Dark as Daylight Ch. 25

"Stephano, I'm not flying this evening. You better deliver a very good performance, or I'm going to wonder why."

"I haven't been out of your sight for 3 solid weeks, Patty. Who, when, and where could I have dallied with outside our marriage?"

"You've been around an awful lot of men."

"I'm not going to buy a paddle. I'm going to buy a tree and use it on your ass, for that remark."

"You're 72 years old, Stephano. You still can't take a joke."

"I will not answer that statement, until we are alone."

"Oh shit, I'm in trouble."

Paul said, with a smile on his face, "How does it feel, Mrs. Valentino, when the shoe is on the other foot?"

"It feels like you're breaking in a new pair shoes, and your feet are getting blisters. It's very uncomfortable. Do you think I could bring that rifle back to the hospital with us?"

"I believe the police, at the entrance to the hospital, might take it away from you. If they don't, they will probably just shoot you, for carrying a deadly weapon."

"Neither 1 of those two options sounds palatable to me, Paul. Will you carry it in for me? You probably have all the licenses that are needed?"

"You are correct, Mrs. Valentino. I do have all the licenses necessary to carry that weapon. However, if I went to your father, the General, and your husband, I could probably make a half billion dollars by shooting you, accidentally, on purpose."

William Junior shouted, "I'm in for $250 million. If I didn't put up that money my father would kill me."

Stephano said, "I'm in for..."

He couldn't say another word because Patty was on his back, and had him in a choke hold.

"I swear, Steph, if you say another word, it will be your last one."

At that moment, Robert walked into the Surgical Waiting Room.

"Hi everyone. Hello Anna, what did dad threatened mom with now?"

After kissing her brother hello, Anna said, "Dad was about to give $250 million in exchange for Paul, accidentally killing mom, when they go to the shooting range tomorrow morning."

"No problem dad, I'll cover that for you. However, Paul, you have to guarantee us you won't miss such a small target."

Patty screamed in anger, as she lightened her grip around Stephano's throat.

"I haven't seen you in 5 months, and the first thing you do is pay someone to kill me, and the second one is to insult my size. I gave birth to 3 children, and 1 of them was you, you ungrateful bastard."

"Mother, you are going to have to study English. I cannot possibly be a bastard if my father and mother are standing right in front of me. I can be from a single-parent home, if Paul is successful tomorrow morning, or if you are successful at killing dad right now. I expect you to yell any second now, because dad is winding up, and swinging forward."

Stephano's hand made contact with Patricia's bottom hard enough to lift her off the floor. She screamed like a banshee, grabbed her bottom and ran around the room, with tears in her eyes, and screaming expletives as her husband, and her son laughed

Richard walked over to his father and hugged him, while saying hello.

"Nice shot dad. I don't believe I've seen you give her one of those in a very long time."

"She hasn't deserved 1 of those in a very long time, Richard. While she was on my back and had my neck in a choke hold, she wasn't fooling around. If I had let her, she would have killed me. She was very angry."

"Did she really think Paul would kill her?"

"I believe she did. She didn't let her mind go through all the permutations it needed to, in order to get to the bottom of her problem. She would've had to think of Paul's training from the General. Lucius never killed an innocent, and neither would Paul."

"I give up, when did Lucius become a General, and how?"

"No one knew that Lucius was promoted to full Colonel 24 years ago. The Army didn't tell him and he never looked. They were very angry at one another, but he deserved that promotion. I guess as time went by, the Army wanted to correct some of its mistakes from the past, and Lucius's name came up. The Joint Chiefs of Staff approved his promotion, and sent it to the Congress. Several months ago, the Congress approved the application, and he was promoted to Brigadier General. It went to the White House, and was signed by the President. The President wanted to give it to him personally, but found out Lucius was too sick to attend. They decided to let Paul give him his star and read him the citation. I think that was a very appropriate idea."

"I think it's very appropriate, also. I don't want you to do anything, and I'm not going to make any waves when I get back to Maryland. I definitely don't want you to bring this up to mom. Somehow, I have a feeling that a computer expert, who will remain nameless, had something to do with this."

