Chapter 13

A garage door to the shop was open and they could hear Leo working inside. With a bit of nervousness the two young men headed inside. Both looked around in amazement at the clutter yet they could tell that it was well organized and regularly used. Leo was sanding the Bondo smooth on a fender that he had recently repaired. Leo sensed someone was behind him and put down the angle grinder to see who it was. With a smile he stood and removed the respirator, earplugs, and goggles he was wearing. The dust from sanding covered his body and with the respirator and goggles off you could clearly see where the dust had settled on his flesh. The smile on his face made Brandon and Gary feel welcome.

Chapter 14

With the vessel and personal licencing complete, Kylie and Krista took the DUKW out of Steves Cove on May 3. Frank and Ed followed them as a precaution. Needless to say, the appearance of the plaid DUKW in Broad Creek created quite a sensation. They traveled north in Broad Creek to the new public dock in St Michaels. They covered the five mile distance in half an hour. They briefly stopped at the dock to allow spectators a closer look and to discuss the DUKW’s performance.

They turned about and headed back down Broad Creek then proceeded around Neavitt and headed to the channel separating Tilgham Island from th rest of the peninsula. They created quite a stir when the drawbridge raised to let them motor through into the open waters of the Chesapeake bay. The waves in the main bay were three feet high. Frank and Ed were being tossed about in their twenty foot motor boat but the big DUKW merely swayed gently in the swells. They crossed the shipping lanes to the western shore, a distance of six miles, then turned around and headed home. The cruise lasted six hours and the DUKW performed flawlessly.

Before parking it in the barn, they made sure to use a high pressure hose to blast off any debris that had accumulated during the voyage. Leo had okayed pressure washing for his paint job at a maximum pressure of seventy psi. Once washed, Kylie and Krista took it inside and went over all systems checking for oil or grease leaks as well as all fluid levels.

The gathering that night watched video of the cruise taken from the motor boat and the DUKW. Everyone was eager to go out on the DUKW. They decided that after church, the Kylie and Krista would roll out the DUKW and in three trips would give everyone a half our ride from the CWP Landing in Johns Cove out into Broad Creek and back. The weather cooperated beautifully on Sunday and everyone enjoyed their ride.

The school year was winding down and Kylie and Larry’s wedding was growing closer. They had selected Saturday June 14 for the big date for a number of reasons. Actually, Krista initially suggested that date. It was the day her mother, Carol, made her then son Kristopher promise to take care of his sisters before she walked into the ocean to end her agonizing cancer thus giving her children a chance to reach safety in St Michaels. It was the day that transformed Kristopher from a bullied smaller than average boy to a driven teen who doggedly led his sisters on their Odyssey. The brave boy had no idea he was literally forever walking away from his boyhood. Because Krista emerged during the Odyssey, her confession of being transgendered to her grandparents, uncles and their aunt led directly to Uncle Larry saving Kylie’s life. Although totally unconnected to Krista’s adventure and confession, it was a quite fortunate coincidence that earlier during that day Kylie confessed her own transsexuality to the love of her life, Larry. In a fit of depression about Larry’s disbelieving rejection she tried to kill herself. Krista’s revelation lead to Larry understanding of what Kylie had been trying to tell him. When the realization hit him he finally grasped why Kylie had been so devastated by his rejection. Carol, in ghost form, delayed Kylie’s suicide long enough for Larry to reach her and save her life. The unsuccessful suicide was enough to convince Larry that he truly loved Kylie... which led to their wedding.

A secondary reason was because that weekend was the seventeenth annual Antique and Classic Boat Festival in St Michaels. The St. Michaels Business Association along with the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce decided to sponsor a four hour Saturday broadcast of the Boat Festival on WBOC Channel 16 TV. In addition to featuring the antique and classic boats, the local business could buy time for commercials. The DUKW certainly counted as a classic and an antique boat. With the cooperation of the sheriff’s department, the Maritime Museum, The St. Michaels Business Association, the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce and the town of St Michaels, the wedding became a scheduled a part of the boat festival.

