Attention Nifty Readers: If you enjoy this story or others on Nifty, please send a generous donation to Nifty.org to help support and maintain this free service so it may continue to remain available to everyone. Also, if you enjoy a particular story, it costs you nothing to send an e-mail to the author to let them know you appreciate their hard work creating these stories for you to read. A compliment or a couple of words of encouragement goes a long way to stimulate creativity... or anything else you might have in mind. ~ Thanks. Waddie Greywolf

Him Who Made The Seven Stars
By Waddie Greywolf

Chapter 15

"The class which has the power to steal the wealth from a nation upon a large scale also has the power to control the government and legalize their crimes." ~ Eugene Debs 1918

The next morning Billy gathered his posse in preparation for transporting back to the ranch. Moss and Enoch couldn’t thank Billy, Nick, Hank, Buck, Boomer, and the dwarf warriors, Mace and Picard, enough. The big retiring cowboys were changed men. They weren’t nearly so reserved or quiet. They were relaxed, congenial, and had a hug and a kiss for everyone. There was no doubt they were falling in love, and they were so full of each other they radiated it out onto those they loved. It only seemed to make them stronger in their personal resolve their relationship was right for them. No one doubted the seriousness of their intent.

“The herbal tea we drank last night, was it the stuff Dociean was talking about being a gold mine?” Enoch asked.

“Yes, it was. Did you enjoy it?” Billy asked.

“Enjoy it? That’s putting it mildly. That shit is dynamite. I ain’t never experienced a sensation like I done with my buddy on them herbs. The best part is, once you settle down for the evening, they put you out like a light, but there ain’t no hangover the next morning. Me and Moss being cowboys and all, you men probably cain’t tell, but after sharing an evening with my partner like we done, I think he’s pretty dang special,” Enoch said and grinned. The men laughed at his jest. “I don’t know’s we’d need them herbs ever’time we get together, but once in a while would be something to look forward to as a special treat. Dociean is right, Billy. You gotta’ consider give’n that project your number one priority. It could easily become a dependable, sustainable income on which to build the rest your fortune to finance a strong movement. It’s a unique agricultural product which you have exclusive distribution rights to and once word gets out you can name your price and get it. If you need help designing and building growing houses, let us know. We’ll be happy to assist Dociean and Dorcas with research into the possibilities and crunch some numbers,” Enoch said. “Maybe there’s a couple of folks in the herd what know design and drafting who have a talent or background in mechanical and architectural engineering. If not there’s several open source software programs what will do the job,” he added.   

“How do you know these things, Enoch?” Billy asked.

“I got a master’s degree in business management from the University of Texas. I specialized and wrote my master’s thesis on the creation of entrepreneurial businesses, their success, and reasons for failure. I graduated summa cum laude last fall,” he said proudly and continued, “I tried to get a job, but there’s little interest in my specialty now that everything is run by super-mega corporations. Most innovative entrepreneurial start up companies are eventually gobbled up by a larger corporation. They ruthlessly destroy the core base of operations and take over leaving the employees and the original owner holding the bag. If the founder of the company is lucky enough and plays his cards right, he might get one tenth of one percent what the actual market value of the company might be worth. That may sound like small potatoes, but for an individual what ain’t had much, it can amount to a personal fortune. Most are happy with the lump sum, which they spend foolishly and are broke within ten years; however, the net sum he gets ain’t nearly what he might have been worth if he continued to own and run the company his’self. It’s called swimming in shark infested waters. It’s designed to feed the biggest and most ravenous appetites,” Enoch added.

Billy felt the familiar touch in his mind of his demon dad. << Don’t let this one get away, Son. Without a doubt, he was sent to you, and he ain’t only big and handsome, beneath the cowboy lingo, he’s got a brilliant mind. This man will make you and him more money than you ever dreamed possible. >> Nick said without nuance.

<< Got yore’ message, Tonto, loud and clear, >> Billy replied.

“You got a job with me if’n you want it, Hoss,” Billy said, “To start, I’ll offer you the same’s I offered your buddy and his dad with promises of yearly raises after that depending on our net income for the previous year. It might be tough for a couple of years, but once we get rolling, you’ll be on board a steady money train which will only pick up steam as it rolls along,” Billy said.

“I don’t know if I can right now, Billy. I just started work for my cousin a couple of weeks ago. I owe him a lot, and I cain’t let him down. Since he ain’t got his regular delivery man, and he knows Eustace Barger cain’t be trusted, he’ll probably promote me to Orville’s job,” Enoch said.

“It’s an open offer, Cowboy. You should know more by this e’nin since they’s coming for Sunday dinner. Maybe they’s more’n one possibility. Perhaps you could work for him part-time and do both jobs. We won’t know what he has in mind until we can sit down and talk with him. Work for him until he can find somebody he trusts. Come work with us when he don’t have no deliveries. How often does he sell big equipment?” Billy asked.  
 
“Three, maybe four times a month. Rarely over five,” Enoch replied.

“What do you do in the meantime?” Billy asked.

“Sit on my ass and do meaningless paperwork to keep busy. Hell, Orville never done that. He’d sit in a damn bar all day and wait for Tom to call him,” Enoch said in disgust.

“If you decide you want to work with us, Enoch, it will happen for you. We know you belong here. Let’s just take it a day at a time, and I got faith it will work out to everyone’s satisfaction,” Billy said.

“I hope so. You folks come to mean an awful lot to me, Billy,” Enoch said quietly.

The men said goodbye to Hank and Buck’s apprentice groomers, Mace and Picard. The warriors were so taken with their new master and his family they shed tears and had to have a hug and a kiss from each one. Everyone sucked on Hank and Buck’s tits in the dungeon and drained them several times. They were primed and started producing milk on a larger demand basis. That’s exactly what Billy hoped for. He could see they were going to need more watcher milk. They transported back to the ranch just as the dawn was breaking and everyone was getting up for the day. Nathan and Tron saw the bright flash of light as they walked up the porch steps to the front door. They were laughing their asses off. They saw Billy and his crew and laughed even harder.

“You two buckaroo’s must a' had a wonderful evening,” Billy said with a tinge of sarcasm and everyone laughed.

“We did, indeed, young’un, it rained a bit last night, but we’s snug and warm in the Garrett’s hunter’s cabin. They’s just some’um magical about the sound of rain on a tin roof what puts a man’s soul at ease,” Nathan wax philosophic.
 
“To say nothing of being close to someone you love,” Billy added.

“Cain’t gainsay that, Cowboy,” Nathan agreed, and they shared a laugh, “But that ain’t what we’s laugh’n about. We got to the front gate, and they’s three TV trucks with dishes on top lined up out front, and that fat ass little pentecostal preacher sit’n in his Mercedes ahead of the lot of them. He was gonna’ do a Pearl Harbor number on us -- an early morning surprise visit, but they cain’t get through the gate,” Nathan said, which set him and Tron off on another round of laughter.
 
“Why not, Uncle?” Billy asked.

“Them cattle must a’ heard they’s a’ coming, and they blocked the road so’s they can’t drive up to the house. I doubt they’d let ‘em try’n walk up either. I went to them and introduced myself to the two lead bulls, Zeus and Thor. I told Tron to stay in his truck, and when I got them to part, to pull on in and stop. They let us drive in, and while I got into the truck them thoughtful critters moved back into place behind us to block the road again, and we drove on up to the house,” Nathan said and laughed again. This time everyone was laughing.

“I do so love myself some Irin cattle,” Billy said, “Extra rations for our protective warrior-cows," he added. Billy’s family agreed and laughed.

