Empirical son
Chp08: Amelia Sad Sack Tales: Sub-CHP01 The girl is mine
Monday after the babel
Sitting looking out my window in the teenage pink barf overload of my room. The room just ten years ago, created as an expression of my inner self. How I have changed. How the experiences I've had, changed me forever. The house I once loved, and it has now become my prison. My pink isolation cell in the Grey family supermax (prison). So, unlike my house across the Sound. Not a pink thing to found. Maybe some old odd outfits in storage bins in the attic.
I dreamily think of my six gabled, two-story clap board farm house. Looking like something that would have been in the 1900 Sears Catalog for the wealthy farmer. The eight room, six chimneys. with my adding ten bathrooms from the original two. Lost the walk-in closet in each bedroom for those. Replaced all but one fireplaces with ornate Victorian potbelly stoves. The solar cells ruin the rustic scene, but save me thousands every year.
The three barns, two kennels, and four staff houses spread over the acres complete my fiefdom. All with solar cells, rain water catchments and bio mass sewage for the staff, goats, and dogs. Karen, my Kennel master, just started a 20- meter worm shed to take the biomass material to final recycling. My bedroom overlooking the nearby water. With soft blues and starfield ceiling into a moon framed skylight. Reality drags me back to Grey Manor and the present.
Christian has returned and yet I cringe in horror at the thoughts coursing thru my mind. I want to hurt him, maim him, hug him, and let him hold me forever. The brother that always was there for me; Elliott is great, but he was never my beacon of light.
Christian learned to diaper me, feed me my bottles, never afraid or bothered to sit and play with me. Tea parties under the blue tarp on the patio, as the sky bailed pails. Reading to me; Patiently with dad taught me to ride a bike, skateboard.
Remember laying across the piano as he played, feeling the vibration thru the lid. Singing softly to me. I am the only person in the family to have ever heard him sing. I wonder does he sing to Anna.
Anna Steele? How strange a creature you are. Talented, serious, oozing empathy and strength. Much of what Lorretta and Clark tells me I am. The background and talks with Madsion. Left me battered; the girl has lived and suffered more than most.
Grandpa T thinks she will be the force in the relationship. I wonder how Christian's BDSM works with her. Or if he even needs it now. The dawn is breaking over the eastern mountains. Smiling in to rising sun. Today, what will you throw at me?
0600am
I am packed and ready to leave. Clark is sending a car to take me to the airport. He is trapped in southern New Mexico working on his little sister's divorce issues. He just flew out on last night's red eye.
My problem, must not let my temper rule. But the issues are pissing me off. Trouble in the wilds of Yellowstone. Something we never accounted for. How do you, account for hate while reducing shrubs and grasses, preventing forest fires? It defies logic and reason. It defies insanity. Why?
The adults are not going to be happy. To top off the misery, my girl is going to her permanent home. Walking into the kitchen, Mom has just walked in, must have had an emergency at the hospital last night. Dad looks hungover. Not a good look for him.
"I have to leave for a few days. A problem has pop up, I fly out to Yellowstone by eight."
"Amelia?"
"One of my new portable creameries was vandalized and torched. The crew beat up. We don't know yet; It may have been criminals, hoodlums or Neo-Nazis."
"Neo-Nazis?" Mom asks.
"Graffiti, things said. We should know more when we land. My local Lawyers are sending a new guy."
"Local Lawyer!" Dad fuse lite off. O! Joy!
"John Webster, with his partner Tom Water."
"I thought John specialized in family and elder law, now?"
"Yes, he does. But his thirty years at government contract law, makes him ideal for my non-profit firefighting goats. I pay him a set amount monthly: whatever we don't spend in hours, he keeps for pro-bono work. Before he took over, we were charged eight to ten hours weekly. Last quarter we got billed twelve hours, total."
"Big John is solid. So is his partner, Tom. Is Tom going with you?"
"Cary? Tom can't go. His wife is on bedrest in the hospital, expecting twins next week." Mom speaks petting his back. He calms.
"Clark said a Pierre O'Malley was going."
"Pierre is a solid and I feel better he's with you." Dad smirks. He knows the guy. Why should that surprise me. He knows most of the lawyers in the state, particularly the all-stars.
"What can you tell me before the driver arrives?"
"Harvard law, Wharton MBA, former winger USA Rugby. Was on the Eagles practice team, Middle linebacker. Mother is Korea-African America, Father was Tonga-Samoa and American Irish. Mother is serving thirty years in federal prison for executing a pedophile federal agent. The appeal has a good chance of freeing her; She was defending an abuse naked child against an armed man. She took the weapon away from him, her Korea father taught Hapkido in the Korea army. After that the facts get murkier."
"Hope she gets off; On a sadder note, my girl won't be returning."
"OH?" mom ask. She has the most bonding with my girl.
"Yes, the wife of the couple from Hudson Bay, is taking a seed herd of Black Welsh Mountain sheep, a gentlemanly Puli, and a juvenile Berger Picard to a new homesteading couple in Beaver Creek, Colorado near Vail. The homesteading couple are going to use the sheep on a fire reduction contract with the local ski resort. Selling the resorts on the Swiss and French fire reduction models. She'll swing by Yellowstone on the way back. Picking up my special girl."
"Sounds Good. Amelia, you knew she was going. You've given her the best chance for a health happy life. The best a parent can do. You've done a damn good job." Gracie hugs me. Dad hugs us both. My parents are growing up and warms my heart. The Gate buzzer.
