We were sitting around after the day’s work on Friday in the local dive we called our bar. The place had been slapped together over time by an old timer who never updated the place. It was boxy because when the owner had added additional space he had cheaply cut into a wall. The four of us were listening to Bill Chapman explain again how he had just discovered that his wife of 25 years had had an affair a while back. He had heard one of his coworkers at the mill talking about with another employee while he was using one of the stalls in the bathroom. Bill could not figure out how to confront his wife about it.

                The other three had offered him their support and pointed out repeatedly the cost of a divorce if he decided to go that route. Thankfully because I was single none of them asked me for my two cents. While listening to the advice that was being given, I learned that none of them had a clue about it and were relying on what others had told them. Little did the four of them realize that the man sitting with them was still paying the price for what his wife had done to him.

                The four of them had been lifelong friends and I had been invited into their group shortly after I had arrived in their small town once they learned I had been in the marines. All five of us had a bond because we all had served at different times.

                 I had come to the town of Spuzzum on the west coast after throwing a dart at a map on the wall over ten years ago. Upon my arrival using a newly formed offshore LLC I had bought out the only grocery store for miles and had expanded it. Spuzzum back then was a logging town with a village population around a thousand. The nearest town was more than a good half-hour away. The closest thing we had to a city was Port which was a two hour drive from here at least.

                Within a year I had built up the business, got it licensed thanks to a cooperative mayor to carry alcoholic beverages and had tripled its size. The pay at the pump gas bar came later. The store carried all the basics. I now had eight full-time staff and six part-time including a butcher. It took me a year before starting to build a log home on a section of land I had bought from a tax sale on the outskirts of town. My four friends had spent hours helping me to design it.

                Thanks to the fact that they all worked at the mill I had been able to buy the raw logs debarked directly at wholesale prices saving myself a ton of money. As a result, I now had a three-bedroom 3800 square foot two-level log home that overlooked the village and the coast.

                 The only problem they had with me was the fact that as far as they knew I had never married and since my arrival, I had never dated. The rumor mill labeled me as a clothes closet man’s man although no one had ever seen me make a pass at anyone. The woman folk respected me but soon learned I was a bachelor and would remain as such. I was someone that all could trust, and they did. Everybody had a lot of questions about me but soon learned that I was a very private man who would not disclose much about my past.

                I had set up the LLC so that the company paid all the taxes. Anything I took out for personal use came out of retained equity so when I filed my personal taxes it showed no income. I paid for everything in cash or by debit card. I did not even own a personal credit card. The only different thing is that I now went by my second name instead of using my first. The sign at the entrance to our village said, “Next stop Japan.” No one knew I had come from the state of New York to off the Washington coast because of what had happened in my past. I often wondered what kind of idiot would name a place Spuzzum.

                 After the second beer, we broke it up because Bill's eldest Son was arriving home from university that night bringing with him his fiancé. Bill's wife had gone to Seattle to pick them up. We were all invited over for a barbecue on Saturday to celebrate his graduation and engagement. Bill wanted to be sober and waiting when they got there. After all, he did not want his future daughter in law getting the idea when he met her for the first time that he was nothing but the town drunk. Steven, his oldest had been hired by one of the biggest investment firms in New York, so we all knew just how proud Bill was.

********

                I was the last to arrive as usual afraid once again that one of my friend’s wives would have brought someone along in their ongoing attempts to set me up. They treated it as a game because they were dying to know whether I was gay or straight. There not knowing only fueled their curiosity. So, I tended to be the last to arrive and the first to leave. Connie Bill's wife saw me drive up in my old 1940 restored ford truck. I considered it my pride and joy.

                “You got to meet Steven’s girlfriend who’s a redhead,” Connie said. “Jennifer is twenty-two years old, has two sisters and three brothers. I fell in love with her the moment I met her. One look at her makes it clear that she’s someone you want to know. I've learned already that she has a heart of gold. I wanted to warn you because we both know that when you see a redhead you get quiet, distant, and sad. I have often wondered if it was a redhead that scared you in the past. I don't know because you won't open up to reveal anything about you past. Grab a cold beer before joining us in the back yard.”

                 After grabbing a cold bud, I headed out to their back yard to discover that the whole crew was there with all their kids and a few extra guests. Steven saw me right away and ran over to give me a big hug. After thanking me again for the hundredth time for covering the cost of his education he led me into the crowd so he could introduce his girlfriend to me. When he called her, Jennifer turned towards me.

                My face went pure white. I became stiff and tense. To all attending I looked like I was seeing a ghost. My first inclination was to run. The path of the walk-in life forced upon me was about to be exposed. I wasn't sure if I could stay to face it.

Jennifer is in all ways a mini version of her mother who I had always thought looked stunning. Jennifer was one of a set of identical triplets all brought into the world within twenty minutes. The last time I had seen her was the morning of the day I had caught her mother and my brother in our master bed making out like two dogs in heat. I was so nervous I couldn't speak.

                She like her mother was a natural redhead with a body that oozed her sexuality. At five foot six, she was smoking hot and had the curves in all the right spots. Like her mother, the shape of her ass and hips was her greatest asset. Too much looking at her could cause a man to walk around with a permanent hard-on.

                When she saw me standing there her baby blue eyes lit up as if they were inflamed. Immediately her tears started to flow but it was the biggest smile coming from her face that informed me they were ones of extreme joy. I was on the verge of losing it big time because the pain, the grief, and loss were once again staring me in the face. Seeing her as a beautiful adult with that warm smile made me realize once again just how much of my children's life I had been forced to miss.

                “Oh my God! I don't believe it.” Jennifer screamed through her sobs while expressing her emotional joy as she rushed towards me. “Your alive! I knew it! My heart never would allow me to believe that you were dead. We were all led to believe by the family that you had committed suicide and no matter how hard they tried to convince me I would not accept it.”

The silence became so loud that we could hear the breeze. Everyone had a look of shock on their faces. No one had a clue what to say. They had to be wondering what this was about as Jennifer rushed into my arms. Everyone was dealing with a bit of shock and awe.

                Steven, breaking it asked, “you know Charlie how?”

                “Charles full name is Johnathan Charles Barnes the 3rd,” Jennifer said between her sobs. “I know because he's my

dad. I would recognize his face anywhere. The family has always explained that he committed suicide because of economic problems but I knew in my gut that something did not seem right. When we asked about him my Uncle James, my step

father always got very quiet. He only did that when he had something to hide. As we grew up, we discovered it was his way of not admitting or facing the truth.”

                I wrapped my arms around her frame squeezing her tight as she buried her face into my neck. The tears flowed from both of us. It had been 15 years since I had held one of my daughters like this. At that time, she had been seven years old. At that moment the love I had held hidden for so long exploded. Our emotions let go. Everyone heard our sobs.

                Knowing everyone was expecting an explanation I thought my words over carefully while trying to calm us both down. I have to say it took us both a few minutes to get ourselves back together. For me I had to take the time to come to terms of having one of my daughters back in my life.

                “I was banished by my family so they could keep their lies and secrets hidden. To them, at that time it was very important to keep the family name, its public political image, and honor beyond reproach. I was forced against my wishes to sign a non-disclosure agreement and disappear. This came about because earlier I had walked into my home to discover my older brother making love to my wife, who is Jennifer's Mother. I had just returned unexpectedly that day after dropping the girls off at school because I had forgotten my briefcase which contained files I needed. I watched him possess and claim his ownership of my wife before I left,” I explained.

                “My brother and my wife never knew I was there until the very end of their making out. I captured their loving making in a video with my cell before I confronted them. They laughed about me catching them as if it was nothing. In tears, I walked out. They showed no guilt or remorse. After showing my video of them to the Judge my grandfather, her family, and mine decided they needed to clean up the mess so that they all could protect their important political careers. It was also done so that my brother the chosen one could marry my wife,” I said through tears.

                “Marrying a widow woman with three daughters would be an added plus for him in his political run. Time has proven that it was. For over fifteen years to those who know the family truth including her mother I have been the walking dead. Now I am just Charlie Barnes nothing more nothing less. If fate had not stepped in no one would have known the truth,” I said sternly. “In my wildest dreams, I never saw the truth coming out.”

                Everyone was stunned. A few looked like they were going to throw up. I noticed that Connie was looking down towards the ground trying to hide her own shame. I could see that she was trying to hide her flowing tears. She was beginning to comprehend for the first time the consequences of her own conduct from the eyes of another who had lived it from the other side. Little did she realize that once the Jeanie was let out of its bottle nothing would ever be the same.

                No one unless they had gone through the struggle and separation would understand the hidden pain. Holding my daughter in my arms for the first time in years made me face the consequences of unintentional consequences of a family’s hidden truths. At that moment I felt ashamed. It was then that my tears once again started to flow. For me and my daughter, our mutual healing had begun.

*********

There were only two things that meant anything in life according to my grandfather. That was money and power. The rest was just plain bull shit. He had both. My first mistake was that had I went to talk to him after catching my wife and my brother. I was emotionally distraught. At that time the Judge was being considered for the supreme court and a scandal would have ruined any chance he had. By the time I had finished telling him what I had discovered he had already begun scheming with his legal mind to resolve it in such a way that the events would never see daylight. He watched the video and to the end of his life, I have never heard him curse so much.

                His first phone call was to my wife's Joan's father a Senator from Maine. He explained to Raymond Thompson what I had caught and recorded. I texted him the video file. Joan's father's anger made it clear he was not impressed. He said he would catch a private jet out. They both agreed that nothing would be done until the three of us talked it all out.

                Before making the next call, he turned on a program that would record the conversation he was about to make. With a cold look of sternness, he called my wife. Listening to one side of a conversation where the names slut, whore, bitch, and any other degrading names you could think of would have seemed comical if I had not thought of using them myself.

                He came down on her with the weight of a ton of bricks making it clear that she and my idiot brother had been acting like immature teenagers.

                “If this gets out your fathers’ career is over and so is mine. None of this would be happening Joan if you had learned how to keep your legs crossed,” he said. “It would not have been a problem, but James is family, and the mass media will eat it up.”

                My Grandfather said, “the reporters will be claiming incest on the front page.”

                Putting his finger over his lips to signal for me to be quiet he put the phone on the speaker then asked Joan if her three daughters were actually mine. She said yes.

                My Grandfather said, “well how do you know for sure. Perhaps since you have proven yourself to be nothing but another man’s slut, we should have blood tests done to make sure.”

                Joan became animated. In anger, she responded,  “the affair with James did not start until three years ago making it clear that there had been no others.”

                The Judge responded with a forcefulness I had never seen before saying, “why should anyone believe anything you say?”

                She pointed out that she was on the pill because she did not want more children. He replied with his legal mind, so as far as we know James may not have been the only lover you had on the side. My Grandfather then asked do you love John. She said yes, I have always loved him, but it has now changed. I used to love him the way a woman should love her husband but now it’s more like a sister who loves her brother.

                Those words ripped my heart out. The Judge could see my pain. It was if she had stabbed me in the heart. The judge now in a rage witnessed my pain and tears. Joan said I guess James and I are at fault for that. If I have worked as hard at the marriage as John did this would never have happened. James saw my sexual attraction for him before John and I married and deliberately pursued me after he moved in.

                Joan went on to explain that they had allowed their physical attraction towards each other to lead them. It over boiled and I finally ended up giving in to his constant attention. With Jim staying with us as he began to start his civilian life while John was on his many business trips our desires drove us too where are now. At first, it was strictly physical. We did not realize it until it was too late that we had fallen in love. By then we did not want to have it end it. We were satisfied in keeping it hidden from his brother. We didn't think it out. I believe it was not our intention to hurt John! We had not decided what we were going to do until John caught us.

