Honor Thy Mother & Thy Father Ch. 17

She saw the color rising in his cheeks, so she threw a pillow at him, hitting him in the face. She leapt off the bed, ran towards the bathroom, and locked the door.

Stephano walked slowly towards the small bathroom area and tapped on the door.

She smiled and said, "There is no one in here."

"That is very good news, because if there was someone in there, she would be in for another spanking."

"There is no way this person will submit to another spanking. She will get her gun and shoot the perpetrator in the foot. No, wait a minute, he uses his feet. I will shoot him in that part that never seems to wake up."

"Patricia, in the medicine cabinet is a little tube of Vaseline. Come out here and bring it with you. You are about to find out that the little thing that does not wake up at your command, does wake up, when I want it to. Thanks to your continued insults to my manhood, I am going to take one more of your virgin openings, and leave you with only one for our wedding night. I will not do this without your approval, of course, but you are going to have him down your throat or up your ass very shortly."

Patricia shook her head and held it in her hands. "Why is it I can't control my mouth with him. I always go too far. Now, I have to eat crow, again. He is perfect for me, and he keeps me under control. I couldn't love him anymore if I tried."

Laura Garrett said to her daughter, "It's about time you figured that out. Once you two are happily married, I can go on to my next job. They are making me hang around to get you to straightened out first."

"What next job, mother? Don't you go to everlasting rest or peace, as they say at church?"

"Everlasting Peace is a joke invented by religions, to help you not fear death. When you hit the 'Big Time,' and you have led a good life that is when your work really begins. It is better than going to the non-area, where you wander aimlessly, in total darkness, for eons. However, it is a job for eternity and you have to deal with some really strange people. When we get unruly children, like you and Stephano, there aren't enough marriage counselors to try and straighten things out here. There are other planets, and other solar systems, with cultures that need assistance also. We are barely holding our own here. Thank goodness for the 'Trigaleans.' They are a monogamous society, with less than a one percent divorce rate. They send their counselors here, to help us with our problems. Marriage rates here are down. People who are cohabitating are happier than people who are married. We have a lot to do with that. We don't care about the piece of paper as much as we care about people being happy, while they are together. If they start to mess up their children, we start meddling in their affairs, to make them understand they are better off together, then they would be a part. We don't care if the divorce rate is 50% or more, as long as the terms are equitable. As long as the children are taken care of properly that is all the boss asks for. If one party takes advantage of the other, in the divorce, 'She' has ways of taking care of things in the end. 'She' has a fantastic memory."

"Mom, you mean 'He' is a She?"

"She always has been, always will be my dear. She does look good for her age."

"How old is She, mom?"

"Forever."

"That is a hard number to wrap your head around, mom."

"You should have a conversation with 'Her' sometime. It seems like you are talking to 'Her' for hours, and when the meeting is over, it's the same time, the meeting started. It's the most amazing thing I have ever done."

"Mom, why didn't you come to me, while I was in the coma?"

"Other things had to be done during that time. I was around. I spoke with Stephano to give him guidance. He was yours since birth, but it took my death to get you two together. There was no other way. You were too smart and hardheaded. You took, after your father and me. It was the worst possible combination.

Stephano was too cocksure of himself, and immature. He was his father's child, and grew up in a brutal male society. In other words, you two were the perfect mismatch on the outside. On the inside, you were perfect for each other."

"I guess 'She' does have a sense of humor."

Stephano knocked on the door and asked, "Patty, did you fall in?"

"No, I am fine. I'm talking with my mother."

"Say hello for me, and don't forget to tell her what my father said."

"I guess you already know what Bruno Valentino wants you to know mom."

"Yes I do, Patty. I cannot help him. 'She' has made her decision for him, because of what he has done during his lifetime. Victoria will not grieve for long, after he passes. She will pass soon after he does, because her services are needed with us. It will be a trying time for Stephano.

The three Don's will be released soon. Keep Stephano close to you. Don't let them tempt him to take over his father's 'Family.' It will be his ruination."

"I would die first, mother."

"Yes, I know. Goodbye baby, I have to leave now. I will be back before the wedding."

