Our Journey

by Tey Holden

  “Oh, my God! I can’t believe I’m hearing this!” Kate was livid. Jo sunk on her chair and took Kate’s anger as well as she could. “What is it now? Have you turned into a cowboy just because we live in Wyoming?”

  “Kate, please calm down. You know I can shoot, and I could have easily killed that bear. I shot into the air first because I wanted to give the bear a chance, but I could have easily killed it. You know I’ve had training.”

  Kate pursed her lips, knowing that there was nothing to rebut that statement. Jo had told her how in her long hours of idleness in Afghanistan, while others wasted their time doing nothing, she had decided to learn about what others did. That was how she met Todd and Mike, who were Army Rangers and how they taught her combat self-defense. She had also learned first-aid, and about tourniquets, among many other things that later served her well. She had also met Army snipers, who taught her to shoot long and short distances, and also knew how to operate and fix heavy machinery. Indeed, Jo had picked up innumerable skills during her free time while deployed.

  Still, knowing that didn’t make Kate less mad. “Do you hear yourself, Jo McCallister? You were giving the bear a chance? A chance for what? To kill you? What if something had happened to you? Jo, promise me nothing like this will happen again!”

  “I’m sorry, babe. I just didn’t think. I just reacted to a dangerous situation. I’ll try to stay away from killer bears.”

  Kate shook her head and tried not to laugh, after hearing Jo’s last comments. Of course, that night, Dannie and Kate spoke about the incident and laughed.

  ***

  That winter went as planned. Kate loved her job, and her commute was easy. When the weather was terrible on a couple of occasions, she stayed at the hospital overnight as she had promised. While Kate worked, Jo stayed home with Mellie and began to work on her project.

  Late in March, preparations began to start work on the land to be developed. All had been set up, and the only thing left to do was to hire the people needed. Wally had agreed to meet up with Jo to go to the project site where they would begin to hire the labor required. They had posted ads in the local paper and contacted union leaders to let them know about the availability of work for skilled and non-skilled workers.

  “Believe it or not, finding people to work is the hardest thing around here. Nobody wants to work, or they just work the minimum.” As Wally pulled up to the job site, she gasped and her eyes went wide. “What the hell is going on here?” She couldn’t believe the number of cars parked around or people waiting near the project office.

  The moment they parked, Wally jumped out of her SUV and walked hurriedly to the office-trailer having to cut through lines of people waiting outside. Jo followed at a steady pace, only a few steps behind. A few people in the crowd greeted Jo, and she responded with nods and a slight smile also wondering what was going on.

  Once inside, Wally looked for the head foreman. “Carson, what’s going on here? What are all these people doing here?”

  Carson chuckled. “You’re not going to believe this, but they all want to sign up to work.” Carson nodded to Jo, who was standing next to Wally.

  “Are you kidding me?” Wally asked.

  “Nope, they all want to work for the woman who is not afraid of bears. Although, I suspect that Chief Nager might have something to do with this imminent desire to work.” He then addressed Jo. “The guy you saved from the bear is his son. Nager is not just the Council’s Chief, he’s a very powerful guy around here. He’s the president of the local union. You might be on his good side since you protected Arancel.”

  Wally laughed, while Jo frowned. “Alright, where are the job applications?” Jo asked.

  “We don’t have applications,” Wally replied, “we just interview whoever shows up and hire on the spot. We’ve never had that many people applying to have a choice as to who to pick.”

  “In that case, let me have that stack of paper and all the pencils you can find.” Jo pointed to the stack of printer paper.

  Carson handed a block of paper, and a bunch of pencils to her, and Jo walked outside. She saw a pick-up parked next to the trailer office and climbed on the bed of the truck. “Listen up everybody!” The crowd immediately quieted. Wally and Carson watched the development of events.

  “I’ve got paper and pencils here. I want each of you to take a sheet of paper and write down your name, your phone, what is it you do, and if you’re with a union, which union. When you’re done, give that paper to Mr. Carson, and we’ll call you to let you know when to report for work. Is that clear?”

