Storiesonline.net
-------

                             Vacation - Two
                             by Dual Writer

Copyright© 2008 by Dual Writer


-------
Description: The continued adventures of Steve and Sue Sharp and their enlarging group of friends. Enjoy the romance, the action, the adventure and relationships the couple have. This next part of the story (Part 2 of Vacation Two) is written with more than just implied sex. There are scenes that may cause some sensory excitement.  Not extensive. Puritans can skip them and those who enjoy some titillation can do what you do.

Codes: MF FF rom
-------



-------

Cast of Characters

One of my editors, who extremely bashful and doesn't wish to be named has too much time on his hands so has written a compilation of characters

He writes: It was brought to the authors (my) attention there are too many characters to remember who they are and who belongs to whom. I've (the bashful proofer) been a huge fan of the series since I found it. I've been in contact with the author (me) and with his blessing and encouragement, I am working on what I consider to be the definitive index of all the characters within the series.

This list contains the name of nearly every new character in the story Vacation 2, from the smallest part, to the main characters. IF a name is mentioned, they are listed here unless the name was simply mentioned in passing and they do not actually appear in one of the stories, or their part is one time and not really relevant to be listed here. The list is in the approximate order of appearance, and is not in order of importance.

New Characters:

Dewey -A resident of Friday Harbor near Seattle, he (at first) is a recluse with a drinking problem. It turns out that Dewey is very wealthy. He becomes almost like a brother to Steve, as well as a business partner.

Connie -One of two whale sightseeing guides that take people out in kayaks for a really up close view of the whales.

Mink -The second guide that take people out in kayaks for a really up close view of the whales.

John Stevens -Brother of Dewey. Lives in Alaska and is a bush pilot, instuctor pilot, and wilderness guide.

Sadie -Well, Sadie isn't really a person ... in fact she is a huskie. Her owner sends her with Steve, Sue, and John on their outing and she proves a valuable ally.

Don Ho -Yep, Don Ho the singer makes and appearance when Steve, Sue and their friends visit his restaurant while in Hawaii.

Shelia -A French Canadian lady Dewey has met on his way to Hawaii. They soon become an item.

Sarah and Helen -Two older women whom Dewey affectionately refers to as his aunts. They clean the boat, cook for him and generally share the task of worrying over his drinking so much.

Mercy - A sweet magical lady from San Francisco who fell for both Sue and Steve. She is the daughter of Merlin and Missy. Merlin is a magician with a supper club where Mercy performed. She is very clairvoyant, a mind reader, has ESP, and mentally converses easily with others.

Merlin and Missy -Merlin is a renowned magician with a dinner theater in San Francisco. Missy spends most of her time in Florida being a grandmother.

Cindy -A new hire at S&S, she is the receptionist stationed in the showroom. She is also blind.

Julie -The daughter of a woman who works for Sue. Having finished her degree in college she is hired as a second assistant to Debbie at S&S.

Brandon -A painter hired to assist Hank at S&S.

Pete Santos -Owner of the aero park where Steve and Sue house their planes, and later rents them space for hangers. Finally selling a portion of the park to Steve, they become partners.

John Truant -Retired military pilot as well as a retired lawyer. Sells his plane to Steve and Sue, then becomes their pilot for charters of the plane they have bought. Finally he becomes de facto head of the S&S air charter service division.

Deputy Mickey Williams - A deputy Sheriff crime scene investigator and mostly lesbian oriented lady who lost her partner but wanted to become one of Steve's group. No name yet for her unborn critter created with the help of Steve. She also happens to be the daughter of the Major at the Sherriffs department.

Susan and Kevin -Steve's sister and brother-in-law. They come down for a vacation, and later return and Kevin becomes an employee of S&S.

Dennis -Son of Susan and Kevin, eventually goes to college and becomes an S&S employee in research and development.

Tina -Susan and Kevins daughter. Has a massive crush on Steve in the beginning. Eventually goes to school to become a doctor.

Nelda Farmer -The elderly lady whom Steve and Sue buy 600 acres of property from, then help her prove she is not behind in her taxes and then help her get social security which she has not been getting.

Ryan House -Hired after he'd left Caterpillar for management at S&S and becomes a roving manager to oversee all the different distributorships.

Michelle House -Ryan's wife, hired by S&S to be Ryans assistant.

Mark Jones -An employee of "the contractor" who offers Steve use of his contractors license to get the large business park project started. The contractor himself in unavailable because his wife is sick and they have gone to the mayo clinic.

Terrell Davis -Hired by S&S as the general contractor negating the need for Mark Jones license for the project. Terrel eventually ends up in partial charge of the the S&S construction division and eventually marries Deanne.

June -In charge of personnel for Quality Wear Clothes factory.

Darnel -Works for S&S construction and is overseeing the construction of the Holiday Inn Express to make sure it is built to Steve's standards.

Crystal Mendoza -Former trucker, soldier, truck salesperson, mechanic. Hired by S&S to head up the cab conversion sales as well as the truck dealership.

Steven Gregory Sharp Jr. -Yep, little Stevie has hit the ground running so to speak. Capturing the hearts of all his Gamma's and Pap's and of course he is the pride of his proud parents Steve and Sue.

Charlie Jr. -Charlie and Shawna's son, commonly called CJ.

Robert -Debbie and Hanks son, no junior for Hank!!!

Mia -Jim and Hanna have added to the residents of the park with the arrival of their little girl.

Sandy Friedman -The Mayor of Tampa.

Mark Lawton -Owner of the Chicago Onan distributorship. Has sickness in the family, so he sells to S&S and then is hired by S&S as a consultant and management trainer with full insurance coverage to deal with the sickness in his family.

Henry and Nancy -Steve's brother and sister-in-law. Henry an accountant is hired by Tiny to work as S&S ... after awhile Henry is moved over to handle Quality Wear Clothes.

Juanita -Juanita joins the cast. A lovely Cuban lady who became a part of the family as the result of Sue and Mercy's interest in women.

Sid and Hildie Burns -Owners of the T-Shirt factory that S&S buys.

Luis Mendoza - A resident of the park and a refrigeration mechanic hired by S&S. Is also the father of Tammy.

Tammy Mendoza - Girlfriend of Dennis (Steve's nephew) and daughter of Luis

Elizabeth Ann Sharp -Steve and Sue's new bundle of joy. Their second child and first daughter.

Sean -Shawna and Charlies second child and their first daughter.

Michael Steven Sharp -Mercy's first addition to the group of kids in the park. Of course Steve is the proud father as well a Merlin being a proud grandfather since the child has his middle name. Merlin is just glad Mercy didn't name him Merlin.

Little Dewey -Son of Dewy an Sheila

Margie –Girlfriend and soon to be wife of Hap.

Patty -Blind receptionist at the S&S Chicago Distributorship.

George -Area Manager at the S&S Chicago Distributorship.

Jim Beckett -Main distributorship manager at the S&S Chicago Distributorship.

John Morgan -Boat surveyor hired as a consultant to S&S and Steve to locate a suitable sailboat to satisfy Mercy's desire, as well as a motor launch for the companies use in entertaining clients.

Coast Guard Captain - Captain of the Coast Guard Cutter the originally stops and searches the sailboat Steve and Mercy are evaluating for purchase. The boat is confiscated, but they buy a motor launch in lieu of the sailboat. The Captain becomes a friend and often assists Steve in his boat ventures.

Annette -Another new hire working at S&S as another assistant to Debbie.

Marshal Tucker -Owner of a 110 foot Magellan sailboat which is to large for him to handle alone. He offers to trade his boat plus $25,000.00 for Steve's much smaller boat ... Being no fool, Steve does so.

Sheena -Darnels fiancée, they wish to be married out at the park at Steve and Sue's (Please Note: There are two Sheena's that appear in the story. This one is black while the other who appears much later is white, French Canadian and is Sheila's sister.)

Margaret -Margaret or Maggie as Steve christens her is a friend of Glenda's who lives in the park and is a recent widow. Maggie wanted some work, so Glenda has brought her on board at Sue and Steve's.

Captain Douglas -Captain for the new recreational charter fishing addition of S&S.

Captain Francisco -Captain for the new recreational charter fishing addition of S&S.

Captain DiGargiano -Captain for the new recreational charter fishing addition of S&S.

Captain Mitchell -Captain for the new recreational charter fishing addition of S&S.

Frank Howard -An engineer for Magellan who in trying to solve the steering problem with the new boat finds the box that was installed for drug running.

Jim and Kate Samuels - Jim is hired by the trailer park to do repairs that are needed. Kate ends up being hired by Quality Wear for child care as she has a degree in child psychology and daycare management. They soon split and Kate moves in with the Sharps ... turns out Jim likes the Gay lifestyle but they get back together later.

Carson Samuels -The young son of Jim and Kate.

Frank Watkins -New President of Onan, willing to let orders go unfilled rather than expand. Steve has to step in and set him straight

John Peters -Senior accountant at Onan.

Phillip Bustaine -Owner of the Montreal Onan distributorship who tries to sell out to Steve as part of a scam he has devised.

Anthony Fontaine -Montreal realtor who assists Steve and group finding a location to open a distributorship when they decline to deal with Bustaine.

Marso -The out of town contractor Steve contacts when none of the locals want to do the build out of the building he is purchasing. Bustaine called the local contractors telling them Steve is a scam artist.

Henry "Butch" Montuso -Brother-in-law of the real estate agent. Finally agrees to do the build out of the building in partnership with Marso's company

Tony and Alexa Orkos -Manager of the Greek S&S distributirship and his wife.

Pete Sorentino -Greeter for the yacht club in Sicily.

Salvitore, Maria, and Rochelle Santini -Manager of the Sicilian S&S distributorship and his two wives ... Sound a bit like Steve?

Frank Manchurous -Scilian gevernment official who places a larger order with S&S while Steve is there.

Edwardo -The guide hired to show everyone around Italy while they visit during their cruise. He also accompanies them to the Riviera where he again provides guide services.

Chanda and Michael -An Irish couple Steve and group meet in Italy, they have two poly lovers/partners, Lucille and Margaret.

Cory and Corinne –Twin children of Chanda and Michael

Floor supervisor -Floor supervisor of the casino on the Riviera, nearly cries when Steve wins so much.

Mackenzie -Known as he is a Wealthy Irish entrepreneur and father to Chanda with wife Lorna.

Brutus -Formerly of the British Special Forces, he is now a butler/man servant to Mac.

Hotel Bellhop - Steve and all the other bikers have gone to Daytona for bike week. When they arrive, one Bellhop is extremely rude and Steve is present when he is fired finding out he is the manager's son. Seems uncle Ben has invested for Sue and she is the majority owner of the hotel.

Hotel Manager. -Manager of the hotel, obviously and the father of the fired bellhop, again obviously.

Barney -Senior Club Prez of the bike club in Daytona.

Christy Williams -A customer Service Rep at S&S.

Gregory Steven Sharp -The surprise Kathy took along from Steve when she moved north to escape the violence. Steve only learns of his son when Kathy and family return for a visit.

Carl and Bessie Lofton -Kathy's parents. Carl is a sewing machine mechanic and will work at Quality Wear Clothes when he and Bessie move to Florida...

Trixie, Dixie and Tom -Mercy's new additions to the family ... Identical twin/triplet girls and a fraternal triplet boy.

Philip and Manuel –Sue's twin additions to the family ... Philip in honor of the family name Phillips, and Manuel in honor of Juanita's deceased husband.

Carla -Kates daughter by Steve.

Bonita -Kathy's final addition to the family, Kathy's last child by Steve.

Original Characters in Vacation 2:

Steven Gregory Sharp "Steve" - The first person and main character within Florida Friends. A medically retired Marine who came to Florida for a vacation. Owner and founder of S&S Enterprises. Is now a multi-millionaire. Donates to all sorts of charities.

Martin and Glenda Nelson - Neighbors of Steve from the start, very important to Steve and become nearly like parents in a way. Glenda begins the morning coffee group with Steve by being the first to come over for morning coffee.

Abe and Alice - Owners of the trailer Steve rents upon his arrival in Tampa. Abe begins to work with Steve repairing the commercial generators Steve acquired. This is partially the start of Steve's business.

Jan and Del - Owners of Tampa V-Twin cycle shop. Jan gives Steve his first custom frame welding Job.

Kathy - The first woman in the trailer park that Steve meets and dates. Is also the mother of JJ (Jake Junior), Carl, Ben, and Barbara. The four children are hers and Jakes. Jake is her now deceased first husband. Jake was a marine killed in action on the first day of Desert Storm. Kathy leaves after the violence she feels she is responsible for and unknowingly leaves pregnant with Steve's child.

JJ - Kathy's son Jake Junior

Carl - Kathy's son

Ben - Kathy's son

Barb - Kathy's daughter

Star - A resident of the trailer park. Works as a dancer with DeeDee at the Mons Venus strip bar. Later becomes an employee of S&S

DeeDee - A resident of the trailer park. Works as a dancer with Star at the Mons Venus strip bar. Later becomes an employee of S&S

Charlie and Shawna - Neighbors in the trailer park and both work at Tampa V-Twin. Of the two characters Shawna becomes more prominent as an employee of S&S.

Hap - President of a local chapter of a national bike club. He becomes a very good friend to Steve. Eventually retires as President of the club and becomes an employee of S&S employee.

Billy and Connie - A machinist that does work for Charlie and S&S. A superb craftsman with a CNC machine. Is an avid biker and married to Connie.

Big Jim - Owns a bar where many bikers come to drink and socialize.

Fred Conners - Owner of the welding supply house. Becomes Steve's first customer for rebuilt generators and compressors.

Deputy Sheriff Williams - Supervisor that responds to most of Steve's battles. Because of Steve's battles he proceeds up the ranks from Sergeant to Captain, then Major.

The Lawyer - Never given a name per se, he is Steve's Lawyer who sets up his corporation and provides legal help from time to time.

Stormy - A member of the bike club where Hap is president, eventually becomes an employee of S&S.

Denise - A barmaid at Big Jim's bar, nicknamed "Double D" in reference to her assets. Becomes Steve's girlfriend for a awhile, then meets her true love.

Tiny and Ruth - Neighbors of Steve in the park. Both eventually become management at S&S.

Darrel Young - Deputy Sheriff who sweeps Denise off her feet ending her brief encounter with Steve.

Sue Phillips Sharp - A buxom lady who tracked down and caught Steve Sharp. Owner and founder of Big Girls Clothes dot com that becomes Qualtiy Wear. Her kids with Steve are Stevie, Liz (Elizabeth) and twins Daniel and Manuel.

Sam Burns - Race car builder who is always trying to cheap Steve out.

Gene - Nascar team owner. Becomes Steves first real client and supporter as well as a friend.

The Computer Guy - Named Sam, but generally referred to as the computer guy, he was Sue's original computer "guru". He becomes the supplier of equipment and software for both S&S and Quality Wear Clothes.

The Crew Chief - While all teams have crew chiefs, this person is Gene's senior crew chief, once again, never given a name, but does appear from time to time.

Deputy Benson - Steve and Sue save his life when he is shot during a traffic stop. He is mentioned from time to time.

Jim and Hanna - Biker friends of Charlie and Shawna. Move into the trailer they have bought from Charlie and Shawna at the park. Jim works at the Harley Davidson dealership while Hanna eventually becomes one of Sue's employees.

Greek retaurant owner - Another no name person, but appears regularly. Always perving Sue's cleavage, he both serves them at the restaurant and occasionally caters at the park for the parties.

Beer Truck Driver - A cast regular for all the lushes that live and visit the park, another no name character.

Bear - Real name Barton Meyer. President of a national bike club affiliated with Haps club. Was also the counterpart leader in the other patrol that usually went out with Steve.

Ben and Beth Phillips - Sue's mother and uncle who she discovered was her mom and dad. Ben is an attorney who has become a successful investor. Beth enjoys being a grandmother.

Lakeland Nascar team owner - Another cast member with no name. Steve's second Nascar customer.

The Caterer - Again, no name ever given. Caters the wedding of Steve and Sue, and most of the S&S company parties. He is also a member of Haps group.

Taylor Rental - Breaking a rule of sorts as this is a company, not a person. However, because they are mentioned so often, I felt they should be in this list.

Tom and Betty - Tom along with Al are Steve's first employees. Later Betty becomes Sue's employee. Tom also happens to be Hap's younger brother.

Al and Joan - Al along with Tom are Steve's first employees. Later Joan becomes Sue's employee.

The Contractor - Once again, a character with a title with no name ... Wonder if the author used to write Italian spaghetti westerns that had so many unnamed characters LOL. In any event he builds the first larger patio, then does construction for S&S, and finally becomes an S&S employee.

The phone guy - Yep, the author wrote the spaghetti westerns, another no name that appears occasionally.

Phil and Judy - Phil was a salesman for Onan who was let go. Becomes a salesman for S&S with his wife Judy as his assistant.

Sandy and Mandy - A.K.A. the Andy's ... Motor builders, both motorcycle and automotive. Build the engine that earns S&S Nascar certification.

Bob Conners - Son of the welding supply house owner, hired as a welder at S&S.

Tim Conners - Brother of the welding supply house owner, hired as a welder at S&S.

Dan - An ex-con who learned to work sheet metal in prison for screwing up and attempting a robbery.

Ted Williams - Versatile in sheet metal and welding, becomes an S&S employee.

Clint - As Abe says, he's only got one eye, but he sees more with it then most with two eyes. He joins S&S to work with Abe in the rebuild group.

Carl and Kurt - A gay couple who are also motor builders that join the S&S team.

Debbie and Hank Wilson - A special couple in a way. Turns out Debbie is Shawna's cousin and is in a relationship with her cousin Hank. Debbie joins S&S as Steve's assistant while Hank is hired as a painter.

Drew - A medically discharged Marine amputee. After being hired to work in sheet metal, he soon takes on new responsibilities making him a great asset to S&S.

Matt - A former Onan employee that joins S&S as a road technician for warranty and repair work. He is also authorized to make sales when on site and works under Abe.

Don and Donna Jennings - Brother and sister who live in a poly relationship with Robert and Roberta. All join the S&S team as motor builders.

Robert and Roberta Parsons - Brother and sister who live in a poly relationship with Don and Donna. All join the S&S team as motor builders.

David Owens - President of Onan who deals with the can of worms Bigalow has created and greatly improves S&S's business position.

Skin head gay guys - Yep, another couple without names. Two gay motor builders that join the S&S engine builders turning out perfect engines.

The butchy gay girls - Yet another set of nameless motor builders that join the S&S team.

Gary and Sam - Former race team members who joins S&S as the first team operating a sales truck at the races. They end up working with their wives at all the races.

Dago - An out of work trucker that initially does a small run for Steve, then is hired for deliveries for permanent work.

Marsha - Hired as an assistant to Ruth in personnel. Is an amputee like Drew.

Ernie Wainwright - An older businessman who deals in real estate and financial backing of ventures. Has a recurring role and eventually becomes a park resident as well.

Truck race sales crew - Another two former race team members hired to drive and sell from the truck support semi.

Jed - Former Onan tech, hired to be Abe's assistant but soon moves into the position as head of the super lift rebuild facility.

Deanne - Young black girl hired by S&S as a customer service rep. Very knowledgeable in racing, she begs to work with Steve's assistant, Debbie. Eventually moves to the park and later marries another S&S employee.

Jeff Fisher - A premier fiberglass man, Jeff is hired to setup and run the fiberglass panel division for Nascar race cars. Soon his hobby of robotics comes to light and he is an even more valuable asset to the company.

Cotton and Mike - The final team of former race team members hired to operate and sell from the Busch race day support truck.

Samantha - A college student and part-time newspaper photographer. After meeting Steve and Sue while a reporter does a story on them, she joins the crew on the patio, and eventually moves to the park.

Mike Williams - superintendent for the Needles clothing manufacturing plant which Sue has purchased.

Betty - Bookkeeper for the Needles clothing manufacturing plant who now works for Sue.

Charlie and Matty - Tiny's parents. They take over the management of the trailer park.



-------

Chapter 1



You're not going to believe it when I tell you how I went from being a welder on a South American oil rig to a successful business owner in less than four hectic months. I know I don't. I went on vacation from the South American oil rigs and ended up in Tampa, Florida to find some peace and solitude. After renting a tiny trailer in an old time Florida trailer park, my life changed forever. My vacation turned into a crazy adventure.

In those months, there had been several instances when I would have been safer back in the sand during Desert Storm as a Marine Patrol leader. South Florida is full of crazies and was full of dope dealing nuts that were willing to do anything, I mean anything, for the money and high of the dope. Thank goodness luck was on my side even more than in Desert Storm. I was unfortunate in the sand and was injured pretty severely. The VA put me back together, but left me with a permanent limp. Not a bad limp, but noticeable, especially when I'm tired or the weather is acting up.

Funny though, the limp attracted someone who has become my wife. She was so forward that our first meeting will probably make me wonder for the rest of my life. Sue Phillips had limped into my life on a rainy morning, wearing a T-back bikini that really couldn't hold her assets. Sue is really built. She has a very riveting bubble butt, with an hourglass figure, on a barely five foot one frame. The shocker is to let your eyes try to comprehend her massive chest. She looks like she has two big party balloons attached to her chest. They are so big; Sue has wider shoulders, probably from the weight. I could go on and on about those party balloons, but let it be said, they were by far the largest set of tits I had ever seen. Almost obnoxious, but then most guys love big boobs.

Sue had a limp too. She had been in a terrible automobile accident and had been put back together by a very good orthopedist, and even better plastic surgeons. Some scars still remained on her Florida sun tanned legs, but her facial scars are only noticeable if you know where to look. Her perfect teeth are the result of the accident as she had lost all of her natural ones.

Another thing about Sue that discloses a little about her strong personality is that she used to be very heavy. Heavy enough that she figured out big girls needed nice clothes too, so she began an Internet catalog called BigGirlsClothes.com. This catalog had grown during the last few months to include her own plant that produced contract clothing and her new fashions. Anyway, while Sue was having all of the rebuilding completed on her body, she decided to lose her extra weight. She went from a short, heavy, huge breasted brunette, a true BBW, to a short, shapely, huge-breasted, brunette that wound my clock really tight. We met, we matched, and we mated, married that is. We mated too, as Sue is now pregnant with our baby that she insists is a boy.

I have no idea what she saw in me. She said it was the way I made friends and had protected our homes in the trailer park where we lived. It wasn't my looks, as I am not handsome, definitely nothing special to look at, pretty average really. I'm about a hundred ninety pounds on a not quite a six-foot frame. Actually, I'm only five eleven and a half, but if I wear big-heeled boots, I'm six feet. I used to have a big bushy beard with a few years worth of hair growth down my back. Now, I just have a mustache with the long hair down my back.

I didn't find out until after we were married that Sue was rich. Actually, she was more than rich. She had inherited a ton of money from her grandparents. This was just some icing on our success cake. My new business was making more money than could be imagined, and Sue's company was going gangbusters. We weren't being overly influenced by the big bucks, more awestruck than anything. We were going to enjoy some of our fruits for a week or month or whatever. Our companies were in good hands, so we could relax a little.

The almost three months that led up to right now had been so hectic that Sue and I decided we needed to escape for a little while. We needed to get our heads on straight, clear them out of all the crazy shit that had happened, and give our marriage a little loving start again. That's how we ended up flying to Seattle. It was the first flight available when we walked up to a Continental ticket counter.

We reached Seattle late at night for us, but still reasonably early on the west coast. We were both exhausted from our hurried departure, and probably from our recent adrenaline pumping adventures. We collected our bags and instead of renting a car, we found a taxi and asked the driver to take us to the nearest large hotel with a good restaurant.

Typical for Seattle, it was raining and chilly outside. We were going to freeze our butts off because we had not packed any cool weather gear. You would think that June would be warm, even in Seattle. We would find a store with warm clothes in the morning.

After a quick check-in and leaving our bags in our room, we went to the restaurant for a meal of something other than airplane food. They had a good menu, including French Onion Soup, a favorite of Sue's and mine. We each had soup and decided to eat light, with each of us having a large Caesar salad with a shared plate of pieces of steak, chicken, lobster, clam, shrimp, and salmon, with small bowls of sauces. It was a great way to complement the salad.

On the way back to our room we saw a workout room with an indoor pool, sauna, and hot tub, so we put on some shorts and T-shirts and grabbed our swimsuits and headed back. Thirty minutes on the treadmill and fifteen minutes using weight machines invigorated both of us. We swam for about fifteen minutes then checked the temperature of the hot tub. It was about 102 degrees, so we decided that since we didn't know what temperature would be too high for Sue, we would just pass.

Back in our room, we showered and lounged on the bed discussing how we wanted to begin in the morning. Sue offered, "I want to go see whales in the wild. Let's go out to the San Juan Islands and go on a couple of the whale watching excursions."

I answered, "I picked up a couple of brochures from the lobby about whale watching. There's one for a place called Friday Harbor. You get there by ferry, so we can rent a car and go out there. Look at these and see if there is a hotel out there you want to stay at."

Sue said, "Any will be okay. Let me call a couple to see if we can get a room."

Sue called four different places before she found a bed and breakfast that was available for three nights. She had me call the front desk to have a rental car ready for us in the morning.

The day caught up to us quickly. We snuggled down under the covers to watch the late news and weather, thinking we would practice our marital privileges but no, we both passed out holding each other.

I woke holding Sue, realizing we were not in our own bed at home, but in Seattle. I looked at the bedside clock to find it was quarter to five AM. That is eight back home, so we really did sleep in late for us.

I moved to get out of bed to hit the john, but Sue held onto me, "Where you going, hon?"

"Need the john bad, baby, be right back."

After a long pee, I washed my hands and brushed my teeth before slipping back into bed. Sue instantly got up and went to the bathroom, returning with a fresh mouth too. We snuggled, kissed, and loved each other until we agreed that it was time to enjoy the day.

When we appeared to checkout and get a car, the people at the desk looked at us a little strange as it was only six in the morning. They had a Hertz franchise, so we were able to get a Jeep Cherokee for our adventure. We asked about warm wet weather clothing and they said the only place open would be a Wal-Mart down the street, but that later in the day we should look for one of the many boating outfitters that were pretty much everywhere. We stocked up on maps and confirmed directions for the long drive out to the ferry.

Wal-Mart had a good selection of flannel shirts and water repellant jackets. We didn't go crazy, as we thought we might wish to check out one of outfitters we were told about.

On the drive out to the ferry, we passed by the city of Seattle, seeing the space needle from a distance, and passed by the football stadium. In the gloomy rainy morning it looked like any other big city, except there were hills and mountains, much different from the flat sandy Florida we were used too.

As we entered the small community where the ferry docked, we encountered two outfitters. We stopped at the first one and looked through their outerwear. A sales lady questioned us as to what we were going to do and helped us pick out a few things, including gloves. Sue and I both got waterproof hooded parkas with two separate zip-out liners. I guess it was for cool, cold, and frigid. I hope we didn't experience frigid. Both of us picked out a cap and a couple of hooded sweatshirts. Now we were ready for the soggy northwest weather. We also picked up a couple of pairs of high powered binoculars.

We were surprised to see a "Best Buy" store down the street. We went there and bought the best digital camera we could get, along with a pack of CDs and three sets of extra batteries. We thought about a video camera, but thought that would be too much of a hassle.

We had a stroke of luck when we pulled up to get in line for the ferry, as the ferry to Friday Harbor and another island was just loading. Since Friday Harbor was the second stop, we were routed to a higher deck to park among rows of cars and trucks.

As the ferry ride was going to be about three hours, we got out of the car and found they had a restaurant that was serving breakfast. We were able to eat while looking out windows at the small and large islands we passed. Some of the homes built on these islands were mansions. Amazing that all of these homes were built with materials and labor ferried out to them.

Friday Harbor was a small town complete with restaurants, bars, several small hotels, a large condominium, lots of houses, a fairly large school, and even the "Orca Museum." Since it was reasonably early, we went down to the dock where they had charter boats that went out to watch for whales. It was suggested that we sign up for this evening's and also the morning tours. They told us the evening tour was very nice and we would enjoy it. We asked about what clothing we should wear and were glad we had been to the outfitters.

We found our bed and breakfast hotel, actually sort of a motor lodge, and checked in. It was nothing special, but a rustic place on a hill overlooking the harbor area. We spent an hour or so washing and drying our flannel shirts dressing in layers to get ready for the evening whale watching tour. Downtown Friday Harbor had several bar/restaurant places. We ate a nice fresh salmon dinner at a friendly place that had a local crowd enjoying their evening libations.

We were on the dock by five for the five thirty departure. The boat was a nice sixty-foot motor launch with a wide beam. The crew of five spent a few minutes going over safety features before releasing the lines from the dock and pulling in the fenders.

The captain announced over a PA system that we should have to go only about twenty minutes out for our first sighting, as what he called J-pod had made a large circle and was headed south on their usual evening swim.

Sure enough, twenty to twenty-five minutes later the boat powered down and we could see large fins raising and lowering in the water. Every once in a while a small whale would breech by jumping out of the water, fall backwards, making a big splash. Sue was talking pictures of all the action, hoping there was sufficient light for the pictures to be clear.

The captain would start the boat about every fifteen minutes to follow the pod but would circle wide to stay a long distance from them. We found out it was a law for them to stay away from the orcas so as not to interfere with their travel. There was one very large orca that swam right at the boat but rose up before diving under the boat at what looked like the last second. One of the crew said that this one whale did that all the time as if he were playing with the boat.

There were several other tour boats out with us. Some large, like the one we were on, and some pretty small. I liked being on the larger boat for the safety aspect of it.

Sue and I were glad we were dressed warm as it was in the upper forties accented by a cold ocean breeze. Many of the other tourists stayed inside the cabin to watch the whales while Sue, I, and a few others dressed for the weather, were able to stand out on the bow for the whale show.

The captain turned back to the harbor around nine, saying we were now over an hour and a half out of Friday Harbor. It was amazing that we had moved so far away.

Back on land, Sue and I decided to go back to the little bar/restaurant for a while. I had a Dewar's first and a couple of beers while Sue stayed on her Diet Coke. We had a snack of fried squid and some shellfish while we joined in some chat with the friendly locals.

A young lady sitting near us asked if we were going on a kayak tour. She explained that there were several places that offered tours but the best was from a small harbor on the other side of the island. She said a guided tour was fun because we could possibly see orcas up close.

While Sue and the young lady got together to talk about the possibility of a Kayak tour, I was talking to a couple of locals about how so many people lived on board their boats. One guy, Dewey, said he lived aboard his hundred-foot sloop. When I commented that a person had to be pretty well off to own a boat that large, he said a rich relative had left it to him and all he had to do was to maintain it. He said he made his living writing articles and stories for nature and adventure magazines.

When I looked back at Sue, she was deep in conversation with the kayak girl. Sue turned to me and said that Connie was going to take us out in kayaks tomorrow morning to go out to see orcas up close. We were going to leave the little harbor where Connie kept her kayaks about seven, so we needed to get to bed early so we were fresh for the morning.

I should have known. When we left the bar, Connie came with us. We were directed to her apartment where Sue and Connie went inside for a minute re-appearing with Connie carrying an overnight bag. Sure enough, Sue was taking in another stray.

Back in our room Sue and Connie were very comfortable getting ready for bed. When I had finished my shower after the girls had bathed, Sue came to me in the bathroom and gave me a blistering kiss telling me, "Thought we might enjoy some company out here."

I told Sue that we didn't have any condoms. Sue gave me a smile and told me that she had bought six from the machine at the bar. "Let's enjoy ourselves."

Amazing!

Sue, my wonderful, beautiful, sexy wife can pick up little girls with just a little conversation and her animal magnetism. She says it is us together, but I think it is more her than me.

Connie was not in the least bashful enjoying both Sue and me till exhaustion claimed us as it neared midnight.

The alarm brought the three of us awake quickly. We three shared some morning intimacies, mostly with kisses between Sue and me. I made some coffee in the in-room coffee maker so we could enjoy a cup to get going.

On the way to the kayak harbor, we stopped in the village to get sandwiches and bottles of water from the grocery store that opened at four AM for the fishermen. When we arrived at the small harbor, we were directed to look out at the large sailing sloop anchored out from the shore. Connie told us it belonged to the writer we had met the night before. She said he would probably move the boat back to Friday Harbor soon as he only kept it here while he was writing.

There were three other guides in addition to Connie, plus another three couples taking the tour. I was surprised to find out that the kayaks we were going to use were built for two people. Two of the couples were experienced kayakers, while Sue and I and one other couple were new to the sport. Sue was paired with Connie, and I was paired with a husky girl named Mink, who told me she was Connie's roommate.

Mink spent a few minutes showing me various things about a kayak and fitted me with a life jacket. Attached to the life jacket was material like a skirt that went around my neck and had elastic that attached to the kayak to keep splashes from getting into the boat and soaking the occupant. Mink was friendly and smiley, considerably more touchy than you would expect from someone you had just met.

Before we left, I called the boat tour to tell them we were not coming this morning as we were going on a kayak tour. They didn't care one way or another as we had already paid for the ride.

With each of the new people paired with an experienced guide, we made quick work getting out of the harbor into some swells between the islands. To keep away from the influence of the swells and tide, we kept close to the shore, paddling quickly to get to the channel where we expected to see the orcas. The ten miles passed quickly with sightings of seals and several bald eagles. We also passed several more large homes built on the shores of small islands. Luckily it was not raining. It was cloudy, but not the dark overcast that drained down on you.

We paused in the area where we expected to see orcas. We pulled together so we could chat while watching. Several tour boats came by, and one stopped a few hundred yards away from us. We could see the passengers gather on the bow of the boat, pointing toward a sight around the bend of the island where we were.

We saw it, a tall fin attached to the sleek back of a large orca. A little farther back were several more fins sticking out of the water as the orcas went up and down, swimming along. They were going to come close to us.

When they neared us, Mink told us to watch this one spot to see a small orca with its mother. Sure enough, there was a very small whale swimming alongside a larger whale. The little one would jump out of the water every once in a while, obviously playing, as all youngsters will do.

We stayed where we were at for over a half-hour watching as the pod traveled by. Once a very large fin came straight at us but sunk below us to surface on the other side of us. It stopped, turned, and looked straight at us for a few seconds, then flipped over on its back, splashing us with cold sea water.

When the excitement passed, we began paddling across a channel that we were told was over fourteen hundred feet deep. On the other side, we pulled up to a sandy beach on a small wooded island and got out of our kayaks to have lunch at a picnic area there.

Sue and Connie sat on one side of a picnic table while Mink and I sat on the other. The other people were spread around at other picnic tables. While we were eating, Sue kept giving me looks that included her little smirks that said, "I know something you don't."

While I was eating, Mink was sitting very close. She set her sandwich down and leaned into me putting her hand on my thigh. Softly she said, "I know what you three were doing last night."

I asked with a knowing smile, "And what were we doing?"

"You know. You were fooling around with each other." Mink said quietly, now very red faced.

I couldn't resist and asked, "Why would you think we were fooling around?"

Sue was still smirking, but now was almost choking, trying not to laugh out loud.

"Connie and Sue told me what you were going to do last night and this morning, Connie said it was wonderful."

That did it, Sue was choking. Connie had to smack her on the back a couple of times to quiet her. Sue just looked up and said to the others, "Went down the wrong pipe."

Mink squeezed my leg to get my attention, while at the same time, reached across the table to lay her hand on Sue's. "I want that. I want to do that with you two. Can we?"

Sue took hold of Mink's hand and told the husky girl, who was almost in tears, "That would be wonderful, join us for supper and later too."

A visible shudder went through Mink, and she squeezed her eyes shut then opened them to smile broadly at me. She took her hand from my leg and slowly unzipped her sweatshirt beneath her coat. As she continued down, she revealed a lacy camisole covering her now obvious feminine form. "I want you to see me," Mink said breathlessly. "I want you to touch me."

Connie spoke to Mink, "Hold yourself together girl, you have to get this guy safely back to land yet. Don't let your hormones get the best of you."

"I can't wait. Since I saw Steve, and you told me what you did, I'm burning up." She looked up at Sue. "Don't be jealous, please. I just want to borrow him a little. I want to be with both of you, all of you, just a little."

Sue still had hold of Mink's hand. "We'll make you a happy camper, Mink. My Steve is the best when it comes to making a woman happy."

You could see another shiver go through Mink's husky frame.

As we were going back down to the kayaks, Sue got me off to the side, "See? You have something all these girls want. You just continue to draw them to you."

I just shook my head in wonder. It took us nearly two hours to get back to the little harbor, and another half-hour to put up the kayaks and store all the gear. This time, on the way back, Mink and Connie both rode with us in the back seat, while Sue sat up front with me. Sue wanted to clean up before dinner, so I offered to take the girls to their place, but they said they had clothes with them if they could clean up and change in our room.

Sue told me to shower first as it would take them longer to get ready. I took a pair of jeans and T-shirt into the bathroom with me and stripped down to shave and shower. As soon as I was in the shower with my head full of suds, someone came into the bathroom and entered the shower. When that someone hugged me from the back, I knew it was not Sue or Connie. Mink had joined me.

Well, Mink and I joined as well. It was good thing there was plenty of hot water, as it took a while for us to get clean then clean again.

When we turned off the water and dried, Mink walked, no strutted, back into the room, bare-assed naked. Sue and Connie were lying on the bed, also naked, almost laughing at Mink's display of victory.

Mink turned to me and held me to her in a lover's embrace. "I tried sex once when I was sixteen, but it was terrible. As soon as I saw you, I knew that sex with you would be good." She turned to Sue and Connie, "Thank you for sharing him with me. I think I know what to do with a man now, and what will make him make me happy."

Mink gave me a scorching kiss before she went to Connie and hugged her, "You and I have been so close, and we've made each other feel so good, but that was the best ever. You know what you're talking about."

Sue got up and gave me a kiss. "Thank you for giving that little girl something to remember. I knew you were just the one for it."

I kept quiet, as sometimes saying nothing is saying everything.

Connie and Sue took a quick shower while a smiling Mink and I dressed.

We went to the same bar/restaurant for supper. After eating another great salmon dish with a cream sauce, we sat at the bar with the other locals, talking about the great day we had.

They were all laughing and joking how a couple of Florida folks were falling in love with the great northwest. While we were all talking, several made some suggestions as to where we might go next. I said I would like to up to Alaska and take Sue to where I had worked before, but would also like to go see the glacier, as well as go up into the Yukon to pan for gold. There was some discussion until one of the guys, the one named Dewey, said he thought he had the way for us to do everything we wanted.

First, we would take a small ship for an Alaskan cruise and get off at Anchorage. From there we would fly in a small plane up to where I used to work, and after that we would fly to an airstrip near where tourists panned for gold. If we wanted, he could arrange for us to backpack deeper up river where we might have more luck. That sounded good, so he said he would call his friend up in Anchorage to arrange for the plane.

That night was spent with two additional girls. It was a good thing that more condoms were purchased, as I was able to outperform even my expectations over night.

The next morning, Sue and I took Connie and Mink back to the small harbor for them to take the next group out. Our good-byes were poignant but happy. We promised to write, as neither of the girls had phones. We had found out that both were grad students hoping to become permanent guides in the future.

We found Dewey back at the bar/restaurant and stayed with him till lunch. He had our schedule written down on a yellow pad, complete with reservation numbers, telephone numbers, dates, and times. This was going to be a great trip.

When I asked him if I could pay him for his time, he laughed. He said, "My time is my own. I've nothing to do and love to do stuff like this when I meet people I like. Enjoy yourself and come back to tell me how good it was."

Sue gave him a kiss on the cheek that was probably more reward than he expected. I gave the bartender a couple of hundred dollar bills and told him to put a hundred on this guy's tab and the other hundred was for all the locals that night. He laughed as he said that the guy could buy and sell most millionaires. He was just a little different, was all. I told him to do it anyhow, as it would make me feel good. I gave the bartender a twenty as a tip and waved good-bye.

We took the ferry back to Seattle, or at least to the little town where the ferry landed. We drove back to Seattle to find the port where the cruise ship would take off from tomorrow, then hunted up a Hertz place to turn in the Cherokee. The port is actually in Bellingham, and we were lucky to find a Hertz location there.

We took a taxi back down to the cruise ship where we talked to the boarding agent about a nearby hotel. He suggested that we board early and eat with the crew that evening, so we did.

This wasn't a huge ship, just six hundred feet but it had four decks below and five decks above with some nice staterooms. Our friend had booked us in a large main deck level stateroom, complete with lounge. When we asked what we should wear to eat with the crew, they said jeans would be fine.

Sue and I showed up in Jeans, T-shirts, and flannel shirts. We were greeted warmly by the captain and sat with him and most of the crew at a large table. The discussion was about a gear on the auxiliary power unit. They had sheared a pin that connected the unit with the shaft that drove the standby generator. Apparently, they might be held up while waiting for a part that was being hunted for.

Sue told them that they should let me look at it to see if I could help. I protested, as I didn't know anything about maritime machinery. Sue spoke up, "I've seen you fix every kind of machinery there is with damn near nothing. Look at it and see if it is something you can do."

You can't argue with your wife, so after supper the captain and the engineering officer took us down to the engine room. It was surprisingly clean and neat. They took me to the coupler and showed me the pin that had sheared. It was good steel and I asked how it sheared.

"It worked itself loose and was sticking out a little. The top of the pin hit the steel girder on the bulkhead and sheared off. I told them that if they could machine a new pin, I could try to weld it and shape it so it would seat. They didn't have an arc welder, just a gas set with some nasty old rods of varying value. Their machine shop had some equipment, but not much. I set a clamp up with their bench vise to see how the pieces might match. Because the shaft had been turning rapidly, the pin had twisted and bent while shearing off.

I had an idea. I took the two pieces and used clamps to hold them together overlapping about a half-inch. Next, I began heating the two pieces until they where white hot. I began pounding them together getting the two pieces of metal to blend together. When the two pieces were part of each other, I let them cool and had one of the mates pour water on them.

I put the end into a rotating tool that could be set to rotate very slowly. I put a portable vise underneath the piece so I could pound on the rod as it slowly turned.

Again I heated the shaft until it was white hot and began pounding and shaping the rod. The captain exclaimed, "You're doing that like a blacksmith. That's the way you make knives and swords."

"You can also shape something to be round," I said. "As I smooth out the shape of the rod, it should lengthen to the original length. I'm going to need a micrometer to keep the size right." Luckily the piece shaped nice and round and almost perfectly smooth. There were some hammer marks but generally the pin looked smooth and straight.

When the piece cooled, the mechanic took the pin and fitted it into the hole. Using a wooden mallet and oil he slowly tapped it in. When it was complete, there was about three eighths of an inch sticking out both ends. I had the mechanic drill tiny shallow holes on both ends and next I heated the ends up having the mechanic spread the tip so it couldn't accidentally slide out again.

He tested the motor and the shaft several times, making sure it wouldn't shear off again, and pronounced it repaired.

The captain looked at his watch and said, "You did that in three hours. I'd say it's time for a snack and for me to open the liquor locker. Come on, you just saved us at least a day. When we get back, we'll have a spare waiting for us."

While I was drinking with a bunch of hardy seamen, Sue said, "See, I told you. You can fix anything if you want to."

The captain said that we would normally be moved up in quarters, but we were already in the VIP stateroom. He promised to make our cruise memorable.

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 2



The next morning, we woke on the cruise ship hearing lots of activity outside on the deck. People were running around, loading equipment and supplies, while passengers were walking up the gangplank being welcomed aboard.

Sue and I walked down to the galley, where the crew's mess was, to see if we could get some coffee. Luckily, just as one of the cooks was trying to get us out of the area, the captain came in saying that we were welcome anywhere on the ship. If we wanted coffee, they should get us a cup, and for the cooks to rustle us up some breakfast. He told us that we would probably enjoy eating with the passengers later, but for us to come down here anytime for some coffee.

We did eat, and went back up on deck to join the other passengers so we could hear the announcements and schedules. There was a lifeboat drill at which all the passengers went to designated stations with their life jackets on. Considering that there were two hundred passengers, the drill went pretty smoothly. The next step was a film in the big lounge. Passengers were offered bar drinks that could be charged to their cabins, and could also get extra snacks if they wanted. I could see that there were additional ways that the ship made money.

We saw a movie about the trip, where we would go, what we would see, and the places of interest we would want to be outside on deck for. They assured us that we would have plenty of notice before passing by these locations.

Our departure was so smooth that when the movie was over and we went back on deck, we were out to sea with the coast far distant. Sue was busy with the camera, continuously taking pictures of the ship and the various islands we passed. Her only limitation would be her supply of CDs.

The trip was memorable. We stopped at a couple of small ports before we went to see the glaciers. Everything was magnificent. When you look out and view the snow covered mountains, you realize how little of this great Earth you have seen. On the ninth day, we arrived at the port nearest Anchorage. We ended up on a train that took us into Anchorage where I called the number for the pilot who was going to ferry us around Alaska.

He gave us directions to get to our hotel and said he could come by this evening to discuss what we would need for clothing and gear. Sue said she was really excited, as she had never been camping before. I told her that there were parts of camping out that were not fun, but she just said that she was ready. I told her I was worried that both of us may not be able to keep up with our mutual injuries. She just said, "Let's try anyway."

That evening, John Stevens came into the dining room just as we sat down. He seemed to know us and walked straight to us. After introducing himself, we all sat together, waiting to be served. John said we had been highly recommended by his friend back in the islands. We talked about what we wanted to see and what we could expect. He said he had requested and received permission to land at the oil camp where I had worked, but there were no facilities for us to stay there. We could go into town, sixty miles away or we could camp out. He recommended that we fly into town and get a hotel room, as he could also fuel up there.

He went over what clothes and equipment we would need. He recommended that we go to a second hand shop he knew for equipment, a tent, and sleeping bags. He gave us the name of an outfitter that was fair, and that we should get two sets of clothes for cold weather backpacking and camping. John said he was excited, as he loved to camp and had not been out yet this year.

Next, he recommended that we purchase a used rifle, as it was something that we could sell before we left. We discussed various types, but we both agreed on the universal 308 as the easiest to make a deal on.

He told us to gather everything tomorrow and that he would meet us for supper tomorrow night, same time, same place.

The next day found us at a big barn where they had bins of various camping gear. They had snowshoes, dog sleds, small portable huts, and of course, sleeping bags and tents. I told the owner that we were going camping and I wanted to buy only what he would welcome back. He laughed replying in a Frenchie, broken English accent, "I never had nobody ask that question. They always axe me what's best, not what I'll take back. Tell you what, let me get out the stuff that will do best for ya and what I be happy to get back."

He got out a big ground cloth, a small tent, two down sleeping bags that looked almost new, and a stack of backpacking cooking gear. Next, he got a case of assorted trail meals that only required water to make. "This'll do ya. You say you're only going out for four to five days? Well, this will cover you for at least ten days. Ya need to be prepared up in the Yukon. Now, let me show you what kind of boots I got back here in my private stuff. He had Sue fitted in minutes, and found me a good pair of boots. He pulled several pair of socks off a rack for both of us and said, "Put nylon socks on next to your skin and put the wool socks on over them. That way your feet will stay dry and warm, and won't blister. Make sure you change socks every day."

He motioned me over to a side of the room, "You gonna get a rifle?"

"Yes sir, I was going to look for a 308. Probably a Winchester, or perhaps one of those Browning pumps."

"You know guns, huh? Well, I got one of those Browning pumps in 308 but it's kinda 'spensive."

"If I don't want to take it back to the lower forty-eight, would you buy it back?"

"Course."

"Then I'll take it. Do you have heavy caliber handguns? Something like a forty-five or better yet, would be forty-four magnum with a reasonable length barrel."

"Can you shoot a forty-four?"

"Yes sir."

He opened a drawer and took out a Colt forty-four magnum with a six inch barrel and box of shells, turned, and motioned for me and Sue to follow him. We went down a hall to an area that was a range that looked to be twenty-five yards. He clipped a target onto some clips and wheeled it on a wire about half way down range. He pointed to the pistol and the box of shells and said, "Show me."

I stood in front of the little table, picked up the pistol and checked the chamber and thumbed the action a couple of times to get the feel. I sighted the pistol down range with one hand, then two hands, before laying it back on the table. I opened the box of shells, picked up the pistol, and flipped over the chamber and loaded the five rounds that it held.

First using two hands, I brought the pistol up slowly cocking the hammer on the way up. When I was on target, I squeezed the trigger and hit the paper target in the center. Then to continue I pulled the hammer and fired twice more, and finally just pulled the trigger for the last two rounds. The paper target was in small pieces by then.

"Well, you seem to know how to shoot that thing, now how about some distance." He wheeled the small target in and put a larger cardboard target in the clips and wheeled it to the far end of the range.

This time I had to dump the empty brass before I could reload. I filled the chamber again and seated it, but this time when I raised the pistol, I used only one hand. Again, I cocked the hammer as I brought the pistol up on target, and squeezed the trigger. I hit the target center followed by squeezing off the last four rounds hitting the target near dead center each round.

"Damn, you can shoot."

"Actually, I have one of these and do get to shoot fairly often. Can I see if Sue can shoot it?"

"Be my guest."

I dumped the brass and laid the piece on the table. Sue came up and loaded the gun, and with two hands she cocked the gun on the way up, and fired when she was on target. She hit the target, but way on the high side. She corrected and fired again this time a little low. Her third through fifth round was as good as mine, dead center.

"Little lady, you can shoot too. You guys want two of these for your trip?"

"One should be enough. We'll pay for the rounds we used and buy an extra box. Hopefully we won't see a bear that we would have to use this on."

"You be careful up in the bush. There are some people up there that think city folks are toys. If they come up on you, don't be afraid to shoot first and talk later. Now have good time."

We loaded up, complete with a couple pans to use for real the act of panning for gold.

Back at the hotel, we spent the afternoon renewing our physical commitment to each other, knowing it might be a few days before we had the privacy or opportunity to play.

We had dinner with the guide as planned, describing everything we had purchased.

The next morning, we were up early packing. We packed what we were taking with us and what we were leaving with the hotel until we returned. John Stevens, our pilot and guide, said we shouldn't take all of our luggage with us and advised us to take only what we could backpack.

Sue and I agreed we should call home to see how they were doing. It was six-thirty here and would be nine-thirty at home, so we called the shop. Ruth cheerfully answered S&S Enterprises. When she heard my voice, she squealed with excitement, asking how our vacation was going. I told her we were in Alaska, about to take a trip out to the Yukon. She told me all was well at home and said she would send me to Tiny so he could fill me in.

Tiny sounded on top of the world. "We had our best week ever last week. It must have been because you were out of town, ha, ha. So far Steve, everything is running smooth. Your men are putting out product, and Phil's staff is bringing in the orders, a regular business. Across the street the plant is turning out merchandise at a record clip. So far everything is going smooth."

I asked if there was anything he needed my input on, but he said everything was under control. I told him Sue would call across the street when I hung up. Tiny assured me everything there and at home was in good shape. I told him I would call when we got back from the Yukon.

Sue called and spoke to Betty and to all the other girls at once on a speakerphone. They told her all of the new products were online, plus they were coming up on being ahead of schedule for the previously contracted goods. Again they gave Sue encouraging news that everything was fine.

When we were finished with the calls, Sue and I agreed we would have to take vacations more regularly. We also agreed that we needed to begin sending our key staff on vacations so they would be refreshed as well.

We took a taxi out to the airport to meet John. When we asked directions to where he had his plane, the man working at the small aircraft counter pointed toward the end of the runway where there was a lake. He said he would have one of the flight line men drive us down.

An old guy in a pickup drove us to the lake where there were dozens of floatplanes tied up to docks. John had his plane tied up out at the end of one long dock, ready to go. As we approached the plane, Sue said, "That's a Cessna 185. That airplane is supposed to be one of the best floatplanes there is, plus it is known as a great bush plane."

"How do you know about airplanes?"

"I took flying lessons for a year and got my license, but when I got hurt I didn't go back for another physical. One of these days I'm going to fly again."

I said, "I used to belong to a flying club in the service, but after I finished flying school I was only able to fly about thirty hours. I signed up for instrument school but never did get to finish. If you begin flying again, I'll take lessons and learn with you."

Before we loaded our packs, John wanted to check our gear. He looked over our cooking gear and ready to eat meals, along with some freeze dried meals saying he thought we were ready. He was happy to see we had a camping burner with a coffeepot, as he had failed to pack one.

John loaded our packs and stowed the rifle with his behind the rear seat. I told him that Sue might want to sit in the right seat with him so she could enjoy flying with him, as she used to fly. John said he would gladly let her help fly out to our destination.

After giving the plane a thorough pre-flight inspection, we strapped in and started the plane. This Cessna was only two years old. John said that the man that had sent us on our cruise, and up to him, had helped him buy the new plane after a drunk boater hit his old one. The little plane was powerful, reaching take-off speed on the water in a relatively short distance.

Three hours later we landed at a small lake that John said was a good refueling point. We stretched our legs, had lunch and refueled before taking off on the second leg of the journey.

We landed at a familiar site to me. This was the main headquarters for the pipeline administration. There was no one I knew at the site except the native cooking staff. After showing Sue and John around, I told them, "Let's get out of here. This place is history and I'm all for the future."

This time we flew for almost four hours before descending onto a lake joining a fairly large community.

We taxied up to a dock where a man pulled the plane around and tied it up next to the dock. John gave the attendant instructions to refuel the plane and to do a hundred-hour inspection for him. We took our gear, and found his contact that had a four-door four-wheel drive pickup truck that was going to take us out to the trail where we were going to hike. The bed contained two huskies that seemed to be friendly when Sue immediately began petting them.

On the way, the driver told us that we needed to be alert as there had been a couple of grizzly attacks, and that there were some pretty mean thieves that were preying upon tourists around the area.

John told the man he thought we would be okay as he was prepared for both eventualities. The man cautioned us again saying some of the men out here in the bush were not nice guys and could be very ruthless. "Just watch out for yourselves."

When we arrived at the drop off point, the man gave us a leash and told us to hold on to the dog as she was going with us. He said having a dog was good luck out in the bush. He had Sue hold the dog, telling her the dog's name was Sadie. The man gave us some dog food to carry with us, but said Sadie would prefer red meat if we would get it for her.

We were planning to go up this trail about twenty miles. The last ten miles would be next to a fast flowing stream that we could try for some gold in a couple of places.

The first day we walked the first ten miles easily until we came upon the stream. There were some areas on the shore with numerous small rocks so John gave us a demonstration as to how to pan for gold. He scooped down into the water bringing up a half a pan full of tiny rocks and sand along with a lot of water. He swished the water round in the pan pouring sand out a little at a time. Since gold is heavier than the rock or sand, it stays in the pan while the chad, as he called it, flowed out. It took him several pans of water to finally get down to a couple tiny flakes. John took out a little leather pouch and put the two small pieces into it. "See, there is gold in them there hills."

Sue and I tried several pans of gravel and sand but only came out with one piece of gold each. The entire time we were near the water, Sadie sat near us, seeming happy to be with us.

We decided to set up camp and stay there for the night as we had water and a flat place to pitch our tents. It didn't take long to get the big tent up and water boiling for coffee.

John said for us to sit and watch while he procured dinner. About fifteen yards from our camp site was some rougher water that flowed down and over rocks and boulders. John pulled a collapsible net from his pack and went to stand on a boulder in the middle of the stream. Fish were jumping up the short level from the stream area we were on to the pool a foot or two above. With an ease that told of years of experience, John caught two large fish before he hopped back to the shore and carried them to camp.

"Do you know how to clean salmon?" John asked me.

"You want them filleted, just gilled, or skinned?"

"Fillet them, and I'll go get a couple more so Sadie can eat with us," John answered while heading back to his ambush spot.

I took the fish down to the stream to fillet them, and had just finished the two when John brought two more large salmon. Within a few minutes big breaded salmon fillets were in the frying pan, while some freeze dried potatoes and green beans were expanding in some boiling water.

John explained that this was one of the benefits of staying next to a stream, as at this time of year, salmon were running up river to their spawning beds. He said that shortly we could almost hand catch the female salmon when they came off the beds as they would be too tired and listless to avoid being caught.

Before we got into the tent and our sleeping bags, we hoisted all our food and cooking gear high in the air in a bear bag so big furry critters couldn't help themselves.

The cold weather, the hike, and the excitement of our first day had us asleep in minutes, with Sadie snuggled up to Sue and me.

I woke to Sadie licking my ear. She obviously wanted me to get up so I scooted out of the sleeping bag trying not to wake up Sue or to disturb John. John rolled over and said, "Thought you were going to sleep all day." I laughed and looked at my watch, it said five-thirty.

"Guess it is time to get moving. I'll get some coffee water going before I wake Sue." She had a big day yesterday, and as yet, I didn't know how being pregnant was going to affect her usual exuberance.

"I'm awake," Sue said. "Sadie was licking my ear before yours. I think she needs to go out."

As soon as I unzipped the tent, Sadie was out the opening like a shot. I put on fresh socks and my boots to start the day. Waking up in a tent when it is barely above freezing is a shock. When that cold morning air hits you, you need the bushes quick. I joined Sadie in relieving my morning needs.

I had coffee water boiling when John said he would give us a Northern treat this first morning. He started a frying pan with a piece of bacon and when it was done added shortening until it was at least a quarter inch deep. He rolled flour with egg and brown sugar into balls and dropped them into the grease. When it was time to eat them he had some packets of maple syrup to spread over the delicious balls of fried dough. John said there were many variations you could make using onions or pieces of meat. Sort of like a doughy omelet.

While we ate, we gave Sadie some of her dog food that we had soaked with hot water. She ate heartily, licking out the gold pan we used for her dish.

We cleaned up burying our scrap and the grease. Once we were packed again, John suggested we should carry our rifles loaded from this point on as the area had bears and could even have some of the roaming thieves we had heard about.

Before I put on my backpack, I got out my shoulder rig, loaded the forty-four and holstered it. As I was doing this John asked, "Can you shoot that thing?"

Sue spoke up, "That's what the guy at the gun store asked. Steve is as good with that thing as most are with a rifle."

I had to tone it down a little. "I can't hit much at a hundred yards, but if I'm within forty to fifty, I can usually hit what I shoot at."

"I'll have to get a shoulder holster," John said. "I never thought of that. It keeps the pistol off your hip where it brushes on everything but is out of the way of your backpack. I tried to carry a pistol but it was too much trouble. Your idea is a good one, where did you learn to do it that way?"

"Most Special Forces people carry handguns in a shoulder rig. It's that last measure of defense and it needs to be easy to get at but not in the way when you're using your rifle."

John thought for a moment and asked, "Did you get hurt in the military? I noticed both of you limp a little."

"Yeah, I got hurt in Desert Storm. Sue was in an automobile accident. We do fine though, we don't even realize we're limping unless we're very tired."

"You did great yesterday. Let's go up to this next pool and pan a little before we go up stream another ten miles or so. I have a little cabin up there that will be our base camp for a couple of days."

We walked the quarter mile to the little pool that John talked about. It was fairly deep but you could see many fish swimming beneath the clear water. The bottom and shore was covered in sand and small rocks.

All three of us panned for about an hour. Sue found two small nuggets while John and I added a few flakes of gold to our pouches. While we were playing on the shore, Sadie had ranged out from us. We heard a commotion in the brush and Sadie came back, proudly displaying a large snowshoe rabbit.

John cleaned the rabbit quickly while I built a small fire so we could cook the rabbit a little for Sadie. The man who had lent her to us had said she liked to have her kills cooked a little, but would eat them raw if we didn't. She was a good companion so it didn't hurt to indulge her.

After Sadie had eaten and we had cleaned up and repacked, we walked the next ten miles, arriving at the cabin around one. John went through the cabin saying that usually there are signs of people having stayed there at one time or another, but none this time. He said the cabin was known by many trail people and was used as a stopover as there was fresh water from the stream, plus he had a privy. There were not many places around that had facilities, so his cabin was popular just for that.

Inside the cabin, he showed us that it was divided into three sections. There were two small rooms with cots and one large room with a big fireplace and what could be considered a kitchen area. The center of the room was taken up with a rough-hewn table and benches. The other furniture was four large rocking chairs grouped around the fireplace.

The kitchen area had a large wood stove. On the wall was what looked like a cupboard. When you opened the door, the cupboard was deep and went to the outside. The outside area was covered with wrought iron bars and heavy mesh wire with screen wire on the inside of that. John explained that it was the refrigerator. The only problem was during the winter, it became a freezer. He said when the weather was really warm and the temperature got up to the sixties, you just put the stuff that you wanted cooled into a mesh bag and put it in the stream. He said it was almost always around forty degrees in the water.

John showed us his bathtub and shower contraption. In one corner of the big room he had an old tub with a canvas water bag over it. He said you just filled it with warm water and when you wanted spray, you pulled the handle and that let water rain down on you. He said it was easy to fill the bag mostly full of cold water and heat a bucket in the fireplace to warm up the water for the bag.

The first thing was to cut some firewood. John had what looked like half a cord cut but said we would go through a lot of wood quickly. He led me out to the woods where, with a two-man saw, we cut up a downed tree and dragged chunks of it back to the cabin to split. We spent the rest of the day cutting and splitting wood, plus making kindling for the stove. He said we could cut some more, but we had enough for several days.

Before supper, he took us to his special panning place. John explained that every winter, more rock and sand washed down from within the mountain where a big spring came from. The stream also washed down to this point as well so there was new rock and sand every year that almost always had lots of small nuggets plus lots and lots of gold flakes.

Sue instantly found another fairly good-sized nugget. John and I each found small ones plus all three of us found several flakes. John said that tomorrow we would get a shovel out and use his screens to filter through the gravel. He said he usually got enough from this spot to carry him through the next winter.

Sadie enjoyed her time around the cabin exploring all round and coming back with another rabbit. This time after cleaning the rabbit, we cooked it in the fireplace while we were preparing some MREs for us. John suggested we hunt a deer so we would have some fresh meat for all of us for a couple of days. He said he didn't want a moose as we would waste too much meat, but there were plenty of deer in the area.

That night, Sue and I blew up our portable air mattress and spread our sleeping bags out so we could zip them together. We both washed up real good before bed and enjoyed some matrimonial coupling while Sadie looked on.

John had suggested that we leave the little room doors open so Sadie could roam the cabin as she wanted, but I think that as soon as Sue and I settled down she was curled up at our feet.

I woke up hearing a low growl in Sadie's throat. It took me a minute to understand that Sadie was standing in the room at the door with her fur up around her neck.

I slid out of the bag and hurriedly dressed, including my shoulder rig. As I walked out to the big room with my rifle in hand, I saw John at the front window looking out. He turned to me and said, "We have a large grizzly poking around out there. Sadie woke me up before she got you up. You think Sue would want to see a grizzly?"

"I'll get her. She wouldn't want to miss this."

Sue was up and dressed in a minute standing at the window with us as the grizzly roamed around in the yard. He came up to the door and pushed on it but it had a huge log across it holding it shut. He looked in the window and snorted but mostly just walked back and forth in the yard. At one time he went to the treasured privy and pushed and banged on it until he lost interest and wandered off into the woods.

"That's why the privy is built like a bunker. The damn bears love to knock over outhouses. You have to build them with several layers of logs so they can't be pushed over or torn down."

John looked at his watch and said, "It's five so why don't we make breakfast and get started on finding some gold. This afternoon we'll climb up this little mountain so you can see out over the stream and the far valley."

Powdered eggs and some bacon, along with some biscuits and gravy, are a perfect breakfast. John said we were going to have to get some more fish as they made a great breakfast too.

When some time had passed, John said we could go out to the outhouse now and Sadie could run a while. He said dogs were smart enough to not chase a bear unless they were threatening their people.

We were very successful all morning. By the time we broke for some coffee and lunch, we had a small mound of nuggets that we heaped together on the table. John said, "Another day like this and I won't even have to fly tourist around for another year. You guys are good luck charms for me. All three of us are going to have some big bucks when we get back."

It took us over two hours to climb the little mountain. There was a game trail that went up the side, but it was steep and narrow. You had to be careful because if you slipped off the trail, you would slide hundreds of feet down the side before you could stop yourself.

We didn't go all the way to the top but to a flat open area about hundred feet from the top. John said this was one of his favorite camping places but it got cold and windy at night. Since the day was clear and cold, you could see probably thirty to fifty miles out over a long valley between two groups of low mountains. We were told we were at about three thousand feet above sea level where we stood and over a thousand feet above the cabin. You could see the trail of the stream as it meandered through the heavily forested valley below. Far away, you could see smoke coming up. John said there was a couple of families that lived about fifteen miles that way and would possibly come over on their four wheel buggies while we were here.

We spent most of an hour looking at the beautiful sights. I asked John why there wasn't snow where we were and he said they had a warm snap that had cleared the snow off the lower mountains and most of the valley, but it was still early enough that we could see some snow before we left.

Walking back down the narrow game trail was as hard as walking up as you were constantly trying to keep from sliding down the steep trail. When we arrived back at the cabin, John said that he was going to get us a small deer and that we should keep Sadie inside until he got back. John had a 30.06 with a breakaway scope that he took off before he left the cabin. I guess he figured on a shot of less that a hundred yards considering he was going to use open sights.

It couldn't have been fifteen minutes until we heard the crack of the rifle. Twenty minutes later, John came dragging a small deer to the cabin clearing. We dug a deep hole under a tree where we hoisted the deer up and stripped it of its hide. John said we were not going to save the hide or head, but we would salvage the brains, heart, and liver for Sadie. With buckets of fresh water from the clear stream, we washed the carcass and began butchering it into steaks and roasts. Inside the house, we cleared the table and put a big plastic cover over it so we could finish trimming the bones. When we were finished, we had pans and bags of meat for the refrigerator. I took all of the uneatable scraps and bones to the pit beneath the tree and filled it in, firmly tamping down the dirt. We probably should have done this farther from the cabin but the hole was deep enough that a wolf would probably give up before it dug halfway down.

That night, we roasted the chest of the deer in the fireplace with a low fire. John sprinkled spices on the meat as it turned and in about two hours, we had what could be described as barbecued deer ribs. They were delicious. Sadie had a bunch of good meat to eat, plus a leg bone we had saved and boiled for her.

That evening we heard the sound of four wheel vehicles out in the woods but they were a long way off.

All of us woke around five thirty, ready for another day in the wilderness. The first thing John did was get down a fishing pole and big net that was up in the rafters and we three headed to the stream. It took him only a couple of minutes to drag up a couple of salmon for breakfast. He had me fillet the fish while he caught a couple more. He said he was going to roast these over the fireplace like he was smoking them.

By having the wood burning stove going to cook breakfast and heat, John could use the fireplace as a smoker. He said we would have some great smoked salmon tonight.

While we ate, we could hear the motorized four wheelers get closer. They seemed to be moving pretty fast. John said it was probably the family on the other side of the valley, but wondered why they would have spent the night out. When we finished and cleaned up from breakfast, he said we might wait before going out to pan.

John motioned me outside and said, "You never know what the sound of a four wheeler will bring out here. Not to scare Sue, but you should get your rifle and put it where you can get at it. When these people get here, have Sue stay away from windows or the door so they don't see we have a woman with us. When we go back in, open both the windows so if something happens we don't break the glass."

I was shaking my head, "Damn, I wish I had bought another rifle for Sue or another pistol. She could protect herself if she needed to."

"Can she shoot?"

"She's a good shot with a pistol, but hasn't had too much experience with a rifle."

John thought for a minute then said, "Come inside, I have just the thing."

John went into the room he was sleeping in and came out with fabric bag. Inside was an old Colt .45 semi-automatic that looked to be in mint condition. I took the piece and spread out a cloth before breaking the gun down inspecting all springs, barrel and firing mechanisms. When I put the piece back to together, using some gun oil John gave me, I handed the .45 to Sue and asked, "What do you think."

"It's heavier than my Glock, but it feels good. Am I going to need this?"

John said, "You hear those motors. It would be strange if the family from the other side of the valley stayed out overnight, so since we don't know who's coming, why not be prepared."

Sue dropped the magazine and began putting rounds into it. When it was full she slid the magazine in the butt, chambered a round, lowered the hammer and dropped the magazine to put one last round in it. She looked up at a stunned John and said, "Ready."

"Guess that answers that," John said. "Now you stay away from sight so if these are not good guys they won't know there is a woman here. Women are pretty valuable and you would be a big prize for some men. Keep Sadie inside so there is just a little more protection for you."

Sue had Sadie lay at her feet and petted her. Sadie was a savvy dog and seemed to know what to do.

About that time four motorized four-wheelers came into the cabin clearing and stopped about thirty feet from the door. Two of the four-wheelers were pulling trailers. That would account for them not traveling very fast.

"Hello the cabin," yelled one of the men on a four-wheeler.

I watched them all through the open window and none were doing anything that would make you think that there was a problem. John opened the door and stood in the doorway with the door half-open. His hand was resting on his rifle propped next to the door. "What can I do for you men?"

"How about some hospitality, a cup of coffee would be good," another of the men said.

One man on the far left, out of sight of John but still in my view, got off his machine and was unzipping his coat while he was moving. When he pulled the side of his coat back I could see he had a pistol in a belt holster and was reaching for it. Without even thinking I raised the .308 pump and knocked the man off his feet. The other three men were diving off their machines and obviously scrambling to get weapons. John blasted the nearest guy while I could see a head sticking up over the side of another machine. I put a round through his head and immediately swung the gun while pumping another round into the chamber just as the last man raised up with a rifle. John and I fired at the same time sending the man backward a couple of feet.

I pushed John out the door while pulling my pistol heading to the first man. John started at the right end of the four and began checking there. When we were done checking the downed men, we realized Sue was standing on the small porch with the .45 in both hands, ready for whatever might happen with Sadie right at her knee.

Sue was first, "What was that all about?"

"Don't know but two of these four-wheelers look like ones that belong to the family across the valley," John said. "We're going to have to go see about them. Let's see if these guys have any identification and see what they have with them."

We checked through all their pockets but found only one man with any form of identification. He had a Canadian driver's license and a U.S. social security card, but little else to show who he was. We began going through their packs and then the trailers. One trailer had about six full five-gallon jerry cans of gas along with most of case of oil. There also were some tools and extra spark plugs along with some wire, connectors and small parts. They had a couple of extra tires and a few tubes with patch kits and a hand pump. They were well prepared four-wheelers. The other trailer had clothes, several boxes of ammo plus a surprise, a box of cash and a metal box full of gold nuggets. The box was big enough to weigh probably forty pounds.

John said we were going to have to bury these guys or scavengers would come up to tear them apart. We went about a hundred yards from the cabin and within a clearing we dug a very big, very deep hole to dump all four of them in.

John looked over the four-wheelers and said that we should be fine going over to the familys' place and back without needing more fuel if we topped off before we left. Sue had never driven one so John gave her some lessons and had her drive all around the cabin plus up and down the trail by the stream.

I fixed us some lunch, plus made up a bag with some trail food. We packed our backpacks and took off. We didn't go very fast probably ten to fifteen miles an hour over a fairly good trail. We were feeling pretty good about the family, as we saw where the men had come onto the trail about half way out.

It took about an hour and a half to come up to the little farm. There were three houses and a pretty big barn. John stopped out in the middle of the yard and told us all to get off and hold our hands high. He yelled, "Hello the house, this is John. I've come to see if you all are alright."

Doors to all three of the houses opened and people streamed out. It looked like three separate families with one considerably older than the other two. "John, I'm glad to see you. Where did you find our motors? We had some ruffians come through here a couple of weeks ago, but we held them off from the house. They ended up stealing two of our motors and some gas but gave up on getting inside. The bastards broke some windows though."

John explained what happened this morning and said he had recognized the four-wheel vehicles as theirs. He said we were going to have to get back to where they could report what had happened.

The oldest man said, "Let me try to get the Ranger station on the radio. He'll tell you what to do. I reported that we had been set upon by those men, but they have not called me back yet."

The older man was introduced as Ben. The family had us all come inside, including Sadie, while Ben used the radio to contact the Ranger station. John had to get on the microphone for a little to explain what had happened and what we had done with the bodies. He gave the Ranger the name on the one piece of identification he had. There was a long pause and the Ranger came back with, "That guy is wanted for a bunch of killings over in the territory (Northwest Territory). We think that group may be responsible for robberies and killings over in Wilmuth last week. We'll meet you at your cabin tomorrow, John. We'll come up with a cart to haul the bodies back so we can identify them. We'll be riding the red, white and blue four wheelers so you'll know us."

The family insisted we eat with them and afterward, they had two of the younger men ride double, John rode another young man double, and we rode back to our cabin. The boys looked through the stuff in the wagons but said none of it looked like their stuff. John made them take one of the wagons along with the gas and cans after we topped off the two remaining four-wheelers.

"Well, what do you think? Have enough excitement in the Alaskan wilderness for you yet?" John asked as we were having a cup of coffee at the table. "There's more gold here than we could find in a month of good panning. I'm ready to head back, and after we settle up all this stuff, we could go somewhere else if you want."

Sue looked at me and at John, "I guess we can't get away from crazy people, even up here in Alaska. We took this vacation to get away from the nut cases, but here we are, right back where we were, only colder."

"You know we could go to Hawaii if you wanted. There are flights from Anchorage to Hawaii every day." I offered in an attempt to lighten up the mood.

"That's a good idea, honey. Let's call Mom and Uncle Ben and have them meet us. Oh yeah, call Abe and Phil and tell them to meet us too. Have Tiny take it out of the company and we'll all have a week in Hawaii before we have to go back to work."

It was at that point that John asked, "What do you two do?"

Two hours later, our eyes were drooping and we said goodnight. I'm sure John had a hard time believing the story of what we did for a living.

I woke up near six with Sadie dancing around wanting to go out. I wasn't being a good woodsman as I didn't look outside but just opened the door. Sadie blasted past me which made me think she had to go bad but there was an instant racket growling and chewing noises along with curses from someone.

I grabbed my rifle by the door and swung the door open open to find a guy trying to get away from Sadie. There was a rifle at his feet but Sadie wasn't going to let him get at it. After leveling my rifle at him I hollered at Sadie, "Down." Sadie let the man go but sat right on the rifle in front of him.

"What were you doing out here?" I asked the man who was holding his chewed hand.

"None of your fucking business, get that damn dog away from me."

John spoke up from behind me, "I think you need some manners. Steve asked you what you were up to."

The man looked down at Sadie and his rifle then back up at us pointing two rifles at him. He just shook his head and began backing up.

"Stay where you are. Don't move again or I will shoot you where you stand. Raise your arms away from your body. Steve go in and get some of that nylon rope in the left storage box by the fireplace."

When I came through the door, Sue was standing holding the .45 at the side of the door. I got the rope and went out. I made a couple of loops to tie his hands behind him wrapping enough rope around his hands and arms that Houdini couldn't get out of it.

John began searching the guy by first unzipping his parka, only to find a pistol in a holster and another pistol in the back of his waistband. John found a large hunting knife in a sheath, plus an automatic knife in his pocket. Along with the weapons, we found three wallets with three separate identities. None of the photo IDs looked like the guy tied up.

John said, "This is probably a friend to the others. Let's just shoot him and save Alaska the money to prosecute him."

"Where are the others?" The man asked becoming animated. "You better let me go, those guys will kill you for sure for tying me up."

"On the other hand, John, I don't feel like digging those guys up until the Ranger gets here," I said off handedly.

"What do you mean dig them up?" Our captive was getting the idea.

John smiled at him then said, "They were about as friendly as you are. We had to bury them so the scavengers wouldn't tear up the evidence."

The man just sank down on the ground and sat. John immediately started pulling off the guys boots, looking inside for more weapons then patted his legs down to make sure there wasn't anything else hidden. We put the guy's boots back on him but didn't lace them up.

Sue fixed us breakfast and we even shared some oatmeal with the idiot sitting on the ground. Sadie was still sitting staring at the guy. She wouldn't even leave for breakfast. Sue went out and took her by the collar and took her over to the tree line where she immediately squatted. You could almost hear Sadie sigh with relief. When she was done she went right back to the guy and sat staring at him again.

About nine o'clock, six large red, white, and blue four-wheelers came roaring up the trail. Three of them were pulling carts. Once we made sure they were all Rangers we told them about the guy tied up and walked four of them back to the burial site of the other four.

The two Rangers left in the cabin yard put handcuffs and ankle cuffs on the captive. They searched him by stripping him down but didn't find anything additional on him. John and I gave the Rangers all of the guy's guns and knives, plus the three wallets. They commented that this solved three recent murders and they wouldn't be surprised if he and his friends were responsible for the mini crime wave that had happened up here in the Yukon lately. The four other Rangers had dug up the four and put them in body bags and put them in the carts. They chained up the captive and put him in the third cart.

One of the Rangers that had been digging said, "Why didn't you just shoot this guy when you saw him? Your dog knew he wasn't any good. It would have saved us a lot of trouble. Maybe he'll fall out of the cart on the way back."

We made a lunch out of the deer meat we had and fed everyone deer, freeze dried vegetables, and coffee. We even snacked on the smoked salmon John made the day before.

The head Ranger had been on his radio and had checked the serial numbers on the two four-wheelers still at the cabin. He said they were both stolen and would appreciate it if we would ride them back to town and leave them with the Ranger there. John suggested we could ride them back to the lake airport and leave them there so we wouldn't have to call the guy out to drive us back. The Ranger said that would be fine as there was a Ranger stationed at the airport as well. He would let them know we would be coming.

They left us ten gallons of gas in two cans and took off for the twenty-five mile trek back to their base. We three wondered if the silent captive would reach jail.

Since it was still early, Sue wanted to pan for gold one last time before we left. We found a couple of dozen more fair sized nuggets plus a small handful of gold flakes.

Back in the cabin John said, "I thought we might ride the four-wheelers all the way to the plane so we could load up the gold there before flying back. No sense in advertising that we have that much gold on us. The assayer's office at the place where we will refuel is a good one and it will be a good place to convert what we have to cash. I'm for splitting everything we have three ways, does that sound fair to you?"

"More than fair John, this is your land and your gold so you should get more of what we found," I said.

"Naw," John began, "the bulk of the gold we have is the stuff we took off the bad guys. We all had a part of getting that. The rest is a bonus. I'll be fixed for a couple of years and you two can use it for your vacation. It's settled, we'll split it three ways."

That night we cleaned up the cabin and stowed everything, making it ready for visitors or for John's next visit. We left the bulk of the extra food we had at the cabin, taking only some emergency rations.

The next morning we were on the road by a chilly seven o'clock. John rode the single four-wheeler while Sue and I took the machine with the trailer. Sadie alternately ran beside us or jumped into the trailer to sit and watch the forest go by.

We made the whole trip back to the airport in a little over two hours. There we loaded our backpacks and the gold into the plane before turning the four-wheelers over to the resident Ranger who was expecting us.

We called the man who had lent us Sadie and waited till he came out to pick her up. We thanked him profusely for the dog, saying we wished we could take her with us. John had the perfect thank you. He gave Sue a handful of nuggets and nodded to the guy.

Sue said to the man, "Thank you for letting us keep Sadie with us. She probably saved our lives." With that she let the nuggets dribble into the man's hand. His eyes were huge at the sight.

All he could do was "Uh, uh, ah." We left him staring at his hand.

John and Sue pre-flighted the plane and John asked Sue if she wanted to take off. Sue was excited, as she had never taken off on water. John had her sit in the left seat saying he could watch from the right perfectly fine.

Sue did great taking off and flew us to our refueling point. There John talked her into landing on water, another first for Sue. The lake there was perfectly calm with the sun shining off the water. It was difficult to tell exactly how far off the water you were. John said the lake was plenty big enough so just keep flying and dropping down till you finally touch the water, then you can cut the power and drift.

Sue did fine. She was very excited to have landed on water by herself.

We took an airport pickup taxi to the assayer's office with all of the gold. It took them over an hour to inspect, weigh, and type the gold. When we were done, they said we would have to take a check as they didn't have that much cash in house. Sue told them just one check. It was for two hundred and seventy thousand dollars. John said he had thought it might be more but he never was good at judging weight and price.

On the second leg of the trip, John had her do the flying plus checked her out on her instrument ability. She flipped switches and dialed dials, making contact with air traffic controllers, making a flight plan, and getting permission to land at the busy water airport where we eventually landed. Sue taxied right up the tie down docks, drifting up to it where John stepped out of the plane right onto the dock. He pulled some fenders out of the pontoon storage area and tied the plane up. An attendant came out with a cart for our luggage. John gave the attendant a list of things to do to the plane and said he probably wouldn't be using it for a month, so they could tie it up out of the way.

We hauled our gear back up to John's truck and piled it in the back. He asked where we wanted to go. I asked him if he would take us to the merchant that we had bought all our gear from first.

The store owner said, "You didn't stay up there long."

When he heard of all the excitement he understood that we probably were ready to leave. We told him it had been a great time and we would probably do it again soon. We sold him back all of our gear, plus the guns. We gave him the leftover ammunition but had him outfit John with a shoulder rig and a good Glock. John was excited to have a new toy and said he would be back at the merchant's place to learn to shoot it.

John wanted to go to the bank, but we said to just take us back to the hotel. When we pulled the few things out of the back of the truck, Sue told John, "We didn't pay you for flying us all around and we didn't pay you for your guide services, so we want you to keep the whole check. Enjoy it. Perhaps you can give us a ride the next time we're up here."

John couldn't believe it. "You don't want this money? Any of it?"

"We're fine John, you deserve it," I said.

"Tell you what," John said. "You two meet me in the lobby tomorrow morning at eight. I'll have a surprise for you."

Sue and I checked back into the hotel and had our stored luggage brought up to the room. We showered and washed our hair for what seemed like hours until we finally felt we were clean. We went to the hotel restaurant for supper before going back to the room where we loved each other till we fell asleep.

Sue and I woke at six, showered and went to the restaurant for breakfast. At eight we met John in the lobby.

"First we need to walk just down the street. Sue has an appointment there," John began.

"What kind of appointment John?" Sue asked.

"You'll see," he said.

We entered a doctor's office and the receptionist handed Sue a clipboard with a few sheets of questionnaire on it. As Sue was reading it over she had got a big smile on her face and began filling it out.

John was looking over her shoulder and suddenly asked, "You're pregnant?"

"A little over a month," Sue answered.

"If I'd known that I would have never taken you up there. That's too dangerous for someone that's going to have a baby."

Sue smiled and answered as she finished the form, "Not to worry. The little Stevie I have in here is just as tough as his old man."

Sue handed the completed forms back to the lady and was told to follow her back to an examination room.

Fifteen minutes later the doctor and Sue came out with him handing Sue a form saying, "You passed your flight physical fine. You might want to be careful around your due date, as flying at higher altitudes in unpressurized aircraft can induce labor."

We walked back to the hotel and John drove us back out to the airport. He herded us into an office with "FAA" on the door. There John filled out some forms and asked the clerk there if she had gotten the information he had asked her for yesterday. John gave her the form and received back a card about the size of a driver's license.

"Here you are, Sue," John said handing the card to Sue. "This is your renewed license complete with water endorsement. I see you already have an endorsement for a tail dragger and for multi-engine so you are fixed up. I'm an IP and make most of my income teaching. Guiding and bush flying is only about a third of my living. Now, I'm willing to call us even."

Sue was so excited she couldn't speak. With water coming to her eyes she grabbed John and gave him a hug reaching up to kiss his cheek. "This is the best vacation a girl could ever have."

John drove us back to the hotel and told us to be sure to call him and let him know about the baby.

Inside the hotel Sue wanted to eat and call home to tell everyone to get ready to go to Hawaii. We had a real light lunch before Sue began her calls. Beth said she would talk to Ben and wait for Sue to call back. I called Abe and asked if he and Alice could get away for a week. He could, but wanted to know what for. I told him that I would have a ticket for Alice and him to go to Hawaii in his hands by tomorrow morning. I asked him to send me to Phil.

Phil couldn't shut up long enough for me to ask him anything as he had been making big deals daily lately. I finally asked him to give me to Judy.

When I asked Judy if she could get Phil ready to go to Hawaii for a week, I heard her take a deep breath. "Are you serious Steve, you better be, I've wanted to go to Hawaii all my life. Phil keeps saying we're going but we're still not there yet."

"By tomorrow morning I'll have tickets in your hands. You two will be traveling with Abe and Alice. So go home early and get ready. I'll try to make your flight as soon as possible."

I called down to the desk and asked if they had a travel agent in house. They did, so Sue and I went downstairs to see them. When I described what I wanted, the agent became excited as it would be a good sale.

I told her I wanted the three couples to fly out of Tampa ASAP, first class, and for Sue and me to fly out tonight or tomorrow whichever they could do. She would have to have the tickets sent by courier to the Tampa people at the shop if it was yet today. We wanted to be at one of the best resorts in Hawaii where we could travel around to the other islands as well. She would have to arrange the sightseeing for us. She told us to let her get to work and see how fast it could be done. It was one-thirty here so it would be four-thirty in Tampa.

We were in our room only a few minutes when the lady called. "You and Sue will be leaving at six this evening. Tickets have been sent to your office and should arrive any minute for them to leave in the morning. The tickets for Sue's mother are being delivered as well right now. If you will stop in the office, I'll give you the first of your itinerary and we can settle up."

Sue called her mom who said to hang on as there was someone at the door. Sue's mom came back on the phone and was flustered that she had to be ready by morning. Sue told her to just bring some basics and they would go buy what they needed when she got there. I called the shop back and found out that Abe was leaving with tickets in hand, while Phil was sitting in his office too stunned to believe he was actually going to Hawaii. I talked to Tiny and told him to get ready as he and Ruth would be on the next group.

We showered and dressed in our better clean clothes and hauled our luggage downstairs. The travel agent swiped my card and handed us a bunch of printed material, along with some brochures. The last thing she handed to us was our plane tickets. "I got you first class tickets, just like you asked me to get the other folks. Is that alright?"

I just smiled and said, "Perfect. Good job."

Sue and I walked out to the lobby and had the concierge get us a taxi to the airport. Once there we checked in and went to the airport restaurant where I had a beer for the first time in several days.

When the plane loaded, Sue and I had great seats in the front of first class. We would pick up a couple of hours on the way, but it would still be near midnight when we landed.

The food on board was special, as was the service. I had a couple of martinis with dinner settling back with a glass of wine, while we looked through our itinerary and the brochures, before we both snoozed for a while. We woke a little after eleven and had a cup of coffee during the descent. By the time the hostesses had picked up everything, we were landing in Honolulu.

When we exited the plane we were surprised to find a man holding up a sign for Steve Sharp. He asked for our luggage tags and turned to hand them to a young man beside him. We boarded one of those electric passenger carts that took us to an area where VIP limousines were parked.

The man opened the car's door and said it would be just a few minutes before our luggage would be there. Before I entered the car he leaned down and said, "I don't know who you are but you sure have the hotel staff in a tizzy. You would think the president of the company was coming."

I told him we were just average people out to have a fling, but thank you anyway for all the special treatment.

At the hotel the special treatment continued. A concierge greeted us and escorted us to the desk where I signed in. The lobby was huge and plush, probably the fanciest place I had ever seen. As soon as I had given them my credit card and completed our sign in, we were escorted to the elevator and went to the top floor where the elevator opened to a lavish suite. Sue and I both just stood there with our mouths open, the place was so awesome.

Before I could get cash from my pocket to tip the bellman he was gone. The concierge who had accompanied us said that all tips had been taken care of, our only worry was to enjoy our stay. The fancy dressed man showed us all the amenities of our suite and asked if he could call room service for a snack before we "retired."

Sue and I both chuckled at his little speech. We thanked him and said we thought we might just go to bed, as it had been a long day. We had begun our day with the surprise of John taking Sue for her flight physical and now many hours later we were actually in a luxury resort in Hawaii. Looking out the window you could see the beach with ocean gently lapping at the water's edge. We promised each other we would enjoy the beach in the morning, took off our clothes, and went to bed. We were so tired we were barely cuddled before falling asleep.

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 3



Sue woke me in the middle of the night by sitting on my stomach. I had no idea what time it was. "Alright husband. You've been putting off your husband responsibilities lately. It's time we caught up."

We tried to catch up.

I didn't know what time we woke up, but it was after eleven before I was able to call for some emergency coffee. When the bellhop arrived, Sue asked if they had a clothes shop where she could get a swim suit. He told her that the east wing had over a hundred thousand square feet of shops for anything we could want.

We dressed in our casual clothes and went in search of some warm weather clothes and swimwear. Sue found several pair of shorts and slacks, but had a hard time with tops, as usual. One shop showed her Sue's internet store catalog and said she could get almost anything she would want from this company within a day. It was funny, because Sue picked out a few tops and a swimsuit and told the clerk she hoped they could be there the next day. Sue also ordered a couple of nice dresses from the catalogue that showed off her magnificent cleavage, but the dresses also gave her a taller appearance.

I found some slacks, shorts, shirts, socks, shoes and, a couple of swimsuits. The store said they would have the clothes laundered and put in our suite. They did have nice service. Some of the cash we had brought with us greased the way to having folks want to serve us.

Next on our schedule was food. We went to the restaurant with the intention of having a late breakfast. Instead, we had a fruit tray and salads with grilled mahi-mahi. When we went up to our suite to change, we found all of our purchases were in our closet or arranged on the vanity for us to put away. We decided on swimwear, so we changed and headed down to the beach. Sue caused a stir, as her recently purchased bikini was not meant for a girl with her endowment. The skimpy top did its best to cover her, but failed to do anything but enhance the large and growing bosom of my pregnant wife.

We played in the water's edge, and ventured out far enough to have the waves knock us over. We went a little farther and tried to body surf a little. You have to jump with the wave so you stay on top of it as it carries you toward the shore. By the time we were very waterlogged, we had both successfully ridden waves from fairly far out all the way to the beach. We decided not to overdo the sun, so we went inside and showered before deciding to use the hotel's gym.

We used the treadmills and the weight machines for over an hour before going back to our room to change for supper. After supper, we went to the hotel lounge where they had a band and a nice dance floor. We danced together for the first time since our wedding, enjoying the closeness we were sharing.

When we left the lounge, we stopped at the desk to see when our guests would be arriving. The clerk told us that their plane was due in about thirty minutes ago and the passengers should be arriving at the hotel within the hour. I asked about their rooms and was told they all were in suites similar to ours.

There was a lobby bar, so Sue and I went there to wait. I had a martini, while Sue had her Diet Coke.

We were watching when three white limousines pulled up at the entryway. First out was Beth, followed by Ben. Both of them had big eyes at the treatment they were receiving. Next came Phil and Judy, smiling and luxuriating in the attention. Last was Abe and Alice, complete with his shit eating grin. He was the one to spot us as we watched the procession to the desk. He headed Alice over to us, and while Alice and Sue hugged, Abe shook my hand, "Thanks, Steve. This is a dream come true for Alice and me. Somehow, I knew you were going to be good luck for us."

"Go get signed in. You two must be worn out. Sue and I will meet you in the restaurant for breakfast, then we'll see what all has been planned for us."

Phil and Judy saw where Abe and Alice were and came over to us. We went through the same hugging and handshaking before sending them back to the desk to finish checking in.

We walked over to the desk area to wait so we could save Ben and Beth the trip to the bar. When Beth turned and saw Sue, she burst into tears and was holding Sue, saying how happy she was to see her baby. Ben turned to see what the commotion was, and began shaking my hand like he was mixing a drink saying, "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

We finally got them settled down and sent up to bed. Beth wanted to visit some more, but Sue told her they had a whole week to visit and sent them both off. Beth whispered into my ear, "Thank you for getting Ben and me a room together."

Sue and I went back to the bar and were just climbing onto our stools, when we saw him. It was Dewey, the guy who lived on a sailboat at Friday Harbor and who had planned our cruise and contacted John to fly and guide us.

"Fancy meeting you here, Dewey."

"I came to make sure you two were treated right. John told me how you had saved his life up there in the Yukon. He told me you two were going to go to Hawaii, so I had the hotel you were staying at call me the instant you wanted to fly out. I'm indebted to you, Steve. You saved my brother's life and then you two gave him your shares of the gold you all found. You both are special, and I'm going to show you a good time while you're here."

"Thanks, Dewey," I said, at a loss for words. I didn't know how he could have done all that, or who he was to be able to get it all done. "You know you don't have to do this. We can take care of everything."

"I'm gonna tell you one more time. Your money is worthless here. This is my hotel, and everyone here is going to treat you and yours like you're my son and daughter or brother and sister. Enjoy yourself, I'm going to enjoy it with you." Dewey leaned back, picked up his drink, and winked at me before saying, "I am going to insist that you come back through Friday Harbor on the way home, though. Some jerk left me a big bar tab, and I'm having trouble drinking it up."

Dewey, Sue, and I sat at the lobby bar until midnight, talking and laughing about life and how everything comes down to being at the right place at the right time.

Sue and I were up, showered, and in the restaurant by seven-thirty. The first to show was Dewey who ordered us a Bloody Mary to start our day. He said he knew he was going to have to watch my drinking habits; he thought I wasn't practicing enough.

Ben and Beth came in and were both served a Bloody Mary with their coffee. The waitress was waiting and immediately got coffee and Bloody Marys when Phil, Judy, Abe and Alice all showed up, Sue had to settle for a Virgin Mary but she enjoyed it just as much.

I introduced Dewey to everyone and tried to give him an idea of who these folks were and what they meant to me. Dewey went into a spiel as to how I had saved his kid brother's life up in the Yukon, and how Sue and I had given away our big shares of the gold we had found.

"Dewey, don't be telling everybody about stuff like that or they'll never let us go back up there to visit."

Ben spoke up then, "I can tell you first hand how Steve saved my ass not long ago. Some guy was sent to kill me and Steve, but Steve got the best of him and the bad guy was carried out of my office on a coroner's stretcher. He was instrumental in busting a huge drug ring. You can't tell me much about him I wouldn't believe. He attracts trouble, but he is a people magnet that knows how to make a business sing."

Abe told Dewey, "I was forced into retirement and this kid found me and had me help rebuild some junk he bought at an auction. That was part of the beginning of his company and he is now one of the largest commercial power equipment dealers in the States. He's created a whole new life for me, and given Alice and me security for life."

Then it was Phil's turn. "This kid gets Abe to lure me into coming to work for him. I didn't know the kid didn't have any experience working a business, so I blundered on while the kid keeps feeding me leads that create business and more business by the day. Then all of sudden, I'm making more money than I've ever made in my life."

Judy interrupted him, "Steve and Sue take care of so many people and have a home that is open to dozens of friends every day. They have coffee and breakfast in the morning for twenty or so people, and have dinner with everyone in the evening. There might be thirty people having dinner together. Dewey, you just can't believe how special these two are."

"Stop! Cease! Enough!" "If you guys want to go somewhere and talk like this, fine, but enough already about Sue and me. This vacation is not about us, it's for you guys."

Dewey slapped me on the back and said, "Well, okay, but we have to go do some outdoor stuff so I can write some articles for the magazines. As long as I'm in Hawaii, I might as well make a living."

"Sure you do, Dewey," I said sarcastically, thinking about his owning the hotel. "Why not have the hotel go bring the outdoors into the lobby so we don't have to go look for it?"

"Damn good idea, Steve, why didn't I think of that?"

Sue took the women to the shops for a little while so Dewey could explain what we were going to do. First, we were going to take a plane he had available for a sightseeing tour around the islands. That should take most of the morning. After lunch, he wanted all of us to take a tour up to the volcano to see the lush landscape from high up.

Tomorrow we would go to the naval memorial and tour the big island. Dewey had a busy schedule planned with snorkeling, dining, dancing, and a trip out to deep-sea fish on one of the hotel's boats.

I told Dewey that the three couples had always wanted to come to Hawaii, so it would be a good idea to have them give some input on what they had dreamed about doing when they came here. He thought for a few minutes, and said, "I'll have our lunch served in a private dining room. I'll let them know what I have available so they can plan on some private outings."

When the ladies finally returned from shopping, Dewey herded us out to a small tour bus that took us to an old army airfield nearby. We boarded a small passenger plane and took off on a quick tour. We flew high to see the islands as a group, then low over areas where Dewey pointed out attractions and significant places.

Back at the hotel we were served lunch in a lavish dining room with serving girls wearing early Hawaiian apparel. They had the wrap skirts with multiple flower leis for tops. It was a little distracting, as you would watch as they moved, hoping to catch a glimpse of something that might peek out. But alas, they remained covered throughout.

When Dewey questioned the group, Phil immediately said he and Judy wanted to play golf a couple of times, but definitely wanted to go out to the beach and also wanted to go to the Arizona memorial. Abe said that Alice wanted to see as many native displays as they could, but they also wanted to see Don Ho perform and to go to a luau. Ben and Beth also wanted to play golf and wanted to go to a luau. They all thought that going deep sea fishing would be a great time.

When they were done, Dewey turned to Sue and me and asked, "And what would you two most like to do?"

Sue and I looked at each other, then Sue answered, "This trip is for these special people. Steve and I get to enjoy it with them."

"Isn't there any one thing the two of you would like to do now that you're in Hawaii?" Dewey almost pleaded.

Sue thought for a few seconds and while looking at me said, "If we could, Steve and I would like to learn how to surf. I want to use one of those big surfboards and ride a wave back to the beach. I would love to ride inside one of those huge waves, but so far I haven't seen any really big waves."

"Consider it done," Dewey said. "I have a friend that is a great surfer and he knows all of the areas where the great waves are. I'll go with you. I love to surf and it's been a while since I've gone."

Dewey spent some time discussing things with the folks, finally saying that we would leave for the memorial in a little while, so if any of us wanted to freshen up, we should meet back in the lobby in thirty minutes.

The afternoon tour of the naval memorial was somber, but interesting. You can see the sunken battleship in the clear water. As you stand on the walkway you realize you are actually in a cemetery; there are still hundreds of sailors entombed within the sunken hull of the ship. The memorial gives you pause. It's a warning for our country to be ready to defend itself for all time to come.

We arrived back at the hotel at about four-thirty. Dewey told us that we should meet back in the lobby at seven. A private luau was being held farther up the beach this evening, and we had permission to attend. He said to wear casual clothes. We would be sitting on the ground during the meal.

Sue and I wandered over to the lobby bar where I ordered a beer. Abe and Alice joined us, also having beer. Phil came over for a scotch and Judy joined Sue in having a Diet Coke. We had only been at the bar of a couple of minutes when Dewey came in carrying a handful of papers.

"Aha, trying to catch up on your drinking, kid? You two ladies are not a good influence, drinking that horrid Diet Coke in an adult libation establishment."

Judy defended herself and Sue, saying, "Sue is pregnant and I have to hold my booze consumption down because I can't hold my liquor very well. Two drinks and someone has to put me to bed most of the time. I have to ration myself so I can keep up with the crowd."

Dewey waved his hand as if he were the Pope absolving someone of their sins, "Good reasons, both of you. Congratulations, Sue and Steve. This is definitely a reason to celebrate."

Standing, Dewey hollered, "Innkeeper, fresh drinks all around to honor the prospective parents we have in our presence."

Judy decided to sample a Hawaiian mimosa to join in the celebration.

As we were sitting and chatting, Dewey was busily reading the papers he had brought in. A bellhop came in and found Dewey, giving him another handful.

We were just about ready to leave when Dewey asked Sue and me to stay for a minute.

After the others had left for their rooms, Dewey said, "You two have been busy these last few months. I see that Sue has been developing a strong internet business and has now even purchased a manufacturing plant. And Steve, what is this about you being on vacation, but starting a business that is going to do several hundred million in business the first year? I see that you are involved with NASCAR, but not racing. You are a provider of equipment. I'll bet that's an interesting story. Now the interesting part is that you two aren't in debt up to your nostrils. You seem to have been able to ride this whole thing by using cash flow. There is one thing I don't understand. What's this about purchasing a trailer park?"

"What are you doing, Dewey? Snooping on us? Why the interest?" I asked, a little perturbed. Sue and I had wanted to leave business at home.

"Not snooping, but remember I am a member of the press and therefore must pursue even the slightest hint of a story. I also like to invest in new companies and give them a boost to succeed. It looks like you two don't need any help, it looks like you've done quite well. I have to compliment you both, Sue comes from old money, but it appears she really has not used any of it except for this confusing trailer park purchase. I want to do something special for you two, but you're making it terribly difficult. Just what can I do?"

"Dewey, just be a friend. You've already done so much to help us gather these folks here, and have made their stay a dream come true. Sue and I are happiest when we are helping others succeed. Our success comes from that."

Dewey looked at the papers then back up, "Steve, you are a decorated Marine. You've given of yourself for your country, and from what I've read, you have defended your neighborhood, helped your sheriff's department when they needed help, and were instrumental in pointing the way to clean up a nasty drug situation. It just seems that someone, somewhere, should give something back to you."

"They have Dewey, they have." I said making a move to leave.

Sue said, "Dewey? Just be our friend and let's enjoy being together having a good time. You'll have to tell us about all the businesses you own. I suspect you own that hotel we were staying at in Anchorage, along with this one. I think Dewey, the hermit that lives on a sailboat, is probably a more interesting story than Steve and Sue. Just enjoy us, we'll enjoy you."

Dewey's eyes looked a little watery when he saluted us as we headed toward the elevators.

In the elevator I looked at Sue, "It must be really easy to find out everything there is to know about us. There is absolutely no privacy anywhere. It's probably a good thing we live in the trailer park. No one believes it, yet we have a lifestyle so rich in friends that I wouldn't trade it for anything."

"I know, honey, we make too many people curious about us. We are going to have to fly a little lower so we don't attract attention."

Sue and I spent the next hour in the hotel gym with Ben and Beth. They were surprised to find us using the weight machines when they came in to use the treadmill. We were finishing up our sets, so we waved goodbye. We would see them soon for the luau.

Sue and I enjoyed some playtime while showering and got ready to go. I enjoyed a martini at the lobby bar while Sue had a Virgin Mimosa. Dewey came in with a big smile, followed by Ben and Beth. We enjoyed some light conversation until the other two couples showed up.

We loaded up into the big van again and drove a couple miles up the beach until we came upon what looked like a bunch of grass roofed shacks. Once past the primitive looking fence, beautifully tanned native Hawaiian girls in grass skirts greeted us. They wore only a real flower lei for a top. Several men were also present, wearing grass skirts but topless, displaying their deeply tanned chests.

We were escorted to a large area covered with grass mats to sit on. We were quickly handed ceramic bowls of some kind of drink that Dewey warned could be toxic if you drank too much. Special bowls were brought for Sue and Judy that Dewey said was a simple fruit punch.

There were several musicians playing simple instruments in the background, serenading us with Hawaiian folk songs, while we were served the beginning of the meal.

The meal was full of fruit, roast pig, several kinds of fish, a type of egg similar to what we call deviled egg, but a little spicy. We were served the "toxic" punch throughout the meal that seemed to be getting less potent as the meal continued. When we were finished, six of the ladies, who could even have been serving us, began doing a native dance. It wasn't just the hula that you see on TV all the time, but a kind of interpretive dance that included the hula hip movements at various times. The ladies ended their dance by doing the hula together, mesmerizing us with their gyrations.

Sue said to me, "Isn't that something. This whole evening we have been served and entertained by beautiful brown topless women, and not once was there a sexual thought in my mind. Sensuous, but not sexual, do you know what I mean?"

"You're right. These women are all beautiful. Their movements and the dancing were definitely sensuous, but not sexual. Let's see, eeny, meeny, miney, moe, which one would I like to catch by the toe?"

Sue smacked me on the shoulder, "Oh, you!"

Dewey made an announcement. "Tomorrow, we are going to Waikiki so we can go to Do Ho's restaurant. The man appears five nights a week at his restaurant, playing an organ and singing with his group. Did you know that one of his singers, a lady named Jackie, is "Tiny Bubbles?" His daughter, Hoku, sings with him as well. In the morning, those who wish to play golf have a tee time of eight o'clock, so you will have time to enjoy the beach in the afternoon. You others can spend the morning shopping, sightseeing, or just lazing on the beach. The key here, as Steve has directed, is to just enjoy yourselves."

We went back to the hotel lounge to dance and drink for a while before going to bed. I danced with all the ladies, as did the other men, including Dewey. As the evening wore on, a tall lady with a dark complexion and coal black hair became a companion of Dewey's. They appeared to know each other a little, but also seemed to click. It was good to see him have company.

Sue and I were up early. When we arrived at breakfast, there was Dewey with a big grin on his face. Next to him was the same tall, dark, lady from last night. She had that look, with her eyes half closed and a half grin. You know the "look," as if she was saying, "Bet you can guess what I've been up to." Dewey introduced Sheila to Sue and me and told her we were new and valuable friends of his. Dewey and Sheila had Bloody Marys, and I was served one almost immediately when we sat. The waitress asked Sue if she would like a Virgin Mary this morning.

Dewey asked me if Sheila could accompany the ladies in their shopping this morning while he went with the guys to play golf. Sue said, "Steve and I are going to work out in the gym, but I'm sure Sheila could go with Alice and Abe."

Sheila said, "Oh, please, I would be happy to go to the gym with you."

Having heard her accent many times in Alaska, I asked where in Canada she was from.

"You know how that I am from Canada?" Sheila asked questioning me.

Dewey was laughing and said softly to her, "Sheila, your beautiful French Canadian accent is easy to identify."

Sheila looked at us and said, "You really like my talk? You like my sound? You all are so very nice to say that."

The other folks began coming in with everyone, except Abe and Alice, dressed for golf. Ben was saying that Sue and I should take up golf, but Sue said there were other games she enjoyed more. When I asked Alice and Abe what their plans were this morning, Abe said they were going to take a helicopter ride to the volcano again, but this time they would also skirt the coast to see some of the beautiful cliffs along the shore.

Sue told Sheila she should change clothes and that we would meet her at the gym. Sheila asked Sue to go with her, so that she would be sure to find us. Sue went with Sheila, and I would meet them in our suite. Ten minutes later, Sheila showed up with a spandex exercise outfit that let you see every curve on her. She was well built, but nowhere as heavy as Sue is on top. Sue put on some shorts and a T-shirt and we went to the gym.

Sue and I started with the treadmill but we both only walked. Neither one of us can run worth a hoot. Sheila, however, began slow but progressed to a six mile an hour run that she modified with some incline as she went along. She quit at thirty minutes to cool down, while Sue and I walked at our three and half mile an hour pace for forty-five minutes.

Sue began using the machines and I began with free weights. Sheila was right there with me using lighter weights, but keeping pace with me. When she began doing presses, I spotted her, and when it was my turn she spotted for me. We lifted and used machines for almost an hour. All three of us were dripping wet. I suggested we shower and go out on the beach for a while. Once again, Sheila wanted Sue to accompany her to get her swimsuit. I showered and put on my trunks and was sitting at the sliding window when the girls came.

Sue said they were going to shower and would be out quickly. "Quickly" turned into nearly forty-five minutes. Sue had on her indecent bikini, and Sheila had on some cloth that covered only the vital spots. Note I did not say areas; I said spots. Between the two of them, I immediately had to use my towel to cover my interest. Sue now had a shit eating grin. I wondered what she was up to.

We grabbed our big bottle of tanning lotion and went downstairs. On the way through the lobby, a bellhop walked into a column, and one of the desk guys began choking. The two girls together were enough to melt the stone statue in the fountain.

We greased up and played in the water for a while, attempting to body surf again. We all did pretty well, but both Sue and Sheila had to pull up or pull down their tops each time they coasted to the shore or they would have been totally uncovered. I was enjoying the show. Several other men were sneaking peeks as well when their wives weren't watching.

We decided to just get some sun for a while so we greased up again. I put some oil on Sheila's and Sue's back and the back of their legs. I managed to cover both their exposed cheeks to keep them from burning as well. They insisted on oiling and massaging me. Both of them were a little careless, sliding their hands under the leg of my swimsuit. By the time they had me slicked up, I was really up.

We only sunned ourselves about a half-hour on each side, and decided we needed another shower before we would get lunch. We did the escort duty to Sheila's room first, but all together this time, followed by going up to our suite to get dressed. Sue told me to shower first, as I was always fast.

I hardly had time to turn on the water before Sue joined me in the shower. She said she was hotter than a firecracker and needed some help. I helped her out until we were joined by Sheila. She wanted to play too, but I said that perhaps Dewey wouldn't appreciate it, so I finished my shower and got out.

I dried off, put on shorts and a Hawaiian shirt, and was treated to two tanned nymphs coming from the shower, showing me all that could be shown. It was enough that I had to make myself a martini at the bar in the suite. It took both girls forever to finally put on panties. They slid on shorts, but stood in front of one another for a few minutes, teasing by lifting and jostling their boobs, comparing them. Sheila was fairly well endowed but she was probably ten or so years older than Sue, so hers had a sexy sag to them. Sue's of course are like two party balloons with tantalizing nipples protruding. They finally covered the temptations with skimpy halters before we went down to lunch.

Everyone was back from their excursions and golf. None had showered or changed yet, but all were enjoying liquid libations in the bar/restaurant. We ate a hearty lunch, agreeing to go into Waikiki early so we could look around before going to Don Ho's place for dinner and entertainment.

The others left to shower and change while Sue and Sheila went to the clothing store in the hotel to get some of the things Sue had ordered. I found it funny that Sue had to buy some of the clothing she manufactured in order to get clothes that fit. We hadn't thought about coming here so we hadn't packed much more than casual clothes. Sheila had picked up a dress too, so we all went up to the suite where I was once again treated to the teasing of two topless ladies. While they were putting on makeup and fixing each other's hair there was a knock on the door. When I went to the door it was Dewey. They girls didn't even flinch. Sheila said, "Dewey will come, please let him in."

I welcomed him in and fixed him a drink. We sat viewing the spectacle the two ladies were putting on for us. Dewey was as much at attention as I was as he was continuously having to re-arrange himself. His only comment was, "My God, Sheila is really well built, but oh my, Sue is awesome."

Sue heard that and turned to him and hefted them for him. "They're all me too. Wait till I have my son, these babies will really be big."

Dewey rolled his eyes and got up to fix himself another drink.

The girls began moving a little faster getting ready. I guess they had accomplished what they set out to do if it was to perk up the libido of two men. I think Dewey and I were "up" for anything at that moment.

We met the others downstairs in the lobby. The ten of us boarded the van again and headed off. We didn't arrive till around five but it was still too early to go eat. We walked around a little, looking into stores and such. Sue was constantly getting something for Hanna, or Betty, or Joan. She got something for every one of the women we knew. Judy was getting things for all her girls as well. I figured on going to a Harley dealership and buying a gross of T-shirts and shipping them back to the shop. All the guys would love that. I could mess with my friend Hap and send him a pile of T-shirts too. That would put a cork in him for a while.

Dewey had made reservations at Don Ho's restaurant for seats that were right in front of the low stage. The stage was arranged so that the organ Don Ho played was at a higher level than the stage. His backup singers would be at the customer level while he was featured higher up. We had food that was almost a repeat of the luau the night before except there were more interesting fish dishes this night. There were vegetable fruit mixtures that were delicious too. The food was served with various wines chosen by Dewey, our host for the evening.

The performers were great. Jackie, the lady nicknamed "Tiny Bubbles," was a big lady, probably close to three hundred pounds. When she came on stage, Sue squealed because Jackie was wearing one of the new styles of limited manufacture dresses that had been shown in New York. Do Ho's daughter was a fox. Best of all, they were all great entertainers. We even heard the song "Tiny Bubbles" performed by the master.

At a break, Don Ho came to the table to say hi to Dewey. I thought Alice and Judy were going to have a stroke. They were swooning over the guy. Don Ho had a waitress bring two promotional photos and he signed them both, wishing each lady a happy time while we were there. That night was Alice's dream. I would have bet both ladies panties were wet.

We left to make room for more folks to eat and be entertained. At the hotel we once again enjoyed drinks and dancing in the bar/restaurant turned lounge. This night I danced with all the ladies, including Sheila, who was doing her best to rub all of her front against my front. Whew, what temptation. I'm sure Dewey was enjoying being stabbed by Sue's twin peaks.

Dewey said the tee time for tomorrow was the same and that Sue and I had an appointment with a surfing instructor. Sheila said she wanted to come with us, so Dewey said he would arrange for her to take lessons as well. Abe and Alice said they were going to sleep late and enjoy the beach later.

We headed our separate ways to enjoy our own private moments. Sue and I made love until we couldn't any longer before falling asleep entangled in wet the sheets.

Sue and I woke at our usual time, took pleasure in our shower, and dressed in our swimwear, with me wearing a shirt. Sue wore her "big girls" swimsuit separates under shorts and a T-shirt. We brought a couple of towels with us in case we needed them.

Breakfast was liquor laden as usual. Sheila joined Sue in drinking Virgin Bloody Marys. She said she had been drinking more than she was used to. Dewey said Sheila was going to have to go into training so she could keep up with him.

After breakfast, the golfers all left together after we were introduced to a tanned guy in his thirties. We went out to his four door pickup that had a rack in the back with six surf boards. The sign on the truck said, "Steve's Surfing School." It was a Steve meet Steve, Steve, Steve. He and I grinned at each other, amused at how it all sounded. He lightened the mood by saying, "Refer to me as Master Steve and to this guy as Grasshopper Steve."

We drove to the other side of the island where Steve said the waves had been great for more than a week. When we arrived it was easy to see what he meant. Some of the waves looked to be thirty feet tall but were probably considerably lower. There were over two dozen people on surfboards catching waves. It was pretty orderly as they took turns. Occasionally two people would catch the same wave but would head off in different directions.

Steve went through a description of what we would feel and how we should react. Since we were new to the sport, he had us put on slim life jackets. Sue's was a little difficult to fit but she was able to get it done. Steve dug a hole for the fin and put a board on the sand. He showed us how to get up on the board and how to stand. He said that at first we would take the small waves, to practice catching the swell and to practice standing up on a moving board. He double-checked with us again to make sure we knew how to swim, and that our life jackets were secure. The surprising thing was that Steve wore a life jacket as well, saying that in the event he had to help someone, the extra buoyancy would help.

We pushed our boards out until we were deep enough to climb on and paddle out a distance. We stayed away from the mainstream surfers but still had some huge swells that rode into a sandy beach.

We were probably two hundred yards from shore when Steve told us to watch him. He began paddling forward, and caught a swell. He was on the down slope when he pulled his legs under him and stood, just as he had demonstrated on the beach. Before he had gone far he jumped off, to paddle back to us.

He told me to try, so I began paddling before the wave swelled under me. As the board began tilting downward, I was able to get my feet under me and actually rode the wave all the way to the beach. That was fun. When I looked back, Sue was standing on her board riding a wave and Sheila was climbing up to stand on hers. We three immediately paddled back out to try it again. He said that this time we could all three take the next wave and he would join us. The next big swell took all four of us all the way to the beach. Steve said, "See, nothing to it."

"Now, Dewey said you wanted to surf in the pipe at least once. You know you're going to get trashed when it closes on you, right?"

I told Steve, "I'm going to try to stay in front of it, but if I get covered, it happens. I know that surfing under a huge wave is difficult."

Steve told me, "Not only difficult, it can be dangerous. You can break arms, legs, even necks. I just wanted to make sure you knew there was a risk. Do you want to practice on swells a little longer, or are you ready to try some big waves?"

Sue said, "I want to try some bigger waves, but I don't want to do anything fancy or too dangerous."

Sheila seconded that and said she wanted to surf with Sue. The four of us paddled out to the group waiting for big waves. Steve explained to the other surfers that we were newbies and were going to take large swells first, but would give way to the other surfers for the good waves. They nodded, knowing that all surfers had to start somewhere.

The three of us were able to catch three straight big swells that actually began breaking as they rolled into the beach. We immediately paddled back out to wait for another turn. The old time surfers directed us to some even bigger swells that we could ride together.

When I paddled back out, Steve asked me if I was ready for a big one.

"Why not? I really want to ride right down in one of those big ones. That has to be a really great feeling."

A nearby surfer said, "It is man, it really is. Every time you get in the tunnel it's like wow, what power. I usually get trashed, but sometimes I ride out of it."

Steve told me to watch him as he took a big wave. He was riding at the peak of the wave, then directed his board to slide into the curl, the hollowed out area of the wave. He must have misjudged, as when the wave rolled in, Steve wasn't there. He and his board popped up about fifty feet from shore. He immediately began paddling back. The older surfer took a wave and rode it nicely, even diving into the curl riding out the other side. Steve said that's the way to do it.

Steve was watching the incoming waves, sending the girls on the big swells until he said to me, "See that hump? Take this one, it's a good one."

I began paddling, judging the speed of the huge swell. As it lifted me, I jumped up to stand on the board, riding the top as it broke. I could see down inside the curl, so I directed the board down to ride inside. I went inside alright, straight through as the wave collapsed on me. I think the water must have pushed me down twenty to thirty feet before I began rolling, finally going up. I think the board and I shot out of the water five feet when we surfaced. Wow, what power.

I immediately began paddling back. The girls were getting worn out, paddling back out after riding the big swells. Steve asked me how it was and all I could do is grin. One of the other surfers said, "It's like a drug man, pure adrenaline. A sweet, sweet drug."

The next wave I took was not as big and when it broke, I rode down into the curl keeping the board tip out of the water. I actually rode within a small curl for a second before shooting out the end.

I kept this up for over an hour before I saw another huge hump as Steve called it. An older surfer hollered at me, "It's your turn, you want it?"

I was already paddling as fast as I could. As the swell lifted me, I jumped up to ride the wave as it broke. This time I was in front of it and dove right down inside a massive moving water tunnel. This was it, this was what I had always wanted to do. I kept my balance as the power of the wave increased before settling. I shot out the far end of the wave, almost a quarter mile from where the others were.

Slowly paddling back, I had to make up my mind whether I really wanted to try more, or to just leave the memory of that big one as the best. The adventure won out and I lined up again to wait. Steve congratulated me on riding a great wave all the way through saying, "It's addicting, isn't it?"

As Steve's turn came, a huge hump was coming. He yelled, "You take this one, I'll get the next. When you're done with this one, paddle in."

This one was even bigger than the last, but I was able to get right up on top of it for that split second before diving into the curl. I was able to keep from swamping, to feel the massive power of the water surrounding me as I shot out the end.

Thirty seconds later, Steve came roaring out of a tunnel following me.

Back on shore, Steve said the waves were getting too big for beginners. He said they were getting to the point they could be dangerous even for experienced surfers. We watched as surfer after surfer began coming to the beach, looking back at the giant waves, shaking their heads.

Sue, Sheila, and I thought the day had been successful. Sue said she took a couple of pictures of me surfing. She said she had one of me right on top of the breaking wave and one of me coming out of the curl. I'll treasure those.

Steve took us back to hotel where I stuffed some bills in his hand and told him that it was between us, not just from Dewey. He grinned and thanked Sue and me, making us promise to look him up when, not if, but when, we came back. Sue and I were laughing at that as we went into the hotel.

Sue showed me the pictures on the LCD screen. She had Sheila take a picture of her riding a giant swell that was breaking, so everyone was going to see my pregnant wife being a daredevil out on the waves.

The three of us procured Sheila's clothes and went to our suite to take a shower. I took mine first, joined by Sue, and after a few minutes, Sheila. I pinched some nipples but got out before I embarrassed myself. I was dressed in shorts and Hawaiian shirt when Dewey knocked on the door. Once again, we were treated to a show of our two nude nymphs as they were taking their time dressing. It was a serious enough show that Dewey and I had to have seconds from the in-room bar before they were done.

As we ate lunch Dewey asked if we wanted to go fishing this afternoon and part of the evening, or all day tomorrow. Everyone seemed to want to just lay around by the hotel pool or to lie out on the beach for the rest of the day. I didn't care one way or another, so Sue and I put on swimsuits and went out to the beach. Beth and Ben came with us. Beth wore a pretty skimpy bikini, but it didn't show near what her daughter's suit showed. Sue and Beth were able to have a long talk. We stayed in the sun for over an hour before deciding we had enough rays. We wandered over to the outdoor bar and joined the rest of our group.

We finally got the lowdown on how Sheila and Dewey got together. They met at the airport in Alaska. Dewey had stopped to see John and was getting ready to take off when he saw Sheila having trouble at the ticket counter. Someone had screwed up and there wasn't room on the flight for her. The airline didn't want to give her a first class seat even though it was their fault that she was without a seat. Apparently, Dewey had pull, or at least had money as Sue and I knew, but he forced the airline to put Sheila in first class with him. They had talked the entire trip and had become fast friends by the time they arrived in Hawaii. Dewey had her cancel her reservations and got her a room in his hotel. She still didn't know it was his hotel, but was happy to be spending her vacation with us, and especially with Dewey.

We didn't dress up for supper, but wore shorts and T-shirts or halters to dine at the hotel. We had normal people food, some big thick steaks for the men and some fancy chicken dishes for the ladies. We adjourned to the lounge for dancing and drinking, but lost Abe, Alice, Phil, and Judy right away. Ben and Beth stayed with us a while, long enough that I danced with Beth a couple of times and enjoyed her twins as much as Sue's. That family does have some headlights. Sue and I said we were going to call it night after they left and would see them in the morning to go fishing.

This was a real vacation. We lounged in our suite for a while, enjoying the ocean breeze into the room. We sat out on the little deck before we went to bed to make love until we were sated.

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 4



Morning arrived with my pregnant wife feeling a little off. This was her first time to show any morning sickness. She blamed it on the growth in her tummy being male, saying, "You guys always make me nervous with all of your daring. This little guy's just getting an early start."

At breakfast, Sue asked for some crackers and Diet Coke. Beth said she never had been sick with Sue. Sue promptly reminded her Mom that she had a boy in her, not a girl. Beth just rolled her eyes.

When I asked Sue if she was going to be comfortable on a boat, she said she would be fine as long as they had plenty of Diet Coke and water on board. She said she would probably soon be starved anyway.

The hotel fishing boat was a sleek forty-five foot fishing cruiser. It had beautiful lines, from the flat forward deck to the wide-beamed low fishing deck aft. There were two pedestal-mounted fighting chairs for people to be strapped into for big game fishing. Four outriggers had been set up, ready to be rigged for trolling.

The captain gave a speech, telling us that we must pay attention to what he or his crew would tell us. If the weather acted up, he would have us wear lifejackets, but it didn't look like we would need them. He said the seas would probably get up in the late afternoon but that we should be fine all day.

We powered out about twenty miles to a site that he said had a couple of sunken ships and was usually lousy with fish. The crew baited our lines with chunks of cut shad and we dropped them overboard. Sue immediately hooked up with a fish that she was able to crank up. She pulled up a nice sized grouper. Phil was next, catching another smaller grouper that we let go. Abe caught and released a four foot shark, and Alice caught an ugly dogfish.

The captain said that one of the hands had spotted some sailfish and wanted to go troll for them. He set Phil and Ben up in chairs and put their lines on outriggers. We had just made one pass through the area where the sailfish had been spotted when Ben's line broke off the outrigger. It might have pulled him out of the boat if he had not been strapped into the chair with the rod anchored in the built-in socket. One of the deck hands showed Ben how to handle the line and rod, how to pump the rod and then lay the line from side to side on the spool to prevent buildup as he recovered line. Ben had been deep sea fishing several times and had some trophies in his office to show off, so he was able to do a good job, finally getting the giant fish alongside the boat. Ben told the captain that unless he wanted the fish he was willing to release it, so they hauled the fish out of the water and had Ben stand beside it for a photodd before gently lowering the exhausted fish back into the water.

Abe got a hookup and landed a nice sailfish, next Phil got his first opportunity to ever handle a large game fish. He had it almost to the boat when it got loose from the hook and took off.

The fish quit biting almost as fast as they started. The captain said he had another place he wanted to try, so we motored about forty-five minutes to a spot that he said was usually full of fish. The crew made lunch for us while we were in route to the new location.

We were about to drop some baited hooks when I spotted a diver's float. I hollered at the captain and pointed at it. He said that was unusual, as there is usually a boat around within visual when you find a float.

I climbed up on the spotter's platform and searched the area as best I could. We were about two hundred yards from an inlet of a small island. Using the binoculars that were up on the spotter's platform, I scanned three hundred and sixty degrees, looking for any sign of a diver. Sometimes, if they are not too deep, there are bubbles that rise to the surface.

While scanning the shore of the small island, I saw something floating up near some rocks. I asked the deck hand that was on the platform with me to look at it. He said we needed to get out the inflatable and go see what it could be. The captain idled toward the shore, paying attention to the depth finder to make sure he wasn't going to hit a submerged rock. Another deckhand had pulled out the inflatable launch with a small motor. He and I put on lifejackets and motored over to what we could now tell was a diver without his tanks.

He was dead, but had not been dead long, probably since this morning. We looked around for his tanks and regulator but couldn't see anything. We rolled him into the little launch and we were about to go back to the big boat when we both saw another boat inside the rocky inlet. We decided to go investigate the boat first, so we motored over to the small twenty-five foot diving boat. Lying on the floor of the boat were the tanks and regulator that were missing from the diver. Also lying on the floor of the boat were several small metallic looking boxes covered in barnacles. We lifted the dead diver into his boat, and using the dive boat bowline, towed the boat back to our big boat.

The captain had been in contact with the Coast Guard and had been told to hold our position until they arrived. He let the big boat drift back out to his original position, and we began fishing there. We caught a couple of more nice groupers and a big dolphin fish, or mahi-mahi, to those who think a dolphin fish is Flipper. It isn't.

The Coast Guard came roaring up and tied up to us. They checked out the dead diver, and went over his boat. They said no one had reported him missing, so they agreed with my estimated time of death. They used their small launch to go back into the inlet to look around, but didn't find anything.

They had divers on board, so they tanked up and went over the side where the dive buoy was. They were down for less than five minutes when they surfaced. They reported that there was an ancient sailing ship down about a hundred feet. They said they didn't want to stay down long, as then they would have to take too long to decompress. They were using the new military GPS system and double-checked it with our captain's co-ordinates so they could come back to the exact spot.

The Coast Guard wished us a good day and towed the dive boat behind them as they left. The deck hands and I pulled in the little launch, deflated it, and stowed the small motor for another time.

"You've been on a boat before," the captain said.

I shook my head no but said, "Not much, but I spent a few years working off oil platforms. I did some underwater welding and learned a little about boats."

"Well, you did good to spot that guy, and I'm glad you were handy to help with the diver. Not many men are willing to handle a guy like that."

"I've seen men down before. Desert Storm."

The captain looked at me and nodded, leaving it alone after that.

The party fishing mood was broken, so we motored back to the hotel dock and migrated to our new favorite place, the lobby bar.

News travels fast. Several of the hotel employees asked us about finding the dead diver. Did we know who he was, what was he doing, how did he die, etc, etc, etc.? When they saw that none of us had any answers, they left us alone to suck up some booze.

The captain came into the bar and we treated him and his crew to a few rounds. He had brought the fish we had caught; the kitchen staff was going to prepare them for our supper. He assured us that we would love the baked grouper, and especially the mahi-mahi. That lifted the mood of all of us.

Dewey and Sheila were having an intense conversation. Sue was dying of curiosity, but let them be until she could corner Sheila. Whatever it was it wasn't bad, since both of them were smiling.

We decided to clean up for supper and left the bar for our rooms. We had not been in our room but a minute before there was a knock on the door. It was Sheila. She took Sue out on the balcony for a while then came back through, kissed me on the cheek, and the two of them were out the door.

Sue came back laughing. Apparently, Dewey had asked Sheila if she might want to come and stay on his boat a while. He promised her it wasn't that primitive, and that he had running water and electricity on board even though he wasn't docked. Sue said Sheila thought she might do it and was moving into Dewey's room right then.

Sue had asked her about what she would do about her job. Sheila told Sue that she had been divorced about a year and her job had just been downsized. She had decided to take a vacation because she had not taken one in years and years. Sheila thought it was neat that Dewey lived on a sailboat. She said that she enjoyed a simple life and could enjoy being a bit of a hermit for a while. Sheila really liked Dewey, but she said that she wasn't very lucky with men. She often chose the wrong one. Sue said she still didn't think Sheila had any idea how wealthy Dewey was.

At supper, Dewey wasn't pounding the booze as hard as he usually did. He was spacing out his drinks and was drinking Dewars and water instead of straight scotch on ice. I wondered whether he had decided having a companion might be more important than booze. Time would tell.

The next three days went by rapidly. We were getting people ready to leave without making any reservations for ourselves. Dewey noted that we didn't seem to be leaving yet, and I told him I needed to bring a couple of more people on a short vacation. I also made him promise that he wouldn't try to pick up any more of the tab. Sue and I were pretty well fixed, and besides, I wanted this to be paid by S&S. The folks that I still wanted to bring were Tiny, Ruth, Shawna, and Charlie.

I called the shop on a Friday and talked first to Tiny, then to Shawna and Charlie together. Tiny asked if he could take a rain check. He had been helping his dad with the park and didn't want to leave right now. Shawna thanked us for thinking of them, but said she thought that she and Charlie would enjoy coming more if he were healed from the accident.

That only left one more couple that I wanted to do something for right then. I called our house phone to see if Glenda was there. She was, so I asked her if she and Martin would like to come to Hawaii for a week. She got choked up and began crying. When she finally settled down, she explained that she was terrified of flying. She knew that Martin would want to go, but she just couldn't bring herself to fly. I told her not to worry; we would find another way to reward them for helping us so much.

Sue and I looked at each other and we both shrugged our shoulders. Oh well, we would have to make do by ourselves. Sue immediately suggested another day of surfing, and we had promised to stop back at Friday Harbor on our way home.

Saturday morning, we sent off the three couples who had enjoyed a whirlwind Hawaiian vacation. I knew they would remember and talk about this trip for years. Next time they came, they would have to just laze around a little and not push to do so many things. Some people like vacations like that. I'm not a very good example, but for me this vacation had been pretty laid back so far.

Sunday morning Sue and I woke a little late and straggled into the restaurant around nine. I figured that Dewey and Sheila had already been and gone, but just about the time the waitress brought me coffee and Sue orange juice, our companions showed up.

Dewey looked as if he were ten years younger. He actually looked so much better that it looked like he had been to a plastic surgeon. Instead of ordering Bloody Marys, he ordered coffee and Sheila ordered orange juice, the same as Sue. Dewey recommended that we have a light snack, and later go to brunch at the luau up the road. He said the Sunday brunch was famous. When Sue agreed, Dewey went off to make reservations.

The luau brunch was wonderful. They had native porridge along with lots of fruit and several types of fish. We drank some kind of non-alcoholic drink that was supposed to invigorate a person. It was primarily coconut, but had other spices and fruit juices in it. The same group as before served the brunch, but we were not entertained with dancers this time. The unusual part was that all of the waitstaff, as well as the kitchen staff, came out and ate with the guests. I liked it. This was the friendly Hawaii that I thought of, not the commercial, glitzy, Hawaii that sells T-shirts.

When we got back to the hotel, Dewey suggested that the girls go shopping or go out and get some sun. He wanted to show me something and talk to me.

Dewey had a hotel limo take us out to the airport. We were at the private plane area, and Dewey walked straight to a pretty big airplane. Dewey walked up the stairs, waving me to come to. The plane was really fancy. It looked like it could hold quite a few people, probably fifteen or sixteen. The crew's area was large, complete with two bunks. There was a large galley area, all neat and clean in satin finished stainless steel.

"What are you showing me, Dewey?"

"This is one of my airplanes. This is a Gulfstream IV and has a range of over four thousand miles. I like to use this one when I travel overseas. I have a smaller plane that I use inside the States when it's just me going somewhere. I brought you out here to show you the plane and to ask you a couple of questions."

I was confused, so I asked, "Dewey, you told me that you flew commercial to Hawaii. You had Sheila fly first class with you. How come the plane is here?"

"I couldn't just try to pick her up and put her on a strange airplane, could I? Sheila was a very attractive package that I wanted to get to know better. Besides, she was going to Hawaii, so we might as well go together. I just bought a couple of first class seats and enjoyed the ride here getting to know her. I had the crew bring the plane here so I would have a way home."

Dewey was really strange. He was so crude sometimes, but then he was also very gentle and caring about those around him. He definitely surprised me at every turn.

I knew the plane wasn't a show off thing with Dewey. He wasn't that type of guy. We got off the plane and walked back to the operations building. They had a lounge, so we went in and ordered a beer.

Dewey thought for a few minutes and began. "I really like Sheila. She has even agreed to come stay with me on my boat for a while. She may not like it, or we may get tired of each other real quick, but I would really like to keep her around. I'm afraid that if I show her everything I have, she is going to act or be someone I won't like. I'd like for you and Sue to take this back to Washington for me and wait till we arrive on a commercial flight. I'll get us regular passenger seats, not first class, so we can talk and get to know each other even more. She says she wants to stay out on the boat for a few weeks to a month before she goes back to her home to close it up and move completely. Would you help me with this?"

"Sure, we would be glad to help you. But I have another idea."

I must have paused too long, as Dewey prodded me. "Well, what is it?"

"It would be a shame to waste the space on this plane, so since it's Sue's and my plane, how about if we were to ask you guys if you wanted to ride back to the main land with us?"

Dewey began thinking about it.

I added, "The trip would be long, but relaxed. You two would have a ton of quiet time to get to know each other better. I saw all that various high tech communication equipment. Sue and I could do some work while you two have a gabfest all by yourselves. You'll have to let your crew in on it and give me some instructions as to how I relate to them. Other than that, it doesn't seem like a big deal to me."

Dewey was smiling his crooked smile, "You know, that's going to work. Why don't you ask us to fly back with you guys tomorrow? We'll go surfing this afternoon for a little while and fly back tomorrow. I'll have the guy who flies me into Friday Harbor use his big plane so we can all fly into there together. When you and Sue leave, he'll come and get you and take you back to the Seattle airport. I think we have a plan, and I think we can pull it off. Damn, I hope this works out. I really do enjoy having Sheila around."

We were back at the hotel in plenty of time to call surfin' Steve and have him take us out to surf. The waves were pretty big, but he thought it was still safe for us. We put on the life jackets and were paddling out to line up for waves in just a few minutes. Dewey talked Sheila into going to the far side and riding the smaller swells into the beach. He said he was not very good at surfing.

Sue took a large swell and did a great job all the way in. It was going to be my turn on the next big wave, so I was ready when I saw a big hump coming. I didn't make it all the way into the curl, and wiped out under tons of water rolling me around twenty feet deep. Even that is fun, when you think that you've cheated drowning each time you wipe out.

On my way back out to the waiting surfers, I saw Sue take a wave much bigger than a swell. She rode the swell until it broke sliding down into the curl, and thank goodness, seconds later I saw her shoot out the far side. I begged to get the next wave in so I could get her out of there. We had too much at stake for her to do much more surfing.

Sue didn't want to leave, but I finally talked her into it, telling her that her son was probably enjoying the ride, but we shouldn't take a chance of hurting her or him.

We cleaned up at the hotel and I had time to explain the ruse we were going to use to help Dewey. Sue thought it was a good idea, so that Sheila could enjoy Dewey without worrying about his money.

At supper, I looked at Dewey and said, "All good things must come to an end. Sue and I are going to fly back to the main land tomorrow. Would you two like to fly with us? We have a ton of room, and it would be a lot more comfortable than flying steerage on an airline."

"You have your own plane?" Sheila gasped.

"Of course," I explained. "We have to travel constantly, so we might as well do it in comfort. When we're not using the plane, we rent it out. It pretty much pays for itself."

"Wow, Dewey, can we ride in a private jet with them. Will you guys take us back to Seattle?"

I smiled at Sheila, "This is my plan. We'll fly back to Seattle and I'll have a guy I know fly us in his big seaplane out to Friday Harbor. I promised Dewey we would stop out there on our way back, so we'll stay out there a day before going home."

Dewey sealed it, "You're very generous. I'll bet we can get a refund on our tickets. There is always a demand for open seats to the lower forty-eight. I'll call about your ticket now, Sheila. Did you pay cash or did you use a credit card?"

Sheila nodded, "Credit card, but I'll pay it off when I get the bill. I have some savings."

"What time are we going to leave?" Sheila asked.

"How about we check out of here by eight, and I'll have the crew ready to fly at nine. That okay with you guys?"

Dewey and Sheila both answered, "That'll be great."

We didn't stay and drink in the lounge, but went up to our rooms to pack our clothes. Sue called the bellhop to get a large box. She packed everything we were not going to need into the box and had the hotel ship it back to the shop. We would have some light suitcases and one carry-on, so we were set.

We enjoyed each other in our room, with the sliding door open, so the sea breeze could blow in on us. The setting was very romantic.

Sue and I woke early, as usual. We had cuddled, loved, showered, dressed and were in the lobby with our bags by seven. We both had put on jeans and a shirt, as we knew the day would end at Friday Harbor, so we might as well be comfortable.

The man at the desk was not cooperative about taking payment for the rooms. I was going to owe Dewey forever. The hotel bill for all my people would be over fifteen grand. I'd bet the day out fishing was an easy thousand too.

While I was at the desk, I asked if he or anyone had heard anything more about the dead diver. The desk guy said that the diver had apparently suffered a heart attack while he was getting back into his boat. It was a shame. The sunken sailing ship had been carrying a small treasure in Chinese jewels.

Dewey came down to the lobby and told Sue and me to meet them in the restaurant for a quick breakfast. He was carrying a tan corduroy sport coat. He told me to put it on, as he and I had to be near the exact same size. It fit perfect. He said the crew was to look for the tan sport coat and address me as Mr. Sharp for the trip.

Sue and I went into the restaurant and Dewey went to the desk and back upstairs. A couple of minutes later Sheila and Dewey joined us. We ate a light Hawaiian breakfast with lots of fruit and juice, with a generous serving of coffee for Dewey and me.

A hotel limo took the four of us to the airport, going through security right up to the stairway of the Gulfstream. It was everything Sue could do to keep from gasping at the size of the plane. As soon as I stepped out of the limo, a uniformed lady said, "Good morning, Mr. Sharp, Mrs. Sharp. Are these your guests?" I introduced Sheila and Dewey and had them go up the stairs first. When Sue entered the cabin, her chin bounced off her chest. A man in a pilot's type of uniform greeted me at the door, again using Mr. Sharp prolifically. I rolled my eyes, and he just smiled and winked at me. He then surprised us by saying, "The crew and I saw two of your trucks while we were watching the NASCAR races. They sure are unusual. Your salespeople were very busy. There seemed to be several crew chiefs at each of them."

The attendant said she would have coffee for us as soon as we selected a place to sit. Two more men came back to greet me, introducing themselves quietly as the alternate pilots, since this was to be a long overseas flight. They told us the flight should be right at six hours unless they were able to pick up more of a tailwind than they anticipated. The weather looked good all the way, with Seattle experiencing its usual low ceiling and intermittent rain.

The crew introduced themselves to Dewey and Sheila and gave them the same information they had given to us.

I directed Sue to two seats that had fold-up desks in front of them, with two screens and computer keyboards. I told her that the plane was equipped with a satellite system so we could access the internet. Sue thought that might be a good idea so she could catch up on her e-mail since our vacation seemed to be coming to an end.

Once we were off the ground and leveled off, the attendant kept us supplied with coffee and later with a Diet Coke for Sue and a Bloody Mary for me. We were able to check our personal email but we couldn't access either of our company's email servers. We had never anticipated that we would need remote access, so we had not set up our servers to permit remote login. I was trying to calculate what time it was in Florida. I finally figured out that if it was nine AM in Hawaii, then it would be five hours later in Florida. Then again, Hawaii doesn't have daylight savings time, so it would be six hours difference. So that would make it a little after three. I sent Tiny an e-mail asking him how everything was, and pointed out that I was using my personal e-mail address.

It was just a couple of minutes until I received e-mails from Tiny, Phil, Judy, Ruth, Shawna, Abe, and Debbie. Our recent guests were full of thank yous, but Debbie said she was going to need another assistant. She and Deanne had been so busy that they had worked late two nights straight.

I couldn't understand what was making them so busy, but I wrote her back and told her to ask Ruth to get her another person.

Shawna's e-mail said she had received five more orders for custom bikes. She said she had called back on the orders and told each of the buyers she wouldn't start on their personal bike until she met them and found out a little about the people who had ordered the bikes. Her note said if she were going to ask twenty to twenty-five thousand for a bike, then it should at least be personalized. She wrote in the note that it looked like we were now about thirty days back-ordered on engines. She said we could only build and ship so many. People would have to wait. She was prioritizing shipping to our current racing teams, then to other NASCAR teams, and finally to other racing venues as the motors were completed.

Tiny's note said that he had not received notification of many credit card charges. He thought it was probably because we were out of the continental forty-eight.

I answered back that I would explain it to him when we came home. I further explained that we were going to spend a little time in Seattle before continuing home, so for him to just stay in control.

Sue said that everything seemed to be going smoothly at the plant and in the office. She said all the catalogs were being ordered from very heavily, and that her main manufacturer said he was at maximum production, as were his two major subcontractors. Sue asked me, "We just bought the plant, and it looks like we could use one at least the same size again, maybe even larger. How do you think I should do this?"

"When we get back, let's look at what might be available within, say, a hundred miles of Tampa. There might be some facilities that we could either rent or buy. If it comes to it, we'll use the land behind your plant to build an even larger plant. There seems to be no end of good seamstress labor available."

Sue nodded and added, "I'm going to have to be careful of illegal immigrants. I had Betty begin going over our current employees. She has already found a few who have bogus documentation. I'm going to e-mail Ben to begin working on a way we can sponsor these people so we can use them legally. If we set a precedent that we require legal residency and help them attain that, I'm sure we'll have more applicants than jobs immediately."

"Good idea. Tell Ben to try to find a young attorney that is knowledgeable about immigration law and possibly bring him into his firm. There's no sense in Ben not being busy if we have to be."

Sue laughed, saying she was sure Ben had become considerably busier since we joined together.

We took some time out and visited with Dewey and Sheila a little while. While we visited, we were served a delicious steak dinner. The attendant had fixed a very nice meal. She said that the crew ate the same thing, so she always picked out good food. We had a few drinks, all except Sue, generally relaxing and enjoying the trip.

Dewey said that his sailboat had enough room for Sue and me to stay on board. Dewey said he would enjoy having us. Sue thought that it would be fun to stay out on his boat at least one night.

While we had been in route, Dewey had come to me while Sheila was dozing to have a chat with the crew and me. He didn't foresee any immediate need for the plane, so he would put it up for rental and try to get some long corporate hauls. Dewey told me again that the key to owning a plane like this was to keep it in perfect shape and rent in out whenever it wasn't in use.

Dewey used the computer to send an e-mail to his rental agent, directing him to use the available airplane hours and to co-ordinate possible charters with the crew. He explained that some flights required a second attendant but didn't require the third pilot. He said the odd man out flew charters using his smaller planes and kept fairly busy.

This prompted Sue to have a lengthy discussion with Dewey over what type of planes he had, and what he thought might be a good plane for her to get.

Ha! Her plane. Guess if I complete my license requirements, I'll have to get my own plane. The thought of his and hers airplanes made me chuckle to myself. I mentioned to Sue that I'd bet that Gene had an airplane and she looked surprised before saying, "I never thought of it. You're right, he's often in town right up to the day before a race. The only way he could get there would be to fly. He would never be able to maneuver commercial flights to his schedule. Wonder what kind of plane he has?"

"Write him an e-mail and ask him. You know his address, you're working on all his crews' uniforms."

Sue fired off an e-mail to Gene, asking how he was doing and what kind of plane he had.

Dewey thought Sue's enthusiasm over airplanes was cute. He looked at me and said, "She's about to become high maintenance, Steve. The next thing you know, she'll want a Lear or one of these Gulfstreams."

We landed in Seattle a little after six PM. A limo met us as we came down the stairs. After saying goodbye to the crew and thanking them for the great ride, we rode out of the airport to a seaport about fifteen miles away. We parked next to a large single engine airplane on pontoons. It was called some kind of air wagon.

There was room for eight passengers in addition to the two seats in the cockpit. As we entered, Sue talked to the pilot a minute then told me she was going to fly up there. As soon as our luggage was aboard, the pilot started the engines. Crewmen on the dock stowed the lines and fenders in the pontoons. There appeared to be a lot of storage area inside them.

We taxied out into the harbor and added speed until we lifted off. It was only about a forty-five minute flight up to the San Juan Islands, so we were landing at the entrance to Friday Harbor as it neared eight PM. The plane taxied up to a huge sailboat anchored away from everyone. As he drifted up to the boat, Dewey got out and stood on the pontoon, pulled out fenders, and a line to tie up to a cleat on the rear deck of the boat. The wing of the airplane just cleared the rear deck railing. There was a small platform and ladder for boarding on the rear side of the boat, so we had the two ladies climb up before Dewey and I unloaded our luggage. Dewey had a few words with the pilot, and after I climbed up to the deck, he put the fenders back in the pontoons and released the lines, stowing them as well. As the plane drifted away from the boat, Dewey stepped onto the boarding ladder. He had obviously done this many times.

He said for me to help him pull the canvas off the main lounge to open the boat. We untied the canvas from the front of the cabin folding it back until it was lying across the aft deck. He then opened the cabin and went inside. Lights came on.

Dewey said we needed the generator, so he went to the rear, or aft portion, of the boat, opened a hatch and climbed down into a small shaft. A minute later a fan came on, and after another minute, a very quiet motor started. When he came out, he closed the hatch and we went up to the deck cabin where he threw a breaker. The lights that had been on, went off and brighter lights came on. The main deck cabin was a very nice lounge. There were comfortable seats like a couch around the outside, with a fancy wet bar. The front had a covered helm that could be used instead of the big wheel outside on the rear deck.

Dewey led us below deck, to show us a large galley. Next he led us through a dining area, and through a living room he called a lounge before he showed us the front head and cabin. The room was large for a sailboat. It held a king size bed comfortably. There was a large closet, plus built-in drawers throughout the room, and a large chair with a table and lamp for reading. After that, he took us back through the lounge, a dining area, past the galley to his cabin. It was huge, with an office area in one front corner and a closet door on the other. There was a king size bed with plenty of room on each side. Dewey explained the boat had nearly a twenty foot beam in this area. There were seats and storage areas around the walls, with built in drawers everywhere. He was obviously proud of his home.

As we walked back to the galley, he pointed out areas that were storage or cargo areas, so that if he needed to, he could haul ten to twenty tons of most anything he needed. He said within the doors he didn't open there was an additional cabin.

I commented that he sure did keep a clean boat. Dewey answered that he had a couple of ladies that came out to the boat a couple of times a week to clean so he wouldn't live like a slob. I commented that I couldn't hear the generator. He pointed at the area where the desk was and said, "The generator is behind there and has some great sound insulation."

He said that we should get our bags into the cabins, so we could run into the bar/restaurant in town to tell everyone we were back. We could have supper there as well. He said he would use his cell phone so they would have something fixed.

Fifteen minutes later, we had pulled the dinghy loose from its davits and uncovered it. The dingy was a twelve foot boat that obviously served as a fishing boat sometimes, as there were fishing rods stowed under the gunwales. We rode into the main dock, tied up, and walked up to the restaurant. As soon as Dewey entered, people were hollering and clapping. A couple of ladies came up and gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek.

Dewey stood with Sheila at his side and said, "Attention everyone. I've brought a fresh ray of sunshine into my dreary life. This is Sheila. We met in Anchorage and have been inseparable since. If she'll stay, I'm going to keep her, so treat her as one of us. You already know Steve and Sue, I told them they had to stop on the way back to Florida to help try to drink this place dry."

That brought down the house. We all were served and toasted each other. The bartender even remembered that Sue drank Diet Coke without any additive.

We ate a great salmon dinner with an excellent cream sauce and continued to drink and talk to the entire group until Sheila was becoming unsteady. We slowly walked back to the dinghy, having to guide Sheila a little. On the trip back out to the boat, Sheila said that she felt so comfortable with Dewey, she had let herself go knowing he would take care of her.

Dewey was beaming at her proclamation.

Boarding the boat was a bit of a problem, as Sheila was not very coordinated. Dewey didn't know what to do, so I picked Sheila up and put her over my shoulder and climbed up the ladder. Sue helped me with the last step onto the deck. Dewey came up and said, "I guess I'm going to have to work out or not let her get that way in the future. If she has too much, I'll have to get a permanent room at the hotel."

We went to our cabins, undressed, and got ready for bed. I opened a porthole on each side of the cabin to let the cool fresh air flow through. Sue and I snuggled together and drifted off to sleep.

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 5



We woke in our snuggled position, my face buried between her beauties. I could hear movement in the direction of the galley, so I got up, dressed, and walked out to the galley area.

A lady in her late forties or early fifties was preparing something. I introduced myself, but she wasn't very talkative. She finally said, "Mr. Dewey doesn't have people out here. He's a hermit. What made him bring you and that girl?"

"Dewey and I met here on the island and because I helped a friend of his, I think it was his brother, we ended up spending a week together in Hawaii. He met Sheila up in Anchorage and is quite taken with her. I think she could become a part of Dewey's life."

"In all the years, Dewey never brought a lady out here. Not even a girl, not a lady, he never brought nobody out here. Me and Sarah are the only ones that ever come out. We clean for Mr. Dewey and fix him breakfast, and often supper, if he's not drinking it. That's another thing. What did you do with the glasses you were drinking with last night?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't get your name."

"Helen, my name is Helen MacDougal."

"Tell you what, Helen. You may not believe it but for the last few days, while Dewey has been serious about Sheila, he has not had much to drink at all. Last night was the most I've seen him drink in a week, but it was at the bar in celebration of us coming back."

"You say he hasn't been drinking because he's with that woman?"

"I think that's what the deal is."

"Hmm, maybe he is getting serious. It's either that or he's sick. Do you think he's going to want his usual Bloody Mary?"

"Maybe this morning, but he may not every morning in the future. He may have something more important than booze in his life now."

Helen stopped and looked at me, "You're a good friend to Dewey to look at him that way. Most people just want to take advantage of him."

"I don't think Dewey lets too many take advantage of him. He's too generous as it is."

"See, I told you that you were a good friend to him. Where's your missus, was she drinking too?"

"She still sleeping, she's pregnant and needs some extra sleep now."

"Oh, you lucky man. You're gonna be a dad, huh? How far along is she?"

Sue came into the galley. "I'm almost two months and I'm not even showing yet. My clothes aren't getting tight at all."

I said, "It's probably because you quit drinking beer with me. But don't worry, you'll be showing soon."

"Sue, this is Helen MacDougal. She and another lady named Sarah clean and cook for Dewey. I think they are both surrogate mothers to him."

Helen scoffed, "Oh you, we don't mother the boy, we just look after him."

"Helen, Dewey has to be somewhere in his late thirties or maybe even mid forties. He's hardly a boy."

Helen said, "To me he's still young. He came here probably fifteen years ago and lived on a small boat. About ten years ago he got this one, and that's when Sarah and I began coming out here. We both still think of him as that sullen little kid that came here one spring. We know he lost his parents in some kind of fire just before he came. He must have been taken care of, as he doesn't do much but write stories for outdoor magazines. He has to leave a couple of times of month, but it's probably to talk to the magazines. He's quiet, a hermit. The only time he's social is at the bar."

Sue said, "I think Sheila is going to be good for him."

"You do, huh?" Dewey said standing in the door. "Helen, I see you've met my friends. Did you make any of your Bloody Mary mix?"

"I did, Mr. Dewey. Do you want a little or a lot of extra in it this morning."

Dewey answered, "Tell you what, make two tall ones with just a little extra in them, and make one for Steve, but make one without any extras for Sue."

Helen was smiling as she poured drinks from a big pitcher and added some ice cubes to each glass. Dewey took his two glasses toward his stateroom while Sue and I sat at bolted-down stools in the galley. Helen poured herself a cup of coffee and sat with us.

Helen looked at her coffee and stated, "That's the first time in all my years that he asked for only a little extra. I've worried that he would kill himself with the drink. He is a good man, but he drinks way too much. I hope this is a good sign."

Soon, a smiling Sheila came through the door, followed by Dewey. Sheila announced that she didn't get hangovers, but the Bloody Mary tasted good this morning. We were all ready for coffee now.

Helen told them to sit at the counter with Sue and me. She was going to serve us something special. She put plates and flatware out for us, then pulled a large tray from the oven. She scooped out a baked omelet on each of our plates.

Dewey exclaimed, "My favorite. I love you Helen. You made a salmon omelet for me. She makes it with onions and small pieces of potatoes and wraps it all in dough. I just love this."

Helen was smiling at the compliments.

While we were savoring the delicious breakfast, we heard feet overhead. "Hello the ship," came a gravelly lady's voice.

Helen snorted, "Sarah's here and sounds like she's been to the restaurant already this morning."

"Now Helen, don't give her a hard time," Dewey admonished.

A fairly tall thin older lady came down the stairs. "Dewey, I heard you brought folks out here last night and I had to come see for myself. I told them no way you would bring someone out, but here they are."

Dewey did the honors, "Sheila, Sue, Steve, this is my Aunt Sarah. She really isn't my aunt, but I've called her that since I've been here."

Dewey took her in his arms and hugged her, "Aunt Sarah, you know I've almost quit drinking. Well, at least I don't drink as much. I think you should do the same thing with me. We'll both last a hell of lot longer if we do."

"You know why I have a little to get me by. Since I lost Henry, it's been the only way I can face the day."

"Well, you should slow down and give old Jeff over at the boat shop a chance. The man has been crazy about you for ten years. You know how he follows you around. How many times has he taken you home and put you to bed when you couldn't even walk. That man wants to take care of you. You need to be thinking about taking care of him."

You could see a tear in her eye. She looked at Sue, "You're a missus. You know how hard it would be to lose your man. Do you think you'd ever stop loving him, even though he was gone?"

Sue took Sarah's hand and said, "You're not supposed to ever stop loving your man. It's just that life sometimes takes a break, and you have to start over. I'll bet your Henry would want you to be happy and cared for. You have to have a life without Henry and sounds like this Jeff might be that new start."

"Oh, he's a nice looking man and he has a good job. He does treat me awfully nice and he does watch out for me. He was at the dock when I came out here this morning, making sure I was all right. He's too much of a worrywart."

Sue still had not released Sarah's hand. "Why don't you go back to the dock and see if you can find Jeff and take him to breakfast to thank him and to show him you can be independent. I'll bet that would go a long way to making you both happy."

"You know what, missus. I'll do that. You're a good lady. Thank you for talking to me that way, I wish you had been here a long time ago. I've wasted a lot of time."

"No you haven't, Sarah," Sue said. "You've just taken some time to find your way into a new life."

Sarah hugged Sue, hugged Dewey, and a watery-eyed Helen. She went to Sheila and hugged her saying, "I'll be seeing a lot of you. Thank you for being there for Dewey."

She went up the stairs with Dewey following her. Shortly Dewey came back down and went directly to Sue. He hugged her and said, "Thank you for talking to her that way. None of us ever had the words, but you spoke to her so beautifully. Thank you for helping Sarah, she's been special to me."

"All she needed was a push," Sue said. "Helen probably hasn't been pushing her fast enough toward Jeff and no one ever just talked to her. Everyone's afraid to talk about someone they've lost. If you do talk about it, it's easier and helps them get over that loss. They can put it in a drawer or store it or something."

Sheila said, "That was sweet of you, Sue."

I wanted to brighten things up. "Helen, that was the best omelet I've ever had. I need the recipe for that one. The only problem will be the fresh salmon."

"I'll write it out for Sue so she can make it. Where do you two live?" Helen asked.

Sue answered, "Tampa, Florida. We're just passing through for the second time on our vacation."

"Didn't you two go on a kayak whale hunt with my little Mink? You're both all she could talk about. She and Connie just talk and talk about you two."

Sue and I both smiled, almost blushing, thinking of the good time we had with the girls.

"Speaking of Connie and Mink," Dewey said. "We need to see if they can come out for lunch. I want them to meet Sheila. I bet they would love to take us on a kayak tour."

"My goodness, Mr. Dewey," Helen exclaimed. "When you decide to get friendly, you really let it out. These here are the first people you've ever had out here, beside me and Sarah, and now you're gonna get some of the locals out here too?"

"I think I'm through being a hermit. I want others to enjoy Sheila with me. She is so much fun and I'm so proud to be with her that I want everyone to meet her."

Sheila was blushing, "Take it easy, Dewey, give me a break. I'm sure I'll meet everyone that I need to soon enough. We'll just do it gradually instead of all at once."

We heard a plane land outside and Sue was up the stairs in an instant. I followed to see her excitement. It was a small red and white plane that taxied up to the harbor docks. A marina attendant helped tie the plane up. A couple of people got out and walked up toward the main street. The pilot got out and stretched. The attendant pointed toward a building and the pilot walked that way. The attendant pulled the plane around to where there was a fuel pump and began fueling the plane.

The weather didn't look like it was very nice to be flying in, but I guess these people were used to it. They probably flew between the islands and stayed below the low overcast. The ceiling couldn't be much over three thousand feet, so these guys must fly the shipping lanes pretty much.

Sue came over to hug me, saying, "I want an airplane. I promise to be careful, but flying is so much fun. I think I can fly right up to the time I have the baby. You need to get your license current too and we both need to finish our instrument ratings. I would prefer to file an IFR flight plan. These guys up here probably don't even file any plan. They just fly."

When we went back into the deck cabin, Sheila and Dewey were up there. Dewey was calling someone about having his boat motors surveyed. I guess that meant "checked out."

When he finished he said, "How about us sailing down to San Francisco? We might possibly go farther, but definitely San Francisco."

"I don't know anything about sailing, Dewey, nothing," I said, thinking it would be important.

"Don't worry about it. Everything on this boat is automatic and electric. We have to uncover the sail, and wrap it when we're not using it, but everything else is powered. This thing even has an autopilot. If sailing gets to be too much trouble, we'll just use the motors to get us where we want. This thing has twin Cat diesels."

"If you think we would be safe, I'm for it. How about you, Sue?"

"Sounds like a great adventure to me. I'm going to need some heavier clothes though. We sent all our heavy stuff back. We still have our light windbreakers, but that's it."

"The boat shop is coming to check out the engines, so I'll get Helen to food shop for us and leave us directions as to what to fix. You three take the dinghy into the harbor and go to the outfitter right there on Main Street. He has everything you need. Tell him what we're doing and he'll fix you up. Sheila, tell Herb to put your stuff on my bill. I'll take care of it later. I need to set up the chart table in here so we can navigate. Let's get going, this is going to be fun."

I helped Sue and Sheila down to the dinghy and steered the boat to the dock. We tied up where we had the day before and walked into town. It didn't take long to get what we needed. The man had Sue and Sheila try on a couple of things, but he mostly just put stuff out for us. He included wet weather gear for all of us.

Sheila said she needed to pick up some feminine supplies and Sue said she wanted to get some more sunscreen, so we walked the half block to the drug store. We were back on the sailboat, with our new gear stowed, in record time. The mechanics declared the boat seaworthy and ready to sail.

Dewey and I stowed the cabin tarp in a locker on deck and took off the sail covers. We untied the sail lashings so the sail could be easily hoisted. Dewey then cycled each sail to make sure the hoist motors were working. After he finished, both of us went down to the boarding platform, covered the dinghy, and replaced the tie with a heavier duty towline. Helen returned with a boat full of groceries and we all got them to the galley. She had purchased a couple of cases of beer and said she expected some to be left when we got back. It took us a while to put everything away. She took some time and explained how cooking at sea was different. She checked to make sure that we had plenty of propane, gave everyone a hug, and told us to enjoy.

Dewey looked at each of us and sighed. "Let's do it. First we'll pull the aft anchor so we can release the line to the buoy. While you release the line, I'll start the engines."

Dewey went to the helm and flipped some switches. You could hear fans blowing for a couple of minutes before he fired the engines. They were very quiet. After engaging the gear, he slowly maneuvered us around to head out of the harbor and we were on our way.

It took us an hour to get out to where it looked like the horizon was all water. Dewey began hoisting sails until he had a full set. Since the wind was from the northwest, we were able to get up to a pretty good speed. The indicator at the outdoor helm registered nearly twelve knots. With the engines off, it was eerie; you could hear the bow slicing through the small swells, feel the damp wind on your face, and feel the motion of the boat.

Dewey had a serene look on his face as he steered the boat with the big wheel with Sheila hanging onto his arm. Sue and I stood behind them, enjoying their new closeness.

Sue and I went below, made coffee, and brought big mugs up for Dewey and Sheila. Sue said she would make sandwiches for us all and would be back up soon. Sheila went down with Sue while I stayed with Dewey.

"This is what I love about a sailboat. Do you feel the smoothness of how this boat sails though these seas? If we were in a motor launch we would be pounding over these swells."

"How big is this boat, Dewey?" I asked curious.

"A hundred five feet. It's classified as a sailing sloop, not a sailboat. There is plenty of room for more cabins, but all I wanted were two big cabins with two heads, the spare cabin, and a big eat-in galley. There was so much room I ended up with the dining area, plus the lounge. When I ordered this, they thought I was crazy, but so far it's been perfect. If you consider the huge lounge and bad-weather helm on the deck, I have a living room, complete with TV and stereo, to go with a kitchen and bedroom. When I'm anchored, I have all of Friday Harbor for my family room."

We sailed for a couple of more minutes, and pointing he said, "In the lounge up here, on the right side of the door, if you lift up the cushions there are several rifles and some pistols. There hasn't been any trouble lately, but every once in a while we do have some pirates out here. They want a boat like this to run drugs. If someone approaches us, get a rifle and pistol, if they try to board, we're in the open sea, so shoot to kill and don't worry about it. The people who would try to board us will try to kill you, so be careful and be accurate. From what John said you know how to take care of yourself. You need to take care of all of us."

The girls came up with big mugs of soup and sandwiches that we could eat while handling the wheel. Dewey flipped some switches and turned a dial then let the wheel go. He smiled and said, "Autopilot."

The food tasted great out there on the open water. The sun was trying to peek between the clouds. The farther south we went, the drier it became.

Dewey began heading in toward land in late afternoon. He said we would find a quiet spot and anchor for the night. As we approached the land he lowered the sails and had me lash them as he started the diesels. He kept watch on his depth finder as we motored close to some uninhabited islands. We found a nice little cove that was out of the current, and I went forward to release the bow anchor. Dewey put the transmission into neutral and allowed the boat to drift backward to set the anchor. When we had stopped moving, I released the aft anchor. Dewey shut down the engines and checked the oil levels. He then showed me how to start the generator. We had used the engines for power generation before, and he said the girls had probably used battery power for the light lunch, but we needed the generator to charge the batteries.

Dewey declared the "ship is at rest." We made supper and afterward stayed up in the lounge for a while. Dewey needed to check his e-mail so he went down to his cabin and came back up fairly quickly.

"I checked with the Coast Guard and this is a safe area. There haven't been any problems lately, except south of San Francisco."

I asked, "How long will it take to sail down there?"

"Three days or so, we only made about a hundred twenty miles today. It's about six hundred miles so figure about two hundred miles in a ten-hour day. I'll do a fix in the morning and look at the charts. I'll need to figure out where we want to stop at night."

We were all tired from the fresh air and activity, so we went to bed. Before I went downstairs, Dewey lifted the cushion and took out a couple of Browning 9 millimeter pistols. He dropped the clip and checked the chamber before handing one to me; he did the same to the other. "It's better to be safe when you're out like this."

I looked at his arsenal and said, "Give me another for Sue, she knows what to do with one of these."

"That's right, John did say she could shoot. Good idea. I'll have to get Sue to teach Sheila how to shoot."

We went to bed. I gave Sue a pistol for her side of the bed and we played awhile, sleeping soundly with the portholes cracked for fresh air.

I was first up, so I took a quick shower and went to the galley to start coffee. All I needed was a morning paper and I would be set. Instead, I took a cup of coffee to the lounge and turned on the TV to see if the satellite dish picked up anything. I did get the CNN headline news, so I watched that for a while until Dewey came up to the lounge carrying a cup of coffee.

Dewey looked out toward the little island and motioned for me to come see. There were probably a dozen seals up on the rocks watching the boat to see what it was going to do. Sue would enjoy this, so I went down to get more coffee and see if she was ready to begin the day. She wanted me to come back to bed, but I convinced her that she needed to get up to see some critters that were near the boat.

That got her going. She put on her clothes and padded barefoot up to the lounge. Sheila was up in the lounge, also barefoot, wanting Dewey to snuggle. The sea air sure does make ladies snuggly.

Sue was excited to see so many seals. She went downstairs to put some shoes and socks on and get her camera. We went outside and were greeted by lots of barking from the seals. They obviously knew humans were an easy touch for a handout. Dewey and I had to talk fast to keep the girls from throwing food at the seals. They finally agreed that anything we would throw would not be good for them.

The girls began making breakfast as Dewey and I started the engines and pulled up the anchors. We motored out a few miles from shore, then using the autopilot, we went into the lounge to enjoy a breakfast of oatmeal and toast, a hearty breakfast for some sailors. Once we were finished with breakfast, we hoisted the sails, all of them including the forward jib. We were now going nearly sixteen to eighteen knots as there was a heavy, cold breeze from the north. You couldn't stay out on the deck unless you had on long johns and a heavy coat. The girls mostly relaxed in the lounge, talking and planning Dewey's and my demise.

At lunchtime, we again had soup and sandwiches. We put the controls on autopilot and went into the lounge to eat. We could see forward, so we would know if there was any traffic long before we came to it. The only other boats we saw were some smaller fishing boats. Because we were going through shipping channels for Portland, Dewey decided to turn on the radar. He had a display at the weather helm, as well as at the outside wheel.

Dewey spent a lot of time explaining various sailing terms and practices to me. We went over all of the different types of sails and their best uses, how to sail when the wind was against you, and how to tack a large schooner like this one. I was fascinated that the boat could travel as fast as it was just on wind. Dewey said we were probably at the highest speed it could or should go. If the wind were heavier he would reduce sail so we would not put too much strain on the two tall masts.

As we traveled south it did seem to warm a little, even with the cold north wind driving us. We were nearing the area that Dewey had figured on staying overnight. There was a yacht basin where we could anchor, so we could clean up and go into the club for some dinner and entertainment. We took down the sails, lashed, and covered them. As we were drifting, Dewey started the fans for the engines and fired them up. He was telling me that most schooners only had a single engine and, if two, only two small ones. He said he opted for two large engines in the event he wanted to travel only by motor. He commented that most schooners only carried a thousand gallons of fuel, but he had fifteen hundred gallons in a tank located below the galley area. He explained that he also carried over a thousand gallons of fresh water.

While we were under power, Dewey edged up to the fueling dock to top off his tank. He also attached the giant water hose and filled the fresh water tank. Next he had the attendant attach the sewage vacuum hose, offloaded our waste water, and had the attendant flush the holding tank.

We pushed off the fueling dock and went to the buoy the attendant had indicated. There we tied up the bow, then, with the help of the dinghy, we tied the stern to another buoy. Dewey said that since it was early, the girls should clean up while he and I mounted the supports and winch for the dinghy. He said dragging the boat was fine but we were probably losing some speed because of it. It took only fifteen minutes to complete the job. We flipped down the boarding platform, tied the dinghy there, and went below to clean up.

Twenty minutes later we were shaved, showered, and dressed in decent clothes to go into the yacht club. We motored to the dinghy dock marked with the same number as our mooring buoy. The place was lavish, far out of Sue's and my league, but we seemed to be welcome. It may have to do with the fact that we arrived on a multi-million dollar sloop. We were told it would be about twenty minutes before we could be seated, so we headed to the bar.

All of us had a beer, with Sue trying a non-alcoholic beer, as she said she had been thirsting for one. Afterwards, Dewey and I enjoyed a martini with our salad and had wine with our dinner. The food was outstanding. We topped the dinner off with ice cream and chocolate syrup; perfect.

We walked through the big club to see some of the sights they had. They had another bar, but it was not as elegant as the lounge by the restaurant. This place had some pool tables and dart boards. The clientele looked to be the same type of folks, but were wearing mostly jeans instead of slacks.

Dewey and I played some eight ball, just banging the balls around for fun. The girls played a couple of games, then we played partners, couple against couple. After Sue and I won the first best of five, we swapped partners and played another match. This time Dewey and Sue won, showing that Sue had made the difference.

It was getting late, so we took the dinghy back to the boat, tied it up, and went below to enjoy a good night's sleep. When Sue and I opened the port holes we found that the marina and club were pretty noisy, so we only opened the one seaside to let in a cool breeze.

I woke at what I felt like was about six. I found my watch and sure enough, it as right at six in the morning. I kissed a nipple and visited the head to brush my teeth before dressing. Since I was first up, I made a pot of coffee and walked up on deck. There was a guy in an inflatable runabout with an electric motor gliding along between the yachts and sailboats. Being curious I watched him. He was tossing newspapers up on the decks of the boats.

As he was ready to pass our boat, I whistled softly to get his attention. He came over to the boat and I asked him if I could buy a newspaper. He said we couldn't, as it was a benefit of the yacht club. As he threw me up a paper I reached down with a dollar bill, saying thanks.

I went back into the upper lounge, salon, whatever you want to call it, and read the Portland Oregonian. At least it was current news. While I was reading the paper, Dewey came up with a cup of coffee and said, "Glad you caught the paperboy. I hope you tipped him. That's pretty slick the way he goes around to the moored boats with an electric motor so he doesn't wake people."

After we had a few cups of coffee, Dewey said let's wake the babes and go have a store bought breakfast before casting off. Sue reluctantly got up and dressed, but was interested in the magic word, food. We repeated the trip to the dock and to the restaurant for pancakes, sausage, and eggs. Sue had juice and milk to complement her meal. I noticed she took a pill and asked what it was. "This is a pre-natal vitamin. It's to make little Stevie strong and healthy."

Dewey and Sheila teased Sue about her motherly ability to tell she was going to have a boy. She said it was definitely a boy, as it was the only thing she could have for our first born. I sure hope it wasn't a split tail. Sue would really be disappointed.

When we got back to the boat, everyone boarded. I used the dinghy to go to the stern mooring buoy and released the line. I used that line to tie the dinghy temporarily. I climbed the ladder and folded up the boarding platform before climbing on deck. Dewey and I hooked the lines to the dinghy and used the electric winch to hoist the dinghy up to deck level. We tied lines to stabilize the dingy fore and aft, which left it solid and stable.

Dewey had started the fans as soon as he went on deck, so was able to start the engines and check the gauges. Once the engines were warmed up, I snapped the line, releasing us from the forward mooring buoy. We slowly motored out of the basin toward the open seas. When we were about a mile offshore, we removed the covers and lashings from the sails and hoisted them. We picked up the breeze and heeled a little as we headed farther out to sea while angling south.

This day was a little different, clear and warmer. The sun was out, warming the deck, so Sheila and Sue were daring and stripped down to sunbathe topless on the foredeck. Dewey and I went through the salon to check them out through the windows a couple of times, laughing at each other for perving our ladies.

While we sailed, the girls decided to be domestic and changed sheets and did a couple of loads of laundry. This boat was just a giant RV with a huge road. Dewey got out a box that was labeled as a Garmin maritime GPS unit. He read the directions, and inserted batteries in it. We used his old location equipment to establish our position before he turned on the GPS. It showed the same position but changed its readings as we traveled.

The unit had map images, so Dewey switched on the hundred-mile image to get an idea of where we were. The map showed each little seaside community on the coast for that range. He switched to the two hundred mile range, but the printing was too small.

Using the directions, he put in the coordinates for the San Francisco yacht harbor, and pushed the 'calculate' and 'course' buttons. After a last check of the radar, we put the boat on autopilot and went into the salon to check the charts. This GPS was slick; it gave points of our future location in miles and approximate time to get there. Dewey said we should probably find a place to anchor around seven, so he used the GPS to give him our locations from six-thirty on. Sure enough, we were able to locate some isolated islands that would be perfect to hide behind to anchor for the night. Dewey marked the location and the time with a half-hour alarm so he could correct the course to head toward shore. We checked the charts for depth and found there were deep channels throughout the islands. There was one bay that looked just right, so we intended to check it out first.

We noticed that the radar was picking up quite a few boats going and coming from the sea. They appeared to be large fishing boats, so we were not concerned. We would just have to pay attention to the increased traffic.

When the GPS alarm went off we angled toward the cove marked on the chart. Once inside the islands we motored to the area to find two other sailboats already anchored there. We checked the charts and went closer to the mainland, checking each inlet area only to find a house or large cabin in each bay. Dewey said he didn't want to moor around other boats or in people's front yards, so he said we might just take turns and motor or sail through the night.

We went back out to sea and hoisted the sails again, returning to our southerly route. The girls fixed supper for us. We ate in the salon using the autopilot but keeping an eye on the radar display. As long as a boat wasn't within three miles of us, we weren't concerned.

Dewey laid out his plan to take four-hour watches through the night. He had me take the eight to midnight watch and he would take the midnight to four, and I would take the watch till eight, when he would take over again. I sent Sue to bed early, telling her she could get up with me at four to keep me company. Dewey and Sheila went below to get some sleep.

I kept the boat on autopilot, occasionally double-checking our position with the GPS unit. It was clear sailing. The moon was supposed to come out full fairly early and stay till morning, so the weather would allow great visibility. The radar was set on ten miles and had no blips on it.

About midnight, Dewey and Sheila came topside. I told him that we were on course according to the GPS and we had been running between ten and eleven knots the whole time. I reported that I had the radar on ten miles so we could pick up low profile vessels early and he agreed that was a good idea. I left them, telling Sheila to wake us before four so I could wash my face and have some coffee.

I crawled in with Sue and fell asleep quickly with the portholes slightly open.

Sheila woke us about three forty-five. I did the bathroom thing, dressed and went through the galley, collecting a cup of coffee on the way up. Dewey told me all was well, but said he thought there might be a small boat ahead of us about six miles. He didn't know whether it was a false echo or not. He said it could be a whale or a pod of whales, but the echo was staying fairly stationary. Either way I would know within thirty minutes or less at our speed. He said if I needed him to push the M button on the console. That would set off the alarm in his stateroom and he would come right up.

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 6



Sue and I had coffee while watching the radar. The blip became more apparent as we came closer. I told Sue that we would be passing whatever it was on the port side and had her get on top of the salon with the binoculars to watch for it.

Almost as soon as she climbed up she hollered at me, "It's a boat but it looks like it's upside down." I pushed the M button and started lowering the sails while turning to circle the boat.

Dewey arrived topside and I told him what Sue had said. We finished taking down the sails and turned on the fans to start the engines. We moved closer to the boat until Sue yelled again, "There's someone holding onto the side of the boat."

Dewey cut the power and we lowered the dinghy. I put on a life jacket and climbed down to the dinghy and started the motor. The sea was about two feet, gentle swells but large for the small dinghy. As I got closer to the overturned boat a hand waved at me. I eased up to the person grabbed his hand and pulled him into the dinghy.

"My wife is under the boat. I made her get under the boat in case those men came back. She won't know you are here. You have to go under to get her."

I took the man back to the boat and asked Sue to put on a life jacket to come with me on the return trip. I told her what I needed to do and that she needed to keep the dinghy, nose first, up against the overturned boat.

Guessing that the air pocket would be at the rear of the boat, I dove overboard with a plastic flashlight hoping the seawater wouldn't short it out instantly. I came up under the boat in the anticipated air pocket and turned the light on, saying I'm here to help. Hands immediately grabbed me. The woman told me she was so tired and that she was having trouble staying conscious. She had a life jacket on so she would have continued to float but would have probably been banged around by the boat if she had been unable to hold on to the thwarts.

I asked her if she were ready to get dry and she said yes. We dove from under the boat and came up next to the dinghy. I pushed, and Sue pulled the lady on board. I pulled myself into the dinghy and caught a rope that was attached to the bow of the overturned boat. We towed it back to the schooner and helped the lady up the ladder. I tied off the dinghy's towline and the line to the overturned boat, and climbed on deck.

Dewey said that he expected company. He had radioed the Coast Guard and they were on their way, but they were at least forty minutes out. He had spotted another boat, coming fast from the direction of the shore. The man kept saying, "They're coming back, they're coming back, you need to run!"

Dewey told the agitated man to go into the salon with his wife and sit tight for now. Sheila got them blankets and coffee. Dewey and I went to the salon and armed ourselves with rifles from his stash, along with several magazines each. Dewey had real M-16s that used the 5.56 mm ammo. I loaded the magazine and put a round in the chamber. I sent Sue for our pistols and had her get Dewey's while she was down there. I pulled another M-16 out and loaded it for Sue. If nothing else she could spray rounds at them.

When she came back up, I told her to lie down on the top of the salon so she would have cover and, if she were needed, to point and shoot, just spray some rounds in their direction. See if you can hit a fuel tank, their motor, or them if you can, but just use up a magazine and put another in. I handed her five magazines and helped her up on the salon roof.

The boat was coming fast and looked to be about a twenty-five footer. I hoped it was some land guy that was curious about the overturned boat, but I somehow knew better. Dewey called the Coast Guard back and explained that we might be under siege soon. They said they were full speed already and had dispatched a rescue chopper that should be overhead within ten minutes.

Dewey was the captain, but combat was my area of expertise. I had Dewey first turn off everything but our running lights and had him sit on the deck with the steel railing between him and the approaching boat. I told him to level his rifle barrel on the railing but to keep his head down as much as possible. If anyone made a hostile move, shoot, don't think about it, just shoot.

I stood between Dewey and the salon, near the helm. I made sure I was in a shadow and kept my rifle down to my side so it wasn't visible.

The boat cut power and turned to drift sideways toward the boarding platform. The overturned boat was between them and the platform so we had some protection.

I could see a guy standing on the bow and two more in the cockpit area. I couldn't see any of their hands. I told Sue and Dewey in a low voice, "Watch their hands."

The guy on the bow hollered, "Hello the boat."

I yelled back, "I'm right here, what do you want?"

"I came to help with the overturned boat. I heard you talking to the Coast Guard."

"We're fine, we don't need help, the Coast Guard will be here any time."

"Not in time to save your asses, give it up and we'll board you, or we'll scuttle your boat with you on it."

It was strange, none of them were making a move. Something was up for them to make those kind of threats. I whispered for Dewey to watch the area where the boarding ladder was then told Sue to watch the opposite side of the boat to make sure no one tried to climb aboard that way.

I raised my rifle and said, "Back away now or I'll sink you where you are and make sure you're chum by the time you hit the water."

That did it; the guy on the bow brought his hand from behind his back. He was fatally slow; I put a bullet in his chest before the gun cleared his belt. I turned my rifle toward the two in the cockpit and fired four rounds at them, knowing I hit them twice each. I heard a round go off from the top of the salon and turned to see a guy trying to climb over the rail. I fired twice hitting his face and facemask with both rounds. He fell back into the water. Dewey was holding his gun on a guy with his hands up that had come up the boarding ladder.

I yelled for Sue to keep watch; there could be more of them. I circled around the boat, my rifle pointed over the side, making sure there weren't any more attempting to board us.

I hollered at Dewey that I was going to board the pirate boat and secure it for the Coast Guard. I put the rifle down, but pulled the 9 MM and climbed down the boarding ladder. I stepped on the overturned hull and into the back of the pirate boat.

The two guys in the cockpit were a mess. An M-16 can make a mess with civilian rounds. The rounds are softer and tumble faster. Both guys were dead, so I pushed them to the back of the boat and idled the engine back shutting it off. I went forward to check the guy there but he was done for. I picked up his pistol, grabbed the bowline and jumped back onto the overturned hull, grabbing our boarding ladder. I tied the boat there and climbed up the ladder.

I could hear a helicopter, so I went to the helm and took out the flare pistol, dropped a shell in it and fired straight up. Dewey and Sue both had the guy that had come up the boarding ladder covered, so I went over him for weapons. He had a pistol and a knife. The gun was an ancient .38 that might or might not work, but I unloaded it anyway and had the pirate lay on the deck face up. I told Dewey to make sure he shot the guy in the head or the chest if he moved so he wouldn't scratch up his teak deck. I sent Sue to put coffee on for the Coast Guard guys. I put my pistol against the guy's head and told Dewey to call the Coast Guard and advise them that the boarders had four casualties and we had taken one prisoner.

The chopper turned on his spotlight and began searching around our boats. You could see that he was being thorough; he was checking in a slow controlled sweep. He stopped over one area and kept getting lower and lower. The P.A. on the helicopter announced, "Remain still in the water. We will drop a rescue bascket for you. If you make a threatening move, we will respond."

The helicopter was about ten feet from the water when a rescue swimmer jumped into the water. A basket was lowered and the would-be pirate was put into the basket. He was lifted into the helicopter, next they dropped the basket for the crewman.

Dewey told the search and rescue helicopter that there should be a body somewhere near our port bow, as we had repelled a boarder at that point. They swept the area and settled on a spot. The crewman jumped in the water again and loaded the body into the basket and had it hauled up, the crewman caught a ladder and climbed up to the chopper.

I asked the guy lying on the deck, "That's six of you, it that all of you or is there more."

He answered, "No, that's all."

I had Dewey radio that the captive advising the attackers had been a group of six, so all were accounted for.

The helicopter hovered over the attackers' boat, shining the light on the bodies. They radioed back to us that the cutter was nearing and they were going to take their captive and the corpse they'd recovered back to base.

Fifteen minutes later the cutter came along side. Dewey threw over fenders and tied them to us. They came aboard and immediately cuffed the bad guy. They interviewed the couple in the salon and had the two board the cutter. One of the crewmen had been inspecting the attackers' boat and came back to report it was one that had been recently stolen. Apparently these guys had been attacking boats for the cash people had. If they were not given enough, they would flip the boat and leave the people to die. So far no one had died, because this area had a lot of boat traffic.

The officer on the cutter asked if I could tow the overturned hull south a few miles as they needed to get the couple to land as soon as possible. They had been in the water for over twelve hours and should be looked at by a doctor. I asked him what he wanted to do with the attacker's boat.

He snorted and said, "Sink it." He then laughed and said, "Belay that. I'll detail a crewman to bring it in."

He designated a man for the gruesome duty who said he wasn't getting on that bloody boat without a cup of coffee. One of the other crewmen disappeared and came back on deck with a tall Styrofoam cup of steaming coffee. The man deftly climbed down the boarding ladder with one hand and calmly stepped across the overturned hull into the bloody boat.

He used a flashlight until he found all the lights. The inboard fan came on before the gas motor started. I climbed down and released the line so the Coast Guardsman could put the boat in gear and move away.

Dewey called down to me to push the dinghy around so we could get it up on the hoist. We pulled it out of the water and secured it, and next doubled the rope to the overturned boat. We would have to tow it slowly, so it was going to take a while to get there.

The Coast Guard officer gave us the coordinates to put into the GPS, and left to take the survivors to the hospital and the captured guy to some kind of jail.

Dewey started the engine and set the course into the autopilot advancing the throttle about ten percent. We watched how the boat reacted to being towed upside down and decided we could go a little faster. We were able to move along at about twenty percent power without the towed boat surging back and forth.

Dewey said, "I still have two hours for some sleep. Sheila and I are going below and sleep. Wake me up at four."

Sue came up to me and asked, "Can I put this rifle away now. You're going to have to teach me how to shoot one of these things. When I shot at that guy, I missed him a mile. If I had used the pistol, I would have put one between his eyes. It really scared me that I missed by so much."

I gave her a hug and said, "You did good. Hearing you shoot made me turn to see the guy coming over the rail. You did exactly right. Go put all the rifles on the couch in there and we'll clean them before we stow them. Don't put the magazines away. I want to refill them first."

Sue went below and came back with coffee for me. She said, "Let's let them sleep. I'm too wound up right now to even think about sleep. We'll take a long nap in the morning."

She paused and asked, "Are you hungry? How about I fix us some bacon and egg sandwiches?"

"Sounds great."

Sue fixed the sandwiches and served them with orange juice and more coffee. She had juice and milk along with one of her pills. We slowly made our way toward the Coast Guard station. As we came nearer the station, the boat traffic on the radar picked up. When we came to a buoy that had a "restricted area, do not enter" sign, I shut down the engine and tied us up to the buoy to keep from drifting into the base.

A skiff came roaring out to find out what we were doing. I pointed at the overturned hull and they turned around and roared back to the base. A larger boat, something like a small trawler, came out and took over our tow. The petty officer on the boat said that some people were coming out to talk to us and we should remain where we were. I shut down the engines and went downstairs to wake up Dewey.

He groggily opened his eyes and checked his wristwatch. "How come you didn't wake me?"

"Not to worry. There was no sense in making you get up. Sue and I were wide-awake. You should get up now, though. The Coast Guard is coming out with some civilians to talk to us. You might want to shave and shower real quick so you're fresh for them. Make a good impression ... we don't want to look like pirates ourselves."

I went back up to the salon and looked for a rifle cleaning kit. Once I found it, I field-stripped and cleaned the three rifles and put them back together. I found the box of rounds and refilled the magazines stowing them in their usual place under the salon cushions.

I had Sue take our pistols down to our cabin. I made another pot of coffee and waited for Dewey and the Coast Guard. Dewey was first with a cup in his hand. I told him about them taking the hull and telling us to remain where we were. Just about the time Sheila and Sue came up, the Coast Guard came roaring out in a small cabin cruiser. They had a local sheriff's deputy and an FBI agent on board.

The deputy was a good old boy and said it was too bad I didn't just finish all of them out there. Now he was going to have to house them until their trial, whenever that might be.

The FBI guy was a little pissy, asking to see our weapons, and asking why we would fire on someone so quickly.

"Get real, buddy," I said. "The three on the boat had guns, and the one coming over the rail had what looked like some kind of machine pistol. We were about fifteen miles out and that's international waters, so we are allowed to defend ourselves anyway we need to."

The Coast Guard officer told the FBI agent, "This man's absolutely correct. This was piracy on the high seas. It's every man for himself out there. They were lucky they were prepared."

He turned back to us and said, "The couple wants to thank you guys for stopping for them. They were surprised you even saw them at night. They are both going to be fine, but would have been in bad shape from exposure if they had not been picked up."

"I hope their boat is salvageable," I said. "A boat like that is a lot of money."

The sheriff's deputy said he needed to take statements. He asked the FBI agent if he could use his or would he prefer to take statements and he use theirs. The agent insisted that they both take statements so they could compare them for accuracy.

Sheila went for more coffee, giving some to everyone except the FBI guy. He frowned and she said, "Courtesy can be rewarded," then went below to the laughter of the Coast Guard officer and the deputy.

It took another hour and a half to finish with the various authorities. The FBI guy was being an ass and was talking about holding us as material witnesses. The Coast Guard officer reminded the FBI guy that the offense took place out of his jurisdiction. He said that no one had real jurisdiction because it occurred on the high seas. It would have been Dewey's decision whether we should hang them or shoot them. The FBI guy gasped, saying that law was barbaric.

They finally left, and we cranked up to slowly make it back out to sea. Once there, we raised sail and set our course south again. Sue and I were bushed, so we went off to shower and go to bed for a few hours. They should wake us about one or two, and so they could nap if they wanted.

Sue and I were asleep in seconds after lying down.

Sheila woke us about two, saying that she had soup and sandwiches. Sue said she was starved and quickly hopped out of bed to dress. It was noticeably warmer on deck. Sheila told Sue they should get some all over tan after lunch while they had a chance. Dewey and I agreed, telling them we would take turns oiling them up.

The wind was up, helping us make between eleven and twelve knots. I ran the calculations in my mind; each knot or nautical mile per hour is more than a land mile per hour. A knot is 1.125 miles per hour. So if you were doing eleven knots you were really doing over twelve miles an hour.

The girls sunbathed, and Dewey taught me more about sailing as we traveled south. The coastal traffic we were seeing was all small craft, mostly private pleasure and fishing boats. A little closer inland, we were being passed by a large yacht that was probably doing over twenty knots. The big boat was a pleasure palace on the water. I checked out a guy on the aft deck in fancy clothes, complete with one of the hats like ship captains wear in the movies. I guess if you have a bunch of bucks you need to show it off, even out on the water.

Dewey had a spot where he guaranteed that we would be alone. He said the charts were wrong on this place, since he had gone in several times and noted the depth was a lot deeper than the charts indicated.

We took down the sails and eased through a natural gateway into a large lagoon surrounded by lush pine forests on steep hillsides. We set out anchors in waters that were surprisingly deep, and assembled rods and reels to use off the aft deck. We experimented with different bait till Dewey went down into the galley and brought up a small can of Spam. He said this stuff was always his fail-safe, because fish were nuts about Spam.

Using a fairly large hook he put a chunk of Spam on it and let it sink deep into the water. A minute later he was fighting something big. I got a large net, because whatever it was, was going to be too large to just hoist on deck.

When the fish finally tired and came to the surface you could identify it as a giant sea bass. I netted it and hauled it on deck. Dewey said that the fish was probably forty pounds, much too large for our supper, so he said we should put it back and try for something smaller.

Sue tied on and baited a smaller hook, but cast it toward shore. She didn't let it sink right away but reeled it back toward the boat letting the bait get deeper as it came in. Strike! Sue pulled the rod tip up, setting the hook, and began reeling in the fish. Dewey grabbed the net and went down the boarding ladder to net another sea bass, but this time only about ten pounds.

He had flipped down the boarding platform and asked for a fillet knife and said he would clean the fish down there. Sheila brought the knife and a large plastic bowl, while Sue and I washed the reels with fresh water and stowed them in the deck lockers.

An hour later we were enjoying baked sea bass that had been soaked in Italian dressing and covered with corn flakes for baking. Some dirty rice with peas and corn made a nice meal.

Dewey was surprising me. We didn't even have wine or a beer with the meal, or later. Sue had made up a large pitcher of iced tea that we enjoyed, along with coffee, while sitting out on deck enjoying the milder weather.

We watched a few deer grazing along a grassy area near the shore. We also watched what could have been a wolf watching the deer for a while, but it turned away and left. A little while later a rabbit hopped from where the deer had been going in a different direction from where the wolf had left. That answered the question of what the wolf was after.

When we went to bed with our portholes open, we enjoyed a long energetic lovemaking session that was going to require changing the sheets. Sounds of Dewey and Sheila enjoying each other carried in the night air making us giggle; we had been equally as noisy.

When I woke in the morning, I quickly made coffee and went up on deck to enjoy the fresh morning air. Once again there were deer in the meadow on shore, but this time there was a large buck near the tree line. He raised his head and stared at me for a while, but went back to enjoying the grass.

Sue joined me with a large glass of orange juice. She said this was a part of our vacation that she would remember as it was so serene and quiet.

Dewey and Sheila came up on deck with their coffee and announced that breakfast would be ready soon. We went down to the galley to wonderful smells of something good baking.

Sheila pulled a baking sheet from the oven with some of the crust-wrapped omelets like the ones that had been served by Helen, Dewey's housekeeper, or boat keeper? When I took the first bite, I found the taste of onion, cheese, eggs, and fish. Dewey and Sheila had put chopped up pieces of the leftover fish into the omelet. With orange juice, milk, and coffee, we had a great breakfast.

The girls cleaned up the galley while Dewey and I started the engine, raised the anchors, and slowly made our way out of the narrow channel. Once we hit the open sea, we were surprised to find it heavy with swells well over six feet, with the wind blowing at least twenty miles an hour from the southwest. Dewey's wind gauge was showing gusts up over thirty mph, so he opted to leave the sails down and had me lash them to the beams.

We turned on the marine weather radio. There were storm warnings caused by a front moving in. Dewey said we needed to head farther out to sea or turn back to get into the little lagoon for the day. I told him he was the captain, so he decided he would operate the boat from the bad weather helm inside the salon and continue south.

Dewey had both the standard and the long range radar operating. He turned on a different color display that showed the heavy cloud cover and rain that was closing in on us. He asked me to make a quick trip around the deck to double-check all of the hatches, lockers, and lashings before the real bad weather hit. The only thing that needed to be done was to tighten up the lines holding the dinghy. I went below and checked all the portholes and locked them in place, noticing the girls changing sheets and doing house/boat keeping. I brought a couple of cups of fresh coffee up and sat down beside Dewey.

He said his boat would ride almost any storm. He said if the seas got really big then he would head into them so the waves would break over the bow instead of hitting the boat broadside. It never became that bad. We rocked and rolled for nearly five hours, being buffeted by the wind and waves, until the seas calmed leaving the rain beating down.

Dewey had Sheila take the helm and had me come out on deck to help. While the rain was beating down on us, Dewey and I brushed the fresh rain water around on the deck, washing the salt water residue away. We were using what God gave us instead of having to wash it with a hose. Dewey showed me that the large rainwater collector was nearly full and that was what he would normally use to wash the deck. He said that it might be a little salty from the wind and spray, but it was mostly fresh water and was even potable.

As we finished swabbing the deck, the rain lessened and the sun began to peek out of the afternoon clouds. Dewey and I dropped our soggy clothes on the deck and went below for a quick shower and fresh clothes. I had another pair of deck shoes that Dewey had encouraged me to buy before we left Friday Harbor, so we were back on deck with a moderate breeze in just a short time.

We raised sail, and checked our position with the GPS. We were nearly thirty miles offshore, but closer to San Francisco. We figured to arrive sometime early tomorrow afternoon. Dewey showed me a yacht club on the chart and said that we should head there to moor for the night. The radar showed increasing traffic on the long range radar, but nothing close enough to worry about.

We were headed southeast, so we had full sails. The boat glided through the water, feeling as if it were lifted to the crest of the waves, hardly any roll at all. Dewey told me that this was the first time that he had traveled with a few people where no one got sick. He also said it was the first time he had ever traveled this far with passengers. "Another first, Steve, this is the first time I've enjoyed having people with me since I was in college. I've been a loner too long. I think I'm going to ask Sheila if she will be a more permanent part of my life. She fits me perfectly."

Dewey and I covered a myriad of topics, including prenuptial agreements, how to tell a woman you want to marry that you have more money than you know what to do with, how to explain why you were a hermit, and whether you might want kids. He felt like he and Sheila might be getting too old for kids, but he thought he would leave that up to her. He said the down side to kids would be that he would probably have to live in one of his shore homes. He said he had not spent a night in either of them in years; the only places he ever stayed were on the boat or at hotels.

Sue must have been having the same discussion with Sheila. She told me later that night that Sheila had said that she thought she was willing to trust Dewey in a more permanent relationship. They had discussed prenuptial agreements among many topics involving how to deal with eccentric men with money.

As we neared land, Dewey started the engines and checked them over while I lowered the sails and lashed them down. Dewey was talking to the marina on the radio, following their directions toward the fueling dock. The dump station was just past the fuel dock so we would go there first and back to the fuel dock for fuel and water. We really didn't need fuel or water, but it's always better to be topped off.

We went out to the mooring buoys we were assigned and tied up fore and aft, using the dinghy to get tied up properly. We decided to go take a look at the club and the shops before we decided what we would do about supper.

It's funny when you get off a sailing vessel after a few days, as we all four walked up the dock staggering as if we were drunk. An attendant commented that it looked like we were having difficulty finding our land legs.

This was a friendly port. Everyone greeted us as we passed. The girls went through the shops but didn't buy anything, while Dewey and I looked at some of the electronic gear the in the "Ship's Store." Dewey's schooner was the largest boat at the marina. The next largest was a sailboat about forty-five feet and the nearest motor yacht was about the same size. Dewey called it a good old boy yacht club where the guys could tell better fish stories than anywhere.

The restaurant and bar was a casual place, so we decided to eat right then, rather than clean up and come back later. They had a variety of seafood as well as a prime rib special that evening. We all ended up having the prime rib. Sheila, Dewey, and I all had large Beefeaters on the rocks with our salads and beer with our meal. Sue decided a Miller Lite wouldn't hurt her, so she had one with her meal.

Back on the boat, we decided to shower and see if we could catch some national news. Dewey maneuvered the satellite dish so we were able to pick up the news channels. Florida made the news, as some analysts were discussing the new helmet law that Governor Jeb Bush had just signed. It required helmets for riders and passengers under twenty-one, but none if the motorcycle owner had personal injury insurance.

Sue asked me how I felt about it, and my reply was that helmets were probably needed in heavy traffic, but for most riding, if you got hit by a car you would be dead anyway. Sue commented that when we had hit the police car that time, her helmet hit the back of my head hard enough that she had worried about it.

Dewey's writer's curiosity took over. First Sue told the entire saga of us driving up on the stopped car and the deputy being shot, and my riding into the guy to keep him from killing the deputy. She built it up to more than it was, but it was obviously an event to her.

Once that had been discussed until I was tired of the subject, Sue began telling the saga of Jeff Barlow and his family.

I said "enough!", but Dewey wanted to hear more. Sue told about the thieves, that there was a gun battle with them, and that I had saved the presidents of two bike clubs from an assassination. Next she talked about the crooked deputy with the dope and money, and she mentioned that I had saved Ben from a mafia hit, and finally, she was trying to get out what had happened just before we had left for vacation, about the drug running executives.

"Wow, you had an exciting time down in Florida, Steve. Then you come up to Alaska and get into it up in the mountains, and out on the open sea. Man, you're a trouble magnet. I guess you're also a people and business magnet, but all of those incidents are almost too much to believe."

"Then don't; we don't need to dwell on those events," I scoffed.

Sue wanted the last word, "Well, some of those early events made you so attractive to me that I had to have you. You know how excited I was to get close to you. Yes, you are a magnet to both people and trouble, but you are my magnet."

"You will have to give me all the gory details one of these evenings," Dewey said, holding a hand up to quell my anxiousness. "It's fascinating to hear true life adventures. Makes my outdoor writing dull in comparison."

Even Sheila had to get a word in, "Sue, you really do have a warrior hero. Aren't you scared meeting all these bad people?"

Sue smiled and hugged my arm, "Not with Steve around, I'm not. I know he'll protect me."

Seeing that I was not happy to talk about all that nasty stuff, Sue and Dewey left it alone. We went to bed where Sue wanted to make it up to me by removing her dentures for my pleasure.

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 7



I woke to the sound of the newspaper boat. This must be the way papers are delivered at yacht clubs. I ran up on deck and caught the guy's attention as he passed. I slipped him a dollar and he handed me a paper.

I went back downstairs to put on clothes and make coffee. With a fresh cup, I went up to the deck salon and enjoyed my coffee with the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper.

Dewey came up with a cup and helped me read the paper until Sheila and Sue came up to protest we had left them to get cold in bed. We apologized, kissed, and made up, but encouraged our two ladies to dress so we could go get breakfast.

We all dressed to go ashore and took the dinghy to the dock. Everyone just tied up wherever they could find a space, not in an individually marked area like the other yacht club. Breakfast was good and hearty. They had a buffet for breakfast that included biscuits and gravy, as well as all varieties of breakfast meats and eggs. Dewey and I ate heartily, while the girls were a little more discriminating. Sue ate well too, as she was quick to point out that she was eating for two.

Back on the boat, Dewey started the engines while I untied us from the aft mooring buoy and put a slipknot on the forward one. When we were ready to leave, I pulled the line loose and coiled it on deck as Dewey guided the boat from the small harbor area.

We only went out about eight miles this morning, as we were not going that far before we would sail into San Francisco Bay. We began to turn east about eleven and were in sight of the Golden Gate Bridge by one-thirty. We had reserved a berth at a yacht club east of the bridge and close to the city. Dewey had promised us a grand tour of San Francisco and our destination was the best place to begin.

Dewey had to use the radio often to make sure we were on track and would be able to motor through. We took down all the sails, lashed, and covered them as we neared the yacht basin. They actually had lights on the empty large slips. All were showing red lights at the end except one near the middle that had a green light. That was our berth. The girls and I tossed fenders out on both sides as Dewey eased the big schooner between the dock walkways. The front of the berth had several tires lashed there in case the boat drifted too far forward.

I jumped onto the dock and caught the forward line. I snubbed it around the bollard, letting friction bring the idling boat to a halt. I tied off the bowline, and went back to secured the aft line, bringing the boat up to the walkway. The dock was a floater so it would follow the tide, as well as the boat that was tied to it.

While I was finishing, two attendants came running up, apologizing for not being there to tie us up when we docked. I told them that there was no harm done as we had managed successfully. They said they had been helping a hapless captain tie up a fifty footer that he couldn't control.

Dewey said that he and I needed to go into the Coast Guard office since he felt I was entitled to something. When we went into the Coast guard office Dewey got out his captain's license, along with another plastic card. The guardsman on duty pulled out a form and Dewey handed it to me and told me to fill out the full name and address information, along with contact numbers, etc.

I did, but didn't understand what was going on. When it was done, Dewey took it and filled out a bunch of information, signed it, and handed the form to the guardsman who said to wait a couple of minutes.

The guardsman typed information into a computer terminal before asking me to stand in front of a camera where he took my picture. When it was done, he pushed some keyboard buttons, and pushed a button on a printer.

Out popped a card that he came over and handed to me. "Congratulations captain, I'm glad you decided to learn from an experienced instructor. Not enough people are willing to take a lengthy cruise to learn how to captain a boat over a hundred feet. You're now rated up to and including one thousand tons. You can get an endorsement for more if you were to work a large ship for a couple of days. If you want a harbor pilot's license you will have to take some additional classroom courses."

I looked at the card and it said, "Commercial Captain up to and including two hundred and fifty feet."

Dewey waved me outside the office. I told him, "I shouldn't have this. I didn't do anything that should qualify me for this."

"Everyday we were out, I drilled you on onboard information, how to sail, how to motor, how to dock. You have docked, moored, and sailed. You are more qualified to captain your own vessel than ninety percent of the people out there that have licenses. You may never use it, but you never know. You and Sue may decide to get a big boat and come visit me. Just haul ass through the Panama Canal and straight up the coast. It would be a blast for you two to do that. You could bring some of the executives along from your company if you wanted, but the way you two are, you'll probably have a bunch of kids on board."

I just shook my head, knowing I would take more instruction if I was ever able to have a big boat like he had.

We had left the girls to look through the shops at the yacht club, so we gathered them up to walk around the marina. Just to the north of the yacht club was a huge fish market. There were literally hundreds of vendors and customers. Men were cleaning fish, others were wrapping fish in newspapers for a sale, a guy from one stall hollered to another guy, and a fish was tossed fifteen feet to be caught and shown to a prospective buyer. The place was a madhouse of movement and noise. We were fascinated with the non-stop activity.

We broke away to walk up a street that seemed to have us migrating into another land. In just a couple of blocks, we were now walking on a fairly narrow street, with shops on each side and with people of obvious oriental heritage surrounding us. They were walking, riding bicycles, and driving small pickups overflowing with merchandise. There were banners hanging across the street with what I assumed were Chinese characters, probably advertising a restaurant or nightclub. Who knows, maybe it was an advertisement for a law firm.

There was a street vendor with a small cart. An older, small, oriental man asked us, "You want egg roll?" We were all startled by the loudness of the question, but reacted in time to smile at the man and decline the offer. As we passed, he handed each of the girls a wrapped fortune cookie. He looked at Dewey and me and gave us the quick eyebrow raise, and flicked the ashes from a pretend cigar imitating what Groucho Marx used to do on TV when he saw a good looking lady. Dewey and I broke up over the imitation and applauded the mini show.

We turned back to the yacht club to clean up and dress for dinner. Dewey made some calls to arrange for reservations and transportation.

I didn't have any fancy clothes with me, just a nice shirt and a decent pair of slacks that I planned to wear on the flight home. Dewey brought out a sport coat that matched my pants and shirt. We took a taxi to downtown San Francisco and were let out of the cab on a carpeted sidewalk by a uniformed doorman. As soon as we were out of the taxi, another man opened the door for us. A guy in a tux met us, who instantly inquired what name our reservations were under. He took us through what looked like small pods of privacy booths. Each booth had a curtain surrounding it. You could hear noises that you would associate with a restaurant, but you couldn't see any customers, just the pods, with a waiter occasionally walking past.

We were shown to a larger pod where the Maitre D drew back the curtain for us to enter. The booth was a large leather circular booth. He had the ladies sit on the inside and the men to the outside before asking us what type of music we would wish.

Dewey requested gentle jazz and the Maitre D tapped a code into a keypad by the entrance and soft jazz surrounded us. He advised that our waiter would be with us in a moment and for us to enjoy our evening.

I asked Dewey if he had been there before and he said he had not. He said he had heard so much about the place, he thought it would be a neat place for us to go.

A man came through the curtain with four glasses of water and introduced himself and asked for drink orders. We ordered two Beefeater martinis for Dewey and me, along with mimosas for the girls. Sue ordered hers without liquor. Now the surprise, the waiter chatted just a couple of seconds with us, then reached back with his hand, only to reappear with a tray holding our drinks.

That was unique. He then reached back and brought his hand back with four menus. Perhaps this was a semi-magician show. Our waiter bowed and left with a flurry of curtain. The restaurant was obviously expensive, as there were no prices on the menu. I'm pretty backwoods, so this was the first time I had ever encountered a menu with no prices.

We talked about some of the dishes they had on the menu. I asked Dewey what Abalone steak was. He said it was a shell fish that was harvested by deep sea divers, the kind in suits with the big round hats. He said that properly prepared, it was delicious, but if it wasn't prepared correctly, it was tough and unpalatable. I really wanted to try different foods, so I wanted to order that. Sue thought that the abalone might be good as well, so we both decided to order that.

Dewey and Sheila both had a taste for the crab and lobster dinner tonight. Just about the time we had made up our minds, the waiter reappeared, suggesting that our choice of abalone was a good choice tonight as they were fresh, as well as properly prepared, so they would be tender and delicious. He turned to Dewey and Sheila, suggesting that they separate the tail from the body instead of bringing the entire lobster to the table. He said he would bring the claws for their enjoyment though. He asked if they would prefer to have the crab legs opened or would they wish to do that themselves. Both of them said opened would be wonderful.

The waiter said he would return with our Caesar salads and another round of drinks. I guess he only had to step out to the aisle as he was instantly back with our salads and fresh drinks.

We all agreed they must have a video camera, as well as a listening device in order to know who was going to order what. It was a unique approach for a restaurant, different from any place we had ever been.

We ate our salads at a slow pace, enjoying the tasty dressing and commenting that it was very good. Just as Sue had put her fork down, the curtain swished aside, and the waiter gathered our salad plates and took up our drinks.

As soon as he turned out with the glasses, he turned back with the lobster and crab platters for Dewey and Sheila. He turned back and brought Sue's and my plates to place in front of us. He then placed a large platter of various cooked vegetables in the center of the table. Each type of vegetable had a sauce with it.

He then placed wine glasses in front of each of us. First he poured a little wine for Dewey to smell and taste. When Dewey nodded, he poured wine for Dewey and Sheila. Next, he poured from a different bottle for me to smell and taste. I copied Dewey by nodding approval and poured wine just for me. He then surprised us by pouring a small amount in Sue's glass and had me smell and taste it. He said it was Ariel non-alcoholic wine. It tasted good to me so I nodded again and he poured Sue a glass.

The abalone was delicious. It tasted like a cross between a good steak and a fish. The piece was so big, I couldn't eat it all. Sue couldn't either and we were almost embarrassed to waste such good food. Dewey and Sheila were sitting back holding their stomachs, as they also had filled themselves to maximum capacity. When the last fork was put down, our waiter magically appeared, gathered plates and asked us if we would prefer a fruit treat, a chocolate treat, or a combination. Knowing women loved chocolate, we opted for a combination for all of us.

The waiter reached back and brought a large platter with sliced sweet fruits smothered with rich chocolate syrup. He reached back again and his hand reappeared with four dishes for us to ladle out the dessert.

He then set four more glasses on the table, poured us a half glass each, then vanished. I suspected the new wine was the non-alcoholic wine as he didn't use a different bottle for Sue.

We dug into the dessert, even with our full bellies. It was so good we were going to make ourselves ill from overeating.

As we put down the last fork and spoon, the waiter appeared and handed a bill wallet to Dewey. The surprise was Dewey's American Express card was stuck out the top. Dewey looked at the card and pulled his wallet out to find his card was not there. Dewey looked at the waiter strangely.

The waiter then said, "I have not been a very good representative of Merlin's tonight." With that, he held his hands over the dessert platter and raised it into his hands. He put it behind him turning back with gloves on his hands. He made a gesture toward Sheila and two red roses appeared in his hand. He handed them to Sheila then made the same gesture toward Sue. Two white roses appeared in his hands.

"How did you know I love white roses?" Sue asked.

"Merlin knows many things," he said, and he then laid his hand out with my cell phone in it. I had left it on the boat. How did he get it? "You have a call from someone in Florida. You should call them."

He smiled at all of us and said, if you wish to be entertained by more of Merlin's magic, please close your eyes so I may transport you upstairs. We all closed our eyes and we felt movement, but kept our eyes closed.

A new voice said, "Welcome to Merlin's living room. Let us entertain you."

I excused myself, walked out to a smoking balcony, and called back to the number for the missed call. Tiny answered. "Steve, you're not going to believe this, but your company has just sold an order for over five hundred million dollars. It's unbelievable. Phil proposed a group of Saudi U.S. citizens equipment for their construction company a couple of months ago. They had consummated that order, but when they found out we dealt in the super lifts for shipyards, Phil had me work with him so we could make a good deal for the customer and keep some profit for ourselves. I thought we were giving away most of the profit to get such a big order, but somewhere along the line, I got the dollar conversions mixed up and we are making an unheard-of percentage. But the best part is that the customer feels like they are getting a great deal. Such a good deal, they are picking the equipment up right here in Tampa and will deliver the equipment to their ports themselves. Steve, it's unbelievable. Phil got back, immediately called these people back, and we have been dealing with them almost non-stop since. You need to go on more vacations."

I had never heard Tiny that excited. "Take a breath, Tiny. I know you're excited, but relax a second and enjoy the success a minute."

"Shit, enjoy the success? I thought Phil was going to have a heart attack when the Saudis said our offer was agreeable. I wanted to ask you if we could get a couple of their mechanics and send them to school. It's expensive, plus we would be picking up their expenses for almost a year. What do you think?"

"What's the expense you figure on?"

"When you put their salary that we would pick up for the period, housing, transportation, and general expenses, about a quarter, maybe a little more. You know, between two hundred fifty to three hundred thousand."

"You say you're making better than the fifteen to eighteen percent on the deal, right?"

"Steve, this is premium equipment. We should normally make almost twenty-two percent, but like I said, I screwed up somewhere and it comes out our margin is right at twenty-eight percent."

"Tiny, you guys can train a couple of dozen guys on our nickel for the extra six percent you got. Look what six percent of five hundred million dollars is."

"But look at what the commission is going to cost you."

"I'm not worried about the money, I'm worried about losing Phil when he gets that much money in his hands. I'm afraid it could cost us Phil."

"The hell with Phil, my name's on half this order. It's a good thing Phil and I just rewrote the commission schedule to set some more realistic commission amounts on orders over ten million. It's also a good thing this didn't come in last month. Christ, with double commissions, this order would have been a triple windfall."

"Am I going to lose you and Ruth, Tiny? Are you going to take an early retirement?"

"Not a chance. Ruth might get the fancy Mustang convertible she wants, but we're not going anywhere. I'm having too much fun right here. So is Ruth, now that she has enough help. We're happier at this time than we have ever been. Besides what boss is going to pluck you up and send you off to a ritzy resort in Hawaii for week on a whim? Why would we leave?"

"Congratulate Phil for me, I'm not sure, but I think Sue and I may be winding down on our trip. Your news is staggering. The company is going to have some rewards for everyone with the profit we make on this one."

Tiny almost sounded choked up, "See, Steve, that's what I mean. The first thing you think of when you get a bunch of money is "What can I do to for my people?" Call me when you want us to pick you up." Tiny hung up quickly, leaving me standing with my cell phone to my ear.

I closed my phone and put it in my pocket and just stood there for a few minutes, considering how much a five hundred million dollar order was. I wonder if the factory was going to be able to produce sufficient product for the order. That is a lot of what Tiny was calling super lifts.

My mind was calculating how much profit twenty-eight percent of five hundred million was. Holy shit, that's a hundred and forty million. We are going to owe so much income tax, we'll finance half the government.

I dialed Tiny back.

"Steve?"

"Yeah, it's me again. I want you to look into a couple of things. We are going to be paying so much corporate income tax this year we are going to go crazy. You and Phil will be too, but I have an idea for the company. You'll know better than me, but look at the property surrounding the business and see if any of it is for sale. We may want to buy anything that is available to build additional clothing factories on, as well as possible storage locations for equipment before it is refurbished. We need to invest as much as we possibly can to offset the taxes. You need help? Look for someone you can groom to help you out, to begin doing your grunt work so you can use your imagination to help Phil and to promote the company. You'll still be CFO, but the company is wasting your talent. What do you think about all that?"

"Good idea, Steve. I've been looking around as I know Sue needs more production, but I haven't found the right place. Tropicana sportswear is up, then they're down, so you never know whether they are going to sell out or expand. Perhaps you should just build on Sue's property plus any other place you can get. Oh yeah, the golf cart guy is going to retire and he said his business and his property is for sale. You want me to look into it?"

"Sure, it might me a good business for us. See if we can get it at a reasonable price, and see whether his people will stay if he retires. As you know, people are what make a company. You do his books and let's see what's what. Anyway, start working on investments to cover our income tax, and perhaps have Ruth look into some charities that we can help with. Go through the employees to see if there is any special-interest group that needs some support. That's enough for now. We'll talk more in a day or two. I have to go tell Sue you guys just made our biggest sale ever."

As soon as I reentered the club area, I saw that a magician was on stage and several other magicians were doing tricks at various tables. The lady on stage caused an explosion of smoke or steam or something cloudy to envelop her. As the smoke cleared, she said, "Someone in this audience has just received some startling news. Everyone, remain still for a minute so I can locate that person and we can all share in the news, because I feel it is something wonderful."

The lady used a wand and swept the room back and forth, with it slowing down then pointing toward us. With her eyes closed, she began to describe the four of us at our table then she said in a loud voice, "Sharp!"

She paused a minute then said, "Not you, Mrs. Sharp, um Sue, but Steve Sharp. Don't stand up. Sit, and let your mind meld with mine."

I looked at the lady and realized she was dressed in a very sexy magician's costume. There was a lot of skin showing.

She wiggled her wand and said, "Naughty, naughty, Steve. I'm flattered, but keep your mind on your news, not on me. I'm picking up an order, a big order for your company. This order is so big you're worried about the taxes already. Wow, Steve how much is it for? Oh my, I better not tell everyone how big it is. Steve, Honey, do you want a second wife, a mind reading magician, second wife? Sue doesn't think it's a bad idea, especially since she is going to be busy with your new baby in a few months. Oh my, Sue, you are as naughty as your husband."

The crowd was laughing and applauding after almost every comment.

The female magician had stepped down from the stage and was slowly walking toward us. "Now I'm going to enter Sue's mind and Steve's mind and connect them so Steve can tell Sue the news. These two are very close and this will only work when people are close. Sue, close your eyes and think of Steve."

Almost as soon as Sue closed her eyes she opened them again and exclaimed, "Wow, that much at one time? Did they make any profit?" She closed her eyes again and I could feel us connected. It was a strange feeling. Sue exclaimed again then said, "You're right, taxes are going to kill us."

The lady was at our table. She dramatically touched Sue and me with her wand saying, "You two are extremely close. You have shared some exciting times together. Your love for each other makes magic easy with you two."

She turned to Dewey and Sheila and said, "You two are growing closer by the second. Even with this lady trying to hide her feelings and mind in French, I see an aura around you two. Did you know that the four of you share a special bond? Let me connect you, sir. Let's see?" She closed her eyes and stood with her wand over us. "This is Dewey and this is Sheila. I won't use your last name Dewey; you are a very private person. And you, Sheila, were a lost young lady when Sir Galahad Dewey rode up on his white horse and rescued you, and now you two are growing a love bond that will last forever like Steve and Sue's. Do you hear how much this big order is? Do you hear him talking to a man named Tiny? What kind of name is Tiny?"

"You are so open, Steve. Your mind is so pure, so full of love for Sue and love of people that you give off waves of happiness to me. Oh please, Sue, take me in." She closed her eyes and waved her wand over Sue and said, "I'll come to be with you soon and stay in your special home with you. I'll come to your park to be with you."

The lady whirled around several times then it seemed that she floated up to the stage. "This is a special night. I don't often have someone's mind that is so much fun to get into. But tonight I found four special minds. A couple that is as fascinated with me as I am with them, that they just overwhelm me with their aura. And their friends are another loving couple whose minds just beg to be enjoyed." She spun around on stage with arms stretched out and bowed to the fascinated crowd saying, "Now, let me get on with this show and demonstrate some magic."

She pointed at a heavy man near the stage and raised her wand. The man stood up with the motion of her wand and she began leading him to the steps going up to the stage. When he was there she pointed at a lady that had been with him. It was pretty obvious that she was either a trophy wife or a rent-a-date. The magician pointed at her making her rise and brought her on stage to stand next to the man.

The two people were standing there in a trance as the magician waved her wand over them. She brought the wand down and slapped it against the man's waist. His pants dropped to the floor revealing boxers that were red and white striped, very gaudy.

Next she pointed at the lady's waist then slowly brought the wand down. As it neared the hem of her dress, the audience could see that her panties were falling down her legs. The magician took them down to the high heels to show everyone they were some fancy g-string panties, then brought them back up her legs with a couple of upward waves of her wand, making the lady jump a couple of times.

The lady magician said, "It's pretty easy to give wedgies with a g-string." The audience broke up in laughter and applauded.

She had the man pull his pants up and buckle his belt before she asked him, "How much is this date costing you, show us."

The man took out his wallet and counted out ten hundred-dollar bills. The magician then looked at the lady and said, "I think you're not getting your money's worth with this one, I should enhance her for a little more fun.

She pointed at the ladies chest then whipped her wand away. A bra came flying from her sleeves and across the room to land on the couple's table. Next the magician held her wand and pointed it at the lady's chest and blew into the end of the wand as if she were blowing up a balloon. Amazingly the rent-a-date's top began getting bigger. When the dress was stretched tight, the magician said, "That should make her worth a little more." Then she tapped her wand on the girl's head a couple of times and said, "Hmm, empty, just like I thought. Perhaps I can help these two form a more permanent bond. She pointed at their hands and pointed at each of their heads and said, "By the power of Merlin, you are now a couple and only have eyes for each other. You, sir, go be successful so you can take care of your new lady. You, lady, be a faithful loving companion to your man. Now go, I'll take care of your tab."

The couple, holding hands as they went down from the stage, picked up the lady's handbag and left the room.

"Don't doubt me, they did, now the doubters are joined from now till then. Steve and Sue, do you doubt that I'll come to see you?" She paused and said, "Oh, Sue, you are so naughty. Of course I'll come to you soon."

With that, another cloud of smoke enveloped her and when it cleared she was gone. Another man walked out on the stage and waved his hands around the audience, "I'm not nearly as telepathic as the daughter of the great Merlin. I'm just a lowly understudy with many years to go to learn what I may. Now let me begin with some simple card tricks." He did the thing where he took a deck of cards and sprayed them. Usually fifty-two cards would be scattered on the floor, but not this time, the cards all hung in the air in front of him.

"Now you, sir, he pointed at a man sitting near the stage, close your eyes and think of a card. Think of the suit as well as the number. Keep your eyes closed. He pointed to another table and asked, "Do you know the man thinking of the card?" She could only shake her head no. The magician said, "The others can't hear your head rattle, so please rise and tell the audience."

The lady levitated in her chair to above the table, and with the look of fear on her face, said, "I don't know him, I don't know him at all." Her chair with her in it sunk back into position at the table.

"Let's see, Oh yes, a good choice" as a card came from the group of cards frozen in the air to slowly go toward the terrified woman. First, the card tried to hide in her hair, then the card swooped down to try to slide under her hand, which she raised instantly and then it settled down and laid face down half inside her buttoned blouse.

"Now, sir, you may open you eyes. Oh, we don't need these other cards anymore." The magician took a top hat that was on a stool behind him, pulled a rabbit out of it and let it hop off the stage, and tossed the hat on the floor. As soon as the hat landed with the opening up, the cards all fell into the hat.

"Now, what was the card you chose?"

The man smiled as if there was no way the magician could know, "Nine of diamonds."

He turned to the lady and said, "Could you show us the card in your blouse?"

With an extraordinary blush, she pulled out the card and gasped. She held the card up so everyone could see the nine of diamonds.

The audience was hollering and applauding the magician as he began another trick. This place was really magic.

A waiter came to table and said, "Steve, Sue, Dewey, Sheila, your limo is waiting for you. I think Mercy wants to show you the town."

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 8



A waiter came to the table and said, "Steve, Sue, Dewey, Sheila your limo is waiting for you. I think Mercy wants to show you the town."

The four of us left, curious what the limo was about. As we neared the door, a black haired lady stood as if waiting. When she turned to us, her smile was dazzling, she said, "You must show me your boat after I let the limousine drive us around the city a little while."

When we all were in the limo she sat on one side of me as Sue sat on the other side. She held one hand as Sue held the other. The two of them smiled at each other as if they were having a conversation that made them both happy. Dewey and Sheila looked equally as happy and enjoyed the sights as they were pointed out to us.

I looked at this lady, this girl a little funny and she said, "Use my name. You know what it is; you've always known what it is, so when you speak to me, call me by name."

Without thinking I said, "Mercy, what happened in there? How did you know what I was thinking? What I had just been told? And how did you let me tell Sue?"

"That's better, now I know you know me. Being telepathic is easy. Everyone is born with the ability, only a very small few ever develop it. We hear what people think, what is happening with them, and we can project our thoughts to them if they are in need. That couple tonight were both in need of each other. One was a hooker and the other an overweight gentleman that thought he had to buy what he wanted. I suggested to them both to enjoy each other and I think they will.

"But what about her chest. You blew it up," I asked, then looked at Sue.

Mercy smiled at Sue, "Did someone do that to you?"

Sue laughed saying, "No."

"That part was an illusion. It's like mass hypnosis. Everyone was watching me and expected something bizarre, so they saw a bizarre creation. The man may always view her that way but she will always be the same size as she always has been."

Sue leaned across me and said, "So, you're coming to see us?"

"I will talk to my father and maybe just stay down there with you. He will want me to perform and continue to study magic, but I may just wish to be a companion to you two, perhaps your baby's nanny."

She looked across at Dewey and said, "Let's go see your magnificent home. I mean your boat, your big schooner."

"Am I that transparent that you can read my mind?" Dewey asked.

"When you are in love, yes. Sheila is as wide open as you are. You both are so sweet. I think you both need to have some long talks and tell each other all about yourselves. Both of you need to get rid of the deception." She paused a second before asking, "Do you mind if I join you all on your boat?"

"No, please, you're welcome to visit with us," Dewey answered enthusiastically. "You will be a pleasure to have around, you are so very observant and seem to enjoy being with us."

"I do, I do. I am all ga-ga over Steve and Sue. They both have some sort of magnetism that draws me to them. They've drawn you two to them as well, so you know what I'm talking about.

I was thinking, 'This is all too Sci-fi for me. I'm not sure what to believe.'

Mercy looked at me and I heard in my head, "I'll explain more later."

Dewey asked, "So how did the waiter get my credit card tonight?"

Mercy answered, "He didn't. The Maitre D' lifted it from you as he seated you. He could probably make a living doing that, but he says it's more fun to do it legally as part of our show."

"I have to admit, that was pretty slick," Steve commented.

Sheila looked at Mercy and asked, "If I tell all, will I still be able to keep Dewey?"

Mercy smiled at her and said, "When you both tell all, you will find you have more in common than you thought."

When we reached the yacht club and walked down the wooden walkway, Mercy was looking at the large boats docked there. When we came to our boat, a stairway had been placed next to it so all we had to do was climb the stairs and enter through the boarding gate at the ladder. As we passed the spot where the one boarder had tried to climb up and was shot, Mercy shivered. "There was evil here, but it is being cleansed with time. You four had a scary time, but at the same time, you were helping someone. Yes, the boat is being cleansed of the evil and restored to be a happy, loving place."

We took Mercy into the salon and asked if she would like a drink. "Do you have any really cold beer? You all make me think that's what I want to drink, a beer."

I went down to the galley and got three beers and two Diet Cokes. We talked for a while, and then Sue and Sheila said they wanted to show Mercy the rest of the boat. They were gone for over a half-hour, and when they came back, the three of them were in nightgowns. Sue and Mercy sat on either side of me and Sue asked, "You don't mind if Mercy stays with us tonight do you? She has already sent her driver home."

When Sue has her mind made up, there is no changing it. I was wondering when Sue's predatory nature was going to come back out. I had been surprised that she had not overwhelmed Sheila by now.

Since it was late, Dewey said, "Let's lock up and go to bed. Since we're in a busy port, we need to listen for strange noises. They have good security here, but people with ill intent do slip in."

Mercy volunteered, "I don't think you have anything to worry about. Your boat has a protective aura around it. I think you can sleep deeply and rest."

We went down to our cabin where our bed was already turned down. Amazing that Sue and Sheila had just changed sheets. Mercy and Sue made short work of undressing me and hanging my clothes up. It wasn't magic, but almost, considering the way my clothes disappeared.

When we lay down, Sue was on one side and Mercy on the other. They both turned to me and put a leg over one of mine.

When Sue began to speak, Mercy put her finger tips on Sue's lips and said, "Let me explain my telepathy a little more. When I was little, I would hear my mother's voice in my head telling me to do things. I would run to her to ask if she said something and she would ask, 'Did you do as I asked?'. Finally one day I was angry because I couldn't find either my mother or my father, I shouted out mentally, 'Where are you?' My mother's voice came to me saying, 'Be patient, be peaceful, we are loving, we will be with you soon.' Her voice was soft and gentle making me peaceful. Soon, Mother came to ask me what I wanted. We had a long, long talk about how we were talking in our minds."

"In time, I learned that I couldn't connect with everyone but could especially link with people who were happily in love. Their thoughts just burst into my mind. Sometimes I connect with people who are distressed or nervous such as the man and his rent-a-date tonight. They were both wide open because they both desperately want stability. Hopefully my suggestions will go a long way with them."

"When Steve walked in the room, his mind was overflowing with love for you, Sue. He was anxious to tell you about his phone call. It was easy to receive him and easy to find you and hear your loving thoughts in return. I could connect the two of you only because of your intense love for each other."

"That's what got to me with the two of you. You two are so much in love but have open hearts and minds that reach out and invite someone in. You both instantly had naughty thoughts of me and when I asked you mentally if you wanted me you both said to come. Your subconscious was making love to me while I was on the stage. I could hardly standup from the onslaught of your thoughts. I had to get to know you both better. I just knew we would be right for each other."

"I don't have a special power, but an ability to listen to you and to talk to you. As we get to know each other better, our minds will link at almost any distance because we have become mentally bonded with each other."

"I'll try to explain more as we talk and perhaps my mother can explain better. But laying here with the two of you is a beautiful loving experience."

Sue said, "Tonight we are going to just sleep and let our minds come together. I want Mercy to feel how wonderful you are Steve, and how great our love for each other is, before we consume her into being ours."

Mercy said, "And I thought I had a magic touch. You two are dangerous. You draw people into your web like a spider. Only you don't feed upon them, you feed them, nurture them, and give them happiness. I can already feel it happening. As horny as you two are making me, I'm so totally relaxed with you two that I'll be asleep in an instant."

I lay still, listening to both girls begin breathing evenly; they had gone to sleep.

I woke a little after six and went to the bathroom after untangling myself. As soon as I withdrew from the girls, they snuggled together to use the warmth from each other's body. I looked at my beautiful Sue and was deeply in love. I looked at the attractive Mercy and felt a strange pull toward her as well. Hmm, I guess what will be, will be.

I quickly made coffee and dressed while it was dripping. I went up to the salon and looked out over the deck. There was a newspaper that had been tossed up on deck, so I went out to get it. I was reading the paper and enjoying my coffee when Dewey came up carrying his coffee.

"That was an awesome show last night. Did your company really get an order for five hundred million?"

"Yep, and the kicker is the CFO mis-figured the exchange rate, and instead of less than our usual margin, the numbers reflect over six percent more than our max."

"So now you have enough to buy a boat like mine?" Dewey asked.

"It's not mine, it's the company's. We'll use the money for some expansion and probably for a ton of taxes."

"Get yourself a good accounting firm so they can direct you."

"I hired my CFO from a big accounting firm and they are still on board to double check us and audit what we do. I'll make sure they are on the ball on this one."

"So what are you going to do with your magician friend?" Dewey inquired.

"I have no clue. Sue gathers in young ladies from time to time that interest her. Her personality is a little eclectic. I often don't know what to expect."

"Well, your new friend, Mercy, seems to think she has become a trio with you two. I'm curious though, I wonder why Sue didn't go after Sheila?"

I thought for a moment and said, "I would bet it's because she really likes you and Sheila, and she feels you both have some growing to do before you can accept her very open ways. I know she thinks Sheila and you are attractive, but she also knows that a relationship like the two of you are beginning to build must be nurtured to mature. You two have been somewhat loners. I don't know what is behind Sheila's, but you've told me a lot about yourself."

Dewey nodded in agreement, "When I lost my parents and my sister, I became somewhat of a recluse. My grandparents raised me for several years, but grandma died shortly after I came to live with them. They were devastated over my dad's and sister's deaths. I think grandma just pined herself away. Granddad was a major stock holder in several companies. Dad was a CEO of a very large corporation, so he left a huge life insurance estate.

While I was in undergraduate school, my best friend was John, your pilot and guide in Alaska. When his parents were killed in an accident, Granddad and I sort of adopted him. We became brothers, loners together while we finished school. When we graduated, he wanted to make his fortune in Alaska while I didn't know what I wanted to do. John went north with some help from Granddad. I went back to school.

"I lived with Granddad and finished my Masters, but never did much. Granddad taught me finance and the market so that I could control some of the family's holdings, such as the hotels and resorts we owned. I met a girl once that I thought was going to be my future but she turned up pregnant, or at least said she was pregnant. When the family's legal counsel approached her with a pre-nuptial agreement, she went berserk yelling that why would she marry some nutcase unless she was going to get rich. It turned out she wasn't pregnant and all of that sent me into seclusion.

"I found out Granddad and I liked to sail, so we bought our first big sailboat. I found out I liked to drink because it could make me forget, so we bought a distillery. I found Friday Harbor and made friends, so I became the town drunk and the town hermit. That's my story." Dewey paused and smiled, "And I'm stickin' to it."

"Are you going to tell Sheila everything?" I asked, wondering about their personal secrets.

"I did, last night. We stayed up most of the night talking. Sheila comes from a gold rush family. Her folks have a ton of money up in Canada. She says the downsizing story was true, as she was working in one of the offices as a clerk. Since the operators didn't know who she was, she was let go because she wouldn't put out for the office manager. She says she hasn't told her dad yet, but she will now that she's over being angry."

"She says we both need a pre-nuptial agreement for our families, and she was sure she would be given her parents' blessing. We're going into the city today and get it done. I'll call in a few minutes to get it arranged. I have all of the legal names and info on the corporations, so it shouldn't take but a couple of minutes to whip up." Dewey took a breath before asking, "Do you know what I'm saying? I want to marry that girl. We agreed we would not get married for at least six months, but the way we're going, she's going to be carrying my heir by the time six months comes around."

"I've thought I was probably too old to be a new dad and I would have thought that a lady over thirty-five would be over having babies, but Sheila says she not only wants one, but demands that I make her pregnant. She's not taking anything to prevent it and has been very aggressive about how frequent we try to multiply."

"That's great, Dewey. That makes me so happy for you. You are a great guy. She's as lucky to find you, as you are lucky to find her. It's amazing, isn't it, the way people click. Who would have guessed? You damn near adopted Sue and me by doing so much for us. As you know, we could have afforded all of that. You just made it better and gave it all a glow while we were there."

"That was the idea, buddy. You know that you're the first guy buddy that I've ever had, don't you? If I'm a little protective, that's why. You and I have hit it off more than I even believe. We're having fun together, living close to each other every day, exploring, living, enjoying. Like I said, you're the first close friend I've had since grammar school, and even then I didn't really have close friends."

"I'm glad I'm your close friend, Honey," Sheila said as she came up into the salon in a satin robe carrying a coffee cup and the pot. She poured us each another cup then sat next to Dewey. "Are we really going to get those papers today? You know the pre, the pre, the ah."

"Pre-nuptials," Dewey finished.

"Right, those. Your English words can be difficult to remember."

I smiled at Sheila, "I think you're doing great. You hardly have an accent and really do speak English well."

"If I'm going to be a United States wife, I need to speak English. When we go to Canada, I will teach Dewey to speak French, but I will still be a United States wife. I want to say American wife but I am already American. The whole continent is really America."

"So do we want to apply for a visitor's visa for you, or do you think we can get away with you being a wetback for a while."

"Wetbacks are Mexicans, not Canadians. We're mountain hoppers. We sneak over the mountains to get in and sneak back over the mountains to go home."

I took the coffee pot to the galley and made another pot. I looked in on the two girls and found them kissing. Sue looked up at me waved me over. She had me lay between them again and they both began kissing me. "See?" Sue said, "We both missed you and were practicing kissing until you came in to see us so we could kiss you."

"Sue's so lucky to have your baby. I think I want one of those but I'm afraid. You two make me feel so good, but I'm still afraid it will all go poof, and you both will be gone."

"We'll only be gone when you want to be away from us. You can stay with us as much or as little as you wish. It's a big step to leave your family and the magic world you live in to move three thousand miles away. I think you'll have to think about it a while."

Mercy had tears in her eyes, "I don't have to think about it. When Steve came into the room last night, the two of you drew me to you like we were siblings or maybe it's some kind of magic bonding. I can't wait for my dad, Merlin, to feel it and tell me what it is. Would you mind meeting him today? I'm sure he's already heard what I said last night in front of an audience. Please, come see him with me."

Sue answered for us, "Of course we will, we're here for a few days so call him and find out when it's a good time to go see him."

"Oh, anytime is a good time to see him if I'm with you. I'm his daughter. I live at home with my mom and dad like many girls in their twenties today. I'm twenty-eight, but feel like I'm eighteen. I spend most days learning more from dad and other magicians."

Sue cautioned, "Well, call him anyway and tell him we're coming. Perhaps your Mom would want to know."

Mercy looked at us and smiled, "Mom already knows. We talk to each other in our minds all the time. She's the one who taught me. I've already told her I've found my place in life with you two. She's dying to meet you."

"Come on, get up, let's get this show on the road. You guys will want breakfast, so get showered and get going. Come on."

"Don't you want to come to bed and enjoy two willing young ladies for a while?" Sue asked.

"I'd love to, but Mercy and I are not going to do anything yet. We'll all know when the time is right. Come on, let's get going."

"I don't have anything to wear?" Mercy said.

"Sheila has plenty. You're about the same size, you can borrow some from her and we'll go to the marina shops and get you something," Sue said excitedly.

I went back up to the salon and almost interrupted some intimacy between Sheila and Dewey. Thank goodness they were finished and covered up. Sheila smiled at me with half closed, satisfied eyes while Dewey was just a little embarrassed to be caught with his pants down. I filled their cups and took the pot downstairs so they could straighten up.

When the girls entered the salon, Sue twitched her nose and said, "Someone was fooling around this morning."

Mercy grinned and said, "Isn't that aroma so enchanting. It just makes you want to rip your clothes off and join in."

I rolled my eyes, while Dewey and Sheila both blushed a little.

We all discussed what was happening this morning and decided to meet back at the boat about noon. Sue said she was planning to go look at something this afternoon but Dewey and Sheila didn't need to come along. She wouldn't tell us what it was, but said it was something she really wanted.

Mercy looked at her then covered her mouth with a gasp! "Are you really going to do that?"

Sue just smiled at her.

Sheila loaned Mercy some clothes so she and Sue could go to the shops for some quick clothes shopping. Sue had her wad of cash that had barely been touched, so I knew they would have enough to buy the shop, not just an outfit.

They were back in a few minutes. Mercy used my cell phone and called her driver. She told him to use the Suburban and to meet us in thirty minutes. We dressed and were ready to leave with Dewey and Sheila. We walked up to the front of the yacht club to find the big black Suburban and to get Dewey a taxi. We all left at the same time.

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 9



We drove straight west, or as straight west as was possible. We were out of the city in twenty minutes but were still in the heavily populated suburbs. At the twenty-five minute mark, we turned down a hidden lane and ended up in front of a large three-story home. On a second floor balcony stood a tall man with a wand in his hand.

"Daddy's going to try to impress you. I'm surprised he doesn't have his Merlin hat on. Just ignore him, he'll be fine. Your aura will capture him.

We three were holding hands in the foyer when a woman who obviously was Mercy's mom came in the room. She paused and looked at the three of us, went to Sue, kissed and hugged her before giving me the same treatment. She gathered her daughter into her arms and told her that she loved her.

As she let Mercy free, the tall man with the wand came into the room. With a booming voice he said, "Let's go into the living room."

As we walked into the large room, Mercy made sure she was holding my hand, as was Sue. When we stood in front of the man, I saw something in his eyes that said he was a pushover. I extracted my right hand from Mercy's and held it out, saying, "It's wonderful to meet the father of this special girl."

He did the unexpected, he grabbed me and hugged me saying, "Treat my little girl well, I feel you two will be good for her, but I will still worry. I trust you son, treat her well."

Mercy started weeping and threw her arms around her dad, "Oh, Daddy, I knew you'd feel what I felt. I know Mom does too, but I just knew you'd know, just like I did last night."

Mercy's Mom was standing next to Sue, holding Sue's hand and smiling. She said only two words, but they were strong, "All's well."

When Mercy and the man separated, he shook my hand and said, "My name is actually Merlin. My parents were magicians, so I guess they thought I would be the next coming. Please call me Merlin unless it gives you the creeps. If that's the case, call me Bob, or Joe, or whatever. This is Mercy's mother, Missy, which is short for a really weird name, Mission. Many call her Misty probably because a mist of mystery surrounds her. Come into the kitchen where we can have some coffee or Coke and chat."

When Missy looked at me, I said, "I'm at a loss. You two know so much about us by reading our minds, or at least by Mercy reading our minds and telling Missy who tells you, Merlin. Since you know everything about us, what else do you want to know?"

Missy spoke up, "Actually, we don't know that much about you. Mercy was doing her thing last night when she found you, but she has not dug into your mind because you are special to her. You have to tell us all about yourselves, but we'll know if you are not telling us the truth."

I tried to give them a short synopsis of my vacation, starting a business, meeting Sue, her business, and our mutual successes. I told them the only way to find it all out was to visit with us and talk with all our friends.

Missy said, "You're leaving so much out. There are so many things that have happened to you two that we may have to come down to Florida to find out everything about you. Do you have a big house for us to stay in?"

Sue answered, "We do have a big place, but we use a lot of it for my office. We have some extra bedrooms, so feel free to come. If it's too small for you we'll put you up in a nearby hotel."

Merlin said, in a matter of fact tone, "So you three are going to live a poly life style? Do you think you will be able to continue to enjoy each other after a few months?"

Mercy said, "I hope so, Daddy. Steve and Sue are perfect for me. Their minds are so full of love and friendship that I'm lost within it. It feels like heaven to be there with them. We spent the night together and Sue and I even tried to entice him, but Steve has not consummated our relationship yet, saying when the right time comes, we'll know it."

Missy surprised me, she came and sat on my lap. "Don't deprive my little girl of what is hers. Love her, make love to her, both of you. Make her scream with pleasure and let her magic encompass you. You two together are sending out billions of sexy vibrations that are driving me nuts. I'm going to have to drag Merlin off for a while."

Mercy spoke up, "See, I told you they were doing that to me last night and have continued to do that to me every second I'm with them. They have just captured me."

Sue laughed, "I always keep saying that Steve has conquered me."

Missy gave me an un-motherly kiss, getting up wiggling her bottom on the way up.

Merlin said to give him my cell phone number and to write down our address so he could send more of Mercy's stuff to us. He said, "I have a feeling you three will be traveling light back to Florida. Enjoy yourself and be careful. Mercy, go pack a light bag, take only one dress, but take three pairs of jeans and a couple pairs of shorts. If you need more, Steve will get them for you." As if by magic, a small bundle of hundreds appeared in his hand. "Take this so you have some mad money. You never take your pay from the club, so it is not a gift."

Missy was staring at me and I know I could hear her voice, "Take care of our baby, please take care of her."

Sue was obviously getting the same message as she smiled at Missy and nodded.

Mercy, Missy, and Sue went upstairs to gather clothes. I guess we had a new travel companion. This was kind of quick, even for Sue. But actually, this time, Mercy was the one choosing us, so it was different in that respect.

Merlin took me into his magic practice room. He showed me the many tricks he worked on to perfect them. He said some are tricks, some are illusions, and some, outright mind control and group hypnosis. He tried to show me the differences, but I had to tell him I was a simple guy that loved the thought that it wasn't a trick, but magic. He liked my approach and performed multiple tricks, one after another, until Mercy came in and snatched a live snake from his ear.

"You see, my upstart daughter plays tricks with me and on me continuously. Now where did she get that snake? It's supposed to be in the aquarium in the living room."

Mercy laughed, with Missy following. Missy sent me another message as we left, "Love her, make her a woman."

We waved at them as the Suburban took us back to the yacht club. Mercy told the driver to park the car and come eat lunch with us; he would be taking us out to the airport that afternoon. Okay, I wondered if we were leaving.

Dewey and Sheila were back, with her sporting a nice engagement ring. It wasn't big, but it was nice, nearly the size of Sue's, good choice. The driver's name was Brent and he met us at the restaurant where we had soup and big roast beef sandwiches, complete with jalapenos, lettuce, and tomato.

After lunch, Sue said she wanted to go out to the local small aircraft airport to see what kind of airplane she wanted to buy. The only thing she had ever flown was a Cessna, but she wanted to try an air coupe. "I know those things are expensive, but I fly and so does Steve, so we need an airplane. I think a four passenger would be okay, but I might look at something larger. Perhaps I'll just get two, a little one and a larger one. Not like Dewey's, but something like a turbo six or eight place. I'm sure they fly about the same as a little one, just faster, and with more people. Oh, Dewey, can we rent your plane, or is Florida too far away?"

Dewey said, "Most of the companies that use it are from the west coast, but Florida isn't that far. We would just ferry it down to you and fly you wherever you wanted to go. You might even want to buy one like mine and rent it out like I do. There are lots of companies down there who use rental airplanes.

Sue said, "I don't know about that, but I wish John were here, he knows so much about airplanes. Since he isn't doing anything, I might have him fly down to help me pick one out. Right now I want to go out and see some for myself."

All of us rode out to the airport in the Suburban. There were three companies that were selling airplanes. When we walked into the first place, Mercy became uncomfortable and told Sue that we should leave. She said that there was something wrong that gave her the creeps.

The second place was a true Mom and Pop. They had mostly older Cessnas, a couple of Mooneys, one ancient Beechcraft, and a couple of Pipers. All looked well kept, but none tweaked Sue.

The last place was all business. A man tried to describe all the aircraft he had, but Sue finally said, "I'm a girl, I need to shop. If I can't touch and feel something, I'll never buy it."

We got up and wandered over to the huge hangar. The aircraft were grouped by manufacturer. First we looked at Cessna. There was a nice late model 172/175 that Sue liked. Next we looked at the turbo Cessna and Sue fell in love with a 208. We had jumped multiple price brackets all at once and were told that Sue would need some special instruction to fly it. We looked at some Mooney aircraft, and a couple of the popular Beechcraft A36s. I liked the Beech, but I had heard that some of them were difficult to fly. We wandered back over to the newer 172 and Sue asked the man if she could fly it. She understood that she would have to pay regular rental rates, but she would have to fly it before she bought it.

Mercy climbed up into the airplane and sat in the back seat with her eyes closed. She sat there a long time until a smile came over her face finally. She looked comfortable sitting there so I didn't say anything. An attendant pushed the plane out of the hangar and Sue began a detailed preflight. The engine cover was snagging and the attendant said, "Ah, the oil is fine, you don't have to check it."

Sue said, "I wonder when the last time it was checked if everyone who flies this thing says the same thing."

The attendant looked embarrassed and discovered an extra pin that someone had installed on the cover. It must have rattled in the wind, that's why the extra pin. Sue checked the oil and it was marginal, so the attendant went for a quart. Sue read the engine meter and checked the sheet that she had been using that described the aircraft. She pointed to the hour meter then the sheet, saying that was an expensive mistake.

When the aircraft was all buttoned up the salesman got into the left seat leaving Sue to be a passenger instead of the pilot. She told the man that there was only an hour and a half time in the tanks and he said the gauge must be off but said they would only be up for fifteen minutes.

He started the plane and instantly began to taxi. I could see that Sue made him stop and go through the normal pre-flight warm up and run-up, and last to let him radio before taking off. Mercy was in the back seat, smiling the whole time.

They took off, circled the field and came straight in for a landing. When they landed Sue asked him to taxi the plane over by the office. The guy thought he had a sure sale. They didn't know hard-nosed Sue very well. They got out and the guy didn't even try to assist Sue or Mercy out. I ran over and helped both to step down.

When we all entered the office the man headed toward an office waving at Sue to follow. Instead Sue walked down the hallway and through the door marked President. She knocked on the doorjamb as she went through. We stayed in the hallway to hear what she would say.

Sue began with, "You don't sell many airplanes lately, do you."

"What do you mean?"

