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Southern Cross; Sequel to I'll Sing Your Song
Topic Started: July 9, 2012, 9:37 pm (457 Views)
Lucifer's Angel
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Heavy Metal Seanchai
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I have over fifty chapters of this on Word and I thought I'd post it, it's sort of a sequel but it concentrates more on Josie and Dallas' relationship. Feedback is welcome

Prologue

Dallas lay forlornly on the couch as the TV showed an umpteenth repeat of Spotscenter on ESPN. The floor in front of the couch was littered with empty beer cans and crumbs from breakfast, the coffee table dusty with a haphazard pile of magazines scattered about.

Dallas barely paid attention to the TV, glancing down at his left arm. His pale arms were covered in Celtic tattoos of snakes and a large Celtic cross on both biceps, but on the underside of his left arm was a scar that ran from his elbow to his wrist, the scar reddish pink and almost in a straight line. And I can't get a tattoo there, it'll fuck up my arm again, he thought grimly.

Sportscenter showed the highlights of the Pittsburgh Pirates game against the Washington Nationals, Dallas laughing bitterly to himself. I got cut from the worst team in the majors and they still suck, how's it working out there?, he thought sardonically.

Dallas turned off the TV in disgust and got up from the couch, dumping the beer cans in the garbage. The house was empty and it felt as though everyone else in the neighborhood was at work, the silence unnerving. He popped a breath mint and went back to the living room, pausing in front of a group of framed photographs mounted on the wall. The first one showed him at his high school graduation, proud in his blue gown and mortorboard. His grandma Peggy hugged him and smiled for the camera, her dyed red hair and jangly earrings belying her age. The second showed him after he had pitched his perfect game against the Baltimore Orioles, clad in the green and gold of the Oakland A's and flanked by Peggy and his daughter Josie. The last picture was a team portrait of the A's team that had won the World Series three years ago, a formal shot with the players in their immaculate white, gold and green uniforms.

Yeah, we were a great team. But that was before the surgery, I'm a has-been, he thought bitterly.

His thoughts were interrupted when his phone rang, recognizing the number of his agent Ron Evans. "Dallas, I got very good news", said Ron.

"Dude, the season's over in a week. I don't think teams are that desperate", he joked.

"Dallas, I got an offer from the Perth Heat of the Australian Baseball League, they want to offer you a contract for one year, minimum salary but with lots of incentives. You can make up to $500,000 if you meet the incentives, if you do well maybe you'll get an offer from a team in the states, plus they'll help you find a place to stay", said Ron.

"Wow, I don't know what to say. But I got to speak with Josie", he replied.

"No need, the team says they'll help find a school for her what else you need", said Ron.

"I still got to speak with h er, it's quite a shock. She is a Brady, after all", he chuckled.

"I know, but it's a very good deal. I'll call back later and I'll fax over the contract. Bye", said Ron as he hung up.

Just then, the school bus honked its horn and then the door opened. "Hey Dallas", said Josie as she let herself in.

"Hey Josie, how was school?", he asked.

Josie made a face as she tossed her bag on the couch and kicked off her shoes. She was slim and had her father's red curly hair and green eyes, wearing jeans and a green Flogging Molly tour shirt. "Boring as usual, the boys wouldn't shut up during the movie in science class and I got a math test, that sucks", she muttered.

"I hated school when I was your age, school sucks until you're in college. Josie, how would you like to go to Australia?", he asked with a grin.

"What? But I have school", she said, puzzled.

"Ron just called, I got an offer to play for the Perth Heat in the Australian Baseball League, it's a good contract and I can earn some good money. They're gong to help me find a place and they can help you find a school if I want. What do you say?", he asked.

"Whoa, awesome. Go for it, Dallas, it's not good for you to stay home and drink beer", said Josie matter-of-factly.

"You're too smart for a ten-year old, Josephine Brady. When Ron calls, he's going to fax over the contract", he replied.

"Awesome. Dallas, maybe you can find a girlfriend, you can't be a bachelor forever", she chided.

