sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Oh oH cliff. Moar please 
.
.
Hi, My Name is Tessee
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#280
"What happened here?" The officer was brisk in his demands. "Your name please, Sir, stay right where you are. Do not approach any further. Keep your hands on the hood of the car," he demanded harshly when Willie turned to see how Wade was doing.
"I am William Pendelton Jr.," Willie said as he kept track of the EMT's working on Wade. "I live with Mr. Donaldson and do his driving as he has reduced eyesight." Willie added. "We were going in to box up another year's worth of files, he is closing his practice."
"License?" the man continued the interrogation. "Move slow son, so I don't have to draw on you," he cautioned.
"My wallet is in my left rear pocket, my license is in the right hand side pocket," Willie made no moves to upset the twitchy fingered cop.
"Use your right hand to reach behind you and get your wallet," the voice instructed.
Willie tried and tried, but could not pull the wallet from his tight pants. He stopped trying, and just stood there. The officer ordered him to try again, and as Willie was reaching, Wade stopped the charade.
"Officer, what is the charge against this young man? He is in my employ and drove me here. He is most definitely not the intruder." Wade was angry, hurting and out of patience with the display of force that was unnecessary.
The officer's partner came up and whispered in the man's ear. The officer looked at him hard, and then turned back to scrutinize Willie.
"Are you Will Pendelton's boy?" he said with an almost sneer, standing with his feet apart and arms folded in an arrogant stance. "How is your old man?"
Willie turned his head enough to look the man in the face. "My father died from terminal cancer several months ago." he said quietly.
"Oh well," the man mumbled as he tried to get his foot out of his mouth, "I didn't know. Sorry." he didn't sound sorry, but he did back down from the oppressive manner of questioning.
The investigation was in full swing when the partner came to question Willie. "What is missing?" he asked.
"Hell if I know," Willie was pretty fed up with the whole situation. "We just got here and found the door open. I dialed 911 and gave the phone to Wade to make the report. I stuck my head in the door and that's the last thing I remember."
"So you didn't see the attacker or see Mr. Donaldson shot?"
"No Sir, I don't remember getting punched in the gut either, but it sure feels like it did happen." Willie rubbed his belly lightly, hoping to dissipate the pain radiating from deep inside. When he removed his hand, it was bright with blood. Transfixed, he stared at his stomach and then looked up at the officer. "Is it supposed to do this," he said in a weak voice, turning white and crumpling to the ground.
Wade had to wait at the hospital for Christy and Toby to get home from school; completely forgetting that Ev and Cheryl were there for Ev's therapy. Willie was out of surgery and back in intensive care by the time the young couple came walking down the hall. Wade was asleep in a chair in the surgery waiting lounge, and they woke him gently.
"What in the world happened?" Toby sat next to Wade.
"There was an intruder in the law office, he hit Willie on the head knocking him out, and got a wild shot at me when I was getting out of the car. We didn't realize Willie had been shot in the stomach until he fell over as there was no sound, so the guy must have used a silencer."
"Where is Willie? Can I look in on him?" Toby was up and pacing the floor. "Listen Christy, we need to get a hold of your parents," he stopped his own train of thought. "We don't want them walking in the house unprepared as there might be others."
Christy looked at her watch. Her folks had already left for home, so she tried the cell phone Cheryl carried. After several anxious minutes, she finally got her mother to answer.
"Mom," she shouted into the phone when Cheryl spoke, "don't go in the house. There maybe an attacker waiting, get away from there and come back to the hospital with the van. We are here, up in intensive care with Wade and Willie. They have been shot."
"Please stop and return us to the hospital," Cheryl spoke loudly for the driver to hear. "Don't go down our street," she ordered, as the driver gave her a duh look. "Turn around NOW" she spoke in her very best mother voice. That tone finally got through to the young man driving.
"Christy," she returned to the conversation, "there's a strange car in front of the house, what does Wade want us to do?"
Christy relayed the message to Wade. "I set the alarm, so the police should have been notified the instant the house was compromised." he reassured the nervous group.
Wade had set the alarm....to someone's house somewhere, but not his. Because of his eyesight he had missed the last number. When they finally all got home, it was to a thourally trashed house. In the soft desk pad in Wade's home office, someone had cut a square shape and put a handle on the top. A suitcase to remind him the intruder wanted the metal.
"What happened here?" The officer was brisk in his demands. "Your name please, Sir, stay right where you are. Do not approach any further. Keep your hands on the hood of the car," he demanded harshly when Willie turned to see how Wade was doing.
"I am William Pendelton Jr.," Willie said as he kept track of the EMT's working on Wade. "I live with Mr. Donaldson and do his driving as he has reduced eyesight." Willie added. "We were going in to box up another year's worth of files, he is closing his practice."
"License?" the man continued the interrogation. "Move slow son, so I don't have to draw on you," he cautioned.
"My wallet is in my left rear pocket, my license is in the right hand side pocket," Willie made no moves to upset the twitchy fingered cop.
"Use your right hand to reach behind you and get your wallet," the voice instructed.
Willie tried and tried, but could not pull the wallet from his tight pants. He stopped trying, and just stood there. The officer ordered him to try again, and as Willie was reaching, Wade stopped the charade.
"Officer, what is the charge against this young man? He is in my employ and drove me here. He is most definitely not the intruder." Wade was angry, hurting and out of patience with the display of force that was unnecessary.
The officer's partner came up and whispered in the man's ear. The officer looked at him hard, and then turned back to scrutinize Willie.
"Are you Will Pendelton's boy?" he said with an almost sneer, standing with his feet apart and arms folded in an arrogant stance. "How is your old man?"
Willie turned his head enough to look the man in the face. "My father died from terminal cancer several months ago." he said quietly.
"Oh well," the man mumbled as he tried to get his foot out of his mouth, "I didn't know. Sorry." he didn't sound sorry, but he did back down from the oppressive manner of questioning.
The investigation was in full swing when the partner came to question Willie. "What is missing?" he asked.
