The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane - Part 1
By Barbara Lynn Terry
(Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Any similarities between this story and any real persons, living or dead, places, or things, is purely coincidental.)
Chapter 1 - Buying a new home.
John Shepard, (no relation to the astronaut), and his family were looking for a nice home to buy in a small town. As they were traveling, they became hungry, so they stopped at a restaurant in the small town of Pine Forest. The sign at the city limits said it was a city. The restaurant wasn’t too busy, so they found a booth by the window, overlooking the parking lot. When the waitress came to take their order, they were told the special today was beef barley soup, bratwurst on a bun, French fries, and choice of drink, and choice of dessert. John Shepard said that would be fine, and the waitress went to put the order on the wheel.
“You know, Eileen, this seems like a friendly community. I wonder if they have any properties for sale.”
John Shepard was six feet, two inches tall, one hundred and eighty pounds of solid muscle, and had a head of thick, brown hair. Eileen Shepard, was five foot, seven inches tall, and weighed one hundred a thirty five pounds. Her hair was California blond and shone when the sun hit it just right. James (Jimmy) Shepard was nine years old, going on ten. Katharine (Kathy) Shepard was seven years old, and loved to play with her dolls.
“I don’t know, John, we could ask the realtor and see.”
“Excuse me folks, but I couldn’t help but overhear. There is a cottage for sale over on Ginger Lane, you may want to look at.”
“Thank you, young lady. We will definitely do that. Where is Ginger Lane?”
“When you leave the parking lot, turn left and go one mile. Then turn right at the first road you come to. That is Ginger Lane.”
A bell rang twice, and the cook said, “order up”. “Your order is ready, be right back.” The waitress went to get their orders, and came back carrying them on a huge tray with legs. She passed the orders out, and asked if they wanted a refill on their drinks. John Shepard said yes. The waitress refilled their drinks and left them to eat in peace.
“So, I think we should look at the place from the outside, before going to the realtor,” John Shepard said, matter of factly.
“I think you are so right, dear. When we are finished eating, and our tummys are rested, I think we should go and look at this cottage, too,” Eileen Shepard added.
“Dad?” Asked Jimmy Shepard. “Does this mean we are moving away from the city?”
“Yes, son, it does. Your mother and I talked about this, and even though she was dead set against moving to a small town, she finally gave in and said that maybe a small town would be nice. Look at it this way, Jimmy. It is quiet here, there aren’t any sirens to speak of, and what else don’t you hear? You don’t hear gun shots every few minutes.”
“Only during the hunting season. The hunters never shoot toward town, but you can hear their shots, even from the center of town,” the waitress added.
“What is your name, young lady?” Inquired Eileen Shepard.
“Jaime, ma’am. Whenever you come in, ask for me, and I will be only too happy to wait on you.”
“Well, Jaime,” continued Eileen Shepard. “We will certainly do that. Dear, I think our tummys are rested enough where we can go and look at this cottage.”
“Alright, dear. Children, are we ready to go?” They both said yes. John Shepard left a five dollar tip for Jaime. Not only because she was on the ball serving their meal, but also, because of the tip she gave them about the cottage.
When they were all buckled in, John Sheppard started the car and backed out of the parking space. He drove to the end of the parking lot, and, when no cars were coming, he turned left on to the street. He went the one mile and saw a street sign that said Ginger Lane. He turned right, and saw houses and cottages along the street.
They came to a cottage at the end of the lane, that had only a placard in the window that said for sale. Apparently, they didn’t mar the landscape with for sale signs pounded in to the ground. As they were looking at the cottage, and John Shepard was writing down the phone number, a man came across the street and inquired as to what they were doing there. John Got out of the car.
“Hi, my name is John Shepard, no relation to the astronaut. We were told at the diner that there was a cottage on this lane for sale. I was writing down the number when you came over.” The two men shook hands.
“I’m George Simons, I live in that white cottage a cross the street. Are you thinking of buying the cottage?”
“Yes, George. We came from Saginaw and we were looking for a quiet small town to settle in. See, I’m in the hardware business, and my company delivers hardware supplies all over America and Canada, too. I just needed to get out of the city and settle somewhere quiet and peaceful.”
“Well, this is the town. We have a block party, now and then, during the summer, usually on Saturdays. We also have a guys night out when all the guys get together to have fun throwing darts, playing pool, maybe a poker game and hoisting a few brews.”
“That sounds like a lot of fun. But, George, I don’t drink alcohol. I may have a 7up to make it look like I have a drink, but, I don’t drink alcohol. What do the wives do, while we are having our fun?”
“Well, John,” George answered his new friend. “They either have a baking bee, or play canasta at my house, or go shopping, or do whatever it is that women do, when their men are away.”
“I see. So, they aren’t just sitting home twiddling their thumbs.”
“Not these gals. No sir, they have just as much fun as we do, if not more.”
“That is nice to hear. I travel a lot because of my business. Is there anything my wife can do, while I am gone and the children are at school?”
“Yes, there is a lot she can do. She will get to know the other wives, and they can tell her better than I ever could. I work during the day, so, whatever they do while the men are working, the other wives will tell her. You mentioned school, John. The school here is actually in the next town west of here, or what you might call on the other side of town. You have to go there to register the children for school. The school bus picks up the children right at the end of the lane.”
“Sounds good to me, George. Where is the realty office?”
“It is in the center of town, right next to the hardware store. There is a sign above the door that reads Parker Realty. You can’t miss it.”
“Thank you, George.” The two men shook hands again, and John Shepard got into his car, and told his family that they were headed for the local realty office. It took less than five minutes to get there, as Pine Forest is a small town of sixty five thousand people.
As they pulled up in front of the realty office, and John had parked in the parking space that said “Realty Office Customers Only”, Janice Parker was watching them from her desk. As they entered the realty office, Janice stood up to welcome them.
“Hello, folks, welcome to Pine Forest. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Yes, there is,” John Shepard started to say. “We are interested in the cottage at the end of Ginger Lane.”
“Yes, the Widow Harkins place. She died two years ago, right in front of the supermarket. She had a massive coronary. She was a very well respected lady here. Always had a kind word for everybody, even those that have been in trouble with the law. Were you looking to rent the cottage or buy?”
“We were looking to buy. I’m John Shepard, and this is my family. Eileen, my wife, Jimmy, my son and Kathy, my daughter. I have a friend who is a house inspector, and I called him when we were on the way here. He will be here in an hour.”
“What sort of business are you in, Mr. Shepard?”
“I own a chain of hardware stores and a hardware delivery service that supplies hardware stores here in America and Canada. It is a very lucrative business. We came here from Saginaw, and are looking for a quieter setting in which we can hear ourselves think.”
“Well, Mr. Shepard,” Stated Janice Parker. “You can certainly do that here. We don’t have any gangs, or drive by shootings like you do in the city. It is peaceful here, and if you like the chirping of crickets, you hear a lot of them at the cottage.”
