The four-wheeler carried us up the road for a short distance before we turned off across the stone bridge above our house. There used to be a trail there beside the railroad tracks, but it had been cleared some time ago by a drilling company in order to drill a natural gas well. Most of the wells weren’t in operation anymore, so left unattended, the service road had grown up quite a bit. We pushed through the tall grass and weeds before coming to a climb to get to the railroad tracks. “Hold on,” I said, giving more throttle. The climb was about seventy degrees at least, so it was pretty steep. Shey wrapped her arms around me tightly while we climbed up, the Kawasaki having no difficulty carrying us. She even laughed a bit once we topped out. “Ready?” I asked.
“Ready for what?”
“This!” I said, going full throttle. The back wheels spun wildly in the dirt and gravel beside the tracks. Shey squeezed me tighter, laughing. We followed the tracks for a good distance until the trail beside it merged in with an old maintenance road that led to a strip mine reclamation site. Our family owned land up here. It dated back to the mid 1900’s. Natural gas companies had bought rights from us to build and maintain an access road for the numerous wells they drilled, but now it was all but abandoned. I was the only one that ever came up through there.
We came to an old railroad crossing. On the other side was the grown-up access road that led into the mountains. A four-wheel drive truck would have difficulty getting up the road, but it wasn’t a problem for the Kawasaki. “Where are we going?” Shey asked.
“I built a little cabin up here years ago. Just wondering if it’s still standing.”
“How long ago?” she asked, laughing a bit.
“I was a senior in high school. Just somewhere to get away from everyone.” She laughed at me more, but she knew I was never much for socializing. Small groups, but never anything big. I always enjoyed my solitude, it kept me sane. Before long, we showed up to what remained of my cabin. I hadn’t been there in years. Last time was right after I left the military, but I didn’t bother fixing it up or anything. I was leaving, I didn’t plan on coming back to it. The frame and walls were still mostly intact. Much of the roof had fallen in and the rafters looked a little weak. The glass in the windows wasn’t busted, which was surprising.
“You built this place?”
“I did.” I was satisfied that it had stood this long unattended. The winters were particularly harsh this high in the mountains.
Shey leaped from the Kawasaki, approaching the cabin’s remains. “Where did you learn to do this?”
“I took carpentry in high school.”
“Why didn’t you do that? You know, instead of joining the army?”
That question required some thought on my part. Even now, I’m not sure why other than a feeling. Maybe if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t be here right now. “I don’t know, now that you ask. Maybe I thought it was the right thing to do.”
She struggled against the old door, pushing it in and knocking over some fallen boards. Shey looked around my old cabin, seeing the few pieces of old furniture. “Have you ever wondered what things would be like if you didn’t?” I walked in behind her, lighting a smoke. The smoke combined with the dusty air was enough to make me cough. Shey looked back at me sternly. “I wish you hadn’t started that back.”
In all honesty, I’m surprised she didn’t hit me right then and there. She hated it. “The answer to your question… Not until now. I guess things would be very different. For me at least.”
Shey pushed down against an old table before sitting. She gave me a smile and asked, “So, who’s this Sara you keep talking to on the phone?”
I laughed a bit at her. If it wasn’t for Angel, there would have been no Sara. “I guess she is your Mom’s last gift to me.”
“The waitress? You called?”
“I did, I promised your Mom I would.”
“Well, what’s she like? Do I get to meet her?”
“She’s smart. Really smart. Yeah, you’ll get to meet her soon. She’s coming here once everything is settled.”
Shey gave me a mischievous smile while she crossed her arms. “So, Uncle Tommy is finally going to settle down.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I replied, laughing.
“I bet you’re going to marry this girl. You’ve had girlfriends and such in the past… But I can already tell there is something different about this one.”
“Oh yeah, Squirt? And how can you tell?”
Shey giggled before standing up. She approached me with a smug smile. “Just the sound of your voice when you talk to her… The sound of your voice when you talk about her?”
“What? Have you been eavesdropping on me?”
Shey laughed, tilting her head to the side. “You’ll never know.”
“Don’t make me treat you like you’re seven. I’ll throw you in the river again, I don’t care how old you are.”
“You wouldn’t,” she replied, gasping, trying to hide her smile.
“Oh, I would.”
“You’ll have to catch me.”
“I might be getting old, but I ain’t that old yet, little lady.”
Looking back on the day we spent in the woods. Just playing with one another and aggravating each other like we did when she was little. I wish it could go back to that. It might one day, but it can’t right now. I’m glad Shey is gone from here, and I’m glad that Sara went with her.
Night had finally come. The day felt like it was dragging on forever, but it was over, at last. Angel had been laid to rest, but she wasn’t at peace. I wasn’t at peace. Not until who was responsible answered for their crimes. Then Angel could get the rest she deserved. She had worked her whole life since she was fifteen and a brutal murder is what she was rewarded with. I wouldn’t let it stand, I couldn’t.