"Hell if I know," Willie was pretty fed up with the whole situation. "We just got here and found the door open. I dialed 911 and gave the phone to Wade to make the report. I stuck my head in the door and that's the last thing I remember."
"So you didn't see the attacker or see Mr. Donaldson shot?"
"No Sir, I don't remember getting punched in the gut either, but it sure feels like it did happen." Willie rubbed his belly lightly, hoping to dissipate the pain radiating from deep inside. When he removed his hand, it was bright with blood. Transfixed, he stared at his stomach and then looked up at the officer. "Is it supposed to do this," he said in a weak voice, turning white and crumpling to the ground.
Wade had to wait at the hospital for Christy and Toby to get home from school; completely forgetting that Ev and Cheryl were there for Ev's therapy. Willie was out of surgery and back in intensive care by the time the young couple came walking down the hall. Wade was asleep in a chair in the surgery waiting lounge, and they woke him gently.
"What in the world happened?" Toby sat next to Wade.
"There was an intruder in the law office, he hit Willie on the head knocking him out, and got a wild shot at me when I was getting out of the car. We didn't realize Willie had been shot in the stomach until he fell over as there was no sound, so the guy must have used a silencer."
"Where is Willie? Can I look in on him?" Toby was up and pacing the floor. "Listen Christy, we need to get a hold of your parents," he stopped his own train of thought. "We don't want them walking in the house unprepared as there might be others."
Christy looked at her watch. Her folks had already left for home, so she tried the cell phone Cheryl carried. After several anxious minutes, she finally got her mother to answer.
"Mom," she shouted into the phone when Cheryl spoke, "don't go in the house. There maybe an attacker waiting, get away from there and come back to the hospital with the van. We are here, up in intensive care with Wade and Willie. They have been shot."
"Please stop and return us to the hospital," Cheryl spoke loudly for the driver to hear. "Don't go down our street," she ordered, as the driver gave her a duh look. "Turn around NOW" she spoke in her very best mother voice. That tone finally got through to the young man driving.
"Christy," she returned to the conversation, "there's a strange car in front of the house, what does Wade want us to do?"
Christy relayed the message to Wade. "I set the alarm, so the police should have been notified the instant the house was compromised." he reassured the nervous group.
Wade had set the alarm....to someone's house somewhere, but not his. Because of his eyesight he had missed the last number. When they finally all got home, it was to a thourally trashed house. In the soft desk pad in Wade's home office, someone had cut a square shape and put a handle on the top. A suitcase to remind him the intruder wanted the metal.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Nice to find this morning thank you, hope Willy lives.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#281
Toby tried several times to reach Mark, but the incoming storm was blocking normal transmission of the cell Tower. The distance also was a mitigating factor. Toby finally gave up and looked for the Sheriff's office number, leaving a message for Ben the next time he called in.
Wade seemed like he had the life drained from his spirit. His house had always been secure; the one area he was safe from all outside terrors and threats. Now, it was a ghastly mess, wantonly destroyed and defiled by an intruder. The police investigation was conducted by the same crew that worked the office break in.
It was late into the afternoon before Ben came in, screeching around the corner with his lights flashing. The surly tempered city officer went striding out to tell the oncoming lawman that his presence wasn't needed, or wanted, and stopped when he saw the fury on Ben's face.
"Now hold on there," the man protested, "what's your reason for barging in here and acting like a big shot?" he jabbered as he retreated by stepping backward into the foyer and kept walking backward as Ben advanced.
Ben got inside the front door and hollered for Toby. The young man came running down the hall with Christy following, but keeping to the shadows until she discovered what was happening.
Toby got his 'Uncle' calmed down and Ben listened to the tale of events. "Willie?" he questioned harshly.
"One lucky kid. A bullet in the gut and he's OK. Wade's OK also, got it in the shoulder but it was clean. Dude musta used a silencer, and then came back here messin around in the house. Who ever it was, left a carved message in the desk pad, it was a suitcase." Toby reported. "I'd sure like to get ahold of that Pete, that's who we're assuming is the dude that's done all this."
"Probably correct thinking," Ben approved, trying to keep his voice low as the city officer was not only harsh but nosy.
"Has Wade looked at his papers, is anything missing?" Ben was running a hundred ideas through his mind all at once, trying to bring forth a plausible reason his so called father would be pressing on Wade and now the kids about the metal.
"Ben, Wade can't see well enough to tell is a paper is missing or out of place, I'd say he has less than 50 % eyesight. The intruder went through everything in his study, so I'd say it was a pretty well planned. The shootings would give him several hours to go through the house until someone might return. He must have been studying the house, and realized that Wade couldn't identify him on account of his eyesight." Toby had obviously been thinking hard about the situation.
"If Wade had the papers I suppose he would have, the intruders now know where we moved to." Ben said with a huge sigh. "Did you try to reach Mark?"
"Yeah and I can't get through," Toby replied by flipping open the case and trying the number. This time there was a connection, but so full of static that there was no way to talk. "Danger! Danger! Danger!" Toby kept shouting until the connection was broken. If Mark would just come down off his high horse and put texting on his phone, they might have a chance to communicate, but no, he was clinging to the dinosaur ways.
Mark took the call, but the static was intense, preventing him hearing. He noted Toby's number and the "ger,ger, ger" sound and his mind finally put together the missing syllable. "Alert," he shouted, "Toby is warning us of danger."
Toby tried several times to reach Mark, but the incoming storm was blocking normal transmission of the cell Tower. The distance also was a mitigating factor. Toby finally gave up and looked for the Sheriff's office number, leaving a message for Ben the next time he called in.
Wade seemed like he had the life drained from his spirit. His house had always been secure; the one area he was safe from all outside terrors and threats. Now, it was a ghastly mess, wantonly destroyed and defiled by an intruder. The police investigation was conducted by the same crew that worked the office break in.
It was late into the afternoon before Ben came in, screeching around the corner with his lights flashing. The surly tempered city officer went striding out to tell the oncoming lawman that his presence wasn't needed, or wanted, and stopped when he saw the fury on Ben's face.
