TRIBES

by Mia Frances

  "It's Wolf's," Deana responded, making no attempt to hide her contempt for the man. "He's been staying here. Just moved right in and took over."

  "I don't like him," Lindsey announced, drawing nods of approval from everyone but Charles and Justin. "He's always telling us what to do. Like he's the boss of us…our father or something."

  "You should be thankful he's here," Justin countered. "He saved Aunt Alex's life. Besides, I don't hear you complaining when you're eating his food."

  "I don't care," Lindsey snapped. "I still don't like him. He's always giving orders, expects everybody to jump when he says something. He tells us when to get up, when to go to bed, when to eat..."

  "He's been good to us!" Charles interrupted, defending Wolf. "We owe him. I don't see where it's asking too much for you to show him a little respect and do what he says. You get into trouble because you give him an attitude every time he asks you to do something."

  "Baloney!" she sputtered, scowling at him. "The only reason Charles and Justin like him is because he said he'd teach them how to hunt. They think they're big shots now, because he always leaves them in charge when he goes out.'"

  "They're the men in the family," Deana said sarcastically. "Some men, two string beans with not even half a brain between them. They're supposed to protect us. Can you believe it?"

  "You're just pissed 'cause you're a spoiled brat. You think since you're the oldest that makes you the big cheese around here, the head honcho. Well think again!" her brother retorted.

  "They tattle on us," Lindsey fumed, giving Justin a dirty look. He was a traitor! "If we don't do what they say, they run to tell him, just to get us in trouble."

  "You wouldn't get into trouble if you did what you were told. You bring it on yourself. Wolf's right! You need a good spanking! That's the only thing that's going to straighten you out," Justin told her.

  "What?" Alex looked horrified.

  "She's sassed him one too many times," her nephew filled her in on the situation. "Wolf told her that the next time she mouthed off to him, he was going to take down her pants, put her over his knee, and introduce her bare butt to the business end of his belt. He'll do it too. He's had enough of her lip. You should hear the way she talks to him!"

  "I hate him. I wish he was dead." Lindsey's eyes were blazing; she meant every word.

  Why don't you tell him that to his face?" Charles challenged. "Go ahead, I dare you! The only people here that get yelled at are the ones that deserve it."

  "He's a bully! Nobody likes him. Everybody's scared to death of him," Deana protested, furious that the boys were distorting things, making it appear as though she and Lindsey were at fault. "When he comes through the door, everybody has to walk around on eggshells, so we don't piss him off."

  "He yells a lot," Michelle complained.

  "And he makes us go to bed real early," Shawn added, putting in his two cents.

  "He's super strict. When he tells you to do something, he expects you to do it immediately. He gets real mad if you don't. He says he shouldn't have to repeat himself. Tell us more then once," Seth griped. "He never smiles. He's always frowning. That's what makes him look so scary. He's kind of like my father, always mad about something or other."

  "What," Lindsey snarled. "How dare you say something like that. Daddy was a good man. He may have been a little strict, but he was never mean to us. Besides, he was our father; he had a right to order us around. Wolf's nothing to us. Nothing at all! He's got no right to come in here and act like he owns the place!"

  "Enough already! Get over it!" Justin grumbled in annoyance, tired of her constant bellyaching, "Once Aunt Alex is better, he'll probably leave."

  "Fat chance," Deana contradicted. "He' s moved in lock, stock, and barrel. Made himself right at home. As mom used to say…you couldn't pry him loose from this place with a crowbar. He's taken a shine to Aunt Alex. He's not going anywhere!"

  "What? Like a girlfriend?" Seth asked in surprise.

  "Don't be dumb." Deana snapped. "Of course like a girlfriend! You didn't think he came here because he cared about us, did you?"

  "Guess I never really thought about it."

  "How can you be so stupid, so incredibly immature? He never takes his eyes off her. What are you, blind?"

  "Do you like him?" Jasmin asked in a little squeak of a voice."

  Alex opened her mouth to speak, but her words were silenced by the thumping sound of heavy footsteps on the porch. He was back.

