........With my Heart
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
bad_karma00
Underachiever
Wonderful wonderful story!!! More story is always good! Always good!
Chocolate milk and artichoke hearts! I thought I was finished shuddering until I got to the hotdogs with chocolate syrup. LOL. When my guy was that age he would only eat a hotdog if it was frozen. I used to beg and plead with him to let me cook it for him.
Pac, I am so glad you are finally getting some rest. This story is fantastic and I am loving every word of it. Thank you so much.
Pac, I am so glad you are finally getting some rest. This story is fantastic and I am loving every word of it. Thank you so much.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#12
"Another brother, I had sort of put that out of my mind," Evie admitted slowly. She needed more coffee if they were going to open that particular discussion. She retrieved the coffee pot and refilled the mugs. The rice was warm, so she dished up two bowls and put the butter and sugar on the table.
"Tell me this Grandma, what was Pete like when he was a kid? I have never really known him or anything about him." Clora asked quietly.
Evie talked about her son and his early life between bites of breakfast. "He was always deeply interested in mechanical ideas, his best liked Christmas present was a subscription to Popular Science. Later he switched to an electrical obsession. When he got a computer in his junior year, he became a different person. Sadly, he was furious that it took so long for us to afford the old dinosaur, as he called it. Not," Evie said sadly, "that he was open to getting a job and helping us build up the fund."
"What about friends and girls?" Clora asked interested in the portrait Evie was painting.
"We thought he was normal, a few good friends with the same interests and girlfriends off and on. I guess it was the summer he was a junior that he said he found a friend on the internet. His senior year he threw himself into schooling, and picked up several scholarships. Then, he distanced himself from us in college. He's our child that we didn't know anymore. He must have listened to some of the things we used to talk about. Your name Clora, was the name of my maternal grandmother." Evie recounted with a far off look in her eye.
"According to family stories, she was good friends with Daniel and Rebecca Boone."
"Really?" Clora was fascinated. "I really need to get this written down. Would you help me put together a family tree?"
"Of course, I can't tell you how pleased I would be to help you. Today however, I need to start washing. I will tell you that my Grandmother, didn't think much of D. Boone Esq.; she thought it was terrible he was always off traipsing around the woods and never at home to care for his family. Someday I will tell you about how accurate Rebecca Boone was with a musket, and courageous and brave she had to be."
"Wow, that's quite a piece of history," Clora replied. "It makes me feel better about my name. I sure got teased a lot about having such a strange moniker."
"It goes back a long ways," Evie said proudly. "I believe it was her Grandmother's name also. That's back into pre-Pilgrim England."
She patted Clora on the arm as she got up to draw dish water to heat for the dishes. "I'm actually surprised Pete thought to carry on the tradition, but I'm glad he did. You are a perfect Clora." Evie turned around to give Clora a hug. Emotion gave her a few tears and a quivery voice, but Evie thought today she should be allowed.
The morning was not going well at the Wilson ranch. Sandy was up early to start breakfast and the first thing she did was step on Ruby. The resulting yipping was enough to raise the dead, or in this case, Ev out of a dead sleep. He jerked open the bedroom door in all his union suit glory, his trusty shotgun at the ready.
Ruby, hearing her beloved master acting in a rush, ran to his side. She forgot Sandy was centered in her headlong run and collided with Sandy's skinny backside. As Sandy tumbled, she threw up the freshly filled coffeepot, intending that Ev catch it. She forgot, that Ev was still 99% asleep and had a gun in his hand.
That moment of forgetfulness did not end well. Ev threw up the gun in reflex, forgetting to remove his finger from the trigger. The blast blew a shot pattern through the metal roof, raining down dust, dirt and insulation. The coffee pot made a solid hit against Ev's shoulder, spinning him to the right and sending him into the stove pipe of the parlor stove.
When the cold pipe came down, it cracked at the joint and spewed cinders, stove black and soot into the house. The blast startled Christy from sleep, and she started screaming. Cheryl was calling frantically from the bedroom, struggling to get up and understand what was happening. Ruby was barking, thinking this was great fun. In her excitement she forgot herself and reached up to nip Sandy on the ankle. Her heeling instinct in total control.
Sandy screamed in surprise, kicking against the pain the nip produced. That kick spun the dislodged stove pipe in a spinning circle to whack Ev from behind, cutting his ankle with the sharp edge.
Suddenly, it was totally silent in the house. Holding her stomach against the sudden movement, Cheryl shuffled to the bedroom door and gasped in horror. Both Sandy, Ev and Ruby were covered in soot, trying to get to their feet. In slow motion, they got to their knees and then lurched forward at the same time to smack their heads smartly together. It wasn't pretty, what happened next.
Ruby went into protection mode when Ev yelled, jumping at the sooty black lurching figure that was threatening her master. The problem was, it was Ev that she bit in the backside.
"Another brother, I had sort of put that out of my mind," Evie admitted slowly. She needed more coffee if they were going to open that particular discussion. She retrieved the coffee pot and refilled the mugs. The rice was warm, so she dished up two bowls and put the butter and sugar on the table.
"Tell me this Grandma, what was Pete like when he was a kid? I have never really known him or anything about him." Clora asked quietly.
Evie talked about her son and his early life between bites of breakfast. "He was always deeply interested in mechanical ideas, his best liked Christmas present was a subscription to Popular Science. Later he switched to an electrical obsession. When he got a computer in his junior year, he became a different person. Sadly, he was furious that it took so long for us to afford the old dinosaur, as he called it. Not," Evie said sadly, "that he was open to getting a job and helping us build up the fund."
"What about friends and girls?" Clora asked interested in the portrait Evie was painting.
"We thought he was normal, a few good friends with the same interests and girlfriends off and on. I guess it was the summer he was a junior that he said he found a friend on the internet. His senior year he threw himself into schooling, and picked up several scholarships. Then, he distanced himself from us in college. He's our child that we didn't know anymore. He must have listened to some of the things we used to talk about. Your name Clora, was the name of my maternal grandmother." Evie recounted with a far off look in her eye.
"According to family stories, she was good friends with Daniel and Rebecca Boone."
"Really?" Clora was fascinated. "I really need to get this written down. Would you help me put together a family tree?"
"Of course, I can't tell you how pleased I would be to help you. Today however, I need to start washing. I will tell you that my Grandmother, didn't think much of D. Boone Esq.; she thought it was terrible he was always off traipsing around the woods and never at home to care for his family. Someday I will tell you about how accurate Rebecca Boone was with a musket, and courageous and brave she had to be."
"Wow, that's quite a piece of history," Clora replied. "It makes me feel better about my name. I sure got teased a lot about having such a strange moniker."
"It goes back a long ways," Evie said proudly. "I believe it was her Grandmother's name also. That's back into pre-Pilgrim England."
She patted Clora on the arm as she got up to draw dish water to heat for the dishes. "I'm actually surprised Pete thought to carry on the tradition, but I'm glad he did. You are a perfect Clora." Evie turned around to give Clora a hug. Emotion gave her a few tears and a quivery voice, but Evie thought today she should be allowed.
The morning was not going well at the Wilson ranch. Sandy was up early to start breakfast and the first thing she did was step on Ruby. The resulting yipping was enough to raise the dead, or in this case, Ev out of a dead sleep. He jerked open the bedroom door in all his union suit glory, his trusty shotgun at the ready.
Ruby, hearing her beloved master acting in a rush, ran to his side. She forgot Sandy was centered in her headlong run and collided with Sandy's skinny backside. As Sandy tumbled, she threw up the freshly filled coffeepot, intending that Ev catch it. She forgot, that Ev was still 99% asleep and had a gun in his hand.
That moment of forgetfulness did not end well. Ev threw up the gun in reflex, forgetting to remove his finger from the trigger. The blast blew a shot pattern through the metal roof, raining down dust, dirt and insulation. The coffee pot made a solid hit against Ev's shoulder, spinning him to the right and sending him into the stove pipe of the parlor stove.
When the cold pipe came down, it cracked at the joint and spewed cinders, stove black and soot into the house. The blast startled Christy from sleep, and she started screaming. Cheryl was calling frantically from the bedroom, struggling to get up and understand what was happening. Ruby was barking, thinking this was great fun. In her excitement she forgot herself and reached up to nip Sandy on the ankle. Her heeling instinct in total control.
Sandy screamed in surprise, kicking against the pain the nip produced. That kick spun the dislodged stove pipe in a spinning circle to whack Ev from behind, cutting his ankle with the sharp edge.
Suddenly, it was totally silent in the house. Holding her stomach against the sudden movement, Cheryl shuffled to the bedroom door and gasped in horror. Both Sandy, Ev and Ruby were covered in soot, trying to get to their feet. In slow motion, they got to their knees and then lurched forward at the same time to smack their heads smartly together. It wasn't pretty, what happened next.
