8.5

'I am not making baseless accusations, just look at him, he is eating an apple right now, the same fruit from what the poison was made from.'

'How did they die?'

'Why do you care now, do you want to gloat over their demise?'

'Why are you so evil and angry all the time, Julia?'

'Do not mind her, I will tell you Mr Jack Peterson were all poisoned with cyanide, which is found in apple seeds, the person delivered a gift full of cupcakes to them, which they all ate without knowing that it would be their last.'

'Hah, he actually did it.'

'He, who?'

'I told you Susan, he knows something, spit it out or else I will tell police!'

Jack, felt cold sweat forming in his forehead, his heart started beating faster, his breathing started to become constricted, the sun seemed to be brighter than ever, actually starting to hurt his eyes, his stomach started cramping up, his ears started ringing, his body started hurting, he looked at Julia and Susan who seemed to be talking to him but he heard nothing, their mouths were moving but no sound came out.

'Jack are you alright?' she took his hands and rubbed then together.

'Uhmm, hello!, what are you doing Susan, get away from him, otherwise you will get whatever he has.'

She then placed her hand on his forehead.

'Oh my God!, you are touching his face, you are definitely catch it now.'

'His cold'

'Yes, that is because he is broken or busy dying, get away from, I say!'

Susan ran her hand gently down his cheek, finally Jack came to and stared straight into Susan's emerald green eyes, he took her hand and lightly stoked it with his thumb and the two drifted into their own new world, until they were given a rude awaking by the Amazonian warrior and over protective sister Julia, who pushed Jack away like a feather that is lighter then usual.

'What nonsense is this?' clinching her ribs cage once again.'

'Jack, are you okay, Julia why did you do that?'

'Because he has infected you!'

'NO!, with what?'

'With whatever he has got.'

'You know, you are really mean sometimes.'

'What did you say to me?'

'I said that, you can really be mean sometime and that too would not surprise me, if you turn out just like him, that person.'

'You…You..', Julia's voice suddenly became jittery and her eyes started to tear up, 'How dare you compare me to that thing and are you really choosing him over me?'

There was a moment of silence, Susan just continued to stare at the ground.

'Fine then, I will leave you two alone, since I am obviously not welcome here.'

She packed up her lunch and hoppled away.

'Forgive her, I do not know why she is acting like this all of a sudden.'

'I have never seen Julia cry before, whatever you said really cut deep.' Jack felt his own chest as if he was the one who got hurt.

'I know, I went too far but she deserved it.'

'Did she really, I feel that she is afraid of losing her sister, just ask yourself, how many times did you speak to her when we first arrived here, it was like you completely forgot about her.'

'Is she jealous of you, no way?'

'Why are you saying it like I am nothing?'

'No I do not mean it that way, I am just saying that she will always be my sister no one could ever replace her.'

'Do not tell me that, go to your sister, even I hate mine sometimes but we only get one, or in some peoples case fourteen to fifteen.'

'What about you?'

'What about me, do I look so fragile?'

'Yes'

'Just go.'

Susan touched his cheek gently, smiled and went after her sister, as for Jack he laid down the cushioned the back of his head with his arms, crossed his legs and gazed at the blue sky with a little grin on his face.

'Ello, Ello, Ello, looks like someone is floating on cloud nine.'

Jack heart stopped for a second, then it started beating like a wild a squirrel on crystal meth, an inevitable smile grew on his face, he shot up into a seated position faster than Dracula rising out of his coffin after smelling a mosquitoes full of blood.

'Elizabeth!'

'Jack!, why are we shouting each others names?'

'So you finally decide to show your face,' he turn his head to face his once dear, still is, dear friend, he tried to look at her face but his eyes could not but to be drew to one specific area, which seemed a little larger than the last time they saw each other, 'could I ask you a question?'

'Sure, go ahead.'

'Is your aunt still in town?'

'Yes'

'And what has she been feeding you?'

'Normal food, well, she has increased my milk in take, she says that it will help me grow.'

'Yes, you have grown quite a bit, I mean you have grown taller.'

'You think so, is it not bad?'

'No, it is not bad at all, trust me.'

'Why are you nodding like that and what is with the smile?'

'Can't a young adolescent boy be happy to see an old friend, so what do, I owe this pleasure if it is anything related to money, just know that I have none.'

'No, I do not want any of your money, I was just wondering, since you know my father like has the habit of over packing my lunch tin, I was wondering if you would like to have this chocolate muffin, with strawberry frosting, finished off with peppermint leaves, I thought to myself, I do not like sweet treats but I know someone, who does, and that is why I am here.'

'Oh, I thought it was your guilt for not visiting us.'

'Really, Jack why do you have to be such a child sometimes and for your information, I was there, to take Sir C.J some apples seeds, he really wanted them for some reason, do you think that it could be linked to the Phil family incident.'

'Do not be ridiculous, where is that delicious muffin you brought me, you know how I love your father's baking.'

Jack cupped his hands together, trying to seem as humble as one could be and gestured to her lunch tin, Elizabeth open her lunch tin, which seemed a lot more fancy then her first dirty one, then she looked around and closed it again, scratching the back of her hand, then she opened it again, Jack lean into to get a sneak peek of it but she close it again and started chasing away imaginary flies, his mouth dropped and started to with draw his hands, this display of childlike impatience brought a little amusement to Elizabeth but in the end she gave in and opened her lunch tin, taking out a muffin, with golden casted sugar drizzled over it, it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

'So, do you still want it?' she held it above his eye level.

Jack nodded like a dog, who is use to nothing.

'Here you go, my dear friend.'

Jack could not stand that this most desirable treat was sitting in his hand for so long without being eaten, so just like the first time, he ruthlessly disemboweled the poor muffin, rapper and all.

'Jack, wait, the wrapper was still intact.' But it was too late, by the time she tried to save him from possible digestion problems, he had already chewed and swallowed.

'Amazing, absolutely amazing, what does your father put in these things.'

'Love, my God sir, you are an animal and I am really going to miss that.'

'I am going to miss you too.'

'No, do not start again, I thought we discussed this.'

'No, don't you start too, you are starting to sound just like him.'

'You must write to me.', she narrowed her eyes at him, the same way she did before he got beat up.

'Yes, of course it is not like you giving me much of a choice.'

'Good'

'Will you write to me?'

'If and when I feel like it.'

'That is unfair.'

'I am becoming a young woman now, I can do whatever I want, as a woman I hold the world in the palm of my hands.'

'Good for you, I am glad you realised that.'

The two sat in silence, watching the other snot nosed, dirty faced, simple minded, illiterate, mentally constipated kids play with each other until recess ended.

Jack left school elated after his brief encounter with Elizabeth, when he arrived on the work scene he was astonished by how many people were lining outside the shop, waiting eagerly to buy something from the bakery, so he decided to take the back entrance, he jumped over the wooden fence and walked up the stairs into the kitchen, where he was greeted by friendly giants, who even though they were baking frantically, took the time to say 'hi', and shake his hand.

'Hello, Jack!, Waldo's voice powered through the ruckus.

'Hello sir.'

'Welcome, how was your day at school, hopefully not as stressful as this?'

'It was fine.'

'Great.', Finally Waldo emerged from the ocean of baking Spartans, like a legendary Greek God, his arms stretched out wide, a blast of flowered going off behind him, made him look like the epitome of confidence and power, Jack took a few steps back, for his arms were still stretched out as if he was going to hug him, if he was he would crush him into saw dust.

'So, how about you get changed and meet me out side.'

'Sure thing Sir, Just give me a minute.'

'Sir?'

'Sorry, I mean Waldo.'

'And one more thing do not apologise so much it is a sign of weakness.'

Jack looked around at the other bakers for reassurance and confirmation, they were all nodding in unison

'Yes, dear Jack man, here we will teach you how to be a real man, now go and change, and wait, I just realised something, we also need to put some muscle on those noodles arms of yours, good for you and the ladies, Yes, Yes.'

'Yes, Waldo, but where am I going to get the time to put on some muscle.'

'Ai, time, that is everyone's problem.' Waldo do stroked his thick manly beard before he answered, 'Aah, yes, I will close shop, forty five minutes to an hour earlier, so then we all can exercise.'

'We?'

'Yes, we, all of us here enjoy the pump, it is what we live, is that not right men, "vension tension."'

'Ya!, vension tension!', everyone in the bakery roared, sounding like a bunch of Vikings about to slaughter an entire village.'

'"Vension, tension"'

'Yes, it means, whatever you do, go all out and do it well.'

' "Vension, tension," , I like it, it will be my new motto.'

'Good, now go, we have chit chatted long enough, we have lots of work waiting for us.'

Not saying another word, Jack spend off, changed quicker then ever a new record time for him thanks to his newly found motivation, exited the store room ran down stairs to find for barrels waiting for him and Waldo with two big knifes in his hand.

'Amazing, you showed up, quicker, than I hand expected.'

'Yes, vension, tension.'

'Good'

Waldo, took his knife and jammed it straight into the center, then lifting the lid off with one mighty tuck.

'Good lord, how does one become so strong?'

'From the pump my friend, which you will experience on Friday, there is nothing better then the pump, why are we talking so much today, come let us start.' Waldo headed to the other barrels and opened them in the similar strong men fashion.

