“The police come every time I call. I was their captain!” Mr. Oliver shouted. “You want me to call Anita out here?”
“I beat her to a pulp every year from first grade to twelfth. Call the wench out, and I’ll do it again if she wants more!”
Impressed, Lance nodded. “I think Ms. Penny has a side we need to find out about.”
“You touch her, and I’ll have you locked up!”
“You’re just mad I knocked you out at the senior prom, Lawrence! These are two good boys that you are tormenting. If you get the kids out of here, who will take over the area when you die?”
“You caught me with a lucky punch,” Mr. Oliver huffed, dropping his hands to his side.
“Want to bet?” Ms. Penny said, dropping her hand and balling her fist.
Shocked, Mr. Oliver stepped back. “You’re threatening me.”
“Damn straight,” Ms. Penny growled. “If I come over this fence, you aren’t leaving the hospital for a month.”
“We’ll see about that,” Mr. Oliver stuttered, backing away, then turned feebly and trotted to his house.
When he was inside, Ms. Penny turned around and ran her hands over her silver hair, smoothing it down. Taking a deep breath, she walked over to the boys, who were staring at her in awe with open mouths. “Boys, let’s keep that between us,” she said, stopping and patting both on the cheek.
They both nodded as she stepped around them. “Lawrence was always a bully; that’s why he became a cop—so he could do it legally—but he didn’t always have his badge on, and many around here caught up with him,” she said, walking away.
When Ms. Penny walked inside, the boys looked at each other. “That was so cool,” Lance said, shaking his head and grinning.
“I loved her before, but now, I’m in love with her,” Ian said, grabbing the basketball. “Think he’ll call the cops?”
“He does every weekend, so why should this one be different?” Lance said. “They quit coming out a year ago, but he always calls.”
“Man, I wish we could get the goats,” Ian said, taking a shot at the basket.
“The only day the goats wouldn’t be missed is Sunday after the farmhands leave Saturday afternoon. That’s why we have to move them Saturday night,” Lance pointed out, moving over to get the ball then took a shot.
“I know; I wish the farmhands would just take a three-day weekend.”
As Ian caught the ball when it dropped through the net, Lance moved under the basket and said, “You would think after all the times we’ve rolled his house and other things, he would get the point and leave us alone.”
“I liked it when we rigged his lawn mower to take off full speed when he climbed on and started it,” Ian laughed as he shot the basketball, hitting nothing but net.
Catching the ball, Lance laughed, “That old fart was cussing everyone and their mother as he shot down the street. I bet he was doing twenty miles an hour till he hit that mailbox.”
As Lance shot the ball, Ian followed it with his eyes and caught it when it sailed through the net. “I really thought our parents were going to start torturing us to get us to admit we did it,” Ian said, dribbling the ball back as Lance moved under the net.
“Yeah, Mom kept at me for three hours straight till she finally gave up,” Lance said as Ian shot the ball. “It still wasn’t as bad as the time we put the beehive in the school cafeteria.”
Watching his shot sail through the hoop, Ian huffed, “You’re damn right on that. I thought I was going to get beat with a tire iron.”
“Mom said it was too much of a coincidence that we were getting our garden merit badge working at the honeybee farm and suddenly a wild colony shows up in the school cafeteria,” Lance said, catching the basketball.
Ian laughed as he walked over to the basketball goal. “Man, you remember those cafeteria workers running out screaming.” Lance dribbled out and spun around, took a shot, and hit the backboard, and the ball dropped through the net.
“It was morning, and the bees weren’t even active yet.” Lance shrugged, walking over to the goal as Ian dribbled out. “We should’ve waited longer before we did that though. We were really the only suspects that could pull that off.”
Spinning around and hooking a shot, Ian watched his ball sail through the net. “This from the person who hacked the school computer and had nine hundred numbers call all the teachers wanting dirty talk.”
“Hey, I got all my computer merit badges a year before that,” Lance said, catching the ball, and he dribbled out then stopped and looked around. With the exception of a few adults working on lawns, the neighborhood was empty. “Where is everybody?”
