Don't own Chuck
Chuck and Mary arrived at home as Sarah was still tending to Bunny. They found Casey and Sam in the courtyard with a suspicious air that they were up to something. Sam was covered in sweat and Mary quickly spotted the ice cream on Sam's blouse. But Chuck was more interested in what they two were up to. They both had the face of the cat who ate the canary.
"What were you two doing before we got here? Sam, you're one sweaty little sweet pea," said Chuck as he stood there with Mary.
"Nothing… we were… we were playing catch. Yes, that's right. Casey was showing me how to play catch for school. I'm thinking about trying out for the Pee Wee league… maybe win a scholarship for university."
"As a pitcher," said Casey. "Yes, we had fun tossing the ball around a bit. How good were you Chuck," said John as he tossed him the ball.
"I was all right," said Chuck as he caught the ball. "But isn't it a little early to be thinking about university and scholarships. I think there's time for that but strange this sudden liking for baseball. When I suggested we go watch a game together you told me it was boring.
"That's because you were going to watch the Dodgers," said Casey as he tried to change the conversation. "Now if it had been the Cubs it would've been another story."
"Yeah but at least with the Dodgers you don't have wait a hundred and eight seasons before they win a world series."
"To be a Cub's fan is to learn the meaning of patience. I think we've done enough for today. It's time for you to hit the showers kiddo."
"Yes, let's get you cleaned up. I see you had time for ice cream but did you get what you needed to get done too."
"Yes of course, Mommy ordered all my supplies off Amazon Prime and everything will be here tomorrow. No muss no fuss is what she said."
"I'm sure she did. Throwing money out the window... well you will need to get a scholarship if you plan on going to the university. And you had time for ice cream I see. Come with me we need to get you cleaned up," said Mary as she herded Sam inside. Chuck gave Casey a look over.
"I'll see you later John. We can talk more after dinner," said Chuck. He knew he couldn't leave Mary and Sarah together alone. It was like mixing gasoline with a flame so he had to put off his interrogation until later.
"About what?" said John but Chuck was already gone. "Bartowski, you can be a real tool sometimes… tool," said Casey as he had a sudden idea.
"I've got the solution to my problem right next door," he said to himself. "But you've got to be careful how you ask or the old crow will overhear and cut you off before you get what you need. Yes, this just might work. But patience Casey… patience. It only took us a hundred and eight seasons to win a World Series. What are a few hours in comparison?"
Chuck went inside and it was a good thing he did. He heard Mary and Sarah sharpening their tongues as soon as he walked in.
"I found your daughter outside covered in sweat and ice cream. Oh, and I was informed that you decided to go the mail order route instead of shopping for what she needs. I have to admit it's probably easier that way but not very cost effective."
"Cost effective? What do you mean by cost effective?" said Sarah as she sat at the table trying to feed Bunny green beans but Bunny was more interest in squishing them in her little hands.
"I don't know why I cleaned you up before feeding you," said Sarah as Bunny just giggle and grabbed hold of more green beans and squished them starting the cycle over again.
"What I mean is there are sales on now before school starts. You don't have to pay full price or shipping and handling you're. Just because you two have money doesn't mean you have to waste it. It's no wonder Sam is learning how to pitch to pay for her university. She sees the hand writing on the wall."
"The hand writing on what!"
"That's not fair Mom, Sarah isn't wasting money," said Chuck as he jumped in. "You have to factor in her time which is worth something. The time she saves in shopping around, wasting gas then waiting in line all make on-line shopping cheaper and a more efficient use of her energies."
"So she can have time to eat ice cream," said Mary. Chuck could see the flames leap out of Sarah's eyes and he knew he had to separate them quickly.
"Love, why don't you let me take over feeding Bunny so you can get Sam cleaned up or I can clean Sam up and you continue with what you're doing."
However, Sam and he had a signal worked out when she was supposed to speak up. He made eye contact then winked at her and she nodded back.
"Mommy, I'd prefer if Nana Mary came with me," said Sam. She's understood the signal. "She can see the things we bought in my room and help me with my bath. That is if you don't mind," said Sam as she made the cutest face she could make.
"Sure Sweetie, that will give your mother time to call in a takeaway for dinner," said Mary as she took Sam back to her room. "In my day, they didn't have takeaway. You had to cook dinner for your family."
