Story Grace, Mercy and Blessings

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#557

Mark and Toby were the night security detail for the Saturday into Sunday guard rotation. The darkness was warm and full of night sounds, comforting and yet full of promise for whatever adventure might cycle through and catch their interest.

Mark was enjoying the enforced quiet, and Toby was impatient to have the night over. He had a lot of work to do. The law group had finally, although reluctantly, bought Toby out. Toby had been astounded by the amount, but much more excited to get the treasure of Grandpa Warren's law library. Bookcase beyond bookcase, 37 to be exact, were stacked in the former nursery room.

He and Rennie had been talking about the need to remodel the house and re-arrange the original blueprints. They had the money, the sticking point was the fact that Rennie was pushing for a place away from the clan. Most unwilling to sink a lot of money into the family arrangement.

Toby was aware that the independent Miss Rennie was very uncomfortable living in such enforced closeness. At every opportunity, she had chosen to walk their family back to their house; occasionally to the detriment of their safety.

Sitting in the dark, Toby had the time to run all the pros and cons of such a move, through his checklist of go's and stay's. Eventually, he came to the conclusion that Rennie was correct. What he wanted for his family in the way of education, what he intended to do as a lawyer., needed a location closer to town.

And, he had Rennie to consider. She was a fine lawyer, and deserved the opportunity to exercise her abilities.

Toby broke silence, explaining to Mark his decisions and the reasons for them. Mark was mostly silent, allowing his son to accept his role as the head of his own family.

"God has written, that, is the order of a man's responsibility. He is tasked to leave his parents and cleve to his wife. Although I don't want to see you and the family leave, Ma and I understand. I also appreciate the fact that you are sensitive to the fact we don't want traffic in and out of here; so reluctantly we give our blessing.

"I'd like to run a few ideas past you and Ma, you have the experience in finding property, buying, and moving.: Toby teased about the many times they had moved.

"What a list that has been," Mark acknowledged quietly.
 

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#558

Bruce walked to the door of the clinic with trepidation. He was good and mad at Clora and Mark for foisting him off on people he didn't even know. They didn't need to be so happy to see him go, he certainly wasn't in a good mood.

Milo and Honey and kids had helped him out of their car, unloaded his bags and smiled, waved and tooted the horn in farewell.

The small rural clinic looked, smelled and showed the poverty of the area. "Great, just great, less supplies and money than the clinic in Iowa." he was muttering under his breath.

Never mind that this impoverished hole in the wall, run down building with it's dirty appearance, was the only clinic that would even consider his old age, and lapsed medical certificate. Clora had run her mouth praising his efforts, and telling him he would do well and this time he needed to work mostly pro bono, to save lives and cure diseases.

Bruce wasn't fool enough to think he would ever be a great surgeon again, but he was evidently not wanted at the retreat, so... here he was. He pushed open the shattered glass door that had been taped together, and walked in to start the next chapter of his life. Damn Clora anyway.



Gary and Donny enjoyed the rodeo. They looked undestinguishable from several hundred other cowboys with blue jeans, jean jackets over crisp white long sleeve cowboy shirts, and boots.

The fact they blended in so well, suited Gary just fine. He detested standing out and being noticed. Donny on the other hand, was smiling and doffing his Stetson to any number of pretty gals, but that was as far as his manners would let him go.

A couple of the ladies tried to catch Gary's eye, but the bland smile he plastered on his face, took him out of the dance invitation. On the way home, after Donny went to sleep, the Jeep traveled dangerously close to the old fashioned and staid house that was Breezy's.

The house was dark, except for a soft glow light in the middle of the house, and Gary drove past with a small smile .
 

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#559

Ben walked in the house in the middle of an uproar. The triplets had found a new nest of baby garter snakes and stuffed the newly hatched wigglers in their pockets. As they walked into the kitchen, baby snakes started dropping out of pockets and several of the ladies objected.

Tilly had grabbed a broom and was whacking the wigglers and not making much headway. There was a lot of shouting and the scooting of chairs and the steady wham wham of the broom.

The boys were shouting "don't hurt our worms, we want to go fishing, Donny said we could go with him if we got worms."

Tess was laughing, but trying to restore order, and Clora calmly picked up her feet and put the om the opposite chair.

