by Jennifer Sue
Chapter 1
Although Kylie and Larry had departed for their honeymoon the wedding reception continued until 10:00pm. Some of the guests came and went as they switched off seeing to the farm animals. Despite being so ill Susan Warren managed to sit through the remaining festivities. Seeing her grandchildren, twins Sonny and Rayne, being cuddled and loved by the adults, teens and children of the Clan Wells Point made her heart swell. She knew her decision to ask Larry and Kylie to adopt the pair was the best thing she could have done to insure the three week old infants had a loving family. The entire Clan agreed the twins were the best wedding present the dynamic couple could have received.
Evelyn and her sister in law Rachel helped Susan settle into a guest room in the main farmhouse. Doctors Wanda Sykes and Grace Olsen made sure the terminally ill woman would be as comfortable as possible before they headed home. Heather Reese took the twins home with her knowing Jasmine, Holly and Ivy were more than willing to assist in caring for the babies.
Heather arrived at the farmhouse with the twins a bit after 8:00am. Jasmine, Holly, and Ivy went with Evelyn Masters as she drove Susan to her home. Robert with Tony followed in the big F-350 pickup. While Tony assisted the females Robert checked out the house securing all windows and doors, turning off the heat and hot water, before shutting off the water. They packed up everything that Susan had accumulated for the twins, clothing for Susan as well as all the documentation for the house, herself, and the twins. They returned to the farmhouse about 11:30am. Susan took a quick nap as the things they brought were put in the appropriate rooms.
Twenty minutes before they arrived back at the main farmhouse a jaunty procession left the O’Brien homestead to walk down Wells Point Lane headed for the tip of Wells Point and the Wells-O’Brien Cemetery. Krista was between her sisters Lyndi and Teri holding their hands as she led the rest of her immediate family. Jane and Kevin with Sandi between them followed. Pat with Peter and LJ were next while Leroy brought up the rear towing the dented but still serviceable red American Flyer wagon with the old green metal Coleman Cooler inside. Bungee corded atop the cooler was a large wicker picnic basket and an eighteen inch long boombox. It took them twenty five minutes to cover the 7/8 mile. They sang along with the recorded music as they walked.
The Climb by Miley Cyrus Miley
Krista’s personal theme song El Toro De Goro by Sam the Sham Sam
Joy To The World by the Three Dog Night Dog
Firework by Katy Perry Katie
Everything is Beautiful by Ray Stevens Ray
The Rainbow Connection by Kermit the Frog Kermit
Make Your Own Kind of Music by Mama Cass Cass
For the first third of their jaunt a gentle salt tinged breeze caused the growing green wheat in the fields beside Wells Point Lane to ripple in the sunlight as they walked and sang. The second third was through the forest. They barely felt wind on the lane since the woodland filtered and slowed the onslaught. From both sides the majestic trees arched cathedral like over the lane often touching. Up high the upper branches swayed in the breeze allowing glimpses of the blue sky as the ever shifting sunbeams poked through the leafy boughs dappling the lane. Upon emerging from the trees the last third was through fields of rippling oats and rye.
When they reached the cemetery they walked through the gate in the low stone wall making their way past the nearly two dozen weathered tombstones to the far corner and the two latest burials. The first was James O’Brien, Jane’s first husband and Krista’s grandfather. Next was the final resting place for the physical body of Carol O’Brien, Jane’s daughter and the mother of Krista, Lyndi and Teri.
With arms about each other Jane, Krista, Lyndi and Teri stood at the foot of the grave and for the first time looked at the recently added tombstone. The bittersweet tears of loss trickled down their cheeks yet all were smiling while biting their lips. Made from a single piece of Indian Black Granite the monument was of a seated angel leaning over gently caressing a polished heart. The Angel with relaxed wings unfurled had an almost smile on her loving peaceful face. Long hair flowed across her shoulders. The inscription brought tears to everyone’s face.
Here lie the physical remains
of one whose spirit God ordains.
Despite life’s trials she gave love
and still protects us from above,
as our Guardian Angel she reigns!
As a spirit amongst us does she rove.
Caring and love in our hearts she has wove.
Always guided us to the righteous way,
continues to do so every day,
so love and caring is our treasure trove!
Beloved by all
Carol O’Brien
July 8, 1979 - June 14, 2007
“Mother, I know you can hear me,” Krista spoke clearly. “It was one year ago today that your earthly life ended. Gram, Lyndi, Teri, and myself love you and miss you and we understand you did what you needed to do so you could continue to help us. Since your death you’ve helped us in oh so many ways. You gave me the strength to guide Lyndi and Teri here to find our loving family. You saved Kylie’s life when she attempted to end it. You guided Jasmine from the darkness that trapped her in her own brain saving her life. I can feel you watching and guarding us every day. We thank God for allowing you watch over us.”
“Mother, I have a request,” Krista contritely continued. “Yesterday while we celebrated Kylie and Larry’s marriage we received an unexpected surprise that was simultaneously tragic and wonderful. Susan Warren joined us with her three week old grand-twins Sonny and Rayne. She asked that Kylie and Larry adopt the babies. Callie, the mother of the twins is in prison and gave her blessing to allow the children to be adopted. Susan clearly loves her grandchildren but she has terminal cancer with only a week or two to live. You know how frustrating it is to want to raise your offspring and to be prevented from doing so by cancer. What we’d like you to do is visit Susan to reassure her the Clan will take care of Sonny and Rayne and that death is not the end. The Clan is acting as a hospice so she can end her earthly life near her grandchildren. Please, if you can, ease her last days and guide her to heaven. Thank you mother, for all you’ve done and for everything you’ll do.”
Jane, Leroy, Kevin and Pat were biting their lips as tears flowed freely down their cheeks. They were utterly moved by and proud of Krista’s simple yet elegant request that Carol help Susan. The teen was full of love, hope and confidence that Carol would help the dying woman.
After a few moments of silence Krista sighed. “We can start the picnic now.”
The twins spread the blankets atop the grass covered graves while Jane and Pat lifted the big wicker picnic basket off the wagon and began dispense sandwiches. Krista opened and set out the bags of chips and pretzels. LJ and Peter moved the boombox to the wall, pulled out the antennae and tuned in WPOC - 93.1 FM. Setting the volume to serve as background they could easily talk above the country music of the Baltimore station. Leroy and Kevin opened the cooler to hand out cans of Coke and Sprite. When the tasks were completed the family settled atop the blankets to enjoy their repast.
As planned they had their picnic packed up by 1:00pm when all Clan members who were available began to arrive. It may seem strange but The Clan Wells Point was not gathered to celebrate Carol’s death, they came together to CELEBRATE her graduation! The first to arrive were Ed and Lisa Nelson along with Benny Reese and Buffy Herr who lived about two hundred feet away. They brought snacks and beverages that had been prepared and kept at their place. Upon arrival, everyone headed to the cemetery to pay their respects to Carol and admire the appropriateness of the monument. While not everyone was able to make it, all sixty eight Clan Wells Point members knew it was Carol’s death that spurred Krista to begin her Odyssey that culminated in the forming of the loving and protective Clan. Badminton and volleyball nets were set up and well utilized. Frisbees flew, bubbles were blown, games of tag played and Father’s day was celebrated. BBQ grills were set in the late afternoon so burgers and hot dogs could be prepared.
Too weak to walk about, Susan relaxed in the warm sunshine upon a chaise lounge. The warmth eased some of the aches and pains of her cancer ravaged body. Seeing her precious grandchildren fawned over by their new extended family as well as the caring attention paid to her was nearly overwhelming. The all too real fears she’d felt about caring for the infants were relieved. No one was surprised when she dozed off for a bit. As she faded into slumber the sounds of the gathering faded into the background. Then Susan clearly heard a kind caring but weary voice.
“Hello Susan. You can rest assured that Sonny and Rayne are in good hands,” the soothing voice intoned. “Please take my hand and come with me for a moment.”
Susan opened her eyes to see a weary haggard woman wearing a worn and tattered nightgown that was soggy with water dripping off it. Bits of seaweed clung to the gown and her wet hair. But the loving smile upon her face instantly set her at ease. Then she noticed that while she could see that she was lying on the lounge and the picnic was going on around her, it seemed as if everyone but herself and the strange woman were muted inside a fog. “Wh... who are you?”
“You could say I’m an angel,” Carol explained. “A Guardian Angel, at least that’s how a lot of the Clan members think of me. My daughter Krista asked that I comfort and reassure you.”
“Krista... she’s a remarkable girl... th... that means you’re Carol O’Brien...” Susan’s head swam with the implications. The gathering had been held to celebrated the first anniversary of the woman’s death!!! er... graduation? “Ha... Ha... have I died?”
“No, and you won’t die. Like me you’ll soon graduate to the next life,” Carol smiled.
“How long before I... graduate?” Susan asked with trepidation.
“I don’t know exactly,” Carol answered. “But your suffering will end in a week or two. There is no need to be afraid.”
“I’m not really afraid for myself, a bit concerned, but not afraid,” Susan answered. “I’ve accepted my end is near and I’m ready to go despite being concerned about Callie. I don’t know where I went wrong raising her. It was only after she contacted me about taking care of her babies that I began to fret since I knew I wouldn’t last long enough to raise them.”
“Callie got involved with the wrong people in high school,” Carol replied. “She was upset by your divorce and then by her father’s death shortly thereafter. You were hurting too because you loved the man but the drinking and potential for abuse were too much to handle. You did the right thing with the divorce. You and Callie were simply unable to share your despair and grief. That was when the stoners snared her. During the few weeks it took you to pull yourself together, she’d gotten hooked on pot. When you tried to rein her in, she ran off. Satan is just as real as God and he’d been able to insinuate his way into Callie. It was not your fault.”
“But I failed her,” Susan sniffled. “If I hadn’t divorced him none of this would have happened,”
“Susan, you most certainly did not fail Callie,” Carol smiled. “Didn’t she ask you to take care of Sonny and Rayne? She KNEW you were a good mother and the fault was with her, not you. She knew she’d made bad decisions and had to pay the price. Besides, God uses adversity to help humanity. I was too weak to get my children here so I ended my life. I was rewarded by being able to watch over them and tweak things to help them. They made it because God used my earthly death for good. God is doing the same for you. If Callie hadn’t run away you wouldn’t have your grandchildren. Whenever Satan slams a door shut, God opens another.”
“So Callie was destined to runaway?” Susan asked with obvious puzzlement.
“No, destiny is over rated. God gave humanity free will,” Carol answered. “When Callie made a bad choice, God opened the door to save Sonny and Rayne by having Callie ask you to take them in. Fortunately, despite your cancer, you chose to step through the open door to get your grandchildren. Once you were back home, God opened another door using Kylie and Larry’s wedding. Yesterday you stepped through that door. Now Sonny and Rayne will have parents and The Clan Wells Point to love, nurture and protect them. Your heavy burden has been lifted and The Clan Wells Point will see to it your last days are as happy and peaceful as they can make them. I can also promise they’ll do all they can to help Callie. Krista has urged the Clan to get three people released from prison to the Clan. All three are now Clan members. One sentence was commuted to time served and the other two are here on work release parole. Those two lost their rights to parenthood for their children who are also Clan members but they’ve admitted their misdeeds justified the loss. They’ve been reaccepted by their offspring and the Clan as an uncle or aunt to their children. You can rest assured Krista will be relentless in pushing the Clan to bring Callie here. It may take a while but I’m confident it will happen. Hopefully it won’t be too long until Aunt Callie joins the Clan.”
“I knew the Clan has been active in social issues and self help,” Susan acknowledged. “But I had no idea they were so proactive. Just how important is Krista to the Clan?”
“She’s the heart and soul of the Clan,” Carole beamed. “If it wasn’t for her the Clan Wells Point would not exist.”
“I almost wish I could join the Clan but it’s too late for me,” Susan sighed.
“It was too late for me,” Carol smiled. “I consider myself to be a spirit member of the Clan. If I know Krista, you’ll be a full member of Clan Wells Point before your graduation. The Clan is getting a bit too large for me to oversee it by myself. If you’re willing, I have permission from higher up that when your time comes, if you like, you can join me. That way you can look out for Sonny, Rayne and Callie.”
“Could I do that?” Susan asked as hope soared. “I’d love to help you! But what if I’m buried somewhere else? Will I still be able to be here in spirit?”
“Of course,” Carol chuckled. “I was keeping an eye on Krista, Lyndi and Teri from the first day
I died. They didn’t find my body until a week after I’d died. Then it took a nearly two weeks to ship my body here and bury it. My spirit was with the kids the entire time. Once you die, your body is just an empty shell. Your soul is free from it’s prison of flesh. It doesn’t matter where your body is buried or if it’s cremated, once freed you have no need or use for it.”
“In that case, I look forward to joining you as a guardian angel,” Susan smiled.
“I’ve enjoyed our conversation and look forward to many more once you join me,” Carol smiled. “I think you’d better wake up now.”
Susan awoke to peer about the happy gathering. Her heart felt lighter than it had for well over a year. The future was now well in hand and she could stop fighting her earthly death. As Carol had said, a body was just a bag of flesh.
After they’d eaten, Krista with Sam and Gilligan Evans drove back to the barn where they broke out the DUKW. Krista was the pilot/driver as the behemoth trundled down the lane to the launch in Steves Cove. Once Krista maneuvered into open waters Gilligan took the helm. Although he was a licensed pilot, he had never operated the WWII ere amphibian. Krista had a junior license and knew how to handle the boat but could only do so with a licensed pilot aboard. The short cruise to the tip of Wells Point was the perfect time for Krista to show Gilligan how the big amphib operated. When they reached their destination Krista deftly maneuvered alongside the big rocks protecting the land from eroding to the small dock.
When the green and pink plaid boat appeared, nearly everyone headed to the dock. The DUKW was currently outfitted with seats and could accommodate twenty four passengers. A short gangplank with chain handrails was put in place. Five minutes after docking the seats were full and they set out on a short cruise. Everyone that wanted was able to enjoy a thirty minute trip in Broad Creek. The sun was setting as Krista guided the DUKW into it’s parking spot in the barn. They returned to the gathering with enough time for another hotdog before the party was brought to an end.
Just before the celebration wrapped up, Krista led everyone to Susan. Susan returned the smiles she received.
“Susan, we’d like you to offer you a chance to join the Clan Wells Point,” Kevin said.
“I’m flattered,” Susan replied as her weary heart soared. “What’s involved?”
“All you need to do is say yes,” Kevin smiled.
“If you’ll have me I’d love to join,” Susan answered. “But what is the normal procedure to join?”
“Normally when anyone joins the Clan they transfer all their possessions to the Clan in exchange for a percentage share of the Clan,” Kevin explained.
“I’ve never been one to ask for special privileges,” Susan declared. “Although my body is failing my mind is still functioning. I’ll sign all I have over to the Clan in exchange for an appropriate share in the Clan. When I graduate, I designate my share go to Callie with Sonny and Rayne as tertiary beneficiaries.”
Everyone applauded and hugs were shared. Susan became a member of the Clan Wells Point. The paperwork would be done at the same time as the adoption.
*****
Monday June 16 the Clan once more returned to it’s multifaceted businesses. The chores that had been pushed back by the two days of celebration had to made up. Jamie announced her desire to join the staff of the CWP Fabric and Cloth Enterprises. Orders for screen printed t-shirts kept two people busy while orders for custom sails and awnings were growing rapidly so they decided to locally advertize for additional employees. But there were several events important to the Clan that day.
About 10:00am a smoking rattletrap slowly turned onto Wells Point lane. The knocking of the engine heralded the approach of the dented and rusted 1952 Ford Panel truck. As it pulled up to the CWP bakery Jane exited the building. Seated behind the steering wheel was a weary old woman. Jane recognized the woman and the panel truck. “Rachel, it’s good to see you,” Jane began until she could see Rachel’s haggard appearance. “What’s wrong?”
Rachel wearily stepped from the vehicle and fell into Jane’s offered hug. “Ted... he’s in the hospital... a stroke... he may not survive...” she stuttered before breaking into tears.
South of Bozman on the Bay Hundred peninsula bordered by Broad Creek to the east and Harris Creek to the West there were three farms. The northern most farm, about two thirds the size of the CWP farm, was owned by Mr. And Mrs Wagner. The CWP farm was in between the other farms. The Jablonski farm, about one third the size of the CWP farm, was the southern most farm and west of Neavitt on Change Point.
The Jablonski’s owned and operated their farm. Born in Poland before WWII Theodore immigrated with his parents who purchased the farm he later inherited and with his wife still operated. He was seventy six while she was seventy two years old and it really wasn’t a surprise the hard working stubborn man had a stroke.
With compassion Jane led the shaking woman inside the bakery. Sitting down with the exhausted woman Jane called out to Lisa who was working in the back. “Lisa, could you please make us chamomile tea?”
Lisa could see Jane was comforting the distraught older woman and began to brew the tea. While they waited Jane and Rachel talked about what had happened.
“Yesterday Theo had been cutting hay in preparation for bailing when he began to feel weird,” Rachel slowly recounted. “Rather than finish the field he wisely headed for the farmhouse. By the time he got there his left side was useless. Hearing the tractor return so early I knew something had happened. Hearing it pull up to the house I knew whatever happened was bad. Upon seeing Theo slumped over the steering wheel I rushed to his side. The dangling left arm and leg as well as his melted face told me it was a stoke.”
“I told Theo to just stay put,” Rachel continued. “I climbed up beside him, giving him a tender kiss before I reached out and shut down the engine. I told him it looked like he’d suffered a stroke. I couldn’t begin to get him off the tractor so I told him to hang on while I called 911.”
She went on to explain how the ambulance and EMS van from the Tilghman Island Volunteer Fire Department came roaring down Change Point Road. The crew sprung into action. They lifted Theo from the tractor and placed him on the gurney. The crews worked rapidly and in five minutes everyone was heading for the Hospital at Easton, Shore Health System, University of Maryland Medical System.
The ensuing hours had been heart wrenching for Rachel. Theo was first stabilized then CAT and MRI scans revealed the clot. Blood thinners and other medications were administered. About 8:00pm they moved Theo into ICU. After making sure he was settled she called a taxi to take her home.
“This morning when I headed out to go to the hospital, I couldn’t get the pickup to start,” Rachel explained. “I sat and cried. Then I remembered the old panel truck Theo used to do chores. It took a bit but it started. By the time I reached the Bozman-Neavitt Road I realized the old beast wouldn’t make it to the hospital. I remembered your daughter-in-law, Kylie, is running a repair shop. Do you think she could get the pickup running so I can get to the hospital?”
“Let me make some quick calls,” Jane said as Lisa brought the tea. Lisa sat with Rachel while Jane headed into the back room to make the calls.
When she returned Jane asked, “Do you have the keys for the pick-up with you?”
“Yes,” Rachel said reaching into her purse.
“Leave them and the panel truck keys on the table. “Kylie will take both to the shop. My car is out back. I’ll run you in to the hospital. When you’re ready to come home just call and I’ll pick you up.”
“I can’t ask you to put yourself out like that,” Rachel tried to demure.
“You’re not asking, I offered,” Jane replied. “We have no idea how long it’ll take Kylie to get one running. Let me take you in and back today. By the time you’re ready to come home we’ll have an idea of how long it’ll take to get the vehicles running.”
Reluctantly Rachel agreed. Within minutes they were on their way. After parking Jane accompanied Rachel inside. Although still in ICU Theo was awake and lucid. After exchanging hugs and a kiss Rachel explained about the vehicular issues. The stroke effected Theo’s speech which was slurred and mumbled but Jane understood his thanks.
“I’ve spoken to Larry,” Jane stated. “If you approve, the CWP Organic Farm will tend to your fields until you recover.”
Theo attempted to reply but was unable to make himself understood.
Jane dug about in her purse pulling out a pad and pen. “If Rachel holds the pad, do you think you could write your reply?”
After an awkward nod Rachel held the pad as Theo wrote. {Can’t pay, barely able to pay bills.]
“Theo, no one asked you to pay,” Jane smiled. “In times of need neighbors help neighbors. That’s what the Clan Wells Point is all about. Hopefully you’ll regain the ability to speak. We can discuss things then. In the mean time, you can relax and concentrate on getting better. I’ve got to get back to the shop so I’ll leave you together.” After exchanging hugs Jane headed home.
After hearing that Theo was in the hospital Bill Dougherty wanted to help. Jane invited him to join her family for supper. Upon learning the seriousness of Theo’s condition he volunteered to be Rachel’s chauffeur. After the meal was finished, Bill headed to the hospital to see his old friends.
Rachel and Theo were pleasantly surprised to see him. After exchanging pleasantries and learning Theo’s prognosis it was clear that while Theo would improve, his days as a farmer were over. Bill knew the Jablonski’s well enough to know they were cash poor. The idea of selling their farm to a developer upset them since they wanted to see the land remain a farm.
“Le me give ya the fix t’ yer p’oblems” Bill drawled. “Join da Clan Wells Point. As membas, dey’d see t’ it yal an da farm be takin care o’. Ah still advise ‘em an help out as Ah can. Ya’ll can do da same.”
The couple exchanged glances then Rachel spoke. “How would we join?”
“Sam’ way Ah dun,” Bill answered. “Ya trade yer farm ta de Clan Wells Point wit’ ‘stricti’ns dat it stay a fa’m. ‘N exchange dey giv ya a share o’ the Clan. Den dey’ll pavide whate’er nursin ya need as well as seeing ya’ll et well an’ hav’ a comfo’tible place ta live. Dat’s not ta menti’n ya’ll hav’ a carin’ fam’ly. Yer share ‘n da Clan will go to yer ‘airs. If ya ‘gree ya’ll can ‘spect Kevin, Robert an Jane ta stop by and draw up a contrak ta get ya inta de Clan.”
Rachel sighed. “Ted, there’s no way we can take care of the farm. If we have to sell it’ll get parceled out. We’ve seen how the Clan Wells Point has prospered. If we join we’ll be part of them. Besides, it’s the only way we’ll be able to stay on the farm. Otherwise we’ll have to sell it outright and move to a nursing home.”
Ted blinked back tears as he nodded his acquiescence.
Bill also informed them that since he was mostly retired he’d drive Rachel back and forth to the hospital. When Rachel attempted to protest Bill cut her off telling her she had enough to cope with and didn’t need the hassle of driving plus that was just what Clan members did for each other. That settled the matter.
*****
That same morning Kevin Stewart set the wheels in motion to arrange the adoption of Sonny and Rayne. Arrangements were made to have Callie appear via web cam to formally give up all parental rights to the twins so they could be adopted by Kylie and Larry. Inquiries were also made about hiring a top notch Texas lawyer to review Callie’s conviction with eyes toward greatly shorten the sentence or have it commuted with her being placed on a work release program administered by the Clan or possibly overturning the conviction.
Since she was now living in the main farmhouse, Evelyn and Rachel took turns keeping Susan company during the day. Monday morning Krista set up a web cam for Susan so that she could record herself telling all she could recall about the Warren family so the twins would know their birth family history. She also spent time recording herself reading children’s stories. Tony set up a music stand to hold the books so Susan could turn the pages as she read. The love the dying woman had for her infant grandchildren was palpably present in the recordings as well as the toll doing so took from her ravaged body. The twins would have a lot of fine memories about the grandmother they’d otherwise have never known. Time would be spent each day recording the memories. This inspired the rest of the Clan to make similar blogs to pass on their knowledge and wisdom.
*****
Just after lunch, Kevin took a call from Jason Lieberman who was Jennifer Sue’s Pennsylvania lawyer.
“The estate of her parents is finally out of probate,” Jason said. “All that remains to be done is to liquidate the house, furnishings, vehicles, tools and whatever else is in the property. Once that is done a cashiers check will be sent to you to establish a trust fund for Jenny. The auction is scheduled for Saturday July 12. If Jennifer wants anything she’ll need to get them before the auction. The sooner the better so the auctioneer knows will be sold.”
“I’ll have to check with Jenny to see if she wants anything,” Kevin said. “I think Jenny has a key. It was on the key ring of the Escort she drove here. I’ll call you whether or not she wants anything. Do we need to meet someone there?”
“I don’t think that’ll be necessary,” Jason replied. “If Jenny wants to get anything, let me know when and I’ll notify the Fleetwood Police who cover Richmond Township and Virginville. That way if anyone calls they know it’s not a home break in.”
“Please have the phone number for the Fleetwood Police available when I call,” Kevin asked. “That way whoever is going can call in about a half hour before they arrive to give the Police a heads up.”
With that they concluded the call.
Calling ahead Kevin stopped at the Ewell home to discuss Jennifer’s inheritance.
“There are a few things I’d like but I don’t know if it’s worth the long trip,” Jennifer sighed.
“You said Jennifer could take anything from the property,” Jamie said. “Does that mean she could take things that were her parents?”
“Yes it does,” Kevin replied.
“Jenny, you said your dad had a lot of tools and that there were a couple of ATVs,” Jamie said. “Maybe the clan could use some of those things.”
“I’ll call Robert,” Kevin said. “He’d know if those things might be usable.”
Twenty minutes later Robert arrived. Jenny and he spent half an hour going over what was available. In the end Robert agreed to drive using his Ford F-350 super duty Crew Cab with a seven feet wide by twenty feet long trailer with sides 3 feet high.
*****
That evening Krista sat with the other teens in the music room at the main farm. The central location made it a good gathering point for the youth. As usual Krista was checking the CWP Facebook site to discover a curious note.
“Greetings to the Clan Wells Point! My name is K8t Green, I’m 16 and a MTF TS just like my heroine Krista. My boyfriend, M8t and I have been following Krista in the news and have been impressed and motivated by her grit and spunk. I’m reaching out in hopes of talking with Krista. This past week my family and I were attacked by a motorcycle gang led by my father who wanted to rape us then kill us because I’m TG. We found out they were coming and but the police couldn’t do anything until a law was broken. We knew by then it would be too late so we defended ourselves. It was horrible. It happened Thursday in Madison WV. The media labeled it the ‘Battle of the Transsexual versus the Bikers’. It’s messed me up and I really need a friend who has experienced the trauma of unwillingly killing someone and came through it. Krista, please contact me.
With the utmost respect,
K8t Green.”
With her curiosity piqued by the names and the reference to a battle she wondered if it was some sort of prank. Krista entered a Google search for ‘Battle of the Transsexual versus the Bikers’. What she found stunned her. Of the thirty two motorcycle gang members who attacked K8t, M8t, her mom Brenda, grandmom Harriet, and close family friend Dinky Dow, only eight survived the fierce battle. gr8
The story gave a brief back story of K8t’s MTF journey and M8t’s friendship, their unique name change and the business the pair created and ran, Gr8 Green Landscaping.
The other teens were stunned when Krista shared the tale of the committed duo and their horrific gun battle. All agreed they were interested in corresponding with K8t and M8t and possibly meeting. Krista contacted K8t and they discussed their mutual TG concerns as well as how they handled the violence they’d endured.
*****
By Wednesday when Kylie and Larry returned from their short honeymoon, Susan was more than delighted to have herself and her grandchildren be a part of the Clan. The loving greeting the newly wed couple gave their soon to be adopted children brought tears of joy to her haggard weary face.
*****
Thursday June 19 Ruth, Jamie, and Jennifer Sue Ewell were picked up at 7:00am by Robert in his F-350 pickup with trailer. When they were approaching Reading, Pa. Ruth called the Fleetwood Police to let them know they were about thirty minutes or so away from Virginville.
It was a few minutes past 10:00am when they pulled into the driveway. Jenny shivered as the bad memories flooded her mind. Jamie hugged her adopted sister to reassure her. After steeling herself they exited the pickup. Walking to the back door, Jenny unlocked it and stepped inside. Thankfully there was no evidence of the fight. The house had been cleaned for the auction.
Upon entering the rear door there was a mudroom with laundry to the right with a powder room on the left. Once in the kitchen there were two doors, towards the front was a dining room while to the right was a living room stretching from the front of the house to the back. At the front of the livingroom a door opened into the dining room creating a circular room to room route.
Jenny retrieved a key ring from the mudroom and gave it to Robert. “These are the keys for the garage and sheds where he kept most of his tools as well as the keys for his pickup. You can check them out while we handle the house.”
“Will do,” Robert smiled as he headed back outside.
The garage was filled with tools. An eighty gallon air compressor, hoses, and air powered tools Were against one wall. The table saw, jig saw, lathe, planer, sanding table as well as accessories for the stationary wood working tools were in excellent shape. There were three tall wheeled multi-drawer tool cabinets, one filled with mechanics tools, another with machinist tools and the last with hand carpentry tools. Pegboards were filled with larger hand tools. Two large wheeled cabinets had boxes of hardware, nails, screws, bolts, nuts, washers, clamps plus many other odds and ends.
In one shed were two ATVs that looked to be in good shape. A trailer big enough to haul the ATVs stood on it’s side leaning against the shed. Another shed had a John Deer garden tractor with a snowblower attachment mounted in front. To the sides were a plow attachment and a forty eight inch triple blade mower deck. Also inside was a twenty one inch self drive walk behind mower, a heavy duty string trimmer, a regular string trimmer, two eighteen inch chainsaws, and a power tree trimmer.
Ruth was going through the kitchen. Jenny’s mom had been a work at home seamstress. A spare second floor bedroom was her workroom. Jamie was exploring the room. Inside were three Brother sewing machines, a computerized sixty stitch unit, a computerized quilting/embroidery machine, and a surging machine as well as hundreds of patterns, cloth, and thread. Jenny was sitting at the table wiping tears as she looked through the photo albums and scrap books.
After checking Jenny’s dad’s 2002 Ford Explorer Sports Track to make sure it was useable. Robert closed the doors on the garage and sheds then headed into the house to take orders for lunch. The nearest place was a Subway six and a half miles away by the Kutztown University campus. Once he had everyone’s order he headed off in the Explorer. If it handled well and had no issues, He’d hook up the ATV trailer to it so they could drive it back to the CWP. Ruth headed upstairs to see if there were any linens worth taking.
One of the neighbors saw the people at the vacant house. Rather than call the police, they called the Raven’s to let them know there was a strange pickup with a trailer in the driveway as well as people in the house and going through the garage and sheds at their son’s home. Less than five minutes after Robert left a battered 1992 F150 pickup pulled into the driveway. Richard Raven noted his son’s Explorer was missing and saw the strange pickup with trailer parked in the driveway. Seeing Maryland plates on both Richard and Virginia exchanged looks of disgust. Their perverted grandson was here. With grim expressions etched upon their faces they knew they had a chance to eliminate their demon spawn. Virginia slid behind the steering wheel while Richard exited holding a 9mm Glock 7. Cautiously he headed for the back door to find it open. Stepping inside he could tell someone had been rifling the kitchen. Then he heard a sigh and a book closing. In the dining room he saw a teenager seated at the table looking through photo albums.
Keeping the pistol pointed in the girl’s direction he spoke. “At last the murderer has returned to the scene of his crime!”
The startled girl jumped in her seat and looked up. “Pappy...,” Jenny gasped when she saw who it was.
“You murdering bastard!” Richard bellowed. “You God Damn pervert!” With that he aimed the Glock at his grandchild.
Fortunately Jenny was quicker. She rolled from her chair to the floor just as he pulled the trigger. The slug tore through the back of the wooden chair to lodge in the wall. If she hadn’t reacted so quickly, Jenny would have been killed. The sound echoed through the house startling Ruth and Jamie. Jenny kicked a chair from the opposite side of the table towards her grandfather before she scramble crawled into the living room. Richard was so incensed he tripped over the chair Jenny had kicked at him, another shot fired off when he hit the floor. Jenny ran into the kitchen and out the back door.
Upon hearing the first gunshot Virginia pulled the truck around to the back of the house. Shortly after the second shot a girl rushed out the back door to slam into the front fender of the truck.
Jenny bounced off the fender falling on her tush. Looking up she saw her glaring Granny behind the wheel. Scrambling to her feet Jenny ran to the hedgerow fifty feet behind the house just as Virginia recognized her perverted grandson. Just as the furious woman was pulling out to try to run down the escaping perv, Richard, cursing up a storm, charged out the back door diving into the truck bed.
Virginia slowed down enough to allow Richard to get to his feet behind the cab. By then Jenny reached the scraggly hedgerow then headed south along the tree line. Virginia rammed the pickup through the hedgerow spinning into a field of soybeans. The fishtailing truck bounced over the furrows and slipped on the green plants. She had to slow down to maintain control and to keep from tossing Richard out of the truck bed. By the time she regained enough to control the truck Jenny was half way down the six hundred forty feet long field.
As the bouncing slipping truck closed in on her Jenny heard the Glock firing. Pouring everything she had Jenny sprinted onward ignoring the lashing she was receiving from the stiff soybean plants. Fortunately the truck was bouncing and swaying so much Richard couldn’t get a clean shot. That didn’t stop him from trying as the closed the distance. Fortunately Jenny knew the area well. Upon reaching the end of the field she dove into that much wider tree line.
The tree line was ninety feet wide and dropped fifteen feet to a farm lane. The twenty five degree sparsely treed slope would make it almost impossible for the truck to follow at any speed but a crawl. Jenny began to scramble down the slope. Determined to kill their errant grandchild, Virginia barely slowed down as she reached the end of the field. The area where the plowed field met the grassy verge created a twelve inch deep furrow. The truck bounced severely causing Virginia to lose control. Richard was leaning over the roof attempting to get a bead on Jenny as she caromed down the slope when the truck bounced pitching Richard forward and over the cab. He landed on the hood and slid head first off the front passenger side just as the truck sideswiped a tree ten feet down the slope.
Richard’s head was crushed between the tree and the truck killing him instantly. Virginia screamed as she saw her husbands skull bloodily popped like a melon. The left front tire of the truck struck a downed tree ripping the wheel from her hands. The entire truck turned sideways and rolled down the slopes. Since they never used seatbelts and with Virginia already bouncing inside the cab, as the truck tipped over to it’s left side she was flung three quarters out the window. The top of the truck rolled over her torso as it made the first roll. On the second roll she was flung completely out and the truck rolled over her again.
Despite her headlong rush down the slope Jenny heard the crashes and screeching metal. Upon reaching the farm lane at the bottom she paused to catch a quick breath and check on her pursuers just as the twisted remains of the tumbling truck were stopped by a tree just five feet from her. Wide-eyed at the carnage she saw the battered truck was unoccupied. Looking up the slope she saw the unmoving bodies of her grandparents.
Back at the house Ruth and Jamie were standing helplessly just inside the back door. After the silence following the second shot they cautiously made their way down to the first floor seeing no sign of Jenny. They were just in time to sees the truck disappear through the hedgerow. Ruth called 911 to report the gunshots and the truck apparently chasing fleeing Jenny. The call was forwarded to the Fleetwood police who immediately dispatched two cars. Ruth then called Robert to let him know there was trouble. Just about at the Subway he immediately turned around and headed back.
After a moment to catch her breath the adrenalin pumped girl jogged up the farm lane to the main road intending to head down the road to the house. Jenny’s mind was swirling with horror and relief. As she neared the road she heard the sirens of the approaching police cars. Upon reaching the road she stopped facing the approaching sirens. As soon as the cruisers became visible she stepped into the middle of the road waving her arms to flag down the police.
The approaching police saw the disheveled girl waving them down. Both pulled over to the side as Jenny trotted to the first cruiser. “I... I’m Jennifer Ewell. My grandparents tried to kill me...”
“I’m Chief Kramer. We received a 911 call that someone was trying to kill you. Where are your grandparents?”
“Down there,” Jenny answered pointing down the farm lane. “I... I think they’re both dead. Pappy was standing in the back of the truck shooting at me while Gran tried to run me down as I fled through the field. I made it to the trees and scrambled down the slope. Gran tried to follow and crashed.”
Chief Kramer exited his cruiser. “Was it only your grandparents who attacked you?”
“Yes,” Jenny whispered.
“Okay,” the chief said as he waved the other officer to join him. “Can you show me where they crashed?”
Richard pulled into the driveway and joined the distraught Ruth and Jamie. As the girls stayed at the house he walked to the hedgerow noting the crushed soybeans marking the truck’s path. At that point they could hear the doppler sounds of the approaching police. Then the sound stabilized and stopped down the road. Heading too the front of the house they looked down the road. About six hundred feet away the police cars were stopped at the side of the road with their lights flashing. The officers were following a girl heading across the road.
“That’s Jenny,” Jamie exclaimed. Instantly they began to run down the road.
By the time Robert, Ruth and Jamie reached the farm lane Jenny was sitting on the grass verge with her knees drawn up and her head resting on her knees. They hurried the two hundred feet down the lane seeing that Jenny was shaking and crying. Looking up the slope they saw the wrecked truck near the lane and two bloody bodies further up the slope. Two policemen were examining the scene.
“Officers,” Robert called out while holding his opened hands at shoulder height to show he was unarmed. “I’m Robert Scott. This is Ruth and Jamie Ewell, Jenny’s adopted mother and sister.”
“I’m Chief Kramer of the Fleetwood Police,” the man declared as he began to walk down the slope. “That’s Officer Dobbins.” he indicated the other man. “Dobbins, keep examining the scene. Try to find the pistol. Take plenty of photos. I’m heading up to the house to check out that scene. I’ll call for the coroner.”
As Robert and the Chief were talking, Ruth and Jamie engulfed Jenny in a hug.
“That’s one tough kid,” Chief Kramer shook his head. “I handled the investigation of her parent’s death. We were notified Jenny would be at the house to take whatever she wanted before the auction. As I said, I need to examine the crime scene in the house. Would you like to ride to the house with me?”
“Sure,” Robert replied. “Ruth, Jamie, Jenny, Chief Kramer will give us a ride back to the house.”
Ruth and Jamie helped Jenny to her feet. Jenny was still sniffling as she shakily stood. Ruth and Jamie bracketed the distraught girl as they followed Chief Kramer and Robert up the lane to the police cruiser. Ruth, Jamie and Jenny slipped into the rear seat of the cruiser while Richard sat in the front passenger seat. As they settled in the chief made the call for the coroner. He also called Jason Lieberman, Jenny’s Berks County, Pa. lawyer to let him know what happened. With that done he drove to the house. By the time they arrived at the house Jenny had regained control.
As they headed to the back door Ruth pointed out the tire marks in the lawn leading to a hole in the hedgerow. Chief Kramer took photos of the scene then walked to the hedgerow. The four CWP members followed, the girls seeing the evidence for the first time. Stepping through the hole in the hedgerow they all saw the fishtailing path of the pickup as it chased Jenny into the trees six hundred forty feet away. Again the chief took photos. When he was satisfied they headed back to the house.
Robert spoke as they walked. “Chief, will we need to stay overnight?”
“As long as we can contact you in Maryland it shouldn’t be a problem heading home,” Chief Kramer answered. “Jenny did nothing wrong. She was fleeing for her life,. The Ravens actions caused their own deaths. I’ll still need to question everyone and take photos of the house.”
“I wasn’t here when it went down,” Robert said. “I was on my way to Subway to get lunch when Ruth called me back.”
“If you weren’t here when this went down you can make your lunch run,” Chief Kramer said.
After making sure the girls still wanted lunch Robert made the run to Subway.
Chief Kramer examined the first floor crime scene as Ruth had Jenny sit in the kitchen so she could wash her bruises and scratches. He took photos of the overturned chairs and the bullet holes in the walls. Once she was cleaned up and bandaged, Jenny recounted the attack with Chief Kramer as she explained what had happened in the house. The brave but frazzled girl realized the house was once again a crime scene.
Returning to his cruiser the chief brought a crime scene kit into the house. Using the kit he successfully dug the two slugs out of the walls. Once he’d finished collecting the evidence he packed up his equipment. “I’m going down to the crash site. I’ll come back to let you know what we find.”
It took most of the afternoon for the police to photograph the crash site and gather evidence. They found the Glock. It was a model 17, there was a bullet in the chamber and only one left in the seventeen round clip. If the clip had been full, that meant Richard had fired twice in the house and thirteen as they chased Jenny through the field. Debris from the crash and roll over was scattered over a wide area. The coroner arrived and verified that the Ravens were dead. The battered bodies clearly indicated they’d died of blunt force trauma. The coroner saw no need for autopsies.
Jason Lieberman pulled up behind the police cruisers. Leaving his suit jacket in his car he walked down the farm lane to the crash scene. After identifying himself to Chief Kramer he was walked through the death site. The bodies had been bagged and rested on the farm lane awaiting the funeral director who had handled Jenny’s parents. Jason made sure there would be no charges against Jenny. It was ironic that Jenny’s grandparents had killed themselves in their zeal to kill her. Even more ironic was that as their only surviving relative Jenny would now receive their estate.
As the investigation continued at the crash site Richard with Jamie’s assistance loaded the mower and other lawn equipment into the bed of his truck. The wood working equipment and nearly everything else in the garage went in the trailer. The rear seats were loaded with smaller items. They loaded the truck bed of the Explorer with household items. The sewing machines and related items were loaded onto the back seat. The trailer that had been leaning against the shed was hooked to the back of the Explorer and the two ATVs loaded.
As they were loading the vehicles Jason arrived. After making sure Jenny was okay he sat down with Ruth and Jenny as he reviewed what had happened.
“Jenny, while I was settling your parents estate I had several encounters with your grandparents,” Jason explained. “They refused to acknowledge they had no rights to the estate and it took involving the police before they begrudgingly accepted the legalities. They made it quite clear to me and Chief Kramer they hated all lawyers and thought wills were just a way to rip off estates. As a result I have no doubt your grandparents do not have a will much less a lawyer. Chief Kramer will attest to that. Since you are the only surviving relative, you’ll inherit their estate. Once we assure they have made no arrangements for their estate you’ll have say in who becomes executor.”
Jenny looked at Ruth for guidance. “It’s your call, Jenny.”
“Okay,” Jenny sighed as a grim but decisive expression appeared on her face. “Mr. Lieberman, I’d like you to be the executor of my grandparent’s estate. At least when their estate is settled they’ll be out of my life forever.”
Jason pulled out papers that Jenny and Ruth signed granting him executorship.
“One last thing,” Jason said. “The funeral director who handled your parents funeral picked up your grandparent’s bodies. The estate will pick up those costs.”
Jenny frowned. “Can I designate what type of funeral?”
“If your grandparents made no arrangements you can,” Jason answered.
“I’ll give them the same respect they gave me,” Jenny passionately declared. “Put them in the cheapest coffins available. There will be no viewing or funeral. I know they have an eight spot plot in the cemetery so just bury them beside my parents with no headstone. Then sell the other four plots.”
“Unusual but doable,” Jason nodded his head. “Understood young lady.”
“Oh... Snoopy, Spike, Andy, Olaf, Marbles, Belle,” Jenny gasped as they were heading for the back door.
“What?” Ruth frowned.
The dogs! Beagles,” Jenny answered. “They kept them in an outside kennel. If we don’t get them they’ll starve!”
“I’ll call the Animal Rescue League,” Jason said. “They’ll pick them up tomorrow.”
“NO!!!” Jenny cried out as tears ran down her cheeks. “They’re my dogs! I named them when they were puppies! They were the only reason I tolerated visiting my grandparents! They’re about the only good thing my grandparents ever did!” By then Jenny began to tremble. “Please, mommy I want them! Please!!”
Ruth once more hugged her daughter. “What will we do if we get them?”
“Take them home with us,” Jenny sniffed.
Jamie and Robert heard Jenny’s shrieked ‘NO’ and hurried into the house. They were quickly apprised of the situation. It was clear Jenny was a psychological mess. After being murderously attacked by her grandparents her distress was understandable.
“Let me call Chief Kramer,” Jason said. “We’ll see what we can work out.”
*****
“I appreciate your distress, Jenny, but let me fill you in on what we’ve found,” Chief Kramer said when he reached the house. “First, Jenny you will face no charges. You should know, if the Glock was fully loaded in addition to the two shots in the house, he fired thirteen times as they chased you through the field.”
Jenny stiffened up and shivered as Ruth and Jamie gasped before promptly wrapping the trembling girl in a reassuring hug. Robert placed a comforting hand on Jenny. That news erased what little doubt/guilt she felt for being so harsh on the burial decisions she’d made for her grandparents.
“Now, as for the dogs,” the chief continued. “I took the keys from the truck before it was hauled away. Based on the interactions Mr. Lieberman and I had with your grandparents I know they hated lawyers and distrusted the legal system. I feel confident they had no will or a lawyer and we will sign a statement to that effect. I assume Mr. Lieberman has become the designated executor of your grandparent’s estate. As such, I’ll turn the keys over to him since he knows how much he can let you take today.”
“Thank you,” Jenny acknowledged.
“I need to say one more thing before I go,” Chief Kramer said. “Jennifer, I admire your strength.”
Jenny managed a timid smile and gave him a goodbye hug.
“Well, I guess if we clear out the rear seats on both trucks we can get three dogs in each,” Robert said.
“Wait a minute,” Jenny said as an impish grin formed. “My grandparents had an SUV. With the back seat folded we can get the dogs, their food, leashes and stuff in it! Jamie has a driver’s license so she could drive it and I’ll ride with her to keep the dogs calm!” Jenny hopefully looked at the four faces.
“I could drive the SUV,” Jamie said.
Jason chuckled. “How far is your grandparents place?”
“It’s about a mile away down the road,” Jenny answered.
“Why don’t I drive all of us there,” Jason suggested. “Then we can see what the situation is.”
Jenny, Jamie, and Ruth were in the rear seat with Robert riding shotgun. It only took five minutes to get to the property. It was up a steep valley just off the state road. The dogs began aggressively barking and jumping about in the kennel in response to their arrival. As soon as Jenny was out of the car she ran towards the kennel.
“Snoopy! Spike! Andy! Olaf! Marbles! Belle!” Jenny yelled. Snoopy
The dogs went wild! The tenor of their barking changed from the aggressiveness of protecting their turf to wild exuberance. Their tails were wagging so hard their entire rear ends were bouncing about. When Jenny opened the kennel door the six excited dogs swarmed her, knocking her down, crawling all over her as they gave her slobbery doggy kisses.
“I guess that tells us why she was so adamant about getting the dogs,” Robert chuckled as they walked to the swirling mass of fur and giggling girl.
After five minutes Jenny managed to get the happy dogs under a semblance of control. She had the dogs line up then introduced them to the humans. The dogs happily accepted them resulting in several minutes of petting and dog kisses.
Robert and Jason headed over to the SUV. It was a 2007 Escape that looked to be in excellent shape. Jason found the remote key on the key ring Chief Kramer had given him, removed it and gave it to Robert. Robert got inside and started the SUV. It only had 3500 miles on the odometer. Then he drove it to the back porch. Inside the screen enclosed porch was the dog food, leashes and grooming tools.
Robert and Jason went inside the house to unplug all equipment, appliances and clocks. They turned off the hot water heater, the pump for the well and set the thermostat to forty five degrees. Together they gathered the papers and documents they could find for Jason to review. Jason filled out a form that as executor granted approval for use of the SUV.
By the time they returned outside the dog food grooming tools were loaded in the back of the SUV. The now leashed dogs were still excited to be with Jenny.
With nothing left to accomplish, they decided to leave. Jamie sat behind the steering wheel of the SUV. Opening the back doors Jenny guided the dogs to the open rear doors. No urging was needed for them to jump inside. After shutting the rear door she sat in the front passenger seat where she was able to talk to and pet the dogs.
Jamie followed Jason as he took Ruth and Robert back to get the trucks. After saying goodbye Robert led the convoy as they headed back home. Ruth followed in the Explorer while Jamie and Jenny brought up the rear. It was a bit before 6:00pm when they pulled out of Virginville. Both trucks and their trailers were loaded down causing them to drive cautiously. They stopped for supper just south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Robert ate quickly then went for a short walk while Ruth, Jamie and Jenny used the meal to wind down a bit. Once he was away from Jenny he called Jane and Leroy.
Naturally Jane and Leroy were horrified to learn of the attempted murder of Jenny and the tragic death of her berserk grandparents. They assured Robert they’d spread the word of what went down as well as the fact Jenny was bringing her six delighted dogs.
Since they’d be arriving somewhere between 8 and 9pm with two loaded down trucks and trailers arrangements were made for them to pull into the barn that housed CWP Engine and Mechanical Repair to park overnight. They’d unload and sort the loads tomorrow. It was a bit after 8:00pm when they pulled onto Wells Point Lane. As the trucks continued to the O’Brien farm Jamie headed to their home.
Living next door to the CWP Landing the Spade, Reese and Evans families along with Krista, Tony and Jimmy had been anxiously awaiting the Ewell’s arrival, especially after hearing about Jenny’s horrific fatal encounter with her grandparents. The sun was dipping behind the trees to the west when they heard the familiar crunching of the gravel road. Krista, Tony, Jasmine, Jimmy, Sam, Holly and Ivy sprang from the porch running to greet the approaching vehicle while Frank, Sarah and Heather followed at a leisurely pace.
Seeing the teens and preteens running toward them Jamie tooted the Escape’s horn and put on the turn signal. She drove into the grass of the front lawn then drove around to the back of their home. The adults hadn’t seen the vehicle but saw the kids disappearing down the side of the house.
Once parked outside the enclosed back porch Jenny and Jamie exited only for Jenny to be swept off her feet and twirled about in a joyful and relieved hug by Sam who had been horrified to learn his girlfriend had been so viciously attacked. As soon as Sam let Jenny’s feet hit the ground he quite passionately kissed her. As soon as the kiss ended the others swarmed Jenny in a group hug. By then the adults had arrived and enveloped the joyful tearful teenager.
It was exactly what Jenny needed after the rejection and hatred her grandparents had shown. The unconditional love of her friends, boyfriend and the adults restored her shaken self worth.
Of course any conversation during the impromptu hugfest had been impossible since the six beagles were baying incessantly as they attempted to break free from the back of the Escape to rescue their recently reunited mistress from those who were attacking her.
“You better step back and smile,” Jenny smiled as she urged everyone to back away from the SUV. “These are my beagles.” With that she stepped to the passenger rear door.
The dogs grew excited to see her approach knowing they were about to be let out. “Settle down,” Jenny ordered. “I need to put your leashes on before I let you out.”
To the surprise of the onlookers while their tails were wagging excitedly the dogs stopped barking and expectantly sat on their haunches. With that she opened the door. One by one she snapped a leash on each dog, receiving a doggy kiss from each. “Alright, you will behave as I let you out,” Jenny ordered. “Now, one at a time as I call your names. Snoopy... Spike... Andy... Olaf... Marbles... Belle.” With each name announced, the appropriate dog leapt from the SUV to stand by the vehicle, each inquisitively looking over those who had gathered to greet their mistress.
“Sam, Krista, Tony, Jazz and Jimmy, will each of you take a leash then kneel in front of the dog to let them get to know you,” Jenny said. “Then we can walk them about the yard to let them check out their new home.”
Once they dogs accepted their handler each excitedly strained against the leashes almost pulling the teens off their feet as they investigated their new home. The adults, Holly and Ivy laughed as they watched the eager beagles explore. With the twilight deepening the teens snapped the leashes to the wash line then offloaded the dog food and grooming tools into the enclosed rear porch. Jamie filled the water trough they took from the kennel as Jenny filled the food dishes. The dogs were then brought inside promptly going to their food and water. Jamie locked the porch screen door then led everyone into the house just as Leroy dropped off Ruth.
*****
With dogged determination Kevin had the twins adoption scheduled for Friday afternoon. An internet feed to the Christina Melton Crain Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice was up and Callie Warren was sitting at a table with a guard standing a few feet behind her. Susan, Sonny, Rayne, Kylie, Larry, and a dozen other Clan Wells Point members were in the Talbot County Courtroom in Easton with Judge Watkins. Judge Watkins announced the agenda then asked Susan to identify her grandchildren and daughter. Callie was then asked if she was fully aware that she was giving up all parental rights to her children.
“Yes I do,” Callie bravely answered as she struggled to hold back her tears. “I love Sonny and Rayne enough to give them to two people I’ve known most of my life. They’re both good people and I couldn’t ask for a better couple to raise my babies. I’ve messed up big time and accept my punishment. I want my babies to have a better life.”
“Very well, since no one here has any objections I hereby declare Kylie and Larry Scott to be the parents of Sonny and Rayne Warren. I also authorize that they be hereafter known as Sonny and Rayne Scott,” Judge Watkins ordered. “Before we close the link, Kylie and Larry would like to say a few words.”
“Callie, Larry and I will keep you in our prayers,” Kylie promised as she and Larry each cuddled a baby. “Copies of the adoption paperwork will be forwarded to you with our address. We’d like to keep in touch with you so we can keep you updated on the children’s progress. You’ve given us the gift of parenthood and for that you have our eternal gratitude. Sonny and Rayne will know they’re adopted and that you are their birth mother. When you are released, you’re more than welcome to come see them. If you need help making arrangements to come back here we’ll help. Just remember you’ll always have a home here. We will be Sonny’s and Rayne’s parents but we will not cut you out of their lives.”
Callie smiled as she fought back tears of gratitude. “Thank you,” she sobbed. “Please give Sonny and Rayne a hug and kiss for me.”
“We’ll do that every night,” Kylie promised. “Just make sure you behave so you can get out early and come home.”
Callie totally lost it at that point only able to nod her head in promise and gratitude as the connection was cut.
With the official court business over, Judge Watkins came down from the bench to kiss the babies and hug the new parents. Then she gave Susan a warm hug. “Susan, I’ve sent a request to Amanda Frost, an assistant attorney general for Maryland, requesting her assistance to work with the Texas Attorney General to see if we can do anything to get Callie’s sentence altered. Ideally we’d like to get her reassigned to a work release program and have administration of the program done in Maryland. The Clan Wells Point has agreed to pay all the costs of the transfer and the administration of the work release program. Since the Clan already administers two people on work release within the Clan, we’re hoping Callie can be the third. Unfortunately, that will take time.”
“I understand,” Susan smiled wearily. “This body only has a week or two left in it. Just knowing that the Clan is working to bring Callie home does my heart good. I have every confidence she’s learned a very bitter lesson and will thrive under the love of the Clan.”
Judge Watkins smiled and nodded her agreement as they both looked at Kylie and Larry adoring Sonny and Rayne.
The Judge also signed off on Kevin’s plan to have Callie temporarily return for her mother’s funeral. The Clan Wells Point offered to pay all the travel expenses for the bereavement furlough including the salary for two Texas deputies to provide round trip escort services. With the signature of the judge and the offer to cover all expenses the Texas Department of Criminal Justice agreed to furlough Callie and provide the deputies.
After the adoption was finalized, Susan had a quick meeting with Kevin, Jane, and Robert to sign the official paperwork to join the CWP. The three clan leaders then headed to the hospital for the final meeting with Rachel and Theo to join the CWP. Previous discussions had established the parameters of the contract which guaranteed the Jablonski’s would have full CWP membership. The CWP had already voted to accept the Jablonski’s as full members of the CWP as soon as the contract was signed and notarized. There were now seventy CWP members.
*****
Friday was also a momentous day for Sam, Mary Ann, and Gilligan Evans. While the adoption of the twins was proceeding, they were with Dr. Sykes in her Bay Hundred Health Center office. Dr. Sykes was going over the ramifications of Sam beginning HRT. The family was well aware of the consequences and had agreed to Dr. Sykes requirement this session be filmed.
“Now that all the legalities are done,” Dr. Sykes declared. “I need to know if you’re ready to proceed with the HRT therapy?”
Mary Ann and Gilligan looked at Sam who sat nervously between them. “Sam, we love you unconditionally,” Mary Ann stated seriously. “We always will. Whether you’re our daughter or our son, we whole heartedly support you. This is YOUR decision.”
“Thanks,” Sam smiled nervously. “I really appreciate your support. This is something I MUST do. I tried but I’ve never been your daughter. I had never been happy with myself until I started living as the boy I am. The HRT will help me grow into becoming the man I need to be. I’ll admit I’m scared, but I have no doubts I need to begin HRT.”
“I’ll need your signatures on the paperwork signifying you’ve been appropriately counseled and understand the consequences of beginning HRT,” Dr. Sykes placed a multi-page document before them. “While you read and sign at the appropriate places, I’ll prepare the initial injection of testosterone and give you prescriptions for the pills. I’ll need weekly blood tests to monitor your testosterone levels until we reach a suitable level of stability. Then we’ll keep testing monthly for a year.”
The Evans family signed the documents. Dr. Sykes made sure the signatures were properly done, then gave Sam her first shot of boy juice. Hugs and congratulations were shared. Sam led HIS family outside with a spring in HIS step and a broad smile on HIS face.
*****
Saturday June 21 was hectic. It was the day the new cattle arrived. It had taken several weeks to prepare for the increase. With the exception of the wetlands and forests, all the farm land west of the O’Brien homestead, south of Long Cove, east of the Bozman-Neavitt Road and north of Balls Creek was converted to pasture. The existing pastures had been enclosed by triple plank rail pressure treated wood fence stained white. The former fields were converted to pasture by planting a mixture of grass and clover. They were then enclosed with three plank rail pressure treated wood fence painted white to match the preexisting pastures. The expanded pasture would accommodate the hundred and fifty dairy cows, sixty five steers and the up to thirty horses of the CWP Horse Rescue program.
Every available person was on hand. At 10:00am the first semi tractor trailer made the turn from Dougherty Lane onto Johns Cove Lane heading north and stopped. A pair of wooden road barricades were set across Dougherty Lane. One adult and three of the under eleven year olds were stationed on the back side to shoo the cattle south. The fifty dairy cows were herded off the cattle trailer and guided south on Johns Cove Lane. One adult and four teens herded them down the road. Since the sides of the road were already fenced due to the adjacent fields there was little difficulty moving the cows. At the farm complex, cars and trucks had been parked front to back from the fences to create a steel path to guide the cows into the newly enlarged dairy barn. Other adults and teens guided the cows to food and water. Another semi load arrived fifteen minute later until all one hundred new dairy cows were in their new home. The Clan Wells Point dairy herd had increased to one hundred fifty head. The third semi load carried steers and they were herded directly into the pasture on the south side of Dougherty Road creating a steer herd of sixty five head.
It took most of the following week to work the new dairy cows into the farm routine. Every day at 6:30am and 4:30pm the cows were milked in the twin milking parlor. While only three workers were needed, one adult crew chief and two teen or adult helpers, twelve people were trained so the chore could be switched off and illnesses covered. The cattle were rotated to various fields with the maximum walking time between the barn and the pasture being twenty minutes. The lanes were used as cattle paths with portable wooden barricades directing the cattle to the selected fields. Five small 80cc motorcycles rated at 2.5HP with a top speed of 23MPH were purchased for the teens to herd cattle or horses. The bikes were stripped down basic units with the engine mounted on a tubular steel frame with fenders over the 14.5"x7.6" tires. The units were 36.5" long with a seat height of 23" and carried a max rider weight of 150 pounds. The bikes were quite durable and easy to maintain and repair.