                Sadly, I could tell from the sound of her voice she had no guilt or remorse. There was nothing, not even a little regret. She was not even ashamed that they had been caught. My grandfather saw the tears running down my cheek. Their destroying of my world was now complete. My Grandfather then asked do you love James again just to verify? Joan said yes after John caught us, he walked out. James asked me to become his wife and I agreed. My Grandfather replied so James has taken away from his younger brother his wife, children, and his life. What kind of man could do that to his younger brother? What kind of woman would allow that to happen? How could either of you do that to another human being? Do you think John deserved this? Bitch!

                Joan said we won't deny John his right to see the kids when our schedule allows it because James is planning a run for political office. So, whatever we end up doing it has to be handled quietly and delicately. Publicly James will have to become their new father. John will be a distant uncle. As you well know the courts are still reluctant to give sole custody to the father. My grandfather then said I guess the only thing I have left to say to James, or you are that after we have resolved this matter, I never want to hear from either one of you again. In my eyes both James and you are dead. He then slammed the phone down in anger.

                I had never seen him that mad. Looking at me after being silent for quite a few my grandfather said, “Remember the hurt, the pain, and your loss. They have for all intention have made it very clear that you have been written out of their and your own children's lives. It would be better for all right now if you were dead because that's how they view you. What they flush down the toilet means more to them than you. Do you think they set themselves up deliberately to get caught?”

                “From my eyes, it sure looks like they did. If that is true, then that is cold. The day will come when your chance at revenge will come. When it does show them no mercy, take no prisoners but leave them ruined and alive,” he added. “Remember dogs always return to their own vomit. Dammit! I would not have believed it, but she is truly a conniving dirty bitch. She should have become a politician. I wish it was legal to kill because I would kill your brother myself.”

                With that, my grandfather drove his fist into the wall breaking his hand.

********

“Remember Jennifer. It was never my choice. The two families decided it would be best for all after listening to the phone call your mother had with the Judge. Joan and James had put both sides of the family’s careers and lifestyle on the line. I understood that they had to be protected too,” I said while still holding her in my arms. “I can play that conversation to you later that will explain a lot of things but right now we need to calm down and enjoy the rest of this special day.”

                Jennifer lifted her head off my shoulder, kissed me then as she separated herself from me, she took my hand. Turning to her future husband she said “Steven my love, thank you for bringing me here. It brought my father back into my life. Dad, do not leave before talking to me okay.”

                Kissing her tenderly on the cheek I agreed, with that over the barbecue was back on. After gulping the rest of the warm bud down I let out a big burp. Everybody roared. I heard Jennifer comment now that's the dad I know he used to recite the whole alphabet in a long, big burp. Bill and I headed back to get a couple of cold ones. Jennifer was never away from Steven but the whole time I was there her eyes were always on me.

“You amaze me.” Bill said, “here I was crying in my beer last night because of my wife admitting in the privacy of our bedroom that she had gotten chased, caught, and slipped. Hell, she even admitted she didn't love the asshole. Add to that is the fact that it was only a onetime thing. You sat there not saying a word, now I understand why. What you went through makes me feel that what I am dealing with is nothing but toast crumbs. It's given me a whole new point of view. How you handled it I will never understand but I now see why you walk alone. Are you willing now to give me some advice?”

                I laughed and replied “Make Connie go through marriage counseling with you. Tell her you need to understand what led her to do what she did before you can fully forgive her. Each session will reinforce in her own mind the shame

and quilt she is experiencing. I noticed it when I explained why I hadn't seen Jennifer in so long. Connie still loves you that's why she feels her quilt so much. It will be a time period that will allow both of you to bring this situation to a closure where the healing and forgiveness will last. Oh, I approve of your son’s choice for a wife.”

                That made us both roar and we returned to join the party. We had all pretty much cleaned up everything that Bill and Connie had prepared when Bill stood up with Connie standing at his side getting everyone's attention.

                “Most of you don't know this but our son Steven graduated debt-free thanks to a private scholarship provided by our good friend and my son's future father in law Charlie. Jennifer welcome to the family. If you have half the character and wisdom your father has my son is definitely a blessed man,” Bill said.

                Connie said, “to my new daughter and my son remember always in your journey as man and wife that your only human. At times there will be situations caused by the other that you feel can't overcome. Bill and I had thought we had reached that point, but we found some very wise advice. As a result, we will be seeking some outside professional help. Remember it’s easy to say I'm sorry but not so easy to get over something if you don't understand why it happened. Never

let your pride get in the way in your marriage.”

                Everyone said that they agreed. Then proposed another toast for them. Later as I was making the rounds to say goodbye Connie came over to me and planted a kiss on my cheek then whispered thank you for getting my husband to give us a second chance. We will be seeking counseling to try to work it out. My family owes you big time. I looked around for Jennifer, but she was nowhere to been seen. So, I entered the house to head to the front door when I notice the two suitcases by the front door.

                “I hope you not leaving without me, Dad!” My daughter said. “Steve agrees with me that since we are home that I

should stay with you. It will give us a chance to get to know each other again. After all, we both expect my real father to be the one that walks me down the Aisle.”

                I lost it again.

                It was a hoot watching her drive the old ford home. She had never driven a standard in her life. I just watched while mentally figuring out the cost for a new transmission because she kept using the clutch as a brake and inexperience caused her to grind the gears. The double S curved gravel driveway up the hill to my house blew her mind, she stalled out at least five times. It made me laugh yet it was a simple memory I would treasure the rest of my life.

********

                As soon as we got into my home, I started up the wood stove to take the evening chill off the place. Then gave her a royal tour after planting her suitcases in what was now going to be her room. By the time we had done the tour, she was in love with my log home.

                Each of the bedrooms was designed like they were all master bedrooms with each having their own bathrooms. The open kitchen with an island facing the open space, with a pantry off to the side, open dining room and living room made the space appear huge leaving the office room, half bathroom, and stairs at the very end. We had left the office /computer room to the last so I could let her play the conversation my grandfather had recorded so many years ago.

                After listening to it she asked if she could get a copy of it, so I copied it to a stick and gave it to her. I also copied the video of them making love. She noticed that the files were originally made two days before my reported death. I left her there grieving knowing she was experiencing the gambit of emotion from love right through to hate. The raw truth of hearing the voice of someone you love with their own mouth proving everything they had told you in your life was nothing but lies had to destroy one’s trust and faith.

                 I had gone into the kitchen poured us each a glass of wine and was sitting on the couch facing the window watching the village lights below when she finally came out to join me. I could notice the puffiness of her tear swollen eyes. She sat down beside me, so I took her and held her in my arms holding her not saying a word. The glasses were almost empty before my daughter spoke.

                “All my life I have been told they drew closer as they grieved your death until they realized they had fallen in love and then they got married. It was the biggest wedding that year in the state,” Jennifer said. “My own mother's voice proves everything they said about that time was nothing but a lie. I still am having difficulty understanding the coldness of both towards you. I ask myself if it was done out of hate even though Mother claimed she loved you till you died. It is forcing me to wonder if anything they said to us was true!”

                “It’s going to take time for you to work it out. Hell, I still don't understand it all. Even worse there may not be an acceptable answer as to why?” I replied. “Their marriage may not even be legal. If that comes out James reelection bid to the senate will go down. I have a copy of the non-disclosure agreement I had to sign with the judge and your mother’s father. It details what I had to do and why it had to be done. I will give you a copy before you leave.”

                “They stole us children, from you and changed our lives in ways we will never know,” Jen replied. “It’s like they were acting as if they were Gods. The one thing I don't understand is why you let them.”

                “First of all, they had made me a cuckold. My Grandfather believed until his dying day that they had it all planned. They counted on the fact that the rest of the family on both sides had too much to lose and would do anything to cover it up. Their family's own long term conduct proved them right. So, for your mother and my brother, there was no downside. As a result, they got to keep everything,” I said before pausing to take a sip.

                “My former business lost a lot of its reserved cash. My ex took the corporation public and converted my equity into shares to raise the needed capital to keep it going. Out of sight out of mind as far as the public was sought. Both the judge and your mother's father transferred offshore money into a new LLC set up for me in my name only to help me restart my life far away,” I explained.

                “Joan and James knew the family with enough money could find a way to make everything disappear. They relied on that fact. Time proves that they counted on it. So now everything I do now is done through the LLC, so I have no personal income to declare. This was done to make it harder for anyone to trace me. The international corporation is in a tax-free haven and every cent I draw comes from retained earnings. My computer room is where I management LLC's many investments which have done very well,” I explained.

                “My grandfather told me the day would come when the truth would come out, but I had to promise him that I would wait until it did. Only then would I become free. He said it would be the truth of what happened that would take the two of them down. Now with you knowing when I walk you down the aisle, many will see my face. There is no way they can hide it. Their past will begin to unwind. It will become a very public scandal. The business here gives me the appearance of having a normal life,” I stated.

                “Our wedding is set for the sixth of August. They have already rented the hall, booked the church, and have sent out the wedding invitations. Grandfather Barnes was to walk me down the aisle but when he hears about our conversation, he will gladly give up his spot for you,” Jen said. “With my connections back home in the mass media, I want to have the information on the stick released the last Sunday before my wedding and have the search for your death certificate begin. I want those two to pay for what they have done. Do I have your permission to tell your father that your alive when the conversation is finally released? So why didn't you remarry and build a new life?”

                “Yes, you can tell my dad, although I believe he might already know that I am still alive. The answer to the second question is quite simple your mother and I have not gotten a divorce,” I replied. “I may not be legally dead, so I was not free to remarry. In my heart, I could not deliberately allow my wants and needs to hurt another. The price I had to pay was to lead a single life. The morals, principles, and standards I have would not allow me to be like them.”

                It had finally sunk in because Jen's face showed the element of surprise. For the first time in her life, she saw the

difference between her mother, my brother, and me. It had to register in her mind that the difference was like night and day.

                “Dad you have been imprisoned, they stripped you of your life and your children. They made it impossible for you to have a new family. You were put in a box and forced to play their games by their rules. You are free but it's restricted just the same. Does that make sense,” Jen asked?

                “Yes, it does but that it was also my mistake because I could have refused to go along,” I replied. “Instead, I decided to put the needs of the whole two families first.”

                I left her, walked back into the computer room, and pulled down a huge binder from the shelving built into the wall. Returning to her I placed the binder in front of her and told her to start to look at it while I refilled our glasses. Jen was amazed. It was a binder book filled with all her life memories. Every announcement, every public appearance, every play she played in, copies of her report cards, as I had captured everything I could in her walk of life. I had gotten it all. She was surprised by how much she had forgotten.

                We talked into the wee hours of the morning as she shared her thoughts on those memories I had never shared. She went to bed with the knowledge that she had always been loved by me. I told her that I had a binder just as full for each of her sisters that I hoped one day I would be able to share with them. She stayed for two weeks spitting her time with the Stevens family and me. By the time she left, we were closer than we'd ever been. I felt blessed to have her back in my life.

********

                On the last Friday of July, the order went out from me to buy short the stock of the company I had formerly owned. Its current value was one hundred and twenty-nine dollars a share. I was gambling with my future. By the end of the day, I owned over a million shares. Jennifer's mother was the current CEO. All my original shares should be in my trust for my children until they reached the age of twenty five. That was the way it had been set up, but it could have been changed. When I had left fifteen years ago, they had estimated the value of the company to have a market value of about forty five dollars a share.

                Bill, Connie, and I would be flying out the following Thursday via a private jet I had booked. Jennifer had kept her vow of secrecy but called me daily to keep me informed as to what was going on using Steven's phone. My stockbroker had been informed to continue to buy shares each day until the fifth of August and only sell the shares that were bought at the highest value to cover the margins needed on that market day.

