Happiness is a Drive-By Grand-Daughter-ing...Breakfast with Chris and Casting a Jaded Eye at The NEWS

We had to reschedule The Orchard until next Sunday, but James did manage to do a quick drive-by with Hannah, Kaylee and Jazzie which was very nice. They brought me their new school pictures and a couple of cards they had made by hand!

Tanya has agreed to let them join us for Sunday's trek for pumpkins next weekend...so it's all good!

They're getting so big!

Chris popped by this morning to help me get some last minute things done before my company arrives, and have  Sunday Biscuits and Gravy...and that last minute eye-rolling discussion of politics and the news, of course.

As I said before, I Early Voted...so I am done with this horror-show until they announce the election returns...having said that

WTH?

This morning an eye-rolling Clinton laughing at Trump because he had the audacity to suggest that the Media is playing favorites now.  Just exactly the way she eye-rolled at Bernie Sanders when we suggested it...except...as it turns out that was EXACTLY what was happening. We ALL knew it...but it took Wiki-leaks to confirm that the deck was, indeed, being stacked.

(note: I absolutely did not vote for Trump or Clinton)

Since the Trump people say I am just handing it to Clinton...and the Clinton people say I am just handing it to Trump...obviously that cancels each other out...so if one of them end up your President...don't blame ME. I am just watching the freak-show that is Election 2016, now.

The number of women who have now stepped forward to say they were victimized by Trump now is astronomical. Were they? No idea. He is rude. Crude. A Neanderthal, to be sure. But I have to wonder how much of this is bandwagon and my-15-minutes stuff.

I can say that Mr. Rogers touched me inappropriately back when I was on his show. But that doesn't make it true. In fact, if it was fact checked it would immediately be noted that I was NEVER on Mr, Rogers Show.
EVER.

Similarly, one of the women who recently came forward said her airline groping happened on a 707. She was very specific about the flight and the plane. Except for the inconvenient fact that the year she specified not only did the flight not exist...but the 707 had not been released yet. 

Damned fact-checkers, anyway.

CNN headlines this morning discussed Hillary's Wiki-Leaks and say that it may be The Russians hacking her to manipulate our elections

(cue ominous music)

You guys know The Cold War is over, right???

And the laugh out loud part was when they queried

"Maybe PUTIN is afraid of Hillary"

Yeah.  RIGHT.

 This guy. Ex-KGB. I can't seem to find a shirt- Vladimir...is afraid of

 Ms. Pantsuit Bobble-Head?????
(Chris' Moniker for her...I kind of like it!) 


Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeaase.  Seriously?

You know all the talk about how Hillary can make people disappear? Well in Russia for a long time, Vlad actually did just that.

 It was his job.

I am still find it more than a little odd that they are so worried about finding WHO hacked Hillary that they are some of the shady shit that is being exposed.

But hey...that's none of my business...right?

So, pass the popcorn...it is going to be a long, long, long 23 days...

 

The Fly...Early Voting...Apple Butter Pie...and the British are Coming!

The British are COMING...The British are COMING.

Okay...it's just one Brit. Along with two Ohioans. But still...lock up "yor wimmen folk" and hide your beer. (...but only the rich dark imported stouts and such) and don't worry about your tea. Laughed out loud when I asked Betsy what kind of tea that Dave would prefer while visiting

 (I swear I am not making this up)

to which she answered

"Oh don't bother...actually he is bringing his own from England."

And I thought I was a TEA SNOB.

So excited about seeing Dave, Betsy and Jane again, though!

Welcome back to America!

Couldn't STAND the whole wait for November 8th thing this Election year. Popped by the local courthouse and did the EARLY VOTING thing...and it is OVER for me.

So now we wait....

After the last debate I did get a laugh out of this guy

That would be the fly that landed on Clinton's Face during said debate.

Who now has his own Twitter Account...hash tags...and 8,600 followers.

https://twitter.com/fly_clinton

And you people think I make this stuff up. 

