Chapter 26

Present – Byron – At the cabin

Thom suggests, "Sirs, I think Mabel was going to prepare a meal, we should go in and eat."

Glen asks, "Didn't you just return from eating?"

I answer, "Yes Sir, we did but with Mabel cooking, I could eat all the time."

We head into the kitchen and everyone has started eating already, Glen looks around and asks, "Where's Evelyn?"

Liz answers, "She got mouthy with Mabel and got chased out of the kitchen."

Glen says, "Not again! Mabel may I please have a plate for my wife."

Mabel smiles at him, "Well sweetie since you asked so nice, you most certainly can." She hands Glen a plate of food and he goes to find Evelyn.

Present – Jack – At the cabin

I finally get Masha and Ivan calmed down and say, "Masha I will have a talk with everyone about their language around Ivan."

She states, "Jack if you do not succeed then Ivan and I will have to leave."

I begin to smell some food and quickly change the subject, "Hey something smells really good."

Masha smiles and agrees, "Yes, since I am eating for two I am a little hungry."

We head into the kitchen, take the last two free seats and the new cook puts some food in front of us. It looks like some sort of beef stew - I take a bite and I'm in heaven! I watch as Masha takes a bite, smiles and compliments Mabel, "Ma'am this is very good food."

The new cook replies, "Thank you, and please call me Mabel."

Present – Linus – At the cabin

I've been taking care of Maria but I smell something really good and my stomach begins to growl. Maria laughs and comments, "Linus, I'm hungry too. Should we see what's being cooked?"

I help her up and we head to the kitchen. As we arrive, we notice the table is full and there's a new cook. Jens and Liz see us and Jens offers, "We've finished eating so you two can take our place."

We no sooner sit down, than there's food in front of us. I take a taste, smile and say, "This is the best damn food I've ever eaten."

The new cook snatches the plate away from me and scolds me, "Listen here, if you want to eat in my kitchen there will be no swearing."

Masha agrees, "Thank you Mabel, my son Ivan is at the age when he repeats any bad words he hears."

Mabel looks at me and threatens, "I should throw you out of my kitchen since you should know better."

I'm damn hungry so I apologize profusely, "Sorry Mabel, it won't happen again."

Maria adds, "It had better not happen again around Ivan or you will be sleeping on the floor."

Everyone begins to laugh as Mabel gives me my food back and I dig in...

Present – Jens – At the cabin

Liz and I head outside and I see Anastasia the fox eating Sharik's food. I look at her and laugh, "What did you do, chase him off?"

Sharik comes running in, Anastasia takes off and Sharik falls at my feet exhausted. I look at him, lean over to pet him and scold, "You should know better than to chase her - she will run you to death."

He thumps his tail, I feel badly for him so I pick him up and carry him into the house. Liz questions, "What are you going to do with him?"

I answer, "Well first we're taking a shower together, then he's going to rest on our bed."

Liz reminds me, "I thought Zarika was staying with you tonight."

Rats, I'd forgotten about that! I answer, "Well she's just going to have to understand that Sharik is sick and needs the bed more than she does."

Liz laughs, "Jens there's no way in hell she's going to understand this."

I answer, "Well then that's Evelyn's problem to deal with."

Present – Liz – At the cabin

I'm not sure Jens realizes what this is going to do, but hey, I tried to warn her so there's nothing else I can do other than be there when the fur flies. Plus it might be a good thing for Evelyn to have to deal with this since it could prove interesting.

Oh I've already determined that Yasmeen is the little princess that Evelyn always wanted Jens to be. Which means Zarika is the tomboy that Jens really was. Yeah there's going to be some fur flying before this cat fight is done.

But my job, as it always has been, is to support and protect Jens. Calling Glen to deal with Thom was a great idea, but getting Evelyn to take care of the girls was a big fucking mistake. Evelyn is still the mean manipulative bitch she's always been, but she might have met her match with the two girls. At least I hope she has...

Jens carries Sharik to her room and I leave to try to find Bernie. I haven't seen him in forever...

Present – Jens – At the cabin

Sharik is one tired puppy! I bring him into the shower with me and he doesn't even snap at the water like before. I wash him, check his feet and notice he even has some blisters on them. I scold, "Sharik, you should know better." I continue to wash him, but when I touch his side he moves away. I carefully touch it again (it was where he was shot) and I suddenly realize something...

Present – Liz – At the cabin

I can't find Bernie anywhere, then it hits me: I don't remember him going on the run this morning. I walk into the guy's room to verify his bed had been slept in. Where the hell is he? I head to the kitchen where I find Matt and Jim just finishing their meal and ask, "Have you guys seen Bernie?"

