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Never Walk Alone; Sequel to Black Friday Rule
Topic Started: May 13, 2008, 10:14 am (47,682 Views)
Taimi
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so sweet of cliff to have given comfort to kity, nat, and electra.
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Lucifer's Angel
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Chapter 328

"We'll try not to take too long, but we ought to go to the one in the next parish, people around here might gossip. And they might recognize you and the kids", said Phil.

"I know. But be careful, Nat. Don't stay on your feet too long", said Catriona.

"Tak, I know. But Mr. Anselmo is right, people are going to recognize you and the children. Besides, I know what to get", said Natalya reassuringly.

"Go ahead, you guys. I'll protect the women, I got the shotgun ready and Kitty can back me up", said Tony.

"All right, Dad. We won't take too long", said Phil, grabbing the keys to the truck.

"I hope it is not a long drive, Mr. Anselmo. And they do have everything at a Wal-Mart, tak?", she asked, as he opened the doors to the truck.

"Yeah, they got everything, ma'am. I gotta get stuff for you ladies and the kids, I got no idea what to get", he said apologetically.

"That is okay, Mr. Anselmo. And your sister will not say anything, tak?", she asked.

"Yeah, you can trust Becky, ma'am. I don't want her to think I got a harem here. Just stay close by and don't get lost, Wal-Marts are huge and I don't think you know your way around 'em", he said, putting a Venom CD into the player.

They arrived at the Wal-Mart on the western side of Lake Pontchartrain an hour later. It was massive, easily the largest building in the area. From a distance, the hulking concrete structure resembled a prison or an aircraft hangar; it was only on closer inspection that one noticed the parking lot and the cars.

Phil parked the truck as close as possible to the store and shut off the engine. He reached behind the seat and found a black leather jacket, tossing it over his Slayer t-shirt to conceal his tattoos.

"I don't want anyone to recognize me, I don't want anyone wondering what I'm doing at a Wal-Mart with a pregnant chick", he drawled, helping her out of the car.

Natalya nodded in understand as they walked towards the store. It wasn't too hot, but it was only nine in the morning; it was bound to get hotter later. "Remember, stay by me", Phil reminded her.

The elderly blue-haired greeter smiled welcomingly at them. "Howdy and welcome to the Wal-Mart at Hammond", she said with a honeyed Southern drawl.

Phil gave her a quick smile and led her inside, grabbing a shopping cart from the parking area. "Reckon we ought to be quick, it can't be good for you to be on your feet too long", he said.

Natalya didn't reply as she was too busy looking around wide-eyed. The Burtons never went to the Wal-Marts in the Bay Area, so she was unprepared for the vastness of the place.

The Wal-Mart was a supercenter, the size of two football fields and the ceiling just as vast. It was crowded with shoppers of all sorts: families, singles, busloads of elderly people and huge clans of Mexican and Asian families. All the registers were open and busy, trying to be heard above the din of people talking.

"We ought to get stuff for the babies and you ladies, plus anything the kids want. You got the list?", he asked.

Natalya snapped out of her reverie and took the list out of her purse. Phil nodded and drove the cart past the registers into the store itself.

An hour later, the cart was full of maternity clothes, vitamin supplements, a bassinet kit, blankets and food and snacks. As they were about to pay for the stuff, Phil saw a familiar face and frowned.

"Damn, I never thought I'd see him here", he muttered.

Natalya looked over. The man in question had his back to them several lanes down, standing next to a blond woman in a cowboy hat. He was of average height and stocky, wearing a black t-shirt and jeans, a black cowboy hat over his shoulder-length dark hair.

"Who is that?", she asked.

"Someone I don't wanna talk to", he muttered.

Phil cursed under his breath when the man turned in their direction. He said something to the woman and walked towards them, a puzzled look on his face.

"Howdy, Vin. Never reckon I'd see you here", said Phil calmly.

"Howdy, Philip. Me neither", he said with a heavy Texas accent. He noticed her and blushed slightly, tipping his hat and smiling. "Sorry I didn't see you there, ma'am. I forgot my manners for a moment. I'm Vinnie Paul Abbott", he said politely.

