Debbie paused then answered, “Bruce, you will feel me beside you many times in your life. Sometimes you will know and feel more than others but you will know. I will be in your dreams and their dreams. We will talk like we are now two more times, and as I promised, you will see and talk to me one last time on Earth.”
“I can live with that and the knowledge I get the chance at eternity with you. Now tell me what you need to,” Bruce told her, feeling Debbie’s hands rubbing his face.
Mike came running into the storage area only to find Bruce on his knees, eyes closed and with his back against the wall. Taking a step inside Mike was overcome with peace. Looking closer at Bruce’s face Mike knew that look, Debbie was with him. Mike turned around leaving, Bruce had paid a heavy price for this and Mike wasn’t going to stop it.
Walking out, Mike turned over his shoulder, “Thank you Debbie and I love you along with everyone else,” Mike said. Mike dropped to his knees feeling warmth spread over him.
“No, thank you Mike and I love each of you as well,” Mike heard Debbie’s voice fade away. Mike staggered to his feet and called over the radio that Bruce was fine and to leave him be. The young girl just spooked him.
Twenty minutes later Bruce asked, “That’s quite a list. Sure you don’t want me to build a bridge across the ocean?”
“I’m serious Bruce,” Debbie snapped.
“I know you are and I’ll do my best, I swear it,” Bruce promised her.
“Bruce, I mean it about Angela and Stephanie they’ve given a lot and will be asked to give a lot more. They deserve your love,” Debbie told him.
“They will always have it,” Bruce told her.
“Remember Willie had no choice in his feelings, you need him Bruce, for what, I can’t say. Let Angela and Stephanie take care of you and the family. Save them and protect them,” Debbie said.
“Debbie, I didn’t kill your goldfish, you have to know that now,” Bruce said.
Laughter filled the air around Bruce, “Stud muffin I knew that then. In time you’ll understand. I love you Bruce and will wait here at the gates for you. I still haven’t gone in, I’m waiting on you,” Debbie said as her voice faded away.
Bruce looked around smiling. There was no need to cry, Debbie was fine and he knew it. Then thinking of his task, the smile fell off his face. “I only get to talk to you two more times? Then see you and talk to you once! For all of that? Debbie, I had to talk to you six times a day the month you wanted me to balance the checkbook,” Bruce said out loud. Bruce felt her near but she didn’t speak.
“Just so you know, I’m not mad at the big guy but I’m still pissed at him,” Bruce snapped out. A door to one of the storage containers slammed. “What? I can be pissed at him if I want. This would’ve been a lot easier if you were here, but no,” Bruce said and one of the doors squeaked back and forth.
“I’m still getting drunk,” Bruce said standing up. “I’ll do my best Debbie, that’s all I can promise. If that counts for anything then you should feel better. I’m not promising anything to the big guy,” Bruce said walking into the container grabbing four big bottles of Vodka.
Stepping outside Bruce headed to the Center with two bottles in each hand waving at people. Walking inside, everyone saw a huge difference in Bruce. Bruce smiled at the command group then walked over to stand beside Willie.
“Why are you off Omega?” Bruce asked.
“I fucked up,” Willie said not looking up.
“Wrong,” Bruce said and Willie looked up.
“But-,” Willie started to say and Bruce held up his hand looking at Mike.
“Mike, Willie is supposed to be on Omega, if he doesn’t rejoin us by tomorrow, have everyone hold him down and spit in his ears until he does,” Bruce said.
“That can be arranged,” Mike said grinning.
Willie jumped up hugging Bruce, “I won’t let you down again,” he promised.
“Thank you Willie,” Bruce said when Willie let him go. Bruce walked down and kissed Angela and Stephanie. “I love you two and I always will. You didn’t have to ask me when I was tired,” Bruce told them.
They both just looked dumbfounded and in shock looking at Bruce. “I forgive you, I would’ve done the same thing,” Bruce told them as he walked over to Buffy and bent down and whispered in her ear for ten minutes. When he was finished Buffy stood up in her chair and hugged him. Then Bruce leaned by Danny and did the same. Bruce received the same reply and when Danny released him Bruce turned to the table.
