The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  “You do know he was very confused when he arrived here,” Lars stated. “He had amnesia.”

  “I figured as much, but I thought it was coming back to him.”

  “It was,” Lars said. “I see you were admiring Mike’s photograph collection.”

  “Yes, I was.” George faced the pictures. “This woman.” He pointed to Dylan. “You won’t know who I’m talking about but she looks exactly like a woman from Beginnings.”

  “Ellen.”

  “Was she here or did you see a photo?”

  “She was here.”

  Slowly George nodded. “Mike has a Beginnings phone. I figured Beginnings was here for one of two reasons, Beginnings resources or medical. Ellen’s presence surely doesn’t dictate resources. It means you have a medical dilemma.”

  “Ah, but we do,” Lars said.

  George fluttered a laugh. “Not to sound harsh. Ellen’s good but it goes to figure that they’d send her instead of their top doctor.”

  “Perhaps he was busy and couldn’t.”

  “Perhaps he decline because he’s an asshole,” George said.

  Lars smiled. “I knew I voted for you for a reason.”

  “You’re being very decent to me. Thank you.” George nodded. “I didn’t come for trouble.”

  “Even though you threaten it?” Lars asked.

  “This is Society territory. Lodi residences are welcome if they join the Society. In the old world what would we have done if a hostile terrorist group lived in a city and plotted against the US government?”

  “We’d get rid of them. However, I see Lodi plotting against no one.”

  “But they have reached out to our enemy,” George said. “My enemy was here. Your town has to see that.”

  “Arguing semantics of a nation divided is not why I’m here. I’m here to speak to you about Johnny.”

  Slowly George looked up. “It’s him. His health is why you sought out Beginnings.”

  Lars nodded. “When Johnny was in your care, he arrived injured. Your doctors pumped him with steroids to make him strong. I believe those steroids aided in clarity.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Steroids shrink tumors or aid in controlling them. Johnny has a tumor on the behavioral portion of his brain.”

  George’s hand ejected to his mouth. “Oh my God.”

  “When he was given the steroids, it gave him clarity, and it made him the old Johnny.”

  Nodding, George slid his hand down his face, “The old Johnny. So his behavior, his eagerness to be mean and do things, was the tumor?”

  “Yes. It’s a small tumor now so small behavioral change. However … that won’t be for long. I suspect the tumor will grow again rapidly. If it is not removed then Johnny will die in one year’s time.”

  “Why did you call Beginnings?” George asked.

  “To remove the tumor. I hoped they would take him in and operate,” Lars said. “But they sent Ellen to run tests. We’ve not confirmed if and when they are coming back. That is why I am here with you. I enjoy Johnny. As much as I want to see him back with his family, I want to see him live. Your people have the knowledge and skill to remove that tumor.”

  “And we will. I’ll get him down there ASAP,” George stated without hesitation.

  “That won’t work. Johnny will not go with you. He wants Beginnings to take him back. Unfortunately, some of the vile acts he has committed in the name of the Society have prohibited a warm welcome.”

  “So you think he’ll only go if Beginnings turns him down?”

  “That’s what I believe. I want a second shot for Johnny. That shot is you.”

  “I have the resources to handle this. He has to go with me. He can’t despise me that badly.”

  Johnny entered a response as he stepped into the room. “Actually I do.”

  George turned slowly to face him. “What? Why?”

  “Because of what you made me do.”

  “Made you do?” George took a step to him. “I didn’t make you do anything, Johnny.”

  “Bullshit. I did it in the name of the Society. My condition made me not think and you just told me what to do.”

  “No,” George said strongly. “That is wrong. I never told you to do anything. I never told you to shoot your grandfather. I didn’t tell you to shoot your father.”

  Lars added, “Twice mind you.”

  George continued, “All I asked of you was to be my eyes. I never wanted your hands dirty. Never. I told you time and time again stay clean and just watch my people for me. You were the one who insisted on getting involved.”

  “You took advantage of my naivety.”

