Storiesonline.net
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                                On My Own
                             by Dual Writer

Copyright© 2009 by Dual Writer


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Description: Mark Robins finds himself out on his butt without warning. He makes the best of a bad situation finding a new group of people that are like family in an unexpected place.

Codes: MF
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Chapter 1

What a fucking week that was.

I was shaking my head while sitting on the steps of an old trailer in an even older trailer park. The little trailer did have a small awning that could be rolled up and down, giving you some shade during hot afternoons. The awning was more for rainy days though, as a large oak tree shaded the trailer and its small concrete patio.

This was not what I was used to. The last twenty-five years had been spent in a decent house in an average middle-class neighborhood. It was there that I had raised kids and enjoyed life. For twenty-five years, I had painted, repaired, remodeled, and done landscaping to a house that wasn't huge but was decent. A typical three bedroom, two bath, with a two-car garage.

The trailer behind me was a one bedroom, one small bath, model with a decent sized kitchen adjoining a living room area. Tiny compared to what I was used to.

Last Monday, I think it was Monday early evening or late afternoon, my wife of over twenty years said, "We're through, and I want a divorce, not a separation, but a divorce."

I asked, "What brought this on? Why?"

She said haughtily, "I'm not supporting your ass while you sit at home. Just because you're supposed to be watching what you do physically is no reason to do nothing. Since you sold your business you don't have regular money coming in except for social security. I'm not going to support you while you do nothing."

I protested, "We have the money from the sale of the business. If we just use it like an annuity, we can live off it as if it was what I took out of the business for over fifteen years. Christ, I won't be alive fifteen years from now."

With a sneer, she said, "Thank goodness for small favors. I won't have to even think of you then."

"Jesus, Judy, what in the world has gotten into you? Did something happen at work that's made you mad?"

"Nothing's made me mad except you. You piddle around in the yard and garage and do nothing. You're not bringing in any money."

"I just said we have the money from the business. I'm going to use it like an annuity so we have a long term income, about the same as what we were taking out of it when I had it."

"You won't be taking any money out of it now; I've had it transferred to my name and its part of what I'm asking for in the divorce."

"What do you mean? That was my business. I spent thirty years building the business, supporting our family with it. It hasn't been but the last ten years that you began working at the post office. You'll have a good retirement income from there along with social security and there will still be money left from the savings, from the sale of the business."

"You don't get it do you," Judy said? "We're done. You have until Friday to be out of here. My attorney assures me I'll get the house, and the savings. He says I can't stick you with any of the bills since you're retired, but I'm taking the proceeds of the business."

She handed me an envelope. I opened it and there were twenty hundred dollar bills, a card, and a key. She said, "Use that money until you get your social security monthly. The key is for a storage shed down at the storage center that's paid up for six months. Use that to get all of your stuff out of the house and the garage. Use the money to find a place to live and for food until your check comes for next month. You better hurry because as of Friday, I will have a restraining order on you restricting you from the house."

She picked up her purse and walked out the door to go wherever it was she was going.

I went to the computer and tried to log on to our joint bank account. I couldn't get in. A sick feeling came over me. I went out to get in my near twenty year old Bronco to run to the bank to check on the account.

At the bank I put my card into the outdoor ATM and waited. The screen began flashing, "Not a valid card, See bank teller." I had a couple of grand in my business account and put that card in and got the same notice.

Crap, this was not good. I needed some legal advice, but it was not during business hours and I had no idea who to call. I didn't have any past clients that were divorce lawyers.

Back at the house, I called my oldest son who lives out in Cheyenne, working for a military equipment research firm out there. "Hey, Gene, how are you doing?"

"Great, Dad, you should see how big the kids are. They're really getting big."

"Um, ah, Gene, you didn't know anything about your mother and I splitting did you?"

"No Sir. Jeanie said there was some bad news coming from home when she called yesterday but not what. I thought it might be your health or something. Are you and Judy splitting?"

Gene was my son from my first marriage that had ended when Gene was a baby. I raised Gene as a single parent and he left home for school shortly after Judy and I got married. Jeannie came along late in my life. She was my forty-sixth birthday present. Judy was sixteen years younger than I was and had trouble getting pregnant. At first the docs thought it was me, but they finally did a laparoscopy and found a small film of skin covering her fallopian tubes. As soon as they cleared that, wham, pregnant. Jeanie, now twenty, just graduated from school and was living in Atlanta where she was now gainfully employed.

I told Gene, "I guess Judy confided with her. She just told me this evening we were splitting. I guess I need to get moving to find a place and get my stuff out."

"Come out here, Dad," Gene begged enthusiastically. "You know I have a big place and have a lot of room. It doesn't look like Mom is going to come out here so you're welcome. Sandy loves you, Dad, and I'm sure you would be an asset to the house. Just put your stuff in a storage shed for a while and come out here."

"I'm tuned in to Florida sunshine, Son. That and Sandy doesn't need a father-in-law to look after. Let me figure out what to do and I'll let you know how I'm doing. Call me on my cell if you need me."

"A, Dad, I don't think your cell phone works. I tried to call you yesterday and today and today I received the message that your number was not a working number."

"Okay, I'll check it. Look, don't worry, I'm capable of getting moved out of here. If I need some muscle, I have a couple of big friends."

"Yeah, but you don't ride any more, Dad. You don't even have a road bike. All you have is that antique you play with."

"The age of the bike doesn't reflect on my friends."

"No Sir, but your friends are getting old too. If you need help, call me. Take care, Dad, I love you."

Crap!

I checked my cell phone plugged into the charger and there were not any bars. I called it from the house phone and received "This is not a working number."

I tried to call the house number from the cell phone and nothing happened, absolutely nothing.

Crap.

It was seven thirty so there wasn't much I could do about the cell phone right now. I should ask Judy about that.

My mind was whirling. Where should I try to go to get a place to live? I couldn't afford anything. My sister up in Illinois lived in public housing because she wanted to. She sold her house and now lived in a tiny apartment in a small rural town in south central Illinois. She's happy, but there wasn't anything like that here. I had heard that there were not enough apartments for the demand as it was. I know my sister was on a waiting list for over a year.

Well, first things first. I'll hook up the trailer and get the bike over to the storage shed then try to load my tool boxes. I may have to empty them as I had just found out from the VA that I had an aneurysm near my stomach that was still too small to operate, but large enough to be a concern, so no straining and no heavy lifting.

It took an hour to get the bike and a bunch of small items over to the storage place. At least she rented a ten by twenty so it should be large enough. Too bad I had to leave my two nice work benches. I would have to abandon my vise and the grinder. Crap. I'd just leave anything that wasn't going to be essential for my near future life style.

What would be my future lifestyle? Crap, that's what it would be. With about fourteen hundred a month income, it would be crap. No sweat, I'd find a job. Too bad I sold the fucking business. Watch your mouth, Buddy, or at least your mind. You've kept a clean mouth all these years, keep it that way.

I'm getting nuts. I'm talking to myself.

Back at the house, I picked up the classifieds and began looking at apartments. Jesus, the cheap ones were all six hundred and up. I couldn't rent a house or unfurnished apartment, as I didn't have any furniture. I needed a cheap furnished something. There was some motel type places that were all a hundred fifty a week. That's six hundred a month. Crap. I am going to have to figure out a budget, a tight budget, and live with it until I can get some kind of job. My days of working on a few of my inventions to see if they could be marketed are over. This was going to be tight.

With my nose back in the classifieds, I saw an ad for manufactured homes in parks for rent. Some were as low as a hundred ten a week. I could probably do four fifty and still eat but I would need a long term plan for clothes and I did need some form of recreation. It would be nice to have a beer every once in a while too. There was an interesting ad that said,

Small one bedroom furn.
family park. $475, util &
cable. Anytime 555-4392

I could live with that. It was nine thirty so I should probably wait until tomorrow. I kept looking at the ad reading into it that it was probably a trailer as it was under the manufactured home for rent section and it said family park. The word "furn" had to mean furnished. If utilities and cable were furnished then this sounded like the place for me. They did say anytime so I picked up the phone and dialed the number.

An older lady said, "Hello."

"Hi, my name is Mark Robins. I saw your ad for a furnished place in a family park. Is it still available?"

"Um, Mr. Robins, may I ask you some questions?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Are you married?"

"Ah, I am today but probably not for long. That's why I'm looking for an apartment."

"I see. Are you used to wild parties and such?"

"No, Ma'am, you see I'm retirement age and not wild at all."

"Oh, good, I mean that's good that you're older. Do you have an income other than Social Security?"

"I did, but it looks like I might lose that. I'll find a part time or full time job though. I'll need more that Social Security to enjoy life."

"Yes, you probably will. Do you want to come see the trailer? It is very clean and has a very nice tree next to it for shade. The trailer has very good air conditioning for those hot days and nights and is furnished quite well. There are some pots and pans for cooking, but no other appliances."

"I do want to see it. When will be a good time?"

She said, "The trailer park is out on north Florida Avenue near Lutz. It's the trailer park after you pass the Holiday Inn Express on the same side of the road. The trailer is on the second street over from the entrance, all the way to the end. It's pretty far from the mailboxes and the laundry facilities, but it is a nice place. Where would you be coming from?"

"I'm over near Citrus Park right now."

"You could be out here in fifteen to twenty minutes. Come out now. There are streetlights so you can see the outside of the trailer. I'll meet you."

"I don't want to put you out, Ma'am."

She said, "No bother at all. I live here in the park too. I only live three doors down from the little trailer."

"I'll come right out, Ma'am."

I unhooked the trailer and pushed it to the side of the house. Driving out to the trailer park, I thought about where I could get a job out that way. Crap, I didn't want to work. I've been working since I was a kid on the farm, virtually all my life. I wanted to putter, work on my inventions, read, learn to play golf, travel a little. Crap.

Oh well, you gotta do what you gotta do. Crap. I have to watch my mouth.

I pulled up to the guardhouse at the entrance of the trailer park as an armed guard had come out of a little building and stood in the driveway. I told him who I was and that I was seeing a lady about renting a trailer. He nodded and said, "Betty called and said you were coming."

The security guard said, "Go on in, Sir. The trailer is on the second street. You have to go up by the mailboxes and turn down the next street and come all the way back almost to here. It's right over there, but you have to drive around."

Shoot, that's pretty nice. A security guard for a trailer park. That's a bonus.

The speed limit signs said fifteen miles an hour, so I about coasted up the street, did a U-turn around the mailbox building, and went down the next street. At the end was a little trailer lit up brightly inside, with a big floodlight at the door. There was a gravel patch that I assumed was where the resident would park their car, so I pulled up on it.

As soon as I got out of the Bronco, a little lady opened the door. She said, "Mr. Robins?"

"Yes, Ma'am, call me Mark, please," I said, as I went up the steps and entered the trailer. You entered in what would be the living room area that was really left of the door. The little trailer had a nice little kitchen across the front to the right of the door, with a little counter dividing the kitchen from the living room area. There were two tall chairs at the counter. Just behind the counter was a small table with four chairs, then to the left of that was a couch and a big chair with lamps at each end of the couch on tables, as well as a floor lamp next to the chair.

The lady said, "I didn't introduce myself. I'm Betty Jacobs." She offered me her hand.

After I took it gently and gave it a squeeze, with a smile she said, "If you have a TV you would put it right there where you could see it from the kitchen, the table, the chair, and the sofa."

She went into the kitchen and began showing me that there were glasses, coffee mugs, plates, and bowls. She opened a lower cabinet to show me a dish rack, as well as several pots and pans. She said, "I just had the place fumigated to get any bugs out that might have been in here. I washed all of the dishes and cookware already. Sometimes, we have a terrible problem with the palmetto bugs. I'm sure you're used to that. We also get those little grease ants too. I didn't see any, but as soon as you get some crumbs, they'll show up. Just use some of that Terro ant killer and they'll eat it and disappear for a couple of months."

She was done showing me the kitchen and walked toward the hallway on the other side of the sofa. The first door was the bathroom. It wasn't very big, but big enough. There was a shower curtain there so that would be something I didn't have to buy. I noticed there was even toilet paper on the spool.

We skipped a door, going directly to a door at the end of the short hall that was the bedroom. There was what looked like a queen-size bed with a headboard that had an alarm clock on it. Nice touch to make the place look like home. There was a small lamp over the bed and the room had an overhead light fixture. The bed was made with a nice quilted bedspread. She showed me the walk-in closet that wasn't big, but big enough for me.

We went back out into the hall where she opened the door we had skipped. It was a fairly large closet with shelves at the rear. There was a vacuum in the front of the closet, and dishtowels and dishcloths, along with what looked like a few sets of bedding, were on the shelves. There were a couple of towels and wash cloths too. The lady said, "I've furnished everything you would need to get started to take care of yourself. As you need more, we'll go to Sam's Club and you can get some more of your own."

We went back out to the kitchen counter and she asked, "What do you think?"

"I like it. The place is really spotless and I think it will be the right size for me. I might get a small desk for a computer and to keep my papers."

She said, "You can put it right beside the big chair if you move the chair over a little. If you get the internet on cable, it will be close to the cable outlet where the TV would connect."

She looked at me and asked, "You don't have any pets, do you?"

"No, Ma'am. I have a bird, but my wife will probably keep it. She has some cats but they are hers, not mine."

"Well, if you decide you want a pet, we'll talk about it."

"I like the place, Ms. Jacobs. I think it will fit me fine."

"That's Mrs. Jacobs, but my husband passed away about five years ago. "Please call me Betty. I'll call you Mark, if that's all right?"

"That will be fine, Ma'am."

She said, "And quit with the Ma'am stuff. This is a friendly trailer park. We're all friends here. When do you want to move in?"

"I have to move in this week. Let me give you some money. Is there a deposit?"

She smiled, "Only if you're a slob. If I see the place isn't kept up, I'll charge you a deposit. I'm sure you need all the extra money you have right now."

"Thank you. How do you want this first month? There's still two weeks left of this month. Should I give you two weeks now then the regular rent on the first?"

Another smile and she said, "Tell you what. Give me the first month's rent and you'll get six weeks for this first time. The economy is bad out there right now, so just do it that way."

"I can't tell you how thankful I am for your generosity, Mrs., ah, Betty. This is going to be a tough transition. I'll try to be a good tenant. I'll begin moving out here tomorrow. I don't have that much stuff. The extras that I have will go into a storage place back in Citrus Park."

"That's too bad that you've already rented a place. There's a storage place just down the street, on the other side of the business park where the Holiday Inn is."

"Well, it's only paid up for six months, so if I still need one then, I'll move up here." I looked around and said, "I should probably be leaving you so you can go to bed. It is getting late."

"No, no, not very late for me. I'm somewhat of a night owl. Several of us ladies often get together and play cards almost all night. When you get moved in, I'll introduce you. Since you'll be a new single, or at least almost a single man, you'll be popular. If you're home during the day, you'll have to come up to the pool with us and get some sun. We have a gabfest, or what you would probably call a gossip fest, almost every day. We do skip Sundays usually because that's when the dads get to come up and play with their kids. Oh, do you have any children?"

"Yes, Ma'am, I mean Betty. I have a son that's forty-four and a daughter twenty."

"My, my, that's quite a spread."

"My first wife left when my son was very young. I was lucky enough to raise him, then I remarried about the time he was leaving for college, I remarried and have the daughter that is twenty. She's lives in Atlanta, her first job out of school."

"That's wonderful, do you have any grandchildren?"

"I sure do. I have a grandson that's twelve, a granddaughter eight, and another grandson who's six. They all live in Wyoming."

"Well, Mark, we'll have to talk about our grandkids over coffee. Here's two keys, and I'll probably see you in the morning."

I helped her turn out all the lights and she shut the door and locked it with her own key. I was thinking that I'd bet she was going to be a snoopy landlord. Oh well, I already lived with a snoop for twenty-five years, another one wouldn't hurt.

As I drove down north Florida, hwy 41 before the split, I looked for the storage place Betty was talking about. When I saw it, I pulled in and wrote down the telephone number. It was the same name as the one up by the house. I wonder if they were owned by the same man and if they had reciprocity between the places.

Judy still wasn't home, so maybe she was out drinking. I doubted that, as she wasn't a drinker. Perhaps she had a boyfriend. We hadn't had any intimacy since my heart attacks eight years ago. Actually, we did a couple of times, but it was right about then that I found evidence she was seeing someone or was having some torrid twelve times a day telephone affair. She was pissed that I was looking at her cell bills. She snoops at everything I do, but bitches if I'm even a little curious. I demanded to know who this guy was as I had called the number and found out his name. She did her usual and just clammed up. She was so pissed that we never had sex again. I missed it, but it took an expensive blue pill to make me hard anyway, so I just left it. My hand could get me off when I wanted some relief. I could still get firm at the last minute and blast a big load all over the place. Lot's of fun, huh?

At home, or what was not going to be my home, I had a beer, with some cheese and crackers, to relax before bed. I took my cholesterol pill, brushed my teeth, and headed to bed. Judy and I really didn't even sleep together. One or the other of us would usually sleep on the couch. There's absolutely no touching. I guess I will miss the company, but there won't be any closeness to miss. Crap, I hate to have to move out of here. This is my house too, or at least it used to be.

Man, a lawyer is going to cost me a fortune. I wonder if there is a free legal clinic I can go to for advice. I'd look around. Perhaps the VA has something.

I'm a good sleeper. It took me just a few minutes to fall asleep. The alarm was set for four as someone has to wake Judy up at four so she can go to work. She can't get up on her own. Hope she figures out how to get up when I'm gone.

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The alarm went off and I woke up. I went to the bathroom and went out to the living room to wake Judy up. She was asleep on the couch as usual, with the TV on. At least she did eventually come home. I shook her and she groaned. In the kitchen I poured some cold coffee in cups and heated them in the microwave. Taking hers back into the living room, I shook her again trying to wake her up. She said she was awake, but I knew she wasn't.

I needed to get a head start on the day, so I shaved, showered, and dressed quickly to be ready for the day. It took two more times until four forty to get her up, cussing because she was going to have to hurry to get to work. I made a big pot of coffee for her thermos and travel cup while I fed the animals and cleaned cat litter boxes. I was finishing the morning chores when she came rushing in and said, "Find a place to live so you can get out of here. Get everything of yours out of here while you have the chance. I may sell the place and junk everything you leave. Hurry, you only have a couple of days." She grabbed her stuff and split.

It was five twenty. She had to be at work by six.

I went out into the garage and found the stack of boxes that I had flattened after moving stuff from the business. I brought the tape dispenser with me and made up a dozen boxes not knowing how much stuff I really had.

I emptied out the closet, except shirts for a couple of days, as well as the chest, again leaving jeans, socks, and under drawers for a couple of days.

The closet had a bunch of software in a box, so I took that as I was going to have to set up a PC for personal use. Hopefully my old laptop would work for a while. Thinking about that, I wondered how we were going to separate e-mails. I logged on to Yahoo and filled out the form for a free e-mail account. It was an easy to remember address, MRobins@. No one had it so it was mine now. I sent both kids the address and said this would have to do until a new one came along. I wrote my sis a note about this screw-up in my life and sent her the new address.

Thinking that I might as well separate a PC for my own use, I went to the garage and picked out what used to be my personal PC at the business. I knew it had everything I would need right now already loaded, so I took that and a monitor, knowing I could pick up a cheap LCD monitor later.

I finished the room where I kept my clothes and pulled a bunch of books that only I read and would read again. Everything else was going to have to be junk. I left my old stereo since it needed work and I wouldn't have the money to fix it. I did take a set of new PC speakers that were kick ass so I could play my limited music on the PC. I had a CD player and an Ipod. I got all that and put it in a box. I had a cart thing by the kitchen table with stuff in it, along with my medication, that I could put the whole thing in the Bronco. That reminded me, I had not taken the morning's worth of pills yet, so I took a break and took the required medications.

I went through the hall closet for my riding clothes and winter coat. I folded them into a box too. It was then that I realized I would need hangers. I cleaned the hangers out my closet so I would have them at the trailer. That took care of the house for now.

About the time I was halfway through the garage, I realized it was seven thirty so I could go over to the storage place and ask them about swapping. I hooked up the trailer and filled the Bronco with boxes.

At the storage place, the lady was very kind. She said for ten dollars, I could transfer to the other storage facility. I handed her the ten and said the only thing in this one was my motorcycle and a couple of boxes. I would load them right now and go right up to the other place. She came back with me to make sure the stall was clean and I took off.

Up at the other storage place they gave me a garage type stall close to the gate and I unloaded the bike then drove up to the trailer park where I stopped for the gate guard. I explained that I was a new resident and had rented a place from Betty Jacobs. He nodded and made a note. I drove to the trailer and opened up the place. I had the boxes in the house when Betty came over.

"Good morning, Mark. You're early this morning."

"Hi, Betty, I wanted to get the storage building thing settled and get a load up here quickly. I was able to swap locations so my stuff is up near here now. If I do this right, I should be finished late today or early tomorrow. There are a lot of loose ends at the house I need to settle before I officially move out. I'll unpack what I brought and put it away, then go get some more."

She waved for me to come over and said, "Well, at least have a cup of coffee with me this morning so I can show you I'm a good neighbor."

As I went in, I said, "I thought you lived a few spaces down?"

She said, "I do, I'm just cleaning this one up as I have a family moving in this weekend. I have six trailers of different sizes. That's how I make a living, that and Social Security. My husband's pension quit coming in as his old company went bankrupt and the pension money was not separate like it should have been. I'm glad Cletus bought all these trailers. They will support me for the rest of my life."

As I drank the coffee she offered, I said, "I didn't know trailers last that long. You're still a young woman."

"Oh you flatterer, I'm seventy-nine. I figure to make it to maybe ninety. When the time comes, I should have enough for a decent nursing home. Before that though, I'm going to live good and enjoy life."

"Betty you are in great shape and don't look anywhere near seventy-nine. Shoot, I was going to ask you out. I guess you wouldn't want to mess around with a young kid like me. Just keep doing what you're doing."

Betty smiled demurely and said softly, "If you decide you might want to go somewhere some time, come ask. I might decide I could be an educational experience for you. I would enjoy an outing."

"The time will come, Betty, bet on it. Let me get to unpacking and getting the rest of the stuff here and in the storage garage."

I unpacked, put stuff away neatly, and headed back to the house.

Primary editing by Pepere
Proofing by Sagacious


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Chapter 2


After unpacking and putting stuff away, I headed back to the house.

There, I took some boxes into the garage and emptied my big Snap-on cabinets and loaded the cabinets onto the trailer. They had to be tied down real good. I pulled all of my miscellaneous tools that only I would use and put them in the trailer too. I figured I could use my compressor, so I loaded that plus my bench PC and the other bench tools such as the oscilloscopes and the bench meters. Too bad about the bench, but where would I put a four foot by eight foot steel bench.

I began going through the office stuff that I had pulled out. There was a coffee pot, toaster, and microwave that we had used there. I loaded those in the Bronco. I took the old ink jet printer from the office and went inside to look at the bedroom TV. I should be allowed at least one TV. There was another, but it didn't work well. This one worked with one of those conversion boxes, as it was analog. That was fine with me since I didn't watch that much TV.

I took the little desk and the chair that were in the daughter's room, as she didn't need them anymore. I loaded my laptop, then thought about going by the used PC store to see if I could trade my old PCs and some cash for a faster one, along with a flat digital monitor that would take up less space.

I took the old TV from the spare bedroom and put it in the master bedroom so Judy could still watch TV in there. She can't go to sleep without the TV on. I slowly walked around the house to make sure I wasn't leaving anything that I wanted. I can always come back tomorrow and take the old junk that I had to the dump. That would clean out everything else.

Duh! I forgot, about something. I opened the bedroom closet and in the back corner was my keyboard that Judy didn't like being set up in the living room. My old Gibson ST125 with my Gorilla amp was sitting there as well. Next to it were my two shotguns and my 30.06 rifle. Damn, I forgot my pistol. Back in the under the bed drawers, I pulled the little case out and looked at my dad's ancient Smith and Wesson .38 police positive. It had a small frame with a tiny handle, but it was still a working handgun. I wrapped it back up in the oil cloth and put it back in the little case. I took my collection of hunting knives too. That sent me back to the closet by the front door to get my pool cue case out. Hopefully I would still have money enough to play league. Shit, I forgot Monday. I'll have to call the captain and apologize. I think I have a good reason.

It was near lunchtime, so I made up a couple of sandwiches and looked through the cupboards to get the canned goods out that Judy will never eat. I began eating but was pulling all the hot/spicy stuff from the fridge and cabinets. There was an old skillet that I've had all my life. It was my mom's favorite and it became my favorite. I had a whole box of kitchen stuff. I took a couple rolls of paper towels and some cleaning supplies, along with some old rag towels for cleaning. I checked over everything in the kitchen one more time and didn't find anything else that I had to have. I took the old knives because I know Judy never used them. Out in the garage refrigerator, I pulled out a full eighteen pack of beer, along with an opened case of water bottles. That should be fine. I went through the freezer and decided there was nothing there I wanted, then remembered I had the Beefeaters under the sink. I didn't drink that much except beer, but I took the Beefeaters and the Scotch.

The truck and trailer were loaded, so I made the trip up to the trailer park to empty the house stuff before going to the storage building.

I was finished unloading and was unpacking quickly when Betty came in. "Let me help you unpack, Mark. We can get it done quicker. Oh, I like the little desk and chair there. You need a TV stand, though. Are these pictures of your kids and grandkids?"

She was full of questions, but did assist me in getting everything neatly put away. I broke down the boxes and was putting them into the Bronco when an old guy came up and introduced himself.

"Hi, I'm Martin, I do some of the yard work for the park, but mostly I wander around and help people fix stuff on the trailers. Betty is always having me fix something for her."

I said, "Hi Martin, I'm Mark Robins. I'm just moving in."

"Where are you going to put those tools?"

Betty came out and said, "He rented one of those storage garages down the street. He says he has stuff to put in it."

Martin said, "You need a little storage building that you can use as a shop. Let me think about it. There may be one available I can move over here. Can you use those tools, can you work on cars?"

"I'm okay on most cars but some of the new ones are too sophisticated for me. I haven't learned how to do everything on them yet."

He said, "I know what you mean. The new ones have all kinds of strange things that can go wrong. Most of the older folks out here have older cars. They would probably love for you to help them with little things. They can't afford a lot of the little nitpicky things that go wrong with a car. They can usually afford the parts but sometimes, not even that. I'll get you a storage building big enough for a workshop."

"I have a big workbench that I could bring if the shed is big enough. The bench is four by eight so the storage building would have to at least twice that big."

Martin scratched his chin then said, "Let me run over to the truck body building. I'll be right back."

I hadn't noticed that he had come up in a little golf cart, but he jumped in it and took off. Betty said, "Martin gets things done. He does stuff for everyone. His wife, Glenda, is my best friend. You'll have to meet her. Martin will have you busy and broke helping everyone like he does. He has Steve Sharp that helps him with the parts he buys. Maybe Steve will help you if you help the old folks out here."

I had a couple of lawn chairs that we didn't use at home any longer and had put them by the trailer, so I opened them up and put them on the little concrete pad. Betty sat, and I sat with her. I commented, "The tree does give some nice shade. It's nice being on the end like this with a little extra room before the bushes and the fence."

Betty said, "When the tree is shedding its leaves so bad in the fall, use the awning on the trailer. It will keep the acorns from hitting you too. You get all the highway noise though, it can get loud sometimes. You know, since there is an awning, you can open it when it's raining so you can sit out here."

A big flatbed truck was coming down the street. I could see several legs sticking off the sides and a large building on the back.

Martin got out of the truck and went over to the side of the trailer and measured out to the tree. He said, "Just enough space. Come on, you guys, bring those shovels and let's get this leveled out so we can put the shed here."

Four young guys, probably high school kids, took shovels and in fifteen minutes they were raking a place that really looked level. Martin said, "Come on, Mark, you and I can help a little with this thing. It's not that heavy."

We carried the fiberglass shed over and placed it so the front of the shed was just past the end of the trailer. The trailer was small so the shed didn't overlap into the next street's rear area. I said, "The shed is almost as big as the trailer."

"It's twelve by twenty. You'll have a lot of spare room. Let's get the floor sections down and put the mats in there."

We carried the nylon and fiberglass floor sections and put them in, hooking them to the sides of the shed. When they were in place, the young guys put the mats over the top of the floor sections. I nodded and said, "This is first class, Martin. How much is this going to cost me?"

"Nothing, Mark. They would have given it away or thrown it out soon anyway. They don't use it anymore since they built on the parts area. This was just for overflow. As long as you're going to help others, others can help you. Let's get your tool chest and tools in there."

I put everything in there and figured that I would get the bench tomorrow and get it out here. It takes a while to take it apart and haul it. When I put the compressor in the shed Martin said, "I'll have the maintenance guy, or I will come down, and run you some power inside the shed for light and tools. If you think that bench is too big for your trailer, let's take this truck and these kids and go get it. Is your old place far?"

"About twenty minutes, Martin, good idea. Betty can you watch the place for me until I get back?"

Betty smiled, "I sure will, Honey, if you'll fix my power steering for me. The mechanic says it takes some kind of gasket."

"I'll do that. Well be back in about forty-five minutes."

We were able to go to the house, load one big bench and a few other big items like some shop light fixtures quickly and be back in about forty minutes. The boys had the bench into the shed quickly. Martin tossed them the truck keys and said, "Tell Kevin thank you for the loan of the truck and you boys. One of you bring my cart back and I'll drive you home."

Martin said, "If you have some stuff you want to get out of the storage building, go get it. You'll have plenty of room now."

I drove down to the storage place and loaded the bike and my electronic stuff on the trailer and swept out the space. At the office I said, "I don't need the storage space any longer. Can you get me a refund on the unused portion?"

The guy said, "I can, but you have to pay for a whole month. You can use the space for the rest of the time."

"Thanks, but why don't you rent it out and make an extra buck. I'm lucky enough to have been given a storage building."

The guy gave me a check for over six hundred dollars as the storage space was a hundred thirty-five a month.

Back at the trailer park, I pulled the old motorcycle off the trailer and pushed it back into the shed. Martin rode up on his golf cart and saw the bike and asked, "Does that old thing run? What year is it?"

"It's a nineteen thirty-nine EL. It's only a 61 inch knucklehead. It runs pretty good, but it's not practical. I'm going to sell it and get something newer."

"We have a few guys that are into motors out here. One works at the Harley Davidson store down on Dale Mabry."

"It will be nice to meet him," I said, as Martin was looking at the bike. I kept hauling my electronic equipment into the shed and unpacking it and setting it up on the bench.

Martin ran some Romex from the electrical box on the trailer through a piece of plastic pipe into the shed. He wired quad outlets on three walls and put wire to two places overhead along with some wire to a place by the door. It didn't take him but a few minutes to wire in outlets with a switch for the shop lights. He flipped the lights on and smiled; "Now you have a shop. This is better than Abe used to have up by me."

"Thank you, Martin, this is really great. I'm going to take the trailer off and stand it up on the side. It folds up decently and doesn't look bad sitting there."

I turned to Betty who was sitting in the lawn chair, "Get me your keys and let me look at your car. If I can see what the problem is, I'll go to the autoparts store this afternoon and pick up the part."

I pulled Betty's old Chevrolet Impala up to the shed and began checking where the leak was. I had Martin sit in the car and turn the steering wheel back and forth then all the way, lock to lock. That's when power steering leaks. Sure enough, a stream of power steering fluid shot up and almost got me. I used my flashlight and saw it was coming from a high pressure hose. It looked like a small pin hole and should be cheap to replace. I used my tools and had the hose off quick. I said, "There's a parts store next door in the little shopping center. Let me go see if they have a hose."

Martin said, "We'll go down to the truck store and mooch a piece of hose. No sense in spending money if we don't have to."

We used Martin's cart and drove to a big truck dealership that had a maintenance department in the rear. We walked up to the mechanic's parts counter and Martin showed the hose to the counter man. He took the hose and a minute later returned with another hose about ten inches long just like it. Martin said "Thanks, make sure your Mom calls me to fix that fan."

As we went back to the park, Martin smiled and said, "Everyone helps each other. They'll give you stuff as long as it's just material like that. If it's parts, you have to pay dealer cost, it's still cheaper. They don't have car parts, but a lot of parts are the same."

It took me about five minutes to put the hose back on then I hunted through my boxes for some power steering fluid and topped it off. I had Martin start the Impala again. He repeated the lock to lock turning and I couldn't find any other leaks. I did notice that two belts were getting frayed. I said, "Betty, the steering is fixed but you need some fan belts. I'll pick them up tomorrow and change them. If you don't have to go out, don't until I fix these."

Martin looked at them and said, "Good man. Glad you checked them for her. You'll be busy. There are a lot of older folks out here to help. Do you have a job?"

"No, not yet. I'm going to have to get a job though. I'm losing all my retirement money, so I'll need some extra money to get by."

Betty said, "You know, you're probably eligible for food stamps. Get the lady up at the recreation center to check for you. That's what she does. She's here during the week from ten till noon every day."

"I might do that, but I'll still need a job. I need a couple of dollars for recreation and I need money for stuff like beer. I need to order a phone and internet probably."

Betty said, "Basic cable is free from the park, but you have to pay for internet. It isn't too expensive. If you get cable internet, get one of those phone jacks for under twenty dollars a year. That's the cheap way to do it."

I put everything away after wiping down my tools. Everything in the shop was nice and neat, so I finished putting the trailer up by the shed and told Betty. "I'm going to go back to the house to make a list of everything that I need answers for and probably sleep there. I think I am moved, except for the last of my clothes. There are just a couple of pieces left."

Betty said, "Thank you for fixing my car. I don't think the mechanic likes to work on older cars. Everyone you help out here will really appreciate your efforts."

I locked the door to the trailer after making sure all the lights were off and drove back to the house. It was only four, so I went through the house inch by inch again, making sure I wasn't leaving anything. Actually everything that I was leaving was junk. I think I was really done. Tomorrow I would take the little cabinet with my medicine in it and be gone. I would beat Friday by a couple of days.

Sitting at the kitchen table I realized how angry I was. This had totally overwhelmed me. Somehow I knew that Judy wasn't going to get everything that we had and couldn't possibly get any of my Social Security or V.A. benefit. I wanted to strike back but at the same time I wanted this to just go away, for Judy and I to stay together. The more I thought of it, the more I realized this was for real, the end was near.

I checked the e-mail and forwarded everything to me to my yahoo address. I wrote my new address down with a please forward my e-mail to this address note. I noticed some sent e-mails to an attorney so I wrote his name down. I saw another e-mail address in the sent e-mail area that was repeated a lot. After reading the e-mails, I realized not only what they meant, but who the addressee was. Shit, this is from a slimeball that used to live down the street who ran off, leaving his wife with no money and three kids. She had to sell the house before it was repossessed, but didn't make any money on it. They had refinanced recently and he had pulled the equity out. Now I understood why Judy was so pissed when she found out I was mowing the lady's lawn and taking them gallons of milk all the time.

Oh well, if she wanted someone like that, so be it. He was kind of an asshole so I wondered when he was going to lord it over me that he was messing with my wife. The guy was strange though, as he would be gone for six months at a time. Apparently he came back in time to get the neighbor pregnant again. I never did trust the guy. He gave me the creeps.

I was flipping through the yellow pages under attorney when I ran into an ad that said, "Ladies, is your spouse taking advantage of you and giving you the shaft in a divorce? Let me help you. If you do not have the funds, I'll help you for free." The lawyer's name was Sarah Perkins, but she stated she only represented women. Maybe she knew a guy that was helping people.

I called the number and spoke with a receptionist. I explained my situation and she immediately jumped on me for even calling. I further explained that I figured her office would know if another lawyer might help men who were being taken advantage of. She calmed down a little and said she would ask Ms. Perkins. She asked me to hold.

A different voice came on the phone and said, "This is Sarah Perkins. Convince me you're being taken advantage of and I'll help you. If you get a lot of money, I get some."

I answered, "Fair enough. Let me tell you the story."

When I was finished, she said, "You are up a creek aren't you. Have you found a place to live yet?"

I explained about the trailer and having moved my stuff the last two days. She said, "Can you come in tomorrow morning. You don't have to dress up, just come in. I need account numbers, all of them. I need any insurance policies you might have and any benefits you might have been getting from her job. Since you're retired now and have sold your business, you have health insurance from the post office as a dependent, right?"

"I do, but I also have VA."

"That's okay, the other health insurance covers all your co-pays and prescription fees. Since you have a heart condition, I'm sure you take a bunch of drugs."

"You're right."

Sarah said, "Do you have to have answers from her or are you willing to just book, get out of Dodge, split, vanish, you know, leave."

I was laughing when I said, "No, I don't have any problem leaving now. I only have a couple of items to get and then just go."

"Then get up and go. Come see me in the morning. Go by a gas station and get a throwaway cell phone. Call me with the number, but don't give it to anyone else that knows your wife. I know the lawyer she has and he's a real treat. We need to get on this quick. I can file tomorrow and stop most of the shit he's doing. See me in the morning, anytime after eight. If you come early, bring me a donut."

I sat there and thought, cool, now I have some form of representation. It took me ten minutes to get everything out of the house that was left. I made one more pass through the house and garage and found nothing more. I sort of felt bad. I should cut the grass tomorrow as I was planning to, but Mr. Slimeball can cut it.

On the way to the trailer park, I went by the parts store next to the park. They had all of the belts for Betty's car along with an oil filter and air filter. I bought a case of oil, an oil pan, and a storage container for used oil, and went to the trailer.

After hauling everything into the house, I opened the shed and got the wrench out to take off the oil filter and the wrench for the oil pan plug. It didn't take but ten minutes to change the oil and put the new air filter in. It took another twenty minutes to change all of the belts. Her air conditioner belt was off, so after getting all the belts on I started the car and turned on the air, cold air came out. I buttoned up everything and poured the old oil into the disposal can and shut the shop up. I washed up and went over to Betty's house. I knocked on the door but no one answered. As I came away from the door, another older lady said, "Hi there, are you looking for Betty?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"I'm Shirley Minor, I live in this trailer here. Betty is down at the rec center. She'll be back in a few minutes. She never usually stays this late, but she was over at your place today. You're Mark, right?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

The lady smiled real big, "How about some coffee. I even have a couple of beers in the icebox if you want one."

"Thank you, Shirley, but I'm a little dirty. I should probably shower and change before I do much visiting."

"Oh, that's all right. We'll sit outside before the bugs come. I'm used to a dirty man. My man used to work on the railroad and was always dirty. Come sit."

We sat while we had some iced tea. I found out that Shirley was just sixty eight and had been a widow for ten years. Her husband's railroad benefits kept her comfortable, she said. She was smiling when she said, "I heard you're in the process of divorcing. When you get that all taken care of, perhaps we could be close friends. Have you been chasing around on your wife?"

"No, Ma'am. I haven't been doing that. Since I'm older what would I do with someone after I caught her?"

Shirley laughed, "At least you're honest about it. You could always use some of those pills that's supposed make it good when the mood is right."

"They are very expensive, Shirley. I don't think I would take expensive pills to do something like that with someone I didn't have a relationship with."

"So sweet. Well, perhaps there are a whole bunch of us old ladies that would love to have a relationship with you. When you buy those pills for us, you better buy a big jar."

Now it my turn to laugh. "You're a tease, aren't you, Shirley?"

"Not really, Mark. I just love to joke and very few of the older men want to joke. Of course, they're all married so their wives watch them like hawks. They don't watch enough though, as some of those old guys cat around all the time. Get Sam down on the end to tell you which of the women need visiting. He knows; he visits as many as he can get away with."

I laughed again and said, "Could Sam perhaps be bragging?"

"It's not him, Honey, the women all brag and giggle about it up at the pool. Of course, they don't do it in front of his wife. Oh here comes Betty. Hey, Betty."

Betty came over and said, "Already making time with one of the youngest of us widows, I see."

"You know, Betty, the man's a gentleman. Don't know whether that's good for us or not."

"Oh, Shirley, you've been talking a good game for years. Now that a real live eligible guy is around perhaps we'll find you out."

Betty asked me, "Were you looking for me? Why are you back tonight? You said you were going to move in Friday."

"Things change, Betty. I came to tell you your car is done. I changed the oil and replaced all the belts. Your air conditioner compressor belt was missing and since I replaced it, your air is working now."

"Oh you Honey. I might want to thank you like Shirley brags she used to enjoy doing. I've not had air since February."

"Well you do now, Betty. Where should I put your car?"

She smiled, "Park it under the carport for me, okay? Thank you for fixing it for me. Now I really do owe you."

"It's my pleasure, Betty. I'm going to bring your car to you then clean up and enjoy the rest of the evening. I have plenty to keep me busy. I have to run to the grocery store too."

They were both going to ask, but I said, "How about a rain check from both of you. I need to settle in and I have an appointment downtown early tomorrow morning. Goodnight, ladies, I'll see you tomorrow."

I took the car back to Betty's and waved at the pair over at Shirley's. Back at my trailer, I went in and put my dirty clothes into the clothes hamper I brought from the house and stepped into the shower. Clean, I brushed my teeth and dressed in clean jeans and a collared shirt. I have fairly long hair and leave it that way because I have some big ears. I use the extra hair to brush back over the ears.

Looking at myself in the mirror, I thought that I wasn't bad looking but nothing to write home about. Even with glasses, I didn't look bad. I could use some more hair up top as my forehead was getting pretty big. Oh well, these ladies may be desperate. I might even get lucky eventually.

I decided I needed to get all my basics from Wal-Mart and later shop at Publix for produce and sale items. I had a mental list and started in the dairy products area and worked my way to the front. I did get a bunch of frozen stuff for quick meals and breakfast. I didn't remember to bring salt and pepper shakers from home, so I picked up a cheap set. I bought a small steak then made a beeline back to the other side of the store to pick up a cheap little hibachi and some charcoal. I thought I might treat myself on my inaugural night in the park.

Wow! Over a hundred dollars, but all of it was food except for the hibachi and the salt shakers. I was going to have to figure out a budget.

At home, already thinking of the place as home, I lit the charcoal, washed the grille, pulled apart a salad and made up a batch of Caesar dressing real quick. I put a small package of chopped spinach into the microwave and put the steak on. I ate the salad outside with a small glass of Beefeaters. When the steak was done, I sat at the table and ate with the TV on. Actually this was not much different than normal. I mostly ate alone but made enough for Judy to eat when she finally made it home. I didn't have to worry about her tonight. I did wonder what she would feel when she found that I was gone. I didn't even leave a note. Oh well.

I cleaned everything up and broke out my laptop. After booting it up, I noticed that the wireless connection was working. Someone close must have a wireless router. I tried to connect to the internet and it came right up. I wrote a note to Judy that told her that I was trying to help her get done what she needed to get done. I was moved out and anything left could be trashed. I did ask her if she would separate my photographs for me so I could have my pictures of Gene and the kids, as well as Jeanie.

I ended the note telling her that it was too bad we didn't get to spend our later years together. I slipped in that I hoped her and Steven were happy. I wanted to add 'that prick' but left it out.

There were a couple of new stories on SOL, so I read the new chapters then logged off. Enough of this stuff. The house looked straight and the kitchen was clean, so I locked the door and went to bed. My mind was racing, thinking of Judy, thinking of how I really wasn't going to be anymore lonely than I already was. It was enough to make me want to chew nails and cry at the same time. Slowly I settled down. I was lucky; I always fall asleep easily and did so in seconds.

Primary editing by Pepere

Proofing by Sagacious



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Chapter 3

I woke up at five, crap, perhaps in a week or so I'll get to sleep till six or later. Knowing I needed to exercise for my cardio rehab therapy, I put on shorts, kept on the T-shirt I slept in, and put on socks and my tennis shoes.

The morning was a little cooler after the scorching heat of the day before. Taking my pills was first, then I took off, walking slowly and built up speed for five minutes until I was walking at a fairly fast pace. I walked completely around the big park, ending up where there were some nice homes on a private street. I figured these houses were the owner's and family. I was back at the trailer, after a forty-five minute walk. I showered and shaved while some coffee was dripping.

Not knowing how long it was going to take, I ate a quick bowl of cereal, had a cup of coffee, and headed out. I stopped at the Seven Eleven out on highway forty-one to get some donuts, as requested by Sarah, and headed for downtown Tampa.

It was early enough that traffic wasn't too bad. I was able to park in the lot behind her building for two bucks and went around front to find out what floor her office was on. I took the elevator to the fourth floor and stepped out. The directions for numbers had me entering a dark office at eight. I said, "Hello, Ms. Perkins? Mark Robins here."

A voice from the back said, "Come on back, I'm making coffee. Did you bring donuts?"

I was laughing as I put the bag with a dozen donuts on the counter. The lady said, "You didn't have to get so many. Just one for me, and one for my secretary, was all I wanted. Now I'll have to have at least two. What do you want, a fat lawyer?"

I just smiled.

"Come into my office while the coffee is brewing. Janet will be in any second. I always beat her. She really doesn't start until eight thirty. Now where did I put those papers?"

Sarah read a bunch of stuff then asked, "Do you want to hurt her or do you just want a fair deal."

"Fair would be nice. I have no reason to want to her hurt. I don't think she should get everything though. I worked a long time for the money I sold the business for. When we remarried, we re-incorporated so it could be a woman owned or minority owned business, but she hasn't worked in the business for over fifteen years."

Sarah said while looking at the papers, "That shouldn't be a big deal. Fair is fair, so it should be at least 50/50 right down the middle. Now if you were some lady who was really crapped on by a sleaze husband, I would make the husband eat shit."

I nodded.

Sarah continued, "Look at these numbers as to the amount of the various accounts and the appraisal of your house. I've listed the vehicles you own, including the car now registered in Atlanta. We can exclude that if you want since that's your daughter's."

These were the numbers that I had given her. Luckily I had just checked balances of the personal and business accounts. I still had the receipts from the ATM machine outside the bank Monday morning. I fished those from my money clip and attached those. That got me thinking, she must have taken off Monday to do all this stuff. Oh, that's why she was early getting home. Not just to tell me we were splitting, she had not gone to work that day.

I mentioned to Sarah that by Monday evening, the accounts had me excluded already.

Sarah had me sign a bunch of papers that were mostly power of attorney. She looked up at me and asked, "Do you know the name of the guy she's seeing?"

I smiled and said, "I do. Now, that guy I'd like to hurt. He left a wife and three kids with nothing. He was such a sleaze that he had my wife object about me buying them milk and some groceries and mowing their lawn while she was trying to sell the house. She got nothing in the divorce because he didn't have anything. I'd bet he isn't paying child support either."

"Can you get hold of the ex-wife?"

"I sure can, I keep in touch to make sure she's okay and her kids are alright. She's staying with her folks right now, and is working at a clothing store. She's taking some night classes to become a dental hygienist. I hope she makes it."

"Get hold of her and have her call me. If I can, I can go back and get something off him. If nothing else, I'll put him in jail." She laughed, "I can be mean."

She shuffled the papers, tapped them together, and slid a paper clip over them. "Okay, you're done. If you get rich, I'll charge you accordingly, but you're already trying to help someone else, so we're probably gonna be even."

"How can you do all this pro bono work?"

Sarah said smiling, "A little while back, I made a great big fee suing a fat cat that was abusive. Now I still charge people, but I can do this stuff for women and you for free and enjoy it. Now get, I have work to do. Call me."

That reminded me, I needed a phone. On the way back to the park, I stopped at Wal-Mart and bought a cheap phone with a thousand minutes. That should be plenty for a long while

I used the new phone to call Sarah's office and gave the secretary the new number.

Back at the park, I was about to call the cable company for my own internet connection but instead, I used my laptop to see if I could figure out whose connection I was using. I couldn't without getting into their hard drive and I didn't want to do that. I would ask around and perhaps split it with them.

I decided to make up my PC and go to the used store to get what else I needed. I needed a new hard drive, another gig of ram, an external hard drive for backup, and a wireless network interface card. The computer store had a deal on a better, faster ready built box that was about the same price of the junk I was going to buy, so I bought it with a used LCD monitor and the external hard drive. I had to make an extra trip to get my used stuff back to the store as my trade-in.

The folks included a keyboard and mouse, so I was fixed.

At home, I set up everything and discovered the store had pre-loaded XP so all I had to do was load my old Office professional 97 and then download Firefox. I connected to the internet, downloaded what I needed, then set up an Excel spreadsheet for my budget. I figured I would just start a list and keep adding to it until I had everything that I needed.

I checked my yahoo account and Judy had forwarded several e-mails that were mostly spam. My sister forgot and sent stuff to my home address. There was note from Judy,

Mark, 

I didn't mean for you to have to leave so fast. I thought we might have a last supper on Friday evening since I'm off Friday. Come by about six and we'll have a nice supper together and talk about our individual futures.

Judy

Whew! That was strange. That was as nice as she's written to me or talked to me in virtually years. I wondered what this was all about. I doubted it was really for my benefit.

Just for fun, I forwarded the note to Sarah Perkins telling her that I had received this today.

Someone was knocking on my door. An elderly gentleman was standing outside, so I went out. He introduced himself, "I'm Donald Krause. I live across the street there. I wanted to welcome you to the park. I heard you helped Betty."

"Yes Sir, I did."

"That was very nice of you. If you want, I'd love for you to see if you can make my old Mercury run better. It's missing something fierce. They want over a hundred dollars just to do a tune-up and you know they will find more. Come over and get it when you can look at it for me. My wife, Prissy, will wash and iron for you in return. How about it?"

"I'll look at your car for you, but your wife doesn't have to wash my clothes. I'm a big boy, I know how to do that."

"It'd make us feel better if you help us. We don't have much money; we're kind of short lately."

"No problem, Donald, or do people call you Don?"

"Either one, Prissy is the one who always calls me Donald."

"Let me get your car over here and let's see what needs to be done."

The car could hardly drive across the street it was running so bad. It only had thirty-four thousand miles, but that could be a hundred and thirty-four. The car was so clean and perfect, I'd bet on thirty-four.

After popping the hood and looking at the engine compartment, the problem was obvious. Squirrels or rats had gotten up into the engine compartment and chewed through most of the plug wires. I pulled a plug to find they were probably the originals. The oil looked like ink and the air filter was caked. Well, I guess I was going to have to spend some money. I ran next door to the auto parts store and bought, plugs, plug wires, a rotor cap, pcv valve, and gas, oil, and air filters. The auto parts guy showed me where the gas filter was on his computer diagram so I could find it.

The whole thing didn't take but about forty-five minutes. I remembered something else and went for some gas treatment for the fuel injectors as well as some gas rejuvenating additive. I was sure the gas was old. I poured the junk into the tank then took the car for a little drive. It ran good. I didn't need to do any timing adjustments, but ran it down the street and came back, noting the car was heating up.

Back in the driveway, I checked and found the two main radiator hoses were dry rotted, so I pulled the car to end of the street and pulled a water hose to it, letting it run while I loosened the petcock on the bottom of the radiator. Once the engine was flushed, I went back to the parts store to get anti-freeze and the two hoses. I put the car back together then went to Donald.

A elderly lady came to the door and smiled at me, "You're Mark, aren't you. People call me Prissy. Won't you come in?"

"I'm done with the car, Ma'am. Perhaps Donald and you would like to take a drive. It should run fine."

"I saw you take it out then do some more to it. What was so bad on it?"

"Well the worst thing was that the car isn't used enough. The other bad thing is that squirrels were eating up the wiring. You need to feed the squirrels some kind of treat that will keep them away."

"We've had to start doing that. They were eating the telephone and cable wire from underneath the house. We haven't seen any lately. I know there are so many we'll always have them, but I'll just keep feeding them."

"Good, here's your keys. Tell Don the car's ready to roll."

"I will, Mark, thank you so much. Now you be sure to bring your dirty clothes over here so I can wash and iron them for you. That will make me feel a lot better."

I just smiled and said, "Yes, Ma'am." Old folks have pride too.

I cleaned up my tools and put everything away then cleaned myself up in clean jeans and shirt. I got the receipts together and wrote Donald and Prissy Krause on a note and paper clipped them all together.

Thinking that Martin may help me meet this guy who pays for parts, I walked over to Betty's and found her sitting out on her little patio. "Hi, Betty. I want to go see Martin. Could you tell me where he lives?"

"He's two streets over, the third house from the end on our side of the street. You can't miss it because of Steve Sharp's place. The Sharps have a huge home with a big patio. Martin may even be over there. If no one is home, go to the patio and go in and ask for him. You'll probably see him and Glenda sucking up a beer sitting on the glider."

I began to leave as Betty said, "Wait a minute, I'll walk over with you. I want to tell Steve and Sue how nice you were to help me out with my car."

"Don't tell them that. I did it as a favor to you."

"They need to know. They like to know the folks that live out here."

We walked around to the entrance to the street where Martin lived and walked down. It was right at lunch time and golf carts were buzzing down the street, stopping just ahead in a group by a large manufactured office building. The closer we got, the more it looked like a manufactured home and not an office. As we passed by, I could see a huge patio with a lot of people at tables. We were almost to Martin's trailer when he called us from a patio door. "Hey, Mark, Betty, come over here. Mark, you have to meet Steve and his family. They're just back from sailing all the way to Hawaii and back. They're showing pictures on the TV while we eat lunch."

I got up closer and said, "We'll come back after lunch, Martin. I didn't mean to interrupt a meal."

"Shoot, your not interrupting anything. Everyone comes to eat here. Come on in before the soup gets cold."

I was really embarrassed. Just the way to meet a nice guy you want to put the arm on. Mooch lunch.

Martin pulled me right over to a nice looking guy sitting between two very nice looking women. One looked at you as if she could see through you, and the other was pure sweetness with Grand Canyon cleavage. Martin said, "Steve, Sue, Mercy, everybody, this Mark Robins. He just moved in and has already been helping people. Yesterday, he fixed up Betty's car and today, I heard he was fixing Don and Prissy Krause's car."

Steve stood and stuck out his hand. "Nice to meet you, Mark. Good to see you, Betty, you never come over. Sit, have some lunch. We always have enough."

It looked like they did, so as people cleared out a space across from Steve, Betty and I sat. Martin said, "This is my wonderful wife, Glenda,. She's responsible for a lot of good eating around here."

I stood and shook hands with the nice older lady. Glenda said, "Betty, have you found a single guy you can chase?"

"Sort of, Glenda, he's a little young, I might have to throw him back. Shirley and Caroline think he's just about right for pickin' though."

I was blushing when the lady named Mercy who kept looking inside my head said, "Don't listen to those ladies. They love to tease men. If you let them you'll have a red face all the time."

Steve asked, "Do you work or are you retired?"

