Dark as Daylight Ch. 20

"You hired an attorney without my approval?"

"We knew you would argue with us over what we were about to do, so we did the research, and we picked an attorney right out of law school."

"Did he graduate first in his class?"

"No, Rod, he graduated last his class."

"Last, are you two nuts?"

"No, we're not. We checked him out. He was valedictorian in his high school class, and voted most likely to succeed. So why did he graduate last in his law school class. We wondered why? We found out that it was amazing he could graduate in a normal three-year program.

His mother died, when he was a freshman in high school, while walking home with groceries in her arms. She just fell over and died. It was a brain aneurysm no one knew she had, and on that day, it burst with no warning at all. The family was devastated. He stopped all his extracurricular activities, and got a part-time job to help with the bills. He worked every day after school, plus Saturday and Sunday.

When he was a senior in high school, his father was killed, while driving home from work. Someone dropped a boulder from a highway overpass. It crashed through his windshield and killed him. The case is still unsolved.

Child Protective Services wanted to take his two brothers and sister away from him and put them in foster homes. He absolutely refused. He had the house, which was paid for, and his father's insurance money settlement. He and his 17 and 16-year-old brothers were working part-time after school. They were determined to stay together. The problem was there 10-year-old sister. They asked her what she wanted to do. Did she want to go to stay with an aunt, who lived in Illinois, or stay at home with them. She wanted to stay with her brothers. Everything worked out in the long run, but it took a toll on his schoolwork.

We called Isaac in for meeting and spoke to him. He's not smart Rod, he's brilliant. All he needs is time and a little help moving up the ladder. So, we gave him this assignment and asked him how he would handle it. He came back in a couple of days and showed us how he would do it. We accepted his proposal. Then we had Rosalynn pay him $10 million dollars for his trouble. When we picked him up off the floor, and gave him a glass of water, and he got his wits about him, he asked us if we had any more work to do, because at these rates, he could send his sister to Paris to learn how to cook, because, he said, "she was the only girl he knew that could burn water, tea, and coffee, on a daily basis."

He was going to turn her over to Caltech to have her examined. He knew she was special, he just didn't know in what way.

Basically, Rod, the moment we lift off we are penniless on earth. All our corporations vanish and Rosalynn is as rich as Celeste or William. You know what our dad wanted you to do with the patents, do it, or don't do it. Try to make this planet a better place to live, if it is at all possible. You have enough money to buy Congress, and the presidency if that's what you want to do. You can fix the country's infrastructure, and plant 1,000 trees per mile to renew the forests as you go along.

An 18-year-old boy has shown the British government how to catch all the garbage flowing into the English Channel, polluting the waterway, destroying wildlife, and depositing garbage by the ton on beaches that no man ever sets foot on. It is so ingenious, and cost effective, they have started a trial program on it already. The boys patent will be worth billions instantly, along the Gulf Coast States alone.

The best part about it is they can trace the garbage back to the ships entering, or leaving the Channel by using DNA profiling. Every ship that loads up with fuel leaves a sample with the Dock Master. If there is a large spill, or oil on the beaches, they can track it down to the ships that passed by, and then to the one ship carrying that batch of oil. Ships are not going to be allowed to pollute the water's in the 21^st century and get away with it. Captains will lose their licenses, and companies will be heavily fined.

If the 4 of you can get together to help reduce overpopulation in the poorest nations, and convince the larger nations to help their poor with significant access to continuing birth control, throughout their lifetimes, progress can be made within 2 generations to lower the Earth's population. That will take the stress off food shortages, the use of pesticides, that help the land more bountiful, and poisonous at the same time.

We can restore the forests, cleans the oceans, and seas, and restore the icecaps in a century. Without those three items, back in balance as top priorities, planet Earth is going to be dead in 200 years. All the scientific truths are in. There is no more guessing to be done. We and you know it, the sad part is the nay-sayers know it too, but, as Vice President Al Gore said, "It is 'An Inconvenient Truth.'

