Chapter 11-1
Arthur's Big Day
Part 2
The moment Dad sat down, Dad said. "I have sent a car to pick up your mother from the Cranny's when she gets out-of-school today. The bad news is she had invited them to come with her. Not much I can do about that, but I told Paul that he better not embarrass us or you at the wedding. And his wife Jeanie said she would make sure he was on a tight leash while he was here. Your grandmother will be here as well and should be here by the time we get back, but once she knew that Paul was coming. She insisted that he would stay in one of the other cabins and away from your mother and her. Not that I could blame her for that.
"Although she has a hunch that he may be involved with your mother, she lacks any tangible evidence to confirm her suspicions. In addition, we want to assure you that we made a promise to your mother to uphold her confidentiality, which includes not discussing her sexual relationships or preferences. To keep the peace, Paul and his family have decided that their accommodation options include staying with Dotty and her husband or here on the couch, where they will have the comfort of a nice sleeping bag. We will arrange for all your friends to stay in your room for the night, ensuring that there is enough space for everyone attending tomorrow night instead of having to endure the long drive to the wedding in Lindon.
"We will have the smaller children spend the night at the Olsen's and Thomas' cabin, where Jody and Dave can watch them and keep them out of our hair. And everyone else in the other that Stringham and Dr. Sars will be using considering it will be the two of them while her two daughters go back to college next week. That way, he can come and go as he pleases. Without disturbing us as we make this into a home between The Vincent's and Coach Brady when he arrives, or should I say move in.
Stringham is making a reservation for you guys to spend the night in the penthouse at Salt Lake Marriott Downtown on Friday for your honeymoon night. He insists on treating you, and Dave, Jody, and Tony will be sharing the other room. Stringham says the view up there is fantastic. Additionally, your mother and her guest have kindly offered to let your grandmother share a room with them. Your brother Aaron and your two sisters can either share a room or have their own, depending on their preference. We all know your sister Susan, who tends to be greedy and spiteful, will probably choose her own room. She can be quite self-important, just like her father. However, if they choose their own room, your grandmother had already said that it wasn't going to happen. Instead, they will need to share it with their grandmother or have your mother serve as a babysitter for obvious reasons. They will be staying on the lower floors.
Then Saturday Stringham will drop you all off and the Cranny's where Tony and Jenny will meet up with you there and your grandmother will be going home with Landon with the limo so he can trade it out for the ones more equipped for rugged weather.
"That way, it won't look like a mob going down the freeway and surrounding your mother's home. Plus, give Tony and Jenny the time they need to make sure you're safe once they know that. They will let you do your thing and bring you back here on Monday so you can have time to finish your homework and get it sent off in time before the end of the term in American Fork. And then the following week you will start school here in Heber.
"I told your mother under no circumstance are you, Eli and the girls allowed to spend the night without making sure it is safe first, meaning Tony and Jenny scoping it out first. Your mermaid friends will join you on Sunday or Monday once we know that you are in Santaquin, and it is safe to do so. And will be picked up by their parents on Friday so they can be back home in time for school. And your mother assures me that your father won't be a problem, but we know how that will work out?
"So, Tony and Jenny won't be far in case there is trouble, but I have a feeling once he sees who you and your mother invited over for the week he is going to go into a nuclear meltdown. But it is, what it is, and she says there will be plenty of room for all of you, plus you'll be spending time with your Santaquin friends and won't be home all the time which will look like a neighborhood block party going from your house to Bishop Earls house and back again, that if your father is smart, he'd pack a suitcase and head for the hills.
It's almost as if I pity him and your mother because we know how wild teenagers can be - blasting music, wreaking havoc in the house, and devouring all the food. However, we truly adore you and would prefer you engage in those activities rather than get involved in other troublesome things like some other teenagers do. So, we will give your mother enough money to make sure none of you will starve and run up her utility bills … but under no circumstances are you to give her any of yours, other than buying her a new car. New to her, but used, nothing more, nothing less. That will get you and her around for a long time. That Stringham has arranged with the fellow who is selling it to you and has had it gone over with a fine-tooth comb by the local mechanic he trusts in town.
"If it does need repairs, he'll send the bill to Stringham, so your mother won't see you flashing around your money, knowing how she gets regarding her spending habits. The car will be in her name until you have your license. I promised her and Bishop Earl that you and your friends will clean up any mess you make while you're down there. So, God helps us all because I sure can imagine the mess you guys are going to make, but at least it will be quiet here on the home front and give us poor parents a much-needed break. So, you see your Mom and I have worked it all out, so you shouldn't have anything to worry about. Now, get yourselves ready to leave. It's a long drive and we have lots to do.
"And yes your brand-new custom-made chair will fit in the limo, at least that's what Stringham says … said he and Landon pick one out special just for that alone, that you can get used to it because you'll be spending a lot of time in it. While playing Nate the good boy, not the very bad brat we saw on tape. But Eli was right: the rat was a classic. Not even Shawn could think of that one. Mom and I just about fell off the couch watching you. We can't wait to show your mother and Grandmother how bad you truly can be.
"We will skip the hardcore stuff of course for your grandmother's sake, but I think your mother has the right to know what's going on, in case she walks in on you and Eli and the girls, not realizing he and they are only doing it, so we won't have to go through the Gloria thing again. I rather not have you boys do it at all or the girls do something like that, but our lives are on the line here. One mistake could slit our throats so fast that it is just not worth taking the chance.
