Dark as Daylight Ch. 22

My dear friends and readers. No one is more surprised than I am to be writing once again. On November 18, 2019 it will be 2 years since I was able to put anything on paper worthy of you reading it. I am not going to bore you with what has happened during this time. However, I am still here, and I guess that is better than any alternative I can think of. I thank you for looking at Her mighty trees, and saying hello for me in my absence.

I have finished reading the 21 chapters of this novel, and I hope to bring it along satisfactorily to a conclusion. There is still much to be explained and much to do. I hope to do it justice, and to those of you who have waited so patiently for me to end this story I am going to do my absolute best to keep you updated and informed. Bob

79. Will It Come To Pass?

1. "Why do you have to go to New York, Juliet", her father asked?

"Dad, the administrator's mother is near death. She had a massive heart attack, with major complications. His father is 98 years old and is not far behind her, because of the stress he is under. From what the associate administrator told us, the administrator is in very rough shape and could use some friendly faces around him. I am not the only one that's going, 20 of us are going, and many more from other NASA stations are joining us there. I don't know why I was invited, because I've never said a word to him. I like him a lot. I really like him a lot. I'd like to get to know him a lot better, but I am too shy to make the first move. I think he is as shy as I am, because blushes when he sees me looking at him. He is younger than I am, as rich as God, and I don't understand why he is working. Heaven knows he doesn't have to. He has promised all of us that there were going to be substantive changes to the way we do things at work, and he's followed through on everything he's promised us so far. I am going to New York with or without your approval, dad. I am 21 years old, and it's time for me to be on my own."

Her mother cowered in the corner, because she knew her husband was about to blow his top.

"Juliet, you will quit your job at NASA, immediately. You are restricted to this house, until I have you properly married to a gentleman I approve of. I raised you as a proper Christian woman, and you will not go anywhere unaccompanied. Is that clear?"

"I love both you and mom with all my heart. You have raised me properly and I know how to take care of myself. I have never disobeyed one thing you have told me to do in all my life, but this time is different. I am not quitting my job, because I love it. I have friends my own age and I find this job challenging. I do not move papers from one side of my desk to the other. It is technical work, and it is important work. Just like you dad, I find my work fulfilling. I will not be stuck at home, like mom is, because of your edict. She is frustrated because of you and you cannot see it. You think everything is fine, however, if mom had money of her own, she would have divorced you years ago. Everything is in your name except for the money I earn and put into the NASA Federal Credit Union.

You nearly had a cow when I did it, instead of putting it in the bank with your money, remember dad? When you did, I knew I was right keeping my money away from your greedy hands. The cars are in your name, the house is in your name, the boat is in your name, everything is in your name. Nothing is in a joint account for mom.

Mom can't go anywhere because she doesn't have a dime to her name. If she filed for a divorce, here in Texas, she would be left penniless, and out in the street to fend for herself. She has no job skills or references for the past 22 years. Where could she get a job other than as a maid at a hotel at minimum-wage or a household servant?"

"Juliet, don't put me in the middle of an argument between you and your father. It's not fair to me. If I have a problem with your father, I will handle it in my own time and in my own way, thank you very much," Adriana said.

"Yes mom," Juliet replied. "However, you know every word I said is true."

"Juliet, stop it!"

"Yes mother."

"I never expected you to stand up for yourself like this, Juliet. So, it would appear the three of us are going to New York, As A Family."

"Dad, I am going on a NASA jet, with my friends, free of charge. If you want to go to New York, I would suggest you make reservations on an airline to get there before us."

"Why can't we travel with you," her father asked?

"You can, but it will be very expensive, and I mean very expensive, because I checked."

"How much could it possibly cost the government to fly two people to New York?"

"It's like flying first class, dad. It's 5655.16 per person round-trip. For you and mom. The total would be $11,310.32."

"$12,000 to fly two people to New York? No wonder the government is broke."

