Chapter 14
53. Home, but not alone
They left West Virginia at 7 AM. William was not taking any chances that Jemma was going to get home before he was. He nearly broke protocol when they pulled up in front of his Brownstone. Frank blocked his attempt to open the car door, and asked him what the fuck he was doing.
"I have to get ready for my wife, otherwise she's going to kill me."
"What would happen if she's already inside?"
"I didn't think about that."
"Sir, that's the first time I've ever heard you say you didn't think. Relax, we have to make sure the house is secure, before you step into it. If Jemma is in there, we will take you to a grocery store, and bring back a gallon of butter pecan ice cream for her. She may be angry with you, but when she sees the ice cream, she will think you are the most thoughtful husband in the whole world."
"I don't know how much I pay you, but you just received a $10,000 a month raise. After the house is checked, I want you to go to the store, and get me the best butter pecan ice cream they have, and get it back here, before she does."
"There is an ice cream store, where I can get fresh packed ice cream for her. I believe she will love it."
"Get me a few gallons of it, and tell the owner of that store never to run out of it. Tell him if he does, I'll make sure he goes out of business."
"Yes sir."
"The house is clear."
"Are you ready Mr. Zabo?"
"As soon as I am in the house, you get going."
"Yes sir."
The agents formed a box in one around him, and escorted William into the house. William Junior was next, followed by Patrick, and then Audra.
Junior turned around and said to his brother, "What the hell are you doing here? You have a home of your own around the corner."
"I guess the guards are going to take me out the back, and into my home through the backyard. Either that, or they forgot where I am living now."
"I will make sure they know the new living arrangements. I don't want to hear you and Audra bouncing off the walls."
"We don't use the walls anymore. We use the ceiling fans."
"Dad should never have turned you loose. You were respectful, while you were a virgin. Now you're just impossible."
"You must admit my smile is wider."
"I don't give a tinker's damn about your smile. You have become evil, just like dad."
"Thanks Will, I believe that's the nicest thing you have ever said to me."
The brothers hugged, then William pushed Patrick away.
"Get the hell out of this house. I don't want to see, or hear you two, until dinner, unless of course, you and Audra are still busy screwing around."
"We will set an alarm to make sure we leave enough time to shower, and get into our clothes. We will be at dinner on time. We will be able to rest, before our evening recreation begins."
"Damn, it would be wonderful to be 16 again. All that youthful energy, and a beautiful girl at your disposal."
"From what I've heard William, you didn't do too bad yourself."
"I am not complaining, little brother; I am just remembering."
William Senior walked down the stairwell, and looked at his sons.
"Patrick take Audra and go to your new home. If you are here when our wives return, you could be injured in the calamity that will follow."
Junior asked, "Dad isn't that one of your bullet resistant suits?"
"Yes it is. Your mother may not have a weapon, with bullets in it, but her fists are deadly weapons, and I want to protect myself as much as possible."
"That is a fantastic idea, dad. I think I will put one of mine on. From my conversation with mom, I could be in as much trouble as you are."
"I am still a little smarter than you are William. I sent Frank to get a few gallons of fresh butter pecan ice cream. I will keep them between your mother, and me. She won't know whether to kill me, or kiss me."
"Give me Frank's number. I'll have him pick up a few gallons of Rum Raisin ice cream. I hope they get me the same result you are hoping for."
Patrick said, "Goodbye you two, I am not getting married before my 30
th
birthday. I don't have to put up with that garbage until then."
"Remember Pat, I have $100 that says you're getting married before then."
"Give dad a $100 bill, Will, and let him frame it. It is as good as mine."
"Dad, PLEASE!"
"If the bet was for $100 million, I would say yes. It is only for $100, so I have to say no."
"Patrick go home before I lose my temper."
"I love you big brother."
"Do you see what I mean dad; he can ruin your entire month."
"He is learning from you, and he is learning very quickly. You should be very proud of yourself; you are doing an excellent job."
"Are you trying to ruin the following month, dad?"
"No, my son, I am telling you that when I am gone, you are going to be the best Chief Executive Officer any company has ever seen."
"I told you Will, I may be smart, but we will run our companies together, with no animosity between us."
"Patrick, go home."
"Did you know Audra can cook?"
"No I didn't."
"Yes, she is a brilliant chef. She has come up with a formula to burn water."
"Get out of here, and go home."
"We better go Audra. If I say one more word, I believe he will hit me. Goodbye dad."
"Goodbye Patrick, dinner is at 7. We
will
start without you."
"We will be here early, or on time, dad."
**********************************
"Sir, Frank, and Sam are back with the ice cream."
"Excellent, make sure there is room in the freezer."
Frank walked in carrying a huge box.
"That's 1 gallon of ice cream?"
"No Mr. Zabo, he had nothing to put 1 gallon of ice cream in. He made me a deal I couldn't pass by. I purchased the entire 5-gallon drum for the price of 3 gallons of the butter pecan and rum raisin ice cream. I gave him $500, and told him if he ever ran out of either of these ice creams, you would force him into bankruptcy.
It turns out that Jemma is a regular customer of his, and threw her, he knows you. He will never run out of either of these two ice creams. He will even deliver them if you wish."
"That was very kind of him. How are we supposed to put those in the freezer?"
"You don't have to sir; they are packed in dry ice. They will be good for 6 days or more."
"You can tell our men about that store, and if they desire, they can go there and put it on our corporate card."
"The men will thank you for that sir."
******************
At 11:30, 3 SUVs screeched to a halt in front of the townhouse. The agent at the door yelled, "Someone is home; I believe it's Jemma."
Junior ran down the stairwell, freshly showered, shaved, and in his best bulletproof suit, just in case Danny was wrong.
"It is Jemma, sir, and tornado warnings are out."
Frank handed the 5 gallons of Butter Pecan ice cream to William, while Sam handed the Rum Raisin to Junior.
The husbands stood as far away from the front door as possible, with huge smiles on their faces.
Security let Jemma in. Her eyes and ears were rimmed in a color red that made them look purple. She saw William's face smiling at her, and her heartbeat doubled. How could that bastard be happy, after what she went through? She started walking toward him, with a deadly purpose. He didn't back away as he usually would. He was holding an explosive device in front of him to keep her away.
"Goodbye children, if this is the way your father wants it, I'll play his game. I'm going to kill him for deserting me, in my time of need, and I'm going to die with him."
She looked to see what type of bomb he was holding.
'Butter Pecan- 5 Gallons.' She stopped in her tracks and reread the label on the bomb. It said the same thing she saw the first time. 'Butter Pecan - 5 Gallons' 'Holy shit, you can't make a bomb out of Butter Pecan ice cream. He remembered I Love Butter Pecan ice cream. He bought me 5 gallons of it from the store I love. How did he know? He doesn't remember our baby's names, but he remembers I love Butter Pecan ice cream, and buys it at the store I love. I am going to kill him, but not until I finish that ice cream.
Jemma screamed, "William, dining room, now."
"After you dear."