"With rude, inconsiderate, salesmen, you're not going to sell me one, that's for sure. First your ground man tried to talk me into passing on checking the oil because the engine cover has been modified. Once we got it opened, the oil was almost two quarts low. Then the gentleman, and I use that term loosely, didn't want to give me the chance to fly a plane I wanted to buy. He just told me to sit in the right seat so he could fly the pattern and land. He didn't even give me a chance to touch the controls. Third, I should report you to the FAA because you are responsible for false advertising. This brochure says less than a hundred hours since major overhaul and the total time is supposed to be 1,016 hours. The plane would be very desirable at that, but I saw the hour meter, it showed 2,128 hours. So the plane is more than a hundred hours overdue for the thousand hour major overhaul inspection. Um, could I see the log book for the plane?"

The guy was sputtering. You could see his face go completely red. He stood up and said, "Let me see that brochure." He went out to the front office and pulled a logbook from the shelf and looked at it. We walked out to the airplane, where he struggled with the engine cover till Sue showed him the extra pin that had been installed. She even told him that the cover was probably rattling and that the modification was a good one. With the cover up he checked the meter with the logbook and his red face drained in color. He checked the meter in the cockpit maintaining his red face.

He went to the airframe I.D. tag and checked the numbers. He was nodding his head. He came back to Sue and said, "You're right so far. If we were to make this better would you want to buy the plane?"

"If you can resolve the log book, we'll talk."

He asked us to wait for him and he went in and you could hear yelling. Someone had been using the plane extensively and not logging the use. That was against the law. I don't know how much trouble you can get into, but the guy was stealing time from the plane, therefore stealing from his employer.

The salesman came out and checked the hour meter, snorted and went back in. One of the ground attendants came roaring up in a motorized cart and went in. There was more yelling and then the attendant came out with the logbook and checked the airframe number and the cockpit serial number. He checked the time meter. He could only exclaim, "Whew."

He looked at Sue and said, "You know airplanes, don't cha, Sweetie? I've always told that asshole he was going to get caught using airplanes. Oh, I heard what he told you about what you had to do with the 208, that's not true. If you don't have an instrument ticket, you can't file IFR, that's all. If you're checked out in the bird, you can fly it. You want me to check you out?"

Sue smiled and said, "That would be great, I want to fly the plane, though, to make sure it feels good. Can I, or am I just going to be a passenger?"

"Left seat and all, Honey. I'll go get the logbook and we'll take it up for a spin."

Sue looked around and said, "That's the way it's supposed to be done."

Sue and Mercy went back to the hangar and watched as a couple of attendants jockeyed planes around to roll the 208 out. Sue checked for water in the fuel like the checklist stated, followed by going to each of the spots listed on the checklist. She was down to one of the entries and had to ask about it. The attendant/ mechanic turned salesman showed her what was meant by the turbo receiver inspection. He showed her how the prop on some of the turbos had variable pitch, this one was variable.

Mercy had already climbed in the back seat and was buckled in when Sue and the mechanic climbed up. The mechanic went through the in-cabin check list with Sue and had her do the start procedure. I could see them checking gauges and commenting. He directed Sue to adjust the radio frequency and had her advance the throttle to taxi away from the hangar toward the active runway.

I watched as the plane went to the end of the runway and was given clearance, then rolled onto the runway and ran up the engine. The plane literally leaped forward, lifting off a quarter way down the runway. I watched as the aircraft climbed, knowing some of this was really new to Sue.

They were gone for nearly a half-hour when the guy from the big office came out and told us to watch how she landed. She gently touched down the main wheels and almost immediately brought the nose wheel down gently, making it appear she landed with all three wheels touching down at once. I had thought she would touch with the main wheels then drop the nose but she executed a near perfect three-point landing.

They taxied up to the office area and were busy inside the cockpit for a couple of minutes then got out. Mercy was smiling happily as she took off a set of headphones before getting out.

As the mechanic and Sue went over the airplane, looking at the tires, the finish, the underside of the wings and everything about the airplane, Sue was asking good questions and getting good answers. She did know airplanes better than I did. When she was done, she stood back looked at it and came over to me to hold my arm. Mercy came over and held my other one. Sue nodded her head to the mechanic and said, "I'll take it. I'll need you to enter my check ride and sign my logbook for me. I want the equivalent of an annual done on the whole plane. Make sure it is perfect, as I'm going to fly it back to Florida in a couple of days. Before we go, Steve and I are coming back out to fly it for a couple of hours and do some practice landings. Do you have an FAA office out here?"

He pointed and Sue took me over to it and had them check out my name and social security number. She had them make up a makeup logbook for me from my old records and list what I would need to get my license back. They wanted me to do thirty hours total, ten instructor hours and twenty solo. Sue took me back over to the sales place and asked the owner if he could do a quick annual and a thousand hour on the 172. The mechanic said to consider it done and it would be complete by morning and the logbook up to date with accurate entries. He said he had figured the salesman was screwing up and had kept track of where he was and what he was doing.

Sue told them that I needed to get my license back, as I would need to be able to fly the new plane as well. Sue said she would rent the little plane wet or dry, or lease it, however they wanted. The owner said that since it was his plane, that if she paid for the gas, she could use it as much as she wanted. Sue asked for an instructor pilot that had time to spend some long days with me and the guy said, "I have just the man, my dad. He lives to fly and will fly till your husband's wheels fall off."

We made arrangement to meet them at the field at eight in the morning. Sue said she would send me with plenty of sandwiches and coffee. This was going to be like work, flying ten hours a day.

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 10



Sue called Ben and told him to put a pretty good chunk of money in her personal checking account, not telling him what she was going to do with it. I told her we could probably pay for the plane with the cash we had, but she said we should save that; she had some ideas that she wanted to use the money for.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing on the boat, with Dewey taking care of business in his office while the girls sunbathed on the deck. We ate supper on the boat, fixing a very nice meatloaf with mashed potatoes, green beans, and gravy, good down home cooking. Mercy said it was nice not to have to work that night as she was used to working in the show seven nights a week. She did do several little tricks to entertain us. I told her our friends on the patio would love her exhibitions. She told us not to talk to anyone about her ability to read minds. She said it was valuable to generally have that knowledge concealed. People who might have heard of her stage act would assume that it was a trick; letting the real facts out would bring more attention than she wanted.

The next three days, I flew from around eight in the morning to after six at night. I did so many touch and go landings in the area that every local tower knew my numbers. By the time I had thirty hours in the plane, I was beginning to think I should keep it for myself. We really didn't need two planes, and besides, how would I get it back to Florida?

The fourth morning I showed up, the owner's dad showed up too and took me to the FAA office and signed off. They did about the same things that had been done up in Alaska. They handed me my license with my tail dragger endorsement because I had spent so much time in older aircraft. Now I needed some instrument instruction. Sue had me use the older instructor to check me out in the 208. We did the preflight and all the little things that are required before you fire up the engine. When we were ready to get in the plane, I saw Mercy in the back seat, smiling. She said she loved to fly and maybe I would take her up in the 172 now that I had my license.

The plane was powerful and easy to taxi. The brakes were a little touchy, but then this was a heavier plane. The instructor was constantly showing me features and telling me what to do if this or that should happen. We were cleared to the active runway. We did the run-up and released the brakes for the take off. I was amazed at the speed at which we accelerated. The plane seemed ready to lift off long before the airspeed indicator said to go. I lifted off to climb-out to our assigned forty-five hundred feet very fast. We headed east toward the mountains, as I wanted to feel the thermals and the winds crossing at higher altitudes. We went through a pass at nine thousand feet, and when we were clear over the foothills, I banked around and went back the other way. The updrafts did buffet the plane a little, but not bad. I kept the plane at sixty five percent power going about a hundred sixty knots, which is way above one hundred eighty five miles an hour. We must have had a heavy tail wind; with that power setting we normally wouldn't have been going quite that fast. I was surprised how quiet the cabin was and commented about it. The instructor said that the 208 had some other models that were even quieter.

I did two touch and go landings at airports I had not been to yet before heading back to our airport at the assigned four thousand feet. It was easy to navigate using the fancy Garmin GPS on-board system. I was more accustomed to compasses, magnetic and gyro, but the GPS was great.

I didn't do the classic three-point that Sue did, but did set it down gently dropping to settle the nose gear slowly, getting the feel of it so I wouldn't over-steer. I pulled the plane up to the refueling pit and got out and chocked the plane. An attendant said he would refuel and go over the plane, wash, and wax it.

As we walked over, I noticed the 172 I had been using was sitting in front of the office. Mercy and I went in and I asked the owner if I could rent it for a couple of hours and he said to be his guest. He said the plane was just fueled up and was ready to fly.

Mercy came out with me and immediately climbed into the right seat while I did the pre-flight. I did a by-the-book inspection, noting that this plane had a shorter pre-flight checklist than the 208. When we were ready to go, I wrote the beginning hours from the meter into my book and noted them in the airplane's logbook.

We were cleared to the active runway and I took off the way I had been taught in a light plane. Once in the air we were cleared to forty-five hundred feet again, and I suggested we see how this plane acted over the mountains. Mercy said she was game, so we flew toward the mountains. It took a lot longer at only a hundred twenty miles an hour, but we flew through the same pass, turned around, and flew back. We didn't do any of the touch and go landings as we flew directly back to the airport. Mercy said the little plane was fun; she felt like we were really flying it, rather than the airplane flying us.

We landed and taxied up to the office. I filled out the books before we went into the office. I found the owner and asked him how much he would take for the plane. He replied, "I can't take anything for it, I sold it." I apologized to him for running up the hours. He said not to worry, that the customer understood. I sadly looked at the plane, as I let Mercy call her driver to come pick us up. I had told her we could take a cab, but she said the driver was better.

When he arrived, Sue was with him. She got out and went over to the 172, checked the book and came back carrying it. She pointed to my entry and said, "You did good, you made the log entry correctly. I already know you did it in the 208. You're quite the pilot now. How did you like the 172, Mercy?"

"It was great. The plane is noisy and I bet it gets hot, but it was fun. It was like we were flying it and not the plane flying us."

Sue said, "I know what you mean. Did you notice the difference in speed?"

"It took us a lot longer to go to the mountains and back in the 172, that's for sure, but we did have a good flight."

Sue handed the airplane's logbook to Mercy and told her to show me the plane's owner.

Under registered owner it said, "Steve Sharp."

"You bought the plane?"

"No, you bought the plane. I robbed you of some of your cash and made a deal."

"How is it getting back to Florida?"

Sue smiled, "If you don't want to fly it back, we'll have it ferried. I really would rather have us fly together. They'll ferry it back for very little and check out our ground people on the 208 while they are at it."

"Sounds good to me, but I don't know what we need two planes for," I said.

"Easy, sometimes we'll want to fly a short distance or just fly for the fun of it," Sue was smiling. "That's what the 172 is for. If we want to go to the races or somewhere quick, the 208 will get us there almost twice as fast. Now we both have to get our instrument ratings."

We made arrangements for the 172 to be ferried back to Florida. The owner was very cordial and thanked Sue for slapping him around enough for him to find out he was being taken advantage of. He said the mechanic had already sold three planes besides ours since he started doing that job too.

The three of us rode back to the boat to prepare for our departure for Florida.

Dewey and Sheila were being moony-eyed with each other, considering they had made all of the arrangements to get married, although they were not planning on tying the knot for a while. I asked Dewey if he didn't think we should go back up the coast with him so he would feel safer, instead of doing it by himself? He commented that he wasn't by himself; Sheila was with him, and he had experience sailing by himself. A hundred foot boat is a lot to handle solo.

He finally consented to possibly hiring a college kid to ride with him back up the coast, just so he had someone to help with the anchors and such.

For our last night on vacation with Dewey and Sheila, we decided to eat at the yacht club. All except Sue had martinis before dinner, wine with dinner, and scotches after dinner. Sweet Mercy was an experienced drinker and could hold her liquor. Sue teased her that she was going to be popular among our friends back home because she could drink with the best of them.

Dewey and I spent some time out on the deck talking. Mostly it was me telling him how much fun I'd had with him over the last few weeks. Ever since we met him at Friday Harbor, he had influenced our vacation. He had made it memorable and fun. He helped Sue realize a dream, getting her pilot's license back, helped me get a captain's license, and tolerated my early coming and going while I was getting my pilot's license. The trip had been great.

We talked about Sheila and him coming down to visit. He said that Sue could fly up and get them; she would need the time in her new toy. I told him either one or both of us would come and get him anytime. When they got tired of rainy days, they should come for a winter visit to enjoy our crew in the mornings and evenings. I did tell him that we didn't live very high on the hog down in Florida. We were a little backwoodsy and a lot of Bubba. He looked at me funny and I told him he would see for himself when he came.

He wished me luck with my extra female, but I told him not to worry about it, as Sue seemed to enjoy having an extra lady around. He punched me on the shoulder saying, "Yeah right, Sue enjoys the extra lady, you don't care one way or the other, right? Sure guy, tell me another one." I just shrugged my shoulders. We shook hands, then did the non-masculine thing and hugged, knowing we had a lifetime kinship.

We all went to bed with our own personal misgivings. I was anxious about going back. Sue was anxious about flying her new plane back to Florida and Mercy was anxious about leaving home for the first time.

We three lay in bed, not sleeping for a good while. I got up to make myself a scotch up in the salon, wearing only a pair of shorts. A few minutes later Mercy showed up, wearing a loose satin robe and wanted something that would knock her out. Then Sue came up, wearing one of her invisible robes, saying she wanted a beer or a small glass of wine to help her go to sleep. We all sat together with me hugging the two ladies to me. Sue kissed me, next Mercy put a heavy lip lock on me, and kissed Sue equally. The next thing you know, robes were loose, and my shorts were torn away, only to be found in the morning. We finally made it back down to bed, having convinced each other that going back to Florida was the right thing to do.

Sue actually woke me first, giving me some non-denture pleasure. The activity woke Mercy, who complained that Sue had an advantage. I began laughing so hard at the tone of the argument, that we forgot all about the activity we had been involved in and just got up. I made coffee and took a quick shower while the girls were still arguing over, or at least intimately discussing, Sue's advantage. I went up to the salon and recovered my shorts, and brought them downstairs to be packed with our meager clothes supply.

By the time Dewey and Sheila woke, we were almost done making a big breakfast. I had made biscuits and pancakes, along with bacon, sausage, and milk gravy, and was just waiting to get egg orders so I could top the breakfast off. Mercy called her driver and told him to hurry as there was a giant country breakfast waiting for him.

The driver didn't arrive alone. Merlin and Missy showed up with him. They joined us, and it was a good thing, as I had made far too much food for just five of us. There were still leftovers after feeding eight. Missy had been mentally communicating with her daughter and knew we were flying back on our own. Merlin was wary, but Mercy assured him that she had communicated with both of the planes we had purchased and knew them to be dependable. She said Sue was a great pilot and she felt very safe with her.

After loading our bags, we all piled into the Suburban and rode out to the airport. The 208 was sitting next to the office, with the doors open, waiting for our arrival. The 172 was already on its way and we would probably pass it later today. Our in-flight time would be about fourteen to sixteen hours, so we were planning to take turns flying nine or ten hours today and finish tomorrow. The weather looked good all the way through. Luckily, the summer thunderstorms had let up and shouldn't be a problem for a couple of days.

The owner and the mechanic that Sue had made friends with assured us that both planes were perfect and we would enjoy or trip home. We were planning on stopping somewhere in Alabama or Mississippi for the night but we would call later if they wanted. Both Dewey and Merlin wanted.

Mercy hugged and kissed her parents, climbed into the back seat, and put on her headphones. Sue sat in the left seat while I did the pre-flight. We communicated each item while she called them out in order. Once done, I climbed in and shut and locked the stairway door. As soon as I sat, Sue began the starting procedure; she had done the cockpit preflight while I was doing the external. Sue called the tower and got a current altimeter setting while the engine was warming. We gave a final wave and taxied out, having been granted access to the active runway. Sue ran the engine up, released the brakes, and we were rolling. The plane lifted off easily, and Sue guided us toward the mountains and the pass I had flown through twice.

The three of us chatted using the headphones. After a few hours Sue said she was going to need a bathroom so we began looking for airports that we could land at and refuel. We were near Goldfield, Nevada so we stopped there for fuel and a quick potty break. Once again a couple of hours later we needed a rest stop. A couple of fields we called were not answering, and we didn't want an unattended site. We settled on one in southwestern Colorado that told us we were welcome and to come on down.

Sue set the plane down and we were granted a spot right in front of the operations building in Cortez, Colorado. Sue wiggled out of the left seat while Mercy opened the door. Sue and Mercy made a dash for the bathroom. I taxied the plane over to the fuel pumps and proceeded to top off our fuel. I was surprised that the turbo was as efficient as it was. Usually faster planes burn more fuel. This one could hold a lot of fuel, but it didn't consume as much as you would think. After refueling, I taxied back over to the operations building, shut down, got out, and grabbed some chocks, not worrying about tie downs for the little time we were going to be on the ground as there was no wind.

I went to the bathroom and came out to find the two girls surrounded by admirers. Sue was wearing a fairly conservative top, but any top on Sue is not conservative at all. Mercy was wearing a tease top, even though her top was only a full B on her slim frame. The idea of these two flying around the country in a 208 was getting their admirer's juices up. When the girls spotted me they both squealed, "There's our husband now," and ran to me. I was given some really dirty looks, but even more "You lucky dog" looks.

We bought a couple of bottles of water and climbed into the plane after doing the through-flight. By the time I had the door closed and locked, Mercy was buckled up, and Sue had the engine going. I strapped in and we were granted permission to taxi out to the active runway. We took off smoothly heading east. About two hours later, we stopped in northeastern New Mexico, took a potty break, refueled, and ate. We headed east again, getting to Lawton, Oklahoma before nature required another pit stop.

We made it all the way to northwestern Monroe, Louisanabefore we had to either stop or soil the seats. We thought we could possibly make the panhandle of Florida, maybe Panama City, for the night. If we made it to Panama City, we might just stay over a day and enjoy the beaches.

That was incentive for us to fly through to Panama City. Since we had been losing time all the way across the country we had flown thirteen hours, but because of the time zones, we were now fourteen hours different from when we left. Mercy called her Mom, as her Dad was at the restaurant. I called Dewey and told him we might hole up in Panama City a day. He said he couldn't believe we had flown so far in a day in the small plane. I reminded him that the turbo could really go fast so we made some good time, plus we had a strong tail wind all day.

The airport at Panama City was a quiet place with lots of personal jets and small aircraft. Airline feeder flights occasionally passed through, but most of the traffic was light aircraft. We refueled and taxied to the assigned tie down point. We had the plane secured and our bags at the operations building in minutes. I rented a car and we drove out the causeway to the inter-coastal to go to the nicer beaches and resorts. We found a nice resort on the beach and registered. The weather was balmy and warm. The girls wanted to hurry and eat; they had eaten only sandwiches since breakfast.

We ate a light supper because of the hour, went to our room, put on swimsuits, and went out on the beach. We splashed in the gulf for a half hour then went up to the hotel and rinsed off under the outdoor showers. I checked the hot tub or in this case, a Jacuzzi. The water wasn't hot so we got in and relaxed. Sue was telling Mercy that she may have to watch herself the first time we went to the hot tub at the park because most of the people in our group considered the hot tub as a free-for-all and everything-goes area. Mercy said she was sure she would be fine. She would just follow our lead.

We went back and decided to order one of the biggest steaks they had and split it three ways. We did that and split a bottle of wine between Mercy and me. Bedtime was fun, as Sue wanted me to take care of my marital responsibilities, then insisted I take care of our new wife, as she called Mercy. Sue wanted more after watching Mercy and me. Luckily, I was up for all of this late night fun.

We slept soundly until my West Coast six o'clock body alarm went off. This made it nine in Florida, but it was still early for the West Coast. I woke the girls and asked them if they were hungry. Sue was hungry of course, but Mercy said she would rather sleep as she was used to sleeping late. I roused them both, saying they needed to begin getting used to east coast time; a work week would begin soon.

Sue asked me what day it was. I said it was probably Thursday or Friday. I called down to the desk and they told me it was Thursday. I made coffee in the mini coffee maker in the room but ordered a full pot with three orders of bacon and eggs with toast and jelly for the girls and me. The people were surprisingly quick. I gave the bellhop a nice tip and he smiled while viewing the two ladies in my bed.

The girls decided they wanted food, so they were in and out of the bathroom quickly, and ate breakfast in the buff. The display had me thinking of eating something other than breakfast. I asked Sue if she wanted to stay the day, to travel home in the morning, and she said yes. She wanted to sunbathe and play in the gulf before showing up on Friday. At least she wouldn't need to go to in to work until Monday.

We played all day, enjoying the hot sun, the warm gulf water, and even an afternoon rain shower. I watched the TV weather channel multiple times and it looked like the morning would be the best time to fly home. We had to decide where we were going to keep our planes.

While we were sunbathing in the late afternoon, I asked Sue where she thought would be a good place to keep the airplanes. I should have known she had not only thought of it, but had made the arrangements.

Sue said, "There is the Tampa Aero Park in Lutz just north of our park. It's probably less than ten minutes from the house. They have hangar space right now, so we can keep both planes inside. The big reason for staying there is that they are an authorized Cessna flight center. That means they have schools for the instrument rating we both need plus they are a Cessna maintenance center. That is probably the best place for us right now. There are a couple of other little airports near us that we could check out, but for right now, we'll use the Tampa Aero Park."

Mercy seemed to be getting nervous about meeting our friends. Sue and I both assured her that she had nothing to worry about, except that a couple of our friends, including most of the females at home, would be trying to get her in the sack immediately. She asked if they were all built like Sue.

I laughed. No one is built like Sue. We have a few girls that are barely A cups, some B's, and others from C to DD. Sue was laughing too when I told Mercy that one of my girlfriends when I had first come to town is nicknamed 'Double D'. Nope, no one is built like Sue.

I leaned over Sue, copping a feel of one of her monsters and motioned for Mercy to join me. "These things are two-handed toys. Fun to play with, don't you think?"

Mercy was blushing, "I just love to touch and hold them. I'm worse than guys, because I just love to suck on these huge nipples."

The conversation was getting to Sue. "Okay you guys, cut it out unless you want to spend the rest of the afternoon in the room."

Mercy and I gave Sue a kiss and laid back down to toast in the sun a little longer.

While we were lying there, my cell phone rang. When I answered it, the pilot ferrying the 172 said that he had landed and had turned the airplane over to the Aero Park mechanic to check over. He said the flight was perfect and he'd had no trouble. He said that the Aero Park had advised him that the instrument equipment would be completed Saturday. I thanked him and told him to enjoy his commercial ride home. He said that flying commercial was always scary to him; he wasn't in control and those big planes didn't glide worth a hoot.

We were nearing our maximum sun exposure time. Sue commented that Mercy was tanning up nicely, faster than she had anticipated, since she had been so pale. Mercy said if you sleep all day and work in a nightclub all night you hardly ever get out in the sun. She said she was enjoying getting sun and would like to start doing some form of exercising. Sue and I told her she would fit right in as we went a gym most days, plus we walked and swam most evenings. Sue told Mercy that she was going to be responsible for making sure we both kept to our exercising; both of our injuries required it.

Sue decided that she and Mercy should go to the Mall on the mainland to load up on Florida clothes for Mercy. She said Mercy would also need some jeans and T-shirts for riding.

Wow, riding. That would require some thought. I used my cell and called the Tampa Harley dealer and asked for Jim. He was surprised to hear from me. I told him that we should probably be home tomorrow, but I had a request. Did his dealership have any sidecars or did he know of any used sidecars that would fit the FLH. It didn't take him a second to reply. "Funny you should ask about a sidecar that would match your bike. A guy just nearly gave us his used sidecar, as he had sold his bike and the buyer didn't want the side car."

I asked him, "How about getting the FLH and installing the sidecar for me? You know I'm good for the money. Can you do that?"

"Sure, I'll call Hanna and tell her to ride your FLH in right now. We'll install it and she can ride it home. Plenty of time to get it done. What time are you guys coming in? I'm sure a couple of dozen people will want to meet you."

"We'll see everyone at home after work tomorrow. Spread the word and we'll have a party. I'll call Glenda and see if she and Martin are ready for one."

"You know you guys have been gone damn near a month. Without you two around, the place is not as exciting. But we have picked up a couple of more bikers that have moved into the park. They are two great couples and you'll love them. They make nice additions to our crew."

Sue and Mercy had taken off, so they didn't hear that conversation. While they were gone I called Glenda. You would have thought her long lost son had called, she was so excited to hear from me. When I told her that we were coming home tomorrow she became really excited and wanted to meet us at the airport. I told her that we didn't need to be met and would be in during the day. We talked about having a big party and she said she would arrange it.

"You know, Steve, the patio may be too hot to enjoy much longer during the summer. With every day ninety degrees and the humidity way up there, even with all the fans it isn't very comfortable out there right now, especially in the evening."

"Let me do something about that, Glenda. I have an idea, and someone else said they had an idea, so let me work on it. Can you organize and order everything for tomorrow afternoon? We are bringing a new friend with us that we want everyone to meet."

"I'm not surprised about you two bringing someone. Sue is just terrible about picking up stray little girls and adopting them or whatever she does with them. Since you two have been together you are hardly ever without company at night."

"Oh Glenda, we're not that bad. Sue does seem to gather in other girls though. See you tomorrow."

The cell number of the contractor that had done the work on the patio and all my shop work was in my cell phone, so I gave him a call.

As soon as I identified myself, he said, "Where the hell have you been, Steve? I've missed you. You haven't built anything for a month. I was worried you had gone out of business."

"I've been on a real vacation and have had a great time. We'll tell you all about it at the party we're going to have tomorrow night. However, I was told the patio is too hot to enjoy any longer for the summer. You had said something about an idea to cool the place, and I have an idea too. Tell me your idea first."

The contractor explained, "The easiest way is to enclose the patio with tinted glass and install a big air conditioner."

I didn't really want to close the place up. "That would be okay but a lot our friends smoke and the place would be worse than a bar. We would have to scrub the windows and ceiling every day. What do you think about one or two big units that we could set out by the storage building but put the condensers on the roof of the patio? We could even enclose them. You built the patio roof for hurricane winds so a little enclosure up there would be fine. You could pipe the air to vents around the patio, with most of them nearer the house than on the outer edge. Say six vents by the house and six vents halfway out. With the fans going, the place should stay cool on the hottest day. You know what I mean, something like Frenchy's over in Clearwater has. That place is wide open but they keep it pretty cool."

"That's a good idea, and it would be easy to do quickly. I like it."

"That's the other thing, can you do it tomorrow morning so it is cool for our party tomorrow night?"

"Why did I know you were going to ask me that? I think I can get it done. Let me call the air conditioning distributor and find the best unit or units and get started. Do I have a budget?"

"Budget? When I ask you to do something, have I ever tweaked you? Just do it, I'll pay you tomorrow night."

"It will be done. Come home and build something. I'm not humping like I was."

I called the shop to talk to Debbie. A new voice answered the phone and asked who was calling. When I said "Steve Sharp", she didn't hesitate and directed the call to Debbie. She was really excited that I had called and was coming home. I told her that we would be home tomorrow and that we would have a great party tomorrow evening so we could tell everyone about our trip. She said she was glad I was coming back as there were a lot of customers that would talk only to me. She said there had been a bunch of small changes done for the better of the company and that I would like them.

"Would one of them be a receptionist to answer the phone?" I asked.

"It sure would. The girl has a nice voice. You'll love her; she is sweet as can be. She is at a desk outside our office so she can greet people who come in as well. She has a little trouble with that part, but she is doing great on the phone. Anyway, we'll all be happy that you and Sue are home."

"Actually, I just called you to make sure there weren't any big problems."

"Nope, the joint is cooking along. Every time someone wants to do something, about ten of us get together and come up with the best way to do it. We follow your lead, what would be the aggressive way to handle it, and how we can do it to make a buck. See Steve, you've taught us well."

"Okay then, if Tiny is there, transfer me up to him."

"Tiny's at some kind of Chamber of Commerce function with Phil. They are working on some kind of charity event. Is there anyone else you want to talk to?"

"Send me to Ruth then, and I'll let the rest of you rest in peace."

"Steve, I'm glad to hear from you, when are you coming home?" Ruth asked.

"We'll be back tomorrow. You don't have to worry about picking us up. We have that covered. I've called Glenda and she is putting together food and stuff for a party tomorrow evening. Call her and ask her if she needs the caterer's number or if there is anything you can do for her."

Ruth sounded a little down, "I'll do that, Steve, but it's getting really uncomfortable on the patio in the afternoon and evening. Coffee time is great but later anything outside is sticky and uncomfortable. I'm sure we can suffer one evening for your welcome home."

"Not to worry, Blondie, I've made arrangements to have the place cool by tomorrow night. You know, you guys could have rented a couple of those portable air conditioning units they have at the theme parks, the kind football players use. That would have worked too."

Ruth said, "Damn, that's why you need to be here. You always come up with a way to fix something. It will be great to have our evening gathering place back."

"Make sure you tell everyone, and that's everyone in the company, that they are welcome to come out for a party. You know what? Call Taylor rental and have them to put up one of their big tents and to put plenty of tables and chairs under it and to put four to six of those portable outdoor AC units under it to keep it cool. If we're going to have a big party, let's have a BIG party. Tell Glenda that I said to have the caterer set up a second bar and have the beer distributor bring out another keg. Tell your in-laws that they are welcome and to invite any of our neighbors that might want to come. Let's have a party."

"Okay, boss. Let me get started on this. You're not giving a girl much time to get this done. See you tomorrow."

I guessed that I had stirred up enough trouble in one short period of time. I saw that it was coming up on three in the afternoon. They didn't have much time to get everything done. That's okay, the best parties are spontaneous ones anyway.

I was dozing on the bed when the girls came in about six. They both lay down on me making me the meat in a sandwich. Mercy spoke up, "You've been a busy boy. You're mind waves have been bouncing all over the place. There is something about air conditioning and a party, plus what are you doing with a motorcycle? Want to tell us about it?"

Sue said, "I'll bet he's planning a big party for tomorrow night. And I'll bet the patio is starting to get really hot in the afternoon so you can bet Steve has figured out how to fix that. As far as the motorcycle, he's probably dying to take a ride. Me too. I just love to ride."

"I've never rode on a motorcycle before. It looks so dangerous," Mercy said in a shaky voice.

"Steve is a careful rider. I was apprehensive at first too because of my accident. But with Steve, it is really fun. You can bar-hop around town and across the bay while feeling the wind in your face. It really is fun."

I said then, "There will be a surprise as far as the motorcycle is concerned. You never know, Mercy, you might like to ride, especially after you meet Shawna, Hanna, Debbie, and our two dykes on bikes."

Sue scoffed, "Oh, you know those two aren't dykes. Sandy and Bob make such a cute couple. Mercy, Bob is deaf and mute, so when you talk to him you have to look him in the eye so he can read your lips. A lot of us sign, so it's easy for us to talk to him. Mandy's friend is a military vet with only one leg. He has a fake leg but gets around really well. Sue finished with, "You'll like those girls a lot."

Mercy was looking at Sue and me, propped up on her elbow with head in her hand. "You two have so many friends. I can't wait to be a part of all of it. I don't know how we'll all fit together, but I feel one second like I'm Sue's sister, then Steve's, then I feel like Sue and I are lesbian partners, then I feel like I'm Steve's wife. All these emotions keep running around inside me and I want all of them. The one thing I do know is that coming with you two was the right thing to do."

Sue dragged Mercy across the top of me to give her a kiss. "I know we just captured you and carried you off, but I'm very happy we did. You were inside our head from the beginning. I can hear your thoughts most times and I can hear Steve's too when you give me that path. It's so strange to have you inside my head."

"I'm glad you like my gift," Mercy said with her head on my chest. "When I was a little girl it scared me to hear someone else's thoughts. My Mom has this gift as well and we can feel each other whenever we are apart. Like right now, my Mom is making spaghetti to take to the restaurant for Dad. She likes to cook for him. She's also going to be doing some of the show like I used to do. See, we talk. She was embarrassed when we were all making love. She loved it when Steve made love to me, but feels strange whenever Sue and I play."

Mercy rolled to her back looking at the ceiling, "You know I never ever thought about girls until Sue. When I was in her head the first time, I got wet between the legs. That's why I switched to Steve as soon as he came in. That was a mistake, because he was radiating whatever it is about him so much, I started dripping right there on stage. I was so fascinated that I wanted you physically right then."

Mercy climbed up on me and straddled my waist. "Just like I want you right now. Make love to me. Make love to me and Mom at the same time. She'll enjoy you with me."

Those were sexy thoughts. For the next hour, the three of us demonstrated our physical desire for each other. Sated, we were in the shower when Sue's stomach began growling.

"You two have me so hungry, I want something to eat other than you two. Let's hurry and get supper."

We went to a nice restaurant nearby. Mercy found it different, that people in Florida can go to the fanciest restaurant in shorts and T-shirt for men and shorts and a halter for women. No one thinks a thing about half a group in shorts and the other half in suits. Florida is just more laid back than most areas.

Tonight we all had baked grouper with a rice pilaf mixed with peas, corn, and carrots. The food was great. I love fresh fish. We stopped in a lounge that had a piano bar where Mercy and I had a couple of drinks, while Sue sampled some virgin drinks the bartender was having fun making for her. When it was near eleven east coast time we went back to the resort and snuggled in bed with the door to the balcony open. The temperature was down to seventy-four, and it was humid, but comfortable sleeping with the fresh sea breeze.

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 11



Friday, July 2, 1999

My mind was getting back to East coast time as I woke at seven. The girls were each lying against me with a head on a shoulder. Sue had a firm grip on my morning ego, while a small hand was cupping my balls. My mind began to work as it did this time of day.

"How lucky can a guy be? Sue is so loving. She's going to be a mom. I'm going to be a dad. She's brought this strange, loving, creature into our home and heart. I don't need another woman around. Maybe Sue does. But Mercy is a love. She's so cute one second, then beautiful the next. She's not built like Sue, but who is. It's probably a good thing. I don't know what I would do with so much to play with."

"It's hard to believe we just took her with us. She willingly traveled over twenty-five hundred miles to be with us, to live with us. She really doesn't know us. But she does, that's the crazy part. What is she, what will she be to us. Sue seems to have a plan, so I guess I'm just along for the ride."

"I didn't think I wanted to come back to work last week, but now I'm ready. We'll have a weekend to get in a groove before we'll be back to work. I wonder what Mercy would like to do. There are so many jobs for her at either my shop or with Sue. Mercy is so feminine that she would probably be good to work with Sue. That would balance Hanna's masculine demeanor a little."

"Everyone's going to love Mercy. She is so sweet, so very beautiful that she sometimes looks like a big doll. I like to take her clothes off, while the girls like to put clothes on her. Sue sure likes to dress and undress her."

"Sue has been very gentle with Mercy. She's been extremely loving toward her, almost like Sue feels that Mercy belongs to her, and she wants to hold her close so she won't get away. I guess I feel that way too. But I'm so in love with Sue that I'm surprised Mercy has such a big place in my heart."

A tiny hand that had been cupping by balls turned my face so her lips could consume mine. Mercy kissed and kissed me as tears dripped onto my face. "You are so sweet to think of me so lovingly. I'm so in love with you and with Sue. You really are concerned for me and what I think. Don't worry Steve, I'm yours and I'm Sue's."

Sue pulled herself up to me and kissed me too. "Mercy, we are so lucky to have a man that can love us so much. From the first time I saw him out the window of my home, I wanted him. I think I knew we were going to be partners right then, but it took a while."

Our kissing and fondling caused a delay in getting up. By the time the two girls were satisfied with my performance, my bladder was bursting. While I used the bathroom the two of them loved each other some more. It wasn't lust or just raw passion, it was simply two people loving each other. Beautiful!

We finally got up packed and loaded the car. On the way back to the mainland we had breakfast at IHOP, Pancakes, French toast, and all the sticky syrup. The girls were like little kids, sampling all of the different flavors of syrups.

After turning in the car, we went out to the airplane with our bags now a little more stuffed since the girls had been shopping. It was so strange to look at how much room was inside the plane. I had to finally ask. "Sue, why do you want or need a plane that can carry eight or nine people? Why so big?"

"If Mom and Ben want to go with us then we have the room for them and you know Mom, she's brings most of her clothes closet with her when she travels. Then if we were to go to the islands, we would probably want to take some of our friends with us. This thing will do it. It's not as fast as a twin, but a hundred sixty to seventy isn't bad. A lot faster that the 172."

I had to agree, but this thing was like a junior airliner. We were in the air by nine, and on approach by a little after ten. We would have been earlier, but we wandered over the coast a little looking at the sights. The runway was nicely marked and very smooth blacktop. Sue did her near three point landing so gently you didn't even know you were down until she cut the power as we rolled out. We taxied up to the administration or operations building and shut down.

I went inside to introduce myself and to find out where they wanted the plane. They said they had full valet service so an attendant would take the plane, refuel it, and put it in the hangar. I asked them to call a taxi for us but the girl said, "You live just down the road, right? Your wife told me you live in the same park I do. I'll get someone to watch the desk and I'll run you down there. It'll only take a minute. My name is Diane, glad to meet you, Steve."

We pulled our luggage from the plane, checked to make sure we were leaving the plane clean, and loaded our stuff into the trunk of a Ford Taurus. When we pulled up to our drive the counter girl exclaimed, "You guys live in the house where all the people come. Wow, you guys have parties all the time. I see you out here for breakfast sometimes too."

Sue said, "Diane, we're having a welcome home party tonight. Please come by for some food and drink. You can meet all of our friends and if you want, you and your husband can join all of us for breakfast or in the evening for a drink after work."

"My husband will go nuts. He's always saying that you guys have the neatest place he's ever seen. I can't wait to call him. We will be there tonight, thanks."

As soon as we got out of the car, Glenda came around the house from the patio. Sue and Glenda hugged before she and I hugged. As soon as Sue introduced her to Mercy, Glenda hugged her too. Mercy was smiling with happiness at her welcome. We went through the front door instead of the patio because it was closer.

Hanna came running down the hall to hug Sue and me. Sue introduced Mercy to her and Hanna hugged her too, welcoming her to our big family. Hanna said the rest of the office staff was at the plant working on setting up a new garment they had just designed.

I took the bags back to the bedroom and came back out. Glenda said I should look at what the contractor was doing to the patio. I walked out to see two men on ladders with power screwdrivers, attaching large vent covers. I walked outside, to encounter more men putting up a big tent while more unloaded portable air conditioners, tables, and chairs. I looked up on the patio roof to see heavy metal vents and two large air units. That wasn't very pretty. There were bunches of hoses and electrical lines channeled down the back of the patio going to the compressors that were on the other side of the storage building. There were covers to put over the wiring and hoses, so I knew that part would look good. I asked one of the workers where the contractor was and he said he had gone to the lumber yard and would be back in a few minutes.

When I came back onto the patio, Mercy was looking at everything with big eyes. "You really do go all out. Do you fill this table up with people often?"

"Actually, Mercy, the table is too small now. We have to get another extension. It only holds twenty and we're more than that now."

"Wow, you fix supper for twenty people every night?"

"Most nights, but we don't fix supper. We take turns. So a family or two families or more get together and make supper for everyone. That way we spread the work out and we all get to taste someone else's good food."

"That's so neat. What's breakfast like?"

I sat in one of the comfortable lawn chairs with a cup of coffee and explained, "I get up early, so I start coffee and come out with a cup and turn the light on. That's a signal for anyone who is up to come over for coffee. One of our friends, a man that works with me, brings breakfast sandwiches and we often get donuts or pastry for a treat. I see we have a new huge coffee maker, so I guess that will help take care of making coffee. I wonder if it is big enough; sometimes there's a big group in the morning."

Mercy seemed excited, "I can't wait for breakfast to see all those sleepy people come alive, to wake up with friends in the morning. I'll bet that makes their day go well."

The back door slammed and Mandy came through. We hugged, and when I introduced her to Mercy, she hugged and kissed her, telling how lucky she was to be a part of Sue and me. I asked what she was doing off so early. She said that both Sandy and she had doctor's appointments today so they took off a half day. When I asked if anything was wrong she said, "No, everything's great. We both had an IUD put in and a prescription for the pill so we won't be moms before we want to. Our guys don't want to use condoms when they need to, so we're going to take care of the problem. It's either that or get them snipped."

"Um, Mandy, you two weren't very careful with me, I thought you were on the pill before?"

"Oh, we were on the pill, but both of us forget all the time. Sue reminded us everyday when we were hanging around with you guys. Since she hasn't been around to remind us, we probably almost got caught. Now we won't screw up."

"Where's Sandy?"

"She went back to work. She wanted to finish a customer's rebuild and only had a couple of hours to do. We've been getting a lot of track-trashed motors to rebuild. Most are rebuildable, so the customer saves a little money, but there is a lot less warranty."

She looked around and asked, "You going to cool us off out here? That's going to be great so we can have our evenings together through the summer. Supper was beginning to be too hot to eat, even with the fans."

The Taylor rental guys were done, so I went out and tipped them for their fast work. They said they would come out Monday and take the tent down and pick up the tables and chairs.

The contractor was backing his pickup into the yard. When he got out, he came onto the patio, shook my hand, and went to the refrigerator to get a bottle of water. "I didn't like the way all that equipment looked on the top of your patio roof, so I went to get some material to make a frame and some colored aluminum panels that will hide it. Sort of like a fence up there. I think you'll like it. Wonder why the air isn't on yet, I'll check."

As soon as he left, a guy came in with a funny looking thermostat. He mounted it next to the fan and light panel then motioned me over. He showed me that there was a timed setting for so many minutes at a time and a setting for a begin time and end time. I could do either. There was also a manual on and off. I set the timed setting for an hour and turned it on. In a minute ice cold air came from the vents. Wow, this was going to freeze some folks out.

The contractor came back into the patio, turned the temperature setting down then turned on the overhead fans so there was a gentle cool breeze throughout the patio. "That should do it. The temperature setting is different from regular air conditioners. It's for the amount of cooling that will be done to the inducted air. I'm not sure how it will be when it rains, but just adjust it to the weather. This thing can spit out ice cubes if you turn it all the way down."

Glenda came out of the house with a cup of coffee and sat in a lawn chair. "This feels so nice. Thank you for the air. Now I have a place to enjoy the outside and still be cool. You'll have to start up those air units under the tent about four so it's cool under there. We're going to have food on this table and more under the tent. If everyone comes that Ruth says will come, it's going to be crowded. I ordered four porta potties to be put by the storage shed. That will help with the bathroom traffic. That's something you may have to address one of these days with the large group we have now."

Samantha came in the door. She came up and hugged me, then, when I introduced her to Mercy, she blushed a really bright red and hugged her. She said she wanted to see Sue and went into the house to find her. Mercy had a shit eating grin on her face. She just looked at me and said, "Tell you later."

Glenda asked if I was hungry. "You know me Glenda, I'm always hungry."

Glenda said she had a big pot of soup warming and a stack of sandwiches. Mercy went with her to bring paper plates and bowls out to eat. Glenda brought the big pot out and ladled soup out to a long line of bowls. Mercy was confused as there were not that many people there right then.

As Sue, Samantha, and Hanna came out of the house, Betty and Joan parked in the yard. As soon as Sue introduced Mercy to them, they both hugged her, welcoming her. They all remarked about the air conditioner. Glenda brought the contractor in to eat with us, but couldn't convince his workers to come in. I looked out toward the street to see Charlie coming across the street on crutches. He came through the door saying, "I knew it was lunch time, my stomach told me. Hey Steve, you're back and who's this delectable little creature. My, oh my."

"You leave her alone, Charlie," Sue warned. "This is Mercy, she has come to join us, perhaps permanently."

"You sure can collect them, Sue. Mercy, don't let me scare you off. When you meet my crazed wife, you'll understand why I'm a nut case."

Charlie turned back to me and said, "I saw Jim come get your FLH yesterday and bring it back with an appendage. You know about that?"

"Sure do, Charlie," I said pointing at Mercy. "I needed to create a little room, if you know what I mean."

"Ah," he said, before stuffing a sandwich in his mouth.

Martin came in and kissed Glenda and gave Sue a hug before shaking my hand. "Sure glad to see you two. It's been lonely without you. Say, the cool air is nice, how about that?"

Martin was introduced to Mercy as he sat next to Glenda where a bowl of soup was waiting for him.

Mercy couldn't take it anymore. "My goodness, there are ten of us and this is an impromptu lunch. What must a real party be like?"

Charlie smiled and said, "You ain't seen nothin' yet. Wait till our friend Hap and his crew show up. Hap and Bear have been going crazy that Steve's been out of town, just knowing Steve was getting into some kind of trouble. I'll bet that if I called him right now to tell him Steve was home, he'd be here in under fifteen minutes."

Before I could caution her, Mercy said, "I want to see that. Who is this Hap guy anyway?"

"Uh, Uh, Hap is uh, a friend of Stevie and mine. He's a little different and some of his friends are a little rough around the edges. Let me call, you time it."

Charlie used the cordless phone on the table and only said a few words and hung up. He was grinning when he set the phone down. He went back to eating.

Sue had gotten Mercy a Diet Coke and a Coke for me, showing Mercy where the bar refrigerator was and that there was usually more in the fridge in the house.

About the time I was finishing my sandwich, I heard the roar. Charlie started laughing and asked, "How much time has passed?"

Mercy looked at her watch and said, "About seven minutes."

Close to twenty bikes slid to a stop outside the porch. I went outside as Hap and Bear got off their bikes. Hap gave me a hug then Bear actually picked me up while hugging me. Hap's lady gave me a kiss on the cheek saying she was glad I was back so Hap would quit worrying. Several of the two clubs' members that I knew came up to shake my hand, saying welcome back.

Sue came out of the house and Hap and Bear, as well as Hap's lady, treated her the same. Mercy had followed Sue out, so Sue introduced Hap and Bear to her. Hap gave her a hug and said, "You look like just the thing to help Steve on a cold winter night while Sue is cuddling her new baby."

Mercy was blushing a little, but she was beginning to understand my friends. I invited the bunch to enjoy a beer with us, but Hap said that the clubhouse was full as they had a visiting club and were expected back right away. He said if we had an opportunity, we should come by over the weekend as it was going to be a non-stop party. He said I might need some property vests to keep guys away from Sue and Mercy, but he would try to control the animals.

Bear shook my hand again, then hollered, "Mount up." Twenty bikes roared to life as Hap yelled out, "Nice to see you, Crip." This was spoken at Charlie who was waving. Just as fast as they came, they were gone.

When we went back inside, I could feel the huge difference in temperature.

Mercy was sitting next to me and asked, "What would you have done if they had stayed?"

"Gave them beer, fixed more sandwiches, made more soup. You know, we would have treated them like family."

"They were pretty rough looking. Are they a motorcycle gang?"

Charlie took that one, "They are a motorcycle club. They are not a gang. They are trying to be good citizens, but have some of their own that make it tough. Hap and Bear work hard to keep their guys away from drugs or other illegal activity. They're doing a pretty good job too."

"Why do they like Steve so much?"

Charlie smiled again and said, "The usual for Steve. He saved both of their lives. He's done some other good deeds that they are thankful for, as well. Steve's shown he's a friend, they've shown Steve he's a brother."

Mercy sat there a while before the usually-quiet Samantha had something to say, "You'll hear it all one of these days. Steve just goes around protecting everyone and saving us all from something or someone. Steve saves them and Sue takes care of them."

"All right, you guys, I'm right here. Enough with all the talk about me." I paused, and asked Charlie, "Can you ride now or do you still have to take it easy?"

Charlie answered, "I went riding last week. My leg still hurts a little. I think I can go out this week though, I should be fine now as long as I don't get hit again."

We cleaned up the table and I helped wash the dishes from lunch. Glenda put the leftover soup into the fridge so someone could have a snack if they wanted. The huge platter of sandwiches was gone. The crew can put away some food.

Sue said she wanted to go down to the plant so she could say hi to everyone before closing. I said I would go with her so I could get my truck, as I had left it there.

We drove to the plant where Sue took Mercy in with her. I walked across the street, smiling at the big S&S sign on the front. I walked in and saw a girl at a desk in front of my office. There was a dog behind her lying on a mat. The girl stood and said, "Welcome to S and S Enterprises. How may I help you?"

Debbie had looked up and came out. Before I could answer the girl, Debbie was in my arms kissing me. "I'm so glad you're back. I kinda thought you might just keep going."

"No chance, Debbie. Let me meet this lovely lady." I said putting Debbie down.

"Cindy, this is the boss. This is Steve Sharp. The guy you've heard so much about."

"Hello, Mr. Sharp, I'm happy to meet you," she said as she offered me her hand. It was at that point that I realized she was blind. I took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze and let it drop back to her side.

"I'm very happy to meet you too, Cindy, but my name is Steve. Mr. Sharp would be my dad. Are you enjoying it here? Is there something we can do to make you more comfortable?"

"This is perfect. I can walk to the bathroom from here and walk to the downstairs lunchroom. I've been upstairs too, but mostly just to the downstairs one. All the people are very friendly and very nice. I've even been out to your house already. Debbie brought me out with Deanne and Julie."

I looked at Debbie and asked, "Who is Julie?"

"My other new assistant. Cindy, call Deanne and tell her Steve is here."

That was sort of silly because I could see Deanne working from where I was. I watched Cindy as she pushed the button on her big phone for Deanne and watched as she turned her head with her mouth open. She dropped the phone, and long, tall, Deanne came loping into the showroom. It was a good thing I didn't underestimate her size, as she leaped onto me, wrapping her legs around me, kissing my face. I had to say, "Down girl, down." The dog behind Cindy's desk lifted its head and looked at me.

Another girl, this time a shorter dark-complexioned Latin walked into the show room. Debbie introduced me to Julie, saying that Julie was the daughter of a lady that worked for Sue and had just finished her Associates degree at the community college.

I shook her hand as she stared at me. She finally said, "You're not that tall and you're average to look at, but every female in this place has the hots for you, how come?"

"You're embarrassing me now. I'm sure not all of them, but I am friends with everyone."

Julie said in a heavily Spanish accented voice, "Well, if those two lezzies you have back in the motor shop are an example, every lady here has the hots for you."

"That's nice to know and I'm glad most of them are married."

Julie looked at me coyly and said, "I'm not."

Tall Deanne looked down on four foot six Julie and said, "You little hussy. You just met the boss and you're flirting with him already. Wait till his wife Sue hears about this. Hmm, maybe not. Well, he'll warn you, this place is for business, not fooling around."

I waved at the girls and headed upstairs. Now that all the construction and painting was done, I looked into the big office. It looked nice. I guess I would probably be using it more and more in the future. I went into Ruth's office and gave her a hug, telling her I'd see her and her assistant, Marsha, later. I went over to Tiny's office and shook his hand. He said he was trying to total the week's business, but it didn't balance yet. Phil was squirming in his chair talking on the phone. Judy put her finger to her lips in a quiet signal, mouthing, 'It's a big deal.'

I whispered that I would see her later and went downstairs through the upstairs lunchroom. The first place I stopped was the motor shop. Sandy was finishing up the motor she was working on, disconnecting the test equipment. All of rest of the teams stopped long enough to welcome me back. I got hugs from all the ladies and shook hands with the men. Even my two militant lezzies gave me a hug. I even got a kiss on the cheek from one.

Shawna had her nose in her computer when I walked up. She was busily entering information about completed work for the week while referencing orders as she went. She looked up to see me and crawled right up me, wrapped her legs around me, and gave me some scorching kisses. "Damn, I'm glad you're back. We all missed you."

The redhead got down and said, "I'm trying to get the paperwork done so we can all leave on time tonight. None of us want to be a minute late for the party."

Hank came in with another young guy in a paint booth space suit. He shook my hand and said, "Meet Brandon. He's helping me get caught up. We're working both paint booths. That guy you have making fiberglass is really cranking out the product. I'm told we're really behind on orders, but I don't see how. He's putting out forty to fifty pieces a day."

I wondered how he was doing that. There's no way one or two guys can do that.

Next was the sheet metal shop and body building area. Drew was directing some new faces, while I could see Tom and Al directing guys putting a small body together. There were three small bodies on carts, ready to be painted. There was a large welding body with a boom that looked complete, but also was unpainted.

I was introduced to everyone and they went back to work, saying they would probably all see me at the party.

The frame shop was neat as usual. Bob was showing a new face the way to draw a bead completely around a tube so it joined smoothly. I waved at everyone. Tim introduced me to his men and said he thought they would all come out tonight.

Abe was on the floor helping one-eyed Clint fit an outlet panel on a generator. I stopped by to say hi and told them to be sure to come out tonight. I walked over to the new building and found Jed directing a couple of men on how to release the arms from the superlift he was working on. The problem was the size and weight of the arms. I went outside and drove a little forklift over to above the arms and said, "Chain them up so the weight will be off the bolts, and they should come out easy enough."

Jed said, "You make it too easy. We've been working with a block and tackle for fifteen minutes and not getting it right; you wander in and solve the problem. Duh."

"Just make sure all your men come out to the house. I understand congratulations are in order, that you now have twelve mechanics and are still backlogged with repair orders."

"We're busier than I would ever have expected. Thanks for talking me out of trying to run both sides. I couldn't have done it," Jed said.

I went next door to see Jeff and how he was putting out so much product. There were at least fifteen men working on various stages of fiberglass panels. Jeff was showing a young guy how to sand and shape the panel he was working on. He saw me and came over to shake my hand. "You told me I could have everything I needed to do a perfect job, and you meant it. I'm turning out great product and have begun building a crew that can handle all the orders we can get. I've got molds now for almost all of the NASCAR stuff, and am working on some of the other classes of product."

Jeff looked around and said, "Your friend Gene said our stuff was the best he's seen, and ordered about a hundred grand's worth. We're so back ordered right now, that we could work three shifts and not get caught up in a month. I'm just going to put out what we can and not worry about it. I don't want my quality to suffer. Do you agree?"

I said, "I agree a hundred percent, Jeff. Listen we're having a party out at the house. Clean up the shop a little early tonight so you and your guys can get cleaned up and come out. It's a party for everyone. Make sure you come out and have a good time."

As I was walking back to the main building, I was amazed at how many new people we had. I'll have to ask Ruth how many men and women we have working here now.

I stopped by Shawna's shop to pick up my keys. She said she had used the truck a few times to keep the battery up and said it drove nice. I didn't care; my original old truck would have been fine with me.

As I left her shop, I noticed Hank and Shawna were both following me, but were way back.

There was my formerly plain white pickup truck. It was now the same basic color as the shovelhead, a metallic dark burgundy. That would have been good, but it was covered with caricatures of most everyone in the company. Phil was bending my ear by pulling a huge ear down to talk into it. Tiny was talking to me, waving his arms while numbers were spewing from his mouth. I looked a little dizzy in that one. Another had Debbie chasing me, with a handful of papers that all had 'Message' written on them. Another had Abe plugging my finger into a socket on a generator. There were so many it would take me weeks to see them all. I was laughing so hard that I didn't realize they had come up on me.

Shawna said they had Tiny make up T-shirts with all the scenes, along with our S&S logo. She said so far they were selling about five to six gross per truck, per race, in addition to selling out the individual event cartoon t-shirts every race.

I didn't need to have all these people building things, I just needed to sell T-shirts.

I noticed the name, "Speedy Steve," was over the door as I got in. This truck was going to draw too much attention. Where was the time when I used to be inconspicuous? I drove home and parked on the side of the driveway, leaving plenty of space for Sue's car to get in.

I went out to the patio to find the caterer putting out food on the big table. He said he would put more food out on the table in the big tent later, as he didn't want flies to get on it. I told him to use the big fans and keep the cool air blowing over the food so the bugs couldn't fly there. He thought that was a great idea and went to have his people take care of it.

He had a bar set up in the tent and a bartender on the patio, getting ready for the night. The beer truck driver was putting a keg of beer in the storage shed. It looked like we were going to be fine for the party.

Tiny's dad was already here, with a beer in his hand, sampling the food. He said his wife, Matty, would be along shortly to help out if needed. Martin and Glenda were sitting in the glider with a beer, saying it was nice of me to get all the help for her.

Alice was in the other glider drinking a beer, saying she wanted to get an early start because Abe was always so wound up, that it was hard for her to catch up.

Hanna came out saying she was done for the day. She poured herself a beer and made up some crackers with meats and cheeses. She asked me if I had seen the sidecar yet. The answer was no, so we went over and looked inside the storage building.

The place was really a small shop. While I was gone some one had painted the inside and floor white. In the center of the floor was the S&S logo. It made me laugh with happiness to know how all my friends were constantly doing things for me. The lights in the shop were brighter and I noticed that there were four dual fixtures now instead of just one. Martin had been busy. The fancy bike was in the rear and the FLH with the sidecar in front. The sidecar color matched perfectly. This was a nice addition. I shut off the lights and went back to the patio.

"Thank you for putting more lights in the storage shed Martin, and for painting the floor."

Martin protested, "I didn't do anything. The contractor came over here and said he wasn't finished with your shed yet. He's the one that did all that. He and one of his men came over on Saturday and did the whole thing. Now you have a nice shop, very fancy."

I walked down to the contractor's place to say thanks. He was sitting on his patio with a fan going. When I stepped under his awning I felt his air conditioning. "You knew what would work, didn't you?"

"Sure did. I tried a couple of different ways but this was the best," he said.

"I came over to thank you for putting some more lights in the storage building and for painting it and the floor. The logo looks nice."

"You're welcome. The place was supposed to be painted, so when I went to do it, we sealed and painted the floor, and your logo looks so good in your shops that I painted one for you in your home shop."

"Well, thanks for the extra, it looks nice. How about we settle up on the patio air? You did a great job."

He quoted me the price and I counted out hundreds, surprising him. I had put two extra in there for the fast work. "That'll do it. You are constantly amazing me how fast you can do a job. Hope I have more business for you soon."

"Don't get too anxious. I've already exceeded last year because of you. If you do much more, I'm going to be in a higher tax bracket."

"Yeah, right, as if we care about that," I said. "I like to pay those high taxes, it just means I'm making more."

"You're right, of course," the contractor said. "If I keep up though, people will wonder why I live in a trailer park. I like it here, I like my neighbors. It's usually peaceful and it's close to everything my wife and I need."

He paused for a second, "Oh, yeah, what's this rumor I heard that you and your wife bought the park?"

"We did, but that's not for the public. I want to remain just average folks."

"Shit, you're not average. You two have so much going for you, you'll never be average. I like the guy you have running the park. He's been nice to everyone. I like what you're doing back by the lake too. Martin has had a couple of kids back there for the last month building plank walkways. He says he's going to build a walk completely around the lake as well as put in a dock to fish from."

I finished the conversation with, "I thought that would be a good idea because that area is so full of wildlife. It's a shame to waste the beauty of the place. You know we're having a party, make sure you come by for some food and drink."

When I got back to the house, I noticed Sue's car. It was painted up now like one of the race cars, with all the sponsors' logos on it. There was even an S&S engine logo. Mixed in all the fancy race car looking stuff, were very small cartoons and caricatures of Sue and various topics. One had Sue with her bulbous chest chasing someone that looked like me, then another with me chasing her. There were too many to even begin to look at. Hank and Shawna had been busy.

On the patio, Sue and Mercy were sitting with Hanna, Betty, and Joan. They were still talking business, but all were relaxing. The bartender was making up drinks for them, as well as Ruth and Tiny, who had just gotten home. Cars were pulling in and being directed where to park. People began streaming in. I told Ruth that I saw dozens of people that I didn't know. She said the company had grown by demand only since I had left. We didn't have any new departments or businesses. We were busier than ever with what we already had.

I got a hug and kiss from Sue and Mercy before getting a martini. I was happy to be home.

In very little time the yard, patio, and tent were filled with people enjoying themselves. Phil came in and immediately got Judy and himself a scotch. He came over and sat with Tiny and me, sighing.

He said, "I'm kind of sad that I couldn't close that deal this afternoon for another sale for the week. The field guy did a good job and the customer is right there, but the guy just wouldn't say yes today."

"You've had a pretty remarkable week anyway. It seems like you and Tiny broke the bank on your Saudi deal. Did the factory give you any indication when they could begin shipping?"

"They shipped out about ten mil in equipment yesterday. They are putting on two more shifts just for this order. They are going to be at the highest level of production that they have been since the sixties," Phil said.

I shook my head, "I hope this doesn't compromise quality."

"You don't have to worry, the CEO is hanging around everyone in the shops just like you do, to make sure that they keep quality up. He says he wants his men to be like ours, to seek perfection. He loves the "Is it perfect?" signs over our doors...

"When did he see them?" I asked.

Phil answered, "He came down the week after you went on vacation and spent four days learning how you do things. He was pretty impressed that you have taken all of his castoff personnel and turned them into an efficient manufacturing facility. He said that before anyone gets let go again, he was going to personally review the file."

"That's too bad, we could use some more of his castoffs," I said thinking of the various places that we could use leadership.

Tiny had a contented, satisfied, look on his face. "What's up with you, Tiny?"

He smiled and said, "I received the audit report back. You'll have to read it. We are some kind of good company. They said about two hundred times that we're growing faster than normal, and that could be a problem, but they also said yours truly is doing a dynamite job keeping the cash flow where it needs to be and investing our excess well. I'm pretty proud of this since it's my first evaluation from my old firm."

"Congratulations, Tiny. We know you do a great job, now everyone else thinks so too," Sue said, leaning over to join the conversation.

I got up to circulate. With all the kids, wives, husbands, and significant others, we probably had somewhere around three hundred people there. I stopped to say hi to the girl from the Aero Park, Diane, and her husband, telling them to not be strangers. I told them we had coffee every morning beginning around six to six-fifteen. They said they would try to come by.

About eight I stepped outside and up on a picnic table. I hollered for everyone to gather close so they could hear.

I thanked them all for the job that they did while we were gone. The business now had a life of its own, and we were the people to nurture it and keep it successful. I then made the big announcement.

Sue and I are selling a big piece of the business. We are selling forty percent of the business. We are keeping the majority right now so we can continue to make it grow, but the people who own the other forty percent will enjoy the profits and really be responsible for the growth.

"I had Tiny get an appraisal of the business, and to come up with a fair number for the buyer from Sue and me. Tiny did this reluctantly, until I told him who I was selling the piece of the company too. I'm selling forty percent of the company to my employees, my friends, and my business associates. The accounting firm that we use to audit us agrees that if we don't let you guys exceed twenty five percent of your 401K plan as investment into S&S Enterprises, it would be a good deal for you. Your plan doesn't have all the money yet, but it is getting there. So far twenty five percent of your 401K plan is twenty-eight percent of the company. Keep going and you'll soon own a sizeable share. Now, when you guys own the full forty, for every dollar we make in profit, your plan will be getting forty cents. That ain't chicken feed."

Everyone was clapping and hollering. Their 401K was their future retirement, their personal investment. They knew the company was skyrocketing, and that profits were going that way too. This was a major piece.

I added, "If we ever go public, which I really don't want to do, the 401K would get forty percent of the IPO money or the stock options. I think we're better off hanging onto the company and make it profitable for everyone."

"I have to warn you. Our growth requires us to use some of our capital, which is now forty percent your capital, to build things and to start new divisions. When we do something like that, we'll use sixty percent of the company money and forty percent of your money. We are now partners."

There was a lot more clapping. "Thanks again for taking care of the business while we were gone. Sue and I will be gone a lot over the next few months doing some things for the business. Keep making us grow, I'll be making up new ways for further expansion."

Tiny stood up and said, "The boss forgot something. The 401K plan is getting the full forty percent right now. We are financing the difference right now. What interest we will pay will be offset by the profits we are bringing in right now. I want to be sure the plan is in line for some great windfalls. Everyone, the place is ours!"

More clapping, more yelling.

I wondered how long it would take to get Sue's plant to this point. They were still struggling a little to adjust to the zero defect policy. They were doing well though, working hard to succeed.

The party continued through nine. People with kids left first. I tried to send everyone off with a little extra food, explaining it was part of the forty percent. Next were the people who had something planned tomorrow. The hired drivers and high school kids were busy taking people home that had had too much to drink. People kept leaving until it was just the caterer and his people cleaning up and our resident crew. Several went off to bed; they had eaten and drunk all they could hold. Soon it was the core, Charlie, Jim, Hank, Tiny, and me, with Shawna, Hanna, Debbie, Ruth, Sue, Mercy, Sandy, and Mandy. Bob and Drew had been put to bed. Martin and Glenda should have been there, but had worn out and left.

Mercy said she had never seen anything like that. She said that even right now, there were more close people around right that second than she had ever had. We told her it was our way of life. We enjoyed being around each other and working with each other. Not all of us worked together, but we all lived out of one big pot and shared our lives together.

Tiny said that at first he thought it was just my money and Sue's money that made it all happen, then he realized I had built up everything from taking one good event and turning it into profit that made another event happen. He said that when he went over my books the first time, he was surprised that even the seed money I had put in could be paid back right away. He said for us to look around, what we saw wasn't from our personal wealth, but from the result and profits of our efforts. "Steve keeps giving back and giving back. But you know what, every time he does, more comes his way."

About midnight we were all tired of drinking so we put the extra food away and went in. I turned off the outside air, listening to see if it was that much quieter, but it didn't make a big difference. We locked up and hit the sack. The three of us were bushed, very tired. We were asleep instantly.

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 12



I woke with heads on my shoulders, but no one holding me. They were both still tired. I looked at the clock to find it right at six thirty, so I slipped from bed and went to the bathroom. With shorts and a T-shirt on, I made up the inside coffeepot and went out onto the patio to find the big pot perking. Either Glenda was up early, or it was automatic.

I went to the front of the house to find the paper, came back to the patio, and poured myself a fresh cup of coffee. No sooner had I opened the paper, than Mercy came out in a cute little baby doll set and curled up on my lap.

As I held her and scanned the newspaper, Glenda came in with Martin, both with cups in hand. A few minutes later Hank and Debbie, in her T-shirt with holes, came over, next were Jim and Hanna with her oversized T-shirt, followed by Charlie and Shawna, wearing a really ragged T-shirt. Sandy and Mandy came in the back door, wearing short T-shirts displaying T-backs, then Phil and Judy drove up with boxes of breakfast sandwiches and pastries.

Judy was saying as soon as she came in, "We have to get a place out here so we don't have to drive so far. We're out here all the time anymore; we might as well live here."

Phil said, "Abe says he wishes he hadn't moved, but would have just bought a bigger place. He misses being out here every day."

Betty and Joan came around the side of the house with some very sexy gowns on. Don't you just love Saturday breakfast? Mercy got up and went inside to reappear with Sue, in one of her sexy gowns as well. Mercy said, "With all you girls coming over in the morning getting the guys excited, I needed to get Sue involved in this."

Samantha drove up in her little car and walked over in a long T-shirt and sat at the table with one leg on the chair. The question was answered immediately, she was totally commando.

Phil wanted to know what I had planned. He was talking about what I had said last night.

"I don't know yet, Phil, I'll find it soon. I need to figure out how much more we can stretch our space, then go from there. I don't think we need more locations. We can cover the whole US from where we are. I'm looking for different avenues of revenue and different areas of manufacture. I'll find it; I just haven't seen it yet."

He answered, "I guess I'm greedy. We've grown and expanded so fast, I know we can become more efficient soon and do a lot more business. I just love the constant expansion and new ventures."

About that time the guy down the street, a trucker, started his big tractor. He let it set on idle for a few minutes, warming up while he did somepaperwork.

I got up and walked over to his truck. It was a big Peterbilt. He rolled down the window and thanked me for a great party the night before. I asked him what kind of mileage he got. He said generally around ten unless the wind was against him then his mileage could drop to seven or eight. Sometimes out on flat country he said he would get up to twelve especially with the wind at his back. I had an idea.

I told Sue that I wanted to go out to the big equipment auction out on 301 for a little while. She nodded and asked if I needed her to come along. I said I'd be fine. When she asked what I wanted to buy, I told her I didn't know yet, but if there were any used power equipment, I would get it.

I showered and put on a pair of jeans and boots to go with my T-shirt. Mercy had changed too and wanted to come with me. On the way out she said, "You have an idea about something. I can feel it. I want to watch you do something with it."

We got to the auction early enough to register, and quickly look over the equipment available. There were a half dozen big generators, some forklifts, but there were several of what I wanted. I wanted a beat up old tractor. I found one, a Peterbilt with the insides almost totally trashed. The sleeper looked like dogs had lived in it. The keys were in it so I cranked it. It started fine. I tried the gears and they seemed okay along with the clutch. This thing was so smelly and trashy looking that if the bidding got to more than five hundred, then whoever bought it could keep it.

The auction started at ten at the front where all the fancy cars and pickups were. The practice was to slip in a junker while they sold the nice stuff, so people would overbid on it. They did exactly that. They fired the junker tractor up and brought it to the auctioneer. Just as the driver was revving the motor the blower belt broke making black smoke pour out of the stacks while the guy was trying to shut it down. The auctioneer had already asked for five grand and I had yelled twenty-five bucks. He ignored me and kept trying for five then four then three, two and was begging for a grand, I hollered twenty-five dollars again. The auctioneer looked at me, over the top of his glasses and said, "Make a reasonable offer, sonny, and I'll consider it." I hollered back, "Have you looked inside that thing? And look at the four inside drive tires, they're all flat. I'll give you thirty-five, that's a legal bid."

The crowd was laughing at the guy while he looked inside the tractor and got out, barely able to keep from puking. He turned back and asked for another bid then said "Sold to the long-haired guy with the pretty girl."

Mercy said to me, "You really want to do something with that thing?"

"I want to make a demo out of it. I have an idea. Let's go bid on the old power equipment and forklifts." Everything there was junk today, so all of it went for scrap metal prices. I bought it all, and looked around for the guy with the flatbed to get it out of here. He was sitting on his truck bed waiting. I got his attention and showed him the equipment I bought, and also the nasty tractor. He said he knew the guy that used to own the tractor, and that he had recently drunk himself to death.

He said he would haul it all to the business and prepared to load it. Thank goodness one of the forklifts worked, because we used it to put the generators and one compressor on the flatbed and used it to load the other forklifts.

While he was doing that, I opened the Peterbilt and opened the shroud for the old style blower belt. I dug through the toolbox and the parts hollow in the side of the cab and found an old belt. I slipped it on and buttoned the truck up. I drove the tractor to the loading dock and eased it up and onto the flat bed. While the driver was chaining everything down, I went to pay and get receipts and titles.

The auctioneer said, "I'll remember you, you're slick. You did right and I was wrong. That tractor was a turkey and you knew it. But it was still worth a grand, even just as spare parts. He paused and asked, "What are you going to do with it." All I said was, "Parts." He nodded as I left.

We drove back to the shop and opened the front gate so the tractor-trailer could back up to the big dock. I backed the tractor off and parked it out of the way near the fiberglass shop.

We were able to use the forklift to put the forklifts and generators in a line near the big storage building. I paid the trucker and he left to try to pick up another load. I began explaining my idea to Mercy. Fuel for truckers was expensive and it was going up all the time. I pointed to all of the square lines on the truck and explained, "I think I can build a tractor cab to go on a standard chassis that would be more aerodynamic. If we were to build a nice cab with an efficient sleeper, truckers with older equipment would upgrade with us. Then if we were to overhaul their trucks at the same time, they would have a new truck for a third of the price. That is, if I'm thinking right."

"If this works, we would have a truck/tractor overhaul shop, and a body shop. We would exchange the body and junk the metal. I think the idea has merit," I said.

"If you did this, how many people would you hire?" Mercy asked.

"There would be six to eight in the rebuild area, and probably six to ten building the body. Of course, if the idea is a good one, you could times all that by four, plus we would have to have salesmen and office staff. It could be between sixty and seventy-five if it works."

"Where would you do this?" Mercy asked again.

"I'd probably do it right here in the beginning. If the idea takes off and I run out of room, I'll buy or build something to hold the production facility."

Mercy was smiling at me, "I like it. You came up with the idea, bought something cheap to experiment with, and could possibly begin an entire new industry with over a hundred employees. I love the way your mind is so open. Ideas just come floating in."

We walked back to the pickup and drove home after locking up the yard.

Betty, Joan, Sue, and Hanna were all laughing and joking about their sexy stuff and how men were going to love to take it off. Every piece of intimate clothing they talked about, they described as having hooks and hidden buttons and multiple tiny bows. I listened for a while and finally had to open my mouth.

"You know what, girls? You want us guys to take those sexy things off of you? Men enjoy unwrapping presents, untying big easy-to-pull bows or sashes, pulling something loose over your head, whisking it off. We don't like buttons, unless they are great big buttons with even bigger button holes so we can tease ourselves by easily and slowly unbuttoning one big button at a time, revealing the goodies we want to get at so bad. If we have to fight to undo a bunch of tiny little buttons that our big fingers can't handle, a guy could lose interest, give up, or if he were crude enough, he might rip the darn thing off. Make the buttons large for a guy to work with, but small enough that they are still comfortable to sleep on.

The ladies had been listening intently as I gave them some clues. They each had a dawning. The four of them rose as a unit and vanished inside the house.

"You did it again," Mercy grinned. "You got an idea that floated in and gave it away in the blink of an eye. I'll bet they're in there making something sexy with big buttons."

"How about a beer, and maybe a ride out to the airport. Let's see where they put the 172 in the event we want to take a ride."

I pulled the shovel out of the storage area and pushed it up to the walk. Inside, I could hear Mercy telling Sue where we were going. When Mercy saw the bike, she asked if she could sit on it a while and asked me to let her to sit on it alone for a bit. It was only a minute before she was waving at me saying, "This is a good machine. It has a lot of character and wants to go. I'm safe on it with you, it told me so."

I had her put on the helmet- she gave the bike a hard look first- then I put mine on and fired up the bike. After warming it up, we idled out of the park, hitting the hard road and speeding up to go across to Lutz. We rode to the Aero Park and parked at the operations building. I checked in with the desk person and showed my ID, saying I wanted to go out to the plane. As we walked out, an attendant came with us saying it was too nice a day to not go up. He convinced us. We pushed the plane out and did a pre-flight inspection. Once we were ready, I started the engine and let it warm, and called operations to tell them I was filing a local VFR for one hour. The guy in ops keyed the mike a couple of times as I began a slow taxi to the runway. As I got near the runway, I called for permission to access the active runway and take off. The ops guy repeated my call sign and granted permission, along with a wish for happy flying.

We gained speed and took off just like the book said and turned out toward the coast. I wanted to go out toward New Port Richey and the towns up and down in that area. If we went too far south, I could get into the pattern for Clearwater-St. Petersburg airport. I didn't need a bad mark from the FAA. We stayed around four thousand feet and checked out the sailboats and big fishing boats. None were as big as Dewey's. Since Lutz is near the twenty mile final approach for the Tampa airport we remained low and flew over toward Plant city looking for the Zephyr Hills airport where they do a lot of skydiving. We saw the airport, looked up the radio numbers, dialed them in on the radio and requested a touch and go. We did a smooth touch down, one of my best, and took off noticing a plane dumping people out above us at about ten thousand feet. It was getting near our hour so I headed back requesting permission to land as I approached. I did a nice landing and taxied back up to the hangar and shut down. I turned off everything and made sure that the plane was secure.

Mercy and I pushed the plane back into the hangar, swinging the tail around to set it heading out in front of the 208. We slid the big door closed and went back up to operations. Just as we reached the operations building I stopped and said, "Duh." I waved at Mercy and said, "I have to do something." I went back to the hangar, took the logbook out of the 172 and entered the time out and in. I rechecked the meter in the cockpit and wrote down the ending number. Then I went over to the 208 and got my log book and entered the time flown in the 172. I told Mercy she needed to remind me to do paperwork, as I was forgetful.

We donned the helmets and rode the short distance back home. We had been gone for only and hour and forty-five minutes, but it had been a fun time.

Charlie and Shawna were on the patio, watching the Busch races and enjoying a glass of beer and some of the sandwich makings from last night on the table. Mercy and I were both hungry and joined those two with a frosty beer, and I made up some sandwiches.

I saw Hanna peek around the corner before she came out and asked Shawna to come with her. In a couple of minutes Sue, Betty, Joan, and Hanna came out, leading diminutive Shawna in a pale yellow, satiny, pair of loose legged shorts and a sleeveless blouse top that was short, just a little below her breasts, leaving her stomach exposed.

They had Shawna stand in front of Charlie and Betty said, "Pretend it's bed time or that it's playtime, and Shawna is teasing you, wearing this to entice you to have fun. We're curious how you would enjoy her, how you would remove the clothes before you ravished her."

Charlie looked a little confused and said, "We ah, Shawna ah, doesn't wear anything to bed. When she's horny she just strips and starts climbing all over me."

"Okay, pretend that she wants to tease you a little. To have you do the romantic thing, have you play with her, and take the clothes off her. Do that so we can see if this is a good item."

Shawna came closer to Charlie and bent down and gave him a gentle steamy kiss and stood back up. Charlie reached out and picked Shawna up and put her on his lap where he let her lean back on one arm that held her and began to run his hand across the front of the satiny piece of cloth that was the top.

He seemed to be getting into the scene, as he softly ran his hand all over the top then down across her exposed stomach and over the satiny shorts. As he reversed his direction, his hand caressed over Shawna's stomach but disappeared under the top to caress and cup her tiny breast.

Joan commented, "See, that's what I was thinking of when I suggested the short top."

Charlie's hand came back out from under the top and again caressed Shawna over the top and back down across her stomach then over the shorts down to her knees. You could see Shawna shiver from Charlie's touch.

As Charlie's hand came up from her knees, it slid easily under the loose leg of the shorts, where he spent a few seconds touching the secret places there.

It was Sue who said, "The loose shorts are definitely good."

Charlie touched Shawna some more, and with the roaming hand, his fingers went to the large top button and the top seemed to just fall apart. He did the next as easily as well as the final third button, completely opening the top. Charlie's hand immediately cupped the now exposed breast. Shawna was lying back in Charlie's arm with half closed eyes, panting.

Betty said, "We better get them in the bedroom or we're going to have a show right here."

Charlie looked up as if he had been caught doing something naughty, "Can we use a bedroom for a minute?"

Shawna grinned and said, "I'd continue in the middle of Main Street. You're being so romantic."

Sue pointed and they both got up, with Charlie grabbing his crutches and following Shawna."

Hanna said, "Let's make one Ruth's size and have her try it out on Tiny. She wears stuff like this all the time to tease him, we'll ask her how he liked it."

Sue came over to me and said, "Good idea you had. Those buttons came off easy. You were right about Charlie liking to unwrap a present." The girls went back into the house.

I looked at Mercy and said, "I should have had them make one for you and we could go practice."

"We don't need anything right now. I'm so hot from watching those two, I could take you on the table in front of everyone."

I got up heading toward the house offering Mercy my hand, "Let's go see how ready we are."

We went into the bedroom and because it seemed we were sneaking something, we were undressed and onto the bed in a heartbeat. Twenty minutes later we were back out on the patio with a fresh beer, having another sandwich, with Cheshire cat grins. Mercy and I both had put on shorts; our T-shirts had never made it off.

Charlie and Shawna came out with the same type of grins. Shawna was now back in her shorts. She said the girls were making several of the sets to have different couples test them. Shawna was sniffing the air and said with a leer, "There is more than just Charlie and me that smell good out here." Mercy just smiled and nodded.

We finished watching the race. Gene's Busch car came in third, with one of our newer customers winning. Pretty soon we hoped all the winners would be using our motors.

Shawna and Mercy were talking together and I heard Mercy say that she really liked her first motorcycle ride. She said it had been very neat to feel the air flow by while she hugged my back. Shawna said long rides made her horny. Mercy looked intently at Shawna then commented, "I think a lot of things may you horny."

There had been a pause on the TV and Charlie and I heard the comment and broke up laughing. Charlie said, "So true, so true."

Sue came out and said she would be right back as she was going to go get dinner. The other girls came out of the house and we began cleaning up so we wiped down the tablecloths and began setting the table.

People began showing up. Tom and Al came into the patio and got a kiss from their wives. Ruth and Tiny came, with Tiny getting a beer while Ruth made herself a drink. They were groggy looking as if they had just woken from a nap. Martin and Glenda came, walking over to pour a beer and settle into the nearest glider. Glenda mentioned that Abe and Alice were not going to be there: they were at one of their kid's houses.

Charlie and Matty, Tiny's mom and dad came strolling up with a big bag that was making noise that sounded like a bottle inside. Charlie put two big gallon jugs of a red table wine in the refrigerator. Shawna had seen the bottles and went inside to get glasses.

As Debbie and Hank walked over, Sandy, Drew, Mandy, and Bob came from the back, just as Sue drove up with Samantha in the car.

Mercy was watching this gathering of people with intense interest. Sue had brought several boxes of barbecued ribs, plus some pulled pork. She had big tubs of slaw and tubs of baked beans, along with a big box of individual foil wrapped buttered pieces of corn on the cob.

It was interesting to note that many couples ended up sitting together to eat. The conversations before supper continued at the table with those involved grouped together. Mercy ended up between Sue and Samantha, who was next to me. Samantha and Mercy got to know each other, with Mercy being fascinated with Samantha's photography.

Neither Sue nor I had told anyone of Mercy's ability or what she used to do. They just accepted her because she was with us. We let Mercy use her intuitive ability to learn about all our friends.

After supper and the clean up, the girls who had been making the cute little intimate wear brought out little bags for the ladies. Sue told all the ladies not to look at the clothes yet, but to surprise their mates with them later. The purpose of the experiment was to see how their mate removed the garment, and what their actions were leading up to the removal. She wanted them to use the opportunity for a little teasing. She also wanted to hear in detail how their husbands removed the garment, and would then find out from the guys what they thought.

You could tell that they were all very curious. Charlie said, "I don't know about you guys, but I'm up for a ride tonight. Who's coming along?" Hank and Debbie said they were, and Jim and Hanna said they were ready. Drew and Bob didn't want to ride on the back of the girls' bikes but told the girls they could go. The "Andys" decided to stay home and test the new garments.

Sue looked at me and said, "How are we all going to go? What about Samantha?" I nodded and said, "I didn't plan on Sam, but I had Mercy covered." About that time, Sandy came back over and said that Bob had to go see his Dad, who was in the hospital for a while, so she wanted to ride.

"How about taking Samantha with you?" I asked.

Sandy instantly said, "Come on, honey, I'll be gentle, lets get some jeans on you and something better on those feet."

Samantha went with Sandy to borrow some clothes while Mercy, Sue, and I went in to dress in riding clothes. While we changed, Mercy filled Sue in on our ride earlier and going for a short ride in the 172. Sue said she couldn't believe she had been so consumed in the new idea that she had forgotten all about us. She asked how Mercy liked riding and Mercy said it was great and was looking forward to this evening.

I finished dressing quickly and maneuvered bikes around pulling the FLH with the sidecar out of the shed, or as it was now, my personal shop. I started the bike to let it warm up. When Sue and Mercy came out they were surprised at the new addition. They both wanted to ride in it. If Mercy had been a little smaller, like Shawna or Debbie's size, they could have. As it was, Mercy said she would ride behind me.

When everyone gathered in the yard, I told the others that I needed them to keep it a little slow as I had to learn how to handle a sidecar. They all agreed and we were off. Sue observed that we were the only ones with helmets. I told her about the helmet law that had just passed. She immediately had her shorty helmet off and tossed it toward the patio. So much for safety. Mercy said these little things wouldn't do much to help if we were in an accident, so her helmet followed Sue's. Mercy used her hands around me to unbuckle my helmet and it flew toward the patio too as we started off.

We rode down to the clubhouse as I had expected. The gate guy had to swing the gate wide to let me in with the sidecar. We were a fairly big arrival considering five bikes and all the women we had with us. Several of the club members came over to check out my sidecar and the new girls that came. They were used to Sandy, but the addition of Mercy and Samantha had their antennae up.

As we were getting off the bikes, I noticed something that I had not seen before. All our girls had on the same T-shirt. Sue wore a T-shirt over a sexy top because she didn't want a club guy or prospect to get in trouble with Hap. But the other girls usually just wore some sort of T-shirt or tank top. They all had different color T-shirts that said, "Property of" on the top, then in the center there was a big S&S logo. Sue's, Mercy's, Samantha's and Sandy's all had an addition under the logo. They all read "& Steve."

I groaned hoping no one would notice. I led the girls into the socializing area to be greeted by Hap and Bear. They both hugged Sue, Mercy, and me. Bear looked at Samantha, then back over at Sandy, Sue, and Mercy, and said, "Hap, this guy's starting his own club. He's already got his bitches wearing his property patches."

Hap looked at the T-shirts and over at me. I was really blushing. "Shit, Bear, that ain't a club, that's a fucking harem." The two of them began laughing loudly.

Bear said, "I've seen this little girl with the newspaper people before. Who are you, darlin'?"

Sue, being the mother of all, said, "This is one of our special friends, Samantha. She's a student and part-time newspaper photographer."

The party was in full swing, with many of the club members setting off fire crackers around the area in celebration of July fourth.

Bear was obviously curious about the two new girls, but kept his silence for the time being. He and Hap had been drinking all day and were a little loose. Hap introduced me to the president of the visiting club. As he did, and the guy nodded to me, I felt Mercy crowd up to me, a little behind me. Hap noticed and had a little puzzled look on his face. Hap's lady came to take the girls to the ladies gathering but Mercy insisted that she stay with me. Sue became concerned and stayed as well. Sue pulled Mercy to the side and had a conversation with her while I talked with Bear. Bear was asking me about Samantha, whether she was another of my toys, and I had to tell him that Sue was the one always picking up stray babes, not me. He laughed with me.

Sue said that she didn't feel good and maybe we should leave. She said to Hap that she was sorry, but being pregnant that she didn't know when something would come over her. I gathered everyone, telling them Sue wasn't feeling good and we needed to go. Charlie looked at me funny, and I said, "Let's go, talk later."

We rode out of the gate slowly and I looked around real close. There was the usual detective car setting down the block watching the clubhouse but there were three cars sitting on the street with the windows down. I could see men in each of them. The cars were full. I told Charlie to begin going out toward the big street. I rode down the block to the detective car and rode up so I was next to his window. When he rolled the window down I recognized him as one of the detectives that had been at Ben's office that night that seemed so long ago.

"Why don't you call for a bunch of back up and have them wait somewhere real close. There might be trouble, I'm not sure, but something looks funny."

The detective said, "I wondered about those cars, I can't tell but it looks like there are several people in each."

"They're all full. That's what funny."

Mercy spoke up from behind me. "I felt that guy that was with your friends, Hap and Bear. He is a bad person. His mind said he's planning something. He was waiting for something, some signal."

I took my cell phone out and called Hap's. When he answered I told him to walk toward the house while I was talking to him. "Don't ask me how I know, but something's going down. That visiting president is not your friend. He's going to do something. Get your men to quietly get prepared and to be watchful. Don't shoot anyone as there is going to be a bunch of cops around here in a minute. Just be careful and get Bear somewhere safe. Watch that guy, don't let him out of your sight. Call me." I hung up on him knowing he was at least warned. While I had been on the phone, the detective had been calling in to his supervisor. I told him to be careful and turned to follow my people who were at the end of the block by now.

When I got down to the end of the block, we pulled around the corner where I told everyone what had happened and what Mercy had felt. They looked puzzled but asked me what they should do. I said that I thought we should just go on to where ever we were going, because we would be in the way, and we couldn't endanger the women.

Sandy said, "We can't leave them when they need help."

"Look, Sandy, none of us are carrying, because you can't legally carry inside a bar, and we're going to several. Those guys back in those three cars are probably all armed. The cops are sending people."

I had another thought so I asked, "Charlie, let me use your bike a second."

Shawna and Charlie got off and I rapidly rode down the street to the detective's car and as he rolled down the window I said, "Fuck it, just have some squads roll up and block those cars real quick. Do you have some close?"

"Real close, let me get six of them real fast."

I said, "Listen, when they get in position tell them to turn on their lights. That will screw up anything inside the fence. I'm not going to be popular for this but it might keep the violence down."

"Good idea, the lieutenant will be happier about taking action. I'm bringing the swat team with the squads."

Pleading, I asked, "Keep them out of the yard, there's no reason to go in. Treat those guys with respect and you'll get it back."

"Yeah, I know. I'm not seeing anything bad going on lately. They're policing themselves pretty good. They do have a bad way to remove problem people though."

I told the officer, "Live with it, they take care of their own."

Police cars were coming from both directions, so I rode back up the street to my waiting contingent. I called Hap again.

"Sorry about the disruption outside, but there are probably eighteen or twenty guys in cars out here that I'm having the cops neutralize. The cops shouldn't come in the yard unless you want them too. Can you talk?"

"Yeah, I'm in the kitchen watching the yard right now. Bear and my guys are one-on-one with all the visitors. I told everyone to stash anything that would get them in trouble, so when the time comes, we'll throw open the gates and let the fuckin' cops in. You did fine. Too bad we can't take care of this ourselves instead of hiding behind the fuckin' cops."

"Hap, you'll get your chance another time. Let's just be glad the danger was spotted in time."

"Jesus, how many fucking cops are out there anyway? Christ, the whole block just lit up."

"Look here," I said with a new thought, "if you feel safe, take those guys down one at a time and shake em for weapons. The worse that can happen is some pissed off people."

We'll do that now," Hap said agreeing. "Go ahead and get out of here, Steve. We'll take it from here. I'm going to go strip an asshole to see what he's carrying. I owe ya. I'll call you later. You may need to come by again."

I told Charlie and everyone that Hap said for us to leave and that he would call us later.

None of us wanted to leave, but it was the right thing to do. We rode down to Jonah's where when we went inside, Mercy instantly pointed at Denise and said to me, "Double D." I nodded as Sue pulled Mercy and Samantha toward Denise.

After the squealing between the girls settled down and they had all hugged each other, Denise came out from behind the bar and jumped up, wrapping her legs around me and giving me a kiss that should have been reserved for her intended. After the kiss she hugged me tightly while everyone looked on, "I just love you so much. Damn, I wish I wasn't so much in love with that crazy cop."

She made Samantha nervous, but made Mercy smile. Mercy was so intuitive that she knew that Denise's affection and friendship were genuine. Double D served Sue a Coke first, then got everyone else long necks. She said she would be out to the house to hear all about our vacation. Sue told her she should have the pictures she had taken back soon.

We talked with lots of people, then loaded up with several additional couples riding with us and headed across the causeway to the Crab Shack. That place was jammed tonight. There were bikes crammed into the small parking lot and lined up on both sides of the street. It was almost impossible to get inside to get a beer but Charlie, Jim, and I managed to capture a Diet Coke and a few handfuls of long necks. The girls were already in a big conversation with a bunch of women they knew.

We had been talking with some guys about the sidecar when my cell phone rang. I walked off, with Charlie following. I said, "This is Steve."

It was Bear, "You saved my butt again, you asshole. I'm not even going to thank you for it this time. You got Hap so fucking delirious over you, he's gonna suck your dick in front of everyone. Christ, you gotta stop doin' this shit. What's worse is cops were all over the fucking place and Hap was happy about it. Jesus Christ, what are you doing to a bunch of good bikers? Here, talk to Hap."

"Come home, I mean come to the club house. All of us want to say thanks. Wherever you are, leave and come here, we want you to come now." He hung up.

Charlie asked, "They alright?"

"I guess so. He says we should mount up and head back over there."

We gathered our group and blasted across the causeway, rolling up to the opening gate about thirty minutes later. We didn't even get to park the bikes before the bikers and their ladies swarmed us. They literally pulled us from our bikes and half carried us to the socializing yard. Hap made everyone give us some room and he and Bear began handing us beers. He even personally handed Sandy a beer. That was something, the chapter prez of a national bike club handing a beer to a 'lady rider.'

When we all had a drink, he held his can of beer high and said, "From our two clubs, we toast you, we salute you, and we thank you for watching out for us. Thank you." Hap and Bear took a long drink before Bear looked at me and said with gusto, "Semper fi." I smiled as Jim and I answered with enthusiasm, "Ooorah."

Hap grabbed a startled Mercy by the hand and brought her in front of him and said, "Bear, this little girl felt something. She knew that guy was bad and was up to something. Mercy, I want you to know that if you ever feel something like that again, just get me aside and tell me. I'll take care of it. You did good today, you protected all of us. Thank you."

Bear said, "What a crock of shit, though, to sic all those cops on us like that. When Hap threw open the gates and waved the cops in, I think half his guys, and I know all of mine nearly had a stroke. At least all they did was round up the bad ones. Every one of those guys was carrying. The cops had to call for a bus to carry them away. None of them had any women with them so we didn't have to worry about that. We did find out that the guys waiting in the cars had automatic weapons, so we were lucky the cop cars got here to block them off. We pushed most of their bikes out onto the street so they could cart them off to a storage yard. One of our guys noticed that a couple of them didn't have any serial numbers anywhere so we kept those for spare parts. Anyway bro, you did good."

The cook was trying to serve everyone a snack of Saturday chili, so we were good guests and drank lots of beer and ate some of their food. A lot of the club girls wanted T-shirts with the S&S logo on it. Hap said, "Hell yes, get them some with Property of Steve on them. Shit, all my girls can join his harem."

Samantha was sitting next to me and said, "That's not fair. I want to join your harem before they do."

Sue had heard her and said, "You're already there, honey, we'll keep you as long as you want."

Mercy was on the other side of me said, "These people all really like you. You're lucky. Some of them could be really mean."

"They're not mean, Honey, they're just rougher than most men you'll meet. If they like you, they will do anything to protect you. Friendship, trust, and respect is what they have, and in some cases, it's all they have."

Hap had heard. "Steve may not be a club brother, but he is a brother. It's all in the respect, Honey, it's all in the respect."

As it neared one in the morning, we decided to ride home. We had a difficult time turning the bikes around in the clubhouse driveway after being hijacked coming in the gate the way we had been. We rode home with Mercy in the sidecar and Sue hugging me. Samantha said she wanted a turn in the sidecar soon too.

When we went into the park, we kept the noise down to a low roar. None of us started the rev up the v-twin stuff, so we were able to shut down before waking up the whole park. I pushed the bike into my shop and locked up to join everyone on the patio.

The general consensus was to pass on the hot tub tonight and just go to bed. Almost all of us opted for some liquor before bed though. Mercy and Samantha joined me having a Beefeater martini with the others having various vodkas or whiskeys. We left the glasses in the bar's big sink with the other folks going home, while Samantha, Mercy, and Sue went inside. I straightened up the patio, wondering how this new grouping was going to work. Today had been a long one, and I didn't know if I was up to three women.

When I went into the bedroom the bed had been turned down and I could hear the shower going. I needed a shower too, so I stripped down to look in to see if there was enough room. There was room, they were waiting for me. I'll let your imagination make up what you want, but they made it easy to take care of the three of them.

When we went to bed, Sue had me between Samantha and Mercy, with her on the outside of Samantha. We were too tired for any more hanky panky and were all quickly asleep.

I awoke needing the bathroom quickly. I slid from between the girls and relieved my bladder. When I came back into the bedroom the three had snuggled together eliminating the space where I had been. I looked at the clock to see it was already seven thirty. I put on some shorts and a T-shirt and went to find coffee already made in the kitchen pot.

I poured myself a cup and went out to the patio to join Glenda and Ruth. Both of them were wearing sexy gowns. Ruth's was typically so sheer you could confirm she was still shaved. They were telling each other how much fun the short sets that Sue gave them had been the previous night, and when they saw me they said together, "Happy Independence Day, Steve." It wasn't too long before Tiny came in and began making a big pitcher of Bloody Marys.

That was a great idea, so I went into the kitchen to see if we had any celery. We did, so I washed it and cut it into long strips. I took the plate of celery out and the four of us had some enhanced Bloody Marys.

Charlie and Shawna, Jim and Hanna, followed by Hank and Debbie, all came almost at once. The girls were all wearing one of the sexy creations from Sue's collection. Tiny was making more Bloody Mary mix. When Sandy and Mandy showed up with Drew and Bob, Tiny said that someone would have to make a mix run soon. I went inside for my wallet and took off in my wild looking truck.

I bought all of the spicy and regular Mr. and Mrs. T's mix, plus most of the other mix that they had. I went to the vegetable juice aisle and picked up five gallons of tomato juice, a couple bottles of Tabasco sauce, and several bottles of Worcestershire sauce. This should be enough. I did go the produce section and bought a bunch of lemons and three bunches of celery.

When I began carrying everything in, Tiny laughed, saying it was a good thing we had multiple bottles of vodka as it looked like we were going to be drinking Bloody Marys for a while.

I said the cans would keep, but I didn't want to run out if more people wanted one. Tom, Al, Betty, and Joan were there and Phil pulled up, bringing a big bag of something. Judy went into the kitchen and began frying bacon and sausage. Glenda went in and said she would make some biscuits. Joan washed and cut up the celery I had bought, while Tiny was pouring some of our good morning drink for Phil and his Mom and Dad. I went in to find the girls awake, but busily enjoying themselves. They were giggling like a bunch of school girls. I gave them all kisses and told them that we had a full patio, to come have a Bloody Mary.

Samantha said, "Oh, I love those."

In no time at all, they were out on the patio sipping the specialty drink, all wearing one of Sue's teasing gowns that she was becoming famous for. Sue made sure her drink was without the liquor.

It wasn't long before Judy and Glenda, with Martin's help, began carrying out platters of food. There was a big stack of biscuits, another of pancakes, along with a couple of platters of sausage and bacon. There were two platters of scrambled eggs and a stack of buttered toast.

Everyone dug in, which required multiple trips for more Bloody Marys, milk, juice, and coffee. We were all full and happy in a short time. Everyone thanked Judy and Phil for thinking ahead.

Phil said, "I just need to keep the boss happy so he keeps coming up with more things to sell and more ways to sell them."

"You've done alright so far, Phil. If someone wasn't sitting at them you would sell the desks. I should have taken you to Alaska with us. You could have made your budget selling ice to the Eskimos."

We laughed and joked while we cleaned up the crumbs left on the table. Our crew didn't let food go to waste, that was for sure. Most of us had a honey-do list to take care of, while Phil and Judy said it was time for them to head for Church. Samantha asked them where they were going and they said St. Patrick's. She asked them if they would bring her back after Church if she went with them. She went inside and changed into the jeans and shirt she had worn last night and left with Phil and Judy after giving Sue, Mercy, and me a kiss goodbye.

Sue had me cleaning the extra bedrooms we had. She said one room would be Mercy's when she wanted some privacy. The others we needed to get ready for various visitors. She felt Dewey and Sheila would come soon, as would my brother and sister once they found out we had room. She also wanted enough room in case someone like Samantha wanted to move in but didn't want to share our bed.

Mercy and Sue had a long talk until Sue finally said, "Fine, don't use another room for privacy. I know I even need some quiet time by myself, I was just trying to give you some space to call you own."

Mercy said to Sue in a weepy voice. "You and Steve are so important to me that I want to be with you all the time. When you're not available, then I want to be with Steve. I'm just a junky for you two. Just give me a spare drawer and a little closet space."

"The closet doesn't have much in it. There's plenty of space and there are several drawers that are empty. The entire row between Steve's underwear, socks, and T-shirts, and my stuff is empty. Use those."

Mercy hugged Sue, then kissed her sweetly saying, that she didn't mean to be so clingy but she was jonesing over us really bad. Sue held her close and lay down on the bed with her to cuddle. They laid close for a long while. I noticed in a little while that they were asleep, sweetly holding each other.

When they woke up around ten, Sue said her hormones were making her mood swings pretty radical. She hoped to not piss me off with them, but she couldn't help it. She said that was why she needed Mercy and Samantha, to make sure I was taken care of while she was crazed. I held her and told her I didn't need anyone other than her. She was important to me, the most important person in my life.

I kidded her about bringing home all these little girls.

Sue said, "You can't include Mercy in that. You were as much at fault for picking her up as I am. It was your mind that she became hooked on, then she found me after you."

"So you think Mercy is a permanent fixture here?"

"Maybe, we'll see. If she wants to join me in pregnancy, we'll have to work on that one."

The rooms were ready except for furniture. We decided that a queen bed would fit nicely in each of the bedrooms along with a small vanity and a couple of chairs. There were already built in nightstands with a shelf area over a headboard, so we could just go out and order what we wanted. Unless we wanted footboards, we would only need Hollywood frames and mattress sets. Sue said for us to wait for Samantha and we would eat lunch and go furniture shopping. She knew exactly where to go.

Sue then groaned, "I forgot. We're supposed to go to Ben's for dinner. Shoot, we'll have to put off the furniture shopping till later, maybe even tomorrow. I wanted Samantha to go with us though."

What is it about women that they want to haul every one along to go buy anything? I reminded Sue that we might want to keep the bedroom nearest us for a nursery. She just said, "Oh yeah, we better."

Mercy put on the dress that she had gotten at the yacht club. Sue and I dressed in our usual, Sue in a nice skirt and top, with me in Dockers and a nice shirt. When Samantha came back from Church with Phil and Judy, Sue said she should be the same size as Hanna, so they walked over to Hanna's. Samantha came back in a nice dress and wearing a pair of Hanna's shoes. Mercy said that it looked like Samantha and she were the same size so they could share clothes too. Mercy even tried on the shoes Sam was wearing. They fit comfortably.

Sue called her uncle's, to have her Mom answer. She told them that we were bringing two guests with us.

We loaded up into Sue's Mustang and drove down to the ritzy part of town. Samantha was surprised to find out that Sue's family owned a home on Bay Shore. Mercy was impressed when a butler answered the door and ushered us into the sitting room.

Sue introduced the girls to Uncle Ben and her mom. Samantha said that she recognized Ben from taking his picture several times at gatherings the newspaper covered. She seemed to remember Beth as always with him, as well.

We had the obligatory before dinner drink and chatted a little. Sue began to tell about the part of the vacation that had happened after Hawaii.

We were ushered into the dining room and served excellent roast lamb. This was a first for me. I didn't understand the mint jelly; the lamb was good by itself.

After dinner, we went into the lounge, where Ben and I played a race to seven of nine ball. He beat me easily seven - four. I needed to practice and trounce him a couple of times.

Sue was telling how much she loved the big sailboat that Dewey had. Ben said he used to own a really big sailboat. It had been forty-five feet long. Sue said that Dewey's was a really big schooner of over a hundred feet.

Ben protested, "You would have to have a big crew for a boat like that. I had to have two hands to help me on a forty-five footer."

Sue scoffed, "Steve and Dewey did everything all the way from the islands to San Francisco. Dewey and Sheila are sailing back by themselves. Good sailors don't need a bunch of people."

Sue mentioned that she had bought an airplane. Beth's and Ben's ears almost bent forward. Beth exclaimed, "I thought you quit that nonsense when you got hurt. You didn't have your license long at all."

"While we were in Alaska, our guide was an instructor and he re-certified me. When we were in San Francisco, Steve got his license back too and helped me fly back."

Ben asked, "So what did you buy, a little 150 or something like that?"

"No," Sue answered, "I bought a Cessna 208. It has a turbo engine and will hold up to nine passengers."

Ben was shocked, "Why so big?"

Sue replied, "If I decide to go down to the Caribbean and want to take friends or you and Mom along, I can. It has a long range and is very comfortable. It's even air-conditioned."

"Is that what you wanted that money for? That's not that much for a plane like that."

Sue assured him, "If it were a jet that I couldn't fly, it would have cost a ton, but for a single engine plane, it's fine. One of these day's I'll trade it in on a twin. Steve and I are both getting our instrument ratings so we can fly a lot higher. The planes are more efficient that way."

Beth asked, "Planes?"

Sue smiled, "Oh yeah, I bought Steve a neat little 172 so we could make short hops around the area when we wanted."

Ben sputtered, "You bought two airplanes, Two? That's nuts, just nuts."

"Look Dad," Sue said dad, I'm sure to fluster him. "I'm a big girl. My husband and I are making good money and if I want a plane or a big sailboat, I'm going to get it. You just worry about taking care of Mom."

Beth was red faced and Ben still had his mouth open.

"Get over it, you two. I figured you two out a long time ago. I just didn't figure out that Ben was my dad until recently. Want to have a DNA test, Dad?"

Ben looked frayed, cowed, "Not necessary. I guess it's best that it's out. But be careful with this flying and boating. It could be dangerous."

"We'll all be careful. We go as a group anyway, so we'll be all right."

We had one more drink with them while Sue and her Mom talked privately a while. Sue announced, "We need to go, Mom, we're going to the furniture store for mattresses and stuff for our spare bedrooms. We need to get them set up for company that we're expecting.

We left and went to Kane's furniture where they were holding a big July 4th sale. It was easy to buy the three mattresses we wanted with the frames, plus Sue, Mercy, and Samantha picked out three dressers, along with a chair, a small side table, and a reading lamp for each bedroom. The bedrooms would be comfortable places to stay for whoever came. The store would deliver everything tomorrow. We stopped at West Shore Mall and went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond for several sets of sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and bed spreads. We were now set for visitors, bring 'em on.

Back at the house, we decided on pizza for Sunday night. Sue ordered fifteen Pizzas, never knowing whether it was too much or too little. She sent me off to the store for some hot peppers and some crushed red pepper as she had a craving for hot stuff.

Some of the folks were going downtown, and some were going over to the beach to watch the fireworks displays. I was already anxious for the firecrackers to stop. They sometimes sounded too much like a firefight.

After we ate, Samantha said she should get home, since she had some studying to finish for a class. She thanked Sue for having her and said she'd had an exciting time. Sue and Mercy took her home, and afterward Sue took Mercy to Wal-Mart for her first visit to one of the big local chain stores. They bought a little of everything, shorts, tops, sandals, jeans, all the stuff that you wear when you don't need to make a fashion statement. They planned to make a trip to several department stores to get dresses, skirts, and business clothes.

A lot of the crew was hanging out, shooting the shit. There was a card game going, while Tiny and his dad were playing chess. Some of the ladies were in a spirited game of gin rummy. The newly-added air conditioning made the patio a great place to be again.

I was talking to Shawna. I gave her an idea of what I was going to try to do with a truck cab and sleeper. I asked her if she or Charlie knew any truckers so we could get their opinion.

She replied quickly, "You know six of them. They work for you, plus Dago, he's a trucker. You want answers, ask them."

"Wow, you're right. They're right under my nose. I'll get them together soon. I'm going to need help designing this thing too. I want the whole thing to have a modern swept back style so there is minimal wind resistance. We'll probably have to have a mechanic work with us to make sure we give enough room to work on the truck, as well as to make sure there is sufficient air flow."

"You have a bunch of those. All of Abe's and Jed's guys are great mechanics. Everything you need is right there at the shop."

Mercy came over and said to me, "See, your idea is going to come together fast."

Around nine, Sue, Mercy, and I took a walk to get some exercise. We decided that we would get back into the swing of things tomorrow and start going to the gym and getting some swimming in. When we got back to the house, Sue wanted to go up and swim a little and see if the tub was cool enough for her. The girls didn't bother putting on swimsuits and wore only robes up to the pool, while I wore trunks.

The pool and tub were empty. We swam for almost thirty minutes then sat in the tub for ten minutes to relax. We walked back to the house, showered the chlorine off, and snuggled into bed. The two wore me out and when they left me to doze, they enjoyed some lady loving.

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 13



I awoke with a head on each shoulder and the two girls snuggled against me. Both had a hand across me, one laying on the other. I lay still, relaxing in the peaceful beauty that surrounded me, thinking how unbelievably good my life was.

My body was thinking that I needed to get up to go to the bathroom when Sue raised her head and kissed me softly saying, "Good morning."

Mercy raised her face to ours, smiling also, saying "Good morning." She kissed both of us and said, "It is so beautiful to wake up in the morning to hear you both saying 'I love you' to me and to each other. I was sleeping so peacefully and you both just plunged into my mind and woke me, mentally loving me. This is so wonderful."

We lay snuggled for a couple of minutes before Mercy said, "I need to go home for a day or so to calm my dad. He's on the verge of coming here to make sure I'm okay. My mom keeps telling him I'm all right, but he's very protective and wants to make sure."

Sue patted Mercy's arm, "If you have to go, I can fly you there and back. It would be fun. But you know they could come here. I'd love them to visit with us, to show them around Tampa and the beaches."

"I probably should go alone to show him I'm not your mental captive. He's never seen me in love before. He's never seen me even interested in a boy before. I've had boyfriends and lots of very close girlfriends, but not where I wanted to be with someone so intensely. It's a shock to him that's all. I'll see if I can get a non-stop out there and leave the return open, so I can just go and get on a plane to come back."

Mercy was now on her side against me, with her head propped up on her hand asking, "And what do you think about this, Steve?"

"You're such a wonder to me. You've attached yourself to us in a way that I will miss you while you're not here. I'll look forward to you coming back. I think your dad would have fun with my friends though. They sure would enjoy him and his magic."

"I'll tell him that," Mercy said wiggling against me. "He'll be pleased you like him as a magician. He thinks a magician is the most wonderful entertainer in the world. He lives life within magic."

Mercy was snuggling against me even more and leaned over to kiss me. "I'm going to miss having you touch me and make me feel so good, but I'll be back quickly to take care of Sue and you. Come on, let's get showered and dressed so I can see about a flight."

The three of us got up. While the girls were using the bathroom and turning on the shower, I started coffee in the kitchen pot. Upon my return to the bathroom, I used the toilet and joined Sue and Mercy for a very loving shower, including a lot of probing to make sure I cleaned all of the good spots.

It was just barely six when I went out to the patio to start the big coffee pot. I was dressed ready for work. I had forgotten, it was automatic and someone had set it up last night. It looked to be almost done. I flipped on the light, listening to Sue trying to make arrangements over the phone for Mercy's flight.

Mercy, using my cell phone, was calling another airline. I could hear them becoming frustrated. I thought to myself, too bad we didn't have Dewey's plane closer. We would just use that.

Sue and Mercy were in a head-to-head discussion when Glenda came in with her cup and got coffee from the big pot that had just finished. She asked me, "Those two look like something serious is going on, problems?"

"Not really," I answered. "Mercy has to go home for a day or so and they must be having problems getting an airline reservation."

The two girls came out with cups of coffee to the table where Glenda and I were and Sue said, "We're heading out to the airport. I'm taking Mercy home. We can be there in about sixteen hours including stops for refueling. I'll let it out a little and should get up to about 170 unless we hit a headwind. I'll get cleared for as high as I can get VFR, but it will be faster than commercial. There are no non-stops available, and the first flight connection isn't going to be until eleven. It's going to take nearly twenty hours to get there on commercial."

I said to Sue, "Too bad you didn't buy that twin that would have gone about two-twenty. That would have knocked the trip down to about ten or eleven hours. Do you want me to come with you to spell you flying?"

"No, you stay here. I'll be fine. When I get there, I'll check into a hotel so Mercy has private time with her folks. We'll call you when we stop for fuel and when we get there."

She turned to Mercy and said, "Let's get our bags packed and hit the road."

Ten minutes later they both came out with just some light bags. Mercy looked at her bag, and back at me, "I'm only going for a day, maybe two that's all. We'll be right back, we'll be okay."

I got kisses from both and Sue gave Hanna, who had just showed up, instructions to cover the time she'd be gone. The girls left in Sue's Mustang, driving with the top up.

Glenda asked, "What exactly does she mean that she's flying Mercy home? Mercy's from California, right?"

"Sue bought an airplane and we flew back here in it. It's a really neat airplane that goes fairly fast and will carry several people. Sue got her license reinstated up in Alaska and I was able to qualify and finish my reinstatement in California. Sue also bought me a present. A small Cessna 172 to use for short trips around the state and the southeast."

Shawna had heard this conversation and asked, "Did you fly the little plane back here?"

"No, I flew with Sue and Mercy. We had the little plane ferried back."

"How long will it take to fly out to California?" Shawna asked.

"With no headwind, about sixteen hours, including quick stops for fuel," I answered, knowing that everyone was going to be asking hundreds of questions about the planes now.

Glenda was concerned, "Is it OK for Sue to be flying like that, being pregnant?"

I smiled and said, "The worst part is that she has to go to the bathroom fairly often and that requires them to land. She can't use a milk bottle for relief like a guy can, but she has to refuel anyway."

"Aren't you worried about her making that long a trip by herself?" Tiny asked sitting down with coffee.

"She's not by herself, Mercy's with her and you know Sue, she is very exacting, very cautious," I said, hoping I was accurately describing my pregnant, adventurous wife.

We had been sitting talking about what was going on with the business when my cell phone rang. "The 208 has been stolen. They don't know where it's at. The only thing in the hangar is the 172 and both of our log books, they tossed them out onto the floor. The plane is just gone."

"I'll be out there in fifteen minutes." I said.

"Don't rush, there is a way for us to leave right away. John Truant, one of Uncle Ben's associates, has a Beech 200 twin turbo, you know, a King Air that he wants to sell real bad. He said he would fly out with us and check me out in it if I pay for the fuel. The plane just came out of a major overhaul and he wants to fly it a little. We'll make a lot better time because the plane will go over three hundred."

"What do you want me to do about the 208?"

"Come out and call the insurance company that is on the paperwork on my desk from the purchase. You'll have to help the Aero Park make a police report. They said it was a federal crime, as it is assumed the plane was probably taken out of state."

"Are you going to be okay with this guy? Do you know him well enough?" I asked, thinking this probably isn't a good idea.

"Mercy thinks he's fine. He's an old military pilot turned lawyer that had a dream of having a small commuter airline. That's why he has this plane. It's fast, can carry almost as many as the 208, but it is expensive. It's a free ride anyway and my way to get qualified for turbines and dual engines." I could hear the enthusiasm in her voice.

"Okay, my love, fly safe and take care of yourself and the kid you're carrying, as well as Mercy. Love you."

"Love you too, Steve. Mercy is our watchdog, she just jumps into peoples' minds when something is up. She's writing you a note about the 208 and will leave it with the operations attendant. I'll call you."

Tiny was really curious, "So you and Sue really bought an airplane and now it's been stolen?"

"Yep, she was the one pushing for the strange or unusual, as always. She got her license back while we were up in Alaska and she had me get mine in San Francisco."

The whole crew was out by now, listening to the conversations and having some of the breakfast sandwiches Phil had brought.

Phil asked, "Can you fly us to some of the weekend conventions they have, like in Jacksonville, Savannah, or up in Atlanta?"

"That can be done. Sue also bought a little 172 that's perfect for short flights. It doesn't fly that fast, but it's easily twice or two and half times faster than by car. Let me know when something like that is happening and let the plane pay for itself. If you have to help a salesman close a deal, we can just fly to him and you can double up on the customer."

"Damn, that sounds great," Phil said, enthusiastic about finding another way to create sales. "I've got a bunch of ideas how we can use that plane to help the business. How big is the plane that was stolen?"

"It is a single engine turbo that can carry the pilot and nine passengers, or you can take the seats out and fill it with cargo. It flies a lot faster than most single engine planes, a little over one hundred seventy miles an hour."

"Wow, that's a hell of a plane. Hope you get it back," Tiny said.

I got up to get ready and said, "I best get out to the Aero Park and get this reported."

Tiny said, "I'll go with you if you don't mind. I love airplanes. You can show me your other plane."

Phil looked at us, then back at Judy, "Can I come along? I want to see your little plane too. It'll give me a better idea of how we can use it."

Judy and Ruth were rolling their eyes. Ruth said, "Just what we need, a new toy to distract all of these guys."

Shawna asked me what I wanted to do with the tractor today. I told her, "Nothing probably. I want to hire a couple of truck or coach body men to take it apart first. We'll probably need a team of two or three to get the job done. You and Debbie could concentrate on finding people if you want. Monday's busy enough already, because you have the three race day trucks to clean up and restock. Do what you can, and we'll be there as soon as we get the police report done."

We three guys piled into my gaudily-painted pickup and went to the park. As soon as I walked in you could feel the tension in the operations ready room. The Aero Park owner, Pete Santos, had two people at a table nearly yelling at them. Two county sheriff's deputies were there, observing the harangue from the owner.

When he looked up and recognized me, he stopped yelling and came over to me with his hand out, "Mr. Sharp, don't sue me over this, please. I'm finally making this place pay with the repair facility and the flight training. I'm sorry about your airplane. I don't know how it could be just gone."

"I'm not suing anyone, Pete, just relax," I said trying to settle the man down. "Let the investigators get to the bottom of it. I'm here to help file the theft report so I can alert the insurance company."

Pete looked relieved, "Thank God you have insurance on the plane. That's an expensive airplane to own and have stolen."

I helped the air park people and the deputies make out the report. The deputies said it was probably someone who was either going to use it for smuggling or were going to sell it to a smuggling organization. The key would be to try to remember anyone having contact with the plane in the last couple of days.

I told the deputies that I had seen the plane early Saturday afternoon when I had flown the 172 for an hour. When I left, the 172 was in front of the 208 and would have had to be moved in order to get the 208 out of the hangar. There should be prints on various parts of the plane. I also mentioned that since both of our log books had been tossed out of the stolen airplane, there might be prints there too.

The deputies called for a crime scene team to go over everything for prints. I explained that Sue had taken her log book with her, but mine would still be here. I also said that we could show his men how you handle a plane to push it out of a hangar, since the 172 would have had to be pushed all the way out and back in.

Before we went out to the hangar, Pete said, "The little girl with Sue left you this note." I opened the sealed envelope to read the note it. Mercy simply wrote: The plane is gone, I feel it. Sue will buy this new plane. We will be fine. We love you, Mercy.

We walked out to the hangar and looked at how the 172 had been pushed back in. It was nose -first into the hangar instead of being pointed out like I had left it. The door was open to the plane, but that could have been for the brake lock.

It was difficult to keep Phil and Tiny's hands off the plane before it could be dusted for prints. Pete said when the police were done he would have the plane cleaned up for me and checked over to make sure it wasn't damaged. He didn't think it would be, as the thieves were obviously airplane people.

When I said it was too bad to lose the plane, because it could carry so many people, Pete said, "Maybe Sue will look at buying Truant's Beech. That thing is class. John wants to get rid of it and is willing to sell it way under value. It will carry almost as many as the air wagon and is twice as fast."

"Yeah, but it isn't a Cessna and that's what you guys do out here," I said thinking that a Cessna dealer would want to have Cessnas around.

"We're a Cessna dealer, warranty, and service center. We also are certified to work on Beechcraft, Piper, and most other small aircraft. We can work on piston, turbo props, jet assist, even Gulfstreams. That's why the long runway. We have an old Gulfstream III in the shop right now for a major overhaul and economy retrofit."

"Well, if Sue wants to buy the plane, no one is going to stop her, that's for sure. You might want to talk to her about cost of operation though. I'm sure that thing is expensive to operate."

Pete said, "Not as bad as you would think. Since you wouldn't be using it for commercial passenger service your inspections will be cheaper, plus you already are renting hangar space."

I was still concerned about a plane like that, "A plane like that should always be flown IFR. Sue said that she and I were going to begin to get the rating, but that takes a long time, I think."

Pete smiled, "That I can help you with. It doesn't take long at all. We even have a compact seven day class that crams everything into a couple of days. I bet that's why John took his books with him. I'll bet he's teaching Sue instruments as we speak. John is a senior IP. He's usually too busy to teach, but since he's winding down his law practice, he's spent more time out here. He's looking at an A36 so he can fly around on his own. Since his wife passed on, he's been out here more than at his home. The man lives to fly, but needs a cheaper plane to do it in. You know if you and Sue play your cards right, you two could rent the Beech out and John would be your man to fly it for you. He'd be able to pick up a couple of dollars and you'd be able to pay for the plane."

"Might be a good idea, Pete. I'll talk to Sue about it. When could I begin instrument classes?"

"Tell you what, come out here this afternoon about one, and we'll start," Pete gave me the pitch. "Someone will keep you busy till five, you can decide then on mornings or afternoon. We can get you your ticket in two weeks or less on half days. If you study hard, and maybe put in some extra time this weekend, you'll be done by a week from Wednesday or Thursday. You already bought and we have installed everything we need in your 172."

Tiny and Phil were disappointed they couldn't get in the plane and were like little boys wanting to play. I promised them both that I would take them up to look around the area soon.

We drove to the shop to begin the week. The first thing I did was to take care of the calls Debbie needed me to. They were all butt kissing calls that didn't mean anything, other than the customer wanted stroking.

Next, I went through each department and had conversations with every person there. Back at the fiberglass shop, I asked Jeff how big he could make the pieces I needed. His reply was "How big do you want them?"

"How about the size of a Peterbilt coach, can you make them that big?" I asked.

"It's easy, Steve," Jeff said. "The way you do that is to make up various pieces, then mold them together. If I use my ridged technique, the shell is as strong as steel, maybe even stronger. You want me to copy that body?"

"No, I'm coming up with another design to replace that body. I want to try out something. If it works, we'll double or triple the size of your shop."

"Holy shit, I'm already two or three times as big as I thought I would be, and the orders keep rolling in. All of the guys are learning and are really working at zero imperfections. It's so far so good, with teaching these kids from scratch. Pretty soon I'll have to start paying them more, because they are getting pretty good."

"Just keep teaching. Tiny says your department is very much in the black, very profitable. Keep doing what you're doing, use people and payroll as you see fit."

"Thanks, Steve, you really know how to run a business. You find people you trust and let them run. We're all running for you."

Looking into the big lift department is always fascinating. The monsters they worked on are just too big to believe. Our building was probably the best facility you could find for a super lift shop. So far, the ramped-up output was exceeding expectations, but still far behind in work orders. They could double in size and not stay even with the orders. Jed was working toward doubling the size of his shop, but finding qualified people was going to be tough.

Abe was happy that I had found some forklifts. He said that the market for the electric lifts was way up, but the gas lifts were always a good buy. His personnel were really putting out the product lately. Abe looked good though, he didn't look overworked or tired out. This was good, as that meant a happy Abe and Alice.

The body building group now had eight people building various bodies. Our original body was still in demand and constantly had at least two complete trucks backordered. The new bodies for other trades were selling fast by local dealers. The result of having four separate demo trucks with different bodies was creating a demand from auto dealerships, as well as topper dealers. Dan said that Phil was working on a big deal with Teco and Florida Power for replacement trucks and bodies for their fleet. We had the specs and plans, and were working on them to see what it would cost to produce.

Shawna was working on a custom bike that was close to being finished. A bunch of chrome parts had just been returned, so she was finishing the bike up for delivery. The paint job was pure flame, but interesting, as there were so many metallic colors used over a black sparkly base. Shawna said that the bike had a longer frame than usual, with a long, low-profile rake. She said it was comfortable to ride, but too long for her taste.

Drew was holding a class with some people that looked like they were just starting. He introduced me to them, saying that they were from a local trade school and were going to be additions to our production workforce. Drew pointed to the "We make it perfect" sign and told the class, "This is the guy that taught me what perfect is. It's in everything you do. It's in how you live, work, and play. When you make being perfect a part of your life, good things happen to you."

I went upstairs to walk through the customer service department. Judy said they were now spread out into the new addition as well. She said she now had almost fifty girls plus two team leaders. I waved and greeted as many as I could, but they were mostly all on the phone.

I walked over to Ruth and asked, "This might sound silly, but how many people work here now?"

Ruth laughed, "We grew while you were gone, didn't we? Judy added a bunch, Phil added some, and we've picked up more technicians everywhere except the motor building group. But we did get a couple more high school kids to train though. To answer your question, let me count them on the payroll sheet."

She counted then recounted again. She almost looked sheepish when she said, "We're getting pretty big. Including all of our field sales and tech people we are at one hundred and eighty-four people right now."

I was overwhelmed. "A hundred eighty-four? That's unbelievable. How did we ever get this big?"

"We're getting bigger, Steve. I have three people starting tomorrow, two coachmen and a coachman/mechanic that are being brought in at Shawna's request. She said you told her to get them and we were lucky that we're getting them before the RV people scarffed them up."

I thanked her for the information and went to see Tiny. He had two people in his office that he introduced as two of his assistants who worked with Ruth, as well as helping him. He said these folks were helping to make sure all the loose ends were kept trimmed on an ongoing basis. "They are perfect for watching my back so I don't forget anything. They work with the accounting firm and check over profit structures for each manufacturing segment."

"Tiny," I asked, obviously stressed. "Can you show me any kind of P & L that I could look at? I'm blown away that we've got almost two hundred people here now and growing. The costs have to be bursting at the seams."

He went to his computer and typed in a few things then hit print. He pulled four pieces of paper from his laser printer and said, "This is confidential, so don't go letting this information out. This is the bottom line stuff for in-house use only. Come on, let's get some coffee and I'll go over it with you."

One of his people volunteered to get coffee and Tiny directed them to bring it to the big office where he and I went to sit at the table. This office was nice; the blinds were up and the curtains were open so we could look out at the production floor. Too bad you couldn't see the whole place from here, but you could look up at the monitors and see the motor shop, Abe's rebuild, the super lift, and the fiberglass areas. Damn, we were busy.

Tiny went over the costs in total, breaking down the figures to department-by-department costs, and additionally weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual projected costs. He next went over receipts, accounts payables, and unfilled orders. Everything was bundled but itemized by department. He showed me current payroll figures and anticipated payroll for another year, which factored-in another twenty-five percent growth. He added in the employee costs, including insurance benefits, matching 401K costs, uniforms, workman's comp, matching social security, etc; everything it costs to have an employee. That figure was staggering for the current population and absolutely mindboggling for the annual projection. We next went over the other operating costs, such as building maintenance, depreciation, and taxes. Again, the totals were so far over my expectations that I was getting depressed, thinking there was no way I could keep all these people.

Tiny said, "Now that you've seen how much everything costs, let's take a look at the fun numbers."

We looked at profit percentages, tons and tons of money that had gone through cash flow, and the monies that were in process of being used and in the various bank accounts.

After pointing out and explaining each of the entries and what they meant, he pointed to a number at the bottom of the page. "See that number? You could give the company away today, walk away, and take that amount of money with you legally. That is after-tax unassigned income."

I was a little confused as it was a ten-digit number when you included the cents. "That a really big number Tiny, where's it all at?"

"It's in money market accounts, your various Fidelity accounts, ready to be used to expand, to become charity, to go spend, or to do just about anything you want to."

"Where did it all come from, Tiny? We haven't been in business long enough for this much."

"It's the trickle down theory in practice, Steve. Let's see, you paid everyone double for a month, but it made everyone double their productivity, so our profits doubled and tripled. You've started multiple enterprises that have paid off bundles and promoted dozens of people to leadership positions. That's brought in more profits as well. Steve, that number is real. We just finished another audit, as I was nervous about it and had the accounting firm tear us apart. We're okay, we're fine, we are a very profitable enterprise."

I sat back and sipped my coffee. "Jesus, Tiny, it's hard to believe we've made that much money. Go buy some buildings, some land, some businesses. That is amazing."

"I'll let you come up with ideas to put the money to use. You never know whether Phil can keep up the pace he's going at. He does have help now, but still the man has been making one big deal after another. He's making so much money that he and Judy could leave today and never, ever, worry about money again."

"I hope you're making enough. Perhaps you should give yourself a raise, Tiny."

"Let's see, you've tripled my salary since I started and you've quadrupled Ruth's. We've both received enough bonuses that we could have damn near bought the trailer park if you hadn't. Don't worry, Steve, I'm getting very wealthy through your efforts."

"Don't let me forget anyone. It's your job to make sure I reward everyone that deserves it. This is almost too much to believe. Here, take these papers and hide them so I don't spend the rest of day looking at them."

"Nice, aren't they?" Tiny said gathering the papers.

Tiny added, "Keep in mind your most recent generosity. You just gave away forty percent of the company. That's forty percent of the future profits too. That's one hell of a gift."

Tiny continued, "You told me to buy the golf cart business and building, so I did. It's doing pretty well. I don't know yet whether we want it to be an S&S business. You'll have to go over there and see for yourself. I've got my eye on something else, though. I'll see how it turns out."

My cell phone rang at that instant. It was Sue.

"I love this plane. It is so cool. We've been flying at eighteen thousand feet, using cabin oxygen and going almost three hundred and fifty miles an hour. If I can last, we can make it into San Francisco on just this last hop. This plane is nice, I love it. And you know what? John is teaching me instrument and logging this flight as part of it. He says that if I buy the plane, he'll continue through my rating and will teach you as well."

"Glad you like the plane, Honey. Pete from the Aero Park gave me an idea. He said that if we were to buy the plane, he could rent it out. John could fly the charters if he wanted to make a buck, and Pete said we should be able to pay for the plane doing it that way."

"Great idea, I'll tell John the plane is sold. I'll bet he'll love the idea of the extra flight time. He says he has his eye on a nice A36 that's for sale and will buy it if he sells this. He's not asking near what it's worth, but says it will be a good write-off on his investment so he can disband his airline company cleanly."

"Go ahead and buy it, Sue, but be sure you insure the darn thing. The cops said smugglers probably stole the 208. They said we would probably never see it again. Pete said that he'll beef up security at the air park and install more cameras, but the cops say that the smugglers are so good and so fast, that the only planes they can't steal are ones without wings or engines."

"Steve, the plane this so quiet, Mercy slept most of the way. John even has jazz being played in the cabin area. It's really nice."

"Well have fun flying that thing. It's sure is a big step from that 185 up in Alaska," thinking how the vacation had changed our lives and attitudes.

"It's a big step from the 208 too. You'll love this aircraft. You'll see."

We did the "I love you and be careful and safe stuff" and hung up.

While I was sitting there, Tiny asked, "Do you need the company to buy the plane?"

"No, we'll keep the plane on a personal basis. If we need it for the company, we'll rent it out, the same as we plan to do to pay for it."

Tiny asked, "How are you going to handle flying Phil around in the little plane?"

I answered, "I'll donate that or rent it. If it becomes too much, the company can get a plane and more people can learn to fly. We'll make it a benefit or something."

We took our coffee cups back to the kitchen, and I left him to go talk to Debbie. She asked about the nasty tractor that I had bought over the weekend.

"It's for an idea, an experiment. Let's call it the S&S wind resistance truck. I want to see if I can build a cab, or body, or coach, whatever you call it, that will produce less wind resistance and save fuel. I'll bet there is a market for it. If you can come up with a name for the department, that would be good."

I started for the door, "I'm going to lunch and I have a class this afternoon. If you need me, call. I'll answer if I can."

It was only eleven, but I wanted to work out a few minutes first. When I got home to change, Glenda and Hanna said they were going to the pool for some sun, why not come with them and swim for exercise? It was a good idea.

I changed to my trunks and grabbed my cell phone. I swam hard for thirty minutes, and enjoyed two ladies spreading lotion on me. I toasted on each side for fifteen minutes and told the girls I had to get going. I showered, dressed, and ate before leaving for the Aero Park.

Pete greeted me saying that John had called and said Sue was buying the plane, so I needed to work on my instrument rating for sure. He had me sit in his little classroom where I watched an hour long video, next he had another instructor pilot work with me for an hour on some of the principles of instrument flying.

We went out to my 172 that now had a strange looking device mounted at the side of the left seat. The instructor pilot explained that it was called a training hood. Once aloft, the hood would be put in place so I couldn't see anything outside, only the instruments. He handed me a stopwatch and explained how to use it, telling me that was one way to begin learning.

I pre-flighted the plane and we took off. The instructor said he was happy to see that I didn't skip any of the pre-flight inspection, even though I knew the park had gone over the plane. I told him that's the way I was taught; it was the only way to know the plane was right.

Once in the air and settled at five thousand feet, the instructor pulled the hood in place and asked if I knew where I was. I checked the neat new Garmin GPS and gave the longitude and latitude telling him I was near Zephyrhills on a heading of 080 degrees. He asked where I would be in an hour. I checked my map, checked my airspeed indicator and checked the corrected ground speed on the GPS and said, "Heading toward Bermuda, just going off shore."

"He told me to see if I could find the radio VOR beacon (VHF omnidirectional range) for the field outside Brooksville. The map listed the frequency of the beacon, so I aligned the heading with the needle, knowing that I would see the needle flip over when we passed over the VOR. "How do you know you're tuned to the right beacon?" He asked.

"The frequency we set on the unit is only good for that location in this area and puts out a Morse code identifier. If you were to give me the next VOR, I know to change my course to that beacon. I need to call for clearance pretty soon, as we're nearing one of the Navy's bombing run areas."

"Very good, turn towards home, call for clearance to a lower altitude and see if you can pick up our beacon, and when we are close enough, tune in the ILS frequency and get on the localizer and glide slope for our field."

It really wasn't very hard with the GPS, but I found the beacon which was the nearer and began lowering my altitude over the five mile beacon. I asked when I could look, as I was nearing a thousand feet and should be out of the clouds, even on most rainy days.

He pulled the hood back and I was descending right onto the runway. He directed me to touch and go, telling me to call in to Tampa International for clearance. After I did that, he pulled the hood over me again. I had clicked the stop watch and knew I had to be over the runway apron at Tampa International but was still three hundred feet up.

The instructor pulled the hood away for me to see in big letters, "Good Luck New Guy" across the runway. The instructor said "Make a go-around in the pattern and we'll do it again." I advanced the throttle and reset the flaps, ascending back to my assigned five thousand feet, going back around.

The instructor put the hood back up and I went through the procedure again. The hood was pulled back at a hundred feet, and I set the plane down nicely rolling out on all three wheels. I rolled a couple of hundred yards and applied power to takeoff again. As I was climbing out, the radio chirped, "Good job Cessna 6278, see you again soon for more practice."

The instructor said to head home, as it had been a good day. He said we would work on longer distances, autopilot settings and the integration of the GPS since it was so handy. He also said that we would be doing at least two landings a day on controlled runways. We might go up to Jacksonville, or perhaps to the busy Orlando airport. He said a good one was the Clearwater/St. Pete airport, but their controllers were not as good. The last resort would be to go down to Sarasota-Bradenton airport as I should experience them too, since he was sure I would run into more like them.

I was surprised that it was already nearing five when we were on final for the Aero Park. We received clearance and landed cleanly. The 172 is very easy to fly. As I was taxing to the hangar, the instructor asked me about my tail dragger endorsement. I told him about the air club in the service and the ancient equipment that we kept up. He told me some Viet Nam stories with the same planes, saying those aircraft were good experience for any pilot.

I refueled the plane before putting it in the hangar and went back to operations. I noticed that I had a voice mail message on my phone, but waited until the instructor gave me a book to read that evening. He asked if I wanted to do mornings or afternoons. I asked if afternoons would be okay and he said it was fine with him, to just show up at one and we would go from there.

I listened to Sue's voicemail message and called her. "Hey babe, you're there already, huh?"

Sue said, "I sure am and you know what? Dewey and Sheila are still here. They're waiting for a guy to finish a class so he can sail with them back to the islands. I'm staying on the boat for tonight and maybe tomorrow. Mercy said she will probably come back to the boat at night to stay with me instead of staying at home. I'm going to let John work with me all day tomorrow teaching me instrument flying and then see how long Mercy is going to stay."

I told her about taking my first day of classes on instrument and about landing at Tampa International. She was glad it had been easy for me. I told her there was a lot to learn, but just doing it over and over would make it easy and second nature.

She said they were getting ready to go to Merlin's to eat and that Mercy was going to do a show that night for her dad. I said that it was really early out there for that, but she said they were going early so they could eat with the performers before the evening serving and entertainment.

She said she would call later this evening and hung up.

I went back to the house to enjoy beer with everyone getting off work. Shawna and I talked about my plan for using the three new people the next day. As hot as I had been all day in the little airplane, the air conditioning on the patio felt good.

It was a good evening. I was able to sit out on the patio and study the book that had been assigned. It was very interesting and should probably be read again to absorb even more.

Sue called at ten, which was seven out there, saying they were watching several of the individual performers doing tricks among some of the early show guests. She said that Mercy had been cute, saying she was nervous about doing a show since she had not done one for a few days. I told her I had read my book and was ready to call it a night soon. She said she was tired too and would be happy to go to bed soon. She said to wait a second.

Mercy's voice came on the phone, "I miss you, Steve. Sue and I are not complete when we're away from you. You've been busy. I'm trying to keep you in touch with me but Sue's so strong, she fills my mind. We'll see you soon, maybe two days, okay?"

"Whatever you need, Mercy. Convince your folks that we make a neat group. I enjoy you and I know Sue is nuts about you."

"Well, I'm nuts about both of you guys. Here's Sue."

Sue said, "Mercy is going to go on now so I'll talk to you tomorrow. Love you, Baby, I'll see you soon."

The patio was empty, so I closed up, shut down the air, and went to bed, alone. It felt strange to be alone.



-------

Chapter 14



The next day went pretty much as I had planned. I was able to get the three new people to begin working on the old tractor. The first thing was to strip the interior. The driver's and passenger's seats and the entire "dog house," or "sleeper," as some call it, had to be gutted down to the bare metal. I was going to want exact measurements for everything we removed. I had the three of them document everything they took out by using the digital camera and writing down the steps. I told them my goal was to completely disassemble the truck and sleeper body, and be able to set it apart from the chassis. They had more than a day's work, so I left them to their own devices and had them report to Jeff for any assistance they might need.

I had asked for the six race day driver/salesmen to come in to meet with me for a few minutes. We talked about their great success at the tracks and how much fun it was to sell to their friends. Then I got down to business. I wanted them to keep detailed records of their travel for me. I was interested in approximate speed, weather conditions, road conditions, traffic, and of course, the amount of fuel used. If we could establish a baseline between the three trucks as to how they were operating now, we could see actual differences, if there were any, when we had a body to test.

One of the guys had a lot of experience doing wind tunnel tests and had several recommendations. The kicker to this project came from Drew. He had heard Shawna and me talking and said he had an engineering degree and his main area of expertise was aerodynamics. I told him to get with Ruth to order any design software he might need. He said he would still be able to handle directing and training in sheet metal, as well as helping to develop the new body for the truck.

By eleven thirty, I was home and in the swimming pool, swimming hard for nearly a half-hour. I did the sun fifteen minutes a side and was showering and dressing when Sue called. She said that she was at Mercy's for a late breakfast and had been continuously entertained by Mercy's mom and Merlin. They were cutting up constantly with Mercy and her, as they were so happy that she had come home to visit. Sue said she was about ready to go to the airport for more training with John.

I spent the afternoon doing about the same as yesterday. I watched a movie for a half-hour and discussed the book I had read the night before. We talked about, and he further explained TACAN, Direction finding (DF), Instrument Landing System (ILS), Non-directional beacon (NDB), Distance Measuring Equipment (DME), Global Positioning System (GPS), Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), Head-up display (HUD), Airway (aviation) (Victor Airways). He said we would be using all of these but would be keeping it simple today.

We went out to the plane where he quizzed me on everything new we had done the day before, and had me pre-flight the plane so we could take off. Today was different. He had the hood pulled over me so he made the takeoff and turned the controls over to me, giving me a speed, altitude, and heading. He gave me the VOR frequency and I used it to align the aircraft course to the station. He had me do everything, including the descent with Clearwater-St. Petersburg approach control, without benefit of the GPS. He took over and we touched down, and took off again, with him giving me control back as soon as we were off the ground. He had performed an altimeter check but did not adjust it on the touch and go. He gave me another course, and gave me a map of the airport traffic patterns and the radio frequencies.

I flew blind, seeking the ILS, and after requesting guidance from approach control, kept flying toward the ground until the instructor said he had it and a second later, the wheels touched. We did another touch and go and he gave me Tampa's chart and said for me to request the main runway today since they might give it me. He would advise them of my hood status.

When I contacted them after telling them my number, I got a chuckle and an affirmative and a request that I do a short pattern go around. They would keep me in the pattern. Because of regular airport traffic, all I could think of was having a 767 fly into me. They made me adjust altitude to five thousand feet and enter the big twenty-mile holding pattern.

When I finally reached the approach, they turned me toward the runway and I followed the ILS until the instructor took over, and a second later we touched down, powered up, and left the area, heading home. This time he pulled the hood back and let me see where I was flying. It was natural to use the airfield's navigation signal to align myself and request permission to land. The landing was so smooth the instructor said he only knew I was down because I had cut power. When I rolled up to the fuel pumps, an attendant came out and asked if he could refuel and stow the plane for me. I logged the time on the aircraft and made my personal logbook entry.

Inside the operations building, the instructor gave me another book, a little smaller than the previous one, and asked me to read it. He complimented me on some good flying and said that he knew that a long flight under the hood was very disorienting, but it was necessary to learn how to use the tools.

I was a little late getting home, almost six thirty. The ladies had already started putting food on the table. I grabbed a Beefeater's and ate a salad while listening to Shawna talk about how her crazy boss had people outside, tearing a truck apart.

When supper was over, Drew, Shawna, and Hank sat with me, showing me dozens of drawings they had. My goal was an efficient front for the truck, but to not make it too futuristic looking. The motor and transmission had to be accessible and the cab and sleeper roomy and comfortable. We went over the drawings, eliminating them first by wind resistance, then by accessibility, and finally size for comfort. The final test was that it should look like a truck.

Drew kept showing his calculations for each drawing we looked at. The drawings were further detailed in his computer-enhanced engineering drawing. We only had to key in the mounting points and we would have a blueprint to build from.

I told them to get Sandy, Mandy, and the women in the motor shop to work out what was needed for an efficient sleeper. We wanted sleeping room, but we also wanted the driver to be able to relax somewhere out of view. His sleeper needed not only to function as a bedroom but also as a living room when he needed to mentally rest. They had to allow room for such things as a refrigerator and microwave.

We knew what the truck would look like. Now we had to work on making the idea into reality.

Some of the folks took a ride while I read the new instrument flight training book. I knew the instructor was going to ask me questions tomorrow. Not being ready would mean a waste of time and money for the both of us.

Sue called late. Mercy was doing another show, but she had some news for me. Merlin and Missy were going to come home with her. She asked if the furniture was delivered. I had to go into the rooms to verify it. The only room without furniture was the room closest to ours. It was to be the baby's room.

She said she would call tomorrow to ask Glenda to have the largest room fixed up for visitors. My thoughts were, "Oh shit, now what." She said that they would fly in day after tomorrow, and to be ready for a really strange reception by a future father-in-law.

"Father-in-law?" I asked.

Sue said, "He says if his daughter is going to live with a man, on what she considers a permanent basis, he'd consider himself a father-in-law to you."

She said that Dewey and Sheila might come too, so for me to be prepared. I could only think, "Holy shit, now what."

I finished the book about ten and told everyone I was bushed and was going to bed. The other folks said they would clean up and shut the patio down.

The bed looked so good that I undressed and went to sleep on top of the spread.

I woke at my usual time, cuddled to a warm body. At first I thought it was Sue, then realized as my hand traveled up to her chest that her stomach was too flat, and that her top was not nearly large enough.

Could it be Mercy?

No, Mercy and Sue were together. I opened my eyes to find Samantha in sweet repose, snuggled into me. Her hand was holding mine over a breast, but it was in comfort, not sexual. I slowly slid from the bed and went to take care of business in the bathroom, and make coffee. The time was five-fifty.

As I showered, a sleepy Samantha came into the shower to hug me and give me a sweet good morning kiss. I washed her hair, loving her with each caress and rub. She was ecstatic by the time we left the shower. She didn't want to fool around, she just wanted to be loved. I did that.

Samantha said that Sue had told her that she could come over and stay with me if she wanted. She wanted to, but was just as happy that we had not fooled around. She said she thought that if we waited for that until Sue was with us it, would be so much better. I agreed; I really don't need any extra women. Sue is more than enough for me, but now Mercy is in the mix, and Samantha seems to be coming on strong. Sue is really strange sometimes.

When I turned on the patio light, I realized how hot and muggy it was, so I kicked the outside air on and turned on the fans. By six thirty, the patio was cool and full of people. The contractor came over with some plans for me to look at. Sue had called him and wanted him to build a second building behind the current one and to put some kind of connection to keep the weather out of the passageway between them. We looked at the plans and decided to keep the buildings a little closer, with a patio between them, similar to what we were sitting in at that time.

He said he would have the architect work on it and get back to me at supper.

I had forgotten about the factory across the street and thought perhaps that I could spend a few minutes to see how they were going. Tiny offered the answer.

"Sue asked me to oversee her plant while she has been gone. I've hired an accountant to be the watchdog, but mainly he's just making sure that correct business practices are being used. The accounting firm has finished an audit and we know which areas need correction. Betty and Joan are working with Mike to keep the plant production at a profitable pace. The attitude there is great now. Productivity is way up and the quality is second to none. You're 'Perfect' pitch seems to have taken hold."

"Thanks Tiny, S&S is enough for me, but since it is family, I need to pay attention to the plant too."

Tiny asked, "Do you have any numbers on this truck-building thing you're doing? I want to get in on the ground floor before you take off with something I can't help with."

"The only numbers I have so far are the cost of the truck and labor. You can get the labor numbers from Ruth, but it's all R&D right now. The cost was the thirty-five dollars at the auction I turned in the credit card receipt for it with the equipment to rebuild. We'll spend some of the rebuild department's time and materials when they rebuild the chassis, but the goal is to design a less wind resistant cab and sleeper body."

I continued, "Drew, Shawna, and Hank are working on a design right now and when we have what we want, I'll have Jeff build the shell and then we'll design the inside. Two of the three new people are coachmen, so they will be able to build most of what we want on the inside. The third guy is a mechanic, and will work with Abe's people to make the truck roadworthy."

Tiny smiled, saying, "Keep me posted, so you don't surprise me with another business with fifteen to twenty employees."

The day went mostly as the day before. The truck folks had the truck disassembled and had moved into the empty air-conditioned area between the super lift rebuild shop and the fiberglass shop. They now had a complete set of measurements on how the body mounted onto the chassis. They were working with Drew, who had several prints of the chassis and the mounting connections, with measurements.

Around ten, Shawna, Hank, Drew, and I met in the upstairs break room with coffee to decide on the front and cab design. The least futuristic design was a smooth sharply sloping nose where the angle of the wedge ran up through the windshield to the trailer wind deflector. The rear of the sleeper had swept out sides at the rear to let the wind roll past the sides of a trailer. It looked pretty cool but retained the masculine strong look of a big tractor.

Drew said he would be able to give the shell dimensions to Jeff this afternoon. I told Drew to pass the two coachmen some interior prints so they could begin work on designing the interior. I had Drew tell them to make the coach comfortable, with the feeling of spaciousness in the small area available. I took Abe to talk to the mechanic. I told Abe I wanted the chassis to be completely rebuilt, more perfect than if it was new, so we could use it as a demo. The end result needed to be a showpiece. The mechanic was eager to begin.

The mechanic discussed some upgrades we would need to do as the original truck I had purchased had the old style belt driven blower and the new trucks had mechanical fans for air induction. I told the mechanic to make what we had into the same type of motor the newer models were. The object was to make the finished product fuel efficient.

I left at eleven to repeat my pattern of swim exercise, sun, followed by flight school. The instructor was surprised I had read the second book already, and I told him that if an instrument rating was important, I was going to treat it as such and be prepared for class. He asked me if I was interested in a two day flight. We would include as many major airport landings and takeoffs, day and night, as we could fit into the flying time we would have. He said I would be able to almost finish the rating by doing it this weekend. Since this was Wednesday, I told him I would tell him tomorrow, to give me time to make sure there wouldn't be a conflict with Sue.

That evening I told Sue about the day and night flights and she said that it shouldn't be that big of a problem. She was flying back in the morning and the plane would be full. She was bringing Merlin and Missy, plus Dewey and Sheila were coming.

"With everyone coming, I can't be gone. Merlin is going to want to learn more about me and Dewey will want to go out on the town a little. We'll have to get Phil and Tiny to tell us where to go, or perhaps Ben and your Mom."

Sue said, "You know, that's a great idea. I'll bet Mercy's Mom and Dad would love being at Ben's. Mom said she is staying there most of the time, so the two of them can entertain those two and fill them in on both of us. I'm sure we won't want to know all the things they tell them about us. Dewey and Sheila will fit in easily with our crowd. We'll figure out a way to include them in some of our bike runs. I'll find out if Dewey can ride. If necessary, we can just go rent or buy a bike. You have two, so he could ride the shovelhead. Why don't you see if you can fly most of Friday night and finish Saturday? You could take a nap some place and get as many hours in as possible. If it's distance he's into, I'll get John to check you out in this junior rocket and you can take it."

"All good ideas, Sue. You call your Mom, and I'll talk to my instructor. I want to go ahead and finish this rating, but it doesn't have to be crammed into that tight of a time frame. I would rather spend the time with you and our friends, along with Mercy and her folks."

Sue laughed, "I'm not sure when we'll get rid of Merlin. He's determined to find out everything there is about you before he leaves his little girl to your devious devices. Mercy's mom thinks you're wonderful, but she reads minds. Merlin is a doubter, even though he makes some wild magic."

Continuing, Sue said, "Dewey and Sheila just want to wander around and be inconspicuous. He says that he's enjoying being with Sheila too much to go back to the islands right away. Anyway, he'll tell you all about it."

"So when are you leaving in the morning?" I asked trying to figure the time difference.

"We leave here about eight our time, eleven your time. It may be tough to get Mercy's mom and dad going that early as they are night owls, but we've told them to be at the airport at seven thirty. Figure a max of ten hours flying time, including potty breaks, so we'll be there by nine your time. You better warn everyone that Merlin and Missy are nut cases. They will be staying with us the first night. I've already got Glenda fixing up the three rooms, one for Mercy, one for her mom and dad, and one for Dewey and Sheila. She says they look nice and comfortable. I'll call Mom and tell her to get a room ready. Ben will love showing off to Merlin, and Mom will be mental entertainment for Missy."

We did the "I love you" bit and hung up. I called my flight instructor and asked about starting out Friday afternoon and flying mostly straight through till Saturday evening. I suggested that we could fly somewhere that we might nap for a little while on Saturday morning. I also told him that we could use the Beechcraft if we needed to get somewhere faster, and that John could check us both out if we wanted.

He thought about it a little then said, "I think we'll just use the 172. Taking off Friday and flying all night will be cool if you think you're up to it. We can fly till about eight or nine in the morning, take a nap, and fly back a different direction and use more major airports. You'll love going into so many different places. But then, you won't really see them. We'll be able to do about nine hours of night flying. That will be even better. Tell you what, if we were to take Sunday off, and have a class Monday and Tuesday, we can do the final hours of in-flight training Wednesday night. Thursday morning, you'll be instrument rated and qualified to fly anywhere. You're still green, but you learn fast. I've flown John's Beechcraft several times on trips and know it well. We'll use it to finish next week, that way you can get qualified for twin engine, plus get a chance to use some different instruments. Yours in the 172 are new and as good as they get, very ultra modern. Most planes are not as good, but knowing John, his are probably good too."

I called Sue back to tell her that I was to fly all night Friday and come back Saturday late afternoon. She was excited that I would finish the instrument rating so fast. She said she was flying every day with John, but he wasn't pushing her as fast as my instructor was. I told her she could probably finish fast back here, like I did.

Wednesday night we did some riding. Samantha showed up for supper and I assumed she would ride with me. I took the shovel out. We went to the clubhouse and the St. Pete guys were feeling left out. Hap made me promise that I would go down there with Sue and Mercy soon. We went by to see Double D and headed to St. Pete. If we had wings, we would have been flying. Our throttles were almost wide open, sending the sound of our bikes bouncing off the concrete sides of the bridge. We slowed down to about eighty after we got off the bridge. The cops will only give you so much leeway.

The bar in the shopping center was busy. We were treated like visiting royalty, as usual. Some of the women there were coming up to me, asking me where Sue was, and if I were playing around, where could they apply. I thanked them for the compliment, but said Sue and her friends were enough for me.

We went home via the Crab Shack, because we all wanted a grouper sandwich with some of the best onion rings in Florida. The ride home was considerably more casual than our ride earlier. We were home and in bed by eleven. Samantha just assumed she was staying and unashamedly stripped nude and crawled in bed with me.

I was thinking that Sue was not nice to have strange women in my bed. I had to think about instrument flight rules in order to keep myself from poking my bed partner. We were asleep fairly fast.

Thursday began fast and furious. Samantha's cell phone started ringing just before six. The newspaper needed her to get to some kind of situation for pictures right away. The night person had hurt himself and she was the only photographer available.

She showered quickly, while I made coffee for her. I asked if she needed me to take her, but she said she was used to responding to almost anywhere, at any time, for the job. She had coffee, kissed me sweetly, and said she had enjoyed watching after me while Sue was gone and that she would see me later.

I showered and dressed, ready to hit the shop early. Tonight I would need to get to sleep early so I would be fresh for the all-nighter Friday. That wasn't going to be easy. Sue wasn't going to be getting in until nine, which would put them here around ten or so. I needed to order a limo for them. Either that, or rent one of those passenger vans. Sue and I needed a regular car too. Her Mustang was fine for us, even with Mercy and/or Samantha, but not with Merlin and Missy or Dewey and Sheila. I'd have to think about it. Maybe one of those new big Ford Expeditions that could carry a bunch of people would be a good fit for us.

At breakfast, I tried to tell everyone about Dewey and Sheila and keep them calm about Merlin and Missy. I told them that Merlin was a very nice man, but sometimes his manner was very penetrating. If we were lucky, perhaps Merlin and Missy would do some magic for us. They said that would be cool. Phil said he would be glad to show them around when Ben wasn't able. He said he and Judy loved to go out to eat at the best places, especially since they could afford it now. He said the best place of all, though, was right here on the patio.

The news had a report of some kind of standoff out at the county jail. Some crazy tried to bust someone out and was now holed up in one of the offices, with no way out. So far no one was hurt but it was touch and go as the nut was armed to the teeth. I figured that must be where Sam is.

At work, my three new guys were huddled with Jeff, asking how they could help to expedite the fabrication of the cab and sleeper. Jeff told them to take it easy so he could layout the molds first. He said each step had to be done right or the end product wouldn't be any good. He had the two coachmen stay and told the mechanic to go make the chassis new again.

I went across the street to visit with the plant people. On each floor, and in each work room I went into, I was greeted like a long lost brother. Everyone was happy to see me, and the English speaking folks said, with a smile, that they were working to make perfect clothes. Some of them translated and a rousing "perfecto" came from some of the Latinos.

I looked into where Sue's newest fashions were being made. There were racks filled with the new sets of silky boxers and silky short tops with a couple of big buttons. The idea must have been a good one if they were devoting that much material to it. They had about five different colors, if you included black and white as a color.

Debbie had my calls ready for me, so I was able to run through them quickly. I did a tour of the shops and took off at eleven.

The lesson today was to again stay behind the hood, fly to a location I had charted, to do an approach, and return. We went to Ft. Lauderdale, did the touch and go, and returned. The whole time we were flying, I was quizzed on the things he had taught me so far. I was pretty confident I could file and fly by instruments. He said he was going to give me our itinerary before we parted today, so I would have it planned for tomorrow. We were taking off right at one tomorrow. He told me to bring an empty milk jug for in-flight relief and to have plenty of sandwiches and coffee for both of us.

I got home a little after five with a round trip schedule for Chicago. We planned to stop at every major airport on the way there and back. I was going to have to dig through charts for the airports, their patterns, and frequencies to be ready. I never knew when he wouldn't let me use the GPS unit. I had to be prepared to fly the course with basic instruments. I would file the flight plan tonight and modify it tomorrow if necessary.

We ate and cleaned up the patio for the "to be arriving" guests. Glenda is such a dear. She had the place spotless. The extra rooms were really done well. The intended nursery already had a bassinet and a crib with a mobile. The room was painted in white and blue. Sure hope the baby was a boy, or a lot of material would have to be replaced. It looked like a baby's room anyway.

Around eight, I took off for the airport in the truck. Everyone wanted to come out to see Sue land, so there was a procession into the parking lot at the operations building. They had not heard from her yet but the flight plan had them scheduled in at around eight forty-five. While we waited, everyone wanted to see the 172. We looked at it quickly and went back to the ops building in time to hear Sue's voice over the squawk box call for permission to land. The attendant turned on the runway lights, while we went out to watch Sue come in.

She made a very nice landing in a really big airplane. This thing was a lot bigger than the 208. She taxied right up to the ops building and parked so the stairway would be by the gate that opened out to the parking lot.

First off was Mercy. She ran out and jumped into my arms. Next was Sheila, who gave me a hello that was far friendlier than I remembered us being. Dewey shook my hand and hugged me, next Missy stepped out. She held me tight and gave me an un-motherly-in-law kiss. Whew! Merlin came out, stretching with his arms out wide. He shook my hand, smiled at me, and gave me a big hug. "You know, as soon as I'm in your presence, I know my Mercy will be taken care of, but when you are on the other side of the continent, I get crazy worrying about her. Forgive me for being a parent."

Sue finally came down the stairway, limping a little from sitting so long. She gave me a very healthy hug and kiss, saying that if she didn't get to the bathroom quickly she was going to squat right there.

Sue, Sheila, Mercy, and Missy took off for the bathroom while I began introducing everyone who had come out to Merlin and Dewey. Dewey said he could kill for a beer and Merlin said a beer or drink would be welcome. The greeters said they would have all they could hold in just a few minutes. The people left to get back home to welcome them there, while I unloaded the luggage and put it in the back of my truck.

I introduced myself to John Truant and thanked him for being a good teacher to Sue. He asked if I thought using him to fly the 200 when we rented it out would be good. I must have made his day, as he was happy about the opportunity.

Merlin and Dewey were going over my truck, trying to see all of the little scenes that Hank and Shawna had painted. The limo showed up, with the driver apologizing for being late. He said he had never been out here before and didn't know there was an airfield here.

Soon the girls came back, so we loaded up and went back home. Sue and Mercy rode with me as I led the limo back to the park. I wondered what Merlin would think when he entered an old time Florida trailer park.

The front gate of the old trailer park was a little fancy with a huge wooden arch. The arch is tall enough to pass a tractor-trailer or a large house trailer. The roadway is old black top but is in good shape. There are several live oaks in the front, providing a canopied entrance. It looks very quaint when you look down the road from the arch. Nearest the entrance are several old trailers that belong to either older retired couples or are rentals owned by those couples. The trailers are in decent shape, but are on the small side with the typical aluminum awning over a six by ten patio with a small metal shed to the rear of the trailer. As you proceed into the park, the size of homes enlarges until you are at a large circle where the office is. In the middle of a grassy circle is a building that contains all of the mailboxes for the park. It is a big open building with mailboxes deep under the roof so rainstorms do not affect the mail.

The office and owner's quarters are directly across from the mail building to the left. If you look beyond you see the recreation building where the swimming pool is and that is about two hundred yards farther down. A road goes off to the right about fifty yards and splits to go both ways for more of the park. Just below the mail building is a road that goes off to the left and looks like a city street with other streets off of it. My street is the second on the left and goes deeper than the others. My house is nearly at the end where the road connects to the next street over. There are lots of trees both small and large, a few southern pines, a couple of sycamores, and lots of oak trees.

At the corner of the street where my house is located is a wash house building. It's like a small old-time Florida laundromat. Instead of being enclosed, the building is open, with the machines all against one wall. There's a picnic table, a small table, and a couple of chairs for people waiting for their laundry to finish. Probably the only time someone wouldn't want to sit there is in the winter, when there is a day or two of morning temperatures in the forties.

This is what Merlin, Missy, Dewey and Sheila were seeing as we drove to our house. I wondered what the probable billionaire, Dewey, thought. Merlin and Missy were extremely wealthy and lived on a high hill in an elite San Francisco neighborhood, so this was a real culture shock to them.

I pulled into my driveway and motioned for the limo to pull in front of the patio. Our house is a large manufactured home, twenty-eight feet wide by seventy-two feet long. Attached to it is a covered patio that goes the full length of the trailer and is thirty feet deep. That makes over four thousand square feet under roof. A little over two thousand feet is patio, but the place really looks huge when you see it for the first time. There is a generous yard between the patio and Martin and Glenda's trailer. The homes behind me are about forty feet away, so it isn't jammed up.

Once everyone was inside the patio enjoying the cooler air, the crew was busily getting everyone something to drink. Glenda began bringing out dishes of chicken wings with dips, vegetable trays, warm roast beef and ham for sandwiches, and a fruit tray. She was really impressing me. Sue said she was starving and immediately began making herself a sandwich.

Merlin was sitting in one of the fancy new lawn chairs that had appeared while Sue and I were on vacation. The chair had a small table next to it. Missy sat in a chair on the other side of the table. Phil and Tiny were getting to know them, while Dewey and Sheila were making drinks at the bar. Mercy was sitting on my lap where she had snuggled as soon as I sat down after arriving.

Sue came over with a Diet Coke and a sandwich and told Mercy to share. Sue sat on my other knee and alternately kissed me and had a bite of her sandwich. Mercy said, "Dad is dying to show off to your friends. I can see it in his eyes. He's not dressed for anything special, but watch him, he's a master at levitating things.

Mercy's dad, Merlin, said he needed a refill. Ruth said she would get it for him, but as she reached for the empty mug, it floated up to her hand. It surprised her so much that she almost dropped it. She took a step toward the beer tap and stopped, looking down at the mug. The mug was now full. With a confused look, she put the now full mug down on the table next to Merlin.

Merlin picked up the mug and drank from it, then as he was setting it down, he said, "Ruth, you are such a beautiful woman, you shouldn't smoke you know."

"Oh, I don't smoke," Ruth said, then stopped. She was staring at her own hand. A lit cigarette was sticking out from her fingers. She raised her hand and dropped the cigarette as if it was burning her.

"Here, let me get that," and the cigarette raised from the floor and was moving toward Ruth.

"No, no, get that thing away from me," Ruth exclaimed, as she backed up.

There was a poof and the cigarette disappeared. Merlin reached over and looked as if he were reaching into Missy's cleavage. He withdrew his hand, holding a wand.

"Now, I have my wife's magic wand, I wonder what kind of mischief I can get into?"

Sue's instrument instructor, John Truant, the gentleman who was selling Sue the new plane, told Sue, "He's that good, and I flew him all the way from California without one trick?"

Merlin asked, "Since I'm among folks I will be having a lot of fun with, may I ask for someone daring to help with a trick or ten. Who might wish to disappear or be something they are not."

Shawna and Debbie were immediately in front of him. "Ah twins, something I can do for the two of you?"

"Actually, we're not twins, we're cousins, but I want bigger tits. Can you do that?" Shawna asked, cupping her small breasts through her tank top. Debbie was doing the same.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I don't have what it takes to make breasts grow larger, but I know someone who can." As Merlin finished saying this, the wand seemingly floated to Mercy who was still on my lap.

Mercy got red in the face and said, "Daddy, you're not supposed to be doing this stuff. Now stop."

"Daughter, would you deny your new friend a chance to experience big ah, ah, ah,"

Charlie finished it for him, "Tits."

"Right sir, Charlie isn't it? Your wife wants bigger tits. Only Mercy can do that," he said, waving his hand at Mercy as she elevated from my lap in the sitting position she had been. She was lowered to land on her feet.

"Oh okay," Mercy said, then took the wand and touched four nipples now prominent on the two girls' tank tops. She stood back and raised the wand to her mouth and pointing at Debbie and began to blow. First Debbie's right breast began to swell. Before it became really big, Mercy pointed at Debbie's left breast and began blowing. When they were a match, Mercy cocked her head and said, "Those are pretty big for a small lady don't you think?"

Debbie cupped the enlarged breasts then pushed out her chest saying to Hank, "Better come play with these things before they go away."

Mercy raised the wand to her mouth again and pointed it at Shawna's left, then right breast, seemingly blowing them up to be the same size as Debbie's. Shawna was fascinated, looking down at her tight tank top. She put her hands over them and said, "I've always wondered what it would feel like to have big ones."

Mercy was in her element now, "Sue and I are about the same size, but it's not fair, she's huge and I'm tiny. Will you share with me, Sue?"

Sue just smiled and said, "Of course I will. Take what you need."

Mercy made Sue stand and stood nipple to nipple with her and told Sue to kiss her and blow into her mouth. As Sue blew into Mercy's mouth, it appeared Sue's breasts grew smaller and Mercy's swelled and became huge under her small top.

Mercy pranced around with her exaggerated top until Merlin said, "Enough, daughter. Now it's you who is being naughty. I just suggested you show your friends some magic."

"But, Daddy, that's what I've done, I haven't made anyone's pants fall down." At that second Tiny's pants fell to the ground. "Or pull off anyone's bra," Judy's bra came flying out from her sleeveless blouse to fall on the table. "And I've certainly not done any tricks with women's panties." Everyone looked around to see that only Glenda had a dress on, and she immediately held her waist.

"Oh, Glenda, you're so sweet, I would never embarrass you." Mercy said, but was pointing the wand at Joan who was wearing a real short top and shorts. Over the top of Joan's shorts, a bright red thong appeared to crawl from them.

"Oh, Joan, those are so hot," Mercy said. Joan was laughing so hard she could hardly stand.

"Here, Daddy, maybe we should put the wand back where it's supposed to be." Mercy slid the wand down between Missy's cleavage. "Keep that thing where it belongs, Mom."

The crew began clapping and cheering little Mercy's performance. Merlin sat with a satisfied smile, happy that his daughter had revealed some of her abilities.

Mercy came over and hugged Sue. The instant their bodies met, the chests resumed their normal size. Debbie and Shawna were holding their breasts, afraid they were going to get away. Mercy whispered something in each of their ears, and the two girls dragged their husbands toward home.

Tiny had to pick up his pants that had fallen and Joan was twirling her thong in her hand. "Okay, Mercy, how did you do that?"

Mercy just smiled and said, "You'll have to ask that mean old man over there." She pointed at the smiling Merlin.

Phil and Judy said they needed to get home, as tomorrow was a workday. Tiny and Ruth agreed and headed home too. Glenda was trying to put stuff away, and I told her that I would do it. "Take Martin and put him to bed, he's looking mighty tired." I got the motherly kiss on the cheek as she took Martin by the hand and led him off. Sandy and Mandy said they would see us tomorrow and left with Joan and Betty, along with all their men.

Dewey said, "You sure do have a collection of friends. It was nice that they came out to the airport to greet us. That was a great welcome."

Merlin asked, "Do all those people come over here all the time?"

Mercy said, "Ask mom, she's already listened to everyone here and knows those answers. Wait till tomorrow morning when these terrible people wake you up at the crack of dawn for coffee and breakfast. You won't believe it. There are more than those who were here tonight, all of the group was not present. Samantha wasn't here, nor were Tiny's folks or Abe and Alice. Just wait, Dad, you're going to be really surprised."

I said to the guests, "Come inside and choose a bedroom. Right down this hallway is one, and just around the corner from the kitchen is the other."

As I said this I held Mercy's arm then walked her down the hall to the bedroom opposite the one we were going to use for the baby. "If you think you should, use this bedroom for your stuff right now."

She thought for a minute then said, "No, Mom knows I sleep with you two, so I'm just going to continue. Besides, I think Samantha is going to need to move in. She's having some kind of problem with her roommate and the apartment."

Merlin and Missy chose the bedroom off the kitchen near the bathroom, while Dewey and Sheila chose the bedroom down the hall near Sue's office area. While I was bringing in the baggage, I told them all that they should try to settle in, as we were early risers here. I would try to be quiet, but some of the crowd may not be.

I shut down the patio lights and joined my two lovelies under the covers. They were both very tired. Sue had been pushing herself hard lately and was more tired than usual. She insisted that we couple lovingly and did enjoy every moment. She almost fell asleep on me before I had even snuggled up to her. Mercy gave me a kiss saying she wanted some loving soon too.



-------

Chapter 15



The magic alarm in my head rang and I slid out of bed to go to the bathroom. It was five fifty. I made coffee, took a shower, and put on my clothes. Today was going to be a very long day. I felt rested, so I knew I would be all right.

As I finished dressing, Mercy raised her head and asked, "Is it morning already?"

"It is, Honey, you can go back to sleep if you want."

"No, I want to get up with you this morning. I may want to go with you on your flight tonight. I'll know later."

She got up and showered, which was enough activity to wake Sue. She wanted some kisses before getting up to face the world. She got them and headed toward the bathroom.

I took a cup of coffee out to the patio, turned on the air, fans, lights and TV. The lady on the TV said we were going to have some high eighties or low nineties, but no threat of thunderstorms today.

People began arriving at six fifteen. Two of the first were Debbie and Shawna. They came to me and both wanted to sit in my lap. I let each sit on a knee and hugged them. They were disappointed their breasts didn't stay as large as they had enjoyed them the night before. Mercy told them that it was only an illusion; she made them believe they had them and made others look upon them as if they had bigger breasts.

Shawna said, "Tiny's pants hitting the ground wasn't an illusion, and Joan's panties coming out of her shorts wasn't an illusion."

Mercy said, "More than you think or know, Shawna. People see what they think they see, but then, there is magic." Mercy was giggling as she hugged the two girls.

Soon the patio was full of our people, including Samantha, the park manager and his wife, Tiny's parents. Dewey stuck his head out the door and asked, "Is that a box of sweets I see? I'll be right back; I have a lady who loves those."

Merlin came out dressed and obviously freshly showered; his hair was still wet. Missy followed in her robe. Ruth told Missy that she was a robe person in the morning too. Glenda agreed, saying it was too early to get dressed anyway.

Phil and Judy had brought a bunch of pastries and a mountain of breakfast sandwiches. Phil said the MacDonald's was ready for him in the morning now as they had about fifty mixed sandwiches ready when he came by. He even got free coffee every morning.

Merlin watched everyone and listened to the various conversations that were going on. Missy was sitting in the glider with Glenda, chatting and drinking coffee.

Soon it was time for everyone to go to the shop. Merlin began to realize that most of the people who came for breakfast and who had been there the night before worked at my business. He was wondering how having my friends as employees worked.

Merlin and Dewey both wanted to ride with me to work. Sue said that she would take Missy and Sheila with her to the plant to say good morning to her people before showing them the other side of the street.

I took Merlin and Dewey through the shops and introduced them to those they had not met yet. They were impressed at how clean and neat the shop was. The bright white floors, and the walls with our "Perfect" signs, gave them an idea how dedicated my people were.

The body building people fascinated Merlin. Dewey was intrigued by the fact that the company built frames, sheet metal, fiberglass, and motors for NASCAR. Abe showed off his shop and accompanied us over to the super lift shop. The size of the giant lifts was staggering to those who had never seen them. We were treated by watching a completed bright, shiny lift drive over to a decrepit looking machine, lift it up, and carry it into the shop. The circle was complete. A lift had been rebuilt and another old broken down super lift was starting through the process.

A truck was waiting, so the rebuilt lift was driven up onto the bed and chained down. The rebuilt machine was so tall that the truck had to be a drop-center trailer so the lift would clear bridges on the interstate as it was hauled to its destination.

My new crew was polishing pieces of fresh fiberglass in preparation for putting them together. Jeff was demonstrating how he had molded metal strips into the fiberglass to bolt the body to the chassis. I tried to explain what I was doing to Merlin and Dewey, but they were a little fuzzy on the concept. I told them that perhaps they would understand when they saw the finished product.

The guys had done a great job on the chassis. The motor was complete, but far too much money had been spent on chroming components. If we kept this up, I would need to build my own chrome shop. The truck was going to be a little obnoxious looking with all chrome wheels and tanks under the new body. I guess it needed to be flashy to show it was a real trucker's truck.

The mechanic reported that he had ordered new instruments for the dash. He said that the instruments were going to have both standard sweep gauges with digital readouts over each gauge. I thought that would be nice, but maybe overkill. I made myself a note to check the cost later; maybe digital would be enough, unless there was a question of reliability of the digital gauges.

As we came back to the showroom, Sue was bringing Missy, Sheila, and Mercy in. Sue said she would show Merlin and Dewey the rest of the office area while I caught up on my calls.

Debbie and Deanne had everything under control. They were both excited about a dealer in Maryland that had sold three big trucks and had ordered about twenty of the new bodies we were building. Debbie said that would put that shop over three months behind. I walked out and talked to the body people, asking them if they felt they could train more people. They all said they knew of at least two people each that wanted to work for us and were hard workers. They said that if I would start them, they would make sure they produced perfect bodies.

The only problem was, we were running out of space. If we put six more people to work in the body group to catch up, that would max the frame, sheet metal, and body areas. The frame and sheet metal shops were keeping up, but the body and motor people were beginning to fall behind. I told the body guys to get with Debbie and Ruth to get their friends in to fill out apps, to remind their friends about the drug testing, and make sure they knew we only wanted perfect product out the door.

The motor shop was rowdy, as usual. They were happily working along. I wasn't too worried about being back-ordered, as eventually the market would saturate, which should slow down orders. There is a NASCAR break, and it coincided with a general racing break, so I figured we would not only catch up, but would be able to send everyone on vacations. We would have to play that as it came.

Time was flying. It was nearly time for me to leave for my overnight instrument class. I called Glenda and asked her to pack a dozen sandwiches and a couple of our biggest thermoses full of coffee. I thought I might even take one of the small coolers full of water and soda.

When I found Sue and announced that I was leaving, Mercy insisted that she come along. I had no idea why, but she wanted to come. We drove home, where I suggested she put on comfortable clothes and soft shoes, since this was not going to be a pleasure cruise. She said she understood, but wanted to experience it with me.

We ate lunch and walked up to the pool to swim for fifteen to twenty minutes before we walked back home to shower and dress. I finished up my paperwork for the instructor and printed out a copy of the flight plan before Mercy and I drove out to the air park. I parked the truck, pushed the plane out, and loaded and strapped down the cooler behind the rear seats.

I was giving the plane a detailed and thorough pre-flight inspection when the instructor showed up. I handed him the stack of paperwork and the printed-out flight plan while I finished up.

"You've already filed?"

"Yes sir, I did that last night. I thought that if there were any changes you wanted to make, I could call in and amend by either phone or radio."

"Good job. You did all the work, and who is this stowaway?" he asked observing Mercy.

"This is my dear friend, Mercy. She loves to fly and wants to come along for the adventure. She knows this is going to be a long and boring flight, but she insisted on coming along."

"Did you figure her and the extra weight into your fuel planning?" He asked.

I answered, "I didn't think I needed to, as I did all my fuel planning using the max gross weight figure, and added an extra fifteen minutes to the minimum reserve time.

"Good going, you'll never get caught short if you do that. You're smart because you have to use time, instead of distance, in case you get a headwind. Let's go see the land."

We called in to flight control to initiate the flight plan and requested permission to takeoff from the local controller. As soon as we were off the ground, I dialed in the first leg of the trip. The instructor told me to use all of my tools right now, but we would switch around during the trip.

The first touch and go was in Tallahassee. We were in and out easily, heading toward Mobile, and on to Huntsville where we would refuel. From there we went in and out of Little Rock, over to Memphis, and up to St. Louis. The air traffic people put us in the holding pattern longer than I had planned. I finally had to request landing instructions instead of a touch and go, as I would otherwise be over my fuel projections. This was going to be my first big airport night landing. I had planned on refueling in Springfield, Illinois, where they had a new approach control system that I wanted to use, plus they were used to small aircraft; but St Louis it would be. I would look at my options and amend as necessary.

In St. Louis, it took fifteen minutes just to taxi to the small aircraft area to be refueled. We had to wait for a fuel truck to come to us instead of taxing up to a pump.

After using the restroom facilities, we loaded up and taxied out to the runway, being given clearance rapidly, until we were next to go after a 737. It was kind of funny to be in between two giant airliners. I was well behind the 737, so I didn't get blown around from his jet wash. As soon as he had begun his takeoff roll, the tower advised me to enter the active runway. They gave me the send off and the little 172 was off the ground a short distance down the runway. I had received permission to turn onto my course before the end of the runway. I knew the plane behind me was already on his takeoff roll.

I did get to do a touch and go at Springfield before we flew into the nightmare called O'Hare. Oh shit, it was busy. We were put into a low altitude short holding pattern, and finally directed to go straight in on the right active runway and turn off at the first opportunity. I was to notify ground control when I had turned off. Approach control became agitated that they had to talk a 172 into the well lit runway, but my instructor advised them I was a student and needed the experience. As soon as he identified himself, they were much more cordial.

We taxied to the small aircraft fuel pumps where an attendant filled the plane. We used the potties and took off again heading for Indianapolis. Since it was night, only major airports would have an approach control group working. After the Indiana stop, we went all the way to Atlanta, where the sun was coming up as we landed.

The instructor asked me how I was doing and I said I felt fresh, if he wanted to continue we could, and would get home earlier. I asked Mercy how she was doing and she said she was fine and wide awake. After refueling, we took off and did a touch and go in Greensboro, and headed toward Orlando, using nothing but the basic instruments and radio with the hood pulled over me. The touch and go at Orlando was smooth, but I never did get to see the airport; I was kept blind. I had one more quick touch and go at Tampa, followed by a landing at home. Everything was smooth at Tampa where he pushed the hood off me so I could do the touch and go myself. We turned out to go home where I called in, requesting permission to land. We touched down and taxied to the hangar.

I filled out the plane's logbook after checking the time meter, and reached back to get my logbook. Mercy smiled and handed it to me. She had logged all of my time and my landings at each point of reference for the class. The instructor smiled, saying that he had given her the job; she needed something to keep her busy.

I handed the plane over to the attendant, asking him to clean up the interior, since we had been eating in the plane. I loaded the leftovers into the truck. The instructor told me to come Monday, prepared to fly till around eleven. We would use the twin so I would also get checked out in multi-engine as I practiced instrument flying in it. He gave me an itinerary that looked too long, but I remembered the new plane was very fast. I asked if it was a 1PM take-off and he said it would be.

Mercy and I were fairly tired, but I was still wired from the experience of flying the distance we had in such a short period of time. It was just a little after two on a Saturday afternoon, so Sue said for us to take a nap; she had a big night planned for us.

I awoke to Sue kissing me awake. After I was awake, she kissed Mercy awake as gently as she had me. While I watched her, I realized not only how much Sue enjoys someone of her own sex, but how much she really likes Mercy.

Out on the patio, Merlin was holding court, doing amateur tricks with cards and other items. Missy was trying to hide her face from the rank performance Merlin was giving. All of my friends were fascinated by his ability, but we were a bunch of bubba's just waiting to be fascinated.

Ben and Beth showed up for supper on the patio. They knew how we did it, so they found a seat to enjoy having a family style dinner put in front of them. The drink of the night was some mild, almost red, wine that was tasty but not strong or bitter. Sue even enjoyed a glass.

Betty and Joan began serving a really nice supper. We had pulled roast pork with black beans and yellow rice. For those that wanted something else, we had some other Cuban dishes that gave the meal a real Latin flavor.

After supper, before Merlin could develop a group to watch his musings, Ben and Beth had them pack up and come with them to their house on the bay. Merlin, ever the yuppie, followed the path that Sue had set for him so we could be without his influence for a while.

The plan for the night was that everyone on two wheels (in my case three) would gather and go hopping around the area, enjoying wind in their face, as well as beer and some tasty treats along the way.

I introduced Dewey to the shovel. He loved it and instantly tried it out. It was a little more powerful than he thought it would be, but enjoyed riding it up and down the highway to get the feel of it. He thought that since he and Sheila had not been on a bike lately they should use the helmets. Sheila loved the paintings and the helmets, but told everyone to take it easy on her, as she was not necessarily comfortable with riding.

Charlie had called Hap and told him I had some special guests with me. Hap assured Charlie we would be treated well.

Our group was Charlie with Shawna, Jim with Hanna, Hank with Debbie, Sandy and Mandy riding solo without their men, Dewey with Sheila on my shovel, and Sue and Mercy riding with me. The seven bikes took off and were welcomed at the gate of the clubhouse. We were greeted and given beers as soon as we were in the social area of the yard. The cook came, with prospects carrying dishes of his famous Saturday chili. We ate and drank for a while, before Hap sent us off with his silent member, Stormy, to pay for our adventure. I couldn't argue him out of it.

We went to Big Jim's and had fun with Double D. Sheila was astounded that Sue and D were such great buddies. Double D said, "If I hadn't found my guy, Steve would have been it for me. But I was distracted and Sue got her man. Why shouldn't we be buddies, we both love the same guy."

We rode the interstate down to the St. Pete clubhouse bar. They were effusive about their praise for our latest episode of helping their club out. You would think we were something special they way they hung onto us.

We took the tour up to the Crab Shack where we had some of their famous onion rings. They were so good when soaked in beer or eaten with a beer chaser. We ended up at the park, putting away the rolling stock and discussing whether we wanted to go to the tub.

Tiny and Ruth came over in robes, asking if we were going. That settled it. I told Dewey and Sheila that the tub adventure may be more than expected. They said they would go, but wouldn't participate if they didn't want to.

This was also going to be the first time that Mercy was there with the whole group. I hoped it didn't freak her out as well.

When we got to the tub, Charlie tested the water and said it should be cool enough for Sue, so he turned on the bubbles and robes vanished. It was very cozy with fifteen people in the tub. Mercy and Sue surrounded me, with Sandy and Mandy next to Sue. Shawna was instantly trying to impale herself on Charlie and Debbie was doing the same with Hank.

Sheila got the idea and followed suit by mounting a surprised Dewey. The couplings remained monogamous until we finally went home to get a decent night's sleep.

This was a nice Sunday. After breakfast, Sue said we were to all go to the Bay Shore house for dinner. I warned Dewey that Ben was a little egotistical and would attempt to impress him with himself and his worth. Dewey laughed as he said that often people who were left money acted as if they were responsible for getting it.

Merlin and Missy were in hog heaven. Beth was making sure they were having the time of their life. Ben and Beth had an entire week of hobnobbing with the goober smootchers planned. Merlin had already contacted his agent to book him and some of his troupe into a local club so he could make Tampa a regular visit to entertain.

Ben was so receptive to Merlin and Missy that they both had him believing he was a totally changed man. Poor Beth, she had to try to keep him grounded. Mercy was very sharp with her dad, trying to get him to let up on Ben a little.

Playing pool with Merlin wasn't much fun as he kept trying to manipulate my mind while I was playing. I realized that he couldn't create the illusions if I was focused. I was learning.

Mercy and Missy mentally congratulated me as I discovered this tactic. They whispered to me mentally that most people never realize they have been manipulated or how to prevent it.

Merlin didn't understand why I wasn't responding. I'm sure Missy would tell him later.

Back home, Dewey said he wanted to rent a car and go wandering. Perhaps they would go to Busch Gardens, perhaps to Disney in Orlando, maybe to Sea World.

We drove to Tampa airport where he rented a red Mustang convertible. He said it fit his mood.

We were in bed early this Sunday night. I was able to love both of my ladies before conking out.

Monday morning was different. Mercy woke me in a way only Sue had before. She kept it up until I gave in and released my passion to her. When I asked what had prompted her actions she laid forward on me and said, "It was time I let you know that I'm here to stay."

Sue was having a hard time waking in the morning now. Her body was not cooperating with her mind. She was using a lot of energy to manufacture the critter inside her.

At the breakfast table, the new day was planned. Mercy was going to be spending more time with Sue in order to help her during the day. I still had to finish my instrument rating and Sue had to begin planning how she was going to finish hers.

My morning was spent watching Jeff work with the two coachmen as they assembled the molded pieces onto the chassis. The measurements had been accurate and the body mounted easily. The front went on easily as well, with a tilt up nose they had created for working on the engine compartment.

Their next step would be cab build out and the work on the sleeper.

I got Jeff off to the side and asked him to build out at least five sets of the materials unless he saw something that could be improved on. He felt the design was definitely sellable and said he would get the fiberglass bodies ready.

By one, I was at the airpark, with the Beechcraft outside the hangar. I was using the instruction manual to do the pre-flight inspection. It wasn't that much different, but these were turbo prop engines that would fly over three hundred knots. I wanted to be sure the plane was in good operating condition.

When the instructor arrived, we went back over the pre-flight. He was surprised that I had done so thorough an inspection. We pulled the wheel chocks and climbed into the craft, where he spent a half hour going over how to work a twin engine airplane.

I fired the first engine and watched the gauges as it came up to speed, followed by firing the second engine and again watching the gauges. Once everything was where it was supposed to be, I advanced the both throttles to move away from the hangar.

The instructor had me stop and showed me how I could use one engine to turn the aircraft on the ground instead of the brake. I turned to the right and to the left, before he said, "Let's fly."

Once granted permission for the active runway, I advanced the throttles and watched the airspeed indicator. About the time the speed was where it was supposed to be, the plane was taking off by itself, nice.

We climbed out, and he had me level off at a specified cruising altitude and speed. Wow! We were doing three hundred knots at twelve thousand feet. We did a big loop over the gulf and headed toward Sarasota-Bradenton for my first touch and go. Instead of going on he had me completely land, do a taxi back, and takeoff again.

Flying this plane was almost easier than the 172. It was comfortable, easy to handle, and fast. In no time at all I was requesting instructions for Jacksonville, followed by Gainesville, and on to Tallahassee. We were back in front of the home airfield hangar by six. The attendant took the plane for refueling and servicing while I filled in the log books.

The instructor told me we were going on an extended flight tomorrow that would end with my check ride. He congratulated me on working hard to fly safely. I asked him if he was free to work with Sue, and he said he would talk to John to find out where she was in her training.

The next afternoon, we flew close to the same route we had the previous weekend except in reverse. This time however, we were flying at over three hundred knots with enough fuel to damn near fly the route without refueling.

We did refuel in Chicago, doing touch and go's all the way home. When we landed at the airpark at five in the morning, the instructor shook my hand while we taxied to the hangar saying, "You did great, you are instrument qualified. You're going to have fun with this plane, I can tell."

As I shut down and prepared to store the plane, I thought of how I had gone from the little 140 I had learned in, to the 150 and the 152 tricycle gear, all the way to this junior rocket ship. The only thing more I could do was to become jet qualified. To an extent, I was jet qualified, as the turbines on the 200b were jets that spun propellers.

After logging the plane and my book, the instructor made a notation in it and said he would file the papers later today. Before going home, I left a note for the attendant to refuel the plane, and make sure it was ready to fly.

I fell into bed, only to have to almost immediately wake up and get going for a new day.

My tractor building crew was ready for a test. The cab was mostly complete. The old air seat had been rebuilt and recovered. The interior of the cab looked nice, but the sleeper was still a shell.

The engine was now the same as the race day trucks so we could use their load weights to test the truck. I rented a trailer and we filled it with a couple of fork lifts to get the weight, and took off with full fuel tanks. I had the drivers drive two hundred miles or as close as possible to two hundred and fill up, noting the exact distance and amount of fuel.

Once calculated back at the shop, the new body had experienced almost four miles to the gallon better than the regular body. This was far too much just for wind resistance, so we re-weighed the trailers, to find the test trailer was actually heavier than the race day trailer.

I had the race day tractor for the Winston cup races tuned perfectly, and had it run two hundred miles again under the same conditions. We next took the new tractor and ran it two hundred miles with the same trailer and were now just over four miles per gallon better with the new body. The result was amazing.

That may not sound like much, but most trucks were on the open road thousands of miles a week. If they were to get three or four miles to a gallon more, the body would pay for itself in weeks.

The only thing to do was more testing. I told the guys to build out the sleeper with the help of the other drivers. They did that in two days.

While the buildout was being done, I had Shawna and Hank do their painting magic on the cab for a NASCAR event. They chose the Daytona 500 as a theme and had a series of scenes with all the famous drivers, past and present, in various situations. It was informative, but funny all at the same time. They also repainted the trailer with the new theme so the tractor and trailer matched.

When the Winston Cup race day drivers showed up to leave, I asked them to use the new tractor. They were hot to do it because they thought it was brand new. I told them to fold out the front when they were at the track to show off the chassis and engine.

This week they were at Pocono speedway, way up in Pennsylvania, so they had a long haul and were getting a late start. Their wives loved the interior and said it would make it nice to ride in.

Friday, I asked Sue if she wanted to fly up to Pocono speedway to see the races. I said I wanted to see the truck and we could take Dewey and Sheila with us if they wanted. It was a go, we were flying.

Friday morning Deanne was at the shop with an overnight bag. Sue had asked her to come along. We were taking Dewey and Sheila, along with Tiny and Ruth, as well as Mercy and Deanne.

Out at the airpark, I calculated the weight and figured the fuel requirements. I called the airport up there to make sure that fuel and tie downs were available. When I told them the plane type, they offered hangar space, which I took. Sue had secured a car, as well as hotel rooms.

I was able to show off my new instrument rating. We took off smoothly, with Sue complimenting me on flying her new plane. I let the GPS alert me for each direction change as we headed from position to position.

Four hours later, we were on the ground being refueled and pushed into a hangar. We had a big Ford Expedition for transportation that we took to the racetrack.

The first thing we saw was our race day trailer. The next thing that caught my attention was the crowd around the tilted up front of the tractor. There were lots of people looking at the chromed engine and chassis.

As we walked up to the truck, Gene came up to me, "Now what are you selling out here? What's with the strange looking truck?"

The salesman in me came out, "Gene, if you could get another three miles per gallon on your tractors, what would it be worth to you."

"For what diesel is selling for right now, a lot. Is that what that truck is all about?" He asked.

"My people made it a show piece to get attention, but the design is what will get you the mileage. It's all about wind resistance. We might even do better than three miles per gallon soon."

"Do one for me and I'll try it out. Do I buy the whole tractor or do you use one of my own?" He wondered.

"Either way. If you have an old one you want rebuilt to good as new, let us do that and put a body on it that will help with the mileage. You'll have a good as new truck and a body that is less wind resistant," I said smiling my best salesman smile.

"If I didn't know you better, I would think you're selling snake oil. Go over to my shop and pick up one of my old tractors and do your worst. Damn, you kill me with all of your strange ideas."

My guys working the trucks with their wives were ecstatic with the attention they were getting. They were asking when they could start taking orders for the bodies. I told them to hold their horses, as I wanted to have at least one other person test them.

We all enjoyed the races. Deanne was able to get autographs from just about every driver and every team owner. She wore her S&S employee T-shirt and drove the little pickup golf cart around looking important. She was in hog heaven. Dewey was amazed that we had come up with the idea of our race day stores on wheels. Everyone had to have one of the event T-shirts the trucks had for sale.

The flight home Sunday evening was smooth, uneventful, and fast. Sue was impressed with my flying, saying she was excited that I had finished my instrument rating and she wanted to finish as well.

We were home, relaxing by ten. All of us were ready for bed after the hectic weekend.

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 16



Monday morning, I had my three guys begin on one of Gene's oldest tractors. The beast had been sitting for over a year in anticipation of junking it. They stripped it and worked on the motor and chassis. The motor and transmission were completely rebuilt by the mechanic and Abe's crew, and the chroming of the entire thing proceeded. I didn't tell them not to do it, so they did it on their own. By the third day, the body was on and the interior was almost done. We put on new tires and completely rebuilt all of the air systems. The interior now looked like new, including the gauge package the mechanic had chosen. It was hard to believe it was the same truck. Shawna and Hank had painted the truck using Gene's cars and his wins as the theme. It really looked good. I hope it performed as well as it looked.

The mechanic drove it over to Gene's while I followed in the pickup. It was Thursday, and late to be leaving for the races, but he said he had a trailer leaving late because he had to take an additional car up to the races.

One of his crew chiefs would be driving the truck, and he said my new creation better make it; he was on a deadline. I told him to call if there was any problem.

My crew was fidgeting and pacing, waiting to hear from the crew chief that he had made it. Finally, Friday afternoon Gene called to tell me the crew chief had fallen in love with the truck, saying he was going to use it as his personal ride around town. Gene told me that he didn't have the fuel economy numbers yet, but the rebuilding part was definitely cheaper than buying new tractors. "Go get that other piece of junk I have out back so I can clean up the yard. Make this one for the truck team. That group needs a shot in the arm."

We went after the last truck, to find it in about the same shape as the one we had just completed. Sitting in the yard was the trailer they hauled the two race trucks in. I told Gene's shop superintendent what I was going to do, and he let me steal the trailer for a couple of days.

Back at the shop, I had the crew tear into the tractor while I had Hank and Shawna do research and paint the trailer, keeping in mind that the tractor would be in front of it. This time, the whole trailer was painted in red with the two truck numbers featured on each side. The numbers had pictures of the trucks as background for the numbers. They also listed all the race wins in cloud balloons, with graphics of the tracks where the wins had occurred. The name of the racing team was prominently displayed across the bottom of the trailer so that it was the first thing to be seen.

The tractor crew finished the truck in record time and had everything completed by Tuesday morning. We drove the finished truck and trailer into Gene's yard and spotted it where the trailer had been parked before.

While we were parking, one of Gene's men had seen the trailer come in and had alerted the entire shop. Every one of the employees, including Gene, came out back to see the newly painted trailer and truck. Gene was a little miffed that we had stolen his trailer for some unauthorized work, but was instantly happier when I said the trailer was a bonus for trusting us to create the tractors for him.

He said he would pay us from the fuel savings, as he was averaging almost four miles to the gallon better with these old trucks than his new ones. He asked if we did new trucks too. Of course we did. So Gene said, "Let's convert the three other tractors to your new body. Do one a week until you're done. I'll spread the word. You'll have a hundred orders by this time next week. Think you can handle it?"

The new department was created. They took over the section of the new building between the super lift rebuild shop and the fiberglass shop. We would need more mechanics for the rebuilding and more coachmen to build out the cabs and sleepers. Drew became the natural leader for this group, and he kept modifying the body slightly to gain less wind resistance and more useable space in the sleeper. Jeff was great; he never complained of the constant minor changes. He just modified his molds and kept coming up with ways to make the body stronger.

I now had most of the numbers for Tiny to figure out what we were going to finally charge for a rebuild and body. We needed to separate costs for the two, since some people would not want any mechanical work done. It was going to be more expensive to integrate existing gauges and cab equipment than to replace it with our own design, so that needed to be taken into consideration. The end result was that a body change, using our gauge package, would be right at eight grand, and for the body change, using existing cab equipment, right at ten. If we rebuilt the chassis and dressed it out the way we had been, including paint, it would run nineteen thousand. That was a lot better than the forty-five thousand a new one would cost. Tiny assured me this would make us a great profit.

Gene thought the price was too cheap, but he said he would let me find out in time.

Gene asked if we were going into the truck repair business. I said that the idea had not occurred to me, but it was always possible.

While all this was happening, our visit with Dewey and Sheila was fun, as they blended into our group easily. Merlin and Missy were being wined and dined by Ben and Beth until even Merlin was overwhelmed. Sue and Mercy were spending a little of every day with Mercy's folks, so it gave everyone a chance to be relaxed with each other. Mercy was slowly convincing her parents that she was happy staying with Sue and me. Ben and Beth were a little dizzy over us having a spare babe around the house, but Mercy kept saying she was going to be the perfect nanny.

On a humorous note, every time that Ben or Beth would say something about the three of us living together, Sue didn't make a fuss. Sue would look sternly at either of them and say, "So, you think my relationship is strange, you've never heard of other relationships being a little off the wall?" Their lips would then be zipped.

Merlin had made several contacts locally and had arranged for shows in Tampa and at Disney during the coming year. He was anxious to bring some of his troupe to entertain here.

When Merlin and Missy felt they should return home, Dewey and Sheila said it was also time for them to get back up to the islands. Sue told them she could take off whenever they wanted but Dewey said, "I believe my plane is not busy this weekend, so I think we'll fly back Friday if that's good with Merlin and Missy."

We were going to miss having our friends around. Dewey made us promise that we would come up for their wedding which they were now planning for the fall. We promised to fly straight into the little airstrip on the island as soon as they beckoned.

Our last night together, Merlin and Missy were subdued, realizing their little girl had grown up. Ben and Beth were equally subdued; they had enjoyed having crazy Merlin and Missy around the house. We partied, but without a lot to drink. Dewey was only drinking beer with me, and very little liquor anymore. He said he wanted to make sure his body stayed in shape for his young wife. She was a month younger than Dewey.

Dewey's plane came into Tampa International and parked, waiting for the two couples, early Friday morning. There were lots of hugs and kisses, as well as moist eyes.

Just like the snap of a finger, they were gone.

Mercy felt she could contribute more to Sue's work than to the S&S shop, so the two of them became daily work partners, as well as evening partners at home.

One evening in early September, Sue was sitting on my lap saying, "I can't button my pants anymore. My stomach is getting too big. I've watched my diet, I've exercised regularly, and have behaved myself with my cravings. I'd kill for a beer, a pickle, and a pint of Ben and Jerry's."

Sue was sitting with her arm around me saying, "Are you going to love me when I'm big with our son?"

"Silly question, little girl. You know there is another change that I'm sure you've noticed. Instead of your chest blowing up even bigger, your breasts have actually lost the hard puffiness that made them look like balloons. They are looking more and more like big boobs. The one constant though is the size of your nipples, although they seem to be turning darker."

"Will you be upset if I don't have big ones anymore?" Sue asked, hefting her breasts in her palms.

"Not in the least," I said kissing and hugging her. "It's you, my love that I'm in love with, not your tits. I grant you they are fun to play with, and wonderful to lay my head against, but the person with them is who I'm in love with."

All of our friends had been listening to our conversation, and some offered suggestions, like, "Get a room. Take it inside. Are you gonna fool around now?" Sue just said, looking straight at Shawna, "I think that our son is going to have a playmate, or perhaps more than one playmate."

Shawna said, "I hope being pregnant isn't going to screw up productivity."

"What'd you say?" Charlie sat up and asked.

"Well, I'm at least two months, almost three and I've had to watch all those fumes," Shawna said.

Charlie stood up exclaiming, "Is that why you haven't been drinking beer? And I thought that for a while there you just didn't want to go up to the tub. No wonder. My little redheaded biker bitch is going to be a mommy. Wow, that means I'm gonna be a dad."

Shawna was looking at Debbie and Hank, who were both sitting with red faces. Shawna said, "So, when are you getting married, cuz? That kid you're working on needs married parents, and you know what? You two are going to have to get a bigger place. That little trailer is nice and cute, but you're going to need more room."

Hank asked, "How did you know? We haven't told anyone."

Shawna laughed and said, "Look at her puffy smile, and the way her little boobs have suddenly begun to grow. We're going to have some babies around here soon."

Hanna stood up and grabbed Jim's hand, "Come on slacker, let's go make a baby, or at least practice until I can get off the pill for a month or so."

Betty and Joan said that they were going to wait a little longer, as they were having too much fun with their jobs to start a family.

Sue said that both companies were going to have to work out nursery care. She was sure that several of the women had little ones, so she would get started on it right away.

Sue made the observation that she had more room and would have even more when the expansion was built behind her plant. She would need to work on the space planning.

Sue had finished her instrument rating and was itching to take a trip somewhere to use her new knowledge. She asked me if we could take a couple of days and go up to Anchorage to see John, and perhaps stop in to see Dewey and Sheila. I was all for it, looking forward to a couple of days in the air. Mercy asked if we could stop in San Francisco for an evening so she could say hi to her mom and dad.

So just like that, an adventure with my pregnant wife and the proposed nanny was set. Sue asked among our group to see if anyone wanted to come along, but everyone seemed to be content to stay right there in Tampa.

Sue made her flight plan to arrive in Alaska in three reasonably short days. We had the airplane serviced and had the ground people put the rear potty in useable condition for Sue.

We made the first leg to Kansas City and kicked back early at a hotel. The three of us needed some time just to ourselves. The second day ended in Seattle, where we again had a decent dinner and relaxed. I was making sure Sue was drinking plenty of liquids, including milk.

Sue called John again to make sure he was going to be around. He assured us he would meet us at the airport. He asked how he would know our B-200 from the others up there. We told him to look for the S&S logo and the BigGirls.com logo.

Monday afternoon, we landed in Anchorage and taxied up to the operations building. John met us when we let the steps down. He was excited to see us and happy about the coming baby. He was most fascinated by Mercy. He couldn't take his eyes off her. Mercy seemed a little confused over his attention.

We all went out for dinner and ended up at the hotel we had stayed at before. John regaled us with tales of his adventures, and how the money we had helped him make from the gold was still supporting his lifestyle.

When we separated that night, Mercy said that John really excited her. She said that it was too bad he lived so far away from us. Sue winked at me and told me later that she would have a long talk with Mercy.

The next morning, while we were having breakfast, Sue called John and asked him if he wanted to come to Seattle to see Dewey and his new best friend Sheila. John said that there was no way that Dewey was hooked up with a lady, and he wanted to see it for himself. We had found a travel companion for Mercy.

It didn't take long to fly from Anchorage to the San Juan Islands. We landed at Friday Harbor and hitched a ride into town with a guy who was gaga over the plane. He knew Dewey, and had flown him into Seattle a couple of times in the past, so he was happy to taxi us into town.

We went to the restaurant/bar where we had met Dewey the first time. Wouldn't you know, Dewey and Sheila were enjoying the beginning of happy hour with his friends. It was a real reunion for John and Dewey, with John gushing over Sheila and saying that he was amazed that Dewey was so taken with a lady.

As the evening wore on, Dewey suggested we all go back to his boat after supper so we could enjoy just being together. We had a salmon dish with an elegant sauce that was delicious. Back at the boat, Dewey and John exchanged tales of the adventures they'd had with Sue, Mercy, and me until we were all droopy eyed.

Sue and I took the forward berth again, and wonder of wonders, John and Mercy used the never-used middle berth for the night.

"I think we're going to lose our nanny," Sue said, as we snuggled and loved before falling asleep. "It seems as soon as we get one that I want to keep, we find a suitable mate for her. This is not working out the way I thought it would."

"You're all that I'll ever need, Sue," I said, as I cuddled her in our after loving snuggle. "You've found us many nice friends to enjoy, but it always ends up with just you and me. We are together, special, in love, and forever the best of buddies."

Sue whacked me on the shoulder, "I hope I'm more that one of your buddies." She laughed, and pulled my head down to kiss me. Then she told me something that I suspected, "I really enjoy being with a girl. It is different than being with a man, in one way not as fulfilling, and in other ways more. I thought Mercy's heart was totally with us, but I guess not. I almost think Samantha wants a relationship too, but she's too young. I love you so much, Steve, but I want a woman to live with too."

We kissed and loved for a while before drifting off to sleep.

The next day, when we were ready to head back, either to Anchorage or on to San Francisco, John had been convinced to come and visit with Mercy's folks for a few days. Mercy was excited to bring John home for her parents' inspection, even though he was at least ten years older than she was. Dewey and Sheila warned John about Merlin, but after he blew them off several times, decided to let him experience the man himself.

Mercy came to me to tell me that she had fallen for John. She said she hoped I understood, but knew I did. She said she knew Sue had wanted to keep her around forever, but this was one of those things that just happen. We kissed and hugged, with me letting her know she was free to enjoy her life.

"Steve, I don't know whether this is for real or permanent, but I have to find out. Most times, John's mind doesn't communicate with me. I only receive flashes. He has a lot of uncertainties. You and Sue are, and will always be, my soul mates, but I have to find out about this."

We flew out of Friday Harbor and landed in San Francisco with the minimum of fuel reserves, after holding in the pattern for almost forty-five minutes. Once down, we had the plane checked over and refueled to be ready to fly. We planned to depart either tomorrow or the day after.

Merlin and Missy were wonderful hosts but very antagonistic toward John in the beginning. It took the entire evening before Missy was able to convince Merlin that Mercy was choosing and not being swayed by anyone else. Once he understood, Merlin became more of the traditional father-in-law figure.

Missy got Sue and me off to the side and said, "Mercy will probably be coming back to you soon. I can't tell you when, how, or why, but I feel she will. I hope you will accept her back."

Before we left, we made sure John wanted to stay in San Francisco for a while. Sue and I told Mercy her clothes and belongings would be on their way as soon as we reached home. We had a tearful parting, but it wasn't a forever parting, we were just letting each other go on with their lives.

Sue and I enjoyed flying back to Tampa in two easy hops. We stopped in Henrietta, Oklahoma to visit some of the oil fields I had worked at, and were able to talk to one of the crew foremen that I had worked for so long ago. It was interesting to see, but I was glad I was beyond working in the oil fields.

We landed back at the Aero Park on a Thursday afternoon. After doing our checkout of the plane, we drove home in my truck that we had left at the airport. As soon as we arrived, Glenda was all over Sue; she said she had worried about her flying all over the country while pregnant.

Sue assured her she was in good health and that the baby was doing well, as he was moving around quite a bit. She told Glenda that she needed to worry more about Shawna and Debbie than her.

Sue checked in with her people to find everything running smoothly, and I called Debbie to find that everything was fine, but she said, "The stupid tractor bodies are driving me crazy. We can only produce four a week, but we are receiving orders to the tune of twenty a week. You either have to quit selling them or get a bigger place to produce them."

I talked to Jeff briefly, and he said his group was out-producing what he considered maximum production. Drew backed him up, saying that the people were keeping up the quality, but he said the facilities were near bursting.

Tiny told me to wait until he got in later and he would talk to me about the problem. He said he had a couple of suggestions, one of which was to send Phil off to a desert island somewhere, so he wouldn't be pushing a product they couldn't produce for a while.

The evening began the way it always had. Charlie, Jim, Tiny, Phil, Al, Tom, and now Drew, were all on the patio, toasting another great day with a cold beer. Drew said that he had given Tiny a make up of what would be needed to go into big production of the bodies. "We started off doing something that has all of the buyers anxious to start ordering. You let the original drivers help design the sleeper and now all of the body buyers are helping design their own sleeper. We have some stock groupings that most select from, but each one is custom. That takes a little longer."

Tiny said, "I figured that in on the pricing we worked out originally. I was going to reduce the price, since we were coming in under budget on the bodies and rebuilds, but I've delayed reducing the price to keep orders down a little."

"You need a separate plant," Tiny said, with a matter of fact tone. "There's no room at our place, and Sue has used up her extra land with the new building and increased parking. I've done everything I can to buy space around us, but haven't had any luck. Let me get something and I'll show you an idea."

Tiny went to his car and brought back a plat map of the area just below the storage facility where we had started our company.

"This land is for sale at a reasonable price," Tiny said, as he showed me the section he was talking about. "There's over two hundred acres that we could use for as many plants as we could build. The problem is zoning. At present, the land is zoned agriculture, and has some kind of single family home zoning if the land is in five acre plots, but there is some kind of waiver for high density housing. You could get Ben to begin working on rezoning the land for commercial and manufacturing. If you were to bring designs that would be appealing to a zoning commission meeting, you might get it done."

"That's a lot of land. A big plant wouldn't take that much room. What would we do with the rest of it?" I asked, thinking of how large an area it was.

Tiny became more expansive. "Until you need it to begin expanding the other shops, you could just make it a very nice park area. I think we could put the tractor body plant in the rear. You will also need the facility to be large enough to have a very large mechanical rebuild shop, because that's one of the desirable qualities of getting one of your bodies. You'll need a paint shop for the other desirable part of a sale."

"Tiny, are you leading me toward a full service truck repair facility that would include a paint shop?"

"I am, and while you're at it, this space here would be for a chrome shop, and this space would be for a group of independent machine shops that would be available to make parts for us on demand. Then there is this space that would be the truck dealership, and right next to it, toward the front of the property, would be the RV dealership."

I couldn't believe he would come up with all of that, but "So you've got almost the entire two hundred acres in businesses, what happened to the park idea."

Tiny answered, "There would be a park like area around the Holiday Inn Express we would have right here, beside the main road."

"What do we want to go into the hotel business for?" I ask dumbly.

"Easy, the people having their trucks or RV's repaired would need a place to stay. We would also have a car rental facility for those that don't have a tow vehicle. I didn't make a restaurant on the property, but we could buy this little ten acres across the street and have one of the franchise restaurants open there.

"Whew, who's going to run all this?" I said, already tired just from thinking of all the people involved just at that location, much less the main location.

"We'll find them, Steve. You have the ability to find quality people. We'll find them. We probably have some managers among our own people right now. We just haven't recognized them yet."

"How can we finance that much land and that much building?" I asked.

"Right now, you could borrow just about any amount you wanted, without even a business plan up front. But with a solid plan like this, you won't have any trouble coming up with the money. Sue may want to invest in it. Ben and Beth have already indicated they would be a part of it, if you let them. What do you say? Let's do it."

I had this strange feeling, so I went inside and called Mercy. It was only three in the afternoon in California when she answered. "Hi Steve," she said before I could even begin. "I'm glad you called me about Tiny's plan. It'll work, but you and Sue will need to negotiate the land deal. An old guy that you both have met before owns it. I think he's the man you bought the land next to your shop from. He'll deal with you, but probably not many others. For some reason, he wants to donate the land to the county for a park. You'll need to find better land for the park so he'll be satisfied. If you can do that, it will remove his major objection to what you want to do."

"How do you know all of this, Mercy?" I couldn't believe her ability to perceive what was happening so far away.

"You and Sue are still special to me, and are in my thoughts and my Mom's thoughts all the time. When you're troubled, we'll know. Call us, we'll help if we can."

We talked for a few minutes and I promised to have Sue call her soon. No mention was made of John, but she seemed to be in a great mood.

Back out on the patio, I poured myself another beerbefore telling Tiny, "I'll go talk to the owner of the property tomorrow. We'll work out something and get started. You'd better have an architect start work on some plans, as this will come together pretty fast, if it does at all."

With a smile, Tiny said, "Already got 'em, Steve, I'm ready for you this time."

He sat back and added, "You know that there is still a lot of space to build a very big clothing factory and a very big facility for S&S. You could have your entire operation just down the street if you wanted. Just a thought, not a suggestion, but just a thought."

That evening when the crowd had thinned, I told Sue about the plan in a general sort of way. She thought it had merit and would look at it in the morning. I told her, "I called Mercy about it, because it had just come to me to call her. Mercy said that the guy that we bought the property next door from owns the land. You know, you remember him, Ernie Wainwright."

"Oh goody, I really like him, he's a sweet old man" Sue said enthusiastically. "I think that a business park like that would be good. Let's build a restaurant too, so we can have a place close by to get a snack when we want it."

Friday morning, I woke energized, knowing there was a new adventure ready to begin. Did I feel up to it? Damn right I did. I wanted to rush out of bed to start the day, but, I was snuggled up to my Sue, my beautiful, wonderful, wife.

I kissed her into consciousness until she pulled me down to hug my face into her bosom saying, "I want to sleep some more Honey, please?"

I said, "I need to get up, but you sleep all you want. Get up when you're rested. Love you."

Sue gave me another kiss and snuggled down into the covers.

I got up and started the coffee, quietly shaved, showered, and dressed for work. I pulled the chain on the patio light at six. The weather was muggy and hot, even at six, so I turned on the air units to cool the area down.

Glenda and Martin joined me first. We sipped our coffee, just like old times, before the place became a menagerie. Shawna showed up next, giving me a kiss while patting her belly saying, "You know, if that joke I got at home hadn't put this thing in the oven real quick, I was going to get you to sub for him."

Glenda huffed, "Oh Shawna, you talk so crazy sometimes. You know the only father your child could ever have would be Charlie. He's a good man."

"He damned sure is, Glenda, and he's all mine," Shawna smiled, happy to stir Glenda's pot early in the morning.

People began arriving in ones, and twos, or more. Once full of people, including Phil's delivery of breakfast sandwiches and pastries, the morning conferences were started. Everyone had something to contribute as they were all working on different projects.

Drew came to me to ask, "If you get this new location for the truck conversions, I want to head that group, just like now. I can do it and do a good job."

"That is the plan right now, Drew. You'll have to see how much responsibility you'll want, as Tiny has plans for several activities," I said.

"I know I can handle the truck rebuild group along with developing our own fiberglass shop," Drew stated. "Actually, Jeff can develop it, I would want to be able to direct it, as well as the mechanical part. I know we could, and would, develop a shop that trucks could be repaired in as well. I think I can do that too."

"Tiny didn't tell me everything, but I suspect he may want to sell new tractors too," Drew said. "I don't know that much about handling a dealership or how to sell an item like that, but I could learn. Then again, someone experienced in that would be good. You would want them to be quality conscious, just like your other people are."

Tiny asked, "Are you going to talk to the property owner?"

"Sure, Tiny," I said. "Ernie Wainwright loves Sue and her family. Hell, he may even want to invest in us too. We'll see though, as too many investors are not good sometimes."

At the shop, everyone was used to me not being there, and began their day the way they would have had I been out on the floor. Debbie was busy making up work orders for the big welding truck, as Tim was scheduled for a couple of jobs almost everyday.

I looked up Ernie's telephone number and gave him a call. "Ernie, this is Steve Sharp, Beth Phillips son-in-law, you know the guy who married the cute little Phillips girl. I bought your building that had been condemned."

"I remember you well, son," Ernie said. "What can I do for you?"

I answered quickly, "You have some land out near the trailer park that I might be interested in. Could we get together for coffee or lunch and talk about it?"

"Oh yeah," Ernie said, "That's the land I had thought to try to make a deal with the county for a park. If you want, I'd rather you got it. What do you want to do, build your wife a mansion on it?"

"If I can't use it for what I'm thinking Ernie, I'll do just that. Anyway, how about coming out to the house for lunch? I'll make sure we have something special just for you. How about it?"

"Will your wife be there?"

"Sure, Ernie, she may even cook it for us."

"I'll be out there about twelve, twelve-fifteen, okay?"

"Great, bring your good humor and enjoy lunch with us. See you then."

I called home to see if Sue was up. She was, and was eating something that Glenda had made for her. I told her about a lunch date with Ernie and she said, "Oh darn, I need to go to the gym today. I could use a little sun too."

"We'll go to the gym after lunch, and the sun can't shine on you through those clouds anyway. Ask Glenda to whip us up a light lunch. Ernie will be in a good mood and will deal with us for his land."

"I'll dress to keep his mind off business if I can still get into my sexy clothes."

I thought for a second, "You know, Sue, why don't you come out with a line of maternity clothes. You could make them sexy. Men always think pregnant women are sexy, so if you designed them the way you do your other creations, you would have another hit on your hands."

Sue gushed, "I just love you so much. You listen to me complain and then come up with a way for me to make more money or to at least increase the product line I already have. That's a great idea Steve, thanks; I'll get right on it."

When it neared eleven-thirty, I took off for the house. Glenda said she had made French onion soup and some small hot roast beef sandwiches that we could dip in gravy or the soup. Glenda said it was a recipe she had seen and wanted to try.

Ernie showed up and I sat him down with a big glass of iced tea at the big patio table, instead of the long dinner table. He remarked that I had somehow figured out how to cool the area without closing it in. I had to tell him the truth. My contractor had the idea; all I did was add the fans.

Sue and Glenda joined us for lunch. We ate heartily, having tea with the meal. Sue popped up to get us some strong coffee in small cups after the meal. She surprised me when she brought out two long cigars and a cigar clipper for Ernie and me. Sue knew I really didn't smoke, but there must be something to this.

Ernie and I lit up and blew some smoke rings, watching them get blown off the patio by the fans circulating the air. Ernie offered, "Nice, Steve, you know how to live, a lovely lady to fix you a nice lunch, then she brings you a cigar and Cuban coffee to relax. So, what do you really want with the land down there?"

"If it were bigger, it would be better, but I want to have a business park that would have my new truck body plant, along with a mechanical rebuilding facility for the trucks. We might try for a dealership for tractors too. We are thinking that since we would be dealing with all of the mechanical and coach stuff, we might want to get into the RV business. If we did that, then we could probably justify a hotel, and perhaps a restaurant across the street. Sue needs more manufacturing area, so we would probably feature a nice building that would contain additional manufacturing space for her. We have some more ideas, but that's why we could use a little more land."

"I see," Ernie said while puffing his cigar. "Do you think you could match what I was going to propose to the county?"

"Depends on how bad you were going to take advantage of the county. You know, I looked at an aerial map this morning, and it looked like there was another piece of property behind yours that is as big as yours, I wonder who owns it?"

Ernie harrumphed, then said, "Don't be coy with me, Stevie Sharp, you know I own that land too. Did you already figure out what I was going to do?"

"Not completely, Sir, but it looked like you figured on near giving away the land to the county for a park, then building a housing development back there that would have the nearby park as a benefit to sell the land easier."

"Got me on the first try," Ernie smiled, while sipping a fresh cup of the strong coffee. I figured the county would give me about twenty-five percent of what the land is worth when it was all said and done, but I was going to make it up when I built high density housing on the other land."

"How about just selling me all of it, Ernie? Actually, you would be selling it to Sue and me, as I don't think I can cover this by myself."

"Well, what do you know?" Ernie exclaimed. "I'm going to sell something to a Phillips after all. I thought I was going to do it before, but you were able to cover the whole thing through cash flow. I don't know how you did it but you did. Let me figure out what I need to get out of both pieces and I'll get back to you."

Sue came to the table and sat down with us, "Oh come on, Ernie, you know what you need for the land as it stands. You always know what something is worth and what it should sell for. Let's get this agreed on and closed so I can build more factory space for my clothing company. Steve just gave me an idea for a whole new line, and I definitely need the space."

You could see Ernie was conflicted, but he was also staring right at Sue's delicious cleavage.

"How soon you going to have that youngun, Sue?" Ernie asked.

"Two or three months, Ernie, enough time to get going on building a new plant. What do you say, what are you going to give me for a baby present? What kind of deal will you make us?" Sue egged him on.

"You know, that's four hundred twenty acres of fine land. If you do what you're saying, it will provide jobs for a lot of people. I could probably do what I'm thinking on some more land I own down the road, and have your employees as prospective buyers too. Okay, I'll give your Uncle Ben the numbers this afternoon and see if we can get this done quick. You're responsible for the zoning, not me. And if you can't get it zoned, you're gonna have one hell of a big home site for all your kids."

"Do you know who owns the piece of property across the street?"

"Sure do, I'll throw that in if you'll invite me out for a free meal when you get the restaurant built," Ernie said being generous.

"Of course, we will Ernie," Sue said happily. "But anytime you want to drop by for supper, we always have room for one or two more. Bring your lady friend and come out."

"I will, I will come out with my lady soon. You have to watch her though as she will drink too much wine sometimes," Ernie said, getting up from the table.

"We will, Ernie, you just bring her out and we'll take care of both of you," Sue said.

Ernie paused, "I know Sue's got a Mom, so I may just adopt Steve here. I'd think you would be a great son, Steve."

"It would be an honor to have you as a Dad, Ernie. I always could use advice from someone like you. You'll be my honorary dad, okay?"

Ernie nodded his head, with some dampness coming to his eyes as he left the patio, waving at us.

Sue waited for Ernie to drive off before saying, "That was slick. You knew that if we fed him, he would sell you anything you wanted."

"I wasn't as slick as you and Glenda. Where did you come up with the cigars and the Cuban coffee," I asked?

"Glenda said that Martin had some cigars when I told her what we needed. She ran next door to Maria and Jorge's house to borrow some coffee when I said that when my grandfather used to eat and make deals, he would always have Cuban coffee and big cigars. See, we did just like he used to do. Grandma Nina used to always bring him his cigar and coffee, just like I did. You're my man."

"It was the right touch, now I need to go wash my mouth out and change shirts. I'm not used to smelling like smoke."

Sue gave me a hug and kiss, "Get used to it, Honey, you're the big business man around here now."

We went to the gym and worked out for a little over an hour. Sue had a physical trainer work with her on what exercises she could and should do, being pregnant. She needed to keep her activity level up to compensate for the food she wanted to eat.

Back at the shop, I talked to Tiny, saying that it looked like we were going to get the land, but we were getting twice as much, as we were getting the same amount of land in the back of the land he had looked at. "Tiny, let's get an architect to get some drawings going for a zoning commission meeting. It will need to include a restaurant across the street from the Holiday Inn, as Sue wants a restaurant close by for snacks."

"Wow, I hadn't thought of a restaurant. With all the development out here, why not? It will be an instant success. What kind of place were you thinking? Something like a Friday's or Chili's?"

I was thinking more like a Village Inn, IHOP, Denny's, or a Perkins. You know, a family restaurant where you can get a sandwich, or a whole meal, if you want."

"Ruth likes Perkins, and even Denny's for that matter, but we usually only go to Village Inn during the wee hours of the morning. Same with IHOP, even though they sell regular dinners too," Tiny answered.

"Anyway, we need to get everything we can ready for a county zoning commission meeting. Ben will arrange it, but we need to be ready."

"Got it, Boss, wonder what you'll do with that back acreage, now that you can build whatever you want?" Tiny asked.

I smiled and said, "It'll come to me. We may want to run some of these buildings to the back to make the area more appealing. We could leave some park like areas in the middle, behind the hotel, for relaxing. I would think we would want the RV place within easy walking distance, but we could always use golf carts to haul people back and forth between the hotel, RV area, and the tractor area. Who knows, perhaps we can have a golf cart sales area too. You know what, how about a chip and putt course next to the hotel. I'll bet a lot of RV people would like to work on their game. Isn't there a driving range close by that we could incorporate into our package?"

"Give it a rest, Steve. Next thing you know, you'll be building a golf course," moaned Tiny.

Gene called me just before I was getting ready to leave. "I heard you and Sue are both pilots and have a plane. Could you fly my wife up here? She had to stay behind for a friend, but now she doesn't need to be there and wants to come up here. Would you do that for me?"

"So, where are you playing this week?" I asked.

"This isn't a game, this is big business. We're playing as you call it up in Dover, Delaware. Would you do that for me? I'll owe ya."

"Anytime, Gene, you've done a lot for us. Either Sue or I will fly her up. Give me a number to call her and I'll call Sue to see what she wants to do. Does anyone else want to go up? We have room."

"My crew chief's wife and daughter want to come, but you may not have room for all of them."

"Not a problem, we can carry six easy, and seven if necessary, not including the two front seats. You call your wife and let your crew chief call his family. I'll call Sue and get this started."

Actually, I didn't call Sue first. I called the Aero Park and had them check out the plane, make sure it was fueled and had it over at the ops building before I called Sue.

"Want to fly up to Dover, Delaware to carry Gene's wife, along with his crew chief's wife and daughter?" I asked a surprised Sue.

She answered with, "Are we going to stay up there or come back? I kind of promised Mom Sunday dinner, and Charlie was saying we needed to visit with Hap."

"We'll just do a turnaround. Give you a chance to fly through all of those restricted areas. If you wander off course, fighters will escort you to an airfield, never to be seen again," I joked.

"In that case, smarty pants," Sue joked back. "You can file and be left seat. You can be the one in the federal hoosegow instead of me."

"Well, get ready, look up the flight plan for me and I'll call Gene's wife and have her drive out to the air park. I already called to get the plane ready."

"I'm on it," Sue said hanging up.

I called Gene's wife and gave her directions to the airport. She said she had already called his crew chief's wife who was on her way to her house as we spoke. She said she would meet us in thirty to forty-five minutes.

As soon as I hit home, I called the Aero Park and talked to the attendant/mechanic there. I asked him to pre-flight the plane and fire up the turbines so they were ready when we got there. He said we would be ready.

As Sue and I drove up in the pickup, Gene's wife drove up and parked. I helped them carry their luggage around to the front of the ops building where the plane was sitting, already running at minimum turbine speed. We stowed the luggage, loaded up everyone, and gave them the safety talk.

Sue still wanted me to fly left seat, so I called for clearance and taxied to the end of the active runway. As soon as we hit the end of the runway, we were cleared for takeoff. Our little junior rocket scooted down the runway and was off the ground in less than a minute.

We leveled off at twelve thousand feet, using the flight control people to ensure our location. The GPS helped keep us exactly on course. As we neared the DC area, we were vectored around the sensitive areas and given a heading and frequency for the airport we were going into. We were landing a little more than two hours after takeoff. Gene's wife said our plane was as nice as Gene's jet, and was easily as fast. Sue glowed, knowing that we would hear good things for helping a good customer.

We landed and Sue went off to find a potty. I unloaded the luggage for the ladies and handed them over to one of Gene's people who was waiting for us, and had the plane refueled.

I took a potty break and bought a couple of sandwiches and some water. Sue came back and wanted to fly left seat, so we locked up, called in to update the flight plan, and requested permission to taxi. The controllers were nice and put us right up front, as they knew our plane would not hold them up.

Two hours and fifteen minutes later, we were touching down, back in Tampa. It was probably a pretty expensive trip, but it was worth its weight in gold as far as public relations go. It was getting close to ten when we drove up to the patio.

Holy smokes, the place was rocking. Most of the employees of S&S were there, as well as over a hundred of the employees from Sue's plant. This was the first time that so many of the two businesses were mixed in a party setting.

Tiny was sitting with a drink in his hand, wearing a twenty-dollar smile. "This is the way to have a Friday night, both companies sharing some time at the bosses' house. You better mingle. We told them you were doing a customer a favor and would be back just about now."

Sue and I mingled as best we could. I had a couple of stiff drinks. I'm sure Sue would have wanted one, or four, too but she couldn't. That's okay, I'd make up for it.

What mingling we did, must have been enough. After an hour, the place was mostly empty. Phil was plowed, as were Judy and Ruth. Tiny was still sitting, glowing, having created a good atmosphere for both companies. Shawna and Debbie were both bitching because they couldn't drink anything, but patted their tummies saying, "We got 'em growin' in there."

By midnight the patio was empty, Sue was already in bed, and I was finishing cleaning up. A Chrysler 300 drove up and parked on the grass next to the patio. The surprise was that Beth got out of the car and came into the patio. I had the lights low, but the air and the fans were still on.

Beth gave me a quick hug and asked, "Could you make me a drink? How about making me one of those things you drink, a Beefeaters martini? I need something to loosen up with, or to calm me down, or something.

I made us both a big one, and asked her if she was hungry. When she nodded yes, I went inside to bring back a tray of meat and cheese with some bread. We spent some time making sandwiches and drinking. After finishing her second fat Beefeaters, Beth began, "You've always showed me the utmost of respect. I don't deserve it. You've got Sue to accept Ben and me as her parents. I'm so ashamed, but so happy Sue is the person she is. Ben doesn't think it's a big deal, but I'm afraid it will hurt Sue. Steve, you've always been so good to Sue and me that I guess I just need your reassurance that's it's okay that I had a baby by my brother."

I began cautiously, "You know Beth, you and Ben loved each other way back then and I know you two love each other today. Sue was the product of that love, whether you wanted her at the time or not. I commend you both for letting her come into this world, and for raising her to be the woman she is today. You both gave her the will and stamina to be the lady and the woman she has become. Beth, Sue is a leader, an achiever, a person who makes those who know her better. I'm a better man for knowing her. I'm a very happy man that I'm her husband. Know that you and Ben have given life to a special person that is now my happiness. I can't tell you how much I love her."

Beth was weeping a little at that point.

Surprise, Sue came hopping out of the house, and landed in my lap kissing me from the top of my head to my chin. "I love you, I love you, I love you."

When Sue settled down, she said, "You weren't in bed yet, so I came out to see what you were doing and found you out here, flirting with my mom. Then I heard you say all of those nice things. I love you, Steve, I love you so much."

Beth spoke up, "I love him too, Baby. I'm so happy you've found your mate. Mine is a little different, but we're still mated for life. I wish we were living some place else so we could be more open."

Sue cocked her head, "Do it, Mom, you two have more than enough money to live anywhere you want. Let Ben's help take care of the house and go somewhere and enjoy yourselves. Ben can take care of his investments from anywhere. Be mates for a while, be open and happy. Do it while you're young enough, do it while you can."

"Sue, Honey, I always thought you would hate me when you found out Ben was your father. The way you've accepted it has been wonderful. You still love Ben and me the way you always have. I've been ashamed all of my life for loving Ben the way I have, but now you've freed me to be proud to be your mom. Ben's proud of you too, Sue, know he's very proud of you."

Sue got up from my lap and hugged her mom then led her back to my lap to sit on one leg, while Sue sat on the other. "Mom, this guy is the best and has helped me be all the woman I can be. Let him hold you, come inside and stay with us. In the morning, you'll know our love just from lying with us. Come on, Mom, come stay with us."

We got up, and the two went inside, while I shut down the patio and locked up. When I stripped down, I did so in the bathroom, but put on some shorts to wear to bed.

Sue and her Mom had a space between them. When I lay between them, Sue said, "What's with all the clothes. You don't wear clothes to bed," and she pulled them off me and threw them toward the closet.

Sue said, "Hug Mom, so she knows we love her." Then Sue hugged me. I hoped that thing between my legs wouldn't betray the base attraction Beth held for me.

While drifting off to sleep I saw pictures in my mind of Mercy, then of Missy. Missy was saying to me, "I didn't get to sleep with you. Next time it's my turn."

We slept.

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 17



As I woke up, I realized I was between two very buxom women. Both had my head jammed between their bounteous breasts. Sue's were much larger than Beth's, but the big difference was how soft Beth's were compared to Sue's. Sue's had softened since she was pregnant, but not anywhere near Beth's.

I wasn't going to start anything because one: I needed to pee really bad, and two: Beth was Sue's mom and Ben's lover.

I slid down until I was freed from the enclave of four bigger than normal boobs. Actually, the scene would make a great cartoon. A guy like me, trapped between the mammoth boobs of the mother/daughter monsters.

Once out of bed, I pulled the covers over them so they could sleep.

I put on a pair of jean shorts and a T-shirt, and made coffee. It was nearing seven when I came out onto the patio. Surprise, there was no one there. I turned on the air and fans, and checked that the big pot was done perking. The Andy's showed up first. Both Sandy and Mandy gave me a great good morning kiss, that a few months ago, would have meant some heavy activity between the sheets. But now, they were loving kisses that told me the girls were happy, but still liked to tease.

The next crewmember to show was Deanne, who was staying over with Hank and Debbie. She curled up in my lap, which is no small feat, considering she is somewhere around six foot six or seven. As more and more of the neighbors and friends showed up, the place became alive with our mutual excitement of life.

Deanne said, "I have to find a place out here. Just waking up here and being a part of all of you makes me a happier person. I want to be an everyday part of you guys."

Sue and her mom came out of the house in their robes. Deanne was going to get up, but Sue held her down and gave her a kiss. "I guess you need to move into one of our bedrooms then, Deanne. You can wake up every morning to all of us, and even sit on Steve's lap in the morning when you need to."

"I'll get my stuff and move if you're serious," Deanne said.

"Of course, I'm serious," Sue said. "Come stay with us until you find the right place for yourself."

In my head, I heard a smiling Mercy say, "Oh Steve, now you have a beautiful Nubian princess to take care of."

When I shook my head to clear the vision there, Deanne asked, "You okay?"

I smiled and nodded, holding her tall thin frame in my lap.

The day began with Sue's mom announcing she wanted her daughter to fly her somewhere. She wanted to have a little time with her alone, just the two of them.

Sue asked if she would mind if she flew the small plane, as it was a lot of fun, especially if they were just going to fly around Florida. The two of them were off to the Aero Park shortly afterwards. I knew they would fly over us and wag the wings to show off a little.

Deanne wanted Debbie and Hank to help her buy a car. They tried to talk her out of it, but she insisted, saying she wanted to be like the rest of us and have her own transportation.

Phil said he would help her, if Judy would enjoy staying out with us today. Ruth convinced Judy they would have a good time today if she stayed, so Phil and Deanne took off to look for a car.

Charlie said that we might want to have lunch with Hap today, as he had been insistent when asking for me. I said I would clean up my bikes and be ready to go when he was. Martin wanted to help while I changed oil and cleaned up both bikes. I was stuck with a sidecar for a while unless we found out we could bring Deanne with us. A lot, but not all, bikers are a little racist. Perhaps a lady might be different. Maybe others would think she was our nanny in waiting, and wouldn't question us.

A little before noon, Charlie and Hank pushed their bikes over to the front of my house, saying they were ready. I closed up my shop and pushed the shovelhead out to the front.

We fired up and headed down Florida toward the clubhouse. We were welcomed through the gate and parked in the VIP area. The social yard was busy with the St. Pete club visiting. The St. Pete folks were disappointed Sue wasn't with me. I told them we might come by later.

Hap took me off to the side, giving me a long neck. "Steve, you may not have heard, but Bear was sniped Thursday. Somebody took a shot at him and knocked him off his bike. He's alive and doing okay, but he's busted up pretty good. Bear asked me to tell you. He said you would take care of it. You're not obligated, but let me know what I can do."

"Where did this happen?" I asked.

"Up in New Port Richey, where their clubhouse is. He was coming out of the lane road when he was hit. The cops didn't even look around. They just let the ambulance take him away and left. Do you think you can do anything?"

"I don't know, Hap. I need whoever was with him, and nearest to him, to take me up there to look around."

"I'll get 'em for you, Steve. I have everyone down here until he's back on his feet. Bear has a lot of guys that can be a little aggressive if they don't have a leader."

I told Charlie that we needed to take a ride up to New Port Richey. He just nodded and said we would need to stop at a gas station on the way. Hank said he would peel off and go down to Jim's as he wanted to see a guy there.

Four of Bear's men, Charlie, and I took off. Hap sent one of his men along so we could send him back for help if we needed it.

When we came to the lane road to the clubhouse, two of Bear's men stepped out into the road, holding up their hands. As soon as they recognized who we were, they let us pass. I stopped at the gate and asked the four men to show me exactly where Bear was hit.

We were almost back to the road when they stopped and showed me where Bear had fallen. I asked if anyone had been looking at him when he was hit. One of the men said he saw Bear hit.

"Put your bike right where you saw him hit." He did, and I asked, "Did Bear just fall off his bike, or did you see him jerk from being hit?"

The guy put his kickstand down and said, "He jerked to the side right here. He fell off the bike sideways, right here. See, there's still some of his blood on the ground where he landed. Those big rocks are what broke him up."

I went to where he was pointing, and looked back across the bike in a line to see where the round could have come from. About three hundred yards away, there was an old barn type of building that was in line to where Bear was hit. I told everyone to stay there and walked around on the road to the barn. When I came to the lane to the barn where someone would have driven if they were to go to the barn, I saw a motorcycle tire tread track heading to the barn.

There was also a set that headed back out, so I wasn't apprehensive that the sniper was still around. Without stepping in the track, I went to the barn to find that a rear door was hanging off its hinges, half-open. The tread marks led inside.

This was an old barn with a hayloft. I could see the boot prints that led to the ladder going up stairs. The ladder steps looked solid, so I climbed upstairs. It was easy to see what was what. There was a burlap bag laying on the old straw at the end of the barn, facing where Bear had been shot. I walked over to the area, looking for anything that could give me a clue.

The burlap bag was laying lengthwise, toward where Bear had been. When you looked at where someone had laid, there was a smudge of yellow near where a man's chest would have been. I got down and looked back toward where the others were. Easy shot at three hundred yards. A guy would have to be high or drunk to miss at that distance. He didn't miss, he just didn't make a good hit. I poked around in the straw a little and turned to leave.

As I turned my head, something shiny caught my eye. I poked around in the straw where I had seen the shiny object and found a shell casing. It was 5.56 brass. That's M-16 or AR-15 stuff. I carefully picked it up with a piece of straw putting it my shirt pocket.

I went back downstairs and walked over to the men who were waiting. I told them that we should ride over to the barn, but to keep to the side so they could look at the tracks.

They inspected the tracks, saying it looked like a cheap Jap tread. It definitely wasn't Dunlap, Goodyear, or the German brand they saw a lot of. When I took them upstairs, they gasped seeing the easy path toward where their leader had been shot.

Just before we were leaving, one of Bear's men pointed at the tire tracks and made a comment. "It looks like there's a cut on the tire here. See where it spreads out, then about a revolution later it's closed, probably because the tire hopped on a bump. The cut is on the outside right side. It should be easy to spot.

I told them of the shell casing, but said I was saving it for the FDLE, so they could check it for prints. We rode back to the clubhouse where I reported to Hap what we had found. I told him to have his men watch for a cheap tire with a cut on the right side. He said he'd pass it along.

On the way back, Charlie and I peeled off to go home, letting Bear's men go back to Hap's place.

Once home, I told Charlie that I was going to visit Bear in the Hospital. He asked if I wanted him to come along, but I said I thought a private visit would be best right now.

Bear had been transferred to University Community Hospital in northeast Tampa, out by the University of South Florida. They had an orthopedic group that put him back together, and where he was still recovering.

When I went to the desk to find out what room he was in, I almost asked for Bear, but remembered his name from so many years ago. I dropped the Lieutenant part, and just asked for Barton Meyer. When they told me he had restricted visitation, I told them to ask him if he would see Steve Sharp.

I didn't make a fuss, so the receptionist called up to his floor nurse right away. A few minutes later, the receptionist was having a phone conversation with someone, but looking directly at me. When she hung up, she motioned for me to come to the desk. "Mr. Meyer wants to see you right away. The floor nurse said you are on his allowed list of visitors. Do you have a picture ID, like a driver's license?"

My driver's license still had me with a beard, so I pulled out my driver's license and my FAA license that she compared and said, "I like you better without the beard. You should get a new license so it's easier to identify you."

When I went up to Bear's room, there was a uniformed Tampa policeman sitting outside the door to his room. I went through the ID thing with him and was let in.

Bear was trussed up, with a lower leg suspended in a cast all the way to his hip. His left arm was immobilized and wrapped to his body, that was also bandaged.

A nice looking girl sat in a chair next to Bear. She had on a Harley tank top, under a long sleeve man's plaid shirt with folded up sleeves. Her jeans were faded but clean, with some lace up boots showing. Her long, dirty blonde hair was in a ponytail. You almost smiled at the representation of a true biker's old lady. Her face had some worry lines on it, but they just highlighted a face that had seen a lot of sun and wind riding behind a leather vest.

"Jesus, Bear, I thought you were just shot, I didn't know a freight train got you too?"

Bear smiled at me, obviously full of some pain drugs, "I was riding too fast for the conditions out there, in a hurry to get a beer."

He moved around a bit trying to get comfortable and said, "The fucking rag heads were never able to put me down, but some yahoo damn nearly did the trick, didn't he."

"You couldn't have been going too fast on that dirt and loose gravel."

"You know me, Steve, I love to take it to the edge, I usually do fifty to sixty before I lock up the brakes to make the turn onto the hard road. I know that road so well, I like to slide right up on the blacktop."

"Damn, Bear, you must be death on your equipment."

"That's why I have the best wrenches in the franchise. They keep me going."

"Steve, this is Suzy. She's my Lieutenant's lady. She thinks I need a caretaker, so she and some others keep me company. Suzy, sit over by the window so I can talk to this whiff for a minute."

I nodded to Suzy, and she gave me a half smile as she moved to another chair.

I sat next to Bear's bed when he asked, "So tell me, bro, what do you know, have you had a chance to find out anything?"

"Not much, but I did go out to where you were hit and found where the shooter had been. I found a 5.56 shell casing."

"M-16, huh?"

"That or an AR," I said. "One of your men spotted an unusual thing about a bike tire tread print. First, it was a cheap Jap or a Chinese tire and second, probably the back tire has a deep cut on the right outside of the tread."

"There is one more thing, the shooter may have been wearing a vest or T-shirt that had just been painted or printed. There was a bright yellow smudge on a burlap bag laying up there. I need to go back and get it so I can get it tested."

"Who're you going to get it tested by?"

"I have a friend that is a Major with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's department. He can have the FDLE do it for him. For some reason, I don't think I should go through the Pasco County people. They don't seem to be very interested, from what your men say."

"If you think they will help, but I want to find out who it was and take care of the problem ourselves. You know we don't farm out our work."

"Well, since you seem to be under some kind of watch, this may have too high a profile for your own men to do. They would probably get caught, and then have to suffer for what we can get the cops to do."

Bear grunted a couple of times wiggling around, "You're probably right, but I still don't like the idea of us not taking care of the problem."

"Let me ask you some questions. You know I'm an independent and don't really want to know about club business, but you need to talk to me a little. First, there was the guy that tried to take you and Hap out a little while ago. Then the other night, there was the attack that almost happened. What's made you guys a target? It must be something big, because the news people don't even guess at what's going on."

"Shit, they probably have the room bugged, but I'll tell you what I think. The cops haven't even asked me who I thought might be responsible."

Bear lowered his voice motioning me to scoot the chair closer. "My club broke away from another national club about a year ago. The reason we left was that I found out some of my people were dealing for the national guys. Since we were a splinter club, people like that always like to use groups like ours to take the fall for anything that happens."

"I didn't want that to happen, and I don't approve of dealing. I don't allow the bad stuff around. All my guys know this and know that the penalty for coke and smack hurts, lots. You're only going to walk the line once for that kind of discipline. The next time, you don't get up. We booted a dozen or so of our guys who were immediately inducted by the other patch. I don't even think they had to prospect."

"Anyway, since we were in Florida, that group has wanted to take over in this area for the drug business. Apparently some big time dealers have been busted lately, and they wanted to use Hap's group and my group to run for them. Hap and I see eye to eye on the drug thing, as well as the St. Pete guys. The cops watch us too hard to even be carrying around smoke. I don't care if my guys want to get high, but I'd rather they drink instead. Hell, a hangover often enough will usually convince a guy that there are better things in life."

"I'm getting off track. Since we have been keeping away from them, they have tried to convince some of our own people to try to take over our clubs. Their goal lately has been to get rid of the leadership, and take over the clubs by force if necessary. We're having some trouble getting carry permits, for obvious reasons, and the cops want to take our pieces to have them checked out when they stop us, even with a permit. So we are flying naked. We're even trying to find out if it's legal to have a saddle gun on a bike if you have a permit."

"Hap and I are sure the FDLE is watching us closely, because they know there is some kind of takeover trying to happen. We also figure they know the other patch does not play nice and deals on a major scale. That's why Hap threw the gates open the other night. He wanted them to use their dogs all over the place to show them we didn't have any weight on the grounds. I think they were surprised. We had a guy with a couple of tabs of Ecstasy, but he just got a ticket and has to appear. The cops let a couple small baggies of pot slide. There wasn't any coke around, so the place was cleaner than most churches."

"You know they think I'm a target if they have a real uniform out there. You also know that the FDLE is onto this, as Tampa doesn't have anything to do with Pasco County. That's what I know, bro. Go find something. Take it to your buddy with the Sheriff's department. Let's get this behind us so none of my guys get dead from this thing. Hap's worried about his people and the St. Pete club is drawn in so tight, they hardly let guys go to work. Times are not good."

I had listened to all of this, not necessarily surprised, but wondered why Hap had not let me know he was in trouble.

"I'll get going and let you be peaceful. Get well, and let me know where you are. Have Suzy or someone call me if you can't. I'm on this thing as much as I can be. I'll see if I can come up with something."

"Shit, you've already done more than the cops have, so far. There might be someone working on the case, but not close like you. Thanks, bro, Semper Fi."

"Ooorah!" I exclaimed in response.

I got up to leave saying, "Thanks for watching out for Bear, Suzy. You need to get this guy to settle down with a lady, soften him up."

"Damn, I can't even throw something at you, you asshole, get out of here," Bear exclaimed.

The cop smiled at me as I left, making me think he heard most of what had been said in the room. Bear knew the cop was out there, so he obviously didn't care if the cop heard, or whether the room was bugged.

The whole visit had not taken more than twenty minutes.

After leaving the hospital, I drove back up to Bear's club house area and stopped in the lane and waved for his men to come out. I told them that I was going over to the barn again, but wanted to let them know. They just nodded and went back to become invisible at their gate.

I parked my truck at the entrance of the barn road and walked to the barn, and climbed the stairs to the loft. The burlap sack, with the smudge of yellow on it, was still where it had been left. I carefully rolled it up so the smudge wouldn't be disturbed and carried it downstairs. I looked around carefully for cigarette butts that may be fresh or just squashed out recently. I found two, both Marlboro, so I flipped them into a zip-lock bag I had brought from home. I couldn't see anything else, so I went back to my truck with the rolled up burlap bag and headed back to Tampa.

I drove straight down to the Citrus Park Hillsborough County Sheriff's department substation to see if I could run into my friend. I told the deputy at the counter that I wanted to see the Major. He took my name and made a telephone call. As he spoke into the phone, his eyes got big, he smiled and nodded his head, and hung up.

"Mr. Sharp, it is an honor and pleasure to meet you. Thank you for being there for us when we've needed help. The Major will see you right away." I was led through the office to a glassed in office where I could see my friend the Major waiting for me.

He rose and shook my hand as I entered the office. "Well, Steve, welcome to the station. It is a pleasure to have you stop in, but for some reason, I don't think this is a pleasure call, especially after having visited with your friend in the hospital."

"Keeping tabs on me, huh?" I asked.

"Not really, Steve, but the presence of a major bike club president in the hospital, with a Tampa police guard, is noteworthy. I understand you served in Desert Storm with Mr. Meyer, as a fellow patrol leader. None of that is important though, what can I do for you."

I explained to the Major that I had discovered where the attack had come from, and what I had found out. I carefully leaned over his desk and let the 5.56 brass fall out of my pocket. I told the Major I had not touched it since I found it. I gave him the cigarette butts I had found, and rolled out the burlap sack, to show him the smudge of yellow.

"What do you want me to do with this? It isn't in my jurisdiction. This belongs to Pasco County."

"For some reason, Major, I don't trust Pasco County with this. They were not interested in investigating when the incident happened, and I believe it is related to the big incident at the clubhouse the other night. This evidence is for the FDLE. They can use it. If they need me to verify where I found it, I will, but right now I'd like to find out if the brass has a print on it and what that smudge is. Is it paint or ink? That might be important. The butts are for DNA. The FDLE has been typing DNA for a while and there may be a match. The last thing I need is for you to teach me how to take a cast of a tire print. I think I can do it and not cause a stir. If an evidence truck goes up there, it's going to freak out the neighbors and there could be problems."

"That's a tall order, Steve. I'll get this stuff to the FDLE to analyze, but the tire thing needs to be done by a pro. I have an idea, hang on."

The Major used his phone and called someone and asked if they had any civilian clothes with them. He was nodding and said, "Put them on and come to my office with a plaster cast kit."

"Mind taking someone up there to do the job," the Major asked me?

