sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
My condolences to your family.
Story Grace, Mercy and Blessings
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Sorry for the loss, Pac!
Nature_Lover
Wait! What?
I'm sorry for your loss, Pac. It sounds like Cousin left her mark, and that's all we can hope for, when the end comes. Tuck that hanky into Mr. KC's pocket when he's not looking he might just use it with that cold. LOL
Maybe next time, he'll pick something he wants, instead of your choice of hankies that he doesn't really want.
GOOD JOB! Mrs. Pac, stepping up for your Auntie, when no one else could do the hard stuff.
...and thank you for sharing your gift of writing with us. I'm hooked and hanging on every word.
Maybe next time, he'll pick something he wants, instead of your choice of hankies that he doesn't really want.
GOOD JOB! Mrs. Pac, stepping up for your Auntie, when no one else could do the hard stuff.
...and thank you for sharing your gift of writing with us. I'm hooked and hanging on every word.
feralferret
Veteran Member
Pac, my deepest sympathies for you and your family.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#547
The inside of Breezy's house was a buzzing hive of workmen and power tools. The kitchen door had been replaced, the old French doors were out and as an Immedient protection, screws were drilled into the casement to prevent the windows from being raised. Ham was on the phone giving another order and then to his electrical crew to come and install the security system. It was a madhouse.
In the midst of all the activity, Breezy sat at her desk, carefully gathering up and putting files together. She seemingly was oblivious to all the noise and hustle, as she refiled and straightened the piles of Ernie's mess and rage.
"Come with me upstairs," Gary coaxed, "you look like you need a break."
"No kidding, this noise and bustle is driving me crazy." Breezy got up and headed for the kitchen, There, by the downstairs door, was another door that was partially covered by cardboard boxes waiting to be broken down for the recycle.
"Sometimes there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done," Breezy apologized as she stuffed several small boxes into a bigger one, and kicked them out of the way.
The stair case was steep and winding, the upstairs attic hot and stuffy in the early midday heat.
"What a terrific place for a kid to play in a rainy afternoon." Gary looked around at the jumble of collections. And there were many, Boxes, trunks, heaps and many, many years of 'put by' too good to be thrown out.
There were signs of mice and squirrels, and the bank of windows, were about ready to topple out and land on the portico roof.
"We need to get the guys up here to secure the windows; it wouldn't take anything at all to climb that tree, jump over here to the roof and push a window in. It's a good thing we came up here to check." Gary resisted the urge to open a window, he wasn't sure what was holding them together.
"So, do you have any dead bodies up here that we need to hide, before we get workmen to secure the windows?" Gary teased.
"Oh, my, NO!" Breezy was indignant. "What on earth would you say a thing like that for. "Breezy started to work up a fine head of steam, so Gary kissed her, to keep her quiet.
Mark got a phone call from Omar White. The prince wanted to send an appraiser to examine the ground and give an opinion as to it's value. Mark agreed, smiling into the phone as he played cat and mouse with the well assured man who supposed the prince's craftiness would outshine the American dog, any day he chose.
Woody called right after the Saudi call, asking the same thing. The Service needed an appraisal from three different sources, the values to be graded and a median cost established. Mark agreed and mentioned that he was also hiring an appraisal firm.
"Good," Woody heartedly endorsed the idea, "the more the better for us all."
Mark had barely hung up from Woody's call, when the real estate person he had tasked with finding a suitable home called. He had a list of ten properties to consider. Prices and conditions ranged from dirt cheap, (trying to dump a headache); to old southern mansions, where prestige and ancestry were more important than anything else.
Mark made an appointment for tomorrow to look at the top three the agent recommended.
The inside of Breezy's house was a buzzing hive of workmen and power tools. The kitchen door had been replaced, the old French doors were out and as an Immedient protection, screws were drilled into the casement to prevent the windows from being raised. Ham was on the phone giving another order and then to his electrical crew to come and install the security system. It was a madhouse.
In the midst of all the activity, Breezy sat at her desk, carefully gathering up and putting files together. She seemingly was oblivious to all the noise and hustle, as she refiled and straightened the piles of Ernie's mess and rage.
"Come with me upstairs," Gary coaxed, "you look like you need a break."
"No kidding, this noise and bustle is driving me crazy." Breezy got up and headed for the kitchen, There, by the downstairs door, was another door that was partially covered by cardboard boxes waiting to be broken down for the recycle.
"Sometimes there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done," Breezy apologized as she stuffed several small boxes into a bigger one, and kicked them out of the way.
The stair case was steep and winding, the upstairs attic hot and stuffy in the early midday heat.
"What a terrific place for a kid to play in a rainy afternoon." Gary looked around at the jumble of collections. And there were many, Boxes, trunks, heaps and many, many years of 'put by' too good to be thrown out.
There were signs of mice and squirrels, and the bank of windows, were about ready to topple out and land on the portico roof.
"We need to get the guys up here to secure the windows; it wouldn't take anything at all to climb that tree, jump over here to the roof and push a window in. It's a good thing we came up here to check." Gary resisted the urge to open a window, he wasn't sure what was holding them together.
"So, do you have any dead bodies up here that we need to hide, before we get workmen to secure the windows?" Gary teased.
"Oh, my, NO!" Breezy was indignant. "What on earth would you say a thing like that for. "Breezy started to work up a fine head of steam, so Gary kissed her, to keep her quiet.
Mark got a phone call from Omar White. The prince wanted to send an appraiser to examine the ground and give an opinion as to it's value. Mark agreed, smiling into the phone as he played cat and mouse with the well assured man who supposed the prince's craftiness would outshine the American dog, any day he chose.
Woody called right after the Saudi call, asking the same thing. The Service needed an appraisal from three different sources, the values to be graded and a median cost established. Mark agreed and mentioned that he was also hiring an appraisal firm.
"Good," Woody heartedly endorsed the idea, "the more the better for us all."
