Chapter 26 – the End.

The end of the alphabet challenge 2008 and all answers found here ( well, almost). An extra long chapter, please enjoy.

Thanks to all reading this and very much appreciated to those who reviewed (esp. Siapatu and Hak!)

Z is for Zeroing In.

Don was back to work after being shot. He decided to take up Charlie's offer of a weekend of fun at his place. They planned a paintball shooting competition, and Alan had something to tell his boys.

Zeroing in – the end of all mysteries.

Don had taken Friday and Saturday off and had to admit to himself that he was not really a hundred percent fit. He still had the soreness around his stomach, but he was not telling anyone about that.

He wanted to rest up in case Charlie decided to have the game they had talked about much earlier on.

Alan looked at both of them talking and planning some activities. Two heads poured over a piece of paper.

He looked closely at Don. He knew that he was still not one hundred percent fit. By chance, Alan saw him slowly massaging his stomach. He decided not to say anything about it and to keep an eye on him, without him knowing, of course.

Since both of them were here, he thought it would be better if he got what he wanted to say off his chest. Don being shot and hospitalized longer because of the infection put a rest to his well prepared speech.

Maybe now was the time to get all this off his chest, "Hey, you two, can you please listen to me for a while?"

Charlie whispered to Don, "He wanted to talk for a few days after you came back from the hospital. But then, dear brother, you were sleeping most of the time, and when you were better, you escaped."

Don looked at Charlie. "Escaped? Charlie, I wanted some peace and not you two looking at me asking if I was alright or if I wanted anything. The best place was my own place. I would have peace and quiet and be able to sleep…."

"And not eat."

"I do. Oh well, when my stomach tells me to."

"So, okay, you went back to your apartment to recuperate, so here it comes again. No, you don't escape this time." Charlie pulled at Don who was about to move away.

"OK dad, let it rip. We are all ears." Charlie said and pushed Don to sit beside him.

"Ah.. my boys."

"Oh boy…" Don said, "This is it." He made a sign to Charlie who was beginning to look worried now that their dad was really going to 'give the talk'.

Alan looked at both of them and said, "I want to get this off my chest once and for all. If I go, I go in peace. Not that I want to go, well, I am not getting any younger, and neither are BOTH of you. You know what I mean."

"Dad……" Charlie's opening speech was cut off with a stare from his father.

"I kept hearing Charlie saying zeroing in, zeroes, so I have my own.

Zeroing in, I mean. I don't want to tell you both how to live your lives.

I don't want to say "I told you so." When there are so many times that I really wanted to but…."

"I am living here, with Charlie in Charlie's house and thought I would like to move out. But nothing beats living in a house where I can cook and have my two boys at home eating."

"Well, I know I can do that in my own place, but I think getting you two to come to my place is not the same as here in this house, you know what I mean."

Both of them nodded enthusiastically too much that he looked at both of them suspiciously, but still he continued.

"Well, OK, thank you. Glad you two agree. I am saying, I am old and getting older still, not much time now until I see your mother."

At that, both of them looked up, and Charlie blurted, "Dad, don't say that. It's so morbid."

"Yes, but it's a fact that someday all of us might die. Hopefully not all together or any time soon, but later much later would be very nice."

"And… the fact is that I am much older than both of you, and I would be very glad that I go first instead of either one of you. No, no, hear me out. I would like to get this off my chest in case I do just drop, you two will have this on your minds.

"I would like to come to point zero as Charlie would say."

Don didn't want to hear what his father had to say. He quickly jumped in, much to the pleasure of Charlie.

"Talking about "zero." Chuck , did you remember to get everything ready? Some time back you talked about shooting me with zeros or rather rotten eggs. What about it?"

In actual fact, they were whispering about it, but Don purposely brought it up again to stop their father from talking.

"Don, I would appreciate it if you would let me talk about this."

"Ah yes, Don I remembered. You said you would shoot them dead with the numbers, my numbers. Well, you finally did it." Charlie said, and he sat closer to Don.

"So, how about it? The FBI has some mini paint balls that look like zeros, don't they?"

At Don's nod, Charlie continued, "We have two teams, and Dad can be the umpire and keep track of how many times each of us gets hit, you know if one gets hit more that five times or so, he gets knocked off."

"Dunno, Charlie, how will you get the paintballs or even the guns? I don't think FBI will let you borrow equipment from their training range."

