Miracles

by Thomas A. Watson

  Hearing stomping feet, the smile fell off Wendy’s face as she moved to the doorway, tucking the baby she was carrying on her hip. As Joseph stormed past she grabbed his arm. “Joseph, you two aren’t yelling over dinner, not tonight,” she told him firmly.

  “You knew what that shit meant and didn’t tell me what that little bitch called me!” he snarled.

  “Baby, I am a nurse just like your father. Yes, we knew. Granted, I’ve never heard them used like that,” Wendy told him, then cocked her head to the side. “Your father, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s used them like that.”

  Turning to stare at the dining room, “When can I yell at her?” Joseph asked.

  “Baby, why don’t you go in there and use that dictionary to find stuff to call her?”

  Shifting his gaze back to his mother, “Sorry, I’m like Dad. I like the meaning to my words to be understood by all with only the inflection of voice and context of use. The only way Dad would use words like that would be if the recipient would be more insulted than using simpler terminology like the prima donna bitch Sarah is,” he replied.

  Raising her eyebrows, “Oh, like you are right now?” Wendy grinned.

  Letting out a gasp, Joseph narrowed his eyes at Wendy and then a malicious grin spread across his face. “Thank you,” he said, then spun around and headed back to his dad’s office.

  Seeing others heading to the dining room, Wendy helped Vicki start taking the babies in.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Woe to the problem child

  Walking into the dining room, Wendy saw Arthur at the end of the table with Nicole in her bouncing chair clapping and squealing while Arthur made faces at her. Handing the baby she was carrying to Sutton, Wendy left to get another as Vicki handed hers off. Bringing in another, Wendy tried not to laugh when Vicki handed Sarah the baby she’d carried in.

  It was very clear to all, Sarah was very uncomfortable with babies, but Wendy knew Little Momma had a huge crush on Joseph. In truth, she felt sorrier for the misery Vicki brought to Sarah than anything Joseph did. To her credit, Sarah never complained and did what Vicki asked, or was told, depending on who interpreted the act.

  After handing her baby off, Wendy turned to the other table that most of the smaller kids sat at and had no trouble spotting Chloe. She had no idea what Chloe had used to dye her hair black, but it looked atrocious. Dressed all in black and wearing a spiked dog collar, Chloe was just leaning back in her chair with her customary grimace. Wendy really wanted to feel sorry for Chloe, but the way she acted toward everyone just pissed her the fuck off.

  Chloe was never outright mean to anyone, just deviously hostile to all. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind, without all the black makeup, white paste, and funky body odor, Chloe would be a very pretty girl. The first day Chloe was brought in, she was asked to bathe. Every day since, Chloe had been told to bathe by Wendy and Arthur. Yet, almost two weeks later, she still hadn’t.

  The other kids went out of their way to go behind Chloe and do her chores, so Chloe wouldn’t get in trouble. To date, Chloe was the only one that’d had double chores more than once. Just rolling her eyes, Chloe would storm off and do some of what she was told to do. Then the other kids would come along and do the job right, just so Chloe wouldn’t get in more trouble.

  Even after all the help and kindness the other kids had shown her, Chloe never acknowledged it and acted like it was owed to her because she was Chloe.

  Watching Vicki hand off another kid, Wendy realized something. Vicki had never once tried to get Chloe to take or help with the babies. Thinking about it, Wendy couldn’t even remember Vicki ever talking to Chloe. “Damn,” Wendy mumbled at the realization Vicki had never liked Chloe.

  Just to confirm something, she waved at Shawn and then motioned him over. Getting up from the table, he trotted over. “Yes, ma’am,” he smiled.

  Unable to help it, Wendy gave him a big hug. “Shawn, I just wanted to ask, has Vicki ever helped Chloe?”

  Returning the hug with a blissful smile, Shawn shook his head. “No, Momma.”

  “I know many of you have helped Chloe do chores and work, but Vicki hasn’t?” she asked, just to clarify her suspicion.

  Letting out a sigh, “Vicki hates Chloe,” he stated. “She hates Chloe more than she hates Sarah, and nobody knows why she doesn’t like Sarah. She helps and she’s nice.”

  Knowing very well why and not about to tell anyone, “Do you know if Chloe has ever been mean to her?” Wendy asked, praying Chloe hadn’t because she would kill Chloe herself.

