Ellen immediately got dressed and headed off to see Joe. She figured he would still be in his office. He always was until eight. This day was almost an exception. As Ellen rounded the bend to the receiving center where Joe’s office was, he was walking out.
“Joe.” She ran up to him. “I really need to talk to you.”
“If it’s about my son. I’m not in the mood to hear any bitching.” Joe looked at his key chain which he held in his hand. He rummaged through the keys, looking up occasionally at the sky as if trying to remember something. “If you don’t mind Ellen, I’m in a hurry.”
“This is important Joe. It really is.” She reached and grabbed his arm, stopping him. “Please.”
Her voice. Something about her voice made him stop. When Joe finally took a second to look at her, he knew. “What’s wrong?”
Ellen folded her arms close to her, rubbing them with her hands. She hesitated to speak, not out of fear, but out of the lack of the knowledge of how to phrase her concerns.
“Ellen . . . If it’s important, spew it. If not, save it. I’m a busy man.” Joe’s concern over Ellen was overshadowed by his little patience.
“I want to talk to you about Dean.”
“What about him?”
“Do we have to stand out here in the middle of everything and talk?” Ellen felt uncomfortable.
Joe looked around, all around, then faced her again. “There’s not a soul around, how much more privacy do you want?”
“Just forget it. I thought I could come to you.” She hung her head down and walked slowly past him.
“All right.” Joe reached out and stopped her. “We’ll go inside.” He opened his office door, and motioned his hand for her to enter first. “Have a seat. Father is now in.”
“Thank you Joe.” She pulled out the chair and sat.
Joe walked around her and leaned on the edge of the desk, hands folded on his one leg. “So talk to me. What about Dean?”
“I need you to tell me something. Anything. I’m afraid, Joe, I’m afraid that something’s going to happen to him. I have this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. That’s why I came to you. I figured you could either ease my mind, or tell me why all of the sudden you have Johnny practicing to be the next Dr. Hayes.”
Joe stared at Ellen, his one leg that rested on the desk, swung back and forth, a look of being in self debate was upon him. “I need to know something. Is this sudden concern out of guilt, or is it genuine? And be honest with me Ellen. Remember I know you. No bull shit.”
“I’m so concerned. If you know something, tell me. He is the twin’s father, he is my friend. If there’s a chance that I’ll never see him again I have to be honest with him. I have to tell him how truly sorry I am, and I have to let him know he’s not just a nothing to me. He doesn’t know this. I didn’t get to tell him this. Please Joe.”
Ellen was sincere, as sincere as Ellen could be. Joe had his plan, and he had it in his mind what he thought was going to happen. There were several ways it could go. He didn’t want to get into details with Ellen. “First let me start by telling you I’m going to be painfully blunt right now. Can you handle it?”
Ellen nodded. There wasn’t much at this point in her life she couldn’t handle.
“Good. Now as far as Robbie is concerned, and what his plans are with Dean, I can’t be sure. I will tell you, the longer Dean is there, the less Robbie will remember of his importance. Dean will soon become just one of the hostages. Our men will be ready in less than two weeks. Frank will be in Frank condition by then. We have a plan, no one except Frank, me, and Council, knows what that plan is. Not even the men we are training will know what they will be doing until the exact moment. That’s for security purposes. Now barring any attacks from Robbie, or any unforeseen circumstances, we hope to put that plan in motion soon. It’s a good plan. It’s the best one we could come up with to ensure the safety of the children.”
Ellen’s heart began to pound after hearing Joe’s last sentence. “Aren’t you forgetting someone?”
Joe took a deep breath. “Never.”
“But you didn’t mention, ensure Dean’s safety.”
“No, I did not. We were going to tell you when we were ready to make our move. There was no need to tell you any sooner. But . . .” Joe hesitated. “Ellen to be honest, there’s a chance, though it’s slim, there’s a chance Dean may not make it. He has to be our sacrifice if it comes down to it. It sounds cold, but you know as well as I do, if it was put to Dean, he’d agree, the children come first.”