Ian looked around and had to admit it was weird that kids weren’t running around and riding bikes along the road. Mr. Oliver convinced the HOA to ban bikes from riding on the sidewalk or on grass even if it was your own. “Yeah, maybe everyone is in town since it is a three-day weekend for us,” Ian offered, but even he didn’t believe it.
Shaking his head, Lance took a shot and said, “Let’s go play Call of Duty.”
Ian caught the ball as it sailed through the net. “Okay, but let’s play with our headsets off. If Ms. Penny hears us cussing, I’m scared now of what she’ll do,” he said, dribbling the ball as he walked over to Lance.
“That’s a good idea,” Lance said. “It just makes me mad when some newb comes in acting like a turd.”
“Not going to argue that,” Ian laughed as they ran inside.
Seeing the sweat-soaked boys running to the back of the house toward the den, Ms. Penny shouted, “Boys!” They both skidded to a stop and turned around. “Go shower before you two pile up on the sofa.”
“Yes ma’am,” they said and took off upstairs. They saw Jason talking on his phone in his room as they ran down the hall. After they showered and dressed, they both ran back to the den and found a plate of cut up fruits and vegetables and glasses of tea sitting on the coffee table.
“That woman is a saint,” Lance said, sitting down.
Turning on the X-box, Ian turned around to see Lance stuffing his face. “She is, and you better save me some,” he said, stepping over the coffee table.
They played till their parents called and talked to them. Their parents told them the airline called and postponed their flight for twenty-four hours because of riots on Oahu and in Los Angeles. The boys said they were okay, and Jason confirmed it. When they hung up, Ian and Lance continued playing until Ms. Penny came in carrying her purse.
“Boys, can you stop for a second?” she asked, digging in her purse. It never crossed either of their minds to tell her they couldn’t pause online gaming, so they just left the game.
“Yes ma’am,” Lance said, grabbing a handful of baby carrots and shoving them in his mouth.
“My daughter just got called into work at the hospital, and I have to leave to watch her kids. Jason is upstairs, and Allie will be home from next door in one hour. If you need me, call, and I’ll come. Understand?”
“Why did she get called in now?” Ian said, looking at his watch. “She works nights, and it’s only three.”
“They are bringing some of the people injured from riots in Nashville out, and they are short-staffed,” Ms. Penny said, pulling out her keys.
“Is it that bad in Nashville?” Ian asked, getting worried.
“No,” Ms. Penny said, shaking her head. “My sister lives there, and it’s only the bad parts of town. She said all the stores are still open, and people are going about their lives.”
Feeling relieved, Ian got up to hug her and said, “You be careful, Ms. Penny.”
“I will, and you two listen to Jason. I’ll see you in the morning,” she said, kissing Ian’s cheek as Lance came over and hugged her. After kissing his cheek, she walked to the front door, and they followed. “Supper is on the stove. Just clean your plates off, and put them in the dishwasher, and I’ll get the rest tomorrow.”
“Yes ma’am,” Lance said, opening th
e door for her. “If you need us, call, okay?”
“Oh, boys, I’ll be fine. I’ve watched those kids longer than I have you while Ellen worked.” She smiled. “If Lawrence gives you anymore problems, just tell me,” she whispered and winked.
“We will, Ms. Penny,” Ian laughed as she walked off the porch down the steps.
They watched her climb in the van and drive off. “Think we should be worried?” Lance asked.
“I know the combination to the gun safe, so no,” Ian answered as he closed the door.
They walked back to the den. “I know the combination to our gun safe, but something’s not right,” Lance said, climbing over the back of the couch and grabbing his remote.
“There have been riots across the country several times, Lance. At least two or three times a year. What is so different now?” Ian asked, dropping down on the couch.
Not wanting to admit it because it sounded really babyish and totally uncool, Lance said in a soft voice, “Our parents aren’t here.”
Ian shrugged. “They will be here Tuesday instead of Monday, so we don’t have to worry. Whatever happens, we can make it till then. Besides, Ms. Penny will be here tomorrow, and we have Jason, and grown men are scared at the sight of him.”