“I was thinking, Ms. Parker, that I could open a hardware store here.”
“It’s Janice, Mr. Shepard. The one hardware store that we do have, is just a neck above water. There doesn’t seem to be that much need for hardware any more. Not like there used to be. When a new house is built, then the contractor buys enough nails, screws, hinges and whatever else they need to build the house with. But, other than that, there isn’t much call for hardware. When people need something for their cars, they go to the garage on Elm Street for what they need. The hardware store here, is all but closed.”
“That is a shame. Hardware is needed no matter what the project. I will have to stop in there and talk to the proprietor. Maybe I can find out what it is that is going wrong. Maybe.”
“Well, I am sure that he would welcome any input, especially from someone in the business.” Just then a car drove up outside.
“It looks like my house inspector is here. Let’s go and take a look at the cottage. While he is inspecting, we can look at the inside waiting for his report. His name is Scott Andrew Block. He has been a house inspector for seventeen years.”
Janice let them in, and Scott went right to work. In the meantime, Eileen was mentally rearranging here and there. The children went to the bedrooms, and each one picked the room they liked. There was a bigger bedroom, but they said mom and dad would want that one. The kitchen was spacious and had a counter in the middle. It also had a table and six chairs.
They looked at the living room, and you could fit a whole big apartment in there. The dining room was huge also.
“The widow Harkins loved her space. She said she had a little secret, that when she was a young girl, they had a two bedroom apartment that wasn’t more than a walk-in closet. So, when she had this cottage built, she wanted enough room to move around in.
In the meantime, Scott was going over every nook, crack, hole and cranny. He didn’t find anything in the basement, except that cracks and holes needed to be filled in. He knew John knew how to do that. Then he looked at the crawl space above the kitchen. There were no roach tracks, no termites, no bugs of any kind.
“Well, John,” Scott started talking to his friend. “The place is solid, I didn’t see any bugs. There are a few minor cracks and a few holes in the basement. But, other than that, the place is sound.”
“That sounds good, Scott, send me the bill to 1734 Ginger Lane, Pine Forest.”
“Friends don’t bill each other. We’ve been friends for years. I’m not going to let a bill ruin that friendship.”
“I have heard of true friends, before,” Janice stated. “But I have never seen it in action, until now.”
“John and I have been friends for almost as long as I have been a house inspector. As for the cracks and holes in the basement, they are minor, and John knows how to fix them.”
“Well, let’s go to the bank, and I will draw out the money necessary to pay for the cottage.”
“Don’t you want to talk about payment terms, Mr. Shepard?”
“Janice, I have seen what I need to see. If Roger tells me the cracks and holes in the basement are minor, then I will take his word. No, Janice, there is nothing to discuss about payment terms. I am paying cash for the cottage, outright. But, we need to go to the bank, so I can draw the money out, and have a cashiers check issued for the amount, made out to Parker Realty.”
“I wish all my customers were as easy to handle as you. I get customers that argue about the price of the land, or the price of the house and land. This cottage also has three acres of land that go with the sale. The cost of the cottage and the land, together, is one hundred and seventy five thousand dollars. That is why I said we could discuss payment terms.”
“Janice, the payment terms are this; I will pay cash for the cottage and land, without an argument. The three acres of land would be good for a garden. No, Janice, the only payment terms, if you will accept them, is cash.”
“Of course I will accept them. That is, if you can make that kind of payment.” Scott started laughing. “I don’t understand what is so funny.”
“Ma’am, John can not only pay that price, but he can afford ten times that much. His hardware business is very lucrative. He will be gone on trips between the states and Canada for most of four months. He keeps a good eye on his business. But, he never charges for the cost of airplane tickets to his customers.”
“I see,” Janice said, with surprise in her voice. “Well, let’s go to the bank, then.”
The group, Scott included left for the First Mercantile Bank of Pine Forest. When they all drove up to the bank. They all formed a group and went in. One of the tellers recognized Janice and greeted her right away.
“Good afternoon, Miss Parker.”
“Good afternoon, Tom,” Janice said with a smile.
“Hello Janice. Who are your friends?”
“Clients, Jim. This one, she said pointing to John Shepard, “is buying the widow Harkins cottage. He is paying cash.”
“Welcome, welcome. Please sit down and let’s talk about how you are going to pay cash.”
“Here is my bank information. It will take one hour for my bank to transfer the funds of one hundred and seventy five thousand dollars.”
“Well, Janice, this isn’t a client, he is a guardian angel come to help this poor town out of its slump.”
“Are things really that bad here?” Inquired John Shepard.
“The only business in town that has anything really going, is this bank. Even though our name is First Mercantile, we are not a part of the national chain of First Mercantile banks. But, our assets are plentiful, and the townspeople can live off of the interest. For a small town like this, that is saying something. Now you come along and want to buy a property for one hundred and seventy five thousand dollars. Our assets are going to soar, now, and Janice can definitely live off of the interest. Mr. Shepard, welcome to Pine Forest. Wait, I am being signaled.” Jim came back with a big smile on his face. “Mr. Shepard, your money came through. Janice let me have the deed, so that I can register it right away. Mr. Shepard, maybe you would like to open an account here.”
“I will see, Jim. Right now, I have to go back to Saginaw and get the movers going so we can get our furniture up here. Thanks for your patience. Scott, would you like to join us. I think it is dinner time.”
“It is my treat, Mr. Shepard. The realtor here always buys the meal for the client on the first day. Let’s go over to the restaurant, and get something to fill our tummys.”
Janice took her car, and John and family, plus Scott went in their car. They met at the diner, and went in together. Jaime was still working. She recognized John and his family. When she saw they were with Janice, she had a big smile.
“Good afternoon, Janice, John. It is nice of you to come back. I see you are with our local realtor. Does that mean you bought the Widow Harkins cottage?”
“Yes, Jaime, it does,” answered John, to Jaime’s inquiry.
“What can I get you folks?”
Janice ordered for all of them. She ordered the prime rib dinner with mashed potatoes, spring peas, peach cobbler for dessert. Of course, she also ordered milk for Jimmy and Kathy and coffee for the adults. It took a while for the cook to make all the orders, because prime rib takes a while to cook, even on a grill. Twenty minutes went by, and the cook rang the bell. Jaime went to get their orders. She passed them out, and then said she would be right back.
Chapter 2 - John Shepard and family take possession of the cottage.
As they sat there and ate their dinner, they talked about many things, including the square dance coming up next Saturday.
“Do you know how to square dance, John?” Inquired Janice.
“Yes, my whole family knows how to square dance.”
“That is good, then. The children have their own square dance area. This way they can have fun, and won’t be in the way of the adults. I knew there was something about, you, John, when you came in my office. Does your wife know any card games?”
“Yes, I do,” answered Eileen Shepard. “I play canasta, hearts, five hundred rummy, gin rummy, Skip-Bo, Phase ten, Uno, and many others. I even play bridge.”