  “Momma, I don’t think they’ve ever even talked,” Shawn replied. “I’m sorry, and even know I might get in trouble, but if I ever find out Chloe was mean to Little Momma, I would stomp that bitc-,” he froze, realizing who he was talking to. “I would beat her up very bad,” he amended.

  Kissing Shawn on the head, “I hope you would tell me if that happened and then I would beat her ass,” Wendy told him, letting Shawn go. “But in that instance of standing for your family, you wouldn’t get in trouble.”

  Giving a shrug, “I would do double chores gladly for beating up anyone who would be mean to Little Momma,” Shawn admitted with pride.

  As Shawn headed back to his spot Wendy gave him a wink, then moved over beside Arthur as Todd came in with Allen wrapped in a towel. Sitting down, he smiled at Wendy and Arthur as she sat down. “When do you want to do this?” Wendy asked.

  Tickling Nicole, he glanced over at Wendy. “When everyone gets in here for supper,” he answered.

  Getting nervous, “Shouldn’t we do it tonight, when she goes back to her room?” Wendy gasped.

  Shaking his head, “Hon, if this was just a talking to, we would do that. This is a demonstration of what happens if you don’t act like family. Not doing what is asked of you and shitting on those trying to help you,” he told her. Knowing damn well who they were talking about, Todd just listened as he played with Allen.

  Cutting her eyes around the room, “What if one of the others don’t agree?”

  “Then they can get the fuck out,” Arthur snapped.

  Hoping and praying it wouldn’t come to that, Wendy just nodded as Vicki came in and handed off the last baby. Vicki glanced around, checking on the babies and little kids, then ran over to her seat. The rule from Wendy and Arthur was when supper started, Vicki was free of childcare. Both wanted her to have time to herself, but Vicki really liked being Little Momma and would still help out.

  Hearing the clatter of little boots, Wendy turned to see Robin running full bore at Arthur because his lap was vacant. “You’re wearing panties, I’m so proud,” Arthur said, picking her up.

  “Fuck,” Robin said, and the entire room became quiet.

  Giving Robin a scowl that made her shy away, “There is no reason to use that word,” Arthur told her. Hearing the room was quiet, he looked up at everyone and found them looking at him and casting eyes at Wendy, expecting her to hit him at the very least.

  “Fuck is a word and should only be used appropriately,” Arthur snapped. “Wendy has already chastised me, so back the fuck off! Any word can be used inappropriately.”

  As the others turned away, Wendy gave a startle that Arthur had taken the blame for expanding Robin’s vocabulary. “And what do I owe for that?” she asked.

  Adjusting Robin in his lap, Arthur turned to her. “I was hoping you might want to go on a date night tomorrow.”

  Just hearing that made Wendy’s face light up. “REALLY?!” she cried out, and again the room turned to them as a hush fell over.

  Pulling out a smartphone, Arthur tapped the screen. “Tracked a gang setting up shop in Hattieville,” he told her, and showed her a picture.

  Taking the phone, “How did you get pictures?” she wondered, sliding her finger across the screen to flip through pictures.

  “The game cameras,” Arthur answered. “As long as you keep them within a half mile from each other, they use each other as a relay. Only one cell tower is
still active, but I don’t know for how much longer.”

  Hearing a tower was still running made Wendy look up from the pictures. “It’s the one north of Hagarville that has those solar panels. Most have a large battery backup, but that one gets its battery recharged,” he told her.

  Glancing back down at the pictures Wendy saw most were from roads, but some others were at stores and a few on specific buildings. “Like the hunting cameras Joseph used that have a sim card? You’re using the cell tower?” she asked.

  “No, these use radio, but I do have some out with sim cards. I just didn’t put out many because I wasn’t sure how long that tower will last. Besides, we’re going to get those solar panels before winter if they’re still there.”

  “Why not just get them now?” Todd asked as Joseph walked in with a regal strut.

  Giving a sigh, “Todd, we have enough monkey shit to do right here for now. They’re an ass licking luxury we don’t have to have, but it would be nice. I do know of other places with solar panels, but not with that much battery backup,” Arthur told him.

  Still going through the pictures, “Arthur, just how many cameras do you have out?” Wendy gasped. At the bottom of each picture was a number with a letter.

