Wolf Creek Falls

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Science Fiction or Fantasy

Contagium

Authoritarian/ Beginnings

The Ties That Bind
 

"Riley!"

I had my Chanel sunglasses on while flipping through the pages of Vogue magazine and listening to "Marilyn Monroe" by Nicki Minaj, on my Ipod .

I was looking out the window and out of the corner of my eye, I could see my dad glaring at me in the rear view mirror.

He looked pissed and he was waving his right hand in the air trying to get my attention.

I was ignoring him ofcourse (but it wasn't working).

I took off my headphones, sunglasses and snapped at him.

"What!"

My dad shook his head from side to side.

"Careful with that tone, son."

I sighed.

I didn't care.

In fact, I couldn't stand seeing my dad right now.  

Much less be in his presence.

"Riley, I know you're upset.  But, enough with the attitude, the silent treatment and all this sulking.  It dosen't get anything solved."

I kept looking out the window and thought to myself.

Just, watch me!

"Son, I know the transition won't be easy.  But, you'll see that you'll meet new people, new neighbours and make friends."

I rolled my eyes, cranked up the volume on my Ipod and put my sunglasses back on.

I've heard this fucking speech before.  

Besides, he didn't even bother to ask me!

He just took the job, sold our home, pulled me out of gymnastics and terminated my modeling contract.

Yes, terminated my modeling contract!

He told my modeling agency that I was too young to be modeling and that I wan't going to be available, anymore.

Unbefuckingliable!

That's the one thing that angered and hurt me the most.

How, fucking dare he!

It had been my mom who signed me up with her modeling agency, Elite when I was 5 yrs old.

I'm 15, now and I've done runway shows and ads for American Eagle, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Abercrombie & Fitch.

I loved fashion!

I had gotten the taste of the expensive and luxurious and, I loved it!  

I wanted to be part of that selective clique, desperately.

But, now?

Well, here we were moving half across the fucking country to some unknown backwater and backwards hick town.

We were leaving behind our home, my friends, grann and mom.

Mom...

My mom died in a car accident ten years ago.  

A drunk driver took her life while she was on her way to pick me up from gymnastics and after that horrible day, my dad was never home.

I think it was too painful for him to be home and in a way, I could see why.

Everything at home reminded me of mom.

Her great taste in furniture, the Steinway piano that she got from my grandparents on her sweet 16th, her haute couture clothes still in her closet and the many, many, photos that decorated our home.

My mom had been a top model in the 90's and she had done runway shows and worked with some amazing designers, such as Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Armani, Dior, Valentino, etc.

But then she met my dad, fell madly in love, got married and got pregnant.  After that her happily ever after moment, she gave up the exciting, hectic and ever changing fashion world.  

She then settled down in the typical suburban lifestyle, where she wanted to raise her family in a quiet and tranquil environment.(so, she used to say)

Her home office was left untouched.  It was as she never left, and it was I who kept it that way.

The room was decorated with framed fashion magazines were she had appeared throught the years.  

Everything from Vogue, Cosmo, Elle, Vanity Fair, to Harper's Bazaar, etc.

Even our home portraits and my baby photos were taken by famous fashion photographers such as, Patrick Demarchelier, Steven Meisel and Mario Testino.

Her office, used to be my sanctuary.  

A place where I could sit, read, do my homework and look at her pictures.

I found confort in that and now everything was packed in boxes.

Many, many boxes.

I hated my dad!

I guess that's why he found our home so suffocating.  

But, for me it was confortable, cozy, even peaceful.

I sighed.

And as I said earlier in regards to my dad.  Well, he was never home.

He came and went, from one tour of duty to another.  

Afghanistan, Lybia, Iraq, Haiti and so on.

He was always flying from one part of the country to another and even overseas.

Sometimes, he'd tell me where he was, other times it was, "classified".

Whatever...  

Thing is, I hardly ever saw him.  

Don't get me wrong, it's not like he forgot me.  He called often, but it just wasn't the same.

The weekend I turned 15, my dad had flown in for my birthday and it was my grandmother that made him see the light.

I heard them talking in the kitchen while they thought I was in bed, asleep.

She told him that we were growing painfully apart and that I was growing up and he wasn't around to see that.

My Grann even said,

"Now, is the time to bond with your son.  He needs you, he needs to be a part of your life, especially since he's ..."

My dad raised his voice and abruptly interrupted her.

"Mom, Riley is just going through a phase.   He will grow out of this and it will pass."

My Grann didn't say anything after that.

After that conversation my dad got unnaturally quiet, even for him.

I noticed that he started making phone calls really late at night, when he thought I'd gone to bed.  

One stormy night a couple of weeks ago, my dad was acting a bit strange.

I felt something was off in his behaviour and as I went to say goodnight to him, I found him sitting in the library.  

He was sitting in his reclining armchair and staring at the clock above the fireplace.

He had a newspaper on his lap, but he wasn't reading it.  

He was just sitting there with an unexpressive look on his face and he was drinking whiskey right out of a Jack Daniels bottle.

I didn't even know my dad drank.

And where did the Jack Daniels bottle come from?  

We certainly didn't keep any alcohol in the house, my Grann made sure of that.

The fireplace was lit and all I could hear was the loud crackling of the logs.

The only light in the room was the Tiffany lamp that my mom had given him as a birthday present, a long time ago.

As I stood in the hallway, he was still staring at the clock and completely unaware that I was there.

I coughed and cleared my throat.

"I'm heading off to bed, dad.  Do you need anything?"

My dad sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"Hey there, champ.  No, I'm good but thanks anyways.  I'll be staying up for a while, g'night."

I stood in the doorway and looked around the room.

My parents wedding album layed on the carpet and some letters were scattered about the floor.

He must have seen what I was looking at, because all he said was.

"Goodnight, Riley.  Please, close the door on the way out."   

I wanted to ask him if he was allright, but I think he just wanted to be left alone.

My dad's been at home for two weeks straight now and  I think this is the longest he's ever stayed.

I think it was getting to him.

"Allright, dad.  Goodnight, see you in the morning."

As I headed upstairs, I could hear the faint rumblings of thunder in the far off distance.

I went to my bedroom, got into bed and fell asleep listening to my Ipod.

The next thing I remember was being awaken by a loud and ear piercing thunder bolt.

I woke up groggily to lighting galore outside my bedroom window.  

My alarm clock was off and when I try to turn on my bedside lamp, I realized we had no power.

I grabbed my Iphone from my night table and saw that it was 4:00 a.m.

I walked out of my room and went to check on dad.  

I didn't need a flashlight, my Iphone was illuminating the hallway quite nicely.

The storm must have been right on top of us, because the force of the wind and rain was of monsoon proportions.

I knocked on my parents bedroom door softly.

"Dad? You awake?  We, have no power."

No answer.

"Dad?"

Again, no answer.

I opened the door slightly and peeked in.

It was far too dark in the master bedroom to see anything, just flashes of lighting on the walls.

"Dad?  You awake?"

I figured he probably fell asleep drunk and was most lilely sleeping right through the storm.

Suddenly, a loud thunder bolt must have hit somewhere in the neighbourhood because all the car alarms went off.

