Creeping Tyranny

by Robert Boren

  “How about this?” Clem asked. “We can shoot from here. They won’t know what hit them.”

  “Tight squeeze,” John said.

  “True, but I think it’ll fit. Maybe we should get out a tape measure to be sure.”

  “Got one in my rig,” Clem said.

  They walked back past the office. Connie came out onto the veranda in front of the door.

  “Sam back yet?” she asked.

  “Ought to be any second now,” Clem said.

  “Good. That CHP officer called again.”

  “Officer Ryan?” John asked.

  “Yeah,” Connie said. “He sounded worried.”

  “Wonderful,” Clem said. “Here comes Sam now.”

  “Sam!” Connie shouted. “They called again. It was Officer Ryan.”

  “Okay, be inside in a minute.”

  “Thanks,” she said.

  “Find a good place for our new toy?” Sam asked.

  “Yeah, just going to get my tape measure,” Clem said. “It’s a little tight.”

  “Good,” Sam said. “I’ll talk to you after I finish with the CHP.”

  ***

  “I’m bored, man,” Steve said. “We’ve just been sitting around all day.”

  Robbie laughed. “You’ve heard all the gunshots out there. I think we should stay right here. We have everything we need. Have a beer.”

  “Most of what we’ve heard is automatic fire,” Gil said. “It’s the National Guard fighting those guys we saw last night on TV. Must be a hell of a lot of them.”

  Morgan came up the stairs. “Think I should thaw out that turkey? I know how to cook them, and the meat will last us for days.”

  “I’m game,” Robbie said.

  “Oh, hell yeah,” Justin said. “Damn, Robbie, you got yourself a good girlfriend.”

  “And the teasing begins,” Gil said, laughing.

  Robbie looked at Morgan and shrugged. “Sorry.”

  She sat next to him on the couch and put her legs up on his lap, then looked at Steve and smiled.

  “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” Robbie whispered.

  “As a matter of fact, I am,” she said. Gil, Justin, and Steve cracked up.

  “Maybe we ought to get your girlfriends over here,” Robbie said.

  “Mine took off with her parents to Idaho,” Justin said. “That relationship was hanging by a thread, though. She wouldn’t want to be here.”

  “I’m between girlfriends right now,” Gil said. “As usual.”

  Steve was quiet, his face turning red. He looked on the verge of tears.

  “What’s the matter?” Robbie asked.

  “Oh, nothing,” he said. “It’s stupid.”

  “What, man?” Robbie asked.

  “Colleen,” he said. “This luscious redhead that I work with. I was trying to get up the courage to ask her out. I waited too long.”

  “You have her number?” Morgan asked. “I see that look on your face. Us girls like that kind of reaction.”

  “Does she like you?” Justin asked.

  “I don’t know,” Steve said. “We flirt some at work, but she keeps a certain amount of distance. Won’t let it go too far. She thinks I’m a weasel.”

  Morgan laughed out loud. “You’re no weasel,” she said. “If I wasn’t sweet on someone I’d be interested.” She put her hand to her mouth. “Did I just say that?”

  Everybody but Robbie and Morgan laughed.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  “Did you really mean that?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  “I think I’ll take Killer out in the backyard,” Justin said. “C’mon, guys, let’s get some air.”

  The others got up and followed Justin and the dog downstairs.

  “You have really nice friends,” Morgan said. “You know that, right?”

  “Yes, I know that,” he said. “You aren’t going to tire of me right away, are you?”

  She looked in his eyes. “You want me, don’t you?”

  He looked at her, trying to find the words to say.

  “Morgan,” he said. “I’m not sure how…”

  She put her finger on his lips. “You don’t need to say anything. I can see it in your eyes. We’ll go as fast or as slow as you want to.”

  He looked at her, the tears clouding his vision.

  “You have had a girlfriend before, haven’t you?” she asked.

  “Yes,” he said. “Two. One for quite a while. We had a nice time together, but very innocent. The second one was a shorter time. She hurt me a little.”

  “A little?”

