The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  “Bet me.”

  “I’ll bet.” Johnny extended his hand. “You’re on.”

  “Cool. My Dad and Ellen, next trip.”

  “It won’t . . .” Johnny blinked a half a dozen times then smiled gently and softened his voice. “Mike and Ellen. What a wonderful idea. Can I help?”

  “Absolutely.” Tigger waved out his hand. “May I say it’s good to have you back in the room, Jenny.” He pushed the game board forward. “Now you and I can play some serious Scrabble.”

  ^^^^

  With a patient understanding and a tad of authority, Hal lifted his hand in the Skills Room. “A-A-ah. No-no.” He smiled gently. “The solution is very simple people. It is right before you. Okay?” He nodded as he stood in front of the table where Herb, Chester, and Misha sat. “You three are put here to work on your project. Those right are over there are to work on theirs. I promise if you work together, this will not be a problem.”

  Chester spoke up. “But I don’t see an answer.”

  “It’s right there.”

  “But I don’t see an answer.”

  “It’s right there.”

  “Where?” Chester asked.

  “In front of you.”

  “Where?” Chester repeated.

  Hal exhaled, still remaining calm. “Listen to me. You have the Blue’s Clue’s puzzle. Misha has Winnie the Pooh and Herb has Cat in the Hat. Some of your pieces are mixed together. If you three will just look at the pieces as you pull them out of the box, you’ll know this. Obviously Blue’s Clues is not going to fit in Cat in the Hat puzzle. Now, no more arguing. Just attempt to finish this. Thank you.” Hal lifted his hand when they were going to speak and he walked out. Bandana under his arm, he walked down the hall and stopped before Ellen’s office. He knocked once.

  “Come in,” Ellen said as she stared down at some papers.

  “Ellen, may I ask why I get an urgent call to handle a situation and I come here to find out the problem is that the pieces of the puzzles got mixed up?”

  “They were arguing.” Ellen stayed focused on what she was doing.

  “You could have handled it.”

  “I needed you.”

  “Well it’s done.

  “Thanks.”

  “Are you all right?”

  Ellen finally looked up. She paused before saying anything. “Yes.” She returned to her work.

  “Have you been able to visit my father today?”

  “I spoke to him. He’s fine.”

  “But he’s ill.”

  “He’s hung over.”

  Hal gasped, “It appears Elliott has brainwashed you.”

  Ellen spoke in a monotone, “He did no such thing. Joe’s fine. Go see for yourself.”

  “I will. Oh, Ellen, Henry says the weather appears to be holding up. And will be tolerable. The Society is nowhere to be found. I’m thinking of taking that little family vacation soon. Me, you, Frank, Robbie, and my father. What do you say?”

  “I’d like that.”

  “So you can clear your schedule.”

  “Yes.”

  “Good.” Hal started to leave. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “I can stay and talk if you need to talk.”

  ‘No, Frank should be here any minute.”

  “Really? I just spoke to him and he said nothing about coming to Containment. When did he tell you he was stopping by?”

  ‘He didn’t.” Ellen continued to write, never looking up. “I sense him.”

  “You sense him?” Hal asked in ridicule then he heard the distance buzzing of the Security door.

  “See? Frank.”

  “Oh it is not . . .” Hal looked down the hall. “Frank.”

  “Told you.”

  “I’ll let you be. See you later.”

  Glancing at a nearly dazed Ellen, Hal shook his head and walked down the hall. “I don’t believe it.”

  “Yeah, greatness is often hard to swallow,” Frank said.

  “You’re an ass. Something is wrong with Ellen,” Hal told him.

  “I know. That’s why I’m here.”

  “Did someone call you?” Hal asked.

  “No, I sense it.”

  Opening his mouth to comment, Hal opted for silence and just walked out.

  “What? What did I say?” Frank asked as the door closed. Shrugging, he walked to Ellen’s office. He didn’t knock. He just walked in and closed the door.

  The pencil dropped from Ellen’s grip and her hands went to her face.

  Frank moved beside her and knelt down. “I just came from seeing Dean.” He reached up, took her hands, and pulled them from her face. “I have to tell you I expected a strong front.”

  “Not with you.”