  All eyes turned toward the door, the floorboards shaking at his approach. A blast of cold air blew into the room as the door flew open. There, snow swirling around him, stood Wolf. He stamped his feet, trying to shake the snow loose from his boots, then stepped inside, slamming the door behind him. Without saying a word, he crossed to the fireplace and stood in front of it, rubbing his nearly frozen hands and arms, trying to get the blood circulating. Taking off his gloves, he threw them on the rocker and held his hands out toward the warmth of the flames, then he turned to look at Alex, "Glad to see you've decided to return to the land of the living. How are you feeling?"

  "Better," she stammered.

  "Is the fever down?" He directed the question at Deana.

  "Yes. I think so. Her forehead feels cooler," the girl replied.

  "Are you in pain?" he turned his attention back to Alex.

  "A little," she answered, averting her eyes from his persistent gaze.

  He pulled a bottle from his pocket and handed it to Deana. "Give her two of these every four hours. That's all I could find today." Deana took it from him and went to get some water from the pitcher. "Did you eat anything?"

  Alex nodded. Though his questions showed concern, his tone and manner were gruff.

  Setting the glass of water down beside the bed, Deana fumbled with the cap of the bottle, trying to get it off. After tugging a moment, she finally freed it, only to have the bottle drop from her hands, spilling the pills all over the floor. Her face went white as she hurriedly dropped to her knees and began scooping them up. Head bowed, hands trembling, she retrieve each one. When she finally stood up again, Deana looked sheepish and ready to cry. She handed the pills to her aunt, then held the glass for her while she drank. Deana was afraid to meet Wolf's gaze, fearing he'd scold her for being so clumsy.

  He rolled his eyes, peeved at the girl's carelessness. Aspirin were hard to come by. He'd spent the entire day breaking into abandoned vehicles and buildings trying to find some. Wolf turned away, taking off the plaid blanket he wore as a poncho and the heavy jacket beneath it. "Hang these up please," he said, passing them to Seth. The boy did as he was told, without comment or complaint. "Did you finish bringing up the wood, like I told you?" he asked, looking at Justin.

  "Yes sir. It's stacked behind the cabin."

  "More wood?" Alex asked, surprised. "But there's already five or six cords out there now." It seemed cruel to force the children to work out in the cold and snow when they already had enough.

  "Most of what you've got is small stuff. It's only good for kindling; you'll go through it in no time," he told her, "You need real logs. Something that's going to throw some heat. That pine out there isn't worth shit. It burns too fast." That said, he walked over to the stove.

  She watched as he reached into the cupboard, pulled out a bowl, and filled it with hot soup. Sitting down at the table, he began to eat, glancing up every once in a while to look over at Alex and the children. By the look of it, he'd made himself quite at home here.

  Jasmine stared at him a moment, then turned and whispered in Alex's ear. "Do you think Santa Claus will come tonight?"

  "Oh honey," she said gently, "I don't think he'll be able to come this year."

  "Maybe next year?" she asked sadly.

  Alex nodded.

  "It doesn't feel much like Christmas," Michelle complained, looking dejected and ready to cry.

  "I know sweetheart, I know," Alex comforted, choking up herself.

  Charles looked around at the d
espairing faces and began singing, "Silent night. Holy night. All is calm. All is bright." At first, the others just stared at him, but then they joined in. By the time, they'd finished "Oh come all ye faithful," the sad looks had changed to smiles. There were flat notes and fumbled verses, but no one seemed to mind. Across the room, Wolf sat watching them, his face showing little, if any, emotion.

  The children had just finished a rousing chorus of "Jingle Bells" and were arguing over what to sing next when Wolf stood up. "That's enough for tonight. It's late. Time for bed."

  Lindsey looked at her aunt, eyes pleading with her to do or say something. The other children watched, waiting to see if Alex would overrule Wolf and let them stay up.

  Before she could utter a word, Wolf spoke again, "I said get to bed!" From his tone, it was obvious that there was no room for discussion or argument.

