|
Post by papaof2 on Sept 13, 2017 11:43:53 GMT -6
Good chapter.
|
|
|
Post by catspaw65 on Sept 13, 2017 11:54:02 GMT -6
Went through several tissues reading this and I'm not even going to try to blame the dust.
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Sept 13, 2017 12:54:39 GMT -6
Don't feel bad. I went thorough a couple or three writing it. Papa, I told you that Bobby Jones was going to do something unexpected. Was that unexpected enough?
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Sept 13, 2017 13:31:39 GMT -6
A lot of pollen in the air today
|
|
|
Post by headlesshorseman on Sept 13, 2017 14:59:26 GMT -6
Troy is faking. Bobby has really seen the light. Kit will get to trade up. Or maybe I am all wrong. This could go manyways
Keep on writing Cutter I want to know.
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Sept 13, 2017 15:20:46 GMT -6
Don't feel bad. I went thorough a couple or three writing it. Papa, I told you that Bobby Jones was going to do something unexpected. Was that unexpected enough? Definitely unexpected - but that should be good for a couple of chapters ;-)
|
|
|
Post by biggkidd on Sept 13, 2017 15:34:26 GMT -6
Excellent!
|
|
|
Post by 9idrr on Sept 13, 2017 20:30:27 GMT -6
Sure am happy you're sharin' your gift with us.
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Sept 13, 2017 23:06:40 GMT -6
It's my pleasure. I used to write, but it had been five years since I had composed a story before I started RTR, and never such a huge monster as this one. I had truly forgotten how much I enjoy it. I actually started RTR as therapy for me. Buried in amongst all the obvious fiction is a lot of my actual life. Not all together and not everything, but much of it is there, a little piece at a time. It's helped me and also helped me rediscover a hobby I truly love. On the other hand, RTR has reaquainted me with the fact that my mind sometimes goes into some really dark places, but also some really bright ones too. Eventually, this story will have to end, but I don't see the end yet. Even when it does, there are other stories to tell, other characters to know, other places to see.
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Sept 16, 2017 15:10:24 GMT -6
Chapter 9
(Thursday, June 1, 7AM, Todd and Sarah’s)
“Good luck today, Hun. I gotta’ get a move on. I hope everything goes well.”
“I’m coming home with two legs again, how can it not go well? You don’t start till eight, why do you always go in so early?”
“I make the coffee in the mornings. If it isn’t ready when Val gets there, she’s bitchy till noon.”
“I’m gonna’ buy her a coffee maker for Christmas, one of the ones with the timer on it.”
“Won’t work. Honey, she can barely use the microwave. The stove in her house has never been cooked on. That girl is like a monkey doing a math problem in the kitchen.”
“Well, let’s move her in here for a couple of months.”
“Damn! I’ll admit that I have to work at it to keep up with you in the bedroom, but I am keeping up!”
“Not for that! I meant so we could teach her how to cook. She’s too skinny anyway. When we went swimming at the pond the other day, I could count her ribs from ten feet away! I got nothing for that, besides, I’d be afraid I’d break her.”
“So you’re saying I’m fat?”
“You know better. I’m saying you’re a very well put together woman. If I wanted to fondle a skeleton, I’d go to med school. I like Val, but she’s scrawny, to the point of being unhealthy. You on the other hand, are toned and muscular, with just the right curves in just the right places.”
“Enough! You keep talking like that and two things are going to happen; I’m going to call in, something; and you are going to miss your appointment. I’m going to work. Why don’t you come by for lunch so you can tell me how it went?”
“You are setting me up for something.”
“No, I’m buying. Your choice of where we go.”
“Sounds great, but why?”
“Your new leg is cause for celebration. It means we can dance at our wedding.”
“You said you didn’t care about dancing.”
“I lied.”
“Well, I got your celebration right here.”
“That’s not a celebration, that’s a normal night at home with us.”
“We can stop if you want to.”
“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! What did I ever do to you?”
“Made me forget my name a few times?”
(Sarah giggles, kisses Todd on the cheek) “Down payment for tonight. I’m going to work. Safe travels.”
“You too; see you for lunch.”
(11 AM, Franklin hospital, physical therapy office)
“Ok Mark, how’s your back feeling today?”
“A little tight, but it doesn’t hurt, if that makes any sense.”
“It makes a lot of sense. The muscles around your spine are there to support it in the position it was designed to be in. YOUR spine isn’t capable of assuming that position anymore. Your L4/L5 disk is gone; your vertebrae are fused at that junction. Your spine is incapable of flexing at that junction and your muscles have not yet become accustomed to the change. They are tense because they are trying to force your spine to assume the proper position, a position it will never again be able to assume. You can use cold to reduce the swelling in the muscles or heat to loosen up. One of those shiatsu massagers that you put in a chair will do a good job in that area. Manual massage will work even better. I can teach Morgan how to do that, if you like.”
“That’s up to Morgan, but it would be great if she’s willing.”
“Of course I’m willing. Get to showing me what to do, Doc.”
“Ok. Mark, take your shirt off and lie face down on that treatment table. This table is designed for this purpose, but a kitchen table, even the floor, will work almost as well. A bed or couch isn’t very good for this, it’s too soft. You need a hard surface so that you can exert some pressure.”
“Will you teach me too?”
“Aren’t you a little young to be doing this sort of thing to a boy?”
“Maybe Ma’am, but Morgan isn’t always with Mark; I usually am. We sometimes camp out by ourselves. We have done that one time since he got out of the hospital and his back was really bothering him the next morning.”