Patty left the bathroom in tears. Stephano took her into his arms, and held her closely. "What is wrong, darling? What did your mother say?"

Patty swung at him and smacked him in the face. "Don't you ever mention going back into your father's business to me. Never, not one word, if you do I will leave you, and you will never find me."

Stephano gripped her, and asked, "What did your mother say?"

Patty told him everything, down to the smallest detail. The only part she was not allowed to remember was about his father and mother. That portion of the conversation was wiped from her memory. When her mother said, "It will be his ruination, and Patty replied, "I would die first, mother. Stephano immediately understood the implications of her mother's answer.

"Patty, I will put a bullet in my head, before I join my father's family business."

"What good would that do for me and our children, Stephano? That is not a man's way out of a problem. You must not accept any invitation to go near those people. Stay away from them Steph, or you will lose me and your family, quicker than you can blink."

"I give you my word, Patty, if I am ever contacted by those people I will tell you immediately, and we will call Michael to see what we should do."

"Why can't you just say no to them, Stephano?"

"Patty, you know them as well as I do. They will not accept 'NO' for an answer."

***

75. A Spy Gets Caught?

Bob Short found getting information about Callalily Callaway, and Harold Chase harder than he expected. Everyone he asked told him they were really nice folks, but would not give any further information about them. They asked him if he was a reporter and he told them he was not. He knew they were getting married, and was wondering what he could get them as a gift.

The word got around town about this newcomer asking questions about Callie and Harold, and eventually it got to Sergeant and Alan. They thought someone might be scoping out the area for an eventual kidnapping or a robbery, so they decided to do a little investigating of their own. They decided to have Joe come along with them to put a little more fear into the little man who is asking all these questions.

Alan said to Sergeant, "Why don't we have him meet us at the building site tomorrow. We will be the only ones there, and we can have a nice, friendly, discussion."

Sergeant smiled at Alan and said, "Just make sure Joe gets here before he does."

Alan called the Airport 'Residence Inn.' He left a message to have Mister Short call him when he returned. Bob Short called them at 8:30 PM.

"Mister Robbins, this is Bob Short returning your call. What can I do for you?"

"Good evening, Mister Short, it is more like what I can do for you. Miss Callaway is my son's godmother, and I understand you have been asking questions about her. If you would like to meet me tomorrow morning around 10 AM, I would be more than happy to answer most any questions you may have about her, as long as they are not too personal."

"No Mister Robbins, it is nothing like that I assure you; where can we meet?"

"Does your cell phone have GPS on it?"

"Yes sir, it does."

"I'll give you the coordinates to the building site of our new home. We will be working there for a few hours tomorrow morning, before we go home to get ready for church. I can fit you in in the middle, unless you need more time?"

"No Mister Robbins, 10 or 15 minutes will be more than adequate."

******

As soon as Susan saw the boys walk through the front door, she looked at Cassandra, and said, "They are up to no good again."

Cassandra replied, "One day Susan, you are going to tell me something new. This will come to a stop in three weeks, when Doc takes these four gorillas out of my stomach. I don't think they have slept a minute in the last week. Between the four of them, and your cousin's snoring, I don't get any rest that all."

Susan patted Cassandra's enlarged belly and said, "I can't do anything about these baby gorillas, but you can always kick the other guerrilla out of your bed and into another room. I still have two more empty ones, plus the couch downstairs."

Sergeant yelled, "I am not sleeping on that damned couch."

Alan laughed. "I think his mood is getting better as the time for the babies is getting closer." When

Sergeant reminded Alan of the schedule that was drawn up for the care and feeding of the four new young ones.

Alan became grouchy. "I don't know how I got hoodwinked into that, except that my darling wife reminded me that she will sleep with the gun close to her pillow, if I don't keep my end of the bargain. I don't think I mind that part so much. It's the part where she nails my balls to the wall that has me worried. She is very accurate with a hammer."

"Alan, what are you and my idiot cousin up to now?"

"Sergeant, how can you stand there, and be a man, while letting that woman call you an 'idiot cousin?'

"It's very easy Alan. I don't want my balls hanging from the wall, next to yours."

Cassandra said, "Don't worry dear, Susan won't do that to you, because they belong to me. I will hang them on the wall for her."

