The Fourth Day of November

by Mark Campbell

  December 1, 1989

  Saying farewell to family at the airport brought back memories of the time I left England on my British Airway flight to New York. Mum was already in tears as dad held her hand pulling a clean handkerchief from his pocket. He walked over to the check-in counter while mum held her granddaughter for the last time before boarding the plane. We watched as my parents went through the security checkpoint. I waved until they disappeared amongst the crowd of travelers.

  December 16, 1989

  This was the first annual breast cancer walk without Joanne. It would be bittersweet. Every woman and man that participated in the walk wore pink baseball caps and t-shirts baring our company logo and the name of the bank that financed us. We even had baby t-shirts for our smaller supporters. Participants from across the United States combed the streets of New York City. It was a turnout we never expected.

  Lee innately knew that without fighting this killer, no woman or man stood a chance. The event was unlike anything Lee and Joanne had put together. Joanne's passing bought about humility for thousands of people. Doctors and nurses volunteered their time and days off to help educate women on the importance of pre-breast cancer examinations. This was the start of something greater than we would have ever imagined.

  January 1990

  Lee took the bar exam and passed. This accomplishment represented the culmination of all her hard work. Lee stood for everything she studied. She believed in truth and justice for all.

  April 1990

  Hyacinth summoned Peter, Ronnie and I to the office for an early morning meeting. My fellow cohorts had already shown up before I made it in. when I finally strolled in, I had only one question. Why were we being called into the office first thing in the morning? It was the middle of the month, and we had structured early meetings to be scheduled at the end of each month.

  ---

  Hyacinth asked that we take a seat. It was going to be a long morning. She had some very good news. “First things first.” Hyacinth licked her thumb and fourth finger and dished out two sheets of detailed documents.

  "What is this?" I questioned, barely looking at the paper.

  “Well, Alistair if you read, you will clearly see that it's a contact.”

  She now had my full attention.

  “Now, we’ve been given a rather stupendous offer!” Hyacinth giddily shared the news.

  “What kind of offer?” Peter asked tapping his fingers on the table.

  “Let’s just say ten times what we put into the business. And if that is not enough, Volvo is willing to add an initial five percent to their proposal.”

  “Okay, who's idea was it to sell off the business? And why would Volvo want a small commercial company like ours?” Ronnie was confused.

  “Well, Ronnie…” Hyacinth sat in her chair.

  Hyacinth began to reiterate the reason the three of had originally started our company. She said that other entrepreneurs were taking notice, and saw the potential in buying our company.

  Hearing this got me to thinking. I was not certain that I wanted to sign over what someone else would call a gold mine. However, Hyacinth made it clear that if we did not go ahead with the current proposal, maybe an added bonus would help sway or decisions. I could see my friends across the table. The look of apprehension was setting in. But, nothing could prepare us for what Hyacinth would say next. Even to this day, I realize that nothing is by chance. This was a gift from God, and the three of us would use this gift to benefit others.

  Since we had entrusted our capitol in the stock market, Ronnie covered his ears not wanting to hear what happened to our investment. He was thinking the worst.

  “I have to say, neither one of us has to work again!” Hyacinth exclaimed.

  Unsure of what we had heard, we asked Hyacinth to repeat her words once more.

  “For those of you who were not listening…” Hyacinth pulled Ronnie's hand from his ears.

  ---

  I couldn’t wait to break the news to my wife, once I got home. Lee sat at the table spoon feeding Emma apple pudding from a jar. Upon my entering the kitchen, Lee smiled and greeted me with a kiss. She asked me to continue feeding Emma, while she put together a simple tea of plantains, eggs whites and a couple of bangers.

  “How was work today? You left earlier than usual.” Lee asked sitting a finished plate in front of me.

  “Everything is okay, however…”

  Lee put her knife down, bracing for bad news. “What did the three of you do?”

  “We, kind of, sold the company.”

  “You did what?” Lee yelled. “How could you guys sell what you have worked so hard for? Does Hyacinth agree with this too?”

  “If you let me finish, I'll tell you why.”

  “You better start explaining then, haven’t you Mr. Trump?” Lee pulled my plate away like my mother would when I was young boy to gain my full attention.

  “I’m eating that.”

  “Start talking.”

  “It’s like this, Volvo made us an offer we couldn’t refuse, so we sold the business to them.”

  “This may not be any of my concern, but no one jumps at the first offer. That’s a very bad call on your behalf. I can't speak for the others.” Lee pushed my plate back into place before removing it again when I told her there was more.

  “What do you mean there's more?”

  “We invested our entire earnings into the stock market.”

  “Alistair, have you gone completely mad?” Lee rubbed her temples. “Why are you…you know what? This is too much for me and Emma, right now.” She rose from the table, scooping up Emma.

  “Is it too much even if it means that we’re multimillionaires?” I smiled.

  “Did you just say you’re a multimillionaire?” Lee headed back towards the table.