  “Good.” Frank exhaled. “Because I don’t know how good of a front I can put up. I’m . . . I’m crushed.”

  It wasn’t intended, but a smile hit Ellen’s face. She turned her chair to face him. “You?”

  “Yeah, he broke up with us.” Frank shook his head once like a dog. “Man, it was out of nowhere. First it was a share thing then it was where I get to finally be primary and he’s being secondary. Now . . . now . . . he said . . . no. What are we gonna do? Dean left us.”

  “Thank you.” Smiling, she laid her hand on his cheek.

  “For what?”

  “Cheering me up. You’re funny.”

  “I’m not joking.” Frank stood up. “This shocks me. I thought he was kidding, you know. But he’s serious. He’s dead serious.” Frank began to pace. “I said, ‘Ok, Dean, so I’m primary, you’re the understanding’ and you know what he said?”

  “What?”

  “He said ‘no, Frank, find someone else for the understanding.’ I laughed. He didn’t. I said ‘fuck’. He said ‘sorry’. I said . . .”

  “Frank.” Ellen stood and moved to him. “You’re taking this as bad as me.”

  “Don’t get me wrong, El, I’m not gonna cry in my fuckin oatmeal over this. He’s being fuckin stupid, but that’s his choice. What’s bothering me is we had this partnership, him and I and the kids. When you were away, we’d work together. Guess what?”

  “He doesn’t want that anymore.”

  “Did he tell you that?”

  “No, but Dean needs to find himself and I think that’s in every aspect of his life. For the past couple years, and you know it, he hasn’t been able to. He wants to try it all on his own. But between you and me.” Ellen winked. “I think he’ll take you back before me.”

  “I just want to keep the kids out of this. I don’t want them affected,” Frank explained. “They’re used to things being a certain way.”

  “I’m sure you’ll do your best to protect them.”

  “Always.”

  Ellen hesitated, smiled, and walked back to her desk only this time, she leaned on the edge. “So.”

  “So.”

  “Two hours and counting.”

  “Don’t change the subject.”

  “What? I didn’t know we were still on the subject.”

  “Yes, you did. You changed it on purpose.”

  “Did you read my mind?”

  “Sorry.”

  “Frank!” Ellen walked around and sat down.

  “Ok, here’s the deal. Let’s put the cards on the table. I don’t expect a response. I know you have this Dean grieving thing to go through today.”

  “Today?” Ellen chuckled.

  “Please, El, I won’t buy it if it takes any longer.”

  She shook her head in disbelief.

  “I love you.” Frank dropped his voice “Bottom line, I love you very much. Six months ago, before the Society took me in the pouring down rain I proposed to you and you accepted. I come back and you’re married to Dean. Shit went down. I stepped back. Maybe not completely, but did. I vowed I’d wait until I had a clear shot and then I was taking it. I see a clear shot here, El. I know . . .” Frank knelt down on one knee and took her han
d. “I know in this world you have to share. I understand that. I can do that. There has to be a number one guy and a number two guy. I also know that twenty plus years with you doesn’t give me a buy. I just want it to give me a bid.”

  “Frank.”

  Frank’s hand immediately shot out and covered her mouth. “El, don’t answer.”

  She pulled his hand away. “Frank, look . . .”

  Again he placed his hand over her mouth. “El, I know you want to say ‘yes’ right away. I know this, but don’t tell me yet.” Frank stood up. He saw her ready to speak. “Ah! No. Shh.” He winked. “Think about it. I’ll be back.”

  “Frank . . .”

  “Think about it.” Frank walked out.

  Ellen’s mouth was still agape. Huffing out in disbelief, she plopped down to her chair. “God, is he strange.”

  ^^^^

  Poor Dan from Security. Had he known that the simple trip to the clinic to get antibiotic ointment would have turned into such an ordeal, he would have opted for an infection. Yes, he thought the staple imbedded in his finger was an emergency but not so severe that it warranted an IV. Of course, that wasn’t as bad as when they made him undress and strapped him to the table.

  What was going on?

  “This is a perfect example.” Andrea spoke as she peered in a teacher mode over Margaret’s shoulder. “Imagine it something else, something bigger.”

