The next gen, p.1
The Next Gen, page 1
The Next Gen
T.K. Eldridge
Graffridge Publishing
First published by Graffridge Publishing 2020
Copyright © 2020 by T.K. Eldridge
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
T.K. Eldridge asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
T.K. Eldridge has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.
Cover by Lizzie Dunlap of PixieCovers.com
Editing by Donna A. Martz of MartzProofing.com
To my brother Bill, and my sister, Trish for supporting and cheering me on with every book I write. Love you both so much!
“The flames kindled on the 4th of July, 1776, have spread across too much of the globe to be extinguished by the feeble engines of despotism; on the contrary, they will consume the engines and all who work them.”
-Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to John Adams, 12 Sept 1821
Description
Samantha and Sinjin are in DC.
A new apartment, college stress, and both have jobs where lives are on the line.
Hers? Working for the President behind the scenes.
His? Making sure she stays alive and safe.
Both of them are hiding who they really are from everyone - except each other.
Secrets that would destroy their fragile freedom if they became public.
What happens when the truth gets out and death comes knocking?
Contents
1. Chapter One
2. Chapter Two
3. Chapter Three
4. Chapter Four
5. Chapter Five
6. Chapter Six
7. Chapter Seven
8. Chapter Eight
9. Chapter Nine
10. Chapter Ten
11. Chapter Eleven
12. Chapter Twelve
13. Chapter Thirteen
14. Chapter Fourteen
15. Chapter Fifteen
16. Chapter Sixteen
17. Chapter Seventeen
18. Chapter Eighteen
19. Chapter Nineteen
20. Chapter Twenty
21. Chapter Twenty-One
22. Chapter Twenty-Two
23. Epilogue
About the Author
Chapter One
Washington, DC in late August, all the way through to September, is all about returning. College students are settling in and getting started with classes at the end of August, while Congress returns to the capitol after their month vacation in the first week of September. For Samantha and Sinjin, it was moving day, with about two weeks before classes started for them both at Georgetown. Time enough to unpack and get started at their new jobs before having to juggle school schedules too.
“Come on, Alex, lift higher,” Cole said. “Zeb, could you take his end, please?”
Zeb sighed, grabbed the desktop in the middle on both sides, and lifted it out of Cole’s and Alex’s hands then carried it up the steps into the house.
“Well, that’s one way to do it,” Cole muttered and went back to the truck for another box.
“I’m just glad they didn’t bring much in the way of furniture. Although, why half of the boxes are labeled books, I don’t understand,” Kane said.
“That’s because half of the boxes are books,” Jericho replied. “Sam likes her books in physical form, not just electronic.”
“So if they didn’t bring much furniture, why is the place full of furniture?” Theo asked as he came out to grab another box.
“Peyton and Herself decided to buy furniture to surprise them. They got them some of the main pieces, then set up an account at a couple of shops for them to go get the stuff they might want to personalize the place. You know, pillows and paintings and that kind of stuff,” Jericho said.
“By Herself you mean the owner of the property?” Theo asked.
“Yeah, while Peyton calls her by her first name, and Sam calls her Auntie Ellie – by request, mind you – I just can’t get past her title.
Saying it out here would just draw the wrong kind of attention,” Jericho muttered to Theo as they passed on the stairs. “So, yeah, drop it?”
“No problem, boss,” Theo replied with a grin.
The classic brownstone duplex had a beautiful entry hall and a set of stairs against the wall on the left that went up and turned to the right at the top to create a landing for that apartment’s entry door. The first floor apartment’s entry was on the right and entered into a large sitting room with a bow-front window onto the street. Next was a dining room and then an eat-in kitchen. Off of the dining room, a door led into a short hallway with three bedrooms – front, middle, and back – and two bathrooms, one an en suite for the front bedroom, and one that opened into the other two bedrooms as a Jack and Jill style. A half bath off the living room completed the space. Out back, a stone patio with a gas grill and some comfy furniture led into a private, fenced-in yard with a few flowering trees and bushes. In the foyer, at the very back under the stairs, was an elevator that went down into the garage with coded access.
“I’m impressed they managed to keep so much of the original architectural details,” Kane said as he rubbed a hand on the polished railing.
“I’m impressed they found security bars for the windows that don’t make the place look like a prison,” Sam replied, then stopped Cole to read the label on the box he carried. “That goes in the kitchen, thanks.”
“I’m glad they have security bars on the windows,” Jericho said. “I thought you and Sinjin were getting the upper level?”
“Auntie Ellie wanted us to have the bigger unit. There are only two bedrooms upstairs and no dining room, just the eat-in kitchen. Granted, we’re not using the dining room for a dining room – it’s going to be our library and study space – but we need a guest room if y’all are going to be coming into town as much as you say you are,” Sam said. “Although, Kane’s staying for a few days. He has to help Dr. Thorpe with some stuff and asked if it was okay. I told him that’s why we have three bedrooms, so people can stay here. It’s also good for us, because we get company sometimes and won’t feel like we’re wholly separated from all of you back home.”
