Story Grace, Mercy and Blessings
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#612
Don let his hosts run with the idea they were fooling him; but he had caught the movement of Mercy Rose out of the corner of his eye. He appreciated that she had the sense to back away and let him be. He at first thought it might be that dirty little rat with the green Volvo, but the blue dress and shiny hair changed his mind.
Don split a mountain of wood; the thud of the splitting maul ringing in the quietness of the mountain afternoon. Don figured the old man could stack the wood, but that swinging the maul was probably beyond his physical capability.
When it was suppertime, a huge meatloaf and fried potatoes landed on the table, a bowl of cabbage slaw and another of sliced tomatoes. Good solid food for a working man, and the working man ate his share. Just to be polite.
"I'll go hunting in the morning if you'd like another deer? But, we need to leave after dinner. How much stuff do you haf'ta take?" Don asked.
"A big box, a suitcase and a small case," Mercy replied, "do you think there is room for that much?"
"We'll make room," he promised and thanked the old woman for supper.
"Warn't me, that was all Mercy Roses doin. I'm gonna miss her terrible like fer sure." The old grandma sniffed, Mercy sniffed and Don and the old man headed for the porch.
"The old misses, she thinks a powerful amount about that grand girl child. Her parents got killed sometime back and she come to live with us. A real blessing she has been. I wouldn't want to hear of anyone messin around with her," the old man had to tack on a warning, he had seen the look Mercy Rose had given the young man when he wasn't looking.
That boy seemed to be a goodun, but he was still a young man. The old man knew all about being a young man, even if it had been a long time ago.
Don let his hosts run with the idea they were fooling him; but he had caught the movement of Mercy Rose out of the corner of his eye. He appreciated that she had the sense to back away and let him be. He at first thought it might be that dirty little rat with the green Volvo, but the blue dress and shiny hair changed his mind.
Don split a mountain of wood; the thud of the splitting maul ringing in the quietness of the mountain afternoon. Don figured the old man could stack the wood, but that swinging the maul was probably beyond his physical capability.
When it was suppertime, a huge meatloaf and fried potatoes landed on the table, a bowl of cabbage slaw and another of sliced tomatoes. Good solid food for a working man, and the working man ate his share. Just to be polite.
"I'll go hunting in the morning if you'd like another deer? But, we need to leave after dinner. How much stuff do you haf'ta take?" Don asked.
"A big box, a suitcase and a small case," Mercy replied, "do you think there is room for that much?"
"We'll make room," he promised and thanked the old woman for supper.
"Warn't me, that was all Mercy Roses doin. I'm gonna miss her terrible like fer sure." The old grandma sniffed, Mercy sniffed and Don and the old man headed for the porch.
"The old misses, she thinks a powerful amount about that grand girl child. Her parents got killed sometime back and she come to live with us. A real blessing she has been. I wouldn't want to hear of anyone messin around with her," the old man had to tack on a warning, he had seen the look Mercy Rose had given the young man when he wasn't looking.
That boy seemed to be a goodun, but he was still a young man. The old man knew all about being a young man, even if it had been a long time ago.
feralferret
Veteran Member
Thanks, Pac.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Many thanks to you Pac.
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, Pac!
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
Dear readers.
we were called away suddenly to help family. I'll have a chapter Sunday night. Thanks, Pac & Mr. KC.
we were called away suddenly to help family. I'll have a chapter Sunday night. Thanks, Pac & Mr. KC.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Be safe.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#614
The new morning of the new week started with seven car and pickup l oads of appraisers, architect's, engineers and a heavy equipment foreman, Milo came driving in, and Gary hastily stuffed the last of his toast in his mouth. Together the brothers tried to sort out who belonged where, and why.
It took only an hour for Mark to be fed up with the noise and bustle of a dis-organized job site. Retreating to his office, Mark had a brilliant idea. Running it past his happy wife with her hands deep in dishwater, Mark went to call the former owner of the house they had just bought.
An offer to have a moving company pack up and move the dawdling woman and her children, was eagerly accepted and Mark smiled his favorite feral smile.
The moving company responded with agility to a time and a half offer to get the move accomplished. The woman was still on the phone arguing with her husband, clutching the $500.00 the crazy lady had given her to stall the move out date. The moving company knocked on the door and a double sized crew started throwing the sum and substance of her messy house into boxes. All of her screeching protests were to no avail.
A cleaning crew was hired and promised double wages if the house was move in ready by the end of the next day. It was.
The same crew of movers showed up at the retreat and by the end of the following day, the Lindermans were moved.
Breezy had objected, preferring to stay in the house she had just moved into. She was heartily sorry by the next day. The incessant noise, the busyness of all the crews digging a huge long trench, practically right in front of her front door. Her car was almost blocked in by the deep ditch, and some insufferable young know it all, told her to move it or lose it.
Gary was constantly with his brothers, ignoring her and Catherine, as they talked and joked among themselves. Breezy had three more days to prepare for the trial, and it was becoming impossible to concentrate.
That louse Gary simply told her, "I told you so," totally unsympathetic to her plight. Breezy played the helpless, sweet southern belle, and all it did was cause Gary to raise an eyebrow at her. She decided he was a good man to hate.
Finally, FINALLY, her insurance adjustor showed up with a settlement check on her burned house. Because she was so busy and inundated with research and case histories; Breezy's first inclination was to accept the check and only at the last minute did she think to call Gary into the equation.