To quote Captain James Hook

"The TRUTH is far more fun"

Tweets like these make the whole thing worthwhile...or at least more entertaining during this clusterfuck of an election.

Cannot believe I was just on live television!

Environmental Policy / Social Issue: I will outlaw ALL bug zappers to stop the needless killing of flies, while also saving energy!

Social Issue: The American people need to realize that the social issue of fly paper is an all around sticky situation #flyforprez

 Open Window Policy: Open borders to all immigrants, just like how all household windows should be open for insects (like me) to come and go!

I'm launching a full investigation into possible foul play by the tech team at this last debate, it's become clear my mic wasn't working!


You have to laugh, this year, or else you'd cry.

Anyway...

Enjoyed a good Mall-Ratting with Sharon and Loretta in Terre Haute this week! And the house is now awash with Pumpkin Spice Cupcake Scent.

 

 Which is amazing!  

We plundered Macy's sales and checked out Yankee Candle scents for Thankgiving (...hint...they have an out of this world Caramel Apple Spice Cake Scent...) and enjoyed a Steak Brunch at TGIF's!

This Saturday's Trip to The Orchard with The Grands postponed until next Sunday because Aiden and Brenden woke up with THE PLAGUE.

Little Germbags...lol! 

Just settling in today...finishing the housework before Dave & Co. arrive on Monday. A pot of soup beans simmering and baking cornbread later. Maybe pastry-wrapping an Apple to bake with Cinnamon and Walnuts and Brown Sugar and drizzle with Caramel.  You have to have a good contingency plan...lol!

Found this during the week as well

Sister Chestermae Hayes Apple Butter Pie.

Made exactly like you would make a home-made pumpkin pie...except you substitute Apple Butter for the Pureed Pumpkin.

Something I must attempt to bake soon!!!

More anon...

Novel: The Plan- Tracy (continued)

[  As before, I have scheduled Tracy's appointment as the last of the day and released my secretary early. She arrives a few minutes early and, again, is dressed nicely, hair styled and made-up. A new addition to the ensemble is nail polish to match her dress. Through the toe of her shoe I can see that she had had a pedicure and polished them to match as well. The dress has a deep key-hole neckline.Her lips are also torch red. She is smiling broadly as I meet her in the doorway of my office. In a minute that will change. I guarantee it. And we begin our session.]

[  When she sits down she looks around for the Waterford ashtray...which I have not placed on my desktop this time. I curtly tell her there will be no smoking in my office any more...she looks confused.]

"Have I did somethin' wrong?"  she asks, with downcast eyes.

[  I take a deep breath and let it out slowly to underscore my displeasure. Then I let her know I am aware of her visit to my patient after having been explicitly told not to go until I gave the okay.]

"I didn' think..." she begins

"That is right, Tracy. You DIDN'T think." I respond icily. "Nor did you listen."

[  I feign anger and tell her that this will be our last session, and that she may leave now. The bluff works as she is shaking and tears well up. The smile is gone.]

"I am sorry. I didn' mean to mess anythin' up."

[ Again I cut her off curtly "Well, you did." I rise from behind my desk and stand over her. Looming. "Haven't I been trying to help you through this? Didn't I give you money out of my own pocket so you and your children wouldn't be without? "Didn't I play along with your stories when you told Mark and the children that Jerry left you? Didn't I?" And I slam my hand palm down on the wooden desk knowing it will make more noise.]

"I am sorry. I won't do it ag'in.  Promise. Pleas'"

[  She is crying hard now, sobbing, and I wait.  Finally reaching to comfort her. This is the moment I have been waiting for. I open my desk drawer and pull out the ashtray and a gold lighter. Reach into  her pack and put a cigarette between her trembling lips and light it. Stroking her hair. Soothing her and she cries harder. Reassuring her that I believe she won't...but that there is something else. Another problem. I kneel down beside her chair and pull my best conflicted face while telling her that during our sessions I have become too close. Have developed feeling for her. Feelings that would make it difficult to continue the professional detachment that is required of me in this position. Tracy always is looking for a bigger better fish to snag. This time she thinks she is close to reeling in the big prize. In my kneeling position I make it appear my wallet has fallen from my trousers. I pick it up where it is lying open,  but not too quick. Not quick enough that she doesn't get glimpse of the C-notes that have fallen out on the floor like so many scattered leaves. I close my eyes momentarily, and wait for her reaction.]

