by Ezra Sidran
“Oh, I see,” the Authoritarian Man pondered the question. “Look, Mr. Brankowsky, we’ll pull a few strings; we’ll make it right with your insurance company. We can do this.”
“Oh, wow, that’s great!” Colt wagged his head visibly relieved. “Can I ask another question? And first I want to say I’m really, really sorry about that fastball upside your head. Honest, it was the first time I ever intentionally threw a beanball and I swear I’ll never do it again.” The Authoritarian Man subconsciously rubbed the contusion on his forehead which looked like it was beginning to go down a little by now. “Anyway, Mr. Government Man,” Colt stumbled on, “I’m supposed to be pitching for the Washington Nationals this afternoon and I’m not really sure where I am, or where Washington is or how to get there.”
“Mr. Brankowsky, you’re the new pitcher the Nationals were bringing up from the minors that I’ve heard so much about?” The Authoritarian Man mused, “Well, this is a small world. We’re less than an hour from the National’s ballpark by chopper; we’ll get you there in plenty of time to pitch today. Of course, this is going to cost you some tickets.” The Authoritarian Man smiled.
“No problem, Mr. Government Man!” Colt grinned, “I’ll get you box seats for the rest of the year, I promise.”
So they flew Colt to Washington and he pitched a no-hitter.
Kate and Bill and I drove home in a rental car.
And that’s how all this ended.
CHAPTER 6.5
EPILOGUE.
Katelynn and I got married last month in the yard of the little yellow house.
I said, “I’m not going to wear a tux and I’ll be damned if Bill will wear one, either.” And, damn, if Bill didn’t have to wear a tux. But I did.
Bill will do anything if a female calls him ‘sweetie’ or ‘sweetheart’ and Katelynn pushed every one of Bill’s buttons. Kate made Bill wear that stupid Hero of the Republic medal and he trotted right up the aisle between the wooden folding chairs carrying the ring in a wicker basket that he carried in his mouth. Bill’s just a damn fool for a female calling him ‘sweetie’.
Kate was, as always, gorgeous. She wore something old and white and lacey. Her toenails were painted random, funny colors. I didn’t even ask.
Bishop Miller officiated and he said, “What God has put together let no man put asunder.” and that was good enough for me.
The All-Mojo All-Stars played the reception. We drank all night; the backyard was a muddy mess and Bill caught those plastic cups of beer in midair and sucked them straight down.
Oh, I had fallen deeply in love.
How could you not love a woman like Katelynn O’Brian?
•
{A month later.}
Katelynn’s pregnant now. If it’s a boy we’ll call him Nick and if it’s a girl we’ll call her – I dunno – Niki or Veronica or something – I dunno. I guess we’ll burn that bridge when we come to it, as my great-aunt Etta used to say. Etta could sure massacre a metaphor.
Mount Mary offered me a contract to assume the department chair now that Professor Gilfoyle is gone.
I dunno. I’m still thinking that over.
For now I am content - every morning snug under these tattered blankets – to hear the birds sing and the squirrels run up and down that big old pine tree just outside the weathered window with the green peeling paint.
Just to hear Bill, that old steam train, snuffling in his sleep.
To feel Katelynn next to me.
To know that we beat the Angel of Death one more time.
- The End -
About the Author
D. Ezra Sidran was awarded a doctorate in computer science from the University of Iowa in 2009. Previously he designed and created numerous computer games including Designasaurus (Educational Game of the Year) and UMS: The Universal Military Simulator, UMS II: Nations at War (named Wargame of the Year) and The War College.
The author has also taught computer game design classes at a private college. His doctoral research was supported, in part, by DARPA.
He lives in a little yellow house with his amazing, gorgeous wife.
He is extraordinarily fond of dogs.
About the Cover
The cover photograph, “X-Ray of Dog with Pacemaker,” was taken by the author. The typography was designed and created by the author and Ralph Sharp of Wizard IT Services.
Table of Contents
PART I
CHAPTER 1.O
CHAPTER 1.1
CHAPTER 1.2
CHAPTER 1.3
CHAPTER 2.O
CHAPTER 2.1
CHAPTER 2.2
CHAPTER 2.3
CHAPTER 3.O
CHAPTER 3.1
CHAPTER 3.2
CHAPTER 3.4
CHAPTER 3.5
CHAPTER 3.6
CHAPTER 3.7
CHAPTER 3.8
CHAPTER 3.9
PART II
CHAPTER 4.O
CHAPTER 4.1
CHAPTER 4.2
CHAPTER 4.3
CHAPTER 4.4
CHAPTER 4.5
CHAPTER 4.6
CHAPTER 4.7
CHAPTER 4.8
CHAPTER 4.9
CHAPTER 4.1O
CHAPTER 5.O
CHAPTER 5.1
CHAPTER 5.2
CHAPTER 5.3
CHAPTER 5.4
CHAPTER 5.5
CHAPTER 5.6
CHAPTER 5.7
CHAPTER 5.8
CHAPTER 5.9
CHAPTER 5.10
CHAPTER 5.11
CHAPTER 5.12
CHAPTER 5.13
CHAPTER 5.14
CHAPTER 6.O
CHAPTER 6.1
CHAPTER 6.2
CHAPTER 6.3
CHAPTER 6.4