Mark was putting the final touches on the three radios, showing us how to switch them through different security modes and a label showing how to communicate with just one or all the other radios.

  “If you add more radios, just switch this to 1, 2, 3 and so on, up to eight.” Mark instructed as we tested them out and they worked just fine.

  “So, how will you know if the Movement is successful?” Scotty asked.

  “We are supposed to make a call, Monday, at exactly one, twenty-three P.M. on the encrypted channel from the outpost.” James said.

  “What if you don’t get a response?” Reese asked.

  “Then it was a complete failure, and the Movement is dead.” Mark said.

  “We have four people we can completely trust. They know the time and the codes in order to communicate the status. With any luck, in three days… it will be a crater.” James said with a heavy sigh.

  “That’s the escape window?” Scotty asked. Mark and James just nodded their heads. “There’s a rendezvous point about two miles west of the facility, anyone left is to report there.” Mark said.

  “Don’t feel guilty.” I said quietly to Mark and James.

  “It’s hard not to.” Mark said looking around.

  “Enough of this sadness. We will all find out soon enough, until then, let’s just hope for the best.” Helen said.

  “With Billy being slowly digested and their resources spread thin against the Movement, you two are low on the priority list.” Reese said as he stood up.

  “I need to call Susan and Paul and give them an update. Can you show me how to switch the radio back?” Reese asked looking toward Mark.

  “Sure. No problem!” Mark replied.

  We all cleaned up dinner as Jillian and Helen made ready the additional rooms for Mark and James. Rebecca stripped off her clothes and jumped into the pool immediately followed by Ginger and Pete. James pretended not to notice. I stripped down and jumped in as well as Scotty in his tighty-whities. Jillian and Helen stripped down to bra and panties and jumped in. James did not know what to do.

  “You know you want to jump in!” Rebecca said treading the water.

  Reese must have heard the splashes as he rounded the side of the house taking off his socks and cannon balled naked right into the center of the pool causing an enormous splash. Mark was not far behind as he ran and tripped trying to take off his pants with his good arm.

  “JAMES JAMES JAMES” Everyone chanted as he stood up trying to conceal his erection, and now that everyone was watching, he was embarrassed. Rebecca got out of the water, walked up to James and whispered into his ear. He took off his clothes and entered the pool behind Rebecca.

  “All we need to do is fix a sail on his back and he’ll be in Catalina by mornin!” Scotty said as everyone laughed but all of us noticed Mark and James’ battered, bruised and scarred bodies. With our help they should be healthy within a week, if they live.

  Jillian and I did not sleep well, we got up and started cleaning and making breakfast. Ginger and Pete both turned to see who was walking through the living room. James was wrapped in just a bed sheet.

  “I can’t find my clothes.” James said proudly.

  “We heard the shower last night, was that you?” Jillian asked smiling and winking at him.

  “No, but that sounds…” James started to say.

  “Just keep it under five minutes. I’m sure everyone will be using it.” Jillian said, still smiling. Helen and Scotty came into the kitchen after an extended ‘good morning’ session with Ginger and Pete.

  “We might want to check the marina cameras for activity.” Scotty said as I poured him a cup of coffee at the kitchen table.

  “We might want to fast forward through… you know… Billy’s final demise.”

  “I’d like to head north and check for Lobsters.” Jillian said as she and Helen started making baking powder biscuits.

  “Good morning. Lobsters!?” Mark said, entering the Kitchen area.

  “They are not like ‘East coast’, but they are lobsters.” Reese said kneeling down and greeting Ginger and Pete from the living room.

  “Maybe you can give me some pointers on the boat I’ve been working on.” Scotty asked Reese.

  “Sure. Not a problem. It just can’t be faster than mine.” Reese said with a serious face that quickly changed into a smile and in good spirits.

  It was nice having assistance with my morning preventive maintenance. What typically takes three to four hours only took one and a half. Mark and James worked together as one and volunteered to do the work and did not complain at all when it came time to clean the pumps and filters of the nastiness.

  Jillian showed Reese where we placed our lobster traps on a chart and James noticed a marked-up map among the stack of papers with a circle around the baseball field, and the different colored circles showing the approximate location of the outpost with question marks.

  “So, you lied?” Mark said looking at the map then at me.

  “Yes.” I said.

  “When Billy heard you talking to…Paul is it? He went nuts! Between the insults and knowing where we were and the air intake.” James said shaking his head. “He was instructed to act immediately.” Mark added.

  “By who?” Reese asked.

  “Some woman. That was the first time we heard her voice.” Mark said.