"An ugly guy like me doesn't get many chicks, plus smoking hot Aussie girls won't give me the time of day. It's just you and me, Josie", said Dallas.

Josie gave her father a hug. "Dallas, Miss Peggy wouldn't want you to be single forever. It can't be much fun being a bachelor", she said.

"Remind me of that when you start dating. I'll get the shotgun out", he teased as she playfully flipped him off.
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The Cosmic Gerbil
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Forbidden Forest Ranger
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Wow, going to Australia would be exciting :D
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Lucifer's Angel
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Heavy Metal Seanchai
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Chapter 2

"We got a helluva thing to tell Grandma, Josie. We ought to celebrate later", laughed Dallas as he pulled into the parking lot of the Shady Pines Retirement Community. It was a two-story tan building with Spanish tiles on the roof surrounded by neatly trimmed shrubbery, several of the residents sitting on the veranda enjoying the early autumn air while sitting on their rocking chairs.

Peggy Lindsay was standing on the porch, waving to them. She was a stout woman in her seventies with bright red dyed hair the color of flames and sharp green eyes, wearing a pale blue pantsuit and a pink baseball cap. The only thing that kept her from looking younger were the wrinkles around her eyes and mouth and her veiny, knarled hands whose fingernails were painted baby pink.

"Dallas, Josie, so glad to see you", she said, embracing Dallas and Josie.

"Hey, Grandma. You ready?", he asked as they walked towards his black pickup truck.

"You betcha, you know I never miss an A's game and watching it is better than on TV. Josie, how is school?", asked Peggy, reaching into her pocket for a pack of menthols and a lighter.

"School sucks, like usual, Miss Peggy. And the gym teacher says smoking is bad", she chided.

Peggy took a drag off her cigarette as she rolled down the window and exhaled, an amused look in her green eyes. "Josie, doctors are full of shit, at my age you stop worrying all the time. They're always trying to stop people from having fun, you ever seen a happy doctor?", she retorted, taking another drag.

"You're right, Grandma. Reckon everything that's fun is bad for you, if you do all the stuff the doctors say, you'll live to be a hundred but won't have any fun doing so", joked Dallas.

"Speaking of which, the doc said I was fine, reckon a smoke a day and a drink a day is all right", cackled Peggy.

"Miss Peggy, Dallas got an offer to play baseball in Australia", said Josie.

"Yeah, Grandma. I signed a contract to play with the Perth Heat in the Australian Baseball League, we're moving next month and Josie coming with me. Don't keel over on me", he joked.

"Dallas Lee Brady, that's great news. This is a real opportunity for you, I was worried about you at home all day drinking and watching TV, this is great news. You better call and send postcards", chided Peggy.

"I know, Grandma. Are you sure you don't want to come with us, the team is going to find us a place", said Dallas as he made the exit for I-880 going west.

"At my age, you don't want to travel, Dallas. Besides, what am I going to do in Australia, hunt kangaroos? But Josie, be on your best behavior for your father, you're representing the states", teased Peggy.

"I know, Miss Peggy. But I want to travel, it's boring here. I want to go to Ireland, we're 100% Irish", she said proudly.

"I know, it's better than being California trailer trash. And Josie, you better behave or else you'll come back as a roach, that's what Trevor said", he teased.

"That boy is too smart for his own good, why is playing baseball instead of being in college? I suppose by the time he retires he can own a college", laughed Peggy.

"Yeah, not many dudes with an IQ over 160 are in the majors", agreed Dallas.


"Yeah, not many dudes with an IQ over 160 are in the majors", agreed Dallas.

They arrived at Oakland Coliseum half an hour later, the enormous concrete stadium surrounded by acres of parking spaces that were half-full for that night's game. Dallas parked the car and they joined the fans in A's green and gold headed into the stadium, some fans recognizing him and asking for autographs. They settled in their seats in the grandstand near the A's dugout as the visiting Texas Rangers were wrapping up their warmups.

"Be careful, Josie", said Dallas.

