by Ira Tabankin
Chapter 11
The day dawned bright, warm and windy. Jay sits in the castle’s family room listening to the wind whistle, he thinks there will most likely be a thunderstorm later in the day. His head tilts between looking at the steaming cup of coffee next to him and the person sitting across from him. His mind drifts, he wishes he could be anyplace other than where he is currently. He picks his head up, nodding and trying to force a smile towards his oldest daughter who’s sitting across from him.
“Daddy, you don’t understand what happened. You were sick, you were in a coma. Tony went behind your back, he acted because he knew you wouldn’t approve of his action. He brought up my husband, the man I love, the father of your first granddaughter, on trial. He told everyone that Ricky tried to kill you, he brought Ricky in front of everyone. He forced Ricky into admitting he poisoned you. He most likely held a gun to Ricky’s back to make him confess. We both know he didn’t have anything to do with your poisoning. Dad, surely you know he wouldn’t have tried to kill you. He loves you, we all love you. You saw how he tried to put the past behind him.”
“Sammi…”
“Daddy, please let me finish. I love Ricky. You always told me that you would do anything to protect me and make me happy. Since you’ve been awake, you haven’t done a thing to bring Ricky back or send a rescue team to locate him. From where I’m sitting, it doesn’t look like you’re protecting me or making me happy. Are you breaking the word you gave to me when I was a little girl? Am I no longer your little girl? You might not like him, but he is my husband and your son-in-law. Linda misses her daddy. She cries every night asking me when her daddy will come home. What should I tell her? Do you want me to tell her that her Papa allowed her father to be banished and send outside to die? If I tell her that, she’ll hate you. Do you want your princess to grow up hating you?”
Jay shakes his head. He looks over at his cup of coffee wishing he could get up and refill his cup. He wishes he could be anywhere but sitting in front of his daughter. He thought to himself, I wonder how Tony is, I wonder when the Major is leaving to join the battle to our west? God, how do I explain reality to my own flesh and blood? How do I undo years of brainwashing from my ex and her damn politically correct schools? She’s been corrupted, brainwashed, she doesn’t see the reality. She refuses to see the truth. I don’t know what to say to her. I don’t know what to say to make her see reality, not as she wants it to be, but what it is.
“Sam, will you accept that it’s possible Ricky tried to kill me?”
“Daddy, no, I can’t accept that. I think Tony or someone else in your inner circle tried to kill you so they could replace you. They needed a scapegoat so they blamed my poor Ricky. Don’t you remember he was trying so hard to put the past behind the two of you? He was trying to get on your good side. He sat with you and talked with you almost every day. How did you pay him back? You allowed your hatchet man, the criminal mafia Don to kill my husband. Banishing him, is the same as killing him. If anything happens to him, his blood will also be on your hands. Linda and I are going to hold you responsible for anything that happens to Ricky.”
Jay sits trying to clear his mind, she doesn’t see reality, I understand how love can blind you to reality. However, she can’t see anything he did wrong. I don’t know how to open her eyes. I don’t know how to make her see the damage her husband did.
“Sam, will you try to open your eyes and see reality? Are you willing and able to see the world as it really is?”
“Dad, you taught me truth depends on who hears it. From where I’m sitting my husband wasn’t given his rights. He didn’t have a defense attorney, he didn’t get to face his accused, he didn’t get a phone call, he didn’t get a normal trial. He was given a kangaroo trial. Everyone voted to banish him because he holds a different political view than your friends do. You couldn’t censor him, so you had him kicked out and in so doing, you took him away from Linda and me.”
“Sam, I didn’t do anything. I have tolerated his different political viewpoints for months now. When he was caught, don't you remember, I was in a coma? I couldn’t do anything. I…”
“I know you. I’ve known you for thirty-five years. You’ve always found a way to pull people’s strings and press their buttons. I know you found a way to arrange the trial before you fell into a coma. I bet you had everything arranged so you could say you had nothing to do with it. You’re no better than Pontius Pilate. Both of you washed your hands after arranging the killing of innocent men. Why didn’t you just crucify him outside your damn shelter so you could remind everyone you’re the sole king. It’s the same with the food. You continue to refuse to feed the hungry and needy. To you, it’s all about you, what’s in it for you? What do you get out of it? I never thought I’d dislike, no hate, my own daddy.”
Tears roll down Sam’s face. Jay gets up to hug his eldest, he goes to put his arms around her, Sam shakes her head.
“No! Get away from me. I don’t want to see you again until you bring my husband home to me. I won’t let you see your granddaughter until you bring my Ricky back to me!”