  “Johnny.” George held back any anger. “Either you are remembering incorrectly or that tumor really did something to you. What? Do you think I trained you like some sort of Doctor Evil? Huh? No. You knew of my cause. You believed in my cause. Think, Johnny. Think. Why? Why did you want to join me? I don’t believe for a second it was the ways of the Society. No, it was me. Me.” George moved closer. “I taught you how to fly and fish. I was there for you every day, helping you with homework and when you were sick. I was there when your father ran about building a security and screwing Ellen. I was there for you. I never treated you or looked at you any less than a son. I am not here as a leader. I am here as a father and out of love. Love. Think about that.” George moved by him. “Lars, thank you.” He gave a nod forward. “Johnny.” Then George walked out.

  ***

  “You’re being ridiculous,” Joe scolded toward Frank in the cabin. “It was a little trouble, so what.”

  “We ship only her back,” Frank argued.

  “What!” Joe snapped. “No, for crying out loud. Frank, this is my family vacation. We’ll all be here. By saying it’s not safe is saying you boys can’t do your job.”

  Robbie interjected, “It really wasn’t that bad. We did expect it.”

  “I handled it,” Hal said “Are you sure that’s not why you’re upset?”

  “No,” Frank quickly answered. “Fine. But for any more field trips, Ellen should stay here and one of us stays with her.”

  Robbie raised his hand. “I’ll volunteer for that. I don’t mind.”

  Frank nodded. “Not a bad idea.”

  “No,” Joe disagreed. “No. Robbie should be out digging too. That’s not fair. He loved dinosaurs as a kid. I’m sure he wants to lend a … hand.”

  Jimmy couldn’t believe it. He stood back listening to his brothers and father argue over whether or not the situation warranted leaving early or staying and chancing it. They argued about who would baby-sit Ellen, like a child, to add protection, but none of them were even looking at the fact that something traumatic had just transpired. “Excuse me,” Jimmy interrupted. “You know, aren’t we forgetting something here? What about Ellen? Aren’t we forgetting her?”

  Joe, Frank, Hal, and Robbie all looked at him.

  “Yes,” Frank said. “Yes, we are. Thank you, Jimmy. El? Who do you want to sit with you?’

  “Hey!” Jimmy yelled. “No, that’s not what I mean. Not even a half an hour ago this woman had three men killed before her eyes. Doesn’t one of you want to take a moment to make sure she’s all right? She could be traumatized.”

  After a brief moment of silence, they all broke out in laughter.

  “What?” Jimmy asked.

  “El?” Frank snickered. “Traumatized? Jimmy, please. It isn’t like she hasn’t seen a Society soldier killed in front of her before. Fuck, she’s seen death a lot. She’s used to it.”

  “I give up.” Jimmy tossed his hand in the air and turned to Ellen. “El? El, are you okay?”

  Nonchalantly Ellen answered “Oh sure. I’m fine.”

  “Fine. Go.” Hal took off his coat. “I’ll baby-sit even though Robbie volunteered.”

  “Excellent.” Frank clapped his hands together. “Let’s go. Dad?”

  “I’m right behind you. I want to catch up on dinosaur claws.” Joe made
it to the door. “Ellen, can you heat up that stew Andrea made for us for lunch?”

  Ellen nodded.

  Frank opened the door. “We’ll be back in an hour or so. Jimmy, you coming?”

  Jimmy breathed out, “Yeah.” He shook his head in disbelief. “What happened to my family? Priorities, people.”

  Robbie waited by the door and gave an innocent look at Hal and Ellen. “I feel the sniffles coming on.” He winked. “Poor Frank.” He walked out last and closed the door.

  “Well,” Hal exhaled. “Looks like it’s you and me. What would you like to do? Talk? Stare. Play a board game.”

  “Why don’t we play Scrabble?”

  As if it were absurd, Hal snickered. “El, please. Scrabble? You against me?”

  Ellen gasped. “What? You think I’m not a challenge for you?”

  “Well …”

  “I’m not Frank so I am to assume we don’t need Frank Scrabble rules.”

  Ellen growled. “You are so arrogant.” She stood up. “I’ll show you.” She retrieved the box. “Name the price.” She walked to the table.

