Gus whispers, “Mala has magical powers.”
Five minutes later, they come out of the bathroom. Cindy immediately runs over to Adolph and talks into his ear, “I did bad thing.”
Mala gives us an okay sign. “She looks fine. Most children show no ill effects from eating too many vitamins. We’ll just watch her for signs of nausea or headaches, but other than just let her be.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Marco Alvarez-Leones del Valle (the Car Guys)
“You idiots! You killed the fucking dogs?” I slap my hand down on the table so hard everything on top of it rattles. “Don’t you guys have any God damn brains?”
Adam, who wasn’t there when the guys killed the dogs, adds his own two cents. “No one gave you orders to shoot any damn dogs!”
Matt speaks up. “We thought they’d turn feral and attack us one day.”
“According to Thomas, the place was set up as a kennel. There were bags of food, water, toys.” I growl at them. “How would the damn things turn feral if someone was taking care of them? Fucking Idiots!”
Matt lowers his head and speaks, never making eye contact, “But Boss, we didn’t see anybody.”
I pound the table again as Adam yells at him. “Asshole, they were probably hiding from you.”
“I need a minute.” I push my way out of the room calling over my shoulder, “Don’t anybody fucking move.”
It’s times like this I need to walk off some of my anger or I’m going to shoot one of the stupid morons. But with our low numbers, I can’t afford losing any of them, even if they are fucking fools. It takes three laps around the pool and one around the house plus a shot of whiskey to cool me down and come up with a plan.
When I get back to the dining room, everyone is exactly where they were when I left. No one moved. Smart.
“Okay, here’s what we’re gonna do. Someone was caring for those dogs and I bet they live close by. Tonight, we’ll drive over, park about six blocks away, and sneak into that neighborhood. We’ll look through every house until we find them.”
“You’re coming with us, Boss?” Adam asks.
“Yeah.” I walk around the table until I reach Matt and swat him on the back of his head. “Everyone’s going except you. You’re staying here and guarding the house.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Hank
“Leo, Gus, let’s go bring Mala’s things over to her room.”
Mala, hearing what I said, stands. “I’ll come, too.”
Catching Shelley’s eye, I give her a silent ‘I need help’ signal. She knows I want to talk to the guys and need a distraction for Mala.
Shelley elbows her. “Mala, let the guys do it. They like to show off for us women. It’s a caveman thing, I think.”
“Well, I guess, I could stay here.” Mala raises her eyebrows and smirks, “and let them get hot and sweaty.”
Both women giggle.
“Besides, you and I have tea to drink, remember?” Shelley adds.
Leo bends over swinging his arms and grunting. “Us caveman do men’s work.”
We laugh at his craziness especially Cindy and Michael who transform into cave children and mimic Leo.
As soon as everyone calms down, Leo, Gus and I leave one by one and head for the back of Ruth’s house where Mala’s car is parked.
Once all three of us are at the back of the house, I whisper, “I need to talk to the two of you.”
Both Gus and Leo get serious looks on their faces.
Leo asks, “Is this about the Car Guys?”
“Yes.” I pick up a large box of Mala’s clothes out of the jeep.
“Let’s take a load over and talk at our house.” Gus whispers back.
We make it across the street without any issues.
“I want to talk about …”
Leo interrupts me. “I’ve been thinking, if I were the leader of the Car Guys, I would come at us tonight. I wouldn’t leave us any time to pack and move away or get prepared.”
“I agree, I think they’ll come tonight or at the latest, tomorrow.” I point across the street. “We’ve got two women and two children to keep safe. We need to end this war now.”
Leo lowers his head. “Sorry, but I think we need to get the girls and kids out of here, at least for tonight. We’ll fight better if we know they’re safe and out of harm’s way.”
“That’s what I was going to suggest, too.” I tell them.
“Send them back to Mala’s house.” Gus says as he opens the fridge and takes out the assault rifles.
