My Moment In The Bourn Idenity/a story by Phil Blackwood (Tom Selleck, Her Alibi reference)
The Debriefing:
Thinking back now, I knew loitering in such a place would result in what I am now suffering from, but you know how it goes, at the time whatever you are thinking does seems like a good idea. So as I said, my story starts with loitering. I really try to avoid it, but sometimes you just find yourself doing what you said you wouldn't. So there we were, downtown Portland, loitering, when two people came at us from around a blind corner and herded us off to a secluded space. There were others being held there, I could tell. They had cloth hung around so we could not see each other, but I heard one being questioned to the third degree. We were directed to one of these compartments and they told me to take off all my clothes and just put on a little dress. I was given explicit instructions and then we were left alone. I pointed out to J that it was not fair that I had to take my clothes off and he did not. He just gave me a shrug and told me I better do what they said before they came back. They had also said I better not have any valuables on me or they might just go missing. I could see the greed in their eyes and I thought about making them cut my finger off before I would remove my wedding ring, but then I thought about how much I would regret loosing it and the finger, and figured that since J was still clothed he had more hiding places for it than I did, so I gave it to him. I then sat there for half an hour, listening to guards shuffle by. Finally, two ruffians returned, and they got me lying down and tried to drug me by shoving a needle in my arm. I resisted and they failed, but I was weakened, and I could tell there was not much fight left in me. I would have to save my strength. I am sure J would have defended me if he could but he had been put in a chair and was no help. Soon after the head ruffian came in. My guess is that he was their commander because everyone was listening to him and he acted very important. He then told me that since there was obviously no other way to get the answers wanted he was going to torture them out of me. He said he was going to cut me to get them. He described the details of what he was going to do to me, but I scarcely had time to feel the cold clutches of fear when his cohorts ganged up on me and shoved the drugged needle into my arm. They had me then, there was not much I could do. I am sure it was very hard for J to watch his beloved wife be treated this way, but he played it smart and kept his mouth shut, and just held my hand until they separated us. They told us to tell each other good bye. I looked at him and said, "Well I guess this is it. Goodbye." At a time like that really, what else is there to say? He gave a warm smile I will never forget, squeezed my hand one last time, and said, "Ok, um... bye." So, I already knew he was not the most articulate man, but I could read on his face everything he wanted to say but couldn't because of all the people around us, and it was just information they could use against us. I could also tell he had a plan. That is my man. He never cracks. At that point they separated us and wheeled me around a corner and through a door where there were many people waiting. I now knew I could not make it out unscathed and the drugs were starting to take their effect. Resistance was futile. The last thing I remember was something being pressed over my mouth and nose and at least 8 ruffians coming at me from all sides. I felt no fear, it could have been the drugs, but I think it was my resolve that saw me through. When I came to, I was in a different room. It too was separated by hanging cloth, but I could tell that behind them lay others that had been tortured like me. I was sure they were quiet just to avoid the notice of our captors. Let me assure you the quiet was eerie. One of my captors saw me stir and came at me making me take more drugs, this time a pill. I knew I was too weak to resist and without a word I did as I was told, saving my strength for my escape. I knew I needed to orient myself with my surroundings and take inventory of my faculties if I was ever going to get out of here. In my head the list quickly formed and I began to feel calmer as I made my escape plans. First: Assess my condition. Second: ascertain locations of exits. Third: find J.... The planning began. I was relieved to find that they had only stabbed me once in the leg. Perhaps they misread me and figured I was a weak woman and that this alone would start me talking. Oh, but they were wrong. They had put gauze over the wound and then something like saran wrap over it so I could not tell how bad it was, and I knew now was not the time to worry about it. I needed to just figure out if I had the strength to run. It was now, while I was still orienting myself and in the early stages of