Pop: Chapter 4b

     I decide to get one of the chocolate-chip ones instead.  Sure, they are a little crunchy for my taste, but they are easy-to-find.  I stick one into my tote and take a quick look into the kitchen.  No dishes were left out, so I guess Sam wasn't lying about not spoiling lunch.  I am not that confident.  With my training regimen, I can't be too careful to make sure I'm eating right.

    I go back to the mudroom and into the hall.  The window is almost fully drawn.  No one would've been able to look in to see Sam's naked running through the hall, unless they were really high up.  I don't see why Sam does these kind of things.  I was never that silly at eighteen.  It can't be my influence on him.  I mean, I would never run naked through the house.  Okay, there was that time when Sam was on that field trip to Washington DC last fall and Addie managed to come over for a few days, but... Better not go into that right now.

    Instead of taking the back stairs, I take the last door on the left and enter the sunroom.  It used to be Sam's "mother's" office before she died.  She did much of her work for her clinic here.  Now, the room is mostly empty.  The desk and a few chairs remain.  Sam sometimes came down here for his homework when he needed more room for a project.  The personal affects were stored away.  The clinic records were sent back.  Most of them.  The forensic accountants should be sending the rest now that their job is done.  The final results should be in next week.

    I go on into the library so I can check on my research.  When I first arrived at the manor, I immediately fell in love with the room.  It's still my favorite place in the house.  A lot had to be rearranged though.  The first editions and other rarities were put into special storage, as were most of the kid's books.  The rest got shoved into one side to make room for my books, specifically my "World of Darkness" collection.  Over ninety-two percent of every book and supplement published.  They all but overflow the shelves nearest the central desk area.  I could have every book, if I wanted to.  However, some supplements were reprinted in collections, so I tried to only get one copy of each whenever possible.  Therefore, I have some gaps, but only in books and not the information.  Why Jim and Rick's uncle decided to give young teenagers some of this stuff is beyond me, but I'm glad he did.

    Before I sit down, I plug in my laptop to recharge.  I didn't use it too much this morning, but I always like to make sure I top it off, even when I won't be using it much.  I boot up my main Mac on the desk.  It is not the one Dad used, but it is still an upgrade from my old one.  I can afford it, and more.  I still have the extra-large printer though.  Anything that could duplicate works of art at near full-size is always an asset. At the least, I can print off some of my PODs at twice the size.  Some of those charts are hard on the eyes.

    After the computer warms up, I do a quick search for my draft of The Second City and scroll to a chapter near the end.  "Old Vic" is bobbing in the currents, trying to keep his head over water.  His vampire master is nowhere to be seen.  In fact, he can barely see anything.  Suddenly, a large object bumps into him and almost takes him down.  It is the sarcophagus that the "Twenty-Fifth" Childe was place in when she refused to awaken from her Embrace.  Since it is wooden, it is floating on the waves.  Vic manages to climb atop it, saving him.  He dozes off, and he has a telepathic conversation with the casket's occupant.  She reveals some damning information to him.  Now, I just need to make sure that some of these revelations start coming true in the new book.

    I cross-reference my notes from other books to make sure I don't miss any details.  I decide not to ask anyone on my forums.  Don't want any hints coming out too soon, but I do lurk for a moment to see if I can spot any new ideas.

    "Chris!  It's after twelve-thirty!"

    I turn around to see Sam standing at the front entrance to the library.  Fortunately, he is dressed.  Khakis and a blue/white windowpane dress shirt, no tie.  Are his pants a little higher over his ankles? I think I see more of his socks than I used to, white.  Kids and their fashion sense.  Maybe his shirt looks a little tight, too.  No, he is not having another growth spurt.  Just keep telling yourself that.

    "Sorry Sam.  I guess I got a little wrapped up in my work."  I take a look at my watch as I turn off the computer and unplug my MacBook. "We will be on time.  Just let me go upstairs to finish getting ready myself."

    "You better hurry," Sam dejectedly moans as I start racing up the stairs as best as I can in dress shoes.  Sam was wearing loafers, slightly easier to navigate.  They don't match his outfit thought.  Kids.

    As soon as I reach my room. I whip my wallet and phone out of my jacket so I can place it on the dressing rack.  Pretentious, but useful.  My tie goes on top of it.  I dash to the bathroom to relieve myself (forty-two seconds) and to check my hair in the mirror.  I almost trip over my already packed travel bag as I grab the Beretta's keys from the nightstand.  I know, they should probably be kept downstairs, but I feel safer if they were nearer me. I pick up my phone and wallet.  One last look in the dressing mirror, and I am out in under two minutes.

    As I slowly walk down the last flight of stairs, Sam sniffles a laugh.

    "What is it?"

    "Wet spot," Sam laughs as he points to my left leg.  I was in such a rush, I forgot to shake.  Or I shook too much.

    I ignore him as I head back into the library to pick up my protein bar. 

    "It'll be dry by the time we get there.  Let's go"

    "You know, there will be food there."

    "Yeah, but you know my regimen.  It's not easy to maintain my physique at my age.  Just wait a decade or so and you will know too."  I reply as I set the security while we walk out the door.  "Stay here while I get the car."

    "Not the Beretta!  It's horrible.  You know how old that thing is?"

    I let him rant as I get the car.  I roll on out to meet him by the door.

    "Hurry up and get it.'

    "This car is so small, and it uses too much gas as well." Sam adjusts his seat farther back before he puts on his seatbelt.  He was the last one in the passenger seat, so he's just showing off for the effect on me.

    "At least it has more legroom than your car."

    We pull out on the street, taking a right instead of the left from this morning.  Traffic's light, so we get to the location in under five minutes. I almost leave my bar in the car, but it might melt if I leave it.  It's a little wrong to take it in, but it's safer.  I make a show of my now dry pants as we walk to the door.  

    "Hey there.  I thought I would catch you off-guard, but you two are early again.  I don't see how you do it."  A voice comes out through the door as it opens.

    "Hi Luis.  After all this time, you know I am usually early.  I hope everything is ready for us."

    "Don't worry Mr. Burton.  He is finishing up right now.  Just take a seat in the front, and he will see you in a second."

    "Thank you, Luis."

    Sam and I walk into the room and sit down at opposite ends of a couch.  We only have to wait a moment before he walks into the room from the far door.

    "Well hello you two.  How's it hanging?"  Sam tries to stifle a giggle.  We rise to greet him.

    "Definitely not appropriate, Dad," I say as Sam and I hug him.