“Okay, then. I asked because on Ginger Lane, the wives get together once a week to play canasta. Sometimes they play other card games, as well. You should enjoy yourself really well there. Are we done then?” Everybody said yes. “Then let’s pay the bill and you can go to your new home, here are the keys to the cottage. Good luck.”
Janice paid the bill after leaving Jaime a ten dollar tip. With the sale she made today, she could afford to be extravagant. With the money from the sale in her account at the bank, she was now in the upper crust of Pine Forest society. Janice went back to her office, and John with his family and Scott, drove to their new home. When they got there, George Simons came over to talk to them.
“I see you bought this cottage.”
“Yes, George, we did,” John Shepard answered his new neighbor. “But, we have a dilemma. I have to go back to Saginaw for a few hours, and the children are tired. The only thing we have right now, is the floor. They need a bed to sleep in.”
“Let me call Ruth McGuire. She has three daughters. Your daughter could spend the night there, and your son could spend the night at my house. I am sure my son would love the company.”
“What do you, think, dear?” John Shepard inquired of his wife.
“I don’t see any harm in it.”
“Alright it is settled then. Jimmy will spend the night at your house, and Kathy can spend the night at your friend’s. By the way, what is your son’s name?”
“His name is Jay. He is nine going on ten.”
“So is Jimmy.”
“Two boys the same age, having a sleepover. Jimmy’s first one in his new neighborhood.”
“Just that, we didn’t bring any sleep clothes for either of them.”
“That is all right, John,” George replied. “Jay has a pair he can borrow for the night.”
“Alright, then, he can spend the night at your house.”
There was something the Shepard family didn’t know. Ginger Lane had a very big secret only few people outside of the lane knew about. No, they weren’t axe murderers or anything like that. But this secret had to do with Jay Simons.
“I will tell you what, George. Let’s wait until I come back from Saginaw. I will bring Jimmy’s and Kathy’s sleepwear.”
“Okay, John, sounds good to me. It is only six o’clock now. We have plenty of time. How long did you say you will be gone?”
“About three hours. I have to call the movers and tell them we are ready to have the truck come and start loading. They will make sure that all the furniture is covered in plastic, and the dishes are already packed. Everything but the furniture is packed and labeled. I had better get going. Be back soon.” John Shepard hugged and kissed his wife and hugged and kissed his children on the forehead. After telling them he loved them, he left.
“I will be back over when John gets back.”
George left, and Eileen Shepard and the children went to investigate more of the house. The first thing they did, was look for the bedrooms. There was one bigger than the other two, and that Eileen told the children, was for her and daddy. Then they went to look at the other rooms. There was a bedroom that looked like it was for a girl. Of course, Kathy claimed that right away. The other bedroom was for Jimmy. It had wallpaper that looked like a brick wall. Jimmy loved it.
They went back in to the kitchen, where they all sat down. They talked a little, while they waited for John to get back.
“Mom, what if I don’t like spending the night at George’s?” Jimmy asked.
“Then you come back here. Maybe your father will bring the beds, as well the sleepwear. That is a very big maybe, though. We will wait and see, I guess.”
“Mom, did you meet this lady George called Ruth?” Inquired Kathy.
“No, dear, we haven’t met anyone, except George.” It was then the doorbell rang. Eileen went to answer it.
“Hello, I’m Ruth McGuire, this is my sister Elaine Schwimmer, and this is Dotty Winston, and Georgia Williams. We live here on the lane. Welcome to Pine Forest and Ginger Lane. May we come in?”
“Yes, please, come in.” Eileen told the ladies. “By the way, I’m Eileen, and my two children are in the kitchen. Please, follow me.”
“George told us we were getting new neighbors. Better watch out for him, he likes to gossip and spread rumors.” Ruth told Eileen.
They went in the kitchen, where Jimmy and Kathy were sound asleep.
“The poor dears,” Elaine Schwimmer remarked. “They must have been really tuckered out.”
“Yes,” stated Eileen. “They had a very busy day today. Let’s take some chairs and go and sit in the living room.”
Very quietly, they removed the chairs to the living room. They sat down and talked.
“Anyway, I brought some donuts, coffee and milk for the young ones.”
“Did someone say donuts?” Inquired Jimmy Shepard.
“Oh, honey, we thought we would let you sleep, at least until your father returns. Well, ladies, looks like we can have our treats in the kitchen after all.” Eileen told the assembled group.
They all went in the kitchen, where Ruth McGuire opened the box of donuts. The children were the first to select their favorites that were there. Jimmy like the ones with the little sprinkles on them. Kathy liked the chocolate covered donuts. After everybody took their donut, and Dotty Winston poured the coffee for the adults and milk for the children, they talked some more while they ate.
“Do you play canasta, Eileen?” Asked Georgia Williams.
“Yes, I do. I play a lot of different card games.” Eileen Shepard answered her new neighbor.
“Well,” Ruth McGuire started to say. “We have a canasta game with the wives once a week, when the men are out having their fun. I …”
“Excuse me, Ruth, I don’t mean to be rude, but we were talking about the children don’t have their beds or their sleepwear. George Simons offered to have Jimmy spend the night at his house, with his son Jay.” Eileen said, sounding concerned.
“Jay is a nice boy. He loves to make friends. But, there is something you should know, now that you are officially members of the cul-de-sac community. Jay is what you call a transsexual. That is, he feels like a girl on the inside, but is a boy on the outside.”
“What is the cul-de-sac community?”
“It is the nickname the townspeople gave us, because the end of the lane ends in a turn around dead end. Just like the cul-de-sacs in the bigger towns.”
“I see,” Eileen said. “So, about Jay. Does he dress like a girl, and act like a girl?”
“Yes, he does. He even goes to school dressed as a girl.”
“I … uhm … I don’t really think I want Jimmy around that kind of influence. See, he and Kathy have been brought up to believe that boys will become men, and girls will become women. There is no in-between. It is even stated in the Good …”
“I don’t mean to be rude, Eileen,” Dotty Winston interrupted. “But Jay is a wonderful boy. He is just a little mixed up. We have a doctor just two doors down from you. He is also a psychiatrist. He has been treating Jay for about a year, now. His name is Dr. Wayne Schiller, and he tends to all of us here on the lane, when we get sick, or need something to calm our nerves, or, if we get too anxious about something.”
“Like anxious about Jay being around your children?” Asked Eileen.
“Oh, no,” replied Elaine Schwimmer. “Jay is friends with all of the children on the lane. It is just that he feels he is a girl inside of his soul. He is nine, going on ten, and for one so young, according to Dr. Schiller, Jay may be suffering from what he calls pseudo-transgenderism. He said that is where a young person thinks they are the opposite sex in their souls, but don’t have the mannerisms of that gender. But, you don’t have to be afraid of Jay. He is harmless.”
“I will have to discuss this with John when he gets back. He should be here in about an hour, or so. Then we will see what the verdict is. I think we should get to know everyone, before we start making any plans about the children staying at someone else’s house for a sleep over.”
