Willobee's World

by Wendell Vanderbilt Fountain

  “Well, Slinger, if you insist on doin’ this, I’m gonna need the details you mentioned,” Trent sighed.

  “My source tells me there’s only one underpass in downtown Columbus, so we can’t miss it.”

  “Can we trust this source? Who’s he anyways?” Trent asked.

  “He lives in Chihuahua, and I know him by Vega-Verde. He’s okay.”

  “I shor as hell hope you’re right, ’cause I don’t wanna walk into no setup,” Trent said, sipping his coffee.

  “We’re gonna have several groups of five and seven people. We have to make sure all those in each group board the right truck,” Slinger said.

  “Where ’n the hell we takin’ ’em?”

  “That we won’t know for sure till we pick ’em up.”

  “Sounds like a helluva way to run a roundup!” Trent remarked.

  “From what I know, the cities and towns will mostly be in Nevada, Utah, California, and Arizona.”

  “I can’t be tied up with this for more ’n a week. That gonna be okay?” Trent asked.

  “Yeah, it shouldn’t take us more than five or six days to make the drop-offs.”

  “Good, that’ll work into mah schedule. They’re gonna pay cash at the pickup point, right?”

  “Damn straight they’re gonna pay when we pick ’em up,” Slinger sternly replied.

  “Got some more questions. Whadaya we do ’bout weigh stations and inspections?”

  “Use your Drivewyze bypass app. You have one, don’t ya?”

  “Yeah, I started usin’ it ’bout a month ago. It saves a lotta time. I think the cops like it, ’cause they don’t have to do a blue-light special on us truckers in the middle of their coffee and donuts,” Trent said with a chuckle.

  “Create a log showing empty load-Deadhead. Make sure you’re going in the direction of home. Usually, even if they inspect your truck, it’s all external. Besides, you have a list of upcoming weigh and inspection stations on interstates, so use truck routes instead. If you get pulled over, it’s highly unlikely that a trooper will inspect the interior of your trailer. Finally, don’t speed!”

  “This is dangerous bidness, Slinger, I think we should back out.”

  “Come-on, Trent, we have a chance to make more money in a week than we do in years.”

  “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’re afraid,” Slinger said, looking at him quizzically.

  “Maybe I am afraid, ’cause I don’t wanna lose mah freedom, and I don’t want you too, either. We been friends a long time, and I’d hate to see us locked up in some god-awful prison.”

  “I’m a bit nervous myself, but I’m willin’ to take the chance,” Slinger replied.

  After they parted, Trent called Haylee. She was busy, but so happy to hear from him.

  “Thought you’d forgotten ’bout me!”

  “Now, Haylee-Girl, that ain’t gonna happen. I been busier than a rabbit makin’ babies!”

  “Me, too, but it’s real good to hear your voice. When you comin’ home?”

  “Should be back late tonight. It’ll be after twelve, but I’ll see you at breakfast in the mornin’.”

  “That’s terrific! Can’t wait!”

  “Gotta git this rig on the road, so I’ll see ya tomorra. Before I forgit, I love ya sweetheart.”

  “I love you, too, Trent. Until tomorrow.”

  Before he left to drop off his load of tomatoes, Trent decided to call Creet. He quickly dialed his number and Creet immediately answered.

  “Creet here.”

  “This is Trent Willobee.”

  “How could I not recognize that voice and accent? What’s on your mind?”

  “Gotta lot ta talk ’bout, but not on the phone.”

  “You okay, Willobee?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine, but so much has happened, we just gotta meet. I’ll do mah report, but there’s stuff I gotta git off my chest.”

  “Okay, when and where you want to meet?”

  “I don’t think it’d be good at mah place. How ’bout the Gentleman’s Club off 95 in Fort Mohave, Arizona say ’bout two o’clock tomorra afternoon.”

  “Gentleman’s club? Creet asked.

  “It won’t be busy. It’s dark, and we can talk. Nobody’ll pay any attention ta us.”

  “If you say so, I’ll be there. You gonna have my report?”