"That's only the beginning of it, dad. NASA is paying for our room and board. You will have to pay for your hotel room, meals, outings and transportation. As you know, or should know, New York City is a very expensive place to visit. Personally, I think you should go by coach, on American Airlines, and save yourself $11,000 on airfare. The rest of the stuff I would look up online and get the best deal you can."

Adriana said, "Lyman, we could always go by train or bus if you want to save more money."

"Adriana, I have never hit you or our daughter out of anger. I am not that tight with my money."

"You bastard, did you notice how you said 'my money'?"

"Adriana, you have always had open access to all that money, all the time. Why is there a blur up your ass today?"

"Dad, you said a bad word! That's the first time I've ever heard you do that at home."

"Don't you start with me, Juliet. I've got more bad words in my head, because of you today, then I thought I would ever have. It takes years of my hard work to save at least $20,000 so your mother and I can keep an eye on you, while you are traipsing around New York City. It is the devil's playground and everyone knows it."

"Dad, you are thinking about what was going on when I was a child, and the city was in ruins. When Giuliani and Bloomberg took over the downtown area went into renewal. It is now the center of business in the world. I don't know what you read, or if you read any of the business journals, but downtown New York City is beautiful. The streets are clean, the buildings are new and the old areas that had the sex for sale signs are gone. Crime in New York is down below that of Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. You can look it up for yourself, if you know how to use a computer."

"You were doing so well, Juliet, and then you had to insult me with that last statement. I use a computer all day long. I am in the oil business and all we do is track oil all over the world. If something happens to an oil pipeline in Tajikistan at 6 PM, we know it here in Houston instantly and the price of gasoline goes up the next day."

"I never understood that dad. That oil has nothing to do with us. Even if it did, we wouldn't receive any of it through the Black Sea for three or four weeks. Why would oil futures go up the next day and affect my purchase of gasoline tomorrow when nothing has happened here?"

"Juliet, oil prices are built in 3 to 6 months in advance. Airlines buy jet fuel two and three years in advance by predicting the market. Sometimes they win because the price of oil goes up and their price remains steady. Sometimes they lose because the price of oil goes down. They win because their ticket prices remain constant and they win bigger by adding baggage fees and other upgrades to ticket prices. It's all a big game, and everyone wants to win. Airlines don't go out of business anymore using this model."

"I guess charging $13,000 for a round-trip first-class ticket for two to New York City isn't so outrageous if you think about it. Why don't you call an airline and find out what a coach ticket to New York for two round-trip costs, dad?"

Lyman replied, "We are not letting you out of our sight, Juliet. Get used to that fact."

"I have always been amazed that you allow me to drive to work alone."

"Who said you were alone? When you stop at 7/11 for coffee, and a muffin each morning, I know about it."

Juliet screamed. "I can't believe you spy on everything I do. Do you watch me while I have sex, dad? Do you enjoy seeing me naked? What do you want to do next dad, have sex with me? Tell me, what do you want of me?"

He replied, softly, "Juliet, you have never had sex that I know of. If you have, I hope you enjoyed it. I also hope you're not pregnant, because that would ruin the rest of your life.

No, I do not want to have sex with you, even though your mother and you could be twins, separated by a few years. Even though you may think of me as a tyrant in this house, I have never cheated on your mother, and I never will. I love your mother very much. I may not show it in a romantic way, or a way you may appreciate but I never keep her tied to this house or without funds to enjoy herself. I believe we live in a very nice house, and in a very good area very close to our work. Your mother has never asked me, and I have never asked her if she would like to work outside the house. I believed she was happy, and it never occurred to me that she wasn't. The last person to know there is a problem is the husband, because he has a narrow vision of his world. It's always his work that is his prime concern and everything else comes in a close fifth or sixth. While we are in New York, your mother and I will do some talking about our lives together, and I will make whatever changes need to be made so I don't lose her. I hope I'm not too late."

Adriana shouted, with tears in her eyes, "Lyman, you are such a bastard." She ran to her bedroom and slammed the door shut.

He looked at Juliet and asked, "What did I do wrong this time?"

