Wow, what a long day. Opened at 5:00 this morning and didn't close till the last dog was fed, and that's a lot of food and coffee! Let me tell you a little about myself and my partner. My name is Thunder and my partner's name is Fyre. She runs the bar side of this place and I run the cafe'. We came across this place by accident. Fyre and I were actually running from a bad situation. She was involved in an abusive relationship and since we've been friends forever, she naturally came to me for shelter after the last beating.

To make a long story short, the Jackass showed up at my door. When I wouldn't let him in, he broke the door down. He punched me in the face and down I went. He had her cornered in the den by the time I got there. He had already punched her several times. She was bleeding from a cut over her eye and a split lip. When I saw the blood something inside me just snapped. I grabbed the marble ashtray off my desk, snuck up behind him and brought it down...hard. He didn't make a sound, he just slumped to the floor out cold.

We called the police & paramedics and by the time they got to the house, Jackass was comming around. The EMT'S said he had a hard head, but they would take him to the er just to make sure. They started working on Fyre while the officer's asked us questions. When we explained how he broke into the house, slugged me and was beating Fyre when I hit him with the ash tray. They asked us if we wanted to press charges, and we said yes. They handcuffed him and put him in the back of the patrol car. All the while he was screaming that he would get us good for this. After we got released from the hospital, Fyre with stitches over her eye & a split lip. Me, I had the prettiest shiner in the Midwest, we went back to my place.

The next day we had to go to the police station to formally press charges, and as luck would have it, Jackass was released on bail. Oh, did I mention that his father was the richest man in the county? Yep and naturally his son could do no wrong. A week went by and we were having coffee in the kitchen when we heard glass breaking in the front of the house. In the living room, the front window was broken and there was a rock with a note tied to it. The note read...It's just started . . and it was.

CHAPTER TWO

The next few weeks were nerve wracking. Obscene phone calls, broken windows, slashed tires, and a lot more. The police couldn't help because we never saw who did the damage although they, and we knew who was behind it. Proving it was another matter.

The day of his trial finally came. We both got on the stand and told everything that had happened, before, during, and after. Jackass just sat there with this smug little smile on his face. The judge gave the jury their instructions and they left to deliberate. We were so sure that he would be found not guilty, that when the jury announced they reached a verdict in just 2 1/2 hrs. We looked at the prosecuting attorney. When he said to think positively, we both knew we were screwed.

CHAPTER THREE

We were in the courtroom when the judge and the jury came in. He asked if they had reached a verdict. They said they had. The foreman stood and said, We the jury find the defendant, Beauregard Ustes Drinkwater, Guilty.

Fyre and I just sat there with the same look on our faces, relief. The judge told him to stand while he pronounced his sentence. Six months in the county jail, suspended, 40 hours community service and 6 months probation, plus court costs. Fyre and I were in shock to say the least. On the other side of the room a celebration was going on. Hand shaking, back slapping, and a lot of Yee Haw's. Jackass looked across the room at us and gave us the most evil smile I had ever seen in my life. I looked at Fyre and said, "It's not over. He's not done with us yet. "

As we were leaving the court room, we passed Drinkwater Sr. He looked at us with sad eyes and said, "He's my only son." Fyre said, "Well you did a shitty job raising him." We walked out. Things were quiet for a few weeks when it started up again. We had gotten a watchdog, a huge Rott. We called him J.D. after my favorite drink. A month went by and one day when we came home from work, we found J.D. in the yard dead. He'd been poisoned. By the time we got to the police station, Fyre was irate. I was hurt beyond tears. When we walked in we stopped short. Sitting there was Drinkwater Sr. Fyre looked at him with absolute hatred in her eyes and let him have it. She called he and his son every name under the sun, and then some.

"Your son is such a big man, You must be so proud of him. He's a woman beater, a harasser, he almost destroyed Thunder's house and to top it all off, he murdered our dog! I know I can't prove anything, so will you please do us a small favor? Get him to stop. We just want to be left alone." With that said, we just left the office and went home.

