Stolen Liberty: Behind the Curtain

by Thomas A. Watson

  “I, uh, better get going,” Charlie announced, almost tripping over the aluminum chair in his haste to leave the area. He was getting himself spun up, he realized, but did not seem able to stop his flight. “See you around.”

  So intent on leaving, he almost missed her parting words.

  “I look forward to seeing you again, Charlie Tucker.”

  Gathering up his gear, Charlie retreated back to the changing room and away from this beautiful, interesting woman. He felt conflicted, and the thought of her looking forward to seeing him again made the hair on the nape of his neck stand up.

  “Rangers lead the way,” he whispered to himself as he headed for the showers.

  Chapter Four

  Chicago, Illinois

  “I hate this damn city,” Randy snarled, fighting the urge to hold his middle finger out the window as a car driving forty crossed over to the center lane, pulling in front of him from an entrance ramp. Glancing in his rearview mirror, he pursed his lips barely shaking his head in trembling anger, seeing he wasn’t getting over any time soon. Taking a deep breath and trying to calm down, Randy narrowed his eyes and just gave up as another slowpoke pulled onto the highway.

  “I would buy Kristi a new house from my own pocket if she left this damn town,” he said, still glancing in his mirror, and the first slow car he was still behind actually slowed down more while the rest of the traffic zipped past.

  Watching his side mirror at the line of cars passing, Randy spotted a gap coming in the line of cars. Randy yanked the steering wheel to send his lifted Blazer into the outside lane and the small gap widened as the truck he cut off hit the brake when it saw the massive 4x4 was coming over regardless. Stomping the gas, he looked out the passenger window, but couldn’t see the pokey driven car because his truck was too high. Glancing in his rearview mirror, he saw he had scarcely passed the car and jerked his steering wheel right, pulling only feet in front of the slow car.

  Hearing a honk, Randy smiled, pressing the gas and fighting the urge to stomp the brake. “If you can’t stop, smile as you go under,” Randy sang out with a smile.

  Pulling onto the exit lane an hour later and feeling very proud of himself for only flipping off three drivers, Randy guided his truck off at the Oak Lawn exit. Traffic for a Saturday at eight in the morning wasn’t bad, but it was more than he liked dealing with. Guiding his truck through the affluent neighborhood, Randy moved to the turning lane.

  It never ceased to amaze him at all the nice houses in this neighborhood where Kristi lived. The house, she got from her grandparents just before Wheat died. She’d gotten her nursing degree while Wheaton was in the Army. With a kid still in diapers and six months pregnant, Kristi had moved from Washington State back to her hometown.

  The move had nothing to do with nostalgia. When Wheaton died, the military told Kristi she had thirty days to vacate the base. At the time, Randy was in Walter Reed with most of the team. Charlie had been sent to Texas to the military burn center. Randy’s parents came to the hospital and he’d begged them to help Kristi.

  They’d left Randy and had driven to Chicago and met Kristi, helping her move in. That was when Randy’s mom became endeared to Kristi. Since Kristi’s parents had moved to Florida and her younger sister was in college at the time, nobody in her family helped. They did come for the funeral but didn’t even return when Emily was born. Kristi’s sister, Tabitha, did move back to Chicago after school, but only came to Kristi when she needed something.

  Randy’s parents, Lena and Oliver, more or less adopted Kristi then and there. His mom stayed with Kristi for the last month of her pregnancy, then didn’t come back home until Emily was two months old. Many times, Randy told his parents thank you for that, but they just told him it was the right thing to do. The fact Kristi’s family never showed up made Randy and the team realize why Wheaton had begged for the vow, and come hell or high water, it would be kept. The only living relative Wheaton had was a brother in jail.

  Rather excited, Randy had left his house at 0500 as had his parents, but his mom and dad took the RV. His mom didn’t like riding in his Blazer since you literally had to climb up into it. What Randy really thought was they didn’t like how fast he drove because his parents always took their own vehicle. They made the trip to Kristi’s almost as many times as he and the trio did. None of the team could remember a month that at least one of them hadn’t come to Chicago to stay a few days. Oliver still hadn’t forgiven Randy or the others for not telling him about the plumbing incident. Thinking back, Randy really wished he had because his dad would’ve been a big help, saving them a lot of money and time.