"Well, I had a business, but I sold it with the intention of retiring, but something came up that's going to require me to find a job. I have a line on a couple."

Betty opened her mouth when I wish she wouldn't, "Mark's wife is divorcing him and kicked him out of the house and took all of their money. That's what happened to a good man."

I rolled my eyes and said, "It will work out. I found some representation this morning that should help."

Steve said, "Well, that's too bad, but perhaps good for us. Thank you for helping those folks. If you will give me the bills for the parts for those folks, I'll reimburse you. Martin just gave me the bills on Betty's car. I understand you even fixed her air. Her shop said it needed a new compressor, what did you do to it?"

"That would be nice if you would reimburse me for the parts. I don't mind the time, but I'm on a rather limited budget. The only problem with her air was the compressor belt. Of course, there may be something I didn't see, but that's all I found so far."

Betty said, "I took the car over to the mall this morning and it drove perfectly and the air froze me out. Mark did a great job helping me out. He's going to be great for us older folks."

Sue said, "You have to give the man a chance to have a job, Betty. He needs to work to make some money. Make sure you tell people he'll help, but he can't do this all day, everyday."

After taking a bite, Sue looked at me and asked, "What kind of business did you have, Mark?"

"I had a communications business. My company did and still does sell and service business telephone systems. Our market was mostly attorneys and doctors. We had some industrial accounts, but mostly professional offices."

Steve asked, "What are you going to look for?"

"I thought I would go over to Publix and see if they need someone. Perhaps Wal-Mart, or someplace like that. I can't do a lot physically. I'm not in that great of shape. I'm healthy and all, I just have some restrictions I have to live with."

Glenda said, "Wasn't that you out walking real early this morning."

"Yes it was, Glenda, that's part of my cardiac rehab. It's been a few years now so it must be working. Walking is almost my only exercise."

Steve asked, "Do you know anything about small engines? You know like lawn mower engines or these golf cart engines?"

"I rebuilt a golf cart one time for myself a long time ago. Most of the small engines are fairly easy unless they have a proprietary ignition or something."

"You might go over to our golf cart factory and see if they need anyone. They are always looking for warranty techs to go down to places like Sun City and some other golf cart communities. You can work by the hour or subcontract."

"I'll go over there later this afternoon and ask. I need to get my resume back in order. I haven't had one for thirty plus years. There won't be that much to add."

Steve asked, "What do you do for fun, Mark?"

"I play pool a couple of nights a week in a league, I mess with an ancient motorcycle, and I toy with some ideas in my workshop when I have time."

"What kind of ideas, Mark?" Steve was smiling, curious.

"I've been working on an idea for a solid state ignition for small motors that would be more dependable. I also have a couple of gas saving ideas that I want to try out on some vehicles. I just putter."

"You should show our R&D people your ideas. They might be able to help you test and improve them. They would still be your ideas, but we might be a buyer for them. We market some weird stuff. You'll have to go over there to see what they play with. You'll also need to go down to the main shop and see it. That's my pride and joy. We started down the street at the storage facility and grew from there."

I smiled and said, "Seems I've read a few articles about your company. Ah, your wife Sue has a clothing company, right?"

Sue smiled a dazzling smile, "I sure do. We started right here in the trailer park as a mail order company. Now we're really big with several big factories right here in town."

I asked, "Isn't the recession hurting your business? Can you keep the factories busy?"

"We make a lot of clothing that would be considered staples. We also make clothes for people that are hard to fit. We make a lot of clothing under contract for the military here in the United States and several other countries. We actually have had to turn down uniform business. We just sold too much."

"That's wonderful. How about you, Steve, how are your businesses doing?"

Steve said, "Happily, we haven't laid off anyone in any country, but we've had to use people all over the place and we haven't hired for retiring employees or those who have moved away. So far, so good, as our orders are still decent, just not as strong. We have such a variety of businesses that one picks up the other."

I was finishing my sandwich and took a drink of the ice tea given me. Steve said, "Say, come by later. About five and have a beer or drink with us. Stay and have supper. You'll love all the folks that come. A real menagerie of folks. It's a blast to meet them all. You'll love them."

Sue said, "They'll love you for helping those old folks. The hardest thing we have to do is to look after all the older folks out here. They're so damned independent they don't want your direct help, but if you do like you're doing, they'll be grateful forever."

Mercy said, "I think Mark is willing to help anyone, aren't you, Mark? We just need to help him have enough to keep him happy."

I looked at Mercy with a smile and wondered if she were some kind of mind reader or mentalist. Betty said, "I do need to get back, Mark. Shirley and I go up to the pool in the afternoon and today is a great day for it."

Glenda said, "Mark, put your swimsuit on and go up to the pool with us bunch of gossips. You'll be fresh gossip for all of them. Lie out in the sun and get some color. All the ladies will want to put oil on you."

When I rolled my eyes, Steve said, "After I go to the gym, I go up there and lay out for about a half hour everyday of the week. It keeps my color and makes me feel good. I swim afterwards so I get a little more exercise."

Sue said, "You should come up. There are a lot of nice looking ladies to look at."

Steve said, "Mercy, Kathy, Juanita, and Sue included. There's Beth and Missy too, but they don't go up all the time."

"Thank you, folks, for making me so welcome. It is a real pleasure to meet you."

"Whether you come up to pool or not, be sure to come over for a beer and supper tonight. It's a command performance." Steve took the receipts that I had for Don and Prissy and said, "I'll have your check here for these and Betty's, so you have to come."

I left with a smile as this had been a really unexpected meeting. As we walked out, Martin came out and said, "Let me give you a quick ride over to your place, Betty, so you can get up to the pool. Wouldn't want you to miss out on the gabfest up there."

"Oh, Martin, we're not that bad. We just talk, that's all."

"Talk, and talk, and talk and talk. Glenda just loves it."

Back home, I was entering some more items on my budget spreadsheet when Betty and Shirley knocked on my door. They said, "Are you coming with us?"

"Do you think I really should? I'm not in that great of shape. I've a little belly and some handles on the side. I'm no young guy."

"Who's looking for a young guy? Come on, you old fogey. Get your swimsuit on and come with us. You may not be able to do this every day but you can today. You might find more people to help."

Just what I needed.

I changed quickly and put a T-shirt on to cover my chest where you could see my pacemaker. When we got to the pool area, the ladies began introducing me to a dozen women with ages from the late thirties up to Mrs. Henderson who had just celebrated her ninety-first birthday. I just love old people. Thinking comically that I "are" one of those, but I really do love the really old girl's spunk.

When Mrs. Henderson said, "Come lay down on this lounge next to me. I'll put some oil on your back' Honey." I was a goner. I was in love.

I said, "Mrs. Henderson, I would love to, but I came up with Betty and Shirley. I should stay with them, don't you think?"

"If you're a gentleman the answer is yes. But if you're me and want your company, the answer is lie down right here."

Betty came over and said, "Stay here with the lady, Mark. She just wants to get her hands on you."

I lay down on the lounger and was told quickly to take off my T-shirt. She told me to lie down on my stomach then she proceeded to give me a wonderful delicate massage over all of my back and legs. She said, "You should wear a skimpier suit so I can get at more of you." She actually giggled. She lay on her stomach and handed me the lotion. She said, "Be gentle, Honey, my skin is a little thin."

I took a long while to gently apply the oil. She moaned several times from the attention. I put some lotion on my face, forehead, and my front. I lay down on my back and enjoyed a little sun that way, then turned on my stomach to get some sun on my back. Mrs. Henderson asked, "Can you help me turn over, Honey. I need a few minutes on my back, and then I'll be done for the day."

I gently helped her to kneel then lay on her back. She was pretty spry for ninety-one. She asked me lots of questions until a younger lady came over and said, "Hilly, come on, it's time to go home. You've had a lot of sun today." I had sat up and she extended her hand to me to let me help her up. She got up and was very agile. She put her sandals and a swim robe on and picked up her purse. She said to me, "I hope you come up and visit with me often. It was sweet of you to stay with me today."

She and the lady left the pool, so I went over to lay out with Betty and Shirley who were in some serious discussions with some other ladies. A nice looking lady in her late sixties said, "That lady who just took Mrs. Henderson home is her granddaughter, another widow. She's amazing, isn't she?"

I just smiled and lay down on my stomach to get some more sun. Three hands began oiling my back again. I had my eyes closed and said, "You three know this is heaven and I'll want to know each of you more intimately."

"Be still my heart," Shirley said.

Betty said, "Now he's flirting, how nice."

The new lady said, "I'm Caroline, I live just up the street from you. Don't be a stranger from my bed, ah, I mean door."

The three ladies were giggling.

Sue, Mercy, Kathy, and Juanita all came to the pool with Steve and some other guy with a fake leg. Looking at the four women was going to cause my pacemaker to overload. Shirley even said, "Are you waking up in that swimsuit?"

There was so much flesh, I didn't know where to look first. Ah, that's what dreams are made of. I took some good mental pictures and was laying back when Mercy walked over to us and said, "Would you help oil us, Mark?"

Betty and Shirley said, "Get up, take advantage of the opportunity."

I did get up and while Steve and the other guy were being oiled by Kathy and Juanita, I did Mercy and Sue. Sue even told me, don't let my buns burn. Rub some oil on them. When Kathy and Juanita lay down, Kathy said, "Now do us. You have to do our fronts too."

Both of these women were a treat. Juanita was very voluptuous with just the right amount of dark skinned padding to make you daydream. She said to me, "Make sure you do my bottom so I don't burn. Rub it real good."

She was wearing something close to a T-back and I did rub the exposed cheeks real good.

Kathy had me do her back, legs, and bottom then flipped over so quickly that her top didn't follow. Holy smokes, she had large breasts. I waited patiently as she put her top back on, tucking her large breasts into the cups. I spread oil on her as she grinned. I said softly, "You're a tease sometimes."

Steve said, "More than sometimes, Mark. Hey, Mark, this is Chuck Johnson. He's a Deputy U.S. Marshal, a friend of ours. A great person to know. Chuck, this is Mark Robins. He just moved out here."

We shook hands and I felt that Chuck was like Mercy, he could look inside me. I smiled then went back to lie down. As I passed Sue, she was handling her monster breasts and looked up at me and said, "You should probably oil these, Mark. They'll burn, worse than Kathy's."

Mercy said, "Stop teasing him, Sue. He's only human."

Sue grinned and giggled a little, but didn't quit manipulating her big boobs.

I stayed for another fifteen minutes on both sides, then got up to swim. As I dove in, Steve and Chuck dove in and began swimming some fast laps. I just kept up my leisurely pace while the young guys winded themselves. They were in great shape.

I was drying off when I told the ladies, "I can't just lay here doing nothing. I have to go do something. I need to go check on that job at the golf cart factory."

The ladies sat up and smiled at me. They all had their tops loose, almost falling off, just a millimeter from showing nipple. If I could get a hard on, I would be knocking people down. Jesus, these ladies were teases.

Caroline said she would walk back with me and buckled up and put on her light swim robe. We walked back to our street to find that Caroline lived in the house just on the other side of Betty. As I left her, she touched my arm and said, "You should visit. I'm very friendly and I do understand older gentlemen. I'm sure we could enjoy each other."

That was so direct, but so appealing, that I hugged her to me and said, "That's one hell of an invitation, Caroline. I think I should give this separation stuff a little time to sink in. Thank you, though, and know that I will want to spend some time just enjoying each other's closeness."

Caroline actually shivered. "Oh my, you're making me into Jell-O. Get out of here before I attack you right here on the porch."

We smiled at each other before I walked to my trailer. As I opened my door, my cell phone was ringing.

 Primary editing by PepereProofing by Sagacious


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Chapter 4


Sarah Perkins was on the phone, "Don't even think of going over there Friday. You've cut the cord, moved out, and are living alone. It might be some kind of setup. Is your wife usually that friendly?"

"No, I thought the note was a little strange too."

Sarah asked, "You didn't give her your telephone number or tell her where you live, did you?"

"No to both, Ma'am. You said that I should stay out of sight and communication."

"Good boy, find some old women to ravish and have a good time. Just stay away from her or that guy."

"I'll do that. I guess I should keep this phone with me."

Sarah said, "Probably, but if it doesn't have voicemail, I'll just keep trying. No reason to be a slave to the thing. Just make sure you check in with me every day for a while. I want to hear from you to know you're all right."

"Thanks, Sarah, I have a line on a job, so I might be able to pay you."

"I like the way you think, Mark, but you can't afford me. Besides, I'm getting a kick out of working your case against a conniving female. Talk to me tomorrow afternoon. See ya."

I was sitting there thinking whether I had left any trace of where I had gone. I thought of the newspaper and worried whether I had put it away and walked over to the Bronco and saw the classified section folded up on the passenger seat. I was fine. My Yahoo profile didn't have an address. I should just go get a P.O. Box. I might do that.

After a shower and decently dressed again, I drove over to the golf cart plant. I went to the service desk and asked, "Are you folks looking for someone to work on warranty golf carts?"

The lady behind the counter looked at me over her reading glasses and said, "Who's asking?"

"My name is Mark Robins. I heard earlier that you might need someone."

"Where did you hear that?"

"I'm not trying to name drop, but it was at Steve Sharp's place."

The lady said, "I saw you on the patio for lunch. You were helping some old folks fix their cars, right?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Do I look like a Ma'am?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Christ, my image is going to pot." She stood up, and shit, she was tall. She stuck out her hand and said, "I'm Crystal, I'm the overseer of these businesses back here today. Somebody else will be here next week. I'm moving to Hawaii with my husband."

"I'm sorry to hear you're leaving S&S."

"Who said I'm leaving S&S. We're going to start a new company over there. We're opening an airport, maintenance facility, charter service and pilot training facility." The big tall lady said this happily.

"Well, good luck. Do you have a place for me?"

"Steve said I should interview you for my job. He said we might have a place for you in the R&D shop too, but right now, today, he said that you should go back to that work bench over there and fix those two golf carts. The write-ups are on the clipboards on the seats. Fix 'em and we'll talk. I'll be here until the guy that works the service desk gets back from lunch. He had to go to the dentist and everybody is busy. Go fix those two carts."

I smiled at the directness of the big lady. She said her name was Crystal. Well, she made everything she wanted you to do crystal clear. I chuckled at my own mental joke.

The first write up was for an intermittent starter. I pulled the dash loose and checked all of the contacts then pulled the engine cover and checked the wires from the battery and to the starter. A terminal was loose so I tightened it and found the nut was stripped so the bolt wouldn't seat. I pulled off the bolt and nut and hunted on the bench for a matching set. I found a set in a bin and put it on. I used some Loctite to keep it tight and closed up everything. Since this was a warranty job, I found some cleaning equipment and cleaned the cart up quickly.

The next cart said the manual shifting was difficult. I played with the gearshift lever and thought it might be loose. Getting at the linkage was difficult. I pulled up the rubber floor mat and unscrewed the access panel. Ray Charles could have found this problem, another loose nut. This was the exact same size as the one that failed on the other cart. I didn't even try it. I found another set, tested the bolt and nut, and put it on with some Loctite. After screwing everything back together, I took the cart for a little spin around the yard then back into the shop. It worked fine now. I cleaned up the cart, filled out the worksheets on both forms, and took both bolt and nut sets up to the big lady who was still there.

I handed her the work orders and said, "You had a common problem. On both carts, you had a bolt and nut set fail. You're getting some bad hardware. Both nuts are stripped out, so that means that the metal isn't tempered right or the threads are too shallow. You would have to see the specs and check them with some instruments to know what the problem really is. Anyway, you might be able to live with the problem if you add some Loctite during manufacture on all of these sets. That should stop them from vibrating loose."

Crystal looked at me real hard, then at the two sets. She walked over to the carts and looked at them. She asked me, "Did you see the sign over the door?"

I looked at it and it said, "Is it perfect?" I said, "No, Ma'am, I missed it."

"Cut the Ma'am crap, will ya? You did a good job. Those signs are how Steve Sharp expects everyone to work and how he expects his products to be. Go back to manufacturing and find where these two items are and pull a hundred each. I'll call the engineer and get his specs, and the buyer to see where they came from. Go."

I didn't have anything else to do so I went into the manufacturing area and walked around to a parts area where there were bins of nuts and bolts. There was an exploded view of the basic cart with arrows pointing at the various nuts and bolts. I looked at the linkage set and got the two numbers then went to the correct bins. I used two carry around parts bins and counted out a hundred of the bolts and a hundred of the nuts. I carried them back to the big girl who was on the phone.

When she got off the phone, she handed me some sheets of paper. "These are the spec sheets for the nut and the bolt. Take these sheets and the hardware over to the R&D shop. Ask for Dennis to help you. Analyze these and report what you find. Oh yeah, this is going to take more than today. You'll make engineer wages while you're working. Go do it."

I really like that babe. I'll bet she gets a lot done.

As I was walking out she said, "Take that cart by the door. That's mine. You can use it while you're on this project. If you stick, I'll get you one of your own."

I drove slowly over to the R&D center and parked where other carts were parked. Inside, I asked for Dennis and was introduced to a young man in a white coat. I explained the problem and what Crystal needed. He groaned and said, "This is a big job. It looks like a hundred each right?"

I nodded.

He pointed at a rack of white coats and said, "Put a coat and some gloves on. We'll do this right. We'll have to analyze the steel. Everything over there is supposed to be eighteen percent stainless for durability. These don't look it, but let's melt it and find out."

"Here, let's begin by measuring the threads on this bolt and then the nut we're going to melt. Use this instrument. I'll show you how to do it as you'll have to do a hundred of them. Then I'll show you how to do the nuts. See these little sheets, write your findings of each nut and bolt and put the item on the sheet of paper. The QC people will come and interpret the data."

We worked steadily until five and Dennis said. "The bell's ringing. Come on, time to go. If you have your car over at the plant, take whatever cart back and take your car home. I'll follow you and bring you back for your cart. Crystal likes anyone working on a cart project to be riding around in one. Let's go, we need to hurry so we can go get a beer and I can get home to my lady."

We buzzed over to the cart plant, where I picked up my Bronco and drove home, with Dennis following me. As soon as I parked, I got in his cart, going back to the plant. I drove the cart with "Crystal" painted on the overhead canopy back to the big house with the patio.

I was staggered by the quantity of people milling around on the patio. Martin had a couple of guys out in the yard between the patio and his trailer playing horseshoes. This was amazing. There were people and kids everywhere. Dennis said, "Come on in, I'm gonna have a beer then go meet Marie at home. I'll see you in the morning. Tell Crystal we're better than halfway through. We're making good time."

I walked into the patio area and was again surprised that there was air conditioning in the screened in area. I saw Steve and Martin up at the bar, so I went up there and said hi. Steve showed me where the frosty mugs were and said, "Grab a mug and pour a beer. You'll be rated on the head."

A big tall guy said, "We try for about a half to a three quarter inch head that mounds over the top of the mug."

Steve said, "Tiny, this is Mark Robins, a new park resident. Mark, Tiny, the CFO of all of S&S. The guy next to him is Henry, second to Tiny and also my brother. That's his wife, Nancy, over there talking to my sister, Susan. Oh, you'll meet them all in time. Don't be bashful and stay for dinner, it's always a great feast."

I talked to a bunch of different people about all kinds of things. Crystal came up and asked how I was doing on the project. I told her Dennis said we were about half done. Crystal poured herself another beer and got Steve's attention, who was next to me. She said, "Mark did a couple of warranty projects and found a problem with a nut and bolt set. I've got Dennis and him doing an analysis of the product to see if they are to spec. You should have seen his two warranty carts. When he was done, I watched him clean them up so they looked like new. He did all that and didn't even see our signs yet."

Steve slapped my back and said, "That's great, Mark. We do always try to do our best. Since Crystal's leaving, I don't want any fall off in quality. Perhaps you're the guy to follow her."

I said honestly, "I don't have the knowledge to lead all of the different venues she works with. It would take me years to learn all that. The guy that I saw working all over today was that guy; I think his name is Kevin, standing over there next to your sister, Susan."

Steve smiled and said, "That's very astute. I agree with you, but we needed someone to compare with and really don't have a lot of strong leader prospects in this area right now. We have a bunch of great workers, just not enough leaders."

Crystal said, "Mark is going to be a good man, but he'll have to decide whether he wants to work full time or not. He might be another geek for the R&D group. He's right about Kevin, Steve. It's just like I told you before when you came up with the idea of sending Bear and me to Hawaii. The man for the job is under our noses. I think the parts manager for the three stores is the guy to take Kevin's place and the mechanic we hired last year, Frank, is the guy to move up to parts manager. You see, there are leaders out there." She turned back to me and said, "What's it gonna be, Mark, want to get into R&D of the truck and cart business or putter around in your garden?"

Steve laughed, "She never has minced words, Mark."

"I gathered that today when she never asked me anything, she just kept saying go do it. I like that in a person."

A smiling Crystal said, "Glad you didn't say you liked that in a babe, or I'd have to go get my whip."

Steve and I laughed and I said, "How about I finish this project, wander around the park and fix all the old folks' cars that need fixing, then play with a few ideas in the R&D center? I can do some part time stuff for whoever needs the help to earn a couple hundred a week to supplement my Social Security. If you guys would allow me that kind of freedom while I'm handling some personal stuff, I would be in your debt."

Crystal said, "Tell you what, come by the cart shop every day or every other day and take care of some of the warranty stuff that's dropped off. That's worth a lot to the field guys so they don't have to work on them in the evenings or the weekends. You can go with the repair trucks when we go on site for a big deal repair promotion. They all have a lot of fun on those gigs and I'm sure you'd love it. That should earn you more than enough to keep you going."

"What do you say, Mark? Do you want to be a part of S&S?" Steve asked, while taking my mug for a refill. "We're a pretty neat group to be around."

"Sounds like what I'm looking for. Thank you, both of you."

When supper was served, I was sitting next to Martin and Glenda, and across from a guy named Abe, and his wife, Alice. Abe was some kind of mechanical genius who had been important when the company started out, and had remained important even though he was well past retirement age. As we ate, Martin was telling Abe that I had repaired a couple of cars for the older residents. Abe said, "If you have a minute, could you look at my pickup. It's a Ford with the small V-8. Every time I stop for a stop sign, when I start out, the truck chokes and stutters, then takes off. I've checked everything I can. I used to think I was a decent mechanic, but this has me baffled."

"If you checked all the obvious, it can only be a couple of things; a stuck PCV valve, a cracked distributor cap or one with a high lobe, a fuel filter, or a vacuum hose going to the automatic transmission. Those are cheap fixes, but each one of those can cause you a lot of petty grief."

Abe asked, "So, Mark, are you or were you a mechanic?"

I shook my head and said, "Naw."

Abe followed up, "Then how do you know so much about automotive stuff?"

With a smile I said, "I grew up on a farm where you had to learn basic mechanics. When I was younger, I didn't have the money for car repairs, so I learned how to fix my own and have tried to keep up. A lot of equipment on the new cars and engines is too sophisticated for me. I'm used to fixing things and all you do on the new stuff is replace things. None of it can be repaired."

Martin said, "I second that. My old car is easy to work on and easy on the pocketbook. It doesn't get the best mileage in the world but it's livable. Some of the new engines on today's cars are a lot better than what they used to make, but all of them have fuel injection and all have sophisticated computer ignition systems. I'm going to keep my old car running forever. As a matter of fact, we're having it painted again next week. Shawna's going to run it through her shop for me. That reminds me, Mark, maybe you can help me change the front wheel bearings on it. I know that's not a big job, but some expertise is always appreciated to know it's done right."

"I'll be glad to help you, Martin. That's a quick job. While we're doing that, we'll check out your tie-rods and the other steering components. It's also a good time to look at your brakes. How about this weekend? I might even get to it by Friday when I get done helping Dennis on a nut and bolt problem."

Martin was smiling, knowing he would have some help with something he was apprehensive about.

I asked the two couples, "I told Steve that I would find and fix problem cars owned by the older folks out here. If you know of any that need help, let me know. You ladies can talk it up a little too. I want to make sure all these older folks cars are running correctly and are safe. That will be payback for how nice everyone has been to me."

Glenda said, "I do a lot of gossiping up at the pool all the time. I'll find the problems for you. Alice associates with a lot of the card playing ladies, I'm sure she'll find out who needs help."

I stayed a while and visited with a few more folks and met the park manager, a guy name Charlie, and his wife, Matty. They were Tiny's mom and dad. He said to me, "Nice to meet you, Mark. Heard you helped a couple of the old folks down your way and are planning to help any of the others that may need it. I have one that you could help, but she's not old. There's a little Mexican girl with a couple of kids that lives just on the other side of the main recreation building that could use a hand. She's a citizen, but the guy she had the kids with wasn't. He got into some trouble and was deported, and he now can't, or won't, come back. There she is with three kids, living on what she makes as a seamstress over at the clothes plant, and no way to drive anywhere. Thank goodness it isn't far to the grocery store, but it's tough with three little ones. I don't know what the matter is with it, and a couple of neighbors have also looked at it, but she needs some help."

I said, "Sounds like she does, Charlie. I'll stop by and get her address and look at the car to see what I can do for it. Those are the people that I want to help. They are the ones that are looked over by everyone and usually are the ones taken advantage of."

Too bad I didn't have my little spiral notebook to write this down. My memory sucks and I need a reminder. If I'm going to relate to people and business again, I was going to have to get back into the groove and do things that will help me.

As I was getting ready to leave, Crystal said, "Come by the cart plant in the morning and pick up one of the carts that are like little pickups so you can do your good deeds in style. There are several of our campus carts you can choose from. When Shawna and Hank are painting out here again, they'll paint your name on it. Don't do any good deeds for them or they'll paint up the thing to make it look wild like Sue's Mustang or Steve's pickup. Those two get crazy sometimes. Take that green cart on the end tonight, and I'll take mine back. No sense in you running around with my name on your cart."

I drove the cart home and then booted up my PC to check on any e-mails. What I was looking for was for Judy to write and say that we would get back together again. Funny, I was looking for that, but was actually dreading her wanting it. I was having too much fun out here. When I thought of it, the reason I was having so much fun was that I was busy and I was spending my time with friendly people.

There was a knock on the door. It was Shirley and Caroline. I welcomed them in. They sat at the counter instead of at the table or on the couch. Caroline said, "I hope I didn't scare you off this afternoon. I was a little forward. Shirley says you might be a little hesitant since you're going through a divorce and all that."

Shirley was smiling, "She's a little hussy, Mark. I was trying to make eyes at you and she came right out and tried to get you in bed. I was first, or actually, Betty was first."

The two ladies were laughing, so I knew it was in good fun. I asked, "Want some coffee; it will only take a couple of minutes to make some?"

Caroline said, "I was thinking of a beer, but some liquor would be better. I have some gin at the house, let me go get it."

Holding up my hand to stop her I said, "I have some Beefeaters. I don't have anything to go with it, but I like it with just ice."

Caroline said, "Me too, I know, Shirley, the lush, likes it that way too."

"I'm not a lush. You drink a lot more than I do, you hussy."

I used three glasses and broke out some ice and filled the glasses with ice then poured about a half glass of gin into each. I handed the glasses to the ladies and held it up in a toast. "To my new friends, the hussy, and the lush."

The two laughed and had a drink. Shirley asked, "What are you doing on the internet. You haven't had time to get a cable modem yet, and you don't have a phone, so how are you getting internet?"

"Someone has a wireless modem and I'm using it. If I can find out whose it is, I'll go in with them and we can split the cost."

Caroline giggled, "It's probably Darren's, your neighbor behind you. He's a geek and has a trailer full of computers and electronic toys that he plays with. When he's not working or chasing boys, he's playing over there."

"I'll go over and introduce myself to him and perhaps we can work a deal."

Shirley rolled her eyes saying, "Don't drop the soap. Darren's a flamer. The guy is decent looking, but won't give any lady in the park a tumble. He swishes a little, but for the most part he does his hunting in the city. He's had some visitors out here, but he's harmless. Just know he may offer you a deal you don't want."

I nodded, "I should at least let him know I'm mooching off his wireless router. It saves me thirty bucks a month so I should say thank you."

The ladies were sipping their drinks and Caroline asked, "Do you IM people or have a Facebook account?"

"No, I'm pretty boring. I look at my grandkid's Facebook pages, and do that with my daughter. I don't IM except with my sister, but we never seem to be on the computer at the same time. When we want to talk to each other, we just call."

Shirley said, "Caroline and I IM sometimes, and we even get up a chat room with Betty and a bunch of other ladies in the park. I play a lot of cards so I chat with the bridge players a lot. We're always rehashing a game. Do you play bridge; we're always looking for new players?"

Shaking my head, "No, no bridge. I play poker a little, I like to play the tournaments and I like to play hearts and games like that. I don't do it often though."

"So what do you do for fun?" Caroline asked.

"I like to play pool and normally play in a league a couple nights a week. I usually play Monday and Wednesday nights and had thought that since I was going to be a little freer, I might play four nights a week and some weekend tournaments. I might be too busy for that now."

There was another knock on the door. I opened it to find Prissy at the door. I helped her step into the trailer and she said, "I guess it's okay to come into a man's place if you girls are here too."

Caroline said, "He's harmless, Prissy. He's a gentleman too."

"Oh, I know he is, Caroline." She looked me in the eye and said, "I know you have at least two sets of jeans and shirts that are dirty. I said I was going to wash for you and I mean it. I've come to get your dirty clothes. Now go get them so I can wash them."

As I went into the bedroom to get my dirty clothes, I heard Prissy say, "We owe that man a lot of money. Do you know they wanted almost fifteen hundred dollars to do only half of what he did? They said it would take at least two days and he did it in a couple of hours and acted like it was no big deal. One of you ladies should latch onto a man like that."

Caroline and Shirley both said, "We're tryin', we're tryin."

I brought out the three pair of heavy jeans, the shirts, socks, and shorts that I had worn. I said, "Let me carry these to your place for you, Prissy. You know you really don't have to do this. I've been doing my own clothes for years and years."

"Well, I'm going to do them now. You just be regular about bringing your clothes over and come get what's clean. I'll do these tomorrow for you. My Donald is singing your praises all over. Do you know we went for a nice drive all the way over to Dade City? That's the first long drive we've taken for a couple of years. It's the first time we felt confident the car would get there. We even put twenty dollars worth of gasoline in the car. My, my, isn't the price of gasoline high?"

"Can I help you carry the clothes over, Prissy?"

"No, I can get it. Just come by tomorrow with more dirty ones and pick up your clean. I wash about every other day to keep up with it."

Prissy left and I was smiling after her. I said, "I just love these older folks. We're part of that crowd, but those folks that much older than we are, just seem so fragile, so sweet for the most part."

Shirley said, "We'll be there one of these days if we live that long, but until I croak, I'm having a good time."

"Here's to that, Shirley," Caroline raised her glass.

When their glasses were empty, Caroline said, "I guess we should leave, we hear a rumor you're doing a job for S&S. You must be, since you have one of their carts."

"They're giving me a couple of days work and I'm going to do some other things for the park. At least I'll make a little extra to go with the Social Security." I remembered something then and reached into the stack of envelopes of mail I had brought. I pulled out an envelope and opened the letter then said, "That'll help. I forgot all about it."

"What's that Mark?" Shirley asked.

"My VA pension. I get two-seventy a month as a disability payment. Shoot, that really helps the budget. That's a lot of food."

Caroline said, "You'll have to use some of it to keep your ladies a little tipsy. We both like rum too. I like whiskey sours and just about any kind of scotch."

"Not only are you a hussy, but you're more of a lush than me, Caroline. My goodness, Mark and I are amateurs compared to you," Shirley teased.

"I just talk a good game, let's get out of here, Shirley, we aren't going to get any tonight, so let's get. We're fated to our toys again."

Shirley smacked Caroline on the butt, "You are such a potty mouth sometimes. You have to tell everybody everything. Get, get out of here."

The two gave me a hug that felt very nice and very warm. I watched the ladies walk home to make sure they made it okay. Perhaps I could get one of them to cuddle with me one night soon. I'd really like that.

I went back to the e-mail and had received one from Gene who said he hoped I was doing all right. He said I was welcome there if I wanted to stay with them. My note back to him was upbeat, telling him that I was busy and as he knew, that meant I was happy. I thanked him for the offer and said, "I'll take a rain check for when I really need to be looked after. I'll come to visit you, Sandy, and the kids soon."

Jeanie wrote me a note saying she was sorry Mom and I broke up. She said she sort of knew it was coming, but it was still a surprise. She said that Mom had asked her to ask me to make sure I went to the house Friday as Mom wanted to talk to me. She told me to give her a telephone number when I got one and that she would be down, probably at Thanksgiving.

There was a note from Judy reminding me about Friday. She emphasized it was important that we had a talk.

I made a note to myself to ask Sarah if I could go, and to tell Sarah about my VA money. I was going to have to get a bank account and get the Social Security and the VA direct deposits changed. I had a sinking feeling that I was going to be broke if I didn't at least get that money coming in. Then again, I could take Steve up on his full time offer. Crap, I really didn't want to work full time. I wanted more time to putter, to possibly help folks like I'd been doing.

Tomorrow was Thursday, so I would call Sarah and possibly go get a bank account and go to the Social Security office. I can take care of the VA check out at the VA hospital. They might be faster, but I doubt it. I also needed to see if I qualified for food stamps. Tomorrow was going to be busy.

I shut everything down, locked up, brushed my teeth, undressed, and crashed. As usual, it only took me seconds to fall asleep.

Primary editing by Pepere

Proofing by Sagacious



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Chapter 5


Plink, plink, plink. I woke and looked at the clock. Five forty-five. Plink, plink. What the heck is that? I looked out the window at the golf cart and the top was covered with bits of green acorns. The squirrels were feasting in the oak tree overhead. I'd have to feed them something else so they would leave.

I jumped up, dressed in shorts and a T-shirt and put on socks and tennis shoes. After taking my morning pills and sipping a microwaved cup of coffee, I took off on my morning walk. I walked up past the recreation center and looked at the trailers just past there. One had tricycles and large toys in a little fenced in area at the rear of where the kitchen would be. That was probably the Mexican lady's place. As I walked out past what was known as the cypress swamp or the lake, I noticed that this area was newer and the lots over by the fence were all for double-wides. This was a big place. Charlie and Matty had their hands full keeping up with a place like this.

On my way back, I met Betty who was walking and carrying two small weights to build up muscle, I guessed. Since she was on her way back, we walked together. When she stopped at the mailbox building to check for mail, I checked my box for the first time. There were only a couple flyers, but at least I knew the combination worked.

I wished Betty a good day then did my morning three S stuff and dressed for work. Steve had said the group gathered for breakfast and I was welcome, so I figured I would check it out. Taking the cart over there is kind of cheating as I could easily walk just about everywhere, including to the R&D building.

The patio was wild as there had to be over fifty people having coffee, juice, and/or milk. Kids were eating cereal, moms were fussing over kids, and the guys were eating pastries and breakfast sandwiches while drinking coffee. A lady in a sheriff deputy's uniform was saying goodbye to everyone as she left. This place was really something. The lady that was with Tiny all the time was still in some kind of nightie and robe. She was showing a lot of cleavage and you could see a lot, since the robe was not very heavy. There were two small redheads that had oversized T-shirts on. One of the T-shirts looked like it had gotten too close to battery acid, and when she moved, her small breasts would move and a nipple would try to peek out the hole. The shock came when she put a foot up on her chair, showing the world she was a true redhead.

I looked around quickly to see if anyone else noticed so they could yell to remind her she was showing. I almost did, but stopped when the big guy sitting with her reached over and pulled one of her pubes. She squealed and swatted him, saying, "Stop it, Charlie, keep that up and you won't get any tonight."

Must be the hubby. Kids were coming up to them to talk then running back into the house to be with the other kids. I finally got a mug of coffee and took a biscuit sandwich. This was a fun way to have breakfast. Mercy came over to me and said, "Sit at the big table unless you're like me and just enjoy watching people."

"This place is fascinating, Ma'am. I just love it. Ah, what do I do about paying a share for eating over here like this? I even had lunch here yesterday."

"If you're working with Dennis, then you'll probably come for lunch again. Just come to eat. From what I hear, you're trying to help others and this is our way of saying thanks. All of these people think helping others is the best thing in the world. Steve and Sue are constantly involved in new ways to help people. Just keep doing what you're doing and eat with us every meal. Enjoy your new family."

"Thank you, Mercy. It is like a huge family, isn't it?"

She just smiled and gave me an arm hug, how sweet. All these people were so nice.

It was getting to be about seven forty-five, so I took off for the R&D building. The door was open and Crystal was bent over a microscope, looking at some of the metal filings we shaved off yesterday. She looked up and asked, "Do you think this part is stainless?"

"I don't think so, since the melting point was so low when we tested it yesterday. The steel isn't even tempered well. That means that when the rods were made by the steel company, they were not reheated and pounded sufficiently. We've done about half of the product as far as analyzing the depth of the threads and found they are not to spec on either the bolt or in the nut. It's like the machine that was cutting the thread was dirty or didn't use the correct blade when they were machined. Hopefully, you have recourse because if you've been using these to make your carts, you're going to have a lot of recalls and warranty problems."

"My thought exactly. I've already started calling the manufacturer. We've got a bid out for some emergency supplies right now. I stopped the line yesterday when you brought these up. The "Nut House," or what some call the "House of Bolts," is bringing us a couple thousand sets, but that's going to screw up our cost. We need them to keep the line going though. We also ordered five hundred sets for the warranty trucks and the shop. That should hold us until we get the correct spec product. I don't see how we could get this bad a batch as the bid price wasn't that good on the product. The manufacturers all thought our specs were over the top. We build quality products and that takes quality hardware."

Crystal said, "Finish the test batch; we have to have the hundred in the event we have to sue those suckers. Stop by the warranty bench to see if there is anything there before you go play your "Mr. Do good" act over in the park. That was smart of you to pass on the job and recommend Kevin. He is best suited for the job and it showed Steve and me that you're observant. You hit it on the head though, and that's good. You're my kind of guy to have around. I'll leave you alone so you can finish."

I was working and tagging nuts when Dennis came in. He said, "We really don't start over here until eight thirty. Early is good, but I wanted to let you know the hours. Trust me, when things get hectic, we'll be here in the wee hours trying to make something work. When those times come, they bring us stuff to eat so we can keep on working."

At five after eight, I called Sarah. I said, "I have a couple of things. One, can I go get a bank account so I can get Social Security to deposit my check into the new account, instead of the old account I can't get into? Two, to get an account I need an address. Should I get a P.O. Box? I have to give a regular street address to get one. Three, I forgot about my VA pension. I get two seventy a month for getting hurt and from exposure to Agent Orange while I was in the service. That's also direct deposited, so I need the bank account for that. Four, Judy e-mailed me again about Friday and my daughter has even asked me to come. I think I'd like to go, warily, but I think I should."

Sarah said, "Last first. I think you should go too, only I'm going with you. Call her, using someone else's phone or a throwaway phone, and get the particulars. Call me and I'll meet you. We'll go together. I'll be your special friend, also your attorney. She will have been served by then. Go to one of those UPS mailbox stores. Rent a box there then go to a different bank than where your current account is and get a checking account. You'll have to fight with Social Security and the VA yourself. Good luck getting that done fast. The only thing about any of the money you have coming in right now is that it's directed to an account you don't have access to. We can ask her about that Friday, how is she going to get your money to you until it can be re-directed to your new account. I found out you have, or had, two credit cards in your name. Both have been canceled and both have only about four or five hundred against them. I've paid them off so you owe me for that. I think the total is about nine hundred and ten bucks. As you get some money, pay me. I won't hold you up. You had a big credit limit on them so you could have been burned. I filed a counter-divorce as she's already filed against you and I saw where it is recorded that you have been served. If that can be proven as false, her divorce action is moot and yours will take precedence. She was served as she went into work today. I've found out a lot about her and the guy who's the cause of all this. He has some warrants out for him and he has a record of both abuse and assault. If he's there Friday, he'll probably try something. Not to worry, Sarah can defend you. I think that's all of it for right now. Take this number down and dictate a statement to this lady. She's a court reporter and your statement will be sort of legal. It will work in divorce court. Just tell her that you have not been served yet. That's probably why Judy was disappointed you weren't home Tuesday night. Call me with the details of the party tomorrow night. Later."

That lady can talk fast. We just covered a dozen topics in less than five minutes, actually less time than that. I will go down to the convenience store and pick up another cheap cell phone with only an hour's worth of minutes. That will be my emergency phone.

It took me until ten fifteen to write up the last nut and bolt. Dennis said, "The intern will put all these you've done in proof bags. From what I heard, you have several things to do. You might check up at the rec center. There is a lady there every morning that helps people with their Social Security and stuff."

I buzzed over to the rec building and no one was talking with a lady sitting at a desk in the big room. I explained everything to her and she said, "I have enough information to see if you qualify for food stamps. You qualify today, but if you start making money out here, you probably won't. Go get your bank account and come back, I'll get the changes on your social security and your VA done for you. I send my request direct to D.C. and your banking information will be changed later today. Your check is deposited about the twentieth of every month, so you'll have plenty of time. Go take care of that."

I went for the Bronco and drove down Dale Mabry to a Mail Box Unlimited location. It wasn't that cheap, but I paid for six months. My key worked in the box when I checked and I was out of there, headed for the bank in the little Publix plaza on the other side of the park. It took me twenty-five minutes to open an account with the check I had from the storage place, and the thousand that I still had that Judy had given me. I still had cash for stuff, so I was fine for right now. I got a debit card with unlimited transactions, which is better than checks, and ordered the minimum amount of checks. They gave me a senior account that gave me twenty free checks each month, and that was free as long as I didn't overdraft or do something else stupid. They had me secretly enter my new password, "FREE," for the debit account, so I was fixed. I thanked them and headed back to the park. I stopped and picked up a sixty minute throwaway cell phone, then drove straight to the rec center.

The lady was sitting there patiently with Mrs. Henderson. They were just chatting. Since it was just eleven thirty, I wasn't keeping her. I said hi to Mrs. Henderson and she was pleased that I remembered her name. I wrote down my new address and the bank account number and the lady finished filling out the forms. She told me to watch my balance after the twentieth to see if it was switched. I thanked the lady profusely and she said, "Hilly told me all about how you're helping people out here. Just keep doing that. I'm here to help others in a different way. If you find someone that needs help such as food stamps, let me know. Those are the people the program is designed for. I hope you make enough so you won't have to use them long."

I asked Mrs. Henderson, "Do you know which trailer has the young Mexican lady with the three kids? She has a car problem and I might be able to help."

The old lady grinned real big and waved a long thin finger in the direction of the rear of the rec center. "It's right there. You can't miss it. She has a little fence in the back where the kids play. She's probably at work though. If you want the key for it, run over and ask at the main desk where Maria Hernandez is working. They are real nice as long as you don't make a pest out of yourself."

It was getting close to lunch time, but I wanted to try anyway. I went to the big building and parked in front where other carts were and went to the main desk in front of a big, open office. I asked the lady about Maria Hernandez and she said it would be easier to page her as she was probably in the process of clocking out for lunch. She paged using the phone.

I was waiting there when Sue came up to me and said, "Aren't you coming for lunch?"

"I want to see if I can get the key to a car Charlie said needed some help, one of your people."

"Oh, that's nice of you. Well, get the key and come have lunch. Hurry so the soup doesn't get cold."

I watched Sue leave, thinking she was really something. Running this place, being a mom to four kids, kind of spearheading everything at the patio meeting place, and keeping watch on the pulse of the community.

A tiny Latin lady came to the desk and the receptionist pointed at me. The little lady came to me hesitantly, so I asked, "Are you Maria Hernandez?"

She nodded her head.

"I'm Mark Robins. I like to help people with broken cars. If you'll give me the keys to it, I'll see what I can do for it."

Maria's face lit up. She said, "Oh, Senor, I hear of you and was pray that you find me. If you can help me that would be so good. The keys are in the car. I forgot and lock them inside. It don't matter, the car won't start anyway."

"I'll take a look at it after lunch, Maria. I may take it to my trailer where my tools are, so don't panic if it's not there when you get home."

"I will be grateful. So many look and they do nothing. I have to do favors for them to even look at it."

"Go eat lunch, Maria, I'll make sure to see you this afternoon."

"I work two hours overtime every day. They need help so I stay extra. Don't look for me until after five thirty. We walk so it might be closer to six if the kids wander around."

"Go, go eat lunch."

She left and I marveled at the delicate little girl who had three kids. I was going to enjoy fixing this one.

I was at the patio by twelve twenty, in time for the soup to still be warm. Today was some kind of tomato vegetable that was very good. I made a big sandwich and ate quickly as I had something I wanted to get done. The conversation was light, fun, and warm. I told Martin where I was going and said, "I'll finish that, then work on yours. Hopefully, I can get everything taken care of for her."

Martin frowned and followed me outside the patio, he said, "I heard several men have said they would help her, but ended up just getting a blowjob or a quick screw from her and said they looked but couldn't fix it. I told her a month ago not to be doing that as men were taking advantage of her. She said she needed her car and was willing to do that for her kids. She should have just sold herself and used the money to get it fixed. You don't take advantage of her, hear?"

"Don't worry, Martin, with the heart medicine I take, I wouldn't know what to do with her if I had the chance."

He laughed and slapped me on the back.

She said the keys were in the car, so needing my slim-Jim, I drove to the trailer to get my thin lock popper out of my toolbox and drove back over to Maria's trailer. She had one of those Dodge mini-vans parked next to the trailer. I looked inside and the keys were in the ignition. The back had toys in it, so this had to be the car. These were easy as you just pushed the slim-Jim down by the window, pulled it back until it stopped, pulled up, and pop, the door will open. I had to push the seat back as it was up too close. Crap, they were electric seats so they wouldn't go back at all. This looked like a fairly new car so I opened the glove box to see if there was something to tell me the year. The registration was in there and it said the car was only five years old.

I popped the hood to see what size battery it was. I almost laughed; the original equipment battery was still in the car. That was first and I could probably get one at the truck parts counter. With the few tools I brought with me, I pulled the battery out and went to the truck service center parts counter.

"Can you match this battery?"

"No sweat, Dude, sign this paper like Martin does. I'll be right back."

I signed the form and put the tenant's name where it asked who was being assisted. The parts guy came back and said, "This is a popular size and it's fully charged. We keep a couple of these filled and on the charge rack."

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

It took five minutes to get the new battery into the car. I went to the front seat and had it go back all the way, and was going to get in. There were two used rubbers that had been pushed under the seat. I pulled a tissue from a box on the seat and picked them up to put them in a trashcan next to the trailer. I wondered if they were from Maria trying to get the van fixed.

Not my worry. I turned the key on and all of the instruments and lights acted like they wanted to work. I could hear the fuel pump fill the line and stop. I turned the key and surprise, the motor started. No, no way, it couldn't have been just a battery.

I let the van idle a little while before I moved the cart around to the front of the trailer and went back to test drive the van. I drove it around the business park and even tried the air. The car seemed to run well. I drove back to my trailer and parked it and popped the hood. I checked the oil and it was dirty. The air filter was filthy. The car only had seventy thousand miles on it so it probably had never been tuned. I pulled a plug and found original equipment plugs. While I was waiting for the radiator to cool, I jacked up the left front and checked the brakes. The rotor was clean but the pad was showing the sensor. I put a jack stand under it and jacked up the other side and found the same thing. At least she didn't have to have the rotors turned. I took the Bronco and drove next door to the parts store and ordered all my parts and some wheel bearing grease. I asked the man, "Does S&S have an account here or do they get a discount?"

"Yeah, they have an account. Give me your name and I'll call Crystal to see if you're on the list." He dialed, asked for Crystal and said, "Hey, Crystal, this is the parts store, do you know a Mark Robins and can he charge stuff here?" Pause. "Oh, he is, is he, that's neat. Okay thanks, Crystal." He hung up.

"You're good to go Mark. Crystal said you're running around helping people that need it. I'll give you an extra ten percent off for doing that. Are you some kind of independently wealthy guy?"

"No, just trying to pay back in life some of my good fortune. All I'm donating is my time."

"That's a lot. You're nice to do that. Just come get what you need."

I went back to the park and worked fast to do everything I needed to do. Brakes are so filthy because of the dust, but I had blown most of it off with my compressor. I repacked the front bearings and put the tires back on. She would need tires soon, but they were good enough. She had about thirty to forty percent left on them. I started the car and it sounded great. I guess the battery was the problem. I jacked up the back and checked the rear drum brakes. The shoes were fine. Hardly any wear at all. This job was done.

I took the car up to the gas station and filled it up and vacuumed it out. I brought it back and washed it and cleaned the windows. Done, and it was only three. I drove the car back to Maria's trailer and parked it.

The cart had me down at the patio in a couple of minutes. Glenda was on the patio, peeling potatoes with some other ladies. I asked her if she knew where Martin was and she said softly, "Taking a nap. Do you want him?"

"I want to work on your car. He wanted to do a few things before the paint job."

Glenda said, "I'll get you the keys. He needs to nap. He's okay, but he's not a spring chicken anymore. He wears himself out. You watch yourself. I saw your pacemaker. Don't do too much."

"I'll watch out, Glenda. This is good therapy for me though. Go get those keys and I'll get a running start on this thing."

Glenda brought me the keys and I took the car over to my driveway and jacked it up, putting chocks behind the rear wheels and good jack stands under it.

After pulling the front wheels, I pulled the first bearing set and it didn't look bad, just filthy with old grease. I poured some gas in a pan and soaked the bearing. I did the other side and it looked the same, so I got the bearing for that side soaking too.

While the wheels were off, I checked the rotors, pads, and the tie rods. Everything looked good. I greased everything up and checked the oil and it looked clean. Actually, the whole engine compartment looked like someone had been scrubbing it weekly. The only thing I saw was that the belt for the alternator was frayed. The reason was because the belt was the wrong size and was shimmed out to make it fit. I checked the wheel bearings and they were still clogged up. Again, I drove the Cart next door to the parts store and picked up some solvent and the right size belt. Back at my trailer, I put the bearings in the solvent then worked on replacing the belt. I discovered why they used the too big belt. It was tough to get the belt on. I used a trick with a couple of screwdrivers and let the belt slide on, using a long thin screwdriver to guide it on without rolling it. The belt tightened up without the shims.

The solvent worked its magic and the bearings were clean. I blew out the excess solvent, and then played with the bearings, making sure none had any flat spots. After cleaning out the bearing housing, I packed the clean bearings with good grade grease, and then packed around them in position. I put everything back together, cleaned up the tools, and put everything away before looking at the time. Four thirty, this was perfect timing.

It didn't take me fifteen minutes to shave, shower, and dress. I carried my clothes over to Prissy. She saw me coming and handed me my clean clothes as I handed her my dirty ones. She said, "I want to take you down to Sears Roebuck to get you some of those coveralls that mechanics wear. They will last longer and you won't stain your good denims and everyday shirts. I got everything out this time, but you'll stain something soon that I can't fix."

"I'll ask about some coveralls, Prissy. Thank you very much, Ma'am. It's nice to have my clothes clean."

"You just bring 'em and I'll wash 'em."

I put the clothes away, then drove Martin's old Pontiac over to his house and parked it before walking over to the patio. Martin greeted me, saying, "You should have wakened me so I could have helped you. How much do you have to do yet?"

"It's all done, Martin. You keep that old sled in great shape. The bearings were fine; the grease had to be changed. I cleaned them real good with gas and solvent and repacked them. I cleaned the bearing seats out, too. The only other thing I saw was the frayed alternator belt. I put the right one on and pulled those washers off that were being used as spacers. The spacers were tilting the belt pulley and fraying the belt."

"You really are fast. Thank you so much. Were you able to find out what was wrong with Maria's van?"

"Actually, the only problem was the battery. The car needed a lot of miscellaneous stuff and front brakes, but the battery was what the starting problem was."

Martin shook his head, "You mean all those men who were telling her they couldn't figure it out were lying, taking advantage of that girl?"

"That they were, Martin. I'm going to drive the car over to her at five thirty. You can see her when she brings me back."

Glenda had heard me and said, "You make her bring her babies in here. We haven't had any little ones around for a year or so. I just love her little ones, and she is so sweet."

I didn't drink any beer, and when it neared five thirty, I walked up to Maria's house and took the van over to in front of the factory entrance. About five minutes later, Maria came out with her three kids, laughing, Maria was happy to be out of work and the kids were happy to be out of day care and be with their mother.

I got out of the car and opened the two sets of doors. Maria stopped and gasped, covering her mouth. "You have it running; you drove here in it, that's wonderful." She ran to me and hugged me. She actually pulled my head down and kissed me. She brought the kids and put them in their three seats and was going to get into the passenger seat. I said, "You drive, it's your car. Drive me to the patio, to Steve Sharp's home."

Maria was turning on the air, the radio, checking her turn signals, just playing with everything. She moved the seat up forward then raised it so she could see over the steering wheel. She smiled at me so beautifully.

We drove slowly to the patio where she parked to let me out. I said, "Glenda said I have to bring you and the babies in to see everyone. They haven't seen you in a while and need some babies to play with."

Maria looked hesitant, but she got out and I helped unbuckle the kids. They knew where they were as they ran for the door. Someone opened the door for them and you could hear them squeal as they were scooped up by the loving people inside.

I opened the door for Maria and Sue instantly hugged her, followed by Mercy and Juanita. Kathy wasn't around or I'm sure she would have as well. The girls were jabbering away as I slipped back and poured myself a frosty mug of beer.

"Feeling pretty good about that one, huh?"

I turned to find Charley, the park manager who was drinking a beer and observing the family being fawned over. "Yes Sir, it's good to help someone, especially when others were taking advantage of her."

Charley said, "She's a good lady. She pays me the lot rent before it's due and I heard she's paid off the trailer and that car. She's a good lady."

Watching Maria and her kids, I said, "If you know the low lifes that were taking advantage of her, show them to me. I think I need to take a wrench to their heads."

"They are low life people, that's for sure. Most have moved away and the last is being evicted this weekend. He's been hard to get rid of. I know he was a regular at her place, promising to do something. Was it a major problem?"

I said, "Not really, the big problem was a dead battery. Everything else was just maintenance."

Charlie was shaking his head, "Wouldn't you know she gave away a thousand dollars worth of pussy for a fifty dollar battery."

Matty said, "Charley, don't talk like that, you only heard those men talking, you don't know for sure."

He rolled his eyes at me and just nodded while sipping more beer. I went to Maria and asked, "Would you like something to drink, a mixed drink, a beer?"

She smiled and said, "Can you make a Mojito?"