Mark had barely hung up from Woody's call, when the real estate person he had tasked with finding a suitable home called. He had a list of ten properties to consider. Prices and conditions ranged from dirt cheap, (trying to dump a headache); to old southern mansions, where prestige and ancestry were more important than anything else.
Mark made an appointment for tomorrow to look at the top three the agent recommended.
steamroller
Contributing Member
Will be really interesting to see what happens when Ernie shows up again.
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks,Pac!
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#548
"listen Buster, What did you do that for?" Breezy was furious, eyes snapping and standing with her hands on her hips.
"Because I wanted too." Gary's calmness did nothing more than inflame Breezy.
"You can't do that!"
"Why not? Did it hurt? Did it leave a sour taste in your mouth?" Gary smiled the self-satisfied grin of a man enjoying himself.
"Well, just because. I didn't tell you, you could, for one thing." Indignant and sputtering, Breezy was suffering from the lack of control.
"Ok," Gary smiled, "the next time you want a kiss, you have to kiss me first, and ask for it."
"Oh, when pigs fly." Breezy snapped and headed downstairs with an arched eyebrow look over her shoulder. A look that said, 'so there you insufferable man.'
Gary chuckled, and he couldn't see Breezy's face, but he had very good hearing. Her smile was loud and clear.
"listen Buster, What did you do that for?" Breezy was furious, eyes snapping and standing with her hands on her hips.
"Because I wanted too." Gary's calmness did nothing more than inflame Breezy.
"You can't do that!"
"Why not? Did it hurt? Did it leave a sour taste in your mouth?" Gary smiled the self-satisfied grin of a man enjoying himself.
"Well, just because. I didn't tell you, you could, for one thing." Indignant and sputtering, Breezy was suffering from the lack of control.
"Ok," Gary smiled, "the next time you want a kiss, you have to kiss me first, and ask for it."
"Oh, when pigs fly." Breezy snapped and headed downstairs with an arched eyebrow look over her shoulder. A look that said, 'so there you insufferable man.'
Gary chuckled, and he couldn't see Breezy's face, but he had very good hearing. Her smile was loud and clear.
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Too funny..., thanks, Pac!
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Many thanks Pac.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#549
Tom got back to Toby's and had breakfast started when Toby came walking in. Freshly showered, smothered in Bay Rum aftershave and wearing the Linderman confidence, he looked like a supremely confident man in his profession.
"It shore am a good thing you ain't single," Tom teased, "you be some irresistible tom cat fer sure. You just remind me of yer daddy so much, it's spooky."
"Well thanks, I think," Toby laughed. "What in the world was so all fired important last night that Gary couldn't handle it by himself?"
"Oh, he's done got himself all tied up in knots over that snooty gal that was out to the farm. Some dude that used to work for her got fired and he's making nasty, and the door fell out of her house. It's long and complicated story, but the way those two act around each other makes up for the inconvenience of having to sleep on the floor. It was a show to be sure." Tom grinned and flipped a pancake on a plate with bacon and asked if Toby wanted an egg.
"This is fine Tom, thanks." Toby buttered and syruped the plate sized hotcake, and started eating. "Are there any problems,, or concerns you have noticed around here? I want to hear them all, good and bad. We appreciate you stepping in and doing this for us. Are you sure you don't want to do this full time?"
"No problems that I'm aware of, beyond the trees that Donny is slowly cleaning up and trimming. This place could use a six foot chain link fence around the back and sides. Don't forget that as a lawyer, yer gonna make enemies, and a guard dog or two wouldn't be out of place. Yer kids mind good , but they like the freedom to run here, and it's good fer them to do so. I 'spect it won't be long before you'll be getting a couple of ponies. The little missy is in love with anything horse, so get ready. Toby, I appreciate the job, but this really ain't my line of work. I can help you out fer a while longer, but you and Miss Rennie need a younger couple to care fer you and this place." Tom was almost out of breath by the time he got done talking, a major speech for the usually reticent man.
"I'll get on that this afternoon, I have court this morning; but will give a call to the employment agency and see who's available. Today will be exciting, I'm going up against one of my former law office collogues. He's been stalling on settling an estate, it's a low down shame they are so obstinate."
"Yer a good sharp lawyer Toby, I'm as proud of you as yer Ma and Dad are." Tom didn't turn around from his work at the stove, but his quiet words were higher praise to Toby, and he smiled.
"Did you ever hear the story of how Ma and Dad came to rescue me and my sister Tonya?:" Toby reminisced, going back to the years at 'The Farm" at Walters place.
"No sir, didn't know you had a sister." Tom heard the running feet of Lyric and Barry, and started smaller pancakes.
Milo had a large sheet of paper spread out on the kitchen table. He and Honey were creating a blue print of what they wanted to do with their place, landscaping, security and room for a garden.
Robbie was at the bar, finishing a bowl of cereal and independent little miss Mila was stubbornly refusing to wear the clothes her Mother had picked out for her.
"You'd better hurry up, the bus will be here for you plenty soon and you haven't had breakfast," Robbie called down the hall. "Who cares if you have the plain or striped tights, they both cover your butt."
"Robbie," Milo scolded as he was laughing "you'd better can that kind of talk."
"Well jeeze Dad, you'd think she was getting dressed for the queen, or something."
"Girls getting ready for school are princesses, remember I have a sister."
"Yeah, well I bet Auntie Tess was never like that. She;s the best girl I've ever seen , not like a girl at all."
Milo coughed and sputtered, "I'll be sure to tell her about your high praise," he assured Robbie. Robbie finished, put his bowl in the sink and grabbed his backpack.
"See ya, I have practice tonight after school, be home on the activity bus about 6:30."
"Do well," Milo called out, "you've got it in you."
Robbie bolted out the door as the sound of bus air brakes. He was on his way to school.
