Elijah Lorraine's Story

Chapter I

The small American village of Round Town, USA was all quiet, the hazy, black blanket of night reaching over the citizens as they slept. And through the snore of a passing thundercloud, and beyond the woeful chirps of the midnight crawlers, lay the grumblings of a sleeping giant. Round Town had been a bustling, yet calm bastion of more reserved folk, with its white picket fences and rambling rose. The town was half Catholic and half Protestant, though it was 100% Christian, and almost every townsperson was a churchperson as well. Morality dominated the governance of the town, and every town mandate was an extension of church mandate. The church seemed rather placid, despite having two largely “enthusiastic” factions. Ten years ago, that changed.

The Lorraines stopped in to have a bite one day, and Thomas fell instantly in love; it was just what he wanted for the kids, for his wives and husband. Square City was all asunder between immorality, lack of spirituality, crime and civic corruption. Yes, the Lorraines found a large property, Rosefield, built their houses, and stayed to themselves for a few good years, raising their children and making money between the ranch and their own individual merits. The town’s opportunities were innumerable and rich.

About three years ago, Thomas decided it was time to give back, and (with the consent of his spouses) declared his intention to run for the town council. His charismatic family-centeredness and refreshing dialogue earned him a landslide victory. Yes, the Lorraines were becoming valued members of the community and seemed to live in peaceful providence between the secrecy of their group marriage and the respect that they had earned.

But problems loomed ahead, and with Thomas’s bid for the mayorship, the family knew they were at the end of their peace. Yes, with kids going out to college soon, one already in, and the clan growing…

But for now, the Lorraines were asleep. It was Saturday morning, way before daybreak, and as the hummingbirds began to wake and the bugs began to crawl back into their dens, the Lorraines slept away. One Lorraine, however, was early to rise…

Thomas’s Perspective

Thomas rolled awake, alone in his bed. Through the silky sheets, Thomas attempted to grasp a deep breathe before yawning and throwing the sleep off his eyes. He was alone tonight, like he was alone every Friday night; each spouse had a day and night with him. Friday night was his own night, in the main Lorraine manor.

Through the curtains of the oak-framed bed, Thomas stumbled to meet the morning, his eyes still shut. Wrenching back and extending his hands like a crane, a deep yawn escaped him. The Lorraine Manor was cold at night, quiet and lonely. Occasionally, it’s various rooms were used by children who wanted to stay in their father’s house, or by visiting kinfolk, or by really whoever requested a room. Otherwise, the manor was no more than an activity center for the family, with large kitchen and various rooms for whatever.
Thomas peeked through his achy left eye over down to his alarm clock – 3 AM. Perfect. He still had enough to time to throw on his pitt-clothes and rush down to the smoker; he had it installed the first year the family moved to Rosefield, large enough to cook about seven briskets at a time and still enough room to cook sausages, potatoes and just about anything. Today, Thomas was cooking his particularly favorite of peppered brisket. Taking anywhere from five to twelve hours, family barbeque was a morning that had taken much toll on his body.

Sighing, Thomas threw a third brisket up on the shelf of his smoker, the sweet meaty juices of caramelized meat escaping forth from the hatch. Thomas always used oak and apple wood to make a particularly distinct taste in his meat, something he learned from his own father. They would spend hours in the backyard, just talking over the smoke and havin’ a man-to-man. That was way back when life was simpler for Thomas. Only him, his brother, his father and his mother. They would go on down to Church every Sunday, but his family were never terribly religious. Certainly, however, they probably wouldn’t have approved of Thomas’s lifestyle.

Some of the family probably wouldn’t be too concerned with eating meat later today, but that was alright. His family was diverse in everyway, and that was what he loved about it. He himself was more conservative, but many of his spouses were more youthful and less-reserved. Never forgetting each wedding, Thomas stood and contemplated as he waited for the brisket to slowly cook. The girls would be down later to start on breakfast and what not…