"I understan'.  I feel that way 'bout you, too." she lies.

[  Or maybe she isn't lying. Who knows. Maybe she has played through this role so many times she actually believes herself. Maybe it is a survival response. The primal search for security for herself and her offspring that is dominate in all female mammals. To align her and her litter with the male that can provide best for their survival. It is an interesting thought.  I am lost in this concept as she wraps her arms around me and pulls me close to her face, and I realize she expects me to kiss her.  So I do. Surprisingly it is not nearly as repulsive as I had envisioned. Tracy has had years of practice, it seems. When I open my eyes from the kiss she is smiling again. She has taken the bait and I only have to set the hook.]

"You cannot go back up to the VA." I order.

She nods.

"You cannot talk to anyone about us. For obvious reasons. For any reason", I continue.

"You will phone my secretary, June, tomorrow and let her know that you will no longer be coming to these sessions, that you feel they have not been helpful."
"Do you understand?"

"Then how wil' I see you ag'in?" she whines.

"I will call you...we can meet away from the office. But Tracy, you can't mention this to a soul. Do you understand?" I repeat.

[ I think about the impending call. I will have to procure a couple of cheap cell phones for us to use for our contact. One thing at a time. I will let The General know that she won't be wandering up to see Mark again. I quietly open my wallet and hand Tracy the money I withdrew for this very purpose. Sealing the deal. I let her know that I will make sure we both have cell phones. I will mail hers to her and she must burn the packaging. She must never ever call here after she makes the final call to June and above all must never try to contact me at home or the VA.]

 "Can you remember all that?" I ask.

(she nods mutely)




Then I reach back in my desk and pull out a small wrapped gift box. Her face lights up like a child. For a moment I actually feel a twinge of guilt for today's production, then it passes.

"For me?"

"I bought it a while back. I didn't know if I would ever get to see you wear it.", I lie.
Actually I purchased it just today, as an afterthought.

[  Inside the silver wrapping is a thin gold (plated) rope chain with its small twinkling pendant. It seems cubic zirconia twinkles just as nicely as diamond...at a fraction of the cost. Plain and elegant. I presented it with a chaste kiss on her forehead and she smiles like she has been given The Hope Diamond. I can only hope she doesn't try to pawn it. Then I walk her to the door and tell her to follow the instructions I gave her, and to look for the cellphone package soon.

 After she drives away I walk back inside and call The General reassuring him that Tracy will no longer be our problem.

Last Night's Cage-Match....er...Debate

First of all, let me say:

NEVER  EVER EVER QUESTION 

"How could it get any worse?"

Because apparently these two take that as a challenge. Who knew?

Yeah...there goes 90 minutes of my life I'll never get back again. 


So somebody (...not me...says Hillary...) dug up an 11 year old tape of Howard Stern and Trump talking. Okay not just talking. "Braggadocious-ing" Reverting to 13 year old teenage virgin boys talking in the locker room after gym. Comparing dicks. Let me top your crudeness, stuff. It is HOWARD STERN for crum's sake!  Oh...and GUYS don't even begin to corner the market on this type of talk...as an ex-stripper...former Navy,  a retired Nurse...and a woman who has many many female friends...I assure you of this. And everybody who engages in it knows it is bullshitting. Trump isn't any more likely to "grab a pussy" than a woman who says it is going to grab a guy's "nice ass"...and even though the half-naked firefighter meme is posted on a FB wall...trust me...even if we say we are...nobody is going to set something on fire so he will show up.  

Men certainly do not hold the patent for objectifying.  Seriously.

