Chapter 9

            It was a little after five in the evening, people were starting to leave the Van Dykes’. Chastity had acted like Julian had the plague for the rest of the day. It actually pained him. Yes, he felt bad about what had happened, but he didn’t think he would feel this dejected over Chastity rejecting his presence.

            “Cheer up,” Alexander said as he and their father were walking him out. “I’m sure she just needs time to get over it. That’s all.”

            “Who said I was upset?” Julian said.

            “That sour look on your face,” Hector, their father, said.

            “I feel terrible. It seemed like she was having a decent time before . . . Alexander made me hit her with the pie.”

            “Oooh, now, don’t blame your brother for being faster than you,” his father said with a little smile.

            They walked out the front door.

            There were several guests who were standing out front with their noses scrunched up. The stench in the air immediately told them why.

            “Damn,” Alexander eased out. “It smells like a cow field out here.”

            “What kind of gardener would be fertilizing on the fourth of July?” their father asked as they began walking the walkway.

            Cars were lined around the walkway.

            “A dedicated one,” Alexander answered. “Julian, what are you doing next weekend? Caitlin wants to invite you over for dinner.”

            “Nothing, I don’t think,” Julian answered. “Dad, how come Agatha didn’t come with you today?”

            “Her daughters had –”

            “Is that a pile of manure ahead?” a woman in front of them asked as she pointed.

            “It sure is. That’s where the smell is coming from,” the man said next to her.

            “Why would they have fertilizer delivered while they’re having a cookout? It doesn’t make sense. The smell is atrocious,” the woman complained.

            Sure enough, there was a pile of shit ahead.

            “Ah, damn. My car isn’t far from that crap,” Julian groaned.

            “Put the top down on the way home and spray some Febreze in it,” Alexander suggested.

            “Manure is pretty potent. It might take more than Febreze, kid,” their father said.

            “I’m sure it’ll be fine once you drive away from the estate,” Alexander said as they continued to keep walking.

            Coming from the direction they were heading, were Derek and his friend, Q, who used to play for the NBA. They both had their noses and mouths covered.

            “Woowee,” Q sang in a high-pitched tone as they got closer. “That shit stinks to high heaven.”

            “It sure does,” Derek agreed. “Hey, you guys leaving?”

            They all stopped walking.

            The couple ahead of them kept going.

            “I am,” Julian said. “They’re just walking me to my car.”

            “Damn, I’m sorry you have to walk pass that manure up ahead,” Q said.

            “Yeah, me, too. Where is it exactly?” Julian asked.

            “On top of some poor saps luxury car,” Derek said with disgust. “It’s a damn shame to ruin a car like that.”

            “It sure is,” Q agreed. “I don’t know how the truck driver missed the ground and dumped it on that black jag.”

            Julian stilled. “You mean the manure is on top of a car?”

            “On top and in it. The owner left his top down,” Derek said.

            Alexander and their father slowly turned to Julian.

            Dread, fear, and panic swept over Julian like a rush of water. Julian took off in the direction of his car. He whizzed past the couple who had been walking ahead of them.

            Sure enough, what came into view was a big pile of manure and his black jaguar.

            Julian cried out like his child had been killed. He stopped next to the car and dropped to his knees. He yelled and shook his fists in the air.

            As he was mourning his beloved jaguar convertible, Derek, Q, his father, and brother came running up.

            Curses and blasphemes that would make the devil blush flew out of Julian’s mouth as his face felt hotter than hell. Julian wasn’t sure what had been said or done next. By the time he came back into somewhat consciousness, someone was helping him to his feet. It was Alexander.

            “All right, now. You’ve let it all out.” Alexander said in a soothing tone. “Just try to take a few deep breathes. It’s going to be all right.”

            Julian blinked a few times to see Carlton and Victoria Van Dyke. Derek, Q, his father, and a few nosy bystanders were there, too.

            “Oh, Julian, I can’t apologize enough about this,” Victoria said sorrowfully.

            “If it can’t be cleaned, I’ll buy you a new one,” Carlton said sincerely.

            “You can’t,” Julian screeched. “It’s a limited edition. A 2017 black Jaguar Limited Edition Convertible FS.”

            “I don’t understand this,” Victoria nearly whined. “The landscaper was not supposed to fertilize the garden again for another month. And why would they deliver the . . . stuff out front like this?”

            “And what kind of blind as hell idiot did he have driving the truck?” Carlton asked.

            “Mrs. Van Dyke,” a skinny kid said as he ran to them – and the pile of dug on Julian’s car.

            “Yes.”

            “I called Jim. He didn’t order any . . . any of this to be delivered today or any other day. But I did find this business card in the kitchen door. It’s not the company we use at all,” the skinny kid said,

            Victoria took the business card from the boy. “San Martino Compost Service. I’m calling them. They are the ones who should be paying for the damages.”

            “Let me handle it, please,” Julian’s father said seriously. He got on his cell immediately. After a few moments he rolled his eyes. “Voicemail, but there is a phone number to call for emergency service.”

