The lesson of history is that no one learns. – Steven Erikson, Deadhouse GatesThe courtroom had wood paneling all around the room except for the six-foot space behind the judge. The stone façade had the state seal in the center flanked by the American and state flags. The judge had a monitor on either side of his desk. His assistant sat on his right and the witness stand was on the left.A short wall with swinging gates separated the gallery from the working area of the court. The prosecutors’ table sat in front of the witness stand and the defendants table in front of the clerk. A bank of windows lined the far wall with the jury box in front of it. In place of the jury, prisoners sat in the box.Hank knew the room well. He had sat on the witness stand many times and spoke for the prosecution. He had helped put bad guys away. He had been Jolene’s hero in blue.Now he wore an orange jumpsuit and sat waiting for his name to be called like some common criminal. His mother and father wo
I sat with my anger long enough, until she told me her real name was Grief. – C. S. LewisIt was Friday, and Dean was still in JD’s bed, refusing to get up. Once a day, he made her get up and take a shower. So far all she had done was sit in the bottom of the large shower and cry. Each day during her shower, JD changed the sheets and got her fresh pajamas from her room.JD took the tray to the kitchen with the remnants of their breakfast on it. He looked at the princess in the kitchen. She was tall, probably close to six feet, so he knew she was a Reese. But he wasn’t sure which one. Or if she was a sister or niece. No wonder Reese simply called them all princesses.“Amelia.” She supplied at seeing his confused look. “Gina’s my mom. Does that help?”“Yes, but I’m going to go ahead and apologize, I will probably forget again.” He admitted.“Princess works.” She smiled. “I’m pretty sure that O has a spreadsheet to keep all of us straight. If he doesn’t, he probably should.”“I might do
Fear is just like fire; it can be helpful if you know how to use it. If not, you’ll get burned. – Mike TysonNeo had taken Jolene to her therapy session and doctor’s appointment. There were two reasons for this.He wanted to drive the Tesla.He needed to know if she was cleared to start training.He’d gotten the specific limitations and verified that she could do certain activities. She did not look thrilled when he had asked about jump ropes. On the way back to his compound, he stopped at the sports store. Two hours later, they left with a trunk full of bags and bags. Shelby was arranging for the other items to be picked up and delivered.Once back at the big house, Neo took her to the recently finished gym. Back in the heyday of the old mansion, this had been the ballroom. The hardwood floors have been carefully removed and are currently upstairs waiting to be installed in the new conference room. The floor had been replaced with two layers of gym padding. The back wall was floor to
Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to. – John Ed PearceBunny squeezed Ty’s hand as he reached out and knocked on his parents’ door. His sister had checked and then texted him letting him know that they were home. He reached back and Jaxon grabbed his other hand letting him know that he was not alone.It felt like hours but was probably only a minute or more before the door opened. James Johnson stood in the open doorway with his smile falling from his face.“If you’re still that way, you’re not welcome.”“We just came to tell you that you’re going to have a grandbaby.” Ty said.“Are you sure it’s yours? It could be his.” He sneered and lifted his chin towards Jaxon. “Or whoever else your slut wife has been with.”“As much as I would love to stand here and be insulted,” Bunny said shifting from one foot to the other and back again, “I really need to pee. Can I use the little girl’s room?”He begrudgingly moved out of the way and let them ent
A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society. – Billy GrahamJD had come over and told Reese what had happened between himself and Dean. The younger man was hurt, but he also knew that it was the grief and not Dean that was acting out. It didn’t lessen the pain any.“Don’t.” Amelia said as Reese came through the backdoor of the big house.“She can’t-.”“You’ll only make it worse.” Amelia told him. She never even looked up from the magazine she was thumbing through. “She’s angry, if you go in there, she’ll be angry at you.”“I thought anger was later in the five, seven, forty-two steps of grief.” He replied walking into the kitchen and sitting down.Amelia finally looked up from her magazine, but only to grab a handful of popcorn from the bowl. “They go in whatever order they want to go in. Sometimes, people go through some of the stages of grief multiple times. There’s no right or wrong way to grieve.”“There is
When someone is going through a storm, your silent presence is more powerful than a million empty words. – Thelma DavisJD wasn’t sure where to go, but he knew he had to leave the house. He needed to get out and he needed to give Dean some space. He texted his coach and told her the basics of what was going on. She texted back with the code to the pool. And her regular sarcastic comment.Don’t drown yourself. You wouldn’t believe the paperwork involved in that.Smirking, he headed to the pool and let himself in. He changed into his practice suit and then dove into the pool. He wasn’t sure how long he’d been doing laps, but as he came up for air at the end of the pool, he saw coach Jenkins standing at the edge of the pool.“I haven’t drowned myself yet.” He said as he pulled his goggles and swim cap off.“Good.” She dropped a towel on the diving block. “I brought you some lunch.”“Thanks.” JD said pulling himself out of the pool.‘Don’t get too excited.” She warned as she walked over t