Feeling better, Lance nodded. “Hey, squirts,” Jason said, walking in the den.
“Hey, Jason,” Lance said and noticed his controller lights were blinking. Getting off the couch, he grabbed some batteries then dropped back down.
“Now, I need you two to watch the ladybug while I go out,” he said, and they both wheeled around.
“What!” they shouted.
“Hey, don’t spaz. I have a date,” Jason said, grinning.
“Who is so important you have to go on a date and leave us alone?” Ian asked as Lance set his controller on the coffee table.
“Melody Hastings,” Jason said with a big grin.
Lance jumped up. “You’re going out for a piece of ass!”
“Hey, just because you can’t score, don’t yell at me,” Jason said, losing the grin.
“Jason,” Ian shouted, jumping up. “Melody has been ridden more times than the roller coasters at Six Flags! We’re in junior high and know that!”
“Hey, you two need to chill, or do I need to tell the moms and dads about the websites you two go on?” Jason said, crossing his massive arms over his chest.
“You gave us the address and the passwords, dork!” Ian yelled.
“So? They won’t believe it. Besides, I’m eighteen, and I can go on them,” Jason said, looking from one to the other.
Ian looked at Lance and nodded. “We want fifty bucks apiece,” Ian said, turning back to Jason.
“Before you leave,” Lance added with a nod.
“You little shits!” Jason shouted, storming off.
Lance glanced over at Ian. “Think he’ll do it?”
“Hell yeah. I would,” Ian grinned. “Melody may be a slut, but damn is she hot.”
Grinning, Lance picked up his controller and put the new batteries in. “I thought you didn’t like Melody?”
“Who cares about liking? We are talking about getting laid and seeing a naked girl for real,” Ian said and heard Jason stomping back to the den.
Jason stopped at the back of the couch and held out both hands. “Here,” he growled. They both looked at the fifty-dollar bills in almost holy reverence. “Well, take them, you little blackmailers.”
Slowly, they reached out and took the bills. “You have a deal,” Lance said, holding up his money.
“I damn well better,” Jason snapped then grinned. “That was pretty good, you two,” he laughed and turned around leaving the room. “If you two keep your traps shut, I’ll throw in another fifty.”
“Whoa,” Ian said, holding his money like it was fragile. “I didn’t think he would go for that.”
“We’ll tell Allie, Jason is in bed when she comes home and make her stay down here with us while we play games so she can’t check,” Lance said, pulling out his wallet and carefully put the bill in the empty slot. “That way, we can get another fifty.”
“Deal,” Ian said, putting his in his empty wallet. “Maybe we can get Ms. Penny to take us to town tomorrow to the sporting goods store.”
“Let’s wait a few days in case she wants to know where we got money from.”
“Okay,” Ian said as Jason came back in, pulling a t-shirt on then putting on a polo shirt.
“Keep the ladybug occupied because she could ruin it. I have my cellphone if you need me. If Mom and Dad call, tell them I was tired after lifting weights and went to bed,” Jason said, walking over to rub both boys’ heads, ruffling their hair. “Thanks, guys. I called over to Carrie’s and told ladybug to come home. After she’s inside, I’m gone.”
They both nodded as Jason walked out. “Let’s get the food on the table so we can keep Allie in the kitchen while he pulls out, and she can’t hear his car,” Ian said.
“We can turn on the CD player in the kitchen,” Lance said, running toward the kitchen.
They put the food on the table and had the table set when they heard the front door open. “Allie, come eat!” Lance said, pouring glasses of tea.
Allie skipped in wearing her smile. “Where’s Jason?”
“He’s tired after his workout and went to bed, so we are in charge,” Ian said, leading her to her chair. “After we eat, you can sit and watch us play.”
“Really?” Allie bounced on her toes, clasping her hands. They usually ran her off because she asked questions about the games as they played.
“You bet, ladybug,” Lance said, sitting down. “We’ll even let you play some.”
“Oh boy, this is great,” she cried out, jumping in her chair as Ian went over and turned on the CD player, filling the kitchen with Beethoven’s Fifth. No one heard Jason leave as they sat down to eat.
