Chapter 10 Book 7

Chapter 10

The Masked Dance

Right after I hung up the phone, I could see my adoptive Mom's expression changing, and it was clear that she was feeling satisfied with herself for creating tension between my grandmother and me. The immediate response of my grandmother to the distressing cries that reverberated through the phone showed her profound understanding of the situation. It had been almost two weeks since my grandmother and I had last spoken, and it was during our conversation that I revealed to her the surprising news that I had made a trip to Texas and, much to her dismay, had gotten married to not one, but two females and even a male.

I didn't dare tell her about the fact they were both pregnant or why or anything regarding the Satanic Church. I thought I had enough on my plate before we opened that can of worms. It was bad enough that Mom had me invite her to my wedding this weekend. I knew she would. In fact, insist upon coming. Yet she still wanted a wedding invitation. Stringham assured us that he knew a guy and he knew a guy that could have it done quickly and professionally and still have them sent out before the weekend.

Again, he didn't care about the expense and decided that it would not only serve our needs but his as well. It was going to be a big "Hooten Nanny," his words which means a very big deal. After making the news and the newspaper, they decided to keep the cover story that Nate Carrion one of the youngest billionaires who is tying the knot and will be married on Friday at Castle Park in Lindon Utah one of the biggest reception halls not more than an hour's drive from Heber City. He would have several wedding invitations printed and ready to send out at the party tonight. 

Plus, his marriage and Tony's as well as Jody's and Dave's. Mom frowned at the idea of sharing our weddings, but then again, he was the one willing to spare no expenses. He wanted to put on a show. So, Landon not only had to juggle tonight's party, but make preparations for our big wedding. It didn't bother him knowing we would most likely be having a third wedding in the Satanic Church here in Heber. He only said. "If you did it once you can do it again." And he was right; it was just the idea of having to sacrifice two more doves and two more lambs that bothered me the most.

Tony's voice echoed into the dimly lit room as he discussed completing the intricate details of our brand-new cover story. Stringham's pen scratched against the paper as he emphasized how he could manipulate the situation, ensuring that changing their names wouldn't be necessary. He mentioned using a discreet exchange of money with the right people, just as Eli's father had done with Eli's deceased sister. The memory hung heavy in the room, a somber reminder of their past actions. Tony referred to it as "stage one," an experiment to gauge the swift reaction from the higher-ups in the Satanic Church. The sound of papers shuffled as we contemplated the repercussions, wondering if they would dismiss the disappearance of a small group in Texas as insignificant, like a mosquito bite.

Stringham reminded Mom that the tailor would be here at one and a photographer at two. So, we could have our pictures for the wedding invitations for tonight's party. Mom cringed said. "Then we better hurry, considering it's almost ten now." Mom quickly made sure she had everything. Our sizes and most importantly the company credit card. Landon opened the door to our limo; he didn't join us as he reminded the driver that we needed to be back by no later than 12:30 or he'd hunt him down personally and kill him. He gave a quick nod, making sure we had everything: wheelchair, eye patch, and money.

As if in perfect synchronization, Mom waved the credit card while I proudly showcased the silver briefcase concealing within it an extra two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, should the need arise. I came to know that following the raid last night from Texas; they had successfully made back the money lost and then some, showcasing their resilience. Eli gasped when I had opened the briefcase; even more so when I gave them each two bundles of 100-dollar bills, said. "A little payback for what they did to you over the years. Besides, where they're going, they won't be needing it." The reason I didn't provide more details or go into further explanation is that I genuinely didn't have any interest or concern in doing so. I didn't even care about where they stashed Arthur, considering I had yet to see him. Wherever he is, I am sure he's not happy and if he is, he won't be after tomorrow.

Mom was quick when she didn't have to worry about price tags. She held up the clothes to Eli and had the girls try on several outfits with several matching shoes and handbags and lots of makeup. While she quickly went down the list: Sneakers, Dress shoes, Socks, Dress socks, boxers, and pants. Grabbing large stacks of them and putting them in the shopping cart all with Eli's name on it, for school and for church. Including several white shirts and ties; he like me, would be wearing at least a two-piece suit to church at the LDS church nearby, well nearby enough that the Satanic Church wouldn't bother looking.

Mom was adamant about Eli and the girls retaining their first names, but there was still uncertainty surrounding the choice of last name. The only certainty was that Rhoda would assume the last name Carrion after our remarriage. Stringham said they could keep their last names if they wanted, which was Alden considering it was a common name. It just became complicated because Eli was to be married to me as well, so we had to think about what to do about Jackie's.

That was until Eli said that when his Dad married plural wives and husbands everyone kept the same last name as his because he was the one that held the most money and power in the family and the church. Mom said fine, and it was decided the four of us would keep the name Carrion and use Eli's and Rhoda's father's last name Alden as a middle name to honor him. Jackie would use her family name Krandle as her maiden name. She said." It's all pretended anyway … mostly." Stating that she had ended the debate.

She was starting to warm up to the idea of me not only having two wives but a husband because it was unique that not everyone in the world had that option of having both, more so a sixteen almost seventeen-year-old teenage boy. It wasn't common for all to be married at sixteen like it was back in the olden days, but it does happen. The law of Utah states: If you are sixteen-seventeen years of age, you will need parental consent to apply for a marriage license.

If you are fifteen years of age, you will need not only "parental consent" but also consent from the Juvenile Court. My adoptive parents would be giving me consent to be married as Nate Carrion and Eli's Dad would be giving consent for him and his sister and Jackie because she no longer had parents and they had given Eli's Dad prenatal consent to raise her, which was one of the things Landon and Tony were doing with Stringham's help and contacts. Like producing birth certificates (making them) and completing a marriage license for all four of us and Tony.