  “She has her hands full right about now!” James said fist bumping Mark.

  “Once we had you secure, Billy was to call in for transport. Since that request never came and, well, everything else.” Mark said waving his hand.

  “Transport?” Reese questioned.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Helicopter. They have two that we know of. Very advanced, never seen anything like it.” James said as Ginger and Pete started barking at the patio door to be let out.

  “HOLY FUCKING SHIT!” Mark said out loud looking for a gun seeing Mom and Sam in the backyard nosing around.

  “Mark. Relax.” I said as I got up and opened the door and went outside with Scotty to greet Mom and Sam.

  Ginger and Pete gave Mom and Sam a quick sniff down and Sam approached me and presented his paw. This was more of a personal greeting than a medical inspection as Mom sat and waited for Jillian to bring out some water. Ginger and Pete playfully darted around her as she let them smell her as she sniffed the air.

  Looking into Sam’s eyes and holding his massive paw, I sensed they will not be back for a while. A new area for one or both of them has been located.

  Helen opened the patio door for Jillian who was carrying the water bucket. They caught the scent of Mark and James and immediately were focused and not interested in the water or the cookie box Helen was holding. Reese came out onto the patio and Mom and Sam ignored him.

  “Relax and clear your minds.” I said in a low tone as Mark and James stood in the patio door frame. Mom and Sam’s disposition was very different. Even the dogs sensed this and stood near Jillian and Helen.

  Mom. Sam. These are new friends. They mean you no harm. We are helping them. I said to Mom and Sam.

  Mom’s eyes shifted to mine for only a second and I could tell she was uneasy as well as Sam. They both backed away slowly toward the side of the house not taking their eyes off Mark and James and leaving without drinking the water or eating the cookies.

  “Wow, that was odd!” Jillian said looking toward Helen who had the same look on her face.

  “What did you say to them?” Helen asked me.

  “He didn’t say anything?” Mark said in a wave of apprehension.

  “I didn’t say anything.” I said as Helen looked at me and knew I was lying. Helen thought it would not be wise to have Mark and James meet the Wolf pack. I looked at her and nodded my head in agreement.

  After breakfast, we all went to the marina, Mark, James and Reese in Rebecca’s Escalade, followed by Helen, Scotty, Jillian the dogs and I.

  We immediately noticed multiple animal tracks, the left shoe, piece of blue sport coat and the stain. I replaced the SD cards from the four game cameras and we all boarded Reese’s new boat.

  “You named your boat “Ocean Motion”? Helen asked Reese with raised eyebrows.

  “I’ve been meaning to change that.” Reese said rolling his eyes and embarrassed. Reese had all of us change seats multiple times during the ride. The weight and balance needed constant corrections with eight of us and the dogs. We all complied and Reese seemed satisfied as he fine-tuned the boat as Scotty constantly asked questions.

  “I’m gonna have to fill the old gas tanks with more water to create a better ballast.” Reese yelled over the wind as we approached forty-three mph.

  “How much fuel do you have?” Scotty asked.

  “Three gallons. That should last all winter based on my calculations. I could really use the weight though.” Reese said and he and Scotty talked technical terms as Mark and James just sat and smiled enjoying the sun, wind, water and the marine life that found us interesting.

  We picked up about ten lobsters and let some of the smaller ones go. Mark and James did not say it out loud, but they really wanted to fish. Helen and Rebecca gave them a fishing rod and some quick instructions and inside of five minutes both were having a great time. They worked together using their good arms. James held the rod as Mark struggled reeling in something pretty big. Every time it got close to the boat it took out more line. After the third time Scotty was ready to pull it in and Reese pulled down Marks shorts. Everyone laughed, whistled and cheered as Mark remained focused on bringing in the fish.

  “A little sun tan lotion please!” Mark yelled as he worked the reel.

  “Blue-Fin! Looks like a thirty pounder!” Scotty yelled as he and Reese brought it on board.

  Mark and James stood for a picture as James pulled his shorts down alongside Mark. A big wave rolled the boat as Jillian recorded. “Did you get that!?” Rebecca asked. “The fish or the swingin’ dicks?” Jillian said laughing as Reese finally had a name for his boat. “I got all three!” Jillian said out loud as we all applauded.

  We headed back to the Marina in good spirits with enough food for at least three days for everyone. We ate lunch at our favorite spot; the restaurant overlooking the Marina. Comfortable seating, nice breeze and view.

  The wine tasted really good for some reason as I faced north and noticed a small sparkle reflecting in the distance. I just smiled and held Jillian’s hand. Everyone, except Jillian, was getting a little drunk and we thought it would be best to drive back to Malibu and prepare today’s catch.

