Transformation
Copyright© 2025 by A Well Traveled Man
Chapter 10
Alex meditated and exercised early Saturday, grabbed the quarterstaff, accessed Chi, and took off for my run through the backyard. I ran my route in reverse today, and my senses were alert. I stopped, practiced my body flicker walk, and finished in the backyard after hopping over the fence. Alex stretched, got the heavy bag, and hung it on the tree. Then spent the next hour trying to beat and kick it to death and failed. After putting it back into the garage, I went upstairs, showered, dressed, and met Mom in the kitchen. We got breakfast at the Golden Arches drive-thru on the way to the marina. After eating breakfast in the galley, we cleaned up the boat and got ready to take it out when Paul Lamb called.
He said someone recorded your speech and put it on YouTube. Everyone is talking about it, and I did a great job. Then Ali called as we set sail and said Mr. Klein was extremely pleased and thought your speech was hilarious. All the entertainment and fashion channels are talking about it. Great job, she hung up, saying bat and balls, laughing. We spent the day sailing and returned to the marina at dusk. After washing down the deck, we drove home. Mom’s voicemail was full of calls from Stephanie. Mom played a few for laughs, then deleted the rest.
Stephanie’s note on the kitchen door told Mom to call her immediately. So, we ordered pizza, then Mom called Stephanie and asked what was so important. Stephanie ranted and raved about the name change, and when she ran out of steam, Mom said Alex changed his name partly for you. You bitched about people finding out you’re related, and he never liked his last name anyway, so he changed it. It’s official now, so you should be happy. Alex even told everyone at the gala he was an only child. We’ve increased security due to his popularity and an attempt on his life. You’ll need to call before coming so we can notify the private security guards. It’s a good thing you separated from him now. It’s safer for you that way. Have a good rest of the weekend. Goodbye, and Mom hung up laughing.
The pizza arrived, and Mom said she laid it on a bit thick, but knowing Stephanie, she would try to worm her way back into your life. The Gala was a wake-up call for her, and you shit on her reunion plans. However, social status is everything to her, so Stephanie won’t give up trying to get an invite to events like last night. Alex said there was no way she would get a ticket through me. We finished dinner and went to bed. I sat in the lotus position, achieved Chi, checked my energy levels, and scanned the surrounding area. There was an unmarked police car at the end of our block, so I dressed, grabbed my camera with the zoom lens, and went out the kitchen door. I walked up the driveway and stopped at the corner of the house. Then I took pictures of the car and license plate, and the two people inside returned to my room and went to bed.
Early Sunday morning, Alex meditated and exercised, grabbed the quarterstaff, accessed Chi, and took off on my run through the backyard again. But I reversed my route again and ran right behind the unmarked police car. I completed my second lap, stopped to practice the body flicker walk, then resumed my run. Finishing my run at the back fence, Alex hopped over, stretched, and went to the gym. I did my weight workout, went upstairs, showered, dressed, and went to the kitchen for breakfast. During breakfast, I called 911 and reported two men inside a car at the end of the street. They have been there all night. The police should check them out. The operator said she would dispatch a unit to the scene and hung up.
Alex grabbed his camera, and Mom asked where I was going as I walked outside and started taking pictures. Mom watched while I switched to video as two patrol cars arrived. The officers pulled out their guns and ordered the men out of the vehicle. One man reached inside his coat, and shooting started. It ended quickly with both suspects shot and on the ground. Then the shit show started, and we went inside. Mom followed me up to my room to view the video. I saved a copy to a USB stick and then emailed a copy to Andrew.
Mom and I changed into our swimsuits and went to the pool. Andrew called and asked what had happened. Alex told him about the car with two men parked overnight, and I called 911 this morning to check it out. The video is what happened when the police arrived. Andrew said shit, thanks for the warning, and hung up. Mom noticed me smiling and accused me of setting those officers up. I told her I did no such thing. If they were on an official stakeout, the department would notify them they were made and told them to return to the station. So, no officers would be dispatched. I wanted them to know I knew they were watching me. So, what happened was a series of errors made by them and the arriving officers.
We went inside and cleaned up, then went to the market. We finished shopping and checking out when the lady behind us said there was a video of a police shootout on the news. It was in a neighborhood not far from here and happened this morning. It’s pretty graphic, so don’t eat before watching it. On the way home, we drove past the scene, which was all cleaned up. After putting away the food, Mom turns on the news. Now they had an expert committing to the video. He determined it was a justified use of force, pointing out the suspects’ errors. Mom said Andrew was a genius for releasing the video to the press. This illegal stakeout and the two other incidents show a department out of control.
After dinner, we watched two more Succession episodes because Mom was hooked on the show, and then went to bed. I sat in the lotus position, gathered Chi, then meditated. I felt a peaceful feeling sweep through me, and I was relaxed and energized at the same time. When I came out of my meditative state, it was morning.
At 4 a.m. Monday, I exercised, grabbed the quarterstaff, accessed Chi, and took off for my run, but reversed my route. I turned down different streets until I reached a street I recognized and stayed on my regular course. After the second lap, I stopped, practiced the body flicker walk, and ran home. While stretching, I decided to print a subdivision map and draw out different running routes. I grabbed the heavy bag from the garage and hung it from the tree. I spent the hour attacking the bag and returned it to the garage when I finished. After showering and dressing, I went to the kitchen. Mom had already left, but my breakfast was in the oven.