*****
At the same time the CWP had to accommodate farming the newly acquired Jablonski farm. The smaller two hundred twenty five acre farm provided replacement planting acreage for that lost to the enlarged grazing areas. In the nineteen fifties two lots along the Bozman-Neavitt Road were cut from the fields for Theo and his sister to build homes. The farm retained ownership. After Theo’s sister moved her place was rented. After the death of his father, Theo moved back into farmhouse to work the farm and take care of his mother. The place he vacated was then rented. Currently, only the northern lot was rented. Robert and Dr. Olsen checked out the Jablonski farmhouse to see what was needed to remodel the first floor to accommodate Theo’s disabilities. The second floor would be remodeled for a rental apartment. As soon as plans could be drawn up the remodeling would begin.
Also on the same day the CWP Youth Rehab Hostel received it’s first non CWP patient, a sixteen year old girl who suffered brain damage due to the removal of a brain tumor. The non clinical setting coupled with daily peer interaction allowed a steady and rapid recovery. The Memorial Hospital at Easton, Shore Health System, University of Maryland Medical System which housed the Requard Rehab Center for Acute Rehabilitation was delighted with the results. Two more needy teens soon arrived. After that, the CWP Youth Rehab Hostel had a steady flow of patients keeping it’s three beds filled. There was a waiting list of teens so as soon as one was released another arrived.
*****
Wednesday June 25 the entire Clan gathered to celebrate Krista’s 14th birthday. Gifts were kept to a minimum but the love shared for the energetic and feisty girl was most certainly not curtailed. Krista was quite embarrassed as everyone acknowledged that she was the heart and soul of the Clan Wells Point and that without her spunk and enthusiasm they would not have come together.
*****
Susan Warren’s last few days were rough and painful. Everyone could tell her end was rapidly approaching. Two or three women were nearby each day and every evening members of the Clan stopped by the farmhouse to chat with her. She faced her end with bravery and a smile. Refusing false platitudes, she steadfastly admitted she was slipping away. She insisted she had no regrets and had every confidence Sonny and Rayne had the best parents and that the Clan would see they were brought up in love and hope. She admitted she’d spoken to Carol who assured her she’d assist in her graduation and that everything would be fine. No doubts existed in her mind the Clan would do all they could to bring Callie home and help her begin a new and productive life. Her sole request was that her ashes be spread on Wells Point. Everyone admired her attitude and had no doubt the ghostly Carol had reassured her.
Near 4:00am on June 30, Susan Warren was awakened by a cool ocean breeze. Opening her eyes she saw a smiling Carol O’Brien standing at the side of her bed holding out her hand. Susan understood. Her pain, weakness and fatigue were gone. Returning Carol’s smile, she placed her hand in Carol’s as her spiritual body rose from her now stilled earthly body. Silently they walked through the doors to the bedroom where Sonny and Rayne slept. Lovingly she kissed them farewell. The two apparitions then floated through the wall to soar into the sky on a heavenly journey.
Shortly after dawn Evelyn discovered Susan had passed away. She shivered a bit upon seeing the wet floor, then went to rouse the rest of the family. Evelyn, Rachel, Tony, Larry and Kylie hurried to the bedroom to gaze not only at Susan’s smiling still emaciated form, but also the puddle of seawater with bits of seaweed in it beside the bed. Two sets of wet seaweed strewn footprints led from the bed into the babies room. Tony took video of the ghostly evidence and placed some of the water and seaweed bits in an emptied baby food jar.
Calls were made throughout the Clan. By the time the coroner arrived, nearly the entire Clan was silently gathered outside the home. The coroner was puzzled to see they were smiling not understanding they knew Susan was in good hands since Carol had come to take her home. Krista, Lyndi, and Teri were crying tears of joy knowing their mother was still watching over them and had heard Krista’s prayer.
In Texas Callie was having another restless night. The guilt she felt for her bad choices ate at her. Hurting her mother by running away and hooking up with Dusty who committed the robbery/murder that sent her to jail. Both were stupid immature actions. The only good thing was the twins. The fact her mom took the twins even as she was dying was an undeserved bittersweet relief. Kylie and Larry adopting the twins was a blessing. But her helplessness to ease her mother’s dying days really ate at her. About 3:00am a dream interrupted her nightmares. In the dream her mother appeared in her cell and climbed into her bunk and hugged her just like she did when she was small, whimpering and frightened by thunder storms. Immediately the months of fatigue, worries, and guilt melted away. She slept soundly the rest of the night.
The authorities in Texas were notified of Susan’s death at 7:00am their time. The arrangements made for the emergency bereavement furlough to bring Callie home for the funeral were set into motion.
Callie awoke feeling better than she had in months. The dream visit from her mother had rallied her spirit and restored a bit of hope. Her cellmate was puzzled by Callie’s upbeat demeanor. The inmates of Callie’s cell block were in the cafeteria finishing breakfast when the prison chaplain entered. Everyone knew someone was about to receive bad news. All hoped it was someone else.
Callie suddenly understood her dream. Her mother had died yet even in her cancer ravaged death she had stopped by to give her one last hug. She stood and slowly headed for the chaplain. Tears flowed down her face before the words were spoken. The rest of the women knew Callie’s mom had been in bad shape. Somberly they bussed their trays and left the room as the chaplain comforted Callie.
Callie was shocked when a guard arrived to escort her to a small conference room. Inside a deputy warden waited.
“Your mother had good friends,” the deputy warden said. “They’ve arranged a bereavement furlough for you to fly home for the funeral and then back. They’re picking up the cost of the flights and all costs for two deputies to accompany you. We’ll provide you with civilian clothes for three days. You’ll be flying from Dallas to DC this afternoon. You and the deputies will be staying at the Clan Wells Point B&B in Neavitt. You’ll be flying back here the day after the burial.”
Callie was heartbroken that her mother was gone but glad her suffering was over. Biting her lips to keep from sobbing openly tears flowed down her cheeks as she nodded her gratitude.
A pair of female deputies escorted Callie to Dallas/Fort Worth Airport into Dulles Airport in DC. Leroy met them wearing his deputy uniform and driving a sheriff’s cruiser. The one hundred twenty mile trip took nearly three hours. As they set out one of the deputies stated it was extremely unusual for out of state bereavement furloughs to be granted and wondered how the family had arranged it.
“Before I explain I need to ask Callie if she’s okay with sharing a bit of her history,” Leroy stated.
“You mean my babies,” Callie asked.
“Yes,” Leroy replied.
That surprised the Texas deputies
“It’s okay,” Callie sighed. “Do you think I can see them while I’m here?”
“I can guarantee it,” Leroy smiled. “Tell the deputies about your babies and your mother.”
Callie explained about her pregnancy and that her mother took the babies from the prison. She also explained about the advanced cancer. The deputies were stunned by the fact the babies were adopted by a transsexual mother and her husband.
Both deputies shook their heads and one asked, “Do you really think it’s safe to have your babies raised by one of those freaks?”
“Obviously you’ve never had an honest interaction with a transsexual. Sonny and Rayne couldn’t have better parents,” Leroy declared before Callie could respond. “My younger brother Larry is their new father. Their mother Kylie had the misfortune to be born with the wrong genitals but that’s was corrected before they married. That makes me one of the babies’ uncles. I also have a daughter who just turned fourteen who was also born with the wrong genitals. She’s the feistiest girl you’ll ever meet. Last year her mother died, they were living in Cape Cod at the time. Over a six week period Krista led her nine year old twin sisters on foot from there to her grandmother in Neavitt Maryland.”
“I think I heard of something about that on the news,” a deputy said. “Wasn’t she involved with a murderer and some sort of scandal?”
“Yes,” Leroy answered and proceeded too explain about the kidnaping by the escaped prisoner and by then triple murderer, the desperate intentional crash and the fatal self defense struggle. Then he explained how Krista blew the lid off the Apple Tree Quality Healthcare Systems scandal, then led her cheerleading squad to repeatedly cheer MICKEY to bring Jasmine out of her coma. “Then there’s the dozens of other local people she’s helped since her arrival. Four boys were in a bad car crash, two with limbs amputated. They’re well on the road to recovery at a Youth Rehab Hostel she was instrumental in setting up. Krista was also responsible for saving Kylie when she tried to take her life last summer. Those of us most effected by Krista have gotten together, at her urging, to form The Clan Wells Point. So far we have seventy one members including Sonny and Rayne, well with Susan’s death we’re back to seventy members. You’ll being staying in one of our B&Bs. Callie, your mother only returned to her home after she brought Sonny and Rayne to us to gather personal belongings. The Clan provided hospice care and she stayed in the same house with the new parents and Kylie’s mom, aunt and cousin. She was with the babies every day and passed there in her sleep. We all knew your mom’s time was short so when we accepted the offer for adoption, the Clan set the wheels in motion to get you furloughed for her funeral.”
Callie and the deputies were stunned by the revelation. They asked questions about the Clan Wells Point for the rest of the trip. The growth and cohesiveness of the group as well as the businesses they absorbed or established seemed mind boggling.
When they arrived at Wells Point they headed to the main farmhouse for supper with the gathered Clan. Callie cried as for the first time she was able to hold and cuddle Sonny and Rayne. The Texan deputies were also welcomed with open arms. When they met Kylie they began to understand their prejudice against transgender people was wrong. That was driven home when they met Krista. The hearty meal went down well.
Callie sat between Kylie and Larry for the meal. It was clear to Callie and the deputies that the adopted parents were truly and irrevocably in love. Callie was amazed by Kylie as she realized the shyness and awkwardness that Kyle had exuded as a male classmate were still present but were now a natural part of her inherent femininity. In hindsight looking back in her memories of Kyle it was quite evident he’d been a transsexual. What was even more convincing was that Kylie was so natural as Sonny and Rayne’s doting mom. Of course Larry was just as natural being their proud dad. Any lingering doubts Callie harbored about Kylie and Larry being suitable parents disappeared.
After the meal funeral arrangements were discussed. Callie had no desire to see the empty husk her mom had inhabited when she died instead preferring to remember her as the vibrant mother she once knew. Once that was decided, a phone call to the funeral home was all that was needed to proceed with the cremation. The deputies were amazed by the casual interaction and obvious caring the Clan members openly displayed. Settling into the CWP B&B for the night, the exhausted visitors had no problem falling asleep.
In the morning they enjoyed a pleasant breakfast in the B&B. Then they returned to the main farmhouse. The deputies again sat and watched the interaction of their charge and the Clan members. Callie helped feed the twins as they discussed Susan’s passing with Kylie, Evelyn and Rachel. Jane, Krista and Jasmine joined them. Callie fondly remembered her mother as a strong vital woman and voiced her sincere regrets for the anguish she had caused. The woman she’d seen when she gave up the twins was worn and tired.
After lunch, Tony set up his computer as Krista began to speak. “My mother ran away from home when she discovered she was pregnant with me. Our life wasn’t easy but we got by on our love until she was stricken with cancer and was dying. She was too weak to travel and we were so poor we spent the winter in an unheated beachfront cabin. Her last night she made my sisters promise to listen to me, then she told me to take care of my sisters. That night, wearing her nightgown she stumbled from the cabin and staggered into the surf. I woke up but it was too late. I followed her tracks to the water’s edge. I knew she was gone and felt lost. When I returned to the cabin I found a note. She apologized but said it was the only way to keep us together. If children’s services got us we’d be split up. Inside the note was a letter from gram and fifty dollars. Gram was too poor to help us but said she’d take us in. In the morning I led my sisters as we set out on our odyssey. We tried to do small jobs to earn money so we could buy food. I thought I was a boy when we left, but no one wanted to hire a scraggly pugnacious boy. I was getting desperate so with my sisters we went into a bakery. With my long hair I was mistaken for a girl and we were given work. I’d discovered people gave us jobs when I pretended to be a girl. After that I masqueraded as girl. We walked to southern New Jersey but by then I was exhausted and sick, finally collapsing when I was almost hit by a car. The woman driver took us in and nursed me back to health, then she and her husband drove us here. They’ve since moved here and are part of our Clan. The upshot was that by the time I got here I realized I’d never really been a boy and that being a girl was right for me.”
“Another thing was that although my mother was dead, she was not gone. When I discovered my dad, he knew I was a boy but he recognized me as a girl. I don’t like to lie so when I met the rest of his family, I had to tell them I was transgender. Uncle Larry was shocked as I explained myself. Suddenly he said ‘OH SHIT’, jumped on his motorcycle and took off. Dad, Pappy and Uncle David followed him in a truck.” With that said Krista looked at Kylie.
“We’d just graduated. I had been transitioning but hadn’t told anyone. Larry was my best friend and I was hopelessly in love with him but I’d never told him. Earlier on the day Krista just spoke about I met him for lunch and confessed everything. He laughed, thought I was joking. I was devastated and ran away from him. I was in a funk all afternoon then decided to kill myself. There was an old barn we liked to play around and I decided to go there and hang myself. I took my girl clothes and changed since I wanted to die as the girl I truly was. As I was preparing to do the deed a wind began wafting through the barn... but it was closed. The breeze smelled of the ocean. Then a fog appeared and slowly coalesced into a woman, a haggard weary dead woman wearing a soggy nightgown with seaweed in her hair. She was trying to get me to stop, I could see her mouthing NO. I was spooked and hesitated quite a while but I was so depressed I finally hung myself.”
“Larry knew where Kylie would go,” Krista continued. “He roared to the barn and drove right through the doors then jumped off and lifted Kylie to take the pressure off the rope. Dad and the others got there and cut her down, revived her and called 911. While they waited they put her back into her boy clothes. All four saw the saltwater puddle and the seaweed.”
“Although I hadn’t met Krista at that point, she visited me the next day in the hospital,” Kylie picked up. “I recognized her. She looked like a younger healthy version of the ghost who tried to stop me. The ghost had been Krista’s dead mother.” Kylie looked at Jasmine.
“I’d been raped my foster father, then he choked me putting me in a coma,” Jasmine began. “I ended up in a nursing home for over two years but they were ripping off insurances and government reimbursements. I was near death curled in a fetal position when they found me. They found me because of Krista.”
“While we were on our Odyssey, we met a couple, retired teachers, in Mystic, Connecticut,” Krista said. “They knew we were homeless and avoiding children’s services because they’d split us apart. They told us they retired after reporting a family to children’s service. By law they as teachers had to report what they saw. Children’s services put the three girls in separate homes. The oldest girl was raped and in a coma. Since the investigation was botched the man got off free. The distraught mother killed the man and was sent to jail. The guilt ridden couple retired and were traveling trying to forget what happened. Their story stuck with me. A few months after I’d started school here I was at a football game with my brothers, my sisters and I were cheerleaders. My boyfriend, Tony here, and I took a walk and heard a girl crying in the bushes. We talked her out and discovered she’d been raped by her mother’s boyfriend. She was six. The mother and boyfriend were arrested. The guy was killed in jail. The mother sent to jail. My family adopted the girl, Sandi is my sister now. But what happened to her reminded me about the family we were told about by the teachers.”
“A couple of my classmates are computer whizzes,” Krista continued. “I asked them to find out what they could about the family. We turned over what we found to the authorities. That led to the Apple Tree Quality Healthcare Systems scandal. They found Jasmine and we managed to get her placed in a local rehab hospital. I was upset when I first saw Jaz all curled up,” Krista said. “The doctors didn’t know if she’d ever wake up. I was so upset I couldn’t sleep. Somewhere after 1:00am I got up and walked down to the cemetery at the end of Wells Point where my mom is buried. I asked her to help Jaz and she did.”
“With everything we discovered the courts had totally messed up in handling Jasmine’s family,” Krista continued. “We were able to get her mom released, got her sisters and brought them here. When Jaz heard their voices she responded, but just. Her sisters came with us to another football game and my cheer squad happened to be doing MICKEY. Her sisters said that was Jaz’s favorite when she’d done cheering. We talked the squad into going to the hospital and they brought Jaz out in her bed. We cheered and cheered. Each time she responded more until she finally woke up.”
“What she hasn’t said was that I was dying when they found me,” Jaz added softly. “I was lost, barely an ember of myself, lost in a foggy nothingness and fading. A loving voice brought me back and urged me to save myself. The voice kept urging me on and sang my mom’s favorite song, ‘Summer Breeze’. She named me Jasmine because of that song. The voice kept urging me on and singing. It seemed to take forever. I was climbing through a tunnel heading for a light at the end when I heard my mom and sisters. I got excited and tried harder. But the tunnel got steeper and I couldn’t go any further. Then I felt and smelled an ocean breeze and the voice materialized into a haggard weary woman in a wet nightgown with seaweed in her hair. She took my hand and pulled me along. It energized me when I heard Krista and the cheerleaders singing MICKEY. I was able to climb out of the tunnel. That’s when I woke up. When I saw Krista I realized she looked a lot like the angel that brought me out.”
Callie and the deputies weren’t sure how to take what they’d heard. It sounded bizarre and a bit spooky. A ghost who saved people.
“Callie, the reason we’re telling you this is I asked my mom to help your mother, to make her end easier,” Krista explained.
“Yesterday when we found your mom had passed she had a smile on her face,” Tony added. “I took some video, but not of your mom. You need to see this.”
Tony brought up the video on the computer. They saw the seaweed strewn puddle on the floor by the bed and the dual wet footprints walking into Sonny and Rayne’s bedroom by their cribs. Then he gave Callie the small jar with the water and seaweed he’d collected.
“Carol was there to collect your mom,” Kylie declared. “Then she escorted her to say goodbye to the twins before she took her spirit away.”
Callie smiled and nodded her head as tears flowed down her cheeks. “Mom visited me after she passed. I haven’t slept well since I was arrested, nightmares every night. What I thought was a dream was real! She came to me in the cell, then climbed into my bunk to hug me just like she did when I was a young kid scared of a thunderstorm. She chased away the nightmares.”
The deputies had tears in their eyes. They desperately wanted to believe what they were told was the truth.
Rev. Giles arrived to finalize arrangements for the funeral. Callie had no issues with her mother’s request that her ashes be scattered on Wells Point. It was decided a brief memorial service would be held in the church the next morning. One phone call set up the phone tree for the entire Clan and had the teens calling all of Susan’s friends and distant relatives to tell of the arrangements. They were also informed that as soon as the memorial service was completed, everyone would be invited to Wells Point for a picnic with games and the scattering of ashes so wearing casual clothing and shoes was expected. Again Callie and the deputies were amazed. They’d never considered a funeral or memorial service to be a celebration. Rev. Giles smiled and explained it was a celebration of Susan’s life and her graduation to the afterlife.
Kylie slipped out unnoticed as the planning wound up. Minutes later they all heard the rumble of a powerful motor. Everyone stepped onto the porch. The deputies and Callie were surprised to behold the pink and green tartan paint job on the DUKW. In a few moments they were seated inside the DUKW and spent the rest of the afternoon touring the Clan Wells Point. Callie and the deputies were amazed by all they saw and the obvious caring and concern of the people. The CWP Youth Rehab Hostel really impressed them. They joined Kylie, Larry, Evelyn, Rachel and Tony for supper in the main farmhouse. Quite naturally the twins were cuddled and adored.
The next morning Callie and the deputies joined the Clan and other parishioners in the memorial service at St. Luke’s UMC Church. Quite a few of Susan’s friends and a few distant relatives attended. Rev. Giles announced that all were invited to attend the picnic and ash scattering celebration on Wells Point which immediately followed that Service.
The memorial service was anything but somber. Many stories of Susan’s life were fondly recounted when those attending were asked if they had anything they’d like to share. Callie was brought to tears by many of the tales. As the last person spoke, Krista sidled up to Callie.
“Now’s your chance,” Krista urged. “A lot of people know bits and pieces about you and feel you were a disappointment to your mom. Tell them your story.”
“My story is failure and disappointment,” Callie sniffed. “I’d be too embarrassed.”
“Okay,” Krista nodded to Callie. Then she walked to the microphone to speak. “I’m Krista Scott. I only knew Susan for the last sixteen days of her life. Even as she was dying, she did what she could for her family. While those of you not familiar with the Clan Wells Point may not believe this, my late mother Carol has become the Clan’s guardian Angel. She was dying from cancer and drowned in the ocean so my sisters and I wouldn’t be placed in foster homes. By dying as she did gave us a chance to get away to come here. Since then she’s made several appearances to Clan members leaving salt water and bits of seaweed behind. Susan had told us she’d spoken to Carol in a dream who assured her when it was her time she’d come for her. The morning she passed we found two sets of wet footprints with bits of seaweed leading from Susan’s bed to the twin’s bedroom.”
“Knowing the Clan Wells Point would look after her family Susan spent her last days content,” Krista said. “Most of you know her daughter Callie ran away last year. Susan never stopped loving Callie. She knew Callie would do things she’d regret but had faith in her daughter to eventually see the error of her ways and do the right thing. I’m here to tell you Susan was right about her daughter. You might have heard tales of how Callie got mixed up in some bad business, how the guy she was with murdered a man while robbing him. How she was arrested as an accomplice and is serving a long prison term in Texas. That’s only part of the story.”
“Callie was pregnant when the robbery and murder happened,” Krista continued. “She didn’t know what the guy was planning. All she’d been told was to drive him to a business deal at some guy’s home. When he ‘completed’ the deal, he came out and Callie drove away. She only learned what had happened when they were arrested the next day and it devastated her. She was charged as an accessory to murder and armed robbery. Her public defender did an extremely poor job. Even though she was innocent of any knowledge of the crime, she admitted she had driven the perpetrator to and from the crime scene and was sentenced as a criminal instead of an innocent dupe. It turned out she was pregnant with twins and that the State of Texas would take the babies and put them into foster care unless Callie had family to take them. Callie did the right thing by calling her mother to get the twins. Even though Susan was terminally ill with cancer she flew to Texas. It was only when Callie saw her that she realized how sick her mom was.”
“Not wanting to burden her mother Callie apologized and said she’d let the state take custody of the twins,” Krista explained. “Susan insisted she’d take the twins and promised to find suitable foster parents for them so Callie relented. Unfortunately the trip and taking care of the newborn twins took a lot out of Susan. It took everything she had just to take care of the babies. She had no time to search out foster parents. Then the answer to her prayers came from this church. My uncle Larry Scott married Kylie Masters. The bridal party procession from this church to the reception was done in my great great grandfather’s DUKW which Kylie restored. After going through town the DUKW entered St. Michael’s harbor and sailed around the Bay Hundred peninsula to the Clan Wells Point where the reception was held. Since the Antique and Classic Boat Festival was going on, the DUKW fit right in and the wedding and processional was broadcast as part of the coverage.”
“Susan saw the broadcast of the wedding and knew she’d found the perfect foster parents,” Krista went on. “She knew Larry and Kylie since they had been classmates with Callie and knew they were good people. She also knew Kylie could never give birth since just like me she’s transgender. Susan placed an emergency call to Texas to talk to Callie. Callie was initially surprised to learn Kylie had made the transition to female having only known her as Kyle. However with what she knew about Kyle the transition explained a lot of things about why Kyle was always so different. She also knew Kyle and Larry had been best friends. So after a bit of thought she approved of having them become the twins’ parents. Susan loaded the twins in her car and headed out to Wells Point to crash the reception. She told us she had the most wonderful wedding present for Kylie and Larry and explained what had happened to Callie, then she passed out from exhaustion.”
“For those of you who don’t know, Larry and Kylie, and their adopted twins Sonny and Rayne, are part of the seventy member strong Clan Wells Point,” Krista declared. “We are a loving and caring self created Clan who help each other as well as outsiders. Once Susan came to us she never left our embracing arms and the Clan accepted her as a member. We put her up in the same home Kylie and Larry shared with Kylie’s mom, aunt, and cousin along with the twins. The Clan provided hospice looking after her all her needs and soothing her last days. She saw and held her grandchildren every day. She saw the love and devotion Kylie and Larry gave the twins. Last week when the adoption of the twins was completed, Callie witnessed it via an internet feed and voiced her approval when asked. Kylie told Callie the twins would know their birth mother, that Callie would be kept informed of their progress and that when she was released she’d find a welcome home with the Clan.”
“As you can see from what I’ve said, Susan never lost faith in Callie,” Krista summarized. “Callie made some mistakes but other than smoking pot never knowingly did anything illegal. She owned up to her mistakes and took looking after the twins seriously and responsibility. Callie is here today on bereavement furlough missing her mother and has seen first hand that Sonny and Rayne are in good hands and have a bright future. What she doesn’t know is that the Clan lawyer has been in contact with a well known defense lawyer in Houston who has reviewed Callie’s arrest, trial, conviction and sentence. We and he have concluded her guilty plea and conviction was a farce since none of the evidence that Callie was an unwitting accomplice was presented. Tomorrow morning a petition will be filed to ask for a full review of the case with intention to pursue charges against the incompetent public defender, the overzealous prosecutor and the judge with gross misconduct for railroading an innocent victim. We’re hoping to have Callie’s charges dismissed or at least reduced to misdemeanor status and have her sentence reduced to time served. Callie, when you’re released a ticket to fly home to the Clan will be waiting and if you desire, you’ll become a member of the Clan Wells Point. Sonny and Rayne will remain the official children of Kylie and Larry but you’ll be welcomed to be a regular part of their lives as a beloved aunt. I have no doubts that Susan is watching us and is absolutely delighted. Long may Susan Warren’s life, love and memory be honored!”
Callie was in tears. The Texan deputies were once more astonished. Those attending not members of the Clan were surprised by the revelations.
Chapter 3
Susan’s memorial service ended and a caravan proceeded to Wells Point where open sided tents had been set up and a catering staff was finishing the preparation for the meal. Those new to the area were impressed with the beauty of the area and the fantastic view of Broad Creek. Clan members freely intermingled with the guests answering any and all questions. The atmosphere of the gathering was far from austere. The pleasant environs banished any gloom. The noon buffet meal was well received and enjoyed. As some settled to enjoy the cooling breeze the children began to play tag while the teens and adults enjoyed badminton and volley ball. The games ended by 4:00pm. Krista led Kylie and Larry, carrying Sonny and Rayne, with Callie carrying Susan’s ashes into the Wells-O’Brien Cemetery. The six headed inside the enclosure while everyone else gathered about the stone walls. Bottles of soap bubbles were distributed to those along the walls. Standing atop a ladder, Tony recorded the ash spreading celebration.
“My mother loved life,” Callie spoke clearly. “Now I understand why she fell in love with everything about the Clan Wells Point. She knew that her grandchildren had a loving family and home. Despite the short time she received succor here she was so impressed she asked that her ashes be scattered here, amongst the resting place of the ancestors of the Clan Wells Point’s inspiration, Krista Scott. I look forward to joining the Clan and honoring my mother’s faith in me. Please open the soap bottles and fill the air with sparkling bubbles as we scatter the last earthly remains of Susan Warren upon this beautiful garden.”
Everyone dipped their bubble wands into the bottles and began to blow bubbles. With nearly one hundred people blowing bubbles, the air was quickly filled with a myriad of rainbow hued spheres wafting willy nilly in the gentle breeze. The sight was one of awe inspiring beauty. With surgical gloves on her hands Krista reached into the box of cremains to gather the ashes. One small handful at a time she lofted the ashes into the air amongst the bubbles. They walked about the enclosure until the last ashes were scattered. Then Callie and Krista lifted their arms heavenward and with skirts swirling spun in circles of joyous dance through the bubbles as they frolicked around Kylie and Larry who held the giggling Sonny and Rayne as Rev. Giles intoned “From the King James Bible in Genesis 3:19: In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”
As Rev. Giles spoke Jimmy picked up his fiddle and Sam his banjo as Kylie accompanied by Larry began to sing ‘In the Garden’. Garden
The flow of bubbles began to falter since no one had a dry eye. When the beautiful song ended sniffling could be heard from all sides as the birds in the trees twittered while the leaves rustled in the gentle breeze.
“I want to thank everyone for sharing this wonderful celebration of my mother’s life,” Callie whispered as she sniffled. “Mom, I apologize for the wrongs I’ve done and promise to live the rest of my life honoring your memory.”
The celebration broke up with hugs being freely exchanged. The deputies were included. The Texans had never witnessed such a moving memorial service. It most certainly was nothing like the sad somber experiences they’d had witnessed in the past. This truly had been a celebration of life.
Krista, Lyndi and Teri stepped inside the cemetery enclosure to commune with their mother. “Oh my God!” the twins exclaimed as they started jumping up and down with excitement. Krista sprinted out to grab Callie’s hand and pull her inside.
Their excitement drew nearly everyone back to the enclosure.
Callie stood with her mouth hanging open as she stood beside Krista and the twins looking in astonishment at the monument and tugged her to Carol’s grave.
The hair and gown of the angel were wet with scattered pieces of seaweed.
“That’s my mom saying she approved of Susan’s graduation party,” Krista declared.
The CWP members smiled. The guests shivered wondering if Carol was indeed a guardian angel. The Texan Deputies exchanged looks of surprise. Just as so many others who had been touched by the Clan Wells Point their lives were forever changed for the better.
Callie and the deputies spent a pleasant evening at the main farmhouse cuddling Sonny and Rayne. As the day ended they returned to the CWP B&B they turned in for their last night in Wells Point. For the first time in months Callie easily fell asleep without what had become normal hours long tossing and turning.
Callie dreamed of the enlightening celebration of scattering her mother’s ashes in the bright sunshine. The way the bubbles floated and bounced through the gentle breeze glinting in the warm sunlight as she gave vent to the joyous release via the impromptu dance with Krista while Kylie and Larry sang ‘In The Garden’. In her dream she saw a startling sight. The way the ashes tactilely fell upon the bubbles created a pattern... an astonishing image... her mother! The cancer worn face smiled with unearthly beauty. There was utter joy and peace in her drawn yet angelic visage.
“Callie, be at peace,” the words flowed from the image. “I’m with Carol now, a second guardian angel for the Clan Wells Point. God has accepted your apologies and your promise to live the rest of your life honoring my memory. I can do no less. The Clan will see to it you are freed and return here. Never forget, my dear child, God and I love you!” Then the ghostly image blew a kiss before the bubbles began to float apart.
Callie awoke energized and hopeful. They had breakfast with the twins and their Clan family. Krista and Tony waited until the meal was complete.
“Tony filmed the ash scattering service,” Krista stated. “We reviewed the film last night and were pleasantly surprised.”
They played the recording on the computer screen. Callie smiled broadly while the others sat in open mouthed awe. The recording revealed the image formed by the floating bubbles of Susan smiling upon her daughter and grandchildren as her ashes were being scattered.
“I saw that in a dream last night,” Callie smiled. “She told me to be at peace and that she and God accepted my apology and promise.”
“I’ve made a DVD with that recording,” Tony said. “It also has the memorial service in the church and clips of your mom with the twins as well as the twins with Kylie and Larry. I hope they let you keep it to share with your fellow inmates.”
The deputies were now spooked but in a good way. The Clan was so spiritual and confident that life continued after death. The concept that loved ones graduated rather than died was one of hope.
“I’m not a Methodist,” one deputy said. “Could my family and I join the Clan?”
“The criteria for joining the Clan is to be caring, loving, and honest,” Krista smiled. “It doesn’t matter what your beliefs are as long as they’re compatible with ours. Two of our members are non-Christian Wiccans. You’d have to come here and ask us to join us. We’d get to know you and you us as we’ve done the last few days. If both sides agree, we invite you to join us.”
“I’ll most certainly be discussing this with my husband,” the deputy, Diane Hoffman, replied.
Krista hugged her and gave her the address for the Clan website and facebook page.
At that point Leroy arrived with the cruiser to take the three back to the airport for the trip home. Diane continued to discuss the Clan for the entire trip. Leroy explained that his wages for picking them up and delivering them to Dulles as well as the cost of using the cruiser was being reimbursed to the county by the CWP.
*****
The Clan enjoyed a pleasant late afternoon/evening picnic at the landing on Friday the Fourth of July. A late afternoon meeting of the CWP was held. After each operation reported their status, the directors, Steven Campbell, Kevin and Jane Stuart, and Robert Scott, thanked everyone for their work. Then Steven addressed the gathering.
“While CWP is prospering, what we’ve been fearing is getting closer. For the last few years people and businesses were paying more than fair market value for properties. The stock market is overpriced and out of control. Several large financial firms are on the verge of collapse. The financial market has been in trouble for months and we think things will implode in the next two to three months. That will cause a massive stock market correction. Thousands of mortgages are upside down, owing more than their properties are worth leaving them with negative equity. The collapse started with the crash of the sub-prime mortgage market during 2007. Fortunately we saw what was coming and we’ve retrenched. We’ve liquidated much of our stock investments since we’re sure the stock market will soon take a dive. I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes down fifty percent. Many business will go belly up. People will lose their jobs and tens of thousands of mortgages will go into default. A significant portion of the economy will begin to implode. The good news is the Clan is prepared to weather the collapse. We have no debt. We own all the Clan property, several of which we bought since they were being sold because the owners were overextended. We’re ready to take advantage of further collapse. We have enough liquidity to buy properties that go into foreclosure or close to foreclosure. We’ll only do so in the Bay Hundred area and we will not overextend ourselves. We’re already keeping an eye on several local properties we expect will soon be on the market. We’ve already contacted the owners to let them know we’re interested and if they deal directly with us they’ll have an immediate sale without realtor fees. We’re letting you know that we’re prepared for what’s about to happen so there will be no need for any worries.”
The meeting ended with Krista making an announcement that special guests would be arriving the first weekend of August. Reservations had been made for the Greens from West Virginia to visit the Clan. She gave a brief overview of the expanded family including the unique names of K8t and M8t, that M8t is a MTF TS and about the by then infamous Battle of the Transsexual versus the Bikers. The news they’d be arriving in their rebuilt 1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser was greeted with smiles by those old enough to remember the golden age of the American automobile. Everyone looked forward to meeting the visitors.
The meeting ended as darkness fell. Soon the kids and teens were having a ball with sparklers while the adults smiled.
Saturday July 5 at 3:00pm the Clan divided themselves between the DUKW, the Coconut Island fishing charter boat and the Teacher’s Peace charter boat. The three vessels were able to handle the entire Clan. They sailed around Bay Hundred into the Miles River opposite the Chesapeake Maritime Museum in St. Michaels about two hundred feet off the forest on Fairview Point on the north shore arriving about 6:00pm. The Teacher’s Peace anchored first parallel to the shore. The Coconut Island eased up so the bow sprit tucked on the shoreward side of the TP before anchoring. The DUKW backed against the stern of the CI before anchoring. They tied the three vessels together so the Clan members could easily pass from one boat to another. On port side of the larger Coconut Island grills were set up and other goodies placed upon the top of the cabin for a picnic spread. The kids, teens and many of the adults went into the water to swim and just splash around. As dusk fell everyone settled onto the starboard side of the vessels to watch the fantastic fireworks display that was launched from the point of farmland between Tide Mill Cove and the Maritime Museum. The booming echoed and re-echoed across the Miles River. The colorful brilliant aerial displays reflected off the still waters of the estuary.
Cheers and boat horns tooting echoed across the waters at the resounding conclusion of the patriotic display. With practiced ease the three CWP vessels disengaged and headed for home. It was just past midnight when the convoy broke up to head to their individual docks. Everyone was in bed by 1:00am.
*****
At 6:30am on July 6, Gretchen received a call from her oldest brother, Harold. Her father, Winston, was in the hospital having suffered a major heart attack. The doctor’s prognosis was not good and could die at any time. Harold informed Gretchen their dad’s last wish was to see her and his grandchildren. Naturally Gretchen promised to catch the first flight to Vancouver.
The entire Clan rallied. As Gretchen and Cynthia packed bags Steven attempted to make flight reservations but found there were no direct flights. The best he could get was a one stop flight/transfer with a flight time of nine hours boarding at 1:00pm. After a quick conference call to Kevin, Jane, and Robert, the other directors of the CWP, Steven contacted a non commercial flight operation renting a LearJet that would leave Baltimore at 11:00am on a five and a quarter hour direct flight. At 10:00 a private helicopter landed in the grassy triangle at the intersection of Long Cove and Tree Lanes. Gretchen, George, Benny Cynthia and Steven with their luggage boarded in minutes and sped off to the Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshal airport. The forty mile flight took twenty minutes. The Learjet took off a few minutes before 11:00am for Vancouver.
*****
That same afternoon Robert, Jane, Kevin, Gilligan and Mary Ann traveled to St. Michaels to check out what had been Susan’s home. The address was 301 West Chew Street, the last home on the street just past the intersection with Tilden Street. Waterfront Park was between Tilden Street and San Domingo Creek, crossing West Chew Street bordering 301 West Chew Street. The public dock in Waterfront Park extended off the end of West Chew Street. It was the same dock The CWP Contracting and Construction had enlarged last year and was the berth of the Coconut Island. The house was perfectly situated to the ship’s birth. The house could serve as the ticket office and with a bit of remodeling as a B&B. The public boat launch was at the south end of the park.
The main portion of the home was a two story forty feet by thirty five feet. A one story twenty feet by thirty feet wing came off the northeast corner. A two story twenty five feet by twenty five feet wing came off the southeast corner of the main part. A forty feet by thirty feet two story garage was located five feet southeast of the southeast wing. They decided to add a one story twenty five feet by thirty five feet extension to the southeast wing along side and attached to the garage.
The main home and southeast addition could be remodeled into a B&B with six ensuite rooms on each floor. The Northeast addition would be split in half. One part to be the B&B office as well as the ticket office for the Coconut Island tours while the other would be a kitchen/dining room combo for the B&B. The addition connecting the house to the garage would become an apartment as would the second floor of the garage. The Evans family would move into the larger second floor apartment.
The new B&B would be named the CWP Susan’s Place B&B
*****
After landing at Vancouver International Airport by 2:00pm Pacific DSL time they were in a taxi heading for Vancouver General Hospital. At 2:40 a very concerned Gretchen led her new family into the acute care waiting room.
Doris, Denise and Gregory, the spouses of her siblings, were in the room riding herd on their seven children. Doris was the one to recognize her sister-in law. “Oh my God... Gretchen! How did you get here so quickly?”
“We flew in,” Gretchen explained as she hugged Doris. “How is dad? Is he still alive?”
“Yes, but it doesn’t look good,” Denise answered as she hugged Gretchen.
“We think he’s been hanging on to say goodbye to you,” Greg added as he hugged her.
Gretchen hugged her nieces and nephews then introduced her sons and American in-laws to her Canadian in-laws, nephews and nieces. Benny was noticeably shy but allowed his aunts and uncle to hug him after his grandparents nodded it was okay. The receptionist contacted the acute care nursing station that Gretchen had arrived. In moments Harold burst through the doors.
Startled to see Gretchen, he wearily smiled and swept her into a warm embrace. “I don’t know how you made it so quickly but it’s good you did. Dad’s still hanging on but he hasn’t responded to us for the last hour.” Looking at the other newcomers he saw the two children he didn’t know. “Your’s?”
“Benny and George,” Gretchen replied as tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Benny, your grandpa Winston would like to see you. I’m your uncle Harold. Will you let me carry you while your mom carries George?”
Benny glanced at Cynthia and Steven who nodded their heads. The two year old reached up to his uncle.
Three minutes later Harold led Gretchen into the room. Upon seeing her haggard father it took all her will power to keep from gasping. Her mother, Elizabeth, was seated by his side holding his hand. She bit her lips as she smiled with gratitude to see her youngest daughter and grandchildren.
“Winnie, Winnie, Gretchen’s here! She has Benny and George,” Elizabeth managed to keep from crying. “Winnie, Gretchen is here to see you!”
The weary man stirred for the first time in over an hour. “Gret... Gret...” he mumbled.
“Yes, dad, Gretchen is here,” Diana, Getchen’s sister seated on the other side of her dad said when she saw her mother was too emotional to speak. “Gretchen, come over here and take daddy’s hand.”
With tears rolling down her cheeks Gretchen moved into the space vacated by her older sister who took little George. “Daddy, I’m here,” Gretchen whispered as she took his hand in hers and leaned over to kiss his cheek.
“Gret... Gretch,” Winston rallied as he squeezed her hand and opened his weary rheumy eyes to gaze upon the tear strewn face of his baby. “I... I’m sorry, baby.” He drew in a raw gasping breath. “I was wrong to turn my back on you. I...” A shallow rasping cough shook his body.
“Daddy, it’s okay. I was wrong about Ben and you were right. There is no need to apologize,” Gretchen reassured him as he struggled to catch his breath.
“I’m dying,” Winston gasped. “I need to apologize.”
“Okay, daddy, I forgive you and thank you for apologizing,” Gretchen whispered as she struggled to hold back her tears.
“Your children...” Winston gasped.
“They’re right here, daddy,” Gretchen sniffed as Harold and Diane moved to hold the children beside their mother.
“Thank you, they’re beautiful,” Winston wearily smiled as he looked upon his youngest grandchildren for the first and last time. Then he looked around at his four children and wife. “It’s almost time. I’m sorry I messed up so much... kids... don’t be stubborn like me... never be ashamed to admit you were wrong. Tell everyone I love them. Liz... I’ll be waiting...” With that his body shuddered and his eyes closed.
Everyone was in tears as the alarms on the monitors went off. A nurse hurried in noting the flatline. Quietly she shut off the alarms and left the grieving family. The doctor on duty with the nurse entered and checked the still man. No words were needed as they disconnected the monitors and drips. When they finished they stepped back to let the sniffling family say goodbye to their patriarch.
Gretchen and Diane moved to their mother and wrapped her in a loving hug as the grieving widow cried. Harold and George stood stoically behind them. After five minutes, Harold cleared his throat. “Mom, we should go out to the others.”
Elizabeth nodded her head but didn’t move.
Gretchen walked around the bed and slipped her hand into her mothers then leaned forward to kiss her father. “Goodbye Daddy, I love you.” Then she stepped back.
Diane handed baby George to her brother George then leaned over to kiss her father goodbye. She then walked around the bed to sandwich her crying mother with Gretchen. The uncles holding their nephews, placed a hand on their father’s still hand. Supported by her daughters Elizabeth leaned forward to kiss Winston’s lips for the last time. Silently they stepped back as the patiently waiting nurse stepped forward to pull the sheet over his head. With that the grieving family headed to the waiting room.
The instant they saw the solemn tear stained faces, the waiting spouses and grandchildren knew Winston had passed. Doris and Denise joined in the group hug of a very distraught Elizabeth. The older children understood that their grandfather had died and began to cry. It didn’t take long for the gloom to have all the children crying. It was 3:10pm, a half hour after Gretchen had arrived.
Once they ran of tears Gretchen solemnly introduced her in laws to her siblings and mother explaining they’d chartered a Learjet to get her to Vancouver. If she’d taken commercial flights
she wouldn’t have arrive until 8:00pm.
“Thank you for getting Gretchen here in time,” Harold said to Steven and Cynthia. “I’m sorry we can’t reimburse the costs...”
“There’s no need to worry what it cost,” Steven smiled. “When word of Winston’s heart attack spread through the Clan Wells Point they all agreed it was more important that Gretchen get here ASAP rather than worry about the cost.”
Harold was puzzled. “What’s the Clan Wells Point?”
“Seventy two people make up The Clan Wells Point,” Steven explained. “We’re a disparate collection of caring adults and children. We have individual family homes on commonly owned land and operate several successful businesses. We’re a modern commune working together for the common good without the need to have everyone receive the same benefits and life style. We remain individuals within the whole. To join everyone exchanges their land and savings to the Clan in exchange for shares of the whole which makes everyone in the CWP millionaires. Some, like Gretchen, had nothing to exchange but the Clan voted her and Benny in just the same. We take care of our own.”
Harold and those listening were surprised. They thought communes to outdated hippyish dinosaurs.
By this time it became evident to Cynthia and Steven that the grieving family didn’t know what to do. With a silent glance, Cynthia moved to comfort the women while Steven did the same with the men.
Thirty year old Harold was the new family patriarch and totally unprepared for the position. Twenty nine year old George was no better. Brother-in law twenty eight year old Gregory was equally overwhelmed.
“This may sound inappropriate but have any arrangements been made,” Steven asked after several moments of obvious desolate confusion.
The brothers exchanged looks of guilt then shook their heads. “None of us including dad ever expected anything like this,” Harold sighed. “Dad took care of everything. He collapsed on the job yesterday afternoon. We don’t even know how to complete the job.”
Steven sighed and spoke gently. “Do you mind if I may make a few suggestions?”
“No,” Harold replied with undisguised humility. “I’m ashamed to admit we’re lost and would appreciate any advice you can give.”
“I assume you’ve been here all day if not all night,” Steven began seeing them nod. “I’ve made reservations for us to stay at the Holiday Inn Vancouver. They have a restaurant, Stages Bistro and Lounge. It’s only a few blocks away. Why don’t we all go there for a meal. I’ll call ahead and have them set up to accommodate us all. We can discuss arrangements and make plans for the future.”
“Ah, that sounds nice but to be honest, we can’t afford it,” Harold said with embarrassment. “The business hasn’t been doing too well the last few months. I guess we should have seen there was something wrong with Dad but he never let us say anything. We’ve been going hand to mouth for the last six weeks. Dad kept trying to bull his way through but it caught up to him. Now...”
“We definitely need to have a sit down meal,” Steven declared. “The Clan Wells Point will pick up the tab.”
“For all of us?” George asked with clear disbelief. “You don’t even know us!”
“Gretchen and her sons are part of my family and the Clan family,” Steven declared. “You lot are also Gretchen’s family. Her family is our family. Like her, I’m sure you’re good people. That’s all I need to know. My wife and I stand by our family. Now, no more talk. Let the staff here know we’ll have someone pick up you father’s body as soon as they release it which will probably be tomorrow. Then let’s head out.”
Accustomed to being told what to do, the bereaved family did as they were told.
Forty five minutes later the family was ushered into a corner of the Stages Bistro and Lounge.
“Let me get this straight,” Steven said after half an hour of dinner conversation. “You know virtually nothing about how your dad ran Rich Construction.”
The three men nodded their heads in embarrassment.
“Winston was a megalomaniac and handled everything,” Elizabeth said.
“Okay, excuse me a moment while I make a call,” Steven said as he stepped away from the table.
“It sounds like you’d like me to come up and see what I can discover,” Robert said after listening to Steven explaining the situation. “I’ll brief David on what he needs to cover then I’ll fly up tomorrow. It’ll probably take a week or so to make sense of what’s going on.”
After thanking Robert Steven returned to the table. “The Clan Wells Point has a Contracting and Constructing division. I spoke to Robert Scott who heads it up. His son David is second in command and will take over while Robert flies up here to see if he can figure out the status of Rich Construction and get you fellows back on your feet.”
The guys exchanged looks of disbelief and confusion as Harold asked, “He’d do that? What will it cost?”
“Yes, he’ll do it,” Steven assured them. “The cost, if any, will be low, no more than expenses. It’s what the Clan Wells Point is all about.”
The next day Cynthia helped Elizabeth make funeral arrangement while the guys took Steven to the cluttered business office. Steven looked about the cluttered and disorganized office, sighed and with assistance from the guys began to sort through the piles of papers.
Robert arrived in Vancouver at 8:00pm taking a taxi to the Hilton.
The next two days Robert began trying to sort out the jobs while Steven worked on the accounts. What they discovered was an utter mess. Winston Rich had been an arrogant, prideful and volatile man, as he’d shown himself to be when Steven and Cynthia had rescued Gretchen and Benny in December. His often explosive attitude had caused friends and acquaintances to fade away. Along with that his frequent outbursts increasingly damaged his business reputation amongst customers and vendors. Good employees left for greener pastures until it was just Winston, his sons and son-in-law. This in turn caused a downturn in customers and higher costs for raw materials. The man had indeed been an utter megalomaniac keeping his family out of the business loop.
The funeral was held the next day, Thursday, July 10. Other than the immediate family, only a handful of people showed up. Even his siblings were no shows. The somber service was short and the burial service brief. Afterward, courtesy of Steven and Cynthia, the family had a somber meal in a private room at a nice restaurant. When the meal was over, Steven and Robert stood to address the family.
“Please don’t take what I’m about to say as condemnation,” Steven began. “I didn’t know Winston well enough to make a judgement. I only spoke to him one time and it was not a pleasant nor fruitful experience. From what Robert and I have discovered the business is a mess and virtually bankrupt. You all have homes on the family farm which is mortgaged to the hilt and in default. From what we can deduce he mortgaged the farm to keep the business afloat. Every supplier is owed money and none will sell to the business at business rates. It’s retail cash and carry only. As for credit cards, they’re all maxed out. From what you’ve said he had been wound up tighter than a drum for months. I’d venture to say the stress of impending bankruptcy is what brought on the heart attack.”
“He was always too proud and stubborn to admit he needed help,” Elizabeth tearfully sighed. “I truly loved him, but to be honest over the last several months I was debating divorce.”
“We knew business was bad but we had no idea it was this bad,” Harold admitted. “I’m an electrician, Greg is a plumber, and George is a roofer, none of us knows how to run the business. What can we do?”
“Honestly, the best thing you can do is close the business and let the bank take the farm,” Steven declared. “The business is too damaged to even attempt to sell and the bank will soon evict you from your homes. Winston’s estate is insolvent. I’m not familiar with Canadian bankruptcy law but I did some research. Since everything was in Winston’s name and he left no will, none of you can be held responsible for his debt. At the same time there will be nothing left to inherit. I took the liberty to make an appointment with a lawyer for tomorrow. I’ll accompany you and present the debts owed. The jobs you’re working on will need to be notified that work cannot continue and the business has closed with no assets. You’ll have a few weeks before you’ll have to move. You’ll need to get other jobs and find new homes.”
The family exchanged looks of disbelief and fear.
“An alternative is for you to pack up and move to Maryland,” Robert announced. “I’m sure Gretchen would love to have you nearby. The Clan Wells Point Contracting and Construction consists of myself, my sons David and Larry and eight employees although currently there are only five. Larry left to take over the Clan Wells Point Organic Farm but still helps out if needed, the electrician, the roofer, and the plumber have all moved away so I’m short handed. We’ve been using temp workers but they need a lot of supervision and are unreliable. Gentlemen, I can offer each of you a job if you want it and we’ll help you find a place to live. As the Clan expands there will be other jobs available.”
Again the family exchanged looks of disbelief but this time tinged with hope.
“Please join us,” Gretchen declared. “The Clan Wells Point is the most wonderful group of people you’ll ever meet. Steven, Cynthia, and Robert came here to help you simply because you’re my family. If you come to join us you won’t be disappointed!”
“You are all welcome to join us,” Steven said. “But I’ll warn you up front if you’re bigoted stay away. We have several transgender members as well as some gay and lesbian members.”
“My youngest son’s wife is transgender as is one of my granddaughters,” Robert added. “That granddaughter is fourteen and the driving force behind our Clan. If you can accept that, then you’ll be welcomed.”
“If we move where would we live,” Elizabeth asked.
“That depends on you,” Steven smiled. “You might have to rent until we can secure permanent housing. If so we’d make the arrangements and pay the rent. But we have our eyes on some of the neighboring properties we think will soon be available. As Canadian immigrants to the United States you’ll need to obtain lawful permanent residence, a green card. You can do so either as immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, Benny and George, or as employment-sponsored immigrants.”
That evening Robert flew home. The next day Steven accompanied Elizabeth and her four children to see an estate lawyer. After reviewing the presented documents the man was reluctant to get involved since it was doubtful funds would be available to pay him. Steven set it up so that the CWP would, with documentation, pay his fee if the estate settlement didn’t. The family signed all appropriate documents.
So it was that on Friday July 11 the Rich family began packing. Cynthia stayed with Gretchen and the two kids to assist Elizabeth. Steven flew home to make arrangements for them to move to Maryland. The two thousand seventy eight mile trip would take 45 hours on the road not counting stops and overnights. Not counting stops they planned to drive ten hours a day with the drivers swapping out as needed. They intended to leave just after dawn on Wednesday July 14.
On Saturday Steven called the owners of the first four houses on the south side Almost Neavitt Road. In the months since the rest of the properties along the road had been melded into The Clan Wells Point those owners had been having second thoughts about turning down the Clan’s generous offer to purchase their properties. All four were vacation homes and with the stumbling economy their income was down as their expenses rose. All were underwater in their mortgages, sinking deeper week by week with no end in sight. They saw the CWP prospering even though the economy was going down the tubes. Steven offered to assume all debts on the property with a small but decent cash takeaway for the furnishings. By Friday all four sold with closure by the eighteenth of July.
The Rich family had cleaned up their affairs in British Columbia and caravanned four and a half days to The Clan Wells Point. They arrived a bit after noon on Sunday July 20. The family temporarily crowded into the large first home on Almost Neavitt Road while the other three homes were winterized for full year round occupation. They were greeted by Steven, Robert and Jane as well as the teens who assisted with the unpacking.
The CWP held an evening picnic to welcome the Rich family. The newcomers couldn’t quite grasp they were being so openly welcomed. They realized that Gretchen had not been exaggerating about the CWP’s shared caring and love. The Canadian family was unanimously voted into CWP membership. Harold and George Rich with Gregory Harris became employees of CWP Contracting and Construction. As the other three homes were renovated, the Rich siblings moved into the three homes. Sons Harold and George, with their wives and children, moved into readied homes. The daughter Diana, with her husband Gregory and children with the widowed Elizabeth moved into the third home. The Clan Wells Point now had eighty four members.
*****
Starting Monday July 21 the Tidewater Titans began their four day summer Fundamental/Conditioning Football Camp and Fundamental Cheerleading Camp from 6am to 8pm. There were six age groups. The youngest who played flag football were the cubs for ages five and six. No one from the CWP was in this group. The next age group was the tiny mites for ages five, six and seven in the thirty five to seventy five pound range; James Harris was in this group. The next group was the mitey-mites for ages seven, eight and nine in the forty five to ninety pound range; Peter Scott, Leroy (LJ) Scott Jr., and Kevin Rich for football while Sandi Scott was in cheerleading. The junior pee-wees were the next group for eight, nine, ten and eleven year olds in the sixty to one hundred five pound range; Kyle Rich, Chris Olsen, Harold (HJ) Rich and George (GJ) Rich for football and Ivy Reese for cheerleading. The pee-wees were for nine, ten and eleven year olds in the seventy five to one hundred twenty pound range; Lyndi and Teri Scott and Joyce Rich for cheerleading. The oldest group was the midgets for eleven, twelve, thirteen and fourteen year olds in the one hundred five to one hundred sixty pounds; Tony Masters, Jimmy Boswell, Phil Abott, Dwayne Harper, Sam Evans and Marcus Olsen for football with Krista Scott, Jasmine Reese, Jenny Ewell and Holly Reese for cheerleading.
Needless to say having twenty three participants there was extensive car pooling. Two weeks of preseason practices were scheduled for Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays beginning August 11. The Saturday practices would end with the start of the season since that was the game day. The football season consisted of eight games with the first game scheduled for Saturday August 30. The regular season ended October 18th with succeeding Saturday games for championships if they qualified.
*****
Seeing all the CWP kids involved with the Tidewater Titans Elizabeth Rich noticed a need and spoke to her daughter and daughter-in-laws. With the CWP growing, there was a burgeoning need for an organized daycare. The four women worked well together. In addition, Diana had completed three years at the University of British Columbia majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in early childhood education. With Diana’s education she could easily guide the women of the family in setting up and operating a daycare under the auspices of the Clan. The idea of forming a CWP daycare had been previously discussed by the CWP so when Elizabeth raised the idea it was warmly received. When Kevin checked into the legal requirements for a daycare center they were delighted that Diana’s education qualified her to function as the director since she had accumulated 90 hours of college in early childhood education. CWP Daycare was quickly established.
The CWP prospered. Every operation had full schedules and steady work. The kinks were worked out of the recent expansion of CWP Organic Farm. Weekend workloads were set up to be shared so everyone had free time.
A couple in their eighties had a home on the other side of the Bozman-Neavitt Road from the home of Dr. Sykes and Rev. Giles. Like many retirees the economic crunch hit them hard. Their long time home needed extensive repairs and renovations but with savings and retirement funds much reduced they could no longer afford to stay in their home. Knowing the CWP had recently bought the four homes on Almost Neavitt Road they approached Steven about selling their home. Quite naturally the Clan was interested and quickly closed a deal beneficial to the couple who moved into a retirement home.
The shell of the home had several rotting sections but the roof was leaking, the electric and plumbing outdated, and the yard was overgrown. After discussion, CWP Construction tore down the building to erect a two story building. The center of the U-shaped replacement building was sixty feet by thirty feet with wings fifteen by thirty feet creating a thirty by thirty feet courtyard. The first floor would be a spacious and modern daycare center capable of handling up to fifty preschoolers. CWP Daycare would be able to move in by the end of September. The second floor was divided into six apartments fifteen feet by thirty feet with multiple outside stair access to an eight feet wrap around deck on the north, west and south sides.
Leroy was wondering why the Sheriff asked him to attend a meeting of the Talbot County Sheriff’s office employment committee. The Lieutenant in charge of Administration thanked Leroy for coming. They quickly got down to business. They wanted Leroy’s input on an applicant. Leroy smiled when they mentioned Diane Hoffman’s name and that he and fellow Clan members were listed as local references.
“Diane was one of two Texan Deputies who accompanied Callie Warren here for her mother’s funeral,” Leroy explained. “She was impressed with the area and, to be honest, the Clan Wells Point. She asked about moving to the area and wondered if there were any openings in our department. It’s my professional opinion that both deputies took their duties seriously, shared the duties and behaved in a professional manner. Diane had better people skills and asked probing but polite questions. As for my personal opinion, I feel Diane would be an asset to our force and to the Clan Wells Point. More than that I can’t attest.”
The committee thanked Leroy for his time and input. A few days later Laura mentioned that Diane Hoffman had made reservations for her family for the first week in August.
Just after 7pm on Friday August 1 a minivan slowly entered Wells Point Lane. The driver was pointing things out to the man seated in the passenger seat and the three kids in the rear seat. Upon reaching Johns Cove Road they turned north stopping before the CWP B&B. Laura came out to greet the Hoffman family. Jimmy and Betty Boswell came out to help the travel weary family carry their luggage to their rooms. Diane introduced her family, husband Wayne, sons Kyle, 9, John, 7, and daughter Judy, 6.
The next morning during breakfast the Hoffmans were told they’d be taken on a tour of the CWP as soon as they finished eating. Leroy and Krista arrived at the CWP B&B in the DUKW as the family emerged on the front portico. Diane chuckled at Wayne’s startled reaction to the hulking bizarrely pink and green tartan painted amphibious monster. The kids had never seen a DUKW and laughed at the ungainly tartan behemoth. Krista stood by the rear ladder to introduce herself and her father. Having ridden the beast before and setting an example for her family Diane cheerfully and quickly climbed the ladder. Then she turned back to help the eager children aboard. Wayne helped steady the children as they eagerly clambered up the ladder. The expression upon his face revealed his doubt and a tinge of fear.
Once everyone was seated Krista sat behind the wheel and proceeded down Johns Cove Road before turning east on Wells Point Road. Wayne’s eyes were wide seeing the young teen girl driving the huge rumbling machine. Wayne looked to his wife only to see her smiling smugly. Then he looked to Leroy hoping for some sort of sanity.