Jay sits down in his favorite chair thinking, how the hell do I get out of this one? I won’t bring Ricky back. He tried to kill me, who knows how many people he would have hurt or gotten killed if Tony hadn’t put him on trial. If I have to lose my daughter to save my life and the lives of everyone else here, it may be what I have to do. I’m not going to allow her stupidity to harm Linda. I’d rather be in the middle of a battle or anywhere else than here. Damn it, I didn’t raise her to be like this. Something else I have to hold against Ricky if I ever see him again. I don’t think he can survive outside alone. My real worry is some group or gang will capture him and squeeze him to learn about us. He could give someone enough information to lead them back to us. We’d better quickly change the minefield pattern and change everything he might have known. Damn it, as much as I hate to think it, it might have been better if Tony had taken him outside and made him disappear. Tony most likely thought he’d piss me off by killing him; what he did was potentially put all of us at risk. Damn it, should I let Sam leave? She has more brains than Ricky, but a woman alone is just asking for trouble. She’s always been against guns. Damn Ricky, even in banishment he’s causing me problems. If he were here, I’d take him outside and kill him.
“Sam, I want you to listen to what I’m going to say. I want you to listen very closely to every word I’m going to tell you. I’m only going to say it once. How you respond will determine your future.”
“Dad, what are you trying to tell me? Stop playing your silly mind games and just tell me what you want to tell me.”
“Sam, I’ve decided that I’m not going to send a team out to locate Ricky. He tried to kill me. Doctor Basco told me he has one hundred percent proof your husband did it. I can’t trust Ricky, I never trusted him. When he all of a sudden treated me with respect and even caring, part of me was on high alert and part of me thought that maybe tigers can change their stripes. I tried to accept his good faith, what did it get me? He almost killed me. If it hadn’t been for my father, I might not be here.”
“Dad, are you alright? Grandpa has been dead for fifteen years how could he have helped you do anything? Are you sure you’re feeling okay? Maybe we should hold this conversation when you’re feeling better. I think you need to see the doctor, maybe he can give you something to help you think clearer. You must be over stressed. Don’t say something now which will hurt both of us when you’re not thinking straight. I’m going to check on Linda. If you don’t see the doctor, I’ll talk with Lacy, I’ll tell her you’re having hallucinations, I’ll tell her you aren’t thinking right. I think you need to step down as the community leader. You’re obviously suffering effects from your recent medical problems. I’m sorry I brought up my issues with Ricky now. I should have waited until you were back to normal. I’m going to suggest to Fred that he step in and take the lead, of course, it will be just until you’re feeling
better. Dad, I love you. I’m sorry you’re sick.”
“Sam, I’m not sick, nor am I having hallucinations. I’m sorry I said anything. I’m feeling fine. Let’s try to bring the issue about Ricky to a conclusion.”
Sam stands up with a concerned look on her face. “Dad, I’m so sorry, I didn’t know you weren’t better. I’ll see you soon. I’ll bring Linda by to see you. She always makes you feel better.”
“Sam, I’m fine.”
“Dad, maybe we can talk again in a couple of days. I’m going to look for Ricky myself.”
“NO! Sammi, it’s not safe outside our perimeter. Please don’t go.”
“Daddy, it will be fine. The army and militia are patrolling the area close to us. I know Ricky, he wouldn’t have gone far. He would go someplace with shelter to wait for Linda and me.”
“Sam, I forbid you to go. If, as you say, the Army and militia are patrolling the area, they will find Ricky.”
“In case you forgot, I’m an adult. I can come and go as I please. I’m going to look for my husband. If the roles were reversed, you would be out there looking for Lacy, no matter how sick you might be, I know you’d be out there looking for her. You wouldn’t stop until you found her. I’m your daughter, do you expect me to do any less than you would?”
“Sam, it’s not safe out there.”
“Did you give that any thought before you kicked Ricky out? I’m going to find him and bring him home.”
“If you mean here is home. Don’t. If you bring him back, I won’t be able to protect him. There’s a good chance he will be killed. It’s not safe for him here.”
“Then I’m going to take Linda and look for him, once we find him, the three of us will go to our home. We don’t need to stay locked up in your stupid castle.”
“NO!” You’re not taking Linda with you.”
“She’s my daughter. You have her daddy’s blood on your hands, I’m not going to let you come between us. Anyway, you’re sick. Dad, go upstairs and go to bed. I hope you feel better soon.”
Lacy enters the family room holding a fresh pot of coffee,
“I heard yelling, are you both alright? Is something wrong? Is there anything I can do to help settle any minor disagreement?”
Sammi stares into Lacy’s eyes,
“Minor disagreement? This is between my father and me. You can’t bring any value to the discussion. I bet you pushed Tony to get rid of my husband because you never liked him either. You’re as guilty as my own father, both of you have his blood on your hands. Get out of my way. I’m going upstairs to get my daughter. We’re leaving. We’re going to look for my husband and her father.”
“Sam, didn’t your father tell you it’s not safe out there?”
“Bullshit, all bullshit. I’m able to take care of myself. I’ve been doing it for many years. Even as a child I had to take care of myself, your husband was always away. He made me grow up before my time. I took care of myself before, I can do it now. I don’t need you or him. By the way, he’s sick. I wouldn’t trust anything he says or says he sees. He’s having hallucinations. I suggest you take him to the doctor. He’s not well.”