  “Like?”

  “Like an arrowhead or a bullet.”

  “But I won’t be removing bullets. I’m a cleaning and bandage person.”

  “Well, with that attitude of laziness you will not work out around here.”

  “But . . .”

  “No buts,” Andrea scolded. “You never know. You may have to remove a bullet. Sometimes these boys come in here with a flesh wound and we can’t be bothered. Think of it as a splinter. Use the staple as practice.”

  “I’m sorry. I’ll do that.”

  “Get the thin tweezers please,” Andrea instructed. “Now I want you to exercise care. I also want you to treat this like a bomb being defused, because should you remove an arrow head, you have to remove it so as to leave as little residue behind. Got that?’

  “Yes.”

  “Now, gently.”

  Dan watched. There was silence in the room.

  “Keep your hands steady,” Andrea informed. “Steady. Steady.”

  The boom of the single knock and Frank’s, ‘Andrea’ caused Andrea to shrieked, Margaret to slip, and Dan to scream when the tweezers plunged the staple deeper into his finger.

  “Sweet Jesus, Frank!” Andrea scolded. “What is it?’

  “I was . . .whoa.” Frank looked at Dan, the IV, and the straps holding him down. “Oh my God, what happened to you?”

  “I have a staple in my finger,” Dan replied.

  “It must be bad. Anyhow, .Andrea, have you seen my father?”

  “He’s resting at home,” Andrea answered.

  “No, he’s not there. I just checked,” Frank said.

  Margaret spoke up, “He’s at the library with Billy.”

  Andrea huffed, “Woman, how do you know where my husband is.”

  Frank made a hissing cat sound.

  Andre snapped a glare his way.

  Margaret grew nervous. “I went to the library. You sent me. I saw them as I was leaving. That’s . . . that’s all.”

  “Oh,” Snobbish, Andrea nodded and looked at Frank. “Try the library.”

  “Got it. Thanks. Please take care of Dan. He doesn’t look good.” Frank walked out.

  Andrea looked down at Dan. “Frank’s right. You don’t look well. You’re pale. It’s a good thing we numbed that finger ahead of time. We may have to monitor you overnight.”

  “For a staple wound?” Dan asked.

  “Well.” Andrea looked at his finger. “Thanks to Frank, it’s more than that now.”

  “Oh my God.”

  Andrea whispered to Margaret. “Go find Melissa and tell her to prep OR Two for a limb reattachment. Hurry.”

  “Right away, Dr. Winters. I’m sorry about that,” Margaret apologized.

  “No apologies. This will be a perfect learning experience, but hurry.”

  Nodding nervously, Margaret hurried out.

  “Oh my God!” Dan shrieked “I lost my finger!”

  “Just the tip, sort of. We’ll fix you right up. Don’t you worry.” She patted his head.

  Dan wasn’t going to worry until he saw the gleaming smile on Andrea’s face, then he panicked.

  ^^^^

  Hal wouldn’t have expected it. About eight people were spread about the library, reading. He couldn’t recall the last time he was in there, but he was certain it had no patrons, nor was Gemma the librarian working there. Peering around, Hal spotted Joe and Billy at the far corner table. They gathered in what seemed to be a whispering huddle.

  Sighing out, Hal removed his bandana and walked their way, “Dad.”

  Not just Gemma, but everyone looked up with a loud, ‘Shh.’

  Hal cringed. “Christ.” He walked to the table. “Father.” He sat down. “Thank God.”

  “Shh.”

  Hal looked over his shoulder to those whose whispering warned him.

  “Is something wrong?” Joe asked.

  “No. I was concerned. I was looking for you.”

  “I’m right here,” Joe stated.

  “But you’re ill. What are you doing out of bed?”

  Joe laughed. “Out of bed?”

  “Shh.” The patrons warned.

  Joe waved them off. “I’m not ill, Hal. I’m playing hooky.”

  “What?” Hal was shocked.

  “Yeah, hooky.”

  “But you said you weren’t feeling well.. You said so this morning.” Hal looked at Billy who snickered. “What?”

  Joe shook his head. “I was hung over. I had a headache, a killer one too. It’s gone now.”

  “Good God, Father.”