CHAPTER FOUR

When we got home, we went in the yard, got two shovels and we buried J.D. under the big oak in the back part of the yard. Later that evening there was a knock at the door. I went to answer it. There on the porch was Drinkwater's chauffer. "Are you Miss Thunder or Miss Fyre?" I told him who I was and he handed me a briefcase. He said to me, "Mr. Drinkwater sends his deepest apologies." Then he turned and left. I went to the den where Fyre was going thru the mail. She looked up at me and said. "What?" I put the briefcase on the desk and told her what the driver had said. She looked at me and said, "What if it's a trick? Maybe Jackass got him in on the act?" I thought about it and told her "I don't think so. You didn't see his eyes."

"Well, lets open it then." Inside the case it was full of money. I've never seen so much cash at one time in my life. There was an envelope on top of the money. We opened it. "I know this can't begin to pay you for your pain and loss. Your right, I did a shitty job in raising my son." We sat there staring at the money. Fyre looked up and said, "Well let's count it." When we had finished, we had One hundred thousand dollars in front of us. I said, "Well we can't put this in the bank, so we'll have to get a safety deposit box in the morning." Fyre agreed. We put the money back in the case, and Fyre told me to keep the case with me because she was nervous about having that much money in the house. I put the case under my bed, and we turned in.

I don't know how long I was asleep when I heard three separate crashes. I got out of bed and ran to the hall and Fyre was just coming out of her room. I told her to go in my room it had a lock on the door, and I started down the stairs. I got half way down when I felt heat and smelled smoke. The whole first floor was in flames. It was heading towards the stairs. I turned and ran back up. I told Fyre to grab the case and to go out the window to the roof of the porch. She did, while I grabbed some clothes for us and followed her out. We dropped over the side of the porch and landed on the grass. We ran for my truck and backed it down the driveway. When we hit the street, there was Jackass and his buddies. They came up to truck and he yelled "Next time you won't get out!" They jumped into his SUV and took off laughing.

CHAPTER FIVE

The house was engulfed by the time the fire department showed up. The chief came over to me and said, "All we can do is control it Thunder. It's too far gone." I felt a tear slide down my cheek for all the lost memories of my parents and grandparents.

The chief asked if we knew how it might have started. All I could do was stand there. Fyre told him what happened with Jackass and his pals. The chief informed the arson squad and we left. We went to a hotel. We were questioned by both the arson squad and the insurance investigator. After everyone had left, Fyre said, Let's go out to dinner and relax for a few hours.

It didn't take long for the arson squad to determine that the fire was arson, and it was started in three different locations in the house. The insurance investigators took over from there. We told them about all the trouble and what Jackass had said to us.

It wasn't long before he was arrested and this time Daddy had enough. He wouldn't post bail. The insurance company paid me off for the house and it's contents. It came to a little over Two hundred fifty-thousand dollars.

I was leaving the bank thinking that now I didn't have to worry about anything, when I heard call my name softly. I looked around and saw someone duck into the alley. I followed (I know stupid move) Standing there was Drinkwaters chauffeur. I asked him what was going on. He put his finger to his lips and said. "I'm here to warn you and Miss Fyre. The idiot is being released on bond today and he has vowed revenge, and he won't stop until you two ladies are dead. So please get out of town until the trial."

I thanked him and went to the hotel. When I told Fyre what happened, she asked me what are we going to do? I looked at her and said, "We're booking out of here....Now!"

CHAPTER SIX

We were on the road for several days when we stopped in this small town. Fyre looked at me and said, Welcome to Mayberry! I just smiled at her and asked her, Wonder where Barney is? As we drove down the main street we saw the usual small town shops, Repair shop, barber, beauty shops, Sheriff's office and a cafe' bar combination, and a pool hall.

We decided to stop for lunch. We parked the van and went in. When we were seated I looked around and saw a pretty functional operation. On one side of the building was the cafe' and thru a doorway was the bar.