'Us'

'Yes, Us, I know that you work quite fast but this many barrels are too much for you to handle alone and besides, I really need ready to take a break from that hustle and bustle that is going on there, it has been going like this since this morning I do not know what Arnold and James throw in their dough and jam but it seems like people cannot get enough.'

Jack wanted to give his introspection on the subject but unfortunately he has not been properly introduced to everyone as of yet.

'Say Jack man, did you hear want happened to that doctor named Phil and his family, really tragic.'

'Why does everyone care about that man so much, what was he a god?'

'No, I just find it strange?'

'What was strange?'

'The manner in which he died, the poison they used to kill him, this person was a very smart one don't you think?'

Jack felt his heart pounding, his hands started going numb, 'Yes, but I really do not care, all he ever did was spread rumors about me?'

'Well that would give you a motive to kill him, would it not?'

'I do not think so, do you think I killed him?'

'You were the one to ask me for the apple seed if I recall correctly?'

Jack's heart started slow down and a sense of confidence over took him, 'Yes, I did kill him, I grinned up the seeds, made it just fine enough so it looked like custard sugar, dusted it over their cupcakes and delivered it personally, I deeply regret not being able to watch that filthy pig choked on his own foaming saliva, how he must have been gasping for air in his final moments and also watching his family suffer too, what a tragic end , as if the death was not bad enough.'

Waldo stared at him for a while, gripping his knife tighter, then bursting into a Santa clause like laughter, 'My,you are quite a good actor, you should be in theatre and not working in a bakery, I must say you did scare me for a little there though.'

'Thank you, I have always been told that I have a talent for acting.'

'What a monologue, good grief, you actually gave me goose bumps, let us finish.'

Jack let out a sigh of relief, as if a burden was lifted off his shoulder after his half true confession, he watched Waldo stick his polar bear paw in the water and grab five apricots simultaneously, cutting them all in half with one single push of the knife.

'Are you just going to stare at me or are you going to work?'

'I am, just admiring your skill and strength.'

'Do not worry about that, you will get here eventually just focus on what you can do now.'

After a competitive interval of a recently invented game by two man, Waldo finally decided to call it quits.

'Phew', he said running his fore arm across his forehead, 'What a day, we manage to smash all the fruits in the barrels, with some time to spare, I am even surprised that you were able to keep up with me, even with all my experience in working in this flied, who has been doing this since he was a little skinny boy.'

'You skinny, never.'

'Yes, I was not always like this, until father decide one morning to make me and Arnold earn our breakfast by waking us up, before sun rise and making us do, push up, sit ups, pull ups, dips, squats and dead lifts with chicken feed, eventually we started making our own things, bench press, squat rack and a pull downs using chicken feed as weight.'

'Arnold was always with you?'

'Yes, we are pretty inseparable, his family died when he was six and he came to live with us, ever since then we were like brothers, partners in crime, even though we bare no relation, mother and father loved us both the same, enough of the sobby stories let's head in, it is almost time for you to go home.'

'And these fruits?'

'I will get some of the guys to get it, this is the fun thing about being a boss.'

The two men, or should a say one man and a boy dried their hands off on their aprons and headed in the shop, only two discover that all the men has already stopped working, they had already clean the kitchen and packed everything away, now they were just chilling with their feet on the table drinking a cold one, Arnold hand not one but two beers in his hands and a cigar in his mouth.

'Oi, you bloody lazy bags of bones, why am I not seeing anyone working, it is not closing time yet.'

'Come on, Dildo…'

'Do not call me that Arnold.'

'I mean Wallie, we sold out all the stock even the flavoured beer, is gone and we even managed to sell, James's Jam, which is in itself a bloody miracle.'

'Go to hell Arnold.'

'Calm down there James, you might wet yourself out of excitement.'

All the men snickered as for Jack, he was dumb struck, he did not know why these man were snickering like naughty school boys.'

'Arnold, Keep them clean please, we still have an innocent one among us.'

'Alright father Waldo, grab yourself a drink.' he took one from the crate and tossed to Waldo.'

Arnold: He was bruiting man, he had no beard like Waldo but oozing testosterone, he was slightly smaller than Waldo, and more tanned them him, vaguely handsome but definitely a play boy.'

'Yes, Jack man, do you want one?'

'Don't be crazy, do you want his mother to come and kill us?'

'Just joking, Waldo, hey, James, grab the boy a milk.'

James: Blue eyed and blonde, strong built but not as muscular as Waldo and Arnold, his faced was chisel to perfection and had a very friendly smile but was a little introverted since he was the only one with a book in his hand, he was definitely the inspiration for Hitler's aryan race.'

'Here you go, Jack man.'

'Thank you James.'

'May I ask you a question?'

'Yes.'

'Everyone is quiet, Jack man, is about to ask old Jamesie a question.'

Arnold hashed the other man down, 'Make sure you speak loud enough so all of us can hear.'

'Uhm, I was just wondering, if you were married or have a girlfriend.'

'No, I do not, why?'

'I was just wondering if you would consider marrying my mother.'

James grabbed his chest as if he was about to suffer a heart attack, the rest of the man gasped and Arnold leaned towards James with a big smile on his face.

'Wooow, slow your horses Jack man, I still have a lot of stuff to do as a young bachelor, I have not even thought about getting married yet.'

'What do you have to lose, you can still read when you married, plus you will have someone who will actually like you.'

'Shut up!, Arnold, if you care so much, why don't you marry his mother.'

'I would but I have never been a one woman kind of guy, this stallion cannot be tamed, it must run free and taste all kinds of meadow and waters.'

'I thought so, all bark and no bite.'

'Alright boys settle down.' Waldo clapped his giant hands together, causing a sound so loud, one could swear a gun shots just went off.'

'Jack', Waldo pulled him to the side, 'Is your mother not married'

'Yes, she is.'

'Then why ask such a question?'

'Because just for fun and James seems to me like the most eligible bachelor.'

'Next time, just keep these sort of things to yourself, these are not men but lions, now drink up, for it is almost time for you to go home.'

'Should I drink this whole liter?'

'The boy wants to know if he should drink the whole bottle?', Arnold announced.

'Do you want to drink the whole bottle?'

'Arnold'

'No, wait, Wallie, let him decide?'

'Yes, I would.'

'The boy will drink it all!.'

'Yeah!', the men shouted

Arnold took the bottle from and popped the metal cap open with his eye, Jack stared in awe at this little party trick of Arnold.

'Noble'

'Here you go Jack man, jug this down like the little drop it is.'

Jack took the bottle, tilted his head backwards and poured the milk down his throat, as you know Jack is a ferocious eater so drinking this much was no big deal to him, he raised the bottle higher and lower multiple times to display a sense of style and finesse while executing this measly task, after he had emptied the bottle he slammed it down on the table, burped, then wiped off the remaining milk, everyone at him in silence before then went ballistic, slamming there beer bottles together, almost splashing it all over the floor and table, high fiving each other, pouring beer in each other's mouths, arm wrestling started to happen, as for Waldo he chose to stand in the corner and watch the barbarians from a distance.

'Wait, wait, comrades, we still have not made a toast to Jack man a new brother, TO JACK!'

'TO JACK!', all the man threw the beer down their throats.

'Come it is getting late, I will walk you half way, go get your stuff and meet me down stairs in the shop, otherwise you will never leave this place.'

'Okay.'

Jack went to change back into his school uniform, this time he took a little longer, for he was such a perfectionist when it came to his uniform, after taking about fifteen minutes, he finally approved himself worthy of being seen by the public eye, he walk through the kitchen and all the man were still hammering down beer hard, he managed to pass by then without being drench by the splashing beers, he head down stairs where he met Waldo, who had a small bag in his hand.

'Finally, I almost thought we are going to leave at midnight.'

'No, it just takes me longer to put on my school clothes for some reason.'

'I understand, a man has to look good after all, here, I packed some Jam and the last leftover bread, you and your family could enjoy it tonight.'

'Thanks, let us go.'

Waldo, walked over to the door unlocked it, and held it open for Jack to pass through, as he walked out the door, Jack could not feel any safer as for what unholy entity might decide to appear, it will only meet its doom.

'Do you think, the men would be able to work tomorrow?'

'Yes, they will, despite their drinking and barbaric demeanor, they are very strict when it comes to their sleeping patterns, by nine O'clock tonight, they all will be sleeping and up and baking by four tomorrow morning.'

'Really, that is amazing.'

'Yes, it is, well here we are, I do apologise, that I cannot go any further, but I have to go back, who knows what those man would do if left unsupervised.'

'Thank you Waldo.'

'It is fine, can you at least see your house from here?'

'Yes, it is the one with the missing front wall and looking so morbid.'

'Well, we could come fix it on Sunday if you want?'

'You would, but what about the shop.'

'We close early on a Sunday due to religious reasons.'

'One cannot go against religion, I will be off, now bye.'

Jack began his short walk home, peering back every few seconds to see if Waldo was still there, and he was there, until Jack had his on foot in the front door, Jack looked back waved good bye and gave him two thumbs up before he left.

When entered the house he almost felt like was in the wrong house, for all the lamps were burning out but for flimsy candle stick which mother hated.