I went to the bar and asked Tiny if they had mint or Mojito mix. He showed me both. Tiny said, "Rub some mint on the rim of the glass, then crush it up on the bottom, use mix and this glass." He handed me a rocks glass. I made the Mojito and took it to Maria. She tasted it and hugged me with one arm, "You are so good to me. You are going to get so lucky, Senor."

Mercy was watching and listening and grinned. I was blushing bright enough that Crystal came over. She said, "Picking up little chicas, huh? I know this one; she's like a nina to us out here."

Maria and Crystal hugged. Maria said, "This man, this Mark, he fix my car. Many try or said they try, but Mark, he no try, he just fix."

"So that's why you were at the parts store. Good man. I should have had a mechanic look at that car a long time ago, but I kept forgetting and runt here wouldn't remind me. I'm glad you're all fixed, Maria."

"I'm going to treat Mr. Mark very well for helping me."

I said softly for only Maria to hear, "Maria, that is very sweet but your happiness is all that I could ever want. You owe me nothing. That is sweet to offer."

"Don't you think me cute, or worthy, Gringo?"

"Oh no, Maria, many take advantage of you. I want you to be my friend. Let's make a deal, you cook something spicy for me. Then we will be even."

She narrowed her eyes at me and said, "Okay, I will cook for you. I would do both for you, but I will cook for you. You be ready and very hungry." She pulled me down and put a lip lock on me while hanging around my neck. "Yes, I will cook for you, then you see what you want."

Crystal said, "You didn't swap carts, so I picked the ugliest truck cart we had and it's out there. I already swapped it with the one you were using. Just to let you know. Enjoy, Sucker."

A free ride is a free ride. How could I object about how ugly and beat up it was?

We ate while Maria and the kids sat with me. The kids were between Maria and me so we could help them eat. Two were in high chairs, so they were easy. It had been a while since I fed one of the grandkids. It was fun though, as they were excited to be with all of us. Maria was high from the crowd as well.

When Maria was finished helping clean up after supper, she came to me as I was playing with the kids, along with some other people, "Thank you, Mark. Thank you very much. Juanita talk to me and tell me what you feel. That is so very sweet that I want to do with you even more, but I understand. I will cook for you better than any Mexican woman ever cook for you. You like spicy, your food will be spicy. You eat this Saturday. You be hungry. Now help me get the kids in the car."

Amazingly, that was the end of her aggressiveness. I watched as she drove home, happy that I helped her.

I looked for Juanita and she said, "Make me a Mojito, I want to see if it makes me want you like it did Maria."

With a lot of laughing, I made a Mojito for Juanita. When I handed it to her, I said, "Thank you for understanding and helping her to understand. Too many men have taken advantage of her already. If she wants a man, she should find a young one and live happily ever after. Thank you, Juanita."

She hugged, "That does make me want you even more, Mark. That is very sweet."

"Drink your drink, lady. Quit teasing."

I had one more beer then said goodnight to everyone. This had been a full day. There were still several carts lined up outside. There was only one truck type cart. It was white with flames on the front with red, white, and blue stripes on the side. On the top canopy, over the driver's seat, it said Mark Robins. I guess this was mine. I walked around it and it had in script across the tailgate, "I'll fix your ride." Cute. I drove it home and opened the shed. I moved the bike to one side then backed the cart into the shed. It was just too pretty to leave outside at night.

After checking my e-mail, I called the house using the cheap throwaway phone. Judy answered after a few rings.

"This is Mark."

"Oh good, I want to make sure you're coming."

"I will be there. What time?"

Judy said, "Come at six. We can have a drink, then supper while we talk."

"Okay, I'll be there at six."

She said, "I was served with your divorce papers today, but we won't need both. Mine will work fine. We'll talk about that tomorrow."

"I haven't seen your divorce papers."

Judy gasped audibly, "How can that be, I have a receipt that you were served?"

"Well, they didn't serve me. I haven't been around or out to be served."

"We'll talk about that tomorrow," she said.

"Then I'll see you tomorrow."

"Don't you want to talk or anything? Aren't you going to ask me anything?"

I sighed, "I really don't know what to ask. I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

I hung up on her, knowing that she was probably recording the conversation, or someone was listening in, probably both.

I checked my e-mail and there was another from Jeanie telling me to be sure to go home tomorrow and one from Judy that I should be there at six.

What in the world is she up to?

At ten thirty, I locked up, washed, and went to bed.

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Primary editing by Pepere

Proofing by Sagacious



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Chapter 6


Waking up, thinking about something that you can't remember, is unsettling. Is Alzheimer's getting to me? Who knows?

After taking the usual pills, I walked around the park, avoiding getting anywhere near Maria's. I met Caroline again on the way back. We chatted, but she was preoccupied today, too.

Instead of going to the patio, I made my own coffee, along with some bacon, eggs, and toast. I was cleaning up when Steve came over. He knocked and came in. I offered him some coffee, but he said he just stopped by to make sure I was all right.

"I'm fine. I have to see my ex this evening, but I have an attorney that's going with me because something is up. She wouldn't be pushing so hard for this meeting for nothing. She advised me we were through Monday and had cut off my cell phone and the bank accounts. It's just weird. She didn't get to serve me with her divorce papers and faked the service so hers would be first. That might cause her some grief, but who cares."

"Well be careful with her. If you need legal help, let us know. We know some good attorneys."

"I'll be fine, I'm just nervous over it, that's all. I'm headed over to the cart shop to see if there is any warranty stuff. If there isn't, I'll check with R&D. I think I know of another older lady that could use some help. I'll go there too."

Steve was nodding, "You're doing great. What you did for Maria is really nice. Juanita told me about Maria's offer and your insistence that she only cook for you. That was nice. I don't know whether I would turn down that cute little girl."

"Steve, I take a lot of medicine and none of it is good for a man's ego, if you know what I mean. What would I do with her?"

"Play my friend, play."

"That would be fun, Steve, but I would just want more and I wouldn't be able to have more."

Steve walked out and said, "Where's the new cart Crystal painted up for you?"

I took the key and opened the shed. "I couldn't stand leaving it out overnight. It's too pretty."

Steve laughed and said, "I'll see you at lunch."

There were four carts in the warranty area, so I did those real quick. There was nothing much to fixing the problems and two of them just had bad bolts. From there, I checked with Dennis and he really didn't need me. I went over to the park and drove up to the trailer that had an old Ford Thunderbird in the driveway. The body looked good, but it was faded real bad. The tires were all up and looked like they had good tread. I had walked by before and the hood had been up, so that's why I was here.

A very heavy older lady came to the door.

"Hi, I'm Mark Robins. I like to help folks that may need some car repairs. Is your Thunderbird running okay?"

"The lady smiled and said, "No, it doesn't run at all. It usually won't start, and when you do get it to started, it won't go. The transmission may be gone."

"How about I look at it, unless you're going to have it towed off instead of fixing it?"

"I can't afford another car right now and I can't afford to fix it. I'll get the keys, you're welcome to try."

She brought me the keys and I turned the key trying to start it to hear the starter solenoid sticking. I had to get on my back, but I whacked the solenoid with a wrench and went around and turned the key. It started right up. While I let it warm up, the transmission was whining as if it didn't have any fluid.

When the engine was warm, I checked the transmission dipstick and it was dry. I told the lady, "I'll be right back, I am probably not fixing it yet, but I'll get it running enough so I can get it to my place and work on it."

"You've already done more than my son and son-in-law. The neighbor fellow tried to help too, but it was beyond them."

I went to the parts store in my cart and bought a bunch of transmission fluid.

Back at the park, I poured the max amount of tranny fluid into the car, then started it and let it run. When it was warm, I put it in gear and it slid right into gear. I said I would be right back and drove the Thunderbird to my trailer.

I walked back and gave the lady my telephone number, then drove my cart home.

It sure would be nice to have a lift. Hmmm, they have lifts at the truck shop. I wonder. Well, I can do this one here. But first, I jumped in the cart and drove over to the truck store and went to the parts counter. I asked the parts guy, "I see guys in jumpsuits. Where can I get a couple?"

"You can buy them here, but we sell them retail. You can buy them over at the factory store at wholesale. Last, you can borrow a couple off the uniform rack, bring them back dirty, and get a couple more."

"The uniform rack is for me."

I stopped, "Oh say, what kind of strings would I have to pull to use one of those lifts"

"Since you seem to know what you're doing, none. You might get hooked into helping on another job, but bring whatever it is over and use the little lift. We hardly ever use it."

"Thanks, I'll remember that." I went to the rack and got two bright orange coveralls and rode back to the trailer. The car was still running so I slid underneath to see what was leaking. That was easy, there was a crack in the transmission pan.

I dropped the pan. It wasn't caked with crud and only had a few metal shavings. Instead of going to the parts store, I called since I figured this would be a special order item. I was right, and they said I would probably only find one at a junkyard and only if I was lucky.

I cleaned the pan until it shined then ran over to the truck body shop where they put the bodies on. I had the pan in my hand when I saw Crystal. I wolf whistled and she spun around. I walked over to her grinning and showed her the pan and said, "I need someone to weld this or for someone to lend me a straight arc."

Crystal smiled and pointed at a nice Lincoln arc welder setup in the corner. I took the pan and using tools on a nearby bench pounded it out flat and smooth then looked over the rods to find the right kind for good steel.

I put the pan in some clamps and grounded it, then turned up the welder. Using the gloves that were on the machine and the hood that was on the bench, I drew a bead along one side of the crack. I shut everything off and looked at it. I turned the pan over and clamped it. I drew another bead on that side. With everything shut off and put away, I used some grinding tools to smooth the weld. I could have used some better rotary tools, but these guys probably didn't weld that often. I finally got it smooth on both sides. On the way out, Crystal wanted to look at my work. She nodded in approval. I had to stop at the parts counter for a sheet of gasket material.

I cut the material out and bolted the pan back up. I checked all around to make sure nothing else was damaged. I did the usual checks, then ran over to the parts store for the parts for a tune up, oil change materials, the starter solenoid and more transmission fluid.

It was getting to be noon, so I washed up, changed clothes, and went to lunch. Crystal was there and asked if I was done for the day. I told her that I changed to be clean for lunch. Steve laughed, "If you're working on something, come like you are. We work out here. Dirt washes off."

I thanked him for the info and said that next time I would come in coveralls.

After lunch, I pushed to finish the car quickly. I drove it to the lady and knocked on her door. I handed her the keys and said, "Everything works, I checked the air and it works too."

She came out of the house and all two hundred fifty pounds hit me. Wow, she was a "big one." When she finally calmed down, I asked her what her name was. She said, "That's right. I was so rude I didn't even tell you my name. I'm Katherine Spencer. I've lived out here for a long, long time."

"Well, Katherine Spencer, your car is ready to take you somewhere. The car is in really good condition. It needs a paint job or some wax, but it runs good now. The transmission pan was cracked and the fluid leaked out. The starting problem was the solenoid. I tuned it up and changed the oil. Like I said, it runs great."

Katherine said, "You know I bet that happened at the shopping center. I ran over one of those parking bumpers and it scraped the bottom of the car. I backed up but the damage was probably already done. Well, thank you, Mark, isn't it?"

"Yes, Ma'am. If you know of any other folks like yourself who need help, let me know. I'm happy to help them out."

I walked back to the trailer, stripped, showered then sat at my computer in my shorts to check e-mail. There was nothing new. I didn't think I would need any money, but I counted my cash. I still had almost three hundred dollars. Just to be on the safe side, I put two hundred in my checkbook in the desk and kept a little over a hundred in my money clip.

Should I dress up or wear jeans as usual. Why not jeans? I wasn't trying to impress anyone. But then Sarah was coming, so I decided on khakis. It was getting toward five, so I dressed and was ready to go. I had called Sarah this morning and we were going to meet at Publix near the house. I would leave the Bronco there and ride with her. That would work.

I wanted a drink but thought better of it. Guess I was ready. I drove at a reasonable speed over to the Publix and parked. About ten to six, Sarah showed up. She said, "I talked to a friend of mine who is in the Sheriff's department and I have a hint of what's going on. They're cooking up some kind of charge against you and the cops are going to arrest you. Do you still want to go through with this or run? After the last time I had someone go to jail, I'd say run."

I was sick, almost to the point of wanting to throw up. I said, "I haven't done anything to get arrested for. Anything that I'm charged with is bogus. Please know that, Sarah, and help me if you can. I'll need a criminal lawyer. Maybe you know one that's good."

"I know a couple, but I'll be there to get you out tonight. Let's go get this over with. If I have to, I'll call in some federal favors. You'll be fine."

We drove up to the house to find the grass still needed to be cut. Oh well. A strange car was in the driveway, but I didn't care. It might even belong to her friend.

I rang the doorbell and Judy answered the door becoming surprised and alarmed that I had brought someone. I introduced them, "Judy, this is Sarah Perkins, a friend, and someone to represent me tonight and witness what happens. Sarah, this is Judy, my wife, or soon to be ex-wife."

We walked in and Judy led us to the kitchen where a tall guy, a lot younger than me, was standing. He had a superior look on his face with his head back, looking down at me.

I asked Judy, "Who's this?"

Judy almost sneered, "Someone to keep you in your place."

Turning to Sarah, "What do you think, this isn't going well, should we leave?"

Judy turned sweet, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound like that. This is Steven Barts, a friend of mine. He's here to kind of watch out for me."

Judy turned to the guy and said, "Why don't you serve us some wine, Steven?"

I don't drink wine often. Judy knows that. Steve brought out a couple of wine glasses already poured and placed them on the table in front me and Sarah. He went back into the fridge and brought out two more wine glasses and set one in front of Judy and one for him. They each took a drink but Sarah and I just sat.

I asked, "Why did you shut off my cell phone. I used that a lot. That was a good service."

Judy said, "We'll get to that."

"And what's with the shutting down the two bank accounts. The business account is mine too."

"I'm fifty one percent owner of the company, even though I didn't do anything. I can do with it what I want."

Sarah rolled her eyes, but didn't say anything.

"Okay, what do you want to talk about?"

"Drink your wine, Mark, it will relax you."

"I gave up booze, Judy, the doc said no more of any kind of alcohol. A bottle of water would be fine. I'll go get it. Do you want one, Sarah?"

I jumped up and went to the garage refrigerator. I noticed a Kawasaki rice rocket in the garage. Oh well. I brought two unopened bottles of water out and handed one to Sarah. I moved the two glasses over to Steven and Judy without touching them.

Judy said, "You know that I know you like to look at pictures of little girls, very young girls. You know that's wrong."

"Judy, you know I've never been interested in kiddie stuff. You and I used to watch stuff like deep throat and you used to like that guy Jeremy or something like that, but that's the only stuff we've ever watched."

She came back with, "You read those nasty stories about little kids all the time. I know you do. You even downloaded a lot of them and pictures too."

"What's this about, Judy? You know I've never done any of these things. Sure I've looked at pictures on the web before, but not kids. I read stories too, but no kiddie stuff. As a matter of fact, a lot of them don't even have any sex in them. You know I can't do anything with the medication I take. It takes the fun out of even thinking about sex. You sure haven't tried to encourage me, that's for sure."

"How could I after you accused me of having an affair?"

I put up my hands in protest, "Yeah, I shouldn't have accused you of having an affair with Steven, and here he is."

Steven over reacted and jumped up knocking his chair over, "Are you accusing her of something bad?"

I smiled, "I don't know, Steven, is sleeping with you something bad, will she catch something from you?"

That might have been going too far. He swung at me, but I ducked and tugged his arm so he sprawled across me and the table, knocking the full glasses of wine over on Judy.

Judy jumped up and I pushed Steven off me. He regained his feet and stood there with his fists clenched, trying to figure out what to do next. He didn't have to worry, the cops came in the door without knocking or requesting permission. The lead suit was showing his badge and looking at me, he said, "You're under arrest for child pornography. We have your computer that is full of nude children pictures. Stand up so we can search you."

I stood and said, "Let me empty my pockets and give what I have to my friend."

The cop said, "Just empty your pockets and I'll take what I want. Get up."

A second suit asked Judy and Steven, "Did he assault you? Do you want to file charges?"

Before either could answer, I said, "This man tried to hit me and I ducked. He fell across me and knocked over those two suspicious glasses of wine. I'd like to have the glasses analyzed to see if there was something funny in them."

Judy began crying, "You just won't do what you're supposed to do. You were supposed to drink that and be all mellow so these policemen could hear you confess. You always mess up my life."

The first suit said, "That's enough, Ma'am, you shouldn't say anything else."

I asked the policeman, "Did you find what you wanted in my pocket stuff?"

Judy said, "I have it, I didn't get a chance to put it in his wallet."

The cop again said, "You should be quiet, Ma'am, what you're saying is being heard by his witness."

"Sarah, take everything but my driver's license so I have an ID, and keep them for me, okay?"

Sarah said, "Could you describe the exact charges to me?"

"What's it to you lady. Are you going to try to bail him out?"

"I think you should tell him exactly what you are arresting him for."

The second suit said, "We are arresting him for being in possession of child pornography. However many pictures he has on that computer we picked up is how many charges there are. Come on let's get him out of here and to Orient road."

Sarah followed us out making a call on her cell phone.

There were television news trucks outside and several people with microphones came running up to me and asked, "Did you rape any little kids, did you take pictures of little girls, did you dope little kids and have them perform sex acts with you?"

The news people were everywhere. The cops took their merry time getting me out to a squad car and kept my hands pulled back so my head would be straight. Everyone would see my face on the eleven o'clock news. I did notice Sarah stayed out of the cameras. Smart girl.

Judy came running out of the house waving some papers, "I have to give these to him, stop, he has to have these, these are the divorce papers, he has to be served."

The suit said, "Give them to someone who cares. He sure doesn't."

The cop in the plain car pulled away with me in it while a marked car followed him. I looked to see Sarah following both.

At the jail, I went through all of the searching and fingerprinting, then was turned out into a big room with a lot of other people. My first thought was, I'm hungry. My second thought was, I wonder how they did whatever it is they did?"

About two hours later, they called my name and brought me to a room where I stood while they photographed me before leading me to a counter where Sarah and a few other guys were. I recognized the one man as the guy who had been at the pool with Steve. He was the one with fake leg. People were listening to him. Another man was saying, "This is federal jurisdiction if he used the internet to obtain child pornography from another state. I want this man released into our custody as we will charge him separately. I demand to be provided with all evidence that has been collected so my specialist can analyze the content."

The guy who had been with Steve said, "I think it's time you call the Sheriff. If you do not call him this instant, I will lock this jail down, do you understand?"

The guy at the desk nervously dialed the phone while we watched him.

"Sheriff, there are some federal people here demanding some things. They say if they don't get what they want they are going to lock the jail up. Can they do that?"

"Yes Sir. Yes Sir. Yes Sir. The arresting officers are Carlton and Brown. Yes Sir. You should call them; they will do what you order."

The man hung the phone up and brought out some papers and had the people sign them. The man handed them an envelope with my driver's license in it. The man that had been with Steve said to me, "I'm Chuck Johnson, Deputy U.S. Marshal and this is Frank of the FBI. We are taking you to a Federal Judge to be arraigned. Do we need cuffs?"

"No Sir, I'll be very good."

We all left the building. Outside Sarah asked my two captors, "Should I get a criminal attorney to represent Mark?"

Chuck said, "The judge will do what I ask. The problem is the news people are going to spread this all over the place. Mark is not going to be safe anywhere."

The FBI guy, Frank, said, "Chuck, get some deputies over to the Sheriff's station that has that evidence so we can get it into the lab. We need to analyze it quickly so we can prove or disprove this guy's guilt. There is too much funny stuff for this to be real."

Chuck said, "Yeah, I know. It really stinks. Ah, let's get to the judge then I'll stash you someplace, Mark. I think you're going to be a witness."

I didn't know what he meant, but I did know I wouldn't be welcome at Steve's with a kiddie porn charge hanging over me. I probably will never live this down.

Sarah said, "I'll go with you to the arraignment and see what they do with you. Please know that I will help you all I can. This is the craziest divorce I've ever handled, and I've handled some doozies."

We drove to a home up in old Carolwood where I was introduced to a Federal Judge who had a Federal Prosecutor with him. They read all the information and the Judge asked me, "Did you do this stuff?"

"No, Sir."

"How do you plead Mark Robins? Guilty or not guilty?"

"Not guilty, your Honor."

"Okay, these are serious charges but there are people that believe you are not guilty. Of course, you are innocent until proven guilty. I will release you on you own recognizance. If you have a passport, you must give it up. You may not leave this state and you must remain available for questioning. Since you are not represented by an attorney tonight, you need to get one. Do it, these are serious charges."

Chuck Johnson said, "Judge, I believe this man is a witness to several serious crimes and feel he should be housed as a protected witness. I need your authorization."

The judge took a form and wrote some notes on it and signed it. He handed it to Chuck and said, "Lock him up," he paused, as he smiled at me, "in a nice place."

The judge had one final word, "Mr. Robins, you've found a bit of gold in this. I hope you repay those in kind for the faith they have shown."

"I will try, your Honor."

Outside the house, Sarah handed Frank something and said, "You can't use this in court but this is a recording of everything that went on in that house tonight." Sarah handed Frank something wrapped up in napkins. "This is the glass they were trying to give Mark, but it was spilled when the Steven guy tried to hit Mark. Check to see what was in it besides wine and check that guy's prints. He's too much of a slime ball to not be on file."

Chuck laughed, "Now you're playing detective. I love you, Sarah, you're great. You take a case pro bono and look what all you've done. You should get a medal."

Sarah said, "It's your fault. You made me enough money so I can do this stuff and enjoy it. I'm practicing law."

Chuck and Frank took me downtown to the Federal building where we first went up to the Marshal station then down to the FBI. The lab guys there asked me if I minded if they took my fingerprints again.

"Of course not."

They did it on some kind of screen without ink. They did all five fingers and the palm of each hand.

Frank then said, "He's yours now, if he's a witness. Hide him."

Chuck and I went back upstairs where he made some calls before we went downstairs and across the street to a nice hotel, where we were met by another deputy. Chuck shook my hand and said, "Be good here. We've sent a man out to search and stay at your trailer to watch it. If there is anything there that we should know about, tell me now."

"There's a couple of hundred dollars in my checkbook in the drawer where my computer is."

"Do we have your permission to search your house and your computer?"

"Sure. The key to the shed is on the wall by the door; I have a test computer on the bench. Oh, Steve Sharp might want his cart back. Let him have that. Tell him I'm sorry all this happened, but I didn't do any of it."

Chuck said, "I don't think you did either, but you don't have to convince me. This is the kind of thing where you're guilty until we can prove your innocence. It's not right, but that's the way people look at a crime like this. That's why I'm stashing you in this hotel. Go with this guy and we'll bring you some more of your clothes. Relax, but if the lab guys need you or an agent wants to question you, go with them and answer honestly. Have a good night. I never know when I have to leave town, but I'll stay in touch."

We shook hands and the man left. I did feel better about everything now that that was over.

We went to the top of the hotel where another man said, "You don't get the special room. We have someone in there waiting to leave for somewhere else. You get a nice suite though. Have you eaten tonight?"

"No Sir, I'm starved."

"Me too, I'll order us something. Want a beer with supper?"

"Sure, I'd kill for a drink though."

"Look in the bar in the room. Don't get drunk, they frown on that."

The suite was nice. There was a couch and chair plus the bar and a nice TV. The sliding doors opened to a patio with a hot tub. Wow, first class.

I didn't look any farther. I found a glass and ice, and followed by a search that turned up some kind of fancy British gin. I poured a big glass full. The gin was good. A few swallows later, I was feeling better. I carried the drink as I explored the bedroom. The bedroom had a big king-size bed, another TV, a nice bathroom, and a big closet with nothing in it. Actually there were a couple of robes in there.

I shut all those lights off and sat in the living room area and turned on the TV. One of the channels had the ten o'clock news, so I watched that. When the news came on, the lead story was me being led out of the house. They never did say that I was suspected of anything. They said I was caught with hundreds of child pornography pictures. I wonder where the pictures were.

The detective that was the mouthy one told the news lady they had caught me dead to rights and had all the evidence. He said I had attacked my ex-wife and her friend, and would probably have assault charges, too.

That's when it hit me. Not one time did anyone read me my whatever it was rights. The ones that said everything you say will bite you in the ass and if you can't afford an attorney you get some drunk junky to defend you. No one did that. I didn't say anything anyway but this whole thing is like a circus. There were lots of clowns.

The deputy came in, wheeling a cart. He said, "Eat in here. With the other room filled, I have to eat out at the desk. Sorry I can't stay with you. You should stay in the room since we have a sensitive person over there. I'll come get the cart later, enjoy."

I pulled off one cover and found a salad. Great. That requires another gin. I did that and enjoyed the hell out of it. The next discovery was a great looking rib-eye steak that was still warm. I ate the steak, the potato with the fixings, and the vegetables down to the last morsel. I considered licking the plate, but that would be too much. There were some more covered dishes. One was a roll and another was a big piece of banana cream pie. I cracked the beer in the ice bucket and enjoyed the pie.

I watched the eleven o'clock news and it was the same. There was a shot of Judy, with Steven holding her, as the cops led me away, how dramatic. This reporter said I was a suspect and didn't convict me yet.

The clock was catching up with me. I was sleepy. Time for bed. The bathroom revealed some toothbrushes and sample toothpaste. I hung my clothes up, brushed, washed, and lay in bed. I fell asleep with the TV playing.

Primary editing by Pepere

Proofing by Sagacious



-------

Chapter 7


Waking up in a strange place is always unsettling. As my memory returned, everything that had happened came back, I was really unsettled. I stretched in bed, remembering that I wasn't a spring chicken any more, and that my bones and muscles didn't like me all the time. This morning was one of those times.

As I remembered the new friends I had out at the trailer park, I was depressed, knowing they had all seen the news from the night before and thought I might be some pervert who may be a threat to their kids, or grandkids. Who would believe me? Even if they proved me innocent, the damage was done. I wouldn't be welcome at home in my own neighborhood, much less in a closed community like a trailer park with a lot of kids.

Knowing I had to prove my innocence energized me. I had to prove I wasn't that kind of person and make the news media say that as loudly as they had proclaimed my guilt. I had a direction, a purpose, and a crusade.

I got up and realized immediately that I didn't have my morning pills. This was serious. I needed the stuff that got rid of the fluid in my lungs and body. I needed the blood pressure and heart stuff.

Not to waste any time, I shaved and showered quickly; putting on the clothes I had on last night. After dressing, I went out to the duty person sitting at the desk by the stairway. "Good morning, I'm Mark Robins, a new person here. I need to take a bunch of pills every morning and they are at my place in the trailer park. Can you help me make arrangements to get them?"

"Sure, Mr. Robins, I'll call the man who's watching your trailer and have him bring them when he comes in after being relieved this morning. Let me call him and you can tell him where they are and what you need."

The duty Deputy called and let me speak to the deputy on site at my trailer. "Please, get the bottles from the plastic roll around chest that is by the front wall, next to my desk. There should be five bottles on the right side of the top drawer. Check the last two bottles nearest the front to make sure there are several pills in them. If not, get the corresponding full pill bottle in the rear of the drawer. Also get couple of the yellow boxes. If you don't mind, I have a guitar in the rear closet that I would also enjoy having. The clothes you'll bring are in those drawers and the jeans are hanging in the closet."

The duty man on site said that he was invited to have breakfast with Steve Sharp and his friends a couple of streets over. He asked if I thought that would be a good idea and what he should say if asked.

"Tell them the truth. No one has proven anything yet and I'm still innocent until proven guilty. Like I said, tell them the truth."

With that taken care of, I shifted thoughts to exercise and food. I told the duty man that I need exercise and could walk in circles but needed to do it at least for a half-hour. He said, "Let me see if it's okay to let you into the hotel gym. I'll have an answer around eight. Let's order a good breakfast." I thought eating breakfast with the duty deputy would be like having breakfast with my kid who was not living at home anymore.

After breakfast, I went through all the stretches they had taught me in the cardiac rehab class out at the VA. Walking around a room for thirty minutes is boring, but I turned on the TV to listen to the morning news and weather. There were more reports about the villain taken into custody for child porn and how the federal law enforcement people had taken over the case.

About seven thirty, the agent who had been on duty at my trailer, brought my clothes, my guitar, and my pills. I thanked him for bringing the pills so quickly. I took my prescribed pills, put away my clothes, then sat on the couch with my guitar. I had always found just strumming familiar riffs was very relaxing.

At eight thirty, a deputy came into the room and said we had to go over to the federal building. The FBI wanted to question me now. He said that the county detectives would probably be there as well.

In an interrogation room, both FBI agents and a county detective that had been in on the arrest at the house began asking questions. They kept hammering on me as to when I had decided to begin collecting pictures of children in sexual situations. This was their central theme, over and over again. They asked about whether I had been collecting pictures at the office that I had sold to the new owners. I kept telling them the same thing; I had never downloaded a picture of children in sexual situations ever.

They broke for a while and brought me a bottle of water and coffee. I took a pee break and was accompanied by an agent to make sure I didn't try to run. When we continued, it was two more hours of asking questions about when the office was closed and why did I sell it. They would go back to the question of when did I begin collecting child porn and I kept telling them the same thing.

The county detective challenged me, "Would you be willing to take a lie detector test? Come on, prove your innocence, take it now, no preparation, they can do it right here."

I didn't think anything could possibly show up so I agreed but asked to go to the bathroom again. Since I take Lasix in the morning, I pee frequently until about noon. Again, an agent went with me and watched me pee and wash my hands. They took me into another interrogation room where a fat, bald headed guy with Coke bottle glasses was messing with a table full of equipment.

We had a little discussion while he explained what he was going to do before he proceeded to hook me up to multiple leads on my fingers and arms. He told me to relax, to even close my eyes if that would help me relax. He did as he said he would by asking me questions he knew to be correct and asked questions he knew to be incorrect.

Soon he was asking, "Did you begin collecting child pictures while you had your business?

"Have you ever had sex with a child ten years old or younger?"

"Have you ever had sex with a child twelve years old or younger?"

We went right up to sixteen then he switched to, "Did you know your wife was seeing another man?"

I answered, "Yes."

"Did you know the man's name?"

"Again, "Yes," because I had worked to find it out.

"Do you think the evidence against you is false?"

That was a definite, "Yes."

"Did you modify your computers from your closed business since you removed them from service?"

I had to say yes because I had just taken one of the computers to put one together for me out at the trailer park.

"Did you modify this computer to operate on the internet?"

That was yes also.

"Did you modify this computer to download pictures of children having sex?"

That was a no.

This continued for another fifteen minutes then the guy administering the test said he wanted to ask the same questions, but on a different machine. He hooked me up to the other machine and we did it all again. The questions were all exactly the same and I answered them all the same.

When we were done, an agent took me back to the other interrogation room where they began asking me how I found out Steven's name. Then they began to get real serious about when I had modified the computer recently.

"That's easy. My wife told me early Monday evening that I had to be out of the house by Friday. I began packing up and preparing to move right away. When I rented the trailerhouse I found, one of the items I wanted was a desktop PC, so I took the PC that had formerly been my personal PC on my desk at the office and began preparing it to use in the trailer. I already knew I could use a wireless connection, so I had prepared the box to accept a new network interface card. I couldn't use any more of the PCs from the office, so I left them for my wife to dispose of. She said she was going to trash anything that I left."

The agent asked, "When were you last in the house?"

"Tuesday, late afternoon. Since I was able to get everything of mine together, I moved my stuff out to a temporary storage facility and into the trailer. I don't have that much personal stuff. I've since given up the storage facility as the park found a shed for me to use since I've been helping out there."

They asked again, "You haven't been back to the house since Tuesday?"

"No, I even left the key to the house on the kitchen table and just locked the front door on the way out. My wife didn't come home until late Monday night and I only saw her briefly on Tuesday morning. The first time I've been back to the house is Friday at six. She sent me several e-mails and also had my daughter tell me to make sure I would be there Friday."

The two agents questioning me looked at each other and left.

One came back in and asked, "Tell me again when you built your computer that you have in your trailer."

I said, "I built it Tuesday, but I just used a box I had and made sure everything I needed worked. I ended up trading the PC I took from home for a faster used box with a wireless network card that I have now. I kept the hard drive from the old PC but that's it. All of the PCs I had were used on a network that had the internet."

When they asked the same question but in a different way, I answered, "The one thing I did to the PC I was going to build was to make room for a wireless network card because that's what I'm using out there. I ended up not using that box since I made a deal for a newer, faster PC. I did put the hard drive from the old PC into the new PC so I could transfer any of the old files I might want."

The agent asked, "We noticed you had a laptop too. You gave us permission to look through the other computer, do you mind if we look through your laptop?"

"Be my guest. Look through everything I own. The only kids' pictures you'll find are of my grandkids. All the young pictures of my daughter are still at home."

A little after noon they came and gave me a Subway roasted chicken breast sandwich and a Coke. I asked for another bottle of water and sat alone to eat, waiting for whatever they were going to ask next.

About one, the Deputy Marshal Chuck Johnson came and said hi. He asked if everyone was being respectful and I told him they had. He said to me, "Mark, I know you didn't do what you're accused of and the agents are convinced you didn't either. They are looking at everything to see if they can find out who is trying to frame you and why."

"Thanks, Chuck, It's very kind of you to help me. So many have helped me since Monday that I feel very lucky. I'm going to owe a lot of people when this is over. Poor Sarah took my case and then it blew up in her face. For a lady that likes her money, she sure is blowing a lot to help me."

Chuck smiled, "She's doing all right. I'd bet she'll get even more divorce cases that will pay big money after all the publicity she'll get for helping you. I think that even though your luck is off a little, you will still bring happiness to a lot of people."

"I hope so. I just hope I can make people know I didn't do any of these things. The TV people convicted me last night. They'll never spend the time to convince people that I didn't do anything wrong."

"Let Sarah handle that," Chuck said. "She's good at making something right. She'll handle it."

Chuck left and a couple agents came in carrying coffee, including a Styrofoam cup for me. They continued in the same line of questioning, but were not pushy like they had been before. They did ask me to describe everything I did in my past business and what I had done since selling it. They had me describe in detail, all of my activities since I packed up and left home. I said, "I was only at the trailer park from Tuesday evening through early Friday evening. I was busy every day helping in the R&D center and fixing a few cars for some of the older folks out there. One of the cars is owned by a younger lady with kids but she needed the help too."

The one agent said, "That's what everyone has told us so far. I can tell you that we've gone through your trailer and shed thoroughly and found nothing that incriminates you. Our computer guys took your hard drives from out there and your laptop and have gone through both and found nothing."

Those two left me about two thirty. I was getting tired, so I laid my head on the table and tried to nap. About a half-hour later, a geeky looking guy, with an attractive lady named Jan, came and took me into their lab. The geeky one was a computer guy who asked me questions about what software I had on the office PCs. I told them, "Each had XP Professional along with older copies of Office Professional 97 left over from Windows 98 days. All had Internet Explorer and used Outlook for e-mail. Some had copies of some communication software for various equipment manufacturers and some had a pricing program made up from Excel and Access. There might be a few other random programs, but that's about it. Everyone used Word for correspondence and most everyone used Power Point for presentations and quotes. Our business software was left with the company on our server so they had an accurate inventory and had a history to work from. That was part of the deal."

"When exactly was the last time you used the computers you had at your office."

I had to think, did we use them after the transfer or did they bring all their own PCs? "Actually, we did download all the individual files for the machines but they had their own software licenses and didn't buy any of mine. The sale of the company was February first but it took about two weeks to transfer customer and employee personnel files, so it was sometime in February. I brought the PCs home to the garage and have played with the one I have at home, but the rest have just sat. I used one on my test bench, but it didn't have Windows, only DOS as I used it as a test box. When I wanted to use it for more than that, I used the hard drive that is in the box at the trailer house."

The geeky looking guy asked, "So you wouldn't have had any transactions or file downloads on any of the PCs from February to now?"

"That's right. They were all just sitting beneath my workbench. I was going to use them as a possible gift to one of the schools, but they don't want anything but Pentium IVs, and these are all older than that."

Jan said, "We noticed that. Okay, I'll take you back to the hotel. We have found some interesting information on the PC when you were supposed to have downloaded all of those porno files. We also found some traces of a heavy sedative on that wineglass you insisted on being tested. The content was heavy enough that with your heart condition, it might have killed you."

I grimaced and clenched my teeth, hoping it was the creep that Judy was messing with that came up with that idea. It's not that Judy isn't bright; she just isn't programmed like that. To her, everything is black and white, but she can be easily influenced. Get her attention and she'll go along with you until she finds out you're screwing her. Problem is, sometimes that's too late.

I asked, "Did you check the fingerprints on that glass?"

"We did and we have a match," Jan said.

"Well, so what kind of dude is this Steven Barts?" I thought they could tell me that.

"That wasn't his name when he was fingerprinted. That is something else we have to look into. Don't go calling your ex to blab what we've found. That's why we're not telling you everything at this time. Just enjoy your accommodations for a couple of days."

I was bushed by the time I got back to the hotel. Sitting around all day while people ask you questions over and over again is very tiring. I'm sure it is for them too, but for me it was really tough. I was pleased they were working so hard on a Saturday.

When we got off at the floor, the duty man said, "You have permission to use the hotel gym. When you want to go, the downstairs man will accompany you. Let me know when you want to go."

"That might make me feel better. Tell him that,,, oh, I don't have my shorts and tennis shoes."

The man said, "Yes, you do, we brought the rest of your clothes for a few more days, along with your swimsuit, shorts, some T-shirts, and tennis shoes. Go change and the duty man will come up to take you to the gym."

Jan, who had accompanied me up to the room said, "We're working this weekend to see what we can come up with. I think we can have this cleared up real quick, or at least be in a lot better shape than we are right now. Relax, you're looking good on this, so just keep being honest and tell us what we need to know."

That was a no brainer. I did change quickly and met the duty guy who took me to the fifth floor gym. I used the treadmill that was complete with a TV, and used their multi-position exercise machine for the exercises I'm allowed to do. In all, I spent about an hour and fifteen minutes in the room. The duty guy had done several things with me and said, "I'll have to bring my exercise clothes with me; no sense in me just watching what you do."

Back upstairs, I discussed with the duty deputy on the floor about supper. We decided on one of the hotel's fancy fish entrees with a salad and the appropriate wine. Sounded good to me, but first, I went in the room to dig out an ice cold beer. That went down in about two swallows.

I showered and when the deputy came in, he said, "I can eat with you tonight, if you want. Our other visitors have left."

"As long as you don't ask me the same question more than twice, it will be nice to have some company."

He laughed and said, "That's what we have to do to see if you answer the same all the time. You'd be surprised how many times the suspect will change his story. When that happens we just keep hammering on what he has not said yet."

I nodded and said, "Let's eat while it's warm. I'll turn on the TV so we can see if I'm still the hot topic."

The deputy said, "You might be, but I think you're going to start hearing a different slant on things pretty soon."

I said with a plea in my voice, "Hope so, I hope they spend as much time telling everyone it was a mistake and that I was not a perv."

"They won't do that," the Deputy said. "What's newsworthy about a guy that hasn't done anything?"

"That's what I'm afraid of," I said worried. "Guess I'll have to pay for a full page ad in the newspaper to convince people I haven't been fooling around with kids."

"There might be other ways. Get an attorney and let them figure out a way to clear your name." The Deputy smiled while he kept shoveling in the food.

We ate and enjoyed our great meal. He said, "When it gets later, order some more dessert for a bedtime snack. It's not bad staying here if you learn how to use the system. Enjoy your evening; I should stay at my desk. Someone may call, so I need to be there so they don't have to radio me."

The rest of Saturday evening was peaceful. I was wrung out from the day, so I kicked back with my feet up on the coffee table and watched TV while strumming my guitar. I woke up about one and went to bed. No sense in getting my back sore by sleeping sitting up.

I awoke at my usual six in the morning and made some coffee in the little coffeepot that was in the room. It was enough to get my body running to do all the bathroom stuff one has to do. I took my medications and stretched out in my shorts, a T-shirt, and tennis shoes. When I went out to the duty desk, there was a different deputy there. "How about having the downstairs guy take me to the gym?"

The younger deputy said, "According to this, you don't need a babysitter. Just go do what you're going to do and come back upstairs. You can order breakfast when you're done."

I went to the gym room and used the treadmill for forty-five minutes and the machine for about twenty. The exercise makes me feel great and my meds were working, as I had to stop twice to go pee.

At the duty desk, we picked out our breakfast and I asked for a newspaper, if they had one. I said I would pay for it, but the guy said it should have been brought up already. He said he would get them to send up some coffee right away as he could use a cup.

We ended up eating together with the door open so he could hear the phone if it rang. We ate a leisurely breakfast discussing the usual topics of the day. How the baseball team, the Rays, were doing and how the Bucs football team was going to do. Training camp was in its first week and the coach still had not made all the cuts we thought he would.

I was reading the paper, drinking coffee with the door still open, when Jan came walking in with that Chuck guy that was with the Marshal's office. I said, "Sorry you two have to work on Sunday. I hope you get some time off to go with this."

Jan smiled, "I'm like the assistant Station Chief so I'm here so the Chief doesn't have to be. Chuck is just a nice guy and is checking up on things."

Chuck said, "For your information, we brought in your wife's friend this morning. He's in interrogation right now."

Not wanting to tell them, but thinking I should, I said, "You know, I hope you read this guy his rights. No one ever did for me. The detective was too interested in getting me outside in front of those cameras and then you brought me in and never said them to me."

Jan rolled her eyes, "Well, you didn't need them to tell us everything you did. With your help, and the guys in the lab, we have a pretty good case building up against your wife and this guy. We didn't bring her in yet, but we have a car parked at the curb in front of your house. I'm sure she's panicking about now. We'll bring her in this afternoon and start on her. She should be easy by then."

I said, "Thanks again for helping me out. I'm sure without all of your help; I would be languishing in the county lockup with the detectives thinking they had me bagged on this case."

Chuck said, "I didn't think you were guilty and I told Steve and his family that. Kathy said you were not going to have a hard time convincing everyone out at the park that you were not guilty and that you didn't have anything to do with that stuff. We all saw how you enjoyed the kids but never did anything but chat with them. Mercy says you are definitely not guilty and I second that. Your lie detector tests yesterday should be proof enough. When we have the real culprit, then you can clear yourself."

Jan said, "I need you to come over to the agency to give us some more detail of your visit Friday and the notes and calls before you went."

I nodded then said, "Let me put on some jeans and a regular shirt. I'll be right with you."

I changed clothes, washed my face, and brushed my hair. Perhaps the cameras could make me, an old guy with glasses with longer hair look good enough to attract some lovely lasses to come my way. What do I need more for; there is a big group of single women out at the park.

We went across the street and I was put into an interrogation room. All I could think of is this is going to be a bitch. A second day of the same questions over and over.

An agent went over everything I had said to Judy and the e-mails she had sent. I kept saying that my daughter's insistence that I come made me feel there may be some hope. As I discussed the encounter Friday evening, I said "My divorce attorney, Sarah Perkins, recorded the whole conversation. I would think that an attorney's word that the recording was original and not doctored should be good."

The agent said, "It would be, but the other parties didn't know they were being recorded. That's why we can't use it. So then, at what point Friday were you given the wine glass?"

The questions were again asked several times, sometimes different but still the same. The question of why was I suspicious kept coming up and I kept saying, "If your wife told you to be out by Friday, and as soon as you split early, she was insisting you come back Friday evening, what would you think? There had to be a catch. With that Steven character there, no way would I eat or drink anything from that place. They drank theirs, but never touched mine or Sarah's."

The agent asked me as an off-handed question, "Do you know a Drew Kerrington?"

"Nope, never heard of him."

The agent said, "Let me get you some water and a cup of coffee. We've been hard at it for over two hours."

I needed to go to the bathroom and figured it wouldn't be a big deal for me to go take a whiz. I walked out to the hallway and into the bathroom, took a leak, washed my hands, and headed back. As I came through the door, the wonderful Steven Barts guy was coming out of an interrogation room with two agents.

He saw me and lunged at me yelling, "You son-of-a-bitch, I'll fucking kill your ass. You're telling them all those lies."

At about the word "lies," his big fist was heading for my face and his body was almost hurtling toward me. I ain't a fighter, and not in good enough shape to do much, but I did duck and push the guy as hard as I could.

His head went thump on the door jamb and he slumped to the floor. The two agents that had tried to keep up with him rushed to try to cuff the unconscious asshole. The agent that had gone to get me coffee and water came into the room, carrying the stuff he had gone for and asked, "What are you doing out of the room?"

I said defensively, "Had to go to the bathroom. I didn't think it would be a problem. I didn't mean to hurt that guy but he was trying to hit me. All I did was duck and push him away from me."

The two agents trying to get Steven to sit up were mopping some blood from his forehead. One of the agents said, "That's about what happened. We were taking this guy downstairs to the lockup. We have enough to charge him on a few things, and he's wanted on a counterfeiting warrant and a bank fraud warrant in other states. It's our fault; he should have been cuffed and chained. Now I guess we'll have to take him to the hospital first."

The agent who had gone for the coffee handed me the cup of coffee and bottle of water and said, "Go back in the interrogation room; I'll have to write up a report the same as these guys. We have video surveillance in here, so we have what happened on tape, we'll have something for the six o'clock news."

I went into the interrogation room that I had been in before and was sitting in there with the door open. I could hear a lady crying and yelling. She would cry, then yell, then cry some more. Listening to the voice made me think it was familiar and after about ten minutes I realized from the screaming fit she had, that it was Judy. Wonder what she was so pissed at. I've only heard her rant like that a couple of times, since I'm not a big fan of yelling or family word fights.

I'm just not a big fan of any kind of fights. My military days were spent trying to make helicopters fly without any readily available parts. I always thought the pilots, or rotorheads as we called them, were really brave, knowing they were blasting around the countryside with rotary wing aircraft glued together with chewing gum and duct tape. That's how I was injured. I had to travel to a remote compound to fix a helicopter that wouldn't fire up. On the way we picked up so much ground fire, a pitch link to one of the rear rotor blades was hit and the Huey was vibrating badly and you could see the fear on the pilot's face. The pilot wisely didn't put down and made the last couple of miles with the aircraft now shuddering from the messed up tail rotor.

Okay, so that was no big deal right? Well, it was a big deal, as we now had two helicopters and neither one was working right. My partner on this repair job was another spec five named John Frank. He was always razzed about having two first names. Anyway, we were thinking that if we needed to bug out, we should use the rotor from the dead Huey on ours. Problem one was the dead bird was an A model and the one we flew in on was a C model. That's UH-1A&C. If you really want to know, the UH is for utility helicopter and this bird was made by Bell Helicopters, not Bell telephone. Anyway, the rear rotor blade on the earlier model is a different size, shorter, but would fit and hopefully work. The stability might not be as good but we could fly. While John worked on swapping the rear rotor hubs as that would get our bird flying quickly, I went to work to see if I could figure out why the turbine on the dead bird wouldn't fire. The problem was fairly easy. The fuel line feeding the main turbine was kinked from a hard landing at one time or another and it had finally clogged up. The fuel we were using wasn't the best in the world and was so filthy you really couldn't use the prescribed filters as they would clog up within a few hour's use. The Huey had a range of about two and half hours, and we learned a turbine could burn dirty fuel, but if the line became clogged up at all, then it was like my arteries, it just got worse until it totally clogged up. We blew out the lines every time the bird came in to keep them clean, but clogs still happened.

That bird had to have a new fuel line so I jury rigged some oversized tubing and was able to start the chopper, letting it charge up the overdrawn batteries.

About that time, guys in black pajamas thought it would be a good time to make our life more interesting and began lobbing mortars into the camp. The pilot was talking about getting up and perhaps using the twin sixties he had to help out. (Twin sixties were two M60 machine guns mounted in the door of a Huey)

John and I got the bird in its run-up condition and were checking both door guns for the gunners when a mortar made a direct hit on the ass end of the Huey. Pieces were flying everywhere. I was hit by shrapnel in both legs and one arm. The gunners were both screwed up, but the pilot was okay. The bird was destroyed as it tipped over, trashing the main blades. That's where my bud, John, was, on the other side of the bird. He didn't make it.

A medic set and wrapped up my legs and patched my arm until the attack was over. After giving me a shot of happy juice, he dragged me to some sandbags and handed me an M-14, four magazines, and a canister of ammo. He told me that these attacks could be fairly long and to shoot at any of those guys that tried to breech the concertina wire.

I sort of remember aiming and firing at what seemed to be thousands of swarming black ants. They were using the bodies of their fellow soldiers to make a bridge across the wire. Between that and makeshift walkways they tried to bring up to the wire, they were getting close. I kept shooting and reloading, taking time to refill my magazines from the ammo canister. The barrel of the gun was so hot that I had to lay it on the sandbag and shoot that way, I couldn't hold the stock under the hot barrel of the rifle. Somewhere in there, I passed out from what we found out was the loss of blood. The arm wound was bleeding badly.

I woke up in a field hospital a couple of days later, hooked up to a bunch of tubes and with both legs up in slings. This was not cool. I was a maintenance guy, not a field guy. They fucked around with me a couple of days then put me on an airplane headed for the states. It took six months for my legs to heal up. I spent the last two months doing some bench and desk work in the aircraft maintenance shop. They used me to teach the newbies how to fix things when parts weren't available.

Because I had only spent three months in country, and there was a need for Huey wrenches over there, I received another assignment, but this time it was as a TDY (temporary duty), not a permanent tour. A month into this one was like dejavu. I was on a Huey to get another dead bird out of a compound.

As soon as we set down, the camp was almost destroyed by six separate mortars dropping round after round on top of us while those crazy fuckers tried to crawl across concertina wire and being shot at by multiple M-60s and even me with my trusty M-14. This time I wasn't immediately hurt. When the kid helping the M-60 gunner next to me lost the top of his head, I moved over to help feed the belts of rounds into the gun. I was doing fine until a mortar landed just on the other side of us. I don't remember anything after that, but I have to assume the gunner was done for.

This time, I was not in the field hospital, but on some ship off the coast. The ship was a hospital ship filled with casualties. I wouldn't be going back real soon this time. My foot was broken up so bad they said they had to just lay the bones together and put me back together with wires through bones, screws in the ankle and everything down there taped tightly to a board. I had a permanent part in my hair as a piece of shrapnel that had knocked me unconscious laid open my scalp. Six months later, I was doing rehab at Fort Hood. The orthopedic surgeons had done one a hell of a job. I actually had a foot that worked. It hurt like hell at first, but as I got used to it, I was able to get around just like anyone else. The pain mostly went away, but I wasn't as mobile as most people.

I was one of those nutty farm boys that thought the military was the greatest thing in the world. I wanted to stay in. The military had a different idea. They gave me an honorable discharge with a pension for the permanent disability. They rated my disability much worse that it actually was, but I could use the money. You see, I met and married what I thought was a life mate while I was recovering. We had a little boy right away, and nine months later, she vanished.

Her mom knew where she was but wouldn't tell me. This was devastating to our son, Gene, and it was traumatizing to me. Married not yet two years and she was gone, leaving me with a son under a year old.

I moved back to my hometown area and enrolled in school under the VA benefits I received as an honorably and medically discharged or retired soldier. Part of my rehab money was spent on living and raising my son, while the rest was either saved or spent on school. I finished my degree and went to work with a company that sold communication equipment. I supervised and helped to install telephone systems in huge office buildings, hospitals, city and other government buildings, and several big companies.

As time went on, I wanted to see if I could operate my own company, so I quit and opened a small company that grew steadily for almost thirty years before I sold it in anticipation of retiring. Along the way, I raised my son and just about the time he was ready to head off to college, I met and married Judy, who was really giving an earful in a room nearby.

When an agent came in to talk to me, he asked, "Is she like that very often? Christ that woman has a shrill voice. Cuts you right down to your toes."

I smiled, "I tried not to make her mad. I'm not a good yeller and fighter. I hate that stuff."

"Well, you like it enough to not get hurt by her boyfriend and put him in the hospital. You don't have to worry about him, we've found that he has a couple of aliases that have warrants, and he has escaped from jail at least once. Who knows about a guy like that? Anyway, he's cuffed to a hospital bed right now and will be until he can go to the jail and trial."

"So what's Judy yelling about?"

"We told her we were charging her with being an accomplice to attempted murder and attempted evidence manipulation, in other words trying to frame you, and since there was all that pornography, she is charged with possession of child pornography. You see she is the one who gave the computer to the cops. What those two forgot is that all files record the date they are brought into a computer. All the porn was brought in on last Wednesday and Thursday. You were not in the house and your whereabouts have been established. The prosecutor is going to make some kind of deal with your wife to testify against her friend, but she won't go free. They might give her house arrest or something like that, but she'll have to wear an ankle bracelet to let everyone know where she is."

"So what are you going to do with me?" I asked, as I was confused about what would happen.

"We still have to get the charges against you dropped. That can't happen until Monday, tomorrow, as you've already been arraigned. We've put out a press release to the newspapers and the other news media about what has happened, but they're not very interested as what they did is not as interesting as what you were charged with."

"So I stay here until tomorrow morning?"

"Yep, right across the street. You are still in our custody. You'll be released tomorrow morning but you had best be prepared for some pretty chilly receptions from people who won't try to learn you were not guilty of anything."

I thought of everything for a minute, then asked, "Can I call my divorce attorney?"

"Sure, you can have an attorney anytime even though I heard we never did Mirandize you. Use the phone out in the office. I don't think anyone will attack you this time. Get some coffee on the way by, it's fresh."

"Sarah, this is Mark Robins."

"Hi, Mark, Chuck just told me what all has happened. He said that your wife's boyfriend has enough charges and warrants against him that he shouldn't see the light of day for a lifetime or two. He also said your wife is being charged with a bunch of things, but they would probably make her some kind of deal. That's all good news, isn't it?"

"It is, Sarah, but now the part I'm worried about. The FBI gave the newspapers and the media a big release as to what the real deal was. The agent just told me the media wasn't interested, as it was not as thrilling as catching some old guy with kiddy porn. My face has been everywhere, linked to some really bad stuff. Can you do anything to make the newspaper and TV stations print and broadcast retractions or give me some kind of relief? I'm going to be afraid to go out of the house. I wouldn't associate with me, why would someone who barely knows me want to be around me?"

Sarah sighed, "You're right, Mark, this is bad. Let me think on it a little and see what I can do. Maybe Chuck has some ideas. He's always coming up with solutions. Can I bring your cell phone to you so you can talk to me or can you receive calls at your hotel room?"

"I don't know about the room, but I'm sure they would let me call out. I'll check and call you back."