The interactions of Serena and Misty with the Clan were becoming increasingly close. The knowledge the women had accumulated on living green was extensive and well used. They saw the Clan readily accepted their advice and that they were genuinely concerned with being environmentally friendly and organic in all they could. By mid May it was clear to everyone the women wanted to join the Clan and the Clan wanted the women.

The only concern for the women was their rejection of Christianity. At the Clan meeting on May 17, when their admission to the Clan was discussed, Serena and Misty brought the issue up.

“Krista spoke to me about your discussion the night you rescued them from the rain,” Rev. Giles stated. “My understanding of Wicca shows many tenant similarities with Christianity. Serena and Misty, please tell me if what I’m about to say is incorrect. Wicca recognizes that human intelligence gives people a unique responsibility toward the environment. They seek to live in harmony with nature in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness. Wicca does not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but does honor those who teach, respects those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership. Wicca believes in the affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness giving meaning to the Universe as they know it and their personal role within it. Their only animosity towards Christianity, or towards any other religion or philosophy of life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be ‘the only way’ and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice and belief. The prime Wiccan ethical teaching is "As long as it doesn't harm anyone including yourself and future generations, do whatever you want to." This has been criticized for being too permissive. However, it is actually quite demanding because it requires a Wiccan to carefully evaluate all of the effects that each of their decisions have on themselves, other people, future generations and the environment. Is all that correct?”

“That pretty much covers the basics,” Misty said. “I’m just surprised a pastor would know so much about a pagan faith.”

“When the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus when they asked him if it was right to pay taxes to Rome he asked to see a coin they had to use to pay the taxes. When he looked at the coin it had an image of Caesar on it. He answered them ‘Give unto Rome that which is Rome’s and give unto God that which is God’s,” Rev Giles smiled. “What Jesus told us in that is we have to live in the world but that we don’t have to be part of it. For me, that means having a knowledge of other beliefs. For many Christians, your denial of Christ would be repugnant. Unfortunately, those Christians are judging you. They ‘conveniently’ forget Christ specifically told his followers not to judge others. True Christians believe God will judge the soul of everyone when their earthly life ends. Worship of Yahweh began with the Hebrews. The covenantial requirements proved to difficult for humans to consistently maintain. God sent Jesus to give us an easier way, all we have to do is believe. But that seems to simplistic to accept so people made rules and requirements fracturing Christianity. The along came Islam as yet another way to worship the SAME God. Then outside the Yahwistic believers are Buddists, Shinto, Hindo, and others. Yet every one has the same base tenent of goodness.”

“My personal faith is Methodist Christianity,” Rev. Giles continued. “It’s a comfortable fit but I can’t agree with EVERY facet. Most mainstream non-believers simply can’t get past that an all powerful God would allow the hurt in the world to continue. It is a difficult concept. But I think God understands their reasoning and won’t hold it against them. Like Christianity, Wicca holds that living beings have souls. The essence of Wicca afterlife belief is that it is a resting ground where souls can reflect on the life they led, see if they learned the lesson they had intended on learning, and then try again in due course. It is not seen as a place of judgment, but rather as a spiritual self-evaluation where a soul is able to review its life and gain an understanding of the total impact its actions had on the world.”

“Basically, while I personally don’t agree with Wicca, I can respect it,” Rev. Giles surmised. “Obviously you can respect our faith. I think we can all grow by sharing our faiths without forcing it on anyone.”

Everyone readily agreed. The acceptance of Serena and Misty into the Clan Wells Point was unanimous. The pair agreed to merge their land holdings into that of the Clan. Rev. Miles Giles and Dr. Wanda Sykes-Giles moved into the former rental house next to Serena and Misty that had been vacant for two months.

*****

Life continued as the newest members easily melded into the Clan. Plans for upgrades and expansion
of the farm continued. With school completed for the year the teens were now available to help full time as final arrangements were made to increase the dairy herd. The new bovines were due to arrive the week after Larry and Kylie’s wedding.