Stringham wanted it all in his hot little hands by tonight. Including pictures and fingerprints stating they are who we say we are. So, by the time we go to school and register there will be no secret that we will be married. Not even the Satanic Church could dispute that. Like I said it's going to be big, one of the biggest fake and real marriages of a lifetime.

We just made it back in time as we pulled back up to the cabin at 12:30 on the dot, noticing a huge van unloading our wedding presents. Stringham presented us with the option of opening the presents immediately or waiting until Friday night. He spoke with the baker, a highly respected figure in the industry known for his delicious cakes. I didn't catch the name, but I did gag at the price of the cake, seeing the number written down that it read 300,000 dollars. Mom's eyes popped out said. "You got to be kidding for a piece of lousy cake."

The girls quickly ganged up on him and said, "No way, not for cake."

Stringham said. "But―" He compromised until the cake price went all the way down 10,000, telling them over the phone. "It better look expensive, Gregory, or it will be your head."

Mom said. "It might as well be dipped in gold bars." Then told Stringham that it better not be, knowing he'd think about putting gold bars on the table with a bride and groom on top.

He said. "You women drive a hard bargain."

They said. "We may be rich, but we aren't stupid. Money is money."

In a frenzy of activity, the next few hours whizzed by, filled with people scurrying around, capturing moments through their cameras, and constantly on the move. The situation was chaotic, and numerous things required immediate attention. It was nearly four-thirty before everything slowed down as everyone paced, watching the time as we waited for the rest of my friends and their parents from Highland to come back.

Stringham had worked out a fair arrangement. He couldn't get Bishop Sakes to budge no matter how much money he threw at him, but he did manage to talk him into baptizing them all on Friday morning early like the crack of dawn, staying true to his word. Stringham wasn't about to attend another satanic service without getting his big new stick. The temple marriage wasn't doable no matter who he talked to. Unless you were a member of the church for a period of time … like six months to a year and reformed to their standards like no drinking or smoking, that included cigars.

The hardest things he and Tony could get away with were coffee, tea, and a can of Coke or Pepsi. Plus, they had to have the have the missionary discussions and that meant having missionaries being snuck in under the fence. It was either that or no deal and it didn't matter how high he went they weren't budging. Jeff said it was a start he could live with that, regarding the deal he made with Tony. And if Stringham was a good boy, he was willing to make a compromise, but not until he knew he wouldn't back down.

Stringham looked hurt when I told him what he said. "Why doesn't he trust me? I am an honest businessman, mostly."

I said. "It is "the mostly" he is concerned about." He felt robbed that Tony was getting a better deal than him because he too wanted a special friend like Jeff. Plus, Stringham knew me longer than Tony did and so he was reminded that maybe that was the reason why he was being harder on him. Because he knew Stringham and his way of business deals; Stringham still felt he was getting cheated, but it wasn't up to me it was up to Jeff.

The people he convinced to move down here with us were Coach Brady and Adam's family, who had been offered jobs at Heber High School. With the help of Stringham putting in a good word, it seemed like a few palms were greased and some donations were made to the school. It was clear that money played a significant role in making the deal seem more than fair. Stringham enjoyed having friends, knowing that favors could come in handy.

Jake's parents also found the offer too enticing to resist. Besides, they couldn't bring themselves to forgive the people in our neighborhood for what had happened. The Vincent's felt the same way. Sharing this cabin with them and Mr. Stringham, until he built his larger one above us, it seemed like a good idea to Mom and Dad. Dotty and her family lived just down the road from us, and the Adams family, the Thomas's, would live with them until they could build a smaller cabin in our new exclusive gated community.

Coach Brady was still single, so he would be staying with us until he could find a little cottage just for him. Had taken the job as Head Coach at Heber High and has given his two-week notice staying long enough to end the term or first quarter. Told us all he might consider finding a little woman to settle down with, and perhaps become a nudist. Said for us not to change one single thing about us, but he did have his eye on Mrs. Hothner. And if things work out, she might be the little woman he was thinking about settling down with. But for now, her plans were to finish the school year at American Fork High School and see where their relationship takes them. Jeff said it was a match made in heaven. That she'll follow him quicker than he thinks, finding that she can't live without him. Something said they had been seeing each other for a long time.

My three best friends, however, decided to move to another neighborhood. Not wanting to be anywhere near the Satanic Church until it was no longer a threat here. But however, would be willing to move three towns away if Stringham was willing to hire them to run one of his stores that he was considering opening down here. He couldn't pass up that opportunity, so they compromised, and the deal was struck. Our old neighborhood in Highland was going to pot quicker now that Crawford and his people had tainted it. Mom and Dad were still trying to decide what to do about the house and the things in it. But Stringham settled the argument and bought it from them and everything inside of it except for the things Mom and Dad refused to part with.

Currently, everything is being swiftly placed into storage. On Monday, when my adoptive Dad dropped me off at the boarding school in Texas to track down the Satanic Church for Shawn's smooth transition, he entrusted Stringham with the key to their house. Although I knew Shawn wouldn't find anything pleasant about it, I couldn't resist the urge to smile at the idea of the chaos I deliberately created for him.

Since then, there has been a whirlwind of activity. Word has it that Stringham acquired a sizeable moving company, expanding his already diverse business portfolio. People are flocking to use the company's services, eager to escape the chaos. Wanting to get out of "Dodge" or Highland. The neighborhood has transformed into a maze of cars and bustling moving vans. The air is filled with the scent of exhaust fumes, and the sounds of engines and chatter fill the air. To maintain order and ensure the safety of all, a dedicated team of police cars patrols the roads, directing the flow of moving traffic. As Mom had warned Jody, it is true that "a lot can happen in three days." And that, my folks, is the truth.