“Relax,” Leroy chuckled. “Krista is my daughter and has a junior pilot’s license to drive this monster as long as a licensed adult is onboard. Obviously, Diane didn’t mention that I’m a Talbot County Deputy. I’m the one who locally coordinated her on-duty trip in June.”
Wayne looked to Diane who broke out laughing. Realizing he’d been duped, he shook his head. Then another bit of what Diane had said popped into his mind. Turning to look closely at Krista his mouth dropped open.
Chapter 4
Watching the interplay in the rear view mirrors Krista giggled. “I’m a girl. I just have a birth defect that’ll be fixed when I’m old enough.”
The three children witnessed the exchange, looking intently at Krista to see if they could spot her birth defect.
Wayne’s mouth opened and closed like a fish as he looked between Krista, Diane and Leroy.
“I told you you’d never spot her,” Diane chuckled.
“You’re right,” Wayne admitted. “Krista, I apologize for my ignorance.”
“I accept and thank you,” Krista smiled.
“I told you our idea about transsexuals was totally wrong,” Diane smiled as she hugged her confused husband.
“It’s unfortunate that most people assume transsexuals are flamboyant drag queens,” Leroy declared. “If you intend to settle here you’ll have to learn the truth and give up your prejudice. Amongst the eighty four CWP members we have four MTF and one FTM Transsexuals as well as two gay and one lesbian couples. Most of us are Methodists but we have Catholics, Lutherans and two Wiccans. To us labels are unimportant. What’s inside the person is what’s important to us.”
“That sounds unreal,” Wayne declared as he tried to wrap his redneck upbringing around this new reality. “From what Diane told me the Clan Wells Point sounds almost like some sort of Utopia. However, my experiences have taught me not to hope for Utopia in real life.”
“Most of us thought the same way,” Leroy replied. “Krista taught us differently. Our fellowship as the Clan Wells Point is probably as close to Utopia as it gets.”
“Honey, this is what I tried to tell you,” Diane reassuredly squeezed Wayne’s hand. “It’s why I insisted we come here so I can interview for a deputy position here. I want the kids to grow up with this comradery.”
Things began to fall into place for Kyle. “Krista, are you like that girl, Jazz, who was on TV last year?”
“Yes I am,” Krista smiled. “She’s younger than I am and she knew she wasn’t a boy a lot sooner than I did. By going on 20/20 with Barbara Waters she and her family are showing being transgender is not a bad thing.”
John was confused. “What is transgender?”
“Transgender is the name for a medical condition,” Krista spoke up. “Before I explain further let me ask you a question. What I ask may sound weird and I don’t mean to get you upset. Are you a boy?”
John frowned. “Sure!”
Krista nodded. “How do you know you’re a boy?”
John was perplexed for a moment. “Because I have a willie.”
“I have a vajay-jay,” Judy spoke up. “That makes me a girl!”
“Yes. A willie and a vajay-jay are the physical indicators that a person is a boy or girl,” Krista said. “John, how else do you know you’re a boy?”
Now John was truly perplexed. “I don’t know... I just know I’m a boy.”
“Very Good,” Krista smiled. “Your mind tells you that you’re a boy. Judy, is there another way you know you’re a girl”
Judy shrugged her shoulders. “I guess my mind tells me I’m a girl.”
“Right! So there are two ways to know if you’re a boy or a girl,” Krista explained. “Being a boy or a girl is called your gender. For most people, the physical gender indicators, a willie or a vajay-jay, agree with the gender of your mind. For a few of us, our physical gender and our mind gender do NOT agree. I have a willie which means my body is a boy but my mind KNOWS I’m a girl. When your physical gender doesn’t agree with your mind gender that’s called being transgender.”
“That sounds like it’s really confusing,” Judy declared.
“It certainly can be confusing especially since some people won’t accept someone can have different physical and mind genders,” Krista declared. “Medical Science and doctors now know being transgender is a real condition. They’ve learned there is no way to change the gender of a mind. They have learned to change the gender of a physical body to match a mind’s gender.”
Judy frowned. “Why don’t you have that done?”
“I will, but the law says a person can’t do it until they’re eighteen years old,” Krista sighed.
The children nodded accepting what Krista told them.
Wayne just shook his head as he learned what being transgender was all about right along with his kids.
By the time the discussion was completed they had reached the end of Wells Point. The next three hours were spent on a leisurely tour of the CWP. The height of the DUKW made it easy to see every point of interest pointed out. Wayne was blown away by the manure digester on the farm. As a cowboy/farm worker he easily understood the differences between Texan farming practices on more arid farms often covering several square miles versus the damper acre intensive farms of the Chesapeake Bay. Wayne spent the entire next day with Larry observing the CWP farming process. The two hit it off and Wayne found himself hoping Diane would get the job so he could work on the farm.
The Hoffman children spent time with similarly aged CWP kids. On Monday Leroy took Diane into Easton for the interview for the deputy sheriff position. The interviews went well and Diane was offered the position. That evening the Hoffmans were accepted as members of the Clan Wells Point, now eighty nine members strong. Wayne eagerly accepted a job with the CWP farm.
Plans were made. The family would return to Texas to hand in their two week work notice and close up their apartment. They wanted to be in their new home, the recently purchased fourth refitted home on Almost Neavitt Road so the kids could begin the new school year.
*****
On Friday August 8 Krista’s phone rang a 5:00pm. “Hello, this is Krista.”
“Hi Krista, this is K8t Green. We’ve just reached the Chesapeake Bay at Annapolis. According to our GPS we should reach Neavitt in about an hour.”
“That’s great,” Krista enthused eager to meet the Greens. “We’ll meet you at the Clan Wells Point Bakery on Wells Point Lane just off the Bozman Neavitt Road. I’ll let everyone know you’re on the way.”
Krista and most of the teens were eagerly gathered at the Bakery by ten before 6:00pm. Kylie and Larry waited with Jane and Lisa at the front door of the bakery. Like all the Clan they’d been amazed about the confrontation the Greens had with the Bikers. Kylie, being a devout motorhead, was also eager to see the Big Green Machine. At 6:01 they heard the powerful resonate rumble of a decelerating vehicle. In seconds they saw the biggest car any of the teens had ever seen turning onto Wells Point Lane. The green metal flake paint 58TP left them know it was the Greens in their 1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser. The car rumbled slowly to a stop in the parking lot of the CWP Bakery as the awed teens swarmed the behemoth dubbed The Mean Green Machine. 58TPC
After the engine shut down the two doors opened. A pretty sixteen year old girl emerged from behind the wheel with a broad smile plastered on her face. A smiling sixteen year old boy exited from the passenger side. The front seats folded forward and a middle aged woman, an older woman and man exited.
“K8t,” Krista smiled as she stepped forward to hug the older teen. “How was the trip?”
“Good,” K8t replied. “We left at 10:00am, stopped every hour to swap off drivers and for restrooms breaks and leg stretches and once for lunch.”
Krista smiled. “How far did you travel?”
“Four hundred and sixty miles,” K8t answered.
“Whoa, that’s quite a one day trip,” Jane said as the adults joined them.
“I’m Kylie,” she introduced herself to M8t. “I run CWP Engine and Mechanical Repair. How did the Big Green Machine perform?”
“Smooth,” M8t smiled. “Even at highway speeds the engine never strained. Would you like to see the engine?”
“Sure,” Kylie smiled.
K8t reached back inside and popped the hood. The teens were surprised to see the hood open backwards. When they saw the engine they all gasped at the massive size that virtually filled the huge engine compartment. Engine
“It’s a 430 cubic inch Super Maurder engine that tested on a dynamiter at 430hp @ 5500 rpm,” M8t proudly reported. “This Y-block engine with triple two barrel carburetors was the first American production automobile engine to attain a 400 hp rating right off the assembly line.”
“This is a genuine classic,” Kylie said with awe. “I guess the side pipes upped the horsepower above factory specs.”
“That it did,” The older man chuckled. “I’m Dinky Dow. These two found a rusting derelict that had been hidden in a collapsing shed for forty one years. K8t’s great grandpa bought it new and parked it after his wife was too afraid of it’s power to ride in it. There were 6407 58 TurnPike Cruisers made and only 100 had this engine.”
Tony asked, “How much does it weight?”
“The factory weight was 4320 pounds,” M8t answered. “We added two five gallon fuel tanks sealed from the interior under the rear seats. Fully fueled the Big Green Machine weighs in at 4350 pounds.”
Jimmy asked, “How fast can it go?”
We’re not sure,” K8t said. “We took it to a street drag competition shortly after we completed the rebuild. We ran four times, the slowest was 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds and it finished the quarter mile in 14.57 seconds at 99.10mph. We won the competition when The Big Green Machine went from 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds and finished the quarter mile in 14.02 seconds at 101.52mph. We beat every other street legal car at the competition.”
drag
Everyone was awed by the huge behemoth the Greens proudly displayed.
“I think we’ve done enough jawing,” Jane smiled. “Let’s head down to the CWP Landing for a picnic supper. The entire Clan will be there. We can all get to know each other. I’m sure your car will attract a lot of attention too!”
The teens hopped on their bikes and took off helter skelter down the Wells Point Lane. Jane and Lisa got into their car as did Kylie and Larry. The Greens piled back into the 58 TPC to follow the others.
Needless to say the arrival of the Big Green Machine drew nearly the entire Clan to drool over the flashy behemoth. Brenda and Harriet followed Jane and Lisa to where the picnic was being prepared as Dinky, M8t and K8t showed off their pride and joy answering any and all questions.
When the question of how long it took to rebuild the rusted derelict M8t and K8t blushed as Dinky proudly answered. “These two found it in the shed where it sat for forty one years when they were thirteen. The first I knew about it was when they brought the wheels with rotted flat tires to my garage to be fixed so they could move it. They had to dig holes in the dirt floored shed to jack the body high enough to get the tires off. When they told me it was the first step in restoring the car I just shook my head at their youthful naivete. Then they told me the wheels were from K8t’s great grandpa’s 58 TPC. I’d seen the monster driving around when it was new so I was eager to see it get back on the road. They were determined to rebuild it themselves so I had them start working for me part time in my repair and salvage business. As they learned I instructed and supervised as they did all the work. Once they had used tires on the wheels I towed it to my shop. They spent nearly three years stripping it down to the frame, refinishing the frame and body parts as well as rebuilding the engine. We had the chrome parts sent out for replating once they sanded them down. When everything was refurbished, they reassembled it. They refitted the entire interior with the suede leather. The car was ready to drive by the time they turned sixteen. Both passed their driver’s test in April and May driving the 58 TPC. They did all the work themselves. I just supervised and instructed.”
By then the picnic was ready. After they were all seated at the picnic tables and Grace had been said, K8t stood. “If it’s alright with everyone, I’d like to dedicate this meal to my Grandmother Harriet and her new husband Dinky Dow. They were married last Saturday and this trip is their honeymoon.”
Everyone stood, applauded and congratulated the newlyweds.
Several people were curious about Dinky’s name. Jasmine finally gathered enough courage to ask how he got his nickname. Dinky just smiled and deferred to Harriet.
“In school I was a few years ahead of a young man everyone thought was at best slightly insane. Of course, Dinky never liked his given name, Clarence Dimwity. He was a loner and the weird intense young man enlisted in the Marines right out of high school in 1966. He served two thirteen month tours in Vietnam. Those who knew him said he was not quite right before he went to ‘nam’ and he certainly wasn’t any better when he returned.”
Everyone chuckled a bit as Dinky stood and bowed before Harriet continued.
“In Nam, Dinky was with I Company, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines during the siege of Hill 881 outside Khe Sanh from January through April 1968. The company was surrounded and cut off for the entire time, supplied only by helicopters. In actions before the siege the Vietnamese rangers he’d fought alongside had called his berserk battle behavior ‘dien cai dau’ which meant ‘crazy’. His fellow grunts nick named him the American pronunciation for the French/Vietnamese words, Dinky Dow. During the siege on Hill 881 he lived up to that designation. As the relief choppers swooped in to offload supplies and take out casualties he was one of the men who consistently broke from the safety of their positions to carry stretchers with wounded and dead to the choppers and to lug the supplies to safety. One time a chopper lifted off before he’d gotten clear of the underslung cargo net and one foot was snagged in netting. He flew the five miles from Hill 881 to Khe Sanh dangling beneath the chopper by that one foot. Two days later he flew back to Hill 881 on the next supply run. During his tours Dinky earned three purple hearts, a Bronze Star, a Silver Star, and numerous South Vietnamese medals for his fierce selfless actions.”
Everyone was impressed. Then Dinky stood and spoke. “It wasn’t until I’d shipped back to the US that the PTSD hit me. Nearly everyone thought I was at best slightly insane. I stayed by myself and avoided people. After a few months I used my military pay to buy a closed garage and started my business. My mechanical ability, honesty and fair business dealings made the business succeed. I’ll admit I was civil to customers while still being anti-social. I lived in a small mobile home behind the garage and proudly flew Old Glory above a USMC flag. It wasn’t until two scrawny kids showed up with four wheels with rotted flat tires that I began to open up. They helped me overcome my PTSD. Through them I met Harriet, the rest is history.”
Again everyone smiled. From the correspondence between Krista and K8t The CWP members already knew that K8t was transgender and that M8t was her boyfriend. They knew the name changes had been prompted due to public hatred of transsexuals and that the pair had endured a lot of harassment yet persevered to a begrudging acceptance with quite a bit of acceptance. They also knew about the horrific battle with the bikers. By the end of the picnic the Greens felt welcomed. The fatigue of their long trip was catching up with the Greens so once the meal was completed, they headed up the lanes to the Clan Wells Point B&B where they were staying.
Saturday Krista and Tony took the Greens for a horseback tour of the CWP. The farm with it’s state of the art milking parlor and the manure digesting system was impressive. The CWP Youth Rehab Hostel along with Barney Flint and Freddy Grant really impressed the Greens. They ate lunch at the O’Brien homestead then Kylie showed them her workshop in the barn. Once more the pink and green plaid DUKW attracted their attention.
As the licensed pilot Kylie accompanied Krista as she drove the DUKW from the garage, loaded the Greens, then headed out into Broad Creek. They headed north around Wells Point skirting the shore of the CWP. Turning about they headed back to swing around the CWP Balls Creek shore. Then they headed south into Broad Creek sailing about the Neavitt Peninsula rounding the tip at Nelson Point. From there they crossed Harris Creek to Tilgham Island into Knapps Narrow cruising under the Tilgham draw bridge into the Chesapeake. Riding in the DUKW brought memories back for Dinky who had ridden in them back in ‘Nam. By the time they returned it was time for supper. This time they ate at the main farmhouse. K8t found the fact that Kylie was a post op transsexual, married to Krista’s uncle Larry and the mother of adopted twins gave her hope for a similar future. The other members of the Clan Wells Point made the Greens feel like old friends.
Sunday morning the Greens left for home at 10:00am having made lifelong friends with the Clan Wells Point. They were giving a great deal of thought to the offer the CWP made to have them move and join the Clan. Dinky would easily fit in to the CWP Engine & Mechanical Repair and Brenda CWP Youth Rehab Hostel. Harriet would fit in the CWP, LLC. M8t and K8t would fit into CWP Organic Farm but most likely would relocate Gr8 Green Lawn Services. But they had business responsibilities and wanted to finish school in West Virginia. They promised to keep in touch.
*****
With the continued growth of the Clan Wells Point a few changes were needed. The main farmhouse could no longer hold the expanded CWP for meals. At the same time, the business of CWP Engine and Mechanical Repair was growing. While the barn on the O’Brien Farmstead was large enough to handle the increase, it was a bit to far off the Bozman-Neavitt Road to be convenient for the growing non CWP clientele. Being closer to the CWP Collision Repair and Body Shop would also be beneficial. Once vacated, the barn could be modified to make a suitable CWP meeting place. The ideal place to move the CWP Engine and Mechanical Repair would be a new building between Almost Neavitt Road and the Cemetery along the Bozman-Neavitt Road.
The forty feet by one hundred thirty five feet new service station was designed with six twelve feet by twenty six feet service bays and three sixteen by forty feet service bays with a fifteen feet by forty feet office parallel to the Bozman-Neavit Road with restrooms and showers on the north wall. A fourteen by seventy five feet warehouse was located behind the shorter bays. The Bays were accessed from the north side of Almost Neavitt Road. The move to the new site was on October 8.
While that was going on the former milk house of the O’Brien homestead barn Jane had been using for chickens was stripped bare and pressure washed. The twenty feet by twenty feet annex was then outfitted with a state of the art commercial kitchen. The barn would be thoroughly cleaned to serve as the gathering spot for the Clan.
*****
The rest of the summer passed quickly for the Clan. Good news arrived from Texas on August 20, the courts had approved Callie’s appeal of her conviction and sentence. The Hoffmans arrived from Texas in time for the kids to begin the 2008-2009 school year on August 26. They moved into the first home on Almost Neavitt Road. All of the students from the Clan were eager to return to school. Gretchen was enrolled at The University of Maryland as a sophomore in their Physical Therapy program. All the credits she’d earned during her freshman year at the University of British Columbia had been accepted. She’d be staying two blocks off the campus at the CWP House returning home for the weekends. Grandmother Cynthia would be taking care of Benny and George when they weren’t at the daycare. Ivy offered to help Cynthia with her cousins after school.
Since April the CWP Youth Rehab Hostel with the cooperation of CWP Collision Repair and Body Shop and CWP Engine and Mechanical Repair completed a project they’d begun in January. It had taken Leo Kahn three months to locate two vans suitable to be converted into a handicap accessible passenger van. Two 2002 Ford E350 cargo vans, one an extended version. Both were in rough shape. The drive trains were shot and the bodies dented. The frames and suspensions were solid.
Kylie removed and rebuilt the two drive trains into one while Leo, Brandon and Gary reworked the bodies. Utilizing the extended van as the base with the drive train removed, they cut the van in two just behind the drivers seat. They then cut the center out of the other van, from behind the dash to just in front of the rear wheels. They welded the center section of the smaller van between the severed portions of the larger van thus extending the van six feet. In the process they reversed the inserted unit so there would be side doors on both sides. Since cargo vans don’t have windows behind the front, they cut out the side panels to install windows to convert it from a cargo van to a wagon van. They removed the roof and installed an eighteen inch fiberglass raised roof. Removing the rear doors they installed a remote control six hundred pound capacity wheelchair lift with power doors. Inside the wheelchair lift in place of a rear bench seat they installed two side by side wheelchair tie down points and across a narrow aisle was another tie down point. Thanks to the rebuilt extended body there were four rows of three person bench seats with a narrow front to rear aisle. The rear two bench seats were removable which revealed three additional wheelchair tie down points each. When completed, the van could be configured to carry three people in wheelchairs, thirteen passengers and a driver or six people in wheelchairs, ten passengers and a driver or nine people in wheelchairs, seven passengers and a driver. The entire frame was reinforced and the original single drive shaft was replaced by a double unit to accommodate the longer wheelbase. The suspension was strengthened to handle the increased weight. The last step was to paint the now twenty five feet long van in the green and pink CWP tartan.
The van was ready for use by the time the school year began and served as a private transport from the CWP for the thirteen students attending St. Michaels Junior Senior High School. While Benny had his prosthesis, there were days when he still needed a power wheel chair.
With the start of the school year, as what had become defacto CWP practice, new seventh graders Marcus Olsen and Holly Reese began working, Marcus with his dad in CPW Metal Works and Holly with at the CWP Landing. All CWP businesses were holding their own even as the stock market and many businesses began stumbling.
*****
For the 2008-2009 school year the students from the Clan Wells Point were in 12th grade: Jamie Ewell, Freddy Grant and Barney Flint; 8th grade: Krista Scott, Tony Masters, Jasmine Reese, Jimmy Boswell, Phil Abott, Dwayne Harper, Jenny Ewell and Sam Evans; 7th grade: Holly Reese and Marcus Olsen. Amongst them six were LGBT, all of whom had come out the previous year. Because of their trail blazing ten students came out as LGBT for the new school year.
St. Michaels Middle/Senior High school had an enrollment of three hundred ninety students with an average sixty five students per grade. LGBT population in the USA is LGB by a percentage of 3.5% and T of 0.3%. According to these percentages the school should have 13 to 14 LGB students and one T student. For this year there were thirteen LGB students and four T. While the number of transgender was statistically out of proportion all were from the Clan Wells Point. Only two were originally locals, the other two moved into the area.
As they had the previous school year the school administration and staff accepted and supported the LGBT students as did seventy five percent of the students. They made a concerted effort to squash any bullying.
As it had done the previous school year, two small groups were upset by the open acceptance of the LGBT, the Christian fundamentalists and the few redneck skinheads who had forgotten the lesson the tragic crash Barney, Freddy, Dwayne and Phil had last Halloween. The Bay Hundred area, St. Michaels and the entire peninsula, was unlike many nearby areas. Because of the physical layout of the peninsula with it’s many creeks and coves the shoreline was immense. This made the area extremely attractive for waterfront development. There were hundreds of vacation homes most with their own dock. It wasn’t unusual for waterfront properties to be worth millions of dollars. The affluent owners lifestyles were urban rather than rural and thus usually quite liberal in their attitudes. Starting in the early nineteen seventies St. Michaels grew into a tourist mecca with many boutiques, restaurants, and historical sites, museums, artists and artisans in residence who by their very nature liberal. The majority of the tourists in St. Michaels were also of the liberal persuasion. The vast majority of the economy revolved around tourists spending money or meeting the wants and desires of the shore front property owners. In fact, two out of three working residents of the Bay Hundred area were employed in some aspect of directly serving the well to do shore line property owners and tourists.
The locals, if they wanted to flourish, had to cater to the sensitivities of their paymasters. For those who took the Bible literally, suppressing their conservative ideals around the financially secure liberals took a high toll. Over the years most eventually moved leaving a small isolated cadre. The same happened to the skinheads and other hater rednecks. Thirty five years of catering to the liberals thinned the ranks of the oft stubborn conservative base population that had dominated the Bay Hundred area prior to the changes of the seventies.
The Christian Fundamentalists students voiced their opinions and disdain of the LGBT but avoided open confrontation. The four ever rebellious skinheads were not that smart. The first two weeks saw numerous non physical but verbally nasty confrontations. Thanks to the vigilance of the staff all such encounters were quickly squashed and the instigators appropriately disciplined until they learned to be non-confrontational.
*****
In mid September many in the school (as well as the world) who were aware of the economy were surprised and stunned by the collapse of Lehman Brothers Bank, the USA’s fourth largest bank. This rippled to London and the world. At nearly the same time Bank of America gobbled up Merrill Lynch which was on the verge of collapsing financially. The world's biggest insurance company, AIG, had seen its stock market value collapse. There were fears that if the firm were to go under it would bring the world banking system down. The head of the US Federal Reserve knew that, unlike Lehman Brothers, he could not let AIG fail. He announced an $85 billion emergency loan. The students from the Clan Wells point were not surprised since Steven had warned them a financial collapse was imminent. While the immediate effect in the Bay Hundred area was muted, the well to do non local waterfront property owners would be hit hard over the coming months and years.
*****
Krista and Tony were once more nominated for their class representatives for the student council. No one ran against them and on September 21 they were elected. Senior Ken Poore, the president, suggested that with the increased number of openly LGBT students the council should sponsor a Gay-Straight Alliance as a means of counteracting the haters. The idea was unanimously endorsed and would be presented to the administration. Another decision was to once again have a Halloween Dance. Tony and Krista had already received the okay from the Clan to host the event in the barn at the O’Brien homestead where it had been held last year. Like last year, a raffle was scheduled to raise the money to pay for the insurance and other expenses with the excess going to Toys for Tots. Since Halloween fell on a Friday that would be the date of the dance. Krista brought up another idea.
“In June a seventy six year old farmer neighbor had a stroke while he was working in his fields,” Krista began. “He’s home now and recovering but he’ll never work the fields again. The Clan Wells Point took over preparing his fields while he was hospitalized. Once it was clear he wasn’t going to be able to resume farming we bought the farm granting he and his wife clan membership. Once he came home he had problems adapting to not farming so we teens spent time talking to him. Mr. Jablonski had an interesting life. He was born in Poland in 1932, came to the US with his parents before WWII who settled on the farm. In 1950 he joined the Marine Corp and fought in the Korean War. He was with the 1st Marine Division at the Battle of Chosin Resevoir where 30,000 Marines were surrounded by 120,000 Chinese soldiers. They were stretched out along a road in the mountains in below freezing weather. When ordered to retreat Marine General Oliver Smith remarked: "Retreat, hell! We're not retreating, we're just advancing in a different direction." It took fourteen days to fight their way out.”
“The reason I’m telling you this is because veterans like Theodore Jablonski fought for us,” Krista declared. “Many died, more were wounded, and to some extent all suffered PTSD. Mr. Jablonski was eighteen in 1950. He’s seventy six now and amongst the youngest Korean War vets. The vets from WWII are at least five years older, most are older. These heros are dying off. Mr. Jablonski would like to go to Washington, DC to visit the Korean War Memorial to say goodbye to his fellow soldiers in arms who have already passed on. I’m sure a lot of the Vets from WWII would like to see the WWII Memorial. Unfortunately at their age they can’t go on their own. They need younger people to help them push their wheel chairs or give them an arm to lean on. They need us. If we can help these Vets we should.”
“We can do it,” Krista stated. “I’d like to suggest we use the band to raise funds. The band already has an impressive repertoire of appropriate tunes so rehearsals shouldn’t be an issue. We could hold a concert of Big Band and Swing Music. We’ll contact the local VFW and American Legion posts to non financially sponsor the concert and supply us with the names of WWII and Korean Vets. If we begin now we can reserve busses to take the vets and we helpers to DC to Tour the Memorials sometime during the Veterans Day weekend. We can become local road based veteran support group like the Honor Flight Network to help vets who can’t get their on their own visit the DC Memorials.”
The student council was excited about the idea and agreed to speak to the administration about the idea. By the end of the month the idea was eagerly accepted by the administration and the band teacher/director, a Big Band and Swing afficionado, leapt into the concert preparations. Fortunately the band already had quite a repertoire of suitable music. The two veteran organizations in Talbot County, the American Legion Talbot Post 70 at 29511 Canvasback Drive, Easton and the Veterans of Foreign Wars 5118 at 355 Glebe Road, Easton were pleased and excited about the idea to bus the older vets to the Memorials during the Veterans Day weekend. Delmarva Community Transit who provided public bus service for Talbot County agreed to supply buses to transport the vets and assistants at cost.
*****
The plans for the Halloween Party pretty much followed those of the last year. Since the precedent had been established last year, the students decided print four thousand $5.00 raffle tickets, doubling the amount. Just as they had no problem selling two thousand tickets, during the weeks leading up to Halloween they easily sold the four thousand tickets this year raising $20,000.00. The event insurance policy covering liability at the barn went up $50 to $550.00. The printing costs rose slightly to $130.00 from $100.00. The raffle prizes were increased to encourage sales, first place to $150.00, second to $100.00, third to $75.00, fourth to $50.00, fifth changed to $25.00 with sixth through tenth at $10.00. So $450.00 went for prize money. Total expenses came to $1130.00 meaning that Toys for Tots would receive $18,870.00.
*****
The Veterans Concert was scheduled for Friday October 24 in the Gym of the St. Michaels Middle High School. Covered with patriotic red white and blue bunting a raised stage had been assembled at one end. The gymnasium was packed. The bleachers on either side of the basketball court each sat three hundred twelve people and were filled with friends and family of the students. The six hundred twenty five folding chairs were set up on the basketball court filled with veterans and their families. Harry Halls from WOBC-TV channel 16 in Salisbury, having heard about the concert and the plan to take the vets to the WWII Memorial for the Veterans Day weekend, made arrangements to film the concert.
The band and singers were excitedly anxious as the event sold out. The band was dressed in khaki trousers, olive green dress shirts and spit polished black shoes mimicking WWII military uniforms. The singers, Krista, Jasmine and Jenny dressed in WAC costumes as the Andrews Sisters did during their wartime performances. A cacophony of mumbled expectant voices filled the gym as the audience waited for the show to begin. The WOBC-TV16 crew had discreetly set up microphones at the sides and center of the stage in the back of the gymnasium while setting up a small platform in the front to film over the heads of the audience. A roving camera to film the audience reactions was also present.
The long sharp trilling of a whistle sounded from the lobby at the front of the gymnasium caused the murmuring voices of the audience to begin subsiding. The instant the whistle stopped, the band began playing Sousa’s most famous march, ‘Stars and Stripes Forever’. Stars
The doors leading to the lobby were opened. Krista carrying the American Flag followed by Jasmine and Jenny carrying the flags of the Talbot County VFW Post and the American Legion Post led the band in a column of twos as they marched in playing the rousing tune. Everyone who was capable of standing did so. They marched one circuit of the aisles between the bleachers and seats on the basketball court before mounting the stage. The VFW flag was placed on the right front corner of the stage and the American Legion flag on the left corner just as the march ended. The two girls moved to flank Krista as she placed the American Flag in the Center of the stage. The band and girls stood at attention then saluted the flag as the three girls, standing at a vintage WWII microphone, began an acapella rendition of ‘The Star Spangled Banner’. SSB
When the girls began to sing the audience fell silent, many with their mouths open in delighted surprise at the girls’ clear voices and fantastic harmony as they sang. When they finished the gym erupted in raucous cheers, whistles and applause.
When the cheers quieted Krista began to speak. “We’d like to welcome and thank everyone who came out tonight to honor our veterans. The girls and I as well as several of the band are from the Clan Wells Point. When a neighbor had a stroke while working his farm late last spring we stepped up to assist him. He and his wife were accepted into the Clan and we remodeled his home to accommodate his disabilities and took over running his farm. My friends and I had seen and waved to this couple but we only met this Korean War vet after he returned home. Part of his therapy was to stimulate his mind. We spent hours asking questions about his past and listening to his answers. We learned he immigrated to the US as a child and were impressed by his honesty, work ethic, strength and devotion to his family and adopted country. We learned about the horrors he and his fellow Marines faced when they were cut off at the Chosin Reservoir enduring the brutal cold and snow. When ordered to retreat Marine General Oliver Smith remarked: "Retreat, hell! We're not retreating, we're just advancing in a different direction”. Outnumbered four to one it took fourteen days to fight their way out losing many men in the process yet they did their best to bring their wounded and dead with them. These men, like all veterans, were heros.”
“In school we “LEARN” about the wars and battles our country fought. But until we talked to this man we never fathomed the hell that is war. The way he recounted his story we could feel the biting cold and anguish. That helped us realize that nearly every combat veteran suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The brutality of combat changes them. Most refuse to talk about their experiences because it dredges up bad memories. Instead they bury the horror which only allows it to fester. Those of us who have benefitted from their sacrifices owe these vets a debt we cant’ repay. We need to help them deal with their demons. We must not force them to discuss their nightmarish past, but we have to let them know we’ll listen when they’re ready to talk as my friends did and do for one of the heros of the Korean War.”
“During our interaction with this hero we felt his pain. We could sense his bond of brotherhood with his fellow leathernecks. Many of his buddies died in Korea. Many were wounded. After returning home he lost contact with his former comrades in arms. Now in his later years, he yearns to reunite with those that survive. The fact he never had the opportunity to say goodbye or pay last respects to those who died knaws at his soul.”
“We talked to the other veterans in the Clan Wells Point about their combat experiences. One is a vet from The Vietnam War. He explained to us that any combat situation is hell and the men you fight beside become closer than brothers. Like the Korean War vet he had buddies wounded or killed and then lost track of his comrades, partially because they were unable to discuss their trauma and the hatred for Vietnam vets that was rampant when they came home. For him visiting the Vietnam War Memorial was cathartic. It allowed him to remember the chaos of combat and the shared fraternity of his buddies. He explained to us he could recognize the other vets present by their reactions and found it was easy to talk to them about their shared angst.”
“That motivated us to try to help the older vets who may have physical issues visiting the DC WWII and Korean War Memorials. When the school year started we suggested the Student Council take up the effort to help our older vets, each with a student assistant, visit the Memorials. We’re all here tonight because we want to thank the vets for their service and sacrifice. Now, without further ado, we’ll begin our concert with what we think is the most appropriate song for our brave veterans, ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’!”
Everyone applauded as the three girls gathered around the microphone. The audience smiled as the familiar intro to the jaunty tune began. The girls did a bit of jitterbugging between verses. (start at 0.24) bugle
The audience burst out in cheers, whistles and applause as the girls curtseyed and walked off stage. The band director/teacher announced each song before the band launched into them, ‘Harbor Lights’ by Shep Fields then ‘Perfidia’ by Jerry Dorsey followed by ‘Take the A Train’ by Billy Strayhorn. The tunes each received well deserved enthusiastic applause.
“While this tune is from 1954 we really like it and feel it fits right in,” Krista explained to the smiling audience as the girls returned to the microphone. “Please enjoy ‘Mr. Sandman’!” sand
Once more the audience responded enthusiastically. The girls stepped offstage as the band began the next song, ‘String of Pearls’, followed by ‘Pennsylvania 6-5000' followed by ‘Habenero’, all by Glenn Miller. Again each song was well received and appreciated.
“This is another old favorite,” Krista stated as the girls returned to the microphone. “Please enjoy ‘Moonlight Serenade’ by Glenn Miller
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHYv2XoLMiI Carly Simon) moon
The audience was once more awed by the girls’ harmony and burst into applause. The Band then launched into ‘Woodchoppers Ball’ by Woody Herman then ‘Sentimental Journey’ by Les Brown followed by ‘Dancing in the Dark’ by Artie Shaw.
“We’ll have a twenty minute intermission after this song. There are refreshment tables set up in the lobby,” Krista announced as the girls returned to the mic. “This is an old favorite, please enjoy ‘I’ll be With you in Apple Blossom Time’.” apple
The audience cheered and whistled as the girls and Band bowed, then exited behind the stage. The audience stood and stretched. Smiles were endemic. Nearly everyone was delighted with the quality of the music. The excited discussions swelled in volume.
The performers returned to the stage at the end of the intermission. Keeping with the big band theme the drummer began a Gene Kruppa style drum solo. kruppa
The audience returned to their seats and quieted as the 3 minute drum solo thrummed. The audience cheered and applauded as the solo ended.
“Welcome back,” Krista spoke as she and the girls gathered around the mic. “Lets start off with the quintessential Big Band tune, ‘In the Mood’! mood
The audience cheered and applauded. As the girls curtseyed and stepped aside the band struck up the next tunes, ‘I’m Getting Sentimental Over You’ by Tommy Dorsey, ‘Sunrise Serenade’ by Glenn Miller and ‘Oh Lady Be Good’ by Count Bassie. The audience enthusiastically cheered and clapped after each song.
“This selection was another favorite,” Krista smiled as she and the girls returned to center stage. “Please enjoy ‘Begin the Beguine’! begin
The audience showed their appreciation of the girls who stepped aside as the band played ‘Stardust’ by Artie Shaw, ‘Sentimental Journey’ by Les Brown and ‘Marie’ by Tommy Dorsey. The audience enthusiastically showed their appreciation.
“Our next song is another classic,” Krista said as the girls returned. “We know you’ll enjoy ‘Chattanooga Choo Choo’!” choo
The audience enthusiastically showed their appreciation of the girl’s singing. As the girls stepped off the band presented ‘Perdido’ by Duke Ellington, ‘One O’clock Jump’ by Count Bassie and ‘Stompin At the Savoy’ by Benny Goodman. The audience eagerly applauded their efforts.
“Before we present our last tune,” Krista enthused as the girls took the stage. “We’d like to thank everyone for coming out tonight. I know I speak for the band when I say we had a terrific time performing for you. We’d like to end the night with a rousing tune. We know you’ll enjoy ‘Sing Sing Sing’!” sing
When the song ended everyone who could stood for a raucous standing ovation. The cheers, whistles, and applause resounded through the gymnasium. The band put down their instruments to step to the front of the stage where with the girls they all linked hands and bowed to the audience.
“We’d like to thank you for making this fund raising concert a success,” Krista enthused into the mic as the applause lessened. “Delmarva Community Transit has agreed to support our effort by providing up to six tour buses at cost to transport us to DC. The Clan Wells Point is providing their handicap accessible van which can accommodate up to nine people in manual or power wheel chairs. We have sign up sheets in the lobby for anyone who would like to join us on the trip to DC on Saturday November 8. We’ll leave from the St. Michaels Middle/High School Parking lot at 8:30am. The only costs for vets and one guest will be for food and souvenirs. Further information will be sent to all who sign up. Thank You!”
Again there was applause which the teens basked in for a few moments before they moved off the stage to stand in a line on the floor in front of the stage to greet the audience. It seemed nearly everyone stepped forward. The older grizzled vets, many in wheelchairs or using walkers, made the effort to shake the performers hands. Quite a few had damp eyes. The family members who accompanied them were visibly grateful for the kids’ effort.
As the last of the well wishers trailed past the tired but elated teens the kids noticed Harry Halls and his mobile cameraman had positioned himself so he could address them. “I’d like to congratulate everyone! That was a fantastic concert! Knowing this bunch I expected a good show but you far surpassed my expectations. What you’re doing for these vets is wonderful! With your permission, I’d like to accompany your trip.”
Krista looked over her classmates all of whom were smiling, then to the band director and the school principal who nodded their approval. “Mr. Halls, we’d be honored to have you join the trip.”
“Thank you,” Harry replied. “With your approval, I’ll produce a DVD of the concert. All profit from selling DVDs would go to assist getting Eastern Shore veterans to the DC Memorials.”
The band enthusiastically approved while the band director and school principal agreed to get official approval.
That night on the nightly news Harry reported on the two hour concert. “Tonight I had the privilege to witness a wonderful concert at the St. Michaels Middle/High School! The brainchild of the spitfire we met last year, Krista Scott. Inspired by a Korean War veteran she brought the idea to transport and accompany vets who couldn’t otherwise make it to their war Memorials in DC. The student council took the idea and ran with it holding a successful sold out fund raising concert tonight. Here are a few highlights.” The band entry to ‘Stars and Stripes Forever’ and the girls acapella Star Spangled Banner were shown in their entirety while snippets of the rest of the show were highlighted. Harry ended the report by stating that if the school granted approval, DVDs of the concert would be available with profits to help vets get to the DC Memorials.
Chapter 5
On Tuesday October 28 Kylie was nearly bursting at the seams laughing as spun in a circle with giggling twins Sonny and Rayne clasped in her arms. Larry, Evelyn, Rachel and Tony exchanged perplexed frowns as they watched the bizarre behavior. When she noticed she was being watched she stopped spinning to smile at them.
“Callie’s going to be released,” Kylie squealed with delight as she bounced up and down on her toes. “The lawyer from Texas called! He determined Callie was so wracked with guilt by the murder she simply pled guilty to the chargers and that her public defender merely accept her guilty plea. No one even questioned if she knew her boyfriend intended to commit a crime. When he questioned the boyfriend he laughed declaring that Callie had no idea what he was doing and that no one had ever asked him that question. The lawyer presented the evidence to the Texas Attorney Generals office for review declaring his intention to pursue charges against the incompetent public defender, the overzealous prosecutor and the judge for gross misconduct for railroading an innocent victim. Once they reviewed the case and questioned everyone they fired the public defender and sanctioned the prosecutor and judge. Callie’s conviction has been overturned and all charges dismissed! They’re processing her release and will let us know when so we can make arrangements for her to fly home!”
The news of Callie’s pending release flew through the Clan Wells Point bringing joy to everyone. The CWP made arrangements with their Texas lawyer to make arrangements for Callie to come home upon her release.
*****
As the Days approached for the Halloween Dance the CWP Organic Farm harvested a supply of corn stocks to be made into corn shocks and other decorations in and outside the barn. The trees along the entrance to Wells Point Lane were wrapped in corn stalks as were trees along the lane leading to the barn. Deciding against any type of haunted house they went with a country theme. Bales of straw were arranged to serve as benches and serving tables.
With CWP Engine & Mechanical Repair moved out of the O’Brien barn on October 8. The long side of the forty feet by hundred feet barn ran parallel to Wells Point Lane. Behind the barn was what had been a concrete barn yard. On the south east side of the barnyard twenty feet from the barn was an open sided shed fifteen feet wide and seventy feet long ran parallel to the barn. Next to that but fifty feet back from the barn ran a second open sided shed twenty feet long and seventy feet long that had been divided in half with the eastern portion being enclosed with garage doors on east end to serve as a garage for the DUKW. With the back doors of the barn open and if Halloween night was clear and starry, the entire barnyard would be used as a massive 7000 square feet dance floor. The site was large enough to accommodate every student and a guest plus chaperones.
With the Halloween Dance scheduled for Friday, maps on how to get to the O'Brien barn were posted on the school bulletin boards and available as fliers. The dance committee and at least one adult faculty advisor came out each school night the week of the dance to decorate the huge building. The excitement at the school built all week as the decorating committee reported their progress each day. The response was so great the school felt obligated to remind the students that only students from their school and a date could attend any school sanctioned dance. Any date who was not a student in grades seven through twelve in another school had to be pre-approved. All who attended would have to present a current school photo ID or equivalent to get inside. The dance began at seven and no one would be admitted after eight. The music would end at eleven and the dance would close down by eleven thirty.
The night of the dance the weather cooperated with a temperature of 62 degrees and clear skies.
Like the previous year Robert arranged for ten port-a-potties and an old moonshine still was set up to dispense Mountain Dew. Three quarters of the teachers signed up with their significant others had agreed to be there as chaperones as did many parents, especially those of the CWP. It wasn’t that the chaperones were needed, it was the adults simply wanting to see the teens having a good time. It didn’t hurt that there were enough chaperones so they could take one hour turns on duty and enjoying the dance themselves. A section of the outside dance floor was set aside for the adults.
For four of the CWP teens the dance dredged up bad memories. The previous Halloween Freddy Grant, Barney Flint, Phil Abott and Dwayne Harper had been amongst the worst of the trouble making redneck hooligans in the school. They had been drinking and smoking pot while vandalizing the Bay Hundred area before the dance. As they were driving a Chevy Colorado crew cab down Wells Point Lane to crash the dance they saw the police checkpoint that had been set up to check dance attendees for illicit booze and drugs. Spinning around they took off back to the main highway with the police giving chase. Wells Point Lane meets the Bozman Neavitt Road at a sixty degree angle. Emerging from the uneven gravel surface of Wells Point Lane onto the flat blacktop of the Bozman-Neavitt Road at ninety MPH was a booze and pot hazed mistake. The unyielding black top didn't allow a sliding skid the way gravel did. The truck skipped sideways and rolled. After that their memories blurred.
In their hospital beds they learned the pickup truck rolled three times before slamming into the trees on the western side of the Bozman-Neavitt Road. Since they were too macho to wear seatbelts they were all ejected at some point during the rollovers. The pursuing police stopped broadside in the center of the road with their lights flashing to stop traffic. Seeing the horrific wreckage one officer called for EMTs, rescue and ambulance as well as back-up while the second officer jumped out to check the bodies strewn helter-skelter amongst the wreckage across the road and berm.
Freddy had been driving and flew out the driver’s door unfortunately his right foot became entangled in the steering wheel. Knocked unconscious almost immediately, half in the vehicle and half out he rode through two rolls. The first impact crushed both femurs, the second splintered his right femur shredding the muscles. The momentum then ripped the leg apart flinging him twenty feet while his foot and lower leg remained lodged in the steering wheel. His life was saved when an officer saw the blood spurting from the stump and ran over to apply a tourniquet.
Barney was the first to be ejected. Flying out of the front passenger door he flew thirty feet before impacting the asphalt knocking him out resulting in a nasty compound fracture just above the elbow of his left arm that had severed an artery. An officer saved his life by applying a tourniquet.
Dwayne ended up on the berm about twenty feet south of the wreck. A stopped motorist knelt by the boy semi-conscious and dazed boy keeping him still until the EMTS arrived. Fortunately despite the pain he was lucid enough to tell the EMTs there had been four in the truck.
Freddy, with his torn off leg, and Barney were airlifted out while Dwayne went out by ambulance. The EMTs, police and firefighters began a frantic search for the missing Phil. After ten minutes of combing the wreck debris area and beyond they couldn’t find the fourth boy. Finally one of the rescuers heard a faint moan from above. Flashlights stabbed into the leafy boughs of the trees above the path the tumbling pick-up had followed. It only took a few seconds until they located the bloodied youth entrapped in broken branches about twenty feet above the ground, five feet above the lowest limbs. Spotlights and ladders were brought and the EMTS and rescue personnel climbed up to check on Phil. They immediately saw both arms and at least one leg were broken. They also saw they could not extract him without causing more injury. They had to wait twenty minutes for a pair of bucket trucks to arrive to get him down.
The months of pain and agony that followed was hellaciously hard on the four guys who discovered they weren’t as tough as they’d thought. The school itself changed as the students read the newspaper reports of the horrific crash. The ‘cool’ ‘tough guys’ were shown to be ignorant jerks. It came out all four boys were drunk and high on weed and the two older also had amphetamines in them. The four boys were seriously injured. The two with amphetamines in their systems had been medi-vaced to John's Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore where Barney’s arm had to be removed and Freddy’s severed leg was too damaged to be re-attach. The younger boys were in Memorial Hospital in Easton with numerous broken bones and concussions. The stupidity of their actions while the vast majority of the school had been having a good time at the dance shook up the entire student body. Together they exerted extreme peer pressure to force the remaining arrogant rebellious redneck teens to moderate their wild behavior. That coupled with the positive influences Krista had brought to the school virtually eliminated bullying. As for the four bashed up boys, they now freely admitted that Krista and the CWP had saved them. The CWP Youth Rehab Hostel was founded to treat Barney and Freddy. The horrific crash changed their lives and brought them into fellowship with the Clan Wells Point.
A fifth person was also greatly effected by the previous year’s Halloween dance, Jamie Ewell. Seeing Krista and Kylie enjoying the dance had ripped apart the jock facade of the star soccer player. As his mask crumbled James Ewell fled the dance running into the swampy wetlands behind the barn where he intended to drown himself only to be saved by Krista. The later confrontation with his dad, Dick Ewell, when James was revealed as transgender ended up with the bigoted man assaulting his wife and Leroy in his role as deputy. With his dad jailed Jamie began transitioning and she and her mother Ruth joined the CWP. By the Christmas dance Jamie and Freddy were dating as were Dwayne and Phil.
The night of this year’s dance, signs were posted on SR579 directing students and chaperones onto Wells Point Lane. Larry had parked a corn stalk decorated tractor across each side lane with a big sign and arrow pointing in the direction of the O'Brien barn. There was enough room to drive past the tractor if the residents needed to get in or out. The behavior and attitude of the student body had improved so that unlike last year there was no need for police, sheriffs deputies, a drug sniffing dog or a police sobriety checkpoint. Larry directed the arriving vehicles into the nearby fields to park.
Of the school’s three hundred ninety students, three hundred eighty five showed up and brought an additional one hundred forty two guests. There were fifty two chaperones for a total turn out of five hundred seventy nine, all of whom were costumed. This was the best attended dance in the school's history.
Traditionally the school's stage crew set up and operated the DJ system for every dance and did so tonight. Just like last year they were delighted with the open dance floor and ran wires to set up speakers all over the place which enabled the volume to be kept down so conversations could be held yet was loud enough to dance. The smiles on the faces of the students and chaperones left no doubts that once again the effort to hold the dance in the barn was a good one. One addition from the previous year was hay rides. From the CWP Landing two old style wooden hay wagons drawn by four horses each were available for half hour rides in a loop down Longs Cove Road to Locust neck Lane to Wells Point Lane back to the start at the barn.
Seniors Jamie and Freddy double dated with Barney and Melinda Willis, daughter of the owner of Charisma Clothing Boutique. The two couples thoroughly enjoyed the dance and hayride. Eighth graders Dwayne and Phil enjoyed the dance and hayride with their classmates Krista and Tony, Jasmine and Jimmy, and Jenny and Sam. The eight CWP friends enjoyed kissing and cuddling in the straw.
Overall the Halloween Dance was a roaring success. The fact they were able to donate $18,870.00 to Toys For Tots, the excess from the raffle tickets was icing on the cake. Harry Halls, the reporter from WBOC-TV Channel 16 in Salisbury had learned about the large donation and the Halloween dance during the concert for the vets. Contacting the school and the CWP he requested and received permission to do a filmed report on the dance and sizeable donation. The filmed report was picked up by the Fox news network of which TV16 was an affiliate. The report was very well received.
*****
Callie was released from prison Friday morning the day of the Halloween dance. Instead of flying out that day she arranged an overnight stay and a Saturday morning visit to her ex-boyfriend at the prison he was serving his life sentence. By 9:00 am she was seated in the visiting room. Just like on TV crime shows the room was divided in half by a glass security wall with counter tops on either side. The counter tops were partitioned into individual partitions with telephones so the prisoner and visitor could talk but not touch.
With mixed emotions Dustin Ritter smiled when he saw Callie come into the room and sit opposite him. “You’re free now?”
“Yes,” Callie answered. “My conviction was voided and I was released yesterday.”
Dusty sighed with ill concealed jealousy. “That’s good. Callie, I’m really sorry for getting you involved with my stupidity. How are your babies?”
Callie was caught off guard. “You know about the twins?”
“Yeah,” Dusty nodded. “You never told me you were knocked up... am I the father?”
“Yes,” Callie answered. “I only found out I was pregnant when I was in prison. At that point I was too pissed off to let you know. The main reason I came to see you was to tell you about the twins and their adoptive parents. Did the prison notify you?”
“No, I received a letter from someone named Krista Scott,” Dusty explained. “She seems to be a very caring woman.
Callie smiled and shook her head. “She’s an amazing fourteen year old. A year and a half ago her family was about to become homeless and her cancer ridden mother was too weak to go on so she walked into the ocean to drown herself after telling Krista to take her sisters from Cape Cod to the Maryland Eastern Shore. She was twelve and her twin sisters were nine when, with only $50, they set out to WALK over four hundred fifty miles. Of the next thirty four days they walked on twenty six and did odd jobs to earn money on the days of rest. They used garbage bags as ponchos. When one sister shredded her poncho Krista gave her’s to the sister and got soaked. That brought on a fever but she pushed on for four more days before she stumbled onto the road and was sideswiped by a car before collapsing. The woman driver took the three girls home, nursed Krista back to health, then she and her husband drove them to their grandmother just outside Neavitt, Maryland. What was ironic is that when they set out Krista was the brother of the twins. During their odyssey no one wanted give him a job until a baker who thought he was a girl. To survive, he unhappily accepted pretending to be a girl. As each day passed the unwanted masquerade became more real until she realized she was transgender.”
“That makes her letter a bit clearer,” Dusty said. “She explained your mother came to get our twins after they were born to save them from being put up for adoption despite the fact she was dying from cancer but promised to see the babies went to loving parents. Krista explained that her uncle and his bride were your classmates but that the bride was a transsexual who had the surgery and their wedding was televised as part of a boat festival. When your mom saw them, she knew they could not have children of their own and knowing their families realized they would make great parents. Then she wrote that she and they were all part of a self made clan called Wells Point.”
“They go by the name The Clan Wells Point,” Callie explained. “They’re the most wonderful caring people you’ll ever meet.”
“That’s what she said in her letter,” Dusty nodded. “She wrote that they provided hospice care for your mom in the same house as the twins, Sonny and Rayne, that she was able to cuddle and love them until she passed.”
“Yes,” Callie said as she wiped away tears. “The Clan made arrangements to have deputies escort me back home for the funeral. I was able to cuddle Sonny and Rayne for three days. The funeral they had for my mom was absolutely beautiful. They said a person doesn’t die, they graduate to heaven.”
“Maybe you will but I’ll be going to hell,” Dusty sighed. “I really screwed up. Until I dried up in here I didn’t realize how stupid using drugs made me. Now I have to pay for taking another man’s life. I’m getting what I deserve.”
“Yes, but you can evade Hell if you honestly confess your sins to God,” Callie replied. “The Clan Wells Point taught me that much. The three days I spent with the Clan Wells Point made any doubts that God cares about us disappear. They started the ball rolling to get my conviction overturned.”
“Krista had that in her letter,” Dusty smiled. “She said I’d most likely be questioned about your role in the robbery and murder and that it was vital that I told the truth, whatever it was. That really surprised me. I don’t understand why she didn’t coach me on what to say.”
“That’s easy,” Cassie nodded. “The Clan Wells Point is based on honesty and helping others. If the truth wouldn’t free me, then I didn’t deserve to get out. The clan is all about integrity.”
“That seems a bit harsh,” Dusty frowned. “But I guess it works for them. When they came to question me about you I told the truth. Now you’re free so you can go back and get the twins.”
“No,” Cassie said. “I’ll go back but Larry and Kylie are better parents than I could ever be. Maybe someday I’ll make a good mom but I’m not there yet. The Clan Wells Point wants me to join them so I’ll be near Sonny and Rayne and interact with them but as an aunt. I’ll keep you up to date on them.”
“In her letter that’s what Krista said you’d do,” Dusty solemnly declared. “Look Cassie, I need to apologize for getting you involved in my craziness. Now that I’m free of drugs I can think clearer and realize I really screwed up and dragged you into it. You didn’t deserve to be jailed. It was all my arrogant drug fueled stupidity.”
“Yes it was,” Cassie agreed. “But it seems like your time in prison has matured you.”
“That it has,” Dusty sighed. “Being sober has helped. I still can’t understand why I let drugs take over but I did what I did. I can’t deny I killed the man.”
“The first step to redemption is by accepting responsibility which you’ve done,” Cassie smiled as she placed a hand on the glass separating them.
“I’ve done that,” Dusty sighed as he placed his hand against hers. “But I’ll spend the rest of my life in prison.”
“Not necessarily,” Cassie looked deeply into his eyes. “If you show your remorse and stay out of trouble, the lawyer who got me freed said you’ll be eligible for parole in thirty years.”
“That’s a long time,” Dusty griped. “But it’s better than the rest of my life. But to get parole I have to have a place to live and a way to support myself. How will I be able to do that? My family and friends have written me off. Without outside support I’ll never get out.”
“Dusty, you HAVE outside support,” Cassie declared with a grin. “The Clan Wells Point has your back.”
“Yeah, right,” Dusty huffed clearly feeling hopeless. “They have no reason to help a murder they’ve never met.”
“Yes they do,” Cassie smiled. “Sonny and Rayne are members of the clan. That makes you a person of interest for them. In all honesty you are Sonny and Rayne’s sperm donor just as I’m their egg donor. Kylie and Larry are their mother and father. The twins will be told about us. Just as I’m their aunt, you are the twin’s uncle.”
“Wow,” Dusty gasped with surprise. “So they’ll help me at a parole hearing?”
An announcement came over the PA system announcing visiting time would end in two minutes.
“Yes,” Cassie assured him. “When I return home, I’ll make sure the Clan discusses setting up regular communication with you so they know in advance when you become eligible. When the time comes they’ll coordinate a good lawyer for you just as they did for me. To give you a bit more hope, I’m the fourth person they’ve gotten or kept out of jail. The first two are Clan members serving out work release parole. The woman is considered an aunt to her daughter and the man is considered an uncle to his three daughters and two sons. The third had her murder conviction overturned to manslaughter and was sentenced to time served.”
“So there is hope for me,” Dusty mused. “Thirty years is a long time. I hope I can do it.”
“You can do it,” Cassie assured him. “I’ll make sure you get photos of Sonny and Rayne. They’ll be your motivation.”
Dusty nodded his head. “Krista included a photo of the twins and their parents in her letter. Look, I’ll do my best. I guess it’s too much to ask if you’ll be waiting for me?”
“I’ll be there and will be your friend,” Cassie replied. “But I can’t promise to wait for you.”
“Fair enough,” Dusty sighed. “Thanks for being honest.”
“It’s what the Clan Wells Point does,” Cassie declared.
With that a guard collected Dustin to return him to his cell.
By 2:00pm Cassie was boarding the jet to fly to DC where she’d be met by Leroy and Krista.
Carrying the two suitcases containing all her worldly possessions Cassie walked out of the arrival area at the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. With a huge grin she received a welcome home hug from Krista. The pair hugged then each carried a suitcase to Leroy waiting by the curb in his F150 crew cab pickup. Leroy put the suitcases behind the front passenger seat then assisted Cassie as she sat in the seat. Krista slipped into the rear seat behind the driver. It was nearly 7:00pm when they set out on the trip home. The hour and three quarter trip stretched another 45 minutes as they stopped at Ava’s Pizzeria in St. Michaels for supper. Cassie was once more impressed with Krista. When she learned Cassie’s arrival time the spunky girl had asked Kylie and Larry for suggestions about Cassie’s favorite food that would be unavailable in prison. It was 9:30pm when they arrived at the main farmhouse. Tony, Kylie and Larry came out to welcome Cassie. Tony and Krista carried the suitcases inside to the spare bedroom where Cassie would be staying overnight.
The renovations to Susan’s Place B&B had been completed. On Sunday November 2 the Evans family moved into the apartment above the garage. Mary Ann would be running the dual office for the B&B and CWP Charter Fishing Boat. Callie was delighted to be offered the then vacated crew position on the Coconut Island and moved into the other apartment. That evening the Clan Wells Point had their first meeting meal in the O’Brien barn. Cassie was brought to tears to learn her mother had requested she inherit her shares and was granted membership into the CWP. The Clan Wells Point now had ninety members. The Clan was also excited about the upcoming Veterans excursion to DC. Nearly everyone who would be available next Saturday decided to carpool to follow the bus caravan.
On Tuesday Jenny received a call from Jason Lieberman. The estate of her grandparents was ready to be sold and closed. If she wanted anything from the estate she had two weeks to retrieve it. A very sullen Jenny sat down with her mother and big sister to discuss options.
“I don’t want anything from the estate,” Jenny began. “But am I cutting off my nose to spite my face? Will I want any of the photos and other mementos a few years from now? God! Even with them dead they still haunt me!”
“We can’t tell you what to do,” Ruth sighed as she felt for her adopted daughter. “But what you said about cutting off your nose could be true. I don’t mind taking you back to Pennsylvania. Just because you do go back doesn’t mean you have to take anything. If you do bring anything home you can store it away. If at a later time you decide to get rid of it we’ll do so. What I’m saying is you have multiple choices. Some are final, some buy time. But if you don’t at least look now, you may remember something you might have wanted in the future.”
“Sis, you life in Pennsylvania was hell,” Jamie declared. “The fact you’ve emerged from that the wonderful caring sister and person you are is fantastic! But you can’t just shut the door on your past. You need to deal with it. Mom and I will help you do it. Sis, you’re not alone in this! We have your back.”
Jenny bit her lips as tears began to trickle down her cheeks. “It’s not fair to you,” she blubbered. “You’ve done so much already just taking me in. I can’t burden you with any more.”
Ruth and Jamie moved to envelope Jenny in protective hugs. “Baby, if you need more help that Jamie or can give you we can get professional help. You ARE my daughter and Jamie’s sister! We love you unconditionally! Sweety, you never dealt with the fact your grandparents tried to kill you! You’ve buried it and it’s still eating at you. Jamie and I can see it. You never take time to just relax. You throw yourself from one activity to another with no downtime. WE need to deal with your anger about your birth family as a family.”
