Story Grace, Mercy and Blessings

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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#597

Ernie crawled off into the brush, hurting and covered with blood. All he wanted to do was rest and try to regain strength, but the smell of blood excited every mosquito within a ten mile radius. He was hurting so bad that the mosquito bites were annoying but not of prime importance.

One time when he was lucid, Ernie decided he had used up at least 7 of his 9 lives, and the way he was feeling, number 7 was looking doubtful. He was having to pant in order to breathe, his chest hurt so much. Eventually, his hatred for Gary slowed his air intake and eased his mind into plotting revenge.

He still had no idea that it wasn't Gary, hate fueled reasoning doesn't think straight, and hate plus injury is a dangerous combination. Ernie lay in the forest duff, listening to the car and truck sounds on the highway, the sirens that flocked to his wrecked car, and the heat of the hot day that made him drowsy.

The next time he woke, he was beset by every bug and ant, plus every buzzing stinging, biting varmint available in the woods. It was prophetic, that it only took one bite from a mosquito to give Ernie Lyme disease. That was fitting, unknown to him at the time, almost a retribution of sorts for all the misery he had caused.

Ernie had always kept his insurance card and vehicle registration in his wallet. The police went to his last known address and found a burned down house. Ernie had used Breezy's address for a lot of different reasons. So the police had a dead end as they tried to locate Ernie, if indeed he had been the driver.

It took three days for Ernie to find running water. The coolness felt so good, le lay in the stream fully clothed, and let the rushing water cool the heat of his thousand bites. He was so thirsty, he drank the water that flowed by his mouth, giving himself a fine case of guardia. More retaliation, without him being aware.

The water cleaned up the blood and muck clinging to the accident man, making him almost presentable. He hitchhiked back to his brother's place, and gratefully crawled into sheets that hadn't been changed in months. Ernie arbored such slothfulness, but he hurt too much to do anything about it.

Out of commission for a couple of months, Ernie ate everything in the house and then ordered a grocery delivery with the now dried out cash in his wallet. His main expense was toilet paper, and due to the effects of the water born guardia, and the thin man became emaciated.
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#598

The clan got through the day, most hoping that the next morning start of a new week would be kinder to the beleaguered family.

Late that Sunday night, Tom called Miss Bessie, checking in and inquiring about church. Miss Bessie was downright cool and suspicious, thinking the worst of Tom.

"Miss Bessie, I was in an accident, I was foolish and prideful and wanted to walk you home, I hope you can forgive me for not being in church this morning, but I need to heal some more." Tom finally had to be truthful. It really hurt his manly pride to admit such a weakness, "I am at home with my family, just outside of town," and the two got to talking on friendlier terms.



Breezy had a early Monday morning court date, and Gary drove her in, standing guard in the courtroom. Well liked by her friends and peers, Breezy received much sympathy over the destruction of her house. Her first case was [postponed, the second case the state dropped the charges and the third case was a disorganized mess. The woman she was defending had lied to Breezy, lied to the arresting officers, lied in her deposition to the opposing attorney. There wasn't much Breezy could do, but ask for a continuance, and throw herself on the mercy of the court.

The defendant proved herself to by a raving lunatic, yelling a long and involved rant as she was escorted from the court room by the bailiff.

Gary stood silently by, as Breezy made arrangements to see her client, the jail facilities stark and humorless. The woman was still off on a tangent, and Breezy came to the conclusion that she needed to use an incapability defense, the woman was not in her right mind.

It was 3pm. before all the legal jargon and preliminaries were finished. Gary was starved, but Breezy seemed not to notice, she was so involved in the case.

"You''re going to have to feed me," he was cranky with hunger. "The law may sustain you, but it doesn't do a darn thing for me." he griped.

Breezy gave him one of her 'looks' but it paled in comparison to those that Ma could bestow upon her subjects, so Gary ignored the warning and forged ahead at full speed..

Since Breezy had to pay, she took Gary to a pizza buffet and told him to fill up, that was more food for her dollars.

"I can't believe you ate so much pizza, what was the count, anyway?"

"Sixteen or seventeen," Gary shrugged, he wasn't keeping track, but eveidently she was.

"Are you full?" Breezy asked curiously.

"I will be as soon as I have a couple pieces of dessert pizza. I'm real partial to the apple crumble." Gary stood up to go make his selection.
 
