“Hey she told me to do it!” Stephanie whined to Bruce.
Bruce’s mouth dropped open as his blush turned redder. “Only sometimes Stephanie, not every time, that really throws me off,” Angela said.
“Well if you wouldn’t pull my hair so hard trying to drive my head,” Stephanie answered.
Bruce’s shaved head and neck turned red with his blush. “That’s an involuntary action that I’m not held accountable for,” Angela said crossing her arms across her chest looking at Stephanie in the eye.
Bruce couldn’t form words in his mouth so he just babbled. Angela looked at Bruce’s bright red head and neck. She had never seen him blush this much as she grinned. “Bruce, are you blushing?” she asked.
“Awe that’s so cute baby, but the hair pulling hurts and she doesn’t let go until she’s done. Will you say something to her?” Stephanie asked, smiling. Then she added, “Is that why you keep your head shaved?”
Fighting the urge to run and hide, because that would be uncool, Bruce just took another step back, his mind was blank for any response. Finally two brain cells fired and Bruce managed to get out, “Play nice.” Then he took off in a fast walk past them to the back of his RG to grab his backpack and the rest of his gear.
Watching Bruce trot off Angela and Stephanie moved back shoulder to shoulder smiling in his direction. “With all of our practicing that speech, that didn’t play out like I had hoped,” Angela admitted.
“Yeah, but Debbie said in her letter that if he didn’t blow us off he’s still ours,” Stephanie replied.
“I know Stephanie,” Angela smiled turning looking at Stephanie. “I guess we just have to try harder,” she said.
“Are you sure you want to push him more? What if it back fires?” Stephanie asked.
“Remember, Debbie said Bruce has to be all ours not just half. He can rid the world of evil but he can do it loving us,” Angela shot back.
“I know, but keeping at him so often might make him mad,” Stephanie whined.
Angela shook her head, “Stephanie, don’t take this the wrong way, but you want Bruce to fall in our lap. This is not a fairytale, you have to beat the shit out of the prince if you want his ass. Trick him, keep him off balance, move when he least expects it and then take him,” Angela told her as matter of fact.
“You make it sound like a war, Sun Tzu in fact,” Stephanie said not convinced.
“Well it is, kind of. You went along with this and you saw with your own eyes the effect it had on him. He didn’t blush that much the night all three of us went after him,” Angela told her. Then she said, “If we don’t do something, we lose him anyway.”
“That’s true,” Stephanie said more to herself than Angela. Then with an evil grin she turned to Angela, “What’s next?” she asked.
“Tonight we’ll ask Bruce to paint our toes,” Angela told her.
“Ewe that’s good,” Stephanie said then looked back at Angela. “We just painted our toes last night for him and fixed our hair that the damn dog licked back,” Stephanie stated.
“Well Danny and them are watching the kids right now. Let’s sneak inside and get the polish off then come out here and help them unload. Tonight we will tell Bruce our hands hurt and for him to paint our toes,” Angela told Stephanie her devious plan.
Stephanie looked around and saw the babies playing with the couples, “Let’s hurry then,” Stephanie said grabbing Angela’s arm running to the house. It was going to be a long hard week for Bruce.
When Bruce reached the back of the RG, he climbed inside and started moving gear to the back door. When Bruce put the last ruck at the door he heard a small yell outside the door. Leaning over the equipment, Bruce looked around for the source of the yell: PJ. Not seeing him, Bruce was going back inside when he heard the yell again and it was coming from below him.
Looking straight down, Bruce saw PJ trying to climb up the back steps of the RG to get to him, “What do you want?” Bruce asked. PJ held up both hands opening and closing them for Bruce to pick him up.
“Why should I pick you up? You left me to give your hugs and kisses away,” Bruce told PJ looking down at him. PJ slapped the steps with both hands and yelled at Bruce in gibberish. Bruce took it to mean, ‘it was my sister so get over it and don’t make me hurt you. Now pick me up or feel my wrath.’
“Did you get a job?” Bruce asked. PJ yelled back, “No!” it was very clear and easily understood.