At 10:00pm the night before the wedding, Kylie drove the DUKW to the back corner of the parking lot at St. Luke’s UMC Church. Larry and Leroy along with Tony, Jimmy, Dwayne and Phil followed in two pickup trucks. As quietly as they could, they hauled tarps from the back of the trucks and completely covered the DUKW tying the everything in place to keep it hidden in plain sight.

The day of the wedding dawned comfortably warm and sunny. The town was already teeming with visitors for the festival. A billboard size screen TV had been set up on the grounds of the Maritime Museum and it was being used to highlight some of the vintage boats. Harry Halls, the TV reporter from WBOC-TV Channel 16, was interviewing the boat owners as he featured their vessels on the broadcast. In between interviews he kept telling the viewers to stay tuned for a surprise.

At 9:40 Harry put on a pre-recorded piece and hot-footed it over to the church. At 9:55 he came back on the air from the rear of the sanctuary. “Now we begin the surprise we’ve been promising you. Since the end of September I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know a very special group of people. They call themselves the Clan Wells Point. They came together when Krista, a courageous thirteen year old, lead her two younger sisters on a walking Summer’s Odyssey from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to St. Michaels. This remarkable young lady was later kidnaped along with her boyfriend and his mother by the estranged father/husband who killed three men escaping prison. When the mother became too ill to drive, Krista took over driving the getaway vehicle. She purposefully wrecked the and wrestled the escaped killer inside the crashed vehicle, managing to kill while being shot twice.”

“As Krista was recovering, she was at a football game where she discovered and rescued a six year old girl who had been molested. Her family has adopted the little girl. After that Krista was instrumental in blowing the lid off the Apple Tree Health Care Scandal. I met her the night she led the cheerleader squad she cheered with as they performed MICKEY for a comatose girl rescued from Apple Tree, snapping the girl out of her two and a half year coma. After that, the people she’d drawn together formed the Clan Wells Point. The Clan has made a positive impact on this community. Today, we’re here to celebrate the wedding of Kylie Masters and Larry Scott. After the wedding, the bridal party and guests will drive to the public landing in town and take to the water in a vintage vehicle that nineteen year old Kylie restored over the last six months.”

“The wedding party, made up of Clan Wells Point members, is unique. Kylie Masters, the bride, is a post-op MTF transsexual. Krista, a MTF transsexual, the amazing girl who has been the catalyst for the Clan, is the maid of honor. Pat Scott, Krista’s adopted mother, is the matron of honor. There are three bridesmaids. Jamie is a MTF transsexual Krista saved from committing suicide and who was later crowned queen of the St. Michaels Junior Senior High School Christmas Dance, Jennifer Sue is a MTF transsexual who sought refuge with the Clan when her father beat her New Years Eve and killed her mother when she tried to stop the beating. Jenny killed her father while trying to save her mother. Jasmine is the young lady the cheerleaders awakened from the coma.”

“The groom is Larry Scott, Krista’s uncle. Kylie had attempted to explain she was in love with Larry earlier the day Krista explained to her family what it meant to be a transsexual. Larry realized what Kylie had been trying to explain and rushed off just in time to save Kylie from taking her life. The best man is Tony, Krista’s boyfriend. Larry Scott, Krista’s father, husband of the matron of honor and brother of the groom is the best Gentleman. There are three groomsmen. Freddy lost both legs in a tragic crash on Halloween and is recovering at the Youth Rehab Hostel the Clan established. He was crowned king of the St Michaels Junior Senior High School Christmas Dance and is the boyfriend of Jamie. Barney is standing on a set of prosthetic legs he has learned to use quite well. Sam is a FTM transsexual and the boyfriend of Jennifer Sue and Jimmy is the boyfriend of Jasmine.”

“Serving as ushers are two gay couples. Dwayne and Phil who attend the school and Brandon and Gary who recently joined the Clan. The open and caring nature of the Clan Wells Point has brought these diverse people together in an atmosphere of encouragement and acceptance. They have taken Jesus’ admonition that we should love our neighbors as we love ourselves to heart and they serve as a shining example for everyone to emulate.”