Kate, Roz, Dorcas, and the rest of the household joined them and caught the last of Nathan’s story. The ranch phone began to ring. “And our day begins,” Kate said and laughed as she answered the phone, “Daniels ranch, Kate Daniels speaking,” she said.

“Ms. Daniels, this is pastor Womack. I’m out here to the gate in front of your property. I thought I’d pay you an early morning visit before you got your day started to speak with young Billy Daniels, but I can’t get in. There’s a bunch of woolly cows blocking the road. Send some cowboys down here immediately to clear the way for me and three TV trucks what want to interview Billy,” he demanded.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Womack, I just got up. I told you not to come out here. We’re too busy this weekend to accommodate you. Billy was away from the ranch for the night, and I don’t know whether he’s back or not. I haven’t got time to talk with you. I got to get breakfast ready for my family, but I’ll let you talk with my son, Nathan,” Kate said, shaking her head in disgust, handing the phone to her son who looked at his mother like the fleeting thought of matricide brought him some small comfort.

“Womack! This is Nathan Daniels. I thought that might a’ been you in the black Mercedes. Why ain’t you back in town get’n ready for church? Ain’t that what they pay you for? What the hell you doing stalk’n our property this ungodly hour of the morning? Hell far and damnation, man, I ain’t even had ma’ first cup of coffee yet, and I guaran-damn-tee-ya’ I ain’t a nice man until I do!” he said firmly.

“That’s ‘Pastor’ Womack to you, Cowboy, and don’t you forget it!” Clarence Womack said with equal anger. “As the recognized spiritual leader of our community, it’s my right and duty to investigate and get to the bottom of this so called miracle your nephew was involved with in Fredericksburg yesterday afternoon. It’s my duty to explore and determine whether it was truly a divinely inspired miracle, a work of the devil, or nothing more than a cheap trick,” he said, “I demand you get somebody down here to remove these cows or there will be consequences,” Womack yelled over the phone. Everyone in the room heard him.

“Your duty? Recognized spiritual leader?” Nathan laughed, “What a load of bullshit! Recognized by who? What the hell are you talk’n about? You ain’t even our preacher. We don’t go to your church. We’s members of the Methodist church. You ain’t got no legitimate claim to make any kind of judgment about my nephew let alone how or why it happened. Spiritual leader, my ass! I think there’s six other preachers in town of more respectable churches than your holy roll’n tabernacle, what’s lived here a lot longer than you, who might wanna’ argue that point with you, but until it’s decided and I’m shown a legitimate official document, you’s just another ignorant bible thumping clown what’s look’n to suck the tit of sensationalism for fame and fortune. I seen what your kind can do, and you ain’t got no truck with me or my family,” Nathan shot back with deadly aim.

“You better be careful what you say, Cowboy. I could file blasphemy charges against you and your family and get everything you own for our church and the work of the Lord,” Womack threatened.

“You ain’t never dealt with cowboys much have you, Womack? You threaten a rancher what’s lived in this community all his life, when you ain’t nothing but some uneducated loudmouthed upstart religion peddler what ain't never put in an honest day's work in his life, he’s libel to take matters into his own hands, and you won’t like what he does; that is, if’n you live to tell about it,” Nathan said coldly, “Oh, and another thing, you try’n push them cows out of the way with your car, and you so much as harm one of them critters, I got the right to shoot you on the spot. No questions asked! This land is considered open range country, the laws are different, and they ain’t been changed since the eighteen-hundreds. If you don’t know about ‘em, you better check with your lawyer afore you do anything foolish. You been warned. Don’t spoil my Sunday by make’n me shoot a man what’s trespassing on my land; especially one what thinks he’s as important as you do,” Nathan said coldly.

“I’ll get to the bottom of this if I have to sit here all damn day, Daniels. Something about this whole thing reeks of hypocrisy. Mark my word, I will speak to Billy Daniels today!” Womack yelled into the phone.

“I bow to your words, preacher. You certainly should know about hypocrisy, driving a hun’nert thousand dollar car to administer Jesus’s word to the poor,” Nathan said and hung up on him. “What a way to start our day. I feel terrible ‘cause I lied to the man,” Nathan sighed.

“How’s that, Uncle?” Billy asked.

“I feel just fine this morning. I ain’t grumpy a ‘tall. I got a smile on me face and a song in ma’ heart. After last night, nothing could get to me today, not even that money grub’n little som’bitch,” Nathan replied and grinned. Everyone laughed at him. Tron blushed. “Recognized spiritual leader my ass. He just wants to use you, Son, to bring him fame and fortune. When a preacher in a small town drives a brand new Mercedes, you gotta’ know he didn’t become a preacher to save men’s souls,” Nathan added in disgust.

“Amen to that, Brother!” Tron exclaimed, “He don’t know nothing about brotherly love,” he said and laughed. Everyone got his double meaning and laughed.

“I’m so sorry to put you through that, Uncle Nathan. I guess I didn’t use good judgment yesterday. I didn’t think about today’s electronic gadgets being everywhere. I’ll try to use more caution from now on,” Billy said sadly.

“Nonsense, boy, you done the right thing by that little boy. Don’t chu’ worry none, your family will stand behind you a hun’nert percent,” Nathan declared and everyone agreed with him. Archie and Edith came into the living room. They stayed in their room for a day or so to let Edith completely recharge herself from the trauma of being wounded. They were in much better spirits. They wanted to know if they should stay in their room and hide from the guests they had coming from Houston.

“Absolutely not!” Billy exclaimed quietly, “You’re my family. Not to worry. They’ll adjust. Just be your sweet charming selves and ever’thing will be all right,” he assured them. “Same with you, Boomer. Just be yourself,” Billy said, then with a twinkle in his eye he added, “It’s Hank and Buck we gotta’ worry about. They loved being Bigfoot last night so much they just might get excited and morph right before our guests,” he said and laughed. He got a laugh out of the rest of his family including Buck and Hank.

“We gotta’ morph to get milked anyways, Master,” Buck said.

Kate returned from the kitchen with a plastic gallon jug of milk in her hand. “No rush on the milk. Roz just looked in the fridge on the back porch, and there’s four gallon jugs of milk sitting there. Roz and I sampled each one, and it’s definitely watcher milk. No doubt about it. Somebody’s looking out for us,” Kate said. The room was silent for a few minutes. They looked to Billy for an answer.

“Well, we can use it, but we still gotta’ milk Boom, Hank, and Buck. Just like cows we gotta’ milk 'em to keep 'em producing. The only thing what comes to mind is they know some’um we don’t and are making sure we got enough milk to do the job,” he said.

“Sounds reasonable to me, Son,” Kate agreed.

“Which reminds me. I need to start morphing into a Bigfoot. I got Boomer’s genetic info in me. Ain’t no reason I shouldn’t be milked as well. I ain’t about to let Hank and Buck have all the fun,” Billy said and laughed.

“I wish’t we had a video camera up to the front gate,” Nathan said.

“You have fifteen hundred of them up there, sir,” Dociean said, “Each cow has three cameras on them. If master Billy will allow us to use his laptop we can tap into the feed. Dorcas and I know the codes,” he added.

“No problem. I’d like to keep an eye on that miserable little charlatan myself. I’ll be right back,” Billy said and disappeared in a flash of light. He reappeared almost as quickly with his trusty laptop in his hand. “Love myself some instant-transport. Saves wear and tear on my leg muscles running up and down them stairs,” he said and got a laugh out of everyone. He sat down on the couch between Archie and Edith, fired-up the small computer, and entered his password code. The logo for Ubuntu operating system came up. Edith and Archie were fascinated with the computer. Billy set it on the big wooden coffee table in front of the couch and motioned for Dociean to take over.

