The Three Museteers

THE THREE MUSKETEERS 2.0

A continuation of February Sucks in Greenville.

PREAMBLE RAMBLE; This takes place around 2 years after February Sucks, 4 years after Hal's Story Part 2. As I never planned on writing this or the February story there may be some continuity issues as far as the kids ages and Hal's business growth go. I tried to make it work. Many of the characters have appeared in both stories.

One comment made me think how the events affected the children. I haven't read all the FS stories so I don't know if anyone else have done it. I tried to convey that in this story. It was hard to think like a 10/12 year old White girl. I'm not a woman, I'm a 61 year old Black man. And honestly who knows how a woman thinks no matter what age or color they are.

This story is told from several characters perspectives so parts are repeated from their point of view. This will probably irritate some people.

This story hopefully ties up a lot of loose ends that people questioned. It might being up more questions.

Another question is this Greenville in North or South Carolina. Here's the thing. Its in North Carolina but its not the actual Greenville. I lived in Gastonia which is about 10 minutes or 90 minutes outside of Charlotte depending on when you drive in I85. Those who know know. Why I started with Greenville and not Gastonia. Greenville sounded more American. And I never thought I would be 25 plus stories into this. Most if not all places you can Google. I have visited Greenville NC, nice town if you like Purple and Yellow.

I read comments up to a certain level. Anything over twenty I stop because its usually the same thing over and over. Because they kind of repeat. I take what people write into consideration. I worried about ratings when I first started writing. I checked and have seen the progression of improvement over time. My first story is my lowest rated which ishould be expected. Romance stories rate higher then Loving Wives.

I do appreciate constructive criticism. Especially those that actually point out where I made a mistake (usually grammar) instead of just saying, you suck and need an editor.

I've never been a writer, always a talker. I'm a better story teller than writer. I've spoken in front of thousands of people. Talked to some very important during my years in the fire service. Putting words on the page is something I've thought about. Until I got sick. If it wasn't for doing this I don't know where I would be mentally. Its given me something to look forward to each morning. So, while I want people to enjoy my stories, I do them for selfish reasons, for myself.

Hope you enjoy the story.

TIA MARIA

"Tía María, necesitamos tu ayuda pero puede que no quieras hacerlo." (

Aunt Maria, We need your help but you might not want to do it.)

"What would you say that for Lita?" I responded to my niece. I love when they try to speak Spanish. She is almost fluent now. She wasn't my niece by birth but by love. Her, her sister Kira, her best friend Heidi and new sister Madison. Among so many other kids of coworkers who have taken to calling me Aunt. But those four are as tight as four people can be and not be related by blood. I know people call them the Three Musketeers 2.0. 2.0 because they call me, Jennifer, Kim and Ingrid the Three Musketeers also.

These people are my family. Jose and I have never been able to have kids. For some reason all the kids have gravitated towards me and Jose. Our house would be full of girls all weekend in the summer. I got calls when they had problems they didn't want to tell their parents. And being an only child I have those three ladies who have become closer than sisters. They didn't have to choose me as a hermana/amiga (

sister/friend)

but they did. I am truly blessed.

Back to what Lita wanted. "Its Madison's mom Tia, She's worried about her mother. She's been really lonely. She knows she messed up her marriage but all she does is work and stay home. She never goes out and is always sad. Its been affecting Madison and Sean for a while now. It's been two years and nothing has changed."

Madison's Dad married Lita and Kira's Mom, Kim who became one of my best friends, almost two years ago. She was cheating with a pro football player. The separation and divorce got ugly for a while. Zan, Madison's father, was violently beat up. They weren't able to prove it but everyone believed her lover had something to do with it. Zan had sued him for Alienation of Affection and ended up winning in the end. Zan works in our planning department as an architect and is a really nice guy.

I haven't had much contact with Olivia, Madison's mom. I do know Zan is a very active father. He has the kids every weekend and for most of the summer every year.

