The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  “Thanks.” Hector kissed her on the cheek.

  Frank nudged Ellen. “See. He would have been a good one. Nice guy and gay.”

  “Frank.” Ellen backhanded him.

  Hector stepped to the side.

  Danny continued, “Bachelor Two wasn’t chosen either. He’s new to us all, considers himself a leader, and has a long history of military experience. Say hello to Bachelor Two …. Sgt. Tim Doyle.”

  “Uh!” Frank grunted. “See, El. He was a good one too. You screwed up.”

  “Tim.” Ellen grasped his hands. “Excellent job.”

  “Yeah, Tim.” Frank shook his hand. “Good job.”

  Danny moved closer to Ellen. “Are you ready to meet your date for tonight?”

  Before Ellen could answer, Frank did. “I am, Danny. You better believe I am.”

  “Frank, no violence,” Danny instructed.

  “I’ll wait until tomorrow, Danny,” Frank said.

  Danny snickered. “Let’s meet him.” Music began to play. “He is a leader and heroic in many ways. He has style, grace, and defines the meaning of suave. Obviously he knows the right things to say. You already know him and love him. Come on out …. Captain Hal Slagel.”

  Ellen shrieked.

  “Fuck!” Frank blasted.

  Laughing, Hal peeked around the corner then entered the stage. Ellen rushed to him with a hug, one that Hal returned, lifting her from the ground.

  Danny whispered to Frank. “Still gonna kill him tomorrow?”

  Behind the stage area, Robbie laughed. “It was Hal.” He nudged Jimmy. “Hal.”

  “This is so great,” Jimmy said. “Let’s make sure we instigate Frank tonight while they’re out on their date, really rouse him up.”

  “Better yet, let’s instigate him then we raid Bowman and bring Frank with us to watch.”

  Jimmy agreed, “I’m taking Jenny, anyhow. Frank can be your date.”

  “Even better.” Robbie sighed an after laugh breath. “It was Hal. Tonight is gonna be so much fun.” He moved his arm to give a playful nudge to Elliot and ask what he thought but when Robbie saw the look on Elliot’s face, how Elliot’s head was lowered and his eyes had a lost look to them, Robbie didn’t say anything. It was obvious Elliott found the situation about as amusing as Frank but in a different way.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Margaret Hadley noticed it. During their slow walk back to Dean’s house and even after they returned, Dean was even quieter than he usually was. She offered to play a board game. He turned her down. A hand of cards was dismissed as well. She would have understood had Dean needed to work or was working on something but, to Margaret, sitting at the dining room table and staring at folded hands was not a valid reason to turn down a card game.

  She set down a cup of coffee in front of Dean and slid in the chair to his left. “Rules or no rules, I have to have at least a half of a cup but I poured you a whole one.”

  Dean raised his eyes. “Thanks.”

  “Maybe I missed it on the walk home. Perhaps you mumbled it, but what was your reaction to Hal winning?”

  Dean chuckled. “It figures, doesn’t it?”

  “Ah …” Margaret nodded. “It figures because Hal is a Slagel or it figures because it’s Hal.”

  “That …That situation with Hal is over with.” Dean winked. “My chip is normal.”

  “Is the situation over?” Margaret asked.

  “Yes and what’s with the questioning.”

  “I think you need to talk,” she said. “Talk to me.”

  “There’s really nothing to talk about.”

  “You seem down.”

  “Nope.” He shook his head.

  “Nothing’s the matter?”

  “Nothing.”

  “You find your hands attractive then? They are a piece of art and that’s why you stare at them right now?” she instigated.

  Softly Dean chuckled, “No.”

  “Are you staring at them wondering why everyone is different to you now?”

  “Margaret, really I don’t need to talk about this.”

  “I think you do,” she said. “Dean, you moved me in here to watch me. I can’t live in silence. We get along. Talk. If we’re gonna live in the same house …”

  “That’s the reason.”

  “Excuse me?” She questioned.

  “The reason everyone is different to me,” Dean explained. “It’s because you live here.”