“Yes he would.” Ellen lowered her head and raised her eyes to Joe. “Joe, you’re sending another note today. Can I . . . can I write.”
“You did last night.”
“No, Joe.” Ellen shook her head. “Let me write Dean a letter.”
“Ellen, we don’t have time to figure out how you can put the passage in the . . .”
“Screw the passage, Joe.” Ellen stated strong. “What are you telling him. Be patient. Don’t worry. We’re almost ready. He knows that. He’s not stupid. What Dean doesn’t know is how I feel. If he needs something to hold on to, let me give him a smile. I know of a way. Let me just reach out to him . . . please.”
Joe lifted his hands. “You’re right. You’re right. Go on. I’m sending Henry in three hours, so hurry.”
Ellen sprang from her seat and bolted to the door. “Thank you, Joe.” She stopped retracted her footsteps and ran back to Joe embracing him. “Thank you.”
***
Moses stomped around heavily, searching for Robbie. His red hair drenched with sweat from the hot July day. “Robbie!” He called out in his most boisterous voice. “Robbie!”
“You don’t need to yell.” Robbie sat behind his desk. “You know I’m right here.”
“You have some explaining to do.”
“To who? To you? I doubt that. I take it the search did not go well?”
“Not at all. What did you say to him? He was a kid. Boyle wasn’t even a man yet.”
“I told you I yelled at him when he cut me. I may have been a bit harsh, but no harsher than with any other man.” Robbie never once looked at Moses. He kept staring down to scraps of paper on his desk.
“I just don’t understand where he went. It was late at night. How far could he have gotten in the middle of the night?”
“Pretty far if you can’t find him.”
Moses, frustrated, slammed his hands into Robbie’s desk, sending it a foot into Robbie and almost knocking him over. “You have my word Robbie. My men will not participate in anymore of your exercises until I find Boyle.”
Robbie stood in defense. “Your men will do the exercises. Do you hear? We haven’t the time to be looking for a sniveling boy.”
“I liked that sniveling boy. I don’t want to give up on him.”
Robbie knew if he fought Moses any harder it would be even more obvious that he didn’t want Moses to know any more about Boyle. “Moses, I’ll be nice. I’ll give you till tomorrow morning to find him. If he’s not found by then, we resume our operation.”
Moses took the opportunity. He didn’t verbally agree, he just turned sharply and stormed from the office.
Robbie sat back down, he placed his face in his folded hands. He hoped he hadn’t made a mistake in giving Moses another day. Though he remained certain that Boyle would not be found, there was always the slimmest chance that he would.
***
Joe was right on time, he always was. He told Paul he would meet him at the social hall. Paul had something to discuss with him of extreme importance. A barrage of criticism would be thrown at Joe for trusting Paul and he knew it. But Joe still trusted him, despite the fact others stopped and Paul was Robbie’s best and closest friend.
Joe entered the social hall, waved as usual to ‘Sam’ the mannequin, and spotted Paul sitting off in a chair practicing his guitar. “Hey, Paul.” Joe walked up to him.
“Mr. Slagel, hi.” Paul stood up.
&nb
sp; “Practicing for tonight?”
“Nah. No one listens to me play anymore. Heck, no one talks to me anymore.”
Hands in pockets, Joe looked at the floor then back to Paul. “Let me see what I can do about that.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” Paul set down his guitar. “I was thinking that maybe I should leave Beginnings. Maybe all of you would feel safer if I did. I didn’t have anything to do with what Robbie did, I promise you that. But if people believe I did. How can they feel safe with me living here?”
“I can’t feel safe without you living here. I need you Paul. You are an asset to the community. Besides, even if you really wanted to leave, I couldn’t let you. I know Robbie has someone lurking out there, watching. If you walk out, they’ll either grab you, or kill you. I won’t let that happen.”
“I appreciate those words.” Paul finished off his drink.