“The two of you, alone?”
“No. That time, Morgan’s foster daughter and her boyfriend were with us and my two younger brothers. They have a fire pit and picnic area at their house. It’s away from the house, but you can see the house from there if you are in the right spot. It’s only about two hundred yards away. We had a cookout with Brian and Morgan. We stayed up by the campfire talking after they went to the house and ended up all falling asleep. Three of us have cell phones and we all had a good signal, so we were only a phone call away from help if we needed it.”
“That isn’t what I’d be worried about.”
“I know what you’re worried about. My little brothers are eight and nine. Mark and I are both twelve. Kit and Troy are both fourteen. My brothers are way too young, Mark and I are a little too young, and Kit and Troy are also a little young and have too much respect for us to do what you’re thinking around us. Now, are you going to show me how to administer a legitimate medical treatment to Mark if he needs me to do it or not?”
“Amanda, she’s telling the truth about what they did, and didn’t, do. Mark already knew the cause of his stiffness and ways to treat it. I’ll bet he even knows how to massage the muscles to relieve the tension in them. He just can’t reach his own back.”
“He couldn’t possibly know that! It takes years of medical training to learn those techniques.”
“I thought you were going to teach Morgan right now. That doesn’t sound like it’s going to take years of training. I do know how and I’ve had years of training. My Dad was a special forces combat physician. He was trained to provide advanced medical care to both his comrades and indigenous personnel under combat conditions and in areas where all the niceties of civilization don’t exist. I’m twelve years old. Dad died when I was ten. He started training me on basic first aid around age two and had me into his training manuals by the time I was six and could actually start reading them. He took eight years to put me through all of his training he could, without the use of cadavers, that the Army put him through in seventeen weeks. I know anatomy as well as any ER surgeon. You don’t have to teach her if you don’t want to. I’ll get Kit to help me and I’ll do it myself.”
“I knew you were stubborn and driven; I didn’t know you were so arrogant.”
“The difference between arrogance and conceit is that the arrogant can deliver. I’m really not that arrogant; I just know very well what and how well my Dad taught me. Listen, you can think whatever you want to about what we do and don’t do when we’re alone. What you believe doesn’t change what actually is. Anastasia is my girlfriend, but she’s also my ally. Unless you’ve lived it yourself, you can’t imagine how much we trust and depend on each other. She’s earned a lot of things from me, my respect is only one of those things. I’ll not use her like that.”
“Morgan, are these kids for real?”
“Amanda, these kids are about as real as it gets. I would trust either one or both of them with anything, up to and including my life. Mark’s a pretty accurate representation of the entire Marshall family, so Stacy is learning from the best.”
“I’ve heard stories about the Marshall family, but I never really believed them.”
“You might rethink your position. I’m kinda’ biased, but I don’t think you could find better people anywhere. Why don’t you train Stacy to do the massage. I think Mark would like it better if she did it anyway.”
“I’ll show both of you how to do it. What you three do with it is on you.”
(End of therapy session)
“Mark, you are making incredible progress. I want you to wait a little longer before you try dancing or karate again, but I want you to start using a cane. I don’t want you to try walking completely unassisted yet and I want you to use your walker if the cane doesn’t give you enough stability and support, but use a cane as much as you can. What are you doing to build up your lower body strength and stamina so fast?”
“Everything I can think of. Walking with my walker as much as I can stand is a lot of it.”
“Well, I can’t deny it’s working, so keep doing what you’re doing. Tell you what, why don’t we try a few days off from therapy. Let’s make your next appointment on Monday at 11. We’ll decide then if we can go to once a week for a few weeks.”
“Works for me. I’m glad for the help, but I’m wasting a lot of daylight coming here every day. I’ve got a lot to do at home.”
“Geez! Spoken like a true Marshall!”
“Morgan, are all the Marshall boys like that?”
“Every last one of them. I married the oldest of the four brothers and he never stops! About the only things that will get him to stay in one place are food and sex! Oh yeah, a cup of coffee and a cigar will get him to sit down for a half hour or so.”
“Well good luck. Get out of here. I’ll see y’all Monday.”
(Marshall homestead, 11AM)
“Hi Erin. How’d the funeral go?”
“Much better than I expected. Kit held up pretty well, considering. Mark is still having some trouble coping, but he isn’t talking about it much.”
“What’s giving Mark problems?”
“He feels like he didn’t do enough for Kat. He feels responsible for her death. It’s something he’s going to have to work through in his own time.”
“How was Troy?”
“He was mostly ok. He was a perfect gentleman as far as I know. The visitation gave him some problems. He said it made him think of his sister. I thought he was an only child.”
“No, he has a sister. I think Melanie is about 10 now. They were separated when their mother died. We’ve tried to find her for him, but CPS won’t give us any information. They keep citing privacy laws.”
“I don’t know if I can do any better, but I have a few connections. I could try if you want me to.”
“If I can get a piece of paper and a pen, I’ll write down everything I know about her. If you’re willing, I’d be glad to have the help.”
“Here you go. I won’t promise anything and I have no idea how long it will take, even if I do get lucky, but I’ll try.”
“Even if we find her, I don’t know what Troy thinks he will do with the information.”
“Worst case, he waits till she’s eighteen and goes to see her himself. Are you and Daryl willing to take in another foster?”
“Depends. If she didn’t want to come, we wouldn’t push the issue. She’s already been through enough. There’s no way I would uproot her if she didn’t want to come. Troy has been in five foster homes in four years; I won’t do that to Melanie. If it went that way and Troy found out, he might well hate us, but I can’t bring myself to turn her life upside down again.”
