by Cooper, DJ
Motioning her into the room she said, “Charleigh, how good to see you. I’m so glad you’re ok. How’s Ariel?”
Charleigh with a look of surprise, hesitantly said, “We are all fine and so is Matty.”
Rita teared up. “Matty? You’ve seen him?”
Charleigh nodded. “He’s at the farm with the rest of the group, he looks really good. He doesn’t know about you yet, I’m pretty sure he still thinks you’re dead. Honestly, we all did.”
Choking back her tears Rita righted herself. “Where’s your mom? I need to talk to her.”
Charleigh explained what happened. Telling her, “Morgan shot her and she’s recovering from surgery just across the hall.”
Rita lowered her head. “This is exactly what I feared.”
Charleigh asked, “How could you know she would do this?”
“Matty told me, back in the woods where I was attacked by Morgan and Cindy. They killed Kevin you know? He was Morgan’s husband, and Matty witnessed the whole thing. He told me what happened and that he had to protect Dez because they were going to kill her too.”
Charleigh stood in tears. “We are hoping for the best, if she gets through the night, she has a good chance of recovery.
“I want to go see her.” Looking to Rich she said, “Please get the doctor and ask him for me?”
Rich nodded and exited the room while Rita reached for Charleigh’s hand saying, “I know you don’t like me, but there is so much you don’t know about Matt.”
Charleigh touched her hand saying, “We’re all beginning to see. Let’s just move forward. I am glad you’re ok and I know Matty will be thrilled.”
Rita nodded, looking down and wiping a tear from her eye. Charleigh smiled at her and said, “I can see an incredible change in you.” Reaching out to touch her hair, “Much better.”
Rita laughed saying, “What? You didn’t like the orange blonde look?”
Both started giggling. “Well let’s just say the natural color of your hair is more inviting, that warm brown seems to be your perfect color.”
Rita smiled, “How lucky for me I was born with brown hair.”
Laughing Charleigh fluffed her own long brown hair, “I think brown is sexy.”
They both giggled again, Rita smiled at her, “I’m so sorry for all the trouble I caused in the past. It wasn’t your mom or you, but Matt.”
Charleigh smiled back at her, “You do look really good, much different. You also seem different, I hope we can let the tensions of the past be behind us.”
“Me too.”
The doctor entered the room with Rich. “I know you want to see Dez, but she’s not even awake yet.”
Rita said, “I want to be there when she wakes, it’s important.”
Looking to Charleigh she said, “You and Jeremy can wait with me, it concerns all of you and I want to talk to him as well.”
Charleigh looked at the doctor and nodded. The doctor excused himself and went to get Jeremy. Returning a few moments later, the three went to Dez’s room to wait.
Once in the room and behind closed doors Rita looked intently at both of them, then looked to Dez. “I feel so awful for all the mean things I said and did to her.”
Charleigh said, “She wasn’t really bothered by it, she always said it was not her you lashed out at but the situation. She really was sympathetic to the situation.”
A quiet whisper could be heard as Dez spoke, “Do you mind not talking about me like I’m dead?”
The three of them clamoured over to the bed all talking at once, asking if she was ok.
Charleigh in tears. “Mom…You’re ok.”
Dez half smiled, “I am not so sure about that, I feel like someone hit me with a …a BUS!
Jeremy laughed. “Yep… she’s ok.”
Rita approached her saying, “Dez? It’s Rita.”
Dez reached out for her hand and said, “I know, I’m glad you’re ok.”
“I need to talk to you. This is important.”
“I’ll try and listen, but things are a little fuzzy.”
“I need to let you know, I found some things out and you’re in danger.”
Dez laughed and then coughed saying, “I’m pretty sure we’ve figured that out.”
Rita said, “I mean besides Morgan, she had help.”
Dez looked at Rita more serious saying, “I know Rita, I’ve known for some time now.”