"Don't worry, Mark, we'll get something going. You won't be officially cleared until tomorrow morning, so be patient. Your friends will help you get this taken care of."

On the way to the hotel, I asked the agent about using the phone and he said "There wouldn't be any reason why you couldn't make or receive calls in the room."

As soon as I was in the room I called Sarah to give her the number. She said that Chuck had an idea and was working on it.

Ah, two o'clock on that Sunday afternoon and I was starved, so I ordered lunch and checked to find out the beer supply had been restocked. I popped a beer and ate a very nice BLT with a bunch of chips and potato salad. I watched the last of a baseball game and was dozing when the phone rang.

Steve Sharp was on the line. He said, "I'm so happy you've been proven innocent. Chuck had an idea that might work. You may not know her, but we have a girl out here that normally is a photographer for the Tribune but since she's been laid off, she has freelanced to all the papers. She's going to write a story about you and give it to both newspapers. She also has some video friends that are here right now beginning a video that should put you in a better light. She wants to know if she can come to the hotel and tape an interview with you this afternoon. She says they are running pretty fast as she wants to give the TV stations some footage for the six and eleven o'clock newscasts and that will also run in the morning. She is then going to give them or sell them, either way, a biography of your short stay out at the park. I think it will be pretty interesting and will show what kind of guy you really are. Can she come over there this afternoon?"

"Sure, I'll tell the duty guy that they are coming and if doing it in the room is a problem, we can do it in the hallway. Thank you, Steve, I was really worried about how people would react after seeing the damning newscast with my face in it."

Steve said, "Yeah, that was bad, the neat thing is that none of the people out here believed it. The little Mexican girl, Maria, even came to the house with her kids to ask me to help you. Betty, your landlord said there was no way you were guilty, and old Mrs. Henderson said that she would personally come down and get you out of jail. Martin was just sick from watching how they portrayed you. He said you should sue them for defamation."

"That's all great to hear, Steve," I said relieved. "I was afraid of how the folks out there would feel as this is my new home and I've met so many really nice folks. I was most afraid of what you and your family and people would think. I was sick about you and your family thinking I would be involved in something like child pornography."

"Hey, it gave us a jolt, but not one person thought you were really guilty of what they were saying. You've made a lot of friends in a short time, Mark. Let me go tell Samantha and get her down there to interview you."

Knowing I would be interviewed, I shaved, showered, and put on my best shirt with some clean jeans. The duty guy thought my idea of interviewing in the lobby area was a good idea, so we put a small table and a bunch of chairs out there for us to sit on. An hour later, Steve, Mercy, Samantha, and a videographer came upstairs.

We did a question and answer session for a half hour until she said, "I have what I need. You'll see something at six, more at eleven, and hopefully I can make up enough footage to get you a spot on Monday's and Tuesday's evening and night news. I'll do it up so it is desirable to keep a series going."

I was thanking Samantha profusely when she gave me a hug and said, "You can fix my ancient Toyota for me, but really, this story is a good one and I'll get paid for it. I have pictures of you and some of the folks you've helped, so I have a big human-interest story for the two papers. I'll have it written a couple of different ways so they don't have the same exact copy. I'm not sure how I'll get the TV stations to handle it, but I'll get it done."

They left me with a smile on my face. I put the table and chairs back into the room and cracked another beer. I wondered how they would get much ready for the six o'clock news, but I would be interested in seeing it anyway.

I went downstairs to the little shop in the lobby and bought a big bag of Fritos and a jar of spicy cheese dip. Back upstairs, I sat back to wait for the news.

At six, I watched the story on the channel that had been so damning. Their presentation was a little lackluster, but they said throughout the short piece that showed my face that I had been proven innocent and that the people who had called the cops were now in jail. They showed the two standing watching me being led away. They did say there would be more information available later tonight and tomorrow.

Sarah called, "Hey, I see you are getting some decent press. Your friends out at the park are really doing it up nice. I called all of the stations, one especially, and told them I was filing a defamation of character suit. They all said they were only reporting the news, but I said in America, a person was innocent until proven guilty, not convicted in the media. They all promised to make every effort to show you in a good light."

"That's great, Sarah," I said relieved. "I'm not interested in suing them; I just want to be able to show my face. I have a few people that I play pool with that would probably just shoot me rather than ask whether I did it or not. Those are the ones that will need convincing."

"Well, Mark, if they watch TV they'll find out you're not guilty of anything other than having married someone that didn't abide by the rules."

"Oh, Sarah, I want to activate the number on my old cell phone. Would it be okay if I did that tomorrow morning? My friends have probably tried to call me and I would like to stay in contact with them."

"Sure, Mark, no problem. Call early in the morning and they should be able to get you running right away. Use your debit card to turn it on."

As I hung up, I thought, no more hiding, I could tell everyone where I was living and could walk around with my head held high.

Supper went down easily and I did drink a little too much of the booze from the in room bar. The eleven o'clock news had a brief report with a couple of short interviews of people from the park. Betty and Martin told the camera how I had given of my time freely and had done so with several others. Crystal was interviewed and said, "The man came up with a problem that would have cost the company thousands and thousands, but he did it just helping us out. We hired him to help analyze the problem and he worked for us to resolve the problem. I wish he were twenty years younger so he could run this whole part of S&S."

That was laying it on a little thick, but sweet, especially from the brash Crystal. You had to respect her regardless, the lady was a "get 'er done" boss.

I tried to get Verizon to turn on my cell phone for me but they said I had to call the business office in the morning. The person on the other end was speaking very broken English, so I figured the weekend telephone people could be in another land far away.

After a late dessert, I went to bed feeling pretty good. People were being told that I was not a bad guy. I slept soundly.

Primary editing by Pepere 
Proofing by Sagacious



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Chapter 8

Oh, wow, too much to drink. I wasn't used to waking up feeling like this. I made coffee, took my pills, and flipped the TV on to see if there was continued reporting. The nicer channel ran about the same story as the night before, but the nasty channel didn't even say I was cleared this morning. They just talked about two other people implicated in the investigation. What assholes.

I dressed in my only dressier clothes, a pair of khakis and a decent shirt. After breakfast and watching the other three channels to try to catch their reporting, the duty guy brought me a copy of the Tampa Tribune and the St. Petersburg Times. Surprisingly the Times had a longer story than the Tribune. The Trib did have a good smiling picture of me along with some nasty photos of Judy and Steven. They divulged that Steven was wanted around the country and was known by a few other names. Only the Tribune told of the attempted murder.

The deputy on duty said I should put all my clothes and toiletries into the bag they had left in the closet and go downstairs to be transported to court. He said that the deputy who was taking me to court would take me home afterward.

Federal Court was like any other court. I stood in front of the judge, this time next to the prosecutor, and was told that all charges had been dismissed. The Judge said, "Thank you for having been so cooperative. I'm told that no one ever Mirandized you, so what ever you said really could not have been used against you. I'm happy for you that this worked out."

The prosecutor said I could leave. Just like that it was over. A bad dream was over. As I walked to the door I had come in through, it opened and Steven Barts, or whatever his name was, came through the door while the bailiff was changing the cuffs from behind him to in front of him.

Barts saw me and pushed the bailiff away while twisting around grabbing the other, older, Deputy by the neck. Barts was crazy as he moved toward the surprised Deputy that was following him. That Deputy was the only one armed. Barts grabbed his gun and was trying to get it out of his holster. My hand hit a chair, and with both hands, I swung the heavy wooden chair at Barts as he was pulling the gun from the Deputy's holster.

The chair hit Barts as the gun was coming to bear on me. It hit Barts' arm and his still bandaged head. The chair was so heavy that when the seat of the chair came in contact with Barts head, it split. His head actually split open. The gun went off and I didn't feel anything at the time, but people were crowding around me, trying to lay me on the floor. Then I felt it. I was shot in the stomach, on the side. The forty caliber round had gone through me and lodged in a desk behind me.

As people were scurrying around, I kept thinking, crap, more fucking problems and I didn't do anything more than protect myself.

The deputy that had accompanied me to court came in and got down with me. He said, "You don't ever have to worry about that guy again. He's dead."

At that, I passed out.

I could hear people talking softly, saying silly stuff like, we have to have a party for him. I recognized Chuck Johnson, the Deputy Marshal's voice saying, "He saved at least one of my deputies and possibly the judge."

Mercy said, "I knew he was a good man."

Steve Sharp said, "The doc said the bullet didn't damage anything inside him."

Another voice I recognized, but couldn't put together whose it was, said, "We need to get him home and take care of him until he can get around on his own."

I opened my eyes, trying to see who was there and identified, Steve, Chuck, Mercy, and the unknown voice was Samantha's. I smiled and it was Chuck and Mercy that both looked at me and smiled back at me. Mercy came to the bed while Chuck left the room. Mercy asked, "How are you feeling? The doctor said you were going to be fine."

I smiled and said in a choked voice, "Water?"

A nurse walked in and I repeated, "Water?"

"I'll get you some ice chips, Honey. You've been out of it for a while. They had to be careful with you since you have that pacemaker and the heart trouble to go with it. Let me check you over."

She told one of the girls to go get some ice in a cup for me. Samantha almost ran from the room to get some.

The nurse looked under the bandage in front and back and pronounced me in decent shape for just having been shot. She said I was awake in time that she could still get me some broth for lunch. That sounded good to me.

Samantha came in and put the cup of ice on the table that could roll over the bed. I reached up and put some ice in my mouth and crunched. I kept crunching until all of it was gone and I picked up the cup and held it, "Can someone get me some more. My voice is getting better."

Samantha went for some more ice and came back. She said, "Mr. Robins, I want to write a follow-up piece so everyone knows you're a hero. We found out you have had multiple purple hearts and a silver star for bravery which Steve says is unusual for a helicopter mechanic. I've read the papers that go with the medals but don't understand all the terminology. Steve said he would explain. I'd rather you explain."

I smiled, "Samantha, that was a lifetime ago; I'm not that person any more. I'm a lot different now, more mellow, and I'm not interested in even remembering those days."

Samantha frowned and said, "Well, there are a lot of people who think you are a hero for hitting that man with a chair. He was a bad person."

"I know, Samantha, but he still shouldn't have died that way. That's not the way a person should leave this earth."

A doctor walked in and looked around. He said, "You're doing well and company is probably good for you. I wanted to let you know that the round didn't hit anything important inside. Just some torn flesh is all. While we were in there looking, we repaired an aneurysm above your bowel. We checked with the VA and they had you on a watch to repair it so while we had you open we fixed it."

I asked as the doc listened to my heart in several places, "So what's the deal? How long do I have to stay here?"

"Actually, you're doing very well. We're going to get you up in a little while and have you walk around. If you don't do anything dumb with your stitches and if you have someone to watch out for you and take care of you, you can go home tomorrow. You'll have to be really quiet, no running around and only slow walking; absolutely no lifting anything heavier than a glass of water."

I said, "I guess I should stay here for a while then. I live alone so this will be fine for a couple of days."

Steve stepped up to the bed and said, "I think I can find several people who will take care of you. You can stay at my place for the rest of the week or for as long as you need until you're more stable. There are plenty of people around all the time to help you."

"Steve, that's very nice of you, but I can't do that. You don't know me well enough to invite me into your home. I can stay here, I'll be fine."

Mercy stepped up to the bed and said, "You will come home with us and stay with us. You are our hero right now and we want our hero where we can watch him. Please, come home with us, we'll take care of you."

At that instant, my son Gene walked in the door. "Dad, how did you manage to get shot in court, especially Federal court?"

Gene came over to me, leaned down, and gave me a gentle hug. He was a little watery-eyed when he said, "You know you took care of me every second when I was sick with the measles and chicken pox. You never left my side. I'm taking you home with me. We'll watch you there. You need to consider moving in with us like I suggested, Dad. Now it's even more important. Sandy told me to bring you home."

"Gene, relax, Tampa is my home now and I've met a lot of very good people where I've just moved. I'll come visit you in a month or so, but right now I have a life I need to settle into."

Gene looked around at the four people in the room, "He's a hard-headed guy. Tell him to come home with me."

Mercy spoke, "Your dad knows you love him and that you're sincere about him coming, but he's an independent person too. He does have a lot of new friends where he lives now."

The doctor interrupted us and said, "If Mark has someone to take care of him, I'll let him go in the morning. If he wants though, he's welcome here. The FBI says they will cover your hospital stay since it was their prisoner who shot you. I'll see you in the morning."

Gene listened to the doctor and said, "Darn it, Dad, I love you so much. I just want you to be safe and happy. You shouldn't have to have a regular job and you should be doing those things that you retired guys do. I know you like to putter around and you know I've got a big garage to do it in."

I said, "You should see my work shop. I've got a twelve by twenty fiberglass shop with one of my big workbenches in it and all of my tools. I have a great place to work on my toys."

Thinking that he had made it down here fast, I asked, "I know there aren't good flight connections to get down here from Cheyenne. How did you make it here so fast?"

"Used the Mouse, Dad. You know, the Musketeer. I was in Mobile when I heard you were hurt. I finished the modification a couple of weeks ago and just got the mods accepted by the FAA. I can carry the five of us legally now, and with the larger powerplant, there's no problem on climb. Did you do like I told you and do something about getting a sport plane?"

"Son, I know I could fudge, but you know I can't pass a flight physical. That's why you have the Mouse. When I lost my license, it was yours to keep. When I have some money ahead, I'll look into a light sport but it may be a while. You stay here tonight then go back home. You shouldn't take time off from work. I'll call and you can come get me."

"You go out to my place and stay there tonight," I said to Gene. "Have Steve or Mercy get Betty to let you in. I don't know where my clothes are for a key. There's beer in the fridge and some food in the fridge and freezer. You can even check out my shop. The key is by the door jamb as you go out."

"Sandy isn't going to believe me that you won't come, Dad. You really should come home with me now and visit."

"Leave me be, Son. I promise to come visit soon. You know there are a lot of loose ends to take care of here. You might see if Judy has someone to take care of the animals while she's in jail."

"I hate to have to even talk to her, Dad. I'll call Jeanie and see what she says. Let me step out and call her."

Gene left the room and my friends crowded around again. Steve said, "So you will come home with us, right?"

I said to them, "Okay, I'll come but as soon as I can, I want to get back to my own place."

Gene came in and said, "Jeanie is at the house. She says that she doesn't have enough money to bail mom out and she asked me to help. Should I, Dad?"

"You should help your sister, so go ahead if you can. I don't have access to any money, so I can't. If the bail is too much, then let her stay until her trial. She might make a deal with the prosecutor and get out without bail. You can stay with your sister if you want."

Gene grimaced, "I'm too mad at her and Judy to do that right now. I'll stay out at your place. If you're okay in the morning, I'll fly back home. I still think I should be taking you with me."

"Okay, all of you, go away, go home, I'll get some rest, eat a lot, and go home in the morning. Please get me a newspaper or some book to read and I'll be very content. Now go."

I received hugs from everyone as they left. Glad they were gone. Too much controversy.

Mercy came back in with a newspaper and gave me another hug before leaving. She was a sweet girl, just a little disturbing the way she looked at you, or into you, most of the time. Chuck, the federal guy, seemed to do that too, but I never seemed to hear him murmuring to me like Mercy.

Well, at least Gene and Jeanie will get to visit with each other. I wish I had my phone so I could call my daughter-in-law to tell her that it wasn't her or the kids. I just shouldn't be a fixture in their home. I'd call her as soon as I could. She is a great lady to my son.

The nurse brought me a regular supper and told me to eat it slowly. I asked the nurse, "Bring me a Miller Lite and I promise to eat slowly. She smiled and a little later came back, "The doc said you're allowed one with your supper, enjoy, Honey."

I did enjoy the beer and the food. There wasn't enough of it, but then I ate too much all the time anyway. I ate every crumb and even enjoyed the decaf coffee they gave me. A good cigar would have been the perfect ending for the meal, but I didn't need to be smoking a cigar anyway.

I read the paper until every word had been consumed. I did flip the TV on to watch the news and was almost embarrassed the way Samantha had played up how I had gone from hated to hero in a couple of days. The news people had interviewed several of the local politicians and big shots. Even the mayor said I was a credit to the community and not a person to be feared.

A candy striper came in to hand out an evening snack of pudding with some more decaf. She looked at me a couple of times before saying, "You're that guy that saved the judge and all those people in the court room. I'm proud to serve you, Sir. If you want anything, just ask for me."

Now I felt better. I was going to be accepted as a normal person.

I don't know what time I fell asleep but it couldn't have been very late.

I was waking up when a nurse came in and did the blood pressure, temperature, and question and answer thing. She removed the bandages and looked at both sides then put new bandages on me. She had me get up to go to the bathroom and walk, or in my case, shuffle down the hall a little ways and back. When we got back to the room, she said, "The doc said if you were able to do everything we just did, you can go home this morning. When your people show up, they can take you home."

I had breakfast and actually was given a newspaper by one of the candy stripers. Around eight, Gene came into the room saying, "Okay, Pops, let's get you dressed and I'll take you to the trailer park. That place is something. I stayed out there last night and had supper with all those people at that air-conditioned patio. What a party that is. No wonder you don't want to come live with me. Even Jeanie came out last night to have supper with me. She's pretty angry at Judy for screwing things up so bad and would understand if you were mad at her. She's had to take a leave of absence from her job to help her mom right now."

I did get dressed and a candy striper pushed me downstairs and out the door to find Sue and Mercy waiting at the curb in a mini-van. On the way home, Gene asked me where my Bronco was. I told him that it had been at the nearby Publix and that my attorney was supposed to have brought it home. I'd have to check with Sarah.

The two ladies said they would let me out at my place and my son would bring me over in a little while as I had to stay at Steve's for a couple of nights.

I had Gene get the fancy cart out of the shed so he could see it. He thought it was great the way it was painted. I told him that there were a couple of people working for Steve who did that kind of work all the time.

Gene went up to the mailbox building to check on my mail. While he was gone, I sat on the stairs of my new home thinking, "What a week that had been."

While Gene was gone, I used my cell phone and called Gene's wife, Sandy, "Sandy, Dad, I needed a second to call you and talk to you, just you and me. You know I love you guys and I promise I'll come visit, but Sandy, I want to stay right where I'm at while all this nonsense is going on."

Sandy said, "I understand, Dad, Gene told me what a great place you had and how friendly everyone is there. Maybe we should come visit you instead of you coming here."

"You guys have the Mouse and it's rated for all of you now, so come on, anytime. They have a Holiday Inn Express within a short walk of my place. I'm sure you would be welcome over at Steve Sharp's place. He's a little different, but all of his family is so friendly you want to just hug them."

"Dad, the only reason we were insisting you come was that first, you and Judy were going through this rough time, and then when you got hurt, I just felt you needed to be with us. Now that I know you'll be taken care of, I feel all right. Are you going to send Gene home today?"

"I am, he needs to be with his family."

Sandy said, "You do too, Dad, but I guess you have another family there now. I love you, Dad, tell Gene to call me before he leaves so I know when to worry."

"Don't you do that with him; he's a good pilot and has thousands of hours. He'll be fine."

"I know, Dad, but a woman has to worry about her man. Love you, take care of yourself."

"Bye, Sandy, give the kids a hug and kiss for me."

Man! I was lucky to have a daughter-in-law like that. Gene was lucky to have a wife like that.

I was dialing Sarah when Gene pulled in with the truck cart. "Hi, Sarah, this is..."

"Mark, you're all right, are you still in the hospital?"

"Actually, I'm home but am staying with Steve for a couple of days. My son is with me right now."

Sarah said, "I wasn't in court with you because the prosecutor would want me to be the attorney of record. I wish I could have seen your tussle, but then I guess I may not have enjoyed that. They have a video of the whole thing on the security feeds that the TV stations want so everyone can see it."

"I think the TV has had enough of this case by now. I know I have."

"Mark, you're lucky to have that girl who did that interview with you and made up the in depth story about you. That was really good and then the follow up after you getting shot. You shouldn't be out of the hospital yet, kiddo, much less up and talking to me on the phone."

"Life goes on, Sarah. Say, what did you do with my Bronco?"

"I had to give it to the FBI. Since they took it from me, they have called a couple of times, but something must be the matter, or it would have been taken back to your place and I would have been notified."

"So who do I call? I'm going to need transportation soon to go to the doctor's office."

Sarah said, "I'll call and find out. I need to find out what happened today with your wife, or ex-wife, if you wish. I want to make sure; you don't want to get back with her, do you? She might want to get back together and I don't think you should. Once they've gone, they are gone."

"I hate to agree with you, but I do. That's a bunch of years out of my life. Let's get this divorce settled so I can say goodbye permanently with a little more than I left with."

"I'll follow up today and talk to you later, Mark. Take care of yourself and be careful."

When Gene had an opportunity, he said, "Let's lock up and get you over to Steve's. Since I probably should go back to work, I'll fly back tonight. I love you, Dad, and you know Sandy loves you too. She called me after you called, thanks for getting that taken care of. She wouldn't have been happy with me if you didn't talk to her."

Gene put the truck cart away and we drove over to Steve's with a few of my clothes in a bag. As soon as we walked in, everyone crowded around me to tell me how happy they were that I was still with them. Gene told them, "Tonight he can only have a couple of beers and after that, just don't let him drink too much. He's never been drunk that I know of, but he's going through a lot."

A little later, Gene announced he was on his way home so he could go back to work. He would be flying late into the night but I trusted him to take care of himself. Gene had begun flying right seat with me in a nasty old Piper when he was eleven. Flying was something we could enjoy back then that wasn't too expensive and that we could do together. He took his exam when he was sixteen. He had over two thousand hours in the air with me by then.

Gene was smart and continued until he had his commercial and instrument ratings, finally reaching his goal to become an instructor. He bought a Piper Cherokee his first year out of college from money saved by working part time at a small airport. He nursed a rancid old pickup truck to keep saving his money for the airplane. The plane was cheap, the upkeep wasn't too bad, but the insurance killed his budget. He began teaching evenings and weekends and is still doing that today. The neat story is that was how he met Sandy. She was a student of his and they continued seeing each other until they finally got married. He keeps the Cherokee for instruction only but he uses the modified Musketeer for longer trips and to haul the family.

Gene and Steve hit it off talking airplanes, and Steve even went with him to see the airplane when Gene left.

After supper, I was getting pretty tired. Being shot and losing a lot of blood does knock you out. The ladies of the house all hovered around me, helping me get ready for bed. Mickey, a girl with some medical experience and who was a Sheriff's deputy, came and checked my two stitched areas and made sure I took the antibiotic pill I had been given. It took me thirty seconds to fall asleep. I'm not even sure everyone was out of the room.

Primary editing by Pepere
Proofing by Sagacious



-------

Chapter 9


I awoke at six, as usual, but not in a bed or room I recognized. It took a second to get my head straight remembering I was at Steve's house. It was only about six in the morning but I heard some activity outside the room. It sounded like someone was in the kitchen. After washing my face, brushing my teeth, and dressing, I walked out and found Glenda messing around in the kitchen. She said, "Have a cup of coffee in here. The big pot on the patio isn't done yet. We forgot to set the timer last night. Are you hungry?"

Smiling, I said, "Glenda, I'm always hungry, but I have to watch what I eat now that I'm older and not as active. I am going to have to go over to my trailer and get my pills. You know how that is with us older guys."

Glenda said, "Martin has to take a lot of pills too. He's given us a couple of scares with his heart, so he takes several. You have a pacemaker right?"

"Yes Ma'am, it's one of those dual kinds that monitors high and low pressure and jolts me into slowing down or going faster. So far, it hasn't been active except when I first got it."

"That's good, Mark. How long has it been since your heart attack?"

"It's been eight years now, Glenda. I got my pacemaker about four years ago."

Glenda smiled, "Well, you look good, Mark. You're like Martin, you just keep on tickin'."

People had come into the patio and were having coffee while watching the morning news on the big television. A news item caught my attention. It said that Judy had been released on her own recognizance until a sentencing hearing. I guess she had pled guilty, or something like that. That was good, she could get together whatever she needed to if she was going to be put into jail. I guess I could take a bird but no cats. In the years we had been together, I had cleaned litter boxes daily. Now I had no more cat litter to worry about and no furniture torn to shreds where they sharpened their claws.

Martin came over and had some coffee. While he was sitting next to me in the kitchen, Glenda said, "Take Mark over to his place so he can get his morning pills. Since he's feeling pretty good, he should bring his cart back so he can get around if he wants to."

Martin waved me out and as we walked to his cart, he said, "If you don't do what she asks real quick, you'll never hear the end of it until you just give up and do it. Learned a long time ago to just do what she wants done."

As we rode over to my trailer, Martin kept thanking me for fixing up his car. I said, "It was my pleasure, Martin. That's what friends are for."

He nodded and smiled as he pulled up to the trailer. I went inside, swallowed my pills, and grabbed the shed key to pull the truck cart out. After locking everything up, I was getting ready to go back to Steve's when Shirley and Betty came around the front of the trailer together. Betty said, "Take us with you. We'll go visit on the patio with you this morning, okay?"

They both said "Morning, Martin," but both got into my truck cart. Martin drove on ahead as I drove slowly over to the patio. As I entered the patio with the two ladies, Juanita asked me, "What's the matter, Mark, were we not enough women for you over here?"

Blushing, I answered, "Well, I wanted to bring a couple of my own, a couple of single babes to liven up my day."

While we were having coffee and eating a breakfast sandwich, Ruth asked me to see her later so I could fill out some forms. She said since I was going to work for S&S doing various things, I was eligible for their medical insurance. I told Ruth, "I have VA benefits and I'm still covered under my ex-wife's insurance she has with the post office. There's no sense in you guys paying for insurance when I don't need it."

Ruth said, "Fill out the papers anyway. When you lose your wife's insurance, you can pick ours up. Besides, you might want to get the life insurance that goes with the package. A guy your age can't get life insurance cheap."

"Thanks, Ruth, I'll fill out the forms in a bit."

Betty said, "You know, you received all that publicity that Samantha got for you. You might be able to go into county politics if you want. It would be good to have you as a commissioner, someone that could look out for this area out here."

"I'll think about it, Betty," I said, thinking politics and me were not compatible. "But I have to tell you, it will probably be just thinking about it."

Shirley offered, "You know those guys get paid for their position. I don't know how much it is, but anything is a lot for a guy in your shoes."

"That's a little different then, Shirley, I'll look into it."

Betty wouldn't quit, "You know what, if you would run for commissioner out here, I'll bet we could get a lot of people to help talk you up with other voters. You've made a lot of friends and a lot of people really know you now for saving that judge."

"I'll think about it, Betty."

"Think hard about it, Mark, you can help a lot of people if you could get that job," Betty said.

Shirley said, "You know, you should have a lady on your arm when you meet people at a fundraiser or party for you. I'll be glad to dress up and be on your arm."

"I want to do that too, Shirley, don't hog the man," Betty said, acting offended.

Glenda and Alice had come over to sit with us. Glenda said, "You know that is a great idea. We do need someone to bring up a few things that need attention out here. We pay a ton of taxes, or at least the park does, and Steve and Sue do with their businesses. We might as well have someone that can get some of our money spent out here."

I said, "You know I don't know anything about county government. My attitude has always been the farther away I can get from government, the better."

Alice said, "How hard can it be? You have to go to council meetings all the time and listen to people bitch about potholes. When you have to vote on something, just learn everything about what you're voting on and vote what is right."

Tiny and Phil had been listening and pulled chairs up to our table. Tiny said, "You might be surprised what those guys get paid. Seems to me they just turned down a raise because of tax revenues being down. But they make around a hundred grand a year on the council. I'll bet we could put together a campaign real quick and get you voted in, just on your notoriety on TV these last few nights."

I held up my hands and said, "Hey folks, my head's still spinning from getting kicked out of my own house and getting a divorce. What's it going to look like for a guy in the process of getting a divorce running for public office?"

Phil said, "You'll get all of the male sympathy vote. Every guy out there will see the injustice of it all and vote for you just to prove you were taken advantage of."

Shirley said, "I didn't think of it that way. We ladies will have to cool it so you don't get a reputation for being a chaser. We can just tell everyone how you have taken care of us and not mention that you've taken care of us after dark."

Glenda said, "Shirley, you're sounding more and more like Emma, saying she's slept with almost every man over sixty out here. I swear we have some of the nastiest old ladies out here."

Betty commented, "There's just not enough nasty old men to go around. Every new man that moves in out here is big news to us ladies."

Glenda said, "We're getting off the point. Mark, will you run for county council or not?"

Tiny offered, "Let me get my laptop and we'll look up the commissioners and see what all they do. I'll bet they are busy for that kind of money."

Tiny had some kind of doohickey that he connected to his laptop that displayed his screen on the big TV. He Googled the Hillsborough County Commissioners. Their page showed the seven commissioners. He then showed a map of the seven districts. Actually, four of the commissioners had dedicated districts while the other three were "at large" commissioners and worked for the county as a whole.

The next page was a PDF file of all the activities of the commissioners. The actual commission only met two days a month, but every one of the commissioners had a dozen other assignments like the airport committee, the military liaison committee, etc. etc.

I wanted to see what the commissioner from our district brought to the table, and what his background was.

The man wasn't that old, actually, none of the commissioners were that old. Our district was the largest as it used to be the least populated, but over the years the area had built up extensively. Our man had a business degree from the University of Florida and had been successful in business before becoming interested in politics.

I said, "I've seen enough, the man probably has to eat, sleep, and live politics and other people using up his time. I'm not that guy, I'm not willing to put in a twelve hour day everyday then go to a cocktail party to butt kiss. I'm really trying to retire or at least slow down. That's not for me."

Glenda said, "I never realized those guys had so much to do. I can't believe they work that hard. They're always at big dinners and parties. We see it in the newspaper all the time."

"You know," I began in defense, "I would be willing to head a group to get something done out here when we need it, but I don't want to have to do that every day. Let me heal up and get back in shape, then we'll talk about what needs to be done out here."

Thankfully, that topic was trashed. Tiny even winked at me as he shutdown his laptop and put the TV back on the regular morning news channel. Most of the folks heading to work had left. Dennis came over to me and said, "When you get to where you think you can help, I have a couple of projects in the lab that I could use an assistant to check on results at each stage of testing. If I have another pair of hands, I could get this done a lot faster."

I answered him, "I'm going to the doc next door so he can check me out. If he says it's okay, I'll come over and help out. I may get tired too quick to be of much help."

"Any help would be appreciated, Mark. I just don't want to pull a guy in to disappoint him when I have to send him back right away."

Just before nine, Juanita said, "Give me a ride over to the doctor's office. I'll go with you in case I have to drive us back."

The trailer park had installed a cart path next to the highway all the way to the shopping plaza. It sure made it easier to get around if you used a cart instead of a car. It was a lot faster since you didn't have to go through the contortions of doors and locking everything. With a cart, you just took your key and got out.

The doctor gave me a very thorough physical and had me get an x-ray of the area that had been fixed. The nurse took some blood, and after looking at the x-rays, the doc said, "Looks to me like you're healing very fast, looks good. Take it easy, but you can probably be on your own if you want and you can move around, just no lifting or straining of any kind. If you want to go for a walk, do so slowly and not very far. Come back to see me next Monday."

I was grinning on the way back to the park as I was free to do something of value like help Dennis in the R&D center. I dropped off Juanita and told her where I was headed. She told me to take it easy and she would see me for lunch.

Dennis wasn't kidding when he said I could help. He was sitting at a bench with a microscope and several other instruments. When he looked up he said, "Does this mean I can get some help?"

"I'll do as much as I can, Dennis. Show me what you need done and I'll begin."

"These parts are the disassembled experimental motor we've been trying out for our carts, the police scooters, and the bigger motor for Steve airplane adventure. We've run these motors for seven hundred and thirty hours, equivalent to running the motor for two hours a day, every day, for a year. The motor is stopped every half-hour, sits for five minutes, and is then restarted. You can see that this experiment has been running for over thirty days. Once the experimental time was complete, we tore the engines down to check on the amount of wear. We have two different oiling systems and we need to compare to see which is better. What you have to do is inspect each component under the scope to check the amount of wear. Use that computer to write up the wear description of each part. Look back at a couple of pieces that I did to get an idea. The biggest issue is to spot any unusual wear characteristics."

I had to give it to these guys. They were thorough about getting test results. This was just to compare two different oiling systems. I wonder how many tests they had to run at the same time to keep good answers to potential problems of the new engines.

In minutes, I was lost in diagnosing each part. The computer was set up with the part name, number, and a picture. All I had to do was analyze the part, write up what I found, and go on to the next.

Before I knew it, Dennis said, "Hey, it's lunch time. Let's take a break and get some lunch. You're almost done with the first motor. You might be able to get both done today. Abe wants to get this smaller motor into some carts as he says they are more fuel efficient and considerably more powerful."

Lunch was the usual soup and sandwich. Mercy made me go into the room I had slept in so she could check to see if I had been pulling on my stitches. Even though I assured her I had been good, she checked anyway. She said I could go back to work with Dennis, but to not overdo it and that I should come back for a nap if I got too tired.

Dennis and I went back to the lab where he was working on setting up a couple more engines for more testing. He had a set of engines in a test room that was full of dust, another with salt-water mist, and still another with blowing sand. They were really tormenting the test engines to see whether they would hold up.

I was able to finish both engines by three in the afternoon. I was getting tired, but made sure that there was nothing else I could do for Dennis before I left to go back to the patio.

Glenda said, "Put on your swimsuit and go up to the pool. Get some sun for a half-hour or so. Betty and Shirley are up there, they will take care of you."

I took a bottle of water with me and went up to the pool. Betty, Shirley, and the infamous Emma, were on loungers gossiping. I told them I had been directed by Glenda to get a half-hour of sun and that my two neighbors would watch out for me. Emma butted in and said, "Why don't you have me watch out for you. I'm sure you would rest better on my couch than out here in the sun."

Just smiling, I said to Emma, "These two ladies are just fine, Emma. Thanks for the offer though."

Shirley spread lotion on me and whispered in my ear, "You did that so good, Betty and I may give you a treat."

I just smiled.

After just dozing off for a minute, a voice I recognized woke me, "Why don't you have that phone where a person can call you?"

It was Sarah Perkins. "I have all kinds of news for you and I couldn't tell you. I had to come look for you and find you luxuriating at a pool surrounded by a bunch of guardian women."

With a chuckle, I sat up, "Just napping a little, Sarah. The doc let me go back to work a little. I just put in about five good hours in the lab."

"Can we go back to that patio so we can have some privacy? I need to talk to you about a few things," Sara asked.

I answered, "Sure, I'll meet you back there. I have the golf cart to ride in."

Shirley and Betty asked, "Can you give us a ride home on the way?"

"Sure, ladies, come along so I don't keep Ms. Perkins waiting. Her time is valuable."

I got them back to their trailers and went to the patio where Sarah was being served some iced tea. We sat over at a little table by the bar, where Sarah began, "Your wife's attorney is a little more willing to negotiate if you don't personally press charges. I told him what I thought was fair and he disagreed, so I said he needed to get her a criminal attorney. Before I left, he said he would talk to Judy about the deal I offered."

Sarah took a drink of tea then said, "This is what I think is fair. You tell me what you think. You'll have to forgive me because I still look out for the female in the divorce, but I think I want what is possible, and I think it's fair. First, you should receive sixty percent of what the business brought when you sold it. She was part owner and she did do some things for the business over the last twenty plus years. Second, you get half of the bank accounts as of the day you two separated. Third, you get half the value of the house and fourth, she has to maintain you on her health insurance. What do you think about that?"

"I don't need her health insurance. If I want private insurance, S&S has offered it to me if I keep working for them. Giving her half the house and half the bank accounts is okay, I guess, but forty percent of the business kind of grates on me. I guess it depends on how you look at it. I had the business going at its highest revenues before we got together. When we married, I cut back on the time I devoted to it in order to give me more time at home with her and then with her and my daughter. I suppose her forty percent is okay, it just seems like I gave a hundred percent of my business effort for so long, only to end up with sixty percent of the reward."

Sarah said, "So you feel like you should be rewarded for working hard?"

"I do. I feel like the reward for devoting so much of yourself to a business, is in what you receive for it when you pass it on. I suppose divorce changes all of that, regardless of whose fault it is. Okay, I'll go along with that. What is it going to take to get this behind me? Oh, I have an idea, how about having her pay you for your services out of the forty percent? I think that is fair."

Sarah frowned, and thought about it while she sipped her iced tea. "You know, Mark, that probably is fair. I was thinking that since I was getting you your money back, I could charge you some good bucks for the representation. You are right in that your reward for working hard and supporting your family is the proceeds of the business. I'll make that part of the settlement. We're going to have to agree not to file charges against her and not to testify during her sentencing hearing."

With a nod, I said, "I don't want her to go to jail. I don't want her to lose her job. I'm not vindictive. Let her be. She can get the house appraised and give me half its value from the business proceeds. There should be enough for you, me, and some extra for her to do what she wants to with the house. I think this whole thing is more than fair."

Sarah wrote on her pad and said, "You are probably too fair, Mark. I'm still a lady's attorney. Taking your case was because you were being shit on. I've had to turn down several men who have called me to take their case but I've also been called by a couple of very wealthy ladies that will pay good money to get into their future ex's pockets. The publicity from your case has been priceless."

Sarah continued, "I will tell the Federal judge that you will not be requesting a harsh penalty and would appreciate leniency. This way he can schedule a faster hearing. She'll probably get some kind of probation or house arrest, with her only outside access being for work, grocery shopping, and normal errands. I didn't ask you, but do you want a restraining order for her? You know, to keep her from calling or harassing you, to keep her from coming to see you?"

"Can it be had after the fact, if she becomes a nuisance?"

"Sure," Sarah said, "it will be the same even a year down the road."

"Let's let it go for now and let's see what happens. What do you want me to do?"

"Nothing, Mark, just heal and relax. I'll get her attorney to get this in front of a family court as soon as we can. It should be a rubber stamp. If it isn't, we'll do the whole court thing."

Sarah left while I was sitting back, enjoying the iced tea. Kathy came to sit with me. She asked, "Is everything alright? Your attorney left in a good mood, so that usually means she's happy with the outcome and is going to be paid. Is that about right?"

"On the money stuff, yes, Kathy. It looks like everything is going to work out."

Kathy asked, "If you do get money, are you going to move out of our park?"

"Why would I do that? I've made more friends here in a week than I made in my neighborhood in the last ten years. Everyone is so friendly and helpful that I would be nuts to leave here. The rent is cheap and I have a fun place to work part time. No, Kathy, I'm going to be around for a while."

She patted me on the hands and was going to get up. I asked her, "Do you know where those papers are that Ruth wanted me to fill out? I should probably do that while I have a chance and am thinking about it."

"She left them inside. I'll get them for you. I'm glad you're going to stay around. You make a nice addition to our community."

After filling out the forms, I gathered the clothes I had brought and those that had been brought back from the hotel and went home. Wow, the little trailer was already home in my mind. I put away all my clean clothes after separating the dirty ones, thinking I might make a trip up to the laundry building later.

Prissy knocked at the door, "Mark, Mark Robins, it's Prissy."

I went to the door and let her in. She said, "I've come for your clothes. I'm sure you have some dirty ones. I saw you the other day with one of those orange jumpsuits on. That's good that you have one of the S&S uniforms to work in. If you'll give me your dirty clothes, I'll get them washed up. I took the dirty towels and washcloths while those men were staying here. They put everything back like it should be. I saw Betty cleaning up where the men had messed up the house."

"Thank you, Prissy, I wish you wouldn't try to do everything for me. I'm capable of taking care of myself."

"I know, Mark," Prissy said, "I'm just proud to be able to do something for you." With that she left and went back across the street. The lady was so sweet.

The evening meal was pleasant, filled with the usual chatter and playfulness of the group. I was slowly learning all of the names of the couples and the children. It was difficult to know who the parents of each of the kids were, as they were blended together in age groups, and all of the kids were held and hugged by all of the parents.

When it was time to go to bed, I was happy to be in my own place, in my own bed. For the few seconds I remained awake, I was thinking of how fortunate I was to live in a place such as this.

Mornings are always exciting to me. I suppose as I've grown older, I'm grateful for every new day.

I didn't go for a walk yet this morning. I thought I might try to walk a little tomorrow. This morning, as I was going to the patio in my cart, Caroline waved me down. She asked, "Can I ride and eat with you this morning, Mark? I need the company of the group up there. Sometimes the mass confusion of all the families gives me a boost. I need a little of that this morning."

As we ate, I could see the morose attitude Caroline had exhibited before breakfast was rapidly disappearing. By the time I took her home before beginning my day, Caroline was her happy exuberant self again.

I dug out my little spiral notebook and began to make a list of work that needed to done. Let's see, Samantha had said she had trouble with her car, but I had not been to the shop to check on warranty vehicles. After listing those two items, I thought I would have to be careful about how I did things, but I'm sure I could do most everything.

After driving over to the cart plant, I checked in the warranty section and there were five carts parked there. All the write-ups were dumb stuff, except one that had a bad vibration. I was able to test drive the cart and found it had a trailing arm on the rear axle that was totally off the body and brace making the cart jump along on crooked wheels. I had to get one of the younger men on clean up duty to help me as the cart was too heavy for me to lift. It took over an hour to fix the problem, and once again, it was a bad bolt and nut that had been the problem. Just to be on the safe side, I changed all of the nut and bolt sets on both sides of the cart. That should help and make the cart a lot safer.

It was lunch time, so I drove over to the patio where I found Samantha enjoying her lunch. I told her that after lunch she should bring her car over to my trailer.

When she brought it over to show me her problems, I found she needed a clutch and that was more than I could do by myself. She also had second gear popping out of gear when she accelerated hard. The engine ran rough and sounded like the timing belt had shifted a cog.

"Samantha, when was the last time you had the timing belt changed?"

She said, "I don't think I've ever done that. No one told me that it was part of regular maintenance."

"Tell you what, some of the work will have to be done over in the truck shop where I can use their lift," I said, explaining to her what had to be done. "First things first, though. I'll change the timing belt first and that should help the engine. You need a clutch, the tranny second gear synchro probably has to be replaced, and while we're at it, a new rear main seal. I'll get some help over there to do the heavy stuff."

Samantha said in a defensive manner, "I know it's in bad shape, but I haven't had the money to fix it. I did get a little money from the stories about you and that will catch me up on the rent. I'm lucky to have Mickey for a roommate who lets me slide. I'm going to have to do more flying for the charter company. The problem is that I'm always afraid I'm going to miss a story if I'm not here."

That reminded me, I needed my Bronco. I called Sarah to see if she knew where it was. She said she would call me back.

Sarah called back a half-hour later and said, "Your Bronco was stolen from the shop where the bureau was searching it. Apparently, all the doors of the shop had been left open and your car had the keys in it. It's been found but it was in saltwater overnight. The car is ruined."

"Oh shit, Sarah, I can't afford another car. I think I had collision and theft on it, but this is different. Will the insurance company pay if the car was being held by the law?"

Sarah said, "Well, somebody has to pay. You sure shouldn't have to suffer because they were searching it. I'll bet they didn't even have a search warrant. You were good to those guys the whole time so they can get you a car or go out and find another car like the one you had. I'll call down there and find out what they are going to do."

This was screwed up. Now I was without a car. At least I had the little cart to run around the park in.

It took me the rest of the day to change the timing belt on Samantha's car. That was a bear of a job. I did get the tune up and servicing done and had to replace the plug wires. At least now the engine ran good. I decided to take the car over to the truck shop and get it up on the lift to start on the tranny and clutch. They had stands that I could put up under the tranny to drop everything from the flywheel back to work on it.

Before I called it a day, I had the transmission and clutch out of the car and the clutch and transmission separated. I should be able to do everything without lifting too much. At least I was going to be working in a well lit shop.

I picked up a couple more pair of coveralls before going home. It took me a while to get my hands, as well as my hair, cleaned. A cap was going to be a necessary part of my uniform so I would have to look for one.

At supper, I just drank iced tea as I was afraid that the booze would keep me from healing fast enough. I was busy so I needed to be healed, fast.

Chuck and Jan came to supper at the patio. Chuck came with six ladies, and Jan came with a guy named Don. When supper was over the two of them cornered me and Jan said, "We have to get you a replacement vehicle, but your old Bronco wasn't worth that much. It's going to be difficult to find one that had been taken care of like that."

Chuck offered, "The manager of our garage and motor vehicle service is hot for an old Harley, would you be willing to use yours as a trade?"

I asked, "A trade for what?"

Chuck offered, "I'll take you down to look at a car in the morning and let you decide. It's a special vehicle and is really nice. I'm sure you'd like it."

I told Chuck and Jan, "I'll look at it, but I wanted to use my old bike to trade for a newer one that I could ride more often."

"I understand that," Chuck said. "I ride and know how important it is to get out and get some wind in your face."

Jan asked, "Come down and look at the car in the morning. If you like it, we'll work something out."

Chuck said, "I'll come by about seven thirty. That ought to be early enough to beat most of the traffic."

Tonight, Maria had her three little ones with her, visiting with everyone on the patio. I played with the three kids on the floor for most of the evening. Maria made me promise that I would come on Saturday for a special supper.

At home, I checked my e-mail, brushed my teeth, and went to bed. I was tired as I had done more than I would have normally done.

Sleep came fast.

Primary editing by Pepere
Proofing by Sagacious



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Chapter 10

Ah, a wonderful morning. Every time you wake up is a great day, I've made it again.

I only walked slowly for a half hour this morning, then cleaned up real quick and dressed before walking between trailers to get to Steve's. I had a quick cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich before Chuck drove up, ready to go.

Downtown, we parked in the Federal garage and went into a small office on the main floor. Inside was a guy in blue pants and shirt, a uniform with a Deputy Marshal logo on it. Chuck introduced me, "Mark, this is Hank, Hank, Mark. Hank, this is the guy whose car the agents failed to lock up that was stolen and salted. We owe him. When we talked yesterday, you were interested in an old bike, well, he's got one. You saw it while we were searching out there. Is it worth the difference between his Bronco and the SUV I don't know what to do with?"

"Probably," Hank said, and looked at me. "Are you still going to want to ride? Do you have something else to ride or are you going to be looking for something?"

"I have to look for something. I want to ride, but I need a car more than a bike."

"Come look at what we have and you decide. I might have something to throw in, but you can be the judge."

We went up in the elevator to the fourth floor where Hank led us to a beautiful carmine Escalade. He said, "Would you be willing to take this in lieu of your old Bronco? It would cost some extra and you could use your old Harley as a trade."

I said, "What in the world would I do with a Cadillac Escalade. That is so beyond me that it makes me laugh. Come on, this is for some fancy guy, not someone like me."

Chuck said, "Look, this is the easiest way to take care of you. Just think of it as an opportunity to have something special."

Shaking my head, "I'm just not a Cadillac kind of guy. That's a beautiful car, gorgeous even, but I could hardly change the oil in that thing, much less keep it running right. Who knows how to work on those things, I sure don't."

Hank said, "Come here, look at this and see what you say." He walked us down a ways and showed me what looked like a late model evolution Harley. The bike was an FLH sport with a windshield and hard cases. It was the right color, a dark sparkly blue over white. The bike was nice looking. Hank flipped the ignition on and pushed the button. The Harley started instantly and sounded good. I waved and he shut it down.

"I'll give you this bike and that car for your old bike and for the loss of your Bronco."

"You're not nice, Hank. I love the bike, but the car is not my kind of car."

Chuck said, "If you took the Escalade, I know a lady that will trade you out of it quickly. Just tell her what you want and she will get it for you and give you cash for any difference. Now how about it?"

"Only if you're sure I can unload that gaudy thing. I can't drive a car like that around my friends. That is just too much for a guy like me."

"Then we have a deal?" Chuck asked.

I took a big breath and nodded, "Deal."

Hank said, "I'll load the Harley up and come out and get your old bike. That one is for me. I'll pay the service for the difference and you get this jewel of a car and a real nice bike. Go with Chuck so they can do all the title transfer stuff. Jan should have everything ready in Wanda's office."

We walked across the street to the Federal building and took the elevator upstairs. There were two nice girls in Chuck's office. I recognized the little oriental dark girl. She was the girlfriend or wife of the airplane mechanic, Jimmy. I asked questioningly, "Angie, right?"

The little girl smiled real big and said, "Right. Nice to see you Mr. Robins, are you feeling okay since you were shot?"

"I'm fine now. I'm healing quickly, thank you for asking."

I met Wanda who was Chuck's office manager. She was a tall, really attractive, lady who seemed a little stuffy. I had to show them my driver's license and my insurance card. They even called my insurance agent to tell them what they were doing. Wanda handed me back my card and license, along with a stack of papers. She said, "You can go by the tax office on the way home. Make sure you give Hank the title to your old bike. I think the Marshal Service thanks you for getting that vehicle off our hands. Thank you, Mr. Robins."

Chuck followed me out of the office and walked me back over to the garage. Hank had the bike up on a small flatbed, tied down real well. He tossed me the keys and said, "After you drive that thing home, you may not want to get rid of it. If you do, the lady's name and phone number are in the glove box. I already called her and told her the car might be available. It will be up to you."

I followed Hank out of the city and he went straight to the title office. I told him that I might just pass on registering the Escalade today and let the possible new owner pay all those taxes. He said he didn't know how that would work, but it was up to me. I did register the Harley and picked up the tag.

Out at the trailer park, I pulled my truck cart out of the shed and let Hank push the old Harley out to put it on the flatbed. He said, "This is nice, I may be getting the best part of all of this. I hope you get a car that you want. Pick one out first and tell the lady. Let her attorney figure it all out and make your deal. She'll still get a good deal, because she really wants that Escalade."

We put the new Harley in the shed and I put the cart back in as well. I decided there was no time like the present to call this lady. The note said the lady's name was Bobby so I called her.

A man answered the phone and I identified myself and asked to speak to Bobby. He grumbled and grunted then called out for Bobby. A sweet voice said, "Are you the man who has the Escalade?"

"I am."

"Good, what kind of car do you want in trade?"

I said cautiously, "I want a Ford Escape. They're not too expensive and are about the same size as my old Bronco. It can be about any color with the necessary options. Have your lawyer make up the deal so I don't have to pay a lot of registration and taxes."

The sweet voice said, "And how much extra do you want?"

"Nothing, Ma'am. Get me an Escape and we have a deal."

After some conversation that I couldn't understand, the man got on the phone. "Are you working some kind of scam? You have to get some extra over the Escape, how much?"

Not knowing what to answer, I said, "Tell you what, get me the Escape, make sure I don't get stuck with any of the taxes, title fees, and license fees and then you give me what you think is fair. That will be the deal, period."

The gravely voice said, "I can live with that. Do you want autographs or pictures or anything?"

Who the heck was I talking to?

"No, just have your lawyer meet me with the Escape and I'll give him the Escalade."

Gravel voice asked, "Give me your number and I'll have my guy call you to set up the meet. No funny business now."

"Nope, no funny business. I just want a plain car, not some fancy Cadillac."

The man was laughing as he hung up on me.

I barely had time for a drink of water before the phone rang. A voice asked "Mark Robins?"

"That's me."

A formal sounding voice said, "I will go and purchase you a nice Ford Escape and meet you. Where would be a good place and what time."

"How about a place called Park Place. I'll meet you in the bar and billiard hall. You name the time."

The formal voice said, "It shouldn't take me more than a half hour to buy your car and get a cashier's check for you. The difference will be between the price I pay for your Escape and the book retail for the Escalade. Is that good with you?"

I was almost laughing, "Perfect. When?"

"My name is James Carrington and I will meet you in one and a half hours. Please be punctual."

"See you then, Mr. Carrington."

It was getting to be lunch time, so I drove the Escalade over to the patio for lunch. Martin began razing me about the fancy car I was driving. I had to tell everyone a little fib. I said I was driving it to swap for the car I was getting for the feds losing my car. I did say that it was a confusing deal and I thought everyone would be happy. We discussed the Ford Escape. None of us knew a lot about the Escape except that I knew it looked nice and was good on gas.

After lunch, I headed straight to Park Place. I went in and used a coin table to shoot some pool balls for a while. When it was time for the man to get there, I waited at a table, watching the parking lot. The Escalade was parked in front, so I knew it would be a magnet for the guy coming. What do you know; a carmine Escape was parking next to the Escalade. Son of a gun, it even had a sunroof. Oh well, who cares. This was probably the last car I would ever have or need.

The man came in and I waved at him. I had a stack of papers for him and he had some for me. The first thing he asked was, "Can we drive to the tax office and sort these two cars out? That way I can see how the car drives and we can take care of this all at one time."

"Good with me. You drive the Cadillac and I'll drive the Ford."

With a smile, we went out to the cars where I backed out and let him follow me to the tax office. It took an hour and a half of waiting and sorting out how much was owed and finally paid. We both had tags for the cars, so we went out where the man produced a screwdriver from his briefcase. He smiled, "I was a Boy Scout, I'm prepared."

We laughed as I mounted both tags. The attorney handed me a check for eight thousand, four hundred and sixteen dollars, then asked, "Does that seem fair? The auto dealer gave me the figures after I bought your Escape. The Ford has every option available and was the best on his lot. He did give me a great deal and that enables you to get that check. Are we square?"

"You bet. I'm very happy. Thank you and thank the Bobby lady. This makes my day."

The attorney said, "It makes mine and it will make my client's day as well. Thank you for your cooperation. Have a good day."

Mr. Carrington got in the Escalade and drove off. That was a hell of a deal. Too bad I don't have a garage to keep my new car in. I wonder if there is enough room between the tree and the fence. I could get one of those metal sheds that could house the Escape.

Driving home, I looked at all the options. It even had a GPS in it, as well as an Ipod dock and a cell phone connection to talk hands free. This thing had more power gadgets than the Cadillac. I think I got the better deal. At least my car looked like a common man's car. It was very close to being as big as the Bronco. I did feel a little guilty. I had a brand new car that probably cost a ton, a newer Harley, and eight grand in my pocket. I had to give up the old bike, but I got my money out of it. I looked at what I had as what the bike and the Bronco had been worth. I didn't feel guilty any more."

I parked next to the tree and pulled the cart out real quick. Inside, I changed into coveralls and brought my dirty ones with me. It was three o'clock by the time I was able to begin working on the transmission. I easily found the problem. The shift fork was bent and a lobe was busted from a gear. Nothing else seemed to be damaged, so I called the parts store to tell them what I needed. They said they would have the clutch, gear, fork, and rear seal for me by ten in the morning.

I checked with a couple of guys working on a big diesel engine. One guy said, "The blower isn't pushing enough air through, so the power is way off and the fuel mileage has gone to pot. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong anywhere. According to the meter, the drive sprocket on the belt is spinning at the right speed."