  “No, I said we. It's not singular, it's we.”

  “Stop playing around, Alistair!” Lee placed Emma back in her highchair. “Are you saying this so I won’t be mad with you?”

  “No, I'm saying this because it's the truth!” I screamed.

  Lee flung her arms around me in shear delight. “I knew in her heart that guys could and would be very successful one day! Now, that day has come!”

  May 1990

  Between looking for a home and selling the business, things proved to be a little too overwhelming. Lee and I spent months looking for a new home in New York. To wane our stress levels, I decided that the three of us needed a vacation. So, I booked a flight to the United Kingdom to see my family.

  Four days later, Lee, Emma and I landed at London Heathrow airport at half past one. Dad met us at the airport arrival gate. On the way to my parent’s home, we stopped at Bradley and Debbie's house. They hadn’t changed much, since I was last in England. But, my niece and nephew, Jude and Elizabeth, had gotten older and bigger. I was their favorite only-uncle, so they were excited to see me. I loved being their uncle too. And now since Emma was born, I had three little ones to spoil.

  ---

  Twenty-six Brown Street, my parent’s home, had changed considerable since I left jolly old England. Wafts of fragrance from the Peter Black perfume factory still filled the air, as we pulled into the driveway. Bradley, dad and I remained outside, while the women went into the house. We reminisced on the many times we played football on the field across from the house, and the separate times each of us accidently kicked the football through the window.

  Dad well-manicured lawn was decorated with beds of roses, pansies, daisies and chrysanthemums. He used to go mental when he caught Bradley, Clive and I, as children, stepping in the garden. His exact words were, “You little bleeders, stop mashing down my plants!” Dad smiled at the memory of the good old days.

  ---

  Dad gave Bradley and I a run for our money. He had the energy of a teenager. He was the clear victor in our game of keep-away.

  "Save some of that energy for later old boy!” Mum flirtatiously yelled out to dad from the house.
<
br />   I could’ve sworn the whole vicinity had heard my mother’s embarrassing remarks. But mum didn’t care about what people thought of them. Mum and dad loved each other and weren’t afraid to show it after 43 years of marriage.

  ---

  Later that day, we went to Aunt Monica and Uncle Clinton’s home for dinner. Oh, how I missed Aunt Monica and the chips and bacon she made. She would always serve it with tons of ketchup or HP brown sauce. But now, the family caught up on life happenings over her steamed rice, fish, spuds, veg, rice and plantains. The main course was followed by our choice of apple crumb with custard or strawberry cheesecake. Life at that moment was good. Even little Emma enjoyed smacking on the great food and watching the interactions of the new faces about her.

  I can't recall how it came about, but Lee started sharing breast cancer facts as we cleared the table after dessert. She thought it necessary that we conduct some sort of awareness outreach while in England.

  ---

  The following day, Lee put her outreach mission into motion, assigning us explicit tasks. Lee wanted nothing less than perfection. She was, however, up against something she had never dealt with before. She was in a foreign country, and unfamiliar with the laws and legislations. But, Lee’s legal sensibility and training led her to the library. She proactively studied several books to familiarize herself with the laws of the land. Instances like these reminded me that my wife was such a bloody good lawyer!

  Later that day, my sister-in-law, Debbie, informed Lee that she had landed them a meeting with the mayor at 10:00 am the next morning. Both women were chuffed. They were successfully over the first hurdle. My wife, an optimist, prepared her presentation for the meeting. She wanted to be certain that she didn’t step on people’s toes, or bring about unwanted aftereffects on her campaign. She desperately wanted her efforts to support the multitude of women and men that needed help finding a definitive cure for breast cancer.

  Thinking back, I remember mum's friend, Mrs. Mack. At the time, Bradley and I were young boys, too little to understand what happened to Mrs. Mack. As we got older, we learned she died from breast cancer. Mum had taken us to see her in Trowbridge hospital after church one Saturday. I will never forget how much pain she was in, as she tried to converse with mum.

  When Mrs. Mack passed away, mum was very upset. They had been good friends for a number of years. Mrs. Mack left behind a young son and a husband. So for mum, supporting Lee’s project initiatives had significant meaning.

  ---

  Mayor Rose opened the door to her office. “Please come in.” she motioned for Lee and Debbie to enter, shaking their hands.

  Both women took a seat. Mayor Rose followed suit.

  “So, what can I do for you two?” the mayor asked politely.

  Lee began her spiel about communicating the importance of breast cancer awareness to the local community. Mayor Rose sat at attention, around her huge oak desk taking in everything being said. She had personally gone through treatment for breast cancer. Lee sensed the mayor’s piqued interest. By the close of the meeting, Lee and Debbie had received Mayor Rose’s blessing for their project initiatives. She promised to have the appropriate paperwork ready and waiting for them the following week.