'Has sold the house to monks and left without telling me, I would not be surprised if they did, father properly forced mother against her own will or maybe he is dead and mother is burning these in mourning, and who said that this day could not get any better?'

'Hello, is anyone here, if you are monks, I am a fully pledged christian and I am not a racist…'

He heard some shuffling coming from one of the room but he was ready for anything, if he faced any problem he is running straight to Waldo and Arnold.'

'Jack, why are you home so late, are you hungry, your food is in the oven, wait I shall get it for you.'

His mother was talking oddly soft which was definitely not in her nature.

'Mother, what is going on, is father dead, I can't believe that this day is turning out so magical, I believe mother, I believe in Santa Claus, I believe!', Jack place both his hands on his chest and stared at the ceiling.

Feeling a great urge to pop her sun in the mouth but then opted for the arms instead

'Ouch, what was that for?'

'For saying such vile things, what has gotten into you?'

'I was drinking, with real men.'

'You were drinking!'

Even though it was dark and hard to navigate around the house, Jack could see the hell fire burning in his mother's eyes.

'Calm down mother we were drinking milk, my boss Waldo gifted you with freshly baked bread made by the loving hands of Arnold and James, Aka Jams, that is what we call him(no one calls him that.)'

'Who is Arnold?'

'The guy, I work with, well I would not say I work with him since he is on a different level then me, he is a baker and I am a fruit washer and chopper to make all the jams and flavoured beers, I know it sounds like a bigger title and I should earn more money but it is not, basically we work at the same place but not together and not on the same level.'

His mother stared at him with a blank expression, wondering to herself if this is really her son, or had someone switch them at birth, this would explain the pale complexion and the eccentric behavior.

'A work colleague?'

'Yes, mother that is the word I was looking for, 'work colleague', how did you know that, are you reading my mind, get out of my mind women!'

'Colleague', and quiet down, since when do you have a job.'

'Since Monday.'

'How and where?'

'On Saturday I decide that I have had enough of wasting my time, lying around at home while you slave away, so I strapped on my Sunday best and walked into town, the minute I arrived at the square, managers and bosses came running to me, wanting to give me a job, some even offered me eighty percent of their business shares, just so I could come work for them but you know me, I have to start from the bottom and earn my way to the top, as you know an early rise equals an early fall.'

His mother slapped her palm against her forehead, 'Jack please this time, the truth or else you will burn in hell forever.'

'Jeez mother, do you have to be such a vibe killer, you cannot let your son have a little spot light shine on him but for all those sensitive viewers I will tell you the truth.'

'I hope so.'

'Mother, I really searched hard for a job, I went from place to place looking for vacancies but everyone dined me, either I was too young or I was too different, I believe that is all thanks to our dear uncle Phil, may his soul burn in hell for eternity.

'Jack!'

'Sorry mother but you wanted the truth and I shall speak it in front of you today, I will speak it until my heart's content, I say it like blood from a dragon heart in the ocean, the dead sea, rising from it the leviathan of truth.'

'Back to the story, please.'

'Yes, so I went to sit down at the fountain, in the middle, it is that thing where the water comes out from the middle.'

'I know what it is, but please just tell it is as it was.' his mother placed four fingers on the side of her temples and started massaging them.

'There, I was a boy, who set out miles from home, travelled days and night by foot in order to his provide his family with something to eat.'

His mother ripped off her shawl, hit him with it a couple of times, threw it on the ground stumped on it as if she was killing a bug, then just started easing into a soft laughter.

'You know…you know what just tell it however you like my son, because I really do not know anymore.'

His mother then, lower herself down on to the floor crossed her legs like a child in kindergarten at story time and watched her son tell or perform his story.

'And there I was, a delocalized boy, sitting in the edge of the fountain, which nothing but the rippling water for company, then from nowhere a strong deep voice called from above me, I looked around anxiously, to see where it was coming from but no one was looking at me, I closed my eyes and asked

"God is that you?"

To which the voice replied, "No look in front of you."

I turned my head and saw a monstrous man, who could be easily be mistaken for a wild bear but I had no fear of this man, I looked him straight in to his beastly eyes,

"Are you still looking for a job?"

The gigantic figure asked me, I replied with great sternness, to show that I shall not be exploited because I am young,

"Yes"

"Good show up at Olive's bakery on Monday, we could use a pair extra hands."

I took a few moments to reply for I did not want to seem like the desperate type, "fine"

The giant turned away then back again,

"What is your name?"

"Jack Peterson",

"Nice to meet you and mine is Waldo sch..."

Something then he walked away and that is how I got my job.

'Amazing, just wondering if some of those details are true, nevertheless, I am proud of you my son.'

'I am becoming a man now mother.' Jack placed his hands on his hips, striking some kind of power pose.

'Indeed, you are.'

'And when I do, just you wait and watch mother, I will make all your worries go away and fulfil every desire that you might have, this is my promise to you.'

'I am sure you will.' his mother got up from the ground, walked over to him, hugged him and kissed him lightly on the forehead.

'That is enough now old girl, would you like to taste some of the jam?'

'Yes I would.'

Jack took his mother's hand and led her to the dining table, pulled out a chair and sat her down.

'Mother, can I light an oil lamp?'

'No, just bring one off the candles from the front and put it in the center of the table.'

Jack sighed heavily before he subjugated himself to the command, he walked in to the living room, took a candle and put it down on the table, picked up his mother's shawl and draped it over her shoulders.'

'Be a good girl now and keep it on, while I make you a delicious jam sandwich.'

His mother just smiled and watch her son prepare her a late night snack.

'And done, the best jam sandwich you will ever have, take a bite.'

'No, not now, it is time for you to go to bed, it is very late.'

'Alright Mrs mother, I will do as you say.'

Jack gathered his stuff of the ground, his shoulder hunched, just as he was about to disappear into the darkness, his mother called out to him.

'Jack'

'Yes mother.'

'I am truly proud of you my son and the jam tastes wonderful, please do tell Arnold.'

'It is James mother, James makes the jams.'

'Then tell James'

'I will do so.'

'Good night and sweet dreams my son.'

'You too mother.'

His mother nodded and Jack continued his quest to dream land.

The following day after school, he ran up to their secret chill spot, faster than a cheetah with greased paws, ready to reprimand C.J for the deed he committed which took him completely by surprise and how dare he make him do all his dirty work, making him the perfect scape goat for the murder of a the family who spent their entire life making sure that Jack looked like the weirdo on the block, which would make him a number one suspect for he does have a clear motive to kill them and it would look like he actually cared what those gossip girls said behind his back, which obviously he did not.

He arrived on the seen all fired up, ready to deliver the scorching fire from his chest on to his victims face.

'You sick man, how could you ask me to deliver death to the Phil family, if anyone had seen me, I would have been in very big trouble, I would have been blamed, everyone knows that I did not like that family, giving me the perfect motive to kill them.'

'Shhhh!', Sir C.J turned around with his finger on his lips, then tippy toed over to Jack.

'Why are you so loud, they are listening and watching.'

'Who is watching and what are you looking for?

'What people, I am talking about the aliens, I tell you Jack, I always knew they existed, sometimes I can hear their little chipmunk voices echo through the night sky they are out there, they are out to get us, they want our brains and eyeballs, they are out there, I tell you!, he grabbed Jack by the chest and shook him back and forth, 'Aaah!', he covered his ears with hands the squatted down and started barking like a dog.

'C.J are you okay?'

Jack nervously stretched out his hand towards the berserk man, just when he was about to touch him, he shot up like a Jack in a box, standing as straight as a ruler.

'Yessss!, sergeant, 1,2,3,4, ready to engage in combat, what were we talking about again?'

'How you wanted to frame me for the murder of the Phil family.'

'Frame you!, no my dear Jackie boy, I wanted to show you what I am capable of and you too have to get your hands dirty, how do you think a partnerships works, you have to pay the deposit before you rent the house, hah you kids of today, you just want everything handed to you, without putting in some work.'

'But is that worth going to jail for?'

'I don't hear you complaining about room service around here, the food is great, by the way, have you had some of their peach gobbler?'

'What?'

'A little blue bird told me, that you regret that you could not see him, if I quote correctly, "See him choking on his own foaming saliva.", is that correct.?'

'How do you know that?'

'I am everywhere Jack, inside your house, at your school, at you work place, under your bed, even inside your toilet.'

'Inside my toilet, that is unsettling and downright pervy.'

'It was a metaphor, jeez, hormonal teens, cannot take a joke these days.'

'But how did you know that, that exact amount would kill them.'

'Aah, good question, you see back in the day, in my time in China, I was studying the art of traditional healing and medicine, I came a across a doctor, who was a grandmaster in making poisons and antidotes, so I studied under his wing for a few years, where he taught me how to make poisons out of everyday things and the big one was apples, it only takes 1.5 mg of cyanide to kill a human and an apple already contains 0.6 mg, so that is why you should never eat apple seeds, for a tree will grow in your stomach and you will die, always leaving the tree nice compost to feed off, that would be your body, so please don't try it at home, do it at a hospital where medical help is available.'

'That does sound like the responsible thing to do.'

'I mean why would you want to die at home, it is unnecessary, you want to lay there and stink up the house, also costing your family extra money for funeral arrangements and let me not mention the food prices going up like crazy, it would be plain rude and disgusting to die at home.'