Chapter 4
It was ten o’clock as the two sat playing with Allie between them. “Why don’t you just call in your airplane, Lance?” she asked. Lance’s character danced across the screen, dodging bullets.
“Because I haven’t earned it,” he said as someone shot him with a rocket. “Damn newb got me with the rocket launcher.”
“Moth—” Ian started to shout then looked over at Allie’s innocent face staring at the screen. “Yeah, he just got me too.”
“Let’s double-team him,” Lance said as they respawned.
“Ian, why are people popping fireworks?” Allie asked.
“What?” Ian asked, dodging a rocket.
“Firecrackers outside,” Allie asked.
Lance looked up as he killed the rocket newb. “I don’t hear anything,” he said, looking back at the screen.
“It’s far off, but I hear someone popping firecrackers,” Allie said, watching the screen, mesmerized by the action. “Ian, there’s a guy behind that truck!” she shouted, pointing.
“Hello, newb,” Ian shouted, launching a grenade.
“Oh man, you blew his leg off!” Allie cheered. When the game ended, they left the chat room and headed to the kitchen. “Can I have some ice cream?”
Lance opened the freezer. “Why of course, madam.”
Ian walked over to the cabinets. “Would you like it served on a platter, madam?” he asked, pulling out a bowl then bowing to Allie.
“Oh yes please,” she clapped.
They fixed her a bowl of ice cream then grabbed some snacks for themselves and carried them back to the den when Lance froze and looked at Ian, who was also frozen in place. “Did you hear that?” Lance asked, and Ian nodded.
“Yeah, that’s the firecrackers I was telling you about,” Allie said, sitting on the couch. “Can I have my ice cream now please?”
“Of course, madam,” Lance said, putting the serving tray on her lap. “Allie, don’t spill it; we’ll be right back with the strawberry syrup.”
They both walked out of the den to the front of the house. “Lance, that was a gunshot,”
Ian said, turning off the living room lights.
“I know. It sounded like it was near town,” Lance said as another gunshot went off. “That one was further.”
Ian moved about the front of the house, turning off the lights. “Well, let’s not let anyone know we are here.”
“What if that makes the rioters come here with the house looking empty?” Lance asked as Ian paused before turning off the porch lights.
“Then they get shot, and it sucks to be them,” Ian said, turning off the light.
“Sounds good to me,” Lance said, running upstairs to turn off lights. They met back in the kitchen as Lance grabbed the syrup. “You open up the safe yet?”
“That’s where we are going now,” Ian said, heading to his dad’s office on the other side of the house. Punching in the numbers, Ian opened the massive safe and pulled out an AR-15. “I’m taking this.”
Lance grabbed a Remington 870 tactical shotgun. “Seven shots of buckshot and five more to throw in will stop a tank.” Lance grinned at the five shells on the side of the shotgun in a tactical holder. “Where’s the pistols?”
“Mom had Dad lock them up in the safe in their room, and I don’t know that one.”
“Your mom needs a talking to,” Lance huffed, walking out of the office. They walked in the den and put the weapons over in the corner. They had little fear Allie would play with them since she hunted and understood guns. She even had her own twenty-two. They just didn’t want her to blab about them opening the safe because they were scared.
They sat with Allie as she ate her ice cream, and her eyes started getting heavy. When she neared the bottom of the bowl, her head slumped over on Lance’s shoulder. “Ice cream is little Allie’s kryptonite,” Ian said, taking the platter off her lap. “I’ve never seen her eat a whole bowl.”
Off in the distance, they heard a siren and several gunshots. “Why would anyone in Lebanon riot?” Lance asked, grabbing his unplugged headset and putting it over Allie’s ears so they acted as earmuffs.
“Think I should call Jason?”
“No, not yet anyway. We don’t want to lose another fifty bucks,” Lance said as he got up and walked to the front of the house. Ian followed as Lance stopped a few steps from the windows, looking outside. “There’s just some drunk guy walking down the street.”
Forsaken World (Book 1): Innocence Lost Page 4