“I’m going to the basement armory and getting drunk. You’ll hear yelling, hollering and loud music. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Bruce said leaving.
“I wish I would’ve let him hit me months ago,” Mike said when Bruce left.
“He weren’t ready, nor where you,” Carroll told him.
“So it’s done,” Nancy asked looking at Carroll.
“No child, Bruce has his soul but he has ta rebuild tha world while keepin’ it. Now we can help in ways we wanted to befo’ but couldn’t. I for one am takin’ the day off,” Carroll said standing up. “I’m goin’ fishin’ in that pond you have. Marcus will you join me?” Carroll asked.
“Love to,” Marcus said standing up.
Mike grinned and grabbed his radio, “This is Big Daddy Two. All work is canceled for today. We start fresh tomorrow,” Mike said in the radio. Cheers of joy could be heard from around them.
In the basement an hour later Bruce had the music loud and was singing along half way through the first bottle. Looking up he saw legs coming down the stairs. Bruce stopped the music.
“Hello Angela and Stephanie,” Bruce said before they got down.
“How did you know it was us?” Stephanie asked.
“I know y’all from anyone,” Bruce told them as they walked over.
Stephanie stopped in front of Bruce, “Bruce, it was my idea to ask you, not Angela’s don’t be mad at her,” Stephanie told him.
“I went along with it so if you’re mad, it’s at both of us,” Angela said as Stephanie just shook her head.
“I’m not mad at either of you. I love you two way too much. In a few days I’ll read the red notebook then let y’all,” Bruce told them draining his glass.
“How-,” Stephanie started to ask. “You talked to Debbie,” Stephanie stated in amazement.
“You could say that,” Bruce said as Angela just dropped down in a seat. Looking at both of them Bruce said, “It’s real.” Stephanie just dropped down in another seat. “You two are drinking with me now,” Bruce announced grabbing two more glasses.
“No, we just came to say we were sorry. You wanted to get drunk alone, we’ll see you tomorrow,” Angela said standing up.
“So you’re scared,” Bruce said and Angela dropped back in her chair grabbing the bottle filling the glass.
“When you pass out, I’m painting your toes,” Angela threatened draining the glass.
Bruce laughed pouring Stephanie a glass then refilling Angela’s. Bruce looked at Stephanie, “Bottoms up,” he said taking a sip and Stephanie took a swig and started coughing. Laughing Bruce got up and went to the refrigerator grabbing a bottle of lemonade.
Putting the bottle on the table Bruce announced, “Let the games begin.”
Chapter 27
Struggling to open his eyes Bruce fought the pain from his bladder. When his eyes finally obeyed and opened, he had a foot in his face. Grabbing the foot and sliding it off his face Bruce mumbled out, “What is it with y’all puttin’ your feet on my face when you’re asleep.”
“You put it there,” Bruce heard from the bottom of the bed.
When the sound of the voice started to register, Bruce started blinking his eyes to get them to focus. Then his back let him know he wasn’t on a bed as his eyes informed him he was not in the bedroom. Shaking his head to clear the fog, Bruce felt someone on his left side rubbing his chest.
Raising his head up, Bruce saw Stephanie and Angela on each side of him. Stephanie wa
s laying on his left side with her head on his shoulder and Angela on his right. Her head was on his thigh and her feet on his chest. A flood of realizations started to flood Bruce’s mind. They were all naked, lying on a blanket on the floor and the Earth was spinning really, really fast. Bruce struggled to stand up then realized, ‘Oh shit, gravity works.’
Dropping down to all fours, Bruce gripped the floor to try to stop the Earth from spinning. Failing to stop the spinning, Bruce staggered up and fell into the wall. Turning around putting his back to the wall Bruce looked down at where he was laying. Angela and Stephanie were sitting up.
“Bruce, do you have an off switch?” Angela asked sitting up.
“What?” Bruce asked wishing Angela would quit moving around.
“An off switch, how do we turn you off?” Angela asked.
“From what? And quit moving,” Bruce told her as they wobbled in his vision.
“I’m not moving you are,” Angela told him rubbing her head.