'Tell me about it, yesterday, mother sent me to the shop to go and buy a bottle of milk when I got there and paid for it, the price went up a whole half a cent, I was dumb struck my ears could not believe it.'

'Severe robbery!, I tell you my good sir!, these are acts against God, pure Satanism, I do not know what the world has come to, people are eating their own toe nail clippings for Pete sake.'

'I do not think any human being would go to such drastic measures.'

'Hunger makes people do strange things Jack, just like money, I have seen things.'

'Mainly because you were one of them.'

'I do not like to reminisce about my past, I am here now and my mother would be proud.'

'Is your mother still alive?'

'Why do you want to marry her off too?'

'How do you know about that?'

'I told you Jack, I am everywhere even inside your head or mind, which one sounds better?'

'I think I would go for brain?'

'Mind it is.'

'You are weird.'

'Hey!, I am A-grade creep, limited edition.'

'That is for sure.'

Friday could not arrive any faster for today after work he was going to experience the thing that everyone in the bakery could not talk enough about, the pump, yes today he is going to acquire the fundamental and most basic men skill and that is strength, Jack packed his back pack but did not pack anything for the pump, he was going to do it shirtless, because that is how they properly do it, like a real men, also giving him the chance of showing of the single little chest hair, perfectly centered in the middle, he ran out of his room grabbed a slice of bread, and headed out but just before he left he was stopped by his mother.

'Jack, what did you say the name is of the place you work at?'

'Olive's Bakery.'

'Alright, see you later.'

Jack left his house, thinking that if he walks faster to school and does everything faster throughout the day the time would go fast too.

When he arrived at school, he went to his usual spot to wait for Susan and Julia, he waited and waited and waited, even took a look at his watch, which he drew on himself.

'Would you look at the time, I wonder where they could be.'

Finally Julia arrived but no Susan, this kind of deterred him for now he is not obligated to chill with Julia, he can simply escape but his conscious did not agree to this, so he and himself engaged in a heated debate of why he should leave Julia alone and avoid her at all cost so she could develop a sense of independence, before his brain could reach a verdict, the amazon warrior had already descended upon him, leaving him no choice but to accept the cruelty of life.

'Good morning Jack.', She put her hand on his shoulder.

Jack got such a fright from the sudden impact he felt, that he released a silent but deadly, fortunately for Julia the wind was blowing in the opposite direction from her, otherwise, if she had caught a whiff of it, she was going to stuff an acorn straight up his prostrate.

'Did you hear anything or smell anything?'

'No.'

'Good, Good morning.'

'Up to your shenanigans again, so early this morning?'

'What shenanigans are you referring to this time, if you must know, I was deliberating something very important with myself.'

'Like what?'

Jack thought long and hard about the subject he was going to engage her with, but really did not want to hear her voice for a long period of time, so he had to think of something that she was unfamiliar with.

'The pump'

'The pump?'

'Yes, it is a man thing, it is something a girl of your age would not understand.'

Little did he know, that Julia and her father knew all about the pump, hence Mr Gibson's athletic size, she and her father powerlift on the good days and she also has a read all the books on gaining strength and muscle, so she was a little bit of an expert in the field which Jack has recently discovered.

'You are beginner?'

'No, I have been going at it for a few months now?'

'Of course you have, what do you do general body building or powerlifting?'

'A bit of both, once it gets into your blood it is difficult to get out, when the blood is pumping and the beast is unleashed, ready to rip apart anything in its path, it is dangerous to lift with me, because I leave everything all on the table, either you going to stop lifting or I am going to lift, until I die.'

'My, I will be sure to make a mental note of that, what do you feel it the most sufficient way of muscle building muscle drop set or one set till failure?'

'Whatever works best, you know I do not like routine, so whenever I get in there, I like to alternate between the two.'

'Which do you prefer the seated squat or the floor push up squat?' Julia asked with a little smirk.

'You know, I don't like to do those techniques because, they do not work for me, do not get me wrong, I really respect those old techniques but I like to bring my own spice to the table.

'Old techniques!, you say?'

'Yes, of course you would not understand, just look at you.'

'Yes, what do I know, I am just a girl, still wet behind the ears.'

'I am glad you finally realised this, I was starting to think that you were a lost cause for a moment.'

Julia bit her bottom lip hard, drawing a little blood.

'But fortunately for you, I am here to lead you out of the darkness of ignorance and lack of education, for I am going to enlighten you on the intricacies of muscle building and strength, I would like to say all the information that you are about to receive, is scientifically proven by yours truly, since I myself had spent time in the sweat pit with my bros, fellow muscle enthusiasts.'

'Sweat pit?'

'Yes, that is where we men turn from human into gods, best therapy you can get, iron therapy.'

'You were saying something about techniques?'

'Yes, I can see, you properly have been reading all those old stone tablets and listening to all the rumors on muscle building from these simple minded villagers, but I am here to tell you, that is all utter rubbish, you must forget that crap and listen to the truth and I have the truth.'

'Utter rubbish?'

'They do not know, what they are talking about, who is, they, they do not even know, who they are!'

Julia placed her hand over her mouth, so he cannot see her laugh.

'I…see'

'As I was saying , those techniques you mentioned earlier what are they again.'

''Uhmmm, I honestly can't remember.'

'You see, what I mean, they are so old you can't even remember them, but I am here to change that today, I am your future and tomorrow is yesterday, applause.'

Julia applaud full heartedly, giving Jack even more confidence to perform and make a bigger fool out of himself, exactly what she wanted.

'O!, please Mr Jack Petersen, do enlighten me, with your universal and unfathomable knowledge you possess.'

'Do not worry child, I am here now, when I am near there is no reason to fear, except for spiders, those things are really unpredictable.'

'I know right.'

'Focus, focus, back to me, I am the star here and not some spider.'

'Forgive me, oh wise one, please carry on.'

'Yes, as I was saying, those techniques, which you spoke of are of no use in today's modern world, what I prefer is a movement which I had develop recently, it is called the one leg dip squat.'

'The what..' rubbed her ears to make sure she heard correctly.

'The one leg dip squat.'

'Sounds really advance.' Julia said covering her face with her shawl, for a little snicker.'

'No, no, not at all this technique or movement really helps you to overload the ankle and get the maximum result, just look at this.'

He sat down on the ground and whipped it out right there, pulling down his socks, with great pride, (for some reason the boy was really proud of his ankles), exposing his pale little rat ankle.'

'Oh, my you can really see the ankle.'

'Not only that but you can also see the definition around it, sculpted like a true master.'

'Yes.., Ahmm.., I do'

'Let me just say this did not happen after a day or two, even with my superior genetics, it actually took months and hours of hard work and determination.'

'Do you think…I…I', Julia coughed to disguise her urge to laugh, 'Could reach your level of some day?'

'I do not want to give you any false hopes, so I will not guarantee that you will reach my exact level one day or ever but I am pretty sure you will come close, with constant hard work.'

Julia could not anymore, knowing that Jack had been speaking absolute rubbish and still have to keep a straight face while asking questions proved too much for herself-discipline, she broke out into a literal, 'LOL', echoing through the school ground like a thunder storm in the desert falling on her behind in the process.

Jack examined her and replaying their recent conversation in his head so he could spot the Joke or punchline, which resulted in this outrageous laughter.

'Uhm.., excuse me Julia, can you please explain what is so funny I would like to laugh too.'

'I….I…,' Julia could hardly speak, because every time she looked at his face, it would trigger her funny bones, finally she regained composure, 'I could not anymore.'

'You could anymore?'

Jack smiled not knowing why but just smiled.

'How could you keep a straight face like that, knowing that you were speaking absolute nonsense.'

'What are you talking about?'

'I am talking about all that muscle building things, you know made all of those things up just to get a kick out of me, I know you were just pretending.'

'No, I was not.'

'You were serious?'

Jack smiled faded slowly, his heart shattered and a cold breezing blowing through the crack making that whistling sound you are imagining right now.

Julia's laughing fits stopped her and the blood from her drained face and a feeling of guilt and real crappiness came over her, she had nothing to say, but just covered her face with her shawl peeping and Jack, who now looked like a broken down street dog, He got up dusted himself off, put his bag on and a brave smile too.

'Let us get to class before the bell rings, come I will carry your books for you.'

He stuck out his hand, pulled her up, causing her shawl to fall on the ground.

'My..'

'No, it is fine, I will pick it up.'

He picked it up and draped it over her shoulders.

'We cannot afford you getting sick again, can we?'

He smiled at her, then took her books under his arms and the two walked together to class and Julia seeing Jack in a totally different light since the first day she met him.

Recess bared its ugly head and Jack had to endure another whole thirty minutes with arch nemesis and one-sided rival Julia, who seems to think that he is nothing but a joke

'Good day, Jack, how was your class?'

'The usual, how about you?'

'Math, I solved all my problems and got them all right.'

'Good for you, let us celebrate by sitting in utter silence.'

The two sat in silence for a while, with nothing but the sound of Jack poking a leaf for entertainment.

'Julia?'

'Yes?'

'Where is Susan today?'

'Uhm..she is sick and fell and hurt herself.'

'So which one is it, is she sick or did she fall and hurt her hand or did she fall and hurt her hand while she was sick?'

