Victory Tour (Part 233) (Patreon)

Practice had a definite vibe to it, I just couldn't quite describe it.

On one hand, several players were still feeling the effects of the bug. Even though they tried to gut it out, when there's nothing in the tank, a guy can only do so much. On the other hand, the coaches seemed determined to make up for lost time. Coach Bennett wasn't the one doing a lot of shouting.

The noise rang a little hollow, though, as Coach Tucker had us spend extra time on the triple option. We weren't going to use it this week — heck, we weren't going to use much more than the first page of the playbook this week — but we needed to get it ready for the playoffs. I took that to mean he wasn't all that worried about the Badgers.

For some reason, he still had me take snaps under center. I think it was just a ploy to make opponents burn a timeout. There was no way he'd actually let me play quarterback in a playoff game. I was just supposed to be the holder for placekicks.

We also did some extra work on the starburst return in the special teams segment. I kept waiting for Marshawn to blast me every time I turned my back, but he behaved himself.

Gassers, huddle during which Coach lambasted us for what was possibly our worst practice of the year — we'd better pick it up tomorrow — "TEAM!" on three. We were "advised" to get our showers and get to study hall.

"Any bright ideas to add to this week's game plan?" Coach Sullivan smirked as he passed by me.

"Just have Reggie hand it to whichever running back and let the O-line go to work," I grinned. "That oughta do just fine."

I took a little extra time in the shower, making sure I was clean enough to take Elise out to eat. Then almost got steamrolled by David Dietrich on my way to my locker.

"Dude, I'm not even holdin' a football!" I snarked at the defensive tackle. "Marshawn's not gonna be happy with ya takin' me down before he does."

"Sorry, dude," he called back. "Gotta get to the shop. Opa got this super sweet ride in last week to refurbish and is lettin' me help work on it. A classic Mercedes with the doors that flip up. I can't wait to go for a test ride when we get it done!"

As long as Opa's the one driving, I thought as an idea came to me. I'd have to see what it'd take to have Dietrich Automotive take care of all of my cars. I was definitely going to buy more in my lifetime. I mean, I'd probably need something at every property I obtained. Maybe Dave would be willing to become my personal mechanic. If he could keep Marie's old junker running, he ought to be good enough to service a new car.

I got dressed and grabbed the backpack. Time to hit study hall.

I almost turned around and walked out, but too many of my girlfriends saw me.

It was pretty much expected that Morgan, Elise and Riley would be there. Ny'Quesha, who'd been working diligently with Morgan for more than a month, wasn't too big a shock. But Bethany and Staci, who both gave me big-eyed adorable looks, along with Erin Aguilar and a few cheerleaders sitting with them were another matter. The only ones missing were Kacie and Sherry.

And they were all wearing their chokers.

I smelled a setup. It would be the world's biggest coincidence that they all just happened to be there.

"Ladies," I nodded in acknowledgment as I headed to the table where Chuck was seated. "I have to go over some Economics real quick, if you'll excuse me."

Ignoring my girlfriends and a number — a rather large number — of questioning looks, I got to work with the left guard.

"What'd ya do now?" Chuck whispered with a knowing smirk.

"No idea," I grunted. "Maybe they wanna know about what happened at lunch."

We went over today's lecture and a few tidbits from earlier in the six weeks before Chuck decided to switch to another subject with another teammate. I was gathering my stuff, mentally preparing myself for whatever awaited me, when Cody and Zoe swooped in. She wanted to go over the last few Algebra II problems we hadn't worked just in case they contained anything that we hadn't encountered yet.

I was tempted to offer to pay for their next date, maybe even invite them to Morton's on Saturday, but impatient looks from Elise and Riley — I didn't look to see how the other girls were reacting — made me race through the math. I think Zoe just wanted to show off her understanding of the material, but we could always go over it again tomorrow.

With that done, I loaded up again and moved over to the two volleyball players, who already had a Chemistry book out.

