Chapter 50

Several people have e-mailed and said that they need a character refresher since the story has gone on for more than a year with a chapter per week. This is an abbreviated character list of people who are currently in the story.

The Matthews Family

Jeff Matthews — 6' 3", 33, Alpha Prime, nice face, a little on the rugged side, brown hair, muscular, but not body-builder pumped, a distance runner, but not skinny like some. Jeff is an electrical engineer. After selling his patent to an advanced type of radar, he moved his family to a retreat high in the Colorado mountains. Jeff, now a major, is still begrudgingly attached to a Black Ops outfit at a secret military base that is experimenting with portals to another dimension. He discovered the healer — or she discovered him — in an ancient, buried warehouse that is part of the mountain hangar where Jeff was shot by the alien sniper.

Diana Matthews — First wife and Queen Bitch — 29, but now looks 19, 5' 5", brunette with auburn highlights, hair to her waist like her daughter, beautiful slim figure, high, long breasts that seems to defy gravity, regal, almost haughty appearance, stunningly beautiful.

Arlene Matthews — Diana and Jeff's daughter — 16, a little shorter than her mother, hair to her waist almost identical to her mother's, although a little more wavy. Arlene seems a younger, slightly smaller version of Diana. Like her mother, she is exotically beautiful. She is Jeff's daughter-wife and another Queen Bitch, although this hasn't been brought out in the story, yet. She and Ann are both near geniuses.

Laura Billings — 30, although with the healer, she looks younger now, 5' 5", short, red hair, freckles across her nose, larger round breasts. Diana's best friend from childhood and now almost a handmaiden to Diana. Laura's older boyfriend impregnated her when she was thirteen, then left town when he found out, leaving Laura to raise Ann alone after Laura's parents we killed when she was eighteen. She was an IT manager in Georgia until her company sold and downsized. She is now Jeff's assistant and wife.

Ann Billings — Laura's daughter, 16, 5' 2", thick red hair below shoulder-length, some auburn highlights, a slightly pixie appearance. She, Jennie and Melissa were the girls that came for Arlene's birthday and stayed to be Jeff's wives. Ann was the virgin with the "armor-plated hymen." She talked Diana into letting Jeff be Ann's first. She had been in love with him since she was thirteen.

Melissa Collins — 17, 5' 3", dark brunette hair, shoulder-length, breasts larger than Jennie, but not as large and shaped differently than Arlene's. One of the three girls that came to Arlene's party and stayed to be Jeff's wives. Melissa had seduced her father after several of the kids at her school had HIV. Not wanting to have sex with any of her classmates for fear she would contract AIDS, she chose Dad, instead.

Jennie Stewart — 17, dirty blond, about the same height as Melissa, best friends with Melissa in Georgia, slightly smaller frame than Melissa, slightly smaller breasts. One of the three girls that came to Arlene's party and stayed to be Jeff's wives. Jennie claimed that she had also seduced her father because of the HIV in the school. Shortly, she will confess that she lied about this.

Helen Boswell — 45, although she too looks much younger now, 5' 4", shoulder-length brunette hair, slender, breasts well proportioned to her frame, genius, their teacher, retired principal, taught gifted and girl's swimming, had a heart attack and was saved by the healer.

Other Characters

Dave Henson — 6', dark brown hair, almost lanky frame, but well muscled, the contractor who built the retreat. Although he and his wife, Evie, have taken a personal interest in the retreat and the Matthews family, he owns and operates a large construction company. After becoming Jeff's project manager, he turned the day-to-day operating of the company over to Korey. Jeff has declared Dave and Evie family. Dave is able to play almost any musical instrument with ease.

Evie Henson — Dave's wife. Small blond, small perky breasts, very pretty, a hundred pounds with rocks in her pockets, but fiery and not bashful about working with the construction workers. Now acting as Dave's assistant, but like Dave, she still interacts with their construction company. She, like Dave, will get her hands dirty in a heartbeat. Almost as good as Dave is with music. Likes to play classical music, much to Dave's consternation. They got together playing music at her church, then later at her parent's home.

Fred Wilson — Big man, over six feet, a little overweight, mid fifties, retired detective and Jeff's best friend and mentor in Georgia. He came to live with the Matthews when Fred's wife, Brenda, suddenly died of a heart attack. Jeff realized that Fred was probably going to end his own life and talked him into going back to Colorado with them. He is now at the farm helping Carla and Jessica.