  “She used me,” Robbie said. “She wasn’t popular at school, but I thought she was beautiful, and she sang like an angel.”

  “You’re a musician?”

  “Kind of,” Robbie said.

  “How did she hurt you?”

  “I was convenient. She strung me along. I knew she wasn’t that into me, but I was trying to win her over. Didn’t work. She finally broke it off when it was obvious that I was in love with her.”

  “How long ago was that?”

  “Years,” Robbie said.

  “I’m not going to hurt you,” Morgan said.

  Robbie was quiet for a moment.

  “You okay?” she asked.

  “Yeah, sorry,” he said. “I know you’re not like that; figured it out pretty quickly. I’m just having a problem wrapping my head around it, that’s all.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Hell, you look like a model. I’ve seen the guys you’ve had around. You’re out of my league.”

  “Oh, that again,” she said. “Trust me, you are exactly in my league. You just don’t understand what women want.”

  Robbie chuckled.

  “Why are you laughing?” she asked. “How many beautiful women have you asked out? I’ll bet it’s none, because you give up before you start.”

  “That pretty much sums it up,” he said. “You really would’ve gone out with me before?”

  “In a heartbeat,” she said. “A smart guy who can hold down a job, and is handsome too? Sounds like a good person to have babies with to me.”

  Robbie laughed. “We’re headed to a family already?”

  “Hey, it’s biology,” she said. “There are some hot women who want to screw around with the surfer guy who works at a fast food joint. They aren’t the majority, and they usually have self-esteem problems. Most women are looking for a partner, not somebody they have to take care of. A mate. You’re good mate material. Big time. So maybe we ought to stop wasting time with the BS. I know you like me. It’s easy to tell.”

  “I told you I liked you,” Robbie said.

  “I knew before you told me,” she said. “Come downstairs with me. You’re going to play the man and carry the turkey upstairs. It’ll have to defrost for a day or two.”

  “Okay,” Robbie said. He watched Morgan’s legs as she lifted them off his lap and stood up. He stood next to her, then took her into his arms and kissed her, hard and passionate. It went on for almost a minute. They broke it and looked into each other’s eyes.

  “Now that’s what I’m talking about,” she said, her eyes dancing with his. She moved forward and started another kiss, their embrace becoming tighter, their breath coming quickly.

  “My God,” she said. “That works.”

  “Yeah,” Robbie said. “That was pretty intense.”

  They went down the stairs together, looking at each other’s face every few steps.

  The back bedroom door opened when they were in the hall.

  “What are you guys doing?” Steve asked.

  “Taking the turkey upstairs to defrost,” Robbie said. “You look happy.”

  “I called my friend from work, and he had Colleen’s number.”

  “You going to call her?” Morgan asked.

  “Working up the nerve now,” he said.

  “What is it with you guys?” Morgan asked. “Don�
��t over-think it. Call her. Now. If you wait you will lose your nerve.”

  He shot her a sheepish look and nodded yes, then went back into his room, shutting the door.

  Robbie and Morgan went into the garage and opened the chest freezer.

  “Think he’ll do it?” Robbie whispered.

  “He’s got a real case for her,” Morgan said. “I can see it in his eyes when he talks about her. Have you met her?”

  “I’ve seen her a time or two. She’s pretty. Beautiful face and red hair. Looks like she just got off the boat from Ireland.”

  “They can have a temper, you know,” Morgan said. “He’s a nice guy. Most women are gonna be interested. Trust me.”

  Robbie reached into the freezer for the turkey. “Damn, this is a big one.”

  “It is,” Morgan said. “I’ll hold the door open for you.”

  They rushed the turkey upstairs together. “Where do you want it?”

  “Just on the counter for now,” Morgan said. “I need to fill one side of the sink with water and then soak it. The sink needs to be cleaned first. I’ll call you when I need it lifted again, okay?”

  “Okay,” he said. “Mind if I watch you?”

  “Doing this?” she asked. “No, run along. You can watch me later, at a more interesting time.”

  Robbie shook his head, walked into the living room, and dropped into a recliner, thinking about what just happened. Could she? He felt his heart quicken as the thoughts raced into his brain.