So somebody (...ok me...says The Donald....) gathered quite a few of Bill Clinton's Exploited Woman (some willingly...some not so much...but all of them who actually filed complaints). Woman who Hillary lambasted and certainly didn't think they as female victims had the right to accuse her husband. He had them not only on a panel minutes before the Debate...and also brought them into the Debate Hall and gave them front row seats. Oh, and the now grown- 12 year old girl who was actually raped.  Hillary defended (and got her rapist off, with little more than a slap on the wrist) back during her early years as a lawyer. KNOWING her client was lying...even laughing about the fact and the evidence that had him dead to rights before it went missing in a lab.  His underwear with her blood and his semen. She was a 12 year old virgin before the rape, and required hospitalization she was so battered.

It just got WORSE from there. 

Robert H. (a friend from Texas) proposed a drinking game for the night that basically was

"Any time a superlative is used in the debate- you take a shot."

(...wouldn't have worked, guy...we would have all ended up in ER with Acute Alcohol Poisoning...)

Only one point was made the entire night through the arguing and blaming and eye-rolling, snuffling and pulling faces and not shutting up after your two minutes were over...that I whole-heartedly agree with

Neither of you are fit to serve as The President of the United States of America

Hell, after last night's débâcle I don't think either of you are fit to serve as rubbish collectors, okay?

I have heard both sides claim a WIN last night.  Personally, I couldn't see a winner. But I know who LOST. 

The American Public.

Still on the fence about just sitting this one out.
I have NEVER done that in my LIFE.!

(...and when it comes down to crunch time probably won't this time either...)

But one thing is absolutely certain...neither of these candidates will be getting my vote.

Completely disgusted.

And I love all of you...but I have friends on both sides of this mess and please refrain from sending those well meaning emails...you know the ones I am referring to

IF YOU DON'T VOTE FOR _____________________ YOU ARE JUST HANDING It TO ____________________. 

I have heard the names interchangeably used in this sentence. 

No. I am exercising my right an an American Citizen to VOTE (or perhaps not vote)...and hope you do likewise. That it called FREEDOM.

More Anon...

Memories...The Grandpuppies...and Reclaiming Sundays

When I was a child, until the summer I turned 17, this was one of our Vacation Destinations.  My Dad (Grandpa who raised me) loved its simplicity. Its "regular folks" charm. He always referred it it as "the poor man's beach". Not the Glitz and Glitter ( or expense) of those further South; or the "Youth and Mayhem" of Daytona or Panama City. Just a place to relax. Soak in the surf or fish off the pier. A week or two in the sun.

We always stayed just across A1A at a little Mom and Pop Motel.

One of my fonder memories of him is being surprised on the pier with THIS he had slipped back into the gift shop to purchase.

Not only did I wear a dab every day that we were there...but even today the "orange blossom smell" transports me right back to that (then) wooden pier baking in the Florida sun with my Grandpa. Him smelling of Old Spice and pipe tobacco, and this seashell package in my 7 year old hand. Smiling a huge smile.

It is one of my earliest "warm, happy, loved scents".

In later years when I was 16 and engaged (...yeah...I know...dumb idea...high-school sweetheart and all that...we both came to our senses before actually going through with it...thankfully...) they actually invited my fiancé to join us for our summer vacation here.

Late in the evening, away from prying eyes we engaged in the make-out fumblings and kisses of teenagers right there on Flagler's sandy and sand-spur covered dunes. OUCH!

Ah youth.

Friday, I received a video shot by Tony one of the restaurant owner's along A1A (Oceanside) a better documentation of the damage than any of the newscasters. As I watched the almost hour long video, horrified, it showed me what happened when Matthew was finished grazing the coastline of Flagler.

News crews would start releasing images a day later

  

And this still photo doesn't begin to do it justice.

The Funky Pelican Restaurant and Gift Shop and the Flagler Pier emerged largely unscathed. Somewhat miraculous, actually.

I nearly cried with relief. 

Crabby Joe's is now gone. As is a huge huge swathe of A1A North. The dunes (sand-spurs and all), and the beach...gone.  

