The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  Hal snickered. “Sorry.” He caught himself. “Divide you? Jenny, please. Do you not think you’re overreacting? You are giving it such a death and destruction theme.”

  “It deserves one.” Jenny nodded smugly. “I, for one, think you, Joe, should say something to everyone because we are all on pins and needles. We’re worried. We may not be prepared if it happens.”

  “I’ll tell you what? You walk the other way and I’ll think about speaking.”

  “Okay.’ Jenny agreed. “Please. I’m leaving now.” With her arms folded close to her, Jenny trotted off.

  Hal looked at his father. “Death and destruction? Tear the community apart?”

  “I heard,” Joe grumbled. “Excuse me.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “To speak to Jason. He’s aiding in this.” Through the disarray, holding his hand up to people who tried to stop and ask him questions, Joe made a direct walk to Jason who sat down next to Forrest Caceres. “Jason.” Joe tapped him on the shoulder.

  Turning some in his chair, Jason looked behind him. “Hello, Joe.”

  “Jason, what in Christ’s name is going on? Why are you here and why are you telling these people this is a situation to be viably concerned about?”

  “It is,” Jason replied. “I scoffed at first. I will admit I did, but when Dean confirmed there is shaky ground, I was drawn in. It could be devastating, scientifically as well.”

  “What!” Joe blasted. “Forrest, you don’t believe this nonsense, do you?”

  “Yes, Joe, I do. We knew of no farts in dis are-ree-a.”

  Joe blinked. “Excuse me. We knew of no what?”

  “Farts. You know. Farts. Fart line.”

  “What?”

  Jason clarified, “Faults.”

  “Faults?” Joe asked.

  “Faults. There were no faults here,” Jason explained.

  “Christ Almighty, of course there have been faults here. There have always been faults,” Joe stated angrily.

  Forrest looked up in question. “Yes? A fart line.”

  “There are a slew of them and have been forever. They’re both to blame.” Aggravated, Joe walked off.

  Forrest turned to Jason. “Uh do note dink he news what we speck of.”

  “I don’t think so either,” Jason said, “but it was you who started it.”

  “Uh did note stut it.”

  “You confused him.”

  “I dud note.”

  “Yes,” Jason answered adamantly. “You mentioned the faults.”

  “Et es note ma prob-lem dat he does note new woot a fart is.”

  Jason nodded once. “True.”

  Joe was pretty certain as he made his way back to Hal that Hal was looking at Frank in an examining manner. As Joe neared two men, Joe saw why. Frank closed one eye drastically while wincing in a very facial way. His head titled and Frank held one ear closed. “Frank?” Joe questioned. “What the hell are you doing?”

  “Going fuckin nuts,” Frank answered. “People are thinking too much. I can’t block them out.”

  “Perhaps, Frank,” Hal said smugly, “when you go up there to make your Frank speech, you can tell them not to think.”

  “Oh, good idea Hal.”

  Hal smiled a smile that showed he was up to something and Dean obviously saw it. Aggressively stepping between Hal and Frank, Dean kept his views on Hal while holding up a swatch of blue cloth to Frank. “Here, Frank, this will stop it.”

  After a slow glance of surprise to his father, Hal returned to Dean. “Are we giving him a hanky?”

  Dean smirked then turned to Frank. “Look at the watch. It will focus your concentration and block out the voices in your head.”

  Hal snickered.

  Joe warned, “Hal.”

  “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.” Hal lifted his hand.

  Dean spun on his heels to Hal. “Why do you do that? You haven’t any idea what Frank goes through.”

  “W . . . well.” Hal cleared his throat. “We’re a little defensive of Frank now, aren’t we?”

  Joe saw it coming. “Hal.”

  “You always have to put him down,” Dean argued. “That’s because you’re a dick.”

  “Yeah,” Frank added. “He’s a bully too.”

  Hal blinked looked at Dean then at Frank, who grinned. “I never would have thought I’d see the day when you had to have a watchdog.”

  “Oh,” Frank grunted. “That’s just not right. Is that a puppy reference?’

  “What?” Hal asked, confused.

  “Puppy. Dean.” Frank tapped Dean. “He’s not only calling you a dog, but a little one too.”

