The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series

by Jacqueline Druga

  “Christ, Henry. Don’t talk that shit in church.” Frank widened his eyes to the person in front of him that yelled ‘shh’. “Besides, you told me you would help me get my wife back.”

  “Oh, I did not,” Henry snapped. “I never agreed to that. At least I don’t think I did.”

  With a snarl, Marv turned to Frank and Henry. “Will you two shut up? We’re in church.”

  Frank flung his hand at Marv. “Like I care. Mind your own goddamn business and turn around. We’re talking here. And Henry, you did agree to help. You were just too drunk to remember. It was right after you were hitting on Josephine.”

  “I was not.”

  “I’ll tell people you were.” In a cross between embarrassed and humbled, Frank tapped his fingers on his knee. “Come on, Henry, please. You can help me understand what he tells me to do.”

  “Fine. I’ll go with you to talk to Rev. Bob.” Henry plopped his head further in his hands. He cringed in pain. “Ow. Gees, Frank, what did you do to me last night?” He raised his eyes when he noticed the people seated before them turned around. “See?” Henry pointed. “See what I mean?”

  ^^^^

  Though he left a message that he needed to speak to him, Frank was the last person Dean expected to see when he opened up his front door that afternoon. “Frank.”

  Frank held up the crinkled note. “John said you were looking for me.”

  “Yeah, but I said I’d find you when I brought Brian back.”

  “I’m here now.” Frank said.

  “Brian’s not.”

  “Well, I’m here now. May I come in?”

  Dean stepped back opening the door wider, motioning his hand. He saw Frank looking around. “Ellen’s not here.”

  Frank nodded sadly as he took in the view of the living room, complete with pictures that used to be in his home. “I feel like I stepped back in time. The place looks like it did when she lived here before.”

  “Yeah, it does.” Dean shut the door. “Things kind of went that way.”

  “Are they the same, Dean?”

  “I’m not discussing Ellen with you,” Dean said sharply.

  “Why are you being such a dick?” Frank asked.

  “Look who I’m dealing with.”

  “Fine,” Frank snapped. “We won’t discuss Ellen. But know I have every intention of getting her back.”

  “That’s not the surprise of the century Frank. Now do you want to know what I wanted or do you want to stand in my living room arguing with me.”

  “Tell me.”

  Dean took a second to calm down. “I need to talk to you about your father.”

  “Is it about the relapse of his stroke?”

  “In a way. I’m really doubting that it’s a stroke. Something is bothering me about it. It just isn’t typical. So, I want to do a procedure on your father, extract spinal fluid. It can tell us a lot. The problem is, Andrea is his doctor. Andrea won’t let me do it because she said he had a stroke.”

  “So you want my permission to do this behind Andrea’s back?”

  “Bluntly . . . yes. And I’m hoping it will tell us what happened and then we’ll be able to help him.”

  “Then do it and let me know.” Frank received a nod from Dean and moved to the door. “Is that all?”

  “Yep.” Dean said. “No.” He called out as Frank began to leave. “I need . . . I need your complete secrecy on this. It’s vital.”

  “I won’t tell Andrea.”

  “I mean no one. No one is to know. Secrecy,” Dean reiterated.

  Frank was silent and then he agreed. But it sent warning signals off to him. The secrecy told him Dean was covering up something more than just doing a simple medical procedure. For the first time in a long time, as Frank left, he wished he were on better terms with Dean so he could be trusted with the information Dean was hiding.

  ^^^^

  George had to make it appear like he cared. That he was doing the leader thing by seeing how Jason’s progress was going. But the truth was, he had ulterior motives. With a simple knock to the metal door, George called out. “Jason?” He opened the door. “I uh . . . brought you that gasoline.” He handed out to him the small can. As he did he sniffed. “What’s that smell? It smells like a barbeque.”

  Jason looked up with a slight chuckle. “Let’s just say victims of bad timing. The energy level is there, but it’s not connecting with the time contingency sequence, which in turn when they pass through the door way, they aren’t passing through to a different realm . . . so to speak.”