                The conversation between the former deceased Judge and my wife hit the airwaves Sunday morning along with the video of Joan giving up her body and soul to my brother. An online adult web site crashed because the video became that hot. The democratic media sucked it up big time. By the end of the day, there was an all-out search for my death certificate, a record of a divorce, and any related documentation concerning the settlement of my estate. Questions were raised about how I was supposed to have died. Had I been murdered?

                It was seven o'clock on the west coast when my daughter called eleven pm in New York. She thought the news coverage was a blast. Her mother and stepfather were in panic mode. Jennifer's sisters Judy and Joanne had been trying to get clarification from their mother about it all. Joan and James were refusing to answer any of their questions. One of the questions they asked was is our father still alive?

Jen then said the second bombshell would be released overnight. Those who had it read it said it appeared that I was made by the family with James and Joan's Barnes direction to have been forced to disappear. The accounts the funds the family promised me appeared to have been sent to an account that had never existed, adding speculation that I had been set up to be killed. She then said she was going to call my father into his office and hand him the cell. I could hear his office door closed as my father said Hello.

I replied, “Hi Dad.”

                “John is that really you?” he asked quietly.” how are you son?”

“Yes, it is. I'm good, Jen can fill you in. How is mom? How much do you know?” I replied.

                “We learned about the whole mess about a week after the release of the story of your suicide and why they felt it was necessary. We are a bit older but we're both quite healthy all things considering. You will be proud to see how well your daughters have turned out. But tell me how Jen figure it out,” my dad asked?

                “She found me by accident. It turns out her intended is the son of a good friend. His family threw a barbecue to introduce her and to celebrate his graduation from university. When Steven took me over to her, she turned to face me, and she recognized me right away. We have been in contact ever since,” I said. “I need to remain hidden until the wedding so I'm flying in Thursday night with the groom’s parents and family. Do you think I can remain safely hidden if I get a helicopter to drop me off at your estate?”

                “I’ll make sure the landing pad has the lights on and we will give the staff an extra few paid days off. Your mom will be thrilled to cook the two of us a few meals. Just let Jen know your time of arrival,” my dad said.

                After a few words, he let me know he wasn't going to tell my mom he wanted it to be a complete surprise.

********

                Early Monday morning in the European Markets according to Fox Business News share values of my former company had dropped over twenty dollars. On Monday morning just at the opening, I picked up another million shares for a hundred dollars each. Once again buying them short. That afternoon after watching values continuing to drop, I put in a buy order of 4 million shares at thirty five dollars a share trying to get it to bottom out and to sell off all the shares I currently owned at 65 dollars a share.

The mass media hysteria with CNN taking the lead was destroying James and Joan Barnes while taking down anything associated with them. Incest, possible murder and the making of a cuckold ruled the printed page. James Barnes being a republican allowed CNN's Anderson Cooper to rant and rave like a lunatic milking it for all it was worth. CNN's ratings were huge. They had a huge crowd of reporters parked at their front gates. Based on what the mass media had proved the FBI announced an investigation into my disappearance.

                On Thursday Morning my former corporation announced that their CEO Joan Barnes had accepted a buyout. Everyone knew she had been forced out. Her association with the corporation was destroying them. The stock share value began to stabilize at thirty five dollars a share.

                On Friday afternoon the stock began to climb but the personal problems for my brother James Barnes began to evolve. He was now facing a Senate ethics investigation. There were calls hourly within the senate and the mass media for him to resign. In his only public appearance, he restated the story that Joan and he had become involved seriously only after my reported suicide and that the conversation between the former judge and his wife had to have been manufactured. The video of them making out had to have been created later.

                 CNN announced they were going to do a voice audit to see if the voices of both parties on the conversation could be verified. They uncovered tape of James publicly announcing that I had committed suicide was being replayed multiple times a day and the media brought out the point that to date no death certificate had been found.

                On Friday Joan's father announced his sudden retirement from the senate due to ongoing health problems. His daughter's own long term conduct had taken him down. For him, it had gotten too hot. The shares of my former company closed on Friday at the fifty nine dollar mark . My purchase of the shares at thirty five dollars had been confirmed. During that short week because of the publicity concerning James and Joan Barnes I had increased my net worth by millions

                At dusk, on Thursday night the helicopter began its descent. As it lowered itself down, I could see my parents walking out of the back of their house to greet it. After the pilot shut down, I got out underneath the twirling blades and picked up the suitcases he had gotten out. As soon as I cleared the rotating blades, I straightened myself up allowing my mother to see my face.

                My dad had to hold her as the tears and shock buckled her knees. It had been over fifteen years since I had seen their faces. Mom kept crying my baby has come home. She spent the next two days acting like an overprotecting mother hen while trying to fatten me up because to her I looked so lean. Home-cooked meals never tasted so good.

********

                At five minutes to two on Saturday Jennifer stepped out of the door of the church which signaled for me to leave the limo. As I walked up the steps towards her a CNN reporter caught me on live camera and asked me who I was? I turned and said with a straight face saying, “I'm the walking dead.”

                I then walked up to stand beside the bride. Jennifer looked stunning. After giving each other kisses on the cheek we walked in arm in arm. Each one of our faces showing our pride. The cameraman had captured it all.

                I caught Joan's image from the backside and man her ass still looked good as she led the bridal party down the aisle to the front. She didn't look half bad from behind, it made me wonder if she looked as good from the front. She still had an ass a man would die for. Next came the ring bearers and the flower girls who made sure to drop rose petals as they walked. Joanne was next then Judy was just ahead of us.

                I told Jennifer to relax which caused Judy to look back. I guess hearing a strange voice captured her attention. I raised my index finger to my mouth letting her know to remain quiet. Judy mouthed to her sister you found dad fighting the tears that wanted to flow just before entering the main area of the church. Jennifer just nodded her head her face shining in joy. Looking up towards Steven I noticed that everyone had to be asking themselves where was the best man? Little did they know he was walking his bride down the aisle.

                I watched Joan take her seat beside a man I assumed must be James. If it was, time had really changed him, he now had the typical dad body with a bald spot on his head. Both Jennifer and I watched Joanne ascend the steps taking her place then turning towards us. The look of shock on her face I will never forget.

                As the tears started flowing, she put her hand over her mouth to hold in her screams. It was almost as if she believed I could not be real. Then Judy stood beside her holding her hand while whispering in her ear. She too joined her sister in shedding her tears. I let go of my daughter and watched her climb the steps until she stood beside Steven.

                “Who gives this lady away,” the father said?

                I said, “her mother and I do,” then I went and stood beside Steven's side.

                It was a beautiful ceremony. Many would say it was the most emotional ceremony they had ever seen because the tears of joy flowed from my three daughters' faces. I could not help noticing that my daughters’ mother and my brother's faces were completely white. Neither one of them could look me in the eyes. During the whole ceremony, their eyes were looking down.

                Over the evening festivities, I got asked numerous times how I had come to be my son in laws best man. Had I introduced the two? When we signed the form for registration for the marriage certificate the catholic father was shocked when I signed my formal name. Almost all the witnesses of this marriage who had known about me now knew that I was still alive. Though nothing was said I could tell that cell phones were being used all over the place. We would later learn there had been three live feeds revealing my existence to the world.                                                                                                                              

********

                The judge and the senator by the end of that day had set the plans into play. Both saw the situation as a mess that would scandalize the two families in every way. Having served in the marines until just after the birth of the triplets it was decided I would get called back in. Joan’s father using his influence got me sent to West Point. So, after graduating I spent three years where I was hidden in plain sight fighting the Taliban with brothers in arms. There wasn't a mission that I would not volunteer for. They said I had been driven. I got the reputation of being very hardcore. The more dangerous the mission was the ones I would volunteer our team for, but it was a faulty set of body armor that finally did that in. As a result, I had eight bullet scars across the front of my chest. I had barely escaped with my life.

                 After getting my discharge papers I was a Major no more. I had gone to the Cayman Islands to reorganize my accounts before deciding what to do with the rest of my life. The Judge and my grandmother had met me there on the family estate. It was my grandmother’s idea that If I could not figure out what to do, I should make it a chance of discovery by throwing a dart on a map and see where it led. That stupid suggestion had brought me here.

********

The congratulatory line was a hoot. Judy and Joanne stood on each side of me. They milked the introducing of me to everyone for all it was worth. Pride was glowing from their faces. Yet I did not feel comfortable in a tuxedo. Joan and James were the last to pass through. Steven was polite but Joan wasn't because she appeared to be in total shock.

                “Mother!” Jennifer said, “you should know Dad did not find me I found him. It was me who had all the information about what you both did released to the mass media. Dad reluctantly allowed me copies of it so I could prove to my sisters what truly had happened. He had no clue as to what the three of us decided to do. What James and you did to all of us is unforgivable. I decided it had to be set straight. I had to prove he was not the failure you both made him out to be.”

                Joan was furious. Her anger made her want to scream but held her tongue and walked away without saying a word to me. Joan had to be asking herself is my daughter trying to destroy my life. James stood for a few looking at me before saying anything.

                “We need to talk; we need to work this out, John!” James said softly looking at me while trying to figure me out.

                 “Working on that as we speak. But you know I was there listening via speaker when the Judge and Joan talked,” I replied without offering my hand. James looked at me in shock as if he had no clue.

                “I will show you both as much consideration as you both showed me. Which we all know was none. You made your bed now live with it,” I said with a stone-cold voice. “I'll enjoy watching the fallout.”

                We stood there watching the couple as they headed out the door. My three daughters saw a big smile on my face. Steve said Oh somethings up. I just laughed knowing that as soon as they got off the church steps the two of them would be served. Joan was being served for divorce on the grounds of adultery. James for alienation of affection. It would be captured by the mass media again. The nightmare for them was going to get a lot worse.

                It was time for us to get to the park for the pictures for their wedding albums so we the bridal party climbed into a big limo. On the way over while sharing a glass of champagne Jennifer explained everything to her two sisters who were holding onto me tight. They were surprised to learn that Jen had stayed with me for two weeks while she got to know her in-laws. My three daughters had grown up to be very beautiful ladies. They made me proud. Jen explained how we had gone through all the things I had collected about her throughout the years.

Jen said she got the impression that I knew more about her than she remembered about herself. Then she said he has one on each of you just as thick. It proved to me Jen said that he never stopped loving us.

                The only awkward moment during the photo shoot was the one with all the parents. All five of us. We got around it

by having Connie and Bill between the rest of us and the fact that they could not get three of us to smile. James and Joan,

we’re not in a good mood because they knew their world was collapsing fast. My identity was now out, and the mass media was having a field day. The walking dead was alive! Became the mass media cry. Everything they thought they knew was being rehashed. Like the democratic media always did everything was being taken to the extreme.

                The bridal dinner was over the top then it came for the toast. As the best man and father of the bride, I threaded it with tact. I explained it honestly telling how thanks to his good parents who I considered best friends we had developed a close bond and that I saw him as the son I never had. I went on to explain some of the comical situations we put ourselves in and how they had drawn us closer. I admitted that I was taken by complete surprise when he introduced me to his bride. I finished it off by saying I hoped they had the wisdom to catch on to and hold on to all their dreams. My mother's face glowed with pride.

                When Steven stood up, I almost lost it. He started out by saying It’s rare that a groom can say that his father in law is his best friend. Jennifer's father paid for my post-secondary education and has advised me through a lot of rough times. It was a shock to us all that day in June when I discovered that John was Jennifer's real dad. I'll never forget my own fathers’ words when he said I had to be a blessed man to have Jennifer becoming my wife. To both of my fathers, I want to say thank you for making me the man I am. When the bride and groom started their dance, they owned the room. To this day I have never seen a more beautiful bride. Judy and Joanne kept me on the dance floor, both wanting to share as much time with me as possible. Outside of my mother, they controlled all my time.

