The man in front of the computer held an empty glass of scotch and looked about for the bottle only to find it laying empty in the graveyard of take out food. He slowly rose from the cushy black leather chair and left the dark room heading to the bathroom to clean up for his trip back to society.
Steam from the shower still lingered in the air as he wiped clear a slot on the huge mirror and looked into his reflection seeing a man he didn't know. His beard was getting long and scraggly as was his hair, looking like a character from a barbarian movie more than the handsome bachelor of the year he had known. Once bright green eyes now hung low and dulled from pain of pressure and fear of failure. He forced a comb through the knots in his main and oiled his electric clippers before attacking the disheveled facial hair. Beneath it all a hansom 35 year old man appeared, the same man he once knew. Now after being pimped out to the point of breaking his soul lost it's spark, and he felt like a shell of his former self. He put on a leather jacket and stepped out the front door into the crisp rainy fall weather in search of booze.
He contemplated taking his nice new sports car which was a gift from his publisher who he had made filthy rich and pondered how moss could grow so fat on a rolling stone. In the end he chose to walk in the rain, hoping to clear his mind with a hit fresh air. O'Tooly's Pub was his destination and after a mild walk he arrived, with his feet soaked to the bone he did not hesitate to enter. His eyes danced about the room until he spotted a nice quiet corner by the fireplace and laid his jacket near it to dry.
Jamie the resident waitress locked on to her favorite patron and made a bee line for his table. He admired her well sculpted body clearly the product of good clean living and lots of exercise. Her jet black hair was pulled back in a pony tail leaving her soft features and bright crystal blue eyes unframed as there was no need need to accentuate her beauty. Her stride proudly depicted a women who knew her commanding allure and used it against the arrogant young men who were her peers.
“Oh my gosh Xander! How have you been? It's been way to long since you came to see me last.” She walked over and gave him a big hug before taking a seat across from him at the small table.
“Well, I have been under a lot of pressure from my publisher to get this new book off the ground. I spent the last 2 months locked in my house trying to force it out.”
“What's this one about? Is it the love story I have been begging you for?” She smiled and winked.
“I'm not sure, to be honest. In 4 months I haven't wrote one word, I think I have lost my muse.”
“That's no good.” Jamie replied with a frown.
“Well what can I get you to drink, the usual?”
“Ahhhh, no I think it's time to try something new. Bring me what every you think will do me good.”
“What do you mean hun, I'm already hear.” She slipped him an enticing smile before getting up and walking to the bar shaking her ass a little more than normal just for Xander.
While waiting he scanned the room silently checking out each individual and trying to read them. People watching was like a hobby to him, which sometimes fruitfully produced and idea for a character or story. To his left sat a lovey dovey young couple buried deep in each others eyes lost in the trashing seas of new love. In the center of the room sat 4 loud and brash frat boys pounding beers and liquor like cavemen and disrupting the even flow of a quiet night.
Jamie walked from around the bar with a tall bright green drink in hand and made her way back to Xander, but on the way she way rudely stopped by the table of repugnant frat boys.
“Hey gorgeous we need another pitcher stat, and if you hurry I'll let you give me your number.” The ring leader frat boy then slapped her ass as she walked away so hard it made her jolt, causing her to spill Xanders drink all over the her shirt.
“You jackass!” She yelled out, causing a scene.
The frat boys began to laugh and point cracking jokes under their breath and high fiving each other like the drunken ass hats they were. Xander jumped to his feet and stormed over to Jamie.
“Are you alright.” he asked as she toweled herself off, but she was to mad to talk as a tear welled in the corner of her eye.
“It's time they go.” Terry the pub owner said as he reached for the bat behind the counter.
“Don't worry Terry I'll take care of it. Just have my back if they start kicking my ass alright.” Xander said cracking a smile.
His smile grew sharper as he turned to the table of simpleton nitwits. From the dark end of the bar he noticed a man watching his every move closely. How these guys could treat a person like that let alone a stunningly beautiful young girl, was appalling.
“Hey!” He growled at them as he slammed his hands down on the table causing every glass to shake and one to fall over spilling stale beer in the lap of one of the cronies.
“What the hell do you think your doing treating her like that. She's not some objective piece of ass for you to grab at and disrespect. Now get your crap and go before you find yourselves in a grievous amount strife.”
The brutish young men threw their chairs back as the jumped to their feet ready to brawl.
“I'm gonna shove those big words back down your skinny throat, you pencil neck piece of.” Xander stopped the ring leader short by hitting him with a blind left cross to his jaw, knocking him to the floor.
His friends were not pleased and all came at him at once. Xander backed up to a clear spot on the floor throwing his fists up ready to fight. It was three to one soon to be four as the guy he had hit stammered to his feet. The frat boys all yelled and threatened him acting as a distraction for the other two frat boys who had been playing pool in the corner behind him, one of which had a pool cue in hand. He swung the cue at Xanders back but to the attackers shock a guy at the end of the bar came out of the shadows unseen and stopped the cue with his left forearm and with the flat of his palm struck the attacker on the bridge of his nose. Blood immediately came streaming from his face like an open tap, and he fell flat on his ass covering his face with his hands. Xander turned his head just long enough to see him fall, then turned to the other three in front of him who took advantage of the distraction and sent a flurry of blows at Xander who covered his face.