“Well,” Ruth answered Eileen’s query. “We are having a block party tomorrow, so you can meet everyone who lives on the lane. Some of the men are still working yet. But, please, Eileen, don’t be afraid of anyone here. We are a close knit community here on the lane, and while we do have police protection, we watch out for each other.
“We watch out, especially, for the children. We are not isolated here, but this is the only street in town that is six blocks long and ends in a sort of cul-de-sac. So, you see, Eileen, there really is nothing to fear here, from anyone of us.
“The only person on the lane that is slightly different, is Jay, and he is struggling to make new friends. Other people outside of the lane, keep a wide berth around Jay when he is taken in to town to go shopping, or anything else. That is because they have an unwarranted fear of Jay, because they don’t know what to think about him. But he is harmless, he really is.”
“Well, like I said, before. I will wait until John gets back, and I will talk to him about this.”
“Talk to me about what, dear?” John said, coming in to the kitchen.
“You’re home early, dear,” Eileen Shepard said, giving her husband a kiss and a hug. “These ladies were just telling us about George’s son, Jay. They have been telling me that Jay is a transgender child, but the doctor that lives two doors from us, is actually treating Jay for what he calls pseudo-transgenderism. This doctor is also a psychiatrist. Also, dear, we are having a block party tomorrow, so we can meet the people who live in the lane.”
“That sounds wonderful,” remarked John Shepard. “But, I am concerned about George’s son. See, while we are not Bible thumpers, as that term is used disparagingly, we do believe that we were made male and female in our bodies. The children go to Sunday school, and they are learning about what is in the Bible.”
“May we set the Bible aside for a moment?” Inquired Dotty. “There are many people, young and old, who are the same way that Jay is. Most of these people are what is known as a true transsexual. I am hoping that once you get to know Jay, you will have the same attitude towards him, that we do. See, John, we not only protect Jay, but we protect all the children and watch out for all of us. Like we said, we are a close knit community here on the lane. Did you ever hear the phrase,’it takes a village’?”
“Yes, I have, many times. I will have to ask a Lutheran pastor about this. I only hope this is not an indication of the decay of society and the actual end of the world. But, I will have to ask my pastor. Where is the Lutheran church here?”
“It is over on Pine street. That is the cross street right there by the diner. You turn right, when you see the diner, and go two blocks. The church is right on the corner of Pine and Locust streets. Pastor, Wilkes, will welcome you to the congregation, and then you can talk to him about anything you wish. But, he does know about Jay.
“On Sunday, come to church with my sister and I. We are members of the Lutheran congregation here in Pine Forest. I think you will find his sermon very interesting.”
“It isn’t that I fear Jay, it’s just that I was taught something completely different. That is what I taught my children. Now, we are told that there is this boy who dresses and acts like the girl he believes he is. I’m not sure that I am comfortable with that. The movers won’t be here until tomorrow morning, around ten or ten thirty. I want to draw up a few plans to build an addition to the cottage. Jimmy, would you like to help me?”
“Yes, Dad.
“Kathy, do you still want to spend the night at Ruth’s and meet her three daughters?”
“Yes, dad. I would love to meet them.”
The sleeping arrangements, if you will, having been made, Kathy left with Ruth to go to her house. With her nightgown and tooth brush in hand, they walked the two blocks to Ruth’s house. As they entered the house, Kathy saw three girls watching television. She went to the bathroom, after being told where it was, and left her tooth brush in the covered tooth brush holder. The cover was to prevent dust from getting on the tooth brushes. Kathy then went back to the living room.
“Girls,” Ruth said, interrupting their television program. “I want you to meet someone who just moved in to the neighborhood. Come and meet Kathy Shepard. She’s going to be spending the night.”
“Hey, Kathy, I’m Francine, these are my sisters, Darlene, she’s nine, and this is Tanya, she’s seven, going on eight. I’m eleven. It is nice to meet you, Kathy.”
“It is nice to meet all of you, too. My daddy couldn’t get our beds up here until tomorrow when the movers bring everything on the big truck. I have been on sleepovers before, but those were all weekend long. What do you do here, when you have a sleepover?”
“Well, we do a lot of things. We play around with each other’s hair to see what styles suit us best. We polish each other’s fingernails, we have a fashion show, and we play games. We do a lot when we have a sleepover.”
“Alright, where do I sleep?”
“In the guest room, or you can sleep in one of our rooms. We all have bunk beds, in case we do have a sleepover.”
“Well, I don’t want anyone to think I am picking favorites, so, let’s get your mom to make straws. The short straw, then I sleep with Tanya, the medium straw, I sleep with Darlene, the long straw, I sleep with Francine. But, when we do our sleepover thing, we all do them together. Right?”
“Yes,” stated Francine. “I will get my mom to make the straws and then bring them in. She can hold them while you pick one. That will be the one in whose room you will sleep in.
“So, you bought Mrs. Harkins place. Everybody in town loved her. She helped people as best as she could, and when she died, everybody in town turned out for her funeral. Even the businesses closed because they went to her funeral. You have bought a good house. Okay, so what do we want to do before bed time?”
I think we should get the straws picked first, before we do anything else,” stated Kathy Shepard.
“I think you’re right, Kathy. Wait here while I get my mom to make the straws.” Francine disappeared in to the kitchen, there was talking the girls couldn’t make out, because they had a swinging door at the kitchen entrance, and it was closed. When Francine came back out, she was with her mom.
“Francine tells me that you don’t play any favorites, and that drawing straws is the only way you all can solve the sleeping arrangements. Alright, ladies, Kathy gets to pick only one. So, let’s see just how good she is.”
All the straws were even at the top, so as not to give the length of the straws away. Kathy started reaching for one, then pulled her hand away. She thought for a moment, and then she picked the straw that in the middle. That meant that Kathy will sleep in Darlene’s room.
It was then, that they decided to watch the late show movie. Tonight was The Creature From The Black Lagoon. They sat and watched the movie, after Ruth had made them a bowl of popcorn to share.
Darlene showed Kathy where she could put her nightgown. The movie was great. They really hung on to each other, when the creature climbed on to the boat, to get the girl. When the movie was over, all four girls were yawning, so, they decided to get ready for bed.
Since this was Friday night, they really didn’t have to go right to bed. What they did was, they had an impromptu fashion show. Kathy wore one of Tanya’s dresses, and shoes. Francine did the emcee thing, when Kathy came in to the bedroom from the hallway. Next was Tanya, then Darlene, and, of course, Francine was last.
After the fashion show, Francine asked Kathy if she had to go home right away in the morning.
“The reason I ask, Kathy, is because it would be great to have a full weekend sleepover. That way, we can style each other’s hair, polish our nails, go down to the mall and just look around. I could ask mom for a few dollars so we could each get a pair of plastic earrings.
“Do you have pierced ears, Kathy?”
“Yes, Francine. I have had pierced ears for a few years.”
