William Redman Carter: Chapter 4

Posted: October 03, 2005 - 12:01:19 am



Chuckling to himself, William shook his head as elements of the near future

resolved themselves in his mind. Ken, seated at the dining room table, looked

over at him wondering what he had found so humorous. He was about to ask when

William said, "It is time for one of my mothers to make an appearance."

Lisa, in the kitchen with Tim, wondered why he hadn't asked her to prepare one

of the guestrooms. She came out of the kitchen and looked at William with

concern. This was the first that she'd heard of a visitor. She asked, "Should I

prepare a guestroom?"

"Her room is ready. I saw you dust it yesterday. In terms of getting ready for

her visit, would you mind getting me a bath towel?"

Lisa stood there with a puzzled expression on her face. She didn't understand

what his request had to do with getting ready for her visit. Rather than

question him, she went to the linen closet and retrieved a bath towel. She gave

it him and asked, "Anything else?"

"No, that should do for now," answered William as he set the towel down on his

desk. He picked up his book and returned to reading.

Ken stared at him for a minute and then went back to reading the instruction

book that came with the Hugger. The Hugger had a built-in button for the garage

door, but he didn't know how to program it. For the past three weeks, he had

been using the remote to control the door. It was past time to correct that

situation, but he didn't want to ask William to explain it to him.

It was half an hour later when William turned to Ken and asked, "Ken, would you

get the door?"

Not having heard the doorbell, Ken wanted to ask why he should get the door. The

doorbell rang before he had a chance to frame the question. Shaking his head at

another example of the strangeness of living in this house, he got out of the

chair and headed towards the door. Before he reached it, William said, "Don't

make her stand outside."

Ken opened the door and looked at the small oriental woman standing in front of

him. She was wearing a loose blouse and pants with simple flat shoes. Her black

hair was tied in a ponytail. For some reason, the image of a stick of dynamite

exploding flashed through his mind. Stepping back, he said, "Come in."

Without turning to look at the door, William said, "Hello Momma Ling."

He stood and turned to face her as she charged to where he was standing. She

wrapped her arms around him and asked, "How are you doing?"

Nearly suffocating within her embrace, William had to wait for her to relax her

grip on him to answer, "I'm fine."

"Let me get a look at you."

"You're going to have to let me go to do that," said William attempting to step

back without much success. His mother was much stronger than she looked.

Ling released her hold and looked him over. She was relieved to see that he had

been eating well and hadn't lost any weight. She said, "You've grown a little."

"It's only been a month since you last saw me," said William with a grin.

"Doesn't matter. You've still grown a little," said Ling.

Laughing at her stubborn instance, William said, "Allow me to introduce you to

the staff."

Turning an eye on the couple standing near the kitchen, Ling, in a reserved

voice, said, "Please do."

"Momma Ling, I'd like you to meet Ken and Lisa Armstrong. The little fellow

hiding behind Lisa is Tim. He's a little shy. Everyone, I'd like you to meet

Ling. She is one of my mothers."

When Tim peeked around his mother's leg, Ling said, "I didn't know you had a

little child living here."

"Yes, you did," said William. He knew there was nothing about Ken and Lisa

Armstrong that she didn't know. He would have been willing to bet she knew how

much change was in Ken's pocket.

After shooting him a look that would have withered a lesser person, Ling said,

"Okay, so I did know."

"How many private investigators did you hire?"

"Two," said Ling frowning.

"Two?"

"Okay, three," replied Ling. They went through this dance whenever she checked

on the people around William. There were times when she wished he were more like

Beth or John. They just accepted that she investigated the people around them

and didn't ask any embarrassing questions.

"Now you're going to tell me about Doug," said William with a smile.

"He's the Governor's son," said Ling.

"I know. Anything else?"

"He seems to be a good kid. I couldn't find anything bad about him," said Ling.

With his connections in the state, she'd had problems finding someone willing to

investigate him. She was going to do a little looking around of her own just to

satisfy her concerns.

"That doesn't mean you're going to stop looking."

"You're impossible," said Ling with more than a little irritation although there

was a touch of affection to her voice. She hugged William despite her

frustration.

Ken and Lisa had listened to the exchange in horror at what they were learning.

The news that three private investigators had checked up on them was shocking.

Ken was outraged, but held his tongue. In a very small voice, Lisa asked, "You

investigated us?"

"Of course. We're talking about the safety of my son. Would you trust Tim to

strangers without checking them out first?" asked Ling. She knew that the only

people they trusted enough to watch Tim were their parents. Usually it was

Lisa's parents who watched Tim.