"Morgan filled us in on what happened with Penne," Elise snickered. "That wasn't very nice."

"I wasn't the one who started it," I said.

"That was still kinda mean," Riley giggled. "I remember back in freshman year, she dropped Home Ec because she saw her name on a recipe and finally put things together."

"Enough of that," Elise said. "We've got a test to get ready for. We can talk about Penne later."

I had no problem with that and got to work. I didn't look, but it just felt like the other girls were giving me death stares, urging me to get a move on.

We went over today's lectures first, which were apparently almost word-for-word the same from Riley's morning class to our afternoon class. I made sure to point out Debussy's comment about what the result of the canceled lab exercise should have been and my belief we'd see that on the test. Riley just looked at me as if I'd made a stunning revelation.

"Thanks," she mumbled, her cheeks pinking. "I totally missed that."

"Glad I could help," I grinned.

All too soon, the other girls lost patience with me. Or maybe they finished all the work they needed to do. They still seemed rather impatient, though.

"Let's wrap it up," Morgan commanded. "It's after 6:30 and we're ready to eat."

"We?" I asked, again wishing I could cock an eyebrow.

"You can tell us all what you wouldn't talk about at lunch," my first official girlfriend snapped. "Jason's will let us use their back room. That'll be private enough. We'll just have to fill Kacie and Sherry in."

May as well go ahead and get it over with, I thought as I began packing my things in the backpack. These girls would just keep badgering me until they got what they wanted. Maybe there'd be enough of a crowd at Jason's to come to my rescue when they attacked me because of it. There'd be no chance of escape if that happened on Arlene's patio.

We congregated outside and made our travel arrangements. Morgan would ride with me since it was her turn this week. Staci would take Beth, while Elise and Riley were in the Camry. Erin was in her own car and would take Ny'Quesha. Fortunately, the other cheerleaders didn't hang around in hopes of getting a free meal or juicy gossip.

The situation worsened, anyway, when we arrived at Jason's to be met by Drs. Robinson and Ramakrishnan. At least the psychologist was staying with the Buddy Holly glasses and the tight bun, but, damn, those lips were begging to be kissed. Karen, who had let her hair down after school, still looked rather prim. But her lips looked like they could also stand a kiss or two. Or 20.

We all got in line to place our orders. If I was expected to pay, I was looking at about a $150 tab. Good thing I had the limit on my debit card raised back in the summer. I was using it pretty hard today. If we'd been at Morton's, I might've had to use my black Cayman National card.

Which reminds me, I need to get that back from Dad before he takes Mom to Hawaii or something.

Chanda couldn't understand why the high school girls all cracked up when she asked for the penne pasta without the meatballs. I'll let Morgan explain it to her.

I opted for the corned beef on sourdough, paid for the lot (having flashbacks to Homecoming week and all I spent then) and got my drink. With a deep breath to steel my nerves, I headed for the back room. Where a blushing Chanda was enduring the razzing of the others. I think someone explained the significance of her dinner choice.

"That wasn't very nice of him," the Punjabi bint said with mild disapproval.

"Too bad he wasn't as quick-witted on his test this morning," Karen added with a bit of disapproval of her own when she noticed me.

Surprisingly, I wasn't inundated with questions as soon as I sat down. The ladies apparently decided to wait until after our food was delivered and no one else was around to overhear. I wasn't going to bring anything up on my own, that's for sure.

Talk instead focused on Chanda's plans to stay in the area in the short term as she pondered her future and Karen's pending trip to Europe with Arlene and Jan. Karen seemed very keen to get Chanda to tag along, for some reason.

A minor subplot was Bethany and Erin dealing with their monthlies, a topic I didn't really want to know about. Jan was also dealing with it, which meant I'd have to try again in a couple of weeks. I just had to survive tonight first.

The only thought in my head at the moment was they'd better not ask me to rub their feet. Riley had already put in a request for this week, though I was unfamiliar with her cycle. I just didn't want all of them asking for a session. First, I didn't want to get banned from the restaurant. Second, I didn't have time to administer nine footrubs. I had to finish my tale of Kreitz and Aranella before 10 p.m.