"Let's take off the shroud to see if we can spot anything," I suggested, so the two men quickly took the shroud off.

"Start it up and let's watch the belt and the fan gear." I stood back, and told the other guys to do the same, so that the belt wouldn't hit us if it came off.

We saw the problem as soon as the engine started. The shaft had become disconnected from the fan. The belt and the lower gear were turning, but the fan wasn't turning.

The guys took the drive apart and found that the shaft keeper had broken off between it and the fan. The fix wasn't going to be that expensive, about fifty cents for the little piece of metal. The two guys hollered thanks and I left to go get cleaned up for supper.

Tonight, Martin said, "I was down talking to Betty and saw your new Escape. That's a nice car, much better than that Cadillac."

"Thanks, Martin, I had to do some trading around, but it worked out."

Crystal came in and said, "Thanks, Mark, you helped my two goof offs figure out what was the matter with that blower. They were on that thing all day. I should use you to just wander around and help everybody that has a common sense problem. We'd save a ton of time if we did."

"I'll help whenever I can, Crystal. Just have Kevin tell me who needs help."

Crystal said, "You're doing what really needs to be done. Just taking care of the warranty carts is a big deal. I really appreciate it. Say, isn't that Samantha's old clunker on the lift in the shop?"

"Yes, Ma'am, I'm fixing the tranny, the clutch, and rear main seal. It'll be done tomorrow. I've already changed the timing belt, serviced it, and tuned it up."

Steve said, "That will be the first time that old sled has run right since she's owned it. She's never let anyone work on it and we have some world class motor mechanics living out here."

Samantha came up and said, "But Mark is paying me back, so that's fair. The others were my friends too, but I thought I would be taking advantage of them. Perhaps I can have Shawna paint it for me. I got a nice check from two of the TV stations for my story. They want some more, so I'm working on it. We have some great human interest stories out here. I've found several in the clothing factory that will be real good TV stuff."

It had been a great day. I celebrated with a small Beefeaters and a beer with supper. I hung around and listened to all of the various projects going on within the company, then went home. I was bushed.

I was barely able to wash up before bed. I was really tired.

I woke up at my usual time and got ready to walk. Rain was coming down like crazy. That's what the noise was. I opened the door and screwed the canopy out to shield the doorway from the rain. It actually covered the area all the way to the shed door. I didn't know whether to go over to the patio or just fix my own breakfast this morning.

Oh well, I guess I could get a little wet. I put on a pair of clean coveralls and a cap then pulled the cart out of the shed. This was probably the first time this cart had ever been rained on. It was sort of sad. My new Escape looked good waiting to go somewhere. I thought of what all I wanted to do today so I put one of my little notebooks and a pen in my pocket, along with both my old cell phone that was cut off and the one I had recently purchased.

Driving over to patio wasn't too bad. As long as the rain came straight down, I didn't get wet. I could get rained on if it was blowing, but I was still pretty dry by the time I arrived.

When I walked on to the patio, Sue was sitting on Steve's lap. They were kissing and hugging. I wanted to yell, "Get a room" but Shawna saw me and said, "Those two get like this every morning that it's raining heavy. They met one morning when it was coming down like this. The rain holds some significance for them."

After breakfast, I worked on several warranty problems and finished about ten-thirty. It was still raining, but not heavily, so I drove my cart over to the parts store. They had a box of parts for me, plus all the fluids I had forgotten to order. That's what a good parts store did.

Even though I broke for lunch, it only took me until four to finish putting everything back together on the little car. I had to push everything and not lift or pull anything, so that made the job take longer. I also had to quit several times to help the goof offs that Crystal described. They didn't have a lot of experience and even less common sense. I thought they were both trying hard and I figured I was teaching them. At least I hoped so.

I washed up at the shop and changed into a clean set of coveralls and took a couple pairs home with me. I drove Samantha's little car to the patio to see if she was there. She was sitting on one of the gliders, reading a book. I got her attention and said, "Drive me back to the truck shop to get my cart."

"You're done, really? Let me drive you. Oh, Mark, this is so good. I can do stuff, even earn a living again."

We drove to the truck store and I said, "Drive it and see if there's anything else that needs to be fixed. You can work with Steve and Sue on the parts. My work is a gift."

Samantha hugged me and said, "Thank you, Mark, this is wonderful."

I watched her drive off, grimacing as she missed a gear, ground it into place, and kept going. She needed some instruction too.

Cleaning up at home took only a few minutes. It had finally stopped raining, but it was very humid. Shirley came over and said, "Can I ride over to the patio with you? Betty is going out with her lady friends tonight, so I'm alone. I'll be your buddy tonight, okay?"

I smiled and nodded.

At the patio, Shirley and I had a couple of drinks before supper and joined in several discussions. As the night passed by, Maria came with her kids to tell me, "Remember, I cook for you tomorrow. It will be a great meal. Be hungry."

As the evening wore down, Shirley and I were tired at about the same time. I suggested we go home. She rode with me and watched as I put the cart in the shed. She was still standing there and I asked, "Can I walk you home?"

She smiled and said, "Only if you plan on staying. I think it's time for you and me to spend a night snuggled up together. I want to feel you up against me."

"Shirley, I've already told you. I'm not able to have that kind of fun without help from pills. You're inviting but,,,, "

"Mark, don't be so defensive. I didn't say one word about fooling around, or if you want me to be blunt, fucking. I said I wanted to snuggle, to feel us holding each other. I mean just that, Mark."

I was stumped for words. I offered, "Do you want me to walk you home to get a nightgown?"

"No, I want us to turn up the air and snuggle bare body. We can leave my panties and your shorts on, but I want to feel you up against me, please?"

I opened the door and let her in and I turned on the light so we could see where we were going. As I showed her down the hall, I said, "I have an extra toothbrush if you want one. Let me turn on the bedroom light and I'll lock up and shut the front down."

Shirley did use a toothbrush and when I had finished in the bathroom, the lights were all off except the light in the closet. Shirley said, "Come lay with me, I want to be cuddled."

We lay together for a long while and we both must have had a million thoughts running through our heads. Her body felt good against me. The feel of her older, soft, and saggy breasts against my chest had my thing wanting to get hard, but of course it didn't. It might have twitched once or twice, but that was wishful thinking.

Shirley and I were looking into each other's eyes. She said, "I think I'd like some kisses. That should put me right to sleep."

We did kiss. The kisses were so sweet, and so soft, it almost made me cry. I had missed that in a relationship. Sure enough, both of us went right to sleep."

Lips were kissing mine. How nice. More kisses, and I could feel someone lying up against me. My mind rocketed back to the loving embraces of my earlier marriage. It was Shirley's voice that brought me to reality, "You are so snuggly, Mark. I love the way we hugged all night long."

I opened my eyes and gazed upon Shirley mature face. She really didn't have that many wrinkles, but when she smiled, she had all those wonderful smile lines. I kissed her and was able to see the smile lines wink at me. I said, "I guess it's time to get this day underway."

"If we were twenty years younger, I'll bet I could talk you into staying in bed a little longer."

"I think you could do that twenty years later too, but for different reasons."

Shirley rose up over me and asked, "Would you consider getting some of those pills? I would like that, and I think Betty and Caroline would also. If I'm not mistaken, your little Mexican girlfriend would like that too. What I'm saying is, if you think they would work, get some and let's try them. If you try with me, I promise not to say anything to anyone. It will be our secret however it turns out."

"Oh, Shirley, that is so tempting. I'll ask the doc the next time that I go see him. In fact, I have to go Monday, so I'll ask."

"Good, I want you to try with me and Betty. Whoever else is up to you, but I know Betty wants to cuddle with you too. I just didn't want to wait any longer. So you see, we can enjoy touching without anything else. I'm not sure how long I want you to keep your hands off me, but I do like to snuggle."

"Me too, Shirley; that was the nicest night's sleep I've had in a long while."

There was a pounding at my door. I was startled but got up and slid my boxers on before going to the door. When I peeked out, Betty was standing on the steps, looking pissed. Oh boy.

I opened the door, waved her inside and asked, "What's up, Betty?"

"I hope you're not and that hussy didn't get any after all."

"Well good morning to you too, Betty. Come in, join the party."

Betty looked around and said, "Where is she, I know the little hussy is here."

"Yes she is, Betty, Shirley slept here last night. We snuggled all night and slept very well."

Tears were streaming down Betty's face, "I want that so bad. I want that and she got it. That's just not fair."

I held Betty and said, "How about you and I snuggle tonight. No sex, I can't do that, but we can cuddle and sleep in each other's arms."

Betty looked at me longingly, "Really, could we? I want that, I want to feel you against me. I guess I want to feel a good man against me."

Shirley came out of the bedroom, wearing her clothes, and said, "Tonight is your night, Betty. You and I will have to take turns or else we'll sometimes have to have a threesome when it comes to sleeping at night."

Betty perked up, "That would work too. There are sometimes that I'm so lonely. I thought that Mark might help me feel less lonely."

That was said so melancholy that it almost made me cry.

"Okay you two, how about some coffee? I need to either go for a short walk or get ready to go over to Steve's."

Shirley said, "We'll go over to Steve's with you. Let us get dressed for doing that. Come on Betty; let's get ready to go visit with the folks on the patio this morning."

The two ladies left, so I jumped into the shower and quickly dressed. I put a pair of coveralls in my cart toolbox in case I needed them later. I made the bed, straightened up real quick, and pulled the cart out of the shed. The two ladies came around the front of my trailer. Betty asked, "Are you locked up?"

"All but the shed."

Shirley asked, "Is that a different motorcycle than you had in there before? It looks newer."

"Yes it is, Shirley, it was part of the deal for the replacement of my Bronco. I got the new Escape and that bike for my Bronco and my antique motorcycle."

Shirley asked, "Was it a good deal?"

"I think so. I have a good vehicle again and I have a street bike I can go riding on."

Betty asked, "Would you give a couple of old ladies a ride?"

I teased, "Do you think Mrs. Henderson would want a ride?"

Shirley said, "Don't ask her, you'd be riding a ninety plus year old lady around on that motorcycle."

Betty said, "I haven't had a ride on a motorcycle in probably forty years. I think I would like that."

"How about giving us a ride Sunday, Mark? Tomorrow we have plenty of time after church to have some nice rides."

Betty said, "And I get to sleep with you tonight too, right?"

"You two," I said mockingly, "are you going to run my life for me now that I'm willing to share some body heat with you?"

Shirley said, "No, but you'll probably want your life run by us when you start getting some regular pussy."

"Oh, Shirley, you are so nasty," Betty said.

"Betty, don't be a prude. You want it as much as I do. Go ask Caroline, she's even more direct than I am."

We arrived at the patio and went in to enjoy the Saturday morning revelry and the astonishingly sexy gowns that gave everyone a view of what each of the women had to offer. Shirley said, "I wish I had known this was a contest. I have some sexy gowns."

Betty said, "I have one just like Glenda's. I could wear mine. Ruth should just go nude; you wouldn't see any more of her."

This morning was fun. Everyone was in a good mood with several planning boating and fishing trips. The guy named Charlie with the cute little redheaded wife was trying to get a group of bikers together to go up to Dade City for a bike show. I didn't think I could ride that far yet, so I didn't ask to join. I was planning on getting the new bike out and riding a little though, even if it was just around the park and the business park.

As people left to begin their weekend activities, I took the two ladies home, then rode my cart over to the cart factory. There were four mechanics working on warranty and other repairs in the warranty area. I asked them if I could help and one of them said, "The more the merrier. We have this session every other Saturday from eight until noon. It's a chance for those that work during the week to get minor repairs done and to bring carts in to drop off for major service."

The guys showed me how to write up the service order then what to do when the work was completed. I was fixing about two an hour until noon, when I finished writing up the last one I had. The three of us took care of a lady that had come late and had a minor warranty problem. We had her on her way in minutes.

We cleaned up the shop and one of the guys had me sweep the floor while he followed behind me and mopped. The place absolutely sparkled before we left. I really like the white floors with the big S&S logo on it. You felt a sense of pride working in a place like this.

The guys were all punching out and asked me why I wasn't ringing the clock. I said, "I haven't been given a card. I just help out wherever I'm needed and you guys needed me this morning."

The one guy who was obviously the senior guy in the group said, "I'll make sure Crystal gets you a time card. If Steve finds out you're working off the clock, he's going to be pissed. He's very touchy about stuff like that."

Even though it was Saturday, there were people at the patio putting out sandwich meats, cheeses, and bread. There wasn't any soup today, but there was a big pot of chili in the kitchen that you could get a bowl full on your own.

While I was eating, Bear and Crystal came and they were discussing how much packing remained. Crystal said, "We're shipping a big container full of everything and Steve and Sue are letting us fill up the G5 with a lot of the stuff we'll need right away."

Bear said, "Would you believe that we're going halfway around the world to start a new business for Steve? I think this is the most exciting thing I've ever done. Well actually, Crystal, the most exciting thing I've ever done was to meet you and marry you. Now that was and is exciting."

Crystal snuggled up to Bear and said, "Don't get all mushy on me right now. We have to get this finished. I want to go over everything with Kevin one more time today so we'll be ready to take off Monday. Do you know how many people are going with us?"

"Steve said that Tiny was coming to set us up with a local accounting group and Gerald is coming to make sure the building plans are in place," Bear explained. "The first six months to a year, we'll be working on building the flying school and getting the operations building expanded and hangars built. Steve is working on getting us some training aircraft. We'll both have to give lessons in the beginning, but you'll soon be too busy with the maintenance group to do that."

When Crystal pushed back from the table, she said, "I'm going to go find Kevin and get this last review done. I've got everything in a notebook so he should have it down."

Kevin and Susan walked into the patio right then with their daughter, Tina. As soon as they sat, Crystal was sitting next to Kevin, reviewing everything with him, for what must have been the twentieth time, and was now the last time before Crystal left. Kevin finally said, "Don't worry, Crystal, I've been following you around for over a year. You have the place so meticulously organized that all I have to do is wander around and snap your whip. You worry too much. There are several people to help me when things get too hectic. If I don't know how to do something, you are as close as a phone."

I decided that I had eavesdropped long enough and got up to leave. As I was approaching the door, Crystal hollered, "Hey, Mark, come here a second."

After going over to them and shaking hands with Bear and Kevin, Crystal said to me, "Steve decided to put you on salary. Since you will probably be spending fifty percent of your time fixing things and fifty percent of your time in engineering, we've set your scale between the two. Steve figures you're good for around thirty two hours a week so that's how we figured your salary. I argued about it and I think I'm right because I heard you were over at the cart shop this morning doing repairs. The guys said you were really fast and an asset to them. I changed your time calculation to forty hours. That doesn't mean you have to work forty hours because I think you'll help out all over. You've been working with Frick and Frack the two goof offs in the truck bay by the little lift. I appreciate that, as they turned in more work this past week than ever. Keep doing that from time to time. They might turn out to be a couple of good mechanics. They try, but they just don't have a lot of life experience yet. Anyway, check with Kevin to see if he needs any special help. Exchange cell numbers so he can get a hold of you during the day."

"Crystal, I'm really trying to retire. Some of the money pressure is off right now and should remain that way, now that I have this lady lawyer to help me. I'm willing to work with you guys and help out where you need someone, but I want to do some things I've been planning on doing in my retirement. I have a couple of things that I want to see if I can make work. One of them will even help out on some of the golf carts. Another is an energy conversion device that works with wind turbines. That's one thing I really want to work on."

Crystal smiled and said, "Listen to him, Kevin, is he one of the geeks from R&D or what?" She turned back to me, "Just go to R&D and work on your toys when you feel like it. Have Dennis and Dr. Rudd give you a room with a bench. If they don't have a free room, tell them to build you your own lab. We love new stuff, and we know guys like you need a balance in your life. Fix stuff and teach our people when you can, then go play with your toys."

She looked at Kevin and said, "Make sure Mark's taken care of. We need some more old coots like him to help Abe keep this place running."

I rode the cart home and dug out my riding helmet from a box in the shed. I know I don't have to wear one, but the insurance I bought required a helmet for the personal injury coverage to be in force. That was okay because the white police style helmet would keep some of the heat off my head.

That Hank character had cleaned this bike up very nice. It only had a couple of thousand miles so it was like brand new. I checked the oil and gas and everything seemed to be ready. I thought I might ride down to the Harley store to pick up a maintenance manual for the bike. That should be a scary enough ride for a first trip.

As soon as I started the bike, Shirley was standing in front of me. She said, "Isn't it time for our rides?"

"I thought I was going to give you a ride Sunday. Besides, I have to get another helmet, Shirley. My insurance won't cover me or a rider unless we wear helmets. The insurance is a lot cheaper that way."

Shirley frowned and said, "Go to that little motorcycle store just down the road and get a helmet there. Betty and I want a ride but she isn't here right now. Please, get a helmet for me."

"Okay, I'll go down there, but you have to get some sunglasses. Eye protection is required too."

She turned and ran to her trailer. I took that opportunity to put the bike in gear and use a little speed to get away from the trailer. These women could be pests.

The little shop down the road was not that small. The couple who owned it had obviously gone through many years in business. The lady, Jan, introduced herself, and pointing to a guy trying to sell a motorcycle, said that was Del, her husband and partner. Jan was talkative and presented some nice cleavage that I had to struggle to keep from talking directly to. She asked where I lived, how long I had been riding, how long I had my bike, etc, etc. I did buy a white police style half-helmet and the maintenance manual. She said, "For regular service, we are very inexpensive. If you don't do the service yourself, trust us with your bike."

When she finished ringing up the expensive white helmet, an extra pair of sunglasses, and the very expensive manual, she reached over and pulled out a neat Tampa V-Twin T-shirt saying, "Welcome to our little world out here. Come visit."

I left, stashing my purchases in the hard cases. The ride back to the trailer park was quick. Shirley came out in Jeans and a T-shirt, wearing sunglasses with her hair back in a ponytail. I pulled the tags off the helmet, got it on her and adjusted the straps. She was grinning when I said, "Sometimes the ride on a motorcycle isn't as smooth as you might think. If you get uncomfortable, tell me."

Shirley said, "My husband had a motorcycle the whole time he was alive. We rode a few times every week. I loved it back then."

I thought this was funny as when Judy and I had first gotten married, she loved to ride and she loved to fly in the little airplanes. As time went on, she didn't like it at all any longer and wouldn't go with me. That sort of takes the fun out of riding.

Shirley said, "We're supposed to go up to the end trailer and get Hap and Marge, his lady. I already told Hap you couldn't ride hard or far. He suggested we just take a ride down to a local biker bar everyone around here goes to, and see how you do."

When we pulled up to Hap's trailer, he and Marge came out, locking their door. Hap forked his bike with Marge behind him and button started it. We rode together, very casually, down to an older part of town to a bar called Jonah's. I've known about this bar for years. It used to be known as Big Jim's before Jim sold out to Jonah. Jonah has a wife that is huge. She's not only big, she's tall. I've seen her sister here once before, and she is as tall, but not quite as round as Jonah's lady.

The ride was very pleasant. We had a beer then Hap and I shot some pool while Shirley and Marge talked to a lot of the other ladies. When we finished our second beer, Hap asked, "Think you're up for one more bar? It's pretty close. Next time, we'll run down to St. Pete to see some friends of mine."

We rode over to a bar called the Vanishing Point where the remnants of an all day party were still hanging on. We sampled some of the roast pork that was left over and watched some folks do a weenie bite contest. A bike rides real slow under a hot dog hung on a string. The female rider stands on the pegs and tries to bite off a bigger piece than the other girls.

Shirley said, "I used to be really good at that. I'll bet if I practice, the next time we're at a party, I'll win."

Hap and Marge were egging Shirley on, but she said, "I've not had anyone to do any deep throatin' on for years. I'll get some hotdogs and practice."

That shut them up, but not before it had brought us all a great laugh. Shirley was a fun babe to go out with. After only a beer at the Vanishing point, I said, "It's time for me to head back. I've had as much exercise and excitement as I can stand for one day."

Hap said, "You're doin' pretty damn good considering it's been only a few days since you were shot. You're a pretty tough old bird."

All I could think of was 'Cluck, cluck.' Enough of getting shot.

I told Shirley and Betty, who had come out to meet us at home, "I promised Maria I would eat supper at her house. It's almost the appointed time so if you want, I'll drop you off at the patio and pick you up on the way home." The two ladies thought that was a great idea.

The three of us went over to the patio to see if anyone was there. Betty had a whiskey sour, Shirley had another beer, and I had iced tea, while they snacked on pizza and wings. Steve, Sue, the kids, along with Martin and Glenda, were out on a sailboat overnight but Ruth held everyone together by directing things to be done for food and fun.

I road up to Maria's and was greeted by the tiny Latin dynamo at the door. She gave me a delicious kiss and made sure that while she seated me and served me food, she displayed a deep valley of cleavage created from her small chest.

The kids were really on their good behavior. The older two did talk to me, but they mostly watched TV and played with their toys. Maria was so very attentive. The food was delicious and very spicy. The more I praised Maria, the more she glowed. She kept hinting, "I know you think you are old, but you would be a good esposo to me and papa to mis bebes. She did make an interesting invitation and when supper was over, I held her on my lap and gently told her in my broken Spanish, "Mi joven, eres muy atractiva, pero

soy muy viejo para ti." (My young one, you are very attractive, I am too old for you.)

Maria hugged me tighter and said softly, "I want you even more."

"Oh Maria, find someone to love you and your bebes, I will give you away as a father."

She looked at me and asked, "vas a ser el abuelo

de mis bebes??" (I think she asked, will you be my babies' grandfather?)

"Yes, Maria, they will be my nietos." (grandchildren)

This seemed to appease Maria and put our relationship in a better light. She smiled very sweetly and kissed me. As she got up, she pulled her top up to show less of an exaggerated valley. I thanked her again for such wonderful food and left saying good night, "Buenas noches."

Back under the patio, the two ladies were still enjoying their evening chatting with the other ladies. I joined them having an iced tea.

As it got late, I suggested to the two ladies, "Let's get home. I'm just about done for the day. I know it's still early so how about we watch a movie on TV. I even have some popcorn. I have beer for you, Shirley, and the makings of a whiskey sour for you, Betty. Sound good?"

We sat on the couch watching TV. Betty seemed pretty nervous, so I asked her, "Are you apprehensive about staying with me tonight?"

Betty nodded yes without saying anything. I told her, "If you're afraid to stay here, I can come home with you."

That seemed to make her more nervous. Shirley leaned over in front of me and said, "Come on, Betty, let's go get our gowns on while the commercials are on and come back to watch the rest of the movie."

They were gone five minutes or so and came back wearing robes. They both hung their robes over chairs and sat with me again. Both were leaning against me, requiring me to put my arms around them. Betty almost had her back to me with my arm around her. She was holding my hand in hers as she snuggled against me. Shirley was sitting about the same way, but took my hand and cupped one of her breasts with it. She knew I wouldn't say anything and was pretty forward in using my hand to explore her top.

Betty was hugging my arm, holding my hand, then ever so slowly she brought my palm up to cup the underside of her larger, soft, breast. She moaned and shuddered as I held her gently. Betty turned and looked at me in the eyes and said, "Thank you. I did need to feel your touch."

She looked to see Shirley manipulating her breasts with my hand and said, "Wouldn't you know, Shirley is being such a slut. My goodness, Shirley, you just can't wait can you?"

"We're both going to enjoy this man, Betty. He's not going to choose anyone right now so let's just share him and enjoy him."

Betty said, "I planned on that. It's a lot less scary if you're with me. If I get scared because he going too far, I have you to sic him on." Betty giggled as she said that.

When it was about eleven, I said, "It's time for me to go to bed. Are you both staying or is it Betty's turn tonight?"

Betty said, "We're both staying. I hope you can put up with our snoring. I know Shirley snores, and I wake myself up all the time snoring. Hope we get a good night's sleep."

We three washed a little and brushed our teeth. I had one last toothbrush for Betty. She said, "I have dentures, but this helps them taste good. They fit real well, so they don't get loose."

The three of us lay in bed with me having a lady on each of my shoulders. I was able to let Betty lay on the wound without it hurting, so I figured we would be okay. Both ladies wanted a couple of kisses and to be held. I did both. I could tell Shirley relaxed quickly and then felt Betty's body go limp as she went to sleep. As both of their breathing became regular, I relaxed, happy to have two ladies lying with me. My, oh my, how times had changed. I had spent the last so many years without anyone to snuggle at night and tonight I had two ladies, real ladies, both special in their own way. Just that thought put me to sleep.

Primary editing by Pepere

Proofing by Sagacious



-------

Chapter 11


I woke up to a kiss on the cheek. Shirley was grinning at me. She said, "I don't think I snored last night and I didn't hear you or Betty snore. You must be good for our snoring."

Betty yawned and said, "I'm an old lady and need more sleep than you two youngun's. If you don't let me sleep later than this, I'm not going to sleep with you two."

It was after seven, so that meant we had slept for at least eight hours. "How long do you like to sleep Betty?"

"Usually only eight or nine hours, but I go to bed later than you most of the time and hardly ever get up before ten," Betty said, trying to snuggle closer.

Shirley said, "I do that a lot too, but I like to go to bed early and get up early. I like the early morning. I know you get up early, Mark, as I've seen you out walking early."

I said, "Betty, you and I walked early in the morning before. What's with that?"

"When you saw me that one time, I hadn't been to bed yet. I couldn't go to sleep so when it got light, I went for a walk. Walking with you that time helped me to relax and go to sleep."

"Well, ladies," I announced, "I go to bed early and get up early. That's me, that's the way I am. If you guys want to sleep in a while, you're welcome to. Personally, I'm going over to the patio for some breakfast. They said they have biscuits and gravy on Sunday morning."

Betty asked, "If we go over there with you, can we come home and go to church together later?"

I smiled, "Sure, let's get going, what time is your service?"

Shirley said, "We like to go to the ten thirty service. The church is just right down the road. You'll like it. They have a nice youth choir and they play a lot of music."

We got up and the two ladies wore their sheer gowns to the patio. We rode over in the cart and found all the women attending breakfast dressed in sheer and revealing gowns and robes. A heavy set girl named Betty was showing flashes of breasts and bush, wearing a striped sheer robe. Ruth had an open net robe that hid nothing. She was built quite nice on top.

This did give me a chance to evaluate the two ladies I was with. Betty was really in good shape for her age. She was rounded nicely and it did help her larger breasts to not sag so much. Shirley wasn't built exceptionally large on top and didn't hardly sag at all for her age. She was pretty slim though, and had mature hips and a slight rounded tummy. Age had been gentle with both of these ladies.

We went home to get ready for church. I put on dress slacks, a nice knit shirt, a sport coat, and shiny shoes. I pulled the Escape up so it was between their two trailers which are across from each other. Just as we were going to load up, Donald and Prissy Krause came out of their trailer, also dressed up. Betty said, "Go ask them if they would like to ride with us. Donald can sit up front with you and we ladies will sit in the back"

I walked over to them and asked. They were happy to ride with us. We drove to a fairly good sized church about a mile from the trailer park. The service was nice and there was a lot of music. The minister was good in that he had a good subject and didn't wear you down with his pleading. We all shook hands with hundreds of people. The new minister recognized Betty, Shirley, and the Krauses, then welcomed me to the church.

When we got back to the car, I asked, "I'm feeling pretty good about life today. I would enjoy taking all of you out for a nice dinner. I understand the restaurant at Park Place is very good. Would all of you like to be my guests?"

All four were surprised. I watched as Donald and Prissy looked at each other and smiled. Betty and Shirley were surprised and agreed, but only if we would invite Caroline. We went back to the trailer park where Shirley spent a couple of minutes in Caroline's trailer and emerged with Caroline dressed up, ready to go with us. On the way to the restaurant, I explained that I had been hired by S&S and I would now have plenty of money in my budget for some extras.

The restaurant lived up to its reputation. The Italian food that I had was wonderful. We all ate plenty, with Donald and Prissy getting some carry home boxes for at least half of their meal.

While we were eating, Prissy said, "I don't mean to be nosy, but I noticed you two ladies coming from Mark's trailer pretty early. Either you three were having some early coffee or you three were snuggling all night." Prissy was almost giggling when she added, "My Donald and I used to do that when we were young. It was fun to have three of us snuggling in bed."

I swear the little old frail lady was giggling while Donald was blushing a little. He said, "You will have to forgive Prissy, she never knows when to keep her beautiful mouth closed. I hope she didn't embarrass you, Mark."

"No problem, Donald, the two ladies wanted some human warmth last night. We all slept very well."

Caroline asked, "When will it be my turn, or will your bed hold four?"

I didn't mean to ignore Caroline, but Donald asked of me, "Would you please call me Don? Prissy has always called me Donald, but my outside friends call me Don."

Prissy said, "I like the way Donald sounds and love to use his name. If you have been raised as a Priscilla, you would know how bad a name can be. I much prefer Prissy; I think it is more fun."

As I took my new friends home, I suggested to Betty, "Why don't you put on some jeans and I'll take you on a short motorcycle ride."

Prissy spoke up, "Oh, Donald, may I ask Mark for a ride? It's been years and years since I've ridden on a motorcycle. Please, Donald, I'll do something nice for you, you know, without my dentures."

"Hush, Prissy, they are adults. They know exactly what you mean. Yes, you may ask Mark for a ride, and yes, you may give me the gift you're promising."

Betty, Shirley, Caroline, and I all laughed as Don looked at me and winked. Prissy exclaimed, "Oh goody, for both things. Mark, will you give me a ride later?"

"I will, Prissy, I'll come and knock on your door."

Don said, "She's nosy enough, she'll know exactly when it's her turn."

"Oh, Donald, it's only because I spend so much time at the sink in the kitchen," Prissy exclaimed. "The window just happens to look out on the street."

Back at the park, we all scattered to our homes. I changed clothes and got the bike out of the shed. There was still enough gas in it as I didn't think Betty would want to ride too far. Betty came out with her hair in a hair net. She said, "Shirley said I have to wear a helmet, so the net will keep it in place better. I even brought my sunglasses."

I got her comfortable and we rode out through the business park then out on highway 41, heading north. We rode past highway 54 all the way up to 52 where we got off the highway to get gas. After filling up, I asked Betty how the ride was. She said, "Wonderful. It is so comfortable back here. Not like I remember it from years ago. I am tired this afternoon, though. We should go home so you can give Prissy a ride."

We did ride home and when I stopped and put the bike on its kickstand to help Betty off, she staggered a little. I asked, "Betty, are you all right? Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm just real tired all of a sudden. There is just so much excitement lately since you've moved in."

Betty turned to me and hugged me. She said, "Last night was the best night's sleep I've had in years and years. I really enjoyed that. It was so warm, so comforting."

I helped Betty back to her trailer and went to get Shirley. "Shirley, Betty isn't feeling too good. Could you go over and stay with her to make sure she's okay?"

"Sure," Shirley said, "She's been having some spells lately. When she gets too excited, she does seem to get drowsy and tired. Let me go stay with her. She'll nap and I'll be right there."

As I walked back to my trailer, little Prissy came out of her trailer, dressed in some denim Capri pants and tennis shoes, wearing a T-shirt that said "Granny Power."

She didn't even wait for me to help her. She just swung her leg over the bike and perched on the seat expectantly. I smiled at her as I handed her a helmet. She said, "I just hate these things. When Donald and I started to have to wear these contraptions is when we began slowing down on riding. We were older of course, but neither of us liked them."

She didn't have any sunglasses so I handed her the ones I had bought just for this event. We rode out of the park up to highway 54 and turned west. We road to Gunn Highway, back around to Erlich, to Florida, and then back home which was at least an hour's ride. When Prissy got off, she said, "I will want another ride soon. Next time let's get out on the big highway so you can go fast. I like fast." Prissy handed me the helmet and sunglasses and winked at me, "Now I get to give Donald his treat."

I walked next door to see how Betty was doing. Shirley said she was resting peacefully. She had taken a pill and was doing fine. She did say that perhaps she would make sure Betty went to her doctor on Monday to get checked out.

After cleaning the bike up, I put it away then went in to check e-mail and watch some Sunday afternoon TV. I had a bunch of food that I needed to eat up, so i planned on staying home to eat.

About five, Shirley came over and said, "Betty's fine now. She's planning on playing cards this evening, so she's fine. What are you up to?"

"I'm about to fix this other steak I have along with a potato before the food spoils. The steak is too big for just me, so do you want to eat with me?"

Shirley smiled and said, "If I can go get some wine. Does that work?"

I didn't want wine, I personally wanted a beer. I doctored up the meat and nuked the potatoes and wrapped them in foil. After starting the charcoal, I made a couple of salads and added my special Caesar dressing.

Shirley came back, but not alone, she brought Caroline. Shirley asked, "Do you have enough of that steak for three of us?"

I said, "There's plenty for three. Hi Caroline, glad you came over."

Caroline said, "When are you going to give me a ride on your motorcycle. I love to ride. Shirley knows that and should have told you. I saw you riding Prissy out of here earlier. That was something."

Another salad had to be fixed, but that was quick and we sat down with some wine and our salad. The three of us ate the steak and still had some cooked sirloin left. I would have to have it for lunch or to make a rice breakfast with it.

We were cleaning up the kitchen and the table when Caroline said, "Do you guys want to come to my place and watch a video? I just rented a couple of comedies that I want to watch. How about it?"

I was all for it, so I said, "Let me use the bathroom and I'll be right with you. I'll come over in a few minutes."

Shirley said, "That's okay, we'll wait for you."

I peed, washed, and brushed my teeth. Thinking that this could be a late night, I put on some shorts and sandals to go with my T-shirt. When I came out, I said, "I'll be comfortable in shorts. That way you won't have to have the air on so high."

Caroline said, "Oh, I like the air real cold so we have to snuggle."

We were soon snuggled on Caroline's big couch, watching her large screen TV. The two ladies enjoyed half laying on me, with their feet up towards each end. At the end of the movie, I stretched and said, "It's probably time for me to go home and to bed. It's getting late. Shirley said, "Go ahead, Caroline, ask him."

Caroline asked, "We want you to stay with us tonight, Mark. You know like Betty and Shirley did last night at your place. I'm dying to be close to someone all night and even though Shirley is my best friend, I get tired of sleeping with her. Please, stay with us. I promise we'll sleep with you individually, but right now, stay with both of us."

I wasn't going to pass this up since I did want to snuggle with them. They led me into the bedroom, pulled back the spread and top sheet and began taking my clothes off. When I was bare, they laid me on the bed and began to slowly take off their clothes. It took them a couple of minutes to get totally naked. I gazed at their two bodies as they posed for me. "You are two fine looking ladies, I'm impressed and honored."

Shirley nearly dove into bed, but Caroline shut off the lights then snuggled up on the other side of me. Caroline said, "I like to kiss. I like to kiss a lot. Kiss me, Mark, then kiss Shirley. I want us to kiss for hours."

We did kiss for hours. My willy was trying to get firm and it was probably three quarters of the way hard and dying to come, but we just kissed. The two did have me petting their tops and they did handle me gently until I thought I would get off, but we finally relaxed and just held each other.

Caroline said, "Shirley, I think we can get him off. As much as he enjoys kissing, I wonder if he would like to kiss us everywhere."

Shirley shivered before whispering in my ear, "Caroline and I both love to do things with our mouths. Would you like to make it a threesome?"

Caroline kissed me and said, "Sleep good, Mark, Shirley and I will really enjoy waking up with you."

They did snuggle up, each with a head on my shoulder. We went to sleep that way and sometime during the night, I was hugging Caroline's back and Shirley was hugging mine. Caroline could really snore. She was better on her side. I did sleep well, wondering about all the lonely women out here.

Monday, a great day of the week! Monday, time to get the week started and to get things done. Caroline turned over in my arms and kissed me squarely on the mouth. She said, "I may not have good breath, but I wanted to kiss you first thing. If you want, I can do something that will make my breath smell and taste like you.

Shirley pinched Caroline, then my nipple, "Oh no you don't, you two. If we're going to get him off, we're going to do it together. I get some too."

"I didn't say you wouldn't be a part of it, Shirley, I just asked him if he was in the mood for it."

"Caroline, Shirley, you two are wet dreams come true for me. I love all the sexy talk and promises. Let me have a discussion with the doc today and we'll see. It might be fun, but it might be scary to use those pills."

Caroline said, "Then it would be good to take them with two ladies that can watch out for you. You know we both talk a good game and are willing to try to put our pussies where our mouth is or something like that. See what you can get from the doctor and then we'll plan on experimenting together to make sure you're all right with it."

"See," Shirley said, "We'll make you happy, make us happy, and we all live happily ever after. I hope you like to fool around, because if these pills work, you're going to be busy."

"Don't get too excited," I said, cautioning. "I may not be able to take them and they may not do that much good. I have read that you can't take some of them everyday. We'll see whether I'm healthy enough for that. Remember, I'm still recovering from the bullet holes, and also remember that Betty may want to be loved as well."

Shirley said, "I think I have that worked out. When you take one of those pills, you're up for like a couple of hours. That should be plenty of time to do all three of us."

I groaned, "You guys are terrible. What are you going to do, line up on the bed and I just do each of you one right after the other?"

Caroline answered that, "Beggars can't be choosers, you know."

"Patience, patience. Let's see what the real deal is before you two or three get too excited."

I pleaded, "Come on you two, I need to walk this morning. I'll go get my tennis shoes on. If you want to walk with me, meet me in five minutes."

After putting my socks and tennis shoes on, I met the two ladies who were ready to walk with me. We walked through the athletic fields and back to Steve's place. When we walked in, Steve and Sue both said, "We missed you for supper last night. We knew you were all right because you had these two girls at your house."

Sue said, "And you know how we knew you had these two beauties with you? Your other neighbor, Betty, told me when she was on the way to a card party at Ruth's. She said you were cooking on your hibachi, so we knew you were taken care of."

Kathy said, "Knowing these two, I'd bet he was really taken care of."

Caroline said, "Not yet, Kathy, but we're working on it."

Mercy commented with a grin, "I'll bet you are."

We had juice and coffee, along with a breakfast sandwich. I advised Kevin, "I have some errands to run this morning, but I'll be by the warranty bench later this morning. If you have something else for me to do, leave a note there. It's hard to track you down."

Kevin said, "Give me your cell phone number and I'll just call you."

"I want to get my regular phone turned on this morning so I can use it again. We'll swap numbers later. Hopefully I can get my old cell phone number back. A lot of people have that number."

After breakfast, the ladies and I walked back to our street. I took my pills and did my morning routine in the bathroom. I dressed in jeans and regular banded bottom shirt like always, and headed out.

My first stop was at the bank to deposit the eight thousand dollar check from the car deal. That would hold me a long time if the other money got messed up. It would hold me even if I didn't work.

Next was the doctor's office. He checked me front and back and said, "You are healing really well. Come by Thursday and my nurse or I will pull the stitches. I could do it today, but we'll wait. It looks real good. Let me get an x-ray of the area so I can make sure of how the aneurysm repair is doing."

When he was talking to me about the x-ray saying everything was looking good, I asked him the question.

"Doctor, I have a problem with ED. The medications I take cause some of it, but I don't think those blood vessels carry enough blood. What I'm asking is, ah, do you think I'm healthy enough to have sex and can you prescribe some of those pills for me to try?"

"Let me check your heart real quick and I'll call out to the VA cardiologists and get their opinion. I think you're healthy enough, but let's talk to them too."

He checked me over thoroughly and called a special doctor's number out there. He spoke to a cardiologist, using all the doctor jargon with words I had no idea what they meant. When he hung up, he said, "They think it would be a great idea for you to enjoy sex. You are not to overdo it. We'll start you out with Viagra. I'll give you these samples of 100 mg. tablets. The first time, take half a pill. If you don't get real hard in a half-hour while playing with your partner, take the other half. That should do it, but sometimes it doesn't. We can work out a plan to get your equipment to work."

"Thank you, Doc. I really appreciate you taking the time for me."

He said, "No problem, you're kind of a hero with the Federal people. You probably saved several Federal people from dying last week. Come back Thursday to get those stitches out and to tell me how the pills are working. Oh, remember, only every other day. We might try the others that are a daily dose, but I have to do some more research on those before I'll let you try them."

I had six pills. That should be enough for twelve days at every other day. Wow, can you imagine, getting some loving every other day after not getting any loving for years?

The next stop was the cell phone place. They were okay and finally did give me back my old number. I had to pay three months in advance since I didn't have any individual credit. Everything was with Judy. I made sure my phone worked before I left the store. The guy thought I was a little paranoid, but all my numbers were in that phone.

I stopped by Wal-Mart to pick up some toiletries. I picked up soap, some towels, and a handful of toothbrushes in different colors. It was either this or get an inscriber.

Back home, I put my purchases away and got out the cart. I drove up to the cart plant and found three carts waiting for repair. None of them were difficult and were all quickly repaired. One cart had mud caked on it so I had to take it to the truck wash bay. After cleaning it up, I drove it back to put it in the completed group of warranty carts.

My stomach told me it was lunch time, so I rode over to the patio. While we were eating, Glenda handed me a list of seven names. They were all ladies names except one. Their addresses were all here in the park except one address in the condos about a half-mile down the road. They all had phone numbers with the names.

Glenda said, "Now that you're becoming popular, the folks with the problems are surfacing. The lady in the condo is a newly retired lady from Sue's plant. She's working half days four days a week and gets a ride over to the plant to work. She's always home in the afternoon so it's easy to get her. The rest of the ladies are all widows that could use some car help. There's one older guy on the list. That ought to keep you busy."

"Thanks, Glenda, I was just about to start knocking on doors to make sure folks were getting the help that they needed."

Martin said, "Never fear, the gossip channels are open now, so you will be busy."

Kevin came over and said, "When did you have time to do those warranty carts. I thought you had errands this morning."

"I worked on them as soon as I was done. It took a while to,,, "

Kevin cut me off, "To wash that pig that was caked with mud. I already told the guy that brought it in that these carts were not mud buggies. You did a good job, Mark, thanks."

"Kevin, let me call you and you can save my number. This is the cell phone I'll use all the time."

We exchanged numbers and while I was thinking about it, I called Sarah Perkins.

"Hi, Ms. Perkins, it's Mark Robins."

"Hi, Mark, your wife's attorney has agreed to everything you and I had decided. He's having her sign off on our papers then we'll ask a judge to finalize it. I think if I use your name, I'll get fast treatment. You are somewhat of a hero with the judiciary in this area right now. If you save one of them, they all like you and want to help you."

"That's neat, Sarah," I said then after pausing, "so Sarah, I have some money and feel I should pay you for your efforts. I'm even going to be working more or less full time now."

Sarah said, "That's too bad. I know you wanted to retire, but it's good that the work is available to you."

"It'll be good for me. A lot of the work is helping others, especially older widows."

"Oh Mark, that's so sweet. Hell no, you don't owe me anything. Your ex is going to pay me out of what she gets. That's her tradeoff for not going to jail."

Sarah then said, "I want to come out and see how you help these ladies. I'll bet you'll have them trying to haul you off constantly. You're a decent looking guy, and being their helper and lifesaver will make you that much more attractive."

"My goodness, Sarah, have you been talking to some of these ladies out here?"

"Okay, so I have. Chuck took me out to meet Sue and Steve Sharp Sunday evening. They had been out on their sailboat for the weekend and I enjoyed talking to them. Both of them couldn't help but praise you. There was this little Mexican girl there with three kids that said you were her grandfather or something now. She says you talked her out of marrying you. You're nuts, she's cute."

"Too young, Sarah, I do have a couple of sweet lady friends though. They have been fun."

Sarah laughed and said, "Well, Dude, you better be careful as you'll be single shortly and will be eligible again. I think you have to wait at least six months to remarry. I'll look that up. I never have anyone ask me that."

"Thanks, Sarah, I'll tell them all it's at least a year."

She was laughing as she hung up.

I looked at the list Glenda gave me and decided to go to the closest first and work my way out.

The first trailer had an old pickup outside. I knocked and an older lady came to the door. She had a distinct limp. I told her who I was and what I did. She said, "Yeah, that's my old pickup. It has to last me. It really isn't in too bad of condition. The engine and transmission are good but the front U-joint is broken and it's a Ford, so it won't start when the motor is hot. It should have a starter shield but it has rusted off. I think it will start right up now since the engine is cold. Let me get the keys for you."

When she came back, she said, "Sheila behind me should be on your list. She has a radiator problem and I think she needs new freeze plugs. My old man used to be a mechanic and I worked with him all the time. That's how I got hurt. A car fell on me and broke my hip. Anyway, if you have to make a parts run, you could do it for both cars at once."

I called the parts store and ordered the heat shield and the u-joint. I went over to the Oldsmobile parked in the space behind that belonged to Sheila and knocked. An older black woman came to the door. I explained what I was doing and she said, "Oh bless you, boy. Thas so wonnerful the Sharps are hepin us older folk out."

She got her keys and I checked under the car while the car was running with a hose pumping water into the radiator. The radiator leaked and it looked like three freeze plugs were leaking. That would be an expensive project. I called the parts store and asked if they had anyone that did re-cores for a radiator. I gave him the model and year and the counter man came back with, no, it's cheaper to just junk the old one. I ordered the radiator and the freeze plugs. I would need to use the lift on this one. I would love to use the lift on the pickup but it wouldn't run to get it over there.

I went for the parts, along with filters and tune up parts for each car. Might as well do it right. I stopped by my shop for my jacks and the jack stands, along with the heavy pieces of plywood for them to stand on. It took me a while to safely get the car up in the air so I could work on it. I put the coveralls on over my jeans and quickly had the u-joint on. While I was under the car, I put the aluminum heat shield on. The old tin heat shield was a terrible decision by the manufacturer. The rest I would do at my house.

At my place it took me only thirty minutes to change oil and tune the car up. The car ran good, but did need a compressor for the air. I would ask about that. Perhaps it was possible to get an exchange on a rebuilt one.

I took the pickup back and gave the lady back her keys. I told her what I did and said, "I'll find out how much a rebuilt air conditioning compressor would be. If I can get an exchange on a rebuilt one, it shouldn't be too expensive. The lady, Linda, thanked me profusely. I drove Sheila's Olds over to the truck shop to use their lift. It didn't take me long to do all the freeze plugs and loosen up everything on the bottom of the radiator. I dropped the car and swapped out the radiator and put all new hoses and a new thermostat in. When I got it all put back together, I used the hose that dispensed an anti-freeze mixture and filled up the fluid system. I started the car and everything worked, nothing leaked.

I changed oil and tuned up the car quickly then cleaned up the bay I had been using. I sure was messy as I had to brush scrub the floor to quickly get it clean. I didn't want to wait for the solvent to work.

When I brought the old Oldsmobile back to Sheila, she couldn't believe it. "Lordy, Mark. You done did a whole week's worth of work for me this afternoon. You sure do work fast."

Linda came out and asked, "Have you done hers too? I wish we had you when we were in business. You would have made a fortune."

"The key to this stuff is to just get it done and not stop until it's done, Linda. Every time you stop, it takes too long to get started again. Remember, ladies, if you need me, call me or tell Glenda. If I can keep you ladies going, I've done my job."

It was after five, so I rushed home, stripped, and jumped into the shower. Thank goodness I used the hand cleaner at the truck shop or I would still be trying to clean my hands. I was just leaving in my cart when Shirley and Caroline came out. They asked, "Can we ride over with you?"

I asked, "What about Betty?"

Shirley said, "She went to visit her oldest daughter for a couple of days. She said she felt like it was time."

At the patio, the two girls had me make them a drink while I had a frosty beer. Damn that tasted good. We visited for a while, then Caroline said, "We fixed you a nice supper tonight. It's at my house, so let's go eat."

The two ladies had a great meal prepared, complete with oysters and snails. They were so attentive I couldn't believe it. We didn't have any more booze, just iced tea. Considering these two liked to drink, I thought that was unusual. When the dishes were cleared away and in the dishwasher, they brought out dessert, which was small dishes of sherbet with mint cookies. Right on top my mint cookie was a little blue pill.

Caroline said, "Merle over at the doctor's office told me that the doc had given you 100 mg Viagra to start, so I just so happen to have been able to get one and here it is. She said you shouldn't drink while you're taking these and that you may only want to take half the first time. She said that with your other medications, you'll probably need the whole thing. Want to take half first?"

I was about to bust out laughing. These women had connections everywhere. "Ladies, ladies, I've had a tough day. What if I'm not capable of that kind of activity?"

Shirley said, "Don't you worry, you supply the necessary instrument and we'll play it. I think you should take half and if you don't get real hard in a half-hour, you can take the other half. Tonight is experimentation time. We're going to help stimulate you to make sure the pill works. Go ahead, Mark, cut it in half."

I did cut the pill in half and swallowed it with some iced tea. Caroline ran to get her blood pressure kit and took my blood pressure. It was low as usual. The two girls told me to stand up. In seconds I was bare, sitting on towels on the couch. The two ladies did a strip tease that was fun. They did tease me all the way down to nipples and fuzzies.

Now both of these ladies were about five foot two or three. I think Caroline used to be blond and Shirley might even have been redheaded. Now they both had beautiful highlighted hair to hide the gray. Both were slender, both had nice hips, with Shirley having a little rounder butt than Caroline. Neither one had big boobs, so neither sagged a lot. Both had nipples that looked big and I wanted to tease them to find out how big they could get.

The two ladies got on their knees in front of me and Caroline asked, "Do you feel anything yet?"

"Horny, how else would I feel looking at you two?"

They grinned and both reached for the object of their interest. Shirley said, "We want to play with it and make you come all over us if you can, but not tonight. That's for the nights you can't take a pill. We read that if you get used to coming often, you will shoot a lot more at a time."

Caroline said, "Do you feel that, Shirley, he is getting thicker, firmer."

Shirley leaned forward and slurped me deep into her mouth.

Well, I did end up taking the other half of the pill and it did make me real firm. Firm enough for long enough to satisfy both of these horny ladies. I only unleashed my juices once, but it pleased the two more than I could have suspected. It felt damn good to me too. Since they kept playing with it, I kept a hardon for almost four hours. I was a little tender when it wilted, telling me I was done. The two girls had spent two hours alternately sucking and licking me while stroking me, playing with it.

We had tried a variety of positions and they had used ample amounts of lubrication, but they were both a little tender. They were teasing me that I had worn out two of the best pussies on the street. Like I said, those two ladies were something.

When we lay down to sleep, Caroline took hold of my semi-firm ego and slid it into her. She said, "Next time it's Shirley's turn. Now aren't you glad we came home early? We've had a great time and it's only ten thirty." The three of us were instantly sound asleep.

Primary editing by Pepere

Proofing by Sagacious



-------

Chapter 12


Someone was doing to me what no one had done to me in the morning for years and years and years. I was being sucked and caressed to the point I actually felt like I was hard and going to come at any second. Whoever it was pulled off and another mouth took over. A lispy voice said, "Enjoy this, Mark. We're going to get some of you this morning."

Well, they did, in another couple of minutes, my hips rose from the bed and I watched as the two mouths kissed and sucked me, holding the head in their mouths, teasing it with their tongues. I loosed what felt like a big load.

When I was lying back on the bed, totaled by the two ladies, they came up to hug me and kiss me. In a lispy voice again, Caroline said, "Shirley and I just knew we would love to do that to you. That was so exciting, and you even kissed us with that stuff all over our faces. You did a good job last night and this morning. I think you broke our playgrounds last night, though. We're both a little sore."

I hugged the two ladies to me and said, "Well, I can't take any of those pills tonight, so it's fine you two are a little sore. You'll get better. You know it may be time for me to do to you what you have been doing to me."

Shirley said, "Would you do that for us. Would you really kiss us there?"

"Of course, Shirley, I would enjoy feeling both of you getting off on my kisses."

Caroline shivered and said, "You're going to get so lucky if you do that to me. Only one man has ever kissed me there and he only gave it a lick and thought he had really done something. You know that's why ladies do that to each other. If men won't, we will."

"Let me show you two what I mean."

I leaned over and gently gave Caroline's center a gentle lick. She shook from the caress. Shirley near screamed when I did that to her. I scooted down in bed and had both of them on their backs, where I ministered to them until they were nearly crying. Both dragged me up to kiss them, commenting on my wet face. Shirley said, "You are so good to us. That was a real reward."

Caroline kept saying, "You are going to get so lucky."

I finally said, "How much luckier can I get? You two are a dream come true. I hope we can enjoy each other for a long time to come."

Shirley said, "Me too. I may give up wearing my teeth at all."

Caroline said, "No, you have to nibble me sometimes too."

"Oops, you didn't hear that did you, Mark?" Caroline was trying to cover her face with her hand.

"I didn't hear a thing, Caroline, but I want to watch the next time you two decide to give each other pleasure. I'll bet that's an exciting sight."

Shirley said, "A real sight, two wrinkled up old ladies in a sixty-nine. How exciting is that?"

"Oh, come on, Shirley, I think you two are very attractive. Before the Viagra, I was trying to figure out how to ravage you. Both of you are very attractive. Hey, none of us are twenty years old anymore. We're all past our prime, but we aren't dead and we do enjoy each other."

I had stereo hugs and kisses from the two girls. Caroline said, "You know we're going to want you one on one soon. We thought we would like this, but I know I want you just for myself one of these days soon. I can't wait to use you up all for myself. I want to drink every last drop you have and feel you in me everywhere. Oh, oh, I'm such a horny old lady."

"Not anymore than me, Caroline," Shirley said. "I want more of Mark as soon as my pussy is through being sore. I'll take it anyway I can get it. I just want more."

"Would you listen to us, Shirley, we're carrying on like a couple of twenty year olds or something like that. Here we are, all three of us beating up on seventy, talking stuff like that. Come on, Mark, let's get up and get a walk in before breakfast. I want to see if Shirley walks bowlegged."

Shirley whacked Caroline with a pillow, which required Caroline to whack Shirley with her pillow. I got up and headed to the bathroom to pee for fifteen minutes or so. I slipped my shorts and T-shirt back on and put my socks and tennis shoes on.

Both girls preferred to walk a little slower this morning. They were joking and razzing each other the whole time. We had started out at five forty-five and called it quits by six fifteen. I went home and did my bathroom stuff and was getting ready to leave when Prissy said to me through the screen door as she was standing on my small porch, "I hope you are being nice to those two. They are both such sweet ladies. If I thought you were abusing them I would, I would, I don't what I would do, but you would be sorry."

I held my hands up defensively, "Oh, Prissy, I wouldn't hurt any of the three of these ladies. If you know Caroline and Shirley, you know they're a little bossy and headstrong. I've just been happily going along with them. Ask them, they'll tell you, I've tried to be a gentleman with them."