Mark walked the appraiser around the grounds. "I'd like two separate appraisal" he stressed. "One on the buildings and the front acreage, and the second one on the acreage down to the river."
"You have a great place here, the buildings are in good shape, and I know some developers that would love to get their hands on the river property. Right off hand, the acreage is probably three times the price of the buildings." Michael Jones reached for his clip board. "Well, I'll get started." he replied.
Mark had a hunch that the prince and his advisors were up to tricks and giggles over the land. He was supposing that the prince would offer to buy the acreage only, thinking that it would put Mark in a bind, to sell the buildings and that Mark would throw them in to get the deal done.
Mark decided it would give him great pleasure to be prepared against the Saudis.
Tom got back to Toby's and had breakfast started when Toby came walking in. Freshly showered, smothered in Bay Rum aftershave and wearing the Linderman confidence, he looked like a supremely confident man in his profession.
"It shore am a good thing you ain't single," Tom teased, "you be some irresistible tom cat fer sure. You just remind me of yer daddy so much, it's spooky."
"Well thanks, I think," Toby laughed. "What in the world was so all fired important last night that Gary couldn't handle it by himself?"
"Oh, he's done got himself all tied up in knots over that snooty gal that was out to the farm. Some dude that used to work for her got fired and he's making nasty, and the door fell out of her house. It's long and complicated story, but the way those two act around each other makes up for the inconvenience of having to sleep on the floor. It was a show to be sure." Tom grinned and flipped a pancake on a plate with bacon and asked if Toby wanted an egg.
"This is fine Tom, thanks." Toby buttered and syruped the plate sized hotcake, and started eating. "Are there any problems,, or concerns you have noticed around here? I want to hear them all, good and bad. We appreciate you stepping in and doing this for us. Are you sure you don't want to do this full time?"
"No problems that I'm aware of, beyond the trees that Donny is slowly cleaning up and trimming. This place could use a six foot chain link fence around the back and sides. Don't forget that as a lawyer, yer gonna make enemies, and a guard dog or two wouldn't be out of place. Yer kids mind good , but they like the freedom to run here, and it's good fer them to do so. I 'spect it won't be long before you'll be getting a couple of ponies. The little missy is in love with anything horse, so get ready. Toby, I appreciate the job, but this really ain't my line of work. I can help you out fer a while longer, but you and Miss Rennie need a younger couple to care fer you and this place." Tom was almost out of breath by the time he got done talking, a major speech for the usually reticent man.
"I'll get on that this afternoon, I have court this morning; but will give a call to the employment agency and see who's available. Today will be exciting, I'm going up against one of my former law office collogues. He's been stalling on settling an estate, it's a low down shame they are so obstinate."
"Yer a good sharp lawyer Toby, I'm as proud of you as yer Ma and Dad are." Tom didn't turn around from his work at the stove, but his quiet words were higher praise to Toby, and he smiled.
"Did you ever hear the story of how Ma and Dad came to rescue me and my sister Tonya?:" Toby reminisced, going back to the years at 'The Farm" at Walters place.
"No sir, didn't know you had a sister." Tom heard the running feet of Lyric and Barry, and started smaller pancakes.
Milo had a large sheet of paper spread out on the kitchen table. He and Honey were creating a blue print of what they wanted to do with their place, landscaping, security and room for a garden.
Robbie was at the bar, finishing a bowl of cereal and independent little miss Mila was stubbornly refusing to wear the clothes her Mother had picked out for her.
"You'd better hurry up, the bus will be here for you plenty soon and you haven't had breakfast," Robbie called down the hall. "Who cares if you have the plain or striped tights, they both cover your butt."
"Robbie," Milo scolded as he was laughing "you'd better can that kind of talk."
"Well jeeze Dad, you'd think she was getting dressed for the queen, or something."
"Girls getting ready for school are princesses, remember I have a sister."
"Yeah, well I bet Auntie Tess was never like that. She;s the best girl I've ever seen , not like a girl at all."
Milo coughed and sputtered, "I'll be sure to tell her about your high praise," he assured Robbie. Robbie finished, put his bowl in the sink and grabbed his backpack.
"See ya, I have practice tonight after school, be home on the activity bus about 6:30."
"Do well," Milo called out, "you've got it in you."
Robbie bolted out the door as the sound of bus air brakes. He was on his way to school.
Mark walked the appraiser around the grounds. "I'd like two separate appraisal" he stressed. "One on the buildings and the front acreage, and the second one on the acreage down to the river."
"You have a great place here, the buildings are in good shape, and I know some developers that would love to get their hands on the river property. Right off hand, the acreage is probably three times the price of the buildings." Michael Jones reached for his clip board. "Well, I'll get started." he replied.
Mark had a hunch that the prince and his advisors were up to tricks and giggles over the land. He was supposing that the prince would offer to buy the acreage only, thinking that it would put Mark in a bind, to sell the buildings and that Mark would throw them in to get the deal done.
Mark decided it would give him great pleasure to be prepared against the Saudis.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Great n Mark. Thank you Pac.
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, Pac!
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#550
When he was downstairs, Gary went to talk to Ham about securing the upstairs windows. "This place is falling down around her ankles," the contractor growled. "How in the world did she let it get in such disrepair?"
Gary shrugged his shoulders; the question was rhetorical. Miss Breezy simply didn't pay attention to mundane things as house repairs. Now it was turning around to bite her in the rear. He needed to have a real heart to heart with the esteem able Miss Breezy. The amount of work that needed to be done on the house, might exceed the value of the property. What he needed to see was her tax evaluation statement, to see if it was cost feasible.. If Breezy was agreeable, that was a major step in a slow but interesting budding romance. She was so stinking independent, she might not agree.
Breezy was back at her desk with a furious frown. "I'm missing the majority of my notes for the hearing tomorrow. Blast that Ernie anyway. What a rotten thing to do."
