"Hurry up!" Joe urged, almost hopping up and down with impatience.
"You're not helping," Bryan replied as he wiped a sheen of sweat from his face.
"You realize that we could all die?" Joe said.
"Gee, I didn't know that Joe!" Bryan said, laying the sarcasm on thick, "it's not like I can't see the timer. This isn't as easy as it looks."
Joe started pacing back and forth as Bryan continued to work, literally humming with anxiety.
"I've almost got it," Bryan mumbled more to himself than to Joe.
Joe stopped pacing to watch his friend intently, "ten seconds he warned."
Bryan could hear the beeping of the timer and held his breath as it read 3...2...1
He let out and explosive breath and let his head drop into his hands, frustrated with his failure. "I can't believe I have to start the level all over again," he moaned and picked up the controller
Showing posts with label Joe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joe. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Your Time is Up
Joe was ecstatic. Time had run out and he was ready to leave. He smiled to himself, Not only was he leaving behind this nightmare of a foster home but he had somewhere to go. Joe grabbed a few more things and placed them in a box.
As if sensing the end was near, Hal came bursting into the room. Joe could smell the booze on him and he wrinkled his nose in disgust at the putrid scent.
"Where do you think you're going?" the drunkard slurred in Joe's general direction, his eyes unable to focus very well.
"Shouldn't matter to you," Joe said. He could hardly stand the sight of the man let alone the smell.
"You don't turn eighteen until next week," Hal said as he approached Joe, his hand curling into a fist, "until then, you stay."
Joe laughed, tears coming to his eyes at the ridiculousness of the situation, "you think you can make me stay? You think you can tell me what to do anymore? You think I'm going to stick around and let you try to ruin my life further? Though, heaven knows, the only thing that you could do is make me sick from looking at you," Joe said in derision.
"I'll teach you a thing or two before you go," Hal threatened as he moved forward. He didn't see how Joe shifted his weight, hands held loosely by his side.
Before Hal could raise his fist Joe had struck quick as lighting, his own blow landing in Hal's spongy midsection, followed quickly by a vicious right-cross to the face.
Hal stumbled backwards and fell to the ground, gripping his stomach in obvious agony. He looked up to see Joe standing over him and flinched back from the rage in his face.
"Your time is up Hal," Joe said and stepped over the prone man on the ground.
As if sensing the end was near, Hal came bursting into the room. Joe could smell the booze on him and he wrinkled his nose in disgust at the putrid scent.
"Where do you think you're going?" the drunkard slurred in Joe's general direction, his eyes unable to focus very well.
"Shouldn't matter to you," Joe said. He could hardly stand the sight of the man let alone the smell.
"You don't turn eighteen until next week," Hal said as he approached Joe, his hand curling into a fist, "until then, you stay."
Joe laughed, tears coming to his eyes at the ridiculousness of the situation, "you think you can make me stay? You think you can tell me what to do anymore? You think I'm going to stick around and let you try to ruin my life further? Though, heaven knows, the only thing that you could do is make me sick from looking at you," Joe said in derision.
"I'll teach you a thing or two before you go," Hal threatened as he moved forward. He didn't see how Joe shifted his weight, hands held loosely by his side.
Before Hal could raise his fist Joe had struck quick as lighting, his own blow landing in Hal's spongy midsection, followed quickly by a vicious right-cross to the face.
Hal stumbled backwards and fell to the ground, gripping his stomach in obvious agony. He looked up to see Joe standing over him and flinched back from the rage in his face.
"Your time is up Hal," Joe said and stepped over the prone man on the ground.
Moving Memories
"What are you looking for?" Jen asked as she watched Joe rummage through a tattered old moving box.
"Nothing in particular," he said, brushing dust from his cheek.
"What's in the box?" she asked leaning a little closer. She could see old papers, notebooks, and some odds and ends.
"It's just a bunch of stuff from the past," Joe mumbled, his voice muffled from his head being in the box as he dug deeper, "I haven't looking in this box in years."
Jen leaned against the last unpainted wall of the apartment, she was wearing white overalls and a pair of faded old sneakers. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail and the rest was trapped by an old red bandanna. She held a paintbrush in one hand, letting her arms rest atop her knees.
"What made you decide to look in the box now?" Jen asked; she eyed the young man in curiosity.
Joe looked up at her and smiled, "because of the move, silly," he said. It had taken them a while to agree that they should get an apartment together and even longer before they found one that they liked. "Isn't that what people do when they move? They go through old boxes and relive the past, try to decide if they want to keep the stuff, realize the memories it brings back and decide to keep it though they will hardly ever look at it again,"
Joe's searching fingers had grasped a thin glossy book and pulled it from under the pile of papers. He smiled fondly at it as he thumbed through it. "I haven't seen or though of this book in years," he said.
"What book is that?" Jen asked looking over at him.
Joe stood up and crossed the room to sit beside her, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day," Joe said, "Alec used to read it to me when we were young. Whenever I was having a bad day."
Jen glanced sideways to see if Joe was in pain, but was relieved to find only a fond smile tugging at his mouth. "Will you read it to me?" Jen asked.
Joe's smile widened and he flipped open the front cover. "I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there's gum in my hair..."
"Nothing in particular," he said, brushing dust from his cheek.
"What's in the box?" she asked leaning a little closer. She could see old papers, notebooks, and some odds and ends.
"It's just a bunch of stuff from the past," Joe mumbled, his voice muffled from his head being in the box as he dug deeper, "I haven't looking in this box in years."
Jen leaned against the last unpainted wall of the apartment, she was wearing white overalls and a pair of faded old sneakers. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail and the rest was trapped by an old red bandanna. She held a paintbrush in one hand, letting her arms rest atop her knees.
"What made you decide to look in the box now?" Jen asked; she eyed the young man in curiosity.
Joe looked up at her and smiled, "because of the move, silly," he said. It had taken them a while to agree that they should get an apartment together and even longer before they found one that they liked. "Isn't that what people do when they move? They go through old boxes and relive the past, try to decide if they want to keep the stuff, realize the memories it brings back and decide to keep it though they will hardly ever look at it again,"
Joe's searching fingers had grasped a thin glossy book and pulled it from under the pile of papers. He smiled fondly at it as he thumbed through it. "I haven't seen or though of this book in years," he said.
