Page 15 of Night Blind

“I can carry my own weight,” she said, moving closer.

“Yeah, but you don’t have to anymore,” he said, kissing her again. “Neither of you do. I want you both to understand what it is like to be loved by men who only want the best for you.”

“Men?”

“Yes, the Neary men,” he said. “You are our family. We love and protect the women in our lives. I shall love and protect you all.”

“It’s the love thing that makes me worry,” she whispered. “I have every right to be doubtful.”

“I am who you believe in your heart that I am,” he said, “I have nothing further to say on it. She’s your sister, which makes her my sister. Good night.”

She held onto him for nearly 30 minutes before drifting fitfully into an uneasy sleep. She could feel the weight of something horrible hanging over their heads. It was coming. She had no way to prepare for the unknown. Then suddenly, in a moment of clarity, Cherry got it. Her husband had explained that from childhood he’d been taught to see and understandthe needs of others. He’d been taught to provide care and guidance. Michael Isaac Neary had degrees in criminology and he understood the criminal mind.

Her husband was also a trained assassin.

He was prepared.

Slow was always prepared. Cherry simply wished for once in her life, she could be as well, instead of being reactive. Helen was correct, this was a chance for something better. She didn’t want to mess it up.

Chapter 6- Drill

“We’re doing what?” Helen asked, uncertain if she had heard Slow correctly. If what he said was indeed what she’d heard, then she was most definitely unprepared for his scheduled activity for the day. Moreover, the idea of it scared the bejeezus out of her.

“I need to see how you handle yourself and a weapon,” he said, passing her the paintball gun.

“This is a paintball gun.”

“Well, I don’t want to get into the field and have you accidentally shoot me or worse,” he said. “This way, I get to see firsthand your natural inclinations when faced with a threat.”

Cherry didn’t much like the idea either. Her head snapped around at the sound of tires crunching on the gravel outside giving her a facial expression of annoyance. Naomi their daughter ran to the window to see who was arriving at their home. The look of disappointment on her face at seeing the first vehicle was palpable.

“Oh, it’s just the Grandpa Man,” she said, suddenly smiling when she saw the salt and peppered hair of her grandmother. “It’s Grandma! Grandma is here!”

She ran to the bathroom to check her hair and then her clothing, coming back to stand in the middle of the floor after checking her outfit. “Daddy, do I look cute? I want to look really cute when Grandma sees me and comes through the door.”

“You look fine, Bunny,” he said, disengaging the alarm. As he walked to the front door to let in his parents, a second and third vehicle arrived. One brought over his sister Rebecca, and the other, his cousin Zeke with Tameka, his wife, and daughter Michelle. This would be the first time his cousin Zeke had come to his home; however, today had a purpose.

Cherry watched his face as the family members filed in, starting with his father. “Morning family,” Mark Neary said,holding up his paintball gun. His eyes went to Cherry, then back to his son. “I’m going to take you down, son. Slippery When Wet is taking you down.”

She took it as a threat, getting to her feet while looking at her father-in-law. “Sir, I’m not sure what your plans are for the day, but if this is a Neary playdate sort of luncheon, you’re playing around with the wrong piece of fruit.”

Ruth Neary, Slow’s mother, came through the door, followed by Rebecca, and they both flanked Mark. Mark offered a lopsided grin, looking at Cherry, as if he had ill intentions. Then she saw the sparkle in his eyes. “Me and my girls are going up against Michael and his girls,” Mark said.

Zeke Neary entered the door, followed by his wife and daughter. Cherry asked, “And what are you, the referee?”

“As a matter of fact, I am,” Zeke said, “Tameka here will oversee the girls while we hit the course, which I have been wanting to see.”

“What course?” Helen asked, feeling concerned.

Slow greeted everyone, mentioning the pots of coffee ready in the kitchen along with sweet rolls, venison sausage, and biscuits he’d prepared for the morning. After the course, he planned to grill burgers and dogs to make a day out of it for the family. It was also good for Naomi to have a playmate over, and hopefully, soon, she could start to have sleepovers like his sister did when they were growing up.

Tameka greeted the family, passing around a covered container of blueberry muffins. She’d brought with her blueberry soaps and shampoos, which also went to the counter. Helen watched in confusion, not commenting, waiting to understand what would actually occur in the rollout of this day of family fun and bonding. Slow noticed the concerned expression in her eyes. He was learning to read her body language and unspoken expressions.

“There is a shooting range course about half a click down the property line,” Slow said to her. “We will use paintballs instead of dummy ammo and work in teams. Cherry, you, and me against my Dad, Mom, and Rebecca.”

Cherry’s eyebrows arched as she looked at Ruth. “Michael, you seriously want me to shoot on a range course, with paintballs, at your Mom?”

Ruth stared at her mutherfuckingly, squinting a bit as she removed camo paint from her purse like a compact of finishing powder for a night at the opera. She used her fingers to swab the black grease under her eyes like a warrior, her gaze intense. “Just because I bake an awesome pound cake will not stop me from busting a cap in your butt, Ms. Ma’am!”

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