  George ran his hand over his hair. “You have totally lost me. What the hell are you talking about?”

  “The smell, you asked what the smell was. It’s the after effects of my Regressionist.”

  “Regressionist?”

  “Time travelers.” Jason took the can from George and walked over to his rabbit cages. “Can’t test my machine properly if I don’t have subjects.”

  “Subjects?”

  “Yes.” Jason reached in the cage. “Meet my next two travelers. I call them Bill and Ted.”

  “That’s terrible. You’re putting those animals through a machine that doesn’t work.”

  “Oh, it works.” Jason held the rabbit up. “It just doesn’t make them travel time yet.”

  “Well, what does it do to them?”

  “Remember when you were a kid, George and you used to go see the magician? And in a puff of smoke the rabbit would disappear?”

  “Yes.” George just wanted to make his escape.

  “Well, I give new meaning to that.”

  “Where do they go?”

  “They disintegrate,” Jason spoke so matter of fact. “Not much is left at all. Leaves a little bit of smoke and a burning smell but at least the smell isn’t unpleasant.” Jason sniffed. “Kind of makes you think of Fourth of July.”

  “I’m leaving.” George walked to the door. In his mind, this was a man unstable. The only wise thing Joe ever did was stick him and his machine five miles from the community. “Oh Jason. I need to ask you something. In your . . .” George swallowed harshly. “…fine medical opinion how is Joe?”

  “Don’t know. I’m not really involved too much in the clinic.”

  “They haven’t consulted you on him at all?”

  “No. Why would they?”

  “You’re a scientist, a doctor.”

  “Yes well, so is Dean but Andrea is quite fussy about her patients. Of course most of Beginnings are her patients.” Jason shrugged holding up the rabbit, peering into its pink eyes. “Ready to go see yesterday?”

  Widening his eyes, George walked to the door. “Have a good day.”

  “I’m hoping.” Jason, holding his fussy short lived friend, moved to his table. He turned back and looked at the door. In a way, a part of him felt bad for lying to George. But he had too. He made a promise to Dean that he wouldn’t tell a soul how much he actually was working with him on Joe.

  ^^^^

  It probably would have been easier for Ellen to take the straight route to returning Brian. It would be easier on her arms and easier on her fingertips that were beginning to catch the chill of the fall air that seemed so cold when the wind blew. But she took the long one that would avoid everything, knocking on that door that would open, exposing her to Frank.

  The door to a house she used to call hers was right there before she knew it. It had been so long since she had walked into what would be called a friendly element with Frank. The prospect of that frightened her beyond belief. And she stood there, so unable to knock.

  “El.” The front door opened. “Come in.” Frank opened the door wider for her.

  “I just came to drop off Brian.” She handed out the baby to him, Frank did not take him.

  “I would like you to come in.” He stepped back.

  “I’d rather not Frank. I’d really rather not.”

  “Please.”

  Awkwardly and with a deep breath, Ellen stepped inside. She looked ar
ound the home she had not set foot into in so long. Again, she held out Brian.

  “Sorry.” Frank took him. “I know he’s getting heavy.” He grabbed his son’s hands and brought them to his lips. “Your hands are cold. Did Mommy have you out too long?”

  “Yeah, unfit mothers tend to freeze their kids.” Ellen turned and began to walk out.

  “El, stop that. I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “I have to go.”

  “Don’t please. I have to talk to you.”

  Holding off from turning the knob, Ellen turned back. “What is it? I have to get back. Dean has to go to the clinic.”

  “Then why don’t you go get the twins and bring them over.” Frank suggested.

  “Whether you want to believe this or not, I want to spend time with them today.”

  “Not just drop them off. Why don’t you and the twins come over, have dinner . . .”

  “No.”

  “O.K. just a suggestion. Why don’t you take your coat off, and we can . . .”

  “No.” She nervously fiddled with something in her jean jacket pocket.

  Frank noticed how much she looked as if she just wanted to run out the door. So tense, so nervous. “Can we talk? I’d really . . .”