“That’s your call. For the record, I think you have the right attitude about it.”
“Thanks. I better collect Troy and get going. I’m running out of day faster than I’m running out of to do list.”
“Welcome to our world. Want me to go get Troy?”
“No, you’re busy. I’ll go get him.”
“They were in the living room watching a movie, but I think it’s about over.”
“Thanks Erin, and thank Brian and Morgan for keeping him.”
(...)
“Troy, you about ready to go?”
(Troy is startled and quickly pulls his hand away from Kit. Michelle doesn’t notice where his hand was) “No, but I don’t guess I have much choice.”
“You’ve been here a week! What’s the matter; you couldn’t figure out where to put your noses so they wouldn’t get in the way?”
“MOM!”
“Don’t give me that. You know, Dad and I used to be fourteen too. He was a pretty good kisser, even then.”
“Come On, Mom!”
“Mrs. Swayne, we better get him moving or you’re never going to get him out of here. Troy helped me. Thank you for letting him come, but he needs to go home.”
“You heard the lady; kiss her goodbye and let’s get moving. I’ll take your bag out to the car so you two can say goodbye in private.” (Michelle leaves the room)
“Thanks a lot, Kit!”
“Payback for what you were just doing. It felt too good for me to tell you to stop, but you knew I wanted you to.”
“Now you’re just being a cocktease.”
“Don’t call me that! Stacy was right; you don’t respect me!”
“Yes I do! I’m sorry, won’t happen again. Maybe me going is the best thing. See ya’ later, Kit.”
“Troy, please! Don’t be mad. It felt good, too good. I would have given you anything you wanted just now. That’s the problem! I can’t stop!”
“Well, you sure did a damn good job of it! I’m going home and taking a cold shower. Enjoy your weekend, one of us may as well!”
(As Troy heads out of the living room) “Troy, I love you! I’m sorry!”
“Yeah, I bet you’re sorry. I love you too. Tell Brian and Morgan I said thanks.” (Troy leaves)
(Rylan’s restaurant, Franklin, Noon)
“Hellooooo Sexy! Hey, no crutches!”
“Nope! The fit was so good, it almost feels like my real leg. The only reason I need the cane is that I’m not used to how the ankle flexes yet.”
“Ankle? He built an ankle into it?”
“Let me sit down and I’ll show you. Pat said the doctor that did my amputation did such a great job that he had a lot of options open to him that he didn’t usually have. Wait till you see my leg!”
“Todd, you’re in shorts; I see it.”
“No, you don’t. (Todd takes the sock and shoe off his prosthetic leg and pulls the leg of his shorts up to his upper thigh) Check this out, ladies!”
“Val, look at this! It looks like you have a real foot, with a real ankle! The color is even a pretty good match for your skin tone! I’m looking for it and I can barely tell where it ends and you start! How does it feel?”
“Pretty daggone comfortable. Pat took a mold of my left leg and foot and built my replacement to be a mirror image match. Watch this. (Todd raises both his cane and his left foot a couple of inches off the floor. He stands balanced on his prosthetic for a few seconds and puts them down again) The join to my stump and the flex point at the ankle are so well done that I can do that. It gets better. Pat’s a scuba diver. When he found out I was dive qualified, he did a little research. He made my leg buoyancy neutral and so it would withstand both salt and fresh water. I can still dive! He also said it was strong enough that I could still skydive, but I think my jumping out of airplanes days are over.” I think I’ll look into getting my pilot’s license though. I miss flying.”
“As long as you don’t jump out of a perfectly good airplane again, I can live with that.”
“Agreed. So Val, how are you and Mike Travis doing?”
“We’re not. He’s a nice guy, but we just didn’t click. We’re still friendly though. We have lunch about once a week or so; we’re just not dating anymore.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“I’m not sweating it. It’ll all work out when it’s good and ready to work out.”
“Erin and Larry are having another cookout this weekend; why don’t you come?”
“I’d love to. Thanks.”
“Ok, let’s eat. You girls have to get back to work and I have a few things to take care of this afternoon.”
(Morgan, Mark, and Stacy on the way home from PT)
“Mark, you’re doing great!”
“Good thing, Morgan. I’ve had about enough of Miss Morality.”
“C’mon Mark, don’t be that way.”
“Don’t be that way!?! Morgan, she was talking like I’m just dying for the chance to take Stacy and screw her! That’s bullshit! She might be easy, but my girlfriend is anything but! She starts that crap again and I WILL shut her down!”
(Stacy silently beams at Mark’s words)
“Throttle back there, Little Brother. Amanda was out of line, but you’re better than that. She can’t help it that you two are both more grown up than she is.”
“That may be, but she’s got no right to insult my girlfriend!
“You did see her in her underwear.”
“Yeah, but that was an accident and nothing happened, not that I didn’t think about it.”
“But you didn’t do anything about it, that’s the important part.”
“I’m still about tired of people acting like we’re too stupid or too horny to know when to stop! You and Brian don’t treat us that way! Larry and Erin don’t treat us that way! Why does everybody else!?!”
“Because everybody else doesn’t know you two like we do. To be perfectly honest, I still worry sometimes, then you go and say something like you just said and remind me just how mature you are.”
“Well, at least you’re honest about it and have the sense to think before you insult us. Stacy, when we get home, you and I need to talk. If Troy’s gone, let’s get Kit and the boys and head over to the back forty. Morgan, if it’s alright with Erin, can we pack some food and have supper back there?”