Actually, Charlie had it all taken care of.

"Hey, there are many training ranges around. I made a call to the trainer I went to recently. In fact I called my instructor friend, and we have already arranged….."

"What! You really did that, impossible, they don't allow anyone …"

"Don, Don, Don…. you must know who you are talking to…"Charlie wangled his eyebrows.

Their tactic worked for Alan was looking from one son to the other, and his face was impassive, neither angry nor happy.

Don was still not convinced. Charlie gave in and said, "OK, OK, in exchange I promised Thomas that I would give a lecture on Math with regards to their training tactics, and I will talk to his son about Math."

"Ha! Knowing Thomas, I knew he would not cave in easily. When is he bringing the equipment? We are having it in the backyard, aren't we?"

Alan was now very interested in their talk. This was the first time he heard about paintballs. Both of them were very enthusiastic about it. It was a good feeling that his boys were acting like kids with their new toys.

They continued talking, planning and ignoring their father.

Alan looked at both of them and gave up. He knew what they were doing. They were distracting him from giving them a prep talk about his last will and testament. It was a good feeling he was having now.

He shook his head and stood up, "So who wants popcorn?"

"Yes Dad, please." Charlie said, "I need to work it out with Don regarding our upcoming 'shoot them dead with Zeros' paintball game."

Alan turned towards the kitchen area and stopped, "You two know that I love you both very much, don't you?"

Don looked at Charlie, and he nodded his head. "We love you too!" both of them answered back with grins on their faces.

Alan gave them a wide smile, "Alright, popcorn coming up."

Don smiled his crinkly smile and tilted his head at his father's back, "That will do nicely. Boy, do I hate that kind of talk, so morbid. He'd outlive us easily."

"You, outlive, you. Don your job's dangerous and see how you nearly bowed down to the reaper. I don't want ever to see that again."

"Yea, OK. Now move away. I'm for a nap. You think of the plan and let me know. I'll tell my guys," Don said.

"How about a barbeque before? I know it's impromptu, but it'll be fun. Tell you what, a game of golf just the four, no, five of us, then barbeque in the evening with the two teams. Have you told Larry?" Don paused, "Gosh, I have forgotten about Gary. Wonder if it's too late to tell him now?"

"Don, Don, don't worry. I have told everyone, but it was for Sunday. About a Saturday barbeque, I'm not sure if they can make it."

Much earlier when Don was out of hospital and staying in Charlie's house:

While Don was still in the recuperating stage, Charlie kept him company and made sure he had his medication and what little food he could eat without puking. After he got better, they had long talks.

Charlie had no papers to grade and no lessons to prepare. There was a short school break and he had taken another week off.

In between looking after Don and doing some research on his current project, he remembered the paintball game he and Don were so enthusiastic about when Don came to him for the numbers.

He did some planning and started calling people who were on his and Don's list.

Thinking of giving Don time to get really well, he had tentatively planned it for the following month on the last Sunday. That would give Don about four weeks to get well for the game.

He had called the people in their initial plan when they first joked about it. Don had said to add in Gary and Charlie thought of Millie. Without Don's knowledge, he also invited Robin and Liz.

"May I speak with Lt. Gary Walker..." and before Charlie could say anymore, he winced when he heard the other side yelling, 'LOO TENANT!' into the phone.

Gary came on, "Joey, will you quit shouting into the phone….. Walker here."

"Hi, loo tenant."

"Yea, funny, who's this? Oh Charlie Eppes, what can I do for you? Is Don getting better? Is he back at your place?"

"Gary, all the questions, yes, you can do something for me, and yes, Don is getting better. He's back home with us for a few days, resting nicely. In another week, he will be back in the office."

"That's great. I heard they went easy on that student XL, probation for three years. They are still considering the drug charges. Maybe they won't do anything about it."

"That's the latest. Oh great, Don will be pleased. Hey, I'm calling …"

Charlie had ended the call with Gary promising not to miss the game. He said it would be good to shoot people and have fun at the same time, good therapy.

Charlie called Robin next. "Hi Robin, Charlie Eppes here. No, no, Don's OK, he's back home with us, you know? Eh.. you can come and visit him if you like. I think he's getting bored with our company. OK, that's great."Charlie said when Robin said she might drop by later.

"Robin, the reason I'm calling is that….."

