“With you.” Ellen smiled.
“Yes.”
“Oh.” Dean’s voice, in a complaining manner, sounded off in the room. “That sucks. You guys have a date.”
“There he goes.” Frank held out his hand. “Picking on me.” He saw Dean glaring. “Dean, stop it. You’re scaring me.”
“Ha, ha, ha. Asshole. Here.” Dean threw a shirt at Frank. “Cover up. Your dad sent that. Those stitches should be bandaged.”
“El said they don’t need to.” Frank tossed on his shirt. “I should head out. Thanks, El.” He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.
“Frank,” Ellen said, “good job with the bear.”
“Thanks.” He moved to the door.
“You got the bear?” Dean asked.
Frank stopped and turned around. “Yeah. I lured it in and wrestled him for fifteen minutes. Why?”
Dean shrugged. “Weird. I mean, I thought . . . Hal . . . got the bear. After all, he is wearing the present the women of the community gave him for being a hero.”
“Fuck. I fuckin knew it. He claimed my bear. Chewed up or not, I’m killing him.” Frank took off.
Ellen snickered. “Why did you do that?”
“Do what? I’m not lying. The women gave Hal a sweater they made to thank him for getting that bear.”
“Poor Frank.”
“Speaking of poor Frank, are you really going on a date with him?”
“Yes,” Ellen answered. “We’re going to have an evening. He’s gonna spend some of his hard earned Danny Dollars on me. What else is there to do with them?”
Dean let out a confused snicker. “Danny Dollars? What are they?”
“Oh, they’re a mock form of money Danny Hoi invented,” Ellen spoke nonchalantly. “You get one Danny dollar for every community hour worked. They are used to buy things in Danny Shop, or dinner, or movies and such.” She lifted the tray. “Everyone gets them. Of course, I blow mine every time I’m in New Bowman. I’m taking this to the lab. See you there.”
Dean nodded as she left. Just as he was about to follow her, he stopped. “Wait a second.” He spoke to himself. “Danny Dollars? Hours worked?” He scratched his head. “We’re getting paid? Why do I not know this?”
^^^^
“Um . . . um, famous.” Richie Martin nodded to Jess in Containment, then smacked himself on top of the head. “Looks, looks good. Huh?”
Jess’s one pacifying word was long and drawn out. “Yeah.” He nodded and looked down at the copy machine photo of Richie’s face.
“Frank-Frank took that one,” Richie said with enthusiasm. “Bet-better than the one Robbie, Robbie took. Yeah, better.”
“I see.” Jess smiled, rocking in the chair as he sat behind Ellen’s desk. “And you signed it.”
“Yeah. I don’t look so scared. Yeah. My hair looks good. Yeah.”
“Would be perfect if it wasn’t for Frank’s fingers.”
“Yeah,” Richie snickered. “But Frank’s cool.”
“Been hanging around with Frank?” Jess asked.
“Frank saved me. Yeah. From the Society. Yeah. He’s my, he’s my pal. He’s my pal.” Richie gave twitch to his head and rubbed his chin on his shoulder. “Shame about that bear. Damn, damn Hal.”
“Yeah, that damn Hal.” Jess handed the picture back to Richie.
“No. For you. I can make lot. I can make lots more. Frank said Joe said.”
“I see. And does Joe . . .” Jess looked up when he heard the buzz of Containment’s security door. He looked at his watch. “I wonder who that is?”
“Want me to check.” Richie peeked his head out the office door. “It’s Henry. Should I make him a picture?”
“Yeah, you do that.”
“O.K.” Richie walked over to the copy machine and lifted the lid. “Wanna help.”
“No, do a self portrait.”
“O.K.” Richie smiled and proceeded to do just that.
Henry walked in. “Robbie, where did you . . . you’re not Robbie.” Before Jess could say anything, the shifting sound of the copier was heard and Henry turned his head to see Richie under the lid. “What’s he doing?”
“Self portraits,” Jess answered.
“Oh. Anyhow, what are you doing here?” Henry asked.
“Filling in for Robbie.”
“Where’s he at?” Henry asked then looked to the sound of the copier making another copy. “Hey, Richie, stop wasting paper.”