"Nope," Gary looked at the check and handed it back to the man. "Just a moment, I'll be right back." he promised.
Returning with a folder, Gary calmly outlined the insurance coverage, the recent appraisal of the house and property, and the figures out the true value of the place.
"I understand there is deprecation, but not to the tune of 50 thousand. You and your company do understand Ms. Collins is an attorney, this could be a very long, drawn out litigation." Gary was enjoying using Mark's tactics and, watching the man beginning to sweat.
Granted it was hot outside, but the house was comfortably cool, and Gary turned his version of Mark's feral smile on the now visibly nervous man..
The insurance adjustor slowly let his hand fall, the check gripped tightly, as though it was his own personal money he was spending.
"May I come back tomorrow after I consult my superiors?" he asked in a tight voice.
"Don't come back without a much better offer, at least in the 750 thousands," Gary growled as the man backed up to the door. The adjustor gasped and then nodded, leaving the strained atmosphere at a trot.
Gary, for all his irascibility, turned to Breezy, gave her a huge wink and a smile and sauntered out the door into the construction mayhem.
The new morning of the new week started with seven car and pickup l oads of appraisers, architect's, engineers and a heavy equipment foreman, Milo came driving in, and Gary hastily stuffed the last of his toast in his mouth. Together the brothers tried to sort out who belonged where, and why.
It took only an hour for Mark to be fed up with the noise and bustle of a dis-organized job site. Retreating to his office, Mark had a brilliant idea. Running it past his happy wife with her hands deep in dishwater, Mark went to call the former owner of the house they had just bought.
An offer to have a moving company pack up and move the dawdling woman and her children, was eagerly accepted and Mark smiled his favorite feral smile.
The moving company responded with agility to a time and a half offer to get the move accomplished. The woman was still on the phone arguing with her husband, clutching the $500.00 the crazy lady had given her to stall the move out date. The moving company knocked on the door and a double sized crew started throwing the sum and substance of her messy house into boxes. All of her screeching protests were to no avail.
A cleaning crew was hired and promised double wages if the house was move in ready by the end of the next day. It was.
The same crew of movers showed up at the retreat and by the end of the following day, the Lindermans were moved.
Breezy had objected, preferring to stay in the house she had just moved into. She was heartily sorry by the next day. The incessant noise, the busyness of all the crews digging a huge long trench, practically right in front of her front door. Her car was almost blocked in by the deep ditch, and some insufferable young know it all, told her to move it or lose it.
Gary was constantly with his brothers, ignoring her and Catherine, as they talked and joked among themselves. Breezy had three more days to prepare for the trial, and it was becoming impossible to concentrate.
That louse Gary simply told her, "I told you so," totally unsympathetic to her plight. Breezy played the helpless, sweet southern belle, and all it did was cause Gary to raise an eyebrow at her. She decided he was a good man to hate.
Finally, FINALLY, her insurance adjustor showed up with a settlement check on her burned house. Because she was so busy and inundated with research and case histories; Breezy's first inclination was to accept the check and only at the last minute did she think to call Gary into the equation.
"Nope," Gary looked at the check and handed it back to the man. "Just a moment, I'll be right back." he promised.
Returning with a folder, Gary calmly outlined the insurance coverage, the recent appraisal of the house and property, and the figures out the true value of the place.
"I understand there is deprecation, but not to the tune of 50 thousand. You and your company do understand Ms. Collins is an attorney, this could be a very long, drawn out litigation." Gary was enjoying using Mark's tactics and, watching the man beginning to sweat.
Granted it was hot outside, but the house was comfortably cool, and Gary turned his version of Mark's feral smile on the now visibly nervous man..
The insurance adjustor slowly let his hand fall, the check gripped tightly, as though it was his own personal money he was spending.
"May I come back tomorrow after I consult my superiors?" he asked in a tight voice.
"Don't come back without a much better offer, at least in the 750 thousands," Gary growled as the man backed up to the door. The adjustor gasped and then nodded, leaving the strained atmosphere at a trot.
Gary, for all his irascibility, turned to Breezy, gave her a huge wink and a smile and sauntered out the door into the construction mayhem.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Very big thank you Pac. Breezy is a dumb smart person.
223shootersc
Veteran Member
A little magic from Gary and Breezy turns. Thanks Pac!
feralferret
Veteran Member
What did you expect from a lawyer?
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#615
Mark, Clora, Tess and kids and Tom woke up the morning after the move to a screeching coming from the front porch. There were sounds of unfamiliar voices and slowing traffic on the street.
A young man rang the doorbell and introduced himself as a newspaper reporter.
Mark answered and growled a little. "What's going on out there?"
The young man snickered and stepped aside to let Mark see,
The crazy lady had handcuffed herself to either side of the front steps hand railing. She was squalling and carrying on about how the people inside had stolen her house away from her in an illegal move; and she was going to sit on the porch until they reconsidered.
"That's nice," Mark deadpanned and shut the door. The reporter tried knocking, he needed a story, but no one obliged.
Clora cooked breakfast on the gas stove, casting longing looks at the wood stove in all its splendor. It had been so long since she had cooked in her own kitchen, she was happy enough to sing the Doxology. Soon, she had the triplets singing with her, and pancakes had never tasted so good.
Tom was sitting at the table debating with himself about a stray thought that had been growing in his mind. His darling Bessie had been complaining that she needed a job. Now Miss Clora might think she was equal to the job of three squares a day, laundry, baking, canning; but Tom could plainly see the worried lines appearing on Mark's face.