I ran to the bed and was about to shake my dad awake, when I noticed that he wasn't in bed.

Panic set in and I and bolted out of the bedroom.

I had never been left alone.

My Grandmother or aunt had always been home to supervise, or I stayed over at their place.

Where, the fuck was he?

I ran downstairs and called out.

"Dad!  You down here?"

I knew my Grandmother kept a flashlight in the tool closet, but that was at the other end of the house and I didn't want to go there.

I was using my Iphone to light up the place and hoped that the battery wouldn't die anytime soon.

The lighting and thunder were making me all jumpy and nervous.

Where, the fuck was my dad?

I was scared.

No one in the living room.

No one in the dining room.

No one in the kitchen.

No one in the guest bedroom.

I ran to the library and the door was still closed.

I saw light flickering underneath the door and I was about to open it, when I heard my dad's booming voice.

"Yes, I know what fucking time it is.  I really, don't give a fuck!  Now, go and wake him up!"

The rain was coming down hard and it like sounded like golf balls were hitting the roof.

Who, could he be yelling at 4:00 a.m. in the morning?

"Hey, it's Rhodes.  Yes, I know it's late and no, I'm not drunk.  Shut the fuck up and listen, I'll take the fucking job."

The job?

I tip toed my way to the hallway phone and slowly picked it up, but the land line was dead.

I figured he'd must be using his celll phone.

Who, could he be talking to?

I tip toed again to the library door and tried to look through keyhole.

I could make out the armchair, the empty bottle of whisky, the wedding album and many letters scattered all over the floor.

"Yes, you heard me right.  Yes, I've finally agreed after all these years.  Now, make all the necessary preparations before I change my fucking mind.  It'll be just my son, Riley and I."

Me?  

Why, was I being included on this trip?

Where, were we going?

I couldn't see him from this spot, but the fireplace was still going.

"Well, that will be your fucking problem and I'll leave it for you to figure it out.  I'm not leaving my son behind and that's final.  Riley and I, are package deal."

Huh?

It seems that whomever he was talking to, didn't want me there.

"Yes, I know that.  Riley?  He just turned fifteen, he'll be allright."

He'll be allright?  

What in hell, could my dad be talking about?

"I know very well what kinda place it is.  You, just keep your side of the fucking bargain and everything that you've ever promised me throught the years.  Riley will just have to adjust, like I will."

Adjust?

What are we going to be adjusting to?

Finally, my dad came into view.

He was shirtless and in his boxer-briefs.

I looked away.  

I felt my face turn red and flushed.

I can't say that I'd ever seen my dad in his underwear.

But, damm, he looks good.  

Very, good actually.

That was one impressive body he had and umm...

Quite the massive package by the large bulge in his underwear.

I had to look again.

Now, my dad was sitting on the arm rest of the armchair and was lewdly scratching his balls.

I was blushing again.  

But this time, I was not going to look away.

I know this is wrong.

I know I'm way out of line by eavesdropping and spying on my dad.

But, I felt...

What am I, doing?

Something inside me was burning.

I don't even know how to explain it.

A feeling...

A strong, aching feeling...

I really, really wanted to keep looking.

I peeked again through the keyhole and he was still sitting on the armrest.

"You better not fuck with me, I mean it!  I will hold you to your every goddamm word.  Ha!  Yeah, I know what you want."

My dad then lewdly cupped his enormous balls.

And that's when I hit my forehead on the door.

Oh, shit!

"You'll get what's coming to you..."

My dad stopped talking.

"Hold on, I think I heard something..."

Shit, shit, shit!

I slowly moved away from the door and took off running.  In all the commotion, my Iphone slipped from my hands and fell by the library door.

I was about to run back and grab it, but my dad was opening the door and I bolted for the stairs.

I ran into my bedroom, gently closed the door and got into bed.

Oh, my God!

Oh, my God!

Oh, my God!  

What, have I done?

I layed in bed and took a deep breath.

Suddenly, I heard a knock at my bedroom door.

I closed my eyes and prayed.

"Riley?  Champ, you awake?"

I didn't know what to do.

The door creaked a little bit as he opened it.

The thunder and rain were as loud as ever, and showing no signs of letting up anytime soon.

As my dad stayed by the door and two possibilities played in my head.

If I said yes, I'm awake.

Then my dad would ask what I was doing up, and perhaps wonder if I had listened to his private conversation.

If, I pretended to be asleep.

Then, maybe he'd let this go and forget everything by morning.

But, what about my Iphone?

Oh, my fucking God!  

I forgot about the fucking phone!

Shit!

Shit!

Shit!

Maybe, my dad he didn't see it.  Afterall he had been drinking all evening and the hallway was pitch black.

Please God, don't let my dad go apeshit.

While I prayed to all the saints in heaven, my dad stayed in the doorway for what felt, forever.

I could feel his eyes burning on my back, but then he left quietly and gently closed the door behind him.

Oh, Thank God!  That was a close call.

Phew...

I tossed and turned for what felt hours.  I kept thinking off all the things, I had heard.

Who had he been talking to?

Where, were we going?

I kept thinking about my dad, drinking.  The poor guy is probably going stirr crazy in the house.

I felt bad...

And now, I felt worse for spying.

Fuck!  

I couldn't fall asleep.

I was too wired and nervous.

The AC had obviously quit due to the power outage and the room was beginning to get warm.

I wanted to get out of bed and see if my Iphone was still where I dropped it, but I couldn't risk it.

Eventually, I fell asleep and had lots of dreams.

Warm sunlight was coming through the window and I woke up with an urgency to pee.  

I sat up on my bed and noticed that my alarm clock was blinking.

We, had power!  

Yay!!

The room was cool again, the AC was back on.

Yay!!

But, I was covered in sweat and...

Well, I touched my underwear and it was wet.

What the fuck?  

Did, I pee myself?

I brought the wetness to my nose and smelled something familiar.

Nope, this wasn't urine...

It was cum!

Are you kidding me?  

I had a wet dream?

This has never happened to me before.

I got out of bed and rushed to my bathroom.

I took off my underwear, threw them into the tub and jumped in the shower.

I felt embarrassed.

I know I shouldn't.  

I know this was normal, but still this had never happened before.  

As I held my head under the hot and cascading water, I started to remember things.

I dreamt...

I had dreamt of my dad.  

Yeah, now I remember!

Something about laying in bed and that I couldn't fall asleep.

I keep tossing and turning, over and over.

A storm was loudly brewing outside.  

I could hear the roar of the thunder and lighting illuminated my room.  

Eerie shadows danced in the dark corners and ceeling of my room.

I felt scared,

I felt small, like a little kid.

Suddenly, my dad appears in the doorway.

But, he just stands there silence watching me.

I sit up on the bed and wonder what he wants?

As lighing hits outside, he's whole body is quickly illuminated by light then slowly falls into shadow.

As he's illuminated again, I notice that he's only wearing a towel and dripping wet from head to toe.

As more lighting floods my room, I could see tiny water droplets as they shimmer and cascade down his massive and muscular, hairy chest.  

I sat there mesmerized as the diamond like droplets ran down his hairy chest and down his flawless six-pack, and eventually down his treasure trail.
 
He walks slowly into my room.