The good samaritan who had protected his back grabbed the back of Xanders shirt collar and spun him around so that he faced the single attacker and took his spot against the three. The other frat guy who had been playing pool instead of fighting Xander went to his wounded friends aid. Xander then turned to help the good samaritan, but it was clear he needed no help as he blocked each punch thrown his way.
The stranger moved like nothing Xander had ever seen, cold and calculating yet fluent and smooth. Each strike was precisely planed and executed with pin point accuracy. Like a surgeon he disabled each opponents as the opportunity arose. He avoided every blow using the momentum of his dodge to propel the next attack. The ring leader was done shaking off the first blow and entered the dieing fight as three of the six lay on the ground either unconscious or in submission. The ring leader threw a strong hay-maker with his right arm only to be stopped dead by the good samaritan, who put up his forearms to block, and after stopping the heavy armed attack he returned a double fisted hit to the frat boys sternum sending him staggering back clutching his gut gasping for air. The other frat guy tried to sweep the samaritans legs but he was blocked by a strong flat footed boot to his shin, which cracked the bone making a spine shivering crunch immediately putting him out of commission as he fell to the ground wailing in pain. Only the the frat ring leader was still standing, he grabbed the steak knife from his plate and thrust it straight for the samaritans chest, he dodged the thrusting stab by stepping left and moved in on the attacker using his right arm to push the knife wielding arm away and kneed him in the ribs causing the attacker to gasp hard, but before he could breath in the samaritan threw his right arm straight past the left side of the frat boys head as if he missed the punch but it was the return that was meant to strike. His elbow hit the back of the ring leaders head so hard it bounced his chin off of his chest and all the way back before he fell face first to the floor.
Xander stood awestruck by the ninja like samaritan's ability, but left his back turned for to long as the frat guy who had not fought but instead helped his friends, grabbed a beer mug and smashed it over the crown of Xanders skull.
Xander started to black out losing consciousness and control as the samaritan caught him by his collar before he hit the floor.
“Jamie I'll take care of him just tell the cops you didn't know me and have Terry trash the tape or something.”
“Alright Kale we'll tell em, just make sure he's alright.” Jamie walked to the phone and called the police as Kale the samaritan carried an unconscious Xander out the door.
Xander came to about 20 minutes later to find himself in an unfamiliar place laying on a strange couch with a painful headache. Looking around he tryed to focus his sight. Xander could see what looked more like an gym than a home. He slowly sat up rubbing his throbbing head, discovering the stitches on top of it.
“What the shit is going on?” Xander said while trying to stand only to fall back onto the couch due to a slight instability issue.
Kale came from around the corner holding an ice pack and tall glass of water.
“Hey Xander right? My name is Kale I'm the guy who helped you at the bar. Do you remember what happened?”
“Yeah you kicked some punks asses and I got clobbered from behind. After that it's a bit touch and go. Did I go to the hospital?” Xander pointed to his head inquiring about the stitches.
“No I stitched you up and don't worry I don't think you have a concision. Besides the head ache I am assuming you have, you'll be fine.”
“Not to be an ungrateful douche but are you a doctor? How do you know I'm fine?” Xander softly poked the tender area around the gash.
“Well to be frank no I am not a doctor, but I do have a medical degree. If you would like I can take you to the hospital.” Kale handed him the ice pack and water, then pulled an orange prescription bottle out of his pocket and gave him 2 little white pills.
“No I guess you earned some trust. What are these?” Xander asked holding the pills under the lamp on the end table next to the couch to inspect them.
“G.H.B.” Kale said calmly.
“Ha, really what is it?”
“It's just T3's it will help with the pain.” Kale took one to appease Xander's skeptical side.
“Thanks for helping me, ah what did you say your name is?” Xander threw back the pills and glass of water.
“Kale, and no problem its kind of what I do.”
“What do you mean? You go out to bars at night and protect poor schmucks like me? Seems a bit comic bookish.” Xander sarcasticly asked.
“Well it's a much longer story than I care to spend time telling, so yeah that's about it.”
Xander's naturally snoopy personality brought him to his feet to instigate Kale's odd home. It looked like an old ware house that was cleaned up and turned into a loft.
“So what your a cage fighting super hero with a medical degree? Nice!” Xander walked over to a particular machine set off to the side of the room. The machine was attached to a steal I-beam with two metal bars like handles welded to it on each side at chest height. On the front of the beam was a box with four wooden boards about 1 and a half inches thick and a foot long, and upon flipping the switch the boards started to push out wards in a violent wave like motion.
“What is this, art?” Xander asked.
“No it's something I cooked up to help harden my stomach muscles.” Kale then stepped over to the contraption and demonstrated it's use.
Gripping the handles on the side tightly, he pressed his abdominal area against the box as each board violently struck his gut. Xander was intrigued and dumbfounded at the sight. Why would some body put themselves through that, he thought.
“If you like that check this out.” Kale motioned for Xander to follow him, as he walked over to another I-beam that looked like it had broom sticks hung on both sides. “This one is to help strengthen your shins and forearms against incoming blows.” Using his right hand he hit a red button in the center and the wooden bars began to move back and forth around a track fixed to the I-beam. There were two bars at head level; two at chest hight; and two down low by the knees. Kale put up his left arm then right arm blocking the incoming bars from hitting his head, he let the chest height bars smack his ribs and blocked the lower ones with the side of his calf. Each hit sounding more painful than the next as the wooden bars bounced off of his body. He hit the red button to stop it and turned to Xander who was cringing and rubbing his forearms as he imagined the pain it caused.