RememberGoliad

RememberGoliad

Veteran Member
When son was in HS, football team stopped at a Cici's on the way home from a successful playoff game. Bubba said the manager had to come out and cut 'em off. Place ran out of DOUGH and they were really low on sauce. Those boys wuz hongry. ROFL.

Thank you PAC for all your time and lessons so well-presented!
 
feralferret

feralferret

Veteran Member
Gary reminds me of how I ate back when I weighed 450 lbs almost 50 years ago. Anymore three pieces of pizza is about all I can eat at a time. Of course I do have to have a little bit of dessert on top of the pizza, but not much.

Pac, thanks for the enjoyable chapter.
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#599

Clora called the real estate agent, requesting a walk through in the purple/lavender house. There was a lot of hemming and hawing, stalling as the woman frantically figured what to do. The MLS offer had come through while the Linderman deposit was still in force; so technically, they still had first dibs on the place.

The inknown buyer, the unknown agent and the seller were protesting, but had to acknowledge that the Linderman claim was still valid. Everyone but Gary and Breezy loaded up in the van and went to inspect the contested home.

Mark approved, as did everyone else. The seller was livid. The second offer was several thousand dollars higher than the established price,, the second buyers interested in starting a bidding war.

The Linderman's were just coming out the door, when a flashy sports car pulled up and the occupants started yelling and screaming at the clan. Scrambling out of the convertible, a red haired entitled woman began gesturing, threatening and spewing a hate filled rant.

In no uncertain terms, she announced that SHE wanted that house, and SHE was going to have it. The woman ordered the clan to get away from HER place and be gone.

Clora and Mark had already signed an earnest money agreement and written the check. The Linderman agent asked the woman for her agent's name and phone number, and was met by hysterical screaming and crying. A full blown adult tantrum commenced. The triplets staring in open mouthed wonder at a grownup acting in such a manner.

The woman was sitting on the front porch steps, kicking her feet, pounding her fists and screaming her head off.

It didn't take long for the three to start laughing at the spectacle, it was like throwing gas on a fire.

Mark called 911, there was every reason to believe the scene was going to escalate, so they might as well get the authorities involved. It really was amusing to watch the woman, even the family inside the house was lined up at the window staring in disbelief.

The man driving sat nonchalantly behind the wheel with a bored expression. He effectively ignored the hysterical woman, reading a small book he kept in front of his face.

The city police pulled up behind the small car and two officers got out. They asked Mark for identification. Wouldn't it be known that the two officers responding were the two that had been at Breezy's house interacting with Breezy and Gary.

"Linderman? How many of you guys are there? We had a break in call and fire with a Linderman security guard, over on the other side of town."

"Our boy," Mark responded, all the while the woman put on a magnificent performance of entitled, spoiled behavior.

The taller officer motioned for the Linderman's to come away from the grating noise, where a person talking in a normal tone couldn't be heard or understood.

Mark explained the problem, and the two officers turned to stare at the woman, the same as all the rest of the gathered by-standers were doing.

"Really? You would swear under oath that is the reason for such a meltdown?" the shorter officer asked.

"Yes, as far as we understand. Our agent is here, we were inspecting the house we had a deposit on, and then signed an agreement to purchase." Mark relayed. "We were just coming out of the house when this couple pulled up, and the woman informed us that she wanted and intended to have the house. End of story."

The taller officer had drawn the agent to the side and got approximately the same story, the officers finally convinced that the paperwork and situation was all in order,

The woman refused to stop, in fact gaining new energy as more people stopped to stare at her childish antics.

"Our Mom would spank us, if he acted like that." Paul spoke up, much to the delight of the assembled crowd. "That's acting like a spoiled baby."

The crowd hooted and cat called to the woman, finally shaming her into stopping her tirade, as they wandered off, shaking rheir heads in amazement.

The tall officer went to help the woman up off the stairs and she turned on him in a fury and tried to scratch his face in her rage. After a wrestling match and orders to get down on the ground, the woman was cuffed and put in the cruiser.

:Do you guys automatically attract crazies?" the tall officer kidded, as he went to get in the patrol car. "It must be the name." he joked.

"I hope we don't get any more than that one, she was enough." Tess spoke up, causing them all to smile.

The sedate man in the sports car pulled out after the cop car and followed the men that were taking his wife to jail.

"He didn't seem to be perturbed by her behavior; this must not be the first time this has happened." Mark looked at the family lined up at the window, and then the agent. "She agreed to a 30 day occupancy. On day 31 there will be a moving company here to pack her up, she agreed and signed, so now she is on notice to move out."