Josie got near the field and waved when she saw Texas pitcher and friend CJ Wilson in the outfield waiting to catch fly balls. "Hey CJ!", she yelled.

CJ heard her yell and turned around, smiling and waving to her as he walked over to the railing. "Hey, Josie. Your grandma's rooting against us tonight?", he joked.

"Yeah, she's a diehard A's fan, especially since Dallas played for them. Dallas got an offer to play in Australia and we're leaving in a month", she said.

"I know, I read it on Deadspin this morning, word gets around fast. Tell your dad congratulations and I'd go out with him for drinks if I wasn't straight-edge, but that's awesome news. Perth is gorgeous, Janet and I went there on vacation last year and it's like back home in Orange County, beaches and palm trees and everything. Trust me, you guys are going to like it", laughed CJ.

"Tell Janet I said hi", said Josie.

"I got a Lonely Planet guide to Australia I bought used at a yard sale, I'll send it to you. It could come in handy, but it's really big. You want it?", he asked.

"Sure, I need something to read on that flight, Dallas says it's over 16 hours", she said in awe.

"I know, Josie. Tell your dad I said hi and I got to go or else the coaches are going to make me run extra laps. Take care", said CJ as he headed towards the clubhouse.

Josie walked over to the A's bullpen where Trevor Callahan was doing his warmups, the big pitcher and her godfather starting the game tonight. He was big and stocky with light brown hair framing a round face with pale blue eyes and a snub nose, the green and gold uniform making look vaguely like a big leprechaun.

"Hey Trevor, win for Miss Peggy", said Josie.

Trevor threw one last pitch and smiled up at her, grabbing a bottle of water and taking a sip. "Hey Josie, heard the news about Dallas, congratulations. If you want, I got a bunch of books for the trip, I have too many books", he laughed.

"I know, do you have books on Vikings? I'm going to be an archaeologist", said Josie.

"Of course, I got a genius for a goddaughter. Ebay's great for that, so many people throw out perfectly fine books", he said, shaking his head.

"That sucks, are they going to come back as roaches?", she asked.

"Maybe, if you got bad karma you come back as a roach or a fly who eats shit, I don't think either of us is going to come back as a Bodhisattva just yet", he teased.

"Trevor, don't let the priest hear that, you're supposed to be a Catholic", she chided.

"I know, I just know I don't want to come back as a fly or a roach. Later on, we'll all go out for dinner and we'll talk some more, I got to finish my warmups", said Trevor.

"All right, bye", she said as she went back to where Dallas and Peggy sat.





September 16, 2011
Vanessa Sosa



"That was a great game, you big dumb bastard", teased Dallas, clapping his friend on the back.

Trevor just laughed as he followed them out the stadium. "I know, I was going against their big guy Alexi Ogando and he was on the All-Star game, I couldn't have my B game. Josie, where do you want to go and celebrate?", he asked.

"Let's go to Dave and Buster's, Chuck E Cheese's sucks", said Josie.

"I know, look up Chuck E Cheese fights on Youtube", laughed Peggy as they got in the truck: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYFgUvultQk

"Dallas, play the Chuck E Cheese Hell song", said Josie.

"Your wish is my command, Miss Josephine", he said gallantly as he slipped a CD into the player: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLGtuDZTk6o


I got combat training from overseas
Now I’m the bouncer at the Chucky Cheese
I think I’d rather do a year in jail
Than another afternoon
In Chucky Cheese Hell

Chucky Cheese Hell
I’m in Chucky CHEEEEEEESE HELL!
We cater to a snot nose clientele
In Chucky Cheese Hell

Mama drives Chipper to the Chucky Mall
Watches him wallor in some plastic balls
The band sucks and the pizza’s cold
And you eat it with a slobberin’ four year old
In Chucky Cheese Hell

Puke with pepperoni still smells the same
You waste a paycheck on a video game
Lined up out the door like The Stones are in town
There ain’t enough Chucky ass whippin’s
To go round

In Chucky Cheese Hell
I’m in Chucky CHEEEEEEEESE HELL!
Squallin’ youngins and a skee ball bell
In Chucky Cheese Hell

I did two tours of duty in Vietnam
Fightin’ jungle rot and braving napalm
But they couldn’t torture me half as well
As them little birthday $@*#*@*$!
In Chucky Cheese Hell

Chucky Cheese Hell
I’m in CHUCKY CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESE HELL!!
Ow Wo Wo


"Dude, that's the dumbest song ever", joked Trevor.

