Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2012 18:08:12 -0700 (PDT) From: Pete Bruno Subject: Single Soul Chapter 9 NOTICE: This story may contain scenes of a graphical nature, which may not be legal in your area. If you are under 18, or if material of this nature is illegal in your present location, please leave now. If you continue to read, you are confirming that it is legal for you to view the material in these stories or story. This work fully protected under The United States Copyright Laws © 17 USC § § 101, 102(a), 302(a). All Rights Reserved. The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. (see full statement at the beginning of Chapter 1.) A Single Soul Chapter 9 -The Opening Salvo Linda and her brother arrived just at 1800 on Monday, Matty greeted his mother warmly and his uncle with a surprising amount of veiled contempt for an eight year old. Jim had asked his son what he wanted for dinner and Matty picked Chinese so he asked Joe if he would drive and let Matty show him where the restaurant is, he gave him money and sent them on their way. Once alone with Linda he wanted to start a conversation, he went to her and pulled her into a hug and she stiffened and pulled away. "Okay Linda, could you please tell me what is up with you right now," Jim asked with as much control of his emotion as he could muster. "Jim, I'm not going to argue, I have not been happy for years, and as I told you I'm tired of the Corps, I'm tired of moving and I'm tired of coming in third in your life after your son and the Corps," Linda said with just a bit too much acrimony. "Fine Linda, but I can't believe you could be this cold; we just lost a child and haven't even had any time to grieve, I would have thought you would wait a bit before hitting me with this. But if you're expecting a fight about the divorce it, you won't get it; but you can be sure Matty is my number-one concern here, and you are not taking him back to Jersey," Jim said as firmly as possible without anger. He was being careful not to give her any ammunition for the future. "We'll just see about that," she said. Just then Joe and Matty returned with dinner and they all sat down to eat. Conversation was confined to niceties and both Jim and Linda tried to be as pleasant as possible. Matty filled his mom in on all the events of the weekend, the new puppies, the trip to the beach and the boat ride. "And Jimmy's papa is moving down to the beach into a huge house and it has an elevator, a dock...oh and a pool and hot tub...and he said we could pick whatever bedroom we want for when we come to visit, even Uncle Matt doesn't get to pick a room like us," Matty gushed. "It's Uncle Matt already huh," Joe asked with a raided eyebrow. "Joe, remember you are a guest in my house and I expect you to conduct yourself in that manner," Jim said with a stern look his ne'er-do-well brother-in-law. It was already close to eight so Jim told Matty to get his things together and say goodnight to his mom and uncle, and then headed out the door over to Matt's with Ian in tow. When he returned he noticed a sheets and a pillow on the couch, he picked them up and walked into the his bedroom where he found Linda going through clothes in her closet. "What are you doing in here," she snapped. "I'm going to bed, I have to up at 05:00 to run and then I have work," Jim replied. "Then sleep on the couch," Linda snapped. "Okay, let's get this straight right now; this is what you want not me. I'm not leaving my house, my bed or anything else so if you don't want to sleep with me you can have the couch or Matty's bed but I'm not leaving mine," he said as he went into the bathroom to get ready for bed. When he came back into the room she was gone along with the pillow and sheets. Jim slipped into bed with a satisfied grin and fell asleep thinking about Matt's hot, naked, muscled body. The next morning Jim got up and went to for his run with Matt and when they were through he stopped in and joined Matty, Jimmy, Frank, and Matt for quick breakfast and told his son to head over home and see his mom when he was through. Then went home and got dressed for work, where he found Linda in the kitchen drinking coffee. "Good morning," Jim said and received no response. "That's how it's going to be, oh well, I've told Matty to come home after breakfast to see you, what are your plans today?" "I'll be packing my things and getting ready to leave tomorrow, I also will be making an appointment with a lawyer. Can you arrange for Matty to stay with his "Uncle Matt" today, I really don't want him with me when I go to the lawyer," she said again with the same caustic tone she always seemed to reserve for Matt. "That will be no problem, just send him and Ian over when you're ready to leave." Jim showered and dressed and headed off to work. In the short time he had been at his new job he had made quite a favorable impression on his boss, especially by giving up his leave to help him out of a jam last week. After checking to see everything was running smoothly he knocked on his CO's door and was told to enter. He explained his situation with his wife and the need to meet with the attorneys that morning. Luck was on Jim's side; the Major had once been through a similar divorce and sympathized with him, giving him the day off and the use of conference room to conduct the consultation by phone with the attorney in Wilmington