By Brett Matthew West
'I wish my hair would stop thinning out so much!' These were the words grumbled by the lonely old man as he entered the boiler room of the Castillo Metalworks in Downtown Astatula.
Justin Martindale was sure that was the reason Tammy Newcastle, the pretty, young, and sexy new secretary for General Manager Julius Shaw ignored him. Martindale had been the maintenance man of the establishment going on twenty-eight long years now.
His black utility belt securely fastened around his plump waist, Martindale turned the brass knob on the metal door. His mind was on the ten thousand other, or so it seemed to him, work orders piled up on his desk that awaited his response.
Tow hitches were the primary items produced by Astatula's largest employer. Many of the denizens of the small town gravitated toward laboring at the plant. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, components were processed. Other items fabricated by Castillo Metalworks included tow balls, tow pins, tow hooks, the tow pintles that many of the employees used for their farming equipment, and tow hitches.
Justin Martindale flipped on the overhead lightswitch to illuminate the boiler room. He approached the HVAC unit. After careful inspection, he discovered the red indicator light on the component was only a false alarm. Satisfied the problem was nothing major, Martindale reset the HVAC and turned to leave the boiler room. He switched the overhead light back off as he departed.
'Perhaps, I can still get something much more constructive accomplished than this waste of precious time today,' Martindale muttered to himself.
Being Friday, Martindale was anxious to complete his work hours and enjoy his highly anticipated weekend. He looked forward to them. He planned to fish Sullivan Lake for Bluegill and plotted how he would take pleasure in the quiet serenity of the cabin he'd rented. He always appreciated watching the evening sun set low over the calm water of the lake. His cooler full of ice cold bottles of Yuengling beer would go a long way in helping him relax.
His afternoons would be spent cruising Sullivan Lake in his 21-foot long jon boat. Justin Martindale knew how to treasure the good life he'd built for himself since relocating to Astatula from the hustle and bustle of Chicago all those years ago.
The next small flare-up on Martindale's agenda was to change the burned out light bulbs in the employee lounge. The task required three one-hundred watters. He'd stop by the stockroom and grab them before he headed to the break room.
While en route, he would also snatch his silver Stanley lunch pail from out of his locker. It was time to tie on his own feedbag as well, and Martindale never missed the opportunity to relax from his daily grind. He would not get the chance.
(To Be Continued)
Cast of Characters:
Cody Schroder - Now going on thirteen years old, Cody Schroder-Daniels is the adopted son of Astatula's long time Sheriff Brock Daniels. His early life of hellacious physical, mental, and sexual abuse at the hands of his male sperm donor, Earl Anthony Schroder, in Palo Pinto, are long behind him. With the help of his father, Cody has successfully rebuilt his life in Astatula.
Justin Martindale - Long time maintenance man for the Castillo Metalworks
Tammy Newcastle - New secretary for the plant's General Manager
Julius Shaw - General Manager of the Castillo Metalworks
Chapter Word Count: 572
Book Word Count: 572
| Author Notes |
This Is Evan, by Lilibug6, selected to complement all my Cody Schroder stories.
So, thanks Lilibug6, for the use of your picture. It goes so well with all my Cody Schroder stories. |
By Brett Matthew West
Last Time: The next small flare-up on Martindale's agenda was to change the burned out light bulbs in the employee lounge. The task required three one-hundred watters. He'd stop by the stockroom and grab them before he headed to the break room.
While en route, he would also snatch his silver Stanley lunch pail from out of his locker. It was time to tie on his own feedbag as well, and Martindale never missed the opportunity to relax from his daily grind. He would not get the chance.
Section One - Part One: Boiler Room also available for your reading enjoyment.
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"Justin Martindale report to GM Shaw's office," came the call over the plant's intercom system. Then, the page was repeated a second time for clarity, "Justin Martindale report to General Manager Shaw's office at this time."
The speaker was Tammy Newcastle. She was still familiarizing herself with the loudspeaker. Until she began her employment with the company two weeks earlier, she'd never used one before. Her vivacious looks, and gregarious personality had taken her far in her career. Her technical prowess remained an altogether different matter.
Justin Martindale left the light bulbs on the shelf in the stockroom where he'd gone to retrieve them.
'What in the world could be the urgent need now?' he fumed to himself saying, 'If it isn't one pressing issue around here it is something else!'
Martindale liked his job. He just felt he was being pulled in ten thousand different directions all at once. His underling, Brad Connors', inopportune vacation certainly placed a damper on his time. The absence also made Martindale feel overwhelmed with all the maintenance upkeep the facility demanded.
Closing the stockroom door behind him, Martindale departed the area. He headed for the GM's office where he'd been called to without further delay. General Manager Julius Shaw was not somebody to keep impatiently waiting. He did not display much tolerance for such trivial pursuits.
Martindale rounded the corner of the plant's main building where the GM's office was located. He noticed Sheriff Daniels' patrol car parked in the Visitors' Parking lot.
He thought, 'That's mighty peculiar. I wonder what brings the good Sheriff out to the plant this morning?'
It wasn't Sheriff Daniels habit to appear at the Castillo Metalworks often. There weren't too many incidences that arose to warrant his need to be there.
Martindale entered the complex. He found the GM's office off on the right wing of the building. Unannounced, he entered the room.
It was Sheriff Daniels who spoke. As was his custom, he got right to the point, "Good morning, Justin. I need you to account for your whereabouts last night, especially as they pertain to your new girlfriend Peggy Morris. She was found dead an hour ago by Travis Brinson, in the alleyway behind the Marr's Hardware Store."
Martindale slowly shook his head in disbelief, "Travis Brinson? You mean, the physically challenged midget?" he asked.
"Care to tell me what happened, Justin?" Sheriff Daniels calmly inquired.
"There's not much to tell, Sheriff," Martindale began. He explained, "Peggy came over to my house. She told me she was leaving town. We fought, but, I did not kill her. I swear, I didn't. I didn't even know she was dead."
"Don't say another word, Justin. At least, not without your attorney present," Julius Shaw, the dark-skinned General Manager, cautioned him.
"I need you to come down to the station with me for questioning, Justin," Sheriff Daniels stated, "you can contact Richard Mutellini from my office."
Fillies were Martindale's only folly.
The Astatula Gazette newspaper could not wait to get a hold of this breaking news! Soon, Justin Martindale would be famous, or is that infamous? With all the fake news currently in circulation these days, one could never be certain.
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Cast of Characters:
Cody Schroder - Blond munchkin and central character of the book.
Sheriff Brock Daniels - Long time Sheriff of Astatula and Cody Schroder's father.
Justin Martindale - Maintenance Man for Castillo Metalworks. Becomes the prime suspect in the murder of Peggy Morris.
Peggy Morris - Justin Martindale's girlfriend. Victim of foul play.
Brad Connors - Maintenance worker for the Castillo Metalworks. Currently on vacation.
Tammy Newcastle - Secretary for General Manager Julius Shaw.
Travis Brinson - Found the dead body of Peggy Morris in the alleyway behind the Marr's Hardware Store.
Richard Mutellini - Justin Martindale's Defense Attorney.
Julius Shaw - General Manager of Castillo Metalworks.
Chapter Word Count: 621
Book Word Count: 1,193
| Author Notes |
Yes, we all love Cody! However, tantalizing tidbits. That's all I'm going to feed readers of his third book. A little at a time. Perhaps five to six hundred words a day. Just enough to wet your whistle. So, you will just have to check in often to find out what is happening with the Cody Schroder Express this time.
This is Evan, by Lilibug6, selected to complement all my Cody Schroder stories. So, thanks Lilibug6, for the use of your picture. It goes so nicely with all my Cody Schroder stories. |
By Brett Matthew West
Last Time: "I need you to come down to the station with me for questioning, Justin," Sheriff Daniels stated, "you can contact Richard Mutellini from my office."
Fillies were Martindale's only folly.
The Astatula Gazette newspaper could not wait to get a hold of this breaking news. Soon, Justin Martindale would be famous, or is that infamous? With all the fake news currently in circulation these days, one could never be certain.
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Cody leisurely strolled out onto the back porch of his house. He glanced at the Timex strapped on his left wrist and thought to himself, "Nine o'clock on the a.m. side of the dial and the sun is already blazing down!"
The day would be another scorcher in West Texas. Cody's faithful companion, and two-year-old Black Lab, Blazer, followed him outside. He headed for the overgrown oak tree that stood beside the freshly painted, fire engine-red, wooden barn. There, the dog sought whatever shade he could locate. Cody would not begrudge him the comfort.
Rescued from the Astatula Humane Society, Blazer was the first dog Cody was ever allowed to own. Being rescued was a common bond the two of them shared. Like his owner, Blazer was an attention grabber and a heart stealer, who liked to play with his many toys of different shapes and sizes. But, his most favorite activity of all was cuddling close with Cody during their one-on-one interactions. It seemed the two boys could not resist one another.
Cody knew Earl Anthony Schroder would never have permitted him to have a dog of any kind. He would have shot the poor thing right in front of Cody just to hurt him.
Cody preferred the warmth of the sun that tanned his back and bare shoulders. Sunburned faces were common adornments in the small town. What Cody dreaded were the infamous pop-up thunderstorms that often saturated Astatula during the summer months.
The heavy rains also tended to push snakes out of their natural habitats, especially venomous cottonmouths and rattlesnakes. Cody had killed four large cottonmouths he'd found slithering across their property in the last two weeks. He'd quickly learned the blade of a shovel worked well for eliminating unwanted creepy crawlies.
Rattlesnakes, one of Cody's favorite delicacies, were another story. Fresh off a piping hot grill, they tasted good. Even better than fried chicken. Their skins could be used to make many unique items like belts, boots, and hatbands.
Aimlessly, Cody meandered through the opened barn door. He pedaled out riding his blue Mongoose two-wheeler. Cody remembered how he gave his old bike to the dying Jerry Denton, a boy he did not know well.
Cody had extracted Jerry's name off the Angel Tree, that stood at the entrance of the Astatula Mall, the previous Christmas Eve. It was the only one on the tree nobody else selected. True to his nature, Cody was not about to tolerate that happening. Sheriff Daniels was so proud of Cody's thoughtfulness for somebody much less fortunate than himself, he presented Cody with a new bike of his own on New Year's Day.
Jerry's funeral had occurred three months ago. At the insistence of Jerry's parents, and dressed in a rented black tuxedo, as well as a white button-down shirt, Cody was a pallbearer for that service. He had never donned formal attire before. Cody thought he looked like a tow-headed penguin.
"Alright, Blazer. You be a good boy like you always are. I'll be back later," Cody called to his buddy.
He raced off, headed for Sullivan Lake, to meet up with Matt Cochran and several other playmates for the morning. Excited, and looking forward to a fun-filled outing, he rode through the grey chaparral, mesquite thickets, and flatlands between his home and the lake. He often encountered roadrunners, horned frogs, and even stinging lizards he knew to not annoy, as he made his frequent treks to reach his destination.
Several hours rapidly passed as the gang enjoyed their pleasures. They were just boys being boys. In the middle of his chicken fight, Cody turned and looked across the lake. Ominous dark clouds began settling in over Sullivan Lake. Off in the distance brilliant flashes of lightning danced across the eerily-colored sky.
Many things had happened to Cody at Sullivan Lake, including being shot by the Astatula Assassin while skinny dipping in one of the biggest scandals to ever rock the small town. He preferred not to be fricasseed by lightning there too. Cody knew it was time to get out of the water in the most highly expedited manner possible.
(To Be Continued)
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Cast of Characters:
Cody Schroder - Blond munchkin and main character.