“Good. Because then we could buy the earrings, and wear them right away out of the mall. Then we come back here and do something else. Just what, I haven’t the foggiest.” The girls giggled when Francine said that in a pseudo British accent. “I heard my father say that once, just like that, I think.” They all giggled again.
Tanya was wondering about Kathy. This was the first time they had met her.
“Kathy,” Tanya said. “Do you like to play with dolls and doll buggy’s?”
“Yes, Tanya, I do. I like to pretend I am a mother taking her baby for a walk in the park.”
“I like to do that, too,” Tanya added.
“It sounds like you two have something in common,” Ruth said, coming in to Darlene’s room. “Tanya does have two dolls with a buggy for each one. You are welcome to use one while you’re here.”
“Thank you, but I do have my own doll and buggy. I could bring it over the next time I stay for a sleepover.”
“That sounds very good. Are you girls sleepy?”
“No, mom,” Darlene answered. “We were thinking about watching another movie.”
“Well, I asked, because the movie Young Frankenstein is coming on.”
“Alright, mom, we will be right down,” Darlene added.
The girls went downstairs to watch Young Frankenstein.
They laughed at the antics of Marty Feldman as Igor (pronounced I-gore) son of Igor (pronounced E-gore). Young Frankenstein was a very funny movie. When it was over, the girls went upstairs to go to bed. Kathy was given the lower bunk, while Darlene slept in the upper one. After saying goodnight, the girls were asleep in no time.
When morning came, each of the girls took their turn taking their bath. When they were all finished with their baths, and they were dressed, they went downstairs to have breakfast. Breakfast was pancakes, bacon, orange juice and milk.
When the breakfast was finished, the girls all chipped in and helped with the clean up. Kathy’s job was to put the dishes away, and was told what went where by Ruth, who supervised the clean up. She actually did clean the dining area, but the girls did the dishes. When you have one girl washing, two girls drying and one girl putting the dishes away, the clean up goes really fast.
With the clean up completed, Kathy said that she should go home and let her mother and father know how the sleep over went. She told Tanya, Darlene and Francine to come with. Ruth had no objection.
“I think it would be nice to meet our new neighbors. I have already met them. You girls go with Kathy. She also has a brother named Jimmy.”
“Alright, Kathy, we will go with you,” Said Francine.
Kathy and the three girls went over to Kathy’s house. It was early yet, nine thirty, and the movers hadn’t been there yet. As they walked in the house, they saw Jimmy, Kathy’s mom and dad, asleep sitting up at the kitchen table. When they saw this, Kathy put her forefinger to her lips in a “shhhh” motion. They went upstairs, because Kathy wanted to show her new friends what her new room looked like without furniture in it.
“I wanted this for my room right away when I saw it.”
“It’s really pretty,” Francine said, looking at Kathy’s room with envy.
“I wish I had this for my room,” added Tanya.
“My room isn’t this pretty,” remarked Darlene.
“Let me show you Jimmy’s room. It is very nice, for a boy’s room.”
Kathy took them to Jimmy’s room and showed them how the wall paper was set up.
“It looks like a brick wall,” remarked Darlene.
“That’s why Jimmy likes it so much. It will be nice to see how he wants his room to look when we get everything from the other house. My daddy said he was listing it with our realtor, so she can sell it for us. But, when Jimmy and I came up here, looking for our bedrooms, I picked mine right away, and when he saw his room, he loved it. I hear mom and dad downstairs.” The girls went down to the kitchen.
“Mom, dad, I want you to meet Francine, Darlene and Tanya. I want to spend tonight with them, too. Their mom said it was okay. We had a lot of fun, yesterday.”
“Well, I don’t see a problem,” John Shepard said.
“I don’t either,” added Eileen Shepard. “So, what did you girls do all night?”
“We watched scary movies. We watched The Creature From The Black Lagoon and then later, we watched Young Frankenstein. That was more funny than it was scary. Before the movies, we had a fashion show.”
“Well, Kathy, you can spend the night, but, I want a full report for my family book I want to write someday.” John Shepard laughed, while the girls all giggled.
Kathy knew that her mother wouldn’t write a book, and if she did, she would probably put everything in it that the kids, their dad, and anybody who gave her something juicy to write about. But, Eileen Shepard never even started the book she so facetiously stated that she was going to write one day.
“Did you bring your nightgown home to be washed?”
“No, mom, I’m sorry. I was in a hurry to show my friends mine and Jimmy’s room.”
“It doesn’t matter, right now, anyway. Just be sure to bring it home, before you go to bed tonight.”
“Yes, mom,” Kathy answered her mother.
“Kathy,” John Shepard started to say. “I would like to see Ruth’s house. Is she home?”
“Yes, daddy. You can come with us, when we go back. I also came to get a fresh change of clothes. Tomorrow is Sunday, and Ruth wants to go the Lutheran Church with her and my friends, here.”
“That’s fine, Kathy, because we will meet you there. Then your father will come and get you right before bedtime. Tomorrow, you start school here, so you will need your rest.”
“Yes, mom. Mom?”
“Yes, dear.”
“Where did the summer go? Didn’t we just get out of school for the summer, yesterday?”
“There is a saying that goes like this; ‘time sure flies when you’re having fun'. You did have a fun summer. Now, you spent the night in your new neighborhood with your new friends, and on top of that, you had fun. So, I won’t keep you and your friends, get your change of clothes, and give me a hug.”
Kathy gave her mother and father hugs and kisses, then went to get her change of clothes. She also looked, but her Sunday dress hadn’t come from the old house, yet.
“It is okay, Kathy,” Tanya stated. “I have a Sunday dress you can borrow.” The change of clothes she got, she brought with her, when they went house hunting. That was just in case they found a house. Well they found one and now Kathy needed clothes.
They went downstairs and Kathy told her parents they were leaving. She said an ‘I love you’ to both her mother and father, then they left for Ruth’s house.
When they got to Ruth’s house, Tanya told her mother that Kathy needed to borrow a Sunday dress.
“That is fine, dear. I’m sure one of your Sunday dresses will fit her.”
“Alright, mom,” Tanya said, answering her mother.
The girls all went up to Francine’s room, and there they listened to CDs. While they were playing the CDs, they were dancing to the music. Francine, Darlene and Tanya were very happy that their new friend could dance so well.
“How many sleepovers have you been to, Kathy?” Inquired Darlene.
“At our old house, I used to go to sleepovers every weekend, at different friends houses. We had a lot of fun. In the winter we would all get together, and build snowmen. One day, one of the girl’s older sister’s came with us, and she built a sleigh, seven reindeer, and a Santa Clause in the park by our house. It was up all through Christmas, until some boys knocked it down.”
“At least it was up for Christmas,” Tanya said, with a mischievious smile.
“So, what do we want to do? Today is Saturday, and there are late shows on until one o’clock in the morning. Our church service, isn’t until one o’clock in the afternoon.”
“I know what we can do,” Tanya said, excitingly.