Frank Wainwright — 5' 10", late forties, graying hair, medium build, but has kept in shape, the owner/president of Wainwright, Inc., a company handed down to him by his father, and expanded enormously by him. Very rich, with a dynamic personality, believes in having the best people working for him and pays them accordingly. Owns, or owns controlling interest in, several satellite companies spread over the continental U.S. Will only fly when Bill is in the cockpit. His mother and father were killed because of mechanical failure just after takeoff, then Bill pulled him out of a crash of a rented plane just before the plane caught fire. While Bill was in the hospital after the crash, and later during skin grafts and cosmetic surgery from time to time, Wainwright commuted everywhere via limo. He hates to drive.

Margaret Stanford — 40, but the age is starting to vanish, 5' 6", shoulder-length brunette hair, slender build with medium breasts beginning to sag before the healer took care of that. Vice President below Tingle. Frank's acknowledged lover, but would never marry him for fear of messing up what they have together. Although she is technically below Tingle on the totem pole, everyone knows that she speaks with Wainwright's voice, although she doesn't push it. Both she and Wainwright are workaholics, and very intelligent. They spent two weeks with the Matthews and now live at the retreat — at least on weekends.

Ray Tingle — Vice president who is in charge when Wainwright and Margaret are out of town.

Captain Bill Madison — 6', 44 years old, has kept in shape by swimming and working out. He commands Wainwright's aircraft, and saved Frank's life after a plane crash.

Jill Madison — 5' 4", 38, blond, beautiful, soon to be ex-wife of Bill Madison. For the last year she has distanced herself from her husband and daughter, her personality changing, and has taken up with a scumbag doctor.

Linda Madison — 5' 3", 15, short, dark blond hair, beautiful like Jill, her mother. She is Bill's daughter and if the divorce turns out the way Bill hopes, she will be attending the Matthew's school. She and her father, along with Kathy, if Kathy wishes, will be living at the retreat with the Matthews.

Kathy Arnold — 5' 5", 26, dark brunette, shoulder-length hair, nice figure — flight attendant turned pilot, madly in love with Bill Madison

Carla Chalmers — 5' 7", 39, short, curly brunette hair, medium breasts, well muscled, but still pretty, owner of the farm that was being foreclosed on.

Jessica Chalmers — 5' 6", 19, dark auburn hair, shoulder length, pretty, Carla's daughter. One year in college, but wants to go back and major in animal husbandry.

Denise, Connie and Jeremy — Construction workers from Johnson Erection that put in the silos at Carla's farm. Connie and Denise were the two women that Johnson hired and talked Lee, one of his foremen, into asking the women how they were going to react to the rough talk of the men on the crew. Denise talked Connie into moving in with her a week ago when Connie finally dumped the "elephant." The two women have been best friends ever since they came to work for the company two years before. Now they have invited Jeremy to live with them, planning to help him save his money for college so he can be an engineer. The two "bad girls" that really aren't, have fallen in love with Jeremy, but since they are both almost ten years older, don't quite know what to do about it. Jeremy, still a virgin, refuses to push forward with the relationship, waiting for the now-hesitant women to make the first move.

Edmond (Ed) and Jody Thompson — Older couple that own the farm next to Carla. Jeff is shortly going to buy part of the farm, leaving the Thompsons with four hundred acres, their equipment and buildings. The old couple have arthritis and had to quit farming, but Jeff has plans for returning their health just as soon as he can figure out how to use the healer on them without their knowing.

Ray and Allison Hodkin — Ranch owners that had Carla and Jessica's horses.

Cole Hagewood Sr. and Jr. — Junior tried to abduct Arlene. Senior came to his son's rescue, but met with Jeff the hard way. He has vowed to kill Jeff and his family. Since he has killed before and Sergeant Goodwin says it is a viable threat, Jeff has tried to prepare his family for the worst.

Ted Wadsworth — St. Louis lawyer that helped Jeff with his contract with Wainwright, Inc., when Jeff's three patent/copyright lawyers tried to fleece him.

Chuck Fontaine — Denver attorney who is a friend of Wadsworth. Fontaine was the lawyer that charged a dollar for his assistance with the farm foreclosure.

Steve Sperman & Marcie — Retired couple that live about a mile down the mountain, and are the Matthews closest neighbors. They are the ones that recommended the snowplow and spreader, then gave Arlene and Jeff the home-baked doughnuts.

During supper Linda had remained quiet, her mood obviously having changed to somber. She stopped her father in the hallway just as they left the kitchen. "I want to stay here, Daddy. I don't want to go back to Saint Louis."

Putting his hands on his daughter's shoulders, then changing his mind, he hugged her tight to him. After a time he pushed back, holding her shoulders again, looking her in the eyes. "Baby, we have a lot of things going on in our lives right now. We've got this thing coming up Tuesday with your mother, then we've got to see about a new house for us..."