  Margaret couldn’t help it. She laughed. “You think that’s the reason?”

  “That and the news of the baby.”

  “Not everyone knows, Dean.”

  “They will.”

  “You expected it.”

  “I didn’t expect this.” Dean stood up. “I’m an outsider. People hate me because of it.”

  “I’m gonna refrain from laughing in ridicule right now.”

  “Excuse me?” Dean looked at her.

  “I’d laugh because you think I am the reason, the baby is the reason.”

  “What other reason is there?”

  “You,” she told him. “You have changed. How about the fact that you’re a dick to everyone you know?”

  “I am not.”

  “Bullshit,” she argued. “You are a changed man. I think you know the reaction would be strong to our situation and in early preparation defense, you put up walls. In doing so, you copped an attitude.”

  “I cop an attitude because everyone cops an attitude with me,” Dean defended. “Look at Andrea’s reaction.”

  “She was strong, yes, but coming off as arrogant didn’t help. You are just as responsible for shutting people out as they are for shutting you out.”

  “I’m not getting where you think this.”

  “I’d love to explain to you but I refuse to have you look down at me when I do so. Sit.”

  Huffing slightly, Dean did.

  “Attitude.”

  “What?”

  “You just gave me attitude. Are you going to do so with me over what I say?”

  “No. Go on.”

  “Good. Where do you want to begin?”

  Dean glanced at her. “Begin?”

  “I’ll give you what I see.”

  “Oh my God.” Dean all but covered his face.

  “It’s fairly simple,” Margaret said, “Three things come to mind that truly demonstrate your isolation of people. One, your attitude. You’ve explained that but, on the other hand, why do you have to cop attitude about scientific and medical matters?”

  “Some are my business,” Dean defended.

  “True. But Ellen has been a part of that for a while. You couldn’t just tell her that you were working on something that will be a surprise and you’ll inform her later. She may have been pissed but she certainly would have handled it a lot better than, ‘It’s my business and maybe I didn’t want you in on it’”

  “That was harsh.”

  “No.” Margaret shook her head. “Harsh is telling Elliott Ryder his prognosis was nil and it was out of your hands.”

  “It was true.”

  “No it wasn’t, Dean. You don’t know. Do you? You don’t. You only took that attitude with it because you’re stressed and weren’t thinking. Elliott didn’t deserve that. Has this always been your bedside manner?”

  With closed eyes, Dean shook his head. “No.”

  “Then I suggest you look into your previous bedside manner.”

  Dean exhaled. “Thanks.” He started to stand.

  “I’m not done.”

  “You said three things.”

  “That was one.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Other two are simple,” Margaret explained. “Tonight. When Frank came back to his house, we were getting ready to leave. He asked Andrea to keep an eye on the kids for the evening. She wasn’t thrilled, but agreed.”

  “So.”

  “So?” Margaret laughed. “Dean, how many of those kids are yours?”

  Dean
gazed up, shocked.

  “Yeah, you have children, Dean. Why is Frank finding a sitter for your children when you are right there?”

  “You are really being hard on me.”

  “I’m doing it for a reason. An isolated experiment doesn’t mean you have to isolate your life.”

  “But now you have to be a part of that life.”

  “Do you think I mind?” Margaret asked. “Do you think I would have minded sitting with the children? No. They will have a new sibling and I would like to them to get to know me before hand.”

  “You’re absolutely right. I was wrong. I haven’t been thinking.”

  “Good. Now answer me this. Why didn’t you take Frank up on his invitation?”

  “Wait. You scolded me for not babysitting for Frank so he can go out but you want me to go out?”

  “You want to be included,” Margaret said. “Frank invited you along to join the guys.”

  “They’re going to harass Ellen and Hal.”

  Margaret smiled. “And you wouldn’t want to be there at least to watch?”

  Dean tilted his head. “Well …”

  “So do it. Go. Call Frank. Tell him you accept.”

  “I can’t.” Dean hem-hawed. “Robbie, Henry, Hal, Elliott they all …”

  “Who cares? They hate you? Frank doesn’t.”

