by Jack July
There was the activity on the outskirts of town. A dozen or so young men and women in four-wheel drive trucks placed their bumpers against the entrances and exits of two motels. The outsiders who had decided to use this event as a stage to protest the war would not be leaving the motels until the event was over.
Amy and Matt’s family walked to the gravesite and took their seats. Five tour buses brought in over one hundred past and present Navy Seals. They stood in formation in front of the coffin. The pallbearers stood to the side. In the distance, on a knoll, a Marine Corps rifle team stood by to render honors. There was an ocean of people in all directions as far as the eye could see. The blur of activities began to overwhelm Amy’s senses.
At a point in the service, one by one the SEALs walked up to the casket, placed their insignia badges, the Trident, on the lid of the wooden coffin and with their fists, impaled it into the lid. Over and over again Amy heard the BANG…BANG…BANG of the fists on the top of the coffin until they were finished. The gold badges glistened in the sunshine as more words were spoken. A twenty-one-gun salute pierced the calm, followed by a bugler playing a mournful and heartfelt Taps. This was immediately followed by the majestic thunder of the F-16’s from the 184th Arkansas Air National Guard flying over in missing man formation. Then Addie took Amy’s hand and walked to the coffin.
Amy placed her hand on the lid and everything froze. There was no sound and everyone seemed to disappear. It was just her and this box that held the remains what was supposed to be her life. Then she felt her soul erupt. She looked to the sky and screamed, “DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU! HAVEN’T I DONE ENOUGH!? HE WAS MINE, Mine, mine.” Then she laid her head on top of the coffin and sobbed uncontrollably. Addie let her go for a few minutes, and then forcibly but gently took her back to her seat. Then, it was over.
Addie cradled Amy’s head to her chest as the people slowly dispersed and all that was left was the family. Amy sat up straight, lowered her head, and did some deep breathing. When she thought she had control, she looked up. Ten yards past the coffin stood Tatiana Aziz. Amy stood and started to walk around the coffin when her heel sunk in the turf and she nearly fell. Frustrated, she pulled both shoes off and continued. She threw her arms around Tatiana and they hugged. Tatiana pulled away gently and gave her a small understanding smile then looked Amy up and down and said, “Hmm, Valentino, Jimmy Choo, and I bet those pearls are real. Did you rob a bank?”
Amy choked out a small laugh and shook her head no.
“Oh that’s right, I seem to recall a wealthy aunt,” Tatiana said with another little grin.
“Yeah, thanks for coming, it’s good to see you,” said Amy with sincerity.
“You, too. Look, I’m really sorry about Matt,” said Tatiana with sadness.
“Thanks, it was quite the service, what I remember of it,” said Amy, looking around.
“He earned it; he was the best of the best,”
They stood quietly for a moment when Tatiana asked, “So, what are you doing right now?”
“Well, there’s supposed to be a gathering at Matt’s mom’s house I should probably attend,”
“Hmm, well, we don’t really have time for that, we have to go.”
“Go? Go where?” asked Amy.
Tatiana smiled, looked her in the eye and said, “We have a mission.”
Amy tilted her head like a dog that just heard a strange noise then said, “Mission? I’m not, um, I mean, I haven’t made any decisions about anything.”
Tatiana nodded then said, “We borrowed you from the Navy. You are TAD to the CIA. TAD means…”
Amy interrupted, “Temporary assigned duty, I know what TAD means.” Amy shook her head and said, “I’m a wreck. I’m not much good to anyone right now.”
“Why don’t you let me be the judge of that? I really think…” Tatiana stopped as Amy interrupted again.
“You are not listening to me. I’m done. I do not want to be part of this anymore. It’s taken too much from me. It’s taken too much out of me.” Amy paused for a moment then said, “What exactly do you think I am? Who do you think I am? One time, one time you saw me fight for my life and suddenly, I’m what…what…”
Tatiana interrupted as she saw Amy’s eyes grow misty, “Hey, hey, Okay. I get it. I’m sorry.”