Heading out, load up and we are off to the airfield. Wondering on the burned rig and motives for why. My girl cuddle to me. She senses our time is short. I smile, happily dreaming of her herding, guarding her sheep on the Canadan plains.
Pulling up to the plane, Bombardier Challenger 605. Bigger than I thought we would need. Seeing my lawyer standing at the stairs. After all, how many middle linebackers looking Pacific islander wearing a rugby shirt could be standing here on the tarmac waiting for little old me.
"Amelia, I'm Pierre. Your lawyer. We will discuss on the flight. We need to shake a leg. We are on a tight schedule."
"Aren't we chartering the flight." The driver gets the luggage up. As I get my non-flying dog up the stairs. She does not like flying. Already gave her a sedative, so she is sluggish and heavy.
"We are part of a group. Please." Waves me up the stairs. Once in my seat, I see we seem full. With my girl's seat belted in. Who are these people.
"Luke!" Pierre laughs.
"Unhand my damsel, door closed." He walks up and move a tall cowboy blond stud on one hand crutch. Who are you? An is the female crew member my competition? Where the hell did that thought pop from. I itch and need it scratched badly, by cowboy Luke. Sexy name.
"Pierre, sit your clown ass down. Everyone seat belted? Good. Pierre and Reese (she points to him and a guy dressed as a nurse) will be stewardess on the flight. First stop Yellowstone Airport, second is Bismarck, North Dakota. That's you Mr. Tommila, medical needs?"
"No, the medicine is good."
"Third stop is Springfield, Illinois. Nurse Willson and Meyers, expect a thirty-minute turn around. We will launch as soon as we refuel and you have loaded the patients. Everyone not going to the Salt Lake City Childrens Hospital will deplane. Bruce?" she turns to sullen business man.
"A buddy, A.P. Lee will get on; carrying securities for Seattle. He flies better than I do." She nods, patting his shoulder, turns around an enters the cockpit sitting in one of the pilot's seats.
"Pierre?" I ask. He ignores me ogling the woman's ass. I think about kicking him.
"He will be useless till we are airborne. His girlfriend Lisa, the co-pilot, has his undivided attention. I am Luke. I'll be your CPO in Yellowstone, at least for a bit."
"Everyone on the plane?"
"Well, the Nurses are a mercy flight crew for several cancer patients to a last chance treatment in Salt Lake City. Tommila is a transportation pharmacist, taking desperately needs medicine to an outbreak of something south of Bismark. He was added just before you arrived. Bruce Meliton, the company guy is our IRS man."
"IRS what?"
"His being here makes the IRS happy, this is a business flight, and we all are just supercargo. So, you are the dog lady or sheep lady. Little confusing?" Luke the sexy cowboy drawls.
"I own some firefighting goat herds, as a sideline we have mobile creameries: cheese making vans and cold storage van, follow the herds with portable goat milking vans. If we can't contract local creameries to take the milk, we use the portable creameries."
"Cool! Do the goats wear safety hats, vests, and steel toed booties. The lady across from us, snoring?"
"My Mongolian Sheepdog, a landrace livestock guardian breed. A yes, they are properly outfitted to fight fires, mostly with teeth and hoofs. I will be happy to have them demonstrate on your boney ass." We laugh. Teasing back a forth.
"She staying?"
"No, she's going to ranch up near Hudson Bay; start breeding to save the rare breed with her sister. You? crutches?"
"I work security; got hit by a car Wednesday, dislocated my hip; after helping you; my folks have a ranch north of Yellowstone. I'm on leave for a month."
"I'm not sure you're a very good CPO. How did you not avoid the car?" I tease him.
"Well, Now, Little lady? Using the term loosely! I was too busy catching and cushioning the primary's landing. Now let this wounded old man sleep. SOORRREEE(fake snore sound)" he laughs.
Leaning my head on his shoulder, I feel safe and strangle at peace. Looking out the window, we are cruising into the day. Bright new day. Luke, sexy Luke cowboy.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Yellowstone:
Guilia is waiting at the airfield with the crew truck. We get loaded and heads for the crime scene. "Luke, Pierre, this is Guilia, crew boss and master cheesemaker. Been with me three years." The Pennsylvania Italian America lady, looks more German or Swiss; She told me her families are from the Dolomitic Alps. Families have been cheesemaking for generations. At fifty-five, she has almost fifty years of cheesemaking experience. Teaching credential, professional Cheesemonger, and a great lady and crew boss.
Guilia quickly talks about arriving at the National Parks employee campsite near Barronette Peak Overlook, off highway 212. Yesterday returning from making sales pitch to local parks stores. Finding four men jumping Terry, her journeywomen and Toni her apprentice cheesemakers trashing the creamery van. The fight and how her boy Bruno; a 145-pound, three-year-old rescued from a dog fighting German crime syndicate: Very hairy Cane Corso-Presa Canario-Rottweiler mix; turned the tide. He is in jail, one assailant lost a hand, another lost a leg. Guilia whimper a bit at the injustice of her beloved Bruno incarceration, thru a face black and blue. My friend is one tough woman.
We arrive and survey the damage. The van is ruined, the smashing and burning. It's a total write off. Pierre takes pictures to argue the insurance. The swastika and homophobic graffiti piss me off more. Why and who is responsibly.
