“Our men?” the Captain asked. “Meaning our Hawaii crew?”
“Yes.” Elliott nodded. “Those people we picked up. Including the . . .” Elliott swallowed harshly. “Women. They want answers. Need organization. Want structure. We have that yes. But, it is not official. We have a lot of people now. Hating to say it but delegation of power and rules are now necessary.”
Joshua Owens, a younger man who sat near the Captain, lifted his hand to speak. “I agree.. Some of us have talked about this. We know you have a plan, Captain. You’re never without one. Maybe while you are perfecting that plan you can incorporate into it, the structure of authority.”
The Captain leaned back into his chair. “My focus was primarily on getting to the Society, but I guess I could do that. Elliott, knowing you as I do, I’m guessing this little non drinking get together is basically a meeting of the minds to establish a temporary means?”
“Yes.” Elliott nodded. “Work assignments and such. Just until we know exactly what we’re gonna do.”
“Good.” The Captain grinned widely and stood up. “I’m glad you’re thinking that way. Have a seat Elliott.” He moved from the way to let Elliott sit and spoke upbeat. “Because it just so happens that I’ve been thinking about it too. I . . .” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. “Made a list of ideas. May I . . . share?”
Elliott sat down at the same time, laughing ‘it figures’ mumbles erupted from around the table.
The Captain laughed also as he stood before the men. “But in all seriousness gentlemen,” He paused with a breath and a change in his upbeat demeanor. “I believe, all of us, discovered a cause we did not know we were going to face. And . . no longer are we a group of service men who just want to survive.” The Captain raised his eyebrow as he lifted his list. “We are now a full blown community with a purpose.”
^^^^
Beginnings, Montana
How long had Frank stood outside that mobile lab in the dark, not seen, staring at the lab and at the window, watching Dean? His insides turned, gnawed some. And he tried with everything he had to control his anger.
With a twitching jaw and his father’s words of advice to ‘let it go’, Frank adjusted his headset radio and moved to right before the huge picture window.
Dean wanted to shut down for the night, at least for a little while. Having just wrapped up two more dead rabbits, Dean needed a break. The ‘bang’ against the glass sounded too close. Turning his head, he could see Frank outside. The look on Frank’s face said more than anything. The slow curl of Frank’s finger in a ‘come here’ signal to Dean, confirmed he wasn’t there to see Ellen.
After taking the time to wash up, Dean walked from the special lab and straight to the window. He picked up the radio that sat on the small table. “El’s in the shower.”
“I’m here to see you.” Frank’s words were deep and hard.
“What is it?”
“It’s the perfect little fuckin scenario for you in there isn’t it? Alone with my wife. Or so you think. It ends, Dean. It ends the second she steps out,” Frank paused to swallow. “Whatever happened between the two of you last night, better not happen again. Impending doom or not, you’re a dead man.” After one more hard glare, Frank turned and walked away.
Dean could have been shaken. But he wasn’t. Instead he became engulfed. Engulfed with an outrage he hadn’t felt in a long time. Setting down the radio, Dean turned and with a fast stride, went to the trailer.
Down the hall he moved with determination, not even seeing Ellen come from the bedroom. He stepped into the living room and to the table where Henry sat and worked on the microchip. “Stand up.” Dean told Henry in a near calm fashion.
Henry ignored him.
“I said . . . stand up.” Dean increased the strength of his words.
“Dean, I am really busy right . . .”
“Stand up!” Dean’s whole body shouted.
As if it was the most annoying thing he had to do in a while, Henry set down the microchip and sluggishly stood. Henry’s six foot lanky frame stood with attitude. The moment his head slowly swung Dean’s way in an ‘you bother me fashion’ was the moment Dean nailed him.
The crack of the hit rang out and Henry spun fast, knocking into the chair and falling face first to the floor by the kitchen doorway.
Dean shook his hand then pointed it in an angry motion. “The next time you want to open your mouth, think about the people involved!”
Sneering, Henry wiped the blood from his nose as he quickly picked himself up. After wiping the blood again, he turned, tossed the chair from his way and dove toward Dean.