  “Frank!” Hal snapped.

  “You know.” Dean looked up. “I’m just done with you, Hal.”

  “I assure you, Dean, even though I sympathize with your temporary mental condition . . .”

  Frank interjected, “Hey, I had one of those.”

  Hal smiled, ‘You still do. Back to Dean. As I was saying, though I sympathize, my patience is really wearing thin.”

  Dean scoffed, “You think I care?”

  “Obviously not.”

  “You know, Hal. I’m this close . . .” Dean lifted his fingers an inch apart. “To saying, ‘just you and me’.”

  Hal’s eyes partially closed as he turned his head to the right to release a silent laugh. Seriously, he glanced back at Dean. “You mean get physical with me?”

  “Yes.”

  Again, to the right, toward his father, Hal repeated his mock laugh. “My apologies.” He cleared his throat. “Dr. Hayes, as hard as it is to believe, I am not a violent man. Should you be a Savage or Society soldier, I would gladly decapitate you, but being that you are a semi-civilized man, I would rather arrange a sit down with you and verbally hash things out. Then should you feel inadequately satisfied and that the only recourse is to physically challenge me, make the offer again and I will accept.”

  “You’re on. I’ll do that,” Dean said.

  Joe tapped Hal on the shoulder. When Hal’s attention was grabbed, Joe pointed to Frank.

  Hal saw the confusion. “In other words, Frank,” Hal explained, “Dean wants to beat me up. I said’ let’s talk’. If talking doesn’t work, I’ll fight him.”

  Frank laughed then swiped the smile from his face. “Uh, Dean, if you challenge him, I won’t be able to step in and help.”

  “Frank, really. Why would I need you to step in and help?” Dean asked.

  “Uh . . .” Frank stumbled for an answer then snapped his fingers. “Jenny needs me.” Holding his swatch of blue, Frank quickly made his escape.

  Joe covered his face. “I can’t believe he is going to speak to this community about this. I mean, Dean . . .” Joe turned his head. Dean was leaving. “Why is Dean walking away? What’s up?”

  Hal shrugged. “I don’t know but here comes Frank to talk to his flock.”

  “Christ.” Joe winced. “If he’s their shepherd, we’re in trouble.” Joe watched Frank stand at the podium. “Let’s just hope he doesn’t give any Bible references.”

  Frank leaned into the microphone. “Thank you.” He unfolded a piece of paper. “The Bible tells us . . .”

  Hal looked at his father. “Would you like to now say you hope he doesn’t strip?”

  Joe just glared.

  Frank continued, “The mountains shall crumble and the heavens shall fall. A great earthquake will tear this earth apart or something like that. I know it’s there. The Book of Revealing or something.” Frank shrugged. “My point is, that’s the end of the Bible, right? Okay. We like already passed all the bad stuff so nothing more bad will come this way. Me and Dean have it under control. We do not think it will happen again. Thank you.” Frank folded the paper, nodded, and stepped from the podium.

  Slowly, Hal blinked. “Well.”

  Joe huffed out. He nearly shrieked when he saw Jenny stand at the podium and sputter out something about him getting up there.

  “Dad?”
Hal questioned. “Are you being summoned?”

  “Yeah, but you know what?” Joe said with aggravation. “I’m putting an end to this shit. Excuse me.” With determination, he moved from Hal toward the front.

  Thinking ‘this ought to be interesting’, Hal folded his hands behind his back and braced himself for Frank, who headed his way.

  “Whoa. Dad’s gonna talk.” Frank stood next to Hal.

  “He’s going to put a stop to this.”

  “How’s he gonna stop an earthquake.”

  “Excuse me?” Hal asked.

  “An earthquake.”

  A slight pivot and Hal faced Frank. “Usually about this point I would ask what you are talking about.”

  “Uh, Hal The earthquake. That’s what the meeting is about.”

  “It’s about you and Dean.”

  “Huh?” Frank scratched his head. “No, Jenny asked me to talk about the earthquake. You know, since we had one.”

  “We had an earthquake?”

  “Yeah, I think. I’m not sure.” Frank shrugged. “Yeah, we did and another one is coming.”