Mark was willing to let Clora exercise herself being chief cook and bottle washer; as long as she didn't over do the situation. It was Tom's notion, and Bessie was interested, that Bessie come be the cook for the household; and he would be the handyman. It would be light duty work for the both of them, and most important, it would keep Clora in better health.
Tom made a quick, private call to Bessie, to make sure he had all his facts straight, and she chuckled at him, and said yes, didn't he listen to what she said.
"You know," Bessie said boldly, "if we're gonna get married, you're gonna have to sharpen up your listening skills."
Tom was so floored that he sputtered, swallowed hard and shot back with a "it will be so, if I agree!" Bessie laughed in a delighted way, and Tom managed a weak hee hee. He was glad he was sitting down.My goodness, his Miss Bessie was a handful.
"I don't work Sunday morning or Wednesday evenings," Bessie laid down the law. "Them is my church goin times, and I don't miss."
"This is a good Christian family, that will be no problem. I'll be there in an hour Bessie, we's got a powerful lot of talkin to do."
"Well, you just hurry up," Bessie ordered, "I wait impatiently at best."
"Yes Ma'am," Tom said the only thing he could think to say. He ended the call and went to talk to Mark.
Don and his passenger Mercy Rose drove into the retreat yard as the frantic business was at it's peak. Don had wanted the family to meet the young girl, and jimminy if they weren't all gone.
Gary was more relieved than he wanted to let on, seeing his precious jeep back home in one piece with no visible dents or scratches.
"You're just the man I needed to see," Gary hollered above the construction noise. "I need my Jeep, I'll have you take me over to Ma and Dad's, and drop you off."
In an impertinent answer, Don turned the Jeep around and motioned for Gary to get in. Gary shot his brother a sour look, but got in and got the privilege of holding a perfumy smelling box in his lap.
Mark, Clora, Tess and kids and Tom woke up the morning after the move to a screeching coming from the front porch. There were sounds of unfamiliar voices and slowing traffic on the street.
A young man rang the doorbell and introduced himself as a newspaper reporter.
Mark answered and growled a little. "What's going on out there?"
The young man snickered and stepped aside to let Mark see,
The crazy lady had handcuffed herself to either side of the front steps hand railing. She was squalling and carrying on about how the people inside had stolen her house away from her in an illegal move; and she was going to sit on the porch until they reconsidered.
"That's nice," Mark deadpanned and shut the door. The reporter tried knocking, he needed a story, but no one obliged.
Clora cooked breakfast on the gas stove, casting longing looks at the wood stove in all its splendor. It had been so long since she had cooked in her own kitchen, she was happy enough to sing the Doxology. Soon, she had the triplets singing with her, and pancakes had never tasted so good.
Tom was sitting at the table debating with himself about a stray thought that had been growing in his mind. His darling Bessie had been complaining that she needed a job. Now Miss Clora might think she was equal to the job of three squares a day, laundry, baking, canning; but Tom could plainly see the worried lines appearing on Mark's face.
Mark was willing to let Clora exercise herself being chief cook and bottle washer; as long as she didn't over do the situation. It was Tom's notion, and Bessie was interested, that Bessie come be the cook for the household; and he would be the handyman. It would be light duty work for the both of them, and most important, it would keep Clora in better health.
Tom made a quick, private call to Bessie, to make sure he had all his facts straight, and she chuckled at him, and said yes, didn't he listen to what she said.
"You know," Bessie said boldly, "if we're gonna get married, you're gonna have to sharpen up your listening skills."
Tom was so floored that he sputtered, swallowed hard and shot back with a "it will be so, if I agree!" Bessie laughed in a delighted way, and Tom managed a weak hee hee. He was glad he was sitting down.My goodness, his Miss Bessie was a handful.
"I don't work Sunday morning or Wednesday evenings," Bessie laid down the law. "Them is my church goin times, and I don't miss."
"This is a good Christian family, that will be no problem. I'll be there in an hour Bessie, we's got a powerful lot of talkin to do."
"Well, you just hurry up," Bessie ordered, "I wait impatiently at best."
"Yes Ma'am," Tom said the only thing he could think to say. He ended the call and went to talk to Mark.
Don and his passenger Mercy Rose drove into the retreat yard as the frantic business was at it's peak. Don had wanted the family to meet the young girl, and jimminy if they weren't all gone.
Gary was more relieved than he wanted to let on, seeing his precious jeep back home in one piece with no visible dents or scratches.
"You're just the man I needed to see," Gary hollered above the construction noise. "I need my Jeep, I'll have you take me over to Ma and Dad's, and drop you off."
In an impertinent answer, Don turned the Jeep around and motioned for Gary to get in. Gary shot his brother a sour look, but got in and got the privilege of holding a perfumy smelling box in his lap.
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, Pac!
feralferret
Veteran Member
Nothing like having a raving lunatic attached to your front porch to start your day!
Pac, thank you.
Pac, thank you.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you pac, I was looking forward to another chapter.
Shotgun Willy
Contributing Member
Time to get out the garden hose.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#616
Don drove as close as possible to the address Gary shouted to him. Perplexed, they drove around to the back door to avoid the crush of people standing on the front lawn.
"Hey Ma," Gary bellered as he opened the back door, "what's going on out there."
"Good heavens Gary, we're all right here," Clora mildly complained. ""We have a crazy lady out there that thinks she's going to force us to give up. or sell her this house. She was there when we got up this morning, the newspapers are here, and Dad called the authorities. They should be here soon. Well hello, who are you?" Clora finally noticed Mercy Rose, standing back behind Don.
