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Realigning Destiny
by TT

Sometimes chance intervenes in our lives and causes destiny jumps the tracks. When this happens, fate steps in and realigns destiny’s course to bring us to where we need to be. But, as with the course of true love, the road of realignment doesn’t always run smooth.

Part 23 – Dirty

“So,” Stephanie began, glancing in the rear-view mirror at her son. “Will you tell me, now, how, exactly, you got so dirty?” She smiled as she saw him roll his eyes.

“Mo-om! It wasn’t my fault!” he objected.

Stephanie couldn’t help it; she had to laugh. “I know, kiddo,” she assured. “Besides, you’re a boy, you’re allowed to get dirty. But I still want to know how, exactly, you managed to cover not only your clothes, but half your head with mud and dirt.”

“We were just exploring,” Charlie admitted. “You know the big dirt pile down the road from Foxx’s house? Well, that was the desert and we needed to cross it.”

“I see,” Stephanie said, smiling as she learned more about her son’s imagination. “Did you run into any snakes or spiders or hostile natives?”

“Yeah!” Charlie agreed, nearly bouncing in his seat. “We got a grant from Indiana Jones University to look for an ancient hidden treasure in the middle of the desert. We knew it would be a dangerous mission, but we were the only ones who could do it…”

Stephanie’s eyes twinkled and her shoulders shook with silent laughter as Charlie related the tales of danger, excitement and daring-do as he and Foxx had fought off the man-eating natives and their mind-controlled animals, eaten disgusting food, found the treasure and decided they really didn’t need to save the girl because “girls are gross.”

“You didn’t think Marnie Peterson was gross,” Stephanie teased.

Charlie looked shocked for a moment before answering, “Marnie’s not a girl!”

“Oh, then what is she?” Stephanie asked, glancing in the mirror again to catch sight of Charlie’s face.

“She’s my friend,” he finally stated.

Choking back a laugh, Stephanie simply replied, “Ah. I see.”

After a few minutes of silence, Charlie asked, “Is Mr. Ranger going to eat with us tonight?”

Stephanie’s eyes flew to the rear-view mirror, hoping to catch Charlie’s expression. She must have missed it. “Yes. Bob is too. In fact, Bob is cooking for everyone.”

“Yum!” Charlie responded. “He makes the best desserts.”

“That he does,” Stephanie agreed. He never made the sugar-laden treats her mom used to, but Bob’s desserts were always good. “Why did you need to know if Ranger was going to be there?” she asked.

“I want to ask him if was in the army or not. They have Rangers, you know,” Charlie informed wisely.

“And why would it matter if he was in the army or not?”

“Well, after we got the artifact and defeated all the bad guys, we started playing with some army men and I need to know what sort of stuff I can do with them.”

“Ah, I see,” Stephanie answered, shaking her head slightly in amusement.

“And I wanted to make sure he wasn’t going to get all kissy with you like Foxx’s dad did with his mom when he came home tonight. It was disgusting.”

Stephanie laughed out loud at the description, remembering a time in her own childhood when she felt the same way. “Oh, I don’t know. I don’t think I’d mind too much,” she replied.

“Mom!” Charlie called in horror. “That’s just gross!” he chided, looking thoroughly disgusted.

Stephanie laughed, relieved that Charlie seemed to accept Ranger. There were still some issues they needed to talk through, but she was certain they could work them out. And if what Merry said was true, there were bound to be a few bumps in the road with Charlie if she and Ranger decided to pursue their relationship after their current problem was all wrapped up.

Thoughts of the reason Ranger was there in the first place quickly chased away the warm, amused feelings her banter with Charlie had created.

It was probably that change in her thoughts that caused her to recognize the face of the person driving in the opposite direction.

She mouthed a curse, having learned early on not to curse aloud. “Charlie, I just saw someone I was researching for Ranger and Bob. Could you grab my cell phone and call Bob. I need to know if he wants me to follow this person or not. I'm going to be following him until Bob says otherwise, OK?”

“Sure, Mom,” Charlie said, a note of excitement in his voice at the thought of tailing someone and helping out his mom. Turning the phone on, he quickly dialed Bob's number.

“Yo,” Bob greeted.

“Uncle Bob,” Charlie said.

“What's up, Charlie?”

“Mom saw someone she was researching for you. We turned around and are following him right now. She wants to know if you want us to keep following or not,” Charlie informed.

“Can you put your mom on the phone?” Bob asked.

“No,” Charlie replied. “You know she won't talk on the cellphone while driving unless she has her blue tooth, and she doesn't have that in.”

“OK,” Bob replied. “Can you find out the name of the person?”

“Sure,” Charlie assured. “Hey, Mom? What's the name of the guy you saw?”

“Jasper Clinton,” Stephanie replied. “Tell Bob I'm not going to approach.”

“Jasper Clinton,” Charlie relayed. He pulled the phone away from his ear as he heard Bob curse. “You shouldn't talk like that,” he advised when his neighbor. “It's not polite and Mom says it's not for young ears.”

“Sorry,” Bob apologized. “Tell your mom to just let him go. We'll catch up to him later.”

“OK,” Charlie agreed. “Is that all?”

“Yeah, kid. That's it for now,” Bob assured. “Hurry home so we can have dinner. It's going to be grilled marinated chicken, salad, rolls and homemade shortbread for dessert.”

“Yes!” Charlie exclaimed. “See you soon,” he said as he ended the call.

“Well?” Stephanie asked.

“He said to go home. We're having his marinated chicken, rolls, salad and shortbread for dessert,” he informed.

“One Bob special dinner coming up,” Stephanie said, a smile evident in her voice. “Maybe he'll let us have some shortbread before dinner.”

“Yes! I sure hope so.”

To be continued in Part 24: 057. Power

Recipes

Scotch Shortbread (makes 24 or more)

Ingredients:
1 Cup butter
½ Cup confectioners' or light brown sugar
2 cups bread flour
¼ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt.
Instructions:

Place butter in mixing bowl, add sugar gradually, add flour sifted with baking powder and salt. Roll 1/3 inch thick (a little less than 1cm), cut out in squares or rounds, prick with fork and decorate if desired.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes in moderate oven (350-degrees F) or until delicately brown

Chicken Marinade (for 4 breasts)
(Note: the amazing thing about using the marinade and then grilling is that my father and one of my sisters, who can't stand chicken, ask for seconds)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup soybean oil (I've substituted corn oil, vegetable oil and canola oil without a problem)
3/4 cup white wine
1/2 cup diced onion
1 tsp celery salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder (I've also used garlic salt and fresh garlic)
1/2 tsp thyme
1 tsp fresh rosemary
1/2 tsp fresh taragon
1 tsp salt

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients. Place chicken in marinade. Allow to sit 2 hours or overnight. Grill.

(Note: you can do this in a bowl, a plastic container, a plastic bag, etc. )

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