Our waitress was a sweet looking woman in her mid sixty's and the cook was a little man about the same age. She came over to us and said Hi you new in town or just passing thru? Now this woman was about 5' 6" and was on the chubby side with gray hair pulled into a no nonsense bun, and she had the greenest eyes I have ever seen. We told her we were going to stay for a few days to rest and recoup. She said she had an apartment over the restaurant that she'd let us rent on a weekly basis. Before I could say anything Fyre said "Great, we'll take it." I just stared at her and she looked at me and said, I have a good feeling about this place. Since I NEVER argue or question Fyre's feelings, I said OK.

After lunch we were having coffee when the two of them came over. Coffee break time she said with a laugh, and since your our new tenants we'd better introduce ourselves." I'm Lily and this is my husband Marcus." Marcus was a small man and he had a full head of red hair, and a twinkle in his blue eyes.

We introduced ourselves and Lily said," Fyre and Thunder? "

We smiled at them and explained," I was born in the middle of a raging thunder storm, and my Mom decided to call me Thunder"'.

Fyre laughed" My Mom just liked the name Fyre she got it from one of the romance novels she was so fond of reading. So here we are Fyre and Thunder, friends forever."

Marcus laughed and said "Do you girls fit the names?"

I just laughed and said "Only when the need arises. "

Lily said" We have Two boys. Marcus Jr. is the sheriff and Glenn is his deputy in our fair town." She also said." Whatever you do after you meet Marcus, don't ever call him Jr. It gets under his skin for some reason." I told her you have our word. With that we paid our bill and went to the van to get our stuff.

CHAPTER SEVEN

The entrance to the apartment was in the kitchen lucky for us. We went up the twenty odd stairs and went in. This place was huge! It ran the length of the building and it had three bedrooms, bath, living room, dining room, kitchen and a storeroom that could double for a den. We put out things down and went back downstairs. We walked into madhouse. The cafe' was packed and the bar was jumping. I looked at Fyre and said, "You take the bar, I'll take the kitchen."

Lily and Marcus were grateful for the help and I did double duty cooking and serving. I heard Fyre in the bar saying," You've never had a Long Island Iced Tea Honey? Well, now....".I just thought to myself, Oh shit, here we go!"

Things started to slow down around 7:30 and I went to the bar and there she was talkin' NASCAR to some good ol' boy, while she washed glasses, poured a beer and collected money. She's in her element and she's happy. I hadn't seen her smile that way in a long time. I asked if she wanted something to eat, and she said yeah a BB~Q with extra sauce & some slaw. I got her food and told her to sit and I would cover the bar while she ate.

Just then a group of guys came in and ordered beers all around. I looked at Fyre and she mouthed ID's. I asked to see their ID's and right away they started mouthing off. Did I mention that not one of them looked a day over 17? Naturally, the biggest one came up to me and growled," Where's Billy? He never checked our ID's "

I looked into his chest and said," Maybe that's why he's not here any more. So either you cough it up or no beer." Well, you could tell these guys were not used to any one telling them no. The big one reached across the bar and grabbed me by the shirt and was pulling me over the bar. Fyre jumped up and was coming over when she was grabbed by the others. Just then everything got quiet and Lugnuts let go of me and I fell back behind the bar. When I got to my feet Fyre had hopped over the bar and we were looking at the biggest human being we had ever seen in our lives. He had to be seven feet tall, he had on jeans and a chambray shirt with a badge on his chest. Heavy boots, and long red hair pulled back into a tail. He had Lugnuts by the collar and was shaking him like a rag doll." Now Luther, Why are you and your boys in here? You know ain't one of you legal that's why Billy's gone. Now I want you to apologize to these two ladies and then get the hell off the streets tonight. If I see If I ever see you and your boys on this side before your 21 your ass is cold busted! "He gave him another shake and Ol' Luther mumbled "I'm sorry maam," With that said, he and his buddy's left the bar. I looked up at this walking Redwood and saw deep green eyes and a very stern face. He said "What the hell did you think you were doing?"

I said," Checking ID's. Is it my fault ol' Luther got macho on me? "

Fyre piped up." That's right and he grabbed her."