After breakfast, I checked out the new addition. The crew was making great progress, then a truck backed into the driveway and unloaded my new Ford Bronco. I parked it in the garage, and the crew pulled up. Then the HVAC and electrician show up. I asked the electrician if he could install a plug to charge my electric car for cash. He asked about the golf cart, and I said Sure, do both. Then David Standford, the fence contractor, showed up, and parking was at a premium. So, I told David to use the house next door since it was vacant.
David asked why I didn’t have a gate installed on the back fence and put gravel on the new addition. So, if you get an RV or trailer later, it’s parked out of sight, and you could put up a carport later if needed. I can do it for $3000 cash. The gravel is extra, but I can give you the guy’s number. Alex told him to do it and asked if it would be done by Friday. He said Thursday, and he’d open up the back fence and work from there today. He said it would be secure tonight, and he went to work.
Then Mom pulled up, and Alex said Sorry, ma’am, but the lot was full. I can squeeze you in for an extra hundred, and she laughed and said I’ll, ma’am, you. Alex told her to park next door until some trucks left, and held out my hand. She handed me lunch and parked next door. I said tightwad as she pulled away laughing. While eating lunch, I told her I had made some executive decisions. We’re putting in a gate on the back fence, so if you get an RV or trailer later, it can be parked out of sight next to the gym. I’ll pay for it; they will open with the same remote. The fence work will be done by Thursday. The electrician is going to install a plug to charge the Bronco that’s parked in the garage. Mom asked what it looked like, and I said I didn’t have time to check it out. They delivered it early, and I got parked in the garage, and all hell broke loose.
We stayed inside because of the noise and foot traffic. Mom put me to work cleaning, which we did all afternoon. Mom pulled her SUV into the garage when the last truck left, and we checked out the Bronco. It’s a two-door with a removable hard top. We took it for a drive, and Mom said This is nice. We’ll have to drive it some to keep it in good running order, then laughed at my frown. We parked in the garage and went inside for dinner. During dinner, Mom told me to get my passport out tonight and check the expiration date. It should be good for another year like mine. I’ll call the doctor’s office tomorrow morning and see if we need any shots before we go. Then Mom asked me to remind her to call a guard service to do drive-bys once or twice daily.
We finished dinner, and I went to my room and pulled out my passports. I had two because Dad was from England and moved here as a child. So, I took the passports downstairs and asked Mom why my passport said I was 16, not 14, like my birth certificate. Your Moran father filled out the applications or had his bimbo do it and screwed up your birth date. So, if I wanted to get a driver’s license, I could show them my passport, right? Mom smiled and said Technically, yes, but we’ll have to see. If we do this, you have to be really careful. When we get back from Jamaica, you and I will sign up for a defensive driving course that lasts a week. They have a highly rated one in Arizona. Ok, last question, what passport do I use to go to Jamaica? It’s still a British colony. The resorts are relatively safe inside, but outside, they are not. So, what passport would be better to use if there were trouble? Mom said she would call Ali tomorrow and find out. Then I returned to my room, sat in the lotus position, empowered my chi, and meditated.
Early Tuesday morning, Alex exercised, grabbed the quarterstaff, accessed Chi, and took off for my run on the regular route. My senses were on alert and narrowed on the road. After my first loop, I noticed a van 50 yards ahead, so I slowly turned left and hid between two cars. Two minutes later, the van turns the corner and passes me, so I return to my route. At the halfway point, I practice the body flicker walk, then run as fast as possible to the back fence, hop over, and stretch at the garage.
The van was parked at the end of our street. Alex went inside, called 911, and reported a van following me. The operator said you are blocked from receiving assistance from us. Have a good and hung up. I called Andrew and woke him up. I apologized but called 911 about a van following me, which is now parked at the end of our street. The 911 operator said I was blocked from services. If that is true, do I take care do I take care of anything that comes up with impunity? Andrew said I brought up a valid point. Let me call the judge right now and call you back. The judge said if they refuse services, you’re an island governed by yourself. Call 911 on your landline speaker phone to cover our bases. You’re on your cell phone. Alex said yes, and Andrew said he would record the call and play it for the judge. I did as he asked, and Andrew recorded the call. He said, Please don’t do anything until I call you back. Don’t go anywhere outside your front door, and keep your mom home too, and hang up.
I took my phone to the gym, did my weight workout, showered, dressed, and went to the kitchen. Mom was making breakfast, and I told her what had happened. Then my call to Andrew and his instructions. We ate breakfast, then the circus started again. I stood by the patio door with my quarterstaff ready. The front security door was locked along with the back door. Mom yelled. Andrew called to come inside.
Andrew said the judge is issuing a court order to the city, police, and fire departments. It says that since the city has chosen to cut off services to your family, you are self-governed. The police cannot stop to question or arrest you or your mom. Fire and medical services must respond or take full responsibility for the damages. The order is non-reversible because of the previous bias shown towards you by the police. So, from now on, you and your mother have complete immunity to any police action. Serving everyone involved will take all day, so stay home and safe. I will come with the letter and plenty of copies. Remember, if they try to arrest you, use any force necessary to prevent it from happening, then call me. Andrew said Stay safe and hung up.