“They’ll need to go right away, within the hour.” Leo suggests as he grabs empty magazines and starts loading them with rounds.
“They can take Mala’s car.” Gus adds. “Do you think it’s safe for them to go by themselves?” Gus asks as he hands us each a warm beer from the six-pack on the counter.
“Yeah, I do.” I take a sip before continuing. “I think the Car Guys are back at their HQ making plans for tonight. Now is the perfect time for Shelley and the rest to leave.”
Gus snickers and points at me. “I nominate you to tell Shelley, she’s gonna freak out.”
Will she? Probably a little, but she’ll see it’s the best plan. “Gee, thanks.” I chug the rest of my beer and set the bottle down. “Okay, now that I have some liquid courage, I’ll go and talk to Shelley while you guys finish getting the guns ready.”
Before I reach the door, Leo calls out a suggestion. “We should send Adolph with the girls. He can help protect them and he won’t be here to bark.”
“Smart.” Gus grunts.
I head across the street ready to say whatever it takes to get Shelley to leave for a couple of days.
It’s quiet when I enter the house. Michael’s reading a book and Cindy is kneeling at the coffee table coloring. Mala and Shelley are at the dining table chatting.
“So, did you move her stuff?” Shelley asks with her eyebrows raised.
“The guys will finish it. I came over to talk to you.” I sit down at the table and Mala offers me some tea. “No thank you, Mala.”
Shelley leans in close and whispers, “I don’t like the look on your face, Hank. What’s the matter?”
Well, here goes nothing. Keeping my voice down so the kids don’t hear, I tell them, “The Car Guys will come looking for whoever is taking care of the dogs and they’ll come right away, probably tonight.”
Mala’s face turns white and her tea cup rattles against the saucer.
Shelley’s cheek twitches and she bites her lower lip. “Damn it, you’re probably right.”
I grab Shelley’s hand and hold it tight in mine. “I need you to take the children and go to Mala’s house for the next few days while we handle them.”
She doesn’t say anything, just puts her other hand on top of mine and huffs. I guess she’s thinking it through. Then, with another squeeze and a half smile, she says, “I don’t like leaving you guys here, but you’ll work smarter with us out of the way.”
I’m utterly shocked Shelley doesn’t fight me on it. “The thing is you need to leave right away, like in the next half hour.”
“Why?” Mala asks.
“We’re pretty sure the Car Guys are at their Headquarters planning their attack on us so they’ re not out patrolling the streets right now.”
“Makes sense.” Shelley stands and grabs her clipboard. LMO, little Miss Organization, takes over. “Let’s do this.” After looking over the notes on her board, she says, “Give me five minutes to pack the kids and grab our bug-out bags.” She nods at me and gives me my first order. “Hank, go to the garage and grab the blue duffel, it has a week’s worth of food in it.”
“Does it have dog food in it? Adolph is going with you.” I ask as I rise from the table.
“No. Get Leo to load some and have Gus put Mala’s things back in her car.”
She points at Mala. “Is there drinking water at your place?”
“A swimming pool?” Mala answers.
/> “Hank, grab two twenty-four packs of bottled water, too.”
From the garage doorway, I answer. “Yes, Ma’am.” I stop and listen to Shelley telling the kids they’re going on an adventure and Adolph was coming with them. She has them each pick out a few books and toys to bring. She is amazing with kids, I can really see the teacher in her.
Twenty minutes later, the jeep is packed, and everyone is ready to leave. Michael is thrilled he’ll oversee Adolph for the next few days and Cindy is just happy to go for a ride in the car.
Leo runs across the street waving some papers in his hand. “Here, codes to use on the walkie talkies.” He hands each adult a copy. “I wrote it out five times. God, I miss printers.”
Leo’s codes:
Each person is known by a number. I assigned numbers in order of when we each arrived in our family.