  Slowing down, Randy guided his truck next to the curb in front of Kristi’s house. It was a nice-sized, two-story brick home. Kristi made good money as a nurse but couldn’t have afforded to live there if her grandparents hadn’t willed her the paid-for house. Even with the house paid for, Kristi was pressed just covering the taxes and insurance. Over the years, he and the trio did many upgrades. Most Kristi loved because she was going to do them anyway when money allowed. A few improvements she didn’t want but would give in because they would just show up with the supplies.

  The two main ones she hadn’t cared for were they had replaced all the entrance doors with steel doors and frames. Next, they had installed storm doors on all the entrance doors. Then they had replaced the ground floor windows with storm windows, then put bars on the windows. When they had finished, Robbie had noted if Chicago got hit with a hurricane, Kristi and the kids would be safe.

  The neighborhood association didn’t like the upgrades because nobody had cleared it with them, but the boys didn’t care. To shut the HOA up, Charlie had filed suit against the management company and then served them a stack of discovery, including requests for admissions and a whole volume of requests for production. As far as Randy was concerned it was mumbo jumbo, but Charlie insisted they would back off once he scheduled the depositions for the President of the Homeowners Association, and he had been correct. Randy, Cody, and Robbie just wanted to burn down the HOA building and beat the board members with baseball bats. None of them liked Chicago and more than once, all of them had begged Kristi to move, telling her it was too dangerous here. They didn’t like a city that made it illegal to defend yourself, and cost an arm and a leg to live in.

  Kristi was a very pretty woman at five-foot-five with short black hair. The death of Wheat had aged her, along with being a nurse and single mom, but she wore it well. Six years older than Randy, Robbie, and Charlie, she actually looked younger.

  Opening the door of his Blazer, Randy dropped out, taking most of the weight on his left side. The prosthetic took the impact better than his foot did. The prosthetic he was wearing today was the main one he wore. Like all his prosthetics, a shoe could be worn on it and he bent over adjusting his pants that had pulled up, exposing the flexible joint.

  Grabbing one of Emily’s presents, he shut the door and walked around his truck and grinned, seeing Robbie’s Harley in the driveway. Before he could think about when Blaster got here, “Uncle Randy!” he heard and turned to see Clark and Emily charging out of the house at him.

  Kneeling and putting the wrapped box he was carrying on the ground, Randy held his arms wide. They crashed into him, almost taking Randy to the ground as they wrapped their arms around his neck, squeezing tight. “Man, I was just here two weeks ago, and I swear you two have grown,” he said, hugging them tight.

  They leaned back, looking at him with grins, “We haven’t grown in two weeks,” Clark laughed. Randy looked at Clark’s face and smiled with remorse. He was the spitting image of Wheat. He had just turned thirteen but was big like his dad. Clark was already as tall as his mom and stout. Looking at little Emily, she was demure like her mom but had Wheat’s bright green eyes. It wasn’t hard to see his friend in these two.

  “Where’s Granny and Grandpa?” Emily asked, looking down the road with a worried expression.

  “Emily, you know they n
ever ride with me,” Randy laughed, hearing the door open and looked up to see Kristi step out on the porch.

  “You need to get a ladder, so Granny can get in your monster truck,” Clark smiled, letting Randy go as he stood up. Randy glanced behind him at his truck. The bottom of the truck was over four feet off the ground and the huge tires made it look taller.

  “I don’t think Granny likes how fast I drive,” Randy laughed, turning back to the kids.

  “You drive the best,” Emily said in a cheer. “When people drive stupid, you wave your middle finger at them and honk your horn, yelling you’re going to run over them.”

  Walking over, Kristi laughed, “Yes, like a little girl did yesterday.”

  With a pained look, Randy leaned down. “I told you not to do that when your mom was around,” he said in a low voice to Emily.