without having to drive all the way down. With all the attorney meetings over with in a surprising short amount of time, Jim headed home around 1300 to check on things there. He had called Finn and brought him up to date and also had checked with Matt to make sure all was well with the boys. When he pulled up to the house he noticed Linda's car was missing but didn't think much about it. Grabbing the lunch he had picked up on the way he went to enter through the front door and found his key didn't work, "that fucking bitch," he said to himself as he went to check the door from the garage and the mudroom door in the back, she had changed all the locks. This was something Finn had said might happen, she apparently found a lawyer, albeit not one of the good ones and followed their advice, what puzzled him was why she would do it if she was planning to leave so quickly. He immediately called Finn and explained what happened and posed the same question, Finn's best guess was, that she just may be trying to provoke him. "Well Marine, you're going have to do what every man does when he locks himself out of his house, break a window," Finn said, "and by the way, I judge has signed the standing order, I'm on the way to pick it up and will be there within the hour to deliver it." "Thanks Finn, you're a life saver," Jim said and hung up. Finding a old rag in the garage Jim broke a window pane in the back door and let himself in, he called Matt and filled him in and told him to keep Matty indoors and not release him to anyone but him. Matt was sitting at the kitchen table eating his sandwich when Linda burst through the door looking like a crazed animal, "what the FUCK are you doing in here," she screamed. "Eating my lunch," Jim said calmly, "and by the way I left my house keys at work and had to break a window in the back door I'll fix it after lunch," he could hardly stop himself from laughing when he saw the look of consternation on her face, and the look on her brothers face was even funnier. "Well you'll have to deal with that yourself, I will be packing everything I want take and also Matty's clothes in my van and will be leaving this afternoon, I'll leave you my house keys and the name of my lawyer," she said with smug look on her face. "Linda we've been over this, you are not taking my son from this house, I don't see how I can make myself any clearer," Matt said with his jaw locked and trying to maintain his composure. "She'll do whatever she wants, and you'll have to go through..." Joe was saying when Jim cut him off. "Joe, I think you need to close your mouth and mind your business this has nothing to do with you," Jim said remembering to control his temper and not give them any ammunition. "Joe, just shut up and start loading those boxes in the van," Linda said. Jim knew that Finn was on his way with the paperwork but chose not to say anything, as Joe and Linda were loading the car he went out back and made a quick call to Matt. "Listen Matt, if Joe or Linda come over there to get Matty don't let him go, she's loading up and wants to leave today. Finn is on his way with the injunction so I want to stall her." "No problem, I'll send the boys on a hike in the woods and tell them not to come home until one of us calls them," Matt said. "Great plan Captain, that way if there's any scene they won't be there to see it," Jim said good-bye and went back into the house. Linda and Joe were busy packing the car so he left them to it and went to check his email. While reading through a few unimportant notes his mind began to wonder, he was not looking forward to fighting Linda for custody of his son but the idea of being rid of her was beginning to really please him. The funny thing was in retrospect he could clearly see how manipulative she had been throughout their entire marriage, which caused him to spend more time working than at home just so he would not have to deal with her. He was so lost in thought that he hadn't noticed how quiet it had become, he made his way out into the living room, looking out the window he noticed Linda siting behind the wheel of her car and when he looked across the street he saw Joe at Matt's door. He decided to stay right there and observe knowing that Matty wasn't in the house. At the same moment Finn along with Frank were driving up the street and noticed Joe and Matt having a very animated discussion. "Who's that," Finn asked. "That's Linda's brother Joe," was Frank replies. Finn didn't even hesitate, he called the police immediately, identified himself and told the dispatcher he was there to serve a judge's injunction and requested an officer. They parked in front of the house next door and lowered the windows; they could hear the two talking loudly although they couldn't quite hear everything being said. The scene was almost funny, there stood Matt, six feet of solid muscle standing in a pair of gym shorts and sleeveless tee shirt looking like a Marine recruiting poster facing the his former classmate, the once young handsome star quarterback who everyone thought would at least make it as quarterback of his college team and then become a successful business man. Now he was a balding, fat slob and complete failure of a man trying to intimidate Matt like he did in high school, of course just as with everything else in his miserable life he was failing here as well. Being an ex-trooper Frank had a