Robin said it was not a problem, and she laughed and said her shooting skills were better for she had been going to the shooting range now that she's back in LA. She added that it'll be interesting if Don and her were on the opposite team.

"We'll see, no promise." Charlie said and told her not to talk to Don about this. Robin didn't ask why but said OK.

Charlie was thinking, 'Fat hope, surely Don would want Robin by his side. He'll make sure nobody hits her.'

"Hey, Oswald, busy studying or playing your games?"

"Oh hi Charlie er..Professor, what can the great Oz do for you? Any more FBI things for me to help out?"

"No, not now, I wanted to ask you if you are free on……'

Oswald came back to Charlie after he said to hold on for a while. He had to check the dates.

"Aw, Charlie , I am sorry, much that I like to come and see you and your folks again, I cannot, just cannot, not this date."

"Oh, that's too bad, what if I change……"

"No, no, Charlie don't change on my account. Maybe some other time we can get together. I have a skateboard demonstration and a competition on Sunday. It's for the benefit for of the Neglected Kids' Home. Everything we raise goes to that Home. Sorry man."

Charlie said it was alright, and he apologized that he cannot come and watch. He said he would donate a sum towards that cause, which pleased Oswald very much.

"Good afternoon, can I speak to Professor Mildred Fitch?"

"Yes, you are speaking to her, Charlie ,what can I do for you?"

"Oh hi Millie. How's work over at your side? Getting used to your new position ?"

"Oh, it alright. I don't have to chase after those Professors, just delegate and delegate. Now I have time to concentrate on my writing. How's your father and that handsome brother of yours?"

Charlie said his father was well but was very worried a week ago and gave a brief description of what happened to Don .

"My goodness, I hope he's much better now. Poor Alan, all the worries."

At that Charlie was amused, yeah poor dad, and said , "I'll let Dad know that you're concerned for him and Don. Millie I'm calling to invite you….."

Millie agreed to come and said it would be nice to try and shoot for fun.

Charlie told her the date and the time and said that he and his family will be looking forward to see her again.

So all in all, David, Colby, Liz, Robin and Gary were on Don's team and Amita, Larry, Millie were on Charlie's team. Charlie got Larry to get Megan to come and be on their team. When he made the calls, they were all very enthusiastic and readily agreed.

They were still one short and their dad was not allowed to play due to his age. Then it all turned out well. Millie called and said she will not play the game but would be glad to be their referee and keep score.

Finally the time drew near. Don went back to light desk duty for another two weeks before the final medical clearance for field work.

Charlie had been steadily preparing for their paintball game. Charlie made another call to Thomas the trainer to make the necessary arrangements for the delivery of the protective gear, guns and enough paintball 'bullets' for 10 players.

Present:

"You talk about food, oh yea, Colby and David will come running. I'll get them to bring the beer." Don laughed.

"I'm all done too. I told Thomas to bring all the things here tomorrow. We have already gone over the rules, so I will tell you all tomorrow evening."

"Golf game?" Don asked again.

"OK Golf game tomorrow morning. I'll go with Amita to get the meat. You get the girls to bring the salad."

"What girls? Megan is not around. Am not sure about Larry." Don laughed.

"Megan is with Larry, and they will both come. I'm thinking about your Liz and Robin. Liz is dating Colby now isn't she?"

"Not sure, but I did tell both of them to go for it." Don said, and he pulled out his cell, "Hi one more thing. Can you drop by the store and get some greens for tomorrow evening? Thinking of barbeque, the guys are coming, and we have a sit in for all the rules of the game. Afterwards, we will eat barbecue and greens. Ha ha.. yea..alright. I'll see you later, don't work too late, bye."

Don pulled another number from his cell, " Hi David, this is to confirm that it's on and tell Colby. Hey, Megan and Larry will be coming too.

We are having barbeque first, tomorrow at 6…. Yep Charlie's place….Tell Colby….Alright see you two, and we are planning some strategies for the paintball game. Charlie's getting the supplies from his friend now, oh, oh, hold on." At this, Charlie made a sign, and Don put a hand out to him, "Can you two bring the beer, thanks. See you."

"Hey, I got hold of Millie. She'll be coming on Sunday."

"Am sure dad will be pleased to see her again."

Suddenly Charlie thought of something. He shouted out to his dad,

"Dad, since you, whatcha call it. "Zeroed in", I want to ask you a question.