¿Qué quieres que haga nena? (

What do you want me to do baby girl

)

"What you do best. Help us make a match. We think if she has someone in her life things will get better for her, Madison and Sean. There is a guy that works with music program that Heidi's mom runs that would be prefect for her. They are about the same age. He's a nice looking guy. Just moved into the area six months ago."

Just then the door burst open revealing the other Musketeers. Kira, Heidi and Madison. The three oldest would be starting their sophomore year in high school. Its hard to believe they were so young when we first met. Madison is a sixth grade herself. I still remember her trailing after the girls like a star struck fan. They could so no wrong by her. She had the big sisters she never knew she needed and they had the little sister they wanted. They came into each others lives at the right time. Madison really needed them after the divorce.

"Did you ask her?" Kira, Lita's sister asked expectantly.

"¿Nos podrías ayudar tía, por favor?" (

Will you help us out aunty, please will you.)

Madison says in very poor Spanish but she tries so hard its cute. How can you say no.

"Of course I asked, what do you think I was just doing. I'm waiting for her to say yes" Lita says.

"What makes you think I'm going to say yes? I have a business to help run ya know. I'm a very busy person. Yes, very important busy person." I say trying not to laugh.

"Tia Maria, you sit back and boss other people around who do the real work. How hard can that be?" Heidi said with a too hearty laugh that the others soon join in.

"Oh really little girl. I make sure your father does even less then me. So what makes you think this guy, whats his name, is good for Maddie's mom? Besides being cute of course."

"Mr. Gregg, He's a really nice guy, He plays the piano and kids love to take his classes. He's never been married and doesn't have any kids. From what other people say he doesn't go out to clubs or drink alcohol. He moved here from Colorado and doesn't know a lot of people." Heidi explains. "Mom speaks very highly of him.

"Okay, he seems like a nice guy. The key to match making is having something in common that can bring each other together. For most of the couples we've matched its always been at the barbecues, like you did with Heidi's mom and dad. (We don't use stepfather when talking about Hal and Heidi) If you can arrange a blind date that might work. But they both have to be open to dating. It doesn't sound like Olivia has any interest in that, unless there is something I don't know. Would she be interested in that Madison?"

Madison looked thoughtful for a 12 year old. Like it was the most important thing in the world. Maybe for her it was. I knew she loved her mother obviously. She also loved Kim, she called her M2 for Mom 2. So far Kim and Olivia got along as far as I heard. And I hear everything. "I don't know. Its not something we really talk about."

"So the introduction is the key huh?' Kira said. 'How about we get Sean to say he wants to take drum lesson at the music school. Get his mom to take him on a tour and accidentally meet Mr. Gregg."

"That could work except how do you get them to talk to each other? What if he's busy? He doesn't teach drums so it might feel like a to obvious set up. There's a lot that could go wrong. I recommend you talk to your mom Madison. See how she would feel about dating. Even let her know you know a nice guy she may like."

I could see all four pondering how to get this done. Finally Madison said she would talk to her mom and see where her head was at. The girls fled out the office like a herd of buffalo saying bye to everyone in the office. It gave me a chance to go back and actually do my job.

MADISON

I've been worried about Mom for a while. I didn't understand the divorce when it happened. I knew what a divorce was. A lot of my friends had divorced parents and I had talked to some of them. I learned she did something bad with someone. I don't know what she did to make Dad leave. I thought she could apologize and everything would be okay. That's what we always did when we did something wrong. Maybe the guy who she made the mistake with had beaten up my dad pretty badly one night. It was the worst day of my life seeing my father in the hospital like that. His arm was in a cast and his face swollen with one eye closed. It took him months to get better.

When we got to the hospital he blamed Mom's boyfriend for hurting him. I've never seen her look like that. When dad yelled at her she froze, then looked around and finally grabbed us and ran out of the hospital. She cried the whole way home and keep saying how sorry she was and it wasn't her fault. The only time she left her bedroom was to take and pick us from school or cook dinner. She was always crying. Sean didn't talk to get her for two days after the hospital visit. Grammy and Gram Pop also seemed upset with her. Grammy would just sit and shake her head at her. It didn't help with reporters coming to the door to try to interview her about dad getting beat up.

