Redwood Nine: Season 02 Ch. 09

"Can we have a quick talk? I really need to talk to you about something."

"Sure, John. Here, or somewhere less public?"

"I'd like to go to the outcropping again. I'm hoping you can help me focus on the answers in the sky again."

Moon could see JT was hiding behind a mask of smiling ease, but turmoil lay just underneath.

"Let us walk, John."

"Can I come too?"

JT looked down at Suzy, a sense of worry about him written clearly on her face.

"Yeah, sure you can come. Maybe you need to know some of this stuff too."

Moon led the way, while JT took Suzy's hand and followed him through the fields, along the narrow, worn trail to the outcropping.

The kitchen was instantly crowded with eager mouths wanting to taste the delectable treats. Golden became agitated at not being able to tend to the stirring and called a halt. Everyone froze and looked at her.

"I want everyone out now and form a line and come by one at a time and get a taste."

No one argued and hurried into the dining room and formed a line. Azure used a teaspoon and gave each person a taste of each kind, letting them enjoy each one. Golden smiled mischievously to herself, as she slowly stirred two pots at the same time.

The three sat on the grassy rocks, looking out on the great valley in front of them. Few clouds were present in the sky, as Moon asked JT what was troubling him. JT held Suzy's hand a little tighter, as he looked to the valley and told them.

"We killed a man today, Moon. Shot him at least a hundred times. We left him for the coyotes to eat and dispose of him."

"You are referring to the man who killed Jake and shot Marlene?"

"Yes."

Suzy couldn't help but gasp in shock at what her man had done. She listened closer, wanting more than anything to know why.

"You are troubled now by what you have done, even though you felt justified in doing it, am I correct?"

"Yeah, It's eating at me inside and I can't get it to stop. I know it was right to avenge Jake's death, every guy felt the same. He had to die, or people would always be in danger, so there wasn't any choice. I killed hundreds of Vietnamese and none of that bothers me, but somehow, this does and I don't know why. I was hoping to have an answer come to me, like before."

"This is not an answer that comes on the wind, John. This is an answer that comes from within. You must accept what is and what can't be undone. You chose freely to do this, now you must make peace within yourself. I can't condone the taking of another's life, but this man was bent upon bringing an end to a life of someone you, and everyone, cares for. I can only offer this from myself. I do not hold your actions against you. I understand, that peaceful negotiation is not a solution to a problem sometimes and harsher methods must prevail. This is one of those times, in my opinion. As much as I could never pull a trigger the way you did, I could be nothing more, than eternally grateful to you, for saving my life."

Suzy pulled his attention to herself, caressing his cheek softly.

"Baby, you did what you knew you had to, we know that. No one is going to think less of you because of it. We all look up to you and Moon, too, for leadership and guidance, as well as keeping us safe. We feel safe with you Baby, all of us do."

"That is true, JT. Every person here feels you are a good leader and can trust you. Your selfless gifts, show a caring side that is weakly felt in others, but they respond and follow your lead. You make the lives of those around you better. No one has ever felt less of a person because of you. You are a good man, JT, no one will deny it. You have to believe that yourself and understand the need for your actions and take comfort that those you swore to protect are safe, like you did as a soldier."

JT equated that to himself, putting things in the same context. He had to think of this as a mission in Vietnam, where he knew it meant killing a man, who was no more than a civilian with a rifle. He found he could accept it that way in his heart, that it wasn't a murder, just a mission he was assigned to perform. JT nodded his head, knowing the answer he was given, was what his soul needed to know.

They began walking back together, JT's arm slung over Moon's shoulders, his hand clasping Suzy's lovingly. The house was alive with shouts and laughter, merriment obviously being enjoyed by them, as the trio entered. They were immediately ushered to the kitchen to sample the delicacies of nature, spoon after spoon fed to them. The friends and good times were infectious and soon made all the prior troubles pass away, no more thoughts of them, nor were they cared about any more.

Wayne sat at his desk, going over the notes he had, trying to put it all into a format that looked like he had done everything. With everything he had, he had to leave out much of it, if it was to look like he had done all the leg work and put the pieces together. There, sitting on the page in front of him, was one line of text, that made it all come together. All he had to do, was figure out a way that he would know that and he could be the hero JT said he would be.

Chico went over to JT and pulled him aside from the others, hoping to get an answer he would be happy hearing.

