Chapter 2 - Awakening

"OK, I understand. Can you teach me to fight like you?"

"No way! You would incorporate your new power to bully again. My way to fight means caring about others and not selfishness. When you are at peace with life. Life will be at peace with you. Learn this and you will be ready to learn the techniques of Fraternal Fear."

Hector - Three Years Earlier

Horacio gazed into Hector's eyes. He said, "Son, today you are a man. Your path accelerates, and you expand your knowledge and wisdom."

Hector said, "Dad, next Tuesday is my fifteenth birthday. What do you mean? I am a kid. I struggle to understand what you are telling me."

"Life is difficult. It comes easier for those who develop the correct motivation, training, wisdom, and connections

"How does that apply to me?"

"You are clever. Kids and adults respect you. I devised a plan to accelerate your knowledge base, and to maintain close relations with your friends. It will take a lot of work.?"

"Why me, and why now?"

"The beauty is in the plan. If my estimates are correct, you will be a multi-millionaire by the time you are eighteen. All you have to do is listen and give-away money."

"What does that mean?"

"You have ears. Eavesdrop to discover people who have a financial need like a two row cotton picker. Give them the money they require. Tell them they do not have to pay the money back, but future loans can be made by your bank under prime interest rate. Smile and treat them with respect. Do not worry about repayment. The farmers in this area are honorable people. They will return your money and their wives will bake you a peach cobbler."

Angelica – first stop at Momma Mcghee's

Three girls came to Joey's and my booth. The one nearest to Joey said, "I'm Trish This is Allie and Beth. May we join you."

"OK."

Allie took a seat next to Joey, and Trish slithered near the end of bench. Beth slid next to me.

Allie and Trish twisted their bodies facing Joey. Both gaped with an open smile and sparkling eyes. Beth introduced the other females as juniors and herself as a senior.

I said, "I am a senior and Joey is a junior."

Beth said, "All three of us are in Advance Placement at Peabody High School in Trenton."

"Joey and I were in plan A of the college prep program at our former school. What about Monster Bully and Nice Boy."

"Monster Bully is Hector Mc Ghee. He is Captain the football team. Nice Boy is Henry Mc Ghee and he is in the Advancement Placement Program with us. The two of them would probably be your third cousins. Hector owns a strawberry and vegetable farm. He also possesses an investment bank in Trenton. Henry works at his Daddy's strawberry farm. Both are eighteen The county farm agent hired Henry to teach a course on making strawberry wine. Hector and Henry have the same birthday, but Hector believed he should have been selected. He taught the course three months ago. Thus, Hector initiates fights with Henry. The battles are more fussing than physical. Hector presents a grin one moment, hits the wall or kicks Ralph the next moment."

"This has been going on how long?"

"About two weeks. The agent is Hector's uncle and advised Hector to calm down. However, Hector can't let it go. It troubles him that Henry is smarter."

"That is sad."

"Yes it is."

Joey said, "We need to get back home before dark. Mom will have a fit if we are not home while it remains daylight." Walking toward our house a dark blue Ford Quad-cab stopped beside Joey. Hector peered at us and said, "I'm going in your direction. Do you want to ride" I started to say no. but Joey jumped into the passenger front seat. I struggled to yank myself into the rear with Beth, Trish and Allie.

"I'm turning right on the road next to your home. I'm taking Beth, Trish and Allie to their houses"

I said, "You know where we live."

"You are the talk of the community. Your family's history occupies the tongues of most residents. Aunt Agnes' old house is a landmark. They blabbermouth about your family. You are the most recent topic in McGhee's Corner. There are not many empty houses in the area. You are the only one on the highway."

Joey tromped in the door at our house and said, "A boy named Hector Mc Ghee drove us home. He likes Angelica."

Mom said, "Hector McGhee drove you home. You met Mr. Rich boy?"

Joey glared at me and said, "Angelica got a boyfriend.

"I do not. In fact, Hector is not my type. The boy is a football quarterback who most likely passes with a D minus average. His intelligence most likely range is less than a third grader. He is obnoxious. He kicked Ralph. No way!"