Crying is a way your eyes speak when your mouth can’t explain how broken your heart is. – UnknownDean stepped out of her room wearing a long-sleeved boat neck black dress that went to her knees. The bodice was fitted and flared slightly at the hips with a few discreet pleats. Instead of her high heels, she wore simple black kitten heels and matte black tights.The only jewelry that she wore was her golden crowned D and simple gold studs. She had braided her hair with a simple black band at the end. Light makeup covered up her blotchy skin from crying. Although Helen had gotten her waterproof mascara, Dean opted to just use the foundation and powder.She smiled at JD who stood in the hall waiting for her. He wore a black three-piece suit with a white shirt and dark gray tie. His short hair was styled with a little swoop on his left side. Monster sat next to him with a black leather and gold chain leash and collar.“I’m not ready.” Dean whispered as her lips trembled.He stepped closer
Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. – Lilo and StitchEarly Sunday morning, JD woke up to what seemed like a strange sound. Confused over the sound, he sat up and turned on the bedside lamp. Looking over, he saw Dean lying on her side with her hands over her mouth.Giggling.“Dean?”“I’m okay, I promise.” She said, smiling up at him. “O took my keys away, afraid that I might run away.”JD nodded in agreement. Reese had been scared that she would run away. Or lock herself in the garage with a running car. Looking at the smiling girl who had not smiled in days, and certainly had not laughed or giggled, he understood the fear.“Will you take me to the store?”“Now?” He glanced at the bedside clock that read three twenty. Twenty-one. “I guess.”Dean gave a small squeal before she kissed him and hopped out of bed. She dashed down the hall to her own room. Monster looked at the door and then at JD.“I don’t know, man.” JD admitted and got out of bed himsel
There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved. – George SandWhen Dean had shown them the walk-in closet of wedding dresses, Bunny had fallen in love with the dress that they dubbed the *Big Fat Greek Wedding* Dress. The skirt was so large that her arms couldn’t go down straight by her sides.Smirking, Deam had pointed out that her arms weren’t the only things that would not be straight at the wedding. When she had quit laughing, Bunny threatened to put the teen in pink. They both knew it was an empty threat.Two days before the wedding, Helen had shown up at the two-story house with a new set of petticoats. Even though they would not be seen during the ceremony, it still meant a lot to the three of them. Especially for Jaxon.Although they all knew that Helen accepted Jaxon and his partners, the gift of the rainbow-colored petticoats solidified it. It meant even more to learn that Daphne had helped Helen
I have never met a vampire personally, but I don’t know what might happen tomorrow. – Bela LugosiJD walked up behind Dean and wrapped his arms around her waist, nuzzling her neck as she made herself a sandwich. “How are you going to eat that?”“One bite at a time.” She replied as she sliced the tomato.“Smart ass.” He chuckled.“You want one?”Kissing her cheek, he smiled at her before turning and looking at the sandwich. There needed to be a different word for this … monstrosity. Rye bread with mayonnaise and mustard. Three types of cheeses. Five types of deli sliced meat. Romaine and iceberg lettuce. Sliced tomato, pickles, cucumbers, bell peppers, banana peppers and black olives.“Yeah.” He answered with a soft chuckle.She gave a small laugh as she finished her sandwich and pushed the plate away before grabbing another paper plate leftover from the
As your kids grow they may forget what you said, but won’t forget how you made them feel. – Kevin HeathIt had been a long weekend, starting with Dean’s graduation on Friday night and ending with the babies’ first birthday party today. After the party had broken up, several people had stayed just to play in the pool. Ariel, true to her namesake, loved being in the water and was upset when they finally got out of the pool.She had started to cry, but Ty and Jaxon were there with cuddles. If there was any doubt about her being daddy’s girl, it would only be because the doubter had never seen her light up when either of them came into view.Her favorite place was between her two fathers. She definitely took after her mother in that regard. Most nights she would fall asleep on Bunny’s lap or shoulder, a hand or foot on each of the men.Currently, she lay on Bunny’s shoulder, her hand tightly gripping Jaxon&rs