“The music for the wedding was prerecorded by the Clan Wells Point teenagers, many who are in the wedding party. These energetic teens have formed a band they call ‘Certain Change’. Music videos of Certain Change performing the musical selections will be shown on a large TV set up by the baptismal Font.”

With that the TV lit up showing ‘Certain Change’ with Jamie front and center and the others standing in a semi-circle behind her. No one had any instruments. They began to sing an acappella version of Noel Paul Stookey’s famous Wedding Song, There is Love. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPx3hADPjDI Everyone was stunned by the clear musicality of the song. The Wedding party entered, the guys from the side near the altar rail and the girls processing from the back. Kylie came forward on the arm of Bill Dougherty.

Kylie wore a retro styled knee length two piece ivory superior finish satin wedding dress. The simple yet sophisticated design was inspired by elegant vintage fashions. The unique dress had many subtle yet interesting details. It featured a bateau neckline in the front with a deep, sexy scoop in the back. A snug pencil skirt revealed a flattering curve hugging fit. A light weight full lace over skirt featured a wrap around sash that ties into a beautiful bow on the side. It was made from Ivory Superior Finish Satin. http://img2.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.213429502.jpg The brides maids dresses were the same style but in pink satin.

The procession ended with the song. Rev Giles stepped forward. “We are gathered here today in the presence of family and friends and others to share with the Bride and Groom the most important moment in their lives. We gather to celebrate the bond of a young couple full of love and commitment for each other. One of the popular sayings about marriage is that it a sharing of life in which the independence is equal, the dependence mutual and the obligation reciprocal. Kylie and Larry, you are now expected to bring the best individual within you, with a unification of yourself, to create a life together, to share all burden together, with smiles and love. You must, and I'm sure you will work hard to be the best person to one another. By this ceremony, you will become legally wedded husband and wife. Marriage is an integration of two souls and hence you both have to ensure that the coming compromises and choices of life are made out of promises for love, care and concern for one another.”

“Life, at times, will be full of obstacles and difficulties. Sometimes it may appear to be a roller coaster ride. In any and all cases, in every success and failure, you both have to remain united, stand for each other. Remember, a life with love will have some thorns, but a life without love will have no roses. Here, you promise to cross the boundaries of initial love and excitement. To listen, understand and grow with each other. Love is meant to intensify your joy and being together, you have to ensure that you equally divide all the burdens. If you truly love each other, you must promise here and now, to believe in each other. Remain friends with each other and make a life that makes you feel happy. Please make your vows.”

“I, Larry, with this ring, take you Kylie to be my wife, before God who brought us together; to love and cherish you, to be by your side and share all of life's experiences with you. That through God’s grace, Kylie, we might grow together into the likeness of God, for all the days to come.”

“I, Kylie, with this ring take you, Larry to be my husband, before God who brought us together; to love and cherish you, to be by your side and share all of life's experiences with you. That through God’s grace, Larry, we might grow together into the likeness of God, for all the days to come.”

Then Rev Giles spoke. “Will you ,Larry, have this woman to be your wedded wife, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, and forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do,” Larry said clearly and happily as he gazed into Kylie’s eyes.

Rev Giles smiled. “Will you, Kylie take Larry to be your wedded husband, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, and forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?”

“Oh yes,” Kylie gushed causing everyone to smile.

Rev Giles beamed. “In as much as Kylie and Larry have consented together in wedlock and have witnessed the same before this company, and pledged their vows to each other, by the authority vested in me by the State of Maryland, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

There was no need to tell Larry to kiss his bride.

“I present to you, Mr Larry Scott and Mrs Kylie Scott,” Rev Giles intoned.

With that, the TV lit up with ‘Certain Change’ playing “Moving Right Along” from the Muppet Movie as the bridal party recessed.