  “A bet? You want to bet?” Hal pulled out a chair. “Let me think about this.”

  “While you do that, let’s make this tough.” She began to take out the game. “We’ll do theme Scrabble.”

  Hal sat down. “Same rules as always?”

  “Yep, only words that fit the theme. If you pass on your turn, you give up ten points.”

  “You’re on.”

  “Figure out the bet?” she asked.

  “How about this? If you win, you may use a week’s worth of Danny Dollars on my card. If I win, you give New Bowman a week’s worth of your time. You’ll stay in Bowman so Elliott and I can enjoy your company other than passing through.”

  A quirky look hit Ellen as she picked up tiles.

  “What?” Hal asked. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “Hal, that’s not a bet. That’s really sweet. Thanks. Either way …” Ellen smiled. “I win.”

  Hal chuckled as he too pulled tiles.

  “What theme do we want to do?” Ellen questioned.

  Hal only looked up and gave an ornery grin.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  William Biggles, leader of Texas Town, was pleased and ecstatic to meet the long lost Jimmy Slagel or at least he projected that when Elliott, Jason, and Danny were permitted into town without bribery.

  To refuse Jimmy Slagel was to refuse Joe so without hesitation, Mr. Biggles allowed them to pass even though they had shut down and instilled martial law on their own town.

  “My goodness, do you look like your father.” Mr. Biggles gripped Richie’s hand. “You and Hal are a spitting image except for the hair.”

  “Everyone’s always said that,” Richie said. “Thanks. I look up to Hal.”

  Jason snickered.

  Mr. Biggles continued, “Your father will be so surprised to see you.”

  “Yeah, I’m hoping,” Richie replied.

  Elliott intruded, “Sir, Danny Hoi, acting president, has told me you have closed down your town.”

  “I have. Not so much closed down but buckled it down, if you know what I mean.”

  Elliott nodded and the nod turned into a shake of his head. “I haven’t a clue. Can you explain why?”

  “We’re getting ready to survive,” Mr. Biggles informed. “We beat one extinction level event. We’ll beat another.”

  Jason snickered again.

  After a groan, Danny Hoi spoke up, “Mr. Biggles, shutting down your town isn’t going to do it. Besides, there is no extinction level event coming.”

  “There is.” He nodded once. “A meteor is headed right toward us. I have to admit at first when Frank …”

  “Stop,” Elliott halted him. “Frank was mistaken.”

  “He may or may have not been, but our astronomer is not. He’s says one’s coming in about three weeks.”

  Elliott folded his arms. “You … you have an astronomer. May we speak to him?”

  “Sure, let’s go. I’ll take you to his lab.” Mr. Biggles didn’t hesitate to lead the pack.

  The name read ‘Sears and Roebuck’ on the black eight inch telescope. It perched on the rooftop of an old tool and die building deemed Leonard Williams Sky Lab.

  Mr. Biggles excused himself to the trio as they waited on the roof and he walked to a makeshift shed that was obviously newly erected.

  Jason ran his hand over the microscope. “Well, I can see he has the best of equipment.”

  “I’m no astronomer,” Elliott said, “but that doesn't look like a very powerful microscope.”

  Danny added, “It doesn’t look like it can see across the street let alone a meteor flying toward us.”

  “I think I had this exact same one when I was ten,” Richie said.

  The four of them chuckled.

  Jason smirked. “I doubt very much he could predict a doomsday meteor with this telescope.”

  Leo responded, “You’re absolutely right.” A young man about thirty approached. “Actually, I use this one to see if there are any Society soldiers coming. Which of you is Dr. Godrichson?”

  Jason lifted his hand.

  “Come into my lab.” Leo gave a wave of his hand. “The rest, I’d invite you but it’s too small.”

  Elliott gave a nod to Jason. “Go on. We’ll wait here.

  And they did.

  About fifteen minutes had passed when Jason emerged from the building. Elliott, anxious and just wanting to get home, approached Jason. “Well?”

  “Well, he has a very powerful scope in there. He’s charting like they did in the nineteenth century only he uses raw photography because there’s no computers,” Jason explained.