“So I have to keep providing for you huh? What if I just left you outside with the goats?” Bruce told him. PJ didn’t understand what Daddy was saying but he knew Daddy hadn’t picked him up. His bottom lip poked out and started quivering as he dropped down on his butt.
“Don’t you dare start crying, I was only playing,” Bruce told PJ in a panic trying to get over the equipment in the doorway. “Why hasn’t anyone come to get this shit!” Bruce yelled out crawling over the backpacks and gear.
PJ was sitting on his butt in the grass crying as Bruce fought equipment to reach him. “Daddy’s coming PJ!” Bruce yelled pulling his body over the pile of gear. When Bruce reached the outside, PJ was in full cry mode with big tears running down his face.
Scooping PJ up in his arms Bruce hugged him tight, “Daddy was only playing little man. You know how much I love the little poop machine,” Bruce said as PJ slowly quit crying. When PJ stopped crying he gave Bruce a big kiss then leaned back in Bruce’s arms. Reaching up with his hand, PJ patted Bruce’s face like he was saying ‘sucker.’
Laughter erupted from his right and Bruce turned to see the kids all on the ground laughing at him. Not finding anything funny Bruce asked, “Why didn’t any of y’all help?”
“Are you kidding that was great,” Jake said wiping tears off his face. “Besides it took Danny close to ten minutes to make PJ go to the RG and yell for you,” Jake informed him.
“That’s so uncool son,” Bruce told him.
“He got you Daddy,” Buffy said.
“What? It crossed your mind I wouldn’t crawl through fire for any of you?” Bruce asked and the laughter stopped.
“We know you would daddy. We just like seeing a little baby rule you,” Danny told him as she walked over holding her hands out for PJ. PJ looked at her and turned away hugging Bruce, that made Bruce feel good.
“You used a baby as a pawn in a silly game. He’s probably scarred for life,” Bruce told her hugging PJ tight.
“PJ, it’s Danny. I let you crawl under the bed and play with Matt’s X-Box,” she said but PJ was having none of it.
“Yeah, notice she said my X-Box and not hers,” Matt said.
Danny turned around, “Mine is a special edition thank you and I let him play with my controller,” she told him.
“Grab the gear and take it to the patio. We will clean it there after lunch and ascertain what needs to be replaced. I’m walking with PJ to repair his psychological wounds his siblings inflected on him for their own misguided pleasure,” Bruce said.
Jake looked at Bruce, “Ah Dad you need to quit talking to Stephanie so much you’re starting to sound like her,” Jake told him. At the mention of Stephanie’s name Bruce started blushing.
“Daddy, why are you turning red? Are you blushing?” Mindy asked in amazement.
“I never blush, I’ll be back later,” Bruce said walking off.
When Bruce walked back with PJ in his arms they were playing get your nose. Walking onto the patio the kids were there along with Angela and Stephanie. Bruce fought the urge to blush down to a slight flushing of his cheeks. Glancing down Bruce noticed the twins sitting on his backpack looking down with sad faces.
Bruce handed PJ to Danny and knelt down in front of the twins. “What’s wrong baby girls?” Bruce asked.
“Nothing Daddy,” they replied together looking up with tears in their eyes and frowns on their faces.
“Yes it is. You think daddy forgot his promise to bring you a surprise. Let me tell you if I forget something like that the world h
ad better stop turning,” Bruce told them. Danny stood up pointing her finger at him. “Shut it Danny!” Bruce snapped not wanting to hear her side of the story. His side was the correct side.
“Stand up you two,” Bruce snapped at them. The twins jumped up. “Put your hands by your side poke out your chest and remember you are a bad ass. The gift you are getting today is a gift I gave all my kids at the age of five. I waited on giving it to both of you since I just started gun safety with you,” Bruce told the twins who were standing straight and smiling.
Angela leaned over to Stephanie, “I swear if he gives them a machine gun, I’ll spin off,” Angela whispered.
“I’ll join you on that,” Stephanie whispered back.
Bruce reached in his pack and pulled out two BB guns. “These are you weapons. Treat them well and remember they are guns, not toys,” Bruce told them as he handed the BB guns over. The twins let out cheers and ran over to Bruce grabbing the guns and hugging him.
