The Inner Struggle: Beginnings Series Book 7 (51 page)

“I can do that.” Ellen received a smile from Frank and watched him step away. “Frank? Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.” He came back to them.

“Why do you think Henry is put off getting measured for his tux?”

“Because it’s fuckin stupid to have a tux,” Frank told her.

“But you got measured.”

“How do you like that? But this you and Jenny thing was my idea. I’m going along with it.” Frank sensed the overwhelming, immediately awkward silence that happened. “Aside from that, he probably just doesn’t want Ben measuring his inseam.”

“Frank.” Ellen shook her head.

“No El. It might bother him. I, on the other hand . . .” Frank sniffed quick and loud. “I like to impress people.”

“All kidding aside, is he just that busy?”

“Sure he is. He said he finished the SUT programming and I’ll tell you El, he’s been working on that day and night while you were in quarantine. We have him set up here.”

“Good.” Ellen let out a silent breath of relief. “Thanks for telling me, Frank. I like this planning thing, it really is fun for me and I am getting close to Jenny.”

“Speaking of which … I’m hearing John doesn’t want you two to be friends.”

“That’s what Jenny says.”

Frank grinned. “Excellent. You must be doing really good. I’m sorry for this. I am. It won’t be long. Then the wedding plans will be over and you won’t have to force being friends with Jenny.”

Ellen smiled shyly. “Can I tell you something.”

“Sure.”

“One, I kind of hope that this wedding isn’t all for nothing. The women are working really hard and I am feeling really guilty.”

“Don’t. I told you. I’ll talk to Reverend Bob. I’ll tell him the same thing you just said to me and we’ll make the wedding a mock one … again. What’s the other thing? You said that was one.”

“I …”

“You aren’t really gonna marry Henry are you?”

“I did it once.”

Frank grumbled.

“I’m not. He wants to Frank, but I’m not. I think that’s why he is avoiding all the arrangements because it is hard for him because it isn’t real. But … don’t laugh. I may stay friends with Jenny.”

Frank’s eye grew wide. “Say again.”

“You’re gonna laugh.”

“Nope. Just … Frank tugged his ear. “Say that again.”

“I may stay friends with Jenny.”

“That’s what I thought you said.”

“You are going to laugh.”

“No. Never. I am, however, gonna make breakfast while you wash that kid’s hair.”

“Deal. Frank … thanks for not making funny.”

With a tightly closed mouth, Frank shook his head and walked into the kitchen.

Ellen was happy about her talk with Frank. She really thought she was going to face ridicule and even was proud of Frank for being so mature, until that was she heard him laugh in the kitchen. Not just laugh, but laugh uncontrollably. On that, Ellen, didn’t just get pissed, she decided against washing the Hair Hold from Nick’s hair.

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Joe stretched out his arms as he leaned back in his desk chair. So loudly it came across, as if he were throwing out every ounce of tiredness in his body. “So Jason, we’re done.”

“Tired Joe?” Jason asked.

“Old,” Joe answered, “sometimes I think too old for this shit. Gene got sick during his shift last night at the clinic. I had to fill in there then I figured, hey, I’m up so I go see Cole to finalize the metals run he’s doing. Oh yeah, A.K.A. tux run.” He and Jason both snickered at the same time. “I ended up helping him fix that damn tire on the tractor and this, mind you, is all before six. Now that doesn’t include me having to go to the nursery and work for Raz--until Hap got there--because his shingles flared up.”

“Busy morning.”

“Yep and it’s not even eleven. You know what happens at eleven?” Joe raised his eyebrows with a single nod. “The wayward testosterone Ellen fan club will be here for a meeting. Oh joy.” Joe ran his hand over his forehead. “Sorry, don’t mean to bitch your ear off.”

“No, no. That’s fine. Hey at least there is a bright spot to this day huh? Frank’s test of my hypnotic skills?”

Joe smiled widely. “That’s right. Right after the meeting too. Hey at least if Frank, Dean, Henry, and Robbie drive me nuts, I have something to look forward to.”

“Cole’s not coming to the meeting? I thought you said the metal run would be coming up.”

