Date: Thu, 20 Aug 2015 18:41:18 -0400 From: Eff Del Subject: Green Grow the Rushes O- Chapter 17 Green Grow the Rushes O- Chapter 17 By Eff Del Nolitimere156@gmail.com It was a perfect day for a ballgame and we most assuredly crowded the bleachers. John and Jenny, Richard and Arlen as well as Jack and Chris and Barry. Doc Swaim couldn't be there because of some business with his book. It was certainly getting close to being published. It was the first time I'd seen the boys in their dark blue uniforms. The blue shirts against their white pants was stunning. Sean's black hair and Brian's deep brown hair just stood out magnificently. The Deer Run boys had all chosen to wear the traditional long socks up and they were sharp. Little Charlie was darling. He seemed to wiggle his little ass in anticipation of the game. I loved everything that I saw. We were the home team so Brian was on the mound throwing warmup pitches to Rico. Sean was standing at first base and Charlie was literally dancing in place at short. Spider threw his first pitch and it was a strike. His next pitch was too much to the middle and the boy at bat connected. He hit it right to Charlie who quickly controlled it and threw it to Sean at first base for the out. Three pitches later and the second batter was out. Jack was on his feet screaming; "Spider! Spider! You're the man!" The boy on the mound looked in our direction and grinned. He actually tipped his cap...cocky little bastard. His first pitch to the next batter was a ball but he followed it up with a filthy slider that the kid hit into the air and was easily caught by Aaron in center field. We all smiled and high fived and took a sip of our beer. The great thing about Deer Run Club was that `beverages" were allowed. Rico was up first and he struck out standing. It took five pitches though. Charlie was next and he took the first pitch without moving. Arlen grinned at me and said; "That's some smart little kid. He knows what he's doing." Sure as hell, Charlie sent the next pitch deep into right field and he was soon hopping up and down on second base. Aaron was up next and after a quick strike, he stroked the next pitch sharply into the infield between everybody for a single but of course advancing Charlie to third. We were all going crazy. Jack was jumping up in his chair. "Charlie is the monster man! He's the littlest giant in the whole world." I smiled and quietly wondered if they still had a thing going on between them. I hadn't been keeping track so I was surprised when it was Sean up at bat. He took two quick strikes and then two balls. He dug in determinately and swung mightily at the next pitch and missed. "It's OK Sean you'll get him next time!" Arlen shouted and my little boy smiled in our direction as he walked to the dugout. Kelly, our third baseman was at bat next and the big thirteen-year-old took the first pitch for a strike and then just crushed the second pitch. The ball flew over the left fielder's head and over the fence and suddenly we had a 3-0 lead. Danny our right fielder ended the inning with a pop up fly but everyone on the Deer Run side of the field was happy. I reached into the cooler and retrieved another beer. Richard and Barry eagerly accepted, as did John though he added that his cut-off was the fourth inning. Jenny declined but Arlen accepted a bottle with a smile. Jack looked at me with forlorn puppy dog eyes. I frowned at him but I wasn't really angry. "OK Sailor boy, but I'm pouring it into a solo cup before I give it to you so that everyone can suspect you're drinking Coke." He grinned. "That doesn't bother me as long as I'm not drinking Coke. That stuff is bad for you you know." I scowled. "You're becoming a real smart-ass Jacamo." Richard was sitting next to him and smiled at me as he threw his arm around the sleek young red-head and pulled him into a hug." "Yeah but Eric, he's OUR smart-ass!" Jack was giggling as I smiled at them both and said; "Yep, that's the truth alright." Brian raced through the next batter in three pitches. "Man, that boy's slider is ugly today! Those guys don't even know what they're seeing. I'm so proud of him." Arlon was jumping in his seat and his grin was ear to ear. I looked down at the mound and the boy with the mahogany hair was smiling just like when I'd first seen `Spider' waiting with his feet on the goal line anticipating the penalty kick that very first soccer game. He was confident; he was happy and knew he could beat the other kid. Brian was a born competitor. No wonder Sean and Jack liked him so much. The first throw to the other batter was a ball but if truth be told, not by much. The batter connected with the next pitch and drove it straight to Sean who