Julia Jean Turner proprietor.'
The three-story Queen Anne; octagonal towers on each corner, rounded scalloped slate tiled roofs. Three ornate Bay Windows on the second floor between each tower. Gingerbread accent, colors, and textures adorn the 360-degree wraps around porch. Looking like some 1900 century creation, not some 1950 build. Lana had all the utilities upgraded in the 1980.
Originally, the site of bordello and speakeasy during the waning days of prohibition. The current house, built for the last bordello madam in the early nineteen fifties. She died before ever stepping inside the completed structure? Abandoned and reclaimed a dozen times in the 50's and sixties. Till Lana bought it with her fourth husbands life insurance. A former repressed 1960's coed; turned high price escort; turned madam; turned tenured doctorial college professor on human sexuality and pioneering psychologist in intimates and sexually alternative life styles.
Lana's done it all and see even more in her nearly sixty-plus-years. I discovered her when I was seventeen. My only biological relative, my birth father's cousin. Lana helped turn me from over-endowed inept sex crazed teenager; into a thoughtful tantric love machine. Helped me see quality was better than quantity. Help me stop running from good girls; Starting to take better care of my relationships.
Despite the last two years of insanity; every good girl I take a serious interest in lately; Turns craze or dumps me because of something I did in my past. Honestly, I haven't found the girl to really want more with. Lana tells me she's out there waiting to meet me. I hope.
Lana walks off the wrap around porch, to me in my truck. "Elliott you're in luck? The Horse barn is open."
"Whinny?" The last race horse Lana's father owned before his death. The only thing she ever received from her parent's estate.
"She passed away two months ago." Lana says sadly. I need to call, visit more often.
"Sorry to hear that. Lana."
"She was old, it was her time and she didn't suffer. After all, sixty was a long life for a horse."
"She'll be missed. How are you?" Remembering quiet moments, feeding her apple slices, talking to Whinny about my woes, fears, and dreams. She was a good listener.
"Getting older and grayer like my old friend Whinny. The cancers in remission for now." I hug her thru my truck window.
"Have a full house?"
"Till tomorrow; Everyone's at Central Park for the Annual Music, Wine and Crafts Festival. Lulu's running the farm booth. She'll take over when I'm gone. You both get fifty percent." Lana painfully smiles.
"I don't need it?" I'm not sure I could handle the memories here.
"I want to be cremated and spread with Philip in the meadow. Whinny's buried there. You owning the meadow will make sure we're not disturbed for a good long while. We deserve some peace in the afterlife. More than we had in life." She speaks. Philips, her eight and last husband: Lana made a lot of errors and mistakes before she found her soulmate. He died before I met him.
"Ok, babe. I'll make sure." I'll make sure it stays undisturbed; May be turn it into a park or endowment funded retreat. Talks to Roz about what I could do with the property.
"Now what brought you to my door. This time?"
"I'll park the truck, and come in for a coffee." Our unspoken code for I'm not ready to talk yet. I drive and park in the old now empty horse barn. All the hay and feed, tack is gone. Lana doesn't believe in wasting time clearing the old memories into proper boxes and stored them away. Originally, I thought her cold; now I know she's very sensitive and seeing the pieces; Every piece, every item is a memory tearing at her heart. Usually, a life changing story behind each one. Every knick-knack on her shelfs, reminders of what she has lost; hurts her deeply.
Sitting down next to the Philip's lab experiment in the sitting room. Philips was a coffee connoisseur; Smiling at the timer clock sweeps past the twenty-five-minute mark. Five more minutes and the full automated perfect coffee machine as designed and build by her last husband Philip will dispense the heavenly brew.
When the start buttons pushed, the timer begins its count down. A perfect portion of raw coffee beans fall into automated roaster, which heats to the correct temperature and rotates at the optimum speed, all timed to give the perfect flavor; The dark kernels pour into a precision grinder. Milling the beans to make the perfect sizes grounds then delivering them to coffee chamber. At the four-minute mark: the tap water is filtered to begin the process. The newly purified water will filter thru specific elements; to attain the perfect PH and mineral content. The water heat to the perfect coffee brewing temperature, running thru the spiral cooling tube. All meeting at the now coffee mixing chamber; Once the steepening time has allowed best saturated of the grounds; A valve will open and fill two simple 6oz dosage of marvelous blissfully design coffee into porcelain cups. Sipping the unadulterated brew is heavenly bliss.
I'm still getting my copy of this lab experiment at home to work correctly after six years. I'm averaging one blissfully perfect coffee, about once a month. More often than not, my machine breaks down. Lana adds cream and sugar; the pagan!
"Well tell me why you're here. I believe this weekend was the company camp out and blow out party at Lake Cle Elum?" She asks, I tell her what I overheard, felt, and just unburden my life on her. She takes me to her bed and cuddles me; as I cry out all the pain and misery that is me: King man-whore of Washington state, what a farce.
Here in her house, her room; I'm just Elliott, scarred scared insecure little cousin; Something I can never show to Grace, Grandma 'T', or Mia. Here is where I can just be me. Letting Lana be the Keeper of my darkest secrets, wishes, fears, and hopes
Next evening after making several repairs around the place. Lana the teacher; is finish up introduction to tantric and mutual pleasure couples' therapy. This is a full-service couples retreat. With four second floor sound proofed suites; each a large one bed bedrooms, large ensuite bathrooms with tub for two. And four dispersed secluded hot tubs surrounded by mini-gardens and fully screened sun worshipping platforms scattered about the property. The bed & breakfast could easily return to its bordello roots; not just the tongue and cheekiness of the name.
Lulu: her cook, and housekeeper; is sparking a guy or two in Gray Harbor along with her regular herd of male and female admirers with benefits. The former madam and one time mistress to an English, French, American, and Greek billionaire in that rotation; smirks at me, as Lana sends several couples home after reignite their marriages, overcoming intimate fears and phobias.
Lulu, nearing sixty or later I think: Always offers to teach me new tricks; but I'm not sure I have the courage to play in her sexual world or with her stamina and gusto. All that Bdsm, and other freaky weird shit. My last visit here; she was going to a Furie mixer at a farm outside South Montesano, as a sexy wolverine. The old winery building behind the guest carport is her playroom, dungeon, and adult nursery. Weird freaky shit, particularly the adult nursery with adult sized crib.
Lana playroom in the old spring house near the Horse barn, my truck is slumbering in, is more like Inara Serra shuttle in the old Firefly series. Sensual and inviting, calming oasis of pleasure and lust. Lana's three or four boyfriends floating about the Western USA. The last one I met was a widower, multimillionaire, and former Ambassador to EU. He flies in every couple of months for a weekend.
Tuesday morning:
Kissing Lana goodbye, promising to come back in a couple of weeks to finish the fairy tale themed gazebo next to the wedding barn in the former Dressage pasture. Lana competed professionally for decades in Dressage; since she was six. She finally gave it up when she caught cancer the first time, just 10 years ago.
Lana has four local wood carvers working on the fantasy wedding themed main post and beams; I fitted the timber framing and broke it down for the carvers to work their magic, three months ago. She believes then may meet the January 5 deadline.
