The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  Seeing Johnny leave his room, John did the only thing he could. Helplessly, he closed his eyes in despair.

  ^^^^

  Jason worked in Joe’s office, but never behind his desk,. He looked up when the door to the office opened. “Hey, Joe. I finished the lottery of defected Society soldiers that are going to New Bowman.”

  “Thanks.” Joe shut the door. “That’s part one. The next is telling Frank which I will before Hal does.” Shaking off the chill from the outside air, Joe walked around his desk and sat down. He pulled the list Jason compiled forward and nodded, pleased. “Good.”

  “Speaking of good? Did you?” Jason asked.

  “Nope. I tried.”

  “And?”

  “It was gone,” Joe stated.

  “Was the rest of the evidence there?”

  “Yep.” Joe nodded. “But that one . . . gone.”

  “Gone?” Jason seemed so shocked.

  “Gone.”

  Unexpectedly, Frank intruded with a comment when he walked in the office. “That’s because I scared him.”

  “Who?” Joe asked. “Who did you scare?”

  “The grizzly bear. Isn’t that who you were saying was gone?” Frank pulled up a chair.

  “Um, yeah.” Joe smiled. “That’s who. Gone.” He saw his son shake his head. “No?”

  “Nope. Bet me he’s just having lunch somewhere. He’s onto the smell of Beginnings.” Frank nodded.

  “Frank, listen . . .” Joe had a hint of embarrassment to him. “About the . . .” His eyes widened. “What the hell happened to your arm?”

  Frank looked down to the slice on his forearm. Blood smeared from it. “I cut it.”

  “On what?”

  “My knife.”

  “You cut yourself on your own knife. How?” Joe was surprised.

  “Dean.”

  “Dean cut your arm?”

  “No, I cut my arm. Dean suggested it. It may work,” Frank spoke assuredly. “I left a blood trail to the Frank terminator.”

  “Frank.” Joe shook his head. “You aren’t going to terminate a grizzly bear.”

  “Dad!” Frank was offended. “Please. I can. I have to.”

  “Frank, I . . .”

  “What did you say he was? Twenty feet?” He whistled. “Dad, that’s big. I mean, I’m six-three, so that means the grizzly bear is . . .” Frank held out his fingers to count. “He’s fourteen times bigger than me.”

  Jason snickered. “That’s amazing.”

  “Basic math.” Frank pointed to his temple.

  “Christ.” Joe’s hand slammed to the desk and he saw the soldier lottery. “All right, I’m about to ruin your good mood.”

  “No,” Frank said with disappointment. “Don’t tell me.”

  “Tell you what?”

  “Someone else got him.”

  “Who?” Joe asked.

  “The grizzly bear.”

  “Frank!” Joe snapped. “Enough about the goddamn bear.”

  “Fine. Fuck, yell at me. But you won’t yell when he breaks in. So go on . . .” Frank waved his hand. “Ruin my mood. But you can’t. Nothing can. I’m in a good mood. I have important, revealing information I can’t wait to view. If the thought of moving in with you today doesn’t do it, nothing will. Well, all right, telling me you’re giving my men to Hal would, but that’s not it.”

  “That’s it,” Joe said.

  “No. Fuck!” Frank yelled. “No. Who?”

  “About one seventy of the two something you brought back. We don’t have the room. New Bowman does.”

  “That’s fine.” Frank remained calm. “We’ll we bus them here for training.”

  “No.” Joe shook his head.

  “Will I go there?”

  “No. Hal . . . Hal and Sgt. Ryder will be training and taking over those men.”

  “Uh!” Frank shrieked. “No.” He stood up. “Don’t even tell me. Almost two hundred finely trained Beginnings men are going to be converted to slapping pansies in Civil War uniforms.”

  “I beg your pardon,” Hal spoke as he walked in.

  Frank snickered. “Speaking of which.”

  “Dad.” Hal nodded in acknowledgment to Joe then to Jason. “Dr. Godrichson.” He stepped to Frank. “Asshole.”

  “What?”

  “Are you implying that we are less a soldier than you because of the way we dress?”

  “Hal,” Frank said with a laugh. “I have news for you. Everyone is less a soldier than me.”

  “That’s right. You’re High and Mighty Frank.”

  “No, I’m High and Mighty Hunter Frank. I’m chasing grizzlies now.”

  “Don’t change the subject.” Hal moved to him. “Are you saying we can’t fight because we wear this uniform? I’ll have you know, big brother, I train my men well. Very well.”

  “Your men suck.”

  “Hal.” Joe had slight warning. “He’s just trying to get to you. Ignore him.”

  “Listen to Dad.” Frank pointed back. “Besides, even if you take my men, they’ll never listen to you. They respect me more.”

  “Then that says a lot for your men, respecting a man who does drugs over a leader who does not.”

  Frank laughed. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “You. Who was it on my living room floor not that long ago, stoned?”

  “I don’t know. Who?”

  Hal growled. “You, but it’s only par for course. After all, old habits die hard.” Instigating in tone, Hal walked from Frank and dropped his voice. “Guess it carried over from your teenage years.”