"What book is that?" Jen asked looking over at him.
Joe stood up and crossed the room to sit beside her, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day," Joe said, "Alec used to read it to me when we were young. Whenever I was having a bad day."
Jen glanced sideways to see if Joe was in pain, but was relieved to find only a fond smile tugging at his mouth. "Will you read it to me?" Jen asked.
Joe's smile widened and he flipped open the front cover. "I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there's gum in my hair..."
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Brother My Brother
Joe let his fingers lightly caress the strings as he hummed a wordless melody, his pitch perfectly harmonic to the chords he strummed. A ripple of sound rolled off six strings and echoed through the wooden body of the old guitar that Alec had left behind.
"I didn't know you played the guitar," David said as he poked his head into the den of their little apartment, his thoughts had been sidetracked when he had heard the quiet music.
"I don't really," Joe replied, "Just the chords that someone once taught me. I shuffle them around into different patterns, though it never comes out quite right."
David stepped out of the room, his mind returning to his paperwork when he was arrested in his thoughts again as Joe softly began to sing, his voice a rich tenor.
"Brother my brother
our time, it was so brief.
We laughed until our days were gone
And now we come to grief.
Time and again I remember when
We laughed until we cried.
And even though the memory is strong
It feels like I'm dying inside.
Your spirit whispers softly
urging me to carry on.
Still you keep me from falling,
Even now, when you are gone."
David hadn't noticed when tears had begun rolling down his cheeks.
(I am proud to say that I wrote those lyrics myself just for this piece.)
"I didn't know you played the guitar," David said as he poked his head into the den of their little apartment, his thoughts had been sidetracked when he had heard the quiet music.
"I don't really," Joe replied, "Just the chords that someone once taught me. I shuffle them around into different patterns, though it never comes out quite right."
David stepped out of the room, his mind returning to his paperwork when he was arrested in his thoughts again as Joe softly began to sing, his voice a rich tenor.
"Brother my brother
our time, it was so brief.
We laughed until our days were gone
And now we come to grief.
Time and again I remember when
We laughed until we cried.
And even though the memory is strong
It feels like I'm dying inside.
Your spirit whispers softly
urging me to carry on.
Still you keep me from falling,
Even now, when you are gone."
David hadn't noticed when tears had begun rolling down his cheeks.
(I am proud to say that I wrote those lyrics myself just for this piece.)
Can I Keep It?
"He followed me home Sir," Joe said in response to his commanders questioning look. David had stopped Joe as he tried to walk quietly through the dining room and to his own room. He was holding a small ball of fluff and petting it gently with one finger.
Joe had tried to sneak it past his commander and into his room, hoping to keep the little creature a secret for a while. He held the kitten close to his chest, cupping it in both hands as if to protect it.
"Can I keep it Sir?" Joe asked in a small voice, his eyes large and pleading.
David stopped and carefully considered his answer before he gave it. He knew how hard their job was, how much it was important to having something to care about, something that cared about you. Cared unconditionally.
"Alright Joe," David said, "You can keep it."
Joe had tried to sneak it past his commander and into his room, hoping to keep the little creature a secret for a while. He held the kitten close to his chest, cupping it in both hands as if to protect it.
"Can I keep it Sir?" Joe asked in a small voice, his eyes large and pleading.
David stopped and carefully considered his answer before he gave it. He knew how hard their job was, how much it was important to having something to care about, something that cared about you. Cared unconditionally.
"Alright Joe," David said, "You can keep it."
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Precision Strike
Joe crouched back into a fighters stance, one that bespoke of quick reflexes and powerful strikes. His eyes took in his challenger; a hulk of a man, heavily muscled with a cocky smile dancing about his mouth. Joe's mind ran through instinctive calculations of weight, mass, and inertia, profiling his opponent. Joe let fear show in his eyes, the perfect lure.
Joe took a step back as the man advanced.
One quick pivot of the hips and Joe flung his fist forward with devastating power and precision, connecting solidly with his opponents sternum with a sickening crack.
Another victory gained.
Joe took a step back as the man advanced.
One quick pivot of the hips and Joe flung his fist forward with devastating power and precision, connecting solidly with his opponents sternum with a sickening crack.
Another victory gained.
Leveling
Men and women in white ghees accentuated by various shades of belts milled about the large multipurpose room on the lower level of the training facility; the low buzz of conversation filled the air.
"Attention!" a Drill Sergent shouted as he stepped into the room followed by several men in Ghees, all belted at the waist with black belts stripped with red. All of the soldiers snapped to ramrod straight attention.
"Form ranks!" the Sergent shouted.
In less than a moment all of the soldiers were in perfectly dressed lines, standing at attention, awaiting orders.
"Alright you Leathernecks, time for belt advancements again," the Sergent said as he paced back and forth in front of the men, "your instructors today are Sensei Akane, Sensei Daichi, and Sensei Kiyoshi."
The Sergent stopped in front of the ranks, "I know you will all give it your very best, and I expect nothing less than completion of your rank requirements." He gave the gathered men a steely glance, "Pair up and get to it!"
Joe fiddled with his blue belt as he stepped up next to Steve in his red belt. "Steve, can you help me out for a moment?"
Steve looked around at Joe, his green eyes taking in the nervous young man, "sure Joe; what do you need help with?"
"The lower joint lock, I'm not sure I am getting it right," Joe said.
"Alright, lets run through it," Steve said as he fell into the ready stance.
Joe followed suit and stood ready, waiting for Steve to make the first move.
Steve moved with lightning fast reflexes, jabbing and twisting away. Joe reacted, blocking and turning in response to Steve's attack. Within a few minutes Joe had Steve in a joint lock, his face pressed to the mat.
"Good," a voice behind them said.
Joe released Steve and snapped to attention, "Sensei Kiyoshi!"
"Easy soldier," he said as he motioned Joe to relax.
Joe fell into a parade rest, waiting for Sensei Kiyoshi to speak.
"You're form could use a little work, but you have the basic principles," he said as he walked around Joe. "Try this," the Master said as he flowed through a couple of forms.
Joe studied the Sensei's forms with a sharp eye, taking in the movements. As the Sensei began the forms again Joe fell into sync beside him, his movements precise and sure as he relaxed into the rhythm.