He closes the door behind him and locks it.

I was about to open my mouth and ask him something.

But, he puts his index finger on his lips and sushes me.

The whole room is dead silent, and all I can hear is...

Shhhh!!

He walks towards me, drops the towel and ...

Fuck!

That's it?  

Dammit!  

That's all I remembered.

I suddenly realize that all this time, I had been unvoluntary grabbing my dick and had been tugging it.

What the fuck?  

What's wrong with me?

Why, am I having these thoughts?

Suddenly, there was a knock on my bathroom door.

"Riley, honey.  It's Grann, breakfast's ready.  Your dad and I are waiting for you downstairs."

Ah, Fuck!

I turned off the water and grabbed my towel.

"Morning, Grann.  I'll be right there, I'm just drying up.  Please, go ahead and eat, don't wait for me."

I was mortified.

I got out of the shower and looked at myself in the mirror.

"What the hell is wrong with you!  You're having perverted thoughts about your father!  

For, fuck sakes!  Snap out of it!"

I took a big breath and sighed.

I brushed my teeth, got dressed quickly and hurried downstairs.

The smell coming from the kitchen was heavenly.

That's one thing about Grann, she sure knew how to cook a meal fit for a king.  

Grann Aileen was old fashioned grandmother and was used to making all meals from scratch.  She took her time and that's why in the end everything smelled and tasted so yummy.  

Her culinary skills could go head to head along with any top chef.

"There's my sweet boy.  You slept late today, Riley.  What happened?  Did the storm keep you up at night?"

I nodded, smiled and walked over to the dining room table.

"Good morning, Grann."

I poured myself a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and sat down.

"Good morning, Dad."

My dad was reading the paper and didn't even bother to look up.

I heard a faint grunt from him, as Granny gave him a look and served me breakfast.

"You'll have to forgive your father, Riley.  It seems alcohol dosen't agree with him early in the morning."

My dad grumbled something and kept reading the newspaper.

"Here you go, sweetie.  French potato omelet for my sweet boy."

Mmm, my favourite!

Again, no one could touch my grandmother when it came to cooking.

"Thanks, Grann."

My grandmother always went all out when making breakfast for her family.  

When dad was away(which was always), she would come over and insist on cooking for me.  

Over the years, she had taught me many things when it came to cooking, cleaning, doing laundry and pretty much how to look after myself.

She wanted me to be independent and learn to take care of myself(in case anything ever happened to my dad on a mission).  

My Grann didn't really give me the real reason why she did this, but I knew.

And deep down inside, I'm very sure that she also knew.

My Grann loved her son, but it killed her when he was sent off on a "Mission".  

She hated, no let me rephrase that.  

She detested, not knowing where he was going, what he'd be doing or how long he'd be going for.

In a way, she was preparing me for the real world.  

I guess that she wanted to be at peace knowing that she had done everything possible in being able to care for myself.  

In case she or my Aunt Kate wouldn't be around.

At the center of the dining room table, Grann had created a beautiful floral arrangement by using fresh cut flowers from our garden.

A crystal Tiffany vase, held a stunning bouquet of different coloured roses, lily-of-the-valley, hyacinth and lavender.  

They all gave off a fresh, dew scent over the entire living room and dining room.  

On the table lay a succulent buffet composed of, fried bacon, pancakes, sausages, buttermilk biscuits and cinnamon rolls.  Along with butter, jam, jelly, coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice and cold milk.

Everything smelled so good and looked mouth watering.

"Everything looks great, Grann.  That was some storm we had last night, we lost power in our area.  How about in yours?"

I kept looking at my dad, but he was still engrossed in the morning paper.  

Maybe, I'd been lucky and he hadn't found my phone, yet.

Shit!  

That's right, my phone!

I should've gone looking for it before coming to breakfast.

Dammit!

Well, it's gotta be where I dropped it last night.

Grann brought my dad his plate and as she was about to put it in front of him, he waved it away.

"Mom, I told you.  I don't want any food, thank-you."

Grann shook her head from side to side and sighed.

"But, son it's your favourite.  A western scramble, just the way you like.  It's got yummy potatoes, ham, green peppers..."

My dad got up from the table, looked upset and walked away and into the kitchen.

He stood by the kitchen window staring out, as he took a sip of coffee.

My grandma just pursed her lips as she looked at me.

I just shrugged my shoulders and smiled.

"Alec Rhodes, I just made this for you.  Now, you're telling me that you don't want it?"

My dad was still looking at the window, as he shook his head.

"I told you that I was only having coffee this morning.  But, as usual you never listen."

This was my moment.

I needed to go and search for me my Iphone.

While dad and Grann were busy arguing, I slowly and quietly got out of my chair.  

I had taken a few steps when suddenly, my Grann called me out.

"Riley, child!  Where, are you going?  You're not done with breakfast, are you?"

I stopped dead in my tracks.

I noticed that my dad was quizzically looking at me from the kitchen.

"I, umm.  No, I was just going to look for..."

My dad slowly came out of the kitchen, took something out of his pocket and slid my Iphone across the dining room table.

"Looking for this?"

The phone stopped right in front of my plate, I froze and simply stared at it.

I didn't know what to say, but my Grann did.

"Alec Riley Rhodes, what have I told you about putting those things on the dining room table.  Honestly, that is not the place for them."

That's another thing about Grannie Aileene, she detested modern technology.

"It's my phone, thanks dad.  Where, did you find it?"

My dad was looking straight into my eyes.

I could feel those hazel eyes doing their best at trying to read me.

Well, two can play that game.

Grandma and Aunt Kate, always tell me that I have a great poker face when we play cards.

"That's the funny thing, champ.  I found it in the hallway, outside the library door."

Grann was looking at us both, trying to understand what was going on.

"Mpphh, that dosen't sound like Riley.  He takes good care of his stuff, unlike some people."

I bit my lip and wanted to smile.

My dad didn't take his eyes off me.  He just took a sip of his coffee and kept staring at me.

I wasn't going to cave.

C'on, poker face...

But, Grann broke the spell, as she spoke.

"Well, Alec are you going to tell him or am I?"

I took my phone, put it in my pocket, sat down and continued eating.

I looked at Grann then at dad and wondered what she was talking about.

"Tell me, what?"

My dad was about to open his mouth, when Grann spoke for him.

"Your father got a new job.  Here, in the country, can you believe it!"

My dad gave her a disapproving look, while Grann just sipped her tea.

"Your dad will be Head of Security for a privately owned, Nuclear Power Plant.  Oh, my!  How exciting is that!"

I looked up at my dad, who was still standing there looking at me.

"Dad?  Is that true?"

My dad nodded.

"Yes, champ.  It's true, I was planning on telling you after breakfast, but it seems your Grandmother thought otherwise."

Grann simply waved her hands in the air.

"Oh, what's the big deal?  It's such great news, you'll finally be settled here and not in some backwards desert country or in some mosquito infested, South American jungle."

I smiled and drank my orange juice.  

This must have been what my dad had been talking about last night with that other person.

But, why didn't that person want me there?

"Isn't this wonderful news, Riley?  Your father, Head of Security, I can't wait to tell the girls."