“Do you have a program which will operate and receive video from a remote source?” Dociean asked.

“Fraid not,” Billy replied.

“May we see your computer for a moment, Master Billy?” Archie asked.

“Sure,” he replied and handed it to his pets.

Archie and Edith didn’t touch the keyboard. They put their hands over the keyboard, and the screen began to go crazy. It was flashing information across the screen faster than the human eye could keep track and went on and on for several minutes until finally the picture returned to the main page and Edith and Archie moved their hands away. “He has a program now, sir,” Edith said softly with a smile. She hit one key on Billy’s laptop, and a blue screen came up calling for entry codes and feed specifications. Dociean typed in the specs and six squares came up on the screen; feeds from six different cameras. Dociean moved the cursor to the one closest to the gate and clicked on it. The screen was filled with the preacher’s car. Around it stood Womack and several reporters from the TV trucks.

“Can you manipulate the camera, or is it fixed on the cow?” Billy asked.

“No. We have complete control of it. Once we sign off, it will default to the cow it’s assigned to,” Dorcas said.

“Can you move it close enough to hear their conversation?” Billy asked.

“No problem, Boss,” Dociean said and giggled like a school boy. Billy was sure his Irin slave was having way too much fun.

“All we have to do is wait,” they heard Womack say, “They’re expecting guests from Houston for Sunday dinner, and when they arrive, we’ll just form a caravan and follow them up to the house. They wouldn’t dare do anything with all this camera equipment around. If that cowboy thinks he can outsmart Clarence Womack he’s got another think coming. I hope he does shoot at me. We’ll have him on video trying to harm a man of the cloth, a man of God, who only came to visit to save his soul in the name of the Lord, and you can bet I will press charges against him. I’ll see his bony cowboy butt behind bars. You just wait and see! I’ll teach that redneck moron a thing or two,” Clarence Womack bragged and puffed out his poppin-fresh doughboy chest. Everyone in the room broke up laughing at his pomposity and braggadocios manner.
 
“My cowboy ain’t got no bony butt, you fat ass som’bitch! It’s about the sweetest damn butt I ever’ done seen on a buckaroo!” Tron yelled at the laptop. Everyone in the room roared with laughter.
   
“Ah, shucks, Brother, that’s jes’ about the sweetest thing anybody’s ever said about me,” Nathan shot back, and they laughed some more. Billy was happy to see his uncle and neighbor were loosening up.

“Bring your laptop with you to the kitchen. If we don’t get breakfast underway we won’t have time for much else. You can watch and listen in there,” Kate said.  

Everyone moved to the kitchen and automatically went to work. The twins knew the routine and so did Hank and Buck. They had breakfast on the table and sat down to eat in less than an hour. They had a leisurely meal and everyone was in a good mood. They finished, and while the twins, Kate’s lady helpers, Buck and Hank cleared the table, the others scraped, rinsed, put the dishes into the dishwasher, and turned it on to cycle. They were casually watching Billy’s laptop when a large black limo pulled up to the front gate.

“That’s them!” Enoch exclaimed, “That’s my cousins travel’n car. Since her illness, it’s the only car Grandma Redbone will ride in,” he said.

The ranch phone rang. “Hello, Daniels ranch. That you at the front gate, Tom?” Nathan asked.

“Yes, sir, but why are these other folks out here? And why are these cows blocking the road?” Tom McMartin asked.

“We’ll explain later, but right now listen to me carefully. We don’t want them other folks bothering us today. We already done told them we got guests coming, and we ain’t got time to talk with them. The fat one in the Mercedes is a preacher who likes to throw his weight around and thinks he can force us to cave to his demands by intimidation. Us county folk don’t readily respond to his kind of bullying,” Nathan said.

“I’m well aware of that, Mr. Daniels. What am I to do? How can I help?” Tom asked.

“See them two big bulls with the horns there in front of the herd?” he asked.

“Yes, sir. They’s fine looking critters,” Tom replied.

“Walk up to them and introduce yourself. The one on the right is ‘Thor’ and the one on the left is ‘Zeus.’ Tell them you’re the guests the Daniels are expecting, and they’ll part to let you through. Just make sure Womack don’t follow you when you talk with them. Got that?” Nathan asked.

“This ain’t some cowboy prank is it, Mr. Daniels?” Tom asked suspiciously.

“Naw, sir, you gotta’ trust me on this one, Tom,” Nathan said.

They watched as Tom McMartin got out of his limo, and saw the unctuous fat ass preacher waddled up to him and stick out his hand. Tom took it and shook it. “I’m Clarence Womack the religious leader of our community, and you must be the folks from Houston the Daniels are expecting,” he said like an oily worm.

“Yes, we are,” Tom replied.

“Fine. Good. That’s wonderful. Glad to hear it. We’re expected too, but we can’t get them cows out of the way. They been blocking the road all morning. And your name would be?” Womack asked.

“I didn’t say,” Tom said coldly, “I’ll go see if I can get them to move aside for us to pass,” Tom said.

“We already done tried it, but go on, knock yourself out, Cowboy,” Womack said with disdain, “In the meantime, I’ll just pull in behind you and follow you up to the house. I’m sure they’ll be delightfully surprised to see me,” he added and headed for his Mercedes.

Tom McMartin felt like a fool walking toward the cows standing across the road. He stood directly in front of the two bulls and spoke, “Howdy, Gentlemen, my name is Tom McMartin, and I believe you are Zeus and you must be Thor,” he said.

“That’s right, Mr. McMartin, I’m Zeus, and welcome to the Daniels ranch. Sorry for the roadblock, sir, but we have some unwanted and unwelcome visitors behind you. Now, if you will be so kind to get back into your automobile and slowly drive toward us we will part and allow you to pass far enough for us to fill in behind you before we allow you to go further. Once we do, we will move aside and you will have a clear road from there. We hope you enjoy your visit, Mr. McMartin, and once again, we apologize for the inconvenience,” Zeus said eloquently.

“What about the preacher? He thinks he’s going to tailgate me up to the house,” Tom asked.

“His engine will die the minute you start yours. He won’t be able to start it again until you’re safely inside our herd for protection. By then, we will have blocked his way again,” Thor replied.

Tom McMartin laughed and just shook his head, “I won’t ask any more questions. Your plan sounds intelligent and reasonable. I’m grateful for your assistance, Gentlemen. Thank you for your gentility and cooperation,” he said, turned and walked back to his car.

“What was that all about, Tom?” Zelma asked her grandson.

“I’ll answer your question in a minute, Grandma. Right now, I gotta’ maneuver this here cayuse in amongst them cows,” Tom said using his best cowboy speak.

“Music to my ears to hear you lapse back into Texas speak, Grandson,” Zelma said and grinned.

It went off like clockwork. Tom started his engine and saw the frustration on Womack’s face as his engine immediately died. Tom slowly moved toward the herd. They obligingly moved out of the way for him to drive among them, but only for the length of his car, and he stopped. He watched as the cattle began to fill in behind him all the way to the gate, and saw Womack pounding his fist on his steering wheel, foaming at the mouth, and his face red with anger and rage. Tom relaxed and sighed deeply. “Okay, Grandma, it’s time for the truth. What in the name of some unknown god have you got us into this time?” he demanded and grinned.

“Whatever are you talking about, Thomas?” Zelma asked and looked at him like she was shocked, but with a wry grin on her pretty face.

“I just carried on an intelligent conversation with them two bulls I was standing before. They were polite and well spoken, by the way. They’re guarding the entryway to the Daniels’ ranch like soldiers. Come hell or high-water, they’s bound and determined they ain’t gonna’ let that preacher or them TV trucks onto the ranch,” Tom said still using cowboy lingo. He was almost yelling at his grandmother. He was laughing at the same time at the surreal absurdity of the situation.

