Story Market Day
- Thread starter ComCamGuy
- Start date
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Don't worry, Its coming. nobody just has a gunfight every day. Trying to make sure things make sense later , either looking forwards or back at why. I also am laying the groundwork for part 4 and 5
Last edited:
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
There was never a moment's doubt of impending explosions & the rattle of expended brass, casualties ......
We'll just hang out until you're ready
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
More presents came out from under the tree in short order. All of them were small boxes similar to the ones Sabine had given the others. Andrea looked over at Sabine with a serious ‘WTF” glare in her eyes. She pulled her off to the side where she was out of earshot of the rest of the group.
“What the ****, Sabine? Did you rob a bank or a jewelry store? I don’t even want to think how much money what you already gave away cost and it looks like you just doubled it all over again!” Andrea was seriously worked up and worried.
Sabine tried to put her arm back around her shoulder to try and calm her down while she explained, but Andrea wasn’t having any of it. “No, tell me what the hell is going on. No sidestepping shit this time!”
Sabine’s face changed before Andrea’s eyes. It went from a flippant dismissive look to one of deep sadness.
“I didn’t rob a bank, or knock off a jewelry store. I didn’t buy them, I inherited them.” She took a deep slow breath before she spoke again. “I have no family to leave them to but you guys. I would rather give them to you now, while I’m alive and can see how happy they make you instead of you opening some safety deposit box somewhere when I’m dead and getting them. So let it go or I will bring Petra over here to sing.”
Andrea could see how much this hurt Sabine and was just the tip of a much bigger iceberg of emotion.
“They were your brothers?” Andrea asked tentatively. Sabine didn’t trust her voice and just nodded. Now it was Andrea reaching out to embrace Sabine. “OK, I understand, let’s watch some smiles happen.”
Amber and Silas each opened their boxes. Each were surprised at what they found and what each other received. It was a pair of his and hers slim, steel Omega watches. Amber pulled hers out and was looking at it. She noticed engraving on the back.
She looked up and around to find Sabine. She saw her far in the background being held by Andrea. She couldn’t quite read her expression. She leaned over and showed Silas the engraving. He showed the engraving on the back of his.
They looked over at Ivar and Sofia who were looking at an almost identical pair of watches, only in gold tone. They had a seriously confused look on their faces. When Sofia’s started to say something, Amber gave her a look and shake of her head while beckoning them over to her and Silas.
Sofia spoke once she got there.
“Amber, what the hell is going on? These are seriously expensive. Like 25th anniversary present level expensive!” Sofia started to go on but Amber stopped her.
“Can I see the back of yours?”
Sofia pulled it out of the box and handed it to Amber. Amber looked on the back of it.
As she was looking, Ivar pulled his out and flipped it over.
He looked up at Amber. “Do I want to know?”
Amber’s voice had a little tremor in it as she answered him. “These gifts were more from the heart than you may ever know. Don’t make a huge deal out of it, just be appreciative.”
Most didn’t even hear the conversation it was so quick and hushed. They covered it by them helping each other put them on. They looked around. Henrik was handing Jennifer a small box.
Jennifer wasn’t sure of the big hulking ginger yeti standing before her. She wanted the box but didn’t want to put Titus down. Veronica saw it and knelt down to help.
“Here, you open the present, and I’ll keep people safe from him biting them. He will be right here beside you.”
“What’s that Titus? these guys are ok and will look out for her but you still want to stay close, ok you do that just like you did for me. You want her know she has a whole room of people who love her and she does not need to be afraid them especially Violet she is just a big kid and Petra looks likes she still is a kid.”
Jennifer smiled giggled handing Titus to Veronica and opened her present. A gasp and her face lit up! She turned the box around so people could see! In it, nestled in the little velvet jewelry box saw a pendant. A beautiful blue star sapphire hung on a delicate gold chain. On the sapphire was a small wire form ‘J’.
Jonas looked at it, then around at the group. He was overcome by such a generous gift, by such generous people! This was too much! He started to say something but Amber cut him off.
“Well, Dad? Help her put it on!”