“BUT I KILLED THEM,” Jenny sobbed. “My failure to be the son my dad wanted led to him beating my me and my mother! Then when he jkilled her I KILLED HIM! I TOOK HIS LIFE! ME! Then I killed my grandparents when they tried to kill me! I’m responsible for all four deaths! ME! I did it...” Jenny totally broke down.
Lung emptying sobs shook her body as well as Ruth and Jamie as they cuddled her with love. From the back of the now fenced in back yard Snoopy, Spike, Andy, Olaf, Marbles and Belle began howling and baying jumping against the door to the screened in porch in desperate effort to get to their beloved mistress.
The baying echoed across the area. Larry and Kylie ran from the farmhouse to see what was going on. Frank, Heather and Jasmine ran from the north from the Landing. The five saw each other heading to the Ewell home. Larry and Kylie headed to the back yard to calm the beagles while the other three headed for the front door. It was plain to see the beagles were frantic about getting into the house.
“I... I need to tell the dogs I’m okay before they break in,” Jenny whispered as she managed to pull herself together. As Ruth and Jamie stood helping the trembling Jenny to her feet a loud knocking came from the front door. Realizing the neighbors were concerned about the chaotic baying Ruth went to the front door. Larry and Kylie were swarmed by the desperately baying beagles as soon as they entered the yard. The energetic jumping dogs immediately began to herd the two humans to the back door knowing they could open it so they could get inside to help Jenny.
As Ruth welcomed Frank, Heather and Jasmine in the front door Jamie helped Jenny to the back door. Hearing the latch turning the beagles abandoned Larry and Kylie. Their already frantic baying rose in urgency as they rushed the door as it opened. As soon as the door was opened enough to jamb a snout in the opening all five dogs forced their way inside. Jamie and Jenny were swamped by the leaping beagles who promptly nosed Jamie away as they pulled Jenny to the floor to cover her with doggy kisses, cries and whimpers. Jenny’s tears returned only now they were tears of happiness as she returned the doggy hugs and kisses to the eager Beagles.
The neighbors quietly headed home when they realized Jenny had an emotional meltdown. Her beloved beagles were the best short term solution. No one even questioned why she broke down. Nearly every one in the CWP had been concerned for her wondering how long she could bury her angst.
*****
The next week was hectic as all the detailed preparations were completed for the veteran’s trip. Two hundred seventy two vets had signed up! With a guest each and a student volunteer for each vet that meant eight hundred seventeen needed to be transported! With coverage of the fund raising concert for the vets’ trip by Harry Halls and the WBOC TV 16 film crew there were numerous family members of the vets who also wanted to accompany the tour. It was understood they would provide their own transportation. The band director had checked with the DC National Mall security to see if the band could put on a mini concert for their vets near the WWII Memorial. Upon finding it was possible he had no trouble convincing the school administration to allow the forty member band to perform.
Between student volunteers to be assistants for the veterans and the band three hundred twelve students were needed. Fortunately nearly the entire student body stepped forward to help. The students council, school advisors and volunteers began arriving at the school parking lot at 7:00am. The six tour buses provided at cost by Delmarva Community Transit needed to be supplemented by ten school buses. The tour buses could carry forty eight passengers and the school buses fifty two for a total capacity of eight hundred eight on the buses. With consultations with the leadership of the VFW and American Legion the oldest vets and those with special needs were scheduled for the more comfortable tour buses. Each vet was allowed one guest, (their spouse, a family member or a friend) to accompany them. The CWP handicap accessible van carried nine power wheelchair bound vets and seven passengers. The CWP also provided three crew cab pickup trucks with five people each to transport six personal power scooters each for those who needed assistance walking distances. The CWP also provided a sixteen feet long by seven feet wide stake bed truck to carry one hundred transport wheelchairs for vets who might not be able to walk the distances in the National Mall. The chairs were borrowed from churches, funeral homes, nursing homes and rehab centers across Talbot County. In addition there were twenty one personal vehicles with an average of five people each. Last was the WBOC TV 16 News Van with Harry Halls and a two man crew. A total of one thousand fifteen people were in their group.
At 8:30 the forty four vehicle caravan set out. Arrangements had been made to reserve parking spaces for the vehicles in a parking lot just south of the Jefferson Memorial. It was a bit after 10:00am when the caravan offloaded on Ohio Drive SW midway between the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials. The day was a sunny sixty one degrees with barely a breeze. The wheelchairs and transport wheelchairs were offloaded and when they saw the distances involved those families that brought wheelchairs for their vets did the same. The initial walk to the National Mall was half a mile. The Korean War, WWII and Vietnam War Memorials were located around the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pond with a walking distance of nearly a mile between them.
The large group stayed together. Those vets with additional family joined the vet and guest with student assistant. Most of the vets were quiet and solemn as the import of the visit struck home. The massive group walked up Ohio Drive SW to Independence Avenue SW which they crossed to Daniel French Drive SW. The Korean War Memorial was just off that street.
Docents explained the haunting 19 stainless steel statues represented an advance party. They are approximately seven feet tall and represent an ethnic cross section of America. There are fourteen Army, three Marine, one Navy and one Air Force members. The statues stand in patches of Juniper bushes and are separated by polished granite strips, which give a semblance of order and symbolize the rice paddies and terrain of Korea. The troops wear ponchos covering their weapons and equipment. The ponchos seem to blow in the cold winds of Korea. The adjacent Mural Wall consists of forty one panels extending one hundred sixty four feet. Over two thousand four hundred photographs of the Korean War were obtained from the National Archives. They were enhanced by computer to give a uniform lighting effect and the desired size. The mural, representing those forces supporting the foot soldier, depicts Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard personnel and their equipment. The etchings are arranged to give a wavy appearance in harmony with the layout of the statues. The reflective quality of the Academy Black Granite creates the image of a total of 38 statues, symbolic of the 38th Parallel and the 38 months of the war. When viewed from afar, it also creates the appearance of the mountain ranges of Korea. Korea
As the group walked about the monument idle chatter slowly faded. Krista was pushing Mr Jablonski’s wheelchair with Mrs Jablonski at his side. They stopped at the apex of the statues. Theo, normally a stoic man, began to shake and tears flowed down his cheeks.
Rachel was shocked and concerned by his behavior. “Theo, are you alright?”
Too choked up to speak, the man shook his head no.
Rachel began to panic fearing another stroke. “Oh God, not another stroke! Where can we get an ambulance? HELP! Can someone call an ambulance?”
Theo became agitated and gripped Rachel’s arm shaking his head no. “No ambulance... I just need... some time.”
As people gathered to see what was going on Krista stepped around and knelt in front of Theo taking his hands in hers. “Theo... these were you brothers?”
The formerly stoic man sniffed and nodded. “Brothers... my brothers...” he managed to whisper.
One of the docents had come over to see what was happening. She heard what Krista asked and Theo’s response. “He’ll be okay. He’s just overwhelmed with memories and long suppressed PTSD. This happens on a regular basis. Just give him space and time to deal with it.”
Those closest patted Theo’s shoulder reassuringly as those who had gathered dispersed.
Rachel stood by his side holding one hand gazing at the statues wondering why they had effected her normally taciturn husband.
“Mr Jablonski, you were there,” Krista said as she placed a hand on his shoulder opposite his wife. You remember the rain, the snow, the ice, the fighting, killing, watching you buddies die, the horror you couldn’t stop or control. But you endured. You came through the hell. Since then you’ve lived the best life you could to honor those who didn’t come home. You were a hero during the war and your life since then has been that of a hero. Like many veterans you never asked to be a hero, you just are one.”
Theo nodded his head as he absorbed Krista’s words of wisdom. “I never wanted to be a hero.”
“Real heros never want to be heros,” Krista declared.
“You’re one smart girl,” Theo sighed as he reached up to pat Krista’s hand. Then he looked up at his wife. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make a scene.”
“Oh Theo,” Rachel replied. “I love you.”
“There’s no need to apologize, Mr Jablonski,” Krista smiled as she stood even as tears began to flow down her cheeks. “After what you lived through with your buddies you’ve earned the right to cry. You, sir, are my hero,” With that she hugged him.
Rachel joined the hug. After a few moments they moved on to view the rest of the monument.
From there the group moved to the Lincoln Memorial, then on to the north side of the reflecting pool to the Three Soldiers Statue portraying three young uniformed American soldiers. While the military attire is meant to be symbolic and general in nature, the combat equipment displayed represents the figures as serving in either the U.S. Army, or U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. Of the three men, the lead figure represents a Marine. The man on the right wears combat equipment consistent with a U.S. Army Soldier. The man on the left is slightly less specific in the service representation of his gear and uniform, but he appears to be a U.S. Army Soldier. In order to portray the major ethnic groups that were represented in the ranks of U.S. combat personnel that served in Vietnam, the statue's three men are purposely identifiable as European American, African American, and Latino. The Three Soldiers statue was designed to supplement the somber Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
It was a short walk to the iconic Vietnam War Memorial Wall. Made up of two walls each two hundred forty six feet nine inches long etched with the names of the servicemen being honored in panels of horizontal rows. The walls are sunk into the ground with the earth behind them. At the highest tip where they meet they are ten feet high and they taper to a height of eight inches at their extremities. Symbolically, this is described as a wound that is closed and healing. When a visitor looks upon the wall his or her reflection can be seen simultaneously with the engraved names which is meant to symbolically bring the past and present together. One wall points toward the Washington Monument the other in the direction of the Lincoln Memorial. There is a pathway along the base of the Wall, where visitors may walk.
One of the most striking things the group noticed was the lack of the familiar jabbering of tourists. Instead there was a respectful silence. Nearly everyone over fifty had tears in their eyes. Many small groups of older men wearing jackets, vests, hats and pins identifying them as Vietnam Vets slowly moved along the wall as their fingertips traced the names. When they touched a name they recognized, one of their fallen comrades, their fingers lingered and tears trickled down their cheeks. The shuffling of feet and the squeak of wheelchairs was the dominant sound. Soft whispered prayers were also periodically heard. The monument was sobering for the students. It was one thing to hear statistics in a classroom that over fifty eight thousand men died in the war. It was quite another to actually see that many names etched on the walls. It helped drive home the enormity of the loss.
The group moved silently to the nearby Vietnam Women’s Memorial, the first time a memorial that honors women's patriotic service. It was the first tangible symbol of honor for American women. The multi-figure bronze six feet eight inches tall monument is a sculpture in the round portraying three Vietnam-era women, one of whom is caring for a wounded male soldier. nam
From there the group traveled along the north side of the reflecting pool to Seventeenth Street NW to approach the World War Two Memorial from the east. The monument consists of consists of fifty six granite pillars, each seventeen feet tall, arranged in a semicircle around a plaza with two triumphal arches on opposite sides each forty three feet tall. Two-thirds of the seven and a half acre site is landscaping and water. Each pillar is inscribed with the name of one of the forty eight U.S. states of 1945 as well as the District of Columbia, the Alaska Territory and Territory of Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The northern arch is inscribed with "Atlantic"; the southern one, "Pacific." The plaza is three hundred thirty seven feet ten inches long and two hundred forty feet two inches wide, is sunk 6 feet below grade, and contains a pool that is two hundred forty six feet nine inches by one hundred forty seven feet eight inches. The memorial includes two inconspicuously located "Kilroy was here” engravings. Their inclusion in the memorial acknowledges the significance of the symbol to American soldiers during World War II and how it represented their presence and protection wherever it was inscribed.
Entering the semicircle from the east the group walked along the two walls picturing scenes of the war experience in bas relief. The wall toward the Pacific arch the scenes begin with soon-to-be servicemen getting physical exams, taking the oath, and being issued military gear. The reliefs progress through several iconic scenes, including combat and burying the dead, ending in a homecoming scene. On the wall toward the Atlantic arch there is a similar progression, but with scenes generally more typical of the European theatre. Some scenes take place in England, depicting the preparations for air and sea assaults. The last scene is of a handshake between the American and Russian armies when the western and eastern fronts met in Germany.
The Freedom Wall is on the west side of the memorial, with a view of the Reflecting Pool and Lincoln Memorial behind it. The wall has four thousand forty eight gold stars each representing 100 Americans who died in the war. In front of the wall lies the message "Here we mark the price of freedom".
The cheeks of the WWII vets were streaked with tears as those who accompanied them hugged them and listened to their whispered heartfelt and often heartrending reminisces. No one who watched the old vets had dry eyes as they watched the old men tremble as memories of fighting, watching buddies die, the unending tension of war and the comradery of the squad mates. More than one grizzled man broke down as the walls of their hidden and often denied war memories crumbled. For many families the tough old man they’d known finally showed his humanity. The raw emotions of the vets effected the students. All who were there were changed by what they shared. wwii
The somber group moved down the west side of the reflecting pool to the DC War Memorial. The monument is a circular, open-air, Doric structure built almost entirely of Vermont marble. The memorial has an overall height of forty seven feet and a diameter of forty four feet, large enough to accommodate the entire U.S. Marine Band. It was intended that the structure be a memorial and a bandstand and that each concert would be a tribute to those who served and sacrificed in the war. The memorial stands on a four feet high circular marble platform around which are inscribed the names of 499 Washington residents who died in service during World War I. The names were inscribed on the face of the platform in alphabetical order with no distinction made to rank, race, or gender. Arrangements had been made with the authorities for the St. Michael’s Middle High School band to use the Memorial. wwI
As the school band set up under the rotunda of the Monument. The large group spread out on the lawn and under the Ash Woods around memorial settling onto blankets. Brown bag lunches and drinks were distributed to the group. When ready, the band director blew three shrill tweets on his whistle. The band promptly launched into the ever rousing Sousa march Stars and Stripes Forever. From the back of the memorial, Krista led a color guard around the walkway to the front. Krista carried Old Glory with Jennie carrying the American Legion flag and Jasmine carrying the VFW flag. They formed a line with Old Glory in the center on the sixth step centered on the front of the memorial. Tony, Jimmy, Phil, Dwayne and Sam followed carrying the flags of the Navy, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marine Corps formed a line four steps down in front of the girls. Holly, Lyndi and Teri followed the flags and when the song ended replaced Krista, Jenny and Jasmine as flag holders. The three girls relieved of their burden climbed to the deck of the monument to front the band.
“I’d like to thank everyone who made today’s tour possible,” Krista spoke into the microphone. “I speak for all the students when I say we had no idea just how important these Memorials are. We want to give a heartfelt thank you to all who have served in the armed services. Please, enjoy our presentation!”
Drawn by the live music, more visitors to the area gathered to listen. While the band played the three girls sang. They played the anthem of the US Army, ‘The Army Goes Rolling Along’. Next was the US Navy anthem, ‘Anchors Away’. Then came the Air Force anthem, ‘Wild Blue Yonder’. Then came the Coast Guard theme, ‘Semper Paratus’.
Krista spoke up. “We students are thankful for the service and sacrifice of all veterans. In preparing for this trip we’ve learned a lot. Our generation has benefitted from past generations and we honor you. Because of technology we are different from past generations, but we pledge to do our part to continue your legacy. The last theme we want to play is the Marine Hymn, but in a non traditional style that speaks to our generation. This was version is performed by Madison Rising, a patriotic rock group. I hope you enjoy it or at least forgive us. This song goes out to the men and women who exemplify honor, courage and commitment! They are the few, the proud, they are the United States Marines! Semper fi!” With that the band launched into the rock version of the iconic theme. fi
“I hope everyone has enjoyed our humble presentation,” Krista declared. “If you are able can you please stand for our second last song.”
As the first notes of the Star Spangled Banner rang out people stood facing the flag. The three girls sang the lyrics of all four verses loud and clear. The listeners broke into cheers and applause.
When the cheers ended Krista spoke. “Please remain standing for this last appropriate tune.”
The band’s lead trumpet player then walked to the microphone and began to play ‘Taps’. taps
Tears were freely rolling down everyone’s cheeks as the haunting mournful notes echoed through the trees and monuments.
With an emotion choked voice Krista once more stepped to the mic. “May God bless us all!”
The band began to pack up and students moved through the crowd with garbage bags to collect the rubbish. The veterans and those accompanying them packed up. The drivers of the convoy brought the busses and other vehicles to the west bound curbs of Independence Avenue SW. It was a solemn but grateful group that boarded their transport to return home. Everyone had been forever moved by the day trip to the veteran’s memorials. Harry Halls and his film crew had accompanied the large group filming the memorials but also the reactions of the veterans. No one regretted the trip. That evening a hastily edited five minute synopsis of the trip appeared on the news and swept the nation. vet
Longer edited versions of the recorded trip were made and shared across the nation as part of the 2008 Veteran’s Day. As the chief instigator of the expedition Krista once more found herself in the spotlight.
After a lot of discussion about what was at her grandparents’ home Jenny admitted it would be worth another trip north. On Veteran’s Day with his E350 pickup and seven feet by twenty feet trailer Robert with Krista as a passenger led Ed Nelson in his 2005 Expedition with Ruth, Jamie and Jenny inside to drive to Pennsylvania to go through Jenny’s grandparents’ property. Having learned from the last trip, they packed lunch and plenty of drinks. The nearly four hour trip was uneventful and they arrived at the homestead a bit after 10am.
With a bit of trepidation Jenny led the way inside. In the livingroom she retrieved a set of keys hidden inside the winding door of an imposing ornate grandfather clock and pointed Robert and Ed to the two gun cabinets filled with rifles, shotguns and pistols. Ruth was clearly bedazzled by the clock.
Jenny smiled. “I’ve always loved that clock. It’s an 1895 Riefler. My great grandfather served in the 5th Infantry Division of Patton’s Third Army and was one of the first Third Army troops to cross the Rhine. He bought the clock after the war ended from a German widow while serving as part of the occupying force.”
As the girls looked around the rustic livingroom Ed and Robert checked out the gun cabinets. Both were awed by the sheer firepower held within. Among the pistols were two Desert Eagle .50 caliber with six 7 round magazines and holsters, two Springfield Armory Model 1911 .45 caliber with six 9 round magazines and holsters, two scary CZ-USA Scorpian EVO 9mm with six 20 round magazines, two WWII German Army P38 9mm with three 8 round magazines that Jenny’s great grandfather brought back from Germany, and two Walther PK380 .38 caliber with six 8 round magazines. The shotguns consisted of four 5 shot 12 gauge pump action, two 4 shot 12 gauge semi-auto, and two 12 gauge side by side double barrel guns. In addition there were two AR-15 assault rifles .223 caliber with six 30 round magazines, a Springfield Armory M1A semi-automatic .308 caliber with two 10 round magazines, an auto-ordinance Thompson style semi-automatic .45 caliber with two 50 round drums, a Henry Big Boy lever action .44 magnum caliber with 10 shot capacity, a Winchester Model 1873 lever action octagonal barrel .44-40 caliber with 13 shot capacity, two WWII German Army Karabiner 98k Mauser 7.92mm with sniper scopes that Jenny’s great grandfather brought back from Germany, and a Remington 700 ADL Varmint bolt action .223 caliber with 5 shot capacity. There were seven scopes that could be attached to the rifles as well as thousands of rounds of various caliber ammunition for the weapons. There were also a pair of crossbows with forty bolts and three compound bows with quivers and thirty hunting and eighty target arrows.
After going through the gun cabinets Robert shook his head. “Jenny, your grandfather was ready to start a war!”
“Yeah,” Jenny agreed. “That was my family. Some of those guns were my dad’s. I noticed his gun cabinet and guns were missing when we cleaned out that house. The Remington .223 caliber bolt action rifle was mine.”
“I don’t foresee a need for them but with what’s happening in the financial markets you never know if the need for self defense might arise,” Krista sighed. “Would you object if we bring the weapons back to the Clan?”
“I don’t think it would hurt,” Jenny agreed. “I enjoyed target shooting it’s just hunting I disliked. I don’t object to hunting if the meat is consumed I just don’t want to do it. Maybe we could set up a shooting range.”
“I ike the idea. Somewhere out on the tip of Wells Point would be a safe place to put a shooting range together,” Robert said. “We’ll have to get the ownership of all these weapons transferred.”
Jenny nodded her agreement then moved on. “Krista, can you help me check the fireplace?”
As Krista walked over to the large walk-in fireplace she asked, “Are we looking for a hidden stash?”
“Yes,” Jenny said as she used the wooden handle of a fire poker to tap on the bricks on one side of the fireplace. “Memorial day a year and a half ago I was told there was a hollow storage space inside but I don’t know where.”
Krista began doing the same using another poker on the other side. Brick by brick they checked the huge fireplace. After several minutes Krista found a loose brick. The excited girls eagerly pried and tugged on the brick until they wiggled it out enough to grasp and pull it out. As it slid out two other bricks loosened. By the time they pulled all the loose bricks out there was a hole sixteen inches wide and nine inches high. Inside was a steel box that virtually filled the space. Grasping the handle Jenny tugged the box.
“This feels really heavy,” Jenny declared as the box slowly pulled out. “Krista, can you help me lift it out?”
“Sure,” Krista answered as she grasped the corners of the box. For it’s size the box was heavy but the girls easily handled it. By the time they set it on the floor everyone gathered around curious to see what treasure might be hidden inside. They all gasped when it was opened. On top were twelve bundles of 50 hundred dollar bills, $5000.00 each for $60,000,00. Under the cash they found gold coins which Robert identified as one troy ounce Krugerrands. When counted they had five hundred coins. The current price of gold was worth $860.00 per ounce for a worth of $450,000. In all the box held $490,00.00. They were all stunned by the value.
“I take it your grandparents didn’t like banks any better than lawyers,” Ruth shook her head. “Your lawyer said they only had a checking account that they used sparingly.”
“They didn’t trust any government or big businesses,” Jenny sighed.
Ruth and Jenny kept checking through the house where they gathered the loose photographs and photo albums, several beautiful hand made quilts, sheets, blankets and towels as well as numerous antiques including numerous oil lamps. Robert, Ed, Jamie and Krista headed out to the Quonset hut garage behind the house. There were garage doors at both ends of the thirty feet wide by sixty five feet long steel building. Inside the back garage door were two ATVs and a box trailer seven feet wide and twelve feet long and six feet high with a thirty two inch wide door near the front on the right side. They began sorting through the contents. The task of seeing was junk versus good took quite a while as they had to go through all sorts of tools. Picks shovels, pry bars, rakes, hoes, axes, picks, scythes, sledge hammers, chain saws, power tools, oil, nails, screws and other supplies as well as hundreds of small hand tools the Clan could put to good use was set aside. As they were working Jenny came out to call them into the house for lunch.
The box trailer was hitched to the back of Ed’s Expedition and driven back to the house. The gun cabinets and grandfather clock and most of the antiques were loaded inside. The ATVs were loaded on Robert’s flat trailer above the wheels, then the tools and supplies were loaded onto the trailer. By the time they had loaded what they wanted it was nearly 3:00pm.
As they pulled onto the long driveway Jenny suddenly called out “WAIT! STOP!”
Ed stopped, blew his horn and flashed his lights at Robert as Jenny leapt from his Expedition and jogged over to the large pond. Robert stopped and got out of his truck as did Krista. Ruth Jamie and Ed got out of their vehicle, all following Jenny to the fifty feet wide by one hundred eighty feet long pond created by a low wide damn.
“I learned to kayak on the pond in this kayak,” Jenny reminisced as she stoked the green smooth polyethylene hull as she gazed almost longingly at the still water. “We can use the kayaks and canoes at the Landing.” With that said she knelt down by the log rack upon which the upside down watercraft were chained to retrieve the hidden keys for the padlocks quickly unlocking both chains.
While the men carried the two kayaks to Robert’s truck to slide them atop the built in ladder rack Jenny led Krista and Jamie to a six feet by eight feet rusted shed on the far side of the pond where the paddles were stored.
Jenny retrieved two double bladed kayak paddles and two life vests, Krista four single blade canoe paddles and Jamie four more life vests. As they were returning Jenny stopped to look at the water flowing from the pipe that drained the pond. The twelve inch pipe extended three feet from the dam breast that formed the pond. The normal outflow exiting the pipe was just a bit more than the flow of an unrestricted garden hose. It was only during heavy rains the pipe filled. The water arced out of the pipe to drop five feet to the small channel through which the water flowed further down the valley. The cascading flow had carved a three feet rounded basin about eighteen inches deep with the water trickling out the lowest point. The impact of the water created foamy bubbles that floated about the surface before popping.
“When I was little I used to love coming out here to just sit on the grass and watch the patterns the bubbles made,” Jenny sighed. “It was a lot like looking for stuff in clouds.”
Krista and Jamie smiled as they too watched the swirling bubbles coalesce into a shape. The three girls drew in a gasping breath. The image formed was one they’d seen several months before... during the ash scattering celebration... Susan Warren! The image repeatedly mouthed three words. It was almost as if the girls could hear her saying “Wait ten minutes!” As soon as they understood the image broke apart. The startled girls exchanged looks of surprise and trepidation.
“What are you looking at?” Ruth asked as she joined the girls after helping the men lift the canoes atop the box trailer.
“We were looking at the bubbles,” Jenny whispered clearly spooked. “I used to spend hours sitting here watching the them.”
“I take it you saw something that spooked you,” Ruth stated as she looked between the girls.
“We saw Susan Warren,” the awed Jamie answered as the men joined them. This was her first direct interaction with the clan’s supernatural guardian angels “She told us to wait ten minutes.”
Everyone was silent for a few moments. Then Robert spoke. “I don’t understand this spiritual stuff with guardian angels but I have learned to believe it. We wait ten minutes.”
Everyone nodded agreement as they went back to the vehicles where they double checked the tie downs on the kayaks and canoes. When the ten minutes passed they loaded up and anxiously began the trip home. It was obvious to all of them they’d been told to wait because something was going to happen... and while driving it would most likely be an accident of some sort... never a good thing.
Thirty two miles later they had just crossed from Berks into Lancaster County on southbound US Route 222 where it was a four lane limited access interstate with a sixty foot wide grass strip dividing the lanes. They were a mile and half south of the Pennsylvania Turnpike when the reason for Susan’s warning happened. It was 3:50pm.
“Look at that idiot,” Robert who was on high alert pointed out to Krista. They saw a sports car in the northbound lanes passing other vehicles in the 65mph speed zone as if they were sitting still. As they watched in horror as a car following a tractor trailer signaled and moved into the passing lane unaware of the excessively speeding sports car closing in. The speeding car futilely slammed on the brakes and steered into the grass median but still slammed into the left back of the innocent car. The front of the sports car disintegrated and began flipping end over end down the median. The struck car was violently knocked into the saddle fuel tank of the tractor cracking it open before it spun into the median. The tractor slid sideways as the driver fought to regain control. Suddenly the drive tires regained traction. The tractor with it’s trailer rumbled forward straight across the median into the southbound lanes. The tractor trailer t-boned a southbound mid sized two door sedan bulldozing it off the road. The side of the road was shaped in a drainage swale behind which was the mowed slope of a bush and tree covered hill. The car was shoved into the swale where the passenger side dug into the hill stopping the tractor trailer while pinning it to the hill. Sparks from the impact ignited the leaking diesel fuel.
The southbound lanes were going uphill so as soon as Robert saw what was happening he got off the gas and when the crash occurred he braked. Ed did the same. Both stopped with Robert about fifty feet from the tractor trailer now blocking both southbound lanes and shoulders.
The flaming leaking fuel ran beneath the tractor and flowed down the road, fortunately running off into the swale before reaching Robert’s truck. The driver’s side of the car was partially crushed and some of the flaming fuel was flowing beneath it. Without a thought for their own safety Robert and Krista jumped out of their truck to assist. Ed, Ruth, Jamie and Jenny did the same. Being closer Robert and Krista made it across the swale before the burning leaking fuel cut it off. Scrambling to the car they looked inside while Robert fruitlessly tried the passenger door. The flames were licking up the driver’s side and back of the car.
“Oh God,” Krista gasped “There’s kids in car seats!”
“Ed, get the big pry bar out of the trailer,” Robert yelled. “We’ll have to pop the door!” By the time he turned back to the car Krista was scrambling through the shattered rear window into the rear seat. Robert knew yelling at her was useless as once more his spunky granddaughter simply leapt into the fray.
Ed, Ruth, Jamie and Jenny ran to the trailer and searched for the tool. They found it and also a wrecking bar. Running north about fifty feet they were able to cross the swale and head to the car.
As she got herself inside Krista saw both babies appeared uninjured and were crying healthily. She saw the flames licking up the crushed driver’s side. The passenger, apparently the mother, appeared dazed and bruised with a bloody nose, saved by the air bag. The driver was unconscious and as she checked she was horrified to note his left arm was trapped with the humorous bone snapped off just above the elbow protruding from the shredded flesh and bleeding profusely. Realizing he would quickly bleed out she removed her braided leather belt, wrapped it twice above the shredded muscle and bone and tied it off as tightly as she could.
By then the others had reached the car. Robert jammed the wrecking bar into the space between the frame and the door and heaved. With a groan the gap widened. With a few tries the gap was wide enough to get the heavy five foot long steel pry bar in the gap. Both men began working the gap.
Ruth was looking for Krista wondering where she’d gone.
“My God she’s in the car,” Jenny gasped as they looked into the car where the flames were igniting the headliner.
“Take this one,” Krista shouted as she slide an occupied car seat sideways out the back window after cutting the seat belt.
Carefully avoiding the flames coming up from the back of the car Jamie grasped it feeling the building heat. After she handed the seat with crying infant to Jenny, Krista used her Swiss Army knife to cut the seat belt holding the second car seat.
The door finally yielded to the men’s Herculean effort, groaned and popped open. Robert reached inside to push down the deflated airbag then leaned over her to unbuckle the seatbelt. Then he pulled the confused woman out of the burning wreck. Ruth assisted the woman to stumble up the hill away from the flames to where Jenny sat holding and soothing the cries of the six week old baby girl.
Coughing from the smoke and ducking to avoid the burning headliner Krista handed the second car seat out the back window to Jamie who scurried away to join her mother and sister where she removed and hugged the crying eighteen month old boy.
Robert crouched in the passenger seat unsuccessfully trying to tug the driver out. Krista turned to help instantly realizing the man’s arm was too badly trapped to free him. “His arm is trapped,” she coughed. “We can’t get him out this way. I’ll have to cut off his arm.”
Shifting a bit Robert could see the shattered arm and tourniquet and realized Krista was correct. With disbelief in her stamina he watched as she once more unlimbered her Swiss Army knife and shrugged her jacket over her head to protect her hair from the flames. Leaning into the flames she began cutting through the deboned shredded meat of the man’s arm. Robert kept tension on the man’s right arm to make the cutting easier. Nearly the entire roof liner was aflame by the time Robert felt the release as the arm separated. By then the flames was singing his hair through his baseball cap. Dragging the man by his remaining arm he backed out the wrenched open passenger door where Ed knocked Robert’s burning hat off his head.
Quickly shifting about Ed grabbed the man’s legs as Robert shot his arms beneath the unconscious man’s shoulders. The two men then carried him up the hill.
As Krista scrambled out the door right behind them the flaming roof liner dropped on her. Just as she got out the interior went up in flames. Somehow she’d managed to snag the diaper bag and scooped up the woman’s purse before sprawling to the grass outside the car. She had to slip out of her burning jacket before she ran away from the fully engulfed car.
The distraught woman was seated on the hillside crying as she cuddled her children as she watched the men carry her unconscious husband from the wreck. Jamie and Jenny ran down to assist Krista patting out the smouldering spots on her clothes and hair. Less than five minutes had passed since the crash.
Other motorists stopped by the epic crash had checked the initial two vehicles. Several were attending to the occupants of the nearer car while a few walked around the shredded sports car. Most were silently standing back watching, many with cell phones out recording the carnage. Emergency personnel had yet to arrive.
Ruth got up to assist the heavily coughing Krista sit beside the mother as Jamie and Jenny ran back to Ed’s vehicle to get several bottles of water and blankets.
Ed and Robert, who had to stop several times to catch their breath were both panting from the exertion as they staggered to the group carrying the unconscious man.
The woman saw his missing arm and gasped. “Ben! Oh my God!”
“I’m (cough) sorry,” Krista apologized. “His arm was (cough) trapped and the flames (cough) were getting closer (cough) and hotter. (cough) I had to (cough) cut it off to (cough) get him out.”
“You... you cut it off?” The woman asked in disbelief.
“It was the only (cough) way to save him, (cough)” Krista sniffled as the enormity of what she’d done hit her.
“Is he going to survive?” The woman asked softly.
“I don’t know, (cough)” Krista answered with compassion. “The arm was (cough) pretty well busted (cough) up and he was (cough) bleeding out. (cough) I put a tourniquet (cough) on to stop the bleed. (Cough) When the paramedics (cough) get here they’ll (cough) have to stabilize him (cough) then get him to a (cough) trauma center.”
At that point the car’s fuel tank exploded. Several people who had approached the inferno with cell phones recording the scene were struck by debris although none were seriously injured.
Jamie and Jenny returned handing out water bottles and blankets to everyone. Krista promptly opened a bottle and downed about half to soothe her smoke irritated throat.
“You saved my babies too,” the battered woman looked at Krista noting her singed hair clearly awed. “You risked your life going into a burning car to save strangers. I can’t ever thank you... all of you... I don’t even know your names.”
“I’m Robert Scott,” Robert introduced himself. “This brave young lady is my granddaughter Krista Scott. This is Ed Nelson, Ruth Ewell and her daughters Jamie and Jenny.
“I’m VERY pleased to meet you. You saved us. With out your help...” the woman shivered as she clutched the children closer while glancing at the fully engulfed car. “My husband is Ben Johnson. I’m Kelly Johnson, this is our son Grant and daughter Penny. If Ben dies...,” tears began to flow down her cheeks.
“He won’t die,” Krista firmly stated. “It wasn’t an accident that we were right behind you.”
The woman sniffled and looked at Krista a bit strangely.
“We come from Maryland,” Krista explained. “We were up near Virginville getting things from Jenny’s grandparents estate. As we were getting ready to leave... I know this will sound strange but it’s true... an angel appeared to Jenny, Jamie and I telling us to wait ten minutes. We’ve had encounters with angels before and know to do what they say so we delayed out departure. If we’d have left when we first tried, we’d have missed the accident. Your family might have died horribly in the crash.”
Kelly looked at Krista in disbelief, wondering if she was telling a tale but a quick glance at the others revealed they thought the weird tale was true. “An angel appeared... so you would be here to save us?”
“Yes,” Krista declared. “That means your family is now tied to us. We’re all part of the Clan Wells Point. We currently have ninety members and live on the Clan property. We have two guardian angels looking out for us. One was my mother, Carol O’Brien and the other was Susan Warren. Susan is the one who told us to wait.”
Kelly looked uncertain and a bit fearful. “Are you some sort of cult?”
“No,” Robert smiled. “We’re family and friends who have been drawn together by Krista. We formed nearly a year and a quarter ago.”
Kelly looked confused. “So Krista is head of this clan?”
“No... although she is the nexus,” Robert smiled to ease her concerns. “Positive things seem to happen around her. I’m one of four elected directors of the Clan Wells Point. We’re a self help group with public outreach. Saving your family aren’t the first people we’ve rescued because of Krista. A year and a half ago she led her younger sisters in walking from Cape Cod to Wells Point after her mother died. Then she and the angel her mother had become had a hand in saving my youngest son’s best friend from suicide. After that her boyfriend’s estranged and jailed father broke out of jail, killed three guards, kidnaped Krista, her boyfriend and his mother intending to kill them. Krista intentionally caused their car to crash then wrestled the killer for control of the gun in the overturned wreck and killed him with a windshield wiper through his eye into his brain getting shot twice in the process. As she was recovering she and Tony, her boyfriend, were walking in the park by the football fields where my grandsons play Pop Warner football, the exercise was to help her recover from her wounds. She heard a little girl hiding in some bushes crying and coaxed her out. The six year old girl had been raped. The rapist was killed in prison and the girls is now Krista’s adopted sister. Then she was instrumental in unraveling the Apple Tree scandal in the process saving the life of a comatose girl. All that happened in a six month span. We formed the Clan Wells Point to continue and expand the spirit of caring and giving that Krista exudes.”
“I heard about those things,” Kelly replied as she looked in awe at the blushing unassuming Krista.
The sounds of approaching sirens interrupted further discussion. Within minutes a fire truck screamed to the wreck. The blazing car and tractor trailer were assaulted by the firefighters. The paramedics and ambulance were right behind. Police quickly arrived. The attention of the medical personnel centered on the people in the first car and the driver of the tractor trailer who had been able to bailout safely with only bruises.
Robert and Ed were shouting and waving their arms hoping to attract the attention of the paramedics. Krista shrugged off her blanket and sprinted off down the hill.
“There she goes again,” Ruth shook her head as she picked up the discarded blanket.
They watched in amazement as the young spitfire dodged through the onlookers and firefighters to the paramedics.
“We pulled the people from the car that burned up,” Krista explained as she grabbed a paramedic by the arm to get his attention. “I had to cut off the driver’s arm so we could get him out and he’s lost a lot of blood. He’s unconscious but alive and desperately needs help. He’s up on the hill. My grandfather is the one waving his arms.”
The paramedic looked at Krista with his mouth hanging open but followed her pointed arm to see two men waving standing half way up the hill. With amazing speed he called to his partner, grabbed their gear and followed the girl to the hill.
The paramedics quickly assessed Ben’s condition. While one paramedic took vital signs and accessed his injuries another started an IV to get fluids into him to supplement what blood remained. A third called for a medivac. The paramedic Krista approached checked the amputated arm and looked her in disbelief. He simply couldn’t believe the teen had amputated the arm.
The Life Lion EMS was based in Hershey, about twenty straight line miles away. By the time the chopper landed they had Ben on a litter and moved him to the road. Quickly loaded they took off for the fifteen minute flight to transport him to the level one trauma unit at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
Other medical personnel arrived to check out the children and Kelly. Ruth insisted they also check Krista. The paramedic checking her gasped as he saw the first degree burns on her hands and the left side of her face. Not once had she complained but Ruth had detected her discomfort. They treated her with burn ointment but no dressings advising that if the discomfort grew too intense she should seek immediate medical assistance. Kelly was deemed non critical but they recommended she go to the hospital for treatment for observation for a mild concussion. The children were cleared.
While the medical treatments were happening, the police were canvassing witnesses to determine the cause and responsibility of the crash. Robert told them all he’d seen and what they had done to rescue the Johnson family. His sequence of events was the most complete and tied together the other witness’ partial reports. The officer clearly didn’t believe that Krista had been so instrumental including cutting off a man’s arm. However when he questioned Krista he noted the burns on her hands and face as well as her singed hair. Obviously she had crawled in the burning car! The officer was clearly impressed.
The driver of the sports car wasn’t using his seatbelt and was ejected as his car disintegrated and flipped end over end for three hundred feet. His body was found a hundred feet past the main wreckage of his car. The driver and passenger of the car he hit were wearing seatbelts. They suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital as a precaution. They were discharged after overnight observation. The trucker was just shaken up refusing to go to the hospital. All vehicles involved were totalled.
As the import of what had happened finally hit, Kelly began to tremble and cry. Ruth comforted her as Jamie and Jenny took care of the kids.
“I don’t know what we’re going to do,” Kelly sobbed. “Ben had been laid off and out of work for five months so our savings were gone and our credit cards nearly maxed when he got a new job two months ago. I was a paralegal. We couldn’t afford daycare so I asked my boss for six weeks off after Penny was born. He refused and fired me. We have no health insurance, I have no job, Ben certainly won’t be going back to work. We owe the obstetrician and hospital for Penny’s birth. We’re so far in debt and behind on our rent we’ll soon be evicted.”
Ruth shook her head. “Do you have any family that can help?”
“No,” Kelly sniffed. “Ben and I met at community college and we just clicked. When we refused to break up our families shunned us. Both are dead set against interracial dating. Our families disowned us when we married.
“That’s just stupid,” Krista declared. “Pappy, Susan didn’t delay us just so we’d save the Johnson family today. We need to save them, period. They’ll make good additions to the Clan.”
“We’ve been talking about hiring a paralegal,” Ruth nodded.
“Ben could recuperate with us and rehab at the Hostel,” Jamie added. They can move into one of the apartments over the daycare and the kids could go to the daycare.”
“We can find a meaningful job for Ben when he’s able to return to work,” Jenny stated.
“Okay, okay,” Robert chuckled. “Kelly, I’d like to invite your family to join the Clans Well Point.”
Kelly couldn’t believe her ears. Not only had this remarkable group rescued her family from death, they were offering to take them in. “Not that I’m not grateful, but why would you offer to take in total strangers?”
“It’s what the Clan Wells Point does,” Krista simply stated. “The ambulance wanted to take you to Lancaster General Hospital but they took Ben to Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. I say we take Kelly there so she can be closer to Ben. They can check her out there.”
“I’ll stay with Kelly,” Ruth declared. “Jamie and Jenny can look after Grant and Penny while you head home. I’ll call Elisabeth Rich to give her a heads up. I know she’ll look after them until Kelly can joins us.”
Ruth turned to Kelly. “Liz is a mother of four and grandmother of nine and is head of the Clan Wells Point Daycare so she is well versed on childcare.”
Reassured Kelly breathed a sigh of relief.
“We can swap out people staying with Kelly so she can get to know us,” Ruth continued. “I’d recommend two of us be with her at a time just to make logistics easier. The first can bring me a change of clothes and a car up to Hershey tomorrow. We’ll bring up a new person each day and send another home. Once we’re sure Ben’s okay, Kelly and I will go back to their apartment. When Ben is stable enough we can take Kelly to Bozman so she can see the Clan Wells Point first hand. We can begin packing between visits to Ben. As soon as Ben’s able to be moved, you send a truck up to load their things and we bring him down.”
“I just can’t wrap my head about what you’re offering to do,” Kelly sniffled. “No one has ever gone out of their way to help Ben and I. Since our parents rejected us we’ve struggled. I just don’t understand why?”
“As we said one of the Clan Wells Point guardian angels told us to hold our return trip home so we’d be here to save your family,” Krista stated forcibly. “We really have no choice but to help you. The moment we began saving you, we committed ourselves and the Clan Wells Point to bringing you into our extended family.”
Kelly shook her head. “It’s as simple as that?”
“Yes,” Krista, Jamie and Jenny simultaneously answered.
Kelly just looked at them with stunned disbelief. But when she looked at the adults they exuded the same sense of assuredness. Tears flowed from her eyes. “Thank you.”
Everyone hugged her. By then night was falling and so was the temperature so they gathered their things to head back to the vehicles to stay warm. Jenny and Jamie joined Krista in Robert’s truck while the car seats with the kids were secured in the rear seat of Ed’s Expedition with Kelly seated between them. Ruth sat in the front.
After the accident the police and fire police had detoured traffic off the interstate. Then they began directing the vehicles stuck in the mile and half backup to turn around and exit into the detour. By the time darkness fell the only one’s still stuck were the CWP vehicles.
By that time a tilt flatbed towtruck and a large wrecker arrived. While the wrecked but relatively intact car in the median was loaded onto the tilt-back the wrecker hooked up to the rear of the tractor trailer. Once the tilt-back was clear and despite the tires being burned off the front of the tractor the powerful wrecker was able to drag it into the median. It was 6:45pm when the police allowed Robert to drive up the passing lane as crews cleaned debris from the driving lane and another flatbed tow truck prepared to load the burned out remains of the Johnson’s car.
Ed took the lead so Kelly could guide them to her apartment. Three miles down the road they turned off US 222 onto US 322 westbound into the town of Ephrata. The Johnson apartment was a mile past the intersection where US 322 was East Main Street.
They parked along the street and all went inside the small two bedroom apartment. The kids were fed and changed and their clothes were packed. Kelly showered and changed. Krista cleaned up and the burn ointment was reapplied. Soon they were headed west on US 322 out of Ephrata. It took forty five minutes to travel the thirty miles to the Penn State Hershey Medical Center. It was 8:20 when Robert and Krista accompanied Ruth and Kelly inside the trauma unit to check on Ben while Jamie and Jenny joined Ed to look after the kids.
It took a few minutes for the doctor to come out to them. “I’m Dr. Scornivachi. Mrs. Johnson, we’ve stabilized your husband. He’ll need further surgery but we need to give him time to recuperate from the blood loss. In all we had to give him five pints of blood. The good news is there appears to be no head or internal injuries.”
Kelly released the breath she’d been holding since the doctor approached. “Can I see him?”
“It’ll be about half an hour until we get him settled in ICU,” Dr. Scornivachi said. “It could be hours until he wakes up. I’ll have someone take you up once he’s settled.”
“Thank you for saving his life,” Kelly sniffled.
“Whoever got the tourniquet on his arm saved his life,” Dr. Scornivachi replied. “I was told it was a young girl who did that and severed his arm. She must be one tough and courageous girl. I wish I could meet her.”
“This is Krista Scott,” Ruth said introducing the girl who had hung back so the adults could talk freely. “She’s the one who did it.”
Dr. Scornivachi raised his eyebrows as he looked at the blushing Krista. He noted the ointment covered burns on her hands and face and singed hair. “Young lady, I’m impressed. Obviously you risked your life to get Ben out. You managed to cut low enough to leave enough flesh to close the wound. I’m curious, what did you use?”
Krista dug in her pocket and pulled out her still bloodstained Swiss Army knife. “I used this. I read about that hiker a few years ago who cut off his own arm so I figured I could do it.”
“I’m doubly impressed,” Dr. Scornivachi declared. “Would you mind if I borrowed your knife to show the other doctors? We’ve all been wondering what was used. I’ll clean it up and get it back to you in about ten minutes.”
Dr. Scornivachi returned ten minutes later with three other doctors. “Krista, here is your knife, cleaned and disinfected. This is Dr. Rightmyer, Dr. Fletcher and Dr. Westfield. We all worked on Ben. When I told them you were here and showed them the knife you used they asked to meet you. Gentlemen, I’m pleased to introduce Miss Krista Scott.”
“Young lady, I’m delighted to meet you,” Dr. Rightmyer declared. “You’ve restored my faith in the youth of today. I don’t know many adults who would risk their life in a burning car to save a man they didn’t know.”
“Although I didn’t see it she saved my children too,” Kelly gratefully added.
“The children were unhurt in the rear seat in their car seats,” Robert explained. “Krista crawled through the shattered back seat, saw the kids were okay and that Kelly was stunned. When she checked Ben she saw his arm was trapped and he was bleeding badly. While Ed and I used pry bars to open Kelly’s door to get her out Krista took off her belt to use as a tourniquet for Ben. We got the door open and pulled Kelly free while Krista cut the car seats free and passed them out to Jamie and Jenny, Ruth’s daughters. The roof liner was burning as Krista cut Ben free. I tugged him out once he was freed and she grabbed the diaper bag and Kelly’s purse as she scrambled out seconds before the interior was engulfed. She had to struggle to take off her jacket which had caught fire. When it comes to helping others my granddaughter knows no fear.”
“I’m doubly impressed, Krista,” Dr. Fletcher smiled. “You ARE a hero! You saved not only Ben’s life but the children as well. Now, let me take a quick look at your burns.”
Gently he checked her face and hands determining the burns while tender and painful were all first degree burns. “You’ll be tender and sore for about three days. Keep the burns coated with a good anesthetic burn ointment and you should make a full recovery.
“Krista, you look somewhat familiar,” Dr Westfield mused as he tried to place the recognition.
“She’s been in the news several times,” Ruth smiled. “She’s the girl who lead her sisters from Cape Cod to Maryland on foot. Then she wrestled a murder for his gun and killed him with a windshield wiper after crashing the car he was kidnapping her, her boyfriend and his mother in. Later she rescued a child rape victim, broke the Apple Tree scandal, and helped pull a girl from a coma. She was the guiding force behind a local veterans’ trip to DC on Saturday.”
“Okay,” Dr. Westfield smiled. “I just saw you on the news for being the driving force for organizing that trip to the veterans memorials in DC. They mentioned some of your past exploits. Now I’m doubly delighted to meet you! You are indeed extraordinary!”
“Krista, if you ever decide to pursue an education in medicine, I think I speak for all of us when I say we’ll give you letter’s of recommendation,” Dr. Scornavachi declared. “This hospital is the teaching medical school for Penn State University. We’ll also sign recommendations for scholarships. You have the courage and stamina to do great things in whatever career you chose!”
Krista smiled and blushed at the praise. She didn’t really think she was all that brave. She just helped others.
Chapter 7
After the doctors returned to their work Kelly, Ruth and Krista discussed what to do. Kelly was impatiently waiting to get to Ben’s side. Convinced the Clan Wells Point was as good as they seemed she decided to trust them to take care of Grant and Penny. That Ruth and others would be with her while she stayed with Ben only reinforced her budding belief in the Clan. Krista stayed inside in case they came to escort Kelly to the ICU while she headed outside to kiss her children goodbye. Ruth accompanied her to kiss Jamie and Jenny. When they returned Kelly hugged and thanked Krista before Krista headed out to the vehicles. It was 9:00pm when they left for the three and half hour trip home to the CWP.
Liz Rich and her daughter Diana Harris were waiting at the O’Brien homestead when the weary troop arrived from their extended Pennsylvania trip. The car seats with the sleeping children were gently moved to her car. It was only a short detour for Liz to drop Jamie and Jenny off at their home. Since Jamie was a senior no one had an issue with she and Jenny being alone in their house. The neighbors on both sides were close. Krista was swarmed by her parents as well as maternal grandparents and nana Scott. All were concerned about her burns.
Krista blushed as Robert and Ed explained exactly what Krista had done in rescuing the Johnson family. As can be expected she blushed and demurred that she’d just done what needed to be done. After a re-application of burn ointment the exhausted girl headed off to bed. The proud parents and grandparents worried about their impulsive scion but understood there was little they could do to rein in her impulsive heroics.
Krista was tired but energized when she awoke Tuesday morning. Her siblings swarmed her with hugs and kisses before the ate breakfast. Once again they were proud of their older sister. Pat did a quick trim to snip off and even up her singed hair. Krista did give in a bit. She’d washed off the burn ointment when she’d showered intending to go without to school. The tightness and discomfort caused her to reluctantly let Pat put fresh ointment on the burns along with the promise to come to her in the nurse’s office for a reapplication of ointment.
Most of the CWP middle/high school students had heard about Krista’s heroics by the time they gathered for the ride to school. Her burns gave evidence of her brush with death. As they expected Krista demurred to do more than acknowledge she’d helped rescue the family. Jamie and Jenny however couldn’t get done telling about Krista’s bravery.
As the school nurse Pat usually arrived at least fifteen minutes before the first bus. Her first stop was the office to report Krista’s exploits and her injuries as well as her lack of sleep. The principal, Dr. Harris, was once more impressed by the spunky girl.
When Krista arrived at school she was promptly sent to the office where she met Ken Poore the student council president. The school had decided to start the day with an assembly to review and discuss the DC trip.
Krista smiled wearily as she thought about the chaotic three day weekend. Friday evening had been spent preparing for the Veteran’s trip to the DC war memorials. Saturday had been the emotional and often heart wrenching trip to DC. Sunday had been catching up on chores and homework. Monday had been the life changing trip to Pennsylvania and another brush with death. Krista giggled to herself as she wondered if perhaps she might be a cat. She was only fourteen but had already gone through three of her nine lives.
Once in the auditorium Ken, Krista and several teacher chaperones sat on the stage to lead the discussion. Most of the student comments centered on how much they learned from the veteran they assisted. The quiet strength and humility the men exhibited inspired them. The depth of emotion the memorials evoked left most vets nearly speechless with tear streaked cheeks. The students realized the trip shook them emotionally.
They recognized the veterans were real life heroes. They were also brought to the realization that war was not a casual event nor, unfortunately, was it uncommon. World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, the current War against Terror, all happened in the last one hundred years. No generation had avoided living through a war. The students had fathers and sometimes brothers and sisters who were veterans or currently active in the Middle East Wars. The War on Terror didn’t look like it would end anytime soon which meant they could be thrown into the unyielding harsh crucible of war. Could they do it? Would they one day have kids looking up to them as heros?
“We can’t waste time worrying about a future we have little control over,” Krista spoke up after discerning the concerns of her fellow students. “The veterans we were with were heros. But not one of them ever set out to be a hero or FELT they were heros. Each did what they had to do when faced with a crisis. It was simply a reaction to the circumstances they found themselves in. Mr. Jablonski, the vet I was with, told me the only thing to do is simply be true to yourself. When our turn comes we’ll do the same.”
“What Krista said is true.” Dr. Harris declared. “Krista is a perfect example of what she said. We know Krista is humble and just like the rest of you. She never brags about what she’s done. Everything she’s done that we consider extraordinary she did because that’s what needed to be done. Leading her sisters hiking from Cape Cod to here, wrestling a murderer for his gun killing him in self defense in the process, saving a little girl who had been raped, blowing apart the Apple Tree scandal, helping pull one of your classmates from a coma. An ordinary girl did those things. In tonight’s news you’ll learn that yesterday Krista did it again. She made a trip to Pennsylvania with her grandfather Robert, Ed Nelson, Ruth Ewell and her daughters, your classmates Jamie and Jenny. On their way home a horrific auto crash occurred on a limited access interstate with a wide grass median. A speeding driver in the north bound lane struck another auto. That car struck a tractor trailer causing it to cross the median and broadside the car traveling south directly in front of Krista and crew. The fuel tank of the tractor was split and ignited. The leaking burning fuel ran under the partially crushed car.”
“Nearly everyone witnessing such carnage would be horrified,” Dr. Harris continued. “Most of the other drivers stopped and whipped out their phones to take pictures. A few ran to help the occupants of the car that hit the tractor trailer. Krista and her grandfather rushed to the smashed car with the fire beneath it. The drivers side was crushed and the car wedged against the hillside. While Robert and Ed used pry bars to open the jammed passenger door, Krista crawled inside through the broken rear window. There were two kids in car seats in the rear seat, a six week old and an eighteen month old. Seeing they were okay and the passenger dazed, she checked the driver. The man’s left arm was trapped and mangled bleeding profusely. Using her belt she applied a tourniquet to keep him from bleeding to death. Then she released the car seats and passed them out the back window to Jamie and Jenny. Flames were licking up the drivers side of the car as the men popped the door and pulled the dazed woman out. Robert ducked back in to pull out the driver but he was trapped, his left arm trapped and mangled. The headliner of the car was burning by then so Krista used her pocket knife to sever the man’s arm so Robert could pull him out. By the time Krista scrambled out the interior was going up in flames. Her jacket was on fire and if you look at her face and hands you can see the first degree burns she suffered.”
The students listened to the tale of Krista’s latest exploits in stunned silence. Those near Jamie and Jenny looked for affirmation and received it.
“It was past midnight, actually early this morning, when they arrived home,” Dr. Harris added. “Yet all three girls are here this morning. Together they saved a family of four who would have otherwise burned to death since no one else even tried to help rescue them. All of them were heroic, but none of them feel that way. I’m sure they’re proud of what they did but they never set out to be heros. I’m also sure they were scared and terrified while they did those things. But each will tell you they merely did what they had to do. They were being true to themselves and what they did was simply their reaction to the circumstances. Each and every one of you might one day be a hero but it’s something you can’t prepare for. We all have the potential to be a hero.”
As the students looked at Krista in her seat upon the stage they could see she was trying not to be the center of attention. She wasn’t looking for praise. They could also see her burns and hastily trimmed hair. The words of the principal eased much of the student’s discomfort about being able to be a hero if the circumstances warranted.
The rest of the week was hectic. Krista’s burns healed and by Friday the redness was no longer tender. The Clan Wells Point women had set up a rotation. Each day one would drive to Hershey. Jane drove up on Tuesday meeting Kelly and Ruth. Together they went to the hospital to see Ben.
While Ben was on morphine he was aware that he’d lost his arm although he had no memory of the accident. He could hardly believe he’d been saved by a fourteen year old girl. The mere idea she’d had the gumption to cut off his arm to free him boggled his mind. He doubted if he could have done the same. To learn she’d been burned by the fire yet stuck to the task was almost impossible for him to accept.
Ben was thankful his family had been saved from a fiery death and had trouble understanding why complete strangers not only put their lives on the line for people they didn’t know but were now offering a new home and family to them. During periods of wakefulness Jane explained more about the Clan Wells Point and shared pictures and films on her computer. Jane answered a lot of questions about Krista. Ben and Kelly were surprised to learn that Krista was transgender.
“I never had a clue,” Kelly declared with amazement. “She’s spunky but all girl.”
“That she is,” Jane smiled. “She’s not the only transgender. In fact all three girls who saved you are transgender.”
Kelly was clearly surprised. “All three! Really?”
“Yes,” Jane smiled. “The Clan Wells Point is LGBT friendly. Of the ninety people in clan four are male to female transsexuals, one is a female to male transsexual, two are lesbian and four are gay. I hope that isn’t an issue.”
“Not at all,” Ben blurted out a bit defensively. “As an interracial couple we’ve experienced a great deal of hate and prejudice. That won’t be a problem for the clan will it?”
“I don’t foresee any issues,” Jane replied. “While you will be the first black member, we all work with blacks and latinos. None of us have issues with race, gender, orientation, or religion. Rest assured, since Krista invited you to join us, no one will have any issues. It’s simply not in us.”
On Wednesday Lisa Nelson joined them in Hershey. After a few hours Ruth headed home. Ben went in for what was hoped to be his final surgery.
Thursday Sarah Spade arrived in the morning and Jane headed home in the afternoon. It was Friday before they began to wean Ben off the morphine and began light physical therapy. It was tough addapting to the loss of his arm and he seriously wondered if he could ever be useful. Friday Evelyn Masters arrived and Lisa headed home. Saturday Rachel Masters came up with two passengers, Freddy Grant and Barney Flint.
The teens sat with Barney to explain that life did go on after losing a limb and that life could be good. The fact Freddy had two artificial legs and Barney had an artificial arm went a long way in giving Ben hope. They showed him videos of last year’s Christmas dance to prove their state of recovery two months after their accident. The boys rode back home with Sarah as did Kelly. Ben knew she was missing Grant and Penny. He had assured her he’d be okay while she was gone, especially since Evelyn and Rachel were staying.
Liz greeted Kelly with a hug then took her to the living room where Diana was watching the kids. Kelly smiled to see seven year old James playing with Grant and soon to be five year old Karen entertaining Penny. Grant’s face exploded in smiles when he saw his mother, launching himself at her. Penny, gurgling happily, was equally glad to see her mother. Robert and Krista took Kelly and her children on a tour of the Clan Wells Point including showing them one of the open apartments above CWP Daycare. While only two bedrooms, the kids could share for a few years until a bigger house was secured. After the tour they headed to the barn at the O’Brien homestead where a full Clan meal and meeting took place. At first Kelly was a bit intimidated by the sheer number of people but they were so friendly she was soon put at ease. Kelly was brought to tears by the open welcome. That night she slept with her children, her first night of true rest since the accident.