Sheriff Brock Daniels - Long time Sheriff of Astatula and Cody's Dad.
Matt Cochran - Cody's best friend.
Earl Anthony Schroder - Cody's biological sperm donor. Put Cody through ten years of hellacious physical, mental, and sexual abuse in Palo Pinto.
Jerry Denton - The boy Cody gave his bike to on Christmas Eve after pulling his name off an Angel Tree at the Astatula Mall. This story is told in Pay It Forward, which can be found in my portfolio.
Mr. and Mrs. Denton - Jerry's parents. Insisted Cody be a pallbearer for their son's funeral.
Astatula Assassin - Deranged mass murderer introduced in the first Cody book known as Astatula.
Unnamed boys - Cody's playmates at Sullivan Lake.
Justin Martindale - Maintenance man for the Castillo Metalworks. Suspected in the murder of his girlfriend Peggy Morris.
Richard Mutellini - Justin Martindale's defense attorney.
Blazer - Cody's Black Lab.
Chapter Word Count: 751
Book Word Count: 1,944
| Author Notes |
Yes, we all love Cody. However, tantalizing tidbits. That's all I'm going to feed readers of this book. A little at a time. Perhaps five to seven hundred words a day. Just enough to wet your whistle. So, you will just have to check in often to find out what is happening with the Cody Schroder Express this time.
This is Evan, by Lilibug6, selected to complement all my Cody Schroder stories. So, thanks Lilibug6, for the use of your picture. It goes so nicely with all my Cody Schroder stories. |
By Brett Matthew West
Last Time: Many things had happened to Cody at Sullivan Lake, including being shot by the Astatula Assassin while skinny dipping in one of the biggest scandals to ever rock the small town. He preferred not to be fricasseed by lightning there too. Cody knew it was time to get out of the water in the most highly expedited manner possible.
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Thunder clapped loudly.
As they duck-walked to shore, Matt asked Cody, "Now what do you want to do?"
Shirtless, and barefooted like he almost always was, Cody stepped out into the brackish marsh at the edge of the lake. He noticed several egrets wade among the reeds and rushes . He grabbed his pullover from where it laid on the dry ground just beyond the marsh and yanked it over his head without toweling off.
"I've got five dollars in my pocket. Let's go get a couple Pepsis from Buck and Doe's," Cody responded as he brushed his blond hair into place with his hand to make it look more presentable.
"That's money you earned from recycling aluminum cans," Matt indecisively stated.
Always industrious, Cody had recycled aluminum cans almost since the day he arrived in Astatula. Collecting cans, and delivering his morning newspaper route, provided him what he liked to call his "play money".
"And, you're my best friend, so let's go," Cody insisted, saying, "I'll treat."
Buck and Doe's, the small, white stone shoppette that served the log cabins available for rent at Sullivan Lake, was owned and operated by Lynda Beckham. Outside the shoppette were three vending machines. One offered an assortment of cold sodas. The other two contained a variety of chips, cookies, crackers, and other assorted munchies. Inside, was a miniature grocery.
Cody and Matt hiked up the hill to where Buck and Doe's stood. They had frequented the shoppette countless times over the last couple of years since Matt first brought Cody to Sullivan Lake.
"I wonder if Lynda has anymore of those delicious moon pies she's always stocking away behind the counter?" Cody curiously pondered.
"They sure are good," Matt replied. Then, he quickly remembered, "But, you aren't supposed to eat them anymore because of your diabetes."
Cody shrugged Matt's comment off with a simple, "What Doctor Sturn doesn't know won't hurt her. Besides, they're my favorite snacks."
"And, if Sheriff Daniels finds out you've been eating sweets again when you're not supposed to he'll skin you alive!" Matt warned his friend.
"Or, I'll be grounded for life at hard labor with never ending chores to do," Cody laughingly agreed, "no way am I going to tell Dad anything about that, Matt. That's for sure. And, neither are you, right?"
"I'm not a tattletale," Matt defensively stated.
Inseparable peas in a pod, the boys shared many good times together. Even Cody's recently diagnosed Juvenile Diabetes was not going to hamper their spirits. As Matt shoved open the glass door leading into Buck and Doe's, Cody glanced off towards Cabin Number Three. The modest log structure sat in the middle of the half-moon row of cottages.
Immediately, he observed a ghost from his past. Simultaneously, a bolt of lightning streaked across the blackened sky. As it did, the sinister apparition Cody observed enter the cabin chilled him to the bone. All at once, he felt very queasy.
Cody's knees buckled and his head swam in a dizzying current. He reached for the top of the counter to prevent himself from collapsing in a heap onto the linoleum floor of the shoppette. Reality grabbed him in a vice grip and would not turn him loose.
Matt noticed Cody's peculiar behavior, and concerned for his friend, asked, "You okay, Cody?"
Terrified, all Cody stammered out was, "Earl Anthony Schroder!"
A bewildered, quizzical, expression creased Matt's face. Cody collapsed to the floor. Matt attempted to grab him and break his fall. Both boys went down. Cody whacked the middle of his forehead hard against the edge of the formica-topped counter on his descent. Blood oozed out of the gash the fall created. Stitches would be required.
(To Be Continued)
Word Count: 705
Book Word Count: 2,726
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Cast of Characters:
Cody Schroder - Blond munchkin and central character of the story.
Matt Cochran - Cody's best friend
Sheriff Brock Daniels - Long time Sheriff of Astatula and Cody's Dad.
Lynda Beckham - Owner and operator of Buck and Doe's Shoppette at Sullivan Lake
Earl Anthony Schroder - Cody's biological sperm donor. Put Cody through a life of hellacious physical, mental, and sexual abuse before Cody was relocated to Astatula.
Astatula Assassin - Deranged mass murderer. Introduced in the first Cody Schroder book known as Astatula.
Doctor Maryanne Sturn - Cody's Pediatrician. Diagnosed his Juvenile Diabetes.
Various boys - Playing chicken fights in Sullivan Lake
| Author Notes |
Yes, we all love Cody. However, tantalizing tidbits. That's all I'm going to feed readers of this book. A little at a time. Perhaps five to seven hundred words a day. Just enough to wet your whistle. So, you will just have to check in often to find out what is happening with the Cody Schroder Express this time.
This is Evan, by Lilibug6, selected to complement all my Cody Schroder stories. So, thanks Lilibug6, for the use of your picture. It goes so nicely with all my Cody Schroder stories. |
By Brett Matthew West
Last Time: Terrified, all Cody stammered out was, "Earl Anthony Schroder!"
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Sheriff Daniels concluded his interrogation of Justin Martindale. Without concrete evidence to hold the suspect on, he possessed no other option other than to release him pending further investigation.
"Don't leave town, Justin," Sheriff Daniels strongly cautioned Martindale.
"I have no place to go, Brock," Martindale assured him. He drew a deep breath and slowly exhaled saying, "hopefully, I can maintain my employment at the Metalworks." With that, he departed the station.
Sheriff Daniels poured himself a cup of piping hot black coffee. He preferred his java strong, with two packs of Splenda, never sugar. He considered telephoning Julius Shaw to inform him Justin Martindale was cleared to return to work, for now. The course of the investigation may well change that later.
Before he could make the call, his cellphone rang three times. Sheriff Daniels perceived the call must be important because not too many people knew the number to his personal phone. Normally, it was a certain blond munchkin asking permission to do something or to keep him informed of his whereabouts. He knew Cody was supposed to be down at Sullivan Lake splashing around in the water with several of his amigos.
"Be nice if it was Beth,' Sheriff Daniels considered to himself without checking the Caller ID feature of the phone.
Beth Sorenson had, not all that long ago, left him and Cody and Astatula far behind in her rearview mirror. She'd decided the prospects of him marrying her didn't look promising and thought she'd found greener grass somewhere else. However, that relationship quickly vaporized and Beth returned back to Astatula. Taking Beth back was an easy thing for Sheriff Daniels to do. She was all he ever wanted in a woman.
Cody had a much harder time forgiving Beth for deserting him. After all, she was the one who brought him to Astatula from Palo Pinto. They'd grown extremely close from that point on. That was, up until Beth pulled her shenanigans.
Sheriff Daniels remembered how Beth told Cody, as she sped away from the home the three of them shared, "There are just some things in life you are too young to understand. As you get older you'll acknowledge the reasons I must leave."
Now, Beth earned Cody's trust back one day at a time. Her leaving had been substantially hurtful to him. They were slowly achieving progress in rebuilding their relationship.
"Sheriff Daniels," he cordially said when as he answered the call.
"Sheriff, this is Lynda Beckham at Buck and Doe's," he heard her tell him, "you might want to come quick. It's Cody. He's been hurt. It looks like he's going to need some stitches in his head."
"What do you mean by Cody's been hurt Lynda?" Sheriff Daniels inquired allowing what he'd been informed of to process in his mind.
"Cody fainted and smacked his head on the edge of the counter in my shoppette. He's got a nice, little, v-shaped gouge in the middle of his forehead. I have a cold compress on it to help stop the bleeding," she calmly explained the situation to the Sheriff.
"I'll be right down, Lynda. And, thanks for letting me know about Cody," Sheriff Daniels responded.
"You're welcome, Sheriff. And, oh, by the way," Lynda began unsure how to tell him the rest of the news, "something has terrified him."
"What are you talking about, Lynda?" Sheriff Daniels curiously wondered upon hearing her last comment, "What do you mean by something has terrified him?"
"Cody and Matt came into the shoppette to buy some Pepsis after the storm brewed up. Apparently, Cody commented to Matt something about seeing Earl Anthony Schroder enter my Cabin Number Three," she replied then paused a moment before saying, "Sheriff, I don't have anyone currently renting any of my cabins. Besides, isn't Earl Anthony Schroder dead?"
"He died a little over two years ago, Lynda. So, I have no idea what Cody was talking about," Sheriff Daniels remarked answering her question.
"Neither do I, Sheriff. But, Cody is convinced of what he saw. Or at least, thinks he saw," Lynda said telling him, "his eyes have been glued on the front door of my shoppette since Matt and I picked him up off the floor. And, he's quaking like a leaf in a gale!"
"I'm on my way, Lynda," Sheriff Daniels informed her. He disconnected the transmission stating, "Got to love that boy."
(To Be Continued)
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Cast of Characters:
Cody Schroder - Blond munchkin and central character of the book.
Sheriff Brock Daniels - Long time Sheriff of Astatula and Cody's Dad.
Beth Sorenson - Engaged to Sheriff Brock Daniels.
Justin Martindale - Maintenance man for the Castillo Metalworks. Suspected in the murder of his girlfriend Peggy Morris
Julius Shaw - General Manage of the Castillo Metalworks
Lynda Beckham - Owner and operator of the Buck and Doe's shoppette at Sullivan Lake.
Earl Anthony Schroder - Cody's biological sperm donor. Put Cody through ten years of hellacious physical, mental, and sexual abuse in Palo Pinto.
Word Count: 828
Book Word Count: 3,585
| Author Notes |
Yes, we all love Cody. However, tantalizing tidbits. That's all I'm going to feed readers of this book. A little at a time. Perhaps five to eight hundred words a day. Just enough to wet your whistle. So, you will just have to check in often to find out what is happening with the Cody Schroder Express this time.
This is Evan, by Lilibug6, selected to complement all my Cody Schroder stories. So, thanks Lilibug6, for the use of your picture. It goes so nicely with all my Cody Schroder stories. |
By Brett Matthew West
Last Time: "Neither do I, Sheriff, but Cody is convinced of what he saw. Or at least, thinks he saw," Lynda said telling him, "his eyes have been glued on the front door of my shoppette since Matt and I picked him up off the floor. And, he's quaking like a leaf in a gale!"