  “What?” Frank asked. “I never did drugs.”

  “Really, then why were you always hungry when you were a teenager?” Hal asked.

  “I was growing. And . . .” Frank defended. “Dad kept forgetting to give me lunch money.”

  “Dad gave you lunch money. You spent it on drugs.” Hal sat down and winked at his father.

  Joe peered up with concern. “Is this true, Frank? Did you spend your lunch money on drugs?”

  “No.”

  “Yes,” Hal nodded.

  “No.” Frank sneered at Jason. “Stop laughing.”

  “Dad.” Hal tilted his head slightly. “Who do you believe?”

  “You, Hal. Always.” Joe leaned back.

  “Fuck.” Frank stormed across. “I’m out of here. He’s not back a few months and already this shit is starting again. Bye.” He flung open the door, complaining as he did. “Rearrange my day for meetings that piss me off. I should be out hunting.” He slammed the door on his exit. He blasted his voice outside just to be heard one last time. “And someone else better not get my bear!”

  Hal looked at the door oddly then back to his father. “What is he talking about?”

  “Who knows?” Joe shrugged. “But at least he’s not talking about you taking his men. That’s for sure.”

  “And . . .” Jason interjected. “You got him to leave. Good job.” He sighed outward. “Is it me, or do you notice the air of calm that enters a room when Frank leaves?”

  Even though he was family and there was loyalty to that, Joe and Hal had to agree.

  ^^^^

  “If I didn’t feel important enough when I came to Beginnings,” Elliott said softly as he stood in the lab doorway watching Ellen. “You leave a message for me at the front gate that you need to see me immediately.”

  With a smile, Ellen turned around. “Elliott.” She saw him walk into the lab, standing tall, wearing his UWA uniform. She made her way to meet him half way. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in a while.”

  “That’s because there’s no communications. We used to talk.” He leaned down at her but stopped. “Wait a sec. Did you need to see me medically or personally?”

  “Can I say both?”

  “Nope.”

  “Honestly?”

  “Please.”

  “Though I couldn’t wait to see you, this is medical.”

  “Then, Dr. Hayes
, I am all yours.”

  Ellen pulled up a stool. “Have a seat.”

  “Oh boy.” Elliott let out a breath and sat down.

  Ellen picked up a folder and sat across from him. “First. If you don’t, I will, but Dean and I need you to sit with Hal and make arrangements for you to stay in Beginnings, starting tomorrow, for one whole week.”

  “I can’t do that,” Elliott said. “There’s a lot of organizing that needs to be done with the new town for winter.”

  “I understand that, but I am sure Hal will organize just fine without you.”

  “Can I ask why I am needed for an entire week?”

  “Sure.” Ellen nodded. “The last treatments that Dean and I gave you. We want to do them again, only we want to do them for seven days straight.”

  “I can commute.”

  Ellen shook her head. “No. We don’t want you working or physically exerting yourself at all during these treatments. You need to just hang back, get them, and take it easy. Besides, we’re upping the strength and we think you may be very sick for the first three days.”

  “Oh, my God,” Elliott wisped out. “I’m getting worse.”

  “No, Elliott . . .” Ellen smiled. “You’re getting better.”

  “What?”

  “We made an error when we read your biopsy results. We told you there wasn’t a change. There was. A big decrease.”

  “This is great news,” Elliott grinned.

  “Yes, it is. So . . . we want to use the same treatment, but up the dosage and give it to you for seven days. Game?”

  “Absolutely,” he agreed.

  “Excellent. We’ll start tomorrow and I’ll speak to Hal if you want me to.”

  “No need. I’ll tell the Captain.” Slowly, Elliott stood up. “I’ll try to speak to him before the community meeting.”

  “Elliott.” Ellen reached out and laid her hand on his. She stood as well. “It’s good to see you.”

  The right side of his mouth rose in a smile. Elliott leaned down and kissed Ellen softy on the cheek. “It’s good to see you too and I will see you all week. Right?”

  “Right.”

  “Good.” With a nod, he stepped back. “Oh, Ellen. Should I not see the other Dr. Hayes, or get a chance to speak to him right away, please tell him . . . Please tell him thank you very much.”

  “I will.” Ellen smiled peacefully at him. “See you at the meeting.” After watching Elliott leave, Ellen gathered up the folder and headed from the lab. She had to find Dean. Ellen knew he was as anxious to find out how things went with Elliott as she was to tell him.

  ^^^^

  As long as he kept holding her hand, she was fine. Alexandra’s hand was buried within the fingers and palm of Dean. His eyes smiled at her and they looked so big. To her, everything about him looked big. Nothing seemed to matter when he sat for hours and visited her at the Clinic. Alexandra didn’t feel sick, in pain, or even scared. Why would she? Her father’s presence seemed to take it all away.

  “Is it true?” Alexandra asked Dean.

  Looking up to the ceiling first, Dean smiled then peered back down to Alexandra. “Yes.”

  “You’re back home? Living with Mommy?”

  “Yep, I’m back.”

  “For good?”

  “For as long as I have a say so.” He touched the tip of her nose.