'Number two..no three, yes.. number three, sounds about right.

Jack just grunted and continued his leaf poking, he did not bother to inquire any further, he is old now, he does not have time for their kiddies meal games, plus they do not even give good toys with those any more.

'Say Jack.'

'Jack'

'No man, what are you going to do after this?'

'I am going to get up, go to class, stare out the window and wait for my imagination to entertain me.'

Julia laughed a little and he smiled, for when Julia laughed she pulls a funny face like a cute small animal.

'No, let me rephrase that, what are you going to do after you are done with school?'

'Ah, that old age question, that society asks the youth, while they themselves do not or never accomplished, what they said they are going to themselves, all that political judgement aside, I honestly do not know but where I am now, I think I am pretty good, I will work at the bakery, get married cross my fingers and hope to die, right here where I was born and where I will stay doomed by my lineage and social status.'

'Is that all, I always expected something more grandiose from you?'

'Grandiose, from me, like what?'

'I expected you to say, I am going to leave this little town and travel the world, acting on every stage you can imagine, people coming from remote areas just to see me, return to this little town to share my knowledge with these simple minded country folk, while I write best-selling auto-biography of all time, which will be remember and worshiped in some countries long after I am dead.'

'Please stop with your childish and ridiculous dreams, this is where we were born and this is where we will be digested by the worms after we are dead.'

'Jack the train runs everyday, all you need to do is buy yourself a ticket to where ever you wish you to go.'

'I have no talent.'

'Yes, you do, even though you have a sickly looking body and a little snobbish you always make me and Susan laugh even though you do not mean to, just imagine how many people are sad right now, how many have sick and abusive mothers or fathers, whatever the case may be, they too would just like to laugh and forget their problems they are facing at home, just to escape and laugh for as long as they can before they have to return into the depths of hell, this world needs people like you Jack to give them joy, even if it is just for a little while.'

'You are the second person who said that to me.'

'Yes, because we believe in you, why do you not believe in yourself?'

'I do not know, just let it be, what are you going to do after you are done with school.'

'I am thinking of becoming a doctor or psychologist.'

'Admirable, looking to take over Phil's position and spread rumors about me, maybe you can add some spice and say I deal with witchcraft and negotiate with Elves or maybe I am one myself.'

'Only if I have no patients and bored.'

'I have one question for you?'

'Yes?'

'How are you going to treat other patients, while your family is always sick?'

'Shut up Jack.'

Julia took a piece of cheese from her lunch and threw it at him, Jack retaliated by taking a piece of his bread and returning fire, soon they were having a full out food fight bonanza, including grass, sand, acorns, moist bird poop with Julia carefully scooped up with a stick and lo it at Jack but lucky he had quick reflexes and dodged it, the fight went on for a brief intense moment before it was broken up by the sound of the bell.

Schooled ended and Jack took the liberty of escorting Julia half way before he went his own way to work, walking quickly and at a steady place motivated by the thought of becoming stronger them the Geek God Hercules, He arrived at the work venue, where the place seemed less busy then it was on Wednesday, which seemed like a good thing because he did not want everyone else to over work themselves before the real work began.

'Good Afternoon, everyone.' He greeted everyone with a big smile.

'Good Afternoon.' everyone said like a harmonized church choir.

'Someone is happy today.' James announced

'Why would he not be, he is getting paid today, so he will be a rich man, ready to blow his money on alcohol and women.'

'Not everyone is so careless like you Arnold.'

'Let us see for ourselves, hey…hey Jack man, that has a good ring to it, hey…hey Jack Man, why are you so happy to day?'

'Are we not doing the pump?'

'What is he talking about.' Arnold looked at James for an answer but he just shrugged, he looked at Lesley, who just entered and he suggested.

'Gang bang?'

Arnold turned to Jack, slightly distancing himself from Jack.

'Look here boy, I know, we all might seem close but not that close, we like women, you understand?'

'Okay, that is enough!', Waldo entered the room, dressed more classy then usual, 'Lesly, get back down stairs with your little dirty mind, Mario cannot handle all those people by himself, you are a cashier and not a baker.'

'Yes, Waldo.' Lesly left with immediate effect.

'And let me clear up the air before there are any more misunderstanding, the boy was talking about pumping iron.'

'Oh my, I knew, it was James who was getting the wrong ideas in his head, I told him so many time, to get out there, it is not good to bottle up all the testosterone.'

'I have no pretty words for you so I will rather keep my mouth shut and Jack, please include the word 'iron', next time before some of our minds run into a dark place, then blame someone else for it.'

'See, he is talking about himself in third person, that is not a good sign, a word of advice Jack man, whenever and may God forbid, whenever you find yourself alone with James, keep your butt against the wall at all times, it is for your own safety dear child.'

James did not respond verbally, just pointed a knife at Arnold.

'You see, watch your back.'

'Do not listen to these fools, go change quickly, because if you stay longer you might catch whatever they have.'

Jack obeyed and made his way to the store room but midway through his journey he remembered something of great importance which he just had to ask, he quickly return to his previous destination.

'Waldo!'

'Yes?'

'What is Gang bang?'

'I will tell you my dear son.'

'Quite!, Arnold.'

'Wallie, you have no right to deprive this boy from the basic knowledge which he needs to survive in this dark and horrid world.'

'You fired.'

'Oh, how I had hoped for this day to come, my prays have finally been answered, early Christmas miracle.', James said.

'You too, James.'

'But I did nothing.'

'Aahh, yes, the beauty of karma, you have to love it.', Arnold said, then sticking his tongue out at James.

'You two better start working or someone is really going to walk out that door.'

'Okay boss.' the two returned to their work without making another comment.

'And you, go get changed, you have wasted enough time with these two.'

'And…'

'And, Oh, that, listen Jack, there are somethings which you do not need to know, now go!'

'Yes, boss'

Jack left to get change and soon returned, went down the stairs to meet Waldo wondering what fruit, he would have the honours of slicing and dicing, he exited the door and into the yard, the yard looked somewhat different, with high barbwire fencing and large objects covered with a plastic sail.

'Welcome Jack, I see you have noticed the changes I have made.'

'Yes, but I cannot help but wonder what is under these sails?'

'Ahh, you and the other men too, but you will have to wait just like them.'

'Not even a little peek.'

'Nope.'

'But if I do not see it, I might die of anxiety or something equally or even more dangerous.'

'My.. you sound just like Arnold, my fears are coming true, you have been spending too much time in his company.'

'Only one barrel today?'

'Yes, only one, I thought since it is Friday and you will be working out, I might let you have it easy for today and only today, just do not tell the others.'

'I will not.'

'Begin, Vension, tension!', Waldo shout raising one fist in the air.

Jack began and Waldo went inside, working outside in the hot sun, makes minutes feel like hours, soon Waldo returned with a jug and two glasses.

'How are we holding up?'

'Fine, I am almost half way.'

'Good, how about you take a little break it is very hot today, I do not want you to get a heat stroke or faint on us, come and have some of James's famous orange infused lemonade, sweet and sour at the same time.'

'Orange infused?'

'Yes, this is one of the things that is selling like crazy today and the flavoured beer, they picking up too, at this rate I think that you might have to come tomorrow too, or even work throughout the night.'

'Throughout the night?'

'Just pulling your leg, when you done exercising today, you will not be able to get up tomorrow.'

Waldo, poured Jack a glass and handed it to him.

'Wait!, let me first check if it is clean, there has to be a reason, why it is selling like out cake, people are even willing to pay just for a glass of it.'

Waldo poured himself a glass and gulped it down in one mighty gulp, I highly doubt that it even touched his taste buds.

'Yes, it is good you may drink it.'

Jack took a little sip nervously, tasting its divine flavour, then he started drinking it quicker, then a vampire that has been on an intermediate fast.

'Delicious!'

'I know.'

'It tastes it so good, as if an angel came down from heaven and drooled on my tongue.'

'I would not describe it in that way, give me the knife.'

'No, it is fine, I am almost done.'

'Don't stress yourself, this is a once in a life time opportunity, besides I have nothing to do anyway, I have done all the needed accounts, Lesly and Mario are handling the cashier, Arnold and James are on baking duty and you are on wash and chop for jams, so I thought since you are the youngest and might get overworked easily, I might as well high- Jack, no pun intended, your duty if that is fine with you?'

'No problem.' Jack handed him the knife with great enthusiasm.

Waldo took the knife and continued his work.

'And remember, I want that barrel before the sun goes down.'

'Excuse me?'

'Sorry, may I ask a question?'

'Yes, go ahead.'

'Why did you decide to open up a bakery?'

'Hah…, I never thought about it in depth, I guess I just wanted an outlet, from the travelling prison, I suppose, it was fun in the beginning but after a while it just becomes routine, than its goes from passion to a house hold chore.'

'What did you do before this?'

'We were in the circus.'

'All of you?'

'Yes, Arnold and myself on the strong man act, James the ring Master, Lesly and Mario on the trapeze act.'

'Why?'

'The same reason, why all men leave home I guess, I wanted more, I could not see myself slaving away on a farm all my life and I wanted to see the world, so what better way to see the world then with the circus but as I said it becomes dull after a while.'

'But, why a bakery?'

'You could say luck, I suppose?'