Two thirds of the earth's population live within 150 miles of the Earth's coastlines. If these items are not addressed, in 75 years, every city from Portland, Maine, south to Key West, Florida will be under 6 feet of water as far as 15 miles in land. You can forget about the lowlands of Great Britain, and Ireland. Rio de Janeiro, Los Angeles to Baja Mexico becomes a .

Hundreds of millions of the poorest of the poor, living on the great Horn of Africa will be lost, not quickly, but slowly, as they are forced inland towards the great Sahara Desert, where there is no shelter, no food, and no potable water."

"Okay Richard, you sold me. I won't retire. Send Isaac to me, and I will teach him how to become the best lawyer there ever has been or ever will be. Then, I'll set him loose on Washington. I'll call our friends in New York to see if they're ready for another fight. I believe Vincent was saddened, when those multinationals settled out of court, rather than letting us fight them in court. He didn't mind the size of the settlement, nor the size of the check he took home, but I really think he wanted to bite their neck and draw blood in front of the press, the country, and in front of the world. Maybe getting rid of a few politicians and saving the planet will get his juices flowing again. There are very few lawyers that can go to their graves saying they have never lost a case. Vincent Caruso and I will be two of them."

"Don't forget Tom Shackleford, and James Hurst, Rod."

"I didn't, they were Vincent mentors, and they did one hell of a job on that boy."

"I wonder what young Vincent Anthony Caruso is up to now?"

"I haven't talked to Vincent since the trial. That was three years ago, which would make young Vincent 19 years old. If his parents haven't killed that boy for his constant missing curfew, or putting tiny panties in the wash, they have probably enrolled him as the first civilian in West Point, to protect him from every pregnant girls' parents, in Brooklyn, who are chasing after him with a paternity suit in their hands.

It's a family curse that the men are so damn handsome, and the women are so gorgeous."

"That is all well and good, Rod, but we want you to start saving the world. It is more important. I have to call my girlfriend to tell her there is a message from her mother, for her and her sister."

"You're too late Richard, I'm on the phone with Debbie."

"Debbie is not my girlfriend, she is your girlfriend. Haven't you gotten that through that hard head of yours, yet?"

"I will ask Debbie if she is able to sit down. If she doesn't get angry with me, I will know she is my girlfriend, and not yours."

"I'm still angry with Joseph, for him not allowing me to use my bare hand on her luscious backside. I will do it one day or another, while we are in space, but I was so looking forward to it that afternoon."

"That's why he made you use the paddle, instead of your hand. You may have gotten your frustration out on her, but you did not get the sexual pleasure you desired."

"I did not want sexual pleasure, especially from your girlfriend. I just wanted to put her in her rightful place. She believed she was much better than she was, and I truly wanted to take her down five or six pegs."

"You did, big brother, everyone saw you do it. Why isn't that enough for you?"

"I guess it was just the thought of her flesh turning pink, then red, because of my hands contact with her ass that excited me. I did not want to do it using an artificial instrument. I wanted her to remember that it was my flesh hitting her flesh and the ensuing pain was caused by a challenge she made. She knew she was outclassed from the very beginning and was given a chance to withdraw because of it. She belittled me, and you, Holden. She said we were pretty boys. Joe told them about our training several times, and she ignored it. I was going to make Deborah pay by following Joe's rules, and I did. She suffered by not being able to sit, comfortably, for more than a week."

"Would you like to say hello to your victim?"

"I have a few words I'd like to say to her."

"Okay, but keep it short, we are going to be poor soon."

"Yeah, right!"

"How's your ass, Debbie?"

"Fuck you, Richard."

"I won't do that, because I would be betraying your sister's trust. I love her, not you."

"Why don't you two get married, and end your suffering."

"That's between the two of us. When the time is right, we will make that decision logically, and with our parents' permission."

"You're going to wait until we get to Atwater Luck?"

"I've never said a word about waiting until then, and you have never asked."

"I just asked you that question."

"I just refused to answer that question."

"I hate you Richard Luck."

"It is my duty to return that salutation, Deborah Finch."

"You're just trying to show me how smart you are."