"I'm on my way, Lynda," Sheriff Daniels informed her. He disconnected the transmission stating, "Got to love that boy!"
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When the door to the shoppette burst wide open, Cody yelled a frightened blood-curdling scream at the top of his ample lungs, "NO-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O!"
The volume of his shriek would have curled the straightest hair and frozen the strongest man's blood. He was in a panic.
"You didn't really think you could escape from me, did you? You worthless excuse for a human turd dropping!" the intruder frigidly demanded.
Shuddering, Cody did not respond. The invader thrust his forefinger at him, curved the appendage downward, and pointed to a spot on the floor directly in front of his steel-toed boots. Robotically, Cody immediately jumped off the wooden stool he was seated on. Steadily, he walked over to where he'd been ordered to relocate.
"You know better than to keep me waiting for anything!" he was grimly apprised.
A meaty, immense hand extended back as far as the arm it was attached to could lengthen and abruptly backhanded Cody across his face. Helpless, Matt gazed in horror as the force of the blow swept Cody across the floor. When he stopped lurching, Cody reached up with the fingers on his right hand and felt his split lip. He tasted blood.
Lynda Beckham stood behind her cash register. She reached under the counter and retrieved her Derringer pistol. She aimed the weapon at the stranger. Cody sprang to his feet like he'd been fired out of a cannon. He bolted over to Lynda and forced her hand down by her side. The gun lowered.
Calmly he said, "No, don't shoot him, Lynda. That will only make him madder than he already is. He's not going to harm you and Matt. It's me he wants."
The encroacher seized his opportunity. He reached Lynda before she could move and callously stated, "For once in his worthless life the parasite is correctamundo. I wouldn't have hurt you, Lynda, had you not pointed that peashooter at me."
He punched her squarely in the face. Lynda crumpled at his feet. He kicked her hard in the ribs, knocking the wind out of the stout woman. Cody remained stationary. The infiltrator propelled him towards the door. He did not resist.
He desperately wanted to. However, Cody knew better than to ever, under any circumstances whatsoever, disobey Earl Anthony Schroder. That defiant act only increased the severity of his beatings.
The intermeddler turned to Matt, who, for unknown reasons he'd left alone, and ferociously said, "Tell Daniels if he wants this filthy pile of pig crap back to come and get what remains of him. I'm not hard to find!"
With that, he forced Cody's right arm into a tight hammerlock behind his back. Cody most assuredly thought his arm would break. It wouldn't be the first fractured bone he'd suffered at the hands of this raging monster. He feared it wouldn't be the last either.
"Where do you think you're taking me?" Cody found the courage to ask as he was moved out the door of the shoppette.
"Either you're getting braver or you're much more stupider than you ever were before," he was vehemently reprimanded with a firm wallop to the back of his head, "you'll go where I say, when I say, and how I say. Now, head out past those cabins!"
Slowly, Cody shuffled off in the direction he'd been instructed to travel. How he wished Sheriff Daniels was there to help him, but he wasn't. Cody wondered if he'd ever see the Sheriff again? He knew the chances were real good he wouldn't.
Trapped by this barbaric predator, the defenseless boy was all alone, like he'd been for most of his life.
(To Be Continued)
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Cast of Characters:
Cody Schroder - Blond munchkin and central character of the book.
Sheriff Brock Daniels - Long time Sheriff of Astatula and Cody's Dad.
Matt Cochran - Cody's best friend.
Lynda Beckham - Owner and operator of the Buck and Doe's shoppette at Sullivan Lake.
Earl Anthony Schroder - Cody's biological sperm donor. Put Cody through ten years of hellacious physical, mental, and sexual abuse in Palo Pinto.
Chapter Word Count: 679
Book Word Count: 4,266
| Author Notes |
Yes, we all love Cody. However, tantalizing tidbits. That's all I'm going to feed readers of this book. A little at a time. Perhaps five to seven hundred words a day. Just enough to wet your whistle. So, you will just have to check in often to find out what is happening with the Cody Schroder Express this time?
This is Evan, by Lilibug6, selected to complement all my Cody Schroder stories. So, thanks Lilibug6, for the use of your picture. It goes so nicely with all my Cody Schroder stories. |
By Brett Matthew West
LAST TIME: Slowly, Cody shuffled off in the direction he'd been instructed to travel. How he wished Sheriff Daniels was there to help him, but he wasn't. Cody wondered if he would ever see the Sheriff again? He knew the chances were real good he wouldn't.
Trapped by this barbaric predator, the defenseless boy was all alone, like he'd been for most of his life.
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Cody ambled between the two rustic cabins he'd been instructed to pass by. His incarcerator staggered over a furrow he did not see. He crashed to the ground freeing the hammerlock he had on Cody. This was the boy's only opportunity. He sprinted off, pumping his arms and legs as fast as he could move the limbs.
"Get back here, now!" Earl Anthony Schroder vigorously demanded.
For the first time in his entire life, Cody found the bravery to disobey Earl Anthony Schroder.
As he made his retreat, echoing off in the distance he heard: "Run, Cody Michael! Run like your worthless life depends on it! Because it does! When I get my hands on you, and you know I will, I am going to kill you dead like I should have a long time ago! You hear me, you putrid fecal douchebag?"
The words emitted from Earl Anthony Schroder blared at his disappearing prey. Then, he released a sinister, petrifying, chortle.
Cody knew the landscape around Sullivan Lake well. He anticipated his antagonist did not. As Earl Anthony Schroder picked himself up out of the sand where he'd fallen prostrate, Cody disappeared into a canyon.
He ran until his aching lungs burned from oxygen deprivation. Breathing became laborious. Still, he did not slow down. Not one step. Cody ran until his legs sizzled. The raging fire blazed. Nighttime darkness settled in as hushed as a newborn's sleep.
From his vantage point, Cody observed Matt place their bikes into the trunk of Sheriff Daniels' patrol car. He saw his Dad drive away from Buck and Doe's. He knew he should contact the Sheriff's cellphone to alert him to his whereabouts, and to tell him he was okay. But, he wasn't. Not really.
Cody smelled the dirt he walked on. Every bush he encountered cast an eerie shadow in the bright, star-filled West Texas sky. He feared Earl Anthony Schroder lurked behind each one of them. Home would be a safe haven, but he could not risk luring the beast he avoided there. Nor could he jeopardize those he loved. Cody never felt so alone in his life. He pressed on.
Unexpected, something scurried past his feet. Cody leaped sideways to avoid what startled him. In the full moon's light he noticed it was an armadillo. He almost punted the vulnerable creature for spooking him, but the animal scooted off just as though it had as much right to the grassland as Cody did. Off in the distance a screech owl hooted.
Exhausted, Cody found his way to the forbidden Miller's Cave. He was just miniscule enough to squeeze between the stacked boulders and the mouth of the grotto. Violating Sheriff Daniels's strictest decree because of the dangers the quarry presented, Cody had spelunked the rock shelter several times before.
Once inside, he pulled his cellphone out of the pocket of his shirt and called Sheriff Daniels.
"I've been out looking for you all afternoon. Where are you at, Little Man," a worried Sheriff Daniels asked his son.
"I'm in Miller's Cave, Dad. Earl Anthony Schroder can't get me here," Cody responded.
"You crawl as far back inside that cave as you can get. And, you don't make any sounds at all until you hear my voice calling you out. Do you understand me, Cody?" Sheriff Daniels wanted to know.
"Yes, Sir," Cody responded.
The Sheriff softened his tone and said, "I'm on my way, son. Are you okay, Little Man?"
Cody answered his Dad's question with a sincere, "My face is multi-colored from where he slapped the fire out of me. My head hurts real bad from where I banged it on the counter at Buck and Doe's. And, I'm scared, Dad. Please hurry!"
"You stay there until I arrive. I'm on my way right now, son," his Dad encouraged him.
"Yes, sir," Cody replied, his tender youthfulness displayed.
Cody disconnected the call and scampered to the furthest end of the cave he could find. Once there, he plopped down on his haunches, pulled his knees up under his chest, and buried his battered face deep into the crook of his folded arms. In silence, Cody wept.
Before long, Cody heard his name called. He wiped the tears out of his blue eyes with his hands, sniffled, and cautiously made his way to the mouth of the cave. Bit by bit, he poked his head out just far enough where he could see the person calling him was in reality Sheriff Daniels.
Seeing his Dad, Cody scampered out of Miller's Cave. He charged into the Sheriff's waiting arms and clung to him tighter than he ever had before. For a moment, Sheriff Daniels sheltered Cody. He examined the cut on the boy's forehead and his swollen, bruised face.
Finally, he said, "Let's go home where you belong, Little Man."
It was then they heard Earl Anthony Schroder's presumptuous voice call across the dale. Schroder was perched on top of a boulder, cocksure of himself.
He said, "Daniels, take that poor excuse for human waste product home. But, when you get there, I'll be waiting around every corner and behind each door you open. Don't think I won't be. Ask Cody what I'm capable of. He can tell you. When you least expect it, Daniels, I'm going to eliminate you. Then, God help what I do to him!"
Undeterred by the threat, Sheriff Daniels vowed, "If you ever come anywhere near Cody again I will kill you!"
"You aren't man enough, Daniels!" Earl Anthony Schroder taunted him, "I do what I want to, when I want to, and how I want to. There ain't a man alive who can stop me!"
Earl Anthony Schroder dropped off the boulder and vanished into a ravine leading away from Miller's Cave. Sheriff Daniels and Cody watched him disappear. The games had just begun.
(To Be Continued)
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Cast of Characters:
Cody Schroder - Blond munchkin and main character of the book.
Sheriff Brock Daniels - Long time Sheriff of Astatula and Cody's Dad.
Earl Anthony Schroder - Cody's male sperm donor. Put Cody through ten years of hellacious physical, mental, and sexual abuse in Palo Pinto.
Chapter Word Count: 1,103
Book Word Count: 5,364
| Author Notes |
Yes, we all love Cody. However, tantalizing tidbits. That's all I'm going to feed readers of this book. A little at a time. Perhaps five to six hundred words a day. Just enough to wet your whistle. So, you will just have to check in often to find out what is happening with the Cody Schroder Express this time.
This is Evan, by Lilibug6, selected to complement all my Cody Schroder stories. So, thanks, Lilibug6, for the use of your picture. It goes so nicely with all my Cody Schroder stories. |
By Brett Matthew West
Last Time: Earl Anthony Schroder dropped off the boulder and vanished into a ravine leading away from Miller's Cave. Sheriff Daniels and Cody watched him disappear. The games had just begun.
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Fernando Augustus, the broad-faced, vertically challenged, Italian who operated the Pasta Fairre Italiano Ristorante, wiped the table off with meticulous aplomb. Business was steady. That was good for Fernando. Ringing cash registers brought a smile of pleasure to his face.
The restauranter wore a long sleeved white shirt, and a black bowtie, every day Pasta Fairre was open. He also trimmed his pencil-thin mustache weekly. Soon, he'd have none left. Fine linen tablecloths, and attractive round tables, adorned Pasta Fairre.
Sheriff Daniels knew Fernando appreciated formality, even in his conversations. He entered the fashionable establishment with Cody and Beth by his side. Since Earl Anthony Schroder was still on the loose, Cody was kept on a short leash for his own protection. Tonight, the three of them were dining out together.
"Buon pomeriggio, Signore Augustus," Sheriff Daniels warmly greeted the proprietor as he approached their table.
Fernando Augustus nodded a stiff "hello!" in return.