The clock read somewhere around nine-thirty. I knew if I didn’t pick up that phone and call Sara, she’d be calling me. A promise is a promise, so I picked up my cell off the coffee table and dialed her number. It rang and rang until her voicemail picked up. “Hey, this is Sara. Sorry I missed your call, leave a message or text me. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can,” the recording said. I hung up. She must have been busy, and I was sure she’d call me back.
Not a minute later my phone started to vibrate. It was Sara. “Hey.”
“Hey, sorry I didn’t answer. I was clocking out from work.”
“It’s alright, babe. How was your day?”
“Babe?” she asked, smugly. “You’ve been calling me that a lot lately. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were starting to like me.”
She was right. I was starting to like her. So much that I could actually see myself with her. Maybe do that whole thing with the family and kids with a happy ending. “What of it?” I asked.
“Oh, nothing. It’s just nice to see how kind and soft-hearted you are under that big and tough exterior you put up.”
“Oh, I’m kind and soft-hearted now? Because I called you babe?”
“You don’t fool me, Mr. Logan. I see through it.”
“Do you?” I asked, playfully.
“I do. Like a crystal-clear stream.”
I’ve probably said it before, but I couldn’t get over how easy she could read me. To her, I was like a picture book. She didn’t even put any real effort into it. “So, you still up for coming here?”
“My bags have been packed since you left.”
Those words made me happy. She was going to leave behind her home, her family, and her job. It made me feel like the most important person in the world, at least to her. “How about the 19th? That’ll give me some time to get things sorted with work and Shey.”
“You mean I have to go back to Jack’s until then?” she asked with a poutful voice.
“I’m picturing you with a sad pouty face right now.”
“You’re picturing right,” she said, giggling.
“You don’t have to go back if you don’t want to.”
<
br /> “And what do you expect me to do for two weeks, sit here and pine over you? I think not.” She laughed. “You’ll just have to worry about some other handsome stranger picking me up after work until then.”
“Uh-huh, I’m sure.” She picked at me over our circumstances of meeting and my reluctant nature whenever she got the chance. I couldn’t help but grin at it. “So, the 19th?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Good, go home and get some rest. I’m going to try and sleep.”
“Alright, babe. If you can’t sleep, you can always call me back.”
“Okay,” I said, chuckling lightly. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
No sooner than I put the phone down, I heard the door to the small middle bedroom creak. “Shey!” I shouted. The door slowly creaked more and I heard Shey easing down the hall. She poked her head into the living room. “Again?”
She gave a sly grin. “So, I get to meet her on the 19th, huh?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Well, I’ll be sure to tell you if I approve.”
I grabbed the small pillow that was on the couch next to me. She boldly stepped on into the living room, smirking at me. With a swift throw, I hit her right in the face with that pillow. She quickly grabbed it and threw it back. I leaned to the right, dodging it. “You don’t get a say,” I said, laughing.
“We’ll see about that, Thomas.” She knew I hated being called Thomas. To be honest, I was just glad she was being playful. I miss those moments. Maybe I’ll have them again one day soon.
August 5th, 2025
Angel was buried. She was now behind us and the only thing left to do was try and move forward. That’s what she would have wanted… Not this whole mess. There was just too many unanswered questions; too many suspicions. I didn’t say a word about it to Shey. She needed to move forward. Her whole life still laid at her feet and I was going to do everything to help her succeed. It was about ten minutes before nine. I stood next to my car, enjoying a smoke in the Grundy National Bank parking lot. Sometimes it felt like there were more banks than people in this town. I never could figure out why we needed so many. The bank building itself was large, four or five stories. A few minutes later Shey pulled up, driving Angel’s gray SUV.
“I’m here,” she said, stepping from the vehicle. She shut the door, still groggy from having to get up early. “Why do I have to be here?”
“Stop complaining,” I answered, chuckling a bit. “You’re my only next of kin. I want your name on my accounts.”
“You don’t bank at Grundy National… Do you?”
“Not yet.” I turned my head to see a lady unlocking the front doors. After one last draw on my nearly spent cigarette, I tossed it to the ground. “Come on.”
“I wish you’d quit that,” Shey scoffed.
“One day,” I replied, opening the door.
Shey sighed, following me inside. The bank was set up like, well, a bank. Velvet roping for a forming queue, a few teller windows at the counter and the business offices for loans and the like to each side.
“Good morning! Can I help you?” said an enthusiastic teller, greeting Shey and I.
I looked at her. She was dressed well and hair fixed up neat. “Yes, we need to open a new account.”
“Great! Have a seat in the lobby, I’ll tell Natalie you’re here.”
“Thank you,” I replied before I turned and motioned Shey over to the waiting area. We sat down on the plush couch. “Do you got everything?”
Shey nodded, her eyes starting to come out of her grogginess. “Yes, Uncle Tommy,” she said while yawning.
“Driver’s License and Social Security Number?”
“Yes, I said.”
“Don’t get snappy with me, Squirt,” I replied chuckling at her grouchiness.
“Well, you’re the one who drug me out of bed at the crack of dawn.”
“I woke you up at seven. Not the crack of dawn.”
“Shut up. It feels like it.”
“Well, if you didn’t insist on doing your makeup, your hair, and dressing all fancy, you could have slept until eight-thirty.”