“I’ll have a private meeting with him later. You know as well as I do, if we throw one more person into a Beginnings meeting and we'll have chaos.”

“I was wondering,” Jason spoke, “how does Cole feel about picking up the tuxedos?”

“He laughed but he’s pretty busy on the run so he’s taking one of the older gentlemen to put in charge of that.”

“Is that safe?” Jason asked. “It could be dangerous out there.”

“Yeah I know, but when Cole spread the word about needing one of them, they all volunteered. Let’s face it Jason, they may be getting older but not one of them is a weak man.”

Jason agreed. “Something about this world now just doesn’t let one get old. Like you.”

“Yeah, well I wished I would get there. Sometimes I think I’m ready to retire and do a single job like the other men.”

Jason began to laugh.

“What’s so funny?”

“Well, that just means if you retire, Henry’s the man. Scary thought Joe. Henry is so high strung.”

“He’d learn. He’s a good guy. The best one we have to take my place. The only downfall is the fact that my daughter can easily influence him. Therefore getting her way on stupid requests like . . .” Joe held his hand out. “The one they presented to me a couple weeks ago. The women want one night a week at the social hall to be ladies night and they want to have Blake strip.”

“He’s been training.”

Joe added. “I had to have Cole yell at him. Cole said Blake wouldn’t lift the other day because he didn’t want to mark his body.”

“Now how did that happen?” Jason asked perplexed. “How did he live in the unscathed world and still look so good?”

“Vanity, Jason. That’s what it is. Vanity.”

“But why do the women want him? There are plenty of guys that could do it. This Blake guy, he’s not bright.”

“That’s probably the reason,” Joe said. “Beside you can’t take away from the fact that he’s a good looking guy.”

His ‘Thank you’ was his introduction to his entrance into Joe’s office. Frank shut the door with a smile. “I love to hear you guys talking about me so highly when I’m not around.”

Joe rolled his eyes “Sit down, Frank. We were talking about Blake.”

“Oh man.” Frank pulled out a chair. “Are you guys wanting to watch him strip too.” He snickered at his own humor.

Jason stood immediately up. “I’m gone Joe. See you at containment, Frank.” He looked down to Frank. “I look forward to hypnotizing you.” He laid his hand on Frank’s shoulder

“Uh Jason?” Frank’s eyes shifted to Jason’s hand. “Why? You aren’t gonna put something in my mind to make me like you are you? Since you and my dad have this thing for good looking guys.”

Jason gave a gentle squeeze to Frank’s shoulder, stepped back to the door and winked with a smile. “You never know, big boy. You never know.”

Frank’s eyes widened. “Dad! Don’t let him make me gay. I swear to God if I wake up from being hypnotized and I’m gay, I’ll fuckin kill him.”

“Pipe down Frank. You won’t be gay.”

Henry’s immediate snicker as he walked into the office, overshadowed Frank’s outward breath of relief. “You thinking of turning gay, Frank?”

“Don’t get any ideas, Henry.” Frank held up his hand. “Especially since I know you used to have that crush on me. I’m not turning gay. Man . . .” He shook his head. “What is it about me that the gay men in this community are attracted to me?”

Joe tossed his hands in the air. “What can I say, Frank? When you’re blessed, you’re blessed.”

Frank ran his hand down his own chest as he took a long breath in. “Yep.” He saw Henry just staring at him. “What!?”

“There’s something wrong with you, Frank.” Henry sat down. “Sometimes I wonder about you.”

“Me?” Frank said with a huge smile knowing he had irritated Henry. “Why?”

“You get the biggest kick out of making yourself out to be the gay men in this community’s sex symbol. You should hear him, Joe. I think he likes it. With you being such a Neanderthal, Frank, I thought for sure you’d be bothered most by it.”

“Henry,” Frank spoke with arrogance, “why let it bother me? I’m very secure in my sexuality. You on the other hand aren’t. That’s why it bothers you every time Ben checks out your butt.”

“Frank, I am secure with my sexuality,” Henry spoke defensively.

“That’s not what he people in this community think. Everyone thinks you got Ellen pregnant as a secret cover up for the fact that you’re gay.”