A memory now, kind of like Jeff.

 Just gone.

Washed out to the Atlantic.

By tonight, Matthew will probably make its turn back out to sea. In Haiti the death toll has topped 800 and they have went as far as to say there are so many missing and feared dead that the actual toll is "uncountable" at this time.

Direct Relief is a very good foundation in case you want to help the people who have survived this direct hit. Most of their funds end up as food/shelter/clothing for the people affected. We were so very fortunate. Miami/Ft. Lauderdale could have ended up much this same way if Matthew had not wobbled off its path.

https://www.directrelief.org/

Further North in The States, the slow moving wet storm has wreaked havoc and caused flooding through St. Augustine and Upper Florida, Georgia and The Carolinas. It has caused the loss of 17 lives here, so far.

                                               St. Augustine Flooding

Watching a second emerging Hurricane in the Atlantic (Hurricane Nicole) and wondering exactly what would happen if Matthew (now weaken) and this new one would collide on the return. In my lifetime, I have never seen that happen.

Extremely glad to live land-locked. 

Was sipping coffee in the cool and quiet of Sunday Morning when I heard a knock on the door. Opened it to greet not only Chris and Tina, but both my Grand-Puppies!!

Yes.  T'was a Drive By Grand-Puppying!

                              Tina with Bennie and Chris with Neville
                    (this is Neville's Don't MAKE me come over there, face)

Tucker was less than amused. He sulks. The Amish have nothing on Tucker when it comes to "shunning".

They have tickets for the Harry Potter Release at IMAX...are joining me Tuesday morning for Hot Cocoa and something yummy for breakfast...and are planning to join Nicole, James and I (and the Grands) with Kimber and Emma for our Fall trip to The Orchard (and pumpkins, apples, cider and hayrides) soon.

Can't wait! 
Best part of Fall! 
Everybody together!

This morning's visit was brief...and I returned back to The Morning Edition and simmering sausage gravy to go with biscuits. Wrote a bit. Read a bit. Napped a little. Caught the end of the Colts-Bears game. We needed a win badly, and in the fourth quarter (again) they managed to pull it off. Now we are 2-3 and the Bears are 1-4 going into the 6th week.

(...John...I heard you and Gizmo celebrating way over here!!!)

(...Diane and Lillian...I heard you both scream "FUCK" way over here, as well...)


Stuffed a chicken to slow roast and fixed the last of the summer's sweet corn-on-the-cob. Baking an Apple Crostada to drizzle with soft caramel...my latest go-to sweet.

Working tonight on my Mediterranean painting. Slow going and probably won't be ready for detailing until later in the week. So much for finishing it up this weekend.

Still not sure if I am going to subject myself to tonight's Debate. It's kind of like a train-wreck at this point. You catch yourself peering through your fingers while your hands are covering your eyes in horror. Which kind of sums up the entire 2016 Presidential Election, so far.

I am going to pick up a fresh canvas and start the "Ghost of Monet" this week, regardless, while the idea is still in my mind's eye.

Hoping to have another bit completed on The Plan (manuscript) by Tuesday evening.

More anon...

Hurricane Matthew...Books and Movies

Yesterday was a nail-biter. 

With family and friends scattered throughout Florida literally top to bottom from Fort Lauderdale to Live Oaks and across the State as well, spent a great deal of the day/night glued to CBS Live Update. 


Miami/Ft.Lauderdale (Shirley and Chuck) dodged a huge bullet as there was not  a direct hit. A wobble sent it 20-30 miles offshore. A lot of wind, a lot of rain and a lot of palm fronds down. It could have been disasterous.

Claudia in Seminole was grateful that 20 miles difference meant not being flattened.

Jeff and Lori are fine, as well.

Vicki H  weathering her first hurricane since moving to the area sought refuge inland with her son and fared well. They are waiting for Florida Power...but have a back up gennie...Vicki reported The Keurig was working this morning. So it's all good.