Cody sat quietly at the table taking in his surroundings. Since his encounter with Earl Anthony Schroder, he feared the lunatic lurked somewhere in the shadows watching his every little movement. Lately, the boy's once vibrant personality was docile. The stitches he'd received from smashing his head on the counter at Buck and Doe's had been removed that morning. He had another little scar to add to the collection of them he'd previously received at the hands of Earl Anthony Schroder.
Noticing Cody's sour disposition, Fernando Augustus commented, "Under the circumstances it is too bad a certain, unnamed, somebody is not dead!"
"He will be if I ever see him again!" Cody blurted out.
The remark produced a stern look of consternation from Sheriff Daniels. Cody sipped water from the glass Fernando had placed on the table upon noticing their arrival.
"Fernando, do you still have that flier on the Wilson County Cattle Drive Extravaganza and Camp you showed me the other day when I was in here for lunch?" Sheriff Daniels inquired.
"Dad, I'm not leaving you and Astatula!" Cody protested. His tone was emphatic.
"It's only for ten days, Little Man. A change of scenery will do you good," Sheriff Daniels replied.
Fernando passed them each a dinner menu. He departed the table to fetch the flyer Sheriff Daniels asked him about. Not desiring to be caught in the middle of the disagreement between Sheriff Daniels and Cody, Beth reclined back in her chair. She opened her menu and scanned the offerings.
Cody sulked. He'd just lost his appetite. He said to himself, 'At this rate, thanks to Earl Anthony Schroder, I won't have anything left.'
"Sit up straight in your chair, son," Sheriff Daniels instructed him to do, "you know there is no slouching allowed at the dinner table, especially when we are out in public."
Cody repositioned himself. Upon Fernando's return with the aforementioned flyer, he closed his menu, laid it in the middle of the table, and announced, "I'm not hungry. I don't want anything to eat."
"Suit yourself, son," was all Sheriff Daniels told him, "however, remember, I do not run a fast food restaurant at home."
Beth felt the tension between the two of them escalate. In an effort to diffuse the situation, she glanced up from her menu and asked, "Cody, I thought Earl Anthony Schroder was dead?"
Her question seemed odd and Cody's response was brusque, "So did me, and Dad, and everybody in Palo Pinto, and everybody in Astatula, too."
Continuing her train of thought, Beth wondered, "I thought he died when he hit that embankment head-on at ninety-three miles an hour?"
Cody just shrugged a quizzical "I don't know" as if he was saying, "beat's me."
"You were at his funeral weren't you?" Beth inquired.
"Yes, I was," Cody responded. He took another sip of water from his glass on the table and said, "but, they said I was too young to see the body. All I ever saw was the closed casket."
Sheriff Daniels interjected, "Well, the bruises on Cody's face certainly didn't get there by themselves. They prove Earl Anthony Schroder is very much alive. Somehow, he faked his own funeral. Now, can we order our dinners?"
"What kind of a pathetic, worthless piece of garbage, son-of-a-bitch would make his own ten-year-old son attend his funeral when he's not even dead?" Beth snapped.
She realized the vulgarity of her comment, and knew it wasn't her usual nature. She always tried to keep her language clean, particularly around Cody, who she turned to and stated, "I'm sorry I said that, Cody. So, forget you heard that word, okay?"
"I've called him a whole lot worse than that, Beth," Cody responded twirling his fork in his fingers. He looked at the Sheriff and said, "Maybe you should have his grave dug up, Dad."
His comment sounded as though he knew a deep dark secret that had never before been revealed, and he continued with, "You know, to find out who, or what, is really inside that casket. I wouldn't put anything past that son-of-a-!"
"Watch your mouth, son," Sheriff Daniels cut him off.
However, Cody's remark grabbed Sheriff Daniels' attention. Curiously, he pondered, "Something I should know about, son?"
Cody dropped the fork he'd been playing with. He reached over and picked up the bottle of ketchup, as well as the salt and pepper shakers. He set them back down on the table in front of himself and said, "If I had a cup of hot water, I could make delicious tomato soup."
He wondered if his cryptic message sailed over the Sheriff's head?
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Cast of Characters:
Cody Schroder - Blond munchkin and main character of the book.
Sheriff Brock Daniels - Long time Sheriff of Astatula and Cody's Dad.
Beth Sorenson - Sheriff Daniels' lady friend. Brought Cody to Astatula.
Earl Anthony Schroder - Cody's biological sperm donor. Put Cody through ten years of hellacious physical, mental, and sexual abuse in Palo Pinto.
Fernando Augustus - Proprietor of the Pasta Fairre Ialiano Ristorante.
Chapter Word Count: 1,024
Book Word Count: 6,328
| Author Notes |
Buon pomeriggio, Signore Augustus - Italian for good afternoon Mister Augustus.
This is Evan, by Lilibug6, selected to complement all my Cody Schroder stories. So, thanks Lilibug6, for the use of your picture. It goes so nicely with all my Cody Schroder stories. |
By Brett Matthew West
(Note To Readers: There are several Italian words scattered throughout this section. Their English translations are provided in the Author's Notes area below.)
Last Time: However, Cody's remark grabbed Sheriff Daniels' attention. Curiously, he pondered, "Something I should know about, son?"
Cody dropped the fork he'd been playing with. He reached over and picked up the bottle of ketchup, as well as the salt and pepper shakers. He set them back down on the table in front of himself and said, "If I had a cup of hot water, I could make delicious tomato soup."
He wondered if his cryptic message sailed over the Sheriff's head?
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Acting like he was doing something special for the Sheriff, Fernando Augustus placed a squat bottle, encased in a fiasco, in the middle of the table, and proudly stated, "The chianti is magnifico! And, for you, it is on the house. Godere!"
Famished, Beth responded by ordering her meal, "I will try the penne alla Bolognese, unsweetened ice tea, and the brioche. They are all so meraviglioso!"
Another hard day's work in the books, it was Sheriff Daniels' turn to order his meal. He said, "I'll have a flatiron, medium-rare. Add a baked potato with sour cream, butter, and bacon bits. For a vegetable, I'll have the steamed broccoli. To drink?" He reflected for a moment then stated, "I will have coffee."
Sheriff Daniels turned to his son and asked him, "Cody, what would you like to have tonight? Perhaps a bacon cheeseburger and French fries? They are your favorite foods."
Now in one of his grumbler moods he occasionally entertained, Cody did not answer. He was still miffed off about the Wilson County Cattle Drive Extravaganza and Camp flyer Fernando Augustus had given the Sheriff. For his part, Fernando Augustus stood by. His patience persisted.
"Young Man, do we need to continue this conversation out in the shed when we get home?" Sheriff Daniels asked Cody. The seriousness of his tone indicated his displeasure at the inappropriateness of his son's behavior.
Beth reached out and gently patted the Sheriff's wrist. Under her breath, she whispered, "Brock, Cody's been under a lot of stress lately."
"It's been four days since Cody's encounter with Earl Anthony Schroder," Sheriff Daniels remarked. He glared at Cody and said in no uncertain terms, "I want you to pick that menu up off the table where you placed it, right now. You are to open it up and order yourself something to eat, even if it is only a bowl of the cheddar cheese soup you like so much."
Beth knew, as much as Sheriff Daniels loved Cody, that there were times parenting had to occur. She also realized, on those occasions, Brock Daniels had no problems with doing just that.
As Cody reached for the menu he'd laid on the table, Sheriff Daniels said a little mellower, "From now on, I expect a much better performance out of you than I've gotten lately, Little Man. Is that clear?
Cody looked at the Sheriff and replied with a half-hearted, "Yes, sir."
"Now order," Sheriff Daniels responded.
Slightly irritated by their heated exchange, Beth informed the Sheriff, "Cody's not perfect, Brock."
He looked at her and confirmed, "I don't want Cody to be perfect, Beth. What I want is for Cody to be himself again. The Cody we both know and love so much."
"Just give him a little time, Brock," Beth encouraged him, saying, "that's all Cody needs."
With their orders in hand, Fernando Augustus departed the table. He entered the kitchen and gave their orders to the chef. Then, behind a closed door, in the privacy of his office, he contacted a cellphone number.
"Did you provide Daniels the flyer as instructed?" the unidentified recipient of that phone call inquired.
"Si," Augustus faithfully established.
"Good. It is imperative I separate Cody Schroder as far away from Brock Daniels as possible," was the next comment Fernando Augustus heard spoken.
He almost felt remorse for his deed. However, he knew if you are thrifty with the pennies the dollars will roll in. Confirmation of that truism was the next word he heard.
The party he conversed with stated, "My Boston buyer is prepared to offer top dollar for such a fine specimen as Cody Schroder. I shall be in contact again, Fernando. There is more I wish for you to do."
With that the call ended. Shortly thereafter, Fernando Augustus plastered a smile on his face. He walked out into the ristorante to attend to Sheriff Daniels and his target. His financial difficulties would promptly become a distant memory.
"Shall we have dessert?" he asked them with gusto, exclaiming, "the tiramisu is fantastico!"
"I'm up for that," Cody immediately chimed in.
Brock Daniels beamed at the sudden change in Cody's attitude and thought to himself, "Well, it's about time, Little Man. Glad to have you back to your old self again!"
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Cast of Characters:
Cody Schroder - Blond munchkin and main character of the book
Sheriff Brock Daniels - Long time Sheriff of Astatula and Cody's Dad.
Beth Sorenson - Brock Daniels' long time lady friend. Brought Cody to Astatula.
Fernando Augustus - Proprietor of the Pasta Fairre Italiano Ristorante in Astatula.
Unknown Caller - Schemes to sell Cody Schroder to a buyer in Boston.
Chapter Word Count: 786
Book Word Count: 7,308
| Author Notes |
Italian words us in this chapter and their English translations:
meraviglioso - wonderful fiasco - flask chianti - a Tuscany wine magnifico - magnificent godere - enjoy si - yes ristorante - restaurant fantastico - incredible This is Evan, by Lilibug6, selected to complement all my Cody Schroder stories. So, thanks Lilibug6, for the use of your picture. It goes so nicely with all my Cody Schroder stories. |
By Brett Matthew West
Last Time: Brock Daniels beamed at the sudden change in Cody's attitude and thought to himself, "Well, it's about time, Little Man. Glad to have you back to your old self again."
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Sheriff Daniels adored the little boy he found in Cody. He especially liked how his diamond blue eyes animated. All it required was a little encouragement for him to light up like the Christmas tree in Central Park. A slight fist bump, or a gentle pat on the back, normally brought the impish grin to Cody's face his Dad treasured so much.
Arriving home late from the Pasta Fairre Italiano Ristorante, Cody spread his blanket out on the floor of the front porch of their house. In the heat of the summer, he slept much better under the twinkling stars of the West Texas sky. Sheriff Daniels allowed him to have his fun.
'Life's torments snatch children away much too soon,' the Sheriff thought to himself.
He understood Cody's abundant enthusiasm for being outside to catch the breaking light of day as it crept over the horizon. Red as the coals in a forge, the genesis of the morning illuminated Sullivan Lake. There weren't many more enjoyable sights in all of Astatula. This was also Sheriff Daniels' favorite time of the day.
He found serenity in listening to the mockingbirds trilling the arrival of a new dawn. The chaparral surrounding their property was kissed by the dew. Little rainbows appeared as the sun slowly touched its wetness. This was one of the many reasons Brock Daniels had hand-built his home on the outskirts of the small town so many years ago.
Reddish-gold light infiltrated the mesquite bushes. As the sun continued to rise, Sheriff Daniels could watch the bluffs south of town as they seemed to linger for a short while in the bluish hue. This morning, he had to step over the still snoring Cody.
'That boy could sleep through a Texas tornado,' he considered to himself.
