32. Chapter 32 - James

CHAPTER 32 - JAMES

BALLOCH CASTLE - MAY 30, 1710

I called as I walked up the next morning. “What’s going on, Quennie, you started without me?”

“Yep, after the wailing last night, I thought I’d let you sleep in.”

I yawned.

He laughed, looking down at his clipboard, placing a check on his notes.

I said, “You got enough weapons? All Magnus really needs is weapons, and toilet paper.”

He nodded, looking down, “Maybe Lochinvar will bring more, but I doubt it. I’ve got these crates full.” He pointed at the stack. “We could always use more, I think, not enough. Plenty of the biodegradable diapers here.” He tapped those boxes. “Saving some for us, here.” He pointed to a box to the side. “This is toilet paper.” He tapped another box. “Those boxes have some food, but alas no mac and cheese, I hope Lochie brings it. The more I think of it the more I want it for the kids.”

“You’ll win World’s Greatest Uncle, for sure. Wish I could see their faces.”

“You’ll be in North Carolina, eating as much as you want.”

I yawned, long and loud. “I got more sleep last night, but I’m still on a deficit.”

He chuckled. “Ah yes, I remember those days well — Junior actually slept through?”

“Yep, line dancing.” He laughed. “Who knows what will work tonight… Night before he went to sleep because of Lizbeth.”

“How so?”

“He had gotten cranked up and she knocked on our door, came in, and said, ‘Madame Sophie, may I speak tae the bairn?’ And Sophie said, ‘Aye,’ and Lizbeth looked him right in the eyes and focused on him until he stopped. He looked surprised. She said, ‘Ye are not a wolf pup, ye are a human with a soul that requires dignity, ye must be more resolute.’” I shook my head, laughing. “He quieted down and went right to sleep. Lizbeth patted Sophie on the shoulder and said to me, ‘Get some rest.’”

“Wow, I would have liked to have seen that.”

“So what we’re learning is Homeboy needs something weirdly different to calm him down. He gets crying like that in North Carolina, I’m going to take him bowling. Man, speaking of bowling, I can’t wait to have a grilled steak.”

“You’ll get it soon enough, though I’m not sure you should leave the safe house for a bowling alley. Is Sophie packing up?”

“Yeah, she wishes she didn’t have to go but I convinced her that she misses the fruit.”

“You hungry, man?”

“Absolutely.”

Quentin wrote on the list, then made a pronounced dot, as if it was final. “That’s it, nothing more.”

“I don’t think that is true, I think you can always think of more. Sucks I’m not going to be there — you got a solar charger for the phones? Zach and Magsy need music.”

He rolled his eyes. “We have chargers, they’re in…” He pointed at the bottom box, labeled: Juice.

“What about barbecue sauce? You taking some?”

“Your mind is all over the place.”

“Sleep deprivation.”

He looked at his watch. “Alright, as soon as everyone’s packed we’ll go to the clearing and take you to the Highlands House.”

“Key in the lockbox on the door?”

“Ayup. Money in the safe in the guest room, couple guns in the closet.”

I cracked my knuckles. “Sounds like I’ve got what I need.”

“Good.” He checked his watch again. “Don’t forget your wallet, phone.”

“Yeah, I got everything, except the vessel.”

“I got that.”