Chapter 11

Present – Jens – At the cabin - PT

After removing the malingering Yasmeen from bed and dragging her almost kicking and screaming body into the front yard, I take over and finish PT.

Since I am the DI, I watch everyone like a hawk to determine their weaknesses: Everyone did great except for two - Thom and Yasmeen. Of course I knew those two would give me problems. I silently chuckle as I consider that in some ways the two of them are alike. I should really make them bunk together, now that would be funny as hell.

The big surprise is Zarika, she worked her ass off.

I announce, "Okay we're done." Yasmeen, turns and walks toward the house and I continue, "Yasmeen, where the hell are you going? Get back in formation."

She glares, flips me off, keeps walking so I command, "Sharik, fetch!"

Sharik goes after her like crazy - he runs in front of her, growls and snaps. She screams, and runs back into line as everybody else laughs.

I state, "I was proud of most of you today except for two and I want to give those of my team that did a good job a kiss."

Liz complains, "Jens, what if we don't want a kiss?"

I smile, walk up to her and reply, "Oh you'll want this kiss." I hand her a chocolate kiss, she grins and says, "Now these kisses are the best of all."

I continue down the line...

Present – Yasmeen and Zarika – At the cabin - PT

Yasmeen

The very mean Jennifer lady makes her dog herd me back into the line as if I am a sheep. It is terrible. But it becomes even worse as everyone laughs at me. I am very embarrassed and angry especially at Zarika because I hear her laughter over the top of all others. It sounds like the annoying braying of a donkey. I will make her and the very mean Jennifer lady pay a huge price.

I watch as the mean Jennifer lady hands out something she calls a kiss. They are in silver foil wrappers and as she gets close to me, I hold out my hand. But she glares at me and says, "No kiss for you today because you were late and didn't work hard enough."

I think about showing her the finger again, but her terrible dog is with her...

Zarika

I work very hard today because I want to show this Jennifer lady that I am better than she is. When she announces we are finished, I almost leave with Yasmeen, but I wisely do not because no one else leaves.

The Jennifer lady is handing out chocolate kisses. As she gets to me, she gives me two and says, "Zarika, I was proud of how hard you worked today."

It makes me feel very happy inside. I look at the kisses and I am not sure what to do with them. Then Alexi kindly shows me how to unwrap them. I unwrap mine, throw the wrapper on the ground and the Jennifer lady complains, "Zarika, do not throw the wrappers on the ground unless you want to clean up the whole ground."

I remember how bad it was cleaning the kitchen and do not wish to clean the grounds. I pick up the wrappers, put them in my pocket and say, "Sorry Jennifer lady."

She smiles at me and says, "It's okay you didn't know any better. And you can call me Jens."

I smile and say, "Thank you Jens lady."

Yasmeen

Zarika the pig gets two pieces of the chocolate kisses and doesn't even share one with me! And I am very hungry this morning because the food last night was terrible. And I did not even get to eat because I threw it all on the ghost of the dead sister.

Zarika throws the papers on the ground and the very mean Jennifer lady yells at her and I think she is in trouble but somehow she doesn't get in trouble.

I am wondering what we will do next when the very mean Jennifer lady orders, "Time for a little run."

The old man Thom beside me groans, "Not a run! I'm too damn old for this BS."

I think it is okay to complain so I add, "Yes. Run is for children not women."

The very mean Jennifer lady glares at us and orders, "You don't have a choice. Everybody on my team runs - especially you two malingerers."

Present – Liz – At the cabin - PT

Yeah, I knew the run was coming and I was looking forward to it. I miss the running I did on the track team in college and now that we're here I was looking forward to getting back into it.

Jens orders, "Liz you know the way so take the lead, Sharik and I are going to make sure we don't have any stragglers."

I question, "How fast do you want to go?"

Jens grins, "Since this is our first run and since some of us are carrying weapons, let's take it easy."

I take off at an easy lope.

Present – Mira and Ira – At the cabin - PT

We start the run, I glance at my sister and remark, "I desired that we would have worked harder today."

She smiles at me and answers, "Mira, you must remember that Ms. Donaldson needs to accommodate everyone with her workout. For instance, Alexi is slightly fatigued."

I reply, "Thank you my sister I was distracted and did not notice."

She answers, "Yes Mira, I recognized your mind was on vacation. However today we must stay alert as there are numerous locations where someone could ambush us."

I answer, "Yes Ira you are correct and our two major responsibilities... "

She finishes, "... are Alexi and Ms. Morgan."

I continue, " ... and in that order. Ira, I will remain close to Ms. Morgan... "

Ira finishes, "... and I will defend Alexi."

I ask my sister Mira, "Please dissuade Ms. Morgan from proceeding at too rapid a pace."

She questions, "Ira, if your lower bipedal unit pains you that much perhaps you should not run."

I smile at my sister and remind her, "Mira, suffering is terror departing the corporeal self."

Mira smiles and states, "I will also observe you and should your suffering become overly intense I will put a stop to this run."

She easily catches Ms. Morgan and I do battle with the pain hoping that someday I will again run like the wind with my sister.