  “Robbie, I’m ready for you,” Morgan said lightly.

  He got up and walked into the kitchen, his whole body electric, and stopped, taking in her shape as she finished filling the sink with water. She turned to him, her sweet eyes piercing his. “I’m ready for you to lift it in. Slowly!”

  Robbie snapped himself out of it and picked up the ice-cold turkey, moving it into the water.

  “Perfect,” she said, turning to him. “Wash your hands and dry them.”

  “Oh, yeah,” he said. “Salmonella.”

  Morgan smiled as he finished. “What do you want to do now?”

  “Another kiss?” he asked.

  “That can be arr…”

  “Hey!” Steve shouted up the stairs.

  “What?” Robbie asked.

  “Colleen! I called her. She’s trapped. We have to go get her!”

  Morgan looked at Robbie and mouthed NO.

  “Robbie, can you go with me?” Steve called.

  “Robbie,” Morgan said, worry in her eyes.

  Chapter 12 – Liberty and Tyranny

  Seth woke up next to Emma in one of the guest rooms. They had been up late watching the battles on TV. Ji-Ho hit it off with everybody right away, especially Trevor, due to their mutual love of guns.

  “You awake already?” Emma asked. She stretched while looking at him. “Think we can go back to my place now?”

  “Don’t know,” Seth said. He got out of bed and put his shirt and pants on. “It’s been several hours since I’ve heard automatic weapons fire.”

  “I was asleep as soon as I hit the pillow,” Emma said. She stood next to the bed and got dressed.

  “We’ll see what the TV says about road closures. If the roads are okay, we should be able to take off.”

  They picked up their things and went into the living room. Trevor and Ji-Ho were asleep in the recliners facing the TV, which was running softly in the background.

  Matt and Kaylee came out of the hallway, Jamie and Angel following them.

  “Sleep well?” Jamie asked, looking at Emma. She nodded yes while Seth shot him a glance.

  “The roads open yet?” Matt asked. “Kaylee wants to go home.”

  “Emma too,” Seth said.

  “You can forget,” Ji-Ho said, turning towards them as he rubbed his eyes.

  “Everything is still locked up?” Matt asked.

  “They start martial law today,” Ji-Ho said. “Lock down, stabilize, then can go.”

  “How long are they saying it’s gonna be?” Emma asked.

  “Two day,” Ji-Ho said. “Said late last night.”

  “Oh no,” Kaylee said. “I’d better call my folks.”

  “Yes, you call them,” Ji-Ho said. “Tell my brother you and friends fine. Can stay until safe.”

  Trevor stirred and woke up, startled when he saw everybody in the living room. “What time is it?”

  “Only about seven,” Seth said.

  “Dammit,” Trevor said. “I think I need to sleep a little more.”

  “Back bedroom open,” Ji-Ho said. “Be my guest. See you later on. We talk more. I show you my guns and reloading setup.”

  “That would be great,” Trevor said, getting off the couch. “Back here?” He walked towards the hallway.

  “Yes, last room on left side,” Ji-Ho said. “I go sleep for while in my room too. You kids make selves at home. Plenty food in kitchen.” He got up. “Stayed up talking too long. Trevor nice kid. Glad to know.”

  “Thanks so much, Uncle Ji-Ho,” Kaylee said.

  “Glad you here,” he said as he walked away. “Nice friends. I impressed.” He went up the stairs next to the hall.

  “What a nice guy,” Seth said.

  “Yes, he’s my favorite uncle,” Kaylee said. “His English keeps getting better too.”

  “I have no problem understanding him,” Jamie said. “Are we sure everything is locked down?”

  “Let’s watch some TV and see,” Seth said. He picked up the remote and turned the sound up. Everybody found a seat and watched.

  “They ain’t saying shit,” Angel said. “They’re tip-toeing too much. Wonder how many civilians they’ve killed so far?”

  “Really?” Matt asked. “You going there?”

  “You trust the state government?” Angel asked. “I don’t.”