Ruby went into protection mode when Ev yelled, jumping at the sooty black lurching figure that was threatening her master. The problem was, it was Ev that she bit in the backside.
LOL! You are a master at such scenes! Thank you!
you have such a beautiful skill with words! It's so easy to picture that scene happening, ending with a confused doggie wondering what all the fuss is about! :-)
Seriously, your writing is far better than most of the "professional" stuff on the shelves. We're all lucky that you freely share your work with us.
Many thanks,
Russell
Seriously, your writing is far better than most of the "professional" stuff on the shelves. We're all lucky that you freely share your work with us.
Many thanks,
Russell
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
thank you, man o man, dont want that happening at my house lol.PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#13
The roar that Ev let loose, rattled lions in Africa, caused seismic vibrations and set Inky to barking in the Hanson yard. Ev lay on the floor counting the shot holes in the ceiling. "Please," he said plaintively, aiming his plea towards heaven, "I've only been home a day, I need to catch a break. I can't believe what is happening."
"I'm gonna get up," Sandy cautioned Ev. "stay put." She gingerly got to her knees again, keeping a wary eye on Ev's whereabouts. Ruby lay in her spot behind the stove, whining and rubbing her face with her paws. The stove was reaching white hot proportions as the draft was wide open. Sandy smelled the hotness, and hurried to get the roaring fire under control.
The coffee pot was ruined, the bottom seam split open from the weight of the water as it landed heavily on the floor. The floor was covered in water, grounds and soot, the water skittering across the layer of blackness to puddle in low depressions in the floor.
Cheryl took a deep breath, shook her head at the disaster, turned around and shut the bedroom door. She still felt so weak, she wasn't going to get involved with the calamity lurking in the kitchen. Christy stood in the doorway of her room and started laughing, telling Ev how funny he looked.
"I suppose I do Princess," Ev joked back. "Want to come out here and help me?" he beckoned with his finger and a wicked grin.
"No Daddy, you're dirty all over. You should have a bath. Ruby needs a bath too." Christy scolded her Daddy.
"Ev! Don't you dare get in the bathtub! You go wash in the horse trough!" Cheryl yelled from the bedroom.
It took the whole day to clean up after the morning's fiasco. Sandy took a couple of buckets of heated water outside to the back of the woodshed and scrubbed herself with Cheryl's lye soap. Donning Cheryl's bathrobe, she hotfooted it across the pasture to Grandma's to get clean clothes.
"Hold it right there," Clora ordered Sandy, when the young woman showed up on the porch. "What happened to you?"
Laughing so hard she could barely speak, Sandy stood on the porch leaning on the door jamb drinking coffee and recounting the morning's happenings.
"Mercy," Evie was laughing as she listened from the utility room. "Sandy, you still have a film of soot on your hair, I can see it from here. I have some hand cleaner, let's wash you're hair in the sink and rinse it with vinegar. That should cut the grime."
Clora washed the mass of Sandy's uncut hair, while Sandy was telling about Cheryl. "Did you know Grandma, she lost a baby and had to have an operation? No more children for them. Cheryl sure cries a lot. It took Ev a long time working on the earthquake cleanup to save up the money. That's why they were gone so long. The hospital demanded money up front." she picked up the towel and folded in turban fashion around her wet hair.
"I sure hope Ev cleans up Ruby, he was pretty mad about being bitten. She really nailed him good. Say, when Benny was out here last night, he didn't say anything about Wayne, did he?" Sandy had a forlorn and sad droop to her face. "I know," she held up her hand to forstall the comment she could see forming on Clora's lips. "I'm getting used to the idea that he's a brother." Sandy gathered a handful of hair and started working a comb through the tangles. "Your right Grandma, the vinegar rinse really put the shine back in my hair."
Evie sent a plate of cookies back with Sandy, figuring rightly that there had been no time available to bake something for Ev's sweet tooth. Clora waited until Sandy was out of ear shot to comment drolly, "Good grief, she's a chatterbox today. I wonder who wound up her spring?"
Sandy barely made it home before the rain started. A hard drumming, wind blown soaker that helped the Hanson ladies obliterate the last traces of Davis's evidence. Inky and Junior wanted in, and it wasn't much later that a wet and shivering Ruby whined for entrance. Her doggy dignity had been injured by Ev's treatment of her and the subsequent bath he had put her through. Ruby was pouting.
Inga and Lainey were finishing up the night's dishes when a wet and angry Benny blew in the door. "Do you know what that so and so Brett has done?" he continued not expecting an answer. "He stole the water truck and drove out of here with Trey. Abby's parents are here to get Trey and they want to charge him with kidnapping. What a jerk."
Benny swooped in, planted a smoochy kiss on the back of Lainey's neck and headed for the door.
"Hey, don't I get one too?" Inga yelled at his retreating back. Benny stopped, turned around hustled back and gave Inga a raspberry on the back of her neck and pulled a hairpin out, allowing her hair to fall. He went out the door whistling.
The roar that Ev let loose, rattled lions in Africa, caused seismic vibrations and set Inky to barking in the Hanson yard. Ev lay on the floor counting the shot holes in the ceiling. "Please," he said plaintively, aiming his plea towards heaven, "I've only been home a day, I need to catch a break. I can't believe what is happening."
"I'm gonna get up," Sandy cautioned Ev. "stay put." She gingerly got to her knees again, keeping a wary eye on Ev's whereabouts. Ruby lay in her spot behind the stove, whining and rubbing her face with her paws. The stove was reaching white hot proportions as the draft was wide open. Sandy smelled the hotness, and hurried to get the roaring fire under control.
The coffee pot was ruined, the bottom seam split open from the weight of the water as it landed heavily on the floor. The floor was covered in water, grounds and soot, the water skittering across the layer of blackness to puddle in low depressions in the floor.
Cheryl took a deep breath, shook her head at the disaster, turned around and shut the bedroom door. She still felt so weak, she wasn't going to get involved with the calamity lurking in the kitchen. Christy stood in the doorway of her room and started laughing, telling Ev how funny he looked.
"I suppose I do Princess," Ev joked back. "Want to come out here and help me?" he beckoned with his finger and a wicked grin.
"No Daddy, you're dirty all over. You should have a bath. Ruby needs a bath too." Christy scolded her Daddy.
"Ev! Don't you dare get in the bathtub! You go wash in the horse trough!" Cheryl yelled from the bedroom.
It took the whole day to clean up after the morning's fiasco. Sandy took a couple of buckets of heated water outside to the back of the woodshed and scrubbed herself with Cheryl's lye soap. Donning Cheryl's bathrobe, she hotfooted it across the pasture to Grandma's to get clean clothes.
"Hold it right there," Clora ordered Sandy, when the young woman showed up on the porch. "What happened to you?"
Laughing so hard she could barely speak, Sandy stood on the porch leaning on the door jamb drinking coffee and recounting the morning's happenings.
"Mercy," Evie was laughing as she listened from the utility room. "Sandy, you still have a film of soot on your hair, I can see it from here. I have some hand cleaner, let's wash you're hair in the sink and rinse it with vinegar. That should cut the grime."
Clora washed the mass of Sandy's uncut hair, while Sandy was telling about Cheryl. "Did you know Grandma, she lost a baby and had to have an operation? No more children for them. Cheryl sure cries a lot. It took Ev a long time working on the earthquake cleanup to save up the money. That's why they were gone so long. The hospital demanded money up front." she picked up the towel and folded in turban fashion around her wet hair.
"I sure hope Ev cleans up Ruby, he was pretty mad about being bitten. She really nailed him good. Say, when Benny was out here last night, he didn't say anything about Wayne, did he?" Sandy had a forlorn and sad droop to her face. "I know," she held up her hand to forstall the comment she could see forming on Clora's lips. "I'm getting used to the idea that he's a brother." Sandy gathered a handful of hair and started working a comb through the tangles. "Your right Grandma, the vinegar rinse really put the shine back in my hair."
Evie sent a plate of cookies back with Sandy, figuring rightly that there had been no time available to bake something for Ev's sweet tooth. Clora waited until Sandy was out of ear shot to comment drolly, "Good grief, she's a chatterbox today. I wonder who wound up her spring?"
Sandy barely made it home before the rain started. A hard drumming, wind blown soaker that helped the Hanson ladies obliterate the last traces of Davis's evidence. Inky and Junior wanted in, and it wasn't much later that a wet and shivering Ruby whined for entrance. Her doggy dignity had been injured by Ev's treatment of her and the subsequent bath he had put her through. Ruby was pouting.
