Hey guys, I know last time I said I’d try to post more regularly, and I’ve been a piece of shit at that. Sorry about that, times haven’t been the greatest, and writing isn’t a high priority for me. I’ll try to write more often but, I can’t guarantee anything. Anyways without any further delay here is the next chapter.
Enjoy.
Chapter 7
Jäger pulled the stew off of the range top and carried it to the table. Normally Fritz and her don’t use the table, but Edwards came by to catch up with them. Jäger made his favorite stew since he came by, and as he watched on while she pulled the top off the pot and dipped a large ladle into the broth his mouth watered unstoppably. She scooped up a mighty size portion full of potato chunks, cabbage, pork, carrots, and peas and poured it into Edwards’s bowl. He thanked her and waited for everyone to be served before he began eating.
“So, how’s the yard, Ed?” Jäger asked him, he looked up from slurping on his spoon and answered.
“The yard’s good, the trains are good.” He quickly finished a spoonful before the next flurry of questions..
“Have you met any trains yet?” Fritz asked as he dabbed bread into his own stew.
“Yes, any to hitch to?” Jäger asked.
“You couple up to one yet?” Fritz snickered. Jäger grinned, too. Edwards had trouble swallowing his latest spoonful of stew because he chuckled too hard. Forcing his throat to cooperate he got his food down and clear.
“Oh there’re some trains down there, mostly men. Most of them run more northern lines, one or two come down here to operate as thier mainstay, but very few are based ‘round here.”
“Ah, that’s better than a few years ago.” Edwards nodded, “But are there girls now? You did say mostly men.”
“I did,” he smiled, “there’s one or two girls I’ve been hitting it up with.”
“Ah-ha!” Jäger exclaimed. “Get ‘em! See? Merging you was a good call.”
“No!” Edwards leaned in and shook his spoon at his hosts. “Fuck the both of you for changing me. I could have married a nice woman and had a good life and die by now. I’m still angry at that.” He sat back in his chair and ate more stew.
“We know,” Fritz said as the bread dissolved on his tongue, “but admit it, it’s been pretty good living this long.”
“And-” Jäger cut in, “you wouldn’t be getting with those nice train ladies you’ve dreamt about.”
“But if it didn’t happen I wouldn’t have had to watch all my friends and family die in Germany.” Instantly the mood changed. Jäger thought of Chandler and Irish.
“Yeah,” she said, “you know that reunion we invited you to?”
“Yes, I remember. I was busy at the yards, unfortunately.”
“You would’ve met a little Irish junior.” Fritz said solemnly. Edwards seized up. Memories of Irish flooded back. He slowly put his spoon down.
“Irish… I’ve… I haven’t thought about him in a long time.” Edwards felt guilt and remorse for letting him go way back then. “I shouldn’t have let him go.”
“It’s how we all feel.” Jäger said, clasping the seat in her cabin that Irish used to sit in decades ago.
“You know,” Fritz said, “I never knew his real name.”
“Ian MacBrown, he,” Edwards started travelling down memory lane, “he was half Scottish, and half German. His German mother took him to Danzig to grow up, he joined the Kriegsmarine to help pay for his mother and sister to move over to London where his father was a professor, where his family died in the bombing raids.” The atmosphere was still and cold. “He had nothing left, so he stayed in, volunteered to go army and to the Eastern front just to die in battle.” There was a long pause before Fritz picked up.
“If he wanted to die he should have joined the U-boat corps.” The dark joke broke all their composures and they had a fit of laughter.
“Well,” Jäger said composing herself, “I guess in the end he got his wish.”
“Yeah I guess.” Edwards said, still chuckling. “He said that he regretted becoming such close friends with us, we somewhat ruined his plans of dying for a while.”
“I wouldn’t say that’s a bad thing.” Jäger retorted before she gulped down some more stew. Edwards shook his head ‘no’ and began eating his stew again, too. “I still hate her, that bitch. I hope she rusted to death in a ditch.” Jäger scowelled and ate more stew. Edwards shrugged.
“He seemed pretty happy with her.” Jäger glared at him, hatred glossing over her eyes.
“He was a jolly fellow, regardless of who he was with. That fucking bitch shit on him and treated him like dirt every day. Fuck her. I can’t believe he died for her.” Fritz shifted uncomfortably.
“Babe, I don’t think he died for her.” He looked over to Jäger to explain himself. “So say what you want, but he and I were in the running for you,” Jäger tried to play it down but Fritz persisted, “everybody knew it’d either be him or me-because I’m not fucking sharing.” Jäger got flustered.
“What are you trying to say?”
“I don’t think he thought he could make you happy. I think he was insecure.” Jäger blankly stared at him and slowly raised her eyebrows. She smirked and shook herself left and right.
“Sure Fritz, sure.”
“It’s what I honestly believe.” They looked at Edwards, who had just finished his stew. He just blankly looked back and shrugged.
“Would you like more stew, Ed?” Jäger asked him. He nodded and handed over his bowl.
“Yes, please, Jäger.” She filled his bowl for him and handed it back.
