The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  “Absolutely,” Frank answered.

  “Liar.” Ellen barked. “You did this on purpose so you can intrude.”

  “El please,” Frank sat down. “Intrude on what? Fuckin dance some more if you want. I don’t care.” He plopped down and picked up the remote control. “Oh, yeah, pretty soon, no more movies. I will be the one and only person who has a satellite dish. Watch me practice changing channels.”

  Ellen shook her head. “There’s only gonna be one station, you big goof.”

  “But we’ll get it.” Frank winked.

  Hal returned from the kitchen with coffee. He handed one to Frank. “Look, it’s fresh. We have perfect timing, wouldn’t you say, Elliott?”

  Elliott chuckled airy. “Yes, perfect.” He took Ellen’s hand and led her to the couch to sit.

  “Look, Frank, how sweet. They hold hands,” Hal commented.

  “That’s nothin’. They were fuckin dancing five seconds ago. You missed it.”

  Ellen gasped. “Are you two here just to intrude, be immature and make snide Slagel comments?”

  “No.” Hal shook his head. “Not at all. Actually we’re here to make snide Slagel comments, be immature, intrude and . . .” Grinning, Hal reached for the television. “Watch the tape of the game show again.”

  “No, you’re not. Take a walk. Elliott and I are discussing something,” Ellen told them.

  Frank shook his head. “Nope. We’re waiting it out here. Tough.”

  “Really, Ellen,” Hal scoffed. “There’s nothing you can do.”

  “Oh, yeah.” Ellen stood up, stepped over Frank’s legs, and marched to the door.

  Frank looked. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m going to a higher authority.” With a shitty grin, Ellen grabbed the door. “I’m heading to Joe’s and . . .” She lifted her head high as she flung open the door. “I’m telling.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  February 9th

  The ‘aw clay no my’ rang out in the early morning, roughly interpreted as ‘All clear no mines’ and Jimmy followed up with a hollering, ‘thank you!’

  “Great idea.” Jess pointed ahead of them to Everett who was just a speck in their sight.

  “He wants to feel important.” Jimmy shrugged. “Really, he’s not that bad.”

  “No, not at all.” Jess rebutted sarcastically. “He just wants to slit my throat while I sleep.”

  Jimmy laughed. “He’s messing with you. Man, are you always this fuckin miserable or is it that you aren’t a morning person?”

  “Neither. I’m a happy person,” Jess replied. He caught more sarcastic laughter from Jimmy. ‘No, I’m serious.”

  “Jess, you haven’t been a happy camper.”

  “That’s because of him.” Jess pointed to Everett.

  “No, I’m talking about since I met you. You’re so serious.”

  “I had to be. I didn’t want to be working for the Society. I just wanted to get back home to Beginnings.”

  “We are.”

  “We are. When we get there, you ask your brother what I’m like. He’ll tell you,” Jess said as they walked up a slight grade.

  “Which brother?’

  “Robbie. You can ask the other two but I’m closer to Robbie. Of course, he uses me, you know.” Jess snickered.

  “What do you mean?’

  “I cook, clean, do laundry. Those kinda things. We’re roommates.

  “And you do all the work?”

  “Someone has to. Besides, I don’t mind.” Jess shrugged. “Robbie’s a great guy.”

  “At least you like my brother.”

  Jess smiled peacefully. “I’m in love with your brother.”

  Jimmy stopped walking. “I didn’t . . . I didn’t know you . . . Robbie . . . I . . .”

  “No.” Jess held up his hand.

  Jimmy breathed out. “You’re joking.”

  “No.” Jess shook his head “I’m gay. Robbie’s not. You can say it’s a case of unrequited love. A house is the only thing physical we share.”

  “Not that, you know, anything would be wrong . . . but.” Jimmy nodded. “Thanks for clearing that up. So, I would think as a gay man, you have more options in this world to find happiness.”

  Jess kind of chuckled. “You would think that? But in Beginnings no one is gay or admits to it. I did though find a companionship that worked. I loved it. It was funny. It was with . . .a woman.”

  This caused Jimmy to pause. “Really? You said there weren’t that many women.”

  “There aren’t. And isn’t it strange how me, a gay man, found a woman?”

  “What happened?” Jimmy asked.