license to carry a concealed weapon which was locked in a strong box bolted to the floor of his trunk. He got of the car quietly and moved around to the trunk, he retrieved the gun and placed it in the waist band of his pants. Finn had gotten out of the car at the same time and moved quietly as he could and staying behind Joe and out of site as possible while recording everything on his Iphone. Frank also started to walk towards the two men, he could now here what was being said and as he had figured it was about Matty, he was demanding that Matt let him take the boy. "Not going to happen Joe," Matt said with a clenched jaw. By now Finbar had moved a bit to the right for a better angle and Joe was so crazed at the moment he didn't even notice the man. "Listen Capt. Leo," Joe spat out, "you may be some hot shot Marine Captain with a little extra muscle, but all I see is the same little fagot you've always been, so I suggest you get my nephew out here this minute because I'm done playing with your pansy ass." "Like I said Joe, it's not going to happen so I suggest you remove yourself from my property," Matt said calmly. He had already seen Finn and his father and was trying his best not to alert Joe, who was so angry his face was red as a beet, and he was beginning to hyperventilate. Then he noticed Joe reach under his shirt and in a quick but clumsy move he pulled out a revolver and pointed it at Matt. "You heard me fagot; you got one minute to get my nephew out here or..." Joe was saying while shaking with nerves and anger, but his demands were interrupted by Frank's voice. "I suggest you drop your weapon and lay face down on the ground Joe," Frank said is his best trooper voice, "because believe me, my gun is bigger than yours, and I'm not shaking." With Finn recording the entire scene, Joe's shoulders slumped as he lowered the gun and got down on his knees and then followed Frank's orders. At that moment the police arrived also with guns drawn and ordered Frank to lower his weapon which he did and then said, "officer's my name is Frank Leo and I am a retired NJ State Trooper licensed to carry in both New Jersey and North Carolina, if you'll permit me to get my wallet I'll show you my license," Frank said knowing that police officers respond well to that type of request. "That will be fine sir," the young officer responded, "but I'll need to take your weapon for the time being," he said taking Frank's gun while the other officer was cuffing Joe and getting him to his feet. Linda and Jim both rushed across the street at the same time. Jim went to Finn and Linda went to her brother and started to scream at him, "what the fuck were you thinking Joe you have screwed things up for me royally," she continued to watch as the cop lead him to the patrol car. "Apparently Mrs. Flannery he wasn't thinking clearly," Finn said startling Linda who hadn't seen him walk up to her. He extended his hand and said, "my name is Finbar Burns and I represent your husband," she refused his hand and Finn just smiled, he reached inside his coat and removed an envelope offered it to Linda, "this is a temporary injunction preventing you from removing your son from your home until the hearing set for next Tuesday before Judge Robertson, all the information is in the envelope." Linda snatched the envelope from his hand, she was so angry she was shaking and Finn couldn't help himself and added, "I was lucky enough to film almost all of your brothers performance, at least the best parts and will be providing a copy to the police, if your attorney would like a copy please feel free to contact my office," he said then smiled and walked away. That set Linda off and she stormed over to Jim who was standing with Matt as the police took his statement, she got right in his face and screamed, "I'm not done with you yet you fucking asshole and if you think I'm going to let you keep my son you're mistaken. You can get all the court orders you want but it still won't stop me I'll take him anyway," she continued to scream until the policeman interrupted her. "Mam, you do realize I will have to add your threat to may report," he said calmly. Linda looked back in shock at what the man said, she seemed to loose touch with reality for a moment as her anger grew. She looked from the policeman to Jim than to Matt and Frank and next to Finn who was still filming her tirade, when she saw him filming she snapped and started to run towards him screaming, "I'm going to shove that phone down your throat you fucking piece of shit," and was grabbed by the policeman just before she reached Finn. Looking at Finn the officer asked if he would like to press charges, "No, that won't be necessary officer I think Mrs. Flannery is just a bit upset," Finn replied calmly as Matt had taken over the filming. The officer released Linda who went to the car to speak to her brother. The police completed their interviews and returned Frank's gun, Linda followed her brother to the police station apparently to bail him out. Jim had to laugh about that since earlier that day he closed all the joint credit cards and removed half the money from the joint savings leaving Linda with little to work with. After everyone settled down, they met in Matt's kitchen to make plans for the next few days. Finn advised to keep everything the way it was and let Linda make all the moves until their hearing with the judge but