Lulu told me yesterday, after dinner, that her will, gives me the Farm. She has a retiring couple; who will take over most of the work come January. Despite everything we argue about; we love each other. She's one of few people in the world, I trust who's not family. Driving away munching on one of Lulu's heavenly kitchen sink muffins.
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September WSU campus: weeks later:
Its eight am; the morning is gray and foggy. The clouds forecast no rain, surprising here outside of Portland. Looking across the future site of Christian' s WSU Agriculture Research Center, imaging what it will look like, function and blending into the natural world. Twenty-acres between the college's outer loop road and a drainage creek. The once long-ago closed WSU Women Sport Center.
Closed since the early eighties. The leaking, badly designed and built gym building is just dead storage now. Where stuff goes to rot into dust. The former sports field are an Ad hoc free parking lot. To the northeast is the Physical Science building. The rest of WSU to the south are ugly inefficient paved parking lots. I'll see if I can talk the college into setting up a solar farm over the cars. With the acres, it could be a money maker.
First thing this morning: I chained the old parking lots off and have two Campus cops with traffic cones, baring the curb cuts that allow people to park on the dirt, or cracked fragmented remains of the basketball court. Double checking with the campus cops and head over to the WSU Cafeteria; The cops swear the Coffee bar there is better than Starbucks. I'll give it a try; after all the local fencing companies not due till nine, to fence in the construction site.
Walking thru the vast nearly empty parking lots at this hour. Not yet full of bright young students' and their cars. Separates my newest building site from the main campus complex. The cafeteria's not too crowded, but the line for the coffee bar is twenty-deep. Standing behind some buff Latino guy.
He must really work out to be that buff. Should ask him about the school's Gym and any open hours if they have any, he's bound to know. Even if I have to pay a student union fee or membership; it would be worth it. My extended stay hotel's, couple blocks away, so most days I don't have to drive. The nearest decent gym is eight miles away. I may talk Christian into getting a house nearby; I'm sure he'll want to spent time here, with his feed the world programs. And Jason could relax without the hassle of the Heathman Hotel security ever time.
A strawberry blond bombshell, cuts in line, right in front of me. My man's sprung looking at that hair, that glorious ass, the glimpse of her angelic face. I need to meet her. Hell! I need to have her. For the first time in long while; I feel emotions another than attraction and lust. I feel needy, and worse to be needed by her. I feel something deep and profound in my soul. A song lightens my heart.
"No cuts in line." I smoothly purr. The opening line rolls off my lips. Sweet nectar to the blond bee. They both turn around. Blonde starts, rubbing her thighs. OH YEA! I make you hot and wet beautiful. My jeans threat to bust the zipper; let's dance kitten.
"I was in line before; I had to step out for a second." She barks in a honey dripping voice. OH yes kittens got claws. I like tigress's too babe.
"Maybe we, should get our coffees, and discuss your line cutting conducts." hitting her with my best 'come and suck my face babe girl' face. Usually, girls hand me their panties when I light up the old Elliott Grey charm. Looking into her eye's deep pools of color, glisten. I want to kiss her so bad.
"Creepy old guy. Go away. Kate?" The buff guys start to roughly turn her around.
I put my hand on his arm and stop him. "Gentleman don't manhandle ladies!"
"Hey! Muscles! Take your hand off my brother." Blonde speaks. I let him go. Brother? Could be? After all I'm adopted with my siblings. And we don't look anywhere close to related.
"Cool! Ok." Holding up my hands in surrender. We don't say anything else. I get a round of coffee for me and the cops. Watching hottie with her brother? Walk deeper into the campus. I'm heading out of the campus proper back to the job site.
WTF! The cops are gone and a dozen cars are park on my dirt. I'm steaming. Dumping the asshole's coffees. Getting my truck and block one of the cut outs and stand in the other one. A dozen cars are honking and yelling for me to move. Yelling back "SITE'S CLOSED AND TO GO AWAY." Between yelling at them to just leave; I try to get the campus liaison on the phone, he's not picking up. Damn, these WSU assholes.
Ok, a campus police cruiser rolls up and threaten me. Explaining this is a closed job site. They don't listen. A shiny tricked-out police cruiser pulls up; a guy with more of that gold leaf scramble egg stuff covering his hat, shoulder boards, hell he looks like Patton from the movies or a doorman at the Ritz.
Struts up to me. Potbellied tin horn dictator in all his fake bravado worthy of a b-movie actor. He looks me up and down. From my t-shirt, work jeans, and scuffed boots. He defined my place, worth, and finds me wanting in all categories.
"Chief of Police?"
"Yes. Now move the truck and get out of the road."
"This is now my construction site for the new Agrocenter. You were notified and requested to support me?" I demand, feeling the rage bubbling up
"Yes, the new center. Yes, I 'as asked to provide some support, Not going to happen. Now move or get arrested?" He screams, turning red in the faced. Looking at him. Set my jaw, slowly pulling out my cell phone, making a show of the act and manner of my distain, calling the only number I have left down here. At least the Head College Dean answers. I tell him the problem and hand the police chief my phone. He looks more pissed, even if that possible. Then yells their leaving; with a don't call us bullshit. Tossing my cell phone in the dirt. I'm going to have to deal with this shit the old fashion way.
Finally, the fence company get here. Putting them to work closing off the dirt lot. After a lot of hassle, I get the cars towed to the old paved lot; I chained this morning. I get two private security guards to allow cars to leave but not enter. Clint is due at noon. I slow burn the whole time. Several students are screaming their suing me and Christian. I laugh at them. I know the law and what could happen. I learned more at Stanford than sports, beer boots and chasing hotties. I did master in building technology and construction code& law.
Once Clint arrives with the backhoe with the sample drilling attachment. We began to prep the site. Finding out what the soil and subsoil composition, water tables drainage, truly is. The colleges were supposed to have empty the old building last week, but now promised, tomorrow. I have my crew start taking down the various derelict shacks and sheds. Ripping up any underground wiring, storm drain lines, whatever they buried thirty years ago. Its four o'clock: I need another coffee and I have to admit the coffee-bar here is better than Starbucks.
Heading over to the college coffee bar. Hoping it's still open. I arrive to find the line even longer for good coffee. It's worth the wait. I get Clint a cup and head back. The two AWOL cops from this morning, are smirking at me as I step into the first parking lot. They smash the coffee cups into my face and dare me to do something about it. Momma Grace, only raised one fool, and his name starts with 'C.'
Smiling, pulling out my phone. They taunt, "'ow-no' you're calling the dean again." and "Coward."
"Hi, Mr. Grey. Elliott down at WSU. Yes sir! The police and campus support are hostile and negatively impacting the construction time line. Yes, Sir. Looking at their nametags; Officer Martin and Waldron just assaulted me. Yes, I talked to the Chief of Police this morning. He told me to 'F' myself and you could do the same. Yes sir! Mr. Grey. I would appreciate the support."