snagged it for the second out. The next batter swung at the first pitch and drove a grounder that was quickly scooped up by Charlie and thrown to Sean. Three ups...three outs. Brian was actually first up for us. He took two quick strikes and then two balls. The pitcher sorely misjudged him because Brian made a solid connection with the next pitch. Though not particularly powerfully hit, it dropped slick as snot in-between the center fielder and the right fielder and by the time those two had figured out what was happening, Brian was safe at second base. Chris, our big centerfielder was up next and on the first pitch drove a line drive right between the short stop and the second baseman deep into left field. The coaches were waving the base runners around and Brian quickly rounded third and ran standing into home before the ball was even thrown to the infield. They held Chris at third though I suspect he could have easily turned that hit into a home run. Brian looked up at us and pumped his fist into the air as he trotted to the dugout. Evan, our leftfielder was next up and he accepted two balls before being hit on the shoulder by a wild pitch. After being examined and questioned by the coaches, he took first base. Ricco was up next and he wasted no time in announcing that he'd been underestimated his first at bat. The pitcher really made a mistake and sturdy Ricco launched that ball into space and well over the fence. We Deer Run people were going nuts. It was now a seven to nothing lead and we still had no outs. "Ricco! Ricco! Ricco!" Jack was cheerleading as the beautiful black haired boy rounded the bases grinning from ear to ear. Charlie was next and he allowed two balls to pass him with no attempt to swing. This little kid was a wonder. Arlen leaned over and said softly; "This kid knows just what he's looking for. If that pitcher makes the mistake of giving it to him, it's `goodnight Irene'." The next pitch was a called strike with no attempt to swing. "Charlie knows what he's looking for." Arlen muttered just watch. He's got this guy figured out. Sure enough the next pitch was met with thunderous contact and landed in the corner of right field little Charlie raced around the bases and once again he was safe at second. Aaron was up next and worked his at bat into a full count. In the end, he took ball four and trotted down to first. Sean was up for the second time and he didn't look distraught as he approached the plate but he did look serious. Arlen leaned over to me and Richard. "Sean's been watching him like I've taught him. You watch that Munchkin has got this pitcher figured out. Look at his stance...see how he's opened his hips...see his shoulders? He's got him in his sites. Sean took a few hard chops before settling into the box. The first pitch was wide and outside and Sean didn't even move. The second was low and inside and again Sean stood there essentially telling the other boy that he was going to have to come after him or put him on base. Arlen was out of his seat as soon as the next pitch was released. "That's the one! That's the one!" Sean's swing was elegant and powerful and his contact with the ball was perfect. It wasn't just driven, it launched over the centerfield fence and deep into the woods. He hopped into the air and then trotted around the bases pumping his fist into the air in joy and grinning directly at me making my heart swell with happiness. By the end of the fourth, we were ahead by twelve to two and the umpire invoked the `ten run mercy rule' and ended the game. We were wild up in the bleachers as the little boys piled into a large bundle and enjoyed their first victory down on the field. "Let's gather our heroes and then to Deegans for burgers, fries, onion rings and beer!" I exclaimed and we all ran down to hug the whole bunch of them. They were a giggling happy group of little boys totally pleased with themselves and, why not?" ************ The almost full moon was still very bright and maintained its alabaster luster. I was washing my face in the bathroom when I felt two arms wrap around my middle. "We voted an' we're sleepin' with you tonight and Jack is proly gonna too. You don't get a vote." He giggled as he hugged me. " We love you so much an' we wanna be close to you. Today was so great an havin' you there to watch was the best. I love everthing about my life an' Jack says he's gonna start boxin' again. Man that sounds excitin' an...am I truly going to start flying lessons after my birthday? "Sean, I've never lied to you. It's all set up and the learning will be up to you. He turned me around, stood up on his toes and kissed me. "How can someone love someone so much?" I returned his kiss. "How can someone