Breezy picked up the desk phone, thinking she was going to ask for a continuance and got a real strange look on her face. Beckoning to Gary, she stage whispered to him, "the phone is dead." And she shivered, the fright was back on her face..
"Let me check the kitchen phone, perhaps some of the construction has caused a problem." Gary was already on the move. No, the kitchen phone was just as dead. The next step was to check the outside connection box. The wires had been cut; not only cut, but cut in small snippets that made it impossible to reattach to the terminals.
That was a deliberate Ernie move to scare Breezy. The man must be out of jail, so that was a complication to overcome. More than ever, Gary was sure that Ernie wouldn't like the reception he was planning, but he needed to get a silencer for his pistol.
Gary grabbed for his cell phone, he needed to call Mark anyway.
"Dad, I need a specialized piece of equipment. If you don't have a spare, could I borrow yours. It's getting serious here." The construction noise had Gary stepping outside to escape the racket.
"The guy threatening Breezy is a real slimeball, we discovered he's out of jail and cut the phone lines. They were operational last night."
"And you need?" Mark cut to the chase.
'A pistol silencer .what needs to be done here needs no sounds to cause attention, especially to Breezy. She simply doesn't understand the danger she is in. Donny could bring it, when he comes to help me tonight."
"Yeah, well he's not up yet. I haven't spoken to him about coming into town." Gary could hear Mark feeling frustrated. "Gary, I have several things happening here that need my attention, I'll have to talk with you later."
Gary felt as frustrated as Mark sounded.
When he was downstairs, Gary went to talk to Ham about securing the upstairs windows. "This place is falling down around her ankles," the contractor growled. "How in the world did she let it get in such disrepair?"
Gary shrugged his shoulders; the question was rhetorical. Miss Breezy simply didn't pay attention to mundane things as house repairs. Now it was turning around to bite her in the rear. He needed to have a real heart to heart with the esteem able Miss Breezy. The amount of work that needed to be done on the house, might exceed the value of the property. What he needed to see was her tax evaluation statement, to see if it was cost feasible.. If Breezy was agreeable, that was a major step in a slow but interesting budding romance. She was so stinking independent, she might not agree.
Breezy was back at her desk with a furious frown. "I'm missing the majority of my notes for the hearing tomorrow. Blast that Ernie anyway. What a rotten thing to do."
Breezy picked up the desk phone, thinking she was going to ask for a continuance and got a real strange look on her face. Beckoning to Gary, she stage whispered to him, "the phone is dead." And she shivered, the fright was back on her face..
"Let me check the kitchen phone, perhaps some of the construction has caused a problem." Gary was already on the move. No, the kitchen phone was just as dead. The next step was to check the outside connection box. The wires had been cut; not only cut, but cut in small snippets that made it impossible to reattach to the terminals.
That was a deliberate Ernie move to scare Breezy. The man must be out of jail, so that was a complication to overcome. More than ever, Gary was sure that Ernie wouldn't like the reception he was planning, but he needed to get a silencer for his pistol.
Gary grabbed for his cell phone, he needed to call Mark anyway.
"Dad, I need a specialized piece of equipment. If you don't have a spare, could I borrow yours. It's getting serious here." The construction noise had Gary stepping outside to escape the racket.
"The guy threatening Breezy is a real slimeball, we discovered he's out of jail and cut the phone lines. They were operational last night."
"And you need?" Mark cut to the chase.
'A pistol silencer .what needs to be done here needs no sounds to cause attention, especially to Breezy. She simply doesn't understand the danger she is in. Donny could bring it, when he comes to help me tonight."
"Yeah, well he's not up yet. I haven't spoken to him about coming into town." Gary could hear Mark feeling frustrated. "Gary, I have several things happening here that need my attention, I'll have to talk with you later."
Gary felt as frustrated as Mark sounded.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I bet both men are. Thank you Pac.
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Interesting, quiet work time! Thanks, Pac!
feralferret
Veteran Member
Thanks, Pac!
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#551
Mark went to the house, he needed coffee. No he didn't either, he didn't know what he wanted. That situation made him more upset. He ALWAYS knew what he wanted and he always had a plan. Now it was jumbled, it put him in a temper. Nothing was going right, and suddenly Gary wanted a silencer. Mark couldn't remember if he had another silencer or not. THAT made him mad all over again.
Nothing was going right, Mark was fighting internally for control, and it just wasn't coming together like it should.
Clora looked up when Mark came in, and she could feel the desperation and his wrestle for control was failing. Mark almost stumbled as he turned to go down the hall, so unlike his normal self awareness.
Getting up to trail after him, Clora was struck by two terrible thoughts. First, Mark was acting like he had when he had been poisoned in the cave. Second, there was an attack on Mark from some agency, destined to remove him as a redundant spy.
"Vinegar, I need a gallon of vinegar," Clora yelled out. "Tilly, get Big, I need his help." The triplets came running in the kitchen and went speeding after Clora.
"NO !" she yelled fiercely, scaring the young boys, causing them to start crying. Tess came hurrying in, wondering what was happening, just in time to hear her mother scream at her boys. Tess opened her mouth to ask what was going on, and Clora yelled at her to wake up Donny, she needed immediate help.
Clora went running to Mark's study, in time to see him collapse to the floor. Turning him over, she held her apron tight against his nose to stop the bleeding.
Tilly came running in with a gallon of vinegar. "I need rags and a bowl," Clora hollered, "now!" when it looked like Tilly was going to ask what was the matter.
"Get more vinegar," and Clora started splashing the brown liquid all over Mark. Tilly was nodding as she backed out of the room, bumping into Donny who was zipping up his pants and struggling to get a shirt on.
"Get your knife," Clora commanded, "we need to cut his shirt off. where is Big, we need his help." Donny shook his head sharply, he had come up out of a sound sleep and felt befuddled for several seconds. Then he went into action when Clora slapped his leg with considerable force. "Do as I say," she grated harshly, "I'm not gonna let him die because your standing around like an idiot."