  “She did it, too,” Emily whined.

  Clark looked back at his mom. “And Mom rolled down her window yelling a lot more than she would run them over,” he chuckled.

  “Kids,” Kristi said, raising her eyebrows and both stopped smiling. “I’m grown.”

  “That’s right,” Randy agreed, pulling the kids beside him. “Only do that when you are with me,” he said with a serious face and nod.

  Kristi laughed, stepping over and hugging Randy. “Don’t know what I’m going to do with any of you,” she laughed. Letting Randy go, the laugh turned into a smile.

  Behind them, the door opened up. “I don’t remember a welcome like that,” Robbie commented, coming out on the front porch.

  “Robbie, you got here before seven and the kids ran out in pajamas,” Kristi snapped, glancing back at him. “I was brushing my teeth. I swear, none of you sleep.”

  Watching Robbie come trotting down the porch steps, Randy laughed. “I want to know how Robbie can party all night and still get up before sunrise.”

  “Sleep is overrated,” Robbie said, walking up and Randy moved over as they engulfed each other in a bear hug.

  “Momma is going to yell at you, Blaster, for driving your motorcycle,” Randy chuckled, letting Robbie go.

  Lifting his left arm up and pointing at his bike, “Mom can yell at me all she wants to, but not at my bike,” Robbie said, pointing at his bike with his prosthetic hook.

  Looking over at the massive chrome-covered Harley, Randy shook his head. “Momma would’ve broken it by now but can’t believe how much money you have invested in it.”

  “Pop likes it,” Robbie huffed.

  “Yeah, because Momma made Dad sell his when I was born,” Randy grinned.

  Shaking his head, “Sometimes, Ms. Lena needs a spanking,” Robbie said.

  “You can try to spank her,” Randy laughed.

  “Nope,” Robbie said with a straight face. “I’ve had enough beatdowns in my life.”

  “Is that my present?” Emily asked, clapping her hands.

  Looking at the big box, Randy nodded. “One of them,” he said, and Kristi looked up at him, narrowing her eyes.

  “I told each of you, one present,” she almost growled and waved her hand at Robbie. “UPS delivered his yesterday.”

  “I couldn’t carry them on the bike,” Robbie cried out. “Putting a trailer on a hog is like putting training wheels on; it’s sacrilege.”

  Looking at Robbie with a flat expression, “Yeah,” Randy snapped. “You have proven that point.”

  Kristi busted out laughing, slapping her leg. Last year, she and the kids met up at the Grand Canyon with Randy, Cody, Charlie, and Robbie to go backpacking and kayaking for a week. At the parking area, a young man had pulled in riding a Harley that had training wheels and Robbie had spun off on the young man. Charlie and Randy had to tackle Robbie before he attacked the young man. As they’d held Robbie down, the young man had jumped on his training-wheeled Harley and sped away.

  “I can’t believe you threatened to beat him to death with his own bike,” she howled, stumbling around laughing.

  “Kristi,” Robbie said, holding his chin high. “There are some things that just can’t be overlooked.”

  Clasping Robbie’s shoulder, “Brother, you’re lucky we didn’t get thrown in jail,” Randy grinned.

  “Book’s a lawyer,” Robbie huffed.

  “Yeah, that’s why he wanted us to hurry up and get on the river before the park rangers showed up,” Randy replied.

  “I’m not apologizing,” Robbie snapped with a straight face. “The kids didn’t need to see a Harley with training wheels. I’m sure it scarred them mentally.”

  Taking a step back, “I didn’t ask you to,” Randy said. “I just wish you would’ve kept your mouth shut and we could’ve thrown the bike in the canyon.”

  “Oh,” Robbie said, raising his eyebrows and nodding. “You need help getting your stuff?”

  “With the presents, but I’m going to go to a hotel-,” Randy started, and the laughter left Kristi’s face and the kids gasped.

  “What are you talking about?!” she snapped, very close to a yell. “We have room for everyone!”

