Reincarnation
Copyright© 2026 by A Well Traveled Man
Chapter 5
Early Thursday morning, Wyatt bypassed running and went to the barn. He got two cat traps and teleported to the tree line where the ATV tracks stopped. Wyatt placed the traps ten and twenty feet along the trail to the feeder and hunter perch. Returning to the barn, he went to the house, showered, dressed, and went to the kitchen. No one was there yet, so he got the newspaper and started reading the business section. Wyatt saw the housing market was booming and remembered the 2008 crash.
He also remembers that the banks were in serious trouble after the housing crash, so that he could make a killing on those two events. Mom and Maria arrived, breaking his concentration, and they prepared breakfast. He checked the sports page and remembered he could make money on the sports events he remembered, too. Unfortunately, he couldn’t pass for 21 yet, even though he was almost 6 feet and 165 pounds. Mom was 5’10”, and Dad was 6’2”, but Mom said her father was 6’5”. So, more growth was in store for him.
After breakfast, they went to the tailor’s shop in the mall. Wyatt tried on the tux first, and Anthony marked it up for alteration. Then he had to try on the suits, and fortunately, they fit fine. Anthony told them the tux would be ready on Friday afternoon, and they left with his new suits. Wyatt said he hoped Anthony didn’t have an accident the way he was dancing around. Mom laughed so hard she grabbed his arm for support.
There was a camera store in the mall, and Wyatt convinced Mom they needed a digital camera to document the No Trespassing signs posted. She agreed and purchased a midrange Sony camera with three lenses, including a zoom lens. Mom said it would come in handy should trouble develop at the ranch due to your patent filing. Wyatt asked if she thought he’d have groupies climbing the fence for him, and they laughed.
Maria had lunch ready when they arrived, and during lunch, Maria told them how pleased her family was with the furniture. Mom said she was glad to help and avoid the hassle of storage fees and selling it. After lunch, Wyatt resumed programming and finished the anti-virus program. Then he started on the office suite and was in a zone until Mom called him to dinner. He saved his work, shut off the computer, and went to the kitchen.
While they ate, Mom asked Wyatt when the interest in his invention would begin. He said as soon as it’s received at the patent office. Those big industry leaders have contacts everywhere, including the patent office. That’s why I submitted my first drawing, which didn’t work. Once they see it isn’t a threat, it will be approved. Then I’ll send in the revised drawing with the patent number, and they will be screwed. Mom said that’s a devious plan, and they finished dinner, then said goodnight and went to bed.
Wyatt was in the basement gym early Friday morning, practicing martial arts on the boxing bags. Returning to his room, he showed dressed and went to the kitchen. While they ate, Mom said your Dad was transferred to the rehab center. He called to complain about the conditions, smell, and food. William also blamed us for his fall in the hospital, which broke his arm and now requires plastic surgery on his nose. Wyatt asked Mom if he was getting artificial balls, too, and he left Mom and Maria laughing hard.
He went to the stables, saddled Smokey, and let Sandy out of her stall. They took off, rode past the hunter perch and feeder, and saw no activity. Then they checked the fence and the signs, and Wyatt took pictures of them. They returned to the stables, and he cared for the horses, then went to the house. Maria and Mom were fixing lunch, and Mom told him to get cleaned up.
When he returned, they ate lunch, and Wyatt told Mom that Sandy was pissed at her. She isn’t happy that you’re neglecting her, so don’t be surprised if Sandy nips you in the butt next time you see her. Mom asked why in the butt, and Wyatt told her he might have suggested it. Mom and Maria laughed, and Mom said You had better not. They finished lunch, and Mom said they would leave for the tailor in an hour.
Anthony welcomed them, and Wyatt tried on the tux. Luckily, it fit, so there was no reason for Anthony to get a feel. Mom and Anthony agreed that the snake skin boots and cowboy hat complemented the tux perfectly. When they left, Anthony told them to hurry back, and they laughed after leaving. Wyatt said maybe she should introduce Dad to Anthony, and Mom giggled, saying it wouldn’t work because they like younger fare.