  May 26, 1990

  Things got under way for one of Trowbridge’s biggest affairs. The walk started at 8:00 am. Vendors and hordes of cheering people waited for women and men, wearing pink caps and t-shirts, to cross the finish line. The turnout was more than what Mayor Rose had planned. She supported the festivities by participating as a walker along with Lee, Debbie and the thousands of others.

  ---

  Lee stepped on stage. She felt victorious as she approached the microphone. The race had been successful and now she wanted to remind everyone that we weren’t just there to have a good time and raise money. “We need to remember the importance of today, and take home with us a piece of what this day means.” Lee began.

  When she finished her speech, thunderous applause and whistles followed Lee’s exit. More than 15,000 women got tested for breast cancer that day.

  May 27, 1990

  On Sunday morning at the breakfast table, I sat there suspended back in time. I reminisced about when mum would put together one huge nosh-up of fried eggs, tomatoes, plantains, baked beans and toast. Here I was doing it all over again, this time with my wife and daughter, and Bradley and his wife and kids.

  The sacks of fried plantains before me were for the taking. Lee grabbed the plate from me, saying I should be more respectful after having scooped two rather large portions onto my plate. Bradley made off with his share before Debbie snatched the dish from him. Both wives looked at us in disgust, questioning our manners. Even dad got a good telling off from mum for doing the same.

  Mum asked me to say grace. Debbie left the plate of plantains in front of Emma. She managed to grab one in each hand, sucking wildly on them before mum called dad or Debbie to take them from her. She was concerned for her possibly choking. Emma held tight to her sweet plantains, until dad was able to take them from her. She let out an almighty cry, having been deprived of her stolen tokens. She wouldn’t stop crying until she got some more.

  “Doesn't she remind you of someone, pud?” Dad commented afterwards.

  Mum pointed across the table in my direction. She then shared another childhood tale about her youngest son.

  Late in the afternoon, we sat down in the living room watching Steptoe and Son. We were laughing our asses off, at the scene when the father was having a bath in the kitchen sink, and Harold caught him and said you dirty old man.

  The phone rang, and Lee got up to answer it. After briefly speaking to someone on the other end, she hung up. Ten minutes later, I nosily asked my wife who had called.

  “Who was on the phone sweetheart?”

  “I'm not sure. The woman said she was calling on behalf of the BBC, and they wanted to know if Debbie, you and I would like to be interviewed regarding the widely publicized breast cancer walk.”

  “So, what did you say?” I asked.

  “I hope you don’t mind, Debbie.” Lee turned to Debbie. She had confirmed on our behalf. “I told them we would only contribute if the show took place at Bath and Trowbridge Hospital.”

  Debbie was okay with the decision. This would be a leap in the right direction. But still, it was impossible to satisfy an insatiable appetite such as my wife’s. Lee wanted a greater influx of people. Nobody would be prepared for what Lee, our three friends and I would be willing to do for the greater good of humanity.

  Albert Einstein once wrote: “Logic will get from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” We would soon prove this theory.

  May 29, 1990

  A green Land Rover pulled up outside Trowbridge Hospital. People lined the streets. Mayor Rose greeted a tall, slender blonde by the name of Anneka Rice, who stepped out of the front seat of the luxury sports utility vehicle. She earned many cheers from flocks of bystanders. As the once star of the BBC show, Treasure Hunt, Rice wanted Lee and Debbie at her side while the crew set up. She went over a few things with us. In a matter of minutes, live taping began as we walked from bed to bed, talking about the staggering numbers of breast cancer patients.

  In the UK, nine percent of related breast cancer cases are linked to excess bodyweight. Also, women using HRT, for hormone replacement therapy have a 66 percent greater risk of breast cancer. However, research says that once daily physical exercise is applied to one’s lifestyle, the risk of having breast cancer is reduced. My wife and I had done our homework and fed off the facts that we read and researched.

  June 2, 1990

  No matter how many times you do it, saying goodbye to family is never easy. It was a tearful farewell at the airport with mum, dad, Bradley, Debbie and the kids. Emma even started to cry when I took her from mum's arms. She screamed at the top of her lungs, and wouldn’t stop until we boarded the plane for New York. On board, she fell asleep, weary from wailing. Not even noise
from the aircraft engine could awake her. Shortly after takeoff, the three of us were sleeping.

  August 25, 1990

  Three months had passed. It was time to get back into the swing of things, as we continued our search for a new home. With September around the corner, New Yorkers would be filling the street of Brooklyn for the upcoming Caribbean Day parade. Also, the first of the month was my birthday. Lee wanted this to be a very special day. Thus, a lot of planning and time went into making this day unforgettable.

  The idea of a motorcycle came up for a gift. And not just any motorcycle, a custom chopper built just for me, in the perfect shade of jade green. Lee was against the idea. She did not want her husband hurt or possibly killed on a motorcycle. The thought of our daughter being fatherless made her not want to talk about the matter any further.