Emotionally Bulletproof--Scott's Story (Book 1)

by David Allen

  “Hello, Scott, so good to see you.” Ruth laughed and stepped down the stairs. She squeezed Scott in a warm hug. “I’m glad you’re here, you’re going be okay now.” She held him out at arm’s length. “Oh my, you’ve grown up so much.”

  Inside Ruth bustled around getting John and Scott a glass of cold water. She paused briefly to kiss John. “Let me show you your room Scott.” She beckoned. “It’s late and I’m sure you’re exhausted after your long flight. We’ll all be able to talk more tomorrow.”

  Scott was grateful to be able to close the guest room door and be alone. Letting his suitcase fall to the floor, he sank onto the bed. The soft down comforter squished under him. A reading lamp was next to the bed where he sat.

  Scott sighed and lay back, staring up at the pretty curtains above him. A breeze ruffled them. He picked up the green book John had given him and turned it over in his hand. It was old and faded. On the front ‘JOURNAL’ was stamped.

  My uncle’s journal, he mused. I wonder why John gave me this? He settled back onto the soft pillow and let his heavy eyelids close slowly. His hand relaxed and the book slipped onto the bed. He was asleep.

  Ruth checked on him and quietly switched the lights off. Continuing down the hall and into her bedroom, Ruth changed clothes and climbed into bed next to her husband. She rolled over with a sigh. “I just don’t know what to think dear.” She snuggled up to John in the darkness. “I think he’s lonely, John, and needs someone to talk to, is what I think.”

  John grunted. “I wonder if he’ll open up with us.”

  Ruth laid her head on the pillow. “What he needs is a special friend, a girl he can trust, you know.”

  “Well, I don’t fit that ticket,” John said. “At least the girl part.”

  “If Scott’s smart, he’ll realize that he can trust you with anything.”

  John cleared his throat. “Speaking of girls, Scott flew here with Charles’s sister. I guess they sat next to each other on the plane. Laura, I think her name is. She’s really pretty, but Scott seemed indifferent to her. I don’t think he’s interested.” He gave a short laugh, then became serious. “I gave him Matthew’s journal you know.”

  “Already?” Ruth asked, surprised.

  “Well, I know he’ll read it, so I figured there was no sense in waiting. He won’t be here forever.” John sighed. The two lay in the darkness for a second, then Ruth cleared her throat. “Charles has a sister visiting? If she’s anything like Charles, she might be really good for Scott to visit with.”

  John grunted. “Not a bad idea, she’d be good company for him, if he was interested.”

  Ruth chuckled. “Well, I’ll see what I can do about that, dear.”

  The house was silent now. Only the hum of night insects was heard as the dark night nestled in on it’s sleeping inhabitants.

  *****

  Scott woke, opening his eyes to the sight of pretty wallpaper. Sleeping on a soft feather bed was unusual. He stretched his back slightly. It felt almost like he’d slept on it wrong. Slipping out of bed, he walked to the door. He could smell pancakes frying from the kitchen.

  “Good morning, Scott,” Ruth said cheerfully. “I hope you’re hungry.”

  Scott sat on a stool while Ruth poured him a glass of guava juice. He rubbed his eyes sleepily.

  “John had to run to the office earlier this morning, and I’m going in to my clerical job in half an hour,” Ruth continued. “You have an appointment to visit Doctor Lewis at 11. I’ve arranged for someone to come by and give you a ride.” She pushed a plate of banana pancakes in front of Scott.

  “Who’s picking me up and when?” Scott held his knife in mid air over his plate.

  “Oh, you know Charlie’s sister, Laura? I called Charles this morning and asked if Laura would take you, she’ll be here around 10:45.” She was facing the fridge, so Scott couldn’t see her expression, but her voice was suspiciously light.

  “I see.” Scott bit into his pancake. He thought he saw the hint of a smirk on the corner of her mouth when she turned around again.

  “Looks like you better get changed and comb that hair of yours, because its already 10:15” Ruth loaded dishes into the dish washer.

  Scott took another bite of his pancake and chewed thought fully. “I’ll be ready.” He didn’t want to appear concerned.

  *****

  Scott sat in the living room. The house was silent. His aunt had just left and now he was waiting. Scott thought about how Ruth had given him a slight lift of her eyebrows and said to “Have fun.”

  He absently flipped open the cover to his uncle’s green journal. He recognized Matthew’s distinctive scrawl immediately.