The front seats of the limo were cut off from the rear by a hydraulic tinted window so his wife and kids could watch videos or play games on the trip down. They couldn’t hear Tom or Zelma's conversation. Zelma Redbone slapped her knee and almost doubled over with laughter. “Well, isn’t it a comfort to find cows these days what can carry on an intelligent conversation? There’s so many really dumb cows out there, never bothering to think for themselves, just following the herd," she said and laughed, “Never a dull moment with your old grandma, huh, kid?” she asked.

“For God’s sake, Auntie Mame was a weak amateurish harridan compared to growing up under your wing, Grandma. Cain’t says it ain’t been fun, though. That poor old thing should have applied to take lessons from Hurricane Zelma, the Texas Twisted Sister,” Tom shot back in jest.
 
It only caused Zelma to laugh more. “Why, thank you, Dear, that’s one of the nicest things you ever said to me. Mame did apply, but I turned her down. She didn’t have enough spirit. The cows have parted, Grandson, you may drive on now,” she said and made a grand gesture with her hand scarf she carried with her everywhere. She watched so many Zazu Pitts movies she copied her wrist inflections perfectly.

Tom put the car in gear and slowly began to drive up the road. “Does this have anything to do with that Walmart incident what happened in Fredericksburg yesterday?” he asked.

“It has everything to do with it, Tom. Billy Daniels is the real thing. For lack of a better term, he’s the messiah all them crazy religions have been looking, hoping, and searching for, for centuries,” Zelma laid it on the line.

“Grandma. Reason dictates I should stop the car right now and tell you it’s time we found you a nice comfy room at the ‘Shady Rest’ happy farm for seniors what’s lost their minds, but greater reason would intervene. I would be obliged to rent one next to you for myself because I just carried on a conversation with two animals what ain’t suppose to talk. Can Billy Daniels really do miracles, Grandma?” Tom asked point blank with sincerity.

“You showed me pictures of Enoch’s leg. It looked pretty bad to me, but today, you said he was doing a buck and wing with the other cowboys. That’s a pretty complicated high stepping dance. How do you think he got better so quickly?” Zelma asked.

“I wondered about that myself. I asked Enoch, but he wouldn’t say -- told me he would explain later.  Now you’re telling me you think Billy healed his leg?” Tom asked in reply.

“Exactly, Tom. One plus one equals two. There’s no other explanation,” Zelma said.

“Billy Daniels is only eighteen years old,” Tom said almost to himself.

“It’s the age a young master gives up his childhood and reaches out for the knowledge of the universe. He already has walked among the stars, Tom, and he’s returned to gather his flock. He has assembled his immediate family, and I’m happy to say, one of our own has been chosen to become his older big brother,” Zelma said.

“Wonder how long Billy will live before they crucify the poor kid?” Tom said with more sympathy than sarcasm.

“He’s not going to confirm any of their crazy beliefs, Tom. If I’m correct, he will be completely god-less, and he, himself, will never claim to be more than an artificially enhanced human; a simple cowboy; a humble man of the Earth. He’s been enhanced to balance the equation between good and evil. Our world is running on empty when it comes to goodness toward our fellow man and all the religions of the world have played into the hands of evil quite well. Look at the new Catholic Pope who named himself Peter the Roman. To the Jesus and Jehovah Zombies they believe he is the second coming, and they're all falling in line behind him. Those of us with an ounce of reason know he’s the personification of evil. We don’t need any spiritual leader or scripture to tell us. His actions speak for themselves.

“I know you and I don’t see eye to eye politically, Tom, but if it weren’t for the money your family already had, which was left to them by your granddaddy, you would have a much harder life than you enjoy today. However, since the far right wing of our country has completely taken over our government and we’re living in a Theocracy brought about under the satanic auspices of the Roman Catholic Church in league with American fundamentalist and supported by Corporate Socialism, I’ve watched you slowly change. I think your gorgeous and faithful wife has contributed significantly to your change. I don’t know how many times I’ve told you it was the smartest damn thing you ever did was to marry that woman. Somehow, I also think Enoch has influenced a small part of your change. My best guess, is -- take a deep breath and relax, Tom, this is gonna’ hurt -- I think you just might be developing a conscience,” Zelma said.

“I don’t know, Grandma. As painful as it is, I’ll admit my passion for right wing politics has dwindled to the point I don’t give to any organizations they endorse anymore. To be honest, I’m confused and floundering for answers for a better way to raise my boys, but I think Abigale just might hold the key. I had my doubts about her insisting to home school our boys, but I don’t anymore. They’re smarter, more well mannered, and behave better than other kids their age. They can even carry on an intelligent conversation. I guess it’s every parent’s wish to want more for his children, but what I want for my boys ain’t more money. I will see they start life comfortably, as my grandparents and parents did for me. I want more self-satisfaction and happiness for them I somehow missed growing up,” Tom lamented. “Does that sound ungrateful to my parents, you, and granddad?” Tom asked.

“No. Not at all, Tom. You were raised with money and learned early how to make it. Then you learned to make it work for you. Today, you’re one of the top five most successful and wealthy men in Texas. I know your dad and granddad would be proud of you. And for what it’s worth, I’m very proud of you, my beloved Grandson,” Zelma said.

“Why do I get the feeling you feel more for Enoch than me?” Tom asked.

“Nonsense! Pure balderdash. If that were true, Enoch would be managing my investment portfolio and not you. I love you as my Grandson, the solid rock. You’re the voice of reason and temperance in our family. You keep us centered and focused. Enoch, is a W.I.P.,” she said.

“What’s a W.I.P., Grandma?” Tom asked.

“A work in progress. He has the soul of a dreamer and stars in his eyes, but not just any stars -- he has greater things in mind. You talk about floundering. My God that poor boy’s been a mess since he graduated college, but I think -- I hope -- he’s found his calling in life this weekend, and believe me when I tell you, he will make more money than you, your dad, your granddaddy, and great granddad put together. He’s just about to hitch his wagon to a star, and it will carry him to places we can only dream about. He has a spark of gentleness and compassion for his fellow man inside him which will be nurtured by his new family and will grow until he becomes a beacon in the night for lost souls to call upon,” Zelma said like she was reading a holy tome. “I don’t love Enoch a whit more than I love you, Tom. I just love you differently. Neither is better than the other. Unlike the sordid story of Cain and Able, while the gifts you boys bring to me are completely different, they are equal in importance. That’s where the evil god Jehovah screwed up,” she added. What omnipotent, all seeing, loving, and understanding god, would create a situation like that in the first place. Any mother knows, if you favor one child over the other, you can bet it’s bound to create psychological problems. What’s moral about that?” Zelma Redbone asked in disgust.

“Thanks for the words of confidence, Grandma. Along with them cows, they made my day a little brighter,” Tom said and grinned.

“I’ll make you a bet, Thomas,” Zelma said as the ranch house came into view.

“What?” Tom asked.

“Before this day is over, you will be a changed man, but you won’t be ashamed to admit  to your grandmother she was right,” Zelma put to him.

“We’ll see. In a way, I hope you’re right. Any change or a look in a new direction will be carefully considered. Look, they all came out to greet you,” Tom said.

“Us, Tom, they came to greet us,” Zelma corrected her grandson.

