Empirical son
Chp10 Ray Query
Seattle, WA. Escala: Sunday 0700am cg-pov
Snap awake; where the hell am I? Buenos Aires, Macao, Perth? Dark, I see the lights out in the open. Three bodies lay gone and dead, good ridden. Where the hell is Sam? I feel the automatic in my hand, hot and used. How many rounds left? Sam did that damn Shadow trick! Or his one on the headless wonders in the light of the loading dock. Where hell am I? Alone, deal with the reality.
Hidden in the shadow low, along a wall, no a curb just covers me. I see the last three moving in along the containers, in the darkness. I will get only one chance to live. Slowly tilting the weapon up, millimeter by millimeter. Any faster movement will give my hide away. I can get the first two, head shots. But the last one behind and left will see the muzzle flashes. If he's fast enough and sure enough, he will win the rush to aim.
Ten more feet, and two more centimeters rise of my muzzle. I can do this! Or else I died here and now. An I don't want to die here, nameless on this dock! Where the hell am I? Where is Sam?
Breath: calm; Center the eyes on the targets, defocus and slowly draw the trigger in as I hold my breath!
Sam rises behind them, on a run. The three never see the madman passing them before the long double blade of his WWII M3 Trench Knife open veins and they are dead before the faces hit the pavement.
I stand as Sam looks in my eyes. "You did good boy. Still a virgin. Try to keep it that way." He turns a we leave. A clean up crew from the Company will clear the mess. As they wanted Sam; to torture and spill his Company secrets. Turning to our boat.
And light wakes, shake the chains of my nightmare. She is not in bed with me. Did she leave; was I too much. Was I wrong. Why did she leave me?
I see her book on the side table and her iPad. Where the hell am I? I roll to the light; Good Seattle landscape. She's in the kitchen or the great room sucking tea and watching the birds or lost in a book she has scattered about our penthouse.
Damn it! Was that real or just a scenario Sam had me visualize. I can't remember anymore. Am I losing my mind? Or just the darkness I wallowed in all those years ago; is fading in the light of Anna?
Get your dumb ass up. An shower, shave, and shit and get out there and let her brighten your mood, away from this nightmare perennem
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Sunday after fair 0900am
Walking into the kitchen I find Anna, head down. Looking like the world fell on her. I move to her, hug her shoulders. Letting the silence shroud us. She shakes, gets up and gets me a coffee and Bear-claw out of the oven.
"You make this?"
"No. Gail made it yesterday. We had two apiece. You only have this one."
"What's?"
"Forever is composed of nows. (2) Talked to Gwen this morning. Ray canceled." She hides behind the cup. A tell?
"Babe?" Sipping my coffee.
"Thumper died this morning around three am. I watched the Sunday morning show video clip. She was so happy yesterday, last night." Putting the coffee down, haul her on my lap. Just let her have my strength. She weeps for the girls she sync'd with yesterday.
"She was so happy about the concert. So stoked to be a rock star. We made her an honorary lieutenant. She was so full of life?"
"The mind that is wise mourns less for what age takes away; than what it leaves behind." I smile at my soulmate.
"William Wordsworth. I wish we had more time with them?" Ann saddens.
"Her suffering is over, babe. She died happy and fulfilled living her dream. We were lucky to have known her and the others. I'll get with Roz and help the families. Sadly, she won't be the last."
"Ok. I'll have Fred go by the hospital today, giving them all honorary rank. Handout framed Officers Commissions; they will love it. They mentioned it on the show."
"Cool. Ray?"
"A VFW (Veteran of Foreign Wars) friend down in Eugene; House caught fire. A crew when down to salvage the household goods, and get the roof covered in tarps. As soon as the fire marshal release the property. Help him and his family rebuild."
"OK, what has you nervous?"
"I told Ray that we would support him. I had Roz wire into his account five grand. I'll pay you back. I swear I will."
How to do this without causing Anna to have a melt down over the money. Sipping the coffee, munching on the pastry. AH! The little brain cells! Or in this the instant addiction center of my brain, have chimed in like a howitzer cannon.