  “Things. I mean, when I left we were still on good terms but an injury put a hold on things with us, plus other circumstances. I’ve been thinking about her.”

  “Hoping maybe for another chance?”

  “As strange as this sounds, I’d love another chance. You know how I told you about those things called understandings.”

  “Yeah.”

  “She and I talked about me being in an understanding with her and Robbie being her primary relationship.”

  “She and Robbie are . . .”

  “No.” Jess shook his head. “They’re close, very close. But no.”

  “Hey.” Jimmy nudged Jess. “Maybe you coming back and bringing me will make you shine.”

  “Oh, I have no doubt.”

  “Good.” Jimmy spoke confidently, “Then I hope you get her back. I hope it works out.”

  “No, no you don’t.”

  “Yeah I do.”

  “No, you don’t.”

  “Jess.” Jimmy laughed. “Why are you arguing?”

  “Because the woman is Ellen.”

  Jimmy froze. “My Ellen?”

  “The only Ellen in Beginnings.”

  Jimmy whistled and kept walking. “I understand but where does Frank fit into the picture with her?”

  Jess peacefully chuckled and smiled, “Everywhere.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  Frank sniffed loudly and dramatically, following it up with a matching exhale. “Ah. Smell that morning air.”

  Joe grumbled and sipped his coffee as they walked.

  “It’s not too cold.”

  “That’s a good thing. You seem awfully perky.”

  “I caught two hours of sleep. I’ll get more later but the two hours worked for me. You?”

  “I’m tired,” Joe griped. “My sleep was interrupted because I got aggravated.”

  “How come?” Frank asked.

  “How come? I’ll tell you how come. I had to get out of my house and go over and yell at you and Hal.”

  “No, you didn’t.”

  “Yeah, Frank I did,” Joe said. “You and Hal wouldn’t let Ellen and Elliott alone. Why? Why was that? It isn’t like they’ll be doing anything. The man is scared to death.”

  “I don’t know.” Frank shrugged. “I just wanted to interrupt. It’s my house.”

  “It is not.”

  “It is to. Dean gave it to me.” Frank reached into his chest pocket. “See.” He showed Joe a piece of paper.

  “What is that?”

  “A note from Dean saying he gave me his house.”

  “Put that away.”

  “Man.” Frank replaced the note. “Someone is pissy. Are you gonna be this way the whole day?”

  “Probably.”

  “But I have to spend the whole day with you.”

  “That’s true.”

  They moved into center town.

  “Why?” Frank asked.

  “I told you, Frank.” Joe handed Frank the clipboard. “Twice a year I visit every division and review every work roster. Now we have Bowman, Jordan, and Doyle camp. I do this to make sure all our records are correct.”

  “But why am I coming along? I never did before.”

  “Because I want you to,” Joe replied. “You’re my bodyguard.”

  “Oh, Okay. Are we doing this is any o
rder?”

  “No, not really. I start early and eliminate the early people and I know where we can find one of our earliest.” Joe pointed.

  Frank had to agree when he looked at the clinic. “Dean.”

  Dean made a good attempt of appearing as if he was engrossed but Joe knew better. A nudge to Frank, then Joe pointed to Dean who sat at the counter with his face propped on his hands, seemingly reading but Dean was asleep.

  Seeing Frank ready to yell, Joe tapped him and knocked on the arch of the door. “Dean.”

  Dean’s head cocked fast. “Oh. Hey. What . . .” He waved in a rambling stand. “I . . .I . . .” He glanced at his watch. “Shit. It’s not even five thirty. I thought it was later.” Exhaling, Dean sat back down.

  “Nope, it’s that time of year again.” Joe said as he walked in.

  “Why is Frank with you?” Dean asked.

  “Call me a masochist.”

  “I’m his body guard,” Frank explained.

  Dean snickered. “Bodyguard? Against what?”

  “Huh?” Frank asked.

  “Never mind.” Dean flung out his hand. “Am I first again, Joe?”

  “Yep,” Joe answered. “I was gonna ask if you were burning the midnight oil or starting early, but I see by that nap you haven’t been to bed yet.”

  “No.” Dean shook his head and stood up with a stretch. “The cryo-lab is gonna keep me twenty-four seven until after tomorrow . . .” He shifted a glance Frank’s way. “If not longer.”