"Good," Kiyoshi said as they finished, "I can, in good consciousness, award you the rank of green belt."
"Thank you Sensei Kiyoshi!" Joe said.
"Call me Scott," Kiyoshi said.
"Attention!" a Drill Sergent shouted as he stepped into the room followed by several men in Ghees, all belted at the waist with black belts stripped with red. All of the soldiers snapped to ramrod straight attention.
"Form ranks!" the Sergent shouted.
In less than a moment all of the soldiers were in perfectly dressed lines, standing at attention, awaiting orders.
"Alright you Leathernecks, time for belt advancements again," the Sergent said as he paced back and forth in front of the men, "your instructors today are Sensei Akane, Sensei Daichi, and Sensei Kiyoshi."
The Sergent stopped in front of the ranks, "I know you will all give it your very best, and I expect nothing less than completion of your rank requirements." He gave the gathered men a steely glance, "Pair up and get to it!"
Joe fiddled with his blue belt as he stepped up next to Steve in his red belt. "Steve, can you help me out for a moment?"
Steve looked around at Joe, his green eyes taking in the nervous young man, "sure Joe; what do you need help with?"
"The lower joint lock, I'm not sure I am getting it right," Joe said.
"Alright, lets run through it," Steve said as he fell into the ready stance.
Joe followed suit and stood ready, waiting for Steve to make the first move.
Steve moved with lightning fast reflexes, jabbing and twisting away. Joe reacted, blocking and turning in response to Steve's attack. Within a few minutes Joe had Steve in a joint lock, his face pressed to the mat.
"Good," a voice behind them said.
Joe released Steve and snapped to attention, "Sensei Kiyoshi!"
"Easy soldier," he said as he motioned Joe to relax.
Joe fell into a parade rest, waiting for Sensei Kiyoshi to speak.
"You're form could use a little work, but you have the basic principles," he said as he walked around Joe. "Try this," the Master said as he flowed through a couple of forms.
Joe studied the Sensei's forms with a sharp eye, taking in the movements. As the Sensei began the forms again Joe fell into sync beside him, his movements precise and sure as he relaxed into the rhythm.
"Good," Kiyoshi said as they finished, "I can, in good consciousness, award you the rank of green belt."
"Thank you Sensei Kiyoshi!" Joe said.
"Call me Scott," Kiyoshi said.
Knew It Was a Lie
Joe glanced around guiltily as he ducked from the lighted street into a partially shadowed doorway. He pulled the door closed firmly behind him and made sure it was locked before he even turned away from it.
The hall that stretched before him was illuminated looked like any other hallway in a city condo building. Joe paced down the carpeted alley; making no noise as he passed five doors; three hundred paces to his final destination. Joe raised one fist and knocked gently.
The door was pulled open a crack and then shut again, he could hear the chain rattling on the other side of the wood. As soon as the door was open wide enough he slipped through and gently shut the door behind him so that no one would notice his passing.
The room was dim, though he could see well enough. He knew these rooms like his own and didn't hesitate as he toed off his shoes by the door and hung up his jacket. He could hear breathing coming from his right and turned to face Jen.
Joe took two steps and was enfolded in a soft and sensual embrace; his lips eagerly seeking out hers. Kisses that were soft and urgent quickly turned demanding and passionate; teeth clashing and tongues entwining. Joe quickly lost his shirt as he was backed up against the wall.
Hours later, he slipped quietly from the apartment on stockinged feet.
Each time Joe told himself that it was the last time. But he knew that it was a lie.
The hall that stretched before him was illuminated looked like any other hallway in a city condo building. Joe paced down the carpeted alley; making no noise as he passed five doors; three hundred paces to his final destination. Joe raised one fist and knocked gently.
The door was pulled open a crack and then shut again, he could hear the chain rattling on the other side of the wood. As soon as the door was open wide enough he slipped through and gently shut the door behind him so that no one would notice his passing.
The room was dim, though he could see well enough. He knew these rooms like his own and didn't hesitate as he toed off his shoes by the door and hung up his jacket. He could hear breathing coming from his right and turned to face Jen.
Joe took two steps and was enfolded in a soft and sensual embrace; his lips eagerly seeking out hers. Kisses that were soft and urgent quickly turned demanding and passionate; teeth clashing and tongues entwining. Joe quickly lost his shirt as he was backed up against the wall.
Hours later, he slipped quietly from the apartment on stockinged feet.
Each time Joe told himself that it was the last time. But he knew that it was a lie.
Words and Memories
"I don't know how to put my thoughts into words," Joe growled as he crumpled yet another piece of paper, "it's not like that Bastard would put an obituary in the paper for someone he took in only for a check every month."
Jen sighed and rubbed Joe's hunched shoulders; she could feel the tension in the muscles as she kneaded at them. "Tell me about Alec," she said gently as her fingers continued their soothing motions.
Joe drew in a breath after a few moments of thought and began to speak. "Alec was the best brother a person could have ever asked for. He was kind and supportive," Joe paused again before continuing, "when we were kids and bouncing from foster home to foster home, he made sure that we stayed together. I don't have any illusions that they didn't want to split us up, but Alec wouldn't allow it. He always threatened to just disappear with me." Joe laughed, and it was a little bitter, "for some reason the government just can't handle that. They can't keep their damn noses out of peoples lives."
Joe swallowed hard and continued, "most of the foster homes we ended up in, the 'Fathers' were abusive drunks, and the 'mothers' were either to scared to do anything or they didn't care what happened. I know that Alec tried to hide it from me, but I always knew that he took the brunt of the beatings. He took my licking so that I didn't have to. He always spared me the pain. And he never complained. He never blamed me, never resented what he went through to keep us together." Joe wiped at a tear that had run down his cheek and went on in a low voice, "Alec always talked about the future with such optimism that at times I could forget everything about where we were and what was happening and live in his dream, a dream of a world where we could just be 'we'. He always said that as soon as he turned eighteen he would petition the state to become my legal guardian and that we would get a small apartment together. He promised that we would have peace at last. No more moving around, no more beatings. He always said that we would go to college together and that we both needed to study hard so that we could get scholarships to a private University."
Jen's hands slowed and came to a stop as she listened to Joe recount the life of his brother; getting lost in the vivid images that Joe painted.
