Robbie waited and watched Frank. Nothing but seeing his brother stare into a shot glass happened. “I’ll uh, talk to you later, Frank.”
“Robbie.” Frank stood from his hunched over stance. “I’m …” Frank held out his hand. “I’m sorry about yesterday.”
“Thanks, Frank.” Robbie smiled again and shook his big brother’s hand. “I love her. I really love her.”
“You always have.” Frank spoke soft. “Just take care of her. I mean it.”
“I will.” Robbie stopped Frank as he began to walk away. “Frank.” He grabbed his arm. “I don’t want to stop you guys from being friends. Your friendship means too much to Ellen and we’re family, but understand, I know everything about you two. If you want to be her friend, fine but I can’t have you running to her like you have for the past eleven years.”
Frank merely nodded and tried to step away.
“Frank, I mean it, all right?” Robbie remained eerily calm. “You’re my brother and I love you, but she’s my wife. Let’s not make this a war for the rest of our lives.”
“I understand.” Frank moved by his brother and across the restaurant.
Robbie watched Frank as he approached Hal who was dancing with Ellen. Just as Frank took hold of Ellen, Robbie headed over, but was stopped. “Dad?”
“Let your brother dance with her. It’s fine. They’re friends.”
“Fine.” Robbie shook his head and moved back to the bar for a drink.
Frank’s hand gripped Ellen’s. He felt the tension. “I apologized to Robbie.”
“Was it sincere?” Ellen asked.
“It was.” Frank moved his hand some up her back.
“Did you apologize to Kelly?”
“No. Not yet.” He moved slowly with Ellen. “I want to stay friends with you, El. I do. I want to be able to call you up and to write you. Just because you’re married to Robbie, does that have to stop?”
“No it doesn’t, Frank.”
“You’re the only one who can calm me down, get me in control. I have to be able to come to you, Ellen, as my friend.” Frank swallowed and slid his hand to Ellen’s head. He pulled her closer, bringing his mouth closely to her ear. He closed his eyes whispering. “This is not the end to us.” He felt her try to pull away and he stopped her, keeping her close. “Listen to me. It is not the end. I won’t let it.”
<><><><>
What effect did Robbie’s early arrival and marriage to Ellen have?
By the time the plague occurred, Robbie and Ellen had been married for three years. They had built a bond. The typical, upbeat, and youthful Robbie was thrust into a grownup world of parenthood. This took the immaturity and fun from him.
Frank, holding true to his promise, never stopped. His persistence placed a strain on his and Robbie’s relationship. Ellen had been devoted and faithful to Robbie their entire marriage, but after the plague she had an affair with Frank which forever changed the dynamics.
Needing to prove her trust and love to Robbie, Ellen allowed Robbie to control the entire relationship. Robbie lived on edge, in fear and became bitter. Frank was even more bitter and drank even more.
The result was, when Frank stepped through the time machine, Robbie indeed was alive, but Robbie and Ellen were married. Ellen was meek and Frank had the reputation of being an even bigger asshole. No one liked him.
This was not the world Frank envisioned.
To him there had to be a solution.
There had to be a way to have Robbie back, the fun loving Robbie he always knew, and have Ellen once again.
So Frank went back to correct it.
Hence, the second and final ripple that made Beginnings how it is today … Sort of.
Author Notes:
The Second Ripple
What Frank did
After seeing what his time line interference had done, Frank took another approach. He went back in time … again. He stopped himself from making that fateful phone call, and believing he had it all figured out, Frank mailed a letter to Robbie. On the outside of the envelope he wrote, “DO NOT OPEN UNTIL …” and then he had the date of the plague written. The letter told how Robbie had to get to Ashtonville when their father called him and told him there was an emergency. He instructed Robbie to go AWOL and do not hesitate. It was vital.