  “So you love each other again.”

  “I never stopped loving your mother,” Dean told her.

  “What about when you loved Bev?”

  Dean swallowed. “Alex, I never loved Bev. I didn’t even like her. She started all kinds of trouble for really no reason and it just kinda made Daddy look like the bad guy.”

  “You did.”

  “Gee,” Dean said with little enthusiasm. “Thanks.”

  Alexandra giggled and then her smile quickly left. “Oh.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Who’s living with Uncle Frank?”

  “I hear . . . I hear Uncle Frank is moving in with Pap-Pap.”

  “So he’ll be right by us?” Alexandra asked.

  “Most likely, always with us.”

  “Good.” The little girl said in such relief. “You have Mommy. You have us. Who does Uncle Frank have? He used to have you. I just don’t want him to be lonely.”

  “Let me let you in on a little secret.” Dean curled his finger and drew in toward Alexandra’s ear. “Ready? You can’t tell anyone.”

  “I promise.”

  “O.K. I kinda . . . I . . . your Uncle Frank. He’s not a bad guy. I kinda like him now. He was really there for Daddy when I needed him, so, I am not going to let Uncle Frank be lonely. Understand?”

  “Yes. That’s nice.”

  “And it’s our secret. O.K.?”

  “Our secret, Daddy.”

  “And mine,” Ellen said as she walked into the room. “Hey you two.” She walked up to Alexandra and kissed her. “Hey, Sweetie.”

  “El,” Dean said surprised. “About what you heard.”

  “I heard nothing.” Ellen stroked her daughter’s hair. “When does she come home, Dean?”

  “Well, she could come home now if she ate.”

  “She’s not eating?” Ellen asked.

  Dean shook his head. “Melissa said she hasn’t touched her food. That’s why we still have her on an IV.”

  Ellen looked at Alexandra. “Honey, why won’t you eat?”

  “I don’t want it coming out the hole the arrow made in my chest.”

  Ellen shifted her eyes to Dean in question.

  “It seems . . .” Dean explained. “Our resident teenage boys stopped by and told her that if she eats it could seep out the injury. I tried to tell her it wouldn’t happen but she doesn’t believe me.”

  “Really?” Ellen shrugged and looked down to her daughter. “Alex, honey, that isn’t true. It won’t come out of your chest.”

  “O.K., Mommy. Thanks. I was scared it would.”

  Dean tossed his hands up in defeat. “Why did she believe you? Well, good. Alex, you show us you’re eating and you can come home.”

  Alexandra nodded.

  Dean leaned over the bed and kissed her. “Mommy and I have to go to a meeting. One of us will be back. Or Uncle Frank.”

  Ellen shook her head. “I don’t know if Uncle Frank will be by today. He’s busy protecting the community. There’s a big giant killer bear running loose.”

  “Is Uncle Frank trying to get him?” Alexandra asked.

  “Yes. If anyone can get that bear, Uncle Frank can,” Ellen spoke assuredly.

  Dean slowly stood up. “We all know there isn’t much Uncle Frank can’t do.”

  “Add,” Alexandra stated. “He can’t add.”

  As Dean started to smile, he saw Elliott Ryder’s file in Ellen’s hand. “El, did you speak to Elliott?”

  “Yes. He’s gonna stay in Beginnings for the treatments. He said to tell you thank you. Of course I expect Elliott to tell you himself as well.”

  “Of course,” Dean said. “It wouldn’t be honorable if he didn’t.” He gave another kiss to his daughter. “See you at the Social Hall, El.” He walked to the door.

  “Daddy,” Alexandra called to him. “You didn’t kiss Mommy good bye.”

  Dean stopped and turned around. “No.” He smiled ornery. “No, I didn’t. Did I?”

  With a quirky smile, Ellen tilted her head at him as he neared her. “Dean?”

  “El.” With a flash raise of his eyebrows, Dean took a step, reached out his hand, laid it behind Ellen’s neck, and pulled her to him. After one more quick smile, he drew her closer to him, hovered his lips over Ellen’s for only a moment, and then, unexpected to Ellen, Dean kissed her. He really kissed her.

  Alexandra’s ‘oh, gross’ rang out in the room.

  “Bye, El.” After a smack to her backside, Dean stepped away, winked at his daughter, turned, and left the room.

  Ellen stared out.

  “Mommy? Mommy?”

 
Snapping out of it, Ellen turned around to her daughter. “Sorry, sweetie.” She grabbed a chair and pulled it to the bed.

  “I thought you had a meeting.”

  “I do,” Ellen exhaled. “But right now . . .” She lowered to the chair. “After that Daddy kiss I am really grossed out and I need to just sit down.” She snickered with her daughter then with a totally different expression, Ellen shifted her views back to the door where Dean had just left.

  ^^^^

  It amazed Hal how much a warehouse the Social Hall actually was and how big the building ended up being when all the tables were taken down and chairs lined up. But even with its size in its favor, the Social Hall was crowded as people poured in for the emergency community meeting. Hal wasn’t one for crowds, but he was one for having a small drink while he was there.