"I don't want a new house. I want to stay here, " she adamantly said, looking up into Bill's face. "Nobody ever asks me what I want to do. I'm not a little kid, anymore. My mom has left me — us. I hate that school that I'm in, and I don't want you to go see that principal and get in trouble. It won't do any good, anyway. Lots of other parents have complained. I think the principal's as afraid of the gangs as anyone else." Sighing, she continued, "My two best friends moved away. My other friends around the house are okay, but they've got boys in their lives now. And I don't have anybody. These people are so nice to me. Evie and Dave, well..." she tried to say as a blush changed her face.

"You're getting awfully close to them in a big hurry," Bill responded. "I'm afraid that you're going to get a crush on Dave and..."

"Crush! So I'm just a little girl who gets crushes on people. I'm too young for real feelings. Is that it?" she hissed. "What about all those times that you said I was much more adult than just a fifteen-year-old?"

"Look, Baby. This isn't the place to discuss this," Madison said, looking around at the strangely deserted hallway.

"It's a great place to discuss it," Linda said, her voice defiant. "I'm not going back to that school. Those guys will rape me before the week is out, no matter what you say to that principal. Why can't I go to Helen's school?"

"Her name is Doctor Boswell," Bill made the mistake of saying.

"Oh, so I'm just a kid who has to call someone by their last name despite the fact that she's told me to call her Helen like everyone else does? She's a super person, and she can really drive that four-wheeler. But I'm just a little girl..."

Madison was in over his head, and he knew it. These mood swings are driving me crazy. I wish this shit with her mother were over, he thought "Look, Baby. We have to be there Tuesday. The lawyers know the judge and they say he'll sign the divorce papers as soon as we get them to him. But the lawyers want you there in case the judge needs to talk to you again..."

"All right, I'll go back," she said looking at him with overflowing eyes, "but after the meeting and the papers are signed, I'm coming back here — then. Promise me that you'll bring me back Tuesday. Promise me!"

Without realizing that anyone was near, Bill almost jumped as Diana put her arms around both of them. "We'll take care of your daughter as if she were our own," she said. "Just like we discussed with you last night, it's the only logical answer, and now Linda has come up with the same thing. She's more than welcome. We want her to be here."

Linda grabbed Madison around the waist, hugging herself tightly to him. "Please, Daddy, " she sobbed.

"Baby, we can't come back Tuesday, no matter what happens in that meeting. It will be Friday night before Mr. Wainwright and Margaret come back..."

"What did Tingle tell you that my instructions were to him?" Frank said, walking up.

Bill was beginning to think that the whole world knew about his and Linda's conversation.

"Well..." Bill started.

" ... Until this is over, that your personal life takes precedence — period. Now why in the hell would you think that you would have any problem coming back Tuesday? And while we're at it, for the hundredth time, my name to you is Frank."

"Look ... you're my boss. I just show respect by..."

"Respect be damned. You dragged my sorry butt out of that plane, then shielded me from the fire with your own body. If you're not in the cockpit of that plane, I go by limo, and you know it. Now get your head out of your butt and listen to your daughter. I'm beginning to think that she has a whole lot more sense than you do."

"Jeff, Diana, Arlene ... everybody said that they want me to live here," Linda broke in.

Bill was starting to strongly suspect that this had been a setup.

Hitting Bill lightly on the shoulder, Wainwright continued on toward the living room, Diana turning back toward the kitchen.

"Thanks Daddy. You'll never regret it. I'll make you proud," she said, again looking up into his eyes, a look of love on her face. "I've had a long talk with the girls. They want me to be here. We're having such a good time together. Everybody wants me to be here. And Dave and Evie ... are really special. You told me that everything would work out. I love this place. My mom isn't there any more. She acts like somebody different. Mr. Wainwright and Margaret have always treated me special. They say that this is their home now. I want it to be our home, too."

Sighing, Bill hugged her to him. "If you want it that much, Baby. Maybe we do need to start a new life. I'll talk to the Matthews again, and if everything is still all right with them, I'll make whatever financial arrangements they want for us to live here and for you to attend their school. I'll tell the lawyers that we have moved, and give them this address, plus the name of your new school," he said, smiling at her. "That should solve the problem about someone to stay with you, and school, too. If this is what you truly want, we'll do it. The Matthews have already talked to me and invited you to their school. And they've said that the suite was mine. They made all those renovation for us. But ... I'm still worried about your, uh ... infatuation for Mr. Henson, though."

"So, are you afraid that he'll rape me?" she asked, a strange quality to her voice.

"Well ... no. But you're just fifteen."

"I'll be sixteen Friday. What are you getting me for my birthday?"

"Young lady, that isn't the topic of this conversation. We were talking about Mr. Henson."

"If you mean, Dave, had you rather I give my virginity to Jimmy in the back seat of his car?"