  The children quickly scattered, pausing only long enough to kiss Alex good night before hurrying off. Lindsey was the only one foolhardy enough to risk his ire. She stood her ground defiantly. She wasn't tired and had no intention of going to bed. He had no right to tell her what to do! She frowned at him, then began to smooth the wrinkles from the blanket. "'I'm going to sit up with Aunt Alex for a while," Lindsey announced, looking him straight in the eye and daring him to do something about it.

  "You're going to bed little girl," he told her in no uncertain terms, his eyes narrowing. "I'll tend to your aunt."

  She ignored him, focusing her attention on the bed covers. She'd been bullied by him long enough. Now that Aunt Alex was better, Lindsey had no intention of letting it continue. This was her aunt's house, not his. He had no say here. The other kids might be afraid of him, but she certainly wasn't. Let him grit his teeth and spit orders, she wasn't moving!

  "I'm not going to tell you again," he warned, his patience waning. But the girl refused to budge.

  "Please do as he says," Alex coaxed, trying to avoid a confrontation. The girl was headed for trouble, more trouble than she knew. Wolf was not a man to be ignored.

  Lindsey shook her head, determined to have it out with him here and now. He could threaten her all he wanted, but he wouldn't dare do anything with Aunt Alex in the room.

  His hand moved to the buckle of his belt and undid it. "You're going to learn to mind me little girl; I've had about as much of your sass and back talk as I can stand. When I tell you to do something, you damn well better do it, or else!" He pulled the belt from his waist.

  Lindsey paled, her bottom lip quivering as he walked toward her. All the bravado of the previous moment having faded.

  "Please," Alex begged as she struggled to get up from the bed. "Please don't do this. Lindsey, go to bed now!" she ordered, afraid he'd lose his temper and hurt the child.

  "You stay put!" He pointed at Alex. "This is none of your concern. This is between Lindsey and me!"

  Lindsey cringed as he folded the belt in half, snapping it menacingly against the palm of his hand. Realizing that her aunt could do nothing to protect her from him, the girl dissolved into tears.

  "Get your butt over here!"

  Eyes glued to the belt, she hesitated a moment, fearing what was coming, then meekly did as she was told. Lindsey stood before him, her head bowed.

  Tears welled up in Alex's eyes, she was powerless, too ill and weak to do anything to stop him.

  He loomed over the girl, plainly displeased with her behavior, yet made no move to strike her. Gone was the bravado, insolence, hostile looks, and open defiance; all that remained was a terrified child. He raised the belt, then lowered it, his anger ebbing away. He couldn't bring himself to punish her, even though she certainly deserved a licking. Lindsay was meek as a lamb now. What more could be accomplished by spanking her?

  "'Well?" he said, gruffly. "Don't you have something you want to say to me?

  Lindsey was trembling as she lifted her head to look at him. She was afraid to say anything, fearing that whatever she said would only make matters worse. A second later, she bowed her head again, hiding her eyes from his stern gaze.

  He took her chin in his hand, forcing Lindsey to look up at him, "I expect an apology from you," he told her.

  "I'm sorry," she whimpered, her blue eyes clouded with tears.

  "You best be," he warned. "This is your last chance. I've had it with your sassy mouth, disobedience, and your I'll-do-whatever-the-hell-I-want attitude. News flash! No, you won't! You'll do what I say! So long as I'm the one putting food on this table, I won't tolerate any willfulness, defiance, or back talk from you! Got that? When I speak to you, you'd better listen up. You should thank your lucky stars I've got the Christmas spirit, because if I didn't, you'd be going to bed tonight with a sore butt. But I'm warning you, you keep trying my patience, mouthing off to me the way you've been doing, and acting like a spiteful, spoiled brat, and I promise you'll get the whipping you've been angling for. Do you understand me?"

  "Yes," Lindsay sniffled, nodding her head.

  "Yes sir!" he corrected.

  "Yes sir," she repeated, choking out the words.

  "Now get that naughty ass of yours to bed."

  Lindsey turned to go and as she did, Wolf swung the belt at her behind. Startled by the belt's painful bite, she yelped, quickly moving her hand to protect her bottom. She held her breath, waiting for the next whack to come, but nothing happened. After a moment, she gingerly turned around to look at him, her manner timid and contrite.

