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Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2007 09:10:02 -0400
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(C) 2007 by (the) Night Hawk
Read it the way it was written:
www.nighthawkstories.com


Kelly
(Inspired by Mike C, based on characters in his novel: "James"
Characters and situations copyright by Mike C, 2002)
      
Chapter 36

	Saturday morning came early.  For some, Saturday morning had
started Friday night.  As it did for Annie, Jacob and a pig named
Allen.

A Special Feature by: Dream Painter 
CAROWINDS PARK

(The afternoon before the picnic)

      The afternoon before the picnic, Annie and Jacob were reviewing
their lists.  "I just don't see anyway around it, Jacob; you have to
stay here tonight."

      "Mizz Annie, I don' wanna stay up at your place, and I ain't
driven no car in so long I don't remember," replied Jacob.

      "You wanna stay at the park and baby-sit Allen all night?"
Annie said referring to the dressed and scraped pig laying atop the
prep table and giving it a sound slap on its rear end.  She had named
it after her ex-husband.  "Damn, it's gonna be fun slicing this sucker
up!"  She giggled.  "Okay now, let's see...all the charcoal on the
trailer?"

      "Yes 'm," replied Jacob.
      
      "The folding tables?" Annie asked
      
      "Yes 'm," replied Jacob nodding.

      "I called the park and Ranger Bob agreed to have 37 tables at
the site near the pavilion.  I think that's where they plan to have
the entertainment.  Alrighty then, let's wrap Allen in a sheet and get
this show on the road.  It's gonna be a bitch getting this pig on the
rotisserie.  

      "Yazz 'm it sho is," Jacob agreed.

      Together they wrestled the pig into the back of the Bronco,
Bubba supervising.  Then Annie backed the vehicle up to the trailer
where the enormous grill was already locked into place.  Annie had
planned to leave the grill on the trailer while Allen the pig turned
on the spit.

      They had already packed the Bronco with many of the necessary
supplies, a roll of butcher paper, a yard-type lounge chair, blanket,
a five-gallon bucket of Carolina bar-b-que sauce and basting mop, as
well as oven mitts, aprons, and the all-important cooler of water.
With all the gear loaded and Annie, Jacob, and Allen the pig on board,
there was barely any room for Bubba.

      After arriving at Carowinds, Jacob pulled the three long folding
tables from the trailer and set them up while Annie put cinder blocks
under the tongue of the trailer.  Together, they filled the lower
portion of the five-foot-long grill with charcoal, then doused the
briquettes with lighter fluid.  Two hours later, Allen the pig was
slowly turning on the chain-driven, motorized spit.  

      Jacob and Annie were sitting at one of the picnic tables trying
to catch their breath while Bubba chased a butterfly.  
      
      "Okay, on the next trip, I'll pick up the tablecloths, the
luminaries, and the plates and flat wear."  Annie puffed.  She hated
using plastic and paper, but it was a picnic after all.  At least she
had managed to match the pantone colors of the TKO logo.  "Tomorrow,
when you come, bring the rest of the food that's in the fridges.  You
have to bake the rolls and brownies first thing in the morning, okay?
Then, after you get here, I'll run home and shower.  See?  It'll be a
piece of cake!"  Jacob gave his boss a doubtful gaze.

      Annie grabbed the keys and headed towards the Bronco, "Come on,
Bubba!"  She called to the shepherd, "Jacob, go ahead and start
bleaching these picnic tables.  I wonder where the other caterer is?"
Bubba bounced into the Bronco, his head hanging out the passenger side
window as Annie waved goodbye to Jacob.

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

	Annie had insisted Jacob stay at the apartment for two
reasons.  One, Jacob had to finish putting together the baked beans
and brownies, and two, because she was leaving a little surprise for
him.  

	Entering her apartment, she grabbed some linens from the linen
closet and made up the sofa for Jacob.  Then she replaced the soap in
the shower with something less flowery and laid out a fresh bath
towel.  Finally Annie laid out a brand new, brightly colored Hawaiian
shirt for Jacob to wear to the picnic.  She hoped he would take the
none-too-subtle hint.

	Annie had put a lot of thought into the picnic.  Drawing from
her less-used marketing skills, and since the other caterer was no
where to be seen, she felt free to set up her area as she saw fit.  It
was to be a simple buffet, so everyone could serve themselves slices
of Allen the pig and the roasted corn from the far end.  Jacob and
Annie could lop of pieces of pork or a slab of ribs and urge an ear of
roasted or boiled corn on the guests as they passed through the line.
She sat at her computer and printed out 40 copies of the menu for the
tables she had staked out:
WELCOME
To the TKO Company Picnic
Menu
Cold Slaw
Potato Salad
Roasted Pig
Baby Back Ribs
Baked Beans
Corn on the Cob (Roasted or Boiled)
Rolls
And...
Jacob's Famous Sinful Brownies


