Victory Tour (Part 254)

Monday, Nov. 12

It was still dark when I woke up. A look at the alarm clock showed it was almost 5:30. I don't know how much of that was because I was still getting used to the time change and how much was because I'd gone to bed fairly early last night, around 10:30.

Regardless, I'd better get moving. I had a lot on my plate today — starting independent study, closing on the Osborne house (even though I wouldn't be present for it), getting ready to play the Wildcats. I'd need to check in with my teachers to make sure what my assignments were.

Oh, yeah. I also had to run 50 gassers.

I hit the bathroom and had a quick wipedown — that ought to do until I did my running — brushed my teeth, washed my face. I took a quick swipe with the razor just to be safe, but I don't think it was really necessary. I'd shaved quite close before going out with Elise Saturday evening and hadn't grown much hair since. Still, it was the kind of thing school administrators liked to give guys crap about.

A look at the weather app on my phone showed we'd already reached the high for today and a light drizzle was falling. It was supposed to rain off and on until early afternoon, but it'd stop before practice. It was going to be chilly enough I decided to layer an Oxford cloth over a polo. That and the windbreaker should be enough.

I got dressed, donning the sling just to keep Doc happy, dug out my old running shoes and made sure the backpack contained everything I'd need for school. With no real reason to wait, I loaded up and headed out.

A look in the kitchen showed it was empty, but I could hear sounds of activity coming from my parents' room. Not wanting another confrontation with Mom, I chugged down some pineapple juice and headed for my car. I could grab breakfast somewhere along the way. It still wasn't 6, but would be by the time I could get anywhere I wanted to eat.

Sarge and Buck were sitting in the front drive as I rolled past. Tooting the horn to get their attention, I pulled out into the street. I don't know how much rain we'd gotten, but there were plenty of puddles on the pavement.

I settled on the nearest Rosa's, which was not the one over by the high school. A couple of breakfast tacos would do. The security dudes' black SUV pulled in beside me as the open sign flickered on and I grabbed the backpack rather than leave it unattended.

"Still no groceries at home?" Sarge asked as we neared the entrance.

"Didn't check," I said. "I just wanted to avoid another lecture from my mother. She wasn't real happy with how I dealt with Hazel Thackeray yesterday."

"Yeah, Marv filled us in," Buck chuckled as we hurried inside. "At least she doesn't seem to be as serious a threat as those cartelistas. More of a nuisance, really."

"You're still authorized to use whatever means necessary to keep her away from the place," I said. "I know a good spot to dispose of the body if needed."

"Probably won't need it," Sarge grunted, "but I want ya to show me this place one o' these days."

I whipped out my phone and called up the map app, scrolling to northwestern Buchanan County near a quadpoint it shared with three other counties.

"That bend in the river," I said, showing him the screen. "There's an old silage pit dug into the side of a hill."

Sarge took my phone to get a closer look, fiddling with the screen to zoom in and out, switching to the satellite view and back.

"Might work in a pinch," he said. "How far's it to the nearest town?"

"About 25 miles," I said, taking the phone back. "Last time I was out there, we had to go through two locked gates."

"And when was the last time you were out there?" Buck asked with a rather bemused expression.

"Five or six years ago," I said. "My grandfather was leasing some land out there and took me with him to go check cattle one summer. Lots of brushy country. I've never actually dumped a body there."

"I should hope not," Buck snorted. "Still, it's a lot simpler than what I've heard's been suggested for those folks behind that 'school' in Matamoros."

"You've got my attention," I smirked as I stepped to the counter and ordered enough breakfast tacos to get me through the morning. Sarge and Buck just got coffee.

Buck just grinned until we reached a table, then looked around to make sure no one was close enough to overhear before giving me the scoop.

"You never heard this from me, kid," he said with an evil leer, "but word is there's a queer whorehouse in Manaus that's been known to purchase new talent from time to time. Got a big, black bull that breaks ’em in. I heard they make a show out of it and draw pretty big crowds. De la Vega supposedly sold a few of his enemies down there. The general thought that'd be a good way to dispose of the ones who were sellin' those girls into slavery. Let the punishment fit the crime, so to speak."