  “You can’t do your job effectively if you don’t’ sleep.” Joe pointed a pencil. “Keep that in mind.”

  Dean nodded.

  “You okay?” Joe asked.

  “Yeah.” Dean haphazardly tossed out his hand. “It’s just the typical Dean’s life in turmoil and turned upside down again. I’m getting used to that now. I’m just trying to get my bearings before it goes array again.” Dean rubbed his eyes. “Thanks for asking.”

  Joe gave a single nod. “Okay, any changes?”

  Dean smiled. “You’re gonna love me. Since August, my lab has had many changes.” Dean opened a drawer. “I knew this was coming. I typed them up for you. No need to ask.” He handed the sheet to Joe.

  “Excellent.” Joe gave the sheet to Frank. “Put in this on the clipboard.”

  Frank did. “Dean, you’ve got a pretty important project. You look like shit. Get some sleep.”

  “I will as soon as Ellen checks in,” Dean replied. “I wanted to go home about two hours ago but Bowman called and said they were sending a patient. They arrived an hour ago. I just finished up.”

  “Why didn’t Blue handle it?” Joe questioned.

  “Oh, well, Blue’s arthritis is bad. It was sutures. He couldn’t do it.”

  “Jason?”

  Dean mocked, holding a glass and tipped his head back.

  “Christ. Wait,” Joe said. “My wife came in at three. She could . . .” He saw Dean shake his head. “No? Why wouldn’t Andrea handle the patient?”

  “Because of who it was,” Dean answered.

  “Who?”

  Dean pointed to the door.

  Both Frank and Joe turned around.

  Margaret Hadley stepped in with a soft, ‘I’m not interrupting am I?’. She appeared tired and certainly didn’t look like a woman once voted ‘Sexiest First Lady’. She donned a too long work shirt and pair of blue jeans.

  “Well.” Joe smiled and extended his hand. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes? I haven’t seen you around much.”

  “No, not in Beginnings. I try to avoid . . . .it, you know.” She winked and lifted her left hand. “But I sliced my hand, so here I am.”

  “How are you?” Joe asked.

  “Good. I’ve been trying to break through to my son Peter, but he still doesn’t know me. I’m lost at what to do.”

  “Nothing,” Frank commented. “He’s cryo-process went . . . wrong.” He shifted his eyes to Dean. “There’s nothing you can do.”

  “Christ, Frank.” Joe barked. “Be a little less callous.”

  Margaret gave a tired smile. “No that’s fine. I better be going. Patrick told me Jenny Matoose offered me her couch and I’m gonna take that offer.”

  “Nice seeing you again,” Joe said. “I guess I’ll run into you in Bowman today.”

  Margaret’s eyes shifted to Dean. “Probably not. I start training here at the clinic. Dr. Hayes has invited me to work here.” Margaret noticed the immediate stares given to Dean by Joe and Frank. “No. No.” Margaret chuckled. ‘I can assure you I am not another Misha case. I’m not working in the lab. Lord knows I don’t want to. I’m going to be assisting with emergencies and I want to get some rest before I start my first day.” She smiled. “Dr. Hayes. Joe. Frank.” Margaret walked out.

  Dean held up his hand. “Don’t. She shouldn’t be a cleaning woman, Joe. She’s been here long enough. We need someone since we lost Misha.”

  “There’s a reason she doesn’t work here at the clinic, Dean,” Joe explained. “My wife doesn’t like her. I’m taking it my wife doesn’t know.”

  “Not yet,” Dean replied. “I’ll explain it to her. Andrea is just insecure. You know as well as I do, Margaret is the first attractive older woman to come to Beginnings. She’s afraid you . . .”

  “Eh,” Joe grumbled. “That’s just horseshit.”

  Frank fluttered his lips. “Dad, we know your reputation and Margaret, man, I remember the tabloids headlines. Remember them? Margaret Hadley-Party Girl. Margaret Busted in Sex Trio. Margaret Secretly Meets Her Lesbian Lover.”

  “Frank, enough,” Joe halted him. “We’d better go. Dean., get some rest.” Joe turned to leave.

  “Joe,” Dean called out. “Good luck with Frank today.”

  Joe only grumbled.

  “Dad, where now?” Frank trailed behind.