“You wanna try?” Kale asked with a grin.
“Hell no, why would any one want to do that to them self?” Xander waved his hands in protest.
“It helps to harden both the muscles and bones while improving hand eye coordination.”
“That's fine, I'm alright with being soft, and I should be going it's getting late.” Xander reached for his wallet pulled out a hundred dollar bill and held it out to Kale.
“Thanks for watching my back Kale, here I want to give you this for what you did. It's not much but it's all I got on me.”
“That's ok man, a good old fashion thank you is enough for me.”
“Really Kale I don't need it, if there is one thing I have enough of it's money.”
“I know. I enjoyed reading that column you used to do for the Post. Your book on the Iraq War was pretty good too.” Kale grabbed the copy of Xanders book from his shelf and tossed it to him.
“You know I took all of the photos in this one myself. Two years in Iraq and all I got was a Pulitzer prize winning best seller.” Xander smirked and pulled a pen from his pocket and signed the inner cover “Thanks for not letting me get my ass kicked Kale.” and added his John Hancock before tossing it back to him.
Kale chuckled as he read the autograph and put the book back on the shelf.
“If you don't want money at least let me treat you to lunch or sometime. How about you come by my place tomorrow and we can grab some grub? Come on Kale I got to return the favor some how. I'll write down my number and address for you here. When you get to the gate just buzz the box and I'll let you in. Show up when ever your ready to eat, I don't have much going on right now so I'm free all day.” Xander put on his coat and shook Kale's hand thanking him one last time before opening the door and leaving.
The rain had stopped which was a plus for Xander as he walked home. For the entire walk, his mind swam with ideas for a new book inspired by Kale the good samaritan, and after a few more pain killers when he reached home, Xander had now trouble falling asleep. As soon as his head hit the pillow he was out quicker than a dime store light bulb.
It was 1pm before Xander got out of bed. Most days he followed the same routine upon waking up, starting with a cup of coffee, then hitting the john, get the mail and then spend 6 to 8 hours doing nothing while sitting in front of his computer trying to write. Today though, he climbed out of bed and went straight to his office and began writing, plotting out a ruff guild line for his novel inspired by Kale. It had been a while since he wrote this freely, his mind feeding idea after idea and putting together the puzzle that was to be his new masterpiece. He typed with renewed vigor, his keyboard sounding off like an AK 47 as his fingers flew over head carpet bombing the keys. He was so locked into his work that he nearly missed the buzzer for the front gate ringing, he reached for a phone he could not find, due to the trash mountain he built on the desk. Jumping up to find a phone he stubbed the outer three toes on his right foot against the desk, releasing stream of obscenities that would make George Carlin blush, as the hopped on one foot trying to hold the other. He found a phone in the bathroom and picked it up before the stream of cures could dry up.
“Xander?” Kale's voice asked.
“Yeah come on in.” He went back to the office and sat back down for a second, and looked at his computer screen. 37 pages in an hour, that's a new record old boy.”
Kale walked up the long driveway admiring the well groomed landscaping of Xanders massive front yard. His house was well cared for but obviously not by Xander whose pockets went so deep he lost hope of finding the bottom. Xander met Kale at the front door and invited him in.
“Welcome to mi casa de la abundancia, make yourself comfy while I get some decent cloths on.” Xander was still in his lounge pants and robe.
“Mind if I take a look around? You have a lot of interesting stuff.” Kale asked polity as Xander walked away.
“Feel free.” Xander held up his right thumb in approval.
The house was a mixture of Victorian and modern leaning more to the Victorian side, The walls adorned by black and white photos and vibrant canvas paintings. Kale found himself before long in Xander's office, and with the computer still on he could not help but peek at the screen. Quickly catching onto the parallels he shared with the main character, he was flattered but part of him felt uneasy about being used for a story.
The walls in the office were used as a sort of trophy room, all of his awards and achievements were well framed and neatly hung. Amidst the awards were personal photos with celebrities and politicians of all sorts. Between his Pulitzer prize plaque and the picture of Xander shaking hands with the President was a smaller and much older award.
In the cheap black plastic frame was the “The Junior Writers Association first place prize awarded to Ryan Dennis for his short story entitled The Monster in My Head.” This award was centered on the wall opposite the behemoth desk.
“That is the first award I ever received, I was a 10 year old outcast, never getting picked to play kickball and sitting alone at lunch. I did what most kids in those shoes do, I receded into my own little world entertaining myself with stories I created and acting them out on the playground with an imaginary cast. It wasn't until my grandmother found my note book and submitted my story to the J.W.A. that it all changed. When I won first place my school had a celebration and put me at center stage. I almost pissed my pants in the middle of reading the story to my classmates. After that everybody wanted to be my friend and to act out my stories with me, from that point on I kept that award were I could always see it to remind me what I was capable of.” Xander pulled his tie tight then loosened it and pulled it to the side to give him the I care but not really look.
“What's it like to be so well known. I mean you don't get all these awards without people taking notice.”
“It's a lot of things like exhausting, exciting, irritating, and infuriating but most of all it's like never being alone but always felling like you are.”