                The master of Ceremonies came out on stage to announce it was time for the bride and her father to dance. Before we do that with the bride and grooms’ approval, I would like to give General David Bloomberg the mike.

                The General stepped forward. He said he was here to give three metals to hard hat Charlie. I had to laugh.

                “Hard hat Charlie was a major in charge of a platoon of seals who earned his name during his last mission,” he said. “They had gone into a mission that is still classified today only to learn upon arrival it had been an enemy’s trap. Our intelligence of the situation had been totally wrong. The two platoons sent with his team were also trapped. They were surrounded. Man, for a man when under the review of the botched mission said it was like a modern-day Custer's last stand. After two days of heavy fighting with our forces near exhaustion, word came down the line to load up their bazookas to the max and pass them down the line. An average Marine can carry one of them with all their gear. Hard hat Charlie had taken off all his clothing and gear. He had nothing on but his bulletproof vest, his helmet, boots, and his underwear,” Everybody roared.

                “Everyone around him told him he was crazy, but he said to his second in command. Win or lose if we don't gamble, we are all going to die. Since to all I love I am already the walking dead at least I will die with my boots on. He did not expect to live but did it because as he said I must give my men a fighting chance,” The General explained. “He loaded up his body with two of these bazookas after throwing a bunch into a clearing. He put his helmet on stuck a cigar in his mouth, stood up, moved into a clearing, and let those babies rip. His first hit was on an ammo reserve of the enemy’s which caused multiple explosions to spread everywhere because of the weapons it contained. The panic he created end up sending the well-hidden enemy scrambling. After firing a few more shells he turned around and ripped out a few more shells into pre-selected enemies sites up the hillside.”

                “He was hit twenty-three times while still firing before he went down but only eight of them were serious. The enemies back because of his actions were broken they ran like the dogs they were,” he said. “Each man who served with him to this day swears he alone saved all their lives from the Taliban. So, I am here to present two purple hearts and one silver star to Major Johnathan Charles Barnes the 3rd. My only regret is that I could not do it in front of his men.”

                I walked up and the general pinned them on then saluted me. My parents and three daughters were very proud.

                My daughter Jen finally led me to the floor for the father-daughter dance. She had chosen an old sixties song “Your daddy's home.” It was a very emotional dance for the two of us. When they announced the son and mother dance I went over and got my mother joining Steven and Connie on the floor. You could clearly see how much it meant to her. It was written all over her face.

                Later when the bride and groom disappeared to change into their going away outfits, I put out a surprise. When they returned Jen found an envelope laying where she sat addressed to the bride and groom. Inside was a cashier’s bank draft made out to the two of them for two million dollars with a note that said follow your dreams. Jen saw it and started to bawl. My signature was on the draft.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

********

                I slept in until almost noon on Sunday Morning having gotten to bed at about 6 am. After the wedding reception was over Judy and Joanne had dragged me to an all-night Chinese restaurant for a midnight meal. Both girls wanted their first private time with their dad. Before we called it a night, we had exchanged phone numbers, current address, and my darling daughters had arranged to spend a couple of weeks with me back home.

                After a shit, a shave, and a shower I had gotten dressed in my usual attire blue jeans, a white T-shirt, with a blue jean long sleeve shirt left unbutton hanging down the sides with black socks and cheap Walmart running shoes. Brand names and high fashion did not impress me much. I felt the richest when dressing like this driving my old Ford truck. I was just a simple man who lived a simple life. I came down the stairs to find a house full.

                Mom and dad, Bill and Connie, the rest of their brood all seven of them, and my two daughters. Connie was telling my daughters how I had saved their marriage and had explained how for over ten years all our friends had tried to figure out if I was gay or straight. Your father though not a religious man had the patience of Job. He never gave any one of us a

hassle when we would try to set him up. We were all totally stunned when Jen called him dad because we had no clue. Until

then we thought the most important thing in his life was his two black female cats. After saying hello to all I went to the

kitchen to grab a coffee and to light up a smoke.

                Mom joined me asking me what I wanted to eat so I told her six pancakes, three soft eggs with runny yolks, and four slices of bacon. She was thrilled to death and started pulling out her pans. The cooking staff got out of her way they knew she was cooking for her son. Dad came in as I sat there to catch me up with what was going on. It seemed the mass media was having a field day.

                The headline on the New York Times was the walking dead is alive. CNN had been telling the story of my historic military record and had interviewed some that I had served with. Most of them said they were surprised that I had lived after being taken down. My dad had to laugh when one of them remarked the one thing you never said to Charlie was that it can't be done because he would always find a way to do it. He seemed to enjoy getting his superiors pissed off. As a leader, he would only push his team as much as he pushed himself. Under his direction, we all became better men.

                It was out that Joan was married to two brothers and with no record of a divorce. I had to have been one of the longest publicly known cuck's. They said that Senator James Barnes had bought himself one expensive whore, when he crawled between her legs. I couldn't hide my smile.

                CNN had an afternoon special promoting that lifestyle. Feminists were cheering her, praising her for the lifestyle she had led but even their comments were being condemned. A news crew had been sent to interview people in our little town. Most had nothing but good to say but it was amazing how things got ratcheted up just for five minutes of fame. Dad laughed and said the media has blown this up and really made this a mess. The way they screw things up by the time this is done the country will think you’re a saint and you won't have even said a word. Both Joan and James are screwed.

                I got up and refilled my coffee just before mom brought me my plate then sat across from me watching me eat. She still was working up to the point that she could accept that the baby of the family had come home.

********

“Dad,” Joanne said. “Your brother is claiming he had no knowledge of what mom had said to the judge because he

had gone looking for you. Do you think that might be true?”

                “Who knows,” I replied. “We know that for three years she was doing him on the side behind my back. There is no way we as humans can remember everything we said or didn't say. They had to have discussed the consequences of being

caught and what they would do if that had happened. Your mother felt secure enough in saying what she did that day. She was mentally prepared for what happened. Her own choice of words proves that. Either way, they expected the family would handle it. The two of them used us all.”

                “Oh, God,” Joanne said. “You looked at it not in a personal way but in the way, it affected everyone in the circle around them, that paints a different picture. So, who worked it all out, Mother or James?”

                “James has never been a leader even in the marines he played it safe. Your mother and I are both go-getters willing to take risks, so it had to be her,” I replied.

                “Jenifer told me that your gift last night if managed properly, would set them up for life. She would not tell me how much it was, but she asked me to tell you that they are investing it for five years because they don't want to be in a situation where they just flutter it away,” Joanne said softly.

                “Just so you know the threads of what was done is just beginning to unravel. No one knows what will come in the end. You never know until it's revealed what people with money and power will do. On Saturday your mother was served. It’s time we got divorced,” I said. “Your sister is being very wise. When your sister and you get married you will get the same amount.”

                “When did she received the papers, “Joanne asked?

                “The moment she left the church. James got served too. I'm suing him for alienation of affection. Either way, their screwed. I got the family's trust frozen because I am not dead! Everything in it will be dissected by the lawyers. If they put their own money in because of what was done I may get theirs too,” I said. “James will have to pay a few million to settle the suit.”

                Joanne looked at me without speaking for a moment then said, “Shit the house their living in is owned by the trust.

I think everything is. They may be fucked.”

                “It’s a mess that's for sure, I feel sorry for us all. Lawyers are going to end up taking a lot regardless. This was done to protect those who no longer need protection. Sadly, it’s always the innocent that get hurt,” I said.

                Judy had been listening to the conversation. I could tell she had something on her mind so when she asked me if she could talk to me privately, I was not surprised. With dad's permission, we slipped into his office.

                “Dad! Judy said. “I've got a female friend whose ex-boyfriend has been abusive in the past. She's got court orders out against him, and he has been jailed a couple of times. He's set to be released again next week and we're both afraid he's going to come after her again. She's an Rn. I work with her, and we share an apartment. She has started an eight-week holiday and has some money in the bank. Mentally and emotionally if it wasn't for her work, she would be a complete wreck. She needs to be in a spot where she feels safe and secure. I think she needs to get away. She was at the wedding last night and for the first time in a long time, she showed a lot of interest in a man who she said “walked tall and carried a small stick. Would It be okay if I introduced her to you?”

                “Of course, it is. But you know we fly home tomorrow so what are you really trying to get me to do?” I asked.

                “From what Joanne has told us about her two weeks with you and what you both did I want you to take her back home with you. It sounds like the perfect situation for her to be able to completely heal. Bill and Connie are great people so I know she will fit right in,” Judy said. “If you won't do it for her, will you, do it for me.”

                “She's that important to you.” I said, “so, who is the man she is interested in?”

                “Yes, she is I see her almost like an older sister who should have been married to a good man long ago. The man she is interested in is you,” She laughed. “With your past, I know you can keep her safe.”

                “Darling daughter are you trying to set me up,” I laughed back. “Remember I've reached the age where I'm old.”

                “You can answer that for yourself she'll be here in an hour,” she said with a great big grin. “Remember dad age does not matter.”

                The things a man will do for his daughters.

********

Joan and I had married right after she got out of high school. Her father had introduced me to her when he was doing an overseas tour, I was in my second year, and she was the fifth teen. For me, it was love at first sight. I joined the marines with my father’s influence and permission at sixteen. It took to it like a fish and water and excelled. My drill Sargent said I was old before my time. Being mentally tough and determined allowed me to move up the chain faster. The only thing I found difficult was continuing my education while living in the barracks. Thankfully schoolwork had always been easy for me. I graduated with my degree in three years instead of five. I had six years in when the twins were born and got my first discharge when they were two.

 I considered myself a young forty four-year-old father. My dad always said I was an overachiever. He was willing to fiancé my company and away I went. Thanks to the age of computers in four years my brokerage company went North America wide. I was always traveling because of business. I must admit that I was too much hands-on.

                Dad and I were in the back yard shooting a few hoops when Judy came out with her friend. As we watched them

walk towards us I noticed Judy's girlfriend had long natural blonde hair. Dad said she has a set of hips just like your mom. Good breeding stock he said with a chuckle and added I love them when they're built for comfort and not for speed. I learned that Barbara Ellen Patterson was thirty-three, had never been married and had grown up in a small town in Ohio.

                She was five foot nine, which made her three inches shorter than me. She had broad shoulders a decent rack and could play a dam good game of hoops. She and my dad made mincemeat out of Judy and me. After a couple of games, the ice had been broken and we began chatting like we were old friends. After talking for a few with her for quite a while, I excused myself and went into my dad’s office to make a few phone calls. I finally opened the door and yelled to Barbara and Judy to come in. I told Barbara that I had one of the directors of the local hospital where I lived on the line who wanted to talk to her. While she talked to him Judy and I went out into the hall.

                “What's going on dad,” Judy asked.

                I replied. “She's being offered a full-time position in the emergency department starting in a month if her references check out, which based on what you've told me I assume that they will. If she accepts, she can catch a ride with me when I fly home tomorrow and stay with me till she finds a place. It will be up to you to forward to her or get rid of anything she can't take with her. The pay won't be as high, but the cost of living is lower.”

                Judy hugged me and gave me a great big kiss on the cheek. “Thanks, Dad. I knew you would come through. I had discussed this with Joanne, and she thought you would too. You have made it possible that she can finally put the past in the past by giving her something we had not thought of a fresh start. Thank you for setting her free.”