Addie called from a distance, “Are you ready to go back to the house?”
“Yes, ma’am, I’ll be right there,” Amy answered, then turned to Tatiana. “Look, thanks for coming, but I really need to go. You can join us, if you like.”
Tatiana had one card left to play. “Amy, you have more raw talent than anyone I have ever met and, well, you are my best friend. You would be an exceptional agent. This is an opportunity to train, to see if it’s something you want to do.” Then Tatiana dropped the hammer. “I have a pile of dead little girls and one I think we can save. I’ve put together a team of the best and brightest with unlimited support from the President. I want your help.”
Tatiana watched Amy focus quickly, her body language and demeanor changing almost in an instant. “Excuse me? Dead…little…girls?”
“Yes,” said Tatiana, then she looked at her watch. “I have people flying in from all over the world. I have a few hours to burn. Go back to Matt’s house and change your clothes. I’ll go to the West Memphis Airport, drop off my car and tell my pilot to meet me… Isn’t there a little executive airport by your house?”
“Yeah, Rock Creek,” Amy answered.
“Okay, he’ll meet me there so we can ride back together in your car. That will give us time to talk, time for me to explain what’s happening and time for you to ask questions. At least talk to me. You won’t regret it,” said Tatiana.
Amy looked across the cemetery and thought to herself, she played the child card on me. Dead little girls, really? How come I haven’t heard of that? Do I want to be dragged back into this? I really don’t want to stick around here. I’ve had my heart broken enough for one day. A little road trip with Tatiana? It would be nice to spend some time with her. She’s one of the only people in the world I can relate to. Her mind kept racing as she heard herself say, “Okay, but I’m not making any promises.”
“Fair enough,” Tatiana said, as she gave Amy another hug before she left. As they hugged, Amy’s body didn’t feel the same. The broken rag doll was once again becoming straight and tall.
As Tatiana walked toward her car, Amy turned back to the casket. She took a deep breath, walked up to it, and gently laid her hand on top. She spoke quietly, “Lord, I’m sorry I cursed you, please forgive me. I believe in your son Jesus Christ and I know one day we will all dwell in your house. Until then I know you’ll take care of him. Lord, He’s a wonderful man, very easy to love.” She looked down at the casket one last time and said, “I love you Matt. Goodbye.” Then she turned and walked away.
CHAPTER 15
Parachutes dotted the sky as Amy drove slowly looking for the entrance to the tiny airport. She drove by the big Skydive Arkansas sign and saw the people dressed in their colorful jumpsuits. They were laughing and looked to be having a great time. I need a life, something fun, that looks like fun, she thought to herself. A quarter of a mile later she turned on the road that would take her to the terminal. Pulling into a small roundabout, she stopped and looked for Tatiana but didn’t see her. Suddenly the door opened, startling Amy, as Tatiana jumped in.
“Where did you come from?” asked a startled Amy.
Tatiana smiled, “Your first lesson; if you have to wait for someone, never let yourself be seen, and wait in a place where you can see everything.”
“Okay,” Amy replied, nodding her head.
“Nice car, your aunt’s?” asked Tatiana.
“What do you think? I couldn’t afford the insurance.”
They drove for almost an hour making small talk. Amy began to calm down from the trauma of the service. It
was sunny but still cool in the high 40’s and she wasn’t about to put the top up. Tatiana needed more information about Amy because she started to think about what Director Dotson had said. Was she ready? Mentally? Physically? Tatiana had no idea where this mission was going to lead. As much as they were going to throw at it, something would certainly be thrown back and it usually came in feet per second.
“Is money a big deal to you?” asked Tatiana.
“No, not really. I’ve never really thought about it. I have a little in the bank because I never had to spend any money in Afghanistan. Why do you ask?”
“It’s just that you always have such nice things.”
“Yeah, well, that Valentino? I wanted to go to the outlet store and my aunt would have none of it. My aunt is the closest thing I have had to a mom since my real mom died. She has no kids, no bills and she has done well in business.