  “Well, with the entire group here again with Momma and Dad, it’s kind of crowded,” Randy tried to explain, taking a step back from Kristi.

  “Mom and Pop are bringing the RV, aren’t they?” Kristi asked, crossing her arms and Randy nodded. “There’s more than enough room and even if they weren’t… Troop!” she snapped, making everyone jump. “Your ass will be staying here.”

  Robbie stepped up. “You remember, I never said I was going to a hotel. This is all on Shadow.”

  “Blaster!” Kristi snapped, making him jump back. “You learned your lesson last time.”

  “Kri-,” Randy started, and Kristi held up her hand stopping him.

  When Randy closed his mouth, she crossed her arms again. “This is your home here and if you have a problem, we can settle up.”

  A grin split Randy’s face. Even after all the years, he could still see and hear Wheat acting the same way Kristi was now. “You win,” Randy gave in, and the kids started cheering.

  Cutting his eyes to Robbie, Randy saw Robbie hold up his hand and hook. “Brother, don’t look at me,” he cried out. “When I asked last Christmas, Kristi grabbed a broom to hit me.”

  “I would’ve caught you if the kids hadn’t latched onto my legs,” Kristi admitted, then slowly started to grin.

  Leaning over, Robbie hugged the kids, “Thank you again for that,” he whispered in a low voice. Leaning up, “Let’s get your stuff,” he said, looking at Randy.

  Everyone came over as Randy climbed up in the passenger door, passing out two more presents and grabbed his bag. When he jumped out, moving to the back of the Blazer and opening the back, he purposely kept his eyes diverted from Kristi. He could feel the hard stare burning the side of his face.

  “Blaster, need your help carrying this one,” Randy said, handing his small suitcase to Clark. The burning on the side of his face from Kristi’s stare intensified.

  As Randy helped Robbie carry the box, Robbie looked at him while shaking his head. “Just to warn you, she’s going to pull you in the kitchen and give you a lecture. She’s in that mood because I already got mine,” he said in a low voice.

  “What is that?” Kristi asked, nodding at the box they were carrying.

  “A present,” Randy scoffed. “Kristi, I can’t tell you with Emily right here.”

  “I should of thought of that,” Robbie mumbled, walking up the porch steps.

  Running to the door, Emily held it open. “Can I open one now?” she asked Randy with pouty eyes.

  Just as Randy was about to say yes, Kristi barked. “Emily!”

  “Um, how about we wait till the party. Granny and Grandpa will want to watch you open your presents,” Randy offered wisely.

  The pouty face dropped off and a smile sprang up on Emily’s face. “Okay,” she said and they carried the box in. Kristi put the present she was carrying down and Randy saw a stack of presents in the dining room.

  “Those f
rom you?” Randy asked Robbie as they set the box down.

  “Hell yes!” Kristi snapped, making both jump. “I told each of you, one present. I have told all of you that since they were babies, one present, but do any of you ever listen?”

  “Um,” Randy said looking away. “I only got you one present for Christmas this year,” he said proudly.

  “I told you not to get me any!” Kristi snapped.

  “Oh, yeah,” Randy mumbled. “Why don’t you tell that to Momma and Dad?” he asked.

  Giving a startle, the hostile expression on her face dropped as Kristi shook her head. “Uh-uh. Mom and Pop would spank my butt.”

  “Yep,” Robbie grinned as he gave a nod.

  Hearing a car pull up, the kids took off out the door. “You two can wait on us!” Kristi yelled out, chasing them and Robbie and Randy followed.

  Moving to the door, Kristi thought of the four and couldn’t help but smile. She didn’t know how she would’ve made it without them, or Mom and Pop for that matter. It wasn’t the help they provided that she loved so dearly, it was the sense of family they brought to her and the kids.

  Granted, if the kids weren’t so well-mannered, there was no doubt in Kristi’s mind they would be spoiled brats. Cody, Charlie, Robbie, and Randy spoiled the hell out of them, along with Mom and Pop. Every Christmas and birthday, the two had mountains of gifts and almost every time the trio came to visit, they brought the kids something.