  A quick glance up at Joe then Hal drew up a reasonable thought. Perhaps Frank was confused and didn’t know the meeting was about him. Hurriedly, Hal sought out the closest person. “Excuse me.”

  “What?” Josephine turned with a slight drunken sway.

  “What . . . what is this emergency meeting about?”

  “Where the fuck you been, in a goddamn cave? It’s about the earthquake you asshole Christ.” She snapped then squinted. “Christ Almighty, you look like Joey Slagel.”

  “I’m his son.”

  “Holy Christ on a cross, there’s another Slagel running around.”

  Frank intruded, “You know if you stopped drinking and paid fuckin attention you wouldn’t say that to him every time you see him.”

  “Hey, Frankie,” Josephine said smugly. “Suck on this.” She lifted her blouse, exposing her breast in a flash.

  “Uh!” Frank screamed.

  Hal turned his head and when he did, he caught glimpse of Dean. He made his way to him. “Dean, I realize you hate me. But can you tell me why we are having a meeting about an earthquake, when we both know there is no earthquake heading this way.”

  “One word.” Dean pointed. “Frank.”

  Hal looked at Frank.

  “He spewed it out in a cover up story.”

  “Good God, my father is going to speak to these people.” Hal brushed by Dean.

  Dean slightly rolled his eyes. “And he wonders why I hate him.”

  Hal was almost there. He was grateful for the hoards of people that had halted Joe on his way to the podium. Joe did his usual lift of the hand. At the point where Hal was a shout away, Joe walked from Jenny to the podium. Hal opened his mouth to speak but silence hit the room, and he inched his way back toward Frank. “Frank,” he whispered. “You’re a dead man when Dad finds out.”

  “Finds out what?”

  “About the earthquake.”

  “Hal.” Frank snickered. “He already knows. He’s up there talking about it.”

  Hal restrained. He just watched his father with the largest of cringes.

  “All right. All right.” Joe lifted his hand. “First. No questions. No questions now and none when I’m done. Clear?” He paused. “Clear?” he received unison agreement. “Okay. People, this has gone on long enough. Okay? I know we had trouble in the past. I understand that. But . . . all this shittin’ talk about the great divide, things falling apart, and the community in disarray, is horseshit. Horse shit! Now I’m no rocket scientist, but it doesn’t take a goddamn rocket scientist to figure out how over the edge you people are. A meeting? A town meeting? What are you? Morons? Come on people. Get some common sense. Get your asses back to work and don’t worry about this. A repeat of the problem will not happen again. I promise you I will keep my eye out. I will stay on top of things. I’ll constantly talk to Dean about this so I know where things are headed and if I see things headed for this great massive destructive path, I will hold a meeting and let you know. You won’t be in the dark. I promise you. Okay? If you have any concerns, no more town meetings, Talk to Dean. He’s the expert. Thank you.”

  Massive amounts of cheers and applause filled the room. Joe was actually pleased, especially as he made his way to Hal and was given swats of thanks and heard many comments of, ‘I feel better already’. With a closed mouth smile and a nod, Joe walked to Hal. “See? Done. Why do you have that look on your face, Hal?”

  Hal pointed to Frank. “Ask him what the meeting is about? I’ll give you a hint. It isn’t what you think.”

  With his smile gone, Joe shifted his eyes to Frank. “I just stood up there and spoke. Are you telling me I made an ass out of myself?”

  “No.” Frank shook his head. “You did good. Good job. I’m convinced.”

  “Convinced of what?” Joe asked.

  “Dad, you just talked about it.” Frank said.

  Joe huffed.

  “Father, may I?” Hal asked.

  “Go on.” Joe replied, eyes still on Frank.

  “You seemingly assured the community and Frank, that an earthquake, a repeat earthquake mind you, will not occur here in Beginnings. It’s sort of like the meteor situation. We know how rumors of that started.”

  Joe took a nostril breath. Slowly and calmly, he turned to Frank. “Son, you have three seconds.”

  “For?” Frank asked.

  “To run.”

  “Why?”

  “I repeat.” Joe still remained calm. “You have three seconds to run, three seconds . . . before I shoot your big ass.”