“Well your parents should be proud.” Kale pointed to the picture of Xander and the President.
“Yeah well my mom went awol on Dad and I before I can remember, then my Dad over the years fell from booze to pills and from pills to meth, and died when I was 8. My grandma took me in after that. So who knows?”
“That's a raw deal, but I know the pain. I was in and out of foster homes from the day I was born. It's not as hard when your a kid because your cute and everyone wants a little kid running around, but as I got older and none of them kept me for more than a few months, it began to make me feel like that one puppy at the pound that never gets adopted. Once I reached my teens I was jaded and angry at the world and no one wants to adopt an angry young man. From that point on it was just me and my friend Martel, who was another system wash out like myself. Once I turned 17 I bounced from the orphanage and left it all behind, including Martel. To be frank I don't know why Martel never got adopted, he was a great kid real smart and respectful but still ended up aging out of the system.” Kale stopped the story short as painful repressed memories began to resurface.
“I thought I had it difficult growing up, but you take the cake my friend. Hey you turned out to be a badass so whats anyone gonna say?” Xander held out his hands palm up and cocked his head to the side while shrugging.
“Not much I would hope. I am getting pretty hungry though what do you feel like eating Xander?”
“I don't have a clue, I have eaten at every place in a 50 mile radius of here so take your pick. What ever you want to eat you get to eat. Have you ever tried Kobe beef? It's damn good.”
“Yeah, it's that overly expensive Japanese beef right?”
“Over priced I don't think so, it's worth every penny.” Xander said patting his average size belly.
“It was good but, I can't justify spending that much on food when half the world is starving. Once is enough for me, but if you don't mind a decent drive I know of a little rib place out near the dessert. It's got the best ribs hands down, I promise.”
“Sounds good to me, we can take the Areo.”
“What's an Areo?” Kale asked.
“You'll see, just follow me.”
Xander led Kale threw the house to the attached four car garage and flicked the lights on to showcase his baby, the black SSC Ultimate Areo. This car oozed sleek and sexy from the butterfly doors to the floor, and coast half a million dollars. It sat on a rotating pedestal with two spotlights spinning around it.
“Damn that looks fast.”
“Top end 260mph, 0-60 in 2.5. and it's one of only 25. You wanna drive?” Xander asked with a wicked smile.
“Nope! I'm fine riding shotgun, that's just to much car for me. From the sound of it you could feed a third world country for what it's worth.”
“Yeah you could and thesad part is I don't even drive it that much. Hop in and lets get this show rolling.” Xander said as he ducked down and disappeared into the ultra low profile car.
The two drove for some time without speaking, lucky the engine was loud enough to drowned out the awkward silence. Xander racked his mind for a subject that would not be to personal but would still lead to deeper information about Kale, who was now the spotlight of his new novel.
“So where did you learn to fight, a gym, a dojo, the military maybe?”
“When I was younger I spent a few years with a family that owned and ran a dojo. The father had all sorts of black belts in different disciplines, and spent 15 years serving as a Marine so he was one hard nose sun of a bitch. He really knew how to break a person down and make them sweat, but when he taught it didn't matter if you were his kid or someone elses, he always made you dig deep. I knew it was only a matter of time before I was bounced out of their life's so I soaked up as much as I could. In two years I got my first black belt and not even a month later Jace one of his sons beat the living hell out of a kid for mouthing off about his skill. When Jace's Dad found out he went berserk screaming about restraint and how he thought he had taught him better. I felt bad for the kid, he had a father and that father was so damn angry at him. No Dad should feel that kind of anger at a son, so I took the flack for Jace. I told him it was me and Jace had covered for me, they sent me away the next day. From that point on I trained daily and searched for new forms to study.”
“Damn you gave up what sounds like a good life for a kid who was just getting yelled at. You are a bigger man than I.” Xander reached out and turned down the radio.
“I knew I wasn't gonna be there much longer, so why not put Jace who learned his lesson and his father back on good terms. It seemed like the right thing to do.” Kale knew that Xander was prodding for more information to add to his book, but having a conversation that went deeper than a pint was a refreshing change of pace.
Xander began to sift through what he all ready knew about Kale in his mind to set up mental traps that most people fall for when being questioned. They are very subtle tricks that lead people to give up some of their most withheld secrets the kind of things that really drive or haunt a person.
“Have you always been so noble a man or is that something your adventures in life bestowed upon you?”
“I wouldn't call it noble it's just doing what I think is right.” Kale returned with an arched eyebrow.
“You lied to protect someone who did wrong. How is that the right thing?”
“I guess it's what you perceive to be right or wrong. If we were at war with each other right now, you would think you were doing the right thing and so would I, but one of us has to be wrong. We can't both be at war for the right reasons, we just see them as being right. Ideology and perception are crazy things that bring people to do crazy things. So I see a little lie to be justified by the greater outcome of uniting a father and son in turmoil.” The tone of Kale's voice grew slightly defensive as he spoke.
“Now I don't mean you were wrong for lying, that would be hypocritical because we all lie at times. I was just curious about what would make a person take that standpoint in the situation. I meant no disrespect.” The car went silent of a few minuets after that.
“What's your story Xander? Their has got to be more behind the brooding angst ridden renaissance man they talk about on television.”
“I told you about my parents, so my teens were a flurry of disappointments with the ladies then I out grew the awkwardness and things got better. I took on writing full time and now here I am.”