“What can we do, Tanya? Asked Darlene.
“We can go to the mall, and just window shop. Maybe try on a few skirts and dresses.”
“That sounds like a good idea. We have the whole day. Where is the mall? Inquired Kathy.
“It is on the other side of the community center. We can walk there, and it would only take us fifteen minutes.” Answered Francine. “Let me ask mother, if we can go.”
When Francine asked Ruth if they could go to the mall, Ruth had no objection. Ruth gave Francine enough money for them to get a lunch at the food court, if they were going to be there at lunch time.
Francine went back upstairs to tell the others.
“Mom said we can go, and gave me enough money for all four of us to get lunch in case we’re there longer. This mall was just built three years ago, and it has a lot of stores in it. Kathy are your ears pierced?”
“Yes, Francine they are. My mom had my ears pierced for about a year, now.”
“Great. Let me ask mom for a little more money, so we can all buy earrings. There is a store in the mall that sells decent plastic earrings. These are what they hypoallergenic. That means they won’t turn funny colors and infect your ears. Let’s all four of us go and ask her.” They all went downstairs, so Francine could ask Ruth if they could a little more money so that each of them can get a pair of earrings.
Ruth gave mthem each twenty dollars to buy something nice for each of them. When they had everything they needed, they headed for the mall. The Pine Forest Mall was on Pine street, just two blocks past the school.
When the developers said they were going to build a mall just two blocks from the school, the parents of Pine Forest became concerned that their children would skip school, just to be at the at the mall. But, their fears were baseless, because sine the mall has been open, not one student from Pine Forest skipped school just to be at the mall.
Pine Forest was a growing community. With a mall, and a business main street that was four miles long, Pine Forest was actual classified as a city. In fact, The sign at the city limits said; “Welcome to the City of Pine Forest, population, sixty five thousand.
Alpena, Michigan is also a small town and it is classified as a city. What people don’t know about Michigan, is that it has a lot of small towns that are called a city. So Pine Forest is, to all intents and purposes, a city. Of course, any town with a population of sixty five thousand people, is actually a city.
Anyway, the four girls started for the mall, but Kathy wanted to stop at her house first. When they entered the house, they girls went straight to the kitchen where Eileen Shepard was washing vegetables for dinner. She saw the girls come in.
“Hello, Ladies, what may I do for you?”
“Mom,” Kathy started to say. “We’re going to the mall. May I have some money to buy a new skirt and blouse, maybe a nice dress, or, even a pair of jeans and a shirt?”
“Mall, hey. Where is the mall here?”
“It is on the other side of the school. Francine said you can’t miss it.”
“Okay, I guess you can have enough to buy a few things. But, I am going to trust Francine with the money, because she is the oldest, and seems like she is responsible enough to handle the money. Francine have you ever went to the mall without your mother? I don’t mean as a group, like you are now, but by yourself.”
“Yes, Mrs. Shepard. I have gone to the mall and bought clothes for all three of us, when mother was busy.”
“Alright, then, I am trusting you with Kathy’s money. I am also going to give a few dollars so you can buy something mice, too. Like maybe a pair of earrings, or maybe a nice skirt, or dress, or something like that. If you girls are going to go to the mall and do any shopping, you need money.”
“Yes, thank you, Mrs. Shepard. My mom gave us money to buy all four of us a nice pair of plastic earrings. But, they will be hypoallergenic.”
“How is it, that a girl your age knows such a big word?”
“Mrs. Shepard, I’m a girl, of course I know such a big word.” Everybody giggled. “Besides, my mom told me a long time ago, that is what I had to look for when buying a pair of earrings or even a ring or necklace.”
“She is right about that. All those other silver or gold plated jewelry will just turn green and leave green marks on your skin. Those green marks could cause an infection. So, yes, hypoallergenic is what to look for when buying jewelry. Kathy, you drop whatever you buy here, on the way back.”
“Yes, mom, and thank you.”
“Yes, thank you, Mrs. Shepard,” Francine echoed.
____________________________________________________________________
Next time: The girls at the mall, Jay and Jimmy
The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane - Part 2
By Barbara Lynn Terry
(Author's note: See Part 1 for disclaimer.)
Chapter 3 - The girls at the mall.
When the girls got to the mall, they looked around in different stores, which took most of the morning. Kathy Shepard told the others they should go the Gap and see what she could buy with the money her mother gave Francine McGuire to hold on to. So, all four girls headed to the Gap. When they went in, Kathy saw a really nice skirt, and she went to try it on. After she got it around her waist, it was just a tad too big. Then she remembered, they were in the women’s section.
Kathy gave the skirt to the lady at the changing room desk. Then all four girls went to the girls department, and she looked for a complete ensemble. She found one, but the tee shirt, leggings and retro skirt were separately priced. So, with the money Francine had for her, Kathy bought the tee shirt and the leggings. She would ask her mother for the money to buy the skirt.
Not finding any earrings in the Gap, they went in search for some really decent ones. There were costume jewelry stores in the mall, and one of them had a pair of earrings that looked like oyster shells. Of course, they were plastic, but a lot of girls and women are wearing fashionable plastic earrings these days. With the money that Francine had for her and her sisters, they looked at several pairs, until Tanya told francine what she wanted.
“Sis, these are beautiful. Look, they have deer.”
“Yes,” Tanya,” Francine said. “If you want those, we will buy them for you. Darlene, have you found a pair, yet?”
“Yes, Francine,” Darlene said, answering her sister. “I picked out these ones that have stars.”
“Mine are these ducklings.” Fracine held them up so that everyone could see them.
Kathy hadn’t made a choice, yet, because she was still looking. She looked through several pair Finally Kathy found a pair that were really nice. She remembered to look at the card and see if the posts were hypoallergenic. They were, so Kathy bought them. They were replicas of the moon. Finally, Francine yawned.
“I think we should go to the food court and get something to eat.”
“I second the motion,” Tanya said, in answer to Francine’s suggestion.
They all went to the food court, and then they had to have a discussion of what to get. That was because, if anybody has ever been to a mall food court, you know the lines are long. Today was no exception. The girls decided to get in the shortest line, at the Taco Bell stand. They pooled their money and got a box of one dozen tacos, for everyone to share.
They took their order of tacos and sodas, to the tables set up for customers of the food court. As they ate, they talked about their trip to the mall.
“I think,” Francine was saying. “That if you get more money to buy that skirt, then I will ask my mom if we can have enough money to get each of us an outfit. Those leggings will look good with that skirt.”
“Yes, Francine,” Kathy was agreeing with her friend. “I had better do that right away tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow is the block party,” Tanya said. “We can’t miss the block party. There’s going to be a carnival, and I would love going on a few rides.”
“Yes, Tanya,” Francine agreed. “We will go to the block party.”