Bruce looked around the room and realized he was still in the basement armory. “Where are our clothes?” Bruce asked looking around.
“Spread out over the farm,” Stephanie informed him.
“Do what?” Bruce asked standing up off the wall. Then his body told him he wasn’t ready for that yet and he leaned back on the wall.
“You started a game where whoever couldn’t drink two shots fast they had to run around outside and throw one piece of clothes off and hit someone with it then run back here and drink more. Bruce you really didn’t have to run at Millie throwing your underwear at her, and then do helicopters,” Stephanie said.
Bruce closed his eyes as parts of the fog started to clear. Remembering what happened, Bruce tried to make the fog come back, but that only made it leave faster. Angela stood up and grabbed her belly, “Oh shit,” she said, standing up.
“Told you that you were getting too wild last night,” Stephanie said.
“Well it seemed like a good idea then,” Angela told her.
Bruce stepped to her, “Are you alright?” He asked looking at her.
“Alright? Let’s do that again,” Angela said, walking over hugging Bruce.
Stephanie bounced over, “I’m game,” she said smiling.
“Did you drink at all, last night?” Bruce asked her wondering.
“After she threw up she downed half a bottle. Then she ran up to the fort sticking her butt on the door window yelling ‘It’s a full moon’. I don’t know why she isn’t feeling anything,” Angela said.
“Where was I at during this?” Bruce demanded.
“Chasing the roving patrols, doing helicopters behind them,” Angela said.
“Where were you?” Bruce asked Angela.
“She was trying to open the door to the fort. She couldn’t put her butt up to the window,” Stephanie related.
Bruce fell back to the wall, “Please tell me the kids didn’t see that?” Bruce asked with hope.
“No, when Mike saw you run out and throw your shirt at someone, he told the kids to grab the little ones and lock themselves in their rooms until the all clear was given. Then he announced on the radio for those easily shocked to lock themselves in their rooms. Undoubtedly, that’s not a new game,” Stephanie said.
“Oh shit, where’s Mike?” Bruce asked.
“Don’t know, last we saw him he was chasing the other roving patrol with Willie doing helicopters,” Angela said shrugging her shoulders.
“What?” Bruce shouted, and his head told him it didn’t like that.
“Well Mike and a few other started drinking and even came down here for a while. It was really crowded down here for a while,” Stephanie answered.
“Where was Nancy in all this?” Bruce demanded.
“She was helping me lift Angela up to put her butt on the window of the fort’s door,” Stephanie said.
“Nancy to?” Bruce asked.
“That woman is crazy when she’s drunk,” Stephanie noted.
“Just who was all involved?” Bruce wanted to know.
“Don’t know if I can name all of them, it gets fuzzy,” Stephanie admitted. “Mike, Nancy, Willie and his wife, Ted and Carl and both of their girlfriends then Conner and Susan,” Stephanie said.
“There’s no way Susan was involved in a clothes toss off,” Bruce said.
With no smile on her face Angela looked at Bruce, “There is no way I’ll ever tell you what that woman did,” she informed him.
Bruce shook his head closing his eyes as the fog parted his eyes snapped open. Looking at Stephanie he stated, “You made it past one.”
“I quit counting. After each one the alcohol just wore off,” Stephanie announced.
“That’s so not fair,” Angela said in a jealous tone.
“I told you that might hurt later. You’re awful little to be doing that,” Stephanie reminded her.
“Well if felt good then,” Angela said then looked at Bruce. “Want to try again?” she challenged.
“I have to pee, real bad,” Bruce informed them.
“Use the sink again,” Angela told him, which he really thought about, his bladder was in overload.
Turning around Bruce started looking for clothes as Angela jumped on his back and Stephanie grabbed him and not his hands. “We haven’t said you can leave yet,” Stephanie said.
“I would like to eat and find a place to pee,” Bruce told them.
Stephanie smiled a mischievous grin. “Use the sink, it’s playtime,” she informed him.
An hour later Bruce dug through the basement until he found three pairs of boxers and two t-shirts. The door at the top of the stairs was locked and nobody would open it. Giving up Bruce led the two out the side and found the back door locked. Lifting his left arm up to look at his watch, with a herculean effort, Bruce saw it was 0622. With the world spinning in his vision, Bruce just led the two to the Center.