Everyone was gathered together like a family portrait. It looked to Tom not unlike a picture of the Addams Family. There was a huge furry monster what looked like a mythological Bigfoot or a giant cousin ‘It.’ The two halflings could easily be their children as Billy had an arm around each one. But the Gibbon ape-like creatures with beautiful wings were enthralling and gave a “Wizard of Oz” meets “Cowboys & Aliens” at the movies effect. Then there was Enoch with his enormous arm around another big cowboy who was just as good looking as Tom’s cousin. They were a fine looking family despite a couple of strange members. On the other hand, thought Tom, what family didn’t have a couple of strange members.

Kate was the first to open the door of the passenger side for Zelma. They were in each other’s arms, hugging, and kissing. “My precious,” Kate called her.

“My little tom-boy genius,” Zelma replied quietly to Kate, and they giggled like school girls together who shared the secrets of their hearts. “It’s so good to see you again, even if it took so long,” Zelma added.

“No matter. When two hearts beat as one, time and distance matter little in the scheme of things, Darling,” Kate assured her.

Tom opened the door for his wife, Abigale, and his two sons Rory (10) and Calhoun (8). (They called the eight year old, Cal -- and, yes, Virginia, they were named after their dad’s favorite western star. I won’t try to explain. If you never lived in Texas, you wouldn’t understand anyway.)

Abigale McMartin was a towering figure of a woman. She was said to be as intelligent as she was beautiful, and she was stunning. She rarely wore heels because flatfooted she was three inches taller than her husband. Even when he dressed for business, Tom always wore western boots with high heels, and standing together, they looked almost the same height. Abigale was the fourth child to be born into her family, and the first female. She was born into a strict fundamentalist home, and her father was so happy to welcome a baby girl into the family they named her 'Abigale,’ which means 'her father’s joy’ in Hebrew. She grew up the middle child of seven with three older brothers and three younger. Life was not easy for a young girl with six brothers, but she adjusted; it made her become strong and wise beyond her years. She lived up to her name, and, indeed, became a great joy to her dad.

Unknown to her family, in college, she slowly began to grow away from her strict beliefs in fundamentalism. She read everything she could on philosophy and religion, and after reading Dawson, Harris, and Hitchen’s work, came to the conclusion she could no longer swallow the swill of myth and superstition. She neither rebelled against her family nor came out to them as a non-believer, so when she decided to home school her boys, everyone just assumed it was to train them to walk in the so-called path of righteousness. Nothing could have been further from the truth. By that time the Theocrats, and particularly the Texas School Board, did away with studies they deemed useless like teaching science, reason, and fine arts. Much to her adoring husband’s dismay, and her liberal mother-in-law’s delight, she home schooled the boys to give them a more humanistic approach to education. She saw too much suffering and hypocrisy brought about by religion in her younger years and saw it created only confusion and fear with very little positive about it. She didn’t want her boys growing up to be mindless Zombie Jesus god-bots towing the party line and doing the dogma drag.

Unlike her husband’s reaction, when Abby caught sight of the family standing before them, her heart leaped to her throat at the most wonderfully bizarre collection of humans and critters she ever saw. She was enthralled and not the least afraid for herself or her boys. It was a good thing, because the first thing Rory and Cal did was make a running assault on Boomer. They were fascinated with the legends of Bigfoot. They scoured the smallest bits on the Internet about them, and had huge posters of Bigfoot monsters on the walls of their bedroom. They had every movie or video they could find about Bigfoot. They ate slept and dreamed about Bigfoot, and low and behold, there before them stood a real one. They didn’t have to ask, they just knew. Boomer could hear them and saw the bright smiles on their young faces. The big monster open his huge arms for them, and they ran full-out to him as fast as their little legs could carry them. He caught them and easily held one in each arm. Boomer exchanged hugs and kisses with them. The boys were in Bigfoot heaven.

Abby turned to Tom and spoke, “My God, this is better than Disney World, Tom,” she said, “Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked.

“Honest to God, Babe, I didn’t know. You ain’t worried?” Tom asked.

“God no! Not in the least. These people won’t harm us or the boys. I never felt safer anywhere in my life than I do right this minute,” Abby replied.

“That’s nice, Dear,” Tom said weakly not really knowing what he thought.

“And the cattle guarding the front gate are not your average Texas cows, are they, Tom?” she asked. “I watched you. You went up and talked with them, didn’t you?” she asked.

“Yes, Dear -- and I swear on my honor as an Eagle Scout, they answered back, Abby. They told me what to do. The others were uninvited and unwanted. They killed the motor on the preacher’s car and wouldn’t let him start it again until they surrounded our car to keep him from crashing our party,” Tom said.

Abigale broke up laughing, threw her arms around her husband, and gave him a big kiss right on the mouth. Tom was surprised but went along. Everyone was hooting and applauding at their public display of affection. Abigale got the biggest smile on her face. She took her husband by the hand like he was her little boy and led him to meet the good folks who came out to greet them. Poor Tom was a mess. He was totally unprepared for what he would learn that day.

* * * * * * *
Boomer’s teats began to work overtime filling his huge chest. He had two young bairns in his arms, and his instincts screamed at him to feed them. They already got past introductions, and he was listening to the boys tell about searching the Net for pictures of watchers or Bigfoot. Boomer was in discomfort. His breast hurt and his tits ached like he never felt them before. His reason told him he shouldn’t offer the boys his milk without his master's permission, but his driven instinct to nurture was stronger than his desire to respect his master.

“Why is your tit leaking, Boomer?” young Cal asked him.

“In my species, it’s the male what feeds the young, and since you two are so young, they automatically start to fill because they want to feed you,” Boomer answered.

“We ain’t babies, Boomer,” Cal said.

“No, of course not, but you don’t have to be babies to enjoy and benefit from my milk. It’s the healthiest and most nutritious food in the universe, and I been told it tastes wonderful,” Boomer explained.

“What’s it taste like?” Rory wanted to know.

“Gently squeeze my tit between your thumb and forefinger and get a little on your finger. Taste it. Some say it tastes like warm vanilla ice cream,” Boomer encouraged the boy.

Rory did as instructed, but more than a little squirted out. He caught it in his other hand. He immediately brought it to his nose and smelled it. It smelled like vanilla. He carefully stuck out his tongue and tasted a little. His face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Damn, that’s good!” he exclaimed and quickly licked the rest from his hand. “I gotta’ have more of that. Can I suck from your tit, Boomer?” Rory asked politely.

“Help yourself, Son, that’s what they’re for,” Boomer replied and smiled.

Cal didn’t bother with a taste test. If his brother thought it was good, it was good enough for him. He wasn’t about to be left out and immediately hooked up to Boomer’s other tit. Boomer was in heaven feeding the two young human bairns. He couldn’t wait for Roz to have Billy junior. No one was paying attention to Boomer and the boys. Enoch was busy introducing everyone to his cousin, his wife, and his grandmother. Kate caught sight of Boomer breast feeding the McMartin boys and grimaced. Tom saw the look on Kate’s face and turned to see what she was looking at. There were his two son’s feeding from the breast of a huge Bigfoot like two shoats attached to their momma.

“What the hell are they doing?” Tom asked like he was distressed.

Billy turned to look, saw what was going on, and laughed. “They’s all right, Mr. McMartin. Boomer’s a Bigfoot or watcher. He’s my slave, my number one protector, and my bonded mate. The males of his species feed the young’uns. Whenever there’s young kids around, his breast fill up, and we have to milk him like a cow. We actually have a milking machine we hook him up to, and we take his special milk to those who are sick or in recovery. We gave Enoch some after we healed his leg, and it helped him heal quicker. Watcher milk is the most nutritious food in the universe and has several benefits other milk don’t have. Your kids will be immune to childhood diseases after drinking Boomer’s milk, and it will correct any defects, fine tune, and stabilize their systems to function at maximum efficiency,” Billy explained.

