From his pilot seat Johnny saw his father and Ellen. Ellen dragged behind. “Come on.” He beckoned, controlling the chopper the best he could in the ready to take off mode it sat in.
“El.” Frank, knowing she was wearing down, ran back, scooped up Ellen and raced to the chopper with her. As he hit the open doors, he very proudly smiled when he saw his son. “Johnny!”
“Dad, come on.”
Frank lifted Ellen inside, then turned back. Where was Oscar? He saw him hopping through the grass trying to run to the safety of the helicopter. “Oscar, hurry!”
Oscar lifted his hand, his mouth yelled something back but he couldn’t be heard through the loud cross fire of Beginnings and the soldiers. Then Oscar fell.
“Frank!” Ellen panicked. “He’s been hit.”
“Dad come on!” Johnny yelled. “They’re coming!" Frank looked at Johnny and Ellen then at Oscar.
“Dad now!”
With slamming hands on the floor of the helicopter, Frank tossed in his ammo pack, turned around and charged like a bull out to the field for Oscar. He spotted him, holding his leg. Throwing the small thin man over his shoulder, Frank raced back to the chopper, realizing every step he ran, that mere yards from him, the soldiers came. “Lift her John.” Frank tossed Oscar in, then climbed in the raising bird.
Ellen scurried near Oscar, whose leg was bleeding.
Frank dropped to his knees next to Dan. He perched his rifle across his lap as he reached in his ammo bag. “Ellen stay back, we’re still not out of safety range.” He loaded his rifle and looked below. “Fuck. Where’d they come all from?” Frank lifted up near the open side door to shoot.
Johnny adjusted his headset microphone. “I’m lifting to . . .” A shattering of glass, the sound of a ricocheting bullet, and Johnny grunted loudly--he was hit. The moment of the bullet’s impact to Johnny’s arm, sent his hands off the controls and the chopper turned sharply on its side.
With the sudden turn, Ellen flipped from the leg of Oscar that she cared for, rolled across the floor of the helicopter and straight out the open side door. Hundreds of feet from the ground, she felt her body leave the safety of the helicopter and knew it was over. Her fall came to a stop, seconds as she slipped over the edge when a hand reached forth down locking tight to her forearm. Feet dangling in the air below her, her K-mart knapsack hung around her neck, she looked up to her saving grace . . .Frank. She brought her hands up and held on to his strong grip--he wasn’t letting go.
Frank lifted her inside, pulling her safely in.
In shock and speaking quickly, Ellen grabbed a hold of Frank. “Oh-my-God. Oh-my-God.”
“You’re all right.” Frank took a deep breath. “You’re gonna make me have a heart attack yet, before I get you home aren’t you.” Kissing her quickly, he moved her back to the rear then he returned to the side door. Helicopter in control, Johnny all right, Frank raised his rifle. He watched through his scope as he fired, the soldiers who raged war with diligence, fall to the ground and disappear into the grass.
Johnny, after getting word from John Matoose that he’d finish off the few remaining, turned the bird and headed home.
Frank watched the land that he and Ellen had roamed for days grew distant below him. Setting down his rifle he went to the back of the helicopter where Ellen still remained the same. “Hey.” He spoke softly as he sat next to her. “We’re going home.” He smiled when she only scurried to him, huddling against him. “Whoa. A frightened Ellen?”
Ellen took a deep breath. She started to calm down. “I thought I was dead.”
“Nah. I wouldn’t have let that happen.”
“I’ll say it again. You amaze me. I’ll never forget what you just did.” She lifted her head to look at him. “Frank Slagel you defy the meaning of the word hero.”
Frank laughed loudly in embarrassment. “El.” He shook his head and pulled her to him. “You’re just emotional right now. Trust me, as soon as we’re home, you’ll hate me again.” Ellen tight against him, Frank relaxed back against the wall of the chopper. Relaxing was something he could do. They’d be in Beginnings before long and he’d know for sure they were really safe . . . they would be home.
^^^^
Everyone in Beginnings waited with baited breath on the return of the two helicopters. Joe’s orders were for everyone to hang tight until they safely landed. A huge welcome greeting at the landing pad was not what Joe wanted, if on the outside chance something was not right when they returned.