What it caused to happen
Robbie, upon receiving the envelope, did what anyone would do when he saw ‘Do not open’. Robbie opened it. Because it had such a serious tone and Frank rarely joked back then, Robbie didn’t dismiss it. He placed the letter aside. Four years later, when the time came, Robbie was already prepared. As instructed, he went to Ashtonville at the onset of the plague.
This Ripple is what occurred with Robbie there in Ashtonville during the plague.
This is the timeframe and incidents on which Beginnings is based following Frank’s return trip.
In a sense, this is how Silent Victor would have been written … with Robbie.
The plan.
The letter.
The brand new plague...
The RIPPLE
“A ripple is a mad effect that happens when someone changes one single instant in time and it ricochets causing a chain of events that totally changes history.”
--Dr. Jason Godrichson
THE PLAGUE
Saturday, May 30- 8:55a.m.
Ashtonville, Connecticut
The front door was open to Kelly Slagel’s house when Ellen stepped from her Jeep. She began, in a rush, to close her car door when she saw her son asleep in the front seat. “Josh, come on.” She reached over, nudging her blonde curly-haired son. “Wake up. I have to go.” Through the windshield, she could see Kelly walk to the front door of the home. “Josh. If you don’t get up, I’ll just drag you out and leave you on Kelly’s lawn.”
Josh grunted at his mother, peering his half closed eyes at her. He undid his seatbelt and basically rolled out of the Jeep and onto the driveway.
Ellen, seeing that he was out, moved to the passenger’s side and shut the door. She waved to Kelly and quickly walked past her slow moving boy. “Hey, Kel.” Ellen greeted her with a smile.
“You think he’s tired, Ellen?” Kelly asked, holding the screen door open for her.
“I told him to go to sleep. Was Taylor good for you last night?” Ellen stepped into the home.
“As always.” Kelly looked once more at Josh who was still making it up the walk. “Coffee?”
“Can I put it in my mug?” Ellen opened her purse and pulled out her convenience store mug.
“Sure, I don’t care.” Kelly walked to the kitchen.
“Good.” Chipper, Ellen followed her, doing the transferring of the mug to Kelly as they walked to the kitchen. “Kelly, I really appreciate you doing this for me. I do.”
“No problem.” Kelly began to pour the coffee.
“Doc Breyer would have a fit if I missed this lecture. He paid a hundred and seventy- five bucks for me to go.”
“Ellen?” Kelly set the mug down before her. “Why would Doc Breyer send you to a DNA and genetics lecture today?”
Ellen giggled. “I told him I had to go. We need to know this stuff in the office. I told him technology was getting ahead of us and you know how he is. He likes to think he has that modem doctor’s office in a small town. Of course, he still doesn’t realize that women can do their pregnancy tests at home.” She sipped her coffee. “This is good. Thank you again. I don’t want to miss this. It’s a day away from the kids. I thought at least they’d be with Pete.”
“Pete’s an asshole,” Kelly commented. “I’m glad you didn’t let the fight ruin your appearance, which you usually do. You look very nice, except ...”Kelly reached out and fiddled with Ellen’s bangs. “Maybe you should put some sculpting gel on those to keep them out of your eyes. You look like Taylor when she needs a haircut.”
“Maybe I should.” Ellen reached into her purse and pulled out a pink small canister. She walked to Kelly’s toaste
r and bent down to her reflection. Barely dipping her fingers in, she put the substance on her hair and worked her bangs to a good state. Ellen always had to look good. “There. I left a note for Pete to pick up the kids. Make sure he does.”
“I’m not counting on it. He was pretty pissed off in the back ground this morning.”
“He didn’t want me to go. He’s been ranting like that all night. I don’t care. I knew if he found Robbie’s letter he’d get pissed.”
“How is my brother in law, El?”
“He’s so funny, Kelly.” Ellen smiled. “You know, he’s been writing to me for a while with that stupid countdown he does to when he’s moving to Ashtonville.” Ellen laughed. “But I don’t think it’s so much the letters that pissed Pete off as Robbie’s little PS.”