       Each table would have a centerpiece with a lighted citronella
candle to keep the mosquitoes down, nested in a colorful paper bag.
"Attractive yet functional, dat's the ticket!"  Annie thought to
herself as she gathered the tablecloths and flatware.  After filling
the Bronco, she was off again and back to Carowinds.    

~~~~~ // ~~~~~


	"Mizz Annie, you can't stay here all night by yo-self," said
Jacob as he pulled silks off the last ear of corn.  The sun was just
setting over Carowinds.

	"Well that's what I'm gonna do.  Besides, I wouldn't ask you
to do something I wouldn't do myself," replied Annie.  "Who'll look
after Allen the pig?" (she was really enjoying that reference).  "What
if the chain on that rotisserie breaks or the motor coughs up a
hairball?  The whole picnic will be ruined...anyhow, Bubba will be here
with me.  He'll protect me, won'tcha Bubba?"  Annie patted the dog on
the head.

	"It ain't right," Jacob shook his head, "it jest ain't right."
But Jacob knew better than to try to talk Annie out of something she
had set her mind on doing.

	"Now you're going to drive the truck back to the shop, turn
the ribs we left in the sauce, mix up the beans, and set out the dough
for the rolls.  Then tomorrow, all you have to do is go downstairs and
bake the rolls and brownies.  I've already made up the couch for you,"
Annie tried to gently explain.

	"...but what if I gets a ticket, Mizz Annie?"  Jacob asked in
genuine concern.

	"As long as you're careful you won't get a ticket!  Hell, half
the Charlotte police force will be eating dinner right here tomorrow
night.  We'll just find someone fix it!  It will be all right, Jacob,
I promise," Annie assured the old man.

	"Mizz Annie, has I ever told you that you is stubborn?"  Jacob
asked.

	"Not today," replied Annie trying hard not to giggle as she
handed Jacob the keys to the rusty old Bronco, "Just remember to keep
the shiny side up."

	"What shiny side?"  Jacob asked with a mischievous grin
looking at the old rusty-colored Bronco.

	Annie shook her head as the vehicle grumbled down the road.
Bubba looked up at her, his eyes raised in confusion.  "It's okay,
Bubba," Annie reassured the shepherd.  She leaned down to scratch him
behind the ears.

	Annie unfolded the lounge chair and settled in for the
evening, occasionally rising to baste Allen the pig.

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

	At the sound of the stick breaking, Annie's eyes snapped
opened.  The only light in the area was the glow of the coals as they
burned under Allen.  She could sense Bubba's muscles tensing as he
remained laying next to her, followed by his low guttural growl.

	"I wouldn't come much closer if I were you," Annie said
calmly.

	"Oh, I won't," replied the voice coming from behind her in the
dark, "That's a handsome animal you have there."

	"The dog or the pig?" asked Annie sarcastically not bothering
to turn to see the person speaking behind her.  "If you're looking for
food, the pig won't be ready until tomorrow."  Bubba emitted another
long, low growl.

	"I was looking for the TKO site," said the voice.

	"You've found it."  Annie said.

	"So I have," said the disembodied voice.  

	Bubba's ears seemed to droop as they both heard the footsteps
growing fainter, and he laid his head back on his paw.  Strangely
enough, the whole event had not put Annie on edge.  While she didn't
recognize the distinctly male voice behind her, she sensed no malice
in his words or manner of speech.  Watching the pig turn over and over
again on the spit lulled her back into a deep sleep.

~~~~~ // ~~~~~


(Six months after arriving in Charlotte)

	Annie was admiring the three shiny chrome commercial ovens
that had just been installed in the kitchen.  She was dancing around
her kitchen, opening and closing the doors on the ovens excitedly
after the four gorillas that handled the installation had left.  Annie
was still jazzed when the phone rang.  

	"Hello?"  Annie said happily as she and the Bubba-pup danced
around the kitchen

	"Hey, Annie, it's me...Allen," said the voice on the other end.

	The dancing came to an abrupt halt as Annie froze in her
tracks. "Al...Allen?"  Annie stammered.

	"Yeah, hey, how are you?"  Annie's former husband asked.

	"I'm okay.  What's up?"  Annie spoke as her heart fluttered
nervously.

	"Listen Annie, you know the divorce was final last week,
right?"  He asked.

	Annie could feel her cheeks turning flaming up fiery red.  A
flood of memories came rushing back to her, and she sensed from the
familiar tone in his voice that Allen wanted something.  How dare he
spoil her day?  

      "I've been busy, Allen, I guess it slipped my mind."

	"Annie, I need for you to sign some papers and get them back
to me."  Allen, too, had sensed a weakness in her veneer.  He knew by
the tone in her voice she was shocked to hear from him.

	Annie wasn't going to let him get the upper hand, not by a
long shot.  "Allen, I thought I signed all the papers before the
divorce was final."  Her hands were shaking as she spoke to him.

	"They aren't those kind of papers Annie," there was a pause,
"Annie, I'm getting married in two weeks."

	Annie emitted a sarcastic chuckle, "My, Allen, I always said
you were speedy."  She felt as thought her heart was going to leap
through her throat.  "What's the big rush Allen, is she pregnant?"

	The tone of Allen's voice dropped a couple of degrees, and
there was a decided edge to his voice.  Slowly he said, "Yes, she is."

	Annie couldn't believe what she was hearing.  Suddenly she
felt as though someone had punched her hard in her stomach.  "Well
when is the blessed event?"  She dropped all pretense of happiness.

	"Two months.  She wants to get married in the church, Annie.
She wants the baby christened in the church.  We can't do that if you
don't sign annulment papers.  It's important to her."

	Annie had already done the math.  Allen's new baby was
conceived before she had even left Phoenix.  "Important to her?  Well
la-dee-fucking-dah." She felt her anger spilling over, "Forget it
Allen.  Don't even waste the stamp.  I won't sign your fucking papers.
I won't say that the last 15 years of my life was a sham.  I won't say
that the birth of our daughter was a mistake.  No, Allen, no fucking
way!"

	"Hey, it's only a formality.  What difference does it make to
you anyway?"  Allen's words were cut short as Annie slammed the
receiver into its cradle.

      Leaning hard against the wall she felt her knees growing weak.
Annie slid down against the wall down to the floor.  Bubba pup licked
the tears from her cheeks.
      