The next morning Kelly tearfully kissed her children goodbye and joined Betty Boswell for the trip to Hershey with Krista. Ben was pleased by Kelly’s enthusiastic positive report about the Clan Wells Point and how well their kids were doing.
“Ben, the most wonderful person in the world is here to see how you’re doing,” Kelly smiled after reporting on her trip.
Quirking his eyebrows Ben looked to the door.
A smiling teen girl entered. “Hello Ben. I’m really glad to see you’re looking a lot better than the last time I saw you.”
Ben was momentarily confused. He couldn’t recall every having met the cute girl. Then it hit him. “You’re the one who saved my family,” he declared as he looked at her with awe disbelieving she could have done the things he’d been told she did. “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.” Tears of gratefulness began to trickle from his eyes.
Krista bit her lips as she struggled to hold back her tears. “You’re more than welcome.” Then she leaned over the bed from his good side to gently but firmly hug him.
As Ben returned the hug as best as he could he saw the fading redness on Krista’s hands and left cheek. After breaking the hug Ben asked, “How were you able to do it? How could you endure the flames to save a stranger? My God, how could do all that and cut off my arm?”
Krista understood he wasn’t questioning that it was necessary to severe his arm. “Remembering what I did terrifies me,” Krista softly admitted with a shiver. “I’ve done a lot of things that terrify me. I can still see the face of the man I killed, I can feel the bullets from his gun hitting me. It was him or me, my boyfriend, and his mother. I was the only one in shape to take him on. If I find myself in a situation where something needs to be done, I just do it. I’m not a hero, it’s just how I’m made.”
After that Krista explained that the Clan Wells Point was the result of her family and friends joining together to help other. Ben, Kelly and Krista spent over an hour discussing the clan. The hopes of the couple were soaring.
Krista rode home with Sarah that afternoon. Even after meeting the spunky heroine Ben could hardly believe she had the courage to do what she’d done to save his family. He was so impressed that he didn’t even think about the fact she a transsexual. When he did he understood it didn’t really matter. As far as he was concerned Krista was all girl. Monday Ruth returned and Janet home. The seven women continued on that rotation.
With the support he was receiving from his wife and the Clan Wells Point Ben’s recovery was moving along ahead of schedule. The psychiatric issues that went along with losing a limb were present but greatly reduced. Having met Barney and Freddy had done a lot to ease his state of mind. On Wednesday Lisa told Dr. Scornavachi during Ben’s daily exam that the CWP operated the CWP Youth Rehab Hostel and that clan member Dr. Olsen was a rehab physician with the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton, the Requard Rehab Center for Acute Rehabilitation. It was easy for Dr. Scornavachi to verify Dr. Olsen’s credentials. After consultation between the two physicians both felt it would benefit Ben to be home with his family. Dr. Olsen made arrangements to come up on Saturday with Rachel to meet with Dr. Scornivachi to review Ben’s condition and conduct a joint exam.
So it was that on Saturday November 22 that both physicians were satisfied with Ben’s progress as well as Dr. Olsen’s ability to see to Ben’s needs. Ben was cleared to go to his new with the Clan Wells Point. Robert, Tony, and Krista had driven up separately in Robert’s truck with the flatbed trailer. They emptied the Johnson’s apartment while Ben was being examined. Once he was discharged Evelyn drove Rachel, Dr. Olsen, Kelly, and Ben back to their nearly emptied apartment so the couple could make sure nothing was missed.
Ben still had trouble believing the Clan Wells Point was taking in his family. Not only were they taking them in and moving them to Bozman they paid off their credit cards, back rent, paid the still outstanding bills for Penny’s birth and promised to pay whatever medical bills would remain after the vehicle insurances paid. A lawsuit had already been filed against the deceased speeder’s estate to recover all current and future medical expenses, loss of use damages as well as significant punitive damages.
Rachel rode back to Bozman with Robert, Tony and Krista to give the those in the car a bit more room. The pace was relaxed to prevent excessive bouncing giving Ben a gentler ride. As they turned onto MD Route 33 they slowed down to show Ben and Kelly points of interest around their new home.
“The peninsula is known as the Bay Hundred,” Evelyn explained. “That’s a left over from the colonial period where the representative governing body was based on one hundred voters. The peninsula had a hundred voters. The peninsula is a part of Talbot county that extends into the Chesapeake Bay. St. Michaels is the main town. One of the earliest industries was ship building. Up through the 1950s oystering and fishing were primary industries. Now quite a few of the businesses cater to tourists which means we have a lot of crafts and boutiques. One of the main attractions is the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Once you’re feeling stronger you can tour the site. It’s quite interesting.”
“The Clan as we call ourselves is based around Wells Point which is Krista’s family’s ancestral lands,” Evelyn said. “Just outside of town the land hooks south to Tilghman Island. We live down a long finger extending south before the Tilghman hook. The Bay Hundred area has hundreds of creeks and well over a hundred miles of coastline. The clan land consists of a majority of the bottom third of the finger.”
“The Clan Wells point is just over a year old,” Evelyn continued. “As you’re aware we coalesced around Krista. I guess you could say she’s our moral compass. She’s motivated us to emulate her openness and willingness to help. We’ve tripled in size both people and land wise since we started.
It didn’t take long until they turned into the lane of the CWP Daycare. “Here we are, your new home,” Evelyn said. “You’re apartment is on the second floor above the daycare.”
As Ben exited the car he was surrounded by dozens of smiling faces greeting and welcoming him. Grant and Penny were front and center. Tears of relief and happiness trickled down his cheeks as he carefully hugged and kissed his children. Again he couldn’t believe these strangers had not only saved him and his family, they were now welcoming them to a new home and future with open arms. He snuggled with Kelly and the kids as people began to unload the truck and trailer. In less than half an hour everything had been carried into their new home. Krista, Tony, Jaz, Jimmy, Phil, Dwayne, Jenny and Sam stayed to help unpack and move the furniture where they wanted. Once assured they were settled in the teens left.
“They were all so open and friendly,” Ben marveled. “I’ll admit I had more than a bit of fear they’d be against me for being black but I didn’t see any evidence of prejudice. I hate to say this but maybe the accident was the best thing to happen to us. I’m starting to feel we finally have a home for our family and a future.”
“All I’ve seen is acceptance and encouragement,” Kelly replied. “The family that kept Grant and Penny didn’t have any issues that they’re racially mixed. That family has only been here since July. The youngest daughter and her two children were rescued by the clan in her time of need after her dad disowned her. The dad was a megalomaniac, owned a construction company in Vancouver and when he had a massive heart attack the clan flew her and the kids home in a charter jet in time to say goodbye. The widow, two sons and one daughter with their children had no idea of the business status so the clan sorted it out. It was bankrupt. They invited the entire family to move here. They’re just so open and honest!”
As planned Robert arrived to pick them up to take them to what was by then being called The Clan Barn on the O’Brien homestead. Every member of the clan greeted them with a round of applause. Introductions were made and a brief meeting was held during which the Johnsons were accepted as the newest members of the Clan Wells Point. Kylie was just finishing the full mechanical rebuild of a 1999 Ford Escort station wagon that would be turned over to the Johnsons after CWP Collision and Repair repaired the body and repainted it. Once more the newest members were simply blown away by the generosity and warm welcome.
Kylie and Larry impressed them. Just as they had issues believing Krista, Jenny and Jamie were transgirls they had difficulty believing Kylie had ever been male. The way she doted on the Sonny and Rayne was total mother. That she was also a mechanic and head of CWP Engine & Mechanical Repair only added to their admiration. With Larry heading the CWP Organic Farm the fact that young people were heading Clan operations boggled their minds. The banquet that followed let the newest members understand joining the Clan Wlls Point was the best thing to ever happen to them. The Clan Wells Point was now ninety four members strong.
In other business the clan decided that with the seamless absorption of the Jablonski farm and the success of the milking parlor and the manure digester to increase the dairy herd to four hundred head. Even using the excess heat to heat the CWP farm and house, the Ewell home and the building of CWP landing there was still plenty left over. They planned to extend the heating to all the nearby buildings; Robert and Sheila’s home, the CWP Law and Accounting offices, the barn across the street, the CWP Metal Works, the CWP B&B and the O’Brien homestead and barn.
Larry reported the research he’d done on wind turbines. “With our location on the Chesapeake Bay and the relatively flat surrounding terrain wind is in steady and regular supply. Winds of five mph and greater are available on average twenty hours a day. Horizontal wind turbines pivot to follow the wind and have large propeller blades. The main problem they present for Wells Point is that with all the local wet lands we have a very large bird population. Any spinning blades would kill birds. Added to that is the hum and whomping sounds. Those are the main reasons there aren’t too many wind farms in the area.”
“Those issues can be eliminated with smaller vertical axis wind turbines with helix blades,” Larry went on. “At ten feet in diameter and thirty feet high they wouldn’t be eyesores. That size will generate five kilowatts per hour in a five mph wind and easily handle winds of ninety mph. The units max out at twenty kwh at twenty mph. Since the blades don’t pivot with the wind they remain in the same plane at all times. The blades can be encased inside steel frames with metallic screening which will eliminate bird and bat strikes. In addition the power plant is mounted on the base providing easier maintenance.”
“Five kwh doesn’t sound like much,” Larry explained. “But the average use for homes is one and half kwh. Each turbine can easily power three homes. With higher wind speeds producing more power we’ll produce a lot more power than we need even with four hours down time a day. We can build units at the sides of the lanes on CWP property in areas outside the forested lands. Spacing the units fifty feet apart in unobstructed areas I estimate we can build four hundred units. I suggest building twenty a month so it would take us twenty months. This is all green energy and we’ll be classified as a commercial supplier so we have control of the rates for what we sell. At current market electricity rates we’ll pay off our investment in three years.”
“If we vote to go ahead I suggest we create a new business, the CWP Green Power Initiatives,” Larry stated. “We’ll need three full time employees, a two person maintenance crew and one full time office manager to head the operation. CWP Contracting and Construction can handle the installations which will reduce our start up costs.”
With that a unanimous vote was taken to create the CWP Green Power Initiatives.
“Ben,” Robert turned to the newest clan member. “You earned an associates degree in Renewable Energy Technologies at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport.”
“Yes Sir, I did,” Ben replied hopefully. “But I couldn’t find a job in that field.”
“Well, I think you’ll be the ideal person to head up the CWP Green Power Company,” Robert smiled. “That is if you’re interested in the position?”
“Yes sir!” Ben excitedly exclaimed as tears of joy leaked from his eyes. Two years of having his hopes and dreams dashed in ever getting a job involving green energy he was now being granted his desire in aces. Not only would he be working in the green energy field, he’d be heading the business!
Kelly had tears of joy flowing as she hugged her husband. The entire clan congratulated him with handshakes and hugs.
The next few days were typical for the clan. Ben was taken on a tour where he checked out every operation. Still recuperating, Ben was able to spend about three hours on the go before he had to take a break. With a fast internet connection he was able to verify Larry’s research on the vertical wind turbines.
The fact the CWP was so ecologically conscious and making real progress towards meeting all their electrical needs from renewable sources made him feel eager to become a contributing member. Ben found the manure digester, which would fall under the auspices of the newly formed CWP Green Power Initiatives quite fascinating. Ben quickly realized the digester was being underutilized. The unit processed manure in an enclosed system producing methane gas. The gas was captured, compressed into liquid for storage in a two thousand gallon tank and used to run a one hundred kwh internal combustion generator. With larger manure processing more gas than could be consumed was being produced. The excess gas was compressed into three additional two thousand gallon tanks. Ben’s suggestion was to convert all the farm vehicles to dual fuel usage using thirty pound portable tanks like those used on industrial forklifts. There would still be capacity remaining so additional vehicles could be converted to dual fuel usage. How many would be determined by the availability of methane. The savings in gasoline would pay off the investment in a few months.
When he told Larry the young man slapped himself in the forehead. “Sometimes I wonder where my mind is. Using the excess methane to fuel the farm vehicles was one of my initial objectives with the digester. I got so wrapped up in getting the farm up and running and building the digester that aspect slipped my mind. Of course, that was also the time Kylie was in Thailand having her SRS surgery.”
“I fully understand how things can slip away from you,” Ben sighed. “Kelly and I met in college and hit it off. When she told her parents she was dating an African American they went through the roof. So much for their being ‘liberals’. Kelly was devastated. I was embarrassed when my parents were just as bad. They told us if we continued dating we’d be disowned. We were in love and defied them. We hoped that when we announced our engagement they’d see we were in love and accept us but they didn’t. Up till then they’d been financially helping us but we were instantly cut off. We weren’t living together but without their aid we couldn’t afford our rents and we’d just started our last year in school. Needless to say we were angry. Pooling our meager finances we found a rundown efficiency apartment. Between semesters we had more free time but no money so we... well Grant was born nine months later. As soon as we realized we were pregnant we tried once more to get our parents onboard but met stone walls. We married as soon as we could.”
“I found a full time third shift job so we’d have health insurance and could afford a bigger place,” Ben continued. “We managed to graduate with good grades but there were no jobs in my field in the area and I simply couldn’t go off for job interviews. After Grant was born Kelly landed the paralegal job. My green energy industry career just slipped away from me. Life has a tendency to derail our hopes and plans.”
“I hear you,” Larry agreed. “Now, I’ll ask Kylie to check into what’s needed to convert vehicles to dual fuel usage and the cost. Can you check on the price of thirty pound fuel tanks and mounting brackets?”
“Sure,” Ben answered with a smile happy to be able to dive into his dream career.
“As soon as we get the costs you and I will present it to the CWP directors,” Larry explained. “If they give us the green light we order the parts we’ll need.”
Ben seemed a bit surprised. “Doesn’t the clan as a whole need to approve before we move ahead?”
“No,” Larry said. “What we’re asking for falls under your purview with the CWP Green Power Initiatives. The directors have the authority to give you the go ahead. At the next clan meeting you simply report what you’re doing. Once a budget is set up for your operation, you won’t need to get approval for normal budgeted operating expenses.”
The preparations began on Monday in the Clan Barn. Pies were baked and refrigerated. Turduckens were created. Stuffing prepared, cookies baked. Thanksgiving morning at 3:00am the turduckens went into ovens. At 11:00am the Clan Wells Point loaded the prepared meals into vehicles. A large caravan with half the clan members set out. The three vehicles stopped off at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in St. Michaels, ten vehicles went to St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Easton, three vehicles went to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Cordova, three vehicles went to Scott’s United Methodist Church in Trappe and three vehicles went to Waters United Methodist Church in Oxford. Each of the four groups carried their goodies into the churches banquet area and set up. People down on their luck, the elderly, the lonely, the disabled began to arrive to enjoy a genuine home made delicious Thanksgiving dinner. In all eight hundred seventy three people were served in the four Talbot County Churches. No one left hungry. After cleaning up, each group returned to The Clan Barn for their own CWP Thanksgiving meal.
After the meal Krista addressed the assembled CWP. “I’ve been thinking about what happened to the Johnsons. By now you all realize that’s dangerous.”
Grins and chuckles were endemic amongst the listeners.
“Being in the hospital is not a fun experience,” she continued. “We pulled together for the Johnsons and they now have a bright future. But what about other people who might have no where to turn for help? Not one of us can deny that despite the investment of time and hard work what we did today for the needy of Talbot County feels wonderful! I’d like us to continue reaching out to others. Visiting the hospital brought back memories of Jasmine’s ordeal. Seeing the needy little kids today as we fed them almost ripped my heart out. I feel compelled to do something for kids who will be in the hospital or who are homeless, especially for Christmas. I have an idea but will need your help. I’d like to knit or crochet soft cuddly teddy bears. The problem is I have no idea how to go about doing so. Can you help me?”
The response was quick and enthusiastic. Several of the 40ish and over women volunteered to show the younger girls how to knit and crochet. A few even had patterns for teddy bears as well as rabbits. One even had a pattern for a cabbit. Plans were made for evening instructional and manufacturing sessions.
Spurred on by Krista’s idea, Robert made another suggestion. “I don’t mean to sound sexist but the reality is by the time we’re able to know the differences between boys and girls we’re already segregated by gender. Some of the boys might be too macho for stuffed animals. Some of our boys might not want to knit or crochet yet still want to help. When my sons were small we were just beginning our business and money was tight. I had access to scrap wood so I began to make wooden toys. Cars, trucks, blocks, puzzles and even building sets. All were sanded smooth and painted. I wouldn’t mind teaching the older boys how to make wooden toys. The younger boys can sand and paint them. Before anyone says more, I know and understand the clan does not accept forcing anyone into a specific gender stereotype. Any boy who wants to knit or crochet can do so just as any girl who wants to work with wood would be welcomed.”
“You know,” Leroy said thoughtfully. “When we grew bigger you made us ride on wooden toys and rocking horses. You even made animals we could sit on to use on the swing set. Maybe we can look into a new business for the CWP. Making and selling hand crafted toys. People are willing to pay for high quality. We could even make swing sets, castles, forts and houses.”
Every one liked the ideas and discussion of the new opportunities swept through the gathered clan. Krista’s idea of making toys for the poor and hospitalized kids for Christmas was instituted. Research into the manufacturing idea was also approved.
Chapter 8
On Monday December 22, Krista, Jasmine, Jenny & Holly were getting ready to deliver the teddy bears, rabbits, and cabbits they and other CWP members had crocheted. They gathered in the nurse’s office after classes finished to change into cute green with red trim Christmas elf costumes. Pat, Krista’s mom and the school nurse, had the soft crocheted animals in the rear of her Expedition. They traveled into Easton to stop at the Neighborhood Services Center, which was simply a drop off.
At the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center they went into the children’s ward. After checking in with head nurse, Mrs. Miller, she escorted the elves into the kid’s rooms. The kids squealed with delight as they hugged their lovingly crafted stuffed animals. Witnessing their delight and happiness, the staff as well as the CWP girls were near tears. The parents and relatives of the hospitalized children who were present were grateful for the teen elves bringing a bit of Christmas cheer to their hospitalized children.
As they were preparing to leave Jaz noted a room that was marked ‘Isolation, please sanitize hands. Must wear gowns, gloves, booties and masks before entering’. “We didn’t visit that room,” Jaz said to Nurse Miller.
“She’s in isolation,” Nurse Miller answered. “While I’m sure she’d love a teddy bear, the risk of infection is too great.”
“We didn’t know if they’d be needed but just in case we have three sterilized stuffies,” Jaz smiled in reply as Jenny pulled three gallon sized stuffy filled ziplock bags. “We boiled them for twenty minutes then put them in a dryer we’d treated with Lysol to tumble dry on low heat. When they were dry we put on surgical gloves, rinsed our gloved hands with alcohol, sprayed Lysol into the opened bags, then packed the stuffies in the bags sealing them.”
A weary looking woman who had been standing by the nurses station almost forlornly watching the smiling elves bringing joy to the children was approaching the restricted room and overheard Jaz speaking. “You went to all that trouble not even knowing if they were needed?”
“A bit over a year ago I was in here for a few weeks,” Jaz softly replied as tears began to fill her eyes. “I don’t think I’d have survived if a complete stranger hadn’t reached out to help me.” Then she looked at Krista who smiled and blushed.
The woman and Nurse Miller realized the silent exchanged glances meant that Krista was the stranger.
“I’m sure they are sterilized,” Nurse Miller sighed. “But hospital regulations won’t allow me to let her have one.”
The weary woman sighed. “Becky really misses her stuffies. Please, can’t you let them give her one if I give my permission?”
“I’m sorry Mrs. Farr,” Nurse Miller replied clearly not liking being the heavy. “My hands are tied.”
“Let me make a call,” an authoritative but friendly voice spoke up.
The girls and Pat smiled as they saw it was Dr. Olsen who headed over to the nursing station to make a phone call to the hospital’s head administrator.
“Dr. Eastman, this is Dr. Olsen, how are you doing? ..... I’m fine. I need your okay to help the little girl in isolation. ..... No, she’s doing well. I have four cute elves from the Clan Wells Point standing in front of me. ..... Yes, they just dropped off the stuffed animals they made. I know isolation protocols prohibit stuffed animals but the girls sought my advice on how to sterilize the stuffed animals. ..... They boiled them for twenty minutes, dried them in a clothes drier treated with Lysol, then bagged them in ziplock bags treated with Lysol. ..... Of course I’ll vouch for them, the Clan Wells Point would never risk the health of anyone. ..... Mrs. Farr is right here listening along with the girls, Mrs. Scott and Nurse Miller. ..... Thank you, Dr. Eastman. I’ll pass you over to Nurse Miller so you can tell her it’s okay.”
“I got approval,” Nurse Miller smiled after she hung up the phone. “Dr. Eastman is emailing a permission slip. I’ll print it then once Dr. Olsen and Mrs. Farr sign it you can give Becky a stuffed animal. You can gown up a while.”
With that the four elves followed Mrs. Farr to the cart by the door to Becky’s room. The girls followed Mrs. Farr’s example as they sanitized their hands, then donned the gowns, booties, face masks and exam gloves.
While sanitizing her hands Jenny gasped and stared at the bubbles, then smiled and resumed washing her hands. Krista cocked her head to one side to look at Jenny. Jenny smiled and mouthed “Susan Warren.” Krista returned the smile and nodded knowing they’d talk later.
Mrs. Farr led the girls inside. Lying on the bed was a small girl with her head turned to the window. A sad, forlorn expression was clearly evident upon her face.
“Becky, Santa sent four elves to see you,” Mrs. Farr gently told her daughter.
Becky sighed and turned her head to see her mother and four teen girls. Since the gowns were semi transparent the elf costumes the girls wore were visible. Her eyes lit up and her face erupted into a grin as she hit the buttons on her bed to raise it to a sitting position. With and excited but weak voice she asked, “Are you really Santa’s elves?”
“Yes we are,” Jaz replied. “Santa sent us down from the north pole because he knows you’re a good girl. He also understands you really miss your stuffies. We have three special hand made stuffies that have been sanitized just for you!”
With that Krista held out a bag with a teddy bear, Jenny held out a bag with a rabbit and Holly held out a bag with a cabbit. Becky’s entire body seemed to light up as each girl unzipped the sealed bag she held so the little girl could pull out the stuffed animal.
As she pulled each stuffy out, she gave it a loving hug until she cuddled all three in her arms. Tears of joy trickled down her cheeks as she nuzzled them. “They ARE safe for me,” Becky exclaimed. “I can smell the sani stuff in them! I love them. Thank Santa for remembering me and thank you for bring them to me!”
“You’re very welcome, Becky,” Jenny declared as she fought back her own tears of happiness. “I’m sure having these will help you get better faster so you can go home.”
“Mommy says we can’t go back to our old home,” Becky answered. “My daddy went away and we’ll have to find a new place to live but we don’t know where that is yet.”
The girls looked at Mrs. Farr and saw her fighting back tears.
“Well, Santa knows everything and since you and your mommy are both good girls he has arranged a new home for you where you’ll have lots of friends,” Krista smiled.
Mrs. Farr’s face showed fear and she shook her head to let Krista know that wasn’t the case.
“Becky, while you get to know your new friends Santa wants us to take your mommy outside so we can tell her about your new home. Is that all right?”
“Sure,” Becky grinned as she hugged her new stuffies. “See Mommy. I told you Santa would help us! She’s been really worried about finding a new home.”
“I’ll be back in a few moments, sweetheart,” Mrs. Farr said as she kissed Becky’s head. She glared at the girls as she followed them out of the room.
“What do you think you’re doing,” Mrs. Farr almost cried in frustration. “We have no home! My no good husband Lenny took off six months ago. At the end of June, the 30th as a matter of fact, we took Becky to John Hopkins in Baltimore when we were told a donor heart was available from a little boy who was in a car crash. After the surgery Lenny went home and never came back. Because of taking care of Becky I haven’t been able to work. By the time Becky was discharged we’d been evicted from our apartment. I found a job here and we came down living in an efficiency apartment above the business. Then six weeks ago the business I was working at closed and we were evicted. We’ve been going from shelter to shelter while I tried to find work but Becky got sick so here we are. Now you have her hopes up that we’ll have a new home and friends! Her heart will be broken!” With that she broke down in tears.
Krista looked at her mother who was already on the phone to the clan. “Mrs. Farr, you do have a home with friends waiting for you and Becky. We’re from the Clan Wells Point and we help people. You and Becky have a home waiting for you with us.”
“You’re serious, you’re really serious,” Mrs. Farr asked not believing what she was hearing. Then she listened as Pat spoke.
“Yes Jane, they have no home and you know Krista. ..... Yes, the little girl had a heart transplant six months ago. ..... Okay, we’ll work out the details. I can bring the girls back tomorrow night to sit with Becky while I bring Mrs. Farr back to Wells Point to check out an apartment and meet with the you and the other clan directors. ..... Okay, we’ll talk when we get home.”
“Thanks Gram,” Krista called out before Pat disconnected the call.
“Krista is always serious about helping people,” Pat smiled. “I’m Patricia Scott and this is my daughter Krista Scott and her friends Jenny Ewell and Jasmine and Holly Reese. We’re part of the Clan Wells Point. Krista invited you to join us and if you agree you can join the clan too. As you heard the girls will come back tomorrow afternoon to spend some time with Becky while I take you back to Wells Point to check out an apartment and meet the clan directors.”
“Oh... Krista,” Mrs. Farr exclaimed as she looked from Krista to Jaz. “You’re the girl that saved that family from a burning car a few weeks ago up in Pennsylvania. The Clan Wells Point... your offer is real?”
“It’s very real,” Pat smiled.
“I... I don’t know what to say,” Mrs. Farr sniffed as she couldn’t believe her fortune was changing because of four cute elves. “Oh... I’m Wendy Farr. I’m delighted to meet you.”
“Mommy! Mommy! Come quick!” Becky excitedly called.
Naturally Wendy dashed back into the room followed by the girls. The girls stopped short when they smelled salt water and saw the water and seaweed on the floor by Becky’s bed.
“Mommy, an angel was just here,” the little girl exclaimed as she sat up and threw back the covers. “She said she was a Christmas Angel who came to make me better! Mommy, she kissed me on the head and all the pain went away! She said the elves know all about her and that we’d soon be living with a new grandma in our new home!”
“Sweetheart, don’t get all excited,” Wendy rushed over to make Becky lie back and cover her.
“Mommy, I’m all better!” Becky squealed with delight. “The elves brought the Christmas Angel to make me better.”
“Mrs Farr,” Krista interrupted as she dug in the pouch she wore. “Becky did see an angel... look on the floor.”
Wendy was getting upset afraid the excitement would make Becky worse but Krista’s words were quite forceful and insistent. Almost against her will she looked to the floor, frowning when she saw the water and seaweed. “What? Where did that come from? How did it get in here?”
“It’s the angel’s calling card,” Krista answered with utter assurance as she handed a worn photo to Wendy. “Ask Becky if this was the angel.”
Wendy hesitantly took the photo and looked at it to see a worn weary woman who’s eyes sparkled with life. “Who is she?”
“My birth mother,” Krista smiled proudly. “She’s been looking over my sisters and I since she died. She became the Clan Wells Point’s first guardian angel. We have two now. If she kissed Becky she has been healed.”
Wendy wanted to believe but it was so far fetched as to be unbelievable. Fearful and with a trembling hand she showed the picture to Becky. “Sweetheart, have you ever seen this woman?”
“That’s her Mommy!” Becky exuded happiness. “That’s the Christmas angel that made me better!”
Wendy felt feint. Could it be true? Had her prayers been answered? Wendy looked at Krista and the girls. “You believe Becky. You all believe her.”
“Yes ma’am,” Jenny spoke. “As we were washing up to come in here I saw the face of the second clan guardian angel. Becky really saw a Christmas angel and she is cured.”
The seriousness and serenity on the faces of all the girls showed their total conviction that Becky had been cured. Still not sure, afraid to get her hopes up, Wendy looked to Pat who had just entered but heard the conservation.
“Becky has been cured,” Pat affirmed after a glance to the water and seaweed. “It’ll take a day or so to medically verify but Becky should be able to come to your new home in time for Christmas.”
Wendy burst into tears of joy as Pat hugged her with understanding. Becky understood her mother was overjoyed that she’d been cured.
Arrangements were made to have the girls come out right after school which would allow Pat enough time to give Wendy a quick tour of the Clan Wells Point before darkness fell. After exchanging hugs Wendy returned to her daughter.
“You don’t know how much of a burden you’ve released from her shoulders,” Nurse Miller smiled. “We’ve been keeping an eye on her afraid she’d have a breakdown.
As Pat and the girls headed for the elevator Krista nudged Jenny. “You saw Susan Warren in the bubbles while you washed your hands?”
“Yes,” Jenny nodded only to see confusion on the other three faces. “When I was sanitizing my hands I saw Susan in the bubbles. She was mouthing the words ‘Three more’.”
“Wendy and Becky make two new recruits we’ve saved so we have another to save tonight,” Jaz smiled looking forward to helping someone else.
The elevator stopped two floors down. As the doors opened they saw a woman in her fifties with her head against the wall beside the hospice department. It was clear to see she was forlornly crying. As one the five exited the elevator. Holly pulled a teddy bear out of the bag and walked to the woman.
“It looks like you could use this,” Holly softly declared as she held out the bear.
The woman instantly stood straight and stifled her tears to look at the proffered bear and the four elves. Hesitantly she accepted the teddy bear. Biting her lips she clutched the stuffed animal to her breasts and broke down in tears. The girls warmly hugged the woman which was the exact thing she needed at that moment.
It took ten minutes before she pulled herself together. “Thank you,” she whispered as she dabbed her eyes with a tissue Pat passed to her.
Pat exchanged glances with the girls then asked, “Have you had supper?”
“Supper... no,” the red eyed woman said. “I... I really haven’t been eating well lately.”
“Well, then join us. Our treat,” Pat smiled. “We just finished handing out stuffed animals on the children’s ward.”
“Okay,” the woman wearily agreed.
“I’m Pat Scott, this is my daughter Krista and her friends Jenny Ewell and Jasmine and Holly Reese,” Pat introduced herself and the girls.
“I’m Helen Teeter,” the woman sighed.
As they rode down the elevator Pat decided the woman was in no shape to drive. Helen didn’t object to riding with them. Fifteen minutes later they were pulling into the Easton Chili’s. They all realized Helen was merely going through the motions of life.
They were seated by the outside wall in the middle of the dining area. After their meals arrived and they began to eat Helen seemed to be stimulated by the chattering girls perking up a bit.
Krista noted a tiny bit of sparkle appear in Helen’s weary eyes. “Mrs. Teeter, what can we do to help you?”
“Help me, my sweet child you already have,” Helen smiled sadly. “Simply being with you lively girls has shown me life goes on.”
“It does,” Jenny softly replied. “Last year at this time my life was horrible. You see, I’m a girl with a birth defect. I was born with male genitals. Needless to say I didn’t come close to living up to my parent’s expectations. On New Years Eve I decided to tell them I was transgender. I figured they’d kill me which would end my living hell. My dad flipped out and began beating me. He threw me through a wall. While I was dazed my mom finally came to my defense. Dad was in a rage and turned on her, strangling her. I tried to stop him by grabbing an empty beer bottle. I was so wobbly I barely made it to him. I put everything I had into the swing as I brained him. I passed out. When I woke up I found dad had strangled mom and I’d killed him.”
“My word,” Helen gasped. “That’s horrible. But now... I’d never have guessed you weren’t born a girl. I’d always thought transsexuals were freaks but I’ve learned I was wrong. You’re like that spunky girl Krista.”
Three girls giggled and looked at Krista who looked down at her plate and blushed.
“Oh my,” Helen exclaimed in surprise. “You’re THAT Krista!”
“Yes ma’am,” Krista admitted.
Then she looked at Jasmine and Holly. It was easy to tell they were sisters. Her gaze settled on Jaz. “Are you the girl who was in a coma?”
“Yes ma’am,” Jaz acknowledged.
“Well, it seems I’m in good company,” Helen smiled but then her smile faded. “I want to thank you for your act of kindness in taking a weary old woman to supper.”
“Whatever trouble you’re experiencing will pass,” Jenny declared with certainty. “If you need friends, we’re here.”
Helen bit her lip yet managed a tired smile. “I could sure use friends right now.”
“It helps to share your problems,” Krista stated. “Instead of bearing all your woes on your shoulders, friends will share the burden lightening yours. Like Jenny said, we’re here for you.”
Tears began to trickle down Helen’s cheeks. “I... I don’t want to burden you with my problems.”
Krista looked at the other girls who nodded their heads. As they rose to stand Krista began to sing. The other girls joined in a moving acapella rendition after the first line. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogXIkxxurDQ )
“The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows when
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
So on we go
His welfare is my concern
No burden is he to bear
We'll get there
For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with gladness
Of love for one another
It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on our way to there
Why not share
And the load
Doesn't weigh me down at all
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
He's my brother
He ain't heavy, he's my brother...”
The angelic harmonizing of the four teens still in their Elf costumes had stilled all conversation in the normally verbose restaurant. When they finished the entire place erupted in cheers and applause while Helen was openly crying. The girls surrounded her with a loving mass hug.
Several people called out asking for the girls to sing another song. Sheepishly looking about they saw everyone smiling, including the staff. After a quick conference they turned to face the room and began to sing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFjdfjrtf1Q
“The fireplace is burning bright, shining all on me
I see the presents underneath the good old Christmas tree
And I wait all night 'til Santa comes to wake me from my dreams
Oh, why? 'Cause that's Christmas to me
I see the children play outside, like angels in the snow
While mom and daddy share a kiss under the mistletoe
And we'll cherish all these simple things wherever we may be
Oh, why? 'Cause that's Christmas to me
I've got this Christmas song in my heart
I've got the candles glowing in the dark
I'm hanging all the stockings by the Christmas tree
Oh, why? 'Cause that's Christmas to me
Oh, why? 'Cause that's Christmas to me
I listen for the thud of reindeer walking on the roof
As I fall asleep to lullabies, the morning's coming soon
The only gift I'll ever need is the joy of family
Oh, why? 'Cause that's Christmas to me
I've got this Christmas song in my heart (song in my heart)
I've got the candles glowing in the dark
I'm hanging all the stockings by the Christmas tree
Oh, why? 'Cause that's Christmas to me
Oh, why? 'Cause that's Christmas to me
Ooooohhhhoooohhooohhh
Ooooohhhhoooohhooohhh
Oh, the joy that fills our hearts and makes us see
Oh, why? 'Cause that's Christmas to me
I've got this Christmas song in my heart
I've got the candles glowing in the dark
And then for years to come we'll always know one thing
That's the love that Christmas can bring
Oh, why? 'Cause that's Christmas to me”
The place once more erupted in cheers and applause as well as calls for more. The girls curtseyed but demurred another song and sat to finish their meal.
As the sound of conversation returned Helen smiled at the girls. “That was simply delightful. Thank you.” Then she took a deep breath. “When you found me outside the elevator I was just leaving the hospice unit. My husband, Kirk, just lost his battle with cancer.”
“My birth mother died of cancer,” Krista said as she placed a comforting hand on Helen’s hand. “It’s not easy watching your loved one slowly fade away. You have our condolences. You also have our friendship and support. Don’t try to deny your grief. You need to embrace it to get through it.”
“I know,” Helen said. “But it’s so hard with the other things that happened. Our son Kirk Jr. was killed in Afghanistan in June. His wife Linda and five year old son Kurt were devastated. Kirk and I did our best to support them but we were torn apart too. After the funeral we had a reception. We’ll never know what happened but as they drove home Linda’s car crossed into oncoming traffic hitting a tractor trailer head on. She was killed instantly. Kurt was flown to John Hopkins. We rushed there and kept vigil but after three days he was declared brain dead. We agreed to have his organs donated which was done on June 30. At least his death saved others. The entire ordeal was hard on both of us but we leaned on each other. We’d just buried Linda and Kurt on July 3 when my Kirk collapsed. That’s when we found out he had cancer. Kirk stayed strong right up to the end. I stayed strong for him but today... he went to his reward but I’ve been left behind. It’s not fair... losing our son and his family then six months later losing Kirk... I have no family left. I’m all alone now... with Christmas so close... a large part of me wishes I’d die so I could join them.”
“You’re not alone,” Pat assured her. “You have us.”
Helen smiled wearily through her tears.
“It wasn’t chance that we were at the hospital tonight,” Jenny spoke up. “God set things up so we’d be there. Up in the children’s ward we met a little girl who recently had a heart transplant and had to re-hospitalized for an infection. We had sterilized three stuffies just in case someone was in isolation so we were able to give them to the girl. As we were sanitizing to go into her room, I saw the image of one of our clan guardian angels form in the bubbles on my hands. She was mouthing the words ‘Three more’. We met Becky and her mom Wendy. When we found out they’re homeless we invited them to join the Clan Wells Point, numbers one and two. Then the other clan guardian angel came and healed the girl. We met you as we were leaving. Since you have no family left, we’ll invite you to join the clan. You’re number three.”
“All this based on seeing an angel in soap bubbles?” It was clear Helen was skeptical.
“The Clan Wells Point has two angels,” Jaz explained. “The first angel was Krista’s birth mother, Carol. She helped me escape the coma I was trapped in. She led me to near consciousness then Krista and the cheerleaders helped me wake up. She’s been active with the clan. Then in June a woman clan member, Susan, died of cancer. Carol came for her, they left wet footprints on the floor from her bedroom to the bedroom of her infant twin grandchildren’s. When we scattered her ashes she we blew bubbles to celebrate her graduation to the next life. We recorded the celebration and when we watched the recording we saw Susan’s image on the bubbles smiling at us.”
“Last month we were in Pennsylvania cleaning out my late grandparent’s home,” Jenny picked up the conversation. “As we were getting ready to leave I stopped at the outflow pipe of their pond to look at the swirling bubbles like I did when I was a little kid. Susan’s face appeared in the bubbles and mouthed ‘Ten minutes’ so we delayed our departure by ten minutes. As we were traveling home a nasty accident happened right in front of us. Krista crawled inside a burning car, handed out two kids in car seats, put a tourniquet on the driver’s cut arm, then cut off his arm to free him. We saved the family and they’re now part of the clan. If we had not delayed the ten minutes, the accident would have happened after we passed the site. We’ve learned to trust our guardian angels when they communicate with us. We were meant to meet you tonight to offer you membership in the Clan Wells Point.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Helen replied now a little spooked.
“You need to join the clan,” Krista stated firmly despite tears trickling from the corners of her eyes.
The others were instantly concerned about what had evoked the tears.
“Helen, your family is not all gone,” Krista declared. “Parts of your grandson are still alive. Not only that, but I know where his heart is.” More tears flowed down her cheeks as she struggled to maintain her composure.
The others were momentarily puzzled, then one by one their faces lit up and they gasped.
“Oh my God,” Helen gasped. “My grandson’s heart is in that little girl...” With that she broke down in heart rending sobs.
The girls immediately swarmed her with hugs.
Once Helen regained control Pat insisted she not be alone and brought her back to the clan. As they drove Krista called Kylie to explain what was going on. Minutes later Pat pulled up in front of the main farmhouse. Helen found herself surrounded by Kylie and Larry holding Sonny and Rayne, as well as Tony, Evelyn and Rachel Masters. Pat left her in their capable hands as she took the girls and herself home.
Helen was overwhelmed by the care and concern of these people she’d never met. They talked about Helen’s recent losses, the little girl who had her grandson’s heart, and the clan. It was a bit after eleven when she settled into bed. As could be expected sleep eluded her for quite some time.
Eventually she slipped into a hazy semi sleep. She found herself wandering through the cemetery where Kirk Jr,, Linda and Kurt were buried. The sun was shining, the leaves of the trees were blowing in a gentle breeze and the birds were singing sweetly. As she approached their graves she saw the back of a man standing before the graves looking at the grave stones. As she walked closer she wondered who he might be as other than herself she knew of no one who would visit the graves. Cautiously she slowed her approach.
“There’s no need to be afraid, dear,” Kirk Teeter smiled as he turned to face her.
Helen froze as she stared at her husband. “Kirk? Oh my God!” Then she noticed the tombstones were visible through his body.
“Now that I’ve graduated I’ll be leaving shortly to join Kirk Jr., Linda and Kurt,” Kirk smiled. “A lovely woman who was a member of the Clan Wells Point named Susan eased my passing. She told me I’d be allowed to say goodbye to you and assure you the kids are okay. We’ll all be waiting when it’s your time to graduate. In the meantime Kurt wants to give you a Christmas present. He said you’d always have a place in his heart and he’d like you to become the grandmother of the little girl who received his heart. Like you she and her mother have no living family. I totally agree with him.. You need to move forward. Join the Clan Wells Point with them and be her grandmother. Until we meet again my love.”
With that he began to fade away. As he did so Helen saw her son and his family fade into view waving to her. The four held hands as they walked away with Kurt looking over his shoulder smiling. Helen stood watching as they and the cemetery faded into mist.
When she awoke in the morning for the first time since her son’s death Helen felt refreshed. Dressing she joined the others for breakfast. After making arrangements to have Kirk’s funeral on Wednesday afternoon she spent the day playing with Sonny and Rayne. Bill Dougherty drove Helen to the school so she could ride with Pat and the girls back to the hospital.
Upon arrival on the pediatric ward they all donned protective gear then entered Becky’s room. Becky smiled to see the four girls.
Helen stood just inside the room staring at the cute little girl. She remembered that Kurt had said he’d always have a place for her in his heart. That heart was still beating in that darling little girl. Upon seeing her Helen understood she could do nothing less than love the little girl who lived thanks to her grandson’s heart.
Wendy noted Helen trembling and blinking back tears. She assumed she was someone from the clan.
Becky noted the girls were not wearing their elf outfits. “Are you off duty?”
“Yes,” Krista smiled. “We help Santa when he needs elves in this area. Most of the time, like now, we’re just regular girls.”
“Okay,” Becky nodded. “Do you live at the north pole?”
“No, we live nearby,” Krista answered. “Santa’s travel magic only works on Christmas Eve. The North Pole is too far away for us to go back and forth. In fact, when you’re in your new home we will be neighbors.”
“I hope our new home is nice,” Becky said. “Our last home wasn’t very nice. Are there any kids my age there?”
“There are two girls and a boy your age as well as lots of older and younger kids,” Krista smiled. “We have a lot of pictures on my computer. We can show you what your house and the area looks like as well as the kids.”
Wendy smiled when she saw Krista pull her computer out.
“It’s been sterilized,” Pat whispered. “Even though it isn’t needed anymore.”
The adults left the girls entertaining Becky. Pat introduced the women as they headed to the parking lot. Pat revealed Helen’s recent bereavement and Wendy’s loss of spouse and home.
As they drove to Wells Point Pat spoke up. “Wendy, do you know the who donated Becky’s heart?”
“We tried to find out but they wouldn’t tell us unless the donor’s family agreed,” Wendy answered from the rear seat. “I really wanted to thank them for giving me the gift of life for my baby.”
“It was my grandson, Kurt,” Helen declared with a shaky voice.
“Oh my God, Helen, I’m sorry for your loss but thank you for having the courage to save my daughter,” Wendy exclaimed as she reached across the seat to grasp Helen’s hand. “That’s why you were looking at Becky. She’ll be delighted to meet you.”
“I look forward to getting to know both of you,” Helen managed to squeak out as she grasped Wendy’s hand.
Pat then explained about the clan angels Carol and Susan and how they impacted the clan. Then she told Wendy about Jenny seeing Susan in the bubbles while sanitizing her hands
As the two women held hands Helen explained about her dream vision seeing her deceased family and that her grandson had told her she’d always have a place in his heart and now that his heart was in Becky that meant that love was now in her. “Wendy, you have no family but Becky and I have no one. Could I please become Becky’s new grandmother? My love is already in her heart.”
Wendy choked up. The love and hope in Helen’s voice touched her heart. Being the lone adult dealing with Becky’s situation was wearing her down. Having someone to help, to be Becky’s grandmother sounded good. With a tremulous voice she responded. “I have one condition for you to become Becky’s grandmother... you have to become my mother.”
“Of course,” Helen sniffled as they squeezed each other’s hands.
With the revelation out of the way Pat explained a bit about the Clan Wells Point. When they approached the clan land she pointed out the fields and forests. She drove down to the former Jablonski farm to show that land. Then she turned into Almost Neavitt Road driving to the house the Evans family recently vacated.
“This is the house the clan would provide for you,” Pat explained as she stopped beside the house. “We’ll come back in a bit. I want to give you a quick tour of the rest of the clan land.”
The women were amazed at just how much property the clan owned and how many homes and businesses were present. They stopped in the offices of CWP LLC where they met with the clan directors to discuss membership. Since Wendy had little more than the clothes she and Becky had she had no assets to pool. Helen had two homes, the one she lived in and the one she inherited from her grandson’s estate. Helen asked if Steven could process adoption papers for Wendy thus making Becky her granddaughter. Since both were adults there would be no issue and Steve promised to process it the next day. With luck it might be approved before Christmas.
As darkness fell Pat drove the women back to the house that would be theirs. The one and a half story three bedroom two bath home was spacious with a nice lawn. Helen assured Wendy the furniture in her home would fit nicely. Before they left the clan property Pat off of Bills l lane onto the grass verge surrounding the pasture to the end of what the kids had tagged Turkey Drumstick Point (on maps it looks like a turkey drumstick) across Johns Cove from the CWP Landing. Both women gasped in awe as they looked across Balls Creek. The southern shore was lined with houses and docks, all decorated with brightly colored Christmas lights. The lights sparkled as they reflected off the gentle waves running across the water.
“I hope we can bring Becky home in time to see this,” Wendy sighed.
“If the weather’s good the kids want to have a bonfire out here on Christmas Eve after the church service,” Pat smiled.
Forty five minutes later they were back at the hospital. The girls had kept Becky so entertained she hadn’t had time to miss her mother.
Alonng with Wendy’s worries being alleviated Becky’s condition improved rapidly. With help from the clan Helen packed up her house. While Kirk’s funeral was being held on Wednesday morning the CWP moved Helens furniture and belongings into the home on Wells Point. They even filled the pantry and refrigerator, made the beds and set up a Christmas tree complete with wrapped gifts for Becky.
The four directors of CWP, Pat and Wendy attended the funeral to support Helen. Helen herself was all smiles as she warmly greeted Kirk’s coworkers and their friends. Her upbeat attitude clearly surprised them especially when she went to the microphone to speak.
“I’d feared Kirk’s passing,” Helen began. “Just after he died I was in the hospital lobby crying while waiting for the elevator. When the doors opened four elves came out and gave me a teddy bear. They had been up on the children’s ward passing out teddy bears to the kids. They realized I was distraught and wouldn’t let me be by myself. I wound up joining them and the mother of one for supper. They told me an angel had told them to look out for a person in need. Those elves were from the Clan Wells Point. One of them was Krista Scott. I can tell you what we’ve heard about her doesn’t begin to express just how honest and caring she is. They took me out to the clan because they didn’t want me to be alone. They’d told me people don’t die, they graduate to the next life.”
“That night I dreamed I was at the cemetery going to the graves Kirk Jr, Linda, and Kurt,” Helen continued. “I saw a man looking at the graves, when he turned it was Kirk. He smiled and said he was joining them and they would be waiting for me when my time came. Then he told me Kurt kept his love for me in his heart and it was still there. As Kirk faded from view I saw Kirk Jr, Linda and Kurt join him. As they walked away Kurt turned and smiled.”
Helen paused to regain her composure. “One of the little girls the elves visited in the children’s ward turned out to be the girl who received Kurt’s heart. That little girl has Kurt’s love for me in her heart. I’ve met Becky and her mother. Due to circumstances beyond their control they’re homeless with no family just like me. Yesterday Judge Watkins approved my adoption of Wendy. Becky is now my granddaughter. Together we’ve also joined the Clan Wells Point and are moving their today. I’ll miss Kirk, but even in his death he’s looking out for me and is helping Becky and her mother have a loving family.”
“When Kirk died, I had no hopes for a merry Christmas,” Helen concluded. “Now I know I will have a very Merry Christmas with a new home and family. I also know Kirk is truly resting in peace.”
Those attending were clearly surprised by Helen’s words and not sure what to make of it. Soon they were at the cemetery for a quick internment. A small luncheon reception was held where the guests were able to talk to the CWP members including Wendy. While still not sure how to take what they learned, they were assured Helen was going to be okay.
As they left Wendy got a call from the hospital. Repeated tests could find no sign of the infection that had put Becky in the hospital. She was ready to go home! They quickly headed to the hospital.
Nurse Miller explained they’d never seen such a rapid and remarkable recovery.
It was just before supper when they arrived at the O’Brien farm. Helen, Wendy and Becky were a bit overwhelmed to see Krista leading her sisters as they finished setting the steaming food on the table.
Pat introduced the newcomers. “Everyone, this is Helen, Wendy and Becky our newest clan members. This is Jane’s husband Kevin Stewart, my husband Leroy Scott, you know Krista, these are my daughters Lyndi, Teri and Sandi and my sons Leroy Jr. and Peter.”
When they finished the meal, Helen shook her head in amazement. “That was delicious. Again Krista, you amaze me.”
“I’ve had excellent teachers,” Krista demurred as she glanced at Jane and Pat. “I couldn’t have done it without my sisters.”
The three girls smiled and blushed.
“We women will clean up,” Jane declared. “Girls, take Becky upstairs and help her dress in the Christmas Dress we got for her.”
Clad in her knee length green velvet dress with red lace trim and red tights decorated with green Christmas trees Becky looked around marveling at all the candles in the church as they entered for the Christmas Eve Service. This was the first Christmas eve service she could remember. Sandi took her around to introduce her to the other little kids before the service began. The singing mesmerized her.
After the service the members of the Clan Wells Point and a few guests caravaned out to Turkey Drumstick Point arriving at 9:30pm. They drove on the grass verge out to the southern end of the point leaving the center hundred feet clear. To provide for safe movement in the dark night Tiki style oil torches were lit illuminating the area with flickering firelight in the steady but gentle breeze. The teens immediately headed out to the boulders protectively delineating the shore. Despite having erected a thirty six inch high green plastic coated wire mesh fence the teens, sitting upon blankets, formed a human wall to prevent the excited smaller children from accidently falling into the water. The adults also knew the teens, all of whom had a companion, would enjoy the cuddle time even if it were in public... and thus safe.
Becky, now wearing a mottled white faux fur ankle length hooded winter coat, joined the other happily squealing children running to the line formed by the teens. For nearly a mile the numerous house and docks lining the southern shore of Balls Creek were decorated with thousands of sparkling multicolored Christmas lights. The gentle rippling waves on the nine hundred feet of water between Turkey Drumstick Point and the southern shore of Balls Creek reflected the gaily colored lights making them flicker and dance. It was a beautiful and enticing sight.
Several grills were fired up to heat urns of warmed apple cider. Cinnamon sticks were available for those who wanted them. Despite the barely above freezing temperatures the joyous singing of Christmas carols in the light of the flickering of torches made for a warm festive environment. Snow flakes began to fall making the small children squeal with delight and dance around trying to catch snowflakes on their tongues adding to the almost magical Christmas scene. Finally everyone gathered around a crossed log tower ten feet tall stuffed with hay.
Megaphone in hand Krista addressed her clanspeople. “Before we light our first annual bonfire we need to vote to on the membership of Helen Teeter, Wendy Farr and Becky Farr. You already know they’ve been picked by our guardian angels. All in favor of granting full membership to the three newest recruits please shout ‘AYE’.”
A loud chorus of ‘AYES’ resonded.
“Any opposed please shout ‘NAY’.”
Silence.
“Let’s give a rousing cheer for the newest members of the now ninety seven member strong Clan Wells Point!”
What followed was a raucoius ‘HOORAY’ accompanied by applause and a few whistles.
As the newest member of the Clan Wells Point Becky was given the honor of igniting the first Clan Wells Point Christmas Bonfire. With Wendy’s assistance, Becky lit an oil soaked dried moss torch from one of the oil torches. Together they thrust the torch through the logs at the base of the log stack to ignite the straw. In moments the straw was burning fiercely easily igniting the well dried logs.
Fifteen minutes later as the bonfire burned down parents carried their worn out children through the still falling snow to their vehicles for the short trip home. Most were home by 11:00pm. Those that remained did so to make sure the flames of the bonfire were doused.
Five minutes after leaving the bonfire Helen opened the door to their new home and turned on the lights. Wendy entered carrying a slumbering Becky. The women stopped in delighted surprise as they saw the furniture placed and the decorated tree with wrapped gifts beneath.
Wendy didn’t fight the tears of joyous wonder. “How did they do this?”
“I knew they were going to deliver my furniture and belongings,” Helen replied. “But to do all this... I REALLY want to belong to the Clan Wells Point!”
“Tonight has been so wonderful,” Wendy sniffled. “The church service, the bonfire, and now this... Becky is finally having a Merry Christmas.”
The women headed to the bedrooms to see if the furniture had been set up there. To their delight not only had they been set up, their clothes had been put in the closets and dressers. Helen assisted Wendy in changing Wendy into her pajamas. The women went to their rooms and collapsed into their beds.
For Wendy it was the first real night of rest she had since Becky’s heart transplant. Nearly six months of anguish and worry about her daughter’s future had ended.
For Helen the fact she’d buried her husband that morning while sad and heartrending had not been the end of her world as she’d previously feared. It had been an end, but his death had also opened the door for her new family. The fact the heart she felt beating when she hugged Becky was her grandsons made her life come full circle. The loss of one family while gaining another with a very heart warming connection between the two. (Pun intended)
The next morning Helen and Wendy were awakened by Becky’s squeals of excitement. “Mommy, Mommy, Santa was here! Santa was here!”
The women hurried to the living room to find Becky delightedly hopping and clapping. “Look! He left us presents and a tree! How did he know where to find us?”
“Remember, the girls who are Santa’s part time elves live nearby,” Wendy answered. “You saw the girls last night at the bonfire.”
Helen smiled and plugged in the lights to illuminate the tree.
Becky’s eyes lit up with pure delight. “It’s so beautiful!”
“Yes it is,” Helen agreed.
Becky looked hopefully at the adults. “Can we open the presents?”
“Not yet,” Helen answered. “We need to eat breakfast first.”
“Okay Grammy,” Becky replied with a bit of reluctance as her eyes lingered on the tree and presents.
Helen choked up as tears flowed from her eyes.
Wendy sidled over to her and whispered, “Are you alright?”
“I’m wonderful,” Helen whispered in answerer. “My grandson Kurt called me Grammy. How did she know?”
“I have no idea,” Wendy whispered then spoke to her daughter. “Becky, why did you call your new grandmother Grammy?”
“That’s the way I felt in my heart,” Becky answered with childish innocence.
Both women choked up.
Breakfast was a quick affair simply because Becky was bouncing in her seat. Soon they gathered around the tree. One by one Becky picked up a wrapped gift and took it to Helen who read the label. Becky handed the women their gifts and created a pile of her gifts. The women were pleasantly surprised to have gifts addressed to them.
One by one Becky eagerly tore through the wrapping to squeal with excitement when she saw the gift. Dolls, doll furniture, a baby carriage, pretty dresses and books were greeted with equal excitement.
Once all the gifts were open the family simply enjoyed sharing their happiness. The hopelessness they’d felt three short days before was banished. Thanks to Krista and the Clan Wells Point they experienced the best Christmas they’d ever enjoyed.
Chapter 9
Over the next few days the newest family of the Clan Wells Point melded into loving kindred. Since the women wanted to contribute to the CWP they thought of what they might do. They also took Becky to the CWP Daycare so she could get used to being around other children. Before the heart transplant she’d been too weak to mingle. Afterward she was too fragile due to her compromised immune system. Since recovering from her hospitalization thanks to the angelic intervention that seemed to be a thing of the past. Becky would join clan members Wanda Scott and Karen Harris in the pre kindergarten program at St. Michaels Elementary school which adjoined the middle/high school when school reopened in the new year.
On December 27 Wendy reached a decision. “Mom, can I ask a favor?”
“Of course, Wendy,” Helen smiled.
“I feel closer to you than I did to my birth mother,” Wendy confessed. “I’m also totally pissed off at my husband Lenny for abandoning Becky and I. I want him out of our lives and intend to divorce him. Would you mind if Becky and I changed our last name to Teeter?”
Helen bit her lips as tears of joy leaked from the corners of her eyes. Despite this she shook her head no much to Wendy’s disappointment.
“I don’t want you to change your name like that,” Helen sniffled as she smiled. “But I’ll gladly approve if you let me adopt you.”
Wendy squealed with delight and hugged Helen. The proud new mom warm returned the loving hug.
Upon being told of their desire CWP lawyer Kevin Stewart on the morning of Monday December 29 applied for the adult adoption and name changes. At the same time he filed for the divorce of Wendy from Lenny on the grounds of desertion requesting full custody of Becky, child support, and with no visitation rights. The adoption and name change was a non issue and was granted on the morning of New Years Eve. The divorce would take longer.
On Saturday December 27 the answer to their dilemma of how to contribute to the CWP came to Helen and Wendy as they watched Becky play with her three stuffies... Toys! Hand crafted toys... made with love... love they wanted to share!
*****
New Years Eve everyone gathered at the Clan Barn. The teens had set up their musical instruments on the fifteen feet by ten feet stage built where the DUKW had been stored under tarps for several decades before being refurbished. In addition to their amps they plugged into the state of the art surround sound PA system. The system was designed to enable whatever was being broadcast to be easily hearable without the need for excessive volume. The system allowed normal conversation without the need to shout over the broadcast. When ready they a began a spirited jam session. This was the first time Helen and Wendy heard the teen band, Certain Change. They were impressed with the quality, especially how Barney, with only one arm, so brilliantly played the drums. The little kids had a ball dancing to the live music. Wanda couldn’t believe how happy and lively Becky was as for the first time in her life she was able to dance with her new friends.
A yummy buffet was laid out and enjoyed by all. In groups of two the band took breaks as the others continued to play. The clanspeople mingled and talked, Helen and Wendy expressed their idea for creating a full time toy enterprise within the clan. The idea meshed perfectly with Robert’s idea of making wooden toys and Krista’s already successful plushies. The idea would be vigorously pursued with true Clan Wells Point energy.
The little kids wore themselves out nodding off despite their excitement and music. Blankets were laid out in the farthest corner of the large open room for them to nap under the watchful eyes of some adults and teens. Being little kids they had no problem sleeping through the rock music.
About ten Krista announced the teens were surrendering the stage to the newest clan music group. The teens removed their instruments and acted as roadies for the adults setting the stage for their appearance. When everything was ready Krista announced, “Although I haven’t heard them play I hope I’m right in saying we’ll all enjoy CLAN WELLS POINT PIPES ROCK!”
Everyone applauded while wondering about the name. Coming from behind a curtained stage wing the adults entered one by one. The audience chuckled as the saw everyone was wearing a kilted Scottish outfit. Leroy took up position behind the drum set. Larry picked up the lead guitar. David did the same with the bass guitar. Buffy took position behind the keyboards. Kevin came out carrying his bagpipes which surprised everyone and had more than a few slightly concerned about what they were about to hear. The last to enter was Kylie also carrying a bagpipe.