My head shepherd, Luis 'senior' Spinoza, seventy-year-old and his twelve-year-old Rafeiro do Alentejo, 'Princess' saunter up. His second girl, who he claimed the first died at twenty-eight. A dog of this breed named Bobi died at the age of 31 year is in Guinness World Records. We give him the benefit of the doubt. "Senior?"
"I have Junior and Third holding the herds tight with Lonnie up at Juniors. The Park Police are very hostile since the incident last month. I emailed you. I sent Luke to Molina outside Yosemite in California."
"What incident?" Luke asks.
"We were outside of the Lewis Lake Campground; One of the young doe's (female goat) decide right there and then to have her first birth; three female kids right on the edge of the campers. Attracted a hoard of kids and adults. Luke, one of our newest, least experienced shepherds handle it perfectly. Ahm! Luke has a heavy strutter, made him very shy, easily angered as he cannot talk well" He breathes and let the thought pass.
"Till in the aftermath, a three-year-old charge the mother and kids. Luke stopped her: but the father got into his face. Some racial stuff was yelled, before calmer heads separated them. The asshole tried to make a big deal of it. The park police chief is a Bull Conner." Since Luis marched with King and Chavez. This is a big insult.
"Giulia?'
"We have with the regular parks' rangers done a lot of campfires; I've got Luis 'Juniors' grand-daughter Tammy, a brilliant artist in oils; also, an experienced Shepard's and former teacher of twenty year. Working a school herd near Old Geyser with Pa-appy."
"Pa-appy?" Luke asks.
"Pa-appy is an eight-year-old, a very mild-mannered, gentile-lady Old English Sheepdog. Named by 'Thirds' great-grand-daughter trying to say puppy. Usually hangs with Third's wife. Great for the pregnant doe and kids."
"Third?" Pierre asks
"Luis 'senior' Spinoza, Luis 'junior' Serrano, Luis 'third' Sanz. It was easier to number them than" Giulia laughs. Senior shrugs
"Young Luke?"
"Luke Miller-Cazador, Twenty-year-old from Houston Texas, medium to heavy stutter, newest apprentice shepherd, eight months: He is a national recognized poet, a has published four books. Works well with animals, not so much people; background horrific." I speak.
"Like your brothers before the adoption?" Luke speaks
"What!"
"Amelia? I work for your brother. The company emblem was on the plane? Pierre?"
"I didn't think, everything was arranged thru Llewellyn 'Lewis' Davies." Pierre says introspective. 'Who?'
"Lewis will kill you banding his first name, hates the Peter Pan thing. Lewis is personal assistant to your brother's Chief Operating Officer Roz's" Luke tells me hugging me.
"Your what Luke?"
"Close protection officer, second to Taylor; Was suppose take over Miss Steele detail; but the car accident at Pike's Market, has me on medical leave."
"Me? This?"
"Pierre's Lisa mentioned the flight to him: Lewis arrange it, and before you arrived, He asked me about helping, worried about the Neo-Nazis interest. I didn't know till in the plane, Andrea texted me."
"Andrea!?" Please not another girlfriend.
"Andrea is your brother's PA. Didn't you meet her Sunday?"
"OH! Yes, I thought she was Anna's PA?"
"She wished; Hell, Sunday morning before the babel. We voted on a Hannibal Lecter style total security restraint handcart for your brother. I can tell you; vote was damn close. Anna made him promise to behave or else spent the week in the brig."
Could he be more perfect and be Starfleet? "I'm a commander?"
"Lieutenant, USS Greystar security chief." He is perfect, perfect for me. Now I have to fight the hoard of ex's that still want him. And the futures skank that want to take him from me.
"Ok! You two freaky dinky weirdo Trekkies. The Park Superintendent just rang; wants a meeting like an hour ago." Giulia laughs. "Could not have called while we were at the Airport. Smuck!"
We head back the way we came. Luke and I talk a lot about everything. He may have to quit my brother and work for me. Either way this relationship is going forward. I may cash in my V-card, despite my tramp flirting ability making everyone think I'm more experienced than I really am.
xxxxChp3 Yellowstone Balls Busting Bust
Pulling up to the main administration building in historic Fort Yellowstone. The stone building is like walking back to 1900's. We head in, shown into a conference room. An older rugged man, in charge presence; looking like a mature sexy James Coburn, wearing the uniform of a senior National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers. Followed by two other rugged Rangers, competent and serious. Neither looks like an ignorant asshat; Bull Conner type. More like the Ranger from Lassie.
"I'm Handler, Chief of Police here." James Coburn twin says.
"What happened to the other one?" Giulia asks.
"Ranger Morris is packing up and retiring as of 0900 this morning."
"The FBI agents?" Giulia asks
"New agents are inbound, from Denver. This is National Park Service, Law Enforcement Rangers (pointing to a bright middle-aged man) Special Agent John Dobbs; He is handling the investigation from now on. Information discovered during assailant one's surgery."
"That won't be admissible!" Pierre barks
"No, but information wise; the attack was a contract hit by radical anti-government, anti-public land group out of Nevada. Seems your company has been labeled communist agitator and immigrant invasion, leftist traffickers.' With you being specifically labeled, a French national college agitator nepo; Miss Grey."
"How can anybody believe that bullshit?" Amelia demands.
"I honestly do not know. Miss Grey. I know your parents professional. One of my early postings was on Olympic peninsula."