“Oh they do not think like that.”

“They do too, ask them.”

“You’re an asshole, Frank.” Henry slumped in his chair. “Joe, aren’t we having our meeting?”

“As soon as Robbie and Dean get here,” Joe answered.

“Can I tell you about what I did?” Henry asked.

“Nope. Save it.”

“But it’s important, Joe. I finished the SUT program. I have the chip ready.”

“Henry.” Joe brought his hand to his temple. “I told you to save it. Why did you just blurt it out?”

Waving his hand at Frank who gave his typical agitating ‘yeah’ Henry explained, “I need to have brought up today the fact that we need to have that chip implanted right away. In fact, as soon as possible.”

“What’s the rush?” Joe inquired. “We’ve been working on it for months. It can’t wait now?”

“No.” Henry shook his head. “It’s brain surgery, Joe. I think we should do it before Dean loses his . . . loses his . . .” Henry caught himself and he tried to think fast. “Loses his . . .”

Joe stared at Henry with a tilted head. He waited, watching Henry’s open mouth. And then Joe had enough. “Loses what!”

Henry jumped back. “Uh . . . his uh…his mind Joe. Dean is headed toward a nervous breakdown.”

Frank scoffed, “He isn’t that fuckin close. Trust me I know. I’ve jumped out at him enough times to try to break him.”

Joe was a little shocked. To hear Frank say it was one thing. To hear Henry comment on Dean’s mental state was another. “Are you serious, Henry. Dean is breaking?”

“Um . . . yeah Joe.” Henry hated lying but he couldn’t tell Joe the truth. “But whatever you do, don’t say
anything. When Dean gets here, don’t let him know that I told you.”

“Told Joe what?” Dean asked when he walked in. “What did you tell Joe, Henry?”

Frank snickered. “About the fact that you like to wear women’s underwear.”

Dean’s mouth dropped open. “Shut up, Frank.”

Frank laughed again. “Whoa, Dean, you scare me.”

Giving a scoffing face, Dean pulled up a chair and sat down. “What did Henry tell you that he shouldn’t have, Joe?”

“Well . . .” Joe took a second to think. If Dean was going over the edge he certainly didn’t want to be a Frank and help him out. So with quick Joe thinking, he gave his best answer. “Henry was complaining that the lab up at the mobile isn’t as clean as he’d like it.”

“Oh Henry is full of shit,” Dean commented. “It’s fine.”

Joe looked at Henry. “Is that the reason you didn’t want Dean to know? Because it really is fine? What the hell kind of trouble are you starting, Henry?” Joe looked back at Dean. He looked upon him with concern and spoke so pacifying to him. “Don’t worry about him, Dean. You have much too much to worry about. In fact, I was thinking that after this virus scare is over, you might want to take some time off. Lord knows you need it and you earned it more than anyone.”

“Hey!” Frank interrupted them. “What about me? I need a vacation.”

Dean took in Joe’s tone, ignoring Frank--again. “Maybe I’ll take you up on that, Joe. Some time off with my kids . . .”

“Our kids,” Frank interrupted.

“My kids,” Dean stated again, “It will do me some good.”

“Dean!” Frank yelled.

“Frank! God, are you annoying today.” Dean looked at him. “What?”

“Now see, I’m trying to be nice to you and you just go on and on giving me that Dean little-man-attitude.”

“Why do you say that?” Dean asked with edge. “Why do you say . . . little-man-attitude?”

“What? I’m gonna say big man attitude? Look at you Dean, you’re little.”

Dean grunted and adjusted his chair further from Frank.

Frank scooted his chair even closer to Dean, and Dean moved his further, Frank followed.

Joe took all he could. “Boys! Knock it off! Christ what is this? Musical goddamn chairs. This isn’t first grade. It’s a meeting for crying out loud. As soon as Robbie gets here . . .” Joe needed to say no more. The final member of the meeting walked in. His appearance took Joe aback. Robbie had lost weight, lots of it. His face was pale and dark circles still colored under his eyes. Joe immediately turned to Dean. “Should he be working?” Joe stood up to his son. “When I saw you this morning it was still dark. Are you feeling all right?”