Inga and Lainey were finishing up the night's dishes when a wet and angry Benny blew in the door. "Do you know what that so and so Brett has done?" he continued not expecting an answer. "He stole the water truck and drove out of here with Trey. Abby's parents are here to get Trey and they want to charge him with kidnapping. What a jerk."
Benny swooped in, planted a smoochy kiss on the back of Lainey's neck and headed for the door.
"Hey, don't I get one too?" Inga yelled at his retreating back. Benny stopped, turned around hustled back and gave Inga a raspberry on the back of her neck and pulled a hairpin out, allowing her hair to fall. He went out the door whistling.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Always a nice treat to read one of your chapters.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#14a.
Tammy was stomping through the woods. She didn't care if she was heard or discovered, angry and fed up with her life and subsequent orders that had gone wrong, she was looking for the body of her father in law. Late the night before she had concluded that Davis might have had money on him. The old duffer always seemed to have several bills in his wallet, so there was no reason she shouldn't help her self to a little extra.
Standing in her prior shooting position, Tammy slowly pivoted as she turned to where Davis should have been. No fool, Tammy had carefully watched the recovery team called in by Benny. They had not removed a second body, she was positive. So where in the blazes was that decrepit old man.
This was a problem. Mad, frustrated and now a little scared, Tammy tromped around the area in ever widening circles intending to locate and evidence of Davis. The night's rain had softened and obliterated any tracks that had been made. Gritting her teeth against the howl of rage she was feeling, Tammy faded back into the woods. She felt a shiver of disquietness ripple across her back.
She had really big problems. Back at the cabin, she searched carefully for any kind of a note or message that would give her instructions. All of these very interesting facts were intently observed by the shadowy figure. He squirmed when he recalled the message he had delivered and put in the vehicle; and then he relaxed when he remembered it was written by the director's deputy, so it was in code.
Tammy fed her children the last of the foodstuffs donated by the Hanson's. Crunch time would be tomorrow morning, when they all would be hungry. Meanwhile, her tumultuous mind was spinning with 'what might be happening's' and 'what should I do now's' and what the hell she could do about it. Unable to sit down because she was so wound up, Tammy paced the floor.
Jennings McCann drove recklessly considering the condition of the road. The fluttering piece of paper that had been wedged in the cupholder sailed in small circles to the floor of the Suburban. J took his eyes off the road long enough to reach over and snag the paper. He flipped the folded note open and glanced several times at the neatly written unreadable Chinese characters.
Tammy was stomping through the woods. She didn't care if she was heard or discovered, angry and fed up with her life and subsequent orders that had gone wrong, she was looking for the body of her father in law. Late the night before she had concluded that Davis might have had money on him. The old duffer always seemed to have several bills in his wallet, so there was no reason she shouldn't help her self to a little extra.
Standing in her prior shooting position, Tammy slowly pivoted as she turned to where Davis should have been. No fool, Tammy had carefully watched the recovery team called in by Benny. They had not removed a second body, she was positive. So where in the blazes was that decrepit old man.
This was a problem. Mad, frustrated and now a little scared, Tammy tromped around the area in ever widening circles intending to locate and evidence of Davis. The night's rain had softened and obliterated any tracks that had been made. Gritting her teeth against the howl of rage she was feeling, Tammy faded back into the woods. She felt a shiver of disquietness ripple across her back.
She had really big problems. Back at the cabin, she searched carefully for any kind of a note or message that would give her instructions. All of these very interesting facts were intently observed by the shadowy figure. He squirmed when he recalled the message he had delivered and put in the vehicle; and then he relaxed when he remembered it was written by the director's deputy, so it was in code.
Tammy fed her children the last of the foodstuffs donated by the Hanson's. Crunch time would be tomorrow morning, when they all would be hungry. Meanwhile, her tumultuous mind was spinning with 'what might be happening's' and 'what should I do now's' and what the hell she could do about it. Unable to sit down because she was so wound up, Tammy paced the floor.
Jennings McCann drove recklessly considering the condition of the road. The fluttering piece of paper that had been wedged in the cupholder sailed in small circles to the floor of the Suburban. J took his eyes off the road long enough to reach over and snag the paper. He flipped the folded note open and glanced several times at the neatly written unreadable Chinese characters.
Last edited:
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Mama aint happy it seems. Thank you Pac.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#14b.
Jennings McCann hit Portland at a high rate of speed and garbled emotions. He flashed his badge and knocked loudly on his direct supervisor's door. A call put him in contact with Henry Wright, who reluctantly provided J with information about his father. In exchange, J teased the portly agent with the piece of paper from his vehicle.
The paper was photocopied by the State Police, and a call went out for an interpreter. Jennings wanted an explanation, a sick feeling gathering into a lead weight lump in his belly.
Agent Wright showed up himself to pick up the note. He could barely contain his undisguised interest in the neatly penned lines of characters. The slight Oriental man that stood back waiting for Henry to beckon him forward, read the note when he was instructed, and turned an astonished, flabbergasted expression to Wright.
Once again, Clora found Evie sitting at the table in the early morning light. The flagrance of perking coffee was perfuming the air, and the diminutive woman was sitting with her feet tucked under Inky. The huge old dog was a comfy, warm foot warmer. Junior was a bit of a hazard, as he was teething out his milk teeth and totally appreciated the curve of Evie's ankle.
"Here now! you rascal, get those teeth off me," Evie ordered sternly. Inky was happy to cuff Junior, as he adored Evie and was a little tired of Junior's shenanigans himself. Ruby rolled over and gave Junior the evil eye, forestalling the pup's eager and indecent haste toward her.
Junior flopped down on the floor, disgusted with the laid back and lack of excitement people he was having to deal with. He was a fine young dog with vim and vigor, he liked his excitement bold and his danger more bold than that. He needed to bark! And so he did.
"Junior," Clora threatened the pup, "I'm gonna throw you outside, knock that off." The sternness of her voice had Junior reconsidering his quest for adventure. He decided to hold off until after breakfast. Yeah, that was it, he'd wait until he ate, then look out.
"What's on the list now that the laundry is done?" Clora poured coffee for herself and put the pot back on the fire for a few more perks. Grandma looked like she needed a full strength dose this morning.
"Garden," Evie said with warming interest. "It feels like a good day to garden. It's gonna be coolish, so we won't overheat when working." She accepted the mug that Clora offered, taking a deep appreciative sniff of the dark liquid. "It's the right time of the moon for underground root crops, and yesterday's rain softened the soil about right."
Clora smiled at Evie's excitement. It was the same every Spring, Grandma was like a kid when it came to planting. She tended to overplant and give herself more work than she could possibly handle. Clora understood that food was Evie's security, and she couldn't ever have too much. So all the kids helped Grandma, with a song in their heart's.
Clora found the griddle and set it on the stove. Pancakes this morning sounded good. In a flight of fancy, Clora wondered briefly what a certain tall, handsome Sargent was having for breakfast. She hoped he had a good meal.
Evie scratched her foot along Inky's side, rubbing her toes across his ribs until she encountered the rather large lump, where there shouldn't be a lump. "Clora, come look at this," she requested. "This doesn't feel right."
Clora stopped stirring the pancake batter, she dropped to her knees and followed her hand across Inky's shaggy fur. "He's got a pretty big lump, feels spongy and it's obviously tender. He doesn't want me to touch it." she reported. While she was there, she ran her hands all over the resting dog. Inky followed her with his huge brown eyes. "Grandma, he's got two more, smaller ones by his front leg."
Evie looked at her dog and he looked back. In his dignified gaze, Evie could see the age and acceptance of his fate. Evie might not spend money on herself, but she sure wasn't going to let Inky go down without a fight. "We need to talk to Benny, I think we need to take Inky out to a vet."
"For sure," Clora agreed heartily. She gave Inky a pat on the head and was rewarded with a slurpy tongue wash.
Scrubbing her hands, she ladled batter onto the sizzling cast iron pan. She made many extras, beyond what she and Grandma would eat, as a treat for the dogs. Inky smiled as he ate his, life was good. Junior had to growl at Ruby, when it looked like the red heeler might be interested in his cakes. Once she ate, Ruby wanted out, she was needed at home.
The Hanson ladies worked all morning spading the near end of the garden. The rich dark soil turned over with ease, but Evie was perturbed with herself. It seemed she was taking breaks and leaning on her shovel handle more than she ever remembered. Mumbling to herself about the garden not being a WPA project, Evie was talking to herself loud enough for Clora to hear. Clora smiled, but was wise enough not to say a word. She worked hard, so Grandma didn't have to.
Evie set the weeds aside for the chickens. Ev had gifted three large hens and a broody banty to Evie just before the earthquake, and she was thankful for the eggs and the clutch the prissy Banty hen had hatched. It sounded like there might be two roosters in the batch of chicks. There had been early morning rusty screen door spring sounds coming from the hen house the last couple of mornings, so the boys were learning to crow.