Jim says, "Oh yeah, we forgot to tell you. He said he needed to go into Denver and do some things and would be back later."

I question, "What sort of things?"

Matt answers, "He didn't say."

This isn't like Bernie! I leave the kitchen, pull out my phone to call him but it goes right to voicemail - so I leave a message.

Present – Mira, Ira and Alexi – At the cabin

My sister Ira's lower bipedal unit is improved after my ministrations. She has been telling us about her ordeal and now her obvious fear is explicable. I silently scold myself for not being with her and ascertain that I owe a debt to her which is not compensable.

Alexi states, "My sisters, my nose detects a delicious fragrance."

Ira concurs, "You are correct Alexi, shall we traverse to the kitchen and acquire sustenance?"

We walk into the kitchen where there is a large dark skinned lady cleaning up. She notices us and says, "You three are lucky because I saved back a little food from Matt and Jim - those two are eating machines."

Alexi responds, "Thank you Ma'am, I am Alexi and these are my sisters Mira and Ira. We noted the smells emanating from your kitchen and hunger overtook us."

She replies, "My names Mabel and this kitchen is now mine. Sit at the table while I serve you."

We sit at the table as she places bowls of a meaty concoction in front of us. Alexi samples it, smiles and states, "Ms. Mabel this food is indescribably delicious."

Ira and I each partake of the sustenance and Ira exclaims, "Yes Ms. Mabel this food is vastly superior to most culinary experiences we have had."

She smiles at us and asks, "I gather you three are not from around here?"

I am a little puzzled so Alexi answers, "You are correct Ms. Mabel, we are from Tajikistan."

She answers, "Land sakes, I have no idea where that is."

I answer, "It used to be part of the Soviet Union and is located north of Afghanistan and Pakistan."

Ms. Mabel states, "How would you three like some borscht tomorrow for lunch."

Ira smiles and states, "Ms. Mabel, we have not experienced borscht for an extended period of time."

Alexi adds, "Most Americans do not know how to properly make borscht."

She laughs, "Honey, I can make anything!"

Alexi bravely inquires, "Can you make blini?"

She grins, "Of course I can! Do like meat or cheese in yours."

I reply, "We would just be happy to have any blini since it has been very long."

Mabel states, "Well just make sure you're here for lunch tomorrow."

Ira states, "We will attempt our best but I require a visit to the doctor tomorrow."

Ms. Mabel questions, "What's wrong girl, you look fine to me?"

Alexi proudly answers, "My sister Ira was wounded in combat."

Mabel makes noises like a chicken, "Land sake a pretty young girl like you in combat. I find that hard to believe."

So Alexi explains how Ira sacrificed her wellbeing so we could escape...

Present – Liz – At the cabin

I walk into the kitchen and find the twins and Alexi have just finished eating, Alexi is telling Mabel about Ira and the twins are actually blushing.

Mabel says, "Son are you pulling my leg?"

I interrupt, "No Mabel, Mira and Ira are my body guards."

Ira asks, "Ms. Morgan can we arrange my doctor's appointment so we can abide here for noon repast?"

Alexi adds, "Yes Ms. Mabel is going to make us borscht and blini."

I smile and answer, "Well if Mabel is going to make special food for you three then we will certainly be here. It's been a long time since I've enjoyed borscht too."

I add a question, "If you three are through eating, I have a question for you."

They smile and Mira answers, "Yes Ms. Morgan we have partaken of the proper amount of sustenance and will accompany you back to our accommodations."

We get to their room, I close the door and ask, "Do any of you know where Bernie is?"

Alexi answers, "I observed him taking a taxi very early in the morning before PT."

Mira continues, "However we do not know the destination of the vehicle."

Ira questions, "Is there a problem which we need to address?"

I reply, "No, he just left without telling me and that's not like him."

Present – Bernie

I had something I needed to do and I sure didn't want anyone knowing about it or following me. So I called a cab, it came, picked me up and took me to Denver. Now if I can just find what I'm looking for.

The cabbie finally takes me to a suburb in the south of Denver called Greenwood Village and I finally find what I'm looking for. I make sure it's just right and take a cab back to Jens' cabin. I can't believe this has taken me all day, I wonder if I've been missed...

Present – Jens – At the cabin

Sharik is back to his old self when I use my hairdryer on him, he snaps at the wind and howls. Zarika sticks her head in the bathroom and questions, "You hurt Sharik dog?"

I laugh, "No he doesn't like having his hair dried after his shower. I'm glad you showed up because Sharik is sick and will be sleeping on the bed tonight."