“I’m glad I could help. But . . . I really have rounds to make and have to go. We’ll talk.” Joe winked. As he turned to walk away, he stopped. “You know Paul, speaking of appreciating, since you’re not playing, I would sure appreciate use the extra help on the hill. What do ya’ say?”
Without hesitation, Paul stood up. He should have gone to Joe sooner. Joe was fair, Joe listened. And when people saw him with Joe, then maybe they would believe that he truly was on the side of Beginnings, not Robbie.
***
What was it about the note? Dean wondered as he stood alone in his room staring at the envelope. What made the note so special that Robbie looked guilty handing it to him and telling Dean, ‘this one’s the best’. Noticing that Robbie hadn’t ripped the envelope, Dean carefully pulled out the note. As he unfolded it, the biggest smile, and the first real smile, brightened his face. He had to sit. Blindly he pulled out the chair and sat. The note was great.
The big huge letters, some of them dyslexic looking, some of them normal, caught his attention. Simply put, sincere, and from his son. ‘We miss you Daddy. Love Billy.’ A lump formed in Dean’s throat from the overwhelming missing of his family. He just wanted to stare at Billy’s message forever, then he saw something else that got to him. The slant in the handwriting, the not-so-perfect penmanship, the different tone. Ellen added words that Dean did not expect to see. ‘I just wanted to add something to this simple note. Billy’s words say it all, a child’s honesty. No hidden meanings. I need you to know how truly sorry I am for hurting you. I just need you to know, especially now. You are and always will be more to me than just a father to the kids. I have never felt any other way. Please realize, that not just we, I need you back. Ellen.”
The note could have crumbled, like his heart, in his hand. There was no bible passage and that was all right with Dean. He got more than he would have, in an ‘update’ message from Beginnings. He received a momentary break from an intolerable situation. From his child’s note and Ellen’s words, Dean received . . . hope.
***
The evening drills of Beginnings seemed to be carrying on longer than they anticipated. Along with weary bodies, tempers were flaring also. It was hot and dry and not one breeze blew about. The men who worked out only wanted to go home to their cool houses. Relax, and worry about getting things right the next day.
It was getting to that point that calling it a night would be the best words to speak out loud. Joe knew this, Frank knew this. But they cut the drills short in the afternoon because of the heat, and they had just a bit more to work on. It was a difficult task getting everyone that was not working on drills to stay off the street. Frank and his men took over the center of town. For safety’s sake, everyone else had to get lost.
Joe tossed his head from side to side as he watched his son try to remain calm while working on hand to hand combat. No one wanted to grasp it. At least not on this hot evening. Joe placed two fingers in his mouth and whistled one of those ear piercing shrieks at Frank. “Over here!” He motioned his hand.
“What’s up Dad?” Frank jogged over. He ran his hand, up his sweaty forehead, dragging the moisture across the top of his growing hair.
“Call it a night?”
Frank placed his hand on his hip and rubbed his goatee. “I hate to do it, but I’m gonna have to. They can’t concentrate. They’re uptight, they’re hot.”
“Maybe tomorrow then.”
“Maybe tomorrow.”
“Hey . . .” Joe smiled pleased when he noticed a very rough hand to hand style combat erupting between Paul and another man, Cole. Cole was taller than Paul, but skinnier. Cole worked the fields and was one of town’s mouthier individuals. “Looks like Paul and Cole are finally getting this thing right.”
Frank looked over his shoulder. “Yeah, it’s about time.” He turned back to Joe. “Figures. When it’s time to call it quits. I have to get home anyhow.”
“Now look at that. Why in the world would Henry stop it?”
Frank looked back over. Henry had stepped between the two men, trying to extend his arms to separate them. Henry was failing at his attempt. His small built body was being jolted back and forth. Frank shook his head and huffed. “Fuck.”
“For real?”
“Fuck . . .” Frank charged over in disgust. “Break it up.” He hollered out. No one paid attention. Henry still flew about. “I said break it up!” Frank reached in between the two men, pulled out Henry, stepped into the flinging arms, and roughly extended out his huge reach. Cole and Paul were both knocked backwards, but saved as Frank’s hands gripped both of their shirts. “What’s the problem here?!” He yelled, his voice almost as frightening as he was. “We’re on the same side.” He glared at Paul, then at Cole.
