The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  “Really, Frank, what’s wrong with that?”

  “It’s Jenny.”

  “You need to get over this ongoing dislike you carry toward people.”

  “If I did that, then I’d start liking most people in Beginnings.”

  “Is that a bad thing?”

  “You don’t.”

  “I don’t what?” Joe asked. “Never mind, there’s Hal and Robbie.”

  They stood by Dean’s lab. Hal tapped the face of his watch. “I was wondering if you two were showing up.”

  Joe approached the pair first, “You could have gone in and just asked.”

  “Yeah, we were busy watching Jimmy and Jenny,” Frank said. “Man, it’s disturbing how close those two are getting.”

  Robbie shrugged. “Survivor syndrome.”

  Frank, Joe, and Hal paused.

  “What?” Robbie snickered. “You look at me like I’m nuts. He could have it. Remember the days when a survivor would latch on to the person who was nicest to them? Survivor syndrome. Just because Jimmy wasn’t a product of the wild, doesn’t mean he can’t suffer the same thing.”

  “Suffer is right,” Frank said. “I just hope he doesn’t start showing up naked.”

  Robbie shrugged. “It’s possible.”

  Hal lifted his hand. “Can we just go ask Dean? He’s in there.”

  Frank peeked in. “Let’s all walk in and say his name loudly.”

  “Let’s not,” Joe stepped ahead of Frank. “Dean.”

  Dean turned around. He shook his head slowly and snickered. “You know, this is obscene. Why am I outnumbered by the Slagels?”

  Frank smirked. “There’s one of you and five of us.”

  “What’s up, Joe?” Dean ignored Frank.

  “That healing agent you used on Frank and myself, have you used it on anyone else?”

  Dean nodded. “It’s standard now. Why?” he asked.

  Can you give me a list of all the patients you gave that to and the doses?” Joe requested. “But make sure you include what you gave me and Frank. We need it for comparison.”

  “Again, can I ask why?”

  “I’d really rather not say. Can you?” Joe asked.

  “I can have it by tomorrow. Will that work?” Dean said.

  “Yep, that’ll do it. Let’s go, gentlemen.”

  Dean was confused. “All of you were needed in here to ask that.”

  Hal replied, “Dean, we have other things …” He paused to look at Frank approaching Dean. “That we’re doing. We …” Hal looked quirkily at his brother. “This was just a meeting place. Good God, Frank, what are you doing?”

  Frank shook his head, wiped under his nose, flashed a smile at Dean, and walked out with Robbie in tow.

  Oddly, Hal gave a nod of acknowledgement to Dean and followed Frank out. This was a meeting

  Joe shrugged. “Thanks, again.” He went out into the hall. “Frank? Do you care to tell me what that was about? You act odd normally, but that was weird. It looked like you were smelling him.”

  “I was.”

  “Why?” Joe asked.

  “He smelled different.” Frank scratched his head. “But, I figured it out. Don’t worry about it.”

  “What was the scent?” Joe asked again.

  “Ready?” Frank paused. “He smelled like … family.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Frank was pretty sure that the hairstyle Ellen fumbled with took quite a bit of her attention. The last thing he wanted to do was distract her but as she prepared for the evening of The Dating Game, he knew his chances to speak to her were slim.

  She inserted the last hair pin.

  Frank exhaled. “Now?”

  “Go on.” Ellen turned around.

  Frank smiled. “You look really nice.”

  “Thanks.”

  “For your date with someone else.”

  “Frank, you said ….”

  “I know. I’m joking.” He walked to the bed and handed her the dress. “Anyhow, that's my theory. That’s what I think. What’s your take on it?”

  Holding the black garment, Ellen stared at Frank.

  “You didn’t pay attention.”

  “No, I did.” Ellen said.

  “You think I’m nuts.”

  “Actually …” Ellen began to dress. “It makes a weird sense.”

  “Is there any way you can tell?”

  “Oh, sure.” She shrugged. “I think the swab results will be our first clue.”

  “I do too. You look beautiful.”

  Ellen smiled bashfully. “Thank you very much.”

  “Okay.” Frank clapped once. “Let’s put all this aside until tomorrow. Sound good?”