A lady walks in, Luke tenses. "The political bullshit is simply a red herring. Miss Grey: Thomas and Thompson of Salt Lake City mean anything?" I draw a blank; nodding no.
"They run a for profit goat firefighting herds, very low quality, high turnover of personal, and some suspect criminal activities. Most related to pot growing on BLM and parks land." Giulia speaks
"I'm sorry you are?" Both the chief and the new comer say.
"Giulia Hofer-Gamper: the head cheesemaker, cheesemonger ACS, and crew boss for this creamery."
"A pleasure madam. Your husband is head shepherd?" The chief asks. Where did that question pop from?
"No, my husband died five years ago. The head of the herds here is Luis Spinoza, from Plentywood, Montana. His current wife, Cassey, is Assiniboine from the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. They celebrated their Twenty-fifth-anniversary last month. I understand he was married to his first for twenty, as well."
"Your marriage?" Chief flirts. O' brother. I roll my eyes. Luke squeezes my hand. Telling me without words to behave.
"Thirty-two, you?"
"My wife pasted eight years ago after thirty-two years, cancer."
"Stroke, he was gone in less than a minute." Giulia says sadly.
"Back to the matter at hand; dating game can continue afterwards." Says the black hair staring dagger at Luke. Is she a ex?
"Mrs. Desmarais, please continue." Chief drips sarcasm
"Thompson thinks: you're taking too much business from his goat herds. A Thomas, who runs a low end, barely legal, out of state (company that send work crew out of their home state to negate legal laws, wages, and liabilities & responsibility) construction company as his main income, just lost four contracts to your older brother. They believe damaging you two will improve their economy. They contracted with neo-Nazis out of Idaho to attack your herd here, in Oregon, and your brothers' work sites in Seattle, Portland, and Williams, Arizonia."
"Has my brother been notified?"
"Yes, Local law enforcement grabbed all the idiots as of an hour ago. They did not hire the best and brightest, nor did they dress for success. Two different groups were picked up when their cars failed, simple maintaince failures. One thought oil last forever outside Portland: the other did not notice their tires were balder than the Rock and the spare was nothing but dry rotted pieces in Eastern Oregon. A third group in Williams, Arizonia. The leader of the Neo-nut jobs thought filling a gas can for arson; while smoking a joint was a truly brilliant time saving idea." She hands gestures explosion; Black hair laughs. Everyone laughs. What idiots!
"Meeting over. Mrs. Hofer-Gamper, coffee to go over your security needs?" The Chief grins, very like Elliott's panties dropping smile. I roll my eyes.
"Giulia, please. And yes. Amelia, could you send the truck back?"
"Giulia, I will escort you to the camp site. It would be my pleasure." Chief pleas.
"Call if something pops up. Pierre?"
"I'll interface with Parks people and get Bruno out of stir."
"OH, Chief Handler. Can you get my poor boy out?"
"Malcom, Mal for short. I did not see an arrest report? Dobbs?"
"Bruno is her dog. Mal: He's the bruiser, putting those two idiots under the knife, Cane Corso-Presa Canario-Rottweiler mix. Very BIG." Amelia laughs.
"Dobbs get with Pierre and delivery the dog to us. I think the back patio is open. Lovely this time of day, flowers, and shade."
"Sound divine, Mal! I have some very nice fresh cheese, summer sausage, and my Homemade crackers in the soft cooler in the truck. Amelia samples for the local park stores to sell. Last week, we got the Wyoming food license for local sales."
Mal offers an arm; the two old people waltz out the door. Dobbs and Pierre leave. Everyone leaves but black hair Mrs. Desmarais and us.
She walks up to Luke, who stand with his crutches. She leans in and kisses his nose. I am going to fatten that lip. Then grunts and falls to the floor holding her left knee. "What is in that thing!" She screams. Looking down, seeing one of the crutches is crossed in front of his groin. The little bitch tried to knee him. Serves her right!
"Evil, I'm a f #$King Close protection officer: yesterday, today, and tomorrow! These are specially made for undercover federal agents. Doubled Core Aircraft Titanium-Aluminum shafts, forearm crutches; doubles as a tonfa or fighting cane. Hurts don't it!" Luke laughs
"Knew I should have tasered your ass." She smirks getting to her feet. Luke snaps a right and lays her out on the floor. He looks at me.
"Play the man's games; Play by the man's rules." Luke takes my hand, pointing with one of the crutches to the door. We leave.
We get in the truck. Watching Giulia, and Mal walking away with one of my company logo-ed cold bags: custom made small two-quart, cold pack bag. We use for sells and transportation to the small local stores. We drive out, but not going to the campsites but north out of the park. We don't talk. I just enjoy the scenery. Luke is mad. I let him stew and work out what ever happened with Black hair.
About an hour later, we pull into a weird ass ranch. Three story house blends into the landscape: not overdone or tries to subdue nature. It looking like modern utility meets spaceman aesthetic. The green tech I can see, would have Elliott creaming in his pants. I bet this place in winter is magnificent. "Luke, that is WOW!"
"Yea, Mom hated it at first. Dad and Buddy Samson from the Air Force Engineers Group designed and help build her. It generates enough electric to run the farm, ranch and eight houses down the road. Recovers ninety five percent of rain water, uses one quarter the water per person that an average house uses."
"So, you're taking me to meet your mother?"
"Kinda?"
"Kinda what?"
"Evil is pulling in behind us. No time like the present to kick ass and take names. A least I can camp with you tonight." Luke smirks at me.