The kitchen must have been put in a high-speed mode because I wasn't even ready for a drink refill before the first plates arrived. I went and refilled my drink, anyway. These girls wouldn't let me out of the room once the interrogation began.

And it was my little future federal prosecutor who got things started. Her timing was impeccable. I'd just taken a big bite of my sandwich.

"So, Gary," Morgan began in her too-sweet tone, "what can you tell us about Lupita?"

"Who's Lupita?" Bethany, Staci, Elise, Riley, Ny'Quesha and Erin asked at once, directing suspicious looks toward my location.

I was surprised at Karen's calm reaction. I guess Chanda had let her in on the matter.

At the risk of suffering bodily harm, I took time to chew and swallow my food. They'd kill me if I choked to death before they got the story. I set my sandwich on its plate and took a sip of my drink as the stares intensified.

"OK," I said, clearing m throat. "I take it y'all are aware of what happened out at my farm Saturday morning."

"Some old house burned down," Staci said tersely. "Get on with it."

I had to be very careful here. While my ladies had been quite discreet where I was concerned, this wasn't information that needed to get out. Forget the school gossip mill, I didn't want federal agents asking me awkward questions. At least not until the gold was safely in Switzerland.

"In addition to the main part of the property where the house was," I said, emphasizing the past tense, "there's a separate half section down the road a bit that has a barn. That barn was totally empty when we first looked the place over."

"But what about Lupita?" Bethany asked, practically bouncing in her seat.

"I'm getting there," I said as placatingly as I could. "Like I said, the barn was completely empty a week earlier. It had some 40-foot van trailers parked inside on Saturday. Lupita was locked inside one of the trailers."

That drew a round of shocked gasps, which didn't surprise me.

"How'd she get there?" Elise asked.

"You'll have to ask the Tri-Star folks for the precise details," I fudged, taking a sip to screen my face just in case, "but there was a gunfight in Matamoros last week that sounds like it was a drug war between rival cartels. I think Lupita was stashed in the truck to get her out of there before the shooting started.

"The gunfight happened Wednesday. We found her about midday Saturday. She'd been locked up in there for at least three nights without food or water and looked to be in pretty bad shape. The Tri-Star folks thought stashing her at the apartment would be the safest thing to do just in case anyone was looking for her."

"Why would anyone be looking for her?" Ny'Quesha asked.

"Why would a cartel be parking trucks on your property?" Morgan asked at the same time, at least partially answering Ny'Quesha's question.

"You'll have to ask the Tri-Star folks," I said. "But we purchased the farm from a man who was allegedly involved in that drug ring out at Cedar Springs. The theory I heard was he was somehow connected to one of the cartels. They used his place to hide their goodies from the other bad guys, not knowing GDR, Inc. now owns it. The purchase included land, structures and all their contents."

"And that includes Lupita," Riley stated flatly. "Is she one of your possessions now?"

"No," I said, hoping I didn't sound too whiny. "About the only info I have on her is her name is Maria Guadalupe Hidalgo Garcia Mojica, she's 18, graduated high school last spring and has documentation showing she's a U.S. citizen."

Then Morgan dropped the question that was designed to end me.

"Is she pretty?"

All I could think of was the vision of Lupita standing there nude last night when I visited the apartment.

"Oh, my God, she must be gorgeous," Bethany gasped. "Look at his face!"

"I guess you could say she's pretty, but I haven't so much as hugged her," I said, praying my face wouldn't betray that she'd hugged me a few times. "Dr. Ramakrishnan has spent more time with her than I have. I don't even want to think about what she's been through, but I figured having a therapist talk with her wouldn't hurt."

Chanda shot me a reproachful look as the attention swung to her. I took advantage of the distraction to take another bite.