After going over safety with the twins Bruce told everyone to go eat and he would follow shortly. Bruce headed to the shop but didn’t feel the urge to start anything and left heading to the center. He saw Mike looking back across the farm and walked over to him. Bruce turned to look at what Mike was looking at and noticed a line of prisoners who were in the cages being led away still zip tied.
“Those are my toys, you go get your own,” Bruce told Mike as he walked up beside him.
Mike did not even turn around, “You can keep them. Are you going to play with them here?” Mike asked and praying no.
“No, I’m going to use them for bait,” Bruce informed him. Mike nodded and watched the guards lead the line of men toward them.
Feeling someone behind him Bruce turned and saw Danny walking toward him from the center. She walked around and stood right in front of Bruce. “Dad, the twins will not put their guns in the gun racks. They are keeping them slung across their back at the table. You need to go and talk to them,” Danny told him.
Bruce looked at her, “Danny, you didn’t part with your BB gun for two months. If I remember correctly someone carried theirs to church with them and threw a total fit when we wouldn’t let you take it to school,” Bruce said.
“We aren’t talking about then, we are talking about now,” Danny snapped at Bruce. Just then one of the prisoners dropped down on the ground bowing at Mike.
“Sir, please don’t let them have me. Just kill me please!” the man begged Mike. Mike just stared down at the man bowing at him.
Danny spun around and kicked the man in the face knocking him on his back. “Did you hear me talking fuck wad!” Danny yelled as she walked over and stomped on the man’s groin making him sit up as she took a step back.
Looking up Danny noticed the rest of the prisoners had stopped and were watching her. “On your knees and bow to me! You are to never look right at me again or I’ll cut out one of your eyes!” Danny yelled at the line of men. Like dominos they all dropped down as Danny looked at the man she kicked.
“You interrupted me, that’s unforgivable,” Danny said as her she drew out her pistol in a flash shooting the man in his knee cap. The man let out a scream as the 9mm round blew through his knee. “What’s your problem shit stain? I never gave you permission to open your mouth!” Danny yelled as she shot him in the other knee.
With his hands still zip tied behind him the man couldn’t even grab his wounds but continued to yell. Danny walked over and stood on his left knee making the man’s scream get louder. “I’m waiting for quiet asshole!” Danny shouted. The man kept screaming as she stood on one of his shot knees. Aiming at the man’s shin’s Danny shot him four times in each leg then stood on both knees.
The man finally got the idea and quit yelling. Danny never got off his legs as spoke to him, “We didn’t pick you to live and tell others. You were chosen to die. How much pain you endure before that happens is up to you. Your kind never shows mercy, and guess what, neither do we.”
Danny stepped off the man’s legs and he let out a moan as tears ran down his face. Looking down at her filthy boots Danny looked back at the man. “You made me get blood on my boots,” Danny told him as she raised her pistol up shooting the man in each shoulder. “Bitch,” Danny called him as she changed magazines.
Danny was aiming at the man’s crotch when his head snapped back. Then Danny heard the suppressed shot behind her. Turning around to argue with Daddy, she stopped when she noticed it was Mike who had out his pistol.
“He got the point Danny,” Mike told her as he holstered his pistol.
“I was trying to make him understand Daddy Mike,” Danny told him as she walked over to the other seven prisoners.
Seeing where she was heading Mike followed and pulled out his pistol. Danny stopped ten feet from the group choosing who she was going to shoot first when Mike walked past her. Mike walked down the line putting a bullet in each man’s head.
When he finished Mike turned to Danny, “Danny, go to the center now,” Mike told her.
Danny left mumbling at Mike. Holstering his pistol again Mike walked over to Bruce. “Why didn’t you do something?” Mike asked.
Shrugging his shoulders, “He didn’t interrupt me,” Bruce informed him.
“Bruce, you know what I mean. The kids can’t do that, taking pleasure from the pain of others,” Mike told him.
Bruce just laughed, “Mike, that wasn’t pain. She only showed him a love tap. He would’ve bled to death long before true pain would’ve found him,” Bruce said with a smile.
