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Post by 9idrr on Aug 18, 2019 18:49:18 GMT -6
What if I posted a complete story in one day? Then what would you have to look forward to or whine "Moar" about? ;-) And what makes you think I need a reason to whine? For some of us it just comes naturally.
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Post by texican on Aug 18, 2019 22:49:11 GMT -6
What if I posted a complete story in one day? Then what would you have to look forward to or whine "Moar" about? ;-) What I have found when reading a full story and depending on it appeal, there have been more nights that end anywhere from 1 am to 3 am to after 4 am in the morning.... What I do find unappealing is to read pages of a story and get to the end and it is not the end for the author lost their muse, died, moved on, or their wife gave him options about being laid regularly and it had something to do with you can't play on the computer and play in bed at the same time so make up your mind.... A chapter ever few days is always appreciated.... Texican....
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 19, 2019 16:02:11 GMT -6
Chapter 5
Tuesday, 15 July, 10:30AM
"Hi, sweet girl."
"Hi, new Daddy. You can wake me up like this every day!"
"Even if I'm waking you up more than once?"
"Oh. I'm still in your tee shirt but I'm on the sofa… and I had yummy pancakes for breakfast! You said something about me not sleeping good in a different place. I think you were right. The sofa feels more like where I sleep when I'm not with Grandpa."
"We're going to change that. When we're back home in Alabama - and I need to stop by the Post Office and fill out a Change of Address form for them - we'll see about you choosing all the furnishings for your new room."
"I like the bed with the tall posts that's already there. Can I have it?"
"You may…"
"I said 'can'. You said 'may'. What's the difference?"
"'Can' is 'able to' and I think you are able to get up into that bed if you use the little steps beside it. 'May' is 'permission to' and I will allow you to use that bed once it's been checked for being safe and when we've gotten a new mattress and box springs for it. Would you like princess sheets or Mickey sheets or something else?"
"Mickey! And princess if I can have both?"
"You may have both. We just need to go looking. I think we might find a better selection here than in Smithville. You go brush your teeth and get dressed - yes, I know you only have the clothes you wore yesterday but I ran them through the washer and dryer after you were asleep so all of them are clean. While we're out, we'll see about getting you some shirts that work better with the cast and maybe some other things."
"Mickey underwear instead of plain white?"
"I think that can be arranged. And maybe something Mickey to sleep in? A tee shirt in a size ten might be just about right to go over the cast."
"I love you, new Daddy!"
"I like your hugs. Go get dressed."
"I'm going. You'll help me with the shirt if I can't do it."
"Of course; remember to potty while you're at that end of the trailer."
"I will."
---
beep!beep!
That's a text. From Willie:
[Coming from Fort Benning. Driving my new toy. Your place or elsewhere?]
He probably has something in military surplus for his "toy". After all the demolition equipment that's been running here, anything smaller than an Abrams won't leave an obvious mark.
[Home address today and possibly tomorrow. I'll text if I'm elsewhere.]
I won't hear from him again until he's ten minutes away.
beep!beep!
Text from Sarah:
[Available now. Your place?]
I can copy and paste most of my response to Willie.
[Home address today and possibly tomorrow.]
I'll probably have a time in less than ten minutes.
"I'm ready."
"How about I brush your hair and put it in a braid?"
"You can braid hair?"
"I told you that I took care of my daughters."
"But men can't do that."
"Maybe the men you've known before never learned how, but that doesn't apply to every man in the world. Some of us enjoy having daughters that we can make prettier."
"I'm not pretty."
"I think your 'pretty' matches your 'smart' and you know you're smart."
"Well, maybe."
"That's good enough for now. Rubberband at the bottom of your braid and we're done."
"That was fast!"
"I have a lot of experience with braiding hair - I even did my wife's."
"You're nice."
"I think you said that before."
"But now I know more nice things about you so you're even nicer."
"Thank yo…"
beep!beep!
"That's a text from someone I've asked to help me find out why some people have treated you badly. Let's see what Sarah has to say."
"My Momma's name was Sarah and my Daddy was Roger."
"Then you won't have any problem remembering her name if she comes to help us."
[Be there in six hours or less. Self-contained. Parking?]
"What's 'self-contained'?"
"That means she's in a trailer or big RV with its own water and sewer storage and a generator so they can park anywhere. I had them put in two sets of power, water and sewer connections when they added the connections for this trailer so she can park on the other side of the swings. I need to tell her that."
[Full connections available. Paved parking.]
"That's sent. Now we can go find some fun clothes for this pretty girl."
"Yes! How do you know what sizes I need?"
"I wrote down the sizes from the labels in those clothes before I washed them so we have a starting point. You'll probably continue to grow over the next eight or ten years, so I'll have you try on things one size larger to see if you'll need them before school starts in the fall. We'll also get your feet measured and get you something other than the Crocs to wear."
"Like somebody had to buy me clothes before school started if they didn't have any hand-me-downs?"
"Sort of like that, but this time there's someone who wants to buy you clothes."
{sniff}
"Do I see some tears?"
"Nobody's cared about what I wore as long as I was covered enough to go to school and them not be bothered with me and you wanna buy me things I like! I love you. new Daddy."
"Let's wipe those tears and my new daughter can go looking for those clothes she likes."
"Yes!"
---
Not quite a cartful, but with shirts, shorts, tank tops, jeans, socks and shoes plus sheets and pillowcases (and the underwear she didn't want me to mention in the store until I pointed to the table and asked "Princess?") we did have a load. She's doing the best she can to unpackage things with one hand so we can wash them and I'm providing the 'other hand' when she needs it. She can be a very independent little girl when she sets her mind to it.
beep!beep!
From Willie.
[Ten minutes out. Place to park a Cougar?]
Yep, another big "toy". Outside for him.
[Park under the maples on the right of the driveway.]
---
"What's that noise?"
"That's my friend Willie's new toy. I think you'd probably say it was a big truck. I'll start the washer and we can go say 'Hi.'"
"Hold my hand?"
"Yes. Scary to be meeting more people you don't know anything about?"
"Un huh."
"What if I tell you that Willie once saved my life?"
"Then I gotta thank him!"
"Willie, come on in."
"Hi, Jack. Where did this pretty girl find you?"
"He found me and saved me from my Uncle Joe. Thank you for saving my new Daddy's life."
"You're welcome. I think he's a pretty good guy."
"Can I go swing?"
"You may…"
"I'll get it right next time."
"You just might. Remember to hold on tight with your good hand."
"Yes, new Daddy."