"She wouldn't dare mess with the government like that."

"You just said 'she wouldn't dare' and 'my mom', in the same sentence. Isn't that right, dad?"

"I'm going to put that bitch in jail for the rest of her life."

"No, you're not, who would you fight with every night?"

"I'll go into politics."

"Dad, politics is easier than dealing with mom."

"I can't break her hands, just in case the FBI needs her. What the hell am I supposed to do with her? She's not allowed to play games like that with the government."

"A group of little children did, and we nearly started a world war; remember dad? You have to find out if she did it first. Then you decide if mom 'sleeps with the fish's."

"You're not being helpful, Richard. You're being logical, and at this moment, you're not helping me one bit."

"I must be doing something right, because Sandy says that to me all the time."

"How is the governor, her sisters, and their children?"

"The governor is about to take over the lead in the Democratic presidential race, which I predicted at the beginning. 2 more contenders will drop out in the next week or so. They've run out of money, and support. They will turn their support over to the Governor. Her sisters are all smiles."

"I didn't ask you about their sexual status, Richard. How are they getting along? How is their mother and the Chief Justice?"

Debbie and Danni have restricted their medical practice to politicians, high-ranking government employees, and diplomatic service personnel. It's amazing what information they glean from their patients.

The children are all being homeschooled, at this point, because the Secret Service believes they would be too open to danger if they were in a public, or private institution.

It's just not fair, dad. Those kids know what you're thinking, and can talk to each other, without saying a word. They can block their parent out of their conversations, but they know what their parent is thinking all the time.

Sandy cannot hear what Simone is thinking, but Simone knows everything Sandy is thinking. Cindy has the same problem with Charlotte. Danny wants to kill Deidre at times, while Debbie had totally given up trying to gain control over Dorla. The amazing part is 'It does not cross over between the kids and parents.

Simone has no idea what Cindy, Debbi or Danny are thinking. It's the same thing for Charlotte, Deidre, and Dorla.

The kids go into a huddle to find out what's going on with their parents, and what to do about it. It is hilarious."

The girls can't play any card or board games that require memory, because as soon as they realized what they needed or wanted to do, the sisters knew it also, laughed, and defended against it. Just chess, Chinese checkers, or other games that depend on the roll of the dice are played constantly. The girls read manuals on each of these games of chance and become masters of each of them. It got to the point that their guards would not play them anymore, because they just could not win. Their mothers were hard-pressed to keep up with them, and their grandmother would not play them anymore.

The girls on the other hand, hate playing with Fred, even though they consider him ancient. The Chief Justice would not lose to them, even on their birthdays, so they would feel better about themselves. After each game, Fred explains to them that they have to find a way to maneuver their attacks, while covering their king, at the same time, during a game of chess.

What ticks them off the most, is how easy he made it look, when he traps them into an untenable position, and mates their king.

"Were they really that stupid," they would scream to one another. They would need psychiatric help if they ran into anyone else like their grandfather."

Their mothers are their saviors. In their arms, they learned how their grandfather tormented them when they were young women, of 17 and 18 years of age, and grew up under his tutelage.

"He never told them what they did wrong. He taught them what they did wrong. It was infuriating, and it caused crying and tears on their part, but they never forgot what they did wrong, and they learned from it. That's how they grew into the women they are today.

They heard how miserable they were as they learned those lessons, but they never forgot what they learned, because Fred was a tough task master, and he only wanted what was best for them."

Cindy told Charlotte, "From the moment Fred entered their lives, Fred turned them around, from ordinary teenagers, into students that excelled at everything they did, both in the home, and at school.

At home, there was no inappropriate language. If your mouth overloaded your brain, and you committed this inappropriate behavior, your rear end paid for it dearly. If he or their mother heard it, or you admitted to it because of the honor code, you received 10 hard smacks on your naked rear end, after committing two misdemeanors. Four misdemeanors equaled 1 felony. If you committed a felony, you lost all your privileges for one month. That penalty included: your allowance, gym privileges, leaving the house, family outings, everything, including your computer, except for schoolwork. It was a horrible punishment, and once it happened to you, you tried, extremely hard, never to let it happen to you again."