have so much to love?" By the time I'd dried off and returned to the bedroom, the three of them were naked and sitting on my bed with wide grins on their faces. "Well boys, how do you think this is going to work?" Sean smiled. "Well, Jack will sleep on that side of you cause we know how sound he sleeps. Spider an' me will take turns on this side. We'll move quiet so you'll never even know when we change places cuddlin' with you." I smiled a bit doubtfully and said; "First one who snores or disturbs my sleep gets kicked out onto the floor." We settled into a sort of strange group hug and I turned down the lights. About five minutes into the strange but sweet silence, there was a large fart. Moments later Brian giggled and said; "Oops! Does that mean I'm getting kicked onto the floor?" The bed erupted into an explosion of boy giggles and it took no time for me to join in. What is funnier than little boy farts? ***************** Breakfast was an energetic recounting of yesterday's game for an enthralled Martha before hugs were exchanged and we all four headed to the south wing. Scooter had just arrived almost the same time that we did. "I hear you two had a great game yesterday. Sorry I missed it but Dad and me had some stuff we needed to do down the coast." I hugged all of them and kissed them on their foreheads. "Dad, remember I'm going to start boxing practice with Coach Sal this afternoon so I'll see you at dinner this evening" Jack smiled as I waved taking the elevator up to the top floor. Richard, Barry and Wolfman were there so I suspected that Brutus (who I'd yet to actually meet) was getting the com at night more frequently. I moved to the corner and poured a cup of rich dark Kona and then took my seat. "Boys you all look like somebody has walked over your graves. It doesn't sound like you've got great news for me today." Richard sat down next to me and said; "Eric, we've found out that an Islamic radical terrorist group has targeted either you or your business empire. We just don't have very much information yet. You know we'll get it because we're the best in the world but in the meantime, we'd like to keep you all close and safe. These are nutsy people and they often don't fear for their own lives so they can be extremely dangerous. They'd have no qualms about taking out the boys...they have no true moral values they proclaim Islamic bullshit but in the end they're just terrorists trying to bully the rest of the world. The estate is probably the safest place for you all to be. The fact is that it's now considerably safer than the White House. Last time was a big wake-up call for us. We're increasing security around the NEST in case for some reason these moronic fuckers think that would be a legitimate target." "What about the boys and simple things like their baseball practice Richard? Are we suddenly prisoners on our own estate?" "No Eric. In the first place besides escorting the boys with sufficient body guards, our `shadow flies' can be programed to detect things like roadside IUDs with a high level of sophistication. Any time they leave the estate, not even the President of the United States will be better protected than you and the boys. I'm just asking that for a while, you restrict how often you leave the estate. OK?" I gripped his shoulder. "Yes, Richard OK. This wasn't how I was expecting to begin my day though." He gave me a tight smile. "We were hoping this wasn't going to be your morning wake-up call either but, we're on top of it. It seems it's just a small group of nut cases and we'll get them but they're crazy so we have to be careful." "I've located their web site." Barry said "I'm hacking it and I hope to soon get a location. After that, I'll give the information to Wolfman and his boys will REALLY hack them." They grinned at each other. "OK then, from now on you guys won't leave the estate without giving me prior notice so that I can set up a complete security detail ahead of time OK?" "Yep, you're the boss Richard." He grinned at me. "Well, for a while at least I guess." "So we can plan for the baseball practice but with an armed convoy Richard?" He smiled. "Yeah kinda like the President's son going to little league." "So, you'll certainly keep me very much informed then?" "You're the Boss... Boss." "Thank's guys. You three are the best. Keep me informed and remember that Sean and Brian have baseball practice at three thirty." My heart would ache for a long time when I realized that I'd forgotten to mention Jack's afternoon boxing practice. I left the Command Center and eventually walked down to my study. I took my first drink of the day and decided to call Ricky down at the Academy. Once he was on the line I told