"'New Daddy', Jack?"
"I saw a child who looked to be in a bad situation and spoke with her. A judge rewarded me for finding his kidnapped granddaughter and said I'd done such a good job with my daughters that I was hired as her guardian - and I have the paperwork on that. It includes a place to live: huge farmhouse, two barns and lots more on 150 acres. Nothing in the paperwork about fostering or adoption but Lisa says she 'knows'. Her score on the Zener Card test was 97 per cent."
"Then she does know. How do you feel about it?"
"How do you think I feel about having another bright, beautiful and - with a little encouragement - independent daughter?"
"You'd have taken that 'job' if you were providing everything for her. Sarah texted me that she was coming?"
"Some things in Lisa's history that I think are buried too deep for me to find them but Sarah's very good at that."
"Carl and I are here because you're expecting problems?"
"Note how clean the cast is?"
"Someone was on the ugly end of your 1911?"
"Just to threaten him. It might've been more if the County Mounties hadn't shown up when they did. He was taken away in handcuffs. I went down to tell my story. The judge overruled my 'I don't want a reward' and here we are. I don't have enough details to have anything more than a 'something's not right' feeling but between what Sarah can learn from Lisa and what you and Carl can find out from local research, I think there's a need for some serious housecleaning."
"I long ago learned to trust your 'something's not right' feelings. Saved our butts more than once. Where are we headed and when?"
"Smith County, Alabama. I'm waiting for a text from Judge Bonner about the repairs and cleaning on the house there. Might be tomorrow; might be another day of two - it's a big house and it's been empty for a while."
"Bonner? Of the Bonner family of pirates?"
"Don't know. I'll text him for a family tree."
"You do that. If he is a descendant, they may have kept that old farm in the family because of rumors about buried treasure on the property and clues to the locations scattered through the house and its furnishings."
"I asked Lisa if she wanted a new bed but she wants the high four-poster that's in one of the bedrooms there. I wonder…"
"If she senses something she can't explain?"
"Another reason for having Sarah spend time with her. If there is a 'buried treasure', I want to see that it goes to the rightful heir or heirs."
"Sounds just like you, Jack Wilson."
"Treasure?"
"Hi, sweet girl. I thought you were on the swings."
"I'm hot and I want some water. What about the treasure?"
"There are rumors that there was a member of the Bonner family who was a pirate and he hid or buried some type of treasure at the farm. The quick check I did online didn't find a sea-going pirate from the family, but one history tells us that Blackbeard the Pirate - his real name was Edward Teach - bought the Bonner house near Bath, North Carolina when he retired from being a pirate. However, the records about how much he paid for the house, what he paid with - such as gold, silver or jewels - and where the Bonner family then moved to are very limited. If your great-great-grandfather Hiram Bonner was a member of that Bonner family, that could be where they got the money to buy the land and build the house and barns. If he had money left over, he might have hidden it in the house or barns or buried it somewhere on the farm. And your family might not be part of that Bonner family and it's all wishful thinking."
"Grownups doing 'Let's pretend'?"
"Very good, smart girl. Except that some of them seem not to understand that there may be no treasure here other than you and the farm…"
"I'm a treasure?"
"Yes, precious girl. Remember us talking about rare and valuable?"
"And I'm the only one of me so you think I'm rare and valuable and a treasure. I love you, new Daddy."
"I love you, smart girl. Why did Joe hit you?"
"He kept asking 'Where did you hide it?' and I kept asking 'Hide what?' and then he'd hit me and ask again. That's all the other bruises you saw when you washed what I couldn't reach."
"Come here for a hug and lap time if you need it."
"Both!"
---
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Post by texican on Aug 19, 2019 22:37:15 GMT -6
PP2,
Appears that a treasure hunt is coming up.... A sis cleaning out the trash....
Thanks for the chapter....
Texican....
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Post by udwe on Aug 21, 2019 7:07:56 GMT -6
Another good one! I can't wait to see where this one goes.
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 21, 2019 14:41:32 GMT -6
Chapter 6
Tuesday, 15 July, 3:00PM
"She's asleep, Jack?"
"Yes, Willie. I gave her another dose of the pain medication with her water, so speak softly and she'll stay asleep."
"I think you've identified one person to be in-terror-gated."
"As long as you leave him alive. I don't want to be the one explaining that to Lisa."
"If she's as smart as you think she is, she might not have a problem with one of her problems being erased."
"I'd rather keep her as far from the physical stuff as possible."
"Understood. If she was a little older, you'd already have her at the pistol range."
"We'll see the doctor this week for a followup on her broken arm. If he tells me that the recoil from a .22 won't cause any problems, I'll start range time. In any case, she can start memorizing the rules this week. I want her safe, even if she's the one doing the shooting."
"I remember a PAW story about a retired soldier teaching a six-year-old with one arm in a cast to shoot a .22. You think Lisa might be that accurate?"
"I think she'll try to master anything she attempts. She insisted on opening the packages of clothes so they could be washed, even if I was her 'other hand' on every third package."
"That kind of independence will make her a 'But I didn't get them all in the middle of the target' shooter."
"That's what I think."
beep!beep!
[Ten minutes out. Where do we park?]
"Sarah's almost here. She needs parking instructions."
[Behind the travel trailer. Past the swings.]
"That's done. The red van behind her is supper being delivered. Pizza and several similar dishes. Pickles and peppers on the side. No playing games with Lisa's food and the peppers when she's on this pain medication."
"And I can hear the undercurrent of 'Unless you want to lose some valuable body part'."
"Correct."
"You can put more 'scary' into a softly-spoken 'Correct' than most Marines can into a shouted string of not-for-prime-time words."
"The guy who's truly a good shot is always calm when he pulls the trigger."
"Yes, Colonel."
"Willie, that's 'Yes, Jack'."
"Understood."
---
beep!beep!
Text from the judge:
[LP tank filled. Power connected but out from storm. Restoral 4-5 days? Cleaning to be completed tomorrow - using my portable generator for the lights and vacuums.]
Today is Tuesday. If cleaning is complete tomorrow, we could move in Thursday. I want to get MRI's and/or CAT scans of all Lisa's past injuries. I think guardianship papers just a few hours newer than the ER paperwork should be justification for that and I know someone who works at Piedmont. Text to her about what and why and that we're available all day tomorrow. Done.
beep!beep!
[Not covered by insurance but the new 'Child at Risk' program here can help. Openings at 11AM and 3PM tomorrow.]
The sooner we're in, the sooner we'll be finished.
