CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“You’re going after all of them, aren’t you?” asked Saylor.
“You know we have to, honey. We can’t let them get away with what they did to these poor animals.” Saylor, Remington and dozens of others were watching as Gaspar and Luke worked to calm the frightened new animals at the sanctuary.
There were several zebras, a few giraffes, a rhino, a few bison, and a very sad, very sick looking tiger.
“That poor thing,” she said watching as Gaspar sat on the ground beside him. The tiger lifted his massive head, laying it in Gaspar’s lap. To his credit, Gaspar said nothing, did nothing. He leaned forward, kissing the tigers head, stroking him.
“Is there anything I can do?” she asked standing a few feet away.
“He just needs comfort and reassurance right now. He’s very sweet and very scared,” said Gaspar. “Had he been out of control we might not be sitting here with him.”
“Does he have a name?” she asked.
“I’m almost afraid to say it,” frowned Gaspar. “It’s not the kind of majestic name a tiger should have.”
“But it’s his,” smirked Saylor. “If he likes it, that’s all that matters.”
“True. Everyone, this is Steve.” Ghost raised his brows staring at the massive animal, the coat a bit dirty but he was impressive.
“Steve? Someone named this beast Steve?” he asked.
“It wasn’t me and he likes his name, so we’re keeping it.
Steve here has some stomach issues…” Suddenly there was a loud sound of gas being expelled from Steve.
“Right on cue, Steve. Nice job. As I was saying he has stomach issues but Lucy gave him something to help. He’s on a soft diet for now. ”
“A soft diet of what, limburger cheese?” frowned Ian holding his nose.
“Don’t make fun of him. He’s sensitive.” Even Gaspar shook his head, laughing at himself. “What has the Robicheaux Ranger become?”
They all just smirked, smiling at the two giants on the ground. When Luke came forward with the bison, they all stared at him.
“She wouldn’t get in her pen until she knew that Steve was okay,” he said. “Okay, Coco. He’s fine. See?”
“Coco. Dear lord the bison’s name is Coco?” asked Nine.
“Yes. Why? It’s a good name. Anyway, Coco and Steve are good friends. She hid him from the hunters in the Dakota’s. Rusty thinks Coco should date her own kind but she told him where to get off.”
Everyone stared at the father and son, one comforting an ailing tiger and one holding a leash around a fifteen-hundred-pound bison. No one who ever witnessed the famous Ranger and SEAL in action could have predicted this.
“What? Y’all know the animals have a mind of their own. Let them be friends. The zebras are making friendly with the other ones we already had. The giraffe, Shorty, she’s getting used to being near Elvis, the male. Everyone else is finding their comfort zone.”
“This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen,” smiled Zane. He was holding his brothers’ arm, the medical team nearby if needed. “I can’t believe how cruel our parents were.”
“We believe in all creatures, great and small, living in peace with one another. Not all wild animals respond to us this way, but most know that we won’t harm them and only want to help,” said Luke. “This, is one of the greatest gifts ever given to me by my grandmother.”
“It’s so awesome,” smirked Zane. “I think this is incredible.”
“Zane, this is one of our many secrets that you need to keep. No one can know that this exists or that Luke and Gaspar can speak to the animals,” said Remington.
“Yes, sir. But I don’t think you have to worry. No one would believe me anyway.”
“That’s probably true,” he grinned. “Thank you for keeping this safe. We’re trusting you both in this.”
“We promise, sir. We’d do anything for all of you. Anything.”
“For now, just get healthy. Both of you,” said Ham. “Let’s get back to the other island.”
While the boats departed, Zane and Jeremiah looked at Ham, Rush, and the others.
“Sirs, we know that the others aren’t our blood brothers, but they’re our brothers all the same. We want to help them. We want to get them away from her,” said Zane. “Jeremiah can’t help right now but I can.”
“You’ll have a chance to help, Zane. We know what you mean.
All these men here? All of them. They’re my brothers, blood or not,” said Remington.
“We’ve been fortunate to be raised in an environment where family wasn’t about marriage.
Family was about feeling connected to those around you and understanding who they are, what they believe in.
“We’ve been lucky to believe in the same ideals and principles and that they’ve been good ideals and principles. No one here has ever left because of a disagreement or unhappiness. No one.”
“That says way more than you think, sir,” said Jeremiah. “I’ve wanted to leave since I was just eight or nine years old.”
“I’m sorry,” said Saylor. “I should have tried to reach out to all of you when we were kids. Maybe we could have planned something together, instead of ending up running for our lives.”
“It all worked out, Saylor,” said Zane. “We’ll get the other boys and then, well, then I guess I’ll be starting a family.”
“It’s not so bad,” smiled Saylor. “You already know what you don’t want to do to your kids, although your brothers aren’t kids any longer.”
“I think we’re all just kids praying for our parents’ approval,” said Jeremiah. “Even Dad, I mean, Mike wasn’t there for us. He ignored what she was doing. How can a parent do that?”
“Most do not,” said Trak. Jeremiah, Saylor, and Zane jumped a mile. Saylor gripped her chest, taking in a deep breath.
“Trak?” frowned Ham.
“What? I’m trying to help. I’m quiet, what can I say?
Anyway, most parents don’t harm their children.
My father left because of my mother but he left my sister and I in the hands of a woman with mental issues and a drug and alcohol problem.
I fought as I got older but my sister could not. ”
“I-I’m sorry, sir,” said Jeremiah. Trak placed a hand on the young man’s shoulder, careful not to put pressure on his wounds.
“So am I. But you are learning what not to be. Now surround yourself with men that will teach you how to be. How to be a good man. How to be a good father. How to be a good husband. Surround yourself with those men and if they are us, I will be honored to help guide you to a peaceful life.”
With that, he turned and went to the back of the boat, taking a seat. He stared at the small landing behind the boat where Alvin was hitching a ride. He rubbed the alligator’s head and he chuffed like a mule.
“You’re so lucky to have him,” said Zane staring at Remington. He only smiled, nodding at the two brothers.
“I’m lucky to have all of these men, and women, to guide me. If you choose to stay, they will guide you as well.”