'Luck?'

'Yes, when we, the circus came to London, I and the others went to a bar and had some drinks after another show, when a man named Oliver Evermore sat next to me, with what seemed like an old friend of his and they were discussing what they should do with his grandmothers bakery in this little town, he had no time to run it and his other relatives wanted nothing to do with it, so I asked him if he would like to sell it to me and he said yes, myself and the other men threw together our saving and we bought this shop, obviously Arnold did not contribute much but he is a fine baker.'

'Sounds like him.'

'And we are done or should be done.'

Waldo dried his hands off on the little towel and the sweat off his head, then took a peek at his pocket watch.

'Would you look at the time, it is already four O'clock, I think we can call it a day, we still need to get to the real work and let me tell you it is going to require you to give it your all, I bet the men are properly getting themselves ready for the show down, Jack if you do not mind, would you throw out the water and put the barrel, where the others is, while I go close up.'

'Yes, Waldo'

Waldo, took the basin with the fruit in side and started cleaning the place, it was not long after Waldo had left before temptation and curiosity started poking at Jack and his hands suddenly developed an itch, he looked over the at the cover objects, he could hear them calling out to him, 'Come take a looksy Jack, no one will see you, it is okay.', Jack resisted this sinister and unholy temptation obviously sent down by the almighty himself to test his self-will and perseverance, if he could withstand the forces of evil that want to take him off the straight path and on to the one that leads into the most unforgiving part of hell, the devil was sorely mistake because Jack was a church going, God fearing man, he was no ordinary servant of God, he was a good boy, so he snuck over to the one furthest from the door and out of the site of the windows and slowly lifted the cover but just as he was about unveil the deepest and most recent secret of the Olives' bakery yard, the men stepped out of the into the yard all of them wearing white shirt and striped spandex, which made Jack fell completely out of place, no told him he should wear a white shirt and spandex( he has neither), James walked over to him.

'Ready to become a real mam, Jack?'

'Yes, James'

'Look at the poor soul, he is completely excited?' said Mario.

'Aren't you all?' said Waldo, entering the scene wearing no vest, showing off his magnificently pumped chest, covered with the classic curly black hair, his stomach was flat, exposing perfectly symmetrical six pack, around his waist was a thick brown leather belt accompanied by a bucket filled with white powder in his left hand.'

'Hiiiiiissssss back!, watch out now, I do not know who is more excited here Jack-man or Wallie.'

'On thin ice, Arnold.'

Arnold raised both his hands in surrender.

'The time has come for the big reveal, are you ready!'

'Yeah!', the men shouted.

'I can't hear you?'

'Yeah!', the men roared louder than the first time, punching their fists in the air, all they needed now was swords and shield then they would be ready to go to war.

'Alrighty then.'

Waldo walked over the first covered item, laid his hand on the cover, the men were cracking the knuckles and moving their heads sided to side as if they were about to engage in some kind of brawl, Waldo ripped the cover of in one swoop.

'First up we have my personal favourite, the bench press.'

'We should have known.'

'Or as I like to call her Bench Pressca.'

'Next we have, pull down machine, or as Arnold calls her, Pulliana.'

Arnold whistled as if he was in a strip club and the other men applauded.

'Next we have old Jamie's, squat rack, with new and improved olympic bar, plates included.'

James, Looked around proudly and flexed his muscular legs.

'There she is James, the only women or should I say, thing that will ever love you.'

The yard rumbled with laughter.

'And last but not least, for those lean men, who prefer, the body weight, who want to look like roam warriors, the dip and pull up bar, wait I am not done yet, olympic rings for those muscles up.'

Mario and Lesly nodded in approval.

'Oh Arnold, I know, how much you like one girl in each hand so I got you these dumb bells , to satisfy, those self-loving hand.'

'Hey, that is more James's thing.'

'What are you waiting for, go ahead and get your happiness.'

The men scattered like hungry cockroaches over cake crumbs, as for Jack he did not know where to go, as it is his first time and he had now idea which exercise would suit him best.

'Oi, Jack, why are you standing there get over here, I will start you off with the most basic exercise and my favourite, the bench press, lay down and grab the bar a little wider then shoulder width.'

Jack followed Waldo's specific instructions to the point.

'Good, now I am going to start you off with no weight just to get you use to the movement, then you going to do three sets of eight, meaning one set equals eight repetitions, you understand?'

'Yes'

'Now, lift!'

Jack lifted the bar up for its starting point, he was a little scared, the fear that the bar might slip out of his hand and crush his face.

'Do not worry Jack, it will not fall, I am here.'

Jack nodded and executed the three sets of eight with no problem.

'Well done!, now I am going to add some weight.'

Waldo turned away from the bench and pick up two little rings and put them on each end of the bar bell.

'These are little one kgs, you should be fine, I think, same number and sets as be before.'

Gripped the bar and performed his sets with no hinders once again.

'More!'

'Aright, how about two point five kgs.'

Once again Jack had no problem, but his chest was feeling a little hot, but this did not matter no pain no gain.

'More!'

'The boy wants more!'

Everyone stopped whatever exercise they were doing and gathered around the bench.

'I am going to double the weight to five kg's, so the total weight of ten kg's, same number of reps and sets.'

'Yes!'

Jack gripped the bar and banged out the first two sets with no problem, but the last one seemed to be the one in question, his chest was on fire, his arms were burning, the sweat was running into his eyes causing them to burn too, it was a nightmare but he could not bear letting his new found ego go into the dumps because of some little rep, so he forged forwards, with all the men cheering him on, he finally completed the set, he rose up from the bench like a beast straight from the underworld, his eyes red, his face covered with sweat, baring a wild expression.

'Good job!' everyone cheered and shook his hand and gave him a pat on his back, so hard, it felt like they are going to break it.

'Done with the first part of the circuit, now it is time to come over to my favourite, the squat, it is the king of all exercises.'

Jack followed James to his exercise, then to Arnold, then to Mario and last but not least Lesly, soon Jack was kaput, and went to go sit on the side lines, and watched the other men do their thing.

Soon the orange flame of the setting sun burned brightly through the afternoon sky and with it came an unexpected visitor, which almost resulted in the death of their close and dear friend Lesly, The back door slowly opened and a curios figure peered from behind it, finally it gathered the confidence and step out from behind the door and announced its self.

'Excuse me!, Excuse me!'

The sweet feminine voice called out but it could not managed to power through the loud granting, clanging and banging but her scent did, causing everyone to turn their heads to follow it to the point of resonance, everyone stopped, Waldo almost dropping the bar bell on top of Lesly, as for Jack his brain too was captured in the moment before his brain registered the apparition.

'Mother?'

'Yes, surprise.'

Jack stood up from the ground to go and take a closer look at this women claiming to be his mother, she was a sight to behold, dressed to impress, a real lady from a noble and royal family.

'What are you doing here?'

'I came to see where my son works.'

His mother looked around, giving little nods of approval, for the look of the place or the shirtless men, well, will never know, how a woman's mind work but that is what keeps life interesting, Waldo quickly scrabbled around for something to cover his half naked body but all he could find was Jacks work apron and threw it on and walked over to her.

'Welcome and Good evening mademoiselle, my name is Waldo Shcinger, and it is a very nice to meet you.' He took her hand and lightly kissed the back of it.

'Jane Peterson and it is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance.'

'I would like to apologise for my indecent appearance.'

'No, it is I, who should be apologising for barging in unannounced.'

'James!, Arnold, now where did those two disappear to, uhm, Mario, Lesly, please get madam Peterson a chair and refreshment…'

'Already done', a voice answered from inside the building, soon its owner appeared, it was Arnold carrying a chair and bonnet, wearing what seemed to be a fancy brand new suit, followed by James, who was carrying a tray with tea and cups, he too wearing an elegant piece.

'Please have a seat, by the way my name is Arnold Schinder, it is..'

'And, I James Ardriun, it is a pleasure to meet you.'

Both of them grabbing Jane's hands and kissing it of course not without nudging each other with the shoulder and exchanging looks, Jane pulled her hands away.

'Ahem, it is a pleasure to meet you both, I must say that bread and jam, Jack brought home the other night, was most delightful.'

'Which was more delightful, the bread?'

'Or jam?'

'Are you two going to let her sit and if you do not mind, start cleaning up a little.', Waldo interrupted

'Alright, excuse us.'

The two did not wander too far off as they both settled on the bench nearby, watching Jack's mother like creepy stalkers, fantasying all the things they would do together in their perfect world.

'Do not mind them, if you will excuse me, I will go change into something more descent.'

'No, you do not have to.'

Upon hearing the wonderful news, James and Arnold immediately started stripping down.

'No, I have…, what do you think your doing?'

'We..'

'Just get up stairs now!'

'Okay relax.', Arnold said, not before ripping his shirt off.

The boys picked up their stuff and walk inside but not without flexing their muscles, causing Jack's mother to fan herself and giggle a little.

'What kind of behavior is this?', Jack thought to himself

'I apologise again, I will leave now, Jack, pour your mother some tea.'

'Yes, Waldo.'

After Waldo had left the scene, Jack addressed the elephant in the room with immediate effect.

'Mother, what are you doing here?', he whispered.

'My, I must say you work with handsome men, really pleasant on the eye.'