Cody slept comfortably. The boy's favorite position appeared to be laying on his belly, with his face buried in the middle of his overstuffed pillow. The Sheriff could see this was one of those mornings when Cody was not going to arouse early or easily. He gave the boy a firm swat on the seat of his pajama-clad bottom and Cody's sleepy eyes popped wide opened.
Sounding very young, Cody whined, "Dad, I was having a dream."
"Your loss, Kiddo. Time to rise and shine. Beth will have breakfast on the table soon. All of your favorites including pancakes with blackberry syrup, ham, and scrambled eggs," his Dad informed him. Then, before entering through the front door of the residence, he reminded Cody, "Don't forget to feed Blazer before you come inside. He depends on you for his nourishment, you know. "
Cody tried to come alive. He gave a big yawn, stretched real good, and rose up off the blanket he'd spread out on. He reached down, picked the cover up and folded it into a neat square. That accomplished, he placed it on the wooden swing hanging from the roof of the screened-in porch.
His chore completed, Cody's bare feet patted back to the middle of the porch. He pushed open the screen door leading outside, and bounded down the three concrete stairs that placed him on the grass. As he rounded the corner of their home, and headed for the barn, he began whistling a happy rendition of "I've Been Working on the Railroad."
Blazer was nowhere around.
'The silly mutt probably went chasing the ring-necked pheasants and ruffed grouse again,' Cody proposed to himself as he popped open the lid on the wooden box that contained his amigol's fifty pound red bag of Ol' Roy dry dog food.
He scooped a bowl of kibbles out of the bag and shut the lid on the box. He set the bowl down on the floor of the barn. On the far wall hung an item Cody dreaded seeing. A memento of days gone by. Cody felt he'd outgrown its need. After all, he was twelve, going on thirteen in eleven more months.
On the other hand, his Dad wasn't so sure he'd agree with Cody's assessment of that particular situation. On those rare occasions when they occurred, if they needed to occur, the barn was definitely not one of Cody's most favorite short-term vacation spots. Nor was it meant to be. Such was the case the night before with Cody's wanton misbehavior at the restaurant. It hadn't been employed, but Cody knew it well could have been.
As soon as he placed the bowl of dog food on the ground, Blazer loped up from his morning run.
"If you're such a mighty hunter, why don't you ever bring any goodies back with you, puppy dog, and earn your keep once in a while?" he asked Blazer.
The dog produced a happy bark.
Cody checked his friend's water bowl. Teasingly, he questioned Blazer with, "You think I should give you something to drink, scrounge?"
Once again, Blazer barked agreement and wagged his tail in rapid succession.
"You are something else, boy!" Cody laughed as he filled the dog's water bowl. He kept a one gallon jug of the liquid in a small refrigerator in the barn for just such an auspicious occasion. "Now, it's my turn to eat. I'll see you later, alligator" he said.
Cody scratched Blazer's ears and headed out of the barn. Blazer was already into his food dish. Cody glanced down on the ground. It was then he noticed a small piece of cardstock laying beside the door he had not noticed upon entering the barn.
Curious as to what it may be, he bent down and picked the piece of paper up off the ground. Yellowed, and faded with age, it was a business card. Cody read the printing.
In bold black letters it said, "Earl Anthony Schroder, Handyman." His old Palo Pinto address, and telephone number, were printed in the bottom right corner of the card. Cody hadn't seen one of these business cards in several years.
Earl Anthony Schroder had struck again. This time, much too close to home for Cody. He knew he had to immediately show the card to Sheriff Daniels.
(To Be Continued:)
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Cast of Characters:
Cody Schroder - Blond munchkin and main character of the book.
Sheriff Brock Daniels - Long time Sheriff of Astatula and Cody's Dad.
Earl Anthony Schroder - Cody's biological sperm donor. Put Cody through ten years of hellacious physical, mental, and sexual abuse in Palo Pinto.
Blazer - Cody's Black Lab.
Chapter Word Count: 1,109
Book Word Count: 8,537
| Author Notes |
This is Evan, by Lilibug6, selected to complement all my Cody Schroder books and stories.
So, thanks Lilibug6, for the use of your picture. It goes so nicely with all my Cody Schroder books and stories. |
By Brett Matthew West
Last Time: Earl Anthony Schroder had struck again. This time, too close to home for Cody. He knew he had to immediately show the card to Sheriff Daniels.
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Sheriff Daniels called his son's cellphone and inquired, "What's your 10-20?"
"Southern Breeze," Cody replied. He and Matt were playing video games in their favorite arcade.
"Don't forget to come to the station at two o'clock. We're scheduled for a hearing with Judge Stancil. He's got several questions he wants you to answer about Earl Anthony Schroder's gravesite," the Sheriff reminded him.
"I'll be there in an hour, Dad," Cody replied, with that he watched Matt pop two quarters into a machine called Cyclone, in which he attempted to win tokens redeemable for more games.
As the flashing lights appeared on Matt's console, Cody recalled his first interrogation session with Judge Stancil when Sheriff Daniels adopted him. What they kept hushed between them ever since was they were buddies. On several instances, when they'd pass on the sidewalk, the Judge slipped Cody some of his colored rock candy without anyone seeing the act transpire. Unfortunately, Cody's diabetes put an end to those little treats.
Cody also appreciated the fact that Judge Stancil was tough as nails on criminals. His reputation far exceeded him when it came to those affairs. He'd placed many bad guys in the warden's steel garden for long stretches of years.
But, what Cody liked the most about Judge Stancil was their first courtroom encounter. He remembered entering the court and seeing all the expressive wood paneling that adorned the room. He hadn't been the least bit intimidated by the Judge's presence.
Forty-five minutes flew by as the boys played their game in the crowded arcade. It was time for Cody to head down to the Sheriff's Station where his Dad awaited his arrival.
Strolling east down the sidewalk that paralleled Cassandra Boulevard, Cody knew every dirty crack his sneakers stepped on. Most of them by their first names. As he meandered from the arcade to the Sheriff's Station, he hummed the tune to the song, "If I Had A Hammer". Lately, he'd taken to singing little ditties to himself more and more. Cody saw nothing wrong with the quirky habit.
He passed the Rex-All Drugstore and Chris's Home Lighting. A little further along his route was Martindale's Sporting Goods. Prominently displayed inside the big bay window that fronted the establishment, for all the world to see, was the most marvelous Rawlings baseball glove of all time. At least, Cody thought so. The leather glistened in the sunlight.
Cody's heart was set on owning that mitt. He had been eyeing it for a while. So far, the asking price was slightly out of his range. Standing outside the store admiring the glove once again, Cody reasoned if he offered to do extra chores around the house, Sheriff Daniels would front him the seventeen dollars he needed to add to his savings in the SunTrust Bank to afford the jewel he desired.
However, his independent nature persuaded him, "No, don't ask your Dad for the money. All you have to do is deliver your newspapers for two more weeks and you'll be able to purchase the glove you crave on your own."
Cody wanted that glove so bad he could taste it. The core of his being longed to feel its high quality. As the starting shortstop for the Astatula Mustangs Little League baseball team he needed a good glove. Held together by chicken wire, superglue, and scotch tape, his old one was ratty. So far, Cody hadn't asked for the money, or the glove. His resistance grew weaker though each time he admired it.
Seated in the patio of the Becker's Coffee Shop next door to the sporting goods store, and undetected by Cody, Beth Sorenson observed his wonderment. She sipped the last of her latte. Once finished with that, she stood up and nibbled on the arm of her Ray-Ban sunglasses.
'Now, I know how to get back in your good graces again' she contemplated to herself.
Cody crossed Cassandra Boulevard at the traffic light. Three pickup trucks waited for the signal to change to "green" so they could proceed. He noticed how everybody in Astatula seemed to drive a truck, including his Dad who owned a Ford F150 with all the bells and whistles.
Entering the Sheriff's Station, Cody found his Dad seated behind his metal desk. He held a Wanted poster of Earl Anthony Schroder in his hand. Upon noticing the poster, Cody could not control his excitement.
"I've never seen him look better," he said.
"I'll feel better when I have him in custody, and he is no longer a threat to you ever again," his Dad replied, "I'll give you the honor of plastering them around town for me."
"I'll do it right after we finish talking with Judge Stancil," Cody eagerly replied, "I can't wait!"
Cody smiled broadly. He did not realize while he was talking to his Dad that Beth entered the Martindale's Sporting Goods store. She bee-lined for the glove Cody coveted. She picked it up from off its perch and carried the mitt straight to the checkout register.
"Good afternoon, Beth," the middle aged clerk warmly greeted her. He saw what she held in her hand and said, "Cody's going to be one happy boy."
"Yes, he will be, Joe. But, do me a small favor if you would please," Beth began.
"What's that?" he asked her.
"Please don't mention anything about this to Cody. I want this glove to be a surprise," Beth replied.
"You don't have to worry about my otherwise big mouth," he promised her, stating, "my lips are zipped."
Joe rang the sale of the glove up on the cash register and informed her, "That will be thirty-nine ninety-nine, Beth. Shall it be cash or credit today?"
"You better put the purchase on my Visa," Beth responded.
She fished the credit card out of her wallet and handed the plastic to Joe so the transaction could be completed. Leaving the store, Beth stepped back out into the bright sunshine and repeated to herself, 'Yes, now I know exactly how to get back in your good graces my dear Cody.'
(To Be Continued:)
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Cast of Characters:
Cody Schroder - Blond munchkin and the main character of the book.
Sheriff Brock Daniels - Long time Sheriff of Astatula and Cody's Dad.
Beth Sorenson - Long time lady friend of Sheriff Brock Daniels. Brought Cody to Astatula.
Matt Cochran - Cody's best friend.
Judge Stancil - Circuit Court Judge who approved Cody's adoption by Sheriff Brock Daniels.
Earl Anthony Schroder - Cody's biological sperm donor. Put Cody through ten years of hellacious physical, mental, and sexual abuse in Palo Pinto.
Joe - Sales Clerk at the Martindale's Sporting Goods Store.
Chapter Word Count: 1,105
Book Word Count: 9,655
| Author Notes |
10-20 = location
This is Evan, by Lilibug6, selected to compliment all my Cody Schroder stories. So, thanks Lilibug6, for the use of your picture. It goes so nicely with all my Cody Schroder stories. |
By Brett Matthew West
LAST TIME: She fished the credit card out of her wallet and handed the plastic to Joe so the transaction could be completed. Leaving the store, Beth stepped back out into the bright sunshine and repeated to heself, 'Yes, now I know exactly how to get back in your good graces my dear Cody.'
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Corpulent, and a year shy of retirement, Debbie Ritterhoff had been Judge Stancil's judicial assistant and clerical specialist for twenty-nine years. Her mid-brown frizzy hair conformed well with her salient nose, thick eyebrows, and thin lips. Her vivacious personality captivated her to all she came in contact with. Situated in front of the Judge's chambers, it was in her capacious work station that her amicable greeting was presented to Sheriff Daniels and Cody upon their arrival at the scheduled afternoon hearing.
Conferring in a lighthearted manner she queried them, "It sure is another nice day in Astatula, isn't it?" Then, she delayed a moment and pronounced, "Except it's hotter than blue blazes!"
"That's what summertime in West Texas is all about, Debbie," was Sheriff Daniels' sociable reply. Always a gentleman, he withdrew his cream-colored Stetson hat from off the top of his head and held it in his hands at his waist.
"The Judge is expecting you, Sheriff, so have a seat and I'll inform him that you have arrived. As you know, he admires promptness," she declared. Inquisitive and cordial, she turned to Cody and wondered, "How's your diabetes coming along these days, pipsqueak?"