Mark was loud enough that the woman inside heard him, and she was full of good intentions. But she had never completed a task on time in her life.
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
Folks,

Sorry to be gone. We had unexpected missionaries come for the week. Poor people, they had to eat waffles for supper, and they were thrilled. They called them pavement bricks, or at least that's what the translator said. LOL. They are attending services for 'Decoration' Day with us, and they do a lot of investigating my kitchen, amazed at all the clutter I have. The pressure canner was almost cause for a riot.

I'll be back Tuesday. Remember our families that have served and paid the price.
 
J

john70

Veteran Member
The Optimist
Richard M. “Pek” Gunn

I passed a sand lot yesterday,
Some kids were playing ball,
I strolled along the third baseline,
Within the fielder’s call.

“Say, What’s the score?” I asked the chap,
He yelled to beat the stuffin’
“There’s no one out, the bases full,
And they’re Forty-Two to Nuthin’!”

You’re gettin’ beat, aren’t you my lad?”
And then in no time flat,
He answered: “No Sir, not as yet!
Our side ain’t been to bat!”
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#600

Mark had a quick conference with Clora. :Your sure this is the one you want?"

"Yes, this is the one, it meets all my requirements, how about yours?"

"Then we are going to go right to the real estate office and have them call the lawyer in charge. If we want this place, we need to pay for it today. That lady is going to be trouble, I can just feel it." Mark wasn't looking forward to what he expected to happen.

"Then, let's get it done," Clora replied. "That was quite a spectacle wasn't it. I'm afraid your correct, she's going to be a real pain in the patootie."

They followed the agent to her office, purposely disregarding the 1041 exchange they had agreed to with Woody. This was a do it now, or it would be gone.


Rennie's dad skulked around Toby's place, staying low key and mostly out of sight. He was looking for information and the whereabouts of Rennie's children. They were needed to pay a debt, and he was puzzled. He thought there had been three children, but only two seemed to be there. No matter, the two would be sufficient.

Toby had already left for the retreat by the time the dirty assassin got around to staking out the house in town. He couldn't get ahold of the little feral rat that had been sent his way as an advisor for the kidnapping, so he waited and kept track of the comings and goings of the stately old Colonial estate.


Toby had excused himself from the house inspecting jaunt, he sat with his children in the atrium, and they cried and talked and sat in silence together. Eventually, Toby got around to explaining to Lyric and Barry that he suspected the man who shot their mother was Cameron Cooper, their grandfather.

Toby had an excellent way of explaining how they were never to interact with the man, he was crazy deranged and would try to kill them also. The kids, because of their trek to Iowa and the grown up responsibilities they had assumed, were listening and accepting of Toby's warnings. He answered every question they had; and then introduced the new school with the ultra secure bus transportation and buildings.

"I am doing everything in my power to keep you safe, The couple in the house, Art and Minnie, are there to protect you. Art us a retired policeman, and Minnie is very conscious of her surroundings. For the time being, we are going to stay here, the bus will come here to pick you up, while I install cameras and a alarm system." Toby fell silent and let the kids think about what was happening.

"What about a dog? Barry was trying to be helpful. Lyric nodded, they had been trying to talk Rennie into a dog for a long time.

"I believe we can do that. But, there will be guard dogs outside that are not pet friendly. We will need to have a dog that's inside only, if that's OK with you guys."

Of course, it was.


Tilly worked on canning tomatoes as she got a pork meat loaf ready for supper. Baked potatoes and a lettuce salad from the garden would hold well, in case the house hunting bunch were delayed.



Donny went West from the interstate and landed approximately where he thought his parents had lived. The freaking place was covered with cookie cutter houses in one of the finest HOA's in the area.

He double and triple checked with the landmarks he could remember, and yeah, this was his former place. He couldn't go in, there was a gate, guard house and an attendant that refused him entry.

Donny sat there outside the gate, pondering what to do, until the man told him to move or he would call the law. Donny started up and slowly drove away, the influx of cars returning from the work day was a steady stream of plastic people and identicial autos.

Donny started driving West once again and slowly realized he was moving steadily toward Iowa.
 
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larry_minn

Contributing Member
Just went back to my mothers home town. People I knew thru mom are long dead. Houses torn down, new built…. Found one store open. “We are new to community, have only ran this store 11 years”
things change.
 