                Barbara accepted the position. The change that came over her was amazing. Her true natural warmth and loving

nature started coming out. It was a joy for all of us to see. My Dad is a lawyer who drew up a power of attorney which would allow Judy to act on Barbara's behalf. I suggested to Barbara that she set up a new email account and text it to all that she wanted to stay connected with informing them that she would be sending them her new phone number via that and she will let them know whats going on via the new email account that within a week. Barb, Judy, and Joanne were thrilled. They soon rushed out the door to help Barbara prepare to go.

********

                The plane took off at four and landed at Port just before eight. Connie and Barbara bonded on the way. Bill and I talked about how impressed he was by my parents and my daughters. He advised me to be careful because Barb was the marrying kind. The stock value on my former company was now at back to a hundred and three.

                Tomorrow Morning CNN would receive a couriered envelope containing my death certificate and the location of my grave. It was just after nine pm when we arrived in Spuzzum. I drove by the small hospital so Barbra could see it where she would be working before heading back out of town to my home. The farther we got away from the east coast the happier Barbra seemed to be. As I drove the truck up my driveway, I realized I needed to get a second vehicle.

                Spuzzum's population was now about three thousand. It was evolving into a small tourist town. Seeing my home

for the first time she said I haven't been in a log home since I was a small child. Before taking our luggage in we walked out

on the front yard so she could get a view of how my home looked over the village below with the log mill, the boats in the

docks, and how the view of the Pacific Ocean was unending. It was a postcard image, and she was in love with it. I told her

that dusk would come between nine thirty and ten. As we entered the house, I told her she was the second person I had ever stay at my home. Neither of us knew at that time that she would never leave.

                I was up before Barbara Tuesday morning. It still amazes me when I reflect on the morning how refreshed and beautiful, she looked as she walked down the stairs. It was if she had stepped out of the clouds into the sunshine. With no makeup on she oozed of country dressed in blue jeans with a tank top. She would fit right in.

                “Coffee's in the urn sleepyhead,” I said, “sugars on the counter, half and half is in the carton in the fridge.”

                “And good morning to you to,” She replied. “Anything new in Charlie's world today?'

                “Let’s turn on CNN and find out,” I said with a smile.

                I flicked on the TV with the remote as I watched her pour herself a cup then checked out what was in the fridge and the cupboards. She stated we needed to do a major grocery shopping if she was going to do any cooking. I heard her say to herself it’s a beautiful house, but it needs a woman's touch to change it from the bachelor pad to a home. It reminded me of something my mother would say.

                CNN was having a field day after receiving the death certificate they had discovered that the signature on it was from a doctor who had a questionable past. He was currently serving time because of Medicare fraud. A news crew had been dispatched to the gravesite in an area known to have been used often by the mob. When Barb saw me smiling, she said you knew. I had to admit I did. I then said the judge when he protected himself set this up long ago. After he died, I inherited his estate in the Cayman's I realized that he was going to make them pay. I had the caretaker mail this information in. She laughed and said that Judy, Joe. and she had spent most of Sunday night and Monday morning discussing everything about the whole situation. They were all in agreement that Joan and James were getting what they deserved. All of your daughters appear to hate what their mother did.

                “Your daughter made it perfectly clear that if I did anything to hurt you, I would be held accountable by her. All three of them think you walk on water. I had to promise Judy daily reports on how we're getting along,” Barbra said. “When I told her Saturday night what I thought about you after the general had said his little bit she started to plan. I asked her why she was doing what she was doing, and she said my dad’s a good man who needs a good honest woman in his life. Then on Sunday I learned how easy it was thanks to you to start a new life.”

                “After our coffee's let's drive over to Port Townsend so you can get your Washington state driver’s license. Apply for your nursing license and we can do a major grocery shopping if that's okay. They have a golden corral there so we can have an early lunch,” I said.

                “Sound like the plan for the day if we can work in stopping at the hospital so I can go to the human resources department and fill out an official application,” she replied handing me her phone. “I need to get you to put our legal address into the memo’s, so I have it.”

                After stopping for a coffee before we got on the road, she asked me if she could drive. I let her and she had a smile a mile wide. She handled the clutch like she had been doing it all her life. When I said I was surprised at how well she was doing she told me she had been driving tractors since she was nine. If you’re in the country and are not driving a standard, it’s like saying that you'll never amount to much.

                After lunch, we hit the hospital and got that done then the state local office where she was told her new licenses would arrive within a week. ATT then Walmart. The groceries we bought filled the truck we had overloaded it. I hadn't expected the new copper nonstick pots and pans, a complete set of dishes for twelve or the new silverware. Her explanation was that my measly kitchenware showed I just did not cook which was true. While she was in the hospital's hr. department, I had called my insurance provider, so our last stop was at the local jeep dealership where I picked up a Jeep four by four fully loaded brand new. My insurance dealer faxed over proof of insurance so we could drive it home. She drove it home following me all the way.

                When we got home, she let me unload the groceries then told me to get out of her way and to leave her alone so she could properly set the kitchen up. As soon as the dawn dishwater soap was unpacked it was used. She washed down every cabinet before she unpacked a single thing. It was as if she was setting up a new house. I watched her in amazement as she organized the kitchen making it her own. I should have seen the warning signs, but I was blind. I went into the living room and turned on the news.

                If It wasn't so sad, I would have laughed. They had found my gravesite and were asking if I was alive who was buried there. It would take the FBI to answer that. I heard Barbra's cell phone ring and I listened and was able to glean that it was Judy getting an update. So, I yelled tell Judy you haven't raped me yet. Barb did and then yelled back your daughter says you can be a real asshole. I laughed. I knew I was too old for her and that was that. It was almost ten before she was done. To celebrate I poured us both a large glass of homemade blackberry wine and we watched the twinkling of the town lights below until we went to our separate beds.

                 I awoke to the smell of bacon being fried. When I came down the coffee was made. Barbara was wearing a homemade full-length housecoat with a matching nightgown. I commented that it was hand-stitched and asked how long it had taken for her to make it. She said two months but how did you know? I replied because you can't buy that quality in any store. She smiled and said I like a man who notices little things. Breakfast was almost ready.

                Six pancakes, three runny eggs and four slices of bacon for me with warmed pure maple syrup. I asked how you knew that was my favorite. She said your mother told me, but you can place the eggs on your own pancakes she laughed. So, I asked her what else did my mother tell you? She smiles saying that's for me to know and you to find out. I smiled and said to myself I could get used to this. I told her I was going to check-in at the store and pick up the plates when I paid the taxes on the jeep. She said that was fine because she had found the tape measure in my toolbox in the pantry and was going to measure for blinds and curtains. Before I left, she gave me a kiss on the cheek and said just remember dinner is at six and always will be when I am not working. Then it hit me, she was trying to make this a home not just a place to sleep.

                I returned at noon and put the plates on the jeep before heading inside. Barbara told me the good news the FBI was digging up my gravesite that very afternoon. We both wondered what they would find. It had been found out that my death certificate had been issued the day before I had reenlisted. CNN was carrying it live. I received a text from the lawyers asking me to call. It turned out that Joan wanted a quick divorce and the Trust situation dealt with separately. She would not fight the grounds of adultery. They felt if they went that way the time period required for the divorce to be granted would be waved because she was already remarried. I told them to go ahead.

                 Barb said I was making the right move. She said she was done measuring and that we needed to discuss rod-style materials and price. I said why? She replied because this town is growing, and it won't be long till there will be other homes built that may allow them a direct view into your home. Also finishing off the house will add value. For the next four hours, we discussed each room and ordered the items online. After spending ten grand I asked her if she expected me to hang them when they came in and she said yes that's a man’s job, but I will help. She figured she better check in with Judy and we were glad that she did.

                Judy had inside knowledge of what the found in the coffin. Wrapped and taped in bubble wrap for protection was a federal express sealed envelope. Once it was opened it contained a note saying Next time James and Joan when you try to kill someone make sure the person you hire is competent. It was signed by me. When I heard that I roared. When Barb got

off the phone she asked for an explanation, so I told her that before I left to report the Judge had me sign a bunch of blank pages as if I was signing a letter. What they found must have been one of them.

                Barb was just going to start supper when I got a phone call to let me know all my friends and their wives were on their way to welcome Barb to the neighborhood. I told her not to bother starting anything because we were about to have a house full. They wanted to welcome Barb to our village and group. Apparently, Connie had spread the word that I had brought a classy lady back with me and my daughters had approved. All the ladies wanted to meet the lady who had been able to get my attention. They would joke all night that they had to see it to believe it. Charlie had finally found a girlfriend.

                Within ten minutes the group all arrived. I proudly introduced Barb to them all. We were having a potluck dinner country style. Fried chicken, baked bean, nacho's and cheese, potatoes chips, fry’s coleslaw salad fresh buns two cases of beer and pecan pie. All the ladies loved Barb's selection of dishes. After introductions, she soon fit right in talking with the ladies about the curtains, blinds, and rods she had ordered saying that they should arrive on Friday. It was decided that Saturday afternoon we would all get together and put them up, but she insisted they bring nothing because she would prepare a meal for us all.

                Early Thursday Morning saw us going to the Ace superstore in Port. Barb wanted a big propane barbecue, a deep oil fryer, and a smoker with the needed tanks. We ended up buying a patio set that would sit eight with eight extra chairs and had it arranged to be delivered the next day. I bought precut lumber to build a couple of tables.

                Friday morning, I started building her an outside cedar table that when collapsed would stand against the back outside wall. When pulled out and being used it would be used as the main counter for people getting their food. I stained it to match the stain of our log home and protected it in the same way. She loved it. Thank God Ace hardware pre-assembled it saved a lot of time.

Saturday at noon they brought their ladders and the five of us guys soon had the rods set up in all the rooms. We let the ladies put the curtains up. I had to admit in front of them all that Barb had a great sense of design and style. That made her smile. What we had done made the house look that much better and I admitted it. I laughed because Barb blushed. Bill pointed out that I was going to need a garage and a storage room for the patio stuff before the winter weather set in. I had to

admit that he was right but if I was going to do it right, I wanted a protected pathway with a mudroom for coats and boots all made with logs. Barb said we need room for two freezers. I groaned. Connie caught it and said are you already planning for more kids. I blushed and everybody roared. Connie said poor Charlie he's already henpecked and don't know it. Everybody roared again.

                Barb had smoked and slow-cooked twenty pounds of ribs, had a huge potato salad and had made a quick shredded pickled cabbage relish and a regular salad. It was a hit with everyone, so all the ladies had to find out how

the cabbage was done. To reward her for all her hard work I made her breakfast on Sunday than with friends we took a cruise up the coast. Seeing her enjoyment in what we were doing I made a note to take her to Seattle to do some whale

watching and to spend a day at their market. When Judy called Barb, she admitted privately to Judy that she was in love.

The problem I was too, but I would never make a move I was too old, and I saw myself as to set in my ways.                                                                                                                             

********

                It had been an interesting week we had over three evenings designed and laid out the plans. My four best friends

enjoyed expressing in their banter with me about me being in love. No matter how hard I argued they knew I held a losing hand. The rock removal company would be coming next week to start leveling off the additional space needed. By the time they were done, we would have the county approval for a four-bay garage, a built-in storage area in the back with an in-law apartment on top and a sixteen-foot walkway to the huge mudroom for Barb.

                James and Joan had been called into the FBI rumor had it that it wasn't going well. The polls had his reelection chances going down the drain. The FBI had shrunk it down to two possible suspects who may have been hired to carry it out the attempted execution of me. It was difficult for them because of the lack of proof. They both were under investigation.

                Friday, I got an interesting phone call from the President of the company I had founded he wanted to know as a major shareholder If I would be interested in becoming the new CEO. I asked If I could have a week to think about it, he said yes. Somehow it leaked out and the shares rallied on the news. Rising to the level of one hundred and thirty nine dollars.