            Alexander kept this arm around Julian’s shoulders as their father made the call. If he hadn’t, Julian would fall to his knees again. “My car,” he croaked.

            “I know, buddy, I know,” Alexander said with sympathy.

            “Yes, my name is Hector Beaumont, CEO and president of Beaumont and Blanchett – a multibillion-dollar organization,” he began angrily. “Your company delivered a load of shit to the Van Dyke Estate and dumped it on my son’s very expensive car. Comprende? We expect you to pay for –” His father stopped shirt. “What do you mean you were told to dump it on a black Jaguar?”

            Everyone stilled at that.

            “Who placed the order?” his father asked with confusion. Then his eyes popped out so big it was a wonder they didn’t pop out of his head. “I . . . see. Hmm. No, I understand. It’s good that you got . . . the person to sign a letter of consent and responsibility. I will . . . take it up with them. Thank you.” He quickly clicked off.

            “Well?” Derek inquired.

            His father cleared his throat. “You know, son. It’s just car. I’ll be happy to buy –”

            “It’s more than that to me and you know it,” Julian said angrily. “What did they say?”

            Everyone looked at Hector expectantly.

            “Well, the company . . . did it on purpose. Said the person paid double for it all because it was a holiday and whatnot.”

            Q let out a low, long whistle. “What woman did you piss on, man? Damn.”

            “No one.” Julian said innocently. He couldn’t believe someone would do something so cruel to him on purpose. The jag was his favorite car. It was his baby.

            “Who was it, Dad? A business competitor?” Alexander asked seriously.

            “Nooo,” their father stretched out.

            “Then who?” Carlton asked.

            “Dad, please. Just tell us for Pete’s sake,” Julain begged.

            So I can kill their asses six different ways and bury them in a shallow grave.

            “Hector?” Victoria inquired. “Who did such a thing to one of my guests?”

            His father took a deep breath and blew out. “You’re daughter . . . Chastity.”

            “Chastity!” almost everyone repeated.

            The name washed over Julian as it all sunk in. “Chastity . . . Chastity . . . ruined my fucking jag!”

            “Now, son, calm down,” his father said quickly.

            “Calm down! Calm down! I’ll kill her!”

            “I don’t blame you,” Derek said.

            “Shut up, Derek, you’re not helping the situation,” Carlton ordered sharply. “Son, it’s just a car.”

            “If someone else tells me it’s just a car again, I’m going shoot them in the fuckin’ face!” Julian roared. “You know what kind of pussy I got because of that car! Not just any everyday regular pussy! Super models, actresses, fuck, I actually got action from an African princess all because I gave her a ride in my jag! I’m going to send that demon daughter of yours back to hell where she came from if it’s the last thing I do in life!” He took off like a rocket, passing the Van Dykes.

            “Julian!” Alexander shouted after him. If he was running after him, he was going to have a hard time stopping him. Normally, Alexander could out run Julian - but not today.

            Julian burst back into the house, knocking over some guy he didn’t give a shit about.

            “Julian?” Caitlin said in a high-pitched tone. “You look awful.”

            “Where’s Chastity,” he snarled.

            “She just went up to her bedroom. Why do -?” Caitlin began.

            Julian flew past her. He whizzed by some ladies that let out shrieks of shock. He took the long staircase, two steps at a time as he shouted Chastity’s name.

            He tried several doors. She wasn’t in any of the rooms.

            “Sir, may I –” the butler began.

            Julian shoved the old man out his way. “Chastity.” He got to another door and turned the knob.

            Locked.

            “I know you’re in there, you fucking bitch! Open up!”

            Nothing. No movement and no answer.

            “Julian!” someone called out. He was so angry he didn’t know who it was.

            Fuck it!

            He lifted his foot and put all the force he could into the hit.

            The door swung open as a scream of terror echoed out.

            There she was looking wide eyed with her hands behind her back.

            “You should look scared! I’m going to – ah!”

            Liquid heat burned his eyes. He couldn’t see. Everything was a hot blur. Then he got a jolt in his stomach that made his entire body jerk and shake. He hit the floor. He felt the jolt again, making him tremble like a leaf. His entire nervous system was on the fritz.

                                                                                  ****

            “Chastity!” Alexander yelled.

            “Bad enough you got a can of mace at the ready, but you got a taser now, too. What sadistic asshole gave you a taser?” Derek asked loudly from behind him.

            “This sadistic asshole,” a female voice said behind them.

            It was Constance standing with her hand on her hip. In her other hand, a can of mace, and her two twin girls with towels wrapped around their little bodies with bathing suits underneath hanging onto her legs – one on each leg.

            “Pssh,” Derek scoffed. “I should have known it was you.”

            “Aaah!” Julian screamed.

            Chastity had maced him again.

            “Stop it!” Alexander ordered harshly. “He’s down, damn it. You made your point!”

            “I was just making sure,” Chastity cried out.