"Vin, this is a family friend, Natalya Stankowski. I'm helping her pick out stuff for her baby, her boyfriend's out of town", he replied.

"Congratulation to you and your boyfriend, ma'am. I ought to get my stuff, it was good talking to you, Phil, ma'am", he said, touching the brim of his hat and going back to his lane.
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Verity
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The Story Girl
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Natalya was funny with her awe over Walmart. I can't believe that she's never been to one. They are near impossible to avoid. They're everywhere.
And what on earth is Vinnie Paul doing in a piece of shit, god forsaken, place such as Hammond?

This story rocks. I have to be in Mandeville Thursday of next week so I will probably think of this when I am there.
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The Cosmic Gerbil
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That Wal-Mart sounds ace :) And I loved the chapter with Cliff talking to Electra, it was so moving and cute too :)
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Taimi
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that could have been awkward
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Lucifer's Angel
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Really, what's Hammond like, Ashley? I just saw it on a map, and it looked a good distance away from Mandeville, so I thought it was a good idea for them to go a Wal-Mart there :blush:

Chapter 329

Vinnie went back to his spot in line, a puzzled expression on his face. Who is that girl, and is that his kid? Last time I checked, he didn't have a pregnant Russian girlfriend. This is freaky, he thought, shaking his head.

"Vin, pay for the stuff already", said the woman, an irritated note in her Texas-accented voice.

"Oh, all right. I spaced out for a minute there, Rita", he said, taking out his wallet and handing his credit card to the cashier.

"Fancy meetin' him here, Vin. And I didn't know he had a girlfriend. Damn, she's big as a house", she remarked as the bagger placed their things in the cart.

"He says she's a friend, that her boyfriend is out of town. And I think she's Russian or something. This is weird", he said, shaking his head.

"None of our business anyway. Let's get back to the hotel and get ready to go fishing, your dad's chomping at the bit to land a big one", she teased.

"I know. Reckon it ain't none of my business anyways", he shrugged.


It was late at night, the rest of the household having gone to sleep. Outside, the sounds of the animals and the murmur of the wind in the trees made an eerie sound, sounding like the incidental noises in a horror movie. The trees blocked the lights from town, the skin ink-black with only a sliver of crescent moon and tiny stars providing light.

Phil sat in his studio by himself, a thoughtful expression in his face. The studio was connected to the back of the house by a covered walkway, giving easy access in case he wanted to be alone. It was professional quality with consoles and every sort of recording equipment. The walls were plastered with posters of horror movies and boxers, basses and guitars neatly stacked in a rack in the performance area, along with amps and a PA and microphones. A TV in the corner was turned on and played a Freddy Krueger movie, Freddy about to claim another victim.

Damn, what the hell was Vin doing at the Wal-Mart, of all places? I hope he doesn't his big mouth, but he might just to spite me. Maybe I deserve it, I said stupid shit about his brother and then Dime was killed. I can't blame him for not burying the hatchet, he mused.

Phil took out a baggie of weed from inside of a cookie jar shaped like a frog next to the TV. He rolled himself a joint and put it to his lips, lighting the tip and inhaling the smoke.

The pungent smoke filled his lungs, as he held it in and then exhaled. Rex always knows where to get good shit, he mused, taking another puff.

At least we got the baby stuff, we got plenty of groceries so we don't have to buy anything soon. And I do hope Vin keeps his big mouth shut, those bastards could be in the area. I do know that my sister and niece are coming tomorrow. I just hope the kids don't get bored, and I gotta ask Becky for advice on how to handle pregnant girls, I don't want to be dealing with hormonal woman, he mused, taking another puff off the joint.
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Verity
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I like Phil's studio. It sounds badass. I also think it's quite funny that Phil keeps weed in a cookie jar of all places. I hope his nieces don't go in there looking for cookies.