“I don’t have a problem with it. I don’t want you staying overnight though. I want you to sleep in your own bed until your back has had more time to heal.”
“I wasn’t planning on staying the night. You’re right, my back isn’t up to sleeping on the ground yet.”
“Then sure. We have stuff for a cold supper, food you can cook, or some things you would only have to heat up.”
“Got any hot dogs?”
“At least a half a case and about the same in brats. You thinking about a weenie roast?”
“Just what I was thinking. I didn’t think about the brats, but that does sound good. I thought that and some chips and stuff would make the boys happy.”
“Uh Love, you do realize that Jordan and Noah are Mom and Dad’s kids, not ours, right?”
“Only when my goofy girlfriend makes me realize it. I’m proud of the boys; they’re special to me.”
“You just did a really good job of bailing your butt out after that ‘goofy girlfriend’ comment. You know, just because you’re my boyfriend doesn’t mean that I won’t bite.”
“Don’t tease me.”
“Oh Lord! No denying you’re a Marshall!”
|
|
|
Post by 9idrr on Sept 16, 2017 15:33:26 GMT -6
This is as good as any chapter you've written so far.
|
|
|
Post by headlesshorseman on Sept 16, 2017 17:06:35 GMT -6
Thanks Cutter. It just keeps on getting better.
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Sept 16, 2017 17:37:07 GMT -6
Good one.
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Sept 16, 2017 19:37:58 GMT -6
Cool
|
|
|
Post by kaijafon on Sept 17, 2017 18:10:54 GMT -6
Thanks for the update!!! Now if diving, why not just not wear the leg? or would he be able to use it to kick? swim? thanks again
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Sept 17, 2017 20:28:52 GMT -6
Swim fins work best in pairs. Also, two full legs give better symmetry in the water and more options for placing ballast (That's why Chief Bear Simmons in the North to Alaska series wore ballast on both his waist and ankles. It balanced him out better in the water).
And here's the next chapter. Please, enjoy.
Chapter 10
(Marshall homestead, 12:30 PM)
“Did I miss anything?”
“Nope! Michelle picked up Troy and everything’s been quiet on the home front. Wait, Erika did call. She wanted to know what time she should be here tomorrow. I told her seven.”
“Tomorrow? She still has another week on her notice.”
“Apparently Walmart decided it would be fun to antagonize her. She said they have been giving her grief nonstop ever since she gave notice. She’s sick of it and told them where to stick their store. I didn’t think you’d mind.”
“Are you kidding!?! We need the help! She can start right now if she can get here right now!”
“I think we can manage till tomorrow morning. Oh yeah, Nick called. Novatec’s about to start Phase II and he needs a quote. He said he’d send a courier tomorrow with a full set of prints and specs. He wants us to GC the job.”
Does Brian know yet?”
“Not unless Nick called him. You’re the only person I’ve told.”
Call the temp agencies today. I want two people for executive assistants starting Monday. The temp contract is an audition. If they work out, we will make them an offer of employment. Make sure the agencies understand that we would prefer people who want to work, but have basic clerical abilities and limited work experience. We can train them easier to do things our way.”
“Ok. Why do you want two executive assistants? I know one’s for you but who’s the other one going to work with?”
“You. I am still an owner and the office manager. You are soon going to be an owner and will be head of personnel. You will also be the detailer. You will assign manpower to the jobs unless Brian wants to do that himself. I want you to put an ad on Indeed.com for an experienced electrical estimator, today. We will do a phone interview. We will explain the wage and benefit package in the phone interview. We will also go over the company policy manual. The second interview will be in person with Brian and will include an offer of employment unless the second interview gives us reason to reconsider.”
“I’ll get it done. What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to do some research and put together wage and benefit packages for those three positions. After that, I’m calling Ben Randolph to tell him to expect a spec sheet for our new office so he can get started on the prints for it. There’s barely room for three people in this office, five will be packed in here like sardines!”
“So much for nice and quiet. I’m on it.”
“Before you start that, I never did ask you about the payroll audit.”
“Morgan, we’re going to go get stuff together and head out to the back forty. We’ll have our phones if you need us.”
“Ok guys. Pull whatever you want and have a good time. See you tonight.” (Mark and Stacy leave the office)
“What are they up to?”
“They’re going to the back forty for a kiddo cookout. They’ll be back in tonight. Stacy and the boys can stay here if they get back late.”
“I wasn’t worried about that, just curious what they were up to. It’s a shame Troy couldn’t stay, he could have gone too.”
“I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t think Mark wanted him along. I get the feeling there’s some drama we don’t know about.”
“Think we need to get involved?”
“Not yet. I think Mark and Stacy will come to us before anything becomes a real problem.”
“Yeah, I think so too. On to payroll, we did well. On the bid work, we came in about three percent under target. We had about six hundred man hours of OT, but over half of that was covered by extras. Eighty of those hours were figured into their respective bids. Most of the rest were service calls.”
“There’s always a little OT that wasn’t specifically planned for. It makes more sense for the guys to hang in an extra hour to finish something if they can, than for them to have to go back the next morning. We do have a slight problem though. I finished putting the first quarter report together. Our profit margin came in at thirty-two percent. That’s a little too high and this quarter is shaping up to be a little north of forty.”
“How can a profit margin be too high?”