“Good evening,” Kylie exclaimed. “First off, I’d like to apologize in advance if my playing isn’t up to Kevin’s level. He and Steven knew I played the flute in the high school band and asked me to try learning the bagpipes. I agreed to give it a shot and here we are. Believe it or not ‘Clan Wells Point Pipes Rock’ is a Celtic rock band. I’m just glad there are no whole tomatoes on the buffet. (Which caused a ripple of laughter.) Well, ready or not here we come! Please enjoy our combination of Celtic and Rock music. First up is ‘Smoke on the Water’ segueing into ‘Scotland the Brave’!” rock 1
Nearly everyone was dumbfounded as they began. Larry’s guitar wailed the classic rock anthem with the bagpipes tearing right in. The bagpipes wailed right along with the guitar. Buffy moved to the front of the stage with two chains three feet long with four inch metal wiffle ball style balls on the end of each. With a butane grill lighter Ben ignited the balls which Buffy began to twirl. Nearly everyone was mesmerized by the twirling flames. As the guys danced a jig while playing, whenever they pointed their guitars towards the ceiling for five seconds flames three feet long shot out of the end of the guitar necks. At the same time flames eighteen inches long shot out of the tops of the three drone pipes on the each bagpipe and eighteen inch flames erupted from stands on either side of the drum set. The astounded smiling audience clapped and happily danced to the music. When the song ended the clan erupted in delighted cheers and applause.
“Thank you,” Kylie smiled. “Now, please enjoy our version of AC/DC’s ‘Thunderstruck’ segueing into Highway to Hell’!” rock 2
Again the bagpipes and guitars blended into their unique merger of Celtic and rock music. Once more the listeners were delighted with the results dancing and clapping to the unique synthesis of music genres. The applause and cheers were universal when the songs ended.
Kylie and the others swigged water and bowed. “Now for your enjoyment we present ‘Don’t Stop Believing’!” rock 3
Buffy began playing the piano entry as the bagpipes and guitars joined in. Everyone who knew the words joined in singing as they happily danced and swayed to the tune. Once more Larry wailed the familiar riffs. The listeners cheered and clapped. The party spirit the teens had brought forth was steamrolling. When the tune ended applause, cheers and whistles erupted as the band bowed.
“Now for a bit of a change up,” Kylie smiled. “Celtic Reggae!!!”
The audience fell silent as they exchanged looks of consternation tinged with disbelief while chuckling. “Bring it on,“ someone shouted. rock 5
Larry began to play and repeat a Reggae riff. The riff sounded sort of familiar but the crowd couldn’t quite place it. Then the drums joined in. Finally the bagpipes joined in playing the vocals.
The audience gasped and smiled, promptly singing along. “In the jungle, the quiet jungle, the lion sleeps tonight! OOOOOOHHHHH aweemaweh! Hush My darling don’t cry my darling the lion sleeps tonight!”
About half way through the song the band speed up the beat almost doubling it. As they did the two guitarists and the two bagpipers begin dancing a jig with the four interweaving amongst themselves back and forth across the stage. When they finished the crowd erupted in raucous cheers, applause and whistles.
“I’m glad we all enjoyed that unique blending of Jamaica and the Highlands,” Kylie said as she clearly worked to catch her breath. The band members all took a big swallow from their water bottle.
Again the crowd erupted into appreciative cheers and applause.
“Moving back to our rock & roll roots,” Kylie smiled. “A pair of rock classics blended in our own unique style. Please enjoy ‘We Will Rock You’ segueing into ‘I Love Rock and Roll’!” rock 6
The drums began beating out the classic staccato cadence as Diane fiddled accompaniment. Soon the bass joined in, then the rest. Once more the happy listeners sang along and danced.
About half an hour before midnight the napping kids were gently awoken. The Clan Wells Point Pipes Rock were still playing. At ten minutes before midnight the dance floor was cleared. Two circles one twenty feet in diameter and the other fifteen were created using red duct tape. Kids up through age five were lined up just outside the smaller taped circle while kids six to eleven formed up around the larger circle. Nets full of balloons had been previously hung high above the circles were lowered to about ten feet above the floor. Seeing the balloons the kids became excited and fidgeted. The parents teamed up with their younger kids with the teens filling in where needed. The rules for indoor fireworks were explained with the drop to occur at the stroke of midnight.
Leroy began beating out a tattoo on the drums. Then the wail of bagpipes playing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ began from the opposite side of the spacious room. Steven, dressed in full Highland Regalia in the Clan Wells Point distinctive green and pink tartan stepped through the adults surrounding the kids. With military precision he marched about the two circles drawing the attention of the excited and squirming kids before he marched onto the stage at fifteen seconds before midnight. Kylie led the countdown as everyone excitedly joined in. “10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... HAPPY NEW YEAR!”
The couples had time for a short New Years Eve kiss before the mayhem began as the nets were opened dropping fifty balloons on the tots and one hundred fifty on the older kids. The indoor fireworks began with thunderous booms and excited squeals as the kids had at the bouncing balloons. The older kids stomped on the colorful balloons successfully popping about one out of every three attempts. On the other two efforts the balloons shot out from under their feet. They were bumping into each other laughing as they chased down their bouncy targets, hence the reason for the age separation. The little kids tried to imitate the older but didn’t have the mass or strength to pop or more often tumble as the balloons squirted from under their feet. Their older companions kept them from falling and soon guided them into sitting on the balloons. If that wasn’t enough, the strategic use of concealed pins did the job with the toddlers unaware they’d had help in popping their balloon. Extra balloons appeared so that each child had at least one balloon to pop. rock 7
By the end of the first minutes many of the smiling and laughing adults enjoying the excited antics of the excited kids were covering their ears due to the numerous booming pops and the shrill squeals and yelling of the excited youngsters. By the third minute the volume of booms decreased and by five minutes afterward the balloons were colorful shreds littering the floor.
As the kids settled and were herded to one side another hundred fifty balloons were dumped onto the floor. The kids watched with glee as the teens and adults began another round of noisy indoor fireworks.
After the last resounding POP recorded dance music began to play over the surround sound system. Brooms appeared and the colorful shreds were swept away. Adults and kids were soon on the dance floor. Dads danced with daughters, moms danced with sons, aunts and uncles danced with nieces and nephews, grandparents danced with grandchildren. By 12:30am as kids wore out, families headed home. Leroy and Krista were the last two. They made the rounds making sure everything was turned off before crossing Wells Point Lane to their cozy home.
What was amazing to the newest members was that while alcoholic beverages were available and consumed, no one became drunk. The clanspeople kept an eye on each other and whenever someone had a bit too much they were gently but firmly guided away from reaching the tipping point. The fact excessive drinking and steps to be taken if it occurred had been heavily discussed and agreed upon weeks before made the effort smooth. A few definitely became silly but none descended into bellicose belligerence.
Jane returned to the Clan Barn at 8:00am. Others soon joined her in the kitchen as they prepared a hefty buffet. Families began arriving at 10:30. The tables were rearranged to facilitate viewing the stage. Fifteen feet above the stage a huge outdoor advertizing billboard type TV screen was mounted on the wall. The unit was fifteen feet long and nine and one third feet high. Except for the heavy wooden beam/columns holding up the roof trusses the high def screen was easily visible from every corner of the barn. The buffet was set up and people filled plates. Those who wanted to spend the day watching football bowl games sat before the big screen. First up was the 11:00am kickoff of the Outback Bowl where the Iowa Hawkeyes beat the South Carolina Gamecocks 31 to 10. Next up with a 5:00pm kickoff of the Rose Bowl where the Penn State Nittany Lions lost to the USC Trojans 24 to 38. Last up was the 8:45 kickoff of the Orange Bowl where the Cincinnati Bearcats took on the Virginia Tech Hokies losing 7 to 20. Those who didn’t want to watch football gathered to the sides to talk and play games. All in all it was a relaxed atmosphere enabling the clan to strengthen their bonds.
*****
The Johnson family fit into the Clan Wells Point like a glove. Grant and Penny had no issues being in the CWP Daycare while their parents worked and rehabed. Penny was a happy often giggling infant. Grant was a gregarious toddler who got along with other toddlers.
By the beginning of the new year Kelly Johnson had proved to be an extremely effective paralegal in the CWP Attorney at Law offices under attorney Kevin Stewart. Within a week of starting she had grasped the ebb and flow of the office. This allowed Ruth Ewell to back off the heavy research and concentrate on being the office manager for CWP Attorney At Law and CWP LLC in their shared building.
Ben Johnson, despite being limited by his therapy and adapting to his changed circumstances, was making tremendous headway in bringing CWP Green Energy Initiatives into viable existence. The challenge restored his sense of worth which had understandably faltered with the loss of his arm. The first twenty vertical wind turbines were to be delivered on Tuesday January 6, 2009. Orders were in place for delivering twenty wind turbines a month until they reached their goal of four hundred units.
The CWP Contracting and Construction was on target to complete the concrete bases needed to mount the first twenty wind turbines when they arrived. They were also trenching and installing waterproof conduit with cables to connect the turbines to the new CWP power grid distribution center they were completing beside the digester.
The Clan Wells point itself entered the new year in great shape despite the chaos of the economy in general. The Down Jones Stock average had plunged six hundred eighty points on December 1. That was on top of the four hundred twenty seven point drop of November 19. The big crash Steven Campbell had predicted was coming to fruition. Many businesses panicked and thousands of people found their already jeopardized jobs even more fragile. Thousands of stockholders saw their finances collapsing. Thanks to Steven’s business sense the Clan Wells Point was financially solid and prepared to endure the economic crash. In fact they were poised to spring on any properties that might come on the real estate market to further expand the Clan Wells Point.
*****
On Friday January 2 one of the CWP Contracting & Construction employees, twenty five year old painter George Bracy, approached Robert with request to discuss a personal issue. Robert led him to his portable office... his pickup truck.
“Thanks for sitting down with me, boss,” George declared clearly anxious. “I know when you started the Clan Wells Point you offered all the employees an opportunity to join. Those of us left since then really like working for you but hesitated because we know construction jobs can come and go. We were worried that if your work load slacked off we’d be laid off and being members of the clan would be awkward. We also had concerns the clan would sort of implode and we’d be out of luck. Obviously we were wrong. Now I’ve got a big family problem and I can’t see anyway out of it. To be honest I’m coming to you hat in hand.”
“The clan will do what it can to help,” Robert answered with a confident smile. “The offer to you and the others to join the clan is still open. So, what’s the issue?”
“My mother, Maude, worked as a nurse’s aid for the Apple Tree Quality Healthcare Systems,” George explained. “When they were shut down she lost her job. Unfortunately no one wants to hire anyone who was associated with them. She’s been struggling to make ends meet but temp work just doesn’t cut it. Her home is being repossessed which will put her and my brother, Barry, out on the street. Another problem is I live in a two bedroom apartment with my wife Abby and kids Gwen and Brad. The kids are getting older and need separate bedrooms. From working on the remodel I know Theo Jablonski would benefit from a part time nurse’s aid and Rachel could use help with the housework. My mom could do both, especially if we all move into the apartment above the Jablonskis. She could also help out at the CWP Youth Rehab Hostel.
“It sounds to me your family needs to join the Clan Wells Point,” Robert smiled. “I don’t see any reason not to bring you onboard but I have to get approval from the rest of the directors. Since we know you it’ll just be a formality. I also need to make sure the Jablonski apartment is still available. I’ll let you know by tomorrow.”
George returned to work with a sense of relief. While he had discussed the situation with his family, he didn’t want to get their hopes up only to be crushed. He’d wait until tomorrow to get the word of the approval before he told the rest of the family.
On Saturday while working half a day Robert let George know the CWP directors unanimously approved bringing George’s family into the Clan with them moving into the apartment above Theo and Rachel Jablonski. Needless to say George and later his family were delighted with the news.
With Robert’s permission to use the CWP Contracting and Construction vehicles to move their belongings George called his coworkers to ask if they could assist his family move the next day, Sunday. The guys agreed.
Because of the approaching eviction Maude and fifteen year old Barry had most of their things packed. George and Abby spent most of Saturday packing their things. By 6:00pm Sunday the Bracy family had their belongings moved into the apartment above the Jablonskis. They still had to unpack but at least they were moved.
Construction jobs outside the CWP had been rapidly declining since the collapse of the sub-prime mortgage market. With the drops in the Dow Jones since September the construction slowdown grew. Yet because of the careful planning and quality work the CWP Contracting and Construction had steady work. Many of the competing contractors in the area had already laid off workers or closed outright. Seeing the growth and happiness of the Clan Wells Point as well as coworker George join the CWP the remaining four non clan employees of CWP Contracting and Construction decided to accept the long standing offer of clan membership. Over the next few weeks they took up residence in the Clan Wells Point territory.
Twenty eight year old carpenter Harry Dryer, his twenty eight year old wife Nancy, and daughters nine year old fourth grader Jill, eight year old third grader Karen and seven year old second grader Mindy were excited to join. They moved into the vacant southern rental home on the former Jablonski farm.
Twenty five year old Jimmy Stanley, his twenty five year old wife Bonnie and their twin daughters five year old kindergartners Lori and Dori were also excited to join. They moved into the apartment next to the Johnsons above CWP Daycare.
Drywaller Adam Green and mason Matt Haley, both twenty nine years old, were a gay couple but had never been able to live together. Upon joining the CWP they moved into an apartment above the daycare. Arrangements were made for them to drive to Hartford on Thursday January 9 to apply for a marriage license, marry and return home Sunday.
While that was going on the first twenty wind turbines were up and operating. The newest members were voted into the CWP. There were now One hundred fourteen members of the Clan Wells Point. Clan Wells Point Handcrafted Toys also became the newest clan enterprise. Helen was appointed to lead the operation with Wendy as leader of the stuffie branch. Even though they didn’t have a business site they coordinated the continued crocheting of stuffies, each now with a tag proclaiming CWP STUFFIE. They also created plans to make wooden toys as well as wooden playsets.
On January 15 Robert saw Henry Bailey walking slowly with a cane towards his mailbox as he drove past. He was a long time neighbor who ran a small family construction business. The two contractors were on friendly terms and had previously helped each other. Henry’s home and business were next door to the clan, his driveway was the first driveway to the west of the Bozman-Neavitt Road north of Wells Point Lane. Robert turned around and pulled into the driveway.
“Henry, it looks like you hurt yourself,” Robert said as he leaned out the window. “I hope it’s not serious. Is there anything I can do to help you?”
“Robert, it’s good to see you,” Henry greeted as he hobbled over to the truck. “You may be just the person I need.”
“Well in that case I’m glad I stopped,” Robert replied. “Hop in, I’ll drive you up the lane. We can go inside and talk.”
“I hope you can help me out,” Henry sighed as he climbed inside. “I don’t see any way out of my problems.”
A few moments later they were seated around the kitchen table sipping coffee with Henry’s wife, Carol.
“I just got out of the hospital and my business is going down the tubes. Honestly I don’t know how I’m physically going to go of it any more. Could you take over the jobs I have started and scheduled? Unfortunately we’ve already spent most of the money they’ve paid to make ends meet.”
“That’s never good,” Robert said. “Of course we’ll help you out. Do you mind if I ask what happened?”
“It goes back to when Lester was wounded,” Henry sighed. “We’d always planned for him to work with me and take over the business. That IED in Iraq put an end to those plans.”
“Yeah, that has to be rough,” Robert commiserated. “How’s he doing?”
“Itching to come home,” Carol smiled. “He hates being in Walter Reed. They’re good at the rehab he needs but they are so overwhelmed... it’s simply too institutional. He has his prosthetics and is getting used to them but he misses being in the country side.”
“Why not bring him home,” Robert asked. “He can do rehab at the clan rehab. We’re just across the street.”
“That would be nice,” Carol sighed. “Unfortunately we might not be able to keep the place.”
“Damn,” Robert exclaimed. “Things are that bad?”
“Yeah,” Henry conceded. “A bit over three weeks ago I had a massive heart attack... almost didn’t make it. They had to do a sextuple bypass. I just came home two days ago. I’m limping from all the veins they removed from my legs to use for the bypasses. The prognosis is I should have a good recovery but my days of climbing ladders and lifting over fifty pounds are over. In other words I can’t do construction anymore.”
“Between worrying about Lester and then Henry I screwed up,” Carol confessed. “I was so wrapped up in doing what I could for Henry I wasn’t paying attention to the bills. I just wrote the checks and sent them in not even thinking about where the funds were coming from or if they were designated for business expenses. Now we’re strapped for cash and can’t refund deposits customers made. God, I feel so stupid and ashamed.”
“There’s no need for that,” Robert consoled. “Worry about those you love can make you do things without thinking. I’m sure Sheila would do the same if our circumstances were the same. Now, I have an idea that will help get you out of the mess you’re in and help out the Clan Wells Point at the same time. Let me send a quick message off to the rest of the clan executive committee.” Robert tapped away on his smart phone for a minute before looking at them and smiling. “Of course my idea will mean you have to join the clan.”
Henry and Carol chuckled. “That granddaughter of your’s has sure changed things around here,” Carol smiled. “The way you’ve been helping people since she arrived... it’s a miracle. I can tell you the Jablonskis are delighted they joined. What can we do for each other?”
“If you join the clan we’ll assume all your debt and contracts which will save your reputation and sense of worth,” Robert replied. “In return you’d have to merge your business and property into the clan in exchange for shares in the clan. You’d be able to stay living here. Also, we’ll provide a job you’ll be able to physically handle and enjoy. We’ve formed a new enterprise, CWP Handcrafted Toys. We’re crocheting stuffed animals and plan to add hand made wooden toys and playsets as soon as we find a suitable site. Your workshop barn would be an ideal location. If I recall the first floor is eighteen feet high. The half closest to the lane of it would become a showroom/store with a nine foot high ceiling. We’d do that by creating a mezzanine above it with a ceiling eight feet high that will be used for plushie assembly. The other half of the first floor would be fore woodworking and assembly of playsets with a freight elevator to the mezzanine and top floor. The second floor would be for wooden toy assembly and painting. Helen will be in overall charge of the division and Wendy will lead the plushie side. Henry, with your woodworking experience you’d be ideal to lead the wood end of the business. Carol, I think you’d make a good store manager. We can use the lot between the barn and the Bozman-Neavitt Road to display wooden playsets and as a parking lot. Lester should be able to work with you.”
“That sounds too good to be true,” Henry whispered clearly trying to remain calm as he looked to Carol with his eyebrows raised. “But know what I do about the Clan Wells Point it must be true.
“It’s the best news we’ve had,” Carol sniffed clearly struggling to maintain emotional control. 2008 was a horrible year for us. Hopefully joining the clan will make 2009 a much better year.”
“That it will,” Robert smiled. “Just for curiosity, what day did you have your heart attack?”
“December 22,” Henry answered. “The doctors said my heart stopped while they were treating me in emergency. I was unconscious but when I came too I recalled a really weird dream.”
“”When it comes to the Clan Wells Point weird dreams are taken seriously,” Robert stated seriously. “Were you in the Shore Medical Center?”
“Yeah,” Henry nodded. “Is that significant?”
“It could be,” Robert replied. “Do you know about what time you had the dream?”
“I guess it was between 5:30 and 6:00 in the evening,” Henry answered growing little spooked.
“That fits,” Robert smiled mysteriously. “Would you mind telling me about the dream?”
“Not at all,” Henry agreed. “It sounds a bit cliche but I was walking down this long tunnel heading towards a warm, beckoning bright light. I could hear voices singing growing louder as I got closer to the light. I couldn’t understand what they were saying but I never felt so contented. It was like they were welcoming me home after a long trip. A woman stepped out of a side tunnel and blocked my path. I really wanted to just brush ast her but the smile on her face stopped me. She shook her head and twirled her finger motioning me to turn around and walk away from the light. I wanted to tell her no that I wanted to continue on but my voice didn’t work. She motioned for me to go back again. Even though I didn’t want to obey, I did. I turned around and headed back out of the tunnel away from the light. Then I woke up. Weird, huh?”
“You never told me about that,” Carol said as if hurt by the secret.
“Not really,” Robert shook his head. “What did the woman look like?”
“It was hard to tell,” Henry frowned as he struggled to recall her appearance. “She was really scrawny, like someone who’s being ravaged by cancer eating up their body. But the serenity upon her face was compelling. I couldn’t refuse her order to turn back.”
Robert tapped a few times on his smart phone, then showed the image on the screen to Henry and Carol.
“That’s Susan Warren,” Carol said. “Hey... I heard she brought her grandkids to your clan to have them adopted by your son Larry and his wife Kylie. Then she stayed with them till cancer killed her.”
“Whoa,” Henry exclaimed. “That was the woman in the tunnel!”
“That explains a lot,” Robert sighed with a smile. “Krista’s mom, Jane’s daughter Carol, had terminal cancer and walked into the ocean. That’s what sparked Krista’s trek from Massachusetts. Carol has made several significant appearances to the clan... as a guardian angel. She’s saved several people’s lives. Whenever she has we’ve found puddles of sea water and seaweed as evidence. When Susan died, Carol took her spirit. There were two sets of wet seaweed footprints leading from the bed with Susan’s body down the hall to the twin’s bedroom. Susan joined Carol as a second guardian angel for the clan. She appeared to us in Pennsylvania to delay our departure by ten minutes so we were right behind that terrible accident.”
“The one where you and Krista saved that family,” Helen shuddered. “Did Krista really cut that man’s arm off?”
“From the back seat leaning over him she used her Swiss Army knife even as the flames were licking at her hands and face,” Robert shook his head. “She just got our when the interior went up. That family is now part of the clan. That girl has so much guts she scares the hell out of me some times but she does get things done.”
“We look forward to meeting her,” Helen smiled.
“While you were in emergency with your heart stopped and walking in the tunnel,” Robert began the story. “Krista and her girlfriends were up in the children’s ward dressed as elves handing out crocheted stuffed animals to the kids. She’d come up with idea for the plushies to give the kids. The same plushies we want to make for the toy business. They had sterilized some plushies in case someone with an infection needed one. While they were gowning and washing up to go into the room of a sick girl who’d had a heart transplant they saw Susan’s image in the soapy bubbles telling them THREE. The little girl, Becky, was beyond happy to have visitors and over the moon with the plushies but her mom, Wendy, was at her wits end. Her husband had left them and they were being evicted. She couldn’t work because of her daughter’s condition and they had no family to help them. Krista told them they had a new home with the clan. Wendy was pissed for getting the Becky’s hopes up and took the girls out of the room to chew them out. Becky started calling for her mom. Panicked Wendy ran back in only to have Becky tell her a Christmas Angel had appeared to heal her of the infection.”
Carol and Henry exchanged looks of disbelief tinged with hope.
“When the girls reentered there was a puddle of seawater and seaweed by the bed,” Robert continued. Krista gave Wendy a photo of her mom to show Becky. Becky said the photo was the Christmas Angel. Wendy’s infection was gone and she was discharged in time for Christmas with the clan. Wendy and Becky were ONE and TWO. They just needed THREE. As the girls headed down the elevator it stopped on the hospice floor. When the doors opened they saw a woman, Helen, leaning against the wall crying. They consoled her, took her to dinner and discovered her husband had just died. That was on top of her son being killed in Afghanistan in June and her daughter-in-law died in a car crash following his funeral. Her grandson was declared brain dead and they donated his organs. With the death of her husband she had no family left. Ironically her grandson’s heart was in the little girl the clan angel had cured.”
Henry and Carol sat spooked by the story.
“That night the Helen had a dream,” Robert went on. “She was visiting the graves of her son, daughter-in-law and grandson. She saw a man already at the graves. It was her husband who told her his passing had been eased by a clan angel named Susan and that he was okay and meeting their son, daughter-in-law and grandson the others. She saw them approach and smile at her as they came to him. He passed on a message to her from their grandson. That she’d always have a place in his heart and he’d like her to become the grandmother of the little girl who received his heart Needless to say Helen adopted Wendy making her Becky’s grandmother. They’re now members of the clan. Helen will be heading the toy division and Wendy will be leading the stuffie branch. Henry, when Susan turned you around in the that tunnel she knew you’d wind up partnering with Helen and Wendy. Remember, this was all set in motion by the Clan Wells Point Guardian Angels back on December 22.”
Henry and Carol shared a long, deep look into the other’s eyes. Both smiled and nodded wit Henry speaking. “Where do we sign to join up?”
Arrangements were made with Gretchen to pick Lester up after she finished her lessons the next day. While attending classes during the week she lived in the CWP House just off the University of Maryland in College Park. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center was sixteen miles west of College Park. The detour to bring Lester up would delay her normal weekend return home by an hour.
Lester was quite excited to be going home. The Clan Wells Point was now up to one hundred seventeen members.
After school on January 15 Krista and Tony checked the CWP Facebook site. Krista did so to make sure Tony didn’t hype her heroics. She had nothing against posting the truth, but Tony, proud to be her boyfriend, had a tendency to boast about her exploits. Ever since she’d saved his mother and he from his hostile dad, he’d understood that she was naturally cool and calm in times of crisis and felt honored to be her boyfriend. By building her up he was unconsciously building himself up, a strange but honest braggadociosity. That day they found an almost pleading private message from a distraught parent.
“Krista, you’re our last hope. No one in our area will lift a finger to help us. My sixth grade son was born female. His birth name is Ellen but he’s Allen now. That has caused no end of problems since our area is extremely homophobic. Things were bad when he was in grade school but for the most part the other kids left him alone. This year he’s in middle school and a bunch of so called Christians have made him a target. Now he’s been suspended pending expulsion for fighting in school while defending himself. Our home has been vandalized, Devin, my tenth grade son supports his younger brother but is feeling the heat. On top of that my employer fired me and my wife has thrown up her hands and walked out on us. We’ve been vandalized and have received death threats and I’m afraid things will continue to escalate. Please, help us. Thanks, Howard Gantner”
Krista and Tony felt the desperate plea was real promptly asking the the data duo, Ferdy and Amy, to verify the Alabama man’s story. It didn’t take the young couple, who lived half a block apart, to determine the family’s dilemma and plea were valid and the danger was real. With the verification in hand Krista sat with her paternal grandparents Jane and Kevin to see what could be done to assist the family. Kevin reviewed the information and checked a few of their sources. After what the data duo had done in uncovering the Apple Tree Quality Healthcare Systems scandal he trusted their findings.
Stewart called the man three times, the first two went to voicemail which was full. On the third attempt the phone was picked up but no words were spoken. It was a bit after 9pm. “This is Kevin Stewart from the Clan Wells Point. You sent a private message to us via Facebook, well, to my granddaughter Krista. We’ve verified your plight and would like to talk about your situation.”
The line was silent for a several seconds before a quivering voice spoke. “Is Krista really there?”
“Yes she is. I’ll put you on speaker,” Kevin answered. “Put your phone on speaker so your kids can listen in.”
“Hello Mr. Gantner, this is Krista Scott. The Clan Wells Point will help if we can. My grandfather is a lawyer. He’ll be able to do more for you than I can.”
“Thank you, Krista,” Howard Gantner said. “You’re my last hope. Allen is so upset I’m afraid to leave him alone. Anything you can do will be a blessing.”
“Mr. Gantner, I assume the police are aware of your situation,” Kevin answered. “Have they provided any type of protection or relief?”
“No, they’ve told us we’re getting what we deserve for allowing Satan into our lives,” Howard scowled.
“Yeah, it sounds like you’re up the creek,” Kevin sighed. “Are you in your house and is it safe for you to leave?”
“We’re in the house but there are people loitering outside on the street and they’re occasionally throwing stuff at the house,” Howard answered. “We’re afraid to go outside.”
“Okay,” Kevin said. “Krista’s father, Leroy, is a deputy sheriff for Talbot County, Maryland where we live. He’s right here listening. I’ll have him contact the Alabama Highway Patrol to get you protection ASAP. What kind of vehicle do you have? And is it inside?”
“It’s in the attached garage,” Howard replied. “I have a 2006 Ford Crew Cab F150.”
“Pack what you can into your truck and prepare to get the hell out of there when the highway patrol arrives,” Kevin explained. “Honestly, you’ll be abandoning whatever you can’t take with you.”
“But we have no where to go,” Howard sighed.
“Krista just did a MapQuest route search,” Kevin declared. “It’s a twelve hour trip from your place to us. Get out of Alabama and find a hotel for the night. Then come the rest of the way tomorrow. Do you have cash or credit to do that?”
“No,” Howard sighed. “Gloria, my soon to be ex-wife, screwed us over. She stripped our bank accounts and maxed out our credit cards. Between the kids and I we’ve got twenty six dollars.”
“Okay, you can still leave,” Kevin said. “Write down these directions. Krista will also e-mail them to you. Take US 72 to Interstate 24 east around Chattanooga to I75 north, then get on I40 east. Get off just before Knoxville at exit 383 head south on Papermill Drive NW for about a block to the Travelodge Knoxville West. I’ll call and arrange a room with two beds. When you check out, the desk can give you directions to the United Community Bank nearby. I’ll arrange to for you to pick up three hundred dollars from them. There’s an Exxon station next to the bank. Top off and get back onto I40 east then to I81 north. Stay on that into Virginia then get off on I66 to I495 north around DC. Take US 50 east across the Chesapeake Bay. When you reach the bridge across the bay call us to let us know you’re close. Stay on US 50 to just before Easton. Take Maryland route 322 south for about a mile and a half to a Ruby Tuesdays Restaurant. We’ll meet you there for supper.”
“Not that I don’t appreciate what you’re doing,” Howard said clearly choking up, “but why?”
“You already know why,” Kevin answered. “You contacted Krista. This is what she does. The rest of the Clan Wells Point has volunteered to go along for the ride and help her. It’s what has brought us together.”
“The Alabama Highway Patrol is sending a cruiser to your address,” Leroy announced. “I’ve made them aware of your situation. A patrolman will come to your door. Ask them to escort you out of the state.”
“Allen, this is Krista. Can you and Devin hear me?”
“Yes we can,” Allen said. “And thanks for helping us.”
“You’re more than welcome,” Krista replied. “Like Kevin said, pack what you want to keep but don’t worry about clothes. Just take enough for two days. We can replace what you leave behind. The same goes for movies and music and even sports equipment. Pack what you can’t replace first.”
“Okay,” Allen said. “Ah... Krista, please don’t get upset. I know you’re a male to female transsexual. Are you sure you don’t mind I’m a female to male transsexual?”
“Not in the least,” Krista chuckled. “When we meet at Ruby Tuesday tomorrow I’ll be sure to bring Sam along with us. He’s my age but just like you, female to male TG.”
“Really?” Allen exclaimed. “I won’t be alone?”
“With the Clan Wells Point you’ll never be alone,” Krista declared.
They could hear Allen trying to stifle his tears.
“Give us a call when you leave,” Kevin said. “I’ll have the reservation for the Travelodge by then. Then call tomorrow morning when you get to the bank so we can make sure everything goes smoothly. We’ll let you go pack. Good luck, we’ll talk later.”
With Krista supplying the phone number, Kevin called the Travelodge Knoxville West to make the reservation for the Gantners using a CWP credit card.
It was a bit after 10pm when Kevin’s phone rang.
“Mr. Stewart, this is Howard Gantner.”
“Howard, we’ve been waiting for your call,” Kevin responded. “I hope the Highway Patrol is there?”
“Yes, thank God. Someone threw a brick through our front window with a death threat attached,” Howard explained. “When the state patrolman arrived he witnessed people jump in vehicles and drive off. The trooper is furious and has reported the inaction of the local police to his superiors. While I don’t think it’ll amount to anything, the presence of the state officer will keep people away for a few hours. We’ve packed the truck as full as we can and are ready to leave. The Highway Patrol officer will escort us to the state line. It should take us about two and a quarter hours to cover the one hundred fifty miles to Knoxville. We can’t thank you enough.”
“Once you settle in here you can thank us by paying it forward,” Kevin replied then gave him the hotel reservation info. “We told them to expect you between midnight and 2am so you’ll be in that window. We’ll talk again in the morning. Have a safe trip.”
“I hope so,” Howard answered. “Thanks again.”
*****
On Friday morning the 16th Robert picked Henry up. Together they went to the six current or future work sites Bailey Construction had committed to do jobs. At each they met with the people who had contracted with Bailey Construction. Two were upset the projects had been started and not completed. Henry apologized and explained the reason for the delay and that he personally could not complete the job. Robert then explained CWP Contracting and Construction had bought out Bailey Construction and would responsible for completing the contracted jobs at the prices previously agreed upon. A timetable was also given for each job with completion dates. They also offered to refund all monies paid to Bailey Construction if they decided they didn’t want CWP Contracting and Construction to complete the projects. The refund offer surprised them all and made them realize Henry’s explanation was true. In addition, they were all familiar with the Clan Wells Point, it’s honesty and integrity was evident in the refund offer. Each of the six customers accepted the changeover and renewed their contracts with CWP Contracting & Construction.
*****
Kevin’s phone rang a bit after 9am. The Gantners were calling from the bank. It only took a few minutes to arrange for the $250.00 cash payment. The five hundred seventy mile trip would take nine hours on the road. With stops for fuel, restroom and lunch they figured it’d take ten hours. They agreed to call when they reached the bridge over the Chesapeake Bay.
The next call arrived at 6:45pm when Allen called to let Kevin know they’d just reached the US 50 bridge over the Chesapeake Bay. Kevin, Jane, Krista Tony, Sam and Jenny were waiting at the O’Brien homestead. They loaded into the Explorer and headed into Easton to meet the Gantners at the Ruby Tuesday just outside the Lowe’s along Maryland 322. The boys grabbed the sign they’d made. Constructed of sheets of cardboard duct taped together at two feet by eight feet mounted on two by four handles six feet long it read in letters twenty inches high ‘WELCOME GANTNERS’. Krista and Jenny had cheerleader pompoms. They headed to the grass strip on the south east corner of the intersection of Rt322 the Easton Parkway and Glebe Road. The girls placed a boombox and started their music. The boys held the sign high doing simultaneous knee bends to move it up and down in time to the music while the girls shook their pompoms and danced to their all time favorite cheering tune ‘Mickey’. Cheers Even though it was well after sunset there were streetlights that illuminated the area.
The Gantners were weary from their long drive. They were also anxious that their hopes for a new chance would fall apart unaware their harrowing ordeal would soon end. Knowing they’d soon reach their meeting point they saw the road widen to four lanes from two with the upcoming intersection and beyond being illuminated by street lights. As they slowed for the traffic signal they were stunned to see two girls dancing with pompoms and two boys holding a sign declaring WELCOME GANTNERS. They heard the tune ‘Mickey’ playing away accompanying the girls as they danced. Behind the girls in a shopping center parking lot was a Ruby Tuesday, their destination. All doubts as to the wisdom of their long flight from adversity instantly vanished.
Turning onto Glebe Road Howard honked his horn as Devin rolled down his window and happily waved. Krista and Jenny shook their pompoms above their heads and yelled “Welcome Gantners!”. Jenny scooped up the boombox as Krista skipped into the parking lot with the boys following. They stood by the Explorer as Howard pulled the truck into the space beside them.
Krista was smiling broadly as she skipped to the boy exiting giving him a hug. “You’re Devin, right?”
“Yep, you must be Krista?” He answered.
“Got it in one,” Krista giggled as she looked at the hopeful boy who exited behind Devin. “Allen! It’s wonderful to meet you,” she exclaimed as she hugged him. “Welcome to Maryland!”
By then Jenny had placed the boombox into the back of the Explorer after which the boys did the same with the sign. Jane welcomed Howard with a hug as he exited the truck with Kevin shaking his hand. By then Jenny and the boys joined Krista.
“Devin, Allen, this is one of my best friends Jenny, my boyfriend Tony, and Jenny’s boyfriend Sam.
“Sam...,” Allen looked at Sam as tears filled his eyes. “You... You’re like me?”
“If you mean do I have the sane birth defect as you, yep I do,” Sam smiled. “I’m on estrogen blockers and taking testosterone. Dr. Sykes will get you straightened out as soon as she can give you an official diagnosis. She’s a member of the Clan Wells Point and takes care of all the clan transsexuals.”
“There’s more transsexuals than you and Krista,” Allen stated with surprise. “How many are there?”
“There are five of us. You’ll make six and be the second F2M after me,” Sam answered with a smile. Jenny is M2F like Krista.”
“Really? Wow,” Allen smiled as he looked at Jenny. “It’s really cool you’re both TG.”
The nine were soon inside Ruby Tuesday seated around pushed together tables. Allen sat between Krista and Sam. Jenny sat beside Sam and Tony beside Krista and Devin. Howard sat beside Kevin and Jane who sat beside Devin and Jenny. Krista, Sam and Jenny spoke with Allen, Tony with Devin, and the adults with each other. A great deal of anxieties the Gantners had about abandoning their home in Alabama were relieved by the conversations. Jane explained how she’d gone from being a bigot about LGBT to one of the biggest supporters upon meeting her grandaughter. Kevin gave an overview of how other parents of transgender kids within the clan dealt with the issues as well as how the entire clan unflinchingly accepted people in the LGBT spectrum. The Gantners learned there were haters in the area but they were marginalized since the county and schools were LGBT supportive.
It was just a few minutes before 9pm when they left the restaurant. Tony and Allen swapped rides as they drove back to the clan. Sam would spend the night in a spare bedroom in the main farmhouse where Tony, Larry and Kylie lived. The Gantners chuckled as they turned off the Bozman-Neavitt Road onto ‘Almost Neavitt Road.’ At the start of the second ninety degree curve they pulled into a driveway leading to two houses. These were two of the four vacation rental houses next to CWO Grandview B&B. There were half a dozen vehicles and twenty people waiting at the first house. After introductions were made the Gantners were taken inside to be shown through the house. The three bedroom two and half bath home was fully furnished including pots, pans dishes utensils and linens. The many hands made short work of unloading the truck. By 10pm the Gantner family was left alone in their new home for the night. The tired family had no problem falling asleep.
The next morning Tony and Sam rode their bikes to the Gantners rental house. A few minutes later the Gantners followed the pedaling demons back to the first curve on Almost Neavitt Road, taking Bills Lane northeast it’s entire length to Dougherty Lane heading east for a short distance, then turning north on Johns Cove Lane then west on Wells Point Lane to the Clan Barn.
There they enjoyed a buffet brunch as various clan members arrived and left in a casual meet and greet to welcome the newest clan members. Howard was so relieved to meet and talk to Kylie and Larry. Knowing a transgender adult who was happily married and a mother was a load off his mind. His hopes for a happy life for Allen soared as Kylie compared her life pre Krista to life in the clan.
Kevin walked over as Howard and Kylie were talking. “So, Kylie, have you offered Howard a job?”
Howard frown with confusion.
“We’ve been talking about other things but I haven’t forgotten,” Kylie smiled at Kevin then at Howard. “May as wek=ll do it now. Howard, I understand you’re a mechanic. Did you bring your tools with you?”
“Of course,” Howard nodded trying to figure out what kind of job a twenty year old could offer him.
“My dad had his own service station business and I grew up helping him,” Kylie explained seeing his confusion. “People said he was the best mechanic in the Bay Hundred area and I learned from the best. Unfortunately he died before I was old enough to take over the business. During high school I worked on my classmates cars. When I graduated I started my own repair business. Now I’m the head of the Clan Wells Point Engine & Mechanical Repair. Ed Nelson and I are the only full time employees. Krista works part time with us but we have more business than we can handle. Truth be told we could use at least two full time mechanics. We just built a new shop with six car service bays and three truck service bays as well as a big parts warehouse. We’re the first building on the north side of Almost Neavitt Road. We’re one door away from CWP Collision Repair and Body Shop. So, would you be interested in joining us?”
“Sure,” Howard answered rekieved to have found a job so quickly. “Please don’t take any offense but I’m surprised someone so young is heading the operation, not that I’m doubting your qualifications.”
“No offense taken,” Kylie smiled.
“Just as The Clan Wells Point is not prejudiced about LGBT issues we have no age prejudice,” Kevin smiled. “If a person is qualified or has valid ideas or suggestions, we listen and take them seriously. It was Krista’s idea that we create the clan. One of the best things we ever did.”
“Now I’m really impressed,” Howard replied. “I’ll be honored to work for you and be a member of the clan.”
“Welcome aboard,” Kylie smiled. “We also strongly encourage all Clan members seventh grade and above to work in some capacity for the clan. Does Devin have any interest in mechanics?”
“He does,” Howard nodded. “As long as he’s not working under me. I have a tendency to be a bit too critical with him.”
When asked Devin eagerly accepted the job offer.
The Gantners were amazed at the many businesses the clan operated. They also met Dolores Whalen, principal fo TIlgham Elementary School, Dr. Harris, principal of St. Michaels Middle/Middle School, and Dr. Mays, the superintendent of schools to ensure Allen and Devin would be able to start school on Tuesday morning. The fact the clan had enough pull to have the school officials come to them on a Saturday morning spoke volumes about the esteem the Clan Wells Point had earned.
Dr. Sykes introduce herself to Allan as Wanda Giles, her married name. She spent half an hour talking to the boy getting to know him.
Allen liked the friendly woman but wondered why all the kids had suddenly abandoned him. It really confused him that the kids were keeping a close on him. Things got strange for a moment when his dad joined them.
“I must apologize for misleading you, Allen,” Wanda smiled. “Wanda Giles is my married name. You and I are going to be spending time together each week for about two months. My professional name is Dr. Sykes. I’m a member of the clan as well as the Clan’s go to doc for transsexuals. I wanted to get to know you a bit before I formally introduced myself. I hope you’re not upset.”
“No, I understand,” Allen smiled. “If I had known you were the transsexual doctor I’d have been so nervous! But getting to know you this way stopped that from happening.
“Good,” Dr. Sykes returned the smile. “Have you had a professional diagnosis of gender dysphoria?”
“No, mom refused to recognize that I’m a boy,” Allen declared with a lot of anger. “I don’t know what I would have done if dad and Devin hadn’t supported me.
“Well, now the three of you have a lot of support,” Dr. Sykes smiled. “I want to give you some psychological tests to verify you’re mental gender is male. If it is we can start you on estrogen blockers to prevent female puberty. I’ll tell you now I Won’t start you on testosterone until you’re in seventh grade.”
“Okay,” Allen agreed. “Stopping me from getting girly will be enough... for now.”
After eating, the Leroy rode with Howard while Larry drove Tony, Sam, Allen and Devin as they headed into Easton to the Goodwill Superstore to flesh out the Gantners’ wardrobes. Then they headed through Easton to the other side of town to the local Walmart. There they bought healthcare products and basic food to stock their kitchen. When they had what they needed they returned home to put their purchases away. After they had the house set up they headed over to the CWP Engine & Mechanical Repair to check the place out and to drop off Howard’s tools.
Sunday was spent with the Gantners having guided tours of the clan territory as well as the St. Michaels and Easton area. By the end of the day they understood coming to the clan was the best thing they’d ever done.
*****
By Monday Robert had two - two man crews out at the current job sites working to complete the tasks. Since Henry had been working alone both jobs would only take three or four days to complete.
With assistance from the construction crew, a lot of the supplies stored in the Bailey barn were transferred to the building used by CWP Contracting and Construction. In the barn itself a two man crew with Henry and Lester assisting as they were able began constructing the dividing wall between what would be the store and the wood working area as well as the mezzanine above the store. The entire building would be insulated, rewired, and a heat pump based HVAC system installed.
Helen and Wendy met with Henry, Carol and Lester to establish areas of responsibility and to determine what toys would be made. Computer searches turned up ideas and patterns. CWP Handcrafted Toys was on it’s way.
Howard and Devin spent the day adjusting to working in the CWP Engine and Mechanical Repair. They found the atmosphere cheerful but energetic and driven. Both were impressed by Krista’s mechanical aptitude. However it was Kylie’s skill that really amazed them. They knew they’d enjoy working together.
At the same time another business opportunity appeared. Walters Excavation and Concrete in St. Michaels had been struggling for almost a year. As the only excavation and concrete business in the Bay Hundred area and one of three in Talbot County, Robert had regularly subcontracted their services. A year before the business had bought new paving and excavation equipment, financing ninety percent of the cost with a one year payback. Unfortunately as the economy began to falter so did their work. Consequently the company’s ability to make the payments also faltered. As the months passed they fell further and further into the hole finally defaulting on their loan payments. By the end of 2008 the business was effectively bankrupt and forced to lay off most of their workers despite having work. They pushed the completion dates of scheduled jobs back hoping for a miracle.
As the financial situation of their business deteriorated, Mark Walters, the third generation owner began drinking which only made matters worse. No one could say for sure if it was suicide, especially since his blood alcohol level at autopsy was 0.24. The investigation showed he’d been working late in his office drowning his sorrows with Jack Daniels. Getting into his Hyundai Elantra for the short drive home he made a right turn instead of a left. Instead of driving out the lane through Waterfront Park he drove down the boat launch into San Domingo Creek. The partially submerged car was found the next morning with Mark drowned.
Mark’s wife Margaret was devastated. Even though the last year had stressed their marriage to the limits, she’d held on. As office manager for the company she was well aware of their financial straits. Their arguments about how to get out from under their burden had at times grown nasty. On January 12 she’d stormed out of the office after a particularly harsh verbal fight. When Mark didn’t come home that night she figured he’d passed out drunk in his office. She’d brought a change of clothes for him when she came in the next morning. That’s when she saw the roof of the car sticking out of the water.
The news of Mark’s death took everyone by surprise. Naturally Robert and Sheila attended the funeral offering their condolences to the childless widow and offering their assistance if needed.
“Sheila, this is Margaret Walters,” Margaret greeted Sheila on the phone a few days later on Martin Luther King Day. “I just heard you bought out Bailey Construction.”
“Not quite,” Sheila replied. “It’s more like the Clan Wells Point absorbed Bailey Construction. Basically Henry and Eve traded their home and business for shares in the clan. We’ve integrated them into the clan.”
“I see,” Eve said. “Do you think the clan would be interested in taking over Walters Excavating and Concrete?”
“We might,” Sheila answered. “We’d have to go over the books to determine the worth versus debt balance. I assume you want to retire?”
“If possible I’d like to keep working in the business,” Eve replied. “It’s the only thing I have left. We badly miscalculated the economy when we financed new equipment last year and we’re in default. The worry drove Mark to drink excessively.”
“Margaret, you have my sympathy,” Sheila responded. “Let me contact the clan’s directors. We’ll call you back to see when it’s convenient for them to look over your books. I’d guess they’ll call you today to set something up for tomorrow.”
“That would be wonderful,” Margaret sighed with relief. “I honestly don’t know how long I can take the pressure. Mark and I always leaned on each other... now... I just don’t know.”
“Margaret, try to relax,” Sheila soothed. “The cavalry is on the way.”
“Thank you,” Margaret sniffed.
Robert and Steven made arrangements to check out Walters Excavation & Concrete the next day. Arriving early Robert checked out the equipment and spoke to what remained of the worried crew while Steven went over the books. The crew felt a surge of hope. They knew Robert having worked for him during subcontracting. They hoped he’d buy the struggling business.
The debt to asset ratio was not good. If the bank foreclosed, they’d still lose because the assets wouldn’t come close to paying off the loans. Steven called the bank. With his connections and the fact the Clan Wells Point had their rather substantial accounts with the bank he was put through to the CEO and head loan officer. A brief discussion set up a meeting for that afternoon.
Allen had a smile on his face as he rode the bus home from his first day at Tilgham Elementary. It was a small school. Allen was the ninety fifth student in grades 1st through 6th. The classes averaged sixteen students which meant every student knew their classmates and the teachers had enough time to deal with any issues. There were three clan members in his class whom he had already met, Krista’s twin sisters Lyndi and Teri and Joyce Rich. One quarter of the class was from the Clan Wells Point. In all, twenty of the ninety five students were from the clan. But the best thing of all was that none of the non clan students suspected he wasn’t a cisgender boy. For the first time in his life he was accepted by his peers as the boy he’d always felt himself to be.
The meeting with the bank officers concerning the bankrupt Walters Excavation and Concrete was brief and to the point. Steven pointed out the bank had already began foreclosure proceedings against Walter’s Excavation and Concrete so they already knew, especially with Mark Walters’ death, the business could not repay the loans. On top of that the debt to asset ratio was 3 to 1. Selling the company intact with the present economy was nearly impossible. Selling off the assets would at best return fifty percent of the debt. However if Margaret actually filed for bankruptcy the banks costs would rise significantly and the settlement would stretch out for months possible years. The bankers were in a lose-lose situation. No mater what they did the bank would lose money. The question was how much and for how long. The bankers could not refute Steven’s assessmant since it matched their own.
“The Clan Wells Point is interested in acquiring the business,” Steven summarized. “But like everyone else we are being effected by the economy. We can wait until you foreclose and buy it at pennies on the dollar since, as you’re already aware, I doubt anyone else will bid. You’ll fare even worse if you try to sell off the assets plus all the employees will be out of work. The Clan Wells Point is prepared to offer fifty cents to the dollar to retire the debt and absorb the operation into the clan. You won’t get a better deal from anyone else and the business keeps contributing to the local economy.”
The bankers knew the offer was better than they would get if the foreclosed. Plus foreclosing or a formal bankruptcy would involve significant costs on the part of the bank. They put out a counter of seventy five cents to the dollar. They settled on sixty two and a half cents on the dollar.
On Wednesday January 21 Margaret joined the Clan Wells Point by signing over all her assets, private as well as business. With that paperwork in hand Steven settled the outstanding business loans of Walters Excavation and Concrete, thus ending it’s existence. CWP Excavation and Concrete came into existence. At the end of the day a meeting was held to inform the still working and laid off employees of the change in ownership as well as to formally recall the laid off employees.
All of them had worked with Robert and CWP Contracting and Construction so they knew they’d be honest and fair. Naturally they were also quite relieved to have their livelihood saved. They were offered the chance to join the clan. It was understood they’d have to discuss the matter with their families but by the next day all had accepted.
The business property was located in St. Michaels directly south of Susan’s Place B&B. The property was trapezoidal shaped. The boundary line adjacent to Susan’s Place B&B was five hundred feet, it then followed San Domingo Creek for five hundred fifty feet. From there it ran eight hundred feet along Boundary Lane. It ran 600 feet along the former railroad bed now St Michaels Nature Trail. The business did site leveling, lane grading, road grading, driveway paving, seal coating, parking lot paving, sports courts, tar-and-chip coating, retaining wall construction, lane striping, decorative and traditional concrete, masonry, fireplaces, outdoor living spaces, pool deckings, hardscapes, garage and basement floors, excavation and foundation work, agricultural barns, crawl spaces, walkways, lot clearing, snow removal and backhoe services. In addition to the former owners there were seven full time employees, most of whom lived in the rental homes and apartments owned separately from the business by the Walters.
The rental properties had been private homes bought by Mark’s grandfather and father over the last seventy years whenever they came on the market but had always been kept apart from the business. Mark inherited and owned a triangular parcel of land in St. Michaels measuring five hundred twenty five feet along the north eastern side of St. Michaels Nature Trail, three hundred feet along W. Chew Street and four hundred fifty feet along Division Street which changed into W. Maple Street southwest of W. Merengo Street. The eight houses inside the triangular parcel of land were now rental properties.
There were five houses on the south side of W. Chew street. Starting beside St. Michaels Nature Trail. House one had four apartments, two per floor. Both floors had a three bedroom 2 bath apartment as well as a one bedroom one bath apartment. House two was a three bedroom two bath single rental with detached garage. House three had two apartments, the first floor had four bedrooms with two and a half baths, the second floor had three bedrooms and two baths. House four had two apartments, each floor had three bedrooms with two baths. A corner building, house five had two apartments, the first floor was four bedrooms with two and a half baths while the second floor had three bedrooms and two baths. House six was around the corner from W. Chew Street on Division Street was a two bedroom one and a half bath single rental. Next on Division street was house seven, also a single rental with a two car attached garage, four bedrooms and two and half baths. House eight was next door to house seven but despite being on the same street because of the town street layout the house was listed as being on W. Maple Street. It had three bedrooms with two baths.
Of the seven employees, five lived in the rentals. The two who didn’t lived with their parents. All accepted the offer to join the Clan Wells Point. Forty year old Randall Hammond, the most senior employee, served as site foreman. With his second wife thirty two year old Shirley and thirteen year old son Ferdy and twelve year old seventh grade daughter Olive, they lived in the three bedroom first floor apartment in the house closest to Susan’s Place B&B on W. Chew Street. Ferdy was in the eighth grade and friends with the CWP eighth graders. He was also half of the ‘data duo’ along with his girlfriend Amy Beck. Amy’s father was also an employee, thirty two year old Gerhard Beck, a backhoe artist. With his wife thirty one year old Eva and their children thirteen year old eighth grader Amy, twelve year old seventh grader Donovan, ten year old fifth grader Lydia and nine year old fourth grader Barry they lived in house seven.
One other worker, thirty eight year old William Poore, a site leader, had children attending St Michaels Middle/High School. With his wife thirty eight year old Stevie, son seventeen year old senior Ken who was president of the student council and daughter fourteen year old ninth grader Barbie they lived in the second house on W. Chew Street. Twenty four year old Jeffrey Heaps was an equipment operator. With his wife twenty four year old Janet and children three year old Colton and one year old Annabelle they lived in the first floor apartment in the fourth house on W. Chew Street. Twenty eight year old equipment operator Sterling Kozak was divorced and lived in sixth house on Division Street. Laborers twenty one year old Bruce Nolt and twenty year old Ray Gromis were the newest employees and each lived with their parents.
With an influx of capital CWP Excavation and Concrete was on firm footing and quickly regained it’s prominent position as the go to business for anyone in the area for excavation or concrete work. For the clan it meant an expansion of territory in St. Michaels itself as well as adding twenty one more clan members swelling the Clan Wells Point to one hundred forty two people.
Margaret and Mark had lived in a house they owned on the corner of S. Talbot and Canton Streets next door to St. Luke’s UMC. The first floor of the building was a vacant retail space with a glass storefront opening onto S. Talbot Street, the main thoroughfare of St. Michaels and the heart of the pedestrian friendly historic district. The second floor was divided into two apartments. An outside stair led to a balcony four feet wide that accessed both apartments. The front apartment had three bedrooms and one bath while the rear apartment was one bedroom with one bath. Mary now lived alone in the one bedroom apartment.
The new teen members already knew the other clan teens since they were schoolmates. Until the absorption of the Walters Excavation and Concrete only Sam and Cassie had reason to make daily trips between the clan’s St. Michaels holdings and the main property at wells Point. Now there were five new teen members who needed jobs. With the larger CWP teen population in St. Michaels, a means of getting them to teen clan activities was needed. Only Ken had a driver’s licence so by default he was the designated driver. Fortunately the school bus had enough room to allow them to ride to Wells Point if Ken wasn’t available. Another option was traveling by water.
Chapter 11
With the economy tanking, a boat was found that would allow the teens to boat between the Wells Point docks and the dock in St. Michaels. It was a rebuilt 1980 Steiger Craft Skipjack with a completely enclosed cabin and pilot house that could seat nine teens. The boat was twenty three feet long with a beam of eight and a half feet with a draw of thirteen inches. The hull was fiberglass with an in-board 5.7 liter Volvo Penta engine. It also had a depth sensor, GPS, radar, a bow thruster, windlass spotlight, extended hardtop with enclosure. They named the boat ‘Teens Ahoy’. The six and a quarter mile trip would take twenty minutes at twenty MPH. By road the ten mile trip would also take twenty minutes. Both modes would require a licensed driver. The difference was the teens could get a valid boating certificate at twelve years old. To this end all the teens and any adults who wanted took an eight hour course after which they took a test to obtain a valid boating certificate.
By the end of January nearly half the adults and all the seventh grade and up kids had obtained boating certificates. The CWP Handcrafted Toys was also ready to open it’s store. Henry and Lester cut and shaped wood to make wooden cars and trucks and numerous other toys, games and puzzles. Abby Bracy, Bonnie Stanley, Nancy Dryer spouses of CWP Contracting and Construction took full time jobs with CWP Handcrafted Toys. Barry Bracy worked part-time. The teen sanded the pre-cut wood, assembled the object and stained the toys.
The people renting the first house on the former Jablonski farm gave notice they’d be vacating at the end of February. With the crashing economy the husband lost his job and they could no longer afford the rent. Steven Campbell offered to bring them into the clan but they refused. They didn’t like the LGBT friendliness. They weren’t vocal opponents of LGBT but didn’t want to condone it either which they knew the clan did. At least it would be an amicable parting.
Ferdy Hammond and Amy Beck, the geeky data duo who sniffed out the Apple Tree Quality Healthcare System scandal thus rescuing Jasmine from her death spiral coma were quite computer savy. They began working part time in the CWP LLC office assisting the clan, CWP Attorney at Law and CWP Accounting.
The first assignment of the data duo was to research and make a formal presentation to the clan directors on Howard Gantner’s finances. They already knew his wife had stripped their shared bank accounts and maxed out their credit cards. In addition since he’d lost his job in Alabama he’d been unable to make mortgage payments and he had received notice of foreclosure before fleeing the state. They needed numbers.
What they found wasn’t promising. The credit cards were in default and the house was being foreclosed. The mortgage was $180,000 in arears. $85,000 were owed on seven credit cards. On top of that the house had been trashed causing $90,000 worth of damage after they fled to the Clan Wells Point. The bank filed a civil suit to recover the damages. In total Howard owed $355,000 on a house that he never wanted to see again.
After Kevin reviewed the report he and the other clan directors sat down with Howard to discuss his options. Kevin was bluntly honest. “The best and easiest solution will be to file for total and absolute bankruptcy under the rules of Chapter 7. While it will ruin your credit rating for ten years, since you’re a member of the clan you no longer need personal credit. The only assets you have is your truck and tools. We can draw up legal documents showing you sold them to the clan leaving you with no assets. We may be able to avoid bankruptcy if the businesses realize you have zero assets. It’ll be cheaper for them to write off your debts instead of spending more money trying to pursue for repayment. I’ll present this report on your financial status along with a letter detailing how you fell so far behind to each of organizations you owe. Hopefully they’ll realize they’ll never get their money back and write you off. You’ll still get the mark against your credit score.”
“I don’t like having a mark against me,” Howard sighed as he shook his head in frustration. “But I really don’t have a choice. So okay, let’s do it.”
With that the wheels were set in motion. The detailed reports were sent to each of the businesses Howard owed. A bit of investigation on their parts showed the report was accurate. Realizing they couldn’t get blood out of a stone, they wrote off the debts and placed marks against Howards credit score. By April the debts would all be erased... at least Howard’s would be. His soon to be ex-wife had her name on the mortgage and credit cards. They went after her with a vengeance knowing it was her actions which started the cascade of events that led to Howard’s financial collapse.