Juliet shook her head. "Nothing, dad, absolutely nothing. You better make arrangements for New York either going with me or American airlines."

"Who do I call at NASA to make arrangements?"

"Speak to Nancy in the transportation office. She is expecting your call."

"We went through all this angst and arguing, while you knew all along I was going to go with you."

"Dad, you are so easy."

"I think I don't like you, Juliet."

"You should have had a boy instead of the girl. I understand they are easier to raise."

"When your mother told me she was pregnant, she asked me what I wanted. I told her I wanted a healthy baby. She gave me exactly what I asked for, and God gave me the rest. I didn't realize when that baby turned 21, her mouth would equal mine."

"Isn't life grand, dad?"

"I will answer that question when we get back from New York."

"Don't forget to buy tickets now for plays for you and mom to see why where in New York. Orchestra center is the best, and nothing further back than 30 rows."

"Juliet, since you've done all the legwork on this already, why don't you buy the tickets for me?"

"Give me one of your credit cards and I will."

"How long are we going to be in New York City?"

"I understand it is going to be 7 to 10 days. I am getting paid for those days as if I were at work. You are going to be paying for everything you do. As I said before, Isn't Life Grand?"

"I am going to take 'Compensation Days' because of all the overtime I put in. I will be getting paid while I am in New York also."

"I will bet you spend more money then I will."

"Juliet, I'm no longer beginning not to like you. I'm going to buy you a chastity belt before you leave Houston."

"You are too late, dad. Credit card please."

"Let me amend my last statement. Juliet, I'm sure I don't like you."

"Dad are you going to use Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover, PayPal, or your company credit card?"

"I'm sure you would like to see me get fired for using my company credit card for personal gain. Let's use my MasterCard instead."

"Excellent choice, I can buy new dress shoes and sneakers while I'm taking care of the tickets. Would you like me to make reservations for dinner before the show or afterwards?"

"Juliet, I don't want this trip to cost me more than $40,000. If it does, I'm going to break both your legs so you will not be able to get to work forever."

"I have a friend who drives a handicapped van with a bed in back. He has asked me if I would like to try it out with him. It seems he may have a chance to get me there."

"He will die before he gets that chance."

"Dad, do you really think I am going to remain a virgin until my wedding day?"

"Do you know the shotgun I have in the case above the fireplace? I will have no problem using it on that man as he is opening his pants and attempting to penetrate you. It may sound old-fashioned, but I want your first time to be with your husband so that you may remain faithful to each other as I am with your mother."

"Were you and mom virgins when you went to bed together?"

"Your mother was, I was not. While I was in the military it was a rite of passage while we were overseas. If you didn't, everyone believe you were gay, and that was a fate worse than death."

"I don't want to hear that story, because I know how the military treats LGBTQ people now. I can't believe how they must've treated them 30 years ago. It must've been horrible for them. On a happier note, I'm going shopping with your MasterCard."

"Be good Juliet, be very good."

2. Setting the Trap.

"It's all arranged dad."

"You are going to have to be a little more specific, William. What is all arranged?"

"As soon as my brother pops the question to darling Juliet, I will hand him the engagement ring Gwen picked out for her. It is a cross between mom's and Gwen's rings. It's a 7-carat perfect oblong diamond, surrounded by a circuit of rubies and sapphires. The colors really make the diamond show brilliantly."

"I hate to burst your bubble, my son, but what happens if she says no?"

"Richard has asked for Rebecca's hand in marriage. I will ship the ring down to Charleston and have Richard give the ring to Rebecca."

"How old is Rebecca now?"

"She is coming up on 18 years old, dad."

"She is going to need someone to help lift her arm up with that ring on her hand."

"She is going into space in a few weeks. She will be in zero gravity part of the time at least. I have a feeling she will be able to lift her hand after a time."

"Alright, continue on with your preparations for your brother's wedding."

"Would you to please face me when you're talking about my son's wedding?"

"I am sorry mom. I didn't mean to wake you. I thought I was speaking low enough to allow you to continue to rest. Next time I will use sign language with dad."