Why is the attic becoming the storeroom for gardening stuff like plastics pails, a shovel, new pots? And a big bundle of plastic sheets, anything else underneath all that pile.

"What? Did you think that I was hiding something underneath all that?" Alan came into the room holding a big container of popcorn. He looked at Charlie, and Charlie stared at his dad.

"Great! My son thinks his dad is hiding a body in the attic."

A snort was heard from the couch.

"Well that's easy, we do have a garage don't we?" Alan asked Charlie.

"Yes…."

"And who is using it now?" he asked again.

"Dad, I know the garage is my workplace now, but you can have a corner for those things in the attic. I'm concerned about you going up and down the steps."

"Well then, thank you for your concern. I am also concerned about you tripping over all those things if I stored them in the garage. When you work at the boards, your eyes stare straight at the board and nowhere else. See how many times you get startled and jump out of your skin when someone comes inside?"

Another snort from the couch.

Alan and Charlie ignored the noise, Alan continued, "You do remember one time you had about twenty boards all over the garage and some hanging from the top?"

"Okay, but I have three now and not twenty three."

"No… it's alright those things I'm keeping for future use anyway. The attic's fine for it. That's where all the boards went my dear boy, the 'body' under the pile. "

"Oh Dad, that means you don't have a body underneath all those piles of plastic?" Don swung his legs off the couch and sat up.

Alan stared at Don as he handed the popcorn to Don's outstretched hand.

"Well, I thought a body in the attic would be a very nice game. We can have a guessing game, for all the crooks that we have put away and guess the likely one we have buried in the attic." Don said innocently looking at Charlie.

Charlie's mind was far away….

'Oh no… here it comes.. He remembered.' Don thought.

"Don, what about the address that I wanted you to find. Have you got it? I meant to ask you but one thing led to another, and then you were shot and then the case, so give."

"What address were you talking about Charlie?" Alan asked.

"Charlie……" Don started to warn Charlie.

"What? Charlie? You're still looking for those bullies?" Alan asked again.

"Dad… what do you know about those bullies?" Don eyed his dad, who didn't look a bit intimated.

"I may be old, but I still have ears, which can still hear when both of you argue, I believe."

"Were we arguing about this? I don't believe, Charlie?" Don asked.

"Dad……."

"I know Charlie is looking for one of the students, I believe his name is Hog? I know that he and some other boys ambushed and bashed you up?"

Don kept quiet. He was a bit disappointed that his mother did not keep their secret.

"Hey people no secrets here?" Charlie protested.

"I know why Charlie was looking for him"

Charlie narrowed his eyes at Don who was smirking, "And why?"

"You wanted to ask him if he kept his promise to you."

Charlie nearly protested, but he quickly said, "What promise?"

Don was not 100% sure, but he was not going to tell Charlie that. Something flickered in his mind, and he put it together. The ten dollars, what Hog had said, yep that was it, and he got it!

"You paid him the ten dollars and made him promise not to hit me or listen to Bart."

Charlie gasped, "You found Hog and spoke to him? Oh man you are so not trustworthy. I wanted the address, and you went to see him first? What did he say? Did he said that I gave him the ten dollars?"

Charlie was getting worked up, and Don was amused at his accusations.

"Why are you laughing?"

"Ah Charlie, you fell into Don's trap." Alan looked up from his numbers.

"You mean to say, you did not see Hog? Then how did you know? It was a secret between both of us."

"Charlie, look at you. Why are you so worked up. It's been 23 years, and now you want to bring all this up? I never wanted to say anything, and because of you, now I know that mom didn't keep our secret."

Don kept quiet, so there goes his big secret, and then he decided to throw in his lot of surprise "Charlie, you don't have to look for Hogan Phillips. He's currently in jail serving a 2 year sentence for willful driving and hitting some people. Barty is running a used car shop in San Francisco. He's clean so far, no rap sheet on him. Wonder why he turned out to be the good one while his goons are running bad."

Don was thinking to himself;

'That Cornel/Corn is up to no good too. He must have something to do with all this, gotta dig more. We have yet to get the Queen Bee. I'm going to keep on looking for him.'

"OK, what else do you want to know?"

"What? You knew all these years?" Charlie was surprised that he was not angry at Don. All these years and he thought he could keep a secret when Don had already known.