"But it's the truth, reckon being a bouncer at Chuck E Cheese is worse than Vietnam", laughed Dallas.

"Ooh, I love this song", said Josie as she sang along to Paul Thorn's It's a Great Day to Whoop Somebody's Ass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBjhGHLQnIE

Have You Ever Had One Of Those Days
when Nothing Goes Right
your Wife Starts Bitchen 'bout Whatever It Was She Was Bitchen About Last Night
so You Escape Into The Bathroom
just To Sit There On Your Thrown
but After You Finish Your Buisness The Toilet Paper's Gone

well It's A Great Day For Me To Whup Somebody's Ass
it's A Bad Day So You Better Get Off My Back
you Might Get Cold Cock If You Cross My Path
cuz It's A Great Day For Me To Whup Somebody's Ass

well I Was Runnin Late For Work
so I Poured Me Some Coffee To Go
and Just Before I Had A Flat Tire I Spilled It All Over My Clothes
when The Highway Patrollman Pulled Up I Thought That Help Was On The Way
but When He Saw The Tire Tool In My Hand He Shot Me With Pepper Spray

well It's A Great Day For Me To Whup Somebody's Ass
it's A Bad Day So You Better Get Off My Back
you Might Get Cold Cocked If You Cross My Path
cuz It's A Great Day For Me To Whup Somebody's Ass

when I Finally Made It To Work
i Was 15 Minutes Late
i Told My Boss About The Flat Tire
but He Fired Me Anyway
so Here I Am Out In The Parking Lot
just Waiting By His Corvet
i'm Gonna Give Him A Goodbye Present That He Never Will Forget

cuz It's A Great Day For Me To Whup Somebody's Ass
it's A Bad Day So You Better Get Off My Back
you Might Get Cold Cocked If You Cross My Path
cuz It's A Great Day For Me To Whup Somebody's Ass


"Josie, you sing pretty good but don't sing that at the school talent show", chided Dallas.

"I know better than that, it's a funny song. I'd hate to be that guy", she laughed.

They arrived at Dave and Buster's at the mall half an hour later. "Hi, how many?", asked the teenage greeter.

"Party of four, ma'am", replied Dallas.

Unlike Chuck E Cheese's, Dave and Buster's was more low-key with a real sit-down restaurant and alcoholic drinks, the game room in the back soundproofed as to not disturb anyone. "What can I get you to drink?", asked the waitress.

"I'll have a pink gin with Beefeater", said Peggy.

"And two Newcastles for us", said Dallas.

"I'll have a lemonade", said Josie.

After dinner, they went to the game room next door. The room was crowded with all sorts of arcade games and the requisite children, but since it was soundproofed it wasn't too bad for the people back in the dining room. Dallas got $10 worth of tokens as him and Josie played a zombie game, using the blue plastic guns to shoot at the disgusting creatures. "This is awesome, I got the bastard", she said proudly when the zombie was killed and turned into a pile of purple guts.

"That's my girl, maybe when we go to Australia, you can learn to shoot", said Dallas proudly.

"Actually, they have strict gun control out there, some crazy dude back in the 90's shot a bunch of people with an Uzi so they put a lot of restrictions on guns", said Trevor, taking a sip of his beer.

"That sucks, looks like folks go postal Down Under too", said Dallas, shaking his head.

"Dallas, I don't want Josie shooting guns, she's too young for that", chided Peggy, taking a sip of her pink gin.

"I'm just messing around, Grandma", he joked as they played another round of the zombie game.
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