It skirted past WPB as well...where Diane and Sal and the rest of the family hunkered down...and except for much debris in the pool area escaped unscathed. (...and who's going to clean up this mess????) The pool vac survived, as well!  A bonus. Brenda will be pleased.

For quite some time it appeared that Vicki and Mark...a transplanted mid-westerner also weathering his first hurricane (Port Lucie) were directly in the cross-hairs...but another wobble and they were grazed a glancing side-blow. A lot of rain, a lot of wind, a collection of tree frogs squirming for shelter beneath the storm shutters, but very very lucky.

Julie and Matt in Live Oaks are pretty much mid-state across from Jacksonville. Getting torrential rain this afternoon...and high winds. But overall good and on higher ground.

Christie, Mark and Sheri, and of course, Lennon are way over on the Gulf side...so they are just getting wind and rain backwash. Christie is probably loving the way it blows her hair (think fashion shoot). Anyway, They always need the rain on the Gulf side. In a week or so there will be grass. For a while. Then the ersatz lawn will be sand, again.  

"It always does", sighs Lennon.

Watching now as it crawls toward the eastern seaboard and is projected to return to sea before reaching MA.

Let's hope so!

Loved fixing Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli and Fresh Parm, Garlic Cheese Bread and Apple Mini-Crostini with Raisins and Walnuts (drizzled with soft caramel and a side of whipped cream) with (Erik's) Donna on Tuesday for Coffee, Chat and Brunch. 

She is on her way to Tennessee to enjoy Clinch Mountain, Dollywood and a Fresh Case of South Mouth. She has promised to document the entire affair and brought Pumpkin-Spiced Chips to share with Chris and a container of Strawberry Fluff (...which is now, regrettably, gone...)

I am actually enjoying the short break from virtual travel...catching up on several good books and movies I have been neglecting.

Including

Sully   (excellent in a very understated way...Hanks is Brilliant)

Hunt for the Wilderpeople  (eh..meh...not drama...not comedy...just meh)

The Magnificent Seven (remake, worth the watch...Denzel is very good in a Western...who knew?)

The Good Neighbor (fair...Caan has definitely played better roles)

Storks (definitely a grand's film...but enough throw-aways to keep Grandma interested)

and most recently

Star Trek Beyond (very good with a really nice nod to Leonard Nimoy toward the end)

Also spent a bit of time with my always growing TBR pile

Finished

Cooking for Picasso  (excellent piece of historical fiction...well worth the read)

Mad Enchantment  (fair...okay...meh...but I gleaned a great idea for a painting from a photograph of Monet and the Water Gardens within...so it wasn't a total loss)

and an October released novel

Results May Vary

(chick book aside, I found by the end I really enjoyed this relatively new author and her book...and want to find her début book now)

Hoping to finish my Mediterranean Seascape painting over the weekend and have an idea Spurred by an artist (whose name escapes me), and the recent photo of Monet I discovered while reading A Mad Enchantment. 

(one I had never seen before)

The artist in question did paintings of everyday settings with transparent "ghost-like" people dressed in their period costumes and inserted throughout the otherwise colour-painted scene.

(...okay...that was just weird...woke in the middle of the night and remembered his name. Charles Peterson is the artist. Here is  an example of his work) 
I really love this.

                                                  September's Sun

When I saw this portrait of Monet

I immediately could envision a similar approach with the brightly coloured water lily gardens in the background and the "ghost" of Monet (in a white wash) beside his beloved water lilies.  And it would go wonderfully with the two light studies I completed last year ala Waterlilies. 

"Morning Light" and "4:30"

Not at all sure I can pull it off...but well worth the try! And, I have the best part of a month to play around with it.

More Anon...

















 

Novel: The Plan- The General (cont.)

[ This is not our routine office session. Today I have been asked...no...summoned by The General. He lives 20 minutes upstate from the VA Hospital in a home that could, without overstatement, be referred to a small mansion. What appears to be a groundsman and a housekeeper actually live on the property in separate quarters. The surrounding gardens and lawns are manicured. When I pull into the circular driveway the man himself strides rapidly toward me. The look on his face is anything but pleased, however.]