As the newest members melded into the clan they found they were welcomed with open arms. Amy and Ferdy were already a couple which made four eighth grade couples. As classmates for years ninth graders Barry Bracy and Barbie Poore were well acquainted. With the added closeness of being clan members and working together they quickly became a couple. Similar circumstances also drew seventh graders Holly Reese and Donovan Beck as well as Olivia Hammond and Marcus Olsen into becoming couples.
The clan met en masse in the Clan Barn, the first full meeting for the newer members, on Sunday February 1. A buffet was set up as they gathered to watch Super Bowl XLIII. The meeting itself was held before the game. The newest members were introduced and they took an hour to get acquainted. For those newcomers who weren’t aware of Krista’s many exploits tales of her multitudinous adventures and deeds were shared while Krista blushed acknowledging her actions but downplaying her heroics.
When she had enough of being embarrassed Krista asked to address the clan. “With the growth of the clan I think we should rearrange some of our businesses. I know Gram and her cohorts do an excellent job with feeding us here. Several times she and others have talked about setting up a catering service as an adjunct to CWP Bakery. The kitchens here in the barn are suitable for a catering service. We could also rent the barn itself as a banquet or party site, maybe even wedding receptions. If people want an outdoors wedding they could hold the ceremony at the tip of Wells Point then move her for the reception. We could either rename the CWP Bakery by adding ‘and Catering’ or we could simply start a new division, CWP Catering. The bakery itself is successful with a loyal clientele. Their main complaint of the customers is having to drive all the way out here. What I propose is we relocate the bakery to the vacant retail space we gained in St. Michaels. It has a storefront and enough space to relocate the ovens and prep area. That location would allow easier access for our current customers as well as inviting additional business. That’s not counting the walk-in business we’d pick up from the tourists. Think about Cinnabons, especially if we strategically vent the ovens onto the street. A lowball estimate... we would at least double the business. A property catty-corner across the street, on the corner of Fremont and Canton is for sale. It shares the parking lot with ‘Take Me Home’, ‘St. Michaels Candies & Gifts’, and ‘The Christmas Shop’. With a bit of remodeling we can use it to sell our fruit and vegetable produce as well as eggs, milk and cheese. That also brings up another business we could start, especially since we want to increase the dairy herd in the spring. The Clan Wells Point Dairy, Produce and Poultry would be a natural progression. They’d be responsible for preparing and or making products as well as selling them in the proposed store. Also, I know we’ve been discussing it but we should really look into setting up greenhouses to grow fresh produce year round. We could use the excess heat from the digester to heat them.”
The newer members were stunned that Krista’s suggestions were being taken seriously. The fact an eighth grader could have such an impact on the clan was difficult for them to wrap their minds around.
Leroy chuckled as he read their confused thoughts. “You need to remember that the Clan Wells Point was formed because of what my daughter has done. She has a quick sharp mind and can’t stop herself from helping when she sees someone in need. What she just proposed cuts through the haze that normally slows group dynamics and cuts directly to the salient points. I truly love her to bits but just be glad she’s my daughter and not yours!”
Everyone chuckled as Krista glared at her father with her hands on her hips. “Well, daddy, you’re the one who told me to be true to myself so it’s all YOUR fault!”
Leroy duffed an imaginary hat and bowed to her making everyone laugh.
What Krista proposed was discussed and actions taken to set them in motion. CWP Bakery would be relocated to the vacant storefront. The building across the street would be purchased and remodeled to sell the fruit, vegetables, dairy products and eggs. Once the dairy herd was increased in April the CWP Dairy, Produce and Poultry would begin processing cheese, milk, butter, and ice cream as well as selling. CWP Catering would begin advertizing. The go ahead was also given to build greenhouses near the manure digester to utilize the excess heat to warm them. The fields on the north side of Wells Point lane east of Johns Cove Lane and west of the forest by the O’Brien Homestead were designated for the greenhouses.
By the time the pre-game show came on, the meeting was winding down. The newer members were delighted to be a part of the growing Clan Wells Point. The big game was somewhat anti climatic. The American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the National Football Conference champion Arizona Cardinals met to decide the National Football League champion for the 2008 season. The Steelers defeated the Cardinals by the score of 27–23.
Remodeling the storefront began as soon as the permits were granted. The property on the corner of Fremont and Canton Streets was quickly purchased. The remodeling there would be done when the workers had free time as they had two months to get the job done. The ovens and other baking equipment and shelves were moved and installed in one day to avoid downtime. The CWP Bakery opened in St. Michaels on Monday February 16. As Krista had predicted, venting the ovens onto the Talbot Street, the main road through town and the heart of the pedestrian ‘tourist’ shopping area, drew customers inside. The bakery business doubled the first week and because of numerous requests added coffee, tea and other beverages.
The spouses of CWP Excavation and Concrete signed up to work in the CWP Bakery. Stevie Poore was the manager with Janet Heaps and Shirley Hammond full time employees. Teens Eva and Donovan Beck, Ken and Barbie Poore and Olivia Hammond worked partime. Jane O’Brien Stewart and Lisa Nelson trained and guided the new bakery employees as they stepped back to run CWP Catering.
The upcoming increase in the dairy herd was prompting changes with the main farm. The barn needed to accommodate four hundred instead of the current one hundred fifty. After looking at their options they decided to relocate the poultry to the triangular field between Wells Point Lane, Dougherty Lane and Johns Cove Lane. The dimensions of the field were five hundred ten feet by four hundred eighty five feet by four hundred eighty five feet. The shed already in the pasture would be enlarged and heated to accommodate five hundred chickens, more than double the current two hundred. The entire field would be fenced in to a height of fifteen feet allowing the chickens to roam free in the pasture. That would allow the former chicken housing and their outside run to be converted into a cattle barn.
The clan held a buffet dinner and dance in the Clan Barn on Saturday the 14th for St. Valentines Day. The adults and the teens had a great time while the kids played in a side area that had become a defacto nursery even though the older kids wouldn’t call it that... it was simply a play area to them.
Krista received some good news during the dance and asked to make an announcement. “For those of you who weren’t with us this summer we had a visit from some people we met online. Like me, K8t is a male to female transsexual from Madison West Virginia. She and her boyfriend M8t, her mom Brenda, Grandmom Harriet and her husband Dinky were attacked by a motor cycle gang on June 12 last year in what became known as the Battle of the Transsexual Versus the Bikers. Thirty two bikers led by her hater dad attacked their farm to “teach the fag a lesson”, only eight survived and four of them were wounded. Fortunately they had a few hours warning and while the police didn’t want to get involved since the bikers hadn’t done anything wrong, they set up a strong defense. Dinky learned how to defend against attacks when he was at Khe Sanh in Vietnam. We all enjoyed the time they spent here and we invited them to join the clan. I just received a video from K8t. Please watch the screen.”
The screen flickered to life. It showed a nervous M8t wearing his home made green suede tuxedo standing beside a pool table as recording of the Wedding March began to play. The camera swept across the room to a door. Harriet entered followed by Brenda, both smiling broadly. Then Dinky stepped through to guide K8t inside. She was wearing a gorgeous homemade green suede gown that matched the tuxedo. Hooking arms he escorted her around the pool table to stand beside M8t. Brenda and Harriet served as bridesmaids while Dinky served as the groomsman. A woman minister performed their marriage ceremony. The duo signed the certificate atop the slate pool table. The person filming, naturally off camera, spoke as they signed. “I’m a docent for the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, Connecticut. I’ve just recorded M8t and K8t Green marry at 14:14 o’clock on February 14, 2009 in the third floor Billiard Room. We wish them many years of wedded bliss.” The short film ended.
“They’ll be seventeen this spring but obviously they just married this afternoon,” Krista smiled. “K8t had previously written that when they returned to Madison after their visit with us they found the school and town still very intolerant. The school board was relieved when she and M8t asked to finish their schooling via home schooling. The finished their junior year curriculum by mid November and completed the senior year curriculum at the end of January and were given their diplomas. Attached to the clip you just saw was a formal request for the Green family to become a part of the Clan Wells Point. I’d like to make a motion to accept them as members.”
“We’ve had a motion to accept the Green family as members of the Clan Wells Point,” Steven called out. “Do we have a second?”
“Second,” called out Kylie. “I’d really like to have Dinky Dow join us in CWP Engine and Mechanical Repair.”
“All in favor raise your hands,” Steven said. “That looks like a majority. Any opposed raise your hands... no opposed. The ayes have it!”
“I videoed the motion and vote,” Tony said. “We can send it to K8t as a wedding gift.”
A few moments after the short video was sent Krista received a ‘Thank you’ from K8t.
The rest of the dance was enjoyed by everyone. The tots tried to mimic the adults with hilarious results and utter cuteness.
*****
The new workers at the CWP Bakery in St. Michaels easily settled into a routine. While the women were allowed to experiment with the recipes, they used the tried and true recipes Jane and Lisa provided for the daily baking. Any experimental recipes the women thought had potential they made more to make sure the taste was the same. If consistent they then shared samples with the clan to get their opinions. If it met approval it was added to their list of approved recipes.
When the Greens arrived home from Connecticut they put both properties up for sale making arrangements with their lawyer to handle the West Virginia sales. Dinky placed a ‘Going out of Business, everything must go!” sign at the entrance to his garage and used car lot. Dinky specialized in buying wrecked vehicles and restoring them. People knew the quality of his work and flocked to the garage to get bargains. Even sold at much reduced prices Dinky still made a profit. As they were divesting in West Virginia the clan was preparing a place for them. The clan attacked the house they’d initially converted to house the bakery to now convert it back to a home. Dormers were added to the attic area creating three bedrooms and two baths. The first floor had two bedrooms and one and a half baths
The fourteen feet by six feet trailer M8t and K8t used for their Gr8t Green lawn and landscaping business was filled with their mowers, lawn tractors, rototillers, and other lawn and gardening care equipment then covered with a tarp. It would be towed behind the 1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser driven by K8t. Dinky had three restored trucks. First was his 1938 Dodge Power Wagon Wrecker. The garage air tools, compressors and other large service station accessories were packed around the towing deck and driven by Harriet.
The 1957 Ford F500 Dairy Delivery truck had been a home milk delivery vehicle. It’s refrigerated van area would be useful for CWP Dairy & Produce. For the move it would easily haul all their clothes and personal effects. M8t would drive it to the clan towing a dual wheeled car transport carrier with a mint 1957 Ford Thunderbird. The T-Bird was Dinky’s pride and joy. The unique convertible hardtop featured porthole style windows on the sides of the hardtop portion. The 312ci (5.1L) engine featured 2 four barrel Holley carburetors coupled with a Paxton Supercharger put out three hundred horsepower.
The monster vehicle was the big 1956 P350 Ford Parcel Delivery Step Van Truck. The dual rear wheels supported the twelve feet deep by seven feet wide by seven feet high cargo bay. They packed their furniture and linens inside. Dinky would drive the step van towing a transport box trailer seven feet wide by sixteen feet long and seven feet high which would be packed with his tools and their weapons. Harriet would drive her 2002 Ford Escape with whatever could be fitted inside.
The Greens left Madison, WV, at 7am on Saturday February 28. The four hundred eighty mile trip was eight hours of road time. Four of the five vehicles in their convoy were over fifty years old so they planed to drive in two hour stages with a half hour break. They arrived at their new home at 5pm. The CWP teens were waiting and they unloaded their furniture and belongings into the remodeled former bakery before heading up to the Clan Barn for a meal and hearty welcome during the end of month clan general meeting.
The Clan Wells Point began with twenty eight members on September 27. 2007. It grew slowly but steadily to fifty nine members by March 1 and sixty eight members by July 1, 2008. Now at a hundred forty seven members the clan had more than doubled in size since July. The territory also more than doubled in that time. While the four directors were handling things they felt a tiny bit of guilt for simply forging ahead accepting new members and purchasing new property to add to the clan owned territory.
“I’d like to ask everyone for your input,” Jane began after the normal clan business was completed. “The four of us who serve as the directors, well usually we do things and then get your approval. Fortunately, so far no one has objected to what we’ve done. We were thinking about rotating the directors. Something like one every six months to bring fresh ideas in and to prevent us from getting too cocky. What do you think?”
“We all need to thank you for your unflinching service and direction,” Serena Moonflower spoke up. “I don’t think we need to replace you. You are the best people for the job. I doubt very much if you’ve ever disagreed with each other in your deliberations. We can appreciate your concerns about power corrupting, so what I propose is that we add a fifth member to the directors, one who changes out every six months. That will give you a new voice and at the same time involve us.”
“I’ll make that a motion,” Krista declared. “The four directors remain as permanent with a six month rotating fifth member. I’d also like to nominate Serena as the first rotating director.”
Steven stood smiling as he proudly looked at his granddaughter. “Thank you, Krista. Without you the Clan Wells Point wouldn’t exist. The fact three of the four current directors are your grandparents speaks to your positive influence. Now, the heart of the clan has made a motion. Do we have a second?”
“Second,” Tony shouted causing everyone to chuckle as they all knew he was Krista’s ever enamored boyfriend.
The vote unanimously carried.
The next day Dinky Dow headed down to CWP Engine and Mechanical Repair where he met Ed Nelson, Howard and Devin Gantner. After being shown around the building they unloaded his tools and equipment setting up in a vacant bay. It didn’t take Dinky long to convince the others to buy wrecked vehicles, restore, then give them to clan members as needed or sell them.
On Monday Harriet began working as the secretary for CWP LLC while Brenda joined CWP Youth Rehab Hostel as a nurse. M8t and K8t were assigned to CWP Dairy, Produce and Poultry heading up the new greenhouses. They began by checking out and measuring the fields designated for the greenhouses. That evening they sat down with the data duo to check out greenhouse designs, manufacturers and costs.
The Greens also turned their arsenal of weapons over to the clan. The most interesting was an antique Kentucky rifle handed down in the family since at least 1835. The most numerous were eight M1911 .45s with twenty four magazines and eight holsters. There were two 12 gauge five shot pump action shotguns and one double barreled 12 gauge shotgun. A 1913 Winchester Model 1894 lever action 30-30 with twenty six inch barrel yielding a capacity of eight rounds was in mint condition. A 7.92mm WWII era German Mauser Karabiner 98k sniper rifle equipped with the German Zeiss Zielvier 4x (ZF39) telescopic sight yielding an effective range up to 1000 meters matched the two Jenny had added to the clans growing arsenal. An AR-15 .223 caliber assault rifle with three thirty round magazines brought the count of these weapons to three. The most powerful and legendary weapon was the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), 30.06 rifle with five twenty round magazines. While the clan was well armed they sincerely hoped to never need to use them. The Clan Wells Point much preferred to follow Teddy Roosevelt’s maxim to ‘walk softly and carry a big stick’. An apropos modern proverb advising the tactic of caution and non-aggression, backed up by the ability to do violence if required.
The family that had been renting the house on the Jablonski farm vacated the house on February 28. They left the property in good shape and their security deposit was refunded. All the clan had to do was a bit of repainting.
*****
California had fallen hard since the financial crisis struck with full fury in 2008. It took a bigger hit than almost any other part of the country and was in the worst shape since the Great Depression. California was at the epicenter of the housing bubble, and of the fallout. The state lost over one half million jobs from the peak of employment in July 2007 to the present, the largest absolute drop of any state. (It would lose a million jobs by the end of 2009.) Over half of those losses came from construction, real estate and mortgage finance-related firms. Employment in the much vaunted high-tech sectors was significantly down from its peak, as well. This effected the Clan Wells Point.
Ed and Lisa Nelson’s divorced daughters lived together in California with their four children. With the cost of housing they had moved their families together three years ago. In January, two weeks apart, they lost their jobs in Silicon Valley. By the end of February they were running out of money and the luster of the promises of a bright California life had lost it’s allure. Unable to make the current mortgage payment on their already underwater home they had no where to turn but their parents. With hat in hand they called Ed and Lisa on March 1.
Delighted to hear from her daughters Lisa took the call. It had been over four years since they’d seen each other. They spoke every few weeks so the parents knew of the divorces and the job losses. There had been a bit of kerfuffle when Ed and Lisa had moved from New Jersey to Maryland. The girls simply couldn’t understand how a spunky twelve year old transgender kid had transformed their parent’s lives. They had no issue with LGBT, in fact the youngest grandchild was gender fluid. Their issue was the youth of Krista. As the months passed they had difficulty believing Krista was as dynamic as he parents reported. But the numerous news reports on Krista’s exploits let them verify their parent’s stories were true.
The girls were told to rent a U-Haul Truck to load their belongings and move their families to Maryland. At first they resisted, unable to admit California wasn’t really all they had made it out to be. But in their hearts they knew they couldn’t afford to try to stick it out. Reluctantly they agreed to move to Maryland... if their parents could rent the U-Haul and advance enough for over night lodging, food and fuel.
Naturally the clan directors approved the truck rental, hotel rentals and cash advance. The two thousand nine hundred mile trip would mean forty three hours of road time. The data duo calculate a trip route with motel reservations after each leg. Using an average of nine hours daily on the road they mapped out the route and stops including a lunch break it would take four overnight stops.
The clan had rented the biggest U-Haul truck, twenty six feet long in Easton arranging for it to be picked up Thursday in Palo Alto California by Ed & Lisa’s daughters. The size was intimidating for the two women but the salesman said driving it was similar to driving a car, just bigger. They took it home and began loading their furniture. The kids weren’t happy to be leaving their friends but understood the financial crunch they were in left no choice. If they didn’t leave they’d soon be homeless. They looked forward to seeing their grandparents and began packing their personal belongings. Arwen’s car was fairly new but still had a lot left on the car loan. She contacted the bank to tell them she couldn’t make the payments and the car was parked in front of the house ready to repossessed.
The school was notified Friday would be the kids last day. Thursday and Friday afternoon and evening they packed and loaded the truck, sleeping on the floor Friday night. Saturday morning their suitcases were loaded into the back of their SUV. One kid would ride in the truck with one sister driving. The four other kids would ride in the SUV with the other sister driving. At each stop the drivers would rotate as would the kids. It was 8am on March 7 when they left their home in the suburbs of Palo Alto.
As they drove the discussed their future. They were all unsure about the clan thing afraid it might be some sort of cult. Their financial situation left them with two choices, stay in California and be homeless or move to Maryland and the Clan Wells Point. They chose the clan.
It was late on the afternoon of March 12 when they drove through St. Michaels. As had become standard operating practice they called when the reached Annapolis and the bridge over the Chesapeake. They turned south on the Bozman-Neavitt Road driving about seven miles until they reached the cemetery on their left. About five hundred feet past that they were to turn into the second lane on the right. They were to look for a dozen vehicles parked in the grass beside the road.
The U-Haul truck slowed when it reached the cemetery. The driver and passenger could see quite a few vehicles parked just past the second lane. As they approached they noted a group of teens loitering amongst the cars and trucks. Eight of the teens ran onto the southbound lane and waved the truck to a halt.
A boy jumped onto the running board by the driver’s door. “Are you Ed and Lisa Nelson’s family?”
The driver nodded uncertainly.
“Great!” The boy enthused. “Pull in here. That’s your new home.” He said as he pointed to through the just budding trees and bushes. “Drive around the trees and back up the rear of the house.” With that he jumped down and joined the rest as they sprinted to the house. As they drew up to the house they Ed and Lisa stepped out of the back porch.
The truck turned wide as it pulled up to the recently vacated house. The SUV pulled right up behind it. The people exited the vehicles to be greeted by thirty eager smiling faces.
Ed and Lisa hugged their daughters and grandchildren then began the introductions. “This is our oldest daughter Arwen Gleason. These are her children fifteen year old Breanne, eleven year old Dominic and nine year old Taylor. This is our youngest daughter Ruby Orlando. These are her children eleven year old Brett and ten year old Blair.” The introductions continued as the newest arrivals were introduced to the clan members present.
Krista was not what they expected. The girl was bouncy, smiling and gregarious but she didn’t look like someone who wrecked a car before wrestling and killing a murderer. Nor did she look like someone who would crawl into a burning car to save a man by severing his arm.
“Were you really born a boy,” Taylor softly asked with near awe in his voice.
“Taylor!” Arwen scolded. “That’s not a polite question! Krista, I apologize for my son’s rash question.”
“There’s no need to apologize,” Krista smiled. “I get that all the time. When people meet me in the flesh I don’t look like their expectations. I’ve found I’m particularly confusing to those who question their gender or who aren’t sure. We were told Taylor is genderfluid so any question from him needs an answer. To answer your question, Taylor, I was born a boy. Physically I still am but I’ve been on testosterone blockers to shut down my male genitals and I’m taking estrogen so I go through puberty just like every other girl. Now, look around at the rest of the teens. Can you tell which ones were not born as the gender they’re currently presenting as?”
Taylor was clearly surprised as he looked over the smiling teens. “You mean there’s more of you who are transgendered?”
“Yes, I’ll give you a bit of help,” Krista smiled. “There are two boys who were born girls and I’m one of four girls who were born boys. There is also one adult who was born a boy but she had surgery to correct birth defect. She’s married to my uncle and they adopted infant twins last June”
Taylor along with the rest of his family looked over the smiling teens. They were unsure of who the transgendered were and didn’t want to risk guessing wrong. When it was clear they couldn’t guess Krista had Allen, Sam, Jenny, Jamie and K8t step forward.
Most of the newly arrived family shook their heads in disbelief. Taylor however, began to shake. Dropping to his knees he began to cry.
Arwen quickly knelt by her son hugging him. “Tay, honey, what’s wrong?”
“Mommy, I can’t do it anymore,” he sobbed. “Inside me, I’m a girl! I lied about being genderfluid because I was scared. I really got hassled at school... coming out as a girl would have been worse. But here... here I can be who I really am! Please, I need to be a girl!”
Breanna dropped to her knees to add her hug to her mother’s. “Well sis, I for one have your back.”
“SISTER,” Dominic sneered causing Taylor to flinch and his mother and sister to visually throw daggers at him. “It’s about time you fessed up. Nobody understands genderfluid. Now instead of protecting my little what-ever-it-is, I can protect my little sister! Anyway, the way you switched back and forth was too confusing. The best thing is you don’t have to even change your name!” With that he affectionately ruffled Taylor’s hair.
When Taylor recovered enough to stand on her own, the rest of the family hugged her letting her know they supported her. When the clan members did the same her heart melted.
When everyone had recovered from the emotion wrought revelation the family was given a quick tour of the six bedroom three and a half bath house. They realized two of them would have to double up which was far better than their four bedroom house back in Palo Alto where six of them were doubled up. By the time they returned outside the truck was unloaded onto the lawn.
“Tay can share my bedroom,” Breanne announced as she placed an arm around her new sister. “That is if she agrees?”
“I love to!” Tay squealed with delight as she hugged her big sister. “Thanks sis!”
With that the Gleason and Orlando families settled into their new home with the help of the clan members present. Since it was a Thursday they called into St. Michaels for pizza after getting everyone’s request for toppings.
The kids would start school on Monday giving everyone a chance to recuperate from their arduous cross country trip. Upon rising on Friday morning they dug into the coffee, tea, milk and cereals the clan had supplied. At 9am they jumped as an airhorn blared from their front yard. Running outside they were shocked to see a huge green and pink plaid DUKW. The convertible top was up so anyone inside could fight off the March chill. Ed and Lisa leaned out of an open side window.
“Bundle up and hop aboard,” Ed called out. “We’ll take you on a tour of the Clan Wells Point.”
After grabbing a jacket Dominic walked around the DUKW with his eyes brimming with humor. “Where did that come from?”
“Climb in,” Ed chuckled at his oldest grandson. “I’ll explain as we travel.”
Once everyone was on board Ed drove down Jablonski Lane to the tip of Change Point explaining how the clan took over the Jablonski farm and was now taking care of Theo. Looking out from Change Point they looked across the waters. To the south east was the Choptank River, to the west was Tilgham Island, and to the southwest was the Chesapeake Bay. After turning around they headed back the way they’d come. Ed explained the DUKW was a surplus vehicle that Krista’s great great grandfather had purchased after WWII. He used to rescue people when a nasty hurricane came through back in 1972. Spent three days getting supplies to those who were stranded and rescuing any who needed it. This beast was the only thing that could travel the bays and coves as well as the fields and swamps and washed out roads. The engine and transaxles were pretty well beat up by then so he parked it in his barn and trough a tarp over it. He never did get around to fixing it. When we first came down we discovered it in the barn. Kylie, Krista and I overhauled all the mechanicals and got it running last winter. We sanded the olive drab paint down and repainted it in the Clan Wells Point tartan.”
After that they traveled around the clan territory as Ed and Lisa pointed out paces of interest. When they got to the end of Wells Point Ed told everyone to sit and hold on. Slowly he trundled over the stone line shore breakwater into Broad Creek. They then sailed northeast into the San Domingo Creek. As they approached the public dock they steered to the right and rumbled up the public boat launch. Susan’s Place B&B as well as CWP Excavation and Concrete. They drove down the streets to the St. Luke’s UMC and the CWP Bakery where they stopped for drinks and sticky buns. From there they drove two blocks to the Acme where they did their grocery shopping before driving back to the house.
Saturday they spent settling into their new home. Sunday they attended their first clan get together at the clan barn. Everyone welcomed them into the Clan Wells Point. The Clan Wells Point had swelled to one hundred fifty four members.
Ben Reese asked to address the gathered clan. “I want to thank everyone for the chance to redeem myself. I want to apologize to my family for all the hurt I caused. I’m disgusted with myself for how conceited and selfish I was. My time with the clan has opened my eyes and I can honestly say I’m a changed man. I understand my ex wives have grown past me. I don’t blame them. Again I apologize for betraying them. I know I’m still on probation and have been working whatever grunt jobs have needed a warm body. I’d like to settle down with a steady job. If you’ll have me, I’d like to become the full time operator of the manure digester.”
“I think Ben would be a good fit for the position,” Larry declared. With the upcoming arrival of another two hundred fifty cows and another three hundred chickens the need for a full time operator at the digester is paramount. Ben has done every job without complaint and has earned my trust. If no one objects, I’m in favor of giving him the position.”
Steven stood to address the clan. “Does anyone object to assigning Ben to be our full time operator for the Manure Digester?” He waited a few moments but no one objected. “Hearing no objections, congratulations on your new position, Ben.”
“Thank you. I have another request,” Ben declared as he reached out for Buffy’s hand. “Buffy and I have been living in the Nelson home for over a year. We’ve grown quite fond of each other. We’ve discussed our mutual attraction and ask permission to marry and move into a apartment above CWP Daycare.”
Nearly everyone smiled and applauded until Jasmine stood, then they fell silent. Holly and Ivy stood and walked over to their half brothers Benny Jr and George picking the toddlers up. Jaz led her siblings to Ben and Buffy. As they approached Sandi Scott, the daughter she’d given up for adoption by Krista’s parents, joined them. Not a sound was heard as the six kids stood before the nervous duo. Jaz stared the duo down until they lowered their gaze in defeat.
Chapter 12
“Well, FATHER,” Jaz finally spoke firmly as she glared at her erstwhile father. “You have a lot of damn gall standing up here talking about getting married after what you’ve done to us!”
The hush that had fallen over the group became heavy with anxiety. Many feared the hostility in Jasmine’s words might be the start of the love and hope that made up the Clan Wells Point might shatter.
Then Sandi stepped to up to Buffy to ominously glare at her mother. “You betrayed me. You allowed my innocence to be stolen by an animal. Now you want us to approve of you marrying this man who betrayed his children?”
Sandi, Ivy holding George, Holly holding Benny Jr, and Jaz stood in a line glaring at their parent. Benny Jr and George were glaring too. They didn’t know why but they did know if their half sisters were upset they should also be upset.
Ben and Buffy wilted before the withering glare of their offspring. Both felt their hope slipping away. The clan members shrank in their seats as they felt the raw emotion the six kids were shooting at their parent.
After several painful minutes Jaz sighed heavily. “Well, FATHER, you’d better make sure we’re part of the wedding party!”
“Yes, MOTHER,” Sandi added looking at her birth mom. “We’d better be part of the wedding party!”
With that the six kids stepped forward to surround the nervous pair in a group hug. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and the applause once more began. The six had quite effectively told off their parent then forgave them symbolically forgiving them by wanting to be part of the wedding.
“Of course you’ll all be part of the wedding party,” Ben declared as Buffy smiled with relief.
Krista smiled as she squeezed Tony’s hand.
Tony returned the squeeze and softly asked, “You knew they were going to do that, didn’t you?”
“Naturally,” Krista giggled. “I realized before Thanksgiving they were falling in love. At every clan gathering they were side by side, discreetly holding hands when they thought no one was watching. I let Jaz, Holly, Ivy and Sandi know what I’d seen. They watched and saw what I did. They planned that little show so they’d be ready when they announced their plans to marry. They knew Benny and George would follow their lead.”
“Remind me to never try to outsmart you,” Tony smiled.
“You’re welcome to try,” Krista smiled. “Just don’t expect to succeed.”
With that Tony twisted stepping in front of Krista to plant a big kiss on her lips completely catching the girl by surprise.
“Okay, I stand corrected. You can occasionally outsmart me” Krista smiled at him before going in for another passionate kiss.”
“Hey you two, get a room,” Sam snarked as he had his arm about Jenny.
“If they know what’s good for them they’d better not,” Pat smirked from behind the two teenaged couples.
Krista twisted her head to look at her stepmom. “We know better than that but don’t expect us to be totally celibate.” Then she kissed Tony again.
“Kids... no wonder I’m getting gray hair,” Pat sighed dramatically before laughing.
Quite a few clan memebers who had witnessed the playful exchange chuckled with them.
The gathering continued and the date of Saturday March 28 was selected for the marriage.
*****
Audrey Aldrich was pleasantly surprised by the remodeling and successful opening of the CWP Bakery. The owner of ‘Take Me Home’ in the building next to CWP Bakery just across Canton Street. She rented space to ‘St. Michaels Candy & Gifts’ and ‘The Christmas Shop’ in that building. She also owned the tiny building next door renting it to ‘Silva Wear’. At sixty six years old and considering the economy she decided it was time to retire. She approached the clan to see if they might be interested in purchasing her properties and business. The asking price was steep. Steven made a counter offer that was considerably lower bluntly telling the her that with the economy sunk no one would pay the asking price or even make an offer better than the clan’s offer. In addition he reminded her that if she listed with a realtor she’d lose six percent on fees and commissions. Realizing Steven was telling her the truth, she began bargaining to reach a mutually agreeable price.
“The Clan Wells Point seems to be involved in a lot of outreach,” Audrey said as the bargaining bogged down. “I’ve heard a lot of pretty fantastic stories about what you do, especially that girl Krista. I seems unbelievable that a girl her age could do half of what they say she’s done. I know she took out that badass Jack Masters, that was all over the news. But did she really cut off that man’s arm to free him from a burning car?”
“That she did,” Steven smiled. “She crawled inside through the shattered rear window, saw the driver was bleeding badly, and put a tourniquet on his arm. Then she unbuckled and handed out the car carriers with the babies in them. By then Robert and Ed had popped open the passenger door and pulled the mother of the babies out. By then the flames were licking up through the drivers side windows. Krista cut the seatbelt to free the driver as Robert tried to pull him out but his mangled left arm was trapped. Krista sawed through his arm, severing it at the elbow so Robert could pull the unconscious man out. By the time Krista scrambled out the roof liner was burning. Just as she got out the gas tank exploded. She was burned on her hands and face., thankfully not badly.”
“Incredible,” Audrey sighed. “I think I’d help out in an emergency but I doubt I’d ever think about risking my life like that.”
“That’s the thing with Krista,” Steven said. “She doesn’t think about risking her life. When she see’s someone in need she simply does what she can to help.”
“Well all I can say is she must have one hell of a guardian angel looking out for her,” Audrey declared.
“Actually she has two,” Steven replied in all seriousness.
Audrey was a bit spooked as she realized Steven honestly believed what he’d said.
“You know, instead of the clan buying you out you could join the clan,” Steven said. “Would you like to take a tour of the Clan Wells Point?”
“Sure,” Audrey agreed. “I’ve got nothing to lose.”
Together with his wife Cynthia, Steve chauffeured Audrey around the clan territory taking her on a tour of the dairy, digester, vertical windmills and power distribution center. They also checked in on the fledgling CWP Handcrafted Toys. Audrey was excited seeing the handcrafted wooden toys and stuffed animals.
“You’ll need to get these smaller items into ‘Take Me Home’, Audrey raved. “They’ll sell like hot cakes!”
“If we can reach an agreement we probably will,” Cynthia smiled. “In fact, I’m considering if I want to manage it. I’m just about the only adult in the Clan who isn’t retired or working. I did a lot of volunteer work before we joined the clan. When we joined I did a lot of baby-sitting. But since we’ve established out own daycare I haven’t had much to do.”
“Running ‘Take Me Home’ will keep you busy,” Audrey smiled wistfully. “Part of me doesn’t want to sell. A bigger part of me doesn’t want to leave St Michaels. But I am ready to retire. The idea of packing up and moving to a new place is intimidating and daunting.”
“When we uprooted ourselves from the west coast to settle with the clan was scary,” Cynthia agreed. “But it was well worth doing. We went from having a son who didn’t bother to communicate with us to having two soon to be three daughters-in-law and five grandchildren. Now we even have our son back. Joining the Clan Wells Point is the best thing we’ve ever done. So, do you have any plans for your retirement? Anywhere you’d like to settle down?”
“I haven’t given much thought to either,” Audrey replied. “To be honest I like living in St. Michaels and have wanted to get more involved in civic activities. As far as plans for retirement I started working when I was eleven. Honestly, I don’t know how to not work. I’d just like to get out of the day to day drudgery. Unfortunately I have no living family with which to share my life.”
“You live in one of the apartments above ‘The Christmas Shop’,” Cynthia stated. “Correct?
“Yes,” Audrey answered. “Once I sell I’ll have to move... unless... you said it’s possible for me to join your clan? The idea of being a part of something so much bigger and dynamic than myself seems quite attractive. I could stay in my apartment and help transition the store to your management.”
“That would be wonderful,” Cynthia declared with enthusiasm. “You’d get a huge family with the clan.”
Audrey was near tears. The idea of having a family after nearly thirty years of being alone was too attractive to pass up. “Okay, if you’ll have me I’d like to join the clan.”
Within two days the deal was done. Audrey Aldrich was the newest member of the now one hundred fifty five member strong Clan Wells Point.
The large combined two story building that came with Audrey joining the clan was opposite CWP Bakery across Canton Street and fronted on South Talbot Street. The building was one hundred feet by one hundred feet with a rear parking lot one hundred feet by seventy five feet which adjoined the parking lot of the building the clan previously purchased on the corner of Canton and Fremont Streets. At one time the three now joined stores had been separate buildings but once Audrey owned all three she had them connected with a large addition added behind as well as connecting the buildings side to side.
‘The Christmas Shop’ was on the corner of Canton and Talbot Streets. Occupying an area forty feet by forty feet they offered the charms of the arts and crafts of the Eastern Shore and specially selected gifts from around the world with a Christmas/Hanukkah/winter theme. Above ‘The Christmas Shop’ were two apartments, a two bedroom one bath rented unit and a one bedroom one bath apartment that Audrey called home.
‘St. Michaels Candy & Gifts’ was next with an area of forty feet by thirty five feet. They made most of the candy on site including flavored and caramel popcorn and cotton candy as well as assorted chocolates and dipped in chocolate cherries and strawberries. Above ‘St. Michaels Candy & Gifts’ was a thirty five by forty feet three bedroom one bath apartment.
‘Take Me Home’ occupied an area forty feet by twenty five feet. ‘Take Me Home’ sold Collectibles, knick-nacks, antiques and furniture. Above ‘Take Me Home’ was a forty feet by twenty five feet two bedroom 1 bath apartment. With the change in ownership the store became CWP Take Me Home. The stuuffies and wooden toys were added to the items for sale and proved quite successful. CWP Handrafted Toys was heavily advertized.
The rest of the two story building behind the three stores was a warehouse one hundred feet by sixty feet originally all for ‘Take Me Home’. The clan decided to reduce the antique furniture stock which eliminated the need for such a large warehouse. The first floor warehouse would become the site for the CWP Dairy, Produce & Poultry store. The second floor would remain warehouse for ‘Take Me Home’ with any left over space used for storage for the clan businesses in St. Michaels.
Included in the change of ownership was a small parcel of land beside the large building. The twenty five feet by one hundred seventy five feet lot had a small building facing Talbot Street. The fifteen feet wide by twenty feet deep building housed ‘Silva Wear’, made and sold handcrafted jewelry.
The building the clan originally had planned to remodel for CWP Dairy, Produce & Poultry they repurposed for CWP Hairy Wish Now, a health and beauty spa to be run by sisters Arwen Gleason and Ruby Orlando. The second floor was to be remodeled into two mirror image seventeen feet by thirty five feet apartments with two bedrooms and bath each.
The sisters had worked at different high end salons back in California but due to the economic crunch had been laid off in an effort to cut costs by the business they had worked for. With Kevin’s assistance they filed for the necessary Maryland Beautician Certification Licenses. With their years of experience neither had any issues getting what they needed. By April 1 they were ready to open with Buffy Herr as an eager apprentice. Breanne Gleason would also work their part time.
Saturday March 28 was the wedding of Ben Reese and Buffy Her. It was held in the Clan Barn. Jasmine served as maid of honor while Sandi Scott was the bridesmaid with one year old George Reese as the flower girl. Holly Reese Served as best man while Ivy Reese served as the groomsman with three year old Benny Reese Jr as the ring bearer. The entire wedding party wore kilts in the pink and green Clan Wells Point tartan motif. The groom, best man, groomsman and ring bearer wore sky blue kneesox with sky blue long sleeved ruffled blouses. The Bride, maid of honor, bridesmaid and flower girl wore pink kneesox with pastel pink long sleeved ruffled blouses. The only real difference between the two sides was the color.
When it was time for the service to start, with Steven and Kevin on their bagpipes, Diane on the fiddle and Leroy on a bodhran, they began playing a lively Irish jig for the processional. When the music began Ben Reese followed his daughters Holly and Ivy as they gaily danced down the wide aisle between the clan members to the stage. Everyone smiled and chuckled. As the pipes swirled, daughters Jasmine and Sandi did an Irish step dance to the makeshift altar on the stage where Rev. Giles waited. Again everyone smiled. Then Ben and son Benny Jr, the ring bearer jigged down the aisle. Everyone broke into giggles and laughter as they saw the flower girl make the trek. One year old son George was safely strapped into a safety seat secured in the back half of a Radio Flyer wagon with wooden side rails. In the front half sat a bubble machine spewing a steady stream of bubbles up at a forty five degree angle to the floor. The wagon was pulled by a remote control foot long Max Power Tow Truck. The truck twisted and turned in time with the music as it drove down the eight feet wide aisle. Tony was operating the controls and little George was giggling with delight as he was pulled into the cascading stream of bubbles. His chubby little hands did their best to snag errant bubbles. Tony deftly parked the wagon in front of the stage so the bubbles continued to freely flow. Finally the bride had her moment of glory as she did a jaunty Irish step dance down the aisle.
The wedding ceremony proceeded. When it came time for the vows Rev. Giles paused the ceremony so first Ben and then Buffy could speak.
“Before the Clan Wells Point came into my life I was a self centered egomaniac who thoughtlessly tossed aside those who loved me. I callously hurt my wives and children. I was a terrible human being. Fortunately the Clan rescued those I abandoned and brought me to justice. I was a self righteousness jerk. When I was brought to justice I was angry... and terrified of the long sentence I faced. Then a miracle happened. My daughters forgave me and asked I be paroled into the clan. For the first time in my life I was genuinely grateful... still self centered, but grateful. The clan accepted my parole and put me to work. I shoveled manure and did every dirty job that needed doing. But no one laughed at me. No one teased me. In fact they praised me for a job well done, often while working by my side at the dirty jobs. I learned that working with your hands and getting dirty is liberating. My eyes were opened to what really matters in life. It’s not money or fame, it’s helping others. The joy of helping someone is far greater than any material thing or title can begin to duplicate. For the first time in my life I discovered true joy. The clan has resurrected me, and I shall always be thankful.”
“I too have been resurrected by the clan,” Buffy declared. “I dropped out of school when I became pregnant. I was stealing from my family to buy marijuana. I was also disrespectful and nasty to my parents. Things became so bad they had no choice but to kick me out of the house. I was too arrogant and self centered to care. Somehow my baby came out with no birth defects or issues. I loved her, but I was hooked on drugs. I prostituted myself to feed and clothe us and to buy my drugs. I bounced from one bad drug dealer to another. The last one... when I was to far gone to give in to his sexual demands... he turned to my sweet little girl... Sandi, I am so so sorry I failed you! After she was molested she ran away. God was smiling on her because he led Krista to find her. But it was two days after she’d fled... and I was so high I never realized she was gone until the police arrived to arrest me and my druggie boyfriend for child abuse. I was horrified that I failed my baby and plead guilty to all charges and was sentenced to ten years in jail. Sandi was adopted into Krista’s family. She couldn’t have better siblings or parents. They allowed me to witness and agree with the adoption. Jail was horrible. I went through drug withdrawal cold turkey but I was determined to beat the devil on my back. I was beat up almost every day but I accepted that as part of my penance. Then the clan managed to get me released on parole. I too did every dirty job and earned praise for my efforts. I can’t thank the clan enough for getting me out of hell of illegal drug use.”
Rev. Giles resumed the ceremony. The couple exchanged honest, heartfelt vows. Their children, now their nephews and nieces, hugged the newlyweds before greeting the rest of those attending. The reception was spectacular and the newly wed couple were given a two night honeymoon in DC with tickets to the performances at the Kennedy Center. When they returned they settled into an apartment above CWP Daycare.
Kevin was making progress on the legal front. Wendy’s divorce from Lenny Farr was progressing nicely. The charge of abandonment and thus child endangerment didn’t sit well with the court. In fact he’d been arrested on the child endangerment charges. Lenny Farr was beside himself in lock up. As Wendy wanted, conveyed to the courts by Kevin, Lenny agreed to the divorce and gave up all parental rights to Becky in exchange for a sentence of five years court supervised parole with the Clan Wells Point. He was brought out to the clan and placed in Ed and Sheila’s home.
The other divorce was that of Howard Gantner from Gloria Gantner. This divorce was anything but civil. The initial steps of filing Chapter for Chapter 7 bankruptcy were in place. The banks holding the mortgage on the house, the car loan for Gloria’s new SUV and for the maxed out credit cards had conducted their investigations. They verified Howard was penniless and found that his claim it was his wife who ran up all the charges and forced Howard and sons to flee Alabama was valid. Knowing it was impossible to squeeze anything out of Howard they viciously turned on Gloria. She found her new SUV had been repossessed and her bank accounts locked down. The IRS also nailed her for unreported income thanks to an anonymous tip which locked her access to the new bank accounts she’d set up to stash the money she’d taken from the joint accounts and credit cards. She was left penniless and on the hook for the financial debacle she’d created. In fact she was currently in jail having assaulted the tow truck operator when he picked up the SUV. When the police arrived she attacked a police officer. All her so-called friends abandoned her. She couldn’t make bail and was awaiting trial. Unfortunately she couldn’t file for bankruptcy because she had too much in her bank accounts even though the IRS had them locked down.
Lenny was one of the clan’s few failures although it was not their fault. After one day shoveling cow manure he stole what cash he could find from Ed and Lisa, stole their car and took off.
Fortunately all CWP vehicles had tracking devices installed. When the police caught up with him just outside Baltimore they gave chase. At speeds exceeding one hundred mph while on the 695 Beltway. As with many so called ‘tough guys’ Lenny disdained seatbelts as being for wussies. The police estimated he was doing ninety when he sideswiped the concrete median barrier and rolled the car. About the third roll he was ejected, reaching an estimated thirty feet high before slamming down in the oncoming traffic. The tractor trailer never had time to avoid him. With Lenny dead the divorce was mute.
At the start all farm related activities had fallen under the all encompassing CWP Organic Farm. From that start everything the clan produced was done without artificial hormones or antibiotics and were classified as organic. The cattle and chickens had adequate access to pasture allowing them to be called range fed and classified as organic. As the clan grew and the farm expanded it became necessary to split off operations. The first had been the CWP Green Power Initiatives which took the CWP Manure Digester with it. The still growing CWP Vertical Wind Turbine Farm and the CWP Power Grid Distribution Center were other divisions that fell within the CWP Green Power Initiatives.
With increase of the chickens and cows and the accompanying increase in eggs and milk it became cost effective to begin self processing of the eggs and milk. That meant either creating or repurposing existing buildings to handle the processing. For the clan that also meant making sure the new processing areas were easy to sanitize.
The eighty feet by thirty feet barn at the intersection of Johns Cove Lane and Apple Lane was remodeled and brought up to sanitation standards. Remodeled to have three floors it was set up as a dairy processing plant. They could pasteurize, homogenize and bottle milk, separate cream to make butter and icecream and make cheese.
The southern attached fifteen feet by thirty feet shed attached to the barn at the intersection of Wells Point Lane and Dougherty Lane and across from the new chicken yard was converted to process eggs; washing, grading, sanitizing and packing them in egg cartons. The rest of the barn and northern shed would be set for slaughtering cattle and chickens then butchered for meat.
The renovation and expansion of the shed in the triangular pasture and the high surrounding fence were completed creating a new chicken yard. The chickens were quickly relocated to their new home ten days moved to the new site ten days before the arrival of the cows. That left just enough time to gut and remodel the former chicken house into a cattle barn.
With the upcoming growth of the cattle herd and chicken flock, spinoff divisions from the CWP Organic Farm occurred. Headed by Serena Moonflower and Misty Dawn the CWP Dairy would process milk for marketing and need two employees. CWP Poultry would process eggs and would need to hire a manager and at least two workers. CWP Butcher Shop would process the steers, cows that consistently no longer met milk production quotas and chickens that no longer produced adequate eggs. A head butcher and at least two assistants would have to be hired. CWP Greenhouses would grow vegetables year round and would be headed by M8t and K8t. The CWP Dairy, Produce & Poultry Store in St. Michaels would need a manager and four employees.
On April 1 five cattle trucks arrived. The dairy herd increased to four hundred head. A week later new chickens arrived bringing the flock to five hundred. By Easter the manure digester was going at eighty percent capacity. There were seventy vertical windmills in operation. Between the digester and the windmills the clan was producing seventy percent of the power they consumed.
Knowing the clan needed skilled people to fill the expanding positions for the clan Krista suggested they contact Transgender support groups especially Parents of Transgender kids in Boston, Providence, Hartford, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Baltimore, DC, Richmond, Norfolk, Charlotte, and Atlanta. The support groups quickly recognized the Clan Wells Point for their open LGBT support having seen the news reports of Krista. The advertized positions were not sugar coated. Anyone applying would need to be a willing worker. But all the benefits and freedom to be themselves without fear of harassment the Clan Wells Point offered was also made evident.
Dozens of people applied. Thirty percent were sent ‘Thank you for applying but...’ letters. The rest were contacted to set up appointments for a Skype face to face interview. Another twenty five percent failed to follow through with the Skype interview. A bit over half of the Skype interviews were deemed incompatible either by the applicant or by the clan. That left twenty percent of the original applicants. Selecting those who were deemed the best fit for each position arrangements were made for face to face interviews and tours with two night reservations in one of the four clan B&Bs.
The first to be interviewed were those who were being harassed for supporting their transgender child. The Cooper family traveled from just north of Albany, New York. Dan was twenty nine and worked as a lineman for the local Electric utility. Tracy Cooper was twenty eight and was the produce department manager in a store of a large supermarket chain. Ten year old Lane and six year old Corrine were normal kids. Eight year old Louise was transgender. Ever since she was born she’d identified as female and steadfastly refused to accept she was born male. It was Lane who first insisted he had two younger sisters. Corrine never thought of her big sister as anything but a girl. Dan and Tracy struggled with the concept their middle child was transgender. It was the massive difference in her behavior and happiness when they allowed her to be a girl at home as compared to being forced to be a boy at school. Louise was teased and tormented by classmates for being a sissy when in Louis mode. When they finally allowed Louise to attend school as herself at the start of the current school year that the crap hit the fan. While the school officially accepted transgender youth practice was quite different. The staff barely tolerated Louise and always waited until an incident occurred before stepping in. The in school harassment extended to the siblings. In public the family was harassed. Tracy received several disciplinary actions when self-righteous customers went after her for allowing her middle child to be an abomination. Not one disciplinary action was due to her work quality. The same happened to Dan. The family was fed up.
The interview went well, Steven and Jane agreed Tracy would be the perfect choice for manager of CWP Dairy, Produce and Poultry. A benefit was that Dan had skills needed by CWP Green Power Initiatives. With the growing Vertical Wind Turbine Farm an experienced lineman would be a boon. After touring the clan territory Dan and Tracy expressed their feelings both could handle the jobs. They were still concerned about the acceptance of Louise by the other kids.
The clan gathered in the Clan Barn for a meet and greet. Needless to say the Coopers were delighted to meet the transgender clan members. That Kylie was post op, married, and the mother of two babies impressed them. Jenny and Sam, being boy and girl friends with both being transgender amazed them. Meeting Jamie and boyfriend Freddie excited them. Jamie was a big boned T-girl but none the less feminine. That Freddie was a double amputee just made things better. Ellen Gantner being transgender in elementary school made filled them with hope for Louise. It was Krista who stunned them. They were aware of her exploits. The cute perky girl most certainly didn’t match the image they’d conjured of the heroic transgender teen. They found it hard to imagine the petite bundle of giggles could have done what she’d done. They were amazed to see several photos of Krista Jenny had taken at the car wreck. One was of her crawling into the back of the burning car. Another of her handing out a car seat with baby inside. Another was with flames licking up tthe driver’s side with her leaning over the driver. Then there was one horrifying image of Krista bailing out of the car as it was engulfed in a fireball. The image of Krista with burned hands and face with scorched hair tending to the severed stump of Ben’s left arm made them shivered. The presence of Ben Johnson and his family served notice that the clan cared as much as Krista.
The Cooper children got along with the clan children. The clan kids made them feel welcome including them in their play. The Coopers signed on with the Clan Wells Point. They planned to head back to New York, hand in their two notice, and move to the Clan. A first floor apartment in one of the houses acquired with CWP Excavation & Concrete in St. Michaels had four bedrooms and two and a half baths would meet the needs of the Coopers.
The next interviews were unique. Twenty five year olds Elaine and Justin Landis with their two year old son Shane. They were expecting their second child, due in two months. What was unusual was that they were both parents were transsexual. While Justin looked a bit awkward with the baby bump both were clearly delighted to be parents. They came from Lancaster County in Pennsylvania. Born and raised in the Amish tradition neither felt comfortable in their proscribed gender roles. They’d know each other from childhood but both had been too shy and repressed to interact with other children. Knowing something was wrong with them felt horribly out of place. They were lucky to hit their Rumspringa at the same time. As part of a larger group of teens they left their tightly controlled home life to explore the world. Within a week they had gravitated to each other and split form the group. The LGBT scene in Philadelphia was an eye opener. Upon seeing transgender people, both realized the true cause of their feeling out of place. They realized they were transgender. They experimented crossing the gender lines and for the first time in their lives they felt right. They quickly fell in love.
Returning home they resumed their birth gender masquerade as Gabriel and Joy and announced they were engaged. This didn’t set well with the elders since most engagements were arranged within the community. Everyone knew both had been reclusive but their time on Rumspringa had given both confidence they’d been sorely lacking. Reluctantly their betrothal was accepted. They were married, occupying a small house of Gabriel’s family farm with both working in the family butcher shop. They last four years only able to be themselves in the safety of their small house. The strain became too much and they finally announced they were leaving the fold. Of course they were instantly shunned. They quietly moved and assumed their real gender identities. With their experience in the family butcher shop they landed jobs in a supermarket meat department. Needless to say Justin/Joy became pregnant the truth came out and they took a lot of heat but persevered. But when Justin became pregnant the second time the bigotry became too great. Fortunately the clan’s add came at the perfect time.
The interview with the clan went well. The fact their were other transsexuals living openly was great. To learn Jenny and Sam were cross gender dating made them feel at home. They returned to Pennsylvania to work out their two weeks notice. Both would be working in CWP Butcher Shop with Elaine managing. The free standing twenty five feet by forty five feet garage with the home Harold, Doris, Joyce, Harold Jr. and Kevin Rich lived in was converted to a three bedromm one and half bath home for th Landis family.
Thirty five yer old Julio Santana, his wife thirty four year old Marie, their fifteen year old daughter Sophie and thirteen year old son Hector hailed from Atlanta. Julio was applying for the manager of CWP Poultry. He had nineteen years working on chicken farms which gave him the experience the clan was looking for. Marie was a silver lining in the potential hire. She had a degree in Computer Science and was a networking specialist with experience in trouble shooting system malfunctions and maintaining servers. While the clan had not been looking for someone in that area after talking to her they realized they needed someone to coordinate their rapid expansion. Together the couple was simply too good to pass up. The main reason they were looking to relocate was because of Marie. Marie had been born Martin but transitioned after leaving home at eighteen. Julio knew Martin and looked out for the oft bullied underclassman. They lost track of each other after Martin moved out. Julio married his childhood sweetheart, Linda, who happened to be Martin’s cousin.
Shortly after the birth of Hector, Linda was diagnosed with uterine cancer. Although they fought the horrid disease, Linda succumbed when she was thirty. This left a huge hole in the Santana family. Martin, by then post op transsexual Marie, came to her cousin’s funeral. The families were horrified and verbally abused Marie to the point of tears. Before she could flee Julio stepped up to once more protect him/her.
“Marie is here to pay respects to Linda,” Julio scolded. “She is not here to be insulted by her family! We all Martin was different. But not one of you ever stood up for him when he was bullied. I did. Linda fell in love with me because I cared about her cousin! Now you insult her by the way you treat Marie. Now I tell you this only once. If you cannot accept Marie you are not welcome here! Leave now and may you never cross my path again!”
Nearly three quarters of the people left in a huff. Marie tried to dissuade Julio but he was steadfast. Sophie and Hector supported their father. After the not well attended burial, Julio invited Marie home since she had no where to stay. Marie poured her heart out to Julio, both finding solace in the sense of loss both felt. Marie while skilled had two strikes against her. First she was Hispanic, second she was transgender. It was difficult to determine which was the bigger strike. For the next two years they kept in touch as Marie was bounced from job to job because of the bigotry she faced. Julio did as he’d threatened at the funeral and avoided the bigoted relatives. Then two years ago they began dating and after six months they quietly married and Marie adopted Sophie and Hector.
Needless to say the Clan Wels Point hired both. Julio to head up CWP Poultry and Marie to work in CWP LLC as the networking manager. She quickly to Ferdy and Amy under her wings and began to teach them the world of computer systems.
Chapter 13
The Santana family moved into the large former garage converted to three bedroom two bath home on the lot with the house where Howard, Devin & Allen Gantner lived. There were now one hundred sixty seven members in The Clan Wells Point.
With the management positions in the subdivisions of CWP Organic Farm filled by clan members the full time hourly positions were easy to fill with non-clan employees. All newly hired non clan people were placed on a three month probation to see if they would fit into the positions. The clan expected all employees to work to their potential without slacking off. All managers were expected to work side by side with the people under their responsibility. It was made clear that no employee was expected to do a job that a manager couldn’t or wouldn’t do. Weekly verbal evaluations were to be videoed between management and probationaries. Ratings were issued ranging from Unacceptable, Almost, Acceptable, Good and Exceptional for effort, attitude, cooperation, drive, and teamwork. The new hires knew they had to be at Acceptable or above by the end of probation in all categories. Anyone not working up to expectations would know it and what was expected.
They were paid a living wage at the start. Insurance would be available upon completion of probation. The clan was self insured for normal medical expenses and had purchased catastrophic coverage for major medical situations. At the end of probation all non clan employees were given the option of joining the clan.
M8t and K8t were busy. By the end of April the first steel framed poly covered greenhouses were being set up. There were two greenhouse sizes. The larger was ninety feet long by thirty feet wide. The smaller was forty five feet long by thirty feet wide. All had a side walls four feet high with the center ten feet high. They would be placed with ten feet between each greenhouse and fifteen feet between each row. They began setting them up in the field north of Wells Point Lane and west of the O’Brien homestead. One hundred sixty of the ninety feet long and twenty of the forty five feet long units would eventually be set up in the irregularly shaped field. When the field to the west of the first was filled with greenhouses it would have one hundred forty two of the ninety feet long and nineteen of the forty five feet long units for a total of three hundred two ninety feet long and thirty nine of the forty five feet long units. This would allow a year round growing season for tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower celery, carrots, peas, string beans and other veggies. In the two fields north of Wells Point Lane east of the O’Brien homestead they would plant vegetables in traditional garden style. The three fields south of Wells Point Lane would be stagger planted sweet corn, a new planting every two weeks so they’d have a good supply all summer long.
CWP Hairy Wish Now health & beauty spa opened May first. The remodeling of the former first floor warehouse of ‘Take Me Home’ was completed. The CWP Dairy, Produce & Poultry Store was ready to open it’s doors by mid-May. The bottled milk, butter cream cheese and ice cream from the start up of the CWP Dairy was put on sale as were the cartons of fresh eggs from the CWP Poultry. Fresh chicken meat was also available from CWP Butcher Shop with beef available by the end of May. The organic and free range products were well received by the public. The business at CWP Bakery was just across the narrow one way street nearly doubled as people were drawn in by the fresh produce and meats.
With the end of the school year on June 5th the clan kids completing sixth grade were promoted to seventh grade and were elevated to preteen status in the clan. For the Clan Wells Point that meant they were old enough and expected to begin working for the clan. It also meant they were allowed to pair up dating. Of course they understood the clan’s expected levels of behavior for dating. The six kids had been in the same classroom at Tilgham Elementary and rode the school bus together so they were well acquainted and had already gravitated together in pairings. Lyndi Scott and Allen Gantner, Teri Scott and Dominic Gleason, and Joyce Rich and Brett Orlando. Krista made sure Allen and Dominic knew their new girlfriends’ big sister would be keeping an eye on them. For work the six preteens decided to join the CWP Greenhouses. Most likely as time and the seasons progressed the teens would slip into and out of other CWP work divisions on temporary basis.
The first full weekend of June opened what could have been a nasty can of worms. A bit after noon on Saturday June 6th a car pulled up outside the main farmhouse. Two men and two women stepped out of the car and looked around. The men in particular were bewildered by what they saw. The lines of vertical wind turbines especially intrigued them.
“Christ, this ain’t like the old man,” James Dougherty grumbled as he surveyed the wind turbines and all the additions and renovations to the barn, outbuildings and house. “It looks fairly recent too.”
“It sure as hell isn’t something he’d do,” John Dougherty agreed. “Hell, there’s got to be four or five hundred chickens up in that run.”
Just then the farmhouse door opened and a well built bronzed young man stepped out onto the porch. “Are you lost? Can I help you with anything?”
“We’re not lost,” John answered as he looked at the young man sizing him up. “We grew up here.”