Evie looked at the rhubarb, the asparagus and the comfrey. All were coming up nicely. The orach's red leaves were poking through their dedicated bed, and garlic and chives were up and growing. The weather had been good for growing, but it sure was turning cold now. Despite her active work, Evie felt the cold wind bite deep and she looked up to gauge the weather.
There was a storm blowing in, a bad one from the looks of the purple black clouds boiling over the tree tops. "Clora, I believe we should go in. I don't like the looks of this storm." Evie said in a worried tone.
Clora shut the kitchen door as an ominous clap of thunder rattled the windows. Huge drops of hard pelting rain sounded like hail on the metal roof, a hard hitting Spring storm. The dogs settled in their spots and Evie put more wood in the stove. Clora was bent over the freezer interior, "Do you want a roast for tomorrow?" she hollered, "this is the last one. We have really cleaned out the fresh meat." Clora took the butcher papered frozen slab to the sink, to thaw.
Evie stood watching the Apperton house. That McCann woman was walking outside in the storm, and Evie and then Clora watched as she took off running.
"Strange," Evie remarked. "She doesn't make much sense."
Inga and Lainey were elbow deep in soup, sandwiches and dirty dishes when the storm hit. The clinic just wasn't set up properly to be a cafe, and they were tripping over themselves and the patient customers. "We have to do something," Inga lamented tiredly. "This ramming and jamming is not working. Hey Stan," she accosted the mechanic before he could leave, "Is there anyone around that could do a bit of remodeling for us?"
"Yup," the older man acknowledged slowly. "Will has been doing some, and I think Jerry could be talked into it. There's been no work at the station, so he's available. What'cha got in mind?"
"I saw Will with Ben heading into the Sheriff's office," Lainey reported as she breezed by with the coffee pot. "I bet they come in later."
"Have Jerry stop by," Inga requested. "I want to run a couple of ideas by him. How about a couple of cookies for the long walk to work?" she teased, handing the grizzled garageman a napkin with two of her mother's recipe oatmeal and raisin cookies.
Will, Benny and Kevin were deep in a conference concerning what Benny knew about the shooting of Davis. "What's your take on this Will? I'm feeling I'm missing something right before my eyes. I've got to say I'm stumped."
Will sat easily in the chair, contemplating the facts as Ben had presented them. The overhead clap of thunder was so loud and near, the Sheriff and his deputy both reached for their weapons at the same time.
Jennings McCann hit Portland at a high rate of speed and garbled emotions. He flashed his badge and knocked loudly on his direct supervisor's door. A call put him in contact with Henry Wright, who reluctantly provided J with information about his father. In exchange, J teased the portly agent with the piece of paper from his vehicle.
The paper was photocopied by the State Police, and a call went out for an interpreter. Jennings wanted an explanation, a sick feeling gathering into a lead weight lump in his belly.
Agent Wright showed up himself to pick up the note. He could barely contain his undisguised interest in the neatly penned lines of characters. The slight Oriental man that stood back waiting for Henry to beckon him forward, read the note when he was instructed, and turned an astonished, flabbergasted expression to Wright.
Once again, Clora found Evie sitting at the table in the early morning light. The flagrance of perking coffee was perfuming the air, and the diminutive woman was sitting with her feet tucked under Inky. The huge old dog was a comfy, warm foot warmer. Junior was a bit of a hazard, as he was teething out his milk teeth and totally appreciated the curve of Evie's ankle.
"Here now! you rascal, get those teeth off me," Evie ordered sternly. Inky was happy to cuff Junior, as he adored Evie and was a little tired of Junior's shenanigans himself. Ruby rolled over and gave Junior the evil eye, forestalling the pup's eager and indecent haste toward her.
Junior flopped down on the floor, disgusted with the laid back and lack of excitement people he was having to deal with. He was a fine young dog with vim and vigor, he liked his excitement bold and his danger more bold than that. He needed to bark! And so he did.
"Junior," Clora threatened the pup, "I'm gonna throw you outside, knock that off." The sternness of her voice had Junior reconsidering his quest for adventure. He decided to hold off until after breakfast. Yeah, that was it, he'd wait until he ate, then look out.
"What's on the list now that the laundry is done?" Clora poured coffee for herself and put the pot back on the fire for a few more perks. Grandma looked like she needed a full strength dose this morning.
"Garden," Evie said with warming interest. "It feels like a good day to garden. It's gonna be coolish, so we won't overheat when working." She accepted the mug that Clora offered, taking a deep appreciative sniff of the dark liquid. "It's the right time of the moon for underground root crops, and yesterday's rain softened the soil about right."
Clora smiled at Evie's excitement. It was the same every Spring, Grandma was like a kid when it came to planting. She tended to overplant and give herself more work than she could possibly handle. Clora understood that food was Evie's security, and she couldn't ever have too much. So all the kids helped Grandma, with a song in their heart's.
Clora found the griddle and set it on the stove. Pancakes this morning sounded good. In a flight of fancy, Clora wondered briefly what a certain tall, handsome Sargent was having for breakfast. She hoped he had a good meal.
Evie scratched her foot along Inky's side, rubbing her toes across his ribs until she encountered the rather large lump, where there shouldn't be a lump. "Clora, come look at this," she requested. "This doesn't feel right."
Clora stopped stirring the pancake batter, she dropped to her knees and followed her hand across Inky's shaggy fur. "He's got a pretty big lump, feels spongy and it's obviously tender. He doesn't want me to touch it." she reported. While she was there, she ran her hands all over the resting dog. Inky followed her with his huge brown eyes. "Grandma, he's got two more, smaller ones by his front leg."
Evie looked at her dog and he looked back. In his dignified gaze, Evie could see the age and acceptance of his fate. Evie might not spend money on herself, but she sure wasn't going to let Inky go down without a fight. "We need to talk to Benny, I think we need to take Inky out to a vet."
"For sure," Clora agreed heartily. She gave Inky a pat on the head and was rewarded with a slurpy tongue wash.
Scrubbing her hands, she ladled batter onto the sizzling cast iron pan. She made many extras, beyond what she and Grandma would eat, as a treat for the dogs. Inky smiled as he ate his, life was good. Junior had to growl at Ruby, when it looked like the red heeler might be interested in his cakes. Once she ate, Ruby wanted out, she was needed at home.
The Hanson ladies worked all morning spading the near end of the garden. The rich dark soil turned over with ease, but Evie was perturbed with herself. It seemed she was taking breaks and leaning on her shovel handle more than she ever remembered. Mumbling to herself about the garden not being a WPA project, Evie was talking to herself loud enough for Clora to hear. Clora smiled, but was wise enough not to say a word. She worked hard, so Grandma didn't have to.
Evie set the weeds aside for the chickens. Ev had gifted three large hens and a broody banty to Evie just before the earthquake, and she was thankful for the eggs and the clutch the prissy Banty hen had hatched. It sounded like there might be two roosters in the batch of chicks. There had been early morning rusty screen door spring sounds coming from the hen house the last couple of mornings, so the boys were learning to crow.
Evie looked at the rhubarb, the asparagus and the comfrey. All were coming up nicely. The orach's red leaves were poking through their dedicated bed, and garlic and chives were up and growing. The weather had been good for growing, but it sure was turning cold now. Despite her active work, Evie felt the cold wind bite deep and she looked up to gauge the weather.
There was a storm blowing in, a bad one from the looks of the purple black clouds boiling over the tree tops. "Clora, I believe we should go in. I don't like the looks of this storm." Evie said in a worried tone.
Clora shut the kitchen door as an ominous clap of thunder rattled the windows. Huge drops of hard pelting rain sounded like hail on the metal roof, a hard hitting Spring storm. The dogs settled in their spots and Evie put more wood in the stove. Clora was bent over the freezer interior, "Do you want a roast for tomorrow?" she hollered, "this is the last one. We have really cleaned out the fresh meat." Clora took the butcher papered frozen slab to the sink, to thaw.
Evie stood watching the Apperton house. That McCann woman was walking outside in the storm, and Evie and then Clora watched as she took off running.
"Strange," Evie remarked. "She doesn't make much sense."
Inga and Lainey were elbow deep in soup, sandwiches and dirty dishes when the storm hit. The clinic just wasn't set up properly to be a cafe, and they were tripping over themselves and the patient customers. "We have to do something," Inga lamented tiredly. "This ramming and jamming is not working. Hey Stan," she accosted the mechanic before he could leave, "Is there anyone around that could do a bit of remodeling for us?"
"Yup," the older man acknowledged slowly. "Will has been doing some, and I think Jerry could be talked into it. There's been no work at the station, so he's available. What'cha got in mind?"
