Jake was up with everyone the next morning and was on the phone pulling Miri, Ira, Sammi, and Seth out of school. He had his brothers and sisters that lived in the area doing the same. He had those that lived out of town calling the tutors that their kids saw to come out and tutor the children. Jeremiah was going to handle pulling Matthew out of school while he was out. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get out of work. School didn’t get out until the end of May and being the only professor in CSU-CS’s Theology department with a PhD meant that his management skills had to be put to use as well.
“I fucking hate this shit!” Jordan complained as she called up to the school that Levi and Jasmine were in so that the kids were no longer in school.
Jake had just hung up from pulling Miri and Ira out of school. “What seems to be the problem this time, Jordan?” he asked. He was struggling with his temper as it was. He’d gotten no sleep the night before.
“First, we’re stuck in the house all the time. Shades of childhood for all but 2 of the 10 Draiman kids. Now, we’re pulling the kids out of school? Mom’s having cryptic dreams that you won’t tell us about and now I know you saw something thing because I can feel it in my gut and you’re not sharing. What the fuck is up with THAT, Jake?”
Jake closed his eyes as he set his phone on the table. “Ok Jordan, how do I explain this in terms you’ll understand?” He removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. The reason behind the glasses was that he needed to have his contact prescription refilled.
“Just fucking say it, Jake?” Jordan recommended.
“Ok, Jordan. You paid attention in American History in college and high school, right?”
“Yeah.”
“You paid attention when they talked about the Italian Mafia and the structure thereof?”
“Yes Jacob. You were in the same class I was in high school.”
“I remember, Jordan. I don’t miss freshman year. Anyway, as I was saying before you so rudely interrupted me. The person at the head of a mafia family; what are they called? Anyone?”
“They’re called the Don, or the Godfather. What are you getting at, Jake?” Jordan said.
“And the person under him is the Capo. Ok, so, who’s the Don of the Draiman family?”
“Dad.”
“Making me his Capo and all of the boys in the family, including Caleb since Dad and Mom treat him like family, lieutenants. Now, when the Don gives an order the Capo is the one responsible for making sure that everyone else in the family- or associated with the family- follows said order. Dad gave me orders the last time I was on the phone with him. By the way, that was at about 2:00 AM this morning. I’m following said orders. Oh, and just so you know Jordan, don’t make any plans this afternoon. I spoke with Malachai and Maddie this morning before you decided to drag your diva ass out of bed. Everyone that’s over the age of 14 that doesn’t know how to fire a rifle or handle a firearm of any sort is going to start training at 1300 hours with them and Skyler. I’m being nice and making it at 1 in the afternoon because I’m still trying to give Meagan a chance to arrive. Not only did she have to find a house sitter, turns out that Anthony had to be pulled out of a special advanced program in Houston. That takes time. Meagan and Anthony should be here later this morning. Now, if you don’t like following Dad’s orders, then feel free to call him and bitch about it. My complaint department is officially closed.” He picked his phone back up and started dialing the number for the Pre-K that Seth and Samantha were enrolled in so that he could pull them out.
Jordan sat at the other end of the table and gaped at her twin. He’d never spoken to her like that in his life. She had no idea what his problem was, but she was going to get to the bottom of it.
--------------
“Breathe, Jessi”, Brie coached her daughter as she held her hand. “I know it hurts, baby. Labor sucks, but you have to breathe. Nice, deep breaths. Remember your breathing techniques from your classes.”
Jessi was in the thralls of a contraction as her mother murmured in her ear. She tried to breathe through the contractions. It just sucked having to do so. “Mama, it hurts to bad”, she cried when the contraction ended.
“I know, sweetie. I’m here. I’ll talk you through it.”
“When are Dad and David supposed to be back from the cafeteria? I want my husband.”
“They should be here any moment now. I’m sure that your father’s just trying to ease David’s fears about becoming a father for the first time. Just hold my hand and squeeze the hell out of it if you need to until your man gets back from where he’s at and what he’s doing.”
The doctor came in as Brie finished the sentence. “Jessykah, how are you?”
“In a ton of pain”, Jessi responded.
“If you would like an epidural, let me know and I’ll get an anesthesiologist down here to give you one”, the woman said as she pulled up a stool. “Can you scoot to the edge of the bed for me, Jessykah? I need to check your progress.”
Jessi scooted to the edge of the bed carefully as a contraction hit. She cried out in pain and clutched at her mother. “Ow, Mama it hurts so bad”, she cried. “There is nothing natural about this level of pain.”