"Damn it. Have you heard from Mark?"

[I answer him indicating that I have not...but he doesn't seem to be paying attention. He just jumps directly to the heart of the problem.]

"I thought you said you were going to prevent her from going to see Mark. When I called this morning she was there. With both the kids. Now he seems to believe that they can pull their marriage back together. Reunite."

[The last word is spat. He is furious. With me.]

"We...have...to...fix...this."

[He enunciates this slowly. Full pregnant pause between each word. Then more pointedly]

"You have to fix this." he booms.


[Cords are standing out on either side of his neck and his face is an angry red. A blue vein distended pulses at his temple. I measure my words carefully when I remind him that I am only Mark's psychiatrist.]

"Do not FUCK with me."

He replies this in a low syllable by syllable monotone, even worse than his previous outburst, elevating his voice only slightly on the expletive.  I find the skin crawling on the back of my neck. For, what will not be the last time, I stand wondering just what the hell I have gotten myself into.]

"Can you FIX this?" he presses.

[ And regardless of the truthfulness of my statement I answer him with a resounding "YES, sir. I will handle it."  Jesus, now I am addressing him as SIR. His demeanour changes so quickly it is hard to believe this is the same person who was before me minutes ago.]

"Hell, why didn't ya say so." He smiles disarmingly. And the storm is over. His anger defused like it never transpired.

"Follow me. Are you hungry? Patty likes to feed people. Humor her."

[ I assume that Patty is his housekeeper/cook. When we walk through the massive front door I have a distinct "fly caught in a web" feeling. The General is my grinning spider. It is unsettling. The house is tastefully and expensively decorated. Heavy hand-carved furnishings of dark mahogany wood. Much of the artwork and sculptures appear to be originals. Some of the names I recognize. The scent of baking emanates from a room I assume is the kitchen. The General motions for me to  sit and I realize I am still standing taking it all in. I can only imagine my mouth is agape like a child.]

"Relax. It's just stuff. Accumulated over a lifetime. Nice stuff, but still just stuff."

[ Patty brings us a tray with thick cut smoked ham on biscuits with melted cheese, and black coffee. I try one, and it is delicious.]

"I have been working with the Shel-Team and pullled some strings up at the Brig in Ft. Lost-In-The-Woods."
[ He notices my blank stare and corrects himself with a laugh]

"Ft. Leonardwood...where they are keeping Mark's buddy, David."

"Ohio"

"In less than two months the game plan is to get David trained to help with Mark's day to day care living semi-independently with the Exo-Shel. He will have a home here with Mark and I and the kids. They owe me a favor or two there. I'm springing him. So, you can see how Tray doesn't really fit into this equation. Right?"

[ The smile has once again disappeared and I can see now. Not a spider. A shark, jaws open, mouthful of shiny teeth, swimming just beneath the oily surface. The General smacks his hand hard down on the carved coffee table and I jump involuntarily. It takes a great deal to unnerve me these days. I am completely unnerved.]

"I know you can take care of this, Doc. I trust you. "

"You TRUST me, right?"

[ And it is at that moment I KNOW that the son-of-a-bitch knows. And that he knows, that I KNOW. I don't know how the hell he possibly could, but he does. He gives me a sly wink and I notice for the first time since my wife's death that the hand holding my coffee is shaking involuntarily. I set the cup on the tray, but not before The General notices and gives me the most bone-chilling smile I will ever see in my life.]

"I'll fix this." I say


[The words coming out more strident, shrill, than I intended. A child asking for forgiveness, a second chance.]

"I know you will."   He says reassuringly, though his tone suggests a thinly veiled threat.

[And like that, I am dismissed. He walks me to the door and the food sits in my stomach like I have eaten wads of clay. In my vehicle I realize the tremors in my hand spilled hot coffee on my tweed dress slacks. I hadn't even noticed. For the second time in an hour, I find myself wondering what the hell I have gotten myself into this time.]