"Why ya laughin?" Raph said as he stared at me but I couldn't help it.
"I'm sorry but how do you not know what a dinosaur is? You live in New York there are hundreds of random art all over the place and some have dinosaurs in the art." I said as I went back to the kitchen to start packing lunches.
"Well it na like I can just go take a walk down da dam street." He said fallowing me then siting down at the table. "And what are ya doin? We just ate."
"Oh Juli's kid hike is today. It starts at 10am and since it will run past lunch I'll need to bring lunches with me." I said as I wrapped up making the lunches and put one in the refrigerator and the other three in my back pack. While I was doing that I made sure all my hiking stuff was in there along with extra water. After that I called Diesel and gave him his breakfast and put his harness on him while he ate.
Raph was just watching me with an emotionless look. It was a little weird but he eventually looked away.
"when can I take this tub out? I don't think it's doing anything anymore." He said slightly grumpily. I looked up from what I was doing and walked over and took a look. With him sitting down I had to walk between his legs again to see.
"you may be right it seems your lung is ok now. But honestly its odd for it to be this healed after only a couple of hours. But then again you're not the same as me so I can't be sure." I said as I pulled the tube out and places the bandage back over the wound.
"I heal pretty fast but my side may take a few days." Raph said as if this kind of thing happens all the time for him.
"Okay, well, it seems to be fine so we can add some antibiotics later when I get back but for now you better just rest there is a lunch for you in the fridge take some of the pain meds that are on top. The tv remote is on the little table. Feel free if your still tried to sleep we'll be back around 3pm." I said as I put my boots on. Roy came bouncing down from his room and was running to the kitchen.
"Roy don't run." I said but just as he was making it to the kitchen Raphael jumped up and caught Roy as he tripped and was falling toward a side table corner. I gasped and quickly hurried over.
"I got'cha, ya all good." Raph said as he stood Roy up. Raph was kneeling down beside Roy checking to make sure he was fine. Roy was a little shaken, he begain to whimper a little but before I could do or say anything, Raph pulled Roy into a hug.
"Ya all right, no need ta cry. Ya can't be the man of the house if ya cry just cause ya tripped." He said as Roy hugged Raph's neck. Roy leaned back and sniffled and then nodded.
"I think ya ma wants a hug too. What ya think?" Raph said as he looked over to me. Roy nodded happily and gave me a big hug. I squeezed him tight and looked to Raphael.
"Thank you." I said "And you said you weren't good with children." Smiling over Roy's shoulder.
"I'm na." he grumbled. If he wasn't green, I bet you'd be able to see a blush on his face. Roy pulled away from me as Raph slowly stood groaning. He made his way back to the table and sat down. Just then Juli came down all dressed and had her boots on.
"Mommy, Roy left his boots in our room." Said handing me my son's boots. Then walking over to the couch and sat down.
"Thank you, Juli. Okay Big boy it's time for you to put your shoes on. Juli please go get a hair brush and hair piece." I said as I set Roy down and started putting his shoes on. Juli quickly got up and did what I asked but I was still putting shoes on her brother when she came back so she went up to Raphael.
"Do you know how to braid hair?" she asked. I was surprised she must be really wanting to go on this hike for her to be this inpatient. Raph looked at her then at me. Then nodded. Juli handed him the brush and turned around. I tried my best not to smirk. Raph eyed me as I continued with Roy. Then to my amazement, Raph started brushing her hair gently and when all the knots were out he started French braiding Juli's hair in to braids. One on each side of her hair then braided them together. It was cute. Way better than I could ever do. When he was done, Juli went to the bathroom and came back with a big smile quickly hugged Raph and was waiting by the door with her backpack.
"Wow, where did you learn to braid hair? It's cute. You will have to teach me that." I said with a smile.
Raph shifted in his seat. "A friend taught me." He said quietly.
"Mommy, come on!" Juli said practically ready to run out the door. I laughed.
"Okay, okay. I'm coming. We'll be back." I said as I grabbed my backpack and Diesel's leash and clipped it to his harness. He didn't need it but just for the Karen's that are bound to be at the hike I put it on. I grabbed Roy's hand and headed to the door.