"Now hold on there," the man protested, "what's your reason for barging in here and acting like a big shot?" he jabbered as he retreated by stepping backward into the foyer and kept walking backward as Ben advanced.
Ben got inside the front door and hollered for Toby. The young man came running down the hall with Christy following, but keeping to the shadows until she discovered what was happening.
Toby got his 'Uncle' calmed down and Ben listened to the tale of events. "Willie?" he questioned harshly.
"One lucky kid. A bullet in the gut and he's OK. Wade's OK also, got it in the shoulder but it was clean. Dude musta used a silencer, and then came back here messin around in the house. Who ever it was, left a carved message in the desk pad, it was a suitcase." Toby reported. "I'd sure like to get ahold of that Pete, that's who we're assuming is the dude that's done all this."
"Probably correct thinking," Ben approved, trying to keep his voice low as the city officer was not only harsh but nosy.
"Has Wade looked at his papers, is anything missing?" Ben was running a hundred ideas through his mind all at once, trying to bring forth a plausible reason his so called father would be pressing on Wade and now the kids about the metal.
"Ben, Wade can't see well enough to tell is a paper is missing or out of place, I'd say he has less than 50 % eyesight. The intruder went through everything in his study, so I'd say it was a pretty well planned. The shootings would give him several hours to go through the house until someone might return. He must have been studying the house, and realized that Wade couldn't identify him on account of his eyesight." Toby had obviously been thinking hard about the situation.
"If Wade had the papers I suppose he would have, the intruders now know where we moved to." Ben said with a huge sigh. "Did you try to reach Mark?"
"Yeah and I can't get through," Toby replied by flipping open the case and trying the number. This time there was a connection, but so full of static that there was no way to talk. "Danger! Danger! Danger!" Toby kept shouting until the connection was broken. If Mark would just come down off his high horse and put texting on his phone, they might have a chance to communicate, but no, he was clinging to the dinosaur ways.
Mark took the call, but the static was intense, preventing him hearing. He noted Toby's number and the "ger,ger, ger" sound and his mind finally put together the missing syllable. "Alert," he shouted, "Toby is warning us of danger."
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Oh man hope it was in time.
What Sammy said. Dangling like this is illegal! Hope you get a good nights sleep tonight so you are able to give us a good chapter tomorrow morning.
On the other hand, how is the situation with Mr. June? Has his condition improved any? Have you gotten any more info from June as to her mindset? And has the barracuda put in an appearance yet or is she just hiding in the wings and waiting for her chance???? She might just strip her Mom and leave you to support June in the future. I hope it does not come to that but those kinds of people like the barracuda don't have any respect for blood kin and just want $$$.
On the other hand, how is the situation with Mr. June? Has his condition improved any? Have you gotten any more info from June as to her mindset? And has the barracuda put in an appearance yet or is she just hiding in the wings and waiting for her chance???? She might just strip her Mom and leave you to support June in the future. I hope it does not come to that but those kinds of people like the barracuda don't have any respect for blood kin and just want $$$.
I kept refreshing hoping for more tonight. 
Guess I'll go on to bed and hope for more tomorrow.
Guess I'll go on to bed and hope for more tomorrow.
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Pac thanks for the new chapters, I see that Cliff decided to visit us again in your wonderful story, I hope his stay is short lived. I have just installed a new key board, the 2nd this year they both seem to have a defect with the f5 keys.
Thanks for the story and your time.
Wayne
Thanks for the story and your time.Wayne
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
We had to consult our lawyer yesterday. She assures us that the measures we put in place when we both bought this place are sound, and 'non-tamperable' so to speak. The barracuda is now in an active push to get June only to come live with her; leaving Mr. June in the nursing home here.
June has finally found some of her backbone, and at least refused that idea. It is despicable that their daughter has gone for the money,...or so she thinks.
Mr. Pac. is bewildered by the absence of his friend, and lonely. That takes a bit more of my time to make sure he is involved and active as he wishes to be. Health wise, he is in a holding pattern, and learning to live within his limits. We try to do something challenging every day to keep stimulating him. Some days it works, other day's, not so much. We take it as it comes.
We visit Mr June twice a week, and I would say I see a slight improvement. June seems to have shaken off her apathy, and is caring for him daily at the nursing home.
We call ahead and go there for lunch, a sneaky way to familiarize Mr. Pac to the people, the routine and the building.
I hate the fact that everything needs to have a hidden agenda, I am not sneaky by nature. I'm a 'say it, do it, and get it over with' type of person and I guess God is teaching me to have patience. Pac.
June has finally found some of her backbone, and at least refused that idea. It is despicable that their daughter has gone for the money,...or so she thinks.
Mr. Pac. is bewildered by the absence of his friend, and lonely. That takes a bit more of my time to make sure he is involved and active as he wishes to be. Health wise, he is in a holding pattern, and learning to live within his limits. We try to do something challenging every day to keep stimulating him. Some days it works, other day's, not so much. We take it as it comes.
We visit Mr June twice a week, and I would say I see a slight improvement. June seems to have shaken off her apathy, and is caring for him daily at the nursing home.
We call ahead and go there for lunch, a sneaky way to familiarize Mr. Pac to the people, the routine and the building.
I hate the fact that everything needs to have a hidden agenda, I am not sneaky by nature. I'm a 'say it, do it, and get it over with' type of person and I guess God is teaching me to have patience. Pac.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Praying for all of you. And fingers crossed that Mrs. June opens her eyes enough that Mr. June will be safe if he manages to recover enough to come home. Well, safe regardless. And that she will be safe no matter what happens. Maybe the daughter pushing like that this early will open her eyes.
Pac, what you are doing is not sneaky. What you are doing is ensuring as gentle and healthy a transition as possible. That's not being sneaky. That's loving someone enough to do whatever it takes.