They look like they don't believe I just talked to the great and powerful Christian Grey. Little bro picked up on my speech right away. The Grey House guy spearheading the WSU grant is driving down tonight and dealing with these campus clowns and apathic leadership.
"I would suggest you guys clean up; You know update your resume for Burger King. Mr. Bosworth is due tomorrow morning. Wouldn't bet on a reprieve. Have a nice evening, officers." I walk pass them. Need to have around the clock security on the job site; since Campus police will not be helpful.
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next day.
Eight am, I drive to the job site, tired and aching. Larry Bosworth wanted a play by play with my interaction with the campus police, Deans, and anyone else. Anything that could have led to their disrespect and unprofessional conduct, till damn near midnight. We can't find anything to warrant the police and college hostility. Checking things are all good; I head over to the coffee bar.
Standing in line for coffee. Thinking should I get the crew coffee? But there's no way I'm carrying twenty cups, or coffee jugs over to the job site. I wonder if I can get the coffee delivered, maybe with the snack cakes. They look delicious. Yea! Where is the manager? I need to check it out.
The server freaks out when I ask for the manager. After several attempts. Buff kid, from yesterday, steps into my face. Does he live here in the cafeteria?
"What's the complaint?" He barks at me. Looking to get into with me. What is going on down here. Did I accidently put on Brad Pitts Club De Savage cologne this week? The server runs back to the counter, I try to give her my 'I'm sorry smile'
"No complaint. I wanted to see about catering coffee in the morning to my job site." I tell him. He relaxes. Ok Lancelot. See I'm not a threat or asshole; I can be a good boy.
"Wait here." He weaves his way into the back area behind the Serving line. Returning a few minutes later with an older woman, who reeks of command and don't cross me young'uns. I try my best good safe All-American boy smile. "I'm running the new construction site, for the new Agriculture center. I have twenty guys who would love your coffee in the morning. Can I arrange catering?"
"No, I don't have the manpower."
"Mrs. Henry, the Coffee wagon is idle." Lancelot says
"Jose, I don't have the man power." She says, sounding sorry she can't make it work. So, his name is Jose.
"How many times a day?" Jose asks.
"Eight and ten in the morning." I say think that the best call I've made in a long while.
"We could do it with Cindy and me around our classes. Move the coffee-wagon to other areas after we hit the job site. The far library parking lot, the lower sports complex. We could make it work." Jose begs the lady.
"You'd have to pay a week in advance." she demands. I do the math, but the variables aren't good.
"I prefer to pay daily; the crew size shift a lot."
"One student, ten an hour. Four hour a morning. Forty dollars a day, five days. Two hundred dollars." Mrs. Henry is sharp as a tack. I open my wallet and hand her five hundred dollars. I can subside this; a happy crew is a productivity crew.
"Two weeks in advance, the rest covers expense or as a tip for the servers after the two weeks is up. I need a receipt." Smiling.
"Excellent. Jose will bring your receipt out, talk about what you think your crew will need and or buy. Good day." She walks off with Jose following her. He returns with my receipt.
He's got a class in the Science Building; we walk and talk; he's a cool guy. We arrange the coffee wagon. Talk about the open times in the campus gym and weight rooms. This is turning out good, made a friend, I hope. Arriving at the classroom: An extroverted twink standing outside the door pouts and get into a lover's tiff with Jose over me. Laughing at little twink thinking I'm his competition for Jose.
Good, Jose is gay. That leave blonde for me. Where did that thought come from? Maybe, if I play this right; Jose could be my wingman with sister blond hottie. If I play this exactly right, blonde's playing with my fun stick by tomorrow night. Maybe sneak her out of her castle, an invite to lunch should break the ice princess, frigidity.
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Thursday:
Things have calmed down with the campus police. Mr. Bosworth has but the fear of God and Christian Grey into the leadership of the college and the town. The reality that losing 'The Christian Grey's' Grants, the Argocenter, the future grants from others looking to expand and graft onto Christian Greys vision of feeding the world by making subsistence farming a thing of the past. Dean and Board realizes how quickly evaporating millions of dollars grants could be; to say nothing of the lost employment.
For now; the police are behaving; but I keep the rent-a-cops on duty. The demolition of the old gym and locker rooms is going slower because we keep finding hazardous waste dump by the college and other unknown people, and companies. At least six outside companies linked directly to the illegal dumping; keeping the EPA legal teams here all week, slowing me down even more.
Later that day; Finding myself at a lunch table with Jose and blonde. Her name is Kate. I find Kate, witty, funny, sexy, and incredibly real. We arrange a picnic tomorrow in a Portland Park.
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Monday the next week.
After a great weekend: dates three, four, five and six. The build in going excellent. Perfect; the coffee wagon cart is cruising up. An Italians built 1974 Piaggio Ape E/400R with 175 cc engine three wheeled, van body and enclose cabs. The van body opens to a full-service Coffee bar. The guys crowd around as Jose starts up service. Within thirty minutes he will be gone to the next location. My crew is very set in their first coffee order of the day. Jose made a lot of friends in the coffee wagon; and one group does every other day; during our lunch break to the gym, working out for an hour. Jose's getting some time learning real engineering; not just the book stuff they teach here.
The second service with sizzling Cindy; The guy's gets more adventurous with flavors, styles. Even I have tried Cindy's Vanilla Pecan Chai Latte. Clint's addicted to a creamy turmeric latte with hints of vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom; the yellow latte is very good and good for you according to Cindy, future Nutritionist.
But at 8am; All I want is a simple excellent drip medium coffee with a shot of expresso. One of the cinnamon turmeric Biting Sticky Bun with my red eye coffee. Waiting for the rest of the crew to order and get served. Jose has my coffee, bun, and bill. I have an account set up with Mrs. Henry, to autopay. Makes things easier on Cindy and Jose over the cash till.
Sipping the heavenly brew; I feel the world shift. Looking up as blond bombshell struts up to me. I hand Jose my cup and take her in my arms and kiss her. Shaking the vision away; as Jose hands Kate a coffee.
"Put that on my tab; a snack my lady?"
"Kate, Editor of the WSU paper; I'd like an interview and a tour?" Jose hands her a mini carrot cake bite. Hottie is all professional this morning; Where's the girl telling fart jokes, watching the monkeys at the zoo Saturday.
Professional Kate, visions of me in a suit, slicked back hair, office CEO suite, asking little Miss Kate, my secretary to help me with some particular hard project. The way she's eats that mini carrot cake bite; springing my man as visions of her eyes looking up. Damn girl; sucking and playing that bite in your mouth. I can't wait to have those lips around my hammer. Must not blow it. Or blow off in my pants right now!
"Tour yes, interviews are thru the college and Mr. Grey." I speak. Testing her; if she knows who I really am; she'll jump in, breaking the image I have of her, us. I so want her with me and me alone. Please babe, don't break my heart by trying to use me to get to my little brother, Christian.