It wasn’t possible to leave the mall without shopping, and Mom found the perfect belt and buckle for his tux. He also had to wait outside a Victoria’s Secret store while Mom got something for her dress. What she didn’t realize was that he could see inside, but he didn’t tell her. He’d have fun with her on the way to the charity gala. Mom came out with a large bag, and he asked what she had purchased. Mom laughed and said It’s none of your business.
By the time they got home, it was dinner time, and he hung up his tux and shirt in the closet. Returning to the kitchen, Mom was reheating the dinner Maria had prepared. She arrived early and left at 4 p.m., but made dinner for them and put it in the refrigerator. Mom said we’ll go yard sale hunting tomorrow morning, then relax until the town car shows up at 6 p.m. She told him to bring his checkbook, too, because it’s tax-deductible and you’ll need it.
Wyatt said he didn’t have a checkbook, and Mom said she forgot it was in the safe with your birth certificate and your Social Security card. I’ll show you everything, but I’ll keep the important documents in the safe with mine. Wyatt asked if he had a passport, and Mom said yes, but it’s expired or expiring soon. We’ll check that and mine too tomorrow afternoon. They finished dinner, said goodnight, and went to bed.
Wyatt and Mom drove to town Saturday morning, picked up a newspaper, and had breakfast at McDonald’s while looking for yard sales. They found four and a farm sale too, and went to check them out. The first yard sale was a bust, as it was mostly children’s clothes. At the second one, Wyatt got a camo hunting outfit, an insulated camo jacket, and bibs. The lady said her son refused to go hunting after seeing a deer dressed.
At the third yard, Mom got a winter coat, sweaters, and several scarves. He got a black duster, and they went to the next sale. The fourth yard sale had stacks of boxes with books, along with other things. Wyatt bought two boxes of psychology textbooks and two boxes of law textbooks. The lady said her son and daughter had graduated and left their college books for her to deal with, so she was selling everything. The farm sale was well picked over, and they headed home.
Mom told Wyatt to leave the hunting gear in the laundry to be washed, and they took the purchases to their rooms. While they ate lunch, Mom said they would eat a light dinner at 5 p.m. before getting ready. She said the food at these events is questionable, and the portions aren’t large. So, it’s best to eat something before, just in case. We’ll meet here in the kitchen at 5:45 and wait for the town car.
After lunch, Wyatt went to his room and began reading the psychology textbooks. He finished at six when Mom called him to dinner. While they ate, she warned him that people with money have inflated egos and occasionally assholes. If you run into either, walk away and say nothing. These events are for social standing and to raise funds for good causes. There will be very powerful and influential people there watching everyone, so you’ll be watched and observed as a newcomer.
They finished dinner and went to their rooms to get ready. Wyatt showered, put on his tux, leaving the bow tie for Mom, and went to the kitchen. When Mom arrived, he said Wow, that’s a beautiful and sexy dress. She said thank you and tied his bow tie. The town car arrived early, and they headed to the gala. Mom said there may be photographers and news crews videotaping for the nightly news. So, walk at a slow pace and don’t stop if someone asks a question. Just smile and continue to the entrance.
Mom was right when they reached the red carpet, there was a light show of flashes from cameras and lights by the video cameras. People were yelling questions, and it was hard to understand what they were saying. Mom went ahead of him, and he was glad to reach the entrance. One reporter, he understood, yelled Who are you and he smiled. There was a raffle for a Ford F-150 King Ranch 4x4, with tickets at $100 each, so Wyatt purchased five tickets and wrote a check.
One inside the event, Mom introduced him to over twenty-five people whom he didn’t care to remember. Then Mom introduced Wyatt to Colorado Governor Jim White and his wife, Carol. Mom carried on a conversation with Carol while the governor spoke to Wyatt. He asked about his education and was shocked that he was almost a Junior CU. Wyatt asked Governor White if he could arrange a hardship driver’s license for him. They live on a ranch, and it’s hard for his mom to drive him to and from the university. He said, “Sure, he could take care of it for him.”