~~~~~ // ~~~~~

(...meanwhile, back at Carowinds Park)

	That's how Annie was awakened; only Bubba was no longer a
gangly 6-month-old puppy but a fully-grown German shepherd dog.
"Jeeeze, Bubba," Annie moaned opening her eyes, "Enough!" as the GSD
lapped at her face.  Annie got the message loud and clear, it was time
to wake the hell up!  She slowly opened her eyes then closed them
tightly as the bright light of early morning flooded her vision.

	Annie slowly rose from the lounge chair to stretch.  She felt
as though all the muscles in her body were aching as she stood - then
looked down at her watch, "7:40!  Damn, Bubba, we slept in!"

      "God, I hope Jacob brings some coffee," she moaned as she
glanced over at Allen the pig.  Through the night, the pig's skin had
turned a soft golden ochre colored, and clear juices were hissing as
they dripped onto the glowing coals.  Annie gave the pig another swipe
with the basting mop as she smiled to herself.  Just by looking at the
color, smelling the aroma of the roasting pork, and the way the meat
was hanging on the bone, she could tell this pig roast was going to be
an undeniable success.

	Minutes later, Annie and Bubba could both hear the
all-too-familiar pinging of the engine of Annie's Bronco.  Annie
sighed happily as she looked up to see Jacob smiling behind the wheel.
Annie could tell by the low-riding rear end of the truck that Jacob
had loaded it full.

	"I brung you some coffee, Mizz Annie," Jacob beamed as he
stepped from the vehicle grinning, wearing the bright Hawaiian shirt
and holding a large travel mug in his hand.

	"Thank God!"  Annie groaned as she quickly snapped the travel
mug from Jacob's hand.  "You make the best damn coffee in the world,
Jacob.  By the way, nice shirt."  Annie smiled as she took a sip from
the mug.

	"Yeah, I found that on my pilla last night 'fore I went to
bed.  You s'pose Bubba done lost one a his shirts?"  Jacob grinned.

	"Naw, Bubba just likes running around nekkid," Annie could not
suppress a soft giggle.  She turned to the Bronco and opened the back
door.  Together, she and Jacob began unloading the aluminum trays and
coolers of food.  

	After the beans and ribs were placed on the grill, Annie and
Bubba left for her apartment to clean up and bring the iced-down,
small, single-serving bottles of wine, beer, and soft drinks.

	In her apartment, there was not so much as even a sign that
Jacob had stayed there.  The linens were neatly folded at the foot of
the sofa, the bath towel she had laid out was dry and where she had
hung it out for Jacob.  She made a mental note to ask Jacob about it
later.

	As she stepped into her shower she thought about the stranger
who had visited her last night.  Had that really happened?  Could she
have been dreaming?  Maybe it was just karma for naming the pig after
her ex-husband.  The gods were trying to shake her up a little
bit...trying to jerk her chain.  "Who knows," she muttered to herself.

	Annie dressed in her favorite comfy jeans, a white camisole,
and another bright Hawaiian shirt left unbuttoned.  She braided her
long, wet hair into a tight rope that hung below the middle of her
back while Bubba watched from the open door of her bathroom.  

      "Now Bubba, you gotta be a good doggie today and stick close to
me.  I don't want you out there mooching any people food from
strangers or tackling any children, you understand?"  The shepherd
looked up at her with his large brown eyes as if to say of course he
knew the game plan.  His tail thudded against the floor.  Bubba was
ready to go to work.

Chapter 36 continued by (the) Night Hawk

	Todd had spent most of Thursday sequestered in the darkroom,
cleaning and changing chemicals, and thoroughly scrubbing the entire
room and everything in it.  Ami had been by his side the entire time
but hadn't tried to make any serious conversation.  For a change, she
remained dressed, though it was more from the fear of the harsh
chemicals they used to clean than it was in deference to Todd's quiet
mood.  Kelly had told her that Todd would be okay and that he just
needed a bit of time to sort things out in his own mind. 

	Friday was when things got back to normal - or as close to
normal as the chaotic life at TKO would ever be.

	Vanetta was working the phones as usual, this time confirming
flight plans of the models who were arriving to attend the company
picnic - those who lived out of the area anyway.  Models who lived
within a reasonable driving distance from Charlotte were expected to
provide their own transportation.  Those who worked in the New York
area or in LA, were flying in, and Kelly wanted to be sure there were
enough mini-busses to pick them all up and drop them off at Carowinds.
She was really glad that Vanetta could handle this.  The logistics of
providing transportation for 200 families seemed overwhelming after
the week they had lived through.  

	Not all the models who would have had to fly in were coming,
which Kelly regretted, but she understood the added delay in flights
due to the increased security severely restricted a lot of travel,
especially for an event lasting just a single day.  A lot of the
models, their spouses, and children coming from the New York area were
flying on the same chartered plane as the staff and agents from the
New York office.  Just from the office alone, there were going to be
120 people attending as most were married and were bringing their
spouses and children.    

	Even with all the work, Kelly was looking forward to Saturday.
Though she made it a point to stay in contact with every office member
and model as much as possible, it wasn't the same as face-to-face
contact.

	Vanetta had met most of them on the last trip to New York with
Kelly, but since it was a dinner at one of the top hotels in the city,
she hadn't really made any lasting impression on them - nor they on
her.  She did look forward to meeting the people she was in regular
contact with via the internet, and suggested to Kelly that they
install video conferencing as well on their computers.

	Kelly and Todd had continued their discussions about moving
the entire operation to Charlotte, and had arranged for Rachel to look
for an office for them to handle the model assignment and accounting
department.  It didn't need to be that big since most assignments were
handled via internet or telephone, but it had to fit a staff of 50
comfortably.  And, they had decided they didn't want the office to be
located in the business district of downtown Charlotte.  There simply
wasn't any need for an expensive, highly visible location when most of
the work they received was from established clients, again by phone,
fax, or over the internet.  Runway models still made the news, but the
bulk of the work was still going to good-looking normal people.

	While many of the models currently under contact to TKO had
been offered jobs personally by Kelly, many more now working for the
company had just sent in their portfolios.  As Kelly partially
explained move strategy, the address to which prospective new-hires
mailed their portfolios - sometimes consisting of little more than a
series of snapshots - wouldn't matter, as long as they understood what
TKO was looking for in a model.  In fact, many of their current models
were referrals from people who already did modeling for TKO clients
and understood the advantages of being good-looking and average.
TKO's growing list of clients didn't design or advertise their clothes
for the rich and famous, but they did target the growing middle class
who had education and understood quality at good prices.

	On Friday afternoon, everything was falling into place.
Robert had the group over for a final practice before their debut on
Saturday.  Bill, Ted, and Jim were busy making notations of the songs
that Sam, Jen, and Kat would be singing.  While not exactly nervous
about their first live performance, the group had been surprised when
Robert had taken them to meet Rebel Heart on the way to the studio.
Dan Knight, the lead guitarist and vocalist for the band, had made a
suggestion to the group about the national anthem, and had asked the
girls to give his band a demonstration.  After the demo, Dan had
suggested they get to the pavilion early to set up equipment and had
offered to pipe all the vocals and the instruments through their PA
equipment.  Robert had agreed, and after trying a few different
arrangements of parts of the anthem, the group had left for practice. 

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

	Since Laura had promised to sing with her sisters at the
picnic, she had spent a few hours with them and the boys in the big
bay working on the national anthem and her song for her lovers.  Kat
and the twins were very familiar with the theme song from
"Enterprise."  You couldn't live under the same roof as Harry Williams
and not know the song!  Harry was as big a Trekkie as Todd was.

	Laura was also adamant that Todd and Kelly go home while she
practiced with the band.  Todd had wanted to stay and listen in, but
Kelly had understood, and a nibble on his ear was enough reason to
leave the studio for a few hours.

	Robert, happy that things had worked out so well for Todd, was
equally pleased to hear the beautiful harmonies Laura and her sisters
created.  At the first break, he asked the group what they planned on
wearing for the opening song.  A lot of people were going to be in for
a surprise when Rebel Heart joined in on the anthem.

	Sitting in the studio, sipping on mineral water, the band
tossed ideas around.  Robert had learned it was best to let the kids
talk it out themselves.  After a short discussion, it was decided that
it would be the simplest and most logical for the girls to wear plain
navy skirts with white blouses and red bow ties.  The boys would wear
navy slacks, white shirts, and red ties.  Robert got the van and took
them all to the store where the band had bought most of their outfits.
Laura insisted on paying for her own outfit as she was just a guest
for this performance.  Robert tried to argue with her, but Laura would
not be swayed.  They conspired to keep the outfits hidden from
everybody and would change at the park just before they went onstage.