The bridal party and guests headed out to the parking lot as Harry cut to a commercial. Several members of the fire police were on hand. They had removed the tarps from the DUKW during the wedding. An airplane ladder had been placed at the rear entry of the DUKW to make it a bit easier to board the behemoth with a bit of dignity while clad in the wedding outfits. Tony and Krista climbed in first. Krista promptly sat in the drivers seat and started the engine as the rest of the wedding party climbed aboard. Two school buses were nearby to load the wedding guests. Kylie was the adult licenced operator but Krista had a junior licence so she could legally pilot the boat as long as an adult licencee was on board.

Arrangements had been made with the town and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum at Navy Point to allow Krista to drive the DUKW from the church four blocks south on Talbot Street, turn left onto East Chew Avenue, drive two blocks and turn left onto Harbor Road, drive two blocks and turn left onto the public boat ramp and into Church Cove. Leroy stood beside her to monitor her speed which was not to exceed five mph. Police, deputies, and firemen were at every intersection to stop and clear traffic on the route as Krista carefully maneuvered the behemoth through town. Harry Halls and crew filmed the bridal party exiting the church and boarding the DUKW. They led the procession in a convertible filming the caravan. The dark green, light green and pink plaid monstrousity could not be missed. It’s mere presence on the street drew everyone’s attention. The sidewalks quickly filled with people. Everyone recognized the green and pink plaid DUKW held the members of a wedding. Kylie and Larry stood at the back waving at the crowds as they waved at the wedding party. Everyone on the streets and in the DUKW was smiling as it slowly drove through town.

In Church Cove the Coconut Island and Teacher’s Peace (the name of the Spade’s boat) were docked beside the public boat ramp. As Krista turned the DUKW onto the boat ramp, the school busses pulled up beside the two boats docked just to the south east of the boat ramp. Krista waited on the ramp as the wedding party continued to wave as the wedding guests boarded the boats. Harry and crew moved to a twenty five foot cabin cruiser docked by the ramp. Once on board, the cruiser pulled out into Church Cove and moved out to where the narrow Cove widened by the Maritime Museum. A camera crew was on the dock by the boat ramp ready to capture the DUKW waddling into the water. The boats cast off and moved a few feet into the cove so both had a clear view of the DUKW. Dozens of boats waited on the sidelines and hundreds of people crowded the dockside.

“The last time this DUKW sailed the waters in the Bay Hundred area was back in June of 1972 when Krista’s great great granfather, James Wells, used it to rescue and supply people during the floods caused by Hurricane Agnes,” Harry announced. His commentary was being broadcast of the public address system of the Maritime Museum as well as on the TV and radio broadcasts. “Built in 1943, Mr. Wells bought the World War II craft at a US Navy surplus equipment sale. While he had maintained the DUKW over the years, it had never been overhauled. The strain of near constant use during the hurricane flooding took it’s toll on the old warhorse and while it did all it was asked to do and performed admirably, it needed a complete overhaul. Mr. Wells parked it in his barn and covered it with tarps until he could get the time to work on it. Like many of our good intentions, life kept those repairs from happening.”

“Then last summer Krista Scott arrived here. Thanks to the positive changes she’s made in nearly everyone’s life, her uncle Larry’s girlfriend, nineteen year old Kylie Masters, was invited to establish her Engine and Mechanical Repair business in the barn. After sitting for thirty five years, she decided to overhaul the DUKW and get it running. You can see the results. The DUKW has been painted in the tartan pattern of the Clan Wells Point. The Clan Wells Point is what the collection of sixty seven people Krista has brought together call themselves. Today, the DUKW is the processional vehicle for the bridal party. Just thirty minutes ago, Kylie and Larry Scott were married in St. Luke’s UMC Church. So far, only two people have qualified to operate the Clan DUKW. Kylie, the bride, who is obviously waving to well wishers, and her niece Krista Scott. The plucky thirteen year old has a junior licence and has been approved to operate the DUKW by the Maryland Natural Resources Police and the US Coast Guard and is piloting the vessel today.”

With that, Krista drove the DUKW into the water and engaged the propeller. With practiced skill, she made the ninety degree turn and motored up Church Cove towards the Maritime Museum. The two boats with the rest of the wedding party followed. The crowds along the sides of the Cove and in the Maritime Museum cheered as the DUKW easily moved by and out into the Miles river.