  “El!” Excited and running, Josh thumped down the steps. “El.” He ran up to her embracing her and kissing her.

  “Hey, sweetie.” Ellen brought her cold hand to his face. He shivered drastically and she laughed at him.

  Frank was getting nervous, and Josh wasn’t making it easy. “Josh, can you go . . .”

  “El.” Josh put his hands on her shoulders. “Home? Coming home?”

  Frank’s eyes lit up. “No, Josh she’s not. But . . .” Frank looking shy, lowered his head and raised his eyes. “I’m hoping very much that she will.”

  Ellen looked at Frank, then Josh. “Josh honey, can you take Brian upstairs for a few minutes. I have to talk to Frank.”

  “O.K.” Josh took Brian and trotted up the stairs with him.

  Ellen, shaking her head, waited until Josh was gone. “Frank, what are you doing?”

  Frank ran his hand over his head. “I just . . . all right.” He let out a breath. “I want you back.”

  “You want me back,” Ellen stated rather than questioned.

  “Yes. So, you know, get your things and come back. I’m O.K. now. I forgive you.”

  “You forgive me,” Ellen spoke slowly. “And you want me back.”

  “Yes.”

  At first her eyes raised. It was her prelude to her anger. “Fuck you Frank. You can’t have me back.”

  “Excuse me?” Frank seemed a bit shocked. “Didn’t you hear what I said? I said . . .”

  “I heard you!” Ellen grunted. “You forgave me, and you want me back. No working at it, you just want it to happen. Well it won’t happen like that. It can’t. No asking what I want. Did it ever occur to you that maybe I don’t want to come back? Did it ever occur to you that maybe so much has happened, so much has been said, that it doesn’t matter what you or I want. Or that it’s so far gone now, that it can’t be worked out.” She turned her back to him and reached for the door.

  “Do you still love me?” Frank asked, his voice raspy.

  Ellen stopped reaching. She stared at the white door.

  “Do you . . .” Frank walked over to her. “ . . . still love me?”

  Ellen leaned her head forward placing her forehead against the door. “I’ll always love you.”

  A shiver of relief hit Frank. “Then there’s nothing . . .” He moved closer to her, standing directly behind her. “ . . . nothing that you and I can’t work through.” He leaned into her back, placing both his hand flush upon the door above her head. “I love you.” He brought his lips close to her ear. “I want you back. I want my family back.” He spoke softly and with intensity into her ear. “I’ll do whatever it takes to do that and so should you.” He kept his body, his mouth, so close to her. He brushed his lips close to her face without touching as he spoke to her. “Work with me El. Let’s do this. Let’s make it right again.” He felt, as his cheek ran against hers, a wetness, a tear. Frank’s heart dropped. She was crying and he didn’t know why. A slight trembling began in his gut. “Can’t you see how bad I want you back? Stay and talk to me about this. Please.” How long would he wait for an answer? No matter if it were one second or one hour it would be too long. Her silence was like a poison and it was killing him. Suddenly there was an emptiness as Ellen slipped out from under his arms. Frank’s body fell slowly into the door, and he pounded his hand against it. He had lost. His pleas, his attempts were in vain. Ellen had left.

  ^^^^

  The darkening of the room told Joe that he had done it. Though he still couldn’t perform any of the basic functions given to a human being, he had made it through an entire day without being mentally tormented. He had visitors, his family but none of them stayed long or said much that drove at his emotional nerves. And George, he failed to stop by at all. Aside from the salty broth that Melissa forced into him, Joe had a good day. Preparing to close his eyes and sleep, he realized his aspirations for a frustration free day were futile.

  “Hey, Joe.” Henry, bubbly, walked in the room. He squealed a chair across the linoleum as he brought it to Joe’s bedside. “Thought I’d keep you company and read you a little bedtime story.” Henry smiled. “Frank said you like old stuff so . . .” He spoke in a high pitched tone as if Joe were two. “…look what I got.” He lifted the book into view. “Nancy Drew Mysteries.”