Rita looked shocked as Dez continued saying, “It’s you that’s in danger. Matt will kill you to get Matty. I know all about Morgan and his plan to get the trust.”
Rita stood aghast saying, “You knew?”
Dez said, “Yea, but I was so busy watching what Matt did, I completely missed the Morgan thing too. I’ve known about the two of them for a while now but really didn’t think it was all that. I thought for sure they would communicate, and that was when I’d planned to expose it and confront him. I’d hoped it was just his constant need to have someone stroke his ego. He always had a lie and I often felt like I was just paranoid.”
Dez continued, “It’s always been you that was in more danger. I asked Amy to watch out for you as soon as I found out Morgan was attached to the group. Arthur kept me up to date on the progress. No one has any idea outside this place that you are alive… do they?”
Jeremy said, “No Ma, I think it is contained here.”
Dez looked over to Jeremy. “Is Ryan here?”
“Yea, he’s out with the nurse.”
“Go ask him to come see me please?”
Jeremy nodded and headed for the door as she turned to Charleigh saying, “Honey is Ariel here?”
Charleigh nodded, “Yea, she’s with Dickie and the baby.”
Dez squeezed her hand and said, “Can you go get her for me? I’d love to see her?”
Charleigh stood and exited the room, to do as her mother had asked. Rita stood uncomfortably shuffling her feet, staring at the floor as Dez spoke, “Rita, you and I haven’t been on the best of terms, but I think Matt had something to do with that. My heart is warmed that you wanted to protect me and I need you to know something. I’ve protected Matty and given instruction for his permanent care in the trust that has been set up from my assets.”
Rita began to speak, but was silenced as Dez continued, “I know you want to see him and he very much misses you and feels guilt over your death, or so he believes. Honestly though. I want you to stay with Ryan for just a little while longer.”
Rita began to object, just as Ryan, whom had entered the room without her noticing said, “Dez is right.”
The doctor entered the room behind Charleigh who had Ariel in tow with Dickie and Rich right on her heels. He began to object to Dez’s over stimulation when she raised her hand to him. Dez reached out for Ariel and held her close, snuggling her into the bed beside her.
Ariel’s small hand brushed Dez’s hair as she sung, “Puff a magic dragon…lived by the sea…”
Dez faded back into unconsciousness and the doctor shooed everyone from the room. Ariel refused to leave and was allowed to nap with Dez for a time. The doctor had a nurse come and keep watch on them while Ryan placed two men at her door for security.
Chapter 5
“Revelation”
“When the world is pregnant with lies, a secret long hidden will be revealed.”
-Mark Mirabello
It was midday and the was burial over. Sam and John sat with Toni and Tawny, discussing what they thought about the women’s lack of combat training. The women agreed, and Tawny began to work on the changes to the sentry duties. Those who had little to no experience, or training, would be kept in less vulnerable places until improved training occurred. Toni agreed to start working with Laurie and Sarah to rotate chores with training for those needing more.
John, waving his cup at Janice, while nodding in request of a refill said, “I think everyone should be involved in training, either in teaching or learning. Not just defences, but in other areas as well. H
ow many of us could have taken the task of butchering that goat? If we are to survive, we will all need to learn new things.”
Janice walked up with her ever present pot of coffee saying, “Glad to see someone understands that all roles are essential.”
John smiled saying, “So speaks the most important role of all.”
Laughing, Janice waved him off saying, “Suck up.”
Everyone laughed as she walked back to the kitchen area of the barn. Turning back to the others to continue the plans for training, John saw Tawny watching Janice.
He asked, “What’s on your mind Tawny?”
She replied, “In the beginning Herb and Janice thought they would be a burden rather than an asset. Noting how their advanced age would make them less valuable. I was just wondering how they felt they fit in now. Both have been instrumental in so much of the comforts we now enjoy.”
Sam said, “It’s hard to tell where someone might be able to add to the group, this is an excellent example of how everyone can have a positive effect.”