He was about to say something when Lily and Marcus came in." Thunder, Fyre, what happened? "

I smiled and told them, "Just dealing with some macho pride and southern justice."

Lily laughed and said, "Well has my son introduced himself to you two?"

I had forgotten that she said her son's were the law in town. I stuck out my hand and said," Hi I'm Thunder and this is Fyre."

He just stood there, then he took my hand and said, "Thunder? "

I smiled up at him"Yeah my Mom had a wicked sense of humor."

He looked over at Fyre and said"Your mother too?"

She laughed and told him," Yep even weirder than hers."

Marcus Sr. spoke up saying " These girls have rented the apartment upstairs for a while, and it was good luck for us too! Thunder here, knows her way around a kitchen and Fyre, well she just took over the bar. Better than Billy ever could."

CHAPTER EIGHT

Mark looked at his parents and said, Well Mom, you know what's best. He bent down and kissed her cheek and asked her, How's Glenn today? I haven't had time to check in on him today. Still the same son, I was just getting ready to take his dinner up to him when all the fun started.

Lily looked at Fyre and asked her, Would you mind taking the tray that's in the kitchen up to him? I looked up at Mark and asked, Your brother lives in the other apartment? Yes, he said, We both do. Before I could reply, he turned to Lily and asked, Mom, think it's a good idea to send her up there? Yep, your dad and I both do after what we saw what happened in here tonight. I think these two girls can handle him. Mark said, Ok Mom, I'll trust your judgment, but I think you should tell them the story before they get involved. With that he turned and left. I didn't know about Fyre, but the bar suddenly seemed empty, although the place was S.R.O..

Lily said to Marcus, He's right. You take the tray up and after we close, we'll talk and explain things to the girls. Marcus left to take the tray upstairs. When he went into the apartment, he found Glenn asleep on the couch. His heart broke as he looked at his son. His head was covered in a burn mask, his hands were wrapped also. His sweat pants covered the bandages on his legs.

Marcus put the tray on the coffee table and sat in the chair across from him. He watched his son sleep and he thought back to the events leading up to the fire that almost killed his youngest son.

He knew that Glenn was working on a case involving a stripper who was being stalked by some guy at the club. She went to Mark and swore out a complaint on the guy, after he had caught her outside the club one night and beat her senseless. Come to find out it was a phony name and address. Glenn couldn't let it go. He quietly started his own investigation and he eventually found out that the stalker was from West Virginia, about a four hour drive from Brimstone and was the son of the most prominent man in that part of the state, and daddy always paid to get Sonny~Boy out of trouble.

Sonny~Boy realized that Glenn was still investigating the case and he became incensed. In his warped mind his hate had turned to Glenn. He knew that Glenn was like a Blood Hound and he wouldn't give up trying to get him. He came up with a plan to stop the deputy.

CHAPTER NINE

One afternoon while he was alone at the station, flowers were delivered to him. He accepted the delivery, thinking his wife had sent them for they're sixth anniversary. Inside was a dozen blood red roses with a card that said,

From an admirer of justice.

He stared into space, suddenly remembering that the stripper had told him that she had received roses just before she was attacked and beaten. He looked at the box again and noticed an envelope. He opened it and inside was stack of hundred dollar bills, the wrapper said it was fifty-thousand dollars, and a note that said, "Case closed deputy....Back off or pay the price"

He ran out of the station, jumped into his squad car and raced to his home. He knew his wife would be there because she had started her maternity leave this morning. After five years of trying, they were finally going to be parents and they were ecstatic about it. Everything was ready for the new arrival, nursery, clothes, diapers and so forth.

His mind was racing and he pleaded to God, "Please keep her and the baby safe. Let me get there in time." He had radioed Mark and quickly filled him in, and Mark told him he would meet him there.

Glenn pulled up in front of the house, and he ran in and saw his wife Barbara standing in the middle of the living room with a florists box in her arms. She was smiling at him and said, Awww honey, you remembered our anniversary! He screamed at her to drop the box and started towards her when there was a horrific explosion, then his world went black.