"The other option would be not to get mixed up in this mess, but every time I think of that poor girl having to kill her grandfather in that way and think about all the babies they have sacrificed, and the children like you and your brothers. I cannot turn away and live with myself knowing I could have done something, and you told me yourself, you couldn't do it either. I may not like it, and you may not like it. It is what it is. We can cry about it later; pain can be remedied, but death can't. There is no pain once you are accustomed to it. Your brothers and I can a test for that, and Eli can as well as being raised and taught that was the only way to show someone that you love them. When we all know what they were doing was wrong. Now finish up, we have a big day ahead of us."
Eli and I helped with the dishes and placed them in the dishwasher. Dotty gave us a warm smile and told us thank you. She was more of a mother to us than a maid and Jeff seemed to favor her over everyone else other than me and Jared. Normally I can't step out of the house without my wheelchair, but no one could see me … unless they had NASA hovering over our cabin. If they made it through the three checkpoints and several arms security that were patrolling our little private gated community as the high fence was being built and guard houses that had nice warm comfortable heaters and worked on their own power generator. Or would it be once it was built even our cabins were being modified to generate their own power using wind and solar panels the latest the technology has to offer? They would be stupid to try it.
Stringham said it was common here to be without power, or phone for days at a time once the snow fell and there was no way he was going to let us be without either, teaching everyone how to use a CB radio and Walkie Talkie. He even was putting in a bomb shelter just in case we needed a place to go if we came under attack. I wasn't sure how I felt about that because I had a thing about basements and closed-off spaces with no windows. If a basement had windows, then I was good. If not, forget about it. I rather they kill me first.
Once inside the limo which was off the charts, that it was more of a car-slash truck bus with large tires for deep snow and mud. Stringham said. "What do you think of this baby? I figured we need something with a little more oomph to it, when the snow gets up to our waist. I am not about to get stranded up on these mountains with a bunch of devils looking for some fresh meat."
He tossed us each a paper, having us turn the page where it says; "'Three were killed last night at the local fundraiser. Said they were shot in the head with cash in their pockets at one of the local churches here in Heber. The authorities on the scene said it looked like a robbery had gone bad. The total amount stolen is under-determined, but it could be anywhere in the high millions, according to the pastor who says he walked in and found them this way. He has offered a reward to anyone who has information regarding the theft and the murder of the three men. No gun was found at the scene.'"
We turned the page and there, in vivid detail, we saw ourselves larger than life, our beaming faces announcing our upcoming wedding on Friday. The headline caught our attention with its captivating display: "Local teen slash billionaire tycoon and friends unite in matrimony," written in bold, eye-catching letters. The article declared it to be one of the grandest weddings ever witnessed by Salt Lake City and its neighboring towns. The sheer magnitude of the guest list necessitated the entire Castle Park Reception Hall in Lindon, Utah to be rented, making it a sight to behold. As we delved further into the reports, it became apparent that Nate Carrion, the billionaire groom-to-be, was contemplating a union not only with Rhoda Alden but also with her stepbrother Eli Alden, and their closest confidante, Jackie Krandle, as his second wife. An official statement confirmed that Eli Alden would also marry Nate Carrion and Jackie Krandle, with all four individuals adopting the Carrion surname. The anticipation in the air was palpable, as tuxedo and dress shops flourished, reveling in the surge of customers preparing for this momentous occasion.
As the reporter covering this event, I strongly assert that they have obtained legal consent from all parents involved in the marriage contract. underscoring the document's legitimacy, which is further solidified by the president's signature. As the reporter, I raise the question, leaving us to contemplate the extent of government involvement and the underlying motive behind it. A point of interest catches our attention - Young Nate's sister, Jody Carrion, will soon be getting married to David Rands at this event. The room buzzes with intrigue as we learn that David Rands, a dedicated Copartner of Stringham Enterprises, is recognized as a billionaire.
The atmosphere changes as we dive into the details of David R Stringham, the boss of Stringham Enterprise. The room fills with awe as we hear that he has accumulated a fortune three times larger than his initial wealth. As we delve deeper, we learn that Doctor Roberta Sars, a successful child and sex therapist, is preparing to tie the knot as well.
A hint of mystery fills the room as reports suggest that her mother practices voodoo. However, we must emphasize that there is no concrete evidence to support these claims. The question lingers in our minds - is the daughter following in her mother's footsteps or has she too been captivated by the same wedding bug that seems to have affected everyone else? This reporter promises to find out and bring you live updates, as they all take their solemn vows.
Mom said. "You guys look good; don't you think so, Arthur? Don't you think your brother looks good?"
Arthur said. "He's not my brother, Shawn is, and I can't wait until you all die, may Mor―" Dr. Sars closed his mouth and pointed to her bracelet. He looked away but I could see he was really not liking the idea of being placed inside in his own special box. It is what it is. There was no turning back and there were no second chances.
Dad said. "I wonder if Crawford will actually show up at our house, finding it emptied."
Stringham said. "Does it matter?" And everyone laughed except for Arthur. I placed my cap over my eyes and nodded off to Dreamland, smiling thinking about how my father was going to take the news. Then there was the news about our girls and us being the father. Yep, it's going to be classic, even more so when my mother and my grandmother find out.