CHAPTER TWENTY
September 7
Beginnings Montana
Ellen sitting on the couch holding Nick was an unusual sight for Henry to see when he walked in his house.. For the most part, Ellen would hold the baby only for a short time then set him down. But now she was cradling the baby close to her chest, playing with his abundance of soft black hair.
“Hey El,” Henry said softly, joining her on the couch. “Good morning.”
“Morning. Back already?”
“Yeah, wasn’t much. Want me to take him.”
“No, you don’t like to. Besides, you can have him when Joe comes to get me.”
“Where’s Joe taking you?” Henry asked.
“Get this...to church. Joe wants me to go to church this morning before Robbie and I take off.” Ellen heard a long sigh come from Henry. “What’s the matter?”
“Do you think this trip is a good idea.”
“I feel fine.”
“Not your health. This . . . going to the farm to trigger your memory thing.”
“That’s not all I’m doing Henry.” Ellen stroked the baby’s hair. “If Frank is gone, then I need to say goodbye to him.”
“I guess I understand.” Henry’s head dropped. “It doesn’t seem real yet.”
“No it doesn’t.”
“I don’t think it’s going to be real to anyone yet. You’re a big key to that.”
“How do you mean?” Ellen asked.
“I guess, like me, everyone might think if you see him as gone, then he must be because you would know, not by seeing it, but by feeling it, that Frank was dead.”
Ellen hated the words, ‘Frank’ and ‘dead’ being used in the same sentence. It gave her the creeps and an uneasy feeling she didn’t want to have. Before she could comment to Henry, Joe knocked on the door then walked in.
“Ready Kiddo?” He asked.
“Yep.” Ellen stood up holding Nick. “Though I hate the thought of sitting through a Reverend Bob service.”
“Yeah, yeah. Hand the kid to Henry and let’s go.”
Ellen handed over Nick. “I’ll see you later, Henry.”
“Please, I want to see you before you leave.”
“O.K.” Ellen kissed Nick. “Bye.”
No sooner were Ellen and Joe out the door than Nick began to cry. “What?” Henry asked him so irritated. “Why don’t you like me?”
“Need to talk to you,” Joe told Ellen very calmly as they walked.
“I had feeling something was up. What’s going on?”
“Today at services, Reverend Bob is going to announce a special memorial service for Frank tomorrow morning.”
Ellen stopped walking. “No, Joe. You can’t do that. Frank isn’t dead. He isn’t.”
“Yeah, but what did I tell you? Huh?” Joe moved her to walk again. “If we’re gonna look for Frank, then we are going to do it without the community knowing. If the community thinks Frank is alive then the person working for George will tell him. I can’t take a chance George knows we’re looking for Frank. I can’t. If George thinks we think Frank is dead, he’ll keep him in one place. If he thinks we’re looking, he’ll move him. That’s why this trip of yours and Robbie’s is about saying goodbye. That’s why we’re having a memorial service.”
“I understand.”
“You have to grieve tomorrow, Ellen. Your grief is a big key to the community thinking Frank is dead.”
Ellen stopped walking again. “It’s so strange you said that.”
“Why is that?” Joe asked.
“Henry just said the exact same thing to me. The exact same thing.”
“Is it any wonder? You said it yourself. You and Frank are the closest thing two people can get to being one. Everyone knows that, whether you were with him or not. That’s why I believe so strongly that my son is alive out there. I believe it because you believe it and that’s all the proof I need.” Joe placed his arm around Ellen and walked her to church.
^^^^
Nashville, Tennessee
“You have to be joking me, right?” George asked with such annoyance to Captain Anvers.
“No, sir. I just received word. Your train is delayed.”
“How in God’s name can it be delayed? I’m the only one riding it?”
Captain Anvers hesitated, but knew he had to deliver the truth. “Well sir, the conductor, he um . . . the conductor . . .”
“Yes?” George waved his hand to hurry Captain Anvers along.
“Well sir, the conductor was playing around and he broke the brake handle. You haven’t any brake control on the train.”