“We have always shot for a twenty-five percent margin, plus or minus five percent. Under twenty, we’re not making the money we should be making; over thirty, we’re charging the client way too much and sooner or later, they’ll start shopping around. People are usually willing to pay a little more for superior quality and customer service, but past a point, they feel like they are being cheated. Brookview is screwing around with the numbers this quarter, but I’m not inclined to rebate anything to them this time. It tends to piss me off when stupidity sends our people to the hospital.”
“Maybe we need to put in a line item for it: stupid fee.”
“Don’t think I haven’t considered it a few times. We better get started or we’re still gonna’ be in this office when Erika gets here in the morning.”
(---)
“I’ll go round up the boys and get them to help me put some stuff on the gator, then we’ll come over to the house for you, Kit, and the food and stuff.”
“K. I’ll go get Kit and we’ll put the food together. Is there anything special you want?”
“Some brats and brown mustard for me please. Go heavy on stuff to drink. I’m thinking me and the boys might start laying out the site. Don’t forget the chips.”
“I won’t. We need to stop by my house too; I want to pick up a couple of goodies.”
“Works for me. Back in a bit.”
(Kit’s room)
(Knock) “You in there, Sister?”
“Y..Yeah, come on in.”
“Kit, you’re upset, what happened?”
“Me and Troy had a fight. Well, Troy did most of the fighting, but I started it.”
“Will you tell me what happened?”
“Will you tell Mark?”
“If he asks me, I won’t lie to him and I won’t keep anything from him; but I won’t tell him more than he asks either. Kitty, we’re your family; you can trust us. Mark or me neither one will think less of you, no matter what. We may be a little younger, but we are where you are; we know what you’re up against.”
“But you and Mark are so in control! I’ve seen you two together and you’ve told me about how he makes you feel. If Troy got me as turned on as you say Mark does you, he would have me in a second!”
“Tell you a secret, our ‘in control’ is mostly Mark. If it was just up to me, we would have been a lot longer getting back to the house Saturday night...and it might have been our first time. The ONLY reason I can hold on, is that Mark wants me to, and helps me to. I have no idea how in the Hell we are going to wait even the five years until we are Seniors like we talked about. The only reason we picked that far away is because that’s when Todd and Sarah got engaged and got together like that. Kit, you and I are just alike; Troy and Mark are what’s different. Mark wants to wait because it’s best for me. Troy doesn’t want to wait because he thinks it’s best for him.”
“I know, about Troy anyway. I had no idea it was so hard for you two; you two make it look so easy.”
“Easy? Oh Hell No! It’s driving both of us freakin’ crazy! We just know too much can go wrong and we love each other too much to give up...or give in. It’s hard for us, loving each other; but it’s hard for all the right reasons and it’s worth it.”
“Well, maybe I got it through Troy’s thick head today. When his Mom came to pick him up, I told her he needed to go home, right in front of him. She teased him a little bit and then left the room so we could say goodbye in private. He started in on me about it and I told him it was payback for not stopping when he knew I wanted him to, even though it felt too good for me to be able to say so. He said some real hateful things before he left and he never did kiss me goodbye. If it gets him to behave, it was worth it though. My feelings are hurt, but I’ll be ok. What are we doing this afternoon?”
“Mark and the boys are loading the gator. How about you and I get food and stuff together. Mark wants us to go to the back forty site and cook some dogs and brats and start laying out the project there. Do you feel like it?”
“Yeah, I do. Piss on Troy if he wants to be that way! I’m here if he wants me, but on my terms! He can be happy with what I’m willing to give him or he can go screw Jessica, if she’ll have him! Let’s get busy!”
“That’s my Sister!”
“Damn right! Come on, we have work to do and real men to feed.”
“You let Jordan hear you call him a real man and you’ll have him wrapped around your little finger so tight , you’ll never get him loose. You may not have noticed, but he has a huge crush on you.”
“Yeah, I noticed that he thinks I’m kinda’ ok, for a girl. It sucks he’s only nine. He knows more about how to treat a girl than my fourteen year old boyfriend!”
“Wait till he hits puberty. That’ll ruin him for sure.”
“Doesn’t seem to have ruined Mark.”
“True, but only because Mark’s too stubborn to know when he’s beat.”
“I think that runs in the family, and even rubs off on the charity cases like us.”
“You can get that happy horseshit out of your head right now! There isn’t one ounce of charity or pity in this family for us. We were, and are, wanted! We are part of this family because everybody involved WANTS US to be part of this family!”
“I’m sorry Stacy; I didn’t mean to make you mad.”
“I’m sorry too. We obviously haven’t done our job right! If we had, you would already know that! I’m not mad at you or anybody else, except Troy. I just don’t want you to ever believe you don’t belong here!”
“If I ever did, I don’t now. Mark’s sitting outside in the gator looking impatient. We better go.”
“If we’re not done here yet, he can wait!”
“Sister, we’re done here; I understand. He better not tease you for taking so long.”
“Oh, he will and I’ll love every minute of it. That’s one of the things that’s so special about me and Mark; we can tease and pick at each other and know it’s just a fun game. He called me his ‘goofy girlfriend’ on the way back from his PT today. I was laughing when I told him that just because I’m his girlfriend doesn’t mean I won’t bite. He came back with ‘Don’t tease me’. The give and take was fun; Morgan even laughed. Come on.”
“Get a move on girls, we’re burnin’ daylight!”
“Have a little patience. Don’t get your panties in a bunch!” (Dead silence then all five kids bust out laughing) (...........)
“Where did THAT come from, Stacy?”
“Mom and Dad say it to each other sometimes. It’s some kind of private joke between them. I can’t believe I said it!”