Tilly was thump thumping on the floor with her head down, concentrating fiercely on killing snakes, until she gave Ben's feet a solid thump.

He hollered in surprise and Tilly jerked upright, the handle of the broom rising with rapid speed, catching Ben under the chin in a violent movement.

Ben's teeth snapped shut and his body slumped against the wall, he pitched forward and fell on Tilly, causing her to scream loudly.

That noise brought Big in the back door, jerking the poor defenseless wood, back to the solid wall, and roaring his fright at the sight of Tilly on the floor under some man that was obviously assaulting her precious person.

Tess was hollering "no, no, he's didn't hurt her," but Big was a man that was focused on saving his sweetie's life and not particularly listening to the shrill noise that Tess was making.

Big picked up Ben like he was a limp rag doll and threw him in the corner, narrowly missing one of the boys. That move ticked Tess off and she made a rush grab for the broom and went to swing at Big for being so stupid.

Big held up his arm and the broom handle snapped when he contacted the wooden shaft. One piece of the handle flew at Tess and she ducked in an automatic reflex. The wood sailed across the table and struck Clora in the shoulder.

The lower hunk of the handle went the opposite direction and hit Ben in the side of the head. He let out a small groan and then started a frenzied screaming, "don't let Helga near me, she'll kill me for sure."
 

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#560

The mele could have ended there; but it didn't.

As Ben continued to incoherently babble about being attacked by Helga, naturally at the top of his voice; there was a traffic jam at the hall way entrance.

Mark, Gary and Donny arrived at the same time with long guns that got tangled up with arms and legs, with Mark roaring his displeasure at the other two for being in his way; and the sight of Clora with blood oozing from her struck shoulder.

Gary was shouting at everyone to stay back and what was going on, Tess was hollering at her boys to come to the back door and let the baby snakes go outside.

The boys were loudly protesting, and the handfuls of small wigglers were escaping faster than they could be stuffed back into pockets.

Big was comforting Tilly with his loud booming voice, and into this confusion walked Breezy Collins.

Tom was escorting the visitor, and took one measuring look at the total commotion and hurried back to his guard post. Breathing heavily, he grinned at the hot mess behind the patio door and smirked at the look he had seen on the uppity woman's face.

Donny had already filled in the day guard, that the younger man suspected there might be something going on between Gary and the visitor. If not, maybe there should be, from the way they looked at each other. He had to laugh out loud.

Breezy stood in the doorway, aghast at the scene before her. It was loud, shrieking total confusion and guns being waved around in careless abandonment.

Some strange man was yelling about keeping some woman named Helga away from him. Some really big guy was helping the cook to stand up, the three small boys were protesting loudly about snakes, and the old boy that was the head honcho was shouting orders.

Breezy kept looking around until she got to Gary. OH MY. She said to herself. The over powering image was indelibly burned into her memory. Half dressed, Gary had grabbed his rifle at the first noise that woke him.

Skintight tee shirt and jeans held up by suspenders showed a great deal of the physique that Gary carefully maintained.

Breezy was thinking that he looked mighty fine, just real fine, she stared with dreamy eyes.

Donny caught the moony look and nudged Gary hard with his elbow. "She ain't looking at me," he crowed, "Gary the lady killer strikes again."

Gary went to cuff Donny, but the kids had danced away out of arm's reach. Then he got busy looking at Breezy, as she was looking at him, and it seemed like maybe the world had stopped turning. There sure was something going on out of the ordinary.
 

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#562

Because she was on official business, Breezy Collins was dressed in her best prim and proper lawyer clothes. Black heels, black pencil skirt with matching blazer and soft pearl grey blouse with a bow at the throat.

Standing there, staring at Gary, Breezy eventually became aware of a tickling sensation on her ankle. Then she happened to tear her eyes away from Gary and gave a quick glance down at her foot.

The resulting scream topped all the other noise that was happening. In fact, it brought the entire room to a complete standstill. All eyes turned to Breezy who was in the throes of fainting.

It took Donny, who swooped by, to give Gary a quick push toward the slow motion crumple; to catch the limp form of starched and staid Ms. Collins.

Gary looked around in a state of panic. He had a whole armful of soft, pliant, good smelling woman and he wasn't sure what to do next. Any place he had to place his hands was a 'verboten' place.