That put Donny into motion. Deft cuts with the sharp folder exposed Mark's chest and Clora poured on the vinegar and rubbed it harshly. "Cut the arms open," she demanded, and Donny complied.
"Help me turn him over, cut his shirt up the back." Clora was pouring on the vinegar Donny felt faint when he got the material split and saw the network of scars on Mark's back. He made an involuntary noise and caused Clora to snap at him.
"No time for that now, get to rubbing the vinegar into his skin. Tilly, where are you, we need more vinegar."
Off in the distance, Donny could hear the alarm bell by the back door ringing, Tilly was summoning Big. Clora hollered for vinegar once again and then went to the room door and screamed at Tess to get more vinegar, a bowl and rags.
Tess had her hands full with three upset boys that clung to her. Clora was using the last of the vinegar to wet Mark's hair and rub the acetic acid into his scalp.
"Go get more vinegar, and so help me, don't you take very long," Clora ordered Donny and he flew out of the room, to get it done.
Donny had to slap Tilly's hand to make her stop ringing the bell. "Where is the vinegar?" he yelled, spinning the plump cook around and shoving her back into the kitchen. "Get it now."
"Send those babies to their room," he ordered Tess, causing her to snap her head up almost in protest. "Don't be useless in a crisis, this won't be the only one in your life."Donny snapped at Tess, grabbed the two gallons of vinegar that Tilly offered and ran down the hall.
Clora had Donny's knife and was cutting Mark's pants up the back. Spreading the material away from his skin, the pungent fumes of the homemade poison assaulted their senses.
"Good God, what is that smell?" Donny choked and gagged.
"Poison," Clora mumbled. "He was poisoned with it once before and is very sensitive to it's effects. Get his boots off, they must be the source. Cut his socks off."
Clora was splashing vinegar like rain water, especially on Mark's feet. They were covered with red blisters and the vinegar and poison was overpowering.
Big finally showed up. "Open the windows," Clora was giving orders, "we don't want to get sick."
The one window wanted to stick, and it opened widely when Big got done with it.
Tilly burst into the room with another gallon of white vinegar, bowl and cloth.
"Wipe his face, especially the ears and behind them, down into the soft skin under." Clora told Tilly. " Big, help me rub the blisters open on his feet. As long as we have vinegar on our hands, it won't bother us.."
Soon, Mark's feet were a bloody, vinegar smelling mess. "We need to turn him over, get his belt undone,, get his pants off." The three of them worked feverishly to soak Mark in the acid liquid. Eventually, his breathing smoothed out and Clora sat back, leaning up against the corner of the desk for support.
"Oh my." she breathed out slowly. "Thank you everyone for helping. Now we need to get him in the shower and scrub the tainted vinegar off him. How much vinegar do we have left?"
"No more, that is all of it," Tilly reported. "Donny, he can go for more. Big will stay here to help move Mister Mark. What is this poison and where did it come from?" she asked fearfully, looking at Big in her fright. "You come, I will wash off your hands, you also Donny, and then you Miss Clora. We can't get you ill from this stuff."
"It's a plant based alkaline poison, sort of a homemade type of stuff. It had to come from his socks, based on the shape his feet were in. Donny, will you take the van and go get more vinegar, we may need to do this several more times." Clora struggled to her feet and opened Mark's top desk drawer. He always kept a hundred dollars or so in there and Clora grabbed it all.
"A dozen gallons of vinegar. You'll probably have to go to more than one store. Take Tess and the boys with you; that way they won't see us move Mark down to our room."
Donny nodded and looked at himself. "I've got to get fry pants on, besides I smell."
"Move it," Clora ordered with a smile, "I believe the danger is over for a few minutes."
Gary conferred with Ham about the windows upstairs, and had to promise overtime for the first crew that was finished with the doors. In Breezy's bedroom, they framed in and created a solid wall where the French doors had been. The office door was solid, but still needed finishing work.
The electrical team had the cameras installed, covering every door and window on the ground floor. Every thing was cool until Gary went to show them where he wanted the camera in the basement.
The window that looked used, was unlatched and open. Ernie was starting a campaign of terror.
Mark went to the house, he needed coffee. No he didn't either, he didn't know what he wanted. That situation made him more upset. He ALWAYS knew what he wanted and he always had a plan. Now it was jumbled, it put him in a temper. Nothing was going right, and suddenly Gary wanted a silencer. Mark couldn't remember if he had another silencer or not. THAT made him mad all over again.
Nothing was going right, Mark was fighting internally for control, and it just wasn't coming together like it should.
Clora looked up when Mark came in, and she could feel the desperation and his wrestle for control was failing. Mark almost stumbled as he turned to go down the hall, so unlike his normal self awareness.
Getting up to trail after him, Clora was struck by two terrible thoughts. First, Mark was acting like he had when he had been poisoned in the cave. Second, there was an attack on Mark from some agency, destined to remove him as a redundant spy.
"Vinegar, I need a gallon of vinegar," Clora yelled out. "Tilly, get Big, I need his help." The triplets came running in the kitchen and went speeding after Clora.
"NO !" she yelled fiercely, scaring the young boys, causing them to start crying. Tess came hurrying in, wondering what was happening, just in time to hear her mother scream at her boys. Tess opened her mouth to ask what was going on, and Clora yelled at her to wake up Donny, she needed immediate help.
Clora went running to Mark's study, in time to see him collapse to the floor. Turning him over, she held her apron tight against his nose to stop the bleeding.
Tilly came running in with a gallon of vinegar. "I need rags and a bowl," Clora hollered, "now!" when it looked like Tilly was going to ask what was the matter.
"Get more vinegar," and Clora started splashing the brown liquid all over Mark. Tilly was nodding as she backed out of the room, bumping into Donny who was zipping up his pants and struggling to get a shirt on.