“Oh, you must be old Bills sons,” Larry smiled as he stepped down and extended his hand to James. “I’m Larry Scott. I live here with my wife, our twins, my mother-in-law, my wife’s aunt and my wife’s cousin.”
James said nothing and didn’t smile as he grasped the young man’s hand and squeezed hard. Based on what Larry had learned from Bill about his sons that was not unexpected. He kept his easy smile and returned the forceful handshake. James quickly realized he was outclassed and broke the handshake.
“So did the old man die? We tried calling but his phone is no longer in service and we couldn’t find a listing for him. We should have been called about the estate,” James almost growled.
“No, Bills doing fine,” Larry smiled. “We built him a new home with it’s own dock down on Dog Cove. He spends most of his time fishing when the weather’s good.”
“So he still owns the place then and you’re the hired help,” James sniffed.
“Oh no, he traded the farm for membership in the Clan Wells Point,” Larry smiled. “We built his new home for him and he still helps out on the farm when things get busy. We call him our farmer emeritus.”
“Larry, I called Steven, Kevin, Robert and Jane,” Kylie said as she stepped out onto the porch followed by Tony. “They’ll all be here in a few minutes. Would you like to step inside out of the heat for some lemonade?”
James frowned and looked at John.
“Will you two let it drop until we get more information,” Darlene scolded the two men.
“I’m Irene Dougherty,” the other woman smiled as she pointed to the others. “This jerk is my husband John. The other jerk is my brother-in-law James. That’s his wife Darlene.”
“I’m Kylie Scott,” Kylie smiled. “This is my cousin Tony. Now come on in. We’ve finished eating but we have a nice apple crumb pie for desert and you’re welcome to join us.”
The women didn’t hesitate climbing up onto the porch. The men grumbled but followed. Tony held the door open for them and Larry followed the men. Tony knew to wait for the others to get there.
Inside the guests were led into the dining room. Evelyn and Rachel were each seated by a high chair with a grinning infant inside. “This is my mother Evelyn, my aunt Rachel who is Tony’s mom, and our twins Sonny and Rayne. Please, have a seat. Oh, and this is my niece Krista.”
Krista emerged from the kitchen with a glass pitcher of home made iced lemonade which she poured into the glasses she’d already set at the table. Placing the pitcher on the table she returned to the kitchen only to quickly come back with a large pie that had been warming in the oven. The wafting scent made everyone’s mouth water. “I put a second pie in to warm,” the cute girl smiled.
The sound of vehicles pulling up to the farmhouse could be heard. Soon Steven, Robert, Kevin and Jane entered the dining room. Robert and Jane smiled with recognition.
“Long time no see, James, John,” Robert greeted as he shook the men’s hands. “You both remember Jane.”
The men returned the greetings. Robert and James had been classmates as had Jane and John.
Steven and Kevin were introduced as were Irene and Darlene. Everyone took a seat as Krista and Kylie served lemonade and apple pie. As they were digging in the door opened and Bill Dougherty entered followed by Tony.
All conversation stopped as the crusty old father glared at his sons. “Wat ya dewin hair?” Bill grumbled. [What are you doing here?]
“What makes you think you we want something,” James growled back as everyone’s hackles raised.
“Ah dint ask wat ya want. Ah ain’t heared ah peep out ah ya sens yar ma dun died,” Bill accused as he and his sons fiercely glared at each other. [“I didn’t ask what you want. I ain’t heard a peep out of you since your mom died.”]
“Bill, the main reason we’ve stayed out of touch was because of you,” Darlene spoke softly. “You never let us know she was sick. We would have come. We...”
“Da reesin ah dint cull wus shae dint wun’ mi ta cull,” Bill sighed. “Shae wus pissd ya ne’er cum ta vizit. Shae wus pissd ya ne’er let us knuw wen ya had kieds. Shae wus pissd ya ne’er e’en boderd senin Chrismas ca’ds! Shae dint wun’ yur piti wen shae clea’ly dint ha’ yur lo’e!” [The reason I didn’t call was she didn’t want me to call. She was pissed you never came to visit. She was pissed you never let us know when you had kids. She was pissed ya never even bothered sending Christmas cards. She didn’t want your pity when she clearly didn’t have your love!”]
The sons and their wives bowed their heads in shame. The room fell into deathly silence.
“Mr. Dougherty, please sit down,” Krista said firmly yet gently. “As you can see we’re having warmed apple pie and fresh made icy lemonade. “I’ll bring you a slice of pie right out of the oven and I’ll put a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Now please, sit down.”
Bill maintained his glare at his sons. When Krista tenderly grasped his wrist and guided him to an open seat he reluctantly didn’t resist. As she headed into the kitchen followed by Tony Bill’s eyes never left his wilting sons and daughters-in-law. The silence was deafening by the time Krista returned with the slice of warmed apple pie ala mode. Even though the others had a slice of pie the ice cream on top of the pie made their mouths water.
“I can add a scoop of ice cream to your pie,” Krista smiled thus quite literally breaking the ice in the room. Tony had followed his girlfriend with the ice cream and the scoop. Krista went from person to person adding a scoop of vanilla to their partially eaten apple pie including her’s and Tony’s. Tony took the ice cream and scoop back to the kitchen as Krista sat at her place. Tony quickly returned. The young couple exchanged a chaste kiss once he was seated. Silence prevailed until everyone finished their pie ala mode.
“Mr. Bill,” Krista said after she dabbed her mouth with a napkin. “I’m sorry your late wife and you were upset with the lack of interaction with your children. I don’t have any idea why that might have happened. While you were both deeply hurt remember it happened in the past. When I first met you, you were a hard headed, curt, and surly old man who intimidated most people he came in contact with. Since the Clan Wells Point came into your life you have changed. You’re caring and kind now. Please, listen closely to what I’m about to say. It won’t be nice and it’s not about you. But it might very well relate to your past.”
Bill sighed deeply but broke his hard glare at his sons to look at Krista. “Go ahed, speek wat ya gotta sae.” [Go ahead, say what you have to say.]
“Bill, think about Jenny,” Krista said. “You know how she came to join the clan. You know her parents physically and mentally beat her. You know they never praised her. Her self esteem was virtually non-existent. We still don’t know how she was able to drive herself here after having been beaten and thrown through a wall. You know the crap she took from her grandparents, how they literally tried to kill her. Since she’s been with the clan she’s come out of her shell and is a kind and caring and most importantly happy person. Now think about how you treated your sons growing up.”
No one said a word while Bill looked deeply at Krista. His sons and wives held hands, clearly thinking about how they were raised. Bill then sighed and looked at his sons, then looked back at Krista.
Damm it gurl,” he gruffly spoke. “‘ow in da hell’d ya git so damm sma’t?
[“Damn it, girl, How in the hell did you get so damn smart?”]
Krista blushed, smiled and placed a comforting hand atop Bill’s weathered paw.
“We dun da bes’ we culd razin ya,” Bill spoke softly to his sons. “We razed ya da saim wae we wus razed. We ne’er e’en taut we migh’ be doin it rong. Naw dat Krista’s opn’d ma damm blin’ eyz ah see we ne’er ugg’d ya ‘nough. We ne’er tol’ ya wen ya wus doin gud. It twernt ar wae. “Ell we dint no anuda wae. Workin da faum, keepin a ruf o’er ar heds, makin sur we a’ways ‘ad ‘nough ta eet, makin sur ya ‘ad desen clothz, dat takd all ar time. Dats ‘ow we livd all ar lives. Dats ‘ow I livd a’ter Edna pasd... ‘til Krista came ta liv wit ‘er gram Jane. Spunkist damm gal ‘n da hole damm wo’ld! Changd e’ryting ‘roun hea’... e’en changd me. Look, ya knoe ah’m a prud man an ah noe ya ne’er hear’ me ‘pologiz fer nuthin. Bu’ lik ah sade, Krista ‘as changd me. I e’en ‘cept an ‘elp dem transaxals lik ‘er. James, John, Darlene, Irene, ah’m sory fer da wae we razed ya an ast ‘f ya can fin it ‘n yur harz ta fergiv yur ma an me” [“We did the best we could raising you. We raised you the same way we were raised. We never even thought we might be doing it wrong. Now that Krista’s opened my damn blind eyes I see we never hugged you enough. We never told you when you were doing good. It wasn’t our way. Hell we didn’t know any other way. Working the farm, keeping a roof over our heads, making sure we always had enough to eat, making sure you had decent clothes, that took all our time. That’s how we lived all our lives. That’s how I lived after Edna passed... until Krista came to live with her gram Jane. Spunkiest damn girl in the whole damn world! Changed everything around here... even changed me. Look, you know I’m a proud man and I know you never heard me apologize for nothing. But like I said, Krista has changed me. I even accept and help them transsexuals like her. James, John, Darlene, Irene, I’m sorry for the way we raised you and ask if you can find it in your hearts to forgive your mom and I.”]
James, John, Darlene and Irene sat there with their mouth’s hanging open. None of them could believe that the crusty old man had actually apologized and clearly meant it. Krista sprung from her chair with a broad grin to stand behind Bill and wrap him in a warm hug kissing him on the cheek to which he responded with a smile reaching up to pat her clasped hands. If anything the four stunned onlookers were even more stunned.
“Cloz ya mauths,” Bill chuckled as he accepted a kiss on the cheek from Krista. “Ah tol’ ya sheas changd me.” [“Close your mouths. I told you she’s changed me.”]
James, Darlene, John and Irene were clearly amazed. They were also giving Krista a much closer inspection.
“I’ll say she has,” James finally managed to reply. “Not that I don’t appreciate the change but how’d you do it?”
“And did he say you’re a tranny?” John asked.
“Krista and I are both girls,” Kylie declared forcefully. “We simply had a birth defect in that we were born male.”
Their surprise ballooned as they looked at Kylie. “But you’re a woman and a wife and mother!”
“She sure is,” Larry smiled as he slipped a hand about Kylie’s waist. “She’s also a top notch mechanic and is the head of the Clan Wells Point Engine and Mechanical Repair.”
“I know where Wells Point is,” James said, “but what’s this Clan Wells Point thing?”
“That’s who we are,” Jane declared. “There are one hundred sixty seven of us now and we’re still growing. We’re a self made clan of like minded people who came together because of my granddaughter Krista. She and Kylie were the first two of the clan’s nine male to female transsexuals. We also have three female to male transsexuals, two lesbians and six gay members. We own the whole of this peninsula and all the land up to Cherry Cove as well as the Jablonski farm and over a dozen buildings in St. Michaels. Krista has personally saved over a dozen people. She crawled into a burning car last fall to save a family of four. To get the driver out she had to severe his arm.”
“Oh my God,” Darlene gasped. “That was you? Up in Pennsylvania, right?”
“Yeah, that was me,” Krista admitted with a blush. “There was no one else that could help. I knew if I didn’t get them out they’d burn to death before anyone else could get there to help. The kids were in car seats. I had to go inside to get them out. The driver’s arm was trapped and the flames were licking in the window. I had to cut off his arm to get him out. It was the only way to save his life.”
Irene shook her head. “Didn’t they say the car exploded seconds after you got out?”
“It did,” Robert agreed. “The roof liner was on fire as I pulled the man out after Krista severed his arm at the elbow. She was burned on the face and hands while she worked and her hair was smoldering. I’ll tell you I was terrified but she never hesitated. Honestly the only reason I went in to get him was I knew she couldn’t get him out before it went up and there was no way she would abandon him. Even so she was the last out before it exploded.”
“You were there,” James said. “I can’t see you letting her crawl into a burning car.”
“If I’d had a choice I wouldn’t have,” Robert chuckled. “But my granddaughter is a force to be reckoned with. She was crawling inside the smashed rear window before I’d even had a chance to evaluate the situation.”
John krinkled his brow. “So are you and Jane married?”
“I’m Jane’s husband,” Kevin smiled. “Robert is her father’s dad. Larry here is his youngest.”
John cocked his head and looked at Kylie, Larry, Krista, and Tony. “So you have a granddaughter and a daughter-in-law who are transgender?”
“Sure do,” Robert chuckled. “I knew my life had changed the first day I met Krista. She saved Kylie’s life that day.”
“That was my fault,” Larry declared. “It was the day my best friend Kyle came out to me and I laughed. I didn’t understand why he ran off but it bothered me. That evening I met Krista for the first time and she confessed she was transsexual and how difficult it was coming to terms with her mental and soul gender. At that moment I realized what Kyle was trying to tell me and I took off to find her.”
“I was so upset I decided to take my own life,” Kylie continued. “Fortunately Kyle realized what he’d done and knew where to find me. I was dangling from the rope when he found me and he lifted me taking the pressure off. I was unconscious but still breathing.”
“My other sons, Leroy who is Krista’s father and David, followed Larry,” Robert picked up. “We cut her down and got her to the hospital.”
“We haven’t been apart since,” Kylie smiled as she snuggled against Larry.
“So na ya noe ah’v changd an dat ah’m a memba o’ da clan,” Bill drawled. “So why’d ya d’cied ta cum vizitn?” [“So now you know I’ve changed and that I’m a member of the clan. So why’d you decide to come visiting?”]
“We were concerned about you,” Darlene said. “We know things are hard right now and you are getting older. All our kids are struggling. The company Daniel worked for went belly up and their really struggling to get by on Betty’s wages. Harry had to take a pay cut and Jeanette lost her job.”
“Kevin and Linda have both lost their jobs,” Irene added. “Virginia lost her job and Howard is afraid he’ll soon be without a job. Karen and Mike are struggling. Their employers are floundering.”
“We thought if things really got bad maybe the kids could move out here to help you on the farm,” John said.
“But it looks like that isn’t an option,” James sighed.
“Of course it’s an option,” Steven declared. “Your dad is a clan member and we take care of our own. But we believe in that wise old saying ‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.’ We much prefer to teach while we help. You and your children are more than welcome to come join us. I suggest we show you around the CWP and let you talk to the members and see what we do and how we live. Then you can go home, tell your kids, then all come back for a weekend and check us out. We can and will provide homes and jobs if you decide to join us.”
“Kylie,” Jane spoke up. If you can you spare Krista for the rest of the day she can take Bill and his family on a the grand tour.”
“We’ll manage,” Kylie replied. “Larry, can you let Tony accompany them?”
“Can do,” Larry smiled. “Why don’t you two fetch the DUKW?”
The pair took off out the door at a run. They hopped on the 4-wheeler and with Krista hugging Tony roared off.”
Darlene looked puzzled. “Fetch the duck?”
“Oh shit,” John exclaimed. “Jane, do you still have that old monster?”
“Sure do,” Jane chuckled. “Kylie here gave it a complete overhaul and rebuilt it last year. It’s been running fine ever since.”
“Damn girl you’ve got to be one hell of a mechanic,” James declared. “Wasn’t that monster parked since Hurricane Agnes back in ‘72?”
Yep, it was covered with a tarp and parked in our barn for a bit over thirty five years,” Jane replied. Wait until you see the paint job! Krista and her friends designed a tartan for the Clan Wells Point. Leo Kahn painted it for us. It’s a bright two tone green and pink plaid. We use it on most of the clan’s signs.”
“So those businesses we saw driving through St. Michaels with the plaid signs,” Irene spoke up. “I think they all began with CWP... for the Clan Wells Point... they’re part of your clan?”
“They certainly are,” Jane chuckled. “And we’re still growing.”
Just then they heard the solid rumble of a powerful engine pull up in front of the house. At Robert’s urging they stepped out onto the porch to see the WWII era DUKW painted in a flashy two tone green and pink plaid happily purring in the lane. They were surprised to see Krista driving.
“Don’t worry,” Jane assured them. “Krista is licensed and qualified to drive that monster. She drove it through St. Michaels with Kylie and Larry’s wedding party from St. Luke’s UMC to the launch. Then piloted it around the whole peninsula to the landing. She can drive it on the road as long as there’s a licensed adult driver on board.”
In a few moments Bill and his family was aboard the DUKW. A case of bottled water was placed on board. As the slowly drove up Johns Cove Lane turning left onto Dougherty Lane by the chicken run. Tony explained the expanded main farm with the five hundred head dairy herd, an eighty head steer herd, the five hundred chicken flock. The vertical wind turbines, the manure digester and the CWP Green Power Initiative. The brothers, raised on the very traditional farm run by their dad, Bill, were astounded. Shortly after turning onto Dougherty Lane they turned left onto Bills Lane heading down to Bills new home on Dog Cove.
The teens stayed on the DUKW as Bill took his family on a quick tour of his new home and dock. They were impressed that the home was elevated above flood stage as well as the ADA compliant ramp to the living quarters. They could see Bill was quite happy with his living arrangements.
Once they reboarded, Krista continued down the lane to Almost Neavitt Road. They stopped at CWP Collision Repair & Body Shop so the visiting family could meet with old acquaintance Leo Kahn. They again reboarded and drove down to the eastern end of Almost Neavitt Road at CWP Grandview B&B while Bill explained the clan owned everything north of Balls Creek. Krista turned the DUKW around and drove back to the other end of Almost Neavitt Road. As they passed CWP Engine & Mechanical Repair Kylie stepped to the overhead door from beneath the truck raised up on a lift. Her grease covered hands gave clear evidence she’d been working on the vehicle. The visitors were surprised to see the large many bayed service station.
Turning south they only traveled a short distance on the Bozman-Neavitt Road before turning onto Jablonski Lane and stopping at the Jablonski home for a quick visit. When they left they drove down to Change point, the southern most point of the Clan Wells Point territory. Turning around they headed north. The kids were amazed as Krista pulled into the lane for CWP Daycare. The kids were happily playing in the fenced in playground with adequate adult supervision.
“The clan daycare accepts kids up through sixth grade,” Krista explained. “There is no charge for clan members and a reasonable charge for non clan members. Once clan kids complete sixth grade they’re considered preteens. It’s clan policy that all preteens and older have jobs in a clan business. I work in the service station with my aunt Kylie and Tony works with his cousin-in-law, my uncle Larry on CWP Organic Farm. When school is in session we work weekends and after classes, during holidays and summer we work full time.”
Irene was surprised that Krista was so casual about the “Isn’t that a bit harsh working so many hours?”
“Not really,” Tony spoke up. “If something comes up, like your arrival for instance, we can be cut free to handle it like Kylie and Larry did today. On veterans day weekend last year our school student council put on a fund raising concert to raise money to take local veterans to the DC War Memorials on Veterans Day Weekend. We were given time off to practice, rehearse and perform. In cooperation with the local VFW and American Legion we took a total of one thousand fifteen people on our trip. Three hundred twelve out of three hundred ninety students participated. Each of the two hundred seventy two vets had a student escort. We all had a good trip and believe me, we realized what those vets did and appreciate their sacrifices.”
“The adults guide us and instill a sense of responsibility for ourselves and others,” Krista added. “You won’t find one of us slacking off. You won’t find one of us complaining. We know what is expected of us and do it the best of our ability. We’re honestly happy and are all friends. The adults in the clan don’t expect us to do anymore or any less than they do. They lead us by example. Since we formed the Clan Wells Point in September of 2007 I have never heard an argument much less a fight. We do have disagreements but they’re handled politely and civilly. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere but with the clan.”
“That’s quite impressive,” Darlene said. “But it seems too amazing to believe.”
“It duz,” Bill smiled. “Bu’ ev’y word be tru. Dat’s why ah’v changd. It tuk da clans gudnez ta brake tr’ue da sheel’ ah’d ‘rected. Juz da evdenz ah changd shuld be ‘nouf ta sho’ ya da Clan Wells Poin’ be gud.” [“It does. But every word is true. That’s why I’ve changed. It took the clan’s goodness to break through the crusty shield I’d erected. Just the evidence I changed should be enough to show you the Clan Wells Point is good.”]
His sons and daughter-in-laws most certainly could not dispute Bill had certainly changed.
Leaving the CWP Daycare onto the Bozman-Neavitt Road heading north they turned into the first driveway opposite Wells Point Lane. They noticed the plaid sign indicating ‘CWP Handcrafted Toys’. From the Bozman-Neavitt Road they could see large wooden swingsets with sliding boards, pirate ships, trucks, and playhouses. Pulling up to the store everyone climbed down to enter the store where they saw the small wooden and plushie toys. They then did a quick tour of the manufacturing, assembly, sewing, and painting rooms.
As they once more pulled out heading north on the Bozman-Neavitt Road they headed about three thousand feet where Krista turned left into a lane. “The fields on either side of the lane is as far north as the clan territory goes,” Krista said. “The Jablonski’s had bought every field from their farm up to here on this side of the Bozman-Neavitt Road. When they joined the clan it all became part of the clan territory.”
With that she turned around and pulled out heading south on the Bozman-Neavitt Road. Retracing her route until she reached Cheery Cove where she turned left onto Apple Lane.
“Dis arya shud luk familya, bouys,”Bill Chuckled as they drove into the fields. [This area should look familiar, boys,”]
“Yeah it does,” James sighed. “We spent a lot of time in these fields.”
“There were three plaid signs where we turned in,” Irene declared. “CWP Fabric and Cloth Enterprises, CWP Youth Rehab Hospital and CWP Dairy.”
“At CWP Fabric and Cloth Enterprises we make clothes, banners, tarps, sails, upholstery and just about anything else that’s made of fabric, Krista explained. “CWP Youth Rehab Hostel is a rehab center for kids and teens.”
Darlene was surprised. “Really? As in Physical Therapy?”
“Yup,” Tony nodded. Halloween a year and a half ago we had a school dance at the O’Brien barn. Four students who thought they were tough ass rednecks got drunk and high. They ran from the police check point but wrecked as they came off Wells Point Lane onto Bozman-Neavitt Road. Their truck rolled and everyone was ejected. One ended up losing both legs and another an arm. We set up the Youth Rehab Hostel for them and brought them here as soon as they were healed from the trauma. We set them up with artificial limbs. They both just graduated from high school and are enrolled at the University of Maryland in College Park in the Physical Therapist Program.”
“That sounds impressive,” John said. “I guess they learned their lesson and turned their lives around.”
“Da clan done dat,” Bill nodded. “Krista woo’nt let em ‘loan. Dragd em kikin ‘n scremin inta da clan. Convinsed da clan ta bild da rehab fer dem.” [The clan did that. Krista wouldn’t let em alone. Dragged them kicking and screaming into the clan. Convinced the clan to build the rehab for them.”]
Irene raised her eyebrows. “Krista did that?”
“Krista has her fingers in just about everything,” Tony chuckled. “When she gets an idea you can go along with her or get out of the way. None of us have ever gotten out of the way.”
They drove until they reached Wells Point Lane Krista then turned to head out to the point. Tony explained about the manure digester and wind farm as well as the greenhouses. Moments later they passed the O’Brien homestead then made their way down to Wells Point where Krista drove straight into the Broad Creek.
The DUKW cruised up Broad Creek into San Domingo Creek. When they neared the public dock in St. Michaels she drove the DUKW up the public launch between CWP Susan’s Place B&B and CWP Excavation and Concrete. They drove through Waterfront Park, past the eight rental houses, then proceeded out to Talbot Street. Their they turned west into St. Luke’s UMC parking lot, through the cemetery, then east on Canton Street to the parking lot at CWP Dairy, Produce & Poultry store. They took a brief tour of the store and CWP Bakery just across the street. After enjoying cinnamon rolls they left heading back to the public dock they’d arrived on.
Sailing back down San Domingo Creek to Broad Creek, past Wells Point and up Balls Creek then into Johns Cove where they exited the water up the launch at CWP Landing where they saw the kayaks and canoes as well as the horses. Soon they were back to the main farmhouse.
Bill joined his family for supper with Larry and Kylie and family. Afterward they sat on the porch and a general discussion of their family. The two couples stayed in spare rooms in the main farmhouse.
The next day James, Darlene, John and Irene went to church with Bill then returned to The Clan Barn for a robust brunch where they met the entire clan. By the time they headed home later that afternoon they knew they’d be bringing their kids and grandkids out for a tour.
Bill Dougherty’s sons and wives, the second Dougherty generation had met with their third generation children and spouses to discuss their future. James and John worked for the same company and knew their employer was preparing to move operations to Mexico which meant they’d be out of work within six months or even sooner. Their sons, daughters, son-in-laws and daughter-in-laws were all worried about their future since each of the five had at least one member unemployed. Arrangements were made for the family to visit over the Fourth of July Weekend.
The clan made plans for an all day picnic celebration on June 14. The day was a seminal date for the clan. What happened on that day culminated with the founding of the Clan Wells Point one hundred seven days later on September 29. Not only was it Flag Day, June 14 was the day a cancer ridden near dead Carol O’Brien commissioned her twelve year old son Kristopher to somehow get his nine year old twin sisters Lyndi and Teri from Cape Cod Massachusetts to their grandmother’s Jane O’Brien, farm near Neavitt, Maryland with only fifty dollars. Along the way Kristopher discovered his true gender.
What would have been a five hundred mile plus trek stalled on the thirty forth day when Krissy collapsed after almost being struck by a car driven by Lisa nelson. After recovering at the Nelson home they drove Krissy and her sisters to their grandmother and her father. The rest was, as they say, history. During the stressful trip Krista grew into a person who had no choice but to help others.
Carol O’Brien took her life by walking into the Atlantic Ocean early in the morning after commissioning Kristopher. While her body was recovered and buried in the family cemetery on Wells Point, the sight of the picnic. They all knew that Carol’s final resting place was not the end of her life. She became the clan’s Guardian Angel as did Susan Warren her body died due to the ravages of cancer.
The day was bright and sunny with temperature in the low eighties with gentle winds of two to three MPH. The celebration began at 10am. Grills were lit and hot dogs, burgers, and chicken went on. Corn on the cob was in large pots of boiling water. Ice tea, lemonade, Coke’s and coffee were available. A softball game started as did badminton and volleyball. Games of freeze tag and red light green light, were played. Of course the all time favorite bubble wands were readily available. Laughter and squeals of joy were ever present. Tony was playing softball and Krista was helping to keep an eye on the babys, infants and toddlers who were corralled in a fenced in area.
There was the loud metallic CRACK of an aluminum baseball bat. Krista, Jaz and Jenny were walking to the grills when someone shouted “LOOK OUT” as the ball flew off sideways toward the fenced in area. Reacting like the cat she often appeared to be Krista whirled about to see the ball hurtling toward the little kids. With her typical selfless instincts and feline grace she dove to block the errant ball. Her aim was good but not perfect. Leaping sideways with arms outstretched the ball struck her left forearm deflecting it away from the defenseless kids but not stopping it. The hard nearly four inch in diameter ball hit ricocheted from her arm to smash squarely on the bridge of her nose.
Needless to say Krista instantly saw stars as blood exploded from her nose. She landed prone with a thud and bounced nearly a foot into the air. Jaz and Jenny ran to her as did dozens of others. Dazed, Krista pushed herself up to look to the startled toddlers to make sure none had been hurt. With double vision she couldn’t tell if she’d succeeded. With sheer guts and determination she crawled to her feet. Wobbling back and forth she blearily saw the kids staring at her.
Jaz was the first to reach her best friend. She was horrified to see the bridge of her nose was bashed in. “Krista... oh my God! Krista! Sit down!” Jaz grabbed Krista by the shoulders and tried to make her sit down.
Krista resisted mumbling “Duh kishds...”
Jaz wrapped her arms about Krista and with Jenny’s assistance sat down pulling her with her. “The kids are okay, Krista, you saved them.”
“Yuh shuur?” Krista asked as her head bobbled and she looked almost cross eyed at her BFF.
Jaz struggled to keep from crying as she hugged Krista, her clasped hands soaked by the blood pouring from her BFF’s nose. “I’m sure, Krista, you saved them,” she forced herself to say.
“Gud...” Krista mumbled as she relaxed into her friend’s embrace and closed her eyes. Then her body spasmed for fifteen seconds, went limp and lay still in Jasmine’s caring embrace. The blood flowing from her nose stopped.
Jaz let out a horrified wail. “NOOOOOOooooo...” As she burst into tears clutching the friend who had saved her life.
By then others reached Krista. Several distracted the kids. Leroy had seen his feisty daughter leap and winced as he not only saw the ball’s double impact but heard it. Much like his daughter often did when someone needed help he sprinted to her aid. Several people stood gathered around Krista’s still form clearly in shock when he reached her. One look was enough to let him know Krista had succumbed to her injuries. Without hesitation he scooped her limp form off Jasmine’s lap and stood, gently laying her head against his shoulder as he swiftly ran to the first aid tent they always set up for picnics.
Jaz collapsed in tears. Jenny was crying too and knelt by Jaz hugging the equally distraught girl.
Dr Olsen and Dr. Sykes had been heading toward Krista but diverted to the first aid tent when they saw Leroy carrying Krista’s limp form. Gently Leroy laid the still body of his feisty daughter upon the sturdy table and stepped back as the doctors moved in. A quick check of her carotid artery revealed no pulse. Dr. Olsen began CPR as Dr. Sykes cleared her throat. Jane and Pat burst into the tent horrified to see the doctors frantically working on Krista. Leroy hugged both then shoving his anguish down stepped outside to keep people away and call for a ambulance.
Jane and Pat held each other as their tears flowed freely. Word quietly spread through the gathered now solemn clan that Krista was being given CPR. Tony saw Lyndi, Teri and Sandi crying in each other’s arms. Quietly he embraced the three and gently guided them through the crowd to the tent. Her brothers LJ and Peter followed in their wake.
No one could believe Krista was fatally injured... not Krista... thoughts of what would happen to the clan intruded into their shock... but quickly refocused on Krista.
After five minutes of CPR it was clear to the doctors and those in the tent that Krista was not going to wake up. Her eyes, nose, cheeks and forehead were near black from blunt force hemorrhages. The ever cheerful face looked distorted and waxlike. Sobs filled those inside as Pat led Jane outside. All it took for those waiting hopefully outside to see the misery on Jane’s and Pat’s faces before they too began crying.
Dr. Sykes draped a blanket over the fragile still form and she and Dr’ Olsen sadly stepped outside into the stunned but still caring arms of the grieving clan.
“Please kneel with me and pray,” Rev. Giles declared in a shaky voice as he and everyone else knelt. “Dear Lord, I know you have Krista in your loving arms. But we don’t understand why. I’ve never in my life asked why... but now I am... dear Lord, WHY? Krista was full of love and caring. How many times did she disregard her own safety to save others? Even today... she put herself in harm’s way to save others! She had so much to share! She wasn’t done! We’re not done with her!!! Dear Lord, I apologize for questioning your mysterious ways. Give us the strength to endure this horrendous loss! Give us the strength to live up to Krista’s hopes and example! Let her life be the inspiration for those of us left behind!”
For the next several minutes the only sound was quiet heartfelt and heart rending crying.
{To be continued....}
Chapter 14 B
The sound of the tent flap being opened drew everyone’s attention to the tent. A gasp escaped every mouth as Krista walked out. A serene smile filled her bludgeoned purple face as her eyes seemed to be gazing off into the sky. Her bloody tank top and shorts added further evidence to the horrific blow she’d taken. Drs. Olsen’s and Sykes’ mouths dropped as they witnessed the medical impossibility.
No one muttered a word as Krista sauntered toward her family cemetery. The clan quietly parted like the Red Sea as she tranquilly and unseeingly moved through them.
Jaz rose with Jenny by her side and joined her BFF. “Krista, what do you see?”
“My mom and Susan, our clan guardian angels,” Krista answered almost dreamily as she continued smiling off into the distance. “They said I did a good job saving the little ones and God is letting them heal me.”
While Krista spoke softly her words were firm and clear enough for all to hear. Many glances of disbelief were exchanged.
Jenny shivered “Di... Did you see God?”
“I saw his love,” Krista answered. “It’s so beautiful! Death is nothing we need to fear. God’s arms are ready to grasp our soul!” By then she stepped through the gate into the tree shaded cemetery and stopped before the angel headstone marking the final resting place of Carol O’Brien’s no longer needed earthly body. As Krista stood blissfully looking at the stone angel the rest of the clan silently moved so they could see Krista without the carved stone hiding her from view. A bright sunbeam darted through the dappled branches lancing between the rounded tips of the stone angel’s wings to brightly illuminate Krista’s dented and battered purple face.
Everyone caught their breath as the sunbeam illuminating Krista’s face began to cause her face to glow brighter and brighter until they could no longer bear to look at her visage. Several seconds later the sunbeam faded as did the brilliant glow radiating from Krista’s face. Nearly everyone gasped as they were able to once more see Krista’s face. The massive bruising and dent on Krista’s face was gone!
Leroy, Jane, Pat, Lyndi, Teri, Sandi, LJ and Peter rushed to Krista and engulfed her in a hug. Krista then hugged Jaz and Jenny. As Krista stepped from the cemetery the rest of the clan swarmed her. They had all seen the miraculous healing of her bruised face. All were awed with many ready to worship the resurrected and healed girl. Any lingering or hidden doubts they had about being part of the clan vanished.
The warbling of sirens approached. In moments the ambulance and paramedics from Tilgham Fire Department emerged from the forest that separated Wells Point from the rest of the Peninsula. Leroy waved them to the first aid tent. Krista knew she had to get checked out so joined her father and the doctors at the paramedic van. She also heard the whispers of several people saying she was Divine.
The paramedics could see the clear evidence on Krista’s clothes that she had been heavily bleeding but there was no evidence of an injury. Normally they would have been leery of a claim of miraculous healing but they were well aware of the clan and Krista.
Krista exited the tent graciously thanking the paramedics. After they left she mounted the back of a pickup so all could see her. “Please, listen to what I have to say. I am a child of God... just as each of you are children of God. I am NOT Divine! I’m simply myself, a soon to be fifteen year old girl. Granted, I was dead, but in today’s world there are thousands of people who died but came back to life. The clan’s guardian angels kept my soul in my body until my metabolism rejuvenated my life force. I was healed because I’m not done using my God-given gifts to help others. Before you ask I have no idea how or what God wants me to do other than what I’ve already been doing. So far I just seem to know when I have to take an action. I keep my heart and mind open and so far I’ve been able to respond when a need presented itself just as I did today. In November when I crawled into a burning wrecked car to save the Johnson family I shrugged off just how close I came to dying by joking that I was like a cat and I’d just spent the third of my nine lives. Today I know I spent the fourth life. That only leaves me with five more.”
Chuckles swept through the clan.
“I’m not afraid of dying,” Krista smiled. “Also remember we do not die. When we finish our earthly life we graduate to live with God. He calls us home where we meet friends and family who graduated before us and when they graduate we greet those we left behind. I know where I’ll be going. It’s where every member of the clan will go. Please understand that when I spend the last of my nine lives, know I did so willingly and with no regrets. Now... let’s get back to our picnic!”
The picnic resumed as Leroy drove Krista and Jaz home to change out of their bloodied clothes. By the time they returned the party was once more in full swing... except for the softball. It had been decided a safety net needed to be procured before the next game.
As Krista, hand in hand with Tony and flanked by Jaz and Jimmy on one side and Jenny and Sam on the other walked amongst the clan people greeted her with smiles and hugs. Phil and Dwayne followed on their heels as the teen couples meandered through the clan. Many hugged Krista.
Krista stopped short as she approached Steven and Cynthia Campbell. The smile on her face turned into a frown. All who noticed the change grew concerned.
“Krista,” Steven began. “Is something wrong?”
“I’m not sure,” Krista replied as she tilted her head to obtain a different perspective to look at him. “Could you please turn in a circle?”
Not sure what was going on he did so. Upon seeing her frown had deepened he asked, “Something is wrong, isn’t it?
By now more people were watching.
“While I was being healed our Guardian Angels told me I was being given a gift,” Krista spoke softly. “But they didn’t say what kind of gift. Maybe this is it. Mr Campbell, are you positive you’re feeling okay? I see a black... I don’t know how to describe it... a swirling boiling sort of smoke, like a writhing nest of snakes... yet not... I guess the best word would be a miasma. It seems to be coming from your heart.”
Dr Sykes looked at Steven. “Have you had any tightness or pain in your chest, back, neck, or arms?”
Steven shook his head.
“Any pain radiating down your arms?”
Another head shake.
“Dizziness?” Another head shake.
“Fatigue?” Another head shake.
“Lightheadedness?” Another head shake.
“Clammy skin?” Another head shake.
“Cold sweat?” Another head shake.
“Sweating?” Another head shake.
“Abnormal heartbeat?” Yet another head shake.
“Anxiety?” Another head shake.
“Shortness of breath?” Another head shake.
Before Dr. Sykes could speak Cynthia spoke up. “Steven, you were short of breath after playing with Benny and George the other night.”
“That’s just old age and not enough exercise,” Steven grumbled.
“No it’s not,” Krista spoke up. “There is something wrong with your heart. Dr. Sykes, please admit him to the hospital first thing tomorrow morning. You don’t have the time to wait longer.”
“But I feel all right,” Steven complained.
“Steven!” Cynthia scolded.
“Mr Campbell, the clan needs you,” Krista urged. “Please don’t let us down.”
“Okay, I’ll do it,” Steven reluctantly demurred knowing Cynthia would have no rest until he had been checked out.
The picnic continued with only slightly diminished enthusiasm and a powerful sense of belonging to the Clan Wells Point.
The next morning at 8am Dr. Sykes admitted Steven to the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton. The EKG showed a few irregularities but nothing really out of the ordinary for a fifty seven year old man. The electrocardiogram tests showed similar results. The stress test showed questionable results but raised no serious red flags. Steven was ready to leave but Dr. Sykes asked that he undergo a heart catheterization just to make sure. Grumbling he agreed.
Word spread through the clan like wildfire. The catheterization revealed four severely blocked vessels in Steven’s heart. An emergency heart bypass was performed starting at 2pm. When he went to Cardiac ICU recovery, the surgeon revealed that after they cracked open his breast bone and spread is ribs to access his still strongly beating heart they found two other blocked vessels. He’d underwent a sextuple bypass. The surgeon also stated that he’d been a walking time bomb and didn’t understand how he’d avoided having a heart attack... which would most likely have been fatal. Considering the lack of symptoms and the ambiguous test results, the surgeon wanted to know why Dr. Sykes had insisted on having the tests done in the first place and why she’d insisted upon performing the catheterization.
Dr. Sykes shook her head. “You’re familiar with Krista Scott?”
“From your clan? Yes, I’m familiar with her,” the surgeon said. “She’s a most remarkable girl.”
“Yesterday we were having a picnic and she was hit right between the eyes with a soft ball. She leapt in front of it to keep it from hitting a group of infants,” Dr. Sykes said. “It crushed the bridge of her nose and orbital. She stayed conscious long enough to make sure the kids were okay, then she passed, went into a TBI seizure, and her heart stopped. Dr. Olsen and I tried to resuscitate her but it was no use. She was gone, clinically dead. We covered her with a blanket and left her body in the first aid tent.”
“Oh my God,” the surgeon gasped. “I’m sorry, I hadn’t heard anything.”
“That’s because she’s Krista,” Dr Sykes smiled. “She walked out of the tent. Most of her face was purple and the dent was clearly visible on her face. “We watched as she walked into her family cemetery and stood before her mother’s grave. A sunbeam hit her face and she glowed so brightly we couldn’t bear to look at her. When the glow faded she was cured... completely healed without the slightest sign of trauma. The only sign that she’d been severely injured was her blood soaked clothes.”
“My God,” the surgeon looked askance.
“She said the clan’s Guardian Angels, one of whom is her birth mother, kept her soul in her body and that God didn’t want her yet,” Dr. Sykes’ explained. “If I hadn’t seen it I would have difficulty believing it. She WAS dead! Her nasal bone and supraorbital foramen bones had been broken and caved in. Then she came back to life and I and the entire clan SAW her totally healed by a sunbeam! She said she’d been given a gift but didn’t know what it was. A bit later she saw Steven and told us she could see a miasma coming from his heart and that we had to get him admitted to today. I had no choice but to push for the catheterization.”
“I can understand why,” the surgeon agreed. “As bad as his blockages were, if he’d suffered a heart attack I doubt he’d have survived. Since he didn’t have a heart attack his recovery should be quicker than normal.”
Krista was a bit spooked to learn how accurate her prognostication had been but knew she’d been given the gift to save Steven. What remained to be seen was if her gift was a one time thing.
On June 16 the clan grew to one hundred sixty eight members with the birth of Skye Landis, their second child. Elaine and Justin were delighted. The transgender M2F and F2M couple had held off completing their gender confirmation surgeries until after the birth of their second child. Now they could proceed.
Since he was in decent shape for his age and since he hadn’t had a heart attack, Steven was allowed to return home on Saturday. The clan set up an on call nurse from amongst the members. Steven wasn’t one to just sit around relaxing so while his movement was restricted he was able to exercise his mind via computer.
Now that he was forced into being sedentary, several things became evident. First was the clan needed more jobs and businesses for the current members as well as for any new members. The second was to clarify the jobs status the of the clan’s youth to make sure what they were doing was within the law.
Maryland law about the employment of minors required minors obtain a working permit for each employer. In most cases kids thirteen and under could not get permits. For ages fourteen and fifteen the hour limits were four hours on any day when school is in session and eight hours on any day when school is not in session. There was also a limit of twenty three hours in any week when school is in session for five days and forty hours in any week when school is not in session. They may only work between the hours of 7:00am and 8:00pm (9:00pm from Memorial Day until Labor Day). The hours worked by a minor enrolled in a bona fide work-study or student-learner program when school is normally in session may not be counted towards the permissible hours of work.
Minors between the ages of sixteen and seventeen may spend no more than 12 hours in a combination of school hours and work hours each day and must be allowed at least eight consecutive hours of non-work, non-school time in each twenty four hour period.
Exceptions to hours and occupations may be granted by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry. Applications for exceptions should be addressed to the Commissioner giving explicit details. Activities not considered employment if performed outside of the prescribed school day and the activity does not involve mining, manufacturing or hazardous occupations. The activities include: Farm work performed on a farm. Domestic work performed in or about a home. Work performed in a business owned or operated by a parent or one standing in the place of a parent. Work performed by non-paid volunteers in a charitable or non-profit organization, employed with the written consent of a parent or one standing in the place of a parent. Caddying on a golf course. Employment as an instructor on an instructional sailboat. Manufacturing of evergreen wreaths in or about a home. Delivery of newspapers to the consumer. Work performed as a counselor, assistant counselor, or instructor in a youth camp certified under the Maryland Youth Camp Act. Hazardous work performed by non-paid volunteers of a volunteer fire department or company or volunteer rescue squad who have completed or are taking a course of study relating to firefighting or rescue and who are sixteen years of age or older.
It was clan policy that kids of twelve who completed the sixth grade took jobs in a clan business. The fourteen year old and older teens working wasn’t an issue. But having the twelve and thirteen year olds working on the surface violated state law. However, there were several reasons why the clan practice didn’t violate the law. Kevin Stewart, the clan lawyer during the legal formation of the clan included documentation that the clan was in effect an extended family. The clan was set up so that the parent was the primary guardian. The board of directors served as surrogates for parents as secondary guardians. The head manager of each clan business that employed youth were assigned tertiary guardianship. All businesses were set up with the clan as owner with the board of directors as head. What this boiled down to was that the entire Clan Wells Point was considered to be a family so all the businesses were family businesses.
On top of that most jobs for the twelve and thirteen year olds were titular. The main purpose was to instill a sense of responsibility by introducing them to the reality and responsibility of the adult world. They were expected to go to their ‘job’ after school for four days plus Saturday. Their primary responsibility was simply to be there. If they had homework, they were to do it. They fetched drinks, swept floors, emptied trash and other minor tasks. If they had an activity at school, church or similar group they were allowed time off, but that aspect applied to all ages.
*****
The first week of May the CWP Contracting & Construction storage barn on the end of Wells Point was emptied and the contents moved to the CWP Excavation and Concrete compound in St. Michaels. Once empty the two story storage barn was converted into eight - three bedroom one and one half bath condominiums finishing the last week of June.
Throughout May and June the clan was approached by several neighbors who were in financial trouble. There were two homes with docks on the north and west sides of Cherry Cove. Both were summer homes of the retired owners. Both sets of owners had lost over half of their retirement portfolio and could no longer afford the vacation homes. The clan made very lowball offers with a sweetheart incentive. The owner would receive a two week free stay at CWP Grandview B&B every year for life and their children would receive a one week free stay for ten years. They accepted.
There were over a dozen properties in St. Michaels that were also on the market. The clan was interested in the three adjacent to their holdings on the block formed by Talbot, Canton and Fremont Streets. The first was a clothing store with three apartments above. The business had been barely hanging on when the economy was good. Now the frustrated owner wanted to sell and retire. Next was a long narrow two story building that housed a books and games store with four apartments on the second floor. The parking lot behind the already clan owned buildings could be extended to cover their back yards. The last building housed an old fashioned country store that needed new life breathed into it with a second floor apartment.
While evaluating these stores, Mary Willis approached the clan. Mary owned the Charisma Clothing Boutique, a favorite with the clan women. While her store was successful, the down turned economy cut severely into her profit margin. The owner of the building housing her store was also hurt by the poor economy and raised her rent. The rise in rent was enough that once the summer tourist season was over Mary’s profit margin would turn from black to red.
The result was the clan bought all three properties and businesses. Mary Willis and her daughter Melinda, who had just graduated high school with Jamie, Freddie, Barney and Ken joined the Clan Wells Point bringing the Charisma Clothing Boutique under the clan’s umbrella. Tuesdays were the slowest business day so the clan mobilized and transferred the entire inventory from the rented shop to the clan owned clothing store blending the stock of the closing store into that being moved in. The clan teens acted like a human conveyor belt to carry the clothes and displays across and one block south on Talbot Street to the new location. CWP Charisma Clothing Boutique opened the next day. Since Mary and Melinda had lived in an apartment above the store the clan also assisted the women to move into a two bedroom apartment above the store. The Clan Wells Point was now one hundred seventy members strong.
St. Michaels Country Store was renamed CWP Country Store. The books and game store became CWP Books & Games. The former owners agreed to stay on through Labor Day to train new staff.
The clan also purchased the two businesses located in the buildings they already owned. The Christmas Shop became the CWP Christmas Shop and the gifts and candies store became CWP Gifts and Candies. The former owners also agreed to stay on through labor day.
Twenty five years ago the Jablonski’s had purchased an independent farm located west of the Bozman-Neavitt Road north of Wells Point Lane. To finance the farmland purchase the northernmost field was divided into twenty three building lots. Over the ensuing years when things got tight thirteen additional parcels that were not prime farm land were sold off for housing including the farm’s buildings. Bay Hundred Real Estate was handling the sales of six of those properties but with the economy in such poor shape they had few showings and hadn’t had any offers. There were also three properties adjacent to the Jablonski farm that Theo’s father had sold before Theo took over. Those were located between the farm, Turkey Neck Point and Harris creek to the west. The three homes, from south to north, were the three most luxurious and expensive properties on the Bozman-Neavitt peninsula. Bay Hundred Real Estate was the primary seller for them and had not even had anyone interested in seeing the million plus dollar homes. The economy was so bad the Bay Hundred Real Estate itself was up for sale.
The clan conducted all their banking business with the Talbot Bank of Easton, usually at the St. Michael’s office. It’s where they cut the deal to bring Walters Excavation and Concrete into the clan. Although Steven was physically limited, his business acumen was not diminished. With the clan directors he sat down with the head of the bank’s business loan department. Like every other business the bank was feeling the effects of the economic downturn. The cost of this latest spate of purchases and desired purchases would exceed the cash reserves of the clan. However, the opportunity to buy the properties at a low price was too good to pass up. For the first time the clan wanted to take out a business loan. There was no question about the clan having the property to back the loan. The bank approved the loan at the low bank rates. Several of the owners asked to finish the summer before vacating. The clan agreed with a slight reduction in the selling price to compensate rent. By June 30 the purchases were completed.
The clan did a quick remodel to the Christmas Shop carving out a fifteen feet by fifteen feet area in the front window on the side by Canton Street. That area became the site of CWP Bay Hundred Real Estate.
*****
Bill Dougherty’s twenty five person family arrived Thursday evening July 2 for their three day holiday weekend stay. They newly constructed condominiums had been furnished ready for occupation and that’s where they were staying. His family consisted of two sons, two daughter-in-laws, five grandchildren, five grandchildren-in-law, and eleven great grandchildren. Bill’s oldest son and his wife had two married children with two children each. The younger son and his wife had three married children. The oldest had three children and the other two had two each.
The grandchildren, their spouses and all the great grandchildren had only been to the farm for the funeral when their grandmother died almost five years before. At the time they really hadn’t seen the place. Now they were here to scope the place out as a possible future home.
The grandchildren and their families had driven in individually while the two brothers and their spouses came in one vehicle. They had between a three to five hour drive and they left after work and stopped for supper on the way. Bill with Krista and Tony greeted them as they arrived and showed each to the condo they’d be occupying.
Friday morning the clan gathered in the clan barn for breakfast and a meet and greet. The grandchildren and great grandchildren were awed not only by the size of the clan but also their friendliness. After they finished eating Krista, Tony, Jaz and Kylie pulled the DUKW from it’s garage. The grandchildren and great grandchildren eagerly climbed aboard. That Krista was the driver amazed everyone. Jaz spoke to the girls and Tony to the boys and Kylie to the adults as they drove about the clan lands. They were quite impressed with the clan’s dedication to operating as green as possible. The manure digester and vertical windmills were prime examples of the clan’s green initiatives. After touring the land areas, Krista drove the DUKW down the public ramp at the far end of Neavitt, then cruised around Broad Creek before heading up the boat launch at the CWP Landing. They enjoyed a picnic lunch then moved to the adjacent CWP Horse Rescue. The kids were delighted at the opportunity to go horseback riding. That evening they enjoyed a full meal in the clan barn.
Saturday morning, the fourth, the crew from CWP Excavation & Concrete trundled the old tug boat down a set of tracks into the waters of San Domingo Creek. Once in the water they fired up the engine. Although it had been two years since the small boat had been in the water it had been properly stored and maintained. Then they launched a pair of thirty two feet by fourteen feet construction barges. The sturdy tug gathered the barges and began pushing them out into broad creek. The tug and barges were used for building docks, boat lifts and also stabilizing the shoreline. The tug set off to make the hours long voyage around the Bay Hundred Peninsula to just off Fairview Point in the Miles River.
Later seventy five clan and guests boarded the DUKW, the Teacher’s Peace, The Coconut Island and Teens Ahoy to make the trek around the Bay Hundred Peninsula to join the slower moving barges. The Teacher’s Peace and Teens Ahoy tied up to the barges and dropped anchors to stabilize the conglomerate vessels. The DUKW and Coconut Island unloaded their passengers then cruised down to the public landing and dock at Newcomb southeast of St. Michaels to pick up clan members who had car pooled to be picked up. The slower DUKW made one trip and the Coconut Island made three trips. The one hundred ninety five people on the clan’s collection of barges and boats enjoyed a grilling hotdogs and hamburgers, swimming, and just enjoying the wide smooth waters of the Miles River. As darkness fell, the lights in St. Michaels and on docks and boats in the area made for a jovial atmosphere.
Once might completely fell everyone lined up along the shore and in over a hundred boats on the Miles River. Then an orange/white streak burst from the dark point of land about twenty five hundred feet north of the cove housing the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. The bright streak faded to nothing as it soared skyward followed a few seconds later by the thunderous BOOM of the mortar. Then a multi hued starburst appeared high in the sky above and yet reflected by the quiet waters like a fiery bloom amongst the stars. As the brilliant streaks dropped and faded half a dozen delay fused flash-bangs detonated. The multiple BOOMS echoing back and forth over the water.
Then the cannonade began. The mortars sending streaks into the sky as fireworks burst above, searing their brilliant light and vivacious color onto the mesmerized watcher’s retinas. Each one drawing an fantastical flower pattern into the sky. Every new streak a curve of sorts, brilliant lines with a living feel, organic in the way they grow. Fireworks explode above, vivid colors igniting the otherwise black sky. The brilliant soaring vermillion, golden and acid green flares of igniting minerals crafted to resemble flowers bursting at high speed. In between explosions the awed "ooh"s and "ahhh"s were heard throughout the crowd. The younger kids amongst the clan enjoy the thrill of shuddering at the sudden bangs as the adults smiled at the startled gasps of the children.
The phenomenal show ended twenty minutes after it started with a tremendous barrage of Booms and starry chrysanthemums. When the show ended the sudden silence was brief. Enthusiastic applause rippled amongst the onlookers as boats blew their horns. A few moments later the boats headed for their docks and the crowd on shore for their cars. The Coconut Island began the three trips to ferry the clan and guests back to the dock as the DUKW made one trip. The DUKW, Teacher’s Peace, and Teens Ahoy began the trip around the Bay Hundred Peninsula. By the time the Coconut Island returned from the third drop off run to pick up the last people for it’s return trip. The barges were well anchored and secured. They’d return the next day to haul them back to CWP Excavating and Concrete. The tug accompanied the Coconut Isle back to CWP Landing where all would anchor for the night.
By Sunday noon the barges and tug were back on land on their rails. The clan and guests gathered on Wells Point for another all day picnic. The safety net for softball was up and functioning. The Dougherty family thoroughly enjoyed the comradery and open acceptance. At one point the clan directors gathered them under a large canopy erected over six wooden picnic tables.
“I’d like to invite you to join the Clan Wells Point,” Robert addressed them. “You’ve all met my feisty granddaughter Krista.”
The Dougherty family smiled and nodded.
“This clan was created around her,” he continued. “What you see us doing, living together in harmony, helping others, is because of Krista. She has motivated us and given us a heart. If she see’s someone in dire need she does what she can to help them. You’ve met the Johnson family. They were involved in a catastrophic car crash right in front of us, trapped inside of their burning car. Krista ran to the wreck, crawled inside, removed the car seats and handed the children out to Jenny and Jamie. Ed and I were able to force the passenger door and we pulled Kelly out and carried her free. Ben was trapped by his arm and the flames were getting worse. Krista is the one who amputated his arm. It was the only way to free him.”
The looks of astonishment were clearly evident.
“Yes, she had the fortitude to cut off a man’s arm,” Robert affirmed. “Once he was freed I dragged him out with Krista making sure the tourniquet she’d placed on his stump wasn’t torn off. My hat was on fire, Krista’s hair, face and hands were burned and her jacket was on fire. The interior of the car was fully engulfed seconds after she got out. Krista is a force to be reckoned with.”
Jane explained the two Guardian Angels who looked over the clan telling how they had aided the clan. “I know much of what we’ve said seems impossible. On June 14 we had a picnic much like this one. An incident occurred involving Krista. The safety net we’ve erected is a direct result of that incident. A foul ball was hit heading directly for the toddlers. What happened was recorded.”
A projection scree had been set up. The recording began with the toddlers playing. The CRACK of the bat, the warning yells, and Krista’s leap saving the toddlers followed catching the catastrophic injury to Krista in all it’s gory. When Leroy was carrying her lifeless body to the first aid tent he’d traveled past the cameraperson capturing closeup the bloody smashed in face. Another person videoed the kneeling distraught mourning of the clan as Pastor Giles offered a heartfelt prayer. It also captured the moment the tent flap opened with Krista serenely exiting. The blood had been wiped away during triage but the ugly purple dent in her face was plainly visible. The absolute silence and awe of the gathered clan was captured as was the sunbeam piercing through the tree canopy to illuminate Krista’s crushed visage as she stood in front of her mother’s tombstone. As the intensity of the light on her face grew the recording ‘whited’ out for a few seconds. When the light faded the image revealed Krista healed. Her short speech had been captured.
They Dougherty family was clearly stunned. Specially when Krista stepped forward.
“I’m nothing special. I’ll admit at times I get a bit over zealous. I know what it’s like to live on the edge. I’ve been homeless and responsible for the safety of my younger sisters. I simply do what should be done. One of the phrases I hate is people who say somebody should do this or somebody should do that. Each of us are a somebody. If something needs to be done, simply do it! That’s what the Clan Wells Point is all about.”
“The last thing you need to know, in case you haven’t already learned, is that the clan is LGBTQ friendly,” Krista said. “We have nine male to female transsexuals, three female to male transsexuals, and six gay members. My aunt Kylie is a post op transsexual and adopted mother of two. Justin and Elaine are a pre-op transsexual couple who just had their second child. I’m one of the male to female transsexuals. To join the clan you’ll need to accept us. We’re willing to discuss or explain why we are LGBTQ. Finally, I hope to be able to welcome you to the clan.” With that Krista waited to see if anyone had questions, then left.
There was a lot of discussion, James, John, Darlene and Irene informed their kids and grandkids they’d learned of the LGBTQ aspect of the clan on their visit but had purposely kept it quiet.
“I’ll be the first to admit I always thought being LGBT was a choice,” James began. “We also had preconceived notions about them. I’ll freely admit that after meeting Krista and the other LGBT members of the clam our ideas and impressions were dead wrong. We fully accept that being LGBT is NOT a choice. Each of you have to decide whether you join the Clan Wells Point. You don’t have to join. But we, your parents or grandparents, will be joining.”
The discussion that followed was short. By mid afternoon Bill Dougherty’s family had decided to join the clan. They were welcomed aboard growing the clan to one hundred ninety five members.
It was understood the newest members had to return home to close out their affairs. By the end of July they were all back with the clan.
James, Bill’s oldest son, and Darlene Dougherty would settle into a two bedroom apartment above CWP Books & Games and take over management of CWP General Store. Their son Daniel and his wife Betty wold both join CWP Handcrafted Toys. They would live in one of the condos with their daughters Janelle, eleven, and Debbie, ten. Harry, James and Darlene’s youngest son and his wife Jeanette would take over CWP Books & Games. They would live in an apartment above CWP Charisma Clothing Boutique with their son Karl, nine and daughter Julie, seven.
John, Bill’s youngest son, and his wife Irene would take over the CWP Bay Hundred Real Estate and live in an apartment above CWP Hairy Wish Now. Their son Kevin and his wife Linda would take over the CWP Christmas Shop. With their daughter Megan, nine, son Curtis, eight, and daughter Judy, six would live in a three bedroom apartment above CWP Country Store. Their daughter Virginia and her husband Howard Smith would work on CWP Organic Farms and live in one of the condos with their son Dean, eight, and daughter Nicole, six. Their daughter Karen and her husband Mike Kline took over CWP Gifts and Candies and would live in the apartment above the store with their daughters Yvonne, seven, and Wanda, six.
The clan slowed their expansion until they regained financial stability, which for them meant no debt. While their assets far exceeded their debt, they didn’t want to overextend themselves. They prospered as many about them floundered.
The rest of the summer passed peacefully. Their organic veggies, meat, poultry, and eggs were in high demand. The expansion of the vertical wind turbines continued. Already the clan operations on the peninsula were energy independent. Soon they’d be selling enough electricity to more than offset what they had to purchase in their St. Michaels areas. The property purchases they’d made along Harris Creek provided lane side locations to add an additional three hundred windmills.
*****
This is the last chapter of A Summer’s Odyssey IV.
I hope you’ve enjoyed Krista’s Odyssey.
Rest assured Krista’s story is not over.
Real life and other story ideas do require me to take a hiatus.
Jennifer Sue
Boys will girls if they’re lucky.