"Okay, Mark Robins, you'd better. I love those girls like they were my own. I know they are a little wild sometimes, but they are good girls."

While smiling, I said, "Yes they are, Prissy. I agree with you."

Prissy walked back across the street as I pulled the cart out of my shed. She looked back at me a couple of times and frowned as if she didn't believe me.

Both girls declined to go to the patio this morning. I told Caroline to go tell Prissy that I had not mistreated them. Caroline laughed but said she would assure her that the three of us had been having a good time.

On the way to the patio, I remembered that I was supposed to have played pool last night. This was the third week in a row I had missed. I called the captain to apologize and he asked, "Are you healing up pretty good? I hope you can come back next week. I talked to Alan, the captain of your Wednesday night team, and he says the same. He hopes you're well enough to play next week."

I guess that takes care of that until next Monday. I did need to practice so I should probably go into one of the pool halls with big tables to get some practice.

Breakfast was fun, as there was lots of kidding about what had gone on last night up at the hot tub. Apparently Steve's sister and her husband, Kevin, had gotten wild with some others up there. Ruth was joking that Henry had choked her to death. These folks were a little wilder than they appeared.

As soon as I had eaten and had my fill of coffee and gone to pee three times, I took off for the next of the seven people Glenda had given me. The first was easy, replacing a stuck thermostat cleared the problem, but they had ruptured a radiator hose before they had stopped. I did the usual tune up and oil change before moving on to a sweet couple with an ancient Lincoln. This sixty-six Lincoln four door had suicide doors and was still in pristine condition. The man had a neat carport that shielded the old car from the sun. I think he spent all his spare time polishing the car.

The complaint was that the car stalled every time he stopped at a stop sign. When he started it again and he put it in gear, it stalled again. This was an old car, so it probably had vacuum leaks everywhere. I drove over to the truck parts counter and told the clerk, "Give me a roll each of all three vacuum hose sizes. I'll bring back what I don't use, but this is a big job as they all need to be replaced." The parts man also gave me multiple handfuls of clamps, telling me to bring back what I didn't need. It took me until lunch time to finish replacing all of the hoses. I did change the oil and filters and tuned it up. The car ran so beautifully that it was a shame to let it sit. I did tell the older gentleman that both of the back tires were showing some dry rot.

He was very nice and appreciative for the work I did for him. He said the shop down the street didn't want to work on the car as it was so old. If they only knew how easy they were to work on.

At lunch, Sue handed me a slip of paper that had an address over by the nudist place. She said that there were cart paths all the way to this address. When I passed the front gate, I realized the address was inside the nudist or naturist park. Oh well.

At the gate, I showed the gatekeeper the note from Sue and he directed me to a trailer home in the permanent section. I had tried not to stare as I passed many naked people on the way to the address. I knocked on the door and was surprised to be greeted by a very young, very voluptuous, naked lady. "Can I help you?"

"Hi, I'm Mark Robins, Sue Sharp sent me over to help a Mr. and Mrs. Carnahan with their car?"

"Oh you're the man who was shot in court. How nice that you're helping people. Their car just won't start and I do need to use it to take them to the doctors. Both are so old they should be in a nursing home, but they pay me to take care of them. The car is in that long garage right over there. It is the Sixty eight Ford. Could you see if you can fix it, make it run?"

Wow, another antique! I was working on a lot of older stuff. This one was unique. If the speedometer was accurate, and it wasn't over a hundred thousand miles, the car only had forty four thousand miles. The inside was clean and not dry rotted. They don't build cars like this anymore.

The first problem was the battery. I used some jumpers on the car next to it and discovered the old starter solenoid was frozen. Hopefully, after changing both of those, the car wasn't frozen up. I did pull the plugs and squirted some WD-40 into the cylinders. Not wanting to take a chance, I changed the oil and put oil in both overhead valve areas. The gaskets were all broken down anyway. That big sheet of gasket material was not going to go to waste.

I buzzed over to the parts store for a solenoid then back to the truck parts counter for a battery. I told them that I might need the hoses for this job too, so I kept the three spools.

Back at the car, I put the battery in after the solenoid, then hesitantly turned the key. The fuel pump didn't want to pump, so I poured a little fuel into the carb and tried again. The car started, blowing smoke out the back for a minute or so. The fuel pump obviously decided to work, but I did notice the temp go up fast.

I drained what nasty stuff was already in the radiator and tried to flush it using a water hose. Water flowed from the block, so the thermostat was either stuck open or it worked. I filled the car up with the premix of anti-freeze and started it again. This time the car ran well. All four tires were dry rotted so I called Sue and asked her, "How much do you want to spend on this old car over here? The tires are shot."

Sue said, "These are friends of my Mom and Dad. They have someone helping them that can drive, but doesn't have a car. Buy tires if you have to and see if you can make their car work. They are a very sweet older couple. I hope you're not freaked by all the naked people."

"No, I'm fine, Sue," I said. "Several people have asked me if I could work on their cars. You'll have to give me some cards so they can call the truck parts counter. We can make some money over here. Most of these people seem to have money."

I gently drove the car down to the Tires Plus store and had them put four tires on the car. The dealer threw in a used tire for a spare. As I drove the car back, it seemed that everything was fine. I drove it to the truck shop and put the car up on the lift to check on the automatic transmission. I changed the fluid and checked all the brakes and greased all of the joints with zerts. They were all good, just old. The car did not come with air, but it had an add-on, under dash air conditioner. It took me several tries to fix a regulator valve then the ancient add-on under-dash air worked. Funny how even the old equipment worked with the new FR-12 Freon substitute.

When I delivered the car back to the long garage, the lady who had met me at the door had both older people outside, getting some sun. They were both in wheelchairs and so fragile. You wanted to just hug them as they were so precious. Even naked, they were special. The lady said, "Thank you so much, Mrs. Mackey says that the Phillips lady did this. Do you know what she means?"

"Yes, Ma'am. Beth Phillips is Sue Sharp's mother. That whole family is special as they help people all the time."

"Mrs. Mackey said that you do this for free, too? Is that right?"

"Sort of. The Sharps have me doing all kinds of things that they say they are paying me part time for. I just like to do things for people, so when Sue gave me your address, I came right over."

The good looking naked lady gave me a hug which caused some distention below the belt. I told her, "Call me if you need more help. That's some kind of nice old car. I'm surprised the registration is current."

"They have me pay their bills for them. Say something to both of them before you leave. They will hear you, but won't say anything back until tomorrow morning. I'm sure it will be nice."

I did say a few words to each of the old couple, hoping they were enjoying these days of their lives.

I had missed lunch on that job and was heading back to shop, but directly across the street from the naturist park was the condo where that other car was. I went to the door and rang the bell. An older lady came to the door and was surprised to see me in an S&S coverall. I said, "I'm here to fix your car. Can you tell me what the matter is and get me the keys so I can work on it?"

The lady looked sheepish and said, "I was really mad the other day and when I was getting ready to leave for work, I accidentally broke the key off in the ignition. I've done that before when I've gotten mad. I'm going to have to learn to control my temper, or at least not to break keys off in the ignition.

She took me down to the car. It was not locked but the key was still in the ignition. There was a locksmith up in the little shopping plaza where the parts store is, so I took the steering wheel off and took the entire ignition key assembly out. I told the lady I would be back pretty quick. I did make note of what kind of car it was so I could do the oil change and tune up.

The locksmith had the key out and new keys made in an instant. I had him make three keys and put one in a hide-a-key box for under the back bumper. The parts store had what I needed, so I headed back to the condo. It took me forty-five minutes to finish with the oil change and minor tune up. The car ran great, so I gave the keys back to the embarrassed lady, got a sweet hug, and was on my way.

I probably could get one more done, so I went to the address of an old cranky man in the park. Or would that be a cranky old man. He fit the bill, that's for sure. He said his blankety blank old car didn't run any more and that it should be trashed. If I wanted to help him, I should set it on fire so he could collect the insurance. The car was not that old and when I checked the oil, it probably had never been changed. The air filter was clogged so bad, that there was a quarter inch of dust in the air filter holder. What a mess. I just dove in and performed all the maintenance that would have been needed in the first seventy-five thousand miles. I worked on this until eight o'clock in the evening since I didn't want to come back to this jerk in the morning. I even had to replace the brake calipers and rotors. This was a very expensive project. I spent about twenty-two hundred in parts, but the car ran perfect when I left. I told the man, "Read that manual and get it serviced at those miles. If you skip servicing it, you won't have a car. You neglected that car and don't deserve to have it back." He got mad, but so what. He was wrong.

I did go by the patio and had a couple of beers before heading home. I told Steve that the old man was neglectful and didn't deserve his help. Steve just said, "You have to overlook some people's attitude. I'm sure the man has contributed in his life." I doubted that, but Steve was the boss.

At home, I put the cart away and cleaned up. I was trying to figure out what to eat when Shirley came over. She asked, "I know you were working on old man Jenson's car. Did you eat?"

"No, I wanted to get done with it so I wouldn't have to go back."

Shirley said, "Why don't you drive up to Park Place and get something good. The diner has all the same menu as the restaurant, just not the same atmosphere."

"Tell you what," I said, "Come with me and I'll go do that. I'll eat wherever you can get something to drink."

Shirley said, "I'm going to play cards, but I'll bet Caroline would go. Let me get her. Get your car over here and she'll be right out."

Caroline came skipping out of the house, belying her years. She said, "Great, I want some of their mini-calzones while you eat. We can drink too, since you're not going to take any of those pills tonight."

The lady was a little girl in a mature body. The evening was very nice as we joked and laughed the whole time. We didn't venture into any deep subjects as neither of us wanted anything but smiles and companionship.

When we got home, Caroline said, "Could we go to your place tonight. I want to be with you and I just want you and nothing that reminds me of anything else."

We watched TV until it was time to go to bed. Caroline asked for one of my T-shirts, saying it made a great nightgown. We cuddled up and she began, "You know, Mark, I've only been a widow for about five years. I had a good marriage and had a husband that was more loving than most. When he died, I found out he had another wife and another family. We didn't have any kids because he said he didn't want any. I wanted babies so bad, but he said no. The man had five children with his other wife. He wasn't a bad man, as he left me with enough to live on for the rest of my life if I watch what I spend. He left his other family enough the same way. I've met his other wife and have been around her kids, but I still miss having my own family. Tell me about your family unless it hurts too much."

I told her about my military time and how I had married a lady while I was in recovery and the little boy we had. I told her how special Gene was and how we had a bond that not many other fathers would ever have. "You know what; I have three grandchildren that would love to have you as their grandmother. Would you come with me to visit them? We could fly out there and visit for a few days, a week, then come home. You'd love all of them. My daughter-in-law, Sandy, is special. She's a good mother and tolerant of my son's love of flying. They have a good life, they are just a long way away."

Caroline hugged me and said, "That would be special. Would you really let me be their grandmother?"

"Of course, Honey, they would love you."

"I may not want to leave them," Caroline said. "Just the thought of having a family like that is so appealing. Could we do that, could we really?"

"I'll find out if I can rent a plane tomorrow and we'll do it."

"Rent a plane? What do you mean rent a plane?"

Caroline," I said, "I'll rent an airplane and we'll fly out there. I can rent a light sport aircraft that I can legally fly. We can be out there, probably in a day, but if it takes a couple of days, so what. We can land where we want, go sightseeing where we want. We'll have a great time."

Caroline looked at me kind of funny then said, "You are really scary. You're so off the wall. Out of nowhere you come up with flying to see your son. I like it. I've never flown in a small plane. Is it safe?"

"Of course, it's safe," I said. "Most airplanes are good and well maintained and we can fly out there for about the same as what a commercial flight would cost. I can't fly bigger airplanes because of my flight physical status. I'm in decent shape so a light sport is doable."

Caroline snuggled up to me, "You know this is against what Shirley and I agreed on."

"We'll tell her the truth. I'll tell her I invited you to come with me to visit my grandkids and you needed to visit with some grandkids."

She snuggled up even more, "You know Shirley doesn't want to mess up her railroad pension. I don't have that. I might want to make this permanent. Does that bother you?"

"Why would it. I'm a very one lady man. If I'm thrown out like the garbage by one person, why shouldn't I be receptive to another? This is too soon for me to say let's get hitched, but it isn't too soon for me to say, we can think about it."

We fell asleep cuddled up without a thought of sex, just the warmth two people shared.

I woke just before six and stretched. Caroline looked up at me and said, "Do you remember what we talked about last night?"

"Yep, I have to check on an airplane this morning."

"Do you really want to do this?"

"Oh course, I do. I'll tell Steve this morning what I plan and he'll probably help me do what I want to do."

"Let's get up and get going then. Come on, I'll run home and shower while you do your stuff here. I'll meet you in fifteen minutes."

Caroline was out of the house like a shot.

I took my pills and did the necessary evils in the bathroom. Dressed in traditional jeans and banded bottom shirt, I drove the cart up to Caroline's. She came skipping out and jumped into the seat. She hugged my arm and said, "I'm hungry."

Over on the patio, I cornered Steve and Kevin. I said, "I have a need to go see my son and his family out in Cheyenne. I'm going to try to rent a light sport and fly out there. I should be back early next week. Can you handle me being gone for that long?"

Steve said, "No sweat, Mark. You've done an amazing job so far. You shouldn't have worked so long last night but if you had this in mind, I understand. Who are you are going to rent a plane from?"

"I don't know, Steve. I'd rent your little bi-plane but that isn't very intimate for a couple to go flying in."

Steve said, "Let me call out to the charter office and see if there is an airplane that's available. You have your tail dragger endorsement, right?"

I nodded.

Steve asked, "How many hours do you have anyway?"

"I don't know exactly, somewhere over ten thousand. It's easy to attain with over fifty years of flying."

"Let me call," Steve said, "I'll be right back."

I was drinking some coffee when Steve came back. He said, "I have a Super Cub, a Gobosh, and another plane. Which one do you want?

"The Super Cub is probably the easiest to fly, but the Gobosh might be quieter. All the little aircraft are noisy, as long as there are two headsets it doesn't make any difference. But you know what; I want to fly the Super Cub."

Steve said, "I have something else that's special. Since we're a Cessna dealer and a maintenance facility now, we have a new 162 Skycatcher. It's a new tricycle gear aircraft that is just coming out. I flew it and it is nice. Go out to the Aero Park and check it out. If you like it, take it to Cheyenne."

That's like offering candy to a kid. Something new in airplanes! Gimme, gimme.

I told Caroline, "Stay here. I'm going to check out a couple of airplanes. We'll take one of them, but I need to look at them and fly them first."

I was back to the trailer and in the Escape, quickly heading to the Aero Park. The light going across the runway was green so I drove straight to S&S charter and flight training.

I walked in the door and spoke to a nice looking lady named DeDe. "I'm here to check out a Super Cub and the new 162 you have."

Dede said, "Steve called and said you wanted to look at them. The Super Cub is great for flight training, but isn't that comfortable for cross country. Steve said you were heading for Cheyenne."

"Yes, Ma'am. Can you get someone to go up with me in the 162?"

"Sure, Jimmy from maintenance loves the plane. You know him, he lives out at the park and I know you've been eating breakfast and some suppers with us. He'll fly right seat with you. Let me call him."

The lady paged this Jimmy guy and he came bursting into the office with a smile. "Hi Mr. Robins." Then turning to Dede he asked, "What's up, DeDe?"

"Take this guy on a check ride in the 162. I've looked at his log book and don't believe it. But see if he knows how to fly. No coaching, unless he asks about something new."

We went out to a cute little airplane. I looked in the right door for the preflight stuff and didn't find it. I finally had to ask, "I'm sure an airplane this new has a preflight inspection checklist. Where would I find it?"

I had to go back into the office and get the logbook. I checked the hour meter inside the cockpit then did the standard preflight for a little aircraft. Everything was fine, so I pushed the airplane around to head out of the hangar and motioned for Jimmy to get in.

We put on the headsets and I went through the startup procedures. This was the same as a 172, with almost all of the same instruments. The instrumentation was over the top for a VFR aircraft, but that would be an asset.

When I let her rip on the runway, the little airplane quickly rose off the ground and climbed very respectfully until we were at eight thousand feet. I went through some stalls to see how it reacted, then climbed and pulled back to see how it handled an over the top. It stalled and fell over coming out of the short dive in a couple of hundred feet. This was a decent airplane. Very stable, very forgiving, and strong. I banked, heading back to the airport, putting in the info for the glide path. It was steep, but the instrumentation was accurate. I watched out the windscreen while I was coming down and was pleased that we were lined up exactly. Once we were down and had taxied back to the hangar, Jimmy said, "Why do you want a Light Sport?"

"Lost my ticket, can't pass a standard flight physical. I'm legal on one of these, but not a regular aircraft."

Jimmy nodded and asked, "Are you sure you're alright to fly?"

"I just went to a doc for a gunshot wound last week and he said I'm doing great."

"Gunshot wound?"

"I was the idiot that hit the crazy man with the chair in Federal court. He shot me for my trouble."

Jimmy said surprised, "I knew it was someone that was part of the patio group but didn't put it together it was you. Jesus, you are one tough cookie. Are you sure it's legal for us to let you fly?"

"Let's go in and look it up. You'll see."

We did go into the office and I showed Jimmy all of the info on light sports. This wasn't ultra-lights, balloons, or gyrocopters, this was LSA. Light Sport Aircraft.

Jimmy looked up and said, "They should name this the OTH ticket."

When I looked him with a question, he smiled and said, "Over the hill."

If I could have found something to throw at him, I would have. He said, "I have to show this to my dad. He loves to fly and just lost his ticket because of a heart problem. He says that once he stabilizes, he'll be able to fly again but you and I both know what that's about. He'll love this quirk and be flying again soon. I'm really happy he and mom moved down here. He lives out at the trailer park with me now."

There are so many interweaving things between that crazy park and the rest of my life now. I made arrangements to rent the aircraft for two weeks. I should be back before then, but I didn't want to promise too soon. It was expensive but so what. I would use the money from the car deal for the trip.

Back at the patio, I had another cup of coffee and another sandwich. I told Caroline that she should pack light but for at least five days, probably seven. We wouldn't need anything fancy, but she might want some shifts for comfort and shorts or pants for flying. We said goodbye to everyone and left for our trailers.

I packed clothes for seven days, along with some shorts and tennis shoes. I wouldn't need a clean pair of pants everyday, just every other day. I would need seven pair of socks but I couldn't go commando like I usually did since I would probably sleep in underwear. I could fit my seven days in a small case.

Surprisingly, Caroline had a small suitcase and said it had everything she needed. I said, "There's one more thing. I'll call and make sure they are going to be home."

"Hi, Sandy, this is Dad."

"Dad, how are you doing? Are you alright now?"

"I'm fine, Sandy, are you guys going to be home this week?"

"I think so; Gene hasn't said anything about going anywhere. Are you coming?"

"I'm flying out this morning and should be there tomorrow. I'm flying a little light sport Cessna 162 that only does about a hundred twenty. I'm bringing someone with me that wants to hug and kiss kids. Do you think they're up to it?"

"If you're with that person, you know they are. Come on up, Dad, come see us. The kids will go nuts. I can't wait to tell Gene, he's been so worried about you."

"I'm fine and have been cleared for activity. I have my regular cell phone back, so if you need me, try to catch me in the air. This little plane even has a cell phone holder."

Sandy said, "I know what you're flying, but how did you get one?"

"The local place is a dealer and big maintenance facility. They have the aircraft as a test site."

"Well, have fun, Dad, who are you bringing?"

I said, "I'm bringing a very sweet lady by the name of Caroline."

"Is she in your future, Dad?"

"I don't know, Sandy, we'll see. I'll see you tomorrow or I will call."

Caroline and I locked up our places and we drove out to the little air park. I parked in the general parking lot and we carried our two bags to the charter office. DeDe said, "I've looked up all the regs and what I need from you is a valid driver's license. Steve said to let you go, so you must be all right."

She wrote down my license info and copied it. I took Caroline out to the aircraft, we stowed our bags in the back, then I put Caroline in the right seat and showed her how to wear the headset and the settings for it.

I checked that the fuel had been topped off, the oil, and the other items on the preflight. In the cockpit, I went through the startup quickly and we were warming up, watching the gauges. When we were ready, I radioed in our flight plan and requested taxi and takeoff clearance.

Caroline had a case of white knuckles, but relaxed as soon as we were airborne. I flipped the microphone selector switch to "intercom" and said, "We don't have to be anywhere fast, so when you get tired or have to go potty, tell me. We'll look for a place to set down. We are flying for fun, not to get somewhere in a hurry. This is a pleasure trip. Enjoy the scenery and enjoy looking at where you are going."

We were assigned to seven thousand feet and were doing a steady hundred plus knots north with a little headwind. We set down in Panama City for a potty break, fuel, and a snack. Caroline was actually anxious to get back into the air. We stopped a few more times before setting down in Tulsa, Oklahoma for the night. We found the airport hotel to be a nice one and stayed there. I called the kids to tell them we were staying overnight before we had a nice meal and a couple of beers before we cuddled to go to sleep.

Caroline said, "This is so nice, no pressure. You didn't take a pill, so you don't expect any sex. This is nice. Thank you for bringing me, Mark. I'm nervous about meeting your family, but excited to be a part of it."

I just hugged her and we fell asleep holding each other.

Primary editing by Pepere

Proofing by Sagacious



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Chapter 13

I woke up looking into Caroline's eyes. She said, "I woke up a little bit ago and realized I'm in your control. I want to be here though. I like being in your control. Strange isn't it. We don't really know each other but we really do. Is loneliness a means of meeting someone?"

"We found each other, Caroline, and we can be something special for each other right now, whether or not we will be the same in the future."

"I like it, Mark. I'm very happy to be with you and to be held by you. We better get up or you'll find out how horny I get."

"In that case, let me take one of those pills."

"You better not, I want to see those grandkids of yours. I know they're not babies, but they are still your special grandkids."

Out at the airfield, I refueled the aircraft and checked all of the listed items. Once in the air, Caroline and I began talking about everything that she had ever done and she was asking me about my childhood. Soon we were lined up to land at Cheyenne. They had a small independent airfield southwest of the city, in addition to the main regional airport, and the Air Force Base where Gene did something that he didn't discuss. Thinking that Gene probably used the small airfield, I chose to land there.

The runway was new, smooth blacktop and we were directed to park up near the operations building. As soon as we shut the engine down, Sandy and the three kids came running out of the operations building. I was hugged tightly by the kids, and when I introduced Caroline, the kids hugged her the same way. Caroline had big tears in her eyes because of the acceptance. Sandy hugged Caroline and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She said, "The kids know that anyone Grandpa brings is special."

Sandy and the kids crawled all over the aircraft, looking at it. Sandy summed up my opinion of the plane well, "This is a modern baby 172. I'll bet it flies nice too, Gene will be begging you to fly it as soon as he gets home. He's been calling about every hour to see if you're here yet. If I tell him you've arrived, he'll probably take off from work unless he has some problem he has to take care of."

I had to ask, "Sandy, how did you know I was landing? You haven't waited out here all day have you? I could just have easily gone to the city airport."

Sandy was hugging me, "You think too much like Gene to go into the city airport. We live right over there in that loose subdivision that borders the land here. We know the operators here real well and I told them to call us as soon as a strange aircraft called in. It was a gamble, but we figured it would be you."

I said, "That wasn't very bright of me not to ask where to come in, especially since I haven't been out to see you here since you've built the house. I didn't realize you were building right next to an airport."

"We both wanted this place since we both give flying lessons now. I can leave the kids with a neighbor when I have a daytime lesson. Mark is just about old enough to watch over his brother and sister. Come on, let's go to the house for some lunch."

Worrying about the plane, I asked, "What about the plane. Shouldn't I move it away from operations?"

"Naw," Sandy said, "they will tie it down out here so everyone can come look at it. You're flying a curiosity. There will be fingerprints all over it by tonight. Clint, the operator, asked for you to please leave it out here for him."

We pulled the two bags from the aircraft and rode directly across the runway, over a well worn path, to Gene's and Sandy's house. Gene had done a hell of a job. With help from some of his friends and promises of free lessons, he built his own place that was larger than a moderate sized family would need. He had a small hangar-sized garage that had two entrances. The one entrance facing the airport was where he put an airplane he was working on and the other entrance was used for parking a car. That side of the garage was cluttered with a big lawn tractor and a couple of dirt bikes. The kids immediately had to show us all of their toys.

We had a nice lunch of sandwiches and iced tea before Sandy got a call from Gene. The call lasted only until Sandy said we were here. He must have hung up on her as she looked at the phone and shrugged her shoulders. She looked at the clock on the wall and said, "He'll be here in fifteen minutes or less, should we time it?"

Caroline was having a good time playing with the two little ones. Suzy and Dan had her on the floor playing with both dolls and trucks. Since Suzy was a year older than Dan, she was able to manipulate Dan to play her games more often than his. I could see though, that when Dan was tired of too much playing with dolls, he would go off by himself.

Gene came through the door, walked straight to me, and hugged me. "How are you, Dad, you feeling okay? Have you healed up good?"

"You shouldn't have taken off work. You could have waited until this evening, normal time."

Gene was grinning, "No way, I had to get home to see my Dad. Who's this lady playing with my children who have ignored me coming home?"

"Gene, This is my real good friend, Caroline, Caroline, my son, Gene."

Caroline made the observation, "You look just like your dad except you're taller and a little heavier."

Sandy said, "I try to feed him right so he'll lose weight, but I know that when he travels he probably eats steak and potatoes every night. He's been traveling a lot lately, too."

Gene said, "Dad, I'm so happy you finally came to visit. You always make us fly down to see you. It's about time you flew up to see me. What did you fly?"

Sandy jumped in, "You have to go see it, Gene. It's the new Cessna 162 Skycatcher. It looks like a regular airplane, not one of those kites."

"Let's go see it, Dad. Sandy, we might take it up for a quick spin. We'll be back for supper, though."

Gene and I got in his pickup and drove across the field toward the operations building. Gene used his radio to get permission to cross the runway, then drove up and parked outside the building near the aircraft.

Several people were looking at the plane and peering into the cockpit. When Gene walked up, they began asking him about the plane and did his dad really fly it out here?

Gene introduced me to some of his fellow aviation buddies. They indicated that Gene had been responsible for getting the new runway as the field had become the meeting and storage place for the local military Aero club. It's amazing how much attention you get when some military people begin spending all their free time somewhere.

Gene asked, "Does it need fuel or is it good to go for an hour or so?"

"You know the answer to that, Gene; you always take off with a full load unless you're compensating for weight."

We got the fuel truck over to top off the tanks then Gene wanted to go over the preflight list to see what might be different. The big difference was the Continental engine and the method of checking the oil level.

We unclipped the tie downs and hung them on the rail by the operations building then loaded up. All the curious folks reluctantly retreated to the sidewalk to watch us take off. Gene, used to taking command, got into the left seat, and was going through some familiarization when he looked up. "Sorry, Dad, I didn't mean to assume I could just take over. Do you want to fly it?"

"No, Son, you're curious, go ahead. I'll watch to make sure you do it right."

Gene laughed and said, "I feel like I'm twelve again. We sure did have a lot of fun flying just about every small aircraft made back then. This is a slick plane. It's wild what they are doing with this Light Sport designation."

After Gene had read through the takeoff procedures and associated information, we started up and let it warm. A few minutes later he was requesting runway access.

Up, up, and away. As soon as we were off the ground, Gene said, "We'll go south towards the mountains. North is all the Air Force Base and Regional airport traffic. I want to see how it handles stalls." We went through the activities an instructor pilot would require of a student, going farther south as we flew.

Gene said, "We're close to Denver, want to see how the plane handles altitude on takeoff?"

"Not really, no need, Cheyenne is over six thousand feet. It just always seems you have to climb to get to Denver."

"We should be getting back anyway," Gene said guiltily. "Sandy will have a big supper cooked for us. This is really great that you came out to visit, Dad."

Gene gently landed the aircraft, saying that it handled just like the larger Cessna and was super to fly. Again, he parked up next to the ops building and made sure the fuel truck would visit the airplane before long. We hooked the plane up to the tie downs and drove back across the runway and field to go home.

Gene was saying, "I'm trying to get this area out here tilled, leveled, and planted in grass so we can use it for some of the experimental junk that people are building. We could also use it for an additional takeoff and landing area for people to get used to grass strips. A few of us that live over on this side are thinking of building our own hangars, too. The big garage works for my stuff, but wouldn't work for anything larger. I'm thinking my next bird is going to have two engines. The Mouse is worth enough to make a deal on something. I'm not looking yet, but probably will soon. Sandy wants a bigger airplane, too. She says we might be able to get a few charters out of it. As it is, we get two or three flights to Denver to take people to get on a plane down there, or would that be "up" there?"

My goodness, the kid had a bunch of plans and/or dreams. I knew he made good money, but not exactly how much. I know he is employed by the Defense Department but I'm not sure of what division. I think that was classified. He used to work on rotary wing storage as they called it. In other words, helicopter armament, but that was all Army stuff. Now he's been at this base, involved in a project for close to seven years, with no end in sight. Who knows what they do out here in Wyoming. I guess that was the point.

We had a great supper and played outdoors with the kids. It's really neat to watch Dan ride the little 50cc motorcycle out in the back. Mark rode like an adult and had a few jumps built, along with some tight corners to ride around. The kicker was Suzy riding a 125cc bike. It was bigger than she was, but she was fearless. She was jumping higher than Mark, but couldn't drag the bike around a corner like he could. She just wasn't big enough to man-or-woman-handle the bike the way a bigger person could.

Gene said, "Mark is about ready to give up motorbikes and start flying. I think you had me handling the stick when I was nine or ten. I remember our best times together were flying. I think that's what happened with Sandy and me. We met because of flying and we're raising our kids with airplanes. It's just natural that they should fly as soon as they can."

We, that is Gene, Sandy, Mark, and I, had a pleasant time talking about life while Gene, Sandy, and I were having a beer in the kitchen, watching Caroline playing with the two younger ones. The evening was really pleasant.

After the kids had been put to bed and it was time for the adults to go to bed, Sandy and Caroline had already had a conversation and we were put together in the spare bedroom. Caroline hugged me and said, "That was just perfect. Playing with the little ones was really a lot of fun. I think if I could do that often enough, I could forgive myself for never having kids."

"You know, Caroline, you should go over and volunteer at the daycare at the clothing company. You could play with kids a couple of days a week and help out where you would be needed. You're in great shape. I can't believe how limber you are. You get up and down off the floor like a kid. I guess I just need to lose some weight."

"You're just right for me, Mark; you are perfect to snuggle with."

We quickly dropped off to sleep.

Suzy was sitting on the bed staring at my face. When I opened my eyes, she held her finger to her lips and made a "Shhh" sound. "Grandpa, don't wake Caroline up. Come on, get up, I want to show you something outside this morning. You'll like it."

I slid from bed and put on my pants and shoes. I slept in my drawers and T-shirt, so it was easy to get going.

Noticing the kitchen clock said just after five, Suzy and I went out the back door and she led me out into the field. She squatted down and pointed. Beneath some tall weeds and grass; a mother rabbit was sitting on a nest. Suzy must have been around the nest enough that the rabbit wasn't overly afraid of us. I could see her panting, so I moved back a ways. Suzy said, "She has babies. There are three of them left. She used to have more, but I think a cat got one."

Suzy stood up and took my hand. She said, "When I first came over here, the mama rabbit jumped up and ran. I watched it and it didn't run that far. When I didn't follow, it ran back by me. Mom said that the mama rabbit did that so I would chase her and not harm the babies. I found the babies, but I didn't touch them. I did look at them. I try to come out every morning to see how she's doing."

We walked back to the house with a few backward glances at the well-camouflaged nest. Inside, Suzy said, "I usually fix my own breakfast because Dad doesn't get up until six. Mom gets up then too most of the time. Mark and Dan sleep late, because they never want to go to bed at night."

Suzy pushed a chair over to the counter and used it to get a box of CoCo Crispies out of the cupboard. She got two bowls and two spoons and put them on the table. She got out two small glasses and two bigger glasses and put them with the bowls.

With practiced ease, she poured two bowls of the nasty cereal, then poured some milk in each bowl of cereal. Next, she filled our two bigger glasses with milk, then brought out a half gallon of orange juice and filled the two small glasses. Before putting the orange juice container back in the refrigerator, she pointed to a word on the container and said, "See, Grandpa, I have a little of Florida every morning. When I drink my orange juice, I think of you."

Doesn't that choke you up?

We ate our delicious, ugh, nutritious, I doubt it, breakfast. I can tell you that orange juice and chocolate cereal don't go together. Suzy was happy, so I was happy.

Gene came into the kitchen and poured himself some coffee that had automatically begunbrewing while Suzy and I were eating. Gene sat with us and said, "I see you've been indoctrinated into the chocolate breakfast brigade. Let me get Sandy a cup of coffee, that'll get her out here."

Gene poured a cup of coffee and went down the hall. He came back with a smile on his face. Sandy came in and sleepily sat at the table. She said, "I see you have someone who was your alarm clock this morning."

Suzy said, "I wanted to show Grandpa the mama rabbit. We didn't see the babies because she was covering them."

Sandy said, "I told you not to go outside the house in the morning unless I'm up with you."

"But Grandpa was with me, Mama, he's as good as you to watch out for me. No one will bother me when my Grandpa is with me."

Caroline came into the kitchen and said, "That's what the judge down in Tampa thinks too. Your grandpa is a pretty good guy, Suzy."

Suzy jumped up and said, "Come with me, Ms. Caroline, come see my mama rabbit." Suzy paused then asked, "Mama, can Ms. Caroline come with me so I can show her the rabbit?"

Sandy just grinned and waved them out.

The two were back in the kitchen quickly. I had poured a cup of coffee for Caroline and gone to get my morning pills to get them out of the way. When I got back, Gene asked, "What are you two going to do today?"

I said, "You gave me the idea yesterday. I think Caroline and I will go down to Denver and have a look at the city. I haven't been to Denver in years. What do you think, Caroline, want to do some sightseeing?"

She said, "I'd love to."

Sandy and the kids looked disappointed, so I said, "How about Caroline and I come back after lunch and we'll go do something around here. We just don't have an airplane big enough for everyone to ride in."

Gene said, "How about I call Henly and see if he'll let you use his Apache? That will carry the six of you. You're checked out in it, Sandy, and Dad's flown many of them. What do you think?"

The kids were all yelling, "Do it, Dad, call, please. We want to go."

Sandy grinned and said, "There's nothing I'd like better than to fly with your Dad, call Henly, he owes you anyway."

Gene called and it was agreed that Sandy and I could use the old Piper Apache. Gene said, "The plane is pristine. The man is so meticulous that you better put it back with a full load of fuel and no fingerprints. You won't believe how clean the old plane is. It's a gas guzzler though. You're not going to like what it costs to fly down there and back."

"It's not important today, Gene. Too bad you can't come along, too."

"That's okay; I took off a little yesterday. We have some tests to do today, so you won't have any problem since you're flying south and not out around the air base. There will be all kinds of NOTAMS (Notice to airmen) about increased restricted airspace. Even the regional is going to be shut down for a couple of hours. Make sure you come in under five thousand when you come back and don't circle wide if you have to land on runway 15. The wind should be from the north, so you should be coming in from the other direction, on runway 33."

While Gene got ready to go to work, the other kids ate. Sandy fixed Gene a breakfast sandwich and sent him off with a lunch pail. She said, "When they're doing tests, they don't eat unless they bring something along with them. He has a couple of sandwiches and four bottles of water. That should hold him."

We were over at the operations building by eight, checking out the Apache in the nearest hangar. The plane was clean in and out. I was going over the airplane when an old guy came up to me and asked, "Are you Gene's dad?"

I nodded and stuck out my hand, "Mark Robins, Sir."

"So you taught that hot rod to fly, huh? I'm Jack Henly and this beauty is Morning Sun. I've always called her that as the first time I saw her, she was framed by the morning sun. I had to have her and by some stroke of luck, she was for sale. She's a fifty-nine but you won't find one in better shape. I have your son go with me now when I want to go up. I've lost my ticket. Can't pass the medical any longer. I may look into Light Sport if I think I can be safe."

"Take a look at that little Cessna over at the operations building. It's a Light Sport. I'm in the same boat you are. If Sandy wasn't flying with me today, I couldn't go up in your Morning Sun."

"Sandy's a good pilot. She knows how to fly safe. I guess she has to, carrying her babies all the time. Gene said you checked him out in an Apache when he was seventeen or eighteen."

"We used to fly anything we could get our hands on. That was something we could do together. That's probably why we are so close."

The old man said, "My only kid flies, but he doesn't own a plane. He thinks living in the city is more important. He doesn't have a family just him. At least I still have my wife and the Morning Sun."

"We'll take care of your aircraft, Sir. We'll bring it back in one piece."

"I know you will," the man said. "Perhaps when you get back, Sandy will take me up for a few minutes. I haven't flown for over a week now."

"I'll tell her. I'm sure she will take you up for a while."

The kids, Caroline, Sandy, and I pushed the airplane out of the hangar. Sandy checked the plane over, with Mr. Henly following her around. We loaded the kids and Caroline, making sure they were belted in, then waved to Mr. Henly as we started the old piston engines.

Both belched a little gray smoke on startup then settled down to warm up. As all the indicators came up to normal, Sandy requested takeoff clearance. Soon we were taking off, turning in a tight bank, while climbing and heading south toward Denver.

Sandy said, "This plane doesn't have a lot of avionics, but then I don't think old Henly ever considered flying instruments. I think he flew most of his life following roads and using the gyro compass.

As we neared Denver, Sandy requested permission to cross some semi-restricted air space and we flew over a series of runways that were not marked in any way. Who knows what that is? Soon we were setting down on the private aircraft runway at the big airport. We were able to park near the operations building and had the fuel truck come out and fill us up before we toured the city. Henly's tie down straps were coiled perfectly with rubber bands around them. We would have to work to get them as exact. I took note of how he had them arranged so I would put them back the same way.

They had a car rental agency at the private terminal so we rented a mini-van to go see the city.

We drove all over, looking at the various sights. We went by Coors Field then on a lark, we drove out to the Coors Brewing Company. It was just a great big plant. No snow covered mountains framing it, just a big factory.

While downtown, we had lunch outside and fed pigeons some left over hot dog buns. After walking around downtown, we headed back to the airfield.

Sandy and I took a long time coiling the tie down straps to look exactly like the others in the little bin. I placed them just right so they looked perfect.

In a few minutes, we were on our way back to Cheyenne. As we landed from the south, we saw some very sleek looking aircraft flying on the deck of the prairie doing some low level passes. We were probably not supposed to see that, so Sandy and I just grinned at each other.

When we set the plane down and taxied to the hangar, old Mr. Henly greeted us. I got out with Caroline and the kids, while Sandy beckoned the old man to get in. I helped him up into the right seat, made sure he was buckled up, and Sandy started up and rolled away.

She revved up higher than normal all the way back on the overrun area of the runway. When she took off, she lifted off using less than a third of the runway, and banked real tight to head south. She kept a low altitude as they flew out over the prairie and foothills in that direction.

I took Caroline and the kids into the operations building where the kids knew everyone in there by name. We all used the bathroom and had a bottle of water while waiting as Sandy gave Mr. Henly a ride in his Morning Sun. A lot of people talked to me about the Cessna. I told them that I was being allowed to use the airplane as a bonus of my job. Caroline said it was because the guy who owned the dealership and maintenance facility liked me. Both were probably true.

An hour later, Sandy parked the airplane in front of the hangar. I had the fuel truck come over and filled the tanks without spilling a drop. The plane was still clean on the outside, but I did use the battery operated vacuum to clean up the inside. Sandy wiped down the entire inside and cleaned the windscreen and the side glass before we thought the plane was as we had found it. Mr. Henly was smiling proudly standing by his aircraft as we drove home.

At the house, Caroline said, "Using an airplane to move around to visit and sightsee makes for a broader realm, doesn't it?'

I agreed and said, "Gene and I went all over the United States when he was young. We had a great time and he learned a lot about the country he lives in. It's served him well. He's a good provider and a good dad."

Sandy said, "And a great husband. I like his dad too. Mark, you don't feel like a father-in-law. It's like you're Gene's best friend or his brother."

"Thank you, Sandy," I said, pleased to hear that. "That is the nicest thing you can say to a dad."

She commented, "My mom and dad are close, but they live down in Arizona in a retirement community now. They don't do much or want to do much. You're still active, still busy. It's nice that you still are able to and want to get out and about."

"Well, Sandy," I said, "when I get like Mr. Henly, I'll have to have a young sidekick to get me around. Perhaps young Mark can do that sometime, or even Dan or Suzy."

Caroline commented, "If Suzy is like she is now, she'll come tend you for sure. She's crazy about her grandpa."

Gene came home with a smile at his regular time. He said, "Had a great day. Even saw an old Apache come in low then take off again over at the airfield. Pretty slick the way you didn't even get to the outer perimeter of the restricted airspace. Did you take old Henly up?"

Sandy nodded as she was fixing supper. Gene changed clothes and went outside to play with the kids. I left Caroline inside with Sandy and went out to play too.

We ended up playing catch with a softball and ball gloves. Dan wanted to try to hit some balls and I pitched underhanded to him with his Dad catching and coaching. He did hit a few, then it was Suzy's turn. She hit a few, then Mark took a turn and blasted the balls way into the outfield. Dan and Suzy had races to see who could get to the ball first.

After supper, I told Gene and Sandy, "We'll head back tomorrow morning. We might come up again soon, but this was perfect for a little get away. I'm sure there will be lot of work piled up for me to do. Thank you both for such a great time."

Caroline was playing on the floor with the two little ones, but they all had been listening. Suzy came and said, "You know I have to go back to school soon. I guess it's okay that you have to go home. I'm glad you got to see the mama rabbit."

Dan was clutching me and said, "I like for you to come. We don't get to see you much, Grandpa. Come see us in the winter when the snow blows straight across the field. It looks like it's snowing sideways."

"Oh, Dan, I like Florida in the winter just for that reason. The cold is hard on me. I'm sure it's hard on your folks, too."

Gene said, "My twelve minute morning drive to work is about forty minutes in the winter. The drifts are horrible. We have backup heat for the house, plus generators, and very heavy clothes in case we have to evacuate. The winter can be deadly out here."

Sandy said, "The man is over-prepared. We haven't had to use any of them, so he has to start everything monthly to make sure it will all work if we ever need them."

Defensively, Gene said, "I learned all about being prepared. Down in south Florida where we used to live, the hurricanes used to knock the power out all the time. Up in Tampa they hardly ever had a problem. The last one to cause much flooding was that one starting with an "E" I think. Ah, Elena, that's what it was. That one didn't hit, but it stayed off the coast and blew us away for a few days. I was in college then and we had a big hurricane party."

In bed that night, Caroline said, "I really like your family. Thank you for sharing them with me. This was special."

"We'll do this again, Caroline. I'm sure I can save up enough to rent another plane soon to fly up here. It's only about fourteen to fifteen hours flying time. We have to stop for fuel, but then again, we also need to hit the bathroom more often at our age. As you saw, we can easily do the trip in two days. We might make better time going back as the wind will blow us back a little faster. It almost always will give the eastbound airplanes a little boost."

Not long after we had shut the lights off, the patter of little feet came straight to the bed and a small body climbed under the covers to snuggle into me. With Caroline on one shoulder, and Suzy snuggled into me on the other, I was feeling very good.

Sandy looked in the doorway. The moonlight coming into the window showed the little head on my other shoulder. I gave Sandy the okay sign with my left hand. Sandy smiled and went back to bed. That mama rabbit was checking up on one of her brood.

Primary editing by Pepere 
Proofing by Sagacious



-------

Chapter 14


A tiny hand was tweaking my nose. It would grab hold of my nose then wiggle it back and forth. Finally, in a very loud whisper, I heard, "Grandpa, wake up. You have to eat breakfast with me."

Opening my eyes and smiling at my granddaughter was easy. Getting out of bed without disturbing Caroline was more difficult.

I put on a pair of jeans, along with socks and shoes, then followed Suzy to the kitchen. She said, "Let's go check on the mama rabbit before breakfast. I like to see her sitting there covering her babies."

We were approaching the rabbit's nest when I stopped Suzy and pointed. The mama rabbit was sitting up looking at us, and on the ground around her were three little miniature rabbits nibbling grass. We just stood still, watching the rabbits, knowing the mama sort of trusted us.

Suzy pulled me to go back inside. When we were in the kitchen, she said, "Now I know the mama rabbit is letting her babies eat regular food. It's neat the way they grow so fast. I guess nature is different for animals than it is for us humans."

When Suzy got up on the chair to get the cereal out, she asked, "Would you want some of this other cereal, Grandpa? There might not be enough for both of us to have CoCo Crispies."

I saw Wheaties, so I asked, "I'll have Wheaties, is that all right?"

"Right, Grandpa, breakfast of champions."

We repeated our ritual from the morning before, complete with the speech about thinking of grandpa when she drinks her Florida orange juice.

Suzy asked, "Do you know why I slept with you last night?"

"No, Ma'am, I don't."

Suzy sat up straight and said, "I wanted to make sure you didn't get up real early and leave without saying goodbye to me. I also wanted to feel you in my sleep. I liked that. You used to hold me at night when I was real little. I remember that. You would hold me at night and sing to me and you would hold me when I took a nap. I wanted to feel that again."

Sandy was standing in the archway of the kitchen with watery eyes. She came in and poured herself a cup of coffee and poured three more. She put one in front of me and carried two from the room. She was soon back sitting next to me, across from Suzy.

"Suzy," Sandy said, "How do you remember stuff like that? You were less than two years old."

"I just do, Mama, it was something that was very warm and very nice. Maybe that's why I like my Grandpa so much."

Sandy said, "She's always talking about stuff that happened when she was really young. She's one of those people that have a memory of their early childhood. I don't know whether that's good or not. Gene says he remembers when you took care of him when he wasn't even two yet. That's hard to believe, but I know those things that Suzy says are true because I was there. Amazing, isn't it?"

Gene and Caroline both came in carrying their coffee cups, smiling, happy to be alive in the morning.

Pointing out the window, Gene said, "You're going to have good flying weather. The charts say you'll have a good tailwind most of the way home. Where will you refuel and stop for the night?"

"I'm thinking Wichita, Pine Bluff, Tallahassee, and home."

Gene was alarmed, "Are you going to try to do it in one day?"

I smiled, "Oh no. We'll probably stop in Tallahassee. Instead of there, we might divert to Panama City for the night, you know how I like that place."

Gene grinned real big, "That's where you used to take me during spring break all the time. I think you liked to look at all the girls."

"Guilty. It was fun for you, I know. You always had a good time."

"I did, Sir, you were really good to let me have as much fun as I did. You were always watching, but you gave me a lot of freedom."

I said, "You earned your own freedom. I watched to make sure you didn't abuse the freedom and the more you stayed straight, the more freedom you got. You were a good kid."

Dan and Mark came in, groggy from just getting up. Dan wanted to be held by his mom, while Mark got out a bowl and cereal for breakfast. He asked Dan what he wanted and got out a bowl for him too. The kids were a tight family.

Gene said, "I have to get going. Even though it's Saturday we have reviews of all the tests from yesterday. Wish I could talk about them, but oh well, as always I have no idea what I'm working with. I'm just an engineer."

I chuckled as I was sure he knew a lot about what he was working with. The kid was too curious to be on a project and not be very well informed.

When Gene was ready to leave, I got a big hug. He hugged Caroline, told her to watch out for me, and for Caroline and I to come back and visit again soon. The kids all got hugs and kisses from their Dad as he left, with the last hug and kiss coming from Sandy.

Sandy watched Gene's truck until it was out of sight then came back to the table, smiling. She said, "I'm the luckiest wife in the world. I have a great man and three great kids. I'm the luckiest wife and mom in the world."

Caroline and I showered and dressed to travel. We packed up, then Sandy and the kids took us back to the airplane. Sandy brought some paper towels and window cleaner. She said with all the people looking at the plane, there would be nose and hand prints all over the glass.

She was right. The aircraft had obviously been a popular attraction. Even while we were washing the windows, several people came up to look into the cockpit. I did the preflight, then hugged and kissed the kids and Sandy. Caroline received as many hugs and kisses as I did. She really enjoyed the attention.

We lifted off and climbed to seven thousand feet. We were almost instantly in a fairly heavy tailwind. I should have checked the military weather before taking off.

When we landed at Wichita, we were way ahead of schedule and we didn't require as much fuel as would be normal for the distance we flew. I did check the weather and saw that we would be in that heavy flow all the way to Tallahassee. On our way to the next stop, I asked Caroline, "Want to stay overnight in Pine Bluff, Tallahassee, or how about Panama City?"

With a grin, she said in the headset mouthpiece, "Panama City. Will it be late when we get in there?"

"Maybe not with the tailwind we have. Our ground speed is almost a hundred forty. We might make it by around nine."

Caroline sounded a little down when she said, "Oh, I thought we might be able to go to the beach."

"Tell you what. We don't have to be back yet, so we'll stay overnight tonight and tomorrow night. Between those two nights, we'll play on the beach."

Caroline's face brightened. "Oh goody, I'll have to get a swimsuit, but that will be perfect. I've never been up there and it's supposed to be a real nice beach. Can we stay out by the water?"

"When we get there, I'll call a few of the hotels and find out. We'll have to get a car anyway to go out there, so we'll make guaranteed reservations and find some food before we get there."

Caroline sat in the right seat, grinning.

We did land before nine. We had the plane tended to, a reservation for an oceanfront room, and a rental car before nine. Using directions given to us by the operations people, we drove across to Panama City Beach and stopped at an Italian restaurant across the street from our hotel. The food was great and we could easily have overeaten. I wasn't drinking and asked Caroline if she might want some wine. She said, "Don't drink anything. I think I want you to take one of these. She laid a blue pill next to my iced tea. With a big grin, I swallowed the pill then we had gooey cannelloni for dessert.

The room we had was perfect. The ocean noise made the room perfect. We went to bed with the door to the little porch open, letting the night sounds in. We put the result of the pill to good use. At one point, before I gave out, Caroline said, "I don't care if I do walk funny in the morning; this is too good to waste."

We were sound asleep by midnight after we happily moved to one side of the bed.

The next morning Caroline was like a little kid. She couldn't wait to have breakfast then to run to a shop to get swimsuits. She said, "I'm going to get the most scandalous suit they have. I'll tell them that I want something that's barely legal. I have the tan for it and I want to show off for you."

"Caroline, you don't look your age at all. You look perhaps fifty at the most. The young guys will be drooling all over you."

She said, "I only want you to drool all over me. I wish you could use those pills two days in a row. I'm ready for more right now."

That gave me a twitch. Maybe I would still work for an encore later, after all.

Caroline did get a skimpy suit, but it wasn't as miniscule as they had. She made a good choice in that the suit was tiny but covered her to the point of looking sexily sophisticated. I bought another pair of trunks.

We had to use a gallon of lotion while we were out in the sun to keep from burning. I even bought a slouch hat for my bald spot. By noon, we were ready for lunch and a nap, then we went out some more in the afternoon. That evening we walked the beach until we found a little beach restaurant that served some nice fish dinners. We ate and had some drinks, then walked back to the hotel.

In our room, with the door open again, Caroline said, "This has been the nicest vacation I've ever had. I know it was to see your son and his family, but I was a part of all of it. Oh, Mark, you've spoiled me forever. I'm almost feeling guilty that we've had so much fun. I hope Shirley and Betty don't get mad that I might want to steal you. We've just met, but we've become very close, very quickly. At least we know you have to wait, since you don't even have your divorce yet."

We fell asleep kissing and hugging, with the ocean sounds blending in with our sighs.

We got out of bed early Monday morning, ate breakfast, and went to the airport. A half hour later, we were on our last leg home wearing big smiles.

Caroline said, "If Betty wants to be a part of our blue pill time, you can at least take care of her tonight. Shirley is going to be a little jealous. I'll tell you something, though, you've made me feel like more of a woman and a special person in these few days than I've ever felt before. I wish I had known you when we were younger. We would have been good for each other."

"Probably so, Caroline, life is funny though. We have to play with the hand we're dealt. Let's just enjoy each other now that we have this special connection."

She looked at me and talked to me through the headset, "I hope I won't be too clutching, too protective, or jealous. I'm normally not that way, but I'm going to be a little strange around others. I promise to be an adult."

We landed about ten and taxied up to the hangar by the charter office. I got out and helped Caroline out. Inside the charter and rental office, I said, "DeDe, I've brought your new toy back."

"How did it fly? I thought you might stay out another week."

"No, Dede," I said, "I need to get back and do some work for Steve. He was nice enough to let me use the plane. Here's the log, I'll fill the bird up with fuel. Take this card and use it for the charges."

I left the office, fueled the aircraft and made sure the inside was cleaned out. The glass was still clean from cleaning it in Cheyenne before we left. Since there was no rain, there were no spots. I pushed the plane into the hangar before going into the office to get my card and the receipt.

DeDe handed me my card back and I said, "Do you have the receipt? I need to write it in my checkbook. I use a debit card."

DeDe looked at me and said, "Will you get out of here. Steve said you were to fly free, that means free, no charge, you don't pay nuttin. Now get." The lady was grinning as she told me to get.

Jesus, how am I ever going to repay a guy like that? I was going to try, that's for sure.

We drove back to the park. As soon as I stopped in front of Caroline's trailer, Betty, Shirley, and Prissy came out to meet us.

Prissy was first, "I heard you actually flew an airplane by yourself out to see your son. That is really something, Mark."

"It was special, Prissy."

Betty had already hugged Caroline and hugged me too, before saying, "You two snuck out on me. I'll bet you had a great time. You'll have to tell us all about it."

Shirley said, "Okay, you two, how many blue pills did you use."

I burst out laughing and gave Shirley another hug. I said, "You'll be happy to know, we only used one. We were very careful so that I would be able to take a pill upon our return."

Shirley had an evil grin, "Oh goody, I've been thinking about those blue pills all week."

Prissy said, "Well, you be careful with those pills. When you get up there in age, you don't want to take them very often. I won't let Donald have one but about once a week."

The picture flashed in my mind of the very old couple making love. I hope I would be like them. Seventy-five years together and still getting it on once a week, unbelievable. Thankfully, Prissy left so my smile wouldn't give me away.

Caroline said to me, "I'll bet you had the same mental picture I had. Sweet, wasn't it?"

Betty said, "Go put your bags away and let's go to the patio to show them you are back. You two have been the talk of the park since you've left. You didn't go to Vegas and get married, did you?"