  Dear God, Today was a day just like yesterday. I worked on the project on Happy Lane, same old backbreaking labor. I get so tired, sometimes I wonder why I ever chose this profession. It will make me an old man before I want to admit it—but on to more happy subjects, I went out with Timothy today for lunch. We were talking about trust, and some biblical examples he was showing me. What are you trying to teach me? Apparently he’s been preaching a series on trust at his church, and he’s been learning a lot of new things. I’ll tell you all about—

  Scott was cut short by a distinctive knock on the door. He closed the journal, tucked it under his arm, and walked to the door. He could see a woman standing through the glass.

  “Hi.” Scott swung the door open. “I’m just getting my shoes on.”

  Laura stood fidgeting, “So, the main hospital, right?”

  Scott was aware that Laura obviously felt uncomfortable. “Yes, I need to see a Doctor Lewis.” He glanced up from tying his shoe. “I’m sorry you have to take me, I hope this isn’t an inconvenience for you.” Oops, that came out wrong, he thought desperately.

  “Oh no, don’t be sorry, it isn’t.” Laura blushed. “I didn’t have anything planned for this morning, so it worked out well.”

  *****

  Laura had awakened to eat breakfast with her brother, Charles and her sister-in-law, Mabel. They were chatting pleasantly and catching up on events when the phone had rung.

  Charles had cradled the phone on his shoulder, listening to the person talking on the other end. “Mmm.” He looked up at Laura. “Mhmm, mhmm. Let me ask her and I’ll get right back to you.” He hung up the phone and turned toward the table where Laura and Mabel sat. “John just called, and he was wondering if you would be willing to take Scott, the guy you met on the airplane, to the doctor this morning.”

  “This morning?” Laura gasped and nearly dropped the muffin she was eating. “I, uh, how would, and why would I take him?”

  “Oh, you can use my old truck. John’s wife had him call because she thought you might do Scott some good.” Charles’s eyes were twinkling teasingly again. “Maybe my instincts at the airport were right.”

  “Do him good?” Laura crossed her arms and sat back.

  “Right.”

  “He didn’t even seem interested in talking to me before.” Her mind was racing. Had Scott asked for her to take him? Maybe he was too shy to just talk to her himself.

  Charles and her sister-in-law were talking. “So do you want to?” He turned to Laura, holding the phone in his hand. “I told him I’d call him right back.”

  “Uh sure, I guess I can.” She slumped. Might as well.

  *****

  Laura stood at the address her brother had given her, his handwritten map in her hand. Scott looked nervous to her.

  In the truck, they buckled in and turned to each other. Laura spoke first. “So you didn’t ask for me to come pick you up?” Scott shook his head. “Oh.” Laura lifted her chin and looked away.

  “I don’t mind, though,” Scott stammered. “I think it was my Aunt Ruth’s idea.”

  “Oh, okay, but don’t feel like I’m trying to spend time with you if you don’t want to be around me.”

  “No no,” Scott protested. “If I’ve seemed unfriendly, it’s only because I’ve been really under the wea
ther with everything that’s been happening. I felt like I was overwhelming you with how I’ve been feeling.”

  Laura felt satisfied. “Okay, but only if you want me to take you.” She started the engine. Scott leaned back in his seat and sighed. “And don’t worry about overwhelming me with your emotions. I think I can handle them.” Laura looked at Scott sideways with a short laugh.

  “Okay, good to hear that.” Scott relaxed. “How far is the hospital?”

  “I have a map. Here, help me.” Laura handed Scott the directions. “Tell me when to turn.”

  “I’m embarrassed about all this fuss with my foot.”

  “Doesn’t quite fi t your style?” Laura cocked her head. “Not macho hero enough?”

  Scott laughed. “Something like that.”

  Just a few minutes later, they pulled up at the hospital, an Air Force building with palm trees planted along its tan side. Inside, the receptionist asked Scott for his Air Force service card.

  “Oh, actually, I’m not in the Air Force,” he explained. “Chaplain John, my uncle, made me an appointment with Doctor Lewis this morning.” Scott pushed the slip of paper Ruth had given him toward the lady.

  She read it. “Oh, okay. He’ll be with you in one minute. You and your wife can wait in the lobby.” She motioned.

  “Oh, actually it’s friend,” Laura corrected.

  “Yeah, that.” Scott said.

  The lady laughed. “Could have fooled me.” she said cheerily.

  Scott forced a laugh. He and Laura sat down in the small lobby and looked at each other uncomfortably, then laughed. He shrugged.

  “Scott?” A balding military doctor in a white coat and white mustache stood looking into the lobby.

  “Here.” Scott raised his hand and stood.

  “Right this way, soldier.” The doctor motioned.

  Scott followed him into a examining room.

  “Let me see your wound there.” The grandfatherly doctor helped Scott sit on a paper-covered examining table. He watched as Scott removed his shoe and sock. “Ouch, you get the purple heart for that one, ace.” He pulled on a pair of white gloves.