“He what?” George blasted. “Shoot the man for crying out loud.”
“Yes sir.” Captain Anvers started to leave.
“Wait!” George cried out. “I’m not serious about that. I need him to drive the train. Just . . . just let me know when it is fixed.”
“I can do that.” Capt. Anvers saluted and walked away.
George smacked himself in the forehead. “Idiots. I have idiots working for me.”
^^^^
Beginnings, Montana
The joined voices of those in attendance finished the hymn and Paul ended the song with his usual organ flare. Rev. Bob waded through the silence and stood up, walked closer and faced his congregation. “Before we conclude today’s service, I have an announcement. Tragically, this past week, Beginnings lost one of its own. An ‘original’, a comrade to many of you, a leader. Frank Slagel moved on from this world to a far better one.”
Joe pinched Ellen’s leg when he saw her smirk and roll her eyes. “Drop your head.” He whispered.
Ellen did.
“Tomorrow morning,” Rev. Bob continued, “all work schedules that are not community necessary will be suspended for one hour at eleven a.m. for a special memorial service for Frank. All of you are invited to attend so that as a community we can join during our loss and seek guidance together. Let us pray . . .” Rev. Bob lowered his head as did everyone else in church. “Oh Heavenly Father . . .”
^^^^
“This absolutely has to be done by two,” Robbie explained as he walked with Dan, one of Beginnings’ security men.
“Why?” Dan asked.
“Because, it does. I don’t know. Frank always said it had to be done by two. When you gonna cut that hair.” Robbie tugged on Dan’s long ponytail.
“Ow. What are you doing? Frank’s not here so you take his place.”
“Yeah,” Robbie grinned, “and you’re taking mine.” He handed Dan a clipboard. “At least for a couple hours. You’re head of security.”
“Gee thanks just what I wanted. Responsibility.”
“Oh my God.”
“What?” Dan looked up from his clipboard. “Jenny?”
Robbie snickered as he saw Jenny in her Sunday best coming over the hill. “Why is she wearing that blue dress.”
“Because she can. Jealousy over wearing a dress will get you no where. Wear one at home. That’s what Ed Wood did.”
“Ha-ha? Aren’t you funny. I’m not the one with girl hair.”
“Girl hair?” Dan laughed. “You’ve been hanging around Denny too much. Uh-oh. She’s waving.”
“God, it sucks being so hot.” Robbie rubbed his chest. “Every female wants me.”
“Robbie!” Jenny ran to him. “Do you have a minute? Hi, Dan. You have a strand of hair . . .” Jenny reached up and tucked it behind Dan’s ear. “There. You need to tighten the tail. Robbie . . .” She caught her breath. “Can I talk to you?”
“I guess. What’s up? Whoa!” Robbie was tugged away from Dan.
“I need some advice,” Jenny said.
“I’m not real good with female problems but shoot.” Robbie folded his arms.
“I need to know how to be a bully. You know, pranks kids would play on other kids to bully them.”
“Why are you asking me?”
“Weren’t you a bully in school.”
“No.”
“You used to pick on me. I distinctly remember, when I was five, you told me my freckles were a road map to hell. My destiny.”
Robbie laughed, then stopped. “Sorry but that was you. I wasn’t a bully in school. Could have been but I was afraid to be. See, Frank and Jimmy were picked on so much as kids, my Dad vowed that if we ever picked on anyone, he’d tie us up and let that person beat us up.”
“Really? I wonder if Joe has a statute of limitations on that policy. I’ll ask him.”
“No you won’t.”
“Yes I will.”
“Jenny, who are you bullying.”
“Um . . . no one in particular. I’m uh . . . I’m writing a book.”
“A book?” Robbie asked.
“Yes, we have no authors in Beginnings. Well, Danny but Danny does everything or at least says he does. He says he writing the new Moby Dick. Did he mention to you that Captain Ahab was originally Asian and they changed it at the last minute?”
“I didn’t hear that one,” Robbie said. “A book? You know, I may not have been a bully, but I have some good ideas.”
“Really? Will you share them?”