We get out, black hair chases us. A tall black haired tinting gray walks up smiling. She throws a round house for Lukes's face.
I snap forward, block and flow smoothly thru a Savate de Rue flavored aikido hip throw. Mommy floats up, over and slams down on the ground. Twisting the arm into a lock. Black hair runs up, I lightly side snap kick to her wounded knee. She falls on the ground face first. Screaming in pain. I step on her wrist, locking up both females.
"Your frigging lucky my girl isn't here. Now! Are you two going to behave and be civil or hospital and cast wear!"
"Get off me, I swear!" Mommy screams.
"Cast wear it is!" I start to torque the wrist.
"Ouch" I scream as Luke nerve pinch's my ass. "Luke!" I let them go, a look in his eyes. He kisses me.
Heaven. "Behave, babe. Mother! My girlfriend Amelia Grey. My sister Luciana, called 'Evil' right now. Here I bring home a girl and this is the hospitality we get? No wonder dad and the kids are not here: where are they? Where is dad this month?"
"Your father is teaching at the Federal Law Training Center; the kids are with Daniel in Pensacola." She says pulling herself off the dirt. Evil stands, and looks to continue the fight.
"LUCIANA ALEXANDERIA SAWYER-DESMARAIS! HOW DARE YOU! AMELIA IS NOT IN THE FAMILY GAME AND IN PUBLIC! MOTHER ALEXANDERIA SAWYER! YOUR DAUGHTER HAS HUMILIATED ME! YOU HAVE HUMAILETED ME! COME AMELIA? Hopefully Maria the housekeeper and cousin of mine has better manners." He takes my hand and we walk into the house.
The house inside is even better than the magnificent outside. Rustic meets urban, world traveler. A large heavy boned Milkmaid poster woman; smiles from a very pleasing and teasing modern professional kitchen. I so can't wait to bake or cook in here.
"Luke! You have brought home a girl. The first. Oh! My dear, you must be a very special person. To have caught Loco Luke. I saw your mother's stupidity." Maria gush over me. Hugging me.
"Hi Maria! I'm Amelia. What was that all about?" She hugs me taking me deeper into the Kitchen.
"The family is fractured over Mother and Evils; allowing her seven-year-old daughter to barrel race. Everyone said NO! They ignored Dad and Evils husband's, Daniel demandingly defined NO. They all agreed at ten she can start training. They were caught training her on Lucy of all horse a week later. My Dad went thermonuclear. Threatened to shoot the horse right then, under his granddaughter Sandy. Daniel took the kids to Florida. He is teaching upgrades on computer avionic for EA-18G Growler. First time the kids have ever changed school. Evil is a Federal Special Agent DOJ, Inspector General office, deals mostly with internal malfeasance." Luke explains.
"Lucy the horse?"
"Mother's twenty-eight-year-old, professional trained barrel racer Appaloosa. Mom and Evil won a dozen buckle on her. You ever done the agility trials?"
"Yes, even won two."
"At the Jumping World Cup Series in Vegas. Ten years ago, they had Lucy run the course riderless; just silent commands; Just like a dog agility trial. Set a course record with a perfect score. Lucy can run a barrel course, riderless better than 98% riders can." He looks out the picture window across the pastures to barn. "Four-years ago, she broke three ribs of my older brother Edward. Slammed him standing on the ground into a barn wall, because she could. She cannot be stabled or stalled with other horses. She kicked and stomped, five horses to death before Mom realized that. She is mean"
"She is a sweetheart, when she wants to be. But I agree with your father. Seven is too young and dangerous. If parachuting requires ten-year, barrel racing can to." Maria says.
"I'm surprised than didn't follow us in?"
"Mom holds a grudge. Evil my younger sister, is nursing her wounds."
"Your Mother doesn't take dressing down. It is especial hard from you Luke. You have always been the peacemaker, calm stable level-headed, the healer in the family. She will worm her way back into your graces. Coffee, Tea, or Juice?"
"Coffee." I speak "Loco Luke?"
"Make that two. Questions?" he ignored my first question.
"How much older are you than Evil?"
"Eight whole minutes; We are non-identical fraternal twins. Edward is four years older; Tina is seven years younger and Barton the third is eleven years younger. Dad, Barton the second is fifteen years older than Mom."
"He's called loco because he is the exact opposite. Amelia what do you do?"
"Right now, I am transitioning from student Chef slash Teaching Assistance to teaching at my cooking school outside Paris. I started and own several restaurants in Europe and opening one outside Boston next year, possibly one in Seattle: my America home. I own and manage several farms, dairy and creamery, and kennels. I also run a custom wool export company."
"Which wool company?"
"Herd about the Wool"
"OH! I love your Black Wensleydale's wool; I must show you my knitted cable jacket. I used the Black Wensleydale's and white Hungary Racka wool for the body, with Navajo Churro for the cuff and collar. I took third at the State Fair last year. I'm making another for your mother Luke."
"Your sister Tina is working some Zalaa Jinst White cashmere, I bought from Amelia's company. Into a Christmas scarf for your mother. Tina just started. The last scarf was only good as a dog's chew toy." She laughs, Luke laughs I look at him.
