BOMAW Vol. 10-12 (23 page)

"I did all right. Most of my hell, was my fault anyway. That's all in the past, all that I care about now, is right here in my arms." He leaned low and kissed her mouth once more.

*

Tuesday

In Wisconsin, Jake woke on time and made his way into work as he scheduled to do, starting his overtime. He worked like mad to get things back in order, reminding his boss of all the reasons he was worthy of that raise. He combined two of his breaks to contact his auto insurance and have Vivian put on his policy, providing her drivers license and social security numbers.

While he worked like the devil at work; Gert and Bart, along with their grandsons, Kevin and Paul went to the newly acquired property, ordering a dumpster and started cleaning up the land surrounding the property. Bart operated the bull-dozer bucket, picking up all the trash that could not be burned and filled the dumpster. They filled it 6 times, to be taken to the dump site and emptied. All the vehicles that Bart knew were worthless, were hauled away. Those that he figured might be worth something, possible to fix, they lined them up beside the barn after an area was cleared for them. It took a better part of a day for them to get the land cleared of its unnecessary debris, but by the time 5 o'clock rolled around and Jake pulled up, the land was cleared.

Once more, he couldn't believe it. Yes, there was still a great deal of trace garbage about, but it was so small, he knew that he would have to till it into the soil when all the rest was done. The yard would need a good tilling, leveling and grass planted. That would come later, but for now, no excessive garbage. He stood outside next to a picnic table that was found, that his mother cleaned off and filled with food for them to eat. They'd all worked hard that day and it was nice to stand and digest just how much had been accomplished. Jake stood talking with his parents, his sons, eating the food his mother prepared, as they passed about good ideas of what could be done with the land, the out buildings, the house. They hadn't gone into the house, deciding to leave that to Jake.

After eating, his parents left, and soon his sons too departed, they needed a shower and to change. Jake didn't mind one bit, he worked best alone. He went through the house, and this time, paid attention to the various pieces of furniture that was inside. Furniture that wasn't damaged by the cats or other varmints within. He decided, if he and Vivian were going to be staying in the house, he needed to prioritize what needed to be done. First on the list; new windows and doors. So, with a pencil in his ear, his small tablet in his back pocket, a tape measurer in hand, he started from the top of the house, making note of every single window there, measured them, writing down the measurements, and thinking about the kind of windows he would have installed. Next, came measuring all the internal doors and inspecting them. He marked those to keep in blue, and those to replace in red. He measured the front and back doors, and then last, with a large flash light, he turned to the basement. There was no putting it off. Before going through it, he measured that door and then flicked the big black and decker square lamp on. Before he made three steps leading into the basement, he heard a bunch of scurrying and rushing about below.

"Listen up you little fuckers! I got a woman to bring back here. She's from the city. She's a bit on the prissy side, a dainty bit of fluff, so ... with that in mind, all you fella's, you females and your babies, well... time to go. So let's uh ... line up please, let's see what I got to deal with down here. Ah, thought so, one rat, two, three, four, five... whoa, you're a big one aren't you. Sorry, parties over. I know there's more of you." He stated slowly walking all the way into the dark, damp, dank basement. Flashing the light up towards the ceiling, spotting several spider webs and some nice size spiders in them. Standing there, he felt something knock against his booted leg, as if it had jumped from up high, he was glad that he wore his boots, he flashed the light down to look at it. It was one helluva of big cat, which promptly hissed at him. A huge tom cat, feral ... very dangerous.

"Oh shit ... o-o-oka-a-ay ... guess I'll come back a bit later ... calm down big guy, I'm leaving." He backed up to the stairs, keeping his light trained on it. Its back was up high, hissing, all of its teeth showing, the hair of it standing on end. He was a monster of a cat, healthy as could be, eating rats at his leisure no doubt. Jake knew, he would rather face 50 rats than one big, feral tom cat. They could do you serious damage and he wasn't about to put him to the test. He walked up the stairs carefully and back into the kitchen. He had wanted to open the other outer basement door, let some light in, and measure that door and the windows down there. Wasn't going to happen until he removed the feral cats. Plus, he needed to find the electrical box and check over the plumbing.

He checked his watch, too late to call in pest control. He needed quite a few traps, he preferred humane traps. He pulled out his cell phone and called his mother. She answered. "Mom, I got a situation. I have a basement full of varmints, mainly speaking ... one huge feral tom, I mean he's a big boy. I need traps. He has a few females and kittens through out the house that I've seen. I do not ... want dad here shooting'em. You know he will, so can you please, get up first thing, get pest control out here with cat traps, rat traps so they can be transported out of the area."

"Son, they'll do the cats, but you know as well as I, they'll kill rats."

"I know ... okay about the rats, but I may need those cats in the barn. So, have him catch them, taken into the local vets for spaying and neutering, vaccinated and then brought back here to release in the barn. The tom as well. Long as I can get down here to check on my plumbing and electric. Right now, I can't. But I can get my windows and doors ordered. Another thing, call and get the water and electric turned on; order us a larger propane gas tank than the one here and have it filled, but make sure they keep it off until I check the gas lines, can you do that for me?"

"Do you even need to ask. You gonna tell Vivian about the place?"

Jake grinned, "Already told her, yesterday. Couldn't help myself. She's put in two weeks notice at work, so I have to get this place at least liveable for when she comes up here. I made a list. Windows, doors, main bedroom and bathroom, kitchen, laundry room. I need to get it all cleaned up first. Any remodeling I do, I'll do when she's here so she can tell me how she wants it."

"Listen at you. I'm so proud o'you. You two'll have that place ship shape in no time. But you need to fix a date."

