Can We All Just Get Along? Part 1

Chapter 267

Can We All Just Get Along?

Part 1

Life was never easy, and it certainly wasn’t going to get any easier with my grandmother here or Mrs. Jenny Cranny. We may have not have to worry about the demons outside our door, but we had our own demons inside our cabin. I don’t know which was worst, but in any case the demons looked all whole lot friendlier as I saw the look in my grandmothers eyes as she watched Jennie take the next room across from her where she would be sharing it with my three sisters; Jody, Kerry, and Loren adding Jennie’s youngest daughter Tabitha.

While her three bothers shared a room with my younger brothers, which was a long list now there were 6 more besides Jared, Jason, and Jonathon. Adding Dora’s three boys to them; her husband the High Bishop Mr. Colin with Eli’s and Rhoda’s Dad wasn’t among them and neither was High Judge Mr. Randle Grays. He was participating in Halloween service. Neither of them lived on our mountain and as far as we knew nobody knew they were working for us. 

Dad had to pull out all the sleeping bags because there just weren’t enough beds for all of us to sleep in. All the adults were guaranteed a bed even though they had share it with someone, while the younger kids that didn’t live here in this house all slept on the floor. It was either that or takes a chance with the demons outside our door that were getting restless. All the older boys and girls slept in my room, drawing straws on who gets the bed or the pullout.

Everyone else slept on the floor. Dad said goodnight to us all, as he closed the door. While our parents choose similar arrangements, the only boy that wasn’t in our room that wasn’t allowed any of the other kid's rooms was Arthur who had a nice sleeping bag on the floor in the living room right next to Dr. Sars, Dora, Stringum who choose to sleep on a cot near the pools backdoor just in case they tried going around the back of the house break-in that way.

I was in no mood for sleeping as I snuck out of the room putting on a clean robe and a pair of gym shorts and went down to the weight room having Sparky follow me afraid I would desert him again, finding Dad, and Mr. Vincent working out.

All Dads said. “I take you couldn’t sleep either?” I shook my head no and removed my robe finding the right size weight for some hand curls while Dad and Mr. Vincent spotted each other on the bench press. It was like a contest who could lift more weights and how many reps they could between them.

Dad had placed a goal board on the wall so we could keep track of each others skill set. Mine was the highest among all of us boys that could bench press 350 pounds doing 35 to 40 reps. I could about 150 curls using 50 lb weight on a good day. Tonight, however, being as tired as I was, I was lucky to do 10 to 20, so I changed the weight to 50 then 25. I worked out for about 30 minutes before punching the bag as envisioned Crawford’s face, in most cases my father was the target… but not tonight. 

Dr. Sars and Dora came into the room and frowned at me telling me I should be in bed not working out. I said. “Not with those demons outside or if I close my eyes finding more waiting for me; I haven’t had a good night sleep ever since I saw the ghouls eating what was left of young children. Children I couldn’t save. And I am not about to drink another potion without first knowing what is in it or see you make it. Not after what happened tonight.”

Dr. Sars asked if I would like to talk about it. I shook my head no until she made clear that she wasn’t leaving pulling up a chair and grabbed the second weight I had put down next to me being it was too heavy for me at the moment. She waited for me as I tried to ignore her, but she refused to let up or leave me in peace. Stating, “talking helps, trust me I won’t judge you know matter how horrifying it is or how scared you were at the time.

“Hell if you want to know the truth, I am scared knowing what is outside these walls. Thinking I would never see the day that someone was stupid enough to make deal with the devil himself to bring these creatures here in the first place. You can not blame yourself for the deaths you couldn’t prevent. None of us knew what we would be facing in those caves or where your friend Jeff was being held, prisoner.

“Their blood is not on your hands. You were not responsible, you did not kidnap them, and you did not help them do this. That blood belongs to the people that are responsible for those crimes.”

I nodded and gave a count of what I had seen and what I did during my imprisonment. Most people will think I am crazy or have a good imagination. God, I wish that was the cases, but trust me what I saw wasn’t my imagination going wild. There is nothing like getting up in the morning and finding a nice hot breakfast waiting. Dad and Mr. Vincent set up the tables and the chairs and set the table. While I and Dr. Sars and Dora prepared a nice hot breakfast for everyone.

Dora kept going to the window checking to see if they had given up, finding that they had moved themselves closer to the house, many of them had died horrible deaths seeing nothing but skeletons laying on the ground holding their weapons of choice. She said. “Well, they breached our outside defenses and have started to work on the house itself.” 

Dr. Sars shrugged her shoulders said. “I thought as much, considering only a couple of hours until daylight. If memory serves me, they hate the sunlight being as they are night creatures who live underground or in some type of cave. The moment the sun comes out they will be long gone.” She tossed a piece of beacon to Sparky who scarfed it down in two bites begging for more.

It was my job to make the blueberry pancakes using one-two of the big industrial size flat tops; while Dora made the homemade buttermilk biscuits, putting the last batch into our double industrial oven like we use down in the main kitchen.