"Is that what I'm doing, Deborah? Am I trying to show you that I am as smart as you and your sister? Just because you have doctorates from the University of Chicago does not mean you are smarter than Albert Einstein. Did Einstein manage to get a doctorate in physics?"

"You know he didn't asshole."

"If you were living with my dad, that word would have cost you $10."

"Unfortunately for you, me, and the world, your father is no longer amongst the living."

"My dad may not have a physical form, but his voice, and brain are doing quite well in association with Callie, the computer on board Good Luck 1."

"Okay hotshot, what are you talking about now?"

"Don't ask me for specifics, because I can't give them to you. However, when my dad died his brain and voice stayed inside the on-board computer, which is named 'Callie.' According to my brother Gordon, and sister, Delicious, he helps them and antagonizes them at will. It's been nearly 12 years since I've seen or heard his voice, and the last time I felt his presence was when we went to the cemetery and saw his name emblazoned on the stone. He told us, on that day, to move this craft along, and get it to Atwater Luck as soon as possible. We are less then two weeks away from liftoff.

I am ready to go, are you?"

"You bet your ass I am."

"That's how I started this conversation. Are you going to be able to sit down, Deborah?"

"When you start the countdown, I'll be buckled in my seat asshole."

"That would have cost you another $10, Deborah."

"I don't give a fuck what it would have cost me in your father's household, because he's not here. Get this bubble off the ground, and I'll get my sister to give you your first blow job."

"How do you know it will be my first blow job?"

"She's given you one already?"

"A gentleman never tells tales out of school. Now go about your business, I wish to talk to my fiancé."

"Fiancé, you asked Rebecca to marry you?"

"A gentleman never tells tales out of school. If you want that information you'll have to get it from your sister. Now, go about your business, I wish to talk to my fiancé."

"I don't like you, Richard."

"That is one of the reasons I gave you a spanking last week."

"You mean there was more than one reason you gave me a spanking?"

"You know there were more than one reason you got a spanking, don't you Deborah? You cannot be that dense."

"No, I'm not that dense. Would you give the phone back to my boyfriend, please? Rebecca is waiting for your phone call. I'll continue to talk to Holden."

"Holden is not bad for second choice."

Holden screamed, "I am no one's second choice."

"It was just a manner of speaking, Holden."

"Well, I didn't like your manner."

"I ask your forgiveness for my manner."

"Your manner is forgiven."

"Thank you, your grace."

"You are welcome my son."

They gave each other a high five, and separated to speak to the women in their lives.

***********************

"Hi baby, are you ready to hear how many brothers and sisters you have?"

"No, not until after you tell me how much you love me."

"Oh, we are being testy today, are we?"

"You were on the phone with my sister for 12 minutes, and she didn't seem to be in pain at all. What am I supposed to think? Where am I supposed to run to now?"

"You are supposed to run straight into my arms, just like always, because I cannot see my life without you. Did you hear the words Deborah shouted out, about four minutes ago?"

"No, I didn't. I was so angry with you I was outside on the patio listening to airplanes take off. Steve didn't trust me, so he stood out there with me. He thought I might hurt myself, because I was so angry with someone."

"Who was that someone?"

"You, you asshole."

"Would you please tell me what I did wrong?"

"I just told you, Richard, you were having a good time talking with my sister for 12 minutes."

"Am I supposed to disown your sister and my brother if they decide to get married?"

"No, of course not.

"Are they supposed to disown us?"

"No!"

"May I ask where the problem is?"

"I have to talk to Steve for a minute. Would you please stay right there?"

"Of course, I will not move one muscle."

*********

"Steve come with me please."

"Absolutely, Miss Rebecca, how can I help you?"

They walked back into the den and Rebecca said, "Shoot him Steve, he's too smart for me."

Steve responded, "No problem, miss Rebecca."

Steve removed his 9 mm Beretta from his holster and fired three quick shots directly at Richard.

Richard's body jerked, and rolled onto the floor.

Rebecca screamed.

Steve asked, "Will there be anything else miss Rebecca?"

Rebecca looked at Steve, then at Richard lying on the floor, back at Steve and then fainted without saying a word.