The Ginger Lane block party was started right after Mrs. Mae Harkins died suddenly of a heart attack. There was a memorial fund set up for the purpose of giving a scholarship for sports or academics, to a deserving student of Pine Forest Senior High School. The reason the block party was held in Ginger Lane, is because that is where Mrs. Harkins had lived. She was well loved by the people in the lane, and by the townspeople. So, the girls decided that after they were done with their tacos, they would head home. Kathy had an idea.
“I know what we can do. When we get back to your house, girls, we can watch spooky movies.”
“That would be great,” Darlene agreed.
“I love scary movies,” Tanya said, in a serious tone.
The girls put the trash in the trash bin, and started for home. It was such a nice day for the middle of September, they decided to walk the mile and a half to Ginger Lane. As they walked, they talked about what scary movies they should watch. Francine had an idea.
“We can watch A Nightmare On Elm Street, and maybe a spooky murder mystery, and follow that up with Thir13en Ghosts.”
“We could even watch a favorite of my mom and dad’s. It is called The Hound Of The Baskervilles. A spooky, misty moor is just as scary as Freddie Krueger.”
“You are so right, Darlene. There is another one we can watch, too. It is called Sleepaway Camp. That one is very scary.
Those are all good movies,” stated Kathy Shepard. “The one I like isn’t a scary movie, but it is a science fiction movie, called The Day The Earth Stood Still. It was made in 1951, and my dad’s favorite. I have seen it a couple of times, and it is funny in parts, and very serious in others. But, it isn’t scary. We could watch that one, too, after I put my new clothes in my room.”
“Alright, Kathy. If we don’t have the dvd, then you can get it from your house,” added Darlene. By this time they were on Ginger Lane.
They went directly to Kathy’s house. Kathy announced herself as she got inside the house.
“I’m in the kitchen, dear,” Eileen Shepard answered her daughter.
“Mom, I bought part of an outfit. I had enough money to get the leggings and this tee shirt,” Kathy said, pulling the clothes out from the bag. “There is a skirt that goes with this, but I didn’t have enough money for it.”
“Well, I can’t have my daughter dressed in just a partial outfit. How much is the skirt, dear?”
“It said $24.95 and it is at the Gap.”
“Alright, dear, I will give you the money tomorrow and you can go and get the skirt.”
“Mom!” Kathy said, indignantly. “Tomorrow is the block party. Francine said they even have a carnival there.”
“Yes, I know. Your mother was over here looking for you four. I told her you hadn’t come back, yet. So, what are you four going to do for the rest of the night?”
“Mrs. Shepard, do you have the dvd of The Night The Earth Stood Still? Kathy thought we might watch it in between the scary movies.”
“Yes, Francine, it is in the living room, by the t.v. So, you’re going to watch scary movies, hey. Which ones did you decide on?”
“We thought we would watch The Hound Of The Baskervilles, A Nightmare On Elm Street, Sleepaway Camp, and if we have time, we could watch Thir13en Ghosts.”
“So, you’re going to watch a Sherlock Holmes mystery. The Hound of the Baskervilles is a good movie. It was made in 1939.”
“I’m going to put my new clothes in my room.”
“Alright, dear,” remarked Eileen Shepard. “Put the bag where you want your dresser to go.”
“Alright, mom, I love you,” said Kathy Shepard, giving her mother a hug and a kiss. “Then we’re going back over by Francine’s so we can watch these movies.”
“Well, you have a good night. See you at the block party.”
Kathy Shepard put her new clothes in her room and then the four girls went back over to Ruth McGuire’s house.
“Mom,” Francine called out.”
“I’m in the kitchen, Francine.” They all went in the kitchen.
“It’s about time you four showed up. I was wondering what was taking so long. Well, anyway, I told your mother why we have this block party every Saturday, in the summer, then every other Saturday in the winter at the community center.”
“Do you like our new earrings, mom?” Asked Tanya.
“Yes, I do. They’re really cute, and very fashionable.”
“Mom,” Darlene said in a serious tone. “We’re going to go and watch The Princess Diaries and maybe The Parent Trap with Lindsay Lohan.”
“Alright girls. By the way, did you have lunch?”
“Yes, mother. We pooled what money we had left, and bought a twelve pack of tacos from Taco Bell, and sodas.”
“Alright, well, dinner won’t be ready for another four and a half hours. So, enjoy your movies, girls.”
The girls all went in to the living room to watch The Parent Trap with Lindsay Lohan. This is one hilarious movie. The original Parent Trap with Haley Mills is also funny. But the remake with Lindsay Lohan is just as funny. Darlene put the dvd in the player, and they sat on floor in front of the sofa, to watch the movie. All through the movie they laughed at the antics of Lindsay Lohan playing a double role as a twin. The movie was especially funny at the beginning when Lindsay Lohan is dropped of at the girls camp. The things she gets into are very funny. Then comes the time to finally tell everyone who they really are. The camping trip they go on just before school starts is especially funny.
When the movie was over, it was stretching time. The girls went in the kitchen and each one took a soda. Ruth McGuire always kept a supply of soda, juices and cocoa just in case the girls had a sleepover. Tonight was Kathy Shepard’s first sleepover in her new neighborhood.
“Thank you, Mrs. McGuire for having me spend the night.”
“You are very welcome, and we are glad to have you. Kathy. Tomorrow you are going to see how we have fun on a Saturday here on Ginger Lane. We call it the block party, but everyone in the lane is invited as well as the townspeople. This is a tribute to the late Mrs. Mae Harkins, who passed away suddenly. This is our way of honoring her. The money collected from the carnival, and the refreshments, go in to the Mrs. Mae Harkins Memorial Scholarship Fund, for giving a scholarship to a deserving student.
“There is a lot of fun to be had during the block party.
“I think I’m going to like living here,” Kathy said, with a cheery smile.
The girls went in the living room to watch The Princess Diaries. They all loved this movie, because Anne Hathaway as Mia Thermopolis goes from one misadventure to another, starting with her school speech as to why school uniforms are needed. She doesn’t complete her speech, but runs from the classroom. The next scene has her and Caroline Goodall at a rock climbing gym, where Caroline Goodall, playing Anne Hathaway’s mother, tells her daughter that her grandmother is in town and points out that she is the live one.
Caroline Goodall then says that the grandmother wants to have tea with Anne Hathaway. Incredulously, Mia Thermopolis can’t believe that her grandmother came all the from Europe just to have tea.
The grandmother, played by Julie Andrews, informs Mia that she is the princess of the small country of Genovia. Mia says, “shut up!” where upon Julie Andrews says, “I beg your pardon.” The waiter then explains that in America, shut up doesn’t always mean be quiet. Then he goes on to explain alternative definitions. But, Julie Andrews isn’t having any of her young granddaughter’s surprised comments. Mia asks why would her grandmother pick her to be their princess. It is explained that since the untimely death of her father, she is next in line to inherit the throne of Genovia.
The movie goes on from one misadventure to another, especially when Hector Elizondo appears as the royal head of security. It is one fabulous movie that is very entertaining.