[See you at 11. Thanks.]
Now to tell the crew that we can go on Thursday but I need someone to pull a 6x10 trailer that will have the solar power system, my tools, the generators and my firearms.
---
All the new clothes and linens are washed, dried and put away except the Mickey sheets and the Mickey shirt Lisa will be sleeping in. Sarah will help Lisa with her bath and has a book to share with her - both very good lead-ins to getting Lisa to talk with Sarah.
---
Sarah can text with one hand, so she made notes while talking with Lisa and I have those notes - but headed with 'Nose kiss needed'. Off to do my chore.
"Goodnight, sweet girl."
"Goodnight, new Daddy. Thank you for getting Miss Sarah to talk with me. I told her she could tell you everything."
"You're welcome. Do you feel better after talking with her?"
"Un huh and she said we can talk some more. I'll like that. It's almost like talking to Mo…"
{sniff}
"On my shoulder, sweet girl. I think you need some more crying time."
---
"She's asleep?"
"Doesn't usually take her long, Sarah."
"You said 'more crying time'?"
"I got her to talking about Momma and Daddy long enough to get her to tears one time but I thought there was a lot more hurt there."
"You're correct. And you're also correct about things being buried. Could easily be a week or more to get that deep."
"We can move into the house on Thursday. I already have a three vehicle road train so I need someone to pull my 6x10 trailer of solar power, tools, generators and firearms."
"Generators?"
"Power's out over much of the county. Restoral estimate is four or five days but with a question mark."
"Four to five days at best but the real world could be two or three times that?"
"Out that far, yes. If the solar power was installed, we'd probably have limited but still better-than-in-the-dark power."
"But that's a multi-day project."
"Correct."
"Mark, can we pull 3500lbs of trailer?"
"The hitch is rated for 10,000 so not a problem. Acceleration will be even slower, though, so don't get in a hurry out on the highway."
"I'll let the two of you work that out. Tomorrow I'm taking Lisa for MRI/CAT scans to find all her previous injuries. As a newly installed guardian, I can do that and Piedmont's 'Child at Risk' program will pick up most of the cost…"
"If you need cash…"
"Not for this, Carl. We will need to fill the pantry at the new house, including flour, sugar, salt, pasta, tea, coffee, butter, milk, laundry soap, bleach, bath soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper and all the rest for currently five adults and one child."
"Currently?"
"I'm expecting Jesse Mendoza to be no more than 24 hours behind Willie and Luigi Cartwright to be no more than 24 hours behind Mark."
"You're still sharp, Jack. I'll contact both of them and remind them to get their ethnic delicacies, including spumoni for Jesse and extra hot salsa for Luigi."
{sniff}
"You take care of that. I have a little girl to check on."
{sniff}
"Bad dream, sweet girl?"
"Un huh. Somebody was trying to get in the farmhouse. They wanted my bed!"
"Do you remember me asking if you wanted a new bed and you telling me you wanted that old bed?"
"Un huh."
"Why did you want that bed?"
"It just seems important to keep it."
"From you, that's a very good answer. You want a back rub or do you need a shoulder?"
"Your shoulder."
"Then I'll lie down and you can find a place for your cast. When you're asleep, I'll ease you back onto the pillow and kiss your nose goodnight again."
"OK."
---
"Jack?"
"Yes, Mark?"
"I tapped into some Alabama police records via the VPN at Fort Benning. Several of the Bonner family members have records for theft and embezzlement. Only Joe Bonner has any arrests for violence but he has had two one year prison terms for battery. If we plan to talk with him, we go in locked and loaded. The others may only need the threat of armed men in a big vehicle. By the way, Willie has his Class III firearms license and he has mounts on that Cougar for a pair of Ma Deuces. His ammo stock includes some Raufoss Armor Piercing HEI rounds."
"I think he came loaded for a herd of rhinos - those .50 caliber Raufoss rounds do bad things to vehicles and most body armor."
"You might want to caution the local Sheriff if we're going after someone."
"I could tell Judge Bonner and he could inform local law enforcement."
"Even better."
---
"Jack?"
"Yes, Carl?"
"Jesse and Luigi both here tomorrow around noon. Jesse on his CanAm motorcycle and Luigi in his Suburban that's a twin to yours, except for the color. Park them out by the barn?"
"Yes. Lisa and I will be at the imaging center past noon so either ask Carl to cook or check the takeout list on the side of the fridge. I think Lisa might be pleased with a kid's meal of some type so we'll be eating before we come back. Tell Jesse and Luigi that we'll be headed to Alabama tomorrow. I could also use an extra set of eyes when I put my road train together today."
"A couple of us will be available when needed. We can all be ready to go in 30 minutes, so just say the word. Willie and I want to leave at least an hour before the rest of you tomorrow so we can check the property before you get there. Unknown people have had access to the house for a couple of days so we'll check for things obviously missing and not so obviously added. I built a new bug scanner that I want to try out and I'll also be looking for booby traps. While I'm doing that, Willie can check with the maid service to see who was working there and if they had any visitors or saw anyone skulking around. I also have some solar powered wireless security cameras that I'll be putting up around the place. Your 'something's not right' feeling seems to be contagious."
"Glad it is. I want to keep this girl safe."
---
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Post by NCWEBNUT on Aug 21, 2019 14:48:06 GMT -6
The world needs more Jacks
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Post by cgtech on Aug 21, 2019 15:49:35 GMT -6
I am really enjoying your stories. When i see an update, it's a good day!
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Post by gipsy on Aug 21, 2019 17:37:56 GMT -6
Sounds like he is rebuilding a SPEC-OPS squad from his past.
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 21, 2019 19:12:56 GMT -6
Maybe just looking for qualified help with his small problem ;-)
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Post by udwe on Aug 21, 2019 19:24:02 GMT -6
Love, Love, Love!
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Post by texican on Aug 22, 2019 21:09:59 GMT -6
PP2,
in-terror-gated
Now that conjures up lots of possibilities....
Seems like some may be needed....
Thanks for the chapter....
Texican....
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 22, 2019 21:21:09 GMT -6
PP2, in-terror-gatedNow that conjures up lots of possibilities.... Seems like some may be needed.... Thanks for the chapter.... Texican.... You'll also find that term in "Jack's War Part 2" - remember he's the Jack who in-terror-gates with a 12 gauge...