"Ugh! No fun," Cody grumbled. It seemed everybody in town knew about his malady. They never allowed him to forget it either. He'd let anyone of them have the syndrome just for the asking.
After Sheriff Daniels and Cody were settled, Debbie Ritterhoff departed her cubicle to speak to Judge Stancil. In a couple moments she reappeared and divulged, "The Judge will see you now, Sheriff."
They erected themselves and traipsed behind her into the voluminous chambers. Immediately, Cody spotted an autographed poster of Roger "The Dodger" Staubach, the famous quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys NFL football team, prominently plastered on a side wall of the Judge's assembly room. He wasn't impressed by the banner. His favorite football team was the New Orleans Saints, and their unstoppable signal caller Drew Brees. Much like Cody, his short stature was copious and he was elusive on the playing field.
Eyeballing Cody's reaction to what he observed, and with his Cowboys pride obvious, Judge Stancil boasted, "There was never a better passer in the history of the game, my boy."
He enjoined the lawman to, "Pull up a chair and make yourself comfortable, Sheriff."
Once Sheriff Daniels fulfilled the request, the Judge quizzed him by posing, "How goes the war on crime in our fair town today, Brock?"
"We're winning the battle right now, Judge," Sheriff Daniels reciprocated.
Cody recollected an incident from two years earlier. It was the first time he'd met Judge Stancil. In retrospect, he remembered how the Judge, while seated behind the bench, had lifted him up and set him on his lap. Not only that, but Judge Stancil had locked eyes with him the entire time they conversed man-to-man.
At first, he was convinced the Judge would force him to return to Palo Pinto. An unknown distant relative had mysteriously surfaced who claimed he wanted Cody. He recalled how that prospect made him miserable. But, startling, Judge Stancil approved Sheriff Daniels' adoption petition and Cody was ecstatic!
Since that time, Cody had grown a little bigger than he was before. He knew there would be no sitting on Judge Stancil's lap today. A wooden chair had been placed opposite of where the Judge roosted.
"Park yourself right there, Cody. I have a little story to tell you. Then, we're going to discuss at length the matter of what you may know about your father," Judge Stancil commenced. He realized the error in what he said and corrected his vernacular with, "Forgive me, dear boy. What I mean is of what you may know about Earl Anthony Schroder's grave."
Cody mounted the chair like it was a horse. He wrapped the toes of his sneakers around the front legs of the chair, leaned forward, and attentively listened to what the Judge orated. He was all ears as their vis-a-vis conversation launched.
"Are you minding the Sheriff, Cody?" the Judge asked him.
"Sometimes," Cody replied in all sincerity. 'Hey, a boy's gotta be truthful,' he thought to himself without audiblizing the words.
"Sometimes?" came the Judge's surprised response.
"Most of the time," Cody sheepishly remarked.
"How about from now on the only answer I get when I ask you that question is all the time, young man?" the Judge scolded him.
"Yes, sir," Cody assented.
"Have you made your Dad lock you in jail again?" Judge Stancil inquired changing the subject.
"No, sir. One time was plenty for me!" Cody unhesitantly ascertained.
"You haven't graffitied anybody else's property lately have you?" the Judge wanted to know.
"No, sir. I'm being good about that kind of stuff," Cody admitted.
"Sheriff, locking Cody in jail for vandalizing that barn was classic parenting," Judge Stancil complimented the lawman. He said, "Too bad more parents in Astatula can not do the same thing. That way the juvenile delinquency rate in my courtroom would plummet."
"Thank you, Your Honor. I'm convinced Cody and Matt will never pull another stunt like that one ever again," Sheriff Daniels replied.
"I'm sure they won't indeed," Judge Stancil concurred.
They both laughed heartily. Cody perched quiet on his chair listening to them conversate. That was when Judge Stancil told him this story.
"There were these two little boys. One of them bragged my pecker is bigger than your pecker. It's longer, too! Well, mine's fatter and juicer than yours. And, it elongates, too! The second little boy retorted."
The Judge paused for dramatic effect before he continued with, "Well, if that's the way you feel about it, I'm going to take my pecker and go home! Boy Number One fumed. He grabbed his chicken and stormed off the feedlot."
Cody ruptured a gasket cackling. He belly laughed so hard his sides throbbed. He thought that was the funniest story he'd ever heard. He snickered so much he almost wet his pants from guffawing.
(Shame on you! Where was your mind at?)
Immensely fond of Cody, the Judge specified, "Now, quarter-pint, let's just get right to the crux of why I called you in here today. I want you to tell me explicitly what you meant when you told your Dad at Pasta Fairre if you had a cup of hot water you could make tomato soup. And, don't spare any gory details in what you say."
(To Be Continued:)
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Cast of Characters:
Cody Schroder - Blond munchkin and main character of the book.
Sheriff Brock Daniels - Long time Sheriff of Astatula and Cody's Dad.
Beth Sorenson - Sheriff Daniels' long time lady friend. Brought Cody to Astatula.
Matt Cochran - Cody's best friend.
Judge Stancil - Circuit Judge for Astatula. Approved Cody's adoption by Sheriff Brock Daniels.
Debbie Ritterhoff - Judge Stancil's judicial assistant and clerical specialist.
Joe - Salesclerk for Martindale's Sporting Goods store.
Roger Staubach - Real life Hall of Fame Quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys.
Drew Brees - Named the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year for 2010, he is the real life quarterback of the New Orleans Saints National Football League team.
Earl Anthony Schroder - Cody's biological sperm donor. Put Cody through ten years of hellacious physical, mental, and sexual abuse in Palo Pinto.
Chapter Word Count: 1,164
Book Word Count: 10,818
| Author Notes |
Note for readers unfamiliar with Cody's story: the adoption scene, and the vandalism scene, are both detailed in Cody's first book that I called Astatula.
Can you believe this is already my third Cody Schroder book? Time sure does fly by when you're having fun, doesn't it? This is Evan, by Lilibug6, selected to complement all my Cody Schroder stories. So, thanks Lilibug6, for the use of your picture. It goes so nicely with all my Cody Schroder stories. |
By Brett Matthew West
Last Time: Immensely fond of Cody, the Judge specified, "Now quarter-pint, let's just get right to the crux of why I called you in here today. I want you to tell me explicitly what you meant when you told your Dad at Pasta Fairre if you had a cup of hot water you could make tomato soup. And, don't spare any gory details in what you say."
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Cody wiped the smile off his face with the palm of his hand. He hadn't laughed that hard in forever. Now, it was time to get serious.
"Things aren't always as they appear to be," he told the Judge.
"You just said a mouthful, Cody," Judge Stancil agreed with his comment, then encouraged him to, "tell me more."
"Well, if you add ketchup to hot water it's red like tomato soup, right?" Cody asked shifting his position in his chair.
The Judge rubbed his chin in contemplation. He pondered the boy's proposal and answered, "Yes, I suppose it is, quarter-pint." That was Judge Stancil's pet name for Cody because of his small size.
"And, even if you toss in other stuff like they were footballs being passed around, that still does not make the concoction tomato soup, does it?" Cody asked.
Very patient with the lad, more so than he would have been with anybody else he was questioning, Judge Stancil responded, "No, it does not. But, Cody, what I am looking for is something solid. I need a reason to exhume Earl Anthony Schroder's grave. Can we explore that avenue and see if we can find one?"
Cody drew a deep breath. Reluctant to divulge too much information all at one time, he felt the ice cold air of uncertainty settle over him. He looked at the Sheriff, then back at the Judge, but did not speak another word. It was as if he knew a deep, dark secret he wasn't sure how to reveal. His biggest fear was that he was afraid what he said would destroy his relationship with his Dad.
Judge Stancil sensed the boy's uneasiness and coaxed him with, "Just come on out and say what's on your mind, Cody."
Instead of complying with the Judge's instructions, Cody pressed his forehead down on top of his folded arms he'd laid on top of Judge Stancil's desk and bemoaned, "I can't. Everybody's going to hate me when I do!"
Judge Stancil gently patted him on the shoulder and said, "Lift your head up, Cody. Nobody's going to hate you. All I want is the truth."
Cody raised his head up off the desk. He fought back the wall of tears in his diamond blue eyes. They'd lost their sparkle. It was his turn to tell a story. Only this time, he knew nobody would laugh.
"Palo Pinto Ledger headline dated March 14, 2014," he began slowly, "a body was discovered by a local fisherman early this morning on the grassy knoll, under the rickety wooden drawbridge that crosses the Alder River. Police were unable to identify the grisly remains because the head, hands, and feet were removed from the torso. According to Police Lieutenant Mark Stubbins, mutilation was the theme of this bizarre crime scene. And, although the body was nude, it does not appear to be a sex crime. Stubbins did suggest that the removal of the body parts by the unknown killer, or killers, appears to have been an attempt to avoid leaving behind forensic evidence." How many times had those words played over and over again in Cody's mind for the last two years?
"Cody, isn't that near the embankment where Earl Anthony Schroder's car was found smashed to smithereens?" Sheriff Daniels questioned his son. He'd heard about that case, but since it was out of his jurisdiction, had not followed up on it's outcome.
"Not an eighth of a mile as the crow flies away, Dad," Cody responded.
"Is there anything else you need to tell me Cody?" Judge Stancil inquired. He'd been taking notes of the munchkin's story.
"I know Melanie Mendenhall used to drive his car a lot," Cody replied.
"Melanie who?" Sheriff Daniels and the Judge asked him in unison. This was the first time either one of them had heard that name.
"His girlfriend, Melanie Mendenhall. And, believe me, there were a whole slew of them that used to hang around our trailer all the time, too," Cody responded.
Judge Stancil sat back in his chair. He interlocked the fingers of his hands together and placed his palms on the back of his head. Stretching, he asked, "Cody, are you hinting that this Melanie Mendenhall may be interred in Earl Anthony Schroder's grave?"
"All I'm telling you, sir, is that there are a bunch of unanswered questions about Earl Anthony Schroder and Palo Pinto," Cody responded.
"Such as?" The Judge wanted to know.
"I know he was way up past his eyeballs in money he owed some drug dealers," Cody replied, then empathetically stated, "and they wanted their cash, too!"
"Do you think they may have murdered this Melanie Mendenhall?" Sheriff Daniels interjected into the line of questioning Cody was being asked.
"If she's dead," Cody remarked, "and, I wouldn't put it past Earl Anthony Schroder to have killed her either. You know what I told you he did to cats he caught under the trailer. And, that wasn't a pretty picture to see!"
"What did he used to do to cats, Cody?" Judge Stancil inquired.
"Judge, you may not want to hear this," Sheriff Daniels warned him.
(To Be Continued:)
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Cast of Characters:
Cody Schroder - Blond munchkin. Main character of the book.
Sheriff Brock Daniels - Long time Sheriff of Astatula and Cody's Dad.
Judge Stancil - Circuit Judge for Astatula.
Melanie Mendenhall - Earl Anthony Schroder's last girlfriend.
Mark Stubbins - Palo Pinto Police Lieutenant.
Earl Anthony Schroder - Cody's biological sperm donor. Put Cody through ten years of hellacious physical, mental, and sexual abuse in Palo Pinto.
Chapter Word Count: 958
Book Word Count: 11,782
| Author Notes |
This is Evan, by Lilibug6, selected to complement all my Cody Schroder stories.
So, thanks Lilibug6, for the use of your picture. It goes so nicely with all my Cody Schroder stories. |
By Brett Matthew West
FAIR WARNING: This chapter is graphic and purposely written to depict the insanity of Earl Anthony Schroder.