  “Oh, actually, I’m not a soldier. I’m a student missionary.” Scott raised his foot for the doctor to see.

  “Hmm... I don’t see your types here everyday.” The doctor stood back and stared at Scott. “And where were you a student missionary?”

  “Ebi, Marshall Islands.” Scott then explained what had happened.

  “Hmmm.” The doctor scratched his chin. He had been examining the wound. “It looks like its healing well. Just keep it clean and I’ll prescribe you some ointment for it. Can’t do much else for you.”

  Scott shook his head. It was so stupid that Mr. Henrich had made him leave, he thought bitterly. “Doctor?” he asked.

  “Yes, son?”

  “Is it all right if I swim in the ocean?”

  “Well, I don’t know about that.” Doctor Lewis leaned against the counter with a twinkle in his eye. “Why? Are you wanting to go looking for mermaids?”

  “I’m interested in checking out some of the reefs around here.” Scott looked expectant.

  “Well, I’d say that if you give it a couple of days, and it’s healing nicely, I think you could. But don’t you go re-opening it,” he warned. “It will be easy to cut and I don’t want you out there bleeding. The sharks here in Guam aren’t very forgiving.

  “Thanks, doctor.” Scott put his sock and shoe back on.

  Doctor Lewis opened the cupboard and handed Scott a small bottle of ointment. “Apply this once a day, and you’ll be fine.” He smiled.

  Laura was waiting in the lobby. “Must not be too bad,” she said. “You look happier.”

  Scott smiled. “Didn’t even need to come to the doctor.”

  The receptionist waved Scott off at the counter, telling him that his uncle had taken care of everything. Out in the parking lot, they both climbed into the muggy truck.

  “Oh, I sure didn’t park in the shade.” Laura fanned herself.

  Scott vigorously rolled down the window. “I’m glad that’s over, anyways.” He tapped his foot against the floorboard.

  “So now what?” Laura asked.

  Scott wanted to make sure Laura knew he wasn’t just using her for the ride. “Why don’t we go get some lunch or something and visit a little? I don’t have anything on my agenda if you don’t,” he said. “I’m buying.”

  “Well I suppose that if you’re not busy, I can make room in my busy vacation schedule for lemonade,” Laura quipped. She was smiling, actually blushing a little bit. She liked how the tables had turned a little. “So how are you finding Guam?” she asked as she turned onto a street heading for the airbase gate.

  “It’s good. I’ve only been here less then 20 hours now, and I’ve talked with you more then anybody else.”

  “Uh huh.” Laura nodded. “From what my brother says, your uncle John is a great guy.”

  “Well, he’s my uncle indirectly,” Scott explained. “His dead brother, Matthew, is my real uncle because he was married to my dad’s sister. I just call him Uncle John. Makes things simpler.”

  “I see.”

  “The one thing Uncle John has done since I got here was kind of strange, though.” Scott held up the green diary with Journal stamped on it.

  “What?” Laura asked, confused.

  “Last night on the way from the airport, he gave me this.” Scott held the book up with a little shake. “He said it was a journal of my Uncle Matthew’s, and there were some things in it I should read. Kinda weird right?”

  Laura looked curiously at the book Scott was holding. “Well, you should read it. There has to be a reason.”

  “He said Matthew talked about me in it.” He began to undo the rubber band. “I just started looking at it this morning before you arrived.”

  “Well, why don’t we both look at it together here in Dina’s diner, over a glass of lemonade?” Laura pulled into the parking lot. “That is, if you don’t mind me,” she added.

  “No, I wouldn’t mind. I’d actually like that, I think,” Scott responded. “Let’s do it.”

  Inside the diner, the two sat in a window booth and a waiter took their order: two burgers with fries and drinks.

  Laura was sitting across the booth from Scott. He handed her the green journal. “Take a look,” he said. “I’m kinda like ‘Oh well, I don’t care,’ concerning my family’s dark secrets, so don’t feel like you’re intruding.” There was a hint of bitterness in his voice.

  “Okay, so long as I’m not intruding.” Laura unfastened the rubber band. “It’s not like I haven’t had my own life’s drama. I’m not a judgmental person. I couldn’t be without going crazy.”

  Scott nodded and she began to read aloud:

  “Monday. July 16, 1984 – Dear Lord, I just want to tell you what I’m thinking. I’m beginning to realize how important having trust between people is to me. Tom, the guy I was trying to help with a job, stole a couple thousand dollars worth of tools, and headed down the AlCan Highway over the weekend. I just now found out. I’ve been away since Thursday, and he’s probably already in Seattle, or only you know where. I just don’t know what to do. Should I file a police report? Or should I let Tom get away with it? I just called Tim now, and told him how much trouble I’m in.