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Post by texican on Aug 22, 2019 21:25:59 GMT -6
PP2, in-terror-gatedNow that conjures up lots of possibilities.... Seems like some may be needed.... Thanks for the chapter.... Texican.... You'll also find that term in "Jack's War Part 2" - remember he's the Jack who in-terror-gates with a 12 gauge...PP2, Yep remembered, but did not mention it since wanted to wait to see if you used it in this story line.... Got to leave a few surprises for the virgin readers.... Texican....
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 23, 2019 14:39:58 GMT -6
Chapter 7
Wednesday, 16 July, 6:40AM
"Good morning, sweet girl."
"Good morning, new Daddy. We're goin' to the place where they can look inside me today?"
"After breakfast. They have two types of machines that can see inside you, depending on what they're looking for. One is called a CAT scan…"
"A tabby or a Persian?"
"Neither. 'CAT' stands for Computerized Axial Tomography which is what it was initially called, but now it's usually called a CT scan for Computed Tomography. It's a special Xray mach…"
"Like they Xrayed my arm with?"
"Like that but bigger. Think of a donut taller than I am and they slide you through the donut hole and take pictures of the inside of your body every time you move a hair's width."
"Really?"
"'Really' for the kid level description. The MRI is a big machine that's like being between the sides of a hamburger press - it doesn't press on you but it seems snug when the top almost touches your nose. It's also VERY noisy when it's working, like a kid beating on a big drum - and they'll have earplugs for you to wear to protect your hearing. You will have to take your necklace off…"
"But…"
"I know; you don't ever take it off because those are the only pictures you have of your Momma and Daddy. However, if you don't take it off, the operation of the MRI might pull the chain hard enough to cut your skin or break the chain."
"I guess I hafta."
"You 'hafta' for these things. I have a little silk bag to put the necklace in to keep it safe in my pocket."
"And you told me before I even got out of bed. I love you, new Daddy."
"I love you, too, sweet girl. Up and potty and to breakfast or the tickle monster will be after your feet."
"I'm going! What's for breakfast?"
"Take a sniff and tell me."
"Bacon! And biscuits! And eggs?"
"Correct three times. Potty, wash your hands and to the table."
"On my way."
"Jack, is she always that bubbly in the morning?"
"For the mornings I've known her."
"And wakened her with a kiss on the nose and 'Good morning, sweet girl'?"
"Correct."
"Considering some of the things she told me - they're all in the notes - these are the best mornings she's had in a very long time. I'd be bubbly in the morning if someone cared enough to have breakfast ready and then wake me like that."
"Just seems to be what she needs right now. Later, I'll be waking her to help cook which I think she'll also like. She did mention making cookies with her Momma - once."
"Learning to cook should definitely be part of her treatment plan - and it's also good preparation for caring for herself later in life. I've known people whose 'cooking' skills were pressing buttons on a Keurig and a microwave - but they had no idea how to use a whisk or a skillet."
"I plan to do what I did with my girls - countertop prep until she's old enough to appreciate the dangers of hot things and then doing some actual on-the-stove cooking."
"Good plan. Does that old house have a wood cookstove?"
"Beautiful old brown enamel and chrome stove - maybe a Princess?"
"I want to try cooking on that."
"Someone will have to split the wood small enough for its firebox."
"Luigi loves playing with his throwing axes. That can be a job for him."
"Agreed. I also need to check the woodshed to see if there's any wood there and ensure it's filled before winter. A cord or two of seasoned wood and then fill the rest of the space with this year's wood."
"There you go, planning for January in July. Wouldn't be you if you didn't."
---
"This is the place with the machines that can look inside you?"
"Yes, Lisa."
"Can they read my mind and see what I'm thinking?"
"No."
"Then why did the nurse ask me if I was scared?"
"Maybe because you're holding my hand like you think I'll disappear?"
"Oh. She read my actions."
"Very good, smart girl."
"You'll be with me?"
"Where I can be. Sometimes the machines are so noisy or give off some type of dangerous emission and not even the operator is in the same room. I will be as close as I can. Let's get your necklace off and into the bag before we go to the machines."
"OK."
"Lisa Bonner?"
"That's us."
"I'm Dr. Thomas. Dr. Sessions said you felt Lisa needed to be scanned. Why?"
"Detection of previous injuries. She was injured yesterday morning - here's the ER report - and shortly afterwards I was appointed her guardian - here's that paperwork. I want to know what injuries she may have suffered in the past and what future problems I should watch for. I'm not knowledgeable enough to know whether she needs an MRI or a CT or both so I'm bringing my problem to someone who knows."
"I'm always pleased when someone who's been made responsible for a child wants to know as much as possible about the child's past and future. MRI is best for joints, brain, heart and blood vessels. CT is best for bone fractures and internal bleeding. With the green twig break and the bruising you reported, I think we should do both to have a baseline about all past injuries. Under the circumstances, our 'Child at Risk' program will cover the full cost. The testing will take about two hours. You might want to take her to lunch between tests. Happy Meals are one block down - no playground, though."
"That's OK. She might want some lap time and a chapter from 'Little House'."
"Yes!"
---
"Sir, if you'd help her change to this gown…"
"It's open in back! Somebody might see my butt!"
"Just me. You'll be on your back on the table."
"OK."
"Earplugs. Remember how she said to put them in?"
"Un huh."
"Remember that it's a little snug in there."
"Un huh. You already told me all this."
"But I want you to feel safe doing it."
"Where will you be?"
"The room on the other side of that door. Don't turn your head to look - you can't see through walls."
"You're silly!"
"You're smiling."
"I guess I am."
"I'll be back after the banging stops. Earplugs in."
"Yes, new Daddy."
"'New Daddy'?"
"I've been her guardian for less than 48 hours but that's what she tells me I'll be. I was in the right place at the right time to protect her from harm and she asked to live with me. The judge, her grandfather, thought that was reason to make me guardian of an orphan no one in her family wants responsibility for."
"But… but…"
"How could you not want to have this bright and beautiful child in your life?"
"Exactly."
"I've asked some very capable people to look into that."
"I almost feel sorry for those to be 'looked into'."
---
"Mr. Wilson, the radiologist will have his read of the MRI soon. Take Lisa to lunch and she can be the middle of the donut when you get back."
"'Middle of the donut', Daddy?"
"Remember what I said about how the CT machine is made?"
"A big donut with a hole in the middle… I will be the middle of the donut!"
"Very good, smart girl. So are you happy enough or do you want a Happy Meal?"
"A hot dog from that cart? With everything?"
"I don't think you want jalapenos or mayo."
"Maybe not everything."
---
"Why are we going to the car? I thought there was another scan?"