"Let it go," said Chuck as he quickly got to Sarah's side and put his hand over her mouth which she promptly bit. "Ouch! What's that for?"
Bunny laughed as Chuck tried to shake out his hand. She squished some more green beans then held them up to Chuck.
"Thanks Sweetie but you need to eat." He pretended to eat them. "Yum, yum are these good for my tummy." She laughed even more and held up more.
"I don't know yet but don't put your hand over my mouth ever again. She deserves to hear what I think of her. What she did back in her day. Did you hear that line of crap? I don't know what family she was talking about because it sure wasn't for you or Ellie. What does she think I do all day? Eat ice cream and cakes with my friends?"
"You need to let this go. You can't let her get under your skin even though I know it's hard for you. Let me put water on and we'll make pasta with a meat sauce… No takeaway tonight all right?."
"But then she'll make a comment about you cooking when I was at home all day. Here you take Bunny and wipe her down. I think we're done here then while you're doing that I'll put the water on for pasta and get garlic bread in the oven."
"You could chop up some tomatoes and put some basil on it to make bruschetta," said Chuck as Sarah made a face. "Or not. Don't let Mom get to you. You should've been with me today at work with her. I never thought I'd say this but I miss the General. What's this letter on the fridge?"
"You need to tell your mother you won't be in until the afternoon tomorrow. We've got orientation to attend at Sam's school."
"Orientation for elementary school? Do we get to visit her dorm room too?"
"Funny and don't think I haven't figured out you and Sam have a secret code when you want to separate Mary and I. I caught that wink and thanks." Bunny said thanks to by handing Chuck another handful of squished green beans.
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Roan and the General had a wonderful supper in the Grande Cru at the Yacht Haven Marina. The chef provided them with the catch of the day and a fine bottle of pinot capped off the evening. After dinner Roan took Diane for a walk down to the piers to have a peek at the Annabel Lee and to admire the view of Long Bay and Hassel Island.
"Well, there she is so what do you think," said Roan as they walked along the pier. "We can board tomorrow and then tomorrow evening we'll see the sunset at sea in the Caribbean. How does that sound?"
"It sounds perfect," said Diane as she walked along the pier admiring the boat. They heard voices coming from onboard then they saw the Skipper come walking off down the gangway.
"What are you two doing walking down here at night? You need to be pay attention to the lines or you'll find yourselves in the drink."
"Captain Troy, you look just like you do on your website. We're your passengers who are supposed to board tomorrow. Sorry, I'm Roan Montgomery and I just brought down the Gen… the misses so she could check out where we're supposed to be calling home for the next two weeks."
"Well then I guess it's a welcome aboard then. If you're here early and want to check board, go ahead. I don't see why you can't your cabin is ready and tonight or tomorrow morning is the same really."
"But I've got my things up at the Waldron," said Diane but she saw the look on Roan's face. "I guess we could if you want to."
"I do," said Roan. If he wanted this vacation to take off he needed to get her away from Marley and the crime scene. "I'll call the hotel and have them send our things down here so we can spend our first night onboard tonight."
"That's better for me too. We can shove off at first light and catch the morning trade winds. We'll make a run to Saint John's Island where you can have lunch while we circle the island then dip down to see some of the Lesser Antilles before coming back up. I can go over the chart with you tomorrow there are two itineraries that I'll let you pick from. Just one second and I'll get someone to bring you onboard. I promise I'll be right back so wait right here," said the Skipper then he went back on board.
"This is great," said Roan as he rubbed his hands together. "I can't believe what luck we're having tonight."
"Who knows how lucky you might get. But what a coincidence, we'll be down here onboard away from the investigation," she said as she saw Roan's look. "What? You didn't actually think you were going to pull one over on me, did you? Roan Montgomery after all these years I think I know just about every trick you have up your sleeve."
"I don't know if you know them all. I've still got a little magic left that will dazzle you and some of that you're going to see on this trip. Besides Diane you need a break and to borrow a maritime example you need to get yourself out of the doldrums. You know what they say all work and no play makes Diane an irritable boss."
"I don't believe I've ever heard that said like that and certainly not to my face. But I hear what you're saying," she said as they heard the Skipper talking to some other men then they appeared on the gangway.