planning, when J came. He took one look around. Quietly made his way over to me unnoticed, and slid my ring back on my finger. Then with three reassuring words that he would be back as soon as he could, he slipped out a back door I had not see on my initial scan of the premises. Oh I was so glad he was on my side. From then on things went well and rather quickly. The ruffians, unknowingly, fell right into my plans. I was allowed to move to a chair and selected the one closest to the door J had just escaped through. There was a frighteningly hairy man (Part of his disguise? It couldn't be real.) that was told to move me to a new area. Without a word he guided me to an elevator and down we went. The elevator ride, though just a moment, felt very long as I contemplated this man and calculated his age, height, weight, and training as I prepared to escape him. There was no need. It was my lucky day. He turned out to be undercover; as soon as we hit ground floor he turned to me and very seriously said the first and only words I would ever hear from him. "There is the way out. Be careful. Be very careful." Then he turned and without a word headed back in the way he came. I guess while I was being drugged and tortured J had been making the best use of his time and did a bit of scouting, because when I turned around there he was. My escape angel stood with the sun over his shoulder, a glint in his eye, and the car parked at the curb with the door wide open. My own personal super hero. His exquisite physique allowed him to effortlessly help me into the car. Perhaps it was only in my head I heard the tires squeal as we sped out of the alley and onto the main road, but either way, it was still not fast enough for me. Since the incident I have been able to evaluate my wound. I have just the one stab wound and the two track marks on my arm from the needles they put in me. The stab wound is pretty deep, and I am sure it caused some muscle and nerve damage. I am still in some pain, and must be careful, but hope to make a full recovery... physically at least. Because of the drugs they gave me I had to take more when I got home to wean my system off and to control the pain. The fear of addiction was strong, but since I am sure that is what the ruffians wanted I resisted and have been clean 3 days now. This is my one week update. I have learned much from this experience, but most of all, to avoid all places of loitering, even if they are labeled "Waiting Room."
So I have saved the best for last. Wednesday R and J headed to the hospital because the birth mom was being induced. Barec was born Wednesday November 25, 6 lbs. 15 oz., 20 in!!! The papers were signed Friday and they were able to take him home. I was able to Skype with the little family today and they are all doing well. 
This is a screen shot I did while we were chatting so it is really bad quality, but you can see just how cute they are!
J took Tuesday so we could have a long weekend again. We caravaned up to the ranch with Stan and Samira and their two kids. When we got there Mom had soup and ribs all ready for dinner. We spent the evening visiting and just playing with the kids.
J helping me make one for his parents.
Thursday Mom and I made breakfast then shortly after J's parents arrived. We visited a bit then bundled up and headed out of our annual thanksgiving day target shooting. The two highlights for me were plinking away at targets with my favorite little .22 single shot bolt action riffle, and shooting a can of sweetened condensed milk with Dad's .300 Winchester mag. The can split into 3 pieces and the milk sprayed about 25 feet in all directions. When we were done shooting because it started to rain, we went back to the house and visited until dinner was ready. Mom did most of the cooking, but we all helped a bit. M brought the most amazing homemade rolls and J's pies turned out beautiful. After our wonderful dinner and more talking, Mom, M, and I made ginger bread houses. J helped me with mine. I wanted a candy cane stovepipe and he used his knife to drill a hole to put it into the roof. Mom laughed at us and I had to remind her that we were also the ones that had used duct tape, drill, and funnel to make Jello-jiggler eggs one Easter.
In this picture you can see the candy cane chimney pretty well.
In this one you can see J's candy cane drainpipe on the edge.
This is the only picture I could find online of Heather Creek. It is on the right.
(CAT! The real reason I am locking away my tree while we are gone this week.)
My cousin recently started a blog and she has been posting the most yummy recipes. I have enjoyed it so much I thought I would post a recipe too.
My Moment In The Bourn Idenity/a story by Phil Blackwood (Tom Selleck, Her Alibi reference)
I don't like posting about my medical stuff, but I thought I would make an exception so I could tell everyone at once that I am fine and on the mend.