Ellen’s loud shriek out ‘No!’ followed by the leap of her body in an interception, sent Dean back and away from Henry. “Stop this!” She shouted out, her face close to Dean. “Stop.” She tried to calm her breathing. “What is going on?” She asked Dean.
“Him.” Dean pointed.
Henry again wiped his dribbling blood as he glared at Dean. “I thought you could face your own consequences.”
“I can!” Dean shouted. “But it wasn’t just my consequences! Asshole!”
Henry charged. Dean charged. Ellen rushed into Dean. “Knock it off.” She laid her hands on Dean’s face, pulling him to look at her. She could feel the heat from his face, his heart and breathing so strong. “What happened?”
“He told Frank. He . . . told Frank.”
With a release of Dean, Ellen in shock, slowly turned and looked at Henry. “You told Frank?” She asked emotionally. “Why?”
“I didn’t tell him you slept together.” Henry defended. “I told him you guys were getting close.”
Dean spoke before Ellen did, “You shouldn’t have told him anything. It’s none of your business! None!”
“Bullshit.” Henry stormed forward. “It’s my business when you’re using quarantine to get that last round in!”
“I’m using quarantine yes! But as my last chance to get Ellen back!”
“You can’t have her back, Dean,” Henry stated strongly. “She is Frank’s wife. Don’t forget that!”
“And who the hell cared when she was my wife! When she was with me! Who stepped in on my defense when he was stealing her behind my back!” Dean argued. “Not you! No one. And I’m supposed to just back off of what I feel because it’s wrong to do that to Frank. Well Frank never cared!”
“And that makes it right?” Henry asked. “Does it? Because Frank dogged you, it’s all right to dog Frank? This isn’t about pay back, Dean. It’s about Ellen.”
“That’s right,” Dean snapped. “And if you remembered, if you weren’t such a little bitch, you wouldn’t have gone to him about last night, no matter what you told him.”
“Frank’s my best friend! I had to tell him something.”
Dean laughed. “Best friend? Oh, some best friend you are. Thank God!” Dean tossed his hand up. “You aren’t even my pal, Henry. Because I wouldn’t want you to do me the favors you’re doing Frank.”
Henry scoffed, “What the hell are you talking about, Dean?”
“It’s really swell of you Henry to tell your best friend his wife may be cheating. Way to hurt him. Or better yet. Try to convince his wife not to move back in with him. You are either the lamest friend or you want Ellen for your . . .” Dean’s eyes widened. He shifted them to Ellen then to Henry. “. . . self. That’s it.”
Henry took a long breath and in an ignoring mode, moved back to the table and began to gather his things.
“That is it. Isn’t it?” Dean stepped closer to the table.
Ellen tried to stop him. “Dean. Just let it go.”
Dean pulled away from her reach. “She lives with you Henry. Talks to you. She’s always there for you.”
Henry glared up. “You know nothing.”
“I’m right,” Dean nodded. “Does your best friend know this?” Nearly in a taunt, Dean spoke. “No. He’s too dumb to see it. Make him mad. Break them up
. Stop Ellen from moving away.” Dean stepped aside when Henry picked up his belongings and started to leave the room. “Because you know . . .”
“Dean.” Ellen’s voice, soft and firm, silenced him as she stepped directly before him. “Let him go. Drop it. Please?”
Dean watched Henry leave then he looked at Ellen. “Did you know this? Did you know how he felt?”
“Yes.” Ellen halted Dean from saying anymore. “Despite what Henry says, it’s not me. It’s . . . it’s just what I am. He’s just caught up. Just let it go. He doesn’t mean any harm.”
“Why are you defending him? Do you know what he did tonight?”
“Yes. And I’m defending him because he doesn’t want to lose, even if it’s just a fantasy, what he has.”
“What’s he have El?” Dean asked.
“Something so basic and simple, that you and Frank take it for granted. A rarity. A woman, even innocently, that pays attention to him. When you think about how many men in this community who don’t have that, think about Henry. He’s one of them.” Ellen stepped back. “Excuse me. I’m just gonna talk to him.”