My dad walked over to the kitchen window and stared out, again.

My Grann was on cloud nine.

"Alec...Alec?  What are you looking at, dear?"

My Gramm was waving at my dad.  But, my dad was preoccupied with whatever was going on outside.

"Uhh?  What?"

Gramm just rolled her eyes.

"I bet they pay extremely well, right?  I heard the O'Malley's eldest son works for a government run nuclear facility and he earns well.  You must be getting more, right?"

My dad just ignored Grann.  He didn't seem thrilled at all.

Just his usual quiet self.

My Grann grabbed her glasses and took out a letter from her pocket.

"Listen to this Riley.  It says here, somewhere..."

My dad looks at Grann and walks towards her.

"Mom, where did you find that letter.  That letter, it's confidential and it's addressed to me.  I don't know, why that never stops you."

Grann completely ignored my dad, while I wanted to roll on the floor laughing, but knew better.

"Oh, pish, posh.  I'm your mother, for heavens sake."

My dad just stood there with his mouth wide open, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Oh, listen to this Riley.  Your dad will make an obscene amount of money.  They're offering you how much?  It's gotta be here somewhere, I saw it this morning.  And oh, my and lots of overtime."

My dad's face turned red and he practically yanked the letter out of Grann's hands.

"It's confidential!  What, part of that do you not understand, mother!"

Grann just waved him away.

She smiled and took a sip of her tea.

"Please, I've read that letter many times.  It's all in my head."

Grann pointed to her head and had me fighting to compose myself.

"It even says that they'll cover family vacations, the company car, your private schooling and even for a housekeeper."

My dad's face was all red and as he was about to say something, the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it!"

I jumped up and ran for the door.

It was getting tense in the dining room between those two.

I opened the door and it was courier.

"I have an urgent delivery for Mr. Alec R. Rhodes."

I looked at the courier and the small black box he was holding.

"I'm his son.  I'll sign for it."

The courier smiled and handed it to me.

I took it, sign the electric pad and it struck me odd, that I didn't recognize what courier company he worked for.

The courier guy was very well dressed in a black and white uniform.  

Even his shoes were shiny and well polished.

"Well, thank you and have a good day."

He bowed his head, smiled and made his way to his van.  

As he walked away, I even caught a whiff of a nice and soft citrus cologne.

He waved, I waved back and he drove off.

WCFN

Mmm, I've never seen or heard of this courier company.

I walked to the dining room where my Grann and dad were still arguing.

Grann was the first to look at me.

"Who, was it honey?"

I was looking at the box and reading the label.

"It was a delivery package.  It's for dad, it says it's from Wolf Creek Falls Nuclear."

My Grann and I looked at my dad.

He walked towards me and looked at the package.

I was about to hand it to him, but he seemed hesitant to take it.  It was like he didn't even want to touch the box.

It was Grann, once again that broke the silence.

"Oh, for heaven's sake Alec.  Will you open that box, so that we can see what it is."

My dad took the box from my hands and set it on the dining room table, while my Grann handed my dad a box cutter.

He took a golden envelope from inside of the box that read, "Congratulations!"

As my dad read the letter to himself, my Grann and I were trying to peek inside the box.

"Well, what does it say, Alec?  The suspense is killing us."

My dad started reading the letter.

Dear Mr.Alec Rhodes,

I would like to welcome you to Wolf Creek Falls Nuclear.  We are excited that you have accepted our job offer and agreed upon your start date.

As mentioned during our phone interview, your new position reports to me, and I would like to welcome you to the Security Department on behalf of all the staff.

Each of us will play a role to ensure your successful integration into the department.

We're expecting you for the new employee orientation on August, Monday the 13th at 9 a.m.  

You will meet with me to discuss your succesful integration, as well it will allow me to answer any questions that you might have about the benefits package and other issues you might have.  You will also meet with the Human Resources staff to learn about employment related issues.

You will also meet with several coworkers so you can get a feel for the overall work of the department.  

You will be tailored for your uniform later in the day and every article of clothing will be provided to you.

Your new team anticipates in taking you out to lunch, in order to get to know you and to make sure you meet everyone with whom you will be working.  

Your agenda for the rest of your first day, will involve planning your orientation with me and setting some initial work goals so that you feel immediately productive into your new role.

I anticipate that your second day will involve more coworker meetings to understand the department.  You'll also have the opportunity to continue with your new employee orientation plan and your initial work for the department.

We have our own team of private proffesional movers that will handle everything.  All you need to do is pack your items, mark anything that might be fragile, label where everything goes and our team will handle the rest. 

Again, welcome to the team and if you have questions prior to your start date, please call me at any time, or send email if that is more convenient. 

We look forward to having you come onboard.

Regards,

Senior Deputy Director of Security, 

My dad sighed and sat down.

For someone that had just been offered a well paying job, he didn't seem too happy.

I was so engrossed in dad's letter, that I hadn't realized that Grann had taken all the stuff out of the box.

I walked over to the table and picked up a blu-ray with the title "Wolf Creek Falls - A Beautiful Place to Live"

There was also, two black t-shirts with Wolf Creek Falls embroidered in gold.  Two baseball caps with a blue embroidered design of an atom, two blue bathrobes with  initials, WCFN.  

Two coffee mugs with the same blue design of an Atom, a crystal paperweight of an atom with gold initials WCFN, and in my Grann's hand a beautiful Montblanc, blue waterfountain pen.

My Grann was carefully eyeing it.

"Look at this pen, Riley.  It's gorgeous, it's got the initials A. R. R. in gold."

Grann looked at my dad,

"It's for you, Alec.  Oh, my!  They went all out on welcoming you.  I mean, to even handle the moving that's some company."

My dad looked at the pen, set it on the table and walked away.

Grann looked at me, shook her head and went to grab the phone.

"I want to call your sister and tell her the good news."

As she made the call and loaded the dishes into the diswasher, it hit me.

We were moving.

We were moving!

Our home, my friends, Aunt Katie, Grann!

I walked over to my dad, who was sitting in the living room and staring into space.

"Dad..."

Nothing.

"DAD!"

My dad turned around and he knew what I was about to say.

"So, we're moving?"

My dad nodded.

Anger was boiling inside of me.

"You didn't even ask me?  What about our home?  what about Aunt Katie and Grann?"

My dad looked sad.

"It's just a house, Riley.  We'll start fresh somewhere else, we.."

I cut him off...

"It's just a home?  This is my home!  And what about mom?  Have you thought about leaving behind mom's grave?"

He looked sad, at least.

"Riley, I've thought about this long and hard.  Please, trust me when I say this is the best for the both of us."

Grann had walked in to the living room and was standing quietly to the side.

I turned around to see her and she had tears in her eyes.

"Riley, honey.  I know it will be hard, but you must be with your father."

My eyes started to get teary and a tear trickled down my cheek.

I was so angry.

I bolted from the leaving room and ran towards my room.

As I ran up the stairs, I heard my dad say to Grann.

"Leave him be.  Give him time..."

I slammed the door behind me, locked it and cried.

I got into bed and cried for what felt forever.

I hadn't realized that in all the commotion, I had the waterfountain pen in my hand.

I threw it against the wall and got under the covers.