"No, but a cleaned up guy, even without a uniform, will draw attention. Not many folks up there have crew cuts."

"I think I have that covered, here she is now."

A lady about thirty with long black hair came in the room, carrying a clear plastic bag with several items, including two bottles of water. She was wearing jeans, boots and a Harley T-shirt. "What can I do for you, Major?"

"Deputy Williams, this is Steve Sharp. He is the one who helped Deputy Benson when he was shot on duty a few months ago. You may also remember he was the one that helped capture the rogue deputy involved in all that drug stuff. He needs you to go with him up to Pasco County, not as a deputy to this department, but as a private citizen to cast a tire print that he says could help solve a serious problem. Would you do that for him?"

The lady smiled at the Major and me and said, "Sure will. The department owes this guy whatever he needs. Mr. Sharp, let's get this done."

I shook hands with the Major, telling him his plan was a good one. I led Deputy Williams out to my truck, telling her it wasn't that far to drive. Thirty-five minutes later, I parked my truck at the lane and led the deputy to where the print with the cut was very clear, and she went to work. First she took out a plastic bag with a large quantity of white stuff in it, then opened one of the bottles of water and poured it in. She zipped up the bag and handed it to me saying to squeeze it continuously, mixing the compound with the water.

She next took out what looked like a solid three inch wide plastic strip and made a large circle out of it. She placed the circle around the area we going to cast, then held her hand up for the bag. She poured the mixed contents into the fenced area and said, "Show me what else you found here."

I led her into the barn, showing her the tire prints in there as well. I pointed to the spots where I had picked up a couple of cigarette butts, and we went up the steps to the loft. I showed her where the burlap bag had laid and where I had found the shell casing. She asked me how I had handled the casing and the butts.

She slid a slim camera out of her back pocket and took multiple pictures of the loft, including the depression of where the burlap bag had been and where I had found the shell casing.

When I told her how I had used straw on the brass, and had just flicked the butts into the baggy, she seemed pleased. She looked all around very closely before we went back downstairs. She had a small, but very bright, high intensity flashlight that she shined all around. She took several pictures downstairs as well, and stopped at a barn post. At the barn post next to where the bike had been parked and dripped oil on the ground, there was a small nail sticking out that had a piece of cloth on it. Deputy Williams pulled a baggy out of her jeans, and with a tweezers put the piece of cloth into the baggy.

Back outside, the deputy took a picture of the area around the tire print then unfolded a piece of skinny cardboard and slid it under the area where she had poured the plaster. She took another piece of the same cardboard and put in over the top of it. She then picked it all up and went for the truck. There she nodded toward the door. I opened the truck door and she slid the casting onto the floor.

"Let's get out of here. There are a couple of guys down the road watching us very closely."

I said, "They know my truck, and you are just here with me, so we're okay. They may be curious, but we're not too far out for them. I'm supposed to be helping their president find out who ambushed him."

"I see, now I know why the strange adventure. You know of course that Pasco is going to have kittens when they find out I was up here," Deputy Williams said.

I assured her, "They didn't investigate, they didn't even seem interested, so this is my private investigation, and you are on loan to me as a favor. I think we're good."

We drove back to the Citrus Park substation where she went in, carrying the casting, with me following. No one said stop, so I followed her back to her lab, where she flipped the pieces of cardboard over and set them on a counter. She took off the now top piece of cardboard, and using a small vacuum, cleaned the loose dirt from the casting. When it was perfectly clean, she brought a spray paint can out and shook it for a minute, and sprayed the casting with a clear substance she explained was a glue to strengthen the casting.

She sealed the casting to the piece of cardboard with what looked like caulking, but she said it was Elmer's wood glue. "What do you want to do with this?"

"Let's give it to the Major so he can give it to the FDLE," I said.

She told me to carry it gently up to the Major's office. She led the way and entered without knocking. Deputy Williams said, "You should hire this guy. He did a great job and only missed one clue." She pulled out the plastic bag with the piece of cloth in it. "I took pictures of the scene and could probably give the FDLE guys a good description of where the victim was hit."

"Good job, Williams. I knew you were the one to send. Sharp here has a way of getting involved in everything. I probably should have him take some classes if he decides to stick around. We might as well make him a little more professional."

"Um, Major, Mr. Sharp has asked me to come out to his place to have the evening meal with his wife, his friends, and him. Do you think it would alright to do that?"

"So, another of my deputies is going to get fed out at your place before I get out there?"

"Your fault, Major," I said. "Seems I invited a lowly Sergeant out to the house for a friendly beer a long time ago, why don't you get your wife and come too."

"I think Mickey will enjoy herself more than I would. Just make sure she gets home safe. With all the bikers you hang out with, I'm liable to lose a deputy to one of them. You have my blessing, Mickey, have a good time."

The next thing she said stunned me. Think of it, I'm in the office of the commanding Major of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department substation with one of his deputies, and she smiles at me followed by smiling at the major and simply says, "Thanks, Dad."

Oops!

As my face reddened, he said, "Do you think I would have sent just anyone out with you, Steve? I could trust my daughter, not many others. She rode in with me this morning, so you're responsible to get her home. She's not on duty tomorrow, so get her home in time for work in a couple of days."

The deputy took my hand and pulled me from the office, as I shook my head, hearing the Major laugh. There's always more than what meets the eye.

I drove us to the park where she, all of a sudden, became a completely changed person. She had become a motor-mouth telling me how she had been with the department for over ten years, and that she had to be perfect working out of the substation her dad commanded. She said she knew enough about me from him that it was like seeing a live person that you had been studying for a long time.

I pulled up to the house and parked and led Mickey to the patio. The place was pretty full. Sue and her Mom were talking to Shawna, Glenda, and the Andy's at the table, while Tiny, Phil, Hank, Drew, Tom, Al, and Charlie were watching a ballgame on the big TV.

Sue saw us and jumped up to come to us. I introduced Mickey to Sue, saying that Mickey was helping me find the guy who had taken a shot at Bear. Sue didn't know the story yet, so I didn't want to explain it out in the open. I told Sue that Mickey was the Major's daughter.

Sue threw her arms around Mickey and hugged her, saying she was so happy to meet her. She instantly dragged her off toward the house door and disappeared. You know, the wife's interrogation of a lady her husband has been with for a couple of unsupervised hours. But I had seen the glimmer of mutual interest in both Sue's and Mickey's eyes.

Charlie asked how my visit with Bear was, and I told him he was doing pretty good, but wasn't allowed a lot of visitors.

Sue and Mickey came out of the house just then, so I asked Mickey if she wanted something to drink. She asked, "Do you have an extra beer?"

Tiny had heard the question and was instantly drawing a frosty mug of beer for her. She thanked him, and asked if we were too late for supper. Sue said no; there were wings, pizza, and chicken tenders on the way.

Shawna and Hanna got up and brought out some vegetable snacks with dips. The hungry guys attacked the two big platters, dramatically diminishing the quantities very fast. Mickey seemed to be at home with the guys and grabbed a hand full of veggies quickly. She smiled at me and said, "I'm the youngest and only girl among six kids. If you're not fast, you don't get any."

Sue was standing next to me with her arm around my waist. She pulled my head down to whisper in my ear, "She's a keeper."

I chuckled, thinking that Sue wanted to keep every little girl that comes along.

Deanne came bouncing out of the house and up to me. She planted a good one right on my lips saying, "Thank you, thank you, thank you for making me one of your harem. Oh, and Phil helped me get a car today. Wait till you see it."

I shook my head, knowing Mickey would never believe anything out of my mouth again. I pinched Sue's butt and nodded toward Mickey. Sue didn't help when she said, "Well, maybe Mickey would love to be in your harem too."

Oh shit, from bad to worse. Oh well, just go with the flow. Worst that could happen is the Major will be raiding the place before the night's over.

Mickey didn't help either, "You never know, Sue, this place does seem like a great place to live. If this is how a harem girl lives, I think I'd like it."

I let Sue entertain Mickey while I went to talk to the group of women. Beth was half drunk, telling everyone who would listen how her daughter had flown her all over the area. She had even seen the big house down on Bay Shore from the air. This was going to go down as a day to remember, that's for sure.

This whole place was out of hand tonight. Shawna was sitting with Bob, having a hand and finger waving conversation about something. Ruth and Debbie were involved too, so it was a flurry of hands, with only an occasional word out of anyone's mouth. I was going to need to learn to sign.

One of the new big heavy wooden rockers was free, so I sat it in. A beer appeared in my hand as Sue kissed my forehead, saying that the food would be here soon. I took a big drink, closing my eyes letting the day slide by. Someone crawled into my lap. This was such a commonplace thing that I just hugged whoever it was to me, and the female put her head on my shoulder. The hair smelled different, not like any of the girls that usually sat in my lap. I opened my eyes to see a black-haired head on my chest with her arms around me and her denim clad legs up under her on my lap.

"So what do I owe this closeness to, Mickey?"

Without moving her head she gave me a hug with her arms around my body, "You just seemed to be totally worn out and afraid of what I might think. I just wanted to show you that I think of you as special, just like Dad does. Sue told me to come over here and make you feel better. I'm here, do you feel better?"

"How could I not feel better, Mickey? You surprised me, is all. We drove up to New Port Richey and back with very little conversation, and then as soon as we left the office to come here, you opened up like a bride on her wedding night."

She said, "That's quite an analogy, but you have to remember, I was on duty earlier. I was doing as I was directed to do. As soon as we left, I was off shift, off duty, free, white, and twenty-one. Oh, I didn't mean to be racist about that."

"I know, it's just an expression. But like I said, you sure did change stripes in a hurry," I said, still wondering about the turnaround.

Mickey sat up a little on my lap so she could look into my eyes. "See those two girls over there, Sandy and Mandy? I'm like they are, or like they were. I like girls, ah, mostly. It's not that I'm afraid of guys, but I don't like all that he-man shit they give off. Most guys are pure cowboys looking for a night at Miss Lilly's to get their rocks off. I look around here and I'm amazed. There are several guys here that could be the high testosterone types, but they're all calm and collected. None of them are trying to impress each other or any of the girls. This is different."

"You're pretty observant. Old Martin would probably come closest to that, or the mute guy over there, Bob." I pointed to each of them. Drew isn't trying to impress anyone, but is crazy about Mandy, and Bob and Sandy appear to be permanent. Tiny is as gentle as can be, with a sexy wife that makes his life fun. Phil and Judy are totally wrapped in each other. Let's see, Charlie is an inveterate biker, under the spell of the one redhead over there, Shawna, while Jim is totally committed to the other redhead, Hannah. Then there is crazy Hank, who is absolutely nuts about Shawna's look-alike cousin, Debbie. I don't think any of these guys are going to try to impress you. Now Sue, or Ruth, or Mandy, or Sandy, or Shawna, or Hannah, or Debbie, could try to talk you into their bed to share you with their husbands or boy friends, but none of the guys would do that."

"That's what I mean, you didn't bring me out here to get into my pants, but this place makes me want to play with all of you. Sue is about as exciting a woman as I've ever seen. You can look at Ruth and see predator in her eyes. Actually the only lady here that I don't see that look is the older lady there, ah, Glenda. Even the lady that's Sue's mom, she has the look in her eye. It may be the booze though. I love it here."

A delivery guy showed with a stack of pizzas, boxes of wings, and chicken tenders. It looked like a ton of food, but most had not seen what this bunch could eat.

Mickey, Sue, Deanne, and Beth sat together, stuffing pizza. Mickey began on some wings, but had to go get more beer. Beth had switched to Coke, so of the four, only Mickey was drinking.

Mandy and Sandy recognized Mickey and drew her into their conversation. It seemed that Bob was upset that Sandy and Mandy wanted to live in the same house together. He wanted Sandy and him to have their own place and Drew and Mandy their own. Bob didn't want to live in the park, but Drew was happy here. Sandy was telling Bob he was a prude and that the people who lived out here were all good people. He was being obstinate and Sandy was not giving in.

Bob was upset and Sandy was upset which meant that Mandy was upset which made Sue and Shawna upset. Bob couldn't or wouldn't give a reason why he didn't want to share a place with Drew and Mandy.

Ruth took a beer and piece of pizza to Bob and sat with him. They had a hand waving conversation for a couple of minutes, until I could just hear Ruth telling Bob along with her motions, to shut up, cool off, and eat.

About eight, Sue said she was going to take her Mom home and asked if Mickey would like to ride along so she and Mickey could get better acquainted? The three took off heading to either Carolwood or Bay Shore.

Bob and Sandy seemed to have resolved a little of their differences and headed home. Drew was content in one of the big chairs with Mandy next to him. Charlie and Shawna were happy too. Deanne was sitting next to Hank and Debbie until they said they needed to get to bed early. Deanne got up and wandered around lost. She came up to me and looked at me then to my lap. I smiled at her and patted my lap.

The long Deanne curled up as much as possible in my lap and put her head on my shoulder. She said, "I like it out here, but I'm going to miss my family. My mom and dad will worry about me and I'll worry about my brother and sisters. I used to be the babysitter all the time, but they're old enough now they don't need babysitters anymore. They don't even like the idea that I watch over them so closely. Shaneen, the next oldest is going to HCC this year and Megan is graduating from high school. Markus is a junior and will probably get an academic scholarship next year. His grade point is out of sight. They don't need me anymore, and it's time I spread my wings a little. I have my own car now, I don't have a lot of physical possessions, but I have a good job, money in the bank, and I'm taking night classes out at USF. It's time I left home. Living here, I'll feel safe and I'll be with friends. Did you know I went to the doctor and got on the pill? I've been on it more than two months now, so I won't be getting pregnant. Sue keeps saying I'll meet my special guy but so far, I haven't. I'm just impatient, that's all."

I let her talk her homesickness away. She was realizing that her decision to move out of her childhood home was a very big one. I wondered what her folks had said to her about it. As close as she seemed to her family, they were probably supportive, but also missed their oldest as much as she missed them.

I said, "You know you will be expected to go home and stay a night or two a week so they will know you're all right. Why don't you stay there the nights you have classes? Now that you have a car, you'll be able to work around where you want to stay."

Deanne sat up and looked at me, "That's a great idea. I think I'll call Mom right now and ask her if I can do that. I need to tell Dad that I used some of my money to buy a car too."

She was off my lap and in the house in a flash. Glenda reached over and patted my hand. "You did good, Steve. She is homesick and wants to be independent, but she is close to her family as well. I think you gave her a way to do both."

"Thanks, Glenda, I hope so."

More of the folks left for home, including Drew and Mandy. Phil and Judy had left long ago, and now Glenda and Martin said it was time to say goodnight. I got a little hug and kiss on the forehead from Glenda, which was always a nice thing.

My cell phone rang. It was my sister. "Hey, Steve, is the offer still good to come down to visit? Kevin has ten days vacation coming up before school starts for the kids and I thought we could come to see you and spend some time at the beaches, Busch Gardens, and maybe over at Disney with the kids."

"Susan, how old are your kids now. I always forget," I asked.

Dennis is fifteen, almost sixteen, and Tina is going to be fourteen while we're down there. They're young enough to enjoy the parks, and old enough that they shouldn't be too much of a problem. What do you think, Steve, can we still come down and stay with you? It would make the trip a lot easier for us and it would be great to see you."

"We have the room, Susan, and we would love to have you. Were you going to fly or drive down."

"Oh, Steve, we couldn't afford to fly the four of us, so we'll drive down. From up here in Cincinnati, we could probably drive straight through. It would be a long drive but we wouldn't have to spend money on a motel. It's only like six hundred miles in a straight line but it's like eight hundred and sixty by road. We could drive it in sixteen hours, as long as we don't stop too much."

"Tell you what, Sis," I said, thinking that I could be a good guy, "My wife and I bought a plane that is pretty fast. How about I fly up and get you all and we can get back here in a couple of hours. Would that be better?"

"You finished your license? I know you were going to, but I didn't know you continued it after you got hurt."

"I finished it up while I was in the service in the Aero club, but let it drop after I got hurt. Sue insisted I take the tests again, and now we both fly. So what do you think, do you want to fly down?"

"Is it safe, Steve? You know, you hear about those little planes crashing all the time," Susan asked.

"This is a pretty big plane, Susan, you'll like it. Besides, I'm very careful. I even have an instrument rating now. We'll fly during the day and high enough to be out of the general aviation areas and below the great big guys. We have a pressurized cabin, so we can fly pretty high if we want to. Besides, I'll bring my co-pilot along, Sue, my wife. That way you guys get two pilots, just like the airlines."

"I think we'll do it. I'll make sure with Kevin, but that would give us a couple of extra days down there. So, is a week from Friday good for you?"

"Sure, Susan, anytime is a good time for me and us. We'll make time. I didn't tell you but you're going to be an aunt. Sue is pregnant."

"Oh my. Steve, my little brother is married and going to be a dad. Are you going to be able to afford a baby especially considering you support a plane and live in a trailer park?"

"We're doing fine, Susan, you'll see. Our house is big even though it is a manufactured home in a trailer park."

"Okay, Steve, I'll call you again tomorrow or Tuesday and tell you what Kevin says."

"Susan, I want you to plan on having a great time and let me host you guys down here. Sue and I have plenty now and can afford to squire you around first class. We were going to come up and visit with you guys, but now you have beaten us to it. Just come down, you'll have a great time on me."

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 18



When I hung up after talking to my sister, Susan, I thought perhaps I should look for a bigger place or a way to expand ours so we could have more big bedrooms. We could always use the baby's room for a regular bedroom for a while if we needed it. We might need even more, considering Deanne and using a bedroom for my sister and her husband and one for each kid.

When Sue came home with Mickey they were bosom buddies. Mickey asked me to fix her a scotch and water so I brought her one with water and me a Dewars on the rocks. Yummy stuff.

We sat out on the patio while I told Sue about my sister Susan and her husband and kids coming down a week from next Friday. Sue was excited. I told her I had offered us to fly up to Cincinnati to get them and she really got excited. Sue asked how far it was and I said about six hundred miles. She said that it would be an easy flight up and back.

Mickey asked, "You two have a plane that can fly that fast, three hundred miles an hour?"

Sue smiled, "It was a success present to myself. It's a turbo prop meant for short take off and landings that has a big range and is very comfortable. If you want, plan on flying with us. It'll only be a couple of hours up and a couple of hours back. It's pretty quiet in the cabin and very comfortable."

Mickey said, "I might, I just might. Depends on the duty schedule. Dad won't change anything just for me. I have to swap on my own but most of the guys are good about swapping around."

Without a great pause Mickey continued, "You two are amazing. Dad talks about Steve as if he walks on water then I meet you, Sue, and Jesus, I'm sorry Steve, but I'm in love. You're wife makes me nuts for her. She's self-sufficient, she has her own successful growing business, she has you, she's pregnant and she has all these great friends. I'm just dazzled."

"You just haven't found the man for you yet Mickey. One of these days he'll come into your life and you'll be lost. It'll be all over. There's nothing like having that special person just for you. Until then, you just snuggle up to us and let us be your special friends. You'll enjoy us in there," Sue pointed toward the house, "as much as you like us out here."

Mickey shivered. "I know. Steve has made me wet all day and you've made me gush. Please, let's go to bed, I want to find out."

This sure wasn't the lady deputy that had ridden up to New Port Richey with me. Who would believe?

Sue and Mickey went inside while I cleaned up and shut down the patio. I locked up and went to bed. Deanne had already gone to bed after talking to her folks, happy with the anticipation of being able to stay at home a couple of nights a week.

I went into the bedroom and on into the bathroom to brush my teeth and took a quick shower without getting my hair wet. When I came out the lights in the bedroom were turned way down and I could see Sue and Mickey involved. There was room on the outside of Sue so I slid in next to her.

When the two of them took a breath, Sue turned to me and attacked my mouth. She kissed me and rolled onto me catching my arousal to enter her. She made it plain that she wanted to be made love to by me so I gladly did. When she was laying there gasping, she pulled Mickey to us and said, "Now make love to her the same way, make her scream, make her yours."

Mickey was easy to love. She was hesitant a few times, unused to a man, unused to a man loving her perhaps more intensely than some of her past women. Before she nearly passed out, she screamed, she cried and she had pleaded for more. As she reached her peak, Sue and I were both kissing her.

When we settle down to sleep, Mickey insisted I be in the middle. She wanted to feel me all night long but wanted Sue to be able to feel me too. I was still worked up as I didn't want to come inside her. Sue felt me still hard and realized what I had done. It took her mouth only a minute or two to drain me. I think Mickey was already asleep. Sue and I kissed lovingly and she snuggled to me and fell asleep.

I woke with a start. I felt both girls moving and it was enough to wake me. I listened to hear if there was a noise outside but there wasn't. I stretched back to look at the clock and it was clicking over from five fifty-nine to six.

Time to get up. I slid from between the two and walked naked into the kitchen to start coffee. A sleepy Deanne walked out of her room and up to me to get a hug. She took hold of my morning erection and said, "I wish there was more time, I could use this thing this morning." She gave me a kiss and went on to the bathroom.

Back in the bedroom the two girls were snuggled together so I kept the noise down and hurried through a shower and dressing to get ready for the day.

Out on the patio with a cup of coffee, Glenda showed up in her usual cheery mood. "So did your new toy stay the night or was it the long tall toy's night?"

"My goodness Glenda, Deanne has her own bedroom, but for your information Mickey did stay with Sue and me."

Glenda was smirking, "That lady of yours sure can bring 'em home. You brought this one but then Sue sure did convince her to stay."

Ruth and Tiny came through the door getting coffee from the big pot. Ruth commented, "Get some new pussy last night?"

"Jeez, will you guys let up. My goodness, Deanne has her own bedroom and Mickey was a house guest," I said shaking my head.

Ruth muttered under her breath, "My bet would be bed guest too."

Shawna dragging a sleepy Charlie came to the table and of course Shawna was first to talk, "Hey how was the new pussy, any good, would I like it?"

I decided to not protest or comment. Sue came to the door naked and said to me, "You sneaked off on me. I wasn't done with you for being so good to Mickey and me last night."

Oh shit.

Deanne came out the door giving Sue a kiss on the way by. Then another naked form came to the door and hugged Sue, "Damn a girl could get used to you two."

Glenda on one side and Shawna on the other punched me. Ruth said, "Punch him again for me."

Sue and Mickey disappeared re-appearing in terrycloth robes. They both got coffee and sat down as Sandy, Mandy, Bob and Drew came. Hannah and Jim were walking over as Phil and Judy arrived with the box of breakfast sandwiches and donuts. Debbie and Hank finally showed up saying they would have liked to sleep some more.

Mickey said, "My goodness, this place is busy in the morning."

As she got that out of her mouth Joan, Betty, Tom and Al showed up along with Tiny's folks, Charlie and Matty.

Charlie, the park manager, and Martin were talking about the completion of the boardwalk and pier they had been working on. They had worked on it making it accessible for disabled people. There were a lot of older folks in the park who needed it since they were wheel chair bound. Since we had built the ramp for Charlie, Martin had built four more ramps, making some extra money.

Tiny said that we should hear today about the potential closing with Ernie on the new property. The magnitude of the new adventure had most of us wondering if we could really do it. The only way to find out was to go ahead. Tiny said that he already had several conversations with Ben about the zoning. Ben felt confident it would go through.

I asked Tiny if the architects would have the drawing ready yet and he said they should be ready by Tuesday. I told him that I wanted the presentation to include the two companies' history, the employment record, and the estimated increase in employment. I thought we should portray the upscale RV center and the hotel as well as the Restaurant across the street. If all the zoning could be accomplished we would build the Hotel and Restaurant quickly so the construction people and franchise people would have a place to stay and eat.

As soon as I said that Mickey said, "You mean you're not going to invite them to eat out here?"

"Smart ass," I said looking up at her.

"You feed everyone else it looks like, what's with a few more," she said.

Mandy said, "Wait till he has another of his company gatherings out here. You won't believe it. He gets over two hundred people here, complete with caterers, a big tent and two big bars. He has people parking cars plus people to drive the drunks home. Like I said, you won't believe it."

"Wow, I can't wait. I'll bet this place is a mad house," Mickey said wistfully. "I really like this and all the people that get together. It's the best feeling in the world to be a part of you guys."

Shawna said, "I'll bet you had the best feeling in the world last night honey. I'd bet on it."

Mickey colored red but smiled and said, "You know it."

That shut them up.

People began saying it was time to get going and the group began disappearing,. Betty, Joan and Hanna went inside the house to go to the office in there. Sue told Mickey to come take a look before they cleaned up to go do something today.

At work I had a conversation with Jeff about building a really big facility for the trucks. He would be in charge of the fiberglass people but would need to find and develop a manager to work with him at both places so he could continue to maintain quality while we ramped up productivity. He nodded and said, "I expected this the way you're growing. The nice thing is you trust me to build both of them. At first I thought you might do what a lot of big companies do and blow me off in favor of some college guy. But you're giving me an even bigger challenge. Tell you what Steve, I'll train the best damn fiberglass people you've ever seen for both operations. I'll find us the best people to lead both places and we'll all make some damn good ah, perfect, product."

I slapped him on the back and told him not to hold his breath as it could take a couple months before we even began building.

While I was over there I could see that the super lift group were really busy. Every work area had a lift torn down and there were about twenty lifts in the yard with two more sitting on trailers ready to be unloaded. I wondered if we should expand the group or let us just work from behind for a while.

Abe was happily checking on each project offering a suggestion here and there. His new assistant was busily working with production orders and checking the quality control items. The production assistant was on the phone, probably ordering parts.

The three race-day trucks were all being worked on. The doors were all open as were the sides, ready to replenish everything. They were using sales records plus the basic inventory lists to make sure that the trucks would leave with the right new merchandise. Cases of the race day event T-shirts were being loaded. The T-shirts were really worth a smile. Every week the three trucks had T-shirts people just had to have. The body building area was working on two large boom bodies. These looked a little different and the guys told me the bodies were going through a constant evolution. Every time they could improve them they did. Tiny had told them they were still under budget so they kept thinking of more ways to make the trucks better.

The motor group was loud and raunchy this morning. It was a good thing they all had thick skins the way they ragged on each other. The gay guys were challenging the gay girls then the couples were challenging both gay groups. Sandy and Mandy were now the most conservative of the group as they were nearly as settled down as the couples. Shawna just wandered through the shop helping each one as she went, making sure that quality was the most important product.

I walked through both sides of the admin area noting a training class in one area and a meeting being held in another. Wow, who were all these people? Ruth saw me and said, "Sue's plant people are using the meeting area to discuss how to integrate another line." She said that even with the new building there isn't enough room for all of the activities.

We would work on that for the new building we were planning for Sue. I was amazed that Sue's product was now demanding so much manufacturing space. I wondered if the success would continue.

Around noon Sue and Mickey came to get me to have lunch at the little Greek restaurant, and going back home for a trip to the gym, plus a visit to sun at the pool. Mickey said she was having the time of her life going with Sue through the big factory. She said she was amazed at how the people nearly idolized Sue.

When I got back to the shop Debbie said Ben wanted me to call him. When I called and was transferred to him he said, "I think it's a lock. Three of the five from the zoning board agree the land could be used for manufacturing, retail and the hotel. They have already signed off on spot zoning for the restaurant. If you can buy up any of the other land surrounding your big plot, we could use the same presentation to push it through.

I asked Ben who was the best real estate attorney in Tampa. He sputtered for a little then gave me the name of Abe Cohen. He said Abe knew every piece of land in Hillsborough County. I thanked Ben and looked up Abe Cohen in the yellow pages.

It took a little sweet-talking to get through to Mr. Cohen; he had a real guard dog for a secretary. When I finally got through, I told him who I was and that I was married to a Phillips heir. We had purchased acreage in north Hillsborough and wanted to purchase adjoining land if it were available. We talked for a while, and when he realized I wouldn't give up where the land was until we met first, he finally agreed to meet with me.

I called Ben and told him he was coming with me as a legal witness while I dealt with Mr. Cohen. I had the feeling Abe Cohen made his fortune by sucking after his clients and not necessarily helping them. The closer it came to time to go see the guy the more uncomfortable I became. So I called him and put him off for two weeks.

I went to the Hillsborough County court house records division. The tax rolls had every piece of land in the county described and parceled for tax purposes. I found out the owner, the appraised taxable amount as a guide, and the current state of the taxes. Right next to the land we were buying was a six hundred-acre parcel that was close to being sold for taxes. I wrote down all the pertinent information on that one and also on a very small parcel that was in front of it, between ours and the highway. This land was current in taxes but had had a lot of activity on it lately.

I found the phone number of the registered owner of the land that was going up for a tax sale and called. An old crackly voice answered and said that yes, she was the owner of the land, and that she still lived on it. I asked her if I could come to visit her. She was happy to have me come out. I called Sue and told her what I had found and she said she would come with me.

After picking up Sue, we found the old road that wound its way back to the little house on the back of the land. The property was listed in the name of Nelda Farmer. I drove my truck up close to her porch and walked with Sue to the door.

An ancient lady opened the door before we could step on the porch. "Are you the man that called me little while ago?"

"Yes Ma'am, I am. This is my wife Sue. Can we talk to you for a few minutes?"

"Sit down out here on the porch with me and we'll talk. There have been too many government men out here lately telling me I owed lots of money for taxes. They keep telling me I will have to move. Can you explain all this to me?" she asked.

Sue and I sat on some old chairs across from Nelda who sat in an old rocking chair.

"Nelda, you know that every year you have to pay taxes to the county for the land that you own. I noticed that your land used to be considered agricultural, and it became large area residential, and that brought the land value way up. Did you use to have a lot of animals? A lot of livestock?"

Nelda sat up straight and said, "My Wilbur and I had many beef cows grazing out here. We had a milk cow and a bunch of goats. When Wilbur died, I couldn't take care of them anymore, so I sold them all, but I tell you I've been paying my taxes. I sent my money into the collector early. Now they're telling me it isn't enough and I'll lose the property. Is that true?"

Sue wanted to help. "Yes ma'am it's true. When you sold all your animals you were no longer a farmer. You became a resident only and not eligible for the farm exemption. Do you understand that?"

"I guess I do. Some other man tried to explain it, but he was such a foul mouthed man that I didn't want to listen to him. What can I do? I don't have anything else but this place. Where will I go?" Nelda was almost in tears.

Sue went to her and hugged her shoulders. "Where would you like to live if you didn't live here Nelda?"

"Oh that's easy. I'd live up the road in that fancy trailer park, or perhaps I'm old enough to live in the Hillsborough Senior Tower over on Bearrs."

Sue thought for a moment, "You can live at either place. Can you take care of yourself if you were to live out at the trailer park?"

Nelda stood up and said, "Come look at my house. I keep this up by myself. I keep myself clean and my house clean." She led Sue and me through the house. It was spotless. The furniture was old, the carpet was threadbare, but everything was clean and neat.

We went back out to the porch and Sue said, "Nelda, I want to help you by giving you a fair value for your land. I'll help you move into the trailer park so you live near Steve and me. We'll set up your bank account so no one can take advantage of you. We'll also make arrangements so you can go right into the Senior Tower if you want when the time comes. Would you do that?"

"But who will help me move? All of my memories are inside here."

Sue was near tears wanting to just hold the old lady. "See that truck out there, we'll put everything you want in there and carry you and all of your possessions to your new place. Would you like to see where Steve and I live over there?"

Nelda looked at me and Sue and said, "If you two really live over there, I'll sell you the land and get me a trailer over there whether you help me or not. I'm ready and I don't want some smart mouth man come to take me away."

Sue helped her get her purse and lock her doors. We drove to the trailer park and parked at our place. We took Nelda into the patio and had her sit while I put some water on for tea. Sue took Nelda on a tour of our house and the office area. Nelda even had to see our bedroom and looked in Sue's drawers to look at the bra sizes.

Back on the patio she said, "You two live here all right. I believed you but I wanted to see it for myself. I did. Where would I live, where would you want me to live?" Sue pointed to Ruth and Tiny's place and said, "Next door to that trailer. The people that are there right now are moving in the morning so that space will be open. You and I will go and pick out the exact trailer you want and get it put right there. You can come here every morning for coffee and some breakfast, and in the evening you can come for dinner. If you want a little drink of beer or other spirits, we have it right here. You will be forever welcome to join all of my friends. As a matter of fact, Nelda, I want you to be here for supper tonight so you can meet our friends."

"What are you going to do with all of my land?" She asked this more in curiosity than anything else.

Sue was very reassuring, "We will build a clothing factory, probably a plant where big trucks get rebuilt, and other businesses like that. We are probably going to have some park area too so people can take a walk, fish in the ponds and just enjoy the outdoors."

Nelda smiled and said as she relaxed in the big rocker, "A park would be nice where people can enjoy the land. I'd like that. Would you take me to the park after I move here?"

"Oh course we would, Nelda. Steve, me, or any one of the many new friends you'll have here."

Nelda had a sly look on her face, "I know how much the property is worth you know."

"Did you have it appraised?" Sue asked.

"No, the property tax man gave me a number. He said he could find me a buyer but I was going to lose the land if I didn't pay him."

I spoke up, "Nelda, let me call a real appraiser and get a number that you will know is a good one. We'll pay you that much and help you get settled in your new trailer. Would you like Sue or me to go with you to pick one out?"

"I want you to go with me. When you deal with property you need a man to do it. Mr. Steve, you come with me. Can we go now, I want to see what I can have." Nelda got up and was moving toward the door.

Sue said she would call Ben and get an appraiser out there immediately so we could get this done.

I helped Nelda into the truck and we started down the highway. When we came near the mobile home place that sold us our place Nelda said, "Don't pass it up. There it is, right there."

We stopped at the office and I helped Nelda out of the truck. The same guy that sold us our trailer came out and gave me a warm welcome, shaking my hand. I said that the lady with me wanted a one-bedroom trailer that would be easy to keep up. She said she wanted a big family room-living room combination joining the kitchen. She said she wanted to have room for a fish tank and perhaps have a cat for a pet.

The mobile home salesman thought for a moment and walked us to a fairly small mobile home. He said it might be the right size, but she needed to look at it.

When we entered, it was hot but he said the unit had a good air conditioner for the hot summer. There was a nice kitchen at one end with a counter area that separated it from a large living room area. The side of the trailer had a sliding glass door like ours where the family room would be, but I didn't know what Nelda was looking for. We walked back to the bedroom where there was already a nice platform bed with a nice headboard. Across from the bed was an area for a TV, like our bedroom at home. There was a nice bathroom that was close to the door of the room. In the hallway there was a storage closet and on the side of the kitchen was another door for a small pantry.

Nelda walked through the place several times nodding her head then called me aside. "Make me a deal for this house and we'll get it moved. I'll let your wife help me get furniture while you move my stuff, okay?"

I took Nelda out and seated her in the truck. I started the truck and let the air cool her off. When I came back to the salesman he said, "Before you beat me to death, this is another unit you can steal from me. This place should sell for about fourteen but if you want it for that nice old lady, I'll give it to you for sixty-five, set up and with the pick of furniture in the warehouse. If you want to argue and dicker we still have to get back to that sixty-five number."

"If I paid you cash again is it still sixty-five?" I asked.

He thought for a little then finally said, "For five grand cash I'll give you delivery and setup; for sixty-five you can pick out furniture. Either way it's a good deal."

"I'll bring you the five grand back in about twenty minutes. I think the ladies will have more fun shopping the stores for furniture and decorations."

The man laughed, "You're learning, now that you're married. They do like to shop. What else can I sell you?"

"I could use some room on the big place you sold me. I seem to have a lot of people either visiting or rooming with us. Do you ever have a way to make an addition to a place like mine?"

You could see him calculating, "Funny you should ask. I have a shell that is about the same size as half your house. It's made to add on to another half. It's a shell so it can be designed anyway you want it. It's cheap too. Of course you have to build it out. Want to see it?"

"Hold that thought, let me get this deal taken care of first then I'll work on the addition," I said walking toward the truck.

As I got in Nelda asked, "Did you make a deal?"

"Yes ma'am, the trailer is yours. You and Sue and probably one of our neighbors have to go buy furniture though. Let me take you back to my house and let you rest up for a busy supper time this evening."

"Do you really have that many people come to your house every day?"

"Yes, ma'am, we do. You'll see why we have such a long table out there."

At home we sat Nelda down and got her an iced tea. She sat there enjoying the air-conditioned breeze that blew over her. While I was talking to Sue Glenda walked in, poured herself a glass of iced tea and sat to talk to Nelda. We couldn't have planned it any better.

Sue said that an appraiser was on his way with a survey crew. He said it should be done by morning. She asked what I had found. I told her about the trailer and that I needed to go to the bank and get five grand cash out. Sue told me to wait a second and she went in and came back out with the cash. She said that it was from the vacation and she hadn't put it back in the safe deposit box yet. I told her to save some for furniture and decorations.

As I was getting ready to leave, Sue stopped me and asked, "What are you going to do with a thousand acres. That's a lot of land. Do you think you can fill it up with businesses? And there is the strip in front that you talked about."

"I don't know, Sue but we're helping out this lady, and we're going to do it for her over and above what we pay for the property."

Sue kissed me saying, "That's what I love about you. The money isn't important, it's what you can do with it to help someone."

Sue joined Glenda and Nelda as I left. I was paying the dealer for the trailer when Sue's Mustang came roaring into the dealership with Nelda, Glenda and Mickey riding with Sue. They wanted to look at Nelda's new place and take measurements for furniture.

The dealer said to me, "You know, I'm too soft hearted, let me take them back to the warehouse and see if they like any of the stuff I have. I'll give it to them. You've been a straight shooter with me on both of your deals."

I left and drove toward home, dialing Ben on my cell. I told Ben that I'd made a deal on the six hundred acres and should be able to close it quickly. He needed to do the title search, but it should be current as the tax collector was going to sell it off for taxes. He said he would take care of it right away. I told him I was glad I didn't confide with the other attorney about what we were doing. He said he had never trusted the guy but it wouldn't have been right for him to tell me that.

I left him with the idea that he needed to jump through hoops to try to talk the owner of the strip of land in front to sell it to us to complete the package.

I stretched out on the couch for a minute thinking, 'That was intense.'

A second later or an hour later whichever it was, Sue was kissing me saying I should wake up it was getting to be time for supper. Wow, what a nap.

I got up and washed my face to get the sleep out of my eyes. As soon as I went out to the patio, Mickey came to me and said, "You need to call Dad. He has some information for you."

I called the number I had for the Major and when he answered all I said was, "This is Steve."

"Paydirt, pal. We found a DNA match, plus we know where those tires were purchased and it was by the same person. I'm going to give you a choice. Do you want to handle this or do you want the department to finish it."

It didn't take me long to think about it, "If you guys will make it stick, I'd rather you do it than the vigilante way. They'll be disappointed but they won't get in trouble for taking care of it. Besides if the case is linked to more bad guys, you'll have a link. Just don't let the guy walk."

"Good answer, Steve. Now you're really looking out for your friends. The FDLE was willing to let you guys handle it, but you all could be charged if they decided to take action. I'll tell them to take the guy and anyone with him. I'll let you know." He hung up as quickly as he picked up.

I ate and told Sue that I needed to run over to see Bear. She nodded, knowing I was involved helping someone and wouldn't rest right until it was done.

When I approached the uniformed guy at the door, I gave him my name so he could check the list. He nodded, letting me in. Bear was by himself this evening watching TV. He looked comfortable and not too doped up.

"I have some good news and some explanations for you, Bear," I began while he looked at me to see where this was going. I told him about the trips I made out to the house and how I had used the local Sheriff's office and the FDLE to help find the bad guy.

"Now the part you're not going to like. They were going to give me the option of taking care of the problem myself or to let the community take care of it. The way I see it, that guy didn't act alone, and we wouldn't be in a position to take down an entire national club or perhaps even a local chapter without causing a stir and maybe losing some of our own. The FDLE wants to take the guy and all those around him down so they can work on them to get some solid information on the bullshit that's happening. I know it's like hiding behind someone's coat tails but I think this is the smart way to go. The shooter is done. He'll go up for life and I'm sure they'll throw him in a tank with some loving friends if you know what I mean. If he knows anything, the state and feds will get it out of him. I was promised by someone I trust that they would make it stick."

Bear didn't say anything for almost five minutes then he said, "I hate it when I have to agree with something I don't like. You made a good decision. You're right, we would probably lose a few guys because there is going to be hell to pay when the cops go down on them. The cops are going to have a battle that we would have had to fight. I want you to go explain to Hap what you told me in the same manner you just told me. Make sure you tell him that I agree with you on this. Call him first to make sure you can get in. He's locked down pretty tight. Do yourself a favor, you should be packing. These guys are not nice and you're too recognizable with that fancy painted-up truck. Get out of here; go tell Hap. And thanks, you're a good leader to think of your men first.

When I went to the truck, I unlocked the little box behind the seat and pulled out my Glock, dropped the clip to check that it was full and stuck it between the seats for easy reach. Bear was right, if these guys were getting serious, no telling where they would try next.

When I drove down the street where the clubhouse was, there were two marked and two unmarked cars scattered along the street. I didn't notice but I bet there were more at the street entrance off Nebraska.

I pulled up to the gate and went to the gate. The gate guard listened to me, left for a minute, and came back to open the gate just wide enough for me to walk through. Once in they frisked me quickly they led me to Hap. He had a prospect go get me a beer as we sat down at a table alone with no one around.

Telling Hap everything I had done so far was easy. Telling him that I was going to let the cops do our dirty work was hard. When I told Hap that Bear agrees with my decision, Hap pulled the silent treatment on me a few minutes just like Bear.

"You and he are right. This is bigger than we want to get involved in. If we cancel the bad guy, they might want to cancel the club. These guys are acting big and are about to be busted by the feds the way they are acting. I'm sure you noticed the company out front. I think they are there more to protect us than anything else."

Hap hollered at one of the guys in the outdoor kitchen area. "Do you have that list I told you to make up? Make sure it's for at least seven days." He looked at the list before calling his lady over.

"Take your property vest off and go with Steve to the store. Since it's a big order, his truck will be perfect. Here's the cash for what you need. Go by ABC and pick up thirty cases of beer. Just get Bud, no light. You probably should get some soda for those that can't drink or those that are on duty. Get like ten cases of Coke."

Hap turned to me, "Thanks for doing this for us. I don't think we should go out right now. Are you packing?"

"I'm okay, Hap. Let me get this stuff real quick and we'll be back." I looked at the list and figured, "I'll go to Albertson's for the groceries. If they have a good number on the beer I'll just get it there along with the soda. Less travel, less exposure."

Hap's lady and I left the compound and began driving over to the Albertson's that was on Waters and Dale Mabry. The time was critical as the other stores would be closing soon, but Albertson's was open till at least midnight.

We went straight to the meat department with two big carts to order the food we wanted. While the meat guy was filling the order, we split up and filled two more carts with big cans of vegetables and bags and boxes of noodles, rice and beans. We needed an entire basket just for the bread.

When we were up near the registers, I got the attention of a manager and asked him if he could get me one of his flats with thirty cases of canned Bud and ten cases of Coke. He didn't even flinch, he just began sending people in different directions. We began checking the groceries through two checkout registers to save time. I brought the truck so it was right at the door.

It was at that time I noticed a plain white Ford sitting off to the side of the lot. That was good, someone was watching out for us. Several of the bag boys helped me load the truck while the order was paid for in cash. I'm sure the big sale was appreciated as the manager threw in six cakes from the bakery, saying they would be thrown away tonight anyway.

I watched closely as we left the lot to make sure the car was following us. He stayed way back from us, never getting real close. When I pulled up in front of the house, I let the girl out so she would have Hap open the other gate for me to back in. I pulled up and backed into the gate. The truck was immediately emptied. Hap waved at me and I left heading home. The car was back there again. I guess this was bigger than I wanted to know.

When I went into the park there was a marked car near the gate. There was an unmarked at the corner to where the house was and another snuggled up to Martin and Glenda's place.

The patio was pretty empty when I came around the corner. Shawna met me at the door and asked if she needed to get something. I told her I didn't know but thought the Sheriffs department was just being good watchdogs for us. If we were worth this much attention, I couldn't imagine what might be happening elsewhere.

Sue said that she had taken Nelda home, promising that someone would come for her in the morning.

We all had one last beer before I walked over to the car next to Martin's. I told the officer that I was going to shut off the light but would leave the air on and the small coffee pot with fresh coffee if he would rather watch from the patio. He thanked me and said he might rotate with other guys so they could have a break there for a while. I told him there was more coffee grounds in the cupboards under the bar as well as filters. There was plenty of coke and I would put some cold cuts in the bar fridge. They were all welcome and I thanked them for watching over us. He gave me a clue. "You must be pretty important. The Major, the FDLE and the Feds all want you taken care of. So far you've been an easy tail from what I've heard. Keep that up so we can watch out for you."

Inside I found out that when the cops began showing up, Sue immediately took Mickey home under protest. Mickey thought she would be a help, as she was a deputy. Sue told her that there were enough others around and didn't want her to be in danger. I told Sue she did good.

We lay in bed and I tried to mentally summarize everything that had happened and what I had done and what I had decided.

Sue noticed that I was distracted. When I told her about everything running around in my head, she said, "You did all this while trying to help old Nelda, trying to buy a bunch of land, putting a new shop together and keeping me happy? You sure are an ambitious guy. I like it. No time to worry about anything, just get it done. Like that comedian, 'Git'er done.'"

We kissed and loved like two people who really loved each other as much as we did. I couldn't help holding and kissing Sue's gently swelling belly that now held new life. We slept the sleep of the innocent. I think I reverted to the one eye open sleep but I was sleeping anyway.

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 19



I woke a little before six and quickly started coffee, showered, and dressed. When I walked onto the patio there were two detectives and three uniforms out there, all having coffee.

"Wow, is this a convention or does it take this many guys to take down a crippled up welder?" I said joking.

"We'd need the f'ing SWAT team if we had to bring you in. No, we're here to give you a heads up of what all went down last night. You noticed we had a little extra security around. They'll be around for a day or two, but I think you're all right. The feds raided two compounds or biker clubhouses last night. They confiscated enough dope and illegal firearms that none of the people arrested will be out for a few years. The feds have them all up for organized crime as well. We got the man that you were after and the rifle that was used on your friend. I'm sure there are stragglers out there, but we put a big dent in them."

Another guy showed me his FDLE badge and said, "Your friend Hap let us in his place the other night and we checked it out real good. He was clean. Do you think you could get your other friend to let us in his place? If we come up clean on both of those two places, I think we'll be able to stay off everyone's back for a while. As long as they act civil, we'll let them alone. What do you think?"

"I'll go ask. I know you can get warrants, but I appreciate that you're asking. Bear will recognize that and appreciate it as well. Why don't you give me your cell number so you guys can get out of here. There are people wanting coffee this morning and you're scaring them away. I'll call you in a little while."

As soon as the last car pulled away, the patio was full of the regulars. I had to give them a sanitized version of what was said. I told them to tell Sue that I had to go see Bear real fast, but would be back shortly. I quickly drove to the hospital and went up to his room. The uniform recognized me and let me in.

Bear and I had the conversation and he said, "Get me something to write with. The nurse's station gave me a yellow pad and a pen that I gave to Bear. He wrote the note and folded it up. "Give this to the gate guys. They're going to be busy for about fifteen minutes to a half hour. Wait for them to get back to the gate. Make sure you get this note back and destroy it after you have it back. Get it done and then call that guy and tell them go check us out. Thanks, this'll work."

On the way up to New Port Richey, I stopped by the house and picked up a breakfast sandwich, explaining to Sue that I had some travel to do yet. She wanted to come with me and I thought that wouldn't be bad, so she grabbed her big purse and we were gone.

Nelda was having a great time, drinking tea and having breakfast with all of the folks. A truck was pulling the trailer out of the slot where Nelda would live. This made her happy knowing our promises were being kept.

When I pulled up to Bear's clubhouse gate, I pulled sideways blocking the entrance and got out holding the note. One of the guards appeared and read the note. He waved at the other guard and he read the note. He sighed real big and said, "Wait here, this will take a bit."

Sue and I waited about twenty minutes before the two guards came back up the road. The one read the note again and handed it to me asking, "How long till the cops get here?"

I told them I didn't know whether they were staged, waiting for me to call or whether they would have to put a team together. I warned them that the cops would have dogs, but the guards said that was all right as Bear was nuts about anyone with dope on them. There might be some smoke, but nothing else.

Sue and I left, driving down the road, watching to make sure no one was at the barn that I pointed out to Sue, checking again once we were out on US19.

Once we were on the road, I asked Sue if she had her little scissors. I had her cut the note up into tiny pieces and put the pieces into the ash tray. I had her use the truck lighter to start the paper on fire and we watched the note disintegrate. Everything I had promised was done, so we pulled to the side of the road. I called the FDLE guy on my cell and told him that he was cleared to go into the club compound. He thanked me, and I just said, "Be nice, be gentle, show respect. It's all about respect."

He chuckled and said, "We will, I promise."

At home, Glenda said both Sue and I had several calls to return. Ben wanted to talk to both of us, so we called him first. "Good move. You're helping the great aunt of one of the commissioners, and he happens to sit on the zoning board. I'm not sure what all you've done, but it looks like I'll be able to make a deal on the front strip of property you wanted. Since the owner can't steal the old lady's property now, his isn't worth as much. I'll get it bought under the appraisal now. We have all the numbers, so you can begin presenting the numbers to the lady. This is going to be a great deal, I hope you let Beth and me in on it. This is really big."

I called the Major and found that he wasn't happy that we had kicked his daughter out when I thought there was danger. He said she was capable of taking care of herself. I calmed him down saying, "She didn't have her piece with her, and I've never seen her under fire. I like Mickey and would prefer she stayed in one piece while she's getting to know Sue and me." He agreed, but said she was driving today and to expect her later this afternoon.

The Major continued saying, "The FDLE had taken down some pretty heavy hitters, and you were correct to not trust the Pasco department. Several of their deputies were arrested in the raid. There will be more to this, but it looks like the bulk of it is off the street. And just think, you didn't have to shoot anyone this time."

All I could think of was, "Whew!"

I called the mobile home dealer and told him to deliver and set up the new trailer. He said it would be on its way. Martin was over at the site, cleaning up and mowing the weeds from around where the old trailer had been. There was a long pad there with a little patio pad outside. We would have to get an awning for Nelda.

A courier came to the patio with a bunch of documents. It was the copy of the appraisal and the tax liens. Nelda was watching and asked if this was about her place. I showed her the papers and she asked for a pencil and paper. There is always a big pad on the counter, so I got it and a couple of pencils and gave them to Nelda.

She carefully wrote down the appraisal amount then subtracted the amount of the liens. She looked up at me and asked, "Do you know how much lot rent is for that space?"

"You won't have any rent, Nelda. You can live here for as long as you want, at no cost," I said.

"I figured you were doing something like that, but how do I know it will last?"

I smiled, "Easy, I'll give it to you in writing, along with the title to the trailer."

"Oh yes, Steve, how much is that trailer?"

"It's my gift to you, Nelda, it's my way of apologizing to a citizen that has been badly treated. You'll be helping me far more than I will you."

Nelda nodded, looking over her numbers a while and said, "Do you know how to invest money so I get a regular amount every month?"

"I know someone who does. Sue's uncle does that for a living. We'll let him set you up. You shouldn't need much more than Social Security, I wouldn't think?" I said.

"I don't get Social Security. My husband, did but I only worked for a few years during the war," Nelda said as she looked back at her pad.

I became a little peeved, "Nelda, didn't anyone ever take you up to the Social Security office to find out about your widow benefits, and about any pension you might be eligible for?"

"No, all my close relatives are dead or they don't care. I haven't seen anyone out at the house for over a year. A man comes from the church to take me to the store with my food stamps and the little money I get from eggs."

"Hold it, Nelda did you say you make a little money from eggs?" I asked, thinking an injustice was being done.

"I sure do and I report it on my income tax form every year. Last year, I made almost forty-five hundred dollars. I'm going to have to get those chickens a new home but they have fed me for a long time."

I called Ben and said, "I want you to go down to the tax assessor's office and kick some butt. This lady is a farmer and she can prove it. She pays taxes every year for her egg income and has lived off of it exclusively for several years. I think this lady may be paid up on her taxes after all. Get it done Ben, you can do it, right now."

I looked over at Nelda and said, "Let's go to your house and get a copy of your income taxes for the last few years. While you're at it get a copy of your husbands death certificate and make sure you have your Social Security card. You and I are going to correct some things."

Nelda was almost weeping, "Does this mean that I can't move over here? Do you still want to buy my ground?"

"The deal is still good, Nelda, I just want to get you some honor and a few dollars." I said this wondering at how no one will help old people.

I called my other lawyer and asked him to meet me at the Social Security office. I asked Sue if she would follow me, and take the income tax forms down to Ben at the tax assessor's office. We took off and got Nelda's papers. Sue left for downtown, and I took Nelda to the Social Security office. I introduced her to the lawyer and told her he was going to get her a pension and some back money. I explained that she had her husbands SS card, as well as hers, and that he should investigate how much she was eligible for, since she had worked during the war, plus she had been paying taxes every year. I was sure she had been paying a minimum amount into the Social Security and Medicare fund annually.

Leaving Nelda with the attorney, who was going to bring her to my house when he was done, I went back to the park and found the new home being parked on the pad.

The team leader that had brought my house was there, so I asked him the magic question in my mind. "Can you take off the axle so you can set the house lower? This is for an old lady and the fewer steps she has to climb, the better. Could you do that?"

"Sure, we can do that. It'll cost you a couple of hundred, but we'll do it right now and level it up so she only has one small step. That's a good idea for older folks."

I pulled my wallet out and gave the leader a couple of hundreds and asked, "Even?"

"Sure thing," he said grinning and pocketing the two bills. "I'll even give you a nice little porch for her. It's a good deal."

Sue drove up with a big smile on her face. She said that Ben had been all over the assessor, as there was even a note in Nelda's file about the chickens. "The assessor said that four thousand a year off of six hundred acres didn't make much of a farm, but Ben had argued that it was a homestead farm and that it was the only farm income the lady could generate. He won and the assessor gave me this paid up tax receipt. The land is free and clear."

About ten minutes after Sue and I were having coffee, the attorney and Nelda came back. I invited the attorney to stay for lunch and went in to tell Glenda that we had an extra, besides Nelda.

The attorney said Nelda had past due payments since she had turned sixty-five herself as regular benefits, as well as her survivor's benefit from her husband since she was about seventy. She should start receiving a regular check for about a thousand dollars a month, plus a lump sum of near twenty thousand.

You could tell Nelda was pleased. "Did they bring my house yet?"

I answered, "They are setting it up right now. It has all the stuff you guys picked out. What you need now is to decorate it, and I know a lady that just loves to do that."

Glenda was coming out of the house with some bowls of soup. She put one down in front of Nelda and another in front of the attorney. Sue and I jumped up and helped carry everything else out. I went over to the new trailer to get Martin for lunch. When he came back he said, "Steve is so smart. He has the man out there taking off the axle to the trailer so it will set down lower. Only one step. I'm going to have him do that to ours if he thinks he can. That would be nice, especially when it's raining."

With a quick correction I said to Martin, "There is a downside, Martin. If you needed to move the trailer, you would have to mount the axle onto the rails and that could be difficult and expensive."

"You're right, it would be harder. It just seems like such a good idea though. Nelda, you're lucky to have this guy on your side."

The attorney raised his head from his soup, "You sure are, Nelda. I've never felt like more of a real lawyer, an advocate for people than I did this morning. I used my knowledge to help someone. Thanks, Steve, this was a great morning."

Nelda was excited, "Well, all you young people are just wonderful to me. Thank you for helping me. Now I have to decorate, get my stuff over here and find a home for my chickens."

"I have an idea, Nelda," having a thought about a remote clubhouse that I knew of. "I have some friends up in New Port Richey that would probably like to have your chickens and chicken house. I'll find out, and get them to move both right away."

The day was going well; why not make it even better? I called Hap and told him my idea. He said it sounded good to him. I told him to have Bear's second get a pickup and meet me at my place with at least two more strong guys. He said it would be done.

I told Nelda the chickens would be moved this afternoon. This made her happy knowing another problem had been taken care of.

Tiny called and asked me, "Are you ready to give your presentation? The zoning commission is calling a special meeting to clear up something for the airport. We can get our request in for tonight if you'll do it."

"Not a problem, we can do it," I said confidently. "Perhaps even Nelda will come along. Do you have those drawings and overhead photos? I want to use the drawing with the traffic light for the cross street to the restaurant. That will convince them that we have considered the whole project. I think that drawing even shows a fire hydrant. It'll be perfect."

Sue and the attorney picked up on what was happening and asked if he should draw up some kind of agreement while he was there so Nelda could sell us the property, pending the completion of the title search. Sue said, "I have the title search document."

The attorney took the lead then, "Well then, since the appraisal and survey have been completed, all we have to do is write up an agreement and give Nelda a check and the deal is done." He turned to the lady. "Nelda, can I write up a sales agreement for your property so they can pay you for it?"

Nelda answered happily, "Write it up young man, we'll go to the bank, and put the money away."

Sue called Ben to see if he had put the money that she had requested into her account. He had, so Sue went inside the house to get her checkbook. The lawyer went inside to use one of Sue's computers to type up a simple contract. Fifteen minutes later, Sue was handing Nelda a check and we all had signed the document. Martin and Glenda witnessed our signatures and the land deal was done. Nelda looked at her check with tears in her eyes.

Nelda looked up at me and said, "In two days I went from being so scared I wouldn't have any place to live or money to eat, to this, sitting with friends, with a check for an unheard of amount of money. Everything so far is exactly as you've said it would be. You have really been a friend, thank you."

We cleaned up the lunch stuff, and I asked Glenda if she would help Nelda decorate. She said she would call Alice and let her drive them around later. First though, Nelda was going to show me what she wanted brought to her new house from the old place.

We waited till some scruffy looking guys pulled up in a pickup truck. I told them to follow me. With Nelda and Sue, we drove over to Nelda's, and, first things first, Nelda had the guys chase the chickens into the house while she gathered what eggs were inside.

What a sight. Three burly biker types chasing chickens around in circles until the chickens were all in the chicken house. I laughed out loud and received some dirty looks. I just told them that if they could see the action from my point of view, they would laugh too.

Then Nelda directed them to just pick the whole thing up and put it into their truck. They did. Nelda got a big bag of grain out of the barn and gave it to them, telling them how much to feed every day. She thanked them for taking the chickens, and we went into the house. She told the bikers to make sure they mixed the chicken manure into the dirt for their garden real well, as it was very rich. Nelda placed a couple of dozen eggs on the porch in her gathering basket.

I received a shock when we went into the house, it was almost empty. On the floor in the living room were only eight big boxes. There were no pictures on the walls or knick knacks on the tables. Everything was bare.

Nelda saw our surprised look, "They were going to throw me out, so I've sold everything I could, and packed up everything that was important. I have a couple of unmentionables in the drawers I'll just get, and I'm out of here. Do you think you can wrestle that old swivel rocker into your truck? I'd like to have that, the little table, and the lamp. That's all I want from the place."

While I put the chair, table, lamp, and the boxes in the pickup, Sue was helping Nelda pack up the few things in her drawer and closet. I carried the last of boxes out and Nelda motioned for me to follow her to the barn. "Inside is a bunch of old equipment. There's an old tractor and all the tools my husband used to use. No one ever wanted to give me a price on it, but it's yours now."

When she opened the door, she showed me an old iron wheel tractor and several really old pieces of equipment. Several were implements that had been originally pulled by a team, but were converted so they could be pulled by a tractor. Abe would get a kick out of this stuff. He'd probably want to restore it all and give it to the county agriculture people for their museum.

I drove Nelda to her new place and hauled everything inside. Glenda already had some curtains up in the bedroom and the living room. They still needed something for the big sliding glass door. There were some throw rugs over the carpet in front of some of the furniture. The place was gaining character. I put the kitchen boxes in the kitchen and the bedroom boxes in the bedroom. There were three boxes that were her keepsakes that she would want in the living room. I left Nelda with Glenda and Alice, knowing they would become instant friends.

This move was done. I told everyone I would see them at supper and drove down to the shop. I made sure Tiny had all the drawings for the presentation for tonight, and that Ben would be there. I went back to get Abe and told him I had a nice surprise for him. He would need the big flatbed that had the hooks for the forklift. It was three PM, but I thought we could get the stuff out of there quickly. He brought a couple of his men and followed me out to Nelda's house.

When I opened the big barn doors, I thought Abe would drool. He looked over everything, and got the forklift down, and was able to maneuver the tractor out of the barn using the lift to get it up onto the truck. He then stacked all the implements on the truck and tied everything down. We spent another thirty minutes loading up my truck with old hand tools that were hanging on the walls. The place was a gold mine of historic tools. I told the two guys with us that if they wanted to look at the house that they could have anything in there. The one guy looked all over the house and asked how much I would sell him the house for.

When I figured out he meant to move it, I told him that it was his if he moved it. He asked if he could take down the barn too and I easily agreed. He said the place was perfect for his little piece of land. He said the move wouldn't cost that much, as his brother moved houses and this one would be easy to move as it was small. I told him I would write up an agreement so it would be legal.

I took the hand tools back to the house to put in my workshop for right now, and Abe took his new toys to the shop to play with in the near future. Nelda was moved and the usable buildings were being taken care of.

Nelda, Sue, and a surprise guest, Mickey, were going to go to the zoning meeting with us, so we ate early and left in Tiny's big Expedition to go downtown.

The Commission room was pretty formal, with nice seats for the spectators and applicants. The members were all sitting at a big semicircle desk with microphones in front of them, shuffling papers.

The first thing was the rezoning of a single piece of property, just east of the airport, for an air cargo related building. They rubber-stamped it. They called for applicants and Ben stood.

"We are here to make a final proposal on the rezoning of the stated land in the packages you have been given. Twice before, the two pieces of land have been in a request to be rezoned individually. This time a single developer wishes to develop the entire one thousand acres. He has just assisted the landowner on the last of the property to make her taxes current, and to provide her with a fine home that she wanted nearby. She is even here this evening to support the developer.

"I would like to introduce Steven Sharp of S&S Enterprises."

I stood up, put my drawings on the stand that was there and began, "I've been fortunate to be able to acquire this property and wish to develop it into a group of businesses that will be blended into the trees and ponds of the whole land. The front of the main land will have a Holiday Inn Express, with a Perkins restaurant across the street. I'm sure, in time, more restaurants will build in the area. All the way in the back of this property will be a truck body building facility that will produce truck bodies that are proven to save two to four miles per gallon of fuel. To date, the sales have been terrific. But I need more space to hire more people, to produce more product. This place will employ about one hundred people when complete and in full production.

"Over here," I pointed to the far side of the area, "We are going to build a four to five hundred thousand square foot clothing factory. You're probably familiar with the factory we have now that we recently expanded. It is already too small. We should be employing about six hundred people in this new plant. Hopefully more, but I think the people resources will dry up around that number.

Over here in front of the body building area, I will have a truck dealership that will provide sales and service of quality tractors. The facility should eventually employ about seventy people."

"In front of that we will have an RV dealership that will be hidden among the trees, and that will provide employment for about one hundred people."

"Down the middle here, we are going to leave that natural, but clean out the underbrush. This will be a park-like area for employees to take a break and the patrons of the hotel to enjoy. Customers from all three of these facilities will use the hotel, so it should have a fairly good occupancy rate."

"These other areas are yet to be announced. I may move all of my businesses to this one area, but the buildings we currently have are too valuable for us to abandon them."

"I'm sure you can all see that the land will be used correctly, and will never be an eyesore. I understand that we have an agreement on this little piece in front here, but the purchase has not been consummated yet. You should treat this separately, as I do not control the property yet. If for some reason we do not gain control, you as the zoning and permitting department can keep it within what is planned behind it."

"I ask that you approve this request on this final application."

One of the council members asked, "If we don't approve this zoning change, what will you do with the land?"

"The land has already been rezoned for high density housing, so I could split it up into different subdivisions and sell it off that way, or else have one hell of a personal home site."

"That would be a lot of people living out there, wouldn't it? So you helped this lady get her taxes paid? Did you pay them for her or what?"

"The county assessor's office made a mistake and had reclassified the homestead as non-agriculture, when in fact the resident derived her sole income from agriculture."

"What did she raise?"

"Chickens, ma'am, she sold eggs, and lived off what she sold for several years." I said this still thinking how sorry so many people were to not help an old lady.

Another council member said, "I've heard from Mr. Phillips that Mr. Sharp personally took the landowner to the Social Security office to have her benefits restored. He has been the first person to help her since her husband passed away."

Still another council member spoke up, "Nelda is my great aunt. I didn't even know she was still alive. This is wonderful that she's alive, but it's terrible that a non-family member had to be the one to save her from eviction and is now providing companionship to her as well. I think we should approve the request to rezone to commercial and industrial."

A commission member in the center of the semicircle banged a gavel and said, "Let's put it to a vote. All in favor, press your aye button."

Little lights next to the 'Aye' sign began flickering on. Only one didn't light up. The center guy looked over at the council member behind the blank light and glared while tapping the gavel on his desk. The light came on.

"All opposed, press the Nay. Of course there are none, so the rezoning request is passed. Mr. Sharp, good luck on your new venture. Ben Phillips, it was pretty sneaky to discover there was a final vote pending to rezone. It wasn't for commercial though. That's all that area needs is more high-density housing. Thank you everyone for attending and good luck. This meeting is adjourned."

I stood there numb. The fight that I had expected had vanished. Ben had found that legal technicality that didn't give the commission any wiggle room.

Whew!

We all left, a little startled that it had been that easy. Tiny was slapping my back, saying that the company was going to be a tremendous success out there. The amount of work ahead of us getting everything going was enormous. I hope we can keep our small company values as we migrate to a larger and larger configuration.

Ben left us for home, and the rest of us traveled quietly back to the park. Nelda was given a cup of warm tea and a cookie by Glenda, who walked her back to her house. Glenda showed Nelda that if she looked out the sliding glass door, she could see the light on the patio, and that as soon as she saw it on in the morning, she should come for coffee or tea. Glenda said that Nelda had a big smile on her face as she headed to bed.

The rest of us sucked down some beer and Diet Coke, while snacking a little. No one was loud or raucous. The win was important, but the enormity of the project had us all a little awestruck.

Tiny said, "This one won't go up like all of your other stuff. This is going to take some time. We don't even have dealerships yet."

"Get the word out, Tiny," I suggested. "Let them come to us. Any manufacturers that think we have to suck up to them for their product, we don't need. Let them come to us. I'd bet that the Holiday Inn people will call us within a month, and that Perkins will be knocking on the door in less than two weeks. Those commission people all get kickbacks for leads. Like I said, let them come to us."

We all gave up and went home and inside to go to bed. Sue and I were a little numb from the frantic pace of late. Mickey was a welcome addition, helping both Sue and me to relax.

As soon as we kissed one last time and snuggled, we were asleep.

I had slept so deeply that I woke with a start. The two heads on my shoulders should feel normal enough, but I was startled anyway. I slowly eased out of bed and went to make coffee. When I came back to use the bathroom, Mickey was sitting on the pot. "Sorry, I needed this spot really bad. Turn on the shower and I'll join you when I'm done."

I had only been in the shower less than a minute when Mickey came in. We washed each other in a teasing manner. I still didn't know how to deal with her, as she had been intimate enough, but she had stated she preferred ladies over guys. When I finished washing her hair and rinsing the conditioner out of it, Mickey turned to me and pulled my head down to hers and gave me a very sweet kiss. "You're so gentle and loving the way you washed me and my hair. You just make me want you. We're going to have to learn how to pleasure each other more than we do right now. I think there's more to us three than we have right now. Come on, let's get. I have roll call at seven."

I helped dry her, and she used the hair dryer to blow dry her hair. I'd have to start getting up earlier if she has to be at work by seven. Poor Sue, her sleep time keeps getting cut by outside influences.

We were on the patio with hot cups of coffee by six ten. The light attracted the people like flies, as usual, with Nelda walking in the back door with Tiny and Ruth. I had a pot of water getting ready to boil for tea, but Nelda chose coffee this morning. Mickey was happy this morning and gave everyone there a hug before driving off to the substation.

I asked Tiny if he had the architect's prints for the body shop. When he started to go get them, I said to wait as the people that really need to look at them are Drew and Jeff. Jeff was in charge of the manufacturing, while Drew was constantly working on the design and supervising conversions.

The thing that I wanted to work out that I didn't know about was the tractor sales. I wanted our sales area to be a custom product. All the manufacturers had their truck lines. What separated them were the engine, transmission, some chassis modifications, and the instruments. All of those were superfluous to our product, the body. I wanted a manufacturer, or more than one, to sell us the chassis with motors, transmissions, and gauge packages. I wanted to add one of our bodies and a custom sleeper. If someone wanted a fuel efficient body for a day hauler, we could do that too.

Since I wasn't savvy about trucks, I needed to go find someone who knew trucks, all of them. Where would you find someone who knew trucks, really knew them? Would it be a mechanic, a driver, a salesman, a fleet owner, who knows? I thought that the place to start would be to go to the Penske people and ask them who would know trucks better than anyone.

Before I did that, I needed to think about what I wanted that person to be able to do. He had to be able to work with Drew and Jeff. He had to be able to lead a group of people to a common goal. I wanted someone as anal as I was about perfection, with a drive to be successful.

I described what I wanted to Phil and he became thoughtful. I did the same with Tiny and he shrugged his shoulders. At work, Abe looked at me and asked if the guy needed to walk on water too. When I went into the motor shop, I asked them to listen to the description of the person I wanted. The two hard core lezzies were looking at each other, elbowing each other, trying to get one of them to speak.

I waited till the shop had gone back to work and asked them to join me in the upstairs break room for a minute. "Okay girls, who do you know that fits that description?"

"We have a girl friend, well sort of a girl friend, she's bi, not hardcore like we are. Anyway she knows trucks. She knows how to drive them, she knows how to wrench them, she has some experience selling them, and she used to be in the army, she was sergeant in a truck/transportation company. She was caught in an ambush and took charge, fighting off the attack. She would be a match. The only thing is, she's a girl. Trucks are men's things, most guys wouldn't deal with a woman."

"I don't know that to be true with what I want to do," I said, thinking we may be dealing with a different breed of driver/operator. "If this lady is tough enough to do what I want her to do, she might be the right person."

"Crystal would be good for what you want. She's a little different though, you'll have to get used to her."

"How is she different?" I asked.

"She's real tall."

"So is Deanne."

"But she's really thick, you know built big and strong."

"That might be interesting."

"If she gets mad, she might hit you."

"I guess I'd hit her back."

"You really are not making this easy, Steve."

"Does this lady have a job?"

The two broke up at the word "lady." In a soft voice they said, "This person ain't no lady."

"You never know a book by its cover, let me decide that. When can I meet her? We might have a place for her anyway."

They stood up and said, "We'll call her and tell her to come and fill out an app with Ruth. Let Ruth see if she wants to hire her."

"Why don't you two want me to meet her? Do I have man cooties or something?"

"Naw, we just don't want you mad at us for siccing a wild dog on you. If either one of us were to have a guy, it would be you. You're right up there on our list of guys to try."

I smiled at them as they giggled on their way down the stairs.

That was a funny conversation. I was dying to meet this chick. I've met some doozies over the years. A couple of the babes up in Alaska were big tough women with strange needs and actions. There was even one out in Oklahoma who was bigger than most of the roughnecks, and tougher than most of them too. Funny, though, she was a cook and didn't work on the rig.

At lunchtime, I headed home for a quick lunch, and off to the gym. When Sue and I returned from the gym, we walked down to the pool for fifteen minutes of sun per side. Sue said that she was not able to do all of the exercises anymore, but was going to keep up with as many as she could.

Tiny had talked to Jeff and Drew about reviewing the blueprints. I asked Tiny to get the two of them together and give them the plans so they could go over them. Both offered a few suggestions. They worked together here, and they'd work together at the new place.

I cornered Abe and asked him about all of the RV literature he had stashed in his office. He had said he wanted to take a long vacation with Alice in an RV. That time was coming soon and he was trying to make up his mind.

"Abe, how about selecting the best RV company, and finding me a sales manager that could handle our new place. In the process, pick out the best RV you can find and test drive it for a month. You might need Alice to help you with the evaluation of the RV. When you get back, I'll expect a written report of what you liked and didn't like about it."

Abe looked at me a little funny for a couple seconds then said confidently. "I can do that," before he turned and walked off with a bounce in his step.

Shoot, if I could spend the money for a thousand plus acres, I could spend the money to figure out what RV would be the best.

Before closing time, Abe called me and said, "I've got a better idea. I'm going to rent four different RVs, one each for a week, four weeks in a row. They are all supposedly the best. I'll let you know. Oh yeah, Alice and I are going to begin the test this weekend, okay?"

"Have a good time, Abe - make a good evaluation."

On the patio at home, Tiny and Phil thought I was nuts the way I was going about finding people and selecting companies to work with. I told them that since Abe is such a perfectionist, the RVs will probably come back in better shape than when they left. They had to agree.

The evening meal was nice. It was also nice to see Nelda become a part of our group so easily. It made my heart feel good to know she was enjoying her special years.

Sue was sitting with me while we ate, so I asked her my next strange question. "What do you think about adding a section onto the house so we could have some more big bedrooms for visitors? We could take the whole section that you're in and increase your office area by a third. We could also increase our bedroom by a third for a sitting room or a place to read or just watch TV in peace. Perhaps that would be a better way to have a nursery, and increase the size of the bedroom later. We could use the center section for two or three large bedrooms. What do you think?"

Sue thought for a minute and said, "Actually, that's a great idea. Can they do that? Could we integrate the new section easily?

I said, "The mobile home guy has an empty sixteen-foot-wide shell that's the same length ours is. We would join them, seal them, and remodel. We could begin by putting a door between our room and the baby's room. When the baby is bigger, we could move the kid into another room and fill the nursery with another baby. Of course, if we stop having babies, we could make the additional space into a lounge for us."

Sue thought for a minute and said, "I do need more office space. If we were to increase it by a third, that would help out a lot. I also want a better way to park. I think we should take the next space over and build a huge carport for my car, your truck, and a couple of spare spaces for our collection of friends. Deanne now has a car, and so does Mickey. You're going to want a car for when your sister comes down too. I'll just go get us a car car. You know, one that's not a convertible, like a big Ford or Chevy, or maybe a Chrysler like Mom's. I wonder if one more space is going to be enough."

I didn't want to move anyone, so I said, "Three spaces should be enough. Twenty-eight feet wide of area should be wide enough for three cars. If not, we'll double park them."

The next morning, I went to the mobile home manufacturer and told him that I wanted the addition. I had already spoken to the contractor who had taken down the carport that we had for Sue.

The addition was joined to the existing unit. I gave the contractor an idea of what I wanted. The baby's room on one end, with the extended office on the other. In the middle, I wanted four bedrooms, divided by two bathrooms and two large bedrooms with bathrooms next to the living room area. He said it would be easy and it would be done in a couple of days.

I took him off to the patio for a few minutes. "We are going to be building some large buildings. You are the first person I think of when I say construction. These buildings will not have to go up in a day, or as fast as I have pushed you in the past. We are going to build a Holiday Inn, a Perkins, a huge clothing manufacturing building, a truck body building plant, a truck dealership, and an RV dealership. I haven't figured out the order that I'll build yet, but probably the restaurant and Inn first, with the body building shortly there after. I think we could use a general steel building for the body building plant and the truck dealership. We might even use the same building method on the RV store but it will have to be fairly big for a maintenance area. I'll hire you to work with the architect on all the projects and you'll be the general contractor later. I need your direction to make sure we have the classiest buildings and shops around."

He said he would look at everything that night and after the normal work day he showed up to talk to me.

"Steve, you've been more than fair from the first day. I love being a contractor and would enjoy building your new buildings. But the problem is my wife. We're battling some cancer issues. We have to take her up to Minnesota to the Mayo Clinic up there to see if they can help her. Just that is going to hurt financially. We've spent so much money to get this far, I can't tell you. I want to do your work, but my wife is more important."

I looked at him thoughtfully and said, "I've just hired myself a construction planner that is entitled to medical insurance, including dependent coverage."

I stood and motioned to Ruth. She came over and I said, "I've just hired a construction planner that will be a major asset in the months to come. Would you sign him up real quick on medical, as he says his wife has a pre-existing condition?"

"I'll take care of it, Steve. It'll be done tomorrow," Ruth said patting the contractor on the hand. She must have known of his plight. Wish they would tell me these things.

There were tears in the eyes of this dynamic man. Thinking of another way to help him I told him, "Tell me when you need to fly up to Minnesota to the clinic. Either Sue or I will fly you up there, no cost. It will be our own angel flight. Let's get your wife healthy."

Mickey had been eavesdropping on the conversation. She came to sit beside me, hugging my arm. When I looked at her there were big tears dripping down her face. "You okay?"

"I'm perfect. What you just did was so sweet. You and Sue are so special. No one ever knows how special you two are. You may be lucky, and may be able to make a dollar out of a smashed up nickel, but damn you do good with what you make."

I looked at Mickey. "What good is money if you can't do something good with it?"

She hugged my arm and went inside the house. Sue noticed and went in after her.

Deanne came over and asked, "Are you being good or bad to these people out here. They all end up with tears in their eyes after they talk to you."

"I hope good, Deanne. Some people just get emotional, you know how that is."

"Do you mean like me getting emotional because I get homesick and you figure out a way for me to spend a couple nights a week at home? Is that what you mean?"

"Something like that, Deanne, something like that," I said.

I joined the general discussion for the evening. There were two big storms developing out in the lower Atlantic that could become bad news. I wondered if Abe's group or Phil's group was getting more orders than usual. I hope not, because we could only produce just so much.

Tonight, I decided some good scotch on ice would taste great and go down even better. I got a big glass and went outside to one of the big wooden lawn chairs and sat, looking in at all my friends. Man, was I lucky. All of them were special to me, and each of their successes was important to me.

I sipped for a while before Sue came out to see if I was all right. I pulled her onto my lap, telling her how important she was too me. I told her I was so proud of her, and so very happy looking forward to becoming a dad. We kissed a little and both went back inside for some dessert.

That night, in bed with Mickey on one shoulder, and Sue on the other, Sue said, "Steve, you can't take care of everyone. Sometimes people have to do things on their own. You find those that need help and you do help them, like Nelda, the contractor, and so many more. Look at Drew, when he came here, he was so beaten down that he could hardly do what he was best at. You picked him up and found he could do so much more. He's a born leader, he's going to be successful and make the company successful. That's your legacy, Steve, you have helped many."

Sue kissed me tenderly, and Mickey did the same. We didn't do anything erotic; we just drifted off to sleep with our own thoughts.

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 20



At breakfast the next morning, the contractor asked if we could take his wife up to Minnesota to the Mayo clinic right away. She had agreed to get treatment.

Sue looked at me and said, "You fly, you need some time in the air. I have some things that have to get done today. If you get tired, stay over somewhere. Call me."

I went into the office and looked up a flight plan to get up there. After calling out to the air park and telling them it was a mercy flight they said they would have the plane serviced and ready, including oxygen and the potty in the back.

I filed the flight plan and called the contractor and his wife to tell them that we would leave between nine and nine thirty. We should be in the air about four and half hours. I used my truck to take us to the airport. I had an unexpected passenger. Nelda said she wanted to ride with me to keep me alert on the long flight.

I loaded the contractor, his wife, and their luggage into the plane before doing the preflight inspection, with the curious Nelda on my heels. It was almost funny to have this tiny seventy plus year old lady walking with me as I checked the various places you needed to check or inspect.

I got Nelda situated into the right seat and began the startup procedures for the turbines. It's so strange to sit in the cabin and fire up the engines when the way you learned was with a plain old gas engine. When the startup and pre-taxi checklist was complete, I requested permission to the active and taxied out to take off. Before advancing the throttles I opened the flight plan.

Flying this plane was becoming second nature to me. The takeoff was smooth, with a rapid rate of climb. I started the pressurization for the cabin and turned on the oxygen as we were going to be flying at twenty-three thousand feet. We were bumped around a little in the tops of some building cumulus clouds, but there was no lightning in any of them. Nelda was an excellent companion. We talked about a variety of things. She told me all about her husband and her three kids. They had all died at one time or another, leaving just her. She was a tough old bird; she didn't give up, and just kept going.

We made the trip without a stop, with all the passengers using the potty. An ambulance met us at the ops building. I told them both to let me hear from them. I told them I would fly them back; just call.

The airport was first class. Instead of firing the engines again to move to the fuel pumps, they brought a truck out to me. Nelda and I took time to have a late lunch and bought some extra water for the flight back.

Nelda followed me around the plane on the preflight again before we climbed into our seats and went through the cockpit preflight and startup. This time, I gave her the big flip chart and had her read off each procedure while I performed the task.

It's always exciting to fire the turbines. As the first one winds up, you check several gauges to make sure everything is the way it's supposed to be. Your ear becomes tuned to the correct sound once the engine is spinning. When the first one is stabilized you fire the next one. You could probably do both at once, but the recommended procedure is to do one at a time. When the second engine is turning correctly you call in for taxi instructions, and spin up the props.

Flying is a series of events, regardless of the type of plane you're flying. You check the plane, you check the inside, you start up the engines, you check the engines before you move to take off. We were given a straight run to the active and immediately cleared for take off. I was already advancing the throttles as I turned onto the active runway. The plane shot down the runway and lifted off quickly. The wheels retracted and we were climbing to our return altitude of twenty-two thousand feet.

I did my checks and dialed in the return flight on the GPS to head for my first marker. As we flew along, I explained the different instruments to Nelda. She was fascinated and seemed to be retaining everything I told her.

Down near Atlanta she asked if we could land and take a break. She needed to use the restroom and didn't want to use the plane's potty. I requested landing instructions for us to come into the private aircraft terminal. They brought me in nicely clearing me to a taxi lane to the private terminal. I asked for a cart for Nelda and asked for a fuel truck.

She was gone for a while and returned with a happy look on her face. I went into the little pilot shack and took a whiz, and came out to do the pre-flight and we went through the startup procedure. The bigger airports require pilots to request startup in order to clear ramp personnel. I had a guy right in front of me watching as I fired up. He stood beside the first engine with a fire extinguisher confirming a good ignition, then went to the second to do to the same. Like I said, it's exciting to listen to the big turbines winding up.

The traffic patterns must have been in our favor as we were set up with only four planes in front of us. There must have been a couple of low fuel landings as the lead plane was held way back from the active runway. Finally the first plane wheeled onto the active and gunned it while the second plane in line was coming onto the active runway. The plane in front of me was crowding the runway so I tucked in behind him. The second plane took off with the third plane wheeling onto the active runway.

When the 737 began its roll, the left engine flashed really bright. I called to the tower to advise the 737 that the left engine looked like it flared. The plane was committed and had to take off. We were held in position as the plane circled and came in for a fast one engine landing. The left engine was in flames. By the time the plane had stopped the onboard fire retardant chemicals had killed the flames. We ended up waiting for over thirty minutes before we were finally cleared to take off.

I called in to amend the flight plan times and received an attaboy for notifying the tower of the 737 problem. Nelda asked about it and I explained that the 737 pilot would have heard me tell the tower of the flare and would soon feel the loss of thrust from that side. She then understood how one pilot helps another.

As we approached our airport, the weather was not very nice. Our little field said there was a thunderstorm over the far end of the runway. If I was cleared down quickly there shouldn't be any trouble. They gave me a straight in and I reversed the pitch on the props to slow us down immediately. We were good on the short field landing technique and taxied toward the hangar. I spun us at the hangar and shutdown, going through the after shutdown checklist. I pretty much ran out of the plane and pulled it into the hangar. The storm hit almost as soon as the plane was inside, lots of lightning, lots of thunder. I filled out the logbooks and wrote up the low fuel sheet and hung a copy in the cockpit and one on the attendant board.

Nelda and I used a big umbrella to walk to the truck and drove back home. Sue was surprised we had made it back in just over ten hours. Nelda said we would have been over an hour earlier if we didn't have to stop for her in Atlanta. Sue hugged her and told her that we would stop for her anytime. Nelda said she loved to fly and would go with us at the drop of a hat. Sue promised her that we would be taking her to lots of places with us.

Mickey was very loving, while Nelda and I ate a light supper before getting ready for bed. As soon as I closed down the patio and cleaned up a little before coming to bed, Mickey was all over me, saying she was going to get me ready for Sue and Sue ready for me.

I have to say Mickey did exactly what she said she would do. Sue and I enjoyed each other. When we were laying back Sue whispered into my ear, "Get her, show her what she can experience, make her scream."

When I began loving Mickey, she was a little apprehensive, but gradually relaxed. As I went to the south end of her, Sue began kissing her and her breasts, thoroughly turning her on. With little effort, I found her buttons and soon had her body quaking with orgasm. When Mickey pulled me up to enter her, Sue kissed us both and smiled at me for finding Mickey's pleasure switches.

Just about the time I was sliding to one side to hug Mickey while she relaxed, I realized she was asleep. Sue pulled my head around for a kiss and whispered, "Good job, Lover, good job."

We flashed through the week and weekend until it was time for Sue and me to fly up to pick up my sister, Susan, her husband Kevin, and their two kids, Dennis and Tina.

The new addition to our home had been completed for the five bedrooms and three bathrooms. The contractor's men did their usual first class job in no time at all. The way they opened up the wall, utilizing all the space possible, was great. A new bathroom was now directly across from the sliding glass door so this would be a help on busy mornings or evenings. The design that had been settled on was to have doors to the bathroom from each of the two bedrooms and the living room. I missed not having the outside door on that side of the living room but there was still an outside door in the addition's baby area, as well as in the office. Sue and some of the women had made an expedition to furnish and decorate the bedrooms and bathrooms. We had a pretty big home before, and we had now increased it more than half again as much, by adding eleven hundred and twenty square feet. We could have divided up the new space better, but I wanted to add some big bedrooms rather than several small ones.

Sue and I advised everyone that we would be in the air, bringing my family back that day. The crew was more excited than I was to meet some of my family. The person most excited was Mickey who wanted to fly with us, and then there was Nelda who insisted that she would fly with us too.

Sue wanted the left seat time, so she planned and filed the flight plan to Cincinnati. I had called my sister to make sure she was going to be there when we arrived. She was excited and assured me the whole family couldn't wait to see us.

The flight up was smooth and flawless. Sue landed perfectly and taxied up to the private plane operations building. We parked in the refueling slot and received immediate attention. While I greeted my family, Sue was monitoring the refueling of the airplane.

I couldn't believe the size of Susan's kids. Susan looked pretty good for thirty-six. She wasn't built as full as Ruth but she still had the youthful enthusiasm that I remembered her by. She was always excited when doing something new or different. I think she was the most adventurous of us three kids.

Dennis was tall and slim, probably six foot maybe a hundred and sixty, good looking with a crew cut. Tina was a budding young lady, trying to look older. She had lighter hair than her Mom, almost blonde, and was fairly tall and slim at five foot five, and maybe a hundred to a hundred ten pounds.

I received a hug from Susan, and handshakes from the rest. The kids really didn't know me. After the girls that had flown up with me had returned from the bathroom with Sue, I introduced everyone. Susan fell in love with Nelda, who acted like our mom used to with her spunky upbeat attitude. Susan's kids needed a grandmother and Nelda sure would be a good one. Dennis and Tina were fascinated that Mickey was a crime scene specialist with the sheriff's department.

We loaded up everyone and got them all buckled in. I gave our little safety talk while Sue and Nelda were giving the plane its outside pre-flight. Sue thought it was cute that Nelda liked being a part of everything.

The traffic was light, so we were cued up for take off quickly. I had switched on the speakers in the cabin so they could hear the chatter between the controllers and the airplanes. Sue was flying left seat so it was her voice they heard confirming active runway access while we turned onto the long runway. A minute later we were climbing to our cruising altitude. I switched the speakers back to a tape of light jazz and and helped Sue set up the GPS for the first leg of our flight plan.

A couple of hours later we were landing at the Aero Park. Sue taxied up to the operations building and parked. An attendant came out to help unload the luggage and to take the plane for refueling and on to the hangar. We did receive first class treatment at the Aero Park.

Sue had driven her car too, so I loaded the visitors into my gaudy truck and Sue was going to take Nelda and Mickey with her. The kids wanted to ride with Sue in the convertible, so there was a scramble to switch the kids with Nelda. I think Nelda was disappointed because she really liked the convertible as well.

We arrived at the park around two. Glenda was ready for us with a hot lunch. Sue took Susan, Kevin, and Tina on a tour of the house, while Dennis was instantly moving balls around on the pool table. Glenda had the big TV on so she could get some news of a big tropical storm out in the Atlantic. It was hurricane season and so far everything had pretty much veered off to the north Atlantic. Hurricane Dennis had just hit in North Carolina, causing a lot of damage and a demand for big generators. This one, named Emily, looked to be coming our way. A really bad one named Cindy had slammed into Mexico, causing a lot of damage and injuries.

There didn't seem to be any reason to worry. We seemed to just get some rain from the storms, but no bad winds. I did know that if a storm were to come, we would have to leave the park. Trailers and mobile homes are easily damaged from hurricane strength winds, even when they are heavily anchored.

After eating and getting their clothes unpacked, Dennis and Tina wanted to go to the pool. Sue said Mickey, Glenda, and she would go up with them and make sure they didn't get too much sun right away. Nelda said she needed to get a swimsuit. She didn't want to be left out of anything. Sue promised to take her to get one. Nelda did go put on some long shorts and a sleeveless blouse to go with them.

Susan and Kevin stayed on the patio, while I gave them a brief history of how I came to live here in the monster manufactured home. I loaded them into the truck and we went to the shop. When I parked in the lot, I made sure to point out the big S&S on the sign. Kevin loved the showroom with the frames of cars and motorcycles hanging from the ceiling. The car made him drool; he was a big NASCAR fan. I introduced them to Debbie and Deanne who were in my office, followed by taking them upstairs to meet Ruth, Tiny, Phil, and Judy. Phil was all bubbly because Tiny had just given him the numbers for the week so far. Every Friday, Phil puffs up his chest and struts around, enjoying the adulation of everyone for his job well done.

I took them down the stairs through the little lunch room, telling them that this was the original building and the rest had all been added on as we rapidly grew. The motor room is always a remarkable experience. The place is ridiculously clean for an oily, greasy, motor building shop. Each station was neatly arranged with parts being weighed, shaped, and put back together. The teams were all being nice, with only some lighthearted banter going on. Shawna was busy with two high school part-timers, putting a custom bike together.

The sheet metal area had stacks of completed panels ready for the paint shop and stacks of painted panels ready to ship. The frame area is always busy looking. There were frames on rolling paint racks and a couple nearing completion on stands. A couple of bike frames were being made too. The body guys were finishing up a boom body. It was painted and only needed the finishing touches for the drawers and doors. I tried to explain how the body stuff came into existence, but it's all pretty unbelievable.

The rebuild shop was humming away. The men were concentrating on generators, as the hurricane season had created a bunch of orders. Kevin kept commenting how clean everything was. I told him we would come in Saturday so he could see how it looked when everyone had cleaned up for the day. Susan loved the logos on the floor and the "perfect" signs everywhere.

Kevin asked what the "perfect" signs meant. I took him over to Tom who was working on the boom body and asked, "Tom could you tell Kevin what is meant by the "perfect" signs?"

Tom smiled sincerely and said, "When I started, I didn't know whether I could do perfect work. Steve taught me I could. He does not allow anything but a perfect product out of the door. See that sign, "Is it Perfect?" over the door. It's over every door so every one of us can ask themselves that question before we take a product out the door."

Kevin was a skeptic, "How can you be sure that everything is perfect? That's impossible."

Al was standing right there and said, "We all try to outperform each other. We never try to out-produce, but we try to make what we do better than the other guy. Steve taught us all to make it right. When you try to do perfect work, speed takes care of itself."

Susan told Kevin, "Steve was always a perfectionist. He had an old motorcycle that ran perfectly. He didn't have enough money to make it pretty, but it always ran. That's just the way he is."

I walked them over to the big building to show them the super lift rebuild shop. Neither Kevin nor Susan had ever seen lifts this big. We looked into the fiberglass shop to see Jeff and his men already cleaning up. They were so messy that it was a wonder they could get the place clean every night.

The last place was the truck body shop. There was a completed truck sitting outside and a body being completed inside. Kevin said the shape was a little strange, so I had to explain why. When he discovered that our body was responsible for three to four miles a gallon savings, he went nuts asking why he had not heard of that. His job was to be responsible for a small fleet of delivery trucks, so he had some genuine interest. I told him it was new technology but a coming thing. He asked if we did bodies for day haulers, which of course we did. I told him I would get him some literature.

Susan asked, "How many people are in business with you here? How many partners do you have?"

I kind of ignored the question as we walked back across the span between the buildings, watching a flatbed trailer backing up to the big dock with a load of used generators to be rebuilt.

"Jesus, Steve, you are busy," Kevin said looking at all of the activity. He was looking at the three signs along the fence. One had "Truck" in big letters, the next had "Busch," and the end one had "Winston Cup" on it. "What are those for?" he asked, pointing to the signs.

I explained, "Those are for our race-day trucks. They go to the races to sell parts to the racing teams when they have wrecks, or just need them."

"Are those the fancy painted trucks they show on TV that sell everything from motors to T-shirts?"

"Those are the ones. Come on let me get you some race day event shirts. I think they are really neat."

I went up to Debbie and asked her to get me four extra large, four large, four medium and four small T-shirts for me in different events or different styles. I explained that we usually sold out of the event shirts at every race. They had become a desired item by the racing people as well as the fans that came to the races. Debbie came back with four sets of two event shirts for the coming events, and two of our S&S shirts. I told Debbie that I would see her later, and we carried them out to the truck.

I pointed across the street and said, "That is Sue's main factory for the clothes she sells. I'll let her give you a tour this weekend. I think she has people working two shifts now and six days. She has a lot of part-timers now that work evenings and on the weekends."

On the way back to the house, Susan asked, "How long has it been since you were down in Belize? Didn't you just come here this year? Was this business already going when you got here?"

I ignored her because I didn't even believe what had happened so fast.

"Tonight is going to get crowded. Every Friday, most of the employees from the shop and lots of people from Sue's factory come. Just hang around and watch. You'll love the excitement all of these people have."

When we arrived at the house, I parked behind a small Chevy SUV that I didn't recognize. When we went around the house to the patio, I was surprised to find the big tent up and the caterer busily putting out food. Sue and Nelda were enjoying some tea, while Mickey was playing pool with Dennis and Tina.

Susan asked, "What's all this? A party for us?"

Sue laughed, "No, Tiny or Phil must have some big announcements and always use the Friday gatherings as a chance to talk to both sides of the street. It used to be just the shop people, but now my factory people come too. It gets a little crowded with the wives and kids. Parking is a real problem, but we get people from the park to help."

Susan asked Sue, "I can't get a straight answer out of Steve about his shop, as he calls it. There has to be over a hundred people working there. Can you tell me more about it? Who are his partners, how did he get started, all of that stuff?"

Sue glanced at me and smiled, beginning her story with, "When Steve came to this park he had just gone on vacation. He had a duffle bag, along with a pickup truck and beat up motorcycle that he bought in Miami. He was going to take a long vacation. He rented a little trailer for three months and instantly began making friends here. He rode his motorcycle to a bar and found some guys that needed some welding help. He did a job for them, and did a job for a motorcycle shop down the road. In the mean time he had bought a bunch of equipment at an auction and found out you could make money doing these custom jobs."

"The whole thing steam-rolled. He began rebuilding big generators and compressors, which are big-ticket items. The man he rented his trailer from liked to tinker on motors, and had been the main mechanic for Onan for many years. He was the one to really make the rebuilt generators worthy. The products were being rebuilt so well there was a big demand. He began making race car frames, next was sheet metal for the race car people, and his products became in big demand. He hired some people to help him and taught them how to work his way."

"Steve had so much business that he needed more space for more people to work. He made a deal on the first building and kept hiring and training people. He hired a neighbor, who is an accountant, to help with the money stuff, and he hired a salesman who had been let go from Onan for selling too much. Sounds nuts, doesn't it? Between all of the things Steve was doing, he was able to pay for the building. Meanwhile he started a motor shop, because he felt he could do better than most of the other motor shops. That sort of got out of hand and he ended up with multiple mechanic teams building motors. He's always backordered. Racing teams all over ask for his motors, frames, sheet metal, and now, fiberglass parts.

The place just grew and grew. He's added onto the building twice, ran out of room and made a great deal on the building next door and has now grown out of that."

Susan looked skeptical, "In just a few months?"

"Very, very, busy few months. Steve packed in more in those seven months than most people pack into seven years. The sales of new product put him over. It was those sales that brought in big money, but he made all of his road people commit to giving the customers great service. That's where the sales come from. Steve even has three international salesmen now, one South American, one Middle East, and one European."

"It's just really hard to believe. The guy that probably didn't say ten words throughout high school, now seems to have hundreds of followers. Is this some kind of cult?" Susan asked.

Mickey began laughing. "You sound like my dad. He talks about Steve as if he's some kind of gift to mankind. That's why I'm hanging around. Steve and Sue are just so magnetic that everyone wants to be around them. I know I do and that old lady over there, Nelda, would adopt Steve in a minute. Sue says there's a rich old man that's already offered to adopt Steve."

Susan just sat and thought, "Steve never did anything bad. He never did anything outstanding either. He had good grades, he always helped out at home, and worked at jobs throughout high school. His brother and I were so into ourselves that we were not ever great friends with him. I do remember how he would help me and everyone else in the neighborhood all the time. Steve was always a non-entity, always in the background."

Sue said, "He still tries to stay in the background, but every time something needs to be done, he's right there doing it, making something happen, thinking up another way to do something to make the company more successful. He has even come up with some fashion suggestions that we have used in one of my clothing lines. Steve has lots of good ideas, now he has the opportunity and the means to make things happen."

"Where did he get his money?" Susan asked.

Sue said, "I wondered about that too but then I talked to one of his bosses that he had on the oil rigs out in Oklahoma. Steve was always working. He didn't spend his money on booze and wild nights with the cowboys and roughnecks. He worked and saved his money. He did that up in Alaska, he did that in Oklahoma, and he did that down in Belize. He apparently did the same while he was in the service. He still pinches two nickels together and out pops a quarter."

That made everyone listening laugh.

The curious Susan asked, "So tell me about you, about your business."

"The easiest way to tell you about my business is to say that Steve has been my good luck charm. Since we've gotten together, my business has taken off so fast that I can't keep up. When I met Steve it was growing, but since then I've hired office and fashion help, and bought a factory that has now been doubled in size. The original company I bought was just about out of business from poor quality, but Steve instilled a policy where workers don't try to make a lot of garments. They make perfect garments. The profit from no mistakes and no seconds is more than we would make if were slave drivers. I have happier workers who produce quality."

"Where did you get your money?" Susan was still doubtful.

"Mostly the same way Steve did, through cash flow," Sue said proudly. "The more I sold, the more money I had to grow with. I did borrow some money from an estate, but it's being paid back fast. It seems that every time either of us spends a dollar, it comes back to us double or triple."

Sue added as she concluded, "You are going to hear all kinds of stories. Just listen, enjoy, store them up to think about, but just enjoy being here. Steve is very happy to have you here. He enjoys having a big family."

I didn't hear all of that, as Kevin and I were too busy having a beer, and talking about the fuel savings the truck bodies were giving. People were beginning to show up. Tiny and Phil came in with Ruth and Judy, instantly getting the newly installed bartender to make drinks.

It is almost shocking when so many show up so fast. Ladies from the factory were swarming over Sue, while shop personnel were coming up to me to tell me of some success they had at work. The crazy motor shop people were setting up three horse shoe areas in the yard, challenging all comers. Martin was right with them, pacing off the distances and driving in the stakes. More people were arranging chairs to view the contests, getting drinks from the outside bar. In thirty minutes there was probably close to two hundred fifty people milling around. The four porta-potties were busy as the beer flowed through the drinkers.

Phil had a new guy with him. The man was about forty, nice looking, in a white shirt and open collar. He probably had a tie on earlier, but like Tiny, it was off now. The man had a nice looking lady with him. She was good looking, a little over dressed, but seemed overwhelmed by all the people. Sue had noticed and I saw her begin talking to the lady.

Everyone was eating and drinking, enjoying themselves. Dennis and Tina were busy with several other teens who were there with their folks. I was pleased that my sister could see the company spirit displayed so openly.

About seven thirty, Tiny began calling everyone to come closer to the patio so they could hear. He even had one of those portable microphones with a couple of speakers outside.

"Okay folks, this is a little bigger than our normal Friday night party, but I have a few announcements that affect both sides of the street."

"First, Phil has been his usual busy self, and once again his sales have officially gone through the roof. Since he's in charge of all lines now, his sales, or rather S&S' gross sales, for the week are so big that I almost don't want to tell anyone. The big deal was a huge contract with Germany. Mercedes could not supply the size generator requested, and would not consider manufacturing one specifically to the specs. Onan agreed to not only manufacture the product, but is adding the product to the line along with factory space to produce it in quantities. Oh yeah, that reminds me, Onan has granted us a national distributorship, which goes along with a Canadian national distributorship. Our next step will be an exclusive in Europe. That may take some time."

"But anyway, give a hand to Phil and all of his salesmen and Abe's techs for producing more this week than ever before. The company sold five hundred and twelve million dollars worth of product from all divisions."

From the other side of the patio, I heard Ben's voice exclaim, "Holy shit." Beth's voice came directly after, "Hush." I didn't know the two had been invited or were with us.

Tiny continued, "We'll probably never ever do that again, or at least I hope not. The paperwork is too much. If we can just merrily go along with ten, fifteen, twenty a week, I'd be happy." Phil and I laughed, as that was a ton of production. Not many companies did a million a week much less well over five a week.

"Enough bragging. I'd like to announce that we have just performed something that I didn't know whether we could accomplish. We have bought two distributorships. These two facilities have some of the same functions we do as far as power equipment. We are going to begin rebuilding product there as well as selling to surrounding dealers. We will duplicate the sales teams in each of these locations in order to make them productive and profitable.

"One location is full of good people who have been led by a good man that is retiring. He's agreed to sell to us as he's familiar with our 'perfect' motto. "Since Onan wrote about us in their journal, we've had several distributorships come to visit us. Some think we are unrealistic, others think we know what we're doing. The other location is going to be a shell. If anyone remains from that place, they have been hiding. We are going to stock the place with people who will become perfectionists just like here.

"I want to now introduce some new leaders. Jeff, stand up. Jeff is going to be in charge of not only the local fiberglass shop, but will be in charge of managing the new fiberglass shop that will be under construction within the month at our new facility. You will all hear more about the new place soon.

"Jed, stand up. Jed will be traveling to the two new places to set up rebuild shops just like ours. He will be in charge of cleaning and painting the places so the shops will look just like ours. He has hired two assistants to help, plus he has some in house staff to help co-ordinate.

"Now a big shot. Please meet Ryan House. Ryan recently left Caterpillar manufacturing. He wasn't pleased that he could not increase the quality of the product because of the bureaucracy within the company. Phil heard of him and we have captured him and his wife, Michelle. Ryan is going to be in charge of developing the two new distributorships, as well as looking to adopt or buy the other seven national distributorships. I knew Ryan was the right man when he asked if he could work in our shop for at least a month to learn our techniques and get the spirit of our perfect work. For the next month we're going to teach him everything we can about building motors, welding, painting, sheet metal, hydraulics, generators, and fiberglass. He may need more than a month. But then he's going to teach that perspective to the new people at the new locations. Welcome Ryan. Glad to have you."

There was a lot of applause.

"One last little thing. You know that Sue and Steve are going to be parents. In the process they felt like the area out here needed a restaurant so they are building and opening a Perkins right down the road to take care of Sue's cravings."

Lot of laughter and applause.

"They have a lot of out of town visitors, as we've noticed of late. Well, they are building a Holiday Inn Express too."

More laughter and applause.

"Now the big news. In order to build all this stuff, you need land. Land for the new truck body shop, land for the new truck dealership."

There was a gasp.

"Land for the new RV dealership that Abe has been out test driving models to choose from."

More gasps mixed with laughter.

"Land for the chrome shop, the machine shops, and the big chassis shop."

Lots of "Wows" and "Ahs."

"And, of course, land for the largest clothing plant in the southeast."

Lots of applause from Sue's people.

"In the middle of all of this land is going to be a park to be enjoyed by all. If this group keeps growing, which it will, we will have our parties out there.

"You may ask how big this place is. Well let's see, the first deal was supposed to be for two hundred acres. That turned out to be double, so the first plat became four hundred acres. We found out there was a six hundred acre farm that was going to be lost because of back taxes. Steve went to the owner to see what was up. He ended up helping her correct the tax problem and helped her move in next door. Many of you have met Nelda, I hope the rest of you will say hello. Anyway, Nelda sold Steve her property too, so we now have one big piece of land, over a thousand acres that includes land for a restaurant across the street. Ladies and Gentlemen, this company is growing."

There was some crazy cheering and applause.

Tiny held up his hand, "Every time we grow, so do your 401Ks. Every time we ship another perfect product your 401K gets even bigger. Thank you all for making it happen."

"Steve, do you want to say anything?"

I took the microphone and said, "I'm overwhelmed by the news tonight. Some of it I just heard for the first time. I can't believe we're buying other distributorships. Phil will go nuts with all the sales. It sure is fun to work with you all, and just like Tiny said, thanks, you guys are the company. Have a good time tonight and be careful. Let the drivers take you home if you even think you might have had too much. Have a good time."

I went to the bar and asked for a big Dewars on the rocks. Tiny brought over Ryan and Michelle. Sue was still with Michelle. We shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. Ryan said that he had contacted Phil because Phil had sold to Caterpillar when he had worked for Onan. Ryan had seen write ups of S&S and was curious because we were growing so fast.

I had to admit to Ryan that the company was outgrowing my capacity to keep up with it. People like Tiny, Phil, and him were going to have to take over the broad management and let me concentrate on opportunities for us to expand or produce. I asked if he and his wife had found a comfortable place to stay and he said, "I rented a mobile home across the street from Tiny. Michelle and I are now your neighbors. Tiny said that there is a morning gathering as well."

"Good man. Glad you decided to stay with us while you are learning how the company works," I said with a genuine smile on my face.

Ryan smiled back at me, "Michelle and I lived in a trailer park for the first five years we were married. After that we became yuppies and moved to a nice house, and another fancy house later. We lost track of having a home. In the one day we've been in the place across from Tiny, we've met more people who want to be our friends than we have in all the years we lived in our fancy houses. I think we need to reevaluate who we are friends with and where we live."

I happily said, "Enjoy yourself here and with us over here. Enjoy yourself with the company too, this place is fun."

Sue pulled Michelle over to me, "Michelle wants to work with the girls, designing clothes. She says she has tons of ideas for sportswear, especially for big girls. She used to be big like me but as you can see, she's a looker now."

"I'll bet you were a looker even before you lost all of your weight, Michelle. I'd even bet Ryan misses some of that padding," I said elbowing Ryan.

Michelle grinned, "He says that, but I'm glad I lost the weight. He used to be big too and lost a lot. We both exercise every day now."

Sue said, "Michelle, we'll all go to the gym together. We also swim everyday. I'm going to get even bigger soon, so I have to keep exercising. It's exciting to have a new friend and helper with the company."

I mingled with everyone, coming back to Phil, "What in the world will you do for an encore? Do you know there probably aren't ten corporations in the world that did the volume you did this week?"

Phil was getting a little drunk, "I know. It's all luck. Since I came on board with you, luck seems to hunt me down and sit in my lap. I'm not kidding, all I have to do is ask for the order and people just start throwing money. It's unbelievable. You keep giving me tools to use. This new guy is going to be good for the company too. I have to get on the ball and develop some killer sales managers to develop teams."

"You have the right idea, Phil, develop them." I said making sure I didn't get on my soap box. "Find good men and teach them, develop them to be good salesmen, then to be good sales managers. Raise them yourself so they can be as good as you are. Do like I do, encourage them to exceed what I can do."

I found Nelda having a great time with some of the seamstresses from Sue's factory. Glenda and Nelda had become fast friends as well. She was glad I gave her a little attention, but went right back to chatting with the women.

About nine, the crowd began to thin. By ten the caterer's people were cleaning up. By ten thirty, Tiny and Phil had taken Ryan and the wives home. Sue walked Nelda home and came back to the patio where Susan, Kevin, and the kids were talking. The kids were telling us they couldn't stay in the same room. I took Dennis inside and showed him the empty bedroom in the hall by the work room. He got his suitcase and put it in there. I showed him another bathroom, but told him he would be sharing with Deanne.

Hmm, wonder where Deanne was.

I asked Sue about Deanne and Sue said she had not seen her all evening. Mickey said she had seen her just a little after five, and that she had come home, dressed up, and left. Hope she was okay. Mickey said she was going to bed. It had been a long day, plus she was on duty tomorrow.

Susan drew two beers and came over to sit by me. "You've been busy, brother. I've heard so many stories about you tonight it sounds like a life time, not just a few months worth. Did you really have a couple of gun battles right here? Did you really save a couple of policemen? I guess you did, because even Mickey swears it's all true. This business you have is not real. Any sane person would say that you couldn't build a business that fast. And if you did, one burp, and you would be broke. You're buying property so you can't ever go broke. This is all amazing."

She continued, "Kevin and I have watched our money, saved as much as we can, and made good decisions, but it's like you won the lottery. You just leaped past the rest of the world. I don't know whether to be jealous or proud of you. I think I'll just be proud and let you show us a good time."

Kevin had heard some of the conversation and came over with a beer in hand, "You know, Susan, all of that success and where does he live? He lives in a trailer park, among his friends and some of his employees. He's not showing off or trying to one up anyone. He's got a big trailer, or mobile home, or manufactured home, but even with the big patio, he's sharing it."

"The good thing about sharing the patio is that I have friends here with me all the time. What could be better," I asked?

You could hear bikes coming. Charlie rode in with Shawna, next was Jim and Hanna, followed by Hank and Debbie. They put their bikes away before coming to the patio. They were all introduced and began pouring drinks. Shawna, Debbie, and Hanna settled for Cokes grumbling that having a baby took too long.

Susan asked, "Is it in the water here? I'd better watch out."

Shawna said, "We couldn't let Sue be the only new mommy around here. Kids need playmates. We are just providing playmates."

Hanna exclaimed, "I have wanted a baby since Jim got his good job at the dealership, but when we got our own place, it was all over. I have a job that I love and a great excuse to have a kid. I'm going to be a great mommy."

Mickey had stayed up and asked, "Do you guys let a lady ride with you, I mean, would you let me ride my bike with you guys?"

Charlie looked at her and said, "Sure, as long as it's not a ricer. Sandy and Mandy ride with us some times. If you want, though, you can ride with Steve in his sidecar. He's got a garbage truck in there that's a real harem mobile."

"I have a Heritage that I've customized some. I'd prefer to ride myself," Mickey said.

"Bring it over, we'll go out tomorrow evening after the heat goes down a little. We'll have to watch to see what Emily is going to do though. It could get a little wet if she comes up here."

With a smile Mickey said, "Thanks Charlie, I will. Now I really do have to get to bed. Goodnight."

Glenda said goodnight and walked across the yard. I noticed the spikes for the horseshoe games had been pulled up so no one would trip over them. The caterer was getting ready to leave, thanking us for our business. He said the keg out in the tent was empty, but the one in the fridge had just been changed. The other empty was by the shed.

Over two kegs in one night is a lot of beer. What a bunch of lushes.

The kids had gone to bed, and I could tell Kevin and Susan were tired. I thought to get them in bed so I just said, "Good night, guys, let's get up early and go to Busch Gardens tomorrow. How about it?"

Susan smiled at the thought, "We can do that. Come on, Kevin, let's go to bed."

I had begun shutting down the patio when Deanne glided onto the patio. "I've just had a date with my finance class graduate assistant teacher. He is so dreamy and so much a gentleman. He was on the basketball team a couple of years ago, and now is working toward his doctorate in finance. I think he really wants to teach. He's tall, he's smart, and he's good looking. Wait till I get him to come out. You'll like him."

Deanne gave Sue and me, a kiss vanishing inside the house. Sue and I looked at each other smiling. We locked up and went to bed, with me in the middle, trying not to disturb the sleeping Mickey.

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 21



Five hundred million dollars? That's a lot of money. That's a lot of equipment. I wonder how long it'll take to manufacture and ship that much. Too bad, I could use the money right now to pay for the land we just bought. If we only made ten percent on the deal that's still fifty mil. That's a ton of money.

Five hundred million dollars? We just did that, or Phil did that when Sue and I were in San Francisco. That's what Mercy heard. We're doing that much again?

What am I doing dreaming about money? I don't give a shit about money. I give a shit about this babe in my arms. Hmm, there are two babes in my arms. I really give a shit about this big titted one that is carrying our baby. I need to look to see what time it is, but I don't want to open my eyes.

That did it, I looked at the clock, five-fifty. I slipped out of bed, started the coffee, came back, pee'd, and went to wake Mickey by kissing her awake. "If you keep that up, I won't want to get up."

"Come on, sleepy head, you have roll call in an hour," I said, tugging on her arm.

She got up and, after using the throne, joined me in the shower. We enjoyed washing each other, getting the juices worked up, but not doing anything about it. She said, "You have to come to bed earlier so you and Sue can put me to sleep."

We both dressed, with me in shorts and T-shirt. Mickey and I had a cup of coffee on the patio with the light out, but the air on, before she left for work. I think she enjoyed the personal time we had together as much as I did. When she left, I primed the big pot and turned on the overhead light and the TV. I opened the sliding glass door and went into the kitchen to start a big breakfast. I made up six pounds of bacon and mixed up a bowl of six dozen eggs. I made up a big batch of biscuits and began baking them. With the crowd that would be here, I made sixty biscuits. That should be enough. I pulled the pile of boiled potatoes from the fridge and chopped them all up. Using some of the bacon grease, I began frying potatoes.

People were gathering on the patio. Glenda came in to help me cook. She always gets a kick out of me cooking and loves to help. I told her the only things left were the eggs and gravy. I didn't want to do either until most of the people were up.

I woke Sue, who also didn't want to get up. I told her I had a big glass of orange juice for her. She got up, unwillingly, but got up anyhow. I knocked on Susan's door and said it was time, and then I did the same for the kids. All I heard were grumbles. Their body clocks were an hour earlier than here but it was seven here, time to get up and enjoy this fine Saturday.

Tiny was making Bloody Marys for Ryan, Phil, and several others who were a little hung over. I love Bloody Marys, so I had one too. When Susan and Kevin joined us, they wanted one as well.

Glenda and I went in to finish breakfast. I did the eggs while she did the gravy. The potatoes and bacon were warming in the oven. I always cook the bacon like that, just not quite done; that way warming it finishes cooking it without over cooking.

When we began putting platters of food on the table, they were like a bunch of vultures. I swear we could have made twice as much. Maybe the next time we would. Nelda enjoyed her breakfast, saying it was really fun to eat here in the morning.

The topic of Busch Gardens came up and I asked around for opinions. Charlie and Shawna were in, Hank and Debbie wanted to go, Hanna wanted to go, and Nelda had never been. Tiny and Ruth were in, as were Ryan and Michelle. Phil and Judy wanted to go look at boats. Go figure. I told them to look for a big schooner for me, somewhere around a hundred footer. All I got for that comment was a "Yeah, right."

We would try to go en masse so we could tour the park together. It's fun in a big group.

Sandy and Mandy were having a big conference with Drew and Bob. Drew finally said, "I don't know whether I can walk all day at the park. I'd love to go, but I may not make it."

I said, "If you get tired, would you feel bad about using a wheelchair for part of the day?"

"No, I've had to use one lots before. I have one at my place, but not here," he said.

"No problem," I said. "They have them there that we can rent when you're done in for the day. Is Bob good to go?"

Sandy said, "He's always shy about not being able to hear or speak. I keep trying to convince him that there are several of us who can talk to him."

Michelle surprised everyone by going over to Bob and signing to him quickly. You could tell she was experienced. Bob finally nodded, agreeing to go. Michelle smiled, and as she walked back to Ryan she said, "I have a deaf brother. He acts the same, I know how to handle him."

I needed to learn to sign.

The park opened at ten, so we wanted to be in line before then. We were going to leave for the park at nine. We cleaned up the patio and everyone left to take showers and get ready.

It took Sue and me an exceptionally long time to get through the shower and get dressed, as I became overly interested in investigating how her pussy was doing while pregnant. A lot of probing was required, along with a special cream douche.

Tom, Al, Betty, and Joan had decided to join the masses and go to the park too. Susan said, "It's amazing how many people were here last night, and all those people just vacuumed the breakfast food up in an instant. This is an amazing place."

The day at the park was a blast. We rode the rides multiple times. Sue, Shawna, and Hanna wouldn't go on the big roller coaster, but did go on the little one. They did the log flume that gets you wet and the rapids in the round raft thing. We had some free beer for lunch and made the people make at least twenty pizzas for us. The kids had a great time. They loved the animals, enjoying getting up close to a giraffe and watching the other big animals. Nelda, Glenda, and Martin all had a good time too, as they patiently waited with the pregnant girls while the wilder people went on some of the scary rides. Busch Gardens is worth the money anytime you go. They offered a deal, that people could go back for an extra day within two weeks. The offer would not go unused.

On the way home, we stopped at a Steak and Shake. Sue had been begging for one of their malted milkshakes for a couple of weeks. I love those things too. Everyone ate plenty of hamburgers and chili, along with lots of ice cream treats.

At home on the patio, at nearly ten at night, everyone was bushed. I walked Nelda home before joining the others having a beer. Yawning pursued, so there were not many who stayed up for Saturday Night Live. Mickey said that it was strange hanging around the patio when no one was there. She asked if she could put her bike in my shed. We put it in with the other two bikes.

Charlie and Jim said they were going to the hot tub. Susan and Kevin said they were ready for bed, since it had been a long, long day.

By eleven thirty the patio was shut down, the big coffee pot was primed, and I was teasing a couple of freshly showered ladies. The teasing continued until we fell asleep.

Sunday became a day for the Lowry Park Zoo. Not as many people came with us, but there was still a bunch. Nelda was right there with us. I was worried that she might be overdoing it, but she said she was fine. The zoo is really a remarkable place to visit. They have a really big variety of animals that we looked at. Since it isn't nearly as big as Busch Gardens, we were home by two in the afternoon. At three, when Mickey came home from work, we piled into a bunch of cars and went to Clearwater beach for a couple of hours. Tiny and Ruth took Ryan and Michelle, along with Nelda. They stopped and picked up a nice swimsuit for her. She insisted on putting it on in the store, putting her shorts and shirt on over it.

At the beach, we covered everyone with lotion, especially Nelda and the folks from up north. It was four in the afternoon, but it was still bright sunshine. The kids had a great time running out into the water, swimming out a little ways, and letting the incoming tide wash them back in. They saw a few sting rays, but thankfully we didn't even see any nurse sharks.

We rinsed off the salt at seven and made it back to the house. On the way home, Sue ordered pizza and wings. We stopped to pick them up, along with a bunch of romaine, so I could make some salads.

The patio was in full swing. The twenty pizzas and twenty orders of wings were gone quickly. We were going to have to increase our order. Almost everyone had a salad. I was going to have to make more of the different dressings too. A big cheer went up when the Pizza Hut guy showed up with twenty more pizzas. There was very little left when we were finished.

Sue was busy with Susan and Kevin. She had them booked into Disney village, along with a five day excursion to the Disney area parks that included a day at Universal Studios and a day at Sea World. They would not be back until Friday evening.

The kids were so excited, they couldn't stand themselves. When Sue got me aside and asked if I wanted to go with them, I hoped I didn't go against her wishes when I told her no. I had far too much to do to go to Orlando for a week. We asked Nelda, but she wanted to stay around home for the week.

We finally settled down and put everyone to bed. Sue and I were cuddling alone, as Mickey said she needed to go home tonight. We enjoyed being alone with each other. Sue said she knew I needed to get some things done, but wanted to make sure I didn't want to visit with my sis.

The week went fast. Susan only called once, telling me they were having a great vacation. By Friday we had an architect's plans for the property. The first thing to do was to build the roads and run services to the planned locations of the first buildings.

We made an agreement with Perkins and signed with Holiday Inn for an Express franchise.

Wednesday, I was able to gather all of the contractor's various crews together in the big meeting room at the shop. Some were subcontractor groups and some had been his employees. I explained that I was going to act as the general contractor for the project until he was able to come home. We all understood the priority of his family over business. I was going to have to take a test somewhere, but I was determined to get this thing started. I told all of the workers that we would need them, plus many more, for this project. If I just put the job out to bid, I wouldn't get the quality I was used to getting from his crew. I wanted the building and the construction to be first class.

One of the contractor's men came up to me and introduced himself as Mark Jones. "Mr. Sharp, I have a contractor's license and would be glad to help you on your project. I'm a good worker and would prefer to work, but you can use my license to get started. This is a good hardworking crew. I'd like them to stay together. There are more of us, but a lot didn't show up because they didn't recognize who you were. I'll get them together."

"Thanks, Mark, I'll take you up on your offer, but I'll also need someone to really be the ramrod on this job. Someone who is willing to be the on site bully to make the place into a great job site."

"I'm not your man for that, but I have someone who is. He's young, he's black though, but he's good, and all the men here like him. He used to work with us and but went to college to become an architect. He's worked a couple little jobs, but he's free right now."

"Okay, Mark, get him for me. I'll bring my employment person out to the job site and get you all signed up as employees. Like I said, this is a long term project."

I thought for a minute, before saying, "Get your man to me as soon as possible, and tell everyone to come to the shop in the morning. That will be better than the job site."

The Holiday Inn people had their own construction company. I was going to have someone stand over them to make sure the place was built not only to their specs, but to my standards.

Thursday morning, a tall black guy came into the showroom, looking around. I introduced myself to him and told him he was probably looking for me. He introduced himself as Terrell Davis and said he had helped on the cleanup of the building and the first addition to it. He noted that it had two more additions now. He wanted to see the construction of all the additions. We walked around the building, looking at the work.

Terrell said, "I've never been able to see how your contractor could do the quality of work he does as fast as he does. He coordinates everything so tight that it's scary. But he sure does do good work."

"Terrell, I know speed is good, but I want quality more than speed. Give me a quality structure, the way I want it, and it's worth the extra time. I need you to build me a quality structure, and I also need someone to keep track of the Holiday Inn builders. I want that building to be as good as what we build. My agreement says I can direct it and have the option to accept only quality work. I need you or another qualified man to babysit that job."

"Mr. Sharp, I don't think I can do both. I can general one project, but I can't babysit another. I'll get someone for you though. I'll be losing a worker, but he's getting old anyway. He needs this kind of project."

"Get him. Are you willing to work for me, as an employee, to get this thing done? It's going to take a few years."

"That will make it even better. I won't have to worry about budgets for me, and having to skimp on eating while the job is going. Employee is good."

I took Terrell upstairs to Ruth and introduced him, saying, "This is the first of the new S&S Enterprises Construction division."

Ruth chuckled, saying that I better tell Tiny I started another company. I told Ruth that up to a hundred men would possibly be coming in today to sign up, and that she should call in her extra help as it could get busy. She said to have them wait in the cafeteria and she would take care of them there.

I talked to our blind receptionist and told her to direct any of the construction people who came in to sign up to wait in the cafeteria, and that Ruth would be with them soon. Two guys were standing there, so I let the receptionist give them directions to the cafeteria. I didn't know where it was. I followed them to see what it looked like.

This was the big lunchroom we had built, but it now had a kitchen with a serving line in front of it. The steam tables had some nice looking food on them. I'll have to eat here to see how the food is.

One of the cooks recognized me, saying he used to work as a welder but always wanted to be a cook. He thanked me for the opportunity. I asked him if we served enough food to justify the four people I saw back there. He said they did a good business because they served most of the four hundred people from across the street too. He said there were four shifts for the lunch crowd. He said his average was about four hundred meals a day for lunch. He said there was a continuous flow throughout the day for breaks. He tried to have some healthy snacks for people.

I wonder whose idea this was. This was really good.

When I went back up to Ruth's office, I casually asked, "How many people work for S&S now, not including the new men in construction?"

Ruth looked at her sheets, and ran her finger down a list, "Two hundred twenty-seven. We have over fifty men in the field though, so we don't get to see that many."

That's scary, over two hundred people depended on me to make a good decision, whoa.

I walked across the street after seeing the Mustang parked there. I walked up to Betty's office to ask her the same question, but the place was now all rearranged. Mike's office was first. He looked up from some papers and waved. Sue, Betty, and Joan were in the old president's office pointing at patterns. Farther down was a large room with cubicles. The front of the room had an office with a glass wall. Betty was inside the glass office.

I walked in and said, "Being an exhibitionist now?"

She giggled, "No, that's the way I want it. I want to be able to see my people and I want them to be able to see me. We're moving a lot of paper now that Sue has taken over. The billing and accounts payable departments are busy all the time. Betty and Joan are constantly bringing in new designs that we are incorporating into production. This place is jumping."

"Do you still handle payroll and hiring?"

"Heavens no, Miss Hannah helps them when they are hiring a lot of people, but June is in the office across the hall. She's in charge of personnel.

The door was open, so I knocked on the jamb. "Hi, my name is Steve Sharp, Sue's husband, I have a question."

"Hi, Mr. Sharp, what is your question?" she said as she stood up.

"Sit, please. How many people work here now? I know it's around four hundred, but if it's possible I want to find out."

"Oh, that's easy." She typed in some characters on her keyboard and looked up, "As of right this minute, including Mrs. Sharp, there are five hundred seventeen. The good thing today is that we had another day without one person calling in absent. We might make an entire week with a full deck. We are hiring again next week for the last two new production rooms. That could be another hundred, so I hope we can find enough people."

"Thank you, June, you've been a big help."

Over seven hundred people depended on Sue and me. This had been an eye opener today. I wondered if Sue knew the magnitude of her employees.

I passed by where Sue had been and she was gone. Betty looked up and smiled saying, "Sue went home. She's probably getting ready for lunch."

Back across the street, Terrell was downstairs in the shop showroom with a couple of men. I asked the men to wait a second, and took Terrell upstairs to meet Tiny. Tiny said they had already met and were going to work on the site plans after lunch. Okay, they were ahead of me.

On the way back downstairs I asked if he had his general license. He did, so we wouldn't need Mark's. I asked him if Tiny and he had worked out a suitable salary and he smiled, saying he was happy. I shook his hand and said, "Go get 'em, it's your baby."

I guess Tiny was serious about making this happen. As I drove home I noticed a bulldozer at the site where the Perkins was going to be built, and another across the street where the Holiday Inn was going to be built.

Nelda and Glenda were serving Sue and Hanna soup as I came into the patio. I walked over to grab a bottle of water and sat down, taking a sandwich from the tray. Looking at Hanna, I mentioned, "I heard you're going to try to hire another hundred people for the last two production rooms."

Hanna just paused and said, "I will get them hired. We have a training program that a lot of people want to get in on. With buses now stopping right in front of the building, it's easier to get people. We have six buses at night picking up people and taking them to transfer points. We're a pretty popular employer."

"I wonder whose idea it was to make a bigger cafeteria with a kitchen and open it to both sides of the street." I just threw that out there, wondering who would reply.

"That was my idea," Glenda said. "With all those people out there, you don't want them driving off for lunch. That would be a mess. You needed to keep them right there. You had the room in your building so we just made the cafeteria bigger and let that nice John be the cook he always wanted to be. Did you know he had taken a course in food service? He's really good. Don't you think it's working out pretty good?"

"Glenda, you're a genius. I think it was a great idea."

Sue looked up from her soup and said, "Is the food good? Is it cheap enough for my people, they can't afford a lot?"

Glenda answered quickly, "I told John that he had to serve a lunch for around two dollars max. I've looked and he usually has something for around a dollar and a half. Everyone that wants, can eat. He even has the register person take employee numbers if they don't have any money. They just take it out of their pay."

Sue commented, "That's a good idea. Glad you thought of that, Glenda. See, Honey, we need to go on vacation more often. Look at all the mischief these people have gotten into."

I was shaking my head, "I know, buying out companies, buying big chunks of land, hiring seven hundred people. That's a village for crying out loud. That's scary to know that over seven hundred people depend on us."

Nelda reached across and patted my hand, "You should think of it another way, Steve. Those seven hundred people depend on each other to keep the businesses going. You're just there to be their cheerleader."

She did make me smile. "I know I shouldn't ask this, Nelda, but how old are you anyway? I figure you for around seventy, maybe."

"No, Honey, I'll be eighty-six next week. You can help me blow out my candles," the sweet little old lady said.

"I'll be sure to do that. Glenda, make sure we have a big enough cake and a lot of ice cream. We'll make it a great birthday."

"It's already a great birthday, I don't have to live on egg money anymore, I have lots of good food, lots of good friends, and I have one of my dreams. I have a home in this park. I have it all now. I'm better off at this minute than I have been for the last eighty years. Now, all I have to do is find me another man. Wonder if that can be done at my age?"

Hanna, Sue, and I were chuckling, thinking about Nelda chasing some old guy down. Glenda was the corker though, "You leave my Martin alone. I use him up all the time. I don't think he could handle another woman."

"Well, I hope I can find one as spunky as Martin, but I want one of my own. I'll find him; I just haven't been looking yet."

Sue and I went to the gym and came back to go to the pool where Glenda and Nelda were sunbathing. Nelda was getting some use from her new swimsuit. She was active enough; I hoped she would find someone.

When we were done sunbathing, Sue and I swam hard till we were winded. Sue had slowed down quite a bit, but still chugged along. She was very happy and very loving.

On the way back to the house, Sue said, "Our people are taking over. It's really great. I think when we take your family home, we should take another short vacation. Let's fly up into Canada, perhaps over to Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, or New Brunswick. If we were really adventurous, we could fly up to Hudson Bay while it is still sort of warm."

"You know what? That's a great idea. We'll take off for a week or so and see some sights. We'll have to see where we end up."

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 22



Ben had called and said he had all of the formal closings set up for the Wainwright property. I told him he was a little late because we were already under construction. Ben thought that was funny and told me he would call me back.

He did call me back in a few minutes, "Why didn't you tell me you paid him already. What did you use for money? Sue didn't use hers for it."

"You're not going to believe this, Ben, but I have no idea. The deal has been taken care of by my CFO, and he's paid for the property out of company funds. I guess we had the cash. Oh yeah, I found out how many people worked for both companies today, over seven hundred." I hung up as I heard him choking.

I didn't feel like going back to work and I think Sue felt the same. "How about taking the little plane up and cruise the beaches. We can look over the new property too."

Sue was grinning, "I get left seat."

A half-hour later, we were flying over the new property at a thousand feet. We saw a moving truck out at the house site. The barn was almost dismantled. The man was going to town as he promised. We would have to mark the well; we could use it in the future for irrigation. I used my cell phone and called Tiny about the well. He said he was making a note, as that would save a few bucks.

We flew over to the Clearwater beaches amd followed the coast down to Pass a Grille beach. We saw lots of rays and a few sharks. It's really cool to be able to look straight down into the water.

We made a lazy turn and headed farther north. Some people waved and Sue wagged the wings. It's neat to show off a little. This was a nice leisurely way to relax.

As it neared four, we went back to the airpark, landing gently and taxiing to the fuel pumps. We topped off, filled out the books, and pushed the plane into the hangar.

These were good times. I hope life was as easy after the baby got here.

That night we took a bike ride. I had permission for Sandy, Mandy, and Mickey to enter the clubhouse grounds riding their own bikes. Hap recognized them all with a nod and we were all served a beer. Bear was getting out of the hospital and going to stay in Tampa while he recovered. He was going to get the rest of his medical help from the VA, so he was fixed. All seemed at peace. I hoped it stayed that way.

We went by Big Jim's before riding over to the St. Pete club. We were treated royally, as usual, with lots of the women there squealing over Sue's announcement that she was pregnant. We went down across the Skyway Bridge blasting up I-75 to get the gunk out of our heads. We had a good time, a good ride.

We were in bed by eleven. But sleep did not catch up to me until I was very worn out. Motorcycle riding seems to energize women. Sue and Mickey were still going after I was done.

Every day is a great day from the second you awake. You know why? Because you woke up, you were not pushing up daisies. Semper fucking fi! Ooorah!

That was a strange bunch of thoughts. Come on Mercy, Missy, give me a clue, mess with my mind to help me be a better person.

Oh Steve, you worry too much. Relax, enjoy your lady, ah, your ladies. I need to see you and Sue soon so watch for me.

That was too real. I heard Mercy's voice in my head, uncanny.

I opened an eye to look at the clock. The clock displayed five fifty-nine.

I kissed Mickey awake and headed for the kitchen to start coffee. I could hear Deanne's alarm going off in her room. I used the throne and joined a still sleepy Mickey in the shower. All she wanted to do was hug. She was too sleepy to even wash. I wonder how long the two ladies stayed up playing. I washed her, gritted my teeth, and turned off the hot water.

That did it. A string of very violent words ran from Mickey's mouth as I held her in the flow of the cold water. When I knew she was awake, I let her get out to dry off. She was still pouting while I dried off and dressed in work clothes.

Glenda was on the patio with the light on when I came out with a cup of coffee. "The honeymoon's over, huh? I heard that. I imagine half the neighborhood heard it. What did you do to her?"

Mickey came out in her dress uniform, complete with tool (gun) belt, and sat on my lap. "This asshole turned the cold water on and held me under it until he was convinced I was awake. I can't imagine how that luscious lady in there slept through it or why she loves this clown so much." With that said, she gave me a bone crumbling kiss on the lips.

We drank coffee while Mickey had a piece of buttered toast and a bowl of Cheerios. I got another sweet kiss and she was gone.

Shawna had been amused, "You know you're an asshole to do something like that. She was probably all cuddly and loving, trying to talk you back to bed, when you did that. You might have saved her a reprimand, but you sure did screw up a good time."

I took a big drink of coffee, "It's my job to get 'em up and get 'em goin'."

Sue came out the door saying, "She sure can make a lot of noise in the morning. My goodness, that girl has a worse potty mouth than Shawna."

That earned Sue a piece of donut in the hair. This place was going to degenerate into a food fight any minute.

The four pregnant babes were discussing names and who would pop first. They were still months away, but were already anticipating pushing a kid into the world.

We four future dads were happy to drink our coffee, eat a breakfast sandwich, and think of the coming responsibilities. That was a lot to think about.

Hanna asked, "Since Jim isn't on your medical plan, am I still covered for maternity?"

Shawna perked up and said, "Yeah, I didn't think about that."

Sue turned to Ruth, "I would think that you were, especially if you were going to continue to work for the company. Ruth, would you check that for these two?"

"Don't have to," Ruth explained. "I've already asked the question a couple of different ways for other employees. The plan covers maternity even if the person is a single parent. There are no exclusions. We had several choices, but until we get into financial times when we need to cut costs, we have the best. It covers everything."

Shawna came and sat on my lap, "Gee, Boss, you sure do take care of us. Thanks." She gave me a hug before she went over to sit in Charlie's lap saying, "Daddy, hold your baby."

The workday and week was fast and furious, and the Friday evening week's windup didn't have as many people attend as last week. There were still fifty to seventy-five or so, but not the hundreds this time. Phil, Tiny, and I were content with somewhere a little under five million in sales for the week. A couple of the welding trucks and five truck bodies put us at the numbers we were at. If you consider an average gross profit for the company, that's over a million bucks to work with, a nice week's work. It sure doesn't cost us a million a week to operate. I wonder what it did cost us a week to operate now. I don't think I want to know.

Susan and Kevin returned with two worn out kids. They said that they'd had the best time anyone could have ever had. Sue had promised to take each of the kids up in the little plane by themselves and let them fly a little to check out the beaches from above, to look for rays and sharks. Both kids were looking forward to going up in the little plane. Nelda said she wanted to go with them at least once, as she loved to fly. She was just another big kid.

Sunday was Tina's birthday, so Sue had some fun planned. She had sent Martin, Glenda, and me throughout the park looking for kids who were within a year of Tina's age. They were all invited to a big party to be held at the pool and in the recreation center. Sue had planned on having a local clown, and possibly a local magician, to entertain the kids. Hopefully, Tina would enjoy her birthday even though she wasn't home with her friends.

Saturday was fun. When it was time for us to go for a ride Saturday night, I put Tina behind me and Dennis in the sidecar. Sue rode behind Mickey and we went to Big Jim's, the Vanishing Point, and over to the Crab Shack, where we had grouper sandwiches, shrimp, onion rings, and French fries. I think the kids ate so much they were a little queasy. Sue, Debbie, Shawna, and Hanna were stuffing right along with them, claiming they were each eating for a minimum of two, and perhaps more.

We rode up to New Port Richey circling around to end up at home for everyone to watch 'Saturday Night Live.' Some of the crowd went up to the tub. I didn't think it would be a good idea to go to the tub with Susan and Kevin. Sue made note that Ryan and Michelle were reported to enjoy the tub activities a great deal.

We slept in a little on Sunday morning. I got Mickey up to go to work, but let everyone else sleep till seven thirty. When they all awoke, Glenda and I had a mountain of pancakes, about a hundred biscuits, potatoes, gravy, and eight dozen scrambled eggs. Glenda said there was no way for them to eat all of that. By the time we were finished, Tom was dragging the last piece of biscuit through the last little dab of gravy. Glenda was amazed.

Dennis and Tina were challenging everyone at the pool table. Martin took the challenge, as did Tiny and Phil. Even Kevin tried. Charlie and I easily beat the two, but then we were old bar players.

Around eleven, the group migrated to the pool for the beginning of Tina's birthday party. Someone had been busy. The pool fence had a big sign 'Happy Birthday, Tina, ' with balloons tied to everything. Susan gave Tina a sexy little bikini to wear today to feel even a little older. I don't know whether I would have done that. Some of the boys her age were having a difficult time not showing their interest in what was and wasn't covered.

They did the usual pool games including pool volleyball, some pool soccer, but all games with a bunch of teens end up with a game of chase. Tag, (oh sorry, I didn't mean to touch you there) you're it (or I wish you were).

About one, the smell of grilled hamburgers, brats, and hot dogs was enough to bring the kids into the recreation building, where a pretty good clown was blowing up balloon animals and pulling strange items from little boys' ears. It was amazing how many of the fourteen, fifteen, and sixteen year old boys had thong panties come from their ears. At least they were able to keep them as a trophy.

The candles were lit on the cake and lights were turned down low. A voice said for Tina to make a wish, close her eyes, and blow out the candles as hard as she could.

When Tina took in a deep breath and blew as hard as she could, the cake went "BOOM," and blew up into a billion pieces. Standing in the middle of the cake pan was Merlin, in his fancy robe and coned hat, waving his wand.

The only words that I could think of at the moment were, "Holy Shit."

Poor Tina had fallen on her backside and was staring up at the imposing figure.

Merlin used his wand to fling fireballs that banged on the floor all around Tina, as he said, "Come up here, young lady, you must be up here to celebrate your birthday."

With that Merlin held his hands up as if cupping her bottom and began lifting. Tina rose from the floor, squealing from what was happening. When he had her at his level, he commanded, "Stand up, stand on your own." This was all fine and good but she was about thirty inches off the floor.

Merlin commanded again, "Stand where you are."

Tina put her feet down and stood up straight even though there was nothing under her feet.

"Good!" exclaimed Merlin. "Now we'll show these skeptics some real magic."

Merlin appeared to float around Tina as she stood on air. "Hmmm, I'm going to need some more help." He flung another fireball that exploded at Sue's feet. She immediately began floating toward Merlin. He put her next to Tina with the command "Stand."

"One more," this time sending a fireball to explode at Shawna's feet. She immediately floated to be on the other side of Tina. Merlin turned to the audience and said, "I've picked two helpers that are each like grocery store sales. I get two for the price of one from each one."

Most of the adults got the joke and laughed. Merlin however gave a loud forced laugh, ending with his wand pointing at Tina. "Tell me your most secret wish. Tell me, I'll attempt to make it happen. I can do card tricks." His hand spewed, at a minimum, a deck of cards around to the audience.

"I can do tricks with scarves." He pointed his wand and scarves shot out of the end of the wand.

I can do sexy tricks and he pointed his wand at Ruth then said, "Well, I could if she wore any." He then pointed his wand at Michelle and panties appeared at her feet, even though she was wearing shorts.

"What is it, young lady, what is it you crave?"

When Tina didn't answer, he said, "I need a person that can see into your mind, let me get her." With that a fireball came from his wand and from a cloud of smoke came the suspended figure of Missy.

Missy appeared to float around Tina and put a hand out like the Vulcan mind meld and said, "Do you think your uncle would go along with that?"

You could see the suspended, standing Tina blush.

"You'll need his wife's permission," and she whispered into Sue's ear.

"You're a friend of the family, do you think it is okay?" he asked Shawna, and Missy whispered in Shawna's ear.

Merlin pointed his wand at me and moved me toward the group of suspended people without me moving my feet. "Hold out your hands," he commanded.

Tina floated over to me and settled into my hands. As soon as she felt my hands supporting her she threw her arms around my neck and kissed me. It wasn't a kiss from just any fourteen-year-old either. When she released me she was blushing.

Merlin pointed at Sue and asked, "Are you okay with that?"

Sue smiled and nodded and was transported back to where she had been standing.

"Merlin turned to Shawna and asked, "Are you okay with that?" Shawna smiled and said, "I want one too."

Shawna was whisked into a startled Charlie's arms, while Missy pointed her wand at them. A silver halo appeared around them as Merlin spoke, "Get your kiss from the one who loves you the most." Merlin and Missy sent multiple fireballs to explode at their feet.

Merlin turned back to me, holding Tina, "Did you get your wish?"

A red-faced Tina nodded her head, smiling.

Merlin looked at me, "Put her down, let her down gently."

We floated to the ground and I set Tina on her feet.

As soon as Tina was away from me he threw continuous fireballs at my feet. "You have someone incredibly envious of all your many girlfriends. You should be ashamed of yourself."

I was raised high in the air and encompassed into a barred cage.

"I'll just put you in a cage with this person who wishes to be with you." He waved his wand and a burst of smoke exploded around me. Missy was in the cage with me."

"Hmmmm." Merlin said with a studious look. "Wrong one, I think."

Merlin shot another fireball at me, high in the air. When the smoke cleared, Mercy was in the cage with me. "Better, I think my daughter can't make up her mind."

As the laughter settled, so did Mercy and I, as the cage vanished with us standing on the floor. Merlin and Missy joined in the laughter and, with a cloud of smoke, they vanished.

The applause and cheers was loud and long. It had been quite a show. Mercy threw out her arms and Sue seemed to instantly appear with us as a trio. Mercy threw out her other arm and Mickey appeared with us in her uniform. Mickey was totally confused, until Mercy kissed her, and Mickey vanished. There was definitely magic afoot.

Once all the clapping settled down, Missy came to the big table and said, "There is a cake ready to be eaten, the candles have been blown out in this case, and the wish has been granted. Let's enjoy the cake. Missy waved her wand and a smoke cloud encompassed the table. As it cleared, a large sheet cake appeared, with paper plates and forks next to it.

Sue was hugging Mercy, telling her how much she had missed her. Mercy was smiling, enjoying the attention.

The door of the recreation building burst open and a uniformed policeman came in. Mickey stood in the bright light framing the open door, "What the heck was that all about. How did you do that?"

Mercy went up to Mickey and gave her a gentle kiss. Mickey smiled, turned, and left the building. Mercy came back to Sue and me to hug us both.

Sue asked, "What happened to John?"

"He's not ready yet. He's the one, but it will be years before he's ready. We'll enjoy each other when we are old and grey. I want to live life, and have babies, long before he's ready to have me for the rest of our lives."

Merlin and Missy came up to us, now dressed in typical Florida garb, shorts and T-shirt.

I smiled at the magical couple and said, "You two did good. You were at your best tonight. Thanks for making Tina's birthday so memorable."

Missy kissed my cheek saying, "It is so much fun to do something like this. It is truly magic. What you saw and experienced tonight was real magic. What else my daughter did is not magic, but her emotions were rushing toward all of you."

I had to ask, "Can you stay awhile? I'd love to have all three of you for a while, at least a couple of days."

"Glad you asked, young man." Merlin said. "We're booked at the comedy house for the week. We're going to mess with Tampa for an entire week. Would you enjoy playing cards for the week while I'm here?"

"I don't gamble, Sir, and I certainly wouldn't take advantage of a bunch of people while you're here. I think you and Missy know me better than that."

Missy hugged me, "Oh, Steve, you are always so honest and fresh. It's so much fun to be around you. Merlin just loves to mess with someone with pure intentions. Just keep on that track and it'll drive him nuts. He always thinks that people are weak and will succumb to a bribe."

Mercy was on one side of me, and Missy was on the other. Both were hugging me. Merlin smiled and came to me and hugged me. Sue came and it was a very big five-person group hug. As we got ready to leave, Merlin said to me, "You are tough to mess with son. It's fun to use you though. Your image is easy to use for display in people's minds."

Sister Susan came up to me and asked, "You even have friends that are magicians?"

Merlin answered for me by pulling a rose from her ear. He turned to Kevin and asked, "Are you ready to have a great night before your vacation is over?"

As soon as Kevin nodded yes, Merlin pulled a pair of skimpy thongs from his mouth. "You're not supposed to eat them, you eat what's in them." Kevin and Susan were blushing. Merlin dumped a pile of condoms on the table, "Don't take a chance, use these to make sure there are no more of those little buggers."

Merlin and Missy played magic tricks on everyone for the rest of the evening, continuing all the way back to the house.

I asked Tina if she would give up her room, at least for the night. She hugged me, getting another kiss saying, "Of course, Uncle Steve, I'll do most anything you want. When I grow up, I might be here with you, you better be careful.

Back on the patio, we were all happy the day was coming to a close. Nelda was curious about Merlin, "Are you able to read an older person's mind?

Missy leaned over to Nelda and said, "They are the easiest and the hardest. Most older people are honest and forthright. But some have many unfulfilled fantasies or wishes that make it more difficult. With you, you need only to be around more men. Go to church, go to a senior dance, or go to senior events. You'll find that man."

Nelda was smiling broadly. "You did, you saw into me. That's what I want so badly. Now that I have all of the basic things in life that I need to survive, and have a wonderful home amidst so many new friends, I want another love of my life."

Missy was still holding Nelda's hand. "I wish I could materialize that man for you, but that magic trick can only be done by you."

Merlin and Missy put their suitcase into their room and said goodnight. They'd had a big day traveling here. Mickey and Mercy had already disappeared, while Sue took Nelda home, and I straightened up the patio. It really was too early for bed, but it seemed everyone had vanished early.

When Sue came back, she gave me kiss and said she was going to check on Mickey and Mercy. I was having a relaxing rum and Coke a half-hour later, when a nude Mercy stood in the open sliding glass door. "Aren't you ever going to come to bed? I really do want to enjoy you too while I'm here."

I shut down the patio and joined my wife, Mickey, and Mercy. Watching Sue with other girls made me wonder how close she was to just giving up on men and just enjoying women for the rest of her life when I met her. I'm sure glad she didn't.

As is my way of showing who is the most important to me, I made gentle love to my wonderful wife until she was hugging me, telling me Mercy wanted me too. Thank goodness the night was young since, when Mercy was satisfied, with a big smile on her face, Mickey wanted me to prove to her that she was not a lesbian, but a desirable creature to any male. I think I did that. It is amazing these girls could continue but they did, long after I fell asleep.

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 23



I woke at five thirty with an intense need to use the pot. Since I was on the outside of Sue, I easily slid from bed to use the bathroom.

I started coffee and jumped in the shower. When I was finished, I gently woke Mickey to see if she had to go to work. I didn't know her schedule yet. She asked if this was Monday, and when I said yes, she slid her legs out from the covers and sat up. I gave her a kiss and sent her toward the bathroom.

As soon as the patio light was turned on, Nelda came in the back door. Glenda came walking through the grass to join us as well. Once again, Nelda had coffee over tea saying she really did enjoy a good cup of coffee in the morning. When Martin came to the patio, he told Nelda that he and Glenda were going to one of his senior Elks club meetings that afternoon. He told her they have a great time and that there are many widows and widowers there to have fun with. She wanted to go, of course.

Mickey came out in regular clothes today, saying she was going to be on the lab staff all day and if she went to the field, she would be wearing a white coat with HCSO on the back. (Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office) She had coffee and some fruit, saying she might get something heavier at break time. By the time Mickey left, the patio was full. People were eating the sandwiches Phil had brought, and some were snacking on donuts.

Susan and Kevin were sitting in the glider, fascinated with all the people there in the morning. Merlin and Missy came out of their room and were welcomed by all. Merlin said, "I just love this place in the morning. I want to wake up first and just watch all of you come. It's so hard to believe so many migrate over here every morning.

Sandy said something that was so true, "Merlin, we've all become a family. Most big families start their day at the breakfast table. This is our way of saying good morning, and our way to make our day go well. Who knows when we'll run out of space? I'm sure when we do, that Steve will come up with a way for the patio to just get bigger.

"What do you do when it rains?" Merlin asked.

Ruth had the answer to that one, "Umbrellas, raincoats, ponchos, plastic bags, swimsuits, or once, someone just came naked. Steve usually has towels, so it's no big deal. It's just another day or evening."

Ryan said, "You know, you could not have this type of close neighborhood in a subdivision. Even in a condo it wouldn't, or couldn't, happen. Only in an old fashioned trailer park could this gel. Every one of you was ready for this to happen, and Steve was the catalyst. Michelle and I will hate to leave when the time comes."

Glenda was sitting next to Merlin and said, "When Steve first came here, I came over one morning and had coffee with him. Martin came over next. Steve met Charlie and Shawna, and shortly after that, they began eating supper together and sat around drinking beer in the evenings. Steve's second girlfriend wanted more people to have a party every morning, so I invited Ruth and Tiny. The girlfriend found a new guy that same day, and the next morning, Sue appeared in the rain."

Ruth interjected, "In a tiny, tiny swimsuit. It was a sight."

"Anyway," Glenda continued, "as soon as Sue and Steve got together, the place grew quickly. When they got married and bought this bigger place, Steve decided we needed a bigger patio, so he had this built and screened. When it started to get too hot to be out here, even in the mornings and evenings, he came up with the air conditioning trick. Just like you're here and are enjoying yourself, new people show up all the time. Sue adopts every stray she finds, and the rest migrate to Steve. Steve gathers people as well, like Martin, me, and Nelda. You see, Merlin, it's our magic."

"That it is, Glenda. Having this kind of good morning is a great way to start."

Shawna was standing in front of Ryan, "Wear some older jeans and an old T-shirt. Since you're not used to working with greasy parts yet, you're going to get dirty. I'm going to have you work with Sandy and Mandy. I think you'll be safest with these two. Some of the others are a little aggressive, and a few are very strange. These two girls will teach you how to build a motor. You may not have this type of arrangement in the other places you go to, but our motors are becoming famous. You need to know what goes into a perfect motor."

The patio cleared quickly as people left to go to work. Sue and Mercy came out, wearing terrycloth robes, and I got them both big glasses of orange juice and a cup of coffee. Sue usually only had a half a cup, as she didn't like decaf, but didn't want to drink the heavy caffeine.

Susan and Kevin came out to join the group after waking their kids. Their plan for today was to go back to Busch Gardens, or to go to the beach again. Merlin and Missy said, if you go to Busch Gardens we would love to go with you. That place is always a lot of fun. Mercy said she wanted to go too. The group decided to go there. Nelda said she was going with Martin and Glenda to the senior Elks meeting later, so she couldn't go with them. Sue thought about it, and said she would go with them as well.

I begged off, as I had several people to see today, and a few calls that I wanted to make to initiate some activity.

My first stop was the new office trailer that had been set up over the weekend in the front of the property. Terrell was inside the trailer. Most of the trailer had one long table built onto the side with various blueprints spread out on it. One end of the trailer had two desks. I guessed those were for Terrell and his crew boss or foreman.

On the wall by the door was a big white board with a sequence of events that he was working on. First were roadways and parking lots.

"Hey, Steve," Terrell said, as I came through the door. "The equipment for the roadway will be here any minute. The grade stakes are in place, so we're going to get started immediately. The people who will do the trenching for the utilities will be here today to start as well. I'll be putting in all of the electrical, communications, water, and sewer for this entire run before we even grade for the slabs. If we can get that part ready, I can move this trailer back in the park so we can dress up this front area. I want this entire front to look like a park. We may have a couple of places to advertise our products out here, but it should be classy, not gaudy."

"Did you come up with the man to watch the Holiday Inn builders?" I asked, as that had been a concern.

"I did, and he's over there right now studying their prints. His name is Darnel. He's about my size, my coloring, but no hair. He shaves his head because he thinks he's going bald anyway. He knows he works for you, so go say hi to him. He was in school with me, even though he's a lot older than I am, and has some very good construction experience."

"How are you coming with people? Are you going to have enough?" I asked, knowing good construction people are hard to find.

"I have enough to get the job done right now, but it will take a long time to complete the projects with the ones I have. Hopefully more men will hear about the job and come over. This should be a project that will last well over a year, even with a big crew. The big garment building alone is going to take close to nine months to a year with a big crew."

We heard big trucks pulling onto the property. It was the trenchers. They had huge machines that dug holes and laid pipe or conduit at the same time. The sewer pipe had to be laid properly and have an angle of flow. In other words, it had to be done right. The electrical and the communications could be in the same trench but electrical had to be at a much greater depth than the conduit for the communications cable. I watched as Terrell showed the foremen of the trenching and cable laying crews the paths for the cable. The communications and electrical stakes were green and the water and sewer were blue. All the road stakes were red and none met each other yet.

I walked over to the Holiday Inn site where there was a major discussion going on. They were trying to set up stakes with a survey crew. A tall black guy was pointing to the plat plan that included the road. "You must be at least fifty feet beyond the proposed right of way, that's the law, not fifty feet from the existing right of way. They are going to widen this road to six lanes with a wide median in the next year or so. If you build the hotel out there they will have to tear it down to build the road.

The contractor was being a putz. He said he was Holiday Inn and could build his hotel wherever he wanted.

I introduced myself to Darnel and the contractor and stated, "I asked originally that the Inn be at least two hundred feet back from the road. My idea was to have a more peaceful setting, with the Inn back within a park like setting. You know I bought far too much land so then why not use it? Let's put this Inn perhaps a hundred fifty yards back. We can landscape in front of it and cut down on the road noise even more. The back of the Inn," I began again folding out the blue print, "is going to have a pool and big deck area that will face an open park area, so the farther from the highway we can get, the better."

"That's going to cost a lot more to get the utilities to the site."

"Not really, from the estimates that were with the original plans, your cost estimates included running all the way from the corner up the street. The utilities are going to be right at the new right of way line, so you will actually be saving on that portion of the construction. Come on, let's make this one a show piece so you can brag to the company about the great building you built. I want it first class. Darnel is here to make sure it's first class. I'm sure you want to be proud of this place as well."

"I have time constraints, you know." The contractor said.

"Do you have an hour you can spare, so I can show you a couple of places? I think I can get my point across." I said to the man, turning away, hoping he would take the bait and follow.

The contractor told the survey crew, "Use this plat print and lay out everything about four hundred feet from the extended right of way. I'll be back as soon as possible."

I drove the contractor to the shop and walked him back to the welding area. Tim was working with a couple of new men showing them the way to make a perfect weld. "Tim, when you came here, what was your biggest complaint with other places you worked?"

Tim thought for a second, "I was always being made to work faster and faster. I couldn't do a good job working faster, so I just gave up making quality work, I just did it fast. Now I make sure that the work I produce is perfect. You would think it would take me longer but once I was dialed into producing a perfect product, it just got faster and faster."

We walked over to the body building area. One of the guys that had been at the original body building company was there. I asked him the same question. He gave basically the same answer but added. "The harder they pushed to go faster the slower our production became. Now that no one ever tells us to work faster, to just make it better each time, we're turning out quality that's never been seen before, very fast. We're not trying to make it fast, just good. It's just happening."

Back in the rebuild area, I asked one of senior mechanics why he didn't work for the big manufacturer any longer. "They were always on the guys to push harder to get more work out. We were pushing the work out, but it was coming back just as fast because we were not thorough. Here, nothing goes out the door until I know it's right. Another man will check my work before I turn it loose. I'm putting out more work faster now without any come backs, ever."

We walked across the street to the clothing plant. I found Mike and had him take me to the section that had been the worst as far as bad quality and seconds. I asked the lead seamstress what changes she had made. "Mr. Steve, when you came in here and said to us, no more seconds, you wanted us to clean up every mistake we made before we made one more of anything. You weren't mad, you just wanted all that garbage out of here. Then you told us to slow down and make sure of every piece we sewed, to make it perfect, just like that sign says. We started doing it your way and you know what? This shop is your top producing shop now. We just got the in-house quality award for the third straight week."

I took the contractor back across the street to the truck and drove him to the little Greek restaurant for a cup of coffee. I got the man a piece of pie and sat with him quietly as he ate. Once he was finished I asked, "Do you understand how you can get more done by doing it better the first time? Did you hear the common thread? You can push yourself all you want, but it will never be what you want because you'll know you cut corners getting there. You didn't build the quality building you wanted. Look to build the quality, look how you can plan and schedule your men and subcontractors so they blend with each other, complement each other, but watch over all of them closely so they do a good job first and not a fast job first. Good will make them fast. Fast will never make them good."

He looked at me and said, "That's an impressive couple of businesses you just showed me. I'll tell you what. I'll really work on the planning and quality you're looking for. I know the scheduling of subs is key to making a building go up right. My time on this isn't that tight, I was just going to prove to myself how fast it could get done, and how cheap I could do the project. I can see that I may be able to build it cheaper if I do it right the first time. You've obviously proven that point multiple times. Thanks for showing me."

We went back to the building site to find Darnel holding a survey pole for the surveyor. The contractor was impressed that my man was jumping right in to help. He went up to Darnel and offered his hand. "Sorry about being obstinate. Your boss taught me something today I'll try to remember. I'm ready to make this the best we can.

I drove back to Nelda's home site. The barn was gone and the house was up on wheels out almost to the roadway. I looked and finally found the well among some bushes. I pulled the bushes from the sandy soil and with a big magic marker wrote on the tank, "Do Not Remove." I called Terrell and told him to have his guys come over and build a fence around the well and tank. Terrell asked if the power was still on. I flipped the power on and the pump came on. The pressure gauge on the tank rose quickly. When I told Terrell it was he said he would send his men out there right away to build the fence. He said he needed clean water for the men and this would take care of the problem.

As I drove out of Nelda's old lane road, I noticed the mailbox was stuffed with mail. After stopping and getting all of the mail out for Nelda, I called Glenda and asked her to take Nelda to the local post office so she could forward her mail. She said she would do that. I called Tiny and asked him to get the power out here put in our name. I read him the meter number from the pole next to the pump. The guy who took the house had been good about taking down the hot wires. There was nothing dangerous dangling. He had removed the wires at the box, after the meter.

It was getting toward noon already so I went home to have lunch. Glenda, Martin and Nelda were gone so I fixed some soup and a bunch of tuna fish salad sandwiches with lettuce and tomato. When it was ready I poked my head into the workroom to find Sue, Betty, Joan, and Hanna busily pinning up a dummy with material. Hmmm, I thought Sue was going to Busch Gardens.

When I said, "Lunch" quietly, they all looked up at me strangely, then realized it was lunch time. "Come and get it, the food's on the table."

Actually the soup wasn't on the table yet but it would be by the time they got there. I ladled soup into bowls and took them to the table. When I finished, the four girls, plus the office girl that Sue had doing books, came out to lunch. I got iced tea and Diet Cokes for everyone, sitting to eat with them.

Sue told me that Betty and Joan had a couple of items they wanted to get into production quickly so they could get it out in the web catalogue. She had stayed to help speed up the process.

They excitedly talked about the two new fashions they thought would be good sellers. They were working on creating quality staple products such as a couple of plain blouses that would always be needed within a wardrobe. They wanted to have those products for the customers and retailers they were supplying. They wanted their stuff to be of superior quality though not cheap material, slapped together. They wanted the customer to feel the quality when they put it on. They seemed to know what they were doing, and I sure agreed with their approach.

After lunch, all of us, except the office girl, went to the gym. We worked out for a little over an hour before Sue and I went up to the pool for fifteen minutes of sun per side. Clouds were coming, so the afternoon thunderstorms were on their way. I hoped the folks at Busch Gardens were having a good time.

Back at the shop, I noticed that Tiny was working with a bunch of people who were going over files. He explained that he felt we should be audited again, since we were doing so much business, he didn't want anything falling through the cracks. He said he was satisfied so far.

Tiny took me into the big office and said, "I'm going to try to hire another accountant. That will make two of them. I'll take the one who's been here the longest and try to integrate him into what I've been doing with the numbers. I'm going to concentrate on the new development, and on how to help Phil develop some managers to take the load off him. I think he needs to migrate into a management role, where he helps close a sale and not do the whole thing."

"I agree with you, Tiny. We're getting so damn big that we have to add that layer of management. Don't let us lose sight of our goals and what we stand for. Let's work to keep the enthusiasm going among the people down on the floor. That enthusiasm is what has made this a great place."

"I know, Steve. I also know you're overwhelmed at our growth. I tried to keep some of it from you, but you can't hide a couple of hundred people. The growth has been natural, just from the business and enterprises we've begun within. That's probably why it has been so fast. Each new venture has needed support people and workers, which in turn, has increased volume that has encouraged new and more business. Just your original basics haven't finished growing. The equipment sales side has the potential to grow six to eight times larger than what it is now. We can house everything we're going to do right here for a while, but we needed the new distributorships. Those additions will be hard to control, but they will be big volume once we make them like this place. Just hang on, Steve, move your stuff into the big office and let someone take the lead downstairs. You might even want Debbie to take over. She has really grown into the job."

"I'll think about that, Tiny. I don't know whether I'm ready to drop out yet. I feel like we're on the edge of something big, but I don't know what it is. I want to be involved when it hits. I have a couple of ideas for some things that I'm working on. I'll let you know as they come out."

"Well, Steve, you can create all you want. We are cash rich right now, right on the edge of being able to completely pay for all of the new land. We have a construction loan set up from Sue's estate that covers everything all the way through the new clothing factory. Hopefully, as we begin producing, we'll be able to pay off our new buildings as well. I just want you to relax here and not worry about so many people. It's a natural progression. I'm a numbers guy, so I like to see the costs escalate, especially if the cash flow skyrockets at the same time."

Tiny left me in the big office. I stood at the window looking at the many people building our products. I was filled with pride.

Debbie paged me. When I called her, she said there was a lady to see me. I walked down the stairs to find an Amazon, not really, but almost. The lady was about six two or three, probably about two fifty, very big.

As I walked up to her she said, "You Steve Sharp?"

"Yes, Ma'am, I am."

"I'm no ma'am, but I may be who you're looking for to run your truck store. My name is Crystal Mendoza. Do you have a place to talk?"

I took her upstairs to the big office. I offered her coffee or a soda. When she said it's too bad that it wasn't after five, she'd love a beer, I popped a couple of Buds and slid one across to her.

Before I could get her a glass, she tilted the bottle up and drained half of it in one gulp. "Ahh, that's just what I needed."

"So tell me, Crystal, why are you what I need," I asked while I took some normal drinks from the cold beer.

She told me she had driven a truck for a few years, both local delivery and long haul. She had grown up in a trucking family and worked in a diesel shop for a few years. She said she had been in the army and had progressed through detachment leader in a transportation group before she decided to come back to civilian life. Crystal said she had finished a two year business degree at HCC before she worked for Penske as a sales rep, but they didn't like that she was so big and didn't fit their profile. Her next step was a Peterbilt dealership that folded because of poor service.

She said, "I think I'm as capable as anyone you could find, and I am experienced in all areas of trucking. I even know about the low wind resistance body you're building. Hire me for this job and I'll show you how a dealership should be run and what good service to customers really is. If you want to try me out in your body or mechanical areas at first, I'm game. If you want someone to go out to customers to sell some of your product for a while, I am game for that too. I know how to dress and act business like, even though I don't look it right now. Try me, you'll love the way I work."

"You know we are just breaking ground on the truck building plant. The next to go up will be the dealership. If I hire you right now, you'll need to work with the management here to help them in multiple areas. I think it would be fun to send you out to sell our bodies. We haven't had anyone out in the field selling them yet. I'd like to take them to a few more shows to get the exposure."

"Right now is the time to do it," Crystal said. "There are four shows in the next two months. Hire me, fix me up a demo, get me all the literature you can print, get me some give-aways for the mooches, and let me promote your product. I'll need to spend some time with your designer so I get to know the language, but I'll bet I can increase your sales."

"You know what, Crystal, I think you can. Let's talk to Ruth and get you signed up."

"Just like that, no app, no background check, no drug test?"

I smiled, "Ruth will do all that. If there are any bones in the closet, let Ruth know so she can watch out for the speed bumps. We do drug tests and I would hope that isn't a problem."

"You just surprised me is all. It doesn't take you long to make up your mind, does it?"

"Not when I'm looking for someone and they come to me," I said, as I led her to see Ruth.

"Ruth, this is Crystal Mendoza. She may be the person to head up either the truck dealership or the RV store. She's is going to do some sales of our truck bodies while we are building the dealership."

I went to see Debbie for a few minutes, waiting for Ruth to call me. I did some calls that really weren't necessary, but it was nice to talk to customers. I complimented Debbie on keeping everything running so well.

When Ruth called, I went to look for Jeff and Drew. Once I found them we went to the little break room they had in the big building. I introduced Crystal to everyone before I began.

"When we get to the new buildings, Jeff is going to set up the fiberglass shop so it can produce the quantities we need. Drew, you are going to be so busy you won't know what day it is coordinating mechanics, body builders, interior coachmen, and working with the customers, who for the most part will be in the hotel up the road. This is going to be a big operation. That operation will require a top-notch person to ramrod the whole thing. I am depending on you for the job, Drew.

"That's where Crystal comes in. Crystal will work the dealership in the beginning. I may have another job for her shortly after she gets the dealership running, but she's going to get it started. Before the dealership is ready, Crystal is going to go on the road to sell our low wind resistant bodies. I need for you, Jeff, to teach her about quality fiberglass construction. I need for Drew to teach her about the steps we go through, from building the body, through rebuilding the chassis, to finishing off the coachwork. Drew, you need to teach her about the engineering you put into the design. Make her knowledgeable so she can get our product out to the trucking community. The orders will come. I know we are back-ordered now. That's not a bad thing. As we ramp up production, we'll need the orders.

"And one last thing, guys. Teach Crystal what my theory is on perfection. Teach her what, why, and how. She's dressed for work, signed up, and on the clock, put her to work."

You could see the wonder on all three of their faces. They knew it was coming but now it was a reality. The big one was on the way.

I smiled to myself as I walked back toward the shop. Some of the people were beginning to clean up, so I beat feet out of there so I wouldn't hold anyone up.

Ah, home. Susan, Kevin, and the kids were already home. I asked the kids if they wanted to take a quick flight over the beaches, as I heard there were a lot of sharks out today. Nelda and the two kids rode with me to the Aero Park. We pushed the little plane out, and I preflighted the plane while Nelda looked over my shoulder.

Fifteen minutes later we were turning onto the active runway. We flew straight out to the north of the Clearwater inter-coastal island. I stayed at the required one thousand feet but flew at about sixty knots as we looked at all the shapes in the water. There were a lot of sharks. We could even spot some black tip. As we turned to go back, Dennis said, "Wow! Look, look, look at that big one."

There was a big hammerhead shark that must have been way over ten feet, swimming lazily about a hundred yards off St. Petersburg beach. I radioed into the Coast Guard telling them what I spotted. The radio operator said he would pass it along to St. Pete. We saw a few more big sharks but none as large. We flew back checking out the trailer park, wagging the wings while we approached the Aero Park. We took care of the plane and went home to enjoy the evening with our friends.

Sandy and Mandy were sitting with Crystal, Sue, Mickey, and Mercy. They were all getting to know each other. As I looked at Sue, questioning the situation, Mercy touched my hand and smiled at me. I almost heard her say, 'Don't worry, she's not finding another toy.'

Crystal was extolling my virtues of quick decisions.

Tiny had Terrell with him, feeding him a beer. They were deep in conversation. Deanne was at the table, staring at the tall Terrell. You could see the female antenna was up. I needed to make sure they were introduced.

The table had been expanded by Abe and Martin to the point that we were going to have to have two tables and not just one. We were having roast beef tonight. There were three big roasts. There had to be, there were too many people. We had salad before, and all of the vegetables you should have with the roast. There was just enough to feed everyone, and the real hungry guys, twice.

When the table was cleared and the dishwasher was going, chess games and other board games came out. Dennis and Tina played pool, while Merlin and Missy got into a scrabble match with Phil and Judy.

I was talking to Terrell about the contractor at the hotel, but gradually led him to where Deanne was playing chess with Bob. I explained to Terrell that Bob was deaf, but several of the people knew how to sign, including Deanne. I introduced him to Deanne and watched as he pulled up a chair and sat beside her as she was trying to figure her next move. Another person surprised me, as Terrell began signing to Bob who was smiling broadly.

I didn't have to do anything. Deanne and Terrell just fell together. I was walking back to the girls when Mercy grabbed my arm and said, "Let's go for a walk."

We were walking slowly around the park when Mercy began, "I'm sure you're curious about John and me."

"Of course, I am."

"Well, we really hit it off. We were really good with each other for what, over a month, maybe more. I even went back up to Alaska with him. That was a mistake. He became more and more nervous, and was so closed to me, that I couldn't and didn't mentally connect with him."

"I finally just sat him down and told him he had to talk to me. He said he's gay, not really totally gay, but mostly gay. He says he doesn't want a permanent gay partner, but he doesn't want a permanent hetero partner either. As soon as he began opening up to me, I was inside his head, seeing all of the confusion he has. He said that I was the first lady to really get under his skin, but he still wanted men. That scares me, so we parted. I'm sorry we split up, but happy we did before it caused too many problems.

You and Sue are my friends, my perfect partners. You could be my mates if I would let you. I don't think I'm ready to be mated yet. I do think I need the two of you, and now Mickey, to be my special friends as much as possible. If I can, I'd like to stay here with you guys for a couple of weeks, then I'll go back home and go back to work full time in the show. I like magic, and I like the show. Every time I need loving, I'll fly out here to see you guys. Would that be okay?"

I held her hand as we walked, "You know, Mercy, it's more than just me. It's Sue too. You have to ask her. Mickey just sort of attached herself to us. I'm still a little shocked over that one."

I turned to Mercy and said, "For you though, you can stay as long as you like, and come visit as often as you like. It won't be long before you'll have to share us with a little one. I know they take a lot of time and attention. I really like having you around, even when you talk to me in my head. You make me feel good."

Mercy said, "I can't wait till Sue has her baby. It's going to be so neat because it will be a little Steve. The kid will be gold, good luck to everyone around him, just like his dad."

We walked back to the house where some of the games were being put away. Susan was packing up to go home tomorrow. They were a little sad that the vacation was over, but happy to have had such a good time.

Sue got me off to the side and said, "I don't think I want to take off on a vacation right now. Would you mind taking your sister and her family home by yourself? If you want to fly off somewhere, go on an adventure, go see Dewey, do it, but I don't want to go right now."

I told Sue, "I'm with you, I don't think I want to go either. It's not the right time. Mercy wants to stay a while, so how do you feel about that?"

"I'm not the one to ask, Stud," Sue said elbowing me. "You're the one who has to take care of so many women. You're also the one who has to tolerate me and my appetite for them. I'd love her to stay. Mickey can't stay all the time, and she is really becoming enamored with you. You're going to have to learn to treat women a little more brutal, so you won't attract them."

"Not me, I like women, especially cute, little, big-titted, pregnant women." I gave her a hug. "Tomorrow is Nelda's birthday, we need to do something special. Let's talk to Mercy and Merlin, they might have an idea. I'm going to fill her living room up with flowers though, not just roses either, all kinds of flowers."

"You know what, that's what is missing out here. We need some cheap flowers on the tables. That would really be nice. Let's see if we can get that done."

As people began to leave, I noticed Deanne and Terrell were still deep in conversation. It was nice to see Deanne having some luck with men. Maybe this was the one she was looking for.

Mercy wanted to fly with me to take the family back. Nelda needed to stay here, and Merlin and Missy wanted to take the rental car and go out to the beach. Mickey had to work, even though it was her normal day off. Someone needed to swap and she had agreed to do it.

Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 24



When I woke in the morning, amid three women, I had Sue between Mercy and me on one side, with Mickey on the other side. I gave one of Sue's big nipples a suck, making her squirm, and moved over Mickey to get out. By the time I had made coffee, Mickey was in the shower. I pee'd and joined her. We had not even begun to play when Mercy came in with us. The attraction Mickey and Mercy had for each other was enough for me to be very aroused, but I was also smart enough to just quickly wash, give both a kiss, and get out of the shower.

I dressed in jeans, T-shirt, and loafers to be comfortable all day. As soon as I turned on the light, holding Nelda's birthday card in my hand, Glenda came, holding her cup and a card. Tiny and Ruth came with a card, followed by Shawna and Charlie. Every person who came had a birthday card. Nelda finally came to the patio.

"Some one stacked lots of vases of flowers outside my door. It took me a long time to put them in the house. They are just so beautiful. Whoever did it, thank you."

"Happy Birthday, Nelda," came from the entire group.

Once she was sitting, she was inundated with cards and hugs. It only took a minute before big tears were streaming down her cheeks. "Thank you, thank you," she said, as she dabbed her eyes with a hankie. "This is the best birthday I've had for a lot of years. I'm just so lucky."

The people leaving ate a quick sandwich, and I told everyone we were leaving for Cincinnati. Sue had gotten up to hug everyone before I loaded the luggage into the truck. I called out to the Aero Park and asked if the attendant could bring the 200 out to the ops building. He was happy to do it. Tips help. My sister, her family, and Mercy rode with me to the Aero Park, where I parked right at the plane making it was easy to load the luggage.

I re-parked the truck and began the pre-flight outside inspection. I still used the flip chart so I wouldn't forget anything. Once I was satisfied, I pulled the chocks and climbed in, pulling up the stair and door combination. I went over the safety stuff on the card and sat in the left seat to began the inside checklist right through the startup procedure. As soon as everything was spinning good and checked out, I had permission to taxi and takeoff.

The first thing I did was to call in the flight plan as the air conditioning began pressurizing the cabin. It cooled down quickly. We were only at nineteen thousand today because of traffic, so we needed to get there and home before the big clouds began to build.

Two hours later, we were landing. I had called a limo to meet us at the private terminal. We unloaded the luggage and sent the family home. Mercy and I pee'd, refueled, grabbed some bottles of water and a couple of pieces of fruit, and were back in the air within forty minutes.

Just before we were getting ready to start up the engines, I had an idea. I called Ernie Wainwright and asked him if he would like to come out to the house tonight for a steak and some birthday cake of a friend of ours. He said that he would be there but without the woman he went out with sometimes. He said the woman and he were not really compatible.

Mercy looked at me and said, "Are you trying to play Cupid?"

I wanted to try to be home as close to noon as possible. We were wheels down and locked at twelve, parked by the fuel pumps by twelve thirty, with everything logged and the plane in the hands of the happy attendant, with a nice tip in his pocket.

We made it home for lunch just before one. Glenda and Alice had taken Nelda shopping. They had also made her a doctor's appointment for a physical. She had not been to a doc for over ten years because she didn't have the money.

Mercy and I ate before we went to the Holiday Inn site to see how they were doing. The utilities were being dug in and the foundation was being formed before pouring. There were plumbers and electricians putting in the conduits for all of the water, power, and communication on the first floor. Darnel was checking the location of each item. He had his own survey transit and was double checking measurements. He was my kind of guy.

It looked like the pipes for the sewer were being put in for the hotel, as well as the buildings in the park. This was progress.

Mercy came with me to the shop and wanted to go back to see how Ryan was doing. Sandy had him polishing a head. He had been weighing and shaving parts earlier, so they were giving him a real lesson. He said it was really exciting when they finished an engine and everyone crowded around all of the instruments to see what the performance was. He said they told of having an engine that they had to completely tear down because it had a strange small vibration. He said that the cause had been a tiny piece of a rubber glove that had caught on a rod bearing. The girls had accused one of the gay guys of leaving his condom in there. Ryan was enjoying his time in the motor shop. A surprise was to see Michelle working with Shawna on a custom bike she was building instead of working with Sue's people. Michelle was bent over the bench, putting together a stator. Shawna saw me and smiled nodding her head at Michelle. Interesting.

We walked over to see how Jeff and Drew were doing with Crystal. Drew and Crystal were head first in a chassis the mechanic was working on. Crystal was pointing out how the driveshaft mid-bearing was wearing improperly because the U-joint was the wrong size. She was telling them that it wouldn't be long before the tranny seal would start leaking, and then the shaft bearing would probably freeze or the joint would break off. She said the whole thing would already have to be replaced, but the transmission was going to be rebuilt anyway, so it didn't matter. She pointed out how the inside left tires were wearing funny. She said it was probably a bad air brake release cylinder. They would need to look for the problem. Crystal obviously knew her trucks.

I asked Mercy what she thought of Crystal. She said, "That's more woman than I want. It's going to take a hell of a man to tame that one."

It's fun to watch the race day truck people go through the trucks. They have everything open so they can clean and restock. Some people are cleaning out the inside as others polish up the new bodies on the trucks. Most of our orders for the bodies had come from the race day trucks.

I asked Debbie how everything was going, and she said it was 'perfect, ' with a smile. I wasn't needed there, so Mercy and I went to the house to see if Sue wanted to use the gym. She did, so we all went for an hour, and while Sue went back to work on fashions, Mercy and I went to the pool. When DeDe and Star saw us, DeDe and asked me, "Do you have another girlfriend now? How come you keep bringing new ones around and you don't give me a chance."

"DeDe, we're just not meant to be. Sorry, Honey, you're built and all, but our schedules just don't match."

The two girls left and you could tell they were perturbed. Mercy said, "Those girls are not all that bad. They are both a little embarrassed they are dancers, but they both have good hearts."

"I know, Mercy, they just don't do it for me. I don't need any local talent when Sue keeps taking in strays like you and Mickey."

"Hold it there, Steve," Mercy said. "Your mind is what attracted me and made me want to be with you and Sue. And from what I heard, you were the one to bring Miss Mickey home. You can't blame Sue for your women problems."

"I didn't ask either one of you to stay, Sue did. She's the one who wants to keep the pet who followed me home."

Mercy punched me before challenging me to race some laps. We swam hard for fifteen minutes and went back to the house. Merlin and Missy were there, along with Ben and Beth. They were already getting into the good liquor early. I guess it was a good thing my sister left, Ben and Beth may need the big room.

Martin, Glenda, and Nelda came home from their shopping adventure. Glenda and Nelda both had some new things. I got Nelda a glass of iced tea, and began getting the steaks ready. I had bought forty good New York strips. They were all fairly thick and about twelve to fourteen ounces each. Some people would only eat a half of one, while most of the guys would easily eat a whole one and still want more.

Supper went pretty smooth. Forty steaks was just about right, considering several women shared one. Abe has a sixth sense about steak and eating. He and Alice showed up for supper as they were in town changing RVs. He had typed up separate appraisals of each RV he had rented so far. Abe was doing exactly what I had asked. He rated the mechanical characteristics; performance, ease of set up, auxiliary generator, all the tech stuff. Then he rated the inside: design, comfort, toys, cooking facilities, bathrooms, washer, dryer, and visibility from inside when riding and at a camp. We probably could have sold the analysis to a magazine. We wanted the information to make a good decision.

Sue thought inviting Ernie was a great idea. Ernie ended up sitting between Sue and Nelda, becoming fast friends. We found out Ernie was just a little under a year older than Nelda. It was a neat coincidence.

After supper, everyone gathered around Nelda and sang happy birthday. Then the fun began. Everyone, or every couple, had a gift for Nelda. None were large gaudy gifts. All were personal, something she could really use and enjoy. Sue and I gave her a television for her bedroom. She had an ancient one in her living room, but we gave her a nice one that could be put on a shelf that was in her home, just for its use. I'm sure Nelda used far more electricity having the TV on all night after that.

Nelda became so excited by all the attention that I was actually concerned. Sue was able to get her to take a little walk to calm down. Nelda told Sue that now, since she was eight-six, she might need to take it a little easy. They walked for over a half hour, and came back to have a huge cake with eighty-six candles. When Nelda blew at them, Merlin waved his hand and they all went out. She looked up at Sue and said, "I know my wish will come true and you'll have a grand baby boy."

We all had ice cream and cake. Everyone of us knew how precious life was by our association with Nelda. She was good for all of us.

Before Ernie left, he and Nelda took a short walk up the road and back. When they returned, they were both smiling. Nelda later told us that Ernie was going to come back out to see her soon. I told her to always invite him for supper and he would be here. He loved free food.

As it got late, folks began to go home. I took Nelda home and made sure she was comfortable with her new TV in the bedroom. The cable was already installed there. All I had to do was hook it up and plug it in. There were batteries included for the remote, so Nelda was instantly ready to fall asleep with the TV on the first night.

When I came home, Sue, Mercy, and Mickey were waiting for me with some kind of chocolate drink that they said was guaranteed to relax me. It damned near knocked me on my ass. We sat together and talked as a group until it was time to put me to bed. They did put me to bed, very nicely.

The big day was here. The first building of the new business park was complete. The Perkins was opening. We were invited to the pre-opening gala when the new cooks and waitresses experiment on invited guests. It's kind of a tradition that the tradesmen get a free meal at the dry run opening. The entire park crew was coming, in addition to the tradesmen and contractor. Ernie was accompanying Nelda to the restaurant. They were rapidly becoming a couple.

Everyone ordered from the main menu, but most took the hint and ordered the special. Perkins doesn't serve alcohol, so there was no beer with this meal. Sue was happy that there was a place close by that she could come for that midnight snack she craved so often. Shawna, Debbie, and Hanna were in total agreement.

As time had passed, Charlie, Hank, Jim, and I had traveled without our babes more often. It was surprising that Sandy, Mandy, and often Mickey, wanted to ride behind Charlie, Jim, or Hank instead of riding their own bikes. The sidecar was in use often with Mickey or Mercy riding in the sidecar and/or behind me. I don't know what the protocol was, but they figured it out. Sue was becoming content to sit at home and wait for us to come home to attend to her. The two girls never let her even consider that they would attempt to become my favorite. Sue was always shown she was first in my heart and first in my desire.

The next big deal was when the Holiday Inn Express opened. A hotel opening happens without a lot of fanfare. We came up with a manager who had experience and had a desire to make a place like ours enjoyable and profitable. We instantly had deals going with every business within ten to fifteen minutes of us. We would enlarge that area later but we wanted to concentrate on the local businesses.

The body fabrication shop was almost done. The fiberglass shop was complete and already casting body parts that were even superior to the parts cast at the original shop. The chassis area was huge and being staffed by as many genuine diesel truck mechanics as we could find or steal. We had so many back orders that when we began calling the customers in, they had to re-arrange their schedules. It takes a minimum of a week to pull the old body off, rebuild the chassis, and put the body back on. Actually that's really fast for that much work. During the time the work is being done, we put the customer up in the Holiday Inn.

There are shuttles that go into the city, and of course, there is the Perkins across the street. Hap figured out that a bunch of truckers at a Holiday Inn would probably like to go to a titty bar while they were waiting.

Son-of-a-gun if a no-liquor titty bar didn't open up down the road, staffed by a bunch of ladies that were easily recognizable if you went to the bike club compound often. The cops kept a close eye on the place, making sure the girls weren't selling more than lap dances. I'm sure many men with fat wallets were treated to more than a lap dance.

Hap's men were warned not to get out of hand and to make sure that there wasn't any wholesale prostitution going on in the hotel. The restaurant did a good business with the dancers and guys treating dancers to a meal. It's times like these that you understand why a lot of bikers have more than one lady. You might have one at home to tend the house, a traveling babe to ride behind you and give some relief when it was requested, a party babe that was available for a club function, and then there was the babe with the money panties. She might dance, hustle a little, or probably escort. Either way, she brought home some cash in order to get the attention of the biker and all his babes. Sometimes you had more than one woman in one of the categories, depending on your age or your club status. It was a pretty simple system. Did you ever wonder why there are so many babes who want to hang around nasty old bikers? Amazing, isn't it?

The business park was gradually taking shape. As the bodybuilding shop came together, the dealership was becoming recognizable. We had a deal with multiple vendors for the dealership. We had agreements with International, Peterbilt, Freightliner, Volvo, Mack, and Kenworth. They all wanted us to represent them, but all of them were apprehensive of our body business. None wanted to work with us to sell just the chassis.

Crystal began a campaign to get the trucking companies to compare bodies. We would buy a truck, do a straight conversion with a like sleeper, then run the exact same weight trailers for a specified distance. We wanted them to help us prove whether we were an improvement or not. We thought two new trucks would do the trick.

Kenworth and International were the only ones who offered to compete. We bought two tractors from each company. We converted one by just changing the body and maintaining the dash and instruments. We built out the sleeper to the exact specs of the original. We had to add about six hundred pounds of weight to match the other tractor as new manufacturer's product was steel and fiberglass, and ours was all fiberglass. The run was from Tampa to St. Louis and return. They each pulled about fifteen tons of freight. This was a pure cost situation with two experienced drivers. The one who drove one truck to St. Louis, would drive the other back. We lost some advantage by having to make up the cab weight but I was still confident our body would get better mileage.

I anticipated that the factory truck would be treated to special technical tweaks before we took off. As soon as we chose trucks, I had our mechanics tear our truck apart and make it perfect. Sandy and Mandy had diesel knowledge and made a race car engine out of the diesel. It was going to be as good as it could get.

The two trucks took two days to drive to St. Louis. The drivers switched cabs and drove back. The rides would be the same as they both had the dual air ride seats. The tanks would be the same as they were both original equipment. The trannys were both geared the same. All of the steering and brakes were identical factory systems.

When they hit our old yard, where we were going to tear them down, the tanks were topped off to evaluate exactly how much fuel was consumed. From that point it was easy. Just divide one number into another. The international rep didn't believe the numbers. He checked the extra weight sitting in the dog house of our truck and came back to look at the numbers. Our body produced 2.1 miles to the gallon more than the factory model. When he reported this, several engineers from the factory came to look at what we had done. They gigged us on radiator cooling capacity but we disproved their concern. They couldn't believe we had carried an additional five hundred pounds of weight, but it was still in the sleeper. They took the truck out on the road and drove it. They hooked the trailer up and drove it. They just didn't want to believe our patented idea was working.

We repeated the experiment with Kenworth. They didn't give us a choice of tractors so we tore this one down and let the girls do their magic on the motor. They said the quality of the build sucked. They felt like the motor was almost sabotaged. I didn't care because I had Sandy and Mandy to check the transmission gearing and the motor. When we weighed out the Kenworth, it was remarkably lighter than our cab had been. We discovered they were using a new aluminum body. No matter. We asked about their gearing but they wouldn't divulge what they were using. Crystal said the standard gearing that we had was as good as it got, so we trusted her expertise and got the truck ready. Their sleeper was not completed so we left ours a shell too.

Four days later, the two trucks were sitting side by side while the Kenworth engineers and Drew were calculating numbers. Our truck beat theirs by one point eight miles to the gallon. Drew figured if we had been apples to apples, like we were with International, we would be over two, possibly three miles to the gallon difference.

The Kenworth engineers wanted our engineering designs. We said we would be happy to sell it to them. They felt we should give them our research and technology. We owned the trucks so we finished both of our conversions and put them on our new showroom floor. Crystal promised that we would have orders for them within a month.

We actually had orders for all four within three days. International wanted both trucks back, at our conversion price of course, and Kenworth wanted their own truck back as it had been an experimental body and tranny. We made them buy both, which they did. We promised to warranty them just like anyone else.

Crystal was stunned. Her dealership had sold four trucks in the first week. But the big problem was that it left her without merchandise. Freightliner people heard of our tests and declined to sell us new tractors. Our deal with Volvo was pretty good and they delivered two day cabs and two sleepers in their hardiest over the road configuration.

We did the straight conversion, using all of Volvos equipment and gauges. We put a five year warranty on all conversion parts, and left the three hundred thousand mile factory warranty on the truck. We did change all of their trashy seats to the new air-ride seats. That made the truck very desirable. We were getting great money for the take off body and sleepers for wreck replacement parts.

We used all of the data we recorded from the two tests, complete with movies, photographs, and written testimonials from the two drivers to advertise. Crystal began selling about ten trucks a month. The big deal was she was selling about the same amount of conversions a month, and her service department was gaining a great reputation. Truckers enjoyed a day or two of leisure at the Holiday Inn with the heated swimming pool and small Tiki bar that my manager installed after we took over the hotel. The liquor license was a bitch to get, but then our booze volume wasn't going to be high.

The restaurant was going great serving nearly sixty percent of capacity every day.

Just as the RV dealership was being completed in early December, Sue decided she should have her baby. One evening, as we were all having a good time on the patio, Sue, Shawna, Debbie, and Hanna were comparing waddles. The whole place was laughing so hard it probably caused Sue to go into labor.

Right in the middle of a waddle, Sue grabbed her tummy and a large puddle appeared under her. As she groaned, but didn't collapse, Nelda was next to her holding her up saying, "Your water broke, Honey, it's time for your baby." We were ready. Mercy grabbed Sue's hospital bag and Mickey opened her big car door for Sue and me to ride in the back.

I called the doc and he said he would meet us at the maternity entrance at women's hospital across from St. Joseph's Hospital down on Martin Luther King formerly known as Buffalo Ave.

When we arrived, Sue said she was having some pretty good contractions. After the doctor checked her, he said she was nearing ten centimeters so it shouldn't be long. After a near riot, Mickey and Mercy were allowed to accompany me into the birthing room. Sue looked pretty serene, saying this was what our marriage really meant. She said she was so happy to give me a son.

Sue contracted. I helped her breathe right, and coached her through some heavy contractions. Finally, the doc said she should push, I watched as first the head slid out, next the shoulders, and the body followed easily. The baby gave a startled cry as soon as he was out of the womb. He was laid on Sue's stomach as the doc clamped off the cord and handed me the scissors. I clipped, he tied and the baby was instantly taken to be weighed, measured, partially cleaned, and then positioned again on Sue's stomach and chest. The little sucker was long, a lot longer and bigger than he should have been for having such a little lady for a momma.

Sue was crying big tears of happiness. I kept giving her kisses and touches until the baby was in her arms. She looked down at him and said, "I love you, little Stevie. Your momma loves you."

I watched the gentleness of the doctor as he performed the removal of the placenta. That kind of caring came only from pride of the work he performed. He said it looked like Sue would be fine and the birth was textbook. He would look at her in a few hours, but she should be fine.

Sue said, "That hurt, a lot. I'm glad our son is here. I hope our daughter is easier."

Sue had not uttered one word that she hurt the entire time she was giving birth. I handed my cell phone to Mercy and asked her to call home to tell everyone the news. Mickey said she didn't think anyone was there. She thought they were all in the waiting room.

They took the baby and shooed me out while they cleaned up Sue and the baby. They said they would come and get me in a few minutes. The three of us walked out into the waiting room, telling everyone about the eight pound four ounce kid that was twenty-six inches long. He was really big for the size Sue was.

Shawna looked down at her belly, while caressing her stomach on both sides and said, "I'm going to take up smoking to stunt your growth."

Martin came over to me to shake my hand and said, "Now you have twenty years of commitment and responsibility. Time for you to settle down. But you're doing fine the way you are."

When I could go back in to see Sue, Beth begged me to help her get in to see Sue and the baby. I asked the duty nurse about Mercy, Mickey, and Beth. She looked at me long and hard. I'll let you guys in two at a time. Why don't you just keep changing the visitors so you can be with your wife and baby?

I motioned for Beth and we went into Sue's room. Sue was nursing the baby. I was stunned. The intimacy of the act of Sue nursing our baby was paralyzing. It was a picture that should be painted by a master for the world to view and contemplate for ages to come.

Sue said he was truly my son the way he latched onto a nipple and immediately began sucking. She said the nurse told her many babies have to be coaxed into nursing. Little Stevie wasn't going to have any trouble. He only sucked for a minute before falling asleep at Sue's breast. Since she was partially sitting up, she moved the baby higher and gently patted his back. After a minute or so he did give a tiny burp. His first chance to nurse. His first burp. amazing.

Beth wanted to hold him so bad, but Sue said to let him sleep as Stevie had a big day so far. He wasn't going to sleep long so he needed to sleep as long as he could. Sue asked me, are you going to be able to take me home tomorrow?

My reply was quick, "Of course I will. There is nothing in this world that will keep me from being with you two for a few days. You'll get tired of me hanging around."

Sue said, "What I meant is, are all these other people going to let you be the dad. I think our friends all want to help too."

I swapped people for an hour until the nurse told me that it was time for mom and baby to have some peaceful time together. She said Sue needed her rest, and would be woken up regularly to feed the baby.

We all went home to congregate on the patio. Tiny and Charlie had bottles of champagne that they opened and poured into those plastic glasses that you usually only see at New Years. We toasted the baby, they toasted me, we toasted Sue, then finally I toasted all the friends who were there to share these special moments.

I called my sister and brother with the news. Mercy called her folks with the news. I called Dewey to see if I could catch him. When he answered I told him about the baby and he told me, "We're going to have one too. I'm going to want you to be my best man real soon. Can you come up or do you want me to come down. I told him I would let him know soon.

That night when the place settled down and the patio was turned off for the night, I lay between two ladies thinking of my Sue and the baby. I wondered how his mom was going to explain all of these aunts. I went to sleep with a head on each shoulder and the two ladies lying against me.

Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 25



I awoke energized; thinking of everything that I needed to do to ensure my wife and baby were going to be safe and comfortable. The thought of getting a regular house passed across my thoughts. But I thought Sue and I lived here because of our friends. If we need a permanent structure, we'll build it right here. It's our joint, it's our land to do with as we please.

This was a significant thought. It was the first time I was happy to have a wife with the money she had. If we needed something, it probably wasn't out of our reach. I wondered whether these thoughts would make me approach life any differently.

After sliding out of bed and starting coffee, I was joined in the shower by sweet Mickey. She is so cuddly in the morning when she first wakes up. If she didn't have to go to work, I would take her back to bed and gently make love to her until she cried uncle.

We both dressed joining Glenda on the patio. We were a little late getting out there. Mickey had some cereal and toast before taking off for roll call.

Mercy had been smart enough to get a bunch of the newborn pictures of Stevie. Walgreen's photo department helped with a few more. Everyone who was there received a picture of homely little Steve Jr. I told myself that I would apologize to the kid that it was not I that named him. That Jr. thing is tough to be hung with.

While I had been at Walgreen's I did pick up four boxes of cigars that I handed out liberally. I saved a few for Gene and his men, but generally everyone I knew locally had a cigar to celebrate the birth of my child.

I was back at the hospital by nine. Sue and the baby were doing what they would often be doing. Sue was nursing Stevie. Would it become me Steve, him Stevie, or him being Jr? What a mess!

Sue had a serene look on her face as she gazed down at our son. She looked at me and smiled warmly, and looked back down as his little mouth worked to bring the life giving juices to him. He worked very hard for a few more minutes and fell asleep. This was hard work for him.

Sue was about to begin burping him, but stopped, held out a napkin for my shoulder, then held up our Stevie to me to burp. I put him on my shoulder and gently patted his back for a minute or so until he gave a quite loud ungentlemanly burp. He would fit right in with his dad's biker buddies.

Sue said that I should probably put him down in his bassinet now that he had burped. I laid him on his tummy with his head to one side and his two little hands in fists up by his head. He was sleeping peacefully, tired from working for his breakfast.

"He eats about every two hours," Sue told me. "The nurse said he would begin eating more at a time and begin sleeping longer intervals. We will try to keep him awake and stimulate him soon so that he will sleep longer at night after his last feeding. He's not eating enough yet to drain me. Hand me that pump over there so I can express what he didn't eat. I need to drain these things so I keep making more milk. It won't be long until he will want more than I can make.

As Sue used the breast pump she said, "When we get home, I hope you can help drain these things. I think it would be a lot sweeter that you suck them dry, rather than me using this cold pump."

Weird, the thought of sucking the milk from Sue's breasts had my interest way up. Up enough that Sue noticed. "So you would like to help me that way?"

I was caught, "Is that bad? The thought of it does get my motor running."

"It makes me hot too. But it will be about six weeks before you can satisfy this itch that's suddenly appeared."

I smiled lovingly at my wife, "I'm sure what the Doc's talking about is me poking around in you. I think we can make you a little more comfortable when we get home."

"I sure hope so," Sue said and looked at our son. "So far, this is everything that I thought it was going to be and everything that I could have wanted."

We kissed and I sat down with the bassinet between Sue and me. Sue continued, "I did better than I thought I would in controlling my weight. I know I was looking like a meatball with legs, but I should be able to get back in shape within three to six months. You'll have to help me by making me go to the gym nearly every day, though."

Sue looked down at her sleeping baby and said, "As soon as I'm back in shape, maybe even before then, we're going to work on a brother or sister for him. I want our kids to be close in age. You should have given me quads or quints. That way I would only have had to do this once."

I asked Sue, "What do you think about getting someone experienced to help you care for him? I know you want to continue with your business, so you will probably need some help.

"I'll do most everything for him for the first month or so. You need to be with him as much as possible through this bonding time as well."

The Doc came in and gave Sue a very thorough check. He said she could go home, and should as soon as the pediatrician released Stevie. About an hour later little Steve woke up. He wiggled around in his bassinet and made smacking noises with his mouth.

I was about to pick him up when a nurse or aide came in and said, "He's right on time. I'm sure he needs to be changed so let me do that real quick." She turned to me and said, "You should probably pay attention to learn how to do this so you can help out at home."

Sue said, "Can I do it? I've never changed a baby's diaper before. I want to make sure I do it right. I watched you the last three times you did it"

Standing a little unsteadily, Sue picked up the baby and put him on the changing table. She gently took his diaper off, wiped him with baby wipes, and patted him dry with a soft baby towel. Once he was clean, Sue slid a diaper under him, folded the front up, then used the self sealing tabs to hold the diaper in place. The finishing touch was wrapping him in a blanket. Sue left his arms out of the wrap, saying she wanted him to be able to move them while he ate.

The whole process didn't take but a minute or so, and the little one was quiet the whole time, just smacking his lips and making sucking motions. Just about the time he began making some "uh, uh" noises, Sue was putting him on the bed so she could place herself in position to nurse him. Sue wiped off both breasts, picked Stevie up, and laid him with his face near a large milk-drooling nipple. He eagerly sucked it into his mouth and began eating with his little arms and fists wiggling around.

As Sue's face began to soften into that super serene look, the nurse said, "You did a good job for your first diaper change. As he grows he might become more difficult to change, but you'll be a pro at it by then. You do have an eager eater though. The way he eats, he'll be sleeping through the night soon."

The nurse straightened up and said, "The pediatrician will be here in a few minutes. I'm sure you'll be going home, so you might consider what you want to wear when you leave. Mr. Sharp, have you taken care of business at the office here?"

When I nodded yes, she said, "Good, all you'll have to do is to take your family home then. I'll see you in a few minutes."

Sue looked up from being fascinated with the way Stevie was eating. "The truck is going to be difficult to step up into. We need a regular car sometimes."

"I rented a Ford Crown Victoria like Mickey has to see if that is the kind of car we would want. We'll just keep renting different ones until we find what we like. I figured you wouldn't want to be climbing up into the truck. I also have a new baby seat that is already belted into the back seat. The car is ready, the house is ready, and I'm ready."

Sue nursed for almost ten minutes, and when the little mouth quit sucking, she placed him on her shoulder and gently patted him until he gave a very un-baby like burp. It was great timing as the pediatrician came through the door with the nurse in time to hear the results of Sue feeding and burping the baby.

The doctor took the baby, unwrapped him, and took the diaper off to check the recently cut umbilical cord. He gently turned the baby many different ways, looking at him, touching him, and checking his features and response.

"You have a very healthy boy, Mr. and Mrs. Sharp. He's eating well and you're milk is obviously satisfying him. The tests of your expressed fluids are very impressive, very healthy. I want to see the baby in two weeks, unless you need me before then. Please make an appointment with my office. Continue to nurse him on demand and you might wish to make notes when you change him, as later today or tomorrow, he will probably take a pretty healthy dump. If you will keep a record for me as to day and time when you feed and change him, and if he has had a bowel movement, I'll be able to gauge his progress. If he does not have a bowel movement within, say three days, you should bring him in to see me."

He turned to me to shake my hand, "Congratulations, Mr. Sharp, enjoy your son. Mrs. Sharp, I can tell you will be a doting mother. Just relax with him. The more relaxed you are with him, the more relaxed he will be with you. Now go home, begin your new life."

Sue elected to put on a heavy robe over her gown to go home instead of putting on a dress. An aide came in with a wheelchair for Sue. Once Sue sat in the chair, the baby was placed in her arms. I gathered up all the odds and ends they were sending us home with and followed them down, riding an elevator.

I ran to get the car and pulled in front of the doors where Sue and Stevie were waiting for me. When Sue was at the car, I took Stevie and placed him in the infant car seat and strapped him in. Next I helped Sue into the back seat to sit next to the baby.

Driving home, I felt the weight of the additional responsibility of having a tiny baby to protect. Just watching Sue's face made me know how special this was for her.

Glenda, Nelda, Mercy, and Beth met us when we pulled up to the house near the front patio door. First, I helped Sue get out of the car and slowly walk into the patio. She wanted to sit outside for a few minutes. I took the baby from the car seat, and brought him in. Sue didn't get to take him. Beth was immediately in possession of the baby, holding him, looking at him lovingly, and saying sweet things to him.

Glenda finally got her turn to hold the baby. She held little Stevie lovingly and kissed him on his forehead before handing the baby to Nelda. Nelda held the baby for a few minutes, talked to him, and carried him to Sue. Mercy, who had been getting Sue a cup of coffee and one of the small pieces of pastry from this morning, was sitting with Sue watching her with the baby.

Sue held the baby toward Mercy and said, "Hold him a little, let him feel your love too." Mercy sat there with moist eyes rocking the baby on her chest.

Sue said, "I guess we should let him lay in bed a little while so he rests. This is probably a lot of stimulation for him too."

I said that I would put him in his bassinet. Sue said she would go in to watch him and I said, "Stay right here. See that monitor over the big TV, it is complete with sound. You have a monitor in our bedroom, kitchen, and in the workroom. You can see and hear him wherever you are. I took the baby and carried him to the prepared baby bed and laid him down. Stevie was taking all the jostling well and was still asleep. Once he was settled, I turned and in a very soft voice said, "See, you can hear any noise in here." I took my pen from my pocket and dropped in onto the changing table. I smiled and waved at the camera then went back to the patio."

Sue asked, "When did you get this done?"

"This morning. The security people were scheduled to do this tomorrow but you beat them to the draw. They just changed their schedule."

"This is perfect. I'll be able to watch him every minute," Sue said.

Mercy offered, "You don't have to watch him every minute, he'll be fine. He's a very healthy boy."

We had lunch, and when Stevie began making some noises, I went to change him and bring him out to Sue. Mercy followed me in and said she would do it, but I said I needed to be sure to do my share. I should have let her as the little bugger had taken his first dump. He sure was messy. It took half a box of baby wipes, but I got him cleaned up with a fresh diaper and fresh baby T-shirt on him. When I brought him out to Sue, the ladies where laughing that I got to clean up the kids first messy diaper. Yuk!

I went to wash my hands and bring Sue her booby cleaning stuff. Once cleaned, Sue opened her robe and gown, letting the little one latch on to a nipple with his rapidly sucking mouth. The ladies were all impressed as to what an eager eater he was.

The rest of the day was a continuous stream of people coming to see the baby. He was probably held by fifty people and cooed over by at least that many more women. Most of the women from the shop came by and probably fifty women from the clothing plant came. Thank goodness we had the monitors and that they were big as it satisfied many of them to just be able to see him on the TV screen.

Throughout the day, I'm sure Stevie's picture was taken easily near five hundred times. I'm glad we had the digital camera as I was able to get some decent pictures while he was awake. Sue told me not to take pictures of her nursing while so many were around. She wasn't bashful about whipping out a tit for the hungry mouth any time he was hungry though, but preferred it to be a little more private.

In the late afternoon, Mercy took Sue into the bedroom and helped her shower and wash her hair. Sue dressed in a soft, button front cotton dress she said was designed just for this time in Stevie's life. The front had bigger than usual buttons that easily came undone and re-buttoned. Once undone, the front of the dress folded down to expose either or both sides of Sue's chest.

Sue ate well at the evening meal and drank plenty of healthy fluids to keep the milk supply going. She said that even as hungry as our son had been, and as well as he had been eating, she was going to have to drain her breasts more as they were very uncomfortable since Stevie could not eat that much yet.

I wasn't aware of it at the time, but Mercy had helped Sue express milk herself. Mercy later told me that Sue had expressed over a cup of milk from each breast. They had saved it and put it into the refrigerator. There were newborns that needed that rich milk but their mothers were unable to nurse. A service was going to pick up all the extra milk we had on a daily basis for two weeks. I didn't know people did that.

Shawna and Debbie were going to be popping within a month or so, and Hanna was beginning to show very nicely too. Sue's new maternity line was being well tested by friends, right here in the park.

Since Mickey, Mercy, Samantha, and Deanne were still living with us, there was a ton of help. Those girls didn't leave Glenda anything to clean up any more.

Deanne was on edge emotionally. Terrell had asked her to marry him. Deanne really loved him but didn't know whether she wanted to marry yet. She said she just didn't know whether she was ready to settle down. Poor Terrell was so confused. He and I had to have many talks after work in the evenings. Deanne was weakening as Terrell began saying that if they wanted private time together, she needed to come to his place. He felt that they should be more circumspect about him staying over. Deanne wanted his loving, but also enjoyed the late night hot tub adventures with Debbie, Hank, and others who joined them.

I made the suggestion to Deanne that she have Terrell stay over and initiate him into the hot tub fun. That way she could have both. It must have worked, as Terrell became a popular novelty among the hot tub set. Deanne, seeing that her sex life would continue, committed to Terrell and they set a date to have an April wedding.

Christmas in the trailer park became a festive time. Two weeks before Christmas, everything stationary was decorated. There were red bows throughout the park, with big foam bells hanging on the street lights. The patio was graced with a very full tree set up between the table and the front doors. It was agreed that any presents should be either home made or under five dollars. This was the best way for everyone to join in. The tree soon had literally hundreds of small wrapped gifts under the fir bows.

On Christmas Eve, we sang Christmas carols, drank eggnog, kissed under the mistletoe, and exchanged gifts. This was a special Christmas for me. A new wife, a new baby, and a whole new life. I had even made contact with my family.

The big surprise came from Samantha and Mickey. The closeness of our living conditions gave the two of them many opportunities to enjoy each other. Mickey was quite a bit older than Samantha, but that seemed to fit them in their relationship. They were making plans to buy a trailer and set up housekeeping together. Both said they would like to remain intimate friends with Sue and me, but they had both agreed that we were going to be their only bi exception. We were losing tenants fast. It actually was a good thing.

In early February, Shawna gave birth to little Charlie and Debbie gave birth to Robert. Hank insisted that there would be no Hank juniors. Little Charlie had instantly become CJ for Charles Junior. You wouldn't have believed how proud both of these guys were. The two little redheads had blown up a little on top to provide extra space for the needed juices.

It became common place for the three women to be sitting on the patio all nursing at the same time. I took many photos of this group feeding even though the ladies protested. It was too neat to pass up.

Hanna was catching up. I couldn't believe how much weight she put on. She went from a skinny hundred and ten to near a hundred and fifty. She was going to have to really work to get her weight back down.

The Millennium came and went without the world coming to an end. I never did believe it was going to be that big of a deal. Our New Year's Eve celebration was more reverent than wild. I think we all thought we had been blessed this past year.

While all this baby making was happening, our business world grew, and the business park development continued at a rapid rate.

The new truck dealership, now complete and open under Crystal's rule, was doing pretty well. The tractor body dealership and manufacturing plant were complementing each other, as the mechanical work on the chassis was completed at the truck dealership. There was no need to duplicate personnel.

The RV dealership was just about complete. Abe had found three lines that he thought were the best. It took Alice and Abe almost six months to narrow down the brands. My original thought was to move Crystal to the RV dealership and let Drew run the tractor dealer with the body unit. The body unit was doing enough business that Drew was in demand all day, everyday. Crystal, however, seemed to have the ability to plan her time well, and my thought was now to see if she could manage both. The two places would share mechanics, along with the body unit. The RV dealership could also share coachmen with the body unit. The businesses should complement each other. The one facet of the trucking business I did not address originally was refrigeration. It soon became a necessity to make space for, and hire, refrigeration mechanics. We ended up being able to use them throughout the system, but it had been an item that I had not considered.

The back business/shop mall, as I called it, was being completed. I had purchased a small chrome shop from a man who was retiring. He had two good men that were the seed for me to move the shop to our mall and begin training new people. We ended up having to get a lot of new equipment but soon, we were doing all the chrome work for the rebuilds, as well as custom chrome work on demand.

Charlie's friend, Billy, the machinist, moved his shop into the business mall and lured some of his peers to move in as well. Billy was planning to use the other machinists to work together on larger bids.

A big move was to build a medium size manufacturing facility and showroom for the golf carts. Since we manufactured and sold both gas and electric carts, we decided to use gas carts all over the park. Our park security used carts to patrol the roads and check on the businesses at night. The body plant was working two shifts so the only time it was unattended was from about one in the morning to six thirty.

Because of the demand, the truck and RV maintenance shops became twenty-four-hour a day facilities too. Trucks needed to get back on the road. People who needed our services for their RV were usually in a hurry to get them repaired so they could continue on their trip. All of this activity became the initial reason the Perkins began staying open twenty-four hours.

The big clothing plant was being built in four phases. The first building that went up took over the maternity lines and became a giant T-shirt factory with some automated screen printing equipment. We were now able to produce all of our own T-shirts, plus we had manufacturing room to custom make shirts for other companies.

Terrell and Darnel had over a year to look forward to continued employment, as it would take at least that long to complete the huge new clothing plant.

After the completion of the golf cart facility, we remodeled the building where the golf carts had been to make it a plant where we manufactured utility truck bodies exclusively. They became self-contained, cutting, forming, welding, and painting their own sheet metal. With over forty men and a half dozen support people, we were producing multiple types of bodies and offering them from our new on-site showroom.

Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 26



One nice February morning, while I was up early having coffee, Glenda walked over and sat with me.

"Congratulations, Steve," she said simply.

When I looked at her quizzically she said, "It was a year ago today that you rented that little trailer from Abe."

She patted my hand and said, "You have come a long, long way in a year. It seems like it has been a lifetime since you first came. We may need to have a celebration."

"You know, Glenda, that little patio became too small for us pretty fast. This big patio has become too small for us now. I've been trying to figure out how to enlarge the space without taking away the big yard we have. I need to work on it, since the maximum of twenty people that I thought we could possibly grow to be, we have grown until we have well over thirty every morning and evening. And now we're adding kids. We could use almost double the space we have right now. I would like to have more space for the big rockers and perhaps a couple of love seats or couches. The table needs to be doubled, in two rows, or maybe even three. I'll think on it and come up with something."

As the people began coming in, Charlie, Tiny's Dad, gave me the answer. "The two homes on the other side of your carport are leaving for some land they bought. I'm going to have the spaces on the other side of Charlie for Hank and Debbie's new place and a space on the other side of them for Mickey and Samantha. They've already made a deal on homes, they are just waiting for the space to open. I'm telling you all this because I've been seeing how busy this place is. Why don't you have a custom place built, say with sixteen-foot sections, and keep the seventy-two feet. That would give you a place forty-eight by seventy-two. I'm sure you could design it to be more efficient than your space is right now. Anyway, move the house over a space, and double the size of the patio. That should take care of the space requirement. If it doesn't, then you're going to have to build some kind of huge central open-air building and surround it with homes. When you build the expanded patio, put some commercial type bathrooms in it so the house doesn't have to be used for the restroom facilities.

"Good idea, Charlie, I'll talk to Sue about it. Don't rent those lots yet," I said, and remembered something I had been thinking about. "We need to clear the brush from the property on the whole back side. We could have a street the entire length of the park. Our sewer lines will handle it, as we have some of the largest sewer lines around. We will need more power, and perhaps increase our water main size. Now that you had me install all of the fire hydrants, we're not getting anymore flak from the fire marshal. The park could grow a little, don't you think?"

"You're right, Steve, I was looking at those survey stakes and didn't realize how deep the property was over there. It's not really wooded, it's mostly trashy brush. If we clear it and put a nice eight foot fence over there, the residents will feel like they have a private area."

"Put one of those new ten foot plastic fences in. That would provide even more privacy. The other thing I was thinking, Charlie," I said continuing, "was to make those lots a little larger so they could all be used for double-wides."

"Thanks for increasing my income, Steve. I'll get that started right away. Hell, another sixty to seventy doublewides will bring my salary way up. Great!"

Sue and I talked about the possibility of designing our own place. She wanted to maintain an office for clothing design here, even though the new plant would be so close. Sue also wanted to make sure there was some kind of small private parlor area just for us. That included Stevie and Mercy, of course. Sue wanted Stevie's bedroom to remain close to ours for now, and to possibly have the shower and bathroom just a little bit larger. She felt our closet space was fine, but would like to put more drawers in the closet.

The kitchen and family room needed to remain large and on the same side of the house. The thought was to make the kitchen longer, instead of a larger square. The new kitchen would have a long counter and stools between the family room with the pool table, and the stove and sink. The kitchen would be narrow, only twelve-foot deep, but would extend perhaps twenty to twenty-four feet in total length. The idea was to have a huge commercial stove and a couple of big refrigerators. Considering the amount of people we fed on a daily basis, a huge kitchen would be good. If the room were extended and became a large living room area, part of it could also be cordoned off for babies to play in. We could also end up with a door on the other side of the house. The plan would be to put in a sixteen by twenty-four foot office and design room on the street end of the house, with a bathroom and entrances to the outside and hallway. There would be a large sixteen by sixteen space for a bedroom and bath at that end as well.

We would end up with five big guest bedrooms, a kids' bedroom and a master bedroom. The master bedroom would be big enough for a sitting area with a couch and reading chair.

The contractor was back with us now. His wife's sickness was in remission, so he was now working for me, directing and teaching Terrell, handling the whole scope of construction. He was expanding the construction business by bidding on other outside projects.

As we completed our buildings, we wanted the construction people to continue to be employed so S&S Enterprises Construction Company was born. Tiny thought he understood some ways to get business, so he hired some go-getter young men to prospect for any possible new construction jobs within our local geographic area.

We began working with architects in the area as well as other general contractors. If they wanted to be the general and we just built the project, we were good with that. It was soon common to see one or more of our pickup trucks at many construction sites.

We specialized in rapid construction, repair of shoddy construction, and General Steel buildings. We managed to keep even more men busy.

When I talked to the contractor about what I wanted, he said that doubling the width of the patio would not be a problem. He said that instead of having a mobile home manufactured, why not just build a house?

That sounded reasonable, but if we wanted to change the way we lived, the house would be too fixed, where if it were a manufactured home, we could just have another built to a new plan.

The contractor was saying that in the event of a hurricane, we would have to abandon a mobile home but a house could be a refuge. I said that we had that covered as we were going to have a very large area in the new plant for a cafeteria, a meeting room, and a huge daycare center. We felt that area in the center of the four plant buildings should be large enough to accommodate nearly all of the people from the park in case of a storm.

Sue and I decided we would have a forty-eight by seventy two foot sturdy shell built, and have our construction company build it out. Sue and I would temporarily stay in Abe's little trailer for the week or so it would take to build-out the house. Actually we were going to take a vacation during that time.

Sue and I had considered vacations and had made a plan. Tiny had made arrangements for the company to own four condos on one of the gulf resort islands. People put their name in a hat to be drawn for a week in the condo. We picked up the housekeeping only. We now owned a condo in a Hawaiian resort as well. Each month four people were selected from non-management positions and sent to Hawaii for a week. We picked up the airfare plus the housekeeping and dining in the resort restaurant. The employee was supplied with some cash for nightlife, so it was a great vacation for fifty-two employees a year.

The two condos in Key West were Tiny's idea also, because it was the vacation that Ruth and Tiny had dreamed of for years. They spent the first two weeks that we owned them there, along with Shawna and Charlie in the other one. These condos were treated like the Hawaiian condos, so people could be rewarded for production and quality goals.

The company also now owned two giant Coachmen RVs. Those that wanted to take an RV vacation could put their name in for a drawing. The RV trips were for twelve days at a time for a two-week vacation. There was a two-day difference for something unexpected and for cleanup and maintenance.

The big RVs were a treat to Martin and Glenda. They were able to take a month-long trip to enjoy wandering around until they became homesick and returned home to be welcomed by all of us who loved the two dearly.

We needed more things like that for all of the people from both companies, but you can only do so much.

Ruth worked hard getting the company a discount for the Busch Gardens group of parks. We didn't have much luck with Disney. It became a joke that we didn't have a deal with Disney because they didn't sell beer. We had weekly trips to NASCAR events, all expenses paid, for a family of up to four people to go to the track the day before the races and race day. They would have VIP seating, pit passes, a handshake with some drivers, (Gene's of course) and a couple of T-shirts from the race day trucks for the event. There were Truck, Busch Series, and Winston Cup tickets for every week they raced. This was handled a little differently.

Good work is appreciated, so the team leaders would give attaboys to those that were putting that little extra effort, or to someone who came up with a new idea. The leader would put the employees name on a card and put the card into our drawing barrel. We would draw on Friday of one week for the next week's races. You were only allowed to win one race trip a season so more people could get a chance to go.

Mike, the original gofer from Sue's plant, had progressed in his ability to make good decisions and inspire his people to produce quality, so he was promoted that first year to plant manager. Since the plant and the sister plant behind his main building employed so many people, Mike was responsible for many, many jobs. He had done a great job and deserved the recognition.

We had a big party on the nearest Friday of the original incorporation date. Abe wanted to use the date that I went to the first auction and bought all the welding gear. It didn't make a difference, it was a good excuse for a party, and it would be timely to celebrate all of that, plus my having met Sue. Everyone that wanted to come from both companies attended the party, and we invited all of our customers as well. This became the largest party we had ever had. The caterer was prepared for four hundred, but ran out of food by eight. He was responsive enough to be able to find and bring enough food to feed people all the way through till midnight. For some reason, people stayed and stayed.

When everyone finally went home, and only a few of the die-hard park crew remaining, Tiny asked, "I thought you would make some kind of wild announcement tonight for your first anniversary."

"The deal isn't done yet, Tiny, so I couldn't make the announcement I wanted to make yet. As soon as my surprise is done, I'll make it. We'll have to have another party to make it, but then, everyone loves a party."

Tiny looked at me warily, "Is this announcement something that I should worry about?"

"No, Tiny, don't worry at all," I said. "This will be a big deal for all of the S&S people. Sue's working on her group, but can't do with her people what we can do with ours. This will have to be just all S&S."

Once again he looked at me strangely, "The company has really become huge, how can you split things up more?"

"Tiny, the size of the company will make the announcement that much bigger of a deal. Just be patient and I'll let you in on it."

Tiny got up and smiled, "I'm going to bed. This is the latest we've ever been here after a party. The caterer is going to be another hour before he's cleaned up. I don't think you have to stay up with him."

"Goodnight, Tiny."

About one when the caterer was finishing up, Sue came out of the house carrying Stevie. She said, "Today was too exciting for him and he didn't eat as much as he usually does. I'm going to sit out here with you while I nurse him. He'll go right back to sleep. You should think about going to bed too, as you've had a long day."

I watched Sue nurse our son, giving me the warmest feeling a man can have. If you've ever felt protective, sit with your wife as she nurses your baby. It is an amazing feeling.

Stevie sucked and slurped for ten minutes, working on both breasts before falling sound asleep. Sue smiled at me and I picked him up, put him on my shoulder, and I patted his back gently until he let out a very grownup belch. It was loud enough that Sue and I both chuckled. I carried Stevie into the house and put him to bed.

Sue was shutting down the patio when I came back out. The caterer was done and leaving, so we went to bed.

In bed, Mercy was waiting up for us. Sue said, "It's too bad you weren't able to announce what you are going to do with the company. When Tiny hears your plan, he's going to have a fit. Do you think everyone will go along with your idea?"

"We'll find out. As soon as all the numbers are in, we will know better. You will have to figure out what you will be doing with your plants. When the new plant is built, will you still need your original manufacturer?"

Sue said thoughtfully, "I don't know yet. So far our orders continue to increase, so during the ramp-up of the new facility, we will need all the facilities we can find. When we're completely open out here, we may decrease some of the subcontractors we have now. If they will continue to produce quality, we'll have to consider making and selling more products."

We three slept till seven the next morning. When I went out to the patio, Glenda gave me a big hug, saying it had been a great year, and thanked me for helping Martin and her enjoy themselves so much. This must have been a sleepy Saturday, as most everyone slept late. Jim had to rush to get to work and only had time for a quick sandwich and a cup of coffee.

Phil got me off to the side and asked, "What do you have up your sleeve? You act like something is about to pop out of your head, so I know you're up to something. What in the world is it?"

"Phil, you're as bad as Tiny. Hang on a couple of days and I'll have something for you that should make the wait worthwhile."

I had an appointment today with Ben and a few of the community leaders within the Tampa area. Ben had invited them all to his lush office in his downtown office building. Saturday was an excellent day for what I wanted to do, but it is always strange to see how deserted the downtown streets and buildings are on the weekends.

The group of people we were meeting with was made up of the Mayor of Tampa, Sandy Friedman, two city councilors who were of Latin heritage, a black community leader, and a minister who is instrumental in helping the homeless.

After introductions and serving everyone coffee and water, I introduced myself, telling them that the intent of this meeting was to help me devote some time and resources to help the community. My biggest priority was to establish a school or schools to help single parents within the area. One of our companies was going to need many skilled workers in the near future and we had found that we are more successful by thoroughly teaching and training people in our methods before they were hired. We provided transportation to and from the training facility as well as day care for pre-school children. Our intent was to employ these people and help them to become independent. So far we were retaining eighty-six percent of everyone we hired. Additionally, over sixty percent of the other fourteen-percent are employed, but have moved from the area.

I continued my presentation, "After training, we hire those who successfully complete our school at near double minimum wage and provide benefits to our workers that exceed the norm.

"We want to be able to enroll a minimum of four hundred people a year and desire future referrals from all of the people present.

"An important part of our training and hiring is our desire to hire the handicapped. We have jobs for those people with limb impairment, those who are wheelchair bound, the deaf, and we are trying hard to place some blind people. Each case is handled individually, but the intent is to help these people become self-sufficient too.

"Please know we hire people of all ethnic groups, who may speak any language found on our continent. We do offer and encourage English classes to all non-English speaking employees. Most of our management and floor supervisors are multi-lingual, so employees are comfortable from the beginning. We do not hire undocumented aliens, but have a staff that will assist them to obtain work permits."

I folded over the bullet list for our training program to show a picture of some small homes in the community.

"Another goal we have is to assist single parent families and families that are either homeless or living in substandard conditions. With both the company's money and my personal resources, we wish to purchase property that we can build homes with assistance from Habitat for Humanity. We felt we could probably complete a minimum of one home every two months, and perhaps more."

At this point Ben took over. "My family has purchased the old Florida Hotel here in Tampa. We have begun renovation of the hotel to become a hostel for the homeless. The first floor will become administration, kitchen facilities, and a large dining hall. The second and third floors will become a group of apartments for homeless families. The fourth floor will be a training and counseling center to help the homeless to re-enter society. The fifth through tenth floors will be for individual homeless people. We will maintain and fund this establishment, but will need the local ministries to administer and minister to these people. This will be a large task and will probably require the co-operation of several homeless support groups."

I took over again, "We have made arrangements with the University of South Florida Medical School to establish and run a clinic for the indigent on the outskirts of downtown Tampa. Mrs. Friedman, we will need your help to find an appropriate building we can convert for this use."

"This clinic will be multi-lingual and operate seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. If there are cases that cannot be handled by the staff, patients will be referred to one of the area hospitals. This is a big deal, the first of its kind in Florida, and perhaps the nation. We will need all of your help to get the word out to those that we need to help."

I began my closing, "Now the part that will be all of your responsibility. For all of the charitable activities, we ask that you do not disclose that we are the benefactors. We do not want any publicity or public knowledge that we are doing these things. We wish to give these gifts for a long time to come."

The mayor spoke first, "Why are you doing all of this?"

It was my turn again, "Not long ago, I came to Tampa for a vacation that turned out to be very different. Through a series of unusually lucky events, I was able to start a business that has become very successful and very profitable. Sure, I could just keep the money and ignore those that I see in need, but I would rather make an effort to help people help themselves."

"But why not let people know you are giving back to the community?" Sandy asked.

"I personally hate publicity. It is much more enjoyable to help people without having to say "you're welcome" all day. Each person we help, each family we make healthy again, every smile we produce, are all the reward we could ever ask for." I looked around at the various people in the room, trying to get that point across.

All of them said they would help. The two city councilors said they would work with some of the immigrant groups they were associated with to spread my offer of training and employment. The black minority leader said he wanted to check out our training facilities to make sure we were truly an equal opportunity work place.

When Ben rose to say something to him, I raised my hand. "Please come out or call me on my personal cell phone. I will come for you and we will tour our plant facilities. You can ask employees at random whether they feel they are equal or not."

His reply was, "Give it to me, I'll see for myself."

The homeless minister said he would organize the other homeless ministries in town to get an administration staff going. He was obviously excited by our offer to give shelter to so many.

Ben concluded, "You have been invited because you are the most instrumental in getting some things done in this city. Bring those people on board that you think can help. Get excited about this, but introduce Steve and me as volunteers willing to work with them to accomplish our goals."

As everyone left, the Mayor stayed behind a minute. "Mr. Sharp, I've heard a great deal about you, but didn't have any idea you would offer this kind of community support. I thank you for initiating all of your activities. I hope it brings you the happiness you seem to think it will. I'm sorry about our minority leader. I think he's disappointed your gift isn't in the form of a cash grant. He'll come around, especially if you can hire him as a consultant to assist in bringing people into your training program."

"Thank you, ma'am. Finding good employees is an ongoing effort. I want to try to employ everyone that really wants to work. We don't hire everyone who starts our program, and we don't keep everyone who starts work with us. We keep those who want to produce quality. That is our goal."

Ben and I talked about all of this a little before he said, "I have a young attorney that has joined the firm that will handle all of this for us. My other attorney is going to be the watchdog on the other family investments. Beth and I are going to Costa Rica for a month. If you want, why don't you, Sue, and little Steve come down for a weekend or so. You'll love our condo down there. It is very nice. You two might even be surprised at how much you like it."

Back home, Sue said that Dewey had called, asking us to get our butts up there so he and Sheila could get married before she gives birth. Sue said she was pretty much packed and she thought Stevie would fly okay. Sue said the plane was prepared and ready to go. Mercy was visiting with us at the time, so she elected to come with us as an additional nanny.

I called Dewey and asked him if tomorrow would be too late. He said Sheila wasn't due for two months, but they had finally decided to get the deed done. I told him we would stay over somewhere on the way up and arrive somewhere around noon. He said he would have a driver at the airport to bring us to his new home.

Traveling with a baby makes luggage totally different. Steve could go though several clothes changes a day, along with all of the diapers and goodies it takes to keep him clean and comfortable. All I needed was some jeans, some slacks, a few shirts, socks, and underwear and I'm done. But a baby needs a bunch.

By the time we reached the airport, it was nearly two in the afternoon. We loaded up and Sue elected to sit in the back with Mercy and Stevie. I had checked the weather all the way through and we were going to be in good flying skies all the way. The Seattle area had a low ceiling and intermittent rain, but what else is new?

My plan was to make Kansas City or maybe even Salt Lake City where there is a hotel right at the airfield. If we hit a headwind we would refuel in St. Louis or Kansas City, but if there was no headwind, we would fly straight through.

Glenda had packed us some sandwiches, water, and coffee, and Sue had brought plenty of supplies along for Stevie. They were planning to let him lie on the floor and roll around a little to let him stretch his legs so he wouldn't get fussy. They didn't want him to sleep all day as he wouldn't sleep at night.

Sue didn't want to try to take over flying as we neared St. Louis and I needed to pee bad. They were stacked up because of an emergency, so I called Columbia, Missouri, to see if they had commercial fuel facilities. They did and gave me a heading to come straight in, thinking I was diverting from St. Louis because of low fuel. I advised them that I was not in a fuel emergency, so we didn't get into any trouble.

A down home voice said, "Twin Beech 6278, that's fine, we're not busy at all. Just come on down and we'll fill you up. You're cleared to land runway 090. We are clear and fifteen miles, winds are variable at five from 270 at this time with a surface temperature of forty-four degrees and the altimeter is 29.64."

Sue said, "I'll have to put some clothes on Stevie. It's colder than I thought it would be. We'll have to pull some coats out of the luggage."

Everyone was strapped down for the landing which went smooth as silk. I asked for directions to the fuel dock and was told to taxi to operations at the south end of the terminal, since it was reserved for private aircraft. A fuel truck would come to us.

As we approached the terminal a follow-me truck took us right up to the building and a guy with wands directed us so our door was near the building.

The girls began scrambling around getting some coats out and putting something heavier on Stevie. I opened the door and let the stairs down, to be met by two guys asking what all we needed. When I said I needed a bathroom first, they pointed at a near door with a male symbol on it.

I took care of business and washed my hands and returned to find a half dozen people fawning over the two ladies and baby. The girls and Stevie went inside and were talked into having a little supper before we took off. I stayed with the plane while we were filled up and had the ground guy flush the potty and holding tank for me. This place was friendly, efficient, and convenient. I would remember this stopping point in the future.

We had some soup and a nice fish sandwich before saying goodbye to the people who were in the little restaurant within the airport. Since this was Saturday night, there was no traffic and none of the tarmac people had anything to do. The result was that the girls and Stevie received all of their attention.

We loaded up after changing Stevie and taking care of the airport fees. Once the engines were started I checked ATIS for an altimeter setting and weather, and called Unicom for permission to access the taxiway. We were given clearance all the way to the active and told to follow the truck to the active runway. When we were given the final clearance to take-off the controller finished by saying, "You-all come back now and bring that little one with you. Good flying."

I noticed that the pressure had fallen quite a bit which usually indicated that we could run into some weather or possibly heavy wind. I told Sue that they might wish to stay strapped in as it could get bumpy.

After finishing up my flight plan modification into Salt Lake City, I radioed the weather center in Kansas City to see if there was any information on winds aloft. They were giving me a headwind of about thirty knots, but had not heard of any brewing weather. It was clear all the way through.

We were about a hundred miles out of Salt Lake City when I called in telling the FAA weather central that according to my GPS I was in a headwind of near ninety knots. They said that they had heard that but didn't have any reason for it. Our three hundred mile an hour plane was barely doing two, so it was a half hour before we began our descent into Salt Lake City.

It was a good thing everyone was strapped down as we were bumped around pretty good before we seemed to be gliding at about five thousand feet. After setting down and taxiing to the overnight area of the private aircraft section, I gave a big sigh. When I turned to look at Sue and Mercy, I could see they were happy to be on the ground as well.

We had a hotel car come out to pick us up and I had the ground crew there service the plane. We were happy to be someplace other than in the plane for the night.

At the hotel, while we waited for a room service meal, I called the weather people to see what was up. Apparently the jet stream had dropped down right into our flight path, encompassing our assigned altitude. Sue said that next time I should request to go lower.

The airport maintenance people called the room and told me they had discovered the air conditioning compressor for cabin pressure had burnt out bearings. What did I want to do? I told them I would be right there. Since the hotel is about two hundred yards from the private aircraft area, I walked quickly to the plane. As soon as I approached the hatch where the compressor was, I could smell it.

The mechanic on duty said, "We have a couple of these in the parts room if you want us to change it. It isn't that expensive and we should be able to have it changed and tested in a couple of hours. Do you want to change it?"

I signed the work order and thanked them for doing a thorough ground check. That little goodie was going to be over five hundred bucks. These fancy airplanes are expensive.

We ate, played with Stevie until he was put into the portable crib and sleeping before we all crashed, sleeping through till seven our time, five Mountain Time. When I went out to see if the plane had been taken care of, I found out that Salt Lake City this time of year is cold. There was snow in various places where it had not melted yet. I asked the ground guys to plug in the plane and get the heaters going so it wouldn't be so cold for the girls and baby.

We needed some heavier coats.

When I told Sue how cold it was, she pulled out a snowsuit for little Steve but said she and Mercy would put on some layers. She hoped Seattle wasn't this cold.

The rest of the trip was much better. As soon as we crossed the last of the high mountains, I requested to get down to about twenty thousand feet where it was more comfortable to fly. As planned, we touched down right at noon at Friday Harbor. We taxied to the side of the ops building and had an attendant help me tie the plane down. The airport had started carrying all types of fuel, so while I refueled the plane and did the post flight inspections, Sue and Mercy transferred the luggage to the waiting car.

It was great to see Dewey and Sheila. Sheila had a big belly and a bigger smile. Dewey was strutting around, very happy in anticipation of becoming a dad. Their new house was spectacular inside. From the outside it didn't look like all that much, but inside it was pure luxury. Dewey had done everything he could to make the place warm and friendly but kept the outside as a minimalist would. The front looked out into a small inlet near the main harbor. Within the small inlet was Dewey's big sloop.

We had lunch and played with Stevie a while. When he was fed, he quickly fell asleep for his nap, so it gave us all a chance to visit. Dewey said that John was coming and several of his friends from the island. Mercy was happy that John was coming, happy to find out how he was doing.

I asked Dewey privately what the deal was with John, since I understood now that he was his brother. Dewey explained he really wasn't his brother, but a boy his grandparents had taken in when John had been only seven. John had been raised as a sibling, but when he was sixteen had run off to Alaska. It had been after his grandparents had passed away that Dewey and John had gotten back together. Dewey said that if John had stayed, he would have probably inherited as much as Dewey did. Dewey said he would always make sure John was taken care of, as John did have some special needs.

The wedding was planned for Tuesday evening. I thought it a strange time for a wedding but Dewey explained, "All of the people from the bar can be here Tuesday evening, so that's when it will be. Everyone else can mess with their personal schedules, but some cannot."

After supper, Dewey and I went to the bar/restaurant to have a couple of drinks with his friends. They remembered me and asked where the luscious lady was that had been with me before. Dewey assured them they would see her out at the house.

Monday, Sue, Mercy, and Sheila went into town to buy some warmer clothes. I went in later to get a wet weather parka and that should be all I would need. Dewey and I had several long talks, with me explaining some of the things I had been up to, and what I had planned for the business. He said I was being overly generous to both the community and to my employees. I wondered about that myself, but thought that since I've made so much money, why not spread the wealth?

John arrived Monday afternoon in a great mood. He was happy to see Mercy. They went off by themselves for a while, and returned with big smiles. Mercy got me off by myself to tell me that she would definitely and happily be returning to Tampa with us, as John was still into men. They were happy to be great friends.

The wedding was a good party. A local minister performed the ceremony as Sue and I stood up for the two being married. The audience was very pleased to see the happiness and contentment on the faces of the newlyweds.

Thursday had John leaving in the morning, with Dewey and Sheila getting ready for a Hawaiian honeymoon. Sheila said she wanted to go before she had the baby, since she would be busy for a long while after she gave birth.

Friday morning, Dewey and Sheila came to the airport with us. We were going to take them into Seattle where they would take off from there. The weather was typical, low ceiling, intermittent rain, and total instrument flying. I filed a plan to Seattle and prepared to leave.

We flew into Seattle easy enough and were able to taxi up near Dewey's Gulfstream. Our plane looked like a toy up next to the big Gulfstream. While we transferred luggage, I had the fuel topped off and called in the flight plan and got an update on the weather. I was advised that the jet stream was a little wild and bumpy, so we opted to stay below it.

I told Sue that I wanted to see if we could make it back in one long day. If she, Mercy, or Stevie became too tired of flying we would stop, but I thought we could easily make it in about nine hours with one stop.

The flight back was smooth with a nice tailwind. We were near the jet stream, but not in it, thank goodness. I heard some airline chatter that told me I didn't want to be there.

The Columbia, Missouri, airport was a perfect place for us to refuel and stretch our legs. We spent forty-five minutes on the ground having a sandwich and coffee, and then we were off.

We touched down at home right at eleven Eastern Time. The attendants at the Aero Park were getting ready to go home, so I made it in time to get help putting the plane away. I thought I might investigate renting the plane out a little more than we had been, to pay for some of the maintenance. I'm sure the guy that had taught me instruments would enjoy the extra hours and money.

At home, the patio was dark, but as soon as we went into the house and turned on the lights, several people came over to see how we were doing. We visited a minute before the girls got ready for bed. Mercy watched Stevie while Sue and I walked up to the now heated pool and swam hard for twenty minutes and walked back to the house. We were happy to be home.

Fifteen minutes later, we were asleep.

Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 27



A few weeks later.

Waking up between to loving women is always a treat. Now that the baby was sleeping all night, and Sue's playground was in working order again, we were back to some wakeup playtime and teasing, along with some additional attention from Mercy. This morning was no exception, and it just about took everything I had, plus a little over a half-hour, before they let me out of bed.

Little Steve has a sixth sense, as he sleeps until Sue is out of the shower, before he begins letting the world know he wants to be changed and fed. Uncanny, but convenient, as some of our showers do get extended.

This morning I was on the patio by six fifteen having coffee with Glenda, Mercy, Ruth, and Tiny. I asked Tiny if he wanted to take a plane ride with me today, and if he did, we would be gone till evening. He said it sounded like a plan to him, so I called out to the Aero Park to have the 200 prepped.

Sue and Mercy knew of my plans, so they were not curious as to what I was doing. Tiny is really big but loves to crawl into the right seat up front in our junior rocket ship. As we were getting ourselves comfortable after doing the exterior pre-flight inspection, but before I began the cockpit checklist, Tiny said, "You know I've been paying you for the advertising on your plane. Both companies pay you now since you won't let the company pick up the cost of the plane. You know you should sell it to us so it doesn't come from your own pocket."

As I began doing the checklist I answered, "If I sold the plane I'd have to get permission to use it for personal business every time I wanted to go somewhere."

"You know you wouldn't have to do that, Steve, you would still be in charge of where and when the plane went anywhere. You have this thing in the air a lot lately, since you're renting it out. From the receipts and invoices we process for you, it hardly costs you anything to own. Your little plane is even making money as a student airplane. The only time it's idle is when it is due for maintenance. You should probably get a couple of more airplanes and start your own flight school."

"That's one business I don't want to be in, Tiny. I might get some planes to play with though. You do have an idea there. I could always lease some of the Aero Park's land and build my own hangar. That might be good to do."

Tiny finally settled in while I went through the engine start procedure. He asked, "Where are we going anyway? I didn't ask at breakfast as you seemed a little secretive."

"First stop, Atlanta. Put your headphones on while I open our flight plan and get permission to take off."

A couple of hours later, we were in a rental car in Atlanta driving into a big Southern distributorship for outdoor equipment. This was a location that even kept one of our big trucks on display. When we went inside, a gray-haired older gentleman greeted me warmly.

"Great that you could come up so soon, Steve. Let me give you a quick tour, then we'll have a talk." They had a huge repair and parts business for several lines of equipment. He had a pretty clean shop, but nowhere near ours. He did have a field service group with trucks that went to job sites for repair calls. His operation was a lot different from ours since he wasn't as diversified.

We went into his small conference room and were introduced to his attorney and his accounting firm's representative. When we were settled, he said, "I didn't think I would ever see this day, but since none of my kids want to continue the business, I want to sell to someone who will maintain the business and perhaps even make it grow. Steve, you're the only one that I know that has the capital and management manpower to make this happen. That's why you and I have made this deal. Tiny," he continued, "I know you've called me multiple times to talk about S&S buying us out, but it wasn't time yet. Now it is. These guys have all of the documents ready for us."

The accountant said to Tiny, "This is kind of convenient that the firm represents both companies. Here is last year's P&L and this year's year to date. I have all the numbers that you like to use for your organization."

Tiny was really surprised. He sorted through the papers, while the owner and I went to get some coffee and brought some back for the others. Fifteen minutes later Tiny said, "Your company is doing well. Steve, are we buying this company now?"

"Already bought it, Tiny, we're here for your inspection and for me to sign off. Money has already been set aside to do this deal," I said.

"You set aside far too much for this place, Steve. I didn't question that but we should..."

"Hold on, Tiny. Look at this; it's what we're paying for the company, a very fair price. Besides, all of the management is staying, and the person chosen to run the place has been with this company for over twelve years. All we have to do is to bring him to Tampa to show him what else he can do to make money. Once the employees find out what kind of benefits we have, I'm sure they will all stay."

"This is more like it. It's a good deal."

I signed the papers, and was introduced to the manager prospect. He told Tiny that he was excited to learn how we did things in Tampa and wanted to know when he could come. I told him to come at his leisure. If he would call us, we would arrange travel for him and his wife. If he had kids in school then he might want to wait for spring break. He said he wanted to come quickly, so he could comply with S&S methods, as we were known for our productivity. He could always plan something additional for his wife and kids.

An hour later we were lifting off, heading northwest. We landed at Chicago Executive airport. As soon as we parked at the private terminal, a limo came to the plane. An attendant took over the plane for servicing so we could get into the warm car. The driver had two parkas for us, one normal size for me, and one giant size for Tiny.

We drove to a group of buildings on the west side of Chicago. We were at the Midwest Onan distributorship. This had been a factory-owned store ten years before, but had been sold off as they didn't think it was productive. The new owner had made the place profitable and had expanded the operation.

We met the owner, Mark Lawton, and an attorney as soon as we entered. "Mr. Sharp, thank you for coming so fast, and thank you for accepting my offer. This is sudden, I know, but when your family is in need, you do whatever is necessary."

I introduced him to Tiny, and he handed Tiny a stack of papers. "My accounting firm is the same national firm yours is, so you should be able to trust the audit they finished last week at Steve's request. The company is making money, and I have plans for continued expansion using some of the same techniques that Steve uses. He has revolutionized how distributorships think."

The attorney pushed a pile of papers over to me to look at and sign. Tiny looked up at me and asked, "Two in one day?"

"This is kind of what I was alluding to, but I wanted to be sure before I let the cat out of the bag."

Tiny looked over the contracts and asked, "This says you have two more facilities in the Chicago area."

Mark said, "We couldn't service the entire Chicago market from this one location, so we bought existing buildings in far south Chicago and east Chicago, which is actually in Indiana. They were both good moves and we now are probably getting near fifty percent of the market up here."

Tiny remarked to me, "You might want to review some of the benefit packages as these people are all union. Their pay structures are different than ours."

"We'll work on all of that, Tiny, but first I want to hire Mark as our consultant and management trainer for this market. Call Ruth and tell her to open the big envelope I gave her last week. It has Mark's employment application and his insurance application."

"Thank you, Steve, your help right now means more to me than you will ever know. I promise to help you build these businesses up to out-produce even your Tampa operation."

Tiny almost began laughing, but a look from me kept him quiet. I signed the papers while Tiny called Ruth. Once we were done, I was introduced to four men. Three were the individual plant managers, and one was the newly appointed manager of operations. I had the same discussion with all four, explaining that I wanted them to visit with us for a month to learn how we did things, and for them to operate the same up here. Tiny said he would take care of getting them to Tampa one at a time so their operations would not falter during their absences.

We took a quick tour through the buildings, noting that a major cleaning and painting job would be necessary to duplicate our bright shops. It was too cold to wander around much, so Tiny and I headed back to the airport.

Once in the air on the way home, Tiny said, "You know you're going to give Phil an attack. Those two markets have been tough to penetrate for him and now he has Carte Blanche to market at will. Poor Ryan is going to be so busy that he will need wings to get around."

"My thought exactly, Tiny. He has been taking flying lessons, but I think I will get some kind of plane and a pilot that he can fly around with. When he gets his instrument rating and lots of experience flying, perhaps then he can fly on his own. He needs to have some time while he's in the air to do work and to relax. I think he needs a pilot. I want to hire his wife as his executive assistant, so they can always travel together, as he will be busy."

As we were flying, I gave Tiny the last of what I had been thinking. "I'm transferring fifteen percent of the company to you, Phil, and Abe. I want you three to know how much you have meant to making the company work. Now if I should ever get a wild hair and decide to go public, you three will be taken care of, hopefully for life. You still have your fat 401K's right now, so with the additional five percent of the company, you three will feel more in control of your future."

"My God, Steve, you're making us millionaires." Tiny gasped.

"I have no idea how much it's worth, I just needed you three to be partners so you don't mind controlling and managing the place while I'm off doing things."

"Keep doing them, Steve, the addition of those two dealerships is one of the biggest wins our company will ever have. It sure is convenient they both use the same accounting firm. How did you arrange that?"

"I asked both if they could hire the same firm so we could be assured of the same accounting practices and have audits to justify the price."