Hammond probably was a good place for them to go to Walmart.
It is like a half hour from Mandeville I think. I'll be heading that way next week so I can check for you.
I always pass it when I'm on my way from Baton Rouge to Mandeville.
It has a Walmart and stuff, but I can't really think of anything that's kickass there except the Renaissance Fest is in Hammond and goes on for the entire month of November. I've gone twice and it's pretty cool- so that's a good thing about Hammond. Maybe Kitty will go. :lol:
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The Cosmic Gerbil
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LOL, yeah, they'd find more than cookies :lol:
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Taimi
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great update, vanessa, very thought provoking.
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Lucifer's Angel
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Chapter 330

"Okay, put the rifle on your shoulder and aim carefully. Then you squeeze the trigger. Be careful, because the report hurts like a bitch", said Phil.

Justis took a deep breath and hoisted the rifle, carefully putting it on his shoulder. He aimed at the paper target and drew a bead in the center, his finger resting lightly on the trigger. He then pulled the trigger and braced himself as the gun fired, the butt hitting his shoulders as the bullet hit the target's shoulder.

"Not bad, but you oughtta aim for the head or the gut. You need more practice, kid", said Tony, opening a beer.

Everyone was outside in the backyard, taking target practice. Phil was teaching Justis how to shoot while the girls looked on. Catriona was nonchalant as she already knew how to shoot, but Natalya and Electra were both horrified and intrigued.

"That's much better, I reckon that woulda killed him", said Tony, as Justis shot the target straight in the chest.

"Is this really necessary? It cannot be good for the baby to hear that", chided Natalya. Her face was pale with worry as she clutched tightly onto her rosary, her fingers turning white from holding it too tightly.

"I reckon it's a good idea that Justis learns to shoot, ma'am. I was shooting guns at ten, he's a bit old to start but he's a real good shot. Besides, we ought to have another man with a gun handy. Kitty can shoot good, but I reckon a pregnant woman ought to not shoot a gun in her condition", said Phil.

"Justis, you shot off the target's head", said Electra, unable to keep the pride out of her voice.

Justis beamed with pride as Phil clapped him on the back. "Yep, you're a natural, kid. I didn't get good until I was fourteen. You ever shoot a gun before?", he asked.

"I've shot air rifles at the fair, you know, where you shoot toy ducks and win something. I was pretty good at that, I won my girlfriend a prize last time", he said, a shadow crossing over his face.

"You must miss her something fierce, then. But hopefully the cops are gonna find that son of a bitch and you kids can go home. Why don't you take a turn, Miss Electra? The women in our family know how to shoot", said Tony.

"It's all right, Electra. Phil and Tony will make sure nothing's going to happen", said Catriona reassuringly.

Electra took a deep breath as Phil loaded the rifle and placed it on her shoulder. He helped her position it and aimed it towards the target.

"See, you got your finger on the trigger. Only shoot when you're absolutely sure, then you pull the trigger. It takes a bit of pressure and you gotta press down, don't do anything until I tell you", said Phil.

He placed her right index finger on the trigger and made sure the area around the target was clear. "Okay, aim for the body, steady, there, now shoot", he said.

Electra pulled the trigger and a loud band reverbrated in the air. The bullet hit its target, landing on the shoulder of the paper. "Not bad for a first shot. You need more practice, but I think you got potential", said Phil approvingly.
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Taimi
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hehe, good job Justis :P
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Verity
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The Story Girl
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Natalya and her roasry were funny. :lol: :lol: :lol: I hope that the kids won't have to be the ones who use a gun against Bernie. I hope that the police get him or something. I only remember shooting a rifle once at my in law's and it really bothered my shoulder so I couldn't do much target practice. But I'm weak.

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The Cosmic Gerbil
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Poor Justis, he misses his gf :( But it was cool seeing the kids shooting a gun :)
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Lucifer's Angel
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Starting Monday, I'm going to take at least a week off. I'm going to recharge my batteries, so to speak. It's not writer's block, but I feel I need to take a bit of time off from writing. Don't worry, I'm sure I'll feel better and there's going to be some good stuff when I get started again :)

Chapter 331

After lunch, Phil thought he heard a car approach. With one hand on his pistol beneath his shirt, he peered out the window. He sighed in relief when he saw his sister Becky and his niece Jenny emerge from her truck.