Jack saw his mother's cheeks go red for a second.

'Mother, focus, why are you here and dressed like a queen, where have you been hiding yourself girl?'

'I just thought that I would come and see where my son was slaving away these days, it is a really nice place, thank you for the compliment, by the way I woke up like this, you just don't see it, I am glad about one thing.'

'What is that?'

'I still got it!'

'Jeez mother.'

'Jack, is it hot out here?'

'I…'

'Oh, wait it is just me.', his mother let out a little laugh.

'I think you should…, I will pour you some juice instead.'

A while later, Waldo returned, himself, looking quite dashing and smelling clean as a summer's breeze, I guess, Arnold and James were not the only ones who got razzled by a female presence.

'Jack, why don't you go change, let us not keep your mother waiting any longer, it will be night fall soon and these streets can get quite dangerous, once night has fallen.'

'Why is Waldo talking like someone out of a Shakespeare play?', he thought.

'Yes'

Jack got up and trotted upstairs, where he saw all the other men were pinned up against the window like sardines in a tin can, whispering amongst themselves, just loud enough for Jack to hear.

Arnold: 'Just Look at him, taking my queen away from me, why is he such a cruel boss, Why!'

James: 'Man, I should have accepted that proposal, Jack-man made to me earlier, I hate my life.'

Lesly: 'Well, regret always comes to late my friend, one must grasp the opportunity when it arises, whether you want it or not is irrelative, you don't know until you have it.'

Mario: 'You could not have said it better, I am hungry, what are we eating tonight?'

Lesly: 'I think it is Waldo's turn to cook.'

Arnold: 'How can you two think about food, when my heart has a hole in it and no amount of food could fill it, only the one sitting outside can.'

James: 'Why are you upset, you not the one that reject an offer for eternal love and what happened to Anne.'

Arnold: 'Anne who?, true love just walked in front of me, I cannot make the same mistake you made and I thought Tom Foolery joined the circus.'

James: 'You better shut up, or I will tell Waldo?'

Mario: 'Both of you quite, the boy is here.'

All the men turn their heads at the same time, stared at him for a while, then turned back to the window.

Arnold: 'Do you think I still got a chance?'

James: 'Of course not, she is married and beside if anyone has a chance, it would be me, she was looking at me the whole time?'

Arnold: 'No she was not!'

James: 'Yes she was!'

Arnold: 'Is not!'

James: 'Is too!'

The man, both rose and it looked like things were going to get physical, but night was approaching and Jack decided to leave the room and got changed, walked past the men who were now engaged in an arm wrestling contest and Mario and Lesly standing by each challenger with a towel and water, cheering and drying the forehead of the wrestlers, even though he wanted to see who wins, Jack's moral compass guided him away and down there stairs, where he could hear his mother sweet laughter.

'Ahh, here he is.'

Waldo announced his name as if he was he just arrived at a royal ball.

'Finally, thank you for having us today, Mr Sching.'

'Please call me Waldo and the pleasure is all mine.

'Alright then Waldo, this is good bye, and thank you, it brings me great joy and peace to know that my son is associating with such good men, rather than wasting his time alone.'

'He is a treat, to have him around, I have asked Mario to prepare something for you to take home, come this way.'

They headed to the front of the shop, where Waldo handed the Jack's mother, the parcel.'

'There really is really no need for this.'

Jack nudged his mother with his elbow, 'Just take it and say thank you.'

'Thank you.'

'Pleasure.'

Waldo, hurried past them, and held the door open.

'Good day.'

'Good day to you too Jane.'

As he and his mother were walking home, Jack felt a naughty itch coming on, 'I must say, mother, I never knew you had this side to you.'

'What side?'

'This charming, beautiful, seductive side to you, you left all those men drooling like hungry dogs, I am surprised they did not start killing each other.'

'Really!,' his mother coughed a little before she continued, 'I mean, quiet Jack, and focus on the road, you fall all the time, have seen it, so focus.'

Jack looked straight ahead but could not help notice the little shy girl smile on his mother's face.

Sunday came around and it brought some unexpected visitors along with it, round about midday of the wonderfully sunny afternoon, family's routine nap was interrupted by loud knocking on the front door, Jack laid still on his bed waiting to see if anyone was going to go and open the door but no one woke up and the banging persisted, so being the unfortunate lead actor in this story, he managed to muster himself up, which seemed impossible at that moment due to his hard training session on Friday, which seems to take full effect two days later and went to go see who was the racket at the front door.

Walking at his own pace and like someone who can contracted crabs and gonorrhea from the same prostitute. 'Bang!, Bang!,', the knocking persisted, louder and louder, the closer and closer he got to the front door, at some point it looked as if the door was going to fly off the hinges, Jack closed his eyes took a deep breath, steadied his nerves, kept his head down and open the door.

'Hello Jack'

'Aaaah….', Jack stared at them dumbstruck, not able to speak a word for this was the most pleasant surprise, since the day he discovered that he is going through adolescence.

'Oh Waldo, you here, on a Sunday?'

'Arnold'

'And James too!'

'Oh, you meant this Sunday?', his mother announced from behind.

'Mother you knew they were coming?'

'Yes, Waldo said that if he they had any spare time that they would come take a look at the wall, but I was expecting them next week Sunday.'

'We can return next week.' Waldo suggest

'No!', the two protested behind him.'

'Why not.'

'Yes, Arnold why not?', Waldo asked.

'Uhmmm….Because..James, you answer.'

'Because we brought everything already, so we might just as well finish it today.'

'He does have a good point mother, it would only be bad manners to reject there offer, after they have already brought everything.'

'Well seeing that you are here, you might as well finish the work.'

'Yes!, Good one James and Jack-man.'

'We can hear you Arnold.'

'May I ask, are you going to work in those clothes?'

Oh I had forgot to mention, on the very day of the announcement that there might be a possibility of them visiting Jane Petersons' house, James and Arnold, flew out the store and got themselves brand new taylor- made suits, some cologne, even fresh haircuts and a clean shave, they even went as far as hiring a new carriage and horse for what God only knows, for the job only required packing stones on top of the other.

'Yes, yes, we just came from church (no they did not), and we thought that why not kill two stones with one bird.'

'I have never heard of that expression.'

'There is a lot of things I would like express to you.'

'Arnold!, control, control.'

'Yes, boss.'

After gathering herself from the heat of the moment, Jane spoke one again her voice a little shaky from the recent event.

'How…rude of me please come inside and have a seat while, I prepare some tea.'

Arnold and James shaved past Waldo and drew themselves a chair at the kitchen table, Jane took out her best china and started to prepare tea while James and Arnold watched her closely, Waldo had to reprimand them quite a few times, which resulted in a little jolly atmosphere but as everything in life it has to come to an end as John Paterson aka Jack's fathers finally got an opportunity to make his official debut.

'Jane, who is it, tell them to F@#$% off, we do not have any food ourselves!'

John said walking into the room rubbing his eyes, stretched out then, scratched his nuts before his fully opened his eyes and witnessed the three giant, sitting around his table, his jaw almost dropped but he managed to control its decent but only half way, James and Arnold looked at each other(really this guy).

'Jack!, How did you manage to offend the Greek Gods, we are not even in Greece!'

Then turned his attention to Waldo who seemed to have the most godly presence at the moment.

'I apologise, I do not know what this boy has done but I will make sure that he is punished to the full extent of his crime.'

Waldo put his cup down, which looked like a little girls play set in his hands, and rose up breathing heavily, as for Arnold and James, these two were still trying to solve the secret of the world of how did someone like John end up with someone like Jane?, is there a God?, Why do bad things happen to attractive men like themselves?', the two continued reminiscing quietly while Waldo confronted John.

'Mhhhmmm, I think you have the wrong idea of your son, he has done nothing wrong, we are here to complete a task assigned by your wife.'

'Task?'

'Yes, John, I asked Waldo and his team to come take a look at wall.'

'I am sorry sir but I am going to ask you to reject your offer, as you know it is tough to find work, so I will not have the money to pay for your service.'

'There is no need for money, your son has been good to us, a hard worker.'

'A great college.' James interjected

'And a good friend, who brings treasures before our eyes.', Arnold said, then winking at Jane.

'Arnold, could you please think before you speak.'

'Quite James, you like to act all holier than thou but don't think I do not see you with those spy glass at night.'

'Shut up!, you do not know what you talking about.'

'Aww, look at his face going red, are you a shamed that your filthy crime has been exposed before the world, peeping Tom!, but do not worry Jane, I will never do something like that.'

'Quite!, both of you, do not mind them, please forgive them, their children in men's bodies, all muscle and no brains.', Waldo said.

Jack and his mother laughed, but John was not sure whether it was okay or not.

Once the tea party ended and the men began to work, Jack wanted to help but his body would just not allow it and the site of his father was not making it any better but his mother seemed to be ecstatic about it, smiling like a cat that stole cream from a mouse, obviously enjoying the splendid site of rippling muscle glistening with sweat, her eyes were especially fixed on James and Arnold who had were working shirtless, taking more than necessary breaks to strike a pose and flex, while facing Jane.