  A ‘shh’ rang out.

  Hal ignored them. “I thought you were . . . were . . .”

  “Suffering?” Joe asked. “Tormented by my cancer?”

  Hal hunched. “Please.”

  “What? That word bothers you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Cancer.”

  “Father.”

  “Cancer. Cancer. Can . . .”

  “Enough!” Hal snapped.

  “Shh.”

  Hal huffed, “I cannot believe that you told me all . . .”

  “Hal,” Joe stopped him. “Did anyone ever tell you that you talk like a bad fifties movie?”

  Hal’s mouth dropped open.

  Bang! The door to the library opened.

  Hal rolled his eyes. “Frank.”

  “Dad!” Frank called out.

  Everyone shouted a ‘shh’.

  “Oh, shh your fuckin selves.” Frank wave out his hand and made it to the table. “There you are. Hey, Hal.”

  “Dad’s not sick, Frank. It seems he was hung over.”

  Frank pulled out a chair. “You’ll have that when you down one too many old fashioneds.”

  Joe, who tried to work with Billy, lifted his eyes. “What are you doing here?”

  “Looking for you. What are you doing here?” Frank asked.

  “None of your goddamn business.”

  Hal leaned towards Frank. “He’s testy.”

  “I’m busy!” Joe yelled.

  “Shh.”

  “Yeah, Dad," Frank said. “Shh.”

  Joe grumbled. “If you must know, Bill and I are working on the message from Jess. You had a good idea Frank,. It just isn’t panning out. I thought I’d spend quality time with Billy and try today.”

  Hal smiled. “Ah, like a grandfather and grandson doing a puzzle.”

  Billy rolled his eyes. “It’s more than that. It’s very important.”

  Hal winked at Billy and spoke in a pacifying tone. “That’s right, Bill. It’s very important.”

 
Quirky, Billy glanced at Hal. “Why are you talking down to me?”

  Frank answered “Because you’re little.”

  Ignoring Frank, Billy looked at Hal. “I’m a child, I know this, but this message is important.”

  “Bill.” Hal folded his hands on the table. “I know that pap told you it was and that perhaps it was some sort of secret decoded . . .”

  ‘Hello.” Billy cut him off. “I know better. It was screwed up in the process of being sent. I’m saying the contents are important and all of you.” He swung his pencil around in a point. “All of you are blowing it off. If I were an adult, I certainly would be trying to figure this one out and quickly.”

  Hal shifted in his chair and mumbled. “I don’t believe I like this kid.”

  Joe had to ask. “Why do you say that, Bill?”

  “Pap, how long were Jess’s previous messages?”

  “They were short,” Joe answered.

  “Exactly.” Billy lifted the paper. “Did it even dawn on any of you that this message is extremely long? There’s a reason it is so long and if I were you, I’d be awfully curious as to why he was so long winded.”

  Hal faced his father. “The child prodigy has a valid point. We should really get moving on deciphering this ASAP.”

  “Well, Hal.” Joe tossed up his hands “We’re moving the fastest we can. It’s tricky.”

  “But we should find out what it says,” Hal encouraged.

  “Uh, Hal.” Frank poked him. “They’re trying.”

  ‘I know this.” Hal swiped Frank away. “But . . .”

  “But what?” Joe asked with an edge. “I have to decode it. I don’t have a crystal ball that tells me all.”

  Hal snickered. “Trina does.”

  “Who?” Joe asked “Who in Christ’s name is Trina? I don’t know a Trina.”

  “Actually, Trina is Ben from Fabrics.” Hal replied in a joking tone. “Three days a week he is Trina, the fortune teller. He uses a crystal ball and Tarot cards. He’s been quite successful.”

  Frank instigated as well. “Yeah, Dad, maybe he can tap in.”

  His mouth swishing from side to side, Joe lifted the paper. “Is he Trina today?”

  “Oh my God!” Frank stood up. “You’re thinking about doing it.”

  Hal peered around. “Why didn’t they shush you?”

  Frank shrugged. “Dad?”

  Joe tilted his head. “Why not.” He folded the sheet. “What’s it gonna hurt. Not saying that Ben is psychic, but maybe them cards can give a clue.”