She looks at me like I'm looking at her; edible and delectable, sexable. "I'll take the tour. I'm already arranging the interviews with the great Mr. Grey"
"let's get you outfitted with safety gear" I extend my arm; she takes my elbow and escort her to my Safety Supplies Mini Container. In a hard hat and vest she looks so frigging hot. Hours later, Watching her strut away to class. Kate in the backhoe working the controls had me damn near shooting all over myself again. What an ass! I want to caress it, knead it, f2 ##$$ it into submission. I've got a lunch date today at 13:00 in the cafeteria. The world is bright indeed.
The horizon distorts; I'm in the Pontiac, my birthparents are arguing; the Lions lost again: I must be quiet; they don't like it when I yell or seen. Only at the sports games can I yell and be loud. I take my baggie of Lego out and play with them. I got them in Happy Meals. I only have a dozen pieces. Most of the kids in class have lots more. I'm not allowed to go to their homes or they to mine. Mom says I can't be or have friends because they don't like us. We're different. We move a lot; and angry people come to the house to beat up dad and make mommy cried after they take her to parent's bedroom. I stay quiet and hide. I'm a good boy, and good boy's get food and are loved
The winter days are just arriving; last week was candy day. We went to the rich kids' neighborhood to beg candy. I dressed as a ghost; I've been a ghost the last three years. Dad and mom take most of the candy because it's bad for me. Then why do we gather it? They tell me because it's free. Never turndown free stuff. Snow is on the ground; I like snow, but I'm not allowed to play in it; snow melts and makes a mess; and daddy doesn't like mess in the house. He's always banging on his computer, doing sports math. Like who should win the game: This week.
"BANG!" I'm thrown sideways against the door; We spin around: Everything is going so slow, I see a dark car drive away, pieces of the car hanging off, falling off. Others floating in the air, like rain. We tumble over the embankment around and around we go. I hit the side door, again and again. I see mommy's bloody, hanging in the car belt. Daddy is flapping about as we hit the water; upright. The car sinks, the canvas roof is gone; The cold water hits me. I must get out and save my parents. I must save them!
Releasing the car belt; I try to help daddies but his head flops about, a big piece is missing. Mommies head is mostly gone. I feel the water hurting my chest. I let go and struggle to the surface. I crawl up the rocks onto the embankment. The roadway looks miles away from down here at the water edge. Must get help; Clawing up the frozen slippery bank. The people in the hospital will save mommy and daddy? I finally get to the road; car zip past me; Why don't they see me. Oh, yea I'm quiet and invisible. I scream and wavy my hands. A big car stops; an old woman, like on the syrup, looks at me.
"My parents" I point into the river. They pull over off the road. I look down and don't see the car anymore. My parents are gone; gone and I'm alone. The old lady wraps me in a blanket, Soon the police come, the red fire trucks, I tell them what I saw; they take me to the hospital. There; they tell me my parents are gone.
Snapping out of those bad memories. The places I don't want to live in. The days before I was a Grey. The days before I was allowed; to be me. Lunch with Kate sitting across from me is marvelous and bright. College food hasn't change since my days. But the company is nice. Jose joins us for a bit.
"What's, your dreams Kate?"
"Reporter; then Editor. I love being an editor. The control; the pressure to create something that unique. That is truth and enlightening."
"Family?"
"Down the road, way down the road. I want to surf the world; party till I'm old, at least thirty. Then find a nice guy to cater to my every whim." She smirks at me.
"Thirty Ugh?"
"Yes, ancient old man. What's it like to be that old and boring?" She teases me.
"Well, fine men at my age, age like wine; If the lady's holding them is talented. Smooth, full bodied and lasting hours. An untalented child, just makes men vinegar with haste and inattention."
"Jaded much grandpa?" she smirks at me.
"Yes, insolent little girl. You're itching for a spanking, teasing your betters."
"Betters? My ass! Your just another notch on my bedpost; if, I ever, ever get drunk enough; to overlook your ugly face and wasted potbelly; Hmmm! Lots of liqueur and blue pills is the only way you're getting into this Eden's Garden." She laughs and point below her waist. I smirk.
"I won't know little blue pills. The ladies I drive into orgasmic overload are hot enough; To need neither liqueur or Viagra. You'd need a week at a fat farm and spa to tempt me. Little girl."
"Ok! You two. I have class. Try not to hump on the table. Remember both of you: safe sex and responsible adultship." Jose laughs and bolts from the overheated table. We laugh at his retreat. I lean over and kiss angel. She returns the kiss. We break as the cat-calls echo the cafeteria main dining hall.
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Tuesday:
Sitting at the School cafeteria; eating lunch with Kate, Jose just left. Some issues with a oven or something?
"The guys (my crew) have a band debuting Thursday?" I ask.
"Sure; both of my roommates?"
"Sure; not a problem." I say taking her hand and kissing the palm. She blushes. Prefect! Blows away the persona of extrovert reporter in training. Kate is all the best parts of Grace, Mia, Lulu and Lana: Once past the façade is the real person. The caring, loyal, fun, and funny daring woman who is comfortable in her sexuality and her wants and needs. The perfect woman. My perfect woman; why does that thought terrifies me?
Finally, finding a girl who is really suited to me. Similar interest, similar comedic styles. I want more with this girl and it scares me to death. For the first time I see a future with Kate; must concentrate on positives. Walking her to her after lunch class.
Walking to the job site, freezing, seeing a father putting his son in a baby carriage.
I see a scary man, look at me. He comes and sits next to me. "Hi?"
"Hi?" I whisper; must not be loud. Loud's punished.
"Your Elliott Turmbulle?" He asks
"Yes." I whisper
"My name is Carrick Grey; Your father's boss, Mr. Henderson retained me to look after you; now that your parents are gone. After the doctors clears you; I'll take you to a foster home; while we sort out where you'll go. I understand you don't have many relatives. But we will see you settle. Ok?"
"Ok?" I understand and don't understand. Next day they take me home and gather my stuff; it fits in one trash bag. I miss my Lego. The home with lots of kids has no Legos, just worn wooden blocks with letters. I build with them.
A week later Carrick come back; I smile at him, a nice woman stands with him: She kneels, talks to me. Really talks to me, not at me. I feel stranger emotions; like I want her to love me and hold me forever. I tell her I miss my Legos. Her touch is nice and feels good, like Carrick's does. Her name is Grace.
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The Gorge: debut of IRONHEADS [Borowski Band] Previous Thursday night.
Picking them up; the third roommate is at a study session for Western Civil. The professor one of those rote teaching morons; my way is the only way: academic assholes. I hated guys who only accepted one view of the past, present and how the future must turn out. I fight that every day as I introduce new green materials, techniques, and methods to make the world better and life last longer. We only have one planet right now. We need to be the best stewards of her we can be.
We joke and laugh at Kate's tale of Jose changing cloths to fit the event; I thought Mia was bad; she got nothing on Jose. Later, sitting at the Gorge waiting to watch my crew's band; headlining this rain kissed Thursday night. With her, its magical under the fairy lights, as the band rocks. Kate in my arms, slow dancing. Kisses meaningful and intense. The night only gets better from here out.