"He was going to teach me to ride a motorcycle," Joe continued as the tears came faster, "We were going to have a good life, we were going to have some measure of peace." Joe curled tightly into himself, hugging his knees to his chest and rocking back and forth, "and now that can never happen now that he's gone. That vision, that dream of peace is gone, faded and buried with his death."
Jen wasn't sure how to comfort him; knew no words to bring peace to a troubled soul, so she settled for simply holding him.
After a few minutes Jen finally said, "I don't think that he needs an obituary," she said gently, "all that he is is not words on a page, but words and memories in your heart and mind. I think that that is all the eulogy that Alec needs."
Joe's mouth twitched in a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"I wish I could have known Alec," Jen said.
Joe laughed slightly, a genuine, though sad smile playing across his face, "I remember this one time..."
Jen sighed and rubbed Joe's hunched shoulders; she could feel the tension in the muscles as she kneaded at them. "Tell me about Alec," she said gently as her fingers continued their soothing motions.
Joe drew in a breath after a few moments of thought and began to speak. "Alec was the best brother a person could have ever asked for. He was kind and supportive," Joe paused again before continuing, "when we were kids and bouncing from foster home to foster home, he made sure that we stayed together. I don't have any illusions that they didn't want to split us up, but Alec wouldn't allow it. He always threatened to just disappear with me." Joe laughed, and it was a little bitter, "for some reason the government just can't handle that. They can't keep their damn noses out of peoples lives."
Joe swallowed hard and continued, "most of the foster homes we ended up in, the 'Fathers' were abusive drunks, and the 'mothers' were either to scared to do anything or they didn't care what happened. I know that Alec tried to hide it from me, but I always knew that he took the brunt of the beatings. He took my licking so that I didn't have to. He always spared me the pain. And he never complained. He never blamed me, never resented what he went through to keep us together." Joe wiped at a tear that had run down his cheek and went on in a low voice, "Alec always talked about the future with such optimism that at times I could forget everything about where we were and what was happening and live in his dream, a dream of a world where we could just be 'we'. He always said that as soon as he turned eighteen he would petition the state to become my legal guardian and that we would get a small apartment together. He promised that we would have peace at last. No more moving around, no more beatings. He always said that we would go to college together and that we both needed to study hard so that we could get scholarships to a private University."
Jen's hands slowed and came to a stop as she listened to Joe recount the life of his brother; getting lost in the vivid images that Joe painted.
"He was going to teach me to ride a motorcycle," Joe continued as the tears came faster, "We were going to have a good life, we were going to have some measure of peace." Joe curled tightly into himself, hugging his knees to his chest and rocking back and forth, "and now that can never happen now that he's gone. That vision, that dream of peace is gone, faded and buried with his death."
Jen wasn't sure how to comfort him; knew no words to bring peace to a troubled soul, so she settled for simply holding him.
After a few minutes Jen finally said, "I don't think that he needs an obituary," she said gently, "all that he is is not words on a page, but words and memories in your heart and mind. I think that that is all the eulogy that Alec needs."
Joe's mouth twitched in a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"I wish I could have known Alec," Jen said.
Joe laughed slightly, a genuine, though sad smile playing across his face, "I remember this one time..."
Beast
Joe curled tighter into a ball as the nausea reached its peak; groaned at the thought of anything making an appearance, but knowing at the same time that there was nothing in his stomach to come back up. A metal bowl rested on the floor next to his bed, just in case. He had sacrificed the convenience of the bathroom floor for the comfort of his own bed. And he hadn't been able to eat for three days.
Joe poked his head out of the covers when he heard the door to his room open and felt a fresh breath of clean air stir the close stuffy confines of the room and suddenly recoiled in agony as the light snapped on, illuminating it from shadowy to stark brightness. Joe hissed in displeasure and drew the covers over his head again.
"Joe?" Jen's voice drifted to him under the layers of covers where he lay shivering, "Joe. Come out."
"You can't make me," Joe called out in a muffled voice as he pulled the covers tighter around himself.
"You can either come out or I can come in after you," Jen threatened.
Joe cracked the covers just slightly, "what do you want?" he asked petulantly. He knew he was being childish, but he didn't care at the moment.
"To make you feel better," Jen said brightly. She waved a plastic sleeve full of saltine crackers in front of him. "I also have chicken noodle soup."
"I don't think I can eat anything," Joe muttered.
"Well, it's either that or I can give you a shot," Jen threatened again, this time brandishing a needle.
Joe hissed again in displeasure. "All right," he wheezed as he reached for the crackers, "but I don't think this is a good idea."
"Just do it," Jen said, "I'll go run you a warm bath while you work your way through those."
As Jen stood to leave the room Joe laid a hand on her wrist, "thank you Jen. I know I'm a beast when I'm sick."
Jen sat back down next to him and ran a hand through his hair. She cracked a smile, "I've dealt with worse," she said and winked at him, standing again to go start the water running.
Joe poked his head out of the covers when he heard the door to his room open and felt a fresh breath of clean air stir the close stuffy confines of the room and suddenly recoiled in agony as the light snapped on, illuminating it from shadowy to stark brightness. Joe hissed in displeasure and drew the covers over his head again.
"Joe?" Jen's voice drifted to him under the layers of covers where he lay shivering, "Joe. Come out."
"You can't make me," Joe called out in a muffled voice as he pulled the covers tighter around himself.
"You can either come out or I can come in after you," Jen threatened.
Joe cracked the covers just slightly, "what do you want?" he asked petulantly. He knew he was being childish, but he didn't care at the moment.
"To make you feel better," Jen said brightly. She waved a plastic sleeve full of saltine crackers in front of him. "I also have chicken noodle soup."
"I don't think I can eat anything," Joe muttered.
"Well, it's either that or I can give you a shot," Jen threatened again, this time brandishing a needle.
Joe hissed again in displeasure. "All right," he wheezed as he reached for the crackers, "but I don't think this is a good idea."
"Just do it," Jen said, "I'll go run you a warm bath while you work your way through those."
As Jen stood to leave the room Joe laid a hand on her wrist, "thank you Jen. I know I'm a beast when I'm sick."
Jen sat back down next to him and ran a hand through his hair. She cracked a smile, "I've dealt with worse," she said and winked at him, standing again to go start the water running.