Mom liked our new kitchen that could feed an army now ever since Mr. Vincent and Stringum installed everything with the help of Chef Philips who was on scrambled egg and hash brown duty since Chef Mack was still in Salt Lake City. Being among the few that were staying at a different hotel than the one we were staying at.

Stringum had spent most of the night working on the CB radio, trying to get Landon and them to answer. He had rigged up his own inside antenna using some copper wire and the long pool handle for cleaning the pool with. So far he was getting bits and pieces of conversation. Telling us that signal sucks, but so far using morose code he was able to find out that everyone is hunkered down in the High Bishops safe house in Salt Lake City.

That the place was hit with a nuclear bomb they are safe and sound for several years if necessary; telling us that so far they hadn’t seen a single demon or mortal man trying to break in. 

Watching us all breath a sigh of relief knowing that the rest of our friends were ok, which lifted all our spirits until Grandma came into the kitchen giving me one of her icy stares that said, I was in trouble big time. 

My mother was right behind her asking us if there was anything she could to help watching grandma go to the window. Then jump back as something hit the window. She said. “Ok then, I take it they haven’t left yet?”

Dora said. “Nope, they have been hitting the place for the last couple of hours trying to break our windows.”

Grandma said. “I am afraid to even ask what they look like, being as I am old enough to know better, but if I not mistaken that was some sort of hatchet, and they were aiming for my head.”

Dora said coming to take a look. “Picture an elf in a book you have read your grand kids. Then picture them with pointy sharp teeth, and nothing but skin and bones, and off-color of green. Then picture them with red glowing eyes and not smiling but snarling like they want to rip you to pieces. Wearing loincloth made of animals they have killed.”

Grandma said. “Thanks, now I know I will have nightmares for the rest of my life.” Dora shrugged her shoulders and stepped away from the window. Grandma took the couch from the far side of the living room, not wanting to get anywhere near the windows, hearing little taps now and again.

Stating they wanted nothing more than coming inside and eat us. Grandma watched us work as my mother helped set the table, being as she was worthless in the kitchen and we had everything completely under control.

My adoptive Mom soon joined us frowning at me telling me I should be in bed, getting an agreement from my grandmother and my mother. Dad came to my rescue telling them it couldn’t be helped, he was out of tranquilizers, and Dr. Sars was out of sleeping tonic. However, he plans to rectify it the moment our outside guest are gone.

Grandma said. “Not soon enough if you ask me. I have no intention of staying here any longer than necessary. If I knew that Mrs. Cranny was spending the weekend here with us, I wouldn’t have bothered coming and had Landon take me home the moment the dance was about to start.”

My mother said. “Suit yourself, we only invited her so we could go over what might happen on Wednesday so we could get our stories straight when her husband Paul takes the stand with your son Jim testifying that I am a crazy and unfit mother. And these fictitious lie’s your son Jim is accusing my son Eric of and his adoptive parents and friends.

“I for one could do without you accusing her of things that her husband has done, instead of these personal attacks against her. I’d call you a cab, but I believe the phone line is still down and those things outside would like nothing better to feast upon your old bones. Now either sucks it up or go back to your room and leave us in peace. We will call you when breakfast is ready.”

Grandma stood up and walked over to my mother and slapped her across the face, said. “Don’t you dare speak to me like I am some child Linda? I am only accusing Mrs. Cranny of letting her husband get away with not only raping my grandson but my two granddaughters. Or have you forgotten about that it was in her house under her nose and she hasn’t once lifted a finger to stop him?

“And according to Becky, you were there watching him do it. So don’t you dare speak to me in that manner again? I have had it with you sneaking around my back, thinking about how old and stupid I am. When my son Jim is sitting at home with unfaithful wife as she having sex with one Mr. Paul Cranny because her own husband has refused to share a bed with her. 

“Not once have you denied it, and your own daughters tell me that not only have you had sex with “that Paul,” but have had sex with anything that has a penis or heartbeat. If I didn’t know Mr. Rothwell and the people they mingle with like Bishop Earl and Mr. Vincent. I would accuse of having sex with them as well, but I happen to know that they are caring and decent people. I would trust their word over yours any day of the week. I would also agree that you are unfit mother, and always have been, and not for the first time.

“If it was up to me I would make damn sure that Aaron never returns to you, but I made him and his brother a promise and I intend to keep it; that the moment a better solution is found that we can live with, that doesn’t involve him bouncing around in the system. Aaron will no longer be a ward of the State or remain in the foster home he is in. Since it is obvious that you and my son Jim cannot handle the responsibly of raising him, or keep your hands off him every time anger strikes your fancy.

“I regret that I should have done more for both my grandsons. I should have sent them both off to the Downing’s the moment they left for Canada… and if given the chance I still might for their own good. After learning what has taken place recently. As no one here has given me a god damn explanation other than the fact we are being chased by hell itself outside these walls.