“Which is?” Kelly asked.
“I told you didn’t I? He always ends each letter with, ‘when are you leaving that husband of yours?’ He is so cute, Kelly.” Ellen looked at her watch. “I’d better go.” She grabbed her keys. “Speaking of cute.” She reached into her purse and pulled out the lecture pamphlet. “Check out the guy speaking.”
Kelly looked. “Lieutenant Dean Michael Hayes. He’s cute in a nerdy sort of way.”
Ellen took the pamphlet. “You’re mean.” She shoved it in her purse. “I’d better head out. I don’t want to walk into the hall in the middle of his lecture. Can you imagine? How embarrassing.” She headed to the hallway. “I owe you, Kelly. Thanks again.”
“El, easy, no problem. Have fun. I’m going to use your son anyhow. I have to go to the mall to get a dress for that wedding next week.”
“Oh.” Ellen slid to a stop and opened her purse. “Here, take my Visa.” She handed the platinum card to Kelly.
“No, Ellen.” Kelly wouldn’t take it.
“I’m serious. Charge up a storm. Have fun. Buy the kids some summer clothes. Spend, please. You deserve it.”
“I’ll pay you back.”
“Don’t you dare.” Ellen pushed open the front door. “Because there is nothing more that I want than to give Pete a large debt with his divorce. I’m sick of him. Maybe I should just leave him for Robbie. God, is he hot.”
Kelly just shook her head and followed Ellen out. “Maybe you should hurry to your lecture.”
“I’m going.” Ellen raised her hand in a wave. “Kiss my kids for me.” With a smile, she jumped in the Jeep.
May 30-9:45 a.m.
Fairfield University-Stamford, Connecticut
Dean Hayes was nearly done with the opening paragraph of his note cards as he stood at the podium in the lecture hall. Wearing a Class B uniform, his hair neatly combed, he stuttered his words down to a slur as he raised his green eyes up to her when she made her late entrance. Hearing her whispered ‘excuse me’ as she slid into the row four away from him, Dean chuckled as her purse hit two or three students as she made it to her seat. He thought he was talking, but he wasn’t. He looked back down at his notes, then to her as she crossed her legs, tucked her long blond hair behind her ears, and let out a sigh of relief.
“Done?” Dean spoke softly to her over the microphone, bringing a humming of laughter from his participants.
Ellen smiled at him. “Sony.” She was situated, she was settled, and she was ready.
Before returning to his lecture, Dean paused once more to look at Ellen. He let his eyes meet hers and he flashed her a smile. As he began to speak, something told him that she would steal his attention more than once during his entire lecture.
May 30-11:33 a.m. EST
FortLewis -Seattle, Washington
The white towel was wrapped around his waist as Robbie Slagel stepped from the bathroom of his home into his bedroom. He towel dried his short dark blonde hair then used the towel to dry his upper torso. Tossing the towel like a basketball to the hamper, he saw the blinking red light of his answering machine. “I knew I heard that phone ring.” He hit the play button, letting the machine rewind as he grabbed a pair of boxer shorts and pulled them on.
It struck an eerie chord in him and Robbie, as he stood before the mirror combing his hair, zoomed his focus to that machine when his father’s voice played through.
“Uh, Robbie, this is Dad. Look, I don’t have a lot of time and I wanted to let you know that you guys will be getting real busy soon. You’ll find out why. I wanted to talk to you in person. I’ll try later. If I don’t, remember this. Remember our contingency plan, son. You’re my last kid on my list to call. I’ll try you later.” There was a slight pause. “I love you.” The machine clicked off.
With a beating heart, Robbie ran back to the machine. “No.” He played the message again as he jumped up and opened the bottom drawer of his dresser. “Where is it?” He fumbled through. “I just made a reference to this in my.. .” He grabbed the yellowing envelope. “Here.” He stared at the address It was sent to him when he was stationed at Fort Bragg. Robbie listened to the final words of his father’s message as he slid down to the floor and sat against his bed.