The governor’s wife and Mom rejoined them and asked what they had talked about. Wyatt said they discussed the best pickup lines for him to use. But the governor said I should ask all the men here, then ask if any of them have a daughter my age to date. Everyone laughed, and the governor denied having said it to him. Wyatt told him to keep saying it, and soon everyone will believe it, causing more laughter.
Governor White asked Mom if she had given thought to running for governor next term. Mom said she hadn’t yet, and he told her,” Please do, because the lieutenant governor is an idiot.” As you know, I’m at my term limit, and it makes me ill thinking of Ronald as governor. Mom said she would seriously consider it, and the governor said Great and we’ll have lunch next week to make plans. He said to expect a call to arrange a date and time, and they moved on.
Wyatt heard the governor tell his wife that Jenni’s son was an intelligent boy with wits to match. Make sure he’s invited too, as his support will be important to Jenni. His wife asked about the senator, and he told her he’s out of the picture. It was then that Wyatt found out he could read lips, as they were too far away to hear with the chatter. The last thing he read was the governor’s wife asking him if what Wyatt said was true. The governor said no, but his comeback ended the conversation, and they laughed.
They found their table, and Wyatt asked what this was about, running for governor. Mom laughed and said Jim has been after her to run since they moved back. He is aware of Williams’ issues, and there’s no strong candidate for the party. Her name came up in focus groups before our move, and with her and her family’s charity work, she was selected as a prime candidate. But don’t worry, it’s still in the talking stages.
Wyatt said it’s all right with him, but he wants to stay at the ranch. Visiting for a few days a week is one thing, but living in a fishbowl isn’t his cup of tea. Besides, Maria is at the ranch along with Hank so that he won’t be alone. Mom said we’ll discuss it more when she gets more information. The event started, and dinner was served. Mom was right: the food wasn’t great, but it was ok. The portions were small and decorated on the plate. When the dessert was served, the speeches started.
Waiters circled the tables collecting checks for the charity, and after the governor’s speech, the charity president announced they had exceeded their target by 75,000. The last thing was the raffle, and the governor’s wife, Carol, selected the winners from a large fishbowl. There were 10 prizes in the raffle, with the grand prize a Ford F-150. Wyatt was ready to throw his tickets away until Carol called the winning ticket, and it was his ticket for the Ford.
They told the winners to go to the raffle counter to claim their prizes. Wyatt didn’t say anything right away, and they mingled for a few minutes. Then he told Mom he needed to claim his prize and needed her help. She was shocked and filled out the claim form. They said the truck would be delivered on Thursday morning, and they mingled some more until Mom said,” Let’s go.”
Their exit was well documented, and they were glad to be heading home. Mom asked how many raffle tickets he bought, and Wyatt said five. He also donated $500 at the table, and Mom said that was more than generous, given his age. When they arrived home, they said goodnight and went to bed.
Wyatt practiced his teleporting early Sunday morning while it was still pitch back. He chose the areas of the ranch he knew and ended up at the southern fence where the hunters entered. Wyatt heard ATVs and waited off to the side for their arrival. Two ATVs drove up to the fence, and one man got off and cut the barbed wire. Then the other man told Ed that coming back so soon would alert the owner, and he’d investigate.
Ed told Bill that asshole Jack sold us rotten corn that will sicken the deer. We’ve got to clean up the bad corn, empty and refill the feeder. Ed wasn’t paying attention to what he was doing and got his pant leg wrapped up in the barbed wire. When he turned to return to the ATV, he screamed and fell into the other strands. Bill got off his ATV to help, and Wyatt knocked both out. Then he put them into a deep sleep by pressure point and put pressure on the area for memory loss.
Wyatt stripped the men, wrapped both men in the barbed wire, and removed the ATV keys. He left their vehicle keys and teleported to the barn with their clothes. Wyatt looked at their wallets and saw they were sheriff’s deputies, with holsters and pistols on their belts. He laughed at the thought of how they were going to explain their predicament. Wyatt folded their clothes and returned to his room.