remembergoliad
Member
if you send friend req on FB, message me too. I won't accept if I don't recognize you.
Posts: 158
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Post by remembergoliad on Nov 20, 2020 19:00:17 GMT -6
That last line. I do NOT want to be the one to take that news home and repeat it, as it's gonna go over about as well as potato salad at a keto convention.
Great story!
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Post by udwe on Nov 21, 2020 9:00:58 GMT -6
They're gonna have to keep their eyes open, even their "mom's" eyes.
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Post by bretf on Nov 23, 2020 7:40:48 GMT -6
That last line. I do NOT want to be the one to take that news home and repeat it, as it's gonna go over about as well as potato salad at a keto convention. Great story! Your line is great, too. I need to remember that one.
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Post by bretf on Nov 23, 2020 7:41:24 GMT -6
Chapter 29
All movement stopped and everyone stared at Brooke.
A helicopter passed overhead and landed somewhere nearby. It was ignored by the room’s occupants as they all talked over each other, making it so none could be understood. In a variety of forms, her friends and siblings asked, “What did you say?”
Alison and Joe had stricken looks on their faces. Eyes wide, Alison moved her mouth as if to speak. No words came out.
Joe asked, “Did I hear you right? Wh … what are you talking about?”
“Yes, I’m staying.”
“But … but … why?”
She touched her bandage. “I’m flawed. You … you won’t love me anymore.”
Alison stared into her sister’s face, searching. “We can work around it, B. Together we can work through anything. Don’t do this. Stop and think about it.”
Brooke shook her head, her unbandaged cheek glistening with tears.
Joe stared in disbelief. When he finally spoke, he was close to hysterics. “Won’t love you anymore? What on earth gave you that idea? That’s ludicrous. That bullet must’ve addled your brain. Of course I love you. I don’t care about what that bandage is concealing. I LOVE YOU FOR YOU.”
Brooke sniffed and looked at Chad. “Did you coach him? That’s sounds too much like what you told Carol after she got smallpox.”
He shook his head. “Nope, I sure didn’t, I didn’t have to. Those words came from the heart, just like mine did to her. Now quit feeling sorry for yourself. That’s not the Brooke I know. Listen to Ali and then listen to your heart before you make a decision you’ll regret later.”
She sniffed again and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. She looked at Joe for confirmation.
Alison said, “If you stay, I do too. It appears you’ve forgotten we’re a team.”
“Count me in,” Brian said.
Joe nodded and said, “Me too. Wherever you are, I want to be. But, really, I don’t care about a scar. It’s all of you, your mind, your body, your … never mind, I might dig a hole I can’t get out of. Anyway, it’s everything about you I love. I love you so much it hurts when we’re not together. So what, you’ve got a flaw. I’ve got a lot of them. Shoot, some are warts, not flaws. I just pray you love me in spite of them.”
Brooke looked at Alison and received a confirming nod, then looked deep into his eyes. “Real, are you telling me for real. Don’t feed me a line, Joe. Not now.”
“Yes, it’s real. Very real. Shoot, I’d marry you right now if we had someone to perform the ceremony.”
His words moved her. “Are you sure? It won’t be the same. Ali and I won’t look exactly alike anymore. Maybe you should propose to her.”
Joe shook his head. “I need to get a medic to check you out and make sure that bullet didn’t give you brain damage. You’re talking like it did. YES, IT’S TRUE! It’s you I want. I have ever since I figured out how to tell you two apart. I would, I really would marry you right now if you’d agree and we had someone to perform the ceremony.”
A woman spoke from behind them. “Maybe I can help with that.”
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remembergoliad
Member
if you send friend req on FB, message me too. I won't accept if I don't recognize you.
Posts: 158
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Post by remembergoliad on Nov 23, 2020 20:41:45 GMT -6
LOL...now to carry it forward a bit.... can't wait to see if that woman speaking behind 'em turns out to be tater salad or a ribeye.
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Post by texican on Nov 24, 2020 0:55:35 GMT -6
I would, I really would marry you right now if you’d agree and we had someone to perform the ceremony.”
A woman spoke from behind them. “Maybe I can help with that.”
The chaplin just showed up. A marriage about to be done. Mom and dad and the rest of the family will be happy about the marriage and sad about not being there. Now where will the newly weds live?
Thanks Bret.
Texican....
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Post by bretf on Nov 24, 2020 9:52:44 GMT -6
I would, I really would marry you right now if you’d agree and we had someone to perform the ceremony.”