                Then late Saturday a very loud thunderstorm with lightning moved in. I did not know it, but It would cause our relationship to change forever. It hit in the middle of the night. I was laying in my bed listening to the heavy downpour hit my home's metal roof when my bedroom door opened. That was when a flash of huge lightning hit. Barb walked in wearing a very slim almost see-through low-cut nightie which barely covered her private parts. She was a sight to behold. Her silhouette with the sheet lightning behind her encased her in a band of gold giving me a vision of her I would see in my dreams.

                 I pretended to be asleep as she pulled the sheets back and crawled in beside me. Her body trembling in fright. As soon as the next thunder boomed its echo bouncing off the walls her body was tight against mine. I could smell the sweet scent of fresh soap coming from her body because she had showered before going to bed. The scent of lavender filled my nose. Flesh against flesh gave me an instant hard-on. Turning sideways she slid her leg over mine, wrapped her arm around my chest and laid her neck upon my shoulder. I hadn't been this close to a woman in years. I was a nervous wreck. As she raised her head to give me a kiss on the cheek, I turned my head to hers and our lips met. A gentle kiss turned in a slow lingering tongue exchanging kiss. Once started we could not stop. Emotions were fueling our desires. Our cold hands exploring each other’s bodies. Each other’s pleasures we sought.

                We took it slow until she felt my stiffness standing out then she pulled my sleepwear bottoms down. Pushing me back on my back she mounted me then lowered herself down drawing me into the warmth of her tight mound. Joining our bodes making us one as we discovered our own personal dance. It was a night of wonders and whispers as both of us were making up for the lost time. It wasn't just sex we were making love. She was claiming me, marking me, taking my mind heart and soul. In the afterglow, we admitted to each other our feelings of love.

                It was almost ten am when hunger demanded we get out of bed. I went down and put the coffee on dressing in just my pajama bottoms. While waiting for it to brew I called my daughter Judy

                “Dad,” Judy said with surprise. “It's good to hear your voice.”

                “Thanks, but I need to ask you a question. What did Barb say to you during Jen's wedding?” I asked.

                “That the moment she saw you at the wedding party it was love at first sight. It seems the more she learned about

you that night the more it reinforced to her that her feelings were real. She watched you all night. Ever since your arrival back home she has been on cloud nine. Whatever you plan to do, do not hurt her.” Judy asked.

                I chuckled and said, “Just between us, she slept in my bed last night. This morning we admitted to each other that we were in love.”

                Judy got emotional so I said I would let her talk to her later. The coffee pot was almost ready, so I cleaned the urn and put hot water in it and our cups to warm them up. I had just finished that when the doorbell rang. It was fed ex with a special delivery from my lawyer. It was my divorce certificate. The court had waved the waiting period because of the extenuating circumstances. I was a free man. Barbara was coming downstairs her face glowed with contentment. Her cell phone rang so she answered it. Within seconds she burst out laughing. After a few, she ended the call.

                “That was Judy,” she said. “She said she had a question for me.”

                “Oh, and what was that?” I asked

.

                “She asked if it was okay If she started calling me mom,” she replied before giving me another kiss. “You just had to tell her. Didn't you? “I laughed.

                Barb said I had to tell her that I had to make the first move because you never would. She was right. I had seen myself as too old to be in love again. I poured us both our morning coffee and walked over to the kitchen table after mixing mine the way I liked it. Barb liked hers black so after grabbing her cup she headed over towards me but stopped when she saw the letter from my lawyer. Picking it up she read it. The second page was the certificate. She looked at me with tears of joy. I got up and held her in my arms.

                “Is it time for you to meet my parents? “She asked.

                When I said yes, she called her mother to ask her if they still did the family get together on the family farm during

Labor Day weekend. When she said yes. She told her that she would be coming home for it. Her mother was thrilled. Instead of doing it she explained on Monday they would be doing it on Saturday because others had plans for that Monday. Judy and Joanne were both out before the end of summer. We spent one day just going through their binders. Both daughters and Barb were surprised how much I had on my daughter’s life.

********

                We flew into Cuyahoga County Airport where we had a car rental waiting in a small private Jet. Then with our luggage, we went and booked ourselves into a holiday Inn. It was a beautiful September day. The plane was booked to pick us up the following Tuesday. Barb hadn't been home in two years but had warned me that both her father and two brothers had been in the service. Since I was the first man in her adult life, she was bringing home I would sure to be grilled to make sure I was good enough for their only daughter.

When we left the Inn the next morning, she drove us to the farm. We were early I figured because we were the third vehicle in the yard. Her mother ran out of the porch eager to greet us before we had shut off the car. She was in shock her only daughter was with a man. Her father hearing the voices came out to see what the fuss was about. I was shocked. Her father was Bull Frog Patterson my old drill Sargent. The first words out of his mouth were well shit. I had thought like all the new recruits that he was nothing but an asshole. He had ridden my ass hard.

                “Barb what are you doing with this wimp? He cost me over a thousand dollars” he said with a laugh while holding his hand out to me, “I was supposed to break him and get him to drop out. So, I threw all the shit I could think of at him, and he excelled despite me becoming one of the best dam marines I've ever trained. That man when he must be is as hard as a rock. He cost me a thousand in bets because I never thought he'd last. He proved to me the hard way that I was wrong.”

                “Bull Frog.” I said as Barb and her mom looked at me surprised, “I won't pull any punches. I came to have a man to man talk with Barbara’s father because I wanted to ask him for his daughters’ hand. I had no clue that he was you.”

                “Are you serious?” Mrs. Patterson asked?

                “Yes, ma'am!” I replied firmly. Noticing that Bull had a smile a mile wide.

                “You got it John.” was his only reply. “My only daughter couldn't come home with a better man!”

                With that said I got down on one knee and pulled the ring box out of my pocket. In front of her parents, I asked her to marry me. Barb completely surprised said yes. So, I stood up and slid the ring on praying it would fit. It did. Then I gave her a big kiss. After congratulations and a great big warm welcome to the family hug by her mom and dad. Bull said let me get the keys to the truck and we will go a quick beer run. It will give us a chance to talk. Barb's mom was bawling for two reasons her daughter had come home with a man that her father approved of and had gotten engaged right on the spot.

                Bull's and my first stop were the local legion to have a couple of drafts. He asked if I had gotten the divorce and I said I had. I explained how I had met his daughter and how we came to be. He knew I had come from money so had no need to ask. Of course, he had to introduce me to everyone and explain quite proudly that I was his future son in law.

Someone asked me how he got the name Bull Frog. I said let me explain, He was our drill Sargent for basic training, and it was his job to weed us out. Since I had joined at the age of 16 with my parent’s approval, he felt that I really did not want to be there. He came down on me as hard as he could. Every little screw up by me meant an extra something being added on me by him. He was riding my ass extra hard. It was like he wanted me out.

                My fellow recruits knew it and wondered why. One night in the barracks one of the guys said man you are taking the shit big time. What do you think of him? I said Well he reminds me of a Bullfrog sitting on a log trying to catch bugs. The problem is that in his eye's I'm the bug. They guys loved it and started calling him Bull Frog and it's stuck.

We dropped a couple hundred picking up the beer and rye. I knew if he had his way, I was going to be so drunk by the end of the day that I would not be able to drive. By the time we got back the yard was full of cars. We took some of the beer and rye into the house then drove his truck around the house and parked it to use the beer as needed. Barb and her mom were there to greet us. Barb slid her hand into mine.

                A voice in the crowd yelled, “Son of a bitch, Hard Hat Charlie is that you.”

                I looked up and said “Measly Mike! Old dog, how in the hell are you? Man, it’s good to see you brother!”

                Within seconds we were giving each other a big brotherly hug. We both knew instantly we were still good buds.

 Bull looked at us and said, “you know each other?”

                “He's the best tach man I ever had underneath me,” I replied with a big grin. “Bull Frog trained me I. I didn't know that he was Barbara's dad.”

                Bull said. “John why did he call you Hard hat Charlie.”

                “When I reenlisted, I started using my second name and made it to a major before I was discharged,” I replied. “I got that name from my seal team on what would end up being my last mission.”

                “So, you’re the hard-ass Charlie that saved my son's life.” he summed up. Mike and I both said yes.

                Barb walked up and stood beside me and whistled to get everyone's attention. She introduced me to all as her

boyfriend. Then said my mother has gotten something to say before we carry on with this party. Turning to me she whispered I'm keeping the keys because If I know my dad and brother, you’re going to be too goddamn drunk to drive.

                Barb's mom Gloria spoke. “I wish to officially announce the engagement of my only daughter Barbara to retired

Major Johnathan Charles Barnes. She came home because Charles wanted our approval before he asked our daughter. My

husband trained him and said he was one of the best he ever had. It took at the most twenty seconds for him to give his

blessing. As soon as he got it, he got down and proposed right in front of us.”

                Everybody seemed stunned but Mike said. “you're going to be my brother in law.” and repeated it as if he was

trying to convince himself that it was true. For the next hour, Barb introduced to me her extended family. Barb admitted to me it had been a long time since she had seen her family look so proud. By the way, she was right they got me drunk.

                I don't know how we made it back to the hotel. Hell, I did not remember half the night. I had to ask my future wife to be if I had made a fool of myself. She summed it up by saying you outlasted the other two idiots. That didn't impress me

much as I struggled to get out of bed. Man, I was feeling rough. Barb said it served me right. I swore to myself that it would be the last time. During breakfast, Barb took an image of her ring on a whim using her cell and texted Judy sending her the picture as an attachment. She texted you can call me mom if you agree to be my maid of honor. Less than ten minutes later we were on a conference call. Barb and I and my three very excited daughters. They were all thrilled.

                We learned James and Joan were dealing with the FBI on multiple levels and facing various possible charges. Their defense bills were climbing. Both of their careers were destroyed. James had DNA tests done on his three sons and found that they were all his. I guess with all he was going through and had done it had created doubts in his own mind. It looked like their marriage may have been strained to its limit. My three daughters felt it would be lucky to last another year. The money that paid it for it all had been traced back to James. Who with the legal authority given to him after my faked death by Joan had it paid for it via the Trust? It proved that their plans had been started long before I caught them.

Little did we know that in his warped mind everything happening to him was my fault. He still claimed he was being framed. Most thought he had lost all credibility. My Trust which had still not been settled was worth millions now and the lawyers would be fighting over it for months. I told them the court had put into the hand of a trustee until settlement came. The only problem we were facing right now was that my three daughters wanted us to fly to New York for a family celebration. We ended up agreeing to come as soon as Barb’s work schedule would allow it. All the girls were pushing for a date.

********

                I worked it out with the board with my future brides’ approval to accept the position of CEO. Meetings would be held on the second and fourth Friday of each month and secured conference calls three days a week. I wanted to limit my time away from Barb. She had become my world. Barb started her first day at the hospital and soon fit right in. Working in

the ER in a small town allowed a lot of free time at times so she began taking courses to further her career. She worked four

12-hour days one week and 3 the next. Her hours were from 6 to 6 so I would be sure to have meals ready to serve by the time she came home. Our friends got a hoot out of how domesticated I was becoming. It made me wonder if they had ever had a clue about a bachelor’s life.

                After her first three weeks, we flew out that Thursday night to New York so I could attend a press conference the following morning to announce my assuming my position on the board. It was after that media event I learned that the court had ruled because of all the changes made to my trust was made after the report of my false death were made illegally. The court ruled that I would have to pay James and Joan nineteen percent of its current value and if they wanted any of the personal property, they would have to buy it back at market value if I agreed to sell it. It was a huge blow for them. I instructed my lawyers to work out the details of the split providing they got to keep their family home.