Jonas leaned down and put the pendant around Jennifer’s neck. It hung a little low, but it looked wonderful on her, as did the smile, one of the first in some time. Jennifer showed it Veronica and Titus who both made a big deal over how pretty it looked on her. The grin grew so large it seemed to light up the room which pleased Amber and Sophia on how far she had come in such a short time. Jonas wiped away a tear both for how far his daughter had come and for his absent wife.
Paige was impatient and moved things along some more.
“Well, Jonas, you still have to open your own present.”
Jonas took the small box. When he opened it, he saw an old, vintage gold watch. Beautiful! It had scallops around the inside of the face and he could make out it said ‘Omega’ on it! It was …It was….He didn’t know what to say.
Several of the others in the group though they recognized the watch Sabine had on at the thanksgiving party, but didn’t say anything.
“What the ****, Sabine? Did you rob a bank or a jewelry store? I don’t even want to think how much money what you already gave away cost and it looks like you just doubled it all over again!” Andrea was seriously worked up and worried.
Sabine tried to put her arm back around her shoulder to try and calm her down while she explained, but Andrea wasn’t having any of it. “No, tell me what the hell is going on. No sidestepping shit this time!”
Sabine’s face changed before Andrea’s eyes. It went from a flippant dismissive look to one of deep sadness.
“I didn’t rob a bank, or knock off a jewelry store. I didn’t buy them, I inherited them.” She took a deep slow breath before she spoke again. “I have no family to leave them to but you guys. I would rather give them to you now, while I’m alive and can see how happy they make you instead of you opening some safety deposit box somewhere when I’m dead and getting them. So let it go or I will bring Petra over here to sing.”
Andrea could see how much this hurt Sabine and was just the tip of a much bigger iceberg of emotion.
“They were your brothers?” Andrea asked tentatively. Sabine didn’t trust her voice and just nodded. Now it was Andrea reaching out to embrace Sabine. “OK, I understand, let’s watch some smiles happen.”
Amber and Silas each opened their boxes. Each were surprised at what they found and what each other received. It was a pair of his and hers slim, steel Omega watches. Amber pulled hers out and was looking at it. She noticed engraving on the back.
“To Jeanne on your sweet 16th
Love,
Mom and Dad”
Love,
Mom and Dad”
She looked up and around to find Sabine. She saw her far in the background being held by Andrea. She couldn’t quite read her expression. She leaned over and showed Silas the engraving. He showed the engraving on the back of his.
“Congratulations Son on your
16th Birthday
Love, Mom and Dad”
16th Birthday
Love, Mom and Dad”
They looked over at Ivar and Sofia who were looking at an almost identical pair of watches, only in gold tone. They had a seriously confused look on their faces. When Sofia’s started to say something, Amber gave her a look and shake of her head while beckoning them over to her and Silas.
Sofia spoke once she got there.
“Amber, what the hell is going on? These are seriously expensive. Like 25th anniversary present level expensive!” Sofia started to go on but Amber stopped her.
“Can I see the back of yours?”
Sofia pulled it out of the box and handed it to Amber. Amber looked on the back of it.
“To Jeanne on your
21st Birthday
Love, Mom and Dad”
21st Birthday
Love, Mom and Dad”
As she was looking, Ivar pulled his out and flipped it over.
“Congratulations Son on your
21st Birthday
Love, Mom and Dad”
21st Birthday
Love, Mom and Dad”
He looked up at Amber. “Do I want to know?”
Amber’s voice had a little tremor in it as she answered him. “These gifts were more from the heart than you may ever know. Don’t make a huge deal out of it, just be appreciative.”
Most didn’t even hear the conversation it was so quick and hushed. They covered it by them helping each other put them on. They looked around. Henrik was handing Jennifer a small box.
Jennifer wasn’t sure of the big hulking ginger yeti standing before her. She wanted the box but didn’t want to put Titus down. Veronica saw it and knelt down to help.
“Here, you open the present, and I’ll keep people safe from him biting them. He will be right here beside you.”
“What’s that Titus? these guys are ok and will look out for her but you still want to stay close, ok you do that just like you did for me. You want her know she has a whole room of people who love her and she does not need to be afraid them especially Violet she is just a big kid and Petra looks likes she still is a kid.”