"Tina is twenty-one-year-old female, absent-minded professor spokesman, model, and poster child. She is on her second doctorial on pions or some other CERN mad hatter thing. Her husband Eric, a Tailor six years older than her; his shop is on the border of Parc de l'Ariana. He drives, his wife of four-years, to work at CERN Building 40. They met when she, newly graduated, ink still wet on the lambskin, sixteen-year-old doctor of physics; arrived in Lyon. Were his shop used to be, trying to get to work at Cern building 40. At the time she lived one-mile, straight road to Building 40." Luke laughs and I have too as well.
"Tina is a delightful girl. Head in the clouds, but a delight, and her hobbies are vinegar making and Chocolate sculptures." Maria smiles. A light flash over my head!
"Not Chistina Maxwell?" They nod yes. "She did a set of Easter bunny sculptures for my Lyon restaurant; for the EU Agriculture Symposium on Micro farming. I delivered a lecture on sustainable micro farm culture in sheep, goats, and dogs. Her husband and her were a hoot at the after party; Swing and shag dancing like Grease."
"Yeap. You have met the Maxwell's; lucky his parents did not show up; They were All-Europe amateur dance champions, eight years till they retired when Eric, the baby of the family, was born. They are part-time dance instructors; He is a Savile Row Tailor and she a master seamstress. They are in Georgia, USA right now, study vacation; square and clog dancing." Maria laughs
"Wait, Lyon? Your restaurant is Swarm de Forest; You were just on the Food Channel. Turning to Luke, your mother was copying the recipe for goose and trout. Chef Louis was a riot. The Benihana routine, tell me he practiced that?" She gushes.
"I cannot tell a lie; the routine changes every time. His kid sister's deaf, to get her to socialize they took up juggling. You should see in December, when he does his ice sculpture carving with two spinning chainsaws. Terrifying, magical, insane."
"Get the food channel to broadcast that; double, nay triple their rating." Maria smiles. "You have the floor madam!" Maria smirks looking behind us.
"I apologize for my bad behavior. I should have never injected you in the family game. Welcome to our home. I am Alexanderia Sawyer. You are?"
"Amelia Grey, from Paris and Seattle"
"French?"
"No, Seattle. I only live most of the time in Paris."
"Luciana tells me you run goatherds."
"I have a variety of business; the non-profit firefighting goat and sheep herds are just a part."
"ALEX STOP! Amelia is an accomplish young lady. We just watched on the food channel; one of her restaurants, the Lyon one." Maria interjects play peacemaker.
"Oh, that was yours?"
"Yes, I have restaurant in Lyon, Paris, Montpellier, Oslo, opening one next year in Boston. Several farms, diaries, and creameries. Import export wool company."
"She owns Herd about the wool." Maria coos
"You inherited all that?'
"No. I created, nursed it, and made it on my own. My trust fund just provided seed money." I get pissed when people think I am some trust fund loser baby.
"What brings you here, not a family visit?"
"No, some assholes trashed one of my portable creameries that follow the goat herd. Additional money stream: As well as providing training on cheesemaking, micro seasonal business. We usually pair a master cheesemaker, with a journeyman level cheesemaker and apprentice or two. A facilitator rounds out the crew. He collects and transport the milk from mobile milking vans to the creameries, as well as support for shepherds. Lonnie, who we have not met (looking at Luke, he nods). Is a business, marketing doctoral candidate out of Warton, working on micro business marketing, sustainability thesis."
"That more complicated than I thought." She muses, seeing me for the first time, not some model airhead.
"Where Evil run off to?" Luke asks.
"She is video conferencing about a corrupt custom supervisor in Baltimore. She is running six teams spread around the country. Mal asked her to help about local parks problem. His special agents ran into a wall about the old chief and his senior team of thugs. A pair of very young Polish college girls were kidnapped and traffic to Chicago out of the park last fall. A two bison were poached in the western edge section last month. Heads were left on the superintends porch. By the local public land agitators." Alex talks
"How's the ranch?" Luke asks
"Tommy and Liz have the cattle and horse in good shape, profits checks for everyone. Lisa and Mary have the farm in good hand till their husbands, cousin of our, return from deployment. I have been overloaded since Lewis Martin's car wrecked last month and the Meyers divorce."
"Meyers divorced?" Luke is shocked
"Meyers left for Florida with the Troutman girl. Alice left with Elisha Martin for Leadville, the next week."
"Troutman girl? Isn't she like eighteen?"
"Nineteen, and that perverted old goat was fifty-eight if a day. Alice, damn near the same age, is twenty years older than Elisha Martin." Alex says
"How is Lewis taking it?"
"Car crashed in ditch: alcohol and drug test killed his vet license, driver license and insurance. At least for a year or two. That leaves me and my resident student John Westham. Lucky, his boyfriend Wally, is working at the local clinic as the lead practical nurse. Or he might have bolted for calmer fields." She flobs on a chair. Looking tired and wore.
"That leaves three vets for the whole county?" Luke says. Moving and massage his mother shoulders.
"Four, Peter up north, broke down and hired a second resident, and we both hired drivers to transport us. Otherwise, we would fall asleep at the wheel. Marven over on the Circle Delta (ranch) is helping: the closest to a bovine midwife we have." Alex moans in relieve.
"Your room is good, Luke. Why don't you show Amelia around; tell Luciana dinner in two hours." Maria shoos us out the kitchen.
"Interesting lady?"
"Father died in Nam: husband died in the First Gulf War. A cargo loader rushing, dumped a Conex on him at Altus Airbase down in Oklahoma. Had a fiancée couple years ago. Undiagnosed cancer took him before the wedding. Great gal?" Luke seems sad.