"I saw Will with Ben heading into the Sheriff's office," Lainey reported as she breezed by with the coffee pot. "I bet they come in later."
"Have Jerry stop by," Inga requested. "I want to run a couple of ideas by him. How about a couple of cookies for the long walk to work?" she teased, handing the grizzled garageman a napkin with two of her mother's recipe oatmeal and raisin cookies.
Will, Benny and Kevin were deep in a conference concerning what Benny knew about the shooting of Davis. "What's your take on this Will? I'm feeling I'm missing something right before my eyes. I've got to say I'm stumped."
Will sat easily in the chair, contemplating the facts as Ben had presented them. The overhead clap of thunder was so loud and near, the Sheriff and his deputy both reached for their weapons at the same time.
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sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you Pac, great chapter. I am still wondering about all the weather problems. Poor Inky.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#15
Will was half out of his chair reaching for the holstered gun at the small of his back. By the time all three men realized that it was thunder, they sheepishly grinned at each other and eased back into their chairs. No more than they had sat down and a second thunderous clap rattled the windows.
"That's close," Kevin remarked unnecessarily, casting a wary glance toward the window. The following lighting bolt was close enough to make the hair stand up on their arms. The crack was deafening as the pulsating electricity found the easiest path into the ground.
The sizzle and spit was enough to frighten the most stoic of men. The resulting explosion set what gas and accumulated fumes that were left in the service station underground tank afire. The venting pipes provided the lighting's path to the fuel and the oxygen source for the resulting fire. It burned in a consuming way.
Jerry never knew what hit him. The long time lube man was sitting at the scared and battered desk, reading an old copy of Service Station Quarterly for the 50th time. The explosion blew the windows out of the jail, cracked the windows at the hardware store and set town dogs to howling. The station was obliterated.
Stan stood staring in unbelief at the conflagration, a half uneaten cookie in his hand. He was bringing the other cookie to Jerry as a treat from the 'girls.' He stepped forward, holding up the cookie and shaking his head as if that would stop the fire.
Will turned the man around and led him away from the blistering heat. Too stunned to speak, Stan stood in the rain and watched his life burn away. More thunder and lighting flashed and split the heavens, soaking the townspeople that gathered in small groups to watch.
The storm gathered intensity as though it were feeding on the misery it caused. Lightening spiked and stabbed at metal attractions, scattering people with any sense to cover. Only Stan stood out in the open, uncaring if he were hit.
Benny stood rubbing his chin, he was Sheriff of a dying town that was falling apart bit by bit. The clinic/diner and the hardware store were the only businesses left. How long could they stay alive. The people were leaving as soon as they could, soon he and his family would be the only inhabitants. Benny felt a sadness he couldn't explain.
The interpreter swallowed hard as he placed the inscripted letter on the desk. "This is Mandarin, I can read most of it, but
I have never read orders such as this. This letter," he tapped the paper lightly, "instructs a operative to commit a life ending act because they failed a duty. They didn't kill cleanly or completely as they were ordered. Some man known as the director has ordered a Hari Kiri for the woman to kill herself.
Jennings McCann swallowed hard. The note was meant for Tammy, he was sure. He had interrupted a plan that could only have horrifying consequences. His children were in terrible danger.
"Henry, can you fly me back to Evergreen? Did you know who this was referring too?" J swept his hand over the paper.
Henry Wright nodded, giving a big sigh. "We suspicioned, we thought perhaps you were involved; but I can see by your expression that you had no idea."
J nodded, not really able to speak. His heart was in his throat.
Henry spoke to his aide, sending the woman scurrying from the room. She was back with the pilot and Henry and he conferred quietly.
The pilot left the room in a hurry after giving Wright the high sign.
"We," and Agent Wright emphasized the 'we' part "will be leaving shortly." He crossed the room to dial a number and turned to shield what he spoke into the receiver. Wright beckoned his aide and she flew to his side, paper and pen at the ready. Nervous, the woman dropped the pen as she was handing it to Henry. His thundercloud expression caused her to shake even more, scarcely able to pick up the writing utensil.
It was amazing how rapidly arrangements were made when Wright was involved. Twenty minutes later the copters landed in the State Police yard and took the waiting passengers off at rapid speed for Evergreen. Halfway there they were joined by several National Guard choppers. This was going to be serious business.
Jennings strained forward against the harness securing him to his seat. He felt so sick, his breathing was labored and his heart shattered. The force had been so involved in searching for a foreign operative and to find it was his wife, was a stunner that left his thinking numb and erratic. How could it be possible? He had been married to Tammy for more than 16 years, he thought he knew her.
Henry was monitoring J closely. He switched channels on his mike and left instructions to have Jennings detained, restrained if necessary, and jailed for his own protection. He ordered the utmost caution, as there were children involved.
Mark Linderman listened intently in his headphones, as the head honcho fired out orders from the lead chopper. This was going to be a confrontation close to the home of that interesting woman. Mark wondered how and if she might be involved. He sure hoped she wasn't involved in anything illegal, it would be a shame to have to write her off.
The McCann children huddled together in the cabin, scared spitless by the ferocity of the storm. Noon time came and went, the children growing more hungry by the minute. There had been no breakfast, now there was no lunch. Carl watched the storm intently, when it seemed to be abating he said, "let's go get something to eat from the Grandma that gave us the first food. We're gonna get wet, but we will dry."
The McCann kids nodded agreement. Anything for something to eat.
Will was half out of his chair reaching for the holstered gun at the small of his back. By the time all three men realized that it was thunder, they sheepishly grinned at each other and eased back into their chairs. No more than they had sat down and a second thunderous clap rattled the windows.
"That's close," Kevin remarked unnecessarily, casting a wary glance toward the window. The following lighting bolt was close enough to make the hair stand up on their arms. The crack was deafening as the pulsating electricity found the easiest path into the ground.
The sizzle and spit was enough to frighten the most stoic of men. The resulting explosion set what gas and accumulated fumes that were left in the service station underground tank afire. The venting pipes provided the lighting's path to the fuel and the oxygen source for the resulting fire. It burned in a consuming way.
Jerry never knew what hit him. The long time lube man was sitting at the scared and battered desk, reading an old copy of Service Station Quarterly for the 50th time. The explosion blew the windows out of the jail, cracked the windows at the hardware store and set town dogs to howling. The station was obliterated.
Stan stood staring in unbelief at the conflagration, a half uneaten cookie in his hand. He was bringing the other cookie to Jerry as a treat from the 'girls.' He stepped forward, holding up the cookie and shaking his head as if that would stop the fire.
Will turned the man around and led him away from the blistering heat. Too stunned to speak, Stan stood in the rain and watched his life burn away. More thunder and lighting flashed and split the heavens, soaking the townspeople that gathered in small groups to watch.
The storm gathered intensity as though it were feeding on the misery it caused. Lightening spiked and stabbed at metal attractions, scattering people with any sense to cover. Only Stan stood out in the open, uncaring if he were hit.
Benny stood rubbing his chin, he was Sheriff of a dying town that was falling apart bit by bit. The clinic/diner and the hardware store were the only businesses left. How long could they stay alive. The people were leaving as soon as they could, soon he and his family would be the only inhabitants. Benny felt a sadness he couldn't explain.
The interpreter swallowed hard as he placed the inscripted letter on the desk. "This is Mandarin, I can read most of it, but
I have never read orders such as this. This letter," he tapped the paper lightly, "instructs a operative to commit a life ending act because they failed a duty. They didn't kill cleanly or completely as they were ordered. Some man known as the director has ordered a Hari Kiri for the woman to kill herself.
Jennings McCann swallowed hard. The note was meant for Tammy, he was sure. He had interrupted a plan that could only have horrifying consequences. His children were in terrible danger.
"Henry, can you fly me back to Evergreen? Did you know who this was referring too?" J swept his hand over the paper.
Henry Wright nodded, giving a big sigh. "We suspicioned, we thought perhaps you were involved; but I can see by your expression that you had no idea."
J nodded, not really able to speak. His heart was in his throat.
Henry spoke to his aide, sending the woman scurrying from the room. She was back with the pilot and Henry and he conferred quietly.
The pilot left the room in a hurry after giving Wright the high sign.
"We," and Agent Wright emphasized the 'we' part "will be leaving shortly." He crossed the room to dial a number and turned to shield what he spoke into the receiver. Wright beckoned his aide and she flew to his side, paper and pen at the ready. Nervous, the woman dropped the pen as she was handing it to Henry. His thundercloud expression caused her to shake even more, scarcely able to pick up the writing utensil.
It was amazing how rapidly arrangements were made when Wright was involved. Twenty minutes later the copters landed in the State Police yard and took the waiting passengers off at rapid speed for Evergreen. Halfway there they were joined by several National Guard choppers. This was going to be serious business.