When I woke up, it was dark and the house was quiet.

I looked at the bedside clock and it was 9:00 p.m.

I went to the bathroom and cleaned up.  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the waterfountain pen and picked it up.

It was a beauty of  a pen and it must have cost a pretty penny.

The box along with all it's contents were intended to make a great impression and it had.

I set the pen on my desk as my stomach turned in knots.  

The reality of it all, hit me like a ton of bricks.

Fifteen years of living on this house, a place I loved and felt confort in...gone.

I sighed.

And mom, I went to visit her plot as often as I could.  Now, no more.

My stomach hurts.

I cried and cried some more.

Just when I thought that everything in my life had fallen into place, it gets turned upside down.

Now that I had turned fifteen, I wanted to come out to my dad.

I had gathered what little courage I had and wanted to tell him.

I wondered if my dad knows?

Did he suspect anything?

Did he know that his only son was gay?

Oh, God.  Help me, give me courage.

My dad is a man of few words and no emotions.  

I have never, heard or seen my dad cry.  

Not even when mom died.  At the funeral he was a rock.  

No feelings...

No emotions...

No words...

Just, silence.

He became a statue.

Dad had been brought up in a very strict, rigid and disciplinarian background.

His father had been a decorated War General and the man believed in the saying,

"Spare the rod, spoil the child."

I remember Grann telling me that my dad was the quiet and solemn type.  

That growing up, he used to get severely punished in front of his sister for any wrong doing.  And because he was the oldest and the first born son, he was made to be an example.

That she tried to intervene, but my Grandfather was a brute and wasn't afraid to hit anyone, including his own wife.  One day, she'd had enough and took my dad and his sister and left him for good.

In the end, my dad end up getting even with my Grandfather.

Right out of highschool my dad joined the Marines, instead of joining the Army.

Grann said that this would wound my Grandfather in the most severe way possible.

That it would be a wound that would never heal and that his pride was taken right under him.

After my dad finished his specialized training and first tour of duty in the Marines, he was assigned to a career-level school.  

Due to his performance, smarts and high recommendations, he was able to secure an extremely limited spot at the NATO Defense College in Rome.

This was the highest honour for any military officer and it was there that he met my mom, while she was sitting at a cafe reading a magazine.

She had just finished doing a runway show for Valentino when a dashing, handsome and young American Marine approached her and started a conversation.

Grann said that my mom loved telling the story of how they met, and that she would always end up in tears when telling it.

I used to roll my eyes when Grann used to tell the story to anyone that cared to hear.

It was embarrassing to hear how you're parents met, or that they lived interesting lives before you were born.

And like in the movie Jerry Maguire, Grann said that my mom had something in common with the memorable quote said, by Renée Zellweger.

Your son had me at, hello.

And the rest as they say is history.

A tear trickled down my cheek.

I missed her immensely.

Which brings me back to the beginning of my story...


The rain was coming down hard and I could barely see anything out the window.

I took off my sunglasses and wondered

Where, the hell were we?

Something was coming up ahead.  I could make out a patrol car and lots of flashing lights.

An accident?

My stomach turned to knots and I turned off my Ipod.  

My dad must have sensed my unisiness, because he looked at me in the rear view mirror.

"You allright there, champ?"

I nodded and put away my Ipod and sunglasses in my Gucci vanity case.

My dad slowed down.

A tall highway patrol officer was waving us down.  My dad stopped the vehicle and rolled down the window.

"Evening Officer.  What seems to be the problem?"

The patrol officer was huge.  He towered over the vehicle and was built like a brick shithouse.

He was a tall and muscular redhead, who seemed to be around my dad's age.  His skin was nicely tanned and he had light green eyes and a neatly trimmed goatee.

I found it odd that he was smoking a cigar while on duty.  But, seemed confortable enough, even though he was getting soaked from head to toe.

"I'm afraid the roads are closed for the night, Sir.  There's been a mudslide about 4 miles west from here and four vehicles are trapped in the debris."

My dad unbuckled his seatbelt and turned off the engine.

"Is there anything, I can do?  I'm an ex-marine and I'm trained in search and rescue."

Ahh, my dad the marine.  Always to the rescue.

The officer raised his eyebrows and was eyeing my dad from head to toe.

"Thank-you for the offer, Sir.  We appreciate it, but I believe they got it covered."

My dad buckled his seatbelt again and turned on the engine.

The officer leaned closer to the car and said,

"Once a Marine, always a Marine.  Right?"

I could see my dad smile from the rearview mirror as he said,

"Semper-Fi"

That's when the officer flexed his right arm, rolled his shirt sleeve and showed us his tattoo.

The eagle, globe and anchor.

The Marine Insignia.

My dad smiled.

He then rolled his sleeve and flexed his muscular arm.

The same tattoo.

An instant brotherhood,

The Marines.

They laughed in unison and shook hands like they were long, lost brothers.

"Officer Eric Brawn, pleasure to meet you."

My dad smiled as he shook Officers Brawn's hand

"Alec Rhodes and that's my son Riley in the back, pleasure is all ours."

Officer Brawn peered through the back, waved and smiled at me.

I just looked at him and rolled my eyes.

I wondered how long this was going to take?

"For fuck sakes, Brawn.  I was supposed to be in Wolf Creek Falls this evening.  I have an urgent orientation meeting in the morning."

Wow, I had never heard my dad swear.

I was stunned.

Officer Brawn leaned closer.

"Shit, buddy.  I'm sorry to hear, but I'm afraid that's not happening tonight.  Wolf Creek Falls, eh?  You work at that nuclear power plant?"

Officer Brawn's face seemed to lit up, when my dad mentioned where we were heading.

"Yes, I do.  I'll be Head of Security at the plant."

Officer Brawn gave an impressed look on his rugged face.  But, he had been so busy talking to us that he hadn't noticed, or didn't care that there were other cars and trucks piling up behind us.

A big truck behind us, honked it's loud and deafing horn.  It scared the shit out of me and I jumped sky high on my seat.

Officer Brawn's face turned a deep shade of red, as he gave the truck driver an angry look.

"Will, you excuse me please."

My dad nodded his head.

"YOU!  Honk that fucking horn again and I'll be the last fucking thing you do!"

My dad turned his head to look at me and winked.

I, wasn't impressed.  

It looks like Officer Brawn has quite the temper and colourful vocabulary.

Officer Brawn leaned back into the car and started talking to my dad, again.

"I apologize about that.  But, some people have no fucking patience.  As I was saying earlier before I was rudely interrupted.  It dosen't look like you'll be going anywhere in this weather, bud.

But, if you're interested there is a rest stop, of sorts.  It's about a mile ahead called, Bacchus."

I was looking at my dad's facial expressions in the rear view mirror, as he raised his eyebrows.

"Bachhus?"

Officer Brawn winked at my dad, as he grinned ear to ear.

"Yeah, they've got the basic needs.  You'll get a room, single bed, hot shower and other amenities that you won't find at a Best Western."

My dad quickly looked at me and lowered his gaze.

"Other amenities, eh?  I don't know, Brawn..."

Officer Brawn was looking in my direction, as he gave me a lewd smile.