"You paid a very fair price for Atlanta, but you stole Chicago, Steve. You paid about seventy-five percent of market value."

"We got the deal because Mark needed to sell so he could pay for his wife's medical care, and it will cover some of my apprehension of dealing with the unions. We will have some work to do with them."

"When are you going to tell Phil and Abe about their five percent?"

"Tonight after I announce the purchase of the two distributorships, Ruth is trying to get all of the S&S people out to the house tonight for the announcement. No effort is being made to get Sue's people to the house."

When Tiny and I arrived home, the place was bustling with preparation of a Friday night party. The big tent was up and the caterer was busily putting food out.

Shawna was home early, and the four mothers and Mercy had the little ones on the floor in the living room, watching them as they were trying to hold themselves up, and in Stevie's case roll himself over onto his back, then wiggle back to his belly. CJ (Charlie Junior) was going to be huge like his dad, but he was going to have Shawna's red hair and fair complexion. Debbie's baby had red hair but Hanna's did not. We guessed that her next one probably would. Steve was going to have his mom's rich auburn curly locks.

Tiny and I had a beer as Phil and Abe pulled up together. How convenient that they both took off a little early. When they were on the patio with a drink in hand I told them of buying the two distributorships that day.

They both looked at me, unbelieving, until Tiny said, "I was there, I saw it with my own eyes."

They both sat back in their chairs contemplating what this might mean.

"Now the good news," I said, as I opened up a file folder I had with me. "I need some partners in the business, so I've elected you three. If you will look at these papers you will each see you are now five percent owners of the company. This is in addition to your joint ownership within the 401K plan. You each now share in every dollar that goes in and out of the company, including the two new places."

Abe sat there smiling, very happy, very satisfied. "Thanks, Steve. Alice and I are already set for life. This is just that much more. It means I am a real part of the company. Thank you."

Phil was still staring at the document that transferred five percent of the company to him. He finally looked up and said, "Christ, Steve, how much do you want to give me? You've already made me a millionaire, now I'm more of one. You brought me on board when I was just about ready to begin selling yellow page ads. Now look at Judy and me, we are awash in money. The best part is that we are kept so busy that it's fun to go to work every day to see what new way we can make a deal or help a customer. Jeez, Steve, thank you. Judy is going to have a fit."

"This is not necessarily something that we should broadcast around. You three are already the management staff. Keep it going and thank you for making the company what it is today."

The party was fun. The announcements were applauded loud and long as the two new dealerships would virtually give us the entire eastern United States as our playground. Phil would now be the most powerful sales manager or vice president of sales in all of Onan. His total sales responsibility could make or break the company. It was a good thing he was training multiple area managers, he would need even more now.

Ryan and his wife, Michelle, wanted to talk to Tiny, Phil, and me. Ryan asked if they could live here in Tampa with us, to buy and live in the park with all of us. They wanted to live with friends, not in some far off place where they would not have as many close friends. He proposed that he could use commercial flights for one location a week, or more if necessary, but be home on weekends. He said he was traveling better than fifty percent of his time now.

"Tell you what, Ryan, talk to Charlie, the park manager, and see if you can get a lot, then go get a home or you can even rent one if there is something available. I'm not going to make you lose so much time anymore using commercial airlines, since you will be flying in a company plane with a company pilot. Michelle is now your executive assistant and will be traveling with you. Will that take care of what you want?"

Ryan looked really happy, "That is better than great. This will give us more time together, plus I'll be able to work on the plane if I need to. Now I feel like I will be able to do the job you need me to do, I'll get to keep my lovely wife and I'll be home with friends on weekends. Life will be good."

Tiny leaned over and laughingly said to me, "So you're not going into the airline business, are you?"

"I think the hangar thing would be a good idea though. Perhaps we could go into aircraft maintenance if the Aero Park thinks they need it out there."

About eight, Ernie Wainwright and Nelda came up to the group of the park crew sitting together. "Steve, Sue, and all of you great people here. I want to announce that Nelda has agreed to become my wife. We are officially engaged. I want you to know that we will be having a pre-nuptial agreement made up for us, as Nelda has a tidy growing estate, and you all know I have a little land."

Nelda was smiling broadly, "It took me a while to land this rascal but I have him now. He wanted me to move in to his musty old house down on Swan Avenue, but I want to live right here. We will get a bigger place so he can have his office at home and have room for all of his leather furniture he wants to keep. Now he can sell that old termite infested place he has and get some money out of it. I'm going to be high maintenance though. He's going to have to take me places, like Atlanta, Key West, maybe even Hawaii."

Ernie smiled, "Nelda, all you have to do is ask. Don't even ask, just mention that you would like to go somewhere and we will be off."

Sue asked when they wanted to get married and Nelda said, "Do you think we could get married right here, just like you did and just like Debbie and Hank did?"

"Of course you can, Nelda, you're family. When do you want to plan it for?"

"How about next Saturday? That way we can go to the Keys for our honeymoon if we can get the S&S airlines to get us down there," Nelda said. "I don't want to wait much longer before I get this man into my bed. We have some catching up to do."

We all laughed with them but the prospect of a wedding sent the women into a frenzy. Immediately, they were making plans, and Sue directed me to make arrangements with the caterer instantly. Thankfully he was open for next Saturday and said he would coordinate with Sue later. I told him that I would need the florist again and wanted to get the same altar that we had rented previously.

The next week was busy. Tiny and Phil pulled Ryan off the road for a week to get moved and to set up a local office in our shop building for him and Michelle. The couple had made a deal on a double wide to be put on the new street in the park a few streets from ours. Nelda and Ernie were also going to buy a double wide and have it put next door to Ryan and Michelle.

Tiny came up with a plan that allowed the two families to travel back and forth to the patio. He purchased a couple of our gas golf carts for the two couples to use. Not surprising was that as soon as other park residents saw the two couples running around in their carts, sales at the golf cart store in our business mall took off. Charlie, the park manager, said he now needed to build some pathways so people could use their carts to get over to the new business park and to the grocery store. That gave me an idea.

I asked Tiny to see if the there was a piece of land between the park and the huge housing developments north of us. We could develop a small shopping center for a grocery store and a few other shops like a barber shop, a beauty shop, a dry cleaners, and maybe even a sports bar. He said he would get right on it as our construction company was going to need some work soon.

After thinking about the idea, I told Tiny to plan for cart paths between the housing developments and the shopping center. He thought that would be a great idea.

Monday I went out to the Aero Park to talk to the park owner. I told him I wanted to find another plane, probably something like the 208 we used to have, possibly a 210. It would be used to travel weekly, and we might need to hire a pilot. I told him we would use the 200 initially, but I didn't want to tie that plane up with shuttle duty.

He thought he knew of a nice turbo 210 that was for sale and would be a good plane for shuttle duty. He said he would find out about it and let me know.

By Wednesday he had the plane at the Aero Park for Sue and me to look at. This was a nice older airplane, in excellent condition. It had been kept up and had been stored in a hangar. I asked him to have his mechanic go through it to make sure it was in good condition so we could make a deal. We bought the plane by Thursday and had hired a single retired airline pilot by Friday who was happy to wander around, shuttling a couple of people. The plane was fitted for business with only six total seats but had work desks built into the cabin. If Ryan wanted, the pilot was willing to continue Ryan's flight education, as he was also an instructor pilot. That was set.

The girls had Nelda's wedding taken care of, including a nice cream colored lacy dress. Ernie had become a pain in the ass, as he was so nervous he couldn't function.

He told me on Wednesday, "Steve, I've been a widower for thirty years. I really do enjoy Nelda and love her for her spunk, but this marriage stuff scares me to death. What if I'm not good to her, what if I'm not what she expects? I'm really scared, Steve."

Sue and I assured him he would be fine and the two of them would enjoy themselves together for the rest of their lives.

When the wedding was performed Saturday, I think the entire park turned out for Nelda. She had made many, many, friends in the little time she had been there. Glenda was the matron of honor, and I was Ernie's best man. They were a cute couple and everyone applauded when they kissed.

A couple of older lost souls had found a life partner and mate.

Somewhere around five, Sue and I took them to the airport and flew them to Key West where we were met by a limo to take them to their resort. They would call when they wanted to come home.

Sue and I knew Mercy was getting anxious to go home, so Sue suggested to her that we take a trip out west. Mercy was all for it and had us ready in a day. Sue and I tied up the loose ends and took off for a week or so on the west coast.

After we dropped Mercy off and visited with Merlin and Missy, Sue and I flew up to see Dewey, Sheila, and their little boy. They were thinking of taking the boat for a trip south along the same path we had taken. Sue and I considered going with them but decided we were going to fly instead of sail. We were surprised when Dewey and Sheila wanted to fly with us. The girls and babies stayed in the passenger area while Dewey rode up front with me.

He enjoyed the flight and commented that he should learn how to fly so he could just take off whenever he wanted. Back in San Francisco, we went to the magic show and the restaurant, visiting with Mercy. She had decided she was going to stay for a while; she had missed working in the show. Missy said it would be nice for Mercy to be back so she didn't have to perform, as she didn't care for it.

Dewey said, "Let's fly somewhere, how about Las Vegas?" So we did. Dewey and I discovered both our women were nuts about slot machines. It was everything we could do to get them away from the crazy machines.

We decided that we wanted to fly over the Grand Canyon and check it out thoroughly. A smaller airplane would have been better for sightseeing, but it was nice to be able to see so much of it.

The next stop was San Antonio, Texas. We did the tourist stuff by visiting the Alamo and walked on the Riverwalk. We stuffed ourselves with real Mexican food.

From there, New Orleans was too close to pass up. We spent three days seeing the sights of the old city and eating great Cajun food. We flew down to Key West to see how the newlyweds were. When we found them, they were out on the beach beneath umbrellas, sipping cool non-alcoholic fruity drinks. The two of them looked very happy and content.

Ernie said, "I think I'm going to buy one of these condos, right here on the beach. Nelda and I can come down here often. We both love this place." Nelda told Sue and me that they would find their own way home and not to worry about them.

We flew back to Tampa to find our house and patio changed. The patio was now sixty feet wide by seventy-two feet and the house was now built into the new configuration. We had only been gone ten days and the work was complete.

The patio was totally different now. There were now three shorter tables that would hold between forty to sixty people total. Between the tables and the new bigger bar were various chairs and table groups for people to play games or just sit and talk. The old TV had been replaced by an even bigger one along with a couple of smaller flat screen TV's hanging down in a couple of places like a sports bar. In the back corner, behind the bar, were now two very big restrooms.

Sue and I were amazed at how big our home room area was now. The whole place seemed so much larger as it was now well planned.

We stayed for three days before deciding to fly Dewey and Sheila home. We stayed over in Kansas City and flew the rest of the way into Friday Harbor. They radioed that they didn't have any fuel for me, so we stopped in Seattle to top off before flying out there. It had been a great trip with our friends. The two little ones had not been difficult at all. When they were fussy, it usually only took a warm breast to calm them down. Sue and I thought Stevie might be a little fussier as he was cutting teeth. Sue said she could feel them sometimes.

On the way home, we wanted to stop in San Francisco to see Mercy. She had been in our heads for a few days, so we knew she wanted to see us. As soon as we called her to tell her we would be at the airport, she said that she would be packed and meet us out there so we could leave for home right away.

When we landed and taxied to the operations building, Mercy was standing at the door with Missy and Merlin. When we got out Mercy gave Sue and me a big hug and kiss then scooped up Stevie, telling him how much she had missed him.

Missy said it looked like we were getting our boarder back as she was too lonely without us. Merlin said we needed to open our own comedy club and have Mercy perform there once a week so she could get some enjoyment from her magic. He also suggested we might even begin a magic club in Tampa for people interested in the craft. He made me promise to call him if I decided to do it and he would help me set it up.

We flew back to Tampa in two hops, with the girls and Stevie staying in the passenger seats. We arrived early Friday afternoon, two weeks after we had started out. Time flies when you're having fun.

Mercy couldn't get over the size of the new patio and how roomy the new house was. She said it will be perfect for when her parents come now, as they would have even more room to perform for the patio crew.

She did find the empty drawers we left for her. Sue and I were never able to fill the old closet, much less this new one. There were even more drawers within the new closet.

The party that Friday night was not that big, only about sixty to seventy people from the two businesses. But the big announcement of the evening was about eight o'clock when Sue announced to everyone, "I want everyone to know that little Steve is going to have a baby sister. I don't want to wait till I'm too old to have any more so this is perfect. We will now have two kids to enjoy all of you folks."

Not to be outdone, Shawna grabbed Charlie and made him stand up. "Since I've been busy with the baby, this lug had been pounding me senseless. He thinks he needs some lovin' daily, if not more often. Well, he's screwed the goose, I'm pregnant too. Sue and I compared notes and we're probably due about the same time."

We all looked at Hanna and Debbie, but they both shook their heads no and held their fingers up in a cross saying, "Keep away from us."

Life keeps getting better and better.

That night while the three of us were playing together, Mercy said to Sue, "You know you and I are almost the same age. I'm almost thirty and don't have anyone that I want to settle down with, except you two. This is a lot to ask, Sue, but what would you think if I were to have a baby?"

Sue didn't hesitate, she nearly leaped across me to land face to face on top of Mercy. "Oh, Mercy, Steve and I do love you so much. And that goes double for little Stevie. If you want to have a baby, pick a daddy, and I will make sure it happens."

"You know what I want, Sue. If both of you could get me pregnant, then I would have you both love me until my belly swelled but if you let me have a baby with Steve, you will be giving me as much as Steve. I'm not sure what will happen after I have my own baby, but right now I think I want us to raise our children together. Different as it may be or become, I want this a lot."

Sue was kissing Mercy and hugging her. She pulled my arm so that I was rolled into them. "Steve, make love to Mercy, make love to her as you never have before, fill her with what it takes for a baby."

Mercy colored in her face a bit then said, "I quit the pill before I went back to California the last time, wanting to ask you two for this. Your welcoming me back last night could have been the making of a baby. My body is ready and I'm right in the middle of my cycle."

Sue held Mercy, then lay on the side of her, caressing and kissing her, "Steve, you have to do it even more now. Make Mercy a mommy. Give us another baby."

It was very late that night before both of the girls were satisfied that I had made enough deposits to create what they wanted.

Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 28



When I stirred Saturday morning, about five forty-five, Mercy had hold of me and was gently massaging me into a desire to fill her once again. As I awoke, she pulled me on top of her to resume where I had left off when we fell asleep. She said, "Sue said that when you two were trying for Stevie, you two did it almost once an hour for a week. You're going to be busy, Buster, until I know I'm plugged."

When I made it to the patio about six-thirty, I visited with Glenda for a little while, until Mercy came out to sit on my lap. Glenda surprised me by asking, "Mercy, if I didn't know better, I'd think you were pregnant. You have that look. Are you?"

"I don't know Glenda, I hope so. Will you be upset if I am?" Mercy asked.

"How could I be upset with you, Child? Steve and Sue are so strange about having little girls around that it was going to happen, I know you guys don't play checkers at night and I see the love between all of you. No, Mercy, I won't be upset. I'll just be a grandmother or great aunt to one more little one."

Mercy snuggled into my lap and said, "You may not have to work so hard after all."

That day, Charlie, Hank, and I went to visit with the now almost completely recovered, Bear. When we rode in, Hap greeted us with a welcoming hug. Bear was still a little tender, so we were gentler with him. It took several beers and a couple bowls of chili to tell each other everything that had been going on.

Bear made the observation, "You're becoming a regular husband, going on two kids now. You're bikes are going to get lonely with all of your responsibilities."

I responded, "Well so far, Bear, I know I'm busy with the business and all of the new people at work, but if I didn't travel so much, I'd have just as much time as ever to ride."

Hap elbowed Charlie and said, "Yeah, but both of you have lost the eye candy that used to ride with you guys. How is your little redhead?"

"She is gonna have another kid, Hap," Charlie groaned. "I'm going to be an old married guy with a bunch of kids running around. Hard to believe, isn't it? Steve and I apparently screwed ourselves into becoming dads again about the same time. The women think it's great, but it's a big responsibility."

Bear slapped me on the back with his good arm and hand and said, "Damn boy, you don't mess around when you get started. Shit, kids everywhere out at that park of yours. Your caterer said you have a bigger patio now and that you have a new house too. I guess you need more space for all your kids and your harem. You still have that California magic girl out there?"

"You know we had too many people out there for supper, and with the kids now, there needs to be some space indoors as well. Sue needed a bigger office, so we built out what we wanted in some trailer shells and doubled the size of the patio. You two should come out for supper one of these evenings. Bring one, or some, of your ladies and come visit like regular folks. If you're up early or real late for you two, come by for coffee after six or so. We usually have breakfast sandwiches; you know biscuits with sausage and egg."

Bear smiled, "Speaking of eggs. Those chickens you got for us are laying eggs like crazy. My bunch of farmer wannabes has even gotten some more chickens so we can have some roosters and setting hens. They have gone to the library to find out all kinds of information on chicken farming. First thing you know, they will be out on the highway with a 'Fresh Egg' sign. They have enough chickens now that we are having chicken for dinner about once a week."

"That is really good, Bear. I'll bet you're actually proud of them."

"I am," Bear said happily. "They did shock me with the digging up of a rather large area to make a garden. Then they said the chicken manure was good for growing things. They are turning into productive citizens lately. One of my guys is going to get a trailer out there so he can settle down with one lady. Can you imagine that? You'll have to show us how to set up our own trailer park."

I chuckled at the thought of the guys that had chased the chickens around. "When you want to do that, I'll let my park manager give you some hints. He's been managing parks for a lot of years."

Charlie, Hank, and I made the rounds of Big Jim's, the Vanishing Point, and even went over to the St. Pete clubhouse bar to visit for a few minutes. When we made it back home, we were able to relax and enjoy the rest of the day with our extended family.

Ryan and Michelle, along with Ernie and Nelda, and Abe and Alice were there for supper. It always makes a nice gathering when we can all be together.

When everyone had eaten and the tables had been cleared, I went inside to get a large plat map of the trailer park property and another of our almost complete business park. Once everything was spread out in the manner I wanted it to be, I brought out some recent aerial photos of the area.

I pointed out the business park on the photos and referenced the plat map for that. Next I pointed out the park and the plat map for that property.

Tiny caught on instantly, "Is that why you have these two plat maps tilted away from each other at the bottom? Does the park ground really come back that far?"

I began pointing out locations on the plat map, "Tiny, you see what I saw when I was walking around in the back of the trailer park. The land that we rent out actually connects the two pieces of property. I have an idea of what I want to do with that land back there. I'm going to subdivide it into a bunch of home sites for those of us that just seem to need to have a house. Abe and Alice will be here, Phil and Judy here, Bob and Sandy here, and I'm sure there will be others. I will connect all of us with cart paths and roads so that it remains a private area but is connected to both the trailer park and the business park."

Tiny said, "But Steve, how are you going to make money on this? You don't ever do anything that doesn't produce income."

"Right now there won't be a visible profit, but the benefit will be enormous. Phil and Judy will be next door, Abe and Alice will be right here with us. We'll all be together. I know Abe would love to be within walking distance to the lake back there. He and Alice could walk over there and fish in the evenings if they wanted, and they could still come for supper and coffee every day. What do you think, Abe and Alice, do you think you would like to live closer?"

Alice answered for them, "You're darn right, Steve. I've been bugging Abe for months to buy another trailer before the lots on the back of the park are sold out. If he had acted earlier, we could have had the lot next to Nelda."

Phil was getting interested, "What are you going to do with the rest of the land, build yourself a house on it?"

"At first I thought to just make it into more park land for you guys to walk around on. But I think this area would make a great community sports complex. We could have a little league ballpark with several fields for the different age groups of baseball and softball. We can have several soccer fields, and a couple of fields for Pop Warner football. Then in this area we could have a senior area with outdoor shuffleboard, horseshoes, basketball courts, and some tennis courts. The homes would be on a street on the backside of the property, separated from the sports complex by this little spring fed creek and the tree line. We will build up the tree quantities so it is very dense between the two areas. This will also give us a continuous cart path from the high density housing area down the road, through the shopping center, past here, through the sports complex, and into the business park."

Tiny's dad, Charlie, said, "It would be good for the kids in the park too. There would be another place for them to play."

I added to the plan, "We could have one of those county guys that supervise the playground and have after school and summer programs."

Tiny spoke this time, in almost a question way, "I think I know where you're going with this, but you tell me the next big benefit of doing this."

Smiling, I told them the plan, "Since we have improved the property on both sides of that property, the land value is skyrocketing. If we donate that property to the county as a completed sports complex, we will have at least a two million dollar tax write-off. We may have to bust it up for deductions over two years."

"You are sneaky, Sharp. It really won't cost you anything, as you'll have S&S buy the property from the park corporation for whatever you want, then build the complex with S&S funds. Will you donate this from the original S&S Corporation, or from the new business park corporation?"

"I forgot about that, Tiny, the park and the buildings are all owned by a different corporation than the businesses. All of the businesses, except the hotel and Sue's plant, are owned by S&S, but the park, the buildings, and the hotel are in a privately held corporation. I guess you'll have to earn your money, Tiny, and figure it out. Either that, or give it to your two assistants, and find out which one comes up with the best way to handle it."

Terrell, who had become a regular with us since he had married Deanne, said, "Can you plan on extending the cart paths on the other side of the road too. The new subdivisions over there are going to have some nice homes, and if you have the cart paths in place before they go up, they won't build the outer fence so close to the right of way. You are going to need another light, cart crossing, and cross walk, down here just on the other side of the park, for the new Denny's that you're putting in there. You'll need another up here, on the other side of the new shopping center you want to build, to get to the little plaza that you're building. Behind that plaza is going to be Pony Estates, with the big golf course and possible country club. We will have to wait to know what to do there. The developer has not shared all of his plans yet."

Phil said, "I keep forgetting that our construction company is building all over the place, and that you are developing land everywhere up and down the road here. We need to expand the cart plant. Just our local sales are taking up the capacity, and my men want a selection of carts so they have inventory to sell. Since you started to repair broken ones in the cart shop, that whole business is really busy. Better expand the cart building too, Steve."

Tiny nodded his agreement, "One of my guys said the cart factory was over sixty days behind on orders, and we are also falling behind on repairs. We've run out of booths for the mechanics, so we'll have to add on to the building, both at the plant level and in the repair area. I'll get on it and get it started."

Abe said, "Damn, it feels good to have activity like this. It's like when we started. Every time I turned around there was something being built or improved. I like it."

Tiny asked, "So, how soon are you going to do all of this?"

I answered by saying, "Ben has already received zoning for the streets, cart paths, and the residential. We have permits to join the sewers and utilities to the park system. It won't be difficult at all to do the infrastructure for the residential, and the sports complex will be on a separate electrical grid because of all the lights. The county is dancing all over the place wanting to announce something, but I'm going to make them wait until the sports area is nearly done. That way, locals won't be disappointed that it isn't ready overnight."

Abe asked, "When do you think you'll open the sports complex?"

I had to consider that a second. "Probably in time for the fall baseball, softball, soccer, and football leagues. A lot depends on whether we can get enough people to build it. I want to get the houses done first though, so everyone can move in and be neighbors."

Terrell asked, "Are you going to go ahead and build that McDonald's on the other side of Denny's, and the Burger King up near the little plaza?"

"Probably, Terrell, but I don't know whether I want to be the franchise owner. I may just lease the building to one of the big owners in the area. The demographics for the two fast food places is perfect, so it shouldn't be hard to get someone to manage a joint for us," I said.

Terrell said, "I know you don't like those restaurants, but we do need those breakfast sandwiches, and you were able to get the zoning and permitting for them so easily, that it should tell you that people like those places."

I rolled up all the plats, and sat with Sue and Mercy, holding Stevie a little. He was getting pretty squirmy and wanted to be down on the floor all the time. He could stand in my lap, but was still too unsteady to stand on the floor by himself without holding onto something. He was beginning to pull himself up though, and he could scoot and crawl across the floor pretty fast.

Hanna told Sue that she had a full sewing class who all looked like they would make it to becoming seamstresses and machine operators. Sue told Hanna to just keep training. We would build more plant if we ran out of space, as we had more offers for contract work than we could fulfill. The plants had a reputation for quality. They were fair priced, not the cheapest, but very fair. The quality though, is what made everyone want Sue's plants to produce their goods. Joan and Betty had even gone to Sue's original manufacturer, and some of the subcontractors, to teach our method of producing goods.

Sunday had Sue, Mercy, Stevie, and me visiting the big house on Bay Shore. The grandparents were back from Costa Rica to take care of local business. Ben's law firm now operated almost completely without his presence. He had several attorneys, who were working toward partnerships in the firm, doing the grunt work.

Beth had sold her condo and lived exclusively with Ben at the Bay Shore address, in Costa Rica, and on Key West. The couple was enjoying their time together, without having to explain the sibling relationship, while they were out of town.

The dinner was excellent and still served by the house staff that Ben retained here in Tampa. He was very excited about the addition I was making to the park, even though it did not affect the park corporation's profit or loss. We all felt the additional cart traffic would be good for the restaurants. Beth and Ben had an equal share of the park, as did Sue and I. The only way to get Ben off my back was to let him invest in our businesses. The income from the park was actually many times more than enough for Sue's and my life style. Other than our airplane habit, we really didn't spend money for us personally. We did have a nice Expedition for Sue and Mercy to get around in. The two still used the original Mustang convertible when they didn't have Stevie with them.

After dinner, Ben and I played pool for an hour or so before Beth said that Merlin and Missy were coming in for a week to play at the comedy club that Ben had used Sue's money to buy. Sue almost got huffy, but Ben said, "It was a good deal, it has just been renovated and it serves as a multi-function entertainment club. You can have dancing, comedy, or even stage shows."

Ben said it was perfect for small audiences, for popular bands or singers, and the best part, it came with a great manager. He said he would introduce us soon, as the manager was dying to meet us and to beg us to build and open an adjoining steak house. The manager wanted to make the club into a supper club for some venues, so the steak house kitchen could do double duty.

Sue rolled her eyes and tried to explain to Ben, "Dad, I'm going to have another baby. I'm going to be very, very busy. If you keep this up, I'll have to hire people just to look after my personal stuff and that's what you're supposed to do. Mom, please tell him to let up. Steve and I do not need any more investments. What we need to buy is more time."

Ben promised that this would not be a burden. Sue and I hoped not. All I could think of is, now I'll have to have Tiny check out one more place. If this keeps up, he'll have to get a third or fourth accountant.

Back home, the crew was excited that Merlin and Missy were coming to town. Most of them knew the comedy club and said it was a great place to go for an evening.

Tiny said he would get with Ben so he could meet the manager and work with him.

On Monday, Terrell began initiating all of our plans in association with building out the residential street and the sports complex. He would first have to hire at least fifty men for the Denny's and the two fast food places. He would need probably another fifty to begin the residential plan.

He needed to begin the construction of the small shopping area, down the road next to the high-end housing area. A grocery chain wanted to build with us, but I felt the big Publix I wanted to build across the road, just to the north of us would be fine, and there was also a Winn-Dixie nearby. The real estate company we were going to use for property management had requests for leases already, but we were waiting to see what kind of money we could get for the space as we built it.

By Friday, there was activity at the Denny's site, the two fast food sites, and the residential street. All of our future homeowners had been working with architects to design the homes they wanted. Terrell and Deanne wanted to have a house in our exclusive neighborhood so they were involved in the planning too. Sue and I were going to carry the mortgages at low or no interest. In most of their cases, they already had the money; they would just use what they got from their own property and put some with it. A condition to the property deal was that the house could only be resold to the original landowners, Sue and me. We did this so we could keep the property within our group.

Ryan and Michelle had breakfast with us on Monday and were back for supper with us on Friday. We were all going to the magic show at the comedy club Friday evening. Merlin and Missy had brought six other magicians to entertain the audiences with them. Mercy was included in the cast to do her mind reading and illusion show. She said she was rusty and had to practice at home a lot.

The show had begun on Thursday and would run through the Sunday after next. After the opening night, the rest of the tour was sold out. The newspapers wrote up some excellent reviews, plus one of the TV anchors who attended the first show, featured it on the local television news.

The magic show was great. Merlin did some spectacular tricks, including an escape while under a big black sheet held by members of the audience. The other magicians had rabbits hopping on the stage, snakes slithering across it, as well as birds flying from peoples' hair. The show was really busy.

A spectacular part of the show was Mercy and Missy on stage together. They did what was almost a vaudeville act. They both used wands to mesmerize the audience with masses of illusions. Mercy had Sue and me stand, and pointed her wand at her Mom. Sue and I heard Mercy's voice clearly in our heads, "Tell her my news, tell mom what we are doing."

Sue and I must have both thought "Baby," as at that instant Missy almost screamed. She ran to Mercy and hugged and hugged her. Together they began walking off stage. Just before they parted the curtain, Mercy turned and pointed her wand at the middle of the stage, and poof, Merlin appeared there, looking confused.

He saw the ladies leaving and said, "I guess I need to entertain you folks with one more trick. He held up both hands that spewed a deck of cards from each hand until they were all in the air at the same time then he clapped his hands. The cards froze in place.

He picked a couple of people from the audience to pick out a card and hold it so he couldn't see it. Then he had the other cards fall into small baskets.

He had the two audience helpers hold the card in their hands face down and draped a small black cloth over their hands holding the cards. Merlin used his fingers, like guns shooting at the scarves, and pulled the cloth from their hands. The cards were gone. Merlin pointed at two women who had low cut tops, showing ample cleavage. One was Ruth.

Merlin turned to one of the ladies and said, "You have plenty of room to hide something," Merlin produced a wand and pointed it at the lady andraised it. The card appeared rising from her cleavage. One helper confirmed that it was the card he had chosen.

The next guy was asked what card he had chosen. As he spoke the name of the card, Merlin waved his wand and the card rose from Ruth's cleavage. The audience loved it. I guess that was a favorite trick of Merlin's troupe.

He used that trick to conclude his act, and the house lights came on. We all went home to relieve our kids' babysitters. Our house was the perfect place for all the little ones, as the babysitters would have company, safety, and the house to use for food and entertainment.

Ben and Beth had traveled home with us so they could visit with Stevie, but he was sound asleep. They said they would stay the night, so the two of them enjoyed the bar with our crew, before going off to bed.

Missy and Merlin had come home with us, as Missy wanted more information from Mercy, and she was going to make Mercy be the one to tell Merlin.

Before the evening was over, Merlin had his arm draped over my shoulder, telling me in a tipsy voice, that he was so happy his daughter was going to have a baby. He said he had always been afraid that Mercy was going to go through life without giving them a grandbaby, but Sue and I had made it possible.

Missy and Mercy were happy, and surprised that Merlin took it so well. Missy gave me a healthy kiss and said, "It's a good thing I'm beyond child bearing age, or I would beg Sue to let you give me one too."

That'll get a rise out of you.

The mini-party slowed to a stop, so I shut down the patio and locked up for the night, joining my wife and our special friend, who had become a second wife, to hold each other before we slept.

That night, as the two lay with their heads on my shoulders, Sue observed, "Mercy, your breasts are already swelling. Since mine have finally become more normal looking, you're going to catch me soon."

As Sue reached across me and caressed Mercy's swelling breasts, she said to me, "Will you enjoy having two sets of big breasts to play with? Will it make up for mine not being so big anymore?"

I hugged Sue to me and kissed her, saying, "I think your breasts are beautiful. They obviously still fascinate me, the way I'm always playing with them. They are so much softer now, they make me want to kiss and play with them even more."

I hugged Mercy to me and kissed her, "You're growing larger breasts so you can give your baby the nourishment it will need. I'm going to enjoy playing with them though before he gets here."

Mercy pulled away and looked at me, "How do you know it's a he?"

"I hadn't thought of it, but you'll have a boy I'm sure. He'll probably pop out doing tricks, levitating, and talking to us in our minds."

Mercy kissed me back and snuggled into me, "I wondered whether you would pick up on whether it was a boy or not. You felt it on your own."

The day caught up with us and we drifted off to sleep.

Saturday morning began like so many did since the patio group had been established. We were having an extended coffee and breakfast gathering, munching on pastries and making plans for the rest of the day.

Tim had come by to visit with Bob and Sandy this morning, and came over to me to talk about an idea he had.

"Steve, you've always been good about training people to perform better than most of their industry counterparts. One of the things I've seen while doing service work has been that I'm constantly fixing and cleaning up what another tradesman has screwed up. I keep wondering how I, or you, or we, could fix that. The only way I can think to do that is to have an educational program that teaches not only how to be a welder, in my case, but how to be a good welder and to instill that work ethic in them."

Tim was becoming animated, "There is a lot of unused land in the park where we could build a school. This would be a trade school first for welders and then if you wanted, we could add other trades like electricians, plumbers, cabinetmakers, possibly machinists, too. Since computers are becoming so important, we could even have computer and electronic tech classes. I think this could be a great business, and with our reputation, I think our classes would be full all of the time."

Tiny was listening in on the conversation, "Steve, that's a great idea. You could offer scholarships to high school kids that don't want to go to college, and to some underprivileged kids that are having a hard time finding work."

"Tim and Tiny, the idea is a good one. You two should get together and visit the other trade schools in the area to see what kind of space requirement you would need. We would also need someone as the head educator that knows how to run a school. If we built in the back, next to Sue's plant, we could use her cafeteria. That would keep us from duplicating services."

I turned back to Tim, "Great idea, Tim. That is some good thinking, perhaps you should be the lead instructor for the welding school."

Tim grinned happily, "I would like that. Since you taught me what my potential could be, I've been trying to teach the same to every new man that I get. I enjoy teaching our method of work."

Tiny had gotten a pad of paper and was jotting down notes. Since so many ideas came to us our on the patio, paper and pencils were always available.

Sue came out to me, holding Stevie, "I think your brother Henry is on the phone. He didn't say he was your brother, but said his name was Henry Sharp and he wanted to talk to you."

I went inside to take the call. "This is Steve."

"Hi Steve, this is Henry, your brother, haven't talked to you in a long time."

"Hey, Henry, good to hear from you. I think the last time we talked was when I called to tell you I was married, or was it to tell you about the baby."

Henry told me, "I've talked to Susan and found out that she had gone to visit you in Florida. She said she just told you they were going to be in the area and you made them stay with you for the trip. She also said you flew up and brought them down there. I knew you were learning to fly while you were in the service, but I didn't know you finished. Renting a plane for that kind of trip can be expensive."

"Come on, Henry, you know Susan told you all about my business and that I'm doing pretty well. I've had a lot of luck, plus I've surrounded myself with people who make me even luckier."

"She did tell me all of that, Steve, but it's hard to believe that the little brother that went to a welding school and took off to Alaska can be so successful. I'm ten years as an accountant with the same firm and am still busting my butt to become a partner in the firm I work for. I guess I'm a little jealous, Steve."

"No need, Henry, you and Susan were busy with your lives when Mom died, so we never had a chance to really know each other when I was younger. You two are so much older than I am, we just were not around each other. How is your wife, Nancy, isn't it?"

"You're right, you remembered she is doing well."

"So tell me, Henry, are you ready for a vacation. Would you like to come down to visit? My wife, Sue, and I would enjoy having you. I'm sure you would have a great time."

"We would like to come down, Steve. Nancy's job has just been downsized as the company has moved their headquarters down to Tampa. That's over eight years on the job down the drain. I have a ton of vacation time that I can use, so we both feel we need a break. If we fly in next week, can we stay with you for a day or so?"

"Henry, how about I fly up and get you? You two can stay here for a couple of days before I send you over to Disney to visit for a few days. After that you can come back to this side of the state and spend a few relaxing days over at the Don Caesar hotel on the beach. It will do both of you some good. If you can, stay three weeks so there is enough time for everything."

"Susan said you would want to come get us but I don't want you to have to spend so much on us. I do make decent money even though I'm not a partner yet."

"Just call to tell me when you want to be picked up. When do you think you can start your vacation?"

I heard Henry talking to someone but I couldn't make out what he was saying. He came back to the line, "I'll call the general partner now. He was bugging me to take some of my time yesterday, trying to get me to take off during our less busy time. I think Nancy can be ready this afternoon, is that too early?"

I laughed, "Nope, not too early at all. I probably won't be able to get there until noon. I'll call you before I leave so you'll have a more specific time. Give me your address so I can have someone come by to bring you out to the airport."

When I got off the phone, I asked Sue if this would be okay. She just smiled and said, "Since it is just the two of them, we have plenty of room. The way Mom and Dad are acting, they will probably stay a day or two here. Missy is going to want to be with Mercy as much as possible, so I think we will have them here too. One more couple should be fun. Do you want me to go get them?"

"I'll do it. Let me ask to see if anyone wants to fly up with me." Nelda said she would love to, but was going shopping with Glenda and Alice. The surprise was Abe; he wanted to come with me as he had never flown in a small plane. I promised him we would go up in the 172 soon, as that was fun flying. The King Air was more like a commercial airliner even though it was smaller.

Sue and Mercy fixed some sandwiches and a thermos of coffee while I made up a flight plan and called it in. While Abe and I were on the way to the airport, Sue had called a limo service for Henry and Nancy. I called Henry to tell him the limo would pick him up at ten-thirty and we would meet by eleven.

By the time I was at the Aero Park, the attendant had the plane at the ops building. He said he had done a preflight and had fired the turbines once already. He said he had shut it back down, as he knew I liked to do my own preflights.

Abe and I were wheels up at eight thirty-five, climbing to twenty-six thousand feet. The weather was beautiful all the way, with just a little headwind. We pulled up to the private plane terminal in Cincinnati at ten-forty-five.

The fuel tanker was pulling away from the plane when the limo came on to the tarmac and parked next to the plane with the S&S logo. Henry was first to get out of the car and shook my hand, then he held his hand out and Nancy got out.

The last time I had seen Nancy she was a pretty big girl, but now she was a really big girl. She climbed out to surprise me as she gave me a great big hug and kiss on the cheek, saying how happy she was to see me again and how sweet it was that I would come to get them.

Nancy was a real blonde, a real big real blonde. I had forgotten that Nancy was tall, almost five eleven, actually an inch taller than Henry. Combine that with the fact she probably was near two seventy-five and you have one big woman. She had on a nice dress that gave a decent view of some bulging cleavage. Nancy was going to enjoy meeting Sue.

I introduced them to Abe, telling them he was a partner in my business. Before they got on the plane, Nancy said, "Why does your plane have 'Biggirlsclothes.com' on it?"

"Sue, my wife, created Biggirlsclothes.com. It's one of her companies."

Nancy put her arms out, displaying herself and said, "This dress is from there, as are most of my good clothes. I just love the clothes they have. Whoever designs them knows how to make a big girl like me look and feel sexy. That's how I keep Henry's interest."

"You've always had my interest, Nancy, the clothes just makes me want to take them off you is all," Henry exclaimed, and blushed at his outburst.

I loaded their luggage and got them seated giving them the safety talks as I got them buckled up. I did the preflight, along with the inside stuff after shutting the door.

"Want to hear the chatter while we take off?" I asked them.

Henry and Nancy both nodded their heads, so I put the radio over the speakers and fired up. A ground attendant used wands to direct me to the taxi area as the ground controller in the tower sent us toward the active runway.

Soon, we were cued up behind a 767, leading a parade of small private planes. Once the 767 began his roll, the controller had me take the active, and as soon as the big plane was off the ground, he gave me permission to take off.

We were wheels up at twelve fifteen, this time climbing only to twenty-one thousand. We had a hell of a tailwind on the way home and were touching down at two PM sharp. I taxied up to the ops building and parked so the attendant would have an easy pull back to the fuel docks and hangar. It was also the easiest way to unload luggage right at the gate.

I called home to tell Sue that we were down and should be home in about fifteen minutes. I told her to see if Betty and Joan would want to come over to meet one of their customers, as Henry's wife shopped her catalogue all the time. Sue thought that would be a great idea.

As we pulled into the park, Henry said, "Susan told me you lived in a trailer park. She said I would be surprised at what I saw, though."

I parked on the side of the house with the front door and took them into the house that way. Sue and Mercy met us, with little Stevie being held by Mercy. Nancy stopped and starred at Sue, "You're the girl on the catalogue cover and on the website. You're little, you lost weight, even after you had a baby?"

Sue smiled and said, "I'll tell you all about it later. We'll have lots of time to visit. Come out to the patio and let me introduce you to some of our friends."

While Sue was doing the introductions, Abe and I brought in the luggage. I admonished Abe, telling him he wasn't supposed to be carrying heavy stuff around. He said he was getting soft in his old age as no one would let him do anything physical anymore. I told him that both of us probably needed a few days in the shop to get our attitudes right.

Nancy was having the time of her life meeting Sue, Betty, Joan, and Hanna. Henry was just standing at the bar staring at how big the place was. When I came up to him he said, "You live here? This isn't a trailer park, this is a mansion on wheels."

I fixed him a drink about the time Tiny came through the door. It was time for the Busch races, so he was there pouring himself a beer, and was introduced to Henry. He motioned Henry over to a couple of recliners and they sat down to watch the races.

Sue came over and said, "You should get Charlie and run down to see Hap. Hap called and said he would really like for you to come visit for a few minutes. You need to ride a little anyway." She gave me a kiss as I walked out of the patio to go see if Charlie wanted to ride.

Silly question, Charlie gave CJ and Shawna a kiss and was out the door. We roared down to the clubhouse to encounter a very large get together going on. All of Bear's people were there, along with the entire St. Pete bunch. The surprise was the fifty or so men from down in Miami. As soon as Hap saw us he began introducing Charlie and me to the Miami people. He came down to the guy wearing the prez insignia on the front of his vest and said, "Do you remember this guy? You really didn't meet him, but you know him."

When I looked at him quizzically he held out his hand and simply said, "Snake."

"Ah, the man with the bike. Thank you for trading it in that day. It's given me a lot of pleasure."

He looked at me, "You still have it?"

"Sure, I just rode it over here," I said.

Before I could say anything else, Hap said, "Come and look at it. You're not going to believe it's the same bike."

We all went to look at the shovel. Snake loved the paint job and the way it had been restored and tricked out. "The only thing I recognize on the bike is the head and the forks. The gouge on the turning head was there when I bought the bike. You did a righteous job on it ... Even better, you ride it. How come you're not part of Hap's group?"

Hap answered for me, "He's just a fucking independent. I've done everything but have his dick sucked, but he's happy to be who he is."

"He's the one that caught the asshole last year, huh. Is he the one that helped Bear out when the cops busted up that group trying to muscle in?"

Bear said, "The same. The fucker keeps saving my ass and helping me out when I need it. He may not wear the patch, but he is a brother."

Snake smacked me on the back, "Come down and visit. You're welcome at our place the same as here. We have better chili though."

That got Hap going on and on at how great his cook's chili was. Today, in addition to chili, they had ribs, chicken, and hamburgers. Charlie and I ate and drank some beer.

When I got Hap alone for a second, I asked, "What did you need me for, Hap? Something I can do for you?"

"Naw, I just wanted you to come over today to meet Snake and to be here with all of my brothers. I always like having you around, Steve. Makes me feel good, makes me feel safe when you're around. Don't tell anybody that, but it does."

After a while, Charlie and I decided we should get back home so we took off. We arrived in time for more ribs and chicken already cooking on the grill.

Henry and Tiny were tending the cooking. Henry kept saying there was no way there would be that many people come to eat that much food. Tiny just kept saying, we're big eaters.

Nancy and the girls were absent. I found out they had taken a trip over to the new plant to see if they could find some more clothes for Nancy in the plant store.

Tiny got me off to the side and said, "You know your brother is an accountant, right?"

"Sure, Tiny. I was there when he finished his CPA exam."

"I know the firm he works for. They are notorious for using a guy up, then, when he should be moving into a partnership, they just dump him saying they don't think he'll work out. I'll bet your brother is being set up for it right now. He even told me that he knows his firm isn't all that nice, but he's been figuring that he might be immune to their non-partnership strategy."

"What are you thinking, Tiny?" I asked pouring myself a beer.

"Get him to come down here and work for the company. I need a lead guy right now with some experience. We have three young guys that are doing great, but it's going to be a couple of years before they have the business experience that your brother does."

"What makes you think he might come down here?" I said.

"If you ask him, he'll come. After supper, let's take him down to the shop and show him around. Anyone who sees that place when it's all cleaned up has to be impressed. Tomorrow, we'll show him the park, where you can mention that I need help and ask him he if would enjoy working down here. I'll bet he jumps at it, especially since his wife is out of work."

"Okay Tiny, I'll do it, but you better find out from your dad if there is a place for Henry to rent until he can find a place for himself."

"I'll do that, but I'll also bet that as soon as he sees how much fun we have here, he'll want to be a part of it."

All of our crew must have smelled the ribs, as people began pouring in. Tim was back to talk some more about his school idea, Abe and Alice were here for the camaraderie. As large as the patio is now, the place was packed.

Henry loved all of the people and was made over by Nelda since he was my brother. By the time we had finished supper, Henry and Nancy felt as if they were part of the crew. When Tiny announced he was going to take Henry down to the shop to show him around, half the people wanted to go too, so they could show off their areas of the shop.

Nancy and Henry were given the grand tour. We went through the impressive showroom, looked into Debbie's and my office to show Henry that we had monitors of all the areas that we didn't have a direct view of.

Shawna showed off her shop, with Sandy and Mandy showing Henry a motor they were working on. Shawna had an almost completed bike up on a lift, making it easy to show off her work.

Next was the sheet metal area, and the welding area. Since the body shop was now down the street in the old golf cart building, I said we would stop by there later. The welding area showed several different types of frames that were ready to ship, and in some cases, on the paint rack.

Abe gave a tour of his shop explaining that the rebuilt generators were the beginning of everything we had now. We walked across the lot, amidst trucks with huge lifts on them, waiting their turn to be rebuilt. When Henry saw the size of the super lifts, he couldn't believe that we could actually work on them. We showed Henry the fiberglass shop, and explained that we had another shop like this out at the park.

Before we went down the street, I pointed out to Henry that the big two-building plant across the street was Sue's first and second plants. He asked why it was all lit up.

"Easy, Henry, this entire plant is working three shifts. The extra shifts are an all-volunteer work force, and hardly any of the people are pulling double. Only those that want to, or need to, work two shifts. A lot of people are working a shift and half for the money but for the most part most everyone works only one shift."

Henry was impressed with our utility body manufacturing plant down the street. He looked them over thoroughly, as all men love utility bodies, especially ones so intricate with drawers and doors everywhere. I explained that we were producing bodies specific to each different trade. Henry commented that all of our facilities were so clean and that the white floors all had our logo on them. He also commented on the 'Is it perfect' signs over all the doors, saying it was admirable that we tried to keep up our quality.

Tom who was with us said, "Try? No, Henry, we don't try. Nothing goes out our doors without it being perfect. There is no other way for us. It's either perfect or we don't ship it."

Back at the house, Henry began getting the story of how I had started the business and the progression to where we were today. He and Nancy were sitting together on a sofa when he said, "Susan said I would never believe all of this, and she's right. I've seen proof that whoever S&S is, they're doing really well."

Sandy pointed at Sue and me then announced, "Sue and Steve, or Steve and Sue, is the S&S. This is the greatest company ever to work for. Do you know that Steve has given his employees a big part of his company? He's given nearly half of it away. Every employee has a 401K that owns forty percent of S&S. The profits from the company are making the plan rich. What we don't have in the equity fund is in a Fidelity plan. I think all of us original employees are going to be making as much from our plan as we do from our wages."

Nancy said, "Well, I'm unemployed. How about I stay down here and go to work for Sue or you?"

Sue answered her, "That would be nice, Nancy, but Henry would get lonely don't you think?"

The kicker came when Nancy said, "Henry should dump those skinflints he's working for. He's never going to be a partner and he'll probably end up like some of our past friends. Just about the time they can't put off making him a partner, they will find something to let him go for. Henry will just have to come down here too."

"Take it easy, Nancy, we have a home up there. You'll find another job," Henry said.

Nancy said, "I think we should sell the house, we should sell it while we can get some money out of it. Our neighborhood is going down the sewer fast."

Tiny looked at me and raised his eyebrows. I nodded back at him, knowing he had probably been right. I wondered whether Susan and Kevin would want to come down too.

Merlin and Missy came back from the theater with Ben and Beth. They had been having a great time during the show and obviously afterward. Both couples were a little tipsy. It was a good thing they had taken a limo into town and tback home.

The four newcomers were happy to meet a relative of mine. When Merlin said he had met Susan and her family, but had not heard much of Henry and family, Henry said, "Steve was very young when I went off to college. We never were close, or at least I never did give us a chance to be close. When our parents died, we lost the catalyst that could have kept us close. It's my fault and I've regretted it, as even Susan and I are not that close either."

Missy smiled at him and said, "That's not what you want now, is it? Isn't it just amazing how warm and friendly it is here." Missy said this while waving her arms around the room.

Ben, in his always wanting to impress someone way, said, "Well, you lucked out, Henry, you have a very prosperous and generous brother. You should hit him up for a job."

Beth punched him, but Ben as usual was oblivious to the admonishment.

The Saturday night party wound down as we all cleaned up to get ready for going to bed.

When it was just Sue, Mercy, and me sitting on the patio, having some juice for them and a drink for me, Mercy said, "You know you're going to have them here very soon. Henry wants to ask you about moving down, and Nancy already has. You need to call Susan too. I think her family is ready to come down here too. Kevin isn't happy where he's at, their kids just love it here, and Susan just loves Sue to death."

"Mercy, you see so much that I don't. That's why you have to stay with us. You help me learn things that I can't see, even about my own siblings."

Sue said, "Your other wife isn't going anywhere. That little critter in her tummy bonds her to us forever. Get used to it, Steve, you have two of us."

The two of them became emotional enough that I was dragged off to bed to be shown how attached to each other we were.

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 29

There was banging on the patio door. I woke up, slipped on some shorts, and went to find out what was up. Glenda was there.

"Steve, come over quick, Martin is feeling sick, and he's got pains in his chest. I've called 911, but please come stay with us until they get here."

"Let me put on a shirt. I'll be right there."

I went back to the bedroom to find both Sue and Mercy putting on clothes. Missy came into the bedroom and said she would stay with Stevie.

The three of us went to Martin and Glenda's to find Martin lying on the couch. I asked Glenda if she had given him anything and she had not. I had Sue get Martin some aspirin and some water and I took his pulse. It was a little fast but that could be from fear. Martin said he had pains in his arms and chest.

Mercy called 911 again to find out their ETA, but didn't get any information. I called back and asked for a supervisor. When I was given some lip by the operator, I told her that I would personally see her get terminated if I did not get a supervisor right that instant.

When a supervisor came on the phone, I said I had a critical person and gave him my location. When he began to give some kind of runaround I said that the next person I called would be a Major in the county Sheriff's department.

I hung up and called Mickey to ask her to call her Dad so we could get an ambulance. Mickey said she didn't need her dad for that and she would be right over with an ambulance. A fire truck and paramedic truck was pulling up just as Mickey walked in the door. The trained people went to work on Martin immediately. They were going to transport him to University Community Hospital because they had a heart center there. Glenda said she wanted to go with him, but I convinced her to get dressed and we would all go.

Meanwhile, Mickey had called the 911-control room to hear that they had better things to do than to worry about some loser at a trailer park. That was the wrong thing to do. Mickey called her dad and told him to meet her with the Sheriff at the control room, it was an emergency. Mickey was smoking when she left.

Mercy stayed with Glenda to get her dressed while Sue and I went home to dress to go to the hospital. Sue switched with Mercy, as Mercy said she should go as well. Missy and Beth were both up now and would watch Stevie.

The four of us arrived at the hospital emergency room about twenty minutes after Martin. A nurse said a cardiologist was with Martin at that moment and would be with us in a few minutes.

A man in a white jacket came out saying, "It looks like Martin has some clogged arteries and will need angioplasty. He is being x-rayed right now, but they should have the results in a few minutes." The doc took a minute to examine Glenda, recognizing that she was in distress. He told her that her heart sounded fine, but he wanted to give her a mild sedative to relax her a little.

Over her objections, Sue and Mercy convinced her to take the pill. By the time the doc came back, she was much more relaxed. "Martin will be fine, but we do need to open up a couple of arteries. One area may need a stent, but we can do this right away to lessen the chance of a major heart attack."

Glenda was nodding her understanding, so I asked, "Can Glenda be with Martin until it's time to take him for the procedure?"

"Of course, come with me, Glenda, you can help Martin relax as well." The doc looked at Sue and Mercy and said, "Would one of you like to go with her? She might need some support too."

Sue went with them leaving Mercy and me together. Mercy patted my hand saying, "Martin and Glenda will be alright, I know it. The doctor felt that way too. Relax, our friends will be fine."

We waited for about thirty minutes before Glenda and Sue came back in. We were told that the procedure would take from forty-five minutes to up to two hours depending. The nurse at the desk had given Sue a pager that would summon us back to the ward when Martin returned.

We went downstairs to have some coffee. The cafeteria was open, so we decided to have some French toast too. The whole time we were eating, Glenda kept saying how she had always tried to feed Martin good food so he wouldn't have heart trouble. She said, "I've fed him good everyday for fifty-seven years and I know what my man eats. He eats right."

Hearing how long she said, I asked, "How old are you and Martin? I know you two ran off to get married when you were young; what were you two, five?"

Glenda smiled at me and said, "No, Steve, remember, we were both eighteen years old. That makes us both seventy-five now."

Sue exclaimed, "Glenda, I can't let you do all that housework you do around my place. My goodness, I should be doing yours."

Glenda became alarmed, "Oh no, Sue, I need to do that stuff for you and Steve. You two are like my kids. I don't need the money but I do need to keep busy. Doing for you two, and now you four, is the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Sue hugged Glenda, "You do what you like, but you will have some help around the place. Between our place and yours, it's like trying to take care of several families in several homes."

"But you feed Martin and me a couple of times a day and we've been drinking Steve's beer since he came. Martin and I want to contribute too. We love being a part of all of the S&S stuff, and your clothing company is just another reason for me to help out."

"Okay, Glenda, just promise me to take it easy and teach someone else to help us as well."

When we went back up to the waiting room, we were greeted by half of the trailer park. The place was packed with our crew, plus many others who knew the older couple. One after another, people would hug Glenda and tell her they were there for her. Even Star and DeDe were there, telling Glenda they were always home during the day and could help her take care of Martin. Sue gave both of the girls a hug, thanking them for coming for Glenda.

The doctor finally came into to get Glenda. He took Glenda and Sue with him and they left, apparently to see Martin. After a while, Sue came in and said that Martin was resting and Glenda was going to stay with him. The doc said there was nothing else we could do for him tonight and for all of us to go home to get at least a little sleep.

We did all go home, but since I couldn't sleep, I was sitting on the patio looking over toward Martin and Glenda's trailer. As I sat there, I was thinking without Martin, who would feed all the songbirds in the area? Who would keep the weeds and grass trimmed around all of the trailers? Who would do all those little repairs for people that Martin did? Some of the people he helped couldn't afford the repairs, but they would get done anyway. The park probably didn't pay Martin near what he was worth for his landscaping responsibilities. He and Glenda lived simply. They didn't need a lot and did not live high. I said a silent prayer that he would be all right.

As people woke this morning, I fixed coffee, thinking how the first person here most mornings was Glenda. She was always my good morning lady. Just as I was thinking that, Missy came out of the house, asking if I had heard from the hospital. I told her that I had not and didn't expect to hear for a while. Sue would go in to spell Glenda for a while so she could get some rest and we would find out more then.

Missy said, "I felt you out here by yourself last night. I didn't bother you or come out. I knew you needed some time alone to consider your friend. Your Mercy felt you too, but did not want to intrude either. You know, Steve, there are some things in life you cannot do anything about. You have to accept them as they come. Relax and do something for those things you can control."

Missy sat next to me and gave me a hug.

Mercy came out to the patio and sat on the other side of me. She didn't say anything, but hugged me while she sipped some of her green tea.

My day became all-better when Sue came out in a sexy gown and sat Stevie in my lap. My son cooed and jabbered at me for a minute, leaned his head on my chest, and seemingly hugged me. That will make anyone's day better.

Sue said she was going to get ready and go in to let Glenda come home to rest and clean up. I said I would go with her so I could drive Glenda home. More and more people came onto the patio as Sue and I prepared to leave. Mickey came home in her uniform. She said that her dad, the Sheriff, and her had walked into the 911-control center and immediately pulled the tapes of the time period the calls had come in. When they heard the voices and conversation of two different operators, and the supervisor, the Sheriff suspended them, pending charges for intentional neglect, and for risking the life of a citizen.

Mickey felt they would probably just be terminated, as even though it had been a willful act, the only thing they could charge the people with was a hate crime.

Mercy took Stevie while I cleaned up quickly to go in with Sue. When we entered Martin's semi-private room, no one was in the adjoining bed, but Glenda was sitting in a chair with her head lying on Martin's stomach. Martin was awake, stroking Glenda's hair. The love in his eyes was very touching. When he saw us he put his finger to his lips in the timeless signal to stay quiet. Glenda was sleeping.

Sue went to Martin and told him that I was to take Glenda home and Sue was going to stay with him. Martin nodded and began running his finger around Glenda's ear lobe and around her lips.

Glenda moved and said in a hushed voice, "Martin, I can't do that here." Martin grinned saying, "Steve is here to take you home. Sue is going to stay with me. I guess we'll just swap for a while.'

Raising her now blushing head, "You scoundrel, waking me up like that in front of others."

"I knew that would wake you up, Honey. I didn't want to startle you," Martin said.

"Well, if you're feeling that spunky, I guess I could leave you with Sue. You can't do any harm to her, she's already pregnant. I know I could probably use a young stud like this one for a few hours," Glenda teased.

Sue commented, "Just leave some for me, Glenda."

I took Glenda home and told her to shower and lay down. I would wake her after noon so she could eat and go back to the hospital. She went inside but came right back out, "I need something to eat. I hope they left something for me."

I sat her down and quickly made her some bacon, eggs, and toast. I gave her milk to wash down the breakfast, telling her it would give her more energy. She was soon home, washed, and in bed. All of her friends waited for me to get her down before they inundated me with questions about how Martin was doing and when they could go see him.

I told them all to wait till noon and they could probably visit him a couple at a time.

I woke Glenda about noon promising myself she would not stay at the hospital this night. She called the hospital, and when she talked to the nursing desk they said she should be talking to Martin, because he wanted to go home immediately because he missed his wife.

Glenda talked to Martin and told him to visit with his friends for a while and she would be in to see him in a little bit. I left Glenda to shower again and dress. She came to the patio in time for some soup and sandwiches. Beth was being domestic, and with the help of Mercy and Missy, had made some homemade vegetable beef soup and some warm roast beef sandwiches.

The babies were in the living room playpen that Martin had made. It was a low fenced in corner of the living room that had two sides of wall and two sides that were fenced with an eighteen-inch high fence. Sue had installed a thick pad and heavy stainmaster carpet in that corner just for the purpose of housing some rough and tumble babies. CJ, Robbie, and Stevie were buds from the start, playing together in baby fashion. Hanna's little girl, Mia, was almost too little to be put in with the little boys, but was always holding herself up, drooling at the boys. We all figured she had started cutting teeth earlier than the boys had.

I drove Glenda into the hospital, confirming with her that she would not stay that night. I promised her that we would be there first thing in the morning so Martin would not feel neglected.

Folks from the park were visiting Martin two at a time with Sue acting as the moderator. She was the constant, the person always in the room making sure each couple of folks had a few minutes with Martin but didn't stay too long to wear him out.

Glenda gave Martin a hug before she hugged Sue thanking her for staying with Martin. I told Martin that either Sue or I would be back this evening to pick up Glenda. The nurse came in to have Martin get up and walk up and down the hallway to get some exercise. They told him, the more he could do, the faster he could go home. Martin and Glenda, with some more visitors, were slowly walking up the hallway when Sue and I left.

Beth, Nancy, and Missy had been to the grocery store to get a few roasts for Sunday dinner. Since the kitchen was so big, they were not in each others' way as they prepared dinner. They were only figuring on twenty or so people, as it was unusual to have a Sunday dinner together.

Tiny was on the patio with a beer in his hand, talking to Henry. About the time I went to say hi to them, Henry became so excited I thought he was going to kiss me. "Steve, Steve, thank you, damn this is the best opportunity I've ever had. Thank you for asking me to come down to Florida to work for you, I mean with you. Tiny has already cautioned me about that. I am a good worker, Steve. You won't find anyone more careful with your numbers than I am. You'll see, you and Tiny will find out I am a good accountant. Damn, I'm so excited I need to pee. Excuse me a second."

Tiny looked at me a little sheepishly, "I couldn't wait any longer. He wasn't hinting, but he kept discussing different aspects of your business with me, until I just asked him if he was ready to move down here and work with you and me. When I told him that I wanted him to oversee the three kid accountants, I thought he would burst. He's never had people other than secretaries work under him."

"Steve, I offered him what I thought was a low starting salary, and I thought he was going to pass out. That guy has been making nothing up there. Either they have a real low cost of living in Cincinnati or he is being grossly underpaid."

I told Tiny, "Don't start him too low, but do leave some room so you can show him that we like his work."

"No problem, Steve, I'll make sure he's taken care of. The two of them can move right into Nelda's old house next to me until they find something they want. They might even want to build a house. We'll see."

"Tiny, what do you think about paying for their move? It isn't unusual for a company to pay for an employee's move, is it?"

"Not at all, Steve, that would be a good starting benefit. I'll talk to Henry about it. See, I told you he would want to come down."

"Well, Tiny, Sue said that if Henry comes down, Susan is going to want to come too. What would we do with Kevin?"

Tiny smiled at me and said, "I've already thought of that. Kevin is a dispatcher and vehicle manager for his company's truck delivery services now. With his experience, we could use him at S&S for our delivery service, or I'm sure Crystal would be happy to have an experienced truck man to work with her. The body plant could use some help with coordination and you know the golf cart manager is thinking of retiring. There is no end of places for him. Will you have a problem with them back in your life after they ignored you for so long?"

"No, Tiny, I know they were busy with their lives when I was in grammar school, junior high, and high school. Since I was the youngest and still at home, it fell on me to take care of Mom when Dad died. It just happened to be that I was living with Mom when she passed away, so it fell on me again to take care of the estate. They had kids and were busy and I wasn't."

Henry came back and said, "Can I tell Nancy? Do you mind?"

I told him, "Bring her out here and we'll break out some champagne for the occasion."

I found a chilled bottle under the bar and opened it for us. I poured six glasses, since I knew Sue and Mercy would come out as well.

Henry came out with Nancy and pointed at Tiny, "Meet my new boss. I'm starting to work for S&S Enterprises."

Nancy's mouth opened with a stunned appearance. She looked at Tiny, at Sue, then at me. Instead of running to her husband she almost tried to jump into my arms. She gave me a bone crushing hug and a big wet kiss on the lips. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, Steve. This is wonderful. You're going to get Henry away from those vultures. This is wonderful."

"I didn't hire him, Nancy, Tiny did," I said.

Nancy repeated the action on Tiny. She grabbed the giant Tiny and pulled him down for a kiss and gave him a big hug. "Thank you, Tiny, Henry will make you a great employee. We'll be good neighbors too, if we can find a place to live right here in this park with you."

She looked at Henry and said, "See, aren't you glad I saved up that extra money. We can use it to move with. We can get the house ready to sell while we are packing."

Tiny began picking up the glasses of champagne and passing them around. Sue's and Mercy's glasses only had a swallow in them, but they were going to be a part of the toast. "To Henry and Nancy's new life in Florida, to Henry's new career with S&S Enterprises."

We joined our glasses together with a clink and sipped the golden liquid.

Tiny said, "I don't think you understood me, Henry, I hired you to work down here. That means the company pays to move you down. The company is responsible to get you the appraised value from your home. You only have to figure out whether you want to live in the park or in the new housing area that we are building."

Nancy said, "I want to live as close to all of these people as I can. I want us to come out here in the morning for coffee and to have supper with them too. We've lived in that hateful neighborhood for over fifteen years and we still don't know everyone on our block. I want to live right here."

Tiny told her that his dad would help them find a place. There were still a couple of places on the back fence area available for doublewides if they wanted.

Henry became excited and wanted me to fly him home so he could turn in his notice tomorrow. I told him to take his vacation first. To not screw up his bosses' opportunity to give him a nice severance package if they were going to let him go anyway. It took him a while to settle down but finally agreed saying, "I just want to begin helping out here and working with your company, Steve. I want to show you how much of an asset your brother can be."

"I'm sure you will be good for me, Henry, but right now, you have some fun to attend to. This evening you and Nancy are going to Mickey Mouse world. We have reservations for you to spend three days there and to come back here for the weekend again. Next week you will spend the week on the beach in St. Petersburg. You'll love the Don Caesar hotel. It is a real treat."

After dinner, Sue and I had Henry and Nancy pack up to leave for Disney. We took them to the Holiday Inn where they picked up the car we had reserved for them. My happy brother and his wife drove off with maps and directions to spend some time celebrating together.

Sue told me on the way home, "Nancy is beautiful. She is going to be a model for me and she can help with design. She already has several neat ideas we can use to make some new designs. This will be a great to have your brother here. You now have family here too."

"Sue, I already have family here. I have you, Stevie, Mercy, your mom, and Ben. Martin and Glenda are family. Tiny and Ruth, Shawna and Charlie, Jim and Hanna, Debbie and Hank, Sandy and Mandy with Drew and Bob, Tom, Al, Betty and Joan, Nelda and Ernie: my goodness, I have a huge family here."

"You really do, don't you, Honey? Your family is just going to be bigger. Now, how are you going to get your sister down here?"

I told her of Tiny's plan for Kevin that she thought would be a great idea. She said that her company used mostly UPS and FedEx to ship, since most of the shipments were current fashions shipped in small quantities. Sue had shipping departments, but not a delivery service.

That evening Sue and I went in to get Glenda and spend a minute with Martin. He was very tired, but still wanted to come home. I promised him that Glenda would be there early, before eight. He said he would probably sleep till then, as tired as he was. The three of us left Martin lying back on his bed, ready to fall asleep.

Glenda came home, had a snack and went to bed, equally tired from the night before.

Mercy, Sue, and I were very tired and as soon as everyone began going off for some quiet Sunday evening togetherness, Mercy, Sue and I were in bed, leaving the locking up to Merlin, Missy, Ben, and Beth.

My morning began nicely. Sue and Mercy both woke me with kisses and lips to my ears, saying in stereo, "I love you."

That is something special. I pulled both women onto me and kissed both repeatedly. All three of us seemed to remember that we had a busy day ahead. The girls headed toward the bathroom and I stumbled into the kitchen to make coffee.

Once back in the bathroom to use the throne, I could see the forms of the two girls in the shower. In just seconds, I joined them to help wash all those beautiful curves. Neither would let me get too far this morning as we did have much to do.

As the patio filled with the morning revelers, I was able to catch Terrell for a second. "It's possible that Martin will come home today and I'd like to surprise him. He wanted to remove the wheels on his home to make it lower to get in and out. Since he might have to use a wheelchair in the future, how about getting the mobile home people down the road to remove his axle and lower the trailer while you have a couple or ten carpenters come over and build a ramp to his door? Even if he doesn't have to use a wheelchair, it will be easier for him to get in and out."

Terrell answered with a smile, "I'll make it a priority. Let me get on the phone and get some men over here right away. It will be done by noon, Steve."

Sue went over to make sure Glenda was okay. She was up but was a little disoriented from being so tired. Sue decided at that moment that we were going to have some kind of alarm for either or both of our seniors, so they could signal us if they needed us.

Once Glenda was sitting at the table with me, I told her we were going to lower her trailer while she was gone. She happily agreed that it would be a nice surprise for Martin. Nelda was hovering over Glenda, wanting to help her too. It is very sweet to see how these older people looked out for each other.

Sue took Glenda to the hospital so Martin would have company for breakfast and for Sue to find out how he was doing. She would call me later to tell me how they were. Mercy and Missy were in charge of Stevie, CJ, Robbie, and Mia this morning, as Debbie and Shawna had been talked into leaving them at home instead of taking them to the day care.

At breakfast, I had asked Nelda to look within the park for someone that could help Glenda with the housekeeping and the special help that Glenda gave Sue and me. Nelda figured the easiest way to find that person was to corner Charlie and Matty and get their opinion. Matty said she had just the right person. Matty and Nelda went to visit a lady in her fifties that lived at the far end of the park, near the cypress swamp and lake.

Matty knocked on the door of an older trailer. A grey haired lady came to the door. She had a dark complexion that was not tan but natural. She had the flashing dark brown eyes of her Latin heritage. "Hi Matty, what can I do for you." She turned to Nelda and said, "I know you, you're Nelda, the lady who recently got married. Thank you for inviting me. I enjoyed your reception. Won't you both come in?"

The inside of the older trailer was clean and neat with the smell of coffee in the air. Matty got right down to business. "Juanita, I know you are hard-headed about charity and I want you to know this is not charity. You know Steve and Sue Sharp, the two who own that big home where the wedding was. The lady who helps them with the house and patio is getting older and could use some help. Her husband just had a heart problem and will be coming home from the hospital, so Glenda is going to be busy taking care of him. Nelda has been asked to find someone to help Glenda and to take over as much of the work as she can for a while. The couple will pay you very well, and if you want to become a part of that group, you will have more fun than you could ever believe. Just ask Nelda; she moved here because Steve brought her here and what do you know, she even found a husband. Would you consider it, Juanita?"

Juanita sat there sipping her coffee looking first at Matty then at Nelda. "You know I get just enough from my husband's pension to pay my lot rent and utilities. I get food stamps and do some odd sewing for some people. I like to pay my own way and do. Is this another of your 'take care of Juanita' schemes?"

"No, no, Steve told Nelda to find someone. Nelda came to me and the first person I thought of is you. I can't let just anyone take care of my son's boss and our very good friend. That person must be honest, caring, and friendly. When you meet all the people that are there you will see what I mean. I really want you to do this. It will get you out of the house and it would be good income for you."

Juanita paused and asked, "Martin is the man who takes care of the grass in the common areas, isn't he?"

"That's right, that's him," Matty said.

"I really do owe him. He's fixed so many things for me over the years since Jorge died, I can't list them. He won't take money for even the materials. He comes by at least once a month to see what he can do for me. He is such a nice man. If Glenda and Martin need help, I'll do it."

Nelda said, "How about coming over to the house so you can meet a couple of people now. Steve and Sue almost always have extra people staying with them and they almost always come home for lunch. It will give you a chance to meet them too. Come with us, Juanita."

"I will, Nelda. You make it sound so warm and friendly, I will," Juanita said.

Nelda and Juanita walked back to the big house with the patio, leaving Matty at the park office. Nelda said she would lend Juanita her golf cart to use to go back and forth as it was a pretty long walk. Juanita said she needed the exercise and walked twice that far almost every day.

When they went into the patio, Beth and Missy were having coffee. Nelda introduced Beth and Missy as both being Steve's mother-in-law. Juanita looked puzzled but Nelda said to be patient, it would be clear to her eventually. Inside, Mercy had the four little ones in the play area while Hanna was in the kitchen area putting ingredients into a big pot. Mercy was introduced as Steve's special wife and Hanna as a neighbor and one of Sue's employees.

When Juanita asked, "Special wife?" Mercy said, "I found Steve and Sue when they were in San Francisco. Our minds said we were meant to be with each other. Sue welcomed me into their life and now I share Steve and Sue."

"Oh my, this is a strange house," Juanita said.

Hanna said from the kitchen, "When you meet Steve you will see how easy it is to like him. When you first meet Sue, you will be jealous someone can be so beautiful. But she is even more beautiful inside. You'll find out, they are easy to like."

Nelda gave Juanita a tour of the office area and took her back to the master bedroom suite with Stevie's room. Juanita couldn't get over how big the place was. "That's why Sue needs the help to keep it up. Glenda is beginning to be too old to do it all, especially since they made everything so much bigger."

When they went back into the kitchen, Hanna called Juanita over to ask her if she was good with Cuban cooking. Juanita smiled, "I am Cuban and yes, I am a good cook. I just don't get to cook for many very often."

The two were instantly into what they were doing. Hanna had a large pork roast in the oven and was making her special black beans to go with either white or yellow rice. Juanita said they needed bread for this as well, but asked why such a big pot of beans and the two huge roasts.

"This is for tonight's supper. We'll probably have around thirty to thirty-five people. To make sure, you have to have enough food to feed at least forty. Even then, more show up, so we have to make everything stretch. What we need is to roast an entire pig in a fire pit. That way we could be sure to have enough. We can always have leftover meat for sandwiches the next day."

Hanna made an exclamation in Spanish and this caused Juanita and her to degenerate into a rapid discussion of the food in their native language. Hanna looked up at everyone and said, "The next time I interview people for jobs, I have my helper right here."

By the time Steve came home, Juanita had become friends with everyone at the house, including Merlin, who pulled a spoon from Hanna's ear and acted as if he pulled a finger from the beans. He had everyone within sight of the kitchen laughing.

Steve came with the news that Sue would be bringing Martin and Glenda home around three. He looked over toward Martin and Glenda's trailer and went over to look at the other side where the door was. He came back around, through the patio, into the kitchen. "The guys did a good job on the ramp. That will make it perfect to get Martin in and out while, and if, he uses a wheelchair."

Steve was finally introduced to Juanita. As Nelda told him more about Juanita, Steve said, "Perfect. You are probably the best person to help Glenda. Do you have any children?"

Juanita sadly shook her head no, "Jorge and I could never have any. We don't know why, but we never did. After we came during the boat lift, our families were jailed in Cuba and we never heard of them after that. We have assumed they are all gone. Very few ever came out of jail when Castro put them away back then."

"Well, Juanita," I said to her scooping up the baby boy, "Meet your new best friend, Stevie." I walked up to Juanita and held him close to her.

Juanita's eyes almost watered as she took the baby offered to her. Stevie did his cutest thing. With both of his little hands on each side of Juanita's face, he gave her a sloppy baby kiss the way his mother and Mercy did it to him every time they picked him up. Two big tears rolled down Juanita's face as she said, "Oh, you are my new best friend, aren't you?"

Mercy said, "These others are just as loveable. You'll have fun playing with them."

Hanna said, "The lunch stuff is in the fridge, Steve, will you take it out to the table with the tray of bread?"

"Sure, Hanna, as soon as I wash my hands," I said.

Soon, not only the tray of lunch meat and bread was on the table, but bowls of warmed up chili were placed in several places. Ernie showed up to eat with Nelda. Charlie and Matty came to have lunch with everyone. Ryan and Michelle did not leave this morning, so they came. Of course, there were Merlin and Missy, Beth, and the two other ladies who worked in Sue's office. Juanita was surprised at how many people there were, and this was just for lunch.

After lunch, I changed clothes and headed to the gym with Mercy. A little over an hour later, we were back, put on our swimsuits and headed up to the pool for a swim and some sun. Mercy was becoming a tanned beauty, a California beach bunny in Florida.

When we returned, Juanita was busy with Missy straightening up the patio. Missy said it needed to be dusted almost daily since it was outside. Juanita couldn't get over that it was air-conditioned as well as most homes.

A little after three, Sue drove up in the Expedition with Martin and Glenda. Martin refused to go inside his house right away. He wanted to visit with people out on the patio for a while first.

As soon as Martin was pushed into the patio, he smiled brightly and said, "How are you, Juanita, I'm glad to see you. Do you need some help?"

Juanita smiled warmly and "No senor, I'm fine. I'm your wife's new helper. Nelda came for me today."

Glenda came over and hugged Juanita saying, "My Martin always speaks so nicely of you. You and I will make a good team. Thank you for coming."

Martin was looking at the two ladies, "Juanita, you live a long way from here, I'll have Steve get you one of those little golf carts for you to go back and forth. You can even use it to go grocery shopping. I've seen you with your little cart many times on the way to and from the store."

Juanita just smiled, without understanding that if Martin said it, it would happen.

Sue introduced herself to Juanita and took her through the house again. They disappeared into the master bedroom for a long time, and came back with Juanita smiling broadly. Sue motioned me aside.

"Can you take your truck over to the cart shop and bring one of the little ones back over here. You know, one like Nelda's?"

"How about I take Merlin and let him drive the truck back. I'll drive the cart back to make sure it runs right. We'll be right back."

Merlin and I drove over to the cart shop where I pulled a small red cart from the production area and signed for it. The manager laughed, saying, "You guys are always stealing my inventory. We can't make enough lately. Tiny told me we were going to add onto the building for both manufacturing and repair, is that right, Steve?"

"That's what I heard this weekend, so it must be true. It's good to hear your group is so successful. Keep it up."

I drove the little cart back to the house. I would get Shawna to paint Juanita's name on the cart for right now, but I knew that it would soon be adorned with at least one comical cartoon.

Soon it was the evening gathering, with the hordes coming into the patio for refreshments and companionship. Juanita was introduced to all and was made to sit and enjoy a Cuba Libre made by Sue. Sue told Juanita that as soon as she had this baby, she would be joining her as it was her favorite drink. Before long, Juanita felt as if she belonged. She did belong as she had become an instant friend.

That evening, long after supper was over, Sue and I accompanied Juanita as she drove her cart back to her house. She said it was nice as she was very tired. Sue said she didn't need to stay all day but to come and help Glenda out a little then come home or stay and visit. Sue told her that she could come for breakfast, lunch, and supper anytime or everyday. She was now a part of us. Juanita said she wanted to see what breakfast was like, as the evening had been so much fun.

Sue and I walked back, happy to have gained help for Glenda, and to have gained a new friend. Sue commented, "She is a dark Latin beauty. I'll have to watch her, or you'll be dragging her off to the bedroom before I do." We laughed at her comment and joked about it all the way home.

Mercy said, as we came into the patio, "You two are being naughty. Steve is barely keeping up his husband responsibilities and you're trying to farm him out? No, no, no, we get him first and often. There won't be any left for anyone else. And you, little Miss Sue, I think Steve and I can take care of that itchy thing between your legs."

Later Mercy proved that there would not be anything left for anyone else.



-------

Chapter 30

Henry and Nancy returned Thursday afternoon. They were worn out from touring the Disney parks. Both of them wanted to put their feet up and have some cool drinks to soothe their anxieties over moving, and to numb themselves from the garish commercialism they had been entombed in.

Nancy asked me, "Have you called your sister to see if she wants to move down here?"

"No Ma'am, shouldn't I do that in person? Perhaps I should ask Kevin first?" I was a little concerned as to how to go about asking them.

"If you want me to, I'll call her. Susan and I are good friends. We don't get together as a family that often, but she and I are close. We usually talk two or three times a week. How about I call her?"

"Nancy, I don't know whether that's right. I should ask them both at the same time. What do you think if I took my Truck and RV manager up there and talked to both of them at the same time? That would be the fair thing to do."

"You're wasting a lot of time, Steve. If Susan wants to come, Kevin will have the house sold and the kids packed up so fast, even you won't be able to keep her from coming."

"I have to tell you Nancy, that I really think they need to think this through. They have two kids in school with all of their friends up there. It's going to be really traumatic for them."

"From what Susan told me, her daughter was ready to jump your bones when she was down here. The boy was a little funny as he was ga-ga over Sue and Mercy the whole time he was down here. Let me call her and feel her out. If she thinks you should talk to both of them at the same time, she'll say so."

I gave up, "Go ahead, call her, see what she says. Meanwhile, I'd better call Crystal and see if she will come by so I can talk to her."

While Nancy was talking to Susan, I called Crystal to come by for supper so we could talk a little business. She said it would be no problem as she needed to see if the place she was buying over here was empty. She said that she was going to make a formal application to the crew here tonight to join in our fun. I told her she never had to apply; all she had to do was to come, anytime.

Nancy got off the phone and said that Susan would discuss them coming down over dinner tonight. She said that the kids had done nothing but talk about Florida since they had been here. She said Kevin had mentioned that it would be neat to work for a happy organization like yours, as it wouldn't be like work, it would be a fun vocation.

"Nancy, I'm sure there are many within the organization this evening that might argue with you over that. Some days are harder than others and most everyone breaks a sweat everyday, even the office people."

Ruth had been listening and said, "You can say that again. You should have been there to help me sign up over fifty new construction people today. I have four assistants now, and that's not enough. The computer guy even had to come over to expand our employee files as we have more than he wrote the software for."

Nancy said, "I wish I had been there. I love hiring. Every new person that comes to work means your company is growing and prospering. It means another person has the same security you have. It could mean getting a whole family off food stamps and especially off unemployment. It's really neat to work hiring."

"You're hired. When you get down here, come straight to my office and I'll personally sign you up as my chief hiring assistant. Steve, where have you been hiding this lady?"

Nancy and Henry were sitting on the couch, facing the table area and entryway from the street. When big, tall, Crystal came sauntering through the door, I happened to be looking at my brother and his wife. Nancy's eyes bugged out and Henry almost spit the drink that he was sipping. It was funny, because Nancy's hand went to Henry's crotch, grabbing his obvious instant boner.

Sue saw it too, and we both turned to watch Crystal as she fixed her gaze on me and did a swivel-hip walk right up to me, very close. She said, "We're out of the office right?"

I nodded.

"This is party time, happy hour, anything goes time, right?"

I almost nodded, but Sue was instantly by my side.

"Almost anything, Crystal, but you might want to wait till later if you're wanting what you act like you're wanting," Sue said with a wicked smile.

Crystal looked down at Sue and said, "Then it's okay if I drag this sucker off to show him how much I like the best damn job I've ever had?"

Sue reached up and pulled Crystal down so she could whisper in her ear, "Go thank Steve's brother, I think the guy just came in his pants over you."

"Huh? Where? Who?"

"On the couch with that big girl next to him." Sue said.

Crystal got a glazed look in her eye, "Oh yeah, she's a beaut. I might just thank both of them instead."

Mercy appeared at my side as Crystal approached Henry and Nancy. "That girl is very predatory. My goodness, she was going to drag you into the bedroom right then. What did you tell her, Sue?"

"She wanted to thank you for her job, but I told her to thank Henry and Nancy, as they were both fixated on her as soon as she came in the door."

Mercy looked at the three of them and said, "Why don't you show them where they can have a private conversation. All three of them are about to spontaneously combust."

I was laughing loudly as Sue went over and talked to the three of them. They disappeared into the house, with Crystal looking at me saying, "I'll talk to you later."

Sue came over and said, "That was freaky. I've never seen three people get so hot for each other that fast."

Mercy said, "Oh yeah? I think we would have had a near meltdown in the comedy theater if all three of us were not control freaks ourselves."

We were putting the food on the table when the three came from Henry's and Nancy's room. All three looked freshly showered and had a satisfied look to them. Crystal sat next to me and asked, "So what's up, Boss, what do you need."

I told her the story of Susan and Kevin and that it was possible they might want to come down when they heard that Nancy and Henry were coming to work. Crystal said she could use just about anyone who knew how to coordinate service requests and mechanics. She said she had not had a lot of luck finding that right guy yet. Perhaps Kevin could be that guy. She said that my own delivery group was big enough for a dispatcher now, as we were delivering equipment to the entire eastern half of the US, and soon would be going beyond.

"Bring him on, Boss," Crystal said. You know I'll put him through the paces to find out what he's made of. If he's married to your sister, he'll probably be a good guy. Bring him on."

Mercy hollered from the door, "Steve, your sister's on the phone."

Sue nudged me smiling and saying, "Guess you'll have them all down here soon."

I answered the phone with, "Hey, Sis!"

"Do you really have a job for Kevin down there? You're not playing a game with me or getting back at me for all the times I teased you when you were little, are you?"

"No Suze," I said using the nickname I gave her when I was three, "I was talking to the truck and RV manager just a minute ago and she said she has a place and so does shipping at the main shop."

"How soon do you need him?" Susan asked.

"Soon, Suze. I can hire him as of his last day where he's at now and have a mover there to bring your stuff down. How about I come up to get you and you can find a place to live first. That way you'll be moving to where you want when you leave there."

"Good idea, Steve, come get us now. Kevin lost his job today. The IRS came in and closed the company this afternoon. We won't know if Kevin even gets his paycheck for this week."

I thought for a minute, "What about the kids' school?"

"They both would love to come down there permanently, and know they would be giving up their friends here. They met a lot of kids down there, so it wouldn't be like they didn't know anyone. Besides you are going to have to dodge your niece. She has the hots for you like you wouldn't believe. I don't know what you have, but it's driving her nuts."

Tell you what, "Pack up tonight for a quick trip, I'll come up in the morning to pick you all up and bring you down. If I leave at seven, I should be there by nine or so, that's eight your time. We'll be back here before noon. The kids may have to bunk on the couches, but they shouldn't mind. We have kind of a full house lately. We'll have a limo come by and get you so you don't have to worry about anything but getting up, eating, and coming to the airport."

"Thank you, Steve. Funny how Nancy called me just before Kevin walked in the door almost crying. He was afraid we would lose the house because there isn't that much work up here right now."

"Never fear, Suze, I'm always here to help you guys. Remember that, okay?"

"Okay, Steve, thanks. Do you want to talk to Kevin?"

"Put him on, see you tomorrow."

"Hi, Steve."

"Hey, Kevin. I heard about your bad luck today, but as you know, there is good luck in the land of hurricanes if you want to come."

Kevin immediately said, "We would all love to come down there, Steve. I hate the winters up here, even though I know I'll grow to hate the heat down there. But if you really have a place for me within your organization, I'd consider myself very lucky."

"Well then Kevin, you just got lucky. Consider yourself an employee as of today. When you're down here tomorrow, I'll get you signed up with our personnel department so your salary will begin as of today. Don't worry about the move as the company will take care of the movers and will sell your house for you at the appraised value. We need you here, not worrying about selling your house."

"Damn, Steve, you just don't quit raining good stuff on us. We'll be ready for when you come. What time will you be here?"

"I'll be at the airport about eight in the morning, so the limo will probably pick you guys up about seven thirty. Just be ready to enjoy working, Kevin. See you then."

When I got off the phone, I found out Sue had already called the airport to have the plane ready and the limo service in Cincinnati. Sue said that I could have had Ryan's pilot bring them, but I said that it might interfere with Ryan getting back tomorrow. She agreed knowing how much Ryan and Michelle enjoyed being home on the weekends.

The excitement had been pretty intense, but it was finally time for me to go to bed. Beth and Ben were going to stay up with Merlin and Missy for a while. Sue and I told them they should go up to the hot tub and relax for a while. Sue poked me in the ribs as I said it, but gave me a devilish grin.

Mercy said as long as Tiny and Ruth don't show up there, they shouldn't do anything anyone else wouldn't do. Sue and I both laughed knowing what went on up there.

As people exited and went to bed, I noticed that Crystal went into the house with Nancy, and a little later, Henry walked in, adjusting his pants. Henry obviously had a thing for big babes. He had two nice ones waiting for him, that was for sure.

Mercy woke me at five forty-five saying, "I love you, Steve. It's time to get up."

As I pulled her on top of me, a hand grabbed me and pushed me into Mercy. Sue whispered into my ear, "I love you, Honey, you're already up."

We three laughed through an orgasm for Mercy, then one for Sue. I got up and headed to the kitchen to make some coffee in my normal first thing in the morning dress, nothing. Just as I finished and turned to go back to the room, I was met face to face (sort of) with Crystal, in one of Nancy's robes.

"Ummm," Crystal sniffed. "You smell wonderful." She reached down and encircled my still semi-stiffy and said, "Oh my, this could get very interesting."

Sue came out into the kitchen, also buck naked, and said, "If you're still horny this morning you're going to have to be satisfied with Mercy and me. This guy has to be in Cincinnati in a couple of hours."

"I'll help him shower," Crystal said.

"Yeah right," a naked Mercy said in the doorway.

"Jesus, were you already boffing both these babes this morning? What time did you get up?"

Sue said, "Mercy and I are quick on the draw. Let him go so he can get ready. Mercy is going to go with him, so they both need to get going."

We had been edging back to the bedroom, with Crystal following. I quickly shaved, while Mercy sat on the pot and started the shower. I pee'd and joined her for a quick wash. As we dried off, we could hear the erotic sounds of two women really going after each other. Mercy said, "Sue is a hungry one sometimes, isn't she? I know how she feels though, because since I've been pregnant, I can't seem to get enough. Sue and I have been at each other constantly. It's a good thing you sleep so soundly or you'd never get a good night's sleep."

We dressed, gave each of the, now very fragrant, women a kiss, then had a cup of coffee on the patio. I went back in to remind Sue that Juanita would be here shortly, and that Martin and Glenda may need a hand this morning. She said they were going to get a shower right then.

I filled a thermos of coffee and grabbed a couple of go cups as we walked out the door. Shawna was carrying CJ across the road, in her super sized T-shirt, as we were getting into the truck. Mercy reminded me that we would need Sue's Expedition when we got back. Oh well, at least Crystal would be at work. I wondered what Susan would think of her brother and sister-in-law if Crystal showed up tonight.

Mercy and I had an uneventful flight up and were met by the excited family. All were anxious for this to be a good move for all of them. I wanted that as well.

The whole way back, Mercy and I could hear them excitedly talk among themselves, wondering about schools, the universities, and all of the things families wonder about.

When we were getting ready to call in for clearance to land, the kids hollered up to ask if we could fly near the water. I called in to cancel my flight plan and filed a VFR plan within the general area for another half-hour. We went out to the north end of Clearwater inter-coastal beach and slowed. I tilted the airplane and flew almost sideways so they could look down into the water from a thousand feet. I flew all the way down to the end of Pass-a-grille beach, turned around, and flew back up the same way. There were lots of rays, but very few sharks out. Mercy called the house to tell Sue it was time to come and get us.

As soon as we landed, I could tell there were far too many people at the operations building. I pulled up in front of the building and opened the door, dropping the stairs. Sue and Stevie, Beth, Nelda, Ernie, Nancy, Henry, Merlin, and Missy were all there. It took several minutes for all the hugging and kissing to get over with so I could get the luggage unloaded and finish with the log books. The attendant laughed with me at the reception we received and took the plane to put it to bed. I told him I would be going back up there in a day or so but would call him.

There were enough cars for everyone to get back, and my pickup held the luggage fine. When we arrived at the house, Martin was on the patio watching TV, with Glenda and Juanita in the kitchen. The kids instantly got on the pool table, while the rest of the women began getting food out on the table.

Lunch was good today. We had black bean soup, with Cuban sandwiches made with left over roast pork. It was nice for us all to eat together. Juanita sat next to me as we ate and said, "You make me feel special the way you treat me. Thank you."

Sue leaned across me and said, "Juanita, you are special. Thank you for coming to be with us. It's our pleasure."

Juanita asked, "Do I work for you, or for one of your companies?"

I looked at Sue and asked, "I don't know, how did we set Glenda up?"

"Glenda's an employee of S&S so we could help them with their Medicare insurance. So I guess Juanita will also be an employee with regular benefits."

Juanita asked another question, "Do you have to have my social number? Is that important?"

Recognizing the problem, I leaned down and asked quietly, "Was your husband a citizen?"

"Yes he was, but I never did get a social security card because when we came, we were escaping from Castro. My Jorge became a citizen, but I couldn't learn the language then. Eventually I did, but now I may be against the law, you know like the Mexicans, you know, a river back, um, I mean a wetback."

Beth heard the conversation and said, "Don't worry about a thing, Juanita, I'll call Ben and he'll have one of his young men come out and get you all taken care of. If you want, he'll even petition to help you become a citizen, we will be your sponsor."

"Could I vote then, in the big elections?" Juanita asked.

Sue said, "You sure could, and if you work for us, you'll pay into Social Security and be able to receive a pension when you're old enough."

"That will be good. I was afraid for when I was older. Thank you all for helping me. This is like having a big family."

I smiled at her and said, "We are a big family, Juanita, just a great big family."

When lunch was over, I took Kevin to see Crystal. At work, Crystal is all business. She went over what he had done before, and showed him what she would have him do. He said that would be too easy, didn't she have something harder for him to do. Crystal said, "You do this right, and I'll bury your ass with more to do. There's no end to the responsibility you can have around here. We have a lot of Indians, but hardly any war chiefs willing to direct the battle. When are you coming to work, tomorrow?"

I stepped in, "I need them to get moved first, so how about a week from Monday."

"Damn, Boss, I could have used him a month ago. Get him down here ready to work. We've got people to see, places to go. Get out of here if he ain't workin." She was laughing all the way back to the shop area.

Kevin shook his head, "Man, she's something."

"You ain't seen nothin' yet, Kev, absolutely nothing."

We drove down to the shop and had Ruth sign him up. When we were done, he turned to me and said, "I would never have believed you would hire me just like that. I figured you would hem and haw around a while, and maybe get me a job with another company, but not here. Thanks, Steve, you've turned out to be a hell of a lot more than I could have hoped. You know, your sister doesn't even know you all that well, even though she knows you better than your brother. We all couldn't believe you were everything it looked like you were, and here you are, saving our butts when we needed them saved. This is a big deal, Steve, a really big deal."

Back home, Susan and Nancy were in deep discussions. They asked me to take a walk with them. As we left the house, they asked me to walk them back toward the area Nelda said her new house was. We looked at the spots left open and the two of them were looking at the last two places up near where Juanita's trailer was. They asked me if they could get a couple of those little golf carts if they moved way up there. Of course they could, I said. They asked me if I knew of a place they could look at homes. I said let's go back and we'll get the guys and we'll go take a look.

We stopped by the park office and I asked Charlie if the two lots were the only two that were available together, and he nodded. I told him to hold them for a couple of days for me. He nodded and said he would do it.

At the house, when I announced we were going to look at mobile homes, Sue wanted to go with us. Missy and Mercy said they would watch the kids, so we loaded up in the Expedition and drove down the road to take a look at what the guy had. As soon as he saw me, he got excited. I have never been on his lot without him making a sale. I guess he figured this would be the same.

He had two dozen double-wide homes from fifty-five feet all the way to seventy feet. Henry and Nancy found a sixty foot long home with two big bedrooms, a huge living room, with a connecting kitchen. They liked the open look it had. It took a while, but Susan and Kevin liked three different homes. The three were sort of alike, except one had a very nice master suite, with two other decent sized bedrooms. It had a decent sized kitchen that blended into the family room, but it had a formal living room that they all felt would be wasted. Neither of the other two had as nice of a master suite, but had a more open architecture. I took the dealer inside and asked him how hard it would be to tear down the wall and replace the carpet so it could be one big room. He smiled and said, "Piece of cake."

I asked the two to come with me as we walked into the family room. I told them to look through the double doors of the formal living room and for them to visualize the whole area as one big room. Susan said immediately, "I'll take it." Kevin rolled his eyes and winked at me mouthing a silent, "Thanks."

The dealer asked if I needed them delivered today. I told him he had a day or three to get it done this time. He was almost disappointed. It took some haggling, but we finally agreed on a price for each home. Again, I think he would have been disappointed if we didn't dicker. Susan and Nancy had decided that Susan would be on the end, with Nancy on the inside, so the kids would have a straight shot at the woods and lake.

Back at the house, the four of them said they wanted to go back and begin packing. Ruth and Tiny were there and asked them when they wanted the movers. They all said, Wednesday or Thursday. Tiny said he would contact the local Century 21 realtor and get both houses appraised and get listings on them. Tiny said, the company would buy out the mortgages so the homes could be sold more easily. The realtor would arrange for new carpeting, painting, and any other touch up that may be needed. We felt if we put them in perfect shape, they would sell fast and everyone would be happy. Tiny would have our local attorney up there work with the realtor and closing office.

The two families were now part of S&S and free to move. Nancy was going to work for Ruth, and Susan was probably going to work for Sue in the new plant. That was yet to be determined. Susan may just be a house mom.

I went over to the cart shop and ordered another small cart and a cart that could easily carry four, plus a bunch of groceries. That should take care of the local transportation needs. The crew was excited to be getting two more families, this time with kids, plus we now had Crystal as a permanent neighbor, along with Juanita. Once again, the patio population grew by a bunch all at once.

Ben and Beth went back to Bayshore as they felt the place was getting a little crowded. I told them both that six of them would be gone tomorrow, but they left anyway. Merlin and his troupe were going to finish their gig tonight, so everyone waited up to help them celebrate. The other magicians came out to the house to drink and have fun doing silly tricks with everyone. The two kids loved the magic and made one of the young guys show them how to do some tricks. Merlin commented that we had the makings of a regular magic club. He told me to remember to call when I wanted to get it started.

Sunday morning, after breakfast, we loaded up the families and took them out to the Aero Park. Mercy and I were flying my sister and brother to Cincinnati, and Sue had hired Dewey's plane to take Merlin, Missy, and his troupe home. Missy said she would be back soon to help Mercy as she grew in pregnancy. Mercy scoffed at the attention, but Missy said she was definitely going to be there when the baby was born.

We made the round trip in about five and half hours, including an emergency landing for Mercy to pee. She said she just couldn't use the potty on the plane for some reason. That Sunday evening, we were all relaxed around the patio, feeling good. Sue said, "Who wants to take a ride? Michelle and Nelda are going to watch the kids, so let's hit it."

I loaded up the big garbage truck with the sidecar. Mercy was behind me and Sue was in the side car. Our first stop was Hap's to say hi for a single beer and some Cokes, on the Big Jim's to see Double D, and on to the St. Pete bar to see the club chapter there. We backtracked to the Crab Shack for some onion rings and grouper sandwiches, and decided to go up to New Port Richey on our ride. About ten, we headed home in time to get there about ten thirty. We relieved Michelle and Nelda, and we all talked a while before heading to bed. Sue said it was too bad we didn't have more babysitters so we could all go up to the hot tub again. Mercy said that she would sit the next time, as long as she was taken care of when we got back. She didn't like the idea of someone else messing with her while she was carrying my baby. She just shrugged her shoulders and said, "I'm happy to be your lady at home. I love you both and will show you when you get home."

We didn't go then, but considered it for the future. Mercy was very aggressive that night, showing us both how much she wanted to be with us. I think she was trying to show us we didn't need anyone else but her.

Mornings, with two ladies having gently swelling bellies, are especially nice when they are snuggled up to you with their heads on your shoulders. You feel very loved to have the bodies of both ladies against you with their hands on your chest or stomach. It makes you reflect on what brought you, to this point, and what you need to do to keep this bliss.

The clock with the big numbers by the TV said it was five forty-five, so I gently pulled my arm from under Mercy, and slowly climbed over Sue. Neither one moved much as their state of making babies required a little more sleep for their bodies. As I got out of bed, they migrated together to spoon, with Sue behind Mercy.

I quickly fired up the inside coffee pot, took a quick shower and dressed. A few minutes after I turned on the light on the patio, Glenda came shuffling over to join me.

She poured herself a cup of coffee, gave me a hug and sat in one of the big wooden rockers next to me. "Martin's doing fine this morning. He's sleeping so good, I took his blood pressure and he didn't even wake up. We got a scare, but I'm going to have him around a while longer. I think we'll both make eighty, maybe even eighty-five."

I patted Glenda's hand saying, "You two will be around for a long, long time, Glenda. Just enjoy everyday you can. If you two want to go somewhere to visit or vacation, let me know. I'll make sure the two of you get there."

"That's sweet of you, Steve, but we're doing fine. We don't want for anything and we have plenty of what we want. My goodness, we eat almost all of our meals right here now. Since I've been making lunch for you guys, Martin and I have had three meals a day here at least six days a week. You and Sue have made our days full and fun. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't get to play with little Stevie, Robbie, CJ, or Mia everyday. I can't wait for three more to get here. It will be great to watch them all."

Ruth and Tiny walked in the back door with Mandy and Drew. They all gave Glenda a hug and drew a cup of coffee. Shawna and Charlie, with CJ, came over followed by Debbie, Hank, and Robbie. Three golf carts pulled up with Juanita leading Nelda and Ernie with Ryan and Michelle following. Phil pulled up in his Chrysler, hopping out and coming around to open the door for Judy. They carried in a big box of sandwiches and another box of pastries. Joan, Betty, Tom, and Al walked in rubbing their tummies saying they were hungry. Sandy and Bob came in the back door about the time Hanna, Jim, and their tiny Mia, arrived. Both Sue and Mercy came over to sit on my lap, giving me a hug while they woke up. Mickey, dressed in her uniform, came in followed by Samantha in a gown. As each person came in, the pulse picked up, the chatter grew louder and laughs filled the air. Sue got up to get Stevie, as we heard and saw him moving around waking up. Mercy went for a couple of glasses of orange juice, getting one for Sue and one for Shawna, who was busy nursing CJ. Crystal walked in the door, came to me, gave me a kiss, and went over to Mercy and Sue and kissed them too. She poured herself some coffee, grabbed a sandwich, and was instantly involved in a conversation with Mickey.

I loved to watch the flow of people and their conversations. They all had some conversations going with someone else. Even Bob was signing with Samantha about something. Soon we would add six more people to the morning get together. I wonder how the two school age kids would affect the group, or if it would just flow another way. I also wondered how long it would be before some of their friends began joining them for breakfast.

Tiny said he had a couple of thoughts about Tim's school idea, and we should probably talk seriously about it. He said it could be a great way to find new employees. Phil said we needed to make sure we were making progress toward expanding the golf cart building, as his men were unable to forecast production to make sales. He also was anxious to begin working with the two new distributorships so he could assist them in building the company's sales.

Sue was commenting to Hanna that they might want to put on a second shift in the park, as she had several companies that wanted their clothing made in her plants. Sue said the biggest problem with most of the contracts was her demand that she was able to approve or disapprove the fabrics the people wanted sewn. Sue's argument was that a well-sewn piece of trash material is still a trash garment.

Betty said they needed to find a material buyer that could come up with larger quantities for fabric for their Wal-Mart products. She said they were shipping enough of just two basic blouses that they could tie up production of two of the plants in the park. Betty was constantly pushing for a better quality of material so our product would be easily distinguishable from the oriental made products. So far, the Wal-Mart buyer was re-ordering in large quantities. Betty looked like a genius for pushing to make basic garments. She said every lady needed a couple in her closet for everyday wear. And if you consider the different colors a person might need, a lady could have eight to a dozen of the blouses in their closet. Betty said the same garment that was being sold in Macy's was on the Wal-Mart racks, just a different label.

Tiny told Sue about a large T-shirt and embroidery operation that was being offered for sale for the first time. He asked if she was interested. She said that her two locations were probably all she really wanted right now.

Tiny nudged me and said, "How about we buy this place and produce our own T-shirts. The place can make the shirts and has the screen printing equipment for our products. We could save a bundle if we produced our own raw product. The embroidery operation does a lot of work for uniform companies, and produces baseball caps for several advertising companies."

I asked, "How come it's for sale?"

Tiny answered, "An older couple owns it and wants to retire. They recently spent quite a bit to upgrade equipment, so they were not planning for the company to decline. They have enough contracts that the place could be profitable, but we are selling about two thousand gross of T-shirts a year. Sue's plant can't handle our quantities as they are so overbooked. I think we are making someone else rich, while the quality of the T-shirt declines and the screen printing quality goes down. If we do our own manufacturing, we can control the quality."

I thought for a minute and asked, "Where is the factory at, Tiny?"

"On the next block from where the utility body shop is. If you were to get that business, you would have three blocks in a row within the park, plus Sue's plant."

Nodding, I said, "Let's take a look at it today and see if your guys can put together some numbers on the deal."

Tiny grinned, "Already have them. Hang on; I'll go get them from my car."

Tiny came back with a fat folder that told me this was not a brand new venture to him. He had been working on it long enough that he had a bunch of information. I sipped coffee as he took me through the numbers. He showed me what we were paying now, and what the projected cost would be for a quality garment if we made it ourselves. We would be saving more than twenty-five percent by making the product ourselves, if the numbers were all correct. Tiny wanted me to meet with the existing owner as he said I was good with older people.

"Set it up. Keep in mind that I may have to ferry relatives soon," I said, as most of the patio groups were getting ready to leave for work at the shop or at the park.

Ryan and Michelle came over to see about their fieldwork. Ryan said that we needed more field techs for the central plains area. He said that now that we were selling in the oil fields, our product needed more representation. He said that since our field techs received commission, it should not cost us a dime over the long run to increase our presence. He said if we could handle the initial startup cost of a dozen more men, he could show a large increase in revenue from the area. I told him to get with Ruth to begin bringing more field techs on. He would need to work with Tiny's office for trucks and tools though. He would also need to schedule the new men for training, both here and at the factory, so they could perform warranty work.

Next, Ryan brought out the folder for the Atlanta distributorship. After he had displayed numbers for the past quarter he said, "This place needs a stronger manager. So far, it's been difficult to make the changes in the operation to bring it up to our standards. It's not the employees but the manager. He's just not willing to institute the quality we demand. He constantly says, "It can't be done." We brought him here for a week but he's still not convinced and has said our "Perfect" signs are stupid."

"Do you have someone to replace him?" I asked, knowing you needed continuity in management to keep a place rolling.

"The senior mechanic in their repair area has a great attitude. He prides himself by producing good work and has his people producing excellent quality. They have followed Abe's trick of displaying errors caught by others and tracking customer complaints and problems. He only spent a couple of days down here, but has completely repainted his shop similar to Abe's. It is the only place you can tell the place is an S&S shop."

"Do you want me to go get rid of this guy for you?" I asked, knowing that discharging people is always tough.

"No, I can do it," Ryan said. "I should probably let Michelle do it as this guy is a real jerk to all of the female staff within the distributorship. He'd last about an hour down here with Sandy or Mandy. Better yet, let Crystal get hold of him."

"You know my feelings on treatment of employees and especially when women are involved. Get it done and let me know. I want that shop, as well as Chicago, completely remodeled. I want them cleaned and painted along with the floors. We need to make sure we institute the policy of cleaning up before the day is done. The clean shop will make the employees happy and let the customers know we are proud to produce quality work. Tell everyone that I will be coming to look at the places in less than a month. That should get them rolling."

"Thanks, Steve, I didn't want to get too crazy. All of the little dealerships are doing well and are growing. It's fun to watch them take pride in their work place."

I kissed Sue, Mercy, and Stevie good bye and left for the shop.



-------

Chapter 31



Debbie had the report on the charity home building project. It was doing well.

Terrell's crew at the hotel for the homeless was coming along and should finish the remodel before fall. The new clinic was in operation with the USF medical school operating it. That part of S&S was working. People were being helped and even more would be helped as the hotel was completed. Sue's training program was attracting many of the people we wanted to assist. If we could expand that to men, we would be performing an even more valuable community service.

Tiny had a massive business plan from Tim for the school. It was complete with mini-blueprints of the proposed building. He had a drawing of the building, as well as drawings of a couple of the classrooms. Tim had worked hard before proposing the plan. Tiny looked at me and said, "Give the go ahead and we'll get this started. Tim did his homework on this. Here is the list of the other trade schools in town and their curriculum. They appear to be full, so there is a need for more classrooms, plus we are going to use this as a way to help the community too. This should work, plus pay for itself."

"Do it, Tiny, make it happen. What about the cart plant and store? Do you have any plans on the expansion there yet?"

"Here, Steve," Tiny said, as he pulled out a blueprint that showed the old and the proposed new. Terrell says he should be able to do the plant expansion in two weeks, but would take close to a month before the maintenance booth area could be complete. He's struggling to keep up with his labor demand. You really have him humping out there."

"Tiny, I'm concerned that Sue is going to need about half again as much manufacturing space as she has now. Can you have a study made to see if we could build two more buildings like the original four and still have space for the school? We would also need to know if the cafeteria and day care center is large enough to handle that many more people. I think we will need to plan on the expansion."

"I'll do that; now let's go see Mr. Burns and his T-shirt and embroidery company."

We walked the two blocks to a large modern building that was obviously two floors. Once inside the door we were greeted by a receptionist who made a call. An older couple came out to the lobby. Tiny made the introductions, "Mr. and Mrs. Burns, this is Steve Sharp, Steve, the Burns."

After the handshakes, Mr. Burns said to call him Sid. Mrs. Burns said for us to call her Hildie. They took us on a tour of the building. The place was clean, but stark. The walls were still the grey concrete, never having been painted. The concrete floors had never been sealed, so small particles of concrete were scraped up as you walked. The lighting was not quite bright enough to easily see your work.

The floors were divided into two distinct sides. One side of the first floor made nothing but T-shirts. They had huge rolls of material that were laid on a cutting table to be cut into pieces for T-shirts. There were rows of seamstresses that were putting the T-shirts together. I did notice they had barrels that seconds were being tossed into. That needed to stop.

The other side of the first floor was dedicated to making knit golf shirts. It was the same, with large rolls of material and rows of seamstresses. There were not as many barrels for seconds in this area but there were still some.

Upstairs one side was dedicated to screen printing T-shirts. This area had horrible fumes everywhere. The place really needed better ventilation. It was not well lit here either.

The other side upstairs was where the embroidery was done. There were probably fifty women working on various patches for uniforms and sports functions. The machines were computerized and did the work, but it did require a trained person to keep the machines working.

The Burns took us downstairs to a small dimly lit conference room. Mr. Burns had his proposal to sell the business prepared for us. Tiny took out his file and handed me his appraisal and estimate of what he had considered basic improvements.

I asked Mr. Burns if he had a P&L for the last four quarters to see the flow of business. He produced that and I compared it to Tiny's estimates. The numbers were close. What he was asking was within Tiny's appraisal, but I was thinking it was going to require a lot more money to improve the plant than Tiny had estimated.

"Mr. Burns," I asked, "have you had many complaints for poor lighting over the years?"

"Employees always want more light. It's good enough to work in and meets OSHA minimum standards. They check often enough."

I asked then, "How about the fumes up in the screen printing area? Has that been a problem?"

"OSHA has given me two warning notices for that but I just ignore them. This is a business and we need to make a profit, it's not a day care center or health resort for employees."

"Have you had any offers for your business since it has been for sale this last year?" Knowing from Tiny that he had a lot of inquiries.

"We've had dozens and dozens of people such as yourself come through the plant. So far you're the only one who has come back for a second look. Your man made a pretty thorough check of the books and went over the operation very closely. Are you really interested or just looking."

I began, "I'm a serious buyer, Mr. and Mrs. Burns, but I feel that before I can make the plant profitable for me, I would have to spend quite a bit to bring the building up to my operating standards. Would you have a few minutes to come look at my manufacturing facilities?"

The couple looked at each other and he asked, "Where is your factory?"

Smiling I said, "Just down the street, S&S Enterprises."

"You mean the place where they make those fancy truck bodies?" Mr. Burns asked.

"That's one of my shops but I want to show you my original shop to give you an idea of how I like my shops."

They agreed to walk down to our main place. Walking in the showroom is always interesting. Julie, the receptionist stood up and said welcome to S&S Enterprises. I told Julie it was just Tiny and me with some visitors. We walked through the showroom into the shop, stopping to observe the men working in the frame area. It was bright and still looked clean with hardly any welding dust yet on the white floor.

We walked through the sheet metal forming area noting the same bright area with clean white floors. The next area is always a surprise. When you see the teams working on racing engines as if they were performing surgery, you can see the pride in their work. The place was near spotless, with nothing lying around. We walked back across the shop to the rebuild area to find machines in various stages of being torn down and some being put back together. In all cases, the areas only had today's dirt. I took them across the orderly yard into the super lift department. All of the machines there were in the process of being finished, so the floor was spotless and the machines shined. It was very impressive. Next door in the fiberglass shop, Jeff's men were pulling panels from molds before they began grinding and smoothing them. The place looked nice.

I mentioned, "Every night before my men go home, they spend from fifteen minutes up to a half hour making sure their work areas are clean and neat. When they come to work in the morning, they come in to a clean shop that they are happy to come to. Can you see why I would question your lighting, Sid?"

We were walking back to his business when Mrs. Burns asked, "Is this business as clean as the other?"

Tiny said, "It had better be. We pride ourselves in having a great workplace. Let's take a look."

We walked through the little showroom and into the plant. Men were in little work groups, putting bodies together. Once again the place was brightly lit with the white walls and floors clean except for today's dirt. Every workspace had a smaller S&S logo in the middle of the space. I wonder whose idea that was. The men all waved and smiled at us, but kept right on working.

The four of us walked back to the T-shirt plant's little conference room. As soon as we sat down, Mrs. Burns said, "You have a wonderful place for your people to work. Sid has never felt it important to make it very comfortable for employees. If our place were fixed up like that, I'll bet it would sell right away."

Before Tiny and I could say anything, Mr. Burns asked, "What do you think it would take to bring this up to your standards?"

Tiny looked at me and said, "My original estimate for lighting, painting, and ventilation was for this amount." Tiny showed Mr. Burns a sheet of paper with the listed improvements and costs. "Steve, thinks I'm low by at least a third."

Mr. Burns said, "I want to sell. I want to do it now and you seem interested. If you will pay me my asking price less one and half times your estimate to bring the building up to your standard, we can make a deal."

I nodded, "It's a deal. Do you want my lawyer to make up the paperwork or will you have your legal person prepare it for mine to look over? Since this is partly a real estate transaction, we'll order a survey, appraisal, and title search."

"What do you need an appraisal for? Do you have to borrow a lot of money?"

"No sir, the appraisal is to make sure when they reassess the property for taxes, I need to know a baseline to be sure the assessment is accurate."

"Very smart, young man, very smart," Mr. Burns said. "I will have my attorney make up the papers and we can get this done. Do I have him talk to you, ah, Tiny?"

Tiny said, "I'll be the contact man for right now. I will have one of my people come over to begin interviewing your employees so we can integrate them into our employee benefit plans. If you have any illegal immigrants, have them tell us so we can help them with legal papers and a legal work permit."

Tiny and I both saw the look pass between the Burns. There would be a problem with illegals.

We left with some handshakes and on the way back Tiny said, "Guys like that could make a lot more money if they didn't run sweat shops. You know he's hiring cheap labor and giving himself an under the table bonus with what he says he's paying the men. He knows that they will never tell the IRS."

I answered with, "If we want the joint, we have to clean it up physically, as well as the employees. That's what lawyers are for. Let them fix it up."

As we reached the shop, Tiny said, "This might be a place for Henry to start. But again, perhaps one of my grunts should begin cleaning it up first. Northern people may not understand how much of a problem this is."

We went upstairs and told Ruth about the need to have one of her assistants begin work with the employees of the new acquisition. Tiny said, "Better make it a Spanish speaking assistant. We're going to have an illegal immigrant problem there. Make sure we verify all of the social security and work permit numbers."

Ruth said, "No problem, I'm getting used to it. The more we hire, the more it comes up."

Tiny went down to tell Phil we were in the T-shirt business. Phil asked immediately, "What kind, what do we ask for the printing, do we sell by the dozen or the gross. Do you have any idea of the production yet?"

I had to say it, "Tiny, don't tell him we have something when we don't yet. You get his hopes up that he has something new to give his men. He's got Ryan out there hiring field techs just to build up his sales as it is."

Phil said, "Did you see Chicago's numbers for last week. They are really picking up since the men from there have been rotating through our place down here."

"Okay, guys," I said, "I have a lunch appointment so I'll see you all later."

I drove home to keep my appointment with my two ladies. Mercy and Sue, with Juanita's help, had lunch ready for everyone. Martin was in good spirits, which made Glenda feel good. Martin had talked with another park resident he knew to do the trimming and grass cutting for a while. He said he would still go around to see the folks that always needed help with repairs. Sue said for me to get him a golf cart. Juanita said that he should use hers during the day, as she didn't need it if she were here.

After lunch, the ladies and I were getting ready to go to the gym. We would return to gather Glenda to go to the pool. Juanita asked, "Do you do that everyday? How long do you go?"

Sue said we go to the gym for about an hour to an hour and a half, then we go up to the pool for sun for a half-hour and to swim for about fifteen minutes. Juanita asked if she could go with us. Mercy smiled and said for her to join us. Juanita went inside to ask Hanna if she wanted to go to the gym with us. Hanna said that she usually stayed with the little ones while we went.

Nelda was sitting, finishing her lunch and said, "You young people go to the gym. Ernie and I can handle the little ones for an hour or so. They'll sleep most of the time anyway."

The five of us went to the gym, returned to put on a swimsuit, and to take Glenda with us to the pool. It was fun to help spread lotion on some new ladies. Hanna was working on getting back to her original size, but was going to take a while getting there. The once small, little, flat-chested, girl was now very plump with very large milk-filled breasts. She was cute in one of Sue's Big Girls swimsuits.

The two-hour lunch break is always nice. I took Juanita's cart up to see if the new homes were in place yet. They were both setup and Terrell's men were putting up patio covers. I needed to go to Home Depot to get a couple of plastic sheds and get them installed. My family should be happy here. I hoped so.

I drove over to see Terrell at the last of Sue's four buildings being built. Darnel was still acting as the job foreman, making sure quality was being maintained throughout the construction. Terrell said the contractor was over at the cart shop with a survey crew to begin the expansion there. The contractor would go back to the little shopping plaza as soon as the expansion was started. He would then control both.

Up in the housing area, five home sites were being readied for a concrete pad. There was a lot going on. The sports complex was staked out, with some tree removal going on. It was too bad they couldn't just uproot those big trees and replant them. It would be difficult, if not impossible to do, or at least very expensive, so it wasn't an option.

I went home with the cart, to find that Sue was at her original plant with Betty and Joan, working on the production start of a new design. Mercy handed me a glass of tea and said, "Everything is running pretty smooth, isn't it? We should take a little vacation with Ben and Beth either down to the Keys or to Costa Rica."

"Do you know where they are?" I asked.

"No, but you can always get Ben on his cell phone, unless he's in the air. I've seen Sue call him down in the islands and in Costa Rica often."

I dialed Ben's number and he answered almost immediately with, "Hi, Steve, what can I do for you?"

I said, "Just wondering where you were. Mercy thought we might all come visit you if you are in the Keys or down in Costa Rica."

"That would be great, Steve," Ben said. "Beth was just saying it was too bad you kids weren't down here with us for a couple of days. We're in Costa Rica and we are coming back up for the weekend, so come on down."

"Where is the airport from where you are?" I asked.

"Close. Just up route one, or uno down here. Call me when you get in and I'll come get you or you can rent a car and follow me back."

Ben hesitated a second, "Say, could you fly us back to the States with you? That would save us airfare; I'll help with the fuel if you can."

"I don't think it's a problem, there's plenty of room unless you have too much luggage," I said.

Ben replied, "No, we bring very little. We have clothes down here. As soon as you know you're coming, call me."

I called out to the airpark to ask John if there was anything I should know about flying into Costa Rica. He said, not really, but I might want to have an experienced overseas pilot take me the first time. When I asked him if he knew anyone he laughed, "I'm an experienced overseas pilot. Want to hire me?"

"Good deal, John, you're hired, when can you be ready. We're probably staying down there through Friday."

"Perfect," said John, "there are a couple of senoritas I know down there that I'd love to visit with."

I said, "I'll call you right back, I need to call Sue."

I called Sue's cell and found that she was getting into her Mustang on the way home. I asked her if she was up for a trip to see her Mom in Costa Rica and she squealed. "I'll be right home. Have Mercy start packing our swimsuits and shorts. I'll put Stevie's stuff together. Warm up the plane."

I called John back and called Ben to tell him we would be leaving in an hour or so. I could hear Beth in the background saying they had to get some food and American beer. Ben reminded me that we needed our passports.

I called Tiny and told him to enjoy himself for a couple of days, as I would be back on Friday. I also asked him to order and have the sheds set up for the two new homes.

I packed a small suitcase helping Mercy and Sue put everything together. We took my pickup to the Aero Park to find the plane already at the ops building.

John showed Sue and me the flight plan that you filed to fly overseas. We had to notify various agencies so local customs inspectors could meet us when we landed. He confirmed that we had our passports before loading up. I noticed that the rear area where the seat that made into a potty had a curtain over it. John said he did that when he flew long distances with women. They were more comfortable that way.

We flew to Key West, refueled, went potty, and took off for a long flight. It was kind of scary to fly over such a huge expanse of water. This was a long flight for a little plane. We were going to Puerto Limon, which is a larger city on the east coast of Costa Rica. We would have to fly over Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, so the flight plan included permission for the airspace there. Our first stop would be Merida, Mexico, where we would refuel, then on down to Costa Rica.

Thank goodness we had packed a bunch of sandwiches, water, soda, and coffee as it was a long way. While in Mexico, they didn't want us to leave the plane, so we couldn't use the restroom there. An agent did a quick check of our baggage compartment and let us go.

As we left Merida, John said, "You know this aircraft can make the trip easily in one hop. It's only about a three hour trip unless we have to dodge weather. I think you should make the trip without stopping in Mexico from now on."

By the time we landed in Puerto Limon, we were all butt weary. Even little Steve was a little restless, as he had spent too much time in his car seat. The girls had let him scoot around on the floor but felt more comfortable if he was strapped in.

I called Ben when we landed and told him to come and get us as we were all tired. John said he would call my cell phone to let me know where he was but he said he would make sure the plane was serviced and ready by Thursday. It took a while for us to clear customs, but Ben seemed to know the people at the airport and we glided through.

Sue, Mercy, Stevie, and I were happy to arrive at Ben and Beth's condo. It was large and very well furnished. They even had a live-in maid and a day maid that helped clean. Nothing like living high on the hog down here.

After cleaning up and eating, we were ready to crash. We were all very tired.

The next three days were fun. We went to the beaches, went up into the mountains and ate some interesting native food. I couldn't believe all of the US citizens that were living down there. Most of them lived there permanently and only went back to the States for Christmas or other holidays.

Friday morning we cleared customs, had the plane inspected, and made ready to leave. John and I did the preflight and seated every one with the safety talk on the little cards. John had me sit in the left seat, we went through the startup procedures, and went through the checklist. Once done, I called for clearance and was directed to the active runway. Takeoff was smooth, but because of headwind we decided to stop at Merida, Mexico for fuel. Once again, the inspectors wouldn't let us use the restrooms, but said we could just pee on the tarmac if we needed while we refueled. John rolled his eyes but didn't say anything.

We flew through to Fort Lauderdale as Key West had an emergency and Miami was stacked up. While we refueled, we cleared customs by letting them go through our luggage and have a dog sniff the plane. An hour later, we were landing at the Aero Park. For some reason, I was nearly as tired as I was going down. It was only three in the afternoon, so we headed to the house to have a snack and a beer.

Friday can be fun at the house. I knew something was up as the big tent was up and the caterer was busily putting out plates and utensils. Sue went to find Hanna to see if she knew what was going on, but she didn't. I called Tiny and he said to wait, as tonight would be fun.

While we were unwinding and shooting a game of pool, Ben said that he thought he would take Beth home and clean up as they were a little tired from the flight. Beth didn't want to stay for one of our company parties either, so they left.

I took a shower and was watching the news when a golf cart came to the house with Dennis and Tina riding in it. Tina came running onto the patio and jumped into my arms. "Uncle Steve, you're here, we're so happy you came back. We got in late last night and have been busy unpacking all day."

"Take a breath, Tina, I'm not going anywhere," I said. "We should go see your Mom and say hi."

"I wouldn't go over there Uncle Steve, she told us to leave and not come back till later, as she was trying to unpack. She has Juanita, Nelda, and Glenda over there right now. Uncle Henry and Aunt Nancy are supposed to be in soon, and Mom wants to get done so they can help them. Mom's all upset because Tiny said they needed to come here for a party later."

"I'll go say hi and tell her she doesn't have to come. Where's your dad, is he at the house?"

"Crystal took him to work this morning and we haven't seen him since. That girl is really big, isn't she?" Tina commented.

"You know you guys can stay here a couple of days while you get settled."

"We stayed last night, but Mom wants to get in her new home. She's really excited about being down here."

"We went to the school today to sign up and they said for us to start Monday," Dennis said. "The high school bus comes by up by the recreation center in the morning. We're going to ride the bus with some of the kids we've already met. When they get out of school a couple of the kids are supposed to come over here so we can play pool. Is that all right?"

"That's fine, guys, I'm going to go see your mom. One caution, no booze. There is soda, water, and milk in the kitchen, but absolutely no booze. I'll call Crystal to let your dad go early so he can help your mom. I'm going to take your cart for a minute. I'll be right back."

When I pulled up to my sister's trailer, I was greeted with a hug and kiss much different than I had expected. Susan was really happy, "Thank you for all these new friends. I'm almost completely unpacked. These wonderful people have all the furniture in place, the beds made, the drawers and cabinets washed and lined and all the dishes in them. It's wonderful, Steve, just wonderful."

"You know you could have stayed at the house for a couple of days while you moved in."

"I wanted to get into my new place so I could get started on my new life in Florida. It's not that I don't like being around you, but I wanted our own place. I'm going to be able to come to your nutty Friday party too if my husband ever comes home. That huge, crazy ady hauled him off this morning and I've not seen him since. She wouldn't take off with him, would she?"

I said to Susan, "I called Crystal and she's bringing him back as we speak. She just became involved in showing him what she wanted him to do for her."

A Chevrolet Suburban, pulling a little Honda Civic, came driving up leading a moving van. Henry was driving the Suburban, with Nancy riding shotgun. He pulled down the road directing the van to back in next to the new house.

Crystal pulled up in a new white cart with S&S on it. While Kevin got out to hug his wife, Susan, Crystal made a beeline for Henry and Nancy. They all hugged and Nancy began directing the movers as where stuff went.

I told Henry that he was to stay at our house tonight so he didn't have to worry about unpacking right away. He said they were going to stay at Crystal's, but thank you anyway, and they would be at the Friday party she told them about.

Glenda came out smiling saying they were done. Nelda said her place was just down the street so she would walk back. Juanita said her house was just across the street but she would come to our party tonight as it sounded like fun. Susan told me to send the kids back so they could clean up before the party.

Glenda and I rode back while she told me how happy she was for me to have my family here. She said that Martin was getting stronger every day and that the doctor said his heart wasn't damaged badly from the attack.

When we got to the patio, I told the kids their mother said to come home as she was done unpacking. They both said goody and took off in the cart. I was going to have to get a couple of carts for Sue and me since everyone was getting scattered around.

Tiny and Phil were already having a drink with Ruth and Judy. It was unusual for them to take off early on Friday before all the numbers are in.

The beer driver came and changed the keg in the fridge and put a fresh keg out in the tent. He put a spare keg wrapped in ice in the shed, had a glass with us, and drove off with his usual tip.

The closer it came to five, the more people that showed up. This was going to be an early party. Ryan and Michelle showed up in casual clothes, indicating they had been back long enough to change. Ryan said they were landing as I was driving away from the Aero Park.

By six, the place was a mad house. It looked like every person from S&S was there, along with a bunch of Sue's people. Tiny made me note that there was a large contingent from the new T-shirt factory. He said that the questionable immigrants were only about a third of the employees, so it wasn't a hopeless situation. When they had heard that it was Sue's company too, all of the illegals fessed up to their status, knowing we were going to make an effort for them.

Around seven, Tiny plugged a microphone into an outlet on the bar that broadcast inside and outside and said for everyone to get as near as they could.

Tiny began, "This has been a busy week. Your boss started an educational facility that has been granted state and federal funds to assist in training and educating the unemployed. It's not built yet and is already turning a profit. Monday, he decided to buy a T-shirt factory. We have over a hundred new employees from that place. We will be manufacturing all of our own T-shirts now, plus we may have some production time left over to make some for other companies.

"The boss decided to become nepotistic and hired his brother so I could have another accountant and he hired his brother-in-law to help Crystal in the truck and RV business. If you wonder why that is such a great deal, it's because he was able to garner two experienced people to help our company.

"Now the kicker, Steve took off to visit a relative and stopped in Key West and in Mexico with his plane that advertises S&S Enterprises. In Key West, Steve was parked next to a plane owned by a Saudi prince. The prince recognized our logo and called Phil about a quote our man in the Middle East had made. The result was a nice little thirty-eight million dollar order."

"While his plane was parked getting fuel in Mexico, a Mexican official saw the plane, recognized the logo and called Phil. It seems Phil had bid on several different contracts with the Mexican government that were all past due for acceptance or rejection. Because the guy recognized our logo, he called and faxed about a hundred and fifty million in orders."

"On the way back, Steve landed in Fort Lauderdale to get fuel and again, an important person recognized the logo. The governor called our office and asked about the school that Tim had applied for a grant for. Tim talked to the governor for almost an hour and we were faxed by the governor's office advising us of the grants. This isn't our biggest week ever but it sure is a big one."

"What do you think? Should we put Steve in his plane and send him all over the U.S. and South America to advertise and drum up business?"

Throughout the talk there had been sporadic cheering and clapping but it became deafening with yells of "Send him." "Get him on the road." "Get him a bigger plane."

Tiny handed me the microphone. "Some people tell me how lucky I am, but I have to tell you that I had Sue, my good luck charm, with me. Together we are very lucky. I have to tell you about the education center, it was all Tim's idea. All I did was push the buttons that made it begin to happen."

"I also have to tell you about the T-shirt factory. That was all Tiny. All I did was go along with what he recommended. The place will be a great place to work when we get it cleaned up. Like I said though, that deal was all Tiny's."

"Thank you for coming out this evening to welcome my family into our midst. We've spent too many years without being together and now we are all together. You'll meet all of them in time. Enjoy them the same as I will."

Tiny took back the microphone and said, "Don't believe all that bull. Steve made the deal happen at the T-shirt factory and made the deal happen at the education center. And he is directly responsible for helping to get those orders. Give him a hand."

There was more hollering and applause.

Tiny held up his hand and said, "There are a couple of things I want to say to the employees and fellow owners of S&S. Steve began a bunch of charitable groups a little while ago, and we, as forty percent owners of S&S, have agreed to assist in funding the Florida hotel project. We have also contributed to the health clinic. Anyone who wishes to volunteer to help with the Habitat for Humanity project, please sign up with your area supervisor. We can always use an extra hammer and saw. That's it for tonight, have a great time, eat a lot, and let us take you home if you drink a lot."

Henry and Nancy said that they were really excited to be down here and to be working for me. I corrected Henry, "Working with me, not for me." I got a handshake from Henry and a big smooch from Nancy.

Susan was hanging all over me until Kevin finally came over and rescued me from her. They were really tired and a little tipsy, so they gathered their two kids and left for home.

Surprisingly, the place began clearing out early this night. By nine thirty the caterer was cleaning up. He commented that the group was exceptionally thirsty tonight as the keg in the tent was dead and the keg in the fridge had been changed. He loaded up a couple trays of sandwich materials for the house and bar before taking off.

Ten o'clock on Friday night and Phil, Tiny, and I were sitting relaxing on the patio. Jim, Charlie, and Hank rode in and came to visit and drink a beer. Everyone was pretty mellow, we lasted till ten thirty before we all headed home and inside for the night. Sue and Mercy were already in bed, almost asleep, when I slid in between them. A couple of kisses later and we were all asleep.

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 32



Saturday mornings can be slow and gentle, or fast and furious. After a big Friday night party, everyone is usually laid back and a little sleepy.

There seemed to be a lot of noise early this morning. I looked up at the clock by the TV and saw that it was six fifty, pretty late for me to wake up. My two girls were cuddled to me, with a head on each shoulder. They were sharing their favorite hold on me. Both had their hands on my morning ego.

Sue had just kissed my shoulder, telling me she was awake, when the door burst open and Nancy came into the bedroom, followed closely by Crystal.

"Come on sleepy heads, get up, get up," Nancy said approaching the bed. "Your son is in his bed, wide awake, but being so good about not waking you up. Get up, change and feed your critter."

Nancy had pushed on the bed trying to make it bounce, but was unsatisfied. Mercy said, "Go away, we need to wake up gently, go away."

Nancy was obviously wound up, as she said, "Come on, get up, I'll help you." With that said she whipped the covers off the three of us.

"Oh my, isn't that a sexy picture," Nancy said, as she observed the two girls with their breasts resting on either side of my chest, one leg draped over one of mine, and both of them holding me.

"Holy shit," Nancy exclaimed, "Crystal come look at the size of this thing. Jesus that thing would even fill me up."

Mercy said, "Go away, it's mine or rather ours, Sue's and mine."

Crystal leered and told Nancy, "I saw that thing when you were here before. Mercy, you can keep that thing, Nan and I only want to borrow it a little."

"Borrow it my ass," Nancy said, "I want to see if that thing will fit."

Sue let go of me and pulled the covers back up over us. "You girls are naughty in the morning. Leave, so we can get up, dress, and come out for coffee."

"Us naughty, hell, you have half a dozen women out there, wearing see through gowns and robes, and a trio of mini-redheads in T-shirts with strategic holes giving beaver shots. Shit, we're over dressed. Come on Crystal lets strip down and go have coffee." With that the two big women left, closing the door.

Sue and Mercy kissed me, and Sue said, "The natives are restless this morning. Your son is an angel though, waiting till he hears us finish our shower. We'd better get going."

Mercy slid on top of me, onto me, saying, "We'll be up in a minute. I have some unfinished business with this thing that's been poking us all night."

Ten minutes later, we were showering off the traces of some wake up loving.

When we came back into the bedroom, Sue was still naked, laying back on a stack of pillows nursing the ever hungry Stevie. "I guess I'm going to have to wean him pretty soon. His sister is going to be here soon and he'll still want to nurse."

Mercy commented, "Do you blame him? Heck, I still want to nurse you. I know our man and I love to choose up sides and suck you dry. Yum! Sexy too."

I kissed Sue and said, "Watching you with him like this is the sweetest sight I could ever see. One day soon, I'll be watching you both nurse like this at the same time. My heart will be so full it will burst."

Sue pulled me down for another kiss while Mercy hung onto me, trying to get into the kiss. The whole time, Stevie was nursing and giggling at the same time.

When Mercy and I went out to the patio, I noticed that the women were a little scantily dressed. Glenda was saying, "You girls are doing a nice job keeping Martin's blood pressure up. The doc was worried Martin may get drowsy with the meds he's taking because they reduce the blood pressure so much."

Ruth, always the exhibitionist, swayed her big chest back and forth under the sheer robe she had on and said, "Always glad to help out, Glenda."

Sandy and Mandy were even in sheer gowns this time. They usually had on cute little baby dolls, but were now in very sexy gowns. It was all Bob could do to keep his hands off Sandy. Drew said he didn't need his fake leg this morning, the way Mandy was dressed he could just use the middle one. He received a punch on the shoulder from his lady.

Susan and family drove up in their cart, with the kids blasting into the patio with youthful enthusiasm. Dennis was making for the donuts when he came to a screeching halt, staring first at Ruth's very visible bosom, then looking lower and to the left at the trio of redheads with their legs up on the edge of their chairs. His mouth dropped to his chest and his face turned very red.

Susan saw what was going on and said, "Guess your visual education is starting now, Denny. You should go get your camera so you have evidence of what you saw. Your friends back in Ohio will never believe you."

She turned to Kevin, "Look all you want, Honey, then we'll go back to finish unpacking the bedroom."

Kevin didn't take the hint and said, "I thought we already finished unpacking."

He received an elbow in the stomach for being a guy, clueless, as usual.

Martin said, "It's been a while since all of you women gave us guys a nice treat like this. It does me good."

Phil agreed, "The difficult part is looking at your wife as she puts that sexy stuff on the second or third time. She can't keep it on. I keep taking it back off for one more close inspection."

"You horny old perv you," Judy smiled. "I didn't think we'd ever get over here."

Sue came out of the house, wearing a long sheer robe, carrying Stevie. She greeted everyone, giving many a hug. Dennis' and Kevin's eyes were locked onto Sue's enormous chest. Even carrying Stevie, it was exposed enough to fixate both of them.

Juanita was sitting next to me and said, "Should I go to Victoria's Secret so I can show off too?"

Nelda nudged Ernie saying, "Look all you want, Honey, but I get you when we get home." Everyone loved the old couple and their antics. Ernie had big bushy eyebrows and usually had a cigar in his pocket. He was always doing a Groucho Marx imitation with his eyebrows and cigar.

Betty, who was wearing one of the BigGirls sexy gowns, said, "Let me fix you up, Juanita, we have tons of sexy things you will look really good in."

Charlie commented, "When you girls are all dressed like this, the place feels as if at any second it could explode and degenerate into a mad orgy."

Mickey laughed, "Wouldn't that be something. What do you think, Sam, we should get some sexy stuff too."

Mercy asked, "How about some pancakes this morning. I'm craving some and willing to make them for everyone."

The kids were saying, "Yea, pancakes, yeah."

Mercy and I went in to whip up some Bisquick pancakes. We also had a big box of buckwheat pancake mix. In minutes, we were scooping pancakes off the big griddle and stacking them on trays.

Plates, flatware, and glasses began appearing on the tables. Big cartons of orange juice and milk were put on the tables as well. People began sitting at the tables, digging in for breakfast. Juanita had joined Mercy and me, helping pour and flip the pancakes. She seemed to enjoy the group.

When we were finished cooking and getting ready to go out to the patio, I told her, "You know, Juanita, you don't have to come over on Saturday or Sundays. Sue really only needs you part time during the week."

Juanita stopped, turned and looked up at me with almost fear in her eyes, "Can't I come over all the time? Please let me. It's like I have a new family. This is the happiest I've been since my Jorge left me. Please let me come here to be with you. I wish I could just stay here, I love it so much. You and Sue are so special to me, I want to just hug you to me and mother you both. Please, Senor, let me come even on weekends."

I gathered Juanita into my arms and hugged her to me, "Of course, you can come. Anytime you want, day or night. Mercy, Sue, and I really like you too."

Sue had come into the kitchen, carrying Stevie, and heard most of what Juanita said. She joined me hugging Juanita. Little Steve was patting Juanita and I swear he was saying "Ne, ne, ne, ne."

Juanita relaxed and looked at Stevie with big tears running down her cheeks, "And you, little man, have stolen my heart."

Juanita took Stevie from Sue and carried him into the living room where the other babies were. Sue said to me, "You've captured the heart of another lady. You better be careful or they'll all start fighting over who can adopt you first."

The first thing to do today was to get Henry and Nancy moved in and unpacked. There was almost too much help. All Nancy could do was stand back and direct, as nearly a dozen people washed and cleaned the house, putting things away, and cleaning it up again when they were done. It wasn't quite noon when everyone was back outside, busting up shipping cartons for the trash.

Susan told Nancy, "Can you believe all the help you get here?"

"Susan, this is all so different. Everyone here is so friendly and helpful. This would have never happened up north. Steve's group is so much fun, Henry and I can't believe it."

"You sure did make fast friends with the big girl, Crystal," Susan commented.

With a visible shiver, Nancy whispered back, "You know I like girls a little and that amazon turns both Henry and me on. She's is so exciting to us. We want to keep her."

Susan smiled, "Just don't flaunt it in front of the kids. As loose as some of these women seem, it's going to be tough keeping Dennis' hands out of his pants the way it is."

"They are a sexy group, aren't they," Nancy said, with a wistful look on her face.

Charlie and Hank wanted to ride over to Hap's to say hi. I asked Sue and Mercy if they wanted to come, but both said they were going to go shopping in a little while. Crystal was on the patio when we were talking and asked Sue, "Can I ride behind your old man?"

"Sure, just bring him back in one piece, or at least for a couple of pieces."

Mercy raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything. Crystal winked at her and said, "I'll be good. I promise."

Crystal went for jeans, boots, and a sexy leather halter top. She looked sexy and tough. Even Sue tilted an eyebrow up at me as the big girl sat on the bike.

The three of us blasted down the highway, a little faster than prudent, with Crystal, Debbie, and Shawna screaming in excitement. The gate guy recognized us and parked us quickly, checking out my bigger than life rider.

The boisterous, challenging Crystal surprised me. While we were in the compound, she stayed behind me and to my side and quiet unless I spoke to her. When a prospect came up with a bucket of beer, I pulled four cans and popped one for Crystal. After handing one to her, I pulled a tab and guzzled the entire beer in one swig. She grinned and finished hers, then, in what was probably a reflex action, she crushed the can in her hand, not on the side either. She crushed it from top to bottom like an accordion. I popped the second can and handed it to her as she crushed my empty.

Hap was happy to see me, and Bear was fascinated by Crystal. He came up to me and asked, "Is this another of your groupies?"

"Nope, Bear, this is Crystal, she is a special friend of mine," I said, hoping that she would recognize Bear's position within the group.

Bear is big and tall, a little taller than Crystal, and probably outweighing her by fifty pounds. He looked her up and down before saying, "So you're not another of his toys, huh?"

Never afraid to say anything Crystal said, "He won't give me a chance. If his watchdog wives would give him a chance, he could play with me anytime."

Bear laughed loud and long, "I like you, Lady. You ain't afraid to say what you mean. How about some chili? Come over here with me and let's have a bowl and another beer."

Hap was next to me. "Do you believe that shit? I've never seen Bear ever take to a girl like that. Sure, he'll use a club punch for some comfort, but he won't even sleep with one, much less eat or drink with one. Is this Crystal anything good?"

"She's real good, Hap," I said. "She manages my truck and RV dealership. She's tough as nails and most have thought she might be a little lez. I don't think so because she's been pretty aggressive toward men lately or at least my brother and me."

"Your brother?"

"Yeah, both my brother and my sister moved down here with their families this week. They are both going to work in the companies."

"Nice. Your business park is getting to be a big place out there. Three of my guys are on one of your construction crews. They say you are building everywhere."

"Pretty much, Hap. There is a lot going on," I said.

"I have a favor to ask of you, Steve," Hap said.

"If I can, you know I'll do it."

"I need to go over to Melbourne real quick. There is a meeting of club prez's this afternoon. They just called and there's no way for me to ride or drive over there in under three hours. Could you fly Bear and me over there?"

"Sure, how about we saddle up and go back to the house. We'll take my truck from there. You can call the local clubhouse for them to send a prospect out to come get you guys. If you don't think you'll be a real long time, I'll wait for you."

Hap nodded and said, "Let me get Bear."

Bear and Crystal came over laughing, enjoying each other's company. Bear asked, "Should I trust you to fly us over there? You have much experience?"

Crystal defended me, "He flies the big plane all over. He just came back from flying down to Costa Rica last week. I know he's flown up to Seattle and Alaska, as well as all over the U.S."

Bear looked at me oddly, "Man, you never cease to amaze me."

When we went out the gate, Hap and Bear were in the lead, as was usual for club presidents. Charlie, Jim, and Hank split off to go barhop. Four of the other men came with us to ride guard or whatever. Once we were at the house, Charlie and I put our bikes away, and I made sure we weren't taking the other four bikers. I told Sue I was going to fly Bear and Hap to Melbourne in the 172, and asked her if she wanted to go. She said she was still going shopping.

Bear and Hap were taking off their vests and folding them carefully as we were going to be riding in the truck. Club members never wear their colors in a cage.

Crystal had disappeared, but as we were getting into my truck she re-appeared in Bermuda shorts and a regular tank top, asking if she could ride along. There's room for four, but we were going to be near a weight limit. It was a good thing Hap was skinny or it would be close.

We left the guards to either wait for us at the house or go back to the clubhouse. Hap told them he would be safe with me, but all that did was to confuse them.

When we pushed the 172 out of the hangar, Hap got his first look at the sleek 200. It is a beauty and stands out with the logos on it. He was looking at the 210 with the logos on it, and asked about it. I told him about the guy that has to fly all over and what he did.

I did the preflight inspection, then put Bear and Crystal in the back seats and Hap in the right seat. I explained the headsets and how they worked, then began the startup procedure. In just a minute we were warming up the engine. I flipped on the open channel so they could all hear the chatter and filed a VFR plan with air traffic control, next I switched frequencies and requested permission to taxi to the active runway. I set the flaps, adjusted the carb, and when given clearance, pulled out onto the runway. It took a good piece of the runway to get speed up to takeoff. We were pretty heavy and it was hot.

When it is very hot, the air is thinner, making it more difficult to get airborne. It's called density altitude. Since we are at near sea level it isn't as bad as at higher altitudes, but the heavier you are, the harder it is to get off the ground.

As we took off, I pointed out the clubhouse and headed almost due east. The GPS had the Melbourne frequency listed, so I dialed it up to home in on and flew pretty much paralleling highway 60. I pointed out the different towns as we passed them. An hour after taking off we landed in a gently near three pointer dropping the nose wheel almost as soon as the main gear touched. As we taxied to the operations building, I handed Hap my cell phone, but he already had his out.

About ten minutes after we got there, a big Ford came and parked in front of the operations building. Hap said he and Bear would be back shortly, but if it looked like a long drawn out affair, he would call me.

Crystal and I kicked back in the operations lounge with a cold soda after I refueled. She had been quizzing me about Bear for about an hour, when Bear and Hap came in.

"All done, let's go home," Hap said.

They loaded up while I did the preflight before I climbed into the left seat. On the way back, Hap asked if I would fly over the beaches so he could see what they looked like from the air. All three were disappointed that I couldn't get lower than a thousand feet. They wanted a closer look at the bikinis. It was impressive to see a large school of jellyfish out about three hundred feet from shore. I called into the Coast Guard to give them a pirep (pilot report) who gave me a thank you and said they would relay the info to the beach patrol. My passengers really liked the way you could tell what kind of big fish were down there. We even saw a few black tip sharks swimming among with the rays.

We landed and I taxied up to the fuel pumps. I filled out the logs and filled the tanks. Next I had the three help me get the plane back in the hangar, positioned so that any of the three planes could be pulled out, if need be, without moving the others.

At home, the four bikers were sitting at the table eating sandwiches and watching TV in air-conditioned comfort. Juanita had fussed over them, making sure they were taken care of.

Hap and Bear thanked me and prepared to leave. Bear came over to me and said, "Would it be all right if I stopped out here this evening a while? Crystal asked me to come over for supper and I'd like to come."

"You're always welcome, Bear. Come and enjoy our group. You'll like them."

Juanita said the girls were all shopping and had taken the babies. The two teens were up at the pool with all the other teens from the park. Everyone else was home. It was just the two of us.

I washed the two bikes, Sue's Mustang, and the truck. All of them needed washing and vacuuming. Juanita asked if she could bring her car over as she didn't have a hose. She came over in an old Toyota Corolla with a Chevy Nova nametag. It was really clean and barely used.

Juanita had changed into some shorts and a loose halter. We washed her car, getting playful, and both of us got soaked. Once we had it dried off, she was too wet to drive it home, so we went inside where she said she was going to shower.

I was sitting at the kitchen counter drinking some coffee when she came out of the central bathroom drying her hair. I couldn't help but notice she had a towel tied around her waist but her top was bare. She did have some nice ones. A little saggy, but they were nice for her age.

Juanita pulled the towel from her head, shook her hair so it would fall at her back, and slowly walked toward me. She picked up a piece of paper from the bar and handed it to me.

It was a note from Sue in her handwriting,

"Lover, Take Juanita into the bedroom and make her feel good. She begged me to let you make her feel like a woman again. Go do a good job. I love you, Sue"

Under that was,

"I love you, too. Don't enjoy it too much. Mercy"

Juanita wasn't bashful. She grabbed my hand and pulled me toward a bedroom off the bath where she had showered.

A little over an hour later, we were in the shower together, with her being wanton enough to get me up for the third time. It was a long shower. Afterwards, Juanita put on one of her shirtwaist dresses and was back in the kitchen whistling.

I could have used a nap, but thought better of it. When I came from the master bedroom wearing some fresh shorts and T-shirt, Juanita gave me a warm hug and kiss. "Thank you, Senor. You make Juanita feel young and fresh. I love the discomfort you've given me. With each step, I can feel how you ravaged me. If your wives let me, maybe we can do that again sometime."

I smiled and told her, "You should find a man of your own. There are many men who would love to be your man."

"I don't know, Senor, I just have not found them. If they are around, they must show themselves."

When the girls came home, Mercy instantly sat in my lap and hugged me. She asked, "Did you take care of Juanita?"

I nodded.

"Did you make her feel very good, very loved?"

I said softly, "I hope so."

Mercy smiled at me, kissed me, and said, "I'll find out."

Sue came over handing Stevie to me. She leaned down and whispered, "Were you a good boy and did you take care of Juanita?"

As I smiled and nodded, Stevie gave me the two fisted kiss and wanted down. I took him into the play area so he could squirm around in safety. Robbie, CJ, and Mia were all rolling around and trying to crawl. There were plenty of rattles and plastic toys for them to play with and bang on each other. They played together surprisingly well. Very seldom was there ever the squeal of pain suffered from an accidental swing of a toy that hit harder than usual.

We were having steak tonight. That is always a big treat. Thegirls had gone by an old neighborhood meat market to get fifty New York strip steaks, all about the same size, big. I knew that some of the older folks shared a steak and some of the girls didn't eat all that much, but did we really need fifty? The new expanded grill, at the now really big bar, could handle quite a few at a time, but fifty would take two servings.

I looked at the three tables and tried to remember whether they had been full. I counted the chairs at each table. There were eight per side so that was forty eight people that regularly ate there. Along the outside screen wall there were another dozen chairs. So that meant they could put nine per side and one on each end of each of the tables. That's sixty. That's a bunch of people.

Considering the other tables with chairs, couches, rockers, and lazy boys we could put another twenty to thirty in them. Then there's the bar that could hold an easy dozen. We could have over a hundred people out here comfortably.

Before supper that night, Bear showed up with his beard trimmed, freshly showered, in clean clothes, without his colors. He had driven his car and couldn't wear his colors while driving, so he left his vest locked in his cage.

Sue was impressed and gave him a hug and kiss. Bear even played with the kids for a few minutes, marveling at the four little ones.

We all had a drink or two, before it was time to cook the steaks and load the table with the veggies and salads. When I began packing the steaks on the grill, I took orders for well done, medium well, and medium to medium rare. It looked like I would be able to put all of the steaks on the fire at once. I paused after laying out the quantity of well done steaks, waited about three minutes, loaded the medium well group, and three minutes later, laid the rest of the steaks on for medium to medium rare.

I ate my salad while I was cooking the steaks, and with the help of the girls to deliver them, I began taking the steaks off in the order I had put them on.

When they were done putting everyone's plate in place, there were nine steaks left. I turned off the fire, but left the steaks on the grille to stay warm. I would bet that there would be some who would want more to eat, someone like skinny little Drew. He ate like he was Bear's size.

The girls had some great red wine to go with the meat. The baked potatoes were great as they had sour cream, chives, bacon bits, butter, and even cheese to adorn the potatoes. We also had corn, spinach, broccoli, and rolls.

When everyone was full, there were no more steaks left. Drew had eaten two of the huge pieces of meat. Bear and Crystal each had two. Jim and Charlie not only ate two, but also finished their wives' meat. I think Henry, Kevin, and Dennis had the rest. Good meat didn't last around this place.

The table was cleared and the dishes were in the big washer. The ladies began feeding the kids one last time, getting them ready for bed. The living room became the central place. Babies were taken into the bathroom for baths and brought out to be powdered and have a fresh diaper installed. Once in light sleepers or gowns, all four were put on breasts for the last meal of the day. Twenty minutes later, there were four sleeping babies. Stevie's room had four baby beds in it just for this purpose. The babies could sleep there until their moms and dads went home.

Somewhere around nine, Bear and Crystal disappeared with Henry and Nancy. Susan and Kevin gathered up their two kids and rode home in their golf cart. The kids had ridden their bikes, so they followed the cart. Tiny and Ruth, with Ryan and Michelle, and Phil and Judy, left for Tiny's to watch a movie.

Around nine thirty, Charlie, Hank, Jim, Sandy, and Mandy rode back in. The three guys came over to the patio and were trying to organize a hot tub trip. Sue, Mercy, Juanita, and I volunteered to babysit, so the three couples headed toward the pool area. I asked Juanita if she wanted me to make sure she got home okay and Mercy said, "She's fine. She's probably going to stay with us tonight."

Wonder how this was going to work. Mercy had been a little jealous lately, but this is a different attitude.

It was near midnight when the three couples came back to the house. They were all dragging. Shawna said, "When we got there Tiny, Ruth, Phil, Judy, Ryan, and Michelle were in the tub. They weren't just soaking either. These clowns took one look at Michelle and hollered 'fresh meat.' When the others left, we were just warming up again, when your brother, Henry, Nancy, Crystal, and your friend, Bear, came. That got these clowns all wound up again, but Bear wasn't sharing Crystal until the mouth over there," she pointed at Hannah, "latched onto him. Then he was putty in our hands. I think your friend just participated in his first group grope."

Debbie added, "Your brother is almost as big as you are. It must run in the family."

Charlie said, "That Crystal can really thump. She was actually holding Hank up while he was pounding her. Was that your first suspended fuck, Hank?"

"It was different that's for sure. She sure is a big woman. Same goes for Nancy. She's a lot bigger than Debbie, and Debbie's trying to get skinny again." He hugged Debbie to him and said, "Come on, Luscious, let's go home so I can love on your bigger beauty before you lose it all again."

Debbie added as they were leaving, "This is one swingin' trailer park, that's for sure. We need a bigger hot tub."

When the house was empty, I went out onto the patio to shut it down. Sue came with me while I had a last glass of wine. Sue took a few sips out of it and said, "Don't be surprised by Mercy. She's had some strange attraction to Juanita, like she's her sister or something. She was the one to actually suggest she get you into bed. I know you've been avoiding doing anything with anyone else but Mercy and me, so I told Mercy we would have to write you a note. Strange, isn't it?"

"So is it like the way you like other girls?" I asked.

"No, not at all. I think I'm about the only girl she's ever played with. I like girls younger than Juanita, but she is nicely built. Just go along with Mercy. She has something in mind and I don't know what it is."

We shut down the patio and locked up. When we went into the softly lit bedroom, a surprising sight was presented. Mercy was on the outside of the bed and Juanita was toward the middle. The two ladies were laying there with their hands between each other's legs, looking up at us, smiling. Mercy had a devilishly crooked grin and sparkling eyes. I could clearly hear her. "Come get us, come make love to us, all of us."

Sue looked at me and smiled before we began undressing each other. Sue and Mercy directed me for the activities they desired. First they wanted me to kiss and touch Juanita everywhere. This caused Juanita to orgasm many times before they finally had me fill her. While I did my best to hold back, the two girls each sucked on a nipple. Poor Juanita, I'm sure this was a total first for her. We continued until she passed out from exhaustion. Mercy pushed me toward Sue and Sue pushed me toward Mercy. Once I had one of Mercy's swelling nipples in my mouth, she gave up and hugged me to her. I consumed Mercy until I finally filled her with the same elixir that was making her belly swell.

Sue had been between Juanita's legs, kissing up my leavings there. Juanita just groaned and orgasmed over and over, holding Sue's head in place.

As I rolled off Mercy and pulled Sue over to me, I think we were all surprised when the hot, Latin, older lady was instantly between Mercy's legs sucking up the juices.

It took a while, a long while, before I made a final deposit of the evening in my beautiful wife. She was so sexy with her large, softer, breasts and swollen belly. Kissing her, and kissing her breasts, usually gets me off but tonight, after a sexy afternoon and two more expenditures this evening, it was watching Sue's face as the two ladies sucked on Sue's enormous nipples that pulled the trigger. It felt like a gusher, although I don't think it was anywhere near that big. When we settled down, Sue was on one side of me and Juanita was on the other. Both had their heads on my shoulder. Mercy was behind Juanita with her hand on my chest.

You can bet it didn't take me long to go to sleep.

Original Editing by Pepere

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 33



I woke in the morning with a sensation that I had not had in while. A pussy was sliding up and down my dick. When I opened my eyes, Mercy leaned down and kissed me, whispering, "I love you." Sue was lying on her side with her eyes open, smiling at me. She leaned over and kissed me and said softly, "I love you." I looked to the other side and Juanita was also lying on her side, watching. She leaned to me and kissed me and said with a smile, "I love all of you."

Mercy continued to move faster and faster until she froze, squeezing me inside her. She lay on my chest, kissing it as she continued to squeeze and release me with herself. In my mind she began saying, "Come, come in me, fill me, put your love into me, fill me, husband."

It must have been the husband thing. I filled her until it was drooling back onto me. Mercy shivered and said, "Thank you."

Sue and Juanita got up and headed to the bathroom and showered, while Mercy remained impaled on me as we kissed and tongued each other. When the shower shut off, she got out of bed pulling me with her toward the shower. We washed quickly, but while we were hugging under the spray, she had one of my legs hugged between hers, rubbing up and down on me, seemingly getting herself off. I felt the warm spray as she let go on my leg. This was strange, as no one had ever peed on me before. She pulled my head down and gave me another kiss while she stroked me back up to full firmness. She turned to the wall and had me enter her from the rear. We humped mightily until I lost it and filled her once again. She was shivering as I pulled free and turned her around for more kisses.

Once out of the shower, we dressed, and I enjoyed watching Sue give Stevie his liquid breakfast before he got his cereal. It should be the other way around, but Sue said if she did it this way her breasts would be milked more and she didn't have to use the pump as much.

Mercy went over to Sue and said, "I don't know why I'm so turned on about Juanita. It's nuts, when I look into her mind, I get so turned on about watching her make love to Steve and us. It's really crazy. Her mind is so vivid that I feel her excitement. When Steve loved her last night, I actually came while he was making her come. She feels guilty that she is using Steve up instead of us using him up. We need to tell her it's fine."

Sue said, "Have you noticed that, since yesterday afternoon, she looks like she's found the fountain of youth? Her face looks so much younger, her breasts look firmer and she walks with a twitch in her butt. I think it's cute. From what I saw, it looks like she sure knows how to work on a lady."

Mercy hugged me, "Hope you hold up and don't mind taking care of Juanita too. She said you were the first man she's had since her husband died. She's kind of a special friend all of a sudden. I know, I was the one keeping you away from other women, but she's really hot and was ready to make love. We'll just have to find her someone."

Sunday morning is the time for pastries, donuts, and a big home made breakfast. Once out in the kitchen with a cup of coffee, I turned on the oven, dragged out some big skillets, and opened the grille on the big stove. I started ten pounds of bacon on the grille and about ten pounds of sausage in a big skillet. Juanita was fascinated as I made up a huge batch of biscuits and slid two cookie sheets into the oven.

I dipped some grease from the bacon into another frying pan and let it begin to warm up. I pulled six cartons of eggs out of the fridge and began breaking them into a big mixing bowl. I was flipping bacon, busting eggs, and turning sausage the whole time. Just about the time I poured the first big batch of stirred up eggs into the big frying pan, Glenda came in the door as the timer dinged.

Just like a team, Glenda pulled the two cookie sheets from the oven and dumped them into a big basket that I had lined with a clean dishtowel. She slid two more cookie sheets into the oven and set the timer. I finished the first batch of eggs, slopped some more bacon grease into the frying pan, spread it around and poured the other half of the eggs in to start cooking.

I scooped the bacon off the grill and laid the strips on some paper towels in a few baskets to drain and began pulling the sausage out of the other frying pan. "Glenda, do you want bacon or sausage grease for the gravy?"

"Bacon," she said, as she made up another big batch of biscuits and filled the two cooling cookie sheets.

I dumped almost all of the sausage from the one frying pan, drained most of the grease, and crumbled up the sausage that remained. I scooped up the bacon grease and put it with the crumpled sausage. The timer dinged.

While Glenda was pouring milk into the pan with the sausage and grease, I exchanged the cookie sheets to bake more biscuits and started the timer. I filled the cooling sheet with more biscuits, and mixed up a batch of pancake mix.

Glenda was now mixing in cornstarch and some flour, making a huge pan of gravy. While the pancakes were cooking, I divided the eggs into three big bowls, and the bacon into three big baskets. Next, I divided the sausage into three bowls, and finally, the biscuits into three baskets.

All this time, I was scooping up pancakes, flipping some, and putting the finished ones on three trays.

The girls began setting the tables with plates, flatware, and glasses, pouring milk and juice and hauling out the eggs, sausage, and bacon. The oven dinged for the last time, and I pulled the biscuits out and divided them into the three baskets. I scooped up the last of six dozen pancakes onto the three trays, and they were immediately whisked out to the patio. Glenda poured the sausage gravy into three bowls and they were taken away. We shut off all the burners and high-fived each other.

She said, "We are really a team. That's the way to make breakfast for forty or fifty of those suckers. What do you think about that Juanita?"

"It was amazing, Glenda. You two did that with such ease, it was just amazing. Next time I want to help. Show me okay?"

In a very short time one hundred biscuits, six dozen pancakes, six dozen eggs, ten pounds of bacon, ten pounds of sausage, and about three gallons of gravy vanished. If we didn't have all the pastries and donuts, I swear there would have been hungry people.

Abe and Alice had shown up this morning, and we were graced with Bear's presence, with a smiling Crystal at his side. They were obviously getting along.

Charlie and Matty, Tiny's folks, said that it looked like the park was going to be full again. Every space was committed. He was telling me there was a small strip of land between our line and the grocery store shopping center that was vacant. It was big enough that we could add two more rows of either singles or double-wide homes. He said he had the owner's name and what he was asking for it. He handed me a slip of paper and I looked at it and laughed.

I turned around and poked Ernie. When he turned to look at me, I asked, "Mr. Wainwright, will you sell me that little strip of useless property between here and the shopping center?"

He looked at me and said, "What are you going to do with it? You could add onto the shopping center and have a whole 'nother strip of stores."

"Good idea, Ernie, but how about I add another street the full length of the park and still build a strip of stores in the center. I'll actually get two rows of homes, one on the back of the existing street, and another on the other side of the street that the fence will be moved to."

"Double duty, huh? You'll have to go through some contortions with zoning if you're going to split the land," Ernie said.

"It should be fine, Ernie, since the park is already on one side and the center is on the other," I said. "They should approve the zoning and permitting instantly. The management company already wants to buy land on the other end for more shops. They didn't mention this end."

Ernie said, "I don't own that over on the other side of the center. That's owned by..." Ernie got a funny look on his face, "What do you know, Ben Phillips. You'll have to negotiate with him. Ha. That's a laugh. He'll probably stick it to you."

Everyone migrated to various activities. The two kids played pool for a while. Some adults were playing cards. Some left to take care of normal stuff like laundry, bookkeeping, fishing, taking a walk, taking a ride, and in Phil's, Judy's, Samantha's, and Juanita's case, going to church. Mickey had to go in to work to make out a report but was going to be back in a little while.

Sue, Mercy, and I went for a walk, pushing Stevie in his stroller. We walked down to the new expanded entryway of the park. There was now a guard shack that was always attended from seven in the evening till seven in the morning. The same security service that patrolled the park put someone in the shack. The little guard house really was pretty nice. It was air conditioned, had a bathroom, a TV, a small fridge, a microwave, and a desk with a phone. It was good duty. They checked late night traffic to make sure that the people coming in should be there. The business park patrol swung by three times a night to make a pass through the park. It was probably better security than in almost any other park in the area.

We walked over to the business park to look at the display of big trucks and RVs. The truck and RV service centers were busy working on trucks that needed to be on the road. The conversion shop was busy with three teams working on trucks. We walked down to look at the progress of the sports complex. They had the areas where admin buildings and concession stands were going to be, ready to pour concrete. The place was moving along. By the time we were back, little Steve was asleep, and big Steve could use a nap.

I stretched out on the bed with the TV on and fell asleep almost instantly. When I woke up about an hour later, someone I at first thought was Mercy was snuggled into my side. I realized the person was too small. It was Tina. I eased out of bed, took a whiz, and went to find Sue in the living room with most of the other ladies, looking at catalogues.

Susan said, "I hope you were gentle with my little girl. She said she was going to go in and ravish you."

"I'm glad she didn't, I don't think I could handle that, Suze," I said laughing. "Remember, I held the little squirt when she was a baby."

"You best watch yourself then, she's been talking a pretty good game," my sister cautioned.

"Sue and Mercy, protect me from little girls. She has two or three years before she's even legal. Jeez, she's genuine jailbait."

Mercy said, "I'll just have to sew her up until she's seventeen. That's one way."

Sue said, "I'll talk to her to make sure she knows you don't want that to happen. She's a good kid. She will still want it to happen, but she'll turn down the pressure."

I went out onto the patio to join the guys drinking beer and eating snacks. Dennis was playing chess at one of the big tables with a tall, gangly, young girl with a dark tanned complexion. They looked very intense. Kevin noticed me looking at them and said, "Those two met at the swimming hole yesterday and have been an item since. I met her dad, Luis Mendoza, who seems to be a nice guy. He's a single parent, the mom was killed in a car accident a couple of years ago. The girl's name is Tammy and is almost the exact same age as Dennis. So far it's been swimming, pool, chess, and bike riding. I'll have to watch to make sure their time together stays innocent."

"You know what?" Kevin said then continued, "Mendoza said something about the company he had been working for closed their shop and he has been working at a Goodyear store. He said he had been working on big trucks and had done a lot of refrigeration work. Crystal mentioned that we needed a good refrigeration man, and I know we need more mechanics. Maybe he would be a good guy for the dealership. I'll stop over at his place and invite him for breakfast in the morning. It'll give you and Crystal a chance to meet him."

"Have you started driving with Dennis yet?" I asked.

Kevin answered, "He's doing pretty good. He's finished his driver's ed class and did okay there. Now, I'll just have to work with him. Traffic down here is heavier than up in Cincinnati, but still about the same. I haven't been here long enough to know. Susan wants to get him a motorcycle like you had when you were in high school, but I thought a car would be better, safer. He's been on dirt bikes since he was six, but out on the street is different."

"You're probably right. A car might be a good idea, and you can look at a street bike for him after he's familiar with the traffic," I said.

Kevin took a drink from his mug, "Just about the time I get him settled with wheels, I'll be working with Tina. She'll be fifteen pretty soon."

Crystal and Bear were on one of the couches talking, and wonder of wonders, holding hands. He had obviously been back to his living quarters and changed, as he was wearing a T-shirt and jeans with engineer boots and his bike was outside the patio. I wondered how he got away from his men while riding. Bear got up and came over to me.

"Hey, Steve! What do you think if I take a, ah, Crystal up to New Port Richey. I'd like her to see the clubhouse. We have it fixed up very nice. You haven't seen it yet either, have you? You'll have to come out and see it. My guys would enjoy having you. I'll get her back here by around nine probably. She has to work tomorrow, so we won't be real late."

I smiled at Bear and said, "Bear, I'm not her dad or anything. She's a grown woman."

"Don't matter, she's part of your group, it's like your club. I respect that. I'll treat it that way so we're straight."

I patted him on the back as they went out the door. Bear put his vest on, explaining biker's rules to Crystal before he started his bike and rode off very sedately. I think Bear was in for a surprise. That girl had experience on bikes and with bikers. She was not a novice.

Dennis came over with the new girl and introduced her to me. She said, "You're the one who was in all those gunfights out here, aren't you?"

I nodded.

The young girl continued, "Star and Dede said you were probably the bravest guy around here since Kathy's husband was killed overseas. Everybody says we should be thankful we have someone like you around here to protect us."

"Tammy, please, enough," I begged. "I'm just a regular guy that had to do a few things to keep our neighborhood safe. Don't be talking about that stuff too much. The truth gets stretched pretty far."

"Not that far, Mr. Sharp, I was watching when that Barlow man was taken away by the police. You must have hit him pretty hard between the legs, as he could hardly walk. I also watched when you kicked that man who was going to shoot the deputy. I saw that and I saw the way you kicked him and broke his neck. If you didn't kill him, he would have killed you, the deputy, and I don't know how many other people."

I sighed and shook my head. "It happened, let it rest now, Tammy, please."

She came over and gave me a hug and said, "If you say so, Mr. Sharp. Thank you for protecting all of us."

Dennis and Tammy left, riding in a golf cart.

Kevin said to me, while Henry leaned way over toward us, "You have some explaining to do, Steve. What in the hell happened out here?"

I went through the whole Barlow family ordeal, the cop on the highway, the robbery, and finally the crazy deputy with the dope and money.

"Jesus, no wonder you have a security guard down there. Have you had any problem since?" Henry asked.

"None, I think the bad element is gone and the security guard will keep the rest of the crazies away. With the new fancy gateway, the place looks prosperous and doesn't reflect the old time place it really is."

Tiny spoke up from his big chair, "When Steve's gone, I'll tell you how he single-handedly took out a mob hit man and broke up a huge drug ring."

"Christ, Tiny, can't you keep stuff to yourself?" I pleaded.

Tiny began laughing, "Wait until his friend, Dewey, comes to visit. He'll tell you how Sue and Steve held off some pirates on the open sea, and how Steve and Sue helped his brother up in Alaska fight off some outlaws."

Charlie spoke up and said, "I watched him do that Barlow guy and I saw him and my wife in the big gunfight they had. I watched him take out the guy that was about to shoot a deputy. This crazy man ran his motorcycle right into the guy, squashed him. I saw him and my old lady shut down the burglars as well as the way he took down the crazy dope deputy. And I saw what Tammy saw, I saw him kick that guy just as he was pulling the deputy's gun from his holster."

"One wild event no one else but Shawna, Sue, and I saw was when he saved his buddy Bear's life and his friend Hap's at the same time. Steve was the only man who noticed a guy that was acting funny. Steve got to him just as he was pulling out a shotgun. The guy would have killed both of his friends. Then one night, when we were visiting those same friends, Steve figures out that a bunch of guys are about to attack the clubhouse, so Steve works with the cops and the cops were able to catch them all. And just this last couple of months, Steve figured out who it was that shot his friend Bear, and was able to lead the cops to them. A whole gang was arrested. If Steve and my Shawna are around, we're all safe."

I got up and left. It was too much for me. I'm sure Charlie would fill them in on all the gory details. My family is going to think I'm a danger freak or trouble magnet. I decided I needed a ride, so I pulled the shovelhead out of the shed and took off for a head-cleaning ride. I went up highway forty-one through Land o' Lakes and turned right, or east at highway 54.

As I was traveling fairly slow, I saw a neat looking custom El Camino on the side of the road with a for sale sign. I pulled off to take a look at it. The outside looked straight but the interior was a rat. Someone had sectioned the body for what looked like two inches so it looked very low and sleek. They had done a good job as no weld ridges showed through the primer painted sides.

An older man came out of the house, wearing denim bib overalls with no shirt, walking slowly. "Ya interested in the truck?" He asked.

"Maybe, tell me about it, I said.

"This is an '80. Don't got no motor but there is an automatic hanging on it. Don't know how good it is though. My son done the body by hisself. Took him maybe three months to do that and to cut down the top."

I saw that the top had been chopped.

"There's another hood with a cut out for what he said was for a blower or something. Anyway, it ain't ever goin' to do him any good. He's in jail and prolly never get out. If you gimme five hunnert you can have it and everythin in his shop out there. I think there's a motor, but I'm not sure. Just clean it all out and be done."

"Do you have a title for the truck?"

"I do and it's in my name. I had to buy the truck for him in the first place."

"Tell you what, I'll give you a hundred right now. I'll go get a big truck to haul the El Camino and everything else away. I'll bring you the rest of the money then. Is that okay?" I asked as I took a hundred from my wallet.

"It's a deal, Sonny. Go get your truck." He took the hundred and took the for sale sign off of the pickup.

I rode back to the house very quickly. I got the attention of Kevin, Henry, Charlie, Tiny, and Hank who were right there. "Come on, guys, I have to go to the shop to get the big truck, a forklift, and a bunch of big crates to haul some parts. I need help to get everything picked up."

Kevin asked, "Is the truck you're talking about the one with the sliding bed?"

"That's the one," I said.

"It's over behind the RV store with a forklift on the back. It was used with another forklift to hold up the back of an RV," Kevin answered.

I asked Kevin, "Do you know where Dennis is?"

"Behind you at the pool table," Kevin pointed.

"We'll take him with us because this is for him. Charlie, get your pickup and we'll run over to the park and get the truck with the forklift and a bunch of those big plastic parts bins. I'll be right back."

Kevin and I went over to the RV store. We found the keys to the truck before we went into the truck maintenance area and pulled a dozen big stackable plastic parts bins. I found the duty manager, talked him out of a half dozen pairs of heavy canvas gloves, and we were off with Kevin driving my pickup while I drove the big truck. Once at the house, I ran in and got Sue to give me four more hundreds, telling her I just found a great deal on a truck for Dennis.

All of us drove out to the place on highway 54. I backed the big truck up near the pickup and got out and began letting the bed down. I loosened the chains, drove the forklift over & slid the arms under the El Camino, lifted it, and drove back up on the truck bed. We powered the bed back to its regular position and chained the car and forklift down.

The old man was watching with my guys. I handed him the four hundred and he handed me the title signed by him. I told Tiny to look at it as he had to notarize it. He just nodded at it and stuffed it in his pocket.

The old man opened the double doors and we almost staggered from shock. The place was a double garage stuffed with parts. There were probably three small block Chevy 350's and two more transmissions. One looked like it had been recently worked on. There were tires, wheels, a whole front clip for another El Camino, a rear end that looked like it was one of GM's original posi-traction types, and dozens of miscellaneous carburetors, manifolds, brake parts, etc. We brought the parts bins and began filling them.

I unchained the forklift and let the bed down, brought the truck down, and set it on the ground. I picked up each of the three engines and set one in the El Camino bed, one in my pickup and one in Charlie's. I used the forklift to lift the parts bins into my pickup and Charlie's until the garage was empty. We were even able to stack the spare sheet metal and front clip on the rear of the big truck. I picked up the El Camino again and drove onto the truck, put the bed back up, and chained down the parts, the pickup, and the forklift. I shook the old man's hand and thanked him and we drove straight to the original shop. We opened up Abe's big warehouse and unloaded everything.

Kevin said the truck and forklift were supposed to be brought back here, so we left them in the yard behind the big warehouse. When we were done and about to shut the giant door, I put my arm around Dennis' shoulder and said, "See that, that's going to be yours in a couple of months. You won't recognize it and there won't be another one like it anywhere. You're going to help make it happen too. You'll have to come down here after school every day for a while, but you'll meet a lot of people and learn a lot about a car."

Dennis said, "That's really going to be mine? An El Camino? Those are so cool. Wow, thanks."

Kevin came over and said, "There's a lot of work, Son, but I'll bet it'll get done fast."

I think what I said next was going to be the most important, "In order for you to work on the truck, you're going to have to help out at the shop. All of the different areas can use help, plus the people will teach you. This can even be part of your high school curriculum if we schedule it right. In other words, Dennis, you are going to be an employee and work for your truck."

Dennis excitedly said, "I've wanted a job since I turned fifteen but didn't have a way to get back and forth. Mom and Dad had too much to do to ferry me around, so I could only dig snow and cut grass. There's not much money in that. Tina gets babysitting jobs all the time and makes more money than I do, but no one will hire a guy to baby-sit. This is going to be great."

I thanked all the guys that had helped with the truck and cleanup before turning to Dennis. "Let's separate all this stuff in categories and piles real quick to see what we have. We'll have to go over everything we use before we install it to make sure it will work. We have a couple of hours before supper so let's get cracking."

Instead of leaving, every one of the guys pitched in to separate parts. They were all excited about helping to build a custom car for young Dennis. While we were looking over some air conditioning equipment, Tiny said, "My dad was never mechanically inclined. That's probably why I ended up an accountant. I always did want to build a car. I'm going to help on this one, and maybe I'll build one for myself. That would be a dream come true."

Henry told Tiny that he was the same. "I never did figure out where Steve got his mechanical ability. He used to have to work on that old Harley he had daily. But he kept it running and rode it even in the snow."

I filled Henry in, "I bought the bike from Ike up at the service station. He hired me to do oil changes, fix tires, change fan belts and hoses, the easy stuff. He's the one who taught me how to fix the bike and what little I know about cars."

Henry said, "You didn't have much time for that after Dad died. According to Susan, Mom needed you around all the time."

I nodded at Henry, "It wasn't that bad, but I didn't have much time for other than homework, working at the service station, and helping Mom out at home."

I went to the frame shop and brought four of the stands over so we could put the truck up to look at what we would need to do underneath. Kevin demonstrated his know how of a forklift by gently picking up the pickup just high enough so we could arrange the stands and letting the truck down slowly until it was supported by the four stands. I grabbed the side of the bed and pushed it back and forth trying to knock if off but the truck remained stable. I released the wheel locks on the stands and showed Dennis how easy it was to push the car around.

We had done all the damage we could today, so I said "Let's lock up and go home. It's getting time for supper and I don't like to miss too many meals."

At home, Dennis was immediately using one of the computers there to get on the internet for books about El Caminos. I picked up a legal pad and began trying to organize our attack on the project on one page and listing what we would need to begin working on the project on the other page.

We all agreed that the first thing would be to strip the truck down to the bare frame and begin by putting new pads between the uni-body frame and the body. We could clean up and paint the uni-body frame in the process, and begin painting each section of the truck, adding the repaired and painted parts along the way. We would have to check the door glass to see if it fit. If it did, we might want to hunt for a set of motors and guides for electric windows, plus we could put the push/pull device in for electric locks at the same time.

Our list of what we wanted to do to further customize the truck started to get long quickly, stuff like smooth doors and an electric door release instead of door handles. The electric windows and locks were one thing, but building a turbo transmission and installing a heavy duty rear traction bar to keep the rear connected would be more complicated. The El Camino was infamous for the rear end skating around, especially on wet pavement. Air conditioning would be important, making sure the fancy hood with the opening for the turbo charger or mass air intake was usable, special wheels and tires, and lots of chrome under the hood, were all on the list.

When Sandy and Mandy came for supper, they were instantly into the project. They got Dennis aside and said they would help him build a motor and transmission that would be the envy of every kid in the city. When he said he didn't know anything about motors, the girls laughed, saying, "You will kid, you will."

Bob and Drew thought it would be neat to help out, and Bob got it across that Tim was great at custom work on hot rods.

Sandy and Mandy said that the other two-girl team had built some custom cars and the real squirrelly gay guys were known to do that kind of work. They said they would get them to help too, and would protect Dennis from their bad influences. Drew said that Dan had a ton of body knowledge and figured that he probably had some experience building custom cars.

Kevin told me that from what he had seen, when it came time for the interior, the coachmen that worked for the body swap group and doubled in the RV dealership should be able to handle that easily.

Shawna and Hank were already planning how they were going to paint the truck. When Dennis said he would like it to be sort of like Steve's pickup, Shawna and Hank high-fived each other. That got Shawna and Dennis talking. Since Charlie is never far from Shawna, he picked up that Dennis had done a lot of dirt bike stuff. He told Dennis that his boss was a famous Harley dirt drag racer. As soon as Charlie mentioned Jan's name, he was begging Charlie to take him to meet her. He said he had all kinds of pictures of her. Shawna told Charlie, "Don't let him alone with her, or she'll be plucking tree fruit, if you know what I mean."

Charlie busted out laughing, while Dennis sat there confused. Hank said that might make a good cartoon. That earned him a shoulder punch from Shawna.

Supper and the rest of the evening was taken up with discussions and planning for the project. I think most of them wanted to go down to the shop and just build it right then.

Susan reminded the kids that tomorrow was their first day in the new school, so it was time for them to get ready for bed. There weren't any "Aw Moms" and the family left for the night.

The patio was cleaned up and empty by ten. Sue, Mercy, and I were cleaned up and in bed by ten fifteen, enjoying some leisurely Sunday evening playtime. Mercy mentioned that she thought she could do some match making between Tammy's father, Dennis' new female friend and Juanita. She said she felt the possibility. This enthused Sue, and plans were made to get the two together. The girls then snuggled up to me, saying they were sorry for getting rid of my new toy so fast. Mercy pinched Sue on the nipple and said, "Don't worry, Steve, Sue, the hunter, will bring home fresh meat soon."

Sue pinched her back and said, "You didn't seem to mind playing with that meal when it was on the table. It even seemed to make you hornier for a while."

Mercy cupped one of Sue's full breasts, "I admit, I did like it. Before that, I kept thinking that one of these little girls was going to steal Steve or you away. Somehow, I now recognize they are for all of our pleasure, and we will still be a unit no matter how many toys we may have to play with."

Mercy lowered her hand and ran it through Sue's liquid pleasure place, eliciting a moan, "And I'm beginning to be as bad as you, wanting to play with all of these little girls. They are fun." Then she added, "For all of us."

The conversation became more demonstrative as the two girls merged, showing what they enjoyed doing with these little girls they enticed into our bed. Watching them made me want to participate, so at the first good opportunity, I placed plug 'A' into an available slot 'B, ' and proceeded to plug and unplug until the slot was frothy with my juices. It didn't take long for the other slot 'B' to get plug 'A' ready for a repeat of the exercise. The icing was on the cake, or should I say the whipped 'cream, ' was on the pie after a little churning.

The activities had the desired affect. We all were kissing and loving each other as we drifted off to sleep.

Original Editing by Pepere

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 34



I woke early this Monday morning and immediately slipped out of bed and started the inside coffeepot. I showered quickly and turned on the patio light by five-thirty. At ten to six Kevin, Susan and kids showed up asking me if we had any cereal for breakfast. We had a whole cabinet of cereals so they made their choices filling their bowls. I had poured them glasses of orange juice and milk and said I would bring them toast.

The kids ate and by six fifteen we all walked up to the Office turn-a-round to join a bunch of other high school kids including Tammy, waiting for the school bus. We three adults backed off to let the kids mingle and meet each other. Kids seem to gravitate to each other easier if adults are not hovering.

We watched as they all stepped onto the bus. We watched as the bus did the circle turn and headed back out the entrance to the park.

Before we walked back to the house I showed them the building with the mailboxes. Susan said she would make sure all her mail and accounts were being forwarded. She also said she would show Nancy. Charlie and Matty came out of the office and walked down to the patio with us.

The patio people were coming in bunches now. By six forty-five most everyone was present drinking coffee, juice, or milk. Some were eating breakfast sandwiches, some were eating cereal, some just toast and some smiling as they enjoyed a gooey pastry.

A man was hesitantly walking up to the patio. Kevin saw him and hollered, "Come on in Luis. Join us, we're friendly."

Kevin got him a cup, showing him where everything was and began introducing him around. When he was introduced to Sue, Mercy and me, Juanita was sitting next to Sue. You could see the interest flicker across Luis' face and the flash of Juanita's eyes was impossible to miss. She even grabbed Sue's leg and squeezed.

Sue told me later that Juanita said she had seen Luis many times but had never had the opportunity to meet him. Sue, Susan, Matty and Juanita were soon in a huddle discussing everything they knew about Luis. Poor guy, the vultures were circling.

It didn't take Kevin long before he had Luis sitting with Crystal and himself discussing what kind of experience Luis had, what he wanted to do, and would he be interested in a job he could walk to work at. The conversation was going well as I heard from him, "I'll borrow someone's pickup and go get my tools this morning. I'm just being paid piecework at that store so I don't have to give them notice. Thanks. This is going to be great."

Crystal told Luis that he didn't need to borrow a truck, they could take the parts truck to go for his tools. "Kevin can drive you and you both can load it. Get on over there so you guys can get to work. We are always covered up."

When they had left for the dealership, Crystal said to me, "I like your bother in law. The man's sharp and is going to be a real company man, a real asset. Pretty slick; his second day on the job and he's already scrounged up another mechanic. That's good thinking."

"How did it go out at Bear's clubhouse?" I asked curious.

"Good," answered Crystal. "They are trying to build some cluster housing along with a barn and some other outbuildings. It's going to be a while but they should be looking good in a few months. Bear says getting the place built and making the guys self-sufficient is his responsibility. He's finding jobs for his men as he goes. I think that's been pretty difficult. I probably saw more out there than I should but he may not know I grew up with a Dad who was a one percenter. I'm not telling him right now either. It's better he thinks I'm a novice."

I told Crystal, "Be nice and be careful. Bear's a good man but he's still a guy committed to his club first and everything comes after that."

Crystal smiled, "I know. He'll come around. I don't think that man has even been to bed with a woman who wasn't either paid or a pro before me. He had absolutely no clue as to what to do with a real woman. I'm gonna teach him though."

The day began fast and got faster. Everyone was doing their jobs but there was a constant stream of people going over to check out the El Camino. When I walked over to see Jeff about how he was doing traveling back and forth between the shop and the park, I noticed an engine on a mobile stand and a big tool chest had been set near the truck. There was white grease pencil writing on the glass and X's in various places on the body. One of the transmissions and the rear end was missing. It looked like this was going to be a group project.

While I was looking at the truck, Abe walked in, "This is a sweet little toy you picked up Steve. Kevin's boy is going to be one lucky kid." Abe sorted through a stack of parts and picked up a power steering pump, an alternator, starter, and walked back to his shop.

I finished up with Jeff walking back through Abe's shop curious as to what he was going to do with the parts he had picked up. He had the power steering pump and the alternator in pieces. He was replacing the brushes on the alternator and had a note pad with parts listed for the pump and starter.

Abe looked up and said, "This stuff will be better than new with good bearings and seals. The alternator looks good, just needed new brushes. The bearings are good. The starter could use some new bearings. I think I have that size so I'll just press some in. When I get done with these I'll send them over to the chrome shop. We're going to chrome everything that's exposed. Say did you hear what Tim's going to do with the front end?"

"Should I ask? Are we going to lose a lot of time on this project or is this going to be one of those team building experiences?" I laughed.

Abe looked at me over his glasses and said, "This is what all of your people love about you. You dangle a challenge in front of them and they can't wait to show you what they can do. Just sit back and enjoy young man. Your people are getting ready to do you proud. I think they're working twice as hard at their regular tasks just so they can mess with that little truck."

He smiled and said, "You need to go see Robert and Roberta. They want to know if they can do something."

Even more curious I walked over where Tim was busily working with a new guy cleaning up welds on a frame. I didn't have to ask what he wanted to do with the truck, on his bench there was a pad with a couple of sketches showing the entire front end tilted up displaying the engine compartment. He had arrows and notes indicating the raising and lowering of the front end would be electric or hydraulic. He had an arrow pointing under the cab with 'compressor' and another arrow with the words 'storage tank' written in. Wonder what that's going to be for.

In the motor shop I saw Roberta polishing an intake manifold while Robert was working on some valves. On a portable worktable was the differential that was missing from the big warehouse. The two saw me and stopped and began jabbering at once. I held my hand up to slow them down and said, "One at a time, please."

Roberta glared at Robert before saying, "I want to gear the rear end but Robert wants to leave it bone stock. That rear end never was worth a shit and needs to be geared right. Can I redo the gearing? I'll make the posi-traction even better. I already pressed in new bearings everywhere and polished up the main shaft. How about it, can I gear the sucker?"

I winked at Robert and nodded to Roberta. "Do it girl, make it special but save some of the work for the kid. He needs to know how this stuff goes together okay?"

"Gotcha boss, I'll show him how the thing works and let him balance and install the gears."

As I walked past Sandy she nodded toward the two gay girls. I went over to them and the one asked, "Can we do the Turbo 350. I love those things and can make one that is tough as nails. I know the perfect torque converter for it too. Even a kid can't tear it up."

"Sure but make sure you let the kid help. He has to learn how to do this stuff. It wouldn't be right to just give it to him," I said giving her butt a squeeze as I passed. I ducked the rag I knew was coming my way and smiled at her.

"You better watch yourself," She said pinching one her own nipples, "I may decide to play on both sides of the aisle. I'll be lobbying to get some time with you and Sue."

Upstairs, Henry was working with Tiny trying to put together some numbers that didn't mean anything to me at the moment. Ruth said she heard that Dennis would be coming in to work and what did I want to pay him. I told her to make it the same as the other high school kids and to make sure he knew that during his work hours he had to work. After work he could play with his toy. "I'm sure all of the people are going to have him doing work on his project under the pretense of learning to do important work. I just want him to know that work is important."

When I went down stairs I saw Sue's Expedition across the street so I walked over to see what was going on. Sue had some people at a table in the big office with Mia and Stevie on the floor. They were looking very closely at a seam on a couple of garments. Sue called me over to show me what they were looking at. Sue said, "These two pieces came from machines twenty-seven and twenty-eight. None of the other machines are making seams like this. Luckily both of the seamstresses found the weird stitching right away. What do you think?"

I asked, "Do you have the same seam by a good machine?"

Hanna got up, left, quickly returning with another garment that looked just like it. I looked at the two seams real hard but since I am not sewing machine literate I shrugged my shoulders and said, "Can I look at these two machines and maybe one near it that is working properly?"

The thing that was strange was the machines would make a small group of stitches very tight and then progressively looser until they would be very loose before going back to the group of very tight stitches.

There were several regulators on the machine. Mike was there and I had him show me what the different regulators did. Instead of showing me he began telling me how he had tried the machine at all different settings. I asked again for him to show me what the different regulators did and he went on and on into some dissertation of the other things he had done. I asked him to sit down for a minute and motioned for the senior seamstress to help me. I asked her to show me what each regulator did and she carefully showed what each one controlled. I pulled up the guard plates on the one machine then moved the regulator back and forth fast then slow watching what the head was doing. I tried moving the head with my fingers and it didn't have any give. I moved both the regulator and the head at the same time and then felt a slight give as I rolled the regulator. It looked like there was a tiny shim that fit between the plate and the guide.

I looked at the good machine the same way turning the regulator back and forth. It was solid at all the settings. The shim looked about the same but it had to be different. I happened to duck my head under the machine to see if I could see something different from there. What I did see was a paper strip with a date two days before. I went to two bad machines and looked to find the same paper strips with the last date entered being two days before.

I turned to the head seamstress and asked, "Did you guys just have maintenance on these machines?"

She didn't get a chance to answer, Mike butted in, "The factory techs were here for the quarterly inspections. They had a warranty upgrade to do."

I frowned at him for butting in but continued, "Would you call them and have them come right out?"

"Oh nothing those guys did could cause this. It's something we, ah, the girls did to the machine. They will just charge us a big service call," Mike whined.

"Mike, do like I said or give me the number and I will call."

He began to open his mouth again then saw my frown and slammed his hand down and left the room.

The head seamstress handed me a piece of paper with a telephone number and a name on it. "This is the company number and this is the man who was here."

I used my cell phone and called the number. I asked the dispatcher to send this tech right away. If necessary, I would pay for an emergency service call. He said the man was not busy and would be there in twenty minutes.

Sue came in to see how I was coming. I showed her the difference between the two machines and told her about the recent inspections and warranty upgrades. She was puzzled by the warranty upgrade saying the machines were all under a maintenance agreement.

The tech walked in with his toolbox.

I explained what I had found and showed him the shim that appeared to work itself loose. He unscrewed the little head, removed the shim putting a new one in from his toolbox. I had the senior seamstress use some scrap material and repeat the seam we needed done. She sewed two pieces before it began doing the same thing. I moved the regulator around and it acted the same.

"Did you change brands of those shims lately?" I asked.

The tech thought for a second and said, "I was running out of these warranty upgrade shims and grabbed another box before I came out the other day. I only needed a couple and I think they were up here. Hmm, I wonder if it was these two machines."

"Do you have any of the other warranty shims back at the shop?"

He answered immediately, "Sure, we received a case of them not long ago so we could do these upgrades."

"Go get four or five boxes so we have a comparison. Here, give me the box you're using now so I can mark it to keep it separate."

The tech took off meeting Mike as he walked out the door. Mike said, "What are you doing here?"

"I'll be back," the tech said as he left.

"What's he doing here, I didn't call him yet," Mike said sounding perturbed.

"I called him. I think we've discovered the problem," I said then spoke directly to Mike. "Let's go to Sue's office a minute."

The office was temporarily empty so I sat him down. "Mike, the way to do perfect work is to take care of problems immediately. Never let something go that you can begin correcting at that moment. If someone asks you to work with them on a problem, do it now, not later. I'm confused why you didn't respond when I asked you to get the maintenance man back out."

"I'm the plant manager and I'm responsible for costs. Those guys cost a lot of money."

I held my hand up and said, "You have to think like a manager then. Why do we have a maintenance agreement? So when we have a problem we can ask them to hurry and correct it. This line being down is costing money because people can't work. Even if you put them on a different line, the production schedule gets messed up. Each shift this line isn't working, the schedule gets farther behind. If you are being too stressed lately, let's send you on a vacation. If having these three shifts is too much for you, then we need to have some good assistants. Whatever it is that's making you uncooperative, we need to fix it."

Mike slumped in his chair and said, "You're right. I'm really frazzled. I was in and out all weekend trying to figure out what was wrong with those machines. My wife is upset with me not being home. She's been sick and I should spend more time with her but I have this responsibility. And the worse thing is, I have two employees that are not working out and I have to let them go. I hate that but I don't know what else to do."

"Let's take care of one thing at a time. The tech will be back any second with the parts we need. Let's check out whether the manufacturer has a bad run or what, then we'll take care of the other two problems. Let's go to the sewing room."

We went into the room just as the tech arrived. He had six boxes. I looked at all six boxes and compared them with the one he had left. The only thing different was the manufacture date and lot number. Three of the boxes had the lot number of the bad box. The others were a higher number. I pulled one shim from each of the boxes and laid it in front of the box it came from. Next I pulled a shim from the box that that I thought had bad ones in it.

I turned to the senior seamstress and asked, "Any chance you would have a tweezers and magnifying glass?"

The tech said, "I have both. Here use these," he said handing me the tools.

I placed the known bad shim next to one of the same lot number and they looked identical. Next I placed the known bad one next to one from the other lot number. There was a major difference in thickness. The higher lot number was visibly thicker. I handed a thicker shim to the tech and told him to put it in the other machine. When he was through I had the senior seamstress use some scrap and sew the seam we needed. She did six in a row and it never failed. I then had the tech take a shim from a different box with the suspected bad lot number and put it in the machine that was just working.

He replaced the shim and the seamstress began doing the seam. On the third seam the machine was surging again with the erratic stitches.

I told the tech that we had found the problem so I had him change the shims in both machines with the good ones. I put the bad shims into the boxes they came from and stacked them separately. On the boxes was the company's telephone number. I used my cell phone to call the number and when they answered with the name on the machine I asked for technical support.

Once the tech was on the line I explained what had been the problem and what we had found. I gave him the bad lot number and the good lot number and defined how we had determined the problem. When he said since I was probably a small user this may not be that much of a problem. I told him we had about fifteen hundred machines and were anticipating purchasing that many more if we received the type of service we expected, he straightened up.

He said, "You have a maintenance agreement so you don't have to pay for a problem like this."

I told him, "No it doesn't cost me to fix a problem, but my line has lost almost three full days which is nine shifts plus the waste of the material and time of bad garments."

He said too casually, "You can just sell them as seconds or mix them in with your stock."

I answered him very caustically, "We do not have seconds. Our garments come from our line perfect, period, no seconds, no waste."

I was becoming agitated, "Look what your saying is not logical. I've called to report a major problem with a lot number. Make your customers and techs aware of it. Goodbye."

The tech was smiling and said, "They can be some arrogant assholes."

"Okay Mike, we've resolved this one let's go take care of the next."

The tech said, "Thanks for finding this, I'll tell my boss so we can get rid of this lot number completely. I hope our other techs haven't put any in yet, but I'll find out. Thanks again."

As Mike and I were going to go downstairs to get the two people he needed to take action on he said, "You know what, you made me see something that I should have done. These two were working on cutting and were not doing a good job. I'll just give them different jobs. I need both inside custodian and outside maintenance. Let me switch them and see if they do better. It would be a shame to waste someone we have already hired."

"Go have one of your assistants do that and let's take care of the last problem. I'll wait in Sue's office for you."

Sue was back in the office so I explained what we found. She said she already heard that the line was starting back up. She gave me a hug thanking me for taking the time to help.

I told her about Mike's stress level and she said she had noticed he had been stressed out lately. I told her of his three immediate problems and how he was going to handle the second one. Sue asked me, "How are you going to fix up his home problem?"

"Easy, send them over to the Don Cesar for a couple of days and help him work out his time schedule so he can be with his wife more. He says she's been sick, we should probably find out what kind of sick."

Sue picked up her phone and talked to Betty for a second and hung up. "Mike's wife miscarried a couple of months ago. That's why she's freaked out. I don't think they have any other kids. We'll get them to a specialist and get her knocked up and they will be fine."

Mike had been standing at the door and said, "I need some time to get that job done. I've just not had time or the energy."

"Call your wife Mike. Tell her to pack up some clothes and especially her swimsuit. You are on your way to the Don Cesar for the rest of the week, through Saturday night. Come back next Monday refreshed, okay?"

"I can't afford the Don Cesar for a week," Mike whined.

"Don't whine. Just go, it's paid for, if you want to make your wife, Sue and me happy, get out of here. Get!"

Mike's face went from a frown to a grin. He smiled at Sue and me, turned, and left. I told Sue to call Betty to tell her that if Mike calls or comes by she was to be notified immediately. She agreed and called Betty.

Sue walked out of the office and returned with a small Spanish guy. "Sergio, you remember Steve, my husband. Mike is going to be gone for this week so you have to take up his slack. If you need to swap around with the other shift managers, do it. If you have a problem that you can't or don't know how to resolve, call me."

"Thank you Miss Sue, I'll do a good job. I really want that manager job at the new plant. Thank you very much," Sergio said as he headed out the door.

Sue said, "Nothing like a little trial by fire or under fire or whatever it is. Let me get Stevie and you can feed us. I'm starved."

It was already nearing two. No wonder she was hungry. We went to the little Greek place and had a nice lunch. The owner couldn't get over little Steve. He sat in his carry seat and played with a chew toy the whole time we ate. We left in separate vehicles for the house where we stashed Stevie with Juanita and gathered the girls that wanted to go with us to the gym.

Glenda told Juanita to get her workout stuff on as she needed to go too. Glenda said that Martin and she could watch the kids as they would probably sleep anyway.

We did the workout, came back, and went up to the pool for our fifteen minutes a side of sunshine. Most of us swam some laps before we went back to the house. Juanita joked that last Friday she had one more part of a good workout. She looked at Sue when we were alone and said, "I could borrow him for some tummy exercise, yes?"

Sue and Mercy both laughed and told her, maybe later.

I went over to see how Kevin was doing. Crystal intercepted me and told me to leave him alone. He was doing perfectly fine. She said he had been resolving a service issue with an RV owner and it turned out that he was selling them a half million dollar RV at that moment. The customer wouldn't have to worry about the cost of repair now because the new one would be under warranty for five years or a hundred thousand miles. Crystal said, "We'll fix his old one up like new and make a killing on it. Just leave the boy alone. I'll take care of him."

"How's Luis Mendoza doing?" I asked wondering if she thought that he would work out.

"He's doing fine. Leave that one alone too. I've had his ass buried in reefers all day. You'll like him. When I told him comebacks pissed me off, the sucker said to me; quote, "I don't have come backs. I fix things once. I may not be fast but when it's fixed, it's fixed." Honest he told me that."

I smiled and waved bye as I left Crystal to handle another crisis walking up to her at the time.

I drove quickly around to check on the houses being built, the sports complex, the golf cart expansion and the Sue's new plant. Everything was moving. I wanted that instant gratification that the old contractor was able to give sometimes. I knew it couldn't always be done but oh well, I could wish.

I waited for Dennis to get off the bus. I asked about homework and he said he had completed everything in school but would go over it again later. He said school had been great. I had him put on older clothes that could get dirty before we headed to the shop. Tina had changed and was going to trail along. I told Tina I couldn't hire her until she was fifteen but that would happen soon enough. She seemed to understand.

First we had to see Ruth before I took him down to Sandy. The Andies took him to a spare bench in the back that had one of their engine parts diagrams laid out on it. Sandy said, "Use these tools here, this can of penetrating oil, read the directions okay, take this motor apart and place the parts on this mat. We're working till six so you have about two hours to work. Get to it. Anything you can't turn, come get us and we'll show you how to get it unstuck without busting the head off."

I mentioned to Sandy, "That's not one of his motors."

"I know boss but he needs to learn and earn a little first. Then we'll work on his engine. Besides, that customer wants his motor back right away and we're not finished with this repair yet. It'll give us a running start. Go away, we'll bring the kid to the house."

I turned to Tina and said, "You see, I get no respect."

She giggled and followed me out to look at who or what might be going on with the El Camino. The entire body was on the floor separated into the nose, the cab, and the bed. The frame was hanging from the bars of a forklift. Tim looked my way and said, "We'll sandblast that sucker and get all the crud off of it before we decide whether to chrome it or not. Come look, I have the frame for the front clip so it will tilt up. All I have to do is to put in either a hydraulic, air, or electric lift."

I remembered the drawing and asked, "What is the compressor and storage tank for?"

"The lift man, the lift. I'm going to make this thing a low rider. It can be down to a couple of inches off the ground or twenty-four inches using air. You know, you've seen how you can make the nose of a car hop up and down. Let me get. I want to do this frame real quick." Tim drove the fork lift with the truck unibody frame to the superlift paint shop sand blasting room.

Tina said, "Wow, these guys really get into doing this stuff don't they?"

"Like you wouldn't believe girl, like you wouldn't believe," I said smiling at the way the whole crew went after things. Abe was right, this was something that gave them a chance to show off.

Before Tina and I headed home I took her into my office and told her to watch out on the floor and the monitors to see if she could tell what was happening. Pretty soon she said, "Some of the people are putting things away and sweeping. That guy is mopping over on that monitor. These two guys are working on something as if they're trying to get done. Another guy is sweeping under them as they work. Why are they all cleaning?"

Debbie turned around and said, "Because your Uncle is anal about a clean shop and a neat business at night. Take a walk and go look at the desks in the big rooms. If they are not neat, they are being straightened. Go look."

Tina walked out of the room toward where Deanne was. She came back in a few minutes walking the other way. When she came back into the office while I was on the phone returning messages, she stared at the monitors and out the window.

I got off the phone about the time a line was forming where the time cards were. Some people were still cleaning up and one of the welders was still grinding. A team member was measuring and gauging angles. The man lifted up, used a piece of sandpaper and rubbed his fingers over the spot and you could see him say, 'perfect.'

The two men hung the frame on the paint rack, swept up, and put their tools away. They took off their smocks and folded them into the cabinets. They looked around and headed toward the end of the line at the time clock. Tina said, "Wow, they wanted to finish what they were doing. They wouldn't hurry, they just finished it, checked it and hung it on that rack."

"See there," She said pointing at the motor shop monitor, "those two girls and Dennis are still working. They are the only ones except Shawna, she's doing something to that motorcycle."

I said, "Let's wander through the offices to see if we have any slobs. I don't do this often but it's fun to do some times. Come on Tina, let's hunt down the slobs." We left the office with Debbie laughing at us.

We went toward the side opposite Deanne going upstairs where the big customer service area was. There were about thirty girls still working. Judy was standing, talking with one of the girls and saw that I was puzzled. She pointed at groups and said, "These ten are mid-west for the central time zone, these ten are mountain time zone, and these are pacific time zone. They start an hour, two hours, and three hours later. Next week we are beginning our twenty-four hour customer service for overseas customers. It's taken us a while to gather the people who could speak the languages."

Judy continued, "We have ten people now that will work from eight PM to four AM. That's a tough shift but we're paying pretty good. They are all English speaking but they can field, German, French, Spanish, Greek, Italian, Arabic, Russian, Hebrew, Chinese and Japanese."

"That's awesome Judy, that's a great idea. Was it yours?" I asked.

Judy shook her head, "One of our girls who speaks a couple of languages heard Phil giving voice to his wishful thinking and suggested it. We surveyed our people, hired a few from outside and have been training them."

"I hope you rewarded the young lady who made the suggestion," I said.

"You're sending her to Hawaii this week. I think she feels rewarded," Judy answered with a smile.

We went home arriving in time to meet Kevin smiling broadly. He asked, "Is it true that I get commission on that big RV I sold today?"

I smiled, "It is and you will get a commission when we sell the one you took in on trade when it sells."

"Hell there's nothing really wrong with it," Kevin said. "The thing just has a bad compressor on the main air. The reason it's bad is because they park in a camp with bad power for months at a time. If they would buy a good power conditioner they wouldn't wear out the compressor so fast. The compressors aren't cheap."

Kevin leaned toward me and said, "That Crystal tries to act like a slave driver but she's a pussy cat. No wonder Henry and Nancy are hot for her."

Henry came in with Nancy and Susan heading toward the bar. Once they were fixed with drinks Susan came over to Kevin and me with a drink for Kevin. Nancy came over too and said to me, "Okay, Susan and I have had our vacation. We want to go to work. We'll clean up here, at the office or any of the places at the park, we will damn near do anything but we need to do something. We can't just hang around all day."

Ruth heard the girls and said, "Nancy, you're supposed to be the new hiring person for both me and Sue's companies. You'll have a bunch of help for the mass hiring but trust me, you'll be busy. I'll get you together with Hanna, Crystal and Terrell. They will give you what they need so you can start finding what and who they need."

Ruth turned to Susan and said, "From your background you could work in Judy's group, the general office, or you could work in either the Truck or RV store as they both need billing clerks right now. I think the Truck store is looking for a billing manager. You did that before so go ask Crystal and find out. You know you could probably work your hours so you're home when Tina gets off the bus."

Hanna was getting herself a beer and offered, "There is always a place for someone who has half a brain in this company. I know the cart store is trying to hire people right now too. Office, sales, mechanics, builders, everything. The hotel is looking for a day desk clerk. Denny's is looking for waitresses, Publix is always looking for people. The possibilities are unlimited."

I let them be and went to look for Sue since I had not seen her. They were in the living room with Shawna and Debbie nursing. The little buggers were all slurping away. Mia was sleeping and had probably just finished draining Hanna.

It's funny how when women nurse, a bunch of other women come in to keep them company. Glenda, Nelda, Juanita and Matty were all sitting with the mothers. I gave Sue a kiss and she smiled and whispered to me. "Go look in the bedroom. Be quiet though."

I walked back to our bedroom and quietly opened the door. Mercy was naked, lying on a much larger naked form. I could hear the person under Mercy slurping away. Mercy looked up at me and smiled. She gave me an air kiss pointing at me then at the big lipped pussy staring right at me.

This was a little surprising. I quietly closed the door and walked to the edge of the bed dropping my jeans. Mercy sucked me into her mouth and when it was at full power, brought it down to aim it right at the very wet juicy pussy. As I slid in the familiar voice of Crystal moaned, "Oh fuck yeah, whoever you are I'm in love. Oh God will I ever stop coming. Jesus give it all to me. Christ you're as big as Henry, maybe bigger. Slam that sucker."

Mercy was giggling from Crystal's comments. The words were tickling her pussy. She pushed her pussy back into Crystal's mouth to shut her up.

Mercy looked up at me and mouthed, "Don't come." Easy for her to say.

I slammed, pumped, pummeled and thumped till I had felt Crystal's stomach clinch and quiver several times. She finally said, "No more, no more, Christ you're gonna kill me."

Mercy pulled me from Crystal's clenching pussy and scooted around presenting her bare beaver to me. I slid into Mercy completely and began sawing to bring her off. Crystal raised her head with sleepy eyes and said, "I knew you would be a good fuck. It runs in the family. Wait till Nan hears, you'll be fucking your sister in law."

Mercy had her eyes closed and said, "Shut up Crystal, I'm almost there, yes, yes, ah, oh yes, ah."

Mercy's pussy did her killer clench and quivers, which immediately drained me into her hungry pussy. She relaxed and my dick began to relax too. As I began pulling from Mercy, Crystal spun around and locked her lips on my dick sucking off any of Mercy's juices and anything I had left.

When I was clean, she dropped her head into Mercy's crotch and did a very thorough vacuum job. I leaned down and kissed Mercy before pulling my pants up and belting them. Crystal leaned back on the bed and was licking her fingers one at a time. "Thanks boss, I needed you both. I love the snatch on this hot little magic queen. I wonder how she knew that. She just pulled me in here, took off my clothes and sat on my face. She gives as good as she gets though. Damn, I actually feel satisfied."

I smiled at both of them and said, "I'll see you two outside for a beer."

"I'm on my way boss." Crystal swung her feet off the bed.

Mercy gave me another air kiss and wiggled her fingers at me waving goodbye.

When I came out Sue was by herself in the living room watching the babies. I went to her, gave her kiss, and asked, "What was that all about."

"Our Mercy has suddenly decided to find out who wants to fool around. She told me in my mind that Crystal was hot for her and she was going to fuck her. She actually said that Crystal was hot for all three of us. I'll bet that would be a wild time."

"How do you feel about all this," I asked loving on her a little.

"I think it's great. Between Mercy and me we should be able to attract enough pussy to satisfy even you." Sue laughed a little when she said that. I told her you didn't really want more than us. You know what she said? She said, "Yeah but he'll do them if we ask and I'll ask cause I really get off watching him do you or someone else. Our mind reader has changed. I think it's because she knows we love her so much."

Mercy and Crystal came out of the bedroom. Mercy came over to snuggle on the other side of Sue. Crystal came over and kissed Sue and me and looked at Sue. "Next time, I want you." Crystal was smiling as she headed toward the beer fridge.

Mercy said, "That's what I needed. She got me off real good then Steve finished me off. Mmmm, good."

Sue said, "It's going to be hard to wait for tonight."

"Don't," Mercy said. "Take the stud in the back and have him put the fire out. You're allowed."

Sue kissed me and said, "I'll wait, I'm starved again. I need to eat."

"Go out and snack on some of those raw veggies and pieces of cheese, I'll watch the kids," Mercy said. "Supper is started but won't be done for at least a half hour to forty-five minutes."

Sue and I went out to the patio. I got her a Diet Coke and myself a mug of beer. We snacked a little while we chatted. Dennis was back with Sandy and Mandy who were bragging on the kid for getting the engine completely torn down. They told Susan she needed to go into the school so Dennis could get his schedule changed. He needed to be in the student worker/intern program at the shop at least three days a week. Shawna said the school already had us on the intern program. This would just expand it to four kids now.

Henry was happy with what he had accomplished today. He said he was getting a handle on how Tiny liked to do things. He said he loved the way the shop looked in the morning and was surprised that I spent the money to have it straight every night. He said he thought the employees like to come to work in that environment too.

Tammy had been waiting for Dennis. Her Dad, Luis was having a beer with the guys after he had finished work at the truck maintenance section. He was remarking at how each maintenance bay had to be clean and shiny before the mechanic left that area for the day. He said he did enjoy working in a clean environment. He said it made him more conscious of doing a good job.

Crystal leaned over to him and said, "We don't do a good job, we do perfect work." She said she would take him down to the original shop so he could talk to some of the people there.

Juanita had inched her way over to where the men were gathered. The Andies and Crystal were there so it wasn't unusual to have a lady in their midst. Since Luis was behind the bar Juanita came up beside him and asked, "Could you fix me a rum and Coke?"

Luis looked down at the shorter woman and realized her blouse was open enough to see her belly button from his angle, straight through the valley of her breasts. It took him a second to gather his thoughts, he asked, "Do you want lime with that?"

Juanita looked into his eyes licking her lips, "Please."

I was watching the exchange and would have been laughing if I didn't realize that a woman had made a serious decision to capture a man. He was done, stuffed and on the mantel. Men just don't have a clue or a chance.

Dennis and Tammy were playing pool while Judy and Ruth were busy with supper. Hanna and Debbie were working with them to finish before putting it on the table. I went into the kitchen and pulled Romaine apart for salads and whipped up some more ranch dressing.

Mickey and Samantha along with Shawna and Nelda began setting the tables. I loved being a part of the teamwork that was a part of our supper ritual.

When we sat down to eat, I did what I usually do. I observed the various pairing and groupings to see if there was something from one of the businesses that may be important. I did see Juanita on one side of Luis and Tammy on the other side of him. Tammy had Dennis sitting next to her so they were busy while Luis and Juanita spoke in both English and Spanish while they ate.

Crystal and Nancy had their heads together while Susan was keeping her ear cocked toward them trying to pick up on the conversation. Sue and Mercy were content, eating their healthy food, making sure they didn't eat too much. Both wanted to be able to recover their pre-motherhood figures.

After dinner Charlie, Hank, Jim, Sandy, Mandy, and Mickey all wanted to take a ride. Crystal asked the three girls if she could catch a ride with them. When she was told we probably were not going by the club house she said, "So what, I just found out I love to ride. Shit, I'll have to buy me one of these things."

Baby sitting was arranged and we took off with both of my girls riding with me on the garbage truck and in the side car. We stopped by Big Jim's then went over to the Crab Shack and on to Clearwater beach. From there we went up to New Port Richey to State 52 all the way across to I75. We rode down to State 54 and over to Dade City. We stopped for only a beer and potty break before riding home. This was a ride for a ride. Lots of wind in the face to make you feel good.

We got home about nine thirty where Sue and Mercy began encouraging a hot tub run. The baby sitting was taken care of by Glenda and Nelda who said for us to go and have fun so for the first time in a long time, the bunch of us walked up to the pool area.

Surprise, surprise, my brother and my sister in law, Nancy, were with Tiny and Ruth doing far more than just soaking. Henry had Ruth standing bent over the side pounding away. Nancy was playing rodeo riding on Tiny who was stretched out on the platform at the side of the tub.

Shawna with her swelling belly jumped into the tub startling Henry and Nancy. The second person in the tub was Crystal saying, "Nancy I get next on that thing." Hanna decided she wanted a tasty treat from her hubby, Jim, for his and her first one. Mercy said she wanted to try Charlie because she had heard so much about his wide monster. We could have used more men because we were instantly involved in a mass orgy.

Sue demanded I bend her over for a good one before she tried to sample the rest of the male participants. She didn't last long and was sinking into the water not able to hold herself up in less than five minutes. It seemed all the women were really wound up tonight. When the mass switch was on, Nancy demanded I lay back while she sampled her husband's brother. About ten minutes later she proclaimed me another Sharp that was a decent fuck.

Nancy didn't continue until she made me get off so I was still ready and able for Crystal when she came for our second joining today. Usually big women wish to be on the bottom but this lady in addition to being an amazon was limber and flexible. She insisted on riding me and gave me some intense pleasure from her rapidly gyrating hips. I was just about to let loose when Crystal collapsed on me whispering sweet nothings into my ear. "You and your brother are such studs. If I can keep getting this much good dick, I may give up pussy. But in the mean time, I see your lovely wife laying back waiting for me to attend to her sloppy pussy."

Crystal no sooner unsheathed herself than Mercy was sliding down on me. She was extra slick. She leaned to me, kissing me as she moved slowly up and down. "I love you so much. That you can let Sue and me indulge ourselves the way you do makes me love you that much more."

As we were loving I asked, "What changed your mind about joining into this?"

"I've always been easily excitable and very horny," my dark haired lover said huskily. "Sue and I have been loving on each other and you so much I thought you might enjoy a little variety. The more I thought of variety the more I thought I would like to have some too. Since it doesn't affect how much I love you and how much you and Sue love me why not join in. I promise, I'll be careful and not hurt the baby. Now fill be up, make me sloppy with your juices."

When Mercy rolled off me, Hanna was right there slurping up what I had left. She is really funny the way she smacks her lips when she has finished a helping of male essence.

Shawna, Ruth and I never did connect but I think they were well taken care of by the time we slipped on our robes and walked back to the patio to relieve the baby sitters and relax. We all had another drink and went off to bed.

I had a surprise when we went into the master bedroom. Juanita had the covers turned down and was laying naked, spread out, waiting for us. Sue and Mercy primed her with touches, licks and kisses before pulling my re-awakened poker into her. She came hard several times and when she began to protest, Sue pulled me into her to squeeze the juices right out of me.

I fell asleep with Sue on one shoulder and Juanita on the other. Mercy was behind Juanita with a hand cupping one of her breast.



-------

Chapter 35



Tuesday morning began a little strange. Juanita and Sue were both holding and stroking my morning wood. Sue was kissing my eyes, while Juanita was licking my ear. Sue whispered into my ear, "Roll over and do her, make her scream, fill her up so she leaks all day."

That'll get you going first thing in the morning.

I rolled onto Juanita, almost surprising her, but not enough for her legs not to spread, welcoming me into her. As I slid back and forth, gaining more depth with each stroke, Mercy kissed me, saying, "Don't save anything, give it all to her."

This must have been a magic phrase, as Juanita's hips began pumping rapidly, causing her to orgasm immediately and me to want to join in. I bottomed and began thrusting hard to accompany her staccato hip movements. Just as Juanita was beginning to loudly vocalize her pleasure, I let loose a stored up overnight load of premium juices. Juanita sank back with a loud "Ah."

When I shrunk rapidly, I kissed Juanita, who was lying back with her eyes closed, sliddng off the bed to head to the bathroom. Sue made a beeline for the frothy treat between Juanita's legs, while Mercy kissed her and alternately sucked on a brown nipple.

After peeing, I went to make coffee and returned to the bedroom to find Mercy now with her face first, tasting Juanita's pleasure juices. I quickly shaved and joined Sue in the shower. Sue was hot now and worked her magic to get me hard before she turned her back to present her gorgeous bubble butt to me. I thumped her until she couldn't stand up any longer, giving her my second load of the day.

Damn, I am going to need some vitamins.

I walked out and turned on the patio light at six and was immediately joined by Glenda, and a minute later, by Nelda. The two ladies were commenting that their new method of alerting Nelda when I was outside was a good idea. Glenda would see me making coffee and know that I would be out fifteen to twenty minutes later and she called Nelda so she can get ready to come over.

The two older men obviously enjoyed sleeping in a while longer, as neither Martin nor Ernie ever made it until near seven. Juanita, Sue, and Mercy were getting out cartons of orange juice and glasses as more and more folks showed up. Mickey was in shorts and T-shirt today, saying she had a day off and was planning on spending it changing oil in her bike and giving it a thorough cleaning. Samantha said she only had one class this morning, so Mickey had best be done by the time she came home, as she had plans for the day.

At six thirty, Dennis and Tina joined the group of kids waiting for the school bus to the high school.

There were three buses that came to the park in the morning. First was high school, next was elementary school kids, and last was for the junior high kids. After watching the buses for a few days, I realized the same bus was used for all three schools. I thought that was a great way for the school district to save money.

This gave me the idea that as Sue's company in the park hired more and more people, we could employ the same technique. We could start groups in staggering shifts so our buses coming from the city and a couple of other locations could convey several hundred people a shift and we wouldn't have to keep buying more buses every time we added a building. The original and add-on plants were working three shifts, so those buses were busy. If we staggered shifts we might be able to use fewer buses there too. That would cut down on drivers and give us better use of the vehicles.

Sue needed an executive to handle these decisions for her plants. Someone who could see the big overall picture, and not just one building or two buildings, like the original plant location. I needed to discuss that with her and see how she felt. Mike could be that person, but he needed to learn to delegate jobs to others better. He had the knowledge and ability, but would he be disciplined enough to let others carry out his ideas? His promotion would allow for another person to progress and rise into a management position.

Three weeks flew by while we watched Sue's new building going up and the addition to the cart plant and shop being built. Terrell was busy on many fronts, as he was building new stores to complete the "U" of the shopping center next to the park.

Charlie, the park manager, was directing the move of the fence, as well as creating the new roads and building the new laundry buildings for the areas. This was a major addition for him as he would be adding over one hundred fifty spaces. A forgotten cost of adding the facilities was fire hydrants. We had to add eight more hydrants at nearly ten grand a piece.

Charlie wanted another recreation building with a pool and spa in the center of the three new rows of lots we had added since we began expanding. He said it was cost justified so plans were made to build another recreation center. Terrell told Charlie to take a number.

As a funny side note, one evening Charlie was needling Terrell about finishing up the new recreation building. Terrell with a slow smile on his face turned to Charlie and said, "No problem, Charlie, I'll get to it as soon as I finish my watermelon." Charlie was shocked but everyone who had heard the crack burst out laughing.

Dennis had passed his sixteenth birthday and was now an officially licensed driver. The day he and most of us had been waiting for arrived. Dennis had been involved in rebuilding the motor, transmission, rear-end, and all of the put together tasks. The truck had become the pet project of the entire shop, as well as Crystal's shop. Dennis had been involved in the primer coats, the base paint coats, and the solid finish coats of paint, but he did not know what Hank and Shawna had in store for the finishing touches.

On a Saturday, we were all on the patio anticipating the unveiling of the finished product. Dennis was anxious, as he knew this would be the best car or truck driven to school by any kid. His grades reflected his efforts to keep a high grade point so he could go on to college.

Finally, after a delicious rib and chicken dinner, the time came. Everyone came outside into the grassy yard where the truck was sitting under a car cover.

Shawna handed Dennis a large scrapbook that, when you opened it, you found an almost day by day picture history of the rebuilding of the car. The last pages were blank, as if waiting for some final photos. The last picture was a color photo of the car in the dark midnight burgundy finish.

Sandy and Mandy, with the help of Robert and Roberta, pulled the cover off the truck. Everyone just stood there in awe.

The truck was similar to my pickup, in that it had Dennis' name over his door, and a medium size S&S logo on the doors and the hood. The rest of the car was labeled with painted on simulated sponsor decals, and all over every available space, were cartoons picturing caricatures of Dennis, Tina, Susan, and Kevin. They all had something to do with the truck and its production. Some added caricatures had Sandy and Mandy, Roberta, Crystal, me, and a cute one of Tammy.

Sandy handed him the keys and told him to start it. The truck came alive as soon as he turned the key. You instantly knew the motor in this truck was something special. The girls had installed dual glass pack mufflers to give the truck the throaty sound car enthusiasts love, without it being so loud that it would give cops a reason to stop you.

Sandy got into the passenger seat, pointing out the rolled and tucked leather interior, along with a custom dash with an array of racing gauges. Sandy turned on the air and the people surrounding the car could instantly feel the cool air come out of the car. She then turned on the radio tape player, and we all were amazed at the clear sound coming from the truck.

They shut the truck off, and Sandy took him around the truck, pointing out the various product decals, saying that each decal represented a sponsor of his truck. The two girls had solicited the manufacturers and had been given several thousand dollars worth of equipment. Sandy pointed out that "Tina" was painted over the passenger door, as she was guaranteed a ride to and from school.

The next startling event was when Sandy reached into the truck and obviously flipped a switch. The whole front end began rotating from the cab to tilt outward, leaving the entire engine compartment open to work on. The engine and everything attached to it was chrome. Even the spark plug wires were encased in chrome wrapping.

This truck was the dream of almost every guy there, and it would become the dream car of most of the high school kids he went to school with, as well.

Dennis did something totally unexpected. He came up and hugged me, then went to Shawna, Sandy, and Mandy, and gave them a hug and thank you as well. He stood by the truck and looked at everyone and said, "I know that all of you helped in one way or another on the truck. There are the guys from the RV and truck store that did the interior, and Abe and his men who refurbished so many of the parts. The chrome shop must have been really busy, because I didn't know they were going to chrome the wheels I found. I thought they would be painted. Thank you everyone. This is the best present a guy could ever have. I will treasure it and promise to take care of it. Come on, Tina, let's go for a ride."

He and Tina buckled up in some modified racing harnesses, and he adjusted the placement of his rear view mirrors with the dual remote levers. He started the truck, letting it idle a few minutes, putting it into drive, and slowly let off the brake to move down the street toward the turn to the entrance.

Sandy made the comment, "We'll know how he's treating the car by the tires. If he needs new rear tires right away, we'll know he's been into it."

Kevin said, "I had not thought of that. You're right. I do have to worry about giving a kid a hand-built car that could probably turn a ten second quarter mile. I wonder if it's child neglect if I allow him to wander around with a five hundred horsepower motor."

Mandy laughed, "We built that to the same specs as a NASCAR motor. It's probably around seven hundred horses. We tamed the tranny a little though, even with the rear end built the way it is, he won't chirp when he takes off from a stop light unless he tries. If we want to drag it, we adjust the tranny. It isn't a big deal and we can do it without dropping it."

Susan said, "I guess the truck is better than a motorcycle. At least you guys built a roll cage into the cab. Dennis has a level head, hope he keeps it."

An hour later, Dennis came rolling up on the lawn. Tina and he were all smiles. When Dennis got out he said, "I know everyone wants to drive this thing, and some people, like Mom, want a ride. So you guys take turns driving it while Tina and I go up to the pool for a party for one of our friends."

The truck was driven over two hundred miles that evening, as every male there, and some of the women, took it out for a spin. Everyone suddenly had the fever to have something special to drive. Most would let their fever cool, but several would begin the process of building their favorite dream toy.

By the time Sue and Shawna were nearing their due dates and Mercy was walking around with a large belly. The huge extended family, or crew as I refer to them, was celebrating Abe and Alice, Phil and Judy, Bob and Sandy, and Terrell and Deanne all moving into their new homes. This became a big day for all of us now, as Abe and Alice could be with us in the mornings if they wished, and Phil and Judy didn't have the long drive every morning.

The nearby Burger King and McDonald's furnished our morning breakfast sandwiches, and a small pastry and donut shop opened in the Publix's plaza next door, north of the park.

Some other notable events were that the last of Sue's buildings was completed at the business Park, and the golf cart plant and repair facility was now enlarged, becoming one of the largest golf cart production facilities in the state. Phil had set up several hundred golf cart dealers with our product, which meant we were also getting all of their major repair work.

Phil and Judy now had good understudies to carry on while they were wandering around to distributorships and visiting with their road sales people, helping to close large sales. It also helped that I had them on a two week per quarter vacation schedule, just so they stayed fresh. They often wanted to vacation with Abe and Alice at the same time.

Tiny and Ruth had now learned to delegate most of their functions to assistants, so they were also able to take two weeks every quarter, and were planning a trip with Henry and Nancy on their next holiday.

Kevin was now the manager of the RV sales and maintenance facility, but still had responsibilities for the truck sales and maintenance area as well, because the two businesses shared mechanics and coachmen with the tractor body sales and conversion business. The three businesses were so inter-twined that it was impossible to completely separate the three. Drew was still basically in charge of the conversion and body manufacturing plant, with Crystal now supervising those three businesses and the golf cart business.

The big woman's manner had her people following her lead, giving their best, to produce quality product and service. Her relationship with Bear was hot and cold. When they were together it was blazing, but when she would not give up her work to go live in New Port Richey, it was icy. The two were destined for an on again off again relationship, possibly forever.

Terrell and Deanne were now expecting their first baby, adding to the new homeowners on our residence street above the new sports complex area.

The local little league blossomed in the new park and was able to draw from all of the new housing developments within the area. The Pop Warner people were organized and had a couple of teams within each age group. The soccer fields were continuously busy with games and practices. We had a full time complex manager that the business park paid for. We picked up the security costs along with the utilities, making the athletic programs for kids inexpensive and popular in the area. Since opening, we added two ball fields that were not locked so kids could have pick up games. We also added three basketball courts, next to the tennis courts, that were open till late at night.

Tim was now the superintendent to our new education facility. He had schools for welding, auto body repair, painting, electrician, plumber, and a very sophisticated computer learning center. A third of the students were sponsored or scholarship students. Kids who graduated from high school with decent grades, but did not wish to go on to college, were given the opportunity to go through our training. Most finished with a job waiting for them. The other two thirds of our students were regular fee students and actually paid for the school operation.

Tim had planned and initiated several good programs that were profitable for the school. The school guaranteed the work quality of its students and collected a fee from the employers after three and six months. Part of Tim's student training was a Dale Carnegie course in "How to Win Friends and Influence People." Not everyone is outgoing, but everyone who went through our school had the ability to express themselves intelligently.

My daily input into the business was purely motivational, with an occasional need to help with a decision for budget or product introduction. What did I do? I flew Ryan and Michelle sometimes. I flew Phil and Judy sometimes. I flew the two pregnant women sometimes. I mostly looked for new customers for our utility bodies, tractor bodies, golf carts, and big and little lift rebuilding.

I spent far too much time with Gene at some of the NASCAR races, to the point he almost had me wanting to become a car and team owner. I finally convinced myself it was better to sell to all of them by working the race day trucks a couple of races and counting the profits for the week.

Phil now had a couple of trucks containing several of the products we sold to take to conventions and to show at distributorships and dealerships. The truck would set up to promote the local dealer, but would sell various items direct from the truck that made a tidy profit. S&S cartoon T-shirts were very popular. At fifteen dollars a piece now, we were making a nice profit on every shirt we sold. It helps if you manufacture and print your own shirts.

It was a cool (74 degrees) November evening after we had eaten and the tables had been cleared. I had worked with Tim all day at the school setting up a new welding class. Sue had been working at one of the park facilities, setting up a new line, and Shawna had finished a very nice custom bike for a top driver.

Sue and Shawna were sitting in rockers with their sons on their laps. The little guys were very busy now and wanted to try to walk or run everywhere. They were easy to watch but very busy.

Almost simultaneously the two girls groaned loudly. Shawna was holding her big belly and said, "Shit, Charlie, you better get the truck, I think it's time." As she said this, Sue had a very surprised look on her face. She looked at me and mouthed, "It's time, now." She groaned loud, then said aloud, "Right now."

I told Charlie we could take them both in the Expedition, so I had Mercy watch the two rowdy boys and went for my wallet and keys. Glenda and Nelda took over the little ones and Mercy gathered Sue's hospital pack.

The five of us were off to the hospital.

Women's hospital near St. Joseph's in Tampa is not far and at that time of night there isn't a lot of traffic. While I negotiated the drive, Mercy was on the phone to the doctor who was the gynecologist for both ladies, the hospital, and both Moms. It took twenty agonizing minutes to get to the hospital while the two girls were both saying the babies were coming right then.

As soon as we pulled up to the emergency entrance, two gurneys were rolled out to the car. They loaded the girls on and wheeled them inside for a first exam. Charlie and Mercy followed them in while I parked the car. By the time I went through the emergency room door, the area was empty. A nurse saw my puzzled look and said, "If you want to be with your wife as she gives birth, you better get up to the birthing room right now. You're Sharp, right?"

I nodded.

"She's in two-twenty-nine."

Instead of waiting for an elevator, I leaped up the stairway two and three steps at a time. As soon as I entered the hallway, I saw the room and went straight there.

An aide put a paper gown on me and had me scrub. The whole time I was doing this Mercy was talking to Sue, holding her hand. The doctor was down between Sue's legs doing whatever they do at that time.

I finally was at Sue's side and reached down and kissed her. Her eyes flashed open and she grimaced, then smiled. She said, "I want to push so bad, but I'm trying to wait till she says to push."

The doctor stood up and said, "I'll be right back, I have to check on Shawna. If you have to push, do it, but someone better get down here to play catch."

I thought that was a rather crude joke from a female doctor with a patient spread-legged in the birthing bed.

With both Mercy and me giving our attention to Sue, a nurse, or aide, or whoever said, why don't one of you sit down here in case she has what is known as spontaneous birth.

I looked up from Sue and asked, "Spontaneous birth?"

The nurse said, "Sometimes if a severe contraction hits, the mother will bear down and force the baby out. Since your wife has given birth before, the baby could come out fast, very fast."

Mercy and I looked at each other and she pushed me toward the little stool the doctor had been sitting on.

Oh my, I was looking at Sue's dilated lips, with hair in the middle. It took me a couple of seconds to realize the hair was the baby's head opening up the way to come out. It looked like Sue was naturally spreading, letting the baby crown larger and larger.

I looked up at Sue, Mercy, and the nurses and said, "The little sucker is coming, she's almost here."

Sue said, "I'm trying, Steve, I really am, I can't hold her in much longer."

At that instant, a hand rested on my shoulder and asked, "Do you want to catch it, or would you prefer I help your wife."

Whew! I rapidly moved, giving the doctor room to sit and get at Sue. She looked up at Sue and said, "Your baby is just about here, do you want to push?"

Sue gave a groan, and I watched as the infant squeezed from between Sue's legs, making her way into the world. The baby didn't get much of a chance to get its nose cleared before it sneezed. I swear she sneezed and gunk came out of her nose. The doctor cleared the baby's mouth and nose, then clamped the umbilical cord. The nurse handed me the scissors and I clipped the cord. The baby was handed to a couple of nurses who began measuring, weighing, and wiping off the fluids still remaining on her.

When they were done, they handed me the baby. I looked at her and laid her on Sue's chest. This one was hungry too, as she was already smacking her lips. A nurse handed me a wipe, and it took me a second to realize it was for cleaning a nipple for our new baby. I gently wiped one of Sue's swollen nipples, and moved the baby to see if she would nurse. This one was definitely one of ours, as she began sucking so fast, everyone in the room laughed.

The doc delivered the placenta, checked Sue thoroughly, and said she would be right back.

Almost as soon as the doc left, we all heard a baby cry next door. Shawna's baby was here. They didn't know what it was going to be, but Mercy said with a smile, "She's going to be as loud as her mother."

Sue was looking down at her baby saying, "Oh, sweet little Elizabeth. You are going to be a beautiful princess."

While Stevie has dark blue eyes and sandy hair like mine, Elizabeth has dark, almost black eyes and very dark hair. It would probably be dark auburn like her mother's.

"Elizabeth? I didn't know you had picked out a name," I said.

"It's after my mother and my grandmother, Ann. This is Elizabeth Ann Sharp, and my goodness she is hungry. She's not nearly as big as Steve was, but she sure is as strong as he was."

A man in a birthing room, looking at the woman he loves with an infant at her breast, nearly bursts with pride and relief that his family is okay. Mercy came to stand by me, wanting to have my arm wrap around her. We were both touching Sue to let her know what we were feeling.

"Sue," the doctor said, "You are going to be fine. Did you wish to have any procedures done while you are so open?"

Sue looked up from her baby, "No, Doctor, I may want more of these. I know I said two was enough, but I may want more."

"I'll check on you in the morning. Your neighbor said she was supposed to have a bed in the same room as you. Will that be alright? Her little one is more vocal than yours."

Sue smiled and said, "Please put us together when you can, I think we'll be fine once the little ones feel all of us in the room together."

The doctor said as she was leaving, "I'll leave instructions for you two to be put in a room together right away."

Mercy leaned over and kissed Sue and kissed the infant gently on the forehead. The baby had stopped eating and was resting, or perhaps even sleeping. The nurse picked the baby up and was going to burp her, but I took her and put her on my shoulder and gently rubbed her back until a tiny very unladylike burp came from her.

The nurses wanted to clean her again and put a diaper on her. She was so tiny, much shorter and smaller than Steve had been. Another nurse had been cleaning Sue up, and asked us to help take off the rest of her clothes so she could put on a gown. Mercy and I helped Sue, and when she was ready, they wheeled her into another room that had two hospital beds, each with a newborn hospital bassinet.

Just as Sue was settling onto the bed, Shawna was wheeled in, with Charlie following. Soon both moms were settled and their babies were napping beside them. Sue looked at Mercy and asked, "Are you ready for this?"

"I can't wait, Sue," Mercy said, rubbing her swollen belly. "I hope this baby is as good as both of yours. I'm so excited to be a mother and to give Steve and you another boy."

Charlie spoke up, "How do you know it's a boy?"

"I know Charlie, I just know," Mercy said. "I told you yours was going to be a girl the same as Sue's, right after she and Shawna got pregnant. It's just something I know. I don't need an ultrasound or any tests, I just know."

I said to Sue, "I'll go get your mother. I'm sure she's in the waiting room about to crash the doors. She will want to see her new granddaughter."

Sure enough, the waiting room was packed with our friends. Beth and Ben were there, and I told them where to go. I stayed to tell everyone that both babies were fine and Shawna's was a noisy little redheaded girl. They laughed, knowing it was probably true.

Debbie said she and Hank were going to be first to see their little cousin, so they left to go see the new baby.

The rest of the crew was getting in line to go see the babies and mothers.

In the grand scheme of things, both girls had their babies, and were in their hospital room by eight PM, so everyone had a chance to spend a couple minutes viewing the babies and say hi to the moms. A little after nine, the floor nurse said that it was time for all of us to clear out. The nurse told Charlie and me that there was a good chance both girls would be able to go home tomorrow. They would make that decision in the early afternoon.

Mercy and I kissed Sue goodnight, knowing she was tired but still excited to have her new baby here.

We went home and had a celebratory drink with all of our friends. Nelda and Glenda were happy for us that the babies were healthy and the moms were okay. These two wonderful ladies were really special to the entire crew.

Since it was so late, I rode home with Nelda in her golf cart and stayed with her till she went inside her home. Ernie had long since gone to bed. I walked back to our home and said goodnight to the last of the people leaving. I shut down the patio and joined Mercy in bed.

"Do we need to get Stevie a different room now?" I asked, thinking of the changes we would experience with this new addition and the one coming.

Mercy answered, "No, all three of them will be fine in the same room until they are almost three. Then Steve might want his own room."

"Do you have a name for your baby?" I asked.

"I have a name for our baby. You will like it," Mercy said as she put her head on my shoulder.

"You're not going to tell me are you?"

"You'll know soon, my love, very soon."

We kissed, closed our eyes, and were instantly asleep.

The morning coffee gathering was full of revelry, celebrating Sue's and Shawna's little girls. Charlie and I agreed it was good our two little girls were exactly the same age so they could never lord it over the other who was the oldest. He said he figured the boys would begin doing that when they were around four or five. We laughed at the prospect of our four attempting to play together.

Thankfully, Glenda and Nelda said it would be a pleasure for them to watch the boys while Charlie and I went in to see our wives and new daughters. We drove the Expedition in, thinking it would hold everyone to come home.

We walked into the room to find both wives with their daughters at their breasts. Both of the little girls were now less red in skin color. Both now showed their true hair color better as well.

Shawna rubbed the red hair on her little girl's head and said, "Sean is going to be just like me. She's full of her Irish heritage and will be a terror like her mom and grandmother. Don't you just love this little thing, Charlie?"

Elizabeth Ann was still eagerly eating, but was slowing down as she filled her little tummy. When she let Sue's nipple go, I picked her up and put her on my shoulder to get a burp from her. Sue commented, "Your little Liz looks so comfortable on your shoulder. I don't know who is going to spoil her more, Mercy, me, or you."

So now I knew what Sue was going to call our little one. I figured it wouldn't be Beth, but it could have continued to be the formal Elizabeth. Liz, or Lizzy, is fine with me. Stevie was going to be puzzled by this new addition. I wondered how the two moms were going to handle this. The two boys were not totally weaned yet. They both enjoyed falling asleep nursing on their mother. Perhaps that's why the girls have two, one for each kid. Darn, there wasn't going to be any left for Charlie and me.

After lunch, the doc came in and carefully examined both new mothers, pronouncing them in as good a shape as could be expected. She said that if the pediatrician released the babies, they could go home anytime this afternoon. Both were to make appointments to be looked at in two weeks.

The pediatrician finally came about two. It was amazing how they always walked in the door while the babies were nursing. He checked them over thoroughly, and had Charlie and me put diapers and little gowns back on them. He said he would want to see the babies in about a month.

While the wives finished feeding the little ones, Charlie and I went downstairs to check the ladies out.

We got them all prepared to leave and wheeled them downstairs. I went for the Expedition and we loaded Sue and Liz in the rear seat, Shawna and Sean in the middle, with Charlie and me in the front. Charlie said, "I'm going to have to get a regular car or SUV or something. With two baby seats, I need more room than the pickup. Shawna needs a car anyway. We've depended on just the truck and the bike for so long; it's hard to believe we've outgrown them."

When we arrived home, Charlie and I helped our wives into the patio porch to be welcomed by Glenda, Martin, Nelda, Ernie, Hannah, Matty, Susan, Nancy, and Alice. Ben and Beth drove up about the same time, then Shawna's mother drove up. It was neat to see the two sets of three generations of females together. Kevin and Crystal came buzzing up in a golf cart, saying they had to see the new baby.

All of the hubbub wore Sue and Shawna out, so I helped Charlie take Shawna and Sean home, while Beth was helping Sue lay down. Little Stevie needed some attention, so he lay with Sue for a minute and both were soon asleep, with his little sister in a bassinet next to the bed.

I adjusted the camera to watch for when Stevie woke up, so he wouldn't roll off the bed.

Charlie walked back over with a remote speaker that would pickup the noise if Sean woke up or if Shawna began to stir. He and I toasted each other with a beer and had some lunch. We had been too busy at the hospital to get a bite to eat.

He and I were talking, comparing our situations. Charlie and I were both thirty-one and our wives were now both thirty, getting near thirty-one. We both agreed that they probably didn't need to be having another baby soon and perhaps two kids were enough. As we were finishing our second beer, Glenda and Nelda advised us that we didn't have much to do with it. The two girls would make up our minds for us.

Ernie and Martin were laughing, saying that we would eventually learn who really ran things around here.

Supper was pretty normal, except that the two little girls were held continuously from the time they woke up until the mothers went inside to feed them and lay them down. All of the women couldn't keep their hands off the babies.

A bunch of bikes showed up carrying Hap, Bear, and a bunch of women who wanted to see the babies. The two little girls reduced the two big, rough, tough, bikers into smiling fools. Tiny little fists trying to hang onto wiry beards brought smiles to everyone's faces.

About nine a limousine pulled up at the driveway. Merlin and Missy got out and were immediately swarmed by the patio bunch and Mercy. They said they had to come see our new little girl as they felt like they were grandparents.

They had a few minutes with the two babies before the mothers said it was time for the babies and them to go to bed. Charlie, CJ, Shawna, and Sean went home and Sue, Elizabeth, and Stevie went to bed. I couldn't help much as there were too many women trying to do everything.

As Merlin and Missy were relaxing from their trip, Nelda and Ernie said they felt like grandparents to Stevie and Liz. Glenda said they could be great grandparents and she and Martin were definitely grandparents. Susan told them both that they both helped take the place of our parents. She said her kids looked at both couples as grandparents.

Ernie was the corker, saying that he had been trying to talk me into letting him adopt me since he first did business with me. Now that I really know what kind of man he is, I want more than ever to call him dad. I gave the old fart a hug, saying I didn't think I could ever become ornery enough to be his son.

Nelda just said, "You can be our good son, we'll both adopt you, Steve. We'll adopt that ornery Charlie so we will have a good son and a wild son."

Mercy was listening to this and said, "I think Steve is a lot wilder than Charlie, Steve is just sneaky and doesn't let anyone know how crazy he is."

Missy agreed and said, "I know what's in both of their heads and Steve is way over the top. Charlie is a mild-mannered person in comparison."

Nelda answered both of them, "It doesn't make any difference, we'll just keep them both."

Mercy and I were able to get Merlin and Missy settled before we joined Sue in bed for a good night's sleep. Sue slept on the side of the bed next to the baby and Mercy slept behind me.

Original Editing by Pepere

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 36



We were in for a surprise, baby Elizabeth slept all night. When I woke a little before six, she was wiggling her little arms around, kicking her feet and smacking her lips. I quickly changed her and lay her next to Sue. I unbuttoned Sue's gown to give the baby access to breakfast after cleaning a swollen nipple.

Sue woke with a smile as Lizzy nursed. She seemed to nurse for a long time before rolling off the nipple and laying there smacking her lips and wiggling. I burped her and laid her back down to lay with Sue.

Mercy and I showered quickly, dressed, and got Stevie up to change his diaper and dress him. He wanted to cuddle with his mother too. When he toddled to the bed and looked at his new sister he reached up and it almost looked like he was patting her. He put his arms up to be put on the bed so I laid him down on the other side of Sue. She cuddled him to her and he groped for the other swollen breast. Sue said, "With all of the hungry breast feeders around here, I'll never need a pump again."

Mercy stayed with Sue while I went to start the day. Glenda and Nelda were both already on the patio with Tiny and Ruth. It didn't take long until the place was full, busily getting ready for a new day.

Dennis and Tina had to ride the school bus this week as Dennis had received a speeding ticket and was grounded for a week. Kevin warned him that another speeding ticket would have him riding a bicycle until he graduated. Dennis still worked in the shop but now split his time mostly between the motor shop and Abe's shop. Abe said Dennis seemed to have an aptitude for generators and compressors.

Tina had already picked out the car she wanted. She had found a sixty-nine Mustang fastback that was a rat, but complete. It even had a factory air dashboard. The car occupied a home in the big storage building and was slowly being torn apart in preparation to be restored. We had most of a year before it needed to be done so there was no rush. Tina had already made arrangements to be on the work program at the shop.

Merlin and Missy were anxious to play and hold the two kids. The two doted on Stevie already so I could believe they would be nuts over Lizzy. When Mercy had her little boy, I would probably have to get another mobile home to put next to ours for the grandparents.

The morning held another surprise. Around noon, another limo showed up. This time Dewey, Sheila, and their little boy, Little Dewey, got out. The couple looked great and it was a great to see them.

Sue loved up little Dewey, while Dewey and Sheila played with Stevie and held Liz. This was as good as it gets. We had all of our friends joining us. Beth was back, as we expected she would be. She wanted to be the doting grandmother and a helping mother to her daughter.

I was able to get some work done at the shop and out at the park. We were planning on trying to set up a golf cart showroom and covered lot like a car dealership. Phil had three traveling salesmen that concentrated on golf carts only. They visited remote golf cart communities and golf courses. They sold various carts to airports, large facilities such as auto dealerships, cemeteries, parks, and just about anyplace where there was too big a distance to walk, but too small an area for a full size vehicle.

An innovation from Crystal was the traveling maintenance truck for our golf cart group. The big semi traveled to golf cart communities and set up to perform preventative maintenance and do repairs on all carts, not just our own. This of course led to increased sales of our own product. Phil had buses that brought people from various golf cart communities in the state to spend the day with us once a month. A lot of the older couples used the trip as an adventure and holiday, as we provided lunch for them at the cafeteria within Sue's complex. This also encouraged many new golf cart community residents to buy our product.

Phil was pretty slick as he had the bus park at the RV dealership to let the people out. Those interested in golf carts walked across the street to the covered cart lot and showroom area. Many of the retirees from the community that came for a cart were often enticed to spend some time looking at and bargaining for an RV.