The water borne wedding procession led by the DUKW was a spectacular sight as they cruised among the many boats on the Miles River that had crowded the area for the Antique and Classic Boat Festival. Once out in the middle of the river, the two boats sailed slowly north while Krista took the DUKW back into the mouth of Church Cove where she did a U-turn and motored around the coastline of the Maritime Museum while the wedding party waved and they people on shore waved and cheered. Then the DUKW moved back into deeper water and once clear of the clustered boats, Krista went full throttle to catch up to the two boats with the wedding guests. Once rejoined, the small convoy sailed north into the Eastern Bay. From there they traveled around the Bay Hundred Peninsula, crossing through the Tilgham Island Channel and past the raised drawbridge, again waving at the people who came out to see the gaily painted DUKW. From there they sailed around Neavitt peninsula, up Balls Creek, and into Johns Cove to the CWP Landing. The DUKW maneuvered about the cove as the two boats tied up at the dock and the wedding guests off-loaded. With everyone lined up along the dock and shore, Krista drove the DUKW up the boat ramp. The airplane ladder was once more moved into position and the wedding party disembarked.

Tents had been set up and a catered meal was served. A recording of ‘Certain Change’ playing ‘It’s getting Better’ by Momma Cass Eliot was shown as the wedding dance where Larry and Kylie started their first dance as a married couple with the rest of the wedding party joining in. As the afternoon progressed, ‘Certain Change’ played several times.

As evening approached, a battered Ford Pinto station wagon rattled its way to the end of the lane. The noise of it’s arrival let everyone know someone had arrived but no one recognized the vehicle. Being cautious, Leroy led several of the men over to see what the person wanted. As he got close enough to see the driver, Robert recognized the woman. It was Susan Warren and she looked rather haggard. Most people knew she’d been battling cancer for the last two years.

Robert sent one of the guys back to the party to get Jane, Sheila and Pat as well as Drs Olsen and Sykes. It only took a few moments for the women to arrive. They immediately greeted Susan.

“I apologize for crashing the festivities,” Susan wearily began. “I saw the wedding procession on the TV and realized it was the answer to my prayers. If your Clan is willing, I’d like to offer a priceless wedding gift to Kylie and Larry. Are you aware of what happened to my Callie?”

Sheila and Dr. Sykes knew that Callie was Susan’s daughter and a classmate of Larry and Kylie. Everyone knew the girl had been rebellious and had run away in January of her senior year, never finishing high school. “We haven’t hear anything since the graduation of her class,” Sheila answered truthfully.

“I had no word from her until she finally contacted me two months ago,” Susan sighed. “She’s in prison in Texas doing twenty to life as an accessory to murder and armed robbery. Her so-called boyfriend did the deed but she was the get-away driver. They were caught quickly, tried, and sentenced.”

“Oh Susan,” Sheila gasped.

“It sure hurt but didn’t really surprise me,” Susan sniffled. “She finally called me because she was pregnant with twins and soon due. The state told her that unless a family member stepped forward the babies were to be taken and adopted into good homes. At least she has a bit of responsibility left since she asked me to take them in. Of course I had to agree to take them, but she was stunned when I showed up to get the twins. She had no idea I was so ill, she thought the babies would be safe me. I told her that I’d do my best to take care of my grandchildren or that I’d find a solid local family to take in the twins if I became worse. She shocked the hell out of me when she said she was sorry I was dying but that she trusted me to see her babies were well taken care off. All she asked was that whoever took them in would keep her updated on their development and would allow her to visit them if she ever got out of jail.”

“Susan, if there is any way we can help...” Jane smiled sadly.