Jennings strained forward against the harness securing him to his seat. He felt so sick, his breathing was labored and his heart shattered. The force had been so involved in searching for a foreign operative and to find it was his wife, was a stunner that left his thinking numb and erratic. How could it be possible? He had been married to Tammy for more than 16 years, he thought he knew her.
Henry was monitoring J closely. He switched channels on his mike and left instructions to have Jennings detained, restrained if necessary, and jailed for his own protection. He ordered the utmost caution, as there were children involved.
Mark Linderman listened intently in his headphones, as the head honcho fired out orders from the lead chopper. This was going to be a confrontation close to the home of that interesting woman. Mark wondered how and if she might be involved. He sure hoped she wasn't involved in anything illegal, it would be a shame to have to write her off.
The McCann children huddled together in the cabin, scared spitless by the ferocity of the storm. Noon time came and went, the children growing more hungry by the minute. There had been no breakfast, now there was no lunch. Carl watched the storm intently, when it seemed to be abating he said, "let's go get something to eat from the Grandma that gave us the first food. We're gonna get wet, but we will dry."
The McCann kids nodded agreement. Anything for something to eat.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Poor kids, off to a granma. Great story Pac. Hope Mark gets to see Clora .
.I can't wait to see what happens next! Talk about edge of your seats...
DustMusher
Deceased
Love it, Pac, more twists and turns than a den full of snakes.
Great night time story before bed.
DM
Great night time story before bed.
DM
Hickory7
Senior Member
This has me worried. IF the whole town dies out.. can the family survive. Good Stuff, Pac. Thank You.
Not necessarily, if their mom has gone/is going over there to investigate or do harm to Evie and family. That's my concern because it sounds like she isn't home with the children at this point.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
In chapter 14b., both Evie and Clora stood at the kitchen window watching Tammy start running away from the Apperton house.
I am hoping to make her the woman we all love to hate!
I am hoping to make her the woman we all love to hate!
oh that's right!!! just goes to show me that I need to reread this more than four times! lol!
Pac, I would say you're doing an excellent job of making her the woman we all love to hate. 
Looking forward to more and thanking you for writing this!
Looking forward to more and thanking you for writing this!PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#16
Sadie, the dog started a femme fatale trip over to see Inky. She had covered quite a distance to the Hanson place, when she rounded the corner and came face to face with a running human. Startled, Sadie skidded to a stop and bared her teeth as she began to smile.
The frightened woman took one last look over her shoulder like she was avoiding a pursuer, whirled around in time to see the sharp white teeth and with razor sharp reflexes drew her gun and shot Sadie with one well placed bullet to the heart.
Thunder and lighting from the wild storm flashed and shook the ground, the noise masking the shot. Sadie crumpled in her tracks.
Tammy bent over to gasp for air, her weapon dangling from her fingers. That stupid dog, it had scared her into reacting without thinking. The thunderous clap vibrated once again, silencing the advancing shadow's stealthy footsteps. A frisson of fear skittered along Tammy's spine. She remembered her reason for running. Straining to stand up, she took off running again.
The four McCann kids trooped like little ducks through the fury of the storm, arriving on Evie's doorstep looking like drowned cats. Inky alerted his humans that there were incoming strangers. Junior stood right behind his dad in a show of solid force, peeking around Inky's back leg to yip his warning.
"Hush up mutt," Clora scolded gently, as she looked through the window at the children standing in the rain. "My goodness, it's the kids from next door. Oh, are they wet."
"Come in, come in," she urged as she jerked open the door. "Come stand by the stove, let me get some towels." and like a whirling dervish, she was gone to fetch what she wanted.
Evie waved the kids into the steamy warm kitchen, moving the chairs so the four could get close to the heat. Carl maneuvered Melissia in front of him, so she would dry quicker. Sophie did the same thing with Sam. On cue, the children's stomach's growled in unison, as they smelled the soup heating on the stove. It smelled heavenly, and they were so hungry.
Junior barked at the noise, causing Inky to cuff him lightly. The older dog embarrassed by the pup's behavior, and lack of manners.
Evie was a quick study. It was easy to see the kids were starving, so she had the kids sit at the table and dished up steaming bowls of beef vegetable soup. Buttering slices of bread to stack on the plate, and pouring glasses of water, she urged them to eat.
The oldest one, Carl; acted like he wasn't hungry as he closely supervised his brother and sister's table manners.
"Please eat," Evie urged again, "there is plenty," she assured the stiff necked teenager. This was so reminiscent of another three youngsters that didn't want charity but were so desperately hungry they finally gave in and ate.
Clora stopped in the doorway, watching Evie's eyes mist over as she remembered a time long ago. "Deja Vue" Clora said softly, earning her a smile from Evie.
"Yes," her Grandmother agreed. "A re-run."
"Children, will your Mother be joining us?" Evie questioned, as she reached for another bowl.
"No," Carl said shortly. "She left, told us to tell Dad goodbye." the brave young man hesitantly reached for his spoon, unable to resist the alluring scent of the soup one minute longer. He ate like a child that had shared his meager rations with his siblings, shorting himself to feed them.
Evie sliced more bread, buttered the thick slabs and ladled more soup into bowls. Finally the McCanns were full. Little Melissia was full, warm and almost instantly asleep. Sam was nodding in the chair, in danger of falling off.
"Carl, Sophie, help me carry the kids into the living room. They can sleep on the couch." Evie instructed.
"They are wet," Carl protested, not wanting to be a bother, not wanting to bring on trouble.
"We can snuggle them under the quilts, it'll be OK," Clora said as she handed towels to the older two. "You are Sophie, aren't you?" she softly questioned. "Come into my room and change out of your wet clothes, here is my bathrobe to wear." Clora shut the door to give the pre-teen a bit of privacy.
"Carl, use the boy's room to change out and I think Benny's robe is on the back of the door." Clora gathered up the sodden clothes and went to put up the wooden clothes rack next to the stove.
Evie slipped into her chair, clucking her tongue at the condition of the children. Clora warmed her mug of coffee and placed it on the table. "We'd better set some rice to cooking," Evie thought out loud. "The roast is mostly thawed, so let's get it started." Another clap of thunder had the windows rattling.
"That sounded like something exploded," Clora paused to listen, but nothing else sounded. "Ah, I must have been hearing things," she excused herself, moving to do as Grandma requested.
The helicopters ran into the swiftly advancing storm front just short of Evergreen. The lighting flashed, the thunder rolled, and huge clouds of thick black smoke roiled from the sodden town. Agent Wright glanced nervously at the pilot, hoping the experienced man had the machine under control. There was a lot of pitching and yawing and the copters dropped to just above the tree tops.
Henry Wright was about to be airsick and he needed his feet on the ground. The pilot made a run for the ball field and the rest of the entourage followed as quickly as possible.
Mark Linderman thought the town looked like a war zone. It reminded him of the total devastation the tsunami had created. Groups of people stood knotted together under what ever shelter they could find out of the rain.
Sargent Linderman ran his practiced eye over the crowd, judging the danger level out of habit. The Sheriff and Deputy were closest to the burning building, keeping a sharp eye on the town's people. The Bureau honcho was already giving orders and the tall skinny lawman was being hustled toward the jail. Mark could see he was protesting hotly, but to no avail.
Disappointed, he could see no sign of the woman he was looking for, he would have to get around and ask the Sheriff where his sister was. The good Sargent didn't like to tip his hand so early in the game, but these were different times. He didn't want to be so close and miss a chance of seeing her.
The quick response team stepped under the awning to the hardware store to be out of the rain. They adjusted helmets, belts and rechecked their weapons. Linderman met the eyes of each man and the lone woman he was commanding. They were ready.
Henry Wright took a long look at the obviously young Sheriff and shook his head. He wasn't totally confident the young man was a match for the upcoming hunt. A older man with an air of authority was standing inside the Sheriff's office, looking entirely at ease and Wright motioned to Benny to explain.
"Agent Wright, this is Will Pendelton the former Sheriff. He is here as a consulting experienced lawman."
Wright and Will exchanged pleasantries. Jennings stopped pacing the floor long enough to shake hands with the two men, all the while muttering about his children.
Benny spread a map and was beginning to lay out the scene, when Wright requested that the Sargent be allowed to sit in on the briefing. Benny stepped to the door and whistled in that shrill way. Linderman's head snapped around and Benny motioned for him to come over.
Soon, all the players knew where Tammy was ensconced with the children, where the two adjoining neighbors lived and how close they could get moving through the woods with the wind and rain suppressing the noise of their advance.
The cabin was empty.
Jennings started swearing, acting crazy with pain and desperation, suffocating agony in his heart screaming for action.