  People responded with nodding heads and affirmations of ‘yes ma’am’ as they passed the paper and pencils around and proceeded to write down the requested information. Jo got down from the truck and was approached by a young fellow. “Ma’am, I can’t write too well.”

  She looked at him, “come with me then.” The guy followed her. “Carson, would you help this gentleman with his information?”

  “Sure, come on inside with me.” The guy followed Carson inside, and Wally and Jo stayed outside talking.

  “Well, looks like you’re starting off on the right foot!” Wally exclaimed.

  Jo looked at her and smiled. “Let’s see how many I can keep on board. I like to run a tight ship.”

  Wally raised her eyebrows. “Good luck with that! Let me know if you need anything. I have to head out to my site.”

  “Will do,” Jo replied and went back inside the trailer. Wally left smiling, and wondering how Jo would manage to run her tight ship.

  ***

  Jo made her selection of workers, and Carson called them to report for work. The day the work was to begin, Jo again climbed on the bed of Carson’s truck and addressed the crowd.

  “Okay, we have a job to do, and we’re going to do it well so that we can be proud of what we do! Let’s get things started!” When she stepped down from the truck, Carson pursed his lips and smiled. He wondered how Jo would manage workers that had little motivation, especially because he had noticed that Jo was not much of a talker.

  The work at the project began, and all was going well. When extra work was needed, and the workers began to hesitate about putting in extra hours, Jo began to host a series of cookouts on Fridays to motivate them and keep them happy. When towards the end of the project they were in a crunch to finish earlier, Jo began to entice them by holding a shooting range for those who had rifle permits. The ones who didn’t participate stayed for the entertainment.

  She knew Kate was not happy about the shooting range, but she told her that she needed to do whatever was necessary to finish the job on time. The workers, men and women, liked Jo because, although she was tough, she treated them fairly and related to them personally.

  She knew everyone’s name, and if they came to her with any personal problems, she helped them as much as she could. They, in turn, respected her and were eager to do their work. Wally was always amazed to see the laborers working late whenever she drove by on any given Friday. As expected, the project was finished three weeks ahead of schedule much to Wally’s delight because that gave her more time to build the houses.

  ***

  Early in February, Kate began to talk Jo into having a second child. She thought the moment was appropriate because she wanted to time the birth of the new baby for the winter when Jo would be home and available to stay home with the baby.

  Jo nearly panicked when Kate told her the plan. “Katie, are you sure about this now? I’m just starting the project, and we don’t know how things will turn out, and what about your job? You’ve barely just begun!”

  Kate looked at her with her usual calmness. “Jo, I’m not getting any younger, and we agreed that Mellie was not going to be an only child.” The minute Kate finished her statement, Jo knew she had lost the battle with Kate’s irrefutable argument.

  “You would have made a good lawyer. You always have a way to shut me up.”

  Kate laughed. “That’s because you know I
’m right. Look, everything is perfect. We’re both doing great at our jobs, and the baby will be born in late fall when you will be able to stay home and care for him or her.”

  In her mind, Jo could see the picture already, a toddler, a pregnancy, a newborn, and weeks without bedroom activities. Oh, joy! However, she had agreed a long time ago to Kate’s plans for the McCallister troop, and now she had no option but to go along with the plan.

  “I see no way out of this one! I have yet to contemplate and survive another pregnancy and the corresponding sexual dry season.”

  Kate laughed. “Trivial details. You know it doesn’t take long for your mad rabbit to be back in the game. Plus, I took good care of you last time.” Jo smiled, knowing that, once again, Kate was right.

  ***

  Kate made the arrangements, and it wasn’t that long before she was once again pregnant. “Good grief, woman!” Jo replied when Kate gave her the news. “It’s a good thing I can’t produce sperm, or we would have ten kids by now!”

  “I can’t help being so fertile,” Kate replied, laughing.

