Are we ready?: Are you happy?

By Kathy Bridges

The continuing story of Phillip and Sheryl, their family, and associates as they all thrive in a world never before imagined. Imagine it now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jun 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9781300284017

Book preview

Are you happy?

COPYRIGHT @ 2021 Kathy Marie Bridges; All rights reserved

ISBN: 978-1-300-28401-7

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, or incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons -- living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales are entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a data retrieval system, or copied by any means without the expressed written permission of the author or author’s decedents.

CHAPTER 1

Boss, your friends know more adult sites than anyone I know.

What are they up to?

Not all of them but some of them like the really hardcore stuff. Stuff I never heard of and I think about it a lot.

Any security breaches?

No breaches. The kid channels are safe too.

Delete all internet access for all our children.

But they just have the educational channels. You don't trust your friends.

The guys have nothing to do with it. I want all the children’s access rights revoked immediately. And keep an eye on the guys. Any sign of a threat to our channels or drives shut them down. Don't say anything to them. Don't tell them I know anything or that they're being watched. They deserve their privacy or at least the illusion of privacy. But keep them far away from our systems and data; I don't want any possible crossover.

You have three friends that are so deep into adult stuff it's off the charts. Never seen these sites before and I thought I knew most of them.

I don't want to hear about the details. I don't want to hear what my friends’ sex habits are. So don't tell me who's watching what unless there's a problem. Just make sure they don't cross the line.

Yes Sir. Ryder returns to his office.

Phil hearing the entire conversation walks with Phillip to his inner office. You think this may become a problem? He asks his son.

I don't think so. They're just bored and feeling caged. When the weather breaks, they'll be fine and able to get out and do other things. This is just a really big adjustment for them.

It's a big adjustment for a lot of people especially those who have been displaced.

How are you and mom handling being displaced? Are you feeling settled yet?

We're fine. Especially now that all of us are together, things look rosy even for Martha. We love being closer to you, your sisters, and your families. I like working with you. We feel a little home sick only once in awhile mostly because we never lived in a condo. We're fine. Don't worry about us. How are Sheryl and the girls adjusting to being stuck inside?

The girls are fine because they're still getting use to their new school life and routine. Sheryl is still adjusting to expecting twins but I think she's fine.

You think she's fine. You haven't asked her?

We've been so busy. I hardly see her and she's been busy too.

Phil senior looks at him without words but a stare that communicates deep concern.

Dad, don't worry. We're fine.

Ryder bursts into Phillips office. Another call came to the old cell phone.

Did you trace it?

I couldn't. He, she or they are covering their tracks and keeping calls short.

Did they leave a message?

He said — I think it was a male but it's a little hard to know for sure — 'Clare, please have Mari call me back.' That's all. Then the call ended.

Damn.

What do you want me to do, Ryder asked Phillip.

Nothing, Phillip said in a dry and nearly defeated voice. Where are the girls now?

They are safe at home. This Friday is their early dismissal day for teacher planning time.

Put surveillance in all the classrooms, all hallways, the walk between the buildings and all of Pelgrin’s building hallways. I'll let him know what's going on.

We have the doors at highest security. No one is getting in this building without our knowing it. Do you suspect any of the teachers?

Just do it, Ryder. I want it done now while the teachers are away, video and audio.

As Ryder closes the door behind him leaving the office, Phil asks You suspect one of their teachers?

I suspect everyone that’s not family.

Ryder heads into Ben's office and gives him the news about killing all internet access for all the children. A text message from Phillip comes to Ryder saying to kill the internet access to the Pelgrin building children too, apparently, having just confirmed it with Pelgrin. After the access is shut down, Ryder and Ben head out to get their usual Friday night beer together. They head over to the tap. The one rule about being at the tap is that no work can be discussed. It's the only time they completely zone out while in each other's presence and it's also a time to be extra careful of listening ears.

On Saturdays, Ryder may go out on a date and Ben likes to get together for bowling with his league most weekends. But they try never to be away for long periods at the same time except Friday nights – beer night.

On any other Saturday, Ben will sleep until noon when all is quiet and get to the bowling alley by 2:00. Ryder will work in the morning, sleep again in the afternoon and party or date all Saturday night. Ben's dates are usually over by ten PM when Ryder is just getting started. Ben is about 15 years Ryder's senior and has been married three times; never more than three years at a time. It seems that Ben's habit of feverishly pecking his computer at night and in bed is a romance killer. He can't help it; he's as much in love with his computer as any companion he's had. The good news is that Ben's marriages never produced any children to worry about.

After all, computers don't make babies. Ben's current female companion is an older woman not far from his age; the type that doesn't need to stay out late to show off her new clothes. She doesn't want children at this age in her life and never had any before. She was an only child and her parents are both deceased. Bowling is her pastime just as much as it is Ben's. During the day, she works as an accounting clerk at an insurance agency.

But this weekend is different. Ben and Ryder are in the office by 6 AM unpacking surveillance, audio and video, equipment that they will have installed before 6 AM on Monday even doing all the wiring themselves. A storage room is always overstocked with every kind of equipment they depend on for emergency replacement or new installs and they have the technical knowledge to get the job done.