“Yes, your aunt is a very complicated woman. She’s worth over fifteen million dollars now, did you know that?”
“No, but I wouldn’t doubt it. What’s with this conversation about my aunt?”
“What if I told you she’s not exactly who you think she is?”
“I would tell you it would be a bad day for whoever bothers that woman,” Amy said with a hard edge to her voice.
Tatiana smiled and said, “Loyalty, that’s one of your most outstanding traits.”
“Okay, that’s enough,” Amy said under her breath as she downshifted the car, hit the brakes, and pulled over to the side of the road. Amy’s emotions and patience were all used up. She looked at her friend and said, “What’s this about? You’re supposed to be my friend. My friends don’t tap dance; if you have something to say, you need to say it.”
Tatiana smiled, “So direct. I like that too.”
Amy shot her an impatient, fed-up look and said, “Anytime now.”
Tatiana held up her hands and said, “Okay, okay, I’m sorry. In order for you to work with me, we did a four-generation background check. It’s standard operating procedure.” Tatiana shook her head, smiled and said, “Every person in your family has committed some sort of felony. Arson, organized crime, usury, multiple murders, the list goes on and on. If they didn’t commit any crimes outright, they all knew so the rest were accessories. This includes your immediate family. Many in your family tree could be considered criminally insane. They are outlaws, just about all of them, everyone, except you and your brother.”
Amy was well aware of her heritage. It was a complicated sense of pride mixed with a little shame. Lawlessness excused by the need to survive. Actions directed strictly by loose interpretations of the Old Testament. The life is easy to understand and not at all unusual from the inside. Amy nodded slowly and said, “Yeah, well, you may have some of it right, but what’s your point?”
“We basically operate the same way. Sometimes bad law gets in the way of good outcomes. Something tells me you wouldn’t have a problem operating outside of, well, I hate this term but, the box,” said Tatiana with a knowing smile.
Amy put the car in gear, pulled out onto the road and continued to drive. Looking out the windshield she said, “This isn’t the first conversation I’ve had about this. The last time it ended with, what’s legal isn’t always right and what’s right isn’t always legal. I think I was thirteen.”
“Exactly, that’s what I was trying to make clear. Can you operate in that environment?” asked Tatiana.
After giving Tatiana’s words some careful thought, Amy said, “I once read that a nation without laws devolves into anarchy. However, in certain circumstances, I can see where it might be necessary.”
“Good, very good. Now we need to discuss the mission. I need to show you some things. Is there a little restaurant on this road where we can sit and talk, someplace quiet?” said Tatiana, looking around.
“Yeah. I think there is a place up the road, about 30 miles, cherry Cokes and cheeseburgers. I am so hungry, I haven’t eaten since this morning,” said Amy.
Tatiana’s face turned serious, she looked over at Amy and said, “By the time I’m finished, I doubt you’ll want to eat.”
Tatiana’s warning gave Amy a little chill. A few minutes later Amy pointed to an old wooden sign hanging on a tree. For a moment Tatiana saw a genuine smile. It was Amy being deluged with childhood memories. She turned up the dirt road and a half-mile later came to what looked like an old run down house with a sign on the outside that said Booger’s Café.
“Booger’s? Really? Are you serious?” said Tatiana in disbelief.
“Oh, yeah. They have the best food,” said Amy with a smile.
Amy parked the car next to three old pick-up trucks lined up out front. There was a huge oak tree with beat up picnic tables around it and an old tire swing. A fifty-five gallon steel drum that had been cut in half for a fire pit still smoldered and beer cans were scattered everywhere. Tatiana grabbed a satchel from behind the seat and they walked up the old rickety steps. A bell on top of the door clanked as they walk in. An old woman smoking a cigarette reading what looked like a beat up romance novel peeked over the top of her glasses.
“Hi, Miss Betty,” said Amy with a smile.
“You look familiar, very familiar.”
“Amy, Amy Braxton.”
“Oh my goodness,” she exclaimed, put her book down, walked around the counter and gave Amy a hug. “I can’t believe it, it’s been years. How’s your family?”