  Soon after, and just as the first time, Jo began with her sympathetic morning sickness, which Kate always found very amusing. |“I don’t know why this is so funny. It’s real, and I feel terrible!”

  “It’s funny because you think you’re having a bad time, while it’s me who will be going through popping this child out.”

  “Oh, don’t give me that! No complaints, missy, I didn’t ask you to do this! This is what you wanted.”

  “I’m not complaining, you are!”

  “Of course I am! Look at me!”

  Kate hugged her. “My poor baby, here have a sip of my ginger ale.”

  Jo had a sickish face. “I hate ginger ale.” Still, she took a sip under Kate’s smiling watchful eyes. Kate kissed her on the head and rubbed her back. Rather than being put off by Jo’s behavior and symptoms, Kate was delighted. She loved to see how her partner agonized over her condition even when there was no reason. She also knew that it would soon be over because she was already feeling much better, and Jo was mirroring her symptoms.

  At work, Wally was concerned because she had seen Jo sick a couple of times. When she had asked if something was wrong, Jo had replied that she was fine and that her stomach was upset because of something she ate.

  Because it happened more than once, Wally mentioned it to Dannie, who then called Kate. When Kate explained the matter, under oath of secrecy, Dannie thought it was too cute and laughed. Dannie explained the situation to Wally, under marital oath, and Wally was finally put at ease that there was nothing wrong with Jo.

  Soon after, Jo began to notice an abundance of ginger ale in all the company’s refrigerators. She thought it a coincidence, but the truth was that Wally had made sure that the drink was readily available everywhere. When Jo happened to casually mention that ginger ale was a popular drink in the area, Kate almost gave the secret away.

  Kate also made Dannie aware of what would happen when it was time for her to give birth and had asked her to be available to take care of Jo. Something to which Dannie agreed without hesitation. Her friends Marjorie and Caroline had promised to come also, but they could only come last minute and not knowing when the time would be, Kate had decided to have Dannie and Wally as backup.

  As soon as Kate began to feel better, so did Jo. It was fortunate because Jo was about to start work on the project, and she would have to put in long hours to make the most of the warm weather and move the project to completion before fall.

  ***

  In August, it was time for the town fair. Some of the laborers encouraged Jo to sign up for the fair’s shooting competition. Jo began to consider it to keep her crew happy. However, in order to sign up, she needed Kate’s approval. Kate had never been fond of guns, and keeping Kate happy was always her priority.

  “You have to be kidding me?” Kate responded when Jo told her about it.

  “Kate, those people signed up to work for me on account of the bear incident.”

  “I just can’t believe that of all your good qualities this is the one you have to exploit!”

  “Kate, that’s how things work around here. It’s what they like and understand.”

  Kate went about sorting laundry in the kitchen, while Jo continued to try to convince her.

  “It’s for a good cause anyway. The money goes to charity, and the children’s clinic is one of them. How about that? When I win, I’ll donate the money to the clinic?”

  Kate looked at her and shook her head. “You always find my soft spot, McCallister, don’t you?” The innuendo was there, and Jo did not miss it.

  “Yes, I do, and I consider myself very fortunate because of it,” she responded grinning.

  Kate played with Jo’s polo shirt collar. “Yes, and since Mellie will probably nap for the next hour and a half, you have some time to do something about that soft spot right now.”

  “I’m at your command, General Mad Rabbit.”

  ***

  Under the guise of a good cause, Jo signed up for the town fair’s shooting competition.

  “It’s not a big deal,” Wally explained. “The truth is that the town makes a big deal out of announcing the fair, but not many people turn out. The fair’s objective is to raise money, but people around here don’t have enough to give. Those who have the money, donate it to their own charities, which are usually their own clubs, be it golf, hunting, or skiing. I think we’re the only ones who support the children’s clinic and the food bank.”