"Hey." Raph called. I turned to look back at him. "Watch ya back. It rained a lot. Da trails could be wet." He said as he fiddled with the hair brush that was till in his hand. I stared at him for a moment and just nodded.
"Come Diesel." I said then walked out of the rig, shutting the door behind me.
Juli and Roy walked in front of me and Diesel. We walked to the maid office building where a group of parents and children were standing around waiting in front of the main door. We walked up to the sign in table. I gave my I.D. to the lady sitting behind the table.
"Hello my name is Nancy Maric. I'm in charge of giving out radios, maps and water. Do you lovely folks need anything or have any questions?" she said as I filled out the paper work. Juli looked up at me and I peeked over at her and nodded.
"Is there a list of animals we might see? Or a kids state park book?" she asked. The older woman smiled and pulled out two little booklets and handed one to each of my children.
"Why yes there is. We have a challenge today. As far as I know, Snow, our albino white tailed deer just had her baby. And whoever is able to take a picture of her will win a prize." Mrs. Maric said.
"Wow. that's rare and she had a fawn?" I asked. Mrs. Maric smiled with great delight.
"Yes we are so excited but we haven't seen her in a few days. So we are using this challenge to help keep an eye out. She is the first we have seen in a long time so we are very vigilant on making sure she is safe." Mrs. Maric said slightly worried. I smiled, she seemed like a sweet lady. I handed her the paper work.
"Well we will keep an eye out for you." I said and she smiled back.
"Thank you, dear." She said after handing me the Map and radio.
I lead us over to the side of the crowd by a large tree and waited for the event to start. Juli and Roy were playing with some of the long grass as they waited. I was looking at the map when I heard Diesel give a quiet warning as he was laying down by my feet. I looked up to see a man walking toward us. He had a weird vibe about him. Like he was the pick of the town. He came up to us but stayed back a bit ounce he saw Diesel staring at him. I looked at Diesel and could tell he wasn't about this guy.
"Hello, I'm Zack Miller. I'm one of the guides for the event and my group is short on guests so I was wondering if you all picked a group yet?" He said still eyeing Diesel.
"We have a group already, but thank you." I said.
"Oh really, I'm sorry. I just saw you had just got here so I was just wondering." He said as he took a few steps forward. Diesel stood up and was watching this guys every move.
"Again, thanks, but we have a group." I said as I put the map in my backpack. Juli and Roy were now getting closer to me. They seemed to have noticed how tense Diesel was. They knew his warning signs as well as I did. This Zack guy was giving Diesel a dirty look.
"Nice dog. Is he going to be ok with the children?" he said with a bit of venom in his voice. What was this guy's problem?
"He isn't the one you will have to worry about." I said getting annoyed.
"You causin problems again, Miller?" A man said. He was a big burly man with jeans and a biker jacket on. He had shaggy brown hair and a scar across his nose. He was standing behind Miller. As were a couple of other bikers. I looked back at diesel. He was still watching Millers every move. Looking back at Miller, I saw him clench his jaw and slowly turn around.
"Not that it's any of the Mountain Bears' business, I was just offering to let this nice woman join my group for the event." He said with a sneer.
"And for the third time we are good." I said. The big biker looker over Millers shoulder then back at Miller.
"Looks like it's a no thanks to me." He said. I nudged Juli and Roy closer to the tree. Miller chuckled and walked closer to the biker.
"Then it's a good thing I wasn't asking you." Miller said then backed up and started to walk towards me. Diesel let out a growl and that caused Miller to look at him like he was just remembering that he was there. He then looked at me.
"Like I was saying you'll be in my group. We are over there." He said as he pointed to a group of guys on the other side of the clearing. They too looked like jerks. I looked back at Miller. I stepped forward and looked him dead in the eyes.
"Let me educate you on some things." I started.
"Oh please do, dove." He said in an ugly smile. Disgusting.
"First, I listen to no one. So you will not be telling me where I go." I said. His smile faltered.