  “Sounds good.”

  Frank laid his hands on her cheeks and kissed her. “You are gonna have such a good time tonight.”

  “I know. Are you coming to the studio?” Ellen moved to the door.

  “Are you kidding?” Frank snickered. “I won the ‘I Give’ show. I have cable now. I’m having people over to watch it here.”

  “That’s a great idea.”

  “We’ll have snacks. Ryder is bringing beer from Bowman.”

  Ellen paused. “Elliott is coming over?”

  “Yeah, I invited him. You don’t mind.”

  “Not at all. Thank you.” Ellen stopped in the living room. “Frank, please don’t mention his condition.”

  Frank pretended to zip up his mouth.

  “Can I ask why you invited him?”

  “One, to be nice. I invited a few people over. Two, I want to get into his mind and see how much damage Dean did.”

  Ellen looked brightly, “Oh, Frank, that is a great idea.”

  “Yeah, I thought so. That way we can see what Dean may have fucked up. If we know exactly what that is, we can fix it.”

  “I’m so glad you’re psychic.”

  “I am. And third …” Frank gave a quirky smile. “I have to see the look on his face if my brother gets picked.”

  “That’s horrible.”

  Frank shrugged. “Oh.” He perked up. “Speaking of …” He walked past her to the den

  Ellen smirked. As she watched him go into Dean’s former office, she noticed the coffee table. “Frank?”

  “Yeah, one sec.”

  Her eyes focused on the snacks set out on the table. “It looks like you’re getting ready for a football game.”

  Laughing, Frank came out from the office. “Well, El, I sort of am. The … Dating Game.” He kissed her on the cheek. “We’ll be cheering you on, too.”

  “How many people do you have coming over?”

  Frank chuckled. “Ten.”

  “Ten!”

  “El, please. It’s like the nineteen fifties. Remember watching shows when they sat around the TV and watched a test pattern until the show came on?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Watch.” Frank turned on the television. A picture of Danny with a huge grin graced the scene.

  Ellen laughed heartedly.

  “It’s our only station, but we have the only private TV.”

  “Just like the fifties.”

  “Exactly. Anyhow …” Frank handed her an envelope.

  “What’s this?”

  “I know you started working on your questions for the game show but your mind was busy so I wrote your questions.”

  “You wrote my questions to ask the bachelors on The Dating Game?”

  “Yeah.”

  Ellen laughed. “Frank.”

  “Seriously, El, I think they’re good. Take a look.”

  Ellen stared in debate at the envelope. “You know what? I didn’t do my questions. I was gonna wing it so I’ll use these.”

  “Why don’t you review them first?”

  “Nah.” Ellen tossed out her hand. “You know the bachelor’s won’t hear my real voice, so you didn’t give hint to who I was, did you?”

  “Nope.” Frank winked. “You’re identity is a secret. You do know if you’re th
e last one, everyone will know it’s you.”

  “I know.” Ellen looked at her watch. “Well, I better go. Where is Joe? He’s supposed to walk me.” She held up the envelope. “I’m trusting you on these.”

  “I won’t let you down.”

  Ellen grumbled.

  “El, please, you sound like my father.”

  A single knock on the door was the prelude to its opening. Joe walked in.

  “You ready?” Joe asked.

  Frank pointed. “Speak of the devil.”

  “What?” Joe was confused.

  “Oh, I grumbled,” Ellen told him. “He said I sounded like you. Ready?”

  “Put a coat on. It’s cold,” Joe instructed.

  “Okay, hold these.” Ellen handed Joe the envelope as she reached for her coat.

  “What’s this?”

  “Frank wrote my questions to use on the show.”

  Joe looked at the envelope, to Frank, and then at Ellen. “You’re using them?”

  “Sure,” Ellen said.

  “What are you? Nuts? You’re using Frank’s questions? Did you look at them?”

  “No,” Ellen giggled. “I’m sure they’re fine.”

  “Now, I know you’re nuts.” Joe held opened the door. “Frank, I’ll be back. I want to watch it on your set.”