“You know Mama Pey is going to want to see this place in person, not just on camera, so we’ll come visit – but it’ll have to be after Denny is old enough to leave with a sitter for a few days,” Jericho said. “Oh, speaking of which, find that box labeled ‘coffee & tea’. Your Mom put a framed photo of Denny in it for you.”
“Aww, I’m gonna miss that little guy. I’m not going to miss his screams when he’s cranky, but I’ll miss him,” Sam said. Denny, Alden James Eagleson, had been born in May and he had his mama’s green eyes and his father’s straight black hair that stuck up all over his head. He’d been named Alden, for Dr. Thorpe, and James, for Peyton’s father.
“He’s not known for his patience, my son,” Jericho said with a grin. “But he gets that from his Mama.”
“Sure, Pops, keep telling yourself that,” Sam teased as she went to open the box and find the photo. She set it on the mantel in the sitting room and smiled. “Feeling more like home already. Now, I’m going to make a pot of coffee because there’s a lot of unpacking to do.”
“I think the last few things are all brought inside. I got a recommendation for a good pizza place, so I’ll order some for delivery and some soft drinks, and we’ll take some time to eat and hang out before we head home,” Jericho told Sam.
“Sounds good. Thanks, Pops. I appreciate all of this,” Sam said and kissed Jericho’s cheek.
“I appreciate it too,” Sinjin said as he came in from out front with a box. “We’d still be trying to get the first boxes unloaded if you all didn’t come give us a hand.”
“That’s the last one,” Cole called out. “I’m going to go drop off the truck and Kane’s following me with the SUV.”
“Did you get my plants out of the SUV?” Sam asked.
“We’ll bring them in when we come back. Save us a pizza or three,” Cole said.
“Will do,” Jericho said as he pulled out his phone. Once the order was placed, he went out front and told Theo and Zeb to come inside. They were sitting on the steps, watching the neighborhood.
“Sam’s making coffee, and I ordered pizza and some bottles of soft drinks. Why don’t you guys come help us unpack some of the kitchen boxes so we can find the glasses, mugs, and paper towels?”
“Sure thi ng,” Zeb said as he got up and stepped inside.
Theo paused in the foyer and ran his fingers over the wood trim and scroll work. “Some of this is original, and some is restoration copies, done by hand, not machine. A true artist worked on this place.”
“Well, that’s your world, Theo, you’d know. I’ll tell Herself you admired the work.”
Theo blushed a little. “I just appreciate skill and artistry in wood. Too few people take the time anymore.”
“That cradle you made for us before Denny was born, now that is artistry. That’ll be a family heirloom to pass down through the generations,” Jericho told Theo, then patted his shoulder. “Come look at the kitchen cabinets while stuff gets unpacked. The corner pieces look hand-scrolled.”
It wasn’t long before the dishwasher was running on the brand new dishes and utensils, while Theo dried pans that Sinjin washed and Zeb broke down boxes that Kane took out to the recycling bin built into the back fence.
Sam stocked the fridge and freezer with pre-made meals that Hattie had sent them, and then piled homemade ‘meal kits’ in the cabinet.
“I think Hattie is afraid we’re going to starve,” she said as she put yet another kit onto a shelf. “She put these kits together from the bulk supplies. Pasta in one bag, dehydrated veggies in another, a jar of her homemade sauce in the fridge, and directions on how to put it all together. She’s amazing.”
“You’re her granddaughter by choice, Samantha. She’d do the same for any of her grandkids,” Zeb said.
The doorbell chimed and Jericho went to answer it, coming back with a stack of pizza boxes he couldn’t see over, Cole and Kane following up the rear with their arms full as well. “Someone go lock the door,”
Jericho said as they started to set things down.
“I’ll lock it in a minute,” Cole said. “There’s one last thing in the SUV.”
He set the box of plants down on the floor, then went back out. When he came back in, he was carrying a box very carefully as he locked the doors behind him.
“Hattie sent this,” Cole said and set it on the counter in front of Sam.
Sam pulled the lid open and gasped. Inside was a chocolate frosted cake with ‘Welcome to your new home’ written in blue frosting. “Aww, she made my favorite,” Sam said and shook her head. “You guys tell her how much I love her, will you? I’ll telecon with her tomorrow.”
“Let’s eat,” Jericho said and handed out pizzas. Soon people were seated on the floor, on chairs, on boxes of books, eating pizza and chatting.
Sam looked up from her seat on the floor to Jericho where he sat in a chair beside her. “I’m going to miss you, Pops,” she whispered.
“I’m going to miss you too, Sassy girl,” Jericho murmured back. “Please, stay safe, okay?”
“I’ll do my best. I’m excited and scared, all at once. I’m gonna miss everyone and yet be so busy I won’t have time to really feel lonely. Or, that’s my hope anyway.”
