SEASON 14: WAR
I'd been home 14 HOURS.
I hugged & kissed my mother & father.
How many years have I been from home?
I don't remember.
My dad looked at me and said "She's up there."
I went up to the 3rd floor;
it looks the same;
they hadn't touched it;
didn't even think to rent it out all these years.
It's like they expected me to return some day.
That DAY came.
She saw me & weeped & cried.
Some times I become desensitized;
unknowing of the burden of my absence;
and the joy of my presence.
A GOOD FRIEND, a GOOD SON, is like a fine, well-aged bottle of wine;
hard to find.
"Dry your eyes.
I'm home.
And it all ENDS NOW."
She didn't know why my parents invited her to stay with them.
She didn't know I was coming,
home.
Her eyes;
she sighed, relieved.
We embraced, had a few drinks & spoke at length.
I told her this day marked the end of THIS PROBLEM.
I never wanted to intervene;
because I left THAT LIFE behind me.
I wanted them to work out their problems without me.
I am the LEADER.
He used to be my 2nd in command.
This explains why I ignored it for so long.
When I retired he took over;
it was HIS CREW now.
The difference between us:
I was blessed & cursed with a conscience.
And a gentle-like lamb nature.
The ROARING LION in me is reserved only for those who deserve it.
Unlike me, HE roars always.
And he was about to devour her;
her END was near.
Why?
She cheated.
She found comfort and affection in the arms of another.
This OTHER is now 6 feet under.
(Draw your own conclusion.)
At midnight, the ladies were sleeping.
My Dad & I were sitting on the first floor, like old times, talking over a few beers.
We were waiting.
A mob gathered, 1am.
I looked out the window.
Told my dad go upstairs.
"Go!"
He said "I'm not going anywhere. NO!"
Looking out the window,
I realized these men used to be MY MEN.
My dad bravely rushed outside & told them to leave.
I knew out of RESPECT FOR ME they'd dare not touch him.
I heard a familiar voice say:
"I know she's in there!
Step aside. Get out of my way!"
I heard HIS footsteps approaching the gate.
I finished my beer;
walked to the door;
they saw my face;
they were SHOCKED.😳
And scared.
I looked at him & said "ENOUGH."
"It ALL ENDS HERE."
He put his hand on his weapon, foolishly.
I walked out to him.
And said "REALLY?"
He looked behind him, at his men, for support.
But I was HOME.
I recruited & trained most of them.
And even though I'd been far from home, Fear, Love & Loyalty know:
They ALWAYS know;
they remember, who you are, at your core.
And just then it became clear to him these men are his NO MORE.
"Go HOME!!
We'll meet & talk tomorrow."
And so the street became quiet once more.
And tomorrow we'd meet to discuss the FINAL SCORE.
There's a PRICE TO PAY, for sure.
She'll have to pay it.
Or I will.
She cheated.
And it will not go unpunished.