"Second, I have a group already as I have said. So you can leave now." I said in a stern tone. I could see the veins popping in Millers forehead. I had a feeling of what was coming. So I signed for diesel to guard the babies and let go of his leash. He backed up and stood in front of my babies.
Miller chuckled again. "You got spunk, dove, but no one says no to me. So walk over to our group, now, or there may be trouble." He said.
"No." I said and as soon as the word left my mouth the sting of a back hand hit my face. I could feel the blood from my busted lip run down my chin. I put my hand up to the big biker guy, he was rushing towards me but stopped with a confused look. I could hear My children whimpering and Diesel growling. I turned to look back at Miller.
"Now look what you made me do, dove." He said "You should have just listened to me and done what I asked."
"You get one. If you do that again I'm going to brake you arm." I said calmly. Miller laughed.
"Are you threating me Cunt?!" he said then looked back at his goons. Then back at me. And as if he thought I wasn't expecting it he tried to punch me in the face. I dodged it as I slammed my palm into his elbow making it break in the wrong direction. And then throat punching him as he fell to his knees choking.
"Now let's be clear." I said as I kicked him in the face. Which made him fall back on his ass. "I don't give a fuck who you think your little insecure self is but you just upset my kids and I don't do well rationally when that happens. So from now on you had better never hit another woman again. And if I find out you did I will come break your neck to where you'll be eating out of a straw for the rest of your life. Got me?"
He was seething but just nodded. I looked over at his goons.
"Come get your asshole. He's going to need a hospital." I said as I walked over to my kids and picked them both up. Millers goons quickly grabbed him and loaded up into their trucks and left.
"Well, dam, Freyja has just graced us with her presence." Said the big biker. I turned to look at him. "I'm sorry you had to experience that ma'am. We had a feeling he was up to no good but I promise hell be arrested for his crimes."
I turned to look back at my babies they seemed to have calmed down a bit so I set them down but still held their hands. The Biker walked closer to us and I looked at Diesel. He was just sitting down all relaxed.
"Thank you." I said he smiled a warm smile.
"I should be thanking you, Miller has needed an ass kicking. I'm just sorry it wasn't me." He said. I smirked. "The names Big Bear or Ben, but family just calls me Bear." Roy giggled.
"Pooh Bear!" my son said still giggling and soon Juli was too.
Bear laughed a hearty laugh. "That's right little man." He said holding out his hand for a high five from Roy. Which, Roy happily gave. I smiled he seemed like a good guy.
"I'm Lisa. This is Juli, Roy and Diesel." I said. Mrs. Maric came quickly over and grabbed my shoulders gently.
"Oh my dear gracious heavens! Dear, are you alright? I heard a commotion. What happened?" she said all panicky.
"It's alright, Ma. Freyja, here can take care of herself. She just defended herself from the Miller boy just fine." Bear said as he tried to calm her down.
"Benjamin Luis Maric! I told you to keep an eye on that man! He's nothing but trouble." Mrs. Maric all but screamed at her son. And smacking him on the arm. She was different from when she was sitting at the sign in table. I smiled, she reminded me of my mom a bit. I liked her.
"I was wat- OW! Ma!" Bear whined. Roy and Juli laughed at the pair. And I couldn't help but giggle.
"oh hush up!" she said as she turned her attention back to me.
"I promise I'm ok, Mrs. Maric." I said which seemed to calm her down.
"Oh dear just call me Nan. Why don't you come with us for the hike? I don't think you should be alone." She said.
"Thank you but we are ok. I just want us to have time with just us, if you don't mind." I said gently. She smiled and gave me a hug. It was warm and felt comforting. I hugged her back.
"Of course dear. We'll be meeting back here around three, ok? I'm going to have Benjamin put some barbeque on the grill for us so that we can eat when we get back. Wont you join us for a bit after?" she asked.
"That sounds great." I replied. I noticed the crowd was starting to head out. "we better get started if we want to make it back on time."
Mrs. Maric nodded. "Ok be careful out there." The kids waved bye to her and Bear then we started off on one of the paths leading away from the campground.