"Ma, this is Mercy Rose. I'm sorry MR, I don't know your last name," Don felt awkward for his oversight.
"Mercy Rose Jenkins, pleased to meet you Ma'am." Mercy Rose had a very direct gaze and manner, but very charming and polite.
"I brought Mercy Rose by to meet the family," Don explained. "She's going to stay at her Uncles and go to school at the university?" Don was unsure of the relationship, he felt it had never been fully explained to him.
"Shirttail relation," Mercy Rose said with a smile.
"I stayed at her Grandparent's motel and we got to talking and I volunteered to bring MR down to school." Don explained to Clora's lifted eyebrow. The eyebrow went down and Clora smiled.
"Welcome, have you had breakfast?" Clora asked, knowing that Donny was a bottomless pit when it came to food.
"We ate a long time ago," Don tried to sound pitiful.
"I'm starving," Gary announced almost as an after thought.
"I figured that," Clora said with a small laugh, "sit down, it's pancaked, as that's the only thing I could find in the closest open box."
"Let me help" MR offered and went to wash her hands. In a few short minutes, the three of them were awash in golden brown pancakes.
Mark came from the room he claimed as his office. "The police should be here soon. Hello, I didn't realize we had company."
Introductions were made and MR explained that Don had helped her grandparents around the motel. "We sure appreciate all that he did for us. They need to retire, but sadly, they can't. Granddad won't take Social security from the government, he's an independent old cuss." MR smiled to take the censure out of her words, but what she said was fact.
"I'm gonna take Mercy Rose over to her...?" Don looked at MR for the correct word to call her relative.
"Cousin," MR laughed at the face Don made. "That's good enough."
"I'll be back in an hour or so," he told Gary, "have some more to eat, that'll keep you occupied and out of trouble."
Tess smiled as the two went out the door.
id you hear Ma? She called him Don. I guess our Donny has graduated up."
Clora just smiled, and flipped the pancake. It was number six for Gary.
Don drove as close as possible to the address Gary shouted to him. Perplexed, they drove around to the back door to avoid the crush of people standing on the front lawn.
"Hey Ma," Gary bellered as he opened the back door, "what's going on out there."
"Good heavens Gary, we're all right here," Clora mildly complained. ""We have a crazy lady out there that thinks she's going to force us to give up. or sell her this house. She was there when we got up this morning, the newspapers are here, and Dad called the authorities. They should be here soon. Well hello, who are you?" Clora finally noticed Mercy Rose, standing back behind Don.
"Ma, this is Mercy Rose. I'm sorry MR, I don't know your last name," Don felt awkward for his oversight.
"Mercy Rose Jenkins, pleased to meet you Ma'am." Mercy Rose had a very direct gaze and manner, but very charming and polite.
"I brought Mercy Rose by to meet the family," Don explained. "She's going to stay at her Uncles and go to school at the university?" Don was unsure of the relationship, he felt it had never been fully explained to him.
"Shirttail relation," Mercy Rose said with a smile.
"I stayed at her Grandparent's motel and we got to talking and I volunteered to bring MR down to school." Don explained to Clora's lifted eyebrow. The eyebrow went down and Clora smiled.
"Welcome, have you had breakfast?" Clora asked, knowing that Donny was a bottomless pit when it came to food.
"We ate a long time ago," Don tried to sound pitiful.
"I'm starving," Gary announced almost as an after thought.
"I figured that," Clora said with a small laugh, "sit down, it's pancaked, as that's the only thing I could find in the closest open box."
"Let me help" MR offered and went to wash her hands. In a few short minutes, the three of them were awash in golden brown pancakes.
Mark came from the room he claimed as his office. "The police should be here soon. Hello, I didn't realize we had company."
Introductions were made and MR explained that Don had helped her grandparents around the motel. "We sure appreciate all that he did for us. They need to retire, but sadly, they can't. Granddad won't take Social security from the government, he's an independent old cuss." MR smiled to take the censure out of her words, but what she said was fact.
"I'm gonna take Mercy Rose over to her...?" Don looked at MR for the correct word to call her relative.
"Cousin," MR laughed at the face Don made. "That's good enough."
"I'll be back in an hour or so," he told Gary, "have some more to eat, that'll keep you occupied and out of trouble."
Tess smiled as the two went out the door.
id you hear Ma? She called him Don. I guess our Donny has graduated up."Clora just smiled, and flipped the pancake. It was number six for Gary.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Now to get rid of the crazy lady, lol.
larry_minn
Contributing Member
Am I the only one that thinks about eating one of the pancakes, or cookies?
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#616b
The unknown man sat in his motel room, cursing himself for having such a weak moment as to go to his hated enemy house. His hatred had him forgetting that their might have been security cameras. A severe lapse of judgement; enough to jeopardize his entire mission. How could he have been so foolish and prideful. he shook his head at his own stupidity.
There was camera footage, but unluckily for Mark, the man had unknowingly kept himself turned away from the camera. All that was available was the profile of a medium tall men with dishwater blonde hair. Mark studied the tape intensively and could not place the man.
Mark asked Don and Gary to assist him later that night, to remove the surveillance cameras, he wanted to wait until all the workmen at the retreat had left. He also caught footage of Big, sneaking back and going into the barn, presumably to check on his horses, but who could be sure.