“Sure.” Robbie shrugged.
“Great.” Jenny pulled from her belt purse a piece of paper and a pen. “Shoot.”
“Now?”
“Yes, it’ll only take a minute and I feel inspired. Go on. Tell me.”
With one arm folded across his waist, Robbie thought for a moment, then rambled.
^^^^
Bowman, North Dakota
The scent of the home was sweet. Many different perfumes joined together to create a single scent of beauty yet Hal didn’t look like he enjoyed it. He sniffed and sneezed as he stood in the foyer, two feet from the door of the huge white house.
The door at the end of the long hall opened and Hal caught a glimpse of blonde hair. Grace stepped out of the room and shut the door behind her. Her name did not fit her. She was big. She was crass and her bright silver hair made her look older than her fifty-five years. She emerged with thunderous steps as she walked to Hal and tried to project intimidation that was already present in her appearance.
Hal turned his head and sneezed once. “Excuse me.”
“You do that all the time when you enter this house.”
“It’s the . . . .” Hal turned his head and sneezed again. “...perfume.” He sniffled.
“Here.” She handed him a folded piece of paper. “The monthly list. I’m sure you will oblige us.”
Cringing, Hal, with one eye open, slowly unfolded the paper.
“Fear not, my dear Captain.” Grace spoke smugly. “You are not on that list. I highly doubt you ever will be.” She quickly glanced at Hal’s less-than-subtle exhale. “Trust me when I tell you, the thought of you frightens and disturbs us as much as the thought of us does to you.”
With a sneeze, Hal stepped back and opened the door. “Have a good day.”
“Thank you. Take care of that with haste.”
“By this evening.” Hal pulled the door closed. He looked at the two guards on the porch then to Sgt Ryder who stood at the end of the path with two more guards. Hal walked to him. Sgt. Ryder looked nervous.
“Captain, tell me. Please . . .”
“Spared.”
Sgt. Ryder’s head dropped. “Thank God.”
“However.” Hal started to walk with Sgt. Ryder. He showed him the paper. “Others are not.”
^^^^
Beginnings, Montana
Robbie was at least an inch taller than Joe, so in order for Joe to really get that eye to eye contact going, Joe had to look up. When Joe did--standing yards from the awaiting helicopter--he saw something in his youngest son...arrogance. Robbie played annoyingly with a piece of hard tack candy in his mouth, swishing it from side to side, as he stood with his hands on his hips, nodding. All Joe could see was himself, not because Robbie acted that way, but because Robbie wore an irritating pair of sunglasses.
“What? Are you looking at me or what?” Joe reached up and lowered Robbie’s shades. “Listen to me.”
“I’m listening.” Robbie looked away over to Ellen who stood with Henry.
“No you aren’t.” Joe grasped Robbie’s chin and held his glance--physically. “It’s nearly noon now. I want you back before the sun even thinks about going down. You hear?”
“Yep.”
“You have enough fire power?”
“Yep.”
“You watch Ellen. Got that? Anything happens to her, I won’t send people out after you.”
“Dad, come on.” Robbie shook his head. “I will canvass the area by air first, O.K.? We’ll be fine.”
“Be careful.”
“That too.” Robbie looked over at Ellen. “El! Let’s go.” Robbie adjusted his M-16 over his shoulder. As he went to walk to Ellen, Joe stopped him.
“Robert. I mean it.” Joe was very serious. “You’re my kid and I love you. Be careful. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you too.”
“Thanks. I’ll be fine and you’ll be yelling at me tonight.” Robbie walked to Ellen, took her hand and led her from her goodbye to Henry. “Let’s go. Bye, Henry.” He moved with Ellen to the helicopter and opened the door for her. He saw the look on her face that screamed scared. “Tell me now, are you O.K. to do this?”
“I’m O.K. to do this.” Ellen took a breath and stepped up into the chopper with help from Robbie. He shut the door and Ellen looked out the window, waving to Joe and Henry.
As Robbie moved from Ellen‘s door, Henry called to him. “Robbie.”
“Yeah?”