“Come one that's weak. Tell me about it like you are writing a book.”
“No really that's about it, my life is not that interesting. You can make all the money in the world and buy all the things you want, but that doesn't make you interesting. I mean I had some wild times but that's just filler to my story. Most of my life has been spent with my nose in a book or pen in hand.”
“You spent how many months in the middle of a war zone and your gonna tell me your not interesting. Don't short yourself man, for shit's sake you ran onto a battlefield armed only with a camera and a notebook when everyone else had guns. You risked your life while never taking another just to paint a picture and tell a story. It takes balls to shoot a camera at someone who is shooting RPG's and AK-47's back.”
“Ok you got me on that, it's just that I spend so much time talking about others that I have no interest in telling my own story. To me it's been my life and through living it I have become desensitized to it.”
“You see Xander in some ways we are a lot alike. You would rather listen and let a person vent while telling their tail, than to tell your own. I would rather take a punch to the face for someone who does not deserve it than to see them get beaten. We both think outwards more than inwards and I would like to think that's the right thing to do. If you think more about the people around you than yourself, your on the right track.” Kale smiled and straitened his posture like a super hero posing over a fallen foe, causing the two of them laugh.
“I have to be honest with you Xander I didn't want to drag you all the way out to the boonies for a rack of ribs. I was gonna ask you after lunch but it seems to shady to wait so I'm gonna lay it out.” Kale paused to get his thoughts together for a second.
This caught Xander by surprise and he started to worry about what would be said next.
“The reason I picked this place is that it's close to a town were a friend of lives. Her name is Elina and it's her 15th birthday today.”
Xander quickly interrupted.
“Your daughter?”
“No she is Martel's daughter the friend I told you about from the orphanage.”
“No problem man, I can take you to Martel's place.”
“I would really appreciate it Xander. Taking the bus can be a pain .”
“You don't drive?” Xander looked at Kale as though his skin turned purple.
“Being in the orphanage I never had the money to take the classes and get my license, and when I left that place I just never got around to it.”
“I have heard stranger things, it's just not every day that an adult doesn't have a license by choice. One would expect to hear a story about drunk driving or a bad accident.” Xander right away noticed a slight change in Kale's demeanor when he mentioned an accident, but he didn't push the issue. The last thirty minuets of the drive was silent after Xander typed the address into the GPS.
They arrived at their destination marked by colorful balloons tied to a large brass finished gate baring the way.
“Roll down the window and I'll have them ring us in.” Kale leaned past Xander as a voice came over the speaker box.
“Can I help you?” a woman’s voice asked.
“It's Kale here for Elina's birthday.” He spoke clearly.
Loud mechanical whines cried out as the gate slowly swung open and cleared the way up a long winding driveway lined with palms, ending at a very modern looking house. The windows wrapped around it's sleek stone walls and angular corners. As they parked in the white stone circle drive the double french doors whipped open and a beautiful young girl came running to the car. She was light skinned, a mixture of African American and causation with rare bright blue eyes and long brown hair.
She instinctively knew Kale was the passenger and was hopping with joy. When he stepped out of the car she pounced on him giving him a big bear hug.
“Uncle Kale I knew you would make it, I just knew it.”
“Now what kind of uncle would I be if I broke my promise?” Kale held her as though she was his long lost daughter. “Have you gotten everything you wanted for your birthday?”
“She always gets her wish when you come by Kale.” Casandra stood at the door with a wide smile that created a bridge from one ear to another.
“I didn't bring you a gift, I'm sorry but couldn't figure out what to get you.” Kale said looking down at Elina who still clung to him with her arms tightly wrapped around his torso.
Kale was still sitting in the car with the door open waiting for the proper moment as to not disrupt a lovely family moment.
“You never need to bring me anything Uncle Kale, all you gotta do is be here, and I might say you need to be here more often. Mom has been driving me crazy, she wont let me date or even stay out with my friends past 10pm”
“Aw what Casandra you afraid to let her fly?” Kale said with a light caustic tone as Casandra walked over for her complementary hung.
“Your not the one living with a teenage girl so I don't want to hear it.”She whispered in his ear as they hugged.
“Who's your shy friend in the killer car?” Elina asked as she peeked in at Xander through the windshield.
“I said I didn't bring a gift but I did bring a new friend.” Kale motioned with his hand for Xander to join them for introductions.
Stepping out of the car Xander was startled by the delightful shrieks of Elina.
“Is that? Oh my gosh!” She blurted between squeals of excitement.
“This is Xander. Xander this is Elina and Casandra.”
“Elina is a huge fan of your writing, she owns most of your work.” Casandra said explaining her daughters reaction.
“Happy Birthday Elina!” Xander said holding out his hand.
“Nope we huge around here!” Elina said as she pushed his hand away and went in for the kill.
“You have read my work? Most girls your age wouldn't read any book without vampires or wizards let alone my work. I'm faltered.”
“I'm not like most girls my age, I'm mature.” She said with a teenage since of a achievement.
“She always has been ahead of her time.” Kale added.
“Your first short story The Monster in My Head is what inspired me to become a writer.” Elina stated with pride.
“That is amazing, thank you.” Xander blushed a little.
“You have a really cool car too. It looks super fast.”
“You wanna go for a ride?” Xander offered as both Elina and Xander looked to Casandra for approval.