A woman spoke from behind them. “Maybe I can help with that.”The chaplin just showed up. A marriage about to be done. Mom and dad and the rest of the family will be happy about the marriage and sad about not being there. Now where will the newly weds live? Thanks Bret. Texican.... Not quite. If you get a chance, reread final two chapters of "Drifting Smoke"
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Post by texican on Nov 24, 2020 14:21:00 GMT -6
I would, I really would marry you right now if you’d agree and we had someone to perform the ceremony.”
A woman spoke from behind them. “Maybe I can help with that.”The chaplin just showed up. A marriage about to be done. Mom and dad and the rest of the family will be happy about the marriage and sad about not being there. Now where will the newly weds live? Thanks Bret. Texican.... Not quite. If you get a chance, reread final two chapters of "Drifting Smoke" Bret, Forgot that Chad's mom, Lisa, has passed over. Read all of Page 12 again. Thanks for all of the years of reading pleasure, some great and some sad. Texican....
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Post by bretf on Nov 25, 2020 7:52:21 GMT -6
LOL...now to carry it forward a bit.... can't wait to see if that woman speaking behind 'em turns out to be tater salad or a ribeye. I suppose that depends on your point of view. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! and enjoy your tater salad, ribeye, turkey and ... !!!
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Post by bretf on Nov 25, 2020 7:52:43 GMT -6
Chapter 30
Brooke’s eyes flashed with anger. “Excuse me, but this is a private conversation that doesn’t include you.”
The woman laughed. “No wonder my nephew spoke so highly of you and your sister. You’re feisty. Although I figured that out when I talked to you before.”
Brooke said, “Yeah, I am and I don’t take crap off anybody. Well, maybe Chad, Mat, and Aunt Heather. But not you. I sure as hell never voted for you.”
Chad turned to Mat and said, “Now that’s the Brooke we all know and love.”
Janet Morton, the last duly elected President of the United States of America rolled her head back and laughed. She laughed long and hard as if she hadn’t had anything to laugh at for a long time. When she stopped, she said, “In that case my dear, as your brother said, at least I assume he’s your brother, quit feeling sorry for yourself. In case you never learned it before in your short life, shit happens.”
Brooke glared at her. “My family has experienced large doses of shit happening, thank you very much.”
“Good. That’s better, get it out of your system. God knows I’ve taken worse. And when you do, I hope you can talk to me about my nephew, Jim. I was told you were with him when he died.”
“Nephew? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Brooke said.
“I always called him Jim, but I suppose you would know him as Colonel James Crocker.”
Brooke, and everyone in the room except Mat, showed surprise at the revelation.
“What? Crocker was your nephew? He never said anything.”
“That’s Jim. He insisted on succeeding on his own merit. Now would you mind taking some time to talk to an old woman about the last days of her favorite nephew?”
“I suppose I could do that. For Crocker’s sake, mind you. But we need to clear it with them,” she said waving her hand at her group from home. “And Chen. He’s going to give us a ride.”
“Thank you.” Addressing the group, President Morton asked, “Do you have a problem with sitting and talking to me for a while, all of you? And as for Captain Chen, don’t worry about him. I am his commander, you know.”
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Post by texican on Nov 25, 2020 16:56:10 GMT -6
Janet Morton, the last duly elected President of the United States of America
Bret,
Can the President perform legal marriages? Could do so by executive edict.
Thanks.
Texican....
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Post by bretf on Dec 1, 2020 10:42:27 GMT -6
Chapter 31
At Cooper’s direction, Brooke stopped the Humvee at the point they’d set explosives to stop the impending Chinese advance. She was driving since she and Alison had refused to leave Tacoma without one more time at the wheel of the truck. Chen would have lots more opportunities but this was their last chance. Alison had driven the first half before trading seats with her twin.
First one, and then another and another of the men and women watching the choke point came out of hiding, curious to learn what was up. After a quick recap of events, they were all too happy to help remove the charges and cram into and onto the Humvee. It was tight but they didn’t mind. They’d be going home! And without being shot at. More than one cringed when seeing the bandages on the Smoke siblings, glad they had just been sitting bored on a mountainside.
The truck, with people packed everywhere they could manage, drove slowly into Cliffdel. The sign that’d been posted when the camp was set up still remained. Mat chuckled. “Central Idaho Irregulars, indeed. And this irregular wants to get back to Idaho and the people there as fast as I can.”
The sentiment was heartily echoed.
When they stopped, most all the inhabitants of the camp gathered around to hear why the truck, with all their forward people, was there. A loud cheer went up when Captain Chen told them a shortened version of the Battle For Tacoma, and that they were dismissed to return to their homes with the gratitude of the President of the United States.