  “It’s gonna be a party,” Frank said. “The kids are all ready.” Frank walked to Ellen. “Be good. Have a good time.” He kissed her. “I’ll be …. fuck.”

  Ellen blinked. “What?”

  Joe saw his son focused outward. He snickered. “You’ll have that.”

  “Have what?” Ellen asked then saw. Jimmy was walking toward the house with Jenny. “They make a cute couple.”

  “Fuck.”

  Joe smiled. “Let’s go.” He took Ellen’s arm. “Frank, Andrea and I will be here. She made brownies.”

  “Fuck,” Frank whispered.

  Joe threw his hands in the air.

  Jenny called out, chipper, “Knock. Knock. Are we too early?”

  “Fuck.”

  Jimmy laughed. “Hey, Frank. El, you look great.”

  “You do,” Jenny said. “Break a leg.”

  Ellen nodded. “Thanks.” She walked out.

  Joe peeked his head back in. “She’ll do great. Frank wrote her questions.”

  The door shut.

  Jenny queerly looked at Frank. “You wrote her questions?” Before waiting for an answer, she looked at the living room. “Oh, look, it’s all set it and we have food.” She walked to the couch.

  Frank stood stunned. “Jimmy, what … I thought … you were supposed to …”

  “Be on the show.” Jimmy shook his head. “Why try to win a date, when I had a sure thing?” He watched Jenny and gave a swat to Frank’s arm as he moved to her. “Isn’t she great?”

  Frank whispered softly, to himself. “My brother and Jenny Matoose.” His eyes fluttered. “Fuck.”

  ***

  The Danny Hoi fashion uniform worked for Ellen or at least she thought. Kitty, the other contestant, looked okay in the simple, sleek black dress, but Marma just looked out of place. Ellen thought maybe it was the lady look she had going or the fact that the dress clung too tight. Either way, she should have been herself.

  A flutter hit Ellen’s stomach as she peeked through the draperies. “Oh, my God.”

  “How many?” Kitty asked.

  “Take a look.” Ellen stepped back.

  “Holy cow.” Kitty looked out. “Are all of them trying to win a date with us?”

  “How does this panty hose thing work?” Marma asked. “I feel like I’m wearing a two ton G-string. This goddamn crotch.”

  Ellen laughed as she turned around to see Marma’s dress nearly up past her hips as she wiggled with the hose.

  Danny Hoi released a ‘whoops’ as he approached the trio. He immediately covered his eyes. “Tell me when it’s safe to look.”

  Marma looked oddly at him. “You think I care if you see what I got?”

  Danny slid his hand from his eyes. “Probably not. All right.” He held a clipboard. “We’re gonna start in three minutes. There are one hundred and fifty men out there. I will pick nine balls and bring all nine men back stage. They won’t know who they are competing for and neither will you.” Danny raised his other hand. “I have three straws. Shortest straw goes first and the longest goes last. Ladies?” He held out his hand.

  Ellen, Marma, and Kitty all reached for a straw.

  Danny continued, “They won’t know who won or anything until you’re all together. Your voice will be disguised as will theirs. However, the audience and our viewers will see you and hear you. So … who’s first?”

  Kitty compared her straw. “Me.”

  “Let’s go. Good luck. It’s gonna be a blast.” Danny took her arm.

  “Danny?” Ellen called out. “Did you review my questions Frank wrote?”

  “Oh, yeah, El.” Danny winked. “Excellent.”

  Ellen sighed out in relief as Danny left. “Oh, good. That makes me feel great.”

  The soft voice whispered close—too close behind her. “And may I add … you look great too,” Marma said.

  Ellen’s eyes widened.

  ***

  In the center of his bed with his arms and legs out, and his mouth open, Tigger was passed out, spread eagle.

  Mike probably wouldn’t have even noticed, or even looked, had he not heard Johnny laughing. Investigating, Mike not only found Johnny in Tigger’s room, but Johnny holding a lighter at Tigger’s open mouth, amusing himself with the bellowing flame that happened with each exhale of heavy snoring breath from Tigger.

  “Drunk?” Mike asked.

  “Um, hey, Mike.” Johnny hurriedly hid the lighter. “No.”