Susan said, "Alan, answer the question. What is going on tomorrow?"

"Sarge, Joe, and I are going to the building site, and working on the house for a few hours tomorrow morning. Then we will come back around 10:30 AM and get ready for church."

"Sergeant what did he leave out?"

"We are meeting a guy, for about 10 minutes, who has been asking questions about Callie. We want to know why?"

Susan picked up the house phone and called Amanda.

Amanda screamed, "I am about to get raped, this is a better be good."

"Pregnant women are not supposed to get raped. What do you know about a man asking questions about Callie?"

"He's totally legit; works for a big-time corporation out of South Carolina. He carries a bazooka for a gun, and has all the licenses and permits to use it. We checked him out all the way up to the feds, and finally got a bead on him. Why, what has he done?"

"Our idiots are meeting with him in the morning."

"When you say our idiots, is one of those idiots mine?"

"Yes, my dear, it certainly is."

"Should we bring cameras and watch them fall?"

"Really, are you sure?"

"Do you remember the movie 'Lethal Weapon?"

"Who doesn't remember it?"

"This guy is the real deal."

"Bring the cameras. I'll bring the goodies."

As Susan hung up the phone, Alan asked, "What was that all about?"

"There is going to be entertainment, after church tomorrow. They told Amanda to bring the cameras and I'm going to bring some goodies and drinks. You two had better not be late for church."

***

The following morning at a 6:45AM, Joe drove up to the building site in his pickup. Shortly afterward, Alan and Sergeant joined him. The roof was completely done. Because this area was prone to brushfires, they decided to put on a metal roof. It was slightly more expensive than other types of roofing, but it would last forever, and it would not burn. The walls were poured concrete reinforced with rebar. The tricky part was to find a fireproof shingle to put on the exterior walls to have it blend into the rustic scenery around it. Cassandra found it online, from a company that recycled tires, fiberglass, and any other product that did not readily burn.

What Sergeant and Cassandra had now, was a house that was 90% completed on the outside and 2% completed on the inside. The Windows would be coming in soon. After they were installed the house would be weatherproof and varmint proof. The house measured 3250 square feet under air on one level, with a two-car garage.

*****

At 9:15 AM, Bob turned onto a dirt road going towards the GPS coordinates he was given. It was one dirt road too soon, and he wound up driving straight to Susan's home. He started to back up, when Susan popped out of the front door, with Callum running to see who it was.

Bob stopped his car, got out, and said, "I'm sorry ma'am. I must've made a wrong turn. I'm looking for a house that's under construction in this area. I know I'm close, but I'd better get back on 89A and go a little further south."

Susan replied, "Are you supposed to meet Alan Robbins?"

"Yes ma'am, I am."

"You're a little early for a 10 o'clock meeting. He'll be working until then. Why don't you come in until then, and I will fix you some breakfast."

"I don't want to put you through any bother ma'am."

"It's no bother at all, Bob. Coffee's already on the stove, the rest of the stuff will take minutes."

Susan yelled out, "Callum, if you get dirty, I'm throwing you in the washing machine; clothes and all."

Callum grabbed Bob hand, and dragged him towards the house.

As Bob entered he said to Susan, "Ma'am, I want you to know I'm carrying a gun."

"Yes, Bob, I know."

"How did you know my name?"

"This is a very small town, Bob. You have been asking a lot of questions about my son's godmother, and it did not take very long for my phone to ring." She put a mug of coffee in front of him, with milk, sugar, and a spoon. "What everyone is wondering is why someone from Charleston, South Carolina wants to know so much about Callie?"

"You have me at a disadvantage ma'am. What do I call you?"

"I'm sorry; I am Susan Robbins, and the pregnant lady that is about to appear is Cassandra Sherwood."

Cassie turned the corner, and Bob said, "Good morning Mrs. Sherwood; how many do you have in there?"

"Good morning Bob and thank you for not thinking there was only one, because there are four in here."

"Was it an accident, or accidentally on purpose?"

"I was told I could never have children. I got married a little more than seven months ago. I believe the doctor was wrong."

"If I were you, I would have words with the doctor who told you that you couldn't have children."

"If he were still alive, I would have more than words with him."