~~~~~ // ~~~~~

	Chuck, Deanna, and Anna flew in Friday afternoon, bringing
Brenda and Amanda with them.  James and the rest of the girls would be
arriving Saturday.  There was an emotional reunion between Todd and
Chuck, Todd thanking Chuck repeatedly for being there when he really
needed him.  

	Chuck brushed aside his own emotions and told Todd that he was
just looking out for his son.

	A delivery to the studio shortly after Chuck had arrived was
from Hasselblad, who had come through on their promise with a brand
new camera.  Todd opened the package and smiled with satisfaction.

	"We have to break this in," announced Todd.  "Ami, let's set
up studio two for a family portrait."  Studio one had been blocked off
for the length of time that Kelly would be posing for the contracts
Vanetta had put together for them.

	Ami was still floating on a cloud herself as Todd had told her
that the 'Blad he had been using for the last few years would now be
hers.  She scrambled quickly though to set up lights roughly where
Todd would want them before she stopped and asked who was posing.

	Todd smiled and said that the first pictures taken on the new
camera were going to be of his 'father,' his 'sister,' and 'niece.'
  
	"Does that mean I have to start calling you Uncle Todd, now?"
asked Anna.

	Todd picked her up under the arms and spun her around the
room.  "Never, sweetheart, unless you want to.  You and me are still
best friends, right?"

	Anna snuggled into Todd's arms and gave him a sweet kiss.
"You betcha!" 

	Kelly and Laura took Deanna and Anna to the dressing room and
helped both of them pick out brand new outfits.  Mother and daughter
picked out complimentary pale pastel shades of green in blouses.
Anna's had a bit of lace on her collar, perfect for a young girl.
Deanna opted for a 'skort' in hunter green while Anna picked shorts in
a chocolate brown.  When they had finished changing, Kelly took them
out to the makeup counter and started to work on their hair and
makeup.

	Todd convinced Chuck to change into an Armani suit, and with a
white silk shirt, Chuck looked good, but Kelly convinced him to let
her work on him a bit also.  Todd started to place a straight-back
chair into the center of the light pattern, planning on shooting just
the three of them.  When Chuck saw that, he said if Todd wasn't in the
picture, it wouldn't be a family portrait.  

	Reluctantly and grumbling, Todd changed into a suit himself
and complained loudly as Kelly and Vanetta worked on his hair and
added some color to his face.

	Todd seated Chuck on the chair and placed Anna on his lap
while he and Deanna wrapped their arms around each other behind Chuck
forming a 'V' that put Chuck in the very center of the picture.  Ami
was thrilled to be the one taking the family portrait, and after a
half dozen exposures, Deanna insisted that her future sisters-in-law
also be in the picture.

	Todd chuckled as Kelly and Laura scrambled to find suitable
matching outfits.

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

	Joe Johnson had gotten back to Charlotte from Ohio on
Thursday.  He was expected back in LA on Monday and had decided to
stick around for a few days, to possibly say goodbye to Lew, and
hopefully get a chance to meet Todd.  He managed to slip into the park
shortly after three in the morning, and as he walked around for a
while in the balmy night air, enjoying the serenity, he had come upon
Annie and Bubba.  He had moved downwind after that, not wanting to
keep the German shepherd restless for the rest of the night.  He
hunkered down near the pavilion and relaxed in the cool breeze blowing
between the trees.  

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

	Todd woke up Saturday morning sandwiched between his two
lovers.  They had enjoyed a fantastic night of creative sex.  After
parting company for the night from Chuck, Todd had rounded up his
girls and headed home.  Robert and Vanetta had left earlier after
supper, taking Cara and Ami back to Kelly's before they headed to the
studio.

	Todd slipped out of bed, skinned on his shorts and left to
relieve his bladder.  Not surprisingly, and definitely not unusual, he
found Cara and Ami watching TV in the living room wearing only their
panties and T-shirts.  It was their favorite way of spending early
mornings when Todd, Kelly, and Laura were still asleep.