The first week of Liz and Sean's life was busy. Sue and Shawna could only try to keep up with all of the visitors and tend to their new little ones. Stevie and CJ didn't want for attention as there were so many "Aunts" and "Grandmothers" around. The boys mostly wanted to play with each other and the other two older children. The four were close enough that they were able to get along fairly well. Often you would find them in a pile sleeping together. The four sets of parents were very happy they were forming this early bond.

During our Friday night, end of the week, get together, Ben came to me with some news. He said he had invested a large amount of Sue's money, and the money I had received from selling forty percent of the company, into a venture capital company. He said he had just sold the company to GE credit for more than three times our original investment. He said that this was the biggest deal he had ever made. He said this was even better than having taken the venture capital company public, as we now didn't have to worry about management or anything.

Ben was the manager of the company 401K plan and was also responsible for investing any spare cash the company had. He said that since I had come into the family, he had grown to the point his offices now took up the entire floor of the downtown building. I was glad he had become even more successful than he had been. I know he glowed from being recognized as a good businessman and attorney.

Sue had a big day planned at the park for all of her employees. It was to celebrate the opening of the final building and to make some important announcements. The Saturday shifts had been canceled so everyone could attend. Buses were going to bring the inner city people to the park.

Saturday brought some big excitement. Sue's people had several tents set up out at the park. Instead of using the cafeteria, she used our caterer for food and beverages. She didn't have any beer or liquor, as she felt that with over a thousand people, she shouldn't complicate things.

In one of the tents were mannequins displaying all the products currently being manufactured. There were large cards in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Creole, with various histories of the company. Thankfully, the day was beautiful, without a hint of rain.

Around two, Sue climbed up on a large stage area, where musicians had played since the party started, and stood before her people. She picked up a portable microphone and looked out at the throngs of people.

"Welcome, for those who do not understand English, move to an area that has your language being translated. If you have someone who is deaf near you, please direct them to the right side of the stage where a lady will sign to them."

There was some shifting around of people before they settled down to listen.

"We have many lines of clothing now. We still manufacture big girls' clothes. We've done a great job producing some great lounge and night wear. Since a few of us have become pregnant, we now are a major provider of quality fashion maternity wear. As the new plant came on line, we began making some very nice sportswear for adults. This of course led to us creating and making some fashion sportswear for younger buyers. We even have two sewing rooms making infant and toddler clothes. I want to congratulate, and thank you at the same time, for helping this company become known for making the best quality clothing within our industry."

"I know we're not very fast, but the original workers when we bought the first plant will remember that Steve, my husband, worked with every sewing room to let them know that making a good product took time and wasn't hurried. He wanted it to be like his shop, perfect. You have his signs all over the buildings. We still want quality over speed. We love the idea that we don't have seconds. All of you quality control people are responsible to look at every garment and to only pass it through if it is perfect."

"All of your efforts have made the new factory possible. There are so many of you that I can never learn all of your names, but please, know that all of the management staff and I are available to you when you need us. We are one hell of a big family now."

"Recently we were able to complete your health insurance plan. So far, everyone seems to be happy with it, and the human resources person in charge of it says your bills are being taken care of."

"Your other benefits include paid vacation, quality productivity awards, new ideas for manufacturing awards, and fashion design awards. These will all continue. I think one of our big benefits is the free bus service we provide. I know for some, you have to make transfers, but you can remain living where you have been and still work here with free transportation. You know you could always move down the road here into one of our high density housing areas. The company has a plan for any of you that wish to become homeowners. Ask about it."

"All of you, listen to me. You have educational benefits that can help you progress in this company. We offer tuition assistance for going back to school, whether it is for your GED, for the community college, or for one of the universities in the city. Most important though is our English language class. This is free and taught by professionals, right at our plants. Regardless of your native language, you need to learn English to become successful U.S. citizens and more successful employees. Please, learn English so we may talk. Ask my original employees and they will tell you that I told them the same thing and now they are lead people and supervisors all over the company. Learn English, I beg you."

"Now for the biggy. I waited for a long time to be able to make this announcement. Our entire product line will now be known as 'Quality Wear Clothes.' We will still have brands like Big Girl Clothes and the other various brands, but right over or under those labels will be 'Quality Wear Clothes.'"

"This is important because now we are all under one name, one company, and one system. This is important to you as today, 'Quality Wear Clothes' employees are being offered a 401K plan that includes a start for each employee of one hundred dollars. After today, every dollar you invest in your 401K plan, the company will match with fifty cents. Have just ten dollars a week put into your plan and you'll see it become fifteen dollars instantly. There are some rules for the free money, such as you can't dump all of your check into the plan and leave the next week with an additional fifty percent."

The crowd laughed.

"The rules will only let you put up to five percent of your income into your plan. If you do that, we will increase that by fifty percent. Your 401K plan is for your personal retirement or some future big dollar investment you may have. Take advantage of this benefit so I know you all will be taken care of when it is time for you to retire."

"Thank you all for coming. Now I need to go feed my new baby, Elizabeth. I will bring her through the plants during the next few weeks so everyone will have a chance to meet her. Have a great afternoon, eat lots, and meet all of your fellow employees."

The applause for Sue was phenomenal. She had so many employees now that it was really unbelievable. It was amazing that our goal of quality had made all of our enterprises successful and profitable. Sue actually had to turn down orders from Wal-Mart. She sold them some basics but she couldn't make the other product in the quantities demanded by the super chain. Sue said she would have to have two or three more big plants like the one in the park with another two to three thousand employees. She didn't think there were that many people available that she could train.

Two months later, Missy and Merlin showed up for a visit again. It was getting really close to Mercy's due date, so it was reasonable that they wanted to be here for the event.

It was one Thursday evening, as Sue and I were getting ready for bed, that Mercy grabbed her swollen tummy and grunted. She had a startled look on her face and said, "Mike is coming. I think he's coming right now."

Sue had her lay down for a second and checked to see what she looked like. "My goodness, Mercy, haven't you been feeling contractions. Your baby is almost here. Steve, call the doc, the hospital and an ambulance, hurry. Get Missy and have her come in."

I went through the house flipping on lights and knocked on Merlin and Missy's door saying, "Missy, it's time, Mercy could probably use your help." Thinking I might need some help, I turned on the patio lights to attract some attention then went back into the bedroom. I still had on shorts and a T-shirt and was pulling out a pair of jeans to put on when Sue said, "Come here, Steve, you know more about what to do than I do."

Oh shit! The baby's head was out of Mercy and the shoulders were coming. "Sue, get me come alcohol, some sharp scissors, a clothes pin, and some of your heaviest thread."

Missy and Merlin came in at that moment. The baby was coming out quickly.

I motioned to Missy, "Open the second drawer from the top on the left. Give me a hand full of those clean white T-shirts. Sue had put a towel under Mercy's bottom, but I wanted something to wrap the baby in as it came into the world."

The baby came whooshing out, and I could only do what I remembered had been done the two previous times I had watched. I clamped the umbilical cord with a big flat clothes pin, clipped the cord, and stuffed a clean T-shirt into the opening of Mercy.

I laid the baby on a T-shirt and gently cleared his nose and mouth. I was beginning to panic when he coughed and sputtered. I held him face down as more gunk came out of his mouth. I turned him back over, and I swear, he was smiling. When I smiled, Mercy said, "Thank God, he's okay. He was having trouble and you helped him."

Missy helped me to gently clean him with some wipes from Lizzy's stuff. Sue was holding Mercy's hand as I placed the baby on Mercy's chest.

Glenda said, "Missy, you better check Merlin, it looks like he fainted. I'll wait by the door for the paramedics."

Sure enough, a sheriff's car, a fire truck, and a paramedic truck all showed up at once. Glenda escorted the paramedics to the bedroom and helped Missy get Merlin up and out of the way. The two professionals went to work checking Mercy and delivered the placenta. One tied the umbilical cord on the baby and put a regular clamp on it. They did a quick check of Mercy and the baby and said, "We'll transport her to the hospital, which one do you want."

Sue said, "Women's, down by St. Joseph's, please. I will be going with her."

Mercy grabbed my hand and pulled me down to her. She kissed me and asked, "Did I do okay, Dad?"

"You did wonderful, Mercy. You waited a little long though."

Mercy smiled, "He sneaked up on me. I was feeling funny all day but I didn't think it was labor."

Missy said, "She was the same way. If we didn't live damn near across the street from the hospital, I would have had her in a cab. Merlin did the same thing when Mercy was born too, he passed out."

The paramedics put Mercy on a backboard and hauled her to the truck with Sue following, carrying Mercy's hospital kit and her purse.

The porch was packed with our crew. Word traveled fast, so they all got a chance to see the baby and Mercy as they passed. There was a hearty applause for Mercy as she was put into the paramedic ambulance, and in a wink of an eye, they were all gone.

I told Merlin and Missy to get dressed and we would get down to the hospital immediately. I dressed, they dressed, and Glenda said she would stay with Liz and Steve. Mickey and Sandy said they would stay too, in case Glenda needed help.

I hope Liz didn't get hungry while Sue was gone. She usually slept all night, but you never knew.

At the hospital, it took a while for us to get to see Mercy. The gynecologist and the pediatrician both had to do their inspections before any of us were allowed to come in. We were finally allowed to come in, finding Mercy smiling while the baby was nursing. When his little head fell to the side, I picked him up and put him on my shoulder before the doc could even make the suggestion. I rubbed his back and he finally gave a little burp.

The gynecologist said, "You did a good job. You must have been paying attention when you watched your first two."

"I heard you used a flat clothes pin to clamp the cord before you cut it. Were you going to tie it too?" The pediatrician asked.

"I just did everything you guys had done before," I said. "I thought these babies were supposed to take hours of labor, not minutes like Sue and Mercy. What's with these two anyway?"

The gynecologist said, "Some women have problems, some do not. If women exercise regularly and are in good health, I think that speeds up the delivery and lessens the pain. That's not scientific; it's just something that I've noticed."

Mercy said, "Thank goodness you two are exercise freaks. You helped me stay reasonably slim and helped the delivery as well."

Both doctors said they would check them in the morning and they could probably both go home. As soon as they left, Missy was hovering over her daughter, petting and kissing her. Sue was standing next to me and said, "I'm jealous, you didn't get to deliver either Steve or Liz."

Mercy laughed and said, "That just makes up for the teeth thing then, doesn't it."

Merlin looked puzzled while Sue stuck her tongue out at a Mercy. Missy blushed.

Sue asked, "Did you hear what his name is?"

"Mike," I said looking at Mercy. "Is that for Michael?"

Mercy glowed, "Michael Steven Sharp. That's after Merlin Michael the great magician."

Merlin was all puffed up. "Thank you for not naming him Michael Merlin. One crazed magician in the family is enough."

Around eleven, the nurse said we needed to let Mercy get some rest. We could come back around seven in the morning.

The patio was still full when we got home. Sue checked on her babies and brought Glenda out with her. We celebrated with a glass of beer, our trailer park champagne, and we all went to bed.

When Sue and I were in bed she said, "I wanted to just pick him up and begin feeding him. I know he's Mercy's, but I feel like he's mine too."

"He is, Sue, just like Stevie is so attached to Mercy and Liz is attached to her too. This has gone farther than I would have expected, but I do consider both of you my wives. I hope you feel that's okay."

Hugging me, Sue said, "I love our Mercy so much. She's not like enjoying Mickey, Samantha, Sandy, Mandy, or Crystal. She's like a part of you and me, it's more than loving sex, it's love. Little Mikey is mine as much as he's yours. It's our family."

We made gentle love, enjoying our love for each other. I'm sure a part of her was thinking of Mercy the whole time, the same as I.

We were able to bring Mercy and Mike home around eleven the next day. Mercy sat in one of the big rockers, holding her baby, while most of the crew who worked in the business park and many of the shop people showed up to see the two. By one PM, Mercy was tired and lay down for a while. She said she didn't understand why she should be so tired, but she was.

The ladies were having a field day, because they were able to play with the four older kids, plus have Sean and Liz. Little Mike was a point of fascination and everyone wanted to watch him and hold him. For the rest of the day, Mike would wake up to nurse about every two hours. Mercy would rest and eat when she was not napping. She didn't have to worry about lifting a finger with Missy and Sue hovering over her. Beth was even with us, acting just like Missy, a doting grandmother. Glenda and Nelda were just as bad.

The Friday week ending party was supposed to be toned down because Mercy probably didn't need the extra noise or excitement. But by four, you could tell the word didn't trickle down that perhaps people might want to wait until next week to celebrate. We didn't have the tent or the caterer, so someone was designated to become the bartender and several were sent out for food.

By six, there were mounds of food on the three tables and snacks everywhere. The four older babies were now all walking and receiving attention from everyone as they toddled between smiling people. The mothers had to be extra attentive to be sure the wrong kinds of snacks were not given to these little ones.

CJ and Stevie had begging down to a science. While one would try to motion and make noise to get something, the other would be stretching up trying to reach a nearby plate of whatever was on it. Shawna and Sue were busy trying to display their little girls, so it was up to Charlie and me to continually redirect the two boys' efforts to con folks out of snacks they didn't need.

Merlin was at the height of his glory, bragging to all about his daughter's little boy that carried his name. To entertain everyone there, he was doing simple magic tricks all night. Nothing was very sophisticated or mental, just tricks that entertained and made people smile. Missy even played the helper for him a couple of times as he performed.

Thankfully, the night ended early so the worn out moms could relax after putting the toddlers down in the living room and the three new ones in the baby bedroom to be watched over the close circuit monitors.

Mercy said, "I didn't know having a baby would make me so popular. Everyone wanted to talk to me tonight, whether the baby was up or not."

Sue told her, "You've always been the quietest of all of us girls, but as you can see now, you didn't escape from their view. You are recognized as a part of us. If you think about it, people don't say Sue and Steve or Steve and Sue anymore. Your name is always in the mix now. It's Sue, Mercy, and Steve or Steve, Sue, and Mercy and even more lately since you're home taking care of the kids its Mercy, Sue, and Steve."

This made Mercy smile with pride that she was genuinely accepted as a part of Sue and me, as well as a part of the crew.

The week ended with a warm glow within all of our hearts.

It was back to the middle of the night feedings. Lizzy had begun regularly sleeping all night and now we had Mike waking up wanting to be fed. I somehow was able to sleep lightly enough that I would hear Mike stir and begin to whimper. I would get up and change him, gently waking Mercy, clean her nipples, and lay Mike at her breast.

Lizzy wasn't a deep sleeper and often woke up when Mike did, so Sue had to wake to nurse as well. It was sweet watching the two mothers lay on their sides as the two little ones nursed. As the babies would fall back to sleep, it was my turn to pick them up, get a burp from them, and put them back to bed. Lizzy usually fell asleep quickly, as she only woke up because of Mike.

That Sunday afternoon, the patio was peaceful, with only a few people around. Dewey, Sheila, and Little Dewey were out looking around the area while Merlin and Missy were visiting with Ben and Beth. Shawna and Charlie had gone for a short ride with Jim and Hanna, and Debbie and Hank, leaving Sue and me in charge of the toddlers, including little Sean.

Lizzy had decided she was hungry so Sue was in the big rocker nursing Lizzy when Sean decided she needed attention. I changed her, but she wanted something else. She was smacking her lips and acting like she wanted to suck. I asked Sue if we had any of Shawna's breast milk but Sue just said, "Give her to me. I'll take care of her."

Sue had me place Sean at her other breast and the little girl went right to town on a much larger nipple than she was used to. The picture was too good to miss, so I found the camera and took a dozen pictures of Sue nursing both babies at once.

When I asked Sue if she thought Shawna would be upset with her for nursing Sean, she laughed. "I've nursed CJ, Robbie, or Mia at the same time as Stevie, and Shawna's nursed Stevie along with CJ. She's already nursed Lizzy when I've not been able to get home real quick. None of them seem the worse for wear over it. Look how healthy all of our kids are."

She looked at me and said, "All four of us have nursed each other's babies. It's too bad Hanna and Debbie didn't keep up and have another baby with Shawna and me. It makes taking care of them easier. Ask Mercy, she has already had Liz and Mike nursing together."

Guys just don't know what goes on, do we? I had assumed the spigots were labeled. Sue's had Steve and Liz written over them and Shawna's had a CJ and Sean sign. Instead there was a sign over all four of the girls, 'Come one, come all, eat here."

When the riders returned I showed them all the pictures. The women thought they were cute, while the guys were making the same discovery that I had made. The spigots were not dedicated.

It was now early 2001, just past my second anniversary as a resident of Florida and our 'trailer park' community. Our home life was wonderful. Liz and Mike were now much better roommates to Stevie. They had adapted to his sleeping all night and not really disturbing us until we were up. There were times when they wanted breakfast before showers could be completed, but for the most part they did wait.

Many times Sue would be nursing both babies while Mercy and I took a shower, or Mercy would have them both at her breast while Sue and I were showering. Both of them responded to either mother eagerly. Stevie was learning to talk and could get 'mama" out pretty well. The unique part was he would say mama to Sue one way and mama to Mercy with a completely different tone. You could actually tell which one he was asking for. He was saying dada but ended up calling Charlie, Jim, and Hank dada along with me. All of the kids would just pick a lap and crawl up. It was extremely nice to have the kids so close.

Glenda and Nelda were honored being called Gamma by the little ones. All of the older ones began using that term at the same time, so no one knew where it started. Beth enjoyed being Gamma too, while Ben had become a pap along with Martin and Ernie. It is definitely fun to watch how little ones grow in knowledge and abilities.

Now that all of the construction in the park was completed to our original plan there was an almost restless feeling among Tiny, Phil, and Abe. They were unused to having our size stagnate for any length of time. The funny part about it was that the company was growing, but not locally. We were constantly picking up dealerships, and working to improve the distributorships we had. The only local growth was in the continuous addition of manpower within most all departments.

What we needed was a new product or product line. We needed to feed the hunger for expansion that we had become used to. But what could it be? Everything so far had always been a chance opportunity that had just worked out. Something like the golf cart business became a reality because it just became available and we marketed the products and increased the manufacturing. I need something for me to stumble onto so we could feed the company's hunger.

One Sunday evening Tiny, Phil, Abe, and I were having a beer, discussing what was going on, when Abe mentioned that the last trip he and Martin took in the RV was nice but there were some things that could be improved on. Just about the time I thought that there was a chance for us to go into a new business, Abe said he had the manufacturer's engineer come down and he went over all the changes he thought should be made. He said that Coachman was implementing all of the changes immediately and would be trading us for a new coach this coming month.

Rats, nothing we can do about that.

Tiny talked about new motors that were going into the golf carts and that they were now making the carts in a variety of body styles. Some were utility vehicles, some were for domestic transportation like the grocery store and visiting, some were for golf courses (amazing that they were still used for their original purpose), some were enclosed for use by the city for meter maids, and a variety of other uses. We had gasoline engines, we had gas engines converted to natural gas, and we had two types of battery operated vehicles, one slow charge, and one fast charge. The fast charge models had more expensive batteries. What would be nice would be longer life batteries, but that was everyone's dream, greater storage and longer life.

Tiny suggested we should build a research and development lab in the business park to work on various projects like bigger and better batteries in smaller packages. Phil threw in the idea that we needed to be working on alternate fuel motors. Abe suggested we could use that technology for forklifts and generators too. He said that we should definitely figure out a way to make higher output generators in smaller packages.

"Tiny?" I questioned, "Why don't you work on a building that we could do some research projects in. Since you and my brother are the most educated of all of us, go out to USF and see if they have some engineering people who would like to work on some of these projects with us. I understand they have a lot of patents and are probably used to working on research projects."

Tiny had been jotting down some notes while we were talking and said, "I need to investigate to see if there are other companies working on these same things. If they are, we could join with them in manpower, technology, or financing. Perhaps we can find someone with a garage lab that needs a bigger venue to work in."

Abe contributed, "I've got a ton of ideas on how to make high output generators more compact. The problem is, do you want to go into competition with Onan? They are your big bread and butter cash cow."

"Abe," I answered, "tell you what. If we figure out a better way to make a generator or a more efficient cost-effective way to make one, we'll patent it and offer it to Onan first. If they don't want to make it, we can without ever feeling guilty. The only competition would be in a couple of areas."

"Good idea, Steve, I'd like to work on it. Dennis is going to be going to USF soon and he might be good in engineering. I've said all along that he seems to have an affinity for generators."

Phil asked, "What about this alternative fuel thing. Do you want to make an engine that runs on water, H2O? Let's see, that would be a hydrogen engine maybe? Perhaps an engine that runs off vegetation. Could I get five miles a tomato, six miles a potato, or something like that?"

Abe was shaking his head. "Phil, you are such a goon. They already have the fermented corn gas additive, but tomatoes? Come on. The hydrogen cell is being worked on, but no real progress yet. If we could make that concept work and convert hydrogen into inertia we would have something."

"Why not veggies?" Phil asked. "If they're good enough for some of them to give us gas, they must have some energy benefit.

Henry had stopped and had been listening to the conversation. "If you wanted to find a product with some potential, I've always thought the common bean, like the black bean or black eyed pea or navy bean would have the potential for making some kind of gas. It sure does in our digestive system."

Juanita had wandered over and was sitting beside me said, "If you want to do something for mankind, work on how to grow food like beans and rice or other protein grains easier and or faster. In Cuba the people always need more food. When hurricanes come, the people only have the minimum to eat. The fruit grows fast, but the other foods take a long time. Rice takes the longest. Figure out how to help people grow more food faster and you will help all people."

"There you go, Tiny, you now have several things to work on in your new R&D center. Build it and begin working on some of the ideas and we'll sell them or begin making them ourselves. Work on Juanita's idea about food stuffs and we will send people to those countries that need to grow more food."

We celebrated that we had come up with something new to do. It wasn't everything I wanted, but it was a start. We still needed something we could do or build that would make all of us enthusiastic.

Once most everyone had gone home for the night, I was sitting on the patio sipping a drink while Sue and Mercy were having a Coke, talking about the kids.

While looking at me, Mercy commented, "You need to do some more flying. Sue probably does too, but you need to visit all of the various locations where you have businesses with Ryan, Tiny, Phil, or even Abe. Take some time and begin going to all of them. I bet once you see what they all do, you will come up with something new for the company. I heard your conversation tonight and can tell that all of you are anxious to do or make something new."

Sue said, "If my company doesn't grow another person, I will be ecstatic. I really don't want to grow any bigger. Just keeping enough people to run all the lines is a full time job for a dozen people, plus the schools. If you want to grow, fertilize it, but not my stuff. I'll help you, but don't let it rub off on my people."

When we went to bed, I would have had a difficult time going to sleep if it were not for my two lovely women. They both enjoy attention at night. I'm always surprised the kids sleep through the noise we make. It does put me to sleep though.

Original Editing by Pepere

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 37



Monday morning is always exciting as it's the beginning of a new week. New challenges, new goals, and new projects are waiting for all of us.

This morning I got Ryan off to the side and asked if he was up for me to go through our dealerships and distributorships, one at a time, to see how they were doing. He became excited, saying he would love to show me how they were doing. I asked him to make up an itinerary for us and we would fly around to as many as we could get to in a week. If we needed the next week, we could do that as well. Ryan and Michelle said they would be in the office to plan, and we could leave anytime after ten this morning if that was good.

I really didn't think the idea would generate that kind of enthusiasm or immediacy. Once I talked to both Sue and Mercy, it was decided I would use the Beechcraft King Air and begin today. The two girls packed for me and laid out some dressier clothes to wear. I insisted on a bunch of jeans, T-shirts, and boots to take along as that's what I wear. I didn't want to represent myself as something I was not. The girls finally relented, but insisted I take along some nice clothes in the event we went out to eat. It was funny, because I was not used to being the big man in charge. I was always just one of the guys getting something done. This was going to be different.

Sue and Mercy insisted that I take someone along that could be my support person, like a secretary. I kept saying that Michelle could take care of anything that came up, and that I was not helpless. If Deanne was not pregnant, she would have had to come with me, but I finally won and was able to go without a personal assistant.

We flew to Jacksonville and toured the dealership there. They were doing above the projections set up by Phil and Ryan as far as sales. The dealership did repairs of all sizes of generators, but did not work on forklifts. Any lift repairs they could get were shipped to Tampa. They did have mobile repair and welding vehicles. The welders on staff had gone through our school in Tampa.

The next stop was in Savannah, late in the afternoon. They had a small dealership, but were responsible for a decent size port. They shipped super lifts to Tampa for repair, but did a lot of work on ships as they came in to port. That night we entertained the dealership manager for supper and I did wear dress pants and a nice shirt.

The next morning, we were up and off the ground early so we could be in Atlanta when they opened. Atlanta was a good city for us. In addition to the big distributorship, we also had a dealer location. We went to the dealership first where I was impressed with its appearance. This store had a big S&S Enterprises sign and absolutely sparkled. Every door had a "Is it Perfect?" sign and there were perfect signs all over for employees to see. Even the floor in the showroom and the warehouse had a logo. It was good for my ego.

This store was showing some great numbers. It was obvious Ryan was proud that his influence had been so effective with the manager and the employees. The store had started a sales promotion for home generators. It seems the local power companies were having problems because of growth and couldn't keep up with the demand. When peaks hit, there were brown outs and black outs in several suburban communities.

The dealership advertised a system for home and business owners that offered what was known as "ride through protection" and the generators to handle the power requirements during the outages. The system was modeled after the FAA units we had installed, but on a smaller scale. The ride through protection kept essential circuits operating through constant-supply battery back up units that were constantly charged from either the grid or the generators.

One of their advertisements included a testimonial from one of the largest data processing companies in the area. It was a great idea. I called Abe and told him to come up to see the operation and figure out how we might market the product in Tampa and other markets. He said he had seen the operation and had been working on a roll out of the product with Phil.

The big distributorship was another pleasant surprise. The place had been clean and neat when I had been there with Tiny to sign for the place but it now looked like it was part of the S&S family.

Outside and inside, the white paint emphasized the "perfect" motto. They had a rebuild area similar to Tampa but only had eight men working within. All of the men in the distributorship were in uniform and appeared to be busy and happy.

Ryan had a surprise for me when we went into the conference room. All of the area salesmen and technical customer servicemen were there, with Phil and Abe among them. Phil was showing off that he had been busy teaching the sales people his and our methods from this location. Each of the representatives described the geographic area they worked in and how Phil and Abe had set them up so they could handle marketing, warranty, and other technical problems.

I applauded them all and congratulated the manager for such a great job. Phil said each of the salesmen had been trained in Tampa to get the feel of the company. Abe said that the technical people actually worked in the various shops in Tampa during their indoctrination and all of them had attended factory warranty schools.

That night, after a small banquet for as many of the people from the two places that could be there on short notice, Ryan, Michelle, Phil, Abe, and I were sitting in the hotel lounge having a beer. I looked at Ryan and asked, "Is the Chicago area as good as this?"

Michelle said, "I called them and said you would be coming up there probably next week. They actually told me that you could come up immediately as they were proud of their operation."

I thought for a minute, before saying, "Ryan, how about we just go straight up there and see how our biggest distributorship is doing."

Phil and Abe looked at each other with bit of a smirk, causing me to ask, "Is there something I should know?"

Abe said, "You'll have to see for yourself. If we're going up there then you need to see all three locations. You will recognize some of the people, as some of the managers came from our Tampa operation."

Phil announced, "The area sales manager is one of my first salesmen from Tampa that I trained as you directed. He works, sells, and manages just like me. You'll like him."

Ryan said, "Let's skip some of the dealerships and just go straight up there tomorrow morning. Phil and Abe, can you two come with us? I think it would be nice if you came along as well."

We flew into Chicago, rented a big SUV, and showed up unannounced at nine on Wednesday morning. We had parked in the large fenced yard of the main distributorship. The outside of the building had a giant S&S sign over the top of the original owner's sign. That wasn't the big change though. The huge, drab, dirty looking building glistened in white paint. The once dirty metal roof was now bright white with S&S painted on the top.

We walked into the main shop and warehouse to see a buzz of activity in a clean, neat working environment. This didn't even look like the plant we had purchased. Ryan walked us through the shop area toward the front. As we went into the showroom and office area, a nicely dressed young lady stood up and greeted us. Her manner was similar to Cindy, the blind receptionist in Tampa. This one said, "Good morning, nice to have you, Michelle. Is Ryan with you today?"

Since Ryan was standing next to Michelle, I knew the girl was also blind. Michelle said, "Yes, Patty, Ryan is with me, as well as Phil and Abe. You remember them I'm sure. I also want to introduce you to Steve Sharp."

The girl seemed to get flustered but stuck her hand out in the direction of Michelle's voice. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Sharp. Welcome to S&S Enterprises, Chicago."

I took her hand and gave it squeeze. "Call me Steve, please."

Michelle suggested that Patty call George, the area manager, so he could show us around. In less than thirty seconds a guy in his forties came walking out of an open office door to greet us. I had met him when we bought the distributorship, but we had not spent much time together. Another man came from the main shop area to greet the gathering in the showroom. This one was introduced as Jim Beckett, the main distributorship manager.

Jim Beckett immediately insisted that I accompany him through the buildings. He explained that as soon as he had returned from Tampa he had begun painting and refurbishing the entire complex. The best thing about the new look, he said, was that it had increased productivity and attitude. Where before he was always hassling with the union steward, it now seemed they were willing to work out minor problems as they happened. Jim had even placed the perfect signs throughout the buildings.

By the time we were finished looking at the main building, George suggested we have lunch in the cafeteria. In the back of the main building was a small cafeteria with a few food choices that would please most anyone. Today's special was meatloaf. This was obviously a favorite of the employees.

"How long have you had a cafeteria?" I asked Jim.

Jim smiled and looked at Ryan. "This wasn't my idea. It was Ryan's. While he was up here, he saw that most everyone went out to eat and most, if not all, were late getting back every day because there are no places close to eat. Ryan suggested I look and ask around to find someone who wanted to create a small cafeteria for the company. As soon as the place opened, our productivity went way up and nearly everyone in the company eats here daily."

"The prices seem very fair, Jim. What did you have to do to get the prices so low?" I asked, curious how he did it up here in Chicago.

"We used company money to remodel and furnish the cafeteria and hired a retired chef to manage the place," Jim answered. "He hired and trained all of his own people and you can see he serves a lot of people a lot of meals."

"That still didn't answer my question. How does he make the meals so inexpensive?"

Jim explained, "Everyone in here is an employee of S&S. The food is purchased by the company and prepared under the direction of the chef. The entire cafeteria is designed as a benefit to the employees. A good thing is that we do not lose the time it would take for employees to travel to and from a lunch place. The employees get a well-balanced meal and go back to work happy. The meal is inexpensive so eating here is both desirable and appealing. Now the best part; the cafeteria makes money. It doesn't make a lot, but it makes enough to justify the space, the remodeling, the equipment, and the employees' morale."

George said, "Thank Ryan, as he said we needed to copy Tampa so we could keep our people on location."

While we were having coffee, Ryan handed me a stack of papers. "This is the quarterly report and the most recent month and weekly report for the three locations here. As you can see, George has three successful locations."

I needed Tiny to guide me through all the numbers, but I understood enough to see that the Chicago area was definitely in the black.

George suggested, "Can I show you the other two locations? I'm proud of what we've done in each of them. Our service departments are now known throughout the City and area construction companies. We barely keep up with the sales department's installations and have increased service personnel by over twenty-five percent. Most of them have come from your school down in Tampa. We have been lucky to find trained people."

It took two days to see the rest of the main location and both of the other locations. All three of the locations were neat, clean, and freshly painted, with our 'perfect' mottos throughout the buildings.

Friday morning, Ryan said, "Let's head home this morning, and we can stop by the new dealership in St. Louis on the way. It is the first new building we have and was built by a group of S&S construction people. You will like this."

We went into a small executive airport just south of the city. Michelle had arranged for a limo to take us to the dealership. Right in the middle of a retail and commercial area was a large general steel building, completely white, with a large S&S sign painted on the side and on the roof. Ryan explained that we couldn't get a permit for a large street sign so he and Tiny designed the building so he could use the entire side for a painted sign.

The huge showroom flowed into the shop area. Inside the showroom were a boom truck and a regular welding truck. Displayed with it were more trucks with the other bodies that we built on them. There was a group of offices for the management and an open office area for the sales people. In the shop area, there were marked places on the floor for each truck in the field. They were parked inside at night so they could be cleaned and restocked. The trucks circulated around construction and manufacturing sites on a regular schedule. They had just begun rebuilding generators and compressors, and had only two sets of mechanics working on them. It looked nice but the activity level was not there yet. I'd be interested to see it in two or three months.

We arrived home about four Friday afternoon. I had my truck at the airport, so I was able to take us all home. I dropped Abe and Phil off at their homes and took Ryan and Michelle to their place. I arrived at home right at five.

Little Steve came running up to me saying, "Dadadadadada." That is about as good as it gets. I picked him up and he gave me a big smooch while holding my head. Inside the house I found Sue changing Mike, while Mercy was nursing Lizzy.

"This is kind of turned around isn't it?" I said, indicating the swapping of the babies.

Mercy said, "Whoever is closest is usually the one who feeds the hungry baby."

Lizzy took her mouth from Mercy's nipple and giggled at me and stuck her arms up at me. I put Stevie down and picked up Lizzy. She gave me a little hug then I put her back down to nurse on Mercy. Mike held his arms up to me, so I picked him up and gave him a kiss. He began smacking his lips so Sue dropped a side of her blouse to nurse him. I gave each of the ladies a warm loving kiss, telling them how happy I was to be home with them.

They said they had missed me, but had heard progress reports from Michelle as I traveled.

The Friday night party was laid back, but fun. Most of the S&S people and several of the clothing people were there eating and drinking. There were no special announcements, but there was a feeling of accomplishment for the week.

That evening, I enjoyed visiting with everyone at home. I noticed that Ernie wasn't getting around very well and that Nelda seemed to be fretting over him. Sue said that Ernie had been to the doctor a couple of times and was having several physical problems. She said that he wanted to have a talk with me as soon as he and I could get together.

Around nine, I rode with Nelda and Ernie back to their trailer. Once Ernie was inside sitting at his kitchen table he had Nelda and me sit with him.

"Steve, you've given me a gift far greater than any monetary gift a man could have. You made it possible for me to find Nelda and to have more friends than I've ever had in my life. I'm afraid I'm getting a little feeble and a lot forgetful. It seems that I may be developing Alzheimer's disease. I don't want to be a mental cripple or be totally dependent on my Nelda. She's not happy about this but it is something that worries me. I want you to promise me that you will put me in a care facility; you know, a nursing home, when I can't take care of myself. You also have to promise me you will bring my sweet Nelda to see me every day."

"He just won't listen to me, Steve. I keep telling him that he's mine and I will take care of him. He's not even ninety yet and he's talking like an old man. I won't have it. Now that I have him, I just don't want to let him go."

I looked at both of them and said, "Listen to me, both of you. I will take care of both of you as long as I can. If you can do it here, then you will stay here with us. Alzheimer's is bad, but we don't have to be beat by it. You both need to be seeing a doctor regularly and you both need to be with us, your family, as much as possible."

"I need your help, Steve," Ernie said. "I still have a lot of parcels of land that I need to sell and several properties that are rented that need to be watched and possibly sold. I've been a little lazy lately and haven't been aggressive like I usually am turning property. Could you spend some time with me and help me take care of my business stuff?"

"Sure, Ernie, while you feel like it, write down a list of what you need to accomplish. I'm sure you have a list of properties you lease out right now. I'll look over everything and have Ben help me take care of it for you."

"That would make me feel good, Steve. I think you are the only person I've ever trusted with my property and my business. Thank you for helping Nelda and me. I'll get everything together for you tomorrow and have my lawyer, accountant, and bookkeeper get some lists together for you."

I gave both of the old folks a hug and told them to sleep well. I made sure Nelda had her emergency button and radio if she needed me during the night.

When I got back to the patio, Sue and Mercy could tell I was a little morose. I told them what I knew and Sue told me that people that old sometimes felt like they were going at any time. I had a stiff drink and enjoyed the closeness of my friends and family.

It took me a long time to satisfy my two smiling ladies. It always amazes me how much the two ladies have grown together. They are almost one to me now. They are two distinct people, but both treat me and love me as one.

Saturday morning was bright and cheerful. Glenda and Martin were early and we had time to visit with each other before Shawna showed up without her two kids. She said Charlie was watching them until she brought them over to be with the other kids. We drank coffee, enjoying each other as we used to.

When Debbie and Hanna showed up with their little ones, Shawna went home for CJ. I went to wake up Sue and Mercy to find them busily getting the three ready for the morning.

Charlie, Hank, Jim, and I were feeding our toddlers breakfast at the table while the rest of the crew began filtering in. Mickey was off, so I had both Mickey and Samantha to visit with. Crystal gave me a hug saying, "You haven't been a pain in my ass all week. I missed it. Where have you been?"

Ryan and Michelle showed up with Nelda and Ernie following them. Ernie told me he had already called his people to get his business papers together for me. Nelda gave me a big hug, thanking me for taking care of them.

Juanita had Luis with her this morning. They were an on and off again couple, but both watched Tammy and Dennis to make sure they didn't have too much opportunity to get into mischief. The kids were both going to go to USF in the fall, making their bond even stronger. Kevin and Susan both said that they trusted Dennis, but then hormones can make a young guy go nuts.

Charlie asked me if I wanted to ride down to the clubhouse this morning. He said that Hap and Bear wanted me to meet some new people. I told Sue and Mercy where I was going, and between them, it was decided Mercy would take care of our kids, as well as CJ, so Sue and Shawna could ride with us.

Charlie and I were a little squirrelly riding down there just from not being able to ride much lately. I think we both realized our error as we rode the mothers of our kids down there. We had to be more careful. We had to be responsible.

Hap and Bear were both happy to see us. They introduced us to several new members as well as the new chapter presidents that were going to take over. Both Hap and Bear were retiring from active club duties. The new guy for Hap's group was one of his young main men. We knew and liked each other, so there shouldn't be any let down in our relationship. The new man said he would like to work with me to help some of his men get jobs. I told him if they were skilled it wouldn't be a problem, and if they were willing to learn, we had schools to teach skills. Bear's man was one of the chicken chasers from when Nelda moved. He had forgiven me for laughing at him and was going to continue to build the property at his clubhouse site. They were now up to six mobile homes and were working toward the next two.

When I asked Hap what he was going to do, he said, "I'm beating up on fifty-five and it's time I settle down. Margie and I have bought a place and will be moving in the beginning of the month.

Bear had a sheepish look on his face. "What're you up to, Bear?" I asked smiling.

"I've saved up all my life for a place of my own and I've found it. I'm not going to live out at the clubhouse but in a similar place. I'm going to be your fucking neighbor."

"You're what?" I said.

"I'm going to be your neighbor. I have a job as a security guard, but have enough from my military retirement to last me. What I want is to be closer to Crystal. That woman is under my skin and I want her to be under me."

"Good luck, Bear. That is one head strong woman," I said, thinking how nuts Crystal can be.

Bear said, "I've been talking to Sue and she says that Crystal talks about me, so it's not that she doesn't like me. She just doesn't think I can do anything besides ramrod a bunch of crazies."

"It'll be nice to have you as a neighbor, Bear. Hope you can visit with us in the mornings and for supper," I offered.

"Can I?" asked Bear. "I'd really like to be a part of your group. You guys have a lot of fun together. I'd like that."

"You know you're always welcome. Just come on down and enjoy yourself."

Hap was standing with us listening. "Is there space for another biker to visit with you guys?"

"Sure, Hap," I said. "Any time, bring Margie and come for breakfast or supper. You know how we are, you've been there before."

"Yeah, but never just as a citizen. It's always been as club pres."

Smiling at Hap, I said, "I hate to burst your bubble, Hap, but you were never welcomed because you were president. It was always because we liked each other. It's respect, man, respect."

"Good to know, neighbor. Bear and I are moving in next door to each other right down the street from you. We're both going to be S&S employees as we are both going to be security guards for the business park."

I didn't know that we had our own security group now. I thought a contract company was doing it. I would have to ask Tiny about that.

Sue and Shawna had been with Margie and came up to Charlie and me. Sue said, "Did you know Hap and Bear are going to be neighbors?"

"I just found out. This will be nice. We'll have to have a welcome party for them."

Sue asked Bear, "Have you told Crystal you're moving out there?"

Bear shook his head, "Nope."

"You better," Sue said. "I don't think she likes too many surprises, but from you she will understand."

Bear was nodding, "I'll let her get used to me being around and see what she thinks. If it's too much of a hassle for her, I'll sell the place and move, but I'd like to live out there with you guys. I'm ready to settle down."

When we got back to the park, Crystal was on the porch waiting for us. She immediately asked us, "Did you see that big ugly maverick, Bear, over at the clubhouse?"

"We sure did," Sue said.

"Is he coming to see me or do I have to go down there and personally invite him to come see me?"

"Want to take a ride, Crystal?" I asked. "I'll give you a ride down there and you can tell him to get his butt up here for supper." I paused a second then added, "And you."

Crystal smiled and said, "What are we waiting for?"

We rode back down to the clubhouse and parked. Crystal followed me into the social area where Hap and Bear were. Bear saw us and came up, "You're back, but with new decorations."

Crystal said, softly enough that only Bear and I could hear, "Why don't you come to supper with us tonight. I'd like you to come visit me. Will you?"

Bear's face lit up like a neon sign. "You betcha, I'll be along real soon. Perhaps Hap and Margie will come with us since the new pres here is going to have a private meeting."

Crystal was smiling. She poked me in the ribs and said, "Let's get. I want to go home, shave my pussy, and get a beer. I don't know in what order but both are important."

We left Bear with his mouth open, but still in a smile.

By the time we got back to the park, it was getting to be time for the afternoon races on TV. Beer was drawn, snacks were broken out, and the seats were arranged to watch TV.

Since I wasn't a big TV fan, I went in to play with the kids. Little Mia was just as cute as she could be. She was the smallest of the first group of kids, but seemed to be able to hold her own while playing with the rough and tumble boys. You could see the future as CJ and Stevie were always doing something together. They couldn't really speak, but they seemed to communicate. The two were destined to be buddies.

When I decided to lie down for a nap, Sue lay with me and we smooched and groped. She left me with a hard-on, and who should come in but Mercy. She laid down and we kissed and groped until she said she had something to do. I was just about asleep when a soft body lay next to me and gently kissed me on the lips.

I opened my eyes to a smiling Juanita. "Have your wives made you ready for me? Have they?"

"Is that what that was about, Juanita?"

"I told them that I wanted you and they said they would get you ready. I think you are always ready." As she told me this she was unbuttoning my pants. She pulled my T-shirt over my head then tugged my pants and socks off, leaving me nude in front of her.

It sounded like Juanita growled as she lifted her leg over me to straddle my waist. With her eyes closed, she slowly slid down until she had taken me entirely into her. She learned forward, gently kissing my lips with each wiggle of her hips. She easily pulled her dress over her head and let it float to the floor. She was completely nude beneath her dress so we were both nude, on the bed, and connected in the most intimate way.

"Fill me, make love to me, pound me, give me the happy feeling, Steve, please."

I let her rise and fall on me for five minutes before rolling her over and gave fifty or so good lunges. I pulled from her moist grip and slid down to face her pleasure center. I paid attention to all of her exciting parts until she was near screaming, and rose to slide back into her. As I slid in to the max, I sucked on her two swollen nipples. Juanita went over the top, she nearly screamed, she shook, she wiggled, she stiffened, she came.

As she calmed, she said, "Fill me, finish me, let me feel you fill me."

Just as I was getting close, a tongue went up the crack of my butt then teeth bit down on my butt cheek. I came, squirted, and filled Juanita to the max.

As soon as I quit spasming, strong little hands pulled me from Juanita and a black haired girl dove to Juanita's center. When Mercy had licked and sucked up the leakage, she attacked my probe with equal enthusiasm.

"You two looked so sexy together. Juanita, you are so erotically beautiful. Your brown skin, your full lips, and the way your hips pump up to meet Steve's thrusts is just beautiful."

Mercy was alternately giving me deep tongue kisses and Juanita sexy loving kisses.

Juanita said, "You and Sue drive me crazy. You two make me wish to go with you to the isle of Lesbos. Not till you two came along did I ever want to be with a woman and now you two have me desiring to be with you all the time. If it weren't for Steve and sometimes Luis I would be you two girls' slave."

Mercy grinned and said, "You'll just have to become Steve's slave then."

Juanita shivered and said, "Don't make me beg."

As we were lying there, Sue came into the bedroom and leaned over to kiss Juanita, Mercy, and me. As she kissed me, she reached down and ran a finger through Juanita's recently ravaged center. As Sue sucked the juices from her finger she said, "Hmmmm, yum, Juanita. You and Steve taste so good together. If I didn't know I would have Steve to myself later, I would be jealous."

I slid from bed and put my clothes on, leaving the three girls doing whatever they were going to do. Mercy came out shortly, but Juanita and Sue remained in the bedroom for a long time.

Outside, Tiny and Abe had started the grill. We were having ribs, chicken wings, and breasts tonight. Glenda and Nelda were working on some potato salad while Hanna, Shawna, and Mickey were making beans and salad. Samantha was drinking from a tall glass that she announced was a Long Island iced tea that Joan had made for her. She said it was her third and she was getting a little numb. Mickey said she would watch her as she thought Sam would probably pass out soon.

Bear's pickup parked at the curb where Hap, Margie, and Bear all got out. Crystal was in a cute skirt and blouse, looking very lady like. As Bear approached her, she raised her skirt and asked, "Does this look clean enough?"

Bear was choking. "I didn't say you weren't clean I just said I didn't know how to eat pussy and that it looked like it would be more fun if you didn't have any hair."

As soon as he said it he put his hands to his face and looked around. "Oops."

Crystal said, "That's all right, I think everyone here knows I've been working on getting you into my bed."

"You don't have to tell everyone what we're doing, do you?" Bear pleaded.

"Shit, Bear, I'll sell tickets. You have me wetter than the big slide out at Adventure Island Water Park. Are you hungry or would you rather feast on this," Crystal said, while she patted her skirt over her center.

Hap and Marge had separated from the couple and were sitting at the bar. I got them both a beer and offered to make them a drink if they wanted. They preferred beer in a frosty mug.

When Sue and Juanita came out, Sue welcomed Bear, Hap, and Margie. Crystal leaned down and gave Sue a kiss, and looked at her. In a voice barely heard by others Crystal said, "You little hussy, you've been eating pussy. My goodness, you're a little slut. No wonder Steve is in love with you."

Sue smiled and casually said, "And don't you forget it."

We had a great supper with the announcement that Hap and Bear were going to be our new neighbors and would be joining us most mornings and evenings. Margie said she would be sure to help in preparing meals. Glenda said to her, "If you're around for lunch, we usually have soup and sandwiches too."

Margie gave Glenda a hug and told everyone she was excited to join us.

Ernie and Nelda were in good spirits tonight. Ernie told me to come over to his house after breakfast in the morning so he could show me everything.

That night, Crystal and Bear disappeared, so Hap and Margie decided to stay in one of our guest rooms. The girls loaned Margie some things to make their stay comfortable. Some of the folks went to the hot tub, but Sue, Mercy, and I stayed with Hap and Margie and the kids.

Hap said, "Is it true what Bear told me about the hot tub? He said that it is a big group grope up there. He said he didn't know who was doing what with him the whole time he was there?"

Sue answered for us, "It gets out of hand sometimes, but we're all close and none of us are going to take the other's mate away from them. It's all in good fun. We just like to play."

Margie whispered into Hap's ear then he said, "One of these days you'll have to invite us. Margie seems to like the idea." Hap was elbowed for letting the cat out of the bag.

Once everyone was back and gone home, my ladies showed me that they loved me the most. I already knew that but it was nice to be shown.

Original Editing by Pepere

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 38



Consciousness came to me slowly. My two ladies were lying against me, sleeping peacefully.

Life is good. I'm laying here with two ladies that seem perfectly content to be sharing me. I know Sue enjoys Mercy in a way that I can't provide. Mercy seems to be equally enamored with Sue in the same way. They sure don't neglect me though. I'm pretty damned lucky.

Three kids. Amazing. Who would have believed that I would have three kids that are all so perfect? Actually, it seems like I have seven kids. All of the older ones come to me to be held. They go to their moms and dads too, though. I wonder if the way we are raising our kids to be so open is bad. Probably not.

I wonder what I should do about the business. It's too big for me to do much more than to make an occasional decision or to just give encouragement to a group. Instead of a few dozen people, it's now hundreds and hundreds, spread out all over the place. Tiny and Ryan seem to have a better grasp on what's going on than anyone. Ryan showed me last week that the way we run a business can be successful in other locations. That's one thing I did do right. But just imagine. The Chicago group has almost two hundred employees, and that's just one location. I wonder how many people S&S really employs when you consider all of the remote locations and the park. I don't want to know.

I needed the bathroom so I slid from between the girls and quickly hit the john. Since it was time to get up, I took a quick shower and checked the little ones. They were still sleeping, so I guess I was a little early.

After making coffee in the kitchen, I went out to the patio and turned on the light. The air was fresh and cool, a perfect morning to enjoy a cup of coffee and the paper. As soon as I had the paper open, Glenda came in one door, and Ruth came in another.

"You two are up early," I said, welcoming them.

Glenda smiled and said, "Not that early, it's already quarter to seven. I can't imagine that no one else is up yet."

"I've been up half an hour already, waiting for someone to show up out here," Ruth said, as she settled in a chair.

A cart drove up to park near the door and Juanita came in. "Good morning, everyone, I slept late and figured everyone would already be up."

Another cart came up to park next to Juanita's. It was Henry and Nancy, with Crystal and Bear. As they came in the patio, Susan and Kevin drove up, with Ryan and Michelle bringing Ernie and Nelda.

Shawna came from across the street, carrying Sean with Charlie following with CJ. Hanna and Debbie were coming with their little ones, followed by Samantha and Mickey, who were walking with Drew, Bob, Sandy, and Mandy.

I got up and said, "Better get my bunch up and get breakfast started."

Inside, Sue and Mercy were both up and showered. They were changing diapers, getting ready to feed the critters. I gave all five a kiss and brought Stevie out to the kitchen with me so I could get him started eating. I put him in one of the high chairs next to CJ, Rob, and Mia, and was handed a bowl of cream of wheat for CJ.

I had just begun to feed CJ, when Nelda said she would feed him if I wanted to start Sunday breakfast.

After getting out a couple of the huge frying pans, I put four pounds of bacon on to start. While that was frying, I made up a huge box of Bisquick and put the first two trays of biscuits in the oven. Glenda had begun frying sausage in another frying pan, and had whipped up a batch of pancake mix. We used the big center grill on the big stove for the pancakes. Glenda and I broke eight dozen eggs open into a huge bowl to get them ready to scramble.

Juanita got out the baskets for the biscuits and directed some of the non-busy people to begin setting the table. It was then that I noticed Margie helping to get the flatware out. Shawna, Mercy, and Sue came out of the bedroom with happy babies and put them in the infant area that was cordoned off from the toddlers.

Pretty soon, I had three big platters full of pancakes, another three of bacon, and was cooking the eggs while Glenda made a huge batch of milk gravy. When it was all done and on the tables, Glenda and I stood at the sliding door, looking out, smiling. The three tables were pretty full of people. It was a great sight to see all the smiling faces dig into breakfast.

I joined the group by sitting in an empty chair between Sue and Margie. Hap leaned forward in front of Margie and said, "This is better than the breakfast at the house. I'm going to send our cooks out here so you can teach them."

"This is usually only on weekends, Hap, mostly on Sunday," I said. "The rest of the week, the menu is usually breakfast sandwiches from McDonald's or Burger King, and donuts."

"This is great, Steve, I think you may even have enough for Bear," Margie added.

As usual, when we were finished there wasn't a biscuit or a stray piece of bacon left. Every pancake had been eaten, along with eight dozen eggs. It looked like we went through about four gallons of orange juice, and another three gallons of milk. It's always good to know that people are well fed.

Phil and Judy announced they were going to get ready for church. Samantha said she wanted to go with them. Susan and Kevin said that they would take the kids to the church down the road for the ten o'clock service.

The conversation this morning became centered on Hap's and Bear's moving into the park. Crystal was a little peeved that Bear didn't let her know he wanted to move out to the park, as she would have made sure the pad next to hers would have been open.

Bear said, "That would have been good but what if one of us decided we weren't compatible. That would have been pretty uncomfortable. I thought if we had some distance between us for now, we could learn how compatible we are."

"You know, you big lout," Crystal answered him with a punch to the shoulder that made him flinch. "You're pretty smart for the big bubba you are. Who would have ever believed you graduated from Michigan. It may take some time, Bear, but I think I'll convince you we need to spend a lot of our free time with each other."

Bear's face turned red, as Hap and Margie were laughing. Hap asked me, "Would you consider helping Margie and me get married? We want to have a ceremony at the house, but we also want to have a ceremony for all our non-biker friends somewhere else. Could we have it out here?"

Sue spoke up, "That would be great, Hap. We'll get the big tent and the altar, just like the other weddings we've had. You know the caterer we can get, he's one of yours. It will be a wonderful wedding for you, Margie."

Sue had me change seats with her so she and Margie could begin planning. Hap and I went over to the lounge area to have a nice cup of coffee. Someone had turned on the fans to blow the smoke off the patio as several people had lit up. I asked Hap, "So you and Bear are really stepping down. What prompted that?"

Hap took a sip of his coffee and began, "Bear's men all want to settle down up there in New Port Richey, but Bear wants to be as close as he can get to Crystal. He's got it bad. I've wanted to step down and get out of the sights of every punk that wants to rise in the national club for a long time. I've told the others that since I'm getting older, it was time for me to step down and let the next guy take over. I want to settle down and enjoy life with Margie. We're done living on the edge. She's going to become a house mouse, and I'm going to have a regular job. Bear and I could both get some retirement money from the clubs, but we would then be under their control. This way, we retire, take a bike with us, and get sent out to pasture in a nice way. This is sort of getting out while the getting is good."

"I can understand why Bear decided to live out here, but how come you decided to come?"

"Easy," Hap smiled, "You."

"Me?"

"I feel good being around you. Margie even asked me if we could move out here near you and Sue. She says that you will watch out for us. That's funny isn't it, a bad ass biker having some GDI look out for him."

"Fucking independent motherfucker," Bear said, as he plopped down in a big chair next to us. "As bad as I think I am, I'm with you Hap. I feel a hell of lot safer out here with Steve than anywhere else we could be."

"Thanks guys, but I don't think you two need to worry about where you are. You're both leaving in good standing. Both of you have led your clubs through some pretty hairy shit. I bet your members understand that you two just want to relax for a while instead of having the constant pressure you've had on you."

Both of the men nodded.

Crystal had been talking to Sue and Margie, but was now standing behind Bear. "Come on, Gorilla, Nancy said she will help me trim you up so you will look human for your new job. Nothing like a shave and haircut to make you pretty."

"Just don't cut it all off, okay? I'll shave the beard, but I want a mustache like Steve's. He has long hair so I don't know why I should cut my hair short," Bear complained.

"Because your hair doesn't lie down," Crystal protested. "It goes in a dozen different directions. Nan and I will wash it first and see if it will lie down. If it does we'll put it in a ponytail."

Hap smiled and said, "When they get done with Bear, Margie and Nancy said they would work on me. Did you know I haven't been without a beard for nearly twenty years? Margie is going to think she's with someone else."

As soon as the two retiring club presidents left, Tiny came over to sit with me. "So how did you like the way the stores looked?"

"I only went to a few, but they all looked really good. I'm impressed that the managers have been able to bring the buildings up to our standards so fast. A couple of the managers showed me a bunch of numbers that they were proud of, but I didn't really know what I was looking at. They must be doing well, as they were happy."

Tiny laughed, "That's a good gauge. If they are happy then they must be doing something right. Actually we don't have any underperforming locations. Everyone is meeting projections, and is managing within the costs we budgeted. The next time you decide to wander around, let me know where, so I can brief you on what to look for with the numbers."

"Tiny, I have to tell you. I'm getting a little lost. The size of the company has become so large that I don't know most of the people. I don't even know where all we have stores. I can motivate and help direct. When I have all the information, I can make a decision, but I'm not the big business man."

"No one is, Steve," Tiny said. "I stay up with the overall by looking at numbers in files for each location. I have a big spreadsheet that is continuously being updated, showing expenses and revenues. The expenses are broken down in understandable areas such as payroll, utilities, shop expenses, vehicles, etc. When I see a number out of line, I pull the file and try to find out what has that number out of kilter. I'll teach you how I do that so you can review them with me. It's not rocket science; it's just plain old evaluation."

"There were a couple of good ideas out in the field that Ryan and Abe said they would implement here and the other stores. That was the best thing that came out of the trip. The Chicago stores have really taken off. The man up there said that the union is the most content they have been in years, so we are doing something right."

Tiny said, "You're doing what a good manager or owner should do. You've delegated responsibility to others. You stay in touch with what's going on but you leave the day to day stuff to those that you delegated it to. You can't run all of the shops here, much less all of the country. We're still growing, so there will be more and more locations to bring up to our standard. Ryan has become your ambassador, he mirrors your attitude to do it right all the time. I've encouraged him to begin hiring and training people under him, so he can oversee all of the locations without having to be in them so often. He will have his men do that. You have Ryan, Phil, Abe, and me to be your eyes and ears. Don't worry yourself. We will oversee those that take care of the daily stuff. We report to you. The buck still stops in your lap, but you have a lot of men making change for you."

Tiny and I got another cup of coffee, and sat back down. He began again, "Take the truck and RV shops. Kevin is managing the mechanics and service people in both shops. He takes care of scheduling, warranty, parts, and oversees all of the mechanics. Crystal watches Kevin, and watches his reports, while directing the sales people, the office staff, and Kevin's people when necessary. She also coordinates activities between the body shop and the truck store, so she has Drew working for her as well. So far, everyone gets along great while she oversees all three entities. As soon as she sees a problem beginning, she directs Drew or Kevin to head it off quickly. That's what a chain of command does. She reports to me for numbers and to Phil for sales. I put their numbers in the file and if I see something that may not be right on the spreadsheet, I open the file. It's the same with the golf cart plant and store, the same with the T-shirt plant, and the same at the utility body shop. The employees are making the company money because they are making themselves money. They get a statement on their 401K balance every month. They see it growing, so they know they are earning more money."

"Thanks, Tiny. I worry that I'm not doing enough for the company. I worry that the whole thing is now so big that it can't be managed. I feel lost sometimes."

"You know what you need? You need to go on a trip somewhere. You need to take your family and go somewhere for a couple of weeks so you can relax. Call me a couple of times a week and I'll keep you posted. Every one of your key people has been taking a week or so a quarter, so you can go without feeling guilty. Figure it out and get."

"Thanks, Tiny, I'll talk to Sue about it."

"She needs to let her people do the same for her, as her company is just too big to run any more. She has multiple managers, but she needs that one strong person to oversee the place. I'd hate to lose Henry, but he might be the one to do it. He's really good and is very cautious with a buck. But he's not so cautious that he'd let an opportunity go by. He's a good judge of character, so he could hire some good industry people to manage these divisions of hers."

Sue had been standing behind Tiny. She said, "Good idea, Tiny. I need someone like you to watch all the numbers, but I also need some more people to manage each division. We manufacture a too diverse group of clothing to be run and marketed together. Come with me to talk to Henry. He'll trust you to direct what he does."

Tiny pulled his cell phone from his belt, "Better yet, I'll call him to come over and we can talk now."

"Hey, Henry, if you're not exceptionally busy, come back over to the patio for a few minutes. We have some things we want to talk about." Tiny paused a minute, then said with a smile. "It's all good. You're gonna like what we're going to talk about."

A couple of minutes later, Henry slid to a stop in his cart. Once he was sitting, Sue began, "I need someone to look after the plants like Tiny looks after S&S. We've really grown from the first plant, to now being six times larger than we were, and are even considering more expansion. I want you to be that person, Henry. I want you to oversee all of the numbers of the different divisions. I need to further separate them so we manufacture separately, and market separately. That means you need to help find industry people to run each division. I know that is a lot of responsibility, but Tiny has confidence in you, so I do too. I think we could use an overall manager that I could work with. If you think one of our existing people could be that person, let me know, and we'll consider it. Take your time, get together with Tiny, and learn about all of the ins and outs of the business. Spend time with Joan, Betty, and Hanna. They will teach you a lot. If you think one of them or all of them should be division managers tell me, but I think they would rather design and implement production instead of pushing paper."

Henry looked at Tiny, and me, then back at Sue. "You're serious aren't you?" He didn't say it as a question, but as a statement. "You really want me to be like a CFO of your company? Amazing, I'm down here less that a year and you're already offering me this?"

Tiny assured him, "If I didn't think you could do it, I wouldn't recommend you for the job. I'll help you get a handle on it, but you'll on your own. Use me to bounce ideas off of, but it will be your job to be the watchdog so you can head off a problem before it ever starts."

While looking at Sue, Henry said, "Thank you for the confidence in me. I'll work hard to earn it. This is an amazing job you're giving me. I really can't believe it."

"Believe it, Henry," Sue said, "You'll have to take the raise that goes along with it too. You'll earn it, as my company is a monster. I hope you'll still like me when you find out how much work this will be."

"I don't mind hard work at all, Sue. This is actually better than working for S&S. Everyone there thinks I have a good job because I'm Steve's brother, but working for you, they'll know I earned it."

Tiny laughed, "You earned it all right. I've had you busting your ass since you arrived here. You've taught the three new guys exactly how to keep track of what's going on. They now know to tell me when anything shows up differently. You've done a good job. You'll have to train the guys working for you at "Quality" how you want things. Make them understand that any deviation from what you expect should be reported. That's the only way to fly."

I wanted to say something so I raised my hand like a kid in school. When they all looked at me I said, "I want you to still work with me, and I want you to still work with Tiny. One way to keep us all together is to keep working together. Use Tiny or even me to bounce questions off of. I need to still ask you to do things that may cross over into S&S but your main attention will be Quality.

"Can I go tell Nan? She's gonna shit. Do I start Monday, tomorrow?"

Sue smiled at him, "Go tell her. Tiny will work with you beginning tomorrow. Steve and I may be gone, but the girls will help you settle in. Take your time, learn our business and help us remain profitable."

Henry floated out the door and had his cart racing home in seconds.

Sue told Tiny, "Thanks, Tiny, I needed someone. You've watched both sides of the street so well, I figured you to be my guy forever. It's too much isn't it? My company is so big now, and S&S is getting huge. It needs to be split up. I think I want you to remain as a consultant over Henry if you don't mind, but you won't have to keep such a close eye on the business."

"I can do that. I have guys doing most of the work for S&S now, and I'm thinking of having a roving accountant or team to go to the stores to work with the managers on finance stuff."

Something caught my ear. I turned to Tiny and asked, "Finance stuff? Do we finance our product? Do we give credit?"

"We give accounts credit on some things, but it's only thirty to sixty days. If we gave more than that we would have to get some pretty good interest out of it," Tiny said.

"What about the trucks and RVs. I'm sure there is financing going on there," I said.

Tiny nodded, "There is, but we sell the paper to various banks and finance companies."

"Tiny, how about we set up our own finance company. We'll have to run credit checks and all of that, but that could be another revenue stream we haven't even thought of."

"It might be something to look into, Steve."

"We have surplus cash, right?" I asked.

"We do, and we put it in money market accounts, as well as in some high and low risk Fidelity accounts."

"Tiny, would the interest we could charge equal the high risk interest numbers we receive?"

"Usually," Tiny answered. "The fund manager does a good job but we could get at least that much out of the interest. We would have expenses though and it would require some licensing."

"Look into it. See what kind of interest we could make and see if this would be a good place to use our spare capital, especially the high-risk amounts we invest now. I don't think financing trucks and RVs would be as high a risk as the fund, so let's compare some numbers."

Tiny sat back, sipping his now cold coffee, "I love this place. We hire someone for Sue and come up with an idea that will probably be worth several million in revenue a year. Good going, Steve. So now there's going to be an S&S finance company?"

"How about making it 'S&S Investments?' I'll bet we can help some of the big truck buyers, as well as our utility truck buyers. Let's expand our market a little."

Tiny was laughing, "You take one of my good accountants away to run the clothes company, then you come up with an entirely new company that will need even more accounting than the others. It won't be long before I have more accountants than our accounting firm."

I turned to Sue, "Tiny suggested that you and I needed to take off for a week or so and go somewhere. He said we were becoming inundated with business and need some time away. What do you think, want to take off?"

"As long as we take Mercy," Sue said, with a smile.

"Of course, Mercy would come. So would our kids. Do we need to bring Juanita with us to watch the kids?" I asked.

"No, we can do that," Sue answered. "There are only three of them, and Stevie is the only one we'll have to keep on a leash. He's pretty busy, so we'll just have to watch out for him. When do you want to leave?"

Since I had not thought it over too much I just said, "Whenever."

Sue thought for a minute then said, "Why don't you call Dewey and see if he wants to go with us to Hawaii. We could fly out to Seattle and go from there. Call him."

I called Dewey and he was instantly excited about an adventure. He said he would order up the plane for whenever we wanted to go. Sue had gone in to talk to Mercy who came bouncing out of the house excited about Hawaii. She was holding Mike, saying that she could be ready in an hour. I told Dewey that we would meet him at Friday Harbor on Tuesday and then we could leave Seattle Wednesday or Thursday. It would be up to him. Dewey said he would take care of reservations in Hawaii for all of us and that he would see us Tuesday afternoon or evening.

Sue and Mercy had to get the kids ready to go to Ben and Beth's for Sunday dinner. I put on some dressier clothes, and we loaded up the Expedition and drove down to the Bay Shore mansion. Visiting with the three little ones was much different than when it used to be just Sue and me. We arrived with a bustle, and a couple of large diaper bags. The butler couldn't keep a straight face, and instantly gathered up little Steve to hold for a second before the squirming kid demanded down so he could run to find Gamma.

The sedate Ben and Beth changed their demeanor as well. Kids do that. Ben held Lizzy, while Beth cooed over Mike. Stevie was making a running tour of the house, going into the kitchen, the dining room, trying to go up the stairs, but always being gathered up by the attentive butler.

When Ben and Beth heard we were going to Hawaii, they wanted to go too. Sue said, "The plane is going to be full."

She thought a minute then said, "Well, not really. We could take you two to Seattle but if we took you to Friday Harbor we wouldn't have room for Dewey, Sheila, and little Dewey coming back. Let me call Dewey to find out if his plane can handle two more."

Sue called out to Friday Harbor and talked to Dewey and came back into the sitting room. "Dewey said we would all fit in his Gulfstream with the extra seats installed. The four little ones have to be in car seats for most of the ride, but can get down on the floor for a little exercise. The rest of us have to have seats so it will be a pretty full airplane."

Early Monday morning, we were all at the aero park, loading the plane. The attendant and I went over the service history as the plane had been on rental quite a bit. Everything was current with no write-ups on anything. I did the preflight inspection, while Ben seated himself in the right seat. Sue and Beth, with Lizzy and Stevie, were in the back four seats, with Mercy and Mike in the front two.

I had Ben do the startup checklist with me and we were soon on our way. We stopped in Columbia, Missouri, as their fuel prices were still some of the best, and had some lunch. An hour later we were headed toward Salt Lake City. There was no headwind at all, so we were making great time.

We landed in Salt Lake City early enough to have a reasonably early dinner, with time for the little ones to roam around on the floor in the hotel room. Steve was busy checking and touching everything. Sue and Mercy had brought a few of his favorite toys, so he was satisfied.

We were up early, had breakfast, and were on the final leg to Seattle by eight. We landed and were directed to a tiedown parking area next to Dewey's Gulfstream. A limo came out for Ben and Beth and they left for a good time in Seattle for a day and two nights.

After refueling, we left for Friday Harbor and landed in no time. While on approach, Sue called Sheila to tell her we were landing. Sheila told Sue there was a car there to bring us to their house.

An hour later we were hugging and hand shaking in Dewey's living room. Little Dewey was growing like crazy a little smaller than Stevie but still pretty active. They had a padded area for the kids to play on the floor where they could be observed easily.

We visited until it was time for us to go into town for supper. Dewey said his friends were looking forward to seeing us. At the bar/restaurant the nine of us caused a stir, having four little ones with us. They were used to Dewey and Sheila bringing little Dewey, but were surprised by Sue, Mercy, and me with three more. For those that didn't already know Sue and me, Mercy and Sue were both introduced as my wife. This caused some strange looks, but the two girls didn't even bat an eye. They were busy settling the three kids.

We had a great time, drinking some drinks and beer, joining in with all the chatter then having a great salmon dinner. Sheila made the comment that they hardly ever had salmon as they usually only had it when they came into town. Dewey made arrangements for one of the guys there to help him and me go out on the sloop in the morning. He said he needed to find a small day sailor so he could sail around the islands but since he didn't have one, we would just go out on the big boat.

Back at Dewey's, Sheila announced that two of her friends and the housekeeper were going to watch the kids while we were all out on the boat. She said they would be at the house by six thirty so we should be up early so we could get a full day of sailing.

Mercy was very excited. She had been on the sailboat before staying overnight but had never been sailing. It took a while for Sue and me to put her to sleep.

Wednesday morning found us up and dressed at five. While the girls were feeding the little ones, Dewey and I went out to the boat in the dinghy to take the tarp off the cabin and the covers off the sails. He cranked the engines and the generator letting the cabins warm up. We left the boat idling at anchor and went back to get the girls and the guy who was going to go with us.

Dewey's friend had called and said he was sorry but was really sick and couldn't come. Dewey said, "No matter." He looked at me and added, "You and I took the boat all the way down to San Francisco by ourselves, we should be able to handle the boat for a day."

Once everyone was on the boat and the dinghy was on the davits, Dewey had me release the bowline, and pull the slip knot at the stern. He used the big motors to maneuver out into the channel so we could head toward open sea. Once we were in the open channel with a little breeze, we began hoisting sail. It's a thrill to watch the canvas unfurl and fill with wind. You can feel the boat lift slightly with the push of the wind.

As you float through the islands, you see lots of seals on the shore, as well as floating in the water. Some bark, some flap the water with their flippers or tail. Between two islands, Dewey was quick to point out some tall fins swimming away from us. A pod of Orcas were swimming that way.

Dewey had me steering, by using the depth scope and the GPS through and between the islands, until we were heading toward nothing but smooth rolling water with the islands in our wake.

We sailed northwest for about four hours, using some wind from a low pressure area that was passing through the area. As the front approached, Dewey swung the boat around and used the prevailing winds from the Northwest to push us back toward the islands.

Mercy was totally captivated by sailing. She spent the entire time on deck with Dewey and me. She bombarded Dewey with questions till he turned to me and said, "You'll have to get a boat, Steve. You don't have to get one this big. Try for something around fifty feet. If you want, I'll come down and we'll look together. Mercy has salt water in her veins now and won't settle for less than the excitement of feeling the wind in her face."

On the way back, we let Mercy take the wheel, watching the big compass and keeping the signal of the GPS on track. We dropped sail in the channel near Friday Harbor and motored up to Dewey's buoys. I dropped the dinghy and tied the bowline first, then the stern line. I took the three girls to the dock and came back to help cover the sails and help wash down the decks. The last thing we did before going to shore was to pull the cover over the main cabin. Back ashore, we lifted the dinghy from the water with the dock davits.

It was nice to be inside the warmth of the house. The kids were happy to see their parents, with the two littlest happy to be cuddled by their mothers.

The housekeeper had prepared a great leg of lamb for us, so we ate and talked of our great adventure. Mercy told Sue that we really needed to look into a boat at home, as she really liked sailing. The two women agreed to begin a search for a beginner boat for us. Sue suggested we get a sailboat and a large cruiser, like a fishing boat. She said we could entertain customers on it, as well as use it for pleasure.

A little later I used Dewey's PC and sent Tiny an e-mail. He had suggested a boat so many times that I knew he had many ideas of what he wanted. He was always talking about various people and their cruisers or big fishing boats. "Find us a boat that we can entertain customers on, one big enough to sleep at least ten. I'm told the Coast Guard has several big confiscated boats that are a deal. Have fun."

Doing that was like giving a kid a buck and sending him into a penny candy store.

Thursday morning, we got up reasonably early, had breakfast, and packed up to head for Seattle. At the Friday Harbor airport, we loaded the plane with luggage and people, and with Dewey riding in the right seat, flew into Seattle. We were again directed to park next to Dewey's Gulfstream, but this time several attendants came for the luggage and assisted the three ladies and four kids up the stairway into the Gulfstream.

Ben and Beth were already on board. They had taken two of the back seats in order to give the kids room toward the lounge area in front.

Once everyone was inside, had found seats, and strapped the kids in, the senior hostess asked me to come up to the cockpit. The pilot waved me into the right seat, handed me the checklist flip chart and said, "Start at the beginning." We went through each item. He took time to explain what each item was and what each reading was. He pointed to the green lamp that indicated the door was closed and sealed and announced to the passengers that we were preparing to take off.

We went through the engine start procedure and checked all of the gauges before he called in to open his flight plan. He told me to keep my hands on the yoke and feet on the pedals to feel what he was doing on the ground and advanced the throttles to begin taxing to the main runway.

He told me to set the flaps, which was easily done, and we waited to be cleared on the runway. As we pulled onto the active runway, he advanced the throttles, held the plane until the engines had spooled up, then released the brakes to accelerate until I felt the gentle pull he gave the yoke when the plane was trying to lift off at takeoff speed.

Once aloft, flying is flying. He pointed out each dial and gauge to explain its function and what readings would be suspect. When I said I thought the 200 had a lot of displays until I saw this, he said that if I went to a school, they would have me proficient in very little time. I thanked him for the lesson then left the right seat for the other pilot and went back to join Sue and Mercy. Sue said, "I wanted you to get the feel of a big plane. I think we might want one soon."

"These things are too expensive. The 200 is worth a bunch of bucks but a plane like this is probably five times what the 200 is," I said, not even considering something this expensive.

"If we had one of the new Gulfstream Vs, we could probably rent it out and charter it at a profit. Then all our flying would be free." Sue smiled her little girl smile and said, "If Mercy gets a sailboat, I get a big plane."

Dewey, Ben, and I broke out laughing. Wouldn't you know the two girls were plotting? Mercy and Sue were looking at each other with sheepish grins.

Dewey helped Sue's cause by saying, "I have two of these Gulfstreams now, a 200 similar to yours, along with a couple of 185s and a 210. They stay busy all the time. I'm actually showing a profit from the charter services. That's a profit after maintenance, fuel, airport services, and flight crews. I now have a charter office and even advertise. It's a great way to have some toys that don't cost you an arm and a leg to own."

Sue looked at me, grinned, and said, "See, you could haul more people around when you go on your jaunts to see stores."

I moved up to the seat with the computer terminal and turned it on. Once it was linked, I sent Tiny an e-mail that said only, "Build a hangar at the Aero Park, a big one with room to build a second one next to it."

Tiny had sent me a couple of e-mails. One said that the Chicago store had just signed a big sales contract with the State of Illinois and another with Great Lakes Shipping for both generators and compressors. Phil is floating around the place on air. Another e-mail said he had found three prospective boats and included pictures and descriptions of each. I printed out the information and pictures, and shut down the computer.

I showed the pictures to Sue, with Mercy looking over her shoulder. Mercy said, "That isn't a sailboat."

Sue answered her, "We need a powered boat for entertaining and fishing. We can probably charter it like the planes, because people down there love the water."

"How about sailboats, Steve, can you begin looking for one soon?"

I smiled at Mercy and said, "Certainly. I'll ask Tiny to find a surveyor for me to hunt for prospective sailboats."

Back at the computer, I turned it on and e-mailed Tiny to find a boat surveyor to help begin a hunt for a sailboat. When he found the surveyor to give me the number and I would advise the agent of what to look for. Mercy looked over my shoulder the entire time I was sending the e-mail.

Mercy went back to her seat, satisfied that I was going to find what she wanted.

Back in my seat, Dewey commented that it was a good thing I wasn't the type to want a lot, and that I had a super successful company. He said the girls wanted enough that they would take up my share. Sue gave him a glaring look, but smiled at him, while Mercy tried to look innocent.

I spent a lot of time on the floor first with Stevie, then later with Liz and Mike. Little Dewey joined me in rolling around sometimes too. We had a great meal, as well as a few refreshments. Neither Dewey nor I really wanted liquor other than a beer in the afternoon. We were all a little butt weary by the time we landed in Hawaii.

We spent a week enjoying the beaches, did some deep sea fishing, some snorkeling, and even tried to surf some. I had forgotten everything I had learned before, and spent most of my time wiping out trying to dive into a curl. It was fun, but it seemed that I was trying to drown myself. I kept wondering how I had done it so easily the first time.

The week was perfect. No wild excitement and lots of time palling around with Dewey. We did a lot of things as a group, but the girls did a lot of shopping and beach time together while Dewey and I were out seeking adventure. Ben spent as much time on a golf course as he could. Beth went with him a few times, but was not the golf nut Ben was.

Dewey and I rented some diving equipment and we hired a diving instructor to work with Dewey to certify him. Once we were through with the preliminaries, we convinced the diving instructor to hire a boat and get several other divers to go out for a day of exploring some old wrecks. We had a great time, with Dewey vowing to get his own equipment and do some diving up in the islands. I made him promise he would find other experienced divers to go with and to never dive alone. He agreed, remembering the dead diver we had found in Hawaii before.

The trip home was uneventful. Dewey had his pilot fly him and his family home in the 210 and we loaded up our junior rocket and took off for San Francisco. Missy and Merlin met us at the airport where we had bought our two airplanes. We headed into the city to enjoy an evening at home with good food and good conversation. Merlin and Missy could hardly put Mike down long enough for him to squirm around. They were very clutching, but understandable for grandparents.

Mercy spent a great deal of time talking about the day we spent sailing. Missy said she had only been sailing once and loved it, but Merlin had tried it and was terribly sick the whole time out in the water. Mercy said that we were going to get a sailboat as well as a big fishing boat to entertain our customers. Missy said she would love to go on a trip with us when we did get the boat.

The second day in San Francisco, we went to the club so Mercy could show Mike off. Merlin strutted around, bragging about his grandson, while Missy held court with Mercy, showing him off to all of the female staff. Mercy agreed to do a small part of the evening's show, so we went home for the three, Merlin, Missy, and Mercy could practice a few things.

Missy had two experienced babysitters come to the house so we could all go to the club. There, we ate early with the staff and performers before they all scattered to their various responsibilities as the restaurant opened. About an hour later, the lounge where the shows were performed opened, and that's where Sue and I enjoyed each other's company while watching the antics of some of the young magicians.

They had a new early show that not only performed simple tricks, but revealed and taught several tricks. They had members of the audience do the trick with the magician, then try to do it on their own a few times. It was a lot of fun and produced a lot of laughter as some tricks failed horribly, with lots of applause when someone was able to do the trick smoothly.

Mercy and Missy did a show together and were joined by Merlin. They did several illusions individually, and then one collectively, where the three seemed to become one person with three heads on stage, then poof, they became three people in three separate locations. The audience applauded and cheered wildly, as it was so realistic.

The two ladies did not do any mind reading or mentalist demonstrations this night. Mercy later said that neither she nor her mother felt very clairvoyant tonight.

Original Editing by Pepere

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 39



The next morning, we were up reasonably early, getting ready to leave. Merlin and Missy said goodbye at the house and had their driver take us to the plane. Once on the plane heading home, Mercy came up to the cockpit and put her arms around my neck. "I'm so happy to be going home. Mike and I belong with you and Sue, and home is where we are a family with our other friends and kids."

We didn't get into Tampa until almost midnight. We had called ahead to make sure an attendant would be there so the runway lights would be on for us and someone would be able to take care of the plane. As we passed Panama City, I was able to radio the Aero Park and had them order a limo for Ben and Beth.

Once on the ground, parked by the ops building, we unloaded everything and sent Ben and Beth home. I put our luggage into the truck and put the three car seats into the Expedition. Ten minutes later, I was carrying sleeping kids into their rooms so their mothers could get them undressed for bed. Surprisingly, this Saturday night there were still quite a few people on the patio partying hardy. Some had been to the hot tub, some had been swimming, and still more had just gotten back from a ride. Henry and Nancy were having a great time with Bear, Crystal, Hap, and Margie.

Once the kids were in bed, Sue and Mercy came out and wanted a Cuba Libre. I made up the very light rum and Diet Cokes with lime, and made up a Beefeaters for me. Tiny and Ruth were still up and apparently had been up to the hot tub with Kevin, Susan, Bear, Crystal, Hap, and Margie. They said they were having a great time when they were invaded by a bunch of older park residents. They had wanted our group to stay but Bear said, "Wow, some of those old ladies were scary."

Ruth said, "Just wait, Bear, you'll probably be scary looking in a few years too. You'll just be another old, hairy, fat guy."

Bear groaned; knowing what she said was probably true.

We talked about our trip a little, then a little at a time, we cleaned up the patio, fixed the big coffeepot, and drifted off to our beds. Both ladies were enthusiastic bed partners tonight. Both said they had missed being loved in our own bed. They were equally enamored over each other, since when I failed to get it up again, they just tangled up between themselves. Wonder what time they finally went to sleep.

Ah, Sunday morning. The clock said seven. All of these time zone changes were tough. I slipped from bed, checked the three kids, showered quickly, and put on shorts and a T-shirt.

Glenda was in a filmy robe, waiting for company. I gave her a hug and joined her with a cup of coffee. We had only begun to chat, when Ruth came in with a totally transparent gown. Minutes later, Sandy and Mandy showed up with gowns matching Ruth's. The next to show was Shawna, in her long T-shirt, carrying her little girl. Debbie and Hanna showed up, wearing really torn-up T-shirts with big holes, carrying their boy and girl respectively. They put the kids down, and made sure everyone knew the T-shirts were their only covering. Hanna had done a great job losing weight and was now approaching her pre-pregnancy weight and sexy appearance.

Next up was a surprise. Nancy and Crystal arrived in robes that were the same as Ruth's. Wow! There was a lot of woman on display this morning. As some of the men began showing up, Crystal and Nancy went in to wake my two ladies. While they were gone, Juanita showed up in another transparent gown. She was excited to see me, and gave me a very healthy, intimate kiss. That'll make you tongue tied in the morning.

Crystal and Nancy came out, pulling the now sexily gowned Mercy and Sue. All four girls had a dreamy look on their face and as Sue and Mercy gave me a good morning kiss, their pussy breath was overwhelming. It wasn't going to be long until I was dragging one of my ladies back to bed.

Samantha and Mickey showed up sexily clad, then Phil and Judy showed up with Judy wearing a robe showing she still had a very sexy body. Even Alice showed up in a shimmering, but not transparent gown. It was similar to Glenda's.

There was far too much female flesh to concentrate this morning. I went into the kitchen to begin the Sunday breakfast. Hanna, Juanita, Glenda, and Nancy joined me as we did the bacon, sausage, pancakes, biscuits, and eggs. While we were there Hanna, Juanita, and Nancy kept brushing against me with their sexy gowns. A breast on the arm, one on the back, another on the chest, it was becoming "hard" to get anything done. Next Susan showed up in a copy of Ruth's robe. While I was standing gawking at my older sister, she came up to me, pressed her breasts into my chest, and said, "Welcome home, Brother. You should have told Kevin and me about your hot tub club. It is really something."

I looked around for Dennis and his sister but was told they were at a sleepover. Susan said that was how she could get away with dressing sexily. All of the guys ate while checking out the girls of their choice. The guys all had to keep adjusting themselves, as the view was really enjoyable.

Tiny had most of the crew half-crocked with Bloody Mary's and screwdrivers, claiming that the ones who didn't want the kicker should have some orange juice or tomato mix. The young mothers resisted the offers as they had kids to watch after, as Sue, Shawna, and Mercy still nursed.

Damn! I love Sunday mornings.

After breakfast, Tiny got out a bunch of pictures of boats. He went over several with Sue, but suggested that the best way was to go see the boat and have a test ride to see it perform. Our paid maritime engineer had surveyed all of the boats Tiny had information on.

Tiny also had a dossier on a maritime engineer that specialized in sailing craft. He said this man was known to be the expert in and around the Southeast U.S. He was expecting my call or could come out to talk with us. Mercy said to call him and ask him out at his earliest convenience.

Tiny got out plans to show me the design for a hangar at the Aero Park. He had made an agreement for leasing the ground to build our hangar with space next to it so we could have two hangars if we thought it was necessary. Tiny had figures for how many instances there were for requests for small, medium, and large charters that were going unfilled or where planes were brought in even from out of state to fulfill the charter. The quantity of missed business was astounding. Tiny said that a local limo service often got the business when it wasn't too far or when commercial flights couldn't be arranged.

He said we could probably have at least one additional 200, two 206s or 210s, a couple of student planes, at least one Lear, and perhaps two Gulfstreams. Tiny had several sheets of paper showing purchase prices, anticipated maintenance, crew costs, fuel and fees, along with projected revenues that he said was intentionally only fifty percent of what was really expected. There was an amazing bottom line. The numbers were staggering when you consider how much some of the big planes cost.

"Where would we get the capital for all this, Tiny?" I asked trying to uncross my eyes from the numbers.

"You don't buy stuff like this, Steve, you lease it. You make a five-year lease then if you don't like the plane in five years, you give it back to the leasing company and get another one. The leasing companies have a backlog of people wanting to buy and/or lease, off lease equipment. There would be the additional expense of two more hangars if we bought everything listed here."

I laughed. "Tiny, all I did was ask you to build me a hangar and to save room for a second."

Tiny smiled, "I know how you think. First it's a model airplane, but you show up with two real ones. So if you can fill up two hangars, you'll be filling four. That's just the way you are."

Tiny continued, "I've taken the initiative to advertise for airplane mechanics. There seems to be several jet mechanics, but few with small plane experience. We may have to have some trained out at the Aero Park in order to handle the student planes."

"Wow! We'll look at all these numbers later. I didn't expect to be going into the charter service so fast. My goodness, we'll be looking for a lot of crew members too."

Tiny smiled, "It will be easy in Tampa. This is a hub for several airlines so there will be many people we can choose from those retiring and those who don't want to work steady routes for the airlines. There are a few hostesses that have found themselves out of jobs because they gave too many favors to passengers. They would be perfect for business charters."

Sue had heard that and said, "Are you pimping now, Tiny?"

"No, just promoting a business opportunity," Tiny said with a straight face. "Might as well take advantage of a young lady's proclivity to make passengers comfortable."

Sue exclaimed, "Yeah, right." Then she asked, "If we do this charter thing should we do it with another corporation or include it in one of the existing ones?"

"Separate corporation." Tiny stated. "Something like this has a high risk so we should keep it separate, with the corporate officers paid only minimum amounts. As profits accumulate, we can do something with them."

A tall, older, man with graying hair, complete with a worn captain's hat, came onto the patio. He confidently asked loudly, "Steve Sharp?"

I stood up and went to find out who he was.

"My name is John Morgan. Your man contacted me about finding you a sailboat. How about offering me a cup of coffee and we'll talk about what you're looking for?"

I drew the man a mug of coffee plus another for myself and sat with him at one of the round tables. Mercy had heard John Morgan's announcement and came to sit with us. I introduced her to him, and he asked, "How much do you know about sailing?"

I explained my limited experience of sailing the over one hundred foot sloop from the San Juan Islands down to San Francisco, and the recent cruise out to sea and back. I told him of the instruction Dewey had given me and that I had a captain's license for what good that was.

"If the man is an old time sailor, and signed for you to captain a like vessel, you are obviously worthy. Real sailors don't make those recommendations lightly. When it's time, I'll help you get your sea legs again. Now do you want a big boat like he has or perhaps a smaller one?"

I thought for a second before responding. "I think that a first boat should be probably half that size, but I would like all of the conveniences and automated equipment that he has so I could sail it by myself if necessary or if I wanted to. It needs to be large enough that my family and I can go out for a week without being too cramped, but small enough that it will be easy to get into most harbors with slips along the coast."

"Good choices. Would you want one, two, or perhaps three staterooms?"

"John, I think either two or three. We would probably be okay with two but if we brought another couple with us, we would need three."

"Okay Steve, how about motors, generators, and electronics."

"That's easy," I said. "Yes."

I paused and smiled, "With a boat that size a small diesel. It would be nice to have two, but one should be fine with sufficient fuel storage. Definitely a main and backup generator, and as far as electronics I would want a good full range radar, GPS, gyro compass, magnetic compass, radios, and depth finders fore and aft plus anything else you think we might need. I would want to make sure we had plenty of fresh water storage."

He said he would be right back and went to his car and came back with a large salesman's sample case. He thumbed through files in the case and pulled out five folders. "These five boats are all forty-five to sixty-five feet and for the most part have what you are looking for. Let's go through them one at a time."

We looked at each one while he explained what features each had. Once we had gone through all of them, Mercy wanted to look at a fifty-five foot and the sixty-five foot again. She had John go over the features that they had individually and what we would need to do to make the boats our sea home. She folded up the fifty-five foot folder and handed it back to John and said pointing at the other open folder, "I like this one. When can we go look at it?"

John looked at me and back at Mercy. "This is in Jacksonville right now, but will be ferried back to Naples, probably Wednesday or Thursday."

Mercy said, "Can we go up there and help ferry the boat back? That would be a good way for us to find out if we like the boat and what we would need to do to it."

"I can call and find out. Perhaps they would even pay us to ferry it back instead of paying another company. I think that between Steve and me, we can sail the boat back here. What do you think, Steve?"

"Sure, why not. I can get us a plane ride up to Jacksonville from Monday on and then we can sail the boat back to Naples. If we wanted to bring it here, where would be a good place to rent a slip?"

John thought a minute, "You could get a slip at the Tampa Yacht Club. That's about twenty to twenty-five minutes, but you have to go a long way to get out of the bay. If you don't mind the congestion you could go to Clearwater Marina that is about forty minutes away or for a nice place that isn't that far you could get a Dunedin Yacht club slip that is about thirty minutes away and right on the gulf."

"Make arrangements for us to go get the boat and sail it back," I said. "We'll know before we get to Naples if it's what we want. We can either bring it back here or just leave it in Naples and get a ride back up here. We have a plane and my wife can fly us to Jacksonville and if necessary pick us up in Naples."

John asked to use a phone and I showed him the phone in the kitchen. Mercy was squirming around in her chair waiting for him to come out. When he did, she looked up at him expectantly.

John announced, "We can get the boat tomorrow. The owner will have it stocked and fueled, ready for us anytime after nine in the morning. He's come down a little on his price and I think he will come down a little more. He needs to sell the boat as he's had some bad days in the market lately. You know how it is with some of these guys, easy come, easy go."

Mercy looked at me and asked, "Can we go in the morning? I'll make sure there is someone to watch the kids. I'm sure Sue will be okay with it, let me ask."

Mercy was gone in a flash and came back to the patio, almost dragging Sue back, while Mercy was carrying Mike.

Sue was near laughing. "Okay, okay, I'll fly you guys up to Jacksonville in the morning and come pick you up in Naples if necessary. If you park, or is that dock, the boat around here, I'll come pick you up. Mercy wants this too much to miss out on."

We told John to meet us here and we would drive out to the Aero Park together. His car would be safe here. He asked how long it would take to fly up there. When I told him about a half hour, he was surprised. I told him we would spend more time taxiing, taking off, and landing than we would in the air.

Sue wanted to know how long it would take to get back here or to Naples. John said, "If we don't stop at night we should be back by Wednesday or Thursday. If we anchored at night we won't be back till Friday or Saturday."

Sue asked, "Will you be within cell phone range most of the time?"

John answered, "We should be almost all the way. There are a couple of places where we have to get out fairly far, due to shallows and rocks, and going through the Keys, we will have to either pay the bridge toll or go around. It's a nice sail around Key West though."

Sue commented, "Steve has a ton of things happening all at once, as usual, and we may need him to make some decisions quickly."

John left, with Mercy playing with Mike while she was excited to be going sailing. She said to Sue and me, "When Mike, Lizzy, and Steve get older, we can all go sailing together. We could go anywhere in a big boat like Dewey has. The kids could really learn a lot about the world if we sailed around it."

Sue couldn't get over how excited Mercy was.

Sunday evening, Sue and I went out for a ride on the shovelhead with Hap, Bear, Charlie, and Jim, accompanied by their ladies. We rode up to Bear's clubhouse, and after visiting, we rode to Dade City and back home, a nice ride. Funny to think of all the different forms of transportation we used in just the last few days, sailboat, airplane, car, truck, and motorcycle.

When we went to sleep that night, Sue and I made love to Mercy for a long, long time, trying to calm her down. Her anticipation level was out of sight.

When I awoke, I wasn't between my beauties. Mercy was in the middle, but her head was facing my feet. The two girls must have been up to something in the middle of the night as Sue's head was sleeping on one of Mercy's thighs and Mercy's head was on one of Sue's. It's a good thing I'm a sound sleeper, otherwise I wouldn't be as rested as I was.

As I slipped out of bed, Mercy's eyes popped open and she grinned at me. She mouthed, "I love you" and said aloud, "Let's get a shower and pack, so we're ready when John gets here."

Mercy was all business this morning. She was showered and dressed before me. She brought out my old duffel bag suggesting it would be good for the trip. I pulled out four pair of jeans and four pair of shorts along with a half dozen T-shirts, a couple of long sleeve shirts, a heavy wind breaker, socks, and an extra pair of sneakers. Mercy watched me and duplicated what I packed. I told her to pack my razor and our toothbrushes, along with soaps and four towels and wash rags. When she was done, I carried the duffel bag to the living room.

Sue got up and showered, and called me from the patio to come back to the bedroom. "Honey, I keep remembering the trip we made from Seattle to San Francisco and think you should take at least one gun. Take that fancy new aluminum case you have and fill it up with hardware. It wouldn't hurt you know."

I pulled out the case and immediately brought the AR-15 out and broke it down so it fit easily in the compact case with four magazines. I put a Glock 9mm in the case with three extra magazines. That should be enough. Sue made sure my cell was fully charged and that I had my charger and converter packed.

Mercy had been flitting around playing with Mike, changing and dressing him, and she devoted attention to Liz who was giggling as usual. She is such a happy baby. Little Steve recognized something was up and wanted to be held. I gave him hugs and kisses, saying we wouldn't be gone long. He became interested in eating and jabbering with CJ.

Juanita and Glenda said they would watch the kids while Sue flew us up to Jacksonville. Since Mickey was off, she wanted to fly with us. It was good that she did so Sue would have company on the way back.

John Morgan showed up in time for a breakfast sandwich, washed down with orange juice and coffee. Between swallows he asked, "Do you guys get together like this often?"

Tiny spoke up, "Every morning and every evening. Most of us work for either S&S or Quality, so it gives us a chance to rev up for the day."

"I'll say," John said. "This is like a mess hall in the military on payday. Everyone's happy anticipating a great day."

Charlie added, "Having breakfast here with your friends in the morning, knowing your family is being taken care of and looked after, makes it easy to go to work. I know my two kids are being taken care of and that my wife is going to work where she is safe and happy."

Crystal, who was lounging in Bear's lap, said, "I'll say were happy. I'm safe too because I have this lummox of a security guard watching out for me all day."

Mercy, Sue, and I gave all the kids a hug and kiss, then loaded John and Mickey up in my pickup and headed to the Aero Park. Once there we carried our luggage to the plane that was already outside the hangar, waiting for us.

Sue took over and began the preflight inspection routine. Once inside, while she was doing the cockpit check, I gave the safety talk, making sure seatbelts were secure, and after shutting the door, I climbed into the right seat. Sue wanted to do all of the procedures by herself as she had always done it with someone else and wanted the practice doing it by herself. She used the flipchart so it was easily done in the proper order.

The flight was smooth and quick. We set down in the municipal airport nearest the harbor where the boat was located. Once we were parked and tied down, Sue wanted to see the boat so we called a taxi to take us all to the slip.

At first glance you think the boat is as big as Dewey's but as soon as you see it from the side you realize it is almost half the size. John had gone to the yacht club office to get the keys for the cabins and lockers. As soon as he returned, he and I pulled the cover from the deck cabin and lounge. Next, he opened the vents over the engine and generator, turning on the fans as he did.

While we were doing this, Sue and Mickey were exploring the boat. Sue came back up to say that the boat was nice below deck. She said it was a little dusty but should clean up nice.

I disconnected the shore power, checked the water level and drew a small cup to taste the water to see if were stagnant. It seemed fine. It was supposed to be fresh but sometimes people skip draining and refilling tanks. I checked the diesel fuel level and signaled John that I was clear so he could start the engines.

Both motors fired up immediately. While we let the engines warm up, I pulled the covers off the sails and checked the pulleys that were used to hoist the sails.

In the cockpit area, John had turned on the GPS and the radar. It takes the radar a little time to get the signatures down, or warm up, or something. I just know it takes some time before it works right. John checked the radios and checked the emergency radio. We both checked for life jackets and safety equipment such as flares and an inflatable raft with an emergency beacon. We both walked back and inspected the tiny dinghy on the rear davits.

It looked like we were ready. John gave us all a guided tour of the boat, showing storage areas in each cabin, and going over the galley. He showed me where to switch the refrigerator over to generator from shore power and advised that the fridge was separate from all the other lighting. He said the boat was equipped with regular 115/220 60 cycle shore power and generator but had the switching to go to 220 shore power. In addition the boat had a full set of 12 volt lights so it could run on batteries or direct alternator power.

Sue and Mickey gave us hugs and kisses, and left in the taxi that was waiting for them. John said, "Let's get underway."

With Mercy following me, I released the aft line, then walked forward and released the bowline. Once they were released, I showed Mercy how to coil the line up on the deck so it was easy to get at. As John eased the boat out of the slip I had to stand on the rear deck so I could watch for clearance in the tightly packed yacht club.

When we were finally in an area where we could swing the boat around, John brought the bow around to head out toward the Atlantic. As we passed the final buoy John said, "At last. There isn't much wind in near shore so let's get out a couple of miles before we raise the sail."

We headed straight southeast until we were about two miles out where John cut the engines and showed me how the electric sails worked on this boat. They were similar to Dewey's, just not as many and not as large. The wind was from the east northeast so we were heeled over a little, but moving along very nicely. John was aware of Mercy's interest and made sure she understood each step and term. This trip would be a great learning experience for Mercy.

John told me to take the wheel and gave me a bearing to keep while he went into the lounge and weather deck so he could spread out his charts. Mercy had followed him in so she could understand what he was doing there as well. In the front of the lounge, at the foul weather helm, the boat had a large chart table with clips to hold down charts that had been rolled up. John showed Mercy the trip we were going to take and the few hazards we needed to be aware of. He noted the positions of the hazards and came back out to enter the locations into the GPS so we had five-mile warnings of each hazard. We had a submerged island about a hundred miles south and just after that a sunken merchant ship that had not been salvaged and near Miami there was a causeway built three miles out into the sea. All three were easy to avoid but we needed to be aware of them in any event.

The weather was beautiful for sailing. It didn't take long for Mercy to understand why I had brought caps for us to wear. The sun beat down on you hard out on the water. Sunscreen was a necessity.

I had gone down to the galley and made coffee, scrounging around to make up a few ham sandwiches. When I brought up the coffee and sandwiches, I was a hero. The open sea air makes you hungry.

After we ate, Mercy went up to the bow of the boat and was standing there with her cap off and the wind blowing her pony tail. When I went up to her she said, "This is a feeling that I've always looked for. This is what I was born to do. I really love the sea. I know it can get nasty, but I'll bet I'll still love the sea. I just have to learn how to handle myself in rough seas."

Later that evening, after we had sailed out from shore about five miles, I fixed a meatloaf for us to have for supper and lunch tomorrow. After checking the GPS, John said we had traveled about a hundred miles. He said we had a choice to either, go in near shore and anchor for the night, or take turns at helm through the night.

Mercy wanted to keep going but wanted to share the helm with me as she wasn't confident in her skills yet. I told John to go to bed and I would wake him about four. It was only eleven but I knew he needed a little more sleep at his age than Mercy or I did.

For the next five hours we averaged about nine to ten miles an hour according to the GPS. So when it was time to wake John we were nearing the Keys.

Mercy had made coffee and a snack for John. She asked if it was going to be interesting going around the Keys or would going to bed be reasonable. John estimated the enjoyable viewing would happen in about four hours so he said he would wake us. He showed me the button that rang a bell in the main stateroom when he wanted to summon us.

We had not been asleep long before the bell went off. I jumped up noting the time and slipped on my shoes and climbed up to the deck. John looked concerned, "Ah, I didn't mention anything to you but sometimes there is a problem with people who want to steal your boat. I'm not saying something is happening but," he pointed to a blip on the radar, "there has been a boat off our stern for the last hour. They appear to be getting closer but at a slow closure. I have a pistol in my luggage, so we have some protection."

"Gotcha covered, John. Mercy, go down and bring that aluminum case up to the lounge."

When Mercy came up to the lounge, I opened the case and assembled the AR and locked a magazine in place. I pulled out the Glock, checked to be sure the clip was loaded then and it into my belt. Back out at the helm, I propped the AR up so it would be easy to reach.

"When we took that trip I told you about, we helped a couple who had been attacked by some pirates, then we were attacked by the same people. Luckily our friend who owned the boat, had plenty of firepower. Sue reminded me to bring some protection with us."

"This is good. I feel a lot better. Perhaps it's nothing but it's better to be sure. Go back to bed. If this boat begins to close fast, I'll ring you."

Mercy and I went back downstairs and again laid down with our clothes on. Nothing happened until around eight the bell rang. I hustled topside quickly to find a Coast Guard cutter coming up on us.

John said, "It was these guys all along. They radioed a little while ago to announce they wanted to board us for inspection, so I've already dropped the sails.

I checked the approaching cutter with the binoculars and could see uniformed men on the bow and on the rear deck. I went to the rail and threw over a few fenders and stood ready to catch a line they were ready to throw.

They were gentle in their approach and slowly drifted up next to us. Once they had thrown their bowline two men jumped on our deck and went back to tie a stern line as well.

An officer asked for the registry so John showed the papers explaining we were prospective purchasers of the boat and were ferrying it from Jacksonville to either Naples or Tampa. He asked if they could search the boat for contraband and we of course gave them permission.

As soon as one of the Coast Guard crewmen entered the lounge and saw the open case he came back out holding an AR clip. I pointed to the AR propped up near the helm and turned around to show him the Glock in my waist band. I explained why the weapons were out and they accepted that explanation. It took them close to thirty minutes to go over the entire boat before saying they wanted to look into the water storage container that was below the galley. John and I went below and figured out how to raise the deck. There was a large inspection hatch on top of the water tank that was easy to lift. The crewmen used large lights to look into the tank through the water. After closing that hatch he asked to open the fuel tank hatch then with a large probe, poked around in the tank. These guys were really determined that something was on board.

The officer asked if we would mind motoring into a nearby port for more inspection. John and I looked at each other and said we would be happy to, but what were they looking for.

The officer said that this boat had been identified as a boat that had been carrying drugs and had been meeting fast boats off shore, bringing the drugs back into shore. John and I nodded, then I said, "Leave a couple of your men on board and we will follow you in."

I started the fans for the motors and in a couple of minutes John started the engines up. The crewmen staying on board released the lines then pulled the fenders. We were at seventy-five percent power but the cutter was separating from us. John radioed the cutter saying our best would be about ten knots and if they would give us the coordinates we would enter them into the GPS and meet them. They gave us the location but also slowed down.

As we were coming toward shore, I took the AR into the lounge, broke it down, and put it and the Glock back into the case. I didn't ask her to, but Mercy took the case down to the stateroom. She was a gracious hostess as she brought up mugs of coffee for the crewmen as well as John and me.

When we were finally tied up at the Coast Guard dock, they brought out a couple of dogs and walked through the entire boat. I noticed a diver go under to what I figured was to inspect under the hull. They had a big hose and pump they connected to the holding tank and flushed it out a couple of times and inserted an optic camera to view the empty tank.

A DEA agent identified himself and John had to show him all of the papers again. He had a local deputy sheriff with him that said he had to confiscate my guns. I pulled my carry permit and showed it to him and asked for what reason he was going to confiscate my weapons. When he said, "Because." I pulled out the Major's card and told him to call this man and find out whether he should or could do that.

After about three hours the Coast Guard, the DEA agent, and the deputy sheriff were all convinced that we didn't have any drugs on board. The deputy was still acting pushy but did not ask to seize my weapons any longer. I told the Coast Officer, "If you want to send a couple of your men with us, you're welcome to, but otherwise we need to be going. We've lost more than a half a day. We would like to continue our voyage."

The DEA agent asked John, "How much is the owner of the boat asking?" John brought out the folder and showed him all the numbers. The agent said, "How about I buy the boat so we can take it apart. If it comes out clean, we'll have it put back together and offer it to you for a reduced price."

John turned to me, "They usually put these boats back together nice so it won't kill the boat. The only thing they haven't done is to remove the masts. I don't think there are drugs on the boat but if you don't let them look, you'll be suspect."

Mercy asked the DEA agent, "I really want this boat, but I don't want it all messed up. If you take it apart make sure you put it back together right. I want it to be safe too."

John and I went below to get our duffel bags and my case. Once we were about to get on the dock, John asked, "Do you have any cruisers or large fishing boats that are for sale. Mr. Sharp is in the market for something in the forty to fifty foot range. Perhaps you could sell us something we can use to complete our trip."

The Coast Guard officer and DEA agent said to come with them. They had a forty-five foot fishing boat with big cabins, a nice galley, and a great lounge. It had dual helms plus a flying bridge with a good array of electronics, along with six outriggers and two fighting chairs. It was nice. The paint was a little dull and the Coast Guard guy said the hull could use a cleaning but the boat was in very good shape.

John asked, "Why hasn't it sold?"

"It has been in an estate war for two years. We finally filed papers and we now own it. It had been a coke transport vessel but it's clean now. Want a deal?"

John looked at the boat, checked the engines, and started them. He went through the boat thoroughly and came back to me, "What they want for this is about twenty-five percent of what it's worth. Buy it. If you don't like it after you clean it up, we'll sell it and make a killing."

I turned to the two men. Who do I buy this from and who do I pay. The DEA guy said, "We've checked out who you are. Give your bank a call and we will withdraw the agreed upon amount."

I used my cell phone and called Tiny. I told him to authorize the DEA to withdraw the money and told him we might have a surprise. He should call the marina up in Dunedin and tell him to look for a forty-five footer to be pulling in this evening.

I called Sue to give her a rundown on what had happened and told her to be sure to bring Tiny with her to pick us up.

While we were taking care of the details, the Coast Guard officer had his men top off the fuel and fill the fresh water tank. After figuring out how to turn the fridge on, Mercy transferred the food from the sailboat to the big cruiser. The officer asked if I had a license for a boat this large, so I pulled my captain's license out. He was impressed that I was rated for such big craft.

Within an hour, we were idling away from the Coast Guard dock having all the appropriate papers. Soon we were clear, able to speed up on our journey, now north. In no time we were up to a little over twenty-two knots, heading home.

John was able to spread out his charts and cursed not having a radar and GPS. He said that would be some of the first things we would get for the boat.

On the way north, John said this had been a very successful trip. Since I didn't buy the sailboat but someone else did, he could get the sales commission on it. He said that since I was his employee while we were trying to buy the boat, he couldn't reasonably charge the owner commission. But since the DEA bought it at the asked for price, he was entitled to the money.

We toasted John with mugs of coffee.

Our progress was better than expected as we passed Naples, and the bay there, well before we thought we would. John was using the Loran C to get our location and to plot our course. He said it wasn't too difficult, but it was not near as easy as using the modern GPS. I demonstrated to John that I could calculate a position as it was part of my instrument flight training.

To pass the time, John had me at the wheel while he made a list of work to be done on this boat. He said the first thing to do was to get the boat out of water and get the barnacles off. He could then give a good opinion of the condition of the hull. He said the rest of the boat looked in good condition, but it needed paint and polishing everywhere.

Mercy said it didn't look like the staterooms had ever been used. She said that even though there was dust every where, the sheets were brand new and had never been used or washed. She also said it didn't look as if the kitchen had been used much either. Whoever had the boat and used it for drugs must have just taken it out, picked up what they were looking for and returned.

John said if the gauges were correct, the motors were very efficient, as our fuel consumption was not as high as many boats this size.

As we passed Tampa bay, I used my cell phone to call Sue to tell her we should be in Dunedin no later than nine. She said she would meet us, with Tiny, as he was dying to see what we had picked up.

When we approached Dunedin, John took over piloting the boat and brought it toward a small harbor area where many bigger boats were berthed. At first we tied up to a main dock and after being assigned to a slip, John maneuvered the boat into the slip nose out, stern first. As we were tying up the boat, Sue, Tiny, Phil, Ruth, and Judy all showed up. The motors were still running so while we were connecting shore power and water, they toured the boat looking at what we had purchased.

John explained to Tiny that it would cost some money to get it in perfect condition but if we didn't like it we would triple our money, at a minimum.

Mercy was lamenting to Sue that she had really liked the sailboat we had been on and we would possibly still be able to get it from the DEA. John said they usually kept their word to people who were cooperative with them. He figured between one and two weeks before we would hear from them. Mercy said she could wait.

Sue asked John if he would remain an employee, supervise the refitting of the boat, and to remain alert for opportunities to find an even better sailboat. John said he would be happy to do that if he could still do some selling when he had the opportunity. We were all agreeable, so we closed up the boat and headed home.

As soon as we arrived home, Mercy and Sue were inside checking on the three kids. Juanita said they had all been good and happy. They had spent most of their time with the other kids, so they were happy and healthy. It was late and the little ones were too sleepy to stay awake, so they let them sleep.

We spent an hour explaining our trip and the mess with the Coast Guard and DEA. It had been an interesting adventure that turned out pretty much okay. John promised to give us a first survey on the boat by Friday. Tiny told him he should come Friday evening for supper and our usual end of the week party. Tiny said it was a lot of fun and John would enjoy himself.

We finally closed the patio and went to bed. Sue was in need of attention and Mercy told Sue that we didn't have any opportunity to relax long enough for some on board loving before or after the Coast Guard incident. I did my best to make Sue know how important she is to me before I gave Mercy all of my attention for as long as I could hold on. Then the two ladies were kissing and loving each other, telling the other how they had missed each other. Surprisingly though, we all three quickly went to sleep, with Sue in the middle.

Original Editing by Pepere

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 40



As I woke, I could hear the rain pounding on the roof. It was really coming down. I thought I should probably go do bus duty and get some of the people who were far off. First stop was Nelda and Ernie, over to pick up Henry and Nancy, Susan and Kevin, then Juanita. The kids said they would drive over in the El Camino.

On the patio, the air was on low, with the fans circulating the heavy damp air. When Sue came out, she asked me, "Should I put on my swim suit for old times sake?" Everyone who had been on the patio the morning that Sue and I met had a good laugh.

Martin said to Sue, "Don't take this wrong, but your breast size is much more manageable now that you've had two little ones. You don't hardly sag, even as large as you are, but I have to say you look a lot more normal now than you did when you sported a couple of balloons on your chest."

"Thank you, Martin," Sue said. "My hubby seems very happy with them too. The kids don't seem to mind that they are smaller. I don't either. I feel very sexy in my current size. The way big Steve chases me around, I think he's content."

Mercy leaned over to me and said, "And I think they are scrumptious, delicious, and fun."

Sue heard her and gave her a hug. "I like your B's just fine too, Mercy. We all seem to enjoy all our parts."

The typical Florida weather had the rain stop and the sun out before everyone had finished breakfast. The rain band probably didn't cover much area at all. All of the raindrops on the plants glistened and sparkled, displaying the freshness of a morning shower.

Tiny said that before we went into the shop this morning, we should go out to the Aero Park to check on the building progress.

When Tiny, Phil, and I went to the Aero Park, he directed me to a mass of activity just on the other side of the park's big maintenance hangar. There were a half dozen S&S Construction Company trucks with at least four dozen men pouring concrete in one area and six big concrete trucks lined up. Just in back of that was another large expanse that was being fitted with pipes being prepared for a large slab. Across from all of this were two more distinct areas that were being staked off for more construction. Between the two areas a couple of bulldozers and graders were preparing the ground surface with shale and gravel for paving.

I looked at Tiny and asked, "Why do I get the impression that someone is building four really big hangars here?"

"They are, Steve," Tiny said with a straight face. "The new company is building four hangars that can each accommodate two Gulfstreams or several other types of aircraft. Since S&S specializes in General Steel buildings, we got a deal on four, so I just told them to go ahead and build four."

I was a little shocked. "What are we going to do with four hangars?"

"Well, we know that we need two. One for your three planes plus we're looking for another 200 and another 210. We've made arrangements for a Gulfstream V and a Lear. If we don't need the space across the ramp from the other two hangars, we can rent out one. The end one in this group is for helicopters. I have one small company with two helicopters committed to rent space, plus I think we might house one of a TV network's two helicopters. If I can find one more company with two more aircraft, that hangar will be pay for the two on that side."

Now I wasn't shocked, I was stunned. "Who's going to manage all of this?"

"Easy, Boss, your best charter pilot says he has to take it easy, as he may not pass his flight physical and would love to still be a part of us. He's lined up several flight crews, and has signed us up with a national air charter group that we can use to sell time when we don't have local charters."

While I was leaning on the front of my truck, Pete Santos, the Aero Park owner, walked up with his hand out to shake mine. "How are you doing, Steve. I can't thank you enough for expanding my little airport. Your addition out here will put us on the map. It's going to allow me to have some of the best electronics available. More and more people will be stopping by here. I'm already making arrangements for a larger fuel concession so I can begin selling bulk fuel at discounted prices, and your Glenda has the cook from your main shop opening a small snack shop in the addition to the operations building."

Pete was very animated. "I'm searching for a couple more good mechanics for the increased business I'm going to get. I've already found two men for you that Tiny asked me for. I'm glad you'll have a couple of your own men since your needs alone would swamp us. We'll still do a lot of your work, but your day to day work will be handled internally for you."

I smiled at Pete, but gave Tiny and Phil a wayward glance, "I'm glad you're happy with the construction. What do you think of all of this talk about helicopters?"

"I hate those things," Pete said. "They are scary as hell. Something without wings shouldn't be allowed to fly, but they sure are convenient for what they're used for. The company coming in here has a great safety record. All of the pilots are ex-military with a ton of hours. The mechanical crew they have is very well known and will be doing a great business in repair. Like I said, your new additions are going to be a real boon to me."

Pete came in closer to me and said, "Since you're going to have a nice office building between these two hangars, John's going to need some office help. I have a niece that has just finished business school at Hillsborough Community College. She doesn't have any office experience yet, but I'd bet she could learn to be a very good office manager for you. I know she's dependable, because she's worked for me a few summers and part time while she's been going to school. And the best thing is that John thinks the world of her."

"Tell you what, Pete, tell her to go down to the main shop and see Ruth. I'll let Ruth know she's coming. We might have to have someone work with her to set up the office, but she sounds fine for the job." I turned to Tiny and asked, "Where is this office building going to be?"

Tiny pointed toward an area between the two big hangars that was ready for the slab to be poured and said, "Right between the two hangars. It will have doors into both hangars, plus it will have locker rooms for the crews and mechanics."

"Tiny," I said in amazement, "How did you come up with all this so fast? I just asked you to do this a couple of days ago."

Phil blew it for Tiny by saying, "Shoot, he's had this planned for months. As a matter of fact, he was going to start construction a couple of days ago anyway. You gave your blessing just before he started."

Tiny looked a little sheepish but said, "We were making enough money renting out your airplanes, that I knew it was going to pay to expand the charter and rental business. If we are going to do it, we might as well jump in with both feet. We have the right people to make it work; all we needed was the tools."

"You have any other surprises, Tiny?" I asked, waving them into the truck so we could go to the shop. Pete waved at me on the way to his maintenance hangar.

At the shop, Debbie had moved into Sue's desk and her desk had been removed and replaced by a table with chairs. There was an attractive brunette that I didn't know sitting at my desk. Debbie introduced her as Annette, her new assistant, and that she was working with her closely for a few days to teach her what she needed to know.

Debbie looked at me coyly, "I put some messages for you to return up in the big office. You don't mind using that for a while do you? I need your desk down here right now."

I frowned but went upstairs to the huge office. The desk had all my stuff on it, including a framed picture of Sue, Mercy, Stevie, Mike, and Lizzy. As I was looking at everything, Debbie came in with a cup of coffee for me. "What do you think, Steve? Think you can work up here for a while? Everyone in the company wants you to be in here, so I went along with it and moved you up here."

I walked over to the big windows and looked down onto the work floors. "I hate to be so far from the activity. I know I don't do anything with them very often, but I feel like I've abandoned the men that make this place work."

"They're the ones that want you up here, Steve. Every one of them knows that you're the glue that holds us all together. You've given us all so much; we want you to have an office that's special. Maybe this will convince you to spend more time finding new things for us to do. All of us have this feeling of anticipation that something new is going to begin any second. We wait for it. We actually hunger for it. You sneaked the business park in on us, then all of a sudden, we have a huge construction company that keeps getting bigger. We never know what's next. There's a rumor you're starting a charter airline now too."

"Thanks for the confidence, Debbie, but Tiny's behind the charter stuff. Once again, I'm just along for the ride."

"Yeah, sure, Steve."

"So Debbie, where's the stack of messages that I need to return?"

Debbie was a little red-faced, but handed me a single message slip. It was from Sue. The ruse was so funny that I laughed loudly. Debbie laughed as well. My laugh must have been a signal, as Ruth stepped in the door followed by Phil and Judy. Tiny walked in behind them and said, "Son of a gun, we finally got him in his office."

Phil, Tiny, and Ruth all had cups of coffee and sat at the small conference table. Ruth and Phil both had folders in their hands.

"Has someone called a meeting?" I asked.

Ruth said, "I have a couple of questions about the new charter company."

Phil added, "I'd like to show you the idea Atlanta has."

Debbie said, "Maybe I should stay to referee."

"I'm leaving," Tiny said happily. "I have some number crunchers that need to be watched."

Ruth asked me her questions and I answered as best as possible, since I didn't know S&S had a new division for air charter service. There it was though, a folder with S&S Air Charter Service, Inc. The folder contained several employment applications with a printed sheet that listed pay scales. That would be Tiny's work. I told her about Pete Santos' niece so she wouldn't be surprised. I told her to give her to Debbie to train for a while, then to let Judy work with her to teach customer service.

Phil showed me Atlanta's plan to service the road construction companies. Previously the construction companies had to bring the equipment into their shop for repair but we were now going to have mobile repair centers for on site repair. We were offering maintenance agreements that included preventative maintenance checks. We were guaranteeing that we would keep them in business or provide a loaner if it couldn't be repaired on site. He said the idea could be duplicated throughout the company and should bring in some heavy profits.

I looked at Phil and said, "Get together with Abe and Tiny to make sure of the numbers, then make it happen. Both you and Abe will benefit from this one."

Phil said, "It's going to increase Atlanta's numbers about fifteen percent overall. It's that big."

"Make sure that where we institute the plan, the pricing is appropriate for the area," I cautioned. "Areas like Chicago need to be more to account for the unions, as well as the cold weather. The units will have a higher failure rate in that frigid climate than those in the warm areas. Remember to always use Abe's clause for customer damage."

Phil was making notes and said, "I'll get Tiny to help me come up with the initial numbers, then I'll have Ryan begin to roll out the marketing. This will be big if we can do it in all of our branches."

When Phil left, I took my cup and sat at the big desk, noticed the pink message slip and called Sue.

"Are you in your new office?" Sue asked.

"Yes, I've already had meetings with Ruth and Phil in here. I'm not sure I really like being up here. It's lonely and not full of activity like downstairs. I feel a little disconnected. You know Debbie's moved into your desk."

Sue said, "Debbie and I talked about that a while ago. You'll still have the use of the desk downstairs, but they all want you in the big office. They want that room to reflect you, so put some pictures of oil wells and oil platforms in there, maybe a model airplane, or a couple of model motorcycles. Make it look like your office."

"I guess I'm not around that much anyway, so it really doesn't make a difference. Now I know why you raised hell about your new office at the plant in the park."

"You got it. I still get to be involved, but now that the thing has been set in motion, everyone just keeps giving it a push, and the company just rolls along. Our people make it succeed. We only have to keep finding people who want to succeed with us."

There was a pause before she asked, "Are you coming home for lunch and the gym?"

"Sure, but you sound like something's up."

"I think you need to take both Nelda and Ernie to the doctor. Ernie is having a real bad day, and I've been watching Nelda. I think she's having chest pains but won't say anything."

That'll make you get a cold sweat. "I'll be right there. Call their doc and see if he'd rather us just go straight to the emergency room." I hung up and was going downstairs instantly.

I told Debbie that I had to leave, as Ernie and Nelda weren't feeling well and was in my truck, pushing traffic all the way home.

As I pulled up to the patio, there was an ambulance in front. I rushed through the house, noticing the worried look on Juanita's face in the kitchen. On the patio, Nelda was laying on a couch with a paramedic attending to her. Ernie was sitting in one of the big chairs with his shirt open and another paramedic working on him. Sue, Mercy, Glenda, and Hanna were standing ready to help any way they could. I noticed Martin sitting at the table watching with a worried look.

The paramedic looked up and said, "We need to transport Mrs. Wainwright to the hospital immediately. I've called for another unit for Mr. Wainwright. What hospital do you want?"

Sue said, "University Community Hospital. Her doctor will meet you there."

All four women had big tears running down their faces as they shifted their attention to Ernie. He was out of it. The paramedic had him hooked up to a monitor and had given him some kind of injection.

A second ambulance showed up and the paramedics rushed in with a gurney. They loaded Ernie on it and took him outside. Both of our two seniors were on their way to the hospital.

The four women began preparing to leave. Sue said, "Let's go in the Expedition and Steve's truck. That way we'll have two vehicles there." She turned to Juanita and said, "Are you going to be okay taking care of the kids by yourself."

"We'll be here to help her." The voice came from Star who was walking in the door with DeDe. "We'll stay until you all come back."

Sue and Mercy gave the two girls a hug and went in to get their purses.

I thanked DeDe and Star, and went out to my truck where Glenda and Martin were standing by the door. Mercy and Hanna rode with Sue.

The hospital was a zoo as usual, the emergency room filled with people with hangnails, broken bones, and cuts. The desk nurse told us that both of our old people were being attended to and we would know something soon. Sue signed for them so the hospital people knew the expenses were going to be paid for.

Glenda and I went for coffee for everyone and returned with muffins as well. We had skipped lunch, so everyone enjoyed the food.

About an hour later, Nelda's doctor came out and told us, "Nelda's had a serious heart attack. She's stable right now but there has been a lot of damage. We'll just have to wait and see." Then he paused and said, "Ernie didn't make it. He had what appears to be a heart attack after having a massive stroke. I don't think he was in any pain after the stroke. His heart just quit."

The girls were all visibly weeping, but holding up, while hugging each other from the sad news.

A nurse came out to get the doctor and he left. We sat down to wait to see what we should do, then a few minutes later the doctor came out. He looked like he almost had tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry; I couldn't do anything else for her, Nelda has passed. They were both in such good shape, then both became ill together. I feel your loss, they were both special people."

I asked, "What do we do now, Doctor?"

"I'll have a hospital administrator help you. They'll direct you as to what to do. I'm sorry to have to leave but I have another emergency coming in. Good luck and Martin, you take care of yourself and don't let this get you down, okay?"

Martin nodded, "I'll be fine, Doc. These two were my friends, I'm just sad."

A hospital administrator came out with some file folders and talked to us for a few minutes. We made arrangements for the couple to be taken to a funeral home out by the park. We would have to talk to them about a cemetery and whatever it takes.

We went home to hug our kids and know that it was probably best that the couple left together. It was really sad to lose our two senior friends. I called Ernie's attorney to let him know. He told me that he would get with me after the funeral, as I was Ernie's and Nelda's executor. It would figure that he would have me do this for him. I didn't begrudge him at all for it though.

Sue had called the shops and everyone in the park to let them know. Soon people began showing up on the patio with long faces. Losing our old couple was a blow to all of us. People from the park began coming by to offer their sympathy, as many people in the park had met Nelda and Ernie and loved the cute old couple.

I asked Juanita to call our caterer to have them bring out some food so we wouldn't have to worry about supper. There was going to be a lot of people in and out and we might as well have enough to feed them.

The funeral home called and wanted someone to come out to make arrangements. Sue said she would come with me so we went to the place in Lutz to talk to the funeral director. On the way, I called Ernie's attorney back and asked if he had made any arrangements. He said that there was a contingency fund set up, but no directions or arrangements. I told him that we would take care of the arrangements then.

Sue and I set up the funeral and burial in a local cemetery. We ordered a stone for the couple and arranged for visitation one evening and the funeral to be Saturday morning. There was no way the little funeral home was going to hold all the people who wanted to attend, so I suggested we have the funeral at our place. I would order the big tent and everyone could leave from there for the cemetery.

That evening, there was a pall over the place as everyone felt the loss. I finally announced to everyone, "Look, Nelda was a feisty old lady who enjoyed life and loved us all. Ernie came to us, and changed from a stingy old man, to become a lovable husband to our sweet Nelda. Both of them enjoyed having fun and joked with all of us. They're probably both sad to see us acting like this. Let's talk about all the fun we had with them, and have a happy wake for them instead of a grief fest."

I looked around at people coming out of their stupor, "Do you know that Nelda used to ride with me when I flew to different places. When she would go with me, she would follow me around the airplane while I did the pre-flight inspection, then sit in the right seat and read me the startup checklist items. She was always full of questions and never ceased to amaze me. She hated the toilet on the plane and made me land when she had to go to the bathroom."

That got it started. People began telling their stories of their encounters and relationships with Nelda and Ernie. Sue told of how Ernie and I had made a deal while enjoying Cuban coffee and cigars. Shawna told how Nelda had been right there when she needed help with CJ one day. Everyone had a story to tell.

That night, Sue and Mercy snuggled up to me, hugging me. We all felt the same thing, none of us was immortal. We kissed and hugged, falling asleep with our own memories of our dear friends.

Friday, the big tent was in place, but we didn't have a big party. A lot of people came out, but everyone knew that we would say goodbye to our old couple in the morning.

The funeral was attended by hundreds of people. Ernie was a very well known businessman. Several of Nelda's relatives showed up, saying that they wished they had spent more time with her. I did too. There were too many years in Nelda's life when she didn't have any close friends or support.

Martin and I each said a few words at the funeral before we went to the cemetery for the graveside ceremony. The funeral director had done a good job arranging everything. They even had the headstone in place. That was a nice touch.

After the funeral, there were a lot of people back at the house, filling the tent and patio. We had the caterer come out as if it were a big Friday night party. People stayed till around six or seven, then everyone but a few park people and our crew left. Star and DeDe had been at the house almost continuously since the couple died, and seemed to be welcomed by everyone. I guess the two finally got what they wanted. They were becoming part of the crew.

I think a lot of the crew drank a little too much Saturday night. We finally cleared the patio about midnight and headed to bed. Sue and Mercy were playful and demanded some personal attention, until I wore out and became a spectator to their wild lovemaking. Those two didn't want to quit.

Sunday morning found me awake at six thirty, wondering what woke me. It was raining hard again. I wondered if it was going to be a long rain or just a shower. I slid out of bed, showered, dressed, and went out to the patio. Glenda was already there, watching the news and weather.

"It looks like it's going to rain all day," Glenda said. I noticed she was in her sexy Sunday morning gown and robe. Tiny and Ruth came though the back door with Sandy and Mandy. The ladies were in ultra-sexy gowns. Yep, this was Sunday.

I decided I should go get the cart people so they wouldn't have to ride over in the heavy downpour. I picked up Juanita first. She was dressed in a near transparent gown and robe that really got my motor running. She had some sexy perfume on as well. Next was my sister who keeps surprising me with some of her sexy stuff. Kevin seemed to like it.

Nancy and Henry got in, and we went down to get Ryan and Michelle. They squeezed in, with Michelle wiggling around on Ryan's lap. It was going to be a fun Sunday.

Back at the patio, I was treated to Mercy and Sue dressed to terrorize men. The surprise was DeDe and Star, they were there, but wearing only semi-transparent gowns. They both said that they spent too much time nude, or partially nude, dancing. It was nice to tease someone with some clothes on for a change.

We made our usual big breakfast, but this time the two new ladies helped, just like they had been doing it all along. They thought it was funny how the other ladies teased me by rubbing their breasts on my arms, back, and chest as we passed. It doesn't take a lot of that until I have a protrusion that rubs on them as well.

After breakfast, a lot of the people decided to head home for a while and come back later to watch TV or play some games. All the little ones were in the living room where they were easy to watch. I spent the morning with Charlie, Jim, and Hank, playing with all of the toddlers. The older kids were becoming able to play with more sophisticated toys and we were using big plastic blocks to build castles and fences.

We had a couple of big plastic trucks, with big wheels, that the kids enjoyed pushing all over the floor. Surprising how fast time flies when you're having fun. It seemed like only ten minutes passed until it was lunchtime. Ben and Beth were in Costa Rica, so we were staying home for Sunday dinner. Sue and Mercy had made a bunch of roasts with all the special trimmings. Not surprising was the turn out. The place was packed for lunch. The little ones went down for a nap, which is cute, as they lay in two piles. The older ones all lay together with a light blanket thrown over all of them. The little ones sort of snuggle together. I'm sure all us parents hoped they would remain close. While the rain continued, everyone ate, and watched TV, played games, or played pool.

While Sue and I were sitting at the table, sipping a drink, DeDe came to sit with us. DeDe asked, "I have my pilot's license, complete with instrument rating now, and have been working toward my instructor's endorsement. I'm just about at my required hours to complete it. I know you guys have planes and I also heard you are starting a charter service. I'd like a job. I've been working toward this for years and I'm almost there. Star is just about finished out at USF with her business degree, and she'll probably be hitting you up for a job too. What do you think, could you use a pilot?"

Sue said, "I don't have anything to do with the charter stuff, but I can ask the guy who is in charge out there to give you an interview. You might have to do some small plane charters for a while before anything else."

DeDe answered, "Anything would be good. I'm getting older, and my body isn't going to make me money dancing much longer. That's why I've been working at this for so long. It's taken me almost five years to get all the hours and time in the different airplanes. I've recently been checked out in a King Air. You guys have one of those, right?"

"We sure do," Sue said. "It's a dream to fly and so fast. We've flown all over the U.S., and even to Alaska and Costa Rica."

"You two are so lucky," DeDe bemoaned. "You're able do things most people will never do. Steve's one of those people that good stuff happens to. We've watched him since he came here. He's not necessarily stuck up, but he is picky. He wouldn't go out with either Star or me, but he sure did take to you."

Sue saved me, "I got lucky. I showed up, on a rainy day like today, wanting to catch him and I did. Two kids later, I still have him."

DeDe said, "And another wife or something, with still another kid."

Mercy heard her and came to sit on the other side of me from Sue, "Yep, I'm another wife or something. I don't know whether I'm Steve's or Sue's but I'm definitely one or the other."

"You guys are too much," DeDe said, laughing. "Even for a trailer park. Anyway, I'd like to be a charter pilot or instructor, or whatever I can be, as long as it has to do with airplanes."

I smiled at DeDe and said, "I'll make sure you're a part of the puzzle out there."

Star came up and asked DeDe, "Did you put the arm on him for a job?"

"You bet and he's already promised to let me try," DeDe said.

Star looked at me and asked, "Did she tell you I graduate this semester?"

"Yes Ma'am, she did," I said.

Star smiled, "If you have a place for a retired dancer with a business degree, I'd sure like a shot. I don't have any normal business experience, but I can run a strip joint. Want to open one?"

Sue answered for me, "I just don't think Steve and a strip joint would work. He wouldn't spend enough time there. Mercy and I try to take up all his spare time, and with the kids, he just doesn't have time for that."

Mercy added, "This guy goes to bed and gets up with the chickens. The hours of those places wouldn't work for him.

"I agree with that," Star said. "I'm looking forward to having a normal life. Getting up at a decent time, working eight to five or whatever it takes and possibly finding some unsuspecting guy to make an honest woman of me."

Mercy commented, "Star, you're an honest woman. I've always thought you were a straight shooter. Don't doubt yourself; you have what it takes to get a good man. You just have to be exposed in the right places."

The rest of Sunday was nice, even though it rained hard all day. Glenda had put out big mats by all the doors for people to wipe their feet on as they came in. When it was pizza time, everyone was restless, wanting some form of activity.

Charlie came over to me and asked, "How about a little hot tub time? Shawna said that Judy and Glenda would watch the kids. I think we could fill the hot tub a couple of times with everyone."

I asked Sue and Mercy, they both smiled and said, "Let's go."

Charlie, Jim, Hank, and Tiny, and all the women went up to the hot tub. It was early, but since it was still raining no one was there. We had not even begun to play when Ryan and Michelle, Henry, Nancy, Bear, Crystal, Hap and Margie, and Kevin and Susan showed up. The only way everyone could fit was if the girls sat on our laps. A game of musical laps began as there was always one fewer lap than girls. It was fun, but disconcerting, as I was avoiding my sister and was sure Henry was having the same problem. It all worked out and I think everyone had a nasty good time. I like a smaller group personally, but it was fun to have the big group.

Back home on the patio, we all had a few last drinks before it was time for us all to head to bed. I think we had laid our friends to rest and we were now comfortable with it. We were pretty much back to normal.

Mercy and Sue loved me up for a long time. I had not had an orgasm at the hot tub, as I was too concerned with Susan. Sue thought that I shouldn't worry about it, as she said to just look at Ben and Beth. I was still weird about it and wanted my two ladies instead, anyway. They did a good job showing me they appreciated my love.

Original Editing by Pepere

New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 41



The week was busy, but full of anticipation. I was anxious to hear what John would find out about the boat, as he had not come out on Friday night. His in-depth survey, and cost estimate to make the boat right, would affect the decision of what to do with it.

Tiny wanted to go to the docks and boat yard daily, but I kept him away so John could complete the work he was hired to do.

Thursday evening, John showed up for supper. He had his briefcase with him and was ready to show us what needed to be done. Once he was comfortable in a lounge chair, with a drink in his hand before supper, he gestured to his captivated audience that he was surprised at the interest.

Sue and Mercy were on the couch leaning forward toward John, while Tiny, Phil, Ruth, and Judy were all equally anxious.

"First things first," John began. "I heard from the Coast Guard that they have completed the investigation of the sailboat. We can pick it up from them as soon as you wish. They said they did not do any major cutting, so they didn't destroy the boat. The bad news is that the owner can no longer sell the boat to you."

There were groans all around. You could see the disappointment on Mercy's face immediately.

"But," John said, "Since the owners have fled the country, and the boat was confiscated, the Coast Guard has offered you the boat for a very nice price to make up for the interruption of our trip, and to thank us for taking the Hatteras off their hands."

Mercy's smile widened till I thought her face would split.

"We can go down and bring it up whenever you wish. I asked Tiny not to mention it but he has already transferred funds so the boat is yours. You have a berth in Dunedin for it that will be next to where you will probably berth the fishing boat."

Mercy looked at me with the question in her eyes. I smiled and said, "How about we go down Saturday morning, that way we'll have all day Saturday and Sunday to get it here. We'll check the weather first before we make the decision."

I turned to John, "What's your opinion, do you think I need you to get the boat up here?"

John answered, "If they had done any major cutting or dismembering of the boat, I would have said yes, but you've shown me that you're capable of that trip. But do make sure of the weather before you go. If the winds are wrong, you could end up motoring most of the way unless you tacked way out into the gulf."

Mercy was smiling, "We'll check the weather before we go. We'll be fine."

"Now about the Hatteras," John began. "The forty-five foot fishing cruiser we picked up in the Keys is worth five to six times what you paid for it. The hull is sound, the engines are in great condition, and the boat is generally in great shape. The boat would have been considered pristine if the oxidized outer area had been polished and touched up in some areas. I had the hull cleaned and painted and also authorized the cleanup, polishing, and touch up painting on the boat. Knowing your desire for modern electronics, I have dual-display Garmin GPS, the new style close and long range color radar with dual displays, and a full complement of new radios, including a new satellite radio phone. In other words, the boat is ready for you whenever you wish."

Tiny and Phil looked at each other and Tiny asked John, "Can you take us out Saturday?"

John smiled, "I anticipated you would want to do that and have cleared my calendar. Both of you men, and possibly some more of you, need to go to the classes for your captain's license. I'll teach everyone who wishes how to operate the boat and how to care for it. This boat is not a toy. It can be a huge responsibility. If you are pressed for time, I would suggest you make arrangements to have concierge services at the yacht club. I think you'll find the prices are not bad. They will make sure the boat is looking nice by keeping it polished and will have it ready for you when you wish to go out. If this is to be used as a business tool, it will definitely be worth it."

I think the entire patio was listening to the conversation. Two groups formed. One to talk about the Saturday adventure on the cruiser, and another interested in the sailboat.

The dinner conversation was all the boat, or rather boats. By the time the dishes were in the big dishwasher, Phil, Tiny, Kevin, and Bear, with several of their ladies, were going out on the cruiser. They weren't planning on fishing this inaugural cruise but just get used to handling the boat.

Mercy had convinced Sue that we should pick the boat up tomorrow instead of waiting until Saturday. I was going to have a crew of Sue, Mercy, Hap, and Margie. Sue called our friendly pilot, the other John, the former owner of the 200 and new head of our charter company, to see if he would mind ferrying us down to Key West in the morning. As usual he was ready to fly anytime, anywhere.

John Morgan, the maritime captain and engineer, suggested that anyone free should go out to the boat tomorrow to see what they should get to make the boat complete, things such as bedclothes, lots of towels, extra sunscreen, liquid refreshments, and possibly non-perishable food. John said he had double-checked all of the safety equipment and there were life jackets for up to twenty passengers. He didn't recommend that many passengers at a time but they were available if necessary.

The excitement was intense. I doubt many slept well that night. Sue had enlisted Juanita's help in looking after the kids while she would be gone. Everyone figured Hanna and Juanita would be able to handle them and of course, Glenda was always around to help as well.

Mercy and Sue had a difficult time going to sleep. By the time they were finally relaxing, I was done. I couldn't have loved up Kim Novak if she had walked in.

"Wake up honey, you need to get ready. We want to leave early."

I opened my eyes to see two faces peering at me. I glanced at the clock to see it was only five thirty.

"Come on," Mercy begged. "Get showered, we're supposed to meet John at seven."

Sue gave me a kiss and softly said, "If you don't get up soon, Mercy's going to pee in her pants, she's so excited."

We showered as a trio, with no hint of playtime, because the two of them were so excited about a dumb old sailboat. We dressed and put some extra clothes and deck shoes in my duffel bag, along with some extra towels and toiletries. I checked the case with my broken down AR-15 and Glock, and put it with the duffel bag to take along.

The girls fed the kids and ate some breakfast before we had Tiny drive us to the Aero Park. John had the plane at the ops building, ready to leave. Sue wanted to fly right seat with John, so for the first time, I sat back in the passenger area for a flight.

Hap couldn't get over how luxurious the plane was. He said this was the way to travel and now realized why I had been enjoying flying all over. Two hours later, we were talking to the Coast Guard officer who had boarded the sailboat a little over a week before.

The Coast Guard officer in charge told us, "We found some new electronics in one of the storage lockers and since our electrician's mate didn't have anything to do, he installed them while we were putting everything back together. You have a new GPS, an excellent new depth finder, a very nice set of radios with presets for emergency and weather, and this new Raytheon radar. This is the new style without the rotating antenna. All of the electronics have displays and access at the main helm, as well as the weather helm or indoor bridge. I like this boat and am envious of you, enjoy it. Next time you're out sailing in the area, stop in, we'll give you a first class safety survey and we'll have lunch together."

Mercy and I went through the boat to double-check everything from before. I checked the generators and engines before we both were checking on fuel levels and water. Everything was topped off, ready for a voyage. Mercy opened the venting hatches for the engines and I turned on the fans. After the prescribed three minutes of venting, I started the two small diesels.

We had pulled the covers from all the sails, and tested the electric sail motors to make sure the sails would rise, before we finally began pulling lines. Sue was at the bow, while Mercy was on the rear deck. I slowly powered the large boat out of the slip, changed to the forward gear, and gently swung the boat around to head out toward the Gulf of Mexico. Once we were out about a mile, I began raising sail. The wind heeled us over a little as we had to tack in order to head in the intended direction. To be sure to catch the prevailing winds, we headed out northwest for about ten miles then headed fairly due north.

Hap was fascinated by the quietness of sailing. The water splashed against the bow, the sails snapped in the breeze, the rigging groaned from the strain, all new sounds to him, but relaxing just the same. Sue and Margie brought up some coffee, but soon disappeared with Mercy. Hap asked where they had gone and I pointed toward the forward deck. The three ladies were laying out in the sun, bare ass naked.

"I'm already liking this sailing stuff. Does that happen often?" Hap asked, pointing at the nude display.

I smiled before commenting, "Every chance they get, Hap. There's something about being out on the water that makes women want to get naked. Most women love to sunbathe and the ocean smell and the gentle rocking of the boat makes them free to do whatever they want without fear of others' opinions."

We sailed for most of the day before we turned toward land. As we neared some barrier islands, we pulled down the sail and started the engines. I checked the tide tables and since it was low tide I decided to anchor out from one of the islands and to make sure we left plenty of slack on the fore and aft anchor lines. We dug out some fishing gear to try to catch dinner, but gave up after only forty-five minutes without even getting a small hit.

Sue fixed a great dinner for us that we ate in the lounge, with all the windows open. The girls announced that they had cleaned up the two staterooms and washed the sheets so we were set for the night. Once the dishes were cleaned up, we all went to bed. Sue mentioned that sleeping with the porthole open was one of her fond memories from our trip out west. Our noises mingled with those from Hap and Marge while we all enjoyed our lovemaking.

I awoke early, as usual, and slipped out to make coffee. Thank goodness the girls had left the coffeepot out so I could get at it. Before making coffee though, I had to go topside to open the vent for the generator and start it so we would have electricity. By the time I went back down to the galley, Mercy and Sue were beginning to get breakfast started. Sue suggested that Mercy and I start the engines and get us started back out to the Gulf.

Mercy and I were able to get the anchors up and began motoring slowly out to the gulf. Hap and Marge began bringing food up to the lounge where we all had breakfast while I used the weather helm to guide the boat. This morning we had a nice southerly breeze, so when we put up all the sails, the boat lifted up to enjoy slicing through the water at near its top speed.

At one point when Hap and I were at the big wheel, Hap said, "With the wind in my face out here and as peaceful as it is, this is almost better than my Harley between my legs." That was a tall statement for a true biker such as Hap.

The morning was once again a time for the girls to sunbathe and wander around nude, while Hap and I enjoyed the view. During Saturday afternoon, we saw literally hundreds of fishing and sailboats of all sizes. We went a little farther out into the gulf to avoid the congestion around the mouth of Tampa Bay and even had to steer around an incoming fuel barge being pushed in.

We used the GPS to bring us into the yacht club in Dunedin. We used the radio to contact them and were directed to the north end of the slips where we slowly drifted into the berth after putting out fenders on both sides of the boat. Across the walkway, the cruiser had just come back from being out all day. Tiny, Henry, Kevin, Bear, and Phil looked a little burnt from the sun, but the ladies all looked like they had done well with the trip.

As soon as we were tied up, the folks from the cruiser swarmed the sailboat to get a look at it. John came aboard to inspect the equipment that the Coast Guard had installed. He found the old equipment that had been taken out and said he would put it in the second-hand consignment shop for other boaters to buy.

Mercy and I got all the covers on the sails and pulled the tarp over the lounge and tied it down. The boat was now stored properly. I helped John cover and store the Hatteras. The boat looked brand new after the work he had done on it. I was really impressed.

John asked me, "Do you want to rent either boat out for charters? I bet we could probably pay for a lot of the upkeep on the boats with some day charters, and an occasional weekend charter."

Mercy answered the question for me, "You can do that on a demand basis, but don't plan any charters in the near future for the sailboat. I may convince Steve to take this thing for a longer vacation soon. Most of the big spenders want to go out on a powerboat anyway, so make a bunch off the Hatteras. It is a beautiful boat, but no where as nice as what a big sailboat is."

"I have a couple of old guys that are good captains for both cruising and fishing," John said. "I'll get in touch with them. I'm sure they will jump at the chance to use a boat like this."

Luckily the guys had brought two big vehicles so we all could ride back to the park together without having to take a taxi or someone coming back for us.

My two ladies were happy to be with the kids. They loved them up before putting them to bed. Sue, Mercy, and I took showers to get the salt spray off us, then sat out on the patio with all the folks enjoying the mood. Tiny and Phil had plans to invite various customers down to stay in the hotel and go out fishing on the boat. They felt the boat would be great public relations.

Tiny, Henry, Kevin, and Bear had signed up for a captain's class. Phil said he didn't want to be a captain; he wanted someone else to drive him around. The classes were starting the next week so we would have a group of trained people to take the fishing boat out. Our John was still going to be in charge of the boat and for chartering it whenever possible.

When we went to bed, Sue and I sandwiched Mercy, loving her up so she knew how special she was to us. Mercy sighed, "Thank you both for indulging me with the sailboat. I love to be out on the water like that. It is so peaceful and refreshing. I like this boat but can see how an even larger one would be nice as well. I'd like to take a long trip on the boat. Maybe we could sail across the Gulf or down into the U.S. Virgin islands. But I want to take the kids with us on a trip soon."

Sue answered, "I think it would be nice too. The kids could be a chore to take care of on the boat. We might want to take someone along to help."

Mercy said while groping me, "We'll probably have to share, Steve, but I'd bet Juanita would love to go sailing with us."

"I guess we could share our guy with her. She is nice to be with and she dearly loves the kids."

We went to sleep with our individual visions of a long sailing trip.

Sunday morning found the crew in a happy mood. Tiny had a group of people ready to go out on the boat again. He was limiting the passengers to around ten to keep the crowding down. Today's cruise was going to include some fishing so he had a big pile of fishing equipment he had purchased. Today had all guys going out with Charlie, Hank, and Jim, joining Tiny, Phil, Hap, Bear, Abe, Darnell, Tom, and Al. I cautioned them all about drinking too much out in the hot sun and to listen to John while he gave directions. Tiny said that John had hired another expert fishing guide to help everyone on the boat.

Sue, Mercy, and I kicked back and enjoyed playing with the kids. Mercy and Sue had several long conversations with Juanita throughout the day, until finally, Juanita came to sit with me on the couch, asking for a Cuba Libre before she sat down.

"Mr. Steve," Juanita began. I raised an eyebrow at her and she corrected herself. "Steve, I want to go with Sue and Mercy and you on a sailing trip, but I don't want to go to close to Cuba. I don't want to have to go back there and stay."

"Juanita, you have legal residency in the U.S. now and are close to becoming a citizen. You even have a U.S. passport now. You don't have anything to worry about. You're employed, you have a permanent home, Sue and I are your sponsors, and you are loved by all of us."

"I'm just afraid if Castro gets hold of me, I'll have to stay in Cuba."

"Don't worry Juanita, we won't go to Cuba. We have to go near but we won't go there.

"Miss Sue said if I come you could love me too?"

"We already love you, Juanita."

"Oh, Steve," Juanita blushed. "You know that I mean, will you make love to me? Really, you would do that?"

"I would love to make love to you anytime, Juanita. I thought Luis might be loving you up. What happened with him?"

Juanita frowned, "He doesn't want to make love as much as I do. He says I have something wrong with me to want to do that so much. He thinks I might be a, what you call it, a postulate, or prostrate, or something like that. You know a lady that does it for money."

"Ah," I said, "you mean a prostitute. No, you're not a prostitute. You enjoy sex and the feeling it gives you."

"Yes, I enjoy it a lot. My husband and I enjoyed making love all the time. I still want that feeling and hope to have Luis give it to me all the time, but if he doesn't or won't, then I will have to have someone else give it to me."

"You need to talk to Sue about this a little more so she can help you or perhaps we need to take Luis to the doctor. Make sure you talk to Sue about this, okay?"

"I will, Steve, but will you give me that feeling soon. I enjoy feeling like a woman."

Mercy had been listening to us and came over to hug Juanita. "I'll make sure Steve has time to make you feel like a woman, Juanita. You're special to us and perhaps Steve and I will both help you feel like a woman."

"Oh stop, Miss Mercy, you'll make me wet my panties."

Mercy hugged Juanita and told her, "We all love you, Juanita. I'm glad you want to go sailing with us."

The three ladies had already begun planning the trip. They had some sailing charts that John had lent them, deciding where all they wanted to go. They were figuring on probably two weeks, and were planning on food, clothes, and all the baby provisions we would need. Sue said that I needed to take Mercy and Juanita to the gun shop to get them some instruction. So I got out my little notebook and began making notes on things to do for a long trip.

Monday I asked John to provision the boat with charts for the Caribbean as well as the Texas and Mexican Gulf coast. I wasn't planning to go to Mexico, but you never know when you have to seek shelter. The plan was to go to the U.S. Virgins, over to Puerto Rico, up to Key West for the promised lunch, and across the Gulf to Texas. From Texas, we were going up toward New Orleans, skirt the coast to Panama City Beach, then home. That should help Mercy's wanderlust and desire to sail for a while.

Monday afternoon, I took Sue, Mercy, and Juanita to the gun store. He had expanded his gun range to where four shooters could be firing at a time. I took Mercy first and showed her the safety procedures of using a handgun and a rifle. I had her fire a couple of magazines from a 9mm.

Next was Juanita, who was not afraid of guns at all. She said she had experience with a rifle, but none with a handgun. Juanita was able to get the hang of shooting a pistol quickly. I told her we would fire a rifle tomorrow.

I brought Sue in, after she had already shot up a small fortune in 9mm rounds practicing with a handgun. I instructed her in using an M16 and the slight variation of the AR-15. She did well. Sue hit the target with all of her rounds and was scoring small groupings after the third magazine.

The gun store owner suggested the lighter Glocks for the three ladies and the ARs, because of the ease of use and lower recoil. I made the order, but also wanted one rifle with a military scope with low light capability. He showed me a swing away scope that could function with and without the scope, and had the low light capability as well. Sue wanted each of them to have a case like I used so the weapons would not be so conspicuous. I told him we would pick up the weapons tomorrow.

Tuesday morning Sue, Mercy, and Juanita took the kids to a marine supply house to find appropriate life preservers. I hope we wouldn't need them, but it would be good for to have them ready should the need arise. The little ones' preservers came with a long tether that hooked to an adult's life preserver so the two wouldn't get separated. I thought that also might be good for the adults in the event of a storm.

That afternoon, we went back to the gun shop to shoot the ARs. The girls did better than I expected, with Juanita showing she had some extensive training with rifles. She was very accurate. When the shop owner put a small scope target at the end of his range, I shot a couple of rounds into the target and after replacing it, gave Juanita the opportunity to use the scope. She was right there, very accurate. She hit dead center of the target with every shot.

I felt good because if the need would arise, I had three good shots to back me up. We left the shop with five hundred rounds for the ARs and five hundred 9mm rounds. We would have plenty for shooting practice and our personal defense should the situation arise.

By Wednesday, I discovered the anticipated departure date of our sailing adventure was the following Monday morning. The girls went to the Dunedin yacht club marina to begin stocking the boat. They had the boat clean, neat, and ready to sail by Friday. I spent time observing the construction of the hangars and at the shop. Phil and Tiny were working on acquiring the Kansas City distributorship. They felt as if they were close and used the 200 to go out there to try to close the deal.

Apparently, Ryan and Michelle met them there, as did Jed, to see what it would take to put the distributorship in physical shape for our purposes. The owner was retiring and one of his people had thought the owner would give him the store. There was a rift as the owner had to keep explaining that, without the money from the distributorship, he couldn't retire. The disgruntled employee decided they couldn't get along without him, so he quit thinking we would be begging him to come back. He didn't know Ryan very well.

I talked to all of them by phone daily and made sure they knew I was leaving Monday with the family. They understood and said they were going to delay the closing on the distributorship for one month to make sure the disgruntled employee didn't cause a problem. They had made a deal with the owner for Jed to remain and begin remodeling and cleaning the distributorship to get it to look like our others.

Friday evening, we had a small party for the two companies. About sixty to seventy people came to enjoy the fellowship and the conclusion of a successful week. It was pretty tame, considering some of our parties include several hundred people at a time.

Saturday, we all took a ride. This night, Sue rode behind Mickey, as Samantha was working. Mercy rode in the sidecar and Juanita rode with me. We stopped by the Tampa clubhouse and visited with the new president a while. Hap was still held in honor, as was Bear, but you could tell the allegiance had shifted to the new president, as it should. Once we were gone heading to see Double D at Big Jim's, the two clubbers stored their colors so as not to upset the bar patrons. From there, we went to the St. Pete club bar putting their colors back on, then riding up to the Crab Shack without the colors. We made it back to the house as it neared midnight. Everyone was tired, and no one wanted to party at the hot tub, so we parted for our individual places.

When I had closed down the patio and come to bed, I found an extra lady. Mercy and Sue had Juanita between them, withering from their sensual assault. I joined in to bring Juanita to multiple peaks, then buried myself inside her to feel her convulse over and over until she finally went limp.

Sue had me love up Mercy, until I was filling her with the stored up seed that I didn't plant into Juanita. Mercy moaned and shook from the intensity of our lovemaking.

It's a good thing I was still alert, as Sue was now boiling over, with the re-awakened Juanita busily enjoying some ladylove with Sue. Mercy loved me with her mouth, until I had to be buried into Sue's welcoming center. There, I thrust and plunged until the neighbors were probably tired of the animal noises coming from our home.

Once we settled down, sleep came over us as we snuggled beneath the covers peacefully.

If you're not used to the group, Sunday morning is always an eye-opening occasion. About the time all of the sexily dressed or undressed women were present, teasing the men, the two Johns showed up. They were both in awe of the display from the wonderful assortment of women. The pilot John came by to tell me that he had found another 200 that appeared to be a good deal. He had a Beechcraft factory mechanic going to inspect the aircraft the coming week. He also had another 210 for us. He said that we might want to wait before ordering a new Gulfstream as a couple of leasing companies said they might have a default coming up. I gave him my itinerary for the next two weeks telling him we would have a satellite phone but he should use it only if he had to. Tiny should be able to take care of most decisions and that I trusted his judgement as well.

John Morgan, the maritime engineer, was reporting on the sailboat and was going to ride over with the group going out today. He said the sailboat was in perfect shape. The girls had it well stocked with food, but he wanted to make sure we had extra bottled water and powdered milk for the kids, as a lot of the milk in the islands was not well taken care of. We should buy milk only from USDA approved dairies while we were out. He also cautioned us about purchasing fresh meat or poultry. He said that we should take as much frozen food as we could, and try to eat as much fresh fish as we could. The girls all had made lists for some last minute shopping before taking off in the morning.

Mercy had John install a gate across the stairway going down into the galley from the lounge. That way the little ones could roam around in the lounge without crashing down the stairs. I'm sure Steve would find a way over the gate during the trip but he was pretty resilient and didn't cry much when he fell as a result of his daring. My sister Susan said he was just like me when I was little.

Juanita had her clothes ready, as did my two ladies, along with the clothes and supplies for the three kids. We were ready.

We all went to sleep Sunday night with the thoughts of our adventure on our minds. I prayed we would be safe, as we would be out on the open water almost continuously for two weeks. Sleep came, but it was a while before it did.

Original Editing by Pepere
New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 42



I woke to kisses from the person who was lying completely on top of me.

Mercy kept kissing me, saying, "I love you, wake up my love."

As she sat up on my hips, Sue leaned over and gave me a kiss that would make any man happy he was a man.

She smiled and said, "I love you, Husband. Let's take our family out to sea, this morning."

Juanita even got into the action this morning by scooting over to rise over me. She kissed me sweetly on the lips before she kissed Sue, and Mercy.

"I love all of you so much. I wish I were younger, so I could be another wife and have babies, too," Juanita said.

Mercy said, "You don't have to have babies to be a part of us. You are very special to us, Juanita. We love you, too. But this is getting our man up in the wrong way. I want to go sailing and not spend another minute in bed. Let's go."

We were all showered and dressed by six. While I had some coffee and a light breakfast, the girls were getting the little ones up and dressed. The more I thought of our sailing adventure, the more I questioned my sanity. Who in their right mind would go sailing in a sixty-five foot sailboat with three women and three kids in diapers? Was I nuts, or what?

The plan was to take the Expedition to the yacht club and leave it there. Tiny or Phil or whoever would bring it home, when they went over to use the cruiser. We kissed and hugged everyone, loaded up, and headed toward Dunedin.

We loaded the boat with our clothes, and the four aluminum briefcases full of protection. Considering all of the extra ammunition we were carrying, you would think we were planning an invasion. I asked Sue if she had all of our passports and she did. Even the little ones had passports, should they need them. We were not planning on entering any foreign ports, just U.S. owned ports, but you never knew what might come up.

John was a surprise visitor this beautiful morning. He showed me a gift he had installed in the lounge and in the galley area. He lifted a lid to show a slim flat screen TV. He said the reception was from a tiny, gyroscopically stabilized satellite antenna that was used for the phones as well. He said that we would be able to get accurate weather reports, and view weather maps from the weather channel at any time. It was a good idea. It would also give little Steve the opportunity to remain close friends with Barney.

John helped me go over the boat to make sure the holding tank was empty, the fuel and freshwater tanks were full, and that all of the lines and spares were in place.

He got me off to the side to ask about protection. I explained that we had all been to the gun shop and range. The girls were all able to use both a rifle and a handgun. He smiled at me, saying to make sure that when we went into ports, we secured them properly so we wouldn't be questioned.

Everything appeared ready, so I opened the engine vents and started the fans. After starting the engines, we disconnected shore power and engaged the generator. The surprise was Juanita. She was at the bow ready to handle the bow line, just as Mercy was at the stern, ready to pull the line there.

John waved and saluted as I slowly backed out of the slip. As soon as the boat was clear of the dock and other craft, I swung her gently around, to head down the channel that led to the Gulf. All of the electronics were on line, and appeared to be working correctly. We would do a radio check with the Coast Guard once we were out ten miles or so.

Our plan was to head out into the Gulf, then south to sail between Cuba and Mexico. We would pass near the Cayman Islands, between Cuba and Jamaica, to the south of Hispaniola. We'd make landfall in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This would take a minimum of a week. The plan was to stay at sea, and not go ashore, if possible.

It didn't take long to be free from land so we could raise sail, and be underway.

During the morning, the girls formed some kind of agreement that they each would spend some time in the lounge, with the kids. The other two were either with me, or sunning themselves on the bow. We had a good wind, which sent us gliding through gentle seas.

Juanita and Sue were with me at the wheel when Juanita told us her family had been fishermen. She said that she had grown up on the water and was very familiar with sailboats. To her, our boat was like a spaceship. It had electric motors to raise and lower the sails, plus all of the electronics that had not been available when she was on Cuban fishing boats.

Throughout the day, the girls would put a tiny life jacket on Stevie, along with a line that they could hold. He could stagger around on deck to get some sun, and feel the Gulf breezes on his face. The ladies also carried the two younger ones around and put them in their little chairs, so they could get some sun, too.

The first night we went near a small island off the coast of south Florida, and anchored. The water was deep enough, so that at the low tide predicted in the morning, we would not have any trouble getting back out into the Gulf.

We slept soundly after setting our perimeter radar. This was a small unit that detected anomalies, abnormal movement, or objects that entered a perimeter of a hundred meters. A jumping fish or dolphin would set it off, but it would also sound an alarm if a swimmer or another boat came near our boat. The perimeter radar was developed originally as a land based anti-personnel detection device. It had been adapted for private maritime users, because of people taking advantage of boat campers, and folks sleeping overnight on their boats.

During the morning of the second day, I used the satellite phone to call work to make sure all was well. It was. Next, I called the Key West Coast Guard Station, as promised, to have coffee or a meal with them. The officer that I wanted to see was out on patrol. They gave me the private frequency that the boat used, so I could call them, off of the public network.

I only called once, before the officer answered quickly. His signal was so strong that we had to turn the volume down on our set. They were only about ten miles from us, and were heading our way. I told them to stop and we would share some coffee. I asked how big his crew was, only to find out it would be tough to feed twelve. Sue said she had a big box of donuts that we would never eat. She went downstairs to put them in the oven for a few minutes. Juanita put on a second pot of coffee after pouring the first pot into a thermos.

Watching the radar, I was able to pick up the Coast Guard boat as an approaching target. As he came to about two miles, I lowered sail, and started my engines so we could maneuver, if needed.

The helmsman on the Coast Guard cutter brought his boat up parallel to us, and with both of us having fenders out, we were able to tie up securely.

The officer asked permission to board for a safety inspection. Little Stevie was standing next to me in a life jacket imitating me. When I saluted, he did too, causing all the Guardsmen to laugh.

The girls brought out foam cups and the coffee with the tray of donuts. We visited for a half-hour and had the Guardsmen do a real safety inspection. They said we had good equipment and appeared to be prepared for emergencies.

The officer thought I was nuts to go on such a big adventure with three ladies and three little kids. I agreed with him but said that all three women were capable mates.

The officer said there had not been any bad situations reported lately, so as long as we remained vigilant, we should be fine. He gave us coordinates to several small 'dry' islands (without any source of water) that would be good places for us to anchor overnight. There we would be out of the weather, should the seas get heavy. I carefully marked each on my charts, knowing that these men knew the Caribbean like most people know their own neighborhood.

After untying from each other and pulling up our fenders, I raised the sail and began our journey again going almost due south to go around the western tip of Cuba.

The sun was going to get to us at the helm, so we erected the canvas cover, to shade the wheel area and instruments. Sue found some cushions that formed a sort of lounge next to the helm area. Again, the girls switched back and forth being outside or inside with the kids. Each time I had one or two of the ladies, I would go over how to watch the wind direction and what to do with the sails. The instructions included how to tell which objects on the radar were small islands, and which objects were boats. It was easy to note what direction a target object was going. You just use a small grease pencil and mark the target's position. Then, fifteen minutes later, you mark the new position. Since we had the radar set at fifty miles, we had quite a few targets. Most were fishing boats that were trolling along at a few knots per hour.

As the second night approached, we were going to be in open water all night. I told the girls to take shifts to sleep, and to be topside with me. While they were on watch, I would lie back in the lounging cushions and get a little sleep. That way I would be right there, if I were needed quickly.

The watches worked well. They changed each three hours, and I actually got quite a bit of sleep. We would take some naps during the day, but were all rested as we sailed south of Cuba.

The third night we drifted up near one of the dry islands that we had been given by the Coast Guard. The object was to get close to the landmass so our image merged with the island and wouldn't be easily detected by a passing boat's radar.

We set the perimeter alarm, washed up, and enjoyed some loving. I think that trying to satisfy three healthy women is a little too much for a man. Actually, two women is almost one too many, but three meant that at least one of them didn't receive a deposit. Well, they could if they waited long enough, and if they helped stimulate the manufacture of the special serum. At least they all helped each other have multiple happy orgasms, to help them sleep.

The perimeter alarm went off at about three thirty. I raced up to the deck, grabbing a rifle on the way. After looking around quickly, I couldn't see anything. A dolphin leaped from the water, obviously chasing the fish that were schooling in the little island's bay. I watched the dolphin a few minutes, after turning on the radar to see if there was anything else out there.

The dolphin left with the schooling fish. I reset the alarm, and went back to bed. I told all three ladies that everything was fine.

After waking up the next morning, I got out some fishing tackle. I used an artificial lure, cast toward the shore, and then reeled in back to the boat. On the third cast, I hooked up with a nice sea trout. Using the cleaning tub and a bucket of seawater, I filleted the fish for lunch or supper, and put it into a plastic container.

While I was doing this, Juanita had tied just a plain hook with a heavy leader to the line and baited it with a mixture of bread, cheese, and blood from the trout. A couple of minutes later, she had a very large sea bass for me to clean.

When I was finished cleaning the second fish, Juanita took some of the entrails of the fish and put them into another plastic container to use as bait, the next time.

We had trout, bass and eggs for breakfast. Little Steve seemed to really like fish. It was a good thing, as all his parents enjoyed fish. Juanita said she would make some good Cuban food that included fish. She said we would all enjoy some of her native foods.

Day five found us getting close to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our main goal was to go to St. Thomas, first. Once we neared all of the small islands and channels, we pulled down the sail and used the engines and GPS to motor into the harbor. A harbor boat came out to meet us and directed us into a customs dock before we could be put into a rental slip.

They checked our papers and did a cursory look around the boat noting that the Coast Guard had boarded us less than a week ago for a safety inspection. We were able to relocate to a slip that we could tie up to, instead of anchoring to a buoy, where we would have to use the dinghy.

I had the marina's attendants connect shore power, empty and flush the holding tanks, and refill the water tank. I noted that we were being conservative with the water, and that our use rate was well under what I had anticipated.

That evening, we ate at an on shore restaurant. The little ones were remarkably good even though Mike and Lizzy were both cutting teeth. They chewed on bread crust the entire evening. They didn't eat much, they just chewed and chewed.

It was nice to lock up that night, open the portholes and enjoy a peaceful night's sleep. The marina was secure, so we all slept well.

The next day, we went into the small city to visit the many tiny shops. We went to a small grassy park where Steve could run and play for a while. He wore himself out, trying to climb on some of the children's playground equipment. He did enjoy the swing, as did all three ladies. The two little ones were put down on a blanket, to roll and crawl around. We had to be careful, as both of them tried to eat the bugs they captured.

The girls said they wanted to move around to St. Thomas the next day, so we went to bed early.

We left at about six, to motor around the island. We finally arrived at a fancy yacht club, where we had reservations. We had to do a cursory customs check, but we were soon docked in a slip, with the girls on their way into the little town to shop.

I took two big baskets of clothes and bedclothes to the Laundromat at the yacht club. Two hours later I was putting the clean stuff back where it belonged.

I met several other boat owners who were impressed that we were traveling without a crew. I kept telling them that the three ladies were all good mates and that I couldn't have a better crew. When my crew came back, the guys that I had been talking to all drooled over the well-endowed and beautiful Sue, and the erotic looking Mercy. When Juanita came into view, wearing shorts and a halter tied around her neck, that did it. I think every guy there wanted to join my crew.

The next morning, we again went exploring on the island. There was a lot to see and a lot of history to learn. After lunch we took the little ones to the boat so they could nap. The girls all donned tiny bikinis and sunbathed on the bow.

All this did was to gather men from the surrounding boats. The benefit was that they all wanted to share their beer with us. Several of the neighboring wives also came out in skimpy attire to join my three ladies in the sun.

A Coast Guardsman came by the docks to advise us all that a thirty-five foot fishing boat had possibly been attacked, south of Puerto Rico. Apparently the boat had called on an emergency frequency, but by the time an aircraft was able to respond, they couldn't find the boat. They didn't know whether the boat had been sunk or taken somewhere. They had a handout describing the boat and the two men who had been on the boat.

The girls and I decided we would sail to the north of Puerto Rico, and stop in at San Juan, before heading across the Gulf to Texas. Why not avoid an area where a problem might exist.

That night after eating at a nice restaurant, we went to bed early, in anticipation of sailing to San Juan. In the morning, as we motored out of the harbor, the Coast Guard came alongside of us and advised us that there had been two more instances of private craft being attacked. I described the route we were planning to take, and they said for us to be watchful, and not to let other craft approach too close.

As we motored out to sea, Mercy took the wheel, and I went into the lounge. I assembled all of the AR-15s, putting magazines in each. I loaded the Glocks, and put a Glock and an AR-15 at the helm. The rest were stowed beneath cushions, just inside the lounge. Should something happen, we were prepared. Just to be cautious, I had one of the girls remain on the bow with binoculars to check on other craft as we passed them.

The trip to San Juan was without incident and when the customs men checked the boat we had to warn them of the weapons. They understood, and didn't have anything to say about us having four good military quality rifles and four good handguns.

San Juan is a big and busy city. The island of Puerto Rico is amazing. There are beautiful mountains and many areas that are almost impossible to get to by road.

We did get to see some of the rural areas on a small tour bus. We stopped at a small community that mostly made cigars. There was a large cigar factory there, but some of the older men still made hand-rolled ones. Sue and I bought a dozen cigars for our friends, along with some hand made trinkets.

Traveling with three attractive women and three small children has both advantages and disadvantages. The kids need constant attention, and the three women receive a lot of attention. If women are attractive, men flock around them, in any country.

That night, the girls decided they wanted to leave San Juan, as it was just another city. They said that if I wanted to, we could stop at another small town on Puerto Rico, but they were tired of shopping and the bustle of a city.

We left early the next morning. By seven we were under sail heading west toward our goal, the Padre Island yacht club. Five days later we pulled down the sail, and motored into the yacht basin. An attendant waved us to a slip, and asked us to remain on board until a customs agent could inspect us.

The agent took about five minutes to look around, and told us to enjoy. The girls were off the boat with the kids in minutes, heading toward the little community on the island. I had the boat attended to while they were wandering. I'm just not big on shopping for T-shirts.

I kicked back and enjoyed a beer, while watching TV. I called the shop to talk to Tiny. He said everything was going well, and that Phil had a group out on the boat today. Tiny suggested that I take customers out on the sailboat too, as some might really enjoy a day sailing in the Gulf. I told him to remind me and we could offer that to some people.

I called Glenda and she said all was quiet on the home front. She did say that Terrell had some questions for me, so as soon as I finished talking to her, I called him.

Terrell said he was finishing the air charter office building, between the two hangars, and wanted to make sure about my office. He said he had it on the second floor, with windows on both sides that looked into the two hangars. His question was whether I wanted stairway access on each side or not.

I laughed and explained to Terrell that I didn't know I had an office at the Aero Park. He said the manager had a big office to the rear of mine and both offices had windows to both hangars and separate stairways were planned for him. I suggested that we only have one stairway per side with a platform between the two doors. He thought that was a good idea and that all four hangars should be complete by the end of the month. The tarmac and connecting taxiway was completed between the hangars and the rest of the park. He mentioned that our airplanes were now housed in the hangar nearest the operations building.

I wondered why I needed an office out at the Aero Park. Well, if Tiny thought I did, then I did. Who knows what we'll be involved in?

When the ladies returned, they put the kids down for naps, and dressed in some new, scandalously tiny, bikinis. They came up on deck to lay in the sun. They told me to get my swimsuit on and join them so I would have more of an all over tan. I did but I had a difficult time because of the tiny suits the girls had on. I suppose you could say I was having a "hard" time.

As you could guess, we quickly made friends with our neighbors again. Several of the wives of the neighbors were lounging around on their boats without tops at all.

When a few noticed that my three were receiving a lot of attention, they migrated over to lounge topless with my three. Talk about a hard time. A couple of the ladies' swimsuit bottoms were so brief, they pulled right into their puffy lips, causing the gawking male viewers to groan.

Soon, the kids were up and we dressed to go to a nice restaurant for supper. We made a plan that night to rent a car and go the two hundred miles to see Galveston and to take a couple of days and drive to Austin. I had never been there and thought that the Texas capital should be interesting.

We did three days of sightseeing and staying in hotels. Having three ladies to help with the kids makes it easier by far. When the kids got too fussy, we would try to find a quiet outdoor area, and let them crawl around or fall asleep for a while.

Back at the boat, our next stop was going to be New Orleans. I asked around where would be a good place to stay while there. Most said that there really wasn't a good place. However, the yacht club manager gave me coordinates and the telephone number of a yacht club in New Orleans that should be able to handle our boat. I called and told the New Orleans club manager that we would arrive the day after tomorrow, and we were given reservations. All we had to do was to call as we neared their yacht basin.

New Orleans is a great place to visit. Neat sights, great food, but for a family it is not a place to visit for very long. There aren't many grassy parks near the tourist areas. The rest of the city is just that, city. So, on the second morning we were on our way to Mobile, Alabama, with reservations for a casino berth.

In Mobile, we were berthed at a long dock near a Harrah's Club Casino. The club was actually out over water on huge barges. I took care of the kids, while the three ladies used up a great deal of money, trying to get the slot machines to give it back to them. Amazing how those things keep taking, but don't give much back.

When we woke up the second morning, the girls asked if we could head toward Panama City. It would be a long day to get there, but we were soon berthed in a great area, full of huge boats.

Next to us was a boat very similar to Dewey's. The owner wasn't around, so we could only gawk at the boat that was nearly twice as long as ours. We had a good time in Panama City Beach getting T-shirts for a lot of our people. We bought food, and brought it back to the boat to have supper there.

While we were eating, out on deck, an elderly man came to the big sailboat next to us. He went inside, poked around a while, and then came back out with a drink. I asked him if he'd like to eat with us. He smiled and came immediately, introducing himself as Marshal Tucker. The girls fixed him a plate and he joined us eating baked grouper. They poured him some of our good wine and we talked of sailboats. He marveled at our trip, and said he wished he had the nerve to take a big trip.

Marshal explained that he'd had his sailboat made to be used as a business showpiece. He had planned to take customers out on short overnight cruises, to conduct business in privacy. The problem was crews. His business was good, but not good enough to have crews completely devoted to entertaining customers.

"I've misjudged the value of the boat, as I can't handle a boat this big by myself. I'm not a very good sailor, and this boat is just too big."

I gave him a tour of our boat then he gave all of us a tour of his. It was fancy, even fancier than Dewey's. He had most of the right equipment, but there were a lot to things that could be done to make it easier to handle a boat like that by yourself.

The boat was a hundred and ten feet long with a twenty-four foot wide beam. There were three big staterooms, a dining room and lounge next to a big galley, and a huge lounge or salon up on deck. The helm was a little sparse with no radar, a single radio, and a cheap GPS.

The girls said they were going to go into Panama City in the morning, and suggested I give Marshal a ride out in the Gulf on our boat. Marshal was eager, so I said sure, we could take a ride.

The next morning, I took down the shade canvas over the helm to give him an open feeling. We eased our way out of the berth. It was immediately apparent he did not have a great deal of experience yet, as he observed what I did. As I turned on all the electronic gear, he was amazed at what I had. He loved all the toys, and he even made a call on the satellite phone to his office.

I had him push all the buttons, and throw all the switches. I had him take the helm, as we picked up wind and skimmed over the Gulf waters. We made a huge circle, and headed back. I had him go through the engine startup procedures of opening the vents, and turning on the fans before starting the motors. After putting the fenders over the side, I had him idle the boat into the slip a little at a time so he could feel how it handled. Once we were tied up and shut down, with the shore power connected again, he said he could probably handle a boat our size.

I asked him if his boat was ready to sail and he said he didn't know, but if I would help him, we could check it. The first thing I did was to check the fuel level, which was at only about half a tank. The water tank was low and probably stale, and the holding tank was indicating almost full. I used my cell phone to have an attendant come flush and refill the potable water, and to flush the holding tank.

While all this activity was going on, I uncovered the sails and tested the motors. All were okay. I checked the meager electronics he had, and they worked. The wheel appeared to be good so I opened the engine vents, and started the fans. I disconnected the shore power and connections, started the engines, and watched the gauges to make sure the engines were running correctly.

About the time I was ready to let go the lines, the girls showed up and wanted to ride along. They brought the babies into the lounge. Juanita and Mercy handled the lines, while I eased the transmission into reverse. I slowly backed the long boat out into the basin. Once cleared of obstacles, I shifted into the forward gear, and began turning us to head out of the harbor.

When we were clear, I began to raise the sail. He had a lot more sail than our boat did, but about the same as Dewey's, and all the sails had electrical 'roller reefing' like Dewey's had. This made sail handling very easy. We shut down the engines and began sailing at pretty much peak speed, away from Panama City.

Once out in the Gulf about five miles we began turning in a big circle. The boat handled very nicely and responded well to the wheel. I had Mercy go in and use the wheel inside and also went in to see how it handled. She said she couldn't stay in there as there were no instruments at all.

During our turn I knew there were some low areas and began looking for the depth indicator. When I asked, Marshal said he didn't have one, and that he just stayed in the channel. I looked for buoys and lined myself up between them to get back to the marina.

We dropped sail, started the engines, and motored into the berth, tying up to secure the boat. We reconnected the shore facilities for Marshal, telling him he needed some more equipment to make the boat more seaworthy, and easier to maneuver, near shore.

He said he guessed that is why crews were so difficult to keep. Marshal had a well stocked liquor locker in the lounge and made the girls a rum and Coke and me a big Beefeaters. While we were sipping he asked if I could show him how to turn on the battery lights, and how to turn on the generator.

First, I had to find the generator. The switch panel was just inside the lounge, but I had to look for a vented area, to find the generator. When I found it, I discovered it still had all the factory seals on it. We found the book for it and did the prep. I turned on the fuel line and started it up. We followed the directions and flipped over from shore power to generator power. When he asked how long he could run the generator, I told him for as long as he had fuel, but that it was more efficient to run the boat on shore power when he was docked. I showed him the connections he had to use when he was in countries that used 220/50 cycle power.

Marshal recognized that Sue was the dominant female among the group and asked her, "How do you like my big sailboat?"

Then a little later he asked, "Would you rather have my big boat over yours?"

Sue answered honestly that she thought his boat was very nice but ours was the better boat because it was outfitted better. Mercy said that if we had his boat we could probably sail anywhere.

Marshal surprised us as we were going to our boat to fix supper.

"Would you consider trading boats? I know I might have to kick in a little cash, but I'd love to have your boat. I think I can handle it but I can't handle this monster. Your boat is the perfect size for me to live on, and to enjoy. I could sail around the Gulf and along the Atlantic coast in the summer. If I needed help I would only have to have one guy, not a whole crew. How about it, would you trade me?"

I thought Mercy was going to choke to death. She began coughing, and Sue had to pat her on the back to get over it.

Juanita went up to the man and said, "Are you serious, Senor? That little girl loves your boat and would trade instantly, but Steve and Sue are the ones you have to make the deal with."

Sue and Mercy had gone below to fix supper. Sue had called my surveyor, John. She had told him to drive, fly, boat, or walk; but to get up here to Panama City Beach, as fast as he could. We needed his eye and opinion this very minute. Sue told him to go to the Aero Park and she would have someone fly him up this evening.

A few minutes later, she had our main pilot on the way to the Aero Park, to fly John to Panama City.

John made it by seven forty-five. Sue briefed him on the phone as he was crossing the causeway from the airport. As soon as he arrived, we had Marshal show him around and to get out his papers on the boat, so John could see who made the boat.

"I don't need the papers to know who made this one. This is from the Magellan brothers in Miami. It can't be very old, probably less than a year. There are QC (quality control) stickers everywhere. It looks like you fired the generator for the first time today, did you?"

Marshal yakked the entire time John looked over the boat.

"How did the boat get up here, Marshal?" John asked.

"I hired a crew in Miami to sail it up here. They were supposed to stay here and teach me how to sail, but they left. I really want a boat, but this thing is too big for me. I like Steve's boat a lot. I'll trade and I'm willing to put some cash with this boat, to cover all the electronics Steve has to get."

John was not very tactful, "Do you have more money than sense?"

"I know, I know. I spent way too much for this boat and can probably not get out of it what I paid for it. At least I recognize that, and I'm willing to spend what it takes to make up the difference."

John just shook his head.

"I'm recommending that Steve take you up on the trade, if his women agree."

Mercy said, "I'll start moving our stuff."

Marshal said, "You don't have to do that. I don't stay on the boat anyway. I just come down to the boat in the afternoons to enjoy sitting on it. With your boat, I'll take it out."

John suggested to Marshal, "Tell you what, you give Steve twenty-five thousand difference and I'll make sure he throws in a month or two of sailing lessons so you can get your captain's license."

"You would do that?" Marshal asked me.

I told him, "Sure, I would. Let's shake on it and we can draw up an agreement and exchange papers. John knows how to do all of that."

John opened his briefcase and took out some papers and wrote up an agreement having both of us sign them. John said, "I'll come back out in the morning and witness you giving Steve a check and the deal will be complete. I will have your new captain instructor here in the morning to begin your lessons."

John turned to me, "Do you think you can get it back to Dunedin without the other gear?"

"I think so, we'll probably go out in the gulf a little to see if we can get this baby to fly," I said thinking of how Dewey's boat used to skim the waves.

"I would do the same, how about I ride with you so I can watch you fly it." John said.

"Take a hint, Steve," Mercy said, "He wants to sail on this thing too."

"Sure, come along. But you might want to stay on the beach tonight as the berths are not that clean even though they are new. There aren't any bedclothes for them, either."

Sue said, "If we can get back to Dunedin, tomorrow, we'll just leave it the way it is and clean it up later. We'll probably want to take this thing out after it's fitted with what we want anyway."

Marshal was all smiles, "Thank you, all of you. I think I'm getting the better deal and you think you're taking advantage of me. I don't. I'm making out like a bandit and I'll be able to handle this boat by myself. This will be perfect."

Mercy was still glassy-eyed, standing on the bow of the huge sailboat.

John went to find a room, and Marshal shared another drink before leaving the keys to his boat with us, as he went to his home on the mainland. The girls figured out that they would leave most everything except the guns, the fishing gear, and the life preservers.

They would move Marshal's liquor to the lounge in our boat in the morning. We cleaned up the small stateroom so the kids would have a place to take a nap tomorrow afternoon.

In bed that night, Mercy was energized.

"This is an answer to a dream that I had the night we went sailing with Dewey. This is really wonderful. Perhaps we could sail it through the Panama Canal and up the west coast to Dewey's. Wouldn't he be surprised to see us?"

"That he would, Mercy, that he would. I think your folks would be even more surprised," I said.

"Oh, wow, I forgot about that. We have to go, we have to do that, please, could we?"

She was like a little girl. Sue said we would think about it. Juanita said she was ready to go with us, as she felt like for the first time in years that she was a part of a family.

Original Editing by Pepere
New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 43



The next morning, the girls had everything transferred between boats by eight. John and Marshal showed up about nine, with a third man who was an experienced captain that trained people to sail. The man John brought along drooled over the Magellan made sailboat, but really liked our sixty-five footer. He said the electronics array was superior to any he had ever seen. I told him to compliment John on his selection.

Money was transferred and Sue made sure the training captain had our telephone number so we could keep up with Marshal's training and he could be paid. John tossed his bag into the lounge, where Sue had stacked several things in front of the stairs, so Stevie couldn't fall down the ladder or stairway as land lubbers call it.

John sat down on a built in lounge chair near the helm and watched as Juanita was aft and Mercy was at the bow, untying the lines. Once loose, they coiled them the way they had learned, waited till we cleared the berth, and then pulled the fenders.

We motored out of the harbor, and as soon as we were in deep water, I began raising sail. We were heeled over a little, but were moving rapidly in a southerly direction. The GPS didn't have very good port descriptions, and didn't include Dunedin, so I set it up for Clearwater and figured I could watch as we got close.

I noticed a slight drag on one side and thought there might be a rudder problem. John took the wheel and thought the same. He told me, "This is a new boat. We need to call Magellan and see what they suggest.

John said he had called the Dunedin yacht club to advise them we were bringing a hundred and ten-foot craft in. They said we should put it on the end and they would have us berth there until they had a longer slip built. They were also moving the other tenant so we could berth the cruiser next to it.

Mercy was standing on the bow, enjoying the wind in her face. The girls brought the kids on deck and had Stevie in his little life jacket. This boat had an enclosed railing around the entire boat so little Steve was a little safer on this than the other boat. We figured the railing gave us an extra couple of seconds to grab him if he were to get loose and head for the side.

About seven, I had dropped the sail and started the motors, heading into the harbor area at Dunedin. I eased up to the long dock they wished me to berth. An attendant had seen us coming in and took the bowline that Mercy threw him. Once tied up, the attendant helped us connect shore facilities. I told him the boat wouldn't be going out soon, as it needed to be outfitted before sailing again.

During the trip back, John and I had made an extensive list of what we wanted. An important desire was the dual control for the main and weather helm. I also wanted to have a cistern built so we could catch rainwater running off the top of the lounge similar to Dewey's. John said we wouldn't need the cistern as this boat had a desalination system. Sue had some plans drawn out for where to put a washer and dryer. She had modifications to the galley so it would be larger and wanted TVs in all four of the staterooms, the galley, the below deck lounge, and the main lounge. She couldn't understand why they had such a luxury yacht, but only had one big head and one dinky one for the other three staterooms. John said he would get the ships plans and see what could be done. Sue said that the dining room could be smaller, the below deck lounge wasn't important to her, and if the space were needed, that one of the staterooms could be done away with too. John said the conversion would take at least two weeks and he would try to get Magellan people to come up and help.

Sue called a local taxi service and asked if they had any taxis that were SUVs. They sent a Caravan that had enough seats for the kids' seats and us. We didn't want to call home, since everyone would want to trample all over the boat before it was ready.

When the taxi stopped in front of the patio, people poured out saying, "Why didn't you call us, how come you didn't?"

Once inside, Mercy excitedly began telling everyone about the end of the trip, instead of any of the in between. All she could do was to talk about the big new boat we had traded for.

Tiny asked, "How come you didn't call me to transfer money? You can't gain forty-five feet of boat without it costing you a lot."

"Here, Tiny," I said, handing him the check. "This is twenty-five grand for the difference, but I have to pay an instructor captain for a month or so to train the new owner of our old boat."

"What do you mean the difference? You should owe that guy at least a million difference," Tiny said, disbelieving.

"You're right, I agree, but this is the deal the guy offered, and this is the deal we'll have to live with."

Tiny looked at me warily, "Does the boat float? Is it worth anything?"

"Hey, it's almost brand new. It's only a few months old and it's only been sailed from Miami to Panama City and back down here. We took it out for a couple of hours to see how it sailed, but other than that, the boat is new."

Tiny squinted at me, "What's the catch? What aren't you telling me, or is this another case where that horseshoe stuck up your butt is working?"

Sue came over and said, "It's probably the horseshoe, Tiny. He does come up with some of the strangest, most lopsided, deals."

Tiny smiled, "So all this is really true. You traded your sixty-five foot boat, that you damn near stole, for a brand new hundred ten foot boat, and received twenty-five thousand to boot?"

"We have to spend a chunk on out fitting it with electronics and doing a little remodeling. When you see it, you'll croak. This thing is a monster and is going to be pristine. We need to name it though, as it's not been registered with a name yet.

I looked at Sue and said, "The only thing we can name this thing is the "Have Mercy."

Sue smiled, "Perfect. I like it. It's really her boat. She just lets us ride along."

Tiny grinned and said, "You and your women, are you going to adopt Juanita too, or is she already a part of the family."

Sue said, "You know she's family. She's a good sailor and great with the kids, so she's part of the crew."

I looked at Tiny, "Say Tiny, what's this about my office out at the Aero Park charter office?"

"You weren't supposed to get that call. Terrell didn't understand it was going to be a surprise. Now I guess I'll have to tell you. You need another place to go to when you just want to think or where you can take someone to work on a deal away from everyone. Now you have it. Terrell told me about you suggesting stairways to each hangar using a walkway between the doors." Tiny took a breath. "I don't know why the architects didn't think about that when they planned the building. The place is almost done. The offices are furnished so you'll have to go see."

"I guess we can use an office out there," I said. "It can be for all of us, not just me. If someone flies in to see us, we can use the office to make whatever deal we want to make out there instead of in the shop."

Sue came out and told me to go give the kids a goodnight kiss and hug. I went into their bedroom and kissed each one. Lizzy and Mike were already asleep, while Stevie was almost asleep. As soon as I kissed him he closed his eyes. I patted him and left, leaving the door open a little for light for the cameras.

We all had a drink, happy to be home among our friends. It was a Thursday night, so tomorrow would be a week's windup. I got a hug from Glenda before she and Martin went home for the night. Susan gave me a hug before Kevin took her home. Juanita was staying with us tonight, so she didn't have to contend with opening her musty smelling home tonight.

Once the four of us were all showered and ready for bed, we were all tired. I was placed between Juanita and Sue, while Mercy was hugging Sue's back. We were asleep in minutes.

I was on my back and someone was laying on me, kissing my neck, while wiggling around on me. I felt a hand take hold of my growing interest and place me at the entrance of a warm moist channel. I was slowly eased into the channel and I recognized Sue's groan as she bottomed out on me. Sue would thrust four or five times, and shiver. She kept this up until she froze and relaxed, thanking me for loving her up in the middle of the night. As she slid off me, Mercy pushed her back and buried her face into Sue's center.

My interest had not been appeased and was being attacked by the brown Cuban babe that was lying next to me. Juanita climbed on me and seated herself. She rocked and rolled until she groaned and moaned. I almost couldn't hold it any longer. When Juanita laid to my side, Sue followed her, and started doing what Mercy had done to her.

I rolled Mercy onto her back and brought my body to cover hers. I found her moist place, using my hands, and slowly sunk into her soggy center. I thrust and she thrashed for several minutes; until we groaned together when I filled her with my seed.

A few minutes later, we were all sleeping gently in the afterglow of some spontaneous lovemaking.

I woke with my face surrounded by the familiar globes of my wife. Some more breasts were pressed into my back. I recognized the large softness, with the erect nipples, as belonging to Juanita. Just the thought of the smiling brown beauty had me growing a morning woody.

As I raised my head, the little head acted like a heat-seeking missile, and found a moist home to lodge within. We both groaned as I sunk into her, rolling over to gain leverage, to fill her over and over again. As I was thrusting into her, a black head of hair came between me and Sue's breasts. Sue grunted from the additional stimulation, causing me to gasp and release a torrential flow of me into her. It had only been a couple of hours since I filled Mercy but it seemed as if I was really filling Sue up.

Sue hugged and kissed me, telling me how much she loved me as I sagged into her. Juanita had pulled her head out and was kissing us both, excited to share in our love.

I whispered to Sue that I had to get up to use the toilet. I climbed out of bed and headed to the bathroom. There, I released a river into the toilet until finally it trickled to a stop. As soon as I shook myself, Mercy sat on the toilet. I looked back to be surprised by Juanita, with her face between Sue's sloppy thighs. My women were really into each other. They were something.

I got into the shower, and just made the water temperature correct, when Mercy came in with me. She grabbed hold of me, stroking me into hardness again. We kissed some before she turned to lean into the wall, fitted me into her from behind, and immediately began rocking back and forth. I didn't do her. She did me. We thrust frantically, until she finally groaned and became weak in the knees sagging. I held her up, supporting her under the spray, until she recovered energy to stand.

We were washing each other off when Juanita came into the shower. I had not come with Mercy, so my wanger was still waving a little. Juanita saw this and repeated what Mercy had done, turning away from me to be entered from the rear. This time, after thrusting until Juanita was near screaming, I flowed into her with enough tadpoles to repopulate New York City. Now I was the one with the weak knees.

Sue got in and we all washed her, giving her lots of attention, making sure each nook and cranny had been cleaned.

Once we were clean and dried, I dressed quickly before we became involved again. I love having all that attention, but I need some strength for the rest of the day.

Surprisingly, after all that I still beat Glenda to the patio. It was just six o'clock. Once the lights were turned on, I poured myself a cup of coffee and went for the newspaper. I had just read the front page when Glenda walked in saying, "Sure is nice to have you home for a bit. We all miss you guys when you're not here. Between missing the four of you and your three kids, we were lonely for you all."

Ruth had come in and agreed with Glenda. Ruth said, "Tiny doesn't know what to do next, without having Steve handy to run it by first. He's perfectly capable of doing everything that needs to be done, but he likes to tell Steve about it first."

Shawna was holding her little girl, with CJ at her feet. "You know, I don't need Steve to tell me what to do in the shop, but I enjoy having him looking over my shoulder all the time. He makes his tour through the place, looks at what everyone is doing, but goes off to start something else. When he's not around, we need someone who does nothing but walk around to stick his nose into what we're doing, just so we feel like the boss approves."

"None of you guys really need me. I just poke around to make sure you have everything you need. There's nothing I can do. I pick up a screwdriver or a wrench occasionally, but I don't do anything on the floor anymore. Everyone has it under control."

Kevin and Susan came in. Kevin hollered, "Hey Boss, you need to come over to the RV store and look at the new display. We made up a comparison of the four brands, using the analysis that Abe wrote up. So far it's answering questions for the lookers better than an individual can. Come on over, you'll like it."

Tiny walked in and grabbed a cup of coffee. At that moment a young man came into the patio carrying a big box of donuts and another big box of breakfast sandwiches. He sat them on the middle big table and left without saying anything.

I looked at Tiny and he smiled, "That's one of the bellhops at the hotel. I pay him to pickup the sandwiches and donuts every morning and drive them over here. He uses one of the hotel's golf carts and does the whole trip in about thirty minutes. We tip him well enough that he loves the job."

Dennis and Tina showed up, gobbled down some food, and left for school. Tina preferred to ride with her brother, rather than drive her Mustang to school. She said she's afraid someone will scratch it.

The place was going full force. Terrell, and the pregnant Deanne, were eating with Tom, Al, Betty, and Joan. They were having a conversation about the coming weekend when Darnel came in with a tall very dark lady. He brought her over to Sue and me and introduced her as Sheena, saying they were engaged and would be asking to be married out here soon. Sheena had a warm smile and seemed to be about the same age as Darnel.

Sue smiled and said, "Welcome to our crew, Darnel and Sheena. Do you guys live out here?"

Sheena blushed and said, "Darnel and I bought the double wide that Nelda used to have. I just loved that lady so much. The estate sold us the house just this past week. We love the way it sits close to the ground and doesn't have all those steps up into it."

I had forgotten about Nelda's estate and thought I should call the attorney. I pulled my little notebook out and wrote reminders to check out the display at the RV store, to make a personal tour through the shop, and to call the estate attorney. Sue looked over my shoulder and said, "Put down lunch, gym, and swim with Sue, Mercy, and Juanita." I added to check out the construction at the Aero Park too.

I left in my truck, stopping by the RV store. Crystal saw me and came over to walk in and look at the big display with me. There were handouts for each big RV that included Abe's appraisal of each one. Abe had added more information to the reports as he had used them, advising which unit cost more to maintain if used on the road, or which one cost more to maintain if it was staying in a park most of the time. There was something for everyone.

While I was reading these, I had an idea. I didn't know much about publishing but I knew someone who did. I wrote a note in my book to call Dewey.

I congratulated Crystal on the display, but she deferred to Kevin, saying it was his idea, and that he had designed and helped build the whole thing. She said that it had been directly responsible for at least two sales.

Next, I went to the shop and did a tour through the whole place. I actually stopped into the motor shop last so Shawna wouldn't think I did it only because she had mentioned it. Everyone in all the different work areas was happy that I paid attention to them. The place was still putting out perfect work.

I had some time before I had to go home for lunch, so I went up to my office and called Dewey. I caught him in his home office. We talked a little before I told him that I needed to talk to someone about a possible magazine and what it would take to start one up. Dewey said he would have his publishers give me a call, and perhaps we could even use his people to help put the magazine together.

When that was out of the way I told him about the trip we just took in the sixty-five foot sailboat. He was excited that we had bought one. Then I began telling him about trading it on the hundred ten foot Magellan. He couldn't believe it. "I have to see this thing. It's probably a wreck. I'll be down tonight. I'm calling for the plane right now." I heard him yell at Sheila, and he came back to phone. "We're out of here in an hour. We'll see you this evening." He hung up on me. Dewey is so strange.

I called Sue to let her know that Dewey, Sheila, and little Dewey were on their way. She was excited. About two minutes later, Mercy called and asked if she could call Dewey to see if he would stop by and pick up her Mom and Dad. I told her to go ahead and that I was on my way home.

I waved bye to Deb, telling her I would see her this evening, and headed for home.

At home, Glenda was in the kitchen with a heavyset older lady. Glenda introduced her as Margaret, a friend of hers who lived in the park during the winter, but had never wanted to come over to visit with us. Glenda said that Margaret finally asked Glenda if she knew where she could get a job doing some light housekeeping, or just helping to take care of a family.

I welcomed Margaret, noticing a ring on her hand. "Bring your husband with you tomorrow, Margaret, he would enjoy the patio or perhaps the pool table."

She looked at me with a tear in her eye, "I buried my man last month. I miss having him around, even though he didn't do anything. I need to be taking care of someone. Thank you for giving me a job. I would do it for nothing so I have something to do."

"I'm sorry to hear of your loss, Margaret," I said, as I walked over to her and gave her a good hug.

She looked up at me and smiled, "Just give me one of those hugs everyday and that'll be pay enough."

Sue had heard the conversation and walked over to her and hugged her, "We'll all give you a hug everyday, Maggie. I've heard the neighbors talk about your loss."

I gave her another hug and said, "I hope you like "Maggie" cause I like that. It fits you. Maggie is a great name."

Maggie was beaming at Glenda as they prepared soup and sandwiches for all of us.

Martin came riding up on his cart, saying since he has a cart now, he has been able to get around all over the park to help people. Maggie heard him and said to me, "Martin is the best man. He is always helping me or some other widow woman out here. He is a good man."

Glenda said that I would probably recognize most of the widows, as they were the ones at the pool most of the time when Sue, Mercy, and I swam and sunned.

We ate lunch, before Sue, Mercy, Juanita, and I went to the gym. An hour and a half later, we came back to change into swimwear and head to the pool. This time we took the little ones with us. When we reached the pool, I almost had a heart attack. Stevie ran straight at the pool and jumped in. As I raced toward the pool, he surfaced and swam back to the side where the big slide was. In seconds he was out of the pool climbing the slide to squeal all the way down until he splashed into the water.

I looked at Sue and she said, "Glenda and Mercy said we should teach him to swim so they did. I try, but they are better able to get across to him what to do. As you can see, he's doing well."

Sue was holding Liz, and Mercy holding Mike, as they let them use their arms and legs to keep their heads above water. The pure survival instinct worked for them as they managed to not flounder around. When Sue let go of Lizzy, the little one moved her arms and feet around then rolled over to her back and floated. Sue did this a couple of more times and each time Liz just rolled right over onto her back and floated. She hollered out a couple of times, but was able to float on her back easily.

I was truly amazed. Mercy said, "Watch this."

Mercy took Mike and tossed him into the water, he sunk under water before using his arms and legs, rose to the surface and turned over onto his back. Instead of crying loudly in panic, Mike rolled onto his back and I swear, he giggled while floating and began calling, "MamamamamaDadadadadada." Lizzy heard him and began calling the same.

"Wow, you two have done wonders with the kids. What a great thing to do so they won't drown if they should accidentally fall in."

While the girls sunbathed, I swam as hard as I could for fifteen minutes, until I couldn't go anymore. When I was done, they slicked me down with oil and I played with the kids in the water for a few minutes until it was time to go home.

We really didn't need the sun as we had gotten brown sailing out on the water. The exercise and the kids swimming were good though. I'm glad the girls were doing that with the kids. I was really impressed with the way Steve played in the water. We would definitely have to watch him while on the boat.

When we got home, the rental company was erecting the big tent. There would be a bigger than usual gathering tonight, I wonder what was up. I showered off at home, redressed, and headed to the Aero Park.

The girl from operations hollered at me to come inside. When I went in she handed me a stack of stickers for vehicles so we could park out by the hangars. She said that without the sticker the attendants had vehicles towed. I thanked her, as I had planned on just parking in front of the ops building and walking across. She told me to watch for the light and to be sure to stop if it was red. I told her to make sure she brought her husband over tonight for the party. I said I didn't know what it was about, but it should be fun.

I put a sticker on the left lower side of the front windshield and drove over to park in front of the new building. Inside, De De and Star were putting address labels on mailers. They said they were sending information to all of the major companies in the greater Tampa Bay area. I didn't know we hired them both, but oh well. Upstairs, I looked in both offices and recognized which one would be mine by the picture of Sue, Mercy, Steve, Liz, and Mike. The office was nice and had big windows looking into hangars on each side. On one side there were two 210s and a 200 that didn't have the logo on it. There were also three 172s and an A36. The hangar was big enough to hold another half dozen small planes.

The other hangar had my attention. There was a brand new Gulfstream V, and a fairly new looking Lear. Oh my. The floors and walls of both hangars were painted white with the logo in the middle of the floor, as well as on the back wall. I was impressed.

Curious, I went out the door of my office stepping down the stairs to the floor where the Gulfstream was. I walked over to the stairs and climbed into the cabin. It was nice, but not as nice as Dewey's. I guess you have to have his stuff installed specially. I looked into the cockpit and went back down the stairs. Still curious, I did the same in the Lear. It was surprisingly small. I think the 200 carried more people. The 200 didn't go as fast but it had at least the same range. The Lear was an ego thing. Some people just wanted to show off. While I was getting out of the Lear, the big doors began sliding apart. A couple of men came out of a door marked men's lockers. They walked up to me and said, "Glad to meet you, Mr. Sharp. I'm Don Baker and this is another pilot, George Markham. We have a charter and are here to get the pre-flight done. A mechanic is on his way to get us ready. Are you going to learn to fly these two planes. They are fun, but I'm not sure they're any more fun than the 200. I really like that little plane."

I told them I had not decided whether I would fly the big ones or not. I told them I wasn't all that enamored over the cost of flying the Lear for personal use, but there were times I might want to fly a lot of people in the Gulfstream.

"Well, you can use us if you need. We'll give you right seat time so you can log some hours. It takes a while to fly one of these but it isn't that much different than flying the Beech King Air."

I walked across the tarmac to the other two hangars that were still under construction. It looked like they were just about done. The floors had been sealed already and the walls and ceiling were already painted. I wondered if the side for the helicopters was going to be successful.

As I turned, there was an attendant with a tow motor, with an S&S insignia on the side, backing in to pull the Gulfstream out to the tarmac. The other hangar doors were open too and two of the 172s were being pushed out. I recognized the instructor who had taught me instruments pushing one of the planes. Another guy, I assumed was an instructor, was with what must have been a student pushing the other plane out.

I walked back into the office to see Star with three groups of papers. She looked up to me and pointed to the larger stack, "This is for the Gulfstream charter. They are flying to Jacksonville and picking up eight people to take them out to Los Angeles. These are for the student rentals. We actually have another student rental and a charter for the remaining 200 and a 210 this evening. Tomorrow, Saturday, we have a full day of student rentals, plus a charter for the Lear. You're going to have to get some more airplanes. We have more charters than we have planes."

DeDe was putting some items in a small bag. She turned and said, "This is great, I have a student coming in for the 210 in an hour. I'm finally doing everyday what I've dreamed of doing."

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. This was too much. Actually it was Tiny's and John's deal, not mine. I didn't have to worry about it. I thanked the girls and headed to the operations building. I asked the Aero Park owner how he felt about me having so many planes.

"Man, you are a lifesaver. I have more students and instructor pilots than airplanes. If you wanted to, you could have another half dozen of those 172s, and still not have too many."

I'd had enough. This had been enough shock for the day.

On the way home, I wondered if everything Sue and I became involved in grew out of proportion to our intentions.

At home, the party was beginning. The yard already had a couple of horseshoe games going, people were milling around the food and bar in the big tent, and there was a parade of kids on their way to the pool.

Tiny, Phil, Ryan, and Abe looked up as I walked in, and it was almost as if they had been caught doing something. All I could think of was, "What now?"

There were four new couples sitting next to the fearsome foursome that I had not met before. The men were all tanned and rugged looking as if they spent a lot of their time outdoors. I wondered if these folks were going to be a surprise similar to Ryan and Michelle.

Mercy came up to me, carrying Lizzy and Mike on her two hips. I picked up Mike and gave him a big hug and kiss then traded Mercy for Lizzy. Liz giggled her little girl giggle and began a dadadada serenade that calms any father. I found Sue and Shawna with the four older kids, directing rolling a large ball back and forth between them. It would go well until one of the boys would pick up the big ball and throw it instead of rolling it on the floor.

When Mercy and I put our two down with Sean, the three instantly got together, handing each other blocks. Mike was smaller than the two girls because he was younger, but he seemed to be near them in motor abilities.

I went back out to get a drink and mingle. I gave Tiny a chance to introduce me to the new people, but he glossed over them and mentioned that Jeff had some news.

Jeff was playing horseshoes with Martin and some other men, so I went out to see what was up with him.

"Hey, Steve," Jeff hollered. "Come here; let me tell you some news."

When I stood next to Jeff, I asked, "What's up?"

"I've been trying to expand the fiberglass group to make custom parts for other companies and have just landed a good one. We now have a contract with General Motors for the flexible nylon and fiberglass bumpers for the new Saturn. This will expand our crew to more than eighty men. We might even run out of space. Anyway, it's going to increase the fiberglass department's sales by a minimum of five times."

"That is great, Jeff. I didn't know there was such a thing as nylon-fiberglass or flexible fiberglass."

Jeff said, "It's a new technology that has become popular within the automotive industry. It's really nothing special, but companies like General Motors have subcontractors make parts for a division, so they don't have to increase their union membership employees. I'm hoping we can qualify for the new little Pontiac. I think our bid is as good as anyone's."

That was good news. It's always nice to know a division you thought was dormant or maxed could grow.

There was a commotion at the front door of the patio. I heard someone squeal "Merlin, Missy!" I knew who had arrived. I made my way to find Dewey, little Dewey, and Sheila, along with Merlin and Missy. I put their bags in the house, and joined them on the patio as they each got something to eat and drink.

Everyone was eating and having some good beverages to wash food down with, until Tiny got out his microphone and plugged it in, asking people to gather around.

"Listen up, everyone. Phil, Ryan, Abe, and I have some announcements. I'm going to give Abe the first shot."

Abe took the microphone and announced the fiberglass shop's new contract. He announced the opening of a second big lift shop in Kansas City next, saying that they were already to capacity and were attempting to hire more men.

Ryan followed, "The expansion in Kansas City is a real winner, but another great win is the opening of the truck and golf cart sales buildings at all three locations in Chicago. If it looks favorable, we will open an RV store there as well, but only in one location."

This caused a lot of cheering.

Phil was next, "Crystal and Kevin would you two stand up a minute. I have to give these two the total credit for this next bit of news. The two of them just made a huge sale to Paramount Pictures for thirty-two of our best Coachman motor homes. These are thirty-two custom coaches that are each worth a king's ransom. Give these two folks a hand, they deserve it."

I thought about how thirty-two coaches worth at least a half-mil each was probably worth sixteen million in sales.

Phil continued, "I'm going to let Tiny tell you the rest, but I'm dying to let you all in on the latest of what our leader has been involved in."

Tiny took the mike and said, "Don't give it away yet. Let's talk about some other stuff."

He moved away from the bar a little and continued, "You all know our fearless leader likes airplanes, so I've gone out and bought him a bunch of them and will get some more. He can't fly them all, so the company has now opened an air charter and rental service. We have a division that charters flights to anywhere. Anywhere on this earth, plus we have rental planes for student pilots. This is so successful that we need to expand our student plane rentals to double what we have now. And the big news is that S&S now charters a big Gulfstream V and a Learjet. How about that?"

Lots of applause. "Star, stand up. Star is the office manager at the charter office. Her assistant is still at work, as we have several rental planes out right now. You'll meet her another time."

"DeDe, stand up please. You all know DeDe, but did you know she's been taking flying lessons for the last five years and is now a certified instructor pilot. DeDe is now one of the instructors out at our charter service."

Lots of applause.

"Next I wish to introduce these four couples up here. From right to left is Captain Douglas, Captain Francisco, Captain DiGargiano and Captain Mitchell, all accompanied by their lovely wives. These four men are the basis for our new recreational charter fishing addition. S&S just purchased four thirty-five foot fishing boats plus four inland waterway flatboats for these four captains. They have agreed to be a part of S&S, handling our customers. Do you know that they are already booked through the end of the year? How about that?" (Applause and hollering) "Now the good news, those who get attaboys and appreciation cards will have a chance at being drawn for a fishing trip. (Louder applause and hollering.) "We are planning on doubling the amount of captains and boats we have out at a time, so it's looking pretty good that when you guys want to go out fishing, you should be able to get a ride. The company has a forty-five foot Hatteras that we are using for customers and appreciation bonuses now, but that boat may not be available all the time."

"Okay, here is the big one. Our leader stumbled into a great deal recently by being able to buy a sixty-five foot sailboat for a very reasonable price. He took it out for a long sail, and berthed in Panama City next to a man with a brand new hundred and ten-foot sailboat. I don't know what all happened, but this guy called me and asked about our business and Steve. Steve, Sue, and Mercy had worked their magic on the guy and he wanted to do some kind of business with us. He said since he was mostly retired, he couldn't do much, but wanted to do something. Ryan stopped by to see him on his way home Thursday and further impressed the man. The guy couldn't do much, but he did have the United Kingdom purchase nearly a hundred million dollars worth of mobile generators for the UK Caribbean island possessions."

The people were wound up, so the applause and cheering was deafening.

"Every time Steve goes anywhere, the company benefits. Steve benefited too because this same guy traded his brand new sailboat to Steve for Steve's smaller one. All because Steve was nice enough to take him out to sea and show him how to sail the smaller boat and get him some future instruction. Steve's new boat is being outfitted with good electronics and will be available for your inspection soon. That is if Steve isn't out sailing around getting us business."

"I'm not going to give Steve a chance to deny what he's done, but I am going to give Sue a chance to speak."

Sue took the microphone and smiled at everyone. "It wasn't Steve's idea to get a boat, any boat, but Tiny and Phil wanted a big fishing boat, and Mercy found out that she loved to go out on the water sailing. Steve was in the process of testing the sailboat when he stumbled onto the deal for the Hatteras. In the process of an inspection, the Coast Guard confiscated the sailboat he was testing and sold Steve the Hatteras for nearly a song. You know how lucky he is."

Sue did a pirouette and said, "Just look what he got with me." The crowd laughed and applauded.

"The Coast Guard and DEA liked Steve so much that they sold him the sailboat back for about a third of what he was going to pay for it in the first place. We put some electronics on it and took it out for a cruise. In Panama City we met this nice man who was lonely and didn't like his new boat. He wanted to trade, so Steve traded. Now Steve has a boat that Mercy is in love with, and we plan on taking it out soon. Hopefully we can promote some business along the way. Our Steve is one of the luckiest guys you'll ever meet. He's also one of the nicest."

After all the applause, Sue gave the mike back to Tiny and joined Mercy and me. She said, "I told that correctly right?"

I just groaned.

Tiny began again, "Looks like we better get ready for some more business if the boss is going to be traveling. You never know who he'll run into next."

"Since 9/11 we have been doing a lot of government business and hope to continue. The military is getting smart and is going to send their used equipment back to us to be refurbished. From the estimates we have, we need to expand the rebuild shop by at least four to six bays. We have the room to add on to that portion of the shop but it will be the last addition we can have on that side. Terrell has it on his schedule and we have purchased another lot to store the returning equipment before it is refurbished. I just wanted to let you know that our 401Ks are growing and growing. Thanks for coming and we look forward to another great week."

The girls had abandoned me for something more interesting to them, so I went to greet the new captains and to get another drink. The one captain, Captain Douglas, asked me about the big boat. When I told him it was a new Magellan, I thought he was going to choke.

"What the hell did you trade him? That boat's worth over two and half million, probably twice that easily."

"We had a fully rigged, fully automatic, very tricked out sixty-five foot Buccaneer."

"Whew!" he said. "Nice boat, but still not what a hundred ten foot custom Magellan is worth."

"The Magellan is being outfitted to become fully automated and we're installing every new piece of electronic gear we can find. We're putting in a new battery array with two backup generators just to be on the safe side. The best part about it is that some Magellan people are up here right now doing the work for me. They like my additions and plan to offer them on their future boats."

"The boat wasn't designed very well for a luxury yacht. It only had one big head in the master stateroom and only one other dinky head. The space wasn't used very well so we're having them rework the boat."

The captain said, "I can't wait to see this boat. I love sailboats but have never been on one over fifty feet. If you ever feel generous, I'd love to go out on it one of these days."

I looked at the four captains and their wives, "How about all of you come out with me for a cruise during the week. We'll go out on a Tuesday or Wednesday so we can avoid all of the traffic. I'll give you some notice so you can do a work around on your charters."

There was a murmur among them, and they were all nodding their heads wanting to go sailing on a big boat.

Mercy had come up to me and said, "Captain Douglas is going to help me get my captain's license. With what you've already taught me, I should be able to finish quickly. It will be nice to have us both qualified to handle the boat. All I will need is experience."

The thought of this diminutive woman handling the behemoth sailboat by herself was frightening. If anyone could do it, it would be Mercy or Sue. They were so strong willed they could be frightening.

I finally got Tiny off to the side. "What kind of deal did you get on your boats?"

"Not as good as you did on the Hatteras, but very competitive. The dealer couldn't deal with me fast enough when I wanted to buy four and found out I wasn't kidding. The next four aren't built yet, but will be here soon. I have to find captains for them too though."

"So, Tiny, what kind of deal are you getting on the planes?"

Tiny smiled, "Actually the guy in California that Sue bought her first two planes from is helping me as is the Aero Park owner. I want to get a total of ten student planes, the rest of them will be smaller for beginners. We'll use the 172s for instrument instruction. We'll get four more 210s, 205s or 206s, three or four more 200s, a couple more A36s and perhaps another Gulfstream. Anything else, we'll have to see. I have several crews capable of flying everything we have, so we should get plenty of business."

I had to ask, "Is the rental and charter business that good. Is it that profitable?"

"Yes and no, Steve. It is if you consider that we will be getting rental and commission from the helicopter people, plus our own mechanics will be making money for us. There is enough business for us to stay busy, especially on flights between five hundred and fifteen hundred miles. We'll get longer ones too, but our bread and butter will be five to fifteen hundred miles. Most of the charter services want either two hundred and under, or coast to coast stuff. Our planes will be busy, but on shorter flights."

"I know if you do it, you've looked at the numbers six ways to Sunday. Thanks, Tiny."

Tiny said, "Actually, Henry did the analysis on it as he had done some work with charter companies before. He said we should be green all the way."

We had another drink toasting our successes. Dewey, Phil, and Ryan joined us and we toasted some more while watching the guys toss horseshoes.

Soon people began leaving. A lot of them were taking advantage of the accompanied ride home so they wouldn't drive under the influence. Even Dennis and Tina were working with the kids driving the cars.

Sue, Mercy, and I were sitting on the patio alone relaxing with Dewey and Sheila. Mercy asked, "I hope we can go out soon. I'd like to sail out in the open water with the big boat."

Sue chimed in, "With all the turmoil everywhere, I'd really like to go out too. The peacefulness out on the water sure is nice. Juanita even said she wanted to go out as soon as we could."

Mercy said, "That settles it, I'm going over there to see how they are doing and push them along a little."

I interjected, "Don't push a good tech. Let him do a good job at his own pace. We can go check, but we don't push."

Dewey volunteered, "Those luxury boat techs are really picky. They'll do a great job if no one interferes."

We slept peacefully that night, with all three of us probably thinking of sailing.

Original Editing by Pepere
New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 44



Saturday morning was busy. Mickey was having breakfast when I came out at six. Samantha was sleepily sitting with Mickey, saying she was going back to bed as soon as Mickey left for work. A bunch of people were working today to meet some deadlines for equipment at the shop and in the park. It was more like a weekday than a Saturday.

Dewey, Sheila, Mercy, Sue, and Juanita wanted to go see the boat, and as soon as Tiny and Phil heard them talking, they wanted to go too, which meant Ruth and Judy were going to come along. Ryan said he and Michelle would like to come and Glenda asked if she and Martin could join in too.

Sue and Mercy got their heads together and had Maggie come over, along with Beth and a nurse practitioner that did babysitting. Looking after seven little ones is a big job.

It took three cars to get us all over to the Dunedin yacht club. We walked down to the boat to find six techs screwing things back together. The lead man asked if any of us was Steve Sharp. When I indicated it was I, he stood quickly and shook my hand.

"Thank you for the big order. You've made this boat into a show piece now. The original owner didn't know much about sailboats, but you obviously know what to have to make one safe and great to travel in. We are done, how about a shakedown cruise? Want to take it out?"

Everyone in my party was yelling, "Yes, yes, come on, let's go."

The man said, "Let me make one quick tour of the boat with you to make sure we've made all of the modifications you wanted, and that everything is screwed into place, then we'll cast off."

Sue and Mercy accompanied us as we went over the modifications. The other staterooms now had accompanying heads with another head easily reached from the galley. I was amazed that they had relocated walls, installed and connected all of the plumbing and wiring so easily.

When our inspection was complete, I told Sue and Mercy to help me take the covers off the sails and to test the motors with me. We quickly did that, then I went forward to check the new generator hold and opened the vents. I flipped on the fans and went back to open the engine vents and turn on the fans there. I told Tiny to check in the lounge to see how many life jackets were in there and count heads to make sure we were legal. I asked Ruth to go below to the galley to see if there was any beer there or in the lounge fridge.

I sent Ryan and Phil out to the liquor store across the street from the yacht club for booze, beer, ice and plastic cups. I hollered clear to the men below and cranked the engines and double-checked all of the fluids. Fuel was full and water was full.

The six men came up on deck with their tools, took them to their trucks, and came back. Tiny came to me and said we were going to be two jackets short. I told him to look into the new dinghy on the stern davits and he came back to tell me there were four jackets in the dinghy so we were legal and safe.

Ryan and Phil came back with a store employee pushing three carts full of goodies. The booze was instantly put into the cabinets made for it in the lounge and the beer stowed in the fridge there and in the galley. The ice went into the ice container as the water desalination equipment and ice-maker were not turned on yet.

I asked Juanita, Sue, and Mercy if they were ready. Sue went forward and Mercy went aft. Juanita pulled lines in and coiled them. They all yelled so I engaged the transmission and began easing out backward, sounding the horn and bell. The boat is so long that it takes forever to clear the dock. As soon as we were clear of all the other boats and docks, I shifted to the forward gear and gently swung the bow around to head out to the channel into the gulf.

Once we were about a half-mile out, I began raising sail. Mercy shut down the engines while I made sure each of the big sails were up securely and filled with wind. The big boat wasn't as nimble as Dewey's, but it seemed a little faster. Mercy and I had turned on all of the electronics and were watching both radars and the depth indicator to make sure we were staying in the open water. I did a radio check to the Coast Guard on the emergency radios, and turned on the CCTV screen that showed the galley, the staterooms, the dining room, and the lounge below deck. Everything was working the way I wanted. We would test the anti-personnel radar later. Sue and Juanita reported that the satellite TV was working great, as was the satellite phone.

The lead Magellan tech came to the helm and said, "It's a pleasure to go out with someone who knows how to sail. You have every square inch of sail out that you can have, including both jibs. This baby is flying. I can't wait to tell Mack that someone who knows how to sail has this boat. This is the biggest he's built. His biggest before this was ninety feet. When this one was picked up by a paid crew that really didn't care what kind of boat they were on, every craftsman in the company was disappointed. If you come down around Miami, you have to come to our dock and show off the boat as you have it now. I'll bet you'll do more as far as the interior. You've already added a bunch of line, extra fender mounts, and a big dinghy on davits in the back. We should have included that on the original plan. I like the way you mounted extra tie down areas for the dinghy to keep it from swinging. Most people just go with an inflatable dinghy and hire a sea-taxi when at anchor. This way you're more independent."

I mentioned that the boat didn't seem quite as nimble or as responsive as Dewey's hundred and five footer. Dewey said it felt like the rudder was a little sluggish or out of alignment with the centerboard. The tech said he would tell the engineer to see if there was something they could do that would help the response to the helm.

Almost all of the passengers were up on the bow, enjoying the wind in their faces and the motion of the boat as it sliced through the swells. The motion was so smooth there was hardly any side to side motion with the wind.

We had been going full tilt with the wind and began to make a giant turn. I took down a bunch of sail since we would have to tack back. We slowed a few knots, but were still going at least eight knots almost against the wind. The big boat hardly heeled over in the wind at all. This thing was really heavy.

Once back in the channel, we dropped all the sails and restarted the engines. When we neared the dock, the girls put fenders out and I swung the boat around to back into the docking area so we would be headed out when we left next time. Once the boat was parallel with the dock, Juanita jumped onto the dock and tied the bow line tossed by Sue, then walked back to where Mercy threw out the center and aft line for her to tie then added a couple of springer lines between the main tie down lines. I did the tidying up at the helm and began shutting down everything. By the time I had the engines shut down and the vents closed, the girls had the shore connections done and the generator off line and shut down. We put the covers on the sails and put the cover over the helm.

The tech said, "You four make one hell of a crew. You all are very experienced. I'm proud to have worked on your boat. I'll make sure the engineers talk to you. We're going to leave now, so let me walk you through everything one more time, and we'll get."

We went over the entire list of modifications and additions that I had made. He showed me the new plans for the boat to show where the wiring ran for all of the electronics. We checked the satellite Internet connection to see how it worked, as we had not tested that yet. Everything was good, everything worked.

After the techs left, everyone was sitting in the lounge/salon enjoying a beverage. They were all in awe of the giant boat and the ability of the four of us to handle it. Sue said, "You know the way Steve has it set up, he could sail this thing by himself. That's why he has it this way. Our friend, Dewey here, has sailed his boat by himself from Alaska to San Diego. That's a hell of long way, and he's done it more than once. It's easy if you have the right equipment and you know what you're doing."

Dewey said, "You really have a good boat. This is something. I can't believe the way you got it, but knowing the way you are, I guess that's normal for you."

We closed up the boat, put the new cover over the lounge/salon, locked up, and went home. On the way home, Juanita, Mercy, and Sue were making lists of what they wanted to do to decorate. They had two full pages of things to do and stuff to buy and install.

The girls were happy to find the babies all in a good mood. The hired baby sitting help was worth it as we watched the older kids hug the nurse before she left. Sue talked to the nurse and told her to come by the administration offices at her park facility. She said she was looking for someone to have in-house to take care of her employees when they needed medical assistance at work.

Beth was probably the catalyst to the kids' good mood as she seemed to dote on all of our little ones. Even though she was obviously enamored with little Liz, Mike, and busy Stevie, she gave all of them a lot of attention.

Bear and Hap asked if we wanted to go for a ride. I looked at the girls and they said they would have to check with the women to see if they minded taking care of the kids.

After supper, I put Dewey and Sheila on the shovelhead and we gathered a herd of people and bikes and rode to the clubhouse, followed by making a bar swing, including the St. Pete club bar. By the time we made it up to New Port Richey to visit with Bear's people, it was getting late so we made haste to get home. My two ladies didn't want to go to the hot tub tonight as they said they wanted showers and bed. They were tired.

We had a four-person bed full as Juanita stayed. Surprisingly we didn't do any heavy groping or fooling around. We cuddled and slept soundly.

'That boat is something else. It's so fancy and beautiful. It's really a lot nicer than Dewey's, although it isn't as easy to maneuver. I wonder if the engineers can do something about that. It could be because the boat is two feet wider and five feet longer than Dewey's, but I don't think so.'

'I wonder if the girls would like to take a long trip, a really long trip. I'll have to look up what it takes to go through the Panama Canal. We could sail all the way up to see Dewey and Sheila. To get there and back would maybe take a couple of months. That would be an adventure. We would have to stop off fairly often to give the little ones a chance to play in grass, but they probably wouldn't notice too much difference. Steve would be the only one really restricted.'

'Wow! That is really exciting to think of, sailing all the way up to Seattle from here. If it became too much for us, we could always dock somewhere and fly home for a while. We might need at least a couple of more people, especially so we would have help sailing at night. Having two more people would be a help if we met some bad guys out at sea. I'll have to think about that.'

'I hear little ones moving around in there. Mike and Lizzy sound like they are both awake.'

Looking at the clock, it was nearing seven, so I slid from bed, used the bathroom, changed both little ones, and brought them to their mothers for a breakfast snack. It's funny to watch the two moms acknowledge that the babies are nursing and fall right back asleep.

As soon as I went into the shower, Juanita joined me, giving me a warm loving hug. We didn't do any fooling around, but did enjoy a couple of nice hugs and a kiss. Once out and dressed, we took the babies and burped them and put them in their roll around area in the living room. While I greeted Glenda and Ruth, Juanita went to get Stevie, who would now be ready for the world and breakfast.

Glenda and I started breakfast and Juanita began getting Stevie something to eat.

Dewey came out, saying Sheila and little Dewey were still sound asleep. Missy came out pretty soon, but Merlin remained asleep. As breakfast progressed, the patio filled up, and Mercy and Sue came out with Mike and Liz. Merlin finally joined us and Dewey had woken up Sheila and little Dewey.

After breakfast, Dewey said they were going back home this afternoon as Merlin and Missy needed to get back to the restaurant, and he had some business to take care of tomorrow. He had come to see our new boat and was excited at the prospect of our future adventures. I mentioned that I was considering going through the Panama Canal then sailing up to see him. Dewey was very excited and said he was looking forward to it. Perhaps we might sail together to some far off port like Hawaii or somewhere.

After a hardy breakfast, our short-term visitors packed up and got kisses and hugs before leaving to travel back west. Missy would have stayed, but Merlin needed her at home.

Once they left, Mercy came and sat on my lap while holding Lizzy. "When Mom leaves I miss her instantly, but I don't want to go with them. This is where I belong. This is where Mike and I belong. I do miss being around Mom and Dad, but I don't want to be away from you, Stevie, Lizzy, Sue, and now Juanita. We are getting to be one crazy family, aren't we?"

Our Sunday became a very laid back day of rest for those that weren't out on a boat. Sue and Juanita went out to the Aero Park to go for a plane ride out over the gulf to see if they could identify the Dunedin yacht club from the air and to see our new boat. Mercy and I enjoyed playing with all of the kids. We had Debbie, Shawna, and Hanna with us too, so we had a great time.

Star was sitting inside with us and I asked where DeDe was. "She has four lessons today. She should be done in time for supper. Julie, Pete Santos' niece is running the office today. We take turns on weekends. It's amazing isn't it, Steve, one week I'm dancing at the Mons Venus and shortly after that, I'm an office manager for a charter air carrier and airplane rental company, with employees. DeDe and I are an example to every girl that still works there. You can use the money you make there to give you a life afterward. Thanks to you, Steve, we've both realized a dream."

Shawna teased Star, "I'll bet you've already put the make on some of those hunky pilots Steve has working out there."

"They're all older, Shawna, but he does have a couple of new mechanics that are pretty interesting. We'll see though. Being around Sue, Mercy, and Steve, my selection process has changed a bit. I'm a little pickier." Star said this while smiling at me.

I took the four older little ones outside to play in the yard. Hanna and Debbie came with me. The kids rolled in the grass and ran into each other in a toddler game of tag without knowing the rules. Little Mia may have been the smallest, but she wasn't the slowest, or the meekest. She would run into the boys knocking them over. Sometimes, the boys wouldn't even be back on their feet before she would knock them down again.

After over an hour, we brought them inside to clean up and have a snack before naptime.

The rest of the day was really peaceful and restful. That night under the covers, Mercy said, "Can we plan on a cruise? I would really like to go somewhere on the new boat. What do you think?"

"Mercy, honey, Sue and I will look at our schedules and see if we can take some time to go on a trip. You might make up some lists of things to get done, and things we need to take with us, in order to go on a long trip."

That must have been what she wanted to hear, as we all went to sleep without another sound.

Monday morning brought out all of the usual excitement, Dennis and Tammy going to school, Mickey getting ready for roll call, Hap and Bear getting ready for a day of watching the park.

Ryan and Phil had a busy week planned working on the new distributorship. Tiny was working on some kind of deal for the comedy and supper clubs. When everyone had left for work, I went to the park businesses and stuck my nose into all the doors and work areas. It's neat to see all of the projects in progress. The school was busy with all of the classes full of prospective tradesmen. Sue's new buildings were bustling with people moving about, conducting business, and carrying designs from one area to the next. The entire park was busy.

When I got back to the house, Glenda gave me a message to call the tech from Magellan that had been down last week. When I did, he switched me to one of their engineers. "Mr. Sharp, I understand you feel the boat is not handling as well as it could. It was commented that you felt as if the rudder may not be aligned with the centerboard correctly. Considering the boat is still under warranty, I would like to have the opportunity to see how it handles and if necessary to pull it out of the water and check it. How do you feel about bringing it down here so we can do that?"

"Can you give me your dock's coordinates so I can find you? I should be able to have it down there by tomorrow evening. My family wants to take it on a cruise, so I'll bring it down to get this taken care of."

After lunch, the gym and some sun, Mercy and I planned on taking the boat down in the morning. We would probably be gone for three days, so Mercy put some clothes in the duffle bag and was ready to leave the next day.

Tuesday morning, Mercy and I drove to Dunedin at six and stored the duffel bag and a gun case in the lounge, and prepared the boat to go out. We had brought just a few supplies for sandwiches, but knew we could always use up some of the canned goods on board if needed.

We were able to set the lines for quick release before we started the engines, ready to leave. Mercy pulled the lines and I began slowly moving out into the gulf. Once a mile out, we raised sail and began picking up speed till we were gliding over the water feeling the rush that you get as the wind pushes you.

Our plan was to take the channel between the keys under the drawbridges so we could reach Miami in just a day. The sun was really cooking today, so we put the helm cover up to shade us. A little before seven, we were motoring up to the Magellan docks. Surprisingly, the tech that had worked on our boat met us with the engineer I had spoken to on the phone.

The tech asked, "Would you mind going right back out so we can feel what you are talking about?"

"Not at all. If you'll pull the bow line, Mercy will pull the aft. Come here," I waved to the engineer. "What's your name, you take the wheel while we're backing out and coming about so you can feel a little of what I feel."

"My name is Frank Howard. Thanks for trusting me with your boat."

The man knew what he was doing as he handled the boat easily. I saw him frown as he brought the bow around and when he corrected to head out he frowned again. Once out from shore, I began to raise sail. The wind was up, so I raised everything we could to get up to speed.

Once we were planing nicely, I told him to correct fifteen degrees either way. As the boat began coming around he had to jerk the wheel a couple of times. You should never have to do that with a sailboat. The wheel isn't all that sensitive, but you could feel a drag.

When I asked him if he wanted to circle and go back in, he nodded saying, "I feel everything you said. This thing isn't very nimble, as you call it, and something is misaligned on the rudder. Let's get it back and up on the lift."

We brought the boat about and headed in. We dropped the sails and motored up to a dock where a giant pair of davits was located. The davits had two big slings and were on rails. The engineer measured from the bow and made a chalk mark, then did the same from the stern. The tech maneuvered the davit with the slings to bring it under the boat from the front and then from the stern. A couple of more men came out of the building and had Mercy and me get off the boat before they lifted it from the water.

We watched the powerful lifts bring the hundred and ten ton boat out of the water as if it were a small skiff. Once it was above dock height, the davits were motored back to where the boat was over the dock.

The two dock men, the tech, and the engineer were all exclaiming and pointing to something towards the rear of the boat.

Mercy and I went over to see what looked like a large box attached to the rear hull of the boat. The two workers brought out a portable scaffold so the engineer and tech could get up to look at the box. It was about four foot deep, six feet wide and ten feet long. They messed with it for a few minutes before a side opened, and shortly afterward the bottom dropped down. They called for the ground guys to bring a bunch of tools and a stand.

The workers maneuvered the stand under the box to hold up the weight of the box then began to work up inside of it. They stopped suddenly and got down. The engineer went inside and came back out with a camera and three older men. They all three climbed up to look at the box and how it was attached to the hull. After probably taking a hundred pictures, they got back down and had the tech and the two other men finish detaching the box from the hull.

Once the box was removed, the two men went up with some welding equipment. I asked what they were going to do and the guy said he was going to try to fill the holes. I asked if I could take a look and perhaps I would do the work myself. I asked the engineer what kind of steel the hull was made of and asked if there was anything behind the steel that would be affected by the heat. He said it was a double hull so nothing should be damaged by filling the screw holes. I asked for piece of steel matching the hull and one of the men went for it. I used the gas rig they had to test what it was going to take to make the metal flow before I climbed up the scaffold. First, I attached the piece of metal to the hull and heated both the hull and the other steel. Using a rod, I coaxed some metal to flow into the little holes. I had to do the same to six areas where large screw holes had been drilled into the hull. Once that was done, I asked for some files and sandpaper. They brought out a couple of portable drills with grinding rounds on them. I smoothed out where the metal had been bonded and sanded all around until you couldn't tell where the holes had been.

Once done, a tech went up and began laying down the first coat of primer. Another man went up and began blow drying the primer.

One of the three guys that had come out of the building with the engineer introduced the three of them as the Magellan brothers. I congratulated them on the fine boat they built. They said that they needed to call someone to report the box, but didn't know who. I suggested they call the DEA agent that was out on Key West. They shrugged their shoulders so I used my cell phone to call the Coast Guard officer I knew. He answered right away and said he was on duty off the coast of Miami. I asked him to come to the Magellan dock and he said he would be here within fifteen minutes.

When the Coast Guard cutter pulled up, I took the lines a crewmen threw and tied the bow. Mercy had gone back to their stern and tied the line there. I directed the officer over to the box and explained how it had been attached to the boat. He called the DEA agent he worked with who said that he would come down to look at the box and interview the staff at the boat yard.

The Magellan brothers were very embarrassed that something like this could have occurred at their yard. The engineer went to get the production log so he could see what steps were taken last before the boat was put into the water.

There were two crews that had worked the evening and night shifts when the boat was put into the water. The log indicated the boat was settled at 2 AM on the morning before it was to be out on trial. Since there wasn't a great deal of interior work done to the boat, it was delivered the next day to a crew that was to ferry the boat north.

The Magellan brothers said it would take most of the night to finish painting the spots on the hull and sealing it. They said they would put us up in a hotel or they would put us up on the boat. Mercy said to get us a ladder and we would stay with the boat. We did say that we needed to go find a restaurant for some supper.

We took a taxi to a restaurant and had a good seafood dinner. While we ate, we called Sue to let her know what was going on. We told her we would stay on the boat for the night and would call her in the morning.

Once up on the boat, we checked the generator to make sure it was working properly and went into the lounge to relax. I had just opened a beer when the DEA guy called my cell phone and asked me to come back down so he could have another agent interview me.

I brought the boat's papers with me, along with the transaction that had netted us the boat. After about two hours of questioning, they let me go back up and go to bed.

Mercy and I woke about six-thirty. We showered and dressed quickly, went out on deck and climbed down the ladder. The scaffold was still in place, but it looked like the painting was complete. We went inside to find most of the workers in a break room having coffee. One of the men said the paint and glaze should be dry by around eight so we could get the boat back in the water.

We asked if there was a small restaurant close by that we could get breakfast and they directed us to a diner that was just around the block. We had a leisurely breakfast and went back to the boat facility. A foreman, or leader of some kind, gave us a tour of the boats in progress. Some had metal hulls that were in the beginning stages, and some that looked to be almost complete. Over half of the building was taken up with a boat that looked over a hundred and fifty-foot long. That thing must be worth a king's ransom.

Around eight the three Magellan brothers were back and outside supervising putting the boat back into the water. After it was settled, they asked if they could look at the modifications we had ordered and how we had equipped the boat. Mercy said the only rooms that had been decorated so far were the master stateroom and the upper lounge. She said we had been waiting until the work was done before we finished. The brothers asked if we wanted to take them out for a trial to see whether the removal of the box took care of the handling.

We told them we were ready so we opened the engine vents and turned on the fans. While I started the engines and turned on the electronics, Mercy made coffee and served everyone big mugs. Some dock hands untied us and threw the lines to the boat, which Mercy immediately coiled as I eased the boat out of the mooring. Once out into the harbor, I swung the boat about and headed out to the Atlantic. About a mile out, I raised sail, while the brothers watched Mercy and me do the small things sailors do in preparing to sail.

The wind was nice and brisk but from the southeast, so we had to tack hard to pick up the wind. If nothing else, this would give the opportunity of any steering difficulty to show up immediately. The wheel felt totally different, I even over corrected a couple of times as the handling was so accurate. My smile gave the brothers and the engineer their answer. I invited them to handle the boat and the engineer jumped at the chance.

After all three brothers had maneuvered the boat around a little, we turned and headed back in. Once in close we lowered sail and restarted the engines, taking us back into the small harbor and the company's dock.

After we were tied up again, I asked that they bill me through the company. The brothers all held their hands up saying their company was at fault as someone at the yard had to have been the one to install the container. They said that the Coast Guard and the DEA said that we needed to be alert for anyone overly interested in the boat, as it had obviously been prepared to become a drug runner. They suggested we name the boat and have the name painted large enough that it might throw off the people looking for it.

Remembering Dewey's boat, I asked about a ladder in the stern area with a small folding platform to get on and off from a dinghy or sea taxi. The brothers all said, "Ah" at once and one of them went off to come back with four guys carrying a bunch of tools and equipment. An hour later we had a gate on the deck railing and a ladder with a large fold up platform. I told them that it was perfect for cleaning fish on too. They told me not to throw the chum in until I was ready to get off the platform, as sometimes big sharks come up to the boat and could knock me off the platform.

One of the brothers said he had a good idea to change the look of the boat. He went inside and came back with a half dozen men all carrying what looked like sailcloth except it was a light blue. The brother asked if I liked blue. I nodded, because the accents on the paint were all a dark blue around the top of the hull.

It took them about an hour to completely change all of the sails. They said the light blue wouldn't hold the heat like a dark color would, but would be slightly warmer than white. They asked that if we wanted to remodel the craft that we do it with them, as they enjoyed having their creations maintained by their yard. Mercy and I agreed, saying perhaps one day we could get an even bigger boat.

We untied and backed out of the slip, heading toward the passage between the keys, keeping in the narrow channel. Once past the drawbridges, we were able to trim out all the sails and take advantage of the strong wind. The boat was handling great now and actually felt like we had even more speed. According to the GPS, we were hitting almost a sixteen knot average for the last hour.

I called Sue on my cell, as we still had a good signal, and told her we were on the way. I told her that she needed to fly out and buzz us, as she wasn't going to believe what she would see. When she asked how she would recognize us, I said, "How many hundred foot plus sailboats are out in the gulf at one time heading your way?"

Sue said, with a little attitude, "There are a lot of big boats around here that compare to ours. But you're probably right. Not many on a day in the middle of the week."

About two hours later, a 172 came down on the deck near us. As it flew by, we could see Sue in the left seat and Susan's face behind her. She went around then came back where we could see Nancy's face in the right seat, with Juanita in the rear seat. They buzzed us a few more times then my cell phone rang.

When I answered it I heard, "I like the blue sail. Now we need to put a big S&S logo right in the middle of the main. That and get the name painted on it."

I told Sue, "You're a little under a thousand feet there, Miss Lindbergh."

She retorted, "I'm offshore and there are no lower limits when you're offshore."

"Well, don't get too close to the water, you don't have any floats."

Sue said with a smile in her voice, "I guess I'll have to order a set then, won't I. I'm already rated."

Me and my big mouth.

Mercy took the phone and told Sue, "The boat is handling really great and is ready for a trip now. Let's plan it."

Sue must have said the right thing, as she handed the phone back to me with a smile. When I said that we would meet them late this evening, "Sue said she would pick us up when we got in. We should call when we are about an hour out."

The plane went back, heading north toward home. Mercy and I relaxed, enjoying the wind and sun.

As we neared the Tampa Bay entrance, the wind had picked up and the seas were now near six feet, making the big boat roll a little. Some heavy clouds were coming with what looked like rain on the radar. I called Sue and told her we were less than an hour out, but may be a little late as some weather was coming in.

To be safe, we headed out to the gulf about ten miles and as the line came toward us we let down the sails and started the engines. Mercy and I both put on life jackets and a rain slicker with a hat. As the seas got up over ten feet and the rain hit, I turned the bow into the waves and wind using the engines to maneuver. We were still headed north but were being pushed toward shore gradually. Mercy said she thought she recognized the Dunedin inlet to the channel for the harbor so I let us drift closer to shore while keeping the bow into the waves.

As we neared land, we saw it was definitely the channel entrance and just about then, the wind calmed and the rain became lighter. I swung the bow around and headed into the yacht basin. Mercy threw out the fenders and hollered for me to back in slowly so she could get the lines out to the dock. I could see several people standing in the rain, waiting for us.

Since the wind had calmed quite a bit, the swells were not bad in close to shore. I was able to let the big boat settle between the two long docks without rattling between them. A yacht club attendant helped Sue tie us up quickly. We had to leave more slack in the line as we were experiencing a pretty high tide. But with lines tied on both sides, the boat was secure.

Once secure, the attendant asked about the open Gulf. He said the Coast Guard was out looking for a couple of boats that had been in trouble. We said that we had not seen anything, and had not heard anything on the radio asking us to look. Just about that time, the radio began squawking to ships at sea about some heavy seas. That was a little late.

We left the covers off the sail as we would need to air them out when the rain stopped. We would also need to wash the salt off the deck from the heavy seas. The girls said they would do that tomorrow.

We locked the boat up and headed home. Tiny, Hap, and Margie had come with Sue to pick us up, as they thought she might need some help in the bad weather. As we drove home, the rain quit and the wind died down to almost calm. Typical Florida weather, the changes were fast and furious.

Once home, we all changed into dry clothes. Mercy and I grabbed a quick shower to get the salt off our faces and out of our hair. The folks had saved us some supper, so we ate while telling about the experiences of the trip.

Mercy told Sue, "If you have thought about whether to be afraid of heavy seas or bad weather, don't be. Steve handled the boat easily in seas that were higher than the boat. He must have done everything right as we stayed with the bow into the wind and waves. Steve even let the boat drift toward land guiding us backwards until we came into the harbor. You saw us, we actually backed into the channel entrance."

Sue said, "I guess we do need some more experience in heavy weather. The only way to learn is to be in it."

While stuffing my face, I swallowed what was in my mouth and said, "I just did what Dewey taught me. The boat is designed to be in heavy seas and is designed to sail through heavy seas. I just preferred to use the engines and keep the bow into the wind."

Drew was there having a drink with us. As I finished he said, "Come out and look at a new cart I designed. I think this may have some value with law enforcement.

I went outside and looked at a funny looking three wheeled cart that looked to be a cross between a motorcycle and golf cart. It had an open seat like a cart and could hold two men side by side but the back only had an area that looked like a suitcase.

Drew pointed at the back and said, "I want to make that area into a storage place for books or pads of paper. It could hold a radar gun or other equipment."

The front had dual wheels and the back a single drive wheel. Drew said, "I want to mold a shell with a windshield around the driver to keep him dry in the rain but for him to be able to easily get in and out. I've worked on the design and it can go sixty miles an hour and is comfortable and stable at that speed. There will be enough other storage to carry equipment and raingear for an officer. This can be used for a patrol vehicle, especially in an urban area."

I asked, "When will Jeff have your shell built so you can show a completed model?"

"He's started now that Shawna, Sandy, and Mandy have finished building the mechanics. They have front rack and pinion steering along with disk brakes on the front and back. Right now we're using a Harley style motor but Abe is working on a water-cooled motor that we should be able to build ourselves. He wants to use some kind of special transmission that will be automatic instead of having to be shifted. He also says the engine needs to be water-cooled as it will spend too much time at low speeds and idling. This is still a work in progress, but what do you think?"

"Drew, this is a good idea. As soon as you have a completed prototype with the engine Abe is making, I'll let some policemen take a look at it and they can give us an appraisal. We may have to make a few and let the Tampa Police test it."

Drew said, "I thought that might be the way we would go. If we can get their approval and get some units in the field, we can sell these things all over the country."

Back inside the patio area, I fixed myself a drink, and held Lizzy a minute before she went to bed. Her little "Dadadadada" is so sweet that I just want to kiss her till she's sloppy with my kisses. As Sue took Liz, she handed me Mike, who now did the same as Stevie did, putting his hands on both sides of my face and giving me a big kiss. Mercy took Mike and handed me Stevie.

Stevie laid his head on my shoulder and asked, "Daddy go sail?"

I answered, "Yes, Steve, I went sailing to get the boat fixed."

Steve held his head back and looked at me, "Boat broke?"

"Just a little, Son, a man had to fix it."

Steve put his head back on my chest and asked, "Put me to bed now? I tired."

As I carried him back to his bed, I was having a fit. I just had a conversation with my son. We actually talked to each other and I understood what he was asking. When did this start?

I laid him down, gave him a kiss, and pulled the covers up over him. He smiled and closed his eyes.

When I came out of the room, I asked the two girls, "When did Steve learn to talk? When did this start?"

Mercy said, "Between Susan and Beth, they have been teaching him every day. They not only teach Steve, but all of the kids. You're not going to believe what you hear from them as they are learning fast."

"I can't believe how much he said," I said in amazement. "We just had a conversation. We talked and I think he understood what I was saying."

Susan heard what I was saying and commented, "Stevie is learning really fast. He understands the most of all the kids, but they're learning fast too. You should hear them actually beginning to say things between each other. Beth and I are having a ball teaching them. She's been out almost every day, teaching and playing with all of them. She gets them to all sit around her and she will say a word to each one and they will answer. I don't know how she does it, but she keeps their interest."

"I'm just amazed that all of a sudden my kid is talking. Hey Charlie, how are you handling CJ talking to you?"

Charlie smiled and said, "His favorite words are, 'gimme milk.'"

Shawna was holding a sleeping Sean. I gave the little girl a kiss as Shawna and Charlie were heading home with their sleepy kids.

There was some discussion started by Mercy about when we might take off on a voyage, but nothing definite. The way Sue, Mercy, and Juanita were acting, it was going to be sooner rather than later.