We talk, dance, Jose wanders off chasing his on/off boyfriend, the twink from the other day. Making out, dancing, making out on the dance floor; sitting at our table, talking about everything; her on my lap. Laughing at my expression of disbelieve at her stories of mirth and bad girl stunts. Her comedic expressions, as I tell tall tales about my bad boy college days. Streaking Golden Gate Park; avoiding the cops by cutting thru the buffalo enclosure. I'm still convinced all the lady bison truly are gay (no male bison in the encloser) because none chased my fine ass and equipment across the paddock.
"Elliot! That is so sexist; They ignored you because you're so small, minuscule equipment! I bet my little pinky is twice your manhood!" Kate teases me. I do my best Mia pout? We laugh; Taking her hand and put it on my manhood. Her eyes bulge. She licks her lips, exhales deeply and lust flares in her eyes.
"Might big hands you have?" I tease back. We laugh; I've never felt so good and free. Taking her lips. I let the emotional river flow into her. Making the world disappear beyond our lips in mortal combat. Like every other time we've kissed. Magical!
We closed the bar: She took me home to her bed. Wow? Everything I've learned, known; every trick Lana and Lulu told me; drives our passion into a level I've never been before. We make love till the rooster's crows the new dawn. Leaving my goddess to rest; I plan a long set this morning. I have no work today; We need the engineer to finish the soil samples tests. So, we have a long weekend. Perfect to molest my blond hot coed. My coed, my Kate? The thought lifts me and scares me. The only problem, she has classes from eleven to four. I can make it work, get some gym time in, maybe wander the cross-fit trail around the college campus.
Jose mentioned free movies tonight at the campus theater. "Three films: Buster Keaton's General (1926), The Navigator (1924), an something called a Pre-Code film 'What - No Beer?' (1933). They sound cool; Jose mentioned the General was the template for the mine car scene in the second Indian Jones movie and Dad favorite horror-thriller the 'Duel' with that New York cowboy from New Mexico. Weaver something or other.
Hunger and thirst drive me out of the bedroom. Wandering out; Finding instead a brown hair goddess making waffles. Wow? Who are you gorgeous? A how did three really super beautiful people end up in one apartment? This didn't happen at Stanford during my college days. "Hi?"
She looks me up and down and dismisses me in a sisterly manner. I'm not her type and she just slammed me down. I can live with that. I have a strange vision of her in Christian's arms; nah could never be. Even if Christian was into girls; this goddess is the kind you marry. A little bro is not the marrying type.
The smell from the kitchen is marvelous. If she feeds me: I'll be happy with just a sisterly relationship; I have Kate; everything else is just the cherries on top. This could be a great time in my new life; My post man-whore life. A girl to hold, a bro to work out with, hang with, and this culinary goddess feeding me. The perfect life. I smile at her.
She smiles back; that innocent little girl smile is magical. This is a lady. The vision with Christian flares back up. If he comes down here; I'll introduce him. Then he'll stop hiding in his Escala castle with those girls, guys, whatever he's into: He sneaks them in on weekends. I see the new Audi cars every once in a while, parked there; I know not to stop in and see him. They don't seem to make him happy. I want him to be happy. Weird thoughts about my brother, haunt me. Make me wonder, I'm missing something, something important.
"Let me start again. I'm Elliott. Could I please have some waffles?" I try my 'Mia I'm sorry, 'please feed me' face.' She giggles. Looking at the high chairs around the kitchen island.
"Sit down. I'm Anna: I suppose your one of those uncivilized coffee drinking barbarians." She smirks getting me a fresh cup of steaming coffee. Pointing at the cream and sugar on the kitchen island. I sip the brew; expecting nothing. Wow. This is damn close to Philips's coffee, without the machine in sight.
"This's really good." I speak, impressed at her blush. This girl screams good girl; unused too and uncomfortable with praise. I'd bet she has no clue to how hot she is. Or even that guys chasing after her.
"Hey, Annie? Can I get a cup to go; Jose is still snoring." The twink from the other day fakes a smile. The smile freezes; he's busted. She doesn't like the guy. I take a deeper look at him and think I don't like him either. Something about turners-and-burners (parasitic-narcissistic people who use up friends, family: old pilot term, avoidance and making kills) entitled trust fund user flares in my head. Yea! that this twirp.
"Lance? I told you no last time. This time again, N-O; because you never bring back my coffee mugs." She stands, glaring at him. Lance beats a quick retreat out the door. I smirk at his stupidly; if I could get a cup of coffee like this and possibly breakfast from my lovers' roommate; I'd damn sure return the coffee mugs, Hell; I'd buy her a case of coffee mugs; just to ensure I could have one to go. This is really good coffee.
"Sorry about Lance? I checked his car and his apartment. I just don't know where the mugs get to." Jose walks in wearing shorts, way too tight, short. If anyone thought Jose was straight, this display kills that idea. No shirt; Annie just rolls her eyes. I smirk at him.
"Jose. House rules. Elliott: no shirt, no pants, and underwear doesn't count; no service. Got it?" I nod. Ok, Anna's the boss here. Didn't think she would be, with two alphas like Kate and Jose. He's run back to his room and returns with a muscle gym's spaghetti shoulder strings white beater. He sits down and smiles at Annie. I smile at her.
"Well; café Anna's menu is waffles, chicken breast flattened, breaded, fried. With Kate's very berries fruit cup. Eggs?" Anna, the brown-haired goddesses speak. I have another strange flash to Christian again; could they? I lose the thought as Kate runs her hand along my back, stealing my coffee. Before I can argue. Anna has another cup in front of me and Jose.
"Omelet?" I ask
"Spinach, diced ham, red, orange, green, bell peppers, sweet peppers, jalapeño, poblano, Anaheim, piquillo and Piri-Piri peppers; Senior dropped off last month. Onion's green, red, sweet Bermuda, leeks, scallions; avocado, sautéed mushrooms, tomatoes, artichoke hearts. Herbs: chives, parsley, basil, dill, thyme, cilantro. Meats: smoked salmon, pancetta, chorizo, some fresh crab, Leftover deli-ham and prosciutto. Cheeses: gruyere, cheddar, fontina, mozzarella" Anna speaks, all the time, making waffles and flipping the chicken.
"All of the above!" I say; hoping I can have it.
"All right: one veggie omelet with gruyere, and fontina. Coming up."
"Hey you mentioned meat?"
"One cheese omelet then."
"Elliott shut up. Before you get nothing." Jose hiss at me.
"What? She asked?" I pout. Kate pinch's my side. "Ouch! Katie!"
"Gluttons don't eat here. Now? Tell Anna a reasonable omelet order. Or go eat at McDonald's'." Kate laughs at me. Ok, maybe I was a little greedy. I see their point; I need to be reasonable and maybe she will feed me.
"Anna? I'm sorry. Could I have the veggie omelet with all the peppers, smoked salmon, gruyere and fontina and whatever herbs you think would be good." I ask contrite and hopeful.