  ^^^^

  Ellen heard the ceramic cup hit the night stand and then she smelled it. “Coffee?” She smiled as she read her notes on the bed.

  “Thought you’d like some,” Dean said.

  “Thanks.” As Ellen turned to her cup she saw he was wearing his jean jacket “Where are you going? It’s after midnight.”

  “Clinic. I have something to take care of.” Dean pointed backwards then leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. “Night.”

  “Dean.” Ellen called out as he started to leave. “Everything all right?”

  “Yeah.” He stopped and turned back around. “No.” He moved back to the bed. “I have something clinical on my mind plus Frank all of the sudden wanting you back . . . it’s bothering me.”

  “We knew it would happen.” Ellen said calmly.

  “I know. It’s just that he’s in full gear and we know the control he gets over you.”

  “Dean.” Ellen spoke softly as his hand lay on the tablet across her lap. “Frank and I . . .”

  Dean interrupted. “Are not over yet. Whether you get back as husband and wife, lovers or friends, twenty years is too long to just kick in the ass. It’s not over. Not by a long shot.” He took a deep breath. “I know I said I would do everything in my power to stop you guys from working things out but that was wrong. Everybody needs that one more chance. Without it there’s no resolution.”

  Ellen nodded slowly. “Like us?”

  “Exactly. And even though I hate what he did to you, hate the way he treated you, just know, as a friend who loves you very much, I will stand behind what you decide to do, one hundred percent. I want you to be happy.”

  Ellen smiled slightly. “I am happy Dean. I am.” She patted the bad. “Look how comfortable I’m getting.”

  “I see and that scares me.”

  Curiously she tilted her head. “Why?”

  “Because I’m getting comfortable, too.” Almost sadly, Dean smiled at her. “Good night, El.” He turned and walked from the bedroom.

  ^^^^

  It was a procedure that Dean was not that versed at. Yet, it was a procedure that he had to do. Like criminals in the night, doctors performing illegal procedures, Dean, and Jason hovered over Joe’s prone body in the deafening quiet of the small operating room. Breathing could be heard, whose it was, was hard to distinguish. Tension was high in the surgical procedure that was near completion. Dean raised his eyes over his mask to Dr.
Godrichson whose fingers pressed down on the lower portion of Joe’s back.

  Jason watched the hesitant movements of Dean’s hand which guided the needle. “Looks good Dean, just do it.” He spoke assuredly.

  Dean took another deep breath. In the back of his mind he wished that Jason was the one performing the procedure. But he knew he had to be the one to take the fall if something went wrong or Andrea found out. Shifting his eyes one more time before inserting the needle, Dean looked to Henry who stood facing the heart monitor. The monitor beeped in silence so not to be an alarming witness to something that could be considered amiss. “Henry, you watch those numbers. Let me know if his heart rate drops.”

  “Gotcha’” Henry said. “Holding at seventy-eight.” Henry was grateful that he didn’t have to see the needle go in. He heard Dean say to Jason, ‘I’m in’ and in those two words an overwhelming feeling of fear hit Henry as he watched the digits drop. “Oh no, Dean his heart rate is dropping.”

  “What is it Henry?” Dean asked in a calm yet panic ridden voice.

  “Seventy four. What do we . . .”

  “Henry, Shh.” Dean closed his eyes briefly and shaking his head. “It’s all right.” He filled the needle, watching the color as it entered the tube. “Jason, does this look right to you?”

  “Not at all.” Jason observed. “Possible hemorrhaging?”

  “Looks it. This may be our problem after all.” In a way Dean was disappointed. If foul play was involved, there was some hope that he could do something about it. “Done.” He laid the needle on the tray.

  Jason peered again at the substance. “This could explain why we saw that clouding.”

  “Yeah.” Dean removed his gloves and stepped back. “I’ll check it out tomorrow… late morning. Doesn’t seem to be a rush now, does it?”

  “Was there before?” Jason asked.

  Dean moved his focus to Henry who turned at Jason’s remark. “No. I uh, guess not.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY