Date: Sun, 4 Sep 2016 13:38:27 -0500 From: Eric Trager Subject: It Is What It Is: Chapter 26 Please don't forget to donate to Nifty if you enjoy reading the stories! Email feedback can be sent to trager2275@gmail.com. © 2015 by Eric Trager. Yahoo group: https://groups.yahoo.com/ CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX Saturday morning early Sean's phone rang. It was Dix. "Hey, Wymo...didja see the article in today's Gazette?" "No, why?" "They got a write-up on the team. Go read it!" "OK, I'll read it and I'll give ya a holler after, man...." Sean got his iPad and went to the website of the Janesville Gazette, the local newspaper. He pulled up the headline and began reading: *************** ARE THIS YEAR'S COUGARS THE REAL DEAL? With three games under their belts in the always-tough Big Eight Conference, the Craig Cougars have notched up an unbeaten 3-0 record. In front of a home crowd last night at Monterey Stadium, a sharp first-half offense and a solid defense knocked off the Sun Prairie Cardinals 29-14. The Cardinals were tipped in the pre-season to be one of this year's tougher teams. Last week, the Cougars handily out-played the Middleton Cardinals, also tipped to be a contender, and the season opener was a 71-0 blowout on the road against Madison LaFollette. This writer has been covering local sports for 37 years and feels that the team to watch in Big Eight Football this year is our own Craig Cougars. Are they the real deal? We spoke to two of the Cougars' players, Senior Linebacker Trent Westfahl and Senior Quarterback Tim Dickson to find out. We also had a question-and-answer session with Head Coach Bob Slater. Westfahl had this to say about the Defense: "You know, we practice hard on our skills. And not just to put in the time, but to really improve. It helps that we've got a lot of experienced players, but there's some new guys who came along and are working out real well, too. We've had a couple key interceptions so far and haven't given up a lot of points. I can't say enough about the attitude on this team, either. We're just a bunch of guys with a job to do, and we have a good time doing it." Dickson added, "Our offense this year is special. I'm the starter but our back-up, Sean Wyman, could be the starter anywhere in the state, including here. Sean calls the plays when I'm in and I do the same when he's in. We work together. I don't think other teams have that. And I gotta give a shout-out to our O-line. Coach always says it's Linemen that win games, and these guys are the best. Without them it wouldn't matter who the Quarterback was." The following is the unedited Q & A with Coach Slater: Q: After three games, how would you rate this year's team, Coach? A: I'll tell you the same thing I told our men. It's rare to be able to coach a group of young men with the raw talent they have as a group. And as always with raw talent you're constantly working on refining it. Q: Tell us about assigning play calling to your Quarterbacks. A: Sure. It turns out that we're lucky enough to have two Quarterbacks with starting-level abilities. From the beginning those two meshed. During the pre-season we ran a pilot having them call the plays, and spending time analyzing what you do in different game situations. We were satisfied that we should try that route for play calling during actual games. After three games it seems to be working well, and it frees me up to concentrate more on game management. So far, it's been a smart use of our talent. Q: You've got Parker coming up this week. How do you see that game? A: It's the old cross-town rivalry. Just like it is every year. But it's friendly competition. I wish their team all the best and I always will. Q: There's been some scuttlebutt around about the score in the LaFollette game. How do you react to that? A: What's the scuttlebutt? Q: What it's about is the high score on your side given the fact that the game was a shut-out. It seems some folks think LaFollette was needlessly embarrassed. A: I see. I guess I'd just say this: what the final score will be in any game is something nobody knows while the game is still going on. You only know it once the game's over. I think it's fair to say we played well. I'll add that we had no penalties during that game. Not one. LaFollette had four unsportsmanlike conduct calls. Two, or three of them could have resulted in injuries to our players. One resulted in a LaFollette player being ejected from the game. Thank God there weren't any injuries. I know how hard our men work every day to be the best they can be, so if instead of resorting to getting upset and breaking the rules they scored points, I'd say that is a mark of maturity on their part. It's certainly a better use of their energy than deliberately trying to injure opposing players. I've been at this for a lot of years. This a first-class group of young men. They're true sportsmen, every one of them. Q: How do you see the rest of the season playing out, Coach? A: Well, you know, it's really too early to say. We've had a couple tough games already, but there's more to come. The season's far from over. Sure, we're 3-0 right now, but there's eight games left. That's a lot of football. From a Coach's standpoint, this year's team so far has been a good one to work with. They're talented, smart, and above all, they're coachable. We'll just have to make the most of our opportunities and see where we end up. Q: Thank you, Coach. A: My pleasure. *************** Sean picked up his phone and called Tim right back. "Wow, great article, man...." "I thought you'd like it. Especially the way Coach snuck in that LaFollette question after what the TV reporter did." "Whadya mean Coach snuck in the question...." "Wymo, don't be so naïve.... That reporter only asked Coach the questions Coach told him to ask. I'd betcha a hundred bucks on that. Coach probably had them all written down beforehand and told the reporter that's what he was gonna ask before they even sat down." "Well, if that's how it went he's smart." "Yeah, it's like a good Lawyer never asks a question in Court unless he already knows the answer. Coach isn't gonna give an answer unless he already knows the question. There isn't anything the Madison press can do anymore because Coach is in print and on the record. And of course you noticed the paper said the Q & A was unedited.... Get it?" "Dix, man, when we're in real life if I ever need a Lawyer, you're it," Sean laughed. "I liked how he kinda played down that he thinks this is a good team. I think we're way better than a good team. The only thing that's gonna stop us is if we get big heads." "What's that? You give good head?" "Shutup Dix! Wouldn't you like to know, anyway...." "Promises, promises...." "We can talk about that shit when the season's over. Anyway, yeah, Coach was smooth with that reporter." "Yup. OK, I gotta go. I guess I'll see ya at 10:30 then." "10:30 it is, Dix! Oh, hey, this afternoon we're gonna be seeing that building dad's buying. I'll let Andy know you have some ideas for him." "Yeah, do that. See, my grandfather used to own that building and there's some things I remember about how it was when I was a kid. Like how the apartments were and stuff." "He'll wanna know that because I'm sure he'll be wanting to make them as original as possible. He likes that kind of shit. He'll want dad to get higher-end tenants, too. Not rent it out to drunks and crackheads." "OK, well, let me know whatcha see!" "Alright, see ya at school!" "Yup!" The morning's meeting with the NFL players went well for the team. They favorably noted that the guys had taken seriously the things they went over last week and took some good steps on the pointers they were given. They noted the same thing Coach Slater told the Gazette reporter, that this bunch of young men were coachable. It was decided that the main portion of the meeting would be going over the lack of offensive point production for most of the second half with an eye toward how you play a really good defense. The meeting broke up with a specific list of new skills to practice in the coming two weeks and they would use the next meeting to gauge their progress. Back at the Alamo, Joe rounded up the boys and they all went downtown to the building on Main Street. His offer had been accepted without a counter-offer, and this was to be the final walk-through before closing. Ginny was waiting for them outside with the keys. "Hey, Joe!" Ginny said, "And hello to my young studs! I swear, Johnny, you get to be more of a hot tamale every time I see you! So you got a girlfriend yet? Boyfriend?" Ginny reached out and pinched John's cheek which made him giggle and blush. "And YOU TWO!" she said pointing at Andy and Sean, "Uhhhhhhhhhh!" she fanned herself. "Alright, let's do it, guys! Now, Andy, I know you're gonna want to look carefully at the apartments, and you should take photos and maybe some quick measurements, too." "Hey, Ginny?" Sean asked. "Tim says his grandfather used to own this building when he was a kid...." "Yeah, he did. Your dad knows that. It was sold out of his estate because George and his sister didn't want to be property managers on something this small. I'd almost bet if you look through the basement once the sale closes you'll find some old Dickson stuff down there. Tim's Great-grandfather, his name was Angus and he was a tough old Scotsman, he owned the building originally and ran his law office out of it before business got too big and they bought the Hayes Block. I thought that old Scotsman would cry having to fork over the money to buy it.... My husband used to joke that Angus Dickson was so tight with his money that he never took a shit." The men and Ginny walked through the building. Andy photographed every inch of all the apartments and took a lot of photos of the empty commercial space that would be his office. "Dad, I think I'm getting some ideas for the apartments. They have to be done over anyway, so what do you think about doing them to a condominium standard with a view toward selling them if the market moves in that direction?" "I was already leaning in that direction. As it is now, we can get top rents for being so close to the Court House and the river and everything. I know there's a lot of redevelopment scheduled for this area. It would make sense to do it now. I don't want to overspend, but I want a good renovation and I'd like the building to look as original as it can both inside and out. I'd like all new mechanicals as well, and every unit separate. I want central air in all the units, too. This is going to be a big project, Andy." "Don't worry, dad. I've been doing my research. I know who all the best contractors are in town and I'll go over that list with Ginny. Ginny, you can help with the permits in case we get any crap from City Hall, right?" "If you get any BS just let me know and it'll be taken care of with a phone call," Ginny laughed. "Anything for you, Andy, my sweet little shit." "You can do that?" Sean asked. "Sean, my blonde bomber, it's not how much power you have, or even whether you have it or not. It's how much power other people think you have. I've faced down people in this town with nothing to back me up at all. Remember the line from the movie Dolores Claiborne: Sometimes being a bitch is all a woman has to hang on to." [https://youtu.be/yhTM4pxBL-k] "I swear, Ginny, words to live by!" Sean smirked. "Been there. Done that." "Yes, I know you have. Now let's go to the basement." The basement of the building was sound structurally, but it was dark and somewhat dank. The boys turned on their cell phone flashlights and began to look around. "Wow, there's a ton of old shit down here!" John said. "Yeah, look at all these boxes. I guess we could go through them sometime...." Andy agreed. "Hey! Guys! Dad! Ginny!" Sean called. "Look over here!" "What is it, son?" Joe asked. "See this door here? This is the street side of the building, so it's not a bulkhead that goes to the back alley. And I don't think the wall here is the front of the building. I think there's a room on the other side of here that's probably about eight, or ten feet deep. What do you think, And? You know this shit better than I do...." "Hmmmm, I think your right, Sean-o. See this plumbing waste pipe here?" "Um, yeah...." "It goes to the bathroom in the first floor commercial space. If I pace it off, it's about thirty feet back from that wall, but when I measured, the upstairs the bathroom starts forty feet from the front of the building and if I subtract off for the wall and the position of the toilet, yeah, that wall is about ten feet behind the front of the foundation. I just noticed, too, that it's a brick wall but the courses of brick aren't even with the courses of brick in the foundation next to it. A hundred bucks says this is a partition wall is what it is...." "Well, we'll just have to get in there after we close, I guess," Joe said. "It doesn't look like there's any plumbing, or anything in there to worry about anyway...." "No, there isn't, dad," Andy said. Sean noticed Ginny had an odd look on her face. "You know anything about it, Ginny?" Sean asked. "Oh, uh no...." Sean thought Ginny looked as if she might have had something more to say, but decided not to press the issue. "OK, guys! We all set here, then?" Ginny smiled. "Yeah, I guess so!" Joe said. "Now, the title company will call me Thursday and send me the settlement statement, right?" "Yeah, they will, Joe. I'm sorry I won't be here, but this is the time of year I spend a couple, three weeks in London anyway. If you need me for anything, my phone works over there." "You're going to London?" John asked. "Yeah, sweetie. I own a townhouse over there in Chelsea. I go a few times a year, and then in the Winter I'm back and forth between here and Florida. There's no place like London, though. I'd live there all the time if I could...but good old Janesburg* will always be home, ya know?" The group filed out of the building, Ginny reminding Joe that she'd drop off the keys at the title company before she left town. Once in the XTS, Sean said, "So I wonder what's in that room...." "I guess we'll find out once the work starts...." "Yeah, it's probably nothing, or whatever it is it's been in there for fifty years and it's crap anyway.... "Well," Andy said, "the first guys I have to line up are trash out guys, and then electrician and plumber. After that it'll be HVAC and then we can get the finish trades in there. We'll open that room before the trash out guys get there so they have access to it." "Do you think Dix might know anything about it?" Sean asked. "I dunno, he might.... Let's ask him...." Andy replied. "I'll call him now." "Hey, Dix, it's Cass... Fine, you? Ok, here's the deal.... We went over to that building dad's buying and we think there's like a secret room in the front of the basement. You know anything about it? You don't? OK, well, after we close we'll show it to ya... Yup.... Have a good one!" "Dix says he doesn't know anything about it." "OK, well, we'll just have to see then." "Hey dad?" John asked. "Yeah, squirt?" "When we get home I'm gonna go over to Kathleen's for a while." "That's fine. Just use your head son. I mean the one between your ears." "I will.... Sean and Andy are lucky. They can't get pregnant...." "No, son, they can't. You can't get pregnant by fucking a guy up the poop chute." "DAD!" all three boys laughed. "Look, guys, and I mean this to all three of you. You each in your own way are a joy to me. But I don't have one foot in the grave. Not yet. I remember what it's like to be your age and horny as fuck all the time, so I know you're gonna be getting your rocks off. If you didn't you wouldn't be normal. All I ask out of you guys it that when you do, you're smart about it. I know we've talked about this before. I don't wanna sound like a broken record, but just don't bring me home any surprises like a bun in the oven at your ages, or HIV or anything like that, OK? So, anyway, John, if you and Kathleen are gonna fuck you're gonna fuck but for Christ's sake make sure she's on the pill and you use a condom. That's all I'm sayin'...." "I know, dad. And she knows, too. We've talked about it." John said. "So, you two are using your heads. That's good. You can bring Kathleen over any time. I'd like to meet her. She sounds like she's as level-headed as you are." "Yeah. Her sister's the opposite, though...." "You're not dating her sister, son." "Thank God!" Sean said. Both Andy and John laughed. Once home, Joe called all three boys into the bar room. "Guys, it's been busy around here lately. I want to talk to all three of you about how school is going. I mean grade-wise. All three of you are in a new school and we've kind of neglected talking about that, so let's spend a few minutes here. Sean, we'll start with you. Tell me what your classes are and how you're doing." "OK, dad.... All my classes are AP. There's Advanced Algebra and Trig. I'm doing fine in that. We haven't had a test yet, though. There's Advanced English Composition and that's going good, too. In Physics I got a 100 on the first quiz. Same in American Political History and Accounting. Phy Ed is academic for me as it's just football practice. Then I have that Art class and we're doing sketching which I'm decent at. I expect to get all A's." "If you say so, Sean. Andrew?" "Well, dad, I have all AP classes, too and I don't think I'm gonna do quite as good as Sean-o, but I expect about a 3.5 maybe which is better than I ever did at Tremper, and I only took average-level classes there. I got Human Anatomy and I think I'll get an A. Then I got Algebra II and I'd say B+. American History, I'll ace that. Chemistry prolly a B. I'm exempted from Phy Ed so they have to give me a B by default, or maybe an A because I'm the football Team Manager. Then there's Woodworking which is an easy A for me. I can talk to Coach about that. Then I got Cooking and I think I'll get a B." "Cooking... That's a D for you...." Sean snickered. "Fuck you, at least I'm TRYING to learn how to cook, asshole! You're gay and you can't even decorate!" Andy came back. "Just let me know when you figure out how to boil water...." Sean snickered. "Look, you guys can roast your wienies later. I just wanna get an idea of where we're at here and I don't wanna spend all day on it," Joe said. "John, what about you...." "They put me in average-level classes and so far, they're really easy. I think I'll ace all of them. I got Geometry, History of World War II, Biology, English Lit which I fucking hate but I'm doing the work, Economics is pretty tit, in Phy Ed Coach likes me because I'm Sean's brother so there's an A, and then I got Civics which is really easy. Yeah, I'll ace them all." "OK, so I got three sons here, two think they'll get a 4.0 and the third one a 3.5. I'm fine with that. Andrew, if you think you're slipping you let me know. I know it's your first time in AP classes and a 3.5 under those circumstances is acceptable to me...for this semester. I'm proud of all three of you." A tear ran down Joe's cheek. For all, he was a Marine and a hard-nosed businessman, but he knew well what it was like to have to earn every dollar that passed through his hands, and he saw that he had three industrious sons. He didn't think they needed undue supervision, but he also knew that all young men their age were task- and goal-oriented. "I'm not being a dick here, guys, but I want all three of you to be successful in life. I got three of you and there's only one of me. A month ago I only had one, so I didn't get a lot of advance warning for this. We don't have a mom around here so we'll have to do the best we can. I'll bust my ass to do what I can for you behind the scenes, but if there's a door you want to get your foot into, you gotta have the credentials yourself to open the door in the first place. I don't think they teach you kids that in school any more. To be honest with you, I'm not sure what they teach you kids any more except to be pussies and expect shit you haven't earned or get a trophy for just having a pulse and showing up because if your tender feelings got hurt you'll die, or some other BS. "They don't teach you kids how to win and how to lose any more, and the lessons to be learned from that. That's OK, it's my job to do that anyway. All I want you to realize is that the real world doesn't work that way. It's the real world out there, guys, and no one is gonna give a shit about your feelings one way or the other. They're only gonna measure you by what you deliver. I think you guys get that, and that you're all personally tough in your own ways because you've had to be. You guys will do fine. I want you to be boys and have your fun, but you're also almost adults and we'll have these talks from time-to-time. Is that OK with you?" "Yeah, dad..." all three guys said. "Alright. I didn't mean to lecture. It's just that I got three of you assholes to keep track of is all.... By the way, that reminds me. John, when do you turn 16 again?" "February 16th." "OK. You remember to sign up for Driver's Ed next semester then." "Dad, I was thinking of something, too," Sean said. "What's that?" "Well, this Summer's done, but I got contacts from Ginny for the lawn business. I was thinking of hiring J.R. and Andy for next Summer and then when the Summer's done and I won't be around the year after that, I was thinking about selling the business to J.R.." "How would he pay for it, son?" "Same way as I paid you when you bought the equipment." "And how would we value the equipment and the book of business?" "We can value the equipment either at fair market value, or depreciated value whichever works best for taxes, and the book of business we can value at some discounted rate that we all agree on. I own all the equipment outright anyway...." "OK, well what do you think, John?" "Own my own business? Um, sweet! You guys gotta tell me how it all works, you know, what I'm getting into and everything. I'd do it, yeah, but I can't go into it blind. That would be setting myself up to fail. And I won't fail." Joe, Sean and Andy all got a good laugh out of that. "Nope, bro, I don't believe you would fail," Andy said. "You'd find it appalling, or something like that." "Well, I would!" John answered back. "Who wants to be a fuck up?" "We'll set you up to win, bro. I don't lose either," Sean reassured him. "Alright then...." John said, seriously folding his arms. "Hey, dad?" Sean asked. "Yeah...." "We gotta get ready for the Parker party. Can you have the cook come by tomorrow morning and we can just finalize what we need and shit?" "Yeah, don't worry, son, we'll be ready. John, I need the recipes for those Mexican things you wanna serve, too. We'll have it all made in advance. And don't worry, I'm gonna leave the game at halftime and get ready over here. "Sounds like a plan!" Sean said. "Hey, J.R., I know you're gonna invite Kathleen but see if you just kinda, ya know, don't mention anything about the party to Colleen. I'm just not sure she adds anything on the positive side of the ledger if ya know what I mean...." "Are you kidding? No, I ain't gonna say anything to her, and I know Kathleen won't either, trust me. But she'll find out anyway.... I mean it's not like half the school doesn't know already...." "Yeah, I know, but I just kinda like don't want her invited so that if she has to be uninvited then nobody can say anything." "What's wrong with Colleen?" Joe asked. "How much time do you have...." Andy deadpanned. "OK, I get it...." Joe laughed. "Her dad's a big wheel out at the Club. Kind of a horse's ass if you ask me, at least from what I've seen. I know George doesn't have too much to do with him." "Well, here's the deal," John said. "Colleen's kinda out of control. When she drinks, she drinks vodka and she drinks until she either passes out cold, or pukes. Kathleen says she wouldn't be surprised if she's on drugs, too, but she says she looked once and didn't find anything. One minute she can be OK, and then two seconds later she's like a screaming bitch. And when she screams she doesn't make any sense. It's just weird. Their mom and dad are almost never home from what I can see, so I dunno what goes on there. All I know is that Kathleen avoids her big time. I can't even believe they're sisters!" "Well, if she comes over just point her out to me. I'll try to keep my eye on her, and if she looks like she's getting sloppy, or disruptive, I'll escort her out," Joe said. Sunday morning saw Ginny Miller roll her big Mercedes down the driveway. She'd kept the old, black 1986 560SEL all these years, spending the not inconsiderable sums required to keep an expensive German car pristine because she felt the newer models just didn't look like what she thought a Mercedes-Benz ought to be. If she could take it with her to London she would as she actually preferred it to the 1984 Bentley Mulsanne she kept at her Chelsea townhouse. Her favorite, though, was the white 1958 Cadillac Eldorado convertible with red leather interior that she kept in Florida, loaning it to a friend to keep in his classic car museum and only used when she was in Miami Beach. Some day she knew she would have to make plans about what to do with all these things, but not today. An hour and a half later, she parked the big Mercedes, got out and made her way to her destination. Walking in, she looked around for a minute, not seeing anyone. Still not seeing anyone, she suddenly heard a low voice call to her from the next room. "Vehrgeenia. I vill be right out. Pleasse sit down." Shrugging her shoulders, Ginny did as bidden. Shuffling out with a tea tray in her hand, Madame Zastrow looked Ginny up and down. "Vun day I knew yoo vould come to me, Vehrgeenia. My lonk lost sistair. Yoo haf had goot life, nyet? Here, haff cup uff tea." "I...I...yes, I have...had a good life" "I know. I am so sorry, Vehrgeenia. I vas so youngk ven yoo were giffen avay." "I'm sorry, I...." "Da. Yoo don't know vat iss my name. I am Olga. I kept Russian name. I know how yoo find me. Yoo find me from poofta boyss. I am glat dey are now safe. Dey can not come back to dis place. Dey are goot boyss. Pleasse tell me vut can I do for yoo dis day, Vehrgeenia." "Oh, Olga...yes, you're right. That little Andy told me about your place here. I didn't know for sure, so I looked into it a little bit and I figured that if I really did have an older sister you were about the right age. I had to be sure. Can you tell me about our parents? I don't know anything about them...." "Vell I can tell yoo dey die yearss ago. In 1970's. Vee come from Russia after da var. In 1946. It vass still very bad for us Jewss. I vas alreaty ten yearss olt. Vee hat to escape tru Austria. Our Fatter vas Professor in Russia but here he vork in factory. Yoo vas born in 1948. Vee vas poor. Dat is vy dey hat to giff yoo avay. Dat iss vat dey tell me. Our Mutter vas vaitress. Vee liff in small house. I haff daughter in 1958. She is Nurse. Alexandra iss her name. I neffer haff husband. Dat was scandal in dose dayss." "I'm so sorry, Olga. I wish I would have known. I could have helped you. You see when my husband died...." "I know. Your husbant leafe yoo very rich. I tink nobody but me know how rich. Yoor husband neffer tell yoo vere money come from. I know. It come from his Fatter. Dey make durink Prohibition. Dey vass not gangsters. Dey vass discreet. Dey vass high-class businessmen. Dey knew people who keep quiet. Dey use da vuns like Al Capone like puppets. Dey made da real money." "Well, I knew we were well off, but when he died I had no idea.... I've always kept it quiet. After all these years there's no need to stir those things up. Heaven knows, I paid my share of taxes on it...." "I tink so, too. Vat vas done vas done." "I just want you to know I didn't know anything about you until Andy told me he saw your name on a building. Something tells me you want to know how he is. He's fine. He's recovering well. My husband and I never had any children. I love Andy and his boyfriend like they were my own sons." "Da, I know yoo do. I haff gift. Yoo haff gift, too, but only just little. Yoo haff eentuition sometimes and yoo don't know vy. Most ting yoo see dat vay vill be right ting. I tink yoo haff something yoo vant to do. Ve don't neet talk about it, Verhgeenia." "I want to...." "Yes, I know vat yoo vant do. Dat iss fine. My daughter, her name iss Alexandra Zastrow." "Could you get me a couple of envelopes?" "I haff dem right here. I knew yoo vould ask." Ginny suddenly relaxed and laughed in her earthy tones. She finished what she had set out to do and handed the two envelopes back to Madame Zastrow. "Please take these. There's one for you and one for Alexandra. I'll be leaving for London in a couple days. I'll come and see you again when I get back. Here's my card in case you want to get a hold of me. Anything, anything at all and you call me, Olga!" "Da. I vill see yoo venn you get back. Tank you for comink, Vehrgeenia." Ginny rose, gave her frail older sister a hug and a kiss, wiped a tear from her eye and made her way back to the black Mercedes. After she left, Madame Zastrow heard her telephone ring. "Da?" "Mom, it's Alexandra. Something told me to call you. Are you alright?" "Da. I tolt yoo many times uff my lost sistair. She find me. She come to me today. Your Aunt, she iss grand lady. Magnificent. Imperious. She leafe me sometink for yoo. I haff here for yoo." "I'll stop by after work, mom." "Dat vill be fine. Goot bye." Madame Zastrow placed the envelopes on her tea tray and let them be. As promised, Alexandra came by after her nursing shift was over. Madame Zastrow handed Alexandra the envelope with her name on it. Inside was a piece of paper which she withdrew and unfolded. Looking at the paper, she saw it was blank on both sides. Falling out of the paper when she turned it, a check landed on the floor. Alexandra picked it up, turned it right-side up and gasped. "This can't be real...." she whispered. "Da, it iss real, Alexandra." "But it's...." "I know vat is iss...." "It's fuh...fah...fi.... It's five million dollars.... This can't be real...." "Da. It iss real my dear. Like I say, yoor Aunt Vehrgeenia iss grand lady. Dat is almost nothink to her. She hass goot heart. Yoo take it." On the way back to Janesville, Ginny felt both joy, and sorrow. Joy at having been able to provide wherewithal to two people who had either never known it, or had to scratch hard to gain the median of a middle-class lifestyle. And sorrow at never having known her own sister until now. In the end, it made no difference. She'd scratched for everything she'd ever got and her late husband, while providing well never let on that he had any money beyond what he made at his engineering firm. What she came into had surprised her as much as Alexandra was surprised by the envelope she left. For the boys, the rest of the week went fairly normally. Andy and John had some quizzes in their classes which, once they got the results, they dutifully printed and handed to Joe. There was nothing to talk over since they both gained solid A's on them. Sean hadn't had any tests yet since his classes pre-supposed the students were keeping up. He'd know how he was doing once he had his mid-terms. Sean was, however, approached at his locker Thursday morning by Colleen Kennedy. Initially, Sean recoiled both because he thought she was gross after what transpired at her party, and she appeared to be perspiring somewhat. "Hey, I um...I, well, I'm just really sorry about what happened at the party and all. I...well...I like wasn't feeling good and I had a couple drinks.... I'm sorry I was a bitch to your brother, and...um...I'm sorry I puked." Sean did not find the foregoing the least bit charming, although of course he would never let on. "Oh. Well, thanks, I guess...." Sean smirked. "I guess we all have bad days, huh...." "Are you making fun of me!" Colleen said more as an accusation than a question. "No, no, I'm not...I just meant that it's OK...." Sean answered, rather being anywhere else than where he was. "OK, well, fine then.... Let's get together sometime...." "Colleen, I know I told you at your party but maybe you don't remember. I'm gay. I have a boyfriend. Now, if I was straight maybe I would, but I'm not. I guess I just have to be honest and let you know that's not going to happen. I'm sorry...." "Whatever!" Colleen said matter-of-factly, then turning and stalking away. "Phewwwww!" Sean thought, rolling his eyes. "At least she didn't say anything about the party.... That would have been awkward...." Thursday's practice saw Coach go over the game plan with his team. He admonished them that although Parker was their old cross-town rival, and that he expected they'd fairly easily win the game, that no one was to think it would be a cake-walk. He also reminded his players that he and the Parker Coach were long-time personal friends and that if they got ahead they wouldn't run up the score too much. After that, there was a light work-out and drilling on their skill objectives. Wrapping up, Coach Slater huddled his men for the post-practice talk. "Men, this is an important game we have tomorrow. As you know over the years of our rivalry with Parker, we hold a 28-18 record in the battle for the Monterey Rock Trophy. This is the biggest rivalry in the Big Eight Conference. It's an important game not just for you to remain undefeated, but for the school as well. I'm sure you're ready physically and mentally. Let's just go out there and get the job done. Dismissed." Friday saw George Dickson at the Alamo at 6:30 a.m. to pick up Sean and Andy. Mark Braden's trial was to begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Kenosha County Court House. George had been unable to convince the D.A. to allow the boys to testify remotely. The D.A. wanted a tight conviction in this case and wouldn't take the chance at even the slightest hint of giving Braden an opportunity for appeal. George had been reassured, however, that the boys would be called to the stand early in the day and hopefully would be dismissed by Noon. Sean had been correct in assuming that some of the charges against Braden had been made in order to secure evidence from him to be used against the gang members Berrifield had hired. The single charge now stood as Accessory after the Fact. Given the nature of the crime itself, this was a felony charge and if convicted, Mark Braden could face a sentence of up to ten years in a State Prison. George told the boys that this was the most serious charge the D.A. could bring and still be reasonably certain of a conviction. As George put it, "If your goal is justice, you can't overcharge the Defendant. Juries don't like that. Now, I have to assume that Braden's been cooperating with the authorities, and if we get a conviction I'd bet he'd be sentenced to one, maybe two years behind bars with probation afterwards. That's just how the system rocks and rolls, guys...." "I'd take that," Andy said. "The guy's a piece of shit, but maybe he'll learn a lesson. That's the thing with people like that; they always bite off more than they can chew." "I'd say it's more like Forrest Gump," Sean added. "Stupid is as stupid does." Arriving at the Court House, George checked them in, and they were directed to the Court Room. George saw that the D.A. was already there. He went over to let him know the boys were there. As George had prepared them for, they were taken to a Witness holding room to await being called. George reminded them that he was there as their Attorney, but that the questioning would be done by the D.A. and Braden's Attorney would be doing cross-examination. Both the D.A. and George were satisfied that the boys would make credible witnesses. "All rise!" the Bailiff announced at 8:30 a.m. "Oyez! Oyez! The Circuit Court for the Second District of the State of Wisconsin, Kenosha County, is now in session, the Honorable Judge Thomas Fitzgerald presiding. All persons having business before this Court are admonished to draw near, give their attention and they shall be heard. Be seated." George was silently thankful that they'd drawn Judge Fitzgerald who was known to be a fair Judge, but no-nonsense. Fitzgerald didn't tolerate Lawyer's antics in his Court Room, and he moved things along. Once seated, the Bailiff announced the case. "The matter before the Court is the State of Wisconsin versus Mark Braden. Will the Defendant please rise." Judge Fitzgerald began, "Mr. Braden, you are charged with being an Accessory after the Fact to the crime of Assault and Battery with Great Bodily Harm. Per the pre-trial hearing, your plea of Not Guilty has been entered. Are these facts accurate?" "They are, Your Honor," Braden's Attorney replied. As defense Attorney, the Braden's had hired Stanley Shapiro, a well-known Criminal Defense Lawyer from Milwaukee. George knew of Shapiro by reputation and expected that while he'd already been successful at getting his client's charges reduced, there'd still be some Court Room fireworks ahead. "Very well, let's proceed. Mr. District Attorney, will the State please call their first Witness?" "Your Honor, the State calls Andrew Churchill." George looked over and saw that Mark Braden looked somewhat uncomfortable. Andy entered the Court Room keeping his eyes straight ahead as George had instructed him. George also made sure Andy was walking on his crutches and not with his cane. He wanted the Jury to get a picture in their mind of Andy's injuries. Once on the stand and sworn in, the D.A. began his direct examination. "Please state your name." "Andrew Churchill, sir." "Mr. Churchill, on the night of July 24th of this year were you transported by Paramedics to Aurora Hospital in Kenosha?" "Yes." "Why did that happen?" "I was attacked, beaten and I was unconscious." "Could you describe your injuries for the Court?" "Objection!" shouted Attorney Shapiro. "The Witness' medical records have already been submitted into evidence and stipulated to, Your Honor." "Over-ruled," Judge Fitzgerald replied. "Mr. District Attorney, keep this line of questioning short!" "Yes, Your Honor. Mr. Churchill, could you describe your injuries for the Court?" "Yes. As far as I remember I had some broken ribs, a punctured lung, some injury to my spleen, my leg was broken in two places, bruises and my leg was stabbed." "And where did this happen?" "I'm not sure. I was blindfolded. They threw me in the trunk of a car and drove around a while. After they beat me up they threw me back in the trunk. Then I blacked out. I was found at Southport Park. They put me in garbage bags." "I have no further questions at this time." "I wish to cross-examine, Your Honor," Attorney Shapiro stated. "Proceed." "Mr. Churchill, is it alright if I call you Andy?" "I prefer Mr. Churchill if that's OK," Andy replied. "Very well, Mr. Churchill, do you know of any direct connection the Defendant has to what happened to you on the night in question?" "No." "Is it possible that the incident might have had something to do with a drug deal gone bad?" "Objection!" the D.A. countered. "Irrelevant, Your Honor. In addition, the Witness is not on trial here." "Sustained. Counselors to the side-bar please." Both the D.A and Attorney Shapiro approached the bench for a side-bar conference. Judge Fitzgerald addressed Attorney Shapiro. "Counselor, I'm pretty sure about where you want to go with this line of questioning. But I caution you that it may not be in the best interests of your Client. From what I've seen of pre-trial evidence it could in the minds of the Jury only tie your Client further to the deceased John Berrifield. In addition to that, there is no evidence of the Witness' involvement in gang activity at all. Now, you have two choices here: you can either withdraw the question, or you can ask it again. If you ask it again, I shall admonish the Witness to answer yes, or no only and that will be it for that line of questioning. Am I clear?" "Yes, Your Honor." Attorney Shapiro and the D.A. returned to their tables. "Your Honor, if it pleases the Court, I withdraw the question." "Any further questions?" "No, Your Honor." "Redirect, Mr. District Attorney?" "No, Your Honor." "Very well, the witness may step down. I admonish the Witness not to speak of these events with other Witnesses who have not yet testified." "Yes, Your Honor," Andy replied. "Next Witness, Mr. District Attorney." "The State calls Sean Wyman." Sean was sworn in as Andy had been and the D.A. began. "State your name, please." "Sean Wyman." "Mr. Wyman, do you know the Defendant?" "Yes." "How do you know the Defendant?" "We were both students at Tremper High School." "Were you associated with the Defendant in any way other than being students at the same school?" "We were both members of the Varsity football team." "Any other association with the Defendant?" "No." "Very well. Please listen to the audio I'm about to play." The D.A. then played the audio Sean recorded what seemed like a hundred years ago on the Braden front porch. "Can you identify the people in the audio, Mr. Wyman?" "Yes. One person is Mark Braden. The other one is me." "In your opinion, is there anything on the audio that stood out as being significant to you in light of Mr. Churchill's injuries?" "Objection!" Attorney Shapiro called out. "Asking the Witness to draw conclusions." "Your Honor, I asked the Witness for his opinion, not for a conclusion," the D.A. replied. "Objection is over-ruled. The Court can certainly hear a Witness' opinion. The Jury is admonished to bear in mind that the opinion of the Witness remains to be established as fact and that opinions are not evidence until established as evidence. Proceed." "Mr. Wyman, in your opinion, is there anything on the audio that stood out as being significant to you in light of Andrew Churchill's injuries?" "Yes." "Please tell the Court what that was." "The Defendant appeared to have knowledge of what happened to Andy, but Andy's name had not been released to the press. That stood out to me, and you can hear me on the audio saying as much." "When you say 'Andy,' to whom are you referring?" "Andrew Churchill." "I have no further questions." "Mr. Shapiro, cross-examine?" Judge Fitzgerald asked. "Good morning, Mr. Wyman." "Good morning." "How are you this morning?" "I'm fine, thank you, sir. Can we get on with this?" "Certainly. Are you currently a student at Tremper High School?" "Objection! Irrelevant!" the D.A. interrupted. "Over-ruled. I will admonish Attorney Shapiro to cross-examine only on the Witness' direct testimony." "Certainly, your Honor. Mr. Wyman, are you currently a student at Tremper High School?" "No." "What school do you presently attend?" "Craig High School in Janesville." "Why did you change schools?" "My father changed jobs. The new job required that we live in Janesville." "Is that the only reason?" Sean paused. He knew he had to answer the question honestly, but he also knew he had to answer it in such a way as to disallow Attorney Shapiro from introducing questioning about his relationship with Andy, in other words that the video of Sean and Andy kissing in Andy's garage not be introduced. Then Sean remembered Attorney Shapiro neglected to ask Andy where he went to school and why. Sean knew he was home free. "No," Sean answered. "Can you tell the Court what other reason there would be?" "Yes. The reason is that I am a homosexual. I was told by members of the Tremper football team, including the Defendant, that they did not care to have a homosexual on their team. I wanted to continue to play football, but there was no reason for me to stay in a school where I was not wanted on the team. It seemed pointless then for me to try to get my dad to stay in Kenosha so I could stay at Tremper." Sean looked over at George, and thought George looked like if he weren't in a Court Room he would piss his pants laughing. Sean had made a fool out of the Defense Attorney. Sean could also see smoke coming out of the Defense Attorney's ears. "Mr. Wyman, how would your team mates know that you are a homosexual?" "I don't know. I didn't tell anyone. Perhaps they could answer that question. But I'm not going to lie about being a homosexual." Even the Jurors were snickering at this point. "Order in the Court!" Judge Fitzgerald commanded. "Attorney Shapiro! Are you quite finished with this line of questioning?" "Yes, Your Honor," Attorney Shapiro said through gritted teeth, all the while glaring at Sean. Sean stole a quick glance at Mark Braden whose look seemed to be one of grudging respect coupled with anger but tempered with shame. Sean thought that if Braden had been able at that moment to tell him to eat shit, he would. "Too bad. A day late and a dollar short, asshole. Ya get whatcha play for," Sean thought to himself. "Do you have further questions for this witness?" "No," Attorney Shapiro said, still glaring at Sean. "Mr. District Attorney?" "No, your Honor, but the State would like to reserve the right to recall this Witness." "Let the record so indicate. Thank you for your time, Mr. Wyman. You are excused. I admonish you not to speak of these events with other Witnesses who have not yet testified." The time was now 9:45 a.m. and the boys were at least happy that they wouldn't miss the game that night. Once in George's Escalade, Andy asked if they might stop and pick up a couple burgers for the trip home. There was a Culver's on the way out of town, so they stopped there. Each guy ordered a Butter Burger with the works and Andy decided he's take a cup of Frozen Custard, too. "You guys were excellent witnesses," George said. "You answered the questions just like I wish every witness would. Sean, you made a fool out of that Defense Attorney." "He was a knob. I didn't make a fool out of him. He made a fool out of himself. I knew if I answered the way I did he'd try to trip me up into talking about that meeting at Braden's house and all that shit, so I had an answer ready for him. I'm always good at reading a Defense. The guy was just an ass...." "Honestly, son, I've never gone up against him before, but he seemed like a very good Lawyer. He's doing his job, but his problem is he hasn't got anything to work with and he knows it. And the D.A. was really smart getting that audio recording in right away, too." "What's that reserve the right to recall me shit, anyway?" "I can't see why they would recall you. To me, that's the D.A. telling Shapiro not to fuck with him. Anyone who does this shit for a living could see that you were an excellent prosecution Witness. Shapiro isn't gonna want you back on the stand. Not in a million years. Besides, don't forget, on discovery I've seen the evidence to be used in the trial. Shapiro tried to get your audio recording thrown out, but Wisconsin is a one-party state for those things, so it was ruled as admissible evidence. This is a simple case and I'd be surprised if the trial went much past Noon tomorrow. Then we see what the Jury has to say." "How long will that take?" Andy asked. "Ya never know with a Jury. Like I said, this is a simple case, so I wouldn't think too long, but again it could be an hour and it could be a day...." George answered. "Now, Andy, they might give you the opportunity to make a victim's statement if Braden is found guilty. I think they'd let that be recorded as it's not evidence, only something the Judge would consider in sentencing." "OK, if they let me I'd do one...." "What would you say?" Sean asked. "Well, I've thought it over. I think he should do time, and I think he should learn a lesson, but I can't see locking him up for ten years. Maybe a couple years. And see a therapist, or something. See, the thing is he never planned it. The other ones can fry. I just don't see the point in ruining Braden's whole life is all. I guess it's Be Kind to Assholes Week." "That's what I thought ya'd say, Brown Eyes. I think that's fine." "So, when we get back, where do you guys want me to drop you off?" Geroge asked. "You can take us to school. There's still gonna be half the day left anyway, and then the game tonight...." Sean said. "Yeah, that's good," Andy echoed. At 6:30 p.m. Friday evening, the Craig Cougars and Parker Vikings found themselves on the field at historic Monterey Stadium for their pre-game warm-ups. This year, Parker played as the Home Team, as the stadium was shared by both schools and each school alternated years as the Home, or Guest Team. Across the field, the opposing bleachers could be heard with the friendly, yet biting, cross-town taunts. "In-bred Farmers! (clap) (clap) (clap) the Craig side sneered at the Parker crowd. "Spoiled, Bratty Rich Kids! (clap) (clap) (clap) the Parker fans returned. A lot of the students even dressed the part for the game, the theme in the Craig stands being preppie with their Ralph Lauren shirts, argyle socks, penny loafers and bow ties they did, indeed, look like spoiled rich kids. As for Parker, the stands were filled with students in overalls and barn boots, camo and blaze orange, straw hats and plaid. At precisely 6:55 p.m., the announcer cut in. "Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the forty-seventh annual challenge for the Monterey Rock Trophy between the Vikings of Parker High School and the Craig Cougars! In a few minutes we'll be kicking off, but please stand now for our National Anthem!" Once The Star Spangled Banner was finished, fireworks were shot from a barge anchored in the middle of the Rock River, green and gold for