"She's very pretty," the psychologist said, casting me a damning glance, "but there's not much more I can say right now. I just started working with her Sunday. She's still holding out hope her grandmother will be found alive, but Carla Johnson said that's virtually impossible at this point. It sounds like that was all the family she had. She's determined to serve El Patron for the rest of her life, though. He's her salvador, but he needs to keep his lingnam out of her yoni for now."

"Who's El Patron?" Staci asked, causing Chanda to look at me expectantly as I hurried to swallow my food.

"That would be me," I blushed, getting seven startled looks from seven pretty teenage girls and an eighth from a sexy English Lit professor. "You can thank my grandfather for that. I don't know if he was trying to be funny or what, but I promised Lupita she will be protected and provided for."

"She's one of the refugees you were telling me about," Erin said, the lightbulb finally clicking on. "That's why you want to buy the convent."

"One of?" Morgan asked, stopping just shy of a screech. "How many others are there?"

"I was told 16," I admitted, mildly surprised I was still alive to speak the next sentence. "They were all students at the same school Lupita attended. I'm looking for a place to house them. Erin suggested the old convent adjacent to Holy Trinity and Mrs. Johnson said Lupita should stay with them. The next best option is Gladys Osborne's house, but it only has four bathrooms."

"Who's Gladys Osborne?" Riley asked.

"One of Arlene's neighbors," I said. "I've made an offer which has been accepted, but we still have to go through closing."

"So, you're gonna have, what, 17 more girlfriends?" Ny'Quesha smirked savagely.

"Tell ’em they're going to have to wait their turn," Elise snorted. "I saw him first, so they're behind me."

"And me," Ny'Quesha said.

"And me," Riley added.

"And me," I heard whispered from the side of the table where Karen and Chanda sat, but both maintained placid expressions.

"That's right, boyo," Morgan decreed. "WE saw you first. And I'd better still be at the front of that line."

"You are," I said, definitely sounding whiny now. "I don't want any new girlfriends. I barely have enough time for the ones I already have. Besides, it sounds like half of these girls aren't even 16. I was told 16 girls between 14 and 18, four from each high school grade. Erin said the convent sleeps about 20."

"You'll still need someone to stay with them," Karen pointed out. "CPS will expect an adult on the premises to oversee things."

"Carla Johnson may have someone who would be good for that," Chanda said cryptically. "And it sounds like I just gained 16 new patients in addition to the ones Gary's already funneled my way. I expected it to take a few months to attract that many. What about INS?"

"I was told all these girls have documentation similar to Lupita," I said, "birth certificates showing they were born in the U.S., Social Security cards and U.S. passports for the ones who are old enough."

"What about their schooling?" Karen asked.

"I have no idea," I admitted. "I'm just trying to deal with the housing situation right now. I don't know how long they'll be here, but Mrs. Johnson said Gen. Rackham — he's the head honcho at Tri-Star — suggested getting them into the school his granddaughter attends in Virginia. I don't see that happening before the spring semester starts in January."

"You're willing to buy a place to put these girls for not even two months?" Staci asked suspiciously. "Sounds like you're just throwing money away."

"Your father and my grandfather are advising me," I pointed out. "I doubt they'd let me just throw it away. One suggestion was setting up a philanthropic foundation to oversee this place, set the convent up as a women's shelter or something like that."

OK, the suggestion had been mine. They didn't need to know that.

"You've put some thought into this," Karen said, sounding somewhat impressed. "Who's going to run this foundation?"

"No idea," I said again. "We'll probably have to hire some headhunter to recruit someone for us. Bill Richards has been retained to handle the paperwork on creating it, but that only happened last night. We're literally just getting started."

"No wonder you're looking to graduate early," Morgan said, also sounding a little impressed. "You really do have a lot going on."

"You're applying to graduate?" Karen asked in surprise. "Who's giving you a recommendation?"

"I think Mr. Dunwoody, but then this Penne Baughman stuff happened," I said. "I need a backup plan in case he decides to pull the plug on me. And I still have to get my parents to sign off on it. Mom's going to take some convincing."