M

moldy

Veteran Member
Mixed Up City Folks by Pek Gunn

City folks are mixed up people
Take for instance what they eat,
They serve bales of hay for breakfast
And they call it shredded wheat.

Some have lost the art of baking
And the husband, poor old man,
Never gets a homemade biscuit
He eats from a cardboard can.

Everything is instant now-days
It's a lazy person's dream,
Using snuff-like stuff for coffee
Talcum powder stuff for cream.

This waffle that they rave about
Is nothing more, shucks on it,
Than just a pancake where they put
A non-skid tread upon it.

Table top is yellow vinyl
Paper napkins, plain and white,
Placemats catching in your coat sleeve
Every time you take a bite.

Take me back to the Mountains
On the table let me see,
Red-checked tablecloth and napkins
Blushing as they beckon me.

Give me ham and eggs for breakfast
Pour my coffee from a pot,
Bring my biscuit from the oven
Crusty brown and piping hot.

Stir pure butter in my sorghum
Made from cane and topped with foam,
Mix my grits with red-eye gravy
Nag me so I'll feel at home.
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
Moldy
I want to say thanks for the poems by Pek. They tickled me greatly. I read them to Mr. KC and he smiled but said....."no use, I'm still not eating grits."
Personally, I like grits and use them like a cereal. Not so Mr. KC. I have to talk up a storm to get him to eat long cooked oatmeal.

This from the man that crumbles up graham crackers and pours milk on them until they are gooey, mushy and enjoys eating THAT, Gross. Thanks for the laughs, Pac.
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#601

Donny kept track of the mileage and time he traveled to Iowa. Driving across the state line, the fields were harvested, baled and corn was beginning to be cut and the soybeans were turning grayish brown.

There was no sign of the town. Smooth fields connected where the Fox river swung in an arc where they had settled.. No houses, no foundations, no roads. Nature and the farming practices had entirely erased evidence of the Linderman stronghold.

Donny did find a tipped over limestone post that acclaimed that this was the site of the homesteading town of Bloomfield. It was difficult to stand and remember the life he had lived there. Saddened by memories, he drove to Belnap; the site of the horrific raid and massacre

Belnap had a few decrepit wooden frame buildings falling down, but no trace of the large Inn and the houses they had lived in. Donny drove down what had been Main street and found himself passing by the cemetery. Portions of the wood and metal fence delineating the gravesite proper, had collapsed inward. The owner had farmed right up to the rotting fence, needing to use every inch of the expensive farnland.

A name caught Donny's eye. There on a moss and lichen covered headstone was the name of Sally Linderman. It was difficult to read, and gave him a punch in the gut.

Donny stood by the headstone and wept. There was no one there to see ,and Donny didn't care if there had been. It was an unexplained mystery as how there were headstones with all her brothers and sisters; and eventually he discovered the almost indecipherable markers of her parents.

All the rest of the clan that had perished in the raid had headstones. Donny was so tied up in knots that he could hardly breathe when he found Andy's stone. Judy was next to him, and Donny said a prayer for them both.

Donny was so engrossed in his memories, that he didn't hear the old Ford pickup wheeze up next to the Jeep and stop. The old Grandpa looking gentleman sat quietly and observed the young man with his bowed head. The visitor went to almost every grave, touching the headstones in a heart rendering way.

Donny walked back to Sally's grave and hunched down, letting his emotions flow. At last, standing up and blowing his nose with a loud honk, he became aware of the old man watching him.

"I'd be obliged if you'd state your name son. That and where yer from. We get hooligans around here ever so often and they raise ned with the gravestones." The old man kindly overlooked the traces of emotion on Donny's face, and looked surprised when Donny stated his name.

"They're relation of yours," the old man offered, "there was a famous massacre here in the late 1800's. A band of raiders came through and destroyed the whole town. I guess the folks here about, found out their names and got the graves marked with the help of the Sheriff. He'd been chummy with the group and knew'em."

Donny nodded, that was as good a way as any to explain what had happened.

"Well, I'll leave you to the day, I just had to come see that you weren't messin around with the graves." The old man drove home, stopping to tell his wife he had checked out the strange vehicle at the grave site, and the young man was kin to some of the people buried there.

Seeing Sally's grave was a closure for the youngest Linderman. It was a time past, unexplained and unbelievable. Donny drove into the town, and Don drove out. He left his childhood and all the memories associated with a life he no longer participated in.

Don hung around the area for a week; reading about the raid and murders in the historical records of the county museum and the newspaper archives. He visited the graves every day, until the last day of his stay. It was closure, he was done, he wouldn't forget, but it was no longer crippling him.