Breezy came too, just as Gary committed a faux paus and her first instinct was to defend her honor and come around with a small but mighty fist; smacking the hardened soldier in the jaw.

In his surprise, Gary dropped the incensed woman to the floor, and stood rubbing his jaw with the hand that had the errant fingers.

Breezy sat on the floor, trying to gather her wits.

Then, she felt it.

The inside of her right knee had the same tickling, wiggling sensation as had happened to her ankle. Breezy gathered up a lung full of air and commenced a full powered, no holds barred, high pitched scream of desperation.

Jumping to her feet, the frenzied woman stomped with all her might to dislodge the small snake that was only looking for a safe place to escape.

By this time, Tess was laughing for all she was worth, Big and Tilly were staring with open mouths, Mark was busy with Clora, Donny and Gary were staring in total puzzlement at the crazy dance the visitor was conducting.

Clutching at the bottom of her skirt, Breezy was trying to be circumspect as she frantically swiped at her leg to dislodge the fearsome snake.

Finally, the snake simply gave up and tried to save itself, as the better part of valor. The next hard stomp, saw the tiny earthworm sized garter snake drop to the floor and make for safety under the table.

Abruptly, Breezy ended her screeching and the whole room was silent.

"What the hell happened?" Gary yelled, and then wished he hadn't. His jaw hurt. That little woman really packed a wallop. From the way he looked, Gary must have had his brains addled, because he was focused on the lawyerish Ms. Breezy, like she was the only woman to have ever socked him in the jaw.
 

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#563

The silence was long and awkward. No one wanted to be the first to break the blessed relief from all the screeching and screaming. Every one except the triplets. Their precious fishing bait was squirming all over the floor, destroying their high hopes for fish supper.

Donny grabbed a old plastic sack and calmly instructed the boys to round up the wigglers and stash them in the sack.

"It will be alright for them? They won't die in the sack?" Paul was very aware of his mother's warning to never put plastic over their heads.

"The sooner you get them caught, the quicker we can get to fishing. I believe the 'worms' will be Ok for a little while," Donny was the hero in their eyes, and three boys scrambled to collect the garter babies.

Breezy was giving Gary stern looks, expecting him to help her to her feet.

"Well?" she demanded of him, pinning the lout with a very pointed look.

"Ah, well what?" Gary was still rubbing his chin and acting totally clueless.

"Would you please help me up?" Breezy enunciated her words very slowly, understanding that the lout was obviously slow thinking.

"Ah, yeah sure. I'll take your hand, but no hitting." Gary acted affronted and out of sorts. Then he stared hard at Breezy to get his point across, before he made a move to help her up.

Gary patiently waited for the woman to give him assurance she had herself under control. Breezy was staring at the man that looked like a veritable mountain from her viewpoint.

" Well?" now it was Gary's turn to urge compliance to his request, and Breezy finally remembered to nod her head yes. "Ah yeah, no hitting," she confirmed looking at that Lucious hunk of fine male masculinity.

At the table, Clora was trying to smother a total hysterical moment. Mark was looking at his sweet wife like she had lost her senses.

Everyone had forgotten Ben, until he asked in a pitiful voice if Helga still intended to hurt him.

"No, she's long gone," Mark barked at his questionable brother-in-law; wondering what the devil was the matter with the looney old bird.

"Who's Helga?" Big asked as he walked Tilly to the safety of the sink. He stood close, wondering if they had a mentally ill visitor. There had never been mention of a Helga as long as Big and Tilly had been with the Linderman's.

"A long time ago cook," Tess explained with an amused chuckle. "She tried to kill us at every opportunity, by performing wild and injurious stunts. She died a long time ago," Tess added with heavy meaning.

"Helga's dead?" Ben said with obvious sounding relief. "Thank the Good Lord for blessings."

"She was dead the last time you were here, didn't you pay any attention to what's around you?" Tess was waspish sounding, disgusted with the befuddled thinking of her uncle.

"I don't know why I didn't know or remember," Ben excused himself, "I guess I had other things on my mind."

"No shit Sherlock," Tess said aloud before she remembered where she was. Tess actually didn't want her stupid uncle to know she was as prescient as her mother, so she attended her boys who were loudly clamoring to know who Sherlock was, and then mildly scolding their mother for using a naughty word.
 