“It’s called leaving the nest, Sam,” Kane said from where he sat on the other side of her. “But don’t worry. I’m staying for a few days so I can help Dr. Thorpe with some things, so you won’t get rid of all of us right away.”
“Oh, well, that helps,” Sam said. “Sorta. I mean, if I’ve gotta be stuck with someone here, it might as well be you, Uncle Kane.”
Kane snorted amusedly and poked Sam in the side. She squealed, laughed, and poked him back.
“Children don’t spill your drinks,” Jericho chided, laughter in his tone that turned into an outright laugh when Kane flipped him the finger.
“Okay, folks, let’s get cleaned up and on the road. It gets dark earlier this time of year and Gideon prefers taking off from the hospital field in the daylight. Bring some of that pepperoni and mushroom pizza for him,” Jericho said. He pulled Sam to her feet and wrapped her in a hug.
“I love you, Samantha Eagleson. No matter what.”
“I love you, too, Pops. No matter what. Give Mama Pey and Denny hugs from me.”
“I will,” Jericho said, then turned to shake Sinjin’s hand and give him a half hug. “Take care of our girl, St. John.”
“I will, sir,” Sinjin said.
The crowd hugged and said their farewells, gathered up their things, and headed out the door.
Sinjin collected the empty boxes and took them outside while Sam unloaded and refilled the dishwasher with the used glasses. Leftover pizza went into the fridge and Sam poured herself a cup of coffee in her favorite mug and sat at the table.
“I’m going to take a minute, have some coffee, then I’ll go make my bed. Then? A shower and I’ll pass out,” Sam said.
“I’ll have a cup with you, then I’m going to go walk the perimeter, make sure everything’s locked up tight, then make my bed and shower and pass out,” Sinjin said.
“Kane’s driving the SUV back here after dropping them off, but he has the garage, elevator, and door codes so he can get in okay, and we don’t have anything scheduled for the next three days,” Sam said. “Other than unpacking and sorting things out – and doing a grocery and supply run.
I’m kind of looking forward to that. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to wander through a store and shop.”
Sinjin was quiet for a few minutes, then chuckled to himself. “I’ve never done that. I mean, yeah, mini mart stops, but I never did grocery shopping before. You’re going to have to teach me.”
“You’ve never been grocery shopping? Not even as a kid?”
“Well, I went into the system when I was six or seven. I don’t remember ever having been in a grocery store before that with my mother. I barely remember being in a home. Mostly shelters and rooms that smelled bad. After that, I was in and out of foster homes for a couple of years, then the rest of the time, I was in a group home.”
“I’d be happy to teach you. I enjoy it,” Sam said with a smile. “But tomorrow? We unpack all the things so we know what we don’t have and still need. Okay?”
“Works for me,” Sinjin said.
Chapter Two
It would take Sam and Sinjin a few days to sort out schedules and chores. Having Kane around helped somewhat because they could ask him how to do certain things.
“Did you know that a refrigerator needed to be wiped down and cleaned every week?” Sam asked Sinjin. “I mean, I knew they got cleaned, but I thought it was like a spring cleaning kind of thing.
However, according to Hattie, you should wipe it down before you do each week’s big shopping, and clean immediately if something spills or leaks. And bathrooms – you’re cleaning your own, my friend. It’s hard enough to do mine.”
“Hey, kids?” Kane called from the living room. “Could you come here for a minute?”
They went in to find him standing in the middle of the floor, the vacuum cleaner beside him.
“Do you know what this is?” Kane asked.
“Yeah, the vacuum cleaner. Hattie picked out one for us and I ordered it,” Sam said.
“Do you know how to use it?”
“Not yet, but there’s a manual, right?” Sinjin said.
“How about I just show you guys?” Kane said and spent the next ten minutes showing them how to empty it, how the hoses connected for different uses, and the settings for rugs and floors. While Sam and Sinjin appreciated Kane’s instruction, they did find it amusing.
Sinjin gave Kane a wide-eyed look when he was done. “Can you show me how to use the shower in the bathroom now?”
Sam burst out laughing and Sinjin chuckled. Kane pulled a piece of the hose off and proceeded to chase them around the living and dining rooms with it, growling.
They all ended up collapsing in laughter around the living room.
Sinjin looked over at Sam. “You really never cleaned a refrigerator before? Or a bathroom?”
“Nope,” Sam said. “I learned how to clean a bathroom when we moved to the compound. Mama Pey showed me. But before that? I’d grown up always having staff around. And even at the compound, Hattie, Edgar, Mama Pey, Pops – they did most of the stuff. The last couple of months, when we knew we were going to be out on our own, I spent a lot of time following Hattie around and learning how to do things. Like the best ways to do laundry – not just tossing it in the machine with a pod and turning it on. I learned how to clean properly, how to fold sheets…so many things. She even gave me a little book she made of the recipes she and I have made together.”