Russ Camp looked Alison and Brooke up and down, noting the matching bandages covering the side of their faces. “You both got hurt?” he asked. “In the same place?”
Mat shook his head. “No, just one of them.”
Russ looked at them again, unable to determine which it was. “Well, which of you is it? Not that I ever could tell you apart.”
They smiled at him and in perfect unison, said, “It was me. I got shot.”
Glen Camp grinned and walked over to Chad, Nick and Howie. He eyed them, noting Chad’s bandages. “Another adventure and another bullet wound, huh Chad.”
“Something like that.”
Glen laughed and said, “Yeah, you’re as close-mouthed as ever about what happens to you. But that Chen, really, the President’s gratitude? As if she knows any of us are here. Yeah, I know she was on that video hook-up at home asking us to come, but really?”
Chad shrugged without speaking, thinking how his friend would be surprised to see who would officiate his sisters’ twin wedding in two months. “I don’t want to think about it. Let’s just pack up and get out of here. We’ve all been away from home for too long.”
“That’s for sure,” Glen agreed.
Chen drove away, back towards Tacoma. But not before he’d been wrapped in another crushing double-hug and kissed soundly on each cheek. He didn’t know it, but the scene would be repeated again in the near future. President Morton planned to have him accompany her to Hamilton for the wedding. And he had no idea the twins would introduce him to Sherri Weber when he did.
Despite the long evening shadows, the decision was made to head for home without delay. Every man and woman present were anxious to get back. Driving through the night on the rough roads, they could make it home by mid-morning the following day.
The camp became a flurry of activity as it was dismantled. Gear was haphazardly packed into the trucks. It took considerably less time than establishing the camp had. Everyone was anxious to get home. They might not have been in a battle but they’d been under stress the entire time. Vivid imaginations had run wild as they waited for the Chinese army to converge on them.
The girls, Mat, Brian, and Joe piled into the truck Russ would drive. They were in a state of euphoria as they pulled out of the former camp, even though they were facing a long drive. They were really going. All of them. Home!
As Mat and Russ talked about all that’d taken place, with Mat’s narrative being much longer as Russ pried information out of him, the twins whispered in the back seat.
“Russ, do you have any paper and a pencil in this truck?” Alison asked.
“And if you do, could you turn on the overhead light, please,” Brooke added.
Mat turned to them. “What are you two up to?”
“Be patient, big brother. We need to get it written down first and then fine-tune it.”
Russ stopped and dug under the seat. He produced a battered notebook and a pencil stub. “This is all I’ve got. And please, ignore the notes I scribbled during our stay. This is a journal of sorts.”
Though restricted by the bandages, both girls shot their disarming smiles at him. “It’ll be perfect,” Brooke said. “And we won’t read your story. It’s probably way too steamy for us.”
Later, as the truck crossed the inky blackness of the Columbia River, Mat looked at his sisters. “What, no reaction? I know it’s dark, but you were enthralled the last time we were here.”
Alison and Brooke looked at each other, seemingly passing a psychic message while Brooke’s hand tapped a short, four-letter Morse Code message on her sister’s leg. They turned to Mat and stated in unison, “Nope.”
“After seeing those ships and boats,” Brooke said.
“We’re not thrilled about big water,” Alison said.
In contrast to their demeanor when crossing the Columbia, they were genuinely excited at the next large river they crossed hours later. The Snake River glistened in the early morning light, pearls appearing on the swirls. Exiting the bridge, the sign was still there after so many years. The blue and white was vinyl cracked and faded but the message was still legible; “Welcome to Idaho”.
“All right, we’re almost home,” Alison stated. “Just fifty more miles.”
“So are you going to tell us what you’ve been working on now?” Mat asked.
The girls looked at each other and nodded. “But remember, it’s a work in progress.”
They began to sing in their perfect harmony:
The men and women of Idaho heard the call to stand
For the country they’d grown up in needed a helping hand
The country they thought had been gone for years
Needed them to stand strong and overcome their fears
The people couldn’t believe their ears, not after so much time
The country was reforming; the President was alive!
A foe stood in the way, wanting to bring them down
To take their liberty and control countryside and town
Where were you when we needed you, alone for all this time
How do we know this is true and not just a line?
You’ll have to believe our words about the coming threat
If not we all shall suffer endless pain and death
Though ill-equipped they gathered to face the Chinese horde
They’d have to stop them in their tracks to keep them from knocking down their doors
It wouldn’t be easy, not at all and not everyone would return
But it had to be done, it must be done, the horde had to be turned.