“I can’t either!”
“Uh Love, I don’t wear panties.”
“Last time I saw, you weren’t wearing anything down there.”
“Except a catheter, that was uncomfortable!”
“Mark, did you and Stace!?!”
“No Jordan, I’ll let Stacy explain it to you.”
“Now wait a minute! You expect me to explain this to my little brother!?!”
“You started it; you finish it.”
“He’s right Sister, you did start it.”
“Kit, you’re not helping.”
“Ok, I’ll do it. Jordan, when Mark’s back was hurt, he couldn’t feel anything and he couldn’t get up. That means he couldn’t tell when he had to pee and he couldn’t get up to go, even if he could tell. The doctor put a tube in him so his pee could get out without getting all over everything and making a mess. Mark couldn’t do anything about that; it was because the nerves in his back that tell his brain he has to pee were hurt. When he started to feel his legs again, Stacy pulled his covers off and started seeing if he could feel her touch his legs. Hospital gowns aren’t very good at covering people’s bodies up, so he had more showing than he wanted to. Neither one of them meant for Stacy to see anything, it just happened. As soon as she checked his legs, she covered him back up so he wouldn’t be embarrassed. They’re good to each other like that.”
“Ok, I thought Stace and Mark were gettin’ weird. I couldn’t figure out why she’d want to see that.”
“I promise Little Brother, it was a scary sight. Kit please, please, let’s go get the food together, please.”
(Laughing her head off) “Ok, c’mon.” (Stacy and Kit go inside to gather food)
“Mark, girls are weird!”
“Yeah, but you get used to ‘em, then you can’t live without them, if you’re lucky enough to get a good one.”
“Is Stace a good one?”
“Bud, Stace isn’t just a good one, she’s a great one. We are some lucky guys for her to like us.”
“As long as she doesn’t ever see my thingie.”
“I don’t think you’ll ever have to worry about that, Bud. Let’s go help the girls get stuff loaded or we’re never gonna’ get to eat.”
(---)
(Ring) “Todd Marshall.”
“Todd, it’s Pete.”
“You don’t sound right Pete, what’s the trouble?”
“There’s been a car accident on Scottsville Road, driver lost control and went over the side of the bridge into the lake. We don’t know how many were in the car, but there’s no way they can have survived this long. We don’t have a rescue diver in the department and KSP doesn’t have anybody available. I hate to ask, but if you can still dive, would you be willing to assist in the recovery?”
“I don’t have any scuba gear, but if you can get it, I’ll do it. Say it’s the bridge over the lake on Scottsville Road, southeast of town?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m rolling in ten, should be there in a half hour or so. I need fifteen pounds of weights on a belt and make sure they send two good lights.”
“Will do. Thanks Todd.” (Click)
(Phone)
“Hi Honey.”
“Sarah, Pete just called me. He needs me for a recovery operation down at the lake. I don’t know how long I’ll be.”
“What happened?”
“Car went over the side of the bridge and went into the water. That’s all I know. He said it’s been too long to hope for survivors, so I’ll be recovering bodies.”
“Can you handle that without it messing with your head?”
“Yeah. I don’t want you to worry. I’ll be fine.”
“I always worry about you. Be careful, Todd.”
“I will. I’ll call when I can. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Bye.” (Click)
(Franklin office, CPS)
(Sarah, phone)
“Sheriff Frakes.”
“Pete, it’s Sarah.”
“Todd call you?”
“Yeah, he didn’t want me to worry if I got home and he wasn’t there or if I tried to call and he didn’t answer.”
“Sarah, I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have called him if I had any other options.”
“Pete, it’s ok. I wish this didn’t need to be done at all, but in a strange way, this will help Todd. It’s sad work, but it’s necessary work. Pete, just keep an eye on him as best you can. If he’s not suffering from PTSD, he’s borderline. Just keep an eye on him.”
“I have the dive shop sending his equipment with Eric. They’re sending a mask that has a two way radio in addition to the standard mask. If Todd is qualified on it, we’ll have real time comms. Either way, I intend to have him on a tether unless he tells me it isn’t safe. He’s diving solo, so it’s the best I can do.”
“That’s all I can ask. Pete, thank you.”
“It may be by marriage, but he’s kin to me. You will be too in a few weeks. We take care of our own in this clan.”
“I know. Be safe, all of you. Bye.” (click)
Lord, watch over my fiancee. What he is about to do is dangerous, help him to keep his head. He told me it’s been too long for there to be any survivors. Lord, he could use a miracle right about now, and so could I. If you can see your way clear, let him save a life today, please. I know I’m asking a lot, but Todd’s my world. Lord, you gave him back to me, please help me make him whole again. He tries so hard to hide it, but he’s still fighting his demons. He can’t hide that from me, or You. Lord, help him win one. No matter what happens, please bring my Todd home to me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
(...)
“Val?”
“What’s wrong, Sarah? You’re white as a sheet!”
“There was an accident. Todd’s going to work the recovery operation with the Sheriff. Val, I need the rest of the day off. I need to be there when he’s done.”
“You’re not safe to drive like this. Get your purse, I’ll take you.”
“Thank you.”
(Rubycon Services office, 3PM)
“Rubycon Services, this is Morgan.”
“Hello, Lover! How’s your day been?”
“Hoo-Boy! It’s been a day!”
“What’s goin’ on?”
“Well, let’s see. Mark’s kickin’ butt in PT. Amanda told him to try to get off the walker as much as he can. She told him to start using a cane. She managed to really tick him off too.”