1. Shelley
2. Hank
3. Leo
4. Gus
5. Michael
6. Cindy
7. Mala
8. Adolph
Rules:
1. No people names only their numbers.
2. Only talk in code unless no code available then be careful.
Codes:
1. Cracker… means you’re safe
2. Bologna… means you’re in trouble
3. Salami… means send help
4. Mustard… means someone’s hurt
5. Park Place… Shelley’s house
6. Boardwalk… Mala’s house
After reviewing the codes, Shelley says, “So, when we arrive at Mala’s, we’d say, ‘1,5,6,7,8, cracker, boardwalk, over.’ Right?”
Leo gives her a thumbs-up.
“And we’d respond, ‘Got it. Over’.” I say.
Leo pats her on the back. “Perfect.”
“This is a great list, Leo. Thanks.” The codes are simple and to the point.
I pull Shelley into a hug. “You better leave.” As much as she’s trying to be brave, the stiffness in her body tells me she’s scared. I place a kiss on her forehead. “You’ll be okay. Both you and Mala know how to shoot, and you have Adolph.”
She whispers in my ear. “I’m worried about you. Don’t get killed, please. I need you in my life.”
I whisper back. “I’m not planning on getting hurt and I need you, too.”
With kisses all around, and Mala at the wheel, they head out.
It’s time to put my Marine hat on. It’s time to win a war.
Oorah.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Shelley
Using the rear-view mirror, I sneak a peek at the kids in the backseat. It’s strange how fast I’ve grown to love them. Hank was right when he talked about instant families and feelings. These kids are mine. Cindy, had me from the first hug inside that smelly pup tent and Michael, her fearless protector, from his first smile. I knew someday I wanted children, but I guess God wanted me to have these two.
The broken, scared look in Michael’s eyes kills me. He’s had to grow up so fast and he’s seen things no eleven-year-old should have to see. Even little Cindy is subdued. Normally she has a hissy fit when we strap her in the car seat. Not today, today she even tried to help with the buckles.
I wish I could save them from any more bad times, but I can’t.
Adolph, tired of Cindy’s poking, slips his head between the two bucket seats and licks my arm. I’m glad Leo sent Adolph with us, I know he’ll help protect us. Plus, he gives Michael something important to do. He’s happiest when he has a vital job.
Mala makes a left-hand turn onto Roscoe Blvd, heading west.
Hell, I don’t even know where we’re going? “What section of town do you live in?”
“West Hills, out by Bell Canyon Park.” Mala answers. “It’s my parent’s house. Since they travel often, I live there to help take care of the place.”
“Did you work close by?”
“Yes, at West Hills Hospital. I loved living close to work. I didn’t have to spend hours commuting.”
“I agree. I bought my house close enough to school I didn’t have to take the dreaded freeway.”
We both laugh; the freeways in Los Angeles are notorious for their gridlock.
Michael, unbuckles his seat beat and kneels looking out through the back window. He makes a squeaking sound and stutters, “I just, just saw another car driving.”
Immediately on alert, I turn in my seat and look out the back window. “Where?”
He points to his left, “Down that street back there.”
Mala, steps on the gas and picks up speed, “Is it the Car Guys?”
“It was a big black car,” Michael answers.
“Shit. It sounds like them.”
The roar of a large engine has Mala driving even faster. The sound is close, maybe over on the next block. She looks at me, her eyes full of unshed tears, “I thought they weren’t supposed to be out on the streets right now?”
“I thought so, too.”
“What are we doing to do?”
“Let me think a minute.” I put my head in my hands and run my fingers along my scalp. What would Hank do? He’d stay calm and figure out how to save the children. He’d think like a soldier. I run through the facts. Marco knows I’m out here and swore he’d find me. He doesn’t know about Mala or the children. I need to keep it that way. No way is he getting his hands on my kids.
An idea comes to me. “See that shopping center?” I point across the street. “Pull into it.”
Mala, her hands shaking on the wheel, asks, “Really?”
“Yeah, and pull up to those bushes at the end by the donut shop.” I look behind us and check to see if I see their black car. I don’t.