Ken was about to reply that he wouldn't leave his son with strangers and then

realized that was exactly what she meant. William wasn't like his son and Ling

had no choice but to allow him to go to school. Given that he and his wife were

strangers as far as Ling was concerned, he could understand her checking up on

them. He said, "I guess not."

Lisa frowned, but nodded her agreement. She didn't like the invasion of privacy,

but understood a mother's desire to protect her child. In a small voice, she

said, "You're right."

Tim took another opportunity to look around his mother's leg at Ling. Afraid of

attracting the attention of the strange woman, he ducked back behind his

mother's leg. Lisa said, "That's okay, Tim. She's not going to hurt you. She's

William's mother."

William winked at Tim before turning back to look at Ling. He said, "You chose a

very good day to visit. I'm checking out a dojo today."

"You knew I was coming," said Ling knowing there was nothing fortunate about the

timing. William was always able to predict what she was going to do.

"You didn't tell me you were coming," countered William with a smile.

Turning to Ken, Ling said, "He told you to get the door before I rang the bell.

Didn't he?"

"Yes," said Ken struggling to follow the conversation. He was still trying to

figure out what a dojo was.

Still looking at Ken, Ling said, "You and I are going to have a long talk about

taking care of my son. My investigators said that you haven't had any training

as a bodyguard. You don't even have a carry permit."

"Carry permit?"

"I'm going to have to train you. It looks to me like I'm going to have my work

cut out for me," said Ling after looking over the man with a critical eye. He

was out of shape, but he had a good foundation on which to build. It could have

been worse.

"I imagine you'd like a chance to relax with a swim after your trip," said

William. "While your doing that, I'll have Ken bring your luggage to the

guestroom."

"That's a good idea," said Ling even as she started to unbutton her blouse. Like

most of the Carter Clan, she always headed to the nearest pool on arriving from

a trip.

Ken and Lisa stared with open mouths as Ling calmly shed her clothes. She piled

her clothes on William's chair after carefully folding each item. Ken couldn't

believe the tight muscular body that was revealed as the clothes came off. Lisa

couldn't believe how easily the woman undressed in front of strangers. It as if

she were alone in the room.

Once she was naked, Ling said, "Don't bother showing me the way. I know where

the pond is."

Holding up the towel, William said, "Don't forget a towel."

"Thanks," said Ling taking the towel from his hand. For a fraction of a second,

she wondered how come he had it ready before realizing that it was a stupid

question.

"I'll be down there in a few minutes," said William.

"Okay." Ling walked out the back door with a backward wave of her hand.

Shocked at what she had observed, Lisa said, "Now I know why you asked for the

towel."

"We all tend to hit a pool after a trip. It's a good way to relax and stretch

the muscles after a flight."

"That's your mother?" asked Ken unable to believe what he had seen. He couldn't

help thinking that mothers had changed a lot since he was a kid.

"Yes, that's one of my mothers. Don't let her small build fool you. She's the

most dangerous woman in the country. You'll see for yourself when we go to the

dojo."

"What is a dojo?" asked Ken giving into his curiosity and venting his

frustration.

"A martial arts school," answered William. He sighed at the thought of what Ken

was going to experience over the upcoming month. It was his hope that Ken

wouldn't quit out of frustration. He said, "My mother has decided to train you.

She's going to teach you how to shoot, use a car as a deadly weapon, and some

basic martial arts. I'm pretty sure that she's going to require Lisa to learn

some basic martial arts as well."

"What has she got? A black belt?"

"She's so far beyond that, it is frightening. As far as I know, she's never been

defeated in a fight. Only one person has managed to fight her to a tie and his

skills were given to him by the God," said William.

Ken and Lisa exchanged a glance. They didn't know what to say at the mention of

the God, so they said nothing. William looked at Tim and asked, "Would you like

to go for a swim?"

"Sure," said the boy. He started to remove his clothes, dropping them on the

floor. It was just a couple of minutes later that William and Tim left the house

carrying towels.

Once the boys were gone, Ken turned to his wife only to find that she was

staring out the back window. With a sigh, he said, "I don't think we're in

Kansas anymore."

"That is one beautiful woman," said Lisa feeling inadequate. She looked over at

her husband wondering what he thought of Ling. She could understand if he was

sexually excited from seeing her. A man would have to be dead not to be excited

by a woman who looked like that.

"I guess I better get her luggage and put it in one of the guestrooms."

The owner paled when he saw Ling enter his dojo wearing her brightly colored

silk Gi. He competed at the national level and immediately recognized her. He

had seen her fight on several occasions and knew that he was nowhere near her

skill level. Making a gesture to the class, he barked, "Everyone return to your

positions around the mat."