“I know, baby. I carried three pregnancies to term and all three of them were vaginal deliveries. And for two of them, I didn’t have to option of an epidural because they were home births.”
The doctor looked up at Brie Draiman. “How many children do you have?”
“Ten children total. All but two of them are multiples. And this will be grandchild number 24.”
“And you said you carried three pregnancies?”
“Yes. My first four children I carried to term. Two singles and a set of twins. After the single girl there’s a set of quads and then the set of twins that Jessi here comes from. Those two pregnancies were from surrogates.”
“Do they all live here in Israel?”
“Oh, dear Lord no. All of my other children and their families live in the US.”
“Mom, can we focus on me please?” Jessi groaned.
“You don’t need to worry about what the doctor and I are talking about, Jessykah Danyelle. You just need to focus on breathing through the pain so that you can have this baby girl. Your doctor is going to marvel at the size of the family anyway because I said that little Abby here is going to be your father’s and my 24th grandchild.”
“I still can’t imagine a family that big. How do you do family get togethers?” the doctor asked
“Very carefully”, Brie laughed.
Jessi visibly relaxed as the David’s walked into the room. The doctor had just finished checking Jessi’s progress. “At the end of that contraction, you’re at 6 cm, Jessykah. You’re just about there. Do you want that epidural?”
Adam had made his way to her side and they exchanged a look. “Are you ok with me getting an epidural, baby?”
“If it will help with the pain, I’m more than ok with it. But, I want you to be sure that’s what you want, love.”
She looked back at the doctor. “Get the anesthesiologist. I want the pain reliever.”
“You go it”, the doctor said. As she headed out the door, she stopped and looked at the Draiman’s. “How did you two do it with 10?”
“It’s a long story”, David said with a laugh. “And just think, this in will make our 25th grandbaby.”
“24th, David. Abigayle is our 24th. Rina will be number 25 when she comes in July”, Brie corrected.
“Oh yeah. That’s right. How the hell?” All Brie could do was shrug.
“You two are very inspirational. Was it that you wanted the traditional, large Jewish family?”
“No”, David chuckled. “I wanted a big family and I got it. I was lucky that it only took five pregnancies to get what I wanted.”
“Anymore than ten kids, and he would have had to find another woman. I was done Jessi and her twin brother”, Brie laughed.
“I don’t blame you. I would have been done too”, the doctor said. She looked back at Jessi. “I’ll have the anesthesiologist down here stat for that epidural.” Then, she looked back at David and Brie. “It’s been educational speaking with the two of you. I look forward to doing it again at some point.”
“Anything is possible”, David said. After the doctor walked away, he looked at his wife. “How’s Jessi doing?”
“She’s experiencing the joys of a vaginal child birth. How do you think she’s doing?” Brie asked.
He looked at his daughter in the hospital bed. “Yeah, she’s not doing very well, I take it. I was grateful that the labors I was present for progressed relatively quickly.”
“Yeah. I was fully dilated in no time with Jake and Jordan.”
David felt his phone vibrating in the pocket of the shorts he was wearing. “Yippee, gotta to answer a call”, he said sarcastically. “Care to join me outside?”
“No problem.” She looked toward the hospital bed. “Jessi, Adam, your father and I are stepping outside to take a phone call. We’ll be back shortly.” And with that, she followed her husband out the door and down the hall toward the elevator so that they could return the phone call.
----------------
“Damn it, Dad. Answer your phone”, Jordan growled under her breath. “I don’t see why you’ll pick up for Jake right away but you make me wait.” Finally she got the voicemail. Before her father’s message finished, she’d hung up again and counted to five and dialed the number again only to listen to it ring and go to voicemail again. This time, she counted to ten before starting to dial the number again. Her phone started playing “Liberate” by her father’s former band as she dialed. “Hello?” she said.
“What is so damn important that you’re blowing my phone up, Jordan Hannah?” David asked his oldest daughter.
“Why didn’t you answer when I called the first time?” she asked.
“Well, not that I have to explain myself to you young lady, but your mother and I aren’t at home at the moment. We were on the fourth floor of the hospital because your baby sister is in labor right now. Now, I’m pretty sure that I haven’t done anything to warrant getting an attitude from you, and you know better than to get one with me anyway. So, before I decide to turn off my phone and go back into the hospital so that I can witness the birth of your newest niece, why don’t you lose the attitude and tell me what the problem is Jordan Hannah Draiman?”