  With a ‘hmm’, Mike started to walk to the bed. “Where was he tonight?”

  “Playing chess.”

  “Goddamn it,” Mike took a whiff. “Old man Hank got him smashed again. He thinks it’s fuckin cute.” Grumbling, Mike reached for a cover. He paused when the call of his name flowed from downstairs.

  “Chief!”

  Thinking Buzz sounded urgent, Mike dropped the blanket and raced down. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing bad, Chief,” Buzz stated, “but you have to come with me.”

  How many times did Mike say, ‘This better be good. I was going to bed.’ Six, seven, every ten feet? When they arrived at the bank where Communications was set up, Mike was surprised by the amount of men in there.

  “What the fuck, gentlemen? Is the whole town making a deposit?”

  Buzz replied, “Withdrawal.”

  “What?”

  “This way.” He led him the radio. “We were bored.

  Mike smirked. “Obviously.”

  Buzz continued, “So we did a scan. You know, a signal scan to see if we pick up anything.”

  “We weren’t due for another week.”

  Buzz shrugged. “We figured what the hell and we got something chief. We got something far out.”

  Mike blinked in shock. “Another country?”

  “Better.”

  “Better?” he questioned.

  “I believe …” Buzz turned up the radio. “It’s The Dating Game.”

  ***

  Frank’s living room was packed. Robbie, Elliott, Jenny, Jimmy, Joe, Andrea, and a few others were all there. They sat on the floor, couch, and other furniture. They laughed loudly and cheered as if they were watching the Super Bowl.

  The big television showed a sound stage the audience had never viewed. Kitty sat in the chair, the backdrop a bunch of hearts. To her left was a black curtain so the bachelors were in silhouette and couldn’t be seen, their identities hidden as well as their voices behind the electronic effects box.

  In the midst of laughter, Frank extended his arm out like a parent holding back a child at a quick stop. He did so when Kitty called, “Bachelor Two.”

  “Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Quiet,” Frank said. “Bachelor T
wo is Dan from Security. I’m betting.”

  “You think?” Robbie asked.

  “Oh, yeah. Bet me. Ten Danny dollars.”

  Joe spoke up, “You’re on.”

  Andrea waved her hand and whispered “Shh” when Kitty asked the question ‘what type of flower would you compare me to?’

  A few ‘good question’ comments flew out from the gang in Frank’s room, then Bachelor Two replied.

  “Dandelions.”

  Everyone yelped, “What?”

  Robbie laughed. “That’s a weed, you ass.”

  Kitty said, “That’s … that’s uh … a weed.”

  Bachelor Two responded, “Yes, but I don’t compare the family. I mean, I would compare the reputation. You can always count on a dandelion to be there.”

  When Kitty whispered out ‘ah’ along with Jenny and Andrea. Frank stood up.

  “What the fuck kind of answer was that?” He shook his head and stepped over Joe’s legs. “I’m getting some coffee.”

  “I need some too.” Joe stood.

  “Joe.” Andrea reached for his hand. “Sit with me. This is fun.”

  “Christ, Andrea, I’ll be right back.” Joe nearly slammed right into Frank when he skid to a stop with the ringing of the doorbell.

  “I’ve got it.” Frank opened the door. “Dean.” He shouted to the room, “Hey, everyone. It’s Dean.”

  Silence.

  Dean stepped in, “Maybe this wasn’t a good idea, Frank.”

  “What? No.” Frank opened the door wider. “Come in.”

  Appearing uncomfortable, Dean walked in with Margaret behind him.

  Joe cleared his throat. “Well. Frank …” He pulled his son slightly away from earshot. “What are you up to?”

  “Huh? Nothing. I invited Dean. People need to remember it’s Dean. They can’t hate him forever, right?”

  “Well …”

  Frank motioned out his hand to the living room. “Find a spot. Margaret, I’ll get you a chair,” he spoke, too nicely. “You know, for your delicate condition.” Frank moved to the dining room and picked up a chair.

  Joe followed. “What are you up to?”

  “Dad, please?” Frank brought the chair to the living room and set it down in the silence. “What? Is the show boring now? Laugh.” Shaking his head, he went back to his original destination, the kitchen.