  “Almost two hundred that are radio-based. Sixty-two that are cellular, and a hundred and eleven that are Wi-Fi, but those are very close to us since they only have a range of five hundred feet to relay with each other.”

  Looking up in shock, “Where in the fuck did you find that many damn game cams?!” Wendy cried out.

  “Duh, from stores,” Arthur moaned out.

  Fighting the urge to reach over and slap him, Wendy just kept looking at the pictures. “No stores around here carried near that many,” she blurted out.

  “True, but if you take all the ones the store had and did that to all of them that carried them, you would end up with a shitload,” Arthur laughed. “Hon, I still have enough cameras in those containers to put that many out again.”

  Just the fact Arthur had gotten them in such a number shocked Wendy, making her finally look away from the phone. “How did you know to get them?”

  “Doesn’t it make sense to have eyes around you to see trouble before trouble finds you?” he asked, wiggling his eyebrows. “Sure, if someone knows what they’re doing they could track each one down, if they had radio detection equipment, but because they only relay to each other, nobody can use them to find us. The cellular ones,” he paused. “Yeah, it’s easier for someone to use those to track us down, but we’ll still see them long before they find us. The Wi-Fi, someone would have to be right on us to use those. You should remember, I know about cameras,” he finished with a grin.

  With a blush coming to her cheeks, “There’s no denying that,” she said, looking back at the pictures.

  Getting comfortable in his seat, “What did you do with cameras, Dad?” Joseph asked with a content smile.

  Jerking her head up and staring hard at Arthur, “No,” Wendy snapped. “We agreed, no one,” she stressed hard, “ever finds out.”

  Returning the gaze with a smirk, “And just who in the hell can break me in questioning?” Arthur asked.

  Watching his parents, Joseph could tell this wasn’t something kinky they were talking about. “How about just me?” he asked, burning with curiosity.

  “No, Joseph,” Wendy said, looking back at the pictures. Turning to his dad, he saw Arthur give him a wink and just let it drop so he didn’t piss off Mom.

  After all the food was brought in, Arthur put Robin in her highchair before pushing back from the table and getting up. Taking the phone from Wendy, he set it on the table and then stepped over to the other table. “Chloe, why haven’t you bathed like you were asked at first, but then actually told to?” he asked in a firm voice.

  With a big sigh, Wendy stood up and moved beside Arthur.

  Across the table, Chloe flipped her hair from her face and glared at Arthur. “I do what I want, when I want. Nobody ‘tells’ me to do anything,” she popped off.

  “Just why in the fuck did you even come here then? I told you, everyone had to work.”

  “I am working!” Chloe shot back.

  As her face turned red and fire filled her eyes, Wendy rounded the table to close in on Chloe. “Little bitch! You’ll address him with respect before I slap that nasty makeup off your stinking ass!” Wendy shouted. Since Wendy told Arthur she would follow his lead, that outburst shocked him as he watched Wendy hover over Chloe.

  “I respect who I want and it ain’t no one here, so back off,” Chloe chuckled.

  Sitting at the other table, Joseph rolled his eyes up to the ceiling, “Oh, fuck a duck,” he mumbled.

  “YOU LITTLE FUCKING ASSWIPE BITCH!” Arthur screamed, making every kid near Chloe get up and take off running. Jumping up on the table and walking over to jump off on the other side of Chloe, Arthur reached down and grabbed her by the hair to lift her to her feet as Chloe let out a scream, grabbing his hand. Realizing she couldn’t make Arthur let go, she started kicking out.

  Watching Chloe’s boots lash out at Arthur, Wendy stepped up and punched Chloe in the back left kidney. “Kick him again and I’ll fucking kill you!” Wendy screamed as Chloe froze up in pain, forgetting all about the pain of Arthur holding her off the ground by her hair.

  Seeing Chloe had stopped moving, Arthur just let her hair go and she crumpled to the floor and started gasping for breath. Everyone in the room was watching with gaping eyes except Joseph, who was still looking up at the ceiling. “You piss off Dad by fucking with Mom, you’re lucky to live if you piss off Mom by fucking with Dad,” he sighed. “Dad will hurt you if you’re lucky, mom will kill you slowly if you’re not.”

  “Get up!” Wendy shouted.