"Here let me introduce you. This is Spike, my first mate and this is Spud, my second. They will show you to your cabin and get you settled in. I've got an important meeting ashore that I'm late for," said Troy as he looked at his watch. "I'd like to shove off at day break so you'll need to have your coffee and breakfast below decks unless you want to wait until after we leave port. There's just too much chaos involved with pulling out. Spud will come and tell you when you can come topside but if you do want to see what's going on then you need to come up early and stay with me next to the wheel. You do know what that is?"
"Yes, of course we do. This isn't the first time we've been onboard a vessel. But we'll wait until tomorrow morning to make that decision."
"That's fine too. I just have to run now. Spud, Spike take care of our passengers and don't wait up for me. It might be late when I get back." Then he disappeared down the pier into the darkness.
"The Skipper said you had bags in town to bring onboard. I've got an empty van parked over there we use to get supplies. I can run one of you up to the hotel and have you back in nothing flat. Spike, can show the other one the cabin and walk you around the boat."
"That's a good idea Spud. What do you two think? It will get your things here quicker and safer. Those hotel people… well I don't trust them."
"I'll go with Spud," said Roan. His wasn't a chivalrous gesture but a calculated one. If Diane went with Spud then she was liable to run into Marley again or feel she needed to take one more look which would lead to another and another. As much as she knew him he knew her and this was going to be a good vacation if he had to kill to someone to make it that way.
Roan took off driving back to the hotel with Spud while Spike showed Diane their cabin and a little around the boat. Roan and Spud hadn't gotten very far when Roan started trying to strike up a conversation with Spud.
"Is Spud your given name or just one everyone calls you? Where I'm from it's almost an insult if your Irish to be called Spud."
"My given name is Robert O'Brien but it's the same here and yes, my people came here from Ireland that's why I've got the red hair. We came here in 1848 but for some here that was just yesterday."
"That was long after the age of the pirates," said Roan as they drove pass a bar with a sign that read 'the Buccaneer'.
"Who says that was long ago or that it's over? There still are piracies today just that the government down here doesn't want to admit it. It's bad for business and might scare away tourists like yourself."
"I don't scare easily and this is a well-deserved vacation so what can you tell me about these modern Black Barts and company that will get them to stay away while I'm here." Spud turned over to his left shoulder and spit but the window was down so it blew back in.
"Don't every mention that name again and never mention it on the boat or anywhere near Spike. It's bad luck... it's like calling the name of the devil."
"What do you mean? Black Bart's been dead for what three… four hundred years now. What harm can he do to me?"
"You don't understand. We people who live on the sea are a superstitious bunch and there are some that say that devil you mentioned has come back from the dead with his blood thirsty crew of cut throats. Before you laugh and tell me I'm being silly or drunk Spike saw him when he took his boat…"
"But I thought Spike was the First Mate on the Annabel Lee? How can he have his own boat? Why would he be the First Mate onboard when he's skipper of his own?"
"Pirates jumped him is what happened and they took his boat stealing everything that wasn't nailed down including all the valuables from the passengers. When they finally got themselves free, they sailed back into port and they reported what happened to the Coast Guard which result in Spike's boat being impounded. He begged Troy to take him on so he could make some money while he's waiting for the Admiralty investigation to finish."
"I guess telling the authorities that a three hundred year old dead pirate came back from the grave and robbed you didn't go over very well with the investigators."
"No, it didn't but he's not the only one who's seen him. It's just the others were smart enough not to testify to what they saw. They just said pirates boarded their boats without going into details about who the pirates were. Spikes stubborn that way."
"Then if Spike was hired as First Mate recently then what happened to the old First Mate? Surely there already was one?"
"You're looking at him. But so what if I got bumped down a peg, that's all right. Besides, it's just for this one trip and I don't mind helping out Spike. He's one of the few honest men I know. Here we are," said Spud as they pulled up outside the Waldron.
"Let me run inside and get our things then check us out. It shouldn't take that long. If you want to wait inside I can meet you in the bar? I'll buy you a round while you wait."
"Thanks, but no thanks, the likes of me don't mix well with the likes in there. I'll just wait out here with the van but if you're feeling generous," said Spud as he handed Roan his flask. "Maybe you can top this off inside with some Captain Morgan."