“What did she do?”
“She implied that he and Stacy might be having or about to have sex.”
“Oh, I bet that went over well. How bad did he cuss her?”
“Surprisingly enough, he didn’t. He put her in her place very nicely, but he was fairly respectful. He didn’t start cussin’ about it until we were on the way home. Even then, he wasn’t too bad. He put Stacy on cloud nine with it though. She was very pleased with his praise of her.”
“I’ll bet. So what else happened?”
“Nick Boran called. He’s sending a courier tomorrow with a full set of prints and specs for Novatec phase two. They want us to GC the job. I had our new personnel director order two executive assistants from the temp agency for Monday for a temp to hire assignment and put an add on Indeed.com for an experienced electrical estimator. I almost have the wage and benefit package worked up for both positions and I called Ben Randolph to tell him to expect a set of specs from us for our new office building. I have the office section specs about done, all you’ll have to do is look over them and add anything you want. How’s Brookview going?”
“The subs are screaming bloody murder. It seems Max and his crew have taken it upon themselves to drive the job like it’s a twenty mule team. He told Mel that if the other trades don’t get the lead out, he’s going to have to reassign half his crew. He even went so far as to tell Mel that he would be happy to lend his guys to the plumbers for a price. The Job is almost three weeks ahead, Max is furious about being held back, and Mel is laughing his ass off about it. Life is good for us at Brookview. How are the kids?”
“They are at the back forty having a kiddo cookout, dogs and brats with chips and I don’t know what else. They are coming back in tonight. Mark’s back isn’t up to sleeping on the ground just yet.”
“They’ll be back in sooner than that. I’ll call Mark. We need to talk with Kit about the thing.”
“What time?”
“Let’s do it after supper, say seven?”
“Good idea. I hope she wants it.”
“We’ll know tonight. Is there anything we can do or get for you or Erin on our way home?”
“Pick up some ice cream. Get some strawberry for Kit.”
“We can do that. Be home in about an hour. We love y’all.”
“We love you too. Safe travels.”
“Bye.” (click)
(phone)
“Hi Brian! Not used to hearing from you at this time of day, something wrong?”
“I hope not. Listen, Morgan didn’t know, but we need you guys back at the house for a family meeting at seven. You need to drop Stacy and the boys off at their house on the way.”
“Thought you said it’s a family meeting.”
“Our household, you, Kit, me and Morgan. The four of us need to talk.”
“That doesn’t sound good at all.”
“It’s good, at least I hope it’s good, but it’s a surprise. Will you do as I ask?”
“Well, yeah! When have I ever not done as you asked?”
“Do you remember that time…”
“STOP! You know that was because you made fun of me! I still don’t know what you were so mad about; it grew back.”
“That wasn’t the time I was talking about, but now that you mention it, I do still owe you for that one.”
“Dude! You took all my underwear out of my drawer and replaced them with Mom’s panties! I had to go to school commando that day! You got your revenge!”
“Yeah, I guess I did. We’ll see you and Kit at seven.”
“Seven. Bye.” (click)
“Guys, that was Brian. I don’t know what he and Morgan are up to, but Kit and I have to be at the house at seven and we have to drop you three off on the way.”
“What’s going on?”
“That’s just it; he won’t tell me. Believe me, I was looking forward to spending most of the evening up here and getting back late. I’m sorry guys.”
(Scottsville Road bridge, 3 PM)
(Todd surfaces)
“Are there any more regulators in that gear!?!”
“We have one, is yours messing up?”
“NO! Get it on a tank and hurry the hell up! I need it right now!”
“But you just said”
“Just do it! I got two live kids down there and only one spare mouthpiece on my rig! I’m gonna’ put one of them on my spare and the other one on that tank! They’re breathing in an air bubble at the top of the car! When I open it up, they are going to lose that bubble! I can’t bring them up one at a time! Move your ass! Tie a rope to it so I can tie it off to me and have both hands free!”
“Here! Good luck!”
“Be ready to pull them out as soon as I get them up! They’re gonna’ be terrified!”
“We’ll be ready, we’re watching your bubbles.”
“God, pull this off for me!” (Todd dives)
(.........) “What’s taking him so long?” (.......)
(Todd surfaces again with two kids but without the spare scuba rig)
“Take her! Take her! Clear her airway! Hurry!”
(The boat crew takes the smaller of the two girls and begins clearing water from her lungs. She finally coughs and then vomits on one of the men, but she’s breathing.)
“She’s ok Todd, she’s breathing! You did it!”
“Take this one! She’s scared and cold and she needs to see her sister’s ok!”
“Here we go, Baby Girl! It’s gonna’ be ok. You and your sister are gonna’ both be ok. (Pete hands her off to another man) Get a blanket around her and a hot pack. She’s cold as ice! (Pete leans over the side) (Quietly) How many more, Todd?”
“Two adults in the front seat, one man and one woman, both dead.”
“Drowned?”
“No, blunt force. It looks like the car flipped over before it went over the side. It looks like the top rail caught it at the top of the windshield and crushed the front of the cab in. I had to break the window to get them out. We got lucky, the way the top folded, it left an air pocket that they were breathing from. A few more minutes, and this would have been a whole helluva’ lot worse. Speaking of which, Thank you God, for pulling this off.”
“Amen. What do we need to do about the two bodies and the car?”
“Think Suburban has a wrecker with enough capacity to lift the whole car straight up onto the bridge and enough cable to reach?”
“Yeah, it’s on it’s way now.”