What else can we do?

I think you've covered everything, son. The children are safe. They're in these two buildings all the time. They don't go out without one of us and then Ryder always knows where we are. There's nothing more you can do. It's just a phone call and the girls didn't get it this time. I think it was a smart idea to leave that phone active so the caller doesn't know we're on to him or her.

They're going to have to go out one day and I don't know who may be watching.

They'll make a mistake; Ryder and Ben will be right there when they do. Let's get out of here. Things are quiet. We need the rest before it's not at all quiet.

You know something I don't?

I know a lot of things that you don't; it's my job as the dad. It's called experience and wisdom. He smiles coyly then says, I know we have a lot of folks in this city who've transplanted to find a safe place to stay. It won't be long before those that have lost everything figure out something about us. We cannot even imagine where that might lead. But you have a lot to think about now with the girls and the new ones on the way. So if it's not urgent, I'm not going to bother you with it. Let's get out of here and take a walk or something.

Phillip finds Sheryl in her room reading a book and the girls just leaving their study room and headed to the media room when he returns from a brisk track walk with his dad that Friday late afternoon. He lies on the bed beside her, takes her hand, and kisses her cheek. She puts the book down and turns towards him.

You're home early.

Not glad to see me anymore, huh?

Of course I am. I just didn't expect to see you so early.

The girls burst into the room.

You didn't knock.

Sorry mom, but the computers, iPad's, everything is down. What's wrong? Not even our classmate chat is working. We can't talk to the kids in the other building. What's wrong?

Phillip answers, Nothing is wrong. We reconfigured everything. We'll let you know more soon.

But mom, we can't do anything now and all our class work is done. Clare protested.

Surely, you have many things that you can do that are not electronic.

Well, can we go upstairs to our area of the gym and game room?

Sure.

No. Phillip immediately corrected Sheryl's answer.

Mom!

Let us talk first. Go to your rooms; read or play games in there until we get back to you.

They closed the door behind them and left sullen.

What's going on? They've been allowed to go upstairs before. Why did you change the configuration again? They have nothing now?

Another phone call came in.

What did they say?

They thought they were leaving a message on Clare's phone; they asked for Mari to call them back. Of course, it's a misleading number they left but the idea of someone trying to taunt the girls makes me angry. More importantly, I can't be sure there's no other motive behind the calls.

What can we do? We can't lock them in their rooms and cut them off from everything forever.

We have to plan their days more. We need to do it anyway to combat cabin fever from weather and other things. Classes are from ten to four o'clock, right? And bedtime is 9:00?

Right, except the last Friday on the month they lunch at home and study until four o'clock.

So that's one to two hours of studying and preparing for the next day then dinner at six.

Right, except on Friday, like today, when there is no school tomorrow.

Okay so we have dinner from 6 to 7, then we need something from 4 to 6 and 7 to 9 on Friday's after school, and all day Saturdays and Sundays.

Well, Friday after school can be their time to be together with other children in the building. Friday after dinner is our family time for movies, games, or something else. After dinner Monday through Thursdays is music practice and reading time.

Okay, what about Saturdays and Sundays?

Saturdays are full of music lessons and sports in the morning and afternoon free time. Sunday will be the biggest challenge.

My parents want to spend more time with them so I'll ask them to consider Sunday afternoons between church and dinner.

What about the Pelgrin building children? If they've been restricted too, they'll need something to do on Sunday afternoons.

They'll have to figure that out themselves. Sunday should be parents or grandparents day not friend day; then we can spend more time with them after dinner on Sundays playing games or movies or something.

Sounds like a plan. But Saturday afternoons are still free so that can be more friend time. Even an occasional Saturday night party or sleep over would be nice.

That's really good; now, for our meals. It's time to hire a chef.

Tired of my cooking already?

No, but it's time to hire a chef. The twins will be here soon, the girls need more of our time, and we just don't need to worry about food.

Shall we have a personal or private chef?

We need a private chef and a sous-chef to take care of all the kitchen and serving duties. Just curious, are you breast-feeding?

No.

Well, formula and baby food will definitely be needed too, right?

Right, thanks for thinking of that. It'll really help out.

Phillip's emergency alert goes off on his phone. He asks Sheryl to call the girls into her room and lock the door while he checks on it. Ryder and Ben are off duty now but someone is still in the office and security is still on the front desk. The alarm is indicating trouble in the garage area. After retrieving a firearm from the vault, he takes the rear elevators down to the first floor thinking that the security team will get there before he does. When he reaches the garage he only sees a light coming from his dad’s RV parked in its remote space. He goes over to the RV cautiously looking around for any of his team. How was the alarm triggered if it's just the door to the RV that was open? Is Dad inside the RV? His thoughts are rapid but he doesn't feel unsafe just puzzled. The buildings front doors are securely locked and no windows have been compromised. No one was in the office but some lights were left on. Checking his watch, he finds that it's already 5:45 which explains no one being around. He approaches the RV cautiously. Easing open the door he readies his weapon and steps inside. The only light is coming from the rear sleeping section. He inches the door open wider.