There was a bit of an awkward tension as the question floated around their minds, did Irish and Jäger ever bang? They moved on to other subjects and finished dinner. They cleaned up the table and dishes and started talking about television shows. Gameshows quickly dominated the topic and that reminded Fritz that one of the gamesows was about to come on. He separated to go look for the TV remote and while his tracks made a huge ruckas Edwards had to ask the question.
“So did Irish ever…?” He jerked his head towards the rear end of Jäger. She pursed her lips, glanced at Fritz, and then quietly nodded. Edwards slowly nodded, he wasn’t surprised, but more impressed it was only a rumor for so long. Jäger raised a finger up to her lips to keep it quiet, Edwards vigorously shook his head in agreement. They heard the iconic theme music of the gameshow and were distracted from the subject. Edwards liked that he knew for certain, but he was already convinced of it so it never bothered him. He’ll keep it quiet for the benefit of his friend’s pride.
Because they’re a family of tanks Jäger and Fritz don’t have much furniture, and even less for humans. Edwards stops by often and is very close with the couple so they cater to him, but not enough for a couch. He had to sit on Fritz to watch the TV in any lounging state. Jäger came up next to Fritz and leaned on him, just far enough away to keep her skirts from getting caught on his. He leaned back into her and held her the best he could. As they watched this popular game of hangman they chimed in with their ideas. They knew they wouldn’t affect it at all, but they begged with the players to call their ideas.
After the gameshow ended they turned off the TV and broke out the beer. Fritz and Jäger had absolutely no way of getting drunk off of the amount of beer they had, and neither would Edwards, but they drank anyway to unwind and relax. Edwards brought up their daughter, Erin, and the couple talked about how she’s doing well and all. They said that her and Petre were looking to get their own place, but that was difficult for them. They talked about how their jobs are long-distance support and that they are limited in job opportunities because they’re tanks. Jäger and Fritz slowly turned remorseful, wishing that things were different for their kids. “Sometimes I wish Fritz was a human.” Jäger said bluntly. “Or that I was human.” Fritz nodded in agreement.
“I wish life wasn’t so hard for Erin and Petre, they grow up watching all these movies about other human kids get to do and they can’t do any of it.” Jäger nodded.
“If Fritz were human, or if I got with Irish, I probably would have had a lot more kids.” Edwards was sitting there awkwardly, looking at the amount of beer the two of them had consumed and he was concerned by it.
“Mini and Kram feel the same way for Petre.” Fritz stated.
“They do. Our kids were born at the wrong time. We should have waited babe, I’m sorry I pushed you for a baby.” Jäger said, rubbing his hand. He shook his turret.
“Jag, when would we have known it was the right time? Will it ever come?” Edwards intervened quickly.
“Well, Hansel and Marion pumped out two tanks, how’re they doing?” Both Jäger and Fritz shook side to side.
“Tyler had to join the Army to get another life, and Hannah just got a job as a museum piece!” Jäger exclaimed. “There should be way more options for our kids. I don’t want my baby to go off to war, and she doesn’t either, but then neither her nor Petre can be in a museum. They’re nothing close to their parents. If someone had no fucking clue at all, yeah, they fit the part, but anyone who knows even a little bit? Yeah, they’ll be caught and be labeled frauds.” Jäger held her mantle in her hands as she cried. “I fucked over my daughter.”
“You did not!” Edwards said, sternly. “Trust me, I’ve seen kids who are way worse off than her. Have you ever seen children hopping trains trying to just find food? Have you ever caught any breaking into freight cars trying to steal food? Your child has a lover, loving parents, loving community, she has a job and is even concerned with looking for her own house! Jäger! Jäger look at me! Look at me!” She peeled her hands off her eyes and looked at Edwards. “Your daughter doesn’t have as many options as I would, no, but she’s not hopeless. She’s not fucked, she’s going to be alright. Both of you did good, and both of you did the best you could for Erin. Ask her how she feels about it next time you see her.” Jäger sniffled but perked up. Arms shot out and grabbed a surprised Edwards, pulling him to her glacis plate. She hugged him with all her love.
“Thank you, Ed, I feel a little better.”
“Glad I could help.” Edwards squeaked. “Can I breath now?”
“Oh!” Jäger released some pressure so he could breathe again.
“It’s not too late, yet.” Fritz said as he glanced at the clock. “We could call Erin and settle it now.”
“I would like that, yes.” Jäger, still holding Edwards, backed herself over to the phone and called Erin’s cell phone number. It rang a few times before Erin answered, when she did her voice made Edwards think back to her childhood, what a little hooligan she was back then.
“Hello, mom? Dad?” Jäger always used the speaker mode on the house phone, Fritz used the handset and pressed the earpiece to his mantle to hear and it always made visitors laugh.
“Hey, sweetie! It’s mom, dad, and Eddie!”
“Eddie!” She squealed through the phone.
“Yup, how you doing, champ?”
“I’m doing goooood! I got a job-”
“Finally!”
“-Shut! Up! Uh, so mean! How are you Eddie?”
“I’m good, hey, your mother has a few questions for you.” He glared at Jäger.
“No! I’m not pregnant!” Fritz belched a hearty laugh.