  Since her arrival at the hospital, Kate had become actively involved with the children’s clinic by donating as much of her time as she could. She had been appalled when she found out that a lot of children in the area did not even have access to basic medical care because the parents couldn’t afford it. The prospect of Jo being able to raise some money for the clinic was encouraging, even though Jo’s method was not her favorite.

  “Really? What will it take to draw people?” Jo asked.

  Dannie laughed. “Well, maybe if we had a celebrity coming, the fair might make the headlines and attract more people.”

  Dannie’s statement got Jo thinking. Kate needed money for the clinic, and for that, they needed people to come to the fair. Just then, an idea occurred to her, and she walked into the house to make a call to the only celebrity she knew. “Hey, Manny, it’s Jo. I’m doing just fine. Are you interested in winning some votes in this part of the state?”

  Manny laughed. “Jo, that’s like asking a blind man if he wants to see! If you can get me a few more votes, I’d even sing for you!” He continued to laugh.

  “No, please, I think I’ve heard you sing before, and that is not a good idea. That might even make people vote for the other guy! What I have in mind is much easier and is kind of a quid pro quo thing. I need you to come here to the town fair.” Jo explained her reasons and told him about the shooting competition.

  “Jo, I’ll be there. I don’t’ know for how long, though. It’s an election year, and my calendar is pretty full.”

  “I’m not asking you to spend the day, all I need is for you to make an appearance and some press about it.”

  Manny laughed. “That you’ll get. I’ll call you with details.”

  “Thanks, man.”

  “Anything for you, ma’am.”

  Jo rarely called on her friends, but she was always glad to see they were there for her. Smiling, she called another contact on her list. “Hey, Mike, it’s Jo. Do you have any contacts in the Air Force?”

  Mike laughed. “What do you need, Jo?”

  She explained the situation with the fair, her call to Manny for an appearance, and finally stated her request. “I thought maybe some helicopters flying over the town might be something different. I mean nothing like putting on a show or anything like that, but maybe if they were already flying closer, they could fly over the town and maybe circle around it once. I think that would be enough of an event for this tiny place to get
all excited.”

  “No promises. Let me make some calls. I’ll let you know what I can come up with.”

  “Whatever it is, it has to be something we can put in the local papers.”

  “Geez, you never ask for much, but when you do, you ask for the big guns, don’t ya?”

  Jo laughed. “And you always deliver!”

  “If I’m able to deliver, it’s only because it’s for you. I’ll see what I can do.”

  When Jo hung up, she pondered about Mike’s comment. Suddenly, she thought of the so-called McCallister Squad and wondered if this may be something that might go through their ranks. She smiled and shook her head, thinking that it was a crazy idea and decided to let it go. The next day, however, something happened that changed everything.

  The group of women often got together at each other’s houses for dinners or cookouts. This time the group was gathered at Jo and Kate’s house. Kate, who had gone inside the house to get the hot dogs for the grill, came out to the patio with a phone in her hand. “Jo, your phone is ringing.”

  “Oh, shoot! I forgot to turn it off. Who could be calling?” She usually turned off her phone when all the people she cared for were with her.

  “It’s Manny,” Kate said.

  Bobby overheard and jokingly said, “could be important, could be the governor.” Of course, Bobby was not aware that the governor was Jo’s friend. Kate averted her gaze, to not give herself away, but when she did, she met Wally’s eyes. The way Kate looked at her, Wally knew it was the governor on the phone. Wally remained quiet, watching Jo talk in the distance.

  “Okay, got you. Thanks,” Jo said into the phone.

  “Don’t worry about anything. My staff will coordinate with the mayor’s office, I’ll do a brief speech, shake a few hands, and be on my way after I see you shooting some squirrels.” Manny laughed. “Or whatever you’re shooting.” He laughed in his usual loud tone.

  “Just target shooting, I think.”

  When she hung up, she came back to the group smiling. “Well, Dannie, it looks like this year the town’s fair may have a better turn out and more money for charity.” She addressed her comment to Dannie and then looked to Kate.