“Our boys are crazy about the idea of Bigfoot, but they never actually saw one before. He’s amazing,” Abby said. “Will it spoil their dinner?” she asked.

“I don’t think so. I drink it all the time and so do several others. It’s never curbed my appetite,” Billy replied.

Kate took Zelma by the arm and grabbed Billy with her other to take them away from the other introductions going on. She wanted to introduced Zelma to Billy privately. “By now you’ve figured out this is my grandson, Billy,” she said, “Billy, this is my beloved friend you’ve been hearing about, Mrs. Zelma Redbone,” Kate said. Kate left them alone to talk and rejoined the others.

Zelma looked at Billy and opened her arms. They embraced, and Zelma bussed a kiss on his cheek. “It’s so good to finally meet you, young man, and the kiss was a thank you for saving my grandson’s life and healing him,” she said.

“Ah, sucks, t’weren’t nothing, Ma’am. I took one look at that big buckaroo, ma’ heart done a flip-flop, and knew I wanted him for one of ma’ older big brothers. I really didn’t have no choice in the matter. I fell in love with him, and a man just cain’t stand by and let his brother get killed by a mad man. I’m glad you come to me, Grandmother. You didn’t come a moment too soon,” Billy said.

“You can tell?” Zelma asked.

“Ever’thing’s been enhanced on my body. My olfactory senses are better than a hunt’n dog, but not quite as good as a watcher or Bigfoot. You cover the scent well with various fragrances you apply, but underneath, the odor is still there. It’s unmistakable, and it lingers,” Billy said quietly.

“I know, Billy, I’m frightened. The others don’t know. They think I’m still in remission. Do I have a chance?” she asked quietly still holding him.

“I only been enhanced a little over a week, and I ain’t run across cancer yet, Mz. Zelma; however, them ancients what enhanced me provided me with some strong help who know what they’s doing. They ain’t cruel. They wouldn’t have gotten you and me together unless there’s hope. I know you plan to stay with us for a while. It may take several sessions, and if I have to call in a specialist, I will. I have no fear, and you shouldn’t either. Like I saved ma’ brother, I now must save his grandma, too,” Billy said.

Zelma Redbone shed a tear, but Billy quickly wiped it away with his big red cowboy bandanna so no one would see. “I ain’t seen one of them bandannas in years,” Zelma said allowing herself to use the vernacular. “My God in heaven, Son, you look so much like your granddaddy it’s uncanny,” she said.

Billy took Zelma on his arm and introduced her, Tom, and Abby to the rest of his family. He told them his slaves were part of his family, and from the largest to the smallest of them, they functioned as his owners. They didn’t get it at first, and then he made the analogy of Samson owning him, and they made the connection. “All them cattle out there you saw while you’s driving up to the house are actually humanoids morphed to look like Highland cattle. Andy, Dociean, Dorcas, and Roz you see before you arrived here on the ranch as cattle. Boomer and I mated, and I fertilized one of his proto-embryos. Boomer impregnated Roz as a cow with the fertilized proto-embryo, and she’s carrying my son, Billy Augustus Junior,” Billy explained without nuance.

“Can you morph, Billy?” Zelma asked.

“Yes, Ma’am. I can morph to look like anyone whose genetic information I have ingested. It’s like having a blueprint of them on file in my body,” he said.

“Morph for me,” Zelma said.

“I only got a couple on file, Boomer and Hank. Boomer’s too large and would rip my clothes apart, so I’ll morph into Hank. Him and me are about the same size,” Billy said and immediately shifted to look exactly like his cowboy slave Hank. “Come here, Hank,” Billy called to his double. Hank and Buck walked over, and Billy introduced them to Zelma, Tom, and Abby. They were stunned at Billy’s ability to look just like his slave. “These men were kidnapped from Earth by aliens sixty-two years ago and were living on another planet in another galaxy when we met. I fell in love with them, and asked their masters if they would give them to me to bring back to Texas and become part of my family. They’re each over eighty years old, but they don’t look a day over forty. They’re my staunch right arms and they ain’t afraid to tell me when I get a bad idea. They’s the ones what made our milking machine for Boomer,” Billy said with pride. “By the way, Mz. Zelma, we got some cold watcher milk in the fridge on the back porch. I want you to drink a glass soon so's it will have some time to work before dinner,” Billy said. Then he morphed back to his Billy form.

“Amazing,” said Tom, “I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it with my own eyes. Then you really did heal that young boy at Walmart?” he asked.

“Afeard so, Mr. McMartin. That’s why that preacher-man and them TV folks wanna’ talk with me. I can get around them easy enough. I’ll just make them think I’s a hick cowboy what don’t know nothing,” Billy said and laughed.

One by one, Billy introduced them to the rest of his family. He didn’t pull any punches or try to hide anything from them. He told about rescuing Nick and getting called to two different worlds where he collected his family, and they were enhanced together. He sent Hank and Buck off to their room to disrobe and told them to return as watchers for their milking. Once again, the visitors were stunned by the huge hairy monsters they became, but the boys were having a ball. They were in Bigfoot paradise. Billy introduced his little brothers, his halfling slaves, as two of his most wonderful possessions. He told the story of meeting them on Retikki Prime and falling in love with them as well. They asked to come back to Texas with him and become his slaves. He told Zelma they played two matched Strads so beautifully they would bring tears to her eyes. Last, he introduced his pets to them, Archie and Edith. Billy spoke of their talents, their advanced knowledge of technologies, and their ability to adapt one technology to another and improve it. The psyches were very gracious and answered their questions intelligently. Billy told them Orville shot Edith while trying to escape, and she was still recovering from the trauma.

* * * * * * *
Kate took Zelma to the kitchen and sat her down as she and her crew went about getting Sunday dinner together. “He’s everything I thought he might be and more, Kate. What a prize you have in him. You must be very proud,” Zelma said almost like she was envious.

“I'm very proud, but I’m equally impressed with your grandsons, Dear. I’ve decided you must share Enoch with me. I already told him, along with Moss, he’s become another grandson. I guess you could tell they bonded,” she said.

“I know, and I wish them well. Seems like your Billy will have offspring even though he’s primarily wrapped up with that mature spaceship captain and his watcher,” Zelma observed.

“Nick’s more than he seems, Zelma,” Kate looked at her and grinned not knowing how much to tell her.

“Is he the fallen angel, Kate?” she asked.

“One of them. He was Lucifer, but now he’s Billy’s slave because Billy saved his life,” Kate explained, “And, they’re very much in love,” she added.

“Just how much power does Billy have, Kate?” Zelma asked.

“He doesn’t even know how much, Precious. He finds out something new he can do every day. There’s not been a dull moment around this ranch since he came back after that terrible rain storm we had,” Kate replied, “But on the upside, my retiring son has blossomed and become the strong, stalwart protective big brother to Billy I always knew he could be. I couldn’t be more proud of Nathan. He and his ramrod have bonded, and they are two of Billy’s strongest supporters,” she added.

“Billy’s my last chance, my beloved tom-boy. The doctors gave up on me and sent me home to die,” Zelma said quietly.

“I was wondering, but didn’t want to ask. I know you gave me a hint on the phone, and I’ve worried since. Is it back, Darling?” Kate asked.

“Yes, with a vengeance. It’s eating me up, and I’m growing weaker by the day. I haven’t had the courage to tell Tom and Enoch. I’m hoping Billy will do it for me. I want them with me,” Zelma said and broke down.

Kate took her into her arms and comforted her with kiss after stolen kiss. “I hope you left your worries in Houston, my precious, there is no room for them here. I want you to look upon this ranch, and this house, as a safe haven. You’re home here. If there’s a glimmer of hope, my grandson will find it, and save you. I just know it, Zelma. I have that much faith in Billy,” Kate said firmly.

