Sam and I order that set down and wait for our pizzas to be ready.
As Sam and I wait an old pickup truck pulls them with two men in it. A strange feeling comes over me and I look out the window watching the two. It’s a warm day but when they step out of the truck they had ski masks covering their faces. I tell Sam to get the other customers and go to the bathroom with them keep them safe.
It’s one of the things I taught my class, avoid conceal then defend, avoid the trouble if you can, hide from it, and when all else fails defend yourself. It’s obviously too late to avoid what’s going to happen, I call 911 and say armed robbery in progress. I leave the phone open and on the table. The manager overhearing what I said and saw how I was acting and then pulls his people back into his office just before the robbers entered. The clothing they wear looks like has dried blood stains, it’s not hunting season locally so the automatic rifle and shotgun are for a different purpose.
I move forward closer to them and ask in a nonthreatening voice, “May I help you gentlemen?”
They shout give us all the money in the register, I step back behind the register and press the no sell button, to my surprise the drawer opens. I lift out the drawer and slide it over the counter it falls on the floor opposite me.
That gave me a split second as they both looked down and I took and open the top of a crushed red pepper container. As they look up with anger in their eyes I fling a large handful of the red pepper into their faces they blinked tightly, jumping back and lifting their hands before the pepper came in contact with them.
This gives me a couple seconds and I moved and grabbed the ends of the guns forcing them up and away from me. When the firearms pointing in a safe direction I kick both assailants in the knees and they buckle, screaming in pain the assailant with the shotgun fires wildly. My second kick is to his chin and it knocks him out for the night. As he falls out of the way I kick into the chin of the robber with the assault rifle. He’s falling to the floor as I placed both weapons onto the counter. I hear the siren of the police car approaching as I walk back to my cell phone.
Sam is running from the bathroom, tears of fear streak down her face and she flies into my embrace. The manager of the store peaks around the corner now that is gone silent, He sees the two guns on the counter and he rushes forward and takes one. I’m holding the cell phone telling dispatch the manager has the assault rifle covering the two assailants.
When the police are at the door the manager places the assault rifle on a countertop. The police then enter, and secure the restaurant. After handcuffing the two assailants an ambulance arrives and the EMT uses smelling salts after checking their vitals. The two are removed into separate police cars.
Sam clutches to me tightly, I’m only partly surprised when Kathryn forces her way into the restaurant. I’m still giving the statement for another half hour as Kathryn and Sam clutch to me. The manager has made fresh pizzas for us. He’s thankful and refuses taking any payment.
At home Kathryn and Sam still cling to me. Ron and Reese are curious as to why and I say, “They’re just very appreciative I got them pizza.”
Kathryn says, “Two men tried to rob the pizzeria but JJ knocked them out, so the police could arrest them.”
A news flash comes on TV. The reporter says, “This just in a local pizzeria was targeted by two armed assailants this afternoon. Mister JJ Mayer accredited with subduing the assailants. The two yet unnamed have apparently been on a string of robberies and murders. The police have linked the two with two other restaurants robberies in which all within the restaurant were murdered. Further news as it develops.”
The phone rings and I say, “If that’s the press my only comment is no comment.”
I was wrong, it was worse than the press it was the governor’s office and he wanted a press release. He says, “The man of the year saves the day. The press is going to love it.”
Ron patted my shoulder and says, “Surrender JJ, the truth is that people need a hero. So many other heroes have fallen short. If they need someone to look up to you’re not too bad of a hero.”
Reese giggles and says, “It must run in the family, Nancy was just like JJ. She could never stand by and let someone else be hurt.”
Reluctantly I do give the governor’s office a statement, it takes a week but story dies down as other news takes its place.
It is soon Thanksgiving and the entire family gathers at Alyssa’s cottage for dinner. Uncle George begins the before dinner toast by saying, “This year we seem to have an extremely lot to be grateful for. First everyone is healthy. Second we have had several marriages in the family, JJ and Kathryn, Alyssa and I.” He begins to chuckle and says, “That’s nine marriages between the four of us. Marshall and Misty, Ron and Reese, had joined the marriage club. What I hear Daniel and Kara scheduled to join the club this Christmas eve. We’ve gotten Sam, who is our Princess who came on an event of love and brightens our lives. We truly have a lot to be grateful for.”