Without waiting to see how well his command had been obeyed, he walked over to

Ling. He stopped and bowed politely upon reaching her. In a very respectful

voice, he said, "Welcome, Grand Master Ling."

A small mummer rose from the students at his announcement. They'd never heard

their sensei refer to anyone as a Master, much less Grand Master. The few who

weren't in place quickly remedied that condition. All eyes were fixed on Ling.

Ling returned the bow and said, "Thank you, Master Reynolds."

"To what do we owe the honor of your visit?"

"I ask that you allow my son to practice here and for you to train the man with

him," said Ling as she pointed first to William and then to Ken.

"I would be most honored to grant you your request," answered Jim Reynolds. He

glanced at William and took in his brightly colored silk Gi. He wore the

insignia that identified his rank as Master Shi Fu. The kid outranked him.

"Is there anything that I can do for you in return?"

"I notice that you are dressed in your Gi. Would you mind giving a demonstration

of your remarkable skill for the class?" It was a reasonable request and one

Ling would not be able to refuse.

"I would be honored," answered Ling with a smile.

William went to the edge of the mat and bowed once in the direction of Master

Reynolds as a sign of respect to the owner of the dojo. He sat down and gestured

to Ken to join him. Feeling lost in the unfamiliar environment, Ken followed

William and copied the bow before seating himself. He leaned over and asked,

"What are we doing?"

"We are going to watch my mother. Be quiet."

Master Reynolds went to the head of the mat and said, "Class. We are most

fortunate to have a visit by Grand Master Ling Carter. She has agreed to give a

demonstration of her skill. Please watch and learn. This is a once in a lifetime

opportunity for most of you. There are only a handful of Grand Masters in the

world and she is judged to be one of the most skilled."

While Master Reynolds sat down, Ling bowed to the mat and walked to the center

of it. Facing the class, she said, "I shall perform the same routine twice. The

first time I shall perform it in slow motion. The second time, I shall perform

it as it should be performed."

The room turned absolutely quiet as Ling began her routine. Ken watched,

wide-eyed, as she threw punches and kicks at an imaginary opponent. It was hard

to believe that she was moving in slow motion, but the routine lasted close to

five minutes. He had never seen anything so graceful or deadly in his entire

life. When she finished, everyone clapped.

Ling smiled and then took her starting position. Suddenly, it was as if a

tornado had been let loose in the room. She was nothing more than a blur. Ken

couldn't follow her movements. Less than thirty seconds later, she came to halt

in exactly the same position in which she had ended the routine the first time

through it. This time, her performance was greeted with stunned silence.

Ling turned and bowed to Master Reynolds. He rose and returned the bow.

Obviously impressed, he said, "Thank you so much for that demonstration."

"It was my pleasure," replied Ling. Looking over at William, she smiled and,

breaking protocol, asked, "Would you mind if my son and I sparred for a three

point match as a further demonstration?"

Surprised at the offer, Master Reynolds said, "I would be most honored."

Despite the fact that he had expected Ling to do that, William frowned and

stood. He bowed to the mat and then stepped onto it. With more than a little

irritation in his voice, he said, "Allow me a moment to stretch, Grand Master

Ling."

"Of course, Master William Carter," answered Ling sweetly.

The students looked surprised to hear Ling address her son as a Master. Master

Reynolds watched William prepare for his sparring match. He wondered just how

good the young man was. After a few minutes of stretching, William said, "I'm

ready."

Master Reynolds stepped onto the mat and said, "To your positions."

Ling and William faced each other across the mat. They bowed to Master Reynolds

and then to each other. Master Reynolds said, "Fight."

For a few seconds the pair faced each other. There was a sudden flurry of

movement that most students were unable to follow. After a few seconds, Master

Reynolds shouted, "Stop. Point to Ling."

While he waited for the fighters to return to their positions, he stared at

William. He couldn't believe the kid had managed to stop a dozen attacks from

Ling. He had almost missed observing the point that he had called. Once they

were in place, Master Reynolds said, "Fight."

There was a flurry of movement. This time, it had been initiated by Ling, and

lasted for almost fifteen seconds before a point was scored. Master Reynolds

shouted, "Stop. Point to William."

With a sinking feeling in his stomach, Master Reynolds realized William was much

better than his ranked suggested. William was already covered in a thin film of

sweat, although neither one of the fighters was breathing hard. Once they were

in place, Master Reynolds said, "Fight."

The pair slowly circled each other seeking an opportunity to score on the other.