"C'on bud, it's a good place to relax.  Trust me, I've been there many times and I always feel relaxed when I leave.  But, it's up to you and who knows, they might still have room."

My dad looked at me in the rear view mirror.

"I guess we could."

My eyes must have been bulging out.

What?  

We're taking a detour?

And what's wrong with staying at a Best Western?

We just passed three on the way here!

"That's the spirit, Marine!  Trust me, you won't regret it."

Then Officer Brawn punched my dad lightly on his arm, leaned even closer to my dad and whispered something in his ear.

My dad was looking at me in the rear view mirror, as Officer Brawn kept whispering.

I raised my eyebrow and wondered what this was about?

My dad was expressionless and all he said was,

"He's old enough.  But, thanks for letting me know."

Officer Brawn kept smiling at me as he looked me up and down.

I quickly looked the other way.  I got flustered in the way he looked at me.

"So, this place is about a mile ahead?"

My dad started started fidgeting with his GPS.

Officer Brawn took out a card from his wallet and hand it to my dad.

"Yeah, buddy.  But, you won't find this place on any map though."

My dad took the card and looked at it.

"Ahh, gotcha."

I saw my dad put the card in his right, shirt pocket.

"And another thing this place is by invitation only, bud.  If they ask, just mention my name and you should be left alone.  I'm sure one way or another, you'll find some way to relax."

My dad just kept on smiling.

"I do need a good R&R.  And you're right, it's been a while since I've unloaded my gun."

My dad then did something with his right hand, that I didn't get to see.

Officer Brawn let out a hearty laugh.

I looked at my dad and gave him an inquisitive look.

"I hear you, buddy.  Who, knows I might show up and see you both after my shift."

Officer Brawn put his right hand on my dad's shoulder, while grinning and looking at me.

They both shook hands after that.

"That be great, bud.  We can shoot the shit and catch up on stuff."

Officer Brawn stepped back and gently tapped the roof of my dad's SUV.

"One more thing bud, there are no signs to find this place.  So, when you come across a closed gas station, take the dirt road on your right and follow it until you find the place."

My dad nodded.

"Well, thanks again Brawn.  Hope to see you there."

Officer Brawn winked at me.

"Oh, I'll definitely show up and look for both of you.  It's nice to meet decent folks on the road and not just these asshole truckers."

As my dad drove away, Officer Brawn waved at us, groped his crotch and I think he even blew me a kiss?

There was something about that guy...

My dad took out the card from his shirt pocket and was carefully inspecting it.

"Well, I guess it's a detour for us, champ."

I furrowed my eyebrows and something didn't sit right.

"What's wrong with going to a Best Western?  Why are we going to his place?"

My dad was looking at my through the rear view mirror.

"C'on, champ.  Let's see what this place is like and if we don't like it, we'll find another hotel.  Let's live a little, eh?"

I shrugged my shoulders and looked out the window.  The rain had finally stopped and I rolled down the window.

"I'm going to have to call Human Resource as soon as we find this place and let them know that we won't make it for tomorrow morning."

I nodded and heard my dad say.

"There it is, the closed gas station is coming up."  My dad smiled as he looked in the rear view mirror.

"Maybe they'll have something to eat at this place.  What do you say?  You hungry, champ?"

I shrugged my shoulders.

I wasn't really hungry, but if they had something, maybe.

"Yeah, I feel the same way."

We turned into the dirt road and ahead it was pitch black.  Fresh and cool air engulfed the SUV.

We drove down a dark and heavily wooded road, with the SUV's high beams on.  There were no lamp posts or anything, just dirt.

About a half and hour later, we saw it.  The dirt parking lot was packed.

This place looked like...

"Wow, I would have never expected..."

My dad said it and I agreed.

I would have never expected to see this as well.

Bachhus, resembled Tara the fictional plantation from the novel Gone with the Wind.

But, more like Tara had been left to cope with the elements and not properly looked after all these years.
 
I was so interested in this place, that I only heard my dad say,

"Well, maybe it will be better inside."

I truly hoped so.

A sign ahead, read.

"BACCHUS"

There were other signs around the parking lot as well.

By Invitation ONLY!

This rest stop is for MEN only!

I thought that was odd?

Men only?

My dad parked the SUV and we got out of the car.

As he got out of the car, he stretched and said outloud.

"Fuck, is my ass ever sore!"

I blushed at his language and shook my head.

We, were far from Boston.

He then took out his old knapsack from the trunk and looked at my vanity case that I was carrying.

"Riley, wasn't that your mother's?"

I blushed.

"Umm, yes.  I keep all my stuff in here."

My dad's face showed no emotion.

"What is that on your lips?"

I gave him a curious look and wondered what he was talking about.  Then I remembered that I was wearing Chanel gloss lip shimmer.

Oh, shit!

My dad slammed the trunk and started walking away.

"Wipe it off, Riley.  Right, now!"

I quickly wiped it off my lips and walked silently behind him.

I sighed and wondered if he was angry at me.  I kept my eyes on the dirt road and heard him speak.

"Riley, I want you to listen to me.  While we're here for the night, I want you to stay by my side at all times.  You're not to wonder around, is that understood?"

I looked up at him and nodded.

My dad stopped and turned around to face me.  His face was all stern and serious.

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you?"

I looked up at him and took a big gulp.

"Yes, Sir!"

He started walking away and I stuck out my tongue.

We parked far from the main entrance, so we had quite the walk ahead.  The place was full of cars, trucks, rigs, even a limo and I saw licence plates from all over the country.

As we got closer to the building, we saw a group of men standing around, talking, drinking and smoking.

These looked like all sorts of guys, some were bikers, others looked like truckers and a few looked like College kids.

"Stay close to me, Riley."

My dad didn't have to tell me twice and I took longer steps, as we walked side by side.

I could smell cigars, cigarettes and even pot(I despise the stench it gives!)

As we got closer, I could see that Bacchus had once been painted white.  But, now the paint was peeling and climbing Ivy covered most of the mansion.

We walked up to the door, where a burly and heavily tattooed guy blocked the entrance.

"You and your puppy are a long way from Kansas, Dorothy."

My dad looked at me and smiled.

"That was funny.  So, I'll let that one go."

My dad then walked up to the big, burly guy and was now, face to face with him.

"We were told of this place by Officer Eric Brawn.  You, know him?"

The giant blocking the door looked at my dad suspiciously.

"Officer Brawn?  Yes, I know of him."

My dad then handed me his knapsack and I wondered what he was going to do.

He took out the card Officer Brawn had given him and handed it to the big brute.

"Good, he told me that you have showers, beds and it's a good place to get some R&R.  We're only planning on staying the night."

The big brute kept looking at the card and then at my dad.  

It was like he was sizing up my dad from head to toe.

"Huh, I see.  Well, we got a strict policy here, no kids allowed.  No exceptions, we have rules in this place."

The brute then pointed to a sign that read,

"19+ ONLY"

My dad then started to undo the buttons on his shirt, very slowly.

As I watched this, I wondered if my dad was going to fight this big oaf.

The guy was looking at my dad, while licking his lips.

"Uhh, what are you doing?"

Once my dad took off his shirt, he exposed a rippling and heavily muscled, hairy chest.