  “What is it you always sing?” Joe asked. “Oh, give me a home where the Asian men roam.”

  Frank laughed. “Mechanics.”

  After illuminating the face on his watch, Joe looked up as they feared the Mechanics building. “Is that Elliott?”

  “I don’t know. Could be.” Frank took the flashlight from his belt ad flicked it on. “Ryder.”

  Elliott, who had a cup of coffee in his hand, turned around. “Morning.”

  “It’s awfully, early,” Joe said, “to be doing rounds.”

  “Well.” Elliott pulled out a sheet of paper from his back pocket. “I was getting things ready and reviewing what I needed to do, when I realized I had left the day agenda Frank had made for me back at Bowman, but Ellen had a copy of one Frank uses. Which I have to say . . .” Elliott looked at it. “Has more than he told me to do.”

  “I’m busy,” Frank stated.

  “Yes, you are.” Elliott put the agenda in his pocket. “So, I figure to be able to do all that Frank does in one day, I would need to get an earlier start.”

  Frank gave a swat to his arm. “I’ll be sort of, not a lot, but kind of impressed if you follow my agenda.”

  “Rest assured.” Elliott winked. “I’ll give it my best shot.”

  Joe suddenly looked up when he heard what sounded like cheers coming from the Mechanics building. ”What in Christ’s name?”

  Elliot smiled. “They were cheering like than a half an hour ago when I walked by.”

  Joe gave a twitch of his head. “Let’s go check it out. Elliott, we’ll be seeing you around.”

  “I’m sure.” Elliott gave a single nod of his head and walked off.

  As Joe approached the Mechanics room door, again he heard the cheers. He didn’t knock, he just walked in. “Gentlemen,” Joe called out.

  “Gentlemen,” Frank repeated.

  Henry, Danny Hoi, and Scott all sat with their backs to Joe and Frank and apparently huddled around something

  Danny looked over his shoulder. ”Hey, Joe.”

  Henry, focused, didn’t turn around. “Hey, Joe.”

  “Joe. Frank,” Scott greeted.


  “What’s going on?” Joe asked. “We hear you yelling.”

  “Oh.” Danny rolled his chair back. “Check this out. We found an old video game. It’s so old, it’s in black and white. Pong. It’s great. Basic but great.”

  “Speaking of basic.,” Frank said. “When are you hooking my cable up?”

  “I’ll get out there today, Frank,” Danny reassured.

  “How about that message?” Joe asked. “The code?” He gave a raise of his eyebrows.

  Danny cringed. “I . . .I got behind with the show. I’ll get working on it, I promise.”

  “That works for me.” Joe nodded. “Okay, biannual time.”

  Henry stood up and walked across the room. He lifted a sheet and handed it to Joe. “Here you go. Where you guys heading next, Joe?”

  Joe thought for a moment. “Probably Agriculture. Why?”

  “Can you pass on that we’ll be up to fix that hinge today before noon?”

  “I’ll take care of it.” Joe handed the paper to Frank. “Let’s go, Frank.”

  “Oh.” Henry snapped his fingers. “Joe, are you coming tonight to the Hall. It’s karaoke night.”

  This made Joe stop cold. “Karaoke night?”

  Danny answered, “Yeah. Frank, you’ll like this. We’re broadcasting it on DBS.”

  Frank clenched his fist. “Yes. Programming to choose from. Now, I can’t decide whether to watch it or participate.”

  “Christ,” Joe grumbled. “Why don’t you participate then watch it on a tape.”

  “I could do that, but I was pretty much looking forward to my first night as a couch potato again.”

  “Then be a couch potato, Frank.” Joe tugged his arm and didn’t release it until they stepped through the door then Joe glanced back in. “Boys, enjoy your Pong.”

  “Pong?” Robbie laughed. “Oh my God, that’s hysterical.” He rocked back and forth in the chair in Tracking. “Funny.” The smile wiped from his face. “Can I go home and go to sleep when Mark gets here?”

  “No,” Joe answered.

  “But, Dad, I was supposed to be sleeping last night. I wasn’t supposed to be working for Terry.”

  “He was sick, Robbie.”

  Robbie rolled his eyes. ‘It’s fuckin Tracking, Dad. Please. Can I?”