  “Okay,” Elliott ensured. “And?”

  “I looked at what he had, his photos and such,” Jason said.

  Danny grew frustrated. “And?”

  “Well,” Jason spoke incredible calm and matter of fact, “there’s a meteor coming.”

  Elliot laughed then suddenly his grin turned serious. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

  Jason shook his head. “There’s a meteor coming.”

  ***

  “Hoi Stickers,” Jenny explained to Andrea. Both wore pink aprons as they stood by the table in Andrea’s kitchen with ingredients before them. “They’re little pockets of dough wrapped around vegetables and meat then you pan fry them.”

  “Hoi Stickers,” Andrea repeated the title. “What a wonderful name for them.”

  “Oh, yes. Danny gave me the recipe. How about we roll them together and one of us fry them while the other starts the second hors d’oeuvres.”

  “That’s sounds good. We have so much to prepare.”

  “You don’t think we’re going overboard, do you?” Jenny asked.

  “Sweet Jesus, no. It’s a celebration. We were fortunate to get the afternoon off from work.”

  “We were also fortunate that Hector provided us with the extras.”

  “We’ll pray for him,” Andrea said.

  “We both know prayers can be answered.”

  Andrea laid her hand on her own chest. “Even when we don’t pray specifically.”

  “I bet you’re excited.”

  “I just wish I could go out there with them,” Andrea said, “but I’ll have to wait. My son, my son, Jimmy has come home.” She sighed out. “I get misty-eyed even thinking about it. Jimmy.” Again she sighed. “Do you think he’ll like me?”

  “Oh, he’s gonna love you.”

  Andrea’s hands started working on the Hoi Stickers. “I was thinking of just acting as if he were on vacation.”

  “I think that’s a good …” Jenny’s head turned to the knock on the door. “Are we expecting someone?”

  Andrea shook her head and wiped off he hands. “Gemma has the children so we can prepare.” She walked from the kitchen and to the front door. “Dean?”

  “Hey, Andrea. May I come in?” he asked.

 
“Sure.” She bitterly opened the door wider. “What are you doing here in the middle of a work day?”

  “I could ask you the same.” Dean stepped inside.

  “No, you couldn’t. You know why I’m here.”

  “I do?” Dean scratched his head. “Did you tell me?”

  Andrea huffed.

  Recognizing the sounds that come from Andrea as the typical female response that something was ignored by the male, Dean decided to proceed with why he was there. “Here.” He handed her a folder. “That needs your review. It’s the cold and flu patient count.”

  “Hey, Dean!” Jenny said perkily as she emerged from the kitchen. “Everything’s all right with the kids, right?”

  “Um, yes,” Dean looked upon Jenny with shock. “Did you take the day off too?”

  “Afternoon,” Jenny said. “You know this. There’s too much to do.”

  “I do?”

  “Sweet Jesus, Dean.” Andrea handed him back the folder. “You know what’s going on.”

  “I know, but I hate approving discharges on your patients without your consent.”

  “Not that. The patent can be discharged. I’m talking about the homecoming tomorrow.”

  “Oh,” Dean nodded once. “The homecoming. Yes. I’m sorry, I forgot.”

  “You would think you of all people wouldn’t forget. Don’t you have to speak to Joe when he gets back?”

  “I’d like to immediately,” Dean said, “but I can’t tell you what I’m saying. Joe hears it first.”

  “I’m not asking you to tell me. I’m just saying you should know he arrives tomorrow.”

  “What are you preparing?” Dean asked.

  Andrea huffed. “The homecoming.”

  Jenny added, “Party?”

  “You’re having a party for him?” Dean asked. “A homecoming party.” He chuckled. “Have you missed him that much?”

  Andrea spoke airy, “With my heart and soul. You would too if he were your family.”

  Jenny interjected, “Not true. He’s not blood to me, but I missed him.”

  Andrea nodded. “True.”

  “I’ll argue,” Dean said. “He’s my family, an in-law, an ex maybe, but still an in-law. However …” He snickered. “I didn’t miss him enough to want to throw a party.”