"Ok; coming right up with Jose's cheesy all the peppers omelet. Kate's egg white blanket for her chicken fried chicken." Anna buzzes around the kitchen. Its culinary artistry to behold. She would easily rivel Mia or even the Great Gail, Christian's housekeeper. Within a short amount of time, hot food laid before us. And we eat. Anna joins us a few minutes later.
"Can you cook like this Kate?"
"no one can cook like Anna."
"Translation; neither Kate or Jose can do more than coffee, tea, and nuke frozen foods; how about you?" Anna laughs.
"I can barbecue, make eggs, toast and nuke frozen dinners. I'm really good at buying in the deli." I laugh.
"Well, you two will starve for sure." Anna laughs.
Kate huffs "I will hire a chief."
"Couldn't you teach Kate during these last years?"
"I tried, really tried! Kate was buying new pots and pans every other month. The girl burned a pot boiling water to boil eggs. Hopeless!" We all laugh, even Kate. Anna laughs "Jose want a list of your cooking failures?" Jose stops laughing and shakes his head no.
These are my kind of people; funny and light hearted. Kate is so relaxed with them. The overdriven student is missing here with her roommates. If things work out; I might, talk to them, into letting me crash here and get rid of the hotel? Having Annie's cooking would be a great thing. Maybe even invite Christian; I think Annie could convert his gay ass; If he's gay? If not her than Jose might tempt him to loosen up and enjoy life. It's the two thousand, for Pete-sake, no one cares if your gay, straight, of bi or really any freaky shit. I just want my brother to be happy and enjoy the fruits of his success.
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last week of September:
Looking out over the ocean, waves crashing thru the rocks beyond the point. The dawn hasn't broken. The gray of twilight harkens back to other surfing safari, searching for the perfect curl. I sit alone here off the Oregon coast. Sitting on my board waiting for a sign. The perfect wave, the perfect sunrise, the perfect great white to end my life. All I can do is sit here beyond the breaks (waves) and wait.
The days spent in school, the nights in my room. Building and rebuilding things with my few Legos. I imagine so many things. Building things, I see. I love the TV when it plays building show. I like dad's sports shows too. I love to draw, think how do I build that. I watch the men next door. Building the new apartments. I watch them hammer and cut. Lift and place the wood. Some nights, I sneak out and exploring the unfinished building. Slipping thru the gap in the chained gate; evading the mumbling guard. He smells like daddy's friends who hurt him and mommy. I hate the smell.
I hide in class, sitting as far back as I can be. Never answer any questions. Never raise my hand, except to go to the bathroom. I try hard not to do that in class. I must never be noticed. Never the center of attention. Mommy gets mad if the teachers see me. I must never be seen.
Kates's apartment bedroom two days later:
Waking sweat bullets; looking at Kate's peaceful sleep. I want everything with her. And I can't do it. One woman forever. Could I? The past weeks have been amazing, easy; just blissful. From the sex to the dating, to just being together. The weeks have been the best. An I'm scared shitless that it will end and destroy me. I have to protect myself and save myself from the possibilities of her destroying me; leaving me.
Gathering what little I have here and walking to my hotel. It's only a mile and half from the girl's condo. I cry the whole way. Tear stinging my eyes. Life is hurting more than I can bare right now. I feel myself breaking under the fear.
Packing my shit; I'm fifty miles north before I call Clint. And let him know "I'll be in Seattle for the next months. I dumped Kate before she dumped me. I feel like shit; and I can't deal with anything." I blow past Seattle and go to the Grand's apple farm.
Arriving late that evening; sleeping in the back of the orchard in my truck dawn breaks. Grandpa T drags me inside for breakfast. Grandma doesn't allow him to question me. I just mop about the farm for a week.
Trying desperately to forget, erase the girls and Jose phone numbers, blocked their calls, and just ignored the pain in my heart. I can do this. I can be like my brother be a man alone. Fixing everything on the farm, the neighbors farm, and the local youth center. Anything to occupy my mind and not think of her.
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The Tacoma project implodes when the building inspector shut down the build. Turns out his wife left him for my site manager. Petty little shit cost me two hundred thousand dollars in lost time, and contract penalties. I have to go down there and fix this. At least it's not WSU or Portland. I shouldn't run into her.
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Tomorrow is Halloween eve; I head into Grey Manor. I have to attend Gwen's party. Otherwise, she'll roofie me; dye me in 49er colors, again and dump me at the stadium Sunday. Like the last time: I blew off one of her and Roz's party after I promised to attend.
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Roz and Gwen Penthouse: Halloween day.
Brunch is pumping. Partying is bouncing: The shanks are in force. An I've already done menage-a-trois in the bathroom with bookend blondes, one double D chested blonde secretary chasing my brother in a bedroom closet and three-o'clock hasn't yet banged the gong. Feeling empty and alone. Nothing I do is helping me forget Kate. Even the sex is meager, bland, and useless. Always seeing her face on the one under me.
Second week after Kate. While in Tacoma dealing with a shit storm in a teacup. A former one-night stand, took a bar stool to me at the dive bar, Lion's Den in Tacoma. Broke some ribs and my lower leg. Bouncing around in a walking cast now; does nothing to improve my mood. Does make the girls pity f ##$k me.
I don't think anything will allow me to forget her, not for a long time. Seeing Gwen headed my way with a full head of steam pouring out her ears. Great one of the shanks ratted me out to the hostess. I bet the closet?
"BANG" my jaw; Damn the girl can punch; "OUCH! AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! Falling grabbing my junk. "Damn it? Gwen that hurts." Going to hurt for the rest of the day and possible into next week.
"Elliot! Give those to your asshole brother. Some bullshit happened at Grey House; and Roz isn't due back till Monday." Gwen screams at me. What? Rolling over and going to sleep; Too much stress and misery to deal with.
Xxxxxxxx
Waking to ice pack on my junk, in Roz and Gwen's bed, and Gwen holding my head to her chest. Stroking my hair.
"Sorry? Elliott." Gwen whispers
"It's ok."
"No, it's not; I shouldn't have blamed you for your brother. Roz called at three-thirty o'clock; Tammy and Burt were ordered into Grey House within an hour of Roz leaving."
"PR dynamic duo? Shit what happened?"
"She won't tell at first, what is going on. Other than they had a major embezzlement and system breach. She said the cost is already over fifty million and climbing. An she's not due back till Monday or Tuesday." Shifting hold her. Comforting my friend. This must be serious.
"They'll weather this." Stroking her hair. I may need to go see Christian and put my bullshit life on hold to help him; if he'll let me? He needs to let his family help him.
"Where we're you at one o'clock, when the shit hit the fan here?" Gwen asks like she doesn't know I was in the closet with some double-D skanky bimbo in a bad cat woman costume. A why do I think of any woman not her; like that?
"Elliott?" Gwen acts offended.
"At two o'clock: Parks dragged Lawrence out by his balls; His frigging balls. Barney punched Henry and slammed Jenifer thru the snacks table. Screaming at them for betraying him and Fred to say nothing of the company. Roz told me; Lawrence betrayed her, me, and the company. This is serious Elliott; I'm scared." Gwen cries in my arms.