Sleep came easily after a welcome home from my original wife. While Sue and I made love, we had an audience of Mercy and Juanita. It looked like Juanita was becoming an almost permanent fixture around the house. I had a smile on my face as we went to sleep. This was another classic case of fooling around with the babysitter.

Original Editing by Pepere
New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 45



The week flew by, with Sue and Mercy going to the boat almost every day, decorating it and getting it ready for the family to occupy for a long trip. Friday, Mercy came home from the boat with a huge smile on her face. She sat on my lap and showed me the pictures on the camera's display. She had a picture of the bow of the boat. In very large blue script was "Have Mercy."

"Was this your idea?" Mercy asked.

"I'm to blame. It is on the stern too?"

"Yes," Mercy said, with a little blush. "You made the letters too big. It takes up the whole front or bow on both sides and the entire stern. Thank you for thinking of me when you named it though."

"How are you guys doing on making the boat a home away from home?" I asked.

Sue said, "We took the kids over there today and let them play in the below deck lounge and in the salon off the main deck. We have the place looking good. The galley is perfect now the way it is, with the counter and built-in stools. We have room for some new high chairs that we bought as well. We're going to pick up a few throw rugs for the below deck lounge. The smaller dining room now has a table and chairs, but there is room to walk around it. We probably won't use it often, but it will be nice if we do. It will easily seat eight. We had some cushions made for the lounge seats by the helm and we picked up some pads so we could lie out on the deck to sun. All in all, I think we're set."

Mercy asked, "So when can we go, soon, please?"

Sue was smiling at me like I needed to hurry up and make up my mind.

Putting Mercy down, I used my cell phone to call Ben. "When were you guys planning on going back down to Costa Rica?"

Ben said, "Actually, I'm ready but Beth has been busy out at your place everyday. She says she's teaching the kids to talk."

"She's doing a great job of it too," I said and continued. "Would you like a sailboat ride down to Costa Rica? The girls are ready to go right now, so I guess we could get ready to take off for a while. We're going to go through the Panama Canal then go up the west coast. We'll stop in to see Mercy's folks on the way up to Seattle, or rather Friday Harbor, to see our friend Dewey up there. We'll drop you off in Costa Rica or you can stay with us for as long as you wish. Would you like to go along?"

Beth had been sitting with Sue, listening to my side of the conversation. She got up and took the phone from me and began talking, "We're going Ben, at least I'm going with them. We don't have to go all the way, but I'd like to at least go through the Canal with them. It should be a really special experience to do that."

Beth listened for a few minutes, said "Good," a couple of times, and handed the phone back to me.

Ben said, "I guess we're riding along with you until we get to San Diego or maybe even San Francisco. Sue said you guys have a satellite phone. I do have to stay in touch."

I answered him, "Ben, we have the phone and the internet on board. You should be able to relax, get a tan, and still stay in touch with your office."

"So when are we leaving?" Ben asked.

"I'm not sure yet," I answered. "The girls will have to make that decision. I can easily wrap up anything I need to do."

Sue mouthed to me, "Next Monday."

"Sue says maybe next Monday," I repeated what she had told me.

Ben said, "Well, that gives me a week anyway."

I covered the mouthpiece and asked, "Do you mean this coming Monday or a week from then?"

Mercy said, "This coming Monday dummy. I'm packing right now."

"Um, Ben, the girls mean this next coming Monday."

I heard Ben gasp, "Shit, I can't leave that quick. I have to make arrangements to be gone."

Beth took the phone back and said, "You can just meet us along the way then. We're leaving Monday morning. We were going to leave for Costa Rica late Monday or Tuesday anyway, so what's the difference."

Beth said, "Right, good, you better," then "good" one last time, and handed the phone back to me.

I said, "So?"

"Do we take a limo out to Dunedin or do we come out to your place?"

"Take a limo. We'll either do the same or have someone take us. There are five of us, plus all the kids stuff," I said.

As soon as I closed my phone, Mercy gave me a big kiss. "I'm so excited; this is going to be the best trip of my lifetime."

I said, "I'll go over to the boat tomorrow and make sure all the fluids are full and the holding tank is flushed."

Mercy said, "I had the fluids filled this week and the holding tank is clean. Both the water maker and the desalinization machine are working and the ice maker is working too. Between the water tank, and the water maker, we will have all we need."

"So you're telling me the boat is ready for me to just step on and take off," I asked the smiling Mercy.

"Aye, aye, Captain. That it is."

Sue and Juanita came and took Mercy by the hand and pulled her up. "Come on, Mate, we have some packing to do."

They were going to do some serious damage to the closet space on the boat.

Beth said, "I guess I'd better go home and begin getting Ben's and my stuff together. I'll need to pack all the way through to San Francisco, since I'd like to go see Merlin and Missy."

I did go over to the boat with the girls Saturday on one of their trips to carry clothes. They put a lot in the closet as they had some dress clothes for all four of us, along with some heavy clothes as it would be cold up the northern west coast. The girls had the place really looking good. It was a show piece now, instead of the cold, empty, boat that we had bought. The bathrooms all had lots of towels and toiletries in the closets. The galley was filled with various dried and canned foods, along with plenty of coffee, tea, and lots of powdered milk.

When I looked into the pantry area, there were at least six cases of beer there, with more up in the lounge. The liquor cabinet was jammed with every kind of booze you could think of, but it did have a couple of big bottles of Beefeaters, a couple of Dewar's, and four big bottles of Captain Morgan rum. The girls had definitely been busy.

I had a thought, and went below to check the bathrooms for spare toilet paper. With a bunch of women on board, we would need some extra. There were four rolls in each of the bathroom closets. When I asked Sue about it, she took me to the huge storeroom and showed me a big stack of multi-roll packs.

Sue said, "Women need toilet paper. Just like all those diapers in there. Babies need lots of diapers. We also have lots of plastic garbage bags for the dirty diapers. We'll make sure we dump garbage at every port we're in."

That afternoon, I went down to the gun store to ask the owner, "Do you have any vests. You know body armor. I'd like to have three for women and one for me."

"I have some military and some police issue. The military stuff is better but is more expensive," the owner said.

"Give me the military stuff. What I'd like to have is a grenade launcher, but I know those are not legal."

"I have the next best thing," he said, and pulled what looked like a shotgun from the rack. "This is a short, legal, 18 inch barrel Remington 870 12 gauge pump, chambered for three and a half inch shells."

He went over to a cabinet and took out a box of shells and said, "These are explosive shot shells. They have a slug that explodes on contact. They are the maximum length three and a half inch and chamber in the Remington. I think they are probably every bit as good as a round from a grenade launcher. You have to aim, and the range is going to be only about fifty yards or less, but that's about what a grenade launcher range is."

He showed me that the gun would hold a total of six rounds, including one in the chamber. He jacked them back out and put the rounds back in the box.

I figured it would probably do what I wanted if I ever needed it, so I bought it, two boxes of shells and a cleaning kit. I also bought another two hundred each of 9mm and AR-15 rounds. The gun broke down short, so I bought another case to put it in.

Saturday night, we partied at home and took a motorcycle ride to visit with a few folks. The ride was good for all of us and would put us to sleep for the night. I forgot about the bike making the women horny. It took a while to take the edge off.

Sunday, the girls made a grocery store run to fill up the fridge and freezer on the boat with food. I went to the sporting goods store and bought about five hundred bucks worth of fishing gear and some fish cleaning tools. We now had rods and reels, along with a gaff and a couple of big nets. The boat had some lockers up on deck, outside the lounge, that were built for tackle and life jackets. The front locker had an emergency inflatable raft in it, along with some other safety equipment.

It looked like we were ready. I watched as Stevie played in the below deck lounge. He seemed to be content on the boat. Lizzy liked crawling on the big rugs Sue had laid down. We would have to do this again when the kids were older, so they would have the memories of a trip like this. The patio crew held a Bon Voyage party for us Sunday evening. They all thought we were a little nuts to take a trip, this long and far, with little kids. Since we had Juanita, it wasn't going to be a problem at all. We were a tested crew.

Monday morning, I was up, showered, and dressed by five forty-five. I gently woke the three ladies so they could get ready before the kids woke up. When I turned the light on at six, Glenda was already waiting for me. She said she was going to miss us, but knew we were going to have a great trip.

I gave Glenda a hug and said, "Glenda, remember that you have a computer on the internet now and can e-mail any time you wish. In an emergency you can even call us on the satellite phone. We'll send you pictures of the trip as we go, and you can send us pictures of anything interesting here."

"It's still going to be lonely without my morning coffee buddy," Glenda said. "We all miss you guys when you're gone because you all mean so much to all of us."

Soon all of us, including the kids, were eating. Tiny was dressed, ready to take us to the boat. He was planning on taking a customer out on the cruiser today. He told me that all four of the charter fishing boats were committed today, and that he had been notified that the other four boats would be ready within the month. He had found some captains that were going to work the charters for us.

About seven thirty, we said goodbye to all of our friends and let Tiny drive us to Dunedin. The kids were very excited as they knew something was up. Tiny helped us carry the last of our stuff to the boat, including the five aluminum cases. The girls stored everything below deck, but left the cases in the main lounge.

Tiny said, "Good luck, Steve. Take care of yourself and your family. Meet lots of people and send us some business."

As soon as Tiny went to the big fishing boat, I went into the lounge and put together all of the rifles and the new shotgun. I loaded the shotgun and put fresh magazines in all of the Glocks and ARs. I took an AR and a Glock and put them in the cabinet next to the wheel outside. The rest of the arsenal was stored beneath the cushions in the main lounge just inside the door.

Sue, Juanita, and Mercy were all curious about the new shotgun. I explained that it was as close as I could get to a grenade launcher. I told them that it was loaded with explosive shells that could either cause a hell of lot of damage, or if nothing else, it would scare the shit out of anyone we shot at. The girls all laughed, both saying they had dibs on it if something happened.

We took the covers off the sails and stored them in the sail lockers, opened the generator vents, and started it so we could disconnect shore power and the other connections. I opened the engine vents and turned on the fans. The girls spread sunblock on each other and me, making sure we all had caps and sunglasses. I fired the engines, letting them warm up at idle while doing a final check of fluid levels.

At nine, Ben and Beth finally showed up. They were both surprised we were in a state of readiness to leave. As soon as they had their gear stowed below, the girls asked if I was ready. When I nodded, Mercy was off the boat and untying the stern line followed by the bow line and hopping back onto the boat. Ben and Beth watched as two of the girls coiled the lines while the third girl watched from the bow to make sure that we were clear of any small boats.

Tiny sounded the big air horn on the Hatteras at us as we moved toward the gulf. We were off.

Beth was sitting in the lounge with Mike, Lizzy and Steve, who were busy with toys. Ben was fascinated with Sue and the girls, watching the way they worked together to get the boat going.

When we were about a mile out, I began raising sails until we had a full complement of sail up. As the main sail on the front mast came up, I saw a giant S&S logo painted on it. I hollered, "Hey Sue, who painted my new sail?"

She came over and said, "We needed to have the company name somewhere on this thing."

I asked her, "What about Big Girls Clothes?"

She pointed to the front jib. I had her take the wheel and walked up to look. Sure enough it had 'BigGirlsClothes.com' in big letters, with the 'Quality' logo beneath.

"That's neat," I said, thinking that Tiny probably had a hand in the signs. "We can write off the entire trip as advertising."

Sue caught what I said and punched me. "We need to show off a little. Are we stopping between here and Panama?"

"Yep," I said with a smile. "We're stopping in Key West tonight, have dinner there and stay over in the yacht club, in the morning we'll head south and possibly stop in Puerto Rico. We don't have to, as there is a dry island a little south of there we can stay at, if we want to anchor for the night."

About ten, Ben came to me at the wheel and said that he had just looked up front and there were naked women up there. I couldn't see over the lounge, but I could see through the lounge and saw that Juanita was inside with the kids, so the three butts I saw were Beth, Mercy, and Sue.

"Get used to it, Ben, the water makes women want to take their clothes off."

He seemed flustered, "But what if someone sees them?" "What are they going to see Ben? Three naked women sunbathing on the bow of a big sailboat. It might get some guy off, but they probably have their own naked ladies on board."

He was shaking his head. "You put up all the sail yourself and didn't need a crew to get it done. How do you do all of that?"

I showed him all of the controls at the helm. He was mystified by the instruments, but was fascinated by the radar. I had it set out to fifty miles. I told Ben, "The curvature of the earth takes away low floating boats out at about eight miles, but we can see tall boats and ships out to fifty miles. The collision avoidance system alerts us if the anticipated paths are going to cross so we can take evasive action."

"You have so much more equipment than I did on the boat we had. The captain I had said we had all the equipment we needed, but you seem to know what's really necessary."

Lunch time was sandwiches at the wheel, along with some coffee and water. I let Ben take the wheel for a while so I could play with the kids. After lunch they were put down for naps. I turned the CCTV monitor on with only the kid's room on the screen. I really didn't want to show Ben that we could see into every area of the boat. He might freak out a little over that.

The four girls came strolling out, naked again, heading to the bow. Ben was funny, as he had to turn away from them in order to hide his interest in all the bare flesh. When Stevie began tossing and turning, I called to the girls, telling them a critter was waking up. They all disappeared below deck and reappeared with the kids. Sue put a life jacket on Steve and let him walk around on deck. Mercy took Lizzy and Mike, in their chairs, out on deck to get some sun and fresh air. I erected the canvas sunshade over the wheel area and had the two little ones with me, with Mercy on the lounger.

With the great wind, we reached the yacht club on Key West about ten PM. Once we were tied up, we all went into the club to have supper. The ladies, except for Juanita, were going to stay on the boat while Ben, Juanita, and I went to a couple of the famous bars on the beach. We each had a drink at three different bars, then headed back to the club and bed.

We were sound asleep by midnight.

Morning came with me buried under my wonderful women. I slid from beneath them, showered quickly, and dressed. I made coffee and began making some biscuits. Once that was done, I got some bacon ready and woke my crew. They all wanted to cuddle instead of getting going. I told them I wanted to escape from civilization quickly.

Soon, everyone was awake and moving around. Juanita took over making breakfast, so I went topside to find my Coast Guard officer and a crewman walking on the dock. I hollered and he came over, marveling at the new boat. We chatted about the box that had been found. I asked if there were any alerts out, as we were going to Panama to traverse the canal. He said he had not heard of any problems, but for us to be watchful as bad guys were always around. I told him I thought we were prepared and he smiled.

Ben had come up and heard the conversation. "How are you prepared if we have trouble with someone on the high seas?"

"Easy, I taught the girls how to shoot," I said thinking that would be the end of it.

"But you can't defend yourself out here with just a pistol."

I looked at him then went over and unlocked the locker by the wheel showing him the AR with the scope. "Is that better, Ben?"

"But you're only one."

"Ben, I have three ladies on board that all have one of these and can all shoot one. They have one of these and a handgun and they all shoot pretty damn good. Trust me, Ben, we will be fine."

As I was telling him that all three had their own pieces, his eyes got bigger and bigger.

We went to the galley and ate with the kids and women. As soon as we were done, Beth and Juanita said they would clean up if we wanted to get going. I had the girls release the lines to motor over to the fuel dock where we topped off and had the holding tank flushed. Our water was full as the water maker was on and kept the tank full.

I had Mercy listen to the weather and turn the TV on so we could check weather going south. When I asked Ben and Beth if they wanted to stop in Puerto Rico, they both indicated it wasn't important, so as soon as I set sail, I headed straight toward the outer edge of Mexico, the Cancun area, on my way to Panama.

The second night out from Key West, we decided to stop over at a dry island to anchor and possibly get some fish. I left the radar on so we could see if there were any small boats wandering around the little islands in this group.

We did catch some fish that I cleaned down on the platform. We had a great supper and were lounging on the deck. I checked the radar at the helm and the display in the lounge often, but didn't see anything. I explained to Ben that we had perimeter radar that warned us if something approached the boat while we were asleep.

Just as we were getting ready to go below, I heard what sounded like a pretty good sized motor boat. The radar didn't show anything but whatever it was, it could have been on the other side of the island. We listened as the motor went almost to one end of the island, seemed to turn, and went back to the other end while on the other side of the island, away from us.

I shut down the electronics but set the perimeter alarm. This would be good for around a klick or a thousand meters.

We had just gone below when the rapid beep of the perimeter alarm began. I hit the off button and told the girls to get their equipment in the lounge. I would get mine from the bridge or helm or whatever you wanted to call it.

On the way up, I told Ben and Beth to stay below. Don't come up for any reason.

With the lights all off, we went through the lounge and I went to the helm and unlocked the locker for my AR with the scope. The girls split up staying low with one to the bow, one to the stern and one to the island side of the boat. I used my scope in the moonless night to look out over the water. The boat was easy to see. It was a twenty-five or thirty foot open boat that had several people on it. I caught the attention of Sue at the bow and pointed, and looked to see that Mercy who was at the stern had seen me motion.

I went back inside the lounge and picked up the shotgun and checked to see if there was a round in the chamber. I pulled a round into the chamber of the AR hoping the girls would remember to do that as well. I took out the battery powered bull horn from the locker by the helm and announced.

"Ahoy. Whoever you are, either leave right now or we will shoot."

The boat's motion stopped moving forward as if the people paddling stopped. The nose of the boat began turning. Then the boat straightened out and began coming our way with them starting a motor. Mercy didn't wait for me to fire first and began firing single shots from the stern. Sue began as well and started shooting from the bow.

Juanita called to me, "Can I come and shoot too?"

"Come on, Juanita, but be sure of where you shoot." There wasn't any answering fire from the boat but it kept getting closer. I looked at the boat through the low light scope and found them all down below the gunwales. There wasn't a good shot at any of them. The rounds from the girls were ricocheting off the metal hull of the boat.

As soon as the boat was about fifty yards from us, I picked up the shotgun and fired a round at the boat. I missed. The round fell short. Since the distance was closing, I fired again this time the round hit the boat right at the water line. When the shell exploded, every one of the men on board stood up. Bad move.

All three ladies began firing until they were all three heading to the lounge to get another magazine.

I fired again, sending the shell amidst the men in the boat. The boat turned away from us and kept turning in a circle going around and around. No one on board was moving or making a noise. I flipped on the big spotlight on top of the salon cabin and lit up the boat. There were men laying in every direction. I couldn't tell how many there were but it looked like seven or eight. With the light on the boat, I used the shotgun one more time and put a shell right on the motor. When the shell exploded, the tanks in the boat exploded, starting a fire. The force of the explosion pushed the boat away from us toward a few rocks on the edge of the island where the boat stopped as it began to sink.

I kept the light on the boat but told the girls to watch on the island to make sure there wasn't anyone walking around out there that could swim out to us.

No one stirred on the boat and soon the fire went out from lack of anything to burn. I wonder where they got a steel-hulled boat that size. It was probably an old sailboat or military boat of some kind.

I called the Coast Guard to report the incident. I reported that about seven or eight men in a steel-hulled boat had approached us and would not back down. We had neutralized the boat causing the boat's fuel to explode which probably caused the occupants' deaths. We gave our coordinates and said we were probably going to leave at first light. They said they would check out the boat in the morning, as the closest patrol was about four hours away.

Sue asked if Ben and Beth could come up now and I nodded. When Ben came up he saw where the light was shining. He went to the helm area and used the field glasses to look.

"Jesus, it looks like there are six or seven people in that thing. What did you do to it?"

"I used a shotgun with an exploding shell. It's kind of like a grenade launcher. It worked pretty well. I told them to back off. They stopped for a second, so they understood, but they kept coming. That's too bad. I need to get the dinghy and make sure none of them are alive. If they are we need to do what we can for them."

We untied the dinghy and let it down. I climbed down the ladder and put down the platform. Sue came with me with her Glock. We paddled over to the boat that was now partly sunk and looked inside with a flashlight. It was pretty gruesome. There were eight people in the boat. I didn't see but one gun, an old .38 revolver. There were several big knives and machetes. I did check for a pulse on each of them then left them for the Coast Guard to do what they were going to do.

We took the dinghy back to the boat. Once Sue was up the ladder, I connected the lines to hoist the dinghy back into its carrying position. Once it was tied down, I started the engines, then using the instruments and the light, slowly made our way out from the island and to open water, and using the GPS, made a heading south toward Panama.

I told Sue that we could all probably enjoy a stiff Bloody Mary this morning. She agreed and made up a bunch using some Mr. and Mrs. T's mix.

Once we were in open water, I raised the sail and we were again going toward our destination.

We enjoyed the sunrise out at sea. It is so different than on land. There is the first light, then the glow that becomes brighter and brighter, until the sun peaks over the horizon and nearly blinds you. That's when the kids began waking, which reminded all of us that we were hungry. Once past the Mexican peninsula we stopped at some small islands, marked on our charts as being dry, but with deep water around them. We anchored and spent the evening fishing for our supper.

We caught enough fish for us to have supper and some of the special breakfast we learned to make from Dewey's housekeeper. I turned the perimeter alarm on and we slept the whole night. We didn't wake until after seven. Mike and Lizzy wanted up. They were both standing in their beds jabbering at each other when we got out of bed.

We had a leisurely breakfast of cheesy fish omelet in biscuit mix and headed south again.

Sue and I questioned Ben and Beth whether they wanted us to take them to Costa Rica, or if they want to come with us. Ben answered for them. "We want to go with you guys. We feel perfectly safe, knowing the way you all handled yourselves."

Beth gave me a hug and said, "Sue said you were the protector of the trailer park. I can believe it now. But you've gotten smarter, because you've taught your harem to help you."

I was a little embarrassed about the harem thing, but I didn't want to let the cat out of the bag and tell Beth that her daughter was the one who gathered the females.

We finally reached Colon, Panama. There, we had to check in and prepay to go through the canal. It would normally be only a day to go through but since we were a small boat, we had to wait to go through with several other small boats.

The fee for going through the canal is by how much the boat weighs. Our boat is right at a hundred and ten tons. The price was right at three dollars and fifty cents per ton so it was some pretty good money to go through. I did ask if there was a round trip fare but found they did not have something like that to offer.

We made the first half of the trip uneventfully, and we had to remain in the big lake near the far end overnight, as a big PanaMax boat was coming the other way and they took priority.

While we were in the locks and in the canals, a train engine pulled us along instead of us using our own power. They had several boats tied to each other to be pulled through at once. In the big lake, we fired our engines and went through the channel on our own power. It was then that we had to wait for the giant ship to pass by before we could proceed.

Beth had bought a video of the history of the canal. We watched it a couple of times using it as a reference at each major location. The knowledge did make the trip more interesting.

When we finally exited the canal, we sailed straight out to the sea to get far enough out so we could head straight north, or as straight north as the wind would let us go. We sailed all night, taking turns at the wheel, with me sleeping on the lounge cushions there. We did this for two nights before beginning our approach to the Catalina Island yacht club. Once we docked, I made arrangements for the holding tank to be flushed and our fuel to be topped off. We unloaded several big bags of garbage at two bucks a bag, and headed into the club for lunch.

It was funny watching little Stevie. He had gotten used to walking on the boat. On dry land he acted dizzy and staggered back and forth. Ben and Beth were staggering as well. We all enjoyed some beer and sandwiches with lots of peppers and pickles. We did the tourist stuff and looked around the island for the rest of the afternoon. Sue and Mercy bought up a bunch of T-shirts and shipped them all back to Florida by UPS. I called in using my cell phone to find everyone doing fine and that the Coast Guard had called to advise me of the people who died in a boat near Puerto Rico. I didn't tell them what happened but knew Ben would be telling all soon enough.

We all cleaned up and slept the sleep of the innocent. The girls were hardly innocent as all three wanted more attention than I was able to give them. I did do all three to the best of my ability but the effort left me nigh on comatose. They finished without me.

In the morning, we discussed whether Ben and Beth wanted to go to San Francisco with us or did they wish to go to Los Angeles to fly home. Beth said San Francisco, so I didn't even wait to hear anything from Ben. Beth had made up his mind for him.

Two days later, we docked in our favorite yacht club, where Dewey had made arrangements for us. As soon as Mercy called home, Missy said she was sending the driver down to get us. Mercy told her to wait a little while, as we needed to clean up first before we could go to the club for the early dinner, but we also needed to find a babysitter for the kids.

Missy said, "Forget the club, just come home with the kids. We'll have a big dinner here. I won't try to cook it. I'll get one of the ladies to do it for me." About an hour later, we were on our way to hobnob in the rich part of town.

We stayed overnight with Merlin and Missy. Merlin couldn't figure out what part Juanita played in our lives, but he took an instant liking to her. Juanita is a tanned island beauty with dark hair and flashing eyes. For her age, she is built really well and acts years younger than she is.

Juanita referred to herself as the babysitter, but Mercy and Sue called her a big sister. When Merlin asked me about Juanita, I just said, "The girls are the controllers of our relationship. Juanita is just part of it."

That didn't help at all. I got a frown from Merlin, but a smirk from Missy.

We ended up staying in San Francisco three days. We were able to take Stevie to the playground at Golden Gate Park. They have all of these scary carved American Indian totem poles there that can be really frightening to little ones. Stevie was more interested in the circular sliding board they had.

Ben and Beth decided to pack up and head home. They said they had enough adventure for a while. Ben said he longed for the solitude of the Bayshore house or the peace of Costa Rica.

On the way north, we stopped at the places where Dewey had stopped with us before. We did get to stay in the one place that had been occupied before. The fishing became better and better as we traveled north. Stevie loved the seals that were on the island where we anchored.

We sailed through the islands, finally taking down the sail to use the engines as we neared Dewey's place. We pulled the boat up near his, and put out our two anchors to keep our boat in place. As we were letting the dinghy down, Dewey hollered from the dock and said he would come get us in his powerboat. He pulled up and I tied him to the platform. Dewey came aboard and looked at our modifications. He said he liked what we had done.

The girls had spent part of the time on the way from San Francisco spiffing up the boat, as they knew Dewey would be looking at it, comparing it to his fine boat.

That evening we told Dewey of our trip through the canal and the confrontation we had before. He said, "With all of you involved, I'm sure it became a non-incident."

He was right. It was a non-incident.

We ate at the restaurant in town and revived old acquaintances. The guys there were trying to figure out how I had three women, especially as I had someone as fabulous as Sue. But then they had to agree all three were class acts.

We visited with Dewey for four days before we announced we were ready for the return trip. If it had been summer, we might have gone up to Alaska, but it was cold so we wanted to head south to a warmer climate. It had rained almost everyday we were there.

Our return was pretty much a repeat, only we did spend a lot more nights sailing in order to make better time getting home. I let the girls take turns at night at the wheel using the autopilot to help keep us on course. We had a couple of days with nasty wind and waves but nothing that required us to take down sail. The trip through the canal was neat to do again only this time in the other direction. We stopped in Colon for a night before heading north for home.

We had no problem and the winds were perfect. We came into Dunedin almost exactly five weeks after we left. It was just after nine on Tuesday morning when we tied up. We decided we should clean up the boat before we shut it down.

The girls cleaned inside, while I scrubbed the decks. We all polished to get everything shiny again and had packed up all our stuff about noon. The girls said they would come back to get all the perishables out of the fridge and pick up the rest of our clothes. We locked it up tight leaving most of our armament on board. There was good security at the yacht club so the boat would be safe.

Sue had called a limo service. They picked us up and drove us home. The driver thought it was funny that he picked us up at a multi-million dollar yacht and dropped us in a trailer park.

We had a crazy reception. Glenda about had a heart attack because we surprised her. Stevie went nuts to be with his buddies again. Hanna immediately called everyone telling them we were back.

The girls put our clothes away and unpacked the kids stuff. Glenda said that if we stayed out on the water much more we would all begin to look like island people. She couldn't believe how tanned we all were.

By five, the patio was filled with crew and many people from the two companies. We loaded up the viewer that let us display pictures on the big TV and began showing pictures of where we had been and where we had stayed. I quickly passed across some pictures of four naked women sunning on the bow of the boat. The canal pictures were all interesting, as were the pictures of the seals that were just off the boat. They all saw how dreary looking the San Juan Islands looked in the cold wet weather.

By nine, everyone was happy that we were back, but tired of hearing about it. We said goodnight and the three girls went to bed while I had a peaceful drink on the patio by myself.

A naked lady came to the door and asked when I was coming to bed. I smiled at how lovely Sue is and said, "I'll follow you back." How could I resist?

We all made love in our home bed before sleeping very soundly. I think we all missed the gentle rolling of the boat. It's funny how you can get used to a motion such as that.

Original Editing by Pepere
New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 46



Ah, home. Saturday morning in my own bed, the trip was nice, but it is nice to be home.

I glanced at the clock to see it was right at six. I was on the outside with Sue's back to me. Mercy and Sue were bracketing Juanita. I was still amazed that the two girls were so enamored with a lady old enough to be their mother. Juanita didn't look her age, and since she has been around the girls, she sure hasn't acted it.

There were noises in the kitchen, so I slid from bed, showered, and dressed quickly to go out to the kitchen. Glenda was preparing several large coffee cakes that had been rising overnight. The dough was filled with brown sugar, raisins, and cinnamon. We went to the patio to have some coffee and chat for a few minutes.

Martin came over, saying that he was very happy for us to be home. He wanted me to work with Charlie, the park manager, to hire another Mr. Fixit for the park. "Steve, Charlie got a guy to do the grass and grounds upkeep but there are just too many little things to constantly fix. I'll help all the folks that can't afford to have professionals help them, but the park needs to find someone to take care of the other things. The laundry buildings need painting, the mail kiosk needs some roof work and paint. The rec. center needs exterior paint, plus I think it's probably due for some roof work. I can't do some of the work, and I can't do all the fixit jobs there are any more."

"I'll talk to Charlie this morning, Martin. I'm sure he doesn't understand the scope of the problem. Have you been discussing the work that needs to be done?"

Martin looked a little sheepish, "I guess not enough. I sort of mention things to him, but I don't outright tell him or write it down."

When Charlie and Matty came for morning coffee and breakfast, I got Charlie off to the side with Martin. "Charlie, Martin is going to need help with all the fixit jobs. He says he'll still do the little jobs for the older folks that can't afford to hire it done, but he isn't able to do all the other upkeep work that needs to be done."

"Yeah, you're right, Martin," Charlie said. "I know there is too much for you to do. I've just been putting off hiring someone. It's hard to find someone who wants to do the variety of things that need done around a place like this. I can contract out the painting, but I can't sub out all the little repair jobs like at the mail kiosk or the laundry buildings."

Martin said, "There's a young couple with a little one that just moved into a rental back by Juanita's place. I heard he just got laid off from an apartment complex that was bought out by a large conglomerate. He was a maintenance guy for the complex, so he should have experience with everything we need here. He won't be able to do the roof of the rec. center, but I'll bet he can do everything else."

Charlie nodded, "Let's go talk to him right now. He should be up and around by now, especially if he's trying to find a part time job on weekends."

I went with them in Charlie's cart. The man we were looking for was sitting outside his trailer, pouring over the classified ads. Charlie asked, "You Jim Samuels?"

The guy said, "Yes," as he stood looking at the three of us. He nodded at Martin and said, "Good morning, Martin, what's up?"

Martin pointed at us and said, "You know Charlie the park manager and this is Steve Sharp one of the park owners. I'll let Steve or Charlie do the talking."

While we were standing there, a slim lady in her twenties came to the door to see who Jim was talking to. A little boy about three came to stand by her, looking out at us.

I nodded to Charlie and he began, "I need a park maintenance person. Martin does some stuff for us but he's reached the point that he needs to retire and only help some of the older folks with some repairs. The park needs a full time guy to do carpentry, some light plumbing things, some electrical occasionally, painting, and just general maintenance. You don't have to do landscaping except to help when trailers move out. I understand that you might be out of work so I'm here to offer you a job if you're looking."

Jim smiled, "I'm looking all right and what you have is about what I was doing, except this is more outside work than the apartment complex. I have some tools, but not everything I would need to do maintenance in a large place like this."

I interrupted, "Jim, any tools you need would be supplied by us. I think we can probably use that big storage room in the new rec. building for your workshop and office. We could put a phone in there with an answering machine, as well as a workbench and large tool chest. I'll have Abe come help you get set up."

The lady and little boy came out of the house. She stood by Jim and asked, "Jim, find out if these people pay more than minimum wage. You don't want to get tied down like you were before."

Charlie said, "Steve has me start people at the same money he starts folks at his factory. That is about two and half times what minimum is. Did you have medical with your last job?"

Jim just shook his head negatively.

"We have medical here after 90 days," Charlie stated. "It covers your family as well. What do you think, do you want to try out for the job?"

Jim was smiling while standing with his arm around his wife's shoulder. "Gentlemen, this is my wife Kate and my son Carson. I'd like to try out for the job and will show you what I'm worth. If you need me to start today, I can do that or I can start Monday. We go to church on Sunday, but I could work afterwards."

Kate, Jim's wife asked while looking at me, "You're the guy that lives in the big house with that huge patio aren't you?"

I smiled, "That I am, Ma'am."

"I'm no ma'am, just Kate. The lady that lives in that home over there," she pointed at Juanita's trailer, "works down there helping with the big house and all those kids. Do they need more help?"

"You'd have to ask my wife Sue, or Glenda, Martin's wife. I stay out of what goes on around the house."

Jim smiled, "We men know when to stay out of things."

Charlie said, "Jim, if you have a few minutes, how about riding down to the office with me so I can get an application from you and sign you up. I'll get you one of these carts for work, and we can go see the storage room Steve was talking about."

I turned to Kate, "If you want, you and Carson can come with us, and you can talk to Sue."

Kate became flustered and said, "I need to clean up before I go looking for a job and I have to find a babysitter for Carson."

"You look fine and you would be bringing Carson with you everyday until he goes to school anyway. So just bring him along now. Come on, come with us."

Kate looked at Jim and he shrugged his shoulders. Kate went inside, got her keys and shoes for Carson and locked the trailer. Charlie had the big passenger cart so we all rode back to the office with him. Martin took Kate and Carson and walked down to the patio to meet Sue.

When we were done at the office, we rode down to the new rec. building where we looked into the bare storage room. It did have a window, a roll up door for equipment, and good lighting, so it would be perfect for a workshop. There was a thermostat in the room that Charlie explained was a zone off the building's office air.

Back at the patio, we caught Abe and Alice before they left to go home. I introduced Jim to Abe and asked Abe if he could get a workbench for Jim and see that he had all the tools he would need to perform maintenance around the park.

Crystal was listening to the conversations and asked, "Can I use him over at my buildings too? I have a bunch of little nagging things that need to be taken care of. The cart shop has a guy, but he doesn't know how to do everything." Crystal stood up, giving Jim his first look at the giant lady. "Honey, you come over and fix me up and I'll treat you real nice."

Kate had been sitting with Sue when Crystal said that and stood up, "You leave my husband alone. He's mine. I don't rent him out and he doesn't trade out any favors. Hear me?"

The situation was sort of funny, as Crystal is about six three and Kate is about five two. Kate wasn't put off though, as she went right up to Crystal.

Crystal put her hands up palms out to gesture "stop" to Kate, "I'm sorry, Honey. That's just the way I talk. I didn't mean I would do anything improper with your man. Ask that guy right there," Crystal motioned toward Kevin, "he works for me, he'll tell you I don't mess with my employees that way."

Susan was with Kevin and said, "Don't worry, Kate. Crystal is just a big flirt and blowhard. She won't try to take your man away."

Kate was red in the face now and said, "I'm sorry. I thought it was going to be like those damn apartments where some of those girls want to experiment with every guy they see."

Sue took Kate's hand and said, "Let's get a Coke and some juice for Carson. We have to work out when you can work."

Jim began to apologize for his wife, but I stopped him, "Don't worry about it, Jim. You guys will have to be around us a little to know us but we're all friends and are all just a little nuts. If your wife starts coming during the day, you'll see. She'll lighten up quick."

As it got close to noon, Glenda and Juanita began getting some lunch ready. Sue brought Kate and Carson back out and had them sit at the table. She motioned Jim over, introduced herself, and had him sit. Several people from our crew who were in the park began showing up. The women were going in and out of the house, bringing trays of sandwich makings and bowls for Saturday chili. Bear came out of the kitchen carrying a huge pot.

Bear exclaimed, "I made the chili this week, so you know it's going to be good. Who's first?"

He went up and down the tables, ladling out chili into bowls. He leaned down to Carson and said, "My chili isn't that hot, so you'll probably like it too."

When Bear got to Crystal he said, "Heard you were causin' a ruckus again. Were you flirtin' or just bein' your usual obnoxious self?"

"Hush, Bear. I already apologized. You know the way I talk. I didn't mean to upset anyone."

Kate looked up and said, "Sorry, Crystal, I've just been so nervous since Jimmy got laid off. I was scared to death we were going to be homeless and hungry."

Crystal smiled and said, "You'll never be homeless and hungry around here if you're willing to work. Steve and Sue have a place for everyone. If you don't know what to do, they'll teach you."

Our new family ate their lunch with smiles on their faces. Abe and Martin had left and came back with one of the carts that was like a little pickup truck. Abe walked over to Jim and said, "Here's the keys to that green cart truck out there. Use that to get around the park. I'll get with you Monday morning to get you set up with a bench and tools. Make a list this weekend of what you think you'll need, and we'll work on it Monday."

Jim was smiling. The elusive job he had been looking for was now real.

When I went inside to see the kids, Sue, Mercy, and Juanita all followed me in. As I was picking up Liz, Sue asked, "How many women does it take to keep this place up?"

Juanita said, "There won't be anything for me to do."

When I looked puzzled, Sue said, "We have Glenda that needed help, so we brought Juanita in. Then because Juanita was gone a lot, Glenda has Maggie here most everyday. Now you want me to have Kate here too? They won't have enough to do to keep them busy."

Mercy was the only one not saying anything to me about the problem. She was standing there with her arms folded smirking at me.

"You didn't have to hire her if you didn't need her. I thought you would just talk to her about being a friend and coming down to visit during the day."

Sue grimaced, "You know I can't let someone go if they need a job and want to work. Those kids are probably on their last nickel, and I can't let them be hungry with a little boy and all."

"I don't think they're stone cold broke yet because he just got laid off yesterday," I said, in defense.

Juanita took up the baton, "Yeah, he got laid off a minimum wage job. Matty said that they are making payments for the deposit on the trailer they're renting."

"Well, now he's making more and they'll be able to make ends meet. Even without Kate working over here."

Mercy now spoke, "They see how warm and friendly it is here. You know they'll want to be a part of us. They will want to contribute, so Sue had to hire her so she wouldn't have to feel like she isn't contributing."

"Why are you ganging up on me? What'd I do wrong?"

Sue gave me a hug then said, "You're just so bad. Every person that even thinks they need help you're dragging them over here, feeding them, giving them a job. We're not mad or ganging up on you. We just need to find out how to use all the extra help."

Hanna came in the door and said to Sue, "Do you really need another girl here, or could I interest her in working at the daycare in the park. I could use two more people right now, and we have the people of the department of Children and Families coming out Monday for training. Since she's a mom, she would probably be good. Can I steal her?"

I smiled at the girls, and said as I headed out the door, "Case closed."

Jim was getting ready to leave, so I told him to hang around a few minutes more as Hanna wanted to talk to Kate. I took him to the bar and explained, "We have beer on tap right here along with just about anything else you might want to drink. We have a little nip in the evenings before supper. You, Kate, and Carson are welcome to come have supper with us and be a part of our big family here. We have some strange folks, along with some regular folks. All are welcome."

Tiny and Ruth, with Ryan and Michelle, came in for some late lunch and I introduced Jim to them. I think he was getting the idea that we were a pretty big group.

Kate came out of the house with Hanna, almost running up to Jim. "I've been offered a job at the daycare center over in the business park. Can you believe it? All that training, and I'm finally going to be able to use it. Hanna said that I could be the head instructor and lead person for the daycare center. Sue, the owner, said that she was excited that I could work for her. Can you believe it? We've both got jobs that pay well. We're on our way, Honey, we have found our lucky place."

Ruth spoke up, while putting her arm around my waist, "I don't know you kids yet, but if you just met Steve and Sue then that explains your luck. Everyone who meets them and becomes friends with them gets lucky. You're right though, Honey, It is your lucky place."

Ryan and Tiny held up mugs of beer saying "Hear, hear."

The family walked toward the door to go home and contemplate their good fortune. Before they could get to the door, Juanita came out of the house and said, "We're having wings and ribs tonight. Be here round five, five-thirty."

Jim and Kate looked back at all of us and just grinned. They waved as they went out to the green cart Abe had brought over.

Tiny handed me a frosty mug, saying, "Well, you've helped your quota for the day, Steve. Time to have a beer and celebrate."

Sue came out of the house saying, "Hanna saved your bacon on that one. Glad you brought her over here. That little girl has a degree in child psychology and daycare management. Wonder why the two were having a problem?"

"You know how it is, Sue," I said. "People get down and they don't know how to look up. They just don't see how they can get on their feet. It just takes a little push and most people take off on their own."

The kids were all down for a nap, so we guys turned on the TV for some Saturday college football. The girls were organizing something, so we knew we should just sit back to see what they had in store for us.

Tiny was telling me about having picked up four little Cessna 152s for trainers and student rentals for flight time. He commented that the Aero Park owner had approached him about setting up a central database for new students. "Funny he should ask. The system we put in out there for our students and rentals has everything he needs in it. We'll just have to enter his information and it will be done. We'll hook him up as a user off our server so he can have access, but not modify student info. We'll allow him scheduling access for some of the rentals and give the park a commission for the rental. That way he can make a buck too."

"Good idea, Tiny, you're really tying up a lot of loose ends picking up money from all sorts of places."

Tiny smiled, "That's my job. I don't let us leave any change on the table. If there's any gold in them thar hills, I'm gonna find it."

I took some time to get my bikes out and clean them up. I was almost ashamed to find dust on both bikes. I'll have to do better than that. When Hap got off duty, he and Marge came over and joined Bear, who was sitting back drinking a beer, while watching me detail the shovel. Hap asked, "You going to be up for a ride this evening? I'm past ready. Bear here is itching all over to ride too."

Bear said, "If I don't give Crystal a ride soon, she's going to go out and find another guy with a bike. She's been bugging me to death."

Sandy and Mandy came over and said almost the exact same thing. Sandy asked, "Can I ride along when you go out, Mandy and I are dying to ride."

Mickey came home from work and said, "I'll bring my bike over so we can leave after supper. I haven't been out in three or four weeks. Mind if I trail along?"

My two main ladies came out of the house with Sue saying, "I hope you cleaned up the big bike. Mercy and I want a ride. You need to figure out how to ride Juanita, too. I think she wants to go along."

Then it was Jim, Hank, and Charlie. They said their ole' ladies were dying to ride.

I knew something was up when just before we ate, I saw Sue and Mercy huddled with Juanita, Sandy, and Mandy. As we sat down to eat, Sue said, "We have the babysitting thing taken care of. Kate, Susan, and Ruth are going to watch the kids. Mercy and I are going to ride with Sandy and Mandy, and Juanita can ride with you. See, we took care of the problem."

I'm a good husband and mate, so I do what my mates ask, but I still felt a little strange about Juanita. Here's a fifty something year old Cuban lady going through her second childhood with my family as playmates. After supper, the girls came out in jeans and T-shirts. Mercy and Sue had some show off tops under their T-shirts, so I figured they had an idea we were going to the clubhouse first.

The herd of bikes left the park around seven and went straight down to Hap's clubhouse. Hap had cleared the way for the girl bikers so we were all welcome. We all did the backslapping, bullshitting, and beer drinking before riding to Big Jim's. We all got a hug from Double D and some glad handing from a lot of the folks, and went with a even larger contingent to the Vanishing Point.

Amazing, but this time there were lots of unattached women mixing at the bar. One of the guys who had come with us from Big Jim's, called back to Jim's to advise some of the guys out hunting, of the game available here. When we left the Vanishing Point, all of the guys that had trailed along with us stayed there, so it was just our group that blasted over to St. Pete to go to the clubhouse bar in the shopping center. The place was rocking tonight, with booze flowing for all. As soon as Sue was spotted, she was brought a rum and Coke. When the folks there saw me standing with my three ladies, they brought Mercy and Juanita rum and Cokes too.

After a little visit and another beer, we took off to go up to the Crab Shack for onion rings. The little shack was jammed with bikes on both sides of the street for the whole block. Hap said it looked like anyone with a bike was out tonight.

Bear asked me if we could ride up to New Port Richey to stop in at his old clubhouse. They were supposed to have finished building their new main building, and he wanted to see it.

We rode up to Bear's clubhouse where he had to clear it with the current prez for our lady riders to come in. Bear told me later, that since the girls were friends of mine, that got them in the gate. We were treated very nicely. The new clubhouse was large. It looked as if they were planning to make it two floors in the future, in order to have a bunkhouse within the main building. They had converted their old building into the cook shack, so the grounds were really growing.

We decided to head home and rode back to the park a lot slower than we had ridden anywhere else this evening. Once back at the park, there was some discussion of a hot tub party, but most of us just wanted to have a nightcap and veg. Jim was with Kate and Carson while she was watching the kids. Jim asked Charlie, "Is it true what we heard goes on up there at the hot tub at night?"

Charlie smiled and asked, "Depends. What did you hear goes on up there?"

Jim answered, "Kate said that she heard there were orgies and stuff in the hot tub. She said that even some of the older couples did stuff there."

Shawna was sitting on Charlie's lap and commented, "Does that mean that Kate wants to join in, or do you guys just want to watch?"

Jim's face turned red. He was trying to think of an answer when Kate rescued him. "I want to watch. We might even want to try some of the playing too. It really sounds exciting."

Hanna was sitting close to Jim and Kate. She nudged Kate and said, "Just imagine, you get to see how many of these guys you can get off in one night. Some of these guys go off like cannons, others hold back all night. One thing for sure, you can get all you've ever wanted before you go home. Then you get your guy one last time. Makes it all nice."

Now it was Kate's turn to turn red.

Juanita was sitting next to me. She said, "I think I should go with you guys the next time you go up there. I'm getting excited just thinking about it. My oh, my, I am becoming a loose woman."

Mercy gave Juanita a hug, "You could never be a loose woman, Nita. If we get you up there, we'll attack that luscious Latin body of yours and make you sing."

"You guys already make me sing," Juanita sighed. "I think it would be naughty fun to find out what all these others feel like."

Charlie stood up and said to Shawna, "Let's get the kids and go home. I'm ready to do some wife exploring. Wanna be explored?"

As Charlie and Shawna left, Hank and Debbie gathered up their little boy and left, along with Hanna and Jim getting Mia and leaving. Crystal grabbed Bear's hand and pulled him up saying, "Let's do a little exploring of our own, big guy. Take me home."

Hap and Marge got up to go home, leaving only Jim, Kate, and Glenda. Jim said, "I guess it's time, sweet thing. I'll get Carson and we'll go on home."

Kate made the rounds, giving everyone a hug. "All of you have made Jim and me happier than we've been in a long time. This all happened so quick. Jim got laid off and we were so far down we didn't know where or what to do. We just moved here and didn't know anyone. Of course, we didn't know anyone at that crummy apartment complex either. Now we have friends everywhere, people that actually care about us. This has been an amazing experience."

Sue said to Kate, "Come for breakfast, but if you're put off by ladies showing off a little, you might want to come by and check us out first, before you decide to have breakfast with us."

Kate looked at Glenda questioningly. Glenda smiled, "Some of the ladies wear very scandalous nighties and robes on Sunday morning. They just like to show off and get the guys excited. You don't have to participate. Just come for breakfast. Sunday is always a good breakfast."

Jim carried Carson out to his green cart and the family traveled back up to the northwest corner of the park.

Juanita was saying, "I need to go to my place soon. It's going to need dusting and airing out after not being there for a while. There's going to be some things in the fridge that will be green with mold. But if you don't mind, I want to stay here with you-all tonight."

Mercy said, "You are a part of us, Juanita. I'm not sure how it came about, but I feel like you are a part of the family."

Sue stood and hugged Juanita, "You've just wormed your way into our hearts. As soon as Stevie began chanting 'NeeNeeNeeNee, ' you were part of our family."

Mercy came over and pulled me up, "Come on, Husband, come play with your harem. We all want you."

It took a long time to play with all the harem girls this night. I think they continued after I collapsed from fatigue.

Funny how, when you wake up it takes a couple of seconds for the brain to boot up and recognize what's going on. I was on the outside of the three girls, who had Juanita next to me and Sue in the middle. I smiled, thinking how it seemed they took turns being in the middle.

The clock said six fifteen, so I got up, showered, and dressed, before going to the kitchen to see if anyone was outside yet. I made coffee inside and went out to check the big pot. It was done, waiting for me to have a cup. While I was drawing that first cup, Glenda and Martin came across the yard. No sooner than they were inside lining up at the coffeepot, Tiny and Ruth came through the back door. Ruth was wearing one of her transparent robes, showing the world that her chest was glorious to behold.

Just as we were sitting down, Henry and Nancy came in with Susan and Kevin. Nancy and Susan both had on a duplicate of Ruth's robe, totally transparent. I couldn't help checking out the major bounty of Nancy's full body, but was embarrassed to note that Susan was showing a bare beaver. It is tough to get used to seeing your sister dressed like that and realize that she wants to be checked out.

I looked up to see my three ladies with the little ones. The ladies were all dressed, or undressed, in more transparent robes. Theirs were just a little cloudier, but you could see everything without much effort.

Seeing the three with the kids was a revelation. It wasn't that they were provocatively dressed, but it was who had what kid. Sue held Mike, Mercy had Stevie, and Juanita was cuddling little Lizzy. They were all three mothers to the three kids. There was no distinction between which one was whose mother. The three ladies loved all three kids the same, and the kids each loved all three ladies. Were they lucky or confused? I was thinking that they were lucky. Sue came and handed me Mike, saying she was going to let me feed him his cereal this morning, and she was going to help make breakfast.

As she leaned over to put Mike on my lap, her robe was loose and fell open, inviting my hand to slip inside to cup one of her glorious breasts. Sue gasped, then smiled, "Keep that up, Mister, and you'll be having a different kind of breakfast."

As I took Mike, Crystal sat next to me, in one of Sue's company's sheer robes. Crystal leaned up against me and rubbed an erect nipple on my arm, looked down at my swollen crotch and asked, "Is that because you're happy to see me, or left over from that hussy wife of yours."

Juanita came up with the bowl of gruel for Mike. She was outstanding in the light pink sheer gown that displayed her beautiful bronze body. Her large, pendulous, breasts sagged sexily, showing the appeal of a mature figure. Crystal noticed and said, "I don't know which of them gets to you the most. Now you're poking out for your Cuban beauty."

Juanita leaned over to me and kissed me softly saying quietly to Crystal and me, "We all get to him, Crystal, every chance we get."

Feeding Mike can be a mess, but he was hungry this morning and didn't get too much food in his hair or on me. Crystal did have a tiny handprint of cream of wheat on her breast, where Mike had reached out to get at what he thought was more food. The girls had just about weaned Mike and Lizzy but neither one of the kids wanted to be weaned. Heck, Stevie was still getting at an available breast whenever he could. Can you blame him?

Jim and Kate did show up with Carson and mixed in with the crowd well. The view was almost too much for Jim. He spent the first half hour adjusting his jeans, until he and Kate disappeared for about five minutes. When they reappeared, he was looking considerably more relaxed and she was licking her lips.

Mike was soon replaced with Liz, who enjoyed sitting on my lap watching people and jabbering. She would look at me, say something unintelligible, then look at someone, turn back to me, and jabber more. I'm sure she was telling me something about each of the people she was watching.

Mercy came over, picked up Lizzy, and sat on my lap holding her. "How about taking a boat out a while today? We could go out to Caledesi Island or one of the other little islands. We could fish, swim, or just sun. What do you think?"

"The sailboat wouldn't be very good for something like that, it's too big to maneuver around those islands and its draft is too deep," I said, thinking she meant for us to take the sailboat.

"No, let's take the Hatteras. Tiny says he's not going to use it today, and we haven't been out on it since we brought it up here. The kids can all come with us and I think Jim and Kate would enjoy coming along. Susan and Kevin want to come too. Dennis and Tina are both still at friends' houses."

Mercy turned to Crystal, "Go get your bikini and you and Bear can come along." She then turned to Hap and Margie, "You guys need some sun, get your swimsuits, shorts, deck shoes, and let's go out on the big Hatteras."

Mercy carried Lizzy over to Glenda and said, "Today, you and Martin are coming with us out on the big boat. We'll do some fishing, some swimming, and some sunbathing. We all want you to come with us. You don't get seasick do you?"

Glenda looked apprehensive, "I get airsick, seasick, carsick, just about everything sick. That's why I don't go anywhere. I'll pass, take Martin, but I should stay home."

"Nope, Glenda, today we're taking you with us. I have some special pills that I use for when we fly and when I've started to get sick on the boat. You're going with us, period. Go get your swimsuit, we're going to get some sun."

Glenda finally agreed and went with Martin to get ready to go.

Tiny told me to be sure to take the inflatable boat with the little engine so we could get into shore if we didn't want to dock at the main dock at the island. He also said that there were cold cuts in the fridge, along with plenty of drinks, soda, beer and water.

Once over at the yacht club, Mercy and I went over the boat to make sure we still knew how to handle it. We vented the engine and turned on the fans, while the ladies checked that we had enough food for the day. The little ones were all put into life jackets so they could be on deck. Carson was the oldest of the little ones and was a decent example as he wouldn't get too close to the railing. Stevie wanted to lean over the rail so we had to watch him constantly.

Mercy handed Glenda a tiny white pill and a glass of water saying that this prevented motion sickness. She should take it now so she could enjoy the ride.

When I hollered that we were ready and to release the lines, Juanita and Sue went fore and aft, while Mercy jumped onto the dock and pulled the lines free. As I slowly pulled out from the dock the girls were coiling lines the same as they did on the sailboat. I don't think anyone had done that on this boat since it had been up here.

Once out in the gulf, I picked up speed to see how it felt to run a big power boat. The general consensus was to just ride out into the gulf a while and come back into some islands later. I made the suggestion that we visit Caledesi early so the kids wouldn't be napping. They agreed, so I used the GPS to guide us to the channel that led to their docking area.

We tied up and walked to the beach. Glenda mentioned that the pill worked great because she didn't feel funny at all on the boat. Once at the beach the women spread lotion on everyone with some heavy sun block on the little ones.

We played in the sand, hunted shells, and splashed in the water. As it got close to noon we decided to go back to the boat for lunch in the air conditioned main lounge.

We left the dock area and made our way out to the gulf, heading northwest. We enjoyed sandwiches and various beverages, putting the kids in a stateroom to nap.

I had gone up to the flying bridge to handle the boat as I had never done that before. As we powered through the waters, the girls began laying out on the broad bow of the boat. My three were instantly naked, enjoying the all over sun. Sister Susan was obviously not bashful as she was bare-assed, laying next to Mercy in a second. Surprisingly, Kate was the first guest to be nude, followed by Crystal, Margie, and Glenda.

Bear and Hap came up to get the feel of the flying bridge and looked down. Hap groaned, "Jesus, that is a wet dream if there ever was one. Damn, would you look at that."

Bear made the comment, "Your three ladies are all about as brown as island women. They've been sunning like this a lot haven't they? And look at your sister; she doesn't have any tan lines either."

"I'm trying not to look at my sister, Bear. But there is something about the open water than makes women want to get naked. If you're going to go without a shirt, be sure to put some sunscreen on. That sun will burn you quick."

We rode out about forty minutes before heading back toward land. We put out some lines on outriggers and trolled slowly, using some shad that we netted for bait. We hooked up to a four foot nurse shark and were able to get it loose without gaffing it.

I had some numbers for locations of sunken craft nearby so I found the first location, sounded the depth and we let line out to try for a grouper, or maybe a dolphin fish. Martin was the first lucky fisherman. He pulled up a grouper that was about twenty pounds. Bear was next with a nice grouper close to the same weight.

We went to the next set of numbers and repeated the process. Juanita had put her swimsuit back on and was excitedly fishing. She caught a beautiful dolphin fish, close to thirty pounds. Hap caught a big sea bass, but since it was a big double belly female ready to drop her eggs, we convinced him to let it go so it could re-supply the gulf with sea bass.

The women all had enough sun and came in to get the kids up. I came down to drive the boat from the air-conditioned lounge. This boat was nice. It had three different places to steer from so you could always be a part of the action.

We decided to head in, so I used the GPS to find the yacht club basin and backed the big boat into its stall. We cleaned up the boat so it was ready for the next bunch to go out on it. The yacht club attendant said he would refuel, fill the water, and flush the holding tank for us. That sure makes having a boat easy.

At home, CJ, Robbie, and Mia instantly began playing with Stevie and Carson when they got there. Carson was the biggest, but he seemed to get along well with the four younger kids. Kate couldn't get over the way the four younger kids could carry on conversations. Sue explained that Susan and Beth had been responsible for the early learning. We all just kept adding to it by continuing to talk to them normally instead of using poor grammar, as in baby talk. Kate said she wanted Susan and Beth to teach her how they did it so she could use it at the daycare.

Sunday evening can be laid back. Tonight was just that. We had pizza, wings, and ribs delivered. We all ate our fill, played some games, shot some pool, watched TV, and just mentally got ready for the new week.

Mickey and Samantha were having a major discussion this evening. No hot words just a continuous discussion. Finally Mickey got everyone's attention. "Sam here wants to go to school for something other than photo journalism. She thinks she wants to be a CSI tech like me. I think she should finish this coming semester and get her first degree, then if she wants to do the CSI thing, she can take classes in law enforcement and finish another degree. She knows we wouldn't probably get to work together, but she wants to do it anyway. How about a little help to convince her to finish her journalism degree first?"

Poor Samantha, everyone ganged up on her, saying that she should finish her degree first. She finally agreed after Mickey said she would help her be a volunteer officer on the CSI team. That way she could get a taste of what it was like before she committed to more schooling.

The evening wound down till it was just Sue, Mercy, Juanita, and me sitting on the patio, having a drink. I asked Mercy what kind of pill she gave Glenda.

"That was a sugar pill. Glenda worries too much. Martin told me that someone said she would get carsick, so she did. He said she would get airsick, so she did. She assumed she was going to get seasick, so I gave her a pill. She believed in the pill and she was fine. We'll take her up in the little plane and give her a pill so she'll know she can do it. She'll be fine."

Sue looked at Mercy and said, "You going to tell him or are you going to let it become obvious?"

Mercy was grinning, "I'm going to have another baby. The problem is I think it is two babies, both girls. I feel funny though, like that may not be all."

I looked at Mercy and said, "That may not be all? Can you explain that?"

Mercy twisted her mouth, then said, "There may be three of them in there. I feel like I have a little boy too."

"Oh, shit. Three?" I said this looking up at the ceiling of the patio, wondering what to say in answer to the surprise.

"You're going to have to take care of yourself if you're going to have triplets. I didn't think that triplets came in mixed sexes."

Sue said, "They are usually not fraternal. Mercy has maternal girls and the fraternal little boy. It's amazing this happened the way we all three share you. I wouldn't think we had that much chance, but I guess we do. You're doing a hell of a job, Stud. If you give us three more, that might be enough to hold us for a while."

"Wow, six kids. When do you think the glorious event happened, Mercy," I asked, trying to remember a special time for us.

"It was probably when we were going through the canal. Remember, we had all that extra time when the boat was being pulled and I wanted you to come below deck to play."

"But Sue came with us one time, and Juanita came with us another."

Mercy smiled, "And then nap time the next day, while we were anchored out in the lake, you did me again. I think you filled me up five or six times while we were in the canal. I'm sure that did it."

Sue said, "You were a horny critter while we were on the sailboat. You were constantly after one of us the whole trip. Mercy just so happened to be in the midst of a fertility crisis."

"I thought you guys were going to take something to keep it from happening?" I looked at Sue and said, "Are you taking anything?"

Mercy said, "I wanted another baby, and since we were enjoying ourselves it was a perfect time to conceive one. You just filled me up too good, and now I have a triple in the oven."

Sue looked at me, "If I wanted another baby, would you be mad?"

"Of course not! I love our babies and more will be just that much more fun. Do you want to make another?"

Sue smiled, "We'll just practice. I'm not sure I want more or not. I think I should wait till Mercy has hers, then see what I think. I'm starting to be at the end of the time I should be having babies."

I motioned for Mercy to get on my lap. I petted her tummy through her clothes and said, "So our magic woman may have a triple. You're sure about the twins, huh?"

Mercy snuggled with her head on my chest. "Definitely two girls, the little boy is a maybe. I'll know in a day or so."

"Should we take you to the doc? Should you be checked?" I asked, knowing prenatal care would be super important with a multiple birth.

Sue said, "Juanita and I need to start lactating so we can help feed these little buggers when they pop out. Little Mercy's not going to be able to feed them all."

Mercy grinned at Sue, "So you need to get pregnant so you can help feed mine too. You make enough milk to feed half the population out here."

"True, but I think you might get help from Hanna. She's been acting funny lately. I'd bet she's pregnant. Debbie might be too, did you see how her shorts didn't fit over her swimsuit. She couldn't button her shorts."

"I guess we'll know soon," I said then asked, "Wasn't Debbie the one that got so sick last time?"

Juanita had been quiet for entire conversation. Sue patted her hand. "I wish you were younger so you could give us some kids too. You'll just have to share ours with us. We all love you so much, Juanita, you're a part of us. When it happened, who knows, but you have become another wife to Steve. I feel it and enjoy knowing it's true. Mercy enjoys it as well."

Juanita squirmed around, "I know it's crazy, but I haven't used any birth control from the first day with Steve. I still have my menses, but I think I'm too old to have a baby. Ladies that are in their fifties don't have babies. I wish I could, but it won't happen."

I must have looked shocked, as Juanita added, "Don't worry, Senor Steve, I won't have a baby. I'm too old. You can take me to bed and pretend if you would. I like to pretend that we are making babies."

Sue took my hand to pull me up, "Come on, you and I need to practice to make sure I don't forget how."

Mercy took my other arm, hugging it. "You'll be a great dad."

Sleep was a while coming, considering Mercy wanted to be made love to in her pregnant state. Juanita wanted to play like we were making babies, and Sue wanted to practice. I must have done a good job, as we all went to sleep at the same time. I was in the middle between Sue and Mercy.

Original Editing by Pepere
New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 47



Monday morning showed the excitement that the crew had for going to work. Everyone was smiling and talking about a new day and everything that was going to be happening.

Tiny said that some big shots from Onan were coming in, so I might want to come into the shop to meet with them. He said they were leasing the Gulfstream to get here, so we needed to be appreciative of the charter business anyway. He was laughing.

Before everyone took off for their workplaces, Debbie said she wanted to talk to me for a few minutes this morning before she went in. She told Deanne that she would be in shortly and to get started without her.

Debbie began, "I want to thank you for your confidence in me taking over the supervision of the welding and sheet metal shops. I still work with the utility body guys and have to make sure the orders are staged for the motor department. You've entrusted a lot of responsibility with me. Thank you."

"You've done a great job, Debbie. You're deserving of the praise."

"I may have trouble doing everything for a while," she said and wouldn't look me in the eye. "I'm pregnant."

"That's great, Debbie. I'm happy to hear it," I said smiling remembering the conversation from last night.

Debbie's head snapped up and she looked at me with her mouth open, "You're not mad? It's okay to be pregnant?"

"Why would I be mad, Debbie? Being pregnant is great. You'll have two little ones running around. How does Hank feel about it?"

"He loves the idea of being a dad again, but I thought you would be mad because it's going to cause me to miss some work."

"Let's see, Deb. When you had Robert, you missed some work and everyone made it. Deanne had her little boy and we lived through it. Babies aren't an inconvenience, they are a blessing. Be happy about it, I am. I can't wait to hold your new one in my arms to tell it how wonderful its mother is."

Debbie got up, came around the table and hugged me. "Thank you for being yourself, Steve. You've made me so very happy. Now I can look forward to being a mommy again."

Mercy had heard the exclamation and came up to Deb and whispered in her ear. Debbie brought her head up exclaiming, "No, not three, you?"

Mercy smirked and nodded patting her tummy. Debbie said, "Thank God I think this is only one. That's enough for me. One at a time."

Debbie left for work and I went in to change into some presentable clothes. Sue told me to wear jeans and a company T-shirt. That was what my people liked to see me in, so that's what I put on, along with some boots.

Before going to the shop, I toured the truck and RV store and walked over to the cart store and plant. There were four of the new police carts in the show room probably waiting to get a commitment from the city to test them. I wondered if Abe had the engines that he was talking about in progress.

To answer that, I went to the new R&D building to see what was going on in there. The one area was working on three different types of small motors. They had them bolted into a bare frame with no front, sides, or seat. They would start them, and then run them around outside using a kids remote control car hand held unit. They had one of the units, with the engine enclosed, idling outside the doors to the shop, testing to see how it did at idle for long periods of time.

In another shop, I found Jeff working with some people who were mixing fiberglass with other materials. Jeff was trying to come up with a superior blend of synthetic molding for the truck bodies and carts. He said he had four more blends he wanted to try before he would do some tests.

I drove to the shop and went through the various work areas to see everyone, and to see what was going on. I did the picking up of a piece for one person, holding something in place for another, and handing a screwdriver to Roberta in the motor shop. The superlift shop was really backed up. There looked to be forty big lifts waiting to be rebuilt. When I checked their progress board, it was evident that they were putting out product as fast as could be expected. It was amazing that we had that much business.

Back upstairs, I got a cup of coffee and visited with the customer service people. Judy introduced me to dozens of new people that were working the phones.

Phil had a bunch of papers on his desk, with a far away look on his face. "What's going on, Phil?" I asked.

"I'm trying to get straight how to propose to Onan that they expand their superlift manufacturing. Right now we've sold out their production through June of next year, and we have several orders pending that would equal what we've sold to date. We would be almost two years away from delivery. Onan and Caterpillar are partners in the superlift business, so we really need to be talking to both companies at once. Caterpillar wants to take over the whole thing, but Onan feels it deserves some of the business, as they were the ones that began the manufacturing in the first place. As you can see, it is a problem."

"How about getting the Cat people on the phone while the Onan folks are here so we can have a conference call? We'll do it in my office with that spider looking phone in there."

Tiny came in and said, "Our guests have arrived. Do you want to come with us as we tour the building?"

"Sure," I said to Tiny. I turned to Phil, "Get your stuff together so we can present it to them properly. If this doesn't work out with Cat, I have an idea."

Tiny and I greeted the contingent of folks from Onan and toured the facility. I asked them if they wished to see the utility body plant, or the T-shirt plant, but they declined. They did say they would like to see the business park they had heard so much about.

"Before we go up to the park, let's get down to some business that has the sales manager in a bind. Come into my office and we'll get you some coffee, Coke, or water."

As soon as we had them all seated around the table, Ruth, Debbie, Deanne, and Judy hustled some drinks for everyone. They placed a huge tray of cookies on the table and left.

"Phil, can you tell me again the story you told me earlier about the superlifts?"

When Phil finished his tale, the president of Onan said, "I knew we had a production problem, but I didn't know it was that big. What are you going to do with the orders you have?"

I answered quickly, before Phil could say anything, "It depends on what answers we get today."

"Why do you have to have Caterpillar involved for making the lifts?"

"We use some of their hydraulics and some of their steel manufacturing. They want to use their motors, but we have a good engine for the line of lifts we sell. They want to take over the product line completely, but I feel it's our product, we developed it, introduced it, and marketed it, so it should remain an Onan product."

While looking at the man, I said, "Why don't you develop your own hydraulics and expand your own steel manufacturing?"

"We've expanded so much in the last two years that I'm afraid to keep building a bigger and bigger plant. It's your orders that have done this, and I don't know whether the company can handle that type of growth in the near future."

"Is there something I'm missing? If you have orders that exceed your capacity to manufacture, you add to your manufacturing and increase your marketing in order to keep the new space productive. What can't you do? Is your margin so slim that you aren't making any money?"

The man was squirming now. "Our profits are great. This last quarter our profits are larger than ever before. Our orders are greater than they have ever been."

"Then you have to tell me why you won't expand to handle more orders. My sales manager has enough orders for your entire production for next year and you're saying you not only can't handle it, you don't want to handle it, and that you don't want anyone else to handle it. Are you having trouble borrowing for expansion? You have to tell me."

The man finally said, "We are a very conservative company, at least since I've taken over. I feel we shouldn't expand our production facilities to meet the orders we have in hand. We can fulfill them by next June. The other orders you have will probably have to be given up. We won't be able to fulfill them until after next year."

I sat heavily in a chair, leaning back, trying to come up with a way to get across to the guy.

"Can I buy the right to manufacture your product? I want to buy the superlift part of your company. I'll subcontract part of my production to you so you can keep that part of your production facility at full production. If you want, I'll even buy that entire facility from you. I want to produce these lifts in sufficient quantity to fulfill the orders we have, and the anticipated orders we will have."

His face was white. All the blood had drained from it. "I, ah, ah, ah, I, ah, the board would be the only people who could make a decision like that."

"Look, anyone can design a comparable lift and build it to compete with what you are selling right now. We wouldn't infringe on anyone's patents, and we could license any hydraulics necessary that we couldn't design ourselves. We've gone into manufacturing before, and we can do it again. You tell me, can you expand to meet our needs, do you sell me your production facilities, or do I go into competition with you. You decide. Tiny, Phil, and I are going to leave you for a few minutes. You all talk among yourselves and see if there is any way we can do this."

Out in the hallway, Phil said, "Christ, are you nuts. That's the new president of Onan you're talking to in there. We make a lot of money selling their products. We need them."

I held my hand up, "Phil, they need us even more than we need them. If we decided not to have anything to do with them, they would lose sixty to seventy-five percent of their sales. We're not irreplaceable, but we are very important to them. They are super-profitable because we do all of their marketing for them. If you remember, they wanted to buy us. Now it's the other way around. They now have a super-conservative head guy that doesn't want to make any changes. If he doesn't do anything, then he can't make a mistake."

I turned to Tiny, "How much Onan stock do we own, the total between the company, the 401K plan, and me. I've seen some of the statements, so I know it's a bunch."

"Let me have someone research that quickly. It's probably a pretty good amount though." Tiny walked up the hall to his office.

After taking a deep breath, I said "Let's go see what's up. We may want to take them to lunch soon so they can let off some steam."

When we went back into my big office, the president was standing at the windows, looking out at the production floor. He was red—faced, but returned to the table. "So where are we? How do I handle these orders for lifts?"

"You have me at a disadvantage. My predecessor gave away all of the marketing to you and to other distributors that sold out to you, so now all I have is the manufacturing. Granted, we don't have to spend money on marketing but if we lose your business, we would be out of business. Is it possible we can work together on this production problem?"

"I told you that I would do that. I will build a production facility to handle seventy-five percent of my orders. I will still submit orders in sufficient quantity to keep your production at maximum capacity. If we come up with a better idea, I expect you to incorporate it within your manufacturing, and I want you to separate yourself from Caterpillar. They are not good for your company."

The man was red-faced again, "But that would mean we would have to build a steel manufacturing facility to take up their slack."

I smiled, "Not to worry. I'll build a production facility that will be large enough to handle my increased orders and to sub to you guys. I want quality product coming out of your plant and my plant. I know I can do it from my plant, make sure yours is that way too."

The man stood, paced back and forth for a second, "Let's do it that way. I'll present it to the board next week."

Tiny came in with a piece of paper and handed it to me. I read it, then re-read it.

"Excuse me," I asked of the entire delegation. "How much stock would it take before a person could sit on the board?"

One of the other men answered, "My name is John Peters from accounting. You would need to own at least twenty-five percent of the common, or perhaps ten percent of the preferred, in order to demand a seat on the board."

I handed the paper back to Tiny pointing at the numbers on the bottom and said, "Get both. We'll go to lunch. You should have it by one right?"

Tiny rolled his eyes and left.

"How about a special place for lunch? There is a little Greek restaurant right around the corner that serves a great lunch. Come on, my treat."

We traversed to the Greek restaurant. When I walked in, leading a large contingent of people, the owner was instantly on us, directing us where to sit and getting tables together for us. I think we just turned a slow day into a good one.

He took everyone's orders and had a waitress hustling our drinks to us. While we were waiting, Tiny came in the door. I moved people around and got Tiny a seat. He handed me the paper as he sat down.

The paper said, "You, the company and the 401K plan now own twenty-six percent of the common and sixteen percent of the preferred. I applied for a seat on the board through the broker as well. I put both your name and mine on it."

I folded the note up and put it into my pocket, nodding and smiling at Tiny. Phil was acting nervous and I told him that his orders would be taken care of.

After lunch we took a tour of the business park. Before we left the park, I drove back to the rear and stopped. When we got out, I pointed to the bare land with the sporadic trees back there, "There are four hundred acres back here to build our new plant on. We won't need all of it, but we could build one hell of a big facility back here. We didn't need it all when we built the front. We still haven't used it all the way it could be. But back here, we can do anything we want."

We went back to the office, but this time I took them to the cafeteria to sit. We took up the back tables of the seating area. Standing in front of them I said, "I represent the stock owned by the company's 401K plan, the company's stock, and my personal stock. Combined, we own and control twenty-six percent of the total common stock of Onan. Combined, we own and control sixteen percent of the preferred stock. By the way, nice dividends this last quarter."

"I've applied for a position on your board because I feel you need someone to push you to make more money, and to become aggressive in both marketing, as well as production. So, can we get this show on the road or what?"

The accountant type guy said, "Do you really own that much stock? Both types?"

Tiny spoke up, "We didn't own all of it until I bought what else we needed before lunch. Now we own what's necessary."

The guy was shaking his head, "You are the largest stockholder of the company then. Are you going to take us over?"

"Why, you guys make a good product and make a profit. I just want you to make more products and to make more money."

The president said, "Do you want my resignation?"

"Not hardly, but I do want to teach you about quality manufacturing. You do a good job now, I want it to be even better. Can you stay through tomorrow?"

"We were going to stay through till Thursday morning. Tiny has a fishing trip scheduled for us Wednesday."

I smiled, "That's great. Tomorrow wear jeans. If you don't have any, go buy them at Wal-Mart. I'll give you T-shirts to wear, because I want you all to do some things in my shops. I'll spread you out between here and in the business park to give you an idea of what we do, and how we do it. I want you to take what you learn back to the company and implement it. If you need more people to learn, send them. Let's make some good stuff for our customers."

Phil asked, "What about the orders I have?"

In front of all of them I said, "If the board approves expansion, we'll have more production space and deliver all of your pending orders and the new ones by next June."

Phil smiled, "If Steve says it'll happen, it'll happen."

I had the president come with me back to see Abe. He was working on a schematic and manufacturing design for a big lift. "Abe, how long before you could design a superlift to compete with the Onan product, and the others on the market?"

"I've been working on that for a couple of months now. I don't like the way they cantilever the hydraulics here, and I don't think the stress on the front of the forks is reduced enough to keep them working for long. That's half of our rebuild work. I think I've got a better design. The Caterpillar designed steel superstructure is not put together as strongly as it could be with the materials they use. I have a better design for that too. Do you want me to build you a prototype?"

"What would you need to build a couple hundred of them?"

Abe sat back and stared up at the ceiling, "Depends on how fast you need them. We've got a lot of the men needed to do the work, but what we really would need is a manufacturing facility with robotics to make them fast. I think if you could build me the facility and hire me the men, I could turn out about fifty a month."

The president said, "We only build twenty a month now. How big a facility would you have to have to build fifty?"

Abe laughed, "Oh the size of your superlift plant is fine. You just need to use it better. You need to get rid of those stupid Cat people and put in more robotics. You could probably retool your plant in thirty days and triple your production with a better quality product."

The guy turned to me and said, "Can I borrow this man? Can I have him a couple of days to look at the plant?"

Abe laughed again, "I know that plant like the back of my hand. I worked there for years. I know exactly how it operates. You need more than me, though. You would need Jed in the superlift rebuild, me, Drew in design for the trucks, and that crazy Jeff in fiberglass, as he knows more about robotics than most engineers."

I interrupted the conversation, "How about the board hires S&S to help you retool then we'll work on expansion where it's necessary."

Abe was anxious, "Let me at 'em. I'll fix that group to build some good stuff."

Tiny and Phil wanted to take all of the men back to the trailer park for supper. I asked both if they didn't think these men were a little highbrow for our crew. Tiny said, "It'll be good for them. They need to see how you can stay grounded in a business that produces hundreds of millions in sales. They need to see how a guy like you lives, to know that you don't make idle threats or boasts. Let 'em see how we live. If they don't like it, they can leave."

I called Sue and told her a little of what had happened and that we were going to have company for supper. She said she would get the girls busy and send someone out for some wine. I told her to have what we always have, just a little more.

When I found Tiny again, I asked where Ryan was. He said he didn't know, but that Judy probably knew. Judy said that he was hanging out here while the big shots from Onan were here. That was perfect, as I wanted his and Michelle's presence there this evening.

I called Ryan's cell phone and explained what had happened so far today. He said that if I needed a plant ready made for manufacturing, he knew of one in Montgomery, Alabama that was available. I told him to hold that thought, but to be there in casual clothes tonight. He asked, "Business casual?" I told him no, just what you normally wear on the patio. He laughed and said, "Too bad they're not staying through Sunday." I laughed with him.

We sent the visitors out to find their rooms at the Holiday Inn next to the park and if they didn't have any, to go buy jeans for tomorrow. They had all been sent home with some S&S T-shirts.

When I went home, the girls reminded me that I had missed going to the gym with them, and that I should go up to the pool to swim for a while. Sue said that Stevie and she would come with me to keep me company, so we went up for me to swim as hard as I could for almost twenty minutes. While we were sitting, waiting for me to catch my breath, Sue said that Hanna had told her she was pregnant. She said it looked like we were going to have a fresh batch of little ones soon. I told Sue that I was concerned with Mercy's health and that it was going to be tough on her to have three at once. Sue said that she would be fine, we would watch her, make sure she ate right, and got her exercise.

I was back on the patio, dressed again in my usual Jeans and T-shirt. Mercy came to me for a little attention, asking, "Are you alright with me having a bunch of kids at once?"

"You betcha, Babe. Three more all at once is going to be a chore for you. I can't wait to hear what Merlin's going to say. What does Missy think?"

Mercy giggled, "I only told Mom that I was having twins. I didn't tell her about the fraternal critter in there. Mom thinks I'm nuts, and that it's not natural to have more than one at a time. I talked to her on the phone and asked her what she thought I could do about it. She didn't have an answer. I'm glad you want more kids, because Sue's going to want to have one with me. I'd bet on it. She was thinking about it anyway, but now she's really thinking about it. Can you handle seven?"

"I guess it's a good thing we have three of you women. I'll have to look for a plane to carry all of us at once. There will be ten of us, plus anyone we want to take with us. We might have to take two planes at once."

Tiny had heard part of the conversation and said, "That's what the Gulfstream is for."

"That's not like a personal airplane, Tiny. It's not something I can just get into and fly like the 200. This is nuts isn't it, but there is such a thing as a Super King Air that will hold at least twelve passengers. It's nearly the same as the 200, but a little bigger. It should fly about the same too. We should look around for a military version that may be for sale to the civilian market. It won't be cheap, but it would be what we will need one of these days soon."

Tiny and I decided that beer was the answer to the current dilemma, before the guests arrived.

The Onan guys arrived in two cars, dressed reasonably casual. Tiny and I set them up with beer or drinks and let them relax as folks from the crew began arriving. A couple of the guys were shooting pool, the president and financial guy were deep in conversation about what was probably the proposed business, and the rest were watching the evening news on the big TV.

The out-of-towners had to be impressed with how the folks began arriving, having a drink, coffee, or Coke, and getting into various groups discussing things that had happened at work.

When Ryan and Michelle walked onto the patio, nearly everyone of the Onan people stopped and stared at them. Ryan went up to the president and shook his hand saying it was good to see him again. As their discussion progressed, it became apparent that Onan had tried to recruit Ryan for nearly a year before Phil offered him a job with us.

The president, Frank Watkins came over to me and said, "You have a great guy in Ryan. I don't know what made him come to work for you, but whatever it was, it must have been special. The guy could probably have become CEO of Onan within five years or so. He's that good."

Michelle went into the house to play with the kids and be with the women that were preparing food, so Ryan migrated to Tiny, Phil, Frank Watkins, and me. He looked around and directed his comment to Frank, "Do you see how warm and friendly it is here. This happens every morning and every evening. When I'm in town, I start and end my day with friends. Michelle is my assistant now, so we get to travel together and the company even has a plane for me with my own pilot. Is that being spoiled or what?"

Phil couldn't help but get into the conversation, "Do you know that every time Steve takes a trip, people he runs into begin calling in orders. He just got back from a trip through the Panama Canal and up the California coast, and we've received enough orders to pay for his trip, plus all of the recent modifications on the boat. The Panamanian government initiated a big order for their emergency generators, the docks in Colon ordered three superlifts, the canal authority ordered six field compressors, Catalina Island ordered a complete back up generator system for the government buildings, and because of that, two hotels ordered new emergency generators. San Francisco, or rather the city of San Francisco, ordered two of our big utility trucks; one for welding and the other for emergency traffic light repair. They also added about a mil in generators and compressors, along with a couple of rebuilt forklifts. Oh yeah, and the same island up near Seattle ordered a complete backup generator system. I think Steve's trip brought in about sixteen to seventeen million. Not bad for a vacation."

Frank looked at me and Phil, "Is that true? Just passing these people brought in these orders?"

Tiny answered for me, "Wherever Steve goes, he passes out cards, brochures, and often helps with some small project wherever he is. Steve's presence, especially with the beautiful women he travels with, gets attention so they remember S&S and order from us. Usually we've already been working on the orders, so as Steve passes by they take note and remember the name and make a decision to buy from us."

Phil added, "Like I said, every time Steve wanders around the country, he stirs up orders."

Tiny said, "I think we'll send him on a European cruise soon, to stir up some business over there. He would probably cause us to have to expand our customer service department again."

People began to migrate to the tables as large bowls of salad began appearing. The tables were full this evening, with the Onan guests, and a couple of kids invited by Dennis and Tina. They had set up on one of the small tables in the lounge area, instead of the big dinner table. The four older kids were in high chairs next to an adult, usually a parent. The kids snacked on carrots dipped in ranch dressing, while parents had salads.

As the salad bowls were picked up, several of the guys began bringing out plates of meatloaf for each table. They also brought out green beans, mashed and boiled potatoes, and lots of gravy. Meat loaf is always a favorite of everyone, so we went through about thirty pounds of meatloaf before everyone was content.

Glenda said she had a surprise for dessert. The women began bringing out pies. Glenda had made ten Dutch apple pies and they were still a little warm. We had some cheddar cheese slices to go with the pie, and lots of fresh coffee to wash everything down. The little ones loved the pie. They devoured what was put on their plates by stuffing handfuls of the baked goods into their mouths. It takes too long to use a utensil.

When supper was complete, everyone helped clear and clean the tables. Several people worked in the kitchen, getting dishes into the giant dishwashers, and washing the pots and pans.

One of the Onan men said, "This is amazing. We just had a great meal and dessert, after some fellowship before dinner. Now the place is put back in shape to do all over again. This is like a large church camp and cookout, but you all do this everyday, don't you?"

Sue, having come out to sit with me, answered, "When Steve first came here, Glenda, that lady over there, and he began having coffee in the morning, and usually beer in the evenings. Steve's then landlord and his wife joined them for a drink most evenings, and the first thing you know, they had begun a tradition. Then Charlie, Shawna, and Steve began having supper together in the evenings to save on effort and money. When Steve began putting a business together, a lot of the people out here became friends first, then became part of the business. Now, when folks see how much fun we have together, they want to become a part of it. That's how Ryan and Michelle came to live out here with us."

Frank said, "But this is a trailer park. Wouldn't you all be more comfortable in houses?"

It was my turn, "Could we get together like this if we lived in houses? Every one of us enjoys socializing with each other. If they want privacy, they can hide out at home. Most of us want to enjoy doing things with each other."

As it became late, most of the women stopped by to give Sue and me hugs, while the guys got hugs from Sue and a hand from me. The line up of carts on the edge of lawn began to dwindle down, until Glenda came over and said that she and Martin were going home.

The Onan guys got the hint and got ready to leave. Sue said for them to be here any time after six thirty for coffee and breakfast, unless they would rather eat the continental breakfast at the hotel.

When they were gone, Tiny stood and said, "I think they get the idea that our company is more like a family operation than a stiff business. How about that, by having them stay at the hotel, we're getting their money anyway. Pretty slick."

Once they were all gone, Juanita had me make her a rum and Coke, while Sue and Mercy just had a Diet Coke. I looked at Sue when I handed her the Diet Coke and asked, "Is there a meaning behind this Diet Coke?"

"Maybe, I should have started my period Monday and I still don't feel like it's coming. How would you feel about a seventh kid?"

I pulled Sue into my lap and asked, "I thought you were taking something for that?"

"I was, but I kept thinking that maybe one more would be good. I know, I know, all these babies are going to ruin my figure, but I just love them so much. This one will probably be enough for me. But then, I should have four to be even with Mercy."

Mercy came over and hugged Sue and me, "I hope you're pregnant. It'd be so neat for us to have our babies together again. Just think, we would have six little ones around here all at the same time. Can you imagine, going flying or sailing with seven kids. I don't know whether the three of us are enough to take care of seven kids."

Juanita was sipping her drink listening in, "If you need more help, you better be careful how you choose. All the women want privileges with Steve. I wonder how many he can take care of."

Mercy said, "Oh no, three of us is enough. We don't need anyone else around to take care of our husband. Besides, the bed won't hold anyone else." Mercy said with a laugh, "I'm getting' possessive, ain't I?"

We straightened up, shut down the patio, and went to bed. No one felt particularly erotically romantic this night, so we snuggled and drifted off to sleep, thinking of lots of babies around the house.

Original Editing by Pepere
New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 48



I woke up around five thirty to slide from bed, shower, and dress quickly for work. The girls looked comfortable, but I could tell they were about to wake up.

As soon as I went out to the patio, Maggie appeared. She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down with me at the small table in the lounge area. "Steve, I want to thank you for taking me in and making me a part of your family out here. I just love being around all the people and the little ones. This is a perfect job for me to be here with you everyday. That's what I need to talk to you about. Glenda and Sue kind of made it so that I'm not here everyday and not for the whole day. Steve, I don't have anything else to do and I'd rather be around here than watching soap operas at home. You don't have to pay me to be around. I just want to be here with you guys and enjoy your company."

Glenda had quietly come in the side door and came up behind Maggie. She hugged Maggie, startling her, and they were both overcome with emotion as big tears began running down their faces. Glenda said, "I'm sorry I didn't see what you wanted or needed, Maggie. I know I couldn't stand to not be a part of everything that goes on over here all day, everyday. The only reason Martin and I have our own trailer is because we need a place to sleep and closets for our clothes. This patio and the kids' home are as much our home as that place over there. You come and stay everyday with me and the girls. Just enjoy being here with the kids."

Maggie acted a little embarrassed about what she was going to ask next, "This might be too much to ask, but the next time you go out on your sailboat, could you take me too. I grew up on the water. My dad had a big sailboat that we took all over. We lived on the boat most of the time, so I know how to take care of a boat. I was the oldest, so I took care of my sister and brother when they were young. If you ever have a need, I love the water and can help with the kids when you go somewhere."

A barefoot Sue, in a big fluffy robe, said, "I heard that. You may regret telling us that. We're about to have a bunch of kids added to our three, so we will need some help around here and on the boat if we go sailing. Steve, you should plan on taking the big boat out this evening for a while. Maggie can go with us to see if she still has her sea legs. We'll give those guys from Onan a thrill, and we need to plan on some kind of food while we're out."

Mercy came out, carrying Mike and Liz. She handed me both babies, saying that she would bring me something for them to eat in a minute. The two little ones were happy to sit fairly still on my lap. They were still a little sleepy so not totally awake yet.

Maggie wanted to hold Mike and had him cradled between her big breasts. The kid enjoyed the warmth and almost fell back asleep.

When Mercy came back out with two bowls of Cream of Wheat, she said to Maggie, "I hear you're a sailor. I just love to be out on the water. The trip we made through the canal was the most exciting time of my life. That's not true. Meeting Steve and Sue, and having Mike, were the most exciting times of my life. The trip would be next though."

Mercy turned to me and asked, "Is it true? Are you going to take the boat out this evening? Sue and I can run over and get it ready for company. We could turn on the ice maker and dust."

Maggie perked up, "Can I come along to help you? I'd love to see your boat and help to get it ready to go out for a while."

Folks were streaming into the patio, getting coffee while watching for the bellhop from the hotel who brings the sandwiches. He arrived just as the Onan guys drove up. They were all dressed in jeans and S&S T-shirts so they blended into our group a little better.

Crystal eyed the group and asked, "Can I have one or two of those swingin' dicks to help in the body plant today. We're mounting a couple of bodies and could use the extra hands."

Abe asked, "The superlift shop needs a helper today. Rod is taking his GED today, so we'll be short. Give me two of these guys for out there."

Shawna looked at me, and then at Sandy and Mandy, "Can you two handle at least one of these guys today. We need to teach them how we do perfect work."

It went on this way until all eight men were assigned to work at either the shop, the utility body plant, or out at the park. I told everyone that I wanted the men back here on the patio by three, as I was going to take them out on the sailboat. There was a bunch of hisses and boos along with, "We want to go too, Boss."

"I'll take a bunch of you guys out for a nice cruise on Saturday. This is just a sampler for the visitors."

As the patio group split up to head for work, I asked Sue if she should go to the doc to see if she was pregnant or not. Sue smiled and said, "Juanita and I did the test this morning. You're going to be a daddy again." Sue wrapped her arms around me and said, "This is so special. We are a true family all together. With seven little ones, we will be busy. What are you going to do about flying? We won't fit into the 200 anymore."

"I'm going to look for a Super King Air. It holds thirteen passengers. There is a larger one that holds nineteen but the thirteen passenger model should be just right. We might have to see if Maggie likes to fly as well as sail."

Kate was sitting with Jim before he left to do repairs within the park. She came over and said, "If you guys need someone to come along with you when you sail or fly, have me go. As long as we can bring Carson, Jim will be probably enjoy having us out of his hair sometimes."

Maggie wanted to give Kate some insight, "Will Jim put up with you gone for a month or two? Sailing is different than getting on a plane and coming back in a day or two. It takes days to sail the same distance it takes to fly a couple of hours."

Jim was looking at us expectantly, "If you could use Kate when you take off, she should go. I don't have a problem with them traveling at all. She put up with me while I was in the service, so it would be fine if she needed to travel."

Sue looked at me a little funny and said she would be back. As she got up to go into the house, she motioned for Kate to follow her. They disappeared into the house together.

Maggie was staring as if she were daydreaming. Glenda reached over and patted her arm, "Don't worry, Maggie, the kids meant it when they said they will take you along the next time. They even gave me a pill so I could sail with them. I wonder if I'll need another the next time that we go. I may not, I may have gotten over my motion sickness."

Even though there was plenty of time before we would need the extra space, I called out to the Aero Park to talk to our air charter captain. "John, don't laugh at me, but I want to begin looking for a Super King Air or a similar aircraft that will hold at least twelve to thirteen passengers and is as fast as the 200. It has to be something that's easy to fly like the 200. Think you can find something like that?"

"No problem, Steve. There are dozens of commuter airlines that are going belly up. We can probably steal one by picking up a lease or buying out a contract. It might cost to put the plane into the shape you want, but nothing like a new one or a used one that's in first class shape."

"Well, put your feelers out. I have some time before I'll have to have it, so let my mechanics know so they can put the word out as well."

"I'll do that. You know what though. I do know where there is a nineteen passenger Super King Air 1900D that is a heartbeat away from being repossessed. The bird is in real good shape and is pristine inside. The guy that owns it got sick and hasn't been able to keep up the payments, and of course hasn't been able to fly it to pay for it. He's been too proud to let someone else fly it, and now he has to sell it or have it repossessed. Do you want me to check it out? If you don't want to use it, we could always charter it. The size is great for a pretty big group, and it's just about as fast as the 200. Not quite as efficient, but that's reasonable considering it is bigger."

"See what kind of deal you can make, John. If you need to complete the payoff, do like always and contact Tiny. He'll figure out how to pay for it. I still want to look for the thirteen passenger model though. In this case, that size should be perfect. I'll tell you about it when I see you."

I told Sue that I was going to make a check on the Onan guys to see if they were doing as instructed or gold bricking. The guys working at the truck body shop were working with the other men, getting the body on the chassis. There was another Onan guy at the cart plant bolting on an engine. It was a little amusing as one of the regular workers was standing over his shoulder directing him. It was Suzie Chang, a four foot seven dynamo Chinese descendant, who ram-rodded the engine group at the cart plant.

At the main shop, the president was sanding, grinding, polishing and weighing engine parts as Roberta was assembling heads. Another guy was looking through a microscope at some oil Sandy had put on a slide.

Two guys were in Abe's shop, one tearing down a rusted generator, and the other was holding up a huge bar while it was being bolted onto the front of a superlift. All eight guys were busy doing something. They wouldn't have time to learn much, but they should get the idea of how we stressed quality at every level.

I went home to have lunch and go to the gym with several of the ladies. After lunch, we walked up to the pool to swim and get a little sun. Glenda and Maggie love to sunbathe up at the pool. On this day, Sue had Kate go with us, as Sue said she should begin to get a base tan. If she were to go sailing with us, she would need to get a tan for some sun protection.

When we got back to the house, Sue, Mercy, Juanita, Maggie, and Kate took off in the Expedition to go shopping and head out to the boat to get it ready. Tiny called to tell me, "I'm sending them to the hotel to clean up, and go over to patio. I'm having Ryan and Michelle drive the big fifteen passenger van so you can all go over together. Phil and I will meet you at the yacht club."

Right at three, Ryan showed up with the big van full of people. I jumped in and we drove to Dunedin. As soon as we were walking to the dock, one of the Onan guys saw several boats with the S&S logo and asked what they were. Tiny was there and said, "It's part of our charter fishing group. We currently have eight offshore boats and eight flats boats. You'll get a taste of deep-sea fishing tomorrow, but if you wish to charter a longer trip, give us a call, our prices are very competitive, and our captains and guides are the best."

When everyone was on board the sailboat, Sue and Mercy gave them a little safety talk and what to watch out for when we change directions. They made sure to have them either keep covered up or to apply lots of sunscreen.

Juanita already had the engine compartment fans running and all of the shore connections disconnected, so I started the engines to let them idle to warm up, and turned on all of the electronics. When it was time to castoff, I was surprised to see Kate hop onto the dock and release the bow line, run back, and release the stern line. She climbed back on board to help Maggie coil the stern line. I knew Maggie had boat experience, but it looked like Kate did as well.

We were out in the gulf raising sail by four PM. There was a decent breeze from the northeast, so I let it push us southwest, then due west for about twenty miles. The visitors were able to get the feel of open water sailing and the thrill of the wind lifting the boat to the top of the swells.

About six, the girls began serving some baked mahi-mahi up on deck. They had set the deck table for what looked like a formal dinner. I asked Sue where all this had come from. "I rented it from the yacht club. They have all of this stuff for trips just like this. We might get some for ourselves later, but this works great for little trips. Take down some sail while we eat so it isn't as breezy."

When I joined the group to eat they wanted to know who was manning the helm. "The auto-pilot, my friends. The collision avoidance system is on so if any vessel is within ten miles and on an intersecting course, an alarm sounds to give me plenty of time. I can set it at up to fifty miles out, but for today, ten miles gives me about an hour to react."

After the great supper and cleanup, the men mostly sat on lounge chairs outside or in the salon. Can you believe that several had the TV on watching a game show?

Mercy had taken her favorite place on the bow, feeling the wind in her face. This time though, she was joined by Kate who was enjoying the wind and sea spray as well. Sue and Maggie stayed with me in the cockpit area, chatting about nothing in particular. Sue asked Maggie, "What do you think about traveling with a couple of pregnant women and three kids?"

Maggie smiled, "The pregnant women shouldn't be a problem, but how do you handle the kids out on deck?"

"Stevie has to wear a life jacket whenever he's on deck, and so far he's minded about not playing next to the rail. He's already found out he can't roll a ball around on deck. He lost one of his favorites the first time he tried to play on deck. Now he saves some of his toys for either the main lounge or the below deck lounge."

Sue continued, "Lizzy and Mike are just starting to walk, so we don't let them walk around out on the deck. We do bring them out and let them sit in the sun. We've even had them crawl around a little on the deck, but we put jackets on them even for that."

Maggie was nodding, "If they're good with that, then you should be fine. Can any of you girls run the boat if something happens to Steve?"

"Steve has taught us all how to operate the boat under sail, as well as using the engines. We still have some learning to do, but both Mercy and I are working toward our captain's licenses."

"Well, you folks seem to know what you're doing," Maggie praised. "This is a very fine boat. You could use another stateroom or two, especially if you want to take both Kate and me with you. The two of us could probably bunk together, but sometimes a younger girl wants to room alone."

"We can have the boat builders remodel if we want. I'm sure they could design the staterooms differently so we could have three or four guest rooms. Right now we keep the three kids in the same room. When the new babies are here, we'll have to have them in the Master suite in the beginning, and in the connecting stateroom where the big kids are now. We should probably have a design where the bigger kids are in the next room down and have two guest rooms after that."

You could see Maggie suddenly coming to a conclusion, "Juanita sleeps in your bed too?"

Sue smiled, "She does. We're kind of like one big family and our beds are large enough for all of us."

"My, my you are an enlightened group, aren't you? A lot of boat people are different like that. I should have known the way you three ladies are always together. Ah, to be young again."

Maggie looked over at me, smiling, and asked, "Do you have the same problem a lot of sailboat captains have?"

"What kind of problem is that, Maggie," I asked.

"Keeping clothes on your female crew when you're out on the water?"

I laughed, "That does seem to happen often. Are you susceptible to losing your clothes out at sea?"

"Only on warm sunny days, Captain."

Kate and Mercy had returned to the cockpit area in time to hear the conversation. They both laughed along with Sue. Kate said, "My grandfather had a big sailboat that I used to sail on every summer. I learned a lot about how to live aboard a boat and the enjoyment of sailing. I haven't sailed in about four years, so this is a treat. When granddad became ill, my folks sold his boat to put him up in a rest home. The inactivity killed him. Without the sea, he didn't want to live."

This trip had become a good time to get acquainted with Maggie and Kate. I personally didn't know whether I wanted to go on a long trip with five women and a bunch of kids. I guess it won't be my decision, as my two women, especially Mercy, sort of dictated our sailing adventures.

Mercy began talking about a near future trip as I turned to tack back toward Dunedin. "Why don't we sail across the Atlantic now that the summer storms are over? We could stay fairly south to stay warm, and head toward the Mediterranean. I heard Phil talk about Italy, Sicily, and the Greek Isles. We could do that and also visit the Spanish and French Riviera. We could leave right after Christmas, sail for a couple of months then be back for the uncomfortable days of carrying the babies. With only the three kids, we wouldn't need Maggie and Kate unless you wanted to bring them along."

Sue said, "If we waited till after Christmas, it would give us a chance to have the boat remodeled for the extra rooms. It would also give Mercy, Juanita, and me time to finish our captain's licenses."

Before I could voice an objection, Mercy said, "I've already talked to Tiny about doing a trip like that, and he's all for it. He said going would be good advertising. He thinks we should go to the United Kingdom, as well. It would be cold, but we could do it as a goodwill venture if we needed to."

"You guys are always way ahead of me in planning things," I said, thinking of how big of a voyage they were planning. "The kids and I are kind of along for the ride. I guess I don't have any objections to the trip but it is a pretty big undertaking. That's a lot of days out on the open water. You know we'll hit some bad weather at least a couple of times, so it won't be all fun and games."

As we neared the yacht basin, we started the engines and dropped the sails. The girls worked together to secure and cover the sails as I guided the boat in, turning it around to slowly back into the slip.

All of the visitors said how different it was to sail instead of being in a large motor driven boat. The feeling was more relaxed, and you were able to feel the sea differently than in a motor driven craft. They would all have good memories of the short sailing excursion.

We cleaned up the boat and carted off the perishables and trash to take home. The rental equipment was left on deck where the yacht club attendants would pick it up later.

Ryan dropped the men off at the hotel, and we went to the patio to meet the women. Kate was excitedly telling Jim and Carson about the trip. Every time Kate would say, "You should come with me," Jim would cringe and grimace.

Maggie was huddled with Glenda and Martin, talking about how nice it had been to go sailing again.

Our charter manager and chief pilot was having a drink on the patio, waiting for us to return. He waved Tiny and me over to him. Sue knew something was up, so she trailed along.

As soon as Sue had a Diet Coke, and Tiny and I had a drink, John said, "I have that nineteen seat King Air 1900D out at the Aero Park for you to look at. You really need to consider it, as it is a steal. We can buy it for less than half its value right now if we pick up the note. Steve, I want you to come out tomorrow and fly this thing. You can own this bird for less than you paid for the 200."

Sue said, "That's really a big plane. Wow, nineteen people." She thought a minute then said out loud, "There's Mercy, Juanita, Stevie, Mike, and Lizzy, that's only five. Then there will be Mercy's trio and my new one so that would be nine. If Maggie, Kate, and Carson were to both come with us that would be twelve, so we would still have room for seven more people. It may be too big."

She turned to John and asked, "How does it fly. Is it nice?"

"The plane flies exactly like the 200 but it feels a little more sluggish getting off the ground. It takes a little more runway, but you'll like it." John added, "I will also have a thirteen passenger Super King out there tomorrow for you to look at. It's another plane waiting for repo. It's a good deal too, but isn't as good a deal as the big plane. You'll have to pay about sixty percent of value for the thirteen passenger plane ... The bank financing the plane knows what its worth, but is willing to cut me a deal because I've helped them in the past. This plane is almost brand new. It hasn't even had its first annual. Look at it. If it's too much, don't buy it. If you like it, then you would have a decent deal, but you have to take the deal on the bigger plane."

Sue looked at Tiny, "If nothing else we could lease them into our charter fleet. I want to keep one just for our use though, like we did with the 200 before it became popular to charter all the time. Tiny, can we sell the 200 to the charter company so we could buy one of these other planes?"

"Not a problem," Tiny said. "We were going to try to pick up another 200 anyway. It's a very popular charter. We get a lot of five to six people charters in the five to fifteen hundred mile range. The 200 is a very economical way to go. We've been using your plane for charters two to three times a week, anyway. You're actually making money on it. I'm not sure how you would do on the Super King Airs. We would have to see."

John asked, "What time do you want to meet out at the hangar?"

"How about eight to eight-thirty. That way Sue and I can fly both planes to see how they feel. Mercy will probably want to come along, as she needs to see how they ride and feel."

"Can you make it closer to nine? We have a bunch of charters and students leaving the hangars from eight to eight forty-five. You can come out earlier and poke around in the planes, but I need to wait till the other business gets off the ground before we can play with the new stuff."

DeDe came up to us and said, "John checked me out in the 1900D today. Nice plane. It's a real junior airliner. Are you guys adding to the harem or what?"

Sue laughed, "Mercy and I are both pregnant. Mercy's having triplets so with four more kids we'll need at least nine seats. We usually have Juanita with us, so that's ten and we were considering bringing some more help along so that would be eleven or twelve."

DeDe thought for a second. "You know most 200's are 13 passenger. Yours is one of the short ones that has the executive desks and only has seven seats." She turned to John, "Is that 200 that I saw in the other hangar a 13 passenger model?"

"It is," John said. "And yes, it's for Sue and Steve to look at. That 1900 is a good buy though. You can stand up straight in it if you're normal size, not Tiny's size, and it does fly around three hundred miles an hour. Not bad for a prop driven plane that size."

"I'm convinced, John. We'll look at the 1900 very seriously. The thirteen passenger 200 might be just the ticket for us though. We could always swap planes if we needed the extra seating."

The excitement and airplane talk finally died down. Folks left for the evening so we could all go to bed. I did the Dad thing by kissing the three little ones goodnight, and joined the girls in the big bed. Sue and Mercy were both worked up from sailing, so it took a while to get them unwound. The activity stimulated Juanita, so they worked as a team to get me interested in loving her up before I crashed. With my ladies, it's easy to get to sleep.

Waking up is funny. Sometimes, you wake up fully aware of where you are and what you're going to do next. At other times, you wake up so groggy that you're out of bed and into the bathroom before you even realize you're up. This morning, it was one of those days when the brain engaged before the eyes opened. Something was running around in my head that was developing into a full-fledged idea.

I sat up in bed, thinking the idea through, then almost zombie like, I slid from the bed to quickly shower and dress. When I was dressed and came out of the closet, Sue and Mercy were looking at me funny. I felt self-conscious so I asked, "What's up?"

Sue said, "I've seen that look before. It usually means you're going to start a new business or buy more land. What are thinking about?"

"That's the way he was the morning he began talking to that trucker down the street," Mercy said. "He gets that far off look, then begins heading straight for something."

"I've just got an idea. I'll work on it this afternoon at the shop. It might work and it could save us a little time with our welding equipment. I don't even know whether it'll work yet. It's just an idea." I smiled at the three beauties and said, "Come on, let's get going. We're going out to look at airplanes this morning, so we need to get going."

"Humpf!" Sue exclaimed. "It's barely six o'clock. We have time for some wakeup fun. Come back to bed and we'll show you a good time, sailor."

"You're very tempting, sweet thing, but I want to jot down some notes real quick and make a drawing so I don't forget my idea."

Mercy laughed, "Can you believe a red-blooded boy like that turned down some morning loving. What has the world come to? Come on Sue, Juanita, let's get a shower before the critters wake up."

I made a pot of coffee in the kitchen and opened the doors to turn on the patio light. I went back to the counter to write some notes on a yellow pad there, quickly making a couple of drawings. It looked like it would work so I tore the pages from the tablet, folded them up and put them in my pocket for later."

I heard the screen door slam and looked up to see my morning buddy, Glenda, come in and go to the big coffeepot. The day has now officially begun.

Sue came out of the house as Tiny and Ruth came in. "You better watch him, Tiny. He woke up with an idea and he won't tell me what it's about. You know what that usually means."

"He can't do too much damage if he's planning on taking a cruise after Christmas. He only has a few weeks to do whatever he's going to do. Next week is Thanksgiving, so he's going to lose a couple of days, then there is about a month till Christmas. I'll watch him, but we're all probably safe."

"Not to worry, Tiny. It's just an equipment idea. It might be a way to save some time in the welding shop. It may be patentable if it's a good enough idea, we'll see."

We all ate, until about eight fifteen when Sue, Mercy, Tiny, and I went out to the Aero Park to look at planes. We drove through the gates, across the runway, and parked in front of the charter office. We said hi to Star and her assistant, and walked across the access area to the far hangar.

Looking at the four hangars with their big doors open was impressive. There was a ton of activity. The hangar with the Gulfstream had a tow vehicle pulling the Gulfstream out, while our 200 was obviously being prepped for a charter too. The other hangar over on that side had four 152s and two 172s parked in front, with students and instructors doing preflight inspections. There was also a 210 out front that was getting ready to leave on a charter.

Next to the hangar where the new planes were, was the helicopter hangar with the two companies' and the sheriff's department helicopters all sitting out front. S&S had definitely increased the activity out here. Besides the 1900D and the new looking 200 sitting in this hangar, there was another 200, plus a Lear, in the back where the maintenance techs had their benches. Both planes looked like they were in the middle of an annual teardown.

Sue went straight for the 1900D and climbed the stairs. "Wow, this thing is big. Come look, Steve, we could tear out seats and have room for a play pen."

Mercy beat me to the door; when I walked into the plane I was able to stand up and look at the seating arrangement. The plane was big enough to even have a small potty room in the back. I would have to look at the baggage storage. With nineteen passengers, there would be a lot of baggage. When I considered that the plane probably normally had a hostess, that meant only eighteen passengers plus the flight crew. Still, this thing was big. I looked into the cockpit area to find it had some instruments I didn't recognize. Oh well, you always have to learn. The plane was clean and in very nice condition on the inside. It had been well kept and had not been used that much.

I got off the 1900 and walked over to the long 200. I looked inside and found six rows of seats and the potty seat behind a partition. The cockpit was familiar but it didn't have all the instruments we were used to having. That would be easy to remedy. I was impressed though, as the plane looked brand new. The cockpit didn't look like it had been used and smelled new.

John and one of the charter jockeys came into the hangar as I was getting out of the 200. "Ready to go flying? I brought Bob along so he can check one of you out in the 1900, while I go with the other in the stretched 200."

Sue said, "Let me fly the 200 first, then the big plane. I haven't flown for a month, so I need to warm up in something more familiar."

Bob said to me, "Come on let me show you around the plane while we wait for the tow motor to take the plane out."

Bob opened an access panel on the outside and pulled out a laminated checklist. We began a step by step preflight inspection. This gave me a chance to look over the plane at the same time we did the check. The nose had a modification. It was an extension that could hold more luggage. Bob showed me the luggage storage in the rear of the plane as well. There was a lot of room.

The tow motor pulled the 1900 and the 200 out of the hangar and parked by the mechanics. Bob continued to show me around the airplane while Sue was already firing up the big 200.

Tiny joined us and sat in a passenger seat. Mercy had gone with Sue to see how the 200 was.

Once I learned what the extra instruments were, we began the startup procedure. I was just about to pull the start handle when I noticed the red light next to the handle. It took me a second to remember so I called to Tiny. "Pull the door up for me, Tiny, okay?"

As soon as the door was closed and locked, the light went out. We started the engines and let them warm while we checked the dials and gauges. When I engaged the props and released the brakes, I could feel that the plane was a lot larger than I had flown before. Bob was giving me some pointers when we were cleared to take the active runway for takeoff.

I ran the props up and started down the runway. Bob was directing me as I cycled through lifting the nose, and lifting the whole plane off the ground. I automatically retracted the gear and did a quick check of instruments before dialing in the first heading. We were VFR and going to remain that way for the test ride. I could see the 200 at three o'clock, now heading north. We went due west to go out over the gulf.

I told Bob that I wanted to call in to file an IFR plan as I would like to feel the rate of climb, as well as seeing how the plane felt at altitude. I called in and turned on the cabin air and pressure. We climbed fairly fast and ended up at 23,000 feet on the way to Mobile, Alabama, at about two hundred and ninety knots. The plane was pretty quiet, more so than our 200, felt fine, and seemed to handle well.

I altered the flight plan and turned back toward Tampa. Bob suggested that if TIA wasn't jammed up, we might try a touch and go. When we called in the controller said to 'come on down, ' so I cued up on the five mile final.

The plane was heavy, and I set down a little heavy. Not so hard it hurt anything, but harder than I was used to. "Man, Bob, I'll need a little practice with this thing. That was a hard landing."

"The first one in one of these is always a little hard. You're just not used to this much airplane. You'll get used to it. Go around and do it again. The airport isn't very busy right now."

We went around, and this time I consciously let the plane settle on the wheels, before I fired it back up and took off. Much better, I'd have to remember that.

When we got back to the Aero Park, Sue was already down with the extended 200, waiting for her ride in the 1900. As soon as I shutdown and got out of the plane, Sue was bugging Bob to let her begin the preflight. He had to go take a whiz first, so she had to wait. I started the preflight with her and showed her all the exterior features that Bob had shown me. Sue's only comment was, "If we carry a bunch of normal women, there isn't enough luggage space."

Bob came out and led Sue into the plane. Mercy had already seated herself inside. I leaned into the 1900 and told Mercy to shut the door as I had forgotten to do it on the way to the cockpit. Bob was obviously used to flying with a hostess who did it for him.

Once Sue had the plane started and began to pull out, I did the preflight. John and I, with Tiny, got into the 200 to take it for a ride. I commented that I was used to more equipment, or at least a better GPS, and he said the additions would be inexpensive.

The 200 felt similar to our smaller version. It seemed just as fast and felt good on the climb out. I did a couple tight banks like I did sometimes when I was by myself and the plane felt the same. It wasn't sluggish, even with the extra length and weight. When I landed back at the Aero Park, the plane set down just like our plane. This would work.

When we were down, Tiny said that the acoustics in this plane were better than our 200. John explained that they had some kind of noise masking that went on in the cabin. He said it made it more comfortable for passengers over a long trip.

When we landed, I checked the plane over in detail. It was like brand new. I turned to Tiny and said, "Buy this one for me. This is a nice airplane and will fit everyone that will soon be along."

When Sue got back about a half hour later, Bob said she ended up doing almost exactly what I had done by re-filing to go up high and doing a couple of touch and gos. Sue said, "That's a big airplane. I can see it could be useful, but the long 200 is perfect for what we need. Tiny, buy that 200 for me. You can buy the 1900 for the charter. If you don't want our 200, we'll keep it for Steve and me to take on trips where the whole family doesn't go."

Tiny commented quickly, "I'll take your 200. I can charter another bird like that at least a couple times a week. We're beginning to be out of planes to charter fairly often. You'll have to ask Star about it."

I thanked Bob for checking us out in the 1900D and we now had another plane on our books. Bob said, "You guys could run a charter for us when we're short of pilots. We need some more right now. You need to get your personnel people working on some more crews."

Tiny, Sue, and I all said we would work on it, and took off for the house. Tiny grabbed his car and I drove my truck into the shop. I was anxious to work on my idea.

As soon as I said hi to everyone, I went out to the welding area and pulled a standard wire feed arc welder over to an unused bench. I then brought out a mig and tig unit to do some comparing. I did some measuring and some drawing, before deciding to use the cad software to show some exact dimensions.

There was no one at my old desk downstairs, so I sat down and began entering the parameters of the arc head that I wanted to make. This took me a lot longer than I thought it would, and I didn't finish till almost noon. I printed out several copies of the design and went out to the shop to put away the tools I had dragged out.

When Sue answered the phone, I told her I would be about a half-hour late for lunch. I needed to go see Billy, the machinist, at the business park. Sue said, "Come home and eat, and afterward to the gym, skip the pool, and take the cart over there."

I really didn't want to wait to get the thing started, but I knew Billy couldn't really just drop everything else and make this thing for me.

We ate and went to the gym, and I was finally able to go see Billy. I showed him how I wanted the pieces to be and that my drawing wasn't necessarily set in stone as to what it needed to be. He saw what I was trying to do, but didn't understand how it would all work. He said he was free this afternoon so he should have a prototype later today. "We'll work on it and modify it anyway you need."

"Billy, I'll get some equipment and bring it over so we can work on it here. Do you have the design software like I used?"

He answered, "Sure, get a disk of what you have and we can modify it as we go. That way you'll have your pattern complete if you want to file for a patent."

I went home and loaded my gas rig along with my arc equipment into the truck. My first idea had led into a second. After hanging around till three, I went back to Billy's. I brought the heavy wire feed arc welder out and disconnected the head that holds the rod.

When I connected the new head Billy had made for me, I inserted and removed a couple of rods quickly to see if the clamp idea would work. After banging the end of the rod a few times, I felt like the holder would work fine.

Now to test some welds. Billy had some blanks that he made equipment with that I could use. First, we did two pieces of steel. Next, I tacked a couple pieces of aluminum using the modified setting on the arc welder. Then I welded a couple pieces of alloy bike frame that Billy had. All three worked perfectly. The quick-change rod holder and the three variable settings on the welder would work fine. Next, I added the second part that I had Billy make. I set up three spools and fed the line into the guides and holder that had just been made. I used my gas rig to separate my welds then went back to the new jury-rigged wire feed and began. This was even faster. I was able to flip through the settings and the appropriate wire in minutes. My fear that the head would be too heavy turned out to not be a problem. The contraption was a little unwieldy, but if I redesigned the wire caddy and the feed guides it would be perfect. Especially for a guy in a little shop that couldn't afford multiple types of welding equipment.

I ordered a dozen more of the heads to be made, and copied the modified design onto a disk. Billy said I could pick them up tomorrow and thanked me for the business. He promised not to tell anyone about my new design until I told him he could.

The welding store that I had started with sold me a new arc welder in the style I needed. They also sold me rolls of three types of wire. Back at the shop, I used all scrap tubing and sheet metal to build a caddy that would open and close to fit right on the arc welder. Next, I put three sets of switches on the welder with the setting hard wired into all three switches. The switches were in series so only one could be on at a time. When it was done, I went to find Bob. He was one of our best welders. I had to grab Tim too, as I still couldn't sign to Bob.

I had set up two pieces of steel, two of aluminum and two of alloy. When I explained through Tim what I wanted, Bob pointed to the three pieces of equipment at his stand. I held my hand up and pulled the modified arc welder to his stall and plugged it in. Each switch was labeled, as was each button on the wire feed head.

Bob pulled the leads around to get comfortable with extra weight of the three wires from the spools. Once he was set, he welded the steel plates. He stopped and threw the switches, checked his finger position and tacked the aluminum. He repeated the process with the alloy, shut the welder off, and began inspecting the head. He was smiling as he then began checking to see how I had mounted the wire for the feeds.

Bob signed to Tim, who then said, "Bob says he can make the wire spool caddy a little smaller and a lot prettier."

I told him to make one up and see how it fit on the welder. While Bob was over in the sheet metal area, Tim played with the welder. I showed Tim the other head I had that was for rods, instead of wire. He said that would work great as well.

Bob came back with a very professional looking caddy that mounted to the same holes that I had made for my design. Once installed, Bob flipped on some switches and did a few tacks to see if the wire fed cleanly. He turned everything off and was signing to Tim. Tim told me, "Bob wants one of these for himself. He says it's perfect for a guy out on a job site. He wouldn't have to have so much equipment. It would also be good for the little guy or the do-it-yourselfer."

I went into the office and got the camera to take pictures of the caddy Bob had made, and to get ready to take the stuff over to the lawyer for a patent app. I motioned Bob to come with me, and we went inside the office to draw up the caddy housing on the cad equipment. Once I had everything, I printed it out, jumped in my truck, and ran it downtown to Ben's office. He wasn't there, but one of his attorneys that had been working with us knew what to do. He said he would have it submitted by tomorrow.

Back at the shop, I took the modified welder to Abe and asked him who I could get to build a welder with the three preset settings, along with a regulator, so they could be varied depending on the type of metal. He thought for a few minutes then made a phone call. When he hung up Abe said, "Hal Jenkins from Lincoln said he could build what you want. He said for you to call him and give him the exact settings and specifications and he would do it."

I didn't know whether to share the idea with Lincoln, but then all I had to do was wait till the patent had been applied for and go from there. The idea should be worth something, as the unit would be perfect for the small guys or the do-it-yourself guy.

Satisfied with my project for the day, I took the modified welding machine, stored it an empty cabinet, and put a padlock on it. The unit needed to stay under wraps for a couple of days.

I went home with a smile. A little dirty, but with a good smile.

Tiny was excited because he had made the deal on the 1900 and already had three charters for the plane. He also had charters for the 200 Sue and I had sold him. As we were talking, Sue came up to me and said, "I had the painters work on the new 200. They put the logos on it and did their thing."

I was confused, so I asked, "How do you mean did their thing? Who did their thing?"

Sue looked innocent and answered, "Hank and Shawna of course. Who else would you have paint one of our vehicles."

"Oh shit," I exclaimed. "You let those two get their colorful little hands on an almost brand new airplane?"

Sue, still trying to act coy, said, "I told them the logos needed to be highlighted, and that anything else they thought would be good to do, to enjoy themselves. I did tell them not to paint where it would distract our view while we were flying."

"After supper, we'll have to go out and see what they've done to that poor airplane. How about we take the kids, Maggie, and Kate out for a quick ride in the new plane? Jim can come along too. What do you think?"

"Good idea," Sue said, but continued, "Maggie was just saying she would like to go up in one of the little planes to look out on the bay. We can make a pass at the beach while we're out."

I figured that I would let Sue do the flying so I could have a beer. I began with a Beefeaters, celebrating my idea creation, and afterward poured a beer about the time Billy came walking into the patio with his wife, Connie. "Hey, Steve, I've got most of your order already. When Connie heard you were at the shop, she insisted we come over to take you up on your invitation of some free drinks."

We sat around enjoying the big group's company and visiting. Jim, Charlie, Shawna, and Hanna joined Connie and Billy, since they were all part of the independent biker group that hung together. The couple stayed for supper, but said they had to take off as their daughter was at Connie's mother's house and needed to be picked up.

Jim, Charlie, Hank, and the Andys were going for a ride, so they took off before the folks going to the Aero Park could get gone.

When we parked at the charter office, the door to the maintenance hangar was still open. I could see a couple of dozen people standing around the new 200 and knew about what I would see.

The aircraft numbers were now on the nose area. On the fuselage, behind the nose, were the S&S logo and the Quality Wear logo. There was the BigGirlsClothes.com logo too. The logos were big and stood out because they were painted with some kind of reflective, glow in the dark, paint. The points of interest after that were fairly large cartoons painted all over the airplane, on the top, the bottom, on the bottom of the wings, just everywhere. The top of the wings had the aircraft numbers too. That wasn't necessary, but it couldn't hurt. On the bottom of the fuselage was another big S&S logo that would be easy to see as the plane flew over.

One of the guys checking out the outlandish paint job said to me as I walked up, "Hey, Sharp, I want my A36 painted up like this. Man, this is really cool. You're really smart to advertise like this. It'll put S&S on the map."

Sue and Mercy both elbowed me, snickering, as they both knew I dreaded the attention.

Upon closer inspection there were caricatures of Sue and Mercy chasing kids, me being chased by kids, the sailboat filled with people from the park, and a motor launch like the Hatteras, with a Tiny caricature. They were all cute and all were hilarious. There were some of the cartoons of Sue that were a little risqué, as they depicted exaggerated cleavage. A funny one was me staring at Sue's cleavage, with large drool dripping from my open mouth and tongue.

I hooked up the tow motor and pulled the 200 out of the hangar. Sue began the preflight, while I helped put the kids into car seats on the plane, as well as getting Kate, Jim, Carson, Juanita, Glenda, Martin, and Mercy settled. Tiny told me that I should sit in back to find out how quiet it was. I think he just wanted to sit in the right seat.

We took off and flew over to the beach to look down at all of the rays and an occasional shark, then Sue must have called in a flight plan, as she poured on the power and climbed fast. Sue said we were turning around at Tallahassee to give everyone an idea as to how fast we were going.

I watched Maggie and Kate to see how they rode in the plane. They were fine. Martin and Glenda were a little uneasy at first, but were now relaxed. Glenda even mentioned that Mercy had cured her motion sickness.

The little ones did what all little ones do. They fell asleep. Carson and Steve didn't fall asleep right away, but the inactivity had them snoozing before we landed. Sue brought the plane in smoothly and taxied to our hangar. I used the tow motor to push the plane back inside.

Everyone had to check out the 1900. Tiny said we should have bought that instead of the 200, since it had so much room. I told everyone that the extra fifty miles an hour the 200 did was reason to stay with it.

Sue and Mercy hugged my arms as we walked back to the cars. Mercy said, "You did that fast. We just told you we were going to have babies and you already have a new airplane. It is so new and quiet, we'll have to take a trip. How about going out to San Francisco for Thanksgiving? I'll bet Mom will go nuts. It would give me a chance to tell Dad about the triplets."

Sue immediately said, "We'll do it. We'll leave early Tuesday morning. Call Missy and ask her about us bringing Juanita and Maggie. Kate would probably rather be home for the holiday."

When we got back to the house, Mercy called her Mom. She had just begun to ask her about us coming for Thanksgiving when she exclaimed, "That will be even better. Yes, you guys come here, that way we can have Thanksgiving dinner with all our friends too."

There were some pauses then she said, "Steve or Sue, or both of them, will come out to get you. If they don't come themselves, they'll send a charter for you. This is great, Mom, we have so much to talk about. I know I've already told you I'm pregnant, but I have a surprise for both you and Dad. No, you can't read my mind, you'll just have to wait till next week. Now when can you come so Steve can plan to go get you?"

When Mercy got off the phone, she asked, "Can you go Monday. That way you could stay overnight and fly back Tuesday. Sunday would be better, but I know you like to hang out here on the weekend."

"I'll go whenever you want, Mercy. For you, anything." I hesitated a second, and added, "Well, just about anything. You can get a little crazy sometimes."

Mercy laughed and gave me a hug and a warm kiss.

Sue came out to where Tiny and I were talking about his fishing charters. She had some fax sheets that had diagrams on them. "This one shows our cabin with an adjoining baby cabin. Or is that a cabin for the babies. Then here would be the cabin for Steve, Mike, and Liz, with a head that can be accessed from the lounge as well. At the other end, we would have a fairly large cabin for couples, if we were to have company like Mom and Dad again. That cabin would have a private head, and there would be two smaller cabins that would share a bathroom or head. All of the facilities, except the head by the kids' room, would be shower only. That one would be a bathtub for the little ones. Anyone could use it if they would rather have a tub bath. What do you think? Would this work?"

I looked at the design and mentioned, "There is very little closet space on this end of the boat. There wouldn't be much room for hanging garments."

Sue pointed to two areas on each side of the bed in the bigger cabin, "These are little closets about eighteen inches wide. That, and the regular closet, would give even my Mom enough room. Besides, there are drawers everywhere. Most of what you wear on the boat can be folded and put into drawers. The small cabins have the same thing. On each side of the double bed there is a little closet about eighteen inches wide for clothes. That should be enough. I think this design gives us the most versatile use of the space, without giving up space in the lounge, dining room, or master stateroom."

"Sounds good, make sure we have the CCTV hooked up so we can see all of the areas. I want to be able to see everywhere. We don't have to activate cameras if we don't need them. I just want to be able track down little ones if they are hiding"

"I'll call them in the morning so they can schedule us," Sue said, still studying the plan. "They said they weren't busy so we might get it done pretty quickly."

Mercy, Sue, and Juanita were talking together, looking at the plans. The only thing I heard was, "We'll decorate while they're working on the boat. As soon as they're done with a room, we'll get right in and finish it up. We'll be done in plenty of time."

Folks began migrating to their homes to sleep. I decided to straighten up the patio and head to bed as well. Jim and Kate, with Carson, took Maggie home, so all of our people were safe in bed for the night.

Me, I was unsafe in bed with two pregnant women, and an older woman with designs on feeling how nice it would be to try to get that way. I went to sleep with a smile on my face.

Tuesday I was busy buying another welding machine, and modifying it to use three throw switches and a regulator rheostat for each setting. This time it looked pretty professional. Bob made up the sheet metal for the wire feed caddy and we had Hank shoot it with paint that matched the welder. This would be our prototype.

After lunch and the gym, I went over to Billy's to pick up the parts he had made. He said, "I'm glad you came by. I needed a shot of luck. Every time you guys have me do some work, by the time I'm done with your order, I'm buried. I love it. Thanks for the business and the good luck."

I took the heads to the shop, mounted them, and fed the wires through the guides to each head. The first person I wanted to have try the multi-use welder was Abe. He didn't like to weld, so I figured he would give me the do-it-yourself guy's evaluation. He said it was really neat and that he thought it would be great for the Home Depot crowd or any home auto parts and tool houses.

Next, I took the unit up to Del's for Charlie to try out. When I got there, Charlie said, "Just the man I need. I have a couple of frames that need welding. One is Jan's so it's alloy and a regular frame that's steel. Can you do it for me?"

"I have a new toy I want you to try out, Charlie. I'll help you with the welds, but first I want you to see how you like my toy."

I brought the machine to him and explained how it worked. I cleaned up the areas to be welded for him so he could just begin. Charlie experimented with a couple pieces of metal before he welded the steel frame smoothly.

"Feels good," Charlie said nodding. "The wire fed smooth too. Let me try the alloy. That stuff is a bitch."

Charlie pulled his hood down and in a minute, he pulled back and raised the hood exclaiming, "Smooth, nice, where can I get one of these?"

"I'll make you one for Christmas. This is something I'm working on. Hopefully there will be a demand." Charlie said, "There should be. You can call it the S&S three in one. I love the idea of a single unit. You should put it on a cart with a gas rig so you have everything in one place."

"It's too dangerous to mix the arc stuff with the gas. I'd rather just have the three arcs in one unit."

We cleaned up the welds and I drove back to the shop to put the second unit into the cabinet. I was looking at the sheet metal wire caddy and had a thought. I took the sheet metal caddy off the welder, and walked over to see Jeff. I showed him the specs and the prototype. He said he would make me something that would look good and be functional.

I called the guy up at Lincoln and asked if he was available to look at my product Thursday. I told him I would fly up Thursday morning and be there around ten. He might want some of his engineers there, because if he didn't build the unit I would, and use his equipment to do it with. He said he would have people with him.

Wednesday, Jeff had the fiberglass caddy made, complete with paint and hardware to mount it. He had made three of them. I downloaded his drawing on disk and included a printed copy with the other drawings. I went downtown to Ben's to pick up the patent pending papers and headed home. When I called the charter office, I found that the new plane was in use Thursday, but one of the 200s was free. I hope it had good electronics. I brought the prototype home so I could leave early in the morning.

At supper, Abe said he wanted to go along as he felt like the idea was a good one. At seven on Thursday morning, Abe and I were on our way and at Lincoln's front door by nine forty-five.

The guy Abe knew had us take our unit to his R&D shop. I asked for three types of metal and plugged the unit in. I showed the engineers the switches and the safety features where only one switch could be turned on at a time and that only the appropriate wire would feed while the switch was thrown.

I put a bead on all three sets of metal in less than five minutes. I stood back and said to the guy, "You try it. Finish the bead I started on each set. That's harder to do, so you can see how it works."

"Good test. Let me try that thing." I flipped on the steel/iron setting and he finished the bead. He switched to alloy, tried one setting, turned the dial a little, and finished. He flipped on the aluminum setting and welded two small pieces perfectly.

"That's one hell of an idea. Do you have a patent on it?"

I said, "It's pending, including the modifications on your unit. It can be done with anyone's welding equipment, but since I use your stuff almost exclusively, I'd rather work with you."

An engineer said, "The only thing you have is the head. We could duplicate that and everything else. We don't really need you for the idea."

I handed a copy of the diagrams and the patent papers to the lead guy and said, "I patented not just the head, but the idea, the modifications, the use, and the wire feed caddy. What part do you want to license from me?"

While the engineer was sputtering, the lead guy made a call. A couple of minutes later, a suit walked through the door. He was introduced as the head of product development and marketing. Our contact showed him our equipment, turned it on, and added some bead to the steel weld. He switched to alloy, then to aluminum. The suit exclaimed, "That's great, all three units in one."

I said to them, "The good news is that professionals, guys that do this stuff for a living are going to want to use dedicated units for the ability to do quality work. This is for the little guy or the do-it-yourselfer. The product could be sold through hardware stores, welding shops, auto parts and tool stores. It will have as broad a market as your small welding units."

The suit stood back and said, "I like it. Can I have my lawyers talk to your lawyers so we can license the idea?"

"Sure, I'll give you the number. Your engineer has a set of prints. If you guys don't have a fiberglass shop, we can sub the wire caddies for you. We tried a sheet metal caddy, but the fiberglass looks so much better."

The suit said, "We'll do that. We don't have a fiberglass shop, so we will work out a deal on that too. Thanks for letting us get involved with your product. You are S&S Enterprises. I know you from the magazine article about how you've built your business from nothing to a major company. You're one of our largest customers. It's great that you're still developing products. That's what makes America great."

I left the prototype with them, but they replaced it with three units fresh off the production line. I would quickly turn them into gifts for a few friends.

Abe and I flew home, happy that we had started a new source of revenue. I felt it better to let Lincoln handle the product instead of us. We'll sell it and make money. Phil will have a good time with a new product, especially if he knows we are getting paid on both ends. We'll get the licensing, the fiberglass wire caddy sub work, and the profit from selling the units wholesale to our distributors and dealers.

While we were sitting on the patio discussing our day with Tiny and Phil, the thought crossed by mind that perhaps we should concentrate on being innovative. If we could come up with more products and systems our vendor manufacturers could make, we could benefit from the licensing agreements, as well as sale of the products.

"Abe," I said, trying to visualize the idea to put it into words. "Every tradesman and technician makes up tools that help them do a particular job. I know you do it, as you have all kinds of little doodads in your tool chests that have special uses."

"What we need to do is to have one of our people, a person who is observant and perceptive, work with every technician, mechanic, and tradesman in the company. I want to document every personal tool used so we can evaluate whether the idea should be patented and marketed. The creator should get the bulk of the revenue from the item, but the company can benefit by the recognition of being innovative, and also get paid from a modest fee from the licensing. We'll have to work out the dollars and cents on this, but I'll bet there are dozens and dozens of marketable tools in our shops that are only used by one individual. Sometimes the guys share ideas and make something up for another, but usually an item is made to cut down time or to make the end product better. The creator doesn't tell anyone, because he's apprehensive that he'll be criticized for cutting corners."

Abe looked at me with an open mouth, "Damn, you're right. I'd bet that I have a couple dozen special tools that I've made over the years that would qualify. Your creation today came from you having to gather a truckload of equipment for a five-minute job that ended up taking an hour."

I was nodding in agreement, "What I want to do is to get across to everyone that their creations, no matter how small or how insignificant they feel the item is, that it could have a great value to many other people. We could begin in your department, Abe, and I'll bet by the time we get through all of your people, we have at least a dozen items to patent and market."

"You're probably right, Steve, the other group that will have some awesome homemade tools is the engine shop. That group is a collection of the most talented, detail oriented, mechanics I've ever seen. I've seen dozens of strange tools that they use to make the motor better. It may save time, but those guys are constantly trying to make the one they're working on better than the last."

Planning on a beginning strategy, I said, "Now we need a representative from each group to ferret out the special tools and to document them. We'll photograph them, both idle and in use, and write up detailed instructions on why it is used and how to use it. We'll have the other folks in the department try it and evaluate it. We'll quickly get an honest answer that way."

Tiny was sipping a beer, listening before he commented, "You know, that's my job to look for ways for us to make money. I'm supposed to be coming up with ways to find the change left on the table. I'd be embarrassed, except I do the same thing with numbers. I have so many special macros that I use on my Lotus spreadsheets that I'm resisting changing to Excel. I'm sure I can do the same thing, but I'm too lazy to learn. If someone had that information in plain language in a book or on a disk, I'd buy it. I wonder if some of my macros would be worth something. Individually probably not worth a lot, but collectively, all together, the macros would be very valuable to an accountant or bookkeeper."

Phil said morosely, "I don't have any special tools or anything like that to contribute. We marketing types don't use hardware like you guys do."

Ding!

The bell went off in my head again, "Phil, you just gave me an idea that you'll love. We have one of the most successful and efficient marketing and customer service groups in the country. Many other companies would pay a fortune to learn how to do what we do. How about you and Judy begin putting together the key ingredients to your sales success and the customer service successes? Remember what your field reps do and have Judy document her twenty-four hour a day multi-lingual customer service. Have her tell a story that includes the start up by calling orphaned customers, leading up to what we do now. If we can do it right, we'll hold seminars and workshops that we can charge up the kazoo for. We can do a two day seminar in front of a thousand people at two to five hundred a head. Now that will be a product to sell."

Phil was wide-eyed. He frantically looked around for Judy, and after spotting her he went to get her and brought her back to the group. "Steve had an idea that you and I can do seminars for other companies and bring in some big bucks. Listen to his idea."

After explaining the idea to Judy, she commented, "They have seminars like that all the time, but they're usually so boring half the audience is asleep by nine-thirty. If we presented it with visuals in a very fast, humorous fashion, people would get something from it. We could also sell a seminar video, with documentation and a workbook, so people could reinforce what they learned in the seminar."

Now Phil was excited, "The sales and customer service department can bring in extra money just like the techs and mechanics. We'll sell our special tools too."

Ruth excitedly added, "It will be fun to do something like this. Phil and I both have managers that are now taking over the day to day operation. We just tweak the operation here and there and listen for ways to improve. There's at least one new good idea a week from my people. That needs to be a part of the customer service leadership training."

Phil laughed, "You've just created another seminar. Customer service leadership training. We should copyright that."

We all laughed, and made up some drinks all around, to toast a new venture that will take advantage of the value of the individual parts within the company, that make the whole company jell.

Tiny said, "You need to have a company meeting to advise everyone of what we're doing and how everyone will benefit. They'll know they benefit because the company profits will be up, so their 401K will show an increase. But you do need to figure out a way to talk to everyone in every facility, including out of town. This is a company project, not just yours, or Abe's, or Phil's. Get everyone, everywhere, involved so word will spread and other companies will want a private seminar."

We all sipped drinks, contemplating the endeavor, when Ryan, who had listened to the entire conversation offered, "This is different for you, Steve. This isn't like when you reacted to gut instinct to take advantage of markets and operated by the seat of your pants. You need an organizer. Someone that will put the objectives down on paper, follow up from all of the participants, put the projects together, do the meeting planning, make up schedules, and generally be a pain in the ass. You need a smart, organized, executive secretary type, that enjoys being in a leadership role. Look for that person. You'll know when you find them as the personality will just click. What you're beginning can be a really big revenue generator."

Sue had heard Ryan's description and said, "You have that person, or at least two of those types, working at the same place."

I was confused and I looked questioningly at Sue. "What, Who, Where?"

"You have Star and Pete's niece out at the charter office. Both are overqualified and overachievers doing menial tasks. Pluck one of those babes out of that office and set them up to oversee these ideas you have. The one left at the charter office will flourish because they would be able to institute their own ideas to help the company succeed. You're in a win-win situation."

Ruth, who had been quiet throughout the conversation, began laughing, "Steve is always in a win-win situation when it come to handling women."

Abe was smiling, "Now this is the way we started, and this is the way it should be. We sit around drinking a beer and come up with several more million-dollar ideas. We are one hell of a group."

Glenda hollered from the door, "Okay, all you hotshots, come and get it. You're so wrapped up in business that these other characters are going to eat all the food before you get to the table."

The meeting was adjourned.

Original Editing by Pepere
New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 49

Friday was pretty much the usual, with Abe talking up the idea among his men. Since everyone interacts, by lunch time, everyone in the main and auxiliary buildings was talking about what kind of toys they made to use in their work. Debbie decided Star would be the best choice to work with me to oversee the project, so I stopped out at the charter service, presented her with the opportunity, and watched her rush around, cleaning out her desk to move to the shop.

I told her to make sure she went over everything with Pete's niece so there wouldn't be any screw-ups over the weekend for charters and rentals. Star said it was her weekend to be off anyway, so another person could be hired by next weekend to take up the slack, if necessary.

An hour after I was back at the shop, Star presented herself to me asking where I wanted her to work. I asked Debbie where Star should be and she pointed at my desk in our office. "Until she gets to know everyone around here, I want her where she can ask me questions. Some of these guys are going to give her a hard time because they may remember her face from her previous job. I want them to learn she is an educated, hard working, knowledgeable, and valuable employee. When I feel it's right, I'll put her in the empty cube near Deanne."

I had Star come up to my office with a notepad, where I spent an hour giving her the information of the various projects we were going to do. I introduced her to Phil and Judy, explaining that we were going to work on some seminars for marketing and customer service too. She would have to help organize these, plus all of the planning when it came time to do them.

When we were done, Star said, "Thank you for selecting me to do this for you. I've wanted to work with you, or be a special friend to you and Sue, from the beginning. I'm honored that you're entrusting me to put this together. I'll do my best to make this work for the company."

"Come downstairs with me for a bit, Star. I want you to see a couple of things. When we entered the shop, we stopped and watched some welders working on a frame. Tim was watching the men work and occasionally measuring a length or angle. It became apparent he was training new employees that had just come from the school. It seemed like every time he stopped them that he pointed to one of the "Perfect" signs on the wall.

In sheet metal department, four guys were measuring, cutting, and forming pieces of sheet metal. You could see how they worked together and all checked the finished product before it was stacked on the completed bench.

When we walked into the motor department, a crowd was around an engine stand where Robert and Roberta were getting ready to start a just completed engine. We watched as they started the engine, ran it through several tests, then everyone there yelled and applauded as the motor was being shut down. Roberta hollered out, "Now that's fucking Perfect!"

When she turned to see me with Star, she covered her mouth and said, "Oops."

I calmed her down saying, "It's always neat to see you happy with the job you just did.""

"This is one of Gene's engines that he needs as a spare. I was just trying to make it the best I could."

"In other words, Roberta, it is the usual great work you and Robert put out."

She blushed, "Well we have to try to outdo what we've done before. They all have to be perfect to go out the door." She pointed at the 'Is it perfect?' sign over the door.

Star said to me, "I see what you're trying to get at. Everyone here gives their best. All of us do it right. That's how the company succeeds."

"You got it the first time around, Star. We're all one big team. We all do everything we can to produce perfect products for our customers. Now watch how everyone cleans up in the evening. You'll need to clean up your desk before you go home as well. Debbie will direct you if you need assistance."

I had to straighten up my desk too as I had a couple of pieces of paper and a notebook strewn around the desk. I finished, shut off the lights and took off for the house, anxious for supper, as tonight we were having the caterer out to do an old fashioned fish fry.

There was only a small tent with some frying vats and preparation tables. We weren't going to have that many out tonight, as a lot of people were taking some time off to go various places for the Thanksgiving weekend. They were going to make a week out of it.

I joined Susan and Henry in the lounge chairs having a drink. It was the first time we had all just sat together by ourselves enjoying each other's company. It was very relaxed and very enjoyable.

When Kevin came in with Crystal, the noise level rose several decibels. They were followed by a bunch from the main shop, and a couple from the utility body shop. There was even a couple show up that worked the T-shirt plant. They were regulars every Friday. Pretty soon, some of the school people showed up, along with some of the cart plant people. As usual, in no time at all, the patio went from peaceful to roaring, with well over a hundred people in a matter of minutes.

Sue and Mercy were standing in the wide sliding doorway, smiling out over all the people. I could see Kate's kid, Carson, standing with Stevie next to him, holding on to both Sue and Mercy. Juanita came up, holding both Mike and Liz, with CJ and Mia hanging onto her. Robbie was peeking out from behind Glenda.

Pretty soon, Carson, CJ, Robbie, Steve, and Mia were running among the visitors enjoying the festive mood.

Outside, a couple of horseshoe games had developed. Dennis and Tammy were sitting in the grass with Tina and a boy I didn't recognize. With them were several other teens about the same age. They were kids, being kids. Carson, Stevie, and CJ slipped out the door and headed straight at Dennis, Tammy, and Tina. Instead of stopping and being polite, the three crashed into their friends. To the credit of the teens, they wrestled with the little ones a minute, then the three wild ones ran back to the patio to hunt down forbidden or restricted snacks.

There was a buzz tonight about the new project of tracking down homemade tools. It was favorable, as it was reported that anyone who had something would probably get an attaboy card worth a chance at one of the vacation venues. Star even came to me to report that people were stopping her to describe what kind of toy they had. She told them that she would see them during the week.

Tiny told Star, "I'll pick you up a digital camera, a video camera, and a laptop. This way you can take a picture of the item, video the use, and type up what the creator does with the device. You can revise the specs and technical language later. While you're working with an employee, ask them who they think would be best to evaluate what they had. That will give us an idea of who is most respected within a department. It'll help us make a decision on who we should promote when the time comes. I'll have your stuff Sunday afternoon. Come over here and pick it up."

DeDe came up to me a little later and said, "I hate that you stole my buddy from the charter office, but you did good. I haven't seen Star this excited since she got her divorce from the asshole she was married to for three months. You did good, Steve. She's going to be underfoot, so you may need to put a size twelve in her butt to get her out to do her job."

DeDe gave me a hug, and mixed back into the group to find and be with Star again.

Supper was great. Very few people ate at the table. People were scattered everywhere, eating, drinking, talking, and having fun. Fridays are informal, friendly, and a great time to mix. The employees felt like they were a part of the infamous patio crew on Fridays. They knew they were welcome anytime, but few ever came out in the morning. A few would show up in the evenings, but it was usually because they wanted to talk about business, and this was why we had a sixty by seventy-two foot patio with a big bar, TVs, and even restrooms.

Tiny told me that Lincoln and our attorney had worked out licensing agreements, along with a contract for production of the wire caddy covers. He said part of the agreement was to supply us with ten units as demos, plus we would receive one free for every one hundred ordered. That would help with the demo units.

By nine, the party had slowed to a crawl, the caterer had cleaned up and left, and the patio was already straightened and clean. I'm always impressed the way everyone sort of goes into cleaning mode at once. One second the place is a mess and the next it's spotless. We did have a good group.

That night was a little different. CJ, Robbie, Mia, and Carson were having a sleepover. Stevie wanted to sleep on the floor with his friends, so they were herded into the living room and slept on and under a bunch of blankets. They had a good time having a pillow fight. Thank goodness there were no feather pillows. Soon though, the little ones were tired and asleep. I volunteered to sleep on the couch with them, but Juanita said she wanted to stay out with them. Kate stayed over too and slept on the other couch.

When we were in bed, Sue and Mercy were sitting Indian style on each side of me. Sue was saying, "There may be a problem with Jim and Kate."

Mercy chimed in, "Kate told me that she thinks that Jim likes guys. She says she has to push him to be intimate. That must be why he's happy when he hears she may travel with us."

"Kate says that Jim has a couple of guys he sees out here in the park," Sue said angrily. "I know we have two gay guy couples and Charlie, Tiny's dad, says that there are a couple of single guys that have places out here that are gay. One of them is one of the guys Kate says Jim hangs around with all the time."

I said in Jim's defense, "Well, they do have a little boy and he does show he cares for both of them."

"I know," Sue said. "He does act like a nice guy, it's just that he should be more like you and love up his lady. We need to feel your physical love as much as the tender stuff you do with us. I don't think she even gets any of that."

Mercy said, "Juanita says that Kate told her that he doesn't even kiss her goodnight. When he found out Carson was staying over here for the night, he told Kate she should stay here with him. What do you want to bet he's with one of his gay buddies as we speak?"

Sue was contemplating, "We should call her in here and love her up. I'll bet she goes through a lot of batteries from not getting any loving."

I held my hands up, "Oh no, you don't. You sneaked Juanita in on me, but no more. The bed won't hold any more, and I have all the ladies I could ever want in you guys. There's probably a sitcom like that, you know "Three is more than enough."

Mercy laughed, "It's eight is enough, so I'll go get Kate to bring you up to half that."

"The lady is married. She has a husband that she thinks may be doing something with someone else. She doesn't even know for sure. We are not fooling around with any married women, period."

Smart mouth Sue said, "I'm married and you mess around with me."

I hit her with a pillow.

Mercy swung a pillow at me, but hit Sue instead.

Sue swung her pillow at Mercy, who squealed, swinging hers back.

The noise attracted Juanita, who saw the beginning of a good pillow fight, and began swinging pillows at both Sue and Mercy.

Kate walked in the room, carrying her pillow, and was immediately attacked by the other three girls and driven around the room to land on the bed, while being pummeled by pillows from the three girls.

The three ladies piled on Kate, tickling and whacking her with pillows. Clothes were soon misarranged, with Sue hanging out of her nightie, Mercy's was totally off one arm and shoulder, and Juanita's nightshirt twisted around with a breast hanging out. Kate's big T-shirt was pulled up, exposing her modest chest, but revealing she was totally bare beneath. This wasn't a big deal because the other three girls were bare bottomed as well.

I was on the end of the bed, observing the rowdy get together, when I noticed both Sue and Mercy begin to play and pinch Kate's nipples. Soon Juanita had joined in and Kate was being caressed and massaged by three experienced women.

Watching my three erotically stimulate another is exciting, and I was up from the view. Sue was soon on her hands and knees between Kate's legs, giving her center some oral attention. Juanita and Mercy were mauling Kate's breasts, over-stimulating the poor girl until she gave a loud groan, with near screams coming from her as she peaked.

That was it, I'd had enough. I dropped my shorts and knee-walked to behind Sue and aimed myself at her center. She was so wet, I was balls deep in seconds. No sooner than I gave her four or five thrusts, Sue gave squeezes and snorts that she was coming. She turned and rolled away, leaving me facing Kate's center between her legs. Sue grabbed me by my protruding part and pulled me down into Kate's wet center. Kate groaned loudly as I sunk to my balls. Instead of lying peacefully enjoying being filled, her bottom began rotating up and down so fast I couldn't move opposing her. All I could do was hold myself up and be fucked from below.

Kate's rapid movement was quickly bringing me to my crisis. I was doing everything I could to keep from losing it. Sue must have noticed, as she grabbed my balls and began squeezing and handling them. That was it. Torrents of juice filled Kate, while she groaned happily.

The whole time I was filling Kate, Mercy was kissing me and Sue was whispering in my ear. Sue kept saying, "Fill the bitch. Make her pregnant, give her a baby, fuck her hard." It was too much, or at least enough, that I did fill her up with the magic elixir.

As I became weak, I was pushed to Kate's side. Someone attached their mouth to me while I felt a head down at Kate's center. Kate rolled to me and smiled. She mouthed, "Thank you," then gave me a sweet kiss.

Sue was still in my ear saying, "You did good, Honey. You gave her what she needed. She needed your dick. Now the rest of us need some of you too."

We played for more than another hour, till I had made love to my three ladies, and was encouraged to give Kate my last dose of joy juice. Surprise, the five of us were able to sleep cuddled together in bed. Kate and Mercy's physical makeup were so similar that when I woke in the night, I couldn't tell who was hugging my back.

They did it again. They don't even wait till one is gone now before they bring another. And this one's married. Not cool. Knowing what I know about Jim, will I look at him funny? Hope not. I wonder if he'll figure out that I boinked his ole' lady. God, how could you like some hairy guy when you had a sleek beauty waiting for you with open legs. Some guys are just dumb, stupid, or whatever. Who knows, maybe Kate doesn't suck dick and that's what he likes.

Shit, I'm getting hard and I don't know whose butt I'm up against.

I slowly moved from behind, who I found to be Mercy, and slipped out of bed. As I used the bathroom, showered, and shaved, I kept thinking about the girls.



My mind was whirling. I hope Kate doesn't get mad at the girls for sneaking me into her like that. She seemed okay with it last night, but who knows how she'll feel this morning. Same with them, how are they going to feel the morning after they pushed their husband into a stranger?

Their husband?

What's this shit?

I have one real wife, and one assumed wife. Juanita acts like one, but she's old enough to by my mom, and I don't have any incest fantasies at all. So what is Juanita? She's special that's for sure.

How do these ladies share like they do? I try to give them all attention, but I can't be loving up Juanita in front of everyone, especially Luis. He doesn't even seem to notice her though. Dummy. She is one hot tamale. He, he, he, that's funny. She's not Mexican, she's Cuban. Wonder what Cubans compare a hot lady to.



I needed coffee, so I walked quietly out through the living room into the kitchen. The little ones were all in a pile, still asleep. Glenda was sitting on a stool at the counter in front of the kitchen.

"So, did your ladies take in another one?"

"Glenda!" I said in disgust.

"Well, did they? That little girl is playing second fiddle to a couple of fags here in the park, so it wouldn't upset me at all. If your trio finds out there's a neglected lady around, they are going to slip her into the sack, that is they will get her into your bed, you can bet on it."

"Just keep it down, okay? You know how Sue and Mercy are. They kind of sneak up on you."

"I think your mature lady is the same as your two younger ones. She fits you guys. How do you feel about Juanita?" She emphasized the "you."

"Truthfully, Glenda, I don't know what to feel about her. It just happened, and all of a sudden, Juanita is just part of the family. She has fit in so well that I couldn't run her off if I tried. The kids all go to her the same as Sue and Mercy. She even has little Carson won over already."

"Well, you're all good for each other. You'll be good for Kate too, but I don't see her becoming a permanent fixture. If she gets that daycare boss position over in the park, she'll be making enough to take care of herself and Carson. She'll dump her fag of a husband and that will be all she wrote."

Folks began straggling in for coffee, and the bellhop from the hotel showed up with our sandwiches. Several people who had remembered that I said I would take them sailing began asking what time I thought I would go out. There was no chance to go out without Mercy, and probably Juanita. Maggie would want to go, and perhaps even Kate. Sue? You never know whether she would want to go or if she had stuff to do.

I went into the bedroom to see if anyone was stirring. They were all sitting cross-legged in a circle on the bed, having a discussion. They looked at me when I entered, giving me the feeling they may have been talking about me.

"Hey guys, some folks remembered that I said I would take them sailing today. Who wants to go with me and do you want to take the kids?"

Mercy said, "If we're going to go out, it'll have to be this weekend because the guys from Magellan are going to be here Monday. They'll probably be here for three weeks, depending on how many guys they send. I'm in. I'll get a shower and be out in a few minutes."

The other three looked at me, then they all said, almost together, "I'm going too."

Sue said, "You better plan on Maggie. She loves the boat."

Mercy said, "We should take the kids and let them play inside while we're out. That way if Glenda or Hanna want to come, they can."

When I went back outside, there were more and more that wanted to go. I didn't know what capacity the boat had, but I figured somewhere around thirty or forty would max the boat out.

We left for the yacht club at eight with thirty adults and seven kids. I figured on raiding the Hatteras for life jackets. By nine fifteen, we were leaving the yacht basin on the way out to the gulf. The day was nice and sunny, with a medium breeze out in the gulf.

Most of the people with us had not been out on a sailboat. They didn't realize how quiet it is out on the water. The only sounds are winds in the sails, the rigging groaning from the strain and the water splashing on the bow. We had a couple cases of motion sickness, but they were able to get over it with a 7-up in one case, and a beer in the other.

We sailed out for about two hours, doing a loop before coming back to the yacht club by one thirty. It took us till after two to clean up and get the borrowed jackets back on the Hatteras. Back home, the boat passengers all vanished to do Saturday stuff.

We were eating a snack and playing with the kids when our fishing charter manager came by. John said, "I have a line on a hundred and fifty foot or bigger boat that is in Costa Rica right now. It's been surveyed to be perfect and the owner is in need of cash and has to sell it. Want to look at it?"

Mercy instantly said, "We better keep what we have right now. The Magellan folks are coming up to remodel the boat again for more passengers. We're planning on going to the Mediterranean after Christmas. Our boat should be fine for the trip."

John said, "Your boat will be more than fine. This is a chance to pick up a larger boat for a good price."

Sue said, "Let's fly down and look at it. It won't hurt anything."

"When" I asked? "I'm going out to pick up Merlin and Missy Monday. Flying down tomorrow and back will be too much. I wouldn't be able to go till Wednesday. If you want to do that, call out to the charter group and make sure you can get a plane for a couple of days."

"We can't do that," Sue said quickly. "Thursday is Thanksgiving and I want to be right here for that. We'll go Friday, find out if that will work."

Sue complained, "I don't like not having a plane available when we want one. Every time I want to go up in the little Cessna, it's out or committed for lessons. Now we have to reserve our own plane to go somewhere?"

"Look at the bright side," I said, in defense. "All those rentals and charters are paying for our airplane habit and making some money for the company."

Tiny was sitting with us and said, "It's more than paying for the planes. Your personal commission from renting out your plane is paying you guys several grand a month. That won't always be, but right now it's really paying."

Sue grimaced, but said, "I'll call to see if we can get a plane for Friday through Sunday. I do want to look at a boat that may be a good deal."

The rest of Sunday was laid back and enjoyable. Nothing special happened all day. We guys did go for a ride up to Crystal River and back just to enjoy the weather. We stopped for beer only once, and that was at the Florida bar just up the road.

Monday morning I was up, showered, fed, and ready to leave for the airport at seven thirty. My surprise co-pilot for the day was going to be Glenda. She said she thought it would be neat to take a long flight.

When we parked at the charter office, I went inside to pick up the logbook. The girl there said the plane left an hour ago on a charter. She must have seen that I was getting angry so she called upstairs to John. He came down and said, "I couldn't pass up the charter, Steve. I know you said you needed the plane for two days but this is a good customer and he needed space for ten. I thought you might want to take the Lear. It's easy to fly and is well equipped."

"I can't fly the Lear by myself. I'm not checked out in the plane, I haven't been to their school yet and I've never flown a pure jet."

"Well, no time like the present. I'll be flying right seat, teaching you all the way. Where are you going?"

"San Francisco. I was going to fly up today and back tomorrow."

"No sweat, how about we fly out and back today. The Lear will fly an easy one and half times faster than the 200. It will go faster but we're not allowed to break through Mach 1."

Glenda asked, "Should I stay? Sue will come and get me."

"You can come along, Glenda, you just can't ride up front with me. John is going to be doing most of the flying as I haven't been to school for this thing yet."

John picked up a logbook and waved for me to follow, saying, "School is in session." We went in front of the hangar where the Lear was waiting.

The first thing I did is to get Glenda into a seat and make sure she was comfortable. Next John directed me on a preflight inspection, using a flip chart. We climbed in and went through the cockpit checklist and began the startup procedure. Most of it was similar to the 200 but there was quite a bit different, plus more gauges to read and check.

An attendant pulled the chocks and John directed me to advance the throttle to get the plane to taxi. We made our way to the runway where we went through the last of the checklist to begin the run-up for take off.

The little Lear nearly jumped from the starting line and raced down the runway. I watched the airspeed indicator and when it reached ideal lift speed, John yelled V1, rotate, and I pulled back on the yoke to feel the plane quickly rise off the runway.

Most everything was where it was supposed to be or where I thought it should be, so I was able to reach down to raise the landing gear while we continued to climb. John had filed a flight plan and received clearance to twenty-eight thousand feet. Once we were at altitude and the auto-pilot set using a fancy navigation system I wasn't familiar with, I turned to ask Glenda how she was doing. She looked fine and said she was enjoying the ride.

I had told John about the good fuel prices in Columbia, Missouri and how nice the people were, so he had routed us through there. This little plane was fast. We seemed to be covering ground at almost twice the speed I was used to.

While we were on the ground in Columbia, I called home and told Mercy to call her mom and dad to tell them we were going to bring them back today. We were in the Lear Jet and making great time. She couldn't believe we were already in Columbia.

John spent the entire flight teaching me, then grilling me on procedures, gauges, instruments, and characteristics of the Lear. I had landed at Columbia without thinking to wait for his instructions. I had used the checklist to land and after refueling to start up and take off. If you do it by the book it isn't that difficult. I just didn't have the confidence yet to handle this type of plane by myself.

Once down in San Francisco at the small airport we had bought our first planes from, John, Glenda, and I were treated like royalty. John mentioned that we had bought three more planes from these people recently. I had noted one of the gauges had been running high and we had it checked out quickly to find a vent not opening. It was easily corrected while we waited for Merlin and Missy to arrive.

Merlin said he couldn't believe the guy that had been flying around in the little Cessna came for him in a Lear Jet. "You totally amaze me every time we get together. Last time I saw you, you were in that big sailboat after coming through the Panama Canal, and now you show up in a Lear. Totally amazing."

The return trip was uneventful. At least Glenda had someone to talk to on the way back. Glenda caught Missy up on all of the gossip where we lived and what she knew of the businesses. She was right when she said, "Steve's company has grown so big, I don't even know what all he does anymore. He does so much and makes it look effortless."

Little did she know. I didn't do much at all. There is too much to do, so others have to do it. They are better at it than I am anyway.

When we landed back in Tampa, there was a crowd at the operations building to watch me fly a jet and to meet Merlin and Missy. I think Merlin was a bigger draw than me flying the jet. John had me taxi up to the ops building to let the passengers out. Sue came out to the plane and asked me how it was. I told her the truth that at first it was scary but then all of the past training kicked in and the plane flew where I pointed.

John told me that he was going to sign me off on the Lear, but that I still needed to go to one of the factory follow up schools. He assured Sue that I was an excellent, safe, and careful pilot. John also cautioned that the Lear was considered a two pilot aircraft so a second person should be in the right seat.

"I know, John," Sue said. "I let this guy fly Mercy, Juanita, me and all the kids. If he wasn't safe, we wouldn't have a plane."

John said an attendant would take the plane back to the hangar and service it. I thanked him for flying with me. He replied, "The charter on your plane today paid for the Lear to go out and back to San Francisco, and still made the company money. Now do you get the idea why I had to charter it?"

"I do, and I appreciate that you had a good contingency plan. I really didn't think I was capable of flying that thing. It is fun to fly. I'd like to be shown how to do some fancy flying one of these days, for nothing else but to know how to do it."

John smiled, "We'll plan on it. I'll teach you to fly this thing like one of the fighter planes I used to fly. The Lear is a tough bird and likes to play."

"Don't be teaching him how to hurt himself. Mr. Careful here, has a wild streak that comes out every once in a while as it is."

John smiled, "I'll only teach him what he needs to know. I'll teach you too. You should learn more about aerobatics as well, should you ever need the knowledge."

I asked John whether he might want to fly to Costa Rica again. We wouldn't be flying to where we went before, but to the coast and we wouldn't be staying for long. We went into the office to check his schedule. He was open to go with us but had to be back by Sunday for a charter that required two pilots on Monday.

"Let's go Friday," I suggested. "How about taking the Lear so we get there and back faster? The range should be okay for the flight."

John checked the charter log and said, "Good, we can charter your plane then. Everybody wants to fly in the painted up monstrosity you have. We're getting extra just for the paint job. We might have to paint some of the other birds."

On the way home, I told Sue, "We will fly to Costa Rica Friday and come back Saturday."

She said, "I'll find out where we can make reservations to stay overnight."

I told her, "If we take both Kate, Carson and Maggie, along with the kids, we will be the max of nine passengers for the Lear even if someone will sit on the potty seat. John the boat guy has to come but perhaps Maggie or Kate could stay home.

Sue said, "I'll think about it. Mercy and I will decide. Maybe we should buy the 1900D. If Kate and Carson stick around, we'll need the bigger plane."

At home, the ladies had saved some supper for me and the guests. We all had something to eat while Merlin regaled us with some new parlor tricks, as he called them. When people began heading home, as it was a work night, Sue and Mercy had Merlin and Missy comfortably on the couches in the lounge area of the patio, with fresh drinks in their hands.

Sue started out with some shocking news, "Missy, I told you that I was expecting again didn't I?"

"Yes, you did. That's exciting that you will have another baby," Missy said.

Sue then said, "I went to the doctor today to have the first ultrasound and checkup. He surprised me. Steve doesn't even know this yet. We're going to have twins."

Sue came over to give me a hug. She could tell I was as shocked as Merlin and Missy were excited.

"The doctor says I'm in great shape. I have to keep exercising just like I did for Steve and Liz, and you know I will," Sue said this and turned to me, "Now we won't have to do this again, I'll have given you four."

The numbers were spinning around in my head. Four, uh no five with Mike, uh no that's eight if you count the three that ... Oh shit.

Mercy was sitting on the couch across from her mom and dad and said, "Steve, come sit by me."

I sat on one side of her and Sue sat on the other.

"Dad, I've already told mom part of this so here goes. I'm going to have another baby."

Merlin smiled broadly, "That's wonderful, Mercy. I'll now have two grandkids. That's super. This is so exciting. Missy and I may have to buy a trailer and live out here with you guys."

"There's more, Mom and Dad. Sue and I are always in competition it seems. Friendly competition is fun. Well, Sue is having twins, but I'm going to have triplets."

I couldn't help but add, "And I'm going to have a stroke."

Missy's mouth fell open and Merlin was sputtering trying to say something. "Triplets? Really Triplets? Are you sure? Triplets? Three of them?"

Mercy was just nodding her head up and down with a giant grin.

Missy was grinning and said, "You one upped Sue this time didn't you?"

Mercy laughed and said, "Makes up for the teeth, huh?"

Missy blushed at the realization of what Mercy was implying. Merlin looked confused saying, "What?"

Sue and I hugged Mercy, with Sue saying, "We're so excited. We're going to have eight little ones running around. Can you imagine five babies around here at one time? It's going to be a riot."

Missy said, "It's going to be a lot of work too."

Sue smiled, "We have it covered, I think. Juanita will be with us, as well as Maggie, a new lady that enjoys the little ones. We also have a lady named Kate that may be with us more and more. She will help when she can. We can always get more help if we need. Steve's sister, Susan, comes over to help often. She likes to be with the kids."

Merlin said, "This is going to cut down on your wandering, a lot."

Mercy said, "I don't think so, Dad. We're remodeling the boat right now for some extra rooms for caregivers, and we're going to go down to Costa Rica Wednesday to look at an even bigger boat. We'll see. We may not need it, but I do love to sail. Just because we have eight kids doesn't mean we have to quit enjoying life."

"You guys are full of the wanderlust. The next thing I know, you'll be sailing off to Europe or something."

Sue and Mercy looked at each other before Sue said, "We're leaving for the Mediterranean right after Christmas and New Years."

"Why would you do that?" Merlin asked, surprised that his prediction was coming true so soon.

"We want to go the Riviera, but we also need to go to Sicily and Greece for business," Mercy said. "This way we can do both and enjoy a great trip before Sue and I become housebound being pregnant."

"Maybe we should come with you guys," Missy said, looking wistfully at the three of us.

Merlin moaned, "That kind of trip is a couple of months. I can't be gone that long, no way."

"You kids are going to have a great time aren't you," Missy said, with envy in her voice. "My goodness, sailing a boat all the way to Greece. Will you go to Italy too? You almost have to since you'll be so close."

This time it was my turn, "We don't have the exact itinerary down yet, but we'll let you know as soon as we know. The girls are still planning. We are not going anywhere on the African continent or the Middle East, just to Europe."

Merlin added, "You're smart. No sense inviting trouble."

"With all of the terrorist scares everywhere, we will stay away from anywhere there is any bad activity. I'll watch the girls and they can also take care of themselves very well."

Missy wanted the last word, "If you're going to do this, you might as well get it done before you get too far along. You guys need to get to bed, it's way past your bedtime. Merlin and I are going to drink up your liquor and watch some TV out here before bed. See you guys in the morning."

The four of us left the patio and went down the hall toward our room. If Missy and Merlin thought about it, they would realize Juanita was staying in the room with us. Oh well, we weren't trying to hide anything.

The girls thought we had broken the news correctly and that her mom and dad had taken the news well. We were all tired and fell asleep quickly snuggled together.

Sometime in the middle of the night, there was some jostling around and someone snuggled up to me on my front that had been to the outside of the bed. Sue was behind me as I could feel her bountiful chest against my back. I didn't dwell on it, thinking that Mercy or Juanita wanted to sleep in front of me.

Original Editing by Pepere
New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 50



I knew it was time to get up but I was too comfortable with Sue hugging my back while I was hugging Mercy or Juanita to my front. My arm was around the body in front of me, so I hugged her to me a little more. As she wiggled into me, my hand encircled a breast, an unfamiliar breast. It was too small for Juanita, besides she is better padded in the bottom than this. It was also too small for Mercy right now, as her breasts were still pumped up from Mike and the hormones she was developing for her three new ones.

Opening my eyes to slits to see if I could see anything in the dark, it looked like mousy brownish hair. I closed my eyes thinking about this and realized that it was Kate. Shit. What was she doing coming to our bed in the middle of the night.

Looking toward the clock with the big numerals told me it was right at six, so I slowly slid out of bed, pulling the covers off everyone. As soon as I was out of bed, I put the covers over all the girls. I had to stare at four women in my bed. My wife, my other wife, my whatever she is, and now my whoever you are. What do you do with four women? I hope Glenda is right and she develops her own life.

As I showered, the door slid open and Sue came in. "I hope you're not mad, but Kate came to the door saying that Jim was being stupid last night, drinking and yelling at anyone who would listen. When one of his friends came over to the house, she said she picked up Carson and walked over here. She didn't even have shoes on. She was barefoot. I calmed her down, washed her feet and put her to bed next to you. I know she fell right to sleep because she was snoring quickly. She needed us, so I let her into our bed."

"Have we adopted another lady?" I asked, thinking that was what had happened.

"I don't know, if we do, we do. Mercy and Juanita both love her and Carson. Mercy and I are going to need help when the babies come, and Kate is experienced and knowledgeable."

As I lovingly washed my beautiful wife, I asked, "I thought you were going to use Kate to run the daycare over in the park?"

"If that's what she would prefer to do, that's where she'll be. If she wants to hang out with us and perhaps do some traveling, she might wish to come along instead."

With some trepidation in my voice, "If you're acquiring another bedmate, I don't think I can keep up. You, my love, my wife, are enough for me. You and Mercy can do me in easily and still want more. You, Mercy, and Juanita are enough to make a man question his masculinity. You added a fourth to the party the other night, and I was only able to keep up because we went to bed early, and I was so stimulated watching you three stimulate Kate. I don't think I could keep up that kind of schedule."

Sue snuggled into me, stroking my hard on, trying to lift herself up to slide down on me. As I picked her up and held her as she slid onto me, she said, "If it comes to that, we will just have to take turns. The only problem with bringing Kate into our family is that she wants at least one more baby. Jim didn't want another, so that's why they only have Carson."

"Considering all the trouble this could cause, be sure to caution Kate about saying anything to anyone and to definitely make sure she doesn't get pregnant by me. Do we still have condoms in the bedside drawer?"

"Don't worry, Baby, Kate will be fine. Don't even think about that right now. Just love me. Fill me up with yourself. Oh, yeah, do it to me, love me."

Sue groaned through our mutual orgasm, then I let her down and we cuddled under the warm water before getting out to start the day.

When I emerged from the bathroom to get dressed, the other three women were all sitting up in bed with the blanket only up to their waists, giving me a view of the delicious looking breasts available to play with. They knew what they were doing because all three had naughty smiles on their face.

I left Sue to get the girls moving, as the kids would be up and about soon. I greeted Glenda with a hug and a happy good Tuesday morning. As usual, the patio filled quickly with various folks getting ready for their day.

Missy came out early to have coffee with me and to help feed the kids breakfast. For whatever reason, Missy and Carson became great friends. Missy told Carson that she was Steve, Mike, and Liz's grandma, and Carson asked, "Can you be my gamma too?"

When Missy said, "I'd love to be your grandmother too."

Kate almost mauled Missy saying, "None of the grandparents pay any attention to Carson. Steve has already shown Carson more attention than Jim had shown him since he was born."

When I looked at Kate, she said, "My mom and dad said that I was too young to get married and have a baby. They wanted me to get an abortion or give the baby up and not get married. Even if Jim and I don't stay together, I'm glad I had Carson, and I'm glad I stayed with his dad as long as I did. Carson will always know his dad, even if someone else takes his place."

Kate came over and hugged me, "Thank you for having such a wonderful family to take us in, to watch out for us, and to show us you care the way you do. This is the way a family is supposed to be."

Missy said, "They are a strange family, but yes, this is the way a family is supposed to be."

Glenda had a funny look on her face as she smirked at me and said, "Not another one huh?"

Kate had gone home for a while and had taken Juanita with her. They had only been gone a few minutes when they came back, driving fast in Juanita's cart. Juanita came in and said, "Steve, you should go over to Kate's place and help her get some clothes. She needs some help."

Mickey was off today and was sitting with us enjoying some after breakfast coffee. When she heard the caution is Juanita's voice, she said, "Come on Steve, sounds like a job for the two of us." I decided to take Sue's cart because it held the four of us better.

At Kate's and Jim's mobile home, the screen door was barely hanging on by one hinge. The main door was wide open. We went inside where we could see what looked like a mess. On the floor was a naked guy I didn't recognize. Mickey bent down and checked his pulse. She said, "He's alive. From the smell, I'd say near dead drunk though."

I went toward the back of the mobile home, where the bedrooms were, to find three naked guys on the big bed in the master bedroom. Jim was there, lying on another guy's back. I recognized him and the other guy as residents in the park. The place stank from the stale booze smell. Mickey and I checked the pulses of the three guys and threw a blanket over them to cover them up.

Mickey went for Kate, "Get what you want and want to keep. This place may not be habitable when these guys get through with it. We'll help you get packed. Steve, go get a bunch of boxes and baskets. I'll watch these guys. They won't cause anyone any trouble while you're gone."

I drove to the office and got a bunch of the U-Haul boxes we sold there. When I returned, the girls had rolled the guy in the living room over till he was out of the way. They had thrown a sheet over him too.

As they filled more and more boxes, I said I would go get my pickup and be right back. When I got to the house, Sue wanted to know what was going on and she wanted to come back with me. Missy said she was coming too so she could help.

The five women had all of Kate's and Carson's clothes packed and outside in forty-five minutes. Kate carefully packed all of her knick knacks and the personal things that she wanted, but left the linens and kitchen things, saying that if Jim abandoned them, she would come get them.

Back at our house, I parked near the living room outside door and began bringing the boxes in to store in one of the large bedrooms. The women unpacked all of the clothes and put them in closets and drawers. Sue took Carson's clothes to one of the little bedrooms between our bedroom and the big room we put Kate's clothes in, telling Kate that he could sleep in there or we would get another bed for the huge nursery. Kate just said, "We'll try this first and see how it works. From what you tell me, the nursery is going to be full soon. If you need to move Steve in with Carson, they seem to get along fine, so that would work."

My mind spun around what she was saying, and how she was saying it. It sounded like she was becoming more of a permanent houseguest than a temporary visitor.

I went back over to Jim's and Kate's mobile home about noon. The four guys were all up and dressed. Jim was screwing the screen door back onto the hinges as I drove up. He looked a little embarrassed, but waved me inside.

The place was clean and even smelled fresh. Jim said, "I take it you saw us earlier and covered us up."

"I did."

Jim asked, "Did Kate or anyone else see us?"

"She did, so did a few other women. You're lucky though, none of them have a big mouth."

"That's nice to hear." He motioned to the other guys, "These guys are all known gays so it doesn't matter. Charlie may not keep me if he knows I'm gay."

"The only reason Charlie would let you go is if you don't do your job or if you wreck your place. Shouldn't you be working today?"

"Charlie gave me the day off because I've worked the last two Saturdays and Sundays fixing up some trailers for older people that were not here during the week."

I motioned for Jim to follow me and walked outside, "Look Jim, you have a kid that is your responsibility. You need to work out some way to help take care of him. You also need to make sure Carson knows you're his dad and that you care for him. It looks to me like you've made a conscious decision to live as a gay, so you'll have to figure out a way to tell Carson when the time comes. Before that, you need to work out with Kate what you're going to do. She can stay with us a while, but she will probably want to be on her own as soon as she can."

"We don't have a lot of money as you know, but I'll figure out a way to get a divorce and to give child support. I might be able to have the one guy move in as a roommate. That would help out with the rent and utilities. Let me know what to do and I'll do it. I'm not ashamed to be gay, but I am embarrassed you had to see me and us like that."

"Listen, Jim, my father-in-law is an attorney. I'll get him to do something with you and Kate. If I ask him, he won't charge us, so your deal can get done quickly. You will have to pay child support though, and I want you to make sure you keep some kind of relationship with Carson."

Jim was looking down and raking the toe of his boot through the gravel. "Thanks Steve, I appreciate your candor. You tell me what to do and I'll do it."

As I got ready to leave, I said, "I hope this is what you really want. You probably can't turn back now. Here at least. Be careful too. You know how gay's get tangled up in some unsafe sex."

"I will, Steve, that's how I met these guys. We all were at the clinic for tests. We decided that if we kept it among ourselves after we all knew we were clean, we couldn't catch anything. It was surprising to find two of the three lived out here."

"I'll probably talk to you next week. I'll tell the girls to keep it to themselves."

I went home and rounded up the girls that had been at the trailer. I told them all that we should keep what we saw to ourselves. "When I went back, the place was cleaned up and aired out. Jim was working on the screen door. He's going to do right and will agree to pay child support without any hassle. He's also agreed to make sure he spends time with Carson. I hope you all haven't talked about this, as it should be kept quiet."

Sue asked, "Why wasn't he at work?"

"He has today off because Charlie's trading out today for some of the extra time he's been putting in on weekends."

Sue nodded, which was followed by the other girls nodding in agreement. Kate looked sad and lost. Mercy and Sue put their arms around her and said, "Don't worry, Kate, you just join us for a while. We will make you feel comfortable here and give you the love and support you need while you iron this out."

Sue added, "My Dad will take care of all this quickly. I'll call him for some direction. He'll take care of you."

Juanita took Kate's hand and said, "You and I need a Cuba Libre, maybe a couple. Perhaps Steve will join us."

We made up a bunch of rum and Cokes and toasted each other over frivolous things. The girls joined the other ladies figuring on the final list for the grocery store. So far we were having twelve large turkeys that were being baked at Publix and would be picked up Thursday morning. We were going to have everything that went with the meal, right down to a dozen pumpkin pies for dessert.

Later, I asked Sue and Mercy privately, "Have you two figured out how we're going to haul everyone in the Lear? We're going to be one person too many, unless one sits on the potty seat."

Sue said, "We're going to put two car seats in one airplane seat. Mike and Lizzy will sit together so there will be enough room for all of us without using the potty seat. Mercy and I went out to the Aero Park and already put two seats into one of the seats. They fit perfectly. It's legal because we have as many seats as passengers. The log book will be accurate."

I should have known they would figure a way to do what they reckoned they should do.

That night, Kate didn't sleep with us. She said she wanted to sleep in the bed with Carson, so he would be comfortable and not be scared in a new place. Carson said I had to tuck him and his mom in, so I did go in, pulled the covers up on them, gave both a kiss on the forehead, and said goodnight as I shut off their light.

The other three women said that I was sweet to have done that.

Thanksgiving morning was filled with excitement of the coming feast. The patio was filled early, with Phil and Tiny making Bloody Marys and some Irish coffees with Jameson's Irish Whiskey. It was a good thing there was plenty to eat, or we would have had a bunch of drunks before nine.

The day progressed with as many people stopping in as we had on some Friday nights. Thank goodness the girls had overbought on all the food. By the time we began eating, every chair at the tables was taken, and all of the small tables were filled. When everyone was full, there was a dozen carcasses on trays. The turkeys had been stripped down to the bone. There was going to be sufficient turkey left for sandwiches for supper, but that was all.

Merlin and Missy had a great time playing with the little ones. Merlin being able to pull scarf after scarf from his hand fascinated Mike. Lizzy giggled every time Merlin bounced a ball at her. She surprisingly caught it almost every time. Missy was hopelessly lost in being a grandmother to Mike, Lizzy, and Stevie. She had accepted us as a unit, a family. She even gathered Carson to her several times to give him warm loving hugs. Kate was ecstatic.

I think the day exemplified my feelings. I was truly thankful to have my friends and my family with me. The holiday became very personal to me as I was able to visit for a few minutes with each of my friends individually.

A special time was playing with all of the little ones. Stevie's group was rough and ready. Games of chase were constant. Being on the floor with the googling Lizzy, Mike, and Sean was so much fun that when they became tired and dropped off to sleep, I was the pillow and took a short nap with them.

When the day finally wound down, I think all of our friends felt the family tie between all of us. This had been a day to remember.

On Friday morning, we were up, showered, and dressed, ready to go by six thirty. We had some coffee and breakfast, waiting for John, the boat engineer, to get here. We arrived at the Aero Park at seven-fifteen to find the other John doing the preflight inspection on the 1900D. Sue had decided we needed to take Maggie, Kate, and Carson, so we needed the extra seating. I hurried to join him and quickly went back over what had been done. The attendant had stowed the luggage we were bringing, so John and I boarded and shut the door. The passengers were seated with expectant faces when John and I went up to the cockpit. Within just a couple of minutes we were watching gauges come to their expected positions before taxiing to take off.

We stopped in Key West for fuel, and to stretch our legs, before the longer trip to Mexico. A couple of hours later, we refueled in Mexico before making the jump to Costa Rica. We were met at the airport by a small bus that took us directly to the docks to see the boat. John, the pilot, was going to walk our luggage through the customs inspectors and have the plane serviced for tomorrow.

When we got to the gated yacht club, we were amazed by the palatial buildings and grounds. All of us felt a little out of place with all of the people running around trying to help us. We were almost carried down to the boat we were to look at. It was a mistake to come, as all the girls were instantly drooling over the boat. It was gorgeous. John had the agent for the boat begin with a quick tour of the highlights of the boat, then we would have him give us a detailed look.

We noticed that there was a four-person permanent crew on board, so I had to ask, "Is this boat capable of being outfitted so one person could sail it?"

The agent grimaced, but John said, "It probably is already outfitted for that but you don't travel alone. You have three very capable crewmen in Sue, Mercy, and Juanita. You seem to be bringing up two more with Maggie and Kate. You may or may not need extra crew. This boat isn't outfitted as well as yours electronically, but it does have decent equipment. Better equipment would take less than a week to install. The CCTV you have will take the longest. The rest, good shipwrights should be able to do the install quickly."

"If we were to buy this, would they have trouble finding jobs?" I asked, indicating the crew, since I never liked to take a job from someone.

The agent answered, "They are all good sailors. Many people would love to have their expertise. It might be difficult to find a boat for them as a group, but they would all have jobs quickly."

"Okay, let's see how the boat operates. Have the crew assist us only. Let's see if my crew really can handle this thing. How big is it anyway? It looks huge."

John said, "It does look bigger than a hundred and fifty feet."

The agent said, "The description was mistyped. The boat is a hundred and seventy-five feet."

"That is really huge, John, I don't know whether we need something this big."

"Take it out, let the girls decide."

All I could think was 'Ah shit, ' the girls always want something bigger and better. This thing was huge.

The girls were wearing clothes to sail in and they all changed into deck shoes. Sue handed me a pair of mine and said, "Ready when you are, Captain."

I went through the startup procedures by the numbers just like I did a preflight. The head crewman thought I was funny with the way I sounded like I was going down a checklist. The girls had split up, with Juanita out on the dock, Sue was at the bow, and Mercy at the stern. Once the shore connections were free and the engines were running, I hollered for the girls to release the lines. Juanita untied the two lines then jumped onto the boat. I engaged the engine and slowly headed out of the yacht basin, navigating the channel to the open sea. I think the crew was surprised to see the girls immediately coil the ropes in the appropriate way at sea.

The boat was long, so I was going to have to get used to the extra space it required to turn. When I made that comment to the crewmen, one of them said, "You're already doing better than we do most of the time. It's hard to steer a boat this long in tight areas like this."

Sue and Mercy were both on the bow directing me past smaller boats. They had a bullhorn and were hollering at small craft that were persisting in crossing our path too closely. Another crewman said, "Why didn't we do that? With someone on the bow directing, it makes it a lot easier to get around in the channel."

Once we were heading to open water, the girls each began taking the covers from the sails and stowing them in the nearby lockers. Once we were in open water and could feel the wind, I began pushing buttons, hoisting sail in the numbered order of the plexi-glass enclosed directions next to the sail panel. Since this boat had two big masts, it took a lot of sail to make it go.

The boat did have decent radar, just not the modern type I was used to. The radios seemed accurate and they did have the latest available GPS. Once the sail was up, I shut down the engines and had the girls shut the covers, but not the vents over the engines. The boat didn't seem to lift to the top of the waves the way the other boat did, but it did sail and steer easily.

I took it through some maneuvers that I knew would give me a good feel, and tacked in a direct crosswind. This was a big boat with a broad beam. It hardly listed at all in a thirty-knot wind. Trying to get the women from the bow of the boat was difficult, but I finally got them to come back to me so I could talk to them.

I asked all of them, "What else do you want me to try while we are testing the boat?"

Sue said, "Tell me what course to take and let Mercy and me take the helm for a while. You go look below deck to check on the bilge to make sure there's no excessive water. Check the fuel and water tanks, along with the waste holding tank, to see what they look like. We'll take the cabins apart on the way back in."

The agent and one of the crew took John and me below to go through everything Sue suggested. John poked around everywhere, looking at the construction and general condition. The boat was really big. There were several places to look at to see everything. There was even an access door to the engine room where I found a small shop that was well equipped to maintain the engines. The place was spotless, so I knew the crew had cared well for the boat. The sight of that much engine did give me pause. Could I really handle a boat this big?

Once topside again, Sue said, "The boat does handle nice. Let John at the wheel a while and be sure to try out the weather helm inside."

John took the wheel while I went into the huge lounge on the deck. There was a raised helm area that had complete instrumentation and radar displays. I turned everything on and made sure it was working properly, and noticed an intercom. I pushed the H button and said, "Let me try the wheel in here. Come in and check this out, it's pretty fancy."

I took the wheel and John soon joined me. He said to me quietly, "This is one hell of a boat. I don't know what the deal is, but the price on this thing is about half of what it should be. I wonder if this is in some kind of divorce dispute. The other thing is, if they are trying to dump it, we might be able to make a stupid offer and get this thing for about what you paid for the sixty-five footer."

I gasped, "No way, this thing is going to be millions and millions."

"Not really," scoffed John. "When these rich guys get in a bind over ditching a wife, they give away everything. I heard you got your Lear that way. Your pilot was telling me that the bird was involved in a divorce and the guy just dumped it."

Shaking my head in wonder, I said, "I don't know. I don't know the history of the planes we bought. I do know the Lear came from southern California though, land of the Hollywood types."

I knocked on the window to get Sue's and Mercy's attention and waved them inside. They came up the ladder to us and I asked them, "If you like this monstrosity, tell me so John can negotiate. He says it's a steal now and that he thought he might even do better. What do you think?"

Sue and Mercy looked at each other, grinning, then turned to me, "Buy it for us, Steve. This boat is really something. It's a palace on the water. The rooms are so big, the kids will get lost. We might have to remodel it, but I think our family would do nicely on it. What does it need, John?"

"We might want to clean the bottom and repaint it. This thing is so big we'll have to put it in dry dock to do that. I'll have to find out when the last time it was done before we decide what to do. The biggest thing is, do you feel comfortable with this big a boat?"

"Out at sea, it's no big deal. In close it is big and a little more difficult to handle. For the most part, I think we can handle it." I looked at Sue and Mercy, "What do Juanita, Maggie, and Kate think?"

Sue laughed, "Juanita and Maggie think this is the most beautiful boat they've ever seen. Kate said that if you bought this boat she was going to become a Mormon and be one of your wives."

I turned to John, "Go make a deal. I have no idea whether I can afford it, but we'll call Tiny and Ben to find out. Let's get this thing back to shore and see if I can back it into the slip."

Going back in was anti-climatic. We started the engines and took down the sail as we approached the harbor and yacht basin area. I idled to a stop, to slowly rotate the boat, using the individual dual gearing of the twin engines and props to slowly back into the slip. There was a very nice video camera on the stern with a display in the cockpit, so it was easy to guide the big boat. Once in, the girls did the lines, secured the boat and reattached the shore services.

I told them to go through below decks meticulously while I called Tiny and Ben. John and the agent stayed in the huge salon/lounge and began negotiating. I could see the agent immediately get on his cell phone, so I pulled mine out to find I had a signal.

I called Tiny's cell phone first. When I asked him if I had enough money to buy a big sailboat he laughed. "Just tell me how much, and if you don't have it, the company will cover it till you pay it back. You haven't spent much money for a long time, so you probably have more than enough personally to buy whatever you want. Have you forgotten that you are the owner of a very successful, very large company? At least you own most of it unless you've been giving more of it away."

"Thanks, Tiny. Sue and Mercy like this monster but I don't know, it may be too big for us."

"How big is it?"

"A hundred and seventy-five feet."

I heard him gasp, "Holy shit, that is big."

"I know. We just took it out and were able to sail it all right. We might want to have a little more experience on it but it doesn't seem any more difficult to man than our boat."

Tiny offered, "If you're getting a good deal on the boat, you can always flip it and make a profit."

Sue came up from below deck, smiling, "The master stateroom is huge. It has a shower almost as large as ours at home, plus a huge jacuzzi tub large enough for all of us. There are staterooms and cabins everywhere. There are even two lounges down there, one large and one small. There is a second small galley that is next to the small lounge. The crew said it was for them, so they didn't mingle with the owners and their passengers."

"What do you think of the galley?"

"It's not as homey as ours, but there is enough room to rebuild the counters the way we like. The big dining room is so large that we could make it smaller. We could have a bigger galley with a table for all of us, along with a big counter with stools and highchairs."

Mercy said, "There are enough staterooms down there for everyone we want to take along on the trip. We could even take several extra passengers if we wanted. Maybe we could take the crew?"

Juanita had joined us. She said, "I'd rather not take this boat on our trip if it meant we had to take strangers with us. I'd rather it be just us."

Sue smiled, "You're right, Juanita. We have new people with Maggie and Kate now that will take some time to blend in."

"Maggie and Kate have the little ones in the little lounge below watching a movie. Carson and Steve seem to like the boat okay."

John came to us and had me follow him outside. Once out on the deck he said, "The owner came off his number by twenty-five percent. If you don't take this deal, I'll have you committed. I can damn near double your money in thirty days and make one hell of a commission on it. Shit, I could retire on what I could get out of this thing. The bottom was just cleaned and repainted last month in preparation for selling it. This is part of a divorce and is a holdup between the two parties. What do you say, wanna buy a boat?"

"Finish the deal. Call Tiny and he'll transfer funds. Make sure the title and registration is kosher so we are really making the deal. I'll take this back to Dunedin with the girls or have the crew take it up. I'll ask. When you talk to Tiny, give him the name of the insurance company that has this now and make sure we take over the policies at the real value of the boat, not what we are paying for it."

John was smiling, "Aye, aye, Captain. We'll do the rest up in the yacht club hotel. That's where Sue has us booked for tonight. Your pilot should already be checked in, along with our baggage. It's getting late and I'm sure you need to feed your family."

I said good evening to the crew and told them I would see them in the morning. I also told them that I would make sure they were taken care of until they hooked up with another boat. They appreciated my guarantee.

We went to our rooms and ordered room service so we didn't have to haul the kids around any more than we had to. They all enjoyed being on the floor of the suite we were in. There were four bedrooms off of the center living room area. They did have a nice table and were able to come up with highchairs for our two littlest ones. Steve felt like a big guy because he didn't have to use a highchair. The girls spread towels out below all the kids to catch the flying food.

John ate with us and said the deal was concluding. The agent would have all of the registry papers, and we would finalize the deal at a bank. I asked John, "How about we invite the agent to come to Florida with us to get the money directly from our bank. We could have him fly with us and have the boat brought to Dunedin so the transaction would be consummated in the U.S. He's from California, so he should understand our desire to finalize the deal there. If there's a problem with the registry, we'll know. Meanwhile, I'll call my friend in the Coast Guard, give him the boat information and see what he thinks.

I immediately went out onto the veranda and speed-dialed the Coast Guard Officer that we knew. He actually answered. I gave him all the information I had about the boat, including the U.S. registration numbers from California. He told me to hang on because he was in his office next to the computer at the time.

"Wow, you're hobnobbing with the fancy people. That's some boat. There is a notation that the boat is for sale in Costa Rica where you are. From what I see, the agent for the boat is a good guy, so you should be safe to make a deal. Where are you going to dock it?"

I told him I was going to try to keep it in Dunedin. He said I might be able to get it in there, but it might be too big. I told him worst case would be Clearwater.

I said goodbye and told John what I had found out. He said the agent thought my offer to fly him back was super and that he would have the crew get the boat on its way tonight. John called Dunedin to find out if they could dock a hundred seventy-five footer. They could, but it would not be in a slip. We would have to rent the outer dock area. John asked them to hold it for us.

This would give us eleven boats up there. If we left, they would look bare. I'm glad we had a good relationship with them, as they were nice to do business with.

While the girls were getting the kids put down, Juanita and I accompanied John and the agent down to the boat. I gave the crew the numbers for the yacht club. One of the crew knew the club well, saying he heard they had a hundred ten footer up there now. John smiled and pointed to me, "It's his. This one is supposed to take its place."

The guy said, "This is a nice boat, but the only thing this will have over the Magellan is the size. A Magellan is really a great boat."

They said that with good winds, they would take three days. I asked them about protection and they all smiled. "We have plenty, don't worry about us. We don't let anyone close to us out on the water. That's why we have the two radars."

I had not seen the second one so they showed me a short range radar that defined only about a klick out. It had alarms that sounded for any target that came within a thousand meters. It was linked to the collision avoidance system, but used as a defense intercept warning.

We said goodbye and good luck to the crew as they cast off. The agent said he was happy to quit paying for the slip rental at this club, as it was astronomical. He said that if they kept the boat there much longer they could just give it away and save money.

The two Johns had separate rooms, so I joined my enlarged crew in our suite for some coffee before bed. Juanita, Kate, and even Maggie, was having a drink. I decided that I shouldn't because I was flying in the morning. Soon Maggie went to bed leaving me with four women. Sue asked, "Kate asked if she could sleep with us. I told her we would enjoy having her, but it was up to you. The bed is as big as ours at home, so it's big enough. We may have to get a bigger bed though as five is kind of tight."

As I headed toward the shower, I said, "I'll meet you there in a couple of minutes. I need to get as clean as you guys are after this long day."

When I snuggled into bed, I selected an outer area and had Sue snuggle against me. We were all asleep in short order.

Original Editing by Pepere
New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 51



The next morning was a zoo. We all five woke at the same time, hearing the kids up and making noise. Maggie had them all up and dressed already, surprising all the women. I thanked her and asked if she could hold them down until we showered and dressed. She smiled a 'no problem' smile and we hustled to get ready.

Once again, we had room service bring food. The two Johns and the agent joined us, so it was a busy breakfast. The pilot, John, said that we needed to figure how far the boat had gotten and we would drop down on the deck and buzz them. We should be able to radio them beforehand so they wouldn't get nervous.

Now I was glad we had brought the Super King Air 1900D. Even if we had jammed kids two to a seat, we would still be over the limit with the Lear.

We did buzz the boat, climbed back to altitude quickly, and headed toward our Mexican refueling point. We made the Key West refueling and customs stop, and with a great tailwind, we were back at our airfield in record time.

We stashed the agent in the Holiday Inn, but brought the two Johns to the patio for a few drinks and some supper. It was Maggie who broke the news to everyone that Sue and Mercy had talked me into getting an even bigger boat. Maggie teased the two unmercifully, until she finally said, "You can probably hear the agent crying from here. Steve offered him less than half of what the boat was worth, but finally made a deal for even less."

I had to protest and tell the truth. "It was John who advised me and actually made the deal. The only thing I could do is act the part of a sort of interested buyer."

John said, "When you and your three woman crew cast off and set sail, the agent knew you four knew your boats and would only offer an appropriate amount. I saw the way he was in awe of the way you four acted so confident manning a big boat like that, as was the professional crew that were already on the boat. When he found out that Steve, Sue, and Mercy all have their captain's licenses, he knew you guys weren't fooling around. Juanita, you're almost done too, aren't you?"

"Si senor, two more weeks with the instructor captain and I'll be a captain too."

"You see, you four are probably the most professional crew you could have."

I slapped John on the back, "Thank you for working with the girls to get their captain's licenses. That they have the knowledge to sail that boat if I were to become incapacitated is very comforting. As for you, my charter pilot John, thank you for helping me become comfortable with that little rocket. I'm afraid we'll all get spoiled with the speed. I still like the 200 though, and the new Super King Air will hold my, in the very near future, huge family."

Both Johns stayed the night with us, as they both had far too much to drink. John didn't have to fly till late tomorrow so he should be fine. We all went to bed after Missy and Merlin entertained us a little with some neat magic for us amateurs.

The girls were funny about how they wished me to be arranged in the middle of the bed with whom on either side. There isn't enough room for four adults to sleep on their back so we all slept facing the same direction spooning the one in front. Snug, but very sweet.

Ah, I'm damned near smothered by larger mammary glands on both sides of me. Sue's obviously to my right, snuggled to me so sweetly. My right hand is on the shoulder of what feels like Mercy. The head on my left shoulder is obviously the more mature Juanita. Her large breast feels soft and spongy against my chest compared to the motherly firmness of Sue. My left hand is holding the back of a head that is probably Kate. We need to do something about having four women in bed. I thought we were pushing it having three. What would we do with more if the ladies decide to adopt another, double-decker babes perhaps?

I giggled, I shouldn't have, as Sue raised her head smiling at me and asked, "What's so funny?"

"Just a random thought. Nothing important."

I shifted onto my left side and got a soft kiss on my neck. A soft "por favor" came from the kissing lips of Juanita on my neck.

I was trying to think up an excuse to keep from saying what made me giggle, when two hands encircled by morning erection.

Instead of answering, I gave a genuine groan, "Ahhh."

When both hands came off me at my groan, I said, "Best be getting out of bed. It's time to get going."

Mercy's soft sleepy voice said, "Why, nothing's going on today. What's the hurry?"

"I like to get up in the morning. I love to have coffee with my friends and feel the morning energy before they all go to work."

Sue wiggled against me, saying, "Today's Sunday. Most people aren't going to work. Anyway, I like the morning energy too, but I like it expended between my le ... Ouch. Mercy, stop that."

"You can be such a slut, Sue. You hog the husband all night long, then want to hog that wonderful instrument of happiness when he wakes up giggling. What were you doing to him?"

Sue was giggling now and had turned over to confront Mercy. "I asked him what he was giggling about Mrs. Slut Sharp that's always trying to get in his jeans." Sue bit down on an exposed nipple, causing Mercy to squeal.

Kate said from the other side of Juanita, "Do they go through this most every morning around here? Come on Steve, Juanita, and I will get you showered quickly."

As the three of us were sliding from bed, Sue and Mercy pounced on the other two girls. Mercy was laughing, "Oh no, you don't. If we don't get any, you don't either. No fair sneaking in some playtime in the shower while we're deciding who goes first."

I turned to the girls. "If you ladies would excuse me, I'm going to take a quick shower and dress. I think my other girlfriend is waiting for me." I hollered, "I'll be right out, Glenda."

Four pillows hit me as I turned to the bathroom.

I didn't get to shower alone, as Sue and Mercy both came into the shower, while Juanita and Kate were trying to be first on the throne. The two hugged me, rubbing their pussies on my leg. Sue said, "Mercy, I think we need more hot water don't you?"

With that, I felt two hot streams against my legs as the two pregnant ladies let go. Mercy said, "We didn't wait for a turn out there, we'll just wash you real good now."

They did wash me very nicely, and even gave me a taste test to be sure that I was free of soap. When they had sucked me in and pulled off with a 'POP, ' they stood giggling, saying, "Try us a little later. Perhaps we'll have time to finish that."

I got out as the other two ladies fondled me on their way into the shower. It's a good thing we had such a big shower, as the four ladies seemed to always be in there together.

I walked out to the patio with a cup to get coffee and my hairbrush. After getting coffee, Glenda took the brush from me and began brushing my hair. "You know, Steve, you might want to consider trimming the length a little. It's way down past your belt. You keep it in your shirt almost every day. Why not cut it down some? I'm sure you would be more comfortable."

While considering what Glenda was saying the thought came that I love Sundays. All the women wear the thinnest, most daring, gowns they can find. John and John were going to be pleasantly surprised. I know Merlin has a fit when he sees all that is displayed.

Sue came out, carrying Lizzy, "Glenda's probably right. Your hair will be easier to take care of if it's shorter for our trip. Think about it. You've cut your beard and now only have the porn star mustache that I love so much. You haven't lost your identity with the beard gone, so you can always let it grow back out if you cut it a little."

Lizzy kept giving me sloppy kisses as she hung from Sue's arm. Steve came and climbed into my lap. "Gamma Glenda comb hair?"

"Yes, Steve, I'm combing out your daddy's hair," Glenda smiled at my oldest son.

He looked at me and said, "You need hair like mine, Daddy, I don't have to comb it at all."

"Perhaps I do, Son. I'll think about that."

Stevie got down and ran into the house hollering, "Food, beckfast, food, hoongry, beckfast, peeeese mama nita."

Mercy was holding Mike and handed him to me for my morning hug and kiss. All three kids were taught to kiss by holding their hands on both sides of your face, then slobbering all over you. It's sweet, but messy. It does always bring a smile though.

Sue and Mercy took the kids into the house for some food. People were streaming into the patio. The energy level goes way up as the people gather to eat, drink juice, milk, and coffee, and to talk about the coming day.

Tiny said to me as he was talking to Tim about the school, "I have you scheduled to go to a Lear school tomorrow, Tuesday, and Wednesday. You're lucky, the school is being held right here in Tampa at your favorite Aero Park."

"Do I really need to do this, Tiny? I'm not planning on using that thing. That's why I bought the other plane. I bought one that would be big enough to hold my whole family plus some help for the kids."

"You need to do this while you have the chance. There are going to be trips where you will need to fly some of us around. If we use the Lear, we'll have the opportunity to get back home faster and if you fly us then we will have room for more people. Do this, Steve, it's a good thing."

"I thought this was a two day school."

"The first school is, but you've already been through that with John on two separate flights to and from San Francisco. This is the advanced school for your IP certificate."

"What IP certificate?"

"The one you're working on so you can teach people to fly. You will probably get to teach your company people to fly as you have opportunity. Your girls here that don't know how to fly, they need to learn."

John, our charter captain, leader, and pilot was laughing. "You know you have enough hours now that you should become an IP. You'll need to take some classes for standard and instrument instruction to get your CFI and CFII, but you would make a great instructor. Besides that, we need instructors out at the school. Pete says he been waiting for you to begin teaching."

Sue and Mercy did their "I love you" in each ear, with a kiss on each cheek. They always sneak up on me and do it so quick, it happens before I know it's coming. This must have been something they wanted, or I wouldn't have been given the "Kiss encouragement."

"So what's on the agenda tomorrow, Phil? Anything big happening with you?"

"Someone saw the S&S Super King Air in Key West and wants to complete a bid that we have in Europe. There are the Costa Rican folks who saw your plane near the coast. When they found out you were at the exclusive yacht club down there, they have sent us some bid specs for heavy super lifts to be used on their docks. Your painted up monstrosity of a plane brings us domestic business constantly. We've received several Canadian bids lately, as the plane has already been up there a few times."

Hank came over and said, "John, Tiny, and Phil, want Shawna and me to paint up a few more planes. He says it has become popular for people to say where they've seen us flying. What do you think? Do you mind if we have more planes that look like yours?"

I was grinning about the whole thing. Personally, I would rather have an unmarked airplane. Obviously the company enjoys some notoriety from the comical cartons on them. "When are you guys going to run out of ideas? My goodness, I don't think you ever repeat a cartoon."

"You make our life easy, Chief. Between Sue, Mercy, and you, there's always something funny going on. Now that you have the three kids, there is even more craziness every day. You still interact with the businesses. Every shop out here has stories to tell, so when we don't have an idea, we spend a few minutes wandering around and have enough to paint anything."

Abe was laughing, "You haven't seen the two new big delivery trucks we have now. They look like the race day trucks, only without the race themes. There are racecars and trucks on them, but they only reflect what we do on them. They do get a lot of attention out on the road. We even get calls to find out if we sell small orders."

I asked Phil and Abe, "So are all the field tech and field sales guys driving painted up trucks too?"

Abe was smiling but Phil answered, "You betcha. Everyone out there who drives a company vehicle has one that is painted up like that. Chicago has four. Ryan is sending stuff down every week so it can be painted for the various dealerships. It has become our trademark."

Shawna said, "We do paint most of the dealership trucks using the same cartoons and themes. If we know the people there, we might slip something in, but they are mostly the same."

I thought for a minute, "You know you should paint the Beech 200s the same. That way they would think the plane is really busy. Who has to tell them we have more than one."

Shawna said, "We could do that, but there's too much chance two could be at the same place at the same time. It's better to make them different, with a different color theme and different cartoon theme."

When breakfast was over, I drove John back out to the Aero Park, where I looked over his numbers and his forecasts as to projected airplane purchases and projected charters. He said we were leasing most of our stuff on an annual basis, so if the economy went to pot, we could dump the leases quickly. The first Gulfstream was on a five year lease, but the second one was on a three year with options for a one, two, or three year renewal. Since we were paying maintenance costs, we had pretty advantageous leases.

When the other pilots came in, they were teasing me about becoming a jet jockey. John said that I was going to the advanced school during the coming week, so they asked if they should begin scheduling me for charters.

"No, no, no. The only way I'd do a charter is with another pilot and only if it were the only way it could be done. I'm an amateur, not a pro like you guys."

I watched as together with the mechanics, they went over write-ups and inspected the planes they were going to fly. I waved goodbye and left.

Instead of going back home, I went down to the shop to check on things. Debbie had said the world was at peace as everything was going well, except that we had more orders than time and people as usual, but it did look like some of the production demand would be slowing down soon for the holidays. Ruth had told me all was well, but the construction company was in need of more people as usual, and that she was spending far too much time handling immigration problems. I looked over all of the reports on my desk then went home to enjoy the rest of Sunday.

At home, when I asked Tiny about it, he said that we had two young attorneys that were now employees that did nothing but immigration work. When I asked if the cost of this legal work outweighed the benefit of the workers, Tiny said, "I've watched the numbers on the construction of everything we've done so far. Henry has been double checking too. So far we're ahead hiring the way we are. We don't hire until they have a work visa or green card. We are helping them to get that far. An advantage so far, is loyalty from those that we've assisted. We do have an anomaly though."

Tiny's pause prompted me to ask, "What?"

"The men and women we have assisted with immigration are signed up for the English classes two to one over the legal Spanish speaking employees. Another benefit appears to be that the Haitians we assisted are bringing local black workers in that we've been training in the trades. As soon as they see Terrell and Darnel leading the construction crews, the locals dig in and work hard to rise above the rest. Interesting isn't it."

I said, "I want you to pay attention to the bottom line with the construction group because of our additional costs in assisting people with immigration problems. So far you've helped swing idea after idea into money making ventures. Hopefully we can keep doing it."

"I'll watch carefully, Steve. We're becoming pretty big and very diversified. If we fall off in one area, we pick up in another. Our original businesses are still in demand, with each additional group producing more than expected. I think we've been at the right place at the right time and lucky to attract the right customers to us."

Mercy was skipping around like a kid. I said to her, "Pretty active there, Lady, considering you're bouncing three of my kids around like that."

Her face colored a bit before she said, "I'm excited. I have an idea of how we can keep both boats. It won't make a difference which one we keep. Come sit and let me tell you about it."

Sue brought me a frosty mug of beer and sat on the arm of the chair. Mercy looked around and appeared to wind herself up. "I checked all over today, and did not find one company that chartered sailboats in this area. A guy in St. Pete will take you out on his forty footer overnight, but doesn't make provision for food, a crew, or anything."

Mercy opened a file folder she had, and said, "I want to charter one or both of our boats to large parties that wish to go out for a weekend, a week, a month, or whatever. We already have a crew that can crew either boat, plus take care of the passengers. We can modify the Magellan so it has crew's quarters, but realistically we don't have to do anything to the big boat. When it gets here, I want to get a floor plan so we can look at it and get the crew's opinion. What do you think, Steve, could we keep both boats and charter them? I think we would have constant charters. The closest big sailboat charter is Miami. There isn't even one in Naples."

"Have you spoken to Tiny about this yet?" I asked, thinking that Tiny would have some numbers on Mercy's idea.

"Not yet. I didn't want to mention it to him until I knew how you would feel."

"Well, little mother, talk to him about it, and between you and Sue, you need to decide which boat you're going to take to Europe."

Missy was sitting with us and said, "I think they should take the big boat. If you do, I'll go with you. Merlin said he could live without me while I went on your adventure."

"I said that 'I would manage' if you decided to go off on an adventure," Merlin said, while tickling Missy.

I began to ask what Sue thought about this idea, when she came up to us and said, "Did Mercy convince you to keep both boats yet, or do I need to drag you into the bedroom to bribe you."

"So you want to go into the sailboat charter business too?" I asked this, knowing she did.

"I think it would be more like charter cruises. We could pay for both boats with what we could get on charter for them. Let's say two or three couples took the boat out for a month's cruise. You're talking some big bucks. If you figured six of those a year, less the cost of the crew and any upkeep, the boat would pay for itself quickly." Sue then added, "The Magellan will handle more people now, so figure it to be a one or two couple cruise. That will pay for the boat quickly as well."

I told Mercy, who was waiting for my answer, "Just ask Tiny. He'll guide you and will probably want John to pick up at least one more large boat for charter."

Mercy was now all smiles, "Oh goody. I hope he looks for at least a hundred footer. I love the way the big boats sail."

Sue and Mercy cornered me later and had me sit with them to discuss the coming trip.

Sue began, "Right now if we were to sail to Europe, we would take our core group which is you, me, Mercy, and Juanita, plus we would probably take Maggie. I'm up in the air about Kate, as one, it would mean an extra kid, and two, Hannah wants her in the park daycare center. We really need her talent over there."

Mercy said, "I'm neutral on this because I do like Kate and Carson and would enjoy having them along, but I know that if my mom comes along, we would have that much more help with the little ones.

"You guys know that this could become a very boring trip. It will take several days to cross the Atlantic to the Straight of Gibraltar, plus a few more days to Greece. We will probably have a few days of rough weather, with some days where we'll have to use the inside weather helm all day. Those days will be rough on the kids, because they won't get any sun or outdoors fun."

Sue said, "That's part of the mystique, the adventure. We want to experience being in a storm, we want to experience the open ocean. This trip is more for the adventure than anything else. How many people can say they sailed across the Atlantic and into the Mediterranean?"

When I looked at Mercy, she said, "All that stuff and the fact that I just love to sail. I want to go up on the bow when it's storming out and feel the sea in my face. I know that sounds crazy, but I want to do that."

Missy was standing in the sliding door opening, so I waved her over. "Missy, are you really serious about coming with us. It's going to be a long trip, and possibly one with some degree of difficulty."

She surprised me by repeating what Mercy said. "I love to sail. I want to feel the wind and water in my face when we're in a storm. I think this would be my greatest adventure."

Sue, Mercy, and Missy were all looking at me apprehensively. "Okay, Missy, you're in. When the big boat gets here, the ones who are going on the cruise will accompany me out across the gulf and back. I want to see how the boat handles and experience it a little more. That will be four or five days so plan on it. We'll need to learn the boat and for all of us to learn how to handle it."

Juanita came over to us and asked, "Are you planning the boat trip? I want to be sure to be included."

Mercy pulled Juanita down to sit, squeezed between Sue and her. "You're a must for the trip, Nita. We can't go without you."

"Sue? You have to make up your mind about Kate," I said. "Would she be better off staying here to run the daycare or do you want to take her with us?"

Mercy got up saying she would get her. Missy got up too as she said we needed to make that decision without her.

Mercy came back with Kate. I addressed the situation quickly. "Kate, we're trying to plan our trip and crew to go to Europe. Whether you go with us or not is important, as Hannah has plans for you in the daycare, as does Sue. You however have just been handed a new scenario in life by probably becoming a single mother. What do you think? Do you want to begin working out at the daycare center or would you rather come with us."

Kate looked at the three other girls and at me for a long time. "This thing with Jim has me very confused. I still love the man. He's the father of my child. It's crazy the way he went off with men. He wasn't even hiding it when we found him and those three guys. I'm really confused by him right now."

Kate continued, "If I take that job today, I'll be making enough for Carson and me to be comfortable and so we could take care of ourselves. It's a great opportunity that I would hate to turn down. However, the trip sounds so neat. I'll probably never get a chance to go to Europe or go on a sailing adventure like that again. Carson is young, but he'd remember the trip as well. I am a little scared of going out into the ocean like that, but I was apprehensive about flying down to Costa Rica. What I'd like to do is to start out getting the daycare center organized before going on the trip with you guys. When we get back, I'll go to work full time out there either as the principal leader or a worker, whatever is available."

Sue said she would be back in a few minutes. She disappeared into the house. We chatted about five minutes, until Sue came back. "Hannah said that she really wants you to come out there and start work but can understand the lure of sailing to Europe. She said for you to come out today and begin looking over the center and making plans. Between now and when we leave, begin putting into place the appropriate procedures that are required to run a center. When you get back, you will head that department. Will that work?"

"That's more than perfect, Sue. Carson and I will have a great time on the trip. Thank you all for taking us in and treating us nice. You have been a blessing. I'm going to change and go see Hannah."

Sue said, "Keep in mind this not a regular workday job. Since the plant is open seven days, the daycare has to be open that much too. Hannah is taking the place of one of the regular girls today."

I told Sue, Mercy, and Juanita, "You should encourage Kate to teach some classes to ladies to become childcare givers. I'm sure there is a lot to entertaining fifty to sixty kids five and under."

"Good idea, Steve, I'll get with her about that," Sue said, as she was getting up.

I stopped them all one last time, "So the crew will be us four, plus Maggie and Kate, with Missy as a passenger?"

Mercy said, "Maggie may not want to go on the very long trip. She said she gets too homesick when she's away."

I asked Sue, "Should we ask around and see if anyone else would like to come along as passengers? We'll have plenty of space."

Sue answered, "I'll think about it, but I think I'd rather us keep the crew small and limit the total people on board to just those we are very close to."

"You are the boss, Lady." I said, saluting her and receiving a grin.

While we were eating pizza and wings that night, I got a call from the crew on the big boat. They told me they were about an hour or two out, depending on how hard it was to navigate into the yacht club. I told them I would meet them and we would put up a green flashing beacon where to head the boat. I told him that since it was dark, to just come in bow first.

Mercy listened to my side of the conversation and said, "Let's go. We want to be there when they get in to help tie it up."

Mercy went to Sue and Juanita to tell them. All of a sudden, there were multiple cars and trucks going to Dunedin to see the new boat.

Once we were at the yacht club, I was able to find the flashing green light to place at the end of the pier. The club had several, so I put another at the end of the pier the bow would be at. There was hardly any moon tonight, so our night vision was screwed up by all the lights down at the docks and piers to help people come in.

We saw the boat coming. They had all the sails down and covered already, and were slowly motoring in to get their bearings. They slowly edged their way next to the pier and were only drifting applying reverse props to slow the big boat as it came in.

The onboard crew threw out two lines fore and aft that we were able to tie up quickly so the boat would not only stop, but be secured, at the pier. I heard the engines go off, leaving the fans on for a few minutes to clear any exhaust that may have accumulated. The yacht club attendants were hustling to arrange shore connections to the boat but said they didn't have a holding tank cleaning hose to reach out here. We would have to move to the fuel docks to clean the holding tank.

The crew had brought all of their gear topside to leave the ship. I held my hand up and asked them to step back into the lounge.

"I have a proposition for you guys. It includes all of you and may or may not be something you would like."

I paused a few seconds, making sure I had their attention. "My family has decided they want to keep both boats and want to start a charter cruise company. They will charter out the boats between our personal cruises. They have a business plan that would charter the Magellan boat for a week to a month with up to three couples. We would supply the crew and meals. So the questions are, would you guys be interested in becoming salaried employees, and do any of you know how to cook?

The four guys began laughing. The one who was the leader before said, "That's how we met. We were in chef school in New York City and found out that all four of us wanted to get hired onto a small cruise charter boat as a cook and crewmember. We've had a few gigs as crew already, and I can tell you that we won't let any paying passenger ever starve. We love to cook from fancy to simple. Sure we'll stay, but do you want us to keep living onboard or where do you want us to stay."

Sue said, "Stay onboard tonight and perhaps the next few nights until we can find you appropriate living conditions on shore. Would you guys want to share a house or large apartment, or would you all rather be by yourselves."

The leader guy said, "We'll be alright together but we would need separate beds like on the boat. We don't mind bunking together, but there is enough closeness without sleeping with another guy."

I finally remembered the guy's name, "Okay, Greg. Tomorrow we'll bring you guys out a company car and you four can go find a place. Make sure it's comfortable and close so you don't have to fight traffic to get to the water. We have some charter fishing boats you might want to crew on sometimes for a change, but we will be looking to have you four take paying passengers out on the sailboat. You know, make it one of those romantic cruises."

Sue, Mercy, Juanita, Kate, and Maggie had been leading people through the boat, showing them everything they had been shown before. Everyone was duly impressed with the boat. The crew took their gear back down below to the crew's quarters, and I was finally able to get everyone out so the crew could relax after their fast trip up here. They had made remarkable time getting here.

At home on the patio, the five women planning on going to Europe were writing down what to check for on the boat and what they knew they would want on the trip.

John and I were talking about what kind of improvements I wanted. "Easy, John, I want everything on the big boat that I have on the Magellan, everything. If possible, keep what's on it now except where improvements are being made, like the long range radar, replace it with the new style. Replace the radios with a full array of good radios like those on the other boat. I want a good autopilot, the best in collision avoidance, satellite links for TV, computer, and phone, plus the personal protection anti-personnel detection system. Anything that will make the boat safer and easier to operate, get it."

"Do you know any shipwrights that could do some minor remodeling for the girls? They want the kitchen changed around a little. They'd like the counter with fixed stools, with room for high chairs. They may want improved cooking surfaces too, because we do enjoy eating. I think the rest of the boat is very livable the way it is."

John nodded, saying, "There are several in this area that can do what you want before your trip. Do you have a departure date yet?"

"None yet, John, the girls will let me in on their exact plans soon. They like to keep me guessing for a while, then spring the date on me."

John said, "I'm going to leave you guys now. I'd like to sleep in my own bed for a change. Yours is nice, but I would really like to go home. Have the girls call me in the morning to see if they are coming out to the boat."

Soon, everyone was leaving for the night, getting ready for the coming work week. The four-day holiday was over. I didn't feel as if we had really taken a holiday, except for Thursday.

Kate wanted to sleep in the other room with Carson, so the bed was only partially crowded. No hanky-panky tonight. We were all tired out from the hustle and bustle.

Original Editing by Pepere
New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 52

I woke up seeing the numerals on the clock click to five fifty. After taking a deep breath, I slid from bed and began my morning routine. I wanted to make a list of things I wanted accomplished before Christmas. I also wanted my head clear for the Lear school I was attending.

Kissing the girls awake brought the usual protestations, but they all did get up and begin the day.

I had coffee with Glenda while I made my list. It wasn't that long, but it covered a variety of areas that I would need all of my leaders to help me with.

First, this morning I asked Tiny whether or not it was our responsibility to house the crew onshore. He said he thought so, but would check with John. He said it was a tradeoff though, because if we paid for onshore housing, they got a lower salary.

I kissed the girls goodbye at seven forty-five, in anticipation of the class starting at eight. Boy, was I wrong. When I entered the operations building at the Aero Park, Pete asked why I was so early.

"I figured the school would start at eight or at the latest eight-thirty."

Pete laughed, "Please, these guys are hardly awake at eight. This morning, they are supposed to start at nine, but they will probably tell you ten tomorrow and Wednesday. They do fly late though and they do tend to continue teaching long after five. They are definitely not early birds like you and your whole company."

Instead of just sitting, I walked over to the charter office and up to my office there to look over any reports that may have been left for me. I was able to sit in my office and watch activity both outside, in front of the building, the hangars across the tarmac, and inside the hangars on both sides of me. By eight thirty, almost all of the little 152s and 172s were out of the hangars, prepared for student pilots. Ryan's plane was also parked ready to go. When it was getting close to nine, I went back to the ops building, ready for the school.

The three instructors introduced themselves and discussed the agenda over the three days. We watched an hour movie on the Lear navigational system. When that was complete, they handed out workbooks that would help us learn the system. Next was another movie about the intricate instruments and gauges of the Lear. It was comforting to know that the instructors said that we would eventually learn them all, but right now if a gauge was reading out of the ordinary, a cockpit alarm would go off and a small flashing red lamp would appear within the gauge. We could interpret the reading on the gauge by using the flip chart and follow the description line to the contents. They did make it simple, considering how complicated an airplane it was.

We ate a catered lunch and went back to class. The afternoon was more of the same. We studied the navigation system completely, from startup through landing. It really wasn't far off from the way my instrument instructor had taught me, so I didn't really have a problem.

Around five thirty, the lead instructor said he would meet us with our flying clothes on around nine-thirty to ten o'clock. He reminded us that we should not drink anything twelve hours before we were to fly. The other five men and I just nodded, knowing we would have a few beers for supper anyway.

When I arrived home, the place was busy. I usually experience people coming in after work until the place rocked. This time when I got there the place was already rocking. The four little ones were wound up, running all over, playing one form of chase that only they knew the rules to. The women were busy getting food on the table and the guys were all gabbing about their day.

I hardly had a sip from a frosty mug before it was time to sit down to eat. Sue said that Mercy, Juanita, and she had a ton to tell me but would wait till later.

Finally, when the tables had been cleared and some form of order had been established, Sue and the girls had me sit with them in the living room with the three little ones.

Sue began, "The Magellan people came today and began the remodeling. I changed a couple of things in anticipation of chartering it with a crew. They said the changes were inconsequential, so it wasn't a problem."

"We went through the big boat very carefully so that we would know what was there and what wasn't. There are enough linens to last the whole trip without washing a sheet. Not really, but it seems like it. There are plenty of towels and bath stuff. They have not just a couple, but a case of extra toothbrushes on board. So if we have unexpected guests, they can have clean teeth. The onboard stockroom has lots of personal hygiene products, tons of soap for the body, the dishwasher, and the clothes washer."

Mercy said, "The way the bedrooms are now, is perfect for us. There is a small study off the master stateroom that we will convert to three beds with rails. We can change this room around constantly, as it has enough room to hold even the five additional kids we're getting."

Juanita added, "We're going to store some of the furniture that is now in the below deck lounge so the little ones have more room to play. We're also going to put some gates up so they won't get out easily. I'm sure Carson will figure out how, but Kate said he minds well. The good thing is that we're having the one wall removed between the galley and the lounge so we can see into the lounge. from the galley. Whoever is cooking or preparing anything can watch the kids."

Sue took over again, "I worked out with John where we wanted phones in addition to the boat's communication system. We also fixed locations for computers, TVs and personal radar displays. If we had to, we could leave next week, but we have over a month, so we'll get everything done we want to get done."

John was sitting with us and finally spoke up. "I've found two more boats of hundred and five feet and one that is a hundred and twenty-five feet. Both of the boats have been used for charter cruises so they are both ready for paying customers. They both had recent bottom cleanings, and both have existing crews that we need to run through Interpol and the FBI. We ran the crew from your new boat and they are all clean. I think you can have three crews for four boats, since they won't all be out at once. If it comes to that, we'll get more people."

"John, you need to talk to Tiny about more boats since he's the one gung-ho on starting this charter cruise company."

John replied, "I already talked to him, and he said to mention it to you to see if you have any major objections. You don't, so I guess it's a go. Oh, yes, I almost forgot. We bought a hundred and fifty foot motor launch today. This thing is plush and ready for any kind of party known to man. It was such a good deal that Tiny and I couldn't keep from buying it."

"That's not normal, John. How many charters are we going to get to keep up a hundred and fifty foot boat?"

"Lots Steve," John said. "The boat is chartered continuously up through next July. I think we'll do okay with it."

"So why was it on the market if it's in so much demand?" I had to ask.

"Easy," John said, "the couple who own the charter company are busting up. The finance company they own boat with said that they had to sell it immediately or they would repossess it."

"Okay, I'm game, what did you steal a hundred and fifty foot yacht for, you gangster?" I asked John, laughing and almost crying.

"Enough that I could immediately remarket the boat and almost double our investment. They don't have time, I do."

"I suppose I should look at all of this and say 'sweet, ' then go smoke some of the loco weed that you guys are using."

John said, "You bring the luck out. People who don't know you, shake your hand and know you won't screw them, either short or long term. They are willing to take their rock bottom number because you are involved. You have that lucky horseshoe up your butt."

Shawna had heard some of the tirade said, "He not only kissed the Blarney Stone, he fucking made love to it."

I smiled at everyone and said, "The luck was always right here. I just came along and unlocked it so we could all enjoy it."

Tiny said, "Amen."

When we went to bed, I questioned Sue, Mercy, Juanita, and Kate about whether they had gone through the boat completely. They said they would do it again tomorrow to make sure they had looked and poked around the entire boat.

Sue said, "We didn't notice before but the big bed is much bigger than a king. It's a custom that's almost two feet wider than a king size. It's big enough we can get another candidate for the harem."

With that I grabbed Sue and put her over my knee gently and squeezed and patted her luscious butt, telling her how naughty she was to even think that way.

This night, Juanita demanded some loving, next Kate said she needed to feel loved. Of course, after that it was time to love up my second and my first wives. By the time ten-thirty came, I was limp, my dick was limp, and no amount of cajoling would get it back up.

Wednesday became a big day in my life, Ho, Ho, Ho. At breakfast, before running out to the Aero Park, Sue wanted to fit me with a Santa suit, Ho, Ho, Ho. The entire time I was trying it on, I was either being groped by horny ladies, or laughed at by my comrades, Ho, Ho, Ho. They even had me try on the fake beard, then asked me if I wanted to eat any pussy. Ho, Ho, Ho. Apparently there was going to be a Christmas thing at the two clothing factories, one at the main shop and one out at the business park, which would include Santa giving away presents. Ho, Ho, Ho. The clothing fit, the extra pillow helped make the pants fit, and the fake beard made me unrecognizable. Ho, Ho, Ho.

I made it to the Aero Park by nine-thirty, which was still early. When the four guys showed up, the students were ready to go. All of us had done the preflight inspections on the four aircraft. One was mine, and the other three were Lear training school aircraft. We divided up into teams and took off to continue to learn the aircraft characteristics and the flight navigational system. We flew till we were low on fuel to and landed, refueled, and took off again. When we finally settled on the runway at four forty-five on Wednesday, I felt confident I could fly the plane anywhere, anytime. I had also learned a lot about being an instructor pilot. This had been a good course.

Upon finishing up for the day, we met in the operations building training room. There, the instructors began giving out our certificates and entries for our logbook. When they addressed me they said, "Our thanks to Steve and his company for hosting this school here. As all four of you know from flying with him, Steve is one of our best pilots, and certainly one of the safest. To commemorate your accomplishment, here is a plaque from Bombardier to show our appreciation and to honor your flying ability."

"Now the good part for most of you guys. If you have flown a Lear with their navigational system, you will be able to fly most Gulfstreams and their navigational system. Steve, I understand you haven't flown the Gulfstream yet, so we have one reserved tomorrow morning. You will be checked out on the Gulfstream V. If you do it the way we think you will, you'll be cleared to pilot the bird in either the right or the left seat."

"Thanks, guys. But you know what I want to fly? I want to fly a fighter, I want to go up to Mach 2, I want to do loops, rolls, and dives that pull your guts out at the last minute. I want to fly crazy for a few minutes. Sure, I know it's important to fly safe but I want to be nuts too. Right now though, I want to thank all of you for saying nice things about me."

One of the instructors said, "Too bad you're getting a late start on this stuff. Otherwise, we could probably get you into a Navy fighter school. The Air Force is all stacked up with people who can fly, but not the Navy. They have carrier positions open all the time."

"I'd do that. I'm only thirty-one going on thirty-two, so I still have time."

"Naw, you don't," the instructor said. "They like to get guys out of college and teach them to fly. They're flying hot stuff by twenty-five to twenty-six max. Even with your experience, they would never let you fly current stuff. If you want to take a chance, join the Air National Guard and see if you can get into a fighter wing. They might let you fly fighters."

"That's a thought," I said, contemplating the comment.

"Remember though, that you could be in an immediate call-up that might send you to the Near East to fly sorties over sand."

"There is that, isn't there," I said, thinking a little more practically.

We finished up and the instructors refueled their Lears, and took off heading home.

The students all shook hands and departed for our homes.

The meal was just about over by the time I arrived at the patio. They had saved me some meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, and lots of gravy. I stuffed it down with a couple of beers and joined the guys in their discussion of the day.

Star was with them, discussing her tool finds for the day. She was handing out CDs that contained photos, the write-up, and a short video of the creator using the item. We put one in the player for the big screen and let Star emcee the show. Each tool was unique. Of the seven she had, three were definitely marketable. The other four could be, but would not be as profitable.

Abe said he would try to duplicate the manufacture of the pieces and get back with us. Star said she had a full day tomorrow, and the rest of the week, with scheduled showings of various instruments. Next she inserted a CD that had a PowerPoint presentation on it. The presentation went through some common problems that companies had with marketing, giving a few brief descriptions of what our company did to become a multi-national, multi-billion dollar company. The conclusion to the presentation was a brief speech by Phil, saying that to find out when the next seminar would be held to call our 1-800 number. The whole thing was very professional.

I congratulated Star, and asked how she was going to get the presentation out to corporations. "Easy, Steve, I'm having CDs made up a thousand at a time and sending them to companies within specific geographic areas. When we have sufficient clients paid up for a class, we will work up out where the class will be held."

Phil said, "I just about have four days worth of material to teach from. If they go out and use what I give them, they could take us on, except we are already first in the market."

"Star, do you have a preference for when the first seminar will take place?"

"I sure do," Star exclaimed. The first one will be the last week in January, right here in Tampa. The second one will be two weeks later in St. Petersburg. From there we're going to Miami, Orlando, and Jacksonville. We may have enough people for a seminar in Tallahassee. We'll see, but we already have enough people to max out our first five seminars."

I answered her as I was leaving the group, "Sounds good to me, keep it going, and be sure to ask for help any time you need it."

As I was getting ready to shut down the patio, Tiny came to me and asked, "So you're qualified to fly the Lear, right?"

"Yes sir, I have it down now. I'm not afraid of it anymore."

Tiny looked at me funny, and said, "Can you fly us up to Montreal in the morning. We may be able to pick up the largest dealer in Canada."

"Tiny, it's the middle of winter. How are you going to make a decision on a place that's beneath a couple of feet of snow?"

"No problem, Steve, It hasn't snowed up there for several days and the place has been cleaned out. Cleaned out of everything, snow, equipment, parts everything."

"What happened?"

Tiny looked a little sad, "The company was in debt and couldn't meet their payments. The mortgage holder filed for the place and we'll be buying it from them.

"How does Onan feel about this kind of piracy?"

"They were the ones to call me about it. It's their idea that we should buy the company."

"Can you get me a meet with the owner? I'd like to talk to him before we go charging in there. Let's find out what's involved here."

Tiny said, "I'll call right now. If we are going to take advantage of this deal, we need to do it quick, like right now."

"Okay, Tiny," I said, getting my wind, "Find some Canadian attorneys and accountants to tear the books apart, and get it all to me as fast as they can, like tomorrow morning. Find me the former or current owner and let me talk to him tonight. Let's get it done."

Five minutes later, Tiny handed me the phone. A French-Canadian accented guy began talking to me. As soon as I told him my name and what I was calling about, the guy spilled his guts. "Mr. Sharp, I made bad decisions. I make bad deals. I let people take advantage of me. I know what I've done wrong, but now it is too late. If you want to hire someone who knows where he's gone wrong, I will work hard for you to make the dealership work."

"As soon as I get some numbers back, we'll be up there, and hopefully give all of your people hope their jobs will still be there."

Tiny told me he had two agents from the Chicago area going to Montreal to check on the business. I called the former owner again and advised him of the people arriving, the dinner, and the breakfast that was to be held there for all the employees.

"I'd like to take Henry with me, Tiny asked. "I need some backup on this one. There is enough going on that we will have to look at every needed part of a filter or mechanism going past aging or warranty. Thankfully, he's sold off most of his other inventory. We should be able to move a sales team in and begin making sales."

"Isn't Henry buried with Sue's stuff?" I asked, thinking we had just dumped him into Quality Wear.

Tiny grimaced, "Henry's knowledge is necessary for this. I'll send two or three guys over there to cover for him while he's gone. He's only going to be a cell phone call away."

Later, I told Sue and the girls what was happening in the morning. Sue said, "Why don't you fly up there tonight and hit the place first thing in the morning. It's eight-thirty now, you could be in the air by nine, nine-fifteen. Fly up tonight, wake up early and hit the floor there when the door cracks. You can get with the bankruptcy people quicker and make your deal."

I called Tiny and told him to put his clothes on as we were flying tonight. I called Henry and asked him if he could go at the moment. He laughed, "Yeah, I can go, but I have to finish what I started with Nancy. She'll be pissed if I don't get her off." You could hear Nancy scoffing at Henry.

While I took a quick shower and dressed, Mercy made coffee and sandwiches, and Sue called the airport up there to find a hotel for us. She also called the Aero Park to get the Lear out and prepped so we could leave immediately.

At nine-ten, I was lifting off the runway toward Montreal. We were armed with our passports, our wits, and a lot of paper. We were back in bed by two in the morning at the airport hotel. We left the plane in an inspection spot so Canadian customs could check it out.

Thursday morning

Where am I? Oh yeah, Montreal. What time is it? The clock says six. I crawled from bed, showered, and dressed. Tiny called just as I was going to go down to the restaurant, saying he and Henry were also on their way down.

We collectively woke up drinking some coffee and having breakfast. Tiny said the desk clerk told him our rental car was at the front door, so all we had to do was go get it. After we ate, we got directions to the distributorship and headed straight there. It was just seven and no one was there.

At seven fifteen, a big Mercedes pulled up and a prosperous looking guy got out, heading toward the door. I got out, telling the other guys to stay until I found out who it was I was talking to. As soon as I introduced myself, he was happy to meet me and wanted to know how we could make it so fast. I told him we flew. He shrugged his shoulders and led us into the building.

He led us to a small conference room and began making coffee for us. I asked him if he could help Tiny and Henry get some numbers together. He said he had some very current numbers, but I was welcome to all the information necessary to bail him out.

At eight, the man's financial people were there. He introduced our guys and left them to determine what was needed.

We toured the shop where he had a small rebuild area. He didn't have welding or sheet metal shops. He was primarily into sales of new product. He didn't even resell any rebuilt equipment. I noted several areas where we could build the business and what we could do to succeed.

By noon, Tiny and Henry said we could go talk to the bankers. The owner, a Mr. Phillip Bustaine, made an appointment with the banking officials.

Henry cornered Tiny and me in the restroom at the restaurant we went to, "I'm not comfortable with what we have. Something's missing, I can't track the goods shipped from Onan through here. The only goods I can verify is are that which wasthose drop-shipped the way we do it. There is quite a bit of merchandise that was sold just prior to the bankruptcy, but that is all easy to track. If you buy this thing, the owner should be responsible for everything prior to the minute you buy it. A contract has to be worded exactly like that. I know some attorneys up here; I'll call one out here so we can draft a deal if you want."

"Good work, Henry, you know what I want. Get us a legal eagle."

Tiny said, "I feel like everyone in the office is hiding something. The only thing we really want out of here is the distributorship. The building would be nice, but we don't need it. I'd bet Onan would give us the distributorship just for the asking and you can have this guy go pound sand."

I thought for a second and said, "When we get back to the table, I'll call Onan and ask them that exact question. This Bustaine guy will know we're serious and that we can get the distributorship without taking his buildings. Let's see if he changes his tune."

When I was on the phone with the head of Onan, I said, "We're not real comfortable with the numbers we've seen here. We can't track all of the equipment and there are several numbers missing that we need. My question is, can we just get the distributorship and buy or build our own buildings?"

I listened while the guy said, "You sure can. That guy owes us a bunch. You've never defaulted or reneged on a dime. You don't even have to buy it; Onan will award it to you. How's that?"

I pushed the speakerphone button on my cell phone and asked him to repeat what he just said. He said again, "You don't have to buy; Onan will award the distributorship to you. Is that good enough? A little advice though, don't go digging that guy out of his hole, then lose the whole thing in some scam he's dreamed up."

I thanked him and hung up.

You could see the face of the local owner turn white. "You would totally cut me out? How could you do that?"

Tiny said in defense, "How could you forget to give us so much information necessary to make a reasonable deal. By the time we refurbish this building to make it into what we like; we can build a new one. So far you haven't given us one reason to buy this place out. Give me one now."

The man looked at me like I had two heads, then sputtered around for a few minutes. I decided to help him. "You have quite a few employees, are they all loyal, will they work for a new owner? That sort of thing is important to prospective buyers." I gave the guy another push, "Are you current on your property taxes, and know that I'm not buying any debts you owe at this time, either known or non-disclosed."

He had been staring at the table, then looked up and said in a quieter voice, "Will you buy the property? It is without debt at this time."

"I won't buy it today, but I will buy it for the average of what two independent appraisers say it's worth. If the number is not to your pleasure, you can sell it on your own."

Bustaine asked, "What about my parts inventory, what about all of our tools?"

"I don't have time to inventory them and price them. I'm not comfortable doing business with you at the moment, and don't feel as if we can do business fairly. My advisors are terrified I'll give you a nickel, and I listen to my advisors."

"You're just going to walk out? You're not going to give me a chance?"

"A chance to what, cover up more of what you're hiding or don't want us to know? Come on, I was eager to do a deal today, and now I feel as if I've wasted good jet fuel getting here. Come on Tiny, Henry, let's get out of here. Mr. Bustaine, if you decide to clean up our deal, call me. Otherwise, watch for our grand opening."

We walked out of the conference room and out of the building to our rental car. Tiny was driving, so I told him to go through the area and look for a real estate office. I had Henry write down the names and telephone numbers of the commercial property for sale and for lease signs as we passed them. An office, with one of the names on a commercial for sale sign, appeared on our right. I had Tiny pull in. We walked into the office where we were greeted in French, followed by English. I asked for a sales representative who could help us find some property.

We were introduced to an Anthony Fontaine. He was all business and began doing the question and answer routine to find out what our needs were. I thought for a few minutes then said, "Tiny, call the office and have them e-mail the floor plan and pictures of the new St. Louis building. That way he will get an idea of what we need, either in building or land." Anthony gave Tiny his e-mail address while Tiny was talking to Ruth. She said we could expect her e-mail within a few minutes.

Anthony had the receptionist get us coffee. She had just brought it to us when the e-mails appeared on Anthony's PC. Ruth sent us a drawing of the property with the building placed on it, and a scaled down floor plan showing how the building was divided up. The last was a photo of the front of the building and an aerial photo that Ryan had taken.

I told Anthony, "This would be the minimum we would like. I'll give you some time to either find an acceptable building we can remodel, or find us the property to build on. If we build, I want sufficient surrounding property so we can expand."

We all gave him our contact information and asked him to report his progress three times a week. As we were getting ready to leave, I asked, "Do you have offices in other major Canadian cities?"

"Yes we do, Mr. Sharp, we have twenty-seven other offices. I can assist you in all of our areas. Let me know where you wish to do business so I can begin the search."

As we drove back to the airport, Henry said, "We're going to have to pay the attorney I called. We left before he could get there. I called him to cancel, but he had already left his office."

"That's fine, Henry. Pay him and send him an additional retainer so he can represent us in the city. Make sure we get some form of non-disclosure agreement from him, but let him know we're happy he was willing to come to our aid."

It was just after two, so we decided to fly home instead of spending another night away from our family. It took me longer than normal to do the preflight inspection, but I am just getting used to the plane. I called in a flight plan as we were warming up. I was diverted to Buffalo for a customs inspection. I told Tiny and Henry that we might as well get it done then beat feet home.

We landed in Buffalo, New York and were directed to an area where small fixed wing airplanes tie down. The Lear wouldn't fit so I sat in an aisle burning fuel until someone finally answered me. The controller said, "Oh shit, you're a Lear, damn, go to the front of the building with all the glass at eleven o'clock from where you're at. I'll call customs for you."

Two uniformed men came out to do the inspection. They checked my log and my fuel level. Smart. I could have diverted before coming here from Montreal. They went through our bags and the storage areas of the plane and declared us clean and terrorist safe. A fuel truck had been called for me and we tanked up quickly, paid our airport fees, and prepared to leave. Henry came running back with a big bag of sandwiches and a bunch of water, Coke, and coffee.

On the way home, Tiny and Henry swapped places so that Henry could experience flying up front. We had a nice chat about how we had finally ended up in Tampa. Once we were near home, I aligned us with the runway and used the instruments right down the middle until I touched us down.

Luckily someone was in the maintenance hangar when we landed and went over to the big hangar and opened the door on the side the Lear usually sat. I was able to spin the Lear so that its tail was pointed at the open door. After we had pulled our stuff from the plane and cleaned out our trash, I used the tow motor to push the plane back into the hangar. I set the chocks and pushed the button to shut the doors. I wrote up the low fuel and cleanup tickets, and laid them on the administrator's desk as we left.

I was impressed with the security. As soon as we got out of the plane a security guard was watching us, and when we had buttoned everything up he even double-checked the office door to make sure I had locked it. We shouldn't lose anymore planes out here.

It was late by the time I dropped Henry off at his trailer. I took Tiny back to my place, where we had a beer to relax before heading to bed. Sue, Mercy, Juanita, and Kate all came out to visit with me while we unwound. Ruth even came back with Tiny after he took his bag home. It took Tiny and I me at least three mugs each for us to feel as if we were ready for bed.

I was treated royally. Juanita suggested they give me a massage to relax me. They did such an excellent job, I feel asleep after only about five minutes.



-------

Chapter 53



Friday morning

When I woke up it was only five thirty, but I knew I wasn't going to be able to go back to sleep. My mind was buzzing about wasting more than a day going up to Montreal to make a deal, only to have it evaporate on us. I couldn't believe that someone who sounded so desperate could be so conniving.

I showered quickly and went out to the patio. As I left the bedroom, Kate and Juanita raised their heads to watch me leave. They both smiled. I thought they went back to sleep.

No sooner had I started coffee in the house and walked out to the patio, than Tiny walked in the back door. "You up because we were scammed?"

"I woke up and knew I couldn't go back to sleep, so I just got up. That whole thing didn't make sense. If the employees think about it, they are going to be out of a job, unless there is something else he's going to do or something that he's promised them."

Tiny took a sip of some freshly brewed coffee, and said, "I hope they enjoyed the free meal we sent over there. I wonder what he's going to tell them now. Perhaps some of them will break ranks and either call or send us an e-mail. Out of an entire distributorship, there has to be some good employees that are willing to work for a new owner."

"I don't know Tiny, the longer we were there, the worse my feeling about the place became. It's like we were being set up to become the biggest suckers in Canada."

Phil and Judy pulled up in their cart, with Abe and Alice, at six fifteen. Phil's first words were, "So when can we start shipping out of our Canadian distributorship?"

Tiny said, "Not until we build it and not until you go up to Onan and sign us up as the Montreal, Canada, distributor."

Phil was shocked, "What happened, I thought we were buying a guy out up there, the distributorship, the buildings, the inventory, the works."

Star came in the patio with a big smile on her face. She put a large bunch of folders down on the table near me and went for coffee. The bellhop from the hotel came in with our sandwiches, so she picked up two, along with her coffee and came back to sit next to me, handing me a sandwich.

"I have twelve new tools. At least seven are marketable. Will you have time later this morning to review them? Or do we need to set up a panel to review them together?"

I nodded to her, swallowing a bite of sandwich. "We'll look at them first, then we'll set up a panel to review them again. This is going well. Do you think you'll get many more?"

Star exclaimed excitedly, "I have over a hundred and fifty more homemade tools to be looked at, photographed, and taped in action. The guys are really excited about showing off their own homemade tools. They are almost all specialty tools for specific equipment, but they would have value for those folks who work on the equipment. I was working out a marketing strategy for the tools, and decided we would probably have to use industry magazines that reach the technicians, to sell what we will market."

"Good reasoning. Let's get a dozen or so really good tools separated and market them. Once we establish that we have good, usable, specialty tools, people will look at everything we market. We can publish a small catalog as an insert to trade magazines."

"Thanks, Steve, this is fun. I'm really excited about the idea."

Juanita and Kate came out and sat with me, saying that the mothers to be were stirring, so they would go back in to help get them started. Juanita said, "Sue and Mercy need a little extra sleep. I think we should make them take naps with the little ones every day. We want them healthy."

Star said, "With those two producing five at once, they're going to need a lot of rest. This is really a surprise for all of us. There isn't another set of twins out here right now. In a few years it's going to be the terror of the Sharps'."

When everyone left for work, I had Star stay back so we could review the tools on the patio. We went through each of the tools and I chose the same ones she had for immediate production. I told her that the others were good too, but were too specific for mass marketing. We could probably produce them, but they may not be profitable.

"You know what? There is another way to do this. Let's save all of the tools that won't be profitable, patent them for the creators, and put them all together in a book. We'll sell the book and perhaps make some money from it. If everything is patented, then someone could only make one for themselves and not resell it."

Star smiled, "You always have another way for your people to make a buck don't you?"

"I try, Star. That's why I'm here on Earth. I'm here to make all of my family and friends successful."

Star gave me a hug and a quick kiss on the lips. Sue and Mercy were both watching so she turned to them and stuck her tongue out at them saying, "It was just a kiss."

Juanita said, "I have my eye on you, lady. You are on my list."

"And what kind of list is that, Juanita?" Star asked.

Sue laughed, "It's her I wonder if she's fun in bed list."

Star actually blushed, as Juanita swatted at Sue.

My cell phone rang. Tiny's voice spoke, "We called it. The shop foreman was calling to find out what was going on. He said all the shop people had been promised nice separation bonuses and a job with us at an even higher wage. I told him the deal was in the air because we had not been told everything, so we were going to open our own place. He asked if our offer for higher wages was still valid. I told him that we had not offered anyone anything yet. We always paid fair, usually above market, for good employees. He said he represents all of the shop people and that we should negotiate through him. I told him that we would hire individually and that each man would stand on his own abilities. He came off his high horse a little. I have a phone number for him so we could use him as a starting point."

"That's good, Tiny," I said, thinking that this may turn out all right. "Have you heard from the owner, Bustaine?"

"Nope, not yet. I called the lawyer we were going to use yesterday and we agreed on monies for a retainer. He's faxing an agreement to me to look at and sign as we speak. If you want to review it, I'll hold it for you."

"What would I do with it, Tiny. I can barely read a contract, much less figure out what it says. That's what you're for."

"Thanks, Steve. Glad I can still be of service." He was laughing as he hung up.

I told the ladies, "I think I should be at the shop today. There are too many things in the works. Something may come up that we need to react to quickly. I'll skip the gym today, but don't you girls do that. You all need to go to the gym daily."

Sue gave me a hug and kiss, "You too, Husband. You need the gym just as much as we do if you're going to keep up with us."