Pac, glad to see you are so 'upbeat' about all of this. I am sorry that Mr. Pac has lost his chum for now, but sounds like you are doing all the right things to provide for him. You are often in my thoughts. And so is the barracuda but my thoughts about her are not so uplifting. Thanks for keeping us posted about what is going on at your homestead. We worry about you and want all to be good for you. It feels like we are all a big family and shared joys become a big joy for all as well as shared concerns become a big concern for all.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#282
A feature that all the cabins had, was a root cellar/basement with a tornado type door to the outside. Clora and Lainey opted to go together in Clora's basement. Milo and Teddy were reluctant at best, remembering the bad 'before' times they had experienced when younger.
Clora knelt down on her cabin floor and gathered the two boys in her arms. "Remember many years ago when I told you that I would never ask you to go in a dark basement unless we were in danger and that I would go with you. This is that time boys, we need to get out of danger and I am right here."
"Do we have to stay long?" Milo asked in a very small voice, already starting to shake.
"I don't know the answer to that," Clora said honestly. "We can come out when Dad says it's safe, you understand we have to be secure so he can do his job."
"Yeah, I understand, I just didn't think it would be so hard." Milo replied. "OK, I will try," and he went down the pine step ladder to sit next to Lainey. Anne leaned around her mother and the lump that was Benny and stuck her tongue out at the two brothers. Teddy snickered as his eyes adjusted to the dim light.
Lainey caught her daughter's undignified face, and reprimanded her. Benny stirred and coughed a little, snuggling close to Lainey and she softly patted his back. Tessee was complaining that she wanted on Clora's lap, and Teddy went to help her climb up and Tessee protested. She wanted to do it herself.
Clora asked her to wait a moment as she wanted to check on the cellar door and make sure it was securely barred. The basement was dark and cool, but coats and blankets helped. The carrots and potatoes were in metal garbage cans, bedded in damp sand in the far corner. There were flashlights, headlamps and glow sticks for light, but Clora tried to postpone giving the kids the sticks until it was absolutely necessary.
Clora cracked the trap door into the cabin and let the warm air rush down into basement. It felt good, the warmth seeping into the packed earth hole. Clora asked Milo if he wanted to go up and put more wood in the stove and he did. "Can I look outside and see what's going on?"
"Do you remember how we taught you to do that?"
"Yes ma. Not ever get right in front of the window, but go up beside the wall and look out the opposite way, then duck down, go under the window and do the same thing."
"Excellent remembering Milo, and the stove?" Clora expected a lot from a seven year old, but she had taught him well.
"Open the draft, use the cloth on the handle, open it slowly and carefully put more wood in. Then close the door, and shut the draft down halfway." Milo recited from memory.
"Excellent once again," Clora praised. "I am going to be watching, but not say anything unless I see you have a problem. Just like we have practiced."
"OK," Milo felt big and useful the way Ma trusted him. He carefully did exactly what he knew Ma wanted with the stove and then looked at her and jerked his head in the direction of the window, just like Dad would do. Clora nodded.
Downstairs, Lainey was saying "I can't believe you let a seven year old fill the stove, that's so dangerous."
Never taking her eyes off Milo, Clora replied, "it's more dangerous if he doesn't know how to do it properly, Teddy is next and he has been taught the same thing. I have to know they can follow orders and behave responsibly."
A feature that all the cabins had, was a root cellar/basement with a tornado type door to the outside. Clora and Lainey opted to go together in Clora's basement. Milo and Teddy were reluctant at best, remembering the bad 'before' times they had experienced when younger.
Clora knelt down on her cabin floor and gathered the two boys in her arms. "Remember many years ago when I told you that I would never ask you to go in a dark basement unless we were in danger and that I would go with you. This is that time boys, we need to get out of danger and I am right here."
"Do we have to stay long?" Milo asked in a very small voice, already starting to shake.
"I don't know the answer to that," Clora said honestly. "We can come out when Dad says it's safe, you understand we have to be secure so he can do his job."
"Yeah, I understand, I just didn't think it would be so hard." Milo replied. "OK, I will try," and he went down the pine step ladder to sit next to Lainey. Anne leaned around her mother and the lump that was Benny and stuck her tongue out at the two brothers. Teddy snickered as his eyes adjusted to the dim light.
Lainey caught her daughter's undignified face, and reprimanded her. Benny stirred and coughed a little, snuggling close to Lainey and she softly patted his back. Tessee was complaining that she wanted on Clora's lap, and Teddy went to help her climb up and Tessee protested. She wanted to do it herself.
Clora asked her to wait a moment as she wanted to check on the cellar door and make sure it was securely barred. The basement was dark and cool, but coats and blankets helped. The carrots and potatoes were in metal garbage cans, bedded in damp sand in the far corner. There were flashlights, headlamps and glow sticks for light, but Clora tried to postpone giving the kids the sticks until it was absolutely necessary.
Clora cracked the trap door into the cabin and let the warm air rush down into basement. It felt good, the warmth seeping into the packed earth hole. Clora asked Milo if he wanted to go up and put more wood in the stove and he did. "Can I look outside and see what's going on?"
"Do you remember how we taught you to do that?"
"Yes ma. Not ever get right in front of the window, but go up beside the wall and look out the opposite way, then duck down, go under the window and do the same thing."
"Excellent remembering Milo, and the stove?" Clora expected a lot from a seven year old, but she had taught him well.
"Open the draft, use the cloth on the handle, open it slowly and carefully put more wood in. Then close the door, and shut the draft down halfway." Milo recited from memory.
"Excellent once again," Clora praised. "I am going to be watching, but not say anything unless I see you have a problem. Just like we have practiced."
"OK," Milo felt big and useful the way Ma trusted him. He carefully did exactly what he knew Ma wanted with the stove and then looked at her and jerked his head in the direction of the window, just like Dad would do. Clora nodded.
Downstairs, Lainey was saying "I can't believe you let a seven year old fill the stove, that's so dangerous."
Never taking her eyes off Milo, Clora replied, "it's more dangerous if he doesn't know how to do it properly, Teddy is next and he has been taught the same thing. I have to know they can follow orders and behave responsibly."
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Clora is so right.
stjwelding
Veteran Member
I agree there is to much emphasis on protecting our children form being hurt instead of teaching them how to do it safely and what not to do to be safe. Much of the rest of the world considers us the nanny country, doing everything for our children never letting them learn how to do it for themselves. And in so doing our children are robed of learning that they are responsible for there actions.
Wayne
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#282b
"Ma?"
"Yes,"
"I see Dad and Mr. Helmer, they are putting something in the trailer. Dad has our door in the back of the pickup and he is coming this way." Milo was excited to be the one to pass on the news. Blackie thumped his tail several times, one for Milo and another for Mark.
Mark backed up to the small porch and let the tailgate down as a workplace. He and Wayne walked the door in it's casing over to the opening and used crowbars to lift and pry it in place. It made a world of difference to the cabin, Suddenly it was more secure and capable of protecting the family within.
"This is just like you," Wayne scolded, "leave your own place for last, when you have three kids to keep safe."
"Shut up and hammer," Mark advised shortly, "we've got a stack of preparations to do before dark. I still need windows put in."
"Well criminies, what's the matter with you. We all have our cabins weathered in, and you don't have one thing done. Stop being so noble and start being smart."
The men worked steadily while the family came out of the basement. Clora handed out the sandwiches Helga had sent over and poured coffee. Everyone stopped for a quick lunch break and rest.
Clora had to constantly remind Anne not to stand in front of the window opening. Finally she gave a very pointed look at Lainey, "do you want her shot?"
Lainey gasped and pulled Anne away from the glassless window. "No," she said in resignation," I just can't make her mind and not stand there."
Clora tightened her lips and said calmly, "I think Miss Anne needs to spend a week with us, she will learn."
Lainey looked at Clora with soulful eyes and said, "I think that will be the only thing that will change her attitude. I have more trouble with Ben, than Anne. He babies and indulges her and it's more than I can handle."
"Perfect," Clora said with feeling, "we shall start right now," and she stood up and grabbed Anne by the arm and down the stairs to the basement they went.
Milo and Teddy looked at each other and pursed their lips, and Milo raised his eyebrow. They figured Anne was going to learn a lot in a short time, and it might be pretty interesting to watch. The boys took a couple of cookies and went to the wall and sat down. They wanted to be ready to watch the whole thing.
Lainey watched them grinning, and wondered it she had made a mistake. Mark and Wayne were trying not to smile as they finished the door, Mark especially. He knew Clora had been itching to get her hands on Anne for a long time. Ben be hanged, he thought. That little miss was going to learn to mind, and how like Clora to start it right in the middle of a crisis.
"Ma?"
"Yes,"
"I see Dad and Mr. Helmer, they are putting something in the trailer. Dad has our door in the back of the pickup and he is coming this way." Milo was excited to be the one to pass on the news. Blackie thumped his tail several times, one for Milo and another for Mark.
Mark backed up to the small porch and let the tailgate down as a workplace. He and Wayne walked the door in it's casing over to the opening and used crowbars to lift and pry it in place. It made a world of difference to the cabin, Suddenly it was more secure and capable of protecting the family within.
"This is just like you," Wayne scolded, "leave your own place for last, when you have three kids to keep safe."
"Shut up and hammer," Mark advised shortly, "we've got a stack of preparations to do before dark. I still need windows put in."
"Well criminies, what's the matter with you. We all have our cabins weathered in, and you don't have one thing done. Stop being so noble and start being smart."
The men worked steadily while the family came out of the basement. Clora handed out the sandwiches Helga had sent over and poured coffee. Everyone stopped for a quick lunch break and rest.
Clora had to constantly remind Anne not to stand in front of the window opening. Finally she gave a very pointed look at Lainey, "do you want her shot?"
Lainey gasped and pulled Anne away from the glassless window. "No," she said in resignation," I just can't make her mind and not stand there."
Clora tightened her lips and said calmly, "I think Miss Anne needs to spend a week with us, she will learn."
Lainey looked at Clora with soulful eyes and said, "I think that will be the only thing that will change her attitude. I have more trouble with Ben, than Anne. He babies and indulges her and it's more than I can handle."
"Perfect," Clora said with feeling, "we shall start right now," and she stood up and grabbed Anne by the arm and down the stairs to the basement they went.
Milo and Teddy looked at each other and pursed their lips, and Milo raised his eyebrow. They figured Anne was going to learn a lot in a short time, and it might be pretty interesting to watch. The boys took a couple of cookies and went to the wall and sat down. They wanted to be ready to watch the whole thing.
Lainey watched them grinning, and wondered it she had made a mistake. Mark and Wayne were trying not to smile as they finished the door, Mark especially. He knew Clora had been itching to get her hands on Anne for a long time. Ben be hanged, he thought. That little miss was going to learn to mind, and how like Clora to start it right in the middle of a crisis.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you pac.
Better in the middle of a crisis than in the middle of a funeral.
Exactly! I always cringe when I see toddlers running around in a busy restaurant with servers carrying full trays of hot food. Yet who will get the blame if a kid gets one dumped on them? Not the kid! And the parents won't take the blame.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#283
It was awfully quiet in the basement, and the two boys watching and waiting to see what happened between Anne and their Mom were severely disappointed. Lainey was relieved there was no screaming; and the men enjoyed working without the pushy little girl underfoot.
"Well shoot," Milo was ready to give up after fifteen minutes of anxious waiting, "I guess nuthin is gonna happen," he said in a stage whisper to Teddy.
Teddy scooted across the floor to return the whisper in Milo's ear. Both of them got a wicked, impish grin on their faces, and settled back down to wait. It took another full five minutes before the first faint squeals of a child getting a walloping were heard. Milo couldn't help himself, he just had to snicker.
Lainey started to hum loudly, singing a little nonsense ditty fairly loudly to Benny. After a few minutes, she had to get up and pace the floor, understanding that Anne's 're-education' was not going to be easy.
The more painful education was going to be Ben's. His attitude was harmful to himself, his wife and mostly injurious to his daughter. Lainey also realized that this was going to be a pivotal moment between the two of them as a couple. Ben might take severe offense at his daughter being disciplined, even if it was by his sister. They had been to this point once before. Clora had straightened Anne's behavior, and Ben had backslid trying to be a 'yes' parent.
This time Lainey gathered up her courage and opened the trap door. Sending Tessee to sit with her brothers and Benny to play with his cousins, she hoisted her skirt and climbed down the ladder.
Shortly, there was the sound of another spanking as Miss Anne had her second attitude adjustment administered by her mother. When the three of then came up from the basement, Lainey told her daughter to go sit against the wall and play quietly, and absolutely do not stand up in the middle of the window.
Anne stuck out her trembling lower lip, but said "yes Ma'am," and promptly sat down. The boys were teaching Tessee and Benny how to clap in time to 'Anna banana' and the children entertained them selves for almost a half hour.
Clora had Lainey come set at their makeshift table and finish the coffee. The atmosphere slowly lightened until the children were giggling and making happy noises. The construction crew finished the door and the window, and stopped for a breather when the first shot sounded.
Clora instantly ordered the kids to the basement, grabbing Tessee as Lainey scooped up Benny and followed down the stairs. Mark and Wayne grabbed their ever present weapons and waited by the window to assess the situation.
The sounds of Helga screeching and yelling in her garbled dialect could be heard, and shortly Mark could see Helmer crouch and run toward the mess tent. Another shot puffed the dirt right behind his heels and he scurried as rapidly as a portly old man could run.
Mark had the choice to either ease out the front door and return fire, or break out the window they had just installed. Blackie settled the dilemma for him, whining to be let out the door. Since he was that far over, Mark eased the door open and Blackie shot out like a laser beam headed for the far end of the meadow.
There was another shot that took out the top of the mess tent smokestack, sending the hot metal cap tumbling down the pitch of the tent roof. Luckly, it rolled two turns away from the fabric wall and sat smoldering in the trampled grass. There was a huge sigh from Wayne.
"You realize we are in a pee poor position to defend ourselves," Wayne said almost affably, "I don't think we thought this out very well, Pilgrim," he used his best John Wayne imitation.
It was awfully quiet in the basement, and the two boys watching and waiting to see what happened between Anne and their Mom were severely disappointed. Lainey was relieved there was no screaming; and the men enjoyed working without the pushy little girl underfoot.
"Well shoot," Milo was ready to give up after fifteen minutes of anxious waiting, "I guess nuthin is gonna happen," he said in a stage whisper to Teddy.
Teddy scooted across the floor to return the whisper in Milo's ear. Both of them got a wicked, impish grin on their faces, and settled back down to wait. It took another full five minutes before the first faint squeals of a child getting a walloping were heard. Milo couldn't help himself, he just had to snicker.
Lainey started to hum loudly, singing a little nonsense ditty fairly loudly to Benny. After a few minutes, she had to get up and pace the floor, understanding that Anne's 're-education' was not going to be easy.
The more painful education was going to be Ben's. His attitude was harmful to himself, his wife and mostly injurious to his daughter. Lainey also realized that this was going to be a pivotal moment between the two of them as a couple. Ben might take severe offense at his daughter being disciplined, even if it was by his sister. They had been to this point once before. Clora had straightened Anne's behavior, and Ben had backslid trying to be a 'yes' parent.
This time Lainey gathered up her courage and opened the trap door. Sending Tessee to sit with her brothers and Benny to play with his cousins, she hoisted her skirt and climbed down the ladder.
Shortly, there was the sound of another spanking as Miss Anne had her second attitude adjustment administered by her mother. When the three of then came up from the basement, Lainey told her daughter to go sit against the wall and play quietly, and absolutely do not stand up in the middle of the window.
Anne stuck out her trembling lower lip, but said "yes Ma'am," and promptly sat down. The boys were teaching Tessee and Benny how to clap in time to 'Anna banana' and the children entertained them selves for almost a half hour.
Clora had Lainey come set at their makeshift table and finish the coffee. The atmosphere slowly lightened until the children were giggling and making happy noises. The construction crew finished the door and the window, and stopped for a breather when the first shot sounded.
Clora instantly ordered the kids to the basement, grabbing Tessee as Lainey scooped up Benny and followed down the stairs. Mark and Wayne grabbed their ever present weapons and waited by the window to assess the situation.
The sounds of Helga screeching and yelling in her garbled dialect could be heard, and shortly Mark could see Helmer crouch and run toward the mess tent. Another shot puffed the dirt right behind his heels and he scurried as rapidly as a portly old man could run.
Mark had the choice to either ease out the front door and return fire, or break out the window they had just installed. Blackie settled the dilemma for him, whining to be let out the door. Since he was that far over, Mark eased the door open and Blackie shot out like a laser beam headed for the far end of the meadow.
There was another shot that took out the top of the mess tent smokestack, sending the hot metal cap tumbling down the pitch of the tent roof. Luckly, it rolled two turns away from the fabric wall and sat smoldering in the trampled grass. There was a huge sigh from Wayne.
"You realize we are in a pee poor position to defend ourselves," Wayne said almost affably, "I don't think we thought this out very well, Pilgrim," he used his best John Wayne imitation.
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Thanks Pac for the chapter and the story, Anne's lack of obedience has been a disaster waiting to happen for a long time, It's time she learned to obey for her and everyone else's safety. I she were to put herself in harms way someone else could pay the price trying to protect her form herself, not to mention the hart-ache if she were hurt or worse killed.
Wayne
Wayne
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Now maybe they can end this.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#283b
"I hate to admit it, but you are absolutely correct," Mark gritted through clenched teeth. They were in a horrible position, scattered out and no way to have protection going from one cabin to the other. "Who's idea was this, anyway?"
"Some of mine and Ev's, some of Ben's and some of Clora's as she wanted to use Grandma's basement." Wayne was brutally honest. "Ben wanted some measure of privacy and Ev and Cheryl wanted to build over their basement. The cook shack got put where we dumped the van trailer, and the cow shed and chicken house was put close by to be handy." Wayne rubbed his whiskered chin. " Wasn't a one of us that used a lick of sense it seems like."
Mark agreed with a snort. "I was kinda hoping that our attackers hadn't discovered when or where we had moved. That was a stupid premise if I ever had one," Mark was angry at himself for failing in the most basic of security rules.
"I would say we are here until dark, and probably should use the time to pray that our attackers don't have night vision." Mark spoke ruefully. "I don't know what happened in the mess tent, but surely by now Helmer would have alerted us to one of them being hurt."
"The way Helga was carrying on, they musta messed with something she considered hers." Wayne gave a small laugh. "Her lingo, I sure would like to know what she says, it sounds like cuss words to me, but what do I know."
Mark had no intention of falling for the baited hook Wayne was throwing out. He was versed enough in German to understand a few similar words Helga was using, but didn't want to tip his hand in any way. Deep down, Mark held a distrust of the couple and wasn't sure why. It was just there and that was enough for him to follow his instincts.
There was another splat of bullets impacting the front of the van trailer, the shooter casually picking random targets and showing his superiority over the hostage camp.
"As far away as we are from the tree line, the sniper must have some powerful equipment," Mark speculated as he used his scope to carefully study the brush above the meadow. The faint movement caught his eye. "There are two of them," he breathed out slowly. "That's a stretch for ole Betsy here to pick them off at that distance."
"Help me spot them," Wayne said as he flipped the cap off his scope.
"Above the van trailer, 1 O'clock position to the left of that downed cedar. Both in cammo with grease on their faces. He's getting ready to take another shot," Mark hissed and got his rifle steadied. Letting out his breath halfway he pulled the trigger and let a full auto burst travel the long distance.
"Got one of the dude's," Wayne sounded jubilant. "Probably hit the other one also, can't really tell for sure."
Mark wasn't happy. They were in no better shape than in the beginning. If the shooter wasn't dead or mortally wounded, they were in for a long siege.
Another movement caught his eye. Moving confidently inside the brush was Blackie, advancing on the position the attackers were last observed. "Hold your fire," Mark strained to follow the dog with his scope. "The dog's about to their last hide."
The scream was heard all across the meadow, and shortly, Blackie could be seen walking out of the brush toward camp.
"Holy -----, you don't suppose he did what I think he did?" Wayne was incredulous. "What kind of a dog is he?"
"I hate to admit it, but you are absolutely correct," Mark gritted through clenched teeth. They were in a horrible position, scattered out and no way to have protection going from one cabin to the other. "Who's idea was this, anyway?"
"Some of mine and Ev's, some of Ben's and some of Clora's as she wanted to use Grandma's basement." Wayne was brutally honest. "Ben wanted some measure of privacy and Ev and Cheryl wanted to build over their basement. The cook shack got put where we dumped the van trailer, and the cow shed and chicken house was put close by to be handy." Wayne rubbed his whiskered chin. " Wasn't a one of us that used a lick of sense it seems like."
Mark agreed with a snort. "I was kinda hoping that our attackers hadn't discovered when or where we had moved. That was a stupid premise if I ever had one," Mark was angry at himself for failing in the most basic of security rules.
"I would say we are here until dark, and probably should use the time to pray that our attackers don't have night vision." Mark spoke ruefully. "I don't know what happened in the mess tent, but surely by now Helmer would have alerted us to one of them being hurt."
"The way Helga was carrying on, they musta messed with something she considered hers." Wayne gave a small laugh. "Her lingo, I sure would like to know what she says, it sounds like cuss words to me, but what do I know."
Mark had no intention of falling for the baited hook Wayne was throwing out. He was versed enough in German to understand a few similar words Helga was using, but didn't want to tip his hand in any way. Deep down, Mark held a distrust of the couple and wasn't sure why. It was just there and that was enough for him to follow his instincts.
There was another splat of bullets impacting the front of the van trailer, the shooter casually picking random targets and showing his superiority over the hostage camp.
"As far away as we are from the tree line, the sniper must have some powerful equipment," Mark speculated as he used his scope to carefully study the brush above the meadow. The faint movement caught his eye. "There are two of them," he breathed out slowly. "That's a stretch for ole Betsy here to pick them off at that distance."
"Help me spot them," Wayne said as he flipped the cap off his scope.
"Above the van trailer, 1 O'clock position to the left of that downed cedar. Both in cammo with grease on their faces. He's getting ready to take another shot," Mark hissed and got his rifle steadied. Letting out his breath halfway he pulled the trigger and let a full auto burst travel the long distance.
"Got one of the dude's," Wayne sounded jubilant. "Probably hit the other one also, can't really tell for sure."
Mark wasn't happy. They were in no better shape than in the beginning. If the shooter wasn't dead or mortally wounded, they were in for a long siege.
Another movement caught his eye. Moving confidently inside the brush was Blackie, advancing on the position the attackers were last observed. "Hold your fire," Mark strained to follow the dog with his scope. "The dog's about to their last hide."
The scream was heard all across the meadow, and shortly, Blackie could be seen walking out of the brush toward camp.
"Holy -----, you don't suppose he did what I think he did?" Wayne was incredulous. "What kind of a dog is he?"
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Yippeee good for the dog
SquonkHunter
Geezer (ret.)
Good boy, Blackie, good boy! 
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#283c
Mark shook his head at the image that Wayne's words called up. "I'll check him," he promised. Going to the trap door he called Clora up to stand guard with Wayne.
Clora handed a glow stick to Lainey and mentioned how that they might sing 'This little light of mine' while passing the stick around. "Should keep them busy," she finished with a smile.
Upstairs, Mark stationed her on the wall between the window and the door. "I'm going to run for the mess tent, we found two shooters and both seem to be neutralized, but don't take any chances," and he was out the door and running in a erratic pattern across the open ground to the tent and van complex.