My dad then crossed his arms and stuck out his large and powerful athletic chest.

"It's nice to feel the fresh air on your skin, isn't?  Especially, on a cool and windy night."

By now the other men in the parking lot were coming closer and they wanted to see what all the commotion was about.

I looked around and all these bikers, truckers and college guys looked like they were checking my dad out from head to toe and salivating over him.

"I,...uh...uh.  I gotta make a call.  Please, wait here."

The big burly guy opened the big metal door, went in and slammed it behind us.

My dad stretched, yawned, lifted his arms and placed his hands behind his head.

It was quite the site.

Pure, muscle perfection.

My dad did look awesome, standing in a relaxed pose and I felt very proud to be his son.

I looked around and everyone seemed to be in a trance.

My dad simply stood his ground and kept his eyes on the door.

A few seconds had gone by, when the big guy come out with a cell phone in his hands and a big smile.

"Please, come in, come in!  The owner of our stablishment is coming to meet with you."

The big bouncer opened the door and motioned us to go in.

My dad simply nodded and went in first.

I followed my dad and the big brute even seemed to even take a sniff at my dad, as he walked past him.

Once inside the heavy metal door closed behind us with a loud bang.

A big uproar could be heard coming from outside.

"Ah, c'on Mac.  Don't be like that, you have to let us in!  

Look at the stud that went in!

Step aside, Mac!  We, want  a taste of that guy's co..."

I could hear moans, groans and plenty of swearing coming from outside.

Were, these men were talking about my dad?

My dad?  

A stud?

I turned around and wanted to get closer to the door and listen.

My dad coughed loudly and cleared his throat.

"Step away from the door, Riley.  Stay close to me."

I nodded and moved away from the door.

I looked at my dad and wondered,

Who was this man?

I'm confused at all of this.

I'm confused at his behaviour.

I was looking at my dad in a different light.

He was composed, well spoken but...

I don't know...

It was like he was another person.  

He stood, tall, proud and shirtless.

My dad was at least 6'5" and probably weighed around 220 lbs.

I was the complete opposite of him.

Sure, I inherited the light brown hair and hazel eyes, but that was about it.

Everything else, I got from my mom's side.

The rosy red lips and cheeks, flawless porcelain skin, high cheekbones and to my dismay being completely hairless.

I hoped and prayed that soon, I could at least catch up to the Rhodes hairy gene.

I was tired of being smooth.

I hadn't even begun shaving yet, dammit!

As I kept looking at my dad, I could see why all the women in the neighbourhood wanted him and all the men wanted to be around him.

My dad was very good-looking man, to say the least.

He wore his light brown hair in an ivy league cut, had hazel eyes and a muscular, hairy body.

The few times that he was home, he would always go on a morning run.

One run was before breakfast and the other before dinner, that was his routine.

He loved to run.

And the massive and hairy tree, trunk legs were the results that had payed off.

He was also a sports fanatic.

He loved playing football and baseball, and had even been in a rugby team a couple of years ago.

I was staring at him from behind and all I could see was the broad shoulders, the rippling muscles, a small waist and muscles galore.

His pose spoke of confidence and he smelled amazing, with just a faint hint of aftershave.

I stared at the huge lettering tattoo that was inked across the lenght of his back.

It read,

Semper Fidelis

Latin for "Always Faithful" or "Always Loyal"

The other tattoo was on his right shoulder and it was the Marine's insignia of Eagle, Globe and Anchor.

They tattoos suited him.

He looked amazing.

He looked hot.

He then turned around and caught me looking at him.

"You allright, champ?"

I must have turned all shades of red and simply nodded.  I didn't know what else to say.

What, could I say?

That I was checking my own dad out?  That's gross and wrong on so many levels.

He must have sensed something and took his shirt from my shoulder.

"I guess, I'm a little underdressed."

I managed a smile, as he put his blue plaid shirt back on.  

It looked like the shirt was molded to his muscular chest and you could clearly make out two very large and erect nipples.

I looked away when I felt my face turning red again.

At that moment a man showed up out of nowhere.

My dad and I were both caught off guard.  

We were startled, actually.

He was a short, stocky, pudgy man dressed in a sharp and impeccable indigo suit with brown alligator shoes.  

He had a gold pocket watch in his hand and was looking at the time while shaking his head.

He had beautiful jeweled rings on every finger and a thick gold bracelet on his right hand.

He sorta limped his way to us and he used a cane with a wolf's head as he made his way to us.

"Well, good evening gentlemen.  How y'all doin'?  My name is Nicholas Desmarais and welcome to our stablishment."

The little man spoke with a southern drawl.

My dad took a step forward and shook Mr.Desmarai's hand.

"Thank-you, for having us.  I'm Alec Rhodes and this is my son Riley.  Officer Brawn told us about your nice stablishment."

Mr.Desmarais didn't look to please at hearing Officers Brawn's name.

"Umm, yes.  I just got off with the phone with him.  It seems that he must have overlooked one very important point, no children allowed. "

Mr.Desmarais made an unpleasant face as he looked at me.

Short, little fuck!

"We seem to have a small problem, Mr.Rhodes.  We, don't let minors in and your son is, how old?"

My dad motioned me to come forward.

"Riley is 15 going on 16 and he'll be with me the whole time.  You have my word that he won't wonder around."

I looked at my dad inquisitively.

15 going on 16?

I just turned 15.   Where is he going with this?

"Well, Mr.Rhodes, as fine as that may be.  Your son could be 17 going on 18 and he still wouldn't be allowed in.  But, you were given an invitation by one our very esteemed members and we'll honour that...this time!"

My dad sighed and shook Mr.Desmarai's hand once again.

"Thank-you, we appreciate it."

Mr.Desmarais sighed and led the way.

The front lobby was huge and spacious.

A beautiful and large crystal chandelier hung above the entrance and a gigantic fireplace burned in the background.

The lobby had a white and well polished marble floor but it was mostly empty.  

For the exception of a few chairs decorated in the French, Louis XIV style.

There were also different type of masks, heads of sphinxes and satyrs that decorated the grand lobby.

Most of the woodwork of the furniture was made up of ebony, walnut and oak.  

Everything looked ancient, yet regal, well maintained and beautiful.

Gigantic ferns in porcelain pots were situated around the lobby.

"If you two fine gentlemen would follow me, I'll give you a quick tour.  It's quite late and most of our guests are(clears throat) in bed."

My dad smiled and winked at me.

I just rolled my eyes.

"Now, our modest abode was constructed in 1866 by General Lafayette Stuart, who decided to leave his home of Augusta, Georgia and settle here after the Civil War.
Given the name of Bacchus, Liber or Bacchus, the free the plantation has gone through many, many enlargements, renovations and restorations over the years.  

It was recreated with the real sense and embodiment of the Old South.  Bacchus offers you a lasting impression of Southern Hospitality and a chance to enjoy the luxuries of days gone by."

I wanted to say, where's Scarlett and Mammy?  

But, I bit my lip and held my tongue.  I'm sure that would get us thrown out and dad wouldn't be too happy about it, either.

Mr.Desmarais continued with the tour and at times, I'd tune him out and just wonder at the immensity and beauty of this place.