	Todd ruffled Ami's hair as he walked by on his way back.  "You
girls going to join us for breakfast at the Holiday Inn?"  

	"Nope," said Cara.  "We're going with Laura and Vanetta and
Robert to the park."

	"I'm going to take my new camera," said Ami with a smug smile.


	"You might want to take the Pentax as well," said Todd.
"You'll find it's easier for action shots on the move."

	"I didn't know if I could or should still use that camera,
Todd," Ami said quietly.  "It got you out of jail.  I thought you
might want to keep it under lock and key.  That's why I thought you
gave me your old 'Blad" instead.

	Todd laughed, then laughed some more till he had to sit down
holding his side.

	Cara and Ami looked at him like he was finally losing his
grip, and that caused Todd to laugh even harder.  He managed to barely
catch his breath when Kelly and Laura came out of the bedroom to see
what the ruckus was all about.  The look of concern on their faces
just caused Todd to burst out again.

	"It's still just a tool, Ami," Todd managed to spurt out
between his laughter.

	Cara got up and went to the kitchen to get Todd a bottle of
Evian which he took with sincere appreciation and gulped half of it
down.

	"You can bet I've got the receipt locked up and copies of it
with Steve," he said, "but it's still only a camera.  It didn't get me
out of jail, Chuck did."

	"The truth would have gotten you out, Honey," Kelly said, "but
Chuck made sure the truth was heard fast and by the right people."

	Glad to see that Todd was laughing about the incident now,
Kelly ran her fingers through her hair and headed to the bathroom.
Laura, seeing where Kelly was headed raced to beat her there.

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

	Laura eased the Tracker out of the driveway and headed to the
studio.  They could have walked the distance in five minutes, but they
were going to be heading to Carowinds after hooking up with Robert and
Vanetta.  The band van was going to be full, and Cara and Ami had
volunteered to help Vanetta get the greeting booth and tent prepared.
The tent and canopy were already set up by the park staff with tables
and chairs provided, but there was still the TKO paraphernalia and
Todd's private stock of drinks.   Laura was going to help Robert and
the band get set up with Rebel Heart.

	Todd and Kelly left the house in her Elantra and drove over to
meet Chuck and Deanna for breakfast.  Brenda and Amanda had taken Anna
out to meet up with James and the rest of the girls.

	"It seems like a hell of a big job for just the Charlotte
office to put this picnic together," Chuck said over coffee.

	"Not really, Chuck," Kelly said.  "It's like you running your
operation.  You just have to learn how to hire the best people and
then not be afraid to delegate."

	"But I'm not running my business anymore," Chuck reminded them
with a smile.  "That's Brenda's headache now."

	Deanna laughed.  "Right, Dad.  Like you're not up with her
everyday consulting on some new design or other?"

	"See, Chuck," Kelly jumped in.  "The responsibility stays with
you even though you've got Brenda managing the company now.  Sure,
Todd and I decided when and where to have this picnic and agreed on
how to organize it, but then we just turned to the Carowinds
convention people and started paying for it.  They put together a
package, and to their credit, they anticipated a larger crowd.  That's
how we could accommodate the extra people we invited.  There's going
to be nearly 70 police officers there today, plus their spouses and
kids.  We hired a caterer from New York who specializes in kosher
food.  Turns out that wasn't going to be enough after we decided to
invite more people, so Laura found a great local caterer, and we hired
her to cover the overflow.  The park is providing food for the kids -
standard fare - hot dogs, hamburgers, etcetera.  They dish it out,
along with all the soft drinks and ice cream these kids can inhale.
At the end of the day, they deduct it from our deposit.  The same goes
for the amusement park part.  Carowinds will have staff at our site to
hand out wrist passes for those who want to go on the rides.  All we
really need to do at this point is show up and be available to our
guests."

	"It sounds like good management to me," said Chuck, "but of
course, you first had to work and save and establish yourself, build a
reputation, and risk everything you had to grow to the point where you
could plan and then delegate."

	"That's true," said Todd.  "We've put five years of our lives
into building the company, and this is our biggest company event ever,
which reminds me... though I would prefer to stay here, we should be
heading to the park ourselves.  The plane from New York should have
landed, and the busses will be bringing people there now.  It wouldn't
be very polite if we weren't there to meet them."

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

	Harry, Meg, Lew, and Sally walked up to Annie's canopied area.
Bubba was the first one to spot them and came trotting out looking for
attention.  Harry scratched Bubba behind the ears, and then Bubba
moved to the women, sitting in front of them with his paw held up for
the ladies.   	

	Laughing, Sally and Meg both took turns shaking hands with
Bubba, after which he circled the foursome and herded them to a table
where Dave was sitting.  They barely had a chance to shout hello to
Annie and Jacob when a squeal of feedback split the air.

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

	Vanetta had looked at her watch and at two o'clock had climbed
the few steps up to the pavilion main floor.  She had tied her long,
dark curls behind her head and was dressed in a light cream blouse and
matching shorts and sandals.  The effect highlighted her dark ebony
skin.  She walked to the microphone at the center of the stage.  The
instant she flipped the switch on, the huge PA speakers behind her had
squealed.  Dan Knight moved quickly to adjust the volume, but Vanetta
was smiling.

	"Good afternoon and welcome to the five-year anniversary
celebration of TKO!"  The feedback had been more effective getting
everybody's attention than any words could have, so she just continued
with her short speech.  

	"Before we begin with the festivities, I would ask you all to
stop for a moment as Todd and Kelly have requested we begin with the
National Anthem.  To perform the anthem, we have the Williams sisters
and the 'Senior's Next Generation' band backed up today by 'Rebel
Heart.'"

	Todd looked over at Kelly from their canopied greeting area
located 50 feet from the bandstand.  "Rebel Heart playing with the
girls?" he asked.

