Chapter 15- Finish #2
MID-WAY THROUGH DINNER, the Bad Apple realized he was having a meal with Helen, not the Cranberry.
He’d not worked closely with many other Technicians other than in the field, where he saw them in action.
Being in her private home, when she was not in Technician mode, was unsettling to him.
He listened but didn’t ask questions as she and Jay spoke of the wedding.
“The date is June 14th,” she told Apple.
“It will be at the Galt Hotel in Louisville. The room block is for two days before and two days after the wedding itself, in case you and the guys want to come in early for a bit of R how many will you have?” she asked Mustang.
“Depends on how many bridesmaids you’re planning to have, I guess,” he replied.
She sat for a moment, looking at nothing in particular as if she were adding the cost of three specialty apples versus buying a bag of oranges. “Definitely Abi and Rebekah, and I’m thinking Passion Fruit; that chick is in dire need of deep conditioning and some moisturizer.”
Apple asked, “Abi? Rebekah? Are those your childhood friends?”
Helen offered a smile, “Abi is Abigail, which is Cherry’s name, plus she’s my sister, and Rebekah is his sister, who became a good friend when I was seriously in needed of one.”
“So just three,” Mustang said. “Well, I guess I would take Michael, maybe Bleu, don’t know yet about the best man.”
“You’re not choosing Mr. Yield?” she asked, her tongue in cheek.
“Oh, you got jokes.”
“He did ask to be your best man,” she said, laughing.
“I’m thinking Apple here may be the other groomsman, and I’m not locked in on the best man yet,” he said to Apple’s surprised face.
“Me? A groomsman? Sure. I’d be honored to stand at your side,” he said. “Wait, Bleu, as in Neary? The ATF Mind Molester? Isn’t he the son of the FBI Neary up in DC?”
“Yeah, Uncle Joe,” Mustang said. “Bleu is his youngest. The Archangel is the middle son.”
Mustang said it, watching the realization cover Apple’s face. He offered him the information to see what he was going to do with it, if anything. Before Apple could speak, Mustang said, “They will all be at the wedding. Helen is inviting all The Directions, and The Fruits.”
“Oh, really?” he said, watching Helen.
“We need to have some fun and get to know each other outside of showing up at rundown buildings seeing depravity,” she said. “My last days working with Passion Fruit made me want to give this shit up, but my first assignment made me realize why I was needed.”
“It doesn’t take you long to shake it off to get back out there and protect those who can’t fend for themselves,” Apple said. “I was surprised when you took yourself out of play with Sour Grapes.”
Helen stared him directly in the eyes. “If it doesn’t feel right, then it is wrong. Besides, the best tracker in the country is sitting across from me. I can learn from the best.”
Mustang shook his head. “She’s just after more funding in her allowance. You’re not fooling me, lady.”
“I get an allowance?” Helen said. “Is it enough to cover a few weapons?”
“See! You have no act right in you,” Mustang said.
Oscar, leaned back and patting his belly after the delicious cobbler and a scoop of ice cream sprinkled with cinnamon, said, “I hope my allowance is a good one. There’s a lot of work to do on a place like this. I can’t wait to see your workshop.”
Dinner ended with the clearing of the table.
Apple offered assistance, but Helen waved him off.
Apple joined Mustang and Oscar in the living room, with Mustang offering him a manly catalog filled with specialized tools for hunting, camping, and taking down big game of the four-legged and two-legged kind.
Helen provided a cup of settling tea for his stomach after the heavy meal.
Oscar was given a puzzle to work on as he lay on the floor on his belly, his legs under the sprawled-out legs of Mustang, who leaned back on the couch, serving as an oversized pillow for Helen, who read her latest novel.
Apple couldn’t help but notice how calm Oscar seemed and he knew this was where the boy belonged.
Apple had to wait out the weekend to see the course of action and if or how Mustang would want to proceed.
****
THE MORNING BEGAN WITH the hustle and bustle of Oscar and Mustang prepping to head out. Inside his suitcase, Oscar had a backpack with a couple of changes of clothing, socks, undies, and a pair of jammies. He exited the bedroom, backpack ready.
“Uncle Jay, do I need to hit the pantry to grab a couple of snack packs?” he asked.
“Yes, while you’re in there, grab a couple of apples, two bananas, granola bars, and anything else you see, we might think we need.”
“Graham crackers and marshmallows to make S’mores? I don’t like ‘em; they are too sweet for me, but if you want to make ‘em, we can,” Oscar offered.
“Too sweet for my liking as well,” Mustang said, pointing towards the back door.
Oscar followed him outside, along with Bad Apple, who genuinely wanted to see his workshop. The man was not disappointed. On one side were the areas for crafting, and on the other side of the shop were the man toys, including the blue Mustang Shelby GT500.
“Well, this is all kinds of gorgeous,” Apple said.
“That is Shelby,” Mustang said, scowling. “Yeah, I was lacking on the naming thing, but it fits. Oscar, come help me wrap this canoe in a moving blanket. I don’t want it to scuff the roof of my SUV.”
“Yes, Sir,” Oscar said, grabbing the blanket.
“Whoa, shake that out first in case there are friends hiding inside of it,” he cautioned. “Always shake out everything just in case, especially when it is stored outside.”
Oscar did as instructed and helped secure the canoe to the roof.
By 11 a.m., they were loaded, and by noon ready to hit the road.
Oscar provided a fist bump to Apple and a hug to Helen and happily climbed in the SUV, ready for his man weekend.
Apple walked the emptied building with Helen that would be transformed into her workspace as a Technician, seeing the space and curious on the vision.
“I feel special,” he said.
“As in needing assistance to get on the bus special or otherwise?” she inquired, looking down at the floor.
“I’m inside the circle,” he said. “Cherry is your sister. She is married to a Neary. The Archangel is a Neary. Your husband is a Neary. That is a lot of trust.”
“Before the weekend is over, you’re going to learn a great deal more, but you’re inside of the circle because I trust you,” she said. “More importantly, you’re here because my husband trusts you.”
“And there is that,” Apple said. “I don’t know why I expected him to be a homophobe, but how he handled Stephen, even me...”
“You’re a man. He’s dealing with a man,” Helen said. “You also displayed trust in outing yourself to him, but he already knew. What you do when the lights go out is your business.”
“Well, just between you and me, I like the lights on,” he said, laughing.
“Yeah, too soon,” Helen said, shaking her head and looking at her watch. Suddenly, an odd feeling hit her in the gut. She didn’t have a phone on her and said they needed to get to the house.
Apple didn’t question her, but followed along, entering the back door to the sound of the fax machine going off as well as Helen’s phone ringing. It was her Technician phone, which she grabbed along with the fax.
“Go for Cranberry,” she said in the line as she read the fax. She recognized the address.
The voice on the phone said, “How fast can you get there?”
“Twenty, fifteen if I floor it,” Helen said. “All I have is a 9mm and some knives. Apple, what did you pack?”
“Two nines, a crossbow, knives,” he said.
The voice commanded, “Roll out now and give me an assessment.”
“On it,” Helen said, ending the call. “Suit up; we have fifteen minutes to get there.”
Apple didn’t want to admit it, but he was excited to get to work beside The Cranberry.
He wanted to experience what Yield had seen.
He wanted to sit in on what Lemon had learned about the lady.
Passion Fruit of all people spoke highly of the woman and had earned a spot as a bridesmaid in Cranberry’s wedding.
He returned in black pants and a black turtleneck with two weapons holstered under his arms. A crossbow was pointed upwards, and a Bowie knife was sheathed on his hip.
“Okay then,” Helen said, “let’s do this.”