Caroline said, "Betty, you know the man is still married. I'm not the only eligible lady around here."

Shirley said, "You may not be, but it is Betty's and my consensus, you two are perfect for each other. We're going to nurture that and hopefully have ourselves a special couple."

I blushed and Betty gave me a hug and said, "I'm so happy for you two. I hope I can still have a cuddle every once in a while."

Caroline and I exchanged glances. She said, "You know we did talk some, but we've agreed that we don't know each other very well yet, and we need to do that before we talk any serious stuff. So help us to tell others to take it easy."

We went to the patio by walking between trailers, since the cart wouldn't hold four of us. Everyone welcomed us and had to hear all about the trip. Caroline was the tour guide and told about the trip up and back, along with the trip to Denver in the borrowed Apache. Steve was interested to hear that my son and his wife were both instructor pilots and earned quite a bit by teaching. He thought it was neat that there were so many nose and handprints on the 162 Skycatcher that we had to wash the windows to fly back.

After lunch, I walked the ladies back to their trailers. With my cart out of the shed, I ran to the cart warranty area to find eight carts waiting. I guess they didn't work Saturday. I was able to finish all eight before five. I was cleaning the stall and the bench when Steve walked in.

"Hey, I figured you were here when you weren't in your trailer. You didn't need to bury yourself in work as soon as you returned."

"I wanted to get caught up. There are some folks that need some help and I want to get to them in the morning. I've had my visit and now it's time to catch up. And, ah, thank you for letting me use the Skycatcher. It was a pleasure to fly. It was easy to handle, even in a heavy tailwind. It didn't pitch at all, rode right along."

"That was my gift, Mark. You've added some maturity to our group and I want you to know we enjoy you. Let's go have a beer before supper."

"Ah, Steve, I play pool on Monday's and Wednesday's. I've missed a few weeks because of moving and getting hurt. It's time I fulfill by commitment to the team."

"That's great, Mark. Where do you play?"

I told him, "Monday night at Fatso's, but it is a traveling league. We play out at Bulls Club and Skids too. Wednesday is also a traveling league and we play all over. From out on fifty-sixth at the Tally Ho to out on 580 at Stroker's pool hall."

"That sounds like a fun league. Well, if you get back early, stop by for a beer before you go home."

While getting cleaned up back at my trailer, I had to tell the girls that I was going out to play pool. Shirley said, "If you get back early, let me know."

Betty said, "I'm playing cards tonight anyway, so I'll see you tomorrow."

Caroline said, "Can I come along? I love pool. I'll watch and cheer for you."'

My, oh my, the lady is sticking pretty close. She said she would do that.

I put on jeans and one of my regular banded bottom shirts, grabbed my cue case, and walked out the door. While pulling the Escape up to Caroline's trailer, I called the captain to find out where we were playing. We were playing at the Bulls club on Fowler, so it wasn't far.

Caroline came out of her place dressed nice in a pair of tight pants and a cute top that appeared to give you more of a look at mysterious cleavage than you actually got. The blouse was very clever.

I held the door for her and she gave me a kiss before she got in. We took off for the Bulls club, a fifteen minute ride. We were early enough that I was the first from our team to get there. I got a rack of balls and began practicing right away since I had not played for a while. My stroke wasn't bad and my eye seemed pretty good. I was pocketing balls fairly easily.

I got Caroline and I a drink, her a whiskey sour and me a draft. As my teammates came in, I introduced everyone to Caroline and she was soon huddled with some of the other wives and girlfriends.

They played me first and hallelujah, I won, just barely, but a win is a win. The APA is a league that has handicaps. Nine ball folks are rated from 1 to 9 and eight ball 1 to 7. I'm average in both, a lowly 4 unless I practice more than I have been. In APA nine ball, you count balls pocketed to make it fair. I can play a higher skill level player and have the advantage that I have to make fewer balls. You get a point for each ball and two points for the nine, ten points for the whole rack. We don't have a push, but all the other nine ball rules apply. Anyway, a four has to pocket thirty-one balls and a three has to pocket twenty-five. I made my thirty-one when the other guy had twenty-three. A win is a win.

Caroline and I stayed to watch the other matches, then when we both began yawning often around ten thirty, we said goodnight and headed home.

We didn't check on the folks at the patio as we were too tired. I was going to drop Caroline off at her trailer, but she said, "Oh no you don't, I'm coming home with you. Let me run across to get Shirley, her light is still on. Put the car away and open your door."

The car was parked and the door just opened when a smiling Shirley and Caroline came around the front of trailer. We went in and we all washed up and used our individual toothbrushes. Minutes later we were in bed with the air on, cuddling. Shirley asked, "No blue pill tonight?"

"Let's wait for tomorrow and get an earlier start. I'm pretty tired."

That's all it took. In seconds, both ladies were breathing evenly. I fell asleep with them.

One of the ladies was wiggling around. I looked and saw Shirley scurry off to the bathroom. She was only gone a minute, but as soon as she returned, she began putting on her robe. She had come to bed with a gown on, the same as Caroline.

I slid from bed in my boxers and asked, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I have to get home and take a shower. I have a hair appointment at seven. The lady at the beauty shop said she would do me early as she's so booked up. I'll see you this evening."

She gave me a kiss and was out the door. The clock was just ticking up to six, so I thought it was time to get up anyway.

A hand reached out and pulled me back to bed. Caroline's lips touched mine gently as she pulled me into a full body hug. I swear something was twitching down where twitches had vanished.

Caroline leaned back and said, "Now, how about a walk this morning. I brought shorts, a T-shirt, and tennis shoes. We both have been skipping our exercise."

When we went outside, Prissy and Donald were getting out to go walking, as well. Their pace was very slow, very leisurely. I'm sure it was perfect for them.

The two of us walked over to the clothing buildings, then back through the park area on the walkways and through the ball parks. We finished at home after a solid half-hour of good exercise. I told her, "Let's shower and get some breakfast before I have to go to work."

I was showered and dressed with the cart out and ready in about fifteen minutes. My surprise was that Caroline came walking around the front of the trailer about the same time. She said, "I asked Betty to come, but she said she would rather sleep in. She was up late playing cards."

The patio folks were in good spirits at breakfast. It seemed that most didn't exercise early in the morning. Most went to a gym either right after work or at lunch time. I suppose that was good, but my exercise was walking and I could possibly start doing some minor weights soon.

Caroline and I gave some details of our trip to more people. A lot of the people who were interested in the little Skycatcher wanted to know how it handled. I kept telling all that asked how easy it was to fly.

When it was time for me to get started on my day, Caroline said she was possibly going to go over to the day care center with a lady named Kate. She said she might see me at lunch, but definitely later.

First thing was to check for warranty carts. There were none there. I checked with Dennis to make sure he didn't need me. I looked at my list and still had four of the seven folks on my list to work on.

The first was way up on the end of the other side of the lake, in the double wides. An older lady came to the door when I knocked. I explained who I was and what I was there to do. She brought her keys outside and said, "The car starts, but when I put it in gear it's like the brakes are on. The back tires skid along. This is a front wheel drive Chevy and shouldn't do that. I tried it and even popped the emergency brake a couple of times.

Oh well, the jack stands were still in the back of the cart, so I jacked up the back of the car and put the stands underneath with chocks on both sides of the front wheels. I pulled the rear wheels and found the rear brakes free, not frozen to the drums.

That the rear shaft could be frozen just didn't seem a possibility. I tore everything down to the point, the shaft should slide out. It wouldn't budge. I began looking at the shaft housing and saw a very deep gouge where the car had bounced on top of something. This was going to take an entire shaft and shaft housing.

I asked the lady, "Do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions?"

She shook her no, so I asked, "When did you notice that the wheels wouldn't turn?"

She said, "It was right after the tow truck brought the car back. Somebody stole it from the Mall parking lot. The car was found a couple of days later and I had to pay for the tow truck to bring it home. The ignition was messed up where they busted the cover around the steering column, but a locksmith came and fixed that in the driveway. The insurance paid for that as it was covered by my theft coverage. What do you think happened to the car?"

"When the person was driving your car, they must have jumped a curb and landed on something that bent the rear wheel shaft. You don't have a differential, that big thing in the back of most cars. You have just a housing and a shaft that turns with the wheels. I can fix it, but it is probably covered by insurance. Let me talk to your claims investigator and perhaps they will come out and look at it while I have it up on stands."

The lady called her agent who transferred her to claims and finally to a field investigator. When I was able to speak to the claims investigator, she said she would be right out to see what I was talking about, as she had never heard of anything like that.

Another person needing help was just a few trailers down, on the other side of the road in a regular trailer. This was another older lady that was afraid her old car had died for the last time. She said, "It has so many miles that I can hardly believe it is still running."

The car was only five years old and when I turned on the ignition, the odometer said forty-nine thousand and some miles. It didn't start, it turned over but didn't even try to start. Probably a fuel pump. I told the lady what I thought it was and she showed me a receipt for the replacement of a fuel pump about three months ago and the miles were barely changed since then.

I pulled the metal tubing coming from the fuel pump loose and put a small piece of the tubing I had with me and turned on the ignition. Nothing, no fuel came out. I blew into the hose and heard bubbles in the fuel tank. That told me there was fuel in the tank and the pump was not working. I checked the voltage going back to the pump and there was twelve volts.

I saw a strange car pull up by the car that was up on jack stands, so I left this car and went over to see if it was the claims investigator.

I introduced myself, "Hi, I'm Mark Robins, I help folks out here at the park who have car problems. Let me show you what I've found."

The lady sneered at me and said, "I don't need for you to show me anything. I can see you've ruined this car by disassembling it. I'm going to deny this claim just on the basis of your attitude."

I held up my hands and said, "Ma'am, we've gotten off on the wrong foot. This car was stolen and brought back to the lady by a tow truck. They dropped it right here. The owner had the ignition repaired where it had been torn out when the vehicle was stolen. When she started the car and put it in gear, she found that the rear wheels dragged. I pulled the wheels to check the brakes. I checked the main shaft and it did not turn. Upon further checking, I found the housing for the rear shaft is gouged and bent. Please, may I put a cloth on the ground to show you?"

"What kind of fool do you take me for? I wouldn't get on my knees for you if your life depended on it. Get out of my way, I'm leaving."

"Ma'am, Ma'am, could you give me a card and your denial of claim. Your customer should be entitled to that."

The rude bitch slammed her clipboard down on the hood of her nice car scratching the paint with a long deep scratch. She pulled a form out of her briefcase and scribbled several words on the sheet, checked some boxes, and signed it. She tore the sheets apart and handed me one. She said, "Tell the scheming person trying to screw this company I will file charges if I hear any more about this."

"May I have your card, please?"

The lady pulled come cards from a box on the front seat of her car and threw them at me. When she pulled away she sprayed my cart with gravel. Now I was mad.

I called the quick easy to remember number of our security people. I asked that they detain a white Chevrolet Impala with a deep scratch on the hood. The driver had just deliberately sprayed my S&S cart with gravel and now there were several nicks. The man said, "It'll be done. Do you want to come down to make a statement and show us the damage?"

"I'll be right there." I picked up the cards and pocketed them. I told the lady with the bad rear end that I would be back and not to worry, I would resolve her car issue. I ran over to the lady who had the bad fuel pump and said, "I'll be back in a few minutes."

I drove down to the gate to find the lady being held there by the security guard. I pulled up and the lady began screaming at me. I showed both the guard and the lady the nicks from the gravel. She said, "You shouldn't have had that piece of shit in my way. Now get the fuck away from my car or I'll call the police."

The guard said, "I've already called them, Ma'am. A Sheriff's deputy should be here any second."

The lady began berating the guard as being a low life flunky guarding a bunch of filthy people in cheap trailer houses. Hap had walked up and just listened to the tirade.

I showed Hap the card and asked, "Do you know whether S&S does business with this company?"

Hap smiled, "They sure do. It's their main carrier for the businesses. I think they even have the park. Is this lady one of their reps?"

I grinned, "She might have been a claims rep for them. When I get done with her, she will be looking for a job."

The lady looked at me funny since she had heard a little of our conversation. She said, "Who do you work for?"

Hap said, "The trailer park."

I said, "I'm just helping folks who have problems. Actually I'm doing this on my own time."

"Just what I thought, a bunch of idiots."

A county Sheriff's car came and the Deputy got out with his clipboard. The gate guard told him the problem, then I explained my side. The Deputy looked at the chips on the neat paint job of my cart and at my name on the top. He asked, "Are you the guy that saved that judge down at the courthouse?"

I nodded.

"Nice job on that guy. He was deserving." He looked at the lady and said back at me, "Did anyone witness this lady doing the rock spraying?"

"Yes Sir, the lady who owned the car this lady was looking at and the lady across the street whose car I was also working on."

"We'll go get their statements in a minute." The Deputy looked at Hap and asked, "Since this is private property do you want to charge this lady?"

Hap said, "Of course, I think she should be charged with malicious destruction of property. She should also be charged with intent to commit bodily harm. If any of those rocks had hit Mr. Robins, he could have been seriously injured. If they had hit his stitches, where he was shot, it could have been very serious."

The lady said, "You can't be serious. You're going to take the word or a trailer park bum over mine. I'll have you know I live in a regular house without wheels. I'm a decent citizen."

The Deputy held up his hand and said, "Ma'am, would you please be still a minute? I need to read you your rights before I take you off to jail. A female Deputy will be here in a moment to properly search you. Will you please turn around and put your hands behind your back? If you do not do as you're asked, you will find yourself on the ground being cuffed."

The Deputy was holding his cuffs and patting his service weapon. The lady got the picture and turned around and put her hands behind her. While she was having her rights read to her, I stepped away and called the main number on the card. I asked for the head of the claims department. When a woman answered, I said, "I'm calling to advise you that one of your claims representatives, a Silvia Summers, is being arrested out at the trailer park next to the S&S business park. If you hurry, you might keep your vehicle out of impound. Oh yes, please advise underwriting you will probably lose all of your S&S business." I hung up.

Hap looked at me with a frown. He said, "You probably shouldn't have said that. That might not be correct. One person won't influence Steve or Tiny over all of their insurance."

"You're probably right, Hap, but it sure will put a bee in their bonnet. Now, I'm over on the last row up past the lake where Mrs. Kelly is. I'm working on her car right now. I'm also working on Mrs. Daniels' car. When these guys need my statement, that's where I'll be working."

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Primary editing by Pepere

Proofing by Sagacious



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Chapter 15


On the way back to the far side of the park, I called the auto parts store to get the fuel pump for the Daniels car. I also ordered the other stuff to tune and service it. I asked about the shaft and housing and they said they could get it, but it would not be available until tomorrow. I told them to order it for me, along with the service materials for the car. I pleaded, "Could you bring me the fuel pump and the other goodies. Tell the gate guard that I'm at the Daniels and Kelly places. They'll direct the driver."

"The guy said, "No sweat, you order enough for delivery anyway. The driver will be right there."

Up at the two cars, I began pulling the tank loose to replace the pump. This was a tough job, but I used a piece of plywood between the tank and the little bottle jack that would hold up the tank while I pulled the fuel pump.

I should probably have had the garage that charged the lady to come get the car, but I was wasting too much time today. It was almost noon and I had not accomplished anything except get a bitch in trouble. I had the old fuel pump out and found it to be the original equipment pump. This just proved the garage did nothing. I would have to see about them. The parts driver arrived and unloaded everything into my cart, had me sign for it and split, fast, and efficient.

I had the new pump in the tank and jacked the tank up so I could bolt the straps back on. I connected the tubing I had pulled loose and turned the key on. I heard the pump fill the line and turned the ignition. The car started instantly.

I changed oil and filters, tuned it up real quick, and gave Mrs. Daniels the old fuel pump. I told her, "Take this up to the place who said they replaced your fuel pump and tell them you want your money back. They did not replace your fuel pump. That's the original equipment fuel pump. Your car runs fine again, all tuned and serviced. She thanked me and said, "Are you going to be able to fix Mrs. Kelly's car. She's been so unlucky with it since having the car stolen."

"I'll get it done tomorrow."

I did go tell Mrs. Kelly I would be back after lunch to service the car and the parts to fix the rear axle would be here in the morning.

Up at the patio, I was sort of dirty and used the outside hose with some degreaser to get clean enough to eat. Hap came in and began telling everyone about the poor excuse for a claims adjuster that been there this morning.

Steve said, "You know, they have had an attitude lately. I think I should call my original agent and see if I can rattle some bushes."

Hap said, "You have help shaking those bushes. Mark told the head claims people to go tell underwriting that you were looking into finding a friendlier company."

Steve laughed, "That's pretty perceptive of you, Mark. Ruth and Sue have already been looking. I was the one to tell them to take it slow. When Sue comes over, she'll hear this and won't want to be slow."

Sue came in right after that and when the incident slowly came out, Sue was pissed. She picked up her cell phone and called someone important. She said, "You have exactly four hours, until five o'clock, to get a real claims investigator out here to look at the damage to Mrs. Kelly's car from when it was stolen. One little tiny claim and you're going to lose multiple millions of dollars in business. Dumb, huh?"

Sue smiled at me and said, "I hope you haven't fixed it yet. I want them to see it."

I said, "I had to order the parts. They won't be here until tomorrow, so the car is still in pieces. The damage is easy to see."

Steve said, "Show me after lunch, I want to see it, too."

After lunch, Steve followed me over to Mrs. Kelly's place. I showed him the gouge and the bent housing. He said, "Ray Charles could see that. Hap said you were working on another car up here."

Pointing across the street, "Mrs. Daniels' car had a bad fuel pump. She paid to have a new pump put in a month ago and of course didn't have enough for another repair. The pump I pulled was the original equipment pump. I gave it to her and told her to go get her money back from the shop."

Steve was ticked, "Let me get her bill and the pump. I'll go talk to them myself. This is ridiculous. These old people don't have the money to be overpaying to get nothing done. Hell, I'll have the TV people do the work." Steve went up and knocked on Mrs. Daniels' door.

I serviced Mrs. Kelly's car and was finishing when a white Chevy Tahoe pulled up with the insurance company name on the side. A very nice looking lady got out of the car and smiled. She asked, "Is this the Kelly vehicle with the problem?"

"Yes, Ma'am. I will get Mrs. Kelly and we'll show you where the problem is."

She smiled as I knocked on Mrs. Kelly's door. The older lady came out, wringing her hands. She said, "I can't believe the problems after having the car stolen like that. Let Mr. Robins show you what happened."

I spread a cloth on the ground so she could look up under the car. The lady did get on her knees and I showed her where the housing was gouged and bent explaining that the shaft was bent inside the housing. She asked, "Why are the wheels off?"

"I took the wheels off to see if the rear brake drums were seized since the rear tires were skidding. When I tried to turn the shaft it wouldn't turn so that's how I came to get the car up off the ground farther to find the problem."

The lady asked, "If the car is so badly damaged, how did it get here? Most of the tow companies use flat bed trucks and roll them on and off."

Mrs. Kelly said, "A regular tow truck came with the car hooked up to it. They were pulling the car by the back. I'll bet that's why they were pulling it that way. They rolled it in front first, right up under my carport and that's where it's sat."

The lady asked, "Do you have an estimate for the job?"

Steve had walked up and said, "Why don't you just pay the claim on the standard dealer amount for changing the parts he's ordered. If he overruns that, he's willing to eat it."

Gee thanks, Mr. Moneybags. But then, Steve is giving me good money for doing this. At least, I think so.

The lady frowned and said, "This man isn't a dealer and is doing the work as if he were a shade tree mechanic. Are you even a licensed mechanic?"

"No, Ma'am, I am not. I will put the car back together, have it towed to the nearest dealer and have them do the work. I'm sure you would be happier that way. I have other people to help."

"Well, that's a very smart alec way to answer."

Steve said, "He only offered to resolve the problem after your insult. Oh, I think you should know that your other claims adjuster did all the rock damage to his cart today, too. I want you to estimate the repainting of it."

"You'll have to file a formal claim for it. It probably won't exceed your deductible."

Steve was smiling now, but a nasty smile. "You don't understand, your person, your employee, is responsible for the damage. It was done while in the act of maliciously trying to harm Mr. Robins. That's why your rep is in jail."

The lady became alarmed, "Our claims representative is in jail? Why did that happen?"

This time it was my turn. "She became angry because I wanted her to look at the damage. She denied the claim and said she would have me arrested for fraud if we brought it up again. That's when she spun her tires while leaving, showering my cart and me with rocks. She was detained at our front gate until the Sheriff's department could respond. The park has charged her with malicious property damage and intent to commit bodily harm."

You could see this woman wilting by the second.

Steve said, "I personally, through S&S, pay your company multiple millions of dollars annually to insure my properties, vehicles, and businesses. I would think we could get a little more respect for that kind of business."

The lady said, "The owner of S&S is Steve Sharp. I'm sure he will enjoy you having impersonated him. His wife will like that as well, as she insures all of her companies with us."

Steve pulled his wallet from his pocket and handed her his driver's license. He took it back from her while her mouth was still open and said, "Now, I want you to complete the claim on this car right this instant. Either do as I previously asked, or deny the claim. When you get back to your office in the main building, I want you to go see Howard and tell him you are responsible for potentially losing the company millions in premiums. Do it now, Ma'am, or I will have you removed from my property."

The lady broke down and was crying, trying to fill out the claim form and look up the amounts in big manual. Steve just shook his head, got in his cart and drove off. The lady asked me, "Would you mind using my camera and take pictures of the housing for me. I also need pictures of the cart that was sprayed with rocks. Are you personally going to sue us for damages?"

"Probably not, Ma'am. I'm not into that sort of thing. Fair is fair, you take care of my boss and this lady and I'm fine with it."

I took the pictures of those things she wanted and gave her the camera. She flipped through the frames making sure she had what she needed. She said, "We had a crank call that told us we should come get the representative's car before it was impounded. That wasn't a crank call then, was it?"

Shaking my head no, I said, "I made that call, Ma'am. I thought it would be better for your people to take the car rather than have it go to an impound lot where it costs around,,,,, "

"Two fifty to get it out," she said. "You also advised us the rep was going to jail. I wonder if they have given her an opportunity to call for help yet. I wonder if we even provide an attorney for that."

I suggested, "You probably should use your attorney and funds to bail her out, since the felonies were committed in the process of her carrying out your business in the manner she felt you would want it completed."

She said, "Oh shit." She covered her mouth and apologized. " I'm sorry for the language."

Mrs. Kelly said, "You'll probably hear a lot worse before this day is over, and not one curse word from Mr. Robins. I think he needs to say a few."

The claims lady smiled at that. She ripped out a check that she had written and handed it to Mrs. Kelly. She said, "That is the dealer amount to repair what was indicated to me, plus the cost of an alignment. If there are additional charges, please advise me. Here is my card."

She turned to me and said, "You tried to warn me several times and I didn't take your hints. Thank you for trying to warn me and if we are in this situation again, kick me or slap me, but get my attention. I have no idea how much the cost of repainting this side of your cart will be. Please have the work completed and use this piece of paper for reimbursement. I need to go find out if I still have a job and if my big boss still is my big boss. We need to do some big butt kissing."

I said, "You want to know how to resolve this issue?"

"How?" The lady actually looked expectant.

"Get your big boss and both of you change into some casual clothes and be here just before five. Talk to Steve and Sue about how you made mistakes and how you will resolve them. Have a drink with them. Have a beer or two. If you have to keep talking, have supper with them. As you drive out of here right now, go down his street and look at the big patio on the side of the enormous manufactured home. That is where you will make this right. It's up to you, be there and fix it, or let it simmer overnight long enough for them to make up their mind to cancel. If there are other problems, get underwriting to work on them. If I know this company, I'll bet they have very few claims."

"You're right about claims. This claim isn't even on them. This is a personal auto claim. Your claim is against the insurance company, so that isn't even against their revenue. I'll tell the boss. Hopefully he sees the value of your suggestion."

"Don't be misled by Steve and Sue living out here. This is a great place to live, full of happy people who are propped up by Steve, Sue, and all the people of S&S and this park."

She nodded and got into her SUV and drove off.

Mrs. Kelly looked at the check and handed it to me. I told her, "Put it away. I'll find out how to handle this tomorrow when I'm done. I'm doing this to help people. Steve pays for the parts, so if it's anyone's, it's his or the company's."

Mrs. Kelly brought her round self up to me and gave me a kiss and a hug. "Thank you, Mr. Robins, you are a sweetheart. I heard you took Caroline to Wyoming with you to see your son and his family."

"There are no secrets out here, are there? Call me Mark, please."

"No, Mark, there are no secrets. All of us ladies go up to the pool after lunch and hear all the good gossip. You treat that lady nice, Mark, she's a good person."

"I know, Mrs. Kelly, I know." I put my tools back into the little box on the cart and said, "I'll be back tomorrow when the parts come in. I should be able to get this done tomorrow."

It was almost four, so I looked at the address of the last person on my list and saw that it was just down the street from Steve, all the way at the end. I drove over there and knocked on the door. I heard some scraping around inside and waited. I knocked again and heard the scraping again. I hollered, "This is Mark from the park. I fix cars and heard you needed help."

More scraping, so I tried the door. It opened so I looked inside to see an old man lying on the floor trying to wave his hand back and forth. Shit. I called 911 and gave them the address and that a man was on the floor with what may be a seizure or a stroke. They told me to check his pupils. He looked normal and his pulse was in the high sixties. I told them he was moving his mouth and nothing was coming out. They told me to look for any other signs of damage. I couldn't see any. I told the man, "Lay still, don't try to move. The ambulance is coming with paramedics."

I heard the sirens already, knowing they would be here quickly. I pushed the door open and moved my cart so it wasn't blocking the walkway. I went back inside to find the man lying quietly, almost smiling. I told him, "Please just stay calm. Help is coming."

A fireman came in the door and began checking the old man lying on the floor. He asked me several questions and I told him what I had found. The fireman said, "It looks like a massive stroke. I need to get him to a hospital fast. Let me get a board."

The other fireman standing, waiting for instructions left quickly and two more men came in with a board to carry the man out. They slid the man onto the board and strapped him down. I held his hand and smiled at him as they loaded him onto the gurney before putting him in the ambulance. I leaned down and said softly, "Get well, Sir. I'll lock up your place and have Martin look after it." He smiled, giving me encouragement that he would be all right.

Outside, there was a crowd of neighbors trying to see what had happened. I saw Martin and waved at him. He came over and I told him what had happened and what I had promised the man. I told Martin, "Go in and find his keys. Make sure everything is turned off, then tomorrow we'll check the place to see if anything needs to be done. I'll fix his car, but he probably won't be able to drive again."

Martin nodded, "Old Willy is getting up there. He's damn near ninety. He probably shouldn't be driving anyway. Fix the car anyway. He may be leaving it to a great-grandkid."

We waited for the crowd to dissipate, and then locked up the house. Martin said, "I'll go get a hasp and lock and bolt it on right now. That way no one can break in while he's gone. Call security and tell them to check on the house a few times tonight."

I noticed that there was about a ten foot path all the way across the back of the property. My area had more than ten feet, but it was a good way for me to get home quick. I drove my cart over to my trailer and went in to strip off my coveralls and clean up. My hands were taking a beating and were getting permanently ingrained with dark grease that I couldn't get out. I decided I would ask the diesel truck mechanics how they kept their hands clean.

While I was in the shower, I thought I heard someone come in and finished up quick to get done and get up to the patio. When I walked out with a towel around me, Sue and the insurance claims lady were sitting at my table. I said, "Pardon me, ladies. I'll get dressed and find out how to help you in a second. You surprised me."

I held up my hand for them to just let it rest until I was dressed and out with them.

When I was dressed, ready for a drink and supper, I went out to see what was up. Sue said, "Lily, the claims supervisor says you told her to come and talk turkey with us. She said you told her to bring the big boss. Is that right?"

I nodded and said, "Yes, Ma'am. I thought that would be a good idea considering how seriously their people screwed up today."

Sue said, "You did good, Mark. That was the best advice you could have given her. Her boss didn't believe we lived in a trailer park, no matter how hard she pleaded. What do you think, Mark, is this lady salvageable?"

"Don't ask me those questions after the day we've had out here. I don't know. I don't know her or what her capabilities are. She's a little uppity, but she's learning. What would you use her for, Ma'am?"

Sue said forcefully, "I'm Sue, not Ma'am. I know you're just trying to be courteous, but just call me Sue. My goodness, you're one of the family, just relax."

Sue looked at the lady and said, "We need someone to help with some of the claims that come in. Some of our warranty claims are big business. The company is so big anymore it's hard to know everyone and difficult to get everything right. We manage to make things work by having the right people." Sue turned to me and said, "Since she'll probably get fired, I think we might have a place for her. It will be a lot of work, as she'll have to take the job and build it from scratch. Do you think she can do it, Mark?"

"She has a lot of grit, Sue. She's tough, but seems to jump to some conclusions. I like her because she does resolve to fix a problem quickly. My recommendation is to see what happens to her and give that guy Howard another call. If he doesn't show, screw him. Do what you need to do, Sue."

The lady was shaking her head. "You people don't mess around do you? You came straight to the person that gave good advice to me to see what you should do. If you decide you want me to work for you, I want the job. I've seen your "Is it Perfect" signs on your doors out here. I want that. I want the chance to work with people to make it perfect."

Sue said, "Come on, let's get back to the patio, I think tonight is a booze night. Give Howard another call. I'll talk to him, but I'm not going to beg."

They left while I was still standing there in my living room kitchen, or whatever. I looked around and saw the place looked dust free. I wonder who did that, Betty, Shirley, Caroline, or maybe even Prissy. I went back to my clothes hamper to get my dirty clothes and it was empty. Someone was here and someone gave my clothes to Prissy. Some clean stuff was hanging in the closet. That makes it easy, give everyone a key and they can just come and go as they please.

I was laughing as I closed and locked the door. Caroline and Shirley were sitting in the cart waiting for me. Shirley said, "We saw you had Sue and another lady in there, so we waited out here for you."

"Is Betty alright? She should come with us."

"She's already over there," Caroline said. "We need to say something to you before we go, though. Betty says that she doesn't think she really wants to have sex any more. She says she wants to be held at night sometimes and to be kissed, but she doesn't think she wants sex."

I said, "That's fine. Sex is to be enjoyed, not forced, or something that someone should feel is required."

"We told her you would feel that way, but she wanted us to talk to you because she was the one to bring up the blue pill first, or at least she thought she was."

I asked the ladies, "So who managed to get the pills we experimented with?"

Caroline blushed and said, "I did. I asked my doctor for some samples. I told him the man I wanted to have as a lover was having some serious problems. He gave me four and told me to ask him for more with a report as to how they worked."

Caroline showed Shirley two pills and said, "See, I didn't hog them all for myself."

Shirley laughed, "I might have. I thought about sex all the time when I didn't get any, and when I did get some, I was all content and didn't think about it as much. Funny how that works."

Caroline said, "That's called satisfaction. Just like our man here, satisfaction guaranteed."

At the patio, I found Betty and hugged her. Whispering in her ear, I said, "Never, ever, think you have to have sex with me. We are friends first. If you need to be held, I'll hold you. If you need to sleep with someone holding you, I will love doing it. Betty, you and I are buds. We don't need sex to stay that way."

Betty had some watery eyes. She just smiled and gave me a very tender kiss. I went over to the bar to make Caroline and Shirley a drink and found Martin already acting the part of bartender. Martin was telling the girls, "Did you hear how Mark saved old Willy's life? He found him on the floor suffering from a bad stroke. If Mark hadn't looked for him, Willy would have died."

Caroline gave me a hug and said, "We all need to look after each other and our older folks. We need to organize so that we have communication with everyone at least once a day. We might even work on more often than that."

Shirley said, "That's a good cause for us, Caroline. We'll get this started and work throughout the park. Even the young folks that live alone should have a neighbor contact them every day. We're supposed to be a friendly park, so let's make it that way."

I noticed a guy in a dress shirt and suit pants sitting with Steve and Sue. He was gesturing with his hands and arms trying to get a point across. You could tell that Steve and Sue were not impressed. The claims lady wasn't sitting with them, but nearby. I don't think she wanted to be considered in the same pot as that guy.

My drink went down too smoothly. When the two ladies didn't stop me, I figured no blue pill tonight, so I had a second. That was enough. I had beer with the delicious pot roast they had. Martin said, "Tomorrow night is meatloaf night. That is always one of my favorites."

I was interested in meatloaf, but I play pool on Wednesday nights. Perhaps the girls can save me a plate. I wondered if they made enough for sandwiches the next day. I couldn't remember whether I had eaten on the patio on a Wednesday yet. When it was time to go home, I ran Betty and Shirley home and went back for Caroline. When I stopped at her trailer, she said, "Put your cart away and I'll be right there. The other two ladies don't want to come tonight, but I sure do. I'm getting used to having you next to me."

In minutes, while I washed and brushed my teeth, Caroline was in the house and in bed. When I came out of the bathroom, she said, "I locked up. Come snuggle. I need to feel you next to me."

When I was laying there with her on my shoulder, Caroline said, "I miss Suzy waking you up. I woke both times you got up with her. She sure is a sweetheart and you are obviously her special guy. I want to go see those kids again soon. Let's start planning on it so we can look forward to going up there."

We did some kissing, but just that, kissing, no pawing, and no petting. Just some sweet kisses until Caroline's breathing became regular. My mind was racing with everything that had happened today. This had been a squirrelly day. I thought that perhaps I could find a little Light Sport plane to buy. Hopefully, S&S would keep the Skycatcher. It was a nice plane.

I drifted off to sleep, picturing Caroline and me flying back to Cheyenne.

Primary editing by Pepere

Proofing by Sagacious



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Chapter 16

I woke somehow almost under the lady sleeping with me. She was more than halfway on top of me. As soon as I moved, her eyes came open with fear in them at first, then they became loving as we looked at each other. Caroline said, "I had a bad dream. I was trying to protect you, but you kept getting in front of me. I see I acted out the part in my dream."

Giving her a hug, I said, "How about a walk and some breakfast. Today has to be a better day than yesterday. I can finish Mrs. Kelly's car and go do what's necessary on Willy's. You ladies need to hunt up more folks that need help."

Caroline said, "Most of the older folks have enough to keep them and take care of things like car problems. We'll look around, but you've taken care of the ones we know of that need help. We'll also watch for some young folks that may be having problems, as there are a lot of layoffs happening. Not everyone living here works for S&S. I'll bet they wished they did, though."

We walked briskly for a half-hour and ended at the patio, getting some coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Sue sat with Caroline and me. She said, "We talked to that Howard guy, the CEO of the insurance company. Steve and I were not impressed. He kept trying to impress us that he lived in Avila and that he could invite us to his bigwig parties. I'm sure if we wanted to go to any of them, Uncle Ben, Dad, could get us invites. I turn down invitations all the time. Steve and I would rather be right here with our family."

After breakfast, we walked home. Caroline said, "If you will give me a key, I'll make sure your trailer is up to Betty's standards. I don't have anything special to do during the day, so I can snoop through your stuff. I really won't do that but I will make sure the place is spic and span. I think Betty and Prissy cleaned up in there yesterday. There couldn't have been much as you haven't been there"

I gave her my key and said, "Do me a favor. Look through all of my stuff to see if you find any answers. I think we're moving in a direction that we need to know as much about each other as we can. You have my permission to be as snoopy as you can be. You can even have the other ladies help you, but you all have to put everything back where you got it."

"You would let me do that, really?"

"Really, just look to your heart's content. I have absolutely nothing to hide. All my old records are in the boxes in the big closet. That will give you a snapshot of me."

I put on my last clean pair of coveralls and rode over to the warranty desk. There was one cart that needed a wheel bearing. A front wheel bearing shouldn't have failed, but it did. I took parts from the line and replaced the one that failed. I tagged it and put it in solvent to clean it off so I could figure out why it failed.

At nine, I called the parts store and they said the parts for Mrs. Kelly's car were in. I said, "Have your driver drop them off where he went yesterday at Mrs. Kelly's trailer. I don't have enough space in my cart to put the boxes of parts for that job."

It ended up taking me all the way to noon to finish replacing the shaft and housing. I told Mrs. Kelly, take this on a little ride all around the park. Don't go fast, as you still need an alignment. Just make sure it works the way you want. If you like it, go to the mall and have Sears do an alignment. Deposit the check and give Steve the difference between what you paid for the alignment and the amount of the check. Fair enough?"

Mrs. Kelly said, "I like it. That is very fair."

Just before I went into the patio for lunch, my cell phone rang. It was Sarah Perkins. She asked, "Have you heard from your ex lately?"

"No, Ma'am. You said no contact. I haven't even been checking e-mail."

"Come down to my office early Friday morning. Bring donuts. We'll have coffee, then meet your future ex, her attorney, and the judge. We'll have one last session and the judge will say stay or go. He'll say go in a way that you don't have to worry about life. Hopefully, what you asked for will be acceptable to Judy and her attorney. If it isn't, this judge has a reputation of really crucifying an attorney and client when they aren't being fair. I personally think you're being too fair. See you Friday morning, remember, bring donuts."

After lunch, Martin and I went to Willy's trailer to see if we could find the car keys. There wasn't any complaint on his car, it was just that he was seen sitting in it often while it was not running. After we found the keys, I started the car easily then put it into gear. The car drove perfectly and sounded good to go.

I checked at the warranty desk and found a cart that had a defective tire. I swapped tires from the line that were the same make and model, then checked with Kevin and Dennis to see if they needed help. Today was looking like a nap day. I went home and lay down on the bed with my coveralls and shoes off. I woke at four, hearing people in my kitchen.

After putting on some shorts, I went out to the kitchen where Sue, Mercy, and Caroline were sitting. Mercy said, "The doctor next door said you were supposed to come in to get your stitches removed. Would you run over there real quickly so we have you taken care of?"

I groaned, "Oh Mercy, can't I do it tomorrow?"

"You'll forget again. Go, get it done. No more arguing."

Staying in just my shorts and T-shirt, I rode the cart next door. The nurse put me in an exam room and left as the doc walked in. "You'll learn. Those ladies over there will hound you to death if you don't do what they want."

The doc turned to me and asked as if it were an afterthought, "Say, how is the Viagra working out?"

"I haven't taken any you've given me, but I did take a couple that my friend got from her doctor. We've had a good time, along with some good sex."

"That's what they are for. Just make sure you follow the directions and make sure you don't overdo it or take them more than you should. Now, take off your T-shirt and let's get this done."

The nurse came back into the room with a tray of implements. The two of them clipped and pulled until all of the stitches were gone. It tickles when they pull the thread from the skin. I didn't bleed which, was surprising, and there really wasn't any swelling. The nurse put some cream and a bandage on both areas.

The doc said, "If the areas gets red or swollen, come back and see us. Other than that, you are done. Keep your appointments at the VA for your regular checkups. Make sure you tell them again that your aneurysm has been corrected. They might want to take another look at that area in the next few months to make sure another has not developed."

When I went to sign out, the lady at the front desk handed me a prescription for Viagra and Cialis, with a handwritten note from the doctor. The note advised me to try a small quantity of Cialis intitially to see if was better or worse than Viagra. He noted again that I may only need half a pill instead of the maximum dosage.

I liked the fact that I could have sex and understood that I needed to be cautious and not get crazy with it.

Back at my trailer, Caroline was sitting in my big chair, reading a book. She looked up when I came in and said, "Let me see, do you look like Frankenstein now?"

"I have a bandage right now, but I can leave it off when it comes off in the shower."

Caroline said, "Sit, I want to discuss a few things."

"Want a beer? I think I'm ready."

"Sure," Caroline said, "that would taste good."

With each of us sitting with a beer to sip, Caroline said, "Shirley and I had a long conversation this morning. She said that she didn't want to get serious about anyone. She says that she never wants to go through losing someone she was so committed to. She told me that if I really wanted to be an integral part of your life, that she would step aside."

"I had to really think about that, Mark. I've really enjoyed being with you and having fun with you. The intimacy we've shared goes beyond using the pills. We have shared some special moments, especially out in Cheyenne. My past tells me to be wary, and you're probably more wary than I am. This is what I want to do. I want us to continue having fun together and with our friends. You might even share some intimate times with Shirley, but that would only be until we both decide to make us permanent. I would have to think about it after that. I'm fortunate enough to have enough to live on for the rest of my life and probably enough for the two of us. If we add in your Social Security, we would really be in pretty good financial condition."

Caroline took a drink of her beer and smiled, "I've done all the talking. Can you tell me how you feel about all of this?"

"It's funny, Caroline, I've been separated only a couple of weeks. This has really been a busy time, but I have met some great people and joined a group of people that are like a family. In the beginning, I was worried about having enough money for food, but now I somehow know I'll be taken care of. Of course, the crazy lady attorney I have is going to resolve some of that as she's going to help me get back at least half of the money from my business. That will be enough to live decently for a long time. Having a job is good. It gives me something to do and it's neat to help others. Hopefully, now that the bad cases are taken care, I can keep up with whoever has problems as time passes."

"You, Shirley, Betty, Don and Prissy, have become some very special friends. We're over here in a corner of the trailer park and seems to be a neighborhood within a neighborhood. You three ladies have offered me something else. You've offered to be close, to cuddle, to hold each other in our sleep. That has been something I've missed for years. I really like it."

"Then there is you, Shirley, and sex. Isn't it funny that the three of us are all over sixty-five and talking about sex? I thought that part of my life was gone, and all of a sudden, it's back. I love the way we have made love. It was so gentle, so smooth, and so natural. We did fit and I know I enjoyed making love with you very much. It felt like you were enjoying yourself as well."

I took a drink from my beer. "I'm a little mixed up about how to feel about playing with both you and Shirley at the same time. I think I felt a little guilty about it, but most of that was because I was having sex with someone other than my wife. If I consider the two of you together, our playtime was right, it was fun. If I think of how you and I enjoyed each other, I feel like it was really special."

"Do I want more? Damn right, I do. Do I want more with both of you? That's confusing. I've begun having some special feelings for you, Caroline, but I know it's too soon, too early to think about these things. I do want us to continue to be with each other. I want to hold you at night and feel you against me. I think we could do this with Shirley in the mix right now, but if we want an exclusive, then we need to talk about it and also talk to Shirley about it. I'm not divorced yet. That will probably happen Friday. When we're both totally free, we'll talk about it some more, but mostly let's just enjoy each other and our friends together."

Caroline put her beer down and came to sit on my lap. "That was the most I've ever heard a man discuss his life and his relationship with me. I'm with you, Mark. I want you, but I don't need you exclusively. I may want us in a permanent bond, but I still may not demand you stay exclusive. There are so many more older ladies than men, and you may need to take care of them too. I'm nuts about you, Mark, and am still young enough in body to have physical wants with that. Shirley does too, but Betty thinks her body is through with that part of life. I want us to enjoy each other, and I want us to make sure Shirley is as satisfied as we are. We'll let things develop, as they will. I'm with you, let's just enjoy life and let come what will."

The two of us kissed very softly, very slowly, enjoying a special closeness that had been developing. I was very happy to have our relationship the way it was.

We got up and were talking about whether she wanted to go to play pool with me tonight. Caroline said, "Let's invite Shirley. We'll tell all of your pool buddies that you're such a man it takes two of us." We both laughed at that one.

I said, "Let me clean up and we'll go in early so I can get some practice in. If you want to invite Shirley and Betty, go do it. We leave in thirty to forty-five minutes."

When I was showered, shaved again, and dressed, I put my cue case in the Escape and put my cart away. Shirley came out and said, "You won't be mad if I don't go, will you? I want to stay and play some cards with the ladies on the patio. They are getting into some games over there. Even Abe and Martin have joined in. I think Phil may play with us too."

"That's great, Shirley. Do you think you could get a couple plates of the meatloaf for Caroline and me? We should be home about eleven or twelve. I'm always hungry after pool so if we were to find a couple of plates of meatloaf in the fridge, I would be grateful."

Shirley said, "Betty and I will get you two some food. Have a good time."

We went to a different place to play eight ball tonight. This was our home bar called Strokers. It was a big place with more than thirty pool tables and they all were nine footers with good Simonis cloth.

I practiced for an hour before the rest of the team showed up to practice before league started. Two of my teammates on this team were on my Monday night team so they had already met Caroline. The rest of the team greeted her and were trying to get her to play with us. She declined and said she would get me to teach her so she could play too. There are always some extra people, male and female, who come to watch their mates or friends play.

We were ready to begin playing when some guy came up to me and just hit me. He hit me hard enough that I went down in a heap. I remember looking up at him, trying to figure out what was going on, when he kicked me and said, "You child porn pervert. Get the fuck out of here before I just kill you and do society a favor. Don't ever let me see you again."

My teammates and the opposing team were instantly on the man, holding him as he tried to fight them off. The captain of our team kept yelling at the guy, "He was found to be innocent of those charges; it was a set up by his wife's boyfriend. Hold still, quit trying to kick him."

The bar's bouncer came quickly and just about as quickly had the guy on the floor face down. My mouth was bloody and I could hardly breathe. Caroline was next to me, trying to see how bad I was hurt.

A waitress came with a glass of water and said, "We called the cops. A Sheriff's deputy should be here any second. I was sitting up on the floor, holding my side where the man had kicked me, when a Deputy Sheriff came up. The guy who hit me started yelling that he was doing everyone a favor as I was the pervert who had all those kiddie porn pictures and had probably raped lots of kids.

The policeman cuffed the man and said, "You're going to have to start reading the paper or watching the news more than once a week. This is the guy that took a bullet while protecting a judge and room full of people. This is the guy who was framed by his wife's boyfriend. You're under arrest for assault with intent to kill." The Deputy was big enough that he pulled the man to his feet and bent him over the table to search him. The man had a big buck pocket knife in his back pocket, and then the Deputy pulled out a plastic bag with about five joints rolled up in it, plus a bunch of pills.

"Well, well. I suppose the joints are for your personal use, but that many pills? I don't think so. I think you need to go jail real quick." The Deputy looked at me and said, "Want to take down his name and address. You might need some financial assistance to fix your teeth. Looks like you are hurt. Do you need an ambulance?"

The waitress said, "I called the paramedics, they should have been here by now. This guy has a pacemaker, plus you can see where he just had stitches removed from his stomach."

"That's where he was shot," the deputy looked around and said "The man's a hero, not a slime ball like this guy. Is anyone with Mr. Robins?"

Caroline was still with me and said, "I am. I'll stay with him."

Another waitress had brought some wet towels and Caroline and the waitress were trying to clean up my face. I felt my teeth with my tongue and didn't think I had lost or broken any. My side really hurt though. Hopefully the idiot didn't break a rib.

Kenny our team captain was down next to me and said, "Man, I'm sorry I didn't see that guy coming. He sucker punched you before you knew what was happening. Christ, we were all planning on partying with a hero tonight, not helping you off the floor."

The paramedics came and began checking me over. I had to tell them about the pacemaker and then rehash the shooting. After that, they felt around on me and said, "You need to have an x-ray to see about those ribs. Will you get one or should we transport you?"

Caroline said, "I'll take him somewhere. He goes to the VA, so I'm sure they will do it, or we can just go to one of the hospitals."

They helped me off the floor and I was able to stand up with out feeling too groggy. The cop had the idiot sitting in a chair waiting to be taken to jail. The deputy was waiting to see how I was. He said to me, "You'll have to watch out. There are a lot of people that form an opinion and never listen to anything that would change it. Take care of yourself. I've heard how you help people out where you live."

As Caroline began helping me out to the car, my teammates put my cue in its case and gave it to us. I waved and walked out as the entire pool hall watched. A few began clapping and then it became a cheer and chant. "Mark, Mark, Mark, Mark." That made me feel really weird, but good. As we walked to the Escape, Caroline commented, "You have a lot of friends in there. You're very well known and liked. No wonder you like to play pool with them."

Caroline said, "Should I take you out to the VA or one of the University Hospitals? Town and Country is close by but they don't have much of an emergency room. Let's go to Carolwood University Community. They might get you in quick. I know what; I'll call Dr. Collins office. He likes you and he'll get you right in."

Caroline looked in her purse for a card, then used my cell phone to call Dr. Collins' office. He was the doctor next to the trailer park. She left a message with his answering service and a couple of minutes later she answered the cell phone. After giving him the events of the evening, they agreed that I should go to Carolwood and he would meet us there.

The emergency room was large and it needed to be. The place was packed. Everything from a fishing hook in an eyelid to automobile accident victims. The reception nurse took our information and said Dr. Collins had called in and said he would be here any minute. Please have a seat. He will be with you shortly.

The good doctor walked in the door before we could find a seat. He ushered us past the curtained off areas into a more private area, where he had me take my shirt off. He did a physical thing with the stethoscope, checking me out, listening to my lungs, then he inspected my mouth. He said, "Doesn't look like any new broken teeth. Let me help you down to radiation to get you x-rayed. From there, I think you might want to call it a night. You're not going to be a happy camper in the morning. Your whole side is going to be purple for a few days. You might want to put an ice pack on it. That should help."

They did three x-rays, front, back, and side. The doc looked at them on a big computer monitor and came out. "You're lucky. It doesn't even look like you cracked any. You're still going to be sore for a few days. You might feel better if you wrap your chest, but it's not necessary. Just take it easy for a couple of days and if you have trouble breathing or you feel real bad, come next door, and if it's after hours, call me and go to the emergency room. Now, go home and relax." He smiled at Caroline and said, "Take care of him, okay?"

She was grinning when she said, "I will, thank you, Doctor."

He said, "I wondered who you were getting a present for. You made a good choice."

We got home about ten after all of the confusion and bureaucracy. I had to use the health insurance card from my wife's plan, but so what. She caused the problem in the first place. At the trailer, we discovered two plates of food, covered with Saran wrap, in the refrigerator. We heated the plates in the microwave and enjoyed the meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans as if it was six in the evening. We both had a beer with the meal, then Caroline said, "Let me put you to bed. You probably shouldn't have any bedmates tonight with your sore side. No sense in letting someone keep you awake."

I told her, "You know, I'm going to sleep on the side that isn't hurt or on my back. If you want to stay, I'd love the company. If you'd rather not, I understand."

Caroline hugged me gently and said, "That's the best offer I've had all day. Come on, let's go to bed."

While she was washing, I took my cholesterol pill and followed her into the bathroom to brush my teeth. We were soon lying in bed, her in one of my T-shirts, and me in boxers. We snuggled with her on my good side shoulder. There were some nice kisses, but the excitement had worn us out. We dropped off to sleep.

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Caroline was sleeping peacefully on my shoulder when I awoke. I was surprised I woke up so alert. The clock said it was right before six, but we were retired folks. We didn't have to get up if we didn't want to. I wanted to. I eased from bed and used the bathroom. While I was making coffee, Caroline came in and hugged me, wanting some more cuddles. She said, "I know it's time to get up, but we were sleeping so good, especially after last night. How do you feel, Honey, how's your side?"

"It's sore, but I'm doing pretty good. I think we should take a little walk and see how I do."

Caroline said, "Let me go put on some shorts and we'll walk some."

As we began walking past Betty's trailer, she came out and wanted to walk with us. Shirley came out and hollered, "Wait for me." We walked through all of the ball fields, the soccer fields, past the basketball and tennis courts. As we went back into the trailer park, Caroline was telling the other two about the excitement from the night before.

Betty said, "Oh, that's some great gossip for the pool today. Are you okay, Mark? Can I kiss it to make it better?"

"You tease, Betty. Sure you can kiss it, but I get to kiss back." Betty turned crimson.

We went to the patio to have some coffee with everyone. Mercy and Sue came over to us. Mercy asked, "Dr. Collins called last night. He said someone hit you and kicked you at the pool hall. What was that about?"

Caroline didn't let me say anything. She gave the entire story as Sue inspected my split lip. After the story was told, Mercy said, "We're going to have to send you out with bodyguards. You're attracting trouble like Chuck does. Be careful from now on and watch your surroundings better."

After listening to everything, Steve said, "It's hard to realize some people will believe something from the news media then let everything after the one report slide without attempting to learn more. There are more out there like that, Mark, be careful."

After a light breakfast, we walked back to our part of the park. Don and Prissy were sitting out in the morning sun. They were sipping some tea and chatting peacefully. Don said "Good morning."

Prissy said, "You two are becoming quite the couple. I'm glad to see you happy, Caroline. It's so sweet to see you smile so much again."

After some chit chat, I told everyone, "I'm going to see if I can do some work, then probably set up my toys in the R&D center to see if I can make them work right."

The warranty desk didn't have anything new, so I went to the R&D center. Dennis was working on some kind of automatic shifting device for carts. He said if he could create something like an automatic transmission, he thought he could improve the fuel efficiency of the carts.

I said wait a second. I brought in a box that had one of my experiments in it. I explained, "The original automatic transmissions were set up like clutches with various sprockets that slid to the next higher gear as the centrifugal force increased. They weren't very efficient and they didn't last. The next idea was varying bands almost like belts. The sprocket would go from one band to another as the speed increased. Again, they were not that efficient and they did wear out quickly."

Today's transmissions have a multitude of gears that change by vacuum and fluid driven by the torque converter. What I have here is a miniature torque converter and a normal gearbox for a golf cart. This works, but I need to find the right gearing so the fuel efficiency is good. I really need to have the transmission slide into neutral when stopped, and as soon as the brake is released, the gear engages and off we go. Just the shifting into neutral should save us an additional twenty percent fuel in city driving.

There was an older engineer in the R&D center who came over to look at my contraption. He said, "I like the way you have the pinion sliding by pressure instead speed. That will keep the load on the engine more equal. It also should save some fuel. Let's calculate the gear exchanges and work on an electrical gear exchange. We'll use coils to increase the output. We can then adjust the relay to change gears when a certain voltage is reached. We can restrict the up and down gear change to only be within the next step up or down to allow for slowing down and then stopping."

The three of us set everything up several different ways, until I was able to create a small box that held the coils with a circuit board and some heavy duty gates that opened and closed as necessary. The board was raw, but performed on the bench just fine. The next step would be to put it into a cart and test the gear exchange.

Since most carts are put into a gear and they stay in just that one gear, you're either going at a moderate speed with the engine racing or going too fast for conditions. Some carts have a centrifugal force clutch with only one gear but they are very high maintenance. We put the modified contraption with an open gear box into a test cart. It was neat because we could watch the gears change as we put the cart through its paces on test rollers. Dennis set up one of his robotic contraptions to make the cart go slow, stop, start up again, and increase in speed until it was going a lot faster than would be safe. Next the cart would slow down, make some increases in speed, followed by decreases in speed until it was back to the beginning of the test.