In the area across from the kitchen, the children sat playing games, all but Matty. He instead watched the meeting of adults.
Determined, he walked up to Tawny saying, “I need to get training too.”
Looking over at him John smiled. “We haven’t forgotten you, or the other children. You will all be scheduled into the training rotation.”
Matty was pleased with the thought, yet still looked troubled. Tawny knelt in front of him asking if there was anything wrong.
Matty, shuffled his feet and a tear rolled down his face as he said, “I needed to protect Dez and she got shot. It’s all my fault she’s gonna die.”
Tawny grasped his arms, looking right into his face saying, “It is not your fault, and Dez is not going to die. Do you understand me?”
Matty began to cry, nodding to her. She held him close saying, “Come with me.”
She took him outside the barn, and over to where Loel worked with his children Nina and Axel. They were stacking wood between the outhouse and the barn as a barrier. When Tawny approached, Loel raised his hand in greeting. Tawny mimicked the motion and waved him over to where she and Matty were standing.
Loel approached shoving his gloves into his back pocket. “Whatcha need?”
Tawny looked at Matty and patted him on the shoulder. “Go on over and help the others while I talk to Loel, ok?”
Matty nodded and sulked over to the kids and began to help carry wood over to the pile. Looking curiously at her Loel raised his eyebrows looking for a response from her. “Do you know where the clinic is?”
Loel replied, “Sure do, why?”
“I want you to go check on Dez and take Matty with you.”
Loel shrugged crossing his arms. “Ok, I can do that. Is there a reason?”
“You can take Astrid with you, she’s a good shot and will probably want to talk to Ryan and see how Eric is doing. I need you to bring back Jeremy and Dickie, we need them here. And ask Ryan to come by when he can. We’re going to need our militia friends before this night is through I fear.”
Loel again said, “Ok, is there a reason?”
Tawny glanced at Matty saying, “Yes, that poor boy believes it’s his fault Dez got shot. Admittedly no one at this point knows if she’s alive and I’ll need to know by this evening’s meal. If she is ok, leave him there with Charleigh, if not make him feel like he’s along for his lookout skills.”
Loel agreed and turned to leave. Turning back, he asked, “Are we removing him because of Matt?”
Tawny nodded yes. “I’m worried if he tries to run, he’ll take him. I also feel like he needs to be with Charleigh and Ariel during this time. He and Ariel are close and if he has her to protect it’ll give him the purpose he seeks.” Pausing a tear in her eye she said, “We all pray Dez is fine, but I fear he’ll end up doing something he thinks is brave and more likely end up getting himself or another killed with this protection thing he has going on right now.”
Loel turned to prepare to leave when she turned back to him. Quickly glancing at Matty. “And Loel…Tell no one.”
Nodding that he understood he prepared to leave, taking Matty with him, telling him as he’d been instructed, that he was needed to help with an important mission.
While they prepared to leave, Tawny returned to the barn, finding Toni working with a piece of chalk on the old barn board. Janice, Sam and John were there helping discuss who should be placed in which areas to learn.
Sam asked Tawny what she was doing outside, to which she simply shrugged. Janice looked over at Tawny, giving her a knowing look and a slight smile and nod. “Some things girls just need to keep to themselves.”
Going along with the innuendo Tawny said, “Right? Gee whiz can’t a girl have a moment?”
Janice stood in the middle of the barn proclaiming, "Tonight we feast!”
Everyone looked at her, she smiled a sheepish smile and in a quieter tone said, “Lunch is ready.”
Sam suggested that they eat in shifts, but Tawny smiled at them all. “We may be looking at some rough times, I think it’s safe to share a good meal with all of our friends.” Looking to John and Amy saying, “New and old.”
Janice clapped her hands together. “Agreed! Lunch is served.”
Many of the farm’s inhabitants, new and old began to enter the barn. Among them was Matt, almost escorted by Charleigh’s husband Conner. John nodded to him and walked over. “Anything going on with Matt?”