“Is it safe?” Casandra asked as any worrisome parent would.
“It's has been so far, and I'll take it slow.” Xander assured her.
“Moooooom please!” Elina pleaded.
“I guess it's alright, but so help me you better be careful Xander.” Casandra approved with a stern voice.
“Deal, I will try to keep it under 200mph.” Xander added before disappearing back into the car. Elina was ecstatic as she hopped in the bullet with wheels.
“Don't worry he's a good guy and will keep her safe Casandra. Elina's growing up fast you know, you gotta let her live life.” Kale said putting his arm over her shoulders.
“Easier said than done Kale, that girl is all I have got left in this world. Well I guess there is you too.”
“Have you been to see Marcus lately?” Kale asked as they watched Xander spin the tires at the gate.
“Yeah we went one his birthday.”
“You know it's been what 8 or 9 years now and I still wake up waiting for him to call or show up at the door Casandra.” Kale let out a heavy hearted sigh.
She put her arm around him and laid her head on his shoulder.
“I know the feeling all to well. When he died it was a shock. I wake up some times and see him laying in bed watching me sleep of a split second. Like I'm still dreaming, then I blink and he's gone. I know you're still blaming yourself Kale and that has to stop. The only one responsible is rotting in prison so stop beating yourself up. We don't blame you so don't blame yourself for us.” Casandra hugged Kale as he silently fought back the tears trying to force their way out.
Elina held up her smart phone and leaned toward Xander to take a picture and then promptly posted it on all of her social networking sites.
“This car is crazy awesome Xander, I bet you drive it every where you go.”
“Yeah it's cool but I don't really drive it much, it's too flashy. Not to mention there is no room for groceries... So what kind of writing do you want to do Elina?”
“I'm not sure, what ever comes to mind. I'm working on a book of poetry that I want to dedicate to my dad. Well adopted dad, Marcus never got to legally adopt me but I feel like he's the closest I will get to a real father.”
“Is he out of town or something? I noticed he didn't come to the door with you and your mother.”
Elina looked at him strangely as though he had inadvertently started speaking another language.
“Wait you don't know do you? Marcus my adopted father died 8 and a half years ago. He was in the process of adopting me when it happened.”
“I am so sorry, I just assumed that he was.” Xander struggled with the right way to say what he was thinking, which very rarely was he without words.
“Still alive, yeah we tend to talk about him as though he's just out of sight but always near.” Elina folded her hands in her lap and started fiddling with her fingers.
“That is a beautiful way of putting it Elina, and he is always around. The way I see it if I had a couple of great girls like you and your mom and a friend like Kale not even death could keep me from their sides.” Xander reached over and ruffled her hair to make her smile.
“I'll tell you what, I'm gonna give my number to your mom so if you ever need help with your writing you can call me, and when you are ready to try and publish that book of poems I'll put in a good word with my publicist.”
“Really you would do that for me even though you don't really know me?”
“I have seen all I need,to know you have what it takes. Your strong, intelligent and wise beyond your years, all things it takes to be a good writer.”
“I would really appreciate any help you can give with my writing Xander.”
“When we get back to your house how about you let me read a few of those poems.”
“If you really want to read them you can, but they might not be that good.” The insecurity in her voice was more than notable.
“Part of being a good writer is never thinking your works good enough, that way you always strive to make it better.” Xander assured her as he parked in front of her house.
Elina jumped out of the car and ran in the house to her room to get the notebook and show it to Xander. Kale and Casandra sat at the dining room table sipping wine and reminiscing over old memories. Xander didn't want to interrupt them so he stood in the doorway waiting for Elina to return, and return she did as she stampeded down the stairs.
“No one has ever looked in this note book but me, not even mom.” Elina held the book tightly to her chest, and Xander felt like he was being sworn to secrecy.
“Oh you two are back, come join us Xander. Do you drink wine? If not I have some of Marcus's scotch or some soda and what not.” Casandra waved him over to the table as she stood up to grab him a glass.
“I'm not usually a wine guy but I'll take a glass.”
“I knew it.” She said as she put the wine glass back on the rack and pulled a short glass from the cupboard. Xander stepped forward to stop her from pouring the scotch.
“That's Marcus's, I am fine with wine.” He tried to not offend her.
“If you don't drink it no one will, it will just keep collecting dust. Marcus isn't gonna finish it.” She said as she poured the amber spirits. Kale immediately realized he never told Xander about what happened to Marcus. When Casandra saw the look of apprehension on Xanders face as she slid the glass across the table to him she also realized he didn't know.
“You don't know?” She asked as Kale lowered his head and scratched the nape of his neck.
“Elina told me that he passed away 8 years ago and I don't want to impose.” Kale was relieved that the situation wasn't going to take an even more awkward turn.
“He didn't pass away he was taken from us before his time.” Xander took advantage of the beak in her thought to interject.
“I am heartily sorry for your loss, from what I have herd about Marcus he must have been a cut above the rest. I didn't want you to think I was not grateful for the wine, or even for a second thought of asking for the scotch knowing what Marcus meant to you.” Xander was nervous now.
“I loved Marcus not the the scotch, it's my offer to you. Marcus offered all new friends the same, so I do it in his memory. It's some what of a tradition.” Casandra sat back at the table across from a very red faced Kale who felt responsible for the misunderstanding.