The unknown man fixed himself a cocktail of secret substances, the kind that let his mind expand into unfettered territory. His intention was to conjure up the most hideous and evil method of killing Mark Donaldson Linderman, that had ever befell a human. He needed justice to ease his mind from the all-consuming rage that dictated his every move.
The Oz man that he had come in contact with, also wanted to kidnap children from the Linderman clan. The tall, stoop shouldered man had a rage for the Linderman son that had married his daughter. His daughter had prevented him from accessing a child that he had promised as payment for a debt. The debt was now due in double payment, and there was no escaping the due date.
The unknown man thought it was very distasteful to have to deal with Ernie and Ozzie; in fact, he was slowly dissociating himself from the dirty riffraff, they were disgusting.
Ernie was slowly recovering, and as he improved, he focused more hate on Gary. That Cooper and some unknown guy had discovered where the Linderman's lived, it was pure serendipity to the rat faced ex law clerk.
That they had seen Breezy there, was the greatest feeling to Ernie. How convent to have both objects of his hatred and vengeance in the same place. His life was certainly looking up. The police were still looking for him, he guessed there was a little matter of his skipped bail; but the bull dog of a bail bondsman was more of a problem than the law.
Ernie was extremely careful not to expose himself, but he was having trouble with Ozzie; his worthless brother was complaining about doing all of Ernie's public appearances. As usual, Ozzie wasn't as helpful as he should have been.
Don drove Mercy Rose to her cousin's place. A nice middle class home with a small yard and kid toys littered about. The man and his wife were nice, polite and Don said "so long" to MR and drove back to Ma and Dad's new diggings.
Since Mark had both son's there, they moved boxes. Nothing was labeled on the outside of the boxes, so there was bathroom stuff in the living room and kitchen stuff in the bedrooms. The only things Mark and Clora had moved was the contents of Mark's desk, computer and his assortment of weapons. Clora had asked to move most of the storeroom contents, and the precious sacks of staples rode to their new home in the van.
It was nerve wracking to hear the screeching's of the crazy lady on the porch, but she was getting hoarse, so it wasn't as loud. The crowd of on-lookers had mostly drifted away, the news cameras and reporters were gone as well.
Miss Crazy Lady really needed to use the bathroom, but her problem was, she hadn't thought her plan all the way through. There was no way she could unlock herself. And now, she couldn't remember what she had done with the key.
The unknown man sat in his motel room, cursing himself for having such a weak moment as to go to his hated enemy house. His hatred had him forgetting that their might have been security cameras. A severe lapse of judgement; enough to jeopardize his entire mission. How could he have been so foolish and prideful. he shook his head at his own stupidity.
There was camera footage, but unluckily for Mark, the man had unknowingly kept himself turned away from the camera. All that was available was the profile of a medium tall men with dishwater blonde hair. Mark studied the tape intensively and could not place the man.
Mark asked Don and Gary to assist him later that night, to remove the surveillance cameras, he wanted to wait until all the workmen at the retreat had left. He also caught footage of Big, sneaking back and going into the barn, presumably to check on his horses, but who could be sure.
The unknown man fixed himself a cocktail of secret substances, the kind that let his mind expand into unfettered territory. His intention was to conjure up the most hideous and evil method of killing Mark Donaldson Linderman, that had ever befell a human. He needed justice to ease his mind from the all-consuming rage that dictated his every move.
The Oz man that he had come in contact with, also wanted to kidnap children from the Linderman clan. The tall, stoop shouldered man had a rage for the Linderman son that had married his daughter. His daughter had prevented him from accessing a child that he had promised as payment for a debt. The debt was now due in double payment, and there was no escaping the due date.
The unknown man thought it was very distasteful to have to deal with Ernie and Ozzie; in fact, he was slowly dissociating himself from the dirty riffraff, they were disgusting.
Ernie was slowly recovering, and as he improved, he focused more hate on Gary. That Cooper and some unknown guy had discovered where the Linderman's lived, it was pure serendipity to the rat faced ex law clerk.
That they had seen Breezy there, was the greatest feeling to Ernie. How convent to have both objects of his hatred and vengeance in the same place. His life was certainly looking up. The police were still looking for him, he guessed there was a little matter of his skipped bail; but the bull dog of a bail bondsman was more of a problem than the law.
Ernie was extremely careful not to expose himself, but he was having trouble with Ozzie; his worthless brother was complaining about doing all of Ernie's public appearances. As usual, Ozzie wasn't as helpful as he should have been.
Don drove Mercy Rose to her cousin's place. A nice middle class home with a small yard and kid toys littered about. The man and his wife were nice, polite and Don said "so long" to MR and drove back to Ma and Dad's new diggings.
Since Mark had both son's there, they moved boxes. Nothing was labeled on the outside of the boxes, so there was bathroom stuff in the living room and kitchen stuff in the bedrooms. The only things Mark and Clora had moved was the contents of Mark's desk, computer and his assortment of weapons. Clora had asked to move most of the storeroom contents, and the precious sacks of staples rode to their new home in the van.
It was nerve wracking to hear the screeching's of the crazy lady on the porch, but she was getting hoarse, so it wasn't as loud. The crowd of on-lookers had mostly drifted away, the news cameras and reporters were gone as well.
Miss Crazy Lady really needed to use the bathroom, but her problem was, she hadn't thought her plan all the way through. There was no way she could unlock herself. And now, she couldn't remember what she had done with the key.
larry_minn
Contributing Member
I have thought leaving idiots glued, cuffed to whatever for the weekend. Then charge them for clean up repairs would be good.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you 
.