“We’ll see about that,” Jäger snickered, she really wants grandbabies, too, “no, Erin, uhm…” she looked very uncomfortable. “Do you feel happy, being a tank?” Erin was quiet on her end.
“I like it, yeah.”
“Do you feel like you’re limited, challenged, about work?”
“Yeah, I can’t do a lot of jobs but I’ve got choices. There’s stuff to do.” Jäger bit her tongue on her next question.
“Erin, baby.., do you feel like your father and I.., fucked you over?” Erin replied instantly.
“No.” Jäger spilled out tears anyways. “I’m doing alright, loving life, I’m happy. I don’t think I’m fucked.” Edwards asked a question next.
“Do you think you’d rather be human?” Again her reply was instant.
“Pssh! No!” Fritz laughed again.
“Eat shit, Edwards!” He belched.
“Whatever, you fat bastard!” Edwards shot back, he turned back to the phone and asked Erin to continue.
“There’s so much I can do that a human can’t. I’m way stronger than any human, super tough, I have a huge gun and armor, I’m faster, too. I’ve survived so many things that I’m sure would kill any human. I’m a fucking beast! Like, dad, who’s going to mug me? Who’s going to rape me? Who’s going to fuck with me? Who’s going to overpower me? Try me, bitch!” Fritz was laughing extremely hard, his suspension was rocking. He loved how proud and cocky his daughter was, she was just like him.
“That’s ma girrrrrrrl!” He bellowed.
“See Jäger? Erin’s fine. You didn’t fuck her over.” Jäger was smiling, sniffling, but smiling.”
“I guess you’re right,” she said, “if you two could step outside, I’d like to talk to Erin for a minute.” The men went outside, alcohol in hand, and kept up the chatter. Edwards wanted to see what Fritz really thought of Irish.
“Fritz, when you said that Irish couldn’t make Jäger happy, what did you mean?” Fritz nodded and gulped down his keg.
“Jäger is a very insecure woman, she’s riddled with self doubt and second guesses everything about herself, as you saw. Irish was very similar, it’s why they got along so well. Sure, they leaned on each other and helped each other out, mentally, but it wouldn’t last forever. What was going to happen is Jäger or he would end up slipping, and the other would end up slipping, too, then no one is standing and it’s a cesspool of pity. He saw that happen, I did, too. Now, I’m a hard headed, stubborn-ass bastard, mentally I’m great for Jäger. I’m the brick wall she needed that wouldn’t budge, never letting her fall. Irish knew that, he’d get me to help Jäger out when he was out of ideas. Do I need her to set me straight? Absolutely. But the sort of authority, mental fortitude, you could say, she needed to live a rather happy life was not going to come from Irish. Irish is too selfless for that, he said he’d rather see his friends as happy as could be. That is the entirety of why I believe he left Jäger and I.”
Edwards was quiet, he already knew what Fritz said individually, he had never pieced it together like Fritz had.
“Do you think he had to kill himself for that, though?” Fritz shook his turret as fast as he could.
“Oh no! He didn’t kill himself. No, not his character. He hated the concept, now, I don’t think he lived long after he left us. I think he was shot as a deserter. I just could never tell that to Jäger, it’d break her heart.” Edwards nodded.
“So what do you think happened to E, then?” Fritz raised his eyebrow.
“Now that is my second idea of what happened to him.” Edwards couldn’t help but smirk. “Her whole toughness, cold attitude, it was all a charade. Mini hid his feelings better and we still knew he was faking. Her? No. Jäger hates her because she’d bash on Irish but so did you, and I, most of the crew, and she never noticed that Irish would bash back at E. I’m also fairly certain jealousy also played a huge part of the hatred, though. E liked the attention Irish would give her. She just didn’t know how to get more from him.” Edwards nodded, he could see it. “Personally, I think Irish and E would do great together.”
“Why?”
“The same reasons why Jäger and I are great together.” Edwards shrugged.
“So, that ‘Irish Junior,’ what’s so special about him?” Fritz made a shrugging motion with his hands.
“I dunno. Jäger’s quite superstitious- something else she picked up from Irish- and she believes that if you’re wronged or murdered in a previous life then you’re reborn or reincarnated, or some other crazy shit. I don’t know. I don’t believe any of it. The kid does look a little bit like Irish, though. He’s no carbon copy, however.” Just then the large garage door shuttered open and Jäger came out with more beer. She’d recovered her emotions and now just looked sad. She let out a loud sigh of despair as she closed the door and opened a keg of beer.
“Erin said no children were on the way.” Edwards chuckled.
“That’s it. I’m getting the two of them drunk and telling them that making babies is the best fun ever.” Jäger said jokingly, but in a serious tone, now Fritz began chuckling. “I’m getting my grand-babies one way or another.” Edwards wiped some beer spillage from the corner of his mouth and looked into the mouth of his empty beer can. “Oh, and Edwards, you’re not safe from my wrath, either, I demand children from you and your train boo, too.” He smirked.
“When that happens you’ll be the first I tell, Jäger.”
“Fuckin’ better. They spend the rest of the night drinking all the beer they had and bullshitting with each other until dawn, where Edwards passed out in a poorly made bed until he cared enough to go home.
Fin Chapter 7
neato
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