"Get your knife," Clora commanded, "we need to cut his shirt off. where is Big, we need his help." Donny shook his head sharply, he had come up out of a sound sleep and felt befuddled for several seconds. Then he went into action when Clora slapped his leg with considerable force. "Do as I say," she grated harshly, "I'm not gonna let him die because your standing around like an idiot."
That put Donny into motion. Deft cuts with the sharp folder exposed Mark's chest and Clora poured on the vinegar and rubbed it harshly. "Cut the arms open," she demanded, and Donny complied.
"Help me turn him over, cut his shirt up the back." Clora was pouring on the vinegar Donny felt faint when he got the material split and saw the network of scars on Mark's back. He made an involuntary noise and caused Clora to snap at him.
"No time for that now, get to rubbing the vinegar into his skin. Tilly, where are you, we need more vinegar."
Off in the distance, Donny could hear the alarm bell by the back door ringing, Tilly was summoning Big. Clora hollered for vinegar once again and then went to the room door and screamed at Tess to get more vinegar, a bowl and rags.
Tess had her hands full with three upset boys that clung to her. Clora was using the last of the vinegar to wet Mark's hair and rub the acetic acid into his scalp.
"Go get more vinegar, and so help me, don't you take very long," Clora ordered Donny and he flew out of the room, to get it done.
Donny had to slap Tilly's hand to make her stop ringing the bell. "Where is the vinegar?" he yelled, spinning the plump cook around and shoving her back into the kitchen. "Get it now."
"Send those babies to their room," he ordered Tess, causing her to snap her head up almost in protest. "Don't be useless in a crisis, this won't be the only one in your life."Donny snapped at Tess, grabbed the two gallons of vinegar that Tilly offered and ran down the hall.
Clora had Donny's knife and was cutting Mark's pants up the back. Spreading the material away from his skin, the pungent fumes of the homemade poison assaulted their senses.
"Good God, what is that smell?" Donny choked and gagged.
"Poison," Clora mumbled. "He was poisoned with it once before and is very sensitive to it's effects. Get his boots off, they must be the source. Cut his socks off."
Clora was splashing vinegar like rain water, especially on Mark's feet. They were covered with red blisters and the vinegar and poison was overpowering.
Big finally showed up. "Open the windows," Clora was giving orders, "we don't want to get sick."
The one window wanted to stick, and it opened widely when Big got done with it.
Tilly burst into the room with another gallon of white vinegar, bowl and cloth.
"Wipe his face, especially the ears and behind them, down into the soft skin under." Clora told Tilly. " Big, help me rub the blisters open on his feet. As long as we have vinegar on our hands, it won't bother us.."
Soon, Mark's feet were a bloody, vinegar smelling mess. "We need to turn him over, get his belt undone,, get his pants off." The three of them worked feverishly to soak Mark in the acid liquid. Eventually, his breathing smoothed out and Clora sat back, leaning up against the corner of the desk for support.
"Oh my." she breathed out slowly. "Thank you everyone for helping. Now we need to get him in the shower and scrub the tainted vinegar off him. How much vinegar do we have left?"
"No more, that is all of it," Tilly reported. "Donny, he can go for more. Big will stay here to help move Mister Mark. What is this poison and where did it come from?" she asked fearfully, looking at Big in her fright. "You come, I will wash off your hands, you also Donny, and then you Miss Clora. We can't get you ill from this stuff."
"It's a plant based alkaline poison, sort of a homemade type of stuff. It had to come from his socks, based on the shape his feet were in. Donny, will you take the van and go get more vinegar, we may need to do this several more times." Clora struggled to her feet and opened Mark's top desk drawer. He always kept a hundred dollars or so in there and Clora grabbed it all.
"A dozen gallons of vinegar. You'll probably have to go to more than one store. Take Tess and the boys with you; that way they won't see us move Mark down to our room."
Donny nodded and looked at himself. "I've got to get fry pants on, besides I smell."
"Move it," Clora ordered with a smile, "I believe the danger is over for a few minutes."
Gary conferred with Ham about the windows upstairs, and had to promise overtime for the first crew that was finished with the doors. In Breezy's bedroom, they framed in and created a solid wall where the French doors had been. The office door was solid, but still needed finishing work.
The electrical team had the cameras installed, covering every door and window on the ground floor. Every thing was cool until Gary went to show them where he wanted the camera in the basement.
The window that looked used, was unlatched and open. Ernie was starting a campaign of terror.
feralferret
Veteran Member
Nothing like having everything hit the fan at once!
Thanks for the action packed chapter, Pac.
Thanks for the action packed chapter, Pac.
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Great chapter as usual..., thanks Pac!
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Wow, goodness! Who did it to Mark and how?
Sneaker 11
RECONDO
The master of the cliff strikes again. 
11
11
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#552
"What will it take to secure the window so a little skinny dude couldn't wiggle his way through. He plans on killing and burning the house down. Can you weld bars across the windows, we could make it temporary, returning the window back to an egress window." Gary was thinking of how to secure the basement.
"Nope, can't and won't do it. You've already said that the guy wants to burn the house, no way legally and morally could I make it impossible to escape the basement in case of a fire." Han was definite, staunchly against Gary's suggestion.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right." Gary was willing to back down, he had thought of using the same u strap set up with a bar to cover most of the window, as he had done in the garden shed.
Ham gave him a long strong look, one that said, 'now what are you up too, that was a way to easy a acquiesce, on your part.' "Don't you run the road with me, fella, I'm smarter than that," Ham blustered.as they walked back up stairs.
The basement camera was the last one to be installed, and Breezy was already playing with her phone, watching all the rooms under camera surveillance. All the doors were scanned, and a dusk to dawn light positioned over the office door and around the backside of the kitchen door.
Gary approved the kitchen door light that extended into the back yard and lit the back gate.