"Tell you what. I'll trade one chocolate overload cake." I smirk at her wide eyes "Yes, I snoop your recipe box. One cake per one grand. With a least one night in bed: You as my dessert plate."
"That doesn't seem fair?"
"I think it is. Very fair to have chocolate cake all over your body. I wonder what Anna's sweet garden taste like in Chocolate decadence."
"Debauchery is the word you're looking for. No, I will sweeten the pot with two nights as your licentiousness plate." She leans in and kisses me. Making the day bright and happy. Picking her up. "Licentiousness plate?" I whisper, licking her ear.
"Marked by disregard for strict rules of correctness as in tableware." She purrs. Carrying her to bed. So how we lost our cloths on the trek into our bedroom. Laying her down, she drags me on to her. Making love to her. Kissing her body all over in the post sex. Imagining what the cake will be like.
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Sunday noon:
Sitting in my home office, working hard. Emails and more emails. My calendar next Friday pops up with an Exploration Directorate meet and greet, at Grey House. Dress uniform! What does that mean? Star Trek is intruding in my life; I planned to wine and dine my girl. Maybe cruise out on Alma Perdida. (lost soul) About the Puget Sound; maybe around the San Juans? That would be very enjoyable, surfing my trimaran yacht with spinnaker taunt to the wind, heeling on the downhill run. "MMM!"
"Ring. Ring." My cell phone goes off. Caller unknown. "Hello?"
"Grey! Steele! You can't buy me!"
"Mr. Steele; I am not buying you. Anna arranged the money and then asked me. I approved. I think you're doing good works and I'm fine with it."
"I don't like it!"
"Well? If you make my parents a picnic case like Anna's? We are even."
"Anna already arranged that. She mentioned your family's big on outdoor games. Most of the one she mentioned. Ah Did she talk about her sports prowess?"
"Now that you mention it. She seems to go quiet about any talents; after billard's Friday?"
"She likes you. So. I am going to give you some advice. Any sport or game with a ball larger than a soft ball, or uses a racket or golf club. Do not under any circumstance let her play. Unless you want a trip to ER. She will try to please you; by playing. Don't do it! I have twelve stiches in my skull from badminton."
"OK! What outdoor games are she good at?"
"Croquets, bocce ball, colonial bowling; Her bowling sets are at my house. I'll bring them up."
"Colonial bowling, Like bocce ball?"
"No; Anna has a colonial nine-pin bowling, with what looks like bowling pins with a softball size ball. Also, made her Candlepin bowling and Duckpin bowling. Regular bowling is not recommended with the ball size; she is banned in all the ally's from Olympia to Portland. You know any of those?"
"Yes. Nine, candlepin. Never tried duckpin." I think on the fun we can have and how to make money on the Grey Company bowling fanatics. "Cool. Any other games?"
"Cornhole, Like horse shoes with little sand bags. Do not let her play real horse shoes. She unerringly will hit cars. Oh? Frisbees are out for the same reason. Now Bucket Golf balls are about softball size: She spots me twenty points to give me a chance to beat her. Beer Pong like games, she is deadeye. Take you to the cleaners. Like its Scrabble."
"Traveling Croquets set, like the picnic case. What about Kubb?"
"Sure, not a problem. Already have a jig and layouts for the Croquets. Was planning on some for Christmas to sell. Make some money, help her out. She can play Kubb without killing someone. Why?"
"A custom set with our initials. Something that stands out in a crowd. Several events this summer are lawn parties. I don't want her hiding because volleyball or badminton is the main sports."
"Not a problem; when I get back home; The Fire Marshal is talking with city permit guy to get us hopping maybe Tuesday. Larry's house is set up for his wheelchair; His Daughter and her kids are in a couple of RV's we scavenged. It's scheduled to rain most of nights and afternoon this week."
"If you need anything; especial money! Call me! We will work something out. Would more crew be helpful?"
"Once the build starts yes; right now, six old timers like me and four younger guys working day jobs, helping at night and on their days off."
"Let me ask my brother, he's always up for these things."
"Thank you. Will call if I can make it this Saturday." He hangs up.