“Joe said I could,” Richie said muffled under the hood.
“Oh.” Henry nodded. “All right.” He looked back at Jess. “Why isn’t Robbie working?”
“Henry,” Jess said his name with snicker. “He was attacked by a grizzly bear.”
“Damn Hal,” Richie said then handed Henry the picture. “Want me to, to sign it?”
“No.” Henry shook his head. “I’ll come back for that. Jess, tell Robbie if you see him, that I don’t appreciate him sneaking into Mechanics and stealing work.”
“Listen to you.” Jess snickered. “Stealing work. What? To do?”
“Yes.”
“So, what.” Jess stood up. “Let him. Henry, can I offer you some advice? Ease up, O.K.?”
“It figures you would side with Robbie.”
“No, that’s not it,” Jess explained. “You took a cheap shot at him. You came down on him. You’ve stopped talking to almost everyone, especially Dean and Ellen.”
Henry took a slow breath. “You know why.”
“Yes, I do. You’ve been way too stressed out.”
“There’s a lot on my mind, Jess,” Henry stated then swiped a nosey Richie away. “Andrea was a good friend. She’s gone. And . . . and the other thing is killing me.”
“It shouldn’t.” Jess leaned against the desk and moved Richie’s face as it interjected.
“Why?”
“Why? I’ll tell you. You stopped talking to two of your friends because, out of concern, they discovered something you didn’t want anyone to know. You’re bitter and angry.”
“Because I hate myself for it.”
“Really?” Jess folded his arms. “So why did you let it happen again?” He waited for an answer. “You want my opinion on why the situation bothers you? You’re pissed at yourself. Pissed . . . not because you hate it, but because you like it. You like it because, though considered not natural, it’s giving you a part of something you want, need, and miss.”
“Stop it.”
“No, you stop it.” Jess remained calm. “You’re mad at yourself and you’re taking it out on everyone else. You can’t do that. Getting defensive will not keep it a secret.”
Placing his palm over Richie’s face, Henry moved him out of the way. “I can’t . . . I can’t let it get out. I can’t.”
“And keeping it a secret is making you ashamed of what you’re doing. The shame is making you nasty. You shut out Ellen and Dean.”
“That’s because the looks on their faces said it all. They were disgusted with me.”
Jess laughed. “They were not. Talk to them about it. Hector and I are here for you, but some people in this place have been there for you for a really long time. What about Frank?”
“I’ve been avoiding Frank.”
“What’s he say about it?”
“He hasn’t noticed. He’s been busy with the bear.”
“Henry . . .”
“No, Jess. You act like I should just be open.”
“You should,” Jess said.
“Then if it’s not such a terrible thing for everyone to know, why do you hide it.”
Jess was silent for a moment. “You’re right. If it makes you feel any better, I’ll let my preference of men be public knowledge too.”
“No.” Henry shook his head and moved to the door. “I think I just need to work it out in my mind, that’s all.”
“Do it less violently and less miserably,” Jess told him. “Your timing for the personality change is really bad.”
Henry
paused in the door. “Robbie said something to you, didn’t he?” He nodded. “Did he give you the theory that my mood is the result of my suppressed guilt?”
“As farfetched to you as it sounds . . .” Jess tossed his hands up. “You keep snapping at people, coming down on people, and avoiding them, Robbie won’t be the only one who thinks you killed Bev.”
It was the wrong thing to say. A mild conversation went out of control and it started with a long, loud Richie scream that ended with Richie flinging his little body so hard at Henry, they both sailed into the hall.
From the hall, Henry grunted loud and angry. “Get off!”
Jess sprang forward, but didn’t have to go far to stop the violence. With a smirk, he stepped back when Richie came back into the office with the photocopy of himself.
“Got my picture back,” Richie huffed. “Henry killed Bev. Killed Bev. Henry killed Bev.”
Jess cringed. “Richie, you shouldn’t . . .nah, never mind.” He returned to sitting behind Ellen’s desk.
Richie poked his head out of the office door watching Henry leave. “Henry killed Bev. That, that, bastard.”