Benny looked over at Grandma's and went over to shake J's arm. "Your kids are OK, they are with Grandma and Clora," he had to rattle J sharply to break through to the man.
"See, They put a child's shirt on the porch rail as a signal. Mark, do you want to go around through the woods and check out the house?" Benny offered the 'love puppy' as he thought of Mark, a bone.
Sargent Linderman kept his cool, accepted by bobbing his head and faded back into the woods. His training had him coldly professional, advancing only when he felt safe, halting when the woods critters were disturbed enough to give him away.
Staying to the brush and shadows, he tapped on the window when he was sure the people inside weren't in distress. He glanced away to check a noise and when he turned back, the small but efficient open bore of a hand gun was pointing straight at his face. The width of the window pane the only measure of protection between him and the pull of a trigger.
Sadie, the dog started a femme fatale trip over to see Inky. She had covered quite a distance to the Hanson place, when she rounded the corner and came face to face with a running human. Startled, Sadie skidded to a stop and bared her teeth as she began to smile.
The frightened woman took one last look over her shoulder like she was avoiding a pursuer, whirled around in time to see the sharp white teeth and with razor sharp reflexes drew her gun and shot Sadie with one well placed bullet to the heart.
Thunder and lighting from the wild storm flashed and shook the ground, the noise masking the shot. Sadie crumpled in her tracks.
Tammy bent over to gasp for air, her weapon dangling from her fingers. That stupid dog, it had scared her into reacting without thinking. The thunderous clap vibrated once again, silencing the advancing shadow's stealthy footsteps. A frisson of fear skittered along Tammy's spine. She remembered her reason for running. Straining to stand up, she took off running again.
The four McCann kids trooped like little ducks through the fury of the storm, arriving on Evie's doorstep looking like drowned cats. Inky alerted his humans that there were incoming strangers. Junior stood right behind his dad in a show of solid force, peeking around Inky's back leg to yip his warning.
"Hush up mutt," Clora scolded gently, as she looked through the window at the children standing in the rain. "My goodness, it's the kids from next door. Oh, are they wet."
"Come in, come in," she urged as she jerked open the door. "Come stand by the stove, let me get some towels." and like a whirling dervish, she was gone to fetch what she wanted.
Evie waved the kids into the steamy warm kitchen, moving the chairs so the four could get close to the heat. Carl maneuvered Melissia in front of him, so she would dry quicker. Sophie did the same thing with Sam. On cue, the children's stomach's growled in unison, as they smelled the soup heating on the stove. It smelled heavenly, and they were so hungry.
Junior barked at the noise, causing Inky to cuff him lightly. The older dog embarrassed by the pup's behavior, and lack of manners.
Evie was a quick study. It was easy to see the kids were starving, so she had the kids sit at the table and dished up steaming bowls of beef vegetable soup. Buttering slices of bread to stack on the plate, and pouring glasses of water, she urged them to eat.
The oldest one, Carl; acted like he wasn't hungry as he closely supervised his brother and sister's table manners.
"Please eat," Evie urged again, "there is plenty," she assured the stiff necked teenager. This was so reminiscent of another three youngsters that didn't want charity but were so desperately hungry they finally gave in and ate.
Clora stopped in the doorway, watching Evie's eyes mist over as she remembered a time long ago. "Deja Vue" Clora said softly, earning her a smile from Evie.
"Yes," her Grandmother agreed. "A re-run."
"Children, will your Mother be joining us?" Evie questioned, as she reached for another bowl.
"No," Carl said shortly. "She left, told us to tell Dad goodbye." the brave young man hesitantly reached for his spoon, unable to resist the alluring scent of the soup one minute longer. He ate like a child that had shared his meager rations with his siblings, shorting himself to feed them.
Evie sliced more bread, buttered the thick slabs and ladled more soup into bowls. Finally the McCanns were full. Little Melissia was full, warm and almost instantly asleep. Sam was nodding in the chair, in danger of falling off.
"Carl, Sophie, help me carry the kids into the living room. They can sleep on the couch." Evie instructed.
"They are wet," Carl protested, not wanting to be a bother, not wanting to bring on trouble.
"We can snuggle them under the quilts, it'll be OK," Clora said as she handed towels to the older two. "You are Sophie, aren't you?" she softly questioned. "Come into my room and change out of your wet clothes, here is my bathrobe to wear." Clora shut the door to give the pre-teen a bit of privacy.
"Carl, use the boy's room to change out and I think Benny's robe is on the back of the door." Clora gathered up the sodden clothes and went to put up the wooden clothes rack next to the stove.
Evie slipped into her chair, clucking her tongue at the condition of the children. Clora warmed her mug of coffee and placed it on the table. "We'd better set some rice to cooking," Evie thought out loud. "The roast is mostly thawed, so let's get it started." Another clap of thunder had the windows rattling.
"That sounded like something exploded," Clora paused to listen, but nothing else sounded. "Ah, I must have been hearing things," she excused herself, moving to do as Grandma requested.
The helicopters ran into the swiftly advancing storm front just short of Evergreen. The lighting flashed, the thunder rolled, and huge clouds of thick black smoke roiled from the sodden town. Agent Wright glanced nervously at the pilot, hoping the experienced man had the machine under control. There was a lot of pitching and yawing and the copters dropped to just above the tree tops.
Henry Wright was about to be airsick and he needed his feet on the ground. The pilot made a run for the ball field and the rest of the entourage followed as quickly as possible.
Mark Linderman thought the town looked like a war zone. It reminded him of the total devastation the tsunami had created. Groups of people stood knotted together under what ever shelter they could find out of the rain.
Sargent Linderman ran his practiced eye over the crowd, judging the danger level out of habit. The Sheriff and Deputy were closest to the burning building, keeping a sharp eye on the town's people. The Bureau honcho was already giving orders and the tall skinny lawman was being hustled toward the jail. Mark could see he was protesting hotly, but to no avail.
Disappointed, he could see no sign of the woman he was looking for, he would have to get around and ask the Sheriff where his sister was. The good Sargent didn't like to tip his hand so early in the game, but these were different times. He didn't want to be so close and miss a chance of seeing her.
The quick response team stepped under the awning to the hardware store to be out of the rain. They adjusted helmets, belts and rechecked their weapons. Linderman met the eyes of each man and the lone woman he was commanding. They were ready.
Henry Wright took a long look at the obviously young Sheriff and shook his head. He wasn't totally confident the young man was a match for the upcoming hunt. A older man with an air of authority was standing inside the Sheriff's office, looking entirely at ease and Wright motioned to Benny to explain.
"Agent Wright, this is Will Pendelton the former Sheriff. He is here as a consulting experienced lawman."
Wright and Will exchanged pleasantries. Jennings stopped pacing the floor long enough to shake hands with the two men, all the while muttering about his children.
Benny spread a map and was beginning to lay out the scene, when Wright requested that the Sargent be allowed to sit in on the briefing. Benny stepped to the door and whistled in that shrill way. Linderman's head snapped around and Benny motioned for him to come over.
Soon, all the players knew where Tammy was ensconced with the children, where the two adjoining neighbors lived and how close they could get moving through the woods with the wind and rain suppressing the noise of their advance.
The cabin was empty.
Jennings started swearing, acting crazy with pain and desperation, suffocating agony in his heart screaming for action.
Benny looked over at Grandma's and went over to shake J's arm. "Your kids are OK, they are with Grandma and Clora," he had to rattle J sharply to break through to the man.
"See, They put a child's shirt on the porch rail as a signal. Mark, do you want to go around through the woods and check out the house?" Benny offered the 'love puppy' as he thought of Mark, a bone.
Sargent Linderman kept his cool, accepted by bobbing his head and faded back into the woods. His training had him coldly professional, advancing only when he felt safe, halting when the woods critters were disturbed enough to give him away.
Staying to the brush and shadows, he tapped on the window when he was sure the people inside weren't in distress. He glanced away to check a noise and when he turned back, the small but efficient open bore of a hand gun was pointing straight at his face. The width of the window pane the only measure of protection between him and the pull of a trigger.
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sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Teach hm to stare into a window with Clora or granma around. Thank you.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#17a.
The Sargent swallowed hard. Boy, he had made a big dumb mistake in thinking the house was secure. His eyes widened as a thumb reached for the hammer, bringing it back into the firing position. Mark held his breath, intending to drop like a rock if he saw the finger tighten on the trigger.
He had all kinds of flashbacks into his tours in the 'stan. Cold sweat beaded on his brow, and his stomach protested by working up a good case of the dry heaves. Mark felt his vision grow narrow, his knees go weak; his hand loosened on his weapon and it fell to the ground slightly before he did.
Mark Linderman was a much decorated, but broken and damaged hero.
