Idioms...sayings understood by native speakers part forty nine

John Matthews sat in first class, reading his messages on his cell.

"Excuse me, Mr. Matthews, but all cell phones need to be off during the flight."

He smiled at the pretty asian flight attendant.

"Sure thing. Miss?"

"Um, Simmons."

"Ah, with your appearance one would think that your name would be Tanaka or something."

"Well, I am half Japanese, sir. My father is American. Scotch Irish to be exact."

"I bet he is proud to have such a lovely daughter."

"Um, your cell, sir?"

"There it's off."

John buckled his seat belt and looked out at the window, making note of one Miss Simmons of American Airlines, for future reference.

He sat remembering how when Joe Wilson had fallen into their laps just when he needed a liver. Little did he know at that time, years ago when he had cornered that cute little maid, he had saved his own life. He patted his stomach and smiled.

They discovered their business. It started slow at best and the quality wasn't always there, but now, they were the Microsoft of their trade. Bill Gates had nothing on them... except that his was legit. Their's...well, theirs was unique and a specialty all in its own. With stipends, bonuses, it was easy moving people necessary to meet the demand of their product.

All of this had become second nature now. especially with the influx of illegals coming to their small town just for the free medical care. He was in charge of security. The Chairman was in charge of orchestration. AJ was in charge of sales. and Christopher, otherwise known as Aaron, was in charge of accounting. It was neat, orderly, and people went about their daily lives without a worry. The garden, as he affectionately called his home town, had grown into quite a crop.

All he had to worry about was that stupid mistake the distribution warehouse had made with that one payment. But the state police could look all they wanted to, no one would think of it as a payment. It was just some smuggled diamonds. He sighed and closed his eyes. The board meeting would be tomorrow at ten. He would have to sit and listen to that bastard present something as inane and meaningless as the sales profit of toys.

---

Lynn whispered something to Jenny as they neared the house. She smiled and nodded.

"Charlie, how about you, me and Carl have a sleepover at my house?"

"No. Charlie wants to sleep at Wick's house." The boy ran up the stairs to Carl and Rick sitting on the rocking chairs.

Lynn came up the stairs slowly.

"Charlie, Rick has a very important presentation to work on for a meeting in the morning. He is not going to have time to play with you."

Rick arched an eyebrow. "I'm not?"

Charlie glanced at Rick.

"Charlie? What do you want to play?"

"Um, Charlie does not want to play."

"What do you want to do?"

"Charlie wants Wick to um," The boy looked down at his feet. "Um,.."

"Is it too hard to talk about with Lynn here?"

The boy nodded.

"Carl, could you take the girls around back?"

"Sure."

The confused girls left. Charlie sat on one of the rockers and tucked his feet up, resting his head on his knees as he hugged them.

"What is up, Charlie?"

"Wick...Charlie wants to learn."

"That's good. What do you want to learn?"

"How to fight."

"Charlie?"

The boy looked at the older man. "Charlie is strong. If Charlie knows how to fight then, Li LI will be safe. And, maybe, Charlie won't be strong with Li Li anymore."

Rick took a deep breath. Good lord, what have I done? "Um, Charlie, if I understand you, you want to learn how to fight so you can control your strength?"

The boy looked at Rick. "Yes. Control. Charlie needs to learn how to control his strength."

"Charlie." Rick sighed. "I don't know what to say."

"Charlie needs Wick's help."

"You know, Charlie, there are different kind of strengths."

Charlie looked at him. "Different?" He sighed, "Charlie is different."

"But that is not a bad thing." Rick got up and grabbed his hand. "Come on. Let's go for a walk."

They went out to the side yard.

"Charlie, some people have strength in their minds. They are smart and can figure out things to help people they love."

"Charlie does not have that."

"Stop talking and just listen. Okay?" Rick looked up at the sky, help... was all he could ask.

"Charlie, some people have strength in their muscles, their physical strength."

"Charlie has that."

"I said, stop talking and listen." he paused. "Some people have strength in their heart. Their love of others out weighs anything that the other strengths have."

Charlie looked at him like he was an alien.

"Charlie, you have all three strengths. You do. You are smart enough to want to help. You certainly have physical strength, but your heart, Charlie." Rick pointed to the boy's chest. "There in lies your greatest strength. You, Charlie Johnson, are a man who knows how to love. I can tell you. It is a rare gift that you have. One that should be envied by all. You love and protect your sister. And I hope that you love me, Charlie. Because, I love you as my brother. I swear."

Charlie looked down at the ground. "So, Wick, you love me like a brother."

"You betcha."

Charlie suddenly gave Rick a big bear hug. Rick gave a grunt. Charlie immediately released him. "Charlie will do better, Wick."

"I know, buddy. Now let me show you how a hug should work."

---

Lynn came around the side of the house because of her worry. She watched Rick give Charlie a gentle hug and then let go. Charlie saw Lynn and ran up to her.

"Charlie?"

He opened his arms and pulled her into a gentle hug. She returned it. Then stepped back, looking at her brother, "What was that for?"

"Nothing." He smiled. "Charlie is going with Jenny and Carl." As he ran around the back.

She came up to Rick who was standing there a little stunned.

"Rick, are you all right?"

He nodded. Swallowing hard, he grabbed her hand. "Come on. We need to go see the twins."

"I thought you had to work on that presentation."

He sighed, "I do." As he opened up the storage shed, "But there are more important things than work. Okay?"

---

A.J. sat in the den, smoking on his cigar. His hand bandaged, he smiled at it. It reminded him that he was alive. He looked up as the Chauffeur knocked on the door and opened it. There came in his property. Standing there like a lamb being led to slaughter, he smiled at his wife.

---

 Sal hit his cell phone speed dial.

Jenny picked up her phone when she heard the ringtone of the Godfather come across.

Carl lauhed at it.  Charlie was sitting in the back seat playing with the sunroof.

"Hey, Sal.  What's up?"

"What?"

"Um, okay.  No.  We can get there."

"Sure.  No problem, she can stay at my apartment if necessary."

"I can't believe she had the guts too..."

"Okay.  But do you think you were seen?"

"Probably not, huh."

Jenny sighed.  "Okay.  Will do.  I will let you know what happened."

She hung up and swallowed hard.   "Carl?"

"Yes."

"We need to go to your house."

"Huh?"

"Your mom.  She met with Sal."

"Sal?"

"Sal is a good friend of mine.  I was going to introduce you....Ah, crap, that doesn't matter.  Sal is a divorce lawyer."

"A what?"

"Your mom went to him to help her get a divorce."

"Come on, Jenny.  My mom wouldn't leave that bastard if her life depended on it."

"This is no joke, Carl.  She met with Sal and just got picked up by your dad's chauffeur.  She should be home by now."

"Do..."  Carl paused, trying to focus.  "Do you think that she got caught?"

"I don't know.  But if she did?"

"She is dead."  He made a U-turn, 

Charlie felt the change of position of the car in his stomach.  He giggled.  He looked up as the wind flew in his face and closed his eyes.  "Mommy kisses."  was all he said.