William initiated a kick that was blocked. They turned into a blur of movement

that ended with William flying halfway across the mat and landing on his back.

Master Reynolds shouted, "Stop. Point to Ling."

William picked himself up from the mat and shook his head as if to clear it. He

moved to his position and nodded to Ling. She now had a thin film of sweat. Once

they were both in place, Master Reynolds said, "Fight."

The fight started almost immediately. The pair turned into a blur as each sought

an advantage over the other. It ended with William on the mat with Ling kneeling

over him with her fist an inch from his face in a frozen tableau. Master

Reynolds shouted, "Point and match to Ling."

Ling stood up and held out a hand for William. He took it and levered himself

off the floor. Returning to their places, they bowed to each other and then to

Master Reynolds. The room was absolutely silent. The match had stunned the

students.

Ken stared at William unable to believe that the boy was so deadly. He'd never

seen anything like it. Even in the movies it was possible to see what people

were doing. He'd always thought the slow motion scenes were just special effects

gimmicks. When those two fought, they were just a blur. When William had said

that his mother was the most dangerous woman in the country, he hadn't really

believed him. There were no doubts in his mind after that demonstration.

Master Reynolds was the first to recover. Bowing to Ling, he said, "A most

impressive display of skill. Your son is very talented."

Ling, frowning at William, said, "Thank you."

Surprised by her reaction, Master Reynolds looked over at William. The young man

looked contrite, but he could recall nothing that should have produced that

reaction. The two of them left the mat while Master Reynolds called the class

back to their previous activities.

Once away from the mat, William said, "I can't help it. It's as natural to me as

speed is to Betsy."

Ling sighed and said, "I know, but you can't rely on being able to anticipate

someone's moves like that."

William acknowledged her criticism with a curt nod and then returned to his seat

next to Ken. Ken, oblivious to the interaction between mother and son, asked,

"What are we supposed to do? They're all standing in a line."

"Watch and learn," answered William with his eyes on the students.

Ken watched the class practice in silence. It didn't take a rocket scientist to

recognize the difference in skill levels between the people practicing and Ling.

Their movements were stiff and awkward while hers flowed. He didn't find their

awkwardness humorous since he was fully aware that they were even more skilled

than he was.

When the class ended, Ling and William worked with Jim Reynolds to get Ken a

simple white Gi. Ken was shocked when Ling told him to strip and try on the Gi.

Rather than argue with her, he removed his clothes. Before he was able to get

the Gi on, Ling told him to stand in place so that she could examine him. She

walked around him checking out his body while making comments about his general

degree of fitness. Ken, dressed only in his underwear, had never been so

embarrassed in his entire life.

After a mortifying minute, Ling said that he could put on the Gi. Even that had

been humiliating since she had to show him the proper way to wear it. William

had been too busy talking with Master Reynolds to give Ken moral support. It was

with a great deal of relief that Ken dressed in his regular clothes.

On the drive home, Ling steered the car through the streets with her normal

aggressiveness. They had gotten about halfway to the house when she asked, "How

are your ribs?"

"Probably cracked a couple of them," answered William.

"Do you want me to tape them?" asked Ling.

"No, that's okay. They're cracked, but not broken."

After a moment of silence, Ling said, "You haven't been practicing, William. I'm

going to insist that we practice Tai Chi every morning while I am here."

"Yes, Momma Ling," said William looking forward to the exercises.

"I'll insist that Ken, Lisa, and Tim join us."

Ken looked over at Ling trying to keep the look of panic from his face. He'd

never heard of Tai Chi, but it sounded torturous. He was beginning to wonder if

the huge salary they were receiving was worth it.

"That sounds like a good idea. I'll have them get something appropriate to wear

while practicing, perhaps gym shorts and a sports bra for Lisa," William said.

"What's wrong with having them do it nude?" asked Ling as she navigated along

the twists and turns of the road out of town. Ken looked horrified at the

suggestion of standing in front of her naked. There was no way that Lisa would

accept that.

"They are not comfortable with being nude. You are not to force them into doing

things that make them uneasy," William said.

"That's stupid," Ling said.

"It is the second rule. You won't force that. I won't allow you to use

intimidation to force people to do things against their will," replied William.

There was a sudden iron to his voice that let Ling know that she was not to

press the issue.

"So be it," said Ling knowing that arguing would be as successful as asking a

wall to get up and walk around. When William made up his mind about something,

he could be immovable as a mountain. He was so much like John and Ed in that

way.

The discussion reassured Ken that William would protect his family from Ling. He

sat back in his seat and looked out the window of the car. The next month loomed

large in his thoughts.

To Be Continued...