"Who is Ralph."

"He is the most beautiful hound mix. He followed me home.

Joey said, "He belonged to Hector, but he selected Angelica."

"I refuse to let him in the house!"

"That's OK Mom. He's an outside dog. He found a spot in the old doghouse in the back yard. He went to it without coaching.

I fell asleep mesmerized by Great Great Granma's recipes. The one on strawberry wine surprised me with it's simplicity. She indicated it was legitimate to produce the beverage for personal consumption. However, selling it could cause one to be arrested and jailed. Other fruit wines illustrated in the next pages.

The last recipe converted the wine to brandy or moonshine. It intrigued me. A note claimed the recipe produced moonshine, also known as, strawberry shine. A second note warned, "Strawberry Shine is illegal to sell in Kentucky and Tennessee."

I envisioned the movies of the gangster days of the 1930s. Many lost their lives due to gun battles over illegal beer, wine and whisky. In a dream I shot many people and lost my life in a territory dispute.

I wakened to Hector and Henry fussing as they replaced the screen on the back porch to keep out bugs and Ralph. The mutt protested and issued quiet growls. The new screen prevented him from sampling the morsels given by neighborhood women with an occasional gentleman delivering. The dog smiled at each dish, but he frowned when they ignored him.

Food items welcomed my family into the community. Every container reflected a different family contributing the delightful array of food. A card or note accompanied the bowls, casserole dishes or aluminum wrapped cuisine. Smiles flourished for each provision.

Hector and Henry criticized and nagged each other. They refurbished the floor of Ralph's doghouse. The argument appeared to escalate into an approximate fistfight. They cocked their arms back to release power-punches never discharged. The bickering flooded the community with their rage. Those providing provisions laughed and said, "They are at it again." The consensus established the harm issued from their noise.

My job included writing names, addresses, phone numbers and inventories of items received. Drool streamed from my mouth as the pies, casseroles, fried chicken and of various items were received.

Ralph smack his lips, transmitted a smirk and plopped his tongue out of his mouth, and said, "I like ham." I retrieved two slices and tossed it to him. He sucked it down in a second and grazed his tongue across his upper teeth. He stood on his hind legs and rendered a little dance. A chuckle erupted from me.

Hector ask, "Do dogs really talk to you?"

"It depends, in human words no. They speak with their facial expressions, body composure and sounds. I worked at a pet rescue center. Also, people boarded their dogs with us when on vacation.

Allie and Trish visited me, but they spent more time drooling at the sight of Joey. The pair gazed at his stretched muscles when he brought materials to Hector and Henry. A frown subdued their grins when he departed. I glared at them in their attempts to capture his attention. He seemed unaware of their interest.

Mom brought a large pitcher of lemonade and set it on a vacant table. She asked to Trish and Allie to help her retrieve glasses, ice, and a plater of cookies from the kitchen.

She yelled, "Boys, take a break. There is some ice-cold lemonade and cookies on the table. Girls, if you don't mind, would you mind filling glasses with ice and lemonade."

Allie packed ice into a glass and filled it before Trish and I lifted one from the table. She broadened her smile and presented the beverage to Joey. Trish glared at Allie and handed a glass to Henry. I filled a glass and handed it to Hector. He let his hand rest on my hand and rubbed it. A jolt tickled my mind, calmed my body, and warmed my cheeks. I jerked away from him, and he dropped the glass. We apologized at the same time. Everyone laughed including Mom.

Mom retrieved a dustpan and broom. She swept the shards of glass into the scoop and togged a dish towel from her apron and wiped the spilled lemonade from the porch.

I repeated my apology.

Hector said, "My fault, I yanked my hand fast."

Momma said, "Accidents happen, it's no one's mistake.

Hector and I smiled. He scrutinized me. The. My eyes settled to him and my breath intensified. Words deserted me.

Mom scooped some ice into a glass and handed it to Hector. He grabbed the pitcher and poured lemonade into his glass. His stance soothed my soul and raised my expectations of future encounters of the young Mr. McGhee.