“They’re good, thank you. First time I’ve been around here in forever and I had to stop.”
“Well, I’m glad you did.”
Amy looked to the far end of the room and saw four old men huddled around a table smoking and drinking coffee. She turned back to Betty and asked, “Is that JP?”
“What do you think?” said Betty rolling her eyes.
“Who the hell is that?” yelled an old raspy voice from the other end of the restaurant.
Amy looked at Tatiana and pointed to a booth off in the corner. “I’ll be right there,” said Amy.
She walked to the other end of the restaurant and looked down at the old man in the bib overalls. He looked up at her with a little scowl and said, “What are you lookin’ at?”
Amy returned the scowl and said, “An ole river rat.”
The other men at the table broke up laughing and JP tried to stifle a smile but he couldn’t. “Ain’t nobody called me that in years, least not to my face.”
The man on the other side of the table spoke up and said, “My goodness, if that ain’t Katherine Dunn, I ain’t sittin’ here.”
JP nodded and said, “Yep, just like her Momma. It’s good to see you, Amy.”
“You too, Mr. Canavas,” Amy said with a smile.
JP looked a little wistful then said, “I used to have more visitors. I remember your daddy bringing you up here to see your cousins on Mud Creek. He never forgot to bring you by here to see me, now did he?”
Amy knew her daddy and Uncle Jack were doing more than visiting cousins but she never asked questions. Amy answered, “No sir, he didn’t. If he forgot I reminded him. I always loved coming here.”
JP smiled and said, “Now what’s this I hear about a little gal war hero from Jackson County. You wouldn’t know her, wouldja?”
Amy modestly shrugged.
JP nodded his head and said, “Read about it in the paper, all of it. We are so proud of you. You brought honor to your family and, hell, all of us. We are very proud.”
Amy nodded and said, “Well, thank you. Just don’t believe everything you read.”
“Ahem,” Tatiana cleared her throat to get Amy’s attention.
“Who’s that?” asked JP.
Amy waved at Tatiana to walk over by them and introduced her, “This is my friend, Tatiana.”
“Tatiana? What kind of name is that?” asked JP.
“It�
�s Lebanese,” said Tatiana.
“Lebanese?” queried JP.
“Yes, I was born in Lebanon,” Tatiana replied politely.
“Where in the hell is that?” asked Red.
“Only a few miles from where Jesus was born,” said Tatiana.
“Really? Well, all righty, then,” said Red.
“Good enough, any friend of Amy’s is a friend of ours. Welcome,” said JP.
“Thank you very much,” Tatiana turned to Amy and said, “We need to get busy.”
“Yep, it was good to see you again, Mr. Canavas,” said Amy with a big smile.
“You too,” he said, standing up.
Amy gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek then walked back to the booth in the corner.
“What was that about?” asked an almost irritated Tatiana.
Amy smiled at her and said, “That’s called manners.”
“Manners?”
“Yes. We are strangers in a place where strangers don’t go. They remember me from when I was little and our families have been intertwined on and off for decades.”
Tatiana nodded then said, “Well, it’s good you are respectful to the elderly.”
“The elderly? No, not really,” Amy said. Then she leaned over the table and spoke quietly, “That man is John Paul Canavas. He and his sons control all of the vice on the upper end of the Indian River. Shine, drugs, gambling, prostitution, you name it. It’s all run from that little table, in this little diner. He’s buried a bunch of people. He’s mean as a snake. He’ll kill you at the drop of a hat.”
Tatiana shook her head and said, “If you know that, why would you come to a place like this?”
Good question, Amy thought. Then she said, “JP has always treated me special and I’ve always liked him, Red, Eddie and Kirk. I don’t judge these people; they are my family’s friends. They might as well BE family.” Amy looked around at the décor, the furniture, the signs; it was like 1960 frozen in time. “I have so many good memories in this place. It’s a little piece of home. I would bet the things you have to show me are things you don’t want others to see. Nobody minds their own business like these people. Oh, and the cheeseburgers are awesome.”