Shey rolled her eyes at me, crossing her arms while she sank into a slouch. “I’m sorry that I’m a woman and I can’t just throw on jeans, a polo shirt and be ready to roll. Looking this good takes time and effort.”
I sighed at Shey. She was a well-kept girl. I remember Angel telling me about all the guys who aggravated her for dates. Before I could say anything to her, Natalie approached us. “Hi! Are you guys waiting for me?”
“If you’re going to open our new account, then yes.”
“Great! Follow me.” I glanced at Shey as we stood. We followed Natalie to her office. She motioned for us to sit as she sat at her desk. “I’m Natalie, it’s nice to meet you!”
“I’m Tommy, and this is my niece, Shey.”
“Great. Now, what can I do for you guys today?”
“We need to open a joint checking account.”
Natalie grinned, happy to have another customer. With all those banks in Grundy, I’m sure competition was fierce. Ah, well, it’s banking. How fierce could it get? She pulled out a couple forms from her desk drawer and placed them in front of us. “Just fill these out for me, and I’ll get you set right up!”
“Alright,” I replied. I tried hard not to shake my head towards her. I got up early nearly every day, most of the time before dawn. Never was a morning person though. Sluggish until I got at least one bottle of pop in me. Most people drank coffee; didn’t care for it myself. The forms appeared to be the standard application. Name, address, social, phone number and all that. I filled my section out first, then I reached the pen to Shey. “Your turn.” Shey didn’t speak, just gave me a roll of her eyes.
Natalie stood up, still grinning widely. “If you don’t mind, I’ll go ahead and get a copy of your IDs.”
I nodded my head, reaching her my driver’s license. Shey must have zoned out while filling out her form, so I had to give her a nudge. She sighed while she reached Natalie her license as well. Natalie zipped out of the room. I leaned over to Shey and whispered, “No one should be that happy during the morning.”
Shey snickered before she slapped my shoulder. “Shut up! She might hear you!”
“Your point?”
“She might rob us… Or you. This is your money.”
I chuckled a bit while I leaned back in the chair. “She wouldn’t dare. I’m the law ‘round these parts now.”
“You wish, Uncle Tommy,” Shey replied, shaking her head with a grin. “You probably won’t even be a commander, sergeant… Or whatever it is you were in Pittsburgh.”
“Lieutenant Commander, thank you. I probably won’t be in that role to start with, but my rank should carry. As soon as Lieutenant Commander becomes available or maybe even Commander, it’ll be mine.”
“Oh, really? What makes you so sure?” Shey gave me a sly grin. “Are you confident, or just cocky?”
“Confident enough to toss your blonde ass in the river… Again.”
“Ha-Ha. I’m not seven anymore, I hope you know.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m bigger, stronger, and faster.”
“That’s what you think, old man.”
Natalie briskly walked into the room, that annoying grin still taking up space on her face. “Here you go, guys! Do you have those forms completed?”
Shey put the pen down on top of the forms and slid them across the desk. “Just finished.”
“Great!” replied Natalie, taking the forms and looking them over. “Oh, Mr. Logan, you’re an ASA agent?”
“That’s correct.”
“I don’t think I’ve seen you around, are you new here?”
“Sort of. I grew up here. I’ve been with the Pittsburgh ASA since 2017. I just transferred back.”
“That explains the Pennsylvania driver’s license, then.” Natalie started keying things into her computer. Her finger
s smacked the keys to the point it sounded like they were echoing… Or breaking. “When do you plan on updating your license?”
“The next day or so.”
“Great!” She turned her attention to Shey. “No employment?”
“No, I’m about to leave for college soon.”
“That’s great! Where are you going? We have great rates on student loans.”
“I’m going to UVA… Thanks, but I don’t need any loans. Full scholarship.”
Natalie almost lost her grin at the news that she wouldn’t have a loan customer. You could just tell that her happiness was feigned at that point. “That’s great! I’m sure you’ll do well.” She then looked at me. “What about you, Mr. Logan? Do you plan on buying a home right away? We have great mortgage rates.”
“No, probably not for a while. I’ll be staying at my sister’s place for a bit. I don’t care much for financing anything, I usually pay cash.”
“Oh, I see,” replied Natalie, obviously disappointed that all she was getting from us was a checking account. “You’d like two debit cards, or just one?”
“Two, please.”
“Great. The first minimum deposit is one hundred dollars. I can take that now and officially get your account open.”
I pulled my wallet from my jeans and took out a one-hundred-dollar bill. She quickly took the money, smiled and nodded before she left the office. After placing my ID back in, I shoved my wallet into my back pocket. “I don’t think someone a day late and a dollar short could have taken that money out of my hand faster,” I whispered to Shey.
“Of course not. She is in banking. They’re all greedy.”
“At least the ones who make a career of it. They have to be.”
A few moments later, Natalie returned. She sat at her desk, clicking the mouse a few times before the printer sprang to life. It spat out sheet after sheet of our account info, two copies of it to be specific. “That has you guys taken care of. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Yes, can you give me a direct deposit form for this account?”
A Tommy Logan Story Page 7