^^^^
It was odd because the transfer was so polite. Ellen glanced from her running sink water to the plate Denny set in the sink. “Thank you,” she said softly.
Denny smiled and nodded then stepped back.
Ellen heard shuffling, the sound of nervous moving feet behind her. She turned to see Denny and Josh standing there. “I thought you guys were getting the game ready?”
Josh nudged Denny. “Ask her.”
“No you ask her.”
“I’m standing right here,” Ellen said. “Ask me what?”
“O.K.” Josh cleared his throat. “Can I live with Denny?”
“No,” Ellen answered.
“Can I at least go with him?”
“No.” Ellen said. “Pap is having a Slagel men night over there and we’re playing a game.”
“Huh?” Josh scratched his head.
“She doesn’t know what you mean,” Denny said.
“Oh.” Josh nodded. “No. I want to live in New Bowman with Denny.”
Ellen laughed. “Denny isn’t living in New Bowman.”
Denny nodded. “Yes, I am.”
“Does Joe know this?” Ellen asked.
“He gave the O.K.,” Denny explained. “He thinks it would be a good idea to be away from Beginnings with all that went on with Mom.”
Ellen pegged it, right then and there. She knew Denny was different and she couldn’t figure it out until that moment. Denny spoke differently. “Josh . . .” Ellen kept her eyes on Denny. “Josh, go get the game board set up.”
“O.K., but will you think about me leaving?” he asked.
“Yes. I’ll think about it.” Ellen gave a pacifying answer then returned to Denny after Josh had left. “Denny, Katie will miss you too much.”
“Katie is going to live in New Bowman too.”
Ellen’s eyes widened. “This is ridiculous. How and what are you two going to do in New Bowman? Hal can’t take care of you.”
“Cap . . . I mean Hal isn’t,” Denny explained. “There’s this woman in New Bowman who has asked to take care of us. Joe will visit as much as he can. Hal will be there every day. It’s just for a little while, at least with Katie. Me . . . I’m joining the UWA.”
“Oh my God. Hal will not allow it. You’re only sixteen.”
“I’ll be seventeen. Hal gave permission and Joe agreed. They have this school there, Ellen. They teach you how to be one of them. They also teach you history and math and culture.”
“And they’ll change you,” Ellen told him. “They already have.”
Denny shook his head. “No, the UWA didn’t change me. What happened with my mother did. I want to do this. Katie does too.”
Ellen exhaled. “Well, I guess I have my excuse. Alex loves New Bowman. Now I have a reason to bring her every time I go.” She looked up at Denny. “My response is shock, Denny. Don’t misinterpret it as anything bad. Being a UWA soldier is something to be proud of.” Her eyes shifted when Dean hurried into the kitchen and to the refrigerator. “Dean? What’s wrong?”
“Elliott, he . . .” Dean noticed Denny standing there. “Den, could you . . .”
“Sure, Dr. Dean. Ellen, thanks. I’ll go make sure Josh doesn’t set the game up to cheat like Uncle Frank.”
“You do that.” Ellen smiled then turned serious when she looked at Dean. “What’s wrong?”
“Elliott’s neck has swollen up.”
“The treatments?”
“A side effect we didn’t think of. I need to blast him with an anti-inflammatory.” Dean opened the fridge. “And pack his neck with ice. We have to get the swelling down. It’s affecting his breathing.”
“Sedate him,” Ellen suggested.
“Oh, I plan on it. A man who cannot get enough air is a man who can’t stay calm, no matter how much he tries to act like it.” He set the vial on the counter and opened the fridge. “Can you get me a dish towel?”
“Sure.” Ellen handed him one and lifted the vial as Dean wrapped ice in the towel. “El, wet a cloth and stick it in the . . . what are you doing?” His views shifted to the medication she held.
“Dean. Let me give him this. Please. I’m worried. Let me just give him one dose and see how he’s doing for myself.”
“El.” His hand wrapped around hers and clenched it. “As much as I would love to have you see for yourself, and feel better knowing, I can’t.”
“Maybe Elliott changed his mind. He’s out.”
“He’s awake now.”
“Maybe he changed his mind.”
Dean shook his head.
“How do you know?”