They gathered in the mountains at the top of Cayuse Pass
The task before them forbidding but they’d have to stand fast
Russ Camp stood strong in the mountain pass ready for the fateful day
With the men and women of Idaho, who knew they must not sway
They stopped singing. “We still have to work in the helicopters, jets, tanks, and trebuchets through here,” Alison said.
“And that’ll take us some time. Nothing wanted to click right away,” Brooke said.
“I’m sure you’ll get it and that’s a very nice start,” Mat said.
Russ said, “But while you’re working on it, you need to drop that line with my name. All I did was camp out for a week. Nothing deserving of a song.”
The girls looked at each other, knowing they wouldn’t take his name out. They’d anticipated his request; it was so in character for him. Besides, the line would be very popular with the folks at home. They began to sing again.
Along the streets of Tacoma, bullets filled the sky
Though braced against the onslaught many trembled and cried
But they stood their ground, that shaky ground as blood dyed it red
Until all the soldiers who didn’t run were lying on that ground dead
The smoke cleared, the ground was held but it wasn’t without cost.
Too many brave Americans’ lives had been lost
But they’d done what was needed to protect those back home
And give them a better life, every single one
When they finished, Mat clapped and Russ said “Bravo. Very nice.”
“I guess,” Alison said.
“But it still needs work,” Brooke added.
“A lot of work,” they said in unison.
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Post by cavsgt on Dec 1, 2020 14:26:26 GMT -6
As always good read. THANK YOU
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Post by texican on Dec 1, 2020 23:19:01 GMT -6
Bret,
The Idahoans going home and a song of the defeat of the first wave of chinese.
Now where are the chinese that went across the bay?
Thanks for the chapter.
God bless us, America and President Trump.
Texican....
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Post by bretf on Dec 4, 2020 6:40:08 GMT -6
Chapter 32
Glen Camp drove the family, along with Joe and Brian to their home on the hillside above Wilson Creek. Dan, Heather, Carol, Amy, and the kids were all at work in the expansive garden when the dogs alerted them someone was coming. Fearing the worst, they’d all missed a lot of sleep worrying about their absent family members, they hurried to the trail leading up from the road. They strung out as they went, Dan hobbling in the rear.
The pickup stopped and its passengers exited. Despite stops at Hamilton and Nick’s ranch, they moved stiffly. It’d been a very long ride in cramped space.
Dan scanned them, tears of joy leaking out to see all of them when he’d expected to shed tears of sorrow. Yes, three of his children sported bandages, but they looked well and healthy. Whatever was under those bandages would heal. He studied his girls with a critical eye and suppressed his grin. Of course Alison would want the maintain the mystery surrounding them.
In turn, they all came to him and hugged him long and hard. When Brooke came, he gently reached up and touched the bandage, the question in his eyes. She smiled and said, “You know that dumb movie line you used to tell us, well that’s what this is. It’s just a flesh wound.” Her face got serious. “But Joe has something he’d like to ask you.”
Joe approached him, looking as much at his feet as at Dan. Brian was beside him, equally nervous. Joe cleared his throat, shot a fast glance at Dan’s face, then looked back at his weathered boots. “Uh, Mister Smoke, uh, I, well, I’d like to ask your, uh permission to, uh marry Brooke.”
Dan scowled at him. “Uh marry?” he asked.
“Well … sir … marry …. her,” Joe stammered.
“Is that so? If you want to marry Brooke, what’s Brian standing here for? Moral support? It seems like this should be between you and me.”
Brian, every bit as nervous as Joe, said, “Well, Mister Smoke, well, I was hoping you’d grant your permission for me to marry Alison.”
Dan glared at each of them. Not that they saw as they studied the dirt they were moving around with the toes of their boots. He softened his gaze and looked at his children. Mat and Chad looked too guilty. They’d certainly coached the young men.
It was a bittersweet moment for Dan. He was happy for his girls as he felt highly about both young men and had anticipated a double wedding for some time. He just hadn’t expected to be asked permission. Of course, he’d agree. The only regret was that Lisa wouldn’t be there to share in the joyous occasion. He got the deep longing he always got at special moments she was no longer with him to share. Her absence left a hole in his being that was impossible to fill.
Dan pinched his eyes closed and shook his head, fighting hard to suppress the longing. When he had it under control, he chuckled. “Well, boys, I’m not sure. I don’t know that you can support my girls in the manner they’re accustomed to. And I’m also concerned with where you’re planning to live. As you know, Chad ran off and came home married and we had to build another house for him and his family. Now you run off for a while and all of a sudden you want to get married. Does that mean we have to build one or two more houses? Lord, I don’t know if I’m up to it.”