Jennifer smiled giggled handing Titus to Veronica and opened her present. A gasp and her face lit up! She turned the box around so people could see! In it, nestled in the little velvet jewelry box saw a pendant. A beautiful blue star sapphire hung on a delicate gold chain. On the sapphire was a small wire form ‘J’.
Jonas looked at it, then around at the group. He was overcome by such a generous gift, by such generous people! This was too much! He started to say something but Amber cut him off.
“Well, Dad? Help her put it on!”
Jonas leaned down and put the pendant around Jennifer’s neck. It hung a little low, but it looked wonderful on her, as did the smile, one of the first in some time. Jennifer showed it Veronica and Titus who both made a big deal over how pretty it looked on her. The grin grew so large it seemed to light up the room which pleased Amber and Sophia on how far she had come in such a short time. Jonas wiped away a tear both for how far his daughter had come and for his absent wife.
Paige was impatient and moved things along some more.
“Well, Jonas, you still have to open your own present.”
Jonas took the small box. When he opened it, he saw an old, vintage gold watch. Beautiful! It had scallops around the inside of the face and he could make out it said ‘Omega’ on it! It was …It was….He didn’t know what to say.
Several of the others in the group though they recognized the watch Sabine had on at the thanksgiving party, but didn’t say anything.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
After all the gifts were opened, Sofia and Andrea made a declaration to the group.
“OK, everyone, there are cookies and drinks and such on the table. For now, however, everyone clear out of the kitchen area so we can finish cooking.” Andrea did the talking part, while Sofia was turning and pushing people gently towards the table and away from the kitchen. Most got drinks and cookies as they adjourned to the backyard fire ring area. Henrik snared some helpers to gather the wrapping paper shreds and boxes to add to the fire pile.
Amber was walking around in the house not long after Sofia shooed everyone out. She saw Violet sitting down in the living room with a book, by herself.
“Hey, kiddo, what’s up? Don’t want to go play with the other kids?”
Violet looked up from her book and smiled. “No, just taking advantage of someone else entertaining Veronica for a little while.” This statement by Violet about her best friend concerned Amber,
“OK, something going on between you and Veronica?” Her tone was one of obvious worry.
“No, Momma. It’s just…..She wears me out! She is so draining to be around sometimes! I’ve been entertaining the world’s largest hyperactive poodle non-stop for the past couple of months!”
Now Amber was giving this her full attention. “Go on.”
“When Poppa called and got us out here, everything was Go! Go! Go! You know me, that’s a physical challenge. I’m great with that! Always have been, but she never slowed down. The thing with Tim combined with losing the job she wanted on top of it and then the world is coming apart….She’s doing everything she can to not stop. She goes to work, but there isn’t much to keep her engaged there, so then she’s off to the mountains or the training range hunting this or that. Then, she gets home at midnight and back up again at four AM. Again, and again. With me there, she tried to fall back into what we did years ago, drink, barhop, party, but neither of us had our hearts into that anymore. I got her to cut back on her drinking and eat better, been dragging her to the climbing gym since it’s too cold for me to go to the real rocks around there and as for mid-winter kayaking, there isn’t a wetsuit thick enough for me to do that. Snowshoe and skiing instead. You know me, if it’s outdoors, I love it. I just…Right now, here, she has someone else’s problems to help fix so I can relax some.” Violet just sat there for a moment. “I love Veronica. She is my sister in every sense of the word. I’ve been pouring so much energy into her to try and help her, I’m just in need of a recharge.”
Amber looked at her little girl. She might be three inches taller than her mom and able to fold her like a pretzel, but she would always be her little girl. “So, what are you going to do when you two go back to her place?”
“We’ve been talking. I think I’ll help her pack her stuff and when we come back down for the wedding, we are going to stay. That way we can help you guys with whatever’s next. We can put the energy to good use and have a focus again.”
“What about your stuff?”
“Shit, it’s probably already stolen or given to Goodwill. I haven’t been there for months. Didn’t have much there I would need now anyway.”
“OK, everyone, there are cookies and drinks and such on the table. For now, however, everyone clear out of the kitchen area so we can finish cooking.” Andrea did the talking part, while Sofia was turning and pushing people gently towards the table and away from the kitchen. Most got drinks and cookies as they adjourned to the backyard fire ring area. Henrik snared some helpers to gather the wrapping paper shreds and boxes to add to the fire pile.