Clora peeked around the curtain in time to see the handsome young man fall to the ground. She spun around and ran into the kitchen.
"Grandma, he fell over, somethings wrong." Clora sounded a mite panicked. She was through the door and around the side of the house before Evie could say anything.
From the same pocket the gun was returned, out came a hanky with a smidgen of lace around the border. Lifting the visor, Clora dabbed helplessly at the sweat on the Sargent's face. The man was cold, trembling and struggling to get up. He lifted unfocused eyes to stare at Clora, slowly his empty hand lifted to strike at the enemy.
Clora watched the vacant look change into a hardness and settled back out of arm's reach. Mark Linderman wasn't with her, he was somewhere else re-living the horrors that warriors encounter daily.
A sudden retching had him rolling over to empty his stomach into the tulip bed. The Sargent refused to look at her, keeping his face averted. He crouched, studiously ignoring her, not speaking. He had shamed himself in front of the one woman he had hoped to impress. Trembling hands pushed the soldier upright, shaking off the gentle hand that offered to help.
"Come inside for a drink of water," the velvet voice cajoled insistently. "Grandma will want to speak with you."
When the fully equipped soldier hesitated like he wouldn't agree, Clora drew the 38 from her pocket and cocked the hammer.
The Sargent swallowed hard. Boy, he had made a big dumb mistake in thinking the house was secure. His eyes widened as a thumb reached for the hammer, bringing it back into the firing position. Mark held his breath, intending to drop like a rock if he saw the finger tighten on the trigger.
He had all kinds of flashbacks into his tours in the 'stan. Cold sweat beaded on his brow, and his stomach protested by working up a good case of the dry heaves. Mark felt his vision grow narrow, his knees go weak; his hand loosened on his weapon and it fell to the ground slightly before he did.
Mark Linderman was a much decorated, but broken and damaged hero.
Clora peeked around the curtain in time to see the handsome young man fall to the ground. She spun around and ran into the kitchen.
"Grandma, he fell over, somethings wrong." Clora sounded a mite panicked. She was through the door and around the side of the house before Evie could say anything.
From the same pocket the gun was returned, out came a hanky with a smidgen of lace around the border. Lifting the visor, Clora dabbed helplessly at the sweat on the Sargent's face. The man was cold, trembling and struggling to get up. He lifted unfocused eyes to stare at Clora, slowly his empty hand lifted to strike at the enemy.
Clora watched the vacant look change into a hardness and settled back out of arm's reach. Mark Linderman wasn't with her, he was somewhere else re-living the horrors that warriors encounter daily.
A sudden retching had him rolling over to empty his stomach into the tulip bed. The Sargent refused to look at her, keeping his face averted. He crouched, studiously ignoring her, not speaking. He had shamed himself in front of the one woman he had hoped to impress. Trembling hands pushed the soldier upright, shaking off the gentle hand that offered to help.
"Come inside for a drink of water," the velvet voice cajoled insistently. "Grandma will want to speak with you."
When the fully equipped soldier hesitated like he wouldn't agree, Clora drew the 38 from her pocket and cocked the hammer.
Short, but excellent, chapter! Thanks so much! Hope he's not so embarrassed that he misses his chance.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#17b
Clora rudely poked the muzzle of her 38 under the arm pit of Sargent Linderman's tactical vest and harshly said, "move, into the kitchen, NOW!"
Still in a foggy awareness of a land half way across the world, the Sargent stumbled in uncoordination across the thresh hold and yielded his weapon when Clora demanded it.
Whatever Linderman had thought he could prove by jumping back into a combat situation without de-commissioning himself was a mute point. Broken warriors have to be healed for themselves, their country and the people that love them. If the warrior can't see that he needs help, then he needs to be led to that conclusion. Clora had already made up her mind. He was worth it.
Curiously enough, Clora was getting a sense of awareness from Mark as she focused on alerting Benny that he was needed. She turned away from the sink window and stared at him. His focused, alert expression showed puzzlement as his eyes swept over her.
Clora smiled in a challenge, and then dropped her eyes and blushed. Junior waddled over and parked himself on the Sargent's right foot. Linderman looked in bewilderment as he paused to stare at the pup. "Where did that dog come from?" he questioned.
"From his spot by the stove," this time Evie spoke up, letting the fully dressed combat veteran know there was another person in the room. She could see the man tense and never fully relax. "Sargent, we have the McCann children in the house. The oldest two are changing out of their wet clothes and the youngest are asleep on the couch. We also have another dog in the house, over by the stove. I wanted you to be aware of who is here and where they are located."
Clora stood to the side of the window, observing the group of men clustered around the Apperton house. Several times Benny turned to stare at the Hanson house, and she knew he was getting her signals. He would come as soon as he could. Linderman drank the glass of water she had placed before him, and then looked at it like he had no idea what had happened to the contents.
"Who's this?" Carl demanded as he entered the kitchen. "Is he a bad guy? He's all dressed up like a Army dude. Does he know my Dad?"
"He is here to protect us," Evie said reasonably. "We have been warned that there is danger outside, and we need to be cautious and aware."
Carl thought about her words and then shrugged and sat down. He kept a wary eye on the Sargent, obviously not fully trusting the man. More and more his eyes were drawn to the cookies in the bowl, but he wouldn't ask.
Quietly, Evie asked the two boy's if they would like a cookie. Carl's eyes darted right and left and he silently nodded. Mark seemed not to understand, but he knew what to do with the sweet treat when Clora put it in his hand. That small bit of normal, seemed to create a focus for the Sargent and he shook his head, bringing himself back to the present situation.
Tammy had felt the choppers coming in. The storm was still so noisy that she couldn't hear, but the air wave disturbance vibrated against her face. Then she knew for sure. Davis had been found, and he still must be alive. That was worth a few choice cuss words, as she contemplated her options. She had gone to ground, waiting to see who was chasing her, and why. Catching her breath, she crouched still and motionless.
Tammy felt the bullet that shattered the back of her head for a millisecond. Then it no longer mattered.
Clora rudely poked the muzzle of her 38 under the arm pit of Sargent Linderman's tactical vest and harshly said, "move, into the kitchen, NOW!"
Still in a foggy awareness of a land half way across the world, the Sargent stumbled in uncoordination across the thresh hold and yielded his weapon when Clora demanded it.
Whatever Linderman had thought he could prove by jumping back into a combat situation without de-commissioning himself was a mute point. Broken warriors have to be healed for themselves, their country and the people that love them. If the warrior can't see that he needs help, then he needs to be led to that conclusion. Clora had already made up her mind. He was worth it.
Curiously enough, Clora was getting a sense of awareness from Mark as she focused on alerting Benny that he was needed. She turned away from the sink window and stared at him. His focused, alert expression showed puzzlement as his eyes swept over her.
Clora smiled in a challenge, and then dropped her eyes and blushed. Junior waddled over and parked himself on the Sargent's right foot. Linderman looked in bewilderment as he paused to stare at the pup. "Where did that dog come from?" he questioned.
"From his spot by the stove," this time Evie spoke up, letting the fully dressed combat veteran know there was another person in the room. She could see the man tense and never fully relax. "Sargent, we have the McCann children in the house. The oldest two are changing out of their wet clothes and the youngest are asleep on the couch. We also have another dog in the house, over by the stove. I wanted you to be aware of who is here and where they are located."
Clora stood to the side of the window, observing the group of men clustered around the Apperton house. Several times Benny turned to stare at the Hanson house, and she knew he was getting her signals. He would come as soon as he could. Linderman drank the glass of water she had placed before him, and then looked at it like he had no idea what had happened to the contents.
"Who's this?" Carl demanded as he entered the kitchen. "Is he a bad guy? He's all dressed up like a Army dude. Does he know my Dad?"
"He is here to protect us," Evie said reasonably. "We have been warned that there is danger outside, and we need to be cautious and aware."
Carl thought about her words and then shrugged and sat down. He kept a wary eye on the Sargent, obviously not fully trusting the man. More and more his eyes were drawn to the cookies in the bowl, but he wouldn't ask.
Quietly, Evie asked the two boy's if they would like a cookie. Carl's eyes darted right and left and he silently nodded. Mark seemed not to understand, but he knew what to do with the sweet treat when Clora put it in his hand. That small bit of normal, seemed to create a focus for the Sargent and he shook his head, bringing himself back to the present situation.
Tammy had felt the choppers coming in. The storm was still so noisy that she couldn't hear, but the air wave disturbance vibrated against her face. Then she knew for sure. Davis had been found, and he still must be alive. That was worth a few choice cuss words, as she contemplated her options. She had gone to ground, waiting to see who was chasing her, and why. Catching her breath, she crouched still and motionless.
Tammy felt the bullet that shattered the back of her head for a millisecond. Then it no longer mattered.
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