Joe waded in his office through hours of pestering ‘anything yet’ and knocks to see if he needed company.
Dean was the worst of them all. Joe counted twelve times he had been to the office. Not only did Joe keep throwing him out, he also gave Dean strict orders to stay away from the pad until Ellen was in her home. It was a tough order to give, but a realistic one. Dean wanted Ellen home as much as Joe. And if Dean stood there, while the helicopters landed, what would happen if Ellen failed to step from the chopper. And painful enough as it was to Joe to think about, it was a reality he had to think about.
The frequency was breaking up from a storm that was nearing when the radio call came. It was almost like Joe was in a dream, and that he had dozed off and dreamt Johnny sounding so bad. But Johnny did sound bad.
Joe waited on the landing pad, three cigarettes had burned themselves into his lungs. Waiting on the arrival that would hopefully bring his family to safety.
It was after the fourth cigarette--flicked from his fingers and onto the ground, smashed to bits with his shoe--that he saw it. The two small black dots in the grey overcast sky. Tiny objects, that would be unrecognizable if not for the sound they carried. Larger and larger into his focus the drew. Returning home, and lowering themselves to the landing field. The gust of wind that whipped around Joe went unnoticed as he waited impatiently for them to touch down and shut down.
Be there, please be there. Joe begged in his thoughts, though the loud pressure the wind from the helicopter shot in his ear. Please, dear God, let them be there. Joe’s heart skipped a beat when he watched John Matoose step from his pilot’s door, smile and give a thumbs up.
From the second chopper, Dan emerged first. He lowered a stranger and tossed him over his shoulder. Who? Joe wondered, then he saw Frank. Frank jumped out, waved to his father then reached his hand into the helicopter, helping out Ellen. Pride. An immediate sense of pride and joy filled Joe when he saw Ellen’s feet touchdown. Joe raced to her wanting to grab her, hold her, know for sure when he felt her in his arms, that she was fine. Before he even made it a third of a way there, Ellen charged for him running and moving faster than he’d ever seen. She threw herself into his arms. She beat him to the punch.
Joe swung her back and forth, lifting her from the ground. “Thank God you’re home.”
Ellen didn’t speak, she just held on.
“Honey let me see you.” Joe set her down, he cupped her face in his hands. He viewed her pain, her injuries. How different she looked, how worn. “What did they do to you?” Seeing her, broke his heart.
Ellen shook her head. “I’m all right. I’m all right now. I’m home.”
“That you are.” Joe pulled her into him again and smiled at his son who walked to him.
“Dad, we made it.” Frank looked at his watch. “And all before dinner.”
“Son of a bitch.” Joe released Ellen and grabbed his son. “You did it. You were stuck out there and you brought her home.”
“You doubted me?” Frank smiled, then felt the smack of his father’s lips on his. “Uh!”
“Frank Slagel, you make me proud.” Joe gave a slap to Frank’s cheek. “Goddamn it you make me proud of you.” He laid his hands on both of their backs and walked across the landing field with them. “I have a jeep for you. You, little lady should get home. And after you cleaned up you have some kids that want to see you.”
“I don’t look that bad do I?” She asked to Joe.
“A little, but that’s
not it.” Joe whispered in her ear. “You have that survivor smell.”
Ellen freaked. “No. No I don’t, please don’t tell me that.”
Joe only raised his eyebrows. He could tell her he was joking, but he decided against it. He enjoyed the panic on her face. Joe enjoyed the moment. They were home. And Beginnings could take a little time to forget in the excitement of their return, and in the celebration event Andrea planned. But the next day they would have to remember the cold reality. Ellen and Frank’s return did not signify the end to a bad situation. It signified the beginning to something even more challenging and hurdling . . . the battle they had to face.