"William, if you do that to me, I will pull a needle out of my hand and scare you all to death. Is that understood?"

"Yes mother, are you well enough for me to kiss you hello?"

"Is that old goat sitting up or lying down again."

"Be nice mother or he will pull a needle out of your arm and scare you to death."

"I guess he is close at hand."

"If you would open your eyes, you would see me hovering over you."

"You mean my eyes aren't open?"

"No dear, they are closed. Would you like me to put some water on them and get the sticky stuff off?"

"If you pour a bucket of water on my face, I swear I will get well just long enough to kill you."

"Dad, I think you should put that bucket down. Mom has never said anything she hasn't followed through on."

"I would like to say that she could spoil a wet dream, but she has never done that either."

"Mom, I'm going to take care of your eyes. It's a wet cotton ball. Some water will run down your face. Just relax and this will be over in one minute."

As promised, William's procedure took only seconds and her eyes blinked open. She had nothing but platitudes to say to those around her.

"Husband, you get more wrinkled every day. Would you please stop worrying about me and get healthy again? What am I supposed to do when they finish getting me reassembled and you die because of your incessant worrying? I see more doctors every day than half the people in this city. I can't fart without a buzzer going off. If you are going to live to 130, you have got to take care of yourself and I mean starting now. Lie down, now, or I swear I'll throw up, and have William pour it on you."

"Dad, I like it. She sounds like she does at home. She's giving orders, and she's yelling at us. What could possibly be better?"

Jemma replied, "Son, your short-term memory is worse than your brothers. Tell me about his wedding before I throw up on you."

"Dad, I don't think mom is going to need a new heart. I think this one is repairing itself by leaps and bounds."

"I agree with you, William. We will know more tomorrow when we take her to the hospital for her scans."

"Oh God, you mean I'm actually going to get out of this fucking room?"

"Be nice mother, this fucking room cost $7.5 million to assemble. My little brother had to send Audra off on her own, and we had to take the fan out of the ceiling, along with his hooks and his other toys. I hope when he marries Juliet she likes to fuck as much as he does."

"Tell me about my son's wedding?"

"All right mother, here goes. With 24 hours' notice, the tent people will install a tent between our four homes in the backyard. Carpenters will install wood flooring throughout the backyards, so no one will have to worry about walking on the uneven grass. Our guests will be seated outside and watch the wedding take place on a giant TV screen. The only people allowed in this room will be the Cardinal, Patrick, Juliet, whoever she picks as her maid of honor, and her parents. You, dad, your children, Gwen, I, and Manolo will round out those allowed in here. After the nuptials are completed, we will go outside to join their guests. Everyone, that is, except you mother and Manolo, who will stay with you to check you over. You will be watching everything that goes on outside in living color and sound on the large TVs here in your room.

Food trucks will be lined up along Fifth Avenue. Everything from steak to sushi will be available. 70 servers will move through our guests bringing everything from their dinners to their drinks. There is an open bar if our guests wish to walk up to it themselves. There will be no parking on the south side of 85^th street that day, and it will be strictly enforced by New York's finest. The only vehicles allowed on the south side will be the limousines of our invited guests. Valets will open the car doors and escort any guest in need to the backyard and to his or her assigned seat. Nothing, I repeat nothing is being left to chance.

Police dogs will check out each limousine for any sign of explosive materials, both as the guests arrive, and as the limousines are parked.

The roof tops will have snipers on them. The snipers will have backups hidden on the rooftops. The streets themselves will be covered by an overwhelming force in case anyone sees this day as an easy day to attack us.

The police, FBI, Homeland Security, CIA, and DEA will be looking for anything out of the ordinary coming our way. Our troops will be ready. Patrick's wedding day will be the toast of the town.

120 people will be here. Most of the guests are the investors in the new Good Luck 2 and have been put on notice that they will be here, because of your son's importance, both now, and in the future. I've told each of them that it's not me that is the future of Zabo International, 'It is Patrick' and if they are smart, they will follow his lead, because I will."