“I love you so much, Kate, and your family. There’s none like you anywhere, but enough talk about my sorrow. How is Billy’s music progressing?” Zelma asked.

“With his enhancements he’s scary, Zelma. He’s absolutely flawless. When he gets together with his twins, they are not to be believed. He can play their violins as well as they can. After dinner, I’ll have him and his boys play for you. I want you to hear him play the Bach D minor. It will bring you out of your chair, my dear, like you sat on a hot stove. Enoch heard him and the boys practicing the Bach double violin concerto yesterday, and told him his grandmother would eat him and his boy band for lunch. Not a crumb would be left,” Kate declared and laughed. She got a good laugh out of her friend, and they forgot about health problems and sorrows for a while. Kate got a glass of watcher milk and set it before her. She got one for herself and toasted her friend. “I been on this milk for a couple of days now, and I feel better than I have in years. To your better health, my precious,” Kate said, and they drank together.

“No wonder my great grandsons were hooked up to that monster’s teats. That’s absolutely wonderful!” Zelma exclaimed.

* * * * * * *
Sunday dinner was a great success. They kept Billy’s laptop on, and set it on a high shelf so anyone who wanted to check on the front gate could do so. The TV truck drivers, camera men, and reporters, got discouraged and told the preacher they couldn’t hang around any longer. Womack held out the longest, but eventually he got frustrated enough he gave up and returned to town. He never felt so humiliated in his life as a preacher. He would see to it he had his revenge on the Daniels.

Billy asked if Zelma would tell the story how she and her husband became friends with his grandmother and grandfather. “You little devil,” she grinned at Kate, “you put him up to this,” she accused.

“I only said no one could tell the story like you, and I stand by my word,” Kate replied firmly and grinned.

“In the early days of Texas we got very few great artist who would bother to come even to the largest cities, because of people’s lack of interest. The concerts would be poorly attended so those we had, we went all out to draw crowds to show our appreciation. I would actually have to politically blackmail people to dress up and come to a concert. I was raised to appreciate fine art and good music and was starved in Houston with just our season of philharmonic performances.

“While traveling in Europe and France I lassoed, hog-tied, and dragged my cowboy husband, still kicking and screaming, off to hear a concert at St. Sulpice in Paris by one of the greatest French organists of all time, Marcel Dupre´, and I was hooked. I never heard anything like his playing or his music, and we attended several more of his recitals. We returned to Paris numerous times to attend his concerts. We even got to meet him and invited him to visit us in Texas if he ever came to the U.S. Well, he finally did come to the U.S. but it was to visit one of his students who just happened to be an old school chum of your grandmother’s. Dupre´ and his daughter were coming to the states for a visit, but he agreed to give only one recital at the private home of his friend’s school chum who lived in the hill country of west central Texas.

"Unfortunately, I didn’t learn about it until about a week before his planned recital. Kate already sent invitations and everyone R.S.V.P.'d they would absolutely be there. She had a full house with standing room only. I managed to get her phone number, called, and introduced myself. I told her what a big fan I was of Dupre’s playing and music. I told her the times we went to Paris we would always plan our trips according to his performance schedule. I also bragged we met him on several occasions. Your grandmother, bless her heart, was polite, but insisted there was just no more room. My heart stopped beating. I was distraught for days, and my husband became concerned for me.

"When I finally told him what was bothering me, he laughed at me. “Dang it, woman! You got chore’self a limo at chore’ disposal wiff’ a diver on duty ‘round the clock to take you any-damn-wheres you wanna’ go. Buy that lady an expensive bottle of wine, enough flowers to fill the gotdamn hall, drive down ‘nere, take her to lunch, get down on yore’ hands and knees, kiss the hem of her petticoat, and beg her for an invite -- that is, if’n y’ain’t too proud,” he yelled at me. I wanted to be mad at Houston for yelling at me, but I couldn’t. He was right. I went to him, gave him a big hug and a kiss, and told him I was sure I married the right cowboy.

"I followed his advice to the letter. I brought her a three hundred dollar bottle of wine, and stuffed over a thousand dollars worth of flower arrangements in the limo. It smelled like a damn funeral parlor. I took your grandmother to the finest German restaurant in Fredericksburg, got down on my knees in front of God and a restaurant full of people, actually kissed the hem of her petticoat, begged her to reconsider, and could me and my husband please come to her ranch for the Marcel Dupre´ recital? Fortunately for us, she had two cancellations and gave the slots to us. I was thrilled. Not only did we get to attend the performance of a lifetime, which I will never forget, we made two of the best friends we ever had,” Zelma said.

Billy started applauding and everyone joined him. “That was a wonderful story, Mz. Zelma, and grandma was right, no one could tell it like you did,” Billy complimented her. “I wish't I could a' heard his performance,” Billy added.

“No problem. I had Daws record the complete recital in stereo on the latest and most expensive reel to reel stereo tape deck we could buy at the time,” Kate said.

“You never told me about that?” Billy said.

“Never crossed my mind. I used to get it out and listen to it from time to time, but I haven’t since I stored the deck in the basement. It’s still down there and the tapes have been kept cool with some moisture in the basement. They should still be in good condition. Maybe we can get them out and play them while Zelma’s here with us,” Kate said.

“You should get it out and listen to it, Billy. His last piece was an improvisation he called his Texas suite. He started with a theme and variations on an old cowboy tune “The Streets of Laredo.” The middle movement was in three parts, slow-fast-slow on “The Yellow Rose of Texas”, and the last movement was a Passacaglia and Fugue on “The Eyes Of Texas.” When he finished, his playing brought people to their feet. It was utter chaos in that ballroom for a few minutes. He played one short encore which was brilliant,” Zelma said.

* * * * * * *
Billy’s slave family ate politely. They were quiet and well mannered. They would respond to questions if asked, but tried not to monopolize conversation so the Daniels’ guests could converse and enjoy themselves. “Since you’re healed, Enoch, what are your immediate plans?” Tom McMartin asked his cousin.

“I can come back tomorrow if you need me for a delivery, Tom,” Enoch said not wanting to say the wrong thing. “Otherwise, I was going to accompany Billy, his protectors, and family to the Lottery office and then to visit another gentleman,” Enoch added.

“Someone win the lottery?” Tom asked.

Everyone around the table laughed. Kate looked at Zelma, and winked. “Billy done won the Super Lotto jackpot Friday night for around eight hundred million. As far as we can tell there was only one winning ticket, and it’s in the Daniels’ safe,” Enoch said.

Abby McMartin laughed when her husband dropped his fork onto his plate. He recovered quickly, “Wait a minute. Why should that seem out of place or untimely after everything I’ve seen today? Why not? It makes sense to me. Billy needs capital to survive and grow, and you’re just the man what can help him with that, Enoch. Your master’s thesis was brilliant, Cousin,” Tom said, “I don’t need you right away, but if I do, I know where to get in touch with you. We originally brought grandma along to take care of you, but now I’d like you to stay and take care of her. She ain’t been looking well these last few days, and I’m a mite worried about her,” Tom added.

“I’ll be happy to, Tom. We won’t be gone more'n half a day I imagine,” Enoch said.

“Do you need more venture capital, Billy?” Tom asked.

“Naw, sir, Mr. McMartin. Enoch didn’t want to tell you about our other visit, but I will. We can share with you. I’m taking one billion in gold to an exchange dealer in Houston tomorrow as well,” Billy said without excitement. Winning the lottery was just a smoke screen for establishing wealth overnight,” Billy explained.