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
SSSara
Please follow the Dr.'s instructions and don't bend over or lift anything for the allotted time. I personally feel they don't stress being careful long enough. I had my cataracts removed in 2011, and naturally considered myself bulletproof. Don't be a stubborn old lady. LOL!!! My prayers for a successful recovery. Pac.
 

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#564

Breezy got her hand up, and a hand that tingled like she had been electrocuted. Shaking herself in a lesson to remember who she was and why she was there, she went to smile at Gary and sorta got lost running her eyes over his face.

Clearing her throat, Breezy turned slowly toward Ben and formally requested his name and relationship to the Collins law firm of San Diego.

"That bunch of bloodsuckers tried to cheat my wife out of her rightful inheritance." Ben responded bitterly. "They threw every roadblock and obstacle they could dream up. Lainey was tough and smart, and finally went with another firm to get all the loose ends tied up and settled."

"You are correct Sir," Breezy responded sadly. "They were called into court and censured heavily and a fine levied against the firm for their negligence. I am here to award you the sum of that fine, if you have a picture document that proves you are Ben Hanson."

"I have a very outdated driver's license photo." Ben responded slowly. "I don't drive any more, I walk to minimize my carbon footprint."

Breezy nodded, not wanting to get in an environmental debate with the ragged, walking scarecrow image of Ben Hanson"

"I accept your photo as proof, and here is your money. Please sign this release so we can conclude this transaction. I am pleased to have this finally over with. I have been hunting you for several years." Breezy handed the medium sized black satchel to Ben and stepped back.

Ben opened the top and shrugged casually, tossing the bag on the table.

"I don't want it, you take it Clora; I must owe you a million dollars at least." Ben turned around and went to stand at the window, shutting out any replies.

There was another long silence, broken only when Breezy shook her head in unbelief and picked up her signed paper from the table. "Thank you, I have enjoyed meeting you all." she made good her escape and was startled when Gary's hand closed around her elbow, and he walked her to her car.

It was so calm and natural, they both relaxed and stood chatting, leaning against Breezy's five year old car. Gary noted the car was clean and looked hand polished, the deep Burgandy of the Chevy gleaming in the sun.

"How is that guy related to you?" Breezy's question sparked a long, careful explanation of how the clan was put together. Gary was busy thinking of every smooth move he had seen Mark use, and by golly, they seemed to be working well.

Gary didn't fancy himself much of conversationist, but Breezy was smooth as butter to talk to.
 

PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#565

Clora whispered in Mark's ear, causing him to cut her a sharp glance as he started around the table toward Ben. Quick as a wink, Mark had his Glock drawn and pressed against the small of Ben's back.

"Let's have it Hanson," Mark's harsh words reverberated in the almost silent room. The triplets were bemoaning the loss of several 'worms' and Tess very competently grabbed hands and moved her boys into the hall and out of the way.

"I need it," Ben calmly replied and made no move to withdraw the pistol from his waistband.

"Not in my house. Hand it over and you can get it when you leave." Mark was flat out angry. All the stubborn accusations that Ben had peddled over the years, came flooding in to remind Mark that Ben still did consider himself superior to Mark.

"You have 10 seconds to hand over that pistol or I'll blow your guts out from the backside. Take your money and get yourself outta here and don't ever come back. Not ever, for any reason. Just consider yourself 'dead;' to us." Mark was growling and so furious, he felt like strangling Ben with his bare hands.

"I'd like to hear Clora tell me that," Ben didn't bother to turn around; he felt he had the upper hand in the situation. He felt Clora would back him up, after all as his sister and almost twin, blood was thicker than water to a family-oriented woman such as Clora.

"You heard Mark," came Clora's calm, measured response. "Take your money and go. You haven't changed one iota Ben; you aren't superior to anyone, especially Mark."

Clora's words cut swift and deep, and Ben jerked like Mark had pulled the trigger.

"You really feel that way?" Ben's voice was incredulous, he couldn't believe Clora would turn on him; after all, they were Hansons.

"Alright, I'll go," Ben almost sneered, "I can see that I'm certainly not welcome here. I can't believe you Clora, turning on family like this. Grandma would be so ashamed of you." Ben was trying every trick he could think of.

Ben went to turn around and draw the pistol.

Mark had been watching the man twitch his muscles and shoved the Glock hard into Ben's back and pulled the trigger.
 
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