They were told about the way they were tricked into holding court against their mother. She was as guilty as sin, and they had her cold, on the charge of using foul language more than 100 times, in less than 3 hours. The best part was the judge, the jurors, and the prosecuting attorney were the 4 sisters. Their mother was the defendant, and the defense attorney was Fred, of course. They were going to hang their mother from a cross, because they knew they could not lose."

Fred told Sandra what to say to the (Sandy) prosecuting attorney's questions, and nothing else. As long as she followed his advice the trial was over, and they won."

Those magic words were, "I don't remember."

Every question Sandy asked her mother received the same answer, in the same tone of voice.

'I don't remember.'

The four girls screamed at their father, "Dad, that's not fair."

When their screaming was done, Fred said, "Did you think I was going to give you a gift, that was going to allow you to punish your mother?"

"Yes."

"Don't you know me better than that by know?"

"Dad, you are evil!"

"I know that, and I thought you knew that. Why did you fall into such an obvious trap?"

"Because we love you too much."

"The amazing thing is 'We all survived, and we thrived', through college, Law school, and Medical school, because of your grandfather."

"Look at the 4 of us now. We have two lawyers and 2 doctors in our family. Why are we so successful; because we had two excellent role models to pattern our lives after. Our mother, who protected us from an abusive father for 17 years, until she met Fred. Then she taught us how to love unconditionally, because of him. You are receiving the benefit of your grandmother's and my love for Fred.

Your grandfather watches over us, every day. He has given us Richard to keep a closer watch over us, than he can while the Supreme Court is in session, or when he has to travel. I don't believe Richard will ever leave us, until you are grown, and made a life of your own.

Soon Sandy will become President of the United States, and your life will change again. You will be guarded more closely, as will your cousins, aunts and I. Sandy will be surrounded by Secret Service Personnel any time she is out of doors. You will go through high school and college, while Sandy is President. Everything you say and do will reflect upon her. The Secret Service will teach all of you how to defend yourselves, using your body as a weapon. Your body is not meant to stop a knife or bullet.

If you are up against a gun, cooperate fully. If you are up against a knife, size up the user. You will be taught how to do that when the time is right. For now, cooperate fully. Do you understand me, Charlotte?"

"Mom, you are a pain when you get started. I knew all this stuff before you started talking. I know more about you than you will ever willingly tell me; but thanks for sharing, anyhow."

"Little girl, I should have one of your aunts pay someone to have you killed, before it is too late for me to save my mind."

"I'm not that bad, mom."

"If you know what I'm thinking, before I am saying it, or doing it, yes you are. Thank goodness you can't read your aunts minds."

"We are working on it, mother."

"We realize that. That's why you're going to separate high schools, and colleges. It's to keep the nation and the world safe, while Sandy is President."

"Mom that's not fair. We've never been apart. We are best friends."

"We know it. It will be a growing experience for all of you. We are going to put 1 of you in college in Florida, one in Texas, one in Boston, and one in Michigan. They will all be top 10 schools, so you will have to work your asses off to keep your grades up."

"None of us are going to graduate high school."

"GED's are just wonderful, especially when political might is behind them."

"The 4 of you are evil."

"Your grandfather was a great teacher."

"I'm going to tell my grandmother on you."

"Where do you think we got this idea from?"

"This whole family is weird. Maybe I'll talk to Mr. Valentino. He seems normal."

Cindy laughed.

"Charlotte, you met Mrs. Patty Valentino, haven't you?"

"Yes mother, I have. Why?"

"She's been seeing a psychologist for the past 45 years, because of her children. Does that tell you anything?"

"Mom, your mind tells me that you're not lying to me. I have to talk to grandma, because there's a story behind that statement. I have to know what it is."

"I'll tell you what it is."

"I don't want the abridged version. I want every detail, so I know how to deal with Mr. Richard."