Richard got up, shook Steve's hand, said, "Nice shooting, but I think you killed the couch."

"It's nothing a little material will not cover, sir."

"That sounds good. I think I'll take my baby to bed. She's had a very hard day, and I intend to make it harder on her."

"Maybe you should undress her first sir. You don't want to make any holes in her clothing."

"That's very considerate of you, Steve. I think I'll take you up on that."

Richard picked up Rebecca, carried her into their bedroom, closed and locked the door. He sat her in a large lounger, while he lowered the bedding, and undressed himself. Next, he began a chore he loved: he lay Rebecca on the bed and began undressing her. Off came her shoes, and anklets. He massaged the soles of her feet, kissed and sucked each of her 10 toes, and then went in reverse. Her body jerked, but he refused to stop. He placed her left leg over his right shoulder and began kissing the flesh on the inside of her ankle and calf. Somehow, he managed to hold on to her left leg as she tended to the outside flesh of the ankle and calf below the knee of her right leg.

He heard her moan. She grabbed her pillows, and pulled them tightly to her face. She yelled some inappropriate words, as her body spasmed, and turned into an overcooked spaghetti noodle.

The room now had a distinctive female aroma to it, as he transitioned all his attention to her right leg. He was on his way up the inside of her left calf, just above her ankle, when someone grabbed every hair on his head, and yanked on it, very hard. He knew if it was either of her grandparents, he was in safe territory, because they had been informed of the restrictions both children had placed on themselves and his baby was still dressed. He wasn't, but his baby was. At this moment Richard was well within the safe zone.

If it was Mr. or Mrs. Laver, he was a dead man. Sex was never discussed with his parents, even though he was nearly 18 years old. Even though Rod and Rosalyn were sexually active to the extreme, it never filtered down to Richard and Holden. Somehow the sex talk just never happened.

Richard and Holden were always at the building site, with Rod, working on the spacecraft.

Rosalynn was all over Columbia, South Carolina, trying to get the government to realize how many jobs they were going to lose once the Good Luck 2 launched. These were not low-paying jobs. These jobs were the backbone of the new tech revolution around Charleston International Airport. Boeing aviation was building aircraft there because of them. They would not be able to pick up enough of the scientists, engineers, and technicians that would be laid off in a few months.

Finally, he knew who it was and asked, "Am I doing something wrong dear?"

"Why aren't you dead? I saw Steve shoot you, and you fell to the floor. That's the last thing I remember. So why aren't you dead?"

"Steve didn't use the special kryptonite bullets that are needed to kill me."

She pulled on his hair to the point he was begging for relief.

"Tell me the truth or you will be bald."

"His bullets passed between my stomach and my arm; will that do Your Highness?"

"Steve is a very good shot."

"Yes, he is, otherwise I might be bleeding."

"Back to my original point, exactly what did you think you were doing?"

"I was doing the same thing I have done to you many times before, and you seemed to enjoy it. So, I thought I would wake you up by doing it one more time."

"Why are my panties soaked?"

"As I said, Becca, you did seem to enjoy it."

"You didn't go beyond the restricted areas, did you?"

"You know me better than that dear."

"I have to change. I really did enjoy what you did to me. I'm really sorry I missed it."

"Your body didn't miss it, not one tiny bit. Your subconscious did not miss one kiss on your tiny toes."

"Don't be snide with me Richard. I could say no just to be spiteful to my toes."

"If that's all you think of our relationship, then you should say no and end it. I have told you many times the depth of my feelings for you. You have told me you love me, and that is where it stops. You are always such a happy person in a group but when you are alone, with me, you seem to clam up. I ask you if you are happy with me, you say yes. I am very happy with your answer. However, I feel that there is a chasm between us, and that is my problem.

I asked you to marry me when the restrictions you have placed on yourself have been met. You said, "Yes" with a big smile on your face, and took my hand. I would love to marry you. At a time and place when a woman should be flying high, you remain reserved, and detached. I don't understand your attitude and if you wish, I will withdraw my proposal, and we will remain friends. If this will make you happy again, that is what I want you to be, HAPPY."

"Richard, you are a fucking idiot."