                After the conference, Barb and I went home to my parents where we learned my three daughters and Steven would be joining us on Saturday. Mom and Dad wanted their own version of welcome to the family. Although she had the staff, she cooked the meals. Barb and I had one big problem we had to solve. Where we would get married and how we could satisfy our friends and family? By the end of the day with my parent's help, we decided to get married in Ohio, have a second reception back here with family and their friends and a get together with the crew back home after it was all done.

I would ask Barb's brother measly Mike to be my best man. Judy was Barb's maid of honor Jen and Joe would be the ladies in waiting. Steven and her other brother would finish out the wedding party. We set the date for the last Saturday in December because it had always been Barb's wish to be a December bride.

                We had just finished a delicious family dinner made by my mom when there was a knock at the front door. When my dad returned from answering it, we got a big surprise it was my former wife asking to talk to me. My gut told me no way. So did my parents. Barb said you must forgive her before you'll be free from the past. Connie told me about her affair and how your wisdom won them both over. It's time you applied your own wisdom to yourself. I went to Dad's office for a few before calling Joan in.

                “Joan.” I said “Before we begin, I want you to hear the last words I heard from you years ago. I was sitting in the Judge's office when he talked to you. Pay attention to the tone of your voice and what you said back then. Just so you know I just emailed a statement to CNN confirming that I was there when the judge recorded it and listened to the conversation via speakers while you two were talking.”

                Joan's face went white. She now understood that I knew the whole truth. The mass media had never played the

whole chat. I excused myself to get a strong drink so that she could have the privacy to hear her own words as I heard them that fateful day. I came back with a scotch and water listening outside of the door until the conversation between the judge

and she was done before going back into Dad's office.

                “Imagine if you can that conversation from my side as I listened to you deliberately write me out of my daughter's

lives. Try to see from my view the betrayal, the hurt, the pain, and the tears. Consider the price we all had to pay because you became my older brothers, high-class whore. I have asked many times what James did during the three years he lived with us besides fucking you behind my back. What was it you famously told our daughter that the story about their dad's death was sad but true, but we can be thankful because it brought Uncle James to all of you? “I said coldly with a firm voice.

                “Did you ever say anything in our relationship that was one hundred percent true. Jennifer, Judy, and Joanne have all heard the same thing. They have all even seen the date it was recorded and know it was before my reported death. The result is they are now questioning everything James and you ever said to them. Their listening to that tape has destroyed forever any trust they had for the two of you for good,” I told her.

                “Time appears to have proven that I was nothing more to James and you then a tool for you to use to an end. When Jennifer found me, I knew I could not be the walking dead anymore. It was time for me to reclaim my name, my family, and my life. The family’s secrets had to end, “I stated.

                Joan looked shell shocked. My words had torn her apart like arrows of steel. Everything I said pointed right at her

and my brother. The tears were now flowing like soft spring rain. I had to wonder if it was caused by remorse or the shame of being caught. I got up from behind my dad’s desk handing her a box of tissues. Taking my drink in my hand I left saying I would leave her so she could gather her thoughts.

                Barb and my parents were in the living room when I walked in. My mom was showing Barb all the photo's she had collected over the years.

                “By the looks of your face I can guess it's not going well, “my father said.

                “Well, she heard her own words to the Judge and his response. Before I gave her a chance to speak, I told her to imagine how I must have felt considering I was listening to the conversation on his speakerphone at the time. I asked her a few questions and she lost it so I'm giving her time to collect her thoughts before we talk. I told her that her daughters had heard it all to and saw that the conversation had taken place days before my reported death. I pointed out that her own words had destroyed any trust her daughters had in both. I came out because I did not want to watch her tears,” I replied. “She can no longer deny her own past or her lies.”

                “Are you okay?” Barb asked me in genuine concern.

                “Just stating the facts,” I said. “It has given me an inner peace I have not felt in a long time. The rage, the anger, I once had is gone. I can now accept whatever happens to come.”

                “It looks like Barb was right then,” said Mom.

                After refilling my drink, I walked back into the office and sat down. Lighting a cigarette, I waited for her to begin.

                “We saw you catching us as the brass ring. Finally, we would get what we had always dreamed of. The chance to live our lives beyond the closed doors. When the Judge called James was in the kitchen with me. We both saw him interfering in what was not his business. His anger and rage drove my thoughts and my response. I really had not given my comments much thought,” Joan said softly.

                “You know the Judge was right. Your father had been texted the video I took before the Judge called him. Your father asked us to do nothing until he got there. Within the hour he was in his plane flying down. When he heard the conversation, he himself went into shock. They both felt as I did that you both had set everyone up. If it came out their careers were over, their reputations damaged beyond repair. When Jennifer heard it, she demanded we get our DNA tested to verify that what we believed was true. Thankfully she was my biological daughter. Both would have killed both of you if it would have been legal,” I replied.

                “Your comments made it clear that everything you two were doing was deliberate. Now you know why to this day your own father has had little to do with you. He told the whole family when he went home what had to be done and why? The question I have is what gave you the right to write me out of our children's life. I have to ask because our daughters want to know,” I said as I stood up because her tears were again starting to flow and walked out.

                “What are your thoughts so far,” Barb asked.

                “She's trying to justify her actions nothing more nothing less. She has shown no remorse. Hasn't apologized. I feel the only thing she is sorry for it the fact that it has all come out!” I spoke.

                Just looking at the three of them told me all I needed to know. They were as shocked as I was. We were all trying to figure out why she had come.

                “We are both looking at doing time,” Joan said when I came back into the room. “The FBI has got us on charges of lying to them at least, tax evasion, faking a death, theft, and a couple more all involving your trust. Our lawyers are trying to work out a plea deal as we speak before were officially charged. James and I both feel if you spoke up, they might not be as harsh.”

                “Sadly, to this point, they have not asked me a word. Why would they, I was in the forces oversea fighting for our freedom while others played their games,” I said with a smile on my face. “I really can't help you can I. You made your bed you lie in it. This is James and your mess. I have often asked myself if you were ever really in love with me. I now know

you weren't. I guess you'll finally learn the hard way that there are consequences for your conduct that money can't buy you

out of. You haven't changed. I had hope of you apologizing for what you had done, but you didn't. You came to try to save your own skin. It's always been about you and what you wanted so please allow me the pleasure of escorting you out. I guess you'll both go to jail claiming it’s not your fault.”

                I could not stop laughing as she left the house.

********

Mom and Dad were being just that Barb and I had to sleep in separate beds. It made me realize just how attached Barb and I had become. There is nothing like the warmth of a body next to you in the middle of the night from a loved one

that can calm a troubled soul. It was a night of tossing and turning. It made me appreciate just how much we had become one. It was about two when Barb sneaked into my room. When she said I couldn't sleep without you it brought a smile to my face. I responded saying its moments like this that make us feel young.

As she climbed in beside me, I drew her into my arms. When she saw the tears in my eyes, she had to ask me why? I responded I finally understood what it meant to have a loving wife. It became a memory we would share and cherish the rest of our lives. I guess my words hit home because Barb started to cry. I calmed her down with gentle kisses.

                “I need to know right now,” she asked. “How do you feel about us having kids?

                I paused before speaking then said, “Kids have a unique way of keeping the old young at heart. If you can accept the fact that I will be in my sixties before the last of our brood is out of the house. I see no problem if we have more than

 one,”

                “I guess it’s time we started working on one,” she said, and we did.

                Dad was already up when I went down. The whole bottom floor had the smell of fresh perked coffee in the air. It brought back memories of my childhood to mind. It had always been his routine to perk coffee when he was off. I had to agree coffee made like that was richer more favorable than today's drip stuff.

                “Good morning,” Dad said as I walked in to get a cup and join him at the table. “I want to thank Barb and you for ruining a good night’s sleep.”

                “What?” was my reply.

                “Your Mom had to wake me up when Barb slipped your room to ask me what I thought we should do,” he laughed. “I told her that you were both old enough to know what you were doing. I'm going to enjoy teasing her about it for weeks.”

                “Tell mom that Barb and I really don't sleep well when we're apart we learned that thanks to her last night,” I replied, “and let her know we are planning for her to have a couple more grandkids within a couple of years. Barb wants them close because of her age.

                Dad commented, “I guess we will be looking for a home in Spuzzum. With me, semi-retiring your mother will want to spend a lot of time being a grandmother again.”

                Jennifer and Steve were the first to show up. Barb and I hadn't seen them since their wedding, and it gave us a chance to catch up. They both were tickled pink to be part of our bridal party. They told us about what they did on their honeymoon. Barb explained what happened when I met her parents making sure to mention that I was a happy drunk. Then embarrassed me by showing them all a video clip of her father, brother, and I singing a barracks song drunk. The girls roared over that one, even my dad cracked a smile. Steve got a kick out of the fact that Barb's dad had been my drill Sargent and her brother one of my grunts.

Judy and Joanne showed up around an hour later. Judy went over the moon when Barb asked her to be our maid of honor until then she hadn't taken it seriously. They spent quite a while catching up with all the gossip from where she used to work and their mutual friends. Mom had to brag in joy about our plans to have children. Then, of course, Jennifer had to tell her sisters about my famous video so of course, I ended up getting teased a lot about that. Steve got Barb

to send him a copy so he could forward it to his dad.

                Barb said let them know that we're engaged she said. With the building of the addition and her new job we had been so busy, we haven't seen them since the first of the month. It should be finished by the end of the month. She explained that it was a four-bay garage with a huge separate storage section behind and a three-bedroom apartment above. We have a fully enclosed walkway to the mudroom that will be attached to the house. It took them a week to level off the area before they could build. At the same time, we doubled the size of our leveled back yard and enlarged the patio. We hope to have it stained and sealed to match the house if the weather holds out. The excess soil and rock we removed were used to expand the level area in the front.

                It was then that I broke the news to my daughter that I had talked to their mother last night. They all became quiet. Using dad’s internet and Barbs laptop I played the audio clip of our chat through dad's TV. I watched as they listened in earnest to the judges and Joan, then her and my conversation. Afterward, I could tell my daughters were stunned.

                “I don't believe it. There was no explanation, no guilt or remorse. Yet she came expecting you to bail them out because she felt you owed them,” Joanne said. “You asked her questions which she completely ignored. It’s sad that she so self-centered that she cannot see what her own conduct has done. In her world, it appears that it is all about her. Was she always like that?”

                I thought for a few then said. “Before the birth of the three of you, I would have to say no. I remember my first

leave home after your birth. Even though I was only home for three months I could tell that something about her had

changed. I wrote it off at first as her being overstressed, tired and worn out because the three of you were a handful at

times. That was when I hired your first full-time nanny and decided to leave the army so I could be home to help her with

you all. By the time I got out, you were almost three. We were strangers to each other but soon she started to warm up. Now I see that for her it was all a front.

“During that year James had moved in and had gotten a job. He started his civilian life and I with Dad's help started building my company. I guess that my relationship with her during that time was just a façade she hid behind as she built her future with him. That is why I asked her if she had ever been truthful to me,” I said truthfully.

                “It sounds like she had a mental break down caused by extreme depression after our birth that she never got help

for,” Judy said. “Both Barb and I have seen that quite often in our line of work. One of the classic symptoms is a personality change it’s a way the mind helps them to cope. That may explain what happened but not her actions. Sad to say after all that has been done this the final straw. My mother and are done.”