"I don't see anything wrong with the idea," I said. "Maybe someone could let those mercs know they could keep the proceeds from sellin' any cartelistas they happen to find tryin' to come across the river. All they'd have to do is get ’em to Manaus."

"You got a mean streak, kid," Sarge snorted.

"For those tryin' to harm me," I said. "They might not be so quick to chop me up with a machete if word gets out what happens to those who try."

"You've been watchin' too many spy movies again," Buck deadpanned.

Talk of selling cartelistas to gay brothels in the Amazon jungle ceased as I ate my breakfast, but I wasn't opposed to the practice if the mercs could pull it off. For some reason, it made me wonder how Billy Ray Harkrider and Zander Caufield were getting along.

"What's your schedule like this week?" Sarge asked.

"Same ol' same ol,'" I said. "Still have to go to school. They're puttin' me in an independent study program with Mr. Johnson starting today. I have to chase down all my assignments, but I can do them in IS instead of sittin' through class. My goal is to have all my work done before practice each day. Teachers are supposed to let me know when tests are scheduled."

It was just a little after 6:30 when I swallowed the last bite, so I pulled out the laptop and went over the reading for Economics again, using the phone for a hotspot.

"We should let Lanny get a look at your rig," Buck said as I plugged the phone into the computer. "He could probably install a wireless modem like he has. Keep ya from runnin' your phone down so much."

"I meant to ask him about satellite phones yesterday," I said, "just never found the time. The doorbell never quit ringin' after my grandfather showed up."

"We'll see if he's free some evenin' this week," Sarge said. "Shouldn't cost ya more'n a couple o' pounds of barbecue for a consultation."

Between Tri-Star, Grandpa's gang and the football team, I got the feeling Becky and Earl could afford a new building even without Grandma's involvement. And why did I get the feeling these two were including themselves in this "consultation?" Weren't they supposed to be practically invisible?

"Wednesday or Thursday evening would probably be best for me," I said. "From what the general said, Lanny's gonna be pretty busy this week."

"Let's shoot for Thursday," Buck said. "We can watch the game on your new TV. Lanny said it's got very good picture quality."

I finished the reading by 7 and started loading up. I did take the time to shoot Sherry a text asking if she needed a ride. She responded before I finished packing that she'd be ready by 7:30.

That prompted me to refill my tea before heading over to her house. No need to leave yet only to sit out in the rain waiting for her. I informed the security guys we still had a few minutes if they wanted more coffee. They did.

Once all the cups were emptied, we proceeded on our way, pulling up at the Parkers' house with a couple of minutes to spare. Then I waited at the door for a few minutes. Sherry insisted on wearing makeup today. At least their porch was covered.

"Good morning," she chirped, giving me a peck as she came out. "Bye, Mom."

Sherry let me stow her bookbag, assist her to her seat and get behind the wheel before starting in on me.

"Mom's not sure I should keep seeing you," she said as I pulled away from the curb. "She's afraid you'll become abusive after hearing that you spank Marie."

I had a quick flashback to Debbie Wilkes, the cheer coach, leveling a similar accusation against me over the summer for the way I treated Morgan one day at the pool. I don't think Mrs. Parker would be distracted by a weekend fling with Arlene, who should already be on the road, anyway.

What was it about these women? The ones who didn't want to drain my balls seemed intent on removing them. Couldn't we find a happy medium here?

"Tell your mom I haven't seen any behavior that would warrant a spanking," I said. "Maybe if you ask real nice and convince me you really want one."

"Dream on, bucko," Sherry snorted. "I'm not like Marie, who needs discipline, or Bethany."

"What about Bethany?" I asked.

"I know she likes to play at being your little sex puppet," Sherry smirked. "Whatever floats your boat, I guess, but it won't float mine."

"The point stands," I said. "I won't do anything you'd object to."

Not that I wouldn't mind putting my hands on her tushy. I just wouldn't do so forcefully.

"You haven't done hardly anything," she mock pouted. "I haven't had a chance to object yet."