  “Good, I ’preciate that, and yeah I’ll have the written report.”

  After he hung up, Trent dropped off his load, and pointed his rig west. He was ready to go home. He fiddled with the radio and finally got a classic rock station. Of all songs, Homeward Bound by Simon and Garfunkel was playing. His favorite line was “Home, where my love lies waiting silently for me.” How ironic he thought as he shifted gears.

  When he awoke in his own bed the next morning at the sound of the barking mutt of the neighbor’s, he felt relieved and excited. He was glad he was home and Haylee’s form would soon fill his eyes.

  He walked into the restaurant at nine o’clock. The minute Haylee saw him, she rushed to him at the counter.

  “I thought it was really great talkin’ with ya, but seein’ ya is a whole lot better!” She said with her girlish giggle.

  “Well, I kinda like what I’m lookin’ at, too,” Trent said with a smile.

  She picked up her pen and pad, “Anything special this mornin’?”

  “Yeah, but not right now,” he winked.

  “Now Trent, I was talkin’ ’bout food!”

  “Haylee-Girl, you gotta one-track mind. That all you ever think of is food?

  “Trenton Willobee, you gotta a sneaky mind.”

  “You scarin’ me now, ’cause that’s what my mamma used to call me when I’s in trouble.”

  “For heaven’s sake, you want the usual?” She said, tapping her pen on the pad.

  “Yep, shor ’nuff.”

  Haylee dropped off the ticket and rejoined Trent at the counter. “As you can see I’m awful busy this mornin’, think maybe we can spend some time together this evenin’?”

  “Now that’s a silly question. Does a roadrunner cross the road? When you git off, I’m ’spectin’ ya at mah place.”

  “Good, I’ll be lookin’ forward to it. Let me check on your order, it should be ready.”

  After breakfast, Trent headed into Fort Mohave to get Haylee a bottle of wine. He asked the man behind the counter about different white wines. He seemed very knowledgeable and helpful. Trent learned that many women prefer a sauvignon blanc wine over a chardonnay. The guy said it was usually a little sweeter, so he bought a bottle. He also picked up a few grocery items. The saddle bags on Rocket One were fully loaded when he headed home. He spent nearly two hours writing his report for Creet. Time passed quickly, and before he knew it, he had to leave for his meeting with him. Trent picked a table where he could watch the door. Minutes later Creet walked in looked around, but he was momentarily blinded by the sunlight he just left.

  “Creet, over here…over here,” Trent waved and called out.

  He followed the sound of Trent’s voice until he came into view.

  “There you are,” he practically whispered.

  “Grab a chair, I got some things ta discuss.”

  Creet sat down and looked around in the room. “You come here often?”

  “No, I ain’t been here since I was just a young fella.”

  “You’re not exactly ancient, now. I’m only a little older than you, and I really prefer to not think of myself as old, yet,” Creet replied with a smile.

  “Maybe it was ridin’ too many bulls and wild broncs that jarred me a little senseless, and mah bones that ache a helluva lot now days. When I was on the circuit a few years back, I used to visit here in the area. Me and some of mah rodeo buddies use to come here, drink, and watch these women.”
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  “I bet the time in the Middle East didn’t help your aches and pains, either,” Creet commented.

  “You probly right ’bout that, ’cause some of them shrapnel on cool mornin’s ’minds me where I shouldn’t a been.”

  “You said you needed to talk with me ’bout some things you needed to get off your chest, well I’m here, and I’m listening,” Creet said, leaning forward.

  “First, let me give you mah written report,” Trent said, handing him it to him.

  “Thanks,” Creet said, removing a penlight from his coat pocket and taking a quick glance. “I’ll give it a thorough looksee later. Go ahead and tell me what’s on your mind.”