	Kelly just shrugged her shoulders and rose to stand as Laura,
Kat, Jen, and Sam dashed up the steps to take their positions.  Bill,
Ted, and Jim followed them up and the remaining members of Rebel Heart
took their positions at their instruments.

	Laura took the center stage microphone, Kat to her right and
Sam and Jen on her left.  As Todd stood himself, he smiled at Kelly.
"They look good up there.  Nice outfits."

	"They should be," said Robert from behind them as he moved up.
"You guys paid for them."

	Dan had readjusted the PA for Laura and slipped his guitar
over his neck and waited as did Laura and her sisters.  The drummer
for Rebel Heart started a military cadence on the snare.  A slow
steady tap, tap, rat-a-tap.  Then the girls started in four part
harmony...
 
Oh, say, can you see,
by the dawn's early light, 
What so proudly we hail'd
at the twilight's last gleaming? 
Whose broad stripes and bright stars,
thro' the perilous fight, 
O'er the ramparts we watch'd,
were so gallantly streaming?

      At this point, Ted started rolling his electronic drums, which
were set to concert kettle drums, and as rehearsed, he added the deep
resonating drum beat in time with the continuous cadence set by the
snare behind him. 
      
And the rockets' red glare,
the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night
that our flag was still there.
      
      Dan now joined in with his guitar set to heavy distortion, doing
a better-than-average imitation of Jimi Hendrix's famous version of
the Star Spangled Banner from Woodstock, chorusing  the next lines of
the song as the girls belted out the most powerful, emotional version
of the song ever heard by those in attendance,
      
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave 
O'er the land of the free
and the home of the brave?

	Dan's idea had been a good one, and the combination of the
acapella beginning of the anthem to the sound of a military cadence
kept the pace of the song deliberately slow.  He was pleased to see
many in the audience standing with their hands over their hearts.  He
eased off the guitar as the girls and the drummers took the crowd into
the second verse.

On the shore dimly seen
thro' the mists of the deep, 
Where the foe's haughty host
in dread silence reposes, 
What is that which the breeze,
o'er the towering steep, 
As it fitfully blows,
half conceals, half discloses? 
Now it catches the gleam
of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream: 
'T is the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave 
O'er the land of the free 
and the home of the brave!

	Todd had tears in his eyes as did Kelly.  Less than a dozen
yards away, Harry and Meg stood proudly as they watched their girls,
their hearts too big for their chests.

	At the end of the Anthem, there were many cheers and lots of
applause.  The younger Williams girls sat down demurely as Laura now
had center stage.

	"Thank you.  I now call on our fearless leaders, the founders
of TKO, Todd Ayres and Kelly Jennsen, to come up and say a few words."

	The drummer for Rebel Heart did a drum roll as Todd and Kelly
approached and climbed the steps.  Laura hugged them both before
slipping off stage.

	"We'd like to thank all of you who could find the time to join
us today as we celebrate our fifth anniversary as a company and as we
embrace a new adventure and a new avenue for your creative talents,"
Kelly said.  "It means a lot to us to have so many friends and family
here with us today, and especially the brave men and women of the
Charlotte Police Department who could attend today."  Kelly waited for
the applause to die down before she continued.

	"For those who are not yet aware, though that would be a
surprise to me," Kelly continued, "I confess the rumor is true.  I am
indeed in a family way."

	The older members of the audience laughed at her dated
reference.

	Todd, generally not given to public speaking added, "For those
who didn't catch the obscure reference, Kelly is indeed with child."

	This resulted in even more laughter

      "You mean, she's knocked up!" shouted Laura from the sidelines,
causing the entire place to break out in applause and catcalls!

	"As my condition and the resulting return to active work will
keep me occupied for the next few years," Kelly continued, stopping
only to look at Todd.  "We are pleased to announce that effective
immediately, Vanetta Clarke will assume the position of President and
General Manager of TKO.  Most of you have dealt with her in the past
and I hope you will give her the same courtesy and respect that she
will give you.  We are hoping for continued growth and prosperity.
Vanetta will ensure our standards for how our models are treated will
never be compromised.  And of course, Todd and I will remain active in
the business.  Vanetta?  Would you come and join us?"

	Vanetta, who had been waiting at the side of the pavilion,
quickly joined Todd and Kelly center stage.

	"Ladies and gentlemen, "Ms. Vanetta Clarke, our new President
and General Manager!"

	The applause was deafening.  

	"We now turn the ceremony over to your new president, and
Kelly and I will be available at the greeting tent to the left, our
left, of the stage."

	"I know you didn't travel all this way just to hear me talk,"
said Vanetta.  "We have the Williams Sisters and the Senior's Next
Generation band here to perform for the next hour, after which Rebel
Heart will entertain you till the light starts to fade.  I understand
from Kelly that they are a superb dance band."  

	"And food!  Boy have we got food for you.  To your left, we
have Charlotte's own Ms. Annie Prince of 'A Woman's Place' serving up
potato salad, roasted pork on the spit, baby back ribs, baked beans
and corn on the cob - both roasted and boiled - and according to
detectives Williams and Weaver, something called Jacob's famous sinful
brownies.  The good detectives tell me that missing out on these would
be near criminal!"  

	Vanetta had to wait for the applause to die down.  Annie,
sitting a hundred feet away reached out to slap Harry on the shoulder.
Jacob just grinned.

	"And on your right, direct from New York, we have Goldmeir's
Kosher Catering serving kosher beef, salmon steaks, baked Yukon gold
potatoes and a variety of other side dishes."

	Again Vanetta had to wait for the applause to die down.
"There are soft drinks, beer, and wine available at both caterers'
stands, and you might have noticed that there is a Snapple stand
beside the greeting tent.  For those of you who want to enter the park
at any time to ride the rides or take in the amusements or partake of
the food available in the park, there is a Carowinds kiosk right next
to the pavilion where you will be issued specially coded wristbands
that will make all rides, attractions and food free for you for the
day."