He is a proud man; like his daughter. Will have to think alternate ways to stabilize his money. He runs a custom wood shop; maybe some China hutches or Dressers. I'll ask Gwen. Dailing my brother, this could be fun. Or not?
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Mad-pov Elliot house
Sipping my coffee, watching the birds in the scrub above the gyms sunk garden. The landscaping is incredible. I can not see the ramp I know right under the window. Nor the road farther out, a very nice slice between trees and houses across the street to the Olympic heights across the Sound. I feel like we are alone in the wilderness, Isolated and protected.
The Birds play about a feeder near the end of the sunken garden. I suspect Elliot built it. The beautiful vertical array of chalets, mountain huts and cottages suspended around a center tube textured like a tree trunk. "EMMMM! My man."
Yesterday was wonderous. Back with Anna; and for the first time in long time, content and happy in my skin. Elliot held me last night watching the Videos Roz sent us. Will call Anna later and see if Ray could stop by.
The only downer was Thumpers death. I plan on visiting the Hospital and see the band tomorrow. Deedee can go with me; she plans on teaching me simple breakfast sausage in biscuit rolls. She can Add cinnamon rolls easily. Maybe get Elliott out of that project meeting for an extended lunch to visit the band. We could use the lift to easy are transition back into society. Already the parents' lawyers are emailing me with demands. Wanting me to reimburse them for college and the mystery condo over near Pike Market. Carrick is handling them for now.
Maybe ask Ray to stop by the compound in Tacoma and rearrange Daddy's nose or teeth. He would not hit mother; Ray is a gentleman. Maybe he can take me. I want to rearrange her face. She destroyed my life for what? I don't know: Ethan Doesn't know. I hope Carrick or Ray could beat it out of dad. But they don't like violence la Familia.
OH! Wow! Swallow-like Bird, uniform blackish gray. Looking at me, He has splash of white on his forehead. I google the local Audubon web site. A Black Swift, insect eater. Cool!" Add it to my bird list; we both started in rehab, bird watching and identifying game. I'm down two birds right now.
"Hey Madison; Do you see the black grey bird on the feeder?" Bellows from the gym. Damn it! Still two down.
"Yes, It's a Black Swift!" I yell back down the stairs.
"COOL; Those are insect eater. Hopefully, He'll get stuffed with those flying buzz bombs out there." Elliot Laughs. I might after coffee wander down and test the Limits of the bench press bench. The nautilus seat, last night worked very good for reverse cowgirl. Not as good as the feedback chair in the game room, OH! Wait that was Cowgirl; Must test out the chair in reverse now. Gulping the coffee. Opening the robe. UM! Sexy beast. DeeDee has gone to church. We are alone and dangerously lacking restrictive cloths. "Elliot, do you want to be left alone" I whisper. Good: No Objections Heard.
:buzzzz, Buzzz" damn his cell phone on the counter charger. Walking over checking the caller ID. We screen the calls; can't let the evils one entraps us. OH! Christian?
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Chris-pov
"Elliott?" I asks.
"No. He's in the gym. Let me walk the phone to him. What is this about?" Madison asks
"Ray, did you hear?"
"Ray? Isn't he there?"
"No. He's"
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO!" She is damn loud and annoying. Pulling the phone away from my ringing ear.
"NOTHING! A VFW BUDDIES HOUSE CAUGHT FIRE."
"OH! Sorry? Your on-speaker phone."
"While I've got you on the line? What's with Anna's Star Trek thing?"
"When Anna is unsure of the social scene, which is often; the girl is an introvert. She reverts to Star Trek or obscured literary quotes. When she wants to defuse my meltdown, she does this hilarious grammar quote about I and E."
"Yea she did that, bummed is failed in the office." I snicker
"It failed? You guys need to get with the program. Wait what did she use then?"
"Shimmy, vamping airhead; possible clowning you?" I laugh
"Hey, Money bags. I taught her that routine for our summer school E-publishing course At Humboldt state in California. We lived in a frigging tent for four weeks. They had a 30minute talent show before exams. We won first prize for originality, believability and five hundred dollars. Anna needed the money."
"Elliott your loser brother! Here" she laughs and I hear the whistle of a cell phone free floating across a room. Clattering, hitting things and falls to the floor. "Bro?"