"Excuse me," said Roan as he laughed. "You won't mention the other name but Captain Morgan just rolls off your tongue."
"To be more precise it's more like it passes over the tongue on its way down," said Spud as Roan laughed even harder.
"I sorry I'm not making fun of you but I think I've found a kindred soul in you. I'll be right back with the Captain."
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Back at Echo Park everyone was eating dinner round the table. Sam was trying to roll her spaghetti around her fork but it was more like take no prisoners with pasta sauce flying everywhere. Chuck laughed and showed her once again how to use the spoon to twirl the spaghetti in. Mary sat eating silently but it was more the lull before the storm broke and it did.
"This isn't bad but the pasta is a little overcooked and the sauce... well, did it come from a jar? It doesn't taste homemade… nothing like what I used to make."
"No, Sarah made the sauce from scratch and I think the pasta is fine. If anything, it's a little too Al Dente for Sam. That's why she's having difficulty with it."
"I told you Sweetie I could cut it up then you could use a spoon to eat it," said Sarah as she glanced over at Mary who was eating away. "So, it must not be that bad," thought Sarah.
"No, I need to learn how to do this and besides no one is going to cut up my food when I eat at school. I'll get the hang of this sooner or later."
"Well if you say it's homemade I'll take your word for it but this tastes like something I had that came out of a green bag that you dropped in hot water and came with a brownie."
"Here try some garlic bread," said Chuck as he passed it to his Mom. It was his way to tell her to fill her mouth and shut up. But she didn't seem to take the hint or didn't want to.
"No thank you. I've tried that already and it's a little dry for my tastes. Maybe if you'd cut up some tomatoes and added basil it would've been better. But I have to give it to you for effort. Maybe you'll get it right next time. However, if you cooked more often then you'd have more practice."
"I don't think Sarah needs anymore practice. Everything tastes fine by me and what I remember growing up was we had our own private chef that cooked for us. I think he was called Chef Boyardee."
Chuck could tell something was coming when Sarah started talking but it was like being a witness at a train wreck. You can see it's about to happen but there's nothing you can do to stop it.
"Chuck, what are you thinking," said Sarah. "Mary would've never bought anything like that. You guys probably had to eat that after she disappeared without a trace."
There was sudden silence at the table. Chuck was trying to think of something fast before weapons were draw but luckily for him Morgan and Alex dropped in with Casey and Kat behind them.
"I'm sorry if we're barging in like this but we come bearing gifts. Mom made a big peach cobbler so we thought we'd bring it over and share."
"We never turn down a dessert and Morgan before you ask there's spaghetti and sauce left on the stove. There's also garlic bread on the table too."
"How about grape soda and parmesan cheese? You need the cheese for the sauce or what kind of sauce is it?"
"That's what's missing," said Mary. "I knew there was something wrong with this. It's missing the cheese. See even Morgan knows that."
"Morgan, both are in the fridge," said Chuck. "Mom, you could've told us you wanted some or gotten up and gotten it…"
"Instead of complaining," said Sarah into her wine glass. Chuck gave her a look across the table. "What? I said you were right. Mary, this is your home too."
"Why thank you dear. I sometimes forget," said Mary as verbal knives were tossed about. Kat looked at John who just shrugged his shoulders back.
"What's this letter on the fridge," said Morgan as he popped the top on his grape soda then took it down and started reading it.
"Morgan, what are you doing? You can't just open other people's mail and read it. It's not very nice and rude."
"Why are you yelling at me? Casey does it all the time. I don't have to read my mail anymore I just ask John for synopsis."
"When I do it, it's called work. When you do it, it's called putting your nose where it doesn't belong."
"This says there's a meeting for all parents and children attending Sam's school tomorrow for orientation. The only orientation we got was what the older kids did to me in the bathroom. It involves a toilet bowel and that's all I'm going to say. Sam, my advice to you is don't use the restroom. Hold it until you come home," said Morgan as he made himself a plate.
"What? No, don't listen to Morgan. He caused most of his problems," said Chuck. "No, tomorrow will be fun. You'll be able to meet some of your classmates tomorrow and play with them. I met Morgan in school…"
"I thought you were going to list the pros of going to school. Why'd you have to throw in a con?" But I was thinking since I'm going to school tomorrow I think I need an extra big piece."