"The fiancée?"
"Older brother's high school English teacher." Luke looks pained
"Yours's?"
"Yea a great guy. They dated for nearly ten years. He was always lost in books." Luke turns away to hide the tear. I can tell it is dribbling down his cheek. My sensitivity man.
"How bounces thy bed. How sound proof is thy room; or is the far distance barn, loft, hay pile better for the family's fragile nerves?" I tease removing my shirt in the hallway.
"Sound proof is good, had a heavy metal phase and dad redid the walls to save the sanity of the females. Bed, while its hard as a rock." He smirks stripping his cloths.
"Luke Sawyer: this is my house! WAIT TILL YOU'RE IN YOUR ROOM. Both of you! AGGHHHH!" Luke's mother is shocked. Shaking my pants off and toss my panties over his shoulder into hallway as we enter his room. Take that parental unit, prudes, and rude future mother-in-law. Whoa! Amelia Grey where did that thought come from. As I turn into Lukes arms and we bounce hard on the bed; will order a new on tomorrow. How shocked will he be when I drop the V-fact on him. Hope, he doesn't stroke out before making me his woman.
Xxxxxxxxx
Chp3 girls don't want to have fun; they want to vent.
Lonnie floated by; brought our luggage, and my girl. The replacement creamery will be here next Thursday with a new crew. This crew will hang around and then move when the next creameries come out of the factory. May lose Giulia, seems the plot thickens as Mal is taking her Saturday to meet his kids in Key West. One is in the Coast guard there; the other is a Smithsonian Historian working on Dry Tortuga's Hospital Key.
Maria is wanting to steal her, but her new owner is arriving Friday. Did promise a possible fostering one from her first litters.
Terry and Toni are out of the hospital. Terry, the most man crazy woman I have ever met, is being housed and nursed by a couple park rangers. Lonnie implied three or possible four men at her beck and call.
Toni will crash with Luis 'senior's' wife; her boyfriend is deployed on an aircraft carrier in the far Pacific. When it returns, he gets out and is already admitted to Northwestern for special education teacher path in the fall.
I won't be able to return to Seattle till next week. Must work and show my people that I am a hands-on owner and boss. Missing this weekend state fair with my brothers, sucks. But a weekend in the wilds and with Luke is much better. We are taking turns with Tammy; helping the school herd demos this Thursday thru Saturday. Leaving my sore boy toy on the bed snoring. Going down stairs. Walking into the second-floor great room, the star sky is magical, the firelight of the logs playful.
All the ladies are here. "Sangria on the table; or harder stuff on the cart over there." Alex slurs. Getting a glass of sangria, sipping; what did they do, dump quart of ever-clear in the pitchers. Must be careful. Sitting down on the sofa next to Maria, My girl flobs in front of the hearth. Didn't hear or see her following me.
"His father, when he gets back, will double the sound proofing in the kids wing." Alex grouses
"It took four attempts before the parents wing was correct!" Luciana laughs
"You don't think you two were in the wrong, do you?"
"No, I started at seven at summer camp. Luciana started at seven, why should Sandy not start then?" Alex smirks
"Alex, Luciana! Just because you did. Does not discount your husband's objection and opinions. Alex, that fight over Luciana nearly cost your marriage. And you young lady, have stressed your marriage nearly to the breaking point. Why do you think Sandy bolted for daddy, when they arrived. Did either of you ask her?"
"She wanted to race!" Luciana whines
"Did she or just want mommy proud she took an interest." I interject. "At that age, I took ecology summer camp to make Mommie happy. I was miserable. Everything was bugs, and slimy things, and dead things. The only thing I like was feeding the chickens and gathering the goats. When I got home; My brother, Christian help me tell my parents that dreams of a Harvard lawyer or medicine was never going to happen. Before he left, I found cooking and baking was what made me happy. Everything else, I've done is icing on the cake. A very thick heavy chocolate cake."
"Maybe your right, we never asked. Sandy liked the riding, but the speed and turns may have been bit much. I'll call in the morning, talk to her and Daniel." Luciana mellows in doubts and realizations.
"Luci, you loved the competitions, the speed?"
"Mom, that was me. Yes, I did; But I also was afraid at times. I wanted to be like Luke and you. I remember you and him fighting the Wilson brothers at Wineglass. (she turns to me) He was only six; coming out of the car with that crowbar. Smashing one in the knee and then the face. I hide in the car terrified. Sixteen stiches in his head, remember mom. You had a broken arm and face that took weeks to heal. An you two won the fight."
"Wow! What did they do?"
"They robbed, beat, and raped a middle-aged woman, and her grandmother; scalped the grandmother's long braided hair. Tortured the ladies two saddle horses to death for sport: Paraded the video of the horses and hair thru the Wineglass bars. The old sheriff just laughed, asked for a video tape copy. Your father beat him the next day into retirement; in Costa Rica." Alex squeaks sobering.
"So, you're from here Alex?"
"No. She's a blue blood from Boston. Wellesley and Swiss boarding high school. Should have seen her first year here; wearing Prada and Coco to rodeos and events. Still as the Gucci medical bag set, your mother gave for being Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University honor grad."
"Honor Grad, the Tuft Wildlife & Conservation Medicine and Accelerated Clinical Excellence (ACE) specialty programs at the same time. Your parents were preparing to set you up anywhere; full building, all the equipment. Hell, they would have funded a research center at any college or university. Still, schedule to spent the fall and spring semester at Tuft to finish the Animal Welfare, Ethics and Policy."