	The roar that erupted from the kids in the crowd was
deafening, and hundreds of kids came running forward to get the
bracelets.  Vanetta laughed, watching as some designated parents were
pulled along by anxious kids.

	"I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible this
afternoon," Vanetta nearly had to shout.  "I will be available along
with Todd and Kelly at the TKO greeting tent, and for those remaining
here," she paused to look at the harried staff members of Carowinds
attaching bracelets at breakneck speed, "the food will be available
shortly.  Please help us celebrate our anniversary by enjoying
yourselves today.  I now turn the stage over to the Williams Sisters
and the Senior's Next Generation band!"

	As Kat, Sam and Jen took their microphone positions, Bill
started the very familiar bass beat that signaled the beginning of Ben
E. King's "Stand By Me."

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

	 Todd shook a lot of hands for the next hour, but his
attention was mostly focused on the stage as the TKO dream of a band
to entertain seniors won over the hearts of the audience that
remained.  The songs were a mix of old classics and new standards and
some good-time gospel.  Both Kelly and Todd were close to tears when
Laura rejoined her sisters on stage to sing "Faith of the Heart,"
dedicated to them.  Laura stuck around after the thunderous applause
and sang three more songs with her sisters before the Seniors:TNG band
left the stage.

	Todd turned to Chuck and proudly said, "Those are my girls."

	"Oh, I don't know about that," said Harry from the side,
having walked up just in time to hear the comment.  "Her mother and I
might have something to say about that," he added with a laugh.

	"Harry!"  Todd exclaimed as he jumped up.  "How are you guys
doing?" he asked nodding to Lew.

	"Pretty good considering the lack of proper refreshments found
here so far," said Lew with a wink.  

      "We're in charge of searching for contraband," added Harry.
      
      "Well," laughed Todd, "I'd confess to having some, but two
arrests in a lifetime would be one too many for me!"
      
      "Nah," said Lew trying to keep a straight face.  "We're here to
help you destroy the evidence."
      
      "In that case," Todd said, reaching into a 50-gallon drum filled
with ice, pulling out two Molson Extra Dry, "I'd say sit and take a
load off.  There's a lot of evidence to be destroyed before the night
is over.  Chuck and I can't drink it all ourselves," he added, then
introduced the three men.
      
      "Daddy, are you and uncle Lew going to drink all night?" Laura
asked?  "What about Mom and aunt Sally?"
      
      "This is tough work, Pumpkin," said Harry.
      
      "And we volunteered," added Lew.
      
      "Your Mom and aunt are camped out with Annie and the captain,"
said Harry taking a healthy swig from the bottle.
      
      "The ladies are fascinated with Dave's intentions towards
Annie," he added after some thought.
      
      "Maybe I better go and see them and rescue Annie," said Laura.
She gave Todd and Kelly both a kiss and left.  Harry didn't even raise
an eyebrow.  But Lew did.
      
      "You treating my Goddaughter right, Todd?"
      
      "He treats her with the same respect and affection that he gives
to me," said Kelly, with a look that brooked no room for intolerance
or unneeded moral judgment.
      
      "That's good then," said Lew, nodding and taking his cue from
Harry.  "Hell of a band you brought in for this party," he added.
      
      Kelly's smile returned instantly.  "They are great aren't they?
Laura and I spent the better part of a night dancing to their music
when we were in Brookhaven.  We even got Todd up on the dance floor
with us!"
      
      "I don't dance much anymore," lamented Lew, "however if they
play something slow a bit later, after I've bolstered my courage with
some liquid protein, I might do a turn or two with Sally."
      
      Chuck laughed, then told the men that they should take every
opportunity to spend time with their wives.  His eyes saddened and he
said, "I'd give anything to have the chance to dance just once more
with my Helene."
      
~~~~~ // ~~~~~
      
      "Mizz Annie, do you think dat girl hair is really dat color,
wonder iffn
she pays someone to get it all spikey like dat?"
      
      "Probably pays someone a freakin' fortune...hell we're in the
wrong damn
business, Jacob!"

      Annie and Jacob were having a grand time.  The feedbag had gone
on just after Harry's kids had finished singing and the band on the
stage had Annie swaying to the music.  Something that Dave noticed and
made note of.
      
      Annie and Jacob were happily serving people ribs, pieces of
Allen, and corn directly from the grill, chatting idly.� Annie was
bone tired but thoroughly enjoyed slicing off large portions of Allen
to feed to others.  Dave had parked himself in Annie's lounge chair,
happy with a plate of ribs and a beer, and sneaking bites of pork to
Bubba who stayed close to his newest best friend.  Meg and Sally were
seated beside him trying to find out how long he had been dating
Annie, but he kept his mouth shut on that subject, much to the women's
dismay.  He was soon rescued from an interrogation his own officers
would be proud of by the arrival of Laura and her sisters.  The
younger girls had changed in the TKO tent and were now wearing shorts
and T-shirts.
      
      "Mom," said Kat.  "We want to go into the park and ride the
roller coasters.  Laura said we had to ask you first."
      
      "The three of you by yourselves?" Meg asked with a raised
eyebrow.
      
      Kat twirled her foot in the ground.  "No, we want to go with
Bill and Ted and Jim."
      
      "The boys in the band?"
      
      "They're good kids, Mom," Laura said.  
      
      Meg thought about it for a minute then nodded her head.  "Have a
good time, but I want to see you back by nine at the latest."
      
      The three younger girls gave their mother a kiss and ran off
laughing as teens that age should.

~~~~~ // ~~~~~

      "I think dat boy dere is a little light in de loafers, iff'n you
know what I means... we gets 'em sometimes like dat down at de
mission."
      
      "Your concern about other people's sex life is beginning to
worry me Jacob," Annie said laughing.  "We don't judge people
remember?"
      
      "No ma'm," said Jacob.  "Just noticin' is all." 

      "Lord, Mizz Annie, iffn dat girl didn't have any teef, you
wouldn't be able
to see at all, her she's so skinny!"
      