Dean took a long breath as Ellen left. He looked at the room in disarray. He knew if they weren’t so lucky, their lives--because of Henry’s innocent protective manipulation of Ellen--could have ended up looking just as messed up as that room.
^^^^
What was it? The third or the fourth shots worth of whiskey Robbie watched Frank down, he didn’t know why, but he knew Frank had enough. Seeing his big brother pour another, Robbie reached for the bottle. “Easy.” He pulled it from Frank’s hand and set it on the coffee table. “You have kids here and you have to work in the morning.”
Frank gave a single sharp look at Robbie. “I think I’m a big enough guy to handle my whiskey.”
“Yeah. You are Frank. And you’re also a big enough guy to handle your problems without it.”
“You’re right.” Frank brought his hands to his face, took in a heavy breath and leaned back on the sofa. “Did El say how Henry was?”
“She said he’s fine.” Robbie capped the whiskey. “Dean just clocked him. And in my opinion, Henry deserved it.”
“How can you say that?”
“How can you not?” Robbie came back. “He’s starting trouble for you and for them. Look at the situation. They are stuck together. You’re out here. What can you do about what he told you? Nothing but get drunk, angry, and frustrated.”
“She’s my wife.” Frank reached for the bottle.
Robbie pulled it away. “And she’ll be back to being your full time wife the second she steps from quarantine. You have that. Let this go.”
“What am I letting go?” Frank tossed his hand up. “Huh? Did something happen last night?”
“I don’t know.”
“What do you think?”
“What do I think?” Robbie scratched his head. “All that went down with the future trip, Sarge’s death, I think . . . I think it’s a strong possibility that they turned to each other.” Robbie saw his brother’s anger begin to rise. “But Frank. Stop and think about it. Even if it did, even if something occurred, in the scheme of things, with all that’s happening with this pending virus, isn’t this . . .” Robbie let out a fake snicker. “…isn’t this Dean and Ellen thing really trivial?”
A curl of his lip in disgust along with a sneer was what Frank gave Robbie. “No.”
“Just thought I’d ask.” Robbie plopped back on the couch in defeat. He knew his calming and reasoning with Frank was over with, especially when Frank stood back up and grabbed the bottle of whiskey again.
^^^^
Bowman, North Dakota
The sign ‘buy one get one free tampons’ faded and torn, screamed at Elliott as it hung in the corner drugstore window. Elliott thought it was a destiny conspiracy, a painful reminder of the days at home with his sisters when they all would be on the ‘cycle’ at the same time. He glared at sign as he reached for the door next to the drugstore entrance.
There was a stairwell that immediately greeted him. It was dark and Elliott had to use his flashlight his entire journey up the wooden steps. He could feel the dust with each step he took. He could smell the dirt of the building which still needed to be cleaned. Remnants of a chaotic town still lingered.
Pushing aside the sprawled papers with his foot, Elliott reached the top of the stairs. He entered into a small hall. A door was to his left and right. Thinking how ridiculous it was, Elliott turned to his right and knocked.
The smell of cleaning solution, along with a bright smile from the Captain greeted Elliott when the door opened.
“Captain,” Elliott had complaint to his voice. “Do you realize how absurd this is?”
“You’re so rude, Elliott. Come into my home.” The Captain opened the door wider.
“Apartment.” Elliott stepped inside. “There are multitudes of houses to choose from. Why the apartment?”
“I love it. I love living in apartments. Always have.”
Elliott looked around the place. He was in a large living room that could have been two rooms. The small kitchen could be seen along with the bedroom. “This is small.”
“It’s perfect. I’m one man.” The Captain stepped back. “Want to have a seat on my . . .” The Captain pointed. “…couch?”
“This is insane.” Elliott said. “Everyone else is blocks away. All settled in little homes while you perch yourself above a drugstore like some . . .” Elliott grinned. “Oh, I get it.”
“Get what.”
“It’s symbolic. You’re above us all, so you place yourself physically above us as well.”
“That has got to be the most retarded statement ever to come from your mouth.”