  When we finished cleaning up the fish and lobsters everyone disappeared for an afternoon nap.

  I woke up and Jillian was looking at me smiling.

  “You have been in such a good mood lately, it’s nice to see.” Jillian said kissing my cheek.

  “And you look more beautiful every day.” I said stretching.

  “For what it’s worth, life is good.” Jillian said snuggling in close to me.

  “I think my boobs are getting bigger.” Jillian said unexpectedly.

  “Maybe, a little.” I said as Jillian sat up and displayed her breasts to me. A quick knock at the door and Helen appeared.

  “Do you think my boobs are getting bigger?” Jillian asked Helen.

  “Oh sweetie, you have a great rack. We can’t find Ginger and I looked everywhere.” Helen said concerned.

  “Where’s Pete?” I asked.

  “Downstairs on the couch, snoring.” Helen said as Jillian and I got dressed and went downstairs. Pete did not seem very concerned about Ginger. He went outside, sniffed around, pooped and jumped on the big lounge chair with a heavy sigh.

  “He’s not a whole lotta help.” Jillian said as I whistled a couple of times and took the golf cart for a ride around the neighborhood. After twenty minutes I ran into Scotty and James in the other golf cart.

  “Nothing. Is she in ‘Heat’?” Scotty asked.

  “I don’t remember.” I said.

  “If there is a male snooping around and picked up her scent, he may not want to approach with the Bears and Wolf pack all over here. I have the drone but don’t know where to start.” Scotty said a little concerned.

  “It’ll be dark in a couple of hours; she’ll be hungry and thirsty.” I said starting to get worried.

  “She’s a smart dog, she’ll be fine.” Scotty said concerned, but not as much as me.

  We headed back to the house and dinner was almost done. Jillian, Helen and Rebecca made a wonderful Lobster ‘Crab-cake’ like dish that everyone enjoyed.

  “I always hated sprouts as a kid, but these are so good!” James said as he and Mark continually complemented the food and thanked us.

  After dinner, all of us were playing a Bowling video game on the big screen TV on the patio and Helen had a near perfect game going, until Ginger appeared from the side of the house followed by Mom and Sam.

  Pete immediately greeted his sister by smelling and licking her. Mom and Sam kept their distance and seemed to be more afraid of Mark and James. Jillian and I ran up to Ginger and inspected her. I thanked Mom and Sam for some reason, not knowing exactly why, but it seemed appropriate.

  Helen and Scotty brought out a bucket of water and cookies as Ginger and Pete took turns drinking from the bucket and receiving cookies. Mom and Sam were reluctant.

  “Mark. James. Could you please go into the house and close the doors?” I said quietly not looking at them as they both silently complied and disappeared from sight inside the house.

  Mom and Sam’s disposition changed immediately. Ginger and Pete playing chase with Sam as Mom found the cart with the lobster carcasses, dumped it over and snacked watching Ginger, Pete and Sam’s playtime.

  Helen talked in soft tones to Mom as she removed briers from her back and Jillian did a quick medical inspection. Mom enjoyed all the attention, food and water. Mom grabbed Helen and pulled her in so she could smell and lick her hair.

  “Okay, okay sweetie. I love you too.” Helen’s muffled voice could be barely heard as Mom left Lobster fragments in her hair as Rebecca and Reese sat at the patio table recording video and chuckling.

  “Okay, okay Sweetie, I missed you too.” Again, Helen’s muffled voice. Ginger was exhausted as she sat next to Mom and drank from the water bucket until it was empty. Reese got up and approached Mom and Ginger.

  “I’ll get some more water. Is that okay?” Reese asked looking toward Jillian and I.

  “Thank you, Reese.” Jillian said as Mom got up just as Reese grabbed the water bucket and inspected Reese. She got up on her hind legs and towered over Reese as a display.

  “Yep. You're big. You're bad, and you are the only one here that can kick my ass.” Reese said calmly looking around then looking at Mom as he held the water bucket. Mom dropped down and placed her head under Reese’s empty hand expecting him to touch her. Reese complied with her request. Reese stood with his new friend, gently stroking her head.

  “Let’s see someone fuck with us now.” Reese said nodding his head in defiance and glancing at Mom.

  Mom and Sam ate most everything in the cart and took a quick swim and exited along the side of the house. Mark and James opened the patio door.

  “That was unbelievable!” Mark said.

  “No one would ever believe us if we told them. Are you friends with all the wild animals?” James asked.

  “No.” Scotty said plainly.