Susan put a plate of steak and eggs in front of Bob and sat down next to him. "Now Bob, what do you want to know about Callie?"

"How discrete can you two women be? I have to know, because I work for a very wealthy man and I do not wish to lose my job. I don't want my wife to lose her job either, because she works for him too."

"How personal are your questions going to be?"

"The questions are not personal at all. You do know that her future husband, Harold Chase, is a very wealthy man."

"Yes, Harold has a lot of money."

"Harold and my boss are very good friends. My boss needs information about Miss Callaway to find out what type of wedding present to buy them. He could give them a check for $1 million, but it would be throwing a penny, in a wishing well to Harold. He wants to give them something that would be so out of the ordinary that no one would ever think of it besides a perverted devious mind."

Cassy looked at Susan and said, "He has to speak to Alan. He fits that profile perfectly."

"I hate to say it, but Cassie is right. If you want someone underhanded, devious, perverted and out of the ordinary to think up a gift for those two, that is my husband. Speaking of husbands, three of them are waiting for you to show up at the building site. They intend to intimidate you, and get this information out of you. You have our permission to give them a hard time. There will be one giant among them; his name is Joe. He is a former professional wrestler called "The Flying Dutchman." Take him seriously. Alan is former FBI, and Sergeant is a former Marine and local law enforcement officer. Don't hurt them too badly please."

"How do you know all of this about me?"

Amanda stuck her head in the door and said, "I told them, of course."

Bob turned around and saw the little woman from the Sheriff's Department standing there. He smiled and said, "There is nothing like living in a little town. You really don't need a telephone system, all you need is women."

Amanda put a hurt face on, and said, "Sir, that is a very sexist remark."

Bob replied, "Ma'am, it was meant to be. I am going to be late for my meeting. I have to go back to 89A, go south, before I go west again?"

"Bob it would be much easier for you to continue along this dirt road straight ahead for a quarter mile, until you see the house that's under construction. That's where the boys will be, and we will be right behind you with our cameras and our goodies."

***

They drove up to the building site, caravan style, and parked in front of the immense building. Bob helped setting up the chairs for Cassie, Callum, Amanda, and Susan. Amanda handed out video and still cameras to everyone, including four-year-old Callum.

When the three men finally emerged from the north side of the building, Sergeant asked, "What is going on?"

Cassandra replied, "We figured out what kind of greeting you were going to give Mister Short, and we wanted to watch you beat the hell out of him, so he can go back to his boss and tell him never to meddle into the affairs of Harold and Callie again. He is all yours boys, have at him."

Sergeant said to his wife, "His name fits his stature. He is so tiny; I can crush him by myself."

"You go get him my big strong Marine. You made me proud, and pregnant."

Bob Short is 5'4" tall and 135 pounds. He worked out every day in Dycke's fourth floor, ultramodern gymnasium, with all the other agents. He trained all the new agents that were hired. Many of them laughed when they saw their instructor and got on the mats with him. The laughing did not last very long. Although he was approaching 50 years old, he had not lost one second of speed or his agility.

Sergeant made the same mistake looking at his opponent. Seeing his diminutive size and lack of bulky muscle, he thought this bout would end quickly. He was 6 feet tall 210 pounds of mostly muscle. He was developing a little spare tire around his middle, because of Cassie's great cooking, and the slowdown in activity since he retired. He was still very sure of his prowess at fighting.

The two men moved away from the onlookers, and Susan asked, "Are you two ready?"

Both men answered, "Yes." The fight was on, and over.

Sergeant threw a vicious right cross, which Bob easily avoided. He spun down to the ground, kicked both of Sergeants feet out from under him, which landed him on his back. Bob jumped on his chest and put him into a chokehold Sergeant could not recover from.

The fight lasted 8 seconds.

Bob offered his hand to Sergeant in an attempt to help him up, but he slapped it away in anger.

Susan, Cassie, and Amanda were standing up, applauding. "Congratulations, Sergeant that was a masterful display of the manly art of pugilism. Joe, I believe your next."

Joe smiled. "Shouldn't Alan go next? After I pick this little guy up, and throw him down to the ground, it will take us in hour to dig him out."