Maggie had been listening to us and said, "I'll bet you're happy I'm past wanting some loving. My goodness, you have a regular harem going on here."

Mercy said, "It's our fault, Maggie, Sue and I can't keep our hands off someone like Juanita, and now she's as bad as we are. None of us could see letting Kate be lonely while she's going through the mess with her husband, so we wanted her to enjoy our man too. As long as Steve takes care of our friends, we're happy with him."

"I'll show you happy with me," I said, taking Mercy by the arm and swinging her till she was laying across my lap. I smacked her butt through shorts three or four times, not very hard, then stood her up. "Now be nice, young lady, or I'll have to limit your access to me and the pleasure I give you."

"Well, I don't know about that. Sue and I really wanted some attention last night and you just fell asleep. The night before, you were up in Canada, probably flirting with all of the French-Canadian girls. You better be up for us tonight, big guy."

"Oh my, the natives are restless. I'll see all of you later. I should go to work."

When I walked in the door, Debbie saw me and came out. "Tiny wants to see you right away. He said it's important."

When I walked into Tiny's office, he was on the phone. He held up his hand and said into the phone, "He's here right now. I'll call you back."

"Let's get some coffee. This is getting good. We went to the upstairs lunch room and got coffee. He began, "Our Mr. Bustaine was arrested by the Canadians trying to leave the country with a large amount of greenbacks. It seems he's performed some kind of trick on the banks up there that would have been attributed to us, but since we didn't fall for his bullshit, he had to leave quickly before the deal was done. The cops found the money and he couldn't explain it. When they contacted his bank, they said they were in the process of having him charged with fraud."

"The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are locking up his buildings right this minute, and apparently a couple of other employees were arrested for being involved. Can you believe how close we came to getting involved?"

Henry came in with a folder. "I have a complete employee list from up there, with their home phone numbers. How about we have an employment firm interview all of them, so we know whether or not we want to hire them? We'll find out who was arrested from the other group as well. If we go into business quickly, we shouldn't lose any marketing momentum that was going on. Can I proceed with this?"

Tiny said, "Do it. Call the real estate guy to and see what he has. The buildings from the old distributorship are going to be in custody for a long time. Let's find a building, even if it's temporary and get back in business as soon as we can. We can build a new place and use it as a marketing tool."

Abe walked in and drew a cup of coffee. "Sounds like we have some things happening up in Canada. That country has always been a pain in the ass. I'll bet Steve will tame it quickly and get some business out of there."

I smiled at Abe and said, "You mean you're not going to go up and start my rebuild shop up there?"

"Damn, if I had to do that, I swear I'd retire."

"Abe, you could take one of the big RVs up there and give them some pointers, make sure who I hire is going to be good, and make up a plan to have them come down here for training."

Abe thought about it for a minute, "I could do that. Put that way, it makes sense. I could pick and choose who I wanted to come down for training and see who needed factory training."

"That's the way, Abe. You would be able to travel around Canada a little and perhaps find another city where we needed to put a dealership or distributorship in."

"Good idea, Steve. I'll bet Alice would love to do that but not during the winter. I'll go up and check out everyone, but I'm not going up there to stay for a month this time of year that's for sure. I'd freeze up."

I had Abe come with me into the big office where I called Star to come up with the latest stuff she had. We looked at the twelve tools and Abe picked the same ones we did. I told him about the book of other tools and he said that was a great idea. "Mechanics and technicians are always looking for a specialty tool that will make their day easier. They enjoy making them as much as using them. Great idea, Steve."

I told Star, "For each tool we're not going to market right now, go back to the creator and have him tell you how he made the tool. Try to get the exact measurements and exactly how he made it. We'll want to put that into the book along with the picture. We might have to have a detailed drawing, as well. Actually, we'll have to have that for the patents anyway. It'll work. Make sure you put down exactly what equipment the tool can be used on."

Phil came to me with a huge stack of papers. "These are the presentations for my seminar. I made this whole thing like a screenplay, so you'll know exactly what I'm going to do and say when I do it."

"How about having Star set up one of her video cameras and you can give the seminar to the camera first. I'll watch that and we can discuss it."

"Good idea. You and Tiny, and maybe Abe, can watch it and critique it and me. I'll do that this afternoon if I have time." He was thoughtful and said, "I have four and half days of material. It'll take four and half days to tape it. Damn this is hard work."

"Tell you what, Phil, why not practice what you've written, then we'll tape the actual seminars. We'll use the ones that are the best to sell to those people who can't come in person. You'll get better as you go and I'll make sure at least one of our sales types sits through the seminar to critique you every time. You'll probably change several areas after you've given it four or five times."

Phil was smiling, "Star does say that she has three seminars just around here in January. By the time we go to Jacksonville, I should have it down pretty well."

"You'll probably be training our competition, but most of all, you'll be getting even more attention for S&S."

Ruth came to get Tiny, "Your real estate guy says he has just what you want. He's on line three."

Tiny said, "Let's take it in your office. We'll use that fancy speakerphone on your table."

When Tiny answered the call, he told the agent he was on speakerphone. The man said, "No matter. I have a brand new building about a mile from my office that was built, but never completed. The external size is the same as the one you showed me from St. Louis, but the land is a little larger. Instead of ten acres this is fifteen. This could be good in the event you did expand. I'm having an independent appraiser go over the land and the building and should have a realistic appraisal by tomorrow. Do you want to talk to the appraiser when he's done?"

I nodded to Tiny, "Yes that would be good."

"The building is a General Steel building but does not have any insulation or heating yet. So far, the snow isn't too bad so we should be able to get the building ready for occupancy in a couple of weeks. When do you want to look at it?"

I mouthed to Tiny, "Tomorrow."

Tiny talked to the guy, "We'll be there tomorrow to look at the property. Have the appraiser meet us after we look at the building and make sure we can do something with it quickly. We need to be in business up there yesterday. Just because it's Saturday isn't going to be a problem, is it?"

When Tiny hung up, I said, "Call the attorney to advise him of what's happening so he'll be on tap for tomorrow. The only thing we need to decide is, do we go up tonight or tomorrow."

Ruth was standing in the doorway, "You should probably go up tonight, but Steve is going to catch hell if he abandons his harem again so soon. Steve, you decide when to go."

"We'll go this evening. I'll call home and get them ready. I'll take them all with me and let them go shopping tomorrow. Ruth, want to go to Montreal? I could use Terrell so he could perhaps corner a contractor to build out the joint quickly. Ruth, call Terrell on his cell. Better call Deanne and tell her about the trip as well."

The first thing I did was call our charter service, "I need the Lear for tonight and the next few days. I don't think it will be more than three."

"You got it, Boss. John said to make sure the Lear was available for you."

I called Sue, "Want to go to Montreal to shop? Tell Mercy, Juanita, and Kate what we are doing and if we need to take the kids, so be it. I have to go so if you guys want to tag along and shop up there, come along. We will leave in a couple of hours."

Sue called me back, "Can I bring Hannah along? We need to try to get our products into a couple of big department stores up here. I'll call to make sure they will see me tomorrow. Juanita will come, but Mercy and Kate are staying home."

"Okay, pack up, we're leaving soon."

Tiny thought Henry should come along, so we had him invite Nancy along. We had a fairly full airplane.

Two hours later we were in the air, with Sue in the right seat. I spent the entire flight teaching her what I had just learned. She seemed to pick up the instrumentation quickly. I let her find the glide slope and get the plane on the ground, where I took over the taxi as the bird had a tendency to overreact to my clumsiness.

Sue had booked us into the airport hotel again, so we were whisked away to the hotel. When we checked in, Hannah said, "I'll stay with you guys if it's okay." Tiny had a room, Henry and Nancy had a room, and the four of us were given a giant double.

We ate some hotel meals and went to bed. While I paid attention to Juanita, Sue and Hannah were busy, and while Sue and I enjoyed our physical love for each other, Juanita and Hannah occupied themselves. Sue said, "Hannah, why don't you see if you can get Steve to give you just one more tonight."

She worked for it, and after some loving from all the women, I filled her with what she craved. She swallowed three or four times saying, "That's what I needed. I just love Steve's stuff."

Saturday morning

I woke between my first and third wife. At least, I think of Juanita as a wife. We showered quickly and met the others downstairs for breakfast. Since we are all early risers, we had plenty of time to plan our day. The girls were going to several stores. Sue and Hannah to market their products while Nancy and Juanita were going to comparison shop.

We were at the real estate office at eight. The agent showed about eight fifteen, embarrassed that we beat him there. We tried to explain to him that we were used to getting going early in the morning. We drove to the building and were surprised that it was so stark. There were no trees or bushes anywhere. It was a big fenced in area with a giant building in the center.

Terrell checked the construction of the building and said it was spec. He said he would have no trouble doing a build-out any way we wanted. I had Terrell ride back to the real estate office with the agent so he could get the names of some contractors. While the agent, Tiny, and Henry were working out the deal, I stayed with Terrell while he talked to several contractors. I could tell he was getting frustrated, so we went to see the agent again.

"I thought you said most of the contractors up here were hungry. Everyone we talked to said they couldn't touch any new work till late spring. What's up with that? Do we have to bring our own people in?"

The agent looked surprised, he picked up the phone and called someone, "I said you were looking for work and you told my client that you couldn't work for him till spring. What's the matter with you? I had to lend you a grand at the beginning of the month just so you could feed my sister and your kid now you're turning down work. What's up?"

The agent listened for a while then exclaimed, "No way, you have to be kidding." Again he listened for a long while then said, "I'll tell you what. If you don't build this out for this client, and do it fast and really, really good, I'll let my sister and the baby stay with us while you suck on those guys dicks. Let me know in an hour or you can eat shit and die for all I care."

He slammed the phone down and looked up, "I'm sorry about this. Some of the guys from the old company have called contractors all over the area to tell them that you guys are a bunch of scam artists who framed their employer. I already found out the man was scamming the banks and has had his property confiscated. I don't know how he's gotten the guys to back him, but he has. I'll tell my brother-in-law to call the police and find out. He needs the work. All his men need the work."

The agent pointed us in the direction of a restaurant that we would enjoy. Terrell was sketching a floor plan for workspaces and offices. He asked, "Are you going to have a welding shop? A sheet metal shop? How about a motor shop?"

"Terrell, I think we should have a large rebuild shop, and we could have a welding shop, but it would probably be all off-premise. We would need a place for the truck at night so it could be serviced, ready to work the next day. We might have to look at some carts; especially those special ones we've been building that have the rubber tracks for snow. They are pretty neat as they have heat, and even a radio. This might be a good market for them."

Tiny said, "You know you would have enough land to have another cart shop up here. You could build the cold weather carts here and what you need in the States, import them back down. That would leave the Florida cart shop to build all the others."

"Good idea, Tiny. I'd bet that if we brought in another contractor from out of town, we could begin getting attention from the local guys. How about inviting one of the big contractors to come in to talk to us? Make sure he brings his truck so everyone can see who's here. That should get them off dead center."

Tiny asked slyly, "What should I use for bait? I have to tell him what the deal is."

"Tell him the truth. Tell him that if the other contractors don't let loose within twenty-four hours, he can begin the build-out and the second building. Also tell him we'll feed him the best and put him up in a nice hotel. Tell him to bring his wife so he can have a nice time."

Tiny was back in a few minutes saying the contractor would be here this afternoon. When we got back to the agent, we told him what we had done with an out of town contractor. He immediately called his brother in law then slammed the phone down again. "He's calling the guy to tell him to stay away."

"We already told him about what the deal was. He said business was business and he didn't care what the locals thought, especially for a build-out and another building."

The contractor showed up at the real estate agent's office. We took him out to see the building, and he thought the same as Terrell. "The building is good. It's just not finished." Terrell showed the contractor his drawings so he could get an idea of what was needed. Terrell told the man, "I'd like to have you fly down to Tampa to see our other buildings. I could fly you to St. Louis too, but Tampa is where it all started. I'd like for you to see the quality of the construction, so you know what we expect."

"If a local doesn't take the job, I want it. I'd love to go down to Tampa to study how you guys build. I'm willing to learn from anyone. You guys insulate for the heat, I insulate for the cold. Has to be about the same."

I called Sue and asked her where we could send the contractor's wife so she could tag along. I hinted that the lady was larger than life. Sue got the picture and gave their location. We put the contractor's wife in a taxi and she was gone.

The cold was getting to me. "Okay, everyone has seen this place, knows what's here, and has a general idea of what we want. Can I buy this place now so we can get started or do I need to do something else?"

The real estate agent looked embarrassed when I challenged him like that. I wanted to get the deal done, enough messing around. The agent asked me to call my attorney and told my attorney the name of the selling attorney. I gave our attorney the numbers from the appraiser and told him to make us a good deal. I gave him my parameters and let him go.

I used the appraiser's number and deducted ten percent, because I figured it to be at least that high since building permits were up. Then I deducted another twenty percent because there was two feet of snow on the ground. Nothing sells except skies with two feet of snow on the ground. That's the max number I gave the attorney, with the bottom number another twenty-percent down. If the guy was worth his salt, he would begin with the low number knowing where he had to end up. If he couldn't make a deal, I'd have to reconsider my parameters.

Henry wanted to go with the attorney, so I called our attorney back and told him I was sending Henry. Tiny had a great idea. He wanted to find a bar and discuss the whole deal with Terrell, the contractor, and the nervous agent.

We settled into a booth in the hotel bar. I told Tiny this meant we couldn't leave for at least another eight to twelve hours. He laughed and said if necessary he would have another pilot flown up to fly us back. While we were all talking and laughing, the agent's cell phone went off. Her brother had called his wife, so the agent had to tell her the whole story. When he hung up he said, "I'll bet my brother-in-law calls me in less than thirty minutes."

Fifteen minutes later the agent's phone rang. The agent just said, "About time." Then told the person on the phone where we were. Just about the time our third drink was delivered, a young guy came in with his hat in his hand. As he approached the table, the out of town contractor said, "Hey Butch, how are you doing."

"Good, Marso, so it was you who was going to get the business here."

"I'm not going to pass up a winter's worth of work. I kind of figured on subbing some of the work out to you, but I didn't know you had been offered the job."

The agent introduced his brother-in-law, "This is Henry Montuso, my brother-in-law, everyone calls him Butch. Butch is the General Steel builder here and Marso is the General Steel builder where he's from. They do work together on big projects, but this one is probably just one guy."

I thought that I might work this out, "How about the two of you working together and getting this thing done in half the time. Do the build-out, and I'll have my guys design the second building so you can start on it right away. You'll need to pour on warm days or just pour where the steel is planted where you can heat the ground. Can you two work together?"

Marso asked, "Are you willing to pay the extra to work in the cold? To do the pouring that's necessary?"

"I want this building up and done. I want the first building in operation within two weeks. That's before Christmas. I want the second building in operation no later than April 1st. If something delays it, we'll work on it, but that's what I want."

Butch and Marso looked at each other. Marso stuck out his hand and Butch shook it. Marso asked, "When can we start?"

"As soon as the attorney calls us."

We ordered a fresh round along with a bunch of snacks. While we were snacking and drinking, the ladies arrived, all together. We brought some more tables close to the booth and got drinks for those that could. Sue looked a little forlorn, because she had to stay with Diet Coke. Juanita was sweet. She had Diet Coke along with Sue. I slipped some spiced rum into her drink, but she never let on to Sue.

Right at five, my cell rang. It was Henry, my brother. He said, "It's done. You'll like it. We've signed the deal and I've had our bank begin transferring funds. Where are you so we can join the party?"

After I told Henry where we were, I asked Tiny, "When did you give Henry permission to spend money or transfer funds. Is he an officer now?"

"I made Henry an officer of the company after the first month. The man is gold. I love the way he looks after your money. He says it's his job to do that. Now he knows he's looking after his money too."

Nancy said, "Henry thinks you are the best thing since sliced bread. If you listened to him you'd be walking on water. You've given us a new life, Steve, Henry appreciates it and will give you his all."

Tiny commented, "You see. The man is gold."

Sue told Nancy, "Steve trusts everyone, but has been taken advantage of so many times. He's given away over half the company, just so he knows he's not stingy. Since Henry is Steve's brother, who knows what Steve will do."

Marso and Butch were discussing how to progress. Terrell said, "I'll send you the blueprints for the St. Louis store, but you might want to come down to see our shops in Tampa. You'll get an idea of what we want. Our shops are special. We would like our shop up here to be special too."

Terrell continued, "When you see how he wants his logo on the floors, the walls, the roof, then you see all of his "perfect" signs. You'll know what a perfectionist you're dealing with. He's easy to deal with, as long as what you do is perfect."

"I'm not that bad, Terrell, I just want everyone to give me their best. If their best isn't good enough then I want them to want to learn how to give me their best."

Tiny laughed, "He's made a believer out of everyone in the Tampa area, that's for sure."

Sue spoke up, "My factories are all competing with each other on who does the most perfect work. There used to be barrels of seconds that were around every line. Now we don't need a barrel for an entire division. Steve has them all doing what he calls perfect work."

Henry and the attorney joined us, so we moved our group into the dining room. They had a prime rib special so we all feasted on prime rib and good sides. I quit drinking, as we would be leaving fairly early tomorrow. The coffee was excellent.

When we settled down that night, I thumped my wife and Juanita before they teased me into a mouthful for Hannah. That woman could suck a basketball through a straw. (Golf balls are way too easy for Hannah.)

At breakfast Sunday morning, Henry gave me the details of the deal. The attorney had started out at the price that I had given him as the low number. As soon as he was willing to come up, Henry began hammering on him to not come off the number. Henry said they continued to negotiate until they were about ten percent from my high number when the building owner and his attorney caved. They had drawn up the deal and signed it immediately, contingent on the title, tax, and lien searches. We had transferred a deposit in good faith, awaiting information on the pending items.

Marso and Butch came to breakfast where I told them we would use them to finish this project and would remember them in the future. We scheduled them to come to Tampa the day after tomorrow so they could see our method of operation and the buildings we have down there.

By noon, we were getting ready to fly home. Sue and I did the preflight, with me teaching her what to look for. I had her sit in the left seat and go through the same steps I had to learn to fly this fun airplane. When it lifted off the ground, almost leaping into the air, Sue squealed in delight. "I love this thing. It's fun."

We again had to land in Buffalo, New York for a customs and security check. I had to explain that Sue was a student checkout pilot. No one asked to see my ticket, so we were able to scam our way through that.

A few hours later, Sue was using her knowledge and the airfield's instrumentation to land. She does have a gentle touch when landing. Soon we were unloading our luggage and turning the plane over to one of our mechanics.

Once home, Sue and Juanita were all over the kids. You would have thought they were gone for a month not two nights. The ladies all wanted to hear how Sue did and the guys all wanted to learn what had turned out with the company stuff. Terrell gave the most information of what he had done and what was going to be done. The big interest came from us having another shop to exclusively build the snow machines up there. As we showed pictures of the new building with all of the snow, they were eager for us to retain the building of southern exposure machines and none of that snow stuff.

When the world calmed, I took my lovelies to bed. This time I began with Kate, made it to each of the ladies by loving them, but finally exploding while making love with Sue. After that extensive lovemaking session, the ladies were satisfied and I was still beneath one of them. I was in love, in love with life and my wonderful women.

Original Editing by Pepere
New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 54



Sue was still partially laying on me. We had fallen asleep after some strenuous lovemaking that left me in a stupor, and put her out, falling asleep using me as a mattress.

During the night, Sue had slipped to one side of me, while Mercy had snuggled closer and thrown a leg over mine. Nothing stimulates the mind and the lower extremities of a male like breasts smashing into your chest, arms, and face. The kicker was that there was a hand encircling my dick, squeezing, then relaxing, squeezing, then relaxing its grip.

As I awoke, if this kept up, I would reward the squeezer with a fresh batch of millions of little squigglies, ready to populate the Earth. I began to slide from the bed to free myself of the pile-on technique the girls used to keep me in bed.

A few minutes later, after the triple S (shit, shave, and shower), I was dressed and sitting on the patio smiling to myself about a great weekend effort by all our people. Glenda and Martin came in and joined me, followed shortly by Tiny and Ruth. Ruth said, "You needed to stay up there at least another day so we could go do more shopping. We hardly had any time to investigate stores.

Henry and Nancy came in and Nancy immediately said, "We needed to stay up in Montreal longer. We didn't have enough time to shop around."

I said, "Personally, I thought we did great. We were in and out of there, accomplishing everything we wanted, and it was even on a Saturday and Sunday. We even stayed over Saturday night, but that was mainly because we were celebrating our success.

Terrell came in and said, "I think the two guys up there are going to work out well. They both have good references and a lot of experience with General Steel construction. I'm glad they're doing it and not me. I'd freeze to death.

The patio was soon filled with excited, hungry, Monday morning workers, eager to begin the week. The girls all straggled out, one at a time, with the kids. The older kids were soon running around, excited because it was a new day they could play together.

Mercy said, "Sue and I have to go over to the boat and finish with what we want to do to it before the trip. Missy, Glenda, Maggie, Juanita, and Kate are coming too, so unless we leave the kids at the daycare, they will be coming with us."

Sue took a deep breath thinking about it, "I hate to leave them at the daycare, but they will probably have more fun there than with us. We'll probably get more done that way too."

I was given some go-to-work kisses and left them to begin their final outfitting of the big boat.

On the way to work, I realized there were only a couple of weeks till Christmas. How many did I need to get presents for. Sue and Mercy of course, but now I should probably get something nice for Juanita and for Kate. She may have a rough Christmas.

I didn't ask her what she did with making an appointment with the attorney Ben had referred her to. Charlie didn't get me aside to talk to me about Jim, so I guess he's being okay. The girls and I are probably not being good by keeping Kate if she's going to get a divorce. A little too much hanky panky going on.

I patted my shirt pocket to make sure I had my notebook and committed to myself that I would come up with presents for people. Stevie is going to have fun this year. Sue and I will have to tell Ben and Beth to not go overboard. I can see them borrowing my truck to bring boxes and boxes.

Lizzy and Mike are beginning to be pretty active. It won't be long until they will be walking too. I hope the two of them and Sean are buddies as they grow up.

First thing was a call from up North. Marso and Butch were both on the phone at the same time. They had a detailed bid they had worked up together and wanted to go over it with me. As I was talking to them, Debbie came in and gave me several pieces of paper, fresh from the fax machine. I asked the two to hold while I got Tiny involved.

Once Tiny was in the office, sitting with me at the little conference table, the Canadians went over the bid in detail. They were only including an office build out that matched St. Louis. They said they could use our blueprints from there to finish this building. Tiny said the bid looked pretty good, but there was a lot not yet included.

Next, we went over a rough drawing for the second building. I told the two that we would work up a plan for the manufacturing plant that would resemble our plant here. I asked them, "When can the two of you come down to Florida to see how I like my buildings. Your numbers may change when you see what I like."

There was a pause where you could hear the two talking to each other then, "Can we come tomorrow. We would both like to get to work on the first building. Our men could use the money. It's close to Christmas and a couple of weeks of work would go a long way to keeping them happy."

"I'll transfer you to Ruth to set up your flights. We'll put you up in our hotel out by the business park, so you won't have to worry about that. We'll cover your expenses while you're here, so you won't be out any money. I just want you to make the Canadian shops like the ones we already have."

I transferred them to Ruth and told her what they needed. She told me that she was going to call the charter company and use them. There would be less hassle to get them here quickly and it wouldn't be that much more.

Ten minutes later, she transferred them back to me and I told them they would be here only one night and would travel back to Canada, via St. Louis, so they could see the shop there on Wednesday.

Tiny had been looking at the estimates and commented, "This is a very comprehensive bid. They can add any changes easily. Their pricing seems reasonable and all of their numbers are in U.S. currency. They converted all of it. Their time estimates are a little tight, but then they will be using two groups of workers. The only thing we don't have is references of their work."

"Call Terrell and have him call General Steel. They should have some references for both of those guys."

Tiny smiled, "Good idea, I'll do that now."

I went down to the welding area to see how they were doing. From my window it looked like they were having trouble with a bunch of tubing. I went down to the shop and asked, "What's up, guys? Are you having a problem with something?"

Tim said, "This is the most screwed up design I've ever seen. It's for a monster truck. The guy said this design would give the truck enough flex to handle the big bounces, yet be strong enough to handle rollovers. But look at this, this thing is going to be hinged all over the place. The sheet metal will be popping off left and right."

I looked at the plan and specifications over and over, thinking I was missing something. Finally I said, "How far away is the buyer for this?"

Tim really was frustrated, "The guy is from South Carolina and wants this ASAP, like everyone else. I'm not sure this is going to work. The guys can do this easy enough, but they were confused, so they called me from the school to help."

"Okay, let's call this guy and talk turkey to him," I said picking up the blueprint. "It's his money."

Tim and I went into my downstairs office. Star wasn't there, so I used the phone there to call. After explaining our feelings to the guy, he said he would pay us to make it exactly like the blueprint. If it didn't work out, it would be his problem. He had been assured that it would work. Tim told him his feelings on what would happen to the sheet metal or fiberglass, but the guy was adamant. I asked Debbie if we had done much business with this guy and she assured me we had. I told him we would ship him the assembly tomorrow.

"Don't ship it. I'll have my guys come and get it. We'll check the measurements in your shop."

I had one last comment, "You don't have any holes noted on the frame to attach sheet metal. You don't have any steel platforms for the firewall or braces for it either. And lastly, if you've ever bought a frame from us, you know we paint them. There is a notation on the blueprint for no paint."

"We're going to do the rest of the truck up here. Just make it exact to the blueprint and we'll pick it up tomorrow."

After we hung up, Tim said, "I'll give it to the guys and tell them to be exact. It sounds like they'll nitpick before they take delivery."

I smiled at Tim and said, "Come on, let's you and me do this one. Give the guys something else. You and I can knock this out by early this afternoon."

Tim got a big smile, "Yeah, let's do it."

We took the blueprint back out to the shop and tacked it up. We put a plastic overlay on it and began checking off the already cut and bent stock. Our guys had done a good job. Everything was exact. Tim and I set up some stationary jacks, with jig guides, so we could begin. Tim started out with the bed and I began with the main body. We could work on the front end together.

We took a break about ten-thirty for a quick cup of coffee and for Tim to grab a quick smoke. We went back to work and completely finished the front end together by noon. We had to clean it up and connect all of the flexible areas, but we would be done by probably two or three.

Tim and I ate with the other welders and the sheet metal guys in the cafeteria. I didn't want to tell them, but it was my first time eating there. The food was good. They served large helpings and the meal was cheap. At twelve-thirty, after a quick smoke for Tim, we were back at the task. We ground, filed, sanded, and tweaked, until we were down to the last measurement of the whole job. While we were triple-checking the frame, we noticed a fairly large crowd gathering. Once the frame was complete, we put it on some rolling jacks and began cleaning up the work area. With everything put away and the floor clean, we stood back and high fived each other.

The people, men and women, watching began applauding. You kept hearing, "The boss can actually do that stuff." "Hey, the teacher did a good job with him." "The man is earning his bread today."

One of the four guys who had been tasked with the job told the crowd, "They just did the eight hours of work planned for each of us four combined, from nine this morning till now with a coffee break and a lunch break. That means they did thirty-two hours of work in what, four and a half times two, ah thirty-two hours of work in nine hours. I hope they don't come back to work out here. We'll be out of a job."

Tim and I slapped each other on the back before we headed off to do what we were supposed to be doing this morning. There were a lot of hoots and hollering as we left. I'm glad Tim and I did the job. It helps the men know we can work too.

As I went upstairs, I kept thinking, the two of us were rusty and slow. Just think of what we could do if we were in practice.

Ruth told me that the Lear was picking up Butch and Marso right about now, and should be back by seven. She had booked the two into the hotel for two nights, but if we were able to give them the tour early, the charter people said they had plenty of men who would enjoy flying the Lear.

I checked with Phil to see if he had a plan made up for sales. I was planning on opening the doors for business in Montreal the day after New Years. To give someone time to get up there, it may have to be a couple of days later.

Phil listened to what I was thinking and said, "I'll make up a plan with Abe so we can begin hiring the week before Christmas. We'll advertise a full week before we begin taking applications. I'll handle this just like St. Louis. We'll use the personnel company that worked for us and have them do the interviews and check out of the people. Abe and I will do the second interview between Christmas and New Years. The store will be in the black by Valentine's Day, Boss. Just stand back and watch."

When I went to see Tiny about the budget for up there, Henry was working with him on just that. The two of them had worked on St. Louis so they had a benchmark to go from. The only difference was the Canadian dollar exchange.

Everyone was taking care of the details. This place was like a soapbox derby. You build the car, take it to a hill, and give it a push. Everyone here was the hill and did the rest with ease.

I went next door to see if Jeff might be interested in starting a fiberglass shop up there. Jeff was all for it. He said, "I need a new challenge. Everyone here does such a good job, that I just sort of wander back and forth between here and the park. I do bids and work out new contracts, but I have to tell you, the men do the job."

"That's because you trained them to do a good job, Jeff. That's the key. You busted your ass getting the place wound up and now you can just squirt some oil on the gears from time to time."

"Steve, I have five tools that I think we can market. I have more but these five are really good and save time making fiberglass molds and the panels themselves. I've given the write-ups to Star so she will come to take pictures and videos. I think it's a great idea to market special tools. It's going to be a money maker."

When I left the fiberglass shop, I walked next door to look into the warehouse. What caught my eye was the entire side wall was taken up with various project cars in various stages of being put together. There were several Mustangs, a couple older Corvettes, several Camaros, some old pickup trucks, a wild looking sixty-six Lincoln convertible with suicide doors, and a bunch of other old cars being worked on.

As I walked down the row of projects, looking at the various stages they were in, Abe walked into the warehouse. "See what you started, Steve. After the El Camino, lots of guys want to build their own car. They stay late at night and come in every weekend. I'd bet there has been three dozen great looking cars come out of here. When we did Tina's Mustang, a bunch of other guys began working on theirs. See that antique pickup over there in primer? That's Jeff's. He's built the entire truck from fiberglass. The guys helped him build a frame and he's done the rest. That's going to be a real crowd pleaser when he's done. That you let them all work on their cars here is a great morale booster. It's got them all working together in what is it now, over fifty projects at once."

"I knew some of the guys were working on cars, but I had not seen where they were. Now I know. We'll have to get one of the magazines to do a story about our guys and the cars they are building. It's obviously not taking away from their work. The whole place is producing quality goods, making good profits."

Abe laughed, "You're damn right we're making good products at a good profit. It's our money we're making. They get a piece of every dollar made here. You did that, now hundreds of men would like to work for us so they could get in on the plan."

"We'll just have to keep finding new businesses so we can keep training more people to do our perfect work."

Abe and I laughed and joked all the way back to the shop. I left him with his people, passed through the motor shop to hear from them about actually working for a change. I went upstairs and said goodbye to everyone, and went downstairs to say bye to Debbie. Star was at my desk, working on some descriptions.

"Star, look at Jeff's tools. He's all excited that we could be selling them to the industry right away. Hopefully, they are as good as he says. They probably are, as he is one hell of a fiberglass man."

"Steve, I would never have believed this could be such a huge job. I thought I'd buzz through the place in a week, do some fancy reporting to you, and look for the next project. The way things are going, I won't finish going through the company here in Tampa until probably next July. Then there are the other shops in the other cities that have begun sending in their tools. I think I could have three or four people just investigating the tools. I haven't even begun the patent searches yet. That's going to take a ton of time too. Thanks for the career, Steve. This is fascinating work."

"I'll talk to Tiny and Ruth to see if we might budget you some help for the project. I'd like to get a couple of tools out on the market to see how they sell. That way we would have something to go by."

Star said, "You know you're going to have to market them. You can't just put one out in a magazine and expect it to sell. Get Phil to figure out how to market them. I'll bet he comes up with how to do it, where to do it, and who to do it to. The man's a born salesman."

"See you guys later," I said, as I left the shop.

When I got home at four, I hunted up Glenda and told her what I wanted to do. She wasn't all that surprised, "Cut your hair huh? How much? It's past your belt now. You could wipe your butt with it."

"Glenda, look at my forehead. It's getting bigger. Look at the back of my head. It's getting thin back there. I think if I have hair I can brush and style a little, it will look nice. I'm tired of having to take so much care of it."

Glenda said, "Tell you what. Let's get Sue and Mercy and I'll take you to see our friend, Tracy. She has her own shop and she will know what to do. Besides, you need to give your hair to her for the cancer patient wig program."

I went inside to find no girls and no kids. They must not be back from the boat yet. Back in the clothing office, Hannah looked up from a drawing and looked at her watch. "The girls are probably picking up all the kids right now. They said they should be back here before four-thirty. They wanted to get out of the daycare before the after work rush starts."

There was noise coming from the living room. As I walked up the hallway toward the living room, Rob, CJ, Mia, and Stevie, all hit me. They all wanted to be picked up at once. I did the best I could, but had to put them down right away because they wanted to harass Maggie for a snack. I sat down and was handed Sean, Liz, and Mike. They jabbered at me, but also wanted down to crawl around in familiar confines. I put them in their fenced area to let them roll around.

I received hugs and quick smooches from Sue, Mercy, and Juanita. As I passed the kitchen, Kate came over and sort of rubbed shoulders with me. I took the hint and gave her a hug and a quick kiss on the forehead.

As I went out to the patio, Sue and Mercy confronted me. "So you're really going to cut your hair? I knew this was coming, but it's going to be a shock. Your kids won't know you and your employees will freak."

"The kids know my face, my hugs, and my voice. They will be fine. The people at work will probably think I may be growing up, who knows. I'm going to wear my hair long, just not in a long pony tail anymore."

Mercy said, "I'll bet you'll be handsome with a good haircut."

Sue smiled, "We'll go see Tracy. She's really good. Mercy and I both go to her now too. I think all the girls out here go to her and they all look nice. We'll go after supper and let her give you some ideas."

I needed some courage, so I had a couple of Beefeaters. Big glasses with only ice to mix the great taste. It's amazing the buzz you get with only a couple of drinks. Perfect way to loosen up before a beer.

By the time I had a mug of beer, the patio was filling with people from work. Henry came over, with a mug of beer in his hand, and said, "Did you see my sixty-seven Vette? It's the convertible nearest the rear door with the plastic covers over the interior. I only have a few more things to find and it will be complete. So far I've found original equipment and had it painted, chromed, or anodized, so the car can be almost a hundred percent original. It's going to be the oyster shell cream color. I love the way those cars looked. And the best part is, I've done it all myself."

"Henry, you haven't been here long enough to get that far. How have you done it?"

"I go to the shop almost every night after supper and I've been down there most every Saturday and Sunday," Henry said. "A bunch of people have helped. Sandy and Mandy did my motor for me. I paid the company rate for that though. I wanted a genuine S&S motor and tranny, so I paid to have it done. Most of the guys are doing it that way. You pay us enough so we can indulge ourselves and have a first class job done. Besides we get some of it back in our 401K."

Well, that started some of the others talking about their cars. Sandy said, "I found an old panel truck last week. I'm having it brought over to the shop later this week and we'll start on it. I've always wanted one, so now it will be a class act vehicle. See what you started when you did the El Camino and the Mustang. We could probably begin a custom shop for rebuilds and hot rods. I'll bet we could make some big bucks doing it."

"Well, Sandy, perhaps you and Mandy will be the managers of our Hot Rod shop. But you're going to have to find me another pair of mechanics for the motor shop."

"We have them standing in line, Steve. Anybody that's good wants to work for you. They hear how much fun we have working where we do and they want to come, even when they hear we have two sets of gay guys, the four strange siblings, and of course, our militant lezzies. You have some doozies working for you. But let us know, we'll bring our replacements in and begin building hot rods any time."

By the time supper was over, Sue had heard that Tim and I had built a custom monster truck frame. She was smiling and asked about it while on the way to see Glenda's friend Tracy, "The next time you get something neat to do like that, call me. I'd love to do something to keep up with what you taught me."

If someone didn't know my crowd, they would have thought I was a rock star, or cult leader, or something. Besides Sue and Mercy, there was Glenda, Kate, Juanita, and Maggie. Shawna and Debbie wanted to come to harass me, but Charlie and Hank told them to stay home. As it was, it took the Expedition to take us to the beauty shop.

Tracy was sitting in her chair waiting for us. The outside lights were out so she was doing this as a favor to Glenda and the girls.

The first thing she did was to brush out my hair so it wasn't pulled tight on my forehead. After she felt around on my head a while, she picked up some of her magazines to flip through until she showed me several styles. The one I wanted would let me brush the hair back over my ears and gather on my neck. Sue and Mercy looked at the picture and at me finally shaking their heads in agreement. The other ladies all agreed with them so Tracy asked, "When do you want to do it?"

I quickly answered, "How about now, do you have the time?"

Tracy smiled and said, "Let me get the bag for the cancer wigs and I'll lop off most of it. The rest we won't be able to save for wigs. I'll cut it down and wash it and finally cut it so it will style the way you want."

Glenda picked up the brush and brushed my hair a few times. "I've been brushing your hair for almost three years. This is my last chance."

Sue said, "He'll still need his coffee girlfriend to brush his hair for him in the morning. You know he's never going to stand at the mirror to blow it dry." Sue turned to Tracy and said, "You better teach Glenda, Mercy, and me how to style it for him, because he's not going to do it."

Tracy said, "Steve's hair is thick enough it should lay the way he wants it with just brushing. He might have to use some conditioner and he may have to use some hairspray on a windy day, but it should look good without a lot of fussing."

She gathered my hair and slid it into the bag. Sue held the bag while Tracy began shearing off the hair a little above my shoulders. When the bag was full of my formerly long hair, she sealed it and brought out some small bags. She cut a little hair off and put them into several small plastic bags. When she was done, she handed them out to my audience. What's worse is that they all thanked her for doing it.

Lying back, getting your head washed is a treat. Tracy washed it and put conditioner on it. Once done she had me go sit in her chair. Before we started Tracy handed out cans of beer saying, "From what I hear, this is your trailer park champagne. Toast the new man, the new Steve look."

My pregnant wives drank the beer, even Maggie drank hers. I think that's the first drink I've seen her take.

Tracy began cutting, combing, cutting, brushing, holding strands of hair out then going back and cutting some more. My head felt funny because the hair wasn't pulling any longer. I had worn it long for so long that my head was used to the pulling and now tingled with the new circulation.

When Tracy was done, the girls were all looking at me critically. They would look at the picture Tracy had shown them and back at me. Finally, Mercy was nodding her head with her mouth in a smile. Sue followed with more nodding. Glenda at least said, "You look really handsome, Steve. I might give Sue some competition."

Tracy pushed me around to let me see myself in the mirror. Not bad. She held up a big hand mirror so I could see the sides and back. Nice. I was happy. It's what I wanted when I decided to cut my hair.

"How often do you need to cut it Tracy?" I asked.

"Come to see me about once a month unless you think it's too long or too short. Leave the girls at home and we'll use the private booth. I'm sure some of the stylists and I could show you a good time while you're here."

Surprise, Juanita pouted, "Chica, you leave my man, our man alone. There's too many of us already."

I chuckled, while Sue and Mercy laughed. Kate blushed while nodding her head in agreement with Juanita. Glenda said, "See Tracy, I told you the guy has a harem. The only way you're going to get close to him is come out one night when they head up to the hot tub. I hear there are some wild goings on up there."

"I'll keep that in mind, Glenda." Tracy turned all business again. "Okay Sue and Mercy, do you two have appointments so you can get cuts before your big trip?"

Sue said, "Mercy and I do, but we need to schedule Kate and Maggie. How about you, Juanita, are you due for a haircut?"

"I need a haircut and pretty soon I'm going to have to fix these grays hairs that are getting to be everywhere on my head. Can you do that for me Tracy?"

"Sure, Juanita, but be sure to ask your master. He may not mind some gray hair. He may even like it."

Juanita said then, "Well, I don't like it and having my hair all dark will make me feel better. If I feel good, I can make Steve feel good."

Tracy was smiling and said, "I'll bet you can, Juanita, I bet you can."

As we were getting ready to leave, Tracy said, "I'm moving the shop next door to your park. I've rented a place in the Publix shopping center next to you. You won't have to go far to see me. You can even ride one of those cute little golf carts over to see me. I'm in there after New Years."

We paid for my haircut and tipped Tracy. She had done a great job and did do it after hours for me. Three ladies made appointments before we drove back to the park. They were excited that Tracy was moving her shop closer.

The patio was still packed. Instead of going home, everyone had stayed to see what I would look like with short, or at least shorter, hair. After a lot of approvals from everyone, they all began to go home. Bear even said, "You know, I may let that lady cut my bush. My hair is so wiry, you'd think I was Terrell's brother. It's just the way my family's hair is. I wore it short until after the Marines and let it grow since then, just like you did, Steve. Your hair turned out good. Now you almost look like a yuppie. Almost, but with the look in your eye, never a yuppie."

When most everyone had left, the girls began telling me what they did on the boat today. They had made a couple of trips to Bed, Bath, and Beyond, a trip to Sears and Penny's and of course, to Wal-Mart. Glenda said the boat looks like a home now, not a commercial excursion boat.

Sue said, "We are ready. All we need to do is fill the boat up with food and us. We have enough booze, champagne, wine, and beer to last a year, but there won't be but you, Kate, Juanita, Missy, and Maggie drinking. Mercy and I might have a glass of wine with a meal, but nothing else. We might sneak a light Cuba Libre occasionally, but we're too busy making babies."

It was Mercy's turn, "All the beds and the bathrooms are ready. We'll have to dust again before we leave, but the baby beds, Steve and Carson's beds, and the adult beds are all ready. The kitchen is ready with all of the pots and pans we'll need. We had the desalination machine looked at and it was declared ready. We might want to sail a little on a weekend or two before we go, but we are ready."

Juanita said, "I have maps and charts for here all the way through the Mediterranean. The new electronics are almost all installed, so we will have to check them out, but they should be done. The Magellan guys want to come along on a shake down cruise. The original crew has been polishing the big boat every day. By the time we leave, it will be so shiny that we'll be blinded by the reflections."

Maggie nudged Kate, "Are you ready for a trip across the ocean. We'll be traveling like Christopher Columbus. Actually pretty much the route he took. I'll bet we make better time than he did though. That big schooner is a dream."

"I'm glad Carson is old enough to know we are going across the ocean," Kate said. "Sue bought that globe to show him where we are now and where we are going. I think he understands. He's going to be happy with all of the tapes and CDs you have for him. Stevie and Carson will be able to watch the network stuff off the satellite too. I think they are going to have a great time."

Juanita took Maggie home and Glenda went to join Martin at home. Tiny and Ruth left, followed by Hap and Margie saying it was time to go to bed. The rest of us straightened out the patio and got it ready for the morning. When Juanita came back, we migrated to bed. After checking on all the kids that had been put to bed earlier, we lay in bed talking about the coming trip. As the excitement waned, we all drifted off to sleep.

Original Editing by Pepere
New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 55



The few weeks before Christmas flew by. Tiny and I had to go to Montreal a couple of times, but it was just straight up and back home the same day, to check the build out progress.

How do you shop for four women that are special to you? Kate wasn't a fixed ingredient yet, but Sue, Mercy, and now Juanita were family. Sue was still first in my heart, with Mercy following in a very close second. Juanita may have been third on my depth chart, but she had become ingrained into my heart the same as Mercy had. Kate, well she was becoming more of our family, but to me she was still trying to figure out where she was in life.

I found what I thought would be perfect. I found a beautiful ankle chain with a small plate integrated onto the chain. I bought one for Sue, Mercy, and Juanita at first. Then I went back and got another for Kate. After thinking about it some more, I bought a chain for Maggie and one for Glenda. The next night, after having thought about it again with a mug of beer in my hand, I bought a bunch more of them and had them engraved as well. There was Shawna, Hannah, Debbie, Ruth, Alice, Sheila, Nancy, Susan, DeDe, Star, Tina, Crystal, Samantha, Mickey, Sandy, Mandy, Deeane, Betty, and Joan. I bought a couple more chains not engraved in case I forgot someone.

That was cool, but I still needed something special for my two Moms and Juanita. For Sue, I found a wing insignia worn by military pilots. For Mercy I found a Navy Captain's insignia. For my dark Cuban, I found a small pendant that was a replica of the Cuban flag. These were the special, just for the girls, gifts. I had the two military insignia's gold plated and the pendant framed with a gold rope.

All of us had a good time shopping for the kids. What one kid would get, all the kids would play with, so the toys had to have a general appeal. We also had to make sure that it wouldn't injure one of the younger ones.

The days for the Christmas party for Sue's factories came. The first day I was at the original building, where there were now three large buildings, instead of just one. Sue had a huge grab bag with wrapped trinkets for everyone that was there. I had to go to the daycare center first and let a couple of hundred kids sit on my lap, before I went through the various work rooms ho ho hoing and handing out gifts.

The second day out at the park was even more difficult. There were over two hundred kids between a couple of months and age five in daycare. I did the ho ho ho stuff and gave out gifts to literally hundreds of kids. Instead of touring four buildings, I hit all of the lunch breaks in the cafeteria and handed out gifts there. It went pretty well, but I have to tell you, I was one tired Santa.

When I went home, I had been warned not to get anywhere near the kids with the Santa clothes on. I actually changed in the front seat of my truck, leaving the Santa suit, and heading straight to the bar.

Sue, Hannah, Joan, and Betty all came to me to give a hug of appreciation for helping their employees celebrate Christmas. They said they didn't realize how much work it was going to be trying to give out gifts to almost two thousand employees and daycare kids. I suggested that next year they give out coupons for a restaurant, but that would be more expensive than the little gifts they had given this year. We just needed to come up with an easier delivery system.

Christmas came to the patio. We had a large tree in the back corner, on the far side of the bar, but in front of the rest rooms. We had enough lights around the patio and in the yard, that I think the electric company named us customer of the month. As the big day approached, more and more presents appeared under the tree. Sue and Mercy had found something for everyone in our crew.

Tiny and Bear had created and built a fake fireplace that looked very real. They even had one of those glowing flame log things that make it look like a real fire. On the fireplace mantle, there were stockings for everyone. Kate, Glenda, and Maggie had sewn up little fuzzy red socks with a white top, and embroidered names on them.

Finally Christmas morning came. When I turned on the patio light and the tree Christmas morning, it took less than fifteen minutes for the place to be filled. We had gallons and gallons of eggnog, plain and spiked. Tiny was making up all kinds of drinks, including Irish coffees along with the staple Bloody Marys.

Glenda and Maggie had made up some homemade coffee cake or what they called stolen. I don't know who they stole it from, but it was good.

The older kids were first. The four big ones; CJ, Robbie, Mia, and Steve were all old enough to tear paper and be excited about presents. As soon as they were handed a present, paper flew, and excited little kids would immediately begin playing with the toy they had received.

You often had to have them stop playing with one toy so they could get another present. I thought we should just keep them, and let them open them when the first toy wears out. Once the kids opened all their toys and were settled in the living room, the other presents were handed out. We had all agreed that presents should have a max value of five bucks, as there were too many people in our huge extended family.

Several groups overcame the five dollar gift limit by going together to get a single gift for someone. An example would be the fancy captain's hat that I received from Tiny, Phil, and Ryan. I could wear it when we flew or when I was on the sailboat. Some others gave me a scarf to wear as a doo rag like a pirate. Sandy and Mandy gave one of those funny three cornered hats that you see pirates wear. A lot of gifts were homemade, as Mercy and Sue received a ton of handmade infant wear. They were going to need it with five of those little rascals all coming at the same time.

All the girls receiving my chain said I had cheated, but I just said tough. Sue, Mercy, and Juanita liked the special little gifts that I had for them. They presented me with several pair of gold toe white socks that I wear every day, a couple of really neat shirts, and a certificate to go out with a local dive group for a day of scuba diving.

All in all, everyone enjoyed the gifts, the food, and the spirit of Christmas with friends. When the lights went out Christmas night, I sat with Sue, Mercy, Juanita, and Kate out on the patio, enjoying our closeness for a few minutes. I told them all that this had been one of the best Christmases I've ever had. I was so lucky to have them as my wives and friends.

Each of the girls said something about how happy they were. Juanita said how she has all but sold her own mobile home. It was now rented out and she was living exclusively with us. She said we had made her life full and happy again. Juanita said, "I love all of you, each one of you so much. Thank you for being my family."

Mercy said, "This is my home now, and I'm married to all of you. Sue and Steve captured my heart and soul when we first met. I still feel the same. Now that I have a baby and three more coming from Steve and Sue, we are forever bonded.

Sue kissed me, and offered, "Steve and I found each other on a rainy day. That day marked the beginning of our spectacular life that you all are now a part of. There has been so much that has happened and we've been so lucky that none of us could ever tell it all. Now I'm a Mom, a mother to two more of Steve's children, and of another two on the way. No one will ever know how lucky I feel."

Kate said, "I'm not your wife yet, but you've made me feel like I was. When Jim was here today playing with Carson, I knew then that I still love him and hope that he might come to his senses. We girls do with each other what he does with other guys, so I can't criticize what he does too much. It's accepted that girls can do that, but guys can't. I think that when we get back from our trip, I'm going to talk to him about him trying to be bi-sexual instead of all gay."

Kate's head was bowed; she was looking at her lap where her fingers were laced with Sue's. She looked up and said, "When we get back from our trip, I will be pregnant. I will be carrying Carson's new brother or sister. I want this more that you'll ever know. If Jim wants me back, then he'll have me back, but as a mother of two, not just Carson. I hope you all understand and will help me reach that goal."

Sue hugged Kate and the two were weepy-eyed in their embrace. Mercy and Juanita both went to her and hugged her as well.

After the emotion settled, Sue said, "We will talk about this a lot, Kate. But if you want another baby, then I know exactly how that can be done. Mercy and I will teach you how to do the deed."

This brought some laughter from all of us. Kate said, "I would prefer just one at a time, okay?"

When we went to bed that night, there was some slow gentle lovemaking that encompassed the five of us. We all made love to each other. Sue was in her mischievous mode, and when I was buried within Kate, Sue whispered loudly into my ear while squeezing my balls, "Knock her up, shoot her full, fill her up with that sperm that's made a bunch of babies already. Oh yeah, Honey, fill her up."

At first Kate giggled, and then she came loudly, shaking and shivering for a long time. The other girls kissed and caressed Kate as I held myself over her in the afterglow of release.

The period of time between Christmas and New Years is always strange. People take down most of the decorations, but leave up stuff like lights and, in our case, the fake fireplace.

The excitement of Christmas is still there, but the anticipated excitement of the coming New Year's celebration is always something to be looked forward to as well.

Merlin and Missy were visiting now, as Missy would be leaving with us to go sailing to Europe after the New Year. Merlin gave two performances at the dinner theater, with both Missy and Mercy assisting. Mercy had been into her mentalist mode for a month or so and thrilled the audience with her perception of what was in their minds. Missy baffled many with some slightly embarrassing thoughts some of the audience had. The shows were a hit and the manager begged them for more.

Merlin promised he would come back the next year, but right now he wished to spend time with his daughter, his grandson, and his big new family.

Merlin got me off to the side asking, "How are you holding up with the idea of having five new babies at once?"

"I'm never going to be ready for five at once, Merlin, but I think we will have enough help. I'm sure Missy will want to help, Beth will be here, Glenda always is a help, and we now have Juanita, Kate, and Maggie. If this isn't enough, I'll hire a bunch of nurses to help."

"Kid, you do have a diverse group." Merlin said, then asked, "So are you sure you want to sail to Europe and back with five women? You know guys have gone crazy with less cause."

"Merlin, I won't be the only male. Steve and Mike will be along, so we three will have to stick together."

"Good attitude, Son. Take care of my daughter and grandson for me. Take care of all of them for me, please."

The girls and Beth made several trips to the boat to make sure we were going to have everything we needed. We had one last shakedown cruise planned the weekend before New Year's Day, and we would leave one day the following week.

On Saturday before New Year's Day, we took most of the park crew with us on our last shakedown cruise. The day was chilly and very windy, with seas about six to eight feet. If anyone was going to get sick, it would be today. The girls and I were able to handle the boat fine in the rougher gulf. We were able to get the sails up easily and sailed out almost fifty miles before turning back. There was a ton of food brought with us, and even more booze, so the passengers enjoyed the cruise. Sue, Mercy, Kate, Maggie, and Juanita stayed outside almost the entire time, getting the feel of a harsher climate. We knew we would encounter worse while sailing across the Atlantic.

The boat functioned perfectly. We were able to handle it easily and we felt under control. We were ready. I think our friends were beginning to feel how anxious we were to begin the adventure.

I had figured out that if we didn't stop anywhere after rounding southern Florida, it would take us about fifteen or sixteen days to get to Gibraltar, then two or three days to Greece. We could stop in Bermuda, but that would be at a minimum of a day's delay, so we were pretty well committed to sailing straight through to Greece. This would be between seventeen days and three weeks in ideal winds and weather. Hopefully, none of us would get a bad case of cabin fever. The kids would probably take care of any of that as they would need tending, reading to, talking to, playing with, feeding, and caring. Actually, they would be the perfect way to ease tension, should it come.

When we were back on the patio that night, we discussed what our sailing goals were. Mercy had a giant map that showed from the eastern U.S. all the way to the other side of Italy and Greece. She had a line drawn from south Florida to Gibraltar, and on to Greece. Mercy said, "We will call home every evening between six and seven, Florida time, while we are sailing. We'll give you our exact longitude and latitude so you can mark it on the map. You'll be able to see whether we can sail in a straight line and our progress."

Sue added, "Remember, we are able to access e-mail and reply, so rather than wait for a call, write up important questions so we can consider them and answer."

My turn, "I know there are a lot of new things happening in the New Year, but I also know you guys have been in charge for a long time and know how to get things done. If you absolutely, positively can't wait for me to call or it can't wait for an e-mail response, Tiny knows how to call the sat phone on the boat. This will be our biggest trip so far, and we have an advertisement on our main sails, courtesy of Shawna and Hank. We also have our big boat now registered as the "Mercy Mercy," plus some people wrote on the sides of the boat. Now everyone knows that the big boat belongs to S&S Enterprises of Florida, Quality Wear Clothes, and BigGirlsClothes.com. The crazy artists did do a good job, and you have to look really close to see the cartoons within the letters. They just couldn't resist, could they?"

The whole patio crew laughed. It was getting late, so the party dispersed, with my family cleaning up and shutting down the patio.

When we went to bed, the four girls were acting a little squirrelly. When I went to get in bed, Sue pushed me toward Mercy, who pushed me between her and Kate. As soon as I was on my side, facing Kate, she leaned to me for some soft kisses. She took my hand and brought it to a breast, while Mercy had reached around and begun stroking me. Juanita was behind Kate and lifted her leg so her knee rested on my hip. As I grew, Mercy rubbed the head of my cock back and forth along Kate's frothy center. Juanita must have goosed Kate, as she exclaimed, "Oh," loudly sinking onto me almost to the bottom.

7

"Oh yeah, that's what I need," Kate moaned, in a husky whisper. "You guys are going to do this for me aren't you? Damn, I needed this."

Kate's hips did what always happened as soon as she captured me. Her hips began moving at a rapid pace, almost the full length of me, slamming into my hips each time we met. Soon she was panting and moaned, "Get on top of me, let me feel your weight on me, do me hard, all the way, do me hard."

I rolled atop Kate and began pummeling her, thrusting into her fully on each stroke. Each time I bottomed, she shook and quivered, until she began to exclaim and holler with each stroke. Just as her eyes rolled up under her lids, someone was squeezing my balls, requiring to me to lose the battle of holding back while Kate literally fucked me silly. I filled her with same stuff that had made all my kids to date. Well, she wanted a baby and that stuff was definitely capable of helping her get one. It was a little exciting thinking that we may have just made a baby.

The girls kissed and hugged us both, with them kissing me and telling me, "Good job, you did good, you put it right up in there." They were working toward Kate's goal all right.

Now the trio was hot from being voyeurs. Kate and I were attacked by lusty women who did things to her while another was getting me excited. In no time at all, I was thumping the future mother of triplets. When she indicated she was done for the night, I began thumping the brown-skinned Cuban. Thank goodness she was quick to come, as I was tiring and almost to the point of exploding.

Finally, I was able to make love to my Sue. We kissed while I lay with us plugged together, but not moving. I kissed her, and made love to her gorgeous breasts that were once again filling to accommodate new life. I was finally able to spend some time kissing and licking Sue's pleasure center. It seemed I hardly ever got the chance. I couldn't get at the thing because another head was usually in the way. I did continue until she squealed and pulled me up by my much shorter hair. Then we were off to the races. She wanted fast for the friction and the feel of my full thrusts. We both reached that wonderful pinnacle at the same time, exclaiming our love for one another. When I had collapsed onto her, we both said at the same time, "We love you guys so much."

That got us a bunch of hugs and kisses. It also got Sue some more attention. Just like always, a head appeared between Sue's legs as the lusty Juanita was attending to me. Mercy was kissing me so I thought, "My, oh my, Kate may be willing to share Jim with another man if she can enjoy a woman."

We snuggled up, with me spooned behind Sue, and Mercy behind me. Mercy was quick to get me firm and into Sue from behind. What a nice way to go to sleep.

Original Editing by Pepere
New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 56

The day of our departure was bright and sunny. We tested all of the electronics one last time before we disconnected shore power. We started the engines turning on the power converter and the generator. The desalination machine was going to be left off until we had depleted at least a quarter of our water.

We had one last hug and handshake from all our friends on the dock before we began untying the lines and coiling them where they would remain for two or three weeks. As we pulled out, Carson and Stevie were on deck, wearing their life jackets, waving at the people as we left.

We sailed straight through the channels between the Keys during the first night and headed past some small islands and out to sea. The first morning at sea was awesome. The sun rose from the water, giving stages of color and light. It was actually exciting to sail into the sun.

Out on the open ocean, we had the radar out to the fifty-mile range and picked up very few targets. We were sailing at a healthy 12 knot average. Sometimes the GPS would calculate a 13 knot average, and that was about two to three knots higher than the average I had forecast.

The three girls and I took turns at the wheel. The norm was going to be three hours on and nine hours off. The difference was going to be that I would probably always do a double shift at night so the girls would not have to be on alone at night. Sometimes, whoever was on watch would use the inside weather bridge, but usually we stayed outside at the wheel. We did sort of cheat as we set up the autopilot and let it keep us on course. We would check it and the GPS location against our charts, but everything was working the way it was supposed too.

When I would lie down to sleep, I would almost always have Kate as company, along with one other. Kate was fairly insistent that she be with me at least once a day. I began to think of it as our breeding nap.

Missy and Maggie would raise an eyebrow when we would disappear, but neither said anything as Kate had been very explicit about wanting another baby, and that she was going to have my daughter or son this coming year.

On the sixth day out, we knew a front was coming from the south that would make the seas rough for a day or two. According to the weather information broadcast over shortwave, we could expect seas of up to twelve feet with winds gusting to over thirty-five.

We made a decision that when the wind began picking up to thirty knots, we would take down most or all of the sail so it wouldn't tear or break the two masts. We would use the engines and go at our best speed. We also agreed that we would cover the helm area and use the weather helm.

We could see the storm coming from fifty miles out on the radar. We tracked it and when we were within twenty minutes of the rough weather, we dropped all the sails just to be safe and fired up the engines. Once the weather began to hit, I turned off the autopilot and kept the boat in the proper direction, but I watched the waves to make sure I could swing around and head into the wind if necessary.

The seas were rough, and I did see a little panic in Sue's eyes for a few minutes as waves much higher than our boat rolled toward us, but Maggie came and got her and had her help make some hot chocolate in the galley. It must have been a good trick to keep a pot on the stove to warm up the milk as the boat was rolling pretty well. It was in weather like this that you appreciated a cup holder on the bridge. Kate and Maggie helped Missy, Sue and Mercy get over their fears telling them that I was piloting the boat correctly.

The bad weather stayed with us through the night and till noon the next day. It was a relief to have the sun out and the sea level off, but it wasn't fun that most all of the wind died. Instead of raising the sail in a four knot breeze, I let the engines take us toward our destination at a healthy ten knots. We had enough fuel to motor the entire way, so I wasn't concerned about usage, but I did watch the fuel level closely.

The quieter weather gave us a chance to have a good meal and for the ladies to wash some clothes and hang them on deck. They had made a makeshift clothesline for sheets as they said the sheets would feel so much better. When I looked at the deck, I thought that now would be a good time to have one of those cisterns like Dewey had. We could scrub down the deck to get the salt off. Around nine that night, the wind began picking up so we hoisted the sails and shut down the engine. According to the charts, we were more than a third of the way, almost halfway.

Watching the sunrise and the sunset from the deck of a sailboat is almost a religious experience. In the morning, light begins to illuminate the horizon slowly, a round aura appears. It grows, with the area closest to the sea getting brighter and brighter, until streaks of light flash into your eyes. The sun slowly rises from the sea to bathe you in its morning warmth.

At night, we watch as the sun gets lower and lower, and if there are no clouds, it almost looks as if the sea swallows the big orange ball. When clouds are present, the sun reflects from the bottom of them and you have a light show of a thousand colors as the sun lowers.

Then there is the moon. As the moon's stage becomes full, we are blessed with a huge ball of white in the sky lighting up the sea. As the full moon rises from the sea it's different from the sun, as there isn't the light aura, but a small bit of rounded white that gradually rises up until it looks like the moon is half the sky. Then, as the full moon gets higher in the sky, it appears as if it's getting farther and farther away.

All of us would stand on deck together to watch the sunrise and the sunset. Many times, the moon would entice us into the privacy of the stateroom to share the excitement of what we had witnessed.

When we called in that day, the patio crew agreed with us that we were more than a third, almost halfway. We told them about the storm and that we couldn't call because of it. We had weathered our first big sea storm and had learned that we could handle it.

The next day, Maggie, Missy, and Kate were out on deck with the big broom, brushes, and buckets of some mixture they said was a deck wash. The scrubbed from one end of the boat to the other. It took them all day to do the job, but as they went, they used the pressure hose to rinse the deck off and brush the water off the sides. They said that cleaning the salt from the decks had always been their job while they grew up, so they knew how to do it. Mercy and Sue alternated with them so one girl was always with the kids.

Our next bit of bad weather wasn't much, but it did get cold. We had been in constant sixty-five to seventy degree weather, but it was now down to around forty to forty-five. The wind made it feel colder. No problem though, as we had clothes and coats to fit the weather. If someone's watch became too cold, they closed the main helm and took up duty at the inside weather helm.

Maggie and Kate showed Missy, Mercy, and Sue another daily chore to work on. They showed them how to polish the brass and chrome fittings that were exposed to the weather. All four of the women seemed to always back off and smile at the job they had just done. I thought to myself that they were good quality workers doing perfect work. I did all the polishing around the helm. I made sure everything sparkled. Keeping the electronics clean was important and I did make sure that they stayed dry.

Missy was special with the kids. She spent a lot of time playing with them and talking to Steve and Carson. Steve's vocabulary was growing fast and it was because of Beth's past efforts and Missy taking up where Beth had left off. Missy was the consummate grandmother, always having one of the kids in her lap. Carson really enjoyed having another grandmother. He enjoyed the cuddling and love.

Everyone seemed to be getting along well. We were on schedule at sixteen days when the Strait of Gibraltar came into sight. It was very dramatic to sail near the bluff that defended the area during World War II. I remembered a movie about how a commando unit had attacked and taken the defensive positions from the Germans. The prevailing winds were perfect and we swept past to head for Greece.

Our fifty mile radar was busy from fifty miles from Tarifa, Spain all the way to Greece. We almost stopped at Sicily, but we kept to our plan and navigated to the eastern seaport of Athina or Athens.

We learned something quickly about the Europeans. Even though they are suspicious of Americans, they are respectful of American businesses. When a Grecian Naval vessel came to greet us (check us out), they were very nice. We threw fenders out, inviting them aboard, but they stayed just to our port side and spoke good English to us.

We followed them to the port and were directed to the exclusive yacht club we had made reservations for. First things first though, as I asked to clean our holding tanks and fill the fuel tank. When they offered water, we told them we had a desalination system. Once we had the basics taken care of, we let the attendants pull us around to our slip. They even asked if we wanted to be in bow first or stern first. I chose stern first so it would be easier to leave.

I checked my cell phone and discovered that it did indeed get a signal. I'm sure the roaming we had set up was expensive, but it was probably cheaper than the sat phone.

"Hey, Tiny, what's happening. I know you are almost ready to go home but I wanted to tell you we were docked in Greece. You might ask Phil to call our distributor and have him come to the yacht club to see us. Give him my cell number so we can make arrangements." Tiny reminded me that I still had to call in to the patio this evening and hung up.

A policeman, or some form of military member, came to the boat and asked to inspect our passports and the boat. I invited him and his two men on board. While the officer checked the passports, his two men made a cursory search of the boat then came back topside. The officer filled out a form with all of our names on it and handed it to me, requesting that I call the circled number if any of us were going to stay longer than a month. He gave me some maps of the city and some English literature of sites to see, shook my hand, and left.

"Okay ladies, what say we gather the kids and see if we can find some grass for them to play on? While the ladies were getting the kids ready and gathering the necessary supplies to go exploring, a representative of the yacht club came out to visit with us. He kept asking what movies the girls were in and other nonsensical questions. I finally got it across to him that we were just regular people with a big boat. He said, "Regular people okay. But you have very expensive big boat and lots of influence to get to come in here. I welcome you and hope you remember us to your Hollywood friends."

He did direct me to a large grassy park that was between the main building and the high fence between the club and the city. There was even a children's playground area with slides and swings.

I almost burst a gut laughing after he finally left. When I told the girls about it, Mercy pointed to the very large motor yacht next to us. "That is Sean Connery's yacht. I'm sure there may be even more stars that are here or that are due here."

Once again we were all staggering around trying to get adjusted to a surface that wasn't moving. When we made it to the grass, Carson and Steve took off running all out. They ran all the way to the fence and straight back to us, turned, and did it again. After running wild for several minutes the two found the slide and proceeded to go up and down that for a while.

The girls took Mike and Liz to the swings for a ride, and I put them on the slide and let them go three or four feet down into the arms of a mom. While we were having a great time, my cell phone rang.

Our Greek distributor said his office was very near and wished to come to get us so he could show off his plant. I told him that I had four women and three children with me, and he said he would bring a big car so we could all come at once. I told Sue and she shrugged her shoulders and said, "Let's take a look."

Ten minutes later the owner breezed through the guarded gate of the yacht club and stopped to greet us. The man looked familiar and I asked, "Didn't you come to see our shop in Florida?"

"Yes, yes. Almost nine months ago I came, or is that went, to the United States to see S&S. Your company helped me set up my distributorship similar to the way you have yours in the U.S. We even went to the new place in the middle. Aaaa, St. Louis, yes? When we come home, we know what to do to sell and we make it like yours in America. You are right. We sell many of your equipment, and we even fix old equipment now. Soon we will be working on what you call big lifts for all of this part of Europe. Come, get in and I will show you my business. Tonight you will be my guest at the yacht club. We will dine there so you can meet my family and friends like you did for us when we came to Florida to what you call it, the trailer park. It won't be a big party like you had that night, but it will be a good one."

I needed to call Tiny and Phil to find out whether we were making it a habit to bring our customers out to the park on Friday nights.

When we reached the big building that was the shop in Athina, it was a large stone structure that was fitted with a steel roof and a modern back. It looked like the only thing original was the front.

Inside was a shock. The showroom was laid out similar to our main shop, with several products suspended from the roof. They had a few of Onan's products prominently displayed too.

The man took us into his shop and we were even more surprised. He had it painted completely white, including the polished floor. In the middle of the floor was his logo, done in the fashion that mine was. I noticed writing on the walls, but I couldn't read Greek.

The man saw me looking at the writing and he said, "It says 'We do Perfect Work, ' and over the doors it asks, 'Is it Perfect?' just like your store. I came back here and worked with every one of my people, just like you do, and now we do perfect work.

Mercy pointed out several small S&S logos in various places. When I asked the owner about them he said, "When I think that group is performing their best, I reward them by having an S&S logo painted in their area. We wish to be as good as your shop."

"I'm flattered, Sir. You really honor us. May I take pictures of your shop to show my people?"

"Please do, Steve Sharp. I'm proud that you wish to show your people our place of business."

We went through the entire place. They were keeping it clean just like we did. The man must have really paid attention, as his rebuild area looked just like Abe's, but with only six work stations.

When we went down a hall to his office, all of us had to stop and look at all of the huge pictures he had displayed along the walls. They were pictures of our main location. It was enough to make you homesick.

After being introduced to probably fifty or so people who we couldn't converse with, he took us back to the yacht club. When we were all out of his vehicle, he came to me and said, "Tonight we will eat wonderful Greek food and tomorrow my family and I will accompany you to many of the favorite sights to see here. We will have a wonderful time. I need to ask you to do something for me. Tomorrow in front of my family, do not call me Mr. Orkos. You must call me Tony, please. I've told my family so much about you and your wonderful company, they think we are very close friends. So you must call me Tony."

I introduced each of the girls again to him and told them that he should call them by their first names as well. When he said, "My wife may not wish me to associate with a man with so many women. She may think I will want the same, even though I do not."

"Don't worry Tony, my ladies are very respectful. They are not all my wives, but they are all my family. Why don't you just introduce them as my family?"

The girls said they needed to get the kids bedded down for a nap. I think all of us could use a little peaceful time as well. The weather was very nice, about seventy degrees and warm in the sun.

When we got back to the boat, the girls noticed several ladies lying out on the decks of their boats. There wasn't a suit to be seen. All bare tops and bottoms. Maggie said, "I'll put the kids down so you girls can get some sun. Enjoy yourself, but don't stay out too long and burn."

Minutes later there were five naked ladies sunning themselves. Missy was built pretty well. Of course, any naked lady looks pretty good when you view her just as a woman, instead of appraising her parts. I kept some shorts on and sat in the sun with them while having a big glass of lemonade on ice. I laid down in the middle of them on my belly for about fifteen minutes, then said, "I've had enough sun. I'm going to make our evening call to the house before it gets too late."

Glenda answered the phone and said, "Hold on second while I turn this thing on." There was a click then I could here the people on the patio. Glenda's voice came through amplified. She was on some kind of speakerphone. "We're all here, Steve. Tell us about Greece." There were several voices in the background saying, "Yeah, tell us, Steve."

I gave them the details of our time so far to explain why I had been so late calling them. They said they understood, but said for me to call them earlier tomorrow as it was getting really late there. I hung up then and was met by Kate who took my hand and led me below to the big bed. "You need to make sure I have my baby, Steve. I didn't tell you before but Jim has had a vasectomy so we wouldn't have any more kids. I was against it, but he insisted. But it now doesn't make a difference. I'm going to have a baby with you, Sue, Mercy, and Juanita. You are the one with the special serum I need though, so give me an injection please."

Kate had been tickling me in my shorts while she was telling me this. Since she was already naked, it didn't take but a second for me to drop my shorts and she immediately had me saddled in her warm and very wet center. This time, she did take her time and slowly slid me in and out as she rocked her hips.

"This feels so good. I think you've already given me a baby, but I love to have you deep in me like this. When I have you in me, loving me like this, I feel like I'm the most special person in the world. Your ladies come and make me feel even more special. Oh, yes, oh that's good right there, yes, yes, right there, keep moving."

Sue and Mercy came into the bedroom and each attacked one of Kate's small breasts. As soon as their mouths were locked onto her nipples, Kate gave a very loud groan, vibrating her whole body. I was squirting her down inside very thoroughly while she was shaking with her orgasm.

Sue said, "You sneaky thing. You're down here getting a little while Mercy, Juanita, and I are up there teasing the neighbors. We could hear you with the portholes open. I think you'll probably have half the yachts around us rocking from the loving that will be going on."

Mercy gave Kate a kiss and said, "Your period was due almost a week ago wasn't it?"

Kate blushed and said, "I know, I'm actually three weeks overdue. I feel funny and I think I'm already pregnant, but I still want to be loved by your man."

Mercy hugged her and said, "Correction, loved by our man. Sue, Juanita, and I have already talked about it. If you want, and it's right for you and Carson, you are one of us. We want you to be with us. It's going to be up to you."

Kate rolled over and sat up cross-legged, using her hand to cup herself to keep my leavings from draining onto the bed. She said, "I still want to see if Jim might want to be a family again. I'm willing to let him have men friends if he's safe about it. He'll just have to know that I need him to act like a husband and a father. I've written him a long letter on the computer and I'm going to e-mail it to him. If he hasn't filed for divorce, we may have a chance. I love all of you so much, but I still love Jim. He's the father of Carson, our first baby, our son. If it's the right thing to be with him, it will happen. If I'm destined to live a happy life with all of you, that will happen. Please understand how much I love you all, but I still want Jim as a husband and father for Carson."

Sue asked, "If you get back together with Jim, will you want more babies than Carson and the one you may be making?"

"Yes, and I hope you all will give me at least one more. I want to be a mother. Not to just one or two, at least three. I could be like you two and have four, but I'll have to see how Jim handles this first one from you and possibly a second."

The three girls all hugged and wept together as it had been a very emotional thing for Kate to tell them her innermost thoughts.

Mercy said, "You need to send that letter so Jim will be working on the idea in his mind. He'll have time to prepare for you guys if he wants what you're asking."

"I'll do it tonight. I think that I want to stay onboard tonight and not go to the yacht club. I'll go tomorrow, but tonight, I want to send that letter with another note. I'm also going to send an e-mail to my folks to tell them I'm in Greece and going to the Riviera from here."

After we all had a good shower and dressed for the evening in some of our dressier clothes, we went up to the lounge to await Tony's call. Maggie said she didn't want to go either and she wished to stay home with the kids so the four of us could have some fun on shore. We begged her to come, as we had expected to take the little ones, but she insisted. She said, "Besides they like what I cook for them anyway. Carson and Steve both say I'm a good cook. I just love those little ones so much."

Maggie teared up a little and said, "Thank you so much for taking me in and bringing me along with you. This is the best adventure of my life. I wish my man could be here with me though. I think he is because sometimes, I just feel him near me, laughing and smiling with me as we have so much fun."

Group hug time, then my cell phone rang. Tony told us to meet him up on the dock. Instead I said, "The kids and two of the ladies are not coming tonight, so how about bringing your family down to the boat. We'll give you a tour and you can meet the rest of my family."

Tony laughed and said, "We are on our way, Steve. We'll be right there."

The place was as usual, immaculate. Even the master stateroom and bed were straight after the fun time we had in there earlier. With the porthole open and the fans circulating the air, it didn't smell like sex in there either.

We met Tony, his wife, his son, and two daughters on the dock. Tony's wife was a dark haired beauty that resembled Mercy and Missy, except she was heavier and taller. The boy was about twelve and the two girls looked like twins about ten. Tony introduced his wife as Alexa. His boy's name was Don, and the girls were Kalien and Faline. We served the kids a Coke while Alexa wished an American drink of any kind. I gave her some Beefeater with ice in a small glass. She sipped it and smiled. "Very good, but I think this is British." I told her it was my favorite so it must be American. Tony had some scotch while we visited.

The kids were all below, watching television with Carson and Steve. Alexa asked, while looking at Sue, "Are you all his wives?"

Sue smiled and answered, "No, Alexa, not all. Just Me, Mercy, and Juanita. This lady is Missy, she is Mercy's mother."

"Aren't you jealous of each other?" She asked.

"Why would we, we all love each other as well as Steve. Steve loves us all, so we are happy."

Alexa was thinking, then bluntly asked, "How does one man take care of you three, do you take turns?"

The dark sultry Juanita came over to me and hugged my arm, "Steve is much man. He likes to take us all one after another. Sometimes he even wants more."

Alexa's face was red, but she said, "How can one man keep up with three women?"

Mercy said, "Four, Alexa, Steve must take care of Kate too. She's a young woman with needs. Only Maggie and Missy don't need Steve. I think Maggie wishes she were younger, though. I think my mother would love to visit with Steve in our bed."

Missy swatted at Mercy for saying that, but blushed deeply and looked away from me.

Poor Tony was embarrassed that his wife was so inquisitive, but let her continue at her own risk.

Alexa pointed to Juanita, "But you are older, perhaps old enough to be his mother."

"Maybe," Juanita said. "But he's not my son, he's my lover. Sue and Mercy said I needed to be loved by Steve, and after we loved, I knew I wanted more of him. They invited me to be with them."

Alexa was confused, "Who was first, which one was his first lady?"

Sue laughed, "I caught him. He was only mine until we met Mercy, then he was ours. We knew from the beginning that we would share Steve. I don't know how, but we did. When Juanita came into our lives, it seemed she was supposed to be a part of us. The only bad thing about Juanita being older is that she can't have a baby. We would love for her to have a baby too."

"I just don't understand. I don't think I could ever share Tony. I make sure he doesn't want anyone else but me."

"Alexa," Sue said, "That's exactly what Steve has said to me many times since we first met Mercy, and then Mercy and I brought Juanita into our family. He said I was all he ever needed. It was me that knew we would be a happier family with Mercy. Then Mercy and I knew we would be even happier with Juanita. We have invited Kate to be a part of our family, but she may not want to be with us permanently. We will let her decide."

"But what man can keep up with so many women? How can he always satisfy so many?" Alexa was shaking her head.

I spoke up. "Alexa, your English is perfect. Where did you learn?"

"Oxford. I was a student there for three years. Before that I studied languages at the University in Athina, or to you it would be Athens."

"When you were in England, I'm sure you were introduced to many different lifestyles. Were you in the all-women's school at Oxford or did you attend the co-educational school?

Alexa smiled and said, "I attended the all-female school. My parents would not tolerate my learning the habits of mingling the English have."

I continued then, "While you were in the all-female school, how did you ladies satisfy your cravings? How did you take care of your hormones?"

Alexa blushed deeply, but sat up straight and said, "We ladies found many ways to help each other when we felt the need."

Mercy and Sue were almost laughing. Sue said, "Now you have the answer how one man can always totally satisfy a bunch of women. He may start us all out, but sometimes we have to help him finish."

Alexa blushed some more, then said quietly, "I understand now."

We left the boat and went to the restaurant. There we were treated to an enormous banquet of various Greek foods, as well as some nasty sweet liquor called ouzo. Kate and Maggie had told us to be very careful as it was very strong. Kate said she had it before from some boat people she knew when younger.

The meal was wonderful and afterward we went into a lounge area that had live musicians. All of the music was tasteful and very easy to dance to. I danced with my four ladies and danced with Alexa. The tune was probably too slow to dance with someone else's wife, but she got right up against me and let me know she was a woman. It was a good thing I had some loving earlier or her thigh would have given me a boner right there. As it was, it thickened up to the point she couldn't have helped but notice. When I sat her back down she smiled.

Sue noticed my lump and brushed it as I sat down. Juanita must have noticed too, as she said, "Perhaps we will dance again so I may feel that too."

I rolled my eyes, but Mercy helped, "She's just trying to find out how much of a man our Steve is. She's thinking that perhaps she needs to explore what a man like that would do."

Sue whispered into my ear, "I don't think she's your type, and I know her husband would never make it in the hot tub. Oh well, we can't add her to your harem."

The girls danced with Tony's son and I dutifully danced with the two girls. When it became eleven o'clock their time, they said it was time for them to get their kids home. I thanked Tony profusely and all the girls gave him a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. Not to be outdone, Alexa gave me a full body hug and a peck on the lips. I almost laughed.

They left and we went back to the boat to enjoy a drink in the lounge before going to bed. Kate came up and said she was definitely pregnant as she was intermittently nauseous. She said that she didn't get morning sickness, but did get a little queasy at night with Carson. She had a Diet Coke and said she felt better. The girls told Kate all about the conversation with Alexa before we went and the way she had acted when I danced with her. Kate said, perhaps I needed to plant some seeds here in Greece too.

"No, no, no little Stevies in Greece. I will have all of the little ones I need with eight around home. Nine if you count Carson and ten with your new one, Kate."

"Maybe only eight," Kate said. "Maybe Jim will want to get back with me. He wrote me back right away saying that he wanted to talk to me. I wrote back and asked if he had read all of the letter and he said he had. I told him that I thought I was pregnant. He wrote that he knew that I really wanted another baby and he was happy for me. So there may be hope. I'll continue to write him while we are gone and we'll see when we get home."

We all went down to bed snuggled up where I was given the business by the three who I had not played with earlier. Sue said, "Now that we've bragged about our big strong virile husband, he needs to prove his worth with his three beauties."

"Line up there, you three. Let me see what I'm going to enjoy."

The three lay back with Sue on the left, Mercy in the middle, and Juanita on the right. All were spread out with their legs open and their arms out across each other's bodies. Kate was sitting cross-legged in the lounge seat in the corner.

As I knelt on the bed, "Should I go from left to right or right to left." I think I'll sample in between first. I kissed Mercy, then sucked her nipples and kissed her chest and stomach on the way to her pussy. There, I only stopped for a soft kiss on her moist lips, before going to her inner thighs and kissing and licking. It made her giggle, which is what I wanted before I moved up and sucked a nipple into my mouth again. That got a groan, so I kissed her lips, her eyes, her ears, and gently sucked on her neck. This made her squirm as I moved quickly down to her pussy to swipe my tongue between her wetness. Once my tongue touched her clit, she bucked her hips upward for more contact.

I sucked her clit into my mouth and added a finger into her to rub the sensitive place on her upper pussy. That got her. Gushing pussy, coming Mercy. Ah, it's great to know what buttons to push. It's also great to have a couple of helpers who were sucking on her nipples as I was down below. When I began crawling up to enter her, Mercy covered her pussy with her hand and said, "Oh, I'm too sensitive, you made me come too hard. Do Sue or Juanita, but not me right now. Maybe later."

I must have looked confused, as Sue held her arms out and said, "Do that to me, Stud, and I'll let you in."

I did do that to her, but a little slower, as I know Sue likes me to take a long time on her nipples. She loves me to bite down a little on them as I suck. Of course, it doesn't take that long until she's pushing my shoulders down so I can pay attention to her fountain of love. She was gushing quickly and almost as fast, she was quivering and shaking in her normal orgasmic state. When I added the finger, she began to gush more by the time I did her in by sliding my thumb into her butt. My pregnant Sue began squirting gushers at me. I don't do that to her often, as I'm always afraid it will hurt the babies. But she does love it. Almost instantly she was pulling me by my ears upward to put her fire out. We thumped for at least five minutes until she groaned and laid back.

"Enough, enough, no more, go give Juanita some of your love. I love you Honey, but please, enough."

I kissed her gently on the lips and went to Juanita who was being primed by the now alert Mercy and Kate, who had joined us on the bed. Juanita was spread out with two of the others' hands in her pussy. I crawled up and kissed her tenderly until I had her attention. After kissing her eyes and ears that she enjoys so much, I made love to her large full breasts. I kissed under the sag and sucked on her nipples until she was squirming. When my lips touched her pussy, Juanita let out a string of Spanish expletives that were probably not fit for most to hear. She has the same triggers as Sue and went nuts with a finger, then another in her bottom. She doesn't squirt like Sue, but she does gush juicily. While she was arching her bottom into the air I rose over her and plunged into her openness. She squealed and cried out in Spanish, calling me her lover. I thumped and pumped until she was near fainting. She hugged me tight to keep from moving anymore and said, "If you won't come in me then put another helping in our little girl here. She may be pregnant, but let's make sure."

As I pulled out of Juanita, Kate slid down next to her with her legs open. She said breathlessly, "Put it in, quick, I don't want anything else just fuck me, fuck me hard, put that stuff in again. I want it bad, please fuck me."

While I plunged in and out of her, the other three got over her kissing her, sucking on her nipples, and fingering her now exposed hard clit. When she began her rapid hip movement, it was all over for me. Her squeals from all the attention was all it took. I squirted her full to the brim. When I was through blowing it all into her, I was finished, tired, done.

When I rolled off her and was looking for a place to lie down, the girls were once again fired up and attacking Kate, while pawing each other. I found a dry spot on the far side and lay back. Sue came to me and lovingly began kissing and hugging me. Soon Mercy joined her, but she began sucking my nipples and trying to sneak in kisses when Sue rose up.

Then a mouth was on me. I knew instantly which mouth. It could only be Juanita. She has the softest mouth in the world, soft, but insistent. She was attacking it and loving it while playing with my balls, knowing that it would rise up and want more loving.

Sure enough, as soon as I was hard, Juanita sat on me, sliding me totally into her. She began rising and lowering, while Mercy and Sue continued to kiss and tease me. Juanita was using her inner muscles to squeeze me as she rose up and down. Since I couldn't control this, all too soon, I began to feel it coming. I tried to push Juanita off or make her stop, but she kept on and at the last second she pulled off and her mouth descended on my squirting cock. She sucked me dry. When she pulled her mouth from me with a pop, she smacked her lips saying "Ah caramba, Senor, so good."

Juanita and Mercy lay directly on top of me, with Sue to the side. The two girls continued to kiss me. Juanita kept giving me tongue kisses that had a spermy taste, but she had made me feel so good, I couldn't object.

Sue said, "She's getting to be as bad as Hannah. Pretty soon, she'll be wanting some directly from the pump all the time."

Juanita swatted Sue. "I wanted to pleasure him as much as he just pleasured me. That was one way to do it, but I do love to taste him. I know you do too. Should we let him rest, or should we get him going again?"

I almost groaned, but Mercy said, "Our stud has done his job tonight. I think we should be happy. Let's see, he did all four of us, and Juanita twice. We only got him off twice, but then he has had a lot to drink tonight. We'll just have to keep him healthy. Let's put him to sleep now and get him in the morning." This time I did groan.

The four of us snuggled up with me on the outside, Sue at my back and we quickly went to sleep.



-------

Chapter 57

I woke to sound of the satellite phone ringing. When I looked at the clock it said five o'clock. I had set the clock to local time so it was like six hours ahead of home. That's eleven PM back there.

Sliding from bed and picking up the phone, I made my way into the galley where I answered. It was Tiny, "Sorry to call you at what would be a really early hour where you are, but I needed to talk to you for a few minutes."

"That's okay Tiny, what's up, everything okay?"

"Yes and no. Everything's okay here, but Chicago had a fire at the big Eastern plant. From what I'm told, it's pretty much a total loss. We're insured, but we can't insure the old stuff we've bought to rebuild. That's a major loss."

"Was anyone hurt? How did it start?"

"No one was hurt. The only person on premise was the security guard, and he turned in the fire alarm and was able to get out of the building alright, after helping a drunk from his car. That's what started the fire. A drunk lost control of his car and drove into the building. His gas tank ruptured and caught fire from the drunk's cigarette. The security guard is being lauded as a hero as he was able to pull the guy out of the car and out of the building."

"So this happened last night right?"

"Yes, I tried to call you a couple of times today, but you didn't answer. I figured that since you were landed that you were visiting and looking around. I waited till I had to call you so I could go to bed. Too much strain today."

"Tell you what, Tiny. Instead of panicking, tomorrow when you wake and get some coffee in you, call General Steel and find out who the builder is up in Chicago. Have him duplicate the new buildings up in Montreal because that store needs at least that much space. Try to arrange them on the property so that if we need to, we can build the third building.

"Tell the managers up there to spread the guys in the other plants temporarily until we can get vehicles on the road to cover the construction crews. Thank goodness it's winter so there aren't too many operating right now. Have them try to keep everyone working. If anyone bitches about the distances while we are rebuilding, we'll have to lay them off. I'll call the main store up there later today or tomorrow for you and talk to the general manager. Is Ryan up there or on his way?"

"Yeah," Tiny said. "He's up there as of about two this afternoon. He's been working with the police and the insurance adjusters. All the inventory and sales records are stored off premise at night, so no records were lost. Ryan said we may be able to salvage some stuff, but the building is generally gone."

"Well, it'll work out, Tiny, so don't worry about it. I just hope we can keep pace up there without having to lay people off. It's taken too much to get that place at a nice smooth pace. So what is else is up."

"Judy's group actually got an order from Southern Spain, near Gibraltar. The customer said he saw our logo on the sails of a big boat and remembered that he needed to order his heavy equipment for the coming season. He also purchased two super lifts. Phil's man in the Near East is making some kind of mass sale to all of the oil companies headquartered in Dubai. The sale is going to be one of our largest ever. I don't have the final number yet, but the CEO from Onan called to tell me that the order was going to take up most of next year's production time."

"Sounds big. I'd love to go there and thank them, but I'm not getting my family any closer to those guys than I am right now. Go to bed, you've told me everything, so get some sleep and don't worry about it. It will all work out."

"Goodnight, Boss, or should I say good morning to you," Tiny said as he hung up.

The call had taken over a half-hour. Now I was awake and was not going to be able to go back to bed. I made some coffee, went back to the bedroom to put on some pants and shirt, then went up into the lounge. When I went out on deck, there was a young man on the dock next to the boat. He asked in broken English, "Are you Mr. Sharp?"

"Yes, that's me," I said pointing at myself.

"Mr. Orkos asked that I bring you the English language newspaper. I have also the New York Times for you," he said this all as if he had rehearsed it several times.

I went for my wallet to tip the young man and he held up his hands, "No, no, I canna keep from you. Please, I do for Mr. Orkos."

I thanked the young man profusely, embarrassing him a little. I offered him some coffee, but he said he had to get back to the embassy. When I asked him what embassy, he said the United States that he was an intern there while he was in college.

I went back into the lounge with the two papers and began scanning the news in the local paper. It had just the usual type of local news and some articles about a new trade agreement with Spain. The New York Times was the previous day's paper. I scanned all the business section and didn't see anything of any interest, so I turned on the TV and found CNN Headline News to watch with my second cup of coffee.

Maggie came up to the lounge with a cup of coffee and asked if everything was alright, as she had heard the phone. I told her about Chicago, and I told her about the young man that had come with the newspapers. We were both amazed he had been there so early in the morning.

Missy came up to the lounge with a large glass of orange juice. She had a big smile on her face. She came over to sit by me, "No wonder there are so many pregnant ladies on this boat. I heard all that noise last night, and it didn't help me go to sleep either. I need to call Merlin to hear his voice, so that I may remain faithful. Otherwise, I'm going to be begging my daughter for a little time with her husband."

"Missy, Missy, we'll find you something that will help. We'll try to keep the portholes closed so you don't hear us."

"That's okay. I love to hear the way you all love each other. I know from the way you treat each other that it's not just the sex. My Mercy is a lucky woman to have a family like this."

Juanita was next to come up, with Kate following her. The three ladies were still in nightgowns, so they all finished their coffee and went below to get ready for the day. I made sure that Maggie was going to go sightseeing with us today and went downstairs to shower and dress for the day.

Kate and Juanita were now dressed and had begun getting the kids up. Steve and Carson were excited about sightseeing and ran from their room into the galley, hoping to find Missy and Maggie for some breakfast.

I kissed my two Mom's awake and convinced them that seven fifteen was not too early to get up. By the time they were showered and dressed, Lizzy and Mike were changed and dressed. I proposed that we go to the yacht club restaurant for breakfast and that was met by a hardy approval. Our group made it up the dock and into the yacht club to find that it wasn't very busy at all. We enjoyed an excellent breakfast and went back to the boat to await Tony's call.

Tony called about eight forty-five and asked if we were ready. Since we were ready, he said he would pick us up at nine in the front of the yacht club, and we would begin our day.

The day was very long. A tour of the Acropolis of Athina, Athens, then the Parthenon, with the accompanying museums, let us know that to see all of the various museums, we would have to stay a month. Tony and his equally tired family drove us back to the yacht club and joined us eating in the restaurant. As soon as we finished eating, Missy, Maggie, and Kate took the little ones back to the boat for a bath and bed. They were all worn out. Shortly after, Tony and Alexa said their children were equally tired, so we bid them goodnight, with me telling Tony I would visit with him a little tomorrow before we left for Sicily.

The girls were totally worn out and said they were going to get a shower and hit the sack. I said that I needed to call home before I went to bed, so I showered, kissed my ladies good night, kissed the kids, said goodnight to the worn out Maggie and Missy, then went up to the lounge in some shorts and a T-shirt with my cell phone. I made a drink and had a few sips before calling the shop. When I asked for Tiny, the receptionist said that I was supposed to call him at home.

Figuring that home was the patio, I called there. Tiny answered immediately. He said that he was relaxed now and wasn't in a panic anymore. "You did it for me, Steve. When I called you last night I was afraid to even tell you the bad news, but you just gave me a simple way to begin getting the place back up and it's started already. Ryan had a meeting with all the employees to tell them what we were going to do in the interim. He offered to let them use any vacation or sick time, but he had convinced the key people to make the commute to the central store until the new one is built. All of the trucks are okay, as they are kept in a garage across the street. So the loss isn't as bad as we thought. Ryan is going to set up a temporary supply room in the garage building so the service trucks can go out from there in the morning. We also didn't lose any of the new RVs that we have up there, as the RV sales and service building is also across the street. All in all, we're in pretty good shape."

"So has anyone been able to put a number on the loss yet?"

"I pulled Henry so he could lead a group of three guys to go over the books to pull an accurate inventory of merchandise, tools, equipment, and office furniture and equipment. Henry's preliminary figure is three point two million, not including the building. Since the building is a total loss, we will get the tax figure at a minimum, but we did insure the building to take in consideration the modernization we had done, so we should get about two and half for the building."

"Wow, you're saying we had a loss of almost six mil?"

"Right there, Steve, not bad considering we only paid ten for the entire Chicago distributorship."

I said, "That's amazing, Tiny. Who would believe a third of the Chicago stores would be worth that much and it doesn't include the vehicles and the RVs. We did get lucky."

"Ryan said that he feels the place will operate okay until the new building is up. He has already interviewed the contractor up there and will begin clearing the property as soon as the insurance company says it's okay. The guy that hit the building doesn't have any money and only has twenty-five grand of property damage insurance. His insurance company has already offered the maximum to us. We're going to let our attorney up there handle it to make sure there isn't any change on the table for us."

"That's all good news, Tiny. This time it's me that's getting ready for bed and I'm probably doing exactly what you're doing."

"What's that," Tiny asked, "having a drink?"

"You got it. I'm in the lounge relaxing before going to bed. We're leaving for Sicily tomorrow. It should be just an overnight trip and we'll meet the distributor there go up to Rome next. I'm planing on spending an eternity in Rome, so we'll probably spend an extra day in Sicily to rest before Rome."

"Oh, Steve," Tiny said. "I've just finished the first six months on the two charter companies. The air charter group is gangbusters, with about a thirty percent return on investment. We should probably end the first year at over twenty-five percent. The boat and fishing charters are not as profitable yet as they are only running about fifteen percent. We ah, paid for all of your improvements and the purchase of the boat, then sold it back to you as scrap. That way you didn't have to take it out of your personal monies."

"Tiny," I said. "You know that this boat thing is all mine, sailboat that is. You shouldn't use any of the boat charter company's money for any of my toys. The girls wanted them, so they should pay for them."

"Oh hell, Steve, you own the damn company anyway, so you do pay for them. It's just accounting, that's all. I charged you fully on that new plane. I bought back the big 200, then sold you the 1900D at what we paid for it. I made you pay for the maintenance to get it ready to charter, and we have now been paying you for the charter time. That damn plane has been flying every day and is booked for another two months. You'll have it paid for in no time.'

"That's what I mean, Tiny, you finagle the books around and what I should be paying a whole lot for, you're actually giving me money for it. That's not how life is."

"It is for you, Steve. You have some of the best accountants around. You're paying so much income tax that you should probably get a thank you from Bush. The company is paying so damn much tax, we should be getting a thank you daily from the IRS. Then there are the taxes in all of the states we do business in, plus all of the property taxes. You should get a break on some stuff. It's all legal, and we've already stood up under an IRS audit. We have a guy that we call on to run something by whenever we have a question. So far, he's given us more leeway that I would have taken. So don't worry yourself. You're only getting what you should."

"Okay, I'll let you guide me. Just don't let them surprise me. Have you heard any more about Phil's deal?"

"Phil is in the air, on his way to Dubai with the CEO of Onan, so they can finalize all of the numbers. The salesman over there is going to make about a mil and a half commission on this. We'll be lucky to keep him. He'll probably retire. Phil will call me and let me know."

"Wow, sounds like you have it all under control. Give our love to everyone and I'll call you tomorrow."

I made a second drink and sat there in the lounge relaxing. It's amazing that the company, six hours time difference, and over four thousand miles away, is doing fine without me. All I have to do is call and give some suggestions to a problem and it's all done. Sure is nice to have a group like that. I wonder how Canada is doing. I forgot to ask. They should be open for business.

I took a chance and called Ryan's cell phone. "Hey, Ryan, it's Steve the wayward S&S guy."

"Hey, Steve, how's it going."

"Can you talk?"

"I'm done talking to everyone but Michelle for the day. What's up?"

"You're doing a great job there in Chicago. Thank you for keeping the employees up there settled down. My biggest fear was losing the men that we had been training."

"Not to worry, Steve," Ryan said. "Everyone, to a man, has said they will do whatever the company needs them to do while we rebuild. They're excited that we will have a bigger and even better place."

"That's great, Ryan. The other thing I called about is Montreal. How's it going up there?"

"Peaches, or if you're Canadian, you would probably say ice crystals. We ended up hiring about thirty percent of the men from the former distributor. From them we were able to fill out our manpower requirement. We are now open for business, bringing in orders, and we have a sales group canvassing the construction companies about the maintenance agreement deal. The plan has been successful, plus we have a nice order being shipped up to Hudson Bay. I don't know how they will get it there, but it's a big order that includes a lot of welding equipment too. The second building is poured with all of the steel uprights in place. We haven't been held back by the cold too much, so they are moving right along. That was a good move to use the two contractors together. They've gone out and solicited a lot more work together. They should be paying you a commission for getting them together."

"That is really great. I'm proud of you and them. If we can do a good job up there, we'll begin to expand throughout Canada. You should probably look for someone you can put in charge of Canada, because there will soon be too many places for you to go."

"I know, Steve. I think Tiny has some kind of deal for the upper mid-west on out through Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and the Dakotas. The same guy owns all of the distributorships in those areas. They don't do that much business, but I'm sure if we had them, we could pump up the sales, especially our road construction sales."

"Then begin looking for another man to help you out there. You can include Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas in that group as well, as we are beginning to have a lot of stores in the eastern half of the U.S. It won't be long before you won't even be able to cover that by yourself."

"Hey, Michelle and I are doing fine. We're home two or three days a week, and are able to oversee everything now. Since Phil put us in your old 200, we can now quickly cover a hell of a lot of territory. Thanks a lot for giving us a twin. That thing is sweet. We are able to finish up all of our work for the week in the plane. No more Saturday make up time at the office."

Hmmmm, Tiny didn't tell me about that. It's for the best though.

"Well, you've made my evening here. I'm going to bed, so thanks for keeping the company going back there. Give Michelle a hug and I'll talk to you again soon."

"Bye, Boss, thanks for the plane."

The company is humming. A hiccup here and there, but it's still humming. Tiny gets too stressed when I'm not available, so I need to stay in touch more often.

I finished my drink, washed out my glass, and went below to go to bed. Maggie was sitting at the galley counter, having some hot chocolate. "I didn't know you were up, Maggie. You should have joined me in the lounge."

"You were talking business, Steve, so I made my hot chocolate and was reading my book. I'm about to go to bed too."

I went to Maggie and gave her a hug, "Thanks for being here with us, Maggie. You're a great help with the kids. I don't know what we're going to do when we get five more all at once."

"It'll be busy, Steve, but we'll take care of it. I don't think your ladies are going to let it fluster them. They'll just keep on taking care of kids like always. They may need more help, but between Kate, Juanita, and me, we should be fine."

I gave her another hug and went to bed. The girls had left me some space next to Sue on the one side, so I slid in and was instantly hugged from behind by Sue. She said, "Turnover, I need another kiss."

I turned over and we kissed softly saying, "I love you." She turned over to let me hug her from behind. This caused a shuffle as Juanita turned over to let Sue spoon her from the rear, which caused Kate to turn, and last was Mercy who was on the far side, turned over to let Kate spoon her. I wonder if this goes on all night? When one turns over, the rest follow? I fell asleep considering the humor in our sleeping arrangements.

The morning was busy with Liz not wanting to be picked up. She wanted to be on the floor and immediately crawled to something that she could stand up on. The problem was she kept trying to walk. She was probably too young to walk, but she was determined.

Steve would go sit with her and she would use him to stand. Then, while holding on to him, his hair, his ear, his nose or mouth, Liz would try to walk. She'd fall, hard, often banging her head. She would make a noise that was almost going to cry, then she would straighten up, make a determined face, and begin standing again.

Mike was trying to follow her, but he was even younger and could barely stand, much less walk. He would put his hands out and instantly fall on his face. He didn't cry though. I guess the two of them were pretty tough.

Carson had been watching Liz in her attempts to walk and went to her, took her hand, and helped her up. He did an amazing thing. He lifted her up and put her feet on top of his then he walked all around the below deck lounge saying, "Lizzy walk, Lizzy walk."

When he sat down with her, she stood up and began walking, making a noise that sounded like "Lizzy walk." Liz didn't quit, she walked all around the lounge and into the galley to catch up with Steve. When she caught Steve, she sat down, pulling him down with her, saying again what sounded like "Lizzy walk."

We adults were all totally fascinated by what we had witnessed. The determined little girl had just the right help from Carson to do it on her own. After the Mike and Liz sitting together thing, Liz stood up and toddled off to find Carson, still saying her "Lizzy walk."

Tony came by to say bon voyage to us. We gave him a bunch of S&S raceday T-shirts that we had brought along for gifts. You would have thought we gave him gold instead of T-shirts.

When he was gone, we let the yacht club attendants help us disconnect the shore services. We flushed the holding tanks one last time, pulled our lines, and gently moved from the dock. It took us an hour to get out far enough to raise our sails. Once we did, we had to navigate among a lot of smaller fishing boats that were around. We were soon on our way to Palermo, Sicily.

The next morning, we were approaching Palermo and encountered a Sicilian police boat. We put out our fenders and invited them on board. The officer in charge spoke decent English and wanted to see our papers. We showed them the ship's papers and our passports. He noted we had just been in Greece, and asked us how long we would be in Sicily. I told him two or three days depending on how long we wanted to sightsee. He asked where we were docking and I gave him the name of the yacht club we had reserved space at. He acted surprised and asked if we were from Hollywood. I laughed and said, "No, we are from Florida. Do you have to be from Hollywood to dock there?"

"Many Hollywood people stay at that yacht club. It is only for the very special. It is good you stay there, it is very nice."

As we entered the yacht basin, a motor launch came out to meet us. A man boarded and asked if we needed him to take us in or could he just lead us. I told him to lead us and if we were going to have a slip, I wished to rotate the boat and back in. I also asked if they had dockside facilities for flushing our holding tank and fueling, or was there a separate place for that. He informed us that all facilities were available at all slips. He suggested we use shore water for bathing only, but I declined to hook up the water. We would just use our stored water and make more as we needed it.

This place was fancy. They had attendants running around in uniforms everywhere. The girls only had to toss the lines out and there was someone to tie us up. In no time at all we were secure and hooked up to shore power.

The first thing the women wanted to do was to go look in the palatial building of the yacht club. Their sixth sense told them there were shops in there, so six of them took off with me keeping the kids. It was almost nap time, so I fed them lunch and put them to bed. Since they were so messy, it took me another half hour to clean up from feeding them.

I cracked a beer and turned on the computer to answer any e-mails. There was the usual what do we do with this or that and how do you want to handle something, but nothing that was difficult to answer. I wrote Deb a note that we were in Sicily and would be there for a couple of days. It was one in the afternoon here, so it was seven in the morning there. I used my cell phone and called home. They immediately put me on the speaker system so I could update them on what we had seen. I told them I would send all of the pictures from Greece in an e-mail so they could see what we had seen. Everyone was happy and healthy, wishing us a safe trip. When I hung up, I realized I was a little homesick.

I downloaded my camera then sent almost three hundred photos to Debbie. I figured she would be the best person to send them to. I sent a copy of them to Hannah, as she received her e-mail at the park. That took care of that.

When I shut down the computer, I went up to the lounge to have another beer, but I was shocked to see four uniformed attendants standing on the dock. I went out to ask them what I could do for them and they said they were there so they could scrub down the deck. They were waiting for permission to board. I thought that was a hell of a service, so I invited them up. They worked from one end going full tilt toward the back. While three scrubbed, one polished metal.

The women came back while the attendants were still cleaning. I explained that it was a service offered by the club. The girls thought it was a great service since they didn't have to do it.

They had several bags with them and began showing me all of the different garments and souvenirs they had purchased. It's a good thing the boat had a lot of drawer and closet space, as they had a bunch.

As the kids began waking, I took care of them while the women were still putting their treasures away. Lizzy immediately wanted down so she could toddle, following Steve who ran full tilt into the galley with Carson. Poor Mike, he also wanted to be down, but he could only crawl into the galley.

The four kids had something to drink before going into the lounge to play. I got out the big blocks for them and they were immediately occupied. Kate came in and relieved me so I could go up to the deck to see how the attendants were doing. They were gone, but a well dressed man was on the dock waiting for me.

"Mr. Sharp?" He asked.

I nodded, "Yes sir."

"My name is Pete Sorentino. I am the greeter for the yacht club. Welcome to our club. I note that some of your women have already been to the stores, but let me invite you to come to our restaurant and lounge. You will find it very private and well-stocked. You will be able to visit with many of your friends there."

"Come on board, Pete, come in and sit down."

Once we were settled, me with a Dewars on ice and Pete with a glass of white merlot, he handed me the basket he had been carrying. "This is full of some local fruit, a jar of our local olives, coupons for many restaurants in Palermo, and a variety of brochures of our tourist attractions. If you desire a guide, one can be provided to show you whatever it is you wish. Please enjoy your stay with us."

He took a drink from his glass and asked, "Do you have any plans while you are here?"

"Yes sir, I do." I began giving some descriptions, "I'm going to meet with a distributor of our products here, and together we are to meet with a government agency about the purchase of some equipment."

"That is good that you are here for business as well as pleasure. If we can be of service, please contact us. If you need anything, stop any attendant that is passing, or you may call us from your phone. I will leave you now. Thank you for the wine and your hospitality."

I called the local distributor who said he was waiting for me to call, as he had heard we had landed some hours before. Everyone must have spies out to know what we are doing. I told him that we were going to rest and perhaps go to the restaurant this evening. If he and his wife and family would like to join us, we would make reservations for all of us. The man was ecstatic. He said I would have to leave word at the gate for him and his wife to enter the yacht club area.

"Come about six so you and your wife can meet my family and traveling companions, and have a drink with us before we go to the restaurant."

"We will see you at six then," he said, and hung up.

I called the yacht club office to tell them that I would have two guests that would arrive at about six this evening and that I wanted reservations for all of us at seven to seven-thirty.

I went below to tell the girls what was up for the evening, and to give them the basket of goodies. They immediately were going through the coupons, saying they would have to go back into the shops as they could now get discounts on items.

Missy said she was going to call Merlin and went up into the lounge to use my cell phone. She had not talked to him in a couple of days, so I know she was missing him.

I told the girls that Salvitore Santini would be coming about six with his wife for a drink before dinner. We had reservations between seven and seven-thirty. They said that I would have to wear a jacket in the club, but I didn't have to wear a tie. They had noticed the sign stating types of apparel allowed. The funny thing was jackets were required, but jeans were allowed. Strange mix, but in the crazy fashion world, jeans had become dress clothes.

We were all dressed and ready when Salvitore Santini came on board. He introduced his wife, Maria and dismissed her to go with the women to explore the boat.

"Please call me Sal. May I address you as Steve?"

"Sure, Sal. You speak great English. Thank you, but where did you learn to speak our language so well?"

"I was a student at Oxford University in Great Britain, and I attended UCLA for two years after that."

"How did you get involved with Onan equipment and the rest of our product line?"

Sal smiled and said, "My father was a welder and began selling various power products. When your salesman approached him with your product line, he became interested and began his relationship with you. He became ill a year ago, and I came to help him if I could. I've become so involved in the business that I now take care of all decisions for my father. Regrettably, my mother recently passed away, and my father's health has declined since. He has had to be confined within a nursing home, but enough sadness, how about a drink."

I told him to name his poison and he smiled and said, "If you have it, Beefeater on the rocks. An olive or two if you have them would be nice."

"I laughed saying that I had a several months supply of Beefeater, as that was my favorite drink. That and Dewar's, along with beer."

We were having our drinks when most of the ladies came up. Sue and Mercy sat on each side of me with Juanita sitting by Sue and Kate by Mercy. Missy had stayed below with Maggie to watch the kids.

Maria had sat down by Sal, took his hand in hers, and said, "Sal, we could have brought Rochelle with us. Steve has three wives, going on four. You see, we're not so different."

Sal grimaced but said, "Should I call her or would it be too late?"

"Call her," Maria said, "She'll be here quickly. She's almost ready anyway as all she has to do is slip on her dress. She doesn't wear makeup. Kind of like these ladies."

Sal called on his cell phone and we could hear a squeal in the background. When he hung up, he said she would be here in fifteen minutes.

I called the club office to tell them another person was coming by taxi and asked that they escort her back to the boat.

Twenty minutes later, a tall, dark-haired, buxom lady stepped on board, holding my offered hand. She walked up to Sal and gave him a kiss, then did the same with Maria. We did the introductions all around before the girls took Rochelle on a quick boat tour.

Sal said, "Not many Americans have more than one wife. Here it is common, but one wife is usually subordinate to the other. With me, I will not have that and both are equal. It was Maria that found Rochelle. She fell in love with her and insisted that I fall in love with her too. That's how I have two."

"My story is about the same. Sue and I found Mercy, then later, the two of them wanted Juanita, and now they've invited Kate. I don't think Kate will become a permanent part of us, though."

The girls came back up and Sue and Mercy got everyone a drink and poured Sal and I another. About seven fifteen, I suggested we go to the restaurant for supper. The ladies gathered the children and we made our way to the restaurant. We were seated in a special area as we had our kids with us. Other parents with kids were seated around us.

The dinner was excellent. They had some great Italian dishes that we enjoyed, but were told they were not Italian, but Sicilian. By the time we were finished, it was late enough that Sal said he would take his ladies home and I said I would do the same with mine. We agreed to meet the next day so he could show me his operations, and later we would go see the government official in the afternoon.

We went back to the boat, had some coffee and ice cream and slowly migrated to bed. The girls were full from eating, but were acting very loving. Tonight, it was Mercy who kept coming back for seconds and thirds. By the time they appeared to be satisfied, my entire body was limp. Sleep was immediate.

Morning came with a wonderful aroma. Someone was making coffee. Whoever it was, I was going to go tell them how much I loved them, right now.

I did the bathroom thing, and put on some clothes, as it was a little chilly on the boat this morning. It was a duo that had brought me to a happy wake up. Maggie and Missy were sitting at the counter in the galley, having just poured that wonderful smelling coffee.

Missy asked, "How do you turn on the heat in this contraption?"

"Hmmm," I said, not really knowing the answer. "There are thermostats around, but I've never messed with them. They are all set to 'off' right now. There is a set of Q & As up in the bridge or weather helm area. Kind of like SOPs in the military." (Standard Operating Procedures)

I went up to the weather helm and found the big book and right there was a tab for air-conditioning. When I looked at the section for heat it gave discussions of fuel oil heat and propane heat. You had to go below to the maintenance area and set the switch for one or the other. Since I had no idea where to check to see if we had propane, I went to the switch and set it to fuel oil. As soon as I set that and set the thermostat, an exhaust fan came on, and a furnace lit with a 'whoosh.' There was a thermometer that gradually rose until it hit a hundred eight degrees when the blower came on to blow warm air throughout the boat.

I took the manual with me back to the kitchen to have my coffee that was now cold. Maggie put the cup into the microwave to warm it up for me. I sipped the coffee while talking to the ladies and looking through the big book.

There was a section on the propane heating unit and where to check on the propane supply. When I looked over to the stove top, I groaned a "Duh" as the stove top was gas. There were two electric pads to one side but the main four burners were gas. I walked back to the maintenance access and went around a corner to find the big five hundred gallon propane tank. That ought to be enough to cook and keep us warm. I figured on switching the heat to propane once the boat warmed up and the sun was out. It should warm up nicely later.

When I went back to the galley, Kate and Juanita were up, saying that they were hungry from all of the exercise they had the previous night. Juanita gave me a loving kiss and pushed Kate over to me to get a hug and kiss too.

Juanita said, "If you can love our man, you're allowed to show the world that you enjoy giving him attention. After the way you've acted so far, I know you enjoy him as much as the rest of us."

Kate blushed, but Maggie said, "Don't be bashful, girl. You didn't make any bones about wanting to make sure you were pregnant before we got back home. I would sure hope you enjoyed making that baby, and I would hope you like the daddy of the kid you're making."

This just made Kate blush all the more.

Mercy and Sue walked into the kitchen with robes on, and said, "Oh, she likes Steve, alright. She likes the way he makes her feel special. She likes the way he makes her scream, and I know she likes the way he puts her to sleep."

"Oh stop, Sue," Kate admonished. "Yes, I love the way Steve makes me feel and I'm in love with the man who has made this baby grow inside me. Knowing that he gave me the baby I wanted so badly has to make me love him. I feel a little guilty though, as I still want to be Jim's wife. I just hope he will realize we can have a happy life, with both of us wanting some outside attention."

Missy stood up and said, "Let's make some pancakes. By the time we get them ready, you guys should have the kids up and dressed."

The four girls disappeared into the stateroom to wake up the kids. First out was Steve, followed by Carson, then a smiling, happy Lizzy came toddling down the hallway, happily saying, "Dadadadada, Lizzywalk, Lizzywalk, Dadadada."

Hearing her has to make you smile and laugh. Mike was the last out of the room, crawling rapidly trying to keep up with Lizzy, Steve, and Carson.

We put the little ones into high chairs and gave them a buttered pancake. No need to put any syrup on it as they just tore them up and stuffed it into their mouths. The only maintenance required was to offer them their Sippy cups with milk in them.

While we ate, the girls would give a little forkful of pancakes with syrup on them to each of the little ones. They would relish the sweet taste, but went right back to tearing and stuffing the buttered pancake.

I said that I needed to get ready to meet Sal. Sue came with me into the stateroom, saying that she wanted me to wear my best today, as I was going to be seeing a government customer later. I decided to wear what Sal thought I would have worn. I put on a western cut pair of pants and a solid light blue western shirt. I put on a dark blue corduroy sport coat with the leather patched elbows. That get up, along with a good pair of boots, made me think that I needed a Stetson to finish off the wardrobe.

The girls all thought I was overdoing it, but Missy said, "If you were out in California, the girls would be drooling all over you. Up in San Francisco the guys would be drooling too, but you probably wouldn't notice them."

I called Sal on the cell phone and asked if he wished me to take a taxi to his business. He asked me if that would be alright, as he was trying to take care of a problem.

I said goodbye to the girls as they prepared to go out shopping for the day. The main desk in the yacht club solved the transportation problem quickly. They had a car and driver at the front door in minutes. I gave the man the address and he whisked me off to Sal's place.

When I walked in the building, you could tell there was a problem. There was no one up front, as the entire population of the business was standing around something in the main shop area.

When I approached, Sal said, "I can't understand it. We've never had a problem with an Onan product, but this is supposed to be the demonstration generator for the government meeting today. It won't start. The big compressor won't start either. We've read the uncrating and startup procedures dozens of times, but the men have been working on it since yesterday."

I said, "Let me get the man who can always fix one of these on the phone. I'll track him down and he'll help us troubleshoot the problem."

Using my cell phone I called Abe at home. Since it was nine here, it would be two AM in Tampa. A sleepy voice answered, it was Alice. "Hi Alice, this is Steve. I need Abe to help me real quick, can I talk to him?"

"Well, you could but he's up in Montreal trying to get them started rebuilding product up there. He's probably asleep, but he doesn't sleep that sound, so call his cell phone and he should answer. What country are you in today, Steve?"

"Sicily, Alice. Sorry I woke you, go back to sleep, okay?"

"I was reading and fell asleep in bed with the light on. I'll get under the covers now and go to bed. Night, Steve."

Thank goodness I had Abe's number in my cell, so I called him hoping he would wake up, but sorry that I had to wake him."

"Huh? Who's calling?" Abe's voice was gravely with sleep.

"It's Steve, Abe, I need some help with a new generator they can't get started."

"Oh, they got one too huh? Are you around the machine?"

"Yes sir, I'm right in front of it with the engine access panel off."

"Look down and to the right, under the fuel tank. There is a petcock that is built into the tank right there. It's new and it isn't mentioned in the manual. Turn it on, wait till the pressure feeds the unit then start it up. Let me hear it, okay?"

I reached under the fuel tank and turned the very tiny handle of the petcock on. While I waited for the fuel to get into the line, I asked Abe, "So what are you doing up there in that cold, Abe?"

"Ryan said that he wasn't going to start the rebuild shop up here until it got warmer and I could come up to get his men started. I couldn't let the opportunity go by to get that youngun dirty. I told him I would come up to get it started, but he had to come out to the shop and help me train. We've been training this entire week. They have three crews and I think they will need at least two more. They are pretty good, too. They really like the perfect stuff you have all over the place. Your builders up here have done a great job."

"Hang on, Abe, let me go through the motions and start this thing."

I checked to make sure everything was clear and even hollered clear and hit the main starter. Instant on. The big diesel engine started right up with the gauges instantly showing available amperage.

"That did it, Abe. Go back to bed. It's going to be Friday and you guys will be flying home, so get some rest. Alice is going to be after you since you haven't been home for a week."

"Yep, I'm going right back to sleep, right now. I'll talk to you tomorrow or rather later today."

We hung up, and I showed everyone the new addition to the fuel tanks. One of the mechanics felt around the bottom of tank on the big compressor and turned it on too. Shortly after that, the compressor was also running.

Sal's shop manager thanked me profusely for finding the problem so fast. Sal was very happy that I was able to solve his problem quickly, without any fuss or having to wait to call Onan later in the day.

All of the people in the shop wanted to show me their work areas and led me around to each part of the shop. They jabbered away in their Sicilian dialect of Italian, and I just nodded and smiled. They were proud to show me their workplaces. After seeing the entire place, Sal had me come into his office where a secretary brought us some cappuccino. We had a good discussion about business before we left to meet the government agent for lunch.

Sal drove us to a small restaurant near his shop. Inside, everyone who worked there greeted him. Even the cook came out to say hi to him. Sal explained, "This is my mother's side of the family. This restaurant has been in their family since the eighteen hundreds. Even the Germans left them alone as long as they fed the officers their fine food. Come, let us sit in the private family room and await our guests."

"Sal, you said guests? I thought we were meeting only one man?"

"Oh, no, no. When he found out the American who is the shipper of the goods was going to be here, many of his co-workers and bosses wished to join him. He said he would limit the extras to only a dozen. This is alright, isn't it?"

Stunned at the quantity of onlookers I answered, "Sure, but they're going to be disappointed when they meet me. I'm kind of non-descript."

"Oh anything but, Steve. You're dressed perfect in your western clothes, especially the boots. You're tall, but not too tall, so they will enjoy meeting you and looking up to you. Most Sicilian men are under five ten or five nine. You're about six feet so you look especially tall to most of us."

Sal got close to me and said, "They will try to use their very poor English on you. If they butcher something up real bad, I'll try to help you understand so you may answer them. Just speak slowly and distinctly. If they don't understand, they will ask me, I will interpret."

People began coming in the door and all stood by a chair, waiting for the main contact to come in to be introduced. A short round man with very little hair came up to Sal and vigorously shook his hand. Sal introduced me and waived his hand at all of the other attendees before he said, "And these are all of Mr. Manchurous' department personnel."

Sal's mother's relatives served tons of food. The surprising thing was, all of the government people ate everything on their plates and reached for more. Sal and I limited ourselves, and only sipped our wine instead of gulping the food and the wine.

The conversation was all about Frank Manchurous. If the conversation lagged, it was because his mouth was full. By the time we were served a very sweet cake, with a sweet toping, I knew where Frank was born, all of his schools, his wife, his children, his girlfriends, and his very important government position. I think he loved me, as I kept asking him more about him.

Soon it was time to exit to Sal's shop. His men had the two pieces of machinery we had started set up for a demonstration. When we arrived at the shop, Sal took us into the main shop area, where he had folding chairs arranged as if for an audience. He seated everyone and spoke in Sicilian, describing how the machines worked and the great value that they were and would be to the government.

Sal stood back and said, "Steve, would you show the gentlemen the appropriate way to start up the generator."

I went through the various procedures that Abe had taught me a couple of years before, when we were selling the rebuilds to the welding supplier. When I stood back and pushed the big red start button, the big engine caught immediately and powered up. I pointed at the various gauges as they rose to show the desired output. Sal went over to a giant hand switch and brought it down to close making sparks fly. Hundreds of small lights in the shape of Sicily lit up, with the major cities flashing red. Very gaudy, very cute.

The onlookers began clapping in appreciation of the display.

We shut the generator down, so Sal could present the big compressor. Again he asked me to start up the machine. This one you have to first make sure all of the valves are closed and you check the bottom valve to let any accumulated moisture out. Once everything was set again, I pushed the big red button and felt the machine power up.

This time when Sal showed off the amount of pressure the big machine could put out, he connected an air hose from the machine to a huge basket that was full of balls. The balls instantly danced the twenty feet up inside of the cage showing the strength of the compressor. After the applause, Sal shut down the machine, and said he had one more new product that was from our company, that he had just recently found out about.

His shop manager came out wheeling a large welding cart. Another man brought out a wooden table with some clamps and metal displayed on it. I recognized the machine. It was the new multi-phased welding unit with the three types of wire to feed for welding three types of metal.

Sal went into his presentation and kept saying Steve Sharp and pointing to me, then he had his man start up the generator and plug the welder in.

"Steve, will you demonstrate how well this works for us?"

The shop foreman brought me a big leather shop apron, so I took off my coat and put on the apron. Next I set up the steel, the aluminum, and some kind of off the wall metal that was obviously part magnesium.

The whole time I was doing this, Sal was describing what I was doing and trying to explain each step. I flipped the switches to turn on the steel settings, drawing a quick bead between the two pieces of steel. I reached down to flip to the aluminum settings, and adjusted the wire feed. The aluminum was very soft, and I was able to put a very clean bead between the two pieces.

Next would be the most difficult, as magnesium was very difficult to work with. It required a low arc, plus you had to watch not to hold the wire next to the metal very long. Since the metal is so sensitive, you could almost meld them without the wire or a rod, but I needed to show the versatility of the unit. I used the dial to reduce the arc to almost its lowest setting and drew a quick bead along the two pieces of magnesium.

I raised my hood and inspected the weld while nodding. All three welds were some of my best. After shutting down the unit, I unplugged it, and the generator was shut down. Almost all of the government men swamped me looking at the welder, pawing the two big machines and shaking my hand.

Sal had the main official off to the side and beckoned to me. "Steve, do you think you can deliver a hundred of the "Tri-Welders" within six months? Frank says he wants to put one in every shop throughout the country. He's also going to initiate the first order for both the generators and the compressors."

I assured Frank that he would have his equipment quickly, as I would personally make sure his order was promptly filled. This was a very nice order, well over a half million US, if the computation I was doing in my head was correct.

Sal celebrated the occasion by having his female office staff serve all of these men more wine. The one thing that I thought Sal did right this time was to serve the mooches in plastic wineglasses. When the wine was finished, the government men all shook our hands leaving en mass, the way they had come.

When they were all gone, Sal was slapping me on the back and dancing around. The shop manager was going nuts as well. This was going to be their biggest order ever.

It was about four in the afternoon, so it would be nine back home. I used my cell phone and called the shop to ask for Phil. Julie said that Tiny wanted to talk to me first, so she put me through to him. Tiny said, "You probably better cool it. Phil's about to have a stroke over the business your stirring up over there and all the business he's doing up in Montreal. He went straight there on his way back from Dubai. The man is out calling on an old customer base list from Onan. It's ten below zero, and Phil is cold calling. Now that's cold calling alright. He has Judy's people calling every potential product user in the whole province. Ryan said it's a riot to watch Phil in action. We have to get him back here so he can do his first seminar. He's going to be wound up for it that's for sure."

"Then I have just the news for him. We just finished with the Sicilian government and they are going to purchase one hundred of the new "Tri-Welders" plus a huge order for compressors and generators."

Tiny said, "Well, let me see if Judy can track him down. She says he's calling the orders in while he's at the customer, just like old times for him."

Tiny put me on hold and about a minute later he said, "Steve, I have Phil, Abe, and Judy on a conference call for you."

"Congratulations, Phil, on your Dubai trip and the great work you're doing up there. I hope you're using this as an opportunity to train your new sales manager up there."

"I am, Steve. I have our new sales manger, plus all of the salesmen coming with me on every call. This is so much fun, I don't even mind the cold. Abe and Ryan are both trying to get me to get going so we can fly home. How are you doing over there?"

When I told Phil of the order, he whooped loud enough that he said he startled the customer he was with. I told him, "Make sure you thank Abe for me for helping us last night with the fuel petcock, plus today's big order included the new welding unit. Now finish up where you are and get on the plane. You'll miss supper if you wait too long. Now get."

Sal and his shop manager had settled down now, so Sal said he would take me back to the boat. He wanted to have dinner with us again but this time he would bring his three children, and I suggested that he come out to the yacht club and we would eat on the boat. I was hungry for some of the good steaks that I knew were in the freezer. We agreed on a time while he drove me back to the club. As I passed the security desk, I told them that my friends would all come again tonight and we were having them for dinner on our boat.

As I was walking down to the docks, I noticed several large gas and charcoal grills. I went inside the club to find someone to ask about them and found the manager in his office. He directed me to the rental clerk so I could have the grill of my choice delivered. We were allowed to use the grill on the dock instead of having it on the boat.

The girls and kids were not back yet, so I counted up people and dug into the freezer. There were plenty of steaks for everyone, plus we had a bunch of potatoes to bake. Our salad makings were getting scarce, so I would need lettuce, but there was everything else to get started. First was to thaw a dozen big steaks. Our kids could eat off the adults' steaks as they were all huge. Easily accomplished with the microwave. I just made sure I didn't cook them, as they would be best cooked on the grill.

We needed something else, so I walked up to the kitchen of the club to find out where I could get lettuce. The cooks there were excited that I would even talk to them. It took a lot of hand waving and describing to get across that first, I wanted four to five heads of Romaine, and I wanted some of the asparagus that I saw they had. They just gave me everything I needed so I took my haul back to boat and thoroughly washed the lettuce and the asparagus. I began baking the potatoes and prepared the sauce for the asparagus.

The girls got back about forty-five minutes before our guests were to arrive. I told them that I was prepared so they didn't have to do anything yet. We would steam the asparagus when it was time, but everything else was in a state of readiness.

The girls rushed around showering, dressing, and feeding the kids so they would be taken care of. The kids were so tired they were all trying to fall asleep while eating.

When Sal and his family arrived, his three kids went downstairs to watch TV with my little ones, while the rest of us enjoyed a cold beer to relax. Sal's two wives were much more relaxed tonight, talking freely to all of the women on board.

When it was time for salads, I served all who could have some, Beefeaters on the rocks. My special Caesar dressing with the gin is great. Everyone enjoyed it.

I had turned on the grill as the salads were being served, so I had the girls steam the asparagus and take the potatoes out of the oven. They set the big table in the dining room below deck while I began cooking. There were only three rare requests, and only one that wanted the steak to be done all the way through, so cooking this night was easy.

Dinner was great. Everyone enjoyed having a special piece of meat for a change. This was the first good steak we had since being gone. For dessert, Sue and Mercy served us all small bowls of ice cream with chocolate syrup. The taste was outstanding. Juanita surprised me by serving us all some special café conlachie. (Strong Cuban coffee with sweet milk.)

Sal said, "It's too bad you can't be around more often. You were really good to help in the demonstration. Phil told me you were an ace welder and that you had invented the machine. All of the government workers were impressed that the owner of the company could weld. It was the final point to get the sale."

"I think you had them where you wanted them anyway, Sal. That lunch we had should sell anything for you. The food was outstanding. I can't wait to come back and take the family there."

"They would love for you to bring all of your kids and all of your women. They think that a man with many women is special. You would be fighting off my cousins. They would want to join your harem."

Juanita said, "I'm not sure there's anything left for another chica to join us. He's going to have to take vitamins to keep up with us four."

"Don't be so greedy Juanita," Mercy laughed. "Our husband may enjoy one of these dark eyed beauties."

Sal and his women were laughing as I just shook my head.

We all hugged and shook hands saying it had been a real pleasure to visit with them. Rochelle said that perhaps they would see us on the Riviera as they had a vacation planned very soon. Their kids were going to the grandparents, so they could enjoy the beaches alone. We exchanged information about where we would be and said goodnight.

We cleaned up and I took the grill back up to the rental area. The attendant told me that I didn't need to clean it up next time as that was part of the service.

We settled down in the lounge enjoying a drink, soft drinks for three and some good booze for the rest of us. Juanita had Missy joining her with a Cuba Libre, while Maggie enjoyed some good Jameson Irish Whiskey with soda.

I told my crew that we didn't have to leave early as it would take at least twenty-four hours to get to Rome. We had reservations that were loose enough to accept us anytime during the next week. We planned on staying in Rome for at least four days, perhaps longer. There is just too much to see in a day or two.

We all settled down in bed. I figured on getting some loving tonight, but the girls were all tired from their all day shopping marathon. I was given some kisses before all of us were asleep instantly.



-------

Chapter 58

I could hear all of the kids jabbering in the other room. Carson was telling them some kind of story about whales, but he didn't really know what a whale was, just what he saw on TV. I looked at the clock to see it was already after seven. The kids had gone to bed early so they were awake early as well.

When I sat up in bed, all four girls stirred and smiled. Sue said, "It's time to get up, the kids are awake. Hurry, Mercy, let's get a shower before we get them."

Sue and Mercy went into the shower, while Kate and Juanita used the potty and waited their turn for the shower. The two moms got out and dried, giving me a kiss on the way by. The naked kisses got me rising, so I went into the shower to join Kate and Juanita. Kate said, "I'm almost done. I need to get out to take care of Carson."

Juanita hugged me, stroking my erection. "Oh, I'm going to enjoy this thing this morning. I have it all to myself for a few minutes. Let me turn so you can slide that wonderful thing deep into me."

We kissed before she turned to the wall and I slid into her wetness. We played under the water until we both came hard. We washed quickly, dried, and dressed, ready to travel.

It was chilly again this morning, so the heat had come on during the night. We had all put on heavier clothes in anticipation of being outside. After breakfast, we took care of all of the last minute things, like paying our bill, replenishing our fuel, and flushing out the holding tank. The boat was ready, but we needed to look at our charts one last time to plan our trip. We entered all of the coordinates into the GPS and prepared to cast off. Two young male attendants were there to toss the ropes to the girls as we slowly slid from the berth, heading out to Sea. I'll bet the big boat looked awesome as it motored out of the yacht basin.

We were soon out far enough to hoist the sails. It's great to turn the engines off and let the wind power us toward our next port. We fell right into our schedule of taking turns at the helm. It was cold enough that most stayed indoors to stay warm. Carson loved to help me at the helm. He would sit up in the window and talk to me for an hour at a time. We talked about Sponge Bob Square pants, we sang some silly kids songs that he had learned, and he drew some pictures for me on some typing paper. Carson was enjoying the man to man attention. I hoped he did get his father back.

A little over twenty-four hours after we had left Sicily, we were docking at the exclusive yacht club outside of Rome. The place was full of uniformed attendants that were almost a pain in the butt, because they were supposed to constantly offer assistance to members and paying guests.

Missy was more than excited. She was ready to run off the boat to begin exploring the ancient city. Since it was noon, I suggested we check out the restaurant and what was available for tours. While we were up on deck, a group of uniformed attendants came to the boat with buckets and scrubbing brooms. Part of our fees covered the thorough scrubbing of the deck, so we locked up the boat and left them to do their best.

While we were on the dock, I registered my cell phone to the local towers and was immediately greeted by a couple of voicemail messages. When I logged onto the voicemail, all the messages were from Beth.

"Steve, please call me. Ben said that I could fly over to Rome and go with you guys while you visit Rome and the Riviera. Please call me to tell me if you and Sue will allow me to travel with you."

All three messages were about the same, Beth begging me to let her come. I handed my phone to Sue and had her call her mother.

Sue was on the phone a full five minutes before she closed it, looking at it strangely. Sue said, "Why didn't she say she wanted to come along. We would have brought her. She didn't realize Missy was coming along until we were leaving. She says that Ben has been ready to send her for two weeks already."

We went through the fancy yacht club, looking at the shops and the various lounges and restaurants. We had lunch in the "International Café," as the placard out front said what languages the wait staff spoke. English was listed, so it was an easy choice. Our waitress was a U.S. expatriate who enjoyed helping us with the little ones. The kids remained happy throughout the meal, eating the various things we offered.

During lunch, the cell phone rang. I just handed it to Sue instead of answering it, as it was going to be Beth for Sue anyway. Sue spoke to her mom, nodding, telling her to take a taxi to the yacht club when she arrived and cleared customs.

When Sue got off the phone, I told her we could go meet her, but she said, "She's a big girl and should be able to take care of herself to get here on her own. That's the way she sent me off to college. She loaded me onto a plane and said I was a big girl now and should be able to take care of myself. It's her turn now."

All I could think of was that was pretty brutal, but Sue had obviously been upset over the way she had been sent off to school. That was pretty surprising, considering how doting Beth and Ben were to her all of the time.

After lunch, we checked with the concierge to find out what tours were available. He suggested a private tour using a small bus and English-speaking guide. We could contract the man for the week for a nominal fee and use him anytime throughout the week. Sue and Mercy were nodding, so I told the concierge to contact one of the guides to begin in the morning.

He informed us the guide would come by our boat this evening so he could go over points of interest that we wished to visit. That thrilled Missy, who said she already had a list made up, along with an itinerary, so we could see more within each day and not use up a lot of time traveling.

Missy asked, "Can I go to a morning Mass and at least one High Mass while we are here? I mean at the Vatican. I know the Pope won't be saying the Mass, but I do want to go to a Mass there. Mercy, you might even want to go. You probably need to go to confession before you take communion, but you should consider going with me. All of you are welcome; I don't mean to exclude any of you."

Maggie said, "I was raised Catholic and I would enjoy seeing the Vatican. I won't try to go to confession, it would take too long and the penance would take even longer."

"I want to go too," Juanita whispered. "When I was tiny, we went to church every Sunday. Sometimes my grandmother would take me to morning Mass too. When Castro took over, many people who went to church regularly were not given rations until they stopped attending."

It was agreed that we would plan a trip to the Vatican and would make sure those who wished to attend Masses had the opportunity. Missy said she hoped there might be a chance to see the Pope while we were there.

Back at the boat, the attendants had finished washing the boat and were busy polishing brass and chrome. They had the boat shining. When the men were finished, I tipped them and they left smiling. The concierge came to the boat and asked if we needed housekeeping staff or child care while we were in port. I had Sue, Mercy, and Kate talk to the man. We might use a babysitting service a time or two, but probably not. The girls all agreed we could keep the boat clean ourselves.

We put the kids down for a nap and the women headed for the bow to sunbathe. I noticed many sunbathers around us were sunning themselves nude, so I wasn't surprised to find all of the women lying in the sun without clothes. Maggie was even lying without her top, but she wore a large swim bottom. I wondered what my ladies would look like when we reached Maggie's age.

I put on a pair of shorts and lounged on the deck with an icy drink. I gazed at all the flesh being displayed, thinking how three of the ladies would blossom before long.

Sue came to me and said, "You know, Mom will be here about three in the morning. I can't let her just find her way here. Could you go with me to get here at the airport? We'll plan on sleeping late in the morning so we're rested before going sightseeing."

"Sure, I'll go get her, or we can go get her. I'll go up to see the concierge to check on the flight's arrival and order a car or taxi. How did she get on a plane so fast? Where did she leave from, Orlando?"

"She said she was lucky and when she had called they asked if she could be in Orlando within two hours ready to go. She said she's been packed for a week, so she called Ben, said bye to him, and had a limo service take her to Orlando. She called me from there. She was boarding right then."

I told Sue, "I'm glad you're letting her join us. I'm sure she will enjoy herself and she'll be good with the kids too."

Sue smiled, "She misses all of them. She said she misses Carson's hugs as he's been so loving to her."

Sue called to the naked ladies, "Okay, girls, lets get some clothes on. The guide will be here in a little while. Steve, you go up and make arrangements to get mom, okay?"

The concierge said that he would have a courtesy limousine take us to the airport to get Beth. He was happy to help, and even happier with the tip I gave in appreciation.

When the guide arrived, I brought him into the big lounge on the main deck. I think the man was over-impressed with the size of the place. He was a native of Rome, but had spent ten years in the U.S., so he spoke good English. His name was Edwardo, but said we could call him Ed.

He had brochures of all the major attractions for us to look at, but Missy had her list. She said she had planned it so that we could use the appropriate roads to get between attractions quickly. Ed was impressed. He asked how she knew what streets were one-way and how to get around.

"Easy, I used Yahoo maps. They have the best street maps of any of the major sites. They actually gave me the fastest way between places."

Ed said, "I'll have to try that myself. In Italy, we have very fast internet service. We do not use dial up services like you do in the United States. We have a digital connection in the home. We also have our television service provided the same way."

We made a plan to leave the next morning at ten, as we were planning on sleeping a little later in than usual. The interested girls discussed their desire for morning Mass. Ed said he would be happy to come for them and take them to Mass in the morning. Missy, Maggie, Mercy, and Juanita wanted to go in the morning, so it was arranged that he would pick them up early while the rest of us slept in.

There was to be an excursion out of the Vatican by the Pope later in the week, so we wanted to plan to be spectators for his appearance. Ed said that the Pope often came out onto his balcony and waved to the masses, giving his blessing. The only problem was that it was random and you never knew when he was going to do it.

We planned to sightsee five straight days. We were going to be ready for a few days on the Riviera by the time we got there. But there is a lot to see there as well. At least we didn't have a fixed schedule, and the world was getting along without us. I did call the local distributor, but we had not had a lot of dealings with him. We agreed to meet one evening this week, but he wasn't anxious for me to visit his business.

The evening was spent enjoying a great dinner in a private dining room in the club. There were three other families with small children there as well. We had a great time letting our smallest crawl around on the floor with some of the other little kids. The older ones played tag and chase games that were universal in appeal for kids of every country. One couple with two small children was accompanied by a couple of younger ladies that were introduced as child caregivers. There was too much hand holding and gentle touches between the four adults for them to be just caregivers.

Sue introduced our ladies as wives and friends. The couple was shocked, but the wife of the couple sat up and said, I wish for my husband to recognize these two ladies as wives, but he believes he cannot. I commend you, sir, for allowing your wives to announce themselves. Sue invited them to come to our boat after we ate. They accepted, as they said they were berthed next to us on the large motor yacht. They had seen us earlier while the ladies sunbathed.

Back on our boat, we found out the couple and their caregivers were from Ireland. The woman was from a very wealthy family and the man had been a commoner who had fallen in love with the woman before he knew of her wealth. When he had discovered her stature, he refused to go out with her any longer, but she had begged her father to contact the man and have him continue to court his daughter. She said that although they had royal bloodlines, she said she was so far removed from the lineage, that it wasn't a problem for her to be married to a commoner.

He said it was a problem for them to have a plural relationship though. She kept right on with him saying, "The girls are for my entertainment. I just enjoy you giving them pleasure as well."

My four were all smiles when she said this. Sue nudged me saying, "See, there are more women like me that enjoy having a softer touch sometimes."

Our new friends were Chanda and Michael. The two caregivers were Lucille and Margaret. Michael enjoyed a large scotch with me, and we wandered out onto the deck to enjoy the outdoors. He asked about my business and was surprised to hear that I could rely on people back home to run such a large privately held company. I told him the people there were friends first, then employees.

He talked about how open Chanda was about their relationship with the two ladies and how he was afraid Chanda's father would blame him for her actions. He said that so far, the man had been accepting of their lifestyle and he hoped not to offend him. "I wouldn't be able to keep Chanda in the manner she's used to. I finished Business Management at the university but I do not have much experience. Chanda wants to play and her father says for us to enjoy ourselves. He keeps saying there will plenty of time for me to learn the business and contribute, but it worries me that I'm not doing anything to help the family."

I patted him on the back, "Mike, you've already helped the family with those two boys you have. I'd bet a bundle that Chanda's dad idolizes those grandbabies. You be a good dad and he'll think you're being a wonderful husband to his daughter."

When we went back into the lounge, all the girls had disappeared. We made ourselves another drink and wandered below to see what was happening. Maggie and Missy were in the galley having coffee. When I asked where the girls were, Missy said, "I'm afraid my daughter invited them to use the Jacuzzi in the master suite. Go in there at your own risk. The girls put the kids to sleep and your two, Michael, are sleeping in Carson's room."

Mike and I walked into the big stateroom to see the sliding panels hiding the giant Jacuzzi were pulled back revealing seven very naked, very lovely ladies. Mike groaned, "Oh my, that is a sight."

Sue was sitting between Chanda and Lucille and said, "There's not a lot of room, but I'd bet we could fit the two of you in. Take off your clothes and come in."

I began to unbutton my shirt, but Mike said, "I would embarrass myself. I can't sport an erection in front of people I just met."

Mercy said, "Why not, if we were old friends and I played with you, I'd bet you would have an erection."

Kate said, "Call a spade a spade, it's called a hardon. Come on, guys, show us the beef."

Mercy and Margaret were obviously using their hands to stimulate each other and Margaret said, "Take it off, Steve. We've heard you have a nice one and your wives even share."

As I pulled off my pants, Michael got with the program and began getting undressed. I waited so we entered the big tub together. When I stepped in, Sue reached out and took hold of my now very hard erection and said, as she directed me toward her mouth, "This thing tastes so good. I'll need to compare Michael too, you know."

After Sue gave me a slurp, she passed me to Chanda who pulled me into her mouth as well. Lucille had taken hold of Mike and was tasting him, before she directed him into Sue's mouth. It was too much for him and he began squirting her face and hair. "Oh darn, I'm too excited and can't hold back."

Sue said, "That's perfectly fine, Mike. I'll bet I can keep you up and help you toward your next contribution to our taste buds."

Chanda pulled off me and said, "Don't you come? I've sucked you for way over a couple of minutes."

Juanita laughed, "Our Steve must satisfy us four most every night, so he has to last a long, long time. He'll come, but he demands we get him right back up until we are all satisfied at least once, and usually one or two of us get our pleasure twice before he loses it for the night."

Mercy said, "Chanda, stand up and hold onto the side of the tub. Let Steve bury that thing in you for a few minutes. Let's all turn our backs to the guys and let them take us one after another. I trust you all don't play around outside your family, so you are without a physical impairment."

Margaret said, "Oh yes, oh yes, we have not been outside our foursome since we got together. You five seem to be more open though. Are you safe?"

While raking her fingers through the goo Mike had squirted, and feeding it to Lucille, Sue said, "Our group is very closed. We are extremely conscious of not having any diseases."

Chanda stood, turned, and bent over, offering me a delightful sight and a place to put my erection. I was able to get into her, but burying in her completely was going to take a long time. Chanda chanted, "Oh, oh, oh, oh so deep, so big, oh yes, more." Sue was now beside Chanda and said, "Give me some too my wonderful stud, save some for me." When Chanda's legs began to give out, I withdrew from her and slid into familiar territory. Sue was ready and primed. While I pounded her, she was playing with Lucille next to her. On the other side of her, Mike who was moaning that he was going to come again, was pummeling Mercy. Mercy made him withdraw for a few minutes, then directed him to Kate. Kate said for him to do Juanita, as she was trying to get pregnant and would only accept me for a while. As Mike seated himself into Juanita, Margaret stuck a finger into his butt, making him moan and explode into Juanita. Margaret began spanking him as he thrust into Juanita, bringing her to her peak as she was excited about the activity.

When Sue exploded, she pulled from me and turned to suck me into her mouth. She released me with a pop saying, "We taste so good together, now do Lucille." I was able to sink into Lucille pretty far. She was equally as vocal as the others and begged me to continue until she was whimpering that she had had enough. Next was Mercy, who was slick with Mike's recent deposit. I slid into her to the max as she groaned and almost instantly began coming. Her voice is so distinctive, that I just knew Missy was probably hiding her face from embarrassment. When Mercy began giving out, I pulled from her and began giving Kate as much as I could. Mercy was next to her, and began playing with her breasts and fingering her clit, as I filled her with my now nearly exploding dick. Mercy said to me, "I'll play with these overflowing balls of yours so you can fill this lady to the brim. Now Steve, fill her with your baby stuff right now."

Sue was whispering in my ear, saying that she couldn't wait to taste me from Kate's overflowing pussy. That did it. I began squirting into Kate with her exclaiming, "I can feel it, Steve's doing it inside me, he's making me a baby, oh, it's so good, yes, oh yes."

As I finished squirting, Juanita pulled me from Kate and instantly had her mouth around my soggy dick. It didn't take her long before I was ready for more. Margaret asked Juanita, "Can I be next, I want to try what Kate just got. I bet that would be wonderful."

While I thumped Margaret, Juanita sat in front of her and buried her face into our connection. She was lapping at me and sucking on Margaret's clit. Margaret was coming in almost seconds, and continued to come for at least five minutes.

Mike sat on the edge of the tub, with Chanda and Sue sharing his now nearly limp dick. He was moaning, saying that he had already come three times and was too sensitive to even think of any more. Sue said to Chanda, "Steve's coming around again, so get up there so you can get seconds."

While I was going at a reasonable pace, trying to keep from tiring out too fast, Mike asked, "How do you keep going and going and going. You've done all seven and are going to start over. How can you come so much or hold back so long."

"I love pussy, Mike. My four ladies have some of the best pussy in all mankind. As you felt, they had you coming before you were hardly in them. They are wonderful lovers."

Chanda was saying, "Come in me, please, I want to feel you come in me, do it, do it, let me feel you deep inside me. Squirt me."

Sue began playing with my balls, while I thrust deeply into Chanda. All of a sudden, I swelled and unleashed a torrent of fluids into her. Chanda was squealing and crying at the same time. I had to hold her up through my orgasm. I could feel her pussy squeezing me rhythmically during her orgasm.

As I pulled from Chanda, Mercy latched onto me, sucking me, attempting to keep me up. Sue said, "Get out of the tub, Honey. I want you on the bed now. Come make love to me the way you enjoy so much."

Once on the bed, Sue spread her legs and directed me to love on her pussy before mounting her. Mercy put Lucille next to Sue and was face first into her pussy beside me. The next pairing was Juanita sucking Kate's sloppy pussy and then there was Margaret and Juanita in a torrid sixty-nine.

Mike was now sitting in the big chair next to the bed, fascinated by the sights before him while handling himself, hoping to get up once again.

Sue's pussy was delicious, as always. Her taste is one of the most pleasant you could ever find. The only one ever close to her in taste was Denise (Double D).

Soon the excitement of tasting Sue had me raging hard again. I slid into her, sucking and kissing her and her wonderful breasts. Even though she has had two children, her breasts were large, beautiful, and responsive. As I began giving her a thorough fucking, Lucille cuddled up next to us, kissing both of us as we made love. Lucille was saying in her Irish brogue, "Fuck your wife, do her, Sir, give her more of what she craves, then come fuck me one more time. I want that thing in me once more, Sir. Hurry before I do it all myself."

Lucille's chatter put Sue over the top and she began gasping for air while coming so hard. She pulled me down onto her and whispered into my ear, "You've done me in, Lover, now go fuck the rest of them again."

When I withdrew from Sue and began to mount Lucille, Chanda grabbed my cock and tried to swallow it. She pulled off and said, "Your wife taste's so good. I'm going to get some from the well now." Chanda buried her face in Sue's pussy, making her squirm even more now.

After Lucille, I fucked Margaret until she begged me to stop, then at the direction of Kate, took Juanita into my arms and made love to her until I was about to explode. Juanita made me pull out and directed my dick at her face and chest, as I squirted a healthy load onto her. Sue, Mercy, and Kate immediately began licking her clean. The other three girls were stunned that I had done that, but then insisted they get a taste as well.

When we were done, Sue said, "Let's go up to the lounge and get a drink, I'm thirsty."

Sue walked out of the bedroom naked, with Mercy and Juanita following after her. Kate was lounging on the bed, saying she was done for the night. Mike watched as I followed, and came along with me, with his three women following naked too.

Missy and Maggie had gone to bed, so we didn't have to be embarrassed about our nudity. Once in the lounge, we made drinks for everyone and Mercy said, "When we leave here, we're going to the Riviera. We hope to go to one of the nude beaches there near Nice. There is a yacht club that we have reservations at that is all nude as well. You guys should come with us; we would have a wonderful time.

Juanita and Sue were sitting next to Mike, playing with his cock. He was enjoying the activity and began growing again. As it grew, Juanita held it up and said, "Who wants this, or do I suck the juices right out of him?"

Chanda came over and knelt at Mike's feet. "That's mine. He hasn't given me a belly full lately. The three of us have near fucked him to death, and he doesn't have anything left for me to suck."

It took Chanda only a minute to extract another load from her man. The sight of all the naked ladies was too much for him.

Lucille went downstairs and brought all their clothes up. They dressed and Chanda said to Mike, "Let's get our babies and go back to the boat. I think I'm ready for bed. Steve and Sue have to go get her mother at the airport yet tonight. I don't envy them; I'll bet Steve is really tired."

Mercy said, "If I wanted, I could get another tummy full from our man. He's had a rest now, so he could be ready in a minute. But I'll let him rest as he has to leave pretty soon. Juanita, Kate, and I are going to bed now. See you folks tomorrow. We are going sightseeing. Perhaps you might want to come with us?"

"Talk to us in the morning, Mercy," Chanda said. "You have worn us all out. Thank you for your hospitality and loaning your man to us for some fun."

They left and we all went downstairs, where the three girls went to bed and Sue and I dressed to head up to the club for the ride to the airport.

The trip to the airport wasn't bad. We were able to stand outside a fenced area where people were checked by customs and immigration. Sue waited until Beth was walking out the gate with her bag before she yelled and ran to her mother.

They hugged and kissed, then Beth threw a lip lock on me that surprised me. Beth thanked us for coming to get her, as she wasn't looking forward to having to find transportation this time of night.

Back at the boat, we quietly put Beth to bed before Sue and I slid into our big bed with me on the outside. We kissed and loved a few minutes, until I was actually thinking about a little more loving. "Save it till tomorrow, Stud," Sue said, stroking me as it prodded her belly. "You might have to satisfy some Irish lasses again. From the way my mom kissed you tonight, you may have to help her out too."

"Not Beth, no way. I don't think that would be a good idea."

"We'll see, Stud. I'll bet she's a good fuck. I'm sure it runs in the family."

The thought of filling Beth with what I had filled Sue with was not the way to go to sleep. Sue flipped over and had me inside her, telling me, "Lay still and go to sleep. Enjoy the contact."

I did my best to put all those lustful thoughts of Beth from my head. But, along with thoughts of her running through my head, there was the delights my four had given me along with Chanda, Lucille, and Margaret. Finally, I drifted off, sleeping soundly.

I woke a little later than normal to the sounds of the little ones giggling. I opened an eye to see Lizzy and Mike on the bed on their hands and knees staring at me. As soon as my eyes were open, both of them climbed on me giggling and saying "Dadadada." That will start your day off right.

Mercy was watching them and said, "Get up sleepy head. We're waiting to eat breakfast. We changed our minds and we're all going early instead of going and coming back to pick up you and Sue. Take a quick shower so we can eat. The tour guide will be here soon."

While Mercy captured the two critters, I took a quick shower and dressed. Maggie, Missy, Kate, and Beth were gossiping like a bunch women in a beauty salon this morning. My three ladies were talking a mile a minute, excited about the day.

I had just taken my first drink of coffee when I heard "Hello down there. Is it okay for me, Mike, to come down? Chanda, Lucille, and Margaret don't want to miss going with you guys."

"Come on down, Mike, have some breakfast," I yelled up the gangway.

Mike came down the stairs saying, "The girls have the kids fed and ready to go. They are a little embarrassed about the liberties we took last night. I told them that you folks would not have enjoyed our time together if you didn't want it."

Sue said, "Your wives are very nice to know. I hope we can all do a lot more together."

That made my dick want to get firm real quick, thinking of the fun we had the night before. "Have one of Maggie's special pastries, Mike. They are really good."

As he took a bite, he rolled his eyes, "Oh my, this is a wonderful bun. Let me get the ladies so they may have one also."

He was gone in a flash and returned with the three ladies and the two little ones, about Steve's age. As the three women came in the galley, they were hugged and kissed by Sue, Mercy, Juanita, and Kate. The hugs were sincere and showed our little time together had bonded the women already.

Chanda herded the two little ones to a chair and proudly said, "These two are Cory and Corinne. They are twins and I think that they are going to be close twins, not the usual boy and girl twins that go separate directions. So far, they don't let each other out of sight."

Steve came over and stood in front of them and said, "My name is Steve, what do I call you?"

Chanda was surprised at how well he talked. She knelt down next to Steve and said, pointing to the boy, "This is Cory and this is Corinne."

You could see Stevie working his mouth trying to figure out how to say Cory and Corinne. He went to Cory put both hands on Cory's face and gave him a sloppy smooch saying, "Hi Cory." Stevie then turned to the surprised Corinne and held her face, gave her an equally sloppy kiss saying, "Hi Corinne."

Lucille laughed, "I guess that takes care of the kids' introductions."

Beth said to Chanda, "If they stay and play with Stevie, I'll work with them the same as I do with Stevie. A lady back where the kids live and I get all the little ones about this age together everyday that we are there and teach them to talk. So far, you can see how it's coming. Stevie surprised everyone the way he speaks and understands what you're saying. Wait for it; he'll come up with an intelligent question that'll knock your socks off."

Margaret said, "I will love to watch how you do that. I think our two are smart. None of us know how to teach them. We know how to take care of them, feed them, cloth them, help them play, but we don't know how to teach them yet."

Another voice hollered down from the main deck lounge door, "Hello, it's your guide, ready for a day in Rome."

I hollered up the gangway, "Come on down, Ed, and have a snack before we leave."

Ed came down the stairs and I introduced him to our new friends confirming with him that he understood they were traveling with us. He had a homemade roll and coffee while sizing up the group. "Okay, if some of you are going to Mass, we have to get going. We will be a little tight on time this morning."

The ladies cleaned up the galley quickly and we all followed Ed out to his tour bus. Ed was a decent driver, not the crazy daredevil that you hear about in Rome traffic.

Upon arriving at a parking area, he said, "We will go to the small Vatican chapel this morning. I think Mass there is the most intimate of all the churches. Those that are not going in, please just walk the grounds, as you will enjoy the scenery."

Chanda, seeing that Beth, Sue, and I were going to stay out with the kids, asked if we would watch their two for them as the four of them wanted to go to Mass. Ah yes, good Irish Catholics. Maggie, Juanita, Missy, and Mercy headed into the small chapel, while we four adults had the two little ones in a stroller and the other four by the hand to walk about the beautiful grounds.

About thirty minutes later, we saw our group come from the church. They were all smiles, happy to see us waiting for them. Ed got us all on the bus and headed toward our first tourist attraction.

By five in the evening all of us were bushed. While going back to the yacht club, it was agreed that we would again eat in the restaurant so we could get fed quickly. The mothers all wanted to clean up their little ones before supper, so we went to the boats beforehand. Ed had stayed to eat with us and plan the next day, so Mike, Ed, and I enjoyed a drink in our lounge.

Cory and Corine were soon playing with Steve in the main deck lounge while the ladies relaxed a few minutes. All of them had something to drink, except Sue and Mercy. Margaret noticed the two ladies not drinking alcohol and asked, "Could the two of you be pregnant? I noticed you're not drinking anything stronger than Diet Coke."

Mercy came over to me and hugged my arm and proudly stood up saying, "I am going to be the mother of triplets. I have two little girls and a boy in here." She rubbed her tummy to emphasize the exclamation.

Next, Sue came over and hugged my other arm and rubbed her belly, "I'm going to have twins, so Mercy and I will each have four."

Kate came over and kissed Mercy, Sue, and me. She turned around and said, "I'm making a brother or sister for Carson."

Missy and Beth both had sharp intakes of breath, but kept quiet in front of our guests. Ed said, "My goodness, you all are going to have little ones running around all over. This is really great. I hope you come back with your big family so I can see them."

Lucille and Margaret each had one of Mike's arms. Lucille said, "See, we need to be adding to our family. These people can do it. We should be able to do that."

Poor Mike. He rolled his eyes, but hugged both girls and gave each a kiss on the forehead. Chanda came over and gave him a wifely lip lock to get a smile on his face. "Just think of the fun you'll have making babies in all three of us. Ow, it makes me shiver to think of it."

I thought I had best break the mood and said, "Come on folks, let's go get some food. I'm starved. Come on, Mike, I'll flip you for the bill."

Chanda said, "Oh, don't hurt him. You don't have to flip him, he'll be glad to pay the bill."

Juanita went to hug Chanda saying, "It's an expression the U.S. has. They mean that they will toss a coin in the air. Heads or tails. That type of thing."

Margaret said, "Ah, a game of chance, just like us girls do to see who gets to go first."

That brought on the laughter as we walked to the restaurant.

During supper, my girls were discussing our itinerary after we left Rome, saying that we were going to enjoy the French Riviera first, and possibly stop at the Spanish Riviera to visit some of the other famous places.

Mike said, "You know, we should just travel together as we want to go there as well. How about after the Riviera, we go up to Ireland to visit a few days. Chanda needs to take the kids to their grandfather for a visit and it would be a great time for you to meet him."

Sue asked, "We want to go to London for a couple of days, as well. It could be good for Steve's business. It might even be good for mine."

"I'll ask my father-in-law to arrange to meet some manufacturing and industry leaders in both Ireland and London. He loves to show off how many heads of state he knows. Visitors can get quite a show."

Chanda said, "My father is a self-made man. He began his company at a very young age, while the country was still rebuilding after the war. He has done well so far, and has become a major personality in Ireland."

Lucille offered, "Please do come to Ireland with us. Chanda's and Mike's folks are both very hospitable. They love to have visitors and do everything in the world to make their stay a good one."

I looked at Beth and Missy, "Can you two ladies stay a few days longer while we visit the United Kingdom?"

Beth said, "You better believe it. I wouldn't miss it for anything. I wish I could have been with you in Greece and Sicily too, but Ben was being a baby about leaving his work. The funny thing is that as soon as I get back, he'll want to go to Miami or Costa Rica."

Mike was telling Chanda, "I'll tell the crew of our intentions to go to the French and Spanish Rivieras. They will know the best places to stay. The captain said that he was almost done repairing the bow thrusters so we should be able to leave when we're through sightseeing."

Chanda asked, "How many crewmen do you have for your big boat. It takes ten to do everything that's necessary for us. I haven't seen a cook, waiters, or any deck hands at any time since you've been here."

Mercy proudly told them that the girls and I were all the crew they needed. "Sue, Juanita, and I are also captains, so all of us can man the helm accurately."

Mike said, "I would be terrified to try to take my family out on the sea by ourselves. I barely know how to drive, much less captain a boat like we have."

Margaret said, "Our boat was custom made in Ireland, a one hundred fifty foot motor yacht. Chanda's father gave it to us as a wedding gift. This is the farthest we have gone to date. Perhaps we will motor to the U.S.A. one of these days."

After supper, we migrated back to the boats, where Chanda wanted to take the girls on a tour of their luxury yacht. Mike and I agreed that tonight we needed to get to bed early and get a good night's sleep. It was at that point Ed said goodnight and that he would meet us again at seven in the morning.

When the girls returned, they had decided what Mike and I had thought. Tonight was to be an early night. The next door neighbors left and the moms began bathing and putting the sleepy little ones to bed. I was barely able to give them a kiss on the cheek before they were asleep.

Maggie and Missy said they were heading to bed and the four girls and Beth disappeared into the big master stateroom. I called home and briefly spoke to everyone, telling them I would send pictures of what we had seen today. I told them we had met a family from Ireland that had what was probably at least a fifty million-dollar motor yacht. Tiny said I was probably underestimating the value of a hundred and fifty-foot luxury yacht.

When I had hung up, a nude Juanita was standing on the top of the gangway below. "Come down, we're using the Jacuzzi. I'll bet you could use the jets after being on your feet all day. Sue says it really helps her leg and hip."

I locked up and shut off lights, following the voluptuous Cuban below deck. I quickly stripped in the bedroom and entered the large jacuzzi and sauna room. Oops, there was Beth, Missy, and Maggie all laying back, smiling at me. Juanita gave me a shove in the back and I climbed in, waving my growing dick in the faces of the ladies. Mercy and Sue had made room for me to sit between them.

As I sat in the water, Maggie said, "Thank you, Steve, your reaction to my nude body is just the thing for my self-worth." She began laughing while holding up her large saggy breasts.

Missy and Beth were sitting together. Missy said, "Who do you think he's getting hard over, you or me? What do you think?"

Sue said, "Oh you two, don't tease him like that. Besides, the four of us girls are all he can handle and then some. I don't think he has anything left over for a couple of interlopers."

Beth whispered to Missy then said, "I think Steve may need some instruction from a couple of experienced ladies so he can better take care of our daughters."

Missy smiled lewdly, saying, "I'm definitely not too old to be interested in what I can see is being held by my daughter. My, oh my, that thing looks like it could handle Beth and me."

Mercy kept hold of me, "I don't think you're going to be getting any of this. He's mine. Mine, and Sue's, and Juanita's, and now Kate's too. You two have your men, call them and tell them you're both horny and they should be here to take care of you."

Beth said, "That would have worked twenty years ago, but as time has passed, some of the passion has passed as well."

Maggie said, "My husband was a horny devil right up until he passed away. Funny though, I miss him and the sex we had, but I don't miss the sex itself so much. We had ours and it was only ours. I'm very content with those memories."

"Merlin is like that," Missy said. "He'll go through a week where he can't keep his hands off me, then he'll go a month or so without hardly cuddling. He's a good man though, and makes sure I'm happy when we make love."

"Oh Mom," Mercy said. "That's more information than I need about Daddy. It's nice to know he's a good husband to you."

"You need to know your Mother is still a healthy woman with needs that all healthy women have. You're the woman I had hoped to raise. You've become just that special woman. Wife, mother, lover and I do have to say respectfully, lover to many, considering your group of five."

Sue said, "When I grew up, Mom used to have women over to our house often. I used to peek at them at night when they thought I was asleep. When I saw how happy they were, I wanted some of that happiness too. I tried with some of my girlfriends, but it wasn't until I went off to college that I found many girls who like that too. Before Steve came along, I probably had over a hundred lady lovers. Then Steve rocked my boat, and I knew he was supposed to be mine. He had a girlfriend with a bunch of kids, that I couldn't understand how he could be so interested in her. Now I do. I'd love to have her come to visit us some time. I know she would love to be with Steve again, and I know that Mercy, Juanita, and I would make her feel like she wanted to pack up and move right in."

Juanita said, "Kathy is a wonderful mother that lost the love of her life. I heard from Glenda how she had become so enamored with Steve, but the trouble we had in the park drove her back up north. Steve should call her and have her visit. I'll bet she would be in a state of shock to find out you have a family now, a really big, strange, family."

Sue hugged my arm a little tighter, "I know this is funny, but Kathy makes me jealous. It's probably because I watched her with Steve from my window and thought what a nice couple they appeared to be. I wanted Steve for myself, but I felt like she would be happy with him."

I thought for a minute and said, "You're not jealous of Denise. She was a lot more demonstrative than Kathy was."

Sue responded, "Somehow I knew Denise was just passing through. I was just waiting my turn after Kathy left."

I assured Sue, "Well, everything has worked out wonderfully. I'm the proud father of three great kids, with the prospect of five more on the way. Actually six more if we count Kate," I said as I turned to her, "but you'll probably get back together with Jim."

"I hope so," Kate said. "We've been sending nice, nice e-mails back and forth. I know he misses Carson and I think he misses me. He may like guys, but I think he likes the softness that I represent to him. I just hope he's not committed to some guy that's going to be jealous. It would be funny that now that I'm more understanding about his sexuality, that he would become entrapped with some guy."

Mercy hugged Kate, "I think I feel that it's going to be okay. You two will be together again. I feel it."

The group began getting out of the jacuzzi, drying off and heading to bed. Sue said, "We need a bigger one of these things in here. I'm going to find a bigger one and have it installed. The hot tub is a great place to visit and find out things."

When we snuggled in bed, sleep took us quickly.



-------

Chapter 59



I woke to happy noises from the kids' room and happier noises coming from the galley. When I sat up, I realized I was alone. The girls had all gotten up and let me sleep. This was a first.

I slid from bed, pulled the sheet and covers up to make the bed neat, and hit the bathroom. In minutes I was shaved, clean, and dressed, ready for the day.

While I was dressing, Stevie came in to see if I was up. He stayed and talked to me about his new friends, Cory and Corinne. "They don't talk, Daddy, they just listen and do what I tell them. We have fun. They know how to chase me and I chase them."

There was food being prepared in the galley and set on the dining table. The table had enough place settings on it to let me know we were going to have company for breakfast. I gave and got hugs and kisses all around, including Maggie, Missy, and Beth, being directed to go up to the main deck lounge to welcome our guests as they came over.

I grabbed a big mug of coffee and headed up the ladder (stairway). Someone had already beaten me up there, as the TV was on, with the satellite dish set on the news channel. I listened to the updates on CNN Headline News while I waited for Mike, Chanda, Lucille, and Margaret, who would bring Cory and Corinne with them.

The group came across the dock and stepped onto our boat. Mike shook my hand after I was given hugs and soft kisses from the three women. The two little ones even hugged my leg. We all watched as the two kids went down the steps one step at a time. They could hear the other kids, so they wanted to join them as quickly as possible.

Just as we were getting ready to go down, Ed showed up saying he came a little early this morning so we could visit before we had to get going. I told them breakfast waited below.

Maggie had made the fish in a blanket that we had learned to make from Dewey's housekeeper. It was a big hit, especially since Maggie had made it with Mahi-Mahi. It was a real treat. We needed to find some wild salmon to make it even more authentic.

After cleaning up the kitchen, we headed out for another ten to twelve hour day of sightseeing. By the time we were back at the yacht club, all we wanted was to eat, shower, and hit the sack. The kids were falling asleep sitting in their high chairs while trying to eat.

This routine continued for over a week until Ed said, "I've shown you everything possible to see. Anything else would either be repetitive or it would be for further investigation. There are some areas farther north that may be interesting, but I don't think you want to do that. I do have an offer though."

Ed stood and said, "Take me with you to the Riviera. I know both the French and Spanish Riviera well. I can get us into some of the special casinos, and especially the best restaurants. If you bring me along, I'll stay out of the way, but at the same time, I'll make your visit in both places memorable."

"How do you know the Riviera so well, Ed?" Sue asked, leaning back into her chair in the yacht club restaurant where we were eating.

"When I first came to Europe, I worked on the French Riviera, but migrated to Monte Carlo and worked there and other cities of the Spanish Riviera. I met many people, and became friends with many more. When they come to Rome, I entertain them here and take them to see the many sights. Since I speak French, Spanish, and Italian, I get along well here. I've just about learned enough German or Dutch to be a decent companion to visiting Germans. I have many friends in high places there, so I will be invaluable to you while on the Riviera."

Chanda and Sue who were sitting together, said in unison, "You're hired." Chanda said, "You can stay on our boat as we have a large crew quarters."

Sue said, "We have crew quarters too, but no crew. He can ride on either boat."

Michelle said, "I've already spoken to the captain to advise him we were going to ride with you guys on your big sailboat. That is if you let us. I'd love to spend more time with all of you and this would be a great way to do it. You don't have a crew, so we will come to your boat. If you had a crew, you could come to our boat."

Ed said, "Perhaps I'll stay on the motor yacht since this one is going to be full of friends. We'll be close enough that if you decide to bring me aboard, it will be easy to tie up and let me jump ship."

The girls and I went over the boat to make sure it was ready to sail. I talked to Mike's and Chanda's captain to advise him that I only was able to sail top speed at thirteen to sixteen knots. He said he would just trail us, that way we would not be playing catch-up all the way there.

We left on a bright sunny morning. I think our Irish friends were more excited about riding on a sailboat than going to the Riviera. When we hoisted our sails and shut down the engines, the feeling of the wind pushing us through the water was magnified by the hot sun rays that raked the deck.

By ten in the morning, I had erected the sun cover for the helm. I kept telling Mike to put on sunscreen as it was too easy to get sunburned out on the open water.

Around ten thirty, we were treated to the vision of ten women parading naked up to the bow. We were able to watch them through the lounge windows as they spread oil and sunblock on each other.

At eleven, a naked Juanita came back and told me to go up and get some sun, she would take the helm for a while. She double-checked our course, before Mike and I went to the bow. I stripped to the buff and was set upon by loving women who wished to protect me from the vicious sun. Kate left to go change places with Maggie, who had been watching the kids, while Mike's women slicked him down with oils.

Maggie came up and sat next to me. I used the oils and gently caressed her back, thighs, and legs, then told her to turn over. While she was on her back, I told her to close her eyes and enjoy having the lotion put on. I slowly massaged her shoulders, then skipped her breasts and applied a sheen to her belly. I began at her toes and worked my way up her legs to her thighs. Maggie's legs automatically opened to me as I worked higher on her thighs.

When I jumped to Maggie's large, saggy breasts, she moaned loudly. I continued to massage and oil her breasts until she actually quivered. Perhaps she even came while I oiled her. The contact was intimate enough that I was fully erect. As I kissed Maggie on the forehead signifying that I was done, she opened her eyes and noticed my rampant erection. Her hand encircled me and she said, "Who knows, I may not be too old to enjoy something like this. Hmmm, I think I know the ladies who might lend me something to find out."

When my usual half hour to forty-five minutes in the direct sun were up, I got up and put my clothes back on to the groans of the women. When I went to relieve Juanita, she asked, "Why did you dress. I think the ladies all want to make this a nude cruise. I know I'd like to have you nude back here at the helm. I want you to fuck me while I manage the wheel. Come on my special senor husband, mi marito esposo, do me now.

This was pretty strong talk from Juanita, so I dropped my shorts and pulled my T-shirt off. Within seconds Juanita and I were connected in the most intimate way. We were coupled beneath the billowing sails that were catching the wind and using it to head west.

Juanita was so excited that our liaison didn't take long at all. She was fucked, kissed, and below deck to wash up, before a larger contingent of women came back to the helm to chat. It was indeed going to be a nude cruise for a while.

Mercy and Sue were together when Mercy said, "This is what we should advertise, a clothing optional cruise. I'll bet we would be booked solid for months. There are probably a lot of naturists that would love to go on a sailing cruise. I used to think that I could never go naked in front of a lot of people and now, come look at me. I'm beautiful without clothes. At least, that's what my husband keeps telling me."

As the afternoon wore on and the sun began to lose some of its killer power, clothes began to appear on those coming in and out of the lounge. I put mine back on and enjoyed the last of Missy and Beth, as they flashed me one last time, on the way back down below deck. Two very fine looking mature women. I think my Juanita was the best of the three, but Beth came in a close second. She had the Phillips bulbous breasts, in her case with considerable sag. But then with jugs that huge, sag is inevitable.

If we sailed all night we would arrive in the French Riviera around noon tomorrow. We chose up two hour shifts, checked the charts for any shallow seas and began getting ready to cruise the night. I did the sleep on the helm lounge chair routine while one of my crew guided the boat and monitored the radar.

Around eleven the next day, I was lowering sails and preparing to motor into the Cannes yacht club that had been chosen for us. Mike's crew, who were now leading us, knew where the elite clubs were and had reserved us slips next to each other. For large boats like ours, they actually didn't have slips, they had special docks where our two huge boats could tie up next to each other.

As we gently came alongside the long dock, there were uniformed attendants everywhere. We were tied up with shore connections faster than we had ever been before. Before we could ask, our holding tank was being flushed and our fuel being replenished.

A lady in an evening gown, and a man in a tux, came down the dock between the two big boats. She was carrying a tray with what looked like cheeses, and he was pushing a cart with two bottles of champagne on ice. In perfect English, we were welcomed to their exclusive yacht club and invited to enjoy a meal within their restaurant on them. Sue asked about private dining rooms so we could eat with the children, and they said they had a special family section that was always fun for children.

Mike and Chanda were more used to the lavish treatment, so we let them handle all the people running around and they helped me to direct some of the attendants to do what was necessary for us.

First things first, I announced that I was hungry and wanted to eat. The girls all said that they needed to put on nice clothes to go into the club restaurant.

The outlandishly dressed host and hostess said that the club house was very informal. The only requirement was that clothes should be worn after six. Before that, most of the members and visitors were in casual clothes, bathing attire, or nude. Sue commented that this place was her type of club.

The girls brushed their hair before we all went into the family area of the restaurant. Carson, Steve, Cory, and Corinne were not the only kids in the family section. There were three other families with kids the size of these four. The difference was that all the other kids were nude. Steve, Cory, and Corinne in typical kid fashion, had their clothes off in about two seconds. Carson went running to Kate to tell her that the three had taken off their clothes. Kate told him that it was okay here, as people were not required to wear clothes. He understood, but just stood there a while, watching the other kids play. He soon decided he wanted to be nude as well and was playing with the other children.

The kids had hot dogs and macaroni and cheese, while the adults had some killer soup and hamburgers. We all had bottled water to drink with the delicious meal.

While we were eating, another gowned hostess came to us to help arrange tours while we were visiting. Ed spoke up then and asked about a tour bus that would accommodate all of us. The lady said she would make one available to us with a driver.

Ed said to all of us, "How about this first day, let's go to the famous beach here. You can experience the openness displayed here differently than anywhere else in the world." He recommended we just dress in our swimsuits, but bring some towels and lots of sunscreen and lotion.

The beach where Ed took us was beautiful. Above the beach were what looked to be castles, but were in reality large homes, condos, and hotels. We entered the beach through a large hotel, with Ed greeting a concierge, telling him that we were guests at the yacht club. We were escorted out to the beach to a group of beach loungers and umbrellas about thirty feet from the water.

Looking around, about three quarters of the people on the beach were nude, with the rest of the women mostly topless. More men had on bottoms than women. I could imagine that keeping your shorts on could be less embarrassing.

In an instant, all of our women, even Maggie, were nude. Mike and Ed were both dropping their drawers while the ladies were slicking up the little ones with sunblock. Oh well, when in Rome, or in this case, the Riviera. We played in the water, built a sand fort and attempted to bury Mike. We all had a great time in the sun.

The beach had waiters that came around continuously, asking if we desired food or beverage. We did get a bunch of bottled water for us and the kids. Around five, we headed back to the yacht club to clean up. The kids had only a short nap this day and were all getting tired.

The evening was to be a short one tonight, as I think everyone needed a good night's sleep. Mike and Chanda said their crew was serving dinner this evening, and that we were to come as soon as we were cleaned up.

The big motor yacht was more opulent than can be imagined. The interior was mostly teak with silk curtains and drapes. The dining room was large enough to easily feed twenty, and the accompanying lounge or giant living room was full of large comfortable chairs and couches. There was even a fireplace in the living room, along with a giant television on one wall.

The crew, in dress clothes, served the dinner. That meant men in tuxes that resembled butlers. My family was a little uncomfortable, except for Sue as she had lived around her uncle who had always had a butler. The food was good, and even the little ones seemed to enjoy the meal. After the meal, we were served coffee on the middle party deck of the fancy boat.

It was a blessing to finally go to our boat, put the kids to bed, sitting back with the big extended family and relax. We had not been relaxing but for a couple of minutes before Mike, Chanda, Lucille, and Margaret showed up, asking to join us for a few minutes.

Chanda said, "Your boat is so homey and friendly. You've taken the starch out of the lounge downstairs and up here. It's fancy, even extreme in some cases, but it feels good to be here. Our boat is kind of stuffy, like it's only for rich, snooty people."

I made our guests a drink, and sat back down between Sue and Beth. Maggie went down to the galley and brought back some cookies she had made. The mood was very passive and pleasant. All of us were just relaxing. Soon, Mike said, "Okay, ladies, let's go back to the boat for a good night's sleep. Steve, tomorrow morning, you folks come over for breakfast when you get up. It will be informal and we can plan our day. My cooks make a great American breakfast that is a favorite with us."

Kisses and hugs preceded everyone heading to bed. My ladies wanted some attention. They were wanting equal attention from each other, so we ended up having to change sheets before saying our last goodnight.

In the morning, Ed gave us a description of what we could see here. "The French Riviera is where some of the world's super wealthy live or have winter homes. This is big money, palatial estates, seaside apartments worth millions, homes worth billions, and the gathering place of the indolent old money children of the world."

Chanda said, "That just about describes me doesn't it. Dad's money isn't old money, but I'm just a spoiled brat with a rich father."

Ed continued, "We'll see what kind of nightlife Cannes has, and we'll go over to Antibes to see some more wealth. The big draw here is the beaches. You Florida folks are spoiled since you come from the Gulf Coast. Your beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world. Here, the biggest difference is the beaches are nude. When you get tired of looking at the naked ladies, we'll go to Monte Carlo and try your luck."

I said, "I'd like to play roulette in Monte Carlo like James Bond did in one of his movies. I'm not a lucky gambler, but if I bring my ladies along, I'll bet we come away winners."

Ed smiled, "You can arrange for credit at the casinos or you bring cash. Most people limit themselves to a certain amount, as money can fly away."

Mercy told Ed, "Don't worry about Steve. He's the original miser. When we went to Las Vegas, he watched Sue and me play slot machines, then he promptly went to the blackjack tables and won back what we lost. Do you think he would stay and play more? No, no, not mister miser. He said that we were at least back to even, so we should get while the getting was good."

"Smart man," Ed said. "I definitely want to go gambling with you, Steve. Sounds like you know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em."

Kate began laughing, "That's a Kenny Rogers song that my mom used to listen to that all the time."

"I'm getting old to hear a young lady your age say something like that," Ed lamented.

Sue decided for us, "Let's go to the beach again in the morning, then make arrangements to go to Monte Carlo for a couple of days. There are beaches there too, so how about making reservations for us Ed. Try for a big suite of rooms as we are a pretty big group."

Ed said, "Hmmm, Eleven adults, and five kids. Twelve if you include me, but I think I'd rather stay in a private room. You folks are family and enjoy being together. I think I would be an interloper. Besides, there are ladies I wish to visit with in Monte Carlo."

The next morning we went back to the private beach near the yacht club, and after the kids had a nap, we drove to Monte Carlo. The hotel we went to was worse than the yacht club. There were two bellhops for every bag. They even had maids that were trying to take the two little ones from Sue and Mercy so they wouldn't have to carry them.

I let Mike do the honors and check us in as he was more used to dealing with these types of places. Ed had reserved a huge suite that had about eight bedrooms off a sitting area. There was even a huge hot tub out on the suite's patio. When you looked out from the patio, there was a beautiful pool, and beyond that was the beach and the Mediterranean. The place was gorgeous. Mike said that I would need to go downstairs and either buy or rent a tuxedo, as you couldn't get into the private casino without one.

He informed all of us that he and his ladies would not be going into the casino as Chanda's dad had a bit of a habit and was concerned that his daughter and son-in-law would lose more money than they should. Mike said, "You folks enjoy the casino, but remember to leave early enough to have money for tomorrow. We will enjoy a special dinner and one of the shows, and meet you back here."

Sue and Mercy took me by the hand and Sue said, "Come Mr. jeans and T-shirt, you need some duds. We'll make sure you look spiffy."

The hotel had a shopping mall that would rival most stateside malls, literally hundreds of shops. The men's clothier we went to went into action by measuring me in every direction. I put on the pair of pants offered and they marked them for length. Next was the jacket, which was pulled and tugged different ways while they marked it as well. I tried on some shirts until the girls nodded their approval, and finally I was fitted with what they called braces. Big deal, braces are nothing but leather suspenders. Next I had to endure the black socks and the fancy shoes. I did find a pair of fancy slip on shoes that felt so comfortable, I would be able to wear them in another life, so I didn't feel too bad.

Just when I thought the pain was over, Mercy said, "That will be for one night, now you must have something for tomorrow." When I was going to object, she said, "We'll just rent this one, but we can buy a couple of the shirts we like."

The tailors did it all again until they were satisfied. Sue gave them her credit card and was told that the clothes would be delivered to the room in an hour. That's some fast service.

We ate early at the hotel and went back up to the rooms. Ed had come up with two professional nannies that he knew, so we could take our entire group to the casinos this first night. Sue made sure that each of the women had at least ten grand in local currency to play with. She whispered to me, "That drug money is finally going to do some good. Kate thinks she's rich now and may not spend ten cents. Maggie has visions for a better retirement. My mom has always watched her money and thinks I'm too extravagant now that I know I have money. Missy just smiles, as I know Merlin and she have money."

I had to ask, "When did you get money from the safe deposit box?"

"I did that before the trip through the canal and never put it back. I've been stashing some cash in the box all along, but this time I took out a bunch in case we went nuts on this trip."

Sue told me, "You use your credit card to buy chips tonight. I'm not sure what your limit is, but I don't think you'll reach it. If you do, use your American Express."

The casino was a demonstration of more wealth. Wow, ladies with so much glitzy jewelry that you would have thought you were in Tiffany's. Women dressed in gowns whose cost would be the annual income of many stateside families. The one thing that was nice, there were waiters and waitresses circulating with glasses of champagne and wines, but would chase an asked for drink if you wanted.

I watched as the women went off in pairs and threesomes. Kate and Maggie were interested in baccarat, Juanita, Mercy, and Sue headed toward the ever present slot machines, and Missy and Beth said they wanted to come with me to play roulette.

First stop was the cashier to buy chips, then we watched a few tables with wheels to see which one we wanted to play on. The three of us liked a table that looked like the players were having fun, so we went up to it and exchanged our house chips for roulette chips and put some money down. Each player's chips differed in color so the croupier could tell what chips belonged to whom. Beth and I chose just the color red, but Missy smiled and put money on red seventeen.

The ball was spun coming to rest in red seventeen. Beth and I had a small payoff, but Missy received a huge stack of chips as her bet paid thirty-five to one. When the man called for bets, Beth and I again put our money on red, but Missy said that it was probably going to be black this time so we moved our bets. Missy didn't bet at all, but watched as the ball rolled to a black number. We did this a few more times and consistently won, but Missy did not bet. When she put all her chips on red nineteen, smiling. Beth and I decided to join her by pushing all of our chips that we had won onto the marker.

Because the three of us and another player had bet so much, a floor supervisor came over to watch. When the little ball settled into red nineteen, everyone at the table cheered at our winnings. Instead of little chips, they gave Missy several big rectangular chips in the same color as her other chips.

I made the suggestion, "I think we should do something else before we win too much. Our luck is scary."

The floor manager commented in a thick French accent, "Thank you for moving on, your luck was phenomenal." He exchanged our roulette chips for house chips.

I wanted to play blackjack, while the ladies wanted to join Kate and Maggie at baccarat. As usual, I went to a low stakes table and enjoyed a nice winning run. Blackjack is easy if you pay attention. The house has to do some things and you should do some other things. If you play smart, you almost always win.

It was while I was concentrating on the game that a woman got up close to me rubbing her chest up against my arm. It was distracting enough that I looked over to see some nice cleavage, then was curious enough to look at her face.

"Sheila, what are you doing here?"

A hand slapped me on the shoulder, and Dewey's voice said, "She's in Monte Carlo seeing her friends throw their money away."

I turned and hugged Sheila and Dewey. I was genuinely surprised, but happy to see them.

"Seriously, Dewey, what are you doing here?" I asked, pulling my chips from the table.

Dewey said, "I had called you in Florida and found out you were on your great adventure and were heading toward the Riviera. It's not too hard to track down a hundred seventy-five foot sailboat with S&S all over it. We found out what hotel you were in and we have a suite across from you. We must have just missed you because you all were down here when we checked in. We dressed quickly and came down to find you."

"Wow, so you just decided to come play with us?"

"It's kind of dreary in the islands this time of year, and Sheila has never seen the Riviera before, so here we are."

I was excited, "Let's go find the girls and tell them you're here." As we passed Missy, Beth, Maggie, and Kate I told them I was going to get the other girls. Missy and Beth both knew Dewey and Sheila and greeted them warmly. We found the three ladies at adjoining slot machines pushing buttons in an attempt to win a big pot.

Sue saw Dewey first, and jumped up to hug him and Sheila. Mercy got so excited, she said that she almost peed on herself, and gave the couple hugs and kisses. Juanita was sweet. She had met the couple and enjoyed their company, but knew that the two were important to Sue, Mercy, and me. She gave them warm hugs, telling them how happy she was to see them.

We found a sitting area and had a drink while talking for a while. Missy came over and said, "Come on, Steve, come win some more money for Beth and me. Dewey, you should come too, as Steve has his lucky horseshoe up his butt again."

Sheila went with my three girls, while the other four women, with Dewey and I, went back to the roulette tables again. We watched the tables a while, selecting one where the players were having fun, and after exchanging chips, we began placing bets. After just a few rolls, the floor supervisor was over to see us again saying, "So you're back. Are you going to take all our money?"

Dewey smiled at the man, "If anyone can, this guy will do it."

The floor man asked, "Is this gentleman with you, sir?"

"Yes, he is. He is my guest here, and at all of my hostelries," Dewey smiled.

"Actually, Dewey, it was Missy who brought me the luck, or perhaps Beth."

The floor supervisor observed, "You didn't seem to have any trouble continuing to win at blackjack. I think you are very lucky."

Dewey said, "He is very lucky. Stay around him and you will get lucky too."

I looked at Dewey, "Do you own this too, and the hotel we are staying at?"

Dewey laughed, "Only a part owner. The hotel and casinos here all have multiple owners, so the underworld cannot take them over. I think I may own about a tenth or fifteenth of this casino. The employees are required to recognize the owners whenever we are on premise, so that we are treated well. Let's watch you win some money."

I was bracketed by Missy and Beth. Missy whispered into my ear and said, "Red 15, but only put a small amount. We'll lose this time, but win the next."

I told Beth to only bet a little on red then to follow me. Maggie and Kate both put their money on red, and all but me won. The next time the croupier called for bets, I put down five of the hundred thousand rectangular chips and Missy put five down all on red 15. The girls followed suit by putting the majority of their chips down. Dewey was laughing and put down a big chip as well. The croupier held up his stick so the floor supervisor could observe the bet and roll.

When the ball was rolled, I swear the man at the wheel was sweating. The ball hung on the edge for an eternity and looked as if it would fall into a black slot but then swerved over and landed in red 15. The table erupted in applause. While the croupier was paying out, Missy leaned to me and said, "Play a black then we need to go to another table."

The black paid, then we walked two tables down to a real high stakes table. The floor supervisor followed us and watched me closely. Missy whispered, "This is easy, this is all black and all six."

I put all my chips on the black six. This represented about several million dollars. Dewey laughed, and put all his chips down. Missy, Beth, Kate, and Maggie put all of their chips down and we applauded the croupier as he spun the wheel then sent the little ball rolling in the opposite direction.

There was a hush at the table as we had bet probably millions of Euros on the black six. As the wheel slowed the ball began bouncing around to different numbers then dropped decisively into the slot marked six, black.

A small crowd had gathered at the news of someone winning big. They all began applauding and cheering, happy to have been a part of the game of chance victory.

Sue sidled up to me at that moment and said, "Have you been showing off?"

Mercy was next to her and said, "I think my Mom is showing off. This is right up her alley. I think you guys should leave the gaming room for a while and let the house win some money."

I said, "How about one more roll. Missy, you can't bet or tell me anything. If I were the rest of you guys I wouldn't bet much if anything. I'm tired of carrying all the chips, what do I have here, a few hundred million worth?"

The floor supervisor quickly counted all of my chips and said, "You have over twenty billion Sir."

I stacked all of the big chips on Red seventeen then changed my mind and moved them to black eighteen. I kept one chip that represented the amount I had cashed in at the cashier's cage.

The croupier looked expectantly at the supervisor and called out for bets. All my people put a few of the big chips on black eighteen until there was at least near thirty billion stacked up.

I told Dewey, "Now I'll feel better. The house will get some back."

Sue, Mercy, Juanita, and Sheila all walked up to be told by Missy and Beth that I have just bet almost billions at one time. Sue came over and kissed my cheek. "Trying to give some back?"

The wheel spun, the ball rolled, and low and behold the little ball bounced all over the wheel to land solidly into black eighteen.

The croupier had his eyes closed and the floor supervisor let out a huge breath of air, shaking his head. He looked at all of us and asked, "Will you be leaving now?"

As we all cashed out to get house chips and a written receipt for my colossal winnings, Beth was exclaiming. "Oh, Steve, if you had been around when I was raising Sue, we would have lived a luxurious life. My goodness, I don't know how much you and Missy won, but I've won over a million Euros. That's a lot of money."

Dewey said, "Let's go back to our hotel and relax. If you and I are still up for it, we'll go back down to the casino after a while."

We all went back to the hotel and relieved the professional nannies we had hired. They said the kids were all wonderful and didn't require any special treatment. Mercy, Sue, Kate, and I all checked the little ones and kissed their foreheads.

Amazing how you get choked up every time you observe the little critters while they are sleeping. You love them so much they become the focal point of your entire life. After the four of us gave each of the little ones a kiss, we had to have a group hug to let loose the loving feelings we had.

Dewey and Sheila were coming in the door as we came out of the kids' room. Sheila asked, "Can we bring little Dewey in to stay with your kids. I know Dewey and he's going to want to go back to the tables later. If I don't go with him, he'll lose entirely too much money, so if little Dewey stays with your kids, we can let the nanny go."

Sue went with Sheila to bring little Dewey and his bed into the room with our four.

We chatted for a while, until Dewey became a little jittery. "How about going back to the casino for a little while? I'm feeling so lucky that my money is burning a hole in my pocket."

Sheila asked if I was going to go with him, and I nodded yes. She said she was going to stay up with the ladies for a while.

Beth, Missy, and Mercy decided they wanted to come with Dewey and me, so we left, promising to come back fairly soon.

As soon as we entered the casino, Dewey wanted to play roulette. I suggested we all buy some chips, play some blackjack, and have a drink.

Missy and Mercy had never played blackjack before, so I gave them a quick lesson, but should have directed us away from the high stakes table we were at. I played cautiously and directed the ladies how to play. We were up pretty well, then Missy began her squinting and thoughtful mannerisms. She was folding then betting, then folding, then betting. Each time she was winning. Mercy must have picked up on what her mother was doing and was soon mimicking her mother, but on different cards. The two had a stack of chips in front of them.

Beth, Dewey, and I just played our cards and mostly winning, but from our years of playing blackjack, not from sensing what cards were coming. Mercy said, "Let's play something else, this is kind of boring."

The dealer looked at her strangely, and asked in his French accent, "You do not like to win? Why would you quit? Can you be bored with winning money?"

We all smiled at him and tossed him a low value chip as a tip.

Ah, the roulette tables. Missy watched the different tables for a while then had a quiet conversation with Mercy. Mercy was nodding her head and headed toward the exclusive table down in a pit. This table was reserved for high stakes players. We all exchanged our chips for a couple of meager chips from the croupier.

We put a chip on black and it came up black. We put a chip on red and it came up red. I began to put a chip on red twelve and Missy moved me over one to black eleven. It was a winner.

I almost didn't make the next bet, as I couldn't make up my mind but Missy whispered, black thirty-five. I shrugged my shoulders and put my money there while Missy put a single chip on black. Beth was copying Missy while Dewey was following me.

I said, "Let's bet the farm on one last roll and go to bed. I'm getting tired. Missy whispered into my ear, red twenty-one. All of the others followed where I put my chips, with Missy acting like she was following my lead. The croupier held up his stick and the same floor supervisor came.

"So you are now cleaning us out on the big table again. Here, let me roll. Perhaps I will bring the owners some luck."

Dewey said softly, "Not a chance, pal. This guy has luck that is phenomenal."

I said as the man sent the ball the opposite way of the spinning wheel, "I'm only lucky when I have my women near me." Mercy gave me a kiss on one cheek and Missy kissed me on the other. Beth leaned over and gave me a genuine lip lock that was not a kiss from a mother-in-law.

The ball didn't hesitate but dropped into red twenty-one long before the wheel had finished spinning. The floor supervisor and croupier filled out slips for us to turn into the cashier. We had collectively just won over two hundred million dollars. We, along with the pit crew, were in a state of shock.

Dewey led us to the cashier and said, "Steve, you are the luckiest man alive. You say it's because of someone else, but you bring everyone luck. Tonight is unbelievable. I'll bet they don't have winners like you but once or twice a year. That was awesome."

We all had the money deposited into our individual bank accounts so we could access it through our debit cards if we wanted.

Mercy and Missy both winked at me as I blushed from Dewey's praise.

When we reached the hotel suite, the girls were still all talking. Sheila asked, "Did you lose it all back, Honey?"

Dewey began laughing hysterically, "No way, I more than doubled my earlier winnings."

"My goodness, you were up over three million when we came up before. You mean you won even more?"

"That's what I'm saying. Steve is my good luck charm. This is unbelievable. He must have won about several billion tonight. Mercy, Beth, and Missy all won huge too."

Sue said with coy look, "So Mercy, Juanita, Kate, and I can go shopping tomorrow?"

I broke up laughing. "Sure, you can take your lucky mother, mother-in-law, and Mercy with you. They all won as often as I did. I just bet more often than anyone else. I was trying to give some of the money back to the casino when I picked the wrong number and won one last time."

Dewey said, "We just played whatever Steve did. Since I knew he would win, I just kept dumping everything I had on his numbers. He actually beat the table odds in the pit. Nobody does that."

The party soon broke up as it was getting pretty late. It was agreed that we would have breakfast in our suite about seven, and for the people late getting up, again about ten.

Since it was two o'clock in the morning here, I figured it would be about eight in the evening in Florida, so I called home. Glenda answered putting me on speakerphone immediately. Sue, Mercy, and I talked to everyone for almost an hour. Tiny finally asked me, "Are you winning too much money in Monte Carlo?"

"Why?" I asked cautiously.

"Interpol called us at work to find out a little about you. The only reason they would do that is if you were winning outrageously in the casinos," Tiny laughed.

"We did pretty well all evening," I said to Tiny. "Dewey showed up and Beth, Missy, Mercy, Dewey, and I all went down to the high stakes tables and really got lucky. The best part about this is that we don't have to pay income tax on it."

Tiny said, "I told the guy from Interpol that you were one hell of a lucky person and that when you were surrounded by the women in your life, you were even luckier. He said you were being trailed by a half dozen or so women."

I had been having some strange thoughts about our business and the future economy lately, so I said. "I need to talk to you tomorrow about a couple of things I've been thinking about. I'll call during your day so we can talk about it."

"Okay, Dude," Tiny said. "I'll talk to you tomorrow. Oh yeah, I wanted to tell you that both the air charter and the fishing boat charter are in the black big time. Your newest venture, that is now up to three boats, besides the monster you're sailing, is about to be black. We leased the three boats so you could be paid back for the Magellan. This way, we're only on the hook for the lease period. If the economy tanks, we can get rid of everything within less than a year. Anyway, the sailboats are reserved for almost the entire year already. I'm thinking we could use a couple more. The Dunedin yacht club is buying the dock next to them so they have room for all our boats. How about that, we're becoming important."

"Careful, Tiny, we don't want to stretch our business partners. They are sort of a business partner, considering that's where we keep several million in floating stock."

"Okay, I understand but, Steve?" asked Tiny. "Ask me about Mexican oil in the morning. I have an idea that may be a good one. It could be good for us."

"I'll do that, Tiny, but for everyone that can hear me, we all miss you and will be home before long. We have to go to the United Kingdom before we'll be on our way home. I'll talk to you tomorrow," I said and hung up.

Sue said, "You know, I'm really getting homesick."

Mercy commented also, "I miss our home too. Even though I love to sail, I want to go home soon."

That night we loved each other gently, enjoying our closeness.



-------

Chapter 60



I really didn't want to get up when morning came, but I could hear the little ones wanting to play. Maggie and Kate were up, so I got up to help. Juanita had gone to bed earlier too and got up with me. As soon as I knew the kids were being taken care of, I laid back down between Sue and Mercy.

We woke up about nine-thirty and had breakfast with Dewey and Sheila. Little Dewey had stayed with us, so he was up early with our kids, having a good time.

Mike, Chanda, Lucille, and Margaret had skipped the wild gambling we had gotten into and were awed by the amounts of money that we had won. Chanda said she was afraid of gambling as she had a brother who was addicted and if he were left alone, he would run through all of her Dad's money. She said even her Dad had a gambling habit. Sue told them that we didn't usually wager the kind of money we had, but since we had kept winning, we ended up playing some high stakes tables.

Dewey didn't help when he said, "When Steve puts money down in a casino, it isn't really gambling. I've watched him so many times, and so far he's always a winner. Never as big as this time, but he's always a winner.

Chanda said, "Don't ever let my brother hear that or he'll want to follow you around like a puppy."

We planned on the girls visiting some of the exclusive shops here before heading back to the boat. Dewey said he had a board meeting in Paris, so he would be leaving today as well. I told Dewey our schedule and that we were going to sail directly to the United Kingdom. It was agreed to by all that we would pass on going to the Spanish Riviera in order to save a couple of days. We had reservations at Brighton and would travel up to London from there, and after that we were going to sail to Dublin to meet Chanda's family. Mike had made arrangements for us to dock at the family yacht club there.

Dewey said that we would probably have to catch up with each other back home as he was on a tight schedule for the rest of his trip in Europe. The girls all hugged and kissed, then our two groups separated. Ed took the girls to the plazas to shop while Mike and I stayed at the hotel to watch and play with the kids.

When the women all returned, we had an afternoon meal and headed for the boats. Once at the yacht club, we parted with Ed who was going to fly back to Italy. Mike asked when we wanted to leave and Mercy answered for me. "How about as soon as we can get the engines running? We'll check the boat out, and talk to you guys before we shove off. You all can travel a lot faster than we can, so you can stay here an extra day while we head out. You'll still pass us in a day or so."

Chanda said, "I was thinking it would be nice to travel with you again. Cory and Corinne love to play with your kids so much. Do you think you could take us with you again? My crew will follow along or they can go ahead and go straight to Dublin."

I looked at Sue and she smiled and said, "Let's get some clothes for your family as we will be almost a week getting to England."

The girls made a couple of trips between boats for clothes and food. I ordered and received a bunch of fresh vegetables from the green grocer who services the yachts. When I went to pay my bill, Mike had already taken care of it for us. He wouldn't take any money for it either. I told him that we needed to pay our way, but he just brushed it off.

Around three, I called Tiny to find out what he had going.

"Steve, I think we can be involved in some oil well wildcatting in Mexico. It may or may not be a good investment for you, but I think we can control some of our destiny doing this. Exxon has a geology team working there identifying drilling locations. Ben and I started an investment group a while ago that has been used to buy land, including mineral rights to drill on. So far we're running at around seventy percent of locations that have come in. The geologists think the other thirty percent should come in too, but will have to go deeper. To date we have been able to sell the drilled and capped wells for about thirty times the cost of purchase and drilling."

"Tiny, if you've done that well, why do you need new money? If you and Ben have sold your product for thirty times investment you should be rolling in money."

"Well, we are, sort of, but at this minute we need an additional thirty million to complete a drilling area that is already producing from six wells."

"How much do you, Ben, and the 401K have out in this right now?" I asked, concerned.

"At this minute all of the investors, including a good chunk of money of yours through Ben, all together have right at a hundred and seventy million into this. The additional will make the total right at two hundred million."

"Man, Tiny, this sounds risky as hell. I'm not happy to hear that you have so much in one pot. How much of a percentage of the 401K do you have in this thing?"

"We are at the max of the original agreed upon twenty-five percent for high risk. Ben said you and Sue are in to the max of your high risk limit. The rest of us have copied you and have invested that same percentage."

"So, Tiny, where do I get the thirty million to do this?"

"Okay, for one thing I know you just won a shit load of money in Monte Carlo. I almost wish I could send you back to the casino to get some more. The way they were talking, they didn't want to see you again very soon though. Two, I've recently transferred over twenty-five million into your and Sue's joint account. These are profits that are company excess that I have to get out of our ledgers. Three, you just received some royalty checks from some of your licensing agreements for about five million. Four, Ben says you and Sue are so cash rich right now that he needs to put some heavy money somewhere for tax purposes. I figure you and Sue for about seventy-five to eighty million excess right now. If you were to put another thirty into this, I feel the success of it would be guaranteed."

"Where did all that money come from? Jesus, Tiny. You're throwing around big numbers like loose change."

"You have over a hundred successful franchises, dealerships, and distributorships all over the globe. All of them are in the black and anticipating good future returns. You also have three separate charter companies that are jointly owned by you and the rest of us. Steve, you have money, lots of it."

"I thought I was donating enough in Tampa to offset all this."

"That would be true, Steve, if you would quit growing. You just opened Canada and it looks like you're going to end up with about seven distributorships, a cart manufacturing facility, and two major rebuilding plants up there. We've had some inquiries from Europe for rebuilding facilities, and even for our new police cart. If you had quit growing a couple of years ago, your donation schedule would be perfect, but now it is about a tenth of what you would need to offset taxes."

"Okay, Tiny, try to protect the money going into this deal and see if you can wean the investment capital out of it and use only what we've made, you know, the profits. Since these profits are all out of country, we won't owe as much U.S. taxes, but we will owe Mexico a bunch. Use what you need, but leave a couple of hundred grand for me to live on and raise my kids."

I was in a state of shock to hear about all this money. "Tiny, I'm glad you're who you are. You are amazing, and if I didn't know you better I'd think you were printing money somewhere. Thanks for watching out for us. All of us."

"Ah hell, Steve, I do this for you and everyone while I do it for myself. You've made me so much, that now I just play with the money instead of thinking of it as investments. Let me go play with the Mexicans and see what we can do."

"Tiny, that is one of the things that I've been worried about. I have this feeling about the future of the economy. If you've noticed the price of oil is beginning to go up to the point where people are worried. If oil gets too high, it's going to play havoc with world commerce. I'm not smart about a lot, but we have a lot of people working and if the economy tanks, we are talking about several thousand of our people that could lose their jobs. I want to find some guaranteed, recession proof business that we can put people into. I want to prepare our investments to possibly trade commodities instead of stocks. Help me think on this and get all of the guys to do some brainstorming. If the economy shuts down, how do we keep our people working? We need to find products to make, to fix, to rebuild, anything that is recession proof. Let's even work on converting our currency into something hard, fixed, maybe even gold."

"You're serious about this, aren't you? Do you think this terrorism thing is going to do that?"

"It's the terrorism, the idiots that think the world is going to boil, the greedy people who sell the oil, the dumb investors that run some big financial corporations, all of it. I think it will come to a head one of these days and I'd like to be ahead of the game by a couple of years, not a couple of months."

Tiny sighed, "I'll work on it. You've given me something to think about. I'll bet Henry has some ideas about this as well. I'll get Ben and Henry together and we'll brainstorm a little."

"Good, go make lots more money for everyone. I'll talk to you from England or Ireland."

I wasn't that worried about whether we lost the thirty million after what happened last night. I did wonder what the ramifications of winning that much money would mean. Who could guess that you could win multiple times in a row at thirty-five to one odds. Sure mounts up quick.

By five we were ready to leave, so the girls did the lines while I eased away from the dock. Mike's and Chanda's big motor yacht was going to begin following us when they were finished stocking the boat. It didn't take an exceptionally long time to get out far enough to raise our sails, but we did have to navigate around several small islands on the way to Gibraltar.

The trip was fun, with the many women having some daytime sunbathing sessions and a few late night hot tub parties. I didn't feel right about leaving the helm completely, so I napped while one of the girls guided the boat.

Five days later, we were in Brighton. It was cold, damn cold. It's a good thing we had good heat, as it was almost too cold to man the boat from outside. We did find out that the inside helm was pretty nice and that we stayed a lot warmer inside.

The two families took a train to London and stayed two days, going to several of the attractions. We saw Buckingham palace and even saw the queen. While in London, I did meet with several dealers that were in the area. I pitched them on purchasing our welding equipment, but I didn't get any great response.

It took us less than a day to go back around the southern tip of England and to get to Dublin. As soon as we docked, Chanda's father came aboard to see his daughter and her twins. The man marveled at our boat, saying he wished he had a sailboat as it was such a gentle way to travel.

We were all invited to stay at his home outside the city. Chanda and Mike insisted that we join them. The girls packed up some clothes and we were transported to a junior Irish castle that Chanda had grown up in. The place was huge, making my concerns for enough space unjustified.

That evening, Mac, short for Mackenzie, Chanda's father, and I had a long discussion. When he found out I was the owner of S&S Enterprises, he said, "I'm very glad to meet the originator of the "Perfect" theme for all your buildings. I saw an article about your business a couple of years ago, and I have a man who had some training in your main location. He raves about how everyone is in a good mood all the time because they are constantly trying to do their best. He says it carries over to their personal lives."

"Where did the man work that he had training at the company?" I asked, curious to see whom we had lost along the way.

Mac answered, "He worked in Jacksonville when he was sent to Tampa for training. He came over here, following a young lady he was crazy about. He's since married her and is employed with my company. He talks about S&S all the time."

"That's nice to hear," I smiled. "I think most everyone, in all of our locations, have taken it to heart. They really do wish to produce as good a product as possible. I think it's because of this we have been successful so far."

"While you're here, I'd like you to take a look at a couple of things, and make arrangements for a European sales representative to visit me. My business is strictly handling shipping and receiving within Great Britain's ports. Your company sells some of the giant lifts necessary to move the big containers around. We need more of them, and I need to set up a repair shop somewhere that can maintain them. I've heard you do that in the States, but it wouldn't be feasible to ship ours back there. We need something local. Now, if you were to open a shop here to do that sort of thing, I'm sure I could help you find the space, the manpower, and the customers to make it a success."

I was stunned, "You know, Mac, I've never considered having a shop similar to what we have at home, overseas. That is a decent idea and I'll have to take it up with some of my key people to see what they think. Do you think that a location in Great Britain would be able to serve France, and possibly Germany and Spain?"

"Now you're talking. A location here would be easiest for you because of the language thing. I'd bet you could draw business from all over Europe. Most of the trade done between the countries is done either by train or barge. If you were repairing big lifts here, most would probably come to you by barge. Even from London, they ship large items by barge to Dublin. It's about as fast, and it's cheaper, as a barge can take several large items at a time. A truck can only take a single lift without any other freight."

"We would need a location near a port or we would have to build a dock to support a large crane to lift the big lifts on and off a barge." I thought for a minute and said, "A waterfront location would be good, but I'm sure one of those might be difficult to come by."

Mac sat back in his chair, "I have just the place. We are moving one of our factories away from the waterfront because it is too difficult for a lot of the office workers to reach. There will soon be better public transportation to the building, but right now there isn't. Let's take a look at the building tomorrow to see if it would work for an operation of yours."

"Sounds good, Mac. We'll do it."

The next day, while the ladies toured all of the shops in Dublin, Mac and I went down to the waterfront area to see his building. The building was an old converted World War II plant building. The steel structure with windows on all of the high sides was in remarkable shape. There were even some old blackout window panes still up on the walls. It looked to be a little larger than the huge building we had bought next to our original building. As I walked through the plant, I could see mostly happy employees working in clean workspaces. I thought about what it would take to completely clean the building from top to bottom and to paint everything, including the floor. It would be expensive, but would brighten the building tremendously.

Outside, the building had covered areas that housed completed product and materials waiting to be used in manufacturing. The dock area was quite expansive, with two very large cranes. One crane was unloading a barge that was tied up at the dock, while the other crane was loading a container ship. Mac explained that he made a little extra by providing loading and unloading facilities for other businesses in the area. He said the money he made from providing these services paid for a good chunk of his operating costs.

There was a good amount of property surrounding the building that could be used for future expansion if it were needed.

Mac and I went back to his Irish castle and were sitting in his garden sunroom. It gave the feeling of being outdoors, without the cold wind that was blowing outside.

"What would I have to do to buy property here, Mac?"

"I didn't propose for you to buy the property, but to lease it, Steve. Would you really want to buy it?"

I nodded, "If I buy the property, I would be committing to be successful. If I only leased it, I would be giving myself an excuse to fail and quit. How about if we have two or three independent appraisers figure on what the building is worth and we'll deal from that point forward."

Mac smiled, "That's very fair, Steve, and I have two appraisals now. How about you getting one more to confirm these and we'll deal."

"When are you moving your operations to the new site, Mac? Is it imminent or long range?"

"We'll be moving in March. The building will be available to modify after April first. Do you have an estimate of how much time it takes to get a building ready for you to work out of?"

"I do, Mac, it usually takes a minimum of a month to completely clean the building from top to bottom, paint it, and partition the building for multiple uses. Your office area is about right, but I might open up some of it for cubicles and modify the walls to be windows, so people can be seen in the offices, and the people within the offices can observe the floor. I like the upstairs offices as they do have observation windows now, but I'd like them to be even larger. One of the things I like to do with a work area is to have it painted white. Floor, walls, ceiling, everything painted white, so it can be cleaned up to look new every day. It's my way to help the workers feel good about where they work. If they start their day in a clean environment, they will make every effort to do better work. It's an attitude thing."

"Would you put signs up like you do in the States?"

"Of course, and we would have "Is it perfect" signs over every door.

"The motto has to be an attitude and a desired procedure for it to be effective. It takes men a little time to buy into the way to work, but when they do, the sky is the limit."

Mac handed me a fresh drink, "I'm going to learn a lot from you, Steve. I've been doing this for a lot of years, but I'm going to learn how to become a real leader in my industry."

"Mac, I'm going to need some good lawyers, I think you call them solicitors. I'm going to need some accountants, and of course, I'm going to need mechanics. I will need the absolute best available. I don't want to hire them to begin here. I want to hire them and send them to our facility in Florida to learn how we do it. The main location produces more rebuilt super lifts than anywhere in the world. I want the Dublin facility to rival the Florida one."

"I think I can do a good business here with some of our carts. We have several that can be used for transportation in traffic, and I'd bet they would be popular here. I'll import a few models and see how they are accepted. We'll put the steering on the right to make it comfortable here and see how we do. I know we get about fifty miles to the gallon with our three-wheeled police vehicle, so it should be popular here."

"My design group has been working on a forklift with fewer moving parts for warehouse work. We have developed some of our own hydraulics now, so we may be able to build a lift here without having to license patents from half a dozen different companies. If that gets on the ground, we can begin building them here too, and market them throughout Europe."

"Steve, have you put this all together mentally since we talked last night?"

"I've had to think this way when we've opened up other markets as well, Mac. Canada is still developing, and we had to react quickly there to get our foot in the door and to maintain a customer base. The company is sort of used to making things happen fast."

"I'm afraid I'm a little more methodical than that. I have to study things a long while before I make the first move. It seems you just dive right in."

"I guess I do, Sir. I have some strong people to rely upon who can put things together with me and for me. All I have to do is to come up with the idea and give it a push. They make it happen the way I envision it."

"As a matter of fact, I need to call my key man and get his opinion of all of this. He may wish with some others to come see it in order to figure on what's to be done."

I left Mac in his garden room and went upstairs to the room we had been given. I checked the cell phone to see if I had a signal and found it to be strong.

"Hey, Tiny, want to begin an operation in Dublin?"

"What kind, Steve?"

"To start with, a super lift sales and rebuild plant. I think we could build carts here too, and perhaps the new forklifts we are designing."

"What brought this on, Steve?"

"The lady of the couple we met in Italy has a father who is a manufacturer here in Dublin. He is an extremely good businessman and from what I've been able to find out, a good manufacturer. His company builds military products and has since World War II. He's well thought of throughout Great Britain."

I had paused a second. "Anyway, he has a building that he is giving up near the waterfront. This would be important to marketing our rebuild shop here in Europe. Most of our clients would be on the water and we could have most of our shipping done by barge. It seems to be the way they do a lot of commerce here. Very few trucks, but some rail traffic through the new tunnel."

Tiny was laughing, "You're a quick study, Dude. You go visit someone and decide to begin an entire manufacturing facility in some foreign country. What is it going to cost?"

"I have no idea, Tiny. I need some numbers help. I'll need a number cruncher if this works out, and I'll need Abe or someone like him to start the rebuild shop here. It's going to take every bit of a month or so to clean and paint the building. There will be some minor structure stuff too, but we should be able to make this work quickly if we want it. We're going to need some legal help here too. Can you call our accounting firm to see if they have any contacts here?"

"No need, Ben has dozens of contacts over there. I'll give him a call and have him call you. Like I told you the other day, we need some investments, but not necessarily foreign investments. This isn't going to take that much to get going and if it pans out, it should be self supporting quickly. I'll get on it, though."

"Ah, Steve, the Mexican oil deal is coming around. Two more wells have come through. We struck enough oil that Exxon has made an initial offer for all our holdings at about twenty-eight times investment. That includes your new investment. Without your money we wouldn't have finished drilling those wells without selling some of the other assets. I think I want to sell it all out right now and let Exxon deal with the Mexican government. I don't think they'll do it, but they're acting more and more like Venezuela every day. We could lose our investment due to the government nationalizing the oil companies."

"Will everyone make out on this, Tiny?"

"You didn't hear me, did you? I said we were offered twenty-eight times investment. Hmmm, your thirty mil you just invested is going to be worth eight hundred and forty million. All the rest of the group of investors, which includes you again, through Ben, has right at four point seven six billion to gain."

I almost choked trying to swallow the phone. "Um, Tiny, you just said that my thirty mil can turn into eight hundred and forty million and then you said just like the TV guy, 'Wait, there's more' and you said there was another almost five billion coming. Shit, Tiny, I think Exxon is shortchanging us. I think twenty nine is my lucky number. Tell them to begin transferring money if they'll do twenty-nine times investment."

"You're leaving money on the table, Steve. Since oil is going up so fast, I was thinking thirty-five times investment would be good right now. They'll make that back during the first month. I'll get Ben and we'll swing this right away. I told Ben you were anxious over the 401K money being partially at risk, so he'll work to get the deal done. Let me call you back. Keep your cell phone close."

Tiny just hung up. He didn't ask me anything else. Let's see. The thirty million I didn't know I had was potentially going to come back at thirty-five times that rate so that would be, ahhhh, shit. That's one billion, fifty million.

I sat down hard, on what I thought was going to be the bed, but missed. I sat on the floor for a minute or so, then got up, and went downstairs to see if Mac was still in the garden room. He was, but this time he had a phone in one hand and a stack of papers in his lap, trying to mark on them with his other hand.

Mac motioned me to sit and kept talking to whoever it was. I could tell it was about the building and that he was attempting to get another appraisal as quickly as possible.

Did I really care how much the thing was going to cost? Shit, Sue and I just made millions and millions, from millions I didn't know we had. I had just won millions and millions in a Casino.

A butler came and asked me if I wished something to drink. I told him that I wished a large glass of Beefeaters on the rocks, along with some celery, carrots, and broccoli, with some ranch dressing to dip it in. He nodded and vanished. Butlers do that sort of thing.

A minute later, he reappeared just like Merlin, handed me a glass, and advised me my snack would be ready soon.

While I sipped the gin, I thought that maybe we should just go buy an island and build homes on it for all our people and sell off everything and subsist on the island forever and ever.

Eh! Too idealistic.

Mac's call ended and he hollered, "Brutus?"

The butler reappeared. The butler was maybe five two, and not more than a hundred ten pounds soaking wet. I was about to laugh when Mac said, "Brutus came to me after serving with the British Special Forces for ten years. I understand you served in the Special Forces in Iraq."

I stood and shook Brutus' hand. He gave me a sly smile, nodded, and vanished again.

So that's what happens to Special Forces dudes over here. They become butlers. I know a guy that became a security guard, so why not a butler.

Mac brought me back to reality, "I have an appraiser working on what you want right now. I also have contacted our legal people to advise them your people will be contacting them. I'm really excited. I'm going to have the real live Steve Sharp bring his luck to Dublin. I'll tell you what. I'm sure you have Irish blood, and I just know you'll bring your Irish luck to my country."

I told Mac, "My mother was Irish and my father Scottish. That doesn't make me anything special, but my mother always said that my Irish blood would bring me luck. But I have to tell you, Mac, between the Irish and Scottish blood, there were a lot of mixes going on. Some native American, some Pennsylvania Dutch, and some beer drinking Polish even got in the mix. I'm just a hundred percent American, or as you guys say over here, a true colonial."

"Ya see, Stevie me-boy, you have some true Irish blood."

Brutus reappeared magically with a tray of veggies and a large bowl of dressing to dip them in. As he set it all down on a small table between Mac and me, he said, "I understand "Semper Fi" is in order."

I smiled, and said in a firm but hushed voice, "Ooorah!"

He smiled an uncharacteristic smile, and vanished again. Man, I have to get Merlin over here to see the way this guys does it.

Mac continued, "So did you contact your people? Are you rolling on this project?"

"It's done," I said, fairly emphatically.

"Do you mean that you've contacted your people?"

"I called and now the deal is done. As soon as we have the numbers, we'll transfer the funds or I'll give you my bankcard. It's done."

Mac sat there with his mouth open, and finally said, "You've made up your mind that fast? One day I mention the deal, we look at it, barely discuss the project, and you come back and say it's done?"

"Look, if the deal is right, why wouldn't I just go ahead and do it? Like I said before, we have a lot to do so we don't waste the space after you leave. I want as many men as can be hired to be cleaning, remodeling, and painting the place the minute you give me the key. If I mess around now, I'll be wasting time. I've made up my mind, and the only thing we're waiting on is for you to pack and leave the building, and your appraiser. You and I will make the deal after we have the numbers and it'll be done."

"Just like that?" Mac asked.

"Just like that."

Brutus was standing next to us. Mac said, "I wish to join Steve with some gin as well. Please, Brutus."

If this were a movie it would be "Flash" Brutus was gone, then "Flash" Brutus was back with a glass of gin.

Mac said, "We're usually a little more formal and have this in martini glasses with some vermouth. However, I can see the value of having a big glass with some ice. Good stuff."

My cell phone rang and as soon as I said "Yes?" Tiny said, "You are a billionaire, Ben got thirty-five times investment. I'm glad you got me out of that, as I had every dime to my name in the deal. Now I'm a very wealthy man, thank you."

"Congratulations, Tiny. What are you and Ruth going to do with all of that?"

"Count it. Follow you around and do what you do, which is watch it grow. Shit, I don't know. A few years ago, I was making a salary in a cubicle. Now I could buy the accounting firm and its nearest competitor, and still have money left over. Like I said, Steve, thank you. I think Ben is going to kiss you too. He's about to have a coronary over all the money."

I grimaced and said, "Tell him to just relax, finish up the deal, and perhaps go down to the Miami condo or to Costa Rica and relax. Tell him to go out to the house and shoot some pool. He and Abe would have fun together."

Tiny said, "Ben is having some financial and legal people call you in Dublin. They should call you any minute, so I'm going to get off the phone. I just wanted to tell you that your employees' funds are secure again. I think we'll go buy gold or something for fun."

"Good idea, Tiny, do that. Put about half of everything Sue and I have that way too. We'll keep the other half out to work with. I'll call you later to see how you're doing. You sound tired."

"It was a big strain. Now I'm really happy, but worn out."

"Well, get Ruth and go home. Do some exercises with her, and that will relax you."

"On my way, Boss, thank you."

Mac said, "Sounds like some good news. Any word on your counsel here?"

My cell phone rang again. I answered "Steve Sharp."

The man on the other end said, "My name is Sean Kelly. I'm the head solicitor of Kelly and Kelly. A Mr. Ben Phillips has retained us to work with you here in Ireland. We also have an accounting division that will be available to you as you need us. What is it that you will need?"

I told the guy about the building deal and that I was waiting for the appraisal as we spoke. I asked to hold a second and asked Mac, "Will your appraiser bring the appraisal here this evening?"

"He will if I ask him."

"Ask him."

"Mr. Kelly, I'd like to have you or one of your people with a financial person here with me as quickly as possible so we may go over some numbers and solidify the deal this evening. I'm prepared to transfer funds to secure the building, and I'm sure the seller would enjoy that guarantee as well. Is this possible?"

"Please give me the address, Mr. Sharp, and we will be there within the hour."

I turned to Mac, "Would you give this gentleman your address and directions so he can meet us here?"

Mac took the phone and began talking. He burst out laughing and told the man to be here and we would have a drink.

Mac handed me back the phone but the connection was gone.

Mac was grinning, "Your man in the States has good judgment in people. Kelly and Kelly have been my solicitors since I went into business with my father."

We both laughed and raised our glasses in a mutual toast.

By the time the girls returned from shopping, the appraiser was there, as was Sean Kelly and an accountant named Riley, no first name, just Riley. We had just begun talking, when Sue and Juanita came into the garden room, with Brutus following. They had trays of coffee cups a large carafe of dark coffee and some nice looking cigars. Sue, Juanita, and Brutus helped with clipping the cigars and lighting them making sure we each had a cup of rich Cuban coffee.

Sue smiled at all of us and said, "Now you may make your deal. This is a family tradition that should be continued even here in Ireland."

After the appraiser left, Mac and I made the deal, at about ten percent under the average of all of the appraisals on the basis that the building would have to undergo major remodeling and would not be available to me for over a month. The attorney had the appropriate papers, so I called and transferred secured funds. Mac and I shook hands and had some more coffee. He asked Brutus to bring us some Irish whiskey to enhance the strong coffee with, and we all sat back, happy to have that out of the way.

Mac said to Sean, "Less than twenty-four hours ago, I mentioned the building to Steve and now it is his. Have you ever done a deal like this, Sean?"

"My father has, but not me. Usually it's offer, counteroffer, until I'm sick of the deal. You and Steve sat right here and worked out an equitable deal on the spot. I think Riley is a little dizzy the way Steve kept having him work out numbers that only he understands. Anyway, it's done."

Brutus came in and said, "Dinner is served in the main dining room gentlemen, please adjourn, the family is waiting."

Mac got up saying, "We've been told. Come on, the food's pretty good around here."

Tonight must have been something special as all of the women were dressed formally. We guys were in our casual clothes, except for Sean Kelley and Riley. Another special occasion was the presence of Lucille and Margaret, sitting with Mike and Chanda between them.

I asked Sue where the kids were and she said that all of them were having a great time in the children's dining room. We had a traditional Irish meal with shepherd's pie and some fancy potato dish. Typically, United Kingdom folks don't have a lot of green vegetables, but there was some nice steamed broccoli and cauliflower. The meat was a juicy lamb roast that melted in your mouth.

Everyone was full and content after a hectic day. As people pushed their chairs back, in the universal gesture of the meal being complete, Mac stood to toast us all.

"Family, extended family, Sean, Riley, and Brutus, will you please join us, Mr. Sharp and all of your family and extended family; this evening is a celebration I hope we repeat many times in the future. We are fortunate to be able to entertain some wonderful people who first befriended my Chanda, her husband, her children, and her special nannies and now have captured this old castle with their exuberance and energy. To all of you, to all of us, may this happen often and again soon."

I stood, smiled at all, and held up my glass, "Thank you, it is our pleasure."

When I sat, Brutus said, "Hear, hear," then took his drink.

After dinner Sean and Riley left, Mac and Chanda's mother left to go upstairs to their quarters, leaving all of us with Chanda, Mike, Lucille, and Margaret.

The ladies all got up and left to put the kids to bed, so Mike and I wandered out to a game room in the house. There was a beautiful snooker table that just begged to be played. Mike said, "Fancy a game, Mate?"

I had not played that much snooker before, but I did know how to play. We played for an hour with me being only twelve points down. Not too bad at all. Mike said that Mac usually lost to him and he was very good. I was every bit as good as he was, and with some practice would be even better. I told him I played a lot of nine-ball, but he said they didn't have an American table. They did have another table but it was a table without pockets for billiards. Call me a dummy, but I had never played that before.

We went into the nice lounge and joined the girls. It was just my four and Mike's three. We sat together and discussed what our schedule was going to be.

I looked at the girls and said, "What do you think. We've done all the damage we can here, and I would really like to get home. How about we pack up and ship out tomorrow. I looked at Mike and Chanda and said, "You four are welcome to travel back to the States with us and fly home, but we wish to go home. We are all a little homesick."

Chanda looked at Mike and at the other two ladies, "I think we'll stay home a while. My Dad is accepting Lucille and Margaret so well, I'd like to just relax here a while. I think Mike is going to try to get involved in something with Dad."

I said, "Mike, if Mac doesn't have anything for you to do, call me. I'll have several things that I'll need a pair of eyes to help me with while we get the building started."

"I'll do that, Mate. I've really enjoyed being with you folks and hope we can do some more soon."

We all went upstairs to the rooms and got ready for bed. When we settled down, still sitting up in bed, Sue said, "So what kind of deal did you make today."

"I made several actually, but what I did here was to buy a waterfront building to begin rebuilding super lifts, build our own forklifts, and to have a small cart manufacturing plant. We'll have the building on April 1st and should be able to be in business by late April or May. We'll need to do some more work on this thing, but we'll get it done."

Sue snuggled into me and asked, "So what other deal did you do."

"I spent all of the money I won in Monte Carlo and a bunch of our personal cash that I didn't know we had."

"What did you do with it?" Sue asked, not necessarily caring what I had done with it.

"I bought the building and land here and invested in a Mexican oil deal and immediately encouraged your Dad and Tiny to sell us all out at an advantageous deal. Tiny said your Dad negotiated a deal that was thirty-five times investment."

That got her. Sue sat up and looked at me. "How much did you invest?"

What we invested this one time was thirty, but your Dad had us pretty deep in this already. I don't know how much, but it was a lot. The other investors were Tiny, everything he had, the 401K plan, plus I think your Mom and Dad were heavy into this too."

"How much?"

"A hundred seventy."

Sue rolled her eyes and began acting like she was counting with her fingers. "So you put in thirty but got back thirty-five times that so that is ah..."

Sue mouthed to me without sound, "A billion?"

I nodded.

"I guess I don't have to worry about having a plane and a big sailboat."

Mercy said, "I like this big sailboat but I think I'd rather use the Magellan than this one. Let's switch and get the Magellan just the way we want it, or have one built. I think I'd rather have the one we have though, as it is special to me."

Sue agreed, "Me too. I like that one better. If we take another big trip, we can always use the big one if we want. The Magellan should be as big as we need to go about anywhere though."

Juanita hugged Mercy and said, "I love the smaller boat too. It is so nice and clean. So compact and it is built so strong. I feel good when we're on that boat."

"Well keep in mind gang, you have to have it fixed up to handle five more little ones. That is a bunch of kids and you may need more help. Do we have enough staterooms to have more nannies?"

Sue laughed and said, "Should I try to get Lucille and Margaret to come help us?"

"I don't think Chanda would like that, but who knows, she might come too. That wouldn't be bad."

One of the girls punched me. Mercy said, "I didn't know you liked redheads. All your women have either brunette or black hair."

Sue said, "He likes 'em all. Denise had blonde hair and was ready to keep Steve before she met her deputy. He does like his three redheads at home. They seem to hold his interest when they want to."

Kate said, "I have kind of mousy blonde hair, so I must be odd woman around here."

Juanita hugged Kate and gave her a kiss. "You have the softest pussy hair of all of us, and it is so sparse it's as if you're shaved."

Mercy and Sue laughed as Kate covered her face in embarrassment. "Oh Juanita, you are so bad."

Soon we settled down and slept. My head was still spinning over the big billion number by the time morning came.

I woke up energized. I took a shower and dressed in warm jeans, a T-shirt, and a heavy wool shirt too. The girls saw how I was dressing and said they would join me soon with the kids.

Downstairs Mac was having coffee and greeted me, "Are you still happy with our deal?"

"You bet, even happier today knowing it is a done deal."

Brutus gave me some coffee and sat in a chair with a cup of his own. "I get the feeling you may leave us today, Steve."

"It's time; we're all homesick and ready to get home."

Brutus sipped his coffee and said, "Will you be returning to help with the opening here?"

"Probably, I may come over to bring some staff to look over the plant to plan the remodeling. I would also need to come to help hire the key people."

Mac said to Brutus, "Go ahead, ask him."

"When you return to Ireland, it would honor me and this home if you would stay with us. You have been a delight to be around. Your family is so much fun, I don't know what to do next as they are so busy. Please stay with us when you are here."

"Thanks you, Brutus, and you, Mac. That's one hell of an invitation."

As the girls came down with the kids, I could see Brutus' face light up. He left for the housekeeper and the real nannies so the kids could be fed.

Mac said he needed to get to work and that he had enjoyed us. "Brutus said it all. I've never known him to enjoy someone as he has you and your family. I think you've rubbed off on Chanda, Mike, and their live-ins. I hope so. This house needs some more laughter and merriment."

Juanita gave Mac a hug and said, "The States is not that far away in time. Get on a plane and come see us. Come see how big of a party we have every morning and every evening. You best bring Brutus with you too, as he will have a great time."

Mac nodded, "I think we will do that soon. It's cold and winter here and warm in Florida. We could go to Disney World, Universal Studios, and even Busch Gardens. Do you have a mansion there?"

Mercy broke up. "We do have a mansion on wheels, so to speak. If you need the comfort of a mansion you can stay with Sue's folks. They have a mansion and a butler, plus a couple of housekeepers and cooks. We have friends who all get together and do everything together."

"Sounds like fun. We'll come."

As Mac left, Chanda and Mike came down with Lucille and Margaret. We all ate before loading up the bus they had called for our departure. Mike, Chanda, Lucille, and Margaret, along with Cory and Corinne came to the boat with us. We had a special guest, as Brutus came with us too. We checked our supplies and Brutus and I made a trip to the yacht club larders to stock up on fresh stuff. We still had plenty of everything else.

I started the heating unit in the boat, as it was about forty degrees. Soon the boat was warming up and coats were coming off. I put on a pair of long johns under my jeans and a thermal shirt over my t-shirt. It was going to be cold for a while. Sue, Mercy, Juanita, Kate, and Maggie all redressed to be warm out on deck, as we were going to be busy until we escaped from Great Britain.

After I started the engines, there was one last group of hugs before we disconnected shore services, took in the lines, and slowly made our way from the dock.

Sue was on the bow with her bullhorn, Mercy was on the port side and Juanita on the starboard. Maggie was watching our rear, waving at the folks still on the dock. It took us five hours to really hit the open Atlantic. You could tell too, as the seas were about eight to ten feet with some very heavy winds. At least we were traveling in the direction of the winds and were making good time.



-------

Chapter 61



As soon as we were out to sea, I covered the outside helm and went inside to the weather helm. How pleasant it was to be out of the cold wind, to have soft country music playing, a warm cup of coffee, and my loving wife, Sue, sitting with me.

Sue said, "I can't believe you told me that we made a billion dollars yesterday. That's just too much to even think about. It's so much, it isn't even real. Tell me again how this happened?"

I gave Sue the whole story in more detail this time. I told her how upset I was as there was so much of all of our money at risk in Mexico. That was scary. Sue agreed. I said that I had to compliment Ben for doing as I asked and getting us out of there with a major profit.

Sue said again, "A billion dollars. I wonder how much we might owe in U.S. and Mexican taxes."

"I don't care. I've already told Tiny that I want half of everything we have, and the company has, to be put into gold. The market is going haywire in oil and gold is on the rise, so while it is still reasonable, we'll buy a bunch so our money is secure, period."

"What will we do for cash if all our money is in gold?" Sue asked, actually sincerely.

"Christ, Sue, isn't half a billion enough for pocket change?"

Sue burst out laughing saying, "I forgot. You did say half, didn't you?"

I told Sue, "Dewey didn't tell you how much we won did he?"

Sue looked at me funny, "He said a lot; how much did you win?"

"It's hard to believe but we won about what we just made on that oil deal. We're going to be a major contributor to just about any good organization that needs help. We definitely won't be short of cash for a while."

I told her that I thought that over the next few years that she should work her factories into making staples that would be popular all year round and products that all of the major stores would want. She should still make some fashion goods, but for the most part, her bread and butter should be the staples that people would always want and buy. Sue agreed with me, saying, "You have some fears about the economy, don't you? I do too, but I think it's not coming for a few years. We'll just have to watch and see. If the economy gets bad, what do I do with all of my people?"

"That's why I want you to manufacture blouses and staple items that will always be in demand. Make farmer's jeans, make coveralls, make denim shirts, make the stuff that has to be on the shelves for the common man. You might even want to investigate making military clothing for the U.S. or any country that's willing to pay in gold."

"Good idea, Steve, I'll get right on that. While Venezuela is making all kinds of threatening gestures, I'll be selling them uniforms, neat idea. I'll bet we can even get some Iranian orders. It will be fun exporting to everyone who needs uniforms. That, sir, will be recession proof. What else are you keeping to yourself to spring on me? More women? More boats? More airplanes?"

Sue gave me a passionate kiss, saying, "We do have more than we can ever spend, and more love with our wives than we will ever be able to give back. I think I'll go down and love some of them. I'll send someone up with fresh coffee and give you a potty break."

Beth came up with coffee and sat beside me. I showed her all of the settings and said to just let the boat go where it is programmed. I said I would be right back, but if anything happened that was a panic, to hit the alarm button.

I went below to use the bathroom and to get out of the extra underwear. I would bring up my insulated overalls that I used out on deck, in case I needed to go out.

The bedroom had my four women snuggled together, taking a nap. I looked into the kids' room and sure enough all of them were napping too. Oh well, the last few weeks had been busy.

Back up at the weather helm, I sat back down with Beth. "How come you're not having a nap too? I'm sure you are as tired as they are."

"Not really, I like being here with you anyway. You and I don't have too many chances to be alone. We should, you know. You're the one for my Sue and the most important client to my brother. You're pretty important."

"None of that is important, Beth. We're a family and we should just enjoy the successes we've had."

"I am, I am. Since you and Sue have gotten together, my life has been fuller than ever before. Ben has flourished, Sue has absolutely exploded, and I've been happier than ever. You've given me two wonderful grandchildren, actually three with Mike. You've given me another daughter and in reality a Cuban sister. That's what I wanted to talk to you about."

"What's that?"

"You don't have any trouble with Ben and me being together like husband and wife. That wasn't a question, it was a fact."

Beth continued, "You are multi-talented when it comes to your women, and love them all up together and apart."

"Okay," I said cautiously.

"One of your ladies is like a sister to me and Ben."

"Okay," I said again even more cautiously.

"How come you won't love me up the same? I should be right up there in MILFs. In this case, mother-in-laws I'd like to fuck."

That did it, I had to laugh.

Beth had a twinkle in her eye as she was talking. "I'm horny as hell, listening to my daughter, and your harem, screw you silly and I have to lay there with nothing but my fingers. Missy's doing the same thing and even complained that we had the stud of the year on board and couldn't get laid. Geez, what are we, chopped liver?"

Beth was making me laugh even louder.

When I was under control again I said, "So what does Ben think about you having hot pants for me?"

"Not too much. He'd like to sample Juanita, that's for sure. He and I both think she is hot. Sue and you get all the toys though. Missy and I just don't get enough lovin'."

"You kill me, Beth. You've never once talked to me this way. Wow! What would your daughter think if she heard this conversation?"

Beth snuggled into me and said, "We've already talked about it and she's fine as long as I give you back. Mercy thinks it's hot that her mother wants you too, and Juanita, she wants to join you when we do it."

Oh shit. Now I was as hard as granite, guiding a hundred and seventy-five foot sailboat through some heavy seas while being propositioned by my mother-in-law. She did call herself a MILF. Mother-in-law I'd like to fuck. I know Sue has already hinted at all this, but who knows what kind of moment she said that in. At least I needed to stay alert, right here where I was, right now.

"Just plan on it, plan on me sucking you even better than my daughter with no teeth. Plan on it. Plan on me fucking you senseless before I give you back to my daughter. Just plan on it."

Beth gave me a smoldering kiss, a squeeze on my hard dick and went below.

Whew, I thought. That was wild. I scanned the instruments and all was well. The radar showed only one target way off heading north while we were on a southwest course. I looked out to check all the sails and lines and all looked good. I could settle down and daydream a little.

Not for long though. Mercy came up the gangway with a sandwich, a Diet Coke and another cup of coffee. She sat with me while I ate, watching the instruments, checking the sails, and the radar. When I finished she snuggled up to me saying, "I love you so much. You mean so much to me. It is Sue, Juanita, and you that I love together but I am so in love with you. You've given me Mike and now the three I have inside me. I haven't given them names as it's so hard to carry three to birth. I love all three already but I'm still afraid."

I held her while we watched the sea begin to settle down with a strong wind to blow us home. "I love you, Mercy. When you came into our lives, I thought we were nuts but you're now a wife to me as much as Sue. I'm so lucky to have you and Mike to love and be a part of my family. We are a special family aren't we?"

Mercy smiled, kissed my cheek and said, "Yes we are. You know my Mom is a part of this family too. She's a young, vibrant woman with needs the same as Sue and I. You know how Juanita is, well my Mom is the same. She needs the same. What I'm saying Steve is you need to make love to my Mom the way you make love to me. She wants you and needs you. Please, for me, would you do that, make love to my Mom?"

I looked at Mercy causing her to giggle. "Is this funny or what?"

"What about your Dad?"

"He's not been able to do anything for a long, long time. His diabetes keeps him from doing anything but with his mouth or hands. Mom's told him that if she gets a chance, she's going to turn you inside out."

"Damn, Mercy, I love you too much to do that with your Mother."

"If you love me, then you will do that with my mother and Sue's mother. You need to take care of all of the women on this boat. I'll bet if the truth be known, Maggie would love for you to love her up."

"You girls must think I'm a perv. to even think I would do that with your Mothers."

"The only person who has said anything is Kate and she said her mom is too much of a bitch to let you satisfy her. She says she would rather have her turn than let her have you."

I shook my head in bewilderment. "This is too strange for words. Do you know what Beth said she was?"

"Yep," smiled Mercy. "Mother-in-law I'd like to fuck. She's been saying that since Italy. Mom thinks it's hilarious and wants to be included in that list."

Mercy gave me a wifely luscious kiss and said, "Just love her up. Make her sigh, make her faint, make her cum, but make her. Do to her what you do to all of us almost every night. Now go get a nap, I'll watch the boat. Mom's room is the first on the left."

Instead of going in that direction, I checked on the kids to find Maggie and Kate getting them up. After giving all a kiss, I went into our stateroom to find Sue and Juanita nude under the covers with their faces smelling like pussy.

I stripped and lay between them, instantly falling asleep.

When you wake up and someone is slowly stroking your dick, you know you're in heaven. I reached to touch the stroker to find Sue lying with her head right there. We kissed softly, then kissed some more. Since I was so hard, Sue rolled onto me and slid down engulfing me completely. We kissed as she slowly rotated her hips up and down fucking me.

"Oh God, Sue, you do that so well. You're making me crazy enjoying you."

She kissed me then said, "I'm not Sue, but I sure know how to do this."

My eyes shot open and I saw Beth with the same shit eating grin Sue has so often. "You're already fucked so just lay there and enjoy unless you have something else you wish to do to me."

I kissed Beth and rolled her over while maintaining the kiss. I gave her full length thrusts until I would come if I continued, so I stopped and pulled free. With slow, loving kisses I caressed, kissed, and suckled her breasts, on to her belly, making my way past some fuzz to her drenched pussy. As soon as my mouth took her pussy Beth began leaking fluids that increased as I sucked her. I used the same trick with her as I did with Sue by pushing a couple fingers into her and rubbing her most sensitive spot. As she began to come, I pushed another soaked finger into her butt. I hit the gusher. If Beth had been an oil well, we would be millionaires.

When she finally began settling down again, I re-entered her soft wet pussy. This time I didn't quit when she was coming, but kept on fingering her clit and fucking until I asked Beth, "Do you want these baby makers in your pussy, in your mouth, or all over you?"

Beth groaned and said, "Don't come in me, let me suck you, come in my mouth."

When I rolled off she attacked my dick sucking me into her throat. Wham! I shot the first load straight down her throat. Beth coughed a couple of times, finishing sucking me until my spasms were done. Wow, what a suck that was.

When I pulled her up and kissed her deeply, Beth came again at the thought that I would kiss her after she had sucked me. "That is so special that you would kiss me. You are just so sexy. You taste good too. Sue said you did, but who would know. I'm sorry I didn't let you come in me but Ben had a vasectomy and I would get pregnant at my late age for sure. My hormones are probably worse than a teenager. Thank you, Steve that was very special. I want to do that again, but the next one is Missy's. She needs you too."

Thinking that I would be up all night this first night out at sea, I got up, showered with Beth dressing again for the bridge or in this case the weather helm. The kids were in the below deck lounge playing and watching a movie, so I went up to the weather helm to find Sue manning the wheel. She pulled me to her and said, "Thank you, I love you so much for loving my mother. She loves you too, you know and needs you to love her sometimes. I'll tell you when she needs you and you just need to take care of her." She kissed me again and said, "Put on your cold weather gear and do an inspection of the sails and lines. We're maxed out on sail, and according to the GPS, we're doing almost a consistent seventeen to eighteen knots. We're really cooking."

I put on the heavy overalls and went outside to check everything. It wasn't that bad outside. The thermometer said about forty-five degrees, but in the wet wind it felt as if it was twenty. The sails looked good. All the lines looked right. I checked the decks and the vents. Everything looked ship shape. When I took off my coveralls, Juanita was there to help me.

Juanita gave me a hug and said, "Go down for your supper and play with the kids before your shift up here. We're doing two on, six off, tonight. We should be able to stay awake for two hours at a time after we all had a nap. Tomorrow we'll do the three on, nine off."

We had a great supper in the galley with the kids all having fun. Carson wanted to act like one of the little ones and was stuffing mashed potatoes into his mouth with his hands. I gathered up a spoon full of gravy and when his hand was away from his mouth, I shoved it in. His little eyes opened wide, then he smacked his lips. "Good Daddy, Steve, good." I put some over his potatoes on his plate and he used his spoon to get them into his mouth.

We put the kids to bed at eight, and I put the women to bed at ten and went upstairs to relieve Mercy. She said that Juanita would be up at midnight and that I was expected in her mother's room for a while before I came to bed. She gave me a kiss and said, don't forget.

I spent two hours wondering about Missy before Juanita came up to relieve me. She gave me a healthy kiss and asked if she needed to, or could she, warm me up. "What is this conspiracy? All of you want me to molest these mothers."

Juanita said, "No conspiracy, we love you and them. They need what we have and we're willing to share. I would love to join you loving up Beth, maybe next time. But now, my Steve, with all my love and heart I send you to Mercy's mother. Love her, make her feel what you make me feel."

I went straight to the first door on the left and knocked. "It's open, come in, Steve."

Missy was laid back on the bed with only soft light displaying her. She was wearing a gauzy gown that was soft and sexy to view.

"Take off your clothes and join me. We have some talking to do."

I stripped and lay down next to Missy, taking her into my arms. She kissed me sincerely and I kissed her back, letting her know I was interested in her as well.

"I want you badly, Steve, but I understand if you can't do this with me. I know you love my daughter so very much and you've given me a wonderful grandson. Actually you've given me two grandsons and a darling granddaughter, and if you count Carson, another grandson. You've become the object of all of our lust. I don't even think Maggie is immune to your appeal."

Missy kissed me some more, caressing my chest and stomach, but not touching me lower. She didn't have to as my mast was waving in the breeze.

"I love you too, Steve, and want you to make love to me. I want to feel your touches, and I want to feel you inside me. Love me, Steve, make love to me."

I didn't talk, I just rolled to her and kissed her for ten minutes or so. I slowly slid the gown down until I reached her womanly breasts and sucked, licked, and nibbled on them until Missy was groaning.

Missy's legs were spread and she had pulled her gown up allowing me access. My kisses passed over her gown and landed on her belly, then trailed to her wet lower lips. With the first rake of my tongue between her lips, she shivered. With the second, ending at her clit, she shivered and groaned. I took her clit into my mouth and gently sucked. Missy came, hard, almost yelling.

"In me, put it in me, Steve, please put it in me."

Missy was so open to me, I slipped in five to six inches easily, but came to her unused areas. She jammed herself onto me and came again and again as she tried to cram all of me inside of her.

Little by little, her spasms settled, letting me work myself in and out. This only made her almost scream louder. There was only one thing to do. Either stuff my dick in her mouth or kiss her and fuck her as hard as I could.

I chose kissing and fucking. We kissed, we fucked, I pulled back and bit her nipples but had to go back kissing to keep her below a roar. As I neared my climax I asked, "Where do you want me to come?" Missy groaned. "In your mouth?" Missy groaned again, "No." "On your breasts?" Missy groaned, "No," again. Then she said, "In me, come in me fill me like you did Mercy. I want to feel you filling me like you did when you made Michael."

I filled my second mother-in-law. She was no longer a MILF, a mother I'd like to fuck. We had done the deed.

We laid there with me firmly in her for a long time. Missy snuggled to my chest and said, "Sleep, let me feel you inside of me while we sleep."

I'm a guy. I slept.