Walking in, Bruce found the hall packed. Everyone turned toward the door and jumped up cheering at the three as they walked in. Bruce lifted his arm up and waved at the clan but really just wanted them to shut up. The three slowly moved to their seats and just sat down.
Millie came walking over carrying coffee laughing hard. “Bruce, I ain’t laughed that hard ever. I made water on myself twice last night,” Millie told him, setting the mugs down.
Bruce slowly lifted his head up to look at Millie. “Millie, I’m sorry I threw my underwear at you and chased you last night,” Bruce told her.
“Why, Lynn dared me. She said I wouldn’t go outside with all of y’all runnin’ round naked. You know Conner chased one of the guards making him climb on top of the barn to get away. The funny thing is, the guard is still there. He laughed so hard at Conner he fell asleep,” Millie told him. “I have ya underwear but you ain’t geten’m back. I earned ‘em fair and square,” Millie said as she laughed.
Lynn walked over carrying plates of food. Shifting his gaze, Bruce could see she was trying hard not to laugh as she put the plates on the table. “Lynn, who put a hickey on your neck?” Bruce asked seeing a big hickey on the left side of her neck.
“Mike, he caught me as I left the kitchen last night,” Lynn told him then busted out laughing not able to hold it in anymore.
The rest of the hall joined her as Bruce took a sip of coffee. His stomach had already told him it was in no mood for food. “Where’s Mike?” Bruce asked.
Lynn just collapsed in a chair unable to stand any longer and Millie sat down beside her. “Don’t know the last we saw of them they were skinny dipping,” Millie told Bruce since Lynn couldn’t talk, she was laughing so hard.
“I hope no one left the property,” Bruce said.
“Why would they do that? They were chasing everyone inside the fence. Half of Omega is plastered this morning. The only ones that aren’t are the kids,” Millie told him as she tried to keep control of her laughter.
Bruce looked around the Center and could see most people were laughing with several on the floo
r. The door opened up and Mike came in with Nancy slung over his shoulder. He walked over to the table and put her down in her chair. Nancy looked around the table with her head wobbling on her shoulders as Mike dropped down in his chair. They both had on t-shirts and underwear that weren’t theirs.
“Nancy, I think that is Angela’s t-shirt,” Bruce told her.
Nancy looked down, “Damn, I thought my boobs got bigger,” she admitted.
“Mike has on Susan’s,” Stephanie pointed out.
“Wondered why it ripped when I put it on,” Mike said as one of the cooks put his mug filled with coffee in front of him.
“Where did ya wake up at?” Angela asked.
“In the tank,” Mike told her as he took a sip of coffee. “Why is there a guard on top of the barn laughing and refusing to get down?” Mike asked.
“Conner chased him up there,” Stephanie informed him.
“Something’s wrong with that boy. He and Susan are in the big oak tree in the northwest field and I mean up in it,” Mike said as Nancy giggled.
“Susan kept calling him Tarzan,” Nancy said lifting her coffee up.
“Told you I heard a Tarzan yell last night,” Lynn told Millie then started to laugh so hard she couldn’t breathe.
Carl and his girlfriend Monica came in next and both just dropped down at the table. “Where’s Ted?” Bruce asked.
“On the roof of barracks number two,” Carl answered, laying his head down on the table.
“How do you know that?” Stephanie asked.
“We just got down from there,” Monica said as coffee and food were sat down in front of them. Looking at the food Monica stood up and trotted to the bathroom. Carroll and Marcus walked in and immediately started laughing looking at the table as they sat down.
“Will someone tell the patrols to start rounding up those that are still out?” Bruce asked.
“Bill is doing that now,” Carl said with his head on the table.
Hearing the door open Bruce looked up with the rest of the table to see Ted and Melanie walk in. Bruce started laughing along with everyone else looking at Ted. He was wearing a pair of panties on his head. Like the rest of the partiers they just collapsed in a seat. Millie got up and walked over to Ted.
Blue Plague: Rage Page 37