"JT, I wanted to ask you something. It's not for me, but my Marietta. You know it's her dream to go to Berkeley and study all that number stuff, right? So, I was hoping, that with all that money we made and all the money we'll be making soon, I was hoping we could pay for Marietta to go to Berkeley."

"How much is it, Chico?"

"I don't know, but Marietta does."

"Doesn't matter. Whatever it is, it's worth sending her. You tell her she's going to college on us, okay."

"Seriously? You really mean that?"

"Of course, I wouldn't say it, if I didn't."

"JT, you're the best guy I ever knew, man. I love you, bro'."

"I love you, brother."

Chico hugged JT affectionately and kissed his cheek, embarrassing JT, but making him smile with great happiness. Moon saw the exchange and knew the burden of his prior act, was being outweighed by the results it gave. He watched Chico go to Marietta and walk her outside.

"Marietta, your dreams have come true, Baby. You're going to college, like you want."

Marietta heard the words, but it didn't register right away.

"You're going, Baby. You're going to Berkeley."

"I am? I'm going to Berkeley, really Chico?"

"Yes, Baby, you're really going. I told you dreams come true and I would make that happen."

"Oh Chico. I am so happy. I love you, I love you, I love you."

Marietta hugged Chico and smothered him in kisses, showing her gratitude as much as she knew how. Her excitement continued to grow and grow, the more reality set in. She ran into the house and yelled her announcement to everyone, getting congratulations and praise from everyone. Moon looked at JT and smiled at him. JT must have sensed it and turned to him, seeing the smile and knew there was a feeling of great admiration for him. He smiled back and slightly nodded his head to Moon, acknowledging the accolades.

Chico came in and was equally congratulated by everyone, for making a loved one's dream come true. They watched Chico basking in the light of his brothers and friends, enjoying the loving thanks of his girlfriend. Marietta knew who had made this possible and came to JT, hugging him with the greatest of love and affection, as she whispered her thanks. She kissed JT's cheek softly and then smiled happily at Suzy and hugged her. Marietta was at the peak of happiness at that moment, lifting everyone's spirits up with her.

Vinnie pulled into Jimmy's driveway and shut the engine off. He sat for a while, admiring the feel of the car one last time, before he got out and went inside. Jimmy was waiting and smiling happily, knowing the thing was done and he could look at moving forward.

"You saw this thing being done?"

"No, but I heard the shots, boss. They unloaded their clips into him."

"Every guy?"

"Must have been. I heard them shooting and didn't stop until they were empty and it was a lot of shots."

"Shit. That's gonna leave a fucking mess."

"It's out in the woods somewhere. No one gonna see him there. I spotted some coyotes hanging around, so, they're probably taking care of the disappearing part."

"No shit?"

"Yeah, looked hungry, too."

"Poor bastard, but he deserved what he got."

"Yeah, guess so."

"You brought the Corvette back?"

"Yeah, Jimmy. Really nice car to drive."

"You like that car, do you?"

"Oh yeah, Jimmy. I was thinking how much I would like one. I remember what your father said and learn to earn. I hope I earn enough to buy one of my own."

"Vinnie, consider it yours. Myself, I don't like the thing, not my style, but if it pleases you, it's yours."

"Really Jimmy? No shitting me?"

"No shitting you, Vinnie. You earned it. You do as you're told and follow orders and you will see the rewards for doing that. This is just an example of that. Please, by all means, enjoy the car, on me."

Vinnie was beside himself with happiness, enjoying the rewards already, for understanding the rules and playing by them. Jimmy whistled happily, as he went to his room to get ready for a night of celebrating. Vinnie went out and sat behind the wheel of the Corvette, getting used to it being his own.

He felt the car all over again, knowing it as his now, relishing the fine leather and wood grain finishes. He started it up, revving the engine and had to go for a drive. He pulled out and drove the car with a new sense of pride, in part for what he drove, in part for his feelings of earning it.

Marlene sat in her hotel room, feeling the relief of knowing she was safe. She had no feelings of sadness, only regret, as she thought of Clive for the last time. From here on in, she was going to start living life again, but this time with a sense of purpose to it. She looked at her bared breasts and held them tenderly in her hands. She ran her finger over the bullet wounds and shivered. She noticed the swelling of her nipples and smiled, knowing the blemishes to her pair of perfect mounds, was minor to their overall appeal. There was still hope for her yet, to use her assets to her best advantage. It all came down to who deserved them the most. The possibilities played in her head, as she absently played with the turgid bud in her fingers.