"No Charlie, at first I didn't know what Hog was talking about when he came to me after I was beaten. Didn't know when he said to tell you he was sorry. I still didn't know for the whole time until you started looking for Hog. I just pieced it all together. And may I say, thank you for your effort. "

"Why didn't you tell me then? About what Hog told you?"

"It seemed like nothing then. I was humiliated because I couldn't fight them. I wanted to forget everything. Mom knew, and I made her promise not to tell anyone, even dad."

And Alan threw in a bomb, "Oh I knew about the second time too, Donny."

Don asked his dad, "I wonder why mom didn't keep the secret. She was not supposed to tell anyone."

Alan put down his Sodoku book, took off his glasses, and looked at both of them. "Donny, your mom did not tell me. It doesn't take much for a parent to know his kid is in pain and trying to keep quiet about it."

"That morning, I saw you had difficulty walking straight. Your mom ignored me when I made a sign to her." Alan paused and continued, "After that, I had no time to question your mother, so I came to my own conclusion."

"Donny, I didn't ask your mom at all after that, and she did not tell me.

One day after work I went to see your Miss Chang. I had made an appointment with her earlier on and said I could only get off at such and such a time," Alan said.

"She said she would wait for me. So I went to school and talked to her. She was very nice and concerned about you. Did you know that? She told me about your detention and not all of them were your fault. She told me that sometimes you asked her to be your witness for that Geography teacher, what's his name? I believe that one you used a special name for."

Don looked up guiltily.

"Oh yes, THAT, your mother told me. She wanted me to wash your mouth."

Don protested, "Hey I used that only once."

"Once was more than enough. I told your mom that boys will be boys and let it be since she had already given you a lecture on name calling of teachers, I believe."

Alan continued, "I knew you would take care of it yourself, so I left it alone. Miss Chang said a lot without revealing a lot , but in the end she said you could handle it, both of you."

"Don, how many times were you beaten by Barty's goons?" Charlie didn't believe what his father had just said.

"Not many. Leave it Charlie."

"I'd say twice or more." Alan said, looking at Don

"Maybe, but eventually, it stopped for I had Barty's by his b… er. whatever, I threatened to tell the headmaster if he didn't stop." Don shrugged.

"How did you know about the second time, dad?" Don was not angry, but it was good to bring it out into the open.

"Detection, Donny, simple Sherlock Holmes detection."

"Ha!" Don looked at his dad.

"When we came back from Aunt Irene's, you were in your room most of the time. Was that the second day of your beating?"

"Yea, my stomach was hurting, and muscles were bruised, so I stayed in my room when you and mom came back. It was late then."

"Oh, that's why you made the sandwiches and quickly went upstairs. I didn't notice anything was wrong," Charlie said.

"Charlie, you were so engrossed in your books. If I hadn't made you the sandwiches, you'd think reading your books would keep your stomach full."

Alan was proud of his eldest. He was the one to look out for Charlie when they were schooling. He knew from Miss Chang that some bullies used to pick on Charlie too, and Don would always be there for him.

Now more than ever he really missed Margaret. If she were she here she would have hugged Don for taking care of Charlie. They really needed a female in this household. He had hopes that Charlie would soon provide them that.

They, as guys, were not the hugging type, but he really felt like hugging his eldest at that very moment.

"Don."

"Yep?"

"You want that ten dollars now?"

"Nope, but if you want to give, make it five hundred."

"What!" Charlie exclaimed.

Alan looked up, and he knew Don was pulling Charlie's leg again. Oh boy for a genius, he's sure dumb to fall into his brother's trap. He waited.

"Well, that day dad and I repaired your house, Two hundred goes to the wood, very expensive wood, rot free, termites free and what else, dad?"

Alan laughed, 'Oh yes, warp free."

"Yep and warp free and one fifty for me and one hundred for dad for workmanship and labour."

"And the other fifty?" Charlie asked not believing that Don would really charge him for fixing the planks.

"Oh the other fifty is what you owe me with interest remember? I've given you a discount of six bucks. So even it out. Make it two hundred you owe me and dad three hundred."

"You said you didn't want the ten dollars?" Charlie complained.

"Yep, not the ten dollars but….. you asked. So instead of ten, go to the accumulated sum for 23 years."

Charlie eyeing Don asked, "Why is your workmanship more expensive than dad's?"

"Dad was my helper. I was the main worker." Don said, and he stretched out his hand, "Give."