  “I learned some stuff a few days ago that’s got me scratchin’ mah head. I’m havin’ a hard time tellin’ who’s the good guys between the bad ones. I even have my doubts ’bout you. I don’t know what happened to Dobson, and I don’t know for shor if he was a good one or bad one. I’m trustin’ ya and I don’t know why I should. I kinda like ya, and I been gittin’ intel, but I can’t be shor if it’s for mah country or not. I ain’t used to this spy bidness. Even though I been gittin’ paid, I’m not shor why. Guess I’m askin’ ya Creet to let me in on a little of the big picture, uh, hold on just a sec, and let me order us a drink or they’ll think we just loiterin’. What’d ya like?”

  “A beer ’ill be fine.”

  Trent went to the bar and got two bottles. “I kinda like Miller Lite, hope that’s okay with ya,” he said when he returned.

  “Sounds good.”

  “Creet, you’re gonna find in mah report why I just said what I did. I’m real uneasy ’bout what I been doin’. I know there’s somethin’ not right, but I don’t know what it is.”

  “Okay, Willobee, let me see if I can enlighten you a little. You put your ass on the line for our cause in a huge way, and we know it. We have big, and I mean really big problems in this country, and it’s at the very top. This Administration has done nearly everything it can to prevent us from doing our jobs, but we all swore an oath to uphold the Constitution, and that’s what we’re doing. As an example, it’s no secret that the border patrol has been ordered to just stand back and let anyone and everyone cross the border without any resistance. Those of us in the DIA, or in the case of Dobson, at Homeland Security, have been hamstrung by the heads of our agencies, because as you know, shit runs downhill. A second tier of leadership, under the radar, has decided to try to save our nation until we can elect a new President and Administration who believe in law and order. We are not unlawful radicals who’re attempting to overthrow our government, but we are patriots who will not obey unlawful orders from those above us. We’ve had to find ways to work around these obstacles. I know you were told in the military that you didn’t have to obey any unlawful order, and that’s the way we see it. You were chosen in the beginning because you’re a patriot. You’ve proven your loyalty to your country on the battlefield, while many of us in varying agencies have had to be covert behind the scenes, doing what we can to forestall the destruction of America. That’s the long and short of it. Does that help?”

  “It does, but it shor opens up other questions.”

  “I’ll try to answer if I can.”

  “It sounds ta me like we ain’t really legal, but we are, that ’bout right?”

  “Let me give you the Washington two-step on that. Technically, we’re avoiding executing as many unlawful orders, without open defiance, as we can and at the same time following our Constitutional charge. If we can hold out long enough, a new regime can fix this mess.”

  “So, let me git this straight. You must be supportin’ this Trump fella ’cause he’s sposed ta be the right person, right?”

  “We have every reason to believe he loves America, and he’s for America first. He did beat 16 challengers in the primary and got more Republican votes than any other candidate in the history of the Republican Party. Even 16,500 Border Patrol Agents endorsed this guy, and that’s never happened before. In fact, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have endorsed Trump. Fourteen and a half million people voted for him in the primaries,” Creet replied.

  “I been payin’ attention, but what if he loses the General Election? Then What?”

  “We just might lose our country…forever…240 years down the shitter,” Creet replied solemnly.

  “If he wins, howdaya know he’ll do the stuff he says?”

  “Let me get a little personal, Willobee, are you a believer in God?”

  “Why shor I believe in the Good Lord. What’s that gotta do with mah question?”

  “Plenty. That means you have faith. We have faith in what he’s promised. In the worst case scenario, what if he’s only able to do half of what he’s said, wouldn’t we be miles ahead from where we are?”

  “Well, you gotta point there, ’cause that’d be better than things gittin’ even worse, but what ’bout this woman runnin’ ’gainst him, is she all that bad?”

  “Do you really know anything about her? She and her husband are bad news. Both of them are two of the most corrupt people in America. All she’ll do is what Obama has been doing for nearly eight years, and worse! Our nation can’t take it anymore. Did you follow the recent vote in Britain about leaving or staying in the European Union?”

  “I usually try ta stay outta politics, ’cause it ain’t healthy, but I did take note that they decided to leave the EU. I think they called it Brexit. People tend to git all pissed off if you don’t agree with ’em.”

  “Have I pissed you off? I mean do you feel put off by my candor?” Creet asked.