CHAPTER TEN

When he opened his eyes, actually only one, the other was bandaged along with his hands and his leg. He looked and saw Mark, Lily and Marcus standing on the other side of a glass wall. All he could hear was the sound of the various machines that were keeping him alive. The pain was unbearable. When Mark saw that he was awake, he went to find a doctor. They were told to wait while the Doctor checked him out.

Dr. Rehberg came in and immediately gave him something to control the pain. When it started to take effect he said, Welcome back Glenn. You've been in a coma for the past six weeks. Glenn looked at him and asked about Barbara, if she had survived the blast. Dr. Rehberg looked at him and said, I'm sorry Glenn.

Glenn said, I want to talk to my brother. The Doctor said after I finish examining you Glenn. He finished quickly and then he motioned for Mark to come into the room. Then he said he'd be back later.

Mark came up to the bed and looked into his brothers eye and saw the pain and anguish there. He said, What do you remember Glenn? He closed his eye and saw Barbara standing there so happy about the flowers and thinking that he had remembered their anniversary.

He told Mark, the last thing I remember is looking at Barb holding that damned florist box and then the explosion. He started to cry and he screamed for Barbara and their baby. Mark motioned for Lily and Marcus to come into the room. They came up to Glenn's bed and he looked at them and said, Why Mom, Please tell me why? We were so happy, I just want to be with them, please let me be with them!

Lily, usually the strong one, could only stand there with tears running down her face. Marcus, when he heard his son beg to be with his dead wife and baby, looked at him and pulled himself up to his full height of five foot eight inches and said, That's enough Glenn! I know your suffering and in unbearable pain, but I will not hear another word about you wanting to die! Do you hear me? We will get through as a family and you and your brother will find the bastards who did this, and they will pay!

Now you cry son, and then you cry some more, get it out and when your ready to talk about it, we'll be here.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Glenn was in the hospital for five months. He endured skin grafts on his face, hands, and leg. He also endured hours of physical therapy. The only thing that kept him going was his determination to catch the person who destroyed his life and make them pay.

When he was released from the hospital, he moved in with Mark. When he finally saw his body he was repulsed and he retreated from the world. He started to wear his burn mask as a shield, something he could hide behind.

Marcus knew his son was using the mask as a barrier and it bothered him greatly. Now he loved both his sons, but Glenn was more like him. He had his hair, blue eyes, outgoing personality, and a natural curiosity about everything. Whereas Mark, with his mothers green eyes and hair color, was more on the conservative side. It was like he was afraid to let himself go and enjoy life. It only got worse after the divorce

He married his high school sweet heart and just six months into the marriage the arguments started. Donna wanted out of their small town, She wanted the Big City, Hollywood to be exact. She was convinced that with her looks and figure she would be "discovered." Mark just wanted a simple life, home, wife, children. He had just been elected sheriff and he was happy. Donna on the other hand, was miserable and she never let up on him about leaving. It got to the point where a day without a fight was rare, but he wouldn't give an inch.

He came home early one day and found her in the bathroom with her head over the toilet. She told him she must have eaten something that didn't agree with her. Mark had his suspicions but he kept them to him self. He noticed a slight pooch around her middle as they were getting ready for bed and he asked her, Do you want to tell me something?

Donna looked blankly at him and asked No, why would you ask me something like that? Mark got a big grin on his face and said, I'm just looking at your tummy and breasts and they've changed, I don't know fuller somehow. I thought you could be pregnant. Donna's face went deathly pale and she quickly thought back--Damn! He could be right. I haven't had my little friend pay me a visit this month...Damn!! She looked at him and said, I don't think so honey, but I haven't been feeling well since I got that virus last month. I'll call the doctor and get checked out.

The next day Donna was in the examination room when Dr. Syms came in. Well, Donna now we know why you've been feeling so poorly, your six weeks pregnant, Congratulations!! Donna felt the blood drain from her face and she whispered...No! She looked at the Dr.and said I want to get rid of it! I will not have a child!