Amber was walking around in the house not long after Sofia shooed everyone out. She saw Violet sitting down in the living room with a book, by herself.
“Hey, kiddo, what’s up? Don’t want to go play with the other kids?”
Violet looked up from her book and smiled. “No, just taking advantage of someone else entertaining Veronica for a little while.” This statement by Violet about her best friend concerned Amber,
“OK, something going on between you and Veronica?” Her tone was one of obvious worry.
“No, Momma. It’s just…..She wears me out! She is so draining to be around sometimes! I’ve been entertaining the world’s largest hyperactive poodle non-stop for the past couple of months!”
Now Amber was giving this her full attention. “Go on.”
“When Poppa called and got us out here, everything was Go! Go! Go! You know me, that’s a physical challenge. I’m great with that! Always have been, but she never slowed down. The thing with Tim combined with losing the job she wanted on top of it and then the world is coming apart….She’s doing everything she can to not stop. She goes to work, but there isn’t much to keep her engaged there, so then she’s off to the mountains or the training range hunting this or that. Then, she gets home at midnight and back up again at four AM. Again, and again. With me there, she tried to fall back into what we did years ago, drink, barhop, party, but neither of us had our hearts into that anymore. I got her to cut back on her drinking and eat better, been dragging her to the climbing gym since it’s too cold for me to go to the real rocks around there and as for mid-winter kayaking, there isn’t a wetsuit thick enough for me to do that. Snowshoe and skiing instead. You know me, if it’s outdoors, I love it. I just…Right now, here, she has someone else’s problems to help fix so I can relax some.” Violet just sat there for a moment. “I love Veronica. She is my sister in every sense of the word. I’ve been pouring so much energy into her to try and help her, I’m just in need of a recharge.”
Amber looked at her little girl. She might be three inches taller than her mom and able to fold her like a pretzel, but she would always be her little girl. “So, what are you going to do when you two go back to her place?”
“We’ve been talking. I think I’ll help her pack her stuff and when we come back down for the wedding, we are going to stay. That way we can help you guys with whatever’s next. We can put the energy to good use and have a focus again.”
“What about your stuff?”
“Shit, it’s probably already stolen or given to Goodwill. I haven’t been there for months. Didn’t have much there I would need now anyway.”
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Amber went back to hanging out in the kitchen with Andrea and Sofia until she finally got in the way one too many times and was thrown out with the mission of letting everyone know dinner would be ready in half an hour.
She figured she would start with Violet, but Violet was no longer on the couch. It looked like everyone had gone outside.
Amber stepped out into the cold, clear air. It was beautiful out here. No wonder everyone was out here. She thought about what Silas, Sofia, Ivar and she had discussed a few days ago. This place would be great. She didn’t want the others to leave to make it happen, but leave they would, so….
They had agreed to not talk about it here unless someone else brought it up. Ivar told them Sabine cut a deal with the new landlord but didn’t discuss it with the rest. Ivar was pretty squirrely when he was discussing that point. She looked across the backyard for the guys. Off to one side she could see Henrik, Veronica and either Jennifer or Petra doing something with sticks and things out in the snow.
Ivar and Silas were by themselves at the fire ring. Amber wandered up to them.
“OK guys, what World War battle are we refighting now?”
They both looked up at her. Silas replied. “No, we were just talking about the space here and where to put people when we move in.”
“We said we weren’t going to talk about it her unless someone else brought it up.” Amber reminded the both of them.
Ivar raised his hands “I know, but it was just us and we were trying to figure the space.”
Amber was quick to add her two cents. “Yeah, you were trying to figure if there is enough space for Silas’ new pet gremlin! That’s what you’re doing, I bet! Don’t get me wrong. I like the girl, but she might be a bit too impressionable for you scheming weasels. She hasn’t learned she can say no yet like the four musketeers do.”
“Amber,” Silas slid up to her, wrapping an arm around her waist in an embrace. He looked at her with big puppy dog eyes. “Please? I’ll walk her and feed her and clean up after her. She won’t be any trouble at all!”