Holding her, going over the information. Barney's protégés Henry and Jenifer. Barney the most passive guy; I've seen him let go an entire IT section without losing it like Gwen said.
And Lawrence? Damn Roz and Gwen are heartbroken; they were talking about him fathering their next kid. Hell! He was groomsman at their wedding. Gwen birthing coach! How could he betray them?
This is deep shit! Holding Gwen till sleep takes her. As dawn breaks, I go and try Grey House; It's in lockdown. Jason tells me to wait at my parents' house. Christian will go there after he settle the nightmare taking place in Grey House.
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Grey manor: later
"She used all the things you told her, about us. About me. She used them to get to me. Turn me into a monster" Christian looks out on to storming waters of lake Washington. He turns back to us; the wild uncontrolled and unfeeling animal from before his adoption. The little battered, burned boy in the hospital bed pushed beyond humanity limits. Fear wells up. Stares at me; I've failed my brother and my family.
"She made me the pimp, and I liked it!" Christian barks bitterly and harsh.
Grace wails leaping off the chair and into my arms, as a torrent of mingling tears (hers and mine) soak my shirt. Dad steps in and nail Christian; who slides into the carpet. Limp and lifeless. I carry mom to my truck. Putting her inside. Turning back to the house.
"Shit dad! You scared the f #$k out of me!" Nearly jumping over the cab of my truck; where did he come from; so fast and silent?
"I'm taking Christian home. We can't deal with him and this; while he's like this. I've failed him so bad." Dad looks broken. I reach out and hug him.
"NO! We failed him. We can't let him fall deeper?"
"I failed; period. I'm the father. I was blind to Eliana abusing my son; turning him into a monster."
"DAD NO! I should have told you, he had women in on the weekend. I think women? I know he?" Dad face stops me. What am I missing? I see Jason moving a limb Christian to his SUV.
Looking back to dad. "Elliott; Lincolns' are extremist SM, BDSM-IST. Eliana told me to my face in their divorce: Linc caught her with a younger man. She crowed about affair; neither would say who. Christian was beating those women, abusing them; like Eliana abused him." He weeps harder, shaking in rage and pain.
The simple math explodes in my head; Eliana divorced when Christian was 21. She hit on me when I was fifteen, did she start then? That Summer Christian radically changed; the booze and fighting stopped, his grades skyrocket. Was that all because he was getting sex? She raped my baby brother at fifteen! The affair was 6 years, six years of abusing him, isolating him, turning him into the thing he feared most! Becoming the Pimp. The abuser.
"SMACK!" Leaning back and slap dad's face. He looks at me stunned, but sane.
"Dad, whatever Christian does for sex, now. As an adult is nowhere close to abuse. He's not that kind of guy; and Gail and Jason would never allow illegal, unethical, or abuse to take place around them. Regardless of the abuse and rape she did when he was younger; Christian isn't cold, or remorseless like the Lincolns; He has a good heart, and we all know it." I hold him to me, letting my strength hold the family together. Letting my resolve heal us.
"But he's so cold and unfeeling?" Dad wails into my chest.
"No; Dad he's not. He's isolated and closed off. She did that. She never let him. She manipulated us, Christian. We need to close ranks as a family." I beg him.
"Elliott, you see the good in everyone. But we can't deal with this right now. Take Grace to her Parents. I'll follow once Christian is back at his penthouse and awake. We need to protect your mother and sister." I can see the good in everyone, but the man staring at me in the mirror. Shaking that bitter thought away. It leads to her; Kate. Blinking looking at Dad; that lawyer look again on his face. Not a good place in the family, particularly right now.
"Dad?"
"Take your mother. Please? I'll deal with Christian." Hugging him, get in the truck; Grace is catatonic still; at least the screaming has stopped. Heading east to the apple farm. Unsure how we will heal?
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Apple Farm: three days later.
Sitting in Grandma's kitchen, she's making pancakes and homemade country sausage. Apple syrup in cooling on the table. Grandpa took mom for a walk around the orchard. Dad's phone just goes to voicemail. His law secretary and clerk tell me; he's busy and will call when he can. I called Roz and Gwen answers. The companies in crisis mode: Roz and Christian are too busy to talk right now. She tells me Dad and Flynn, Christian's head shrinker are with Christian 24/7.
Mia is due in any day now. That storm is not going be very pretty. But thankful short: Mia has to fly back to Paris to complete her teaching gig. She'll be back for good at Thanksgiving. The family is splintering, and I fear we'll never recover.
Hearing a car driving up. Walking outside, seeing Mia and Dad get out of his BMW. He looks tired; Mia was driving so he must be really beat. Mom runs up and tackle him. Hugging Mia.
"How's? What's?" I've lost my words.
"Christian's still functionally sedated till tomorrow. The Company is a stable as they can make it. Flynn has Christian scheduled for a month in heavy therapy and this week on medications. Eliana Lincoln is dead; She died in pain and misery, good riddance. The Police believe there's some forty young boys and girls she raped. Christian was number Twenty-eight. Flynn believe he will heal. How's mom, you, and the Grand's?" Mia states, emotional tired, and fragile. I hug her and give my whole heart to my little bratty sister. She's changed so much over the summer.
"Mom's better. Grand's, are holding us (mom and me) together."
"Elliott? How are you handling this?" Mia demands; She's not giving up. I sigh, "guilty, remorse. Pain."
"Guilty?" Mia asks.
"She came on to me when I was fifteen. I blew it off and never told anyone. If I had?" If I had would anyone have believed me; would that have stopped that Evil bi ##h? Christian turnaround that summer; was sex worth that much to him; would he have turned around at all without it? I don't want to think about it. "OUCH! Mia?" She drops me with a knee to my balls. Looking up at her. What is it with girls, kneeing my jewels? I do want to have kids one day.
"We can't change the past. We can only let it guide our now and tomorrow. An we'll never let anyone evil in again. We'll be forewarned and more vigilant." She says, leaning down and hugging me. I let the pain and guilty go. Mia, my baby sister is holding me together. I can let the world go, for now.
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Wakening in bed; the dawn is just breaking the eastern mountain outside my bedroom window; Uncle Bob's old room. Where did yesterday go? Did I dream Mia and Dad? "Grandma! Where is the French Market spice?" Mia yells. Ok; did not dream Mia. "Mia! I'm on the phone!" ok. Dad here too.
"knock" the door cracks.
"Elliott?" Mom peeks in.
"I'm up?" Checking under the blanket; still clothed. Ok a relieve.
Mom come in and crawls into bed and holds me. Stroking my head. "You scared me yesterday. You just zoned out and when to sleep."
"I guess everything got to me, sorry."
"Elliott, you have nothing to be sorry about; You held me together for days. Thank you. You needed sleep, recovery. Everything will be ok." Mom strokes my hair and tells me. I believe her, except about her, Kate.
"So, who's Kate?" Mom asks
"Kate?" I try to deflect the question with a question.
"Yes, the girl you were begging to take you back in your sleep. Mia searched your phone, no Kate or anything close. Your call logs only go back to Wednesday. A Clint is unusually tight lipped about this girl." Mom is on hunt. I'm boned.