      "Well, go over there and take her another slab of ribs, Jacob.
Fatten her up
a bit, sheesh!" said an exasperated Annie.  Dave, seeing Annie a bit
stressed, got up to stand beside her.  Meg and Sally offered to take
over the spit and the doling out of the food now that things had
quieted down a bit, and Dave led Annie off to the roped off dance
platform.
      
      "I guess that answers that question," said Meg as Jacob stood
with a mile wide toothy grin.
      
      "What question is that, Mom" Laura asked.
      
      "Just how deep they're involved," answered Sally.  "It's got to
be serious if they're dancing together in public."
      
~~~~~ // ~~~~~
      
      At five, the Carowinds kiosk was manned by only one person.
Most people were eating or dancing or just socializing.  One of the
Carowinds reps had told Kelly that at last count, there were just over
260 kids and about 40 'supervising' adults now in the park courtesy of
TKO.
      
      Chuck smiled and said to Kelly.  "Figuring an average of 1.2
kids per family."
      
      "Or four per, in my case," laughed Harry.
      
      "Yours make up my lack of," sighed Lew.
      
      "A conscious choice?" asked Chuck.
      
      "Navy SNAFU," said Lew.  "Unshielded missiles caused me to lose
my hair and made me sterile.  The hair grew back.  Probably why I dote
on Harry's kids so much," he said looking at Todd.  "Harry shares, and
Sally and I never felt the need to adopt.  Not sure that a cop's life
is a perfect environment for raising kids, although Harry and Meg seem
to have done all right."
      
      "I'd agree with that," said Todd.  "They've raised four of the
best kids I know."
      
      "I only had the one myself till I adopted Todd," said Chuck with
a big smile.  "You're never too old to expand your family, even if
they're already grown up."
      
      "So," said Deanna, "getting back to Dad's original thought of
1.2 kids per couple, you've got about 350 parents here, not counting
the single people."
      
      "I'm sure glad we got Annie in to cover the overage," said Todd.
"The park could have fed everybody else, but you can't compare the
food."
      
      "Speaking of Annie," said Lew, "look at who she's dancing with!"
      
      "I'm surprised Bubba isn't up there with them," said Harry, "but
I think that a dance with my wife would be in good order right about
now."
      
      "Means I better go as well," said Lew.  "Thanks for the beers,
Todd.  It was nice meeting you, Chuck, and you, Deanna."
      
      "Take care and enjoy the music," said Chuck.  "Kelly, may I have
the honor of the next dance?"
      
      "Ah, Chuck, you're such a gentleman!" exclaimed Kelly.
      
      By eight, Todd had danced with his new sister a few times, been
around for a few more with little Anna, and when he and Laura and
Kelly had gotten up to dance to the same Blue Rodeo songs they had
danced to at Brookhaven, Dan Knight had finished the set with Tom
Jones' "You Can Leave Your Hat On."
      
      Breathless and laughing, Kelly and Laura pulled Todd off the
floor before his blush threatened to eclipse the sun sinking in the
west.  
      
      "I sure hope nobody here knows exactly what that song means to
us," Laura said, giggling.  "I remember that night so well.  And you,
Kelly.  You flashed the whole island that night on the walk back!"
      
      "Ah but that song brings back rumors to me," Al said as he
walked up with Lucy.  "Quite a party you guys throw."
      
      "Al!"  Kelly shouted.  "We didn't think you'd made it."
      
      "Nearly didn't" explained Al.  "We were going to come with
Celeste, but an emergency came up at Brookhaven that the mayor had to
straighten out.  We flew in late this afternoon.  I didn't want to
miss our new brochure photographer in his own element."
      
      "This isn't exactly his element," said Ami.  "Todd would rather
be behind the camera in the studio or out on a shoot than to be in a
social setting!"
      
      "Am I that transparent?"  Todd asked with a smile.
      
      All the girls answered in unison, a resounding "YES!"
      
~~~~~ // ~~~~~
      
      When the sun hit the horizon, Annie and Jacob started to pack
things up.  Dave was there of course to help.
      
      "You don't have to do this, Dave," Annie said.
      
      "I know," was his simple answer as he scraped away at the grill.
      
      "Damn men, can't live without 'em and can't legally shoot 'em,"
Annie muttered, but secretly she was smiling.  
      
      Dave and Jacob hooked the spit onto the back of the Bronco, then
went to work packing away the folding tables and boxing up the cutlery
while Annie packed up the left-over food.  "Kelly said we could drop
off the leftovers at the mission and the shelter," she said, "so we
got to get a move on."
      
      "There's no need to rush," said Dave.  He turned on his cell
phone and called the station.  A few minutes later he said, "A squad
car will be here in about five minutes and they can drop it off.  I've
also got an officer coming to drive your Bronco back.  That way you
can spend a bit more time here enjoying yourself.  That is if you want
to."
      
      "Damn him.  Why's he got to be so considerate," Annie thought.
Then she looked at the bottle of champagne he presented her.
      
      "Where'd you get that?" she asked.
      
      "I bought it and brought it with me today.  I was hoping we
could celebrate tonight after you were done."
      
      Annie just about melted on the spot.  "Jacob, you mind riding
home with a cop?  I'd like to stay a while."
      
      Jacob just grinned and bobbed his head.  "Yes'm, Miz Annie.  You
have yoself a fine time.  I's don't mind goin' home.  You want I
should take Bubba back wit me?"
      
      Annie gave Jacob a kiss on the cheek.  "Thanks, Jacob.  You're
still the best man I know.  Just lock things up when they drop the
Bronco off, and we'll scrub it all down tomorrow."
      
      Annie released her river of hair from the tight, long braid she
had worn it in since the early morning, and it rippled down over her
shoulders right to her hips.
      
      "Bubba, with me."  She said, and took Dave's offered hand and
walked to the TKO greeting tent and hopefully back to the dance floor.
It had been a long time since she had danced the night away.
 
To be continued...
      
      
      
      

-- 
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