He reached into the open envelope and pulled out the neatly folded letter. As he did, a folded envelope fell to the floor. Robbie picked it up. The letter had been placed inside the interior white envelope and tucked inside the manila one that was mailed to him. Staring at folded envelope, Robbie read the words. “I was supposed to read you yesterday.”
He never followed the instructions. He had previously opened it long before he was supposed to. He never took it seriously until that very moment. Laying down the envelope, Robbie looked at the letter from his brother. “God, Frank, I thought this was a joke. Then again, you never play jokes.” Robbie would still would had thought it a prank of sorts, had his father not said exactly what Frank wrote he would say. Out loud and for the first time with fear, Robbie read. “Dear Robbie. On May 30thof this year, tomorrow, somewhere aroundeight in themorning,youwillget a call from Dad.He’ll leave a message on your answering machinetelling you that you’llbegetting busy soon and to rememberthe contingency plan.Take his call seriously, Robbie,take itvery seriously. All Iask is that insteadof yougoing to Gaithersburg, you go straight to Ashtonville. Go there and do not hesitate. What happens to the world is awful and you are meant to survive it. Please go to Ashtonville when he calls you and do not hesitate. I’ll see you there. Love, Frank.”Robbie’s hands trembled as he refolded that letter. “What’s happening? What do you know, Frank?”
Placing the note in the envelope, Robbie raced into his living room and to his laptop. He pulled a ‘search’ for the airlines. He grabbed his phone and dialed.
“I need a flight as soon as possible to Connecticut. I’d like to land in New Haven, but anywhere in Connecticut is fine.” Robbie held the phone between his shoulder and ear as he lit a cigarette and searched out his wallet. “Nothing direct? Shit ... when will that...Bridgeport? No, no, Bridgeport works. That’s good. What time does that put me in Connecticut?” Robbie clenched his fist. “Seven? Excellent.” He checked out his watch. “I can make that. Sergeant Robert Slagel.” Robbie closed his eyes, breathed in relief, and pulled out his credit card. He ran through his mind what he still had to do to make that flight in two hours. His biggest concern was being stopped mid-flight due to the airports being shut down. If he was told to remember the contingency plan, then his father knew something and things were bad. His dad never overreacted or jumped the gun.
After giving the information he needed to the airlines, Robbie moved on to call for a rental car. Willing to take whatever they had, Robbie decided to try—no matter the cost--for a type of vehicle that would be useful if faced with the world’s end. According to the contingency plan, that’s what was ahead.
May 30-1:40 p.m.
Fairfield University-Stamford, Connecticut
Perhaps Ellenwasmoving slowly getting her things situated after the lecture. It ended not five minutes earlier. She grabbed her notebook that was more for doodling than notes. Her phone, all of her items, took forever to put away. But there was something a
bout that lieutenant and she really wanted to meet him. Aside from the fact that his great smile kept hitting her through his entire speech, she did, in a sense, find it interesting. Knowing she had his attention—his glances up to her as he conversed with those around him told her that—Ellen slipped from her seat and into the aisle.
Dean saw her get up. Was she leaving? He thought for sure she was waiting around to talk to him. Politely excusing himself from the four people that bombarded him with questions about things he covered, he called out to Ellen. “Excuse me.”
Ellen stopped walking, smiled then faced him using more of a serious face. “Yes?”
Dean approached her. He smiled, a little embarrassed. He had her but what was he going to do with her? Mingling with women was not his forte. “I’m Dean.”
“Really? I didn’t know that,” she joked. “Ellen Callaway.” She shook his hand. “Nice to meet you. I really enjoyed your lecture.”
“You did?” Dean stepped back with a smile.
“It was interesting.”
“Now there are two sentiments I rarely hear about my lectures, enjoyable and interesting.”
Ellen laughed. “I’m sorry about the interruption when I came in.”
“No problem. I thought you were cute.”
“Cute?”
The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series Page 446