Amber couldn’t hold back her laughter. He played dirty! That was the same shit she pulled on him when she convinced him to let Veronica live with them the four months she needed to finish the sixth grade before joining her parents when they had to move duty stations one time.
“If she isn’t housebroken, you’re cleaning it up!” She looked over at Ivar. “I’m sure you already have it figured out, don’t you? But something to think on. I was talking to Violet. They are talking about staying here and not going back when they come back down for the wedding. Do you have room for two more in your plan?”
Ivar nodded. “I’m sure we can work it. Four bedrooms upstairs and one in the basement. We can convert the big ass closet/office in the basement to a second bedroom. It’s the same size or bigger than the others upstairs.”
Amber could see the gears whirling in Ivar’s and Silas’ eyes. She would leave them to that planning. They haven’t let her down yet on things like this.
She figured she would start with Violet, but Violet was no longer on the couch. It looked like everyone had gone outside.
Amber stepped out into the cold, clear air. It was beautiful out here. No wonder everyone was out here. She thought about what Silas, Sofia, Ivar and she had discussed a few days ago. This place would be great. She didn’t want the others to leave to make it happen, but leave they would, so….
They had agreed to not talk about it here unless someone else brought it up. Ivar told them Sabine cut a deal with the new landlord but didn’t discuss it with the rest. Ivar was pretty squirrely when he was discussing that point. She looked across the backyard for the guys. Off to one side she could see Henrik, Veronica and either Jennifer or Petra doing something with sticks and things out in the snow.
Ivar and Silas were by themselves at the fire ring. Amber wandered up to them.
“OK guys, what World War battle are we refighting now?”
They both looked up at her. Silas replied. “No, we were just talking about the space here and where to put people when we move in.”
“We said we weren’t going to talk about it her unless someone else brought it up.” Amber reminded the both of them.
Ivar raised his hands “I know, but it was just us and we were trying to figure the space.”
Amber was quick to add her two cents. “Yeah, you were trying to figure if there is enough space for Silas’ new pet gremlin! That’s what you’re doing, I bet! Don’t get me wrong. I like the girl, but she might be a bit too impressionable for you scheming weasels. She hasn’t learned she can say no yet like the four musketeers do.”
“Amber,” Silas slid up to her, wrapping an arm around her waist in an embrace. He looked at her with big puppy dog eyes. “Please? I’ll walk her and feed her and clean up after her. She won’t be any trouble at all!”
Amber couldn’t hold back her laughter. He played dirty! That was the same shit she pulled on him when she convinced him to let Veronica live with them the four months she needed to finish the sixth grade before joining her parents when they had to move duty stations one time.
“If she isn’t housebroken, you’re cleaning it up!” She looked over at Ivar. “I’m sure you already have it figured out, don’t you? But something to think on. I was talking to Violet. They are talking about staying here and not going back when they come back down for the wedding. Do you have room for two more in your plan?”
Ivar nodded. “I’m sure we can work it. Four bedrooms upstairs and one in the basement. We can convert the big ass closet/office in the basement to a second bedroom. It’s the same size or bigger than the others upstairs.”
Amber could see the gears whirling in Ivar’s and Silas’ eyes. She would leave them to that planning. They haven’t let her down yet on things like this.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Amber went to the three playing in the snow next. It was Jennifer with Henrik and Veronica. As she got closer, she could see Henrik was showing Jennifer how to make snowshoes out of sticks and string.
She watched for a few moments, marveling how such a big man could be so delicate with his hands and so disarming with Jennifer once she go over her initial fears and his intimidating size. Jennifer was engrossed in what he was making. Amber didn’t hear what comment Jennifer made, but Amber sure was surprised at his reaction!
He looked up at something she said and quick as a whip, he snatched her off the ground with one hand by the back of the jacket and flung her into the snowbank next to them! Amber started forward, looking to intervene in whatever was going on when he heard Henrik tell Veronica “You want to fly as well? I’ll fling you like a javelin!”
Veronica took two steps backwards, hands up indicating she wanted no part of what happened. Amber was almost there when she heard one sound she wasn’t expecting; a kid laughing!
Jennifer came up out of the snow pile, a huge grin on her face!
“Again! Again!”
Amber suddenly realized they were playing some sort of game! Who would have thought? She didn’t know enough about his background to know if he had little brothers or sisters or something. She didn’t remember him talking about his background or family at all. He sure had a way with the little girl. She wondered if he was this good with all kids or just her. He was full of surprises. She told them about impending dinner and moved towards the garage next to get the rest of the group informed.
She watched for a few moments, marveling how such a big man could be so delicate with his hands and so disarming with Jennifer once she go over her initial fears and his intimidating size. Jennifer was engrossed in what he was making. Amber didn’t hear what comment Jennifer made, but Amber sure was surprised at his reaction!
He looked up at something she said and quick as a whip, he snatched her off the ground with one hand by the back of the jacket and flung her into the snowbank next to them! Amber started forward, looking to intervene in whatever was going on when he heard Henrik tell Veronica “You want to fly as well? I’ll fling you like a javelin!”
Veronica took two steps backwards, hands up indicating she wanted no part of what happened. Amber was almost there when she heard one sound she wasn’t expecting; a kid laughing!
Jennifer came up out of the snow pile, a huge grin on her face!
“Again! Again!”
Amber suddenly realized they were playing some sort of game! Who would have thought? She didn’t know enough about his background to know if he had little brothers or sisters or something. She didn’t remember him talking about his background or family at all. He sure had a way with the little girl. She wondered if he was this good with all kids or just her. He was full of surprises. She told them about impending dinner and moved towards the garage next to get the rest of the group informed.
Shotgun Willy
Contributing Member
Aaaaaaah, we got moar, thank you.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
ted
Veteran Member
What was on the menu for Friday supper? For my chow hall it was fried rabbit. When I first tasted that I thought I had died and gone to heaven.
ted
Veteran Member
LOL! So that's where they got them.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
3701st
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
paige isn't anywhere near lackland. it's just us old USAF vets bullshitting, distracting people from the story
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Amber found Paige, Petra and Jonas in the barn, their heads under the hood of the Cherokee. Petra was a kid in a cany store. Everything Paige was talking about, she soaked up and added to. She was helping Paige work through her ideas and was already consolidating some things for some of her own plans. Jonas was laughing and giggling while he was watching them. He was used to seeing Paige in this mode, both from work and whenever he was around her at the 4X4 club.
With Amber’s arrival and announcement, they started cleaning up and headed towards dinner. Amber’s next and last group was in the barn as well; Sabine and Violet.
With Amber’s arrival and announcement, they started cleaning up and headed towards dinner. Amber’s next and last group was in the barn as well; Sabine and Violet.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Violet and Sabine were moving and weaving around with what looked like pieces of broomsticks in their hands when Amber arrived.
“What are you two doing?”
“What’s it look like Mamma? I’m showing Sabine how to use her new Christmas gift.” Violet had paused in her swing to answer Amber.
Amber snorted. “It looks like you are playing ‘pirate’. That’s what it looks like.”
Sabine interjected. “Kinda sorta. The shorter, curved blade is similar to the Navy Boarding cutlas for shipboard fighting. I don’t have a lot of training for such things and Violet is a cornucopia of edged weapons knowledge.”
Amber laughed. “Don’t I know it! Growing up, I bought band-aids and mercurochrome by the bushel basket! Well, Dinner is almost ready, you kids stop playing and get ready to eat.”
“What are you two doing?”
“What’s it look like Mamma? I’m showing Sabine how to use her new Christmas gift.” Violet had paused in her swing to answer Amber.
Amber snorted. “It looks like you are playing ‘pirate’. That’s what it looks like.”
Sabine interjected. “Kinda sorta. The shorter, curved blade is similar to the Navy Boarding cutlas for shipboard fighting. I don’t have a lot of training for such things and Violet is a cornucopia of edged weapons knowledge.”
Amber laughed. “Don’t I know it! Growing up, I bought band-aids and mercurochrome by the bushel basket! Well, Dinner is almost ready, you kids stop playing and get ready to eat.”
ted
Veteran Member
Well, I had two helpings of the rabbit in the same time it took the rest to finish the first...LOL