.
feralferret
Veteran Member
Pac, thanks for the new chapters.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#617
Mark sat in his office working on his budget, Available cash was almost nonexistent all the moving and cleaning had depleted his wallet into a thin bump in his hip pocket. Writing the check for the house and grounds was a major bite out of the wages and money they had accumulated in the checking account.
He was in a bad position. He dared not try to hustle the prince into committing to the land purchase and tell him to fork over the money. Not only would he lose face, but precious bargaining power. Mark wasn't sure that his dealings with Woody were any less dangerous than with the prince.
The only answer was an immediate austerity program.
"Beans and rice," he told Clora when she wandered in the room. "We are broke until somebody breaks loose with money. Do we have any more vinegar? I'm feeling like I need a vinegar soak."
"Not enough for a bath type soak; but we could put you in the bathtub and wet wash cloths or towels with vinegar and cover you with them. A basin of vinegar for a foot soak We have four gallons and they will go fast."
"I've got some where around five hundred dollars in my stash. Let me go get it," Clora turned around to hurry into their bedroom.
"I mis counted," she returned with the folded bills. "It's closer to eight hundred." Clora laid the bills on the blotter, noting that every item Mark would use, was most carefully aligned in a strict pattern on the desktop. Mark was already picking up the money and smoothing the wrinkles out with his thumb nail. The bills were all shuffled into order with the face up. and Mark was going through and putting the serial numbers in order.
Clora smiled at her man, Mark was Mark and that was all that mattered to her. "I'll get the vinegar, don't go anywhere, I'll be right back." she promised.
Mark sat in his office working on his budget, Available cash was almost nonexistent all the moving and cleaning had depleted his wallet into a thin bump in his hip pocket. Writing the check for the house and grounds was a major bite out of the wages and money they had accumulated in the checking account.
He was in a bad position. He dared not try to hustle the prince into committing to the land purchase and tell him to fork over the money. Not only would he lose face, but precious bargaining power. Mark wasn't sure that his dealings with Woody were any less dangerous than with the prince.
The only answer was an immediate austerity program.
"Beans and rice," he told Clora when she wandered in the room. "We are broke until somebody breaks loose with money. Do we have any more vinegar? I'm feeling like I need a vinegar soak."
"Not enough for a bath type soak; but we could put you in the bathtub and wet wash cloths or towels with vinegar and cover you with them. A basin of vinegar for a foot soak We have four gallons and they will go fast."
"I've got some where around five hundred dollars in my stash. Let me go get it," Clora turned around to hurry into their bedroom.
"I mis counted," she returned with the folded bills. "It's closer to eight hundred." Clora laid the bills on the blotter, noting that every item Mark would use, was most carefully aligned in a strict pattern on the desktop. Mark was already picking up the money and smoothing the wrinkles out with his thumb nail. The bills were all shuffled into order with the face up. and Mark was going through and putting the serial numbers in order.
Clora smiled at her man, Mark was Mark and that was all that mattered to her. "I'll get the vinegar, don't go anywhere, I'll be right back." she promised.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Wonderful, thank you. And I hope they can find a way to make more money.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#618
Mark was in the bathtub covered in towels and vinegar. Dinner was going to be late, unless she could find Tess and get her started on a potato soup. Then she happened to think, no cow, no milk. The potatoes that they had dug were in some box, somewhere.
Tess was no where to be found, but Tom was there. He agreed to open boxes until he found three quarts of 'something; they could use for soup. It hurt like fire to bend over and open boxes, but Tom gamely started in, thinking they needed to get Miss Bessie hired in a rip roaring hurry.
Finally, Mark was done with the vinegar bath, Tom had found two quarts of canned pork sausage. He fried the sausage and scrambled all the eggs they had on hand.
Not only that, but he had toasted all the bread in the kitchen. Clora looked at all the precious resources he had used in one meal and bravely smiled.
"Thank you Tom, I appreciate you making dinner." There wasn't anything to do but sit down and eat, while the food was hot. There was no sight of Tess and the boys, and Clora was feeling the rumblings of irritation, building.
"Mark, we need to go to the retreat and get the rest of the vegetables. There's too much there to walk away from. We should leave some for Big and Tilly, as they helped plant, but we should have the lion's worth. Woody can just fork over the money to care for his caretakers."
Gary looked up from his plate."I'm available to help, and Donny....excuse me....Don should be back here any time now. Where the heck is Tess? It's not like her to run off with the boy's and not leave word." Gary was kinda rubbing Tess's misbehavior into the conversation. He personally thought Tess got away with a 'princess attitude'; usually at someone's elses expense.
Clora curtly nodded, and by the look on her face, Gary was warned to let the matter drop. As he was finishing the last piece of toast, Gary was congratulating himself for becoming more astute and aware. As he told Toby, he was trying .
Clora piled the dishes in the sink of hot soapy water, looked at the rag tag crew and said, "we've got to go, now."
Mark was in the bathtub covered in towels and vinegar. Dinner was going to be late, unless she could find Tess and get her started on a potato soup. Then she happened to think, no cow, no milk. The potatoes that they had dug were in some box, somewhere.
Tess was no where to be found, but Tom was there. He agreed to open boxes until he found three quarts of 'something; they could use for soup. It hurt like fire to bend over and open boxes, but Tom gamely started in, thinking they needed to get Miss Bessie hired in a rip roaring hurry.