Madison tensed up like someone had pushed a knife into him. "Where ... what ... You will not..."

Linda put her hand behind Bill's head and pulled him to her. Kissing him hard on the mouth for an instant, she released him and sprinted for the kitchen, giggling.

As Bill stood there wondering what had just happened, Jeff took him by the arm. "You and I are going for a drive. We need to talk."

"But my daughter just all but told me that she's going to..."

"Yeah, I heard," Jeff said steering him toward the back.

Madison briefly wondered how Jeff could have heard them, but was too preoccupied with what had just happened to give it much thought.

Diana stepped out of the kitchen into the hallway with the SUV's keys in her hand.

Looks like they planned this, Madison thought as he saw Diana with the keys — the pilot getting it completely wrong. Handing the keys to her husband, she joined the two men on the way to the car.

Diana ushered Bill into the front seat, then got in the second seat herself. They were mostly quiet, each thinking their own thoughts until they got to the bottom of the drive. As Jeff turned right, he said, "I just thought it would be better if we were alone for a while. I have a few things that I can tell you that might help you understand what's going on."

A few minutes of winding up the mountain, and Jeff turned into the drive of the deserted ski lodge. In the fading light, he told what little he knew of what had happened to the partially destroyed building. Making a circle in the lot, he stopped with the Escalade facing back toward the road.

They sat for a moment watching the last play of light in the trees, then, "Before my husband starts," Diana said from behind them as she took off her belt and leaned forward, putting her hand on the back of Bill's seat, "I need to tell you a few things, that knowing him, he will gloss over."

For a full twenty minutes, Diana talked in the quietness of the approaching darkness, the muted idling of the big engine a backdrop to the strangest tale Bill had ever heard. A tale, however, that seemed to tie a lot of things together that he had wondered about, and added to the things that Dave and Frank had told him.

"He is a Prime," Diana continued, "and he surrounds himself with Alphas. I think that your daughter is being called by her Alpha; although, Dave probably isn't even aware of doing it. She has no more chance to resist than I did all those years ago when Jeff talked me into getting in the back seat with him. Dave's wife is, or will be, a Queen Bitch. She is feathering her nest, or her husband's nest. Linda could not have found a better place, or a better man. She will be loved and cherished by both of them.

"Right now, Dave is obviously stressed because of his developing feelings for Linda — not to say anything about worrying about Evie. And you. I have already talked to Evie about this, and she is starting to realize what her role is..."

Bill interrupted. "Look. All this is farfetched ... And I'm damn sure not interested in my daughter becoming a second wife to anyone. Oh, I know that Dave is a nice guy, but..."

"How do you feel, Bill?" Jeff interjected.

"What ... uh, like I said, wonderful."

"In a way, your feelings, your good health, our good health, the youthfulness of the women — heck, I even look younger — everything is in some degree tied together. Unfortunately, some of it we can't tell you."

Bill raised a hand slightly. "Wait, please. Let me think ... You're still ... Yeah. When I saluted you at the plane. You didn't act like someone that had been out of the military a while. The return salute was instant and reflex — the automatic return of the salute to an inferior. Then you caught yourself. My buddy's simple check with friends brought a total overreaction from the government. You're CIA, aren't you? No. No. That isn't right. Doesn't make sense. Black Ops. You have something to do with some type of Black Ops outfit, don't you? Your invention probably figures in there somewhere. Whatever you did to me, whatever you did to make your wives look so young, it has something to do with Black Ops, doesn't it?"

Jeff's face set. "This is the end of that line of thought. End it right now. We're trying to help — trying to explain what's going on with your daughter and Dave. Hell, I wouldn't have believed it a couple months ago, but the ... uh. Things have convinced me that maybe there are Alpha Males..."

"Our modern society," Diana picked up, "in my opinion, has repressed the Alpha Male ... syndrome — whatever it is called, that our species once had. Maybe, thousands of years ago, it was recognized that certain males were Alphas. I don't know. But the ... uh." Then exasperated, "Shit, I can't say what I need to say." Taking a breath she reworded, "Certain things in our species were suppressed. They atrophied, became dysfunctional to most, to a very large degree. Even in the few that retained part of the ... functions, they were still much reduced. Reduced until they weren't really noticeable, unless you knew what you were looking for.

"Some of the abilities still showed in men that were 'natural born leaders, ' but even that was repressed by our society. Instead of gathering a harem, Alphas were forced by our laws to have one wife. It isn't the natural scheme of things for an Alpha. What's happened to my husband, and to the others, plus our finally finding out what was going on, has allowed them to be more the way nature intended. Plus their wives are affected by this, both by having their bodies and brains operating more efficiently, and by our ... uh, understanding of what is going on."