him; "Skeeter, we've got some potential trouble and we're sending in some significant protection for you. Please go along with everything that they say. It may not be anything at all but we want to do everything to keep you all safe." I explained about the crazy terrorist threat and asked; "Do you think you'd like to send Mandy up here for her potential safety?" I could hear him giggle into the phone. "Eric, do you honestly think that woman would leave me behind if she thought I was in danger? She's my true-life partner and she'd never leave me. I feel safe. You'll protect us and we'll stay down here with all our little boys. The NEST is supposed to be a safe place for these kids and doddamitt if someone tries to change that, they're going to have to come over me and...truth be told, probably Mandy and Tyler as well. We love this school and we love these boys. Nobody gets to hurt them." I swallowed hard before I could reply. "Thanks Ricky but please pay attention to the new wave of security I'm sending you OK?" "Sure Eric. We'll keep these kids safe or die trying." "For God's sake Ricky, don't do that!" I heard him giggle. "Well, Boss, we'll certainly try hard not to." I smiled. "Thanks Director Flores. Have a good day with your pupils." "Thanks Boss. Keep us informed OK?" I hung up the phone and took a deep sip from my drink. I had a very big conference call in the late morning. It seemed I had suddenly gained quite a reputation internationally. I sort of suspected that it was because of the brutal way I'd handled the NEST kidnapping and certainly the attack on my home. I think that I'd suddenly become a force to be reckoned with and people were thinking that it was better to deal with me than try to work against me. I didn't mind being feared. Walter had told me early on that if people were afraid of you, they would strive to be your friends. Complacent people were certainly easier to handle than aggressive ones. I personally didn't like to be aggressive but I could certainly wield more weight into a fight than anyone else. I had a personal army for fuck sake. Uncle Phil and Chris came into my study and I indicated the wet bar. They made their drinks and sat down and literally moments later the phone rang. After expressing personal greetings, I put the instrument on speaker and we began our business conference. It was very good natured and almost predetermined but there was a large amount of negotiating and squirming around what we all knew was going to be the final decision. The call ended cordially and Phil, Chris and I slapped a high five. "You're becoming the King Eric." Chris said with a smile. "He's not wrong Son." Phil said. "You've got all of your father's talents but a clever instinct that he didn't have." "OK guys, I'm going down to the library to dig into my new book before it's time for baseball practice. I need some enjoyment and relaxation all on my own." I settled into one of the ancient leather chairs with my feet up on the ottoman and enjoyed page after page of the newest Nate Mentor novel. I took the occasional sip from my tumbler of scotch and sort of thought to myself that life couldn't get a lot better than this when Richard walked into the room. I knew from his face that he wasn't bring me good news. "You didn't tell me that Jack was planning on leaving the estate early this afternoon." I shook my head in befuddlement. "Yeah Richard, he had boxing practice with Coach Sal." Richard shook his head and there were tears pouring down his eyes. "Well Eric we didn't know about it and we weren't ready for it. We had no protection or detection in place as he drove off onto the road. The fucking IUD was just about two hundred yards down the road and it launched the Beemer into the air. He's on his way to the hospital but it doesn't look very good." His shoulders were heaving as he sobbed and his tears poured profusely. "Eric...Eric if only we'd known!" "It never occurred to me Richard. It never occurred to me." "John is waiting to take us to the hospital." "First I've got to make certain Daniel or Arlen take care of Sean and Brian" After explaining to Daniel what was going on, the big man quickly assured me that the young boys would be taken care of. We met John in the Car Park and he quickly drove us to the hospital. As we drove away I noticed that there was a yellow police tape around parts of the driveway and there were lots of law and order people swarming around the scene. As we drove down the road, we quickly came upon the brutalized little blue BMW. I gazed out of the window and suddenly realized that no one could have survived that kind of explosion. (to be continued) Once again. 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