"There is another scan, but I don't know if it can see through all the chili on your front."
"Oops! This is why you packed extra clothes for me?"
"Fun food can be messy. Kids can be messy. Kids with fun food WILL be messy so you needed a change of clothes and maybe a couple of the wet wipes for what soaked through your shirt."
"You're always taking care of me."
"I might like you a little bit."
"I love you, too."
"Different clothes, Lisa?"
"I had a hot dog with lots of chili."
"And your Daddy knows that kids and dogs can be messy."
"He does."
"Into the gown again."
"Help me with my cast, Daddy?"
"Yes, sweet girl. And don't let anyone else see your bare butt?"
"Daddy!"
---
"Mr. Wilson, I'm surprised that a seven-year-old isn't terrified of being 'inside' a machine."
"Dr. Thomas, we talked about it last night and again this morning - complete with the gown that shows everything and the MRI needing earplugs for the noise. Now she gets to be 'the middle of the donut'."
"I noticed that you've had custody for less than two days. If you figured out how to make a trip here 'fun' that quickly, I think she's in very good hands."
"Thank you. I rather like her."
"And I can tell that's mutual. Starting when she met you, she's a fortunate little girl. Let me explain these scans to you. I'll send a DVD of each scan home with you for future reference, if needed."
---
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Post by gipsy on Aug 23, 2019 15:15:06 GMT -6
I have had several of each, one under sedation because I couldn't lay flat due to pain. Never a very fun experience.
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 23, 2019 17:29:49 GMT -6
I have had several of each, one under sedation because I couldn't lay flat due to pain. Never a very fun experience. Had an MRI of my shoulder prior to surgery and the tech was saying "Breathe normally". Sorry if breathing moves my body but you should have told me in advance if this was a procedure that needed some type of sedation. Words don't help. People only breathe "normally" when they aren't thinking about breathing.
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Post by texican on Aug 24, 2019 1:38:54 GMT -6
I have had several of each, one under sedation because I couldn't lay flat due to pain. Never a very fun experience. Had an MRI of my shoulder prior to surgery and the tech was saying "Breathe normally". Sorry if breathing moves my body but you should have told me in advance if this was a procedure that needed some type of sedation. Words don't help. People only breathe "normally" when they aren't thinking about breathing.PP2, Don't forget, don't move, be still.... Have had Cat Scans and MRI's thru the years due to back and neck injuries.... The last three MRI's were done with a Zanax each time.... The first time they tried to put me into a MRI tube that was smaller than my shoulders and they told me to suck in my shoulders.... Did not work.... The tech got two Xanax and out I went. Mother drove me home.... The last two MRI's were done in an open MRI, but still needed the Xanax.... You sleep really good with two Xanax and need someone to drive afterwards until your body works off the Xanax.... Thanks for the chapter.... Texican....
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Post by gipsy on Aug 24, 2019 7:59:10 GMT -6
They tried the small one on me and I didn't fit so they had to reschedule in a big one. I ended up with 4 inches of metal in my neck, but no more neck pain.
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 25, 2019 15:24:00 GMT -6
Chapter 8
Wednesday, 16 July, 3:15PM
"How does Lisa look, Jack?"
"Sarah, she's a pretty little girl."
"That has her holding your hand in both of hers and grinning up at you but how does she look inside?"
"This isn't the first green twig break of a bone. She has healed damage to ribs on both sides. There's been some deep bruising in other places, such as around her kidneys. I hope she'll tell us more about who hurt her so we can make sure it never happens again."
"Mostly Uncle Joe, but sometimes Aunt Susie's husband, Uncle Rob. Their son Kevin - I think he's 13 - hit me a couple of times. Sometimes he held me so Rob could hit me in places that hurt but didn't show. They always asked 'Where is it?' and I'd ask them 'Where's what?' and they'd hit me again."
"I think the in-terror-gation list just got longer."
"Save a little of them for me, Willie."
"I will, Jack. If I let you go first, there wouldn't be anything left for the rest of us to work with."
"You could be correct."
"Jack, do you have copies of the images?"
"Two DVD's worth, Sarah. Have a look."
"I'll be in the RV for a while. If I come out armed, point me to the shooting range."
"Behind the barn. You can't miss it."
"Bad pun, Jack."
"Mark, I'm just trying to keep Sarah from going ballistic."
"I think you're on target, Jack. She's almost let that smile out."
"You guys are terrible, but at least you may have kept me from driving to Alabama to kill someone today. No promises about tomorrow."
"No promises from the rest of us, either."
---
"Three pages of notes from the scans, Sarah?"
"Yes, Jack. When did her parents die?"
"Ballpark of three plus years ago. I can get the exact date from Judge Bonner or it could be in the abbreviated family tree he sent me. I'll forward that to you."
"That'll work. Some of the injuries are about that old. What do you know of their deaths?"
"Vehicle accident. No details."
"Autopsies?"
"Don't know."
"Anyone you can ask?"
"Judge Bonner, but I'd rather do that in person and in a secure space."
"Mark, can you access those records?"
"Some of them. Not everything in that county is on computer, possibly by design."
"Can you find out who did the accident investigation or the autopsies and any witnesses?"
"At least partially and one or two names could be enough to lead to others. Joe might squeal if squeezed hard enough. He's looking at being at least a three time loser for aggravated battery and maybe more than three times with the potential MRI and CT evidence. Alabama convicts can be especially brutal to those who harm children. I think he'll understand the option of 'talk now or die in prison'."
---
"Lisa, we never got to read any of the 'Little House' book we took with us. Would you like a chapter now?"
"In your lap?"
"As you wish, Princess."
"You're silly again."
"My favorite Lisa is smiling again."
"'Favorite Lisa'? How many Lisas do you know?"
"Just you, so you must be my favorite Lisa."
"You're even sillier!"
"Your smile is bigger."
"I love you, Daddy."
"I might like you a little bit. 'Chapter One. Once upon a time, sixty years ago…'"
---
"She's asleep so soon, Jack?"
"The excitement and the 'scary' of something different and a big lunch, at least compared to what she's been eating while she's been with me, combined to make lap time into sleepy time. I'll let her sleep 20 minutes or so and she'll feel better but it shouldn't affect getting her to bed at the usual time."
"Sounds like the voice of experience to me."
"Three daughters can provide a lot of experience."