"She a girl; I met in Portland. It didn't work out." I say evading the pain, I hope.
"Elliott? No girl has ever affected you like this Kate has. To lie to my face. An I don't care what the girls tell you; You never been able to lie to me or your father. Now Kate?"
"I wasn't good enough for her. So I left."
"Elliott? Did she tell you that?"
"No." I pout, wanting to just forget her, if I can. Why can't I?
"What was she like?"
"She's smart, and funny, and courageous. Loves people; and has really great friends. Nearly everything she does is perfect." I phase out dreamily of Kate and me walking on the beach. We drove down to Indian Beach to surf. Walking the shore of Ecola State Park. Overnighting at a friend's B&B on Chapman Beach. Mellowing under the waning moon, firepit. Cuddled in blankets. Just saying everything without saying anything. I miss her.
"Like Mia?"
"No, like you. I wanted to ask for more but I was afraid she didn't feel the same or more terrifying she did feel the same." I confess.
"Elliott did you ask her?" Mom zeros in on the question, as usual.
"? No?" I whine.
"If you didn't ask her, how do you know?" Logical mom is a pain in the ass; This is why none of us kids ever stayed home sick. One minute you're faking to get out of a test, the next; Big ice cold thermometer is up the old poop-chute.
"I ran."
"Elliott! You need to make it right and ask her."
"She's moved on by now. I'll get over it."
"Baby? You mind tells you that, but your eyes tell me different. Ask?" Mom holds me and we don't talk anymore. Couple hours later, Grandpa rouses us for brunch.
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Grace-pov
"Mom?"
"Yes, dear?"
"Elliott just confessed to making a terrible mistake down in Portland. Letting his fears of marriage, commitment; override an amazing woman he met. I think she's the one, the first girl he truly has fallen head over heels in love with. What should we do?"
"Not the one who whacked him?" Mom asks. I shake my head no.
"Encourage him to reconnect and try again. Trevelyan's are gun shy, skittish even up to the altar. But once they connect; it's a done deal. Even you had doubts till Carrick tossed you on his motorbike and took you to Sturgis. Remember?" Mom is digging the deep dirt. To make me see the path.
Freaking out when he asked me after just one month. Running home from Detroit to the farm to hide out. Four days later he arrived and kidnapped me, with only the cloths on my back. Eight days later we returned; ring on my finger and wedding date set. Grey men once they find the right one; never give up asking. Till the minster says 'I pronounce you married.'
"Yea. But how do I convince him to try again?"
"Easy; put them together really close and let nature take its course. If that fails, Shanghai the two to remote local. They'll either join or kill each other." Mom has that strange look, of experience something profound.
"You've done this before?"
"Yes, Grandma Trevelyan, arrange your father and me to spent a night stranded at Summit Lake between Gakona and Delta Junction. During my nurse residence in Alaska. In a late spring blizzard, no less. Devious old dragon!" Mom giggles about the formidable Old Matron Great grandmother. All I remember is a fragile lady, with wonderful tales or doing, being, living. Feeding me toffee when mom's backs was turned.
"Ok I'll see what I can do. Now we just have to heal Christian?" I drift off in doubts and self-hate. How could I have been so blind?
"Gracie? Christian is stronger than you like, or believe him to be. He couldn't have survived everything he's lived thru and still have so much of his soul and heart left." Mom look resolved "He'll pull thru, and just maybe prove everyone wrong; Agatha in the knitting group; She into all that wicca and new age stuff. She said the tarot cards indicate Christian soulmate is waiting for him; an old soul in a garden, lost seeking a knight to rescue." Mom puts a lot of faith in her old friends. Maybe the cards are right.
"A knight to rescue or be rescued?" I ask
"She was very specific: The girl would rescue Christian." Mom says dreamy eyed. Could that be the key? Christian needs an equal?
"Agatha in June told me. Elliott is seeking the wrong horses; He needs a girl who is a Gemini of him; completely to his loving, carrying, nurturing inner core." I always thought Elliott hides his inner face too much with that clown and playboy act. He longs for a girl like mom or me.
Walking to the old apple tree in the roundabout; the twenty varieties tree Great-Grandpa Trevelyan pruned and grafted together during his lifetime. Grandpa Trevelyan build the octagon high backed benches surrounding the grand old lady. Mom added the seat cushions, while dad added Christmas lights and three spotlights for reading. The family touch stone. In summer evening, sitting, reading, enjoying the apple scented breezes. This is home and what it truly means to be family.
I wonder at the dark shadow filling the branches, moonbeams bouncing off the nearly ripe fruit. Lights flicker on. When I feel Carrick's hands around me. We will get thru the trials of our children's search for true soulmates.
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Second week of November, Wednesday; WSU: Elliott -pov
Sitting outside the WSU Vancouver campus Deans office. Waiting for the loud screams to subsides. Larry Bosworth, Christian's liaison, is yelling the loudest.
My little joy ride to the McDonalds down the road from the job site causes major headaches. At least I convinced the local cops to just issue traffic citations. The eight coeds riding with me to lunch was a major mistake, for sure.
I'll have to pay the damages to the road, and fines, and repairs to the bulldozer. I wrecked after my crew, haul it back to the job site on the lowboy. My running at full speed over the ruts and holes till I speared it nose first in the old building hidden utility basement. Nearly broke my neck catapulting out of the driver seat and landing in the debris pile. Didn't help my busted leg or sore ribs. Dozer looking like an obscene phallus rising from the dirt.
Christian's going to have a cow; But Kate made me do it, act out and stupidly do things to show her she doesn't matter anymore. I started Monday to make amends. She'd moved on. I watched her sucking face with some Football guy in the cafetiere. She looked right thru me. Like I wasn't even there or worthy of her time. I've lost her forever.
I step into the new classroom; I take my seat in the front of the class. I smile and answer every question I can. The Teacher is upset I don't let the other kids answer. I like being the center of attention. I like being loud and happy. I smile and laugh as the last bell rings. these two years have been the best!
Rushing out to the car. I see Carrick waiting for me. "How was School? In two sentences?" He teases me. Arriving home; I rush into the kitchen to tell Grace what I did and build in school today.
"Elliott, sit down. I'd like to tell you some happy news." I sit down and look at them. They are worried. Was I too loud? Too happy?
"There is a young boy in the Hospital. He's been hurt very badly. He has no family. No one to love him."
"Bring him here? We have lots of love to give him." I demand.
"So, you want a brother?"
"I guess. I mean he can't touch my Legos but everything else is ok." I smile and wonder what he will be like.
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WEEKS LATER:
Next week, heading north to Grey Manor; Thanksgiving. Mia was so down after her escape to Provincial France as a food tourist over the summer. Something happened. By the time she turned up, whatever had happened was over. Now, she is all about the family and taking care of all of us. With Christian barely functioning; It not going to be a good holiday.
Watched Kate laughing with Annie outside the Library. I miss her; but I've burned that bridge and squandered the chances to repair. I have to move on. But my heart hurts for her. I have nothing left.