"What a pomp... politician." Jim mumbled to his father and brother.
"I was impressed, Jim," Steven said, placing an arm around his brother's shoulders. "I remember those drums of yours; you play even better now than you did when we were kids."
Jim snuck a glance at his father, noting the beaming expression of pride on the older Ellison's face. "Well, I had a good group to work with and a hard taskmaster to answer to," Jim replied with a gentle grin.
"Your captain?" His father asked, appalled.
"Nope. Joel Taggart. He made us all work hard, even Simon... Captain Banks." His grin widened. "So, you thought we did okay?"
"Jimmy," Sally interrupted, recognizing when the man she'd helped raise was fishing. "You and your friends were wonderful. You don't think they stood up for you because they felt sorry for you, do you?"
Jim chuckled, "No, Sally. I guess not." He looked at his 'family'. Still smiling, he wrapped his arm around his brother and father, leaned forward to kiss Sally on the cheek and said, "Thanks for coming. Sorry it ended the way it did."
His father gave him a knowing look. "I'm glad it ended the way it did and not the way it was planned by whoever it was who set those bombs."
Steven piped up, "Yeah, besides, that Water and Power act really stank. You did everyone a favor by evacuating the place." They all laughed, together, happy to be in one another's company.
"Well, I'm just glad it's over, for now. I just hope our bomber/arsonist has made a mistake and left us a clue this time. No matter what, I'm going to find this guy, one way or another." Jim glanced over to his friends. He was determined to find out who was planting these things, and why... but that could wait until tomorrow. Seeing his colleagues once again gathered as a group, he excused himself. "Well, I guess I'd better go and see what's next. It's been great seeing you, I- I'm glad you came," he cast a shy look at them all. His brother and father tightened their holds on him for a moment, then released him.
"I'm glad I came," Steven said, "You did great, bro." He patted his big brother on the shoulder and then stepped back.
William stood, looking at his eldest son, "I-I-I'm proud of you, Jimmy." Awkwardly, he stepped closer and gave his son a tentative hug, surprised by the strength with which it was returned.
"I'll be by in a few days with the drums, Dad," Jim whispered in his father's ear, suddenly unable to speak normally, the thick lump caused by the sudden, unexpected praise from his father. Words he'd waited all his life to hear. Releasing one another, they stepped back, both men blushing in embarrassment at their display. With a weak, shy smile, Jim lifted a hand in farewell and turned away to return to his colleagues.
Blair had watched it all and recognized his partner's discomfort when he returned. Smiling his encouragement, he patted the taller man on the back as he joined them.
"What's the word, Simon?" Joel asked, seeing the odd expression on the captain's face.
"Yeah, is something wrong?" Megan added.
"Well, that depends," Simon waffled.
"On?" Jim asked, dreading the reply.
"Well, the Chief said that he was really impressed by our act." The others all nodded, pleased. "He wants us to perform as a part of the Cascade Sesquicentennial in a few months..."
"Oh, no," Jim groaned.
"No way!" Rafe and Henri chorused.
"You're joking!" Megan insisted.
"You've got to be kidding," Joel grimaced.
"Hey, this could be fun!" Blair declared, quickly dodging his partner's swat to the head, laughing heartily at the dismayed expressions on his friends' faces.
The rest of the group simply exchanged horrified looks.
Writer's Note:
I can't remember who asked about the 'talents', but this is definitely for her. You must understand,
however, that some of my own musical preferences are used here. After all, I'm listening to
Brubeck's 'Last Set at Newport', the one with the really long version of 'Take Five'. Very
conducive to writing about jazz and such. Now, if I only had some Ella...
Like this episode? Email the writer: tae60@yahoo.com
Want to comment on production? Contact Black Panther Productions: bpproductions@wildmail.com
Stay tuned next week when William Ellison is on the rampage because Steven has a new girlfriend who is wholly unsuitable. But is William's anger really directed at Steven--or himself? Find out in an all new The Sentinel.
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