  Dean chuckled. “Frank doesn’t because he has Ellen free and clear.”

  “He wanted you there. You were friends before. Why not go?”

  “You know what?” Dean stood up. “I will. I’ll call Frank.”

  “Do it. You’ll have fun. You need that.”

  “I do and it will be fun. Frank is always fun.” Dean began to rush across the room. “I have to get ready.” He picked up his phone. “I hope they didn’t leave.”

  Margaret looked at her watch. “I don’t think so. They can’t go into Hoi Hoi on the Range until after it opens to the public.”

  “True. Do you know what else? You made me think. I’m gonna make a resolution. I’m gonna go back to being the way I was. The isolation experiment, isolation life line you gave …” Dean winked. “That was good.”

  “Thanks.” Margaret tilted her head in a blush.

  “Why? Why did you take such a rough stance on me?”

  “Someone had to. I could see it, Dean. You aren’t used to being alone. You need people and the people you need have been a part of your life a long time. As a new part of your life, I cannot just stand by and let you lose them.”

  He smiled and began to dial the phone. “Frank. Yes. Uh … I changed my mind. What do you think I changed my mind about? No, not that. Not that either. Frank … Frank … Frank! God, I’m gonna go with you tonight.” Dean pulled the phone from his ear then grinned. “I’m glad you’re glad.” He snickered. “I’ll be there.” He hung up. After tapping the phone in his hand, Dean walked over to Margaret and kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you. More than you know, thanks.”

  ***

  It was about eight ounces, not big, but it sizzled to perfection and was seasoned just right. Hal sliced into the steak and created tiny bites to fool his mind and stomach into thinking he ate more.

  He ate every bite of meat, potatoes, salad, vegetables with hollandaise sauce, and cheesecake. He sipped on wine that was 15 years old.

  He even talked a lot more than usual, just to make the most out of the Dating Game meal. If anything, the food was worth it.

  That first hit of his after-dinner cigarette was like sex, completely enjoyable and satisfying. He exhaled and sat back with closed eyes. Ellen watched this and giggled.

  “You look like you’re in ecstasy,” she said.

  Hal chuckled then sat forward as he picked up his wineglass. “I am.” He lifted the bottle. “More?”

  “Yes, but not much. I don’t want to be giddy during the movie.”

  “What better movie to do it to.” He poured. “An Affair to Remember.” He set down the bottle. “This was really nice. I’m glad I played and I’m glad you picked me.”

  “How could I not. Your answers made me laugh. Marma picked Ben from Fabrics because his answers were funny.”

  Hal tilted his head. “I hate to admit it but they were. He answered perfectly.”

  Ellen leaned into Hal. “Probably because he’s a woman trapped in a man’s body.”

  Hal snickered. “Probably, but Kitty picked according to suave and debonair.”

  “Yeah. How did Dan from Security get like that?” Ellen looked at the table where Dan sat huddled with Kitty. The three tables were set up at a distance for privacy. Ellen faced Hal again. “I’m glad I picked you too.”

  “You knew it was me, right?” Hal asked.

  “Hadn’t a clue.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Nope.” Ellen shook her head. “I didn’t know you were playing, plus you didn’t use your stock Hal phrases of ‘Good Lord, Good heavens, Good God’”

  “Ellen, please …”

  “That too.” She smiled. “Did you know it was me?’

  “Good God, Ellen how could I not. If you were Ellen? The questions were all about Frank. I knew he wrote them.”

  “Is that why you answered them the way you did?”

  “Hell yes,” Hal answered. “I knew my arrogant brother would be watching.”

  “Elliott didn’t look too happy.”

  “Elliott Ryder needs to lose the shade of green when it comes to me.” Hal raised his eyebrows as he raised his glass. He snickered.

  “What?”

  Shaking his head, Hal laughed again.

  “What?” Ellen repeated.

  “This night is a country song.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Imagine the title, ‘Valentine’s Day in a Screwed up World’.”

  Ellen chuckled. “Okay.”