Ages
"How old are you Jen?" Joe asked absentmindedly as they walked along the beach.
Jen laughed, "don't you know it's not polite to ask a woman her age?"
"You can't be much older than me," Joe said as he pulled her to a stop at the edge of the water.
"Well, I did graduate early from high school, and I jumped right into the local nursing program. I always knew that that was what I wanted to do with my life. I always wanted to help people. And look what it brought me," Jen said as she held up their intertwined hands.
"You're evading the question," Joe accused as he began to walk again.
"No I'm not, I just haven't answered you yet."
"Are you going to answer me?"
"Would it make a difference how old I was?"
"Not really," Joe said, "I'm just curious."
Jen looked out at the setting sun and then back to the handsome young man by her side. "I'll be twenty one in six weeks."
"And I'll be eighteen in a month," Joe said.
Jen laughed, "don't you know it's not polite to ask a woman her age?"
"You can't be much older than me," Joe said as he pulled her to a stop at the edge of the water.
"Well, I did graduate early from high school, and I jumped right into the local nursing program. I always knew that that was what I wanted to do with my life. I always wanted to help people. And look what it brought me," Jen said as she held up their intertwined hands.
"You're evading the question," Joe accused as he began to walk again.
"No I'm not, I just haven't answered you yet."
"Are you going to answer me?"
"Would it make a difference how old I was?"
"Not really," Joe said, "I'm just curious."
Jen looked out at the setting sun and then back to the handsome young man by her side. "I'll be twenty one in six weeks."
"And I'll be eighteen in a month," Joe said.
Concept of a Surprise
Joe slipped the blindfold over Jen's eyes and gently but firmly tied it, blocking her view of the world.
"Joe. What are you doing?" Jen asked with laughter in her voice.
"You'll see," he said as he helped her into the car.
"So where are we going?" Jen asked as they accelerated into the flow of traffic.
"You don't get the concept of a surprise do you?" Joe teased.
"Can I ask questions?"
"I won't guarantee that I will answer them," Joe said with a grin.
"That's not fair," Jen pouted.
"Have I ever told you how adorable you are when you pout?" Joe asked as he leaned over and pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth.
They kept up the easy banter as they drove along. After what seemed like a short time, Joe was pulling the car off the road and onto a bumpy path. Joe knelt next to the car of Jen's side and slipped off her shoes.
"Hey," Jen protested, but Joe silenced her wit ha finger on her lips. He helped Jen out the car and she felt a fresh breeze blowing across her face and the moisture of a nearby body of water. She felt soft cool grass and earth beneath her feet. Joe took both her hands and lead her forward; she could sense the warmth of the sun on her face.
"Sit here," Joe said as she stepped from cool grass to soft fabric.
Jen settled herself down on the blanket and reached for the blindfold only to have Joe's strong hands arrest her own.
"Not yet," he whispered.
Jen placed her hands in her lap, waiting for him to say it was time. She could hear him rustling around next to her and wondered what he was doing. After a few more moments, Jen felt his strong fingers slide through her hair and release the blindfold. It fell to reveal a dazzlingly beautiful sunset over a lake; surrounding the blanket was a half dozed oil lamps, and a picnic dinner.
"Oh," Jen breathed.
"Do you like it?" Joe asked, his voice holding just the barest hint of uncertainty.
Jen leaned towards him and pressed a passionate kiss to his lips. After a moment she pulled back, "I love it," she said and kissed him again before curling into his chest to watch the sun set.
"Joe. What are you doing?" Jen asked with laughter in her voice.
"You'll see," he said as he helped her into the car.
"So where are we going?" Jen asked as they accelerated into the flow of traffic.
"You don't get the concept of a surprise do you?" Joe teased.
"Can I ask questions?"
"I won't guarantee that I will answer them," Joe said with a grin.
"That's not fair," Jen pouted.
"Have I ever told you how adorable you are when you pout?" Joe asked as he leaned over and pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth.
They kept up the easy banter as they drove along. After what seemed like a short time, Joe was pulling the car off the road and onto a bumpy path. Joe knelt next to the car of Jen's side and slipped off her shoes.
"Hey," Jen protested, but Joe silenced her wit ha finger on her lips. He helped Jen out the car and she felt a fresh breeze blowing across her face and the moisture of a nearby body of water. She felt soft cool grass and earth beneath her feet. Joe took both her hands and lead her forward; she could sense the warmth of the sun on her face.
"Sit here," Joe said as she stepped from cool grass to soft fabric.
Jen settled herself down on the blanket and reached for the blindfold only to have Joe's strong hands arrest her own.
"Not yet," he whispered.
Jen placed her hands in her lap, waiting for him to say it was time. She could hear him rustling around next to her and wondered what he was doing. After a few more moments, Jen felt his strong fingers slide through her hair and release the blindfold. It fell to reveal a dazzlingly beautiful sunset over a lake; surrounding the blanket was a half dozed oil lamps, and a picnic dinner.
"Oh," Jen breathed.
"Do you like it?" Joe asked, his voice holding just the barest hint of uncertainty.
Jen leaned towards him and pressed a passionate kiss to his lips. After a moment she pulled back, "I love it," she said and kissed him again before curling into his chest to watch the sun set.
There But Not There
"Just go through the forms and you will be fine," Alec said as he patted Joe in the shoulder.
Joe straitened his ghee nervously, "what if I forget something?"
"How long have you been practicing this?"
"A long time."
"You know what to do. Now do it."
Joe took a deep breath and stepped out onto the mats to begin his trials.
"It was perfect," Alec said as Joe stepped off the mat, "It looked like a dance."
"Thanks Alec," Joe whispered and turned to look his brother that was no longer there. Only the memory and the feeling were there.
"Thanks Alec," Joe said again softly.
Joe straitened his ghee nervously, "what if I forget something?"
"How long have you been practicing this?"
"A long time."
"You know what to do. Now do it."
Joe took a deep breath and stepped out onto the mats to begin his trials.
"It was perfect," Alec said as Joe stepped off the mat, "It looked like a dance."
"Thanks Alec," Joe whispered and turned to look his brother that was no longer there. Only the memory and the feeling were there.
"Thanks Alec," Joe said again softly.
Voice from the Past
Joe stood shuffling through a stack of papers and items. He had gathered everything up when he left the foster home. Everything.