  “Dad,” Frank chuckled “Please. You’re gonna shoot me?”

  From the belt on his waist, Joe pulled out his revolver. “Three seconds, Frank.”

  Frank scoffed as if Joe joked, “Dad.”

  Hal smirked.

  Joe lifted it. “One.”

  ^^^^

  “I can’t believe my dad shot me.” Frank leaned with his elbows on the examining table.

  Andrea stopped humming that happy tune. “I’m sorry, what was that?”

  “I can’t believe my dad shot me. Ow.” Frank jolted just a bit and reached behind. “In my butt.”

  Andrea smacked away his hand as Frank tried to touch his injury. She spoke pacifying and motherly. “It’s just a surface wound, a scratch. It took two stitches. The bullet didn’t even penetrate. That’s surprising.”

  “I’m firm.”

  Andrea smiled.

  “I hope it doesn’t leave any unsightly dimpling.”

  “Oh don’t you worry, your tush will be just as good as new. You just have to be careful sitting for a while.”

  Frank sulked. “I can’t believe he shot me.”

  “Hal said you didn’t run.”

  “I ran, just not fast enough.”

  “You tried.” Andrea reached for the ointment.

  “Yeah, I guess. He did give me warning.”

  “Your father is fair like that.”

  “True.”

  “Oh, you boys,” Andrea spoke almost pleased. “Such a family you are. You, Hal, and Robbie always look out for each other.”

  “We do.” Frank nodded.

  “You’re always having fun.”

  “True.”

  “Beating each other up and even a little innocent gun play. It shows a closeness.”

  “You have a point.” Frank bobbed his head.

  “And this little injury shows the affection. It does. Not every father can get away with this.”

  “True.”

  “Okay.” Andrea sang. “Almost done, Frank.” She grabbed for the bandage. “I’ll give this extra padding. You’ll barely notice it.”

  “Thank you. I’m glad you did this.”

  “That’s what moms are for.” Andrea worked as she spoke. “You know, Frank, I often think of what it would have been like to have met Joe years and years ago and been there to watch you grow up
.”

  “You wouldn’t have lasted.”

  “I resent that. Your father would have kept me.”

  “No, that’s not what I meant. I mean you would have left. They all did.”

  “They were all wrong, Frank. They didn’t know what they were missing.” She stepped back. “We’re done. You can lift, zip and buckle.”

  Frank began to do his pants . . . gingerly and hiding the pain.

  Andrea continued, “I would never have left. I couldn’t have my own kids. We would have had such a blast. But . . . I have you boys now, right? Better late than never, right?” She moved to the sink.

  Frank turned around. “Andrea?”

  Andrea looked from the sink, “Yes?”

  “Just so you know, even though we’re pretty much, you know, grown up . . . I want you to know we’re lucky to have you. No matter how old you get, you still need a mom, right?” Frank winked. “And you’re the best one we’ve had. We all think that.”

  Frank knew he had said something nice, but he didn’t expect the reaction he received. A long and loud burst of a sob released from Andrea. Her face trailed with tears, with her arms open wide and hands sopping wet, she cried all the way to Frank and embraced him.

  Frank was taken a little back. Andrea’s pelting body caused him to stumble and bump his rear into the examining table. The cringe from her wet hand, stopped him from grunting in pain and with his body rocking back and forth from her hug, Frank smiled and returned the embrace.

  ^^^^

  Tigger’s little feet pitter-pattered against the linoleum like a five-year-old. Fast and determined he ran. He built up a good speed and achieved the ultimate slide he wanted as he approached Johnny’s room at the Lars hospital.

  “Heads up!” Tigger warned then, with a shitty smile, he popped into the room.

  “Heads up?” Johnny asked as he sat on the bed.

  “Yeah.” Tigger stepped to the bed. “I wanted you to be ahead of the game. I bring good news.”

  “Ahead of the game? Oh I get it. Are we playing a little version of our game?” He stood up.

  “You got it. It’s time for you to go home. Lars said you’re good to go as long as you aren’t lightheaded.”

  “I am . . . just a little.” Johnny stood up. “But I’m ready. I’ve been dressed for a while.”