"And you loved every minute of it. Still slightly on the topic of Lisa; I checked the family tree you sent me and Carl did some online research for me. When Judge Bonner dies, Lisa will be Hiram Bonner's last direct descendant. I think there may have been a program of deleting his direct descendants until only the less direct descendants were left. Joe and Rob are second cousins to Judge Bonner and only them and their immediate family members are left. There have been too many convenient deaths of people too young or too healthy to have died when they did. They've kept Lisa alive because they think she knows the 'secret' of whatever 'treasure' they're so sure exists - like a three-year-old would have known and been able to keep something like that secret. That program of deletion seems to have included some of those who had tried to help Lisa, as the aunt she was named for died last year in a suspicious house fire. Stay still and don't wake her up, Jack. We need details and confirmations before getting law enforcement involved or deciding to 'lock and load'."
"You're right, as usual; I'd just like to be doing something right now."
"You are. You're keeping her safe and making her feel loved; just look how she's smiling in her sleep."
"She does look happy to be where she is."
"Let her finish her nap. The adults can then meet at the whiteboard and talk strategy about the trip and securing the farmhouse. We need the judge involved before making other plans."
"Agreed. I'll text him about meeting with us at the farmhouse after we get it secure and livable."
---
9:50PM
"Let me rehash the tentative convoy schedule for tomorrow. Willie and Carl will leave at 7AM. I'll take Mark to the truck rental agency and then we'll go to the storage facility to load up the furnishings that were stored before demolition started here. He'll then head for the farmhouse and we estimate that he'll leave the storage facility around 9AM. When I get back here, we'll finish loading clothes and food so Sarah, Lisa and I should be on the road by or before 10AM. Everyone has concealed carry permits so be armed. If you don't have a shotgun in your vehicle, let me know as I have several semi-autos. Anything I missed?"
"I'll drive and Willie can man one Ma Deuce when we get close to the farmhouse. We'll clear the house and barns and then set up just enough solar power to run the security system. The wireless cameras are all solar powered so we'll place them on the house and barns for best coverage. Radios in all vehicles have been checked. There's a briefcase radio with 12 volt and 24 volt power options for Mark, depending on what's available in the rental truck, and a mag-mount antenna. There are a dozen handie-talkies on charge now and they and the extra batteries will be ready in the morning. We'll use the usual location map, with the farmhouse being DC, the closest barn being Tennessee and the other barn being Georgia. We'll identify other buildings on the property when we get there and can see them. If there's an outhouse, it'll be New York."
"Just from listening, you'd never guess that Carl hates New York."
"You're right, Willie - I would never have guessed."
---
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Post by tckaija on Aug 25, 2019 20:07:12 GMT -6
BRAVO!
I am liking this one!
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Post by udwe on Aug 25, 2019 20:12:15 GMT -6
Keep going!
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 27, 2019 18:38:31 GMT -6
Chapter 9
Wednesday, 16 July, 5:40AM
"Good morning, sweet girl."
"Good morning, Daddy. It seems kinda dark this morning."
"It's dark because it's earlier than you've been waking up. Remember that we're moving today…"
"The farmhouse! And maybe I can have a horse?"
"Maybe. First we must check if there's pasture for the horse and room in one of the barns for a horse and feed and lots of other things, so it won't be today and maybe not for a week or two."
"OK."
"Up and …"
"Potty and to the table. What's for breakfast?"
"It's a surprise."
"What if I don't like it?"
"Have I cooked anything that you didn't like?"
"No. This might be good too."
"Go, before the tickle monster finds your feet and you leak!"
"I'm going!"
---
"Waffles! And real maple syrup! It's good, Daddy."
"Except that I may have to take you outside and use the hose to get all the sticky off you."
"It's not that bad. Just my face and my hands."
"And the Mickey shirt you slept in. And your hair."
"I guess I am kinda messy."
"Finish enjoying your pancakes and hot chocolate and then I'll run you through the shower quickly to get your hair and the rest of you clean."
"Yes, Daddy."
---
"I can ride with you?"
"You may."
"Oh, yeah. Permission and able to. I'll get it right next time."
"That's what you said last time."
"'May' and 'can' need to be in my 'always' memory."
"What is 'always' memory?"
"Daddy told me it's a special place where you remember important things, like where you live and your phone number and the people who love you - you've been there since you said 'precious girl'."
"On our way back from taking Mark to get things from storage, I want you to tell me what else is in your 'always' memory."
"As long as it's just us."
"That's why I said 'on our way back'. Then it will be 'just us'."
"OK."
---
"You're washed and mostly dried. I'll wrap a towel around your hair and take the bag off your cast."
"You did that really quick."
"You weren't dirty all over as you would have been from playing outside all day so it didn't take as long as usual. Can you manage underwear with the cast?"
"You hold them about here and I'll hold onto your arm and step into them and you can pull them up."
"We work well as a team."
"You're silly."
"No. I let my smart girl work out the best way to do something and we did it together. Doing things together is teamwork even if the team only has two people."
"You're always teaching me things, but your way of teaching is fun! Can you be my teacher next year so I don't hafta ride the bus with the mean kids like Kevin?"
"We'll see about that. Kevin might not be a problem when school starts in the fall."
"How can you know that?"
"Some things the other members of the team will be investigating."
"All of us are a team?"
"Yes. A team to keep you safe."
"I like our team. 'Specially talking with Miss Sarah."
"I thought you'd like her. Towel off of your hair. Rub it a little more. Now to get you dressed."
"It's really easy to get the cast through the tank top!"
"Maybe I planned that?"
"You did!"
"That's my smart girl."
"Hold the shorts about here and I'll hold onto your arm…"
"Didn't you just say that?"
"Daddy, that was about the underwear!"
"But you said the same thing…"
"Because shorts go on the same way!"
"OK, smart girl. Tank top tucked in or on the outside?"
"Outside."
"You're done."
"Why'd you poke my belly button?"
"You've never heard about babies being made? The angels use a tummy poke to check the babies that are baking in the special oven and when you're ready to be born, the angel says 'You're done' and that's how you get your belly button."
"Daddy! That's not how it works. I asked Aunt Lisa and she had a book with drawings in it and I know the names of all my body parts inside and out and all your body parts inside and out and how babies are really made. But your story is more fun."
"Is your backpack ready to travel?"
"Yes. Hiram Bear, a bottle of water, two granola bars, my pink blanket and two books. Plus my pillow if I want to nap in the car."
"A hug for my smart girl having it all together."
"I like hugs."
"And lap time. And shoulder time."
"Un huh. Any kind of time with you."
"How did your bear get the name Hiram?"