Finally, Mark was done with the vinegar bath, Tom had found two quarts of canned pork sausage. He fried the sausage and scrambled all the eggs they had on hand.
Not only that, but he had toasted all the bread in the kitchen. Clora looked at all the precious resources he had used in one meal and bravely smiled.
"Thank you Tom, I appreciate you making dinner." There wasn't anything to do but sit down and eat, while the food was hot. There was no sight of Tess and the boys, and Clora was feeling the rumblings of irritation, building.
"Mark, we need to go to the retreat and get the rest of the vegetables. There's too much there to walk away from. We should leave some for Big and Tilly, as they helped plant, but we should have the lion's worth. Woody can just fork over the money to care for his caretakers."
Gary looked up from his plate."I'm available to help, and Donny....excuse me....Don should be back here any time now. Where the heck is Tess? It's not like her to run off with the boy's and not leave word." Gary was kinda rubbing Tess's misbehavior into the conversation. He personally thought Tess got away with a 'princess attitude'; usually at someone's elses expense.
Clora curtly nodded, and by the look on her face, Gary was warned to let the matter drop. As he was finishing the last piece of toast, Gary was congratulating himself for becoming more astute and aware. As he told Toby, he was trying .
Clora piled the dishes in the sink of hot soapy water, looked at the rag tag crew and said, "we've got to go, now."
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you very much pac.
feralferret
Veteran Member
Clora piled the dishes in the sink of hot soapy water, looked at the rag tag crew and said, "we've got to go, now."
Dang, that Cliff character just had to jump right in there at the end!
Thanks, Pac.
Dang, that Cliff character just had to jump right in there at the end!
Thanks, Pac.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#619
Tess and her boys finally meandered home. They had gone for a walk, visited the university preschool class and the boys wanted to stay and olay. Tess felt it was a good introduction to the structure they would have in preschool. Although they were four, almost five, the time in Iowa had robbed them of 'modern' knowledge. There was a lot of catching up they needed to do.
Eventually the boys started to complain about being hungry, Tess looked at her watch and it was two thirty. They said good bye to the class and started for home. Shecqould have stopped and bought something to eat, however she had no money on her and her phone was home on the charger.
To complicate matters, she took a wrong turn that added more than a half hour to their travels. The sight of the crazy lady trying to shriek and shout from the front porch, was welcome indeed.
Tess noted there was a suspicious wet circle around where the woman was sitting, and she guided her boys around to the back door.
Tess looked at the lunch dishes piled in the sink, the meal completely eaten and nothing left. No eggs, no bread; just what did they think she was going to feed her kids with, nothing left back.
Don pulled in with Gary's Jeep and bounded up the stairs, looking for food.
Tess and her boys finally meandered home. They had gone for a walk, visited the university preschool class and the boys wanted to stay and olay. Tess felt it was a good introduction to the structure they would have in preschool. Although they were four, almost five, the time in Iowa had robbed them of 'modern' knowledge. There was a lot of catching up they needed to do.
Eventually the boys started to complain about being hungry, Tess looked at her watch and it was two thirty. They said good bye to the class and started for home. Shecqould have stopped and bought something to eat, however she had no money on her and her phone was home on the charger.
To complicate matters, she took a wrong turn that added more than a half hour to their travels. The sight of the crazy lady trying to shriek and shout from the front porch, was welcome indeed.
Tess noted there was a suspicious wet circle around where the woman was sitting, and she guided her boys around to the back door.
Tess looked at the lunch dishes piled in the sink, the meal completely eaten and nothing left. No eggs, no bread; just what did they think she was going to feed her kids with, nothing left back.
Don pulled in with Gary's Jeep and bounded up the stairs, looking for food.
Last edited:
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Time for Tess o start rethinking what she is doing. Lol Don looking for food, who'd have thought it lol.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#619b
Don sat down at the table and looked expectantly at his sister. "I don't care what we eat, as long as there's lots of it," he announced, wondering why Tess wasn't hopping too.
"I don't see any bandages on your arms," she snarked, highly irritated by Don's assumption that because she was a woman; she would automatically be the one to get the food ready.
They bickered and squabbled over who was, or was not required to put food on the table. Don solved his problem. He picked himself up and out the door and headed to the nearest burger joint.
By this time, the boys were arguing and saying mean things to each other; something they never did. They really must be hungry, Tess thought to herself, and she went to the cupboard for the cookie plate. It was empty.
An unhappy Tess snapped at her boys to stop the arguing and help her look for a jar of something in the boxes. Three boys with hungry tummy's and hurt feelings silently helped their mother.
She finally found a jar of pork stew, and another one that looked like tomato soup. The one was stew, but the other was Tomato juice, Mad, Tess thought about pouring the juice down the drain; it was of no use to her, and she wondered why Ma hadn't labeled the jars on top, so a person would know what they were getting.
There was no bread or butter. No crackers, No cookies, no dessert of any kind, and Tess in her pity party almost scorched the stew she was heating.
There was no Ma in the kitchen, no note where they might be. Tess was perturbed until she happened to think she hadn't told anyone that she and the boys had gone for a walk. When she went down the hall to get her phone, the stew really did burn in the pan.
Taking the smoking pan outside and turning on the kitchen exhaust fan, Tess had to start all over in her search for a jar to eat.