While that was being tested, Dennis went on to something else while I hauled in another box containing my ignition system. My idea was to create a solid state ignition that wouldn't wear out and would always be in tune with a solid state coil output. The ignition was really for motorcycles, but it could be adapted to any small engine or could even be adapted to regular automobiles. I was close on this one. I was having trouble creating the solid state coil. Not many solid state components could create fifty-thousand volts for the spark plug.

The older engineer came over and I explained what I was trying to come up with. The engineer became excited and went to get something. The man came back with a plastic tub that held several devices that looked very near to mine. He showed me how he had overcome the coil problem. He said, "I didn't even think of putting all of the other controls within a single unit. You eliminated a dozen other parts and sensors by using a simple logic system that can't break down. Let's use my coil theory on your unit to see if it's compatible."

The big test breadboard took up a lot of space, but it could be compressed into a very tiny unit. We even measured temperatures of the various components to make sure none were generating any appreciable heat.

The older engineer was named Hans Griebling. I asked him if he was as old as I was, and he proudly said, "I am fifty six years old. You can see I am a very fine specimen of German manhood. You must be, maybe fifty?"

When I said sixty seven, I thought Hans would cry. "How do you look that way? You have a sore on your mouth, but how do you look so young?"

I smiled and said, "I come from a family that doesn't age."

He believed me and was muttering, "This country's genetics are so wrong."

Hans rolled in another test cart and we began wiring it to the ignition module. This item would end up saving a few hundred dollars in parts, probably at least a hundred dollars on construction labor, plus give it more reliability. When everything was finally hooked up, we fused each circuit between the box and the externally driven part.

The test was in the startup. Hans turned the key and the motor easily caught. We tested each circuit such as the turning signals, the brake lights and all the engine sensors. Some of the monitoring devices were straight off an airplane, but then only aviator people paid attention to fuel mixture, manifold pressure, and exhaust temperature.

We discussed the other sensors that could be added without much cost and with very little modification. I requested Hans' drawings for his coil and included it in my drawings. Hans said, "We must call Star at the air charter company to come get our two new products patented. These are very valuable."

I said, "The ignition unit was originally designed for a Harley Davidson motor. I want to send the idea to Harley. This will save them millions every year and make their product worth even more."

Hans said, "We need to test a unit on a motorcycle to see if it stands up to the rigors of that type of vehicle."

I explained, "I envision the unit to be filled with a shock absorbing gel that seals and cools. That and good connections during construction will ensure longevity. The aftermarket possibilities of this are extensive."

Dennis came over and said, "Let's keep this under our hats. This product will be good for the automotive industry, the motorcycle industry, and all of the small power equipment industry. Now that you have the basic circuitry, you can add or subtract whatever function you want. You don't even have to have a computer. You can add the existing one to yours or incorporate it. This is one hell of an innovation. It's amazing, you two were very close to creating the same thing, but Mark's was complete except for the coil, and Hans was complete except for the stepped logic. This is amazing. I'm calling Abe and Steve. They have to see what we've done. Holy shit, would you look what time it is. It's three in the afternoon. We missed lunch."

The three of us were laughing as Dennis called his uncle. Steve said he would bring Abe and be right there.

When Steve and Abe arrived, Dennis said, "First, I have to show you this new transmission Mark created. His object was to be more fuel efficient at idle as well as in operation. This is a real automatic transmission. He machined an actual torque converter plus created a way to change gears without the need for vacuum. It's been on the test vehicle for about five hours. We'll leave it on overnight to see how it does. Check out the unique forks he has created."

Abe loved the transmission and could see the company advertising a truly automatic transmission that would give great fuel performance.

Dennis led them over to the test cart with the big breadboard with dozens of wires leading to various items. He began explaining how Hans had my final ingredient, and I had the key to making Hans' creation work.

I couldn't resist and spoke up, "This was to be a special ignition system for Harleys. It can be adapted to any kind of automotive engine. The idea was to keep from having so many switches and sensors. Everything will be contained in one unit and it will not wear out. The unit will be encapsulated in the configuration for that vehicle, filled with a shock absorbing and cooling gel and installed, once. A computer system could be added. That would be a single board on an outboard connector. It will be a better way to start and operate a golf cart, a motorcycle, a big truck, or even an airplane. It's simple and should outlast the vehicle."

Steve said, "You haven't told anyone about this, have you?"

We all shook our heads. He spoke again, "Jesus, both of these are unbelievable and we have to get them registered and patented immediately. This is unbelievable. Is all of this work original, or did you borrow someone else's ideas to make some of it?"

I said, "Some of the components are regular off the shelf stuff that we'll contract to have made in smaller versions, but the idea is really what every car company has wanted, but never spent the money for research on."

Abe asked, "Why did you want to make the ignition?"

"I've owned Harleys all my life. I wanted a better ignition. I don't like having to buy a new module every couple of years. I didn't like rebuilding stators. I didn't like my battery not charging or me not knowing. This was created initially for a motorcycle. Your cart came along and it fit."

Steve said, "I like the way this man thinks. Okay, get his documentation, and draw up all the schematics so this can be patented. Get that done today and to the attorneys. Shoot, we'll have a Brinks truck come get this one."

Abe asked, "How long do you think it will take to have a prototype built to put in a cart to operate?"

I thought for a minute and said, "If I can get at a machine shop, tomorrow."

Steve said excitedly, "Do I have someone for you to meet. Walk with me across to the shops and we'll see Billy. He'll give you free rein or do the work, whatever you want."

We did walk across the street to meet Billy and look at his equipment. He may have a small shop, but he had some of the most modern tool and die and machine equipment on the market. Billy told me, "Bring it on. If you have the specs, we'll knock it out. If we have to modify stuff, my computer will help us put it together. I'm not that busy, so we can get to it early."

Back at the R&D center, Steve said, "I want to get security to put someone in here twenty-four hours a day until this is put to bed. There is a fortune in this idea. Do you have any more?"

"A few, but I'll have to look at them and dig some out," I was trying to remember what all I had in my boxes. "Some are just on paper because I threw away the working models. A few were on motorcycles and cars I've sold over the years. You guys have the stuff for one of my electric car conversion ideas. We'll work on that one of these days. Would you be interested in a wind turbine generator idea?"

Hans heard me and said, "I have many that are almost good. We work on that idea right away. I want to see if you think better than me."

I said, "Hans, we've already found out that our minds think close to the same. Our background gives us each a different perspective that will create the end product we both want."

Steve said to Abe, "All that and the warranty bench, too. Some deal, huh?"

Abe said, "You're always finding someone to do your dirty work, someone to come up with an idea Phil and his boys can go nuts over. Do you know that this will change the production lines? Every production line we have in the world; all the lifts, all the carts, all the generators and compressors. Christ, this is going to cost a fortune but earn another. Holy smokes, this is big."

"That's why the security. Dennis, give Hap a call right now. Come on Hans, Mark, come have a beer. We're starting early."

Hans said, "We were good today, very busy, we forget lunch. We need food with beer."

Steve laughed on the way out to our carts. My cart wasn't there but a black one with my tools in the back was in its place. There was a note that said, "Use this until yours is repainted. Hank."

The bed in this one had a rubber mat with paint stains on it.

At the patio, Steve said something to Glenda and a few minutes later she came out with two big meatloaf sandwiches for Hans and me. When Dennis showed up, she brought him one too. We celebrated with some beer until Phil showed up. Steve couldn't resist. He said, "We have the most dramatic news in automotive and cart production ever. It will be announced in the next couple of days. You're going to beg to be able to pre-sell it. I think I might even let you license the idea to the big three and all of the world's vehicle manufacturers. This is big, Phil, really, really big."

"Go away," Phil said, not showing any excitement. "If you're not going to tell me what it is, I don't want to get my hopes up. The guys are bustin' and humpin' to keep us even with last year. I can't believe we're doing it, but we are. If you get something good, we could even beat last year. If we do, the government is going to want to take it away."

"They can't, Phil, by the time they figure it out, we'll have it in production in four or five countries, probably a lot more. We'll also be selling this as an aftermarket product. Every, and I mean every, automobile or truck sold before the inclusion of this device is a candidate for it. We'll just make up kits for every manufacturer, and every year and model. You'll want to setup little drive-in shops that will do the conversions like changing oil. This is big, Phil, really big."

"Go away, Steve, or I'll have to get some of my heart medicine."

Tiny had heard the conversation, but Steve put his finger to his lips and mouthed 'later' to him. I said, "I'm going to see if any of the ladies want to come over. I'll be right back."

I knocked on Betty's door, then Shirley's door, and finally, Caroline's door. No one was home. All their cars were there, so they must be playing cards or something. I went to wash my face and found my three neighbors sitting at my table, discussing whatever women discuss. I said, "I knocked on everyone's door but no one was home. Let me wash up and we'll go over to the patio. I think we're having pork chops."

Betty said, "We decided to catch you here instead of hoping to catch you as you passed by. I hope this is all right. We dusted and straightened for you while we waited."

"It's only ten after five, how early did you think I might be here?"

Shirley said, "We thought maybe four or so, because you said you didn't think there was anything going on."

"The real reason is we went to lunch over there and you didn't show up," Caroline admitted. "Steve said that if Dennis, Hans, and you were all missing, something good was going to come from the R&D center, did it?"

"Yep, it did. They'll announce it soon. It's pretty exciting. It won't mean a lot to you, but it's sort of some finished product of things I've worked on for years."

Betty said, "I'm happy to know that moving out here has been good for you. You've been good for the park and us; it's good that it has become good for you."

"Come on, ladies, let's go celebrate."

When we arrived at the patio, the mood was festive as people were milling around and kids were running in and out of the house and patio. It seemed as if there were more than usual tonight, but I don't think there was ever a roll call. People came when they wanted to or when they wanted the fellowship.

The little county Sheriff's deputy who tended my bandages came up to me and said, "I'm sorry that asshole beat up on you last night. You don't look the worse for wear. The report said he kicked you pretty hard, did you get x-rayed?"

Caroline said, "I took him in last night. Our Dr. Collins checked him out and said his chest was clear. I guess Mark's another tough old bird, Mickey."

Ah, now I knew her name. I just have to remember it. I said, "Mickey, I never did thank you for helping me before. You were good to help."

The little girl in shorts and a halter said, "You helped my housemate and partner, Samantha. The story you gave her got her a job as a reporter with news channel eight. She said you fixed her car, too. That was sweet. She's so bad about maintenance."

I evaluated what she had said and remembered Samantha's attitude. Wow, housemate and partner, no hiding there. I guess it could be, but they didn't act like that. Oh well, to each his, or this case, her own.

We did have pork chops and after supper, games came out and the women were almost instantly into the games. The tables were full of different types of games. Caroline came and got me to play Scrabble with a group of people of mixed ages. I did okay, but my spelling is never the best. We played until about nine thirty when yawns and stretches had the games being put away. I had a final drink with Steve, Tiny, and Abe. Tiny said, "Steve told me about the product. That is really exciting. I'll be interested in seeing how the other one works when you get the prototype done."

Abe said, "The man said tomorrow, who wants to bet me on it?"

Tiny said, "I don't think a prototype like that can be built in a day."

"Okay Tiny, that'll be a day out on the fishing boat when I win."

Tiny said, "That means you have to take me to the keys in your motor home when I win."

Abe was laughing, "You'll be spending the money on fuel, buddy, just wait."

I hoped I could get it done in a week, much less tomorrow, but I did say I could do it. That's okay, I'll get an early start and try to get it done.

The girls and I crowded into the cart and rode back to our part of the park. When I let them out, Betty said, "I'd like to be cuddled tonight. Do you think I could come over? I'll come over after you use the pill."

"No pill, Betty, I was drinking. We don't use the pill often. The mood has to be there for us to want that. Come on when you're ready. I'd love to have you with me."

Caroline said, "I'll be right there. I'll get a gown and some shorts for the morning."'

Shirley sat in the cart and said, "I might want to join you soon. I was upset about my kids, but I think they have worked it out. I'm getting back to normal so I'm going to want to experiment again soon."

I kissed Shirley gently, as my mouth was still sore, and said, "You're part of our little group to do what you want within. I'm not sure about this sex stuff yet, but I'm sure we'll figure it out. Just think, we didn't live and play through the wild sixties and crazy seventies to be wishy-washy about fooling around now. I guess we need to get out the tie-dyed shirts and flowers to get into the mood."

"That is funny, Mark. I'll have to tell you all about my crazy youth back then. My old man was the pot head king of the railroaders. I'm amazed he could operate a train. He did though, usually higher than a kite back then. He never had a wreck and he was proud of his time record. Maybe they should go back to the days when everyone smoked."

I said, "Yeah, we'll have to get together and share wild stories. See you tomorrow."

By the time I was washed and had my teeth brushed, both ladies were in bed, looking at me in anticipation. I snuggled between them and they both put their heads on my shoulder. I said, "Gotta pay the toll, ladies. I get a nice gentle kiss from each of you for letting you use my shoulders for a pillow."

Betty laughed and tried to tickle me, but she did give me a gentle kiss. Caroline did the same and turned into me so she could kiss my neck. It was so nice to almost be covered with heads, arms, and breasts snuggling to my sides. Caroline had a leg over mine, while Betty was trying to find a comfortable position. When she also threw a leg over mine and snuggled her body into me, she finally relaxed. I felt her melt as she lay there.

In minutes, both of their breathing was even as they were sleeping. That relaxed me and I was out along with them.

Primary editing by Pepere 
Proofing by Sagacious



-------

Chapter 17


Wow, Friday. The week is rocketing by. Oh boy, I have to kick butt today if I'm going to get that prototype made. I can do it since I have a working model to incorporate. The plans are ready, so all I have to do is modify a few things and get Billy to machine a couple of parts. Done by noon; right, sure, who am I kidding? This was going to be tough.

I gave the lady on each side of me a squeeze then pulled my arms out from under them. As I was getting up, Betty said, "Isn't it early? It's not seven yet."

With a smile, I said, "It's five forty-five this wonderful Friday morning. I need to get moving this morning. If you ladies prefer to sleep, enjoy. I'm going for a quick walk."

I slipped on my shorts, socks, and tennis shoes. As I headed for the bathroom, Caroline stretched and got up. As I came out, she came in and gave me a quick kiss on the way. We were out of the door and on our way at a fairly rapid pace by five to six.

Caroline said, "You're excited about the R&D center this morning, aren't you?"

"I sure am, Babe. This is a big deal. I'm getting a wide open budget to make one of my ideas into a reality. This is really going to be fun. I bragged that I would have something done today, and in my mind, I can do it easily. That's not reality, though. It always takes more time than you think. I'm going to get it done though, hopefully early."

My partner said, "It excites me to see and hear you so worked up. It's like you're sharing your excitement with me. You've just fascinated the hell out of me every time you do something new. I just don't know what to think."

"Think good thoughts. Love. Think good thoughts for the project and for everyone around you. Those good thoughts become magnified and that's how we all get happy."

As we were on our way back to my trailer, I said, "Let's stop by and get coffee and something to eat in these clothes, then I'll go shower and get ready for work."

There were already people at the patio, as I had heard they began showing up around six. Steve was there with some of his kids as they were early risers too. The coffee was great and a breakfast sandwich hit the spot. Caroline was clutching this morning, hanging on to me as we enjoyed our morning together. We said goodbye to our friends early and headed to our trailers.

I had forgotten my pills, so I quickly took them, showered and dressed. Caroline had made some more coffee, so we shared a cup and kissed before I left. She said, "I love seeing you off in the morning knowing you'll be home to see me at the end of the day. I'm enjoying all the things in my life that I didn't have before. You are really the first man that I've ever la ... ah, enjoyed that way. See you tonight, Honey. I'll watch for you at lunch. If you don't come, I'll bring some sandwiches."

I raced over to the R&D lab at seven fifteen. No one was there yet except the security guard. He asked for my security pass that I didn't have. Crap. I told him that it was imperative that I begin work. He said he was sorry but no pass, no entry. Crap.

I rode over to the patio, cursing all the way. Once at the patio, I found Dennis talking to Steve and said, "I can't get in the lab because I don't have a security pass. The guard wouldn't let me in."

Dennis looked at his watch and said, "Too early, it doesn't open yet."

"Come on, Dennis, I need to get going. I bragged I could get the prototype up and operating today. I need to get to work, now, not this afternoon."

Steve said, "I would try to get you in, but you have to have a security pass to get in there now. Let's run over to the RV store and get the title lady to make you up a pass. I'll vouch for you, but you'll have to have a security clearance done. Just tell the lady to check you out and she will."

We drove our individual carts to the RV store and went upstairs to find a gray-haired, older, lady working on a stack of paperwork. She smiled and said, "Morning, Boss, how's it hanging this morning."

Steve answered, "Fine, Dorothy, is it as juicy as ever?"

I laughed as she said, "Who's the swinging dick you brought with you this morning. If he ain't too old to get it up, can I check him out?"

Steve said, "Dorothy, this is Mark Robins. You probably heard about him fixing stuff around the park. He's working in R&D on some real sensitive stuff and needs a security pass. Can you fix him up?"

"I sure can, Boss. Perhaps I need to investigate him real good."

"Just give him a pass this morning then you can get Jake's permission to attack a new man."

"Ah, that wouldn't be any fun. I like to surprise the old coot with a pussy already full every once in a while."

"Jesus, Dorothy, now I know why we hide you up here out of reach of everyone. You are one rangy babe."

"Oh say it, Honey, just say, 'One rangy bitch.'"

Dorothy looked at me and said, "Go pee in this cup. If you pass the piss test, I'll issue you your pass. Can I check you out, Honey? I mean a security type thing. I'll call you when I'm gonna ravish your ass. My old man likes to watch, so just come on over when you're called."

I took the cup and went into the bathroom she indicated. When I came out she stuck a litmus stick in it then said, "Nice equipment, Honey, I'll bet that thing is fun when it's hard."

Steve was shaking his head. Dorothy pointed at her PC to show it had multiple frames of security cameras and one of the frames showed the bathroom. I blushed and knew it was a mistake as soon as it happened.

Dorothy said, "Give me your driver's license and I'll photocopy it. Then drop your drawers so can I count the hair on your balls and suck a load out of you this morning. Hot damn, Boss, you brought me a live one."

The whole time the lady was talking nasty, she was busy. She had run a card through the machine that seals it in clear plastic. She handed me the card, a larger card, and a lanyard to hang around my neck.

"When did you take my picture?"

"When you were standing here. I have three cameras that will get your best side. I liked that picture, so that's the one to use. If you want to see how they work let me get my panties off and you can fuck me on the desk. We'll get some good shots of that for my old man."

I picked up her hand, kissed it, and said, "Dorothy, it has been a great pleasure meeting you. I hope to see you again soon."

"Oh, Steve, get that man out of here before I do something I haven't done in this office yet. See ya later, Boss."

Steve was grinning as we left. "Bye, Dorothy."

Downstairs, out of earshot, he said, "When Crystal hired that lady she warned me not to go up to that office unless I promised not to get upset by the woman's filthy mouth. Crystal said the lady was pure gold and worked harder than three MBAs on steroids. But, she said the lady was an incurable nasty flirt. She told me she would ask me to fuck her within the first thirty seconds we met and she did. I think she's all mouth, but I'm not going to find out. Very few people venture up there. Wait till you meet her husband, Jake. The man's as skinny as a rail. He says it's because she fucks him to death, so he's always making like he's begging for help. He says the last three guys he's brought home she used up the first night and he had to dump their bodies in the bay. Between the two of them you have an XXX rated nightclub act."

"An unusual employee, Steve. She's just another fun person to know around here." I was smiling in wonder when I said that too.

The guard let us in this time when I showed him my pass. It specifically showed R&D access. Inside, Hans was looking over my plans and checking parts for the prototype. I popped the notebook open and pulled four pages and headed for the copier. I copied the pages then put the originals back into the notebook. I told Hans, "I'm going to Billy's to either make these or have him do them. I'll be back and show you how we'll put this thing together. You can do the circuit board."

Billy was just opening and smiled at me. "Eager, huh, Mark. I guess this means I better get my speedy boots on."

Billy looked at the four drawings and the measurements. He went to some racks in the back and came back with four pretty big blanks. He measured them then asked, "What kind of blank or steel do you want to use on this?"

I said, "We'll cast them later, but this one needs to be tough so it won't lose its shape while we're testing. Use some part stainless, eighteen percent is common, so that will be all right. The blanks you brought up should be okay."

Billy asked, "How do you know they're eighteen percent stainless?"

"Well, for one thing, it's written in grease pencil on the backs, and you took them off the rack that has an eighteen percent stainless sign over the top. You don't seem like a guy that would mix up his blanks."

"You got me there, partner. Are these numbers correct? Are you sure of the dimensions?"

"Billy, these are the correct numbers. I originally machined two cases and shafts. They should be right on. If you calculate them, it will be tough to cast those numbers, but cutting them out of blanks should work. Do you want me to do them?"

Billy thought for a second and said, "Naw, let me do these and you go begin making what you need to finish the project. I can do two of these things at the same time, so I'll do two sets. See me in a couple of hours."

Steve and I left and as we were walking back to the R&D center, I asked, "Should we go get another cart or do they have sufficient carts for us to use here."

"Dennis should have plenty. If he needs more he can request them and go get them. I'm going to go to work. Here's my cell number. Call me as soon as you're getting close. I want to watch this thing on the real road, not on the test wheels."

Inside, Hans was pulling the parts we would need and not working on the circuit board. When I pointed to the page he said, "This is pretty delicate, how are you going to make it standup to the beating you're going to put it through."

"Watch me. I'll lay triple tracks and double side solder everything just like robotics can do. If this breaks in our lifetime, it will be because someone shot it."

I took the green board and began the photo etching process from the layout I had drawn. Their etcher didn't like the triple track, but it had that option and I made sure all the redundancy was laid out correctly. I put the board into the track laying oven and watched through the monitor as the tracks were laid. The temps were a couple of degrees shy of melting the board, but that's the right way to lay them. A big process machine would do the job faster, but this was a prototype and using this machine was a hell of lot more exact than putting the board out in the sun and hoping for good tracks.

I had to hunt up the components for the board since Hans was still thinking that the board wouldn't be tough enough. I laid the components on the board and used the Magic solder system to begin hitting the board on both sides. It's a good thing I had done this part before, because you had to program in coordinates for the solder to be laid. When one was done, you saved that process on a back up and the next time you did the job, you just stuck the board in and pushed a button.

When that was done, I used the oscilloscope on the bench to test all the circuits. It looked right. Hans had made a good card rack and had cut and soldered the wire harness to go between the board and the components.

He and I went out back and selected a pretty blue golf cart and brought it in. Between the two of us, it was quickly in pieces. We pulled the transmission, then checked the cart to make sure it was pristine as far as everything else. I checked the nut and bolt sets that could cause problems and they were good. Hans said, "The cart people have the same motto." He pointed to the sign, "We make it perfect."

I told Hans, "I'm going for the parts from Billy. I'll be right back."

Billy was outside, sitting in his chair and leaning back against the building, smoking a cigarette. With a grin, he said, "How come so late?"

I looked at my watch to see that it had been all of an hour and fifty minutes since I gave him the job. He got up and hobbled into his shop. Billy had been in one hell of a motorcycle accident a long time ago and didn't walk well.

He gave me the pieces and said, "These are exactly to your specs. I'm giving you back your sheets, but I have the numbers recorded in the job database. Your stuff is secure. No one would ever be able to figure out which one was which. They would have to make every thing in there and there are more than a thousand jobs in the machine."

I thanked Billy and carried the box of parts back to the center.

Hans and I pulled the old transmission apart then began building the new one exactly to the sheets from my notebook. Each piece was polished with an emery cloth and then wiped with oil cloths soaked with synthetic oil. We were smiling as each piece slid together and was locked in place with the small keys. When the gears were in place, I put the shifting forks in place and connected them to the shift gate that would be operated by the transformer servo combination. When it was together, we mounted it in the cart and connected everything.

Hans said, "That is crazy that you had the exact measurements of our cart gearboxes."

I said, "Abe used standard sizes when he made the carts so it would be easy to repair in the field with available parts. We're just adding a few things to the mix."

We slid the circuit card in and began wiring the pieces in place. I used some plastic I had printed after making it up on the computer to put on the gearshift indicator. I'm sure we would do something different in the future, but this would work for now. The indicator looked like it came from the factory with the cart.

I stepped back and called Steve's number. When he answered, I said, "I'm not sure how we did this but you should come watch us succeed or fail. Hans and I just about have this thing licked."

Steve said excitedly, "I'll be right there. I'm bringing Abe and Tiny with me. Maybe Phil too; if I can find him."

Hans was putting the covers on everything so I helped put the cart back together. We were about to put the access panel down when I said, "Oil, we didn't put any oil in the gear box. Hans laughed and held out the oil plug that goes in the bottom of the box.

I put the plug in while he put oil in and screwed the access panel down. When we were all done, Hans said, "I think we should at least start it. You're so confident about that box of yours, we need to see if the cart will at least run."

I told Hans, "Don't tell them about the ignition system. We are testing the transmission. When we feel good about the transmission, we tell them about the ignition."

Hans said, "It was too easy, you know. We did both in a lot less time than we thought we could do only one."

"I know, Hans. We are good together; real winners."

He pointed to the sign, "We make it perfect."

I nodded and Hans turned the key. The cart started instantly. We checked all of the switches and the directional and brake lights. Hans shrugged his shoulders and said, "I guess it works. It's too easy."

I said to Hans, "I had that worked out a long time ago. You had the coil worked out a long time ago. We could have had this ten years ago if we had met then. It went together easy because our two parts went together."

"Ya, ya, just like my wife we go together good. This is too good." It sounded more like goot, but I knew what he meant.

We were pushing the cart out of the shop when Steve came sliding to a stop. Steve, Abe, Tiny, and Phil came out of the pickup truck. Phil came up and said, "It looks like any other cart to me."

Steve and Abe had already seen the little gear display. Steve asked, "Have you tested it?"

"You will be the first," I said, crossing my fingers. "The test model worked, so this one should."

Abe said, "Don't you just love engineers. These guys make something and think it's perfect out of the box."

I had to say it, "But I'm not an engineer. I putter; I play with things until I know they'll work. Hans is the same. Our ideas meshed."

Dennis came out of his office and said, "You should have seen these two working on this thing. I think there are some surprises in here today."

Phil asked, "So what's the big deal anyway."

Steve said, "Come on, Phil, get in, Tiny, you and Abe come too. Let's give it a load."

They got in and Steve turned the key and the cart started instantly. Abe and Steve both turned their heads listening. Abe said, "Shut it off and start it again."

Steve did and when he started the cart he looked at Hans and me and arched an eyebrow. Abe was grinning from ear to ear. Steve put the gear selector in reverse and the cart backed up when he let the brake off. He but the cart in drive and the cart didn't jerk but sat there as it should until he let the brake off and gave it some gas. He drove around the parking area and stopped in front of us with the brake. When he let the brake up, he had to give it gas again. They took off down the street and you could hear the cart change gears. Steve must have really been going as it went into third gear and we could hear the motor revving. You could also hear Phil yell, "Whoopee, Automatic."

Hans, Dennis, and I did an uncharacteristic high five with each other. Dennis said, "You know Steve is going to try to kill that transmission, don't you?"

"I figured," I said. "He'll have to work at it. You know I made that thing out of eighteen percent stainless. He can't bend the forks because they're servo controlled. He can't harm the linkage because it is direct. The control box is linked to the electrical, so he can't get it wet because we have rubber gaskets sealing the cover. It should be tough enough for a sixteen year old or a couple of old ladies."

Dennis said, "You put your new ignition in there, didn't you?"

I nodded.

He asked, "How did you do that so fast. I thought it had to be developed yet."

"I've already made several, but didn't have the coil. Hans gave me the coil and I designed it in when he gave it to me yesterday. We have all the components, so while I was making circuit boards, I made that one too. You had the gel so I poured it in. I almost didn't put the connections in the right place and remembered just as I put it into the soldering machine. It's all triple tracked and double soldered, so it should last. If the components you had in stock are rated correctly, we should be golden."

Dennis said, "I hope the lawyers get the patent application done today or we'll have to lock this thing up tonight."

I grinned.

My cell phone went off. I answered it and heard, "Where in the hell are you. We are supposed to be in the judge's chambers in thirty minutes."

"Oh shit, I forgot. Damn, I'll be right there. I should be able to make it. Where are his chambers?"

"You idiot. Jesus, I'll meet you at the door of the court house, hurry."

Steve came back in the cart, so I said, "I have to be downtown at the county courthouse in less than thirty minutes. Who can get me there?"

Steve said, "Hop in, there is a way."

I jumped in the cart and Steve took off, pressing buttons on his cell phone in one hand. He said to the person he called, "You have to drive Mark Robins downtown to the courthouse and you have to be there in about twenty minutes. I'll meet you at the gate."

We slid up to the gate as a country Sheriff's cruiser pulled up. Steve said, "Go" and pointed.

I jumped into the cruiser and was told by a small person, "Put the belt on and hurry."

As I was buckling the belt, the car fishtailed away from the gate, turned around and headed toward town. We jumped on the highway at Bearss, hitting well over a hundred with the lights flashing. Every time people began crowding up, she put the siren on. I almost pissed in my pants a couple of times. Holy shit, this tiny person could drive. She weaved through downtown traffic and slid up to the front of the courthouse. She looked at her watch and grinned and said, "Sixteen minutes flat. That's movin, ' Buster."

I got out and said, "Thanks, Mickey, you are some driver."

She said, "I'll be out here waiting to take you back."

Sarah took my arm and said, "Come on, hurry, we can't be late."

We walked down some hallways and entered an office that had a receptionist. The lady pointed at an open doorway and we went into what looked like a conference room, with shelves of law books surrounding us. At the table were Judy, Jeanie, and a guy I assumed was Judy's attorney.

At the head of the table was a man in a judge's robe. I didn't think the robe was necessary in this situation, but oh well. There was a court reporter sitting in the corner with her tiny machine on a stand in front of her.

"Glad you could make it, Ms. Perkins and Mr. Robins. I understand you were involved in an important government project out at S&S. I hope you are successful with it."

He waved at all of us, "So, you have reached an acceptable agreement to dissolve the marriage of Judy and Mark Robins. I will read the brief description of the division of property. When I am through, if you want to request anything additional, please do so at that time."

"The value of the home is to be split between both parties. The personal checking account is also to be split equally between the parties. Judy Robins is to retain her vehicle and Mark is to retain his. The third vehicle is now a gift to the daughter, Jeanie."

The major asset of the marriage is the amount of money from the sale of the business. I understand the business was a minority owned business with fifty-one percent ownership by Judy and forty-nine by Mark. I also understand the business was originally incorporated several years before your marriage. Now, Judy, did you work in the business?"

Judy said, "I had an office there for the entire time I was majority owner."

Her lawyer smiled.

The judge was looking at the papers and asked, "What were your functions with the company? What did you do?"

Again Judy said, "I had an office at the company the entire time I was the president and majority owner."

"I see," said the judge. "Did you work with marketing?"

Judy answered, "No."

"Did you work with accounting?"

"Heavens, no," she answered.

"Then how about customer service?"

"I didn't do any of that."

The judge then said, "The division of money from the sale of the company is listed on Mark's papers at sixty percent for Mark, but on Judy's papers it is listed at forty-nine percent for Mark. I thought you two attorneys had agreed on a property settlement?"

Sarah said nothing as she knew what was coming.

Judy's attorney said, "Your Honor, I'm sure you would agree that even forty nine percent is too much for a man who has abandoned his wife to go live in a remote dowdy trailer park. He should forfeit the full amount of the home as it is Mrs. Robins only place of residence. We tracked this man down by way of his new car. He must be doing all right to purchase a new car. You might possibly consider an eighty/twenty split of those proceeds in addition to the full amount of the home."

The judge looked at me and asked, "How did you purchase a new car, Mr. Robins?"

I looked at Sarah and she just nodded, "My car was stolen from the police impound lot, actually it was a federal impound lot. They made me an offer of a vehicle that I accepted. When I used that vehicle and my antique motorcycle as a trade-in, I was able to trade for a Ford Escape. It was a pretty good deal for me since my Bronco was getting old."

The judge said, "That is an unfortunate, but fortunate, opportunity. I'd say a wise deal to come away with a new vehicle. So you didn't have any money that you had to put with it?"

"No sir, I used my only valuable asset, my antique Harley Davidson."

"Okay, that explains that. Is there anything else that you want from this marriage, Mrs. Robins?"

The attorney said, "Besides Mr. Robins generous Social Security, he receives two hundred seventy dollars each month from the Veterans Administration. We feel Mrs. Robins should be entitled to half of that, as well. We also believe that Mr. Robins should not be carried on Mrs. Robins' health insurance."

"Is that all?" The judge asked, arching his eyebrow.

He looked at me and asked, "Is the VA money payment for an injury or retirement?"

"An injury, Your Honor."

"Were you married to Mrs. Robins when you received this injury?"

"No, Your Honor."

The judge wrote some notes on his pad. "Mr. Robins, how do you feel about the division of assets as far as the house and the money from the sale of the business?"

I took a deep breath and answered honestly. "I think the way we presented the division of assets was fair, but I will abide by what the court deems fair."

He asked, "Do you own your home in the trailer park?"

"No Sir, I rent. I was given two thousand dollars to find a place to live and for food until I could get my Social Security and VA money changed to a new bank account."

"And why did you need a new bank account?"

Judy's attorney butted in and said, "It's only reasonable, Your Honor. If she asked him to leave he might rape those accounts and abscond with all of the money. She had to protect herself, so she allowed him two thousand to get settled somewhere else."

"You know, Gerald, you are always interrupting people and always trying to influence a judge in the wrong way."

The judge turned to the girl who was typing on a small machine. She was the court reporter. The judge said, "Get this down exactly, Thea."

The judge turned back to Judy's lawyer waving a finger, "Please remain quiet until I ask you to speak Gerald. One more interruption and you will be in contempt."

The attorney began to stand to say something, but the judge wagged his finger at him. The guy sat back down.

"Mr. Robins, are you willing to let me decree what is fair in this situation?"

"Yes sir, ah, Your Honor."

"And Mrs. Robins, are you willing to let me decree what is fair in the situation." He paused and said, "You may discuss this with your attorney."

Judy and the master idiot got their heads together and then she looked at the judge, "Your Honor, I think you should decree that I get the house and at least eighty percent of the business proceeds, as well as at least half of his VA money. Mark should be able to be fine with his VA medical benefit. I want him to be required to maintain his life insurance and for me to remain the beneficiary."

The judge asked, "So are you willing to let me decree the division of property?"

The attorney nodded for Judy to agree.

"Yes, Your Honor."

The judge said, "Fine, I'll be in my chambers for a few minutes then I'll return. You should have time for a bathroom break and refreshments if you want. I want to see both attorneys in my chambers."

The judge, Sarah, and Gerald the jerk all left the room. Judy said, "I hope you agree to all of this, Mark. You know that I'll need the extra money to sell the house and buy a decent condominium. Jeanie still needs help up in Atlanta that I'm sure you'll agree on. Just enjoy your new car and your Social Security. Half of your VA money is pretty good, don't you think?"

After I choked for a minute, I got up and went to the bathroom. Wow! How could this morning be such a rush and this be so fucking terrible? Where was Judy coming from? She was being greedy like I've never seen her before. I had best watch my language. Somebody will read my thoughts and be pissed. Someone like Mercy or Chuck. I wish they were here so they could tell me what to say.

Back in the conference room, Judy was gone, but Jeanie was there. She came over to me and I stood. She hugged me saying, "I'm sorry, Daddy, this is not nice. I don't know why Mom is acting this way. She's lucky she's not in jail. Can I come and stay with you a little while before I go back to Atlanta? I want to make sure you're all right. Please, Daddy. If Mom gets everything she wants, you won't get out much anymore."

Sarah and Judy's attorney came back and Judy came back shortly after. Judy and her attorney had a chat that had Judy sitting back gasping. The judge came in and sat as we stood, then we sat.

"I've discussed what my decree will be, but in this case Mr. Robins has some say. First, the value of the home will be appraised and it will be sold, borrowed against, or paid outright, with half of the existing value paid to Mr. Robins."

"As to the VA benefit to Mr. Robins for injuries incurred during his military time, Mr. Robins will receive one hundred percent of that benefit and he will receive one hundred percent of his Social Security benefit."

"The big one. I decree that Mr. Robins will receive ninety percent of the money received from the sale of the business owned by the couple. I make this division on the basis that Mrs. Robins did nothing for the enhancement of this business. Mr. Robins, do you feel this division is equitable."

I gritted my teeth and shook my head. I wanted to say yes, but I said, "Your Honor, I originally agreed to sixty percent of the proceeds, but because my wife was involved in trying to kill me, I feel I should receive at least seventy percent."

The judge shook his head. "I won't allow that. I will concede to Mr. Robins generosity and direct he receive eighty percent of the proceeds and Mrs. Robins will have that money in legal tender by five o'clock this evening or Mrs. Robin will go back to jail where she probably belongs. Mr. Robins will not forfeit any of his monies from the VA. He will receive half the value of the home within thirty days of this decree. The same penalty applies. Mr. Robins will not be removed from Mrs. Robins' medical insurance unless Mr. Robins notifies her by registered letter. Mr. Robins will receive half of all checking accounts as of the day of your removal from your home, less the two thousand dollars you were given previously. There are known account balances available for that date. Mr. Robins' life insurance policies will be his property and his to do with as he sees fit. And finally, Ms. Perkins fees will be paid from Mrs. Robins' proceeds. Please abide by this decree." The judge slapped his hand on the table and stood. We all stood and he left the room.

Judy's attorney had his mouth open in stunned silence. Judy looked confused. Sarah smiled.

We walked out and Sarah said, "I'll call you when we get the money. I'll only charge them the going rate for a divorce. You might need to help your ex. She's going to end up paying that jerk a lot more than he's worth."

Sarah was laughing as she walked down the steps leading out the back of the building.

Going out the front, I looked around and saw a Sheriff's car pull up to the curb. The hand that beckoned me was small. I got in and buckled up as Mickey asked, "How did it go?"

I looked at her, smiled, and said, "I think I made out."

"Good, let me get you home. You can make me a drink tonight."

Mickey drove me home only slightly slower than we came. The only difference was no lights, no siren. I still almost pissed in my pants.

Mickey drove me straight to the R&D center and stopped. She said, "Steve said you are a valuable asset to him, the company, and the park. I'm happy to help."

I had to ask, "Mickey, I never see you in uniform. What are you doing in a car, in uniform?"

Mickey answered, "They were short a car out here in this area today and asked if I would work it. I agreed and look at what I got to do. Fun, wasn't it?"

I was still laughing when I went into the lab. Hans was busy trying to duplicate the circuit boards I had made. I told him, "Use the configuration I saved. It's easy. Let me show you."

I helped him make the circuit boards then helped him set them up for soldering. I pulled the two saved programs and we soldered the boards together and then checked them on the bench.

He had begun putting the transmission together, but needed me to help. I fit the pieces for the torque converter together then we slid each of the gears into place. I had to make up another set of forks, but that didn't take long. The hardest part of the whole thing was removing all of the switches and relays to connect the new ignition module. When we were done putting everything together, including the transmission drain plug and fluid, Hans asked, "Can you make me the transmission designation? I want one exactly like the other."

I made up the colored piece of paper and cut it out, mounting it on the dash. Hans was smiling as we pushed the cart out of the shop. He sat in it and turned the key. They cart started instantly. He put the cart into gear and the cart sat there. He backed up and stopped then pulled forward and stopped. He yelled, "Ya" and took off like a bat out of hell, yelling, "Ya, ya, ya" all the way around the park. I guess we had our second prototype.

Dennis came out and said, "Let's lock this place up and go to the patio. I don't know about you, but this has been one hell of a day."

I nodded, agreeing one hundred percent.

We began riding over to the patio driving intelligently, but by the time we were a hundred yards from the lab we were racing. We slid around corners until we slid into the yard in front of the patio. We got out laughing and headed into the enclosed area just as one of the security guys came up and yelled at us. I went back and said, "We were out of line. Forgive us today. Thank goodness we didn't hurt anyone."

The security guy left and I was handed a tall Beefeaters when I came in the door. Steve asked, "How did you make out?"

"I think I did okay. My attorney will probably call soon. At any rate, I am divorced."

Mercy said, "And free to marry one of those sweet ladies who live by you."

"Oh, Mercy, let me enjoy a moment's freedom. I might want to chase a few of these lovely single ladies around here."

"Sure you do, I'll bet you'll chase those three all up and down your street."

We all laughed as we celebrated. Hans came driving up in the yard next to the patio. He said, "This is the second prototype and it is better than the first. I want to race."

Steve hollered, "Shut that thing off and get in here, Hans. Come have a beer."

Sue walked in the door with Betty, Shirley, and Caroline. I stood and held out my arms. The three came to me and hugged me. Betty looked up and asked, "Did you keep your underwear, or did they take those too?"

All of the patio people who had heard laughed and I said, "I think I did fine. I kept my Social Security and my VA benefit. I get half the house, so I'm very happy. I can live happily for the rest of my life."

Shirley said, "Your old house couldn't have been worth all that much?"

"It wasn't, but I'm living in a place that's very inexpensive and I'm sure that I can live happily ever after right here."

Caroline hugged me and said, "Yes, you can. You don't even have to have that trailer. You can live with me for even less. We can live happily ever after."

There was a lot of hollering and clapping from people who heard. I said, "I think there is a waiting period before people can remarry after a divorce. We might want to observe that."

Shirley said, "We'll observe that as long as you're living with Caroline. Get with it, Mark, the lady's made you a hell of an offer. What'r'ya gonna do?"

Caroline was hugging me, as were Shirley and Betty. I stood straight and as I reached over and pulled a tab from soda can, I said, "Caroline, you've been a wonderful companion. If we're still good buddies when we finish this waiting period thing, will you marry an old geezer like me?" I slid the tab ring on her finger.

Caroline looked down at the soda can tab then up at me and said, "It's a deal."

We kissed and hugged until Glenda said, "Let's eat."

We ate ribs and chicken tonight and when the table was cleared and everyone was a little mellow, Tiny stood up with a microphone and said, "I didn't have time to call a big hoedown tonight to celebrate a new division and a new couple of products for S&S. I'm sure we'll do a lot more celebrating before we ever ship the first product. I'll let Steve tell you about it."

Steve stood up and said, "First, let me get Hans and Mark up here. Yesterday, Mark brought a couple of his unfinished toys into the lab and began working on them. Hans had the answer to one, and Dennis recommended the answer to another. With their input, Mark finished his two toys. Today our attorneys filed for patents on two revolutionary products. We now have a real automatic transmission for the carts. It is designed to save a lot of fuel and the idea and patent extends to regular vehicles. Mark's idea is so simple that it works. It will also make the transmission work a lot longer before a major overhaul. We don't know how much longer, but at a minimum, it should double the life of the transmission."

"Just the creation of the automatic golf cart transmission is really a big deal. The biggest market for this type of cart will be the golf cart communities that are becoming so popular. Now you won't hear them screaming down the street at five miles an hour or choking at fifteen or twenty. The transmission changes gears smoothly and seems to be tough. I tried to kill my prototype, but I haven't come close. Hans was out trying to kill his tonight too, but failed. This is truly a phenomenal invention."

"This is only half of their creations. Today, while they built the transmission, Mark decided to slip an invention into the test cart that will affect the entire automotive industry forever, at least for as long as we have gasoline, diesel, or electric engines. Most of you won't know or care about this item, but it will earn your 401K accounts more money than any single item we've ever had. This item will be in every vehicle made, perhaps next year, but for sure the year after that. In the meantime, we'll be offering it to vehicle owners everywhere as it will save a little gas, but it will eliminate starting and ignition problems on almost all cars. It replaces the entire ignition. It replaces all of the relays and switches, as well as sensor regulators for the whole engine and entire car. Anyway, it is being patented and Phil is going to sell it to the industry. He will license the technology throughout the world. This will help our carts, it will change every production line we have and it will make us a bundle of money as our carts will cost less to make. We're already the least cost, best performing, cart manufacturer in the world. We'll be that much better. Give these two guys a hand. I think we'll be doing this a lot in the future."

Steve was going to sit down, but said, "And congratulations. Mark asked Caroline if she would marry him when he can, and if they were still together."

Everyone was hollering and clapping, and now laughing at how Steve had congratulated us. I sat back with Caroline in my lap. I sipped my drink as she turned and looked at me. I thought, 'Where has that look been for so many years of my life? Why in the world would I have to come out here to a trailer park to receive this kind of friendship?'

I was smiling at Caroline when a voice said, "Daddy, can I stay with you tonight?"

Jeanie was standing there. She was smiling as I pulled her to me for a hug. Caroline got up and Jeanie sat on my lap. She said, "Can I have a drink of something? I'm a little messed up after this last couple of weeks."

Mercy came to me with a Coke. She said, "Cuba Libre, just what she needs."

I said, "Jeanie, this is Mercy. Mercy, my daughter, Jeanie."

Turning to Caroline I said, "This is Caroline, Caroline, my daughter, Jeanie."

Caroline said, "I'm so happy to meet you. I met your brother and his family this past week."

Jeanie asked, "Were they down?"

I said, "No, Jeanie, we flew up in a little plane to see them."

"You flew? I thought you lost your license because of the physical?"

Smiling, I said, "I did, Honey, or actually I just didn't take the annual physical but I'm still allowed to fly Light Sport airplanes and the charter company near here had one they let me use. It was great, we made the trip in two days, staying overnight where we wanted."

"Oh Daddy, I know how much you love to fly. That must have been so nice. I wish I could fly with you again some time."

Steve said, "How about tomorrow, you can have your dad take you up in one of the neatest biplanes known to man. You two can fly like the folks used to fly sixty years ago. Would you want to do that?"

Jeanie was grinning, "Yes Sir, I would really like that."

I had Caroline sit on one knee and Jeanie sit on the other. We talked for a while, then as the party dwindled, I took the two home in my cart. I told them to wait while I went for Betty and Shirley. After getting everyone home and putting the cart away, I suggested, "Jeanie, you sleep in the bed and I'll sleep out here. This is a comfortable couch."

Jeanie said, "Oh no, I'll sleep on the couch and you and Caroline can sleep in the bed."

Caroline said, "My trailer is right over there. I'll go sleep there."

Jeanie said, "You know I'm not ten anymore. I know you and mom weren't close and haven't been close for years and years. If you've found someone to be close with, do it. I watched and listened today and knew how I wanted to grow up and who to be like. I want to be like you, Dad. I want to be fair all the time. Mom's at home crying because she thinks she didn't get everything she should have gotten. If she had taken what she had agreed on when your attorney made the deal, she would have gotten a lot more. Now she has to suffer. I'm ashamed."

"Don't be ashamed. That's your mother and you only get one of those. Love her and take care of her when she needs you. You only get this one chance. You were a good daughter to come down to help her."

"Yeah, you mean when she went to jail for trying to kill you and to take everything you had, plus make you look like a child molester. She almost had me believing it. I'm sorry, Daddy, Steven made it sound so believable. I'm sorry you had to be the one to kill him, but if you didn't, he would have killed a lot of people. That was an unbelievable event. Please forgive me for believing him."

"It's over," I said. "This is a new start for me. It can be for you. If you want to stay down here, I'm sure I can help you get a job. If you want to go back to Atlanta, I'll go along with you going up there and help if you need."

"Actually, Daddy, I have a good job up there. They've been very understanding and expect me to come back. I think I will stay up there. I'm making good money, I have a great roommate and I like my job. What more could I ask for?"

"That's great, Honey. I'm really tired so I'm going to bed. If you want to sleep on the couch, you're welcome to it. Caroline, it's your call."

Caroline smiled, "I'll stay. I like to be snuggled up to you."

We went to bed after individually using the bathroom. Caroline and I were lying in bed when Jeanie came in. She asked, "Can I have the other shoulder. I have missed my Daddy. It's been too long."

As soon as my daughter was on one side and Caroline on the other, I knew my life was settling down to something good, real good.

Saturday morning found me holding my daughter as she slept and holding Caroline who was staring into my eyes. We smiled at each other before she slipped out of bed and I followed. I put on shorts and tennis shoes while Caroline went next door to do the same.

We walked the long way around the park. We didn't go fast, but kept a good pace. Caroline asked, "You don't think I was some kind of floozy to stay with that guy for so long do you? I always try to justify why I stayed, but to tell you truth, it was because I was lazy and I didn't know how to take care of myself."

Caroline continued, "I've always been so jealous of his other wife. I don't really know who he married first. He did give me a lot and left me with enough to live on as he did his other family. The man was just two different people, or at least he had two different lives. If he had not died when he did, his wife said she would probably have divorced him. You know, I would have taken him and perhaps even had a baby. When he died, I swore off men. I said never again, then a few weeks ago you showed up, treating everyone with respect and each of us so sweet. Do you know the first day we met, Betty and Shirley both said that we would end up together? I told them they were nuts, but I don't want to think of my life without you now. Is this happening too fast? Are we being silly?"

"I don't think so, Caroline. I want us to be just like Don and Prissy. I want us to live long and happy lives together. I still want to work, I still want to ride motorcycles, and I still want to fly airplanes."

Caroline said, "As long as I can be your helpmate, ride behind you on your motorcycle, and fly with you, we'll be as happy as Donald and Prissy. I might have to take in laundry, but I'll enjoy it just the same."

I said, "You know that the inventions Hans and I made are worth a lot of money."

"And so?" Caroline asked.

"Um, Hans and I are going to get a hell of a lot of money."

Caroline laughed and said, "Oh goody, you can buy me a real ring."

"You don't understand, Love, I'm talking we could buy the whole park not just a new trailer."

Caroline said, "Why would we do that. We're happy the way we are aren't we?"

I smiled, I knew this was the way it should be.

We walked home where we got Jeanie up and took her to the patio for breakfast. The Saturday morning crowd was happy and rowdy. After breakfast, Jeanie said, "I'm going to go back to Atlanta, Dad, so I can go to work Monday. Mom gave me my car payment book because she said she wouldn't have enough to pay for it now. Can you help? I can do at least half right now and will probably be able to handle the whole thing by next year. Your help right now would be great."

"Tell you what, kid. Give me the payment book, I'll pay the car off and send you the title. Take care of yourself and work hard. I hope you find the right guy for you and have a great life. When you want to see me, I'll be right here. I'll always be your dad and I'll always love you."

We hugged, then my daughter got into her car and left. I figured I would see and hear from her again, but not as often as my son. If she wanted an airplane ride, she would have stayed. My son would have stayed a month to get a ride in a real open cockpit bi-plane. Of course, his wife would have done the same. Oh well, we all have our own priorities.

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Epilogue

Well, my priorities were set. I took care of the warranty desk. I repaired those cars in the park that I could, and I worked on my inventions. In other words, I puttered. I had more than enough money to live on. No, that's not right. I had more than enough for this part of the world to live on. When Prissy preceded Don to their happy courting grounds, I made sure Don had a great nursing home to stay in. Caroline and I later bought a doublewide and a huge garage that took up three spaces at the end of the lane. I could putter at home.

Betty and Shirley were still our best friends. They were our witnesses when we tied the knot about a year later. Our family, which is the whole park, was there, so it was one hell of a party. My daughter showed up with a fine young man who asked me for my daughter's hand. I told him, "Take it with caution, son, take that hand and watch it, nurture it, and if it quits giving you love in return, run, run as fast as you can anywhere. Good luck."

There are several stories yet to tell but over the next few years I enjoyed a full and happy life.

The tale will have to tell that by the second year with S&S, Dennis and Hans helped me finish the small wind turbine I had worked on for years. The key was the high performance generator windings and a new type of storage battery. We were able to create a wind turbine generator not much larger than a commercial anemometer. The new turbines were so freewheeling that they could easily produce all the power needed for a home and were small enough to be considerably more aesthetic than those behemoth turbines you usually see on wind generating farms. We were able to create a governor or speed limiter so the turbine could remain working in high wind conditions. The big deal after the installation of a wind generator was the ability to sell power back to the electric company. It's nice to receive a check instead of a bill every month.

S&S decided to adopt my plan to experiment with them as homeowner power sources and we soon had small wind turbines all over the park. It was private property, so it was legal.

Farmers and ranchers began buying our larger turbines. Oil companies wanted them so they could operate their small oil pumps that were at remote sites. The military could use them as a quick source of power to recharge batteries and operate portable command centers. And power companies could use the technology to build large wind turbine farms that would produce an equal amount of energy as some small coal fired plants.

Some idiot suggested we were a conspiracy against the power companies, therefore wanting to harm the government. It took some effort but we did finally convince "the people" that we were doing exactly what all the anti-everything about fossil fuel people wanted. We were producing renewable "green" power. They even picketed the factory and every story about them demonstrating created one or more major sale of turbines.

Tiny made a deal with a group of banks to carry the financing and soon we were selling all of the turbines we could make. Steve built another factory on some ground in back of the truck body plant.

Steve and Tiny were really smart; they sold licensing rights to companies overseas that manufactured our special turbine. S&S, Hans, Dennis, and yours truly received something for every turbine made and sold.

The story will have to tell about how Dennis, Hans, and I were really getting close to what we thought might be the eighth wonder of the world, a perpetual motion automobile. Actually, it was more of a motion energy-generating engine whose power we were harnessing. We were using our turbine that could produce enough energy to make the turbine turn plus enough energy to make a vehicle go. The motion additionally turned the turbine which generated enough energy to sustain the perpetual motion. The biggest problems so far were that the engine was too big and heavy so that it required another kind of engine to get the motion started. We were working on it and gradually reducing the size. We knew it worked as Caroline and I drove to Cheyenne in a modified Ford van. We would do it again when the engine was smaller. Oh yeah, because we kept shutting it off, it required an electric motor to start the perpetual motion engine so it did cost us the price of recharging our two big storage batteries. Other than that, there was zero fuel cost.

The big difference in Caroline's and my life is that we often flew a tiny airplane to see the kids. When we wanted to go real fast, we flew a jet out there. I was able to go to the Learjet school even though I would never fly left seat. Money talks.

My son, his wife, and three kids finally moved back to Florida. Steve built the family a great house where Abe lives in the back of the park. Gene began managing the industrial arts school, plus the pilot training area of the charter service. Sandy and Caroline became great friends, learning how to help a lot of older people at the park and in the surrounding area.

Caroline and I became the sweet old couple on the end of the road, just like Don and Prissy. We outlived our friends and we enjoyed every minute we had together. Love was, and is, wonderful.

Primary editing by Pepere

Proofing by Sagacious


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The End
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Posted:  2009-10-27
Last Modified: 2011-08-15 / 01:24:11 pm
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