“Watch her.”
Robbie took a step closer to Henry. “I will. She needs this and I need this. Actually . . .” Robbie stepped back. “If you need to know the truth, we’re only doing this so we can go off and have . . .” Robbie grinned. “Sex. Ha!” He grinned again and walked to the chopper.
“I hate your son, Joe.”
“Yeah, well.” Joe raised his eyebrows.
As Robbie reached for his door, he heard another voice calling to him.
“Robbie! Wait!”
Robbie looked around the chopper to see Andrea. He shook his head and met the out of breath woman. “What’s wrong.”
“Whew.” Andrea grabbed her chest. “Here.” She handed him a small tan sack. “I thought . . . I thought you might get hungry. I made some lunch.”
“Are there brownies in there?” Robbie smiled.
“Of course.”
“Excellent. Thanks.” Robbie kissed her on the cheek. “You should have been our mom years ago.”
“Oh how sweet. Now you make . . .hey.” Andrea was tugged back by Joe.
Joe waved Robbie on. “Let the boy leave, Andrea.”
Robbie went back to his door, opened it, and handed Ellen the bag as he got in. “Ready?”
“What’s this?”
“Lunch.” Robbie fixed his sunglasses.
“Robbie, I’m not getting airsick, am I? Every time I flew with Johnny, I got sick.”
“Nah. Right now, you’re flying with the best.” Robbie smiled as he adjusted his controls and started the chopper.
Joe heard sniffling as he stood with Andrea and Henry watching the helicopter start and lift. He looked to beside him to see Andrea with her hand cupped to her nose and her shoulders heaving. “Christ, Andrea. What’s wrong?”
“Our boy is leaving, Joe.”
“For a couple hours, yes.”
Andrea shivered her tear filled breath. “Look at him fly. Aren’t you proud. I’m so proud.”
Joe rolled his eyes and grumbled. He’d heard enough. With little compassion, Joe turned Andrea and led her off the landing field.
^^^^
Sliding as he moved quickly around the lab, Dean set down charts in front of Johnny. “You’re sure you don’t mind doing this. I have a ton of things to get done at the house.”
“If it’s a choice between moving beds or making rounds and helpi
ng catch up on blood work. I’m here.”
“If you can’t handle any emergencies, call me. O.K.?”
“Yep.” Johnny started looking at the charts. “When are these people going to get over their pneumonia?”
“That’s what some of these tests you’re running are gonna hopefully show.”
Johnny fluttered his lips. “Doubtful. I think they’re sick forever. Hey Dr. Dean, what are you gonna do if Ellen hates the house or doesn’t even care to see it?”
“Cry,” Dean laughed as he talked.
“You’ve been working so hard to make the house into a Barbie house.”
“How do you know that?”
“Todd from fabrics told me you sweet talked Ben into giving decorating tips.”
“Ben made curtains,” Dean said.
“Did you have to put out for them?”
“Ha-ha-ha. Spare me the Slagel humor. Speaking of putting out.” Dean leaned on the counter with one hand. “When?”
“No way. I’m not putting out for you.”
“Johnny.” Dean nudged him. “I'm talking about what your grandfather asked you.”
“I know.” Johnny snickered. “I’ve been giving it thought. I figure, tonight . . . maybe tomorrow, I’ll start ‘operation why’s Bev bothering Ellen’. I don’t want to embarrass the girl.”
“Embarrass her?” Dean asked. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, she’s been chasing after you, right? Well it would be embarrassing if all of the sudden she realizes I like her, which I don’t, and she feels foolish for even considering you.”
“You are such a Slagel.”
“Do I have to have sex with her?” Johnny asked. “Seriously, do I?”
“Probably not. Maybe you can just get close to her.”
“But if I want any real secrets, I should sleep with her. Of course then I run the risk of having her fall in love with me and never leave me alone.”
“Is that so?” Dean was enjoying their talk.
“Yeah. I’ve heard I’m pretty good. I’ve been around the block, probably more than you.”
Freedom Fight: Beginnings Series Book 9 Page 34