  “Watch.” Hal pointed to Marma and Ben from Fabrics. “Listen.” He cleared his throat and recited the words. “A gay man and a lesbian went out on a date. Security guy was with Kitty and he thinks she’s great. A captain and a doctor who are somehow siblings matched up one evening as the strangest thing. It’s Valentine’s Day in a fucked up world where every man has the wrong girl. It don’t matter much what match for me they make as long as I get to enjoy my eight ounce steak.”

  “Oh my God, Hal, that’s really good. Did you think of that off the top of your head?”

  “Yes, it was just a hurried limerick.”

  “You should write lyrics for Robbie.”

  “I should.”

  “You really think I’m the wrong girl?”

  “No, Ellen, not at all.” Hal laid his hand on hers. “I think you’re the right girl”

  “Ah …”

  “Unfortunately, for about ten different men.”

  Ellen gasped and playfully smacked Hal.

  “I’m joking.” He leaned over and gave a friendly kiss to her forehead. “Now, how about you and I slip out, get that coffee, and get to the show ahead of time.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Hal stood up, walked around to Ellen’s chair, and pulled it out.

  “Such the gentlemen.” Ellen rose. “Now, are you going to ask me to dance later?”

  “I believe …” Hal laid his hand on her back. “That may just occur.”

  Ellen smiled. “This is going to be such a great date.”

  “Yes, it will as long as it goes as planned and no one starts trouble.” Hal led her out.

  Ellen snickered, “Really, Hal, who would start trouble?”

  ***

  Frank’s office was lit by the dimmest of lights to prevent anyone to know he was in there. He leaned over his desk, speaking in a husky, yet whispering voice. “Strategy is needed in any war. This is a strategy meeting.” He shifted his eyes to Robbie, Jimmy, Elliott, and then Dean. “Think of us as a Delta Force, an elite few. We have a target to get and a mission to accomplish. We go in unnoticed and fire up to complete our task. Now we may need a driver because it can b
e dangerous. Our destination …” Frank grabbed a pencil, stood up straight and with a suave pivot, smacked the pencil on his map. “New Bowman. The enemy target.” He reached into his chest pocket, pulled out photo, and dropped it to the desk. “Hal”

  Robbie raised his hand. “What is our directive?”

  “The orders are simple,” Frank said. “Go in, cause a diversion that they do not notice, capture trust, then hit. But at all cost we must appear innocent. We are not the victims here.”

  “Mission?” Jimmy asked.

  “To go, to defeat, and to annoy the hell out of Hal.”

  Dean questioned, “Do we have a goal?”

  “Oh, yeah. Annoy the hell out of Hal.”

  “But to do what?” Dean questioned.

  “Get him annoyed,” Frank repeated.

  Dean furthered, “But do we have a final objective to his annoyance?”

  “Yes, to have him really annoyed.”

  Jimmy interjected, “Let me just ask for clarification.”

  “Sure.” Frank nodded.

  “We want to really, really annoy Hal.”

  Frank winked with a point. “You got it.”

  Elliott raised his hand. “Will we be armed?”

  “Oh, absolutely. I wouldn’t expect you to go in with me without being armed.” Frank crouched down, reached under his desk, and then set down three bottles of whiskey. “For those of us who cannot have alcohol.” He looked at Elliott and then reached into his pocket and pulled out three tightly twined homemade cigarettes.

  Dean nearly choked. “Frank, is that marijuana?”

  “Oh, yeah.”

  Jimmy leaned into Robbie and whispered, “Frank has drugs?”

  Robbie nodded. “Desperate times call for desperate measures. This is war.”

  ***

  Just as expected.

  Mike’s kitchen was dark, lit only by a single dim light. He sat at his little Formica four top with a pen in hand and paper before him.

  Lars looked through the back kitchen door and walked around to the front of the house. Going to the back was not unusual for Lars, especially since it was a direct route from his home to Mike’s. When Lars went to his own kitchen to get some water and he saw the dim light, he knew it was Mike and what he was doing.

  Lars had thought about what Mike would do and say. He himself wouldn’t have given it any thought but Mike was fair. Mike would.