Joe pulled another box towards himself where he sat on the floor in his tiny one room flat. He swallowed down a lump when he saw the box was labeled 'Alec.' He gently opened the flaps on the top and looked over a confusion of papers and assorted bits of the past.
Joe lingered over the papers, reading his brothers words, hearing his voice in his head. As Joe reached into the box for the final load of papers, his fingers encountered a book that was somewhat thicker than the normal composition books that had been filled with snatches of prose and bits of poetry.
The book was large and Joe could tell immediately that it was some kind of journal. Joe closed his eyes and flipped the book open to where the bookmark was inserted, to where Alec had written his thought for the last time.
'September 20
I've just been accepted to Purdue. I don't know though if I will go. Joe needs me here. The old man is such a bastard. I can't bear to think what he would do, what he would do worse if I were to leave. I can't do that to Joe. He's so innocent sometimes. I hate to see what the world is doing to him. Everyday I see the sparkle lessen in his eyes. Everyday that he has to face down the Bastard, every time he gets a beating. I can take it. I know eventually Joe would be able to bear that too, but he shouldn't have to. I will make a deal with the Bastard. He leaves Joe alone and he had whup me as much as he wants. I want Joe to have a happy life; well at least as happy as it can be, all things considered.
I won't go to Purdue. I won't leave Joe to that Bastard. the local college will be good enough for me. And when I get a good paying job, me and Joe will move out to a simple apartment, and Joe can just be a kid.'
Joe felt the salt drying on his cheek hours later, felt the tightening of the skin, the tightening of his heart. He gently placed the journal back into the box and placed it on a high shelf. A memory to be stored and returned to later.
Joe pulled another box towards himself where he sat on the floor in his tiny one room flat. He swallowed down a lump when he saw the box was labeled 'Alec.' He gently opened the flaps on the top and looked over a confusion of papers and assorted bits of the past.
Joe lingered over the papers, reading his brothers words, hearing his voice in his head. As Joe reached into the box for the final load of papers, his fingers encountered a book that was somewhat thicker than the normal composition books that had been filled with snatches of prose and bits of poetry.
The book was large and Joe could tell immediately that it was some kind of journal. Joe closed his eyes and flipped the book open to where the bookmark was inserted, to where Alec had written his thought for the last time.
'September 20
I've just been accepted to Purdue. I don't know though if I will go. Joe needs me here. The old man is such a bastard. I can't bear to think what he would do, what he would do worse if I were to leave. I can't do that to Joe. He's so innocent sometimes. I hate to see what the world is doing to him. Everyday I see the sparkle lessen in his eyes. Everyday that he has to face down the Bastard, every time he gets a beating. I can take it. I know eventually Joe would be able to bear that too, but he shouldn't have to. I will make a deal with the Bastard. He leaves Joe alone and he had whup me as much as he wants. I want Joe to have a happy life; well at least as happy as it can be, all things considered.
I won't go to Purdue. I won't leave Joe to that Bastard. the local college will be good enough for me. And when I get a good paying job, me and Joe will move out to a simple apartment, and Joe can just be a kid.'
Joe felt the salt drying on his cheek hours later, felt the tightening of the skin, the tightening of his heart. He gently placed the journal back into the box and placed it on a high shelf. A memory to be stored and returned to later.
Nothing to Lose
Joe took the blow to the side without uttering a single sound, not even a whimper as the air rushed from his lungs, barely defended himself when he felt a rib crack from the next blow.
The jeers and yells from the gathered men were just a noise in his head, he knew that if he carried on long enough that he would collapse, and then he could rest. Joe looked at the large and burly man opposite him in the makeshift ring, his eyes filled with blood lust and his gaze fixed on Joe. Joe brought his fists up in a defensive position and the man smiled; Joe knew that he appeared exactly what he really was, a scrawny nineteen year old boy with nothing to lose.
"Joe!" a strong female voice called out. Joe looked up in surprise and was knocked backwards as his opponent took the opportunity to strike. He stumbled backwards and fell to the ground, and the men around cheered as the victor walked out of the ring.
"Joe? Joe, can you hear me?" A voice said from beside him. Joe looked up, dazed, into the familiar beautiful features of Jen.
"Jen," he said, his words slightly slurred, "what are you doing here?"
"I came to find you. I've been worried about you," she said as she cradled his head in her lap and dabbed at the blood on his face. "Why are you doing this Joe?" she whispered.
"It helps," he said simply. "It helps me forget, helps take away the pain and the guilt."
Jen's eyes flashed in anger, "and I suppose I mean nothing to you?"
Joe tried to roll over so that he could face her, "no, Jen, it's not like that."
"Then what is it like? Are you trying to get yourself killed? I don't suppose it occurred to you that I could help you, that I could help take away the pain. Did you stop to consider that?" Jen asked as she stepped out of reach.
"Jen, I'm sorry, I didn't want you to have to worry about me. I..."
Jen cut him off, "But I do worry about you, ever since the first time I saw you in the hospital I have worried about you. but I guess that means nothing to you," she said. Not giving him a chance to respond, Jen hurried to the door and out into the night.
Joe could hear her words echoing in his mind, 'I could help take away the pain...I guess I mean nothing to you...'
The jeers and yells from the gathered men were just a noise in his head, he knew that if he carried on long enough that he would collapse, and then he could rest. Joe looked at the large and burly man opposite him in the makeshift ring, his eyes filled with blood lust and his gaze fixed on Joe. Joe brought his fists up in a defensive position and the man smiled; Joe knew that he appeared exactly what he really was, a scrawny nineteen year old boy with nothing to lose.
"Joe!" a strong female voice called out. Joe looked up in surprise and was knocked backwards as his opponent took the opportunity to strike. He stumbled backwards and fell to the ground, and the men around cheered as the victor walked out of the ring.
"Joe? Joe, can you hear me?" A voice said from beside him. Joe looked up, dazed, into the familiar beautiful features of Jen.
"Jen," he said, his words slightly slurred, "what are you doing here?"
"I came to find you. I've been worried about you," she said as she cradled his head in her lap and dabbed at the blood on his face. "Why are you doing this Joe?" she whispered.
"It helps," he said simply. "It helps me forget, helps take away the pain and the guilt."
Jen's eyes flashed in anger, "and I suppose I mean nothing to you?"
