Bleach Monster, Part XIII

 

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.