Several days later Murray texted
Mark. Despite Mark’s positives changes,
he knew it would take a few days for him to calm down. In many circumstances people had more trouble
with memories of past problems than todays.
It placed them back to a part of their lives they likely want to forget.
Murray, Danit, Danny and Tony played
tourist in D.C. Arnold hung out with them. He even cooked a wonderful steak dinner. Lots
of red wine was drunk by those of legal age.
Anyway, Mark read the text and
started to shake. He kept wondering why after 25 years he was approached by an “enemy”
from his prior life? One he worked so hard to forget. He knew he couldn’t hide.
He had to take it head on. He was much stronger now and could defeat Murray.
The things they did to each other
back in the day in summer camp were childish. He is still somewhat embarrassed for
his actions as a dumb teen. But didn’t
all teens have moments they will always regret?
Murray’s text told him to meet him
in three hours at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. Mark was going. Nothing could stop him. He wondered if Arnold
would be there. He knew he’s that one
that would have put Murray up to coming down to D.C., from NYC. Maybe when it
was all over they could have burgers and a Genny Cream Ale.
Murray stood by the museum with
Arnold. Danit, Tony and Danny were munching on popcorn and sipping bottled
water. Even though Arnold lived and
worked in D.C. Mark never hung out with
him. He really made a complete break
from his past. Years of therapy created a new Mark.
“Hi, Mark.”
“Arnold lovely to see you and Murray
together again, I figured you guys would still be friends. I don’t use Facebook so I couldn’t check if
you were mutual friends. But I bet you are. So what brings us all here?”
The three of them made idle chatter.
Danny found some pizzas. No it wasn’t from the restaurant he was
supposed to eat it from. But they were 300 miles away. If he needed to shoot
out his blubber he had to choose a selected pizzeria. Of course all the pizza in the D.C. area
sucked. But this place would suffice.
Murray began “Yes it is nice to with
old friends. And Arnold and I are mutual friends. He may even be the best man when I marry Stacey.”
“Glad to see you are doing well. So
why is it after two plus decades you guys decided to find me?”
“We figured it’d be fun to see how
you are doing?” remarked Murray.
“I’m fine and am happy now. I know I
was a goof ball in that sick camp we went to.
I put you guys in tough situations. But you always came out on top and
won. For the record, I hated that place. I am sure it is what drove to me to do
the dumb things I did. I wish I never
got caught. But I am over it all now.”
“That’s nice, Mark. So we understand you’re doing really well.
But there are some situations coming up in the Finance Committee and we want to
make sure you can handle it. We don’t want you to flip back into your old
self. You cannot give pots to the
general public.”
“Murray, Murray, Murray. Do you
still have dishpan hands? “
“No.
Do you still like swimming in the bog? Or cleaning the dining room floor
with your toothbrush? Or sleeping in the camp Dumpster?”
Mark was holding his control. But
those nights in the Dumpster scarred him for life. It took him years to get
that dark memory out of his head. But he seemed to take it like a man.
Tony and Danny were sitting on a
bench texting their mommy’s. They let them know they were ok.
Mark smiled. Murray sensed his actions were forced.
Mark wasn’t feeling terrible. However,
he wanted to leave. But confronting his past enemies was good for him.
“I can handle any situation. You’re
probably concerned about some of the welfare bills and the desire of some
people to increase spending?”
Murray took a step back/. Well Mark
was onto what they were after. Of
course, Mark was instrumental in drafting the bill to give out more public
assistance.
“You’re basically there,” retorted
Arnold. “America needs you to rethink
what you are proposing. Do we need more
handouts? We know you carry this guilt
for people in those situations. It is
likely because of the things that happened to you in camp. But let’s get to the point. Did you not deserve it?”
Mark was training hard at the gym. He wanted to stay cool. But he really wanted
to fight. He took a few steps toward Murray and was swinging his hands. Murray jumped away. All of a sudden Mark was knocked down by
pieces of blubber. He seemed to get
washed over by tear water. But this time it wasn’t his tears.
No wine was poured. No bleach was
needed to clean up any stains. Murray
had his younger team members take the lead. What worked well was that they did
it from far away. Murray could fight
from afar. But he preferred close hand-to-hand combat. Danit didn’t care either
way. She just wanted to win.
Mark rolled around on the
floor. He looked like a crazy
person. People started gathering around
him. At this point, Arnold ushered his pals into the museum.