Helga and Helmer were fine, but the shooter had put a hole in Helga's stovepipe and she was one angry cook.
"You vill shots heem deads!" Helga firmly insisted, as she brandished her long handled stainless steel cooking spoon. "I vill hurts heem muches," she ranted and raved. "Nobodies messes vi th my stoves."
Helmer rubbed his chin to hide a smile and Mark had to cough a little to cover his amusement. "Vell?" Helga demanded, "vhy nots are you nots shoting at heem?"
"I believe both of them are dead, not sure, I have to go check," Mark had to talk fast to get a word in edgewise. "I'm going to take Blackie with me," he told Helmer. "Don't let your guard down."
Blackie was waiting for Mark when he slipped out of the tent opening, and together they sprinted for the far side of the back road grade.
Blackie seemed to know exactly what Mark expected, and led him straight to the sniper's nest. Since the dog walked right into the depression where the bodies were strewn around, Mark figured there were no live snipers. Mark had drilled the one man, the second gunner had a bite mark on the back of his neck that was fatal.
"You're quite the dog," Mark told his companion. Blackie sat on his haunches and stared at Mark without blinking. "Good dog," he affirmed and Blackie smiled. Mark reached over and smoothed his hand over the dogs head, and said once again, "Good boy."
Mark went almost to the tree line and gave a shrill blast. Wayne answered, and Mark sounded the 'all clear' whistle.
The clan gathered at the mess tent, with Clora mustering her charges across the 300 yards to the tent. Anne lagged and Clora caught her little bottom with a swat. "Move with the group," she ordered and Anne picked up the pace. Lainey walked slower, Benny was a heavy load and suddenly she was drained of emotion and energy.
The wall didn't hit Clora until she was seated with a cup of coffee and a plate of cookies that was being passed around. Tessee played happily in the small playpen and Clora watched her with tears in her eyes. Fishing in her pocket for her hanky, she dabbed at her eyes.
Mark watched her with concern, and finally had a bolt of lightening strike his conscience.
This unholy experiment had to come to an end, Clora and Lainey were so tired and beaten down that they were going to be sick.
"This living farce is going to come to an end. This is not our dream, this is not Ben and Lainey's dream, this is not Helga and Helmer's dream. I am not going to speak for you Wayne, you can give your own reasons, but we are leaving here before someone is killed." he thundered, grabbing Clora's hand and holding it to his heart.
Mark shook his head at the image that Wayne's words called up. "I'll check him," he promised. Going to the trap door he called Clora up to stand guard with Wayne.
Clora handed a glow stick to Lainey and mentioned how that they might sing 'This little light of mine' while passing the stick around. "Should keep them busy," she finished with a smile.
Upstairs, Mark stationed her on the wall between the window and the door. "I'm going to run for the mess tent, we found two shooters and both seem to be neutralized, but don't take any chances," and he was out the door and running in a erratic pattern across the open ground to the tent and van complex.
Helga and Helmer were fine, but the shooter had put a hole in Helga's stovepipe and she was one angry cook.
"You vill shots heem deads!" Helga firmly insisted, as she brandished her long handled stainless steel cooking spoon. "I vill hurts heem muches," she ranted and raved. "Nobodies messes vi th my stoves."
Helmer rubbed his chin to hide a smile and Mark had to cough a little to cover his amusement. "Vell?" Helga demanded, "vhy nots are you nots shoting at heem?"
"I believe both of them are dead, not sure, I have to go check," Mark had to talk fast to get a word in edgewise. "I'm going to take Blackie with me," he told Helmer. "Don't let your guard down."
Blackie was waiting for Mark when he slipped out of the tent opening, and together they sprinted for the far side of the back road grade.
Blackie seemed to know exactly what Mark expected, and led him straight to the sniper's nest. Since the dog walked right into the depression where the bodies were strewn around, Mark figured there were no live snipers. Mark had drilled the one man, the second gunner had a bite mark on the back of his neck that was fatal.
"You're quite the dog," Mark told his companion. Blackie sat on his haunches and stared at Mark without blinking. "Good dog," he affirmed and Blackie smiled. Mark reached over and smoothed his hand over the dogs head, and said once again, "Good boy."
Mark went almost to the tree line and gave a shrill blast. Wayne answered, and Mark sounded the 'all clear' whistle.
The clan gathered at the mess tent, with Clora mustering her charges across the 300 yards to the tent. Anne lagged and Clora caught her little bottom with a swat. "Move with the group," she ordered and Anne picked up the pace. Lainey walked slower, Benny was a heavy load and suddenly she was drained of emotion and energy.
The wall didn't hit Clora until she was seated with a cup of coffee and a plate of cookies that was being passed around. Tessee played happily in the small playpen and Clora watched her with tears in her eyes. Fishing in her pocket for her hanky, she dabbed at her eyes.
Mark watched her with concern, and finally had a bolt of lightening strike his conscience.
This unholy experiment had to come to an end, Clora and Lainey were so tired and beaten down that they were going to be sick.
"This living farce is going to come to an end. This is not our dream, this is not Ben and Lainey's dream, this is not Helga and Helmer's dream. I am not going to speak for you Wayne, you can give your own reasons, but we are leaving here before someone is killed." he thundered, grabbing Clora's hand and holding it to his heart.
oh another move.... I hope it doesn't harm anyone...
but I know where they could go where NO ONE would think to look for them....
....ya ready?
....do you really want me to say?
LAS VEGAS BABY!
ok, maybe not. But it IS a good place to "hide".....
lol
thank you Pac!!! as always, I'm on the edge of my seat! and enjoying every second!
but I know where they could go where NO ONE would think to look for them....
....ya ready?
....do you really want me to say?
LAS VEGAS BABY!
ok, maybe not. But it IS a good place to "hide".....
lol
thank you Pac!!!
as always, I'm on the edge of my seat! and enjoying every second!
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Yes thank you pac, I don't know if they would even be safe in a gated community. And I sure know the gated community wouldn't like them as they are plain folks who like the outdoors. That's a hard one.