added that Jim should keep detailed notes of everything that happened including time and date and a diary of where he was at all times. With business finished they called the boys back from their hike; the first thing they wanted was to jump in the pool after giving the puppies each a bowl of water. After the boys had a quick swim Jim told Matty it was time to head home for dinner, he had decided he would cook, if Linda came home fine, if not at least he was continuing as normal as possible. Linda did arrive just as they were sitting down, her mood was dark but she made played nice for Matty and ate dinner with them. After dinner she disappeared into the guest room and Jim could hear her talking to her family in Jersey, but he didn't hang around to listen too closely. Jim and Matt sat on the couch and watched a baseball game until it was time for the boy to go to bed. Once Matty asleep Jim knocked on the guest room door and asked Linda to open the door, she did and scowled at him. "What the fuck do you want," she whispered. "Just wanted to talk but it seems that you're not interested, goodnight." The next morning Jim met Matt for their run, he had taken to leaving his running clothes at Matt's and he would throw them in the wash with his so he could shower and get dressed for work there. After their run they were in the shower and talking about the events of the previous day. Jim was stealing looks at Matt's body and ended up with a hard-on that of course Matt noticed. "Looks like your little buddy is crying out for attention," Matt said. "Your right but watch who you're calling little," Jim said as he grabbed his hard cock and stroked it. "Go ahead Jim, finish it off I'm sure you're not getting anything at home." Jim looked over at Matt and noticed that his cock was on the rise as well, "only if you join me," Jim said. "Sure why not, I would be doing it once you left anyway," Matt said as he grabbed his cock and started to stroke it along with Jim. The guys stood under the shower head enjoying their ministrations while never taking their eyes of the others cock. They both began to breathe hard and as if it was planned they shot ropes of cum on each other's stomach. When they were done with their orgasm they looked in each other's eyes and smiled. "Just like old times," Jim said. "Yeah, I guess," Matt said with a wistful smile on his face. Jim dressed and headed home to check on Matty, when he walked in he was surprised to see Linda making him breakfast, and even more surprised when she offered him some. After breakfast Jim thanked Linda for breakfast and got ready to leave for work, as he was leaving he asked Matty to come out to the car on the pretext of making plans for the afternoon when he got home. Once outside at the car Jim asked his son if he still had his phone. "Yeah Dad, I have it on vibrate and I didn't tell anybody I have it," Matty replied. "Good boy," Jim said as he hugged his son, "you're going to make a great Marine someday." "Really Dad, you really think so," the excited boy asked. "I sure do, the most important thing is to follow orders and you're doing it very well." Later that day Jim was in the middle of a training session when his phone beeped, he took a peak at the screen and noticed it was Matty calling, he excused himself and went out into the hall to answer. "Dad, mom got Uncle Joe out of jail and they got me in the car and they're taking me with them to back to grand mom's house," Matty said. "Where are you now," Jim asked trying to remain calm. "We're at a McDonald's in New Bern, I told them I had to pee and I'm hiding in the bathroom." "Okay buddy, you've done good. Don't worry about anything I'll take care of it just pretend to go along with them," Matt told him. His first stop was his CO and then he called Finn. Next he called Matt and explained the situation, Frank was there and told him to stop by and pick him up. Jim drove as fast as he could and reached Matt's house in record time, Frank took over driving and they headed north on route 17 pushing the speed limit to the max. They had just reached New Bern themselves when Jim's phone started to ring. "Daddy, were at the Dismal Swamp rest stop, I'm pretending I have a stomach ache and I'm in the bathroom," his son said. "Good work son, I and Uncle Frank are on the way, just play along with them and don't let find out you called me," Jim said. "Hurry Daddy, Uncle Joe is scaring me he's acting really weird," Matty said. With Frank driving Jim was free to work the phone, he called Finn and gave him the latest news and location and description of the car to relay to the police. They pressed on, Frank kept talking to Jim trying to keep him calm he could empathize with him, he could only imagine if he was chasing his own son who was being kidnapped. The Dismal Swamp was just a few miles south of the Virginia state line so if Linda and her brother crossed the state line it would be kidnapping and then involve the FBI, but that was the least of Jim's worries at the moment, he just wanted to get his on back. They had just reached the Dismal Swamp rest stop when they saw smoke miles ahead. To be continued... Authors Note: Thanks to all of you who have written to tell how much you're enjoying the story, I hope you stay tuned. For all the readers enjoying the stories here at Nifty, remember that Nifty needs your donations help to provide these wonderful stories.