Dan scratched his chin, apparently deep in thought. His eyes opened wide and filled with mirth although he tried not to let it show. He turned to his oldest granddaughter. “Hope, you see what happens every time someone leaves home? You’re grounded until you’re thirty.”
“What’d I do?” Hope asked, confused.
Alison and Brooke hugged him from two sides. Whispering, they said “How long before you tell them it’s okay?’
He turned so the nervous young men couldn’t see, if they ever quit looking at their feet, winked, and asked softly. “You tell me. How long do you want them to squirm?”
Alison and Brooke shot him identical smirks.
“Maybe after breakfast. We’re starved. We haven’t eaten since Tacoma and army food sucks.”
The End
Thank you all for following this episode of the Smoke – Gomez family.
I hope all your arms and fingers have recovered from those cliff-hangings.
Wishing you all a Merry and Covid-free Christmas.
Now if we just knew what those Chinese soldiers hiding out in Washington are up to.
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Post by sniper69 on Dec 4, 2020 8:33:09 GMT -6
Bret - thank you for another excellent story in the Smoke family saga. I'm looking forward to the next installment in this story series, and the next, and the next. Will the next installment show what happened to the Chinese troops that are hiding out? I think my fingers survived the cliff hangars - you definitely have a way with giving cliff hangars and keeping the readers hooked for more.
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Post by texican on Dec 4, 2020 20:38:19 GMT -6
Now if we just knew what those Chinese soldiers hiding out in Washington are up to.
Bret,
You beat us'ins to the question.
Will be four homes on the mountain.
Now, when will be next part of the Smoke saga come forth?
Would make a great Christmas present or even sooner. (Hint)
We have spent many years reading your writings and have enjoyed the ups and downs along the way.
Thank you.
May God continue to bless us, America and President Trump.
Texican....
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Post by 9idrr on Jan 30, 2021 21:41:50 GMT -6
Bret- just now startin' to catch up on postings here. You know, of course, that I've enjoyed every bit of the Smoke stories, even though my arms are now a couple of inches longer from hangin' off all those cliffs. This is as good as any of the others, and maybe even at the very top. Many thanks for the enjoyment you've given us, and feel free to grace us with more, no matter how long it takes, 'cause you know I'm the most patient of your many readers. ;^)
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Post by bretf on Feb 1, 2021 6:43:10 GMT -6
9: Glad to see you back buddy. I've been concerned about you. And those arms being longer might turn out to be a benefit. I've had projects over the years where I just needed to reach a little further. And thanks!
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Post by 9idrr on Feb 1, 2021 19:11:25 GMT -6
Been droppin' in here for quick visits almost daily but things have just been unsettled for a good while. Been livin' in this hotel since the Bear Fire, September 8th. Looks as though we'll have finally assembled our excrement by this weekend and get out of Commifornia. At least when almost everything burns up, there ain't much to move. ;^)
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Post by cutter on Feb 1, 2021 22:12:05 GMT -6
Congratulations on making your escape. It saddens me that it your path out was so harsh and painful. I hope and pray that you find a new place you can gladly call home. I hope and pray that you truly thrive when you get there. Godspeed, my friend.
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Post by 9idrr on Feb 2, 2021 19:38:48 GMT -6
Thanks, Cutter. Like many of us here, I've faced a few challenges. Home is always gonna be where I am with my blushin' bride. I may've mentioned it here before, but I learned long ago that one appreciates every day. On Memorial Day in '68 I stepped on a booby trap and had a hand grenade go off between my feet. Worst damage was a chipped bone in my left ankle. Every day is meaningful after that. I'm lucky enough to've had a great partner and that makes all the difference in the world.
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Post by texican on Feb 2, 2021 20:00:06 GMT -6
Many thanks for the enjoyment you've given us, and feel free to grace us with more, no matter how long it takes, 'cause you know I'm the most patient of your many readers. ;^) Yep 9 and you do not stretch the truth ever.... Texican....
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Post by 9idrr on Feb 2, 2021 20:05:10 GMT -6
Many thanks for the enjoyment you've given us, and feel free to grace us with more, no matter how long it takes, 'cause you know I'm the most patient of your many readers. ;^) Yep 9 and you do not stretch the truth ever.... Texican.... Curses, foiled again!
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Post by papaof2 on Feb 2, 2021 22:52:05 GMT -6
I always expected the "Home Alone" series to somehow trap the bad guys with a couple rolls of Reynolds Wrap but maybe those guys weren't smart enough to have made the connection and said "Curses, foiled again!" ;-)
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