  “I’m somewhat inclined to agree, after the hassle of buying firearms and ammunition,” Seth said. “The state only begrudgingly allows you to exercise your rights.”

  Jamie laughed. “I can’t believe I’ve actually found people that agree with me, and they’re just kids.”

  “You’re only about five years older than us, man,” Matt said.

  “That many years makes a big difference when you’re under thirty,” Jamie said with a twinkle in his eye. “Anyway, I meant no offense. You guys are great, and we share the healthy fear of government.”

  “Let’s go see if there’s anything good to eat,” Kaylee said to Emma.

  “Okay,” Emma said. They got up and walked into the kitchen.

  “How do you guys contain yourselves around them?” Jamie asked.

  “You’re leering at them way too much, man,” Seth said. “I don’t like it.”

  “Seth,” Matt said.

  “C’mon, man, he’s doing it to Kaylee too,” Seth said.

  “Hey, I don’t mean anything by it,” Jamie said. “You guys don’t know how lucky you are.”

  Seth laughed. “You’re a good-looking dude with a good job. Why don’t you have a girlfriend…or a wife, for that matter?”

  “I did,” Jamie said. “Didn’t work out.”

  “Well here’s the scoop on Emma,” Seth said, lowering his voice. “She’s high maintenance. Really high maintenance. It’s almost sunk us more than once. Be careful what you wish for.”

  “So why do you stay with her?” Jamie asked. “No offense, just wondering.”

  Seth sighed. “There’s more good than bad,” he said.

  “You’re locked in,” Angel said. “Been with her too long. I think you ought to get out of it before you end up married.”

  Matt laughed.

  “What’s so funny, dude?” Angel asked. “You’re in the same situation, only worse. I’d give a marriage between you and Kaylee about a year.”

  “Why do you say that?” Matt asked. “Hell, you know me better than anybody. Since grade school.”

  “That’s why I say it,” he said. “You can’t keep it in your pants.”


  Seth chuckled. “You are kind of a horn dog, man.”

  “Both of you guys can shove it,” Matt said.

  “Don’t worry, we’ve got your back,” Angel said. “Forever.”

  “Wish I would’ve had friends like you guys when I was your age,” Jamie said.

  “Hey, they’re talking about the roads,” Seth said, turning the TV volume higher.

  The news reader came on. “This just in. The major roads in the South Bay remain closed as the National Guard sets up checkpoints to be used when Los Angeles County martial law goes into effect. The roads will be shut down for two to three days. Anybody who is in desperate need of food or medications is asked to call 1-555-334-6637.”

  “Well there you go,” Seth said. “We’re stuck here for a little while.”

  “Kaylee’s uncle won’t mind,” Matt said. “He likes you guys. Especially Trevor.”

  “I can tell, but I hate to take advantage,” Jamie said.

  “He’s not looking at it that way,” Angel said. “He’s glad we’re here, since his wife is gone. He’s lonely, and he adores his niece.”

  “Yeah, he likes us being here,” Matt said. “He told me last night.”

  “Okay, then we need to relax and take a few days,” Seth said. “Not the worst thing in the world, by the way. This could be a good place to ride out the storm.”

  “The public is being warned that the bearing of arms in the South Bay is not allowed while martial law is in place,” the news reader said. “People caught with guns on their person or in their vehicles will be subject to arrest.”

  “Dammit,” Angel said. “We might have to ditch our guns before we can leave, or maybe ask Ji-Ho to keep them until things settle down.”

  “Sounds like it,” Seth said. “They did this during Katrina. Screw them. They don’t have the right.”

  “Might makes right,” Jamie said.

  “So what do you suggest?” Seth asked.

  “Lie,” he said. “Hide your guns as best you can and lie. And don’t be afraid. They’ll see it. Hide your feelings, and don’t give up your guns. Ever.”

  “I’m starting to like this guy,” Angel said.

  “Yeah,” Seth said. “Me too. As long as he keeps his mitts off our girlfriends.”

  Jamie laughed. “Don’t worry, just looking. They have any friends?”

  Seth laughed. “Yeah, even a couple who just love older guys.”