Some students go an entire day at school without anyone saying their name. be the adult who speaks to each student by name. Everyone loves to hear their name. – Educator Justin TarteEvery night, Jolene sat between Neo’s legs and would read to him. Some nights the passages were nothing more than written porn. Other nights, they were sweet, or amusing. After the first few nights of carefully curated smut scenes, he chose a book, and they would read a few chapters each night.They were on book three of a series of five tonight and she was having a hard time concentrating. The light touch of his calloused hands under her shirt did not help her concentration. Nor did his mouth on her neck.Certainly, the bulge at her lower back was a bit distracting.“Something’s on your mind.” He whispered and then lightly bit her earlobe.“No…” she tried to brush off his observation and he simply chuckled
Because he wants to create a stable, lasting relationship with one person. Brad, believe me, there is nothing in this world so wonderful, so fulfilling, as coming home to the same woman every night. – Tony Randall as Jonathon Forbes in Pillow Talk 1959Cheryl snuggled against Waylon’s chest as they lay in the new bed at their new house. She wore a large National Fire Academy T-shirt that was stretched tight across her large belly. He wore a pair of boxers and kept squirming seeking a more comfortable position between the rough, stiff cotton sheets.The guys from the fire department had helped them move early Saturday morning. She and Waylon left the guys putting together furniture when they went to the unveiling of Dean’s mural.When they returned to the house with pizzas and beers, they found the six men sitting on the back patio with their feet up. On furniture that Cheryl adored but did not remember getting.“I
As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live. – Johann Wolfgang von GoetheReese had told Helen that there was a second restaurant at the Private Club that he wanted to eat at. She knew about the other restaurant. When they had all met for lunch last, Marnie had taken Helen over and showed her the other restaurant. The one with low cushioned tables and pillows on the floor.The lights were up during the day, but for meals, they would be lowered. Lights would shine out from inside the tables, illuminating the sub on display. There were cushions that could be moved to accommodate the person on the table. One under the knees, a small one under the lower back and one to support the neck and head.Marnie had told the older woman that she loved the other restaurant. The meals were finger foods that were served on the sub. Helen had looked at the Brat who smiled at her.“On the sub.” Marnie said again. “Steve
Most of our childhood is stored not in photos, but in certain biscuits, lights of day, smells, textures of carpet. – Alain de BottonReese sat on the outdoor couch on the lower deck watching the girls in the pool with the babies. Cheryl, Bunny, Dean and Allison, the only female Seabee that came with JD, each had a baby in their arms as they bounced and spun. Watching her children and grandchild smile and laugh, Helen snuggled into his side, and he pulled her into his lap.She had lost most of her baby weight, and currently had made her way back into size eighteen dresses, which she was quite proud of. Today she wore the dress that Reese had bought her specifically for the birthday party. A pink satin shift with a cream-colored mesh overdress with pink and blue flowers embroidered on it.Earlier in the day she had also been in the pool in a pink swimsuit with a sheer fish scale skirt that Reese had a hard time looking away from. He had p
Art and love are the same thing: It’s the process of seeing yourself in things that are not you. – Chuck KlostermanThere was a rather large gathering in the closed parking lot across the street from the mural. About half of them were part of the Princess Club and extended family. The large white canvas tarp that covered the wall billowed in the midmorning breeze. JD wrapped his arm around Dean’s waist and pulled her to his side.She wore a knee length black skirt and matching jacket with a white lace shirt underneath. Her hair was pulled up in a tight twist in an effort to keep it contained in the wind. She wore sapphire and silver teardrop earrings that matched her shoes.The leg of JD’s course BDU uniform brushed up against her bare leg as she moved in closer to him. Curling into his chest, she smiled as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Nervous?” he asked quietly.She nodded. “Yes. It’s the biggest thing I’ve ever done for so many people to see. What if no one likes it?”
I’m the big sister. I want to make sure she has everything, even if I don’t have anything. It’s hard. I love her too much. That’s what counts. – Venus WilliamsLast night, Dean graduated from high school with a large cheering section made up of her family, friends and a small contingent of Seabees. And a cardboard cutout of her mom. This afternoon, they were having her graduation party. It was shaping up to be one hell of a party. JD was home until Wednesday but would be back a week and half later for his brother’s commitment ceremony to Bunny and Ty. The other Seabees would leave tomorrow, only a few planned to stay for the birthday party for the four babies. Although they had all been invited.All the princess club and their families would be there.They had all been upset when they learned that she had got married without them. But then the newlywed couple promised to have a real wedding on their one-year anniversary.Deon and Craig were both home for summer and t