DO UNTO OTHERS
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
The couch in Frank and Ellen’s house always seemed so hard to her. But Ellen sat upon it, it felt soothing. Just like the warm shower she had taken. She sat against the arm, legs bent up, Brian cuddled close to her, while she slowly devoured an orange. The house was so quiet. The twins were in their room playing. They seemed somewhat happy to see her, but then they ran with enthusiasm to Frank. She would have let that bother her, but she figured they’d really get to know him one day and he would eventually sink to the bottom of their favorite person list. Ellen heard the thumping of Frank’s footsteps as he came down the stairs, quickly she grabbed a blanket, brought it up to her chest, covering the baby completely.
“O.K. El, times up. Hand over the baby.” He snapped his fingers and held out his hand.
“I don’t have the baby.”
“El. You’ve had him long enough.” He pulled the blanket off of her, exposing Brian.
“I had him while you were in the shower. Come on Frank.” She struggled with her husband over the sleeping infant, but lost. “He’s the only one who’s glad to see me.”
“That’s because he’s sleeping.” Frank cuddled him close to his chest. “Way to go El, you bored the kid to sleep . . Hey Brian get up.”
“Baby hog.” Ellen moaned as she stood from the couch. “I have to wash my hands.” She moved a little to the kitchen and stopped. “I want to yell at you, but I won’t. I wouldn’t be here at all if you hadn’t been with me.”
“Oh El, stop with the mushy complements. It’s not like you. You’re scaring me. Insult me . . .” He looked to the knock on his door. “ . . . please. I’ll get that. Turtle your way to the kitchen to wash your hands.” Frank adjust the baby and walked to the front door. “Let’s see . . . Hey, Dean.”
“Frank.” Dean placed his hands in his pockets. “Can I come in?” When the door opened wider, Dean stepped inside. “Johnny’s doing well. We got the bullet. Sorry I didn’t bring the kids myself, but duty calls.”
“That’s all right.” Frank shut the door. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Glad? Glad I’m here?”
“Well . . . glad someone’s here. Ellen’s being weird. Excuse me.” He walked to the kitchen. “Hey El, I’m taking off, my Dad needs to see me. I’ll be back before Andrea’s dinner. Brian’s coming with me.” Frank left the kitchen doorway.
“You can’t take the baby, Frank.” She followed him. “I need . . .” Ellen paused when she saw Dean. “It’s about time you came to see me.”
Dean lowered his head and raised his eyes.
Ellen hobbled past Dean. “Frank, I can’t believe your leaving. We just got back.”
“El.” Frank stopped reaching for the door knob, a few more steps and he would have gotten away. “I just spent four solid days straight with you. Straight. I love you with my whole heart, but . . . please El, please, let me have just a brief break. Uh . . . uh . . . Dean will keep you company. Yeah.” Frank smiled and darted out.
Ellen turned from the just slammed door to Dean who kept his distance. “You’re not happy to see me are you? I knew it. No one is. Not my kids, no one. No one has even stopped by to say hi.”
“Oh, I’m very happy to see you.”
“Then why are you . . . I smell don’t I?” Ellen lifted her shirt and sniffed. “I took a shower and used lots of soap. I smell like a survivor.”
“You don’t smell, Ellen. At least I don’t think you do.” He leaned into her and whiffed. “No, you smell like you.”
“Then why are you acting like a stranger to me?”
“Because if I showed you how happy I am to see you. I probably would knock you over.” He reached his hand out to her. “I missed you.” He touched her cheek.
“Thanks for the warm welcome.”
With a shy smile Dean stepped closer and did what he had waited to do, he took Ellen into his arms and held her. “I am so glad you are back. I was so worried. No . . .” He took a deep breath and broke the embrace. “Worried is an understatement. I was nuts.” He ran his hand through his hair. “No one bitched at me or drove me crazy. Joe tried, but it just didn’t have the same effect.”
Ellen laughed and grabbed his hand. “Sit with me on the couch. I’m tired of moving.”
“I bet.” Dean followed her and sat down, he noticed her legs. “What happened?” He touched her injuries. “And to your face too? Was this the outside world or the installation.”
“Both. I’ll tell you about it another time. Right now . . . how’s Johnny and Os-Oscar?”
“Johnny’s great. And who is Os . . . Oh, El, don’t tell me you’re making fun of him because he has a stutter.”