"It was Grandpa's bear and that was what he called it. I think I was about three when I got it. He told me it was Hiram Bear and that his grandfather had given it to him. There might be some pictures if all of them didn't get thrown away after Momma and Daddy died…"
{sniff}
"Head on my shoulder."
"But the trip…"
"Can wait on your tears. The others know we'll be the last to leave, so the exact time isn't important."
{sniff}
"I love you, Daddy."
"I love you, sweet girl."
---
"Asleep again, Jack?"
"Sarah, I asked about the bear's name. Does Hiram ring a bell for you?"
"Her great-great-grandfather."
"He gave the bear to Lisa's grandfather, Judge Bonner, and he gave it to her when she was about three. She told me there might be a picture if all of the pictures didn't get thrown away when her parents died and that's where she went to tears."
"The only reason for destroying a child's legacy of family pictures is to isolate her. I need to check for extra batteries for my stun gun. I can see it being used a lot - some for in-terror-gation and some as instant payback for the answers I get."
"As someone told me last night, Sarah, don't be in a hurry to 'lock and load'."
"You're right, Jack, but I want her safe which won't happen until a number of people are either behind bars or buried."
"No argument from me. I just want to ensure we clean the snake pit completely so this particular set of problems doesn't come back."
"A lynching party?"
"Don't tempt me."
"You're covering it well, but this may be the angriest I've ever seen you."
"Very possible."
"Then wake her and we can go as soon as you load the 'pretty' SUV on the trailer behind your travel trailer."
"Good morning, sweet girl."
"Good morning again, Daddy."
"Go potty and get your backpack and we'll be on our way to our new house."
"But it's an old house!"
"We've never lived there so it's 'new' to us."
"You're the silliest Daddy ever."
"My favorite Lisa is smiling."
"You're good at that."
---
Roar! Roar!
"Jesse is here."
"How did you ever guess, Sarah?"
"Only Jesse travels light enough to do it on a three-wheeled motorcycle."
"Luigi has too many sharp toys to do that. I'd expect a Suburban-sized vehicle and one that's much quieter."
"Such as the one that just pulled up?"
"Different vehicle than two years ago but the same color scheme: red and black."
"You here, Jack? And where's the Princess that needs a knight in shining armor?"
"Jesse Mendoza, this is Lisa Bonner."
"Pleased to meet you, Your Highness."
"Daddy, he kissed my hand!"
"You may find that he's even 'sillier' than I am about some things but I think you can tell he'll be able to keep you safe."
"I see four guns and two knives."
"And he has at least that many more hidden somewhere that you can't see."
"I've never seen black armor but his leather jacket is shiny so I guess that counts."
"You, Princess, are a smart girl."
"That's what Daddy keeps telling me."
"Already 'Daddy' in a couple of days, Jack? She does read you well."
"She's a smart girl."
"Now, Jesse. You can't monopolize the Princess' time when there's another knight present. Your Highness, I'm Luigi Cartwright."
"Daddy, he kissed my hand!"
"Didn't you just say that?"
"Daddy!"
"He's already treating you like his own daughter, Princess."
"Really? I like that."
"Jack, where's the head?"
"Luigi, first door on the right or back outside to the 'Johnny-on-the-Job'."
"First door is a better option. Jesse can use the outhouse."
"Luigi, we may all be using the outhouse at the new place. Didn't have power to check electrical things when I saw the house and storms have left the area in the dark with possibly ten days or more outage."
"You have generators?"
"In the trailer behind Sarah's RV, but I don't know if the electric well pump works. The hand pump on that well works and the water was tested this week so we have good water."
---
"We have radios?"
"Briefcase model with mag-mount antenna for you, Luigi. Handie-talkie with headset and external antenna for Jesse who will lead the way. Luigi is backdoor. Stay in visual range of the vehicle ahead of you. There's a map and a GPS with the destination set for each of you. Something over two hours in transit with my road train. Possibly more if Lisa needs a potty stop but I don't think that will happen before the welcome station on I20. Use the radios for any questions. Laminated list of frequencies and when we switch for each of you."
"You're expecting trouble, Jack?"
"Not before we get the Smith County, Luigi. There's a one page synopsis for each of you. Maybe two minutes to read it. Lots more background available."
"I'm one paragraph in and I need to unload FMJ and load hollow point. You too, Jesse. Alternate slugs and 00 buck in the shotguns."
"Two minutes."
"We're ready, Jack, and the vehicles are lined up: I'm in front, then you, then Sarah, then Luigi."
"Head 'em up. Move 'em out."
---
"Daddy, why didn't you do all that gun stuff with the others?"
"Carl and Willie are in a military vehicle that's almost bulletproof. They also have some of the biggest weapons available and they'll mount those on the Cougar before they get to Smith County. If there are problems, they'll let us know by radio."
"What about Mister Mark?"
"He's driving a generic rental truck. Could be someone delivering sofas or paint. Not a vehicle anyone is likely to notice."
"But they will notice Mister Jesse!"
"That they will. Being armed as he is legal in both states but is unusual. He should flush out any law enforcement that's hidden along the road. They'll be busy with him when we go by and they won't notice a vehicle pulling a travel trailer that's being followed by an RV as they're just a big family on their way to the popular lake that we'll go by. If Jesse needs help when Luigi gets there, he'll take care of things."
"But what if there's more than one someone out there looking for us?"
"Then we might have to shoot our way out. This SUV is mostly bulletproof so we'd be OK. The front of Sarah's RV and the engine compartment are mostly bulletproof so she'll be OK."
"Teach me to shoot?"
"First you must memorize four rules about guns."
"In 'always' memory?"
"Correct, smart girl."
"What are the rules?"
"A man named Jeff Cooper came up with a very good set of rules for firearms safety. They are:
1. All guns are always loaded.
2. Never let the gun point at anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it."
"Just a minute."
"OK."
"I got them."
"What's rule three?"
"Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target."
"Very good! I'll quiz you about the rules at random times…"
"'Random times'?"
"When I wake you up, when you go to bed, when you're eating, when I'm washing your hair…"
"So any time at all. What if I don't know the rule you ask?"
"Maybe no bedtime story that night?"
"I won't get hit?"
"The rules are about keeping you and others safe. Hitting you doesn't go with keeping you safe."
"Tell me again?"
"All guns are always loaded."
"That's the first one…"
---
"Daddy?"
"Yes, girl with your legs squeezed together?"
"You know?"
"I've seen that position before."
'Convoy. Facilities break in two miles. Everyone to the truck/RV area.'
