“I bring the Thunder, which is also my handle,” he said.“I am a Storm in the Midwest, creating havoc in Kansas.”
All eyes went to Christian, who didn’t like the game of who’s on first.“I whisper in the Trees and create the night shade for the state of Massachusetts.As you heard, I am the Stately Elm.”
The group then looked down the table to Mr.Mann.He scowled at them all.“I am The Mann, with two Ns.This is Mann Jr, and my wife Sharon.I cover the state of Georgia.”
Passion Fruit asked, “So you’re an assassin?”
“I am, once more for those in the cheap seats, The Mann,” he said, giving her entirely too much eye contact.
Elm spoke up, “Oscar Kurtzwilde came to an untimely end at your hands.”
“No,” Mann said solemnly, “Oscar didn’t like minding his own business and wandered onto my front porch while I wasn’t home.It is also where I found him, rotting when I returned four days later.”
Elm nodded as plates of food arrived.He selected the chicken dinner as most did at the table.This he paid attention to.
“Me and red meat,” Morgan said.
“Same,” they all agreed.
“Then we have that in common,” Thunder said.“So, what happens from here?It’s kind of nice knowing you all exist.I assume under similar circumstances.”
Morgan spoke, “Odd thing, how much he invested in each of us, to ensure we became something.Now, wanting us to meet.You think he’s dying or something?”
Elm spoke, “No, he’s just tired.”
The meal had barely ended when the energy in the room shifted.Everyone at Christian’s table moved.He didn’t realize the number of Technicians working in the country until he got a gander at a portion of the room.Men and women with families, small children, newborns, and teenagers.This was a different world to him.These people were living lives he didn’t know existed.
One woman had brought them all together, and for what?Christian noticed the dark-haired man and recognized him as well as Passion Fruit and The Mann.It was the Fer de Lance and his son.How did they know the woman?
Everything moved quietly, silently, almost in slow motion as the son of the Fer de Lance sent the children to surround the woman.He watched in fascination as a line formed in front of the boy by Technicians with his newly discovered sister Passion Fruit joining the line.The next line was formed of Directions where Mr.Mann stood close to a face he also recognized, Mr.Yield.Finally, a line of the Archangels, Moloch, his handler, included.
“Who is this woman?”Elm asked Thunder.
“No clue,” Thunder replied as Cranberry stepped forward, a path opening as she glided down the center of the throng.
“Look how those lines parted for her,” Morgan said.“She must also be some kind of badass to bring us altogether, retire our father, and to see what, exactly?”
“I think we are about to find out,” Elm said, as the doors opened and in walked their father, Swallowtail, and Hornworm.“Question answered.”
The kerfuffle only lasted a moment and then it was over.“Interesting.”
His father joined them at the table for dinner, then there was dancing.Morgan invited him to the floor for a dance or two, which he accepted.He also danced a slower dance with his sister, Passion Fruit who’d come alone.In shock, watching his father dance with his daughters, feeling the moment to be surreal.
He exchanged numbers with them all by passing out a business card and exiting through a side door.He’d had enough family fun and frolicking.Plus, the cake was too sweet.He’d check out in the morning to head home.The break was nice, but real life was calling as well as flying into Albany, New York and driving back roads to get to his little spot of nirvana, which he dearly loved.
It was time to go home.
****
THE SMALL CARRY-ONwas all he’d brought with him, and the black suit was neatly folded and stored inside.The only weapons he had were in the truck he’d picked up from short term parking at the airport.His habit of driving seldom traveled roads and working in remote areas had taught him the necessity of keeping a knife in each boot and a small caliber weapon on his person.The flight wasn’t too long, clocking in at just under five hours with one stop of Baltimore for a changing of the plane.
It was nearing ten when he pulled into the truck stop to relieve himself, and right as he went to wash his hands, he looked in the mirror and saw a child, not more than ten who appeared to be terrified.He was alone.The clothes were worn as well as the shoes.
“Are you alright, kid?”he asked the child.
“No, I need some help,” the boy said.“My Ma, she’s hurt really bad.She needs help.”
“Show me,” he said, bending and pulling a knife out of his boot.If there were significant issues with his mother, he would do what he could.If this was a setup to rob him or some other stupid act of tomfuckery, he wasn’t with it; plus, his wallet was in the vehicle.The only bill he had on him was a twenty to grab a soda and a bag of peanuts.He’d make something lighter to eat when he got home.