With so many people twenty-two in all sit at the table waiting dinner. There are three turkeys that look spectacular, couple huge bowls of mashed potatoes, every vegetable you can imagine, macaroni and cheese and several casseroles, and three different types of dinner rolls, adorned the table.
Kathryn is close beside me and even though Sam has a seat she still cuddles in my lap. Ever since the event at the pizzeria Kathryn and Sam has been very affectionate to me. Even more than Sam normally would she has taken to sleeping on my chest as often as she possibly can, which is nearly every night now. I keep doing my best to reassure her that her Daddy isn’t going anywhere to little effect, Sam seems now determined on guarding me. I attempted to explain to Sam my job is to protect her, not her job to protect me that only caused Sam to giggle and give me a hug.
Dinner is really good. One of the turkeys was deep-fried and a bit spicy but I like it, Sam tried a bite but it was too spicy for her. I give Sam a bite of the macaroni and cheese, and then a drink of milk puts out the fire from the spicy turkey. So I get to finish that slice of turkey without help, which was the only thing I didn’t get help on, Sam seemed very hungry today.
It was a warm day for late November, and we went out to the patio to enjoy the afternoon and our dessert. When I came back with two dishes of apple pie à la mode, the family looked at me strange because I had chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla. Giving Kathryn one her eyes lit up as she quickly dug into the dish. Helen begins giggling, “JJ you’re still suffering Kathryn’s cravings, now I see what you mean.”
Chuckling as I eat between mouthfuls I say, “This is mild compared to some of her cravings.”
Most of the family laughs at that, when Sam comes out she has strawberry ice cream on her apple pie, and a few of the family try it Sam sharing a taste with them. More than one has a surprised look that strawberries and apples go well together.
Misty has pumpkin pie, with chocolate syrup and strawberry ice cream. Marshall has a normal pumpkin pie with vanilla ice cream but keeps glancing at Misty’s. I ask, “Marshall, are you having Misty’s cravings? If you are fighting it doesn’t help.”
Marshall chuckles and says, “It just doesn’t look that bad, and is much as Misty is enjoying it I can’t help but wonder.”
Misty looks warmly at her husband and says, “Try a taste, the chocolate syrup ties it all together.”
Marshall’s eyes widen at the small bike Misty shoved into his mouth. After a moment he smiles as he eats, looking at his wife he says, “You’re right the chocolate syrup does tie it all together.”
Marshall disappears into the house, when he comes back he’s only added chocolate syrup to his dessert, he offers Misty taste and she takes it. Misty says, “It’s not bad that way, but I like it my way better.”
The family begins to experiment with the chocolate syrup and different ice creams for their pie. A few are different and rather good others only a woman with cravings would like. When Reese comes out with mashed potatoes à la mode Ron shakes his head and says, “I’m glad I don’t have her cravings.” He still hugs his wife and gives her a kiss on the cheek.
Before long I can tell Kathryn and Sam can use a nap, and frankly so could I. We tell the family we’re going home for Sam’s nap, and I give Mom a kiss before I leave. Mom was setting with Alyssa so I give her a kiss on the cheek too. I tell Alyssa that the dinner was great and I’m looking forward to Christmas dinner with the family. We all wave goodbye as we leave. Mom and Helen have promised to help clean up, and I picked up after myself which is my habit.
At home Kathryn quickly strips down to her bra and panties and crawls onto the bed. I just take my shoes off. It is rather a warm day I take my shirt off. Kathryn just strips Sam down to her panties. My jeans are rather tight so I take them off as well leaving me in my boxers. Before I can go for my pajamas Kathryn pulls me onto the bed, and Sam crawls onto my chest. Sam giggles as she rubs herself against my chest. Sam says, “Daddy your chest hair tickles a little, but I like how it feels.”
Kathryn giggles as she caresses my chest next to Sam and says, “I miss how it feels.”
Before I can say or do anything the two are asleep so I just relax and allow myself to drift off to sleep as well. We must’ve been were exhausted than what we thought, it’s well after midnight before Sam gets up and goes to the restroom. The movement awakes Kathryn and she shortly follows Sam. As they returning I have to make a run too, when I return Kathryn and Sam are talking, Kathryn explained about black Friday which is today, Sam like shopping so she’s excited. It’s still rather early but they are making plans on which store will be first, or which mall we should go to. They’re both too excited to go back to sleep so we ready ourselves for a long day of shopping.
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