'Lead, roger.'
'RV, roger.'
'Backdoor, roger.'
"Thank you, Daddy."
"That's very good manners, Lisa, but you don't have to thank me for taking care of you."
"But nobody else takes care of me every time I need it! Uncle Joe woulda said 'Hold it' or Catch it in your hand but don't get any on the seat'. You're the best Daddy ever."
"Maybe just the best one in this vehicle?"
"Best one I can remember."
---
"Lisa, you go with Sarah."
"OK."
"You go ahead, Jack. Jesse will watch inside and I'll be with the vehicles until you're out."
"Thanks, Luigi."
---
"Hi, Daddy."
"You come take this hand."
"I understand."
"You're right, Jack. She's smart and observant."
"I rather enjoy that, Sarah. We relieve Luigi at the vehicles and he and Jesse will swap watches up here."
"On my way."
---
'Convoy, roll out.'
'Lead, roger."
'RV, waiting.'
'Backdoor, waiting.'
---
I thought travel would put Lisa back to sleep. I have no idea what her sleep patterns were like in the days immediately before I found her but probably not something appropriate for a seven-year-old. It's fine that she's napping. Lots of kids sleep in the car and it just offsets some of the 'tired' of traveling. Shouldn't be a problem getting her to bed at the proper time tonight - and the hour time change between states will aid with that: 8:30PM in Alabama is 9:30PM waking up time. We've made good time, considering the load I'm towing. It's about ten more miles…
'Colonel, are you there?'
'Yes.'
'All clear in DC. RV space in Georgia. Travel trailer space in Tennessee. Found New York. Map updated.'
'Roger and out.'
Twenty minutes or so and we can have everything but the big SUV under cover. Jesse's bike and Luigi's SUV behind one of the barns. The trailer with solar power and generators opened up for at least one generator. Any passers-by may notice that someone is living here now and that we brought a generator. Hopefully not the only generator on this road. That's something to recon in the morning. And we get to move furniture so we'll have places to sleep other than sleeping bags. I should check the LP tank and the woodshed to see how we'll be cooking tonight and tomorrow morning.
---
"Did you see what's in his wallet, Sharon?"
"No, Mike. I was cleaning up while you were at the register."
"The twenties he left for tips were the smallest bills in there! Mostly hundreds."
"He's a little older than I am, but he's handsome in a rugged way. Hope he comes back. Wonder if he'd like a home-cooked meal?"
"If he comes back, he's dead."
"No, big brother; just captured. I'd like to have him around for a long time."
---
"Carl, I need to check…"
"Jack, the LP tank is filled. Pilot light lit on the water heater and checked on the central heat. LP kitchen stove has electronic ignition but there is a grill lighter in the drawer next to it. There's a cord or so of firewood split and stacked in the woodshed. There's a basket out there marked 'Kitchen Stove' but nothing split that small…"
"Sarah said Luigi should be tasked with that."
"I'll tell him. For supper, we stopped at the Subway at the last exit heading this way and got one of everything. Supper tonight and food while doing recon tomorrow."
"You read my mind."
"No, I've just been on many missions with you. Easier to get it when we came through than at one of their busy times. I tipped each of them twenty bucks for speed."
"That's might've been a week's worth of tips out here - this county isn't on the high end of the list of the state's richest counties."
"I could tell. I thought the guy at the register was gonna kiss me. I wouldn't have minded if it had been the little blonde doing the lettuce and mayo."
"You have always been a sucker for petite blondes."
"True. But there are three properties for sale between here and town and the signs are showing their age. You know I can afford to 'retire'."
"And retire in style if you choose to. I need help to get a generator out and check the water pump so we're not all in line for New York."
"I'm with you. Here's an LED head light."
---
"How'd that light turn on, Miss Sarah? Nobody's near the switch."
"Lisa, I think your Daddy got a generator hooked up and running. We have lights. Now to check for running water. Well, after the air is out of the pipes we might get…"
Splash!
"And we have water. I should go turn on each faucet until it runs clear."
"Can I help?"
"You can and you may. Go to the bathroom across the hall and turn on both vanity faucets until they run evenly and clear. Then turn them off and flush the toilet. Then go upstairs and do the same thing in that bathroom. Here's a little flashlight in case you can't find or can't reach the light switches."
"OK."
---
"This bed goes upstairs?"
"Just the mattress and box springs, Mark. Lisa wants the tall four-poster up there."
"Sarah would have asked for that if she'd known about it."
"Lisa asked first and it's likely a family heirloom. Now that we have decent light, I want to see if there's anything carved into it or any notes hidden on or under it."
"So a secret 'treasure'?"
"Some in the family think there's some type of 'treasure' and have beaten Lisa to get her to tell them where it is. She was three or so when her parents died. How likely is it that she knows anything about a 'treasure' from decades ago?"
"Slim to none?"
"That's what I think, although there might be something in the house that tells us more. Maybe in the tiles and panels around the fireplace or the decorative carving on the mantle? Up the stairs."
"The mattress and springs can lean against this wall while we explore the bed frame itself."
"That works, Jack."
"Jack, does the bear in this carving look familiar?"
"Looks a lot like Lisa's 'Hiram Bear' that she sleeps with."
"'Hiram'? You don't think…"
"That the inscription 'The bear knows' under the carving means that there's some clue in or on the bear itself, Mark?"
"Seems reasonable."
"We need an Xray of the bear."
"That we might be able to get at the county hospital while doing other research. Luigi was once an Xray tech and can probably use their machine. One diagnostic Xray coming up for Hiram Bear."
"I might be able to do that when I take Lisa for the followup visit to verify how long the cast should be on. There might be a tech who would Xray her bear if she asked."
"With that wistful face and little smile she's always trying to use on you, Jack?"
"I think it's worth a try. We need to meet with her grandfather, Judge Bonner, before we do anything else. If the house is clean…"
"Mini-Maids clean for their part and Carl clean for his specialty."
"Then I'll text Paul about meeting tomorrow."
[We're moved in. Team needs to speak with you. Any time tomorrow.]
And that's sent. No idea how often he checks for mess…
beep!beep!
[Free after 4PM tomorrow. Your place?]
That makes it simple.
[Yes.]
---
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Post by 9idrr on Aug 27, 2019 20:55:53 GMT -6
I guess Jack made a big splash with the local fast food purveyors. Great way to announce that you're in town.
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Post by papaof2 on Aug 27, 2019 21:01:04 GMT -6
Jack hasn't been there. Sharon has her eyes on Willie.
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