“I don't mean to be so strange, I don't get out much.” The three shared a laugh after Xanders gave an awkward smirk and shrug.
“Is that Elina's notebook? How did you get your hands on that?” Kale asked as though Xander held the Holy Grail.
“I offered to read her poems and help with her writing. She is a very well spoken kid, besides using the word really all the time, but she is a 15 year old girl so I can't hold it against her.”
Kale looked at Xander with a strange smile.
“She is only 15 so you can't hold it against her! That sounds pretty bad Xander.” Kale added before he and Cassandra burst into uproarious laughter and Xander hung his head in playful shame.
“As her mother I am now officially jealous. She will only read her poems to me every now and again and only if I pester her about it for an hour or two, but she just hands it over to you just like that. Must be the car.” Casandra lightly slapped Kale's arm with the back of her hand as though she was getting his attention.
Kale cleared the tears of laughter from his eyes.
“Oh man, I havn't laughed like that for a long time. Thanks for that Xander.”
Just then Elina resurfaced curious about all of the noise.
“What's so funny?” She stood in wait for an answer.
“It's nothing honey just old people being goofy.” Casandra shook her head as she tried not to laugh.
“It must have been inappropriate if your laughing that hard. Adults only laugh like that if it is something inappropriate.”
“You're right Elina it was.” Kale then scrunched his face and stared at Xander as an angry father would look at an unruly child.
“Did you read any of them yet Xander? If not, you don't have to right now just when ever you want to, you know.” Elina asked nervously twisting her hair in fingers and tugging at it.
“No I haven't yet but I will right now.” Xander stood up finishing his scotch and stepped out on the back porch. Elina took his spot at the table periodically looking over her shoulder to check Xander's progress.
Xander started at page one where a slightly worn out photo with fold lines through the center and small rips and frays along the edges of Elina and Marcus was taped. Hearts and stars swam around photo as a loving dedication to the man who changed her life and gave her the love a young girl so desperately needs. In small letters at the bottom was written.
“To you I do dedicate these
at night while I'm on my knees
Praying for you to return home
All the while knowing I'm not alone
Your love saved my heart
And for that in my life you will forever have a part.
Rest in peace Daddy I will always love and never forget you.”
Xander found himself clearing a tear from the corner of his eye before turning the first page. Seven simple lines reiterating a pain he knew well and love he didn't. Xander cleared his throat and read no further. He walked back inside with the black and white notebook grasped tightly in hand and gave Elina a big hug.
“You read the whole thing already?” She stated with a puzzled look.
“Nope I didn't even make it past the first page and you had me tearing up. Elina can I copy this book because I think I am going to publish it for you regardless of what any agent or publicist will say.” Xander said with a smile.
“Are you for real! You would do that?” She started to cry and ran over to Kale and with a big hug and kiss on the cheek thanked him for bring Xander.
“This is the best birthday ever, I love you so much.” Elina said hugging Kale tightly.
Casandra started to cry out of pure joy for her daughter, and grabbed Kales hand thanking him silently. She then walked over to Xander who was over come with happiness just to see the joy he could create with such ease, and gave him a huge hug, and whispered in his ear.
“Thank you Xander, you have made her so happy I don't know what to say. Thank you.”
“I want you to see this.” He gently grabber her by the arm and directed her around a corner out of sight of Elina and Kale. Xander then opened to the first page and showed it to Casandra who had never seen past it's cover. She immediately started to tear up as she looked at a photo she thought was long lost, she started then to read the dedication and began to sob.
Elina came running around the corner to see why her mother was so distraught.
“Whats wrong Mom!” Casandra could not talk but only grabbed Elina and held her close as she wept.
From that point on the visit was somber as Kale, Casandra and Elina reminisced into the night and Xander got a taste of something that had been missing from his life for far too long now, family and friends.
After leaving Xander and Kale stayed in touch and developed a strong friendship, brother like even. Xander also heard from Casandra and Elina on a regular basis, especially in the begging stages of publishing her book of poetry.
Seven months had passed and Kale was sound asleep when his cellphone began to bounce around the nightstand. Glancing at the wall the clock showed 1:30 am and the caller ID read Xander, so he wasted no time answering the call. What he got from the call was a very drunk and abrasive Xander. He tried to calm down his friend but was having no luck over the phone so he ran 8 blocks to the bar Xander was yelling about. When he arrived Kale found his unhappy friend sitting on the curb hunched over.
“Whats wrong Xander? Are you ok?” Kale asked sitting down next to Xander.
“NO! I'm not. I don't look ok, I don't fell ok. NO not OK!” Xander stammered with his speech as the excessive amount of alcohol in his body clouded his mind and he began to cry.
Kale was so caught of guard and wasn't sure how to react, so he patted Xander on the back and let him cry it out.
“Why are you doing this to yourself?”
Xander tried to gain some composure before answering.
“27 years ago today Dad killed himself by OD'ing on booze and heroin. I was only 8, and I found my dad face down in the garden where he died in a pool of puke, covered in his own shit and piss.” Xander clinched his jaw and tried to hold his quivering lip still by biting it, but he bit to hard and it started to bleed.
Kale sat speechless.
“My next book is nearly done now. It's based off you Kale, the brother I never had and I want you to read. Because if you don't like it, I wont publish it. I should have told you sooner but I was afraid you would stop me before you could read it and see it was good, not bad.” Xander could hardly hold himself up.