She took a deep breath. “Why do I have to learn how to shoot?”
“Because I said so and until I’m dead I’m still the patriarch of the family. Any other stupid questions?”
“I didn’t think it was stupid, Dad.”
“Jordan”, her mother said, “just do as your father and brother are instructing you to do. That’s not a request either. That is an order. Learn how to handle a firearm and do so well. And, pass on to Jacob that those who know how to use them need to be practicing at least every couple of days.”
Jordan took a breath to argue, but her father cut her off. “Don’t even think about arguing with your mother. Relay the message, or put someone on the phone that will. Better yet, put your brother Jacob on the phone and we’ll tell him ourselves.”
She groaned. “What is going on that you’re having everyone learn to use a gun and practice? Why are we pulling our kids out of school? Why are the nine of us that still live in the states gathering at homestead? What’s with the rally call? Damn it, Mom and Dad, we have the right to know.”
David sighed. “I know you have the right to know, Jordan. You are in danger. You’re going to have to accept that. Malachai may also be in danger; as well as Logan and Caleb. All the signs are pointing to something huge happening in the coming months. You need to just take it in faith right now that what I’m instructing is in everyone’s best interest. Your mother and I will be out in June because Miri asked that we be there for her birthday and we’re going to be there for the birth of Rina in July. Now, I know that all of this is wearing on your nerves, Jordan. Believe me. I remember the Occupation better than you do. You’re mother was 6 months pregnant with you and Jacob when we went into hiding. I know what it’s like not to get any news on the state of things and to feel like no one is telling me anything. Right now, you need to do as you’re told and not ask questions that we don’t have answers to.”
“What don’t you have answers to?”
“The biggest thing we don’t have answers to is why”, her mother said. “If we had all of the details of what’s going on then we could give you more answers, sweetie. But, the fact of the matter is that we don’t know what’s going on and what we do know is very vague. Stop fighting against it and just do as you’re being told.”
Jordan sighed. “Ok. I’ll do what I can to stop fighting this. But, this is worse than the Utopian Conflict. We all have careers and kids now. Reckless Disregard is supposed to be getting ready to tour.”
“Jordan, when we had to go into hiding Disturbed had just finished one leg of the ‘Asylum’ touring cycle on the Uproar Festival and we were supposed to do a small club leg before starting the Music as a Weapon V leg. We missed out on money there. Trust me, Jordan Hannah; your bank account will survive”, her father scolded. “Are there any other questions, comments, or concerns?”
She sighed. “No sir.”
“Good. Now, you’re mother and I have to go. Your brother in law just texted your mother to let her know that Jessi’s progressed to 8 cm and she’s 95% effaced. It’s almost time to meet Little Miss Abigayle Sariah. We will talk to you later, Jordan. We love you. Pass our love to your brothers and sisters, as well as all of our grandchildren.”
“I will, Dad. Love you guys, too.”
“Remember, just do what you’re being instructed to do right now. Bye Jordan.”
“Bye Mom and Dad.” She hung up and stuck her phone back in its case on her hip. She stared out over the property at the trees. I wonder if my little hiding place is still up in that tree, she thought and headed down off of the patio toward the third three on the left hand side of the yard.
---------------
Another day, another plot to try to take out Jordan and Malachai Draiman, as well as Logan Moyer. Porter Grissom wasn’t nearly as worried about the Moyer boy as he was about the Draiman children. He knew that the good doctor had given the ashes to the police. Now, Dr. J Micah Draiman, MD was on his shit list too. The doctor didn’t need to die though. Just his older brother and twin sister.
Many people didn’t understand how he knew so much about the Draiman family. It was more than just research. He had been a client of Irian Cartwright’s before her ‘death’ in 2010. He had been a staunch supporter of the Utopian movement then. He was her client because she gave an exquisite massage. He could have cared less about her blatant stance against everything he supported.
He had been a member of the Utopian War Council and knew Samuel Tuchman personally. When Samuel Tuchman went UA after the Lieutenant’s death, Grissom had learned where he was going. It was the address that had been given in the final monologue taped by David Draiman. He knew that Tuchman had a niece that was a supporter of the old government. When he heard that the traitor was going to the Disturbed Compound in Greeley, he looked into the man’s family. It turned out that Tuchman’s niece was his late therapist. At the time, he thought nothing of it until he saw Draiman’s wife standing next to him at the press conference where he announced that not only would he not be serving as Gail Richardson’s Vice President, but he would not be running for President in the future. Grissom recognized his former therapist.