Joe tried to roll over so that he could face her, "no, Jen, it's not like that."
"Then what is it like? Are you trying to get yourself killed? I don't suppose it occurred to you that I could help you, that I could help take away the pain. Did you stop to consider that?" Jen asked as she stepped out of reach.
"Jen, I'm sorry, I didn't want you to have to worry about me. I..."
Jen cut him off, "But I do worry about you, ever since the first time I saw you in the hospital I have worried about you. but I guess that means nothing to you," she said. Not giving him a chance to respond, Jen hurried to the door and out into the night.
Joe could hear her words echoing in his mind, 'I could help take away the pain...I guess I mean nothing to you...'
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Pressure Inside
Alec blinked in the dim light, he seemed to see himself at the same time that he could feel himself slipping away. He could see Joe by his bed, see his own body covered in tubes and wires. He could hear Joe crying, and at the same time, trying not to cry. Alec felt the ghostly presure against his hand when Joe squeezed it. He looked down at his own hand and then at the one that Joe held.
Alec hovered over the scene below him, a slient witness to his own bodies fate. He could remember the crash, but he felt no pain, only the faint echo of a memory tied him to what his body had been through.
Alec reached out to put a comforting hand on his brothers shoulder, but he couldn't feel anything. He was sure that Joe couldn't feel anything either. "I'm sorry Joe," Alec said in a low voice, though he knew that Joe would never again hear him, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I have to leave you, I'm sorry that I can't stay. I'm sorry that you will be alone. You're tough. I know you don't think that you are, but I know that you are and that you can make it. I'm sorry you have to go through this alone. I'm sorry for everything Joe," Alec said. He felt his throat closing up as if he would cry, but he knew that having no body meant he couldn't relieve that preasure building inside.
Alec drew a shuddering breath, "I'm sorry Joseph," he whispered as he faded from the room.
Alec hovered over the scene below him, a slient witness to his own bodies fate. He could remember the crash, but he felt no pain, only the faint echo of a memory tied him to what his body had been through.
Alec reached out to put a comforting hand on his brothers shoulder, but he couldn't feel anything. He was sure that Joe couldn't feel anything either. "I'm sorry Joe," Alec said in a low voice, though he knew that Joe would never again hear him, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I have to leave you, I'm sorry that I can't stay. I'm sorry that you will be alone. You're tough. I know you don't think that you are, but I know that you are and that you can make it. I'm sorry you have to go through this alone. I'm sorry for everything Joe," Alec said. He felt his throat closing up as if he would cry, but he knew that having no body meant he couldn't relieve that preasure building inside.
Alec drew a shuddering breath, "I'm sorry Joseph," he whispered as he faded from the room.
120 MPH
"Not again," Joe growled under his breath. His foot eased down the brake pedal as he shifted lanes to his right. He glanced in the rear view mirror again at the flashing blue and red lights and pressed a little harder on the brakes, bringing the car to a stop along the freeway. He flicked on the emergency flashers, turned down the stereo, and waited impatiently. After what seemed like forever the policeman stepped out of the cruiser and approached the black car.
"In a bit of a hurry?" the cop asked, his voice dripping with sarchasm.
"No, not really," Joe said. He could be as snarky as he wanted to be. Nothing was going to get him out of another ticket.
"Do you know how fast you were going?" the cop asked, clearly taken aback as the young mans answer. He usually got a bunch of apologies and begging.
"About a hundred and twenty," Joe said in a matter of fact tone.
"You do know that this zone is only sixty-five don't you?"
Joe could tell that the cop was getting irritated; either from Joes' apparent lack of deference to his authority, or the lack of care he seemed to show for breaking the speed limit. Joe was curious just how far he could push this guy. He put on a vapid look, "It is?" he asked with all the innocence he could force into his voice.
"I need your license and insurance," the cop said at last as he shook his head, not quite sure what to make of Joe, but irritated nevertheless.
Joe handed out his license, military ID card, and insurance card.
The cop walked back to his cruiser to enter the information into his computer while Joe tapped idly on the steering wheel. He knew that Commander Cole would find out, but it wouldn't stop him in the future. Ever since Alec had died Joe was unable to control himself when he got behind the wheel. It wasn't as if he had a death wish, though he was sure that the psychologists would say he did. He just felt so free with the road flying past beneath his tires.
Joe glanced up again at the movement in his mirror; the cop was approaching again.
"I am sure you know the drill by now soldier," the police officer said as he handed Joe two slips of paper, "I didn't even know that a person could get that many speeding tickets. The cop shook his head, "The first paper is your fine, the second is from your commander. I contacted him when you came up for arrest for speeding." The cop shook his head and walked away from Joe's car.
Joe sighed and quickly read the message from Major Cole.
Return to base immediately.
Report upon arrival.
Discipline to follow.
As soon as the cop pulled away and was out of sight headed in the other direction, Joe shifted the car to drive and slammed down on the accelerator.
"In a bit of a hurry?" the cop asked, his voice dripping with sarchasm.
"No, not really," Joe said. He could be as snarky as he wanted to be. Nothing was going to get him out of another ticket.
"Do you know how fast you were going?" the cop asked, clearly taken aback as the young mans answer. He usually got a bunch of apologies and begging.
"About a hundred and twenty," Joe said in a matter of fact tone.
"You do know that this zone is only sixty-five don't you?"
Joe could tell that the cop was getting irritated; either from Joes' apparent lack of deference to his authority, or the lack of care he seemed to show for breaking the speed limit. Joe was curious just how far he could push this guy. He put on a vapid look, "It is?" he asked with all the innocence he could force into his voice.
"I need your license and insurance," the cop said at last as he shook his head, not quite sure what to make of Joe, but irritated nevertheless.
Joe handed out his license, military ID card, and insurance card.
The cop walked back to his cruiser to enter the information into his computer while Joe tapped idly on the steering wheel. He knew that Commander Cole would find out, but it wouldn't stop him in the future. Ever since Alec had died Joe was unable to control himself when he got behind the wheel. It wasn't as if he had a death wish, though he was sure that the psychologists would say he did. He just felt so free with the road flying past beneath his tires.
Joe glanced up again at the movement in his mirror; the cop was approaching again.