Parker and blue and white for Craig. As always, the General Motors plant, older than the old stadium itself, brooded mightily on the opposite bank. The team Captains made their way to mid-field for the coin-toss. The Referee announced that Parker had won the toss and elected to receive. This would be the first game in which Craig would use the headphone/helmet speaker equipment for play calling. Neither Sean, nor Tim had any problem getting used to the new equipment, and were confident that they could pretty much run a no-huddle offense all night if they had to. On the kickoff, the Cougar Place-Kicker nailed a dribbler right down the middle of the field. It bounced so furiously that it kept going until it got to the Viking's deep receivers. The strategy also bought time for the Cougar defenders to get well downfield before any run-back could begin. The strategy proved wise as before he got even one yard the Parker return man was popped hard. The ball came loose, spiraling across the field and in the ensuing scrum, Craig came up with the it for a first and ten at the Viking 12-yard line. Sean's instinct against an opponent like Parker in this situation would have been to call the Power Sweep, but he knew that although not as talented as Craig, the Parker team was well-coached and might be expecting that play. At the same time, he thought that out of the box, and with a Quarterback like Dix they might also be looking for a pass and possibly blitz meaning a run up the middle had about a sixty-five percent chance of producing the desired result since the Parker Linebackers might not be in their usual positions. In addition, Sean factored in the superiority of his offensive line versus the Parker defensive line. He elected to go with a Quarterback run up the middle. He thought that was the play Parker would least expect. For this play, Tim lined up in the Shotgun-T formation with a halfback and a fullback acting as blocking backs. It called for Tim to pump fake, thereby drawing in the Parker Linebackers in. Once the defenders had their momentum coming toward him, Tim would take off running in the expectation that the Craig O-line would have opened a decent hole for him. Tim was a quick sprinter, and at 6'2" tall and 195lbs once he got up a head of steam, for a High School player he was difficult to bring down. The play worked as Sean had weighed the odds, and the Cougars were up 6-0 after less than one minute of play. The extra point made the score 7-0 and after the kickoff the Craig defense was back on the field. The rest of the half, Sean was conventional and conservative in his play calling, heeding Coach's admonition that while this was an important game, it was also important not to humiliate the Vikings. At the half, the score stood 17-7 in Craig's favor. Tim played it the same way in the second half, mostly calling a slow-paced game, heavy on rushing plays and not much passing designed to chew up the clock and grind out a slow, steady victory. As the final whistle sounded the Cougars had defeated their cross-town rivals, but did not embarrass them, by the score of 31-14. Coach Slater accepted the trophy award post-game, and his players hoisted him up, carrying him off the field and into the locker room. "Men," Coach address his sweat-soaked team, "This was a well-played game. I can't think of a single mistake, or mental error on your parts all night. We should play 'em all like this. Our clock management was superb, and we also know that our ground game is solid. This was a game that was won simply by time-of-possession and no errors. Congratulations, men. Now, I am aware of a party later tonight hosted by the Messrs. Wyman and Mr. Churchill. I'll stop in for a little bit if it's alright with you. Good job, men, good job." Once showered and out, the boys headed to their respective homes. Sean, Andy and John were surprised when they got to the Alamo to see the entire façade of the house illuminated in blue and white floodlights, and the trees in front already festooned with toilet paper. It looked quite festive. A number of the Parker players had been invited as well by the some of the other guys on the team who might be friends, or relatives. In all, preparations had been made for 350 guests. Gradually, the party got rolling with the adults in the bar and the kids out back. Joe had made sure to rent a DJ for the evening, and Sean was able to talk the guy into his favorite classic Rock 'n' Roll music style. The caterers did a creditable job keeping the food coming, and most importantly the party did not run out of beer. It seemed as the evening wore on that the original estimate of 350 guests was on the light side and there were easily a hundred more than that crowding the Alamo's yard. Coach Slater made his appearance, circulating around congratulating his players and commiserating with the Parker players he recognized. He stopped by the bar inside to say chat with the adults. Recognizing George Dickson, he went over to say hello. "George! Good to see ya," Coach said. "How's Tim behaving this year, Bob? Hope he's not being a pain in the ass...." George chuckled. "Nah, you got a good kid there, George...." "Let me introduce you to a couple folks here," George said. "Bob Slater, I'd like you to meet Joe Wyman over here, and next to him is Herb and Marilyn Dowling. Sean is Joe's kid and Brett belongs to these two." "Good to meet ya, Joe," Coach said. "I can't tell you how much Sean's brought to our team this year. He's a fine young man, that one. And so are Andy and John. And good to meet you, too, Herb and Marilyn. Brett's been an unexpected star. I can't say enough about his attitude and hard work. He's a joy to coach. I gotta tell ya all, this year's team is a team that you might get just once in your career. If you're lucky.... Hell, we've almost run out of ways to coach them!" "That's good to hear, Coach," Joe said. "Sean was initially a little apprehensive about coming here, but the way the rest of the guys have been, especially George and Peggy's kid, well, he thinks he's fit right in. I tell ya, that's a load off my shoulders for sure." "Lemme tell ya something there, Joe, that kid of yours is a real leader. He stays behind the scenes and lets Dickson run the offense, but he's a motivator. And Dickson knows with Sean around he can't let up. And your other two, now they might not be big enough to play, or in Andy's case have a broken leg, but those two have balls. The whole team feeds off that. Just the other day I heard John ask one of our Linemen who's twice his size how many chances he thought he needed to run a play the right way. I about pissed my pants. That kid doesn't mess around...." "No, none of my boys do. They've each had tough rows to hoe in their own ways, but I never have to worry about them. They've got their heads screwed on straight, I'll say that for 'em." "That they do! Say, George," Coach said turning to George Dickson, "can I talk to you about something for a minute?" "Sure Coach..." George and Coach tore themselves away from the rest of the group for a minute. Coach asked George if he'd got the copy of the interview with the WKOW reporter. Joe said he had and that Coach had nothing to worry about. If by some chance they aired the interview, Coach would end up owning the station. "Thanks, George. I'm gonna mosey back over there and say my good-byes. Gotta get home, ya know. Every year if we beat Parker my wife treats me to a nice, long blow job and lemme tell ya she could suck the chrome off a trailer hitch. She coulda worked for Bill Clinton.... It sounds corny, but, hey, shit like that is what keeps a marriage working, ya know?" "Don't give Peg any ideas, or I won't get any sleep for the next two weeks!" George guffawed, slapping Coach Slater on the back. "Well, OK, and thanks again, George...." Coach made his way back to Joe and the Dowlings, letting them know that he had a prior engagement with his wife, thanking them for their hospitality and hoping to see them all again soon. Outside, the party continued to grow. Kids were jammed in everywhere. Sean had been circulating around, thanking everyone for coming and taking compliments on all the preparations. Quick to tell everyone that was almost all Andy and John's