“Let's get you back home Xander. It's getting cold out here. Come on.” Kale put Xanders arm over his shoulder and helped lift him to his feet, as a few drunken punks came pouring out of the now closing bar.
“Hey wait, it's those guys!” The drunken punks said as they noticed Kale picking Xander up off the ground.
Kale turned his head to see a fist inches away, and was struck in the side of the face, consequently dropping Xander on his face. The impact caused Xander to black out for a second, but as he came back atound, he was being kicked and pummeled relentlessly. Kale was doing his best to fight off the 6 of them. The faint glimpses Xander got between fits of unconsciousness were of a fierce battle and then he faded back out.
As he opened his eyes again he could see Kale standing between him and the frat boy that had started the fight seven months back but this time he was armed with a pistol. What Xander didn't know was the gun had been pointed at him before Kale stepped between them.
“Come on man don't do this, your gonna ruin your life over a bar fight. It's not worth it.” Kale tried to talk the gun totting frat boy out of throwing his life away.
“Don't tell me what I want to do, because this is what I want to do.” The frat boy yelled out.
Kale then turned his head looking back to check on Xander, but as he did the Frat boy let off a single shoot. The noise made Xander shut his eyes and try to cover his ears but after opening his eyes he wished it were a dream. Kale was on his knees clutching his gut and convulsing with every pain latent breath as sirens grew louder. Xander pulled himself across the ground to his friend and put his hand over Kales to keep pressure on the wound in the center of his gut.
“Shit Kale! What do I.....Help! HELP we need Help!” Xander roared as the bartender came running out with a cell phone to her ear and shrieked at the gruesome sight. Lights from the surrounding apartment building started to come on as drapes and windows opened, their tenets checking on the racket in the street.
Kale who was now being held up by his friend grabbed him by the back of the head.
“If I don't live you have to take care of them. Elina and.” He coughed as his breathing became more labored.
“I will. I promise. But you gotta hold on and fight Kale.”
“I love you like a brother Xander, so you promise me not to blame yourself. Promise it!” Xander nodded in acceptance to a promise he was already failing to keep.
“This isn't gonna stop you bro, you have to be the strongest man I know. I have ever known. People live after being shot all the time like at the rapper what his name. HELP ME ANYONE!”
The young female bartender called out as she seen the ambulance rounding the corner.
“They are here!” She hollered
“Ambulances are here Kale, you'll be all right.”
“Thanks Xander.” Was Kale's final words as he slipped from the living world.
“I love you brother.” Xander called out as he watched the life fade from his friend just before the ambulance came to a screeching halt a foot away from him.
The paramedics took charge and pulled Xander a way as they fought to revive Kale to no avail.
It was all like a dream and for days Kale was a zombie none responsive as though no one was there, even at the funeral surrounded by people he sat in the corner staring at the casket acknowledging no one.
Casandra sat next to him and put her head on his shoulder.
“It's not your fault Xander, and no matter how bad you want to feel like it is, it never will be. You remind me of him at Marcus's funeral, and you know that wasn’t his fault either. I some how knew Kale was going to die the same way as Marcus, but back then it was Kale sitting in your seat.”
What Casandra said to Xander resonated deeply and broke him free from the mournful recesses of his mind, and he turned to her with dead eyes.
“It's not the same.” He softly spoke.
“It is the exact same damn thing. Just change you name to Kale and Kale's to Marcus. Late one night Marcus went to pick Kale up from a bar after he had gotten drunk and picked a fight, getting him kicked out of the bar. When Marcus showed up, Kale was fighting them in the street and he jumped in to help, but he got stabbed in the back nicking his spine and severing an artery. He died in the street just like Kale, but just like Kale you are not to blame, the son of a bitch that shot him, that's who you blame.” Casandra was tearing up as she looked him in the eye.
“I'm so sorry Casandra. I never.” Casandra put up her index finger and interuped him.
“Stop it right there, if you ever apologize to me for this again I will beat the life back into you. I love you Xander, and so does Elina so don't act like your alone in this.” Casandra got up straightened her dress and walked over to Elina who was standing by the casket in tatters.
Xander then stood up walked over to the two girls and put his arms around them kissing Elina atop her head and Casandra on the cheek.
7 years passed and a slightly older but much more fit Xander stepped through the front door of M&K Adoption Agency.
Behind the front desk a mature Elina sat working on her homework with Casandra next to her trying to help.
“Xander, How did it go Honey?” Casandra asked as he stood in the lobby, his eyes fixed on the sign behind her.
“Well it's green lit and production starts soon.” He smiled still looking at the sign.
“That's amazing!” Casandra said as she slowly stood up exposing a belly swollen with child.
“It's gonna finally be a movie.” Elina popped her head up from the book it was buried in.
“Yup and it's gonna bring in a lot of revenue. I'm thinking we should open a few more locations. What do you girls think?”
“The book already made enough to sustain this one for years to come, so yeah lets do it.” Casandra said dodging the playful orphans as they ran by and gave her husband a kiss.
“It wasn't the book that made this happen, it was Kale and Marcus. Always has been them and those who made us strong enough to make a change in the world. A change for the better.” He said as he held Casandra in a loving embrace still looking at the sign which read.
“Marcus & Kale Adoption Agency and Orphanage”