“What are you doing?” Mala asks as she drives into the parking lot.
“Saving you guys.”
I look back at Michael. “You have your walkie talkie, right?”
“Yeah,” he answers.
Mala stops by the bushes. Thankfully, they’re thick and the ground behind them slopes backward away from the parking lot. They can easily hide there and not be seen from the street.
I turn sideways in the seat and put one hand on Mala’s shoulder and the other on Michael’s. “Here’s what’s gonna happen. The guys in the car are looking for me. You three, and Adolph, are getting out and hiding in those bushes.” I point over my shoulder. “I’m going to take the car and lead them away from you. If I succeed, I’ll be back in thirty minutes to pick you up.” I take my watch off and hand it to Mala. “If I don’t make it back, call Hank and tell him what happened. They’ll find a way to come get you.”
I look Michael in the eyes.” Michael, if you end up calling Hank, I want you to talk. I don’t want those guys hearing another female voice.”
Mala grabs my arm. “You can’t sacrifice yourself for us?”
“I don’t plan to. If they catch me, I’ll find a way to escape.” I hope I sound braver than I feel.
Michael starts to complain, but I cut him off, snapping at him, “We don’t have time for this. Get out of the damn car.”
“Come on, Sweetie.” Mala jumps out of the driver’s seat and grabs a crying Cindy out of her car seat.”
Michael, still upset with me, gives a tug on Adolph’s leash. “Hier.”
I hand Michael the Glock from my ankle harness and an extra loaded magazine. “Just in case. Mala, you have the gun Leo gave you?”
She nods and takes it out of her waistband.
“Shoot them, if you have to.”
As I’m hopping in the driver’s seat, I tell them. “I love you kids. Mala will take good care of you. Now go. Quick. Hide.” I hit the gas and take off in the direction of the Car Guy noises.
A block later, I make a left and drive right past their black car going in the opposite direction. Their heads swivel to get a look at me then they make a U-turn. I step on the gas and lead them away from Mala and the kids. After a half mile, I realize there’s no way to outrun them. Their car is faster,
and the driver better than me.
I’ll need to try something else.
I talk to myself in the rearview mirror. “What if I stop the car, run, and hide?” I stand a better chance on foot. And I know just the place to do it. I drive down Parthenia and head for the residential neighborhood, over by my friend Brenda’s house.
Timing is everything. I turn a corner, slam on the brakes, grab my go bag and bail out. The Car Guys, still on the other street, can’t see which way I turned or that I’m out of my car. This gives me a minute to get behind one of the houses. I run past two houses that have closed side gates. I can’t waste time seeing if they’re locked. The third house’s gate is wide open. I cross into its backyard and close the gate behind me.
I hear their car screech to a stop and the doors open and then slam closed. They’re on foot now, just like me. One of them yells, “Where’d the little bitch go?”
“Fuck them.” I whisper as I look for an escape.
The yard is overgrown with waist-high weeds. If nothing else, I can always drop and hide amongst them. My first choice is to climb the back-yard fence into the back-neighbor’s yard, then run across the next street and into a yard over there putting some distance between me and the assholes.
The back fence is just like mine, eight feet tall; too tall for me to get over without help. Luckily, there’s an orange tree growing right next to it. The tree’s first branch is wide enough to step on and only about three feet off the ground. I throw my go bag over and start to climb, ignoring the trail of ants on the trunk. Two branches later, I’m at the right height to jump over but before I can accomplish it, the gate to the yard creaks open. I freeze in place and pray they don’t see me.
Standing still in a tree is not as easy as it sounds. The branch I’m standing on is flimsy and thin and my feet want to slip off it. Plus, I have ants crawling over my hands and arms and working their way up inside my pant legs.
“Hey, if you’re back here, we ain’t gonna hurt you. We’re here to take you some place safe.” A deep male voice shouts out in a southern accent.
I mouth the words, “Yeah, to your boss Marco. No thank you.”
Starting Over (Starting Over 1 Page 15