                Both of her sisters agreed. I thought this is just something else she can blame me for. I didn't know at that time how accurate that would turn out to be. To change the mood Barb decided to get the ladies to help her choose the color of their dresses. I butted in saying I would be wearing black. When I got asked why I said because black is the color for those grieving because of a loss. Jennifer's had to ask what I would be losing. I said my freedom. That got a big groan.

My dad saw me grab a beer and head outside to try to work out my thoughts. He knew I had a lot on my mind. So, he joined me.

                “Son I know it's hard to face. Don't try to second guess yourself and what you did. You made the best decisions for all of us at that time based on what you knew. There is no good in looking back. Life is just too short. Count your blessing. Three beautiful daughters who make their grandfathers very proud. They carry your morals, principles, and standards well. A future wife who has a heart of gold. My father and mother split their estate between me and you while writing James out. You served your country and saved many lives. You took the high road always in your walk-in life even though you for a while lost it all. Today you stand tall and proud free to live your life as you see fit,” he explained

“Your daughters just wrote their mother out of their lives. They made hard choices just like you.” My dad said with wisdom. “With the same knowledge. That should tell you that what you did was not wrong. It was your conduct and your conduct alone that brought your daughter’s home. They understand that regardless of the cost you did what you did for the benefit of us all. That says it all.”

                My dad had always been able to find a way to make me feel proud. His intelligent words seemed to always get me out of the fog allowing me to have a clear vision.

                “Just think you may end up with grandchildren older than their uncle and Aunts,” he added with a laugh. “Few get a second chance to do it better a second time. Focus yourself on what coming and leave the crumbs of your past behind.”

                With a smile on my face, we walked back in and joined the rest of the family as they continued the planning of my wedding. Barb, my mom, and three daughters were now dealing with what type of flowers and why. Would it be a church service or just a justice of the peace? Would it have a Christmas theme? I shook my head, so Dad and I spent the rest of the afternoon playing crib for a penny a point double for skunks. I ended up losing $4.65. Let them go at it he said and just show up at the wedding. It’s the easiest way to stay out of trouble. He was right.

********

On Sunday before we left my mother had Barb call her mother to inform them that we would be getting married there. She was thrilled. Barb also made it clear that her future mother in law wanted to be involved in the organization of things. Dad heard my mom say on the phone saying don't worry about the cost it’s my husband and I wedding present to

these two and rolled his eyes. The two mothers argued about it, but my mother won out. When she put her foot down there was no other way. Ever since her teenage years, her closed female friends had always called her sarge. They did agree that

everything had to be approved by Barb. It reinforced in my mind I was marrying my mom because Barb was the same way.

                The way things were coming together made me question whether Joan and I had really been in love. As we flew home Barb mentioned her parents were flying out. Mom wanted to discuss some locations, what to have on the menu, which band to hire and whatever else she could think of to make it more complicated. They wanted to see what kind of life we lead daily. We didn't even have to pick them up. Bull was renting a truck so they could do day trips from our house as they toured the island. It was something he had always wanted to do and now they had the chance. Just over two months until the wedding Time was catching up to us fast.

********

We returned home to find the dive had burned down so Tuesday morning found me sitting with the owner. He had no insurance and was not going to rebuild. I offered him reasonable value for the property, and we negotiated his liquor license until we worked out a deal provided the local council would approve. Within three days the mayor provided the approval. By the end of the week, they began construction on the site. The contractors and builders were excited. They were building a back to back restaurant and bar taking a city block using in part more logs from the mill. With a concrete floor the two-business sharing a common concrete interior wall everyone was impressed. Using plans approved by the village they said they would have the outside completed in two weeks. Former staff agreed to work in the bar and were thrilled by its new name “Bullfrog's.”

                Using the nearest real estate agent, we had the restaurant space leased before they were done. I hired a firm out of

Seattle to design the layout of the Bar and to set it up. I paid extra to have it done in a rush. I got Barb to have her mother scan her favorite picture of Bull in uniform and email it to us. I used that image to have a glass company design the main entrance glass doors with his full image sketched on each door. In front of his waist on each door was the bar's name. Barb had ordered the furniture for the new apartment. During the month she and our moms had pretty much-settled everything about the wedding. The day before her parents arrived everything was done. That Thursday night the new bar had its grand opening. It was more successful than the old one had ever been. Everyone raved about our bar food menu. It made Barb smile because she had planned out the items giving them their unique names. We had 31 days until the wedding.

                Barb's parents would arrive around five that Friday night, so I was surprised to find out that morning that Barb

wanted me to drive her over to the regional airport in Port insisting we drive the Jeep. We had to be there at two. I asked her why? She said it was a surprise. We got inside the airport at ten to two in the afternoon and watched a small six-seater jet fly in. I learned a new thing I did not know that my dad flew his own plane. They both looked great.

                We had gotten my parents settled in and were sharing beers when Barb's parents arrived. After getting them settled it was too late to start dinner, so we drove them down to our new bar. I took Barbs parents in my old Ford truck and let him drive. My future mother in law said my truck reminded her of his truck when they were first dating. Barb followed us in the jeep which had become her pride and joy. When we got to the bar boy was Bull surprised. Seeing his full image on the main doors twice blew him away. My dad standing beside me whispered softly well done. I said Bull when you walk in, I want you to scream the order like you did when you wanted us recruits in formation. He said okay to humor me and did.

                Walking in after opening the door he let loose with his order in a roar as if we were all standing there in front of him. Sixteen former marines quickly fell into formation and saluted him one more time. He had trained every one of them. He walked down the line and shook their hands greeting them one by one with their full names. Gloria looked at me with her face glowing in pride and said you know you will have to carry him home. I nodded and laughed. Barb kissed me and said I love you then told her mother that she had no idea that I had named our new bar after her dad. Charlie had refused to tell me because he wanted it to be a surprise.

Bull lost when he saw the plague on the wall above the bar. It said, “named after the toughest Drill Sargent of them all Bull Frog Patterson.” We all tried Barb’s menu that night and agreed for a bar the food was great. Dad and I had to carry Bull up the stairs to his bed. His former recruits got him piss eyed drunk. It would be discussed for weeks how much nicer he was when he wasn't in command. Bull would say for years it was the second time in his life he'd been shocked and awed. The first was when I asked for his daughters’ hands.

                Gloria, my parents, and we were relaxing in the living room reflecting on the day's events when she dropped the news. Bull was being pushed into retirement after 40 years of service and was at a crossroad in his life. Mike was taking over the family farm at the end of the year and they were planning to move into town. Bull was taking it hard. He still had too much piss and vinegar in him to retire. I looked into Barb's eyes and saw her growing concern.

                “You know Barb,” I said, “If he lived here, he would be the perfect choice to manage the bar.”

                Gloria said. “But where would we live there's not much available.”

                “Mom,” Barb said with a huge smile. “We have the in-law suite. If Dad will go for it. It's yours. I should warn you though the thunderstorms here can be loud and wild.”

                Her Mom looked at her and spoke. “How do you manage them? Ever since you were a small child when we had a bad storm you would crawl into our bed.”

                A smile came across Barb's face as she looked at me in her knowing way. “Charlie has helped me make them one of my favorite things,” she said with a huge grin.

My parents caught the inner meaning, and both started to laugh.

                                                                                                --------------

Over the next few days as Gloria and Bull toured the island, my parents, John and Silva spent their time looking for a new residence. We still had not disclosed to Bull our plans. Gloria wanted to see how he saw the area before we made the official offer to him. The furniture finally arrived Barb and I was busy unpacking it and setting it all out when Barb noticed an official-looking car coming around the last curve in the driveway. So, we both went out to meet it.

 It was the FBI looking for me. They wanted to talk to me alone, but I made it clear since I had nothing to hide from my future wife, I would prefer to talk with her there. So, we found ourselves sitting at the kitchen table sharing a coffee.

                The agent who had identified himself as a Peter McCormick had some troubling news. There had been two arrests last week. My brother James was under arrest for fraud, tax evasion falsifying a death attempted murder theft re my trust and 3rd-degree assault on his wife. He had been denied bail. Joan had filed for divorce and was facing a bunch of charges herself but had been granted bail because of their kids. The problem was that an informer had come forward to disclose that James had been trying to get information about who could be hired to do a contract kill and may have succeeded. They wanted my schedule and plans for the next two months while the situation was being investigated. I noticed Barb's face turn white.

They were taking it seriously because the trust had a clause that said if I got divorced and died within six months of the date my trust would be controlled by my former wife. Lawyers had agreed that until the trust was split and approved by the court, I could not legally change anything in it. Agents had been assigned to the area to investigate things on this end. They made it clear that I could not change my daily agenda in any way. Barb and I understood they were taking the matter very seriously. After they left, we sat and discussed how we were going to break it to my parents and what steps could we take to protect ourselves.

                It was the last Saturday the six of us would be together until the wedding. My parents had found a five-acre lot outside of Port and had finalized the deal. Their real estate agent had linked them to a local contractor who had agreed to

build them a log home a bit bigger than ours on a four-foot crawl space. They had ordered a custom kit online. It would be

delivered to the building site in three weeks. Bull was not looking forward to heading back home. He had found the slower pace of our small-town living inviting. Barb her parents and I were sitting in the living room my parents were out.

                I asked him” Bud how much will you be taking from the farm when you move to town.”

                He answered. “We really haven't given it much thought. Honestly, I don't like the thought of having neighbors 200 yards next to me. Why?”

                “Dad!” Barb said. “Charlie and I were wondering if you would consider moving here and managing the bar for us. You both could live in the in-law suite rent-free. The salary would start at sixty thousand a year.”

                To say he was shocked would be understating it, but he promised to think about it. We told him to take his time and let us know when he decided. Gloria later told her daughter she thought it was a done deal because Bull was very proud of that bar. He just must except in his mind what was already in his heart. So, they talked about what Gloria wanted to bring with her as they worked in the kitchen preparing a big dinner.

                The four of us watched them drive off heading back to Ohio. As we headed back into the house. I told my parents we needed to talk. It broke my mother's heart when I told them about the FBI's stop. She blamed herself for not raising James' right. I gave her the advice the judge had given me and pointed out that he had led a good life until he got involved with my former wife. Remember Mom you taught us to associate with those who would build us up not take us down. It's standing for my morals and principals that you raised us with that have kept me balanced and strong. They were what made me the man I am. James just threw away his.

                “Well, Mom and Dad,” Barb said. “I got some good news that may cheer you up, but you have to promise me that you will keep it to yourselves!”

                I looked at Barb with a puzzled look wondering what she had to say. My parents said that they would agree.

                “My doctor figures by the time we get married I will only have 32 weeks to go,” Barb said with glee. “If it’s a girl it will be Gloria Elizabeth a boy Johnathan Charles Barnes the 4th.”

                I thought my mother would scream. I almost fainted.

********

So here it was a day before my wedding Bull Frog, Measly Mike, my dad, and all the rest of the males of my bridal party after going through the rehearsal were in the legion sharing a few drinks. The females were all somewhere else throwing Barb a bridal party. Bull was saying goodbye to a lot of his friends and getting a lot of rubbing their noses in its in. He was leaving Ohio and moving to Washington State to manage a bar named after him. James's plan had been foiled the contractor for the kill caught after pleading guilty he got a hard twenty. Joan had gotten a deal for time served and a 5-year parole by agreeing to testify against her husband. His trial would start in the new year. The trust had been settled Joan had put the estate she lived in with her three sons up for sale and had filed for divorce.

                                                                                ----------------

The last two of our four children start Kindergarten next month. Johnathan came first Gloria ten months after and then the twins Silva and Wilford (Bullfrog's real name). Jennifer and Steven have a boy and a girl. Judy married a marine from Maine who works in the corporation under me. Joanne married Measly Mike they opened a bullfrog's bar near the farm. Life is better the second time around.