After a brief pause, Dean slowly pulled the vial from her hand. “I asked him. I’m sorry.”
Ellen wanted to try just one more argument to see Elliott, but she couldn’t. Dean left before she could get out a single syllable.
^^^^
It was a vibrant deep blue, cozy and warm, and it was way too small for Frank. The knitted sleeves came mid-forearm and the bottom of the sweater–had Frank not been wearing a tee shirt–would have exposed his hairy belly.
“Fuck.” He grabbed the collar of the sweater. “I’m strangling here.”
Joe pointed at him as he passed through the living room. “And you’ll wear it.”
“It’s Hal’s,” Frank argued.
Hal come from the kitchen and set the plates on the table. “You were the one whining about it.”
“No,” Frank corrected. “I bitched about you claiming victory on my bear. I said nothing about the sweater.”
Joe shrugged. “If you wanna be a hero, you have to look the hero, Frank.”
“Tell me when the last time you saw a mighty bear hunter with a fuckin knitted sweater,” Frank said. “Ask Robbie.” He indicated to Robbie who was occupied with something that beeped on the couch. “What’s that?”
“Oh, check this out.” Robbie held it up. “It’s an old hand held video game. I got it from Bev’s house.”
“Dad.” Frank looked at Joe. “He’s stealing evidence.”
“I told him he could play with it,” Joe said. “He dusted it for prints.”
“Robbie’s a suspect,” Frank interjected. “What if his prints were on there and he wiped them away?”
Robbie only looked up from his game.
Joe went dramatically serious. “Well then, Frank, we’ll just dust the game again and get them.”
“How?” Frank asked.
The plates dropped from Hal’s hand. “He’s touching it, Frank. God.”
“What?” Frank tossed his hands up. “Everyone picks on me.” He walked to the window. “Where’s Johnny? He said he’s coming.”
Joe shook his head. “He said it before. It doesn’t mean he will.”
“Yeah, but he said he wants to start hanging out with me.”
Robbie laughed in a high pitch and
shook his head.
Oddly, Hal looked at Robbie. “I hope that was in reference to the game.”
“No.” Robbie’s fingers moved frantically. He bit his bottom lip. “It’s funny. Johnny hanging with Frank. He hates him.”
“Hey,” Frank said with defense. “My kid doesn’t hate me.”
“Johnny hates Frank?” Hal questioned. “Why don’t I know this?”
“You suck,” Frank replied.
Hal rolled his eyes. “Dad?”
“Johnny doesn’t hate Frank,” Joe explained. “Johnny went through that distancing phase everyone goes through. You know, he wants to be independent. Besides, he and Frank don’t see eye to eye.”
Frank had the answer to that. “That’s because I’m six . . .”
“Don’t,” Joe stopped him. “Don’t even say something that stupid.”
Hal laughed and began to set the table. He spotted Joe’s keys. “Where do you want these?” He picked both sets up.
“Toss them on the counter,” Joe said as he moved toward the kitchen.
“Honestly, Dad.” Hal lifted both sets. One had multitudes of keys. The other had two, a normal size key and a small odd looking one. “Why do you need two sets?”
“One set is community keys and the others are to my office and the telephone lock box.”
With a chuckle, Hal set down the keys on the counter and returned to the table. “You lock the phone?”
“You don’t?” Joe asked. “Those phones are high security.”
“Yes, that’s why I pass-code protect it. As soon as you turn it on, you have to enter your code.”
Shocked, Joe stopped lifting the casserole dish. “They do that?”
“Yes, would you like me to show you?”
With a grumble, Joe shook his head. “Nah. Can’t be bothered.” He carried the dish to the table. “Frank. Robbie. Dinner.” He moved to his seat.
“Can I take off this sweater?” Frank asked as he made it to the table.
“Nope.” Joe began to dish out his food. “You wanted it. You got it.”
“Yes, Frank,” Hal instigated. “It looks great on you.”
“Shut up, Hal.” Frank sat down.
“Enough. I would like to eat in peace.” Joe stated while starting his dinner.
“Dad?” Robbie asked, sitting down. “Where are Katie and Denny?”
The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20 Page 156