"Things I can not see, things that should only be told around a campfire to children as ghost stories. Things that shouldn’t exist in our world, things that have no business being here, because of one solitary corrupted man named Crawford and his god damn Satanic Church. That part I understand.

“The part that I don’t understand is this business of my grandson getting involved with this man Mr. Tate who is running a child sex ring and why his adoptive parents are making a smut film and using these boys, these sweet innocent boys that have been through so much like my grandson Eric. Having them participate in acts that no man or boy child should do to one another. Fake or not makes no difference.

“These people have crossed over a line that I dare not leave this godforsaken house without an explanation. So I may decide how to proceed in regards of taking my grandson out of their care, and have him placed in another home, considering the issues with his father and his mother are far from being good for him and proven that over the years that neither of you can be trusted. Since is obvious that you Linda and my son Jim cannot only raise Aaron but Eric as well. Not without some sort of guarantee that they would both be safe in your home.

“You and my son Jim cannot be trusted; you have proven that in the past and now with everything happening with Paul Cranny, and my son Jim charging my grandson and his adoptive parents with lies in hopes of getting rich off them. Not only that but to make certain that you never see your two boys or your daughters ever again. I know what’s at stake, and I am only looking out both my grandson’s best interests since is obvious no one here is doing it.

“One lives in a foster home because his mother is locked up in some hospital for depression and spouse abuses; which wouldn’t have happened if she could keep her own house in order, and stay faithful to her husband. Instead of flaunting herself like a common w***e, having sex with a man she should have had the sense to stay away from.

“Another one getting mixed up in things he should never been put in the position of doing. Instead of living a normal life where people and things are always trying to kill him; true he has a family that loves him and cares for him where he wouldn’t of have had when it comes to his parents, more so his father.

“Yet it does not give them the right to put him in danger when there are other people more qualified in doing so. I say get out now why the getting’s good and let the professional do it as long as it doesn’t involve my grandson, who I have helped raise because his mother and father can’t or has refused to do so or are incapable of doing. So don’t come bawling to me that life is hard; that you can’t live another damn day because my husband doesn’t want me because I have been having sex with other married men. Or that your daughters are acting up because their parents have spoiled them rotten from the moment they were born.

“Whereas their sons get the worst end of the stick, getting nothing more than crumbs off your table. To the point, someone else has to step in and raise them because you couldn’t be bothered with it.

“If wasn’t for you and your husband. Eric and Aaron wouldn’t be in this position in the first place. I have done everything in my power to make sure they both had a good home to go too. I have walked through fire to make sure, you and my son Jim doesn’t kill them or abandon them to elements or give them away to drug addicts or leave them in a store hoping that someone will just take them off your hands.

“I have lost count on how many times I have had to rescue them over the years. I had hoped that I wouldn’t need to anymore now that he has a good home, where he no longer has to worry about bouncing from one home to another. But yet again here I am, dealing with same old s**t, where I have been lied too, not only by them but by his own mother as well. 

"I am not even sure if his brother Aaron has a good foster home, considering I have only met them once and what I have heard and seen so far does not impress me. Aaron is very unhappy there and what he has told me shocks me that good LDS people like them are nothing more than stuck up snobs looking for an easy payday. Yet it's better then most foster homes I have seen, and I will be damned if I allow him to follow his brother's example of bouncing back and forth from one home to another.

“While his mother gets her life together, I mean quickly or I will have no choice, but help their father seeks custody of his two daughters and have their mother committed to institution, and breaking my promise by keeping Aaron in the system for the rest of his life, and minimize the damage like I have tried to do with his older brother.

“If wasn’t for his selfish mother, he could have been placed in a good home like the Downing’s or that nice young couple the Steeds. But instead, you just had to ruin it not only for him but his brother Aaron as well, when the Downing’s offered to adopt them both.

 

“It wasn’t until lately you came to your senses to allow the Rothwell’s to adopt Eric. Yet once again I am conflicted on if that is still feasible because no one has come forward in giving me the answers that I have so patiently waiting for. While everyone here is doing nothing but sitting on their a*s, waiting for the god damn world to end. Meanwhile, my grandson refuses to go to bed, as he supposed have done hours ago.

“Have been told, he has not had no more then a couple of hours asleep over the last past week. Wondering why he has these nightmares that keep him up at night afraid to closes his eyes. If he wasn’t so big I would turn him over my knee and give him what for and don’t you dare think I wouldn’t do it.  Now that the damn house is awake, will someone please explain what in the hell is going on so help me God I am about one step from walking out that door and let those things have you.”

Grandma crossed her arms waiting for someone to give her explanation, and explanation she could believe, an explanation that I am sure wouldn’t satisfy her. I looked at Dad and he rubbed his chin said. “Fine… You want to do this now then come with me, but I want you to realize that you can’t stop what we're doing, nor will you’re Grandson Eric. This is bigger then you realize. If you can’t accept that then I am sorry.”