"I am sure you know the drill by now soldier," the police officer said as he handed Joe two slips of paper, "I didn't even know that a person could get that many speeding tickets. The cop shook his head, "The first paper is your fine, the second is from your commander. I contacted him when you came up for arrest for speeding." The cop shook his head and walked away from Joe's car.
Joe sighed and quickly read the message from Major Cole.
Return to base immediately.
Report upon arrival.
Discipline to follow.
As soon as the cop pulled away and was out of sight headed in the other direction, Joe shifted the car to drive and slammed down on the accelerator.
Deadly Calm
"Your worthless Joe!" the man said as he landed another kick to his ribs, "just like your brother. Both of you; a pair of worthless hoods not worth the money from the government!"
Joe curled in around himself, stifling a whimper of pain as he felt another blow catch him in the hip. If he was quiet, it would be over soon.
"The only good thing about the two of you is the money. And now there is even less of it now that your brother is gone. If I could have gotten the money without either one of you, I would have killed him myself!" he said. Joe felt a rib crack and fire began dancing under his skin.
"No," Joe whispered, curling tighter. "No," he repeated louder, firmer, a tone of determination sliding into place as if it should have always been there.
"NO!" he yelled as he twisted away from the approaching blow. He spun swiftly and caught Earl's leg in an iron grasp. He didn't release his leg when he stood up, causing Earl to fall backwards.
Joe towered over Earl, "I could kill you now myself and have no regrets about it," his voice was icy calm, deadly, "Make no mistake. I have no compunctions killing you, other than Alec would not want me to. It's only for his sake that you are still breathing. If you ever touch me again, then I will have to pray for his forgiveness, because I will kill you."
Joe stepped away from where Earl lay on the floor and walked out the door into the night.
Joe curled in around himself, stifling a whimper of pain as he felt another blow catch him in the hip. If he was quiet, it would be over soon.
"The only good thing about the two of you is the money. And now there is even less of it now that your brother is gone. If I could have gotten the money without either one of you, I would have killed him myself!" he said. Joe felt a rib crack and fire began dancing under his skin.
"No," Joe whispered, curling tighter. "No," he repeated louder, firmer, a tone of determination sliding into place as if it should have always been there.
"NO!" he yelled as he twisted away from the approaching blow. He spun swiftly and caught Earl's leg in an iron grasp. He didn't release his leg when he stood up, causing Earl to fall backwards.
Joe towered over Earl, "I could kill you now myself and have no regrets about it," his voice was icy calm, deadly, "Make no mistake. I have no compunctions killing you, other than Alec would not want me to. It's only for his sake that you are still breathing. If you ever touch me again, then I will have to pray for his forgiveness, because I will kill you."
Joe stepped away from where Earl lay on the floor and walked out the door into the night.
Liquid Void
Joe was unsure what to make of the strange new sensations he was experiencing. All around him was a liquid void; clear, yet dim to his eyes. He could hear clearly the hiss of air as he drew in a breath and was fascinated with the bubbles that started so small when he exhaled, but grew to resemble mushroom clouds of air. Joe reached out one hand and batted at one of the blossoming bubbles. It exploded into micro bubbles. He smiled behind his respirator and hit another one.
He could see Steve just below him, cruising along with the current slowly. As Steve exhaled and the bubbles drifted up towards him, Joe removed his own mouthpiece and breathed in the bubble of air. Delighted, Joe almost forgot himself and laughed, but he remembered to replace his respirator.
Joe deflated his BCD just a little and sunk lower, passing the thermocline into colder waters, coming along side of Steve as his friend studied a bit of rock formation.
Steve turned to look at the younger man, peering out through a slightly fogged mask. He tapped Joe's air dial and motioned that it was time for them to return to the surface. Joe nodded and began to rise lazily, passing into the warmer waters just below the surface of the lake.
After surfacing, Joe removed his mouth piece, "that was amazing! Can we do it again?" he asked.
"Sure," Steve said, "let's go get more air."
He could see Steve just below him, cruising along with the current slowly. As Steve exhaled and the bubbles drifted up towards him, Joe removed his own mouthpiece and breathed in the bubble of air. Delighted, Joe almost forgot himself and laughed, but he remembered to replace his respirator.
Joe deflated his BCD just a little and sunk lower, passing the thermocline into colder waters, coming along side of Steve as his friend studied a bit of rock formation.
Steve turned to look at the younger man, peering out through a slightly fogged mask. He tapped Joe's air dial and motioned that it was time for them to return to the surface. Joe nodded and began to rise lazily, passing into the warmer waters just below the surface of the lake.
After surfacing, Joe removed his mouth piece, "that was amazing! Can we do it again?" he asked.
"Sure," Steve said, "let's go get more air."
Hitting the Target
Joe was smiling even before the faint 'thock' reached his ears from the far end of the range. He knew that he was precisely on target. He drew another arrow from the quiver that rested against his slender hip and knocked it to the string. The shaft of the arrow rested against the top of his hand as he drew back the string.
Joe took a single deep breath and held it. Slowly exhaling, he sighted on the target which rested three hundred yards away. One more slow inhale and he released the string. It made a faint snapping sound; the wood whisper quiet as it slid against his hand. He preferred to shoot off the hand, he felt more connected to the shot that way.
He swiftly knocked another arrow and let it fly. And again, and again, emptying his quiver. Joe carefully unstrung his recurve, slid it into it's leather carrying case and picked up his quiver. He walked quickly to the far end of the range, smiling in satisfaction when he saw that all his shots had pierced the target withing a quarter inch of each other. He drew the arrows from the target and placed them carefully in the quiver.
Joe whistled a short tune as he walked back to his car.
Joe took a single deep breath and held it. Slowly exhaling, he sighted on the target which rested three hundred yards away. One more slow inhale and he released the string. It made a faint snapping sound; the wood whisper quiet as it slid against his hand. He preferred to shoot off the hand, he felt more connected to the shot that way.
He swiftly knocked another arrow and let it fly. And again, and again, emptying his quiver. Joe carefully unstrung his recurve, slid it into it's leather carrying case and picked up his quiver. He walked quickly to the far end of the range, smiling in satisfaction when he saw that all his shots had pierced the target withing a quarter inch of each other. He drew the arrows from the target and placed them carefully in the quiver.
Joe whistled a short tune as he walked back to his car.
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