And that’s when he really started digging into the Draiman family. He wanted to know everything. Did Brie Draiman do massage? Did she own her own business? What were the children’s names? He watched Brie make strides in massage. He watched as Disturbed started raking in the awards and recognition they’d waited nearly twenty years to receive- though he thought that Draiman was a loud mouthed Jew that didn’t deserve anything other than bullet between the eyes.
He followed each of the Draiman children in their endeavors. He watched as Reckless Disregard put out their first album and he followed their career closely. He wanted to know what made them tick. What their inspiration was. He watched them win each and every award they had been nominated for.
He watched as the young doctor, Jacob, did interviews for a treatment for traumatic brain injury and talked about the nomination for the Nobel Prize in Medicine. He even watched the Nobel Prize ceremony.
He watched Madison and her sister in law Delilah start making huge strides in massage- even having a technique named after them. He intentionally subscribed to the massage publications that the girls were in published in so that he could get insight into them.
He watched every press conference that James did on behalf of Intoxication Records after he and the Donegan boy took over. He actually attended the graduation ceremony of Jeremiah Draiman where he received his PhD in Theology and Meagan Draiman received hers in Microbiology. He knew that Jeremiah was a teacher and that Meagan worked for NASA. Now, technically, the Draiman family had a total of four doctors: one MD with Jacob and three PhD’s- Jeremiah, Meagan, and the Patriarch- David, who had been given an honorary doctorate in Philosophy from the family Alma Mater.
Grissom watched Makayla and Marc Draiman win Oscars for the work they did in different movies- Makayla for Choreography and Marc for Visual Effects. Year after year, both Draiman children- though now adults- were walking away from the Academy Awards with little statues in hand.
He knew of the baby of the family- Jessykah- and her job at the American consulate in Israel as a foreign translator. He knew that she was fluent in several different dialects of Arabic, as well as Farsi, Hebrew, and Armenian. She was even invited to different schools around the world to lecture on the subtleties of the different dialects of Arabic- how region can affect the inflection and even the meaning of a word.
Finally, he watched as their father and his band mates performed their final show in Chicago and broadcast it in real time around the world. He knew that his chances of ending David Draiman were slim to nil after the man retired from the music industry. It was only made more certain when he spotted the man and his wife on a flight from Denver to LA where they would catch a trans- pacific flight to head toward Israel.
Now Porter Grissom, at the age of 59, was sitting at his desk in the city of fallen angels and trying to figure out what it was about Malachai Draiman that he was missing. He knew that there was something missing in the man’s biography on Wikipedia. He knew for a fact that Malachai personally edited his Wikipedia page as well as the band’s group page, but he knew that something wasn’t right. When he was receiving massage from Brie when she was Irian, she never spoke of a child. There wasn’t usually a lot of speaking going on in the massage room because he was too damn relaxed to speak. Malachai Draiman’s life started at five years old when he was adopted by David and Brie Draiman. The footnotes even had a link to the court house record’s department in Tennessee where the adoption papers were held. But, something wasn’t right about it and Grissom knew it. What it was, however, he couldn’t figure out.
But that was for another time. He had to figure out a way to bring Malachai and Jordan Draiman to their knees. His phone rang. “Hello?” he said.
“Mr. Grissom, I’ve just received information that all of the Draiman children that live in Colorado have been pulled from school. Both the Doctors- Jacob and Jeremiah- as well as Jordan and Malachai have pulled their children from school.”
“I wonder if that had anything to do with the little present I sent little Miriam”, Grissom said with a smile. It was obvious that he was starting to lose his mind from the tone in his voice. “No matter. If I can’t get to Jordan and Malachai through their children, I’ll find some other way. Maybe I’ll raid their houses.”
“Satellite images have shown that neither of them have been home in a few days. There hasn’t been any movement in houses other than the cleaning crews and the yard workers. Jordan’s wife has a green house garden with tropical flowers that has to be tended.”
“Hmm… no movement.” Grissom paused. “I wonder if they’re at the mysterious homestead that no one knows the location of. No matter. I’ll get them one way or another and when I do… Jordan and Malachai Draiman won’t know what hit them”, he said with a twisted laugh and a maniacal grin. He knew that he would have a chance to get his hands on the loud mouth little bitch and her fucking brother. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind. But, there were things that Porter Grissom didn’t know about the Draiman children and he wouldn’t live very long to regret the miscalculation.
No comments:
Post a Comment