"Let me tell you something about Mr. Richard Valentino before we end this conversation. He went to the University of Michigan and graduated summa cum laude. During all 6 years at that university, he never opened a book. There was always a line of girls outside his dorm room, every day, waiting for one girl to come out, so the next one could go in. He had to buy condoms by the gross, that's how many women he went through in a month. He never skipped a class, but was never seen in the dining hall, or the library. The girls brought him his meals, so he wouldn't waste their time with them, by walking between buildings.

Every male on campus envied him, but they couldn't hate him, because he never did anything to gain such popularity. It was the girls who did it. One girl would tell another girl, who would tell other girls about his prowess in bed. They still call him today for assignations. That's how your grandfather found out about him. He is a living legend at the University of Michigan, and still the most talked about graduate they ever had."

"So that's where he goes at night."

"Did you think he lived the life of a monk?"

"I hoped he wasn't gay."

"Charlotte, that man is not gay. Your grandfather had him vetted before he hired him to be Sandy's aid for the run for her governorship of Maryland. He was the one that performed the miracle that changed an 8-point deficit, into an 8-point victory. He pulled women out of their homes to vote for her. If they hadn't voted, your aunt would've lost the day."

"I can't wait tell the girls that story."

"It's a true story, Charlotte, so don't exaggerate."

"Why exaggerate, mom, when the truth is exhilarating."

Stephano asked, "How old are the girls now?"

"They are 13 years old now, dad. That wonderful age when they think they are women, but they are only teenagers, with an awful lot to learn."

"Why didn't you know that when you were 13?"

"I knew it, dad. I just acted like my sisters did."

"Richard, I'm ready to kill your mother. Don't make me add you to the list. I started buying you condoms when you were 13."

"I didn't want to make you a grandparent, at that age, dad."

"If you did, I would've only had 2 children from that point forward, because your mother would have killed you."

"You see what a good thing it was for you to buy me condoms, and for me to use them properly?"

"I still don't understand how you don't have children running around somewhere."

"Safety 1^st and foremost, dad."

Nearly 2 hours later, they received word that both patients were now in the recovery room, and in critical but stable condition. Two people could visit each patient, for a very short period of time, but the patients would be unresponsive, due to their condition. They would be awake sometime tomorrow afternoon, at the soonest.

William asked, "Would you please page Doctor Manolo Pelham, and ask him to bring William Zabo to the surgical waiting room immediately, please."

The woman acknowledged and left the area.

It seemed like it took forever, but William was brought to them, in a wheelchair, looking drained.

"These people think I'm an athlete. They had me on a treadmill trying to get my heart rate up. I'm 98 years old, and they're trying to get my heart rate up. I think they were trying to give me a heart attack. Someone kill Manolo, before he gets his hands on the darling Olivia. That will teach him to control his libido and not take it out on this old man."

"Dad, you are going to live another 32 years, at least. You are anything but an old man. Are you ready to see your wife now?"

"Will she know I'm there?"

"Mom has known where you are every day since you met. She may be unconscious, but when you hold her hand, she will know exactly who it is, and where you are. Are you finished screwing around now, and shall we go?"

"When did you become such pain in the ass, and yes, I'm ready to go."

"I became a pain in the ass, when you left me alone down here, and I had to deal with your daughter."

"Yes, that would do it to anyone. Before you say a word Patricia, don't."

"Yes dad."

"Did you hear that, William? Patricia said, 'Yes' to something I told her to do."

"Dad, she disobeyed you. You told her not to say anything, but she did, by answering you. You won, but lost, at the same time. Only she can do that to someone, and make them happy."

"You have me totally confused, leave me that way."

"Yes dad."

Patricia asked, "Is it okay if I go in with you, Paul?"

"It's fine with me, Mrs. Valentino. Don't do anything to the Colonel that I wouldn't do. Is that completely understood?"

"Absolutely, I do not wish to become a teabag."

"Let's go."

As they entered the recovery area, they were stopped, and put in masks, gowns, gloves, and booties to keep the area as sterile as possible.