“Not the kids Bruce,” Mike told him.
“Mike, they’re understanding war. Show your enemy more hate than he shows you. Compassion will get you killed. The idea behind war is to break more of their shit, than they can break of yours. There is no touchy feely here Mike,” Bruce said as he turned around and headed to eat, leaving Mike alone.
Watching Bruce walk away, a tear ran down Mike’s cheek. Now he understood what he was up against: a heart encased in ice. Standing there Mike looked up at the sky and prayed for guidance but none came. Afraid he was going to lose his best friend Mike went to the shop and just sat down looking at the walls until supper.
At supper Mike joined the family at the command table. Willie was at the command table he had tried to move but Nancy wouldn’t let him. Bruce just ignored him. The twins finally allowed Bruce to put their BB guns in the gun racks. The whole afternoon they guarded Bruce and the family as they cleaned gear.
When the hall was full Bruce got up and walked up to the front of the room. Seeing Bruce head to the podium the room fell silent. Grabbing the microphone Bruce turned around and addressed the clan. “First I want to say thank you from Omega for the welcome again,” Bruce said as the room applauded.
Holding up his hand the applause stopped, “But you forgot some very important people. The attack pilots and resupply pilots that covered us. From now on they are Omega flyers with Steve being air boss,” Bruce told the clan which applauded.
When the applause stopped Bruce spoke again, “Omega, we leave in seven days get some rest,” Bruce told them and put up the mic and headed back to his seat.
When Bruce sat down Joe came over. “Bruce, you should hear the short wave. You can’t find a frequency that isn’t talking about Omega. Your recordings are being played nonstop. If you wanted to let the gangs know about you, then you succeeded,” Joe told him.
“No shit, the gang in southeast Texas is pulling back. The gang in northeast Texas is fortifying like they’re guarding the lost Arc,” Jimmy said.
“That is fear, what I wanted to accomplish but this is just the beginning. I want to become so feared they all run until they die. Then I can turn my full attention on the blues,” Bruce told Joe as he started eating.
Joe put his hand on Bruce’s shoulder, “Just keep your soul Bruce,” he said and walked away.
Hearing that Mike pushed his plate back and left, stopping outside Mike took several deep breaths of the hot humid air. When
the door opened behind him Mike turned and saw Marcus come out and stand beside him.
“What’s eating ya?” Marcus asked.
“I finally saw what Debbie warned me about in Bruce,” Mike confessed. “Marcus, I just thought Bruce was acting weird with all this judgment talk and killing stuff like he is going to get a prize. Today I realized, it’s not an act, he’s enjoying the war like no human should. When he’s here, Bruce is wearing a fake smile,” Mike said as he stepped off the porch heading towards the east field.
Marcus followed beside him, “Mike, he’s your battle buddy and you didn’t want to see it and you’re correct. Bruce wants back in the shit but there’s still compassion in him,” Marcus told Mike.
“Very little,” Mike said.
“You’re wrong. Bruce spent over an hour with his wounded. If he was gone then he wouldn’t care and he would’ve shot Willie,” Marcus told Mike.
Mike stopped and looked at Marcus, “Marcus, for the first time I think Bruce is really dangerous,” Mike told him.
Marcus laughed, “Mike, Bruce has always been dangerous but only to those not of his team. That is what I meant, the trooper was one of the new recruits and Bruce saw them as part of his team,” Marcus replied.
“I know he has always been dangerous but seeing it in his eyes shook me,” Mike confessed.
“As it should Mike, because if Bruce follows the hate this is just the beginning,” Marcus told him.
Letting out a long sigh Mike looked down, “Marcus, what I saw today in Bruce did scare me, but if we lose him I’m following my family with him. I won’t abandon my family or friends,” Mike told him and walked off.
When Mike was gone Marcus turned back to the center, “That’s just what he needs to save him. He may be willing to sacrifice his soul but not the souls of family and friends,” Marcus said aloud.
Chapter 22
Seven days later Omega pulled out heading back to war with the world. Angela and Stephanie walked back from the fence after watching Bruce lead the convoy off. The kids came with them but were running around them now.
Blue Plague: Rage Page 27