What are you doing in here?

I heard the alarm. No one else was around so I came to check it out.

You're not security. That's not your job. How did you get in here anyway?

I found the door open when I got here. So, I came in to take a look around. This light was the only one on so I came in here, Tess says as she sits seductively on the bed. Crossing legs to reveal a lot of high thigh and leaning forward enough to allow the v cut in her knit sweater to gap open. So, what could have happened to set the alarm off? She asks seemingly innocent while moving over just enough to allow space for one more body to sit.

I don't know. Get up. Let's go.

Don't we need to find out what happened?

No, we don't need to do anything. You shouldn't even be in here. If you hear an alarm, you call one of us. You do not go on a mission to find answers. Now let’s go. It's time for you to go home.

I'm still working on something.

What are you working on?

Ben asked me to review more work history of the teachers.

That can wait until Monday. Go home. He shuts off the lights in the RV and closes the door as Tess manages to brush full body against him as he turns away from the door.

That was frightening. Will you walk me back to the office while I gather my things? I'm a bit nervous now.

Now you're nervous. Let's go.

Slowly she walks towards the elevator.

I like working here, Tess said smiling and taking care to keep as slow a pace as possible.

Is there anything I could do to do a better job?

You report to Ben. Ask him.

But you're Ben's boss. You're the boss. So, I need to make sure you're happy too.

Ben has my confidence. So just make sure you're doing the job he needs and stay out of trouble.

Trouble? Have I gotten into trouble?

Look, I don't believe for a minute that you didn't somehow stage this little emergency. So, don't give me that miss innocent routine now. If you do it again, it will be my decision to let you go.

Let me go? You'd fire me?

He looks at her as the elevator door opens. He puts his hand across the door to prevent it from closing as she totally ignores it and looks to him for an answer to her last question of would you really fire me. Tess steps a little closer to him but not so close as to test his last sentiment. Instead of answering her question he simply says, Go get your things and go home. Your work today is done. Don't test me again.

At that exact moment, Phillip's cell phone vibrated in his pocket. It was another alert. A computer security breach at one of the eight's locations. He knew that both Ryder and Ben, wherever they were, are getting the same alerts as he is. He jumped to the computer in his office and started typing wildly. Tracing alerts to find the exact breach was not his talent. He wanted Ben. 

Here let me do that. Tess said reaching over him while positioning herself in a way that was impossible to move his chair. While his attention was on the screen, he hardly notices just how close she had maneuvered herself across his lap. That is, until Sheryl knocked on the door and opened it before an answer. Assuming that it was Ryder and Ben entering the office, they both kept working to find the alarm trigger. Sheryl didn't say a word but watched with questioning eyes and a racing heart. Tess found the breach and in the next second a total feeling of success and relief that they at least knew where the intrusion happened followed by an adrenaline flow of a major breakthrough; and in her excitement she turned her head towards him coming within a brush of his lips when he rose quickly from his chair pushing her cheeks so that their lips would not touch. He rose in such a huff asking What the hell are you doing? Didn't I tell you to go home?

But the alarm went off and you needed me and the excitement of finding the location; well, I just got a little carried away.

Ben and Ryder approach behind Sheryl without her noticing. Startled as they announce themselves she gasps and clutches her hand to her mouth to contain the feelings she had.

Sheryl, how long have you been there? Phillip asked without acknowledging Ben's or Ryder's presence. She doesn't answer. She just looks long and hard at Tess while breathing heavily in an obvious display of outrage. Slowing her breath and calming herself as Ryder and Ben jump into action at Phillip's computer releasing

Tess of her position in front of the screen, Sheryl turns to walk away.

Wait. Phillip calls to her. Don't go yet.

Ben says, This is an amateur. I'll shut him out in no time. Ryder pats Ben on the back as he says to him Find out what he got into and where he was searching.

Ryder looks toward Phillip for a decision. Phillip nods his head. Ryder firmly grasps the arm of Tess, whose shoes are mysteriously off, picks up her shoes and leads her to the outer office. They walk with his hand still on her arm sternly guiding her into her cubicle. He opens his hand and gestures for her offering.

What? Tess asked expressing annoyed confusion at the gesture.

You know what. Give me the office keys, now. Get your things and you'll get your final check next pay period.

You're freaking firing me? I just found the breach

You did. But you also breached something yourself; trust. Let's go tootsie. You were warned.

I did nothing. I was just excited and when I turned around he was just so close.

Hey, shut up, he barked menacingly at her with a jutted jaw and cutting stare. It's over. Get your coat, your purse and anything else that's yours so you don't have to come back.

Sheryl now sitting in one of the plush guest chairs across from Phillip's desk watching as Ben track and search for breached areas of the intruder's path all the while shutting him down in an elated manner of yes I see you and I'm much better than you.

This little prick doesn't know jack. He can't even cover his tracks well.

As she watch him work, Tess's voice of protest against her firing gets louder and louder. Phil Sr. enters the outer office demanding to know what's going on. Sheryl sits quietly fuming. Phillip calls his dad into his office. He asks Ben if