Paul, with the back of his hand, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. “I didn’t start this, Frank. I swear. He struck me. He said I couldn’t be trusted to do these drills. I’m sorry, I was just defending myself.”
Cole stepped out of Frank’s grip and straightened his shirt. “I’m not gonna lie to you Frank. I told him that. This is bull shit. I shouldn’t have to work with him. It’s because of him we’re in this mess.”
Frank finally released Paul and faced Cole. “Look, I know things are tense right now. But lashing out against someone that’s done nothing, is wrong. You hear?”
“Yeah I hear. I hear you defending him. I see Henry defending him. How can you trust him Frank?”
“I trust him. Just like I trust every one of you men. We have to trust one another. We watch each other’s back.” Frank’s arguments were in vain. Cole was just not seeing his point. “Now you’re the only one who has said this to me so far. Don’t you think you might be a little off base?”
“I’m the only one who said something because I’m the only one who’s not afraid to say anything.”
“Well thank you for your honesty, but I’m going to suggest right now you go home, cool down and we’ll talk about this in the morning. All three of us.”
“I will not sit with you Frank, especially with him. I want proof that he’s not one of them. And if you believe he’s not, then you’re a bigger fool than I thought you were.”
Henry saw it. He didn’t believe Cole did. That blue vein just above Frank’s temple. That vein that started to grow and crinkle as his temper began to boil. The warning sign that Cole was not heeding. Henry, being the peacemaker that he was, could not stand by and watch it. He had to do something. “Cole look, it’s hot out here.” Henry very calmly spoke and reached his hand to move Cole away. “Take a walk . . .”
Cole, red faced didn’t want to calm down. Without thinking he abruptly smacked away Henry’s arm. “I don’t need to walk. Stay out of this again.”
“Hey!” Frank yelled as he stepped closer into Cole’s face. “Back off now pal. I’m warning you. Don’t you ever let me see you touch another man in this community again. If you want to be the big guy. If you want to strike out against someone. Strike me. Because I can give a shit. Now I will suggest to you one more time. Go home before I carry your ass ho
me. Is that clear?”
“Clear.” Cole, embarrassed, and not about to let Frank make the fool of him, made his night’s big mistake. He clenched his fist tightly, revved it back, and with all that he had, he sent his fist flying into the side of Frank’s face.
Frank barely flinched. His head barely jolted from the blow. And with the one gasping ‘oh shit’ that emanated from Henry, Frank seized Cole by the front of his shirt and jerked him toward him. Frank smiled at him then with one quick Frank-jab, it was goodnight Cole.
Cole’s knees buckled, his eyes rolled back, and his body went limp. Still holding onto him, Frank saved him from falling completely to the ground. He lifted him up, and tossed Cole over his shoulder. Being the nice guy that he was, Frank figured he might as well make good on his word. He was gonna carry his ass home.
***
What to write. Dean sat at the table in his room. A blank piece of paper lay down in front of him. He sat tapping his pencil from eraser to tip, sitting there thinking. He had to get this letter ready it was to go to Beginnings the next day. But should it go to Beginnings? What Dean wanted to do was write Ellen a letter. A real letter, no Bible references. No secret codes. Just a plain honest letter like she had written him. Dean needed a friend. He needed someone to tell he was getting scared. His fears grew every day. Ellen would be perfect to tell, he always told her everything.
It had been three weeks since he was taken from Beginnings and so much had happened in the past. A strong situation slowly fell apart. When Dean was first kidnapped, he was strong, he was angry, and he was bitter. Robbie held off on him, Dean was protected. He had much more say so and he took care of the children. Being allowed to see them allowed three times a day. But like time passed for Robbie it passed for his men. And it seemed everyone, including Dean grew numb.
The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series Page 74