  “Not at all, I’m not that damned delicate,” he said with a smile.

  “Well, I’m pleased you’re not upset about this little discussion, because we hope to do something similar in November. We want our country back.”

  “’bout this Clinton woman, I ain’t never got over her leavin’ them men in Benghazi to die. I coulda been one of ’em. Americans don’t leave their soldiers.” Trent said.

  “You’re makin’ my point.”

  “There’s a coupla things I left outta the written report. I had to git some information in a way ya might not like, so I didn’t mention it. Also, I’m bothered ’bout my old friend gittin’ in trouble. Gotta favor ta ask. I guess when we pick up these Syrians in Columbus, you’re gonna arrest Slinger, that right?” Trent asked.

  “Your friend has left me no choice. We simply cannot allow this to happen. Even our rotten department leadership won’t be able to criticize us for stopping this.”

  “Creet, when you boys nab Slinger, his real name is Mazerski, I won’t to be arrested, too, but let me escape on the sly. I can’t stand for him to think I betrayed ’em. God, I hate bein’ a rat!”

  “Willobee, you’re not a rat. You’re a patriot, I’ll take care of it.”

  “One other thing, before I forgit, I’m takin’ me some long-gun firepower on this trip. I’m gonna be accompanied by mah AR-15 and my 12-guage. Man can’t never be too careful.”

  “Willobee, like you, I’m afraid this is a very fluid and volatile situation, and I don’t want anything bad to happen to ya. So, bring whatever you think you might need to protect yourself. I’m with you a hundred-percent! Since I’m goin’ to be there myself, you can bet the house I’ll be loaded for bear.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  It was just passed five when Trent responded to Haylee’s knock.

  “Come on it, sweetheart,” Trent said, opening the door.

  “Miss me,” Haylee said, giving him a big hug.

  “Shor as a spider’s got legs, and you got two beautiful ones!”

  “Spiders or legs?” She giggled.

  “There ya go, twistin’ mah words on me. Guess you just one of them women that bears watchin’,” he said with a laugh.

  “Sure hope ya like what ya see.”

 
“That I do, darlin’, that I do,” he said and kissed her tenderly, yet with force.

  Finally, she pulled back, and asked, “Is that the best you can do?”

  “Hardly, no pun intended, let me give it another try.”

  “Whoa, big boy, hold on, hold on, I need to be home by six. Momma will be worried sick.”

  “You teasin’ me, Haylee-Girl, ya mean ya don’t even have time for a glass a wine? I gotta bottle chillin’.”

  “I’m not teasin’ ya, but I sure hope ya planned on us spendin’ some time together,” she said, pinching his cheek. Now, how ’bout that glass of wine?”

  “No problem, comin’ right up,” he said, opening the fridge.

  Trent had the cork out in seconds, and poured two glasses. “Don’t make fun of me, but the man told me this stuff is called savvy-on blanc.”

  “Not makin’ fun, but I think it’s sauvignon blanc, those French pronunciations are not always easy,” she said, smiling.

  “A toast to us and our future,” Trent said, raising his glass.

  “May I add something?” She asked.

  “You shor can!”

  “A toast to us and our future together!” She added.

  “Them’s a lot better words,” Trent said with a big smile.

  After they had a sip of wine, they both sat at the table for a few seconds and just looked at each other until Trent broke the silence.

  “Guess things are gittin’ kinda serious,” he said, looking into her blue eyes.

  “For me, things are very serious. I only hope you feel the same way,” she replied.

  “Ya know, Haylee-Girl, not much scares me, but you do.”

  “Trent, if we aren’t gonna become committed to each other now, we should move on.”

  “From my way of thinkin’, we been committed for a while, and not said much ’bout it, but the time has come for some talkin’. ’bout all I can say is I want ya to be mah wife.”

  Haylee stood and walked over beside him, as he sat at the table, “Are you proposin’ to me?”

  “Guess that’s what they call it, and yes, I am proposin’ to ya,” he said, standing and taking her in his arms.