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LAST TIME: "If she's dead," Cody remarked, "and, I wouldn't put it past Earl Anthony Schroder to have killed her either. You know what I told you he did to cats he caught under the trailer. And, it wasn't a pretty picture to see!"
"What did he used to do to cats, Cody?" Judge Stancil inquired.
"Judge, you may not want to hear this," Sheriff Daniels warned him.
Judge Stancil cast his eyes on the Sheriff and replied, "Yes, I do. There's not too much I haven't already heard." Then, he turned to Cody and asked, "So, tell me, quarter-pint. What did Earl Anthony Schroder used to do to the cats he caught under the trailer?"
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Cody looked at the Sheriff. He wasn't sure he wanted to answer Judge Stancil's question, but, after a slight hesitation, and thinking to himself, 'Okay. You asked for it. Don't say you weren't warned!' he did.
He told the Judge, "If Earl Anthony Schroder caught a meower under the trailer, and he would set traps for them, he'd bury it in the ground up to it's neck, with it's head sticking out of the hole he buried the cat in. Then, he'd go get the lawnmower, pull the cord that engaged the engine, and fire it up. No more pussycat!"
Cody paused a moment. He shuddered as he recalled the horrific memories of those days. Finally he admitted, "He always made me watch him torture the cat. And, I wanted to do the same thing to him! Then, I'd get sick, and get beat for making a mess on the ground."
"He would beat you?" Judge Stancil questioned in disbelief of the tragedy Cody relayed.
"He'd tell me in this world you gotta be tough!" Cody replied. Then, in an angry tone said, "I hate him!"
With tears trickling out of his eyes, Cody looked up and exclaimed, "I wish I'd never been born!" He spoke from the heart as somebody who'd lived the terror he'd suffered through.
"I've heard all I need to, Cody. Sheriff, your son needs his pillar of strength," the Judge commented full of compassion for the boy. He knew what Cody's existence in Palo Pinto had been.
Sheriff Daniels reached over from where he was seated and hugged his son tighter than he ever had before. Cody could feel himself enveloped inside the arms of someone who truly cared about him. He needed the sanctuary. At the moment, he was not the strong boy everybody in Astatula had watched him become. Instead, he was a fragile, fractured child in agonizing pain.
"Sheriff, I'll have Debbie immediately forward an Order under my signature authority to Paul Cartright, the new Sheriff over in Palo Pinto, to exhume Earl Anthony Schroder's grave. Based on what quarter-pint has just informed me of, I want to see what is inside that casket for myself. Since Earl Anthony Schroder fancies lawnmowers so much, now he's got one he won't be able to handle. Me. I'll mow his grass alright! Oh, and by the way, Sheriff. You may want to be there when that grave is exhumed."
"Thank you, Your Honor," Sheriff Daniels replied vowing, "I will be there with bells on."
When the hearing with the Judge concluded, Cody was relieved. As they strode out of the chambers, Sheriff Daniels placed his arm around his son's shoulders.
"I'm proud of you, Cody," he told him, "what you did in there took a whole lot of courage and I know it wasn't easy for you to do. But, I want you to understand, son, you did the right thing by telling Judge Stancil what you did."
Cody wondered when the nightmare that was his life in Palo Pinto would ever end. Or, would those days torment him for the rest of his life?
The Sheriff smiled down at the troubled boy and reminded him, "Don't forget, you have Wanted posters you promised to plaster all over town for me"
Cody looked up at his Dad and asked, "Why are some people so evil?"
Sheriff Daniels exhaled a slow, deep, breath of contemplation and responded, "That question is as old as dirt, Cody. They just are. Evil Incarnate."
Cody's body language indicated he was searching for more of an answer than he received from his Dad.
Sensing his son's reaction, the Sheriff boldly stated, "Don't worry. We'll get Earl Anthony Schroder if it is the last thing we do, Son. That I promise you will happen."
"When, Dad? When are we going to get him?" Cody wanted to know.
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Cast of Characters:
Cody Schroder - Blond munchkin and main character of the book.
Sheriff Brock Daniels - Long time Sheriff of Astatula and Cody's Dad.
Judge Stancil - Circuit Court Judge for Astatula.
Paul Cartright - Sheriff of Palo Pinto.
Debbie Ritterhoff - Judge Stancil's Judicial Assistant
Earl Anthony Schroder - Cody's biological sperm donor. Put Cody through ten years of hellacious physical, mental, and sexual abuse in Palo Pinto.
Chapter Word Count: 760
Book Word Count: 12,714
| Author Notes |
This is Evan, by Lilibug6, selected to complement all my Cody Schroder stories.
So, thanks Lilibug6, for the use of your picture. It goes so nicely with all my Cody Schroder stories. |
By Brett Matthew West
Summary of the story so far:
Cody Schroder lived the first ten years of his life in Palo Pinto, Texas. There, his biological sperm donor, Earl Anthony Schroder, put him through a life time of hellacious physical, mental, and sexual abuse.
Allegedly killed in a car crash, as detailed in my first Cody Schroder book that I entitled Astatula, Earl Anthony Schroder mysteriously appears in the small town two years later. Cody's worst nightmare from Hell has always been that Earl Anthony Schroder is alive, in Astatula, and wants him dead.
Shortly after he arrived in Astatula, Cody is adopted by Sheriff Brock Daniels. Now that Earl Anthony Schroder is on the scene, can Sheriff Daniels keep his son safe from the clutches of the psychopath bent on murderizing him, as Cody would say?
You know how much I appreciate all of you who faithfully follow Cody.
To newcomers, I say welcome aboard the Cody Schroder Express! You will very much enjoy what you find here.
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Last Time: "When, Dad? When are we going to get him?" Cody wanted to know."
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The Astatula Post Office stood on the northeast corner of Cassandra Boulevard and Ripling Street. Built in 1882, the abode structure featured earth-tones, stucco walls, curved beam supports, and ornamental roof vigas. The terrazzo floor of the Post Office displayed a Native American Indian Chief in ceremonial dress.
Cody taped a Wanted poster of Earl Anthony Schroder on the white bulletin board inside the Post Office. As he did, his mind once again returned to Palo Pinto. He tried to force the thought as far out of his noggin as he could get it, but the notion kept returning. The vivid imagery projected made him feel as though he was reliving the scene in Technicolor.
It was Melanie Mendenhall.
'Of all the dime-store whores Earl Anthony Schroder dragged home with him over the years what would make you think of her?' he chided himself.
There was no answer. Cody did not have a clue as to why the one he despised the most would crop up in his memory banks.
'That does not compute!' he sternly chastised himself.
But, there she was in all her not so shining glory. As Melanie Mendenhall entered his mind, Cody smacked the tape he used to plaster the Wanted poster of Earl Anthony Schroder on the board with gusto. The board shook. He wished he could have walloped her like that. He really, truly, did!
"Unlike what Earl Anthony Schroder may have you believe, a real man never hits a woman for any reason," Sheriff Daniels had once told him.
Cody knew his Dad was right. Still, he yearned to thump Melanie Mendenhall, right on top of her bouffant hairdo, if only for the satisfaction it'd bring. However, he knew that would only lower him to her unscrupulous standards.
'So much for wishful thinking,' he mumbled.
Cody remembered her rancid Daisy Duke cutoff jeans shorts that revealed an exorbitant portion of her lower anatomy. To him, they also proved she possessed no self-pride and lacked character.
'The shameless hussy,' Cody reflected out loud, 'Beth wouldn't be caught dead looking like a tramp. But, those were the kind of floozies Earl Anthony Schroder took pleasure in.'
"The hooligan's gotta learn what life is all about sometime," he remembered hearing when one of them appeared by Earl Anthony Schroder's side.
For reinforcement, Cody placed another piece of tape on the top of the Wanted poster he affixed to the board. That chore completed, he recalled the moans of ecstasy that emitted through the paper-thin walls of the decrepit trailer he used to reside in in Palo Pinto.
He meditated for a moment on how the constant banging of the bed Earl Anthony Schroder, and his latest hot mama, copulated in did not collapse the wall? He also recalled how the white lattice skirting circling the base of the pink modular home was missing in more places than it covered.
This allowed armadillos, raccoons, opossums, and who knows what else to nest under their trailer. The fortunate ones were shot on sight by Earl Anthony Schroder. Others encountered a much more sadistic fate. Cody trembled at the remembrance of the brutality they suffered.
"Target practice," that's what he recollected as being the reason Earl Anthony Schroder gave for the cruelty he called "sport" that he inflicted on these defenseless creatures.
"Animals are nothing more than stupid, worthless, critters that need to be eliminated, like you!" Earl Anthony Schroder repeatedly told him each time he terminated one of them.
Then, in a callous manner, he spit through his teeth and warned Cody, "Cross me once and you will take their place!"
Cody got the message loud and clear.
Somehow, after tying on another ferocious night of drinking, smoking marijuana, and unrestrained sex with Earl Anthony Schroder, Melanie Mendenhall pleasured in the same tortures of innocent animals Cody abhorred.
Then, one day, like all the other bimbos that came and went out of the residence before her, she mysteriously disappeared, never to be heard from again. Not that Cody cared. He was glad she was gone. He knew before long another unfortunate newcomer would take her place.
His task of posting the Wanted poster on Earl Anthony Schroder completed, Cody turned and walked out of the Post Office.
That's when he heard, "I don't know why you're hanging posters up around town, Schroder. You know when you grow up you're gonna be just like your old man, an insane child molester!"
It was Spencer Aloysius, the town's resident bully. He enjoyed picking on smaller boys. He was also a year older, and a head taller, than Cody. Jeremy and Jerome Stubblefield positioned themselves beside him. The cinnamon-haired freckle-faces, who lived past the railroad tracks on the outskirts of town, laughed at Spencer's comment and eagerly egged him on.
Without a word, Cody walked over to where Spencer stood on the curb tormenting him. He cocked his right arm back as far as he could and cleaned the bully's clock! The aggravator did not see the punch coming until it was too late to avoid the blow. It landed flush on Spencer's nose and knocked him on his kiester.
Spencer grabbed his throbbing nose with both hands. Blood trickled out of it. He picked himself up off the ground and ran down the middle of Cassandra Boulevard crying, "I'm gonna go tell my daddy you hit me for no reason at all! He's gonna come get you for that!"
Cody thought, 'Let him come. I have something for him when he does.'
He glared at Jeremy and Jerome. His hands were clinched in fists of rage and held down by his sides. He inflated his chest way up high like a puff addar. The two of them immediately ceased their laughing. When their cowardly leader ran away, all of a sudden their bullying wasn't so comical.
Gallantly, Cody challenged them, "You want some? Come get some!"
In haste, the not so brave twins dashed down the blacktop hot on Spencer's heels. They wanted no part of Cody. He, in turn, appreciated the subtleties of the situation. It was not a good day to be a bully in Astatula.
As Cody unclenched his fists, a stone sailed over his head. If it had passed a half inch lower, the rock would have parted his blond hair right down the middle. Cody spun around and quickly scanned his surroundings in all directions. He sensed he was being watched, but there was nobody on the streets. Still, he knew where the rock came from. Earl Anthony Schroder was close by.
He felt his insanity slither downward. Apathetic to the perception, he buoyed himself to 'Hold it together, Cody. You are not the worthless trash Earl Anthony Schroder has always tried to cram down your throat that you are. Your views on the world may not always be right, and more than once you have had to learn how to fit in with other people, but you are audacious, adventurious, and you have a keen level of intelligence. These are the things that will empower you to conquer this nightmare once and for all.'
'Ready or not Earl Anthony Schroder, I'm up to the challenge. You're going down you white-livered snake!" a lionhearted Cody deafeningly thundered. He vowed, 'I've had it!"