Probably for the best. I was going to have to deal with Dr. and Mrs. Stirling at some point. No need to add Mr. and Mrs. Parker on top of it.

All in all, I've had more enjoyable conversations on my way to school.

I dropped Sherry off at the southeast entrance, telling her I'd bring her bag. I managed not to get too wet on my way across the parking lot and found Sherry right inside the door.

"I can't linger long," I said as I escorted her to her locker, a boob pushing into my side as she plastered herself against me. "I've got to get all my books from my locker and get back to Coach Johnson's room before the tardy bell."

"You'd better get a move on, then," she said, planting a smooch on me despite teachers on hall duty. "And don't worry about my mother. I told her I plan on keeping you for a long time. Like the rest of my life."

She proceeded to suck a few more brain cells out of my head before I could respond. A guy could suffer worse fates, I thought as I stumbled dazedly toward the North Wing. I just hoped she'd cleared it with my other girlfriends.

The little sign on my locker urged us to "Tame the Wildcats" this week. Much against my will, I loaded all my books and notebooks in the backpack. At least I wouldn't have to lug it around between classes. Maybe Marv would let me leave what I didn't need for homework in the ISS room. A better idea would be finishing all my assignments before the end of the day.

Cutting through the courtyard and cafeteria enabled me to get there before the tardy bell rang. I immediately approached Marv and explained my need to go run 50 gassers.

"Let's get things started in here first," he said. "The administrators are supposed to visit this morning to explain how things're gonna work. I'll let ya go after that if they approve. Maybe third period. That way, ya can just go straight into athletics."

"Yes, sir," I said.

I took a seat in the back of the room away from the miscreants who were actually being punished. There were only a couple. I think Marv's presence had sent some of the usual troublemakers into hiding. Or at least convinced them to clean up their acts during school hours.

I was stacking my books in order of my class schedule when Dr. Stirling, Mr. Dunwoody and Mrs. Montero entered the room. Followed by Coach Tucker, Mrs. Stirling, Elise, Morgan, Marshawn Taylor, Reggie Terrell, Danny Mathis and Jordan Johnson. I have no idea what was going on here, but I don't think the superintendent would've brought so many witnesses if he was intent on confronting me about deflowering his daughter.

My schoolmates gathered around where I was seated while the administrators took up station in front of us.

"I'd like to thank you all for agreeing to participate in this pilot program," Dr. Stirling said in greeting. "It is our hope this will become a regular part of our educational system. This will allow those of you already planning to graduate early to cover more of the curriculum, thus better preparing you for college. My vision for the future is to include more gifted students like Miss Ensberry who are already performing at a college level."

I took that to mean Elise and my teammates would be joining college programs in January. Morgan was included because scary smart. I appeared to be the outlier in this little experiment.

"Understand this is only provisional," Coach warned us football players. "Your continued participation in this program depends on the quality of your work. If anyone's grades slip, they'll be back in their regular classes."

"Yes, sir," we chorused.

"Mrs. Stirling has agreed to oversee things for the rest of the semester," her husband said. "She will provide each of you with a list of assignments from you regular teachers each week. We'll get started on that tomorrow, but the plan is to get the information to you on Monday mornings moving forward."

Hey, I was just glad they hadn't tapped Grandma for the job.

"We're also exploring having your teachers come in for consultations as needed," Mrs. Montero said. "Those will likely be later in the week during their conference periods. There shouldn't be more than one a week with each teacher until it's time for semester exams, which will include material you'd normally cover in the spring, so read ahead."

"We're also looking at moving you into a different location so you don't interfere with ISS," Dunwoody said. "Right now, that could be the cafeteria or the library, but both get a lot of traffic you'd have to deal with."

"How about the team room in the fieldhouse?" Coach suggested. "Miss Stirling is the only one I don't expect to see out there in fourth period. The only conflict will be freshman athletics in first period, and they're starting offseason this week. I see them spending most of the time in the weightroom or out on the field."

"We'll look into it," Dr. Stirling said. "Right now, let's get these people studying independently."