Jack was also enjoying this spectacle, for he could visualize, what he would look like in a couple of months, by photo shopping his own face of the men's bodies, as always Waldo was the only one taking the job seriously, while everyone taking a drinks break he was working, when everyone had a snack he was working, he really did pour his heart and soul into everything he did. As for Jack sitting idle was not working out anymore and the devil was already starting to scratch his butt, whispering all sort of mischievous ideas into his head, since he could not play any pranks with his summer body in process, all he could do was mess with people's minds and the closet to him was his dear mother, who was soaked up in the sweat of the body builders, (Expect for John, she did not even notice he was there.)

Jack: 'Mother, mother…mother!'

Jane: 'Yes…yes, you want some more tea?'

Jack: 'No, thank you.'

(Jill leans in closer to her mother.)

Jill: 'My sweet dear mother where are you lost?'

Jack: 'In between the muscle and a love fantasy, where she could have anyone she wanted.'

Jane: 'Quite!, you two, you do not know what you are talking about, is this what they are teaching you at school, horrible, utter nonsense!, I am out raged!, at the content produced by the educational system which was made to improve your survival skills, especially you Jack, you were always a little weaker than the other children so, you have to eat more and try and get more sun, if you stay like this, I highly doubt that you will get married, which is quite worrying for a mother who loves children, expect her own sometimes, especially when they think such preposterous things, which could lead to her ending their little lives, while they sleep as she realises that she can still have more since she is far from her expiry date, come to think of it, I always wanted twins, they are so cute in their matching clothes, which is also quite cost effect if you think about it.

(Jane put her hand on Jill's face and shoves her back into her seat, then takes out an orange, peels it and toss the little citrus in her mouth.)

Jack: 'My, my mother.'

Jill: 'Calm down.'

Jack: 'One could swear.'

Jill: 'You have something.'

Jack: 'To hide.'(Jack raised his right eyebrow.)

(Jane stirs restlessly in her chair, then sits up straight.)

Jane: 'Listen here you little brats, I have nothing to hide and why are you two talking like that, I thought you encourage individuality'

Jack: 'Yes we do.'

Jill: 'But when we share'

Jack: 'The same primary target.'

Jill: 'We become one.'

Jane: 'And that is me?'

Jack: 'Yes.'

Jill: 'Correct'

(Jane shifted uncomfortably, covering her breast with her fore arms.)

Jack: 'Say mother.'

(Jack and Jill leaned closer to Jane, so close she could feel their hot breath on either side of her ears.)

Jill: 'Which do you prefer, Waldo?'

Jack: 'James?'

Jill: 'Arnold?'

Jack: ' Or …?'

Jane: 'Stop it you two.'

Jack: 'Come on mother.'

Jill: 'There is no need be shy.'

Jane: 'I am serious, you two are starting to scare me.'

Jack: 'Don't be scared.'

Jill: 'This is a safe place.'

Jack: 'We won't tell.'

Jill: 'Anyone.'

Jane: 'If I tell you, you will leave me alone?'

Jack: 'Yes.'

Jill: 'Sure.'

Jack and Jill: 'Why not.'

(Two looked at each other and smiled.)

Jane: 'Well, this is a very difficult decision to make.'

Jill: 'Is it mother?'

(They both giggled.)

Jane: 'Hush, you two, I am thinking.'

(Jane narrowed her eyes on her choices, taping her index finger on her lips as she carefully evaluated each choice.)

Jane: 'I have decided.'

(Jack and Jill, closed in on to their victim, so close that their noses actually touching her face.)

Jack: 'Speak mother.'

Jill: 'We listening.'

Jane: 'The tribe has spoken.'

Jack: 'What tribe?'

Jill: 'I think, we broke her.'

Jane: 'Waldo'

Jill: 'Went straight for the alpha huh?'

Jack: 'Does not surprise me, the man does have a presence.'

Jill: 'Mhmmm'

Jack: 'Mother, do you mind enlightening us your particular choice.'

Jane: 'There is not a lot to say, I suppose but I look at him, he is a nice, kind and in charge, burning with ambition, not to mention big and strong, haaa…., a real gentle giant.'

Jack: 'And you got all this from the first time you met him?'

Jane: 'Enough!, I am not going to indulge in this sick devilish games of yours, I am my own person, when is the last time you two prayed?'

Jill: 'Jack'

Jack: 'Yes, my dear sister.'

Jill: 'Is it possible to love two people romantically.'

Jack: 'I really do not know sister.'

(They both sighed heavily)

Jack: 'Jill'

Jill: 'Yes, my dear brother.'

Jack: 'Is it possible to have two husbands?'

Jill: 'I do not know.'

Jack: 'Oh.'

Jill: 'But there is always a first time for everything.'

Jane: 'Shut up!, both of you.'

Jane rose in a fit of rage, threw Jack, with orange peels and Jill with the little bit of tea left in her cup, before she stormed inside, as for the two they smiled and gave each other a hearty hand shake.)

Jill: 'Oh, sweet mother so innocent.'

Jack: 'And cute, like a little kitten, eating worms.'

With the afternoon easing into the evening, Jack was left bored, with no one to talk to and the Men's classics physique no longer interesting to him, except his mother would had now resorted to peeping through the small slit in between, the curtains, much to Jack amusement, with nothing to do and his body needing recovery, he had no choice but to drift into a deep sleep, dreaming of a world where is traveling the world with a world famous orchestra, playing the most import instrument in the entire orchestration, the wash board and spoon, the people coming from all corners and holes from of the world just to see him play this majestic piece of work but like life, glorious moment do not last forever as the poor thing was rudely woke up by Arnold and James, who each snatched an ankle and held him upside down, shaking him up and down like an old dirty pantyhose.

'Wake up!, Wake up!'

'The goblins are coming!, goblins are coming.'

To which Jack responded, 'My wash board and spoon!'

'You see what you did, you scared the boy right out of his wits, I told you to go with elves , they are much more cutter and have great skin, a little pale but that is okay, because that will make him feel right at home.'

'Arnold are you okay? , I think you worked a little too hard today, go sit in the shade or better yet go drink some water.'

'You know, I may be a Casanova, a ladies man, the play boy of the century, the dream of every man who wishes to live my life, some women to, hey who am I to judge but that does not make me a heartless human being, I have feelings you know, but mostly for Jane, she is my dream queen, the seeds in my banana, the cake on my frosting, the cherry in my martini.'

'Yes, I honestly think you need to sit down.'

'Uhmm…, calling from below.'

'Hello, Jack who is it hanging?', Arnold asked.

The two snickered.

'Fine, I was just wondering, if you would mind putting me down, my head is not feeling so nice, its feeling unusually heavy and things are slowly going black.'

'Oh sorry, we completely forgot you are down there.'

'Yeah, you really to eat some more.'

The two swung him back and forward, then let go, causing to crash on to the ground.

'Ouch, that really hurt, you could not lower me down slowly.'

'No, where is the fun in that?'

'Come on Jack-man, don't be a party pooper, oh and Arnold, I am going to go stand over there now and pretend as if I am checking if the wall is level, because I think you going through some phase, which I do not want to deal with.'

'Okay James your honesty is appreciated, just don't except to win an Oscar or be nominated for one.'

'I will.'

James walked away over to the wall where he saw Waldo, and expressed his concern about Arnold.

'Waldo!, Waldo!'

'Yes?'

'I think Arnold is broken!, he says he has feelings!'

Having lived with these two for so many years, having to deal with all the outrages things they have done and said, he was finally at his wits end but there was one thing he could do and that was to laugh, and that is exactly what he did broke out into the most classic loud Santa Claus like laugh, echoing through the house and the lands, causing confusion for those who still believe in the overweight, free loading, intruder Santa Claus.

With the loud laughter of Waldo's laughter, it made Jill and a few by passers to think that Santa Claus was there in the middle of August.

Jill came running out the house, shouting, 'Santa!, Santa!'

This lead to those by passers which I told you about earlier to also believe that Santa Claus, I do not know whose children they were, maybe random street kids trying their luck on an naïve girl, who still believe in a gifting stalker, As for Jack he saw an opportunity to eliminate their believe system, right there and then, oh the satisfaction he would get as they fell in to utter despair and everything that they believe in, was nothing but an lies told by adults to cover up their pathetic parenting skills.

Jack step forward ready to terminate their believes system and this time he was not going to need a futuristic robot and guns to do so, all he is going to needed, was his words to do so.

'I have some good news for you little children.', he said with a evil smile growing bigger and bigger, he looked at the children, their faces beaming with innocence, who believed that the world is made up of sunshine and rainbow and nothing bad ever happens but not for long as big papa Jack is going to descend on them like the angel of death, sucking out all that happiness and filling their heart with darkness and despair, one child looked at him as his pale face grew revolting with glee and hid behind his sister thinking that she would offer protection against the diseases which is about to flee Jacks mouth.

'Jill and random street kids who recently entered the story, Santa Claus does not….'

'Jack, Jill come inside it is time to eat, let us not keep our guests waiting any longer.'

'Nooo!', Jack screamed like a wailing witch falling to his knees, griping his hair in utter disbelieve, his face red, exposing each vain on his face.

'Now!'

'Okay, you piss off, I say go!', Jack picked up stones and threw it at them, scaring them off.

'Bye, random streets kids, I hope you find something to eat.'

'Jill leave them, let us go inside, before we wined like them.'