  "Stings doesn't it?"

  "Yes," she meekly whispered.

  "That'll give you something to think about the next time you get the urge to be contrary. I want you to remember just how bad your backside hurts from just one smack. Then imagine what 20 hard whacks across your bare butt would feel like."

  From the chastened look on her face, it was apparent he'd finally gotten through to her.

  "Go on. Get to bed!"

  Lindsey nodded and began cautiously backing away from him, her hand still firmly pressed against her sore behind. She didn't trust him, afraid that once her back was turned, he'd use her backside for target practice again. Once she was safely out of range, Lindsey spun on her heels and made a hasty exit up the stairs and out of sight.

  Wolf watched after her, the barest hint of a smile on his lips. She was a handful that one, with a mind of her own. She reminded him of Katie. Just as sassy. All piss and vinegar, and full of the devil. His smile disappeared as memories came flooding back. What a feisty piece of work she was, always had to have the last word, constantly testing the limits. He'd loved her dearly, but he was also very strict with her. It made her afraid of him, afraid of displeasing him. He grieved now for the times he'd yelled and punished her.

  She'd been in kindergarten when he married Lynn. It had been his hope that she, unlike her two older brothers, would come to regard him as a real father. Jessie and David had resented him from the get-go, but he'd expected that. They'd been unruly, little hooligans when he first met their mother. Ill-mannered and disobedient. He'd tried to cut them some slack. It wasn't their fault they behaved the way they did. They didn't know any better, having spent their entire lives being shunted from one babysitter to another while Lynn tried to eek out a living working two jobs. He'd put a stop to all that when they married, making her quit work so she could stay home and care for the kids. It was rough going, but he'd been determined that his children weren't going to run the streets the way he had. They were going to be brought up right. The boys' father never sent a nickel of support, abandoning them and taking off for parts unknown with a barfly he'd been screwing. Katie's father was an even bigger asshole, denying paternity, leaving Lynn holding the bag and the baby.

  He'd done a lot of soul searching before deciding to marry her. Lynn was no virgin; she'd been around the block a time or two. Her mistakes and indiscretions were many. But she assured him all that was behind her, vowing to be a good and faithful wife if only he'd give her the chance. In the end, he'd made the commitment, determined to be the kind of father
he'd never had: a good husband, a good provider, someone who'd always be there, even when the going got rough.

  His own father had taken a powder when he was six, never to be heard from again. That had been his family's undoing. His mother was so devastated that she crawled into a bottle; and, finding she liked it, stayed there, hiding from the world until the day she died. She'd kept the family together, but was so overwhelmed by her own emotional problems that she couldn't deal with anyone else, including her own sons.

  The Wolf boys had been a tough bunch: wise-mouthed troublemakers with chips on their shoulders. Out of the four brothers, Wolf was the only one that made it through high school. The others either quit or got kicked out. Clayton, the oldest, was a real hard case, always picking fights and getting into trouble. After a few scrapes with the law, he headed west, looking for a new start. Too bad he couldn't keep his nose clean. He got involved with drugs and wound up doing time. Casey and Brendon were shiftless boozers who couldn't hold a steady job. As far as he was concerned, he had no family. They didn't exist. He wanted no part of them. He worked hard, saved his money, and stayed out of bars for the most part. What saved him was the military. He'd joined up the day after he graduated high school. The Army had instilled the discipline his upbringing lacked. He'd spent 15 years on active duty doing three tours in Iraq and five in Afghanistan Then he'd joined the National Guard to get his 20 years in.

  When Lynn and he married, Wolf already owned a house, albeit a modest one. He moved them out of the rattrap they'd been living in and tried to make them a family. He worked two jobs in the beginning just to make ends meet. The plant during the day and changing tires and oil at a gas station three nights a week, in addition to his duties with the Guard. It was tough going, but he didn't shirk his responsibilities. He gave the kids nutritious food to eat, decent clothes on their backs, and a clean, warm place to live. He instigated rules and saw to it that they were followed. For that he found himself the object of his stepsons' ill will.