"You got that right," my aunt snorted. "I'll have a word with her and your other teachers for you. It'd look a little odd if I made the recommendation. People would talk."

People already talk, I thought. At least none who mattered had accused me of banging Karen, though. Thankfully, Erin — the one girl here who'd figured it out — was keeping quiet about it. I guess she wanted to continue her regular visits. I'd threatened to cut her off if she blabbed.

"I'd better get going," Elise said. "It's almost 8 and Daddy's already suspicious of me being out with Gary even after I told him Riley'd be with me. Like, we're going to double-team him or something."

"Wait your turn," Bethany snarked, making me wonder who she'd allow to join in for something like that.

Better push such thoughts right out of my head, I thought as I finished my meal. I'd already suffered enough academically today because of them.

"Nah, ’Lise wants to get him all to herself first," a blushing Riley said, causing the tall girl to turn a similar shade. "She's the one demanding other girls wait their turns, anyway."

"We'd all better get going," Karen said. "Y'all have tests to study for and I've got tests to grade."

So, of course, it took us a good 10-15 minutes to say our good-byes. Morgan said she could wait until I took her home, but Elise, Riley, Bethany, Staci, Ny'Quesha and even Erin had to get their smooches and put more dents in various locations on my body. I took it they accepted my explanation of the situation. At least it seemed that way as they all agreed on lunch Saturday at Arlene's after helping Marie clean the house. They suddenly wanted to meet Lupita.

Karen and Chanda settled for hugs, but I still got four more dents. And two more ladies who'd be there for lunch Saturday.

"Get on home, Sparky," my aunt said. "We'll review the test tomorrow."

"Yes, ma'am."

Morgan was a little circumspect as we walked to the Beemer. She broke out of it once we were rolling.

"How are you going to pay for all of this?" she asked as I stopped before pulling onto the street.

Fortunately, I had to look to my left for any oncoming traffic as I answered. It was a very long look.

"Remember what my grandfather told you about my financial situation?" I replied while waiting for a vehicle nearly a block away. "Mr. Patterson has recommended some investments that sound very promising. If he's willing to put up hundreds of millions, I can afford a few simple million. There'll be enough."

It was all I could do not to tell her what else we'd found in that barn. Hell, the value of the weapons alone would be enough to fund this project. But I'd promised Arlene I wouldn't tell anyone else my true net worth without her being there.

I could only imagine the reactions when they all learned I now had "and the horse you rode in on" money. Better do that out at the farm so we don't disturb the neighbors.

We pulled into the subdivision with a black SUV a few car lengths behind us and turned toward Morgan's house. She let me get her bag out of the trunk and walk her to the door, then gave my molars a good check before turning me loose.

"Go study," she panted, still pressed up against me. "I've got to look up what we need to do for passport applications. Don't worry, I'm not getting any kind of wedding gown, let alone Dior, before I finish college."

"So, I've got, what, three years?" I grinned as she turned to open the door.

"Get going, you goof," she snorted. "And don't screw Lupita until we've had a chance to meet her."

The door closed before I could respond. The girl always seemed to manage to get in the last word. Just another reason I felt she was destined to become a lawyer.

I walked into the house a little after 8 and found the folks in the kitchen. Mom and Kacie still showed the effects of the stomach bug, moving not exactly listlessly, but definitely a step slow.

"Where've you been?" Dad asked casually.

"Some of the girls came to study hall and decided to let me feed them after," I said. "It was a setup. Morgan asked why Lupita Garcia is staying in Arlene's apartment and I had to take some time to explain things to all of them."

"Where'd she hear about that?" Dad asked. "Your grandfather swore us all to secrecy. I already admitted I told your mother."

"Beats me," I shrugged. "I hadn't even seen Morgan since Friday."

It was at that moment that Kacie and Mom got rather pink and headed for their rooms. They'd both had a hard day and were ready to turn in. It kinda reminded me of that time Mom and Grandma used all my graph paper. Which reminded me to make sure I had enough in my backpack for the test tomorrow.