Dr. Syms looked at her, hocked at her out burst. He asked her, Shouldn't you talk this over with Mark before you make any decisions? No, she yelled. If Mark had his way I'd be barefoot & pregnant 24~7. I forbid you to say anything to him do you understand? Now will you do this abortion or do I have to find a Dr. who will? He sighed, seeing a side of her he never knew existed. He told her, Check into the hospital tomorrow, but Donna, What are you going to tell Mark? She looked at him and said, I'll just tell him it's just a minor female problem and I need a D&C. That will satisfy him. Dr. Syms thought to himself, I hope your right.

When Mark got home that night Donna told him her lie and he took her in his arms and told her, It's OK honey. Maybe when this is taken care of we'll be able to start our family. She just stood there with her head on his chest and said I hope your right Sweetheart. Mark drove her to the hospital and told her he'd be right in after he parked the car. Donna told him, Don't worry honey, you just go on to work. It's a simple procedure. I'll just call you when they release me. Are you sure? he asked. I'm positive honey she replied now you just go on I'll be fine. She kissed him and got out of the car and started towards the entrance, turned waved then went in.

Mark was just pulling in front of the sheriff's office when he realized he forgot to give Donna the insurance card. You dumb shit he muttered to himself as he headed back to the hospital.

CHAPTER TWELVE

He was waiting for the intake worker to finish with a new admittance when he overheard two nurses talking. You know I just don't understand some people. What do you mean the other one asked? Well, look at our last patient. She had an abortion she said that she was never going to have children. Then she laughed about how easy it was to fool her husband. She actually bragged about it. They walked away still talking, Mark just stood there feeling sorry for the husband of that woman.

The worker asked is she could help him. He explained about the insurance card and he gave it to her. She entered the information and returned it to him. He asked her, How long does this procedure take? Thinking he would wait and drive her home. She looked at the paper work and said, Well after an abortion they usually have the patient for a few hours to make sure there's no complications.

Mark stared at her and said, abortion? What the hell are you talking about? The woman backed up and said Maybe you should talk to the Dr. sir. Page him was all Mark could say. Fifteen minutes later Dr. Syms came up to him and said, I think we'd better go in here Mark, we can talk privately.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Mark just sat there and listened to the Dr. tell him that Donna was adamant about not wanting the baby. He looked at Marks face and saw the pain there. He thought to himself, This man was put on this earth to be a father, what a shame.

Mark walked out of the hospital, climbed into the car and just drove. He ended up at the cafe and told his parents that he would be moving into one of the apartments upstairs. At their looks of concern he told them what happened and Lily took him in her arms and just held him. Marcus put his hand on his shoulder and said nothing. His touch was enough. Mark finally let his guard down and he cried. He cried for the child he would never know and for the deceit of his wife.

Marcus said, When do you want to move in son? Mark said Now, I don't know what I'd do knowing she killed our child and she lied to me all this time. Lily said, Well son, you just drink this coffee and then you and your dad go and get your things. I'll close early and get the apartment ready for you. He thanked them and hugged them both.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

They were just loading the last of his things into the truck when a cab pulled behind them. Donna paid the driver and got out. She walked up to Mark saying, Where were you? I called all over trying to find you. I was ready to come home three hours ago! Well, you didn't try hard enough then. I was at the cafe' after I had a talk with Dr. Syms and he answered some questions for me.

For the first time she noticed the hate and anger in his eyes and the anger in Marcus' also. She then realized that she couldn't lie her way out of this one. So now you know! I never wanted children, and I've told you I want to get out of this hick town. I hate it here, I want to go to California, but you wouldn't even think about it.

Mark just stood there and let her rant on and finally he said, I'm moving out, I'll see a lawyer in the morning. You can go to California, or any where you want, You can even go to Hell, just so long as I never have to lay eyes on you again. He looked over at Marcus and said, Let's go dad. Marcus looked at her and said, You killed my grandchild and I will never forgive you for that. With that he got in the truck and they drove off. Donna just stood there and she said, I'll show all of you.

Part 2

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