"Elliott? Ray had to go to Eugene. A VFW buddy in a wheelchair: House caught fire. Just talked to him. He has six old timers; four younger guys can only work after day jobs and on their weekend. ANY WAY TO SUPPORT THEM. He thinks rebuilding starts maybe Tuesday."
"Yea, have a crew stuck in Grant's Pass; at least two weeks to work out the permitting issues there. They could motor up and help. Have Ray txt me the address and Fire Marshal and building permit office requirements. Mad; I'll Send Teddy. Clint my number two; Thinks Ted 'teddy' Longstreet is ready to take over a built. His father is VFW out of Spokane. He can handle the job, Ray, and other veterans."
"Guys, I'll text Ray; get the information going. Elliott, you call Teddy and have him get Moffat's crew moving. Grey initial money?" Madsion sound like she has a good handle on this and Elliott.
"Ray and anyone else down there, never sees the invoices: Bill me direct. I'll out lay forty grand to start. Not a word to Ray; He's upset Anna loaned him five grand so he could support his friends."
"Yea, Ray doesn't take CHARITY well, neither does Anna. How did you smooth the waters?" Madsion speaks.
"Ray is building some outdoor games for Anna, croquets, and the parents a Picnic case."
"My brother is trying to get my custom cases Ray build for me; from my mother's house outside Christchurch. Elliott, if we can't get the Picnic case, Ray can build a new one for us. It's so cool. Christian, have you seen Anna?"
"Yes, we did a picnic in the great room here Thursday night."
"Oh yea, saw that on the Morning show. You told Cindy and she spilled the inept romantic. Bro!" Elliott booms in stupidity. Like he knows how to romance a lady.
"An, your romantic forays were what? Beer, Pizza, Wrestling on TV?"
"Hey! That was fun. Mad? Please don't?" Yelling and door slamming "Now you got me in trouble. Bro. Will have to break out the monkey suit and get expensive reservations someplace."
"Elliott, Take her to the Aquarium this afternoon, Ice cream or coffee. Maybe the Curiosity shop. Play young lover tourist. Let her lead. The sculpture path along the Sound. Show her the real you and how much you want her. Not how much you can spend on her. Now I need to go. I can smell my repayment from Anna. OH! Elliott! I've locked down the penthouse. No one is getting in this afternoon."
"What did Anna banana get you?"
"Making me CHOCOLATE OVERLOAD CAKE. BYE!"
"YOU ASSHOLE! We could have been there in thirty minutes!"
"My remittance; I'm not sharing! And the doors are locked; no begging. BYE" I hang up laughing. That the chow hound will not get any of my cake. Walking out of the home office, smile on my face smelling heavenly ambrosia waffling out of the Kitchen.
I nearly faint and fall to the floor. Anna is smiling, bright and innocently, wearing only the cooking apron. She smirks. Dropping the apron. Slinking up to me, leaning close. "Coffee or milk?"
"Milk, Anna?" How was this sex goddesses a virgin just weeks ago. She was born to be my muse, addiction, my love.
"I traded half the cake for no staff, friends, family, or video for this evening. Gail left, mac' n cheese with additions in the frig for latter. I decided that the bed didn't need to get dirtier. Follow me big boy. Bring the cake." She teases me into the dining room. The table is set for her lounging as my plate. A tarp on the floor. This is going to be so, so messy and Oh! so, so much fun.
Putting the cake down. Helping her up on the table. She reclines. Walking to the sideboard, switching my phone on to the room's music system. A nice soft piano concerto plays. Looking into her heated eyes. I slowly, teasingly strip down to my skin. Walking up, leaning over. Kissing her lips. She snuck a Hersey Kiss. Chocolate and Anna! Heaven! Let Dessert begin.
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1. footnote: 30-minute talent show. The participates have 30 minutes to come up with a routine based on a card with a theme or topic before taking the stage. Part ad-lib and improv and vaudeville.
2. "Forever is composed of nows." Emily Dickinson Quotes
3. Perennem= enduring darkness
reviews would help me know if anyone likes this story.