  “Fuck off,” Chloe panted as she curled up in pain.

  Reaching down and again lifting up Chloe by the hair, when she opened her mouth to scream, Arthur’s right fist lashed out into Chloe’s gut. Through the air, Chloe went sailing back nearly to the wall and everyone saw the handful of nasty black hair in Arthur’s clenched hand.

  Holding Allen numbly to his chest, “If anyone in Chloe’s family is still alive, they felt that gut punch,” Todd mumbled.

  Trembling in rage, Wendy turned to Arthur. “We’re throwing the bitch out,” she growled.

  Turning over his shoulder and dropping the handful of hair, “Shawn, get your gear and pull the Blazer around!” Arthur barked, and Shawn took off so fast his chair hit the floor. “She gets a bath before she leaves because she was told every day,” Arthur said.

  Bending down and grabbing Chloe by the left arm, Wendy twisted it up behind her back, forcing Chloe to her feet. Struggling to breathe from the pain radiating from her gut, Chloe couldn’t even whimper as Wendy steered her toward the door. “Fine,” Wendy snapped. “We’ll bathe her ass under the water hose outside, then throw her out.”

  Following Wendy out, “Eat, we’ll be back. Save some food for Shawn,” Arthur said, walking out.

  “They can’t throw her out, she’s just a kid,” Sarah gasped looking around, but didn’t see anyone taking her side. Not even Sutton or Skannish.

  “I would just kill that bitch,” Ellie said, stunning Sarah. “That girl has been nothing but trouble since she got here and everyone, including Arthur and Wendy, have gone out of their way to help her.”

  Turning in her chair, “Sutton?” Sarah gasped.

  Picking up his fork, “I wouldn’t kill Chloe, but not a day has gone by that I haven’t wanted to take off my belt and blister her backside,” Sutton said.

  “You stopped me from doing that yesterday,” Skannish groaned.

  “Chloe would’ve whooped your ass,” Sutton popped off. “You aren’t in the shape Arthur and Wendy are in.”

  Scoffing, “I’ve never been in that good of shape, even as a teenager,” Skannish added.

  “I don’t like her either, but she’s only sixteen!” Sarah cried out.

  Finally tak
ing his eyes off the ceiling, “Sarah, she was putting everyone at risk here,” Joseph said very pleasantly, which shocked everyone, including Sarah. “Two days ago, you told me you wished Chloe would act better so you could put her driving a truck, but you said,” Joseph stressed, “she would probably kill someone by running them over and wouldn’t even care. Sarah, you were right. Chloe would’ve, and she would’ve died on the spot.”

  “Your dad is the Caravan Man, but he wouldn’t just kill a sixteen-year-old girl,” Sarah popped off.

  “Bullshit,” Joseph scoffed, and nearly everyone was nodding in agreement. “But Dad wouldn’t have killed her. Mom would’ve, and it wouldn’t have been pretty.”

  Sarah just gaped at Joseph in shock at the revelation. Seeing Sarah was finding that hard to believe, “Sarah, did you notice where each hit Chloe?” Joseph asked.

  Nodding, “Yeah, your dad hit her stomach and your mom hit her in the back,” Sarah answered.

  “Close enough,” Joseph shrugged. “Both hurt and nobody here can even argue that,” he stated confidently, and most nodded. “In two days, Chloe’s stomach will still be sore but for the next week she’s going to be peeing blood, and will still be able to feel where every knuckle from Mom’s hand punched her.”

  At the end of the table, “Whoa, when the queen dishes out punishment, it’s lasting,” Todd gasped.

  Turning to Todd, Joseph gave a little nod. “Someone finally understands,” he said with pride. “You fear Mom a hundred times worse than you fear Dad.”

  Leaning close to Todd, “What?” Andrea whispered.

  Shaking his head, “Oh no, you’re figuring this out on your own,” Todd stated vehemently.

  Trying not to laugh at Todd, “Sarah, do you feel sorry for Chloe?” Joseph asked.

  Almost answering yes from habit, Sarah paused and then gave a slight shrug. “Well, kind of,” she admitted.

  Giving a pleased nod, “Glad to hear that,” Joseph said. “Do you feel bad for the kids here who’ve gone way out of their way to help Chloe, only to have her shit on them for their help?”