While he was out inspecting the scope of the light, he heard the rumble of trash carts being pulled to the alley. It didn't take long to scoop up Ernies leftover trash and fill the bin., It went out through the gate into a depression that looked like it's normal resting place on the outside of the fence. That small act made Gary smiled.
Clora waited until Donny and crew left with the van. "Now we need to get Mark into the shower. I need a chair for him to sit on, he's too heavy to try and stand up. Oh I wish I had some lye soap, that would cut the scum on him." Clora lamented.
"This poison, what iss its?" Big asked as he helped Mark stand up. Mark was conscious enough that he tried to help walk himself down the hall to the bedroom.
"It's a combination pf Nightshade and Rhodendrum flower oils One of the nastiest combinations available." Clora was panting with the effort., "I can't think of how in the world Mark got into the stuff. The flood would have cleaned the cave, and his duffle bag was never out of our sight. Oh............" Clora thought about Mark's shower in the Boise terminal.
"I wonder how?" she muttered to herself, and then they got to the shower and her attention was needed to wash her husband.
"What will it take to secure the window so a little skinny dude couldn't wiggle his way through. He plans on killing and burning the house down. Can you weld bars across the windows, we could make it temporary, returning the window back to an egress window." Gary was thinking of how to secure the basement.
"Nope, can't and won't do it. You've already said that the guy wants to burn the house, no way legally and morally could I make it impossible to escape the basement in case of a fire." Han was definite, staunchly against Gary's suggestion.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right." Gary was willing to back down, he had thought of using the same u strap set up with a bar to cover most of the window, as he had done in the garden shed.
Ham gave him a long strong look, one that said, 'now what are you up too, that was a way to easy a acquiesce, on your part.' "Don't you run the road with me, fella, I'm smarter than that," Ham blustered.as they walked back up stairs.
The basement camera was the last one to be installed, and Breezy was already playing with her phone, watching all the rooms under camera surveillance. All the doors were scanned, and a dusk to dawn light positioned over the office door and around the backside of the kitchen door.
Gary approved the kitchen door light that extended into the back yard and lit the back gate.
While he was out inspecting the scope of the light, he heard the rumble of trash carts being pulled to the alley. It didn't take long to scoop up Ernies leftover trash and fill the bin., It went out through the gate into a depression that looked like it's normal resting place on the outside of the fence. That small act made Gary smiled.
Clora waited until Donny and crew left with the van. "Now we need to get Mark into the shower. I need a chair for him to sit on, he's too heavy to try and stand up. Oh I wish I had some lye soap, that would cut the scum on him." Clora lamented.
"This poison, what iss its?" Big asked as he helped Mark stand up. Mark was conscious enough that he tried to help walk himself down the hall to the bedroom.
"It's a combination pf Nightshade and Rhodendrum flower oils One of the nastiest combinations available." Clora was panting with the effort., "I can't think of how in the world Mark got into the stuff. The flood would have cleaned the cave, and his duffle bag was never out of our sight. Oh............" Clora thought about Mark's shower in the Boise terminal.
"I wonder how?" she muttered to herself, and then they got to the shower and her attention was needed to wash her husband.
feralferret
Veteran Member
Thanks Pac!
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Very big thank you.
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, Pac!
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#553
There was a frosty atmosphere in the van. Donny concentrated on driving; he had never hauled noisy kids before, and he was wondering why Tess didn't restore some order.
Finally he thundered, "you kids sit down and be quiet, That's enough of your squabbling and blubbering. If you're not quiet, you can get out right here and walk home."
The threat from their idol Donny, had the boys wiggling back into their seats and looking at one another with tears in their bright blue eyes.
"Stop that!" Tess hissed, "I'm the mother and will take care of that."
"When?" Donny grated back. "When you damn well feel like it? It's dangerous for them to be so disruptive. While I'm thinking about it, you had better man up and figure out why you pissed and moaned and were absolutely no help to your mother. I'm ashamed of the way you've been acting. You know that all of us have to pull our weight to make the gears turn in this organization. You don't get any sort of touchly feely pass just because you have triplets. I predict you will flunk out of university the first semester with your entitled attitude."
Tess would have reached over and smacked Donny good and hard, but she was afraid they might wreck, with the force she intended to hit him with, totally inflamed with anger, she sat back in the seat with folded arms . She could wait until they got back home, and then she was going to take a lot of frustration out on Donny. In fact she could feel her fingers itching to begin.
There was a frosty atmosphere in the van. Donny concentrated on driving; he had never hauled noisy kids before, and he was wondering why Tess didn't restore some order.
Finally he thundered, "you kids sit down and be quiet, That's enough of your squabbling and blubbering. If you're not quiet, you can get out right here and walk home."
The threat from their idol Donny, had the boys wiggling back into their seats and looking at one another with tears in their bright blue eyes.
"Stop that!" Tess hissed, "I'm the mother and will take care of that."
"When?" Donny grated back. "When you damn well feel like it? It's dangerous for them to be so disruptive. While I'm thinking about it, you had better man up and figure out why you pissed and moaned and were absolutely no help to your mother. I'm ashamed of the way you've been acting. You know that all of us have to pull our weight to make the gears turn in this organization. You don't get any sort of touchly feely pass just because you have triplets. I predict you will flunk out of university the first semester with your entitled attitude."
Tess would have reached over and smacked Donny good and hard, but she was afraid they might wreck, with the force she intended to hit him with, totally inflamed with anger, she sat back in the seat with folded arms . She could wait until they got back home, and then she was going to take a lot of frustration out on Donny. In fact she could feel her fingers itching to begin.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Wow, Tess should know better. She is turning the boys into brats.
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Tess, might let her actions overload her abilities with Donny! Thanks, Pac!
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#554
By the time Donny and Tess got to the first grocery; they were in a full fledged sibling squabble. Heated voices, hissing words, finger punches in the air, the whole brother-sister dynamic finally reared it's ugly head.