He might be a couple of days early, but he was going back to the shabby, old motel and see if the gal was ready to head down for school.
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#602

Ernie finally had to give up and go to the urgent care clinic. The two diseases he had contacted left him gaunt and generally debilitated. With a handful of medicines that made him feel he was more in control of the problem rather than causing a cure.

Feeling momentarily better, Ernie spent time trying to locate his younger brother Orrie. Older brother Chuck never returned from the break in and arson fueled foray against Breezy's house. Some of it was to be expected. Chuck always did a runner after a job, acting like a scared rabbit down in his hole. Chuckie may or may or may not show up eventually. If he didn't, that was money Ernie didn't have to share. Chuck was always so insistent that he be paid.

Personally,, Ernie thought that the over sized hunk that was Breezy's security guard was responsible for offing Chuck ,and letting him burn in the fire, but he couldn't prove it without raising a lot of questions. Ernie really didn't care, but it was exasperating to try and replace the man. A person had to be so careful now days when you went nosing around, trying to find a person willing to kill for money.

So many nowdays, dishonored the profession by taking the money and skipping out of the deed. It certainly wasn't like the good old days when you could count on a thug doing the right thing and shooting to kill.

The new brand of killer planned an intricate web of deceit. First of all, they had to commit a robbery and steal a hand gun. If a gun wasn't found, they had to commit robberies until one was obtained. Then, the killing could commence.

It was outrageous and totally unnecessary as far as Ernie was concerned. Just a stalling technique and an excuse to be involved in a robbery, personal gain, that's all it was under the guise of preparation.

Orrie, well Orrie was a pain to deal with. Lazy from the heart both ways; the only thing that motivated Orrie, was lots of money. Money Ernie didn't have. He could give Orrie lots of promises, and if the cards were right, he might get some money fron the man with the funny way of talking nd accent.

That man was scary. His cold evil radiated from his person, and Ernie felt out of his league, with the demands. But, now he was in too deep and couldn't figure a way out.

It took almost two months to locate Orrie. He always was good at not being found. Ernie was really getting nervous, the funny accent man was really leaning on him hard, wanting action.

Finally, the paper had an account of a burglary that had Orrie's name all over the way it happened. Ernie smiled, rubbed his hands together and sent out feelers for his brother.

Only, some one else got to Orrie first. The stranger promised Orrie more money than he had ever seen, to off a certain man living on the outskirts of town.

When he was contacted by Ernie, Orrie was delighted to find out both men he was being paid to kill, lived in the same place. Double pay for almost a freebie.
 
P

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#603

Art and Minnie crafted a game plan. Art went to see a long time friend in the Sheriff's department, asking if he could be made a special deputy; capable of carrying a weapon and power to arrest.

The story of Rennie's death had been splashed all over the papers and news commentators. Because of his calm nature and attention to detail, Art was well liked by both his former city department colleagues, and the county men.

Art came back to the house with a uniform, a badge and a issued 44.He had the required body armor, a shoulder radio and a ton of paperwork to read through.

Minnie had been busy, giving the law office a more complete cleaning to remove stubborn blood stains, and air the place out.

Over a light dinner, they made contingency plans for the time when the children were in the house. The school had called several times, requesting to talk to Toby and Art reluctantly called him to pass on the message.

Toby didn't want to leave until Ma and Dad got back, and they were stalled at the real estate office. "Just turn the terrible trio loose," Toby advised Mark when he finally got ahold of his dad. "That will hurry them up for sure."

Mark chuckled but made no promises. He looked over at Clora and Tess, and they had their heads together, planning something.



Breezy had a list of legal motions she needed to file, and people to contact verifying facts. She had a very upsetting conversation with the crazy lady's prosecutor, he was holding out for a full jury trial, and Breezy knew the woman would never make it through without displaying her true crazy behavior.

Gary was a silent, solid protector and balance in Breezy's life. She so badly wanted to ask him not to go for Marshal training and stay and she would teach him to be her law clerk. She really didn't want him to leave.

But Breezy was also smart enough to know that Gary wouldn't like that type of work. He was an adrenalin junkie and had to have a regular dose of danger in his life.

Breezy was dreading when he left, she was trying not to think about it, worrying about how she was going to get back and forth safely.

Gary had a wild hair of an idea, and while he was waiting for Breezy, he called Toby.
 
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