work, he realized he needed to fill his beer glass. Sean made his way over to the keg and once there joked and wise-cracked with the other partiers filling their glasses. Once it was his turn, he bellied up, filled his glass and was promptly smacked into from behind. Some of the beer went on his shirt. Sean put his glass down, grabbed a bar rag, cleaned his shirt off, and refilled his glass. Sean then waded back into the crowd, and spotting Andy in a group with a bunch of the other players went over. "Hey, Sean-o!" Andy said. "How do you think the party's going?" Sean asked. "Seems like everyone's having a good time. Glad the caterers suggested we hire a clean-up crew. Don't think I'd wanna clean this mess before dad saw it tomorrow...." Andy laughed. "Hey, Wymo!" Cunns called out. "Awesome party, man!" "Well, everyone seems to be having a good time, yeah...." "Are you fucking kidding me? No one ever put on anything like this that I can remember. You gotta do it again sometime!" "Tell ya what, Cunns, we win State and we'll do it again. Deal?" "Sounds good, man...." The boys talked for about fifteen minutes trading memories from the game and wondering what would be in store for Saturday morning. Sean noticed that the caterers seemed to be letting the finger food run low and excused himself to go inside and ask that the food be replenished. John and Kathleen were at a picnic table talking. "Johnny, I'm having a really good time tonight. I'm glad you invited me!" Kathleen said. "Me, too. Hey, I never showed you around the house. You wanna get the nickel tour?" "Sure," Kathleen smiled giving John a peck on the cheek. They both knew what that meant. Kathleen as the youngest child of a wealthy family where the parents didn't really raise the children, she'd been raised as a little girl by a nanny, and John, the cast-off son of a drug runner had feelings for each other that ran deep. This night was meant to be their first night doing more than just kissing, feeling up and mutual masturbation. The young couple arose, went into the house and made their way to the bar where the adults were still congregated. John spied Joe, and guided Kathleen in that direction. "Hey, dad?" "Yes, son...." "I'm gonna show Kathleen the house. She's never seen it before and all...." "That's fine, son. Enjoy your tour, Kathleen," Joe said with a smile on his face. On their way up the stairs, John turned back and made eye contact with Joe. Joe put his index finger to his temple and tapes it three times. John gave his dad the thumbs up. Joe had to admit that while young, the two looked radiant together. Joe knew John to be a serious young man and he decided to trust him and his pretty girlfriend. If this was to be their first time, he wasn't going to play the heavy. The two were almost sixteen years old, and he felt that John had been honest with him. Joe simply smiled and shook his head. About an hour later, Andy came in asking Joe if he'd seen Sean. Joe replied that he'd seen him a while ago, but not recently. "OK, well, dad, I haven't seen Sean for like over an hour. I looked all around outside, you know where all us kids are. I thought he might have come in here by you guys." "You probably just missed him. Did you try his phone?" "Nah, I'll give him a call now. I feel kinda dumb doing it, but whatever...." Andy dialed Sean's iPhone but got no answer. "No answer, dad...." "OK, well, I doubt if he left. Here, I'll do the Find My iPhone app...." Joe punched it up on his phone and after a few seconds looked up, "It shows he's here, or at least his phone is..." "He had his phone on him. I know he did because he was uploading some photos from the game to Facebook when we were outside. Well, I'll go back outside and look again." "Good idea. I'll check your room. Maybe he got tired and laid down for a bit, although that wouldn't be like him." Come back once you've made the rounds outside and let me know if you found him." On the second floor, Joe made his way to Sean and Andy's room. Opening the door, he found the room empty. Joe shrugged, shut the door and made his way back to the bar room. Walking past John's room he could hear the muffled, yet unmistakable sounds of his youngest son and his girlfriend. He chuckled as most of the sounds seemed to be coming from her, and thought to himself, "well, at least the kid knows what he's doing, I guess...." Back in the bar, Tim was there. "Hey, Tim!" Joe called out. "Helluva game tonight. How's it feel to be 4-0?" "Oh that's fine. I didn't think we'd lose tonight. Anyway, I ran into Cass outside and he says he can't find Sean. Come to think of it, I haven't seen him for a while, either. I just came in to see if he was in here is all...." "Nope, and I checked his room. I checked the location of his phone and it says he's here in the house, so maybe you just missed him in the crowd, or something." "Yeah, you're probably right. Anyway, this is a great party! Thanks for having it. Everyone says they can't remember anything like it!" "Well, thanks, Tim. You guys deserve it." Andy finished up looking around for Sean. He came back to the bar letting Joe know he hadn't seen him. "I was just telling your dad I hadn't seen him, either," Tim said. "When was the last time you saw Sean, Tim?" Joe asked figuring by now it would be between an hour and a half and two hours since Andy saw him. "I can't say for sure, but I bet almost two hours, maybe...." Tim answered. "I know this is stupid, but he wasn't in the kitchen helping the caterer, was he?" Joe asked. "I didn't think of that, dad," Andy said. "I'll go look." Andy returned in a minute letting Joe and Tim know that Sean was not in the kitchen, either. "This is odd, but how do you lose someone in your own house?" Joe asked. "I'll check the garage...." Not finding Sean in the garage, Joe returned to the bar. "Well, he's not in the garage...." "What about the basement?" Andy asked. "I locked the basement before the party. I just didn't want anyone down there. One area to supervise you kids is enough," Joe said, "besides, the audio and video equipment down there is too expensive to take the chance of people that don't know how to use it possibly damaging it." "Well, I'll go check the door. If he went down there the door would be unlocked," Andy said. Returning, he informed Joe and Tim that the door was indeed locked and that when he unlocked the door with the keypad and looked he saw no lights on down there. "Well, he must be magic then. He disappeared...." Joe quipped. George came over with a Scotch in his hand. "Something wrong, guys?" he asked. "Probably not. It's just no one's seen Sean for about two hours and no one can find him. His cell phone is somewhere here in this house, though because I checked it," Joe said. "These kids, I tell ya...." George laughed. "I'm sure he'll turn up." "Well, I'm gonna go back outside and look for him some more," Andy said. "I'm gonna kick his ass when I find him, I tell ya that much!" Joe, George and Tim had a good laugh over that. "You do that, Cass!" Tim said. Tim went to say hello to Brett's parents. Uncharacteristically, Herb Dowling, not a hard-drinking man, was a bit socially lubricated after three, or four Scotch and waters and gave Tim a hearty greeting. "Timmy! How are ya! You looked great out there tonight! I'm as pleased as fucking punch with you and Brett.... I was a fucking dick to you guys, wasn't I.... Well, fuck that! That's all in the past now. You're the greatest fuckin' kid I ever...." Just then Herb's speech was interrupted by loud banging coming from the main hallway on the first floor of the house. Due to the noise of the people and the party, was not noticed at first, but after multiple bangs it called their attention. Joe and George looked at each other and took off in the direction they thought the banging was coming from. Listening closely, they determined the noise was coming from behind the basement door. Joe moved to open the basement door. Once open, it was totally dark as Andy had said. Lying at the top of the stairs with a hypnotized look on his face, disheveled, and missing his pants was Sean. END CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX *The local nickname for Janesville is "Janesburg," or sometimes simply "The Burg."