Dad waited until they were clearly out of earshot and lowered his voice.

"I showed your mom the graduation stuff," he muttered. "She's not real thrilled with the idea. Thinks you're tryin' to get away from her. Said she'd have to think about it."

"And you?" I asked.

"This is just a ballpark figure, but $487 million, which would include some office properties and the workyard, about eight acres total," he said. "I'll take what I'm payin' myself now, but I'd better get performance bonuses."

"I can work with that," I grinned. "I won't object to the board of directors moving forward on my behalf if they agree. If not, it's only seven months until my birthday. Might even let ya be first in line to drive de la Vega's Benz. Think Mom would enjoy a date night out in that?"

"Don't let your grandfather hear ya say that," Dad snorted. "He was talkin' last night about takin' it the whole way down Route 66."

"Sounds like a fun roadtrip," I said, wondering how fast the wagon could make it from Amarillo to Gallup, New Mexico. "He's on his own for speedin' tickets, though. I've got some studyin' to do."

"Don't stay up all night," Dad said, obviously following Mom's orders.

I turned to go, but was interrupted.

"Oh, one last thing," Dad said, holding out my Cayman National card and a keyring with a few keys on it. "Mrs. Osborne said she's flying out tomorrow to join her cruise. Her son is authorized to sign for her at closing, which will probably be early next week. He's supposed to be here this weekend to get some things they're not leaving for you. She asked if you'd mind helping him load some of the bigger pieces. You'd be allowed to stay there after he leaves. She likes the idea of having someone in the house until they get what they want out of there."

"Be glad to," I said, thinking the offensive line was about to receive a job offer.

I took the card and keys and put them where I'd be able to find them when needed. I wonder what 20 pounds of brisket from Cookshack will cost me.

I headed to my room and got to work on the Creative Writing. By 8:45, I was satisfied enough to send the story to Mrs. Cohen. I got started on the one for tomorrow — the one based on a song — as the opening strains of "California Girls" by the Beach Boys played in my head. I had the bulk of it mapped out and several hundred words written before figuring I'd better go over go over Economics and Chemistry one more time while I was still awake.

The gist of the story was a dude would encounter all kinds of hot babes in his travels. There was a hip East Coast Girl, a sweet-talking Southern Girl, at least one Midwest Farmer's Daughter — heck, why not twins? — and a Northern Girl. I just had to come up with a reason for him to be going to all these places and meeting all these ladies. At least I had a good enough start to be able to finish in class tomorrow.

A little before 10, my phone rang. I was a lucky contestant.

"Evening, Coach," I answered automatically without even looking to see which one.

"Ya better not be with the Stirling girl." Coach Wilson said. "Dr. Stirling himself told Coach Tucker to be sure ya were on the list tonight."

"I did go eat with Miss Stirling and eight other ladies after study hall," I admitted, "but we all left by 8 o'clock. I've been home studying for nearly two hours."

"How the heck you get nine dates on a school night?" he asked, sounding somewhere between scandalized and jealous.

"It wasn't like that," I said. "One of them was my aunt, Dr. Karen Robinson. She's the one who took over English IV while Mrs. Albracht's out. There was absolutely nothing shady goin' on."

"Still might wanna save a little somethin' for Friday night," he snorted. "I got a feelin' the ones are gonna be sittin' by halftime. You may be asked to play more than normal."

"As long as it's not at quarterback," I said.

"That's not my decision," the receivers coach said. "We'll just hafta see. Get to bed. We got finish installn' the game plan tomorrow."

"Yes, sir," I said. "G'night, Coach."

That was as good a reason as any to shut it down. I loaded my books and laptop in the backpack, making sure to include some graph paper. Clothes for tomorrow were laid out, the ones I wore today were removed and put in the hamper, teeth were brushed, lights were killed.

Maybe I wouldn't wake up so damn early in the morning.