Four hours later, I woke to a mouth working on my now very firm dick. When I touched the head connected to the mouth, Missy said, "Lay back. I love this and want to do this for you. I love your big, long dick. It's so hard, so ready to suck."

Missy worked her magic for over a half-hour and made me come in gallons. That she didn't drown is a testament to her swallowing abilities. When she had swallowed all of me, I pulled her up and kissed her, thanking her for such good loving. The act of kissing her cum flavored mouth made her shiver and come without my touching her. She held me tight and said, "Get up and get something to eat before you have to go on again. I'll fix you something. Go get a shower."

I ate, kissed Missy goodnight and went up fifteen minutes early so I could go out and check the decks. When I came back inside and took off the heavy clothes, I mentioned that it felt a lot warmer outside. Mercy said the temperature was gradually rising as we headed toward home.

When I went to the helm to relieve her, she hugged me and kissed me. "Thank you, thank you for loving my Mom. She needed that, a lot. You have to do that every chance you get while she visits with us. You're her hero, so just keep her well fucked and it'll make all the rest of us happy. Besides, she's now so far in your head, she'll make you come standing by yourself if she wants." Mercy laughed as she gave me a kiss and headed below.

Just before Juanita came up to relieve me, I heard in my head, "I love you, Steve. Come have some breakfast and go to bed for a nap, this time with a wife."

Juanita came up and I went below for some pancakes, washed up, and went to lie down. As soon as I lay down, Sue's eyes popped open. She rolled me over and took hold of my growing interest. "Now that you've had your way with the mature crowd, how about with one of your pregnant mothers? We need you too."

Sue and I made love the way husband and wife should. Slow, sensuous, full of love and caring. We came hard, then came again, celebrating our love with strong orgasms. When we lay back gasping for air, satisfied beyond belief, Sue asked, "So what do you think of a mother of four, or at least almost a mother of four?"

"I think my future mother of four is wonderful. The most wonderful wife a man could have."

Sue kissed me hard and said, "Be sure to tell that to Mercy and Juanita too. They want to hear those same sweet words."

We closed our eyes and I woke about two hours later to Carson and Steve bouncing on the bed. "Come on, Daddy, wake up. We want to go on deck and Mommy says you have to be up there. Come on, Daddy, wake up."

I pulled both down onto the bed and tickled them until they were screaming with giggles and laughter. This brought mothers instantly to see what was happening. Kate climbed up on bed and said, "I think I need to reserve the man of the boat soon. How about it, want to fool around with a swabby? Kate gave me a kiss and said, I'm fair game till we get back. Of course, that all could change at any time. Who knows father of the baby in my belly. I love you for having given this baby to me. Perhaps another later too."

As I got up to dress, Kate said, "Jim says he wants to try to make it work. He says he misses me and he misses Carson. I know he's still going to want men, but I think he knows I make him whole now. Wait till he hears that I like women. He's either going to get mad or come on my face while I suck him off. Isn't that nasty? I want to tell him how I love to eat pussy and feel a hard dick up my pussy or up my butt. I want to make him so excited he can't stand not to be around me. I'll tell him to let me straighten out his gay friends and really shock him. But, Steve, when I want another baby, I'm coming to you." Kate playfully gave me a squeeze, and headed toward the galley while I dressed, ready to take the kids on deck.

Up in the lounge, Sue and Beth had the big globe showing Carson and Steve where we were and how far we were from home. Steve said, "Two fingers, not far." Carson thought for a while. "My fingers are longer and less than two fingers."

Steve had the question of the day. "How many days is my finger?"

Everyone broke up as it was a great question. Too bad we didn't have an answer.

The temperature out on deck in the sun was over seventy degrees, so we put the life jackets on the two big kids and let them run around on deck. They promised, and kept their promise, to stay away from the rail while they were out.

The two smaller ones were toddling, so we put jackets on them with lines to an adult in case they took off running toward a rail. What a thrill to have your kids out on deck of a fabulous sailboat in the middle of the Atlantic.

Sue asked me to open the main helm so she could be outdoors as well. We enjoyed the sun to the maximum extent with all of the women, including Maggie, topless, getting some sun. The winds were only about fifteen knots so our sails were full but not stretched, we weren't going as fast. The GPS said about eleven knots.

That night we figured we were about four days out so we called home on the satellite phone at what we figured to be seven their time.

Everyone was excited to hear from us. We gave them our position and talked about everything that they had to talk about. Phil said he had some news for us when we returned, but wouldn't tell us what it was until we returned. Abe said, "So you want me to go Limey and help you start up over there?" We had to clue Abe in that it was Ireland, not England. We said we would call tomorrow night to let them know how close we were, then hung up. The Sat links to civilian phones were down, so Beth couldn't get through to Ben, and Missy couldn't get through to Merlin. I told both ladies we would use the office's conference abilities to get them connected tomorrow.

So far on this trip from England, I had made love to everyone on the boat except Maggie. I'm glad she didn't ask, as my ladies wanted more than their share, and Kate seemed to want a lot more than normal. Both mothers-in- law has now been well done three times, and I have to tell you, I was a little sore from more use than normal.

You think, right, oh yeah, sure, you were getting way more than anyone can handle. I gotta tell you. It's the truth. A guy can get it up over and over most of the time, but he can only come four or five times a day, period. Every one of these ladies felt as if they should get a load up them, in them, or on them, before we parted. No way. Not a chance. Can't be done. Even by a fifteen year old. So if six ladies wanted some throughout a normal day, only three, four, or five, max, were going to get some liquid proof of their sexiness. The fourth, fifth, or sixth of the day was going to have to be satisfied with me telling them how sexy they were. Geez, what a pain in the dick.

We rounded the southern peninsula of Florida and headed that final lap home. Multiple planes including the 19D buzzed us as we made the final miles to Dunedin. We had sailed all the way to the Mediterranean and back. We were world travelers by sailboat.

By the time we reached the Dunedin Yacht Club, the boat was shipshape, spic and span, ready for inspection, including clean scrubbed decks. We might want to wash down the sails later, but the boat was right.

It was six in the evening, and probably a hundred people, including some news people with cameras to record our landing, met us. The scene was chaotic to the point the news people gave up with only a short interview of me, Sue, and Maggie.

We locked the boat up and headed home to celebrate the homecoming with our friends. All of us were walking funny for a while, including the toddlers. Steve and Carson immediately began playing with CJ, Robbie, and Mia. Little Sean was put with Lizzy and Mike to play, while the adults hugged and slapped each other on the backs. It was a glorious homecoming.

Since it was Thursday evening, Phil said that we would have a gala celebration tomorrow night. Everyone should come for food, drink, and lots of pictures of the trip.

I was sitting on our patio with Glenda, Martin, Charlie, Shawna, Hannah, Jim, Hank, Debbie, Tiny, Ruth, Ryan and Michelle when Sue said to all of them. "We will not be doing any long distance sailing for a long while. Even little Mercy has had enough for a while. We've gotten it out of our systems and we will be giving up the big boat for the Magellan. From now on, we will sail the Magellan unless we do a really long cruise again." Everyone was happy to hear we were not leaving for a long time.

The state of the company was discussed, and we decided to have a detailed discussion tomorrow where I could hear the condition of everything that had been pending when I left on the adventure.

The girls had put the kids to bed and were ready to go to bed themselves. Kate was at her home with Carson, Beth was down on Bay Shore with Ben, and Missy was going to take a non-stop to San Francisco in the morning.

Maggie had decided to stay the night at our place before re-opening her place, so we all crashed reasonably early. This night, we didn't have to stand watch. We all were able to go to bed together, to sleep.

I was surprised that I couldn't sleep off the boat. I got up about midnight to walk out on the patio. I was having a glass of wine, when Juanita joined me and had some wine too. Soon, Mercy and Sue came out to say they were having trouble sleeping too as the bed was not rocking and they couldn't hear the waves slapping the side of the boat. Everyone had a little wine and we went back to bed. This time we slept till my mental alarm went off at six.

I shaved, showered, and dressed quickly to join Glenda on the patio. We hugged with both of us commenting how we had missed having coffee together in the morning.

Soon Tiny and Ruth showed up, followed by Abe and Alice, next were Ryan and Michelle, Phil and Judy, Susan and Kevin, and last was Henry with Nancy. The patio filled with our friends and extended family. We enjoyed pastries and breakfast sandwiches and talked about the coming day.

Missy was up and packed, ready to go to the airport. I loaded her into my pickup and we drove to the airport and got her checked in with plenty of time. We had a hug and kiss before she went out to the gate, stopping to wave before she got on the tram. Another link gone for a while.

At the shop, I went to each group and said hi, looking at their work, praising their results. After doing that at the shop, I went to the body shop where people were putting together interesting bodies to be loaded onto pickups and larger trucks. Next was the T-shirt factory. Everyone was happy to see I had made it back home and gave me a special T-shirt that commemorated each of the countries where we had landed. They gave me several so each of the travelers could have one.

Back at the shop, we convened the meeting that brought me up to date on what was happening. Phil said that Ryan needed to report on Canada.

Ryan announced, "Montreal, Canada is now open for business and is already ahead of initial plan. We are at a hundred percent of personnel desired for opening, with several waiting for jobs to open. The cart manufacturing plant is just opening and will work exclusively on the snow cart with the plastic tracks."

Phil said next, "Last year was our largest volume ever. We sold more equipment than ever before. This wouldn't be a big deal since we've opened so many locations, but when taking everything in consideration, S&S sold more equipment total than we have ever sold before on average of every store. That means averaging all locations then, and doing the same now, we have more sales per employee than ever before."

Abe said, "We have Montreal up and running, and now Steve says I need to get Ireland up and running. I'm going to need some help on this, so help me find the right man. Since we are going to do major rebuilds there, I think someone from the super lift area should go as well as someone from the cart plant."

I told the guys there, "Well, guys, thanks for keeping the place running wild while I was gone. For now, we have a few things to work on so let's concentrate on making the opening of Europe successful."

I left for home about eleven forty-five. Sue, Mercy, Juanita, Hannah, and I went to the gym and came back for lunch. After lunch, Glenda joined all of us for a trip to the pool, along with the little ones. I swam, sunned, and played with my critters before heading back to the shop.

My first task back there was an in-depth interview with Star. She was ready. We now had fourteen tools in marketing, completed through manufacturing, and ready for the first month's advertising. Star had set her objectives to be reasonable, so we were not surprised that she exceeded those expectations everywhere. Phil had given three seminars and Judy had given one. The acceptance was great and Judy had ordered more shirts and bonus gifts for the participants. Star had true successes on her hands.

By the time, four o'clock came, I was beat. I crept home and crashed on the couch for a few minutes. The kids were crawling all over me, so I had to get up and go to the bedroom for a short nap. Now sleep came fast. The girls woke me at six to be with the patio crew.

The place was maxed out. There must have been two hundred people wandering around. We should have had the caterer and the big tent. There was no way the food planned was going to feed everyone so Sue called our caterer to find out he was busy, and next she called the Greek guy and he was booked. She came to me and said, "Warm up the grille, Mercy and I are going after hamburgers and hot dogs. I'll get some wings too, so we can feed all these people."

Tiny and I had a beer and got the grill going so it would be hot when the food got there. Glenda brought out a tray of hamburger patties that she had made up, using the ground beef for a near future meat loaf that was planned.

As Tiny and I started the hamburgers, Sue and Mercy returned with loads of buns, more hamburger, a hundred or so hot dogs, several dozen brats, and about ten dozen wings, along with all the condiments and stuff for the dips.

In no time at all, we were delivering hamburgers, hot dogs, and brats to tables. The wings take a little longer, as they have to be done slowly so the hot marinade cooks through. Tiny and I sucked down the brew and snacked on raw veggies that were on the bar. We had Bear and Crystal for company. Bear said Hap had to do something at the clubhouse. It must have been something important because Marge was sitting at the bar with us, instead of being with Hap.

When I asked Bear why he wasn't with Hap, he grumbled, "Wasn't invited, man. He told me to stay home."

Soon everyone that was hungry had been fed. While I was eating a hamburger, Kate came over pulling Jim with her. "It's going to work out, Steve; I think Jim and I may be over the hump."

We were off by ourselves enough that no one could overhear us. Jim was not holding his head up, but doing the hang dog thing with his chin on his chest. I reached over and brought his head up. "Hold your head up, be proud to be Kate's husband, be proud to be Carson's dad, be proud of yourself."

He grimaced and said, "I'm ashamed and I think these people all know what I did."

I countered him with, "Unless you've been running your mouth, absolutely no one knows what happened before, other than you and Kate split for a bit. I don't think you were that obvious with your fooling around, were you?"

"No, I didn't let that guy move in with me, but he did stay out here several nights, and so did the other two guys. I stayed at their place as well."

I looked at him as if I was checking him for ticks of something. I turned him around and looked all over him, then when I turned him back facing me, I said, "I can't find it anywhere, what did you do with it?"

Jim asked, "What didn't you find?"

"The sign, you know the one that says, I like boys. When did you take it off?"

Kate began laughing so hard she almost hurt herself.

"I didn't tell anybody about what I was doing or that I like that stuff."

I nodded, "Well then, Jim, I guess no one else knows you like boys then. Just don't go hitting on Bear or Charlie and you'll probably be alright."

"You don't think anyone knows?" Jim asked.

"Um, since you've been here tonight has anyone pinched your butt, grabbed your crotch, or whispered a come on in your ear?"

"Of course not," Jim huffed, "people don't do that."

"Wanna bet? There are two guys right over there that would drag you off, kicking and screaming, if they thought you even remotely thought you liked boys. Right over there is another couple of guys that are the same, but not quite as aggressive. You don't advertise so they don't know. Nobody knows but you and Kate. If you are sensible, you can still have Kate and she's not going to be upset with you for wanting to fool around with another guy if you are discreet and remain safe."

"That makes me feel better. You know I should be upset about you making Kate pregnant, but I'm not. I might be able to reverse the vasectomy, but probably not. At least I know the man who is going to give us a baby. It does make it better. Thanks, Steve, you've made me feel better about myself."

"Just remember," I told Jim, while shaking his hand, "hold your head up, be proud of yourself. You have a good job, a great family, and a lot of friends. Keep it that way."

Mercy came over after they left me and said, "That was nice of you. You brightened him up. I'm not going to hold a grudge, but I was beginning to want Kate to stick around, especially with another of your babies in her belly. She was really getting into loving on us girls."

I hugged Mercy and said, "Somehow, I don't think you're losing your friend and occasional bedmate. She'll be around to fool with you guys. You guys probably have a permanent outside friend."

Mercy looked up at me, "How do you feel about this?"

I laughed, "Oh Mercy, You, Juanita, and Sue are more than I can take care as it is. I love you all so much, that I had a difficult time accepting that you wanted me to want her too. You guys are enough, no more women. I am very, very content."

"Some Romeo you are. We fix you up with hot women and you just turn them down."

Laughing some more I said, "Well, I didn't pass up some MILFs you guys set me up with."

Mercy shivered, "That was so nasty, so sexy to know you were making my Mother's toes curl. I'll bet she wants an encore soon."

"You guys are too much. Enough with outside women."

It was at that exact moment that Mickey came up to us and hugged Mercy. She kissed Mercy on the cheek and said, "How about inviting me over tonight so I can get crazy with you girls and have a little of Steve. I could use a little of all of you guys."

Mercy and I began laughing. She was hugging Mickey while I was shaking my head. I left. She would do whatever she wanted to do.

Sue and Juanita had me between them on the couch a little later when one of our pixies, Shawna, came and sat on my lap. I patted her tummy and asked, "Are you joining the crowd and going to have another baby too?"

Shawna wacked my shoulder and said, "Watch your mouth. Charlie and I have two. That's enough. Debbie and Hannah are both having another, so leave me out."

"I just came over to say welcome home. Charlie's missed you terribly. You two need to get your bikes out and take a ride. We girls can tag along, but you guys need to go riding. I think Hank is ready and Jim's always ready."

Sue said, "While Mercy and I can still go, let's go out tomorrow and have a nice ride. I'll line up some help to watch the critters and we'll have some fun. How about we go to Daytona early in the morning and come back tomorrow afternoon."

"Shit," Shawna said, "That's right. That's why Charlie's so cranky. Jim and Hank are both acting like little boys. This is the first weekend for Daytona. You know what, I'm going to call Mom to come and stay overnight so we can stay up there Saturday night. We'll come back Sunday. I'll go tell Charlie."

As Shawna stood up she hollered, "Hey Hank, Jim, Bear, come here, there's something cooking." The three guys came over with Hannah, Debbie, and Crystal following. Since Crystal came over Margie came with her.

I told the guys. "We're getting a bunch of babysitting help to watch the kids, tomorrow, tomorrow night, and Sunday. We are all riding to Daytona early in the morning."

Turning around I scanned the crowd for Sandy or Mandy. I also looked for Mickey and Samantha.

"Hey Sandy, bring Mandy over here. Mickey," I yelled and got her attention. "Bring Samantha and come here."

"Okay guys, we're going to Daytona in the morning. Wrap up an extra pair of jeans and shirt, cause we're going to stay over Saturday night."

Mickey and Samantha looked at each other and grinned. Mickey said, "Damn and I'm actually off tomorrow. I gotta clean up the bike."

Sue was counting up people and went into the house. I could see her at the counter with the phone to her ear.

Sandy and Mandy were excited, but asked, "Do you need one of us to ride one of your women?"

"Probably, I still don't have that custom sidecar that will ride two babes at once."

"Come on, Mandy," Sandy said. "Let's break the news to the boys and go clean up our bikes."

Bear said, "Damn, I can't leave Hap if there's something cookin'. He acted pretty wierded out before he left this evening. I don't want to call him on his cell as he may be in a meeting. We'll get ready to go, but I may back out. Someone else may have to double up Crystal. Christ, Steve, you take her. Shit, you keep half the population out here pregnant anyway."

"Not true, Bear, but I'd do Crystal. She's one fine babe."

Crystal and Juanita hit me on opposite shoulders at the same time.

Charlie, Hank, and Jim were making plans on where we might stay. They were talking about camping out at the ABATE campgrounds when Sue came out.

"I have reservations for a big suite at the beach Marriott. I made Ben call them up to give it to us." Sue gave us her evil grin. "He's one of the owner/investors. I may be too, but they know his name. Anyway, they know we may have as many as twenty up there. I told them I wanted the place to be full of booze, plenty of Diet Coke, and to make sure they had an extra bellhop to take care of us. We get to park our bikes in the secure garage and have a ball. Let's do it. Come Juanita, Mercy, we have to get out our most outrageous tops."

Charlie looked at Hank and Jim, "Pays to know someone. In this case it always pays to know Sue and her family."

Charlie nudged me, "I cleaned your bikes up last week. I didn't have anything to do, so I changed the oil, washed them up, and detailed them. You're ready to ride. Pretty neat, you just get back from sailing all the way to Europe and back, and get to go to Daytona as a kicker."

Hank added, "The man does get lucky. What's this I heard that you were winning so much money in Monte Carlo that they had Interpol check you out?"

I was going to deny everything when Tiny shot off his mouth, "Interpol actually called to get a description of Steve and the bunch he was hanging out with. His friend Dewey was there and apparently those two, along with Beth and Missy, tried to clean out the high stakes pit area. I can't find out how much they won, but they don't let you in the Monte Carlo high stakes area without a mil in chips. How much did you win, Cowboy, tell us, come on, how much?"

"I'm not sayin.' Dewey and I did okay, we just hit a lucky streak."

Tiny said, "See, that's the way he is. Anybody else would be embellishing the big win and you would just figure they won about half that much. With Steve, if he says he won ten bucks, times that by a couple hundred to get the truth."

"Hush! Enough about that! We have to get ready to hit the road in the morning guys so let's have a drink to celebrate going to Daytona."

We were still making everyone something when we heard Hap's bike roll up outside. He came through the door, still wearing his colors, and also wearing a scowl. Hap marched up to the bar and said, "Give me a shot and draw me a beer."

I set him up and he threw the shot down, then sucked some beer. "Ahhh, just what I need to get the bad taste out of my mouth." He stood back, let his vest drop to his hands, gently folded it then handed it to Margie, "Put that away for me, please."

"So what're you guys celebrating anyway," Hap asked.

Bear clued him in, "We're all going to Daytona in the morning and staying till Sunday. Sue got us a place to stay at the Beach Marriott and this is a celebration drink for all of us."

"Hot damn. This is good. I need this more than you'll ever know. Shit, this is great."

Hap hardly ever cussed, so this was pretty extreme for him. I asked, "Does that mean you're coming with us? I thought I was going to have to find Margie a ride."

"You darn right I'm coming with you guys. I'm ready. I changed oil in the bike last week when Charlie was messing with Steve's bikes. All I need is gas."

Margie came up next to him, "Put your bitch seat back on for me so I don't have to ride the fender all the way to Daytona, okay. If you don't, my ass is going to be too sore for you to get any of it while we're up there."

That did the trick for Hap. He busted up laughing and had a big grin on his face while he hugged Marge to his side. "Damn, this is a great place to live. What are all you dads going to do about your kids?"

I knew the answer for that, "Sue's getting up a brigade of babysitters for all of us. The big ones will have a sleepover and the others will just follow the big ones."

Bear asked, "Steve, how do you want to go over there?"

"Since we all have decent equipment, how about taking I-75 up to 50 and going that way. It's a good ride and not so much f'ing traffic. We'll come out right where the Abate campgrounds are at by the Volusia County Fair Grounds. You know, right there near Cabbage Patch. We can stop at that dump and have our first beer, and head into to the Last Resort and the Iron Horse, before going out to the Beach using the South bridge instead of the mess on the other bridge downtown."

"Good plan," said Jim. "Once we get our stuff up in the room and the bikes locked up in the garage, we'll wander around downtown. If we want to go back out to some other bars in the evening, we can or we can just have a big time downtown."

Charlie said, "The cops are cracking down on a lot of stuff. They're starting to bitch at people carrying open containers and even giving fines to chicks that flash. Hard to believe isn't it. We'll go up to some of the bars that specialize in wet T-shirt contests plus we'll be on the beach where all the wild stuff happens."

Everyone was pretty excited and wanted to get an early start in the morning, so they began going home even before some of the Friday night visitors left.

When it was just Hap, Bear, and me, Hap told Marge he would meet her at the house, and waved Bear and me in close. "The new guy is getting into shit that's going to hurt the club. I voiced my opinion and told them that I had worked hard to get the cops off our ass and now they were going to start the whole thing over again. St. Pete isn't going along with it and Bear, your club has broken relations with mine. They don't want anything to do with them. There was enough grumbling that I think half the men are going to book. The club just doesn't need the quick money. We made enough last year doing legal parts swapping to finance the club the entire year, plus we built out the new bunkhouse. It's just nuts. I resigned as a past prez adviser. I don't want any part of it. Oh yeah, the new guy said Steve, Charlie, Jim and Hank aren't welcome anymore. Our women were, but not us. How's that for a slap in the face."

Bear had obviously known some of it, but not to what extent. "Son of a bitch. That's some serious stuff. I'm glad my rag tag bunch got smart enough to stay out of that shit. Makes me proud."

"Just hang out with us independents for a while, my friend. If your club gets busted up, you won't be there. If they want to be resurrected, I know you'll help. You'll always be welcome over in St. Pete, so you'll never lose your affiliation. You'll always be one of them."

"That's what the new guy and a couple of his mental cripples were crowing. He kept sayin, ' 'You're a patch holder until you quit breathing.' Kind of a threat." Hap took another big drink of his beer.

"Tell you what. I know you guys don't ever like me to do this, but I'm going to advise my good friend down the road that Hap isn't even an adviser any longer, and I don't want anyone getting into your shit for what someone else does. That's not telling anything important, but it is warning that something is amiss. I'm sure that gang guy in Tampa already knows something's up. He always seems to have some inside information. We can only hope he hears you're out of it."

Bear said, "Let's go home. Give Margie some lovin' and be glad we're regular civilians."

When they left, I got the cordless phone and sat out at the bar while calling the Major.

I got him on his cell at home. "Hey Major, how come you're not here having a beer with me."

"I heard you were sailing around the world or something. There was even an Interpol inquiry that went across my desk. You've been all over haven't you?"

"That I have, Sir, that I have."

"You calling about my kid or something else?"

"I thought I might give you a heads up that Hap has resigned as even an adviser to the local chapter. He didn't toss his colors, but he no longer wishes to be affiliated with this chapter."

"Oh shit, that new guy is dumber than a box of rocks. I heard some California guys were coming in to make him a rich man. This is going to hurt everyone over there. How am I going to know Hap isn't a part of that bunch?"

"The first guy you take down for driving with too low of a tire pressure, ask him. If he's a current patch-holder, he'll tell you about someone who runs away. Tell Grady down in Tampa about this, okay. He may already know, but he won't know about Hap. By the way, we're all going to Daytona tomorrow and staying overnight. That includes your wild daughter. I'm just sayin' that if you all were hot to be nasty out there, now would be the time."

"What about your buddy, Bear? How's he doing?"

"He's fine. I hear tell his bunch broke up the association with the chapter here and they are persona non grata also."

"That's some serious stuff. Hope nobody like the Disciples decide to move in on these guys while they are in disarray. It could get ugly. Let me make a couple of calls. Thanks for the heads up. I owe you, once again."

"No, this time I owe you. I owe you for taking me at my word about Hap and Bear. They are good men and are acting like it."

"You're a good friend to have. I'll talk at you another time."

We hung up and I poured me another beer. I was sipping it when Hap came back in. "You make your call?"

"Just got done. He'll watch your back for you. Did you tell the night people to be watchful for you?"

"You think I need that?"

"I don't know, do you? You've been a target before, do you want to get Margie and stay with us tonight. It would be easier to get going in the morning."

As Hap began drinking a freshly poured beer he almost was going to get mad then said, "You know what? Good idea, we can get an early start in the morning. Let me go get Marge and the bike. Open your shed so I can pull mine in."

Hap was gone but a few minutes when he came riding up with a grinning Margie on the back, complete with bitch pad. Sue had heard the commotion and came out. I said, "We're having a sleepover. They're staying so we can get an early start in the morning."

Sue grinned at me and said softly, "Sure they are. Let me get Marge inside. We'll be back out for a Coke in a second."

Hap came into the bar and we fixed ourselves a drink. I fixed three Rum and Cokes and two Diet Cokes. Hap asked, "Who are you getting drinks for?"

Mercy came out and I gave her a Diet coke. Juanita was next and she got a rum and Coke with some lime. Marge and Sue came out and I gave Sue a Diet Coke and Marge a Rum and Coke. Hap looked at me and said, "Okay smart guy, you have one left and no one is left in the house except kids."

About that time Beth's Mercedes pulled up and she came in carrying her overnight bag. She walked up to the bar to say hi and get some hugs. I handed her the last drink, and Hap just said, "No way."

"How did you know Beth would come just then?" Hap asked.

"Easy, Sue said she was going to call in some heavy duty help for the kids tomorrow and tomorrow night. That meant Beth for sure, so knowing Beth, I figured it would take her about thirty to forty-five minutes to get here because she loves to be around her grandbabies. She made it right on time."

"Am I that predictable?" Beth asked.

"Yes, and that is a good thing," I said giving her a hug.

"Ben's going to be playing golf all day tomorrow and won't even know I exist. He'll come around on Sunday sometime when he's eating breakfast alone and wonder where I am. He'll call Sunday about noon."

We finished our drink and went inside to get some sleep. The girls were excited about going to Daytona, so it took them a while to wear me out and then themselves among themselves. Since they were an odd number again, I should have gotten Margie to even up the odds. Perhaps Beth would work, now that that barrier had been broken. But best leave some things alone.



-------

Chapter 62



I rolled out of bed at five forty-five, happy that my internal clock was kicking in for the local time. I showered, dressed, and made a pot of coffee in the kitchen, and went out to turn on the porch light. It was a little chilly, so everyone would need their heavy riding clothes. It was supposed to be sunny, so before we reached Daytona, we would be shedding layers.

Hap came out to the kitchen with a smile, Margie trailing him, also smiling. "We slept great. Thanks for suggesting we stay here. That was a great idea."

Margie said, "Can I start breakfast for us? How about some bacon, eggs and biscuits?"

"Sounds good, let me get my menagerie going. They'll need to search out some warm clothes." I said this heading back to the bedroom.

All three were up and were getting out of the shower. I told them to dress warm and Sue said, "If I ride behind you, your legs will break the wind. Whoever is in the sidecar is going to be out of the wind and whoever rides behind Sandy or Mandy will have someone to break the wind for them. I think jeans will be fine. We'll layer up on top and wear our heavy leather jackets. You might need leathers for your legs, but probably not."

As I went back into the kitchen, I found Maggie and Glenda helping Margie. I heard some bikes pull up outside, and Sandy and Mandy, along with Bear and Crystal came in. They were all dressed warmly and the two girls had leathers ready. It was still dark out, so it was chilly. Typical Florida though, because as soon as the sun pops up in the east, it warms up fast.

Bear turned on the weather channel to find out what the forecast was going to be today and tomorrow, then built a bunch of Bloody Marys. The non-pregnant women had some along with their coffee and generally began to get rowdy.

Hank and Debbie came over with Robbie, next Shawna and Charlie showed up with CJ and Sean. The last to come were Jim, Hannah, and Mia. Kate came walking in with Carson. She said that Jim was going fishing with their neighbor and would come by later this evening. The babysitting crew would be Beth, Glenda, Maggie, Kate, Susan, and Tina. All would get some breaks, but there were enough people to keep the critters under control. I think all of the parents felt good about leaving their kids.

We ate and cranked up the bikes by seven o'clock. Mercy wanted to ride behind Sandy, as she says she likes to play with her tits while they ride. Sue elected to be in the sidecar, which meant Juanita rode behind me. We let Hap and Charlie lead the way, with the rest of the crowd in the middle and Bear and I bringing up the rear.

The ride is a decent one. You go straight across 54 to I-75, up to state road 50, across the state through Clermont, continuing across till you dump out just at I-95. We rode over to the Cabbage Patch at nine in the morning. The tiny place was expanding, but still has the original postage stamp bar intact. It served up our first beer, amongst a rowdy bunch that may or may not have been to bed yet.

Our next stop was over at the Volusia fairgrounds at the Abate camp grounds. We didn't want to have to pay the forty bucks to just walk through, so we passed on visiting with friends that we would have seen and went on toward the Iron Horse Saloon to check out what kind of rice rocket they were burning this year. After a beer there, we went over to the Last Resort for a beer. About Noon we headed toward the beach.

When we pulled into the drive-through valet area for the hotel, I let Sue get out, and asked the attendant directions to the secure garage. When he started to get funny, it set me off for whatever reason. I didn't want to deal with any narrow-minded assholes looking down at us, so I said, "The lady that just went into register owns a big chunk of this fucking hotel. If you want your job to continue past right now, you will treat everyone in this group with respect. They will return the favor. Got it?"

When he said, "We'll see. That bimbo can't do shit."

I motioned for everyone to sit tight and I went inside to the hotel. While Sue was checking us in I got the attention of another desk person and told him to get the manager. When he turned up his nose I said, "Look, make it easy on yourself, my name is Sharp, that lady over there has a maiden name of Phillips. Does that ring a bell?"

"I'm sorry, Sir. I'll get him right away." That's what I figured. If Ben was deep in this place, some of Sue's money was in it and a lot of ours. If it came out, Sue and I probably owned half of the place.

The manager came out and glad handed me, "How can I be of service Mr. Sharp. Steve Sharp, right?"

"Yes, come with me. Bring another bellhop, I have a job for him."

We went outside and I went up to the attendant. When he saw me he sneered and said, "So what are you going to do now, punk?"

The manager became apoplectic and the attendant suddenly realized he may be in trouble.

"Remove your uniform right now. Give your jacket, hat, and shirt to this man then go somewhere and take off the pants. If the manager can use you in the laundry room he can, but nowhere in public, and not with customers. Now get."

The guy was stupid, as he opened his mouth, he said, "You can't fire me, only that man can."

"I wasn't going to fire you, I was going to demote you for not showing respect. Everyone deserves respect. If they do not warrant that respect it will show up later. In your case, I've come to disrespect you a great deal and believe you have cost this hotel a great deal of money. You may disrobe and leave now. Go away, never come back."

The kid looked at the manager with a question on his face and the manager said, "Please do as Mr. Sharp suggests. He is the majority owner."

I laughed, "Shoot, I didn't know that."

The kid now looked worried and said as he left, "I'm sorry, Dad, I didn't know."

I said to the man, "I'm sorry, I didn't know that was your son. Hope he learns to show more respect to everyone."

The man smiled and said, "It is a problem. Some of the staff look down on those who ride. They don't say too much when I ride my Deuce to work though. My son should ride. He would learn respect a little faster."

The man shook hands all around and said he would have a tub of iced-down beer delivered to our suite. He then directed the bellboy he brought out to be the valet attendant. Give these folks tags for their bikes and direct them to where I park my bike. They will be fine there.

Sue came out and asked what the turmoil was about. Bear said, "Mr. Sharp just fired one of your employees that turned out to be the manager's son."

"Huh? One of our employees? Manager's son?" Sue asked.

"Seems your Dad is investing our money in hotels. The guy said we are majority owners here."

"Damn, I'm going back in and get the whole top floor," Sue said, and started back in.

"No, don't do that, they can sell all the rooms twice during this week. Let's be thankful we were able to pull this out of our hat. Take our stuff up to the room and we'll meet up there. Which one is it?"

"Just go to the top floor and they said the door is straight ahead."

We rumbled though the parking garage and parked our bikes next to a fairly new Deuce. We walked back to the lobby and rode the elevator to the top, where we walked to a set of double doors that were left partially open.

"Holy shit," Bear said. "This is class. Damn, I wish we had all taken vacation so we could stay up here the entire week. Man this is nice."

There looked to be four bedrooms off the main room and there were three large couches that probably folded out. That would sleep seven couples or distinctive groups. That should take care of us. If necessary, two couples could double up. They might anyway.

"Okay, first things first. It's nice outside, so lets put our swimsuits on and go stroll the beach."

Sue said, "We didn't bring swimsuits?"

"Then let's go buy some. Come on, I'm flush with cash I won in Monte Carlo, so I'm buyin.' Let's go get some sexy swimsuits for you ladies."

We went to the lobby where I asked if they had any swimwear in their shop. When they said yes, we headed straight there. I told the guys, "Get some trunks and we'll go upstairs and let the women do their thing. There is beer up there waiting for us, come on."

It took us five minutes to find our sizes in some obnoxious colored swim shorts and pay for them, before we left Sue and the girls with the directive, "Less is better." I gave Sue two grand in cash and left them to have fun.

It was almost an hour, and three beers later, before the ladies returned. They were decked out in swimsuit cover-ups, big hats, with a bunch of beach towels and carrying their clothes. Sue said she had stopped and reserved some umbrellas and beach chairs so we needed to get out there.

On the way through the lobby, I bought a dozen huge bags of chips and pretzels. I asked the lobby concierge to see if he could get some refreshments out to us, while handing him a hundred. Whatever he could get, along with some Diet Coke. He asked me if we preferred domestic or imported. My comment was, "Anything cold will be good."

When the girls took off their cover-ups, they all displayed some of the skimpiest swimsuits I've ever seen. There was barely enough cloth to cover the pubic area and hardly anything over the nipples. Sue and Juanita looked really obnoxious. They might as well have been nude. We all went to the water to discover the Atlantic still thought it was winter. We went right back to the beach chairs, where two guys were hauling down a big cooler for us. The one guy said, "Stay right in this roped off area with your beer. The cops won't say anything to you as long as you're in the hotel's area. Tell the girls to keep their tops on as the locals are all becoming God cops lately and are trying to better our morals. Shit, wild women are half the fun of bike week and spring break."

I gave the two a fifty and told them to split it. We slicked up with some sun screen and enjoyed the sun, drank some beer, and ate snacks. We had been out about an hour when the two guys came out with two huge trays of shrimp cocktail, small sandwiches, and a bunch of shucked clams and oysters. "Compliments of the management," they said, and set up some tables for us to get at the goodies.

We ate everything they had brought and decided that we had enough sun for the day. The girls had drawn a huge crowd of guys that stayed just outside of the roped hotel area. Since us guys with the girls looked a little rough around the edges, we didn't have any interlopers trying to make time with our sexy women. Besides, they couldn't have seen anymore if they were nude. The cops kept coming by to make sure the girls didn't take off their tops. They didn't need to, the only thing the tops covered were the nipples, and in two cases, not all of them.

I waved at the bellhops to come pick up the stuff, handing them another fifty on the way by, and thanking them for the attention. We went up and used the three big bathrooms in the suite to shower off the sand and lotion, redressing in the clothes we rode up in.

The first place we went to was Froggy's. It was the closest and served more than beer. Four women drank more Diet Coke, while the rest of us sucked up all the booze we could without getting shit-faced. The crowd was getting fired up. This was the first Saturday night of Bike week so it was expected.

We walked up the motorcycle-lined streets all the way up the hill to the Boot Heel Saloon. The place was jammed, wall to wall. Bear cleared a way through for us, and we got the attention of a waitress by waving a C-note. We had drinks in hand, standing below the high raised stage where continuous wet T-shirt contests were being held.

The crowd was fun, but the deafening music and crowd noise had its effect on us, so we edged our way out of the crazy place. We decided to check out the various bike displays up and down the streets while we enjoyed the ambience of thousands of bikers gathered to pay homage to some nuts racing two hundred mile an hour rice rockets on the track on the other side of the inter-coastal.

We decided we wanted to tour some of the bars in Daytona again, so we walked down to the hotel and advised the valet attendant we were going to go out for a while. We rode to the "downtown" area where the original Daytona Harley dealer was open twenty-four hours during bike week. It was amazing to watch people from off the street come and buy anything available for cash. I don't think there was a late model Harley un-purchased within a hundred miles.

Hap suggested we ride out toward Ormond Beach to go to the Deadwood and the Iron Horse out there. Bear looked at me and knew where we were headed. I gestured as if putting on a vest, and he nodded. We did go to the Deadwood, but we swerved off the thoroughfare and headed down a blacktop road. We stopped briefly while Hap and Bear put on their colors and went to the gate. Hap left his bike outside with us and went inside to ask permission to bring some strangers in. Minutes later, the gates were swung open and Hap led us in to park under the VIP sign.

An older guy with a huge gray beard came up to me and asked, "Steve Sharp?"

When I nodded, he wrapped his arms around me and gave me a sincere hug. He stepped back and said, "That's for watching our backs and for being a true friend. Why aren't you a brother anyway? Doesn't Hap have enough pussy to get you into his group? Oh yeah, it isn't his anymore is it. Anyway, glad to have you visit us. You are always welcome in our house. Come often, stay late, eat our food, play with our wenches, drink our booze, but come often."

Hap came up and said, "Steve, this is Barney, Senior Club Prez here for Jesus, probably fifteen or twenty years."

Big Barney swatted at Hap as Hap commented, "This is the man that I always tried to emulate while I was chapter Prez in Tampa. There is none better."

Barney said, "Come on, we've been without a beer for at least twenty minutes. Let's fix that."

As my group, including Bear, followed me as I walked with Barney, I realized the man received more respect than most U.S. presidents ever did. He didn't have to prove himself anymore. He had accomplished that many years ago.

Girls wearing property of vests ran to get us all beer and to get the girls folding chairs. This club had the welcome mat out big time. Hap was smiling and happy as he had Margie with him while chatting with Barney.

They had some chapter entertainment. First was a wrestling match between a couple of prospects. They did it like old fashioned wrestling. Whoever was pinned for a count of three, three times, won the match. When a guy finally won, he was handed a vest with his colors already sewn on. He was a member without prospecting any longer, and he didn't have to walk the line. Pretty good prize for a guy that wanted to be in the club.

Next was a giant wading pool filled with Jell-o. Two girls who took off their "property of" vests, climbed into the pool and began wrestling. The obvious goal was to throw the opponent out of the pool. After fifteen minutes both girls were worn out, and now nude, as they had pulled each other's clothes off.

Barney stood up and said, "Should we give the two thumbs up or down. What should we do with them?"

The crowd began to chant "Eat, eat, eat, eat!"

Barney went to the Jell-o pit and said simply, "Eat."

The two locked into a sixty-nine worthy of the best porno ever filmed. They were all over each other, obviously making each other come over and over, until finally they just fell apart.

Barney again stood next to the pit and asked, "Should we keep these two wenches?"

The crowd hollered, "Yeah!" loudly.

Barney then said, "Then what am I bid for this Jell-O covered tart with the, ah, what is it, oh yeah, blonde hair."

He actually auctioned her off.

Then he did the same with a dark-eyed, dark-skinned Latino. I thought Sue and Juanita were going to go get her for a toy, but Bear and I held them back. She was cute, but I had all of the dark-eyed, dark-skinned beauty I needed.

We applauded the guy that won the dark-skinned beauty as he laid her back on a picnic table and ate her out like a porn star, then fucked her till she was screaming right in front of everyone. Of course, he was applauded and cheered loudly. Bikers do have fun.

We said goodnight to our hosts and headed back toward Daytona Beach. We went straight to the parking area, and trouped through the lobby. The concierge stopped us and said, "Please, go into the lounge for a late supper. We have a surprise for you."

They had a long table set up and had us sit down. They made the mistake of saying, "What would you like a drink?" As we were being served drinks, they brought small dinner salads, followed by a standing rib roast, and began serving generous portions to everyone. They also had some squash and broccoli, along with some garlic mashed potatoes.

After we were all full, but not totally stuffed, the manager on duty came and had us all served some very nice brandy. The four pregnant girls were served a very small glass, but they were able to taste how good it was. I thanked the manager and handed him some hundreds and told him to share the tips between the wait staff.

Upstairs, there again was a freshly filled tub of beer that Bear, Hap, Charlie, Jim, Hank, Margie, and Juanita immediately pulled a frosty bottle from. I joined them, saying this is the spoils of the hunt, my friends. Enjoy.

Sue said, we need to go out to the pool and swim a little to settle that great meal.

"Okay, Mistress Sue has spoken, on with the suits and off to the pool. We need to work off some of that great meal."

I did call the desk and advise them we were taking over the pool for a while. The guy only said, "Please don't drown, the manager would never forgive us."

As soon as everyone hit the very well heated pool, I knew that if there was a morals clause to ownership, we were going to forfeit this place. Minutes after we were in the pool, there were very few swimsuits except those tossed up on the side. Thank goodness the hotel personnel had enough sense to turn off all the lights in the pool area, making the area totally dark.

Soon there were moans and groans as some new territory was being explored. I fooled with Sue, Mercy, and Juanita, but when I went to find Sue again, I became dick deep in Crystal till she was screaming, then who should be under me but Margie. She was a good fuck. No wonder Hap was so happy. Next I was loving Debbie, and she was kissing and loving on me very nicely. Hannah said she would love to have a mouthful, but thanked me for some deep-dicking anyway. And of course there was my wild redhead, Shawna. She dragged me up by the hair and said, "Eat." She is so bad. I did eat her very soggy pussy, then fucked her till she couldn't move. I rolled over on my back to have Sue plant her now very fragrant and juicy pussy on my face while Mercy rode my dick. I was sure Mercy was getting off when there was a scuffle on my dick and another pussy claimed it. Sue rose off my face long enough for me to see Crystal grinning at me as she posted on my swollen member. Mercy then dropped her also juiciness on my mouth and squirmed all over me. Finally I had to come. I lifted Mercy off me and pushed the big Crystal onto her back and began banging away. When she screamed and fell silent, I found Juanita and she hugged me to her and kept saying, "Come in me, come in me, make me a baby, do me, Senor, fuck me."

That did it, I began coming wonderfully, but someone pushed me off Juanita, rolling me over locking their mouth onto my dick. Hannah had captured the remaining shots that my body loosed in orgasm. Sue and Mercy gave me soft sweet kisses as we all got in the pool to rinse off some of the sex that permeated our bodies.

Our girl couples stayed apart from our orgy. Sandy and Mandy were having a great time being voyeurs while Mickey and Samantha were in states of shock at the combinations the group presented.

Surprisingly, we had not drawn a crowd. I wonder if hotel security was watching out for us or them or something.

Upstairs we showered and crashed. I had had way too much to drink, plus a huge late supper and even some strenuous sex. I made love to my three beauties one more time, releasing into my sweet Sue.



-------

Chapter 63



I think it was seven o'clock, or maybe it was eight. My eyes couldn't exactly register. I had a smile on my face anyway. We had a great time the night before, enjoying Daytona, the local clubs, and ourselves. A really great night. I slid from bed and walked out into the living room. Bear was out on the couch. He had never pulled it out. Crystal was sitting with her head propped on one of his thighs, sound asleep. There was dried cum all over her face and neck. I knew what they were doing when they passed out. Both Margie and Hap were laying back spread-eagled naked. They still looked very satisfied.

Ah, I remembered the camera. I found it among Sue's stuff and quickly began taking pictures. I took close ups of Crystal's face to get close ups of the cum stains, then some neat ones of Hap and Marge spread-eagled on the sofa bed.

I opened one door to find Charlie asleep with his face in Shawna's vee. Shawna had her usual shit-eating grin. Next was Debbie and Hank. They were snuggled conventionally with Hank spooning Deb.

I opened the door to Hannah's and Jim's room to find exactly what you would expect from her. Her face was covered in cum stains and she was lying with a blanket pulled around her, but with her head resting on Jim's thigh and his dick in her mouth. She was incorrigible.

Mickey and Samantha shared a room with Sandy and Mandy. It looked like they had enjoyed themselves, as Mickey was spooned with Sandy, and Mandy and Samantha were wrapped up together.

Last, I went back to my three ladies and took some more pictures of the sweetness as they snuggled together. All three were holding each other. They truly did love each other.

I called room service for some coffee and began covering everyone. I slipped on my now dry swimsuit and a T-shirt to answer the door with a ten in my hand. The man was smart; he had brought a giant vacuum bottle with a pump.

As soon as I poured a cup, Bear's eyes came open and he said, "Ah, coffee. Please, pour me some."

I did that for him as he looked at Crystal and the evidence on her face. "She did that while I was trying to pass out. That lady is vicious. Damn, I love her. She is really something."

Hap opened his eyes and said, "I want a beer, but I think coffee would be better."

Having a thought, I called room service on the phone and asked them to send up at least twenty Bloody Marys, but not on ice. Just in glasses. We wanted the ice on the side.

Hap looked at me strangely, so I answered his question. "If we put the ice in them later, the drink doesn't get diluted with ice water."

He nodded, but continued drinking his coffee. "You know, Steve, you have led me into decadence. You know, I fucked all three of your ladies last night, but it was Hannah that sucked the juice right out of me. That little one can suck."

I had to agree with him, "I know, I did the other girls too, but I was getting too shit-faced to keep a hardon. That was a wild one."

Bear moaned, "Your Sue has about the most active pussy that I've ever felt, even more active than this amazon laying here. Christ, between her and Mercy, I think my dick has been stripped of its skin. Your Juanita, for an older Latina, is a dream come true. You have three hot ones my friend, you really do."

Charlie came out of the room, staggering. "Please, coffee, aspirin, water, please."

I called back downstairs and told the concierge to make sure the bellhop brought a bottle of Advil or Aspirin.

A few minutes later there was a knock on the door. I answered the door not thinking of the condition the rest of the people were in. Two guys brought in two carts. One had all the Bloody Mary stuff on it, plus some rolls. The other cart had two huge bowls of fruit, some biscuits, some bacon and a bunch of scrambled eggs. There was a stack of dishes with flatware next to them.

The bellhop handed me a bottle of Advil and a bottle of Aspirin. I handed him a C-note and told the two guys to split it.

While the transaction was happening, Crystal woke and threw the cover off of her, then reached down between her legs and it looked like she dragged a large chunk of cum from her pussy and stuffed it into her mouth. She sucked it off and said, "Yummy."

The two guys laughed and quickly left.

I handed Charlie two Advil and a big glass of Bloody Mary to wash it down. I gave Bear, Hap, and Crystal a glass of the red juice, and I made myself one with ice and a big piece of celery. I went to the others and scooped ice into their drinks and handed them each a piece of celery. I went in to get Juanita up, brought her in naked, and sat her next to Bear. She willingly took the Bloody Mary and Advil and leaned back. As she was leaning back, she used her free hand to play with her pussy. Juanita looked down and said, "Crystal, make yourself useful. My pussy itches, please suck it for me."

The surprise came when Crystal just dove right in and kept loving Juanita's pussy with her tongue and lips.

"Oh shit," Bear said, as his dick lengthened. "I'm half dead with a hang over, and I'm getting a hard on." He reached over and grabbed a handful of Crystal's hair and was bringing her face to his crotch. Juanita slapped his hand away and said, "Let her do what she's doing so well. Leave her alone." Juanita pulled Crystal's head back to her pussy, then leaned over Bear and swallowed him whole.

"Oh yeah. You are wonderful, Juanita," Bear groaned, and while Crystal kissed, licked, and sucked Juanita, she reached over and began squeezing Bear's balls."

Shawna came stumbling into the room, scratching her red snatch and red head. I handed her a Bloody Mary and offered her an aspirin. She took both and sat down in front of me while she washed the aspirin down with the mix. She squinted at the threesome and said, "Would you look at that bitch suck. Crystal, I mean. Man, she can suck a pussy. Juanita ain't doin' bad on Bear either, but Crystal looks like a pro. She's making me horny just watching her.

Shawna turned to me and noticed I was getting pretty hard watching the goings on. She grinned at me and sucked the head of my dick for a minute to get me real hard, then stood up and sat back down sinking onto me completely.

"Ah, fresh dick in the morning, that's what I love. That and a Bloody Mary, and I'm right for the day."

Hannah came stumbling out of her room, with Jim standing in the doorway. I pointed to the Bloody Marys, aspirin, and Advil and tried to concentrate on not coming.

Hannah took a glass, made up a drink and walked over and looked at Shawna fucking me silly, then she walked over to check out Crystal sucking on Juanita who was sucking Bear. She reached down and squeezed Bear's balls and announced, "He ain't ready yet and it may be a long while."

Hannah came over and checked my balls and said, "Soon, but no cigar yet." She went over to Hap, pushed him back and put a lip lock on his dick that should have him spittin' in minutes. She sucked while his face showed total surprise. Just as he thought he was under control, Hannah stuck a finger up Hap's butt and made him come. She slurped and sucked until poor Hap was stretched out, almost unconscious.

Margie woke up, looked at the girls and Bear then at the near passed out Hap, and asked, "What did I miss?"

Hannah was smacking her lips and said, "You missed seeing me suck a nice load out of your ole' man. He was the only one ready to give me one, so I took it from him."

Marge grinned, "Too bad you didn't serve as a "property of" for a while. You would have been popular, and I guarantee you would have had more than you could ever eat."

Hannah grinned, "I doubt that, I handled my high school football and basketball teams when they were in season together. I didn't lose my cherry until that big lug," Hannah motioned toward Jim, "took it from me just before we got married. No problem though, I sucked him everyday, at least twice a day until we were married. Afterward, I still got my twice a day treat and I had him fuck me at least once a day, usually twice. Every time I sucked him he had to fuck me. A good tradeoff, don't you think?"

Jim said, "You wouldn't believe how often she's on her knees in front of me. Mia is going to think that is where a woman is supposed to sit. On her knees in front of her husband"

Slowly, all my women joined everyone else in the big room. The non-pregnant women had Bloody Marys and the pregnant ones had Diet Coke, Coffee, or in Hannah's case more cum, when she was able to coax a load from Charlie.

When Hannah went back to Jim and tried to swallow him again, he swatted her a couple of times and begged, "Please no more, Hon, you've sucked everything in me out through my dick. Give it a rest."

We all slowly came to life. All the food disappeared and we ordered another load of food and coffee, but no more Bloody Marys. While we were waiting, people made it into and out of the shower quickly and dressed, getting ready for the return ride home.

Hap was talking to Bear, "This is about the best visit I think we've ever had to Daytona, no camping out, no smelly bunch of guys, and smellier women. This is the way to do it. I'll bet the clubs aren't having near as much fun as we are."

After we ate and everyone agreed we were in condition to ride, it was decided that we go around and visit a few of the vendor displays before heading home. I went downstairs first to take care of the room, while everyone was gathering their stuff. The only extra baggage we had to take home were swimsuits, the girls said the hats would fit nested in the rear trunk of my garbage truck.

The manager wished us a safe trip and invited us back soon. We loaded up and checked out a few places, going farther and farther from the beach until we were on the way home.

The group rolled into the park about two in the afternoon. The little ones were still napping, so we shut down and cleaned up our bikes before putting them away. The girls showered and dressed in their usual shorts and tank tops, T-shirts, or bra tops. Soon the little ones were awake and jumping all over us. The girls had bought a bunch of toy motorcycles and stuffed animals, so the kids were all happy. Carson was with all our kids, meaning that Kate and Jim were having some private time together.

About five, Tiny came back, with some of the others, after having been out fishing on the Hatteras. Many tales were exchanged of the party we had in Daytona, but all the stories were pretty sanitized for general consumption.

Tonight's supper became pizza and wings. Most of us did have a salad, and not surprising was the lack of booze drinking. I think we all had enough from the night before.

When it was time for bed, Sue told me to shower and lay back for a three girl massage. As they massaged me this time, they teased and tormented me to keep me awake and aroused. By the time they were finished, I was ready to do some massaging of my own. It took a while, but I think I satisfied my trio before we fell asleep.

My internal alarm went off, but I was waking up anyway. I could hear the wind really picking up outside and it sounded as if it was raining as well. Shit, this must be the usual storm that comes through in early March every year. I got out of bed, slipped on some shorts, and went to look outside.

Someone's lawn chair just went through the grassy lot between Martin's house and the patio. I could see rain, but it appeared to be going straight across instead of falling. The back of the patio was wet, but everything on this side of the bar was dry.

The big coffee pot on the bar was just finishing, so I went into the kitchen to make a fresh pot for me. I went back out to flip on the lights to let those that would look know I was up and about.

Thinking that there was time before people began showing up, I went into the bedroom and took a shower, and dressed in work clothes. I could hear the little ones up in the other room. Thinking that they might be afraid of the wind, I went in to see what was up.

Steve was standing on the floor between the two cribs with both Mike and Liz standing up. Steve was saying, "Daddy will come to take care of us. It's all right."

Wow! What a kid. A little one his age that could make a presence as he was doing. What a kid.

As I scooped Liz up, and grabbed for Mike, Stevie said, "Have to go pottie bad. I be back to help Daddy."

Lizzy began her "Dadadadadada," while Mike thought he was being funny by saying, "Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz," his call for Liz.

I changed them both and put on the clothes laid out for them and took them into living room and put them into the play area.

Stevie came to me holding his clothes and said, "Hep me, Daddy, pleeze put on cloz."

I helped Stevie dress and told him to go wake up the women. He left running and yelling, "I wake up mommies." Okay, that was one way of looking at it.

Glenda came in with her raincoat over her head. "Damn, where did this come from? It wasn't on the TV last night at all."

Ruth came through the back door, followed by Tiny. Ruth was smiling, "I wonder if Sue will wear her bikini this morning."

The wind was still blowing hard and the rain was still blowing horizontally, instead of coming straight down. Folks began to appear, holding wind blown raincoats over them. Soon the patio was warm with people bitching about the weather.

Sue, Mercy, and Juanita finally made an appearance with Stevie leading them. "I get the Mommies up, Daddy, I get them up."

Sue came over to me and said, "Your son is a regular Attila the Hun. He made us all get up and get dressed, saying his brother and sister were scared."

She added, "They don't look scared in there right now, just hungry."

I told Sue how I had found him on the floor trying to calm the two little ones, telling them I would be in to be with them shortly. Sue smiled and said, "Just like his old man, huh?"

The hotel bellhop came in his car this morning, but with some extra pastries. He said that the hotel wasn't very full last night so there weren't many people to take advantage of the free breakfast this morning.

As it neared time to go to work, the wind calmed and the rain let up. People began to leave for their assigned responsibilities, but not really wishing to leave the comfortable cocoon of their friends on the patio.

At the shop, I worked with Star, preparing some more chapters for the book we were going to publish of the special tools that our people had created, but were not marketable enough to be manufactured in bulk.

Phil was at a seminar this morning, and Judy said she had a three day gig in Jacksonville starting on Wednesday. She said she really did enjoy giving the customer service seminars, but preferred to stay at the shop working with her people.

Debbie took some time out and went over what all had transpired over the last six to eight weeks. She said she was proud of her group, as they were almost completely caught up on back orders in preparation for the new racing season that was just starting.

She said we were only eighteen motors from having filled all of the existing orders, and only twenty short of rebuilding all that were left on the premises.

The frame shop was totally caught up, but the sheet metal shop was not totally ready for the new season. The welders were now cross-trained into sheet metal, and when necessary, fiberglass, so we could use all of the available manpower, all of the time.

Debbie said, "After you told me everything was going to be okay since I was pregnant, I felt so good, that I took my girls out to supper. You know what; I think they would have rather been on the patio than at Carrabas."

"Tell me when you're going to do that so I can send you to one of the big steakhouses or something. Your people are the most important asset you can have. Treat them right and they will follow you anywhere."

Debbie said, "I know, it was what I thought would be best, but they all would rather be with the group on the patio than out eating somewhere."

I told Debbie how happy I was the way she had taken over for me. She was a great asset to the company. We were all looking forward to her having another baby, as it would make her that much more valuable.

My big office was nice, but when no one else is in it, it's sort of lonely in there. Just as I put down the last piece of paper that I needed to review, Ruth came in with her second in command.

"Okay, Boss, today is something special. This is the first time in what is it, over three years, that no one has asked me to hire someone. We don't have any terminations to process and no one has put in a vacation request. You've gotta do something. We don't have a crisis this morning. We don't have anyone screaming for help. We really don't have anything to do except mundane stuff that takes about ten minutes. Do you have anything in the works?"

"I do Ruth, but it's in England, or actually in Ireland, Dublin to be exact. Should I send you guys over to work there?"

"No, it's just that we've been working at such a pace for so long when the basket is empty, we panic. We don't need anyone at the park or at any of the other facilities. We have a closet full of office supplies, so we can't go shopping. We need to figure out something to get us busy again."

"Let me go talk to Tiny for a minute, then I'll get back to you two," I said, as I got up and left my office.

"Hey, Tiny," I said as I walked in his office. He was frowning over some spreadsheets he had spread out over his desk.

"Look at this, Steve, for no reason whatsoever, these five stores are suddenly doing almost twice what they normally have done. I can't figure it out. You look at these numbers and tell me what you see."

Instead of spending a lot of time looking at the numbers, I picked up the phone and called Judy to ask her if she could have the service reps for these areas come into Tiny's office.

"Thanks for coming in, girls. Tiny has found an anomaly in sales figures, and you guys are probably able to give us the answer. What has happened in your areas that would increase the orders significantly enough to make us aware of it?"

One of the girls immediately said, "There are new military bases opening up in the Jacksonville and South Georgia areas. We're getting a bunch of orders related to both of those bases. We need to send a rep into both of the new bases to ensure we are selling them everything they need."

I turned to Tiny and asked, "If Phil is out of town, who do you use to go get this done."

Tiny said, "He has a guy, Jack, who should be able to handle it for him, as he has experience with the feds."

"Get him and get him to have some of his people saturate the area. Let's not let any grass grow under our feet, let's get it done."

The girl who was most vocal on what needed to be done said, "Your field reps are being stretched way too far. We need to re-align the territories and hire some new field guys. I know they are expensive as we buy them trucks and stuff, but we're missing sales because we're not being thorough."

"Hang on a second. Christy, isn't it?"

"Yes sir, I'm Christy Williams."

I went for Ruth and her assistant and brought them into Tiny's office.

"Christy, how many new field reps do we need?"

"I don't know, Mr. Sharp. If we sat down and re-aligned the territories I could tell you, but I don't know off the top of my head."

"That's a great answer, Christy. Let's get Judy."

When Judy was in Tiny's now crowded office, I asked her, "Can you work with Christy to re-align the field reps for the areas she's concerned about. There appears to be a lot of business we're not trying hard enough to get."

"Oh good, Steve, Phil keeps putting it off because he's been so busy. We'll get right on it right now."

I thanked all of those that had in been Tiny's office and said as I was leaving, "Now we'll get to the bottom of those wonderful sales."

Later to Ruth I said, "We will probably need three to five new field reps so now you have something to do. Go get 'em."

As I walked back to my office, I felt more like a traffic cop than a business owner.

Deanne was sitting at the conference table in my office with her little Latino co-worker.

When I looked at them questioningly, Deanne said, "Gene asked if you could come by his place today if you have time. He says he may have something for us."

"Do you girls know what this is about?"

"No Sir," Deanne said. "But it must be important, since he called last Friday and again this morning."

"Thanks, girls, I'll call him now."

I dialed Gene and asked for him when the receptionist answered.

"Hey, Gene, what's happening?"

"Hi, Steve, heard you sailed to Europe and back. It must have been one hell of a trip."

"It was, Gene, we are going to open another major rebuild center in Dublin because of it."

"Listen, Steve, NASCAR is coming out with a ton of new regulations and a totally new body and frame. Some of it is your fault with your new tubing we have been using, but for the most part it's just a new configuration. It's going to take a ton of time to get this thing right, but I need your help to get started. We won't even have to introduce a car with the new standards until next year, but I want one now so we can begin working with the new standards."

"Okay, Gene, do you have the blueprints yet? We'll need all of the new motor specs too."

"I have everything, come and get them and begin with a frame, sheet metal, and a motor. We'll start on the suspension when you get us a sample."

"Okay, Gene, I'll come over now, how about I take you home for lunch. Are you up for some soup and sandwiches?"

"Sounds good, Steve, come on, I'll let you drive."

I told everyone where I was going, then headed to Gene's.

Gene had all of his machinery outside, polished up and ready to head out to Daytona. Inside was each of his cars, with people doing minor things with each one. All were ready to begin testing and running the track.

Gene showed me around a little and brought a bunch of large rolled blueprints with him as we went out to my truck to go home for lunch.

Juanita and Mercy met us at home for lunch. Sue was at the main factory, working with Hannah on a new project. We had some soup and a sandwich and enjoyed some of Juanita's great Cuban coffee.

Gene and I discussed how fast he wanted to have the equipment. He said that he wanted a car to take to do wind tunnel tests as soon as possible, and if possible, he wanted to run a car around Daytona to test while he had the chance. He said that this would determine what modifications NASCAR would make to the original plans.

"Steve, if you can put this all together for us quickly, this will let NASCAR know how much you support the series. You might even want to build a prototype and have your gurus go over it to see what can be done for speed and safety."

"Good idea, Gene, I'll bet my bunch of monkeys would love to build a car. I'll ask them. We don't have a driver, so you will have to help there unless I or one of my people can go to driver's school."

"I'll lend you a driver, you just get a list of things we can do better or how to make the car faster and more efficient."

I took Gene back to his shop and went over to my shop and called a meeting of all of the welders, the sheet metal and fiberglass people, and the motor shop crew. There were so many of them that we had to meet in the cafeteria.

"Okay, guys, NASCAR is coming out with a new car. Gene wants a frame, sheet metal, fiberglass, and motor to match the specs laid out in the new blueprints."

"We're going to give it to him, but we're going to build ourselves a car too. While we do that, we are going to look for ways to make the car better. We want the car to be faster, handle better, safer, more solid if others hit us, and we want it to be more efficient on fuel."

"I know all of you want to be involved in the project, so work it out among yourselves and let's build a winner. Gene will lend us a driver to test our car, but the idea is to use the specs NASCAR has given us and make a better car than anyone else. When we know how to do it, we can market the ideas with the other teams."

Shawna looked at me with a frown. "You know they aren't going to do anything but that damn engine, until it's in the car. I'm sure you'll need a tranny and rear end as well. Do you think they will let you just go out and buy something? You now have a full blown project, Steve, this is going to really cost."

"Well, Shawna, since we aren't that busy, this is probably the best time ever to do this. Let's let this project make us some money and let NASCAR know that if anyone can build a car to their specs, we can."

"It'll be done, Boss. I'll get Gene's stuff out of here by Wednesday and we'll begin working on our own car through this week. By the end of next week, we'll need track time to test the thing."

Abe was looking for me. "St. Louis says they have a prototype of a new small and medium lift that they want to show us. Can we go up there real quick to look at it? I'd like to take both Jed and Jeff up there with us."

"Today, or in the morning, Abe?"

"Morning would be good. We can go early so we won't be gone the whole day."

I called out to the charter office and asked whether I could get the Lear or a small 200. Julie said the Lear was available, so I asked her to have it ready no later than eight in the morning.

A few minutes after I hung up, John called. "Do you want me to come along since you haven't flown for a while?"

"If you think I need it and if you have the time yes, sure. I can always use someone to second guess me."

"Well, if I'm not available in the morning, DeDe would love to ride with you. The lady is becoming a real asset to your company out here."

"Okay then John, either you or DeDe come along and watch my back. I can always use instruction and we are supposed to ride with two jockeys in the Lear."

At home, I called Ryan to ask him where he was this week. When he answered St. Louis, I asked, "Is this a conspiracy or what. I'm told the men have a new lift for me to look at and now you're there waiting for me. What's up?"

"Coincidence, Boss, the two new lifts they have are really good. They used the hydraulics that was developed in Abe's and Jed's shop. They do have some new and different ways to do things. We were heading out of here tonight but if you're coming, we'll stay till tomorrow. See you then."

The evening meal was nice. Having dinner with all your friends is special. There is always a lot of fun among the people and challenges over just about anything. The big talk was our own NASCAR car. Everyone wanted to have a part in it.

That night, when we were in bed, Mercy asked, "Is there something different about this car than any we have helped build before?"

"I think so, Mercy. This is one we are building to discover how to modify the plans, but remain within specifications. If we build it, we will document everything we do and can change it where we need to."

After thinking about it a second, "We'll be the most valued vendor to NASCAR if we build, and know how to build, a better mousetrap."

Tuesday morning, Abe, Jed, Jeff, and I went to the airport to be met by DeDe. She said John was called for backup on the big plane, so she was going with me.

We did the preflight and got everyone seated with the door closed and locked. Within minutes, I had the plane started and warming before requesting to taxi.

Once we were off the ground, DeDe said, "I'm either going to take a nap, or we can join the mile high club."

"Take a nap, DeDe."

"Thought that's what you would say. Sue told me good luck this morning, when I told her I was going to seduce you while we were flying."

Right on schedule, we landed at Lambert airfield in St. Louis and took a limo to the new facility there. Two men had been instrumental in using some of the designs we had down in Florida and the notes I had sent out to technicians. The one leading the project said, "None of this is really original. The whole thing has been completed by using the collage of ideas you have been sending out. We used all of the various notes and designs that you guys kept sending, especially Abe's new idea on hydraulics. The one thing we did do was to bring all of the ideas together."

The team leader explained, "The small forklift doesn't look any different than most others in its class, so we used a freshly rebuilt one to check and compare to ours. We moved various weights with the standard and moved them with the new lift. Their performance was about the same, until we began getting to heavier and heavier loads.

"The new lift is able to lift more as far as its hydraulics are concerned, but the limitation is still in the counterbalance weight of the lift itself."

"This small lift has a simpler hydraulic system than its counterpart made by Onan. We used the same new system on this larger lift. Here, we have an easier comparison. We borrowed this from our neighbor. It is a brand new heavy duty Hitachi lift that is capable of lifting four tons or right at nine thousand pounds. We figured ours to be about the same and wanted to stress it to find out what ours could do. If you will watch this demonstration, you'll be proud of what we have."

They took the neighbors brand new lift and scooped up a load of weights and set the load on the big scale. It read 9,010 pounds. Then the operator lifted the load again and drove the lift with the weight onto the scale, 15,340 pounds.

He then repeated the process using his new heavy duty lift and it read the total weight of 14,890 pounds meaning the new lift was several hundred pounds lighter. This could be a problem for counter balance.

The operator brought the new lift back and scooped up the weights and brought our experimental lift out and slid the forks completely under the loaded lift then slowly lifted it off the ground about four feet. We were all stunned. Our lift just picked up over seven tons. Considering that this size lift is usually rated at five tons maximum, and usually only four tons, this was almost twice the rated limit.

The operator shut the lift down without setting the load down and said, "We did this last night and left it. We assumed the hydraulics would gradually let the load down so that it would be on the ground by this morning. When we came in this morning it was just like that."

The leader came back and said, "The hydraulics that Abe came up with are really fierce. He has a method of using the pressure to build twice as fast because of the way he feeds the fluid between reservoirs. This makes the transfer faster, yet more stable."

Abe said, "To be fair, did you try to lift ours with a load?"

"We did, Abe, and it couldn't lift it. We were afraid we were going to blow a pressure valve. The pumps on this unit won't even keep up with the demand. It isn't nearly as good as an Onan, but then, even an Onan couldn't do what you're witnessing."

"Okay, Abe," I said, looking at my dear friend and business partner, "You have what you've been wanting for a couple of years. You have all of your ideas put together in a working model."

I asked the team leader, "How close are you to Abe's prints and hydraulic models."

"Exact," the leader said. "Abe said that we had the perfect place to try to build this thing, so we took Abe's set of prints and instructions, and the only noted differences are in the wheel size and weight mass we used. The small lift is electric and the heavier duty lift is propane. Either one can run on either method."

Abe said, "Now we have to build a super lift and try it on a job. If we can do that, we will have either our own product, or a product to sell to whomever, for a bunch of money. These two lifts do not have any license fees associated with either one. As a matter of fact, we'll be licensing some of the technology we are using on these within the year to other manufacturers."

Jed said, "I can't believe all those drawings you have been working on have come to this. Abe, you are really something. You're not a technician, you're a genius."

Abe rose up and looked at me, "See, Steve, you always asked just what I was. This man just described me perfectly."

We all got a chuckle out of it. The team leader asked Abe, "Can we build a couple more of the small ones and use them internally to see how they hold up?"

"Sure, go ahead. Bill the materials to my department and bill the distributorship the price of a rebuilt lift. If you make them for the shop here, you can't baby them. Don't abuse them, but make them do a little more than you ask one of your rebuilds to do. Let's push them to see how they last. Oh, and make another of the heavy duty so you can ship it to Tampa to use as a demo. We need to show this off to either begin manufacturing, or to license the technology as a whole."

We had lunch with all of the people from the shop and distributorship, and looked the place over while we were there. They had the attitude that makes S&S successful. They proudly showed every facet of the operation showing off their successes and local innovations.

When we left, I told the operations manager, "Your store is an example of S&S doing perfect work. I'm proud it's part of us. You are doing a great job."

Back at the airport, DeDe had the plane serviced and ready to go when we arrived. We did the preflight, but she let me handle the flight plan and all of the startup and takeoff procedures. Once we were in the air DeDe said, "Go back to the back and party with your men. There's plenty of mixes in the cabinets and plenty of cold items in the fridge. Since you and I aren't going to get it on, you might as well have some fun. I wouldn't be afraid to let you fly me anywhere. You have it down, Boss, and I'm blowing smoke up your butt."

I did get up and switch seats with DeDe, then went to sit with everyone in the rear. I opened the fridge and began passing around beer, but told them there was booze on board as well. We talked about the success of Abe's design and debated whether to go in competition with our supplier or to sell them the design.

Abe and Jed's argument was, "Onan has been building lifts for twenty plus years, but is still using other people's designs. They could have looked for a way to create their own twenty years ago, but have just let it be."

My argument was, "If we go in direct competition with Onan on this item, they will expect us to go into competition with them on other items as well, and we probably would in the long run. But if we sell them the design and they can be more profitable, they will extend to us even more discounts and courtesies."

Abe said, "How about we license our design to them for a set period of time. If they don't take the ball and run with it, we'll pull the agreement and build it ourselves."

The general consensus agreed with Abe, and it was agreed we would get the VP of Product Development down to Florida as soon as possible.

I had a question for Abe that I felt he was waiting for. "Abe, how are you coming with the design of a superlift? We might want to begin manufacturing something like that in Dublin."

"Now you're talking, Steve. We can license Onan to manufacture and market it here in the States, but I want to make it ourselves overseas. We should do the same with the other two lifts as well. I think we have a real winner and I'd like to see us put our "perfect" stamp on it right into the hands of a customer. Could we begin over there and see how we do?"

DeDe's voice came over the intercom, "Steve, come up here and help me land this thing. I'm not that proficient putting it on the ground yet."

As I crawled into the right seat, I said, "You know I just a had a beer and I'm not the one that should be in control of the plane."

"I watched you and you had only one the entire ride. You and Abe were more interested in some dumb forklift than booze. So just help me already, I haven't put one of these down but once, and I'm not real confident."

DeDe came in fine. She flared just right, setting the wheels down and gently dropping the nose. She dropped the thrust reverse buckets and we slowed rapidly and turned back around to head to the hanger. I smiled at DeDe and said loud enough for just her to hear, "Sweet."

When we parked, DeDe said with a little shaky voice, "That was only my second landing in this thing. When I went to the school, the seat hog I shared the plane with insisted on landing all the time. Thanks for making me comfortable. I know I'm a good jockey, I just need someone like you to tell me."

"You did good. Next time you have a flight in this thing, call me and I'll ride right seat for you if it's a passenger trip. You just need some more practice, is all."

We all climbed out of the plane while DeDe did the logs and prepared to prep the plane for its next outing. Us guys made it over to the truck and headed home to enjoy the patio before it was jammed with people.

We sat back with drinks and snacks, talking about taking all three lifts to Dublin. It took about three drinks for us to agree that Abe, Jeff, and Jed would go over to set up the rebuild shop and to start the design on the robotics it would take to set up the manufacturing lines.

I called MacKenzie to ask him about more space. It was four here, so it was nine there. After some pleasantries, I told Mac, "I don't know if there is enough open space, but we're going to need a minimum of double the space over there that we have now. We want to begin some equipment manufacturing over there. We have some original designs that won't conflict with existing patents here or over there, and we want to begin right away. I have a staff that is willing to come right over there to begin buying, building, or modifying space to do what we need. Do you know of more space where our new building is that we can get?"

"You don't give a body a chance to even think, Stevie boy. Let me think on it tonight and talk to a few folks in the morning and I'll get back with you. Will about the same square footage do, or do you need more?"

"Mac, the more the better. You and I have already talked about a cart manufacturing facility along with the super lift rebuild shop. We'll have a distributor headquarters there too, so the other facilities will be manufacturing with a lot of robotics and some steel pouring. A former steel plant in good condition would be good, but not necessary. We're going to be ducks out of water over there, Mac so we'll need to meet suppliers and labor leaders as soon as possible."

"I'll get right on this and get Mike to go out and scout all your new neighbors down at the dock. He might be able to scare something up. I'll talk to you tomorrow. G'dnight."

This night was boneless rib roast. I don't know how we deserved such a treat, but our entire mass of people was popping buttons from stuffing so much.

My evening was spent playing with the older kids and rolling on the floor with Sean, Mike, and Lizzy. The three were developing personalities and were becoming pals like their siblings and their friends. There would soon be seven more to grow and play together.

About eight, Ben called and told me, "Ernie's and Nelda's probate is coming to a conclusion. You and Sue are going to have to meet with the judge so you can complete the probate and arrange for the federal taxes. That guy has a pretty big estate. Nelda's estate has the first dollar you gave her for the property you bought from her. She might have spent a little, but it was very little. You know you ended up buying her the first place she lived in and then you did the same on the doublewide they moved into later. Why did you do that?"

"I don't remember, Ben. I must have paid for the doublewide for them and was going to get Ernie to pay me back. I just forgot. The first home for Nelda was from my heart. No one ever helped her do anything, and I wanted to be the first."

Ben chuckled, "Well, Ernie has the last laugh. He's giving you everything he had anyway. Tiny's accounting firm has all of the taxes computed ready to present to the probate judge. You need to consider what you're going to do with the land and buildings he has. He was liquidating his property, but I didn't have it all sold yet. He has land all the way from here to Tallahassee."

"Just liquidate the property, Ben, unless there is some you would like, or that we could use some for manufacturing here. If there is more out near here, we might consider some more housing for our clothing factory workers. They will be able to afford high density housing if they want to own and if a couple of families go together, they might buy a nice house too. I'd like to give our people first shot at just about all of it before we market it to outsiders. We'll just start our own town. Instead of the old days when people would call an intersection four corners, we'll call it eight kids."

Ben laughed, "Well, make up your mind what you're going to do and we'll go make the date to visit with the probate judge. You were talking about building another entertainment area in the park with Nelda's money, how come?"

"Nelda loved it out here and loved the people. I think we'll just improve the two recreation centers we have and begin some more childcare at the center. A lot of parents have trouble during the summer, and we could help out there. Nelda would be happy that we used her money to help others."

"That will cut down on some of the taxes, perhaps you might consider expanding your sports complex. Since it's been given to the county, but you're still maintaining it, you could get better than a one for one deduction on what you do over there."

"That's good too with what's left over after fixing our centers out here. I'm sure Sue and I can help with both places. Seems you have been doing a bang up job making money lately. Tell me, Ben, when is enough, enough?"

Ben paused a long while, "I don't know, Steve, I've pushed all my life to expand my holdings and expand the wealth of others. I've never considered that someone would ever say enough."

"I'm about there, Ben, I'll work on helping out more here in the community, but pretty soon it will look like I'm a publicity hog. I would prefer if no one ever knew what I gave or helped with. Instead of concentrating on increasing what we have, how about concentrating on keeping it and converting it into some kind of secure form. I want the 401K plans to ride the market with only about twenty-five percent of their capital, but at the first sign of weakness, I want us out, totally out. Buy municipals and treasuries if they are right, or just plain broker between metals and currency. I want to secure our peoples money."

"Okay, okay, I get you. You've told me this several times in the past couple of weeks. I'll get it done for all of us so you can feel more secure. At least you're consenting to stay in the market with twenty-five percent. We'll do as always and split it between regular trading and high risk. I'll make sure the traders know that we want to withdraw at the first sign of weakness."

"Good deal, Ben. Sorry to harp on it, I just wanted you to know how I felt about Sue's and my money and the 401K plans."

Ben said, "I'll make the court date so we can clean up Ernie's and Nelda's estate. I'll probably talk to you in the morning."

When we went to bed, I spoke to Sue, Mercy, and Juanita about what Ben had said was coming up. We remembered among ourselves the good times that we had with the sweet old couple. It made us a little somber, and we just held each other as we drifted off to sleep.

Original Editing by Pepere
New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 64



Sue's factories were receiving bids for military uniforms from the academies and the military. The first was the Air Force Academy, next the Merchant Marine, followed by the Coast Guard. Finally, we were able to bid on Army fatigues and won a very large contract.

Along with the fatigues was an order for the beige T-shirts and boxers worn under them. The production was going to require almost a full third of Quality Wear's production. To me this was great, to Sue this was a disaster, as she had plans for so much more. She said that if we were able to continue bidding and receiving contracts, she wanted to expand her manufacturing in the park by at least two more buildings of about the same size as the others.

While Sue, Mercy, Hannah, and Debbie, settled down into every day routines and making babies inside of them, I spent time planning and directing the new Dublin plant and expanding the Canadian locations.

Ryan had consented and had hired three men to do the heavy leg work while he followed up on key issues that arose around the country. Michelle surprised all of us by announcing one Friday evening that she was four months pregnant, and that Ryan was going to need a new secretary. Her due date would be only a month or so after Mercy's and Sue's, somewhere around when Kate should have her new one.

The couple considered having a house built in the back area where Abe lived, but later made a deal for a double space next to where Sue's place was. They wanted to be closer to the patio and all of the child care at our place.

One afternoon, after getting back from the gym and getting a little sun, we had all of the pregnant women there while all the kids were napping. Glenda began reminiscing about our start and the people who we had come in contact with. As soon as Glenda mentioned Kathy and her kids, Sue said, why don't we call her and have her come down while her kids are on spring break. Have her Mom and Dad come down too and they can have a week visiting and going to the amusement parks.

Glenda said, "I have her number, let me go get it. We'll make the call out here so she will know we all want them to come."

When Kathy answered, she was surprised that Glenda had called. I began talking and Kathy became very excited. I told her that Shawna was with us as well as Sue, Juanita whom she knew, and a new person, Mercy.

"I've heard all about your three ladies. What happened to the other one, did you kick her out?"

Sue answered for me, "Kate was able to get back with her husband, but she's still a part of our big group here. She's sitting with us right now."

I took over, "We're calling to ask you if you would like to come down to visit over your kids' spring vacation? We want you to bring your Mom and Dad too and stay with us. Our place is big enough for everyone and we would love to have you. I'm dying to see the kids. I'll bet they are really big."

"Do you really want us to come down there? Will your women put up with me because I was close with you before I moved away?"

Mercy got in on the call, "This is Mercy, and yes we want you to come down here. You need to see our kids too and you know you want to see Martin and Glenda, Juanita, Abe, and Alice. We all want you to come."

Kathy paused, then said, "If we come down you may be in for a surprise. I'm not sure about it, but I'll ask Mom and Dad. I'm not going to ask the kids because they will go nuts, but I would love to see all my old friends and meet some new ones. Can I call you back later? Sue, I'll talk to you okay so you'll know about how to handle my bunch. Let me call you later, okay?"

Sue said, "Call me, Kathy, everyone has nice things to say about you. I want to get to know you for sure."

Glenda and Juanita were very excited and immediately called Alice to tell her. Kidding me, Sue said, "Well, maybe you'll have that fourth lady around here for a little while to give us pregnant ones a break."

Juanita said, "I will take up any slack for you two, but I would share with Kathy. She is a good person."

Later, during supper, Kathy called back and spoke with Sue for a long time. When Sue got off the phone, she huddled up with Mercy and Juanita for an extended period of time. I guess having seven people come would be a bunch, but we had the room for easily that many plus more.

They were coming in just a week. I had not realized the spring breaks were coming so fast. Sue said that she would fly up to get them in the small two hundred, as she said she needed some more flight time. I was fine with that, because I had to make a quick trip to Dublin to okay the plans for the new manufacturing facility being built. Abe, Jed, Tiny, and Ryan were going with me so we were going to fly the Lear fitted with the special extended range tanks. John and DeDe had something to do, so I had to talk an old airline pilot to come along. There was no way that I was going to make the flight by myself. Too many chances of something happening.

Fred Taylor, the retired airline pilot, and I had a good time flying to Dublin. We did the refueling in Iceland then straight in to the United Kingdom. Fred was experienced dealing with international flight plans and with customs, so we were able to land and immediately get to work.

Mac and Mike met us and took us to the building that was now fully remodeled to our specs. When we turned on all of the lights, the white dazzled the eyes. There were perfect signs everywhere, including the "Is it perfect?" signs over every door. We had hired the main working management personnel and they were in progress of hiring teams and sending them to the States for training. There were four teams in Florida and two teams in St. Louis being trained, so we only needed two to four additional teams to produce the quantity necessary for profitability.

The cart manufacturing area already had a line built, as well as a stock of parts that should last them a month. Abe's new motor was being built in a new shop opened out at the park this past winter and was not yet running to capacity. We were going to be able to use the new motor in all of our products, including the police utility vehicle.

I was satisfied that this place was going to work. All we needed now was for the teams to begin rebuilding the super lifts that were already being barged in for repair.

That night, we spent the evening at Mac's Irish castle and were able to visit with Mike, Chanda, Lucille, and Margaret. Lucille was wearing loose clothes and informed me that she was going to add to the family in the near future. I told her that Sue, Mercy, and Juanita would be happy to hear that she was expecting. She told me that I was the last to know, as the three Irish lasses called my ladies often.

The second day in Ireland, we looked at the state of the new building under construction for our lift manufacturing facility. It was expected to be complete within six weeks. The robotics were being set up, as was the rest of the lines. The plans looked right and Abe, Jed, Jeff, and Tiny all concurred that we were on track. On the third day, we had a meeting with many other business owners in the Dublin area. We used a large convention hall and had food and beverages brought in for a giant cocktail party. The idea was to get them to help us find qualified people. When I announced that I would be training people from the ground up, there was a general excitement since when this usually happened, a company often trained workers for all businesses. I cautioned the other owners, saying, "We take care of our employees on a scale much higher than usual, so we do not often lose desirable employees. We hope this would continue here."

I asked Mac to let it be known in the countryside that the company would train men and women to work on our line. The main requirement was that they would give their best, everyday, to every product. He and Mike said they would get the word out.

The flight home was uneventful, but gave me the opportunity to realize I wouldn't wish to do it by myself. Too long, too tiring. Fred and I alternated and were able to nap a little during the trip.

As we landed, Sue was getting ready to go get Kathy. Sue had Mercy and Juanita with her and she would either scare poor Kathy to death, or make her very comfortable. I was able to get a hug and kiss from the ladies as they were getting ready to leave. Those of us returning were ready to go to bed as it was now morning and we had been up most of the night because of a holding layover in Iceland.

We all went home, checked in at the office, and crashed. I asked Glenda to wake me up about two so I could shower and be ready for the visitors. Glenda acted a little funny, but said she would get me up so I could greet them.

When I lay down, I tried to think of Kathy's kids. Back in '99, J.J. or Jake Junior was nine going on ten, Carl was nine, Ben was eight, and Barbara was seven. Four kids within a year of each other. Now three years later, J.J. would be a teen, Carl would be twelve, Ben eleven, and cute little Barb would be ten. They would all be a lot bigger. J.J. was going to be tall, but then all the kids were pretty tall and slim.

Kate gently woke me at two with a kiss on the lips. "I love you, Steve. I love that you gave me my baby. I love that you helped me get back with Jim. I love that you've given me new life friends in your wives. I'm sorry I can't be one of your wives, but I think you understand."

I gave Kate a hug before I was pounced on by Carson who had leaped onto the bed. Stevie, CJ, Rob, and Mia followed, until I cried uncle and told them to wait until after I took my shower. After cleaning up, I went out to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. The kids were immediately off doing something else, not needing me to entertain them. Lizzy and Mike toddled over to me to be picked up and loved. We chatted for a few minutes. I would say something like "What did you two do today." They would answer, "Jabber, jabber, da, ma, da, ne, ne, Jabber," then as clear as can be, Lizzy said, "Gamma Glenda."

Glenda was at the stove with Maggie and began laughing. She turned around and said, "Good girl, Lizzy, you know who has the cookies."

"Cookies! Cookies! Please, Grandma Glenda, we want cookies!" This was from the five crazed older kids. Susan, Maggie, Kate, and Glenda poured some milk and had them sit at the one of the big tables and gave them each a cookie and glass of milk. Amazingly, all five sat still and savored a fresh peanut butter cookie. When they were finished, they stayed at the table squirming but not complaining. Glenda hollered, "You may be excused after you bring your cup inside."

In a flash, five little ones were bringing the paper cups inside and running full tilt back out to the patio. During the day, it was hazardous to walk around out there, as the kids usually had the floor pretty well covered with toys. Before four or four-thirty, they brought all the toys to their toy box and kept only one out to play with in the living room. They usually piled up together and watched TV while the adults came in after work, so they were docile while waiting to see their parents.

Maggie, Susan, Kate, and Glenda had the kids begin picking up the toys as they said Sue would soon be here with Kathy and her family. In no time, the patio was straightened up and Kate quickly ran a mop over the floor to clean up from the heavy traffic the place received during the day.

I was sitting at the bar, out on the patio, when I heard a couple of cars pull up. There was enough commotion to tell that there were several people. Four kids came around the end of our trailer and came running into the patio. The first to reach me was Barb, now a lot taller and looking more like Kathy than before. I got a big hug from her and hugs from the three boys. When they pulled back, I got a good handshake from J.J. As he said, "Hi Steve," I could tell his voice was changing. He was growing up. Next in the door were Kathy's Mom and Dad, who immediately gave me a hug and handshake respectively, thanking me for coming to get them and how great the place looked.

Kathy came in with my three ladies. Kathy came right to me and put a lip lock on me that curled my toes, and I hoped it didn't piss off any of my three women. When she pulled back, she said, "You look really handsome without your beard. I liked your long hair, but it's still pretty long. I'm so glad you asked us to come."

She stood back from me as Sue came up, carrying a little boy a little older than Stevie, CJ, Rob, and Tia.

Kathy said, "Steve, I want you to meet Greg, a new addition to my brood."

Sue handed me the little boy who immediately touched my mustache, and laid his head on my chest, smiling. When I said, "Nice to meet you, Greg," he said to me, "Nice to meet you too."

Mercy said to Kathy, "Go ahead, tell him."

Kathy looked down, then up, then rolled her eyes. Kathy's Mom came over to stand next to her when she said, "Meet your son, Steve, his name is Gregory Stephen Sharp."

Well, knock me over with a feather or a baseball bat or something.

The little boy in my arms asked, "Are you my Daddy?"

Mercy grabbed the boy, and Sue grabbed me as I was about to pass out from shock.

"Wha, ah, how? Ah, Kathy, why didn't you tell me, call me, why?"

"I couldn't Steve, I couldn't tell you because I couldn't come back here. I was too afraid. We'll talk about it more, but I want you to spend time with Greg while we're here."

I looked at my three ladies, stunned. Mercy was holding the little boy who was enjoying the attention of the ladies. I invited them all to sit and offered all soda, water, coffee, beer, or any kind of drink we could make.

J.J., Ben, Carl, and Barb had watched the introduction of Greg, but now had taken over the pool table. Sue took Kathy inside to meet all of the other little ones.

Kathy's dad said, "Kind of a shock huh?"

"Why didn't you call me, tell me, I should have been helping Kathy, she needed help with the baby and I wasn't there."

Kathy's mom said, "She felt very guilty that she let herself get pregnant, and she felt even guiltier that she was denying you your son after he was born. I can't tell you how many times I begged her to call you or come to see you. We heard you were successful down here, but if this place is an example, you are very successful. The question would be, how come you still live out here in a trailer park?"

"This is where my friends are. This is now next door to part of our businesses. We do have some houses out back. Some of our people prefer houses, while the rest all want to live close in mobile homes."

"What kind of business do you have, Steve?" Kathy's dad asked.

I grimaced, as I didn't know how to describe it all. "Let's just say that it started with welding and rebuilding some Onan equipment and has grown exponentially since. You'll hear from everyone while you're here, but just keep in mind some of these guys blow a lot smoke around. Hey, how about a beer? We have ice cold beer on tap and all kinds of imports in bottles."

Both Kathy's mom and dad wanted a draft so I gave them each one as Sue, Mercy, Juanita, Glenda, and Kathy came out. Kathy came up to me and put her arms around me, "I'm so happy to see you. I've missed you every day I've been gone from here. It was a good thing to leave, but not a good thing to stay away. God, I've missed you."

Kathy gave me another toe curling kiss that made me concerned for her health. When I looked around though, my ladies were all smiling.

J.J. came out and asked me, "Now that you know about my little brother, are you going to be my Dad? Carl, Ben, and Barb all have wanted you to be our Dad too, so think about it. We're good kids, but we want to have a dad and we want to come back to Florida."

Kathy was a little embarrassed. "J.J., you can't just ask something like that."

"Sure I can, Mom. Since dad died, this is the only man I've ever wanted to be my dad. Why shouldn't I ask him? My brothers and sister all want that too. Why should Greg be the only one that can call him Dad?"

Sue came over and hugged me, "You have some decisions to make during this next week. I bet I know what they will be, but we'll all get together and talk about it. Wait till Susan finds out you have another son. She'll be all over him."

"Who's Susan?" asked Kathy.

Juanita said, "Susan is Steve's sister. His brother Henry lives here now too. Susan has a husband, Kevin, and two kids, Dennis, who is going to USF, and Tina, who is a senior at Gaither high school. Henry and his wife, Nancy, don't have any children. You'll meet them all in a little while. They will all be here within an hour. They will be coming for supper."

Kathy wanted a beer so I poured her one and Juanita said she wanted a Cuba Libre. I wanted something strong too, so I made myself a big Beefeaters. Glenda came out and hugged me, "You took the news of your little boy better than I expected. I should have known though, you love kids. So what's one more, huh?"

"No, Glenda, not one more, five more. What of J.J., Carl, Ben, and Barb. What would I do with them; I can't just steal Greg and keep him and not them. And hey, who told Kathy my middle name is Gregory?"

Glenda smiled, "Kathy asked me, but I didn't know why. I didn't know about Gregory until just before you left for Dublin. I was worried about them just coming and surprising you like that. Are you alright? You didn't have a stroke or anything did you?"

"I'm fine, Glenda, you better prep Martin though, he's gonna have a cow."

"He knows and thinks it's funny. He says you were playing around too much, and now you have all these kids to take care of."

I smiled at Sue holding her to me, and reached out to pull Kathy to us. I smiled at Mercy and said, "Come here," then did the same to Juanita. I hugged each of them and kissed them. I looked at the four women and shook my head, "My God, I'm a lucky man. What the heck do you do with four women?"

Mercy said, "You didn't do too bad on our trip to Europe. I think there were even more than four on the way home."

Juanita was laughing, "You are the man, Senor. You are the man."

Kathy asked, "You have three little ones already and Sue and Mercy are both going to have multiple births? You'll have eight then? How are you going to handle five more if you choose to keep us?"

I looked at Kathy, then at Sue, Mercy, and Juanita, "I don't know, Kathy, but I can't let you leave with Greg, and I sure can't be a dad to Greg and not the other four. I don't know, but I'm going to say this and hope my ladies agree, Kathy, please stay. Please come, let me be a father to Greg and a second dad to your kids. For you, please stay with us, we have lots of room and the girls will make you a part of us, I'm sure."

Sue and Mercy were grinning, while Juanita was now standing by Kathy, with her arm around her.

Susan, Dennis, and Tina came through the door. Susan hollered, "We have to get ready for their dad. It's his birthday today, and we have his cake and a surprise."

Sue sighed, "Like he'll never know."

I had a thought, "Kathy, you'll never guess who our neighbor is now too. Hap and Margie live out here. And believe it or not, Hap has only a mustache and shorter hair like me. Did you ever meet Bear?"

Kathy nodded her head, "Yeah, I know Bear, don't you remember, I met him at the clubhouse."

I told her quickly, "He lives out here too now and even has a lady that may become his wife."

As people began coming in the various doors, Sue, Mercy, Juanita, and Glenda were busy introducing everyone.

Someone hollered, "Here comes Kevin, get ready."

As Kevin walked in the door everyone yelled, "Surprise, Happy Birthday, Kevin."

He was surprised, but grabbed hold of Susan and gave her a big kiss, then grabbed his two kids and hugged both of them. They made him sit down and several presents came his way. Sue and Mercy had a couple that were from our household, so Kevin was being well taken care of.

Sue went in to get Greg and began taking him around to all of our friends, introducing him as another of my kids. When Sue came back I said, "You should be taking the other four with you when you introduce my kids. They're going to be my kids too."

Kathy corrected me, "They already are your kids. They want it so bad. The answer is yes, I will move down here to be with you. Will you get me another trailer?"

Mercy said, "He will not. You will live here with us. If this place isn't big enough, we'll just build on."

Kathy looked at Mercy a little crooked and said, "Do you mean what I think you mean? Do you want me to be another wife?"

Mercy looked shocked, "Don't you want to be? Don't you want to be Steve's wife too? You're already the mother of one of his children, why wouldn't you want to be a part of his close family."

Sue came over, still carrying Greg. She handed me Greg, pushed Kathy backwards so she sat on a couch, then sat in her lap. "Kathy, we are a happy family here. You and your children will make it happier. Our husband is only one man, but let me tell you, he's one hell of a man and we will all make sure you know you're as important to him as we are. You're not coming down to just hang out next door; you're coming here to be a part of us."

Kathy's dad said, "Are you guys Mormon or something?"

Sue said, "Not Mormon, we are just living together because we should. I'm legally married to Steve. I invited Mercy to be a part of Steve and me, and we both brought Juanita in to be with us. We have a lot of kids to take care of, so the extra help is good. Now we will have even more kids, so Kathy will be a help too. Mercy is going to have triplets and I'm going to have twins. We will soon have eight here, plus the new five. That's a lucky thirteen. If anyone is superstitious, we better have another real quick."

Sue gave Kathy a kiss and said, "We're all friends too, Kathy. I know you and I will get along fine."

Nancy came up to me and said, "Is this your new little boy? I just heard. I don't think Susan knows yet, but she will any second. I can't wait till she sees him. He does kind of look like you."

Nancy gave little Greg a hug and kiss, and asked, "Did I hear he comes with three brothers and a sister."

Nancy looked around and identified Kathy as the obvious new girl and mother of the kids. She sat next to Kathy and hugged her, whispering loud enough to be heard across the patio, "You are so lucky to be a part of this sexy group. God, you're going to have Steve to yourself every night, you lucky little girl."

Juanita said, "Nancy, hush, you will embarrass everyone."

"I always do, don't I?" said Nancy, laughing, heading for Susan.

Kathy asked, "Who are all these people? Where did they come from?"

At that moment there was a shriek, "Kathy, you're here." Shawna raced up and threw her arms around her.

Since Kathy is tall, Shawna's face was right into Kathy's bosom and as they hugged, Kathy squeaked and slapped at Shawna. "You haven't changed a bit. I hear you have two kids now. Do you know who the fathers are?"

"Oh, you bitch, I'll get you for that. My stump is the dad to both of my rug rats."

As she pointed to Greg, still in my arms, Sue said, "See what Kathy was hiding. She apparently carried away a prize from Steve."

"And you didn't even tell us. You didn't call Steve, that's not nice, Kathy. Steve is a great dad to all of our kids."

Charlie came in and gave Kathy a hug and kiss, and after finding out about another little boy, he said, "Oh boy, another kid to call me Daddy too."

Kathy looked puzzled, so Mercy said, "All the kids call all the guys 'Dad' and us 'Mom.' They do say Momma Sue or Momma Nita or Momma Shawna but we're all Momma. Glenda and my mom and Mercy's mom are 'Gamma' or Gramma.'"

Kathy's mother said, "This is heaven having so many grandkids. I would enjoy being around so many kids everyday. I just love little Greg, I'll bet this place is fun."

Kathy's dad asked me, "How are jobs down here. I'm sort of retired, but we can't live on my retirement income. If we were to sell the house and move down here, are there jobs?"

"Depends on what you do, Sir. There are jobs for mechanics, salesmen, welders, sheet metal workers, hotel people, all kinds of jobs."

He nodded and said, "I was a sewing machine mechanic for almost thirty years until they shut down the factory I worked at. Since then I've filled in doing repairs for the Necchi people."

Sue said, "You're hired. I employ several sewing machine mechanics, but always need more. I think we have about two thousand machines now."

"Two thousand? What company is that? Two thousand?" He asked, stunned at the number.

"This is home to Quality Wear Clothes. Some people know us as "BigGirlsClothes.com."

The man said, "I know who Quality Wear is. They're the biggest manufacturers in the southeast. They are the ones who don't have seconds, they only accept perfect work."

Sue said, "That's us. If you really want a job down here, we'll even help you relocate. We have a group that takes care of all the tough stuff and we'll help you with a place down here. Do you want a house, a condo, an apartment, or do you want to live out here with us?"

He stuck his hand out and said, "I haven't told anyone my name. It's Carl, like my grandson and this is my wife, Bessie. We are the Loftons. And if Bessie agrees, yes, I want your job, and yes, please help us to move and yes, I want to live right here as close to my daughter and her kids as I can."

"Dad," Kathy said, "I haven't said I was moving down or in with Steve yet. I know he wants to be with his kid, but do I want to live with his other women? I'll have to find out how that goes."

Kathy got up and hugged me, kissed me, and said, "I do still love you, you kinky sucker. Three wives and you want another? This is nuts, but I'm in."

Hap, Bear, and Margie were standing behind Kathy. I turned her around and she almost screamed. She hugged Hap, Bear, and Margie. The two women were almost crying. Kathy told Margie loud enough that we could all hear, "I'm moving back down, Marge. I'm going to live with Steve to see if he'll have me as another of his women."

Margie giggled, "Well, if you don't want him, I'll trade you Hap and I'll try out for a spot."

Crystal came up and blustered, "So who're you, Dolly. Are you another of Sue's babe's, or are you one of Mercy's. Steve just follows along and plugs whoever is left."

"Christ, Crystal, you are about the most crude little tart that ever was," I said, shaking my head.

"That's cause I don't get enough of your famous swingin' dick."

I just shook my head as Kathy said to Crystal, "Pretty good stuff, right? I know, because I took serious what he was pokin' for fun."

Crystal looked puzzled until Kathy scooped up Greg and said, "Meet another little Steve, this is Greg which is also Steve's middle name."

Crystal took the kid and said, "You're a cutie. I'll give you a quarter if you'll give me a call in about fifteen years." She turned to me and said, "You sucker, and you know what word I would have used. How do you keep putting out good looking kids?"

The entire evening was taken up introducing the visitors to all our people and discussing Greg. I finally said loud enough for everyone to hear, "Kathy and all of her kids, including Greg, are moving into our house right now, forever.

"Kathy's mom and dad, Carl and Bessie Lofton, are moving down here as soon as it can be arranged. The good news is Carl is going to be the new head sewing machine mechanic out here at the park, plus he will help at the main location some time.

"Give a welcome to Carl and Bessie, J.J., the other Carl, Ben, Barbara, Greg, and especially to Kathy."

There was a lot of hooting and clapping as the group welcomed new people.

During the evening, we were able to get Greg down first next to Steve, next we were able to pair up Ben and Carl, but we let J.J. have a room by himself and Barbara had a room by herself. Carl and Bessie were stashed in one of the big rooms, and Sue led Kathy to the room that Kate had been given but ended up never using. When she showed Kathy the nice cozy room she said, "We know we all fit in the bed, so if you want to join us, we want you."

Kathy went into the little room and appeared in a robe a few minutes later. I was sitting out on the patio after everyone had left, thinking how busy this place was going to be with four older kids. Kathy and Sue came out and sat on either side of me.

Kathy said, "I'm kind of scared about this. I'm about to climb in bed with a man that I love, but haven't seen in over a couple of years, plus I'm getting into bed with a bunch of women who I'm told like women, or at least like women as much as men."

I patted Kathy and said, "You can be on the outside so nothing will happen to you. The girls will respect your space."

Kathy smiled at Sue and said, "Maybe I don't want them to respect my space. Maybe I want to get to know them better. What then?"

Sue said, "Tell you what, Kathy, You start out for a few minutes between Steve and me, then move to between me and Mercy. Mercy will swap with Juanita and I can swap with Steve. That way you can have a little of all of us."

That's about how it worked out. There wasn't a lot more than a lot of kissing and touching. It was very relaxed, with me falling asleep lying on the outside hugging Sue's back, while she hugged Kathy.

Original Editing by Pepere
New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 65



Hmmm, I almost had too much to drink last night. No wonder, seeing Kathy after a few years and she comes in the door with a baby that my sister says looks just like I did when I was a baby and looks enough like Stevie to be a twin. I have another baby, another son. I'm happy for that, but am I that scary that a woman who professed love would keep this from me?

I gotta get up. This has my head spinning. I need to reason this thing out, then I'll be sane.

But what do my girls think of this? What must they think of me? I'm pretty much scum for not making sure that didn't happen with Kathy. Why didn't she just call me, or write me a letter, or tell Glenda? Damn, I'm getting up, I need coffee.

I slid from bed, pee'd, put on some shorts and T-shirt, and went into the kitchen. It was only four thirty, so I was the only one up. I made coffee for myself and sat at the counter waiting to have that first cup.

"Whoa!" I jumped, when a hand slid around my side and hugged me to a heavy-breasted Sue.

"Sorry, Honey, I didn't mean to scare you," Sue said, kissing my cheek. "Does the news have you upset?"

"An understatement, Sue," I said hugging her back and turning to have her between my legs in a full body hug. "You, Mercy, and Juanita must think I'm really bad for letting something like this happen and not taking care of them."

"Not in the least, Honey," Sue said, hugging me. "We know how you are and how you love us and your kids. The one thing you are not is stingy, and if you knew Kathy needed help, you have been all over it."

The coffee was gurgling, signifying that it was done, so I got up and poured myself a cup giving Sue a half-cup, along with a glass of orange juice.

She was sitting at the counter now too and said, "When I talked to Kathy before she came, she told me about Greg. She told me that she was afraid to come back down here when he was born, and the longer she didn't tell you, the more difficult she said it was. She wasn't ashamed of having your baby, but she was ashamed she couldn't tell you."

I said, "Sue, the time Kathy and I had together was so short, so intense, but really it was a very short time."

"She knows that too, and said that the horror that went on here during that time drove her away. She was terrified that something would happen to her kids or to her and her kids would be orphans. She just wanted to be gone from here."

I asked, "Why would she be so willing to come down here now? Why wouldn't some of those fears still be present?"

"Steve, Honey, her kids think you are their dad, or at least they want you to be their dad. They know you are Greg's dad and they want some of the love they think you're going to give Greg. Kathy knows from Glenda and Shawna that the place is safe, secure, and full of love now. She had heard how we've expanded our home and the small patio so more and more people can be friends. She's been living up north in a house in a development that you know is probably not all that friendly. She misses her friends here, and she misses you. She wants her kids to grow up here and she wants them to grow up with you as their dad."

I shook my head in lack of understanding and asked the scary question, "How do you feel about this? You and Mercy and our kids are the most important things in my life. Juanita is too, but you two are the mothers of my kids and are carrying five more. Here's this woman walking in the door with four partially grown kids and one about the same age as Stevie. What do you really think about this?"

Sue took my hands in hers and looked at me, "When Kathy was here, I didn't know her well, but I really liked her. When you got together with her, I was very jealous. Well, maybe not jealous, but very envious. I wanted you to be having fun with me the way you were with Kathy. Once we were together, I knew you and I were a match. I still believe that with all my heart. I also learned with Mercy that we three are a match, and then we brought Juanita into our family."

Sue scooted around on her stool, "Kate is a match too, and we could live happily ever after with her, but she still loves Jim, as she should. He's the father of Carson and she wants him to be the father of this new baby as well."

"When Kathy and I talked the first time, I felt something tug inside of me. As we first met when I picked them up, we hugged and I felt that we were going to be together forever. Kathy pulled back and had tears in her eyes. She told me she felt some kind of pull from me that she couldn't explain."

After taking a sip from her orange juice, Sue continued, "I had Kathy ride up front with me so we could talk. We talked about everything. We even talked about this talk you and I are having right this minute. She knew you would be thrown for a loop, but I told her that you would love to have her and her kids. I want her and her kids. Mercy does too, as she thinks they are very sweet and can't wait to smother them with the love she has to give. You should have seen her with Greg. Mercy had Greg down on the floor with Lizzy and Mike, and was explaining to Greg that they are his brother and sister too, just like Stevie is. The two little ones gave Greg one of their two fisted wet smooches and he was won over."

"Mercy had Kathy come down on the floor and sit with her as she introduced Kathy to the little ones. Mike said, 'Ka, Ka, Kathy, mommy Kathy?" She burst out crying and hugged him to her. She got the same two fisted kisses and was instantly in love with the little ones."

"I know this is fast, almost too fast, Steve, but us three girls want to be four now and we want to have five more kids too. The house is big enough and if it isn't, we'll just add another section. Just relax with it, Honey, and everything will work out. Kathy's folks even want to move down here so you know they all feel good about us."

I looked up at Sue, "There's nothing to do but see what'll happen. I'm surprised Kathy just slid right into bed with you guys last night. That was pretty unreal the way you all seem to get along. I hope it lasts, I hope it works."

Kathy came into the kitchen and said, "My ears were ringing. You guys are talking about me."

I held my arms out and she came to me and stood between my legs. I kissed Kathy softly on the lips, hugging her too me. "Yes, we were talking about you, we were talking about how we could make you feel comfortable with all of us and how we are going to brainwash you into joining our family."

"No need to brainwash," Kathy answered. "When Sue and I had our first conversation, I had already talked to Glenda quite a bit. She said that my kids and I would be a perfect fit for this family. She didn't know about Greg yet, but she said over and over to call you and ask to come down. She said I wouldn't be here a day before you guys would try to get me to move in with you."

Kathy reached over and stroked Sue's cheek, "Sue and I talked all the way down here. We only talked about how to make you comfortable with me becoming a part of the family. Steve, I really want to be here. I really want my kids to have a bunch of moms and dads like your little ones. I want them to know that you're their real dad too, though. I don't want them to ever forget Jake, but I want them to call you dad too. The way Mercy and Juanita have opened their arms to me is so special. I fell in love with Sue instantly, and when I met the other two, I knew right away that we would work. Thank you, thank you, Steve, for asking me to come down."

"Sit, have some coffee. Pretty soon it's going to get busy around here. It's getting close to six, so Glenda is probably prowling around in her kitchen waiting for me to turn the light on outside. Maggie is going to show up soon too."

Kathy kissed me, then kissed Sue, "I'll be right back, I have to go potty. If you remember, when I drink coffee, I drink it black."

Sue said, "See, she feels okay about this. She feels better than okay. She wants us, she wants to be a part of us."

When Kathy came back, the clock said five fifty-five, so I turned the light on, opened the doors and turned the TV on to the morning cable news channel.

Kathy said, "When you do something, you do it up right. The patio is awesome. You had the biggest one around before, and now it's a regular party place. There are probably not as many people that come in the morning as there were last night. That was a pretty big crowd last night."

Sue laughed, "Last night was not big. There will probably be more people this morning because a bunch of the guys were at a hockey game and some were out fishing. They will all be here this morning, so you'll get an idea of the regulars. Tonight is the Friday night gathering, and if there is anything special going, there will be a huge crowd. Just hang on. If you want peace and solitude, this isn't the place. When we need to get away, we go sailing."

"Sue said you guys have a sail boat. I'd love to go sailing. Do you take the kids?" Kathy asked.

"We take everyone," Sue said. "The boat is really big and has room for all of us. We'll take a weekend and sail somewhere. Since your kids are in school, we'll either have to home school them, or only travel when they are on vacation."

Glenda came in the house and gave Kathy a hug. "Did you get some loving last night from the father of your smallest?"

"No, Glenda, we all just went to sleep. I think we were all too nervous. Steve got up at some ungodly hour and was out here drinking coffee with Sue when I woke up."

Glenda looked at Sue, "Hmmmm, that's not the way you treat new companions in your bed, Sue. Perhaps we need to let you kids just hang out together today to get to know one another."

Maggie came in at the same instant Tiny, Ruth, Abe, Alice, Margie, Hap, Crystal, Bear, Mickey, and Samantha came in. They began pouring coffee and settling at one of the big tables, talking about what was going on today.

I told Kathy to just sit back and watch, as watching the interaction is just as much fun as being a part of it.

Shawna came in, carrying Sean and leading CJ, who was leading his dad. CJ came and gave Sue, Glenda, and Maggie a kiss and hug. He looked at Kathy, and came over and gave her a kiss and hug too. He said, "Big kids mommy, Greg's mommy, are you my mommy, too?"

Kathy was won. Something small can make such a big difference. Sue went to get our critters up and had Kathy help her get Juanita and Mercy going. I heard some squeals, and it took them a long time to come out. When they did, they were all showered and dressed, and the four kids were with them.

J.J. came out and sat with me. "There's a lot of people out there. Do they come every morning too?"

"They come for coffee and breakfast, J.J." At that moment the bellhop from the hotel showed up with a big box of sandwiches and the two big boxes of pastries.

Susan and Kevin came in with Tina and Dennis. Dennis came over to J.J. and said, "After breakfast we're going over to play some basketball at the sports complex. Do you want to come? Later we'll probably get up a baseball game. If your brothers want to come, they should. We'll have a lot of fun."

Kathy said, "What is the sports complex, and where is it?"

Tiny had come inside and said, "The man here decided the kids in this part of the county needed some baseball fields for little league, so he built them. While he was at it, he built some soccer fields, some football fields, some basketball and tennis courts, and a big meeting building. The county even has a permanent field director out here. We make them leave the courts and some of the fields open for the local kids to play on."

Kathy looked at me funny, "I guess you're more than you look, and more than I thought."

Henry was standing there with a cup of coffee and was laughing hard enough to slosh the coffee out of his cup. "He's a hell of lot more than he looks. He's down right dangerous. A good dangerous though, as wherever he goes, luck, success, and happiness follows."

I whispered to Kathy, "He's my brother, so he's blowing smoke to impress you."

"I heard that," Mercy said. "Steve is lucky and he brings happiness with him. He's become a good businessman too. Wait till you get an idea of what all he's involved in. It's kind of hard to believe."

The patio was now jammed with our crew getting ready to head out to work. I asked Hannah if she was going to head toward the plant in the park, but Henry said he was going to his office over there first thing. I asked Henry if he would give Kathy's dad, Carl, a look at the plant. I told him that Carl may be the answer to our machine mechanic supervisor woes.

Henry said, "I'll take him over to Tim's place and see if he wants to start a class on sewing machine repair. Perhaps Carl knows some folks up north that would want to relocate down here. We have the jobs, we just can't find the people."

Carl said, "Show me this place. If you all are what you sound like, I'll get you a dozen men down here fast. They're all looking for work now that the plant up there closed."

I told Debbie that I probably wasn't going to come in today as I was going to spend some time catching up with Kathy and her kids.

After a shower and dressing in my usual jeans and S&S T-shirt, I gave all the little ones a kiss and hug, including the new four who were negotiating with Bessie about going over to the sports complex. Sue said that the first thing they were going to do was that she was going to take them in my truck down to pick them up some bicycles so they could get around.

Before I could offer, the four kids, along with Tina and Dennis, were on their way to wherever it was that sold bikes. Dennis didn't need a bike, but I had often seen Tammy and him on a bike. Tina had one too and she had her Mustang. I guess bikes out here were important for short trips.

I told Kathy, "Come take a ride with me. Let me show you the sports complex and the park." I took her around to where this household had several carts parked. We used a small one and rode over to the sports complex area.

"Wow, Steve, this place is huge." She began counting, then said, you have two softball fields and six baseball fields all the way from little guys all the way up. J.J. plays ball, so he'll like this. There are four, five, six soccer fields and three football fields? And look at that, there must be ten tennis courts, along with six full-size basketball courts. Ben, Carl and Barb play soccer and Barb loves softball. This place is going to be their haunt. Is it safe out here?"

"Kathy, Hap and Bear are the co-managers of our security group out here. Would you feel good if your kids were being watched by Hap and Bear?"

"No shit, they work here? They're security guards?"

"More than just security guards, they supervise the twenty man crew that watches where we live, the sports complex, and the business park. Let me show you or at least give you a quick look at the park."

We drove down to the RV center, where a big bus was letting a bunch of retirees out to go across the street to the cart plant. There were a few folks who wandered over to the huge RVs to kind of do some wishful thinking. So many times, that wishful thinking became a reality, and we sold another big live-in bus.

I told her about the cart plant and how it became the size it was now. We went to the truck/tractor sales building. It resembles a car dealership, except there are huge trucks in the showroom and out in front of the building. We stopped so we could walk through the maintenance area and the chassis rebuilding plant. I tried to explain what we were doing, but Kathy was a little confused about how much activity there was.

We drove over to the body plant where they were mounting two bodies onto rebuilt chasses. Crystal was in the middle of everything, pushing, pulling, and helping to set it down right so it could be easily bolted on.

From there, we went by what I called the small business mall, where a variety of small businesses flourished. Among them was Billy's place, so I stopped so we could go in and see Billy.

"Holy shit, Kathy, where in the hell have you been? I heard you moved back up north, are you coming back?"

The two hugged and Kathy asked how Connie was, and Kathy said, "I'm moving back to live with Steve and his family. Steve is going to be my kids' dad. Isn't that great?"

"They're lucky kids, Kathy. Steve's a great guy. He'll be a good dad to them. He'll be a good man for you too." Billy looked at me, "You're going to have a full house, Bud. Are you going to have to expand that mansion again?"

"Don't know, Billy, but if we do, we'll just add another section and not worry about it."

We left Billy and looked at the big school where I explained that inside, people were being taught welding, sheet metal work, mechanical techniques, diesel mechanics, small engine repair, fiberglass forming, and if we get lucky, perhaps sewing machine repair.

Kathy said, "So you were serious? You'll really do something with my dad?"

"Very serious, Kathy. Carl is with my brother, Henry, right now, checking out what he has to work with. We need to establish a group to take care of our own equipment instead of farming it out. We don't get perfect work out of contract people the way we should, and our people lose time making clothes. If they can't have confidence in their machine, they don't do their best and they are unhappy. Our people demand of themselves to do a good job. We don't push them to hurry, we push them to be exact, to do a good job on every stitch and cut."

As we drove toward the huge clothing plant complex, Kathy said, "Is that all clothing factory?"

"Actually, Kathy, there are six separate factories there, in the center is a cafeteria for the entire park, and a very large daycare center. We have about two hundred kids in daycare most days, but right now, during spring break there may be five to six hundred kids to take care of. They hire practical nurses and other professional caregivers during these times."

I pointed out into the meadows between the plant and the sports complex, "See those groups of kids? The daycare folks try to get them outside to play a little during the day. They will go back in to watch movies or do crafts. We have to take care of the kids if their folks are going to do a good job."

I drove through the winding roads out to the motel. "This is ours, too. We also lease the buildings for the restaurant across the highway and the other one down the road. There is a new Carrabas just up the road in our little center, and on the other side of the trailer park is a shopping center with Publix and a bunch of other shops. Let's drive back through the main gate so you can see that we do have security."

A young guy who checked every car and truck that entered was manning the gate. When I drove up, he hollered, "Morning, Mr. Sharp." I introduced him to Kathy and told him she would be living here now and that we would make sure everyone knew her, her kids, and her folks. The young guy was very nice and said, "Welcome to our home, Ma'am. This is great place to live and work."

When we got back to the house, Martin was just finishing adjusting bicycles to fit the kids. They were ready for a ride so they asked Kathy if they could go with Dennis, Tina, and Tammy. Kathy smiled and said, be careful and listen to what Dennis tells you okay?"

"Okay, Mom," came the chorus.

They all rode off, with Tina and Tammy following to make sure everyone stayed together. I smiled that Dennis and Tina were so responsible. I wondered why they were not working today, as they usually worked on non-school days.

When we went back into the patio, Kathy went to sit at one of the small round tables. When Juanita, Mercy, and Glenda joined her, Kathy said, "This is too much. Steve just showed me the business park and all of the businesses there. There must be two, three thousand people over there."

Sue came up and said, "Not that many, but close to two thousand over there now."

"Do they all work for you guys? Is that all yours? How can that be?"

Sue pulled up a chair while I went for coffee. Sue explained, "Steve started his business in the small rental place down the road and made a deal for a building down that way. I'll take you down to see my plant there too. Anyway, he surrounded himself with people who put out great product and helped him sell equipment. Every time he made money, he put it back into the business. He kept doing this and as you can see, his ideas, his work practices, business sense, and luck have really grown the businesses."

Sue had everyone get something to drink and sit back down. "I had a small business where I sold clothes over the Internet. Steve encouraged me, and with some luck, the clothing business grew by leaps and bounds. I made a lucky deal on a factory across the street from Steve's shop, and let him show my people how to do perfect work and the concept of doing their best. It worked, that place has outgrown itself, and is now three big buildings that employ about six hundred garment workers. We know we can't continue to grow the way we have, but we're trying to help the community at the same time. We train garment workers and Steve has a training center that teaches trades. Every time Steve has had a challenge, we end up growing. Every time we try a new idea, we end up with a new company and continue to grow. This is all overwhelming to you, and it's overwhelming to Steve. I'm used to it, as Steve just keeps coming up with more and more ways for his company to expand."

I had to say something. "Kathy, I'm not the key here, people like Abe, Tiny, Ruth, Judy, Phil, Ryan, and so many more, are what make this place work. When I've given Phil the chance to sell something, he's sold all we can have built and make. When I give Tiny some money, he invests it and it grows in bunches. Some of it is luck, but most of it is the people who make this place tick. The core is those that you see here in the morning and in the evening."

At that instant, a big truck came and a crew began erecting a big tent.

"What now?" asked Kathy.

Mercy said, "When Phil, Tiny, Ryan, or one of Sue's people have something to announce, we have the folks come out for a Friday night party. We'll have food, lots to drink, some horseshoe and pool games, lots of music and fun, and the announcements. You'll love this, Kathy, it is special. Oh, the caterer's here, I need to talk to him."

Mercy left to talk to the caterer then came back. "Tiny ordered the party, so it's either him, Phil, or Ryan, or all three, that have something to announce. See that, they're going to have two bars in the big tent tonight, so that means a lot of people. Watch, the beer truck will be here any minute with two kegs for out there and an extra one for in here."

Maggie had been out talking to the caterer too and came back in. "Oh boy, barbecue tonight. Barbecued brisket, with some beef and pork roasts. Good eating tonight."

Kathy said, "This is all just so amazing. Let me check on Greg to see how he's doing."

I went inside with Kathy to see Susan and Beth sitting on the floor with all the kids. Bessie was sitting with the two women listening and learning how they were teaching. The older ones were sitting in a circle and the three smaller kids were sitting in the front. Susan was having them use a word, then she would give them another. Greg was having a great time and would smile and answer each time it was his turn. Kathy grabbed my hand and took me back to the patio.

"They're teaching them all how to talk. You, Sue, or Mercy said they did that, but I didn't think they really did. My God, did you hear Greg, he sounded like an adult. Wow, that's really something. Do they do that often?"

Sue said, "Every day they're all here. When we were gone, Susan did it by herself during that time. I think you helped too, didn't you, Glenda?"

"I'm not as good as they are. Sue's mom loves to come out when she's in town. She just adores all of the little ones. When she met Greg, she was all agog over another grandbaby. She'll be spoiling him rotten."

Mercy said, "Wow! Wait till Mom hears we have another baby and four more big kids. I bet she'll be here in a flash. Dad's going to have a fit. He thinks we're a cult anyway, so he's going to flip out over us expanding the family this way."

Mercy said to Kathy, "Get your mom, and let Juanita and me take you over to Dunedin to show you some more of Steve and his guys' dealings. Steve, we won't go out, we'll just show Kathy around a little and fill her in on our trip."

Sue said, "Let's get lunch with the kids and while they are down for a nap, we'll go to the gym and up to the pool for some sun. If the girls get back, they can come up to the pool too."

Shortly after the girls left for Dunedin, the big kids all came back, riding their bikes, with the new four exclaiming about the tent. Dennis and Tina tried to explain the deal, but ended up just saying, "Wait, you'll see. It's wild with a couple hundred of your Dad's friends here."

There was barely a pause before Dennis looked around, "What's for lunch? Do you want us to warm up some soup and start making sandwiches?"

Sue and I helped Glenda, Dennis, and Tina get stuff ready. J.J, Ben, Carl, and Barb all helped with glasses of milk and getting some high chairs out. Soon more and more people showed up for lunch. There were only about twenty-five, but it was still impressive to someone not used to it.

Henry and Carl came for lunch and met Nancy, who was returning from the other factory. She had been helping Ruth hire new folks for the coming training cycle.

We told Carl that Bessie and Kathy had gone over to Dunedin to check out our charter services there. I told him, "We have some fishing boats, big ones, flats boats, and we now have some sailboats that go out on charter. They should all be in port right now, getting ready to either leave for the weekend or go out for a week or a month. The girls really enjoy sailing."

"What size sailboats do you have? I had a twenty-six footer when Kathy was young. She really liked it."

Sue said casually, "Our smallest is sixty feet, but we have a very nice hundred and ten footer, and our big one is a hundred and seventy-five footer."

Carl choked and blew bits of sandwich all over. "Did you say a hundred seventy-five foot?"

Sue smiled, "We just got back from sailing it to Europe and back. We'll have to tell you about it."

Beth chimed in, "Mercy's mother went with them and I met them in Rome. We did a lot of sightseeing and when we went to the Riviera, Steve won so much money, they wanted him to leave."

"Oh Beth, they didn't want us to leave. They wanted us to lose some of it back to them," I said, scoffing at the idea that they would make us leave.

Beth went right on, "One of Steve's friends owns part of a casino there and one of the big hotels. The man is super-wealthy, but is always following Steve as he says Steve brings him luck."

Carl said, "Steve, you have so much going on, I don't know what to believe. Henry shocked me when he said you have an air charter service and you even own a Lear Jet. Is that true?"

"Yes sir, the company leases a Lear Jet. The air charter company has a bunch of airplanes. That reminds me, Sue, we need to put our dibs in on trading for the 1900D. Our family is now too big for anything else."

"Get us a Gulfstream, Steve. That would work."

"No way. The Super King Air will be fine. If there are only a couple of us, we can always use one of the smaller 200's."

"Or the Lear, Honey, you know I'm scheduled for the school, don't you? And Mercy is signed up with DeDe to begin flight school next month. We're going to be a flying family."

Carl said, "You really do have all of this going, don't you? I remember you in that little trailer house that was right here when we came to get Kathy and the kids. She was so upset, I thought she was going to have a breakdown. She didn't want to leave you, but she just had to get out of here. She was a little afraid of you though, because of the way you had to be to protect them. You reminded her so much of Jake, that she felt like she was leaving Jake, and knew she wanted to be away from here then."

When we finished lunch, Sue helped get the kids settled down, lying in the living room before a bunch of us took off for the gym. All of Kathy's kids came with us to see what we did and joined us first on the treadmills, and on the weight machines. J.J. said he had been going to the gym with his mom and had been doing a series of exercises meant for his age to build muscle without hurting himself. He said that he had been teaching Carl and Ben the same exercises, but they didn't come often. The surprise was little Barbara. Of course she wasn't so little anymore, but she jumped on a treadmill and worked herself up to six miles an hour at a very steep incline. She maintained that until we were ready to leave. Her only comment was, "I'll never be a weightlifter or super strong girl, but I'll be able to run forever. That's my goal."

We went home, put on swimsuits and altogether, including Greg, went to the pool where Beth and Glenda were instructing everyone to put on sunscreen and lotion. The Florida people were already pretty tan, but the northern folks were very pale.

Big Carl almost had a heart attack when Lizzy went running toward the deep end of the pool and jumped in. She sank first and came up floating on her back, giggling. Little Mike and Sean did the same thing, then it was funny to see little Steve swimming past the laboring J.J.

"Are these kids part fish? How could you let them be out in the deep end like that? You're not even out there with them."

Beth said, "Watch, I'll call them over."

Beth hollered, "Sean, Mikey, Liz, come out of the pool for a minute."

All three little ones rolled to their tummies and sort of swam, dog paddled to the side. They pulled themselves up and onto the concrete, then went over to stand in front of Beth. She wiped the water from their faces, gave them all a kiss, and said, "Okay, go back and play, but play down in the shallow end."

She forgot to tell them how to get there, so they ran together to cannon ball into the pool, followed by their awkward swim stroke to the shallow end. Beth took Greg by the hand and said, "Come on Greg, let's learn how to swim."

In no time at all, she had Greg floating on his back. Sean, Mike, and Lizzy kept floating right by him as they enjoyed the water. I'm sure this inspired Greg to learn faster.

Glenda and Maggie were busy telling everyone that these were Kathy's kids and for those who remembered Kathy, she was telling them that Kathy was coming back down to live.

Mercy, Juanita, Kathy, and Bessie all showed up in their swimsuits to join us at the pool. While Mercy and Juanita were making sure the northern ladies had enough lotion on them, Bessie was talking a mile a minute, trying to tell Carl everything she saw and how beautiful the two big boats were.

Bessie turned and looked out toward the pool and squealed, "Greg's going to drown, he's out in the pool, look, isn't someone going to get him?"

Mercy said, "Mom's with him, she's probably teaching him how to swim. See the other three little ones, floating on their backs. See Stevie, he really is swimming well already. Watch this, Mike Honey, Lizzy, Sean, come here for a minute."

The three little kids did as they had before, doing their awkward crawl stroke back to the pool side in front of us and climbed out. Mercy gave each a hug and kiss on the forehead as she wiped the water from their faces. "Do you want Daddy Steve to throw you in?"

Three smiling faces began nodding with Lizzy saying, "Trow me in, trow us in, Daddy."

I picked up Liz, swung her back and forth a couple of times then pitched her into the pool. Giggling all the way, she landed in the water and submerged, coming back to the surface on her back, squealing with glee.

Mike and Sean were hollering, "Legs, legs, legs." This mean that I should pick them up by the ankles swing them back and forth then pitch them head first into the pool yelling, "Alley Oop." When I picked Mike up by the legs, he was yelling, "Spin me, spin me." This always scared me so I went near the edge and when the area was clear, I tossed Mike into the air so he was turning over and over until he splattered into the water. He too surfaced on his back yelling, "More, more, Daddy."

"My goodness, aren't you afraid they will drown?" Bessie asked.

Sue said, "Not really, they love the rough stuff but Steve watches them real close when he gives in and tosses them in. We've made them comfortable in the water in case they fall off a boat when we're not fast enough to catch them. When they are on deck, they all have to wear life jackets, but this will help them to be unafraid in the water until we can get them back out."

Mercy then said, "Besides, Florida kids need to know how to swim early, when they're young. Now that we have heated pools and can swim all year round, the kids need the exercise."

Kathy said, "Just look at Greg, he's floating on his back and already trying to swim like Stevie. The fastest is little Robbie, with Mia a close second. These kids are great. My older ones will enjoy playing with them."

Tina came out of the pool to talk to Susan, her mom. "Mom, you need to talk to the rec center people. They don't have me scheduled for lifeguard duty this next month at all. I told Debbie that I was going to do lifeguard work and not to schedule me at the shop. I don't think I did anything wrong."

Susan looked at Sue, and Sue said, "I'll ask about it. Perhaps the rec center manager didn't understand that you want to work. They think that since you're related to Steve, you're covered up in cash. They don't know Steve and his family very well. He isn't cheap, but he thinks everyone needs to work."

Kathy asked with a laugh, "And what would you have me do, Master?"

I swatted her on the bottom and said, "You may have enough to do taking care of kids. I suppose you could be added to the group that takes care of the house and kids. With five more, we'll need the help."

Bessie said, "Include me in that group. I want to be around all you folks as much as possible."

I did my fast laps until I was winded before we went back home so the kids could get a snack and rest for while, as this evening would wear them out.

While everyone seemed busy preparing for this evening, I slipped back to the bedroom and laid down for a short nap.

As I became conscious, my hand was grasping a large unfamiliar breast. It was larger than Juanita's, but not as large, and softer, than Sue's or even Juanita's. My mind didn't want to wake up but my hand against a bare breast was sinking in.

As lips touched mine, I opened my eyes. Kathy was smiling as she kissed me. She was lying with me, topless with just her swim bottoms on, and a leg over mine.

"You know what I said about a ready made family. I guess you're finally taking me up on it. I love you, Steve. I know this is quick, but this is right. This is what is supposed to be. Your ladies told me to come wake you up this way. They said you enjoy being kissed awake."

I hugged Kathy to me, continuing to massage her large soft breast. Kathy said, "They're not as big as Sue's, but they still enjoy you playing with them. Your son still wants to nurse. I have to keep them covered or he latches onto one of them so fast it'll make you laugh. I guess I should warn the ladies, as I'll bet he goes after Sue and Mercy."

As she said that, I bent to suck a large nipple into my mouth, swirling my tongue around the areola and nipple. "Oh yes, Steve, suck them, love them for me."

With the continued passion, Kathy was soon pushing my swim trunks down to get at my raging hard on. My hand found its way beneath her bikini bottom and was massaging her soft wet lower lips.

"Take them off, push them off, I'm ready, oh so ready, please, Steve, love me."

Magically, our bottoms were off and Kathy pulled me on top of her while grasping me and pushing me directly into her. She was tight, so very tight. She didn't feel like a mom who had given birth to five kids. It took several in and out thrusts to oil me up enough to bury myself in her depths.

"Oh God, that feels so good. Oh Steve, that feels so good. I've missed you. You were the last man that I had and I'm glad that you are the first since then. We made Greg in our passion and now I'm so hot, we're going to make another unless you put something on or you let me suck it out of you."

Kathy was slowly swiveling her hips up to me and pulling back to repeat the thrust again. It was slow, agonizingly slow, but oh so sexy. Our rhythm picked up until her hips were rapidly meeting my fast thrusts. Kathy's pussy was clutching me like a vise as she held my lips to hers to keep from screaming. When she finally relaxed, my will power to keep from letting loose was at its end. I began pulling out from Kathy, but she was holding my butt to her with her heels. "Kathy, let me up, let me pull out, I'm cumming, Kathy, let me up."

Two large squirts were already deep in her, but I still pulled from Kathy just far enough that my dick was between us. She pulled me down on her as what was left of my juices shot up between us. I had not completely lain down on her when the third shot went up to her nose, with a stripe down her lips, chin, throat, and chest. Our lips meshed, with us both tasting what I had just shot there. The act of us kissing with a cum chaser must have been exciting, since she came with a shudder again as we kissed and hugged.

"I don't know whether I really wanted you to pull out, Steve. With all of these pregnant women, I feel I should have another."

"Oh no, Kathy, your body has done its share. You got a healthy dose of my sperm way up in there, but let's save you for loving and mothering. You've given life to five wonderful children, you're quite a mother."

"I love being a mother, especially to children that come from men I love."

"Perhaps it's time for me to consider a snip job, but that wouldn't help with the way this group plays some times. We need to think about a way you won't get pregnant.

"Rhythm doesn't work worth a damn with me. Ben, Carl, Barb, and Greg are proof. I'm going to need more than some loving a couple of days after and a couple of days before my period. You're going to have to use rubbers or I'm going to have to use something.

Kathy said, "You know, at first I thought that perhaps when we partied in the hot tub, Charlie or Jim might have done it to me, but even then I knew it was yours. When Greg came out, there was no mistaking who his dad is. Now you'll have to worry about how to keep him from having another brother or sister." Then she teased, "If you didn't already fix me up."

As we lay, still pressed together, not letting all the juices escape from between us, Sue and Mercy came in the bedroom. "Gotcha," Sue said, and lay down behind Kathy, kissing her neck and reaching around to caress her breast.

Mercy lay behind me and reached between us, then brought her hand out, looking at the juices that came with her. She tasted her fingers and said, "Aged perfectly, it's definitely a recent Steve vintage, with a perfect flavor."

Kathy began laughing and Sue scooped her hand between us and said, "Ah, wasted fluids. I'll bet you told him that you weren't protected. If you had kept your mouth shut, your pussy could be swimming in this stuff."

Kathy was giggling at the two girls, when Sue said, "You've had enough babies, Kathy, and when Mercy and I have ours, that will be enough for our bodies too. We need to take care of ourselves so we are around for our grandchildren."

Kathy said, "Steve was just telling me enough was enough. We weren't fast enough and he got a couple of good shots up in there. I thought another little girl would be nice, but he says no. I'll have to find a good birth control method, or Steve will have to use rubbers all the time."

"We'll look together," Mercy said. "Shawna is using a new pill that she's comfortable with. Sandy and Mandy are using the same one and they said they are doing fine. Margie uses the Norplant, but says she's going to switch to the pill Shawna's using when her renewal comes up. Then there's Crystal, who's daring Bear to get her pregnant. She's definitely on her way, as she says she's fucking him at least twice daily until she's pregnant."

Kathy asked, "Are they getting married?"

"Crystal says she couldn't care less about getting married," Sue said. "She just wants Bear's kid. She told me if he asks, she'll say yes, but she wasn't holding her breath."

Kathy and I got up and took a quick shower. We could hear the party outside winding up to a gentle roar.

The place was packed when we went outside. It was just five fifteen, so it seemed everyone was ready for a party and most had taken off a little early. Kathy checked on all her kids, to find them having a great time with other kids from the park that were same age. J.J. was helping the older kids park cars, while Ben and Carl were watching all the activity in awe. Barbara was busy with Beth and Glenda, making up vegetable trays for the tables from the bags the caterer had brought.

I sat at the bar talking with Ryan, Tiny, Abe, Jeff, and Phil. They were all excited about the shows that Phil had been putting on. Abe says that each time Phil gave a seminar, his rebuild orders shot up. He said the super lift orders were at the highest rate since we started, and we were sending some of our work to St. Louis since we couldn't handle it all. Ryan said St. Louis was getting a lot of west coast and central Gulf coast orders too, and was now as backordered as we were in Florida.

"Tiny," I said, thinking of a good solution, "Let's go ahead and build another superlift repair plant, or at least move what we have into a bigger facility. I know how to get the rest of the Gulf coast business now that I've been to Ireland. We'll have stuff barged in. I'll bet we can pick up a lot of business from the rest of the Gulf ports, some Mexican ports, and we haven't even considered Puerto Rico. Any port close enough to ship by barge should be good. We'll need port crane services and probably our own trucks to get them from there to here."

"Sounds good, Steve, I wonder what barge companies do general hauling between Tampa and other ports. I'll do some leg work and perhaps it will relieve St. Louis of the lower Midwest rebuilds. Since the port isn't as busy with shipbuilding as they were, there may be a building near the water we can lease. I'll have Ben check on that. Abe, you were saying you had several prospects for mechanics, we may need them."

I raised my hand to toast the key men around me. We were all smiling, happy to find another way to do business. As the time passed, all of Kathy's kids came up to me and sat with me for a few minutes. Little Greg was getting a ton of attention as it became known he was another of my offspring. I was still embarrassed that he had been on the ground for so long and I had not been taking care of him.

Carl and Bessie were sitting on one of the love seats in the lounge area of the patio, sipping beer and watching people. They had wandered around outside through the big tent and mingled with all the people there for the evening.

After lots of barbecue pork and beef, with potato salad, corn on the cob, and lots of green salad, Tiny got out the microphone and plugged it in.

"Gather around, folks, I need to say a few words."

Everyone knew Tiny and Phil could get long-winded, so almost all made a pass at one of the bars to refill their beer cups and mugs.

"First and foremost, we want to welcome back Steve and his family. Sue, Mercy, Juanita, Kate, Missy, and Beth, all said Steve was generally a good boy while he was in Europe. I'll let Phil tell you how good, except that while our leader was in Ireland, he decided we should be in the manufacturing business over there. Steve made arrangements for us to begin making carts and "hear this," a whole new line of lifts and super lifts designed by our own Abe and the techs within the company."

That brought applause and hollering.

"You know he's done it again, because Phil will tell you, he's just shown up in places and we've received orders."

"The Canadian operation in Montreal is in the black. That means that we have sold enough to recoup all of our capital outlay for startup and actually make money in operations. The new manufacturing facility of carts is not complete yet, but will be soon. Jeff is working on a production line up there, including some fancy robotics he's been designing. How about a hand for Jeff and the group of robotics nerds he has now. We'll be using them in Ireland, too."

More applause and hollering.

"Okay, here's Phil, let him tell the real story."

"The first port Steve intended to hit was Greece. But surprise, surprise, he passed close enough to Gibraltar for the port authority people to make out the S&S on the sails. Sure enough, they called in a very nice order. Our rep over there had talked to them already, but the big boat validated our presence."

"Next was Greece. Steve visited with the distributor in Greece and stimulated him enough to see his sales actually triple his entire output from last year. The rep over there doesn't know what's doing it, but I do, Steve was there."

Sicily was next. There Steve helped resolve a service issue on some new generators. His help convinced the distributor that we were real over here, and his business orders have tripled as well.

"In Rome, Steve only visited one afternoon with the distributor, but when Steve asked the man if he could help, the man gave Steve some materials in Italian for when Steve and family were sightseeing. The result was the Vatican has ordered a complete installation of backup generators."

Lots of applause and hollering, with some hoots and whistles thrown in.

"The family went to the Riviera and I'm told visited some nude beaches there."

That got a lot of hisses and hollering with some yelling, "Take it off, take it off."

"Steve's presence caused the yacht club, a group of hotels, and three casinos to order very big backup generator packages. It seems he became conspicuous in the casinos, and when they checked him out, they found out more about S&S and what we can do for them."

"Oh yeah, Steve and family met another family in Rome and the two families traveled together to the Riviera, and on to England, and to their new friend's home in Ireland. You've already heard about the new Ireland plant, but you didn't hear how the Liverpool government bought a new generator system and the British government is entertaining our bid for the backup generators for the cross channel tunnel. According to Tiny, not including Ireland, Steve has made the company enough to pay for his boat and all his expenses for the entire trip, plus add a sizeable contribution to our 401K plan."

"Now that I told you what I know, here's a guy that witnessed Steve in Monte Carlo."

I wasn't looking at Phil and Tiny up at the bar, because all he was doing was making me blush and look away. Then a very familiar voice said, "Steve doesn't know I'm in town, but I have to tell you, don't ever play cards with him. He's so lucky, Interpol even checked him out."

I stood up, "Dewey!" I yelled, "What are you doing here?"

"I've been found out now, but I have to tell you how Steve has affected my life. Steve's been instrumental in finding me my life mate, Sheila. He was key in helping my brother up in Alaska. He saved my butt off the coast of California by almost single handedly dispatching some bad guys. Then my friends, he showed me how to gamble, or should I say, I followed his lead in Monte Carlo. We had another big winner, Mercy's Mom, but Steve was the one that kept pushing all his winnings back onto the table over and over again. He kept telling us to stop, as he was trying to give some money back to the casino, but he kept right on winning. He finally tipped the croupier more money than the guy probably made in the last five years and cashed out his chips. The casino manager was using a crying towel the whole way. So I'm here to tell you, any wild story you've heard about how well Steve did gambling, believe it. I recommend that he should be banned from the Indian Reservation and the Hard Rock Casino. Anyway, I want to thank Steve for helping my staff select your company for the lifts and generators for all of my properties."

The crowd really applauded. I'm sure they thought Dewey was blowing some smoke up their butts, but they loved the way he delivered the message.

Sheila was with him and was holding onto Michelle, next to Ryan. I looked around and found Sue holding little Dewey. My family and friends keep sneaking people in on me.

Tiny took the microphone and said, "Now our leader has a couple of words."

I didn't have a couple of words. I didn't have any words. I was speechless.

I took the microphone, "Okay, I'm not all that lucky. It was the combination of my friends and family that make me lucky."

Looking around, I continued, "The service problem in Sicily was actually resolved by Abe, who happened to be in Montreal asleep when I called. He woke up, knew right what the problem was, and instructed me step by step how to resolve the problem. Abe gets the credit."

"All the rest of the activity areas were coincidence. People saw the S&S signs and reacted. The Vatican thing was a little spooky, as I had to try to talk to a priest who was in charge of the building mechanics. Neither one of us could make out what the other was saying, but he recognized the brochures and paperwork and was smiling broadly when I left. He was probably thinking, 'That dumb American, I'll buy his stuff in spite of his intellect.'"

"I'm a believer in taking advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. The Ireland thing is just such a deal. It's a big deal: I know it's a big deal, and the couple of hundred people we're going to hire over there will know it's a big deal. We should all be excited about this one."

"Before I shut up, I want to thank all of you for coming tonight and be sure to introduce yourself to some out of town folks that are coming down to stay. Carl and Bessie, please stand up. Kathy, please stand, has five beautiful children and used to live across the street. She is special to me and will be coming back here to live permanently, as well. If you get a chance, say hi to all of them."

"Now enjoy yourselves and be sure to make use of our driver program if you even think you might have had enough."

"Oh yeah, Tiny and the accounting gurus don't know this yet, but I have a company wide announcement that affects every person employed by S&S enterprises here in the U.S, in Canada, and our foreign employees. Next month, everyone will receive a ten percent bonus of all wages, overtime, and commissions for the month. Earn a hundred, get a hundred and ten. Taxes will kill you, but so what. Sell a little extra this coming month, work some overtime next month, whatever it is, and get an extra ten percent. Don't panic, Tiny, I have it covered."

Instead of hoots and hollering, there was stunned silence.

"If it's too much I can always cancel it."

Then there was hollering, applause, back slapping, whistles, and hoots. I handed the microphone back to Tiny who just shut it off and set it down, looking at me.

Tiny leaned over to me and said, "Do you have any idea what our average company wide monthly payroll is?"

"No, don't care either. You know the money I made from the Mexican oil deal, use it. If you need more, let me know, I'll get you some more. The people have done more than I could ever ask. This isn't enough, but I know I can't ever double wages again."

"It won't be that much when you start talking about the wad you made from the oil deal. I think you're skating mostly tax-free on that, too. The money you re-invest in the company doing this will offset your federal taxes on the deal this year too. I'll get a guy working on a projection for you."

"I don't care how much it is, Tiny, it's for you and all the people. If there's enough, make the ten percent affect their 401K plans too."

Sue came up to give me a hug and to return little Dewey to his dad. "You're giving away the farm again, Honey."

Dewey said, "That's a chunk of money, Steve. Can you really cover that?"

"Easily with what I won in Monte Carlo, Dewey. You haven't heard about the Mexican oil deal, it'll blow your mind."

Sue said, "I forgot about that, good idea, Hon."

Tiny leaned over and whispered into Dewey's ear. Dewey jerked up looking at me, "No way. If I didn't know how Steve was, I wouldn't believe it. Really, that much?"

Dewey got close to me and said softly, "You cheapskate. You should have given them at least a fifty percent bonus." He was laughing as he went to the bar for a beer.

Kathy came up to me and said, "You've done all this since I left. I know you were beginning to be busy just when I left, but you were on vacation then. This whole thing has happened in just a few years. It's wild, Steve, almost scary, but a good scary, not like before. Every person here loves you and wants to make the company better. You can't fail with that type of attitude. This is amazing."

She gave me a hug and kiss and followed Sue back to the table full of women.

Dewey asked, "Is she someone I should know?"

I looked at him and said, "She was here when I first came to this little park. I lived in a tiny one bedroom trailer with a fairly large covered patio that Abe rented to me. Kathy witnessed some really bad times with bad guys out here and it scared her off. You heard about all of that before. Well, she left, but she left with a part of me inside her. She never told me. Sue invited her down to visit and found out about Greg, the little boy, and now Sue has invited her to stay, permanently."

Dewey looked at me, "Steven Gregory Sharp is your full name, ; how did she find out what your middle name is?"

"Kathy and Glenda are good friends and talked to each other often ever since she left. Glenda didn't know about the baby, but told Kathy my full name. Get's ya, doesn't it?"

"Well, you can't let her leave with another of your kids; I guess you have another lady. Wow, she has five kids, including your little one. Let's see, with her five and your other two ladies' eight, thirteen of those little suckers. Wow. You're going to be old and gray in no time at all."

Mercy came to tell Dewey that their bags were in the big room near the clothing office. She hugged Dewey, saying, "Thank you for bringing my mom and dad down with you. That was so sweet that you called them. I had called mom to tell her about the new little boy just before you called here to find out if you should call them."

The house was getting full. Beth could go home, but I figured she would stay as Ben had quite a bit to drink. If we had to put up one more person, they would have to use a pull-out couch. We did give Kathy a room but she hasn't used it yet. I noticed her clothes in our closet already.

It was at that time I saw Merlin entertaining the four new kids with some campy magic tricks. Merlin is always the entertainer.

As the party people dwindled, the caterers began cleaning up. They brought a bunch of leftover food for Saturday lunches and late night sandwiches. The caterer knew I love peppers and left what was in a huge jar for us all to snack on. They go great with any kind of drink or beer.

Soon, even Tiny was saying goodnight and was led away by Ruth.

The only ones left not staying at the house were Glenda and Shawna. Charlie had left to put their two kids to bed. Kathy's kids were inside and probably all in bed, but Kathy, Carl, and Bessie were with my ladies, Merlin, Missy, Beth, and me, having a last drink before bed.

Carl said, "Tonight was a real eye opener. This wasn't Sue's company at all, but only Steve's. Or I guess that's Steve's and Sue's. I heard about a utility body plant and a T-shirt plant. I heard about all the NASCAR stuff he's doing from several different people. Steve, you're doing too much."

I smiled at Carl, "Every new idea seemed to create a new business that was successful, because people like Phil could sell it, Tiny could finance it and invest the profits, and my people make it so good, that more and more people want what we make. Our biggest problem was qualified people. We then began training them ourselves, just like I said you were going to help with a sewing machine repair class. The next was space, but we lucked into a few deals on land and we just expanded every time we had a few bucks."

Carl shook his head, "I don't know how you did it, but you did. Bessie and I talked and we're ready to come down. I talked to Charlie, the park manager and he says he thinks he'll be able to get us a place on the same street as Tiny and Ruth, right behind you. If we do, can we come over for breakfast and supper?"

"Of course," Sue said. "The ladies take turns planning a meal and helping out with the food and cooking. We have so many people now that it's pretty cheap to feed us all as we buy in large quantities. We have plenty of room and if we need more patio, Steve will just build on."

Bessie wanted to say something, "When Kathy told me she might come down here and decide to stay, I was afraid she was going to be disappointed in what she found, and what Steve's attitude would be. You three ladies and Steve are so loving and close, that I feel it and I feel your love for Kathy and the kids. I'm so happy for you, Dear. You've had some hard times, but it looks like you're going to have a family again, although a much bigger one than I would have expected. You know Sue, your little boy, Stevie, asked me if I was going to be a grandma too. I just had to pick him up and hug him, it was so sweet. Even little Mike came up to me and asked, 'Gamma milk?'"

Glenda said, "We're all grandmothers or mothers to all the kids. They know who the moms are and who the aunts are, but they really get the grandmas down quick. We control the cookies."

We got a laugh at that. I said to all, "I think it's time to brush our teeth and get to bed. Can I walk you home, Glenda?"

"No, Steve, just watch me as I go. I'll be fine. Watch Shawna too. We all feel safe out here now that you have the security people."

As we watched Glenda and Shawna walk home, Kathy said, "Why do you pay for the security at the park here. Is that a gift or what?"

I pointed to Sue and said, "The park belongs to us now. Sue bought it a while back when the old owner was retiring and considered selling it to a land speculator. That was sort of the beginning of the land deals out here."

"You own the trailer park," Kathy asked? "You're responsible for the large expansion over on the other side and the other recreation center and pool?"

Sue said, "Guilty, but we did it because we didn't want anyone selling our home. The former owner was getting ready to sell the place to a real estate investment company. It was a fair deal and it pays for itself, so it's a good investment."

"That's why the security. You're still protecting everyone, aren't you? Just in another way. You're my hero, Steve. I like it this way better than the other."

Sue said, "Me too. Much nicer."

We all went inside after the setup of the coffee maker and putting away the last of the food. By the time I had brushed my teeth, the girls were all in bed. As I came in, Juanita was saying, "This new chica gets some loving in the middle of day now. Is our man going to be too tired to do to me what needs to be done?"

Mercy and Sue pummeled Juanita with pillows, attacking her, pinning her to the bed with each of them nibbling one of Juanita's nipples. Sue wiggled her finger at me and pointed at Juanita's moist gash. Kathy decided to help and stroked me up and wet me with her mouth before I centered myself and drove into Juanita to hear her moan loudly.

While I stroked her, the two girls sucked and nibbled her breasts and fingered her clit. Juanita was thrashing around quickly and would have been screaming, if Mercy didn't have her mouth over hers. Once she was subdued and quiet, Mercy rolled to the side, spreading her legs saying. "Put that thing right there. I'm too hot to wait while you play around with the rest of me, do it, fuck me quick."

Mercy knows that I love to make her squirm, so I buried myself in her before I pulled back out to scoot down, kissing her mouth, ears, and throat. On the way by her two lovely breasts, I bit both harder than would be normal, causing her to yelp, but my mouth took in her clit, sucking and tickling it until Mercy was now screaming into Kathy's mouth. When I rose and plunged into Mercy, Kathy turned to me and said, "I love you, love this lady and give her the pleasure you gave me." Soon, Mercy lay totally satisfied, hugging me to her, kissing me, telling us sweet things.

As I moved to Sue, Juanita attacked Mercy's center, causing her to squeal and come some more. This time, it was Kathy that helped me make love to Sue. She kissed Sue over and over while I feasted on Sue's pussy. When I was satisfied I had wrung all the orgasms out of Sue for the moment and began sliding in and out of her, Kathy had her mouth locked on one of Sue's huge nipples. As I increased my strokes, Sue became more vocal about her pleasure until Mercy got up and put her pussy over Sue's mouth. This was perfect, as Mercy's pussy was right at my mouth while I thrust into Sue.

Kathy was whispering in my ear, "Come in her, come, come, my Love. Fill her with the juice that made those babies in her. Come, Steve."

I did, very big, huge, and very, very wet. Cum was actually squirting out the side of my dick as I rode Sue, still squirting into her. I was thoroughly sated for the moment. Mercy climbed off Sue's face so I could kiss her pussy soaked mouth to whisper, "I love you" to her. When Juanita pushed me off Sue, I thought it was to be Juanita who attacked Sue but it wasn't, it was Kathy. She loved Sue's gushing pussy until she had it cleaned, making it respectable, but Sue was now a bowl of jelly from coming so much.

The sight excited me enough for me to once again be hard and I got behind Kathy and slid into her from behind. "Oh Steve, you're so big and I'm so sore. Careful, do me slow and soft. Don't come in me, you're right, I shouldn't have any more babies."

On my outstroke, Mercy pulled me the rest of the way out of Kathy and rolled a rubber onto me. She pushed Kathy over on her back and told me, "Love her, Steve, show her how much."

I kissed and licked her everywhere I could reach until she was squirming all over the bed. When I began sliding into her again, she exclaimed, "Oh yeah, you have a rubber, fuck me, fuck me hard, pound me, make us both come one more time."

I did what she asked and we both received what she predicted. We both came and came, only this time I was filling the reservoir of the rubber, making Kathy's orgasm that much better.

We all settled down, with me in the middle and Kathy on one side and Juanita on the other. I was kissed by each of my ladies and Kathy whispered to me, "I love you, Steve, I love you, Sue, Mercy, and Juanita. I'm so happy, I'm so much in love with all of you. This is so different, but so right. I love you."

In a few short minutes, all five of us were asleep.

Original Editing by Pepere
New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 66

Saturday morning, I was sitting with Glenda discussing the explosion of my family and how sneaky my ladies were to bring in Dewey and family, along with Merlin and Missy, without giving me advance warning.

Glenda was brushing my hair for me as Kathy came out in one of the girl's terrycloth robes. As she sat down she observed, "You've been brushing Steve's hair since you two first began having coffee together. I think I'm jealous."

"Well, I'm just as jealous, Kathy, I bet you get to do things with Steve that I would enjoy as well," Glenda chided.

"As it should be, Glenda, I am one of his women you know," Kathy said arrogantly. "You know, of course, that Steve's women have asked me to stay and have even made me put my clothes in their closet. I've moved in and I am a permanent resident now."

Glenda laughed, "Someone sure has given you a confidence pill. You're so cock sure of yourself now, it's hard to believe you're the same girl."

Kathy got up and sat on my lap, "You know what gave me that confidence Glenda? That little creature in there with this guy's middle name gave me my new confidence. For some reason, when Greg was born I knew my life, my kids' lives, and even my folks lives, would all be changed for the better. Greg has always had a peacefulness about him. He's not very loud or pushy, but he makes you happy to just be with him."

Glenda said, "Kind of like Stevie. He doesn't make all the noise like CJ or Rob but he gets the others to do what they should be doing. He's always getting one or the other to stay out of trouble. Susan says that Steve was like that when he was little. And if you watch, little Mike and Liz are the same way. Sean is always up to something, but Mike and Liz are always keeping her in line."

Juanita, Sue, and Mercy came out with our kids. Stevie and Greg came up and climbed into Kathy's lap, who was in my lap. Liz and Mike both went to Glenda and were saying "up peez," while extending their little arms.

Sue asked Kathy, "Did you catch our husband letting some hussy brush his hair?"

"Yeah, I caught her red-handed. But she says I get other benefits so to hush up over it."

Juanita said, "We get very good benefits, but we all still like to brush his hair, and things like that to let him know how much we care."

Maggie came in about the time Bessie came out from her room. The two women were forming a friendship along with Glenda that would be fun for the three ladies.

As the Saturday morning crowd began filtering in, it became obvious who was going to put in some extra time to take advantage of Steve's generous offer. Tom and Al who usually went fishing on Saturday, said they were going to work in the utility body shop as they were behind on some orders. Apparently they had organized the entire crew to work today in order to turn out several service bodies to catch up.

When Abe came by, he said the superlift people were all working today, but that had been fairly usual for a while. He said unless I told them not to, they may work Sunday as well. I told Abe to tell them to take Sunday off. Everyone needs a day of rest. I told him to have them work an extra two hours a day this coming week and that would give them ten more hours instead of Sunday's eight.

Carl and Tiny were in deep discussion as to how to move down. Tiny's dad, the park manager, said that the house that was going to be empty was only six months old as the couple who had bought it had been transferred to California. He was military, so it was something he couldn't get out of. They, including Bessie, went off to talk to the couple about taking over the payments on the trailer and to see if it was something they wanted.

Ben came out from the Tampa Bay Shore mansion for some coffee and breakfast; he said that this was becoming the only way to see Beth. She spent so much time out here now he might as well try to find something he can stay in out here too. Sue told him that he could always stay with us and in the same room Beth was staying in when she stayed.

"Yes, you're right. We don't hide anything from you guys anyway. By the way Steve and Sue, I got the probate judge to bump you up for Monday morning. We can see him at nine in his chambers and conclude the whole thing. He'll have his reporter there so we can make this legal. I'll have the tax checks and the last of the property title transfers to file. It shouldn't take more than an hour."

Sue grimaced, "You could have given us a little more warning, Dad. I'll have to postpone a class that I was going to."

Ben said, "You have to take what you can get, and I called in a favor to get this thing moved up on the docket."

"It'll work out. I'm sure I can convince everyone to start late and finish a little later," Sue said, resigning herself to have to adjust her schedule.

Ben had something else he wanted to talk to me about so he had me come up to the bar with him while he poured some coffee. "I hate to tell you this but there will be Federal tax implications on the Mexican oil deal. I guess you never get that far from Uncle Sam that he doesn't need our support. I'm just telling you this so you don't commit too much of it to something and get caught short."

"Thanks for letting me know Ben," I said thinking about the dozen or so projects I had in mind. "I'll let it all wash out before doing too much. I'll get the accounting firm to begin working on it so it's handled correctly."

Dewey and Sheila came out smiling. "It's so nice to get to come down here as the weather warms up. It's still cold and windy up in the northwest so this is a nice break. Merlin and Missy have been having some terrible weather too. Too bad we have to go back tomorrow, but business is business."

That afternoon Kathy said she would like to take a ride this evening. Shawna and Hannah immediately began planning by getting Sandy and Mandy to agree to help with the travel arrangements. Kathy would ride behind me, Sue would ride in the sidecar, Sandy would two up with Mercy, and Mandy would be the chauffeur for Juanita. This would free up the shovel for Dewey and Sheila.

The word was out, so a lot of bikes were being washed, gassed, and serviced. Hank, Jim, and I figured all of our women were about on their last ride. They soon shouldn't ride anymore, as the kids they were carrying were too precious to take a chance with.

Bear and Hap said they were up for a ride, but wanted to go down to the St. Pete clubhouse bar, and Bear asked to swing by his old place in New Port Richey. It was going to be a fairly normal run by the local bars, over to St. Pete, back up to Clearwater, then up to New Port Richey. If we got started early enough, we might try to go to Dade City too, but we probably wouldn't as we were already figuring on around a hundred miles. That might be the most the mothers-to-be could do.

Kathy loved the sidecar addition to the bike she had sold me. When we were looking at it, she gave me a big hug, "When my car broke down, Dad gave me the check you had given him. I was so relieved because I didn't have to wait to get it fixed. The same car is still running great and should last several more years."

After supper, the bunch gathered: Hap and Marge, Bear and Crystal, Charlie and Shawna, Jim and Hannah, Hank and Debbie, Sandy and Mercy, Mandy and Juanita, Dewey and Sheila, and me with Sue and Kathy. The nine bikes sounded good heading out for the evening. Our first stop at big Jim's was fun. Double D came across the bar to get at Kathy. All the people who knew Kathy were all over her and taking all the women off to the side to talk.

The visit to the Vanishing point was the same. Loads of people wanting to monopolize Kathy to find out what she had been doing.

Our trip to St. Pete was fast, as Hap and Bear wanted a little speed relief. Since I was bringing up the rear with Dewey, we let off a little as we noticed we were nudging ninety-five. The St. Pete clubhouse was rocking this night. Apparently, most of the older members from Tampa had moved over to St. Pete in order to distance themselves from the anticipated problems at the Tampa clubhouse. Many of the people knew Kathy and smothered her with hugs as well.

Onion rings were calling to the pregnant women, so we rode up to the Crab Shack in Clearwater to enjoy a bunch of grouper sandwiches and onion rings. We split sandwiches between us, since we didn't need to eat that much and we had ordered a bunch of extra orders of onion rings. There was nothing left.

We actually stayed within the speed limit up to Bear's clubhouse and enjoyed looking over all of the improvements they were doing. While they were on the grounds, Bear gave Crystal a "property of" vest and asked her to humor him this night. Crystal stayed right next to Bear the entire time we were there, then gave the vest back to one of the women before we left. Bear thanked Crystal, saying his men would show her more respect in the future knowing she had given him the right to claim her as property. Crystal didn't seem phased by any of it.

The time was getting late, so we decided to head home. We rode out highway 52 to 41, then south to home. No hassles, no problems, just fun riding. It seemed like every time we went out like that anymore, I almost held my breath hoping nothing would happen to anyone, especially the women, the mothers of our children.

When the question of a hot tub trip came up, the four pregnant women all said to exclude them as they wanted nothing more than to snuggle down in bed. Dewey said that he and Sheila needed their sleep, as they were flying back in the morning.

Missy and Merlin stayed up with Mercy, me, Tiny, Ruth, Ryan, Michelle, Henry, and Nancy, having another drink and a late night snack. It was nice to visit with them all.

As Mercy and I joined Sue and Kathy who were already asleep in bed, I reflected that it had been a pretty uneventful, but not boring Saturday.

I woke about six fifteen, showered, dressed in shorts and T-shirt and went out to the kitchen to find Glenda already reading one of the Sunday papers. There was a hot cup of coffee at an empty stool that she waved to.

"You kids came back early and didn't even go up to the hot tub last night."

"The girls were tired, Sue especially. I think they are done riding until they get their kids on the ground. Even Hannah and Debbie acted like it was more than enough last night."

"How did Kathy like the ride?" Glenda was fishing for something.

"She had a good time. She was welcomed by everyone that remembered her over at Big Jim's and at the clubhouse over in St. Pete. I think she felt good about being with our group."

Glenda was smiling, "So you didn't parade her around like she was your new toy?"

"Not a chance, Glenda. When have I ever done that?" I asked, looking at Glenda funny.

Glenda smiled, "I just wanted to be sure. You and your women took Kathy in pretty fast. I was afraid you all would act funny with her. I'm glad you're showing her the respect she deserves."

Juanita and Kathy came out of the bedroom rubbing their eyes. Juanita said, "This is Sunday, so we need to shower and put on something special. I see you're looking good, Glenda."

Glenda laughed, "Do you guys think you should, with the four new kids and Carl and Bessie here? Dewey and Sheila have seen Sunday mornings, but maybe we should tone it down."

I tried to explain what had happened on Sunday mornings when Ruth came in the door. She was wearing one of her super-sheer gowns that let you know just how well she was built.

"Oh my," Kathy said. "The boys and Dad, especially J.J. will think they died and went to heaven. Barb and Mom are going to want a gown like that too. Mom and I forget to wear appropriate stuff around the boys all the time, so they've seen everything that women have. You'll just provide a nice variety for their eyes."

At that moment, Ryan and Michelle walked in, with Michelle showing as much as Ruth. Kathy said to Juanita, "Let's go clean up and get some of the sexy stuff on. I like to show off."

Maggie came in with a gown the same as Glenda's. It was sexy and showed a lot, but not see-through. The female form was shown as the material lay against the body.

When Juanita and Kathy went into the bedroom, Sue and Mercy came out, already wearing sexy gowns that let the world know how good looking they were.

The patio was soon full of women in see-through gowns, robes that were nothing but net, or in the case of Debbie, Shawna, and Hannah, T-shirts with holes in strategic places. Of course, they all three sat with their feet up on their chairs, showing the viewer how you can tell who is a natural redhead.

When Sheila came out with Dewey and little Dewey, she had on a super-sheer gown similar to Ruth's. She said, "I just love Sunday morning here. Dewey gets so excited, he may have to help me pack."

J.J. walked out to the patio and just stood there gawking. Kathy said, "Close your mouth, Son, something will fly in there."

Soon Ben and Carl were standing next to J.J. with the same expression. Dennis was there this morning and said, "You'll get used to it. They do this every Sunday. Get a load of Aunt Sue, she's got some nice hooters on her." Dennis elbowed J.J., motioning toward Kathy, "Your Mom does too."

Carl and Bessie came out long enough for Bessie to turn around and go back to their bedroom. She later came out in a mature, very sexy gown that showed the viewer a lot of delicious mature cleavage.

Poor J.J.! He didn't know whether to agree with Dennis or get mad because someone was checking out his mom. He became too busy looking at what was displayed to stay concerned over someone's casual remark.

Barbara came out and looked around at everyone then went over to Mercy. They had a conversation then the two disappeared for few minutes. When they came back Barb was wearing one of Mercy's sheer shortie gowns. She strutted right out onto the patio and came over to me climbing up into my lap.

She gave me a kiss on the cheek, then laid her head on my chest, grinning at her mother. Tina came up in a fairly sheer gown, but you could plainly see panties on her. Tina stood right in front of me with Barb on my lap, her hands on her hips, saying, "No fair. You just got here and you're already showing off more to Steve than I'm allowed."

Mercy took Tina in and when they reappeared Tina was wearing another shortie sheer gown from the girls' wardrobe. When she walked up, Barb smiled and got up from my lap and said, "You can have a turn too. I'm not stingy."

Kathy, Susan, Mercy, and Sue were holding back their laughter at the two young ladies.

When it was time for Phil and Judy to go to church with several others from the group, that signified that the morning show off period was coming to an end. People disappeared, only to come back later dressed in shorts and tops. I'm sure some had to work off their stimulated libidos after viewing all of the displayed beauty.

Dewey, Sheila, Merlin, and Missy packed up and were taken out to the airport to go back west. Missy said she would be back soon as she wanted to spend more time with my new kids and Kathy. Every time Dewey and I parted, I felt like a brother was leaving. Funny, Dewey and I were closer than Henry and I. Charlie and I, and Jim and I, were close like that too. I guess they were my brothers of a sort.

Later in the afternoon, Henry, Susan, and I were sitting at one of the little tables, enjoying a snack and cup of coffee. Susan said, "When you were small, you always said you wanted a big family. You used to love to go over to the Hendersons' because they had seven kids. Looks like you've got your own big family now."

Henry said, "Nancy loves kids, but because she had to have a hysterectomy when she was a young teen, she can't. We were going to adopt but now she's able to enjoy all of your kids. I never did think too much about it, but it's fun to be around all the little ones, and now these older kids fascinate me. Dennis is already doing some entries for me at work, and Tina has worked with some of the billing people, as well as in payables. J.J. appears smart, so I'm looking forward to when he can begin learning. I enjoy teaching these kids and they earn their wages when they come in."

"I guess I'm lucky all around," I said, happy to be having a little private time with my siblings. "I have you guys with me now and I have my own special family that I hope quits growing after these next five babies come. Thank goodness I can take care of them. When I look at all of them, it scares me a little to know I'm responsible for all of their happiness. There is a lot to live up to when you hold each one and give each one a hug."

"You're doing fine so far, Steve," Susan said smiling. "The four ladies in there are doing their best to make you comfortable with them as a unit. That means they like each other and want you to like them as a group as well. Kathy will be good for your family. She brings a lot of experience with kids. She'll be able to help Sue and Mercy manage their eight as they grow. It's kind of neat that she has little Greg to raise right along with the other older little ones. He's fitting in very well and is already a part of the group."

As we were sitting there, I remembered about Henry's car. "How come you're not working on your car today?"

"I'm done. I'm waiting for the paint to dry on the top and then the whole thing will get one more coat of clear." Henry sat up straighter, showing his interest in the subject. "Jeff found some specs for the optional top and cast one for me. It fits perfectly. That man is a genius when it comes to fiberglass. Whatever you're paying him is not enough. He's also shown some genius with robotics. He says that it's just a hobby but he's incorporated his hobby full scale over at the cart plant. They can run the most popular model through fast now. They can produce about five times the quantity that they used to produce."

"I thought your main area was Quality Wear?" I asked.

"It is. Steve," Henry said. "But if that's all I do, it's too boring, so I try to keep up with what's happening in all of your other shops. Did you know that your T-shirt group just received an order for a thousand gross of your novelty NASCAR T-shirts. That's a huge order. That's a hundred and forty-four thousand T-shirts."

"I didn't hear about that yet," I answered. "Did the order come from Phil's group or your side?"

Henry said, "Neither one, the order came in from Ryan's group. Seems the Atlanta distributorship marketed the T-shirts to a bunch of their customers and the big order is the result. They didn't know the correct pricing, so they priced the T-shirts a little high figuring they would cost a little more. They didn't realize that we made everything in-house, so our costs are pretty low. They will probably turn in an extraordinary profit for the month they deliver."

"Are we going to be able to produce sufficient product for the order to be met on time?"

"Sure, the little plant is doing two shifts and may go to three. The next step is to add on to their building. You know you could easily double the size of their building on the land they have. The construction costs will be high as they used all block in the original construction. You should probably build on using the same construction methods."

"Wow, Henry," I said, in wonderment, "who would have believed that place would be producing so much we're working two shifts and considering building on."

"Well, make hay while the sun shines, Steve. I'm with you on thinking our economy may be superheating. The way housing is going up down here has a false ring to it. If you continue to sell to your employees, be careful so your people don't pay too much. Construction prices are up, but not that much. I heard you are considering more high density condos and zero lot line neighborhoods. You might have the right idea, but make sure your buyers are at about seventy-five to eighty percent of value. They really need equity in the event the bottom falls out of the market."

"I know, Henry," I said nodding. "My thought was to keep selling to employees at '93 prices for as long as we can. We own enough land and it is our construction company, so we should be able to continue to build cheaper than any one else. My idea was to sell to employees only right now to make sure that anyone who wants to buy and has saved up the down payment can do so. You and Tiny set up our own mortgage company and so far it's working. You both know when to pull the plug if we get to working too close. It's our responsibility for each group to make a profit, even if the end product is sold to one of our own. Just keep doing like you are."

Susan said, "It's so funny to hear you two talk business. You two didn't really know each other because you were off at college, Henry, when Steve was still in early elementary school. Steve used to carry around some of your big books, Henry. He said he was going to be a college boy like you."

"I didn't make it to college for very long, did I?" I said this, reflecting on the time before my stint in the military. "It wasn't for me. When I got out of the service, I didn't know what to do with myself again, and that's how I ended up spending my education money on a welding school. I guess I learned just enough to be dangerous."

"You did well, Steve. You've obviously learned a lot going up to Alaska, working out in Oklahoma, then down off the coast of Belize. I heard you didn't spend any money, so you must have read and learned quite a bit."

"I took one of the correspondence courses like Susan took, you know, from the University of Maryland. I have a business management type of degree, but it's not from a big university. It's what you would call a real mail order degree. It may be accredited, but I took the classes to learn something that I didn't ever think I would learn other than in school. I started it when I was in the Marines, but didn't finish until I was down on the platforms."

Henry looked at me incredulously, "You finished and graduated from the University of Maryland?"

Susan said, "He did, Henry. He used my home address for his correspondence address so I saw the certificate, his diploma. He wasn't the top student in his class, but he was in the top twenty-five percent. Not bad for the kid who didn't know what he was going to do."

"Wow, Steve, that's really great. I knew Susan finished her Associate's degree that way, but I didn't know you did. Perhaps all this business success isn't just luck. You have been making a lot of good decisions based on your knowledge."

"Henry, Henry, you think too much considering all that time you took learning how to count without your fingers. You number crunchers always have to have a reason for something that's successful. So far, Henry, it's just been some lucky results from taking advantage of opportunities."

Sue had come out and was sitting with us now, "You seem to hunt out opportunities, Steve. You draw opportunities and success to you like you draw people."

Henry said, "I just found out Steve finished a Business Management degree from the University of Maryland. I'm really impressed."

Sue looked perplexed, "I didn't know you did that. When did this happen?"

Susan laughed, "He didn't tell you he took a correspondence course from the time he was in the Marines all the way through working in Belize? It's just like him, he just doesn't talk about stuff like that."

"Where's your diploma, I haven't seen it?" Sue asked.

Again, Susan said, "I have it. He used our address as a permanent address while he was in the oil business and I've never given it to him. He's never asked for it, so I figured on keeping it until he wanted it."

Sue gave me a kiss, "So that's how you know all those things about business. You're so sneaky. You didn't even tell me you took some correspondence classes, much less that you graduated. Don't you think I would have been interested in that?"

"Oh, Sue," I protested. "It was a correspondence course that was covered under my military education savings plan. It's not a big deal school or anything. The courses were all just reading and submitting homework projects, nothing real tough. There was never a time limit so sometimes you finished a class fast and sometimes it took you twice as long as they said it should. I didn't really graduate. I finished the course work and they sent me a paper."

"You don't understand, Honey," Sue said, exasperated. "You finished. You graduated. You received a degree from a nationally recognized school. That's a big deal. You are something. What else have you done that I should find out about?"

I just shook my head. This wasn't that big a deal. At least Susan was on my side and didn't make a lot out of it.

The older kids had taken the five younger ones up to the pool for a while. Kathy, Mercy, Glenda, and Maggie, couldn't help but go up to watch how they took care of the little ones. The ladies lay back watching from loungers hidden from the kids. They were happy with what they witnessed. With Dennis and Tina leading, J.J also assumed a leadership role and they were all playing together, helping the little ones swim. Greg was getting better from practice.

When the preset time for them to be home came, the kids packed up and went home, not forgetting even a sandal or towel. The ladies followed shortly giving the kids plenty of time to get a head start. They happily reported how mature the older kids acted in caring for the little ones.

Dennis and J.J. went to Susan's and Kevin's house to ride around the neighborhood on one of Dennis' dirt bikes. This was pure heaven for J.J., as it was still too cold up north to do any dirt bike riding. Kevin said he would take the kids out to the dirt tracks so they could all ride. He said he had the little eighty cc bike that Barb could learn on, and had some low compression one twenty-fives that Carl and Ben could learn on. Kevin said, "You know, Steve, you're going to have to get involved in this. I can't teach and watch them all. Get Kathy interested so she can help out too. It's a chore to watch six kids riding dirt bikes."

"There's only five with Dennis and my new four," I said, correcting Kevin.

He corrected me by telling me, "Don't say that loud enough for Tina to hear. She's every bit as good as Dennis out on the track. If all the kids go, she'll be right there with us."

"We'll need more bikes then. You help, Kevin. I've never ridden or owned a dirt bike. I'll have to learn too."

"Well, you won't be riding with my group without a helmet, so you and I will go to one of the bike shops and get you and your kids some gear. They need pants, jackets, boots, gloves, helmets, and lots of pads. They'll still get a broken bone or two, but kids mend fast."

Kathy had heard this conversation and said, "I let J.J. ride his dirt bike and Dad takes him out to tracks, but won't let him get crazy like he wants. You've just said it all, Kevin. I'm terrified the kids will get hurt. I don't want them breaking something."

"It's part of growing up, Kathy," Kevin said, motioning for Susan to come over. "Let Susan tell you how our prissy little Tina has been on dirt bikes."

Susan shook her head in what seemed misery, "She doesn't act like it when she's around most of time, but she's a tough little tomboy. The second season she was in competition, she broke her hand and cracked a bone in her leg winning a heat race, but didn't tell us. She went on to win her division, then told us she thought she had broken her hand. When we took the glove off, her hand was swollen to twice its normal size. On the way to the hospital, she said she hurt her leg too, but didn't think it was too bad. She ended up with casts on her leg and hand for six weeks. Two weeks after she got back on her bike, she broke her arm. She didn't say too much because it was getting too cold to ride anyway."

"Dennis has been just as lucky. He broke his right leg when he was seven. He broke his left leg when he was eight. At ten, he broke a couple fingers, his arm, and his collar bone. Then the last year he raced up north, he broke his wrist."

"The both of them are crazy out on the track and can't stand being beat. They don't act like it, but their whole personality changes when they are riding. Dennis is now infatuated with Del's wife and wants to dirt drag big bikes."

Kathy began laughing, "Infatuated is the right word. I'm sure Jan is waving her big boobs in the kid's face constantly. You should watch that the only thing he learns from her is how to dirt drag."

"We had a conversation already, Kathy. Shawna warned me, so I had a heart to heart with her. I think she just teases him. Del's getting a little jealous as he gets older too."

Sue said to me, "Tomorrow, take them down to the store on Florida Avenue to get them the stuff they need. Look around for a couple of dirt bikes. One you can ride and a smaller one J.J. can ride. Maybe a couple of used ones, that way you won't feel bad tearing them up while you learn."

Kevin spoke up, "No fair going to the track while I'm working. Wait till I get off if you want to go so I can go with you. If you get a couple of bikes, make sure you get a trailer that will carry four or five, plus your gear, as you always end up having more people riding than bikes. Let Dennis help you gauge whether a bike is a good deal or not. He knows prices of dirt bikes.

Kathy said, "I don't know whether I like this or not. I don't want my kids hurt, but I want them to be tough. I guess they'll learn, but you have to promise me, they will wear all of the protection gear they can, okay?"

"I'll do that, Kathy," I said, comforting her. "I'm a novice at this too. Dirt riding is a lot different than on the street, and you know I ride like an old lady out on the street."

Susan said, "Sure you do. You were the kid that had the cops pulling up in the driveway after you were almost in the house. The policeman said he couldn't catch you. You kept telling him it had to be someone else because you never rode fast. He was nice and just warned you, but you had your shit eating grin when you went inside."

"Now, Susan, would you insinuate that I was speeding and misled the officer?"

"Is that what that was?"

Sue and Kathy laughed, with Kathy saying, "And this is the dad that is going to teach our children to ride safe?"

"He does have his wild streak sometimes, Kathy," Sue said.

"I know, Sue, I've seen it. I've never seen a person so focused on being wild as I've seen Steve when he's reacted to a problem. He's absolutely scary. That's why I left before, but it's why I'm back. I finally figured out that I like that in a man."

"Good," Sue said, "Come with me. Wait till I tell you a couple of things that happened when we were on vacation up in Alaska and sailing with Dewey. I'll let Mercy tell you about the Caribbean."

As he got up to go to the bar, Henry said, "Your legend grows, Steve. Now it's college boy Steve. I wonder if Tiny knows?"

"Let it go, Henry. It's just something I did. If people know stuff like that, they'll expect even more from me. I yam what I yam, get me a spinach Beefeater martini and keep quiet."

Terrell came in and said, "Tell him what I tell him, Steve, 'As soon as I finish my watermelon, Boss.' The guy is just too bossy sometimes. Come here, Deanna, tell the man, tell him the news."

The tall dark lady stood holding her little one and said, "I'm going to have another baby. With Debbie and I both having kids, you may have to get someone else to do the work."

"Why?" I asked. "Are you planning on staying home and being a mom?"

"I want to come back to work, but I'm going to miss a lot of work again like I did last time. There's so much happening all the time anymore that it's going to be tough to keep up."

Debbie and Hank were sitting at the big table waiting on pizza. "Hey, Deb, come here a minute."

"Deanna says she's pregnant and that we won't be able to take care of business with the two of you missing some time."

"She might be right but it's time we added another girl to our group anyway. Star's so busy that she has to have her girl full time so we can't use her any more. I say we should get Ruth to bring on another girl or steal her from another department that may be under worked."

"Hey, Ruth," I called to her, as she was waiting for Tiny to finish making her a drink. "Monday, we need to find another girl for Debbie's group. Move Star and her girl to another cube and put the new girl with Deanna so she can learn. We're going to grow some more around here. She gonna give us another junior Terrell."

"It'll be done. I think Judy is messing with her groups and may have a surplus body or two. I'll look at their personnel files and find the best match."

"See, Deanna, no sweat. If you want to keep working for us, we want you. I'm happy for you. Babies are exciting."

Bessie and Carl had witnessed the interaction and Carl asked, "Is it always that easy to resolve an issue like that. No bitching, crying, or complaining? You don't have unions, but even with a union, when some chick gets pregnant she only gets personal unpaid leave for so long. Most women use up their holiday pay and their unused sick leave, and still exceed their personal leave time."

"That reminds me, Carl, will the guys from up north be okay with not having a union down here. It's not that I'm against unions, but if we had a union I couldn't pay as well as I do, and the union wouldn't provide as good insurance as we have. The union up in Chicago is still fuming that people in our other non-union shops have better benefits than they do. It's their contract, so we have to pay the union more than what our benefits cost us. Someone is getting the benefit and it isn't the employees."

"I'll make sure there aren't any instigators in the group I invite down, Steve. I think we can take care of both plants with six to eight men. Your present subcontractor is billing you for a dozen, but I don't see work orders that justify that many. I also see too many call backs for the same problem on the same machine. That means a guy isn't troubleshooting correctly. Yep, I think six to eight max, should do the job for both places."

Sue said, "That would be wonderful. It would be so nice to be able to have our own people pull preventative maintenance on the machines on a regular basis. We could set up a rotating schedule so we could do a group a day, or week, or however long it took. Right now it's taking almost a month of down time on a department to pull maintenance. That's just too long."

"You have about fifty units per group. A thorough PM should take about twenty minutes start to finish, so say three an hour. That would be about nineteen hours work except when we find repairs that need to be done. So let's see, three guys should be able to take care of a department in a day, including some minor repairs. Any heavy repairs, we can swap the machine out and repair the broken one in a shop that I noticed you don't have in either location."

"That's what I want to hear," Sue said. "A man with a plan and the know-how to make it work. Do it for me, Carl. Let Tiny get you guys moved down here right away. We need to work on the kids to get them moved down here so they can start school. I'll take them by school tomorrow to get them registered. J.J. is in his first year of high school and the other three are all in junior high. We'll get it done tomorrow, take you guys home to watch some people pack you up, and ship you back down."

Bessie said, "That fast? Carl, we've lived there for almost twenty years. Can we do it that fast?"

Carl smiled, "How long will it take to tell all your very close friends that you're moving to Florida?"

"Well, ah, well, I have only one really close friend and she moved down here last year. I guess I'm ready. You know, Cindy lives out in Brandon, is that far?"

Sue said, "As soon as we get the kids registered, we'll go out and see Cindy for lunch. We'll take her out so you two can talk."

"It's that close? Can I call her? Is it a free call?"

"Bessie," I said, waving my hand, "Go into the kitchen and call your friend. Friends are too important not to tell them you're near them."

Kathy leaned down and kissed my forehead. "You and Sue don't let any grass grow under your feet do you. What do you think if I leave Ben, Carl, and Barb down here, and only take J.J. back up to help me pack."

I shrugged my shoulders and Sue said, "Good idea. You know what though, Juanita will want to go with you to help and maybe even Maggie will want to go. With two extra hands, it'll go a lot faster."

Kathy asked, "Would they do that? Would they really?"

Sue got up and brought both Maggie and Juanita back to the huddle, "Carl, Bessie, Kathy, and J.J. are going back to pack up their stuff and load it to ship down here."

Sue didn't have to even suggest, Juanita said, "I will go with you. You need a good Cuban to get you Yankees moving."

We all laughed as Maggie said, "Can I go too? I love to go places and I'm pretty good at moving. Because of the military, my husband and I did it every couple of years our entire lives. Would it be okay if I helped?"

Susan said, "You're not going to leave me out, are you? The girls won't need my help with the kids for a few days, so I want to go to. You should have seen the way these guys unpacked us when we moved in. Do you have a place yet?"

Bessie said, "We are buying the home that a military couple just bought and are being transferred. It's almost as many square feet as our little house up north. We'll try a trailer to see how it is and make up our minds later."

Kathy had her say too, "The place they are getting is really nice, fancy with every kind of built-in you could ask for. They can even see the back edge of the patio from their place, so they'll know when the light is on in the morning."

I looked at Sue and asked her, "Umm, so what's the schedule for tomorrow?"

"I'll take Kathy and the kids to the schools first thing in the morning. You get an airplane to take everyone up there and call a mover to meet them at the house tomorrow morning. After you get them all the boxes and packing material they can use to start, you come back and do what you have to do. As soon as they are getting near done, they will call so you can go pick them up. The kids start school a week from Monday, and I'm sure it won't take but two or three days to pack. Ruth can get a realtor up there to get an appraisal and begin marketing the house. We'll do like we've done in the past, buy the house, fix it up, and get it sold."

Carl was smiling as he snapped his fingers, "Just like that and it's done."

Sue said to him, "Now you two, and you too, Kathy, don't go killing yourself. Let the moving company earn their pay. You guys pack up the delicate stuff and make sure you mark every box. Keep the stuff together that you'll need right away and the extra stuff we can store if there is too much. I don't think your new place has a storage shed so we'll get one installed on a pad right away. Keep in mind, Carl, you won't need a lot of yard tools, because it's part of the lot rent. You'll only need little stuff for flowers and gardening. Bessie, did you look to see if the new place has as good a fridge, washer, and dryer as you have at home?"

Bessie smiled, "The place has brand new Maytag stuff that they are leaving. We'll leave our stuff there, less to ship."

"We have my pickup, Bessie's car, and Kathy's van to get down here. Can we have a car service bring them down?" asked Carl.

"Good idea, Carl. I'll call about that, as we have a trucking group that I'm sure knows people for that."

Susan said, "Ask Kevin, he has some friends that haul cars back and forth down here all the time."

I turned to Carl, "See, ask and you shall receive."

"This is hassle free and fast. Thinking about it, we'll probably finish in two days," Bessie said.

Susan spoke again, "Let the real estate people do the clean up. Don't worry about anything. Leave the curtains and blinds and if they want they can have them cleaned. Scoop up the big chunks of trash and set it out front. The real estate people should earn their keep too."

Kathy said, "You're really making this happen. We're moving back home, or here anyway. My old house looks good over there, but this place already seems like home. Let me go tell the kids and let them know this is really happening."

While Kathy was talking to the kids, the pizza guy came with thirty pizzas and twenty dozen wings. You would think that was too much food until you see so many people show up. While the boxes were being opened, Kathy's kids came running out of the house straight at Sue and me.

J.J. looked at the two of us, then turned around looking for something. He went to get Mercy and Juanita, and pulled them back to us by their hand. Kathy came up carrying Greg.

J.J. stood up straight and talked to Sue, Juanita, Mercy, and me, "I want to tell all of you together. Thank you. All of us have missed being down here and now it's happening. We're moving back. This is a dream come true."

"Tina and Dennis clued us in that you ladies are all our moms and that Mom, ah, Kathy, our real mom, is going to be all of the kids' mom too. We like that, but we might slip and call you by name when we want just you and not any mom. But then Shawna is a neat mom. They, ah, you all are. Anyway, we're just kids, but we know this is a big deal. Barb has never quit talking about Steve, and mom hasn't either. Ben and Carl have said they want to grow up to be like Steve. I want to grow up and be a son to Steve as well."

J.J. looked around at his sister and brothers, "Did I cover it all?"

"No," Barb said, and began climbing up my body, so I had to hold her, "you didn't tell him that we love him and Sue and Mercy and Juanita. We love you all, and this is going to be so neat to live here with you."

Mercy had tears in her eyes, "It is going to be neat to live here with you."

Ben and Carl sought out Mercy and Juanita to get a hug, while Kathy and Sue were hugging with Greg in the middle.

I put Barb down, "Okay, guys, we'll gush later, let's have some pizza."

Kathy put Greg down to follow his siblings. She came to me and wrapped her arms around me, laying her head on my shoulder. "You're too much again. You constantly overwhelm me. This time you made my kids overwhelm me. Did you hear J.J.? He was the spokesman for the group. He's only thirteen, he's ahead in his class as he started early down here, but still, he's just a kid."

She turned to Sue and put a hand on her cheek, "You guys are wonderful. Just like Dad said," Kathy snapped her fingers, "just like that, it's done."

We ate and drank some beer, but I didn't overdo it as I would be flying tomorrow. Star and DeDe were on the patio, so I asked DeDe if she could make sure I had something like the Lear or the small 200 for tomorrow so I could fly some people up north.

DeDe said, "No sweat, Boss, John says that we need to keep the Lear and the 1900D pretty loose unless it's a spectacular charter. What time do you want it and I'll have it in front of the ops building."

"I guess eleven, right, Sue?" I said this, thinking that she had two schools to go to.

"Make it one o'clock. That ought to be about right. I'll hit the high school first, then we'll go over to the junior high. We might be done before that, but we're going out to lunch with Bessie's friend Cindy before we go out to the Aero Park, so one o'clock would be good."

The evening was pretty relaxed, and I felt good about my newly enlarged family. Kathy seemed willing. I hope she doesn't feel pushed. I was surprised that Carl and Bessie were so willing to move. But in reality Carl is without a job and Bessie has been counting pennies. Without Kathy's and the kids' pension from the military, they wouldn't be making it. I guess it was working out for the best.

We did some serious lovemaking that evening, but it was more among the girls than with me. It was Juanita that took me between her thighs and threw a good Cuban lovemaking on me. Soon I was sleeping soundly, still wrapped in Juanita's arms and legs.



-------

Chapter 67



I woke to some loving kisses. This time Kathy had maneuvered herself between Juanita and me to wake me up.

When I opened my eyes she said, "See, I'm worth keeping. I'm an early riser like you. I think I need to fix your rising problem though."

I gave her a good kiss and said, "We need to roll this morning. There's lots to do and a short time to do it."

As we got out of bed, Juanita rolled out with us and gave Sue and Mercy a kiss and a shake to have them begin waking up. The two girls and I showered and dressed. Kathy put a few things in a small bag that Juanita got out for her, saying that's all she'll need for a few days. Juanita also packed a small bag and we all went to the kitchen.

Glenda was already waiting on us, saying that she would have been our alarm if we had not gotten up yet. She knew we had a busy day.

Sue came out holding her gently swelling belly saying, "These two are really moving around. I wonder if they're dancing in there or what."

Mercy came out saying about the same, except she mentioned that if she hugged Sue's back her little ones were not as active.

Sue said, "Hmm, you have a point. When I'm hugging Steve's back, these guys aren't nearly as active."

Mercy said, "You keep saying these guys, do you think they are boys?"

"Don't know, Mercy, you tell me. Are they boys or just cantankerous girls?"

"We'll find out soon, Sue. I'll think about it and let you know though. I know mine are two girls and a boy, but I haven't felt what yours are. I'll bet Steve knows though."

Sue looked at me and I just shook my head. "Let's wait."

The phone rang and Sue answered it. She began laughing and said, "It's a good thing. Steve has double booked us today already. Thanks, Dad, we'll see you tomorrow."

When she hung up the phone she said, "We forgot about the probate hearing. The judge called to reschedule it for tomorrow at nine, so we're not going to have to do any contortions this morning."

I could only exclaim, "Whew!"

We all ate before Kathy took her four older kids and Sue to head first to Gaither High School down the road. I wasn't sure where the middle school for Carl, Ben, and Barb would be.

As soon as they left, I used the telephone number Kevin had given me for the car transporter. We worked a deal that he would pick up the cars Thursday morning. If that was too early, we could rent a car.

Ruth called to say she had the movers scheduled for tomorrow morning and had a Century 21 rep coming by with an appraiser at the same time. I called the air charter girl and asked what plane they would have for me. She acted almost shocked that I would get something other than the Lear. I called information up there to find out where the nearest U-Haul store to the house was. Once I found the number, I negotiated with the manager of the company owned store to deliver fifty packing boxes to the house by three this afternoon. He kept saying delivery is special and costs more. He took my credit card number and promised the delivery. I used the house PC and filed a flight plan and visited with Glenda until the family showed back up at nine fifty.

Bessie said, "I called Cindy and told her we would have lunch next week or she could even come out this next weekend for a visit. I want to get up there and get packing."

Glenda had some sandwiches and a couple of thermoses ready. She asked Sue once again whether she was going with me. When Sue said no again, Glenda said, "In that case, I'm riding shotgun with this jet jockey. Come on, Steve, I've been dying to ride up front with you."

Kathy had a hard time leaving Greg but she knew the kid would be loved up continuously while she was gone. He also had kids his own age to play with which was new to him.

We made the flight in just over two hours and fifteen minutes. The limo Ruth had ordered was there ready to take Carl, Bessie, Kathy, Juanita, Maggie, and Susan to the house for the move. Glenda and I said goodbye and reminded them that they needed to keep me posted on their progress.

I got Kathy off to the side and gave her a bunch of hundreds telling her to use it for whatever, in order to make the move easier. If she needed more help, hire it, and if they needed to rent a hotel room for a night to do it, but to call us and we would pay for it through the company. We kissed, promising each other more intimate time together soon.

The fuel truck was finished filling us up, so I did our preflight stuff, initiated the return flight plan, and beat feet. Once we were climbing, Glenda asked if the plane flew like the jets in movies. She said that the little planes would flip over, spin, dive, and look like they were having fun. I told her that if we were to dive, the air traffic people would have a fit. But we could roll while we were climbing without causing any grief. I kicked it over and we stayed inverted for a few seconds, then righted the plane and continued our climb.

"Oh, Steve, maybe we shouldn't do that. That really messes with the stomach. I'm too old to be doing that sort of thing. I'm glad we did it, but no more."

"Okay, Glenda, no more, I promise. If you feel sick you can lay down on the long side seat behind you."

"I'll be fine. I'm already feeling better. That kind of scared me. I didn't realize it was so fast. I thought it would be a gentle turn not one second we're right side up and the next upside down."

The rest of the flight was smooth and gentle. No windshear, no turbulence, no head wind, just smooth flying with few clouds other than some thin cirrostratus at around twenty-eight thousand.

We were home, having coffee on the patio by five, in time to have a beer with the guys. I figured I would lay off the booze in case the packers called and said to come get them.

Greg was fine with the other kids and when it was time to go to bed, Sue rocked him on her lap a while until he was sound asleep. She tucked him in with a kiss before convincing Mercy and me to go to bed early. Our time was used well, and I was able to thoroughly love my two ladies before I went to sleep.

Sue and I met Ben at his office at eight. We had coffee with him before walking over to the courthouse for the nine o'clock hearing. The hearing was held in the judge's chambers with the clerk and court reporter set up in chairs next to us.

The judge read the will again, summarized what transactions had been made during probate, announced that unless anyone had a problem with the proceedings, the probate was closed and settled. Ben had me sign a couple of checks for the hearing, the federal taxes and a check to the county on some property taxes that were due. He said he would file all of the deeds to the unsold property with the county clerk and that was all there was too it.

Sue said, "You know, we need to do something special with their money. I think that we should work on improving the sports park and set up an endowment for the upkeep. We can also add a slide to each of the pools and put Nelda's name on them. We need to do something else in Ernie's name for the city or county, but I don't know what yet. Everything that was theirs is in a special account so we should be able to keep it separate."

We hugged thinking of our old friends. Somehow, we felt they knew we wanted to do good with their gift to us.

Back home, we were just finishing lunch when Kathy called. "We're going to be completely done by five. We worked most of last night and the movers came this morning with eight people. I mean this place is stripped. Mom and Dad have sent Goodwill a huge truckload of furniture, clothes the kids have all outgrown, and old broken toys. The front curb has a stack of trash that will take a couple of loads to haul away. Dad gave all of his yard stuff to the guy next door as he was always borrowing it anyway. Steve, come and get us. We should be out at the airport no later than six. Do you think you can put up with a bunch of stinky, sweaty, people?"

"I'll be there at five, so just pace yourselves. Did the auto transport get there already?"

Kathy answered, "Yep, he's been and gone said he'll be in Florida day after tomorrow. The real estate lady said she would have you the appraisals by Friday and she felt she could sell the house easily, especially if you were going to have her fix it up. It's in good shape, but some paint won't hurt. Leaving the appliances will help too. She doesn't even want us to clean out the fridge. She said she was told to take care of everything."

"That's what they're paid for, Kathy. It's good you guys are going to let them take care of everything. Make sure you call to cancel the phone and to have the electric and water transferred to the real estate company. I forgot about that, but it should only be a couple of calls. Have the real estate lady do it."

"Mom and Dad can't believe this is so fast," Kathy said. "I can't either, but Jake and I moved several times and it was always fast. Oh yeah, J.J. has all of his motorcycles and gear packed in the van already. He's really excited to be able to ride down there. Thank you for taking an interest in that with him."

"Hey, I need some excitement too, you know. He can't have all of the fun. I wonder who will break something first?"

"You better not break anything, Buster. You have too many people depending on you. There are four ladies and a bunch of kids that look up to you."

"Not to worry, Kathy, I'll be fine. I was just joking."

"Yeah, right, just come get us, okay?"

I assured her, "I'll call to get the plane ready right now and be on my way in a few minutes."

"Goody, I don't like being away from you guys. Last night I slept with Juanita and Susan and it was very nice, but I miss my new family. How's Greg, has he been okay?"

"He's been fine, Kathy," I said. "Sue rocked him to sleep last night and he's been too busy playing all day with the other kids to be lonely."

"Good, this is the first time I've been away from him. Tell him I'm on my way home. Let me get those utility calls made and I need to call the limo service. I'll see you in a couple of hours. I love you, Steve, thanks for everything."

"See you soon, Kathy."

I had to give Sue and Mercy the content of the conversation that they didn't hear before I went to wash my face and change into jeans and boots to be more comfortable flying up there. I went through the house asking who wanted to ride along with me and no one wanted to go, so I took the keys to the Expedition and headed to the airport.

John and DeDe were in the charter office when I went in to get the log book. They both asked if I had anyone going with me and I told them no. They looked at each other and laughed. DeDe said, "We both would love to fly with you but we both have lessons this afternoon. I should call Star, I'll bet she would go."

"I'll be fine. It's not a long flight. I'll have plenty to keep me busy and will take the time to play with the navigation system a little more."

I was off the ground in another forty minutes and parked at the private terminal at four fifty. I made arrangements for fuel and called Kathy's house number. No answer, so that meant they were on their way to the airport. I went inside the terminal to buy a bunch of sandwiches, fruit, sodas, and bottled water that I was putting it in the cabin cooler when the limo pulled up. They had some extra luggage that I put away for them and loaded them up.

"Kathy, either you, J.J. or Carl, ride up front with me. Kathy and Carl looked at each other and motioned for J.J. to go up with me. After everyone was settled, I told them about the sandwiches and drinks, but told them to wait until we were at altitude so they wouldn't be falling or spilling things."

J.J. was so excited he was about to wet himself. This probably wasn't that good of an idea because now the other kids would want to ride in the right seat too. Perhaps a ride in the 172 would take care of it. That would be easier.

Our ride home was effortless. The plane is kept perfect and flew that way. J.J. got a kick out of setting up the landing instruments and following the glide slope indicator. He said it didn't look that difficult, and I assured him it wasn't but was all in the touch and in experience.

We were home, parking in front of the hangar, by seven forty-five. One of the night mechanics came out to help me unload everything and clean out the trash before he used the tow motor to push the plane inside. After putting the log books in the office, we drove home.

Sue, Mercy, and all of the crew, including Kathy's kids, had decorated the patio with stringers of crepe paper and signs. There was a giant "Welcome home, Kathy and kids, with all their names underneath" and another that said "Welcome home, Carl and Bessie."

That was the perfect touch. Any misgivings they might have had were settled right then. We had some snacks and drinks to celebrate the homecoming.

Before bed, Kathy took a shower and flopped on the bed saying, "Glad that's done. We really pushed. I can't believe we got it all done in twenty-four hours. Now for some rest."

Juanita was sitting next to Kathy, "Oh no you don't, someone has to take care of the master and I'm too old to handle him first. It's your job to take the edge off him, after that I'll get my chance."

Kathy raised her head frowning, "What do you mean too old. I saw the way you gave him some Latin loving night before last or whenever that was. You threw him every which way but loose. He's was crying uncle, not you."

Juanita reached over and gave one of Kathy large nipples a hard pinch.

"Ow!" Kathy exclaimed.

"That'll teach you to back talk me, young lady. I'm the oldest of us ladies and I get to dictate some things. Now get that thing between your legs working and take care of the master."

Kathy probably did the wrong thing as she whipped a pillow from behind her right into Juanita. That did it. Sue, Mercy, and Juanita all joined into a pillow fight that ended with all of them laying on their back laughing.

"Okay, children, you're not setting a good example for the kids. Thank goodness they didn't see that."

Kathy was grinning and pointed behind me. Barb's face was peaking around the doorframe. When she knew she was caught, she said, "You guys were making too much noise for me to sleep. I just wanted to ask you to be quieter."

I walked over and kissed Barb's forehead and sent her back to bed. I turned and looked at the four ladies to see that all of them were near nude, because their gowns had just about completely come off.

I stripped, turned off the lights, and slid in the middle between Mercy and Kathy. After some kisses and groping, Kathy asked, "Can I have a rain-check on some loving for in the morning?"

We all agreed and I was instantly asleep with Mercy hugging my back and Sue hugging Mercy's.

Carl and Bessie were able to move into their new place on Thursday, the same day the moving van arrived. Tiny's dad, Charlie, had the shed people put in a large pad and shed next to the trailer. We temporarily stored J.J.'s motorcycles in it and all of his gear. The problem was though that there was a lot of other things in the shed because the house had come pretty full of furniture, and now Carl and Bessie had to go through and figure out which items to keep and which items to give away or try to sell.

Kathy was integrating into the family and patio crew well. She was recognized as the senior mother among all of them, but even she deferred to Beth, Susan, Glenda, and Maggie.

Kathy's kids had re-established their friendships with the kids they had left a few years ago and now had a rather large group on the patio in the early afternoons, having ice tea or Kool-Aid and cookies nearly every day. Mercy said, "I'm having a lot of fun trying to keep up with Kathy's kids and all of ours. The real big ones seem to all run together. The older little ones all play well together too. It's like Greg has been their buddy all his life. Carson is still the oldest, but Steve and Greg seem to lead them. Then there are our precious Sean, Liz, and Mike. They are growing so fast and learning to talk now too. Beth and Susan have those two speaking whole sentences. Kathy was in there with all of them this morning. She says this is what Greg needs to really shine."

Friday morning, Mercy asked, "Can we take all the kids out on the sailboat this weekend. We could leave this afternoon and come back Sunday. There isn't a big party tonight, so you could miss it. I want to go out while I still can. Last week on the bikes told me I was done with motorcycles for a while, but I still want to go sailing. Can we take everyone out?"

"Which boat should we take?" I asked, thinking that we might need the big one for all the people.

"Let's take the Magellan; there are enough rooms if the kids double up like they should. We have a small room with the cribs for our two or even three if Charlie and Shawna want to come."

I walked over to Shawna and asked, "Do you want to go sailing with us this morning through Sunday afternoon? Mercy suggested that you and Charlie could come along if you wanted."

Charlie was sitting next to Shawna and screwed his mouth up, "I could probably get off without a hassle, can you, Honey?"

"No problem for me, the boss asked me. But Hanna, Jim, Debbie, and Hank would probably like to come too."

Mercy said, "Let's ask them. If they do and there's too many, we'll take the Mercy Mercy instead of the Have Mercy. I need to ask if Kate and Jim want to come along. Kate loves to sail."

By seven thirty on Friday morning, there were at least a hundred people getting ready to go sailing. That's not true, but it seemed like that many. We were going to need more life jackets.

We were going to be a large group. There would be Carl and Bessie, Kathy and her five, Sue, Mercy, Juanita, Beth, Maggie, our three kids, Shawna and Charlie and their two, Debbie and Hank with Rob, Hannah and Jim with Mia, and Kate and Jim with Carson. With me that's thirty. Then Glenda said that she and Martin would like to come, so it became thirty-two.

I told Mercy to make sure the big boat was ready as we would need the space for thirty-two of us. I went for some extra shorts, deck shoes and T-shirts. I contemplated not bringing any of the aluminum cases, but decided better to be safe so I brought all of them with the intention of just keeping them in the master stateroom just in case.

At nine thirty, we were at the yacht club in Dunedin, getting everyone settled. The first thing we did was to get life jackets to fit all of the little ones. Stevie was so used to wearing a jacket that he could just about get it on by himself. The other kids, seeing Carson and Stevie not having a problem with wearing the jackets, put theirs on right away.

The girls came last after stopping at the Publix for loads of food and beer. When everyone and everything was on board, I suggested we put the kids in the lounge while I was getting out of the yacht basin.

When everyone was where I knew they were safe, we fired the engines, tested the electronics, then the sails. Juanita and Kate did the lines and jumped back on board as I eased away from the dock, moving the big boat out.

As we got out into the gulf, I began raising sails until we were blossomed out under full sail. Mercy was standing with me, wearing a contented smile.

Where to Ma'am, did you have a destination in mind?

Mercy said, "Let's sail out into the Gulf and head up to the Panama area. I remember a bunch of islands up there that we could stop at tonight. We can fish a little and just party. What do you think?"

"Sounds good, plot a course, Mate," I said jokingly.

Mercy bent over the big GPS display, found where she wanted to go, punched in the numbers, and received a display of the estimated time to target.

Everyone had a great time. The older kids were up front sunbathing when Sue said that it was custom for all sunbathing out on the water to be nude. All the kids had a problem with the nude thing, but most of the women were soon lying up front in the nude, getting some warm sun on them. Beth and Bessie were inside the lounge with the little guys, but Shawna brought CJ out in a life jacket and Hanna and Debbie brought Robby and Tia. Sue already had Greg and Stevie on deck. Kathy and Barb thought the nude sunbathing was great, but J.J. was embarrassed. Ben and Carl didn't think too much about it and enjoyed being out in the sun.

Big Carl came up to me and asked, "Is this normal? Do the ladies get naked out on deck often?"

"Take a look, Carl, do you see Maggie and Glenda up there? Do they look uncomfortable without clothes? Maggie will tell you. It's a problem with sailboats or boats in general. Get a woman out on the water and the clothes come off. Just look at little Barb. She's at the age she should be really self conscious but she's lying back, stark naked, enjoying the sun."

Carl said, "I should go in and help with the little ones so Bessie can get some sun. I'll bet she would like to."

Martin and Carl went inside the lounge and soon, Beth and Bessie were lying in the sun, just as naked as the rest. I had J.J. take the wheel and told him to just keep it from spinning, as the auto pilot was on. I took the camera and went to the front to take twenty to thirty pictures of the nudie cuties sunning themselves. This would be great as something to remember.

Around six, we took down sail and started the engines and slowly made our way toward the small islands dotted around the area. I had one eye on the depth gauge and the other on the close-in radar to make sure of where we were. The GPS was showing a channel, but there were no buoys for us to use as navigation points.

Since it was low tide, we drifted up close to one of the islands and put out two anchors to keep us in the same spot. Some wanted to go swimming and swim the fifty feet or so to the island and others were content to stay on board. I told Charlie that we could let the dinghy down so those that didn't want to swim could use it to go back and forth.

Soon, most everyone was on the beach of the small island, searching for shells. Some of the kids found some dried up starfish while Stevie's age group were using sand pails and shovels to dig to China.

While we were playing on the beach, a Coast Guard patrol came slowly up to our boat. Mercy and I took the dinghy out to the boat so we could assist them if they needed to come aboard. We threw out fenders and caught a line thrown to us by a Coast Guard crewman. As they drifted up to the boat, the Petty Officer in charge said, "You're in pretty close to that island, aren't you afraid you'll beach yourself?"

I answered, "We anchored in good on both ends and it is low tide. We should be fine. We're planning on spending the night here."

The Petty Officer asked, "You have a lot of passengers, do you have enough life jackets?"

Mercy smiled at the man, "Steve would never go out without everyone having one. He had to rent some for the little kids as we didn't have enough of the child jackets. We even have two fifteen foot inflatables if it came to that."

"Well, you folks take care, enjoy yourselves, but be safe. I think I know this boat from Dunedin. Do you dock there?"

I nodded, "Yes sir, that's where we keep all of our boats."

"Are you part of S&S? Dumb question with it written all over your boat. Is this the boat that just went to Europe and back?"

Mercy beamed, "It sure is, we made both crossings without a hitch. The storms we experienced were not much at all."

The Petty Officer looked at me and asked, "I'm almost embarrassed to ask, but do you have at least two licensed captains?"

Mercy stood up straight with her hands on her hips and said, "We have four qualified captains with us today. As a matter of fact, all four were on the trip to Europe and back, so all are experienced."

"Just asking Ma'am, it's my job. Well I should check that you at least have two, do you have licenses available to check?"

Mercy asked me, "Is your wallet below in the stateroom? I'll get yours as my purse is there."

Mercy went below and was back up in a minute with my wallet and her purse. We showed them our licenses and some other picture ID, then invited the Petty Officer aboard to check life jackets. I told him that all of the little kids on the beach were ferried there in the dinghy so their life jackets were over there. While we were still talking to the man, Dennis, J.J., and Tina all swam out to the boat and came up from the platform. "Do you need help, Uncle Steve?"

"We're fine, Dennis, but thanks for asking. Load the grill in the dinghy and we'll take our food over there to cook. We can have a luau right on the beach."

The Coast Guard people still had some kind of problem, so I invited them to stay. "Look, tie up to us on both ends and join us on the beach for supper. You're not going to find many boaters out till later tonight, so relax for a little while and enjoy. We have plenty of iced tea and soft drinks for your crew. So call in and grab your portable so you can stay in contact."

The whole crew looked at the Petty Officer, trying to mentally get him to join us. He finally said, "Good idea. If you have enough food, we'd love to join you. Come on, men, put on some shorts and let's hit the beach. Smith, get the big dinghy out, I don't think you guys want to swim in. We can haul some coolers of drinks with us."

Dennis went below to the storage locker and came up with two coolers. He filled them with a variety of soft drinks and ice in one and beer and ice in the other. The Coast Guardsmen couldn't believe we even had a good sized icemaker at the bar in the upper lounge.

Soon our thirty-two and the eight from the Coast Guard were on the beach. Several Frisbees appeared, along with some beach balls. Charlie and I got the grill going and we were soon cooking hotdogs and hamburgers. We had some macaroni and cheese along with some potato salad the girls had gotten at the store. Dennis and J.J. made a few trips back to the boat to bring back the four folding tables and a bunch of folding chairs. It became a real party.

About eight, the Coast Guardsmen said they had to go back and get out on patrol to watch the weekend traffic. I offered to let them use our showers, but they said they had a shower on board. There wasn't any sense in rubbing it in, so I let them enjoy their tiny two by two shower, probably with no hot water. Their bunks were nothing more than six foot by three foot by three foot shelves where they slid in to sleep. Ah, the life of the military.

It took us a dozen trips to get all of our stuff back on the boat. Mercy was squirting off the tables and chairs before they were stored in the on-deck locker. She said the salty sand played havoc with the metal on the tables.

We were soon all enjoying some drinks in the big lounge on the upper deck while all the kids were below, watching a movie. The girls were bathing the little ones, getting them into pajamas and ready for bed. The others, a couple at a time, went below to shower off the lotion and salt.

By eleven, we were all tired and somehow, everyone found a bed of some form. The lounge sofas all converted into beds, so we were able to get everyone comfortable. I closed the helm on deck and set up the perimeter alarm hoping dolphins didn't come into shore often.

In bed, Mercy said, "This is what boating and sailing is all about. Today was wonderful. All of us enjoyed ourselves, not a care in the world. I loved it."

Kathy asked, "Is this what it was like sailing to Europe? You didn't stop at night did you?"

Sue told her, "We took turns or rather shifts at the helm. Most nights we used the inside helm, but Steve would check out on deck during the night. We usually did three hours on and nine hours down, so it wasn't real tough."

"Do you think I could learn to help crew on the boat?" Kathy asked and continued, "I would really like to and I know the kids are having a great time. They are going to want to learn as much as possible."

Juanita told Kathy, "All of us took the training so we could help Steve. Mercy was the instigator to get a big sailboat, but I don't think any of us thought we would end up with something like this one. The big white sailboat is our favorite, but it is smaller and couldn't handle all of these people. We'll have to go out on it soon, with just our family. You'll see, the boat is just beautiful. We'll talk to John about teaching you after you have some more time sailing. We can pilot the big fishing boats too, but I don't think any of us have even been on the new hundred and fifty foot motor yacht. So far, since Tiny bought it, it's been continuously rented out to rich people."

I snuggled behind Sue, who was behind Mercy, who was next to Kathy, with Juanita on the other side. Kathy said, "I like this bed, it's even bigger than the one at home. So much has changed since I left, it's like I'm coming back home, but to a totally remodeled home and a totally remodeled Steve."

Kathy yawned, "Being out on the water makes me sleepy, does it do that to you?"

No one answered, we were all almost asleep. Kathy pulled the sheet and light blanket up over us and drifted off.

Saturday morning, we were all up with the women fixing a big breakfast in the galley. Today we thought we might sail over to see if the man we bought the Magellan from was there.

When we were out under full sail, Sue used her cell phone to call the man who got us into big sailboats. He answered, but said he was just leaving the yacht club, heading out with a bunch of passengers. Sue made arrangements for us to meet in the Gulf, and reset the GPS for the coordinates.

As we approached the meeting place, we could see our old boat sailing toward us. His sail began coming down as we drifted near each other, exchanged lines, and put out fenders to tie up to each other.

There was a lot of hugging and back slapping followed by Mercy and Sue taking him on a quick tour of our big boat. They gave him the story of our trip to Costa Rica and buying this boat and our trip to Europe. When he came back on deck he said, "You folks convinced me to retire from that rat race and now I take passengers out for day cruises and overnights sometimes. I need to get back to sailing, as that's what the folks on board paid for. You know, I owe you guys my life. I was slowly dwindling away to nothing, and now I have a life. I live on board and enjoy the Gulf almost every day. I pay for my hobby and lifestyle by being a tour guide. Nothing could be better."

After more hugs and handshakes, he was gone. We watched as he hoisted his sail, watched as the sails filled with wind as sailed out of sight. We decided that we would sail more southwest and headed that way. I called to Tiny on the radio, because I knew he would be out on the Hatteras today. He answered, so I asked him for numbers out our way so we could do some fishing. He told me to call him on his sat phone.

"How come the satellite phone, Tiny?"

"Man, you don't want to broadcast good numbers on the air. You would have so much company you would be banging into other boats. Write these down, they are in a group out there, where a bunch of trawlers sank about fifteen years ago in a big storm. You have to fish deep, but the area is lousy with grouper. Eat what you catch so you don't screw up with the fish and game people. Oh yeah, and be careful out there, there are a lot of sharks. The only ones you have to worry about are the hammerheads as they get pretty big. None of the rest get as big. They'll bite, so no swimming out there unless it's you diving."

"I don't have any gear, so I'll be sure not to let anyone swim. Maybe we'll catch some junk fish and chum a little so the folks can see some sharks. That ought to be interesting."

"Just don't fall in when you're chumming, those bigger sharks just start chomping. They don't care what it is. They get into a frenzy and just tear everything apart, including each other."

"Got it and thanks, Tiny, I think these folks are all enjoying themselves."

"You've got more people on board than we usually book for. Are you using the crews quarters too?"

"Hadn't thought of the crew's quarters, Tiny, we're using the pull outs in the lounges and it's enough."

Tiny said, "We'll have to rethink the size of the parties we rent to. If we were to rent to thirty people, that would bring in an extra buck or two."

"Thanks, Tiny, see you later, we don't want to gab on these things too long, too expensive."

"You're right, Steve, they ain't cell phones. Call me if you need me, I'm only going to be about thirty miles from those numbers."

"See ya," I said, and terminated the call.

I gave Sue the numbers that Tiny gave us and she punched in the nearest set.

When we came up to the first set of numbers there were three boats there already, so we went around and headed for numbers the farthest away. Once there, we dropped our anchor so we would be right around the numbers and got out the fishing tackle. Several poles and reels had been added to the boat, along with a variety of other gear.

Dennis came up and asked if we had a cast net because a bunch of bait fish were getting near our platform. Dennis had learned to throw a cast net and pulled in so many bait fish, he couldn't lift it onto the platform. We took a bunch of buckets down to the platform and filled them with bait and let the rest go.

Martin, Charlie, the two Jims, and Hank had the rods out and were baiting the hooks as soon as the bait fish were brought up. They had some heavy sinkers so they could drop the lines down the hundred feet to where the fish would be. Charlie didn't even get to begin letting line out before a spotted sea trout took his bait. Martin had the same luck but with a redfish.

Soon, every one of the kids had a chance to catch a fish. Our big live well was teeming with various sizes and types of fish, but no grouper. None of the lines were ever deep enough.

The strikes dwindled off after a while, so Charlie and Martin were able to get their lines down to near the bottom. It didn't take them but a couple of minutes before they both had some pretty good sized grouper hooked. Glenda said that it would probably take about forty to fifty pounds of fish to feed everyone after they were cleaned, so the guys continued to pull up fish until we had about sixty pounds of big keeper grouper. I went down to the platform and began cleaning and filleting the fish. I saved all of the offal to chum with later, but soon had our supper cleaned, ready to cook.

I cut up some trash fish to go with the other chum and we released all of the other game fish in the live well. I began throwing out chunks at a time. Everyone was at the rail to see if any big hammerheads would come near the boat. Even after all the chum was out in the water and the bucket was rinsed, the only sharks we saw were some pretty good sized black tips and a couple of nurse sharks.

We used fresh water and cleaned up the fishing gear and washed the buckets and live well. No sense letting the salt water corrode our gear.

It was agreed we would just spend the night where we were anchored and perhaps fish some more in the morning. We had kept some bait fish.

That night, the girls and I did some heavy exploring. Sue and Mercy were made love to by me and the other two ladies, then it was their turn. We had an enjoyable but fairly loud encounter. With the portholes open, we knew the sound of our coupling would carry to other open portholes.

Sunday morning was a repeat of Saturday. This time, I think there were more people hungrier for breakfast. Being out in the boat did help the appetite. The plan for today was to raise sail and go back into Dunedin. It was going to be about a four to five hour sail, so we got under way early. Storm clouds were in the west coming up on us fairly fast, so I had everyone go below and make sure all of the portholes were closed then made sure everyone out on deck had a life jacket on.

The seas began picking up as we neared Dunedin. We were getting six to eight foot swells, but not enough to cause any grief. The boat was so big that Stevie and Carson couldn't show Greg or the other kids how they could roll around on the floor depending on how the boat leaned. Stevie and Carson had done that as a diversion during the one big storm we had encountered on our trip to Europe.

Once we were tied up at the dock with the help of one of our charter crews, we began hauling our stuff off and cleaning the boat. We were barely started when the charter crew leader said, "Go home, we have it. We need to earn our keep this weekend. We have a cruise tomorrow for a week, but we've been sitting on our thumbs for a week. Go home, it will help us know the boat is ready."

By four in the afternoon, we were all home, unloaded, and sitting around enjoying a beer. Carl said, "I can only imagine how much fun you guys had sailing to Europe. If you do it again, Bessie and I want to go along. We heard about your trip through the Panama Canal and would love to do that too. Sailing is really different. It's so peaceful and smooth. No motor noise, just the sound of the waves against the bow. It really is the way to travel."

Tiny came in with several buckets of fish that were already cleaned, hollering that dinner was ready to be cooked. It was instantly agreed that we would have a fish fry. Martin got out the big gas deep fryer that we set up in the yard. The ladies brought out the fish already coated with batter and their special crumb coating.

We all ate heartily, not leaving a crumb on the plates where the fish had been. Ice cream was a welcome dessert and after that it was time to get the kids cleaned up and to get us adults cleaned up as well.

Original Editing by Pepere
New Proofing by: Deryk Bramwell



-------

Chapter 68



The next few weeks were just life, work, and our special times together. On a Friday morning, Sue came up to me on the patio and said, "You better go back to the bedroom. Your new lady is sick."

I was out of the chair instantly, heading to the big bedroom. Mercy and Juanita were sitting on the bed looking toward the bathroom. I could hear Kathy gagging as if she had been throwing up.

"What's the matter, Honey, did you eat something that didn't agree with you?"

That comment brought some giggles from behind me. I glanced at them and they looked down as if they were guilty of something. I took a washcloth and wet it covering her forehead, cooling her off.

Kathy looked up at me and said, "Well, so much for being careful. You're going to be a dad again. I can tell you for sure, none of the boys ever made me sick but Barb nearly killed me for a month. Hope you wanted another daughter."

I looked behind me and saw three smiling faces. I had to ask, "Are you sure? Are you sure it's not something you ate?"

"I should have swallowed instead, that's for sure. That's the only time we've not been careful. You only got a little in me and the rest was all over both of us. No sir, this is the real McCoy. We'll get a test kit, but I missed my period and now I'm probably about, ah, what is it, six weeks?"

Kathy turned and hugged me, "I'm sorry, Steve, I didn't mean to get pregnant. With all the kids that are already coming, this is going to be too much."

I pulled back from Kathy, "Hardly, now it's a baker's dozen plus one. We'll have fourteen. That should just about be a record, even with three ladies. Your kids are going to be mad at me though for doing this to you. I'm sorry, Kathy, I should have been tougher with you and pulled out faster."

"Oh no, you don't. It was feeling so good that I was sorry I let you out at all. It was our first time back together. It's only fitting that the last time we were together we made a baby, and the first time back together we made another. This time I will get fixed. This is the last. I'm glad I'm going to have another baby with Sue and Mercy. We'll all have babies at the same time. This will be fun."

I helped Kathy up and she brushed her teeth and gargled, saying the only way to keep from throwing up was to eat something. Then every time she felt it coming on she had to eat a little. She asked that we stock up on some Seven-Up for her as that seemed to help before.

Sue and Mercy were standing in the doorway, rubbing their growing bellies. Mercy said, "Come on, Dad, we better watch you or you're going to knock up the entire park."

Sue followed with, "Let's see, all at once we're going to have Mercy's three, my two, Kate's, and now a couple of months or so later, Kathy's little girl."

Mercy said, "I'm having a boy and two girls. Steve is already calling yours twin boys, Kate's hoping for a girl and so far the ultrasound agrees, and now Kathy says it's going to be a girl. We'll have six little boys and four little girls besides Kathy's other three boys and a girl. This is going to be expensive."

As soon as I went out onto the patio, Bessie asked, "Is Kathy okay? Did she eat something bad?"

Kathy came out and gave her Mom a hug and said, "Remember how sick Barb made me?"

"Oh no, Kathy, tell me it isn't so. Are you really?"

"Yes, Mom, really. I missed my period, but I thought it was because of all the excitement. Steve isn't even mad. He's smiling and figuring out that he's going to have six little boys and four little girls running around here besides my older ones. There's just too many to count."

Sue came out and said, "I guess we should be making some donations to Women's hospital."

I said thinking of all the time we were going to be spending there, "We won't have to, we'll be their best customer this year."

"You know," I said, thinking about the number of kids, "before Kathy told us that we were going to have another, I was already counting thirteen and thought this would be fourteen,. How was I making that mistake?"

Juanita said, "You're not making a mistake. It's easy Steve, if you count Kate's little one. He may be theirs, but the baby is still yours, that will be fifteen."

Bessie and Kathy looked at me harshly, with Kathy saying, "With all the ladies you have, you're cattin' around?"

Sue said, "It's not like that, Kathy, Kate and Jim can't have any more and Kate asked Steve to help her with another. She says she may want one or two more after this."

"And you're okay with this?" Kathy asked.

"It's a long story, Kathy, but suffice it to say that Kate was invited to be a part of us. Once she was pregnant, she was able to put her marriage back together. So far they are working out. I'll tell you all about it later."

Kathy had a thoughtful look, "I guess it's okay, but how many kids are you going to have there, Stud, before you decide to clip that thing."

Mercy said, "Not until Kate has all she wants, then if he wants to, he can. Sue and I know where they come from and we will both probably get fixed. I just hate to do that because you never know when you might want another."

Kathy said, "Yeah, I know. I had thought about getting fixed when Barb came and again when Greg came along. As you can see, I didn't and should now definitely plan on it. So Sue and Mercy, I assume you have a good gynecologist?"

"We do, Kathy, and we'll take you to see her as soon as we can get an appointment," Sue said. "You may need some special vitamins since you've had multiple births. She gave Mercy and me some different ones this time because we've had babies before."

Soon, everyone that had been within hearing distance of the exchanges were smiling and teasing me for knocking up half the park, or at least some of the good looking women from the patio.

Later that day, Sue and Kathy did the test and sure enough, the blue line showed that another baby was on the way. They made an appointment for Kathy to get examined and bought the requested Seven-Up. Now every time you would see Kathy, she would have some crackers and a can of Seven-up.

As a result of this new announcement, I gathered my ladies together to discuss our future. I had cleared this with Ben already, so I stated something to all the ladies as a group.

"I wish for Mercy, Juanita, and Kathy to legally change your last name to Sharp." They all looked up at me quickly, but I held my hand up to keep them quiet for a minute longer.

The way I would wish it to be done would be your full name as it is today with Sharp as the last name. This way you will never lose the name identity you originally had. I think Sue should change her name to add Phillips before Sharp as well. For you Kathy, if your kids would want, I would be proud if they were to add my name to theirs.

I was attacked. Four ladies came at me, hugging and kissing me, knocking me to my back, with them piled on top. Kathy said, "I wondered how you were going to do that. It's a pretty sneaky way to gather all of your women and family even closer. Now I'll really have three sisters, even if we are wives. This is the craziest poly group ever."

Sue said, "I had wanted to keep the Phillips name as I want it to live on, even though there isn't a boy to keep it going. This is just as good. We can do this."

Juanita was out and out crying, near sobbing, "It is so beautiful to have your name and my Manuel's name as well. This is the most you could ever give me, my Steve."

Mercy just smiled ever so sweetly, "Thank you for giving me your name. Our babies have your name and I will have your name, but I needed mine to be the same too. Thank you, I love you."

Weekends are always pleasurable. This one was nice as Sue and I took the kids up in small planes on Saturday. We lucked out and were able to get our 172 and another one, so we had room for J.J., Carl, and Barb with me, while Ben, Dennis, and Tina rode with Sue. We flew out over the beaches, checked out the sharks, flew by the yacht club and over to Zephyr Hills to watch the skydivers. On the way back, Sue decided we needed to go down to Sarasota-Manatee airport for an ice cream as they have the best around, right in the private aircraft terminal.

When we got back, Kathy asked if she could go up for a while, so we went back to the airport with Carl and Bessie and did about the same circuit, except we didn't go down to Sarasota. We flew up to Panama City and back along the coast, seeing lots of boaters and tons of rays in the water.

Sunday, Henry brought out his corvette. This was the first time he had it on the road and he was in a panic over it possibly getting a rock chip, or even worse, into an accident. The car was gorgeous, but it wouldn't be any fun to own if you didn't drive it.

Sandy and Mandy had finished their panel truck. They had chopped the top giving the truck an awesome rake. The front windshield was only about six inches so the slope of it was steep. They had small — narrow front wheels and huge wide racing tires on the back. The truck was mostly flames, but mingled within the flames were characters from Shawna and Hank that were either funny or near xxx rated. The truck even had a title, "The Andies' Candy Wagon."

It didn't take long for the new families to become an important part of our little society. The big kids made life fun as they were so busy. Each had some form of hobby that made them unique. The best part was their part in taking care of the little ones. The four older kids played outside with the six middle kids, and played inside and on the patio with Sean, Lizzy, and Mike.

Those three were little devils. They were very mischievous and always into something they shouldn't be. When they disobeyed, the punishment we found that was the most severe was to sit them in three separate corners, in different rooms, followed by putting them in separate play areas. They hated that the most. You knew how close they were at nap time. They always insisted on a single pillow and the three would lie down together and sleep like that. In the evening, when Sean went home, there was always some crying because Lizzy and Mike didn't want Sean to go and Sean didn't want to leave the other two.

Just when Kathy was showing, and Mercy, Sue, Hanna, Debbie, and Deanne were getting pretty big, Tiny held a Friday party for us in honor of Star. The announcement came from him, "Tonight is to honor Star and the tremendous effort she has given to market our special homemade tools, the new book, and for her production of Phil's and Judy's seminars. It's hard to believe that we've been able to continue our productivity with Phil and Judy so busy away from home, but as we all know, they have trained good replacements."

"Star now has forty-four tools in manufacturing and being marketed in various industry magazines. She has published our first book that has an even one hundred tools that were deemed good, but not necessarily marketable. So far the book is selling like crazy. The forty-four tools are selling well enough that we are working on a plant in the back of the park to manufacture these tools locally.

"Now, the part that everyone wants to know about. This department is showing one hell of a profit, even while paying fees to the tool creators and some handsome fees to our two entertainers giving the seminars. This profit goes right into our 401K plan. Steve has set aside the profits from this department to benefit our plan exclusively." Lots of cheering and applause.

Star has selected the next twenty-five tools to be manufactured and marketed, and has another one hundred tools for the next book. Our sales leaders, Phil and Judy can rest though, as Star has put together a seminar on DVDs and CDs, along with workbooks and other materials the viewer would normally get if they attended the seminar in person. So now we have Phil's sales seminar and Judy's customer service seminar ready to be shipped. The advertising goes into industry magazines this coming month and they will also be sold at the seminars Phil and Judy will continue to infrequently give. They have cut down the amount of seminars to ten each for the coming year. They figure that it will be easy to fill that many as we will be going back over some heavy populated areas."

"So let's give it to Star, she has earned all of our praise and in honor of that, Star is now the Vice President in charge of special tools and promotions. She has four people in her department right now, and will be adding several more as she will be in charge of the new plant. Star, I toast you and your success."

Star was standing with Tiny and took the microphone when he handed it to her. Tears were streaming down her face, but since she had not been wearing makeup, they were just big tear stains.

"This is a shock. Thank you, Tiny, Thank you, Steve, and thank you all for helping me gather the information for all of the products. I know I was pushy and disruptive, but the only way to market these things is with you being videotaped using the tool and again making it. These images, as you've seen, are used in our advertising and it gives the buyers authenticity of the tool. Most of them slap their foreheads and say, "I could have made that." But they didn't, and that's why you are on the patent and you are making some extra money. So, thank you all for helping me. I'm going to continue to be a pain in the butt, but it will be all for us. I didn't know that Steve put all our profits into our plan. That just makes my job more important. Thank you all."

I wanted to say something to everyone, so I went up to get a hug from Star, taking the microphone. "There is some news from our plant in Ireland. A lucky leprechaun has invaded the new plant there and produced orders that effectively sell more than we have forecast to be produced for this entire year. Since most of the customers would prefer not to wait so long for product, we have contracted to double the size of the plant which I'm told will triple our production. I'm not sure how all that works, but that's why we have really smart people designing our plants."

"Our R&D group has some interesting developments. They have licensed Sony's polyester battery technology in an attempt to develop better batteries for our forklifts and transportation carts. Some of their new batteries are in a passenger van that we use to bring some wheelchair workers to the park every day. So far, everything is working well. They have added some new polyester solar panels to the top of the van to extend its range. It isn't totally self-renewable so far, but they are working on it. I'm told the new solar panels are able to use even cloudy sunlight to gather some energy. Who knows, perhaps we will be onto something."

"For this last thing, I want you to listen closely, as it is important for all of the folks in all of our companies. For anyone that does not own their own home yet, please look into one of our homes, condos, or duplex units. All of our employees are eligible for a very low interest loan at a price that is far below market. The only request we have is that you do not reveal or broadcast your purchase price or the terms of your mortgage. When these properties are sold out, we may not do any more developments for a while because land values and construction costs have skyrocketed. This would be good for us, but probably bad for those who purchase at a high price. Keep in mind the cost of the monthly mortgage payment will include your property taxes and homeowners insurance. The county does the appraising, so your company cannot do anything about the tax amount. For those who wish to own their own home, look into it now."

There was kind of a hush over the crowd as many were thinking about whether they should buy now or not.

Charlie, Tiny's dad, asked for the microphone. "With the expansion on the north side of the park, the strip of land that we purchased goes back past the lake and includes a great deal of property back there. Steve will probably agree to open it up for more mobile homes. We will be establishing spaces for both single and double wide homes back there. Services should be available by the end of May. Those who might wish to live out here with us, please consider your discount for a lot right here in our own utopia."

The rest of the evening was full of questions about what kind of special deals we were giving for the properties and the mortgages. I could only refer them to the sales organization, where a special real estate group was handling the sales.

When most everyone had left for home, I was out on the patio with Glenda and Martin, Abe and Alice, Charlie and Shawna, Sue, Mercy, Juanita, and Kathy. As we were having a last beer, I looked at my four ladies and gesturing toward the three couples sitting with us, "You know these are people I started out with here. Without them, I would never have met the rest of you, and I would never have started a business here."

Glenda said, "You sure have given Martin and me a wonderful time since then. I'm glad you and I began having coffee together."

Martin took up where she left off, "From the beginning, Steve, you shared a beer with Glenda and Abe and Alice and me. You were always watching out for us."

Charlie commented, "You made yourself a reputation when you went out to Pop's and welded those cases, then you showed up at Del's. I didn't know whether you were going be a customer or a friend, but you turned out to be more like family."

Shawna said, "When Charlie and I bought Kathy's trailer, we were able to luck out and pay for it all at once. But since then, the company has made us so much money, we have a fat bank account and security that we never thought we would have. Hank and I are making so much painting cars, trucks, boats, and planes that we now have to limit how much work we accept so we don't take time away from our families."

"I've been the luckiest of all of you," I said, with a smile of satisfaction. "When I met Kathy, she made me realize that I had missed out on having a relationship. When she left, Denise came along for a few days and then I met Sue, the new love of my life. I still don't have a clue how I luckily ended up with the four of you, but now that I have, my life is pretty complete. I think everyone here right now, plus several that are not here, have created a wonderful life for all of us."

We were all sitting back, smiling at our own inner thoughts. J.J came out to the patio, and since there was a little space on the couch where I was sitting, sat down beside me. He was smiling as he put his head back on the couch and closed his eyes. "Dad, where are we going to put six more babies?"

That choked me up to hear him call me Dad. Sue, Mercy, Juanita, Shawna, Glenda, and Alice caught it, while Kathy had big tears rolling down her cheeks. Sue was smiling, "We'll just do some rearranging, J.J. There will be plenty of room."

J.J. said, "I thought we had a big family when there were just four of us kids, but Greg came so Barb wasn't the little one anymore. Then we all get Stevie, Mike, and Liz, plus now six more are coming. I'm really going to have a big family."

I put my arm over J.J.'s shoulder, "You sure do, Son, you sure do. Since you're the oldest, you have to watch out for all of them and keep me up to date on what's going on around here."

J.J. looked exasperated, "I can't keep up with all of them now, how will I keep up with all of them when they are all running around?"

Kathy patted J.J.'s leg, "You'll have Carl, Ben, and Barbara to help you. You'll just have to work out how you four can do it."

Soon everyone decided it was time for bed, so it was as if a bell rang, we all got up, those who had to go home left, and my family finished cleaning the patio before we went in, locked up, and went to bed.

In bed, Sue said, "Tomorrow, we are going to find out if we can get a bigger bed made. I think it needs to be at least two feet wider and possibly four."

Kathy said, "With all of our big bellies right now, four foot larger would be good. I think what we also need to decide is how we are going to limit future babies. Fourteen should be enough."

Juanita said, "I wish I could have given us a couple more, but I feel like all the babies, and now even Greg, are mine. I didn't carry them, but I get to mother all of them."

Kathy held Juanita to her and rocked back and forth a second. "Juanita, I would never believe I would be here with three other women enjoying sharing a relationship with one man, but you give three of us a different perspective of life and caring. You give your love to all of us so generously that it makes us love you that much more."

Juanita smiled and stretched out, lying back on the bed. Kathy lay on her side next to Juanita, propping up her head with one hand and smoothing her other palm over Juanita's smooth brown skin. "I didn't think I could get so excited over another lady either, but the three of you have me wanting all of you constantly. There's something about you guys that just makes me quiver inside.

Mercy snuggled up to Kathy's back and hugged her, as Sue got on the other side of Juanita and joined Kathy in caressing her.

My ladies didn't even need me. They were totally engrossed in loving each other until Mercy looked at me, lay on her back with her legs spread and wiggled her finger to me to come.

Just like the dog that I am, I dove in.

We slept all snuggled together.

A couple of months later, on hot Sunday afternoon, Sue and Mercy were propped up in beach chairs, watching our children playing in sand. Kathy was showing pretty good and our friends Debbie, Hannah, and Deanne were waddling in that cute very pregnant woman walk. The entire patio group had decided to go to the beach for a play day. Kathy's big kids were having a great time and the group of our larger small kids were digging and attempting to build something resembling a castle. The three smallest were busy filling one bucket with sand, dumping it out, and giggling before once again begin to fill it back up.

Charlie and Shawna were trying to help with the castle making, but there were too many small hands that kept knocking down the formed towers. The scene was very relaxed, very comfortable.

Deanne, who was trying to keep from getting sunburnt, was lying back in a chair under a big umbrella. She had been squirming around and was acting pretty uncomfortable. Finally she said, "Terrell, Honey, can we go home. I don't feel right. This kid is pushing on all of the wrong places. Let's go home."

The other women began helping them get their stuff together, when Hannah let out a loud groan. "Oh shit, that was a contraction. Whew, a big one too. Jim, we better head back, get the kid and let's get."

My women, recognizing that their friends were having trouble, began stirring with the intention of helping, joining the girls getting home.

Debbie had been sitting on the side of her lounger, putting things into her carryall, when she lay back moaning. "I think whatever Hannah has is catching. That was a big one. Come on, Hank, let's pack up and get."

I went to get J.J., Carl, Ben, and Barb as they would be a help getting and keeping the little ones heading toward the cars. J.J., Dennis, and Tina took charge and soon had all of our kids carrying their toys, heading toward the parking lot.

Terrell was acting nervous and said to me quietly, "Deanne isn't acting right. I hope there's nothing the matter. I'm going to take her straight to the hospital so they can examine her."

"Good idea, Terrell, it looks like Hannah and Debbie are on their way too."

It was a good thing Glenda, Martin, Maggie, Carl, and Bessie were with us, as it was fairly easy to get all our stuff back to the cars. We loaded up and left. Terrell was going straight to Women's hospital, while Debbie and Hannah wanted to go home first to shower. They thought they would have plenty of time as they were not having regular contractions.

On the way home, Terrell called on his cell phone to tell us Deanne's water broke and she was having regular contractions now. While Terrell took the road toward the hospital, the rest of us went north toward the park.

At home, my girls headed straight for the showers so they could get cleaned up to help with the other girls as necessary. The people at the park that didn't go to beach with us recognized our hurry, and soon the excitement level was way up. Of course, the little ones sense that sort of thing and were going bonkers, running wild. Thank goodness the older kids took it upon themselves to keep the little ones corralled on the patio and in the house.

Jim and Hannah came over to drop Mia off before heading toward the hospital. Jim had a stiff drink to settle himself down and said, that is going to have to last for a while.

Next, Debbie and Hank brought Robbie over so they could go to the hospital. Debbie advised everyone her water had broken and she was having regular, although small, contractions. Hank chugged a beer and waved goodbye.

Beth came into the patio, and I was about to ask what she was out here for, when Susan came in heading toward the kitchen. I checked the kitchen to find most of the women huddled, making some kind of plan.

I could see this evening could become long and tiring, so I went to the bedroom and showered quickly, putting on clothes I could accompany my ladies in.

When I came out, Sue motioned for me to join the group and she said, "Mom, Susan, Nancy, and Maggie are going to watch all the kids. Tina and Dennis are going to stay to help too. We are heading to the hospital, I want to be sure to be there when Deanne's, Hannah's, and Debbie's babies get here."

As we were going out to get into the car, a Pizza Hut guy came, carrying a large stack of boxes. At least everyone was going to eat. I grabbed a box at random, not really caring what kind it was, I just needed food.

Our park was good at having more than one lady give birth at a time, but three at once would be a record. At the hospital, we found Jim and Hank in the waiting room. They said that Debbie and Hannah were being prepped. The doctors had examined both of the women and had quickly admitted them.

First a nurse came for Hank to go into a birthing room; another nurse came for Jim. We all wished them luck. I went out to the desk to find out how Deanne was doing and was advised she was in a birthing room but had not delivered yet.

We settled down in the waiting area where they had coffee, soft drinks, and vending machines. It was funny to see Sue and Mercy bulging with babies, plus tall, slim Kathy's stomach pouched out, obviously pregnant, while we waited on three of our ladies to let us know they had brought another baby to our world.

Debbie was first, as Hank stuck his head out the door and said loudly, "Boy."

A little while later, Jim came out smiling and gently said, "We have a son."

He said he had been shooed out as they were getting ready to take Hannah up to a room. Hank came out telling us the same thing. The two dads shook each other's hands both saying, "Boy."

Terrell came out to the waiting area and was shocked to see all of us. "What are you guys doing here?"

Sue said, "We came to make sure all our new babies were taken care of. How's Deanne doing?"

"She's not dilating. The doc said that if she doesn't open up, she's going to take the baby. I'm real nervous and Deanne's not acting right. I hope they will be okay."

"We're right here with you, Terrell, remember that," Sue said, giving him a hug.

"Deanne wants a Mountain Dew, so I used that as an excuse to get out of there for a minute. She's really nervous about this. I better get the soda and go back."

Juanita had already gotten a can of Mountain Dew and handed it to Terrell. He looked at it as if had been magic, snapped out of it, and went back. Hannah and Debbie were both wheeled out of the birthing rooms heading toward their regular rooms. They both waved at us. Juanita and Kathy followed them so they would know what rooms they would be in.

While we waited on Deanne, we kept making trips up to see Debbie and Hannah. They had insisted on a ward room with four beds so the three ladies could all be together.

That evening, about eleven, Deanne finally gave birth. Terrell said that one minute the doc was saying she was going to take the baby and the next she was catching it as Deanne pushed out another boy. Poor Terrell, he looked like he had been through the wringer.

Once upstairs, they wouldn't let any of us into the room as it was too late. Terrell told us later that Debbie and Hannah were both sleeping, and that he had watched as Deanne nursed her new son for the first time.

We left the hospital and congregated on the patio, toasting the new dads. We had three new boys for our menagerie. The place was going to be busy. Sue said she was going to get a bunch of bassinets for all the little ones.

Mercy figured she would be first, with Sue a close second. Kate's baby would be next and a month or so later, it would be Kathy's turn.

And that is just about the way it went. The exception was Sue went into labor early and would have beaten Mercy, if Mercy had not decided to spontaneously burst her three out. Sue was about two weeks early and Mercy was about two weeks late, and we were once again at the hospital for multiple births. Their double room was full with five bassinets. Amazingly, none of the babies needed the incubator or any special care. Mercy immediately said that she needed another breast. All three wanted to eat at once.

Kate's baby came early on a Monday morning while she was at her new job as daycare supervisor, welcoming kids for the day. In an hour her water broke, she was transported to the hospital, and she gave birth to a girl she named Carla.

The last of the group to produce a kid was Kathy. Right smack on the selected due date, she woke up feeling like today was the day. She took a shower and dressed, ready to head to the hospital. She gave instructions to all her kids before I drove her there. By ten in the morning, Kathy was holding our new daughter. It was all no muss, no fuss, go in the birthing room, give birth, and go up to the care room. The only people with us were Shawna, Glenda, and Juanita. All the others were going crazy at home with all the other kids.

So, wanna know what Mercy's three were named? Mercy had them all thought out, but had to wait till they were born to assign the individual names. The girls were named Trixie and Dixie, and the boy was plain old Tom. He did get the whole thing though, as his full name on the birth certificate is Tom Steven Merlin Sharp. Missy was almost upset, but Merlin was strutting around like a king.

Sue named her twin boys, Daniel and Manuel. The Manuel was after Juanita's late husband. So we now have a Danny and Manny. Beth and Ben were absolute pests, as Danny's full name was Daniel Benjamin Sharp, and Manny's full name was Manuel Phillip Sharp.

Kathy and Mercy formed a special relationship during the little ones' early months. When Kathy nursed her little Bonita, she usually nursed Tom, while Mercy nursed Trixie and Dixie, and Sue nursed Danny and Manny. If you want to see something out of this world, just picture these three women nursing six babies at once. There is no way the girls could have handled all these kids without Missy, Beth, Susan, Maggie, Glenda, and Nancy. Most evenings found Hannah, Debbie, and Deanne with their babies on the couches with Sue, Mercy, and Kathy on another. I couldn't help wonder what this group was going to be like as they grew up. We could only hope they were as close as the other groups of kids.

I started this tale single, on vacation, enjoying a little leisure in an old time Florida trailer park, and just a few years later I have four ladies that look to me as their man, with fourteen kids that do, or will, call me dad. Instead of living off some savings, I have been lucky enough to become successful beyond my wildest dreams. I had no expectations, but others pushed me to fulfill our mutual destinies. Pretty cool isn't it?

Well, that's the way it was, or is, or something like that. If I get a chance to breathe around all these women and kids, I'll try to write down some more of the vacation adventures of Steve Sharp another time.

-------

The original editing was by Pepere. A reader, Deryk Bramwell did some new proffing and another reader who wishes to remain anonymous recently corrected a ton of name and continuity errors and I made a last pass through to get rid of a lot of repetitive words and to correct a few other items. A sincere thanks to all who have contributed to these first two stories.


-------
The End
-------
Posted:  2008-09-02
Last Modified: 2013-02-02 / 03:00:52 pm
-------
http://storiesonline.net/
-------