Finding a jar of canned potatoes, she was going to make a potato soup. But there was no milk. That was down right crummy. Her boys couldn't even have a drink of milk. Tess gave a deep sigh and put the potatoes on to heat. She guessed she could always slice the hot potatoes into a frypan and they could eat fried potatoes,.....and onions, if she could find one of the hidden veggies.
Don had a triple burger, extra large fries, a soda and a milkshake. While he waited for his food, he counted the money left in his wallet. He sure had used a lot of the money Dad had loaded him. After this treat, he had better rein in his expensive tastes and have a strict budget.
Toby was on the phone with the Morturary, a man had called earlier, demanding Rennie's body be shipped to a different funeral home, and they were calling to confirm the change.
"I did NOT authorize her body to be moved. The funeral is tomorrow as planned. I want to put a password on any calls to change what we have agreed upon. You have the payment I made, so please proceed as we outlined."
Toby had no doubt that Cameron Cooper was behind the attempted body snatching. But Cooper was slowly hanging himself with damming evidence, and one day his body would be found, dumped along the railroad tracks. The victim of an unknown assailant. It made Toby smile, a feral smile reminiscent of his father.
Toby called the school and settled their questions. The house phone rang incessantly with callers expressing condolances. Minnie had a notebook and she was carefully entering every name that called. A different page had the names of those that had sent flowers. The funeral home mentioned that they had more flowers than the chapel would hold, so they were re-routing the flowers to Toby's place.
Both Rennie and Toby were well liked in their profession, and the community turned out to support the family. Lyric and Barry were back home, wandering the halls and looking lost. Toby gave his kids the options of staying home and not attending the funeral, but they wanted to go.
As a precaution, Toby made sure that Minnie and Art would be on guard during the funeral, in case someone came to break in. Toby wasn't sure why he felt spooked by the thought, but it wouldn't be the first time a home had been ransacked during a funeral.
A low life like Cooper could be expected to do about anything, so there was security he hired, and a police escort to the graveyard. Toby felt like it was the least he could do for Rennie and the kids.
Don sat down at the table and looked expectantly at his sister. "I don't care what we eat, as long as there's lots of it," he announced, wondering why Tess wasn't hopping too.
"I don't see any bandages on your arms," she snarked, highly irritated by Don's assumption that because she was a woman; she would automatically be the one to get the food ready.
They bickered and squabbled over who was, or was not required to put food on the table. Don solved his problem. He picked himself up and out the door and headed to the nearest burger joint.
By this time, the boys were arguing and saying mean things to each other; something they never did. They really must be hungry, Tess thought to herself, and she went to the cupboard for the cookie plate. It was empty.
An unhappy Tess snapped at her boys to stop the arguing and help her look for a jar of something in the boxes. Three boys with hungry tummy's and hurt feelings silently helped their mother.
She finally found a jar of pork stew, and another one that looked like tomato soup. The one was stew, but the other was Tomato juice, Mad, Tess thought about pouring the juice down the drain; it was of no use to her, and she wondered why Ma hadn't labeled the jars on top, so a person would know what they were getting.
There was no bread or butter. No crackers, No cookies, no dessert of any kind, and Tess in her pity party almost scorched the stew she was heating.
There was no Ma in the kitchen, no note where they might be. Tess was perturbed until she happened to think she hadn't told anyone that she and the boys had gone for a walk. When she went down the hall to get her phone, the stew really did burn in the pan.
Taking the smoking pan outside and turning on the kitchen exhaust fan, Tess had to start all over in her search for a jar to eat.
Finding a jar of canned potatoes, she was going to make a potato soup. But there was no milk. That was down right crummy. Her boys couldn't even have a drink of milk. Tess gave a deep sigh and put the potatoes on to heat. She guessed she could always slice the hot potatoes into a frypan and they could eat fried potatoes,.....and onions, if she could find one of the hidden veggies.
Don had a triple burger, extra large fries, a soda and a milkshake. While he waited for his food, he counted the money left in his wallet. He sure had used a lot of the money Dad had loaded him. After this treat, he had better rein in his expensive tastes and have a strict budget.
Toby was on the phone with the Morturary, a man had called earlier, demanding Rennie's body be shipped to a different funeral home, and they were calling to confirm the change.
"I did NOT authorize her body to be moved. The funeral is tomorrow as planned. I want to put a password on any calls to change what we have agreed upon. You have the payment I made, so please proceed as we outlined."
Toby had no doubt that Cameron Cooper was behind the attempted body snatching. But Cooper was slowly hanging himself with damming evidence, and one day his body would be found, dumped along the railroad tracks. The victim of an unknown assailant. It made Toby smile, a feral smile reminiscent of his father.
Toby called the school and settled their questions. The house phone rang incessantly with callers expressing condolances. Minnie had a notebook and she was carefully entering every name that called. A different page had the names of those that had sent flowers. The funeral home mentioned that they had more flowers than the chapel would hold, so they were re-routing the flowers to Toby's place.
Both Rennie and Toby were well liked in their profession, and the community turned out to support the family. Lyric and Barry were back home, wandering the halls and looking lost. Toby gave his kids the options of staying home and not attending the funeral, but they wanted to go.
As a precaution, Toby made sure that Minnie and Art would be on guard during the funeral, in case someone came to break in. Toby wasn't sure why he felt spooked by the thought, but it wouldn't be the first time a home had been ransacked during a funeral.
A low life like Cooper could be expected to do about anything, so there was security he hired, and a police escort to the graveyard. Toby felt like it was the least he could do for Rennie and the kids.