"Yes. It's nothing just another frame on the wall" Alex down plays the achievements. I suspect Luke is like that; having seen Luke's wall in the hall.
"Who would have believed a month-long resident for her Tuft Wildlife & Conservation Medicine certificate. Your wanton hunger urges screwed up their carefully laid out plans. Marrying a broke, and fifteen years older: No good Army mustang Ranger Captain, taking the Horse and Mule program at the Marine Mountain Warfare Training Center in California's scenic Toiyabe National Forest." Maria looks at me, I get the parallels to me and Luke. "They married after six months of Taming of the Shrew, Shrew's family, the infamous Sawyer clan, and Second's 'I'm too poor bullshit.' I can't watch my Telenovela or daytime soap opera anymore after watching the Sawyer clan's reality show; courting, engagement, and wedding. You are lucky Edward was late or We would all suspect that CAMPING TRIP IN CANADA, and not that month later BOSTON POP CONCERT RIOT: I have a Flash file for you Amelia, was the reconciliation." Maria laughs. I can get the vibe. Luke is already giving me the 'I'm too poor' bullshit.
"When Grandmother Morris arrives, the cattle head for distance pastures; she demands they be wash, scrubbed, and blow dry." Luciana laughs changing the subject. I suspect, it's a sore spot in the families.
"That was the horses and children. The cattle were to be power washed. She's not a dirt or manure person." Alex laughs with Luciana. Tales of Grandmother Urbanization on the ranch is making me want to pee and roll on the ground. Must ask Lorretta if the landlord I'm buying from is related. Or maybe just "Hey Alex. Duck Morris related?"
"OH' God, you met my kid brother?"
"He's my landlord in Boston."
"I'll call and get you a better rate: I own a quarter of the property. Family rate for sure. I am after all the oldest, By ten years. My sister Marjorie. Duck is twelve years and the baby of the family. Duck was crowing about landing the next four-star restaurant in Old Bean Town. Wait till he finds out your Luke's girl. He will shit himself. Luke is his godson." Alex laughs "let's call him. Its near breakfast there. Luciana your phone?"
"Dialing! Uncle Duck! H-h-h-how the wife, kids, did you hear your losing the commission on the bank, banky, banksey, bank building!" Luciana laughing like a loon on crack. Alex leans over "Donald, Donald! You're in trouble?"
"ALEX, ARE YOU DRUNK! AT THIS HOUR! Mother NO!"
"Alexandria, Luciana, Maria?" Gravel voice of power and age; the matriarch.
"Hello Mrs. Morris." I ask, being the sober one, kinda.
"Who are you?" She demands. Before I can say anything a chorus of "Luke's girlfriend"
"I would like to meet you?" she demands, like the Old Money Matriarch she is.
"AMMM? You already have; in Paris last month? The crazy lady chef with the demonic looking dog?" I watch the girls around me rolling on the floor with my girl barking. Luciana jumps up, stubbles to the hall, dripping pee.
"Miss Grey!" Duck says terrified
"Guilty; Mr. Morris"
"Call me Andrea, since you are dating Luke, how long?" grandmother demands.
"About 24 hours. He works for my brother Christian."
"We will expect you to visit for my birthday next month. Luke is already scheduled. I will have to cancel the harem; I arranged to lure my grandson into matrimonial bliss, or should they attend?"
"By all means, have them attend; I'm sure Luke and I will enjoy the sample plate. My brother Elliott may accompany me. Not Sure about Christian. But I will expect the contract negotiation to be much quicker and saner. Ducky or I'm sending Lorretta. Remember her?"
"Maybe you'll be absent by then?" the old lady implies this is a fling. Is it?
"Grandma! Dream on. Amelia is mine, today, tomorrow, and forever and a day. (kissing my lips) As for the sample plate; thank you but no. Pale, bland, debutantes with three brain cells between them, did not make the cut last time; or the four visit before that. Duck; My girl is wanting that restaurant done. Make it so, or hazard a country weekend with dad and me. Bye, enjoy the French toast Tuesday. Kids, the super soaker, you emailed about is being built. Aunt Marjorie's kids are going down."
A cheer of kids acting like kids. I notice the adults don't even try to calm them. "You're a bad influence Luke, Amelia this is Duck's wife. Missy, sorry I missed meeting you. Next time, Duck gets the flu patrol. Remember I want that slime thrower for Marjorie. We will not be defeated again. Alex next time, you drunk call, and Luciana, your scrubbing floors. Get some rest. Duck pond out" she hangs up. I like her.
Alex is snoring and Luciana has not returned. Maria leans over; "Missy is not like anything your use to" She looks off pensive "or maybe just like you. She a lawyer, Harvard economic professor; Threw grandma in the Charles River twice at the same gala, during the engagement: all thirty days. Her father is a full bird colonel; Her mother died in child birth gifting her younger brother; Who is a Corp of Engineer, just promoted last month, captain in New Orleans. She is Commander, Science Officer on the Starship Breeds Hill."
"Please tell me your Starfleet?"
"YOU WISH: I'm a Captain! Imperial Stormtroopers Bozeman Brigade. Dark side rules and we have cookie. Fleet pussies" She laughs, hauling us up to return to our beds. Luke carries me to our bed. Passing Luciana worshipping at the porcelain alter in the hall powder room. Light weights.