Jake laughed, "I'm thinking 4th of July! Least that way, I'll never have to struggle with our anniversary and I'm more than certain, us being married, there's gonna be fireworks!" He grinned.

"Better not be no fireworks! You treat her good Jacob Patrick! One like her don't come around everyday. You understand?"

"I know I know, I love her you know. If I didn't, I wouldn't be thinking on marrying her. So relax, I'm gonna make her happy, you'll see."

"Okay, I'm gone hold you to that."

"You be my guest. Now before I let you go, for the kitchen, we need a new stove and refrigerator. I looked over the ones here, shot clean to hell, I wouldn't even try to restore them. While you're at it, get her a nice dishwasher, a big washing machine and dryer."

"What she gonna do with the washer and dryer she's got?"

"They're small, apartment size. Might just leave them at the place in Chicago where they are for now."

"Good idea, what about a freezer? Plan on hunting this year?"

"Ah, yes, a freezer as well. Just get stuff mom, really nice stuff, I mean top of the line, don't skimp. Whirlpool or Maytag."

"Maytag it is. You best get that kitchen ready then. Get some windows and doors installed."

"You bet I will. Thanks mom, that's all for now. I have furniture to sort out, some I'm keeping, the rest, burning."

"Well, just want you to know, whatever we can do to help you get it done, we'll do. It's the least we can do for you, after all, harvest time comes around, you've always been the one here to help get the crops done. So, now its our turn to help you."

"I appreciate that. Well, I best get back to it. Talk to you later."

*

"Come on Shanna, don't do this! I've called you over and over. You wouldn't return my calls, I haven't even done anything. Please, let me in?" Royce pleaded standing outside of Shanna's screen door while she stood in the middle of the living-room glaring at him through it with her arms crossed below her breasts.

"You brought your chief of police here to-..."

"Shanna! I have no control over the chief of police, none whatsoever. He ask me to bring him here and I had no choice but to do so. Why are you acting this way towards me? You,
know
something Shanna? You protecting your brother about something? huh?"

"I have nothing to say to you." She announced, "Now please get away from my door."

"Shanna this don't make a bit of sense! None whatsoever, least you could do is open the door so we can talk, could you at least do that?"

"Why? So you can ask me more questions about John Sykes? 'Bout him being missing? What bull! This is a game he's playing and after my divorce comes through, he'll no doubt show up again. And if he doesn't ... good riddance!"

"Shanna, if you don't mind me saying, I think you're protesting a bit too much. Where is all this vehemence and determination coming from about him? You don't know anything, and its all game he's playing, right? That being the case, why does it have to come between you and I? Huh? Shanna? Why would it? What are you scared of Shanna?"

She stood staring across the room knowing that he was right. Her fears and need to protect Shawn was causing her to block out the very person she should be bringing in to keep close to. Shanna stood not knowing what to do. She saw it now, that she was overreacting which was causing him to question her behavior. She didn't know what to do now. She felt panicky and afraid, more afraid of something coming back on Shawn than she feared losing the attention and affection of the man standing at her door, looking in at her. He was the police and of all people to get involved with, she'd fallen for him. Now she stood between him, the law and her brother, not knowing which move to make next.

"Shanna?"

She moved to the door, closer now, looking out at him.

"Talk to me Shanna, what's going on?"

"My court date is tomorrow."

"I know Shanna."

She stood, pausing once more, thinking, "I'm scared."

"Of what Shanna?"

"So ... so many things. Scared of what's to come after tomorrow. Frightened that he'll show up and pull something. Scared of where this is going."

"You and I? That's nothing to be afraid of Shanna, nothing at all."

"I'm thinking, that maybe ... its too soon, I mean, my divorce isn't even final yet, and we've ... I've ... let you..."

"Make love to you? That, what got you all shaken up?"

She nodded that it had, in fact, it wasn't far from the truth. She'd finally given into what she felt and the night had been glorious in his arms. If she let this go any further, and they started messing with Shawn, where would it then lead them?

"Please let me in Shanna, don't be afraid of what's happening between us. Don't use the chief coming here as the wedge. Shanna, you don't need an excuse to back away from me. Just talk to me. If you want me to slow down, say it Shanna, tell me to slow down. But don't shut me out."

"I don't know what I want, in my life. I don't know where I'm going. Letting you, into my bed, I don't know... if that was such a good idea, so soon."

"Please let me in so we can talk." He pleaded once more. He was on his lunch, dressed in his uniform.

Taking a deep breath, Shanna unlocked her screen door and stepped back letting him in. Royce entered with his hat in his hands to stand before her. The sun was shinning in through the screen on her, lighting up her head of strawberry blonde waves down past her shoulders. She looked up at him, worried, uncertain.

"Shanna, be honest with me, has this anything to do, with the chief coming here?"

She looked away from him, shaking her head, relieved at the way things were turning around.

"I see. So that was just a front, to push me away?"

"I'm afraid of tomorrow. Of next week. Of this, between us. I mean, what if things change?"

"Like what, for instance?"

"I don't know ... like ... you. What if you change?"

"How, how would I change Shanna?"

She shrugged, then glanced up at him, "Police ... officers, do you know that, they - are known for domestic violence as well? Due to, the pressure of their jobs, they come home and they end up-..."

"Shanna? Is that what you think about me? That I could turn? That I could become violent towards you?"

"You make it sound as if impossible. I've heard, known women to leave one violent relationship only to end up in another. It scares me to think, that maybe ... I went too fast with this, with you. Just because you're ... police."

"Shanna Eden McPherson, I've never, not ever, have I struck a woman, in - my - life. I sure have no intentions of starting with you."