Elliott turned his head away mouthing the word ‘retarded.’
“Elliott?”
“Retarded?” Elliott shook his head. “Anyhow. Do you have them?”
“Such haste.” The Captain walked to his two seater dining room table. “And yes, I do.” He handed him a few sheets of paper. “I did a little job lottery. Just until I figure out who can do what and where to assign.”
“This will work. I’ll pass it out tomorrow.” Elliott looked at the papers. “Night.”
“Elliott?” The Captain followed him. “No, hanging out and talking.”
“No. Not tonight. You’re scaring me. You have that gleam in your eyes and that mind is churning. I hate when you get like this because I remember that look well. A mere private I was. I was so excited you were the new Ex-O. You call me in the office, you tell me, ‘Elliott, missile specialist isn’t for you. I believe your calling lies in maintenance engineering’ I didn’t know what the hell that was. I was thrilled until I found out I was going to be a janitor.”
“I pledged to fill positions.”
“I believed you.”
“You still do.” The Captain grinned.
“Unfortunately. And I also believe you are taking far too long with this . . . master plan.” Elliott ignored the Captain’s chuckle. “Too long for it to be simple.” Elliott raised an eyebrow. “It’s big and you want to have every minuscule detailed ironed out before you tell us. Right?”
“Well . . .”
“Oh, my God.” Elliott shook his head and moved to the door.
“Elliott quit being so melodramatic,” The Captain pulled him back. “Yes. It’s big. And I have to say good. But you shouldn’t fear I’ve gone overboard . . . O.K., maybe just a little.” The Captain leaped to get Elliott when he tried to leave again. “But it’s good. Trust me. A few more days, Elliott . . .” The Captain closed the door all the way. “Look what I got.” He stepped back and ran to the kitchen. He came out with a bottle of whiskey. “Come on. Sit with me. Let’s have a drink. Enjoy my new home.”
“Apartment.” Elliott snatched up the bottle.
“I’ll get glasses.” The Captain walked from the room.
“All right.” Elliott dropped down to the couch. The second he did
, he sprang back up when the hardness surprised his backside. Lifting the thick old book he had sat on, Elliott looked at it and reviewed the title. ‘The Horse Soldiers; Skills of the Calvary.’ Shaking his head and thinking, ‘The Captain even reads weird’, Elliott tossed the book, and stole a swig of the whiskey before the Caption returned with the glasses.
^^^^
Beginnings, Montana
The tremble wasn’t just confined to Ellen’s index finger. It traveled like a bad infection, through her hand, up her wrist and straight to her heart, bringing with it a pain that could kill her. In the main lab, only a corner light on, Ellen’s finger hovered over the ‘down’ arrow of the computer keyboard. Her face, somber and drawn peered at the screen. Her eyes barely left the words as her finger scrolled down. And every once and a while, Ellen stopped, closed her eyes, and swallowed before reading some more.
The creak of the trailer door startled Ellen a little, and told her someone, Dean or Henry was coming. Hearing the door to the lab open, Ellen quickly reached up, time limited, and shut off the monitor only.
“Hey.” Dean spoke softly as he walked into the lab. He wore only his jeans, no shirt and his hair looking as if he crawled from bed. “What . . . what are you doing?”
Nervously, Ellen turned on the stool. “Nothing. Just, you know, working.”
“On?” Dean walked closer.
“Old stuff.” Ellen shrugged. Her hand stayed on the counter, flat to avoid allowing Dean to see her shake. “But I’m done. All booted down.”
“Are you mad at me?” Dean asked, stepping to her. “You got out of bed in the middle of the night and didn’t say anything.”
“I was in one of those, antsy moods.” Ellen took a deep breath. “Can’t sleep.”
“Oh.” Dean smiled. “Good.” Hands on her legs, Dean stepped to her. His fingers slid up her thighs pushing forward her long shirt as he leaned down to her, placing his lips on her neck. “Come back to bed.” He whispered, widening his mouth with each sweep to her skin.
State of Time: Beginnings Series Book 6 Page 20