Donny really ripped into Tess, his main complaint was that she had so many advantages, and instead of exercising these advantages to the maximum, she was spinning her wheels feeling sorry for herself.
Tess was on her high horse, talking down to Donny from her superior advantage as a natural born child.
Donny parked in the lot, got out, and then suddenly remembered to reach in and take the keys with him. That made Tess madder, as she fully intended to drive off and leave that self-righteous jerk standing in the lot with a buggy full of gallons of vinegar.
The boys were very quiet in the second seat. Never before had they experienced such a fuss, Mom yelling and Uncle Donny yelling right back. They whispered quietly among themselves and cast apprehensive looks toward the front.
When Donny suddenly jerked open the back van door, it startled the boys into yelping a little.
"You boys aren't hurt, you need to toughen up." Donny growled in the silence.
"Donny," Tess warned, turning around to stare daggers at the young man, "that's more than you need to be saying."
Donny ignored her prattling and shut the door on seven gallons of vinegar. The next stop was a Latino market and that was worth four more. It took four more markets before Donny had gathered up another twelve gallons. He didn't say another word to Tess as he sped for home.
Tess was sitting in the seat, arms folded and madder than a wet hen.
"I expect you to help carry this stuff in the kitchen. The boys can each carry one. They are old enough to be helpful." Donny hefted two gallons in each hand and went for his parent's room.
The door was slightly open and he could hear the shower. Donny called out that he had vinegar, and Big hustled in to grab a couple of the gallons. The triplets each had a gallon they were masterfully hauling into the bedroom.
They had never been in Grandma's bedroom before, and figured it was worth man handling the heavy gallon to get a peek. To a boy, they were terribly disappointed
There was a bed and two dressers.
Danial shrugged his shoulders and said they should go get another gallon each, and they trudged out of the room and down the hall..
Tess and Tilly had removed the rest of the gallons, and when Tilly asked if the youngsters would like a couple of cookies and milk, they sat down to have a snack.
"Good work guys," Donny came to sit with them. "Thanks for helping."
Cookies and praise went a long way toward restoring good humor. I was Danial who spoke for the other two. "We got that done Uncle Donny, what else can we help you do?"
"Clean up the mess you guys left in the van. The three of you aren't babies, you know how to eat here in the house, I've watched you plenty of times.; but it looks like three pigs at lunch in the second seat. You guys figure out what you need to do, and get on it."
"Yes Sir, we will." Paul answered.
In the background, Tilly was nodding her head yes. The boys were good kids, but coddled and excused. Besides she was aware that they adored Donny, so he had a good chance of creating change in them.
"You guys be sure to take your dishes to the wreck pan. You always need to clean up after yourselves; that's not Tilly's or Grandmas or your mother's job. If you eat it, you take care of it."
"Yes Sir."
"When you get done cleaning the van, see me. There are plenty of chores to do around here." Donny went outside and headed for the barn.
By the time Donny and Tess got to the first grocery; they were in a full fledged sibling squabble. Heated voices, hissing words, finger punches in the air, the whole brother-sister dynamic finally reared it's ugly head.
Donny really ripped into Tess, his main complaint was that she had so many advantages, and instead of exercising these advantages to the maximum, she was spinning her wheels feeling sorry for herself.
Tess was on her high horse, talking down to Donny from her superior advantage as a natural born child.
Donny parked in the lot, got out, and then suddenly remembered to reach in and take the keys with him. That made Tess madder, as she fully intended to drive off and leave that self-righteous jerk standing in the lot with a buggy full of gallons of vinegar.
The boys were very quiet in the second seat. Never before had they experienced such a fuss, Mom yelling and Uncle Donny yelling right back. They whispered quietly among themselves and cast apprehensive looks toward the front.
When Donny suddenly jerked open the back van door, it startled the boys into yelping a little.
"You boys aren't hurt, you need to toughen up." Donny growled in the silence.
"Donny," Tess warned, turning around to stare daggers at the young man, "that's more than you need to be saying."
Donny ignored her prattling and shut the door on seven gallons of vinegar. The next stop was a Latino market and that was worth four more. It took four more markets before Donny had gathered up another twelve gallons. He didn't say another word to Tess as he sped for home.
Tess was sitting in the seat, arms folded and madder than a wet hen.
"I expect you to help carry this stuff in the kitchen. The boys can each carry one. They are old enough to be helpful." Donny hefted two gallons in each hand and went for his parent's room.
The door was slightly open and he could hear the shower. Donny called out that he had vinegar, and Big hustled in to grab a couple of the gallons. The triplets each had a gallon they were masterfully hauling into the bedroom.
They had never been in Grandma's bedroom before, and figured it was worth man handling the heavy gallon to get a peek. To a boy, they were terribly disappointed
There was a bed and two dressers.
Danial shrugged his shoulders and said they should go get another gallon each, and they trudged out of the room and down the hall..
Tess and Tilly had removed the rest of the gallons, and when Tilly asked if the youngsters would like a couple of cookies and milk, they sat down to have a snack.
"Good work guys," Donny came to sit with them. "Thanks for helping."
Cookies and praise went a long way toward restoring good humor. I was Danial who spoke for the other two. "We got that done Uncle Donny, what else can we help you do?"
"Clean up the mess you guys left in the van. The three of you aren't babies, you know how to eat here in the house, I've watched you plenty of times.; but it looks like three pigs at lunch in the second seat. You guys figure out what you need to do, and get on it."
"Yes Sir, we will." Paul answered.
In the background, Tilly was nodding her head yes. The boys were good kids, but coddled and excused. Besides she was aware that they adored Donny, so he had a good chance of creating change in them.
"You guys be sure to take your dishes to the wreck pan. You always need to clean up after yourselves; that's not Tilly's or Grandmas or your mother's job. If you eat it, you take care of it."
"Yes Sir."
"When you get done cleaning the van, see me. There are plenty of chores to do around here." Donny went outside and headed for the barn.