Mom stopped going anywhere. She was either at work or home. She would only go grocery shopping at night. It was like that for months. It got worse when the divorce was finalized and then she had to testify at a trial because Dad was suing her boyfriend. She would get mad whenever someone said that was her boyfriend. Really mad, screaming and yelling than running off into her bedroom to cry for hours.

I noticed Sean had stopped talking and going out also. He didn't play with his friends anymore. They had stopped coming by to play video games and stuff. He was really mad at mom most of the time. He even yelled at her a couple of times which of course caused her to cry more. We talked once and he said one of the boys at school had said something to him about Mom. He punched him during recess and was almost suspended. I didn't know he called Gramp Pop to come to the school. He got a week in school detention instead of being suspended. I guess I was lucky, I didn't have any problems in school while all that was going on.

After the divorce Grammy and Gramp Pop would do more around the house. Pick us up from school, spend more time with us and cook dinner. Mom wasn't the same person. She never smiled or laughed. She didn't talk to us as much as before. She was more sad when we got back from staying at Dad's house for the weekend. Grammy would always mention therapy but mom refused at least for a while. It didn't help when Dad took Sean and me to Disney World in California for a week after he won his case against Mom's boyfriend. We came trying to tell her about the trip. It was our first time flying on a plane. All the rides we went on and food we ate. Seeing the whales and dolphins. I never noticed how Mom was reacting. And that she spent all day in her bedroom. She ordered pizza and wings instead of cooking for 2 days.

I hoped things would get better but they got even worse when Dad met Kim at a barbecue. They had known each other for a while. But 2 months after the divorce they started dating. I knew her daughters but not that well. They were older than I am.

Things got serious pretty quickly between Dad and Kim. They only dated 6 months before Dad proposed and she accepted. We were spending more time together and I got to know my new sisters more and more. That included Heidi who was their best friend/sister.

It was nice having someone I could talk too. Lita and Kira are really cool. Even though they are 4 years older they treat me nice and take me wherever they go. I've spent the night over Heidi's house countless times. Had slept overs at Tia Maria's with a bunch of other girls from the company. It was like I had a whole new family. But my old family had fallen apart and my mother wasn't acting like my mother.

When Dad got married I think Mom took it really hard. Of course Sean and I were in the wedding. He was a Groomsman and I was the flower girl. There were 350 people there. Dad and Kim's friends and family. I'm sure 250 were from Dad's job.

It's been two years now. Mom is a little better but you can tell she's not happy. She still doesn't go anywhere. Always work or home. She's not the same Mom I grew up with. I decided I need to do something. Maybe if she found someone like Dad did with Kim she would feel better. I'm glad I talked to my sisters. Heidi said there is a new guy at her Mom's music school that is a hottie. We just need a plan to get them together. And who better than Tia Maria.

TIA MARIA

Two weeks later they come bursting into my office again. High powered important people don't get into my office easily. That's why I have an assistant to stop people from bursting in. I'm glad I wasn't on the phone. "To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure of your visit today ladies?"

"We have a great idea Tia Maria. We're 100% sure it will work!" Kira excitedly says

"Okay okay, whats this great plan you have?" I couldn't wait to hear this.

"We have a we a staff and VIP party!" And they all stand there looking at me waiting for my response.

"Okay, a party is nice. But there will be lots of people there. How do you get Olivia and this Gregg guy together? And more importantly who is going to pay for this fiesta?"

"Simple, we say Madison wants to take piano lessons at the Music School. And when we go to the party we introduce them." Lita says with all the confidence in the world.

"Okay but, you say Olivia isn't ready to date. How do you get past that?"

"We start working on her now. Getting her out of the house more. Saying how pretty she still is. How she should be going out more often. We figure in two or three weeks she's be ready and open to dating." Madison added.

"So how do you get your parents to organize a party of all things just so Olivia and Mr. Gregg and can meet?

"That might be a little tough. But its the only thing we can think of." Kira said in frustration.