“No, that’s really his name.”
“It is not.” Dean smiled and ran his hand over her leg. As his finger tips grazed the top of her thigh, he noticed them. They nearly made him breathless. The bruises on the inside of her thigh, bruises that extended up past the edge of her shorts. The smile fell from his face. “Ellen?”
Ellen shook her head and grabbed his hand. “No. Just . . . just sit with me, talk to me and make me feel normal again. Make me feel . . . at home.”
Dean slipped his fingers in between hers and relaxed, he would do just what she asked.
^^^^
“Frank!” Joe snapped his finger to his son who sat at his dining room table with him. Frank kept his attention on Brian. “Are you with me? What do you think?”
“About?” Frank tapped his finger on Brian’s folded arms that snuggled close to his chest. “Wake up.”
“About the plan! Christ this is a debriefing, I can’t believe you brought the baby. Let him sleep.”
“I missed him. I needed to see him.”
“Don’t you think his mother would like to see him also.”
Frank fluttered his lips at his father. “We’re talking about Ellen.”
“Anyhow . . . stay with me on this one. I need you to pull a group together for it. You pick the men, you decide how many we need, and you get them ready.”
“We’re not attacking with guns right?” Frank lifted Brian’s hand. “Wave to Pap . . . basically I need a tactical group to see this plan through. How long until Dean gets the shit ready?"
“He said about a month.”
“Plenty of time. I don’t think that those soldiers will be up here, but on some outside chance I’ll get a few men ready to look out for them. Question. I’m not gonna want to be talking about this tonight at Andrea’s dinner. Do we know . . . what is it Brian?” Frank’s attention was on his son. “You getting hungry? You starting to fuss?”
“Frank!” Joe rubbed his hand over his face. “Finish what you were saying.”
“Oh . . . Do we know the layout good enough to know how to infiltrate their air supply?”
“We don’t . . . Dean does. He spent two years down there.”
“Then I’ll speak to him. I’ll work tomorrow on who will be in my group. I’ll approach them and work with them . . . look at Brian, he’s smiling. God, he got big.”
Joe knew they were at the end of their strategic conversation, perhaps Frank would be less enthralled with his son by the next day. “Yeah, he’s getting big all right. About time. We’ll make him into a Slagel yet.”
“And what is that supposed to . . . No, no. Don’t even go th
ere.” Frank pointed. “I know what everyone in this community thinks, since Ellen pulled her sperm search. This is my kid. Not Dean’s. Right Brian? You’re my son.” Frank looked up at his father. “Besides, Dean will probably have his own baby before long, then everyone can shut up.”
“Who in the hell is Dean going to get pregnant. All the women are taken. Especially . . .” Joe shut up and immediately stood from his seat. He walked across the room and grabbed his cigarettes. “Christ Frank, don’t tell me you’re considering that.”
“What am I suppose to do . . . and don’t smoke around my kid.”
“Oh shut up.” Joe lit his cigarette anyhow. “Frank, anyone else I can see doing this, but you?”
“Dad. I don’t want her to. But how in the hell do you suppose I stop her if she decides to anyhow. At least if I give the approval she seeks, I can have some control over it.” Frank stood up, adjusting a fussy Brian.
“So your mind is made up?”
“Not completely. Like I said I’m beating myself up about it. What do you think?”
Joe stuttered at first, then murmured before giving him his true thoughts. “I think a baby being born is good. We need them. And we have to remember, it’s a different world now Frank. People are doing things different now because it’s just the way things have to be. It won’t be a bad thing if you do.”
“Thanks. I mean that. I’m uh, heading home.” Frank moved to the door. “I appreciate you letting me talk about this with you.”
“Keep in mind, it doesn’t have to be such an earth shaking decision. This is a dead world that needs life.” Joe followed him and opened the door. “Sometimes you just have to look at the whole picture and not just a certain portion. And the whole picture is . . . going on.”
“You’re absolutely right. And, if we want to go on in peace. I better get my ass to work on everything tomorrow.” Frank stepped back in, kissed his father on the cheek, then stepped back out. “Thanks Dad.”
The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series Page 118