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Cast of Characters:
Cody Schroder - Blond munchkin and main character of the book.
Sheriff Brock Daniels - Long time Sheriff of Astatula and Cody's Dad.
Daisy Duke - Popular female character in early 1980s action-comedy television program known as The Dukes of Hazzard. Set the world on fire with her famous Daisy Duke cutoff jeans shorts fashion statement.
Spencer Aloysius - Resident teenaged town bully of Astatula. Until Cody cleaned his clock for him, that is.
Jeremy and Jerome Stubblefield - The twin freckle-faces seen egging Spencer Aloysius's bullying of Cody on. Challenged to a fist fight by Cody, they showed their true colors and bee-lined down Cassandra Boulevard hot on the heels of their disgraced leader.
Melanie Mendenhall - Earl Anthony Schroder's floozy.
Earl Anthony Schroder - Cody's biological sperm donor. Put Cody through ten years of hellacious physical, mental, and sexual abuse in Palo Pinto.
Chapter Word Count: 1,325
Book Word Count: 14,410
END OF SEGMENT ONE
| Author Notes |
This morning Cody tells me, "Oh, how I wish you would allow me to finish the rest of this story myself!"
To which I replied, "Behave Cody. I know you are chomping at the bit to get your hands on Earl Anthony Schroder once and for all. And, who can blame you after all he has done to you? But, I am the one who will pen this story, young'un." Sometimes Cody and I have these teensy-weensy little tiffs. That's when I have to box his tiny ears for him a mite and try to keep the little bugger under tight wraps. As those of you familiar with Cody can readily attest to, that is not always an easy task to perform. It's kind of like keeping shoes on his feet. It's not going to happen. You all have witnessed that phenomenon in his books before. This is Evan, by Lilibug6, selected to complement all my Cody Schroder stories. So, thanks Lilibug6, for the use of your picture. It goes so nicely with all my Cody Schroder stories. |
By Brett Matthew West
Last Time: "Ready or not, Earl Anthony Schroder, I'm up to the challenge. You're going down you white-livered snake!" a lionhearted Cody deafeningly thundered. He vowed, "I've had it!"
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Lightning struck. Nothing would ever be the same way Cody had imagined things would be as he and Sheriff Daniels arrived at the Duckworth Shooting Range on the south side of Astatula. Sheriff Daniels stopped his squad car in a slip on the gravel parking lot.
Before they exited the vehicle the Sheriff told Cody, "From this point on I want you to do exactly what I tell you to do while we are here."
Then, he asked him, "Is that clear?"
"Yes, Dad," Cody replied, "your message is received on this channel."
The response was the boy's way of reassuring the Sheriff he was listening to each word spoken to him.
They departed the car and walked to the gate that stood in front of the twelve firing lanes. Cody noticed the wooden shack was lime green and simply built. The front side had no wall. It opened to the elements. He also saw the shooting range was located in a meadow. Nobody else was present, so a kind of eerie silence filled the air. Four lanes over from where they were, a red-tailed hawk soared in the morning sky.
Cody wondered if the bird searched for a field mouse, or some other tasty snack. Perhaps the predator sought a jackrabbit, or maybe even a kangaroo rat? They abounded in the area. He watched its graceful swoop. The hunter snatched something in its talons, screeched twice, and flew off towards the horizon, leaving the boy and his Dad to enjoy the freedom of having the ranges all to themselves.
Sheriff Daniels noticed what his son was looking at and stated, "Freedom is never free, Little Man."
Cody nodded his head in agreement. He understood that concept real well.
Observant of the boy's reaction, the Sheriff assured him, "When I get through teaching you what I brought you out here to learn you'll never have to live in fear of Earl Anthony Schroder again."
A thought entered Cody's mind. He wondered if he could ever actually shoot another person, even if it was the biological sperm donor making his life so miserable? For the longest time, he'd yearned for Sheriff Daniels to educate him on the proper way to use a firearm. Perhaps he would even let him shoot off a few expendable rounds at a paper target? The youngster never expected the circumstances to arise that led to their coming to the firing range that morning.
Sheriff Daniels escorted Cody to Lane Number Eleven. Upon arrival, he placed a brand new, unloaded, Ruger LCR revolver in his hand. The pistol possessed a smooth, easy-to-control trigger and a highly manageable recoil.
"This is your pistol, Cody," the Sheriff said, "not only am I going to teach you how to properly fire the gun, I am going to show you how to clean it, respect it, and take care of the weapon, too."
Cody's eyes illuminated
"Whoa!" he exclaimed, "That's a nice gun, Dad."
The pistol felt good in his hand. He'd never handled one before. Cody smiled like he'd just received everything he ever wanted for Christmas.
"First, and foremost, Little Man," the Sheriff began, "never, ever, point a weapon at someone unless you intend to use it. And, then, only do so in self-defense. Right now, I want you to keep the barrel pointed towards the ground."
Cody aimed the pistol downward as he'd been instructed to do. Sheriff Daniels was well pleased he obeyed his instructions. The boy's lessons could continue.
"Lesson Number Two, son, is to never run with a loaded gun in your hand," the Sheriff began, "safety is always of the utmost importance when you're handling a gun because you can easily get badly injured, or even killed, if you are careless with one."
Cody did not say a word. Like a sponge, he soaked up every word his Dad reiterated.
"Now, show me how you properly grip a pistol," Sheriff Daniels directed the boy to do.
Cody gripped the handgun so tight his knuckles were almost white. His whole finger was on the trigger. Sheriff Daniels examined the hold the boy had on the weapon.
"Relax your hand, son. Don't be afraid of it," he said, "always hold a gun like you would fine china."
Cody complied.
Sheriff Daniels laughed and stated, "You couldn't hit the broad side of a barn from ten feet away gripping a gun that tight. You'd jerk the round off to one side or the other."
He adjusted Cody's finger so that only the tip of the digit pressed against the trigger.
"And, always remember when you shoot to do so with a calm breath," he added.
Cody's shoulders sagged in disappointment at failing his Dad's test. Sheriff Daniels immediately noticed the boy's depression.
"Don't fade on me, Little Man. You've got to learn how to do this the right way," he said.
He smiled and promised his son, "When I'm done teaching you everything you need to know about this gun you'll be an expert. We're not leaving this range until I'm satisfied you are. Even if it takes all day and all night. That's why we packed a cooler before we came here."
A smile returned to Cody's face. He was happy his Dad had the patience to properly teach him as he graduated from playing with his little green Army men to his new real pistol, that fired real bullets, that killed real people. Earl Anthony Schroder beware!
The playing field was soon leveled.
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Cast of Characters:
Cody Schroder - Blond munchkin and main character of the book.
Sheriff Brock Daniels - Long time Sheriff of Astatula and Cody's Dad.
Earl Anthony Schroder - Cody's biological sperm donor. Put Cody through ten years of hellacious physical, mental, and sexual abuse in Palo Pinto.
Chapter Word Count: 996
Book Word Count: 15,406
| Author Notes |
This is Evan, by Lilibug6, selected to complement all my Cody Schroder books and stories.
So, thanks Lilibug6, for the use of your picture. It goes so nicely with all my Cody Schroder books and stories. |
By Brett Matthew West
Last Time: A smile returned to Cody's face. He was happy his Dad had the patience to properly teach him as he graduated from playing with his little green Army men to his new real pistol, that fired real bullets, that killed real people. Earl Anthony Schroder beware!
The playing field was soon leveled.
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From the moment Earl Anthony Schroder walked into the whore's room in the brothel he was in a sour disposition. He wasn't quite ready for their tryst. That should have been a red flag for the petit brunette, Sonya Davidson. Unfortunately for her, it wasn't. She would never turn another trick.
"Is that your last word on the subject?" she asked.
Thinking he was teasing when he told her no, her emerald green eyes cut to the tall stranger standing next to her beside the canopied bed. She'd never been refused by a john before, especially one who had already laid money down on the table. Realizing he meant what he said, Sonya's temper flared.
"You won't get a second chance at a delightful dish like these twins again!" she stated in anger.
Earl Anthony Schroder watched her button up her blouse. He playfully reached out with his hand and slapped her breasts.
"It'd be like trading a hundred dollar bill for a quarter," he remarked.
He retrieved a shiny knife from the inside lining of his rain slicker. He despised the rain that fell in Astatula that steamy afternoon, but, his slicker always provided a place of concealment for the razor-sharp blade he plied his trade with. It was the same lethal weapon he'd used the day he carved up Peggy Morris. She was the last woman to cross him.
Observing the knife in her customer's hand, the prostitute screamed in terror. It was no use. She couldn't be heard. Hysterical, she was almost in tears as she opened her mouth to speak.
"Please. I didn't mean anything by what I said. I'm begging you, please don't hurt me!" They were her final words.
Earl Anthony Schroder laughed an eerie chuckle. He loved the sensation being the powerful one in control of a dangerous situation afforded him. WHAM! BAM! Thank you ma'am. In, out, and he was gone. His one small thrill enjoyed after the slaughter occurred.
He never knew what to make of the female persuasion. He'd spent his whole life dwelling on the notion and still did not understand what made them tick. As far as actions regarding them went, he took his own. He did not like mysteries or sharp surprises.
The woman he'd barely spoken to before following her upstairs for their encounter laid dead on the floor at his feet. Earl Anthony Schroder reached out and kicked her hard in the head with the point of his steel-toed boot.
"It's a real good thing you know how to keep your otherwise big mouth closed," he told the bloody corpse, "because if you opened it right now you'd probably drown."
As he walked out of the backdoor of the brothel unnoticed, the rain slackened and little rainbows formed in the few droplets that still fell as the sunlight reflected off them. Water dripped slowly from the brim of the Stetson hat on top of his head. It was a trophy of his visit to the Beyer's Department Store earlier that morning.
Earl Anthony Schroder still possessed his rugged good looks, including his golden locks. These were traits that one could easily see he'd passed on to his only progeny.
He made his way to his parked SUV in the alley behind the brothel and pondered, "Where is that miserable excuse for horse dung anyway?"
As he climbed inside the vehicle, he reached up on the dashboard. There, he picked up the Wanted Poster he'd absconded with from the Astatula Post Office.
"Not a good decision, Daniels," he said to himself, "the little pile of excrement that taped this up will pay dearly for doing so."
Slowly, he backed his vehicle up and drove away from the whorehouse without a care in the world. Meanwhile, standing on the back porch of his home, Cody reached up and wiped a smudge of dirt off his cherubic face. Since returning from the firing range, and mastering his new pistol, he'd become slightly more comfortable with his surroundings. The winds of time would soon change how he felt.
Cody knew whatever his mountain was he'd have to climb it.
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Cast of Characters:
Cody Schroder - Blond munchkin and main character of the book.
Sheriff Brock Daniels - Long time Sheriff of Astatula and Cody's Dad.
Peggy Morris - Brutally murdered girlfriend of Justin Martindale, the Maintenance Manager for the Castillo Metalworks Corporation in Astatula.
Sonya Davidson - Savagely murdered whore who's dead corpse was sexually assaulted by Earl Anthony Schroder.
Earl Anthony Schroder - Cody's biological sperm donor. Put Cody through ten years of hellacious physical, mental, and sexual abuse in Palo Pinto.
Chapter Word Count: 920
Book Word Count: 16,326
| Author Notes |
A tidy little chapter further demonstrating Earl Anthony Schroder's insanity.
This is Evan, by Lilibug6, selected to complement all my Cody Schroder stories. So, thanks Lilibug6, for the use of your picture. It goes so nicely with all my Cody Schroder stories. |
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