This was getting interesting. Alan knew that Charlie would not grouch in giving Don the money but…

"Err… I don't have the money now, but I can write you a check." Charlie said taking out his checkbook from his laptop holder.

Great, Charlie is really paying up. Alan looked at Charlie and then at Don.
Wondering if he will take the money, he knew Don was not one to be so calculative especially with him or Charlie.

"Nah…. No time to go to the Bank. How much cash do you have?"

"Don, are you serious?" Alan had to butt in and ask.

"Why not dad? This is a poor Feebee here."

"I have only 150 in my wallet." Charlie said.

"OK hand over 100." Don took the money and stretched out his hand to give it to his dad.

"Don."

"Dad, take this. It's only for the wood that Charlie is paying. He is lucky you did it for him. If he had called in the house professionals to do it, he'd have to pay at least eight hundred bucks to get it done ."

"Oh OK, then I'll take it. There saved you the seven hundred." Alan took the money from Don and then he whispered to him, "The wood only cost fifty"
Don laughed.

Charlie muttered, "Thank you, I think."

"Don't think, next time I will surely charge you according to rate." Don smiled at him.

Alan whispered to Don, "I like to know too, would you have charged Charlie?"

Don whispered back, "Yes, dad, I tend to collect. Charlie owes us dinner. A good one, you go and look for the most expensive place."

Alan laughed out loud, and Charlie was staring at both of them.

Don stood up and said, "OK folks, quite an evening we had. I have to run. See you tomorrow morning. Dad, can I bring Robin here for breakfast?"

Alan's face lit up. He knew Don was seeing Robin again, and he knew what had happened between them when they broke up, "Oh yes, bring her here. I'll cook something special for you two. Charlie, is Amita coming here afterwards?"

Charlie's face gone slightly red, "Ah.. "

"Goodness sake, Charlie, we know about the birds and the bees. What's the matter with you?" Don laughed and collected his coat from the back the chair in the dining room, slung it over his shoulders and took his keys and other things from the drawer, "See you dad, Charlie, eightish?"

They had agreed on in that order for tomorrow; breakfast in the early morning, after to the club for a game of golf.
Then lunch at the club, rest in the afternoon (Alan wanted that, to rest up before the gang arrive) after that to get everything ready for the barbeque.

Before chowtime, there will be a reading of rules and regulations for the paintball game on Sunday.

Don said, a feast first before the painful defeat for either side.

"Why so early?" Charlie asked.

"What's early? you mean you and Amita will need a lot of sleep after?"

"Donny, will you stop teasing your brother? Charlie you can have it later. When we have finished, we will leave for the Club. You and Amita can join us later."

"Don't be too late Chucky, else you won't be able to catch up."

"I'm not playing, Amita is."

"What" You still cannot hit the ball without doing your numbers?"

"Donny shoosh. Charlie, if you don't play how can you improve?"

"Let me practice it with the computer first. Hey I may be bad at golf, but I'm good at paintballs. You'd better watch out then, Mr. Mad Donald when we play the game on Sunday.

"OK, no problem Chucky Bucky, wanna have a bet?"

"Boys, we agreed no betting on either game, losing team pay for dinner the following week, that's all. I'm with Charlie for golf, Don. So it'll be you and Robin against us three, well two, now that Charlie's not playing."

"No problem, how about some girl golfers betting?"

"Donny!"

"Aww dad, just thinking that my Robin's better than Amita. No? OK, I'm off."

"Say hi to Robin for us." Alan reminded Don.

"Yep, will do, bye." Don was about to start his SUV when he received a text message from Charlie.

"Alrght, wanna bet?"

Don thought for a while and answered Charlie's message, pressed send and started his truck.

Don was heard laughing as the SUV drove off.

"What's he laughing about?" Alan turning from the window, to ask Charlie.

Charlie quickly dropped his cell inside his pocket, "Dunno."

He picked up his coat and keys, "Dad, I'm going to Amita's for a while."

"Bring her back, Charlie."

"Er… OK, I'll ask her."

Charlie sat in his car and before he started his engine, took out his cell to read Don's reply.

It said, "YES! Dinner for two – very expensive joint and know what, you're going to pay!"

Charlie smirked and punched in his reply, "We'll see about that!"

He started his engine and drove away.

The End.
Thank you

September 2008