"Howdy, brother. Is that any way to greet your sister?", she chided in her heavy drawl, seeing his hand on the butt of his pistol.

Phil blushed guiltily at her words. "I'm real sorry, Becky. I just didn't want any unexpected visitors. Come in, I got guests", he said.

Becky led her daughter inside the house, raising an eyebrow when she saw the group. Two pregnant women, a teenage boy and a little girl sat on the couch, looking at them warily. One of the women was very tall, her auburn hair in a loose braid to her waist, wearing loose jeans and a HIM shirt. The other woman was younger and more pregnant, her blond hair loose around her face. She wore a pale blue cotton skirt and a pink blouse that fit snugly around her belly. The boy was tall and thin with dyed hair cut short, wearing jeans and a Dragonforce t-shirt, while the little girl also had short dyed hair and wore a Hannah Montana t-shirt.

"Everyone, this is my sister Becky and my niece Jenny. Ladies, these are my guests Catriona Burton, Natalya Stankowski and Justis and Electra Mustaine. It's a long story", he said.

"That's for sure. Let me make some tea and then we'll talk. One lump or two?", asked Catriona.

"Uh, one lump for me and two for Jenny. Thank you, ma'am", said Becky, as she went into the kitchen.

Becky faced her brother, as Jenny looked very puzzled. "Phil, what in the hell is going on here?", she demanded.

"Like I said, it's a long story. Let's have some tea first and I'll tell you everything", he replied.

"Madame, it is not what you think it is. Phil does not have a harem", said Natalya.

Jenny's eyes went wide as saucers. She was a cute little girl with curly black hair and big green eyes, her skin tanned from playing out in the sun. She wore denim shorts and a pink t-shirt, her hair pulled back into messy pigtails.

"Are you American?", she asked, speaking with the same heavy accent as her mother.

'No, I am from Poland. My boyfriend is American, our child will be American", she replied.

"Cool", she said.

"And we're from San Diego", said Justis.

Just then, Catriona emerged from the kitchen with a tea tray and package of Oreos. She carefully set down the tea tray and gave everyone a cup, adding one lump of sugar or two, then opened the package of Oreos, before getting her own cup and adding a bit of lemon.

"I made Lipton, I'm not sure what you like", she said apologetically.

Becky took a sip of the tea and nibbled on a cookie, while Jenny looked at the murky liquid dubiously. She finished her tea and looked at her brother.

"Phil, what the hell is going on here?", she demanded.

Phil looked into his own cup of tea and drained it, taking a deep breath. He then told his sister everything, omitting the more disturbing details as not to freak out Jenny. Becky's eyes were wide with shock at what her brother said. "Goddamn, that Bernie is an evil son of a bitch. I hope the cops get the bastard. Phil, that is damn noble of you. I am sorry if I thought you were crazy, but I had my suspicions. I just hope they don't come after Jenny", she said.

"If anyone hurt Jenny, I'd kill 'em, you know that. And why don't you live here, Becky? It ain't safe living in the city by yourself", Phil chided his sister.

"It's too far from my job, Phil. And the neighborhood's not that bad, I got my gun for protection", she said proudly.

"I know that, but that place isn't good. Plus, you don't have a man to protect you, ever since Leroy got arrested. Just think about it", he said.

"I reckon I'll think about it", she sighed.
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Verity
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The Story Girl
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I would be pretty shocked too if I walked into Phil's house to see 2 chicks and 2 kids hanging out there. I hope that Bernie gets thrown in the slammer.
Someone needs to take Justis down to the Hammond Walmart and buy him a new T-shirt besides just the Dragonforce one. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: It must be awfully smelly by now.

I'm sorry to hear that you are taking a break because I have been enjoying this story a lot. It's my little stress relief before I begin a long day of work. But I understand. I think that recharging batteries is a good idea.
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