“Then winning the lottery was a given. You knew the winning numbers before hand?" he asked.

“Naw, sir, not exactly. A wonderful Shedu lady, a half bovine/ half human seer gave me the numbers before I left the watcher’s world of Retikki Prime. She looked into my future and saw a series of strange numbers she didn’t understand but thought perhaps I might. I recognized them immediately as the Mega-Lotto numbers. I gave the numbers to Uncle Nathan, he bought us a ticket, and we won,” Billy explained.

“No one is suppose to have that much gold in his possession. The current government will not allow it. Are you sure it’s one billion worth?” Tom asked.

“Billy’s not joking or exaggerating, Mr. McMartin. It's only a small part of the reserves he brought back with him from Retikki Prime, sir,” Nathan said.

“What is your plan and what are your goals, Billy?” Tom asked.

“To establish a working community of people who will work and play together for the greater good of themselves and those to whom we reach out. We will form a corporation and beat the system at it’s own game. I'm not here to overthrow the government or create threatening or hostile take overs of other corporations. With help from my family and slaves, which are synonomous in my mind, my goal is to be bold and innovative to create another way of life everyone can see and examine which will be for all and not just the very rich,” Billy said, "and it will be free of religion, myth, and superstition," he added.

Tom didn’t respond. He was struck by Billy’s words, but he thought the kid was incredibly naive. Then Tom wondered if he was being short sighted because of his own learned personal prejudices. He’d been working within the system for almost two decades and was well versed in the ins and outs and wherefores of modern business. You just didn’t try to be too innovative or bend the rules too much or you were looked upon as a loose cannon, a trouble maker. Once branded, your chance of survival was close to zero. Tom had not yet been exposed to the full Billy Daniels effect. That would come after dinner.
 
* * * * * * *
While the kitchen help, supervised by Kate and Zelma, cleaned the kitchen, the freemen and their protectors went off to the living room to talk.

“Mr. McMartin, Enoch,” Billy started hesitantly, “your grandmother wanted me to tell you something she can’t bring herself to tell you. There ain’t no easy way to say it, so I’ll just be blunt. Her cancer is back more virulent than before. It’s eating her up, and she’s losing strength quickly,” Billy said.

Enoch burst into tears. Tom and Moss put their arms around him. “Can you help her, Son?” Tom asked, “And call me Tom,” he added.

“Thanks, Tom. I don’t want to be overly optimistic and build false hope, but I think there’s a chance. My slave and surrogate dad, Nick, has powers and so does my other slave and protector Clyde, but I don’t know if the three of us will be strong enough to heal her in one session or if it will require several sessions. I’m open for suggestions, guys,” Billy said to his two protectors.

Nick looked at Clyde and Clyde nodded for Nick to speak. “We could do it in three or four sessions with just the three of us, but the extra time it takes will drain her of her residual strength and leave her very little, almost no strength to recover. If we had one more, it could be done in one session and leave her enough to recover,” Nick said.

“Are there any healers among our herd?” Billy asked Dociean.

“No, sir, Master Billy. We were never programed for healing. If we get sick we must depend upon our good master to take care of us. We’re lucky to have a fine master like you who has two other healers for his slaves. It makes us feel more secure,” Dociean said.

“We have to do something, and we have to do it tonight. We have to make an effort. If we do one session, perhaps we’ll have enough time to find another healer, but we must act now -- this evening,” Billy said firmly. “By the way, Zelma wants you gentlemen by her side when we work to heal her, and your aura and love will aid us by amplifying our strength,” Billy said to Tom and Enoch.

“Of course, we’ll do anything, Son,” Tom said.

“Plan on staying the night. We have plenty of room,” Billy told Tom.

“Something told me not to plan anything for tomorrow in case we couldn’t make it back tonight,” Tom said and smiled.
 
“All right, then it’s decided. We’ll do it tonight after your wife puts your boys to bed. We’ll gather in the ballroom and transport Zelma on an anti-gravity gurney we have,” Billy said.
 
* * * * * * *
It was still early afternoon when the rest of Billy’s family finished in the kitchen, and along with Kate and Zelma, joined them in the living room.

“Billy will you perform for us this afternoon?” Zelma asked.

“It would be an honor to perform for you, Mrs. Redbone. Are you up for another run through of the Bach D minor, Grandma?” Billy asked Kate.

“I am. I even practiced several times this past week, and your men have listened to the concerto several times on the stereo. They have their parts down pat,” she said.

“Good. You men gather your fiddles, and we’ll meet you in the ballroom. Mz. Zelma, take my hand, I don’t want you walking up them stairs,” he said.

“You installed an elevator?” Zelma asked.

“Sort of,” Billy said as she took his hand, and they vanished. Tom and Abby gasped, but Enoch slapped his leg and laughed.

“Where’d they go?” Tom asked like he was about to panic.

“They’s in the ballroom already. Come,” Enoch motioned with his head, “we’ll go up the old fashioned way, we’ll use the stairs,” he said.

By the time everyone climbed the stairs, Billy got out a chair and set it right in front of the stage and held it for Zelma to sit. “That was some trip, Billy Daniels. Thanks for the lift,” she said.

“You’re welcome, my lady. Now sit and the others will join us in a minute,” Billy said.

“I love a cowboy who has a flair for the dramatic,” Zelma joked with him, “I’ll bet Tom had to change his pants,” she added, and they shared a laugh.

Billy arranged the stage with two chairs for his halflings and uncovered the grand on the stage. He returned to the storage closet and began to set out folding chairs for the audience to take one when they came into the ballroom. Everyone knew the drill and those who didn’t followed the others. The McMartin boys, Rory and Cal, had to sit on either side of their new Bigfoot buddy, Boomer. They walked into the room hand in hand. Boomer was in love. Kate took her place at the organ and turned the blowers on to fill the bellows. The twins got out their fiddles. Billy hit an “A” above middle “C” and the boys tuned their instruments. They were set and ready. Billy went to the front of the stage. “We’re proud and honored to have the McMartin family with us today and Tom and Enoch’s beloved grandmother, Mrs. Zelma Jane Redbone. We’d like to dedicate this performance to them and wish them a happy and healthy visit with us,” Billy said and his family applauded for him and their guests.

On the count of three, the four musicians started the unison opening theme of the first six bars of Bach’s concerto in D minor for keyboard and orchestra. The twins violins gave a more full orchestral sound to the organ, and they were off. Kate didn’t lag behind this time. She really did practice and kept up with the staggering tempo Billy set with no problem. The twins were in top form, and they got through the first movement without a flaw. Billy took his time with the second movement, and the four of them made it sing. The final movement Billy played like his balls were on fire. (testiculare con fuoco) Billy set the tempo, and it was brilliant. When they played the final chord all hell broke loose from the small audience. Everyone was on their feet applauding, whistling, stomping bigfeet and cowboy boots.

“Who’d a’ thunk? A cowboy with talent like that. He’s frick’n amazing,” Abby said to her husband.

“Hang on to your hat. There’s more to come,” Tom replied.

“You think the boys should begin music lessons?” Abby asked Tom

“This week, Dear. Make arrangements,” he said. Tom McMartin saw Billy in a totally different light after what he witnessed. The young man was far more than just a shot in the dark on which some aliens were taking a chance. Tom was as convinced as his grandmother, Billy Daniels was the real McCoy. Above all, Tom knew he could trust his grandmother into Billy’s care.


End of Chapter 15 ~ Him Who Made The Seven Stars
Copyright ~ © ~ 2012 ~ Waddie Greywolf
All Rights Reserved~
Email to: waddiebear@yahoo.com
06/06/2012
WC = 13008