“Not really, nothing I can see anyway. He went to the outhouse a few times and was splitting some wood, but that’s all he did.”
Patting him on the shoulder he turned back to the tables. “Alright, thanks.”
Looking to Tawny, he shrugged a silent response to the unasked question.
Matt looked around the barn and asked the other kids where Matty was. Tawny walked up to him. “He was struggling with everything so I gave him the job of lookout to go fetch Ryan.” Lying she continued, “He should be back anytime now.” Knowing if anyone saw Matty leave with Loel that a partial truth was better.
Matt sat off to the side with his plate and pretended not to pay attention to the conversation. He’d gone from being in charge, by Dez’s side to one of suspicion and mistrust with a single act. John looked at Tawny, who readily excused herself to the outhouse. After a few minutes John asked Jeremy’s wife Toni, “What will happen if Dez doesn’t make it? Will we have to leave here?”
Only Sam, John and Tawny knew what was going on with this conversation, so John felt bad when Toni began to cry. “I really don’t know, I guess we would have to ask Jeremy.”
That was all it took to get the speculation going. Sam watched Matt to see if he could see any signs of sadness over the thought of losing Dez or any interest in the fate of the farm. He noted that there was no sadness. Thinking back through everything, after Dez went to the infirmary he had not yet asked about her condition. Watching him, he noted that he was intently paying attention to the conversation.
A few more frightened thoughts were expressed when Tawny walked in. Janice asked her what she thought. Tawny looked at everyone with a feigned but indeed real anger. “First of all, it’s not time to worry about this. We don’t know Dez is dead, and if I know my friend she will be here in no time.” Walking over she hugged Toni who was sobbing openly by now saying, “She’s gonna be fine, you’ll see.”
Stepping back to the head of the table she began, “Secondly, no one will need to go anywhere in the event the unthinkable happens.”
The others began to look around and murmurs began. Tawny noted Matt sat straighter as she continued. “I know you know Dez and I have been friends for years, but what you don’t know is that before the kids came of age she named me as guardian in her will so trust me when I say I know what her will says. There are five people named in her will but only two who will gain interest. That is Jeremy and Charleigh. I know there was some finagling going on before this mess but Dez was
alerted by her attorney and transferred everything into a trust. Still naming Jeremy and Charleigh. I am her executor and have copies of the paperwork and even if the government comes back the interest in the farm and much more will be revealed. You all know Jeremy and Charleigh, they would never harm any of you. You’re all safe here, just relax.”
Noticing Matt was intently thinking Sam asked aloud, “You said there are five people mentioned in the will.”
Tawny motioned her head upward to watch Matt as she spoke, “There are two others, Ariel and Matty.”
This got Matt’s attention and he sat straighter, leaning forward to hear more. As she continued, “Ariel is the ultimate beneficiary in this trust, all of it will eventually pass to her.” Looking at Toni, she continued, “And, any future grandchildren. However, she did make a stipulation for Matty. While he will never be a beneficiary or entitled to any of it, she left instructions for his care and wellbeing. Ensuring he had college tuition and care through his educational years.” Looking dead at Matt saying, “Any interference or attempts to gain control of any assets by any of Matty’s family will summarily end his care.”
Looking around, she noted Matt was angrily bobbing his head, as if in silent argument with himself while the others began talking amongst themselves.
Matt got up and tossed his plate in the metal wash tub on his way over to Tawny. He walked up and asked, “How come I never heard any of this? Where are these papers?”
Tawny whispered an inch from his face, “She changed things right before you went to tell the lawyer she was not competent to handle her assets and needed you to help her. The attorney simply appeased you but would never make a change without her consent or a court order. She let you spend as you pleased because she could, not because you ever had any real control.”
Growing angry he said, “Where’s my son?”
Tawny leaned in closer whispering in his ear. “He’s with Dez, go and try and take him from the whole Militia.”