“Get me four long load straps. I’ll set them up and we can lift the car with the bodies still in it. It’s best the girls don’t see them. Let me go back down and get some info so you can try to reach some family for them.”
“Thanks Todd, and Todd, you did great. You are my hero today.”
“Don’t thank me. God did it; I just went swimming. Back in a few.”
(......)
“Here Pete, her purse and his wallet, the license plate got mostly ripped off the car during the accident.”
“Come on out. The wrecker is still a half hour away and you need to come talk to your girl.”
“Shit, I forgot to call her! Sarah’s gonna’ skin me alive!”
“I doubt that. Come on. Oh, no need to call her, she showed up about five minutes after you went down the first time. She’s on the ramp waiting for you.”
“I should have known.”
“Mister, why didn’t you bring Mommy and Daddy up here!?!”
“What’s your name, sweetheart?”
“Mindy.”
“Come here, Mindy. (Todd cuddles Mindy up in his lap) Mindy, Sweetheart, I’m sorry, but I couldn’t save your Mommy and Daddy. I’m so sorry Sweetheart.”
“So they’re in Heaven now?”
“Yes Sweetheart, they’re in Heaven with Jesus now. Where were you going today?”
“We were going to see Aunt Trisha. She lives in Scottsville.”
“Do you know Aunt Trisha’s last name?”
“Uh huh, it’s Saylor.”
“Do you know her address?”
“No mister, I’m sorry.”
“It’s ok, I bet Sheriff Pete here can find her. Do you have any other family around here?”
“No sir, just Aunt Trisha and Uncle Mac.”
“Are you warm enough now?”
“Yes sir, I’m not shakin’ anymore. What’s your name?”
“Todd Marshall. Why don’t you just call me Todd.”
“I can’t; you’re a ‘dult.”
“As brave as you were today, I think it’s ok, you earned it.”
“Really, Mr. Todd?”
“Close enough. Let’s go check on your sister.”
“Mindy, you ok?”
“Jamie, this is Mr. Todd; he’s the one who saved us!”
“Where are Mommy and Daddy?”
“They’re with Jesus. Mr. Todd tried to save them, but they’d already gone to Heaven.” (Todd holds both girls in his lap and gently hugs and rocks them as they cry)
(...)
“Girls, I got your Aunt Trisha on the phone. She wants to talk to you.”
(On speaker) “Mindy? Jamie? Are you there?”
“We’re here, Aunt Trisha, but Mommy and Daddy are with Jesus.”
“I know, Baby. The nice Sheriff told us where you are. Uncle Mac and I are coming to get you right now. We’ll be there soon so you won’t have to be alone much longer.”
“We’re not alone. Mr. Todd and Sheriff Pete are here. They are taking care of us.”
“Who’s Mr. Todd?”
“He got us out of our car and out under the water and in the boat. He’s holdin’ us in his lap so we don’t hurt so bad cause Mommy and Daddy aren’t here. He’s nice.”
“Ma’am, the girls are safe and we’ll take good care of them until you can get here. Now don’t you speed or do anything foolish. The last thing the girls need is for something to happen to you too.”
“Thank you, Sheriff. Had you not said that, we might have. We’ll be there as soon as we can.”
“Take what time you need. The important thing is you get here. Your nieces are safe and need you whole and healthy. I can’t think of a single thing more important for us to do today than take care of these girls for you until you get here.”
“Thank you. Goodbye.”
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Sept 17, 2017 20:58:43 GMT -6
Todd can't say he's useless now. Two little girls will argue him blue in the face.
|
|
|
Post by pbbrown0 on Sept 17, 2017 23:07:43 GMT -6
Great chapter, again, Cutter. P.S. re:Walmart - Sam and Helen were really good people, but when Sam was no longer there to carry the moral compass for the business he created, it devolved into just one more company being run by legions of managers who were "out clevering" themselves.
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Sept 18, 2017 3:25:47 GMT -6
I actually met Sam Walton in the 1980s. In my estimation, he was a truly great man.
|
|
|
Post by headlesshorseman on Sept 18, 2017 5:51:24 GMT -6
Great chapter. Why is it that when you tell someone that you NEED something they want to start a discussion about why you need it while they stand there holding it?
|
|
|
Post by gipsy on Sept 18, 2017 9:21:12 GMT -6
Yeah Todd
|
|
|
Post by kaijafon on Sept 18, 2017 18:31:49 GMT -6
I was all happy like and then BOOM! tissue time!
ugh!
(no one tell Cutter this, but I wouldn't have it any other way... that is a good chapter...now shhhh!)
|
|
|
Post by 9idrr on Sept 18, 2017 19:38:47 GMT -6
You know, Cutter, that we're now expectin' at least RTR Vol. LV out of this series, don't you.? Keep up the good work and we may let you slow down 'bout then. Thanks for the good stuff.
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Sept 18, 2017 20:20:53 GMT -6
Apparently, you're insatiable too! Don't worry, I can't see the end of this one yet. It's a couple or four chapters away, but one of the group is leaving, forever. Some new folks are heading in too. Writing the next chapter as we speak. Thanks all, for showin' the love.
|
|
|
Post by headlesshorseman on Sept 18, 2017 20:32:04 GMT -6
You know, Cutter, that we're now expectin' at least RTR Vol. LV out of this series, don't you.? Keep up the good work and we may let you slow down 'bout then. Thanks for the good stuff. I can see it now Mark and Stacy's Great Grand Kids Save the World! What was the ages of the two little girls?
|
|