My new classmates spread out and took seats as the four adults not staying with us moved to the door. Dr. Stirling had to get in a shot before they left.

"Oh, and Mr. Robinson," he said, waiting until he had everyone's attention.

"Yes, sir?"

"No footrubs," he commanded. "Or anything else. I'll be checking."

"Yes, sir," I said, wondering if he was aware I'd boinked his little girl.

From the way his wife and daughter blushed, I don't think he was. Let's see how long we can keep it that way.

Mrs. Stirling waited until her husband and the others were gone before addressing me.

"Mrs. Cohen's husband is supposed to be here this afternoon to speak with you," she said without giving anything away. "It'll have to be after sixth period. You and Elise are supposed to report to Mr. Debussy's room for a lab exercise."

"Yes ma'am," I said.

"What are you planning to do this morning?" she asked.

"Get started on Algebra II, maybe do some reading for Western Civ," I said. "English IV is supposed to start on 'Hamlet' today, so I guess I should start reading the play."

"I'll leave you to it, then," she said, turning to go see to the others.

"Uh, ma'am?" I said, regaining her attention. "I need to do some extra running at some point. Coach Johnson was going to let me do it during third period."

"Let's see how much work you can get done by the end of second period," she said before turning away again.

I grabbed the Algebra II book and turned to the chapter we were supposed to start today. I read through the first section of the chapter, then started working problems. I got five done before I had to read more of the chapter to see how the next few were supposed to be solved. Morgan came over while I was working.

"What'd you do to get extra running this time?" she asked with a hint of an evil grin.

"Didn't get home on time last night," I said, continuing to work. "A bunch of the dads came over to the Osborne house to watch football yesterday. Your father had me blocked in and Coach Tucker called before he moved his car."

"Why didn't you just tell him you were staying there?" she asked.

"Because my mother insisted I go home because of a little incident earlier in the day," I said. "A lady from the HOA showed up with a cop and a lady from CPS and accused me of holding a drinking party."

"Were you drinking?" Morgan asked.

"No, but some of the guests brought their own refreshments," I said.

"What guests?" she asked, as tenacious as a bulldog.

"Your dad, my dad, my grandfather, Bill Richards, George Patterson, the owner of Tri-Star Security, the governor," I smirked. "Their wives showed up a little later in the afternoon. So did Coach Tucker. He was there when my mother said I should come home."

"The governor was in your house?!?!?!" my first official girlfriend gasped.

"Mr. Patterson invited him," I said. "The lady from the HOA seemed a little put out at being upstaged. I can't wait to see what her next move's gonna be."

Actually, I could wait. Decades, if need be.

"You two need to quit gabbing and get to work," Mrs. Stirling said from the other side of the room.

"I'm helping Gary with algebra," Morgan said, suddenly becoming interested in the equations I was copying down.

"Then do it quietly," Mrs. Stirling commanded.

"Yes, ma'am," we said in unison.

Morgan pulled a desk next to mine and we began working in earnest. I had more than a dozen problems done by the time the bell ending first period rang.

Since I didn't need to relieve myself or get a drink, I worked straight through the break and kept going as the tardy bell rang. I had more than 40 done by the time second period ended. That'd probably cover the assignments for the week, but I'd work the rest of them just to cover my butt.

Mrs. Stirling looked at what I'd accomplished and grudgingly granted permission to go run gassers. I think the fact that I was doing them as punishment instead of just for fun helped sway her decision. Also, it'd keep me away from her daughter for a little while.

It was drizzling lightly when I stepped out into the senior lot. It wasn't going to be much fun running in the rain, but I may as well get it done while I had the chance. I grabbed my running shoes out of the car and went to the fieldhouse to change.

I caught a break when I entered the locker room. Coach Rogers was putting sets of sweats in the lockers. I was able to change into my workout clothes — compression shorts, nylon shorts, compression top — by the time he got to me. The socks must have been fresh out of the dryer. My little piggies were nice and warm. Lacing up the shoes, I pulled on the hooded sweat top and headed out.

Let's see if I can get 50 before fourth period starts.