Giving it some thought. These girls were not going to let this go. "How about this, Madison says she wants to take Piano lessons, her Mom takes her to the school to look around. And that way they can met. When that happens you find out he's new to the area. Heidi can be there to help out. Then later on she invites him to a barbecue since he doesn't know anyone. Your mom will probably have to take care of that Heidi. Now the problem comes in getting your mother to the barbecue. How does your father feel about all this Maddie?" I don't think that was something they thought about.

"I don't know, we never talk about my mother when we're together." She says a little sadly.

"I'll talk to Zan. Heidi, you talk to your mother to see how she feels about all this. In the meantime start working on getting Olivia out of the house more. That's a good place to start. Even if this Mr. Gregg plan doesn't work she'll be better off anyway." We chatted about some other things, school, Kira had a boyfriend and the oldest were taking drivers education. They wouldn't tell me the boyfriends name because they didn't want Tio Jose checking him out.

I went back to work. I actually do work here contrary to popular belief. I run the office with 6 people in it. Make sure the contracts are signed correctly, orders done and paid for, the employees and vendors are paid. I take pride in the trust Hal has given me. Jose and I have both been able to grow as the company has grown. It would have been easy for Hal to bring in someone with a college degree but he trust me. He knows I'll work hard for him. We've built a family here. Its more than a company that builds things. We take care of each other. When Able's mom passed away without insurance we all got together and made sure he had enough money to bury his mom. The time Debbie had a car accident and the guys got her a good used car to replace her old one. Not even that, everyone is called Aunt or Uncle, Cousin. Niece or Nephew. Someone is always having a barbecue and everyone is invited. Doesn't matter what department you work in.

This Olivia situation is a little outside the box. She's is Zan's ex-wife who cheated on him. Not only that but her lover was possibly and most likely involved in his severe beating. Most believe she had nothing to do with it. But you know, if she wasn't then he wouldn't. She was guilty by association. The quandary was that the kids, Sean and Madison, were also part of our family. And when they hurt we all hurt. I had heard they were having issues with how their mother was acting. Its hard for kids to see their parents hurting. And it got worse as they got older and more aware. Seeing their father in a happy and loving relationship made the contrast all the more stark.

We were all surprised when Zan and Kim got together as a couple. We had been trying to fix her up with someone since we met her at one of Hal's BBQ's. She was renting the house next door that Hal owned. Everyone loved her and her two girls. We loved but also were surprised that Zan had bounced back so quickly and found love less than six months after his divorce. Not as surprised that it was Kim he fell for. She's a beautiful woman but she never showed any interest in a serious relationship. She wasn't easy and going out with different men. She focused on the girls and her job.

The Musketeers weren't going to let this go so I had to see where Zan's head was at. I walked down to his office and knocked on the door.

"Oh, what brings this unexpected pleasure of your appearance. I know I'm not in trouble. I don't think anyone did anything wrong."

"¿Por qué crees que hiciste algo mal para que te visitara? ¿No puedo pasar a saludarte?"

Why do you think you did something wrong for me to visit. Can't I come by to say hello?

"Oh I know I'm in trouble now." He said with a stupid grin. I still have a heavy Mexican accent. The joke around the office is I speak Spanish when I mad or upset. We have enough Mexican workers that most of the employees at Green Construction speak at least a little Spanish.

"You keep up that attitude you will be. I came to talk to you about something personal if its okay?"

"Sure Maria, you want me to get rid of Jose and you need a place to bury the body?"

"Funny man, I know enough places to bury a body thank you very much. Its about Olivia, well her and Madison." That got his attention.

"What's going on with Madison and Olivia. Have you heard something?"

"Relax, its not bad, the Musketeers have it their head to fix Olivia up with a new music teacher at the Lynn's music school. Madison is worried about her mother. She knows she messed up but she still doesn't go out and socialize. Just work and home, even after all this time. From what they say she sounds depressed."

He was thoughtful for a while. I didn't know how much he knew about what was going on with his ex-wife. Or even if he cared at this point.

"I haven't really talked to Olivia over the last 2 years unless its about the kids. I haven't noticed anything but then again I wasn't looking for anything either. Sean or Madison hasn't said anything to me or Kim about it."