"This southern mansion, embodies the glorious days of the Old South, an enchanting era when elegance and style were a way of life.  The "golden days" may be gone forever, but the grace, grandeur and romance of the Antebellum South live on at Bacchus, where uncommon excellence and hospitality are still a way of life."

I looked at my dad and he looked at me.  We both just stared in silence and agreed that this guy was stuck(mentally) in the Old South.

What, a loon.

"Now, on the second, third and fourth floor are the guest bedrooms.  On the West wing, you'll find the Exercise room, tennis, basketball and squash court, on the East wing there's the Olympic size swimming pool and jacuzzis, and on the North wing you'll find the steam, dry and wet sauna.  They're all open 24 hrs."

Mr.Desmarais quickly looked at me while saying.

"Except to you, young Mr.Rhodes.  You will stay in your room the whole time."

I looked at my dad and he made a face that seemed to say, just go along with it.  

So, I did.

"Yes, Sir."

Mr.Desmarais managed a weak, yet fake smile.

"I'm glad we're clear on that."
  
My dad nodded.

"Perfect, then I will now take you to your room."

"I'm sorry to say that all the 90 of our rooms are taken.  However, we have a single bed in a tiny room that at one time was used by our caretaker, it's the only one available."

My dad looked at me while he shrugged his massive shoulders.

"We'll take it, beggars can't be choosers."

Mr.Desmarais managed another fake smile.

On the way to our room, we passed a Grand marble Staircase.  

I pictured a young and beautiful Scarlett O'Hara and her southern belles parading down the staircase to meet their gentleman callers.

Oh, fiddle-dee-dee!

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something that caught my eye.

On the top of the Grand Staircase hung a life sized painting of General Lafayette Stuart.

Mr.Desmarais kept walking and talking, while my dad walked behind.

I stopped and stared from the bottom of the staircase at General Stuart.  

I wasn't expecting him to be so, handsome.

The painting depicted General Lafayette wearing his Confederate uniform with Bacchus, Liber in the background.

Underneath the date read, General William Lafayette Stuart 1806-1872.

His painting depicted him very tall and regal.  He had short and neatly trimmed red hair, with matching red beard and grey eyes.

I was awe struck, so strong looking, so good looking.

I jumped when Mr.Desmarais tapped my shoulder.

"I'm sorry, young Mr.Rhodes.  Please, forgive for having startled you."

I shrugged my shoulders and smiled.

"Is that him?"

I pointed towards the painting.

Mr.Desmarais' green eyes sparkled as he looked at the painting.

"Yes, that is the General in the prime of his youth."

I smiled, as my dad joined us.

I was really taken by this painting and heard myself ask.

"Did, he ever marry?"

I didn't want to take my eyes off it.

"No, I'm afraid not.  After the war he simply retired to Bacchus and opened the mansion to both Confederate and Union soldiers who were left amputees due to the war.

I nodded.

Mr.Desmarais extended his right hand and motioned to follow.

"Shall, we?"

My dad was silently looking at me.  But, I took one more quick peek at the painting oand followed Mr.Desmarais.

"As I was saying, the caretaker's room is located in the basement."

I looked at my dad and gave him an angry look.

Again, my dad just shrugged his shoulders.

We went down the basement and it was dimly lit.  Water slowly trickled down one moldy wall.

"Again, I apologize for this, but this is all we have available."

We walked down a dark hallway and eventually found a room with a plaque that read, Caretaker.

Mr.Desmarais opened the door and the room was the size of my closet back home.

I rolled my eyes and must have said outloud,

"Are you kidding me?"

My dad pushed me inside, while he stood in the doorway.

"Thank-you, once again Mr.Desmarais.  We'll be gone first light."

Mr.Desmarais nodded his head and started walking away.

"Oh, and the washrooms on this floor are all the way down the hall."

My dad nodded and waved.

As Mr.Desmarais walked away, I could heard him say.  

"And please, young Mr.Rhodes.  Stay in your room."

My dad closed the door behind him and was now facing me.

"I know, it's a dump.  I agree, but trust me son, I've stayed in much worse."

I rolled my eyes and walked over to a rickety, old bed.

The single and dim lightbulb in the room kept flickering.

"Great, that's just great."

My dad sighed, walked over to me and put his huge hands on my shoulders.

"Riley, it's just for the night.  We'll crash soon enough and before you know it will be morning and we'll be gone."

I shook my head.

"But, look at the bed, dad.  How are we both going to fit?"

My dad looked at the bed and scratched his head.

"Yeah, you're right.  I guess the old caretaker used to be a little person."

I rolled my eyes and went to get my stuff out of the vanity case.

I took out my toothbrush, toothpaste and face towel.

My dad was looking at his Blackberry and typing away.

"Dad, am I allowed to go to the bathroom and brush my teeth?"

My dad opened the door, peered outside and gave me the thumps up.

"Allright, but make it quick."

I sighed and headed towards the bathroom.

The place was very quiet.

Eerily quiet, actually.

I made my way down the dark hallway and stood in front of a door that read.

Men's Washroom

I went inside and was actually surprised that it was somewhat, well lit.

Three of the mirrors on the sink were broken , so I took the last one.  And as I looked at myself in the mirror, I looked tired.

I brushed my teeth, cleaned my face with my towel and moisturized.  I figured that since I was in here, I might as well take a piss.

I walked over to the urinals and they were beyond gross.

It reeked of stale piss.

"Ugg, this is disgusting!"

Two were broken and the water was running down to the floor and into a clogged, floor drain.

The entire floor was sticky, slippery and wet.

The third one was filled to the brim with cigarette butts and the fourth one seemed fine, but when I touched the lever, no water came out.

"Perfect, just perfect.  Stupid Officer Brawn, it's his damm fault we're here."

I did my best in cleaning up and headed back.

My dad was still talking to someone on the phone when I walked into the room.

"Yeah, allright. I gotta go, I'll see you then."

He hung up and gave me a weak smile.

"You ready to get into bed, champ?"

I nodded.

"Well, I spoke to my boss and he understands our situation.  So, he'll see me day after tomorrow."

I nodded.

I looked around this sad room and wished I was back home in my cozy and extremely clean room.

My dad took off his shirt and I looked away.

I'd never undressed in front of my father and this felt weird.

I undressed with my back to him and quickly took out my silk pajamas from my vanity case.

I checked the bed for bedbugs or anything else that might be crawling under the sheets and then got into bed.

My dad was going to sleep in his boxer briefs  and nothing else.

He smiled as he turned off the light.

The room was pitch black, you couldn't even see your hand in front of your face.

The bed was small and there was hardly any room to move.

I could feel my dad's body heat and faint scent of aftershave and I instantly started to get a stirring in my groin.

I closed my eyes and though of other things to keep my mind occupied.

The last French test that I almost failed.

Mrs.Jackson, my 65 year old Spanish teacher in her underwear.

C'on, anything to keep me from getting a hardon.

My dad yawned and said.

"Goodnight, champ.  Try, to get some sleep."

I cleared my throat and barely said.

"You too, dad.  Goodnight."

In the distance another storm was brewing and you could hear the crackling of thunder.

Eventually, I fell asleep...

To be continued...