“That’s why I’m here,” Susan sighed. “I’ve been following what’s been going on with your Clan Wells Point. I don’t think I could find anyone better to raise my grandkids than you. I’ve been too embarrassed to ask. Then I saw the wedding procession this morning. That Krista of your’s is a real spitfire. But it was Kylie and Larry who made me sit up. I’ll admit my views on gays and transgender people were not the best. But when I saw them in the DUKW I realized they were a happy couple, man and wife. I also realize Kylie can never have any children. I called Callie and spoke to her. At first she was surprised to learn Kylie was transgendered but quickly realized it explained a lot about how Kyle always hung around Larry. Discovering Kylie had SRS and was marrying Larry made her sad she missed all that had happened since Krista arrived. She knows Kylie and Larry are good people and she agrees with my idea. What I’m trying to say is that I’d like Kylie and Larry to adopt my grandchildren. Sonny and Rayne are in the back seat sleeping right now.”

Everyone stretched to peek into the basket buckled into the rear seat to see the sleeping faces of the babies.

“We’ll be delighted to adopt them,” Kylie answered as she and Larry held hands. They and many others had come to the Pinto to see what was going on.

Krista took one look at Susan and instantly saw that she was weak and fragile... very much like her mother before she ended her suffering by staggering into the ocean. Her heart went out to the woman and the infants. They didn’t have an older sibling to look out for them as she had her twin sisters. “Mrs Warren, the twins will be my cousins but I promise that I’ll be a big sister for them. In fact, I think everyone in the Clan will see that they have a lot of love as they grow up.”

“You must be Krista,” she smiled weakly. “If you love and help my grandchildren a tenth of what you did for your twin sisters, I’ll be able to die a happy woman.”

“Thank you, m’am,” Krista blushed. “But life doesn’t end when you die. My mother had cancer and when she couldn’t go on, she told me to lead my sisters here. Then she staggered into the sea and gave her earthly body back to the earth. But she didn’t die. Her soul has continued and she’s helped me and several others since then. We think of her as our guardian angel. I’ll ask her to visit you so she can reassure you life does not end. Once your earthly body dies, your spirit will be free to keep watch over your family. Someone told me death is simply a graduation onto the next phase of our life journey.”

“You are a very wise young lady,” Susan said as she managed a weak smile. “Knowing my death will not be the end is comforting. Being able to watch over my family after I’ve died will be a blessing. Thank you.”

Judge Watkins spoke up. “Susan, do you have all the legal documentation from Texas for custody?”

“Yes. I have it in a folder on the passenger seat,” Susan answered. “My cancer has spread to my liver. At best I have about a month left but it gets harder each day. I simply can’t meet the twins needs now and once I’m gone... well, when I saw Kylie and Larry...”

At that point Susan’s eyes rolled back and she began to slump to the ground. Fortunately there were able hands to catch her and carry her to a hastily cleared picnic table. It turned out she’d exhausted herself and fainted but everyone could tell just by looking at her the end was near. The three week old twins were removed from the back seat and taken into the house where they were checked out. They seemed to be in good health and well cared for, which meant Susan was most certainly hastening her end by doing more than she was capable of doing.

Judge Watkins issued an order granting immediate custody of the twins to Kylie and Larry and would begin adoption proceedings Monday. Heather volunteered to take the twins in until the three day honeymoon was over. When Susan awoke she discovered arrangements had been made to move her into the main farmhouse to pass her last days in peace and to be near her grandchildren and their new parents. Tears of joy and relief flowed freely down her cheeks.

The wedding party resumed, a bit somber with Susan’s impending death but also with joy that the twins would have loving parents. It was a VERY unexpected wedding gift but also the most cherished.

When it came time for the happy couple to depart, several loving couples smiled hoping that someday they too would share their wedding with The Clan Wells Point. Tony and Krista, Jaz and Jimmy, Barney and Jamie, and Jenny and Sam stood with their arms wrapped around their partner’s waist as Kylie donned her purple with yellow daisy painted helmet. With a wave to her friends, she climbed behind Larry and wrapped her arms about him. Much to the giggles of the little kids and the annoyance of his mother, he gunned the engine several times. The revving of the loud engine echoed back and forth across the Clan Wells Point land. Then the Snarley Harley took off down Johns Cove Road.

The end?