Lacy, shakes her head. “Sam, I can’t allow you to take Linda, she’s a child.”
Sammi slaps Lacy across the face screaming,
“She’s MY child, she’ll never be anything to you. You’re the evil step-grandmother. I’m leaving and taking her. Get out of my way.”
Jay stands up, he looks Sammi in the eyes.
“Lacy, please go upstairs and get Linda, take her to the safe room, lock both of you in. Samantha, you have my permission to pack and go search for your husband. He’s not welcome here, if that means you don’t return, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for letting you down. I’m not allowing you to take Linda into an unsafe location. You don’t have to agree with me, frankly at this point in time, I don’t care. You’re my daughter, I’ll always love you, I’ll always have a place for you in my heart. You’ve made up your mind that your love for your husband is greater than your love for me. I understand that. I don’t hold it against you. I respect you for it. I’m going to rest for a while, I want you out of the castle in ten minutes.”
Jay turns his back and leaves Samantha standing in the family room with her mouth open.
Lacy answers the ringing phone,
“Hello? Yes, John, he’s here. What? Are you sure? Okay, I’ll put him on.”
Lacy holds the phone out to Jay,
“Honey, you need to talk to John.”
“John, what’s up, do you see a threat?”
“Jay, I see a threat, in fact, what I see is shocking and sickening. Do you have your laptop near you?”
“Of course, why?”
“I want you to look at a website, I’ll send you the address. Just click on the address and get a strong grip on yourself.”
Jay clicks on the link, his jaw drops open, Lacy covers her mouth saying,
“Oh my God. Is that real?”
“Yeah, that’s Ricky. It looks like a couple ISIS terrorists captured him.”
“Are they really doing what I think they are?”
“Yes, they’ll let the ants and insects eat him.”
“Jay, you have to save him. Even if he did try to kill you, no one deserves to die like that.”
“Lacy?”
“What are you going to do when Sammi sees the video?”
“Damn it. I don’t need this right now. We have serious issues trying to put together the plan for the local towns.”
“You know; you’re going to have to deal with this before the locals. Your daughter is not going to allow you to leave him there.”
Chapter 12
It's taken the representatives from the surrounding small towns nine hours to travel to Jay’s farm. The sky above them has turned dark, the air smells like rain, the wind has strengthened. Most of them know a thunderstorm is due very soon. Tired, they arrive at Jay’s driveway. They find a locked gate with an intercom button. They look around, not seeing anyone, they press the intercom button,
“Hello. The TFM told us to come here for a meeting at the castle located at these coordinates. Is this the right place?”
“Yes, the gate is unlocked, come up the driveway. For your own safety, don’t wander off the driveway. If you walk on the grass, we won’t be able to protect you. The grounds are heavily mined.”
The representatives from the towns look around, they shake their heads, not believing anyone would really mine their own lawns.
One of the representatives says, “Why don’t they want us walking on their grass. God, I hope these aren’t some kind of save the planet far left wackos. We’ll never be able to work with them.”
The ruling council overhears the remark,
“What’s wrong with wanting people not to walk on their lawn? The grass doesn’t like people walking on them. You wouldn’t like to be walked on either. We are most likely going to be able to work out an agreement with these people. It’s good to see they aren’t a bunch of gun toting, Bible lovers. We could never reach an agreement with those types of people.”
One town who’d had dealings with the farm before laugh at the last remark, they know there’s going to be a few very surprised people when they reach the castle.
Fred meets the representatives half way up the driveway.
“Hi, I’m Fred, welcome to our farm.”
The representatives walk with Fred, they follow the driveway as it makes a right-hand turn, they crest a hill seeing the castle for the first time. They also see Staff Sergeant Johnson’s fully armed men patrolling in front of the castle. The ruling council stops when they see the M4s and hand grenades.
“Why are those men armed?”
Fred laughs while shaking his head.
“What do you expect? We’re in the middle of a war zone. We’ve been attacked a few times.”
One of the town’s representatives stops to look around, he turns to face Fred,
“You don
’t look like you’ve missed many meals.”
“No, should I have? I admit, I could stand to lose a few pounds, but why the question?”
“Most of us are starving. Why are you fed and we’re starving? If you need to lose weight, why haven’t you shared what you have?”
“That’s the purpose of the meeting. However, the meeting is going to be a little delayed. The owner of the castle is presently tied up with a very personal issue.”
“Do you have any idea how far we traveled? We walked for hours to attend this meeting. We demand the meeting go forward as planned. Him not being ready is disrespectful to us. It’s unacceptable.”
Fred shakes his head, he looks toward the castle wondering, how is Jay dealing with the video of Ricky being tortured, more importantly, how is his daughter handling it. It’s one thing not to know, it’s another to have it broadcast live on the internet. Next he’s going to have to deal with these people. What a day he’s going to have. Glad I’m not him.