With the movie being over, Ruth McGuire comes in the living room and tells the girls to get washed up for dinner. They all go to the bathroom to wash their hands, then they all go back down to the dining room.
“Kathy, since you are our guest, would you please say grace?”
“Yes, thank you, Mrs. McGuire. Dear God, thank you for this food that you have put before us, and thank you so much for letting me make new friends. I ask this in the name of your son, Jesus. Amen.”
“Very nice, Kathy. Are you in a Bible study group?”
“Yes, Mrs. McGuire. They told us when we pray to God, to make sure that we ask His favor by saying that we ask whatever we pray for to be done through His son, Jesus.
“That is true. Jesus said, ‘that no man shall enter the kingdom of heaven, except through me’. Alright everybody, dig in as the saying goes.”
The dinner was pot roast, cooked carrots, baked potatoes, pearl onions, cabbage, celery, and the girls had milk, while Ruth had coffee. They talked while they ate, telling Ruth that they were going to watch The Hound Of The Baskervilles first, just so they could get in the mood. Then they were going to watch A Nightmare on Elm Street, Thir13en Ghosts, and then Sleepaway Camp.
“Sounds like you have a busy night scheduled,” Ruth said, with a smile.
“Mom, this is Kathy’s first sleepover here in the lane. What we need to do, tomorrow, is …”
“We need to be at the block party, sis,” Tanya said, indignantly.
“Yes, you are so right, Tanya. We will be at the block party. While we are there, we can do each other’s nails. I mean, we don’t have to be in the house to polish fingernails,” Darlene added.
“I agree,” Francine stated. Then, that is what we will do.”
After they were finished eating, the girls all chipped in to get the kitchen and dining room clean, and help with the dishes. When the cleanup was done, the girls all went in the living room to watch their movies. Darlene put in The Hound Of The Baskervilles, starring Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes, and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson. It said on the dvd case that this movie was made in 1939.
1939? My goodness! That was way before any of the girls were born. But a Sherlock Holmes mystery, originally written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is a timeless story that can be told again and again. The girls sat in awe as they watched Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson go from one clue after another to solve the mystery. When the movie was over, Kathy started talking.
“Now you know why this is my mom and dad’s favorite mystery.”
Tanya picked the next dvd, and she picked The Day The Earth Stood Still, 1951, starring Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, Sam Jaffe and Billy Gray. The story is a must see, but, if everybody on planet Earth would follow the moral of this story, there would definitely be world peace. Michael Rennie plays a human from another planet, who came to earth with a warning and an ultimatum. Of course, wouldn’t you know it, nobody cared about the message in the movie, because, I mean, after all, it was just a movie. Right?
Francine picked Thir13en Ghosts, (2001), for the next movie. This movie was one of mazes, writings on the glass, and all these ghosts trying to get at the nephew of the man who died leaving him his house, fortune, and collection of malicious ghosts. The uncle who died was a collector of strange and exotic things, including the ghosts. There really isn’t much to say without ruining the whole movie. That is, if you like scary movies.
For a whole one hour and thirty one minutes, they sat transfixed to the tv. Thir13en Ghosts is one of those movies. When the movie was over, Tanya put the dvd back in its place, and then took out Sleepaway Camp. This is another movie you don’t want to say anything about the plot, because it will ruin the whole movie.
The girls all screamed at the appropriate times during the movie, because it was that type of movie. When this movie was over, all the girls agreed that they had had enough of scary movies for one week. They put the couch pillows back on the couch, and then went in the kitchen to get a soda.
Chapter 4 - The block party.
By the time they were finished with their sodas, it was bedtime. Tanya, Darlene and Francine gave their mother a kiss and a hug. Kathy Shepard did the same. They went up to the bedrooms, and Kathy was going to sleep in Tanya’s room. Tanya let Kathy use one of her nightgowns.
After they were finished cleaning up in the bathroom, they both went to bed. The neat thing about the McGuire household, is that they have bunk beds in each of the girls rooms. The McGuire girls always slept in the upper bunk, in case they had a sleepover, and their company slept in the lower bunk. It was company manners, after all.
It always seems that as soon as you close your eyes, you have to wake up. Or, is it that you don’t remember falling asleep to begin with? Morning dawned bright and early for the residents of Ginger Lane. They had to get up, and set up the tents for the refreshments. There would be two beer tents that would be run by adults, and the soda tent which the children could run.
Jay Simons always ran the soda tent, because it gave her something useful to do. Everybody living in the lane respected Jay for who she was, not what they wanted her to be. Because of this, Jay was friends with all the children of Ginger Lane.
Jay’s father, George Simons, would be running the brat and hotdog grill, while Jim Winston, Dotty Winston’s husband, would be running the chicken and roasted corn grill. That left one more grill, and that was run by Bob Schwimmer, Elaine’s husband. Dotty had a daughter, Colleen, and she usually helped Jay with the soft drinks, because a lot of people liked soda over beer.
The police had Ginger Lane all blocked off from the highway leading in to town. There was already a line of townspeople waiting to get in. Admission was free, but you had to pay for the rides, food and drinks. When the girls came out on the street, they saw the carnival had already been put up. Jay and Colleen were already getting the refreshment out in the coolers that had dry ice in them.
This was going to be a promising weekend for the Mrs. Mae Harkins Memorial Scholarship Fund. Jay Simons went to the barricade and told Tony Palmetti that he and Greg could open the barricade. The townspeople entered Ginger Lane in orderly fashion. There was no pushing, shoving or threats. The people of Pine Forest, wanted this block party to continue, because it’s for a good cause and in memory of a very well respected lady.
Anthony (Tony) Palmetti was thirty three years old, and has been a police officer in Pine Forest for the last twelve years. His rich, full head of light brown hair, complimented his sky blue eyes, and muscular build. His partner Gregory (Greg) Olsen, was thirty three years old, and had been a police officer in Pine Forest for the same length of time as Tony. They actually went through the academy together.
“How is it going, Jay?” George Simons asked of his child.
“It is going good. So far we have twenty four dollars in the till.”
“Well, that is good. Keep up the good work, Jay,” George Simons told Jay.
Jimmy found the girls, and showed them the money his mom gave him for the rides. He asked if they wanted to come along. All four girls said yes, and they proceeded to the midway. They all took a vote as to what ride to go on first. Whenever the carnival came, they always brought the Ferris wheel. So, they voted to go on that one, first. They loved it when the Ferris wheel stopped with them on top. They could see the whole town and surrounding countryside.
While they were at the top, Jimmy noticed a girl at the soft drink tent.
“Whose that girl, down there, giving out sodas?”
“That is Jay Simons. She always helps out every time we have the block party,” Francine told Jimmy.
When the Ferris wheel got to the bottom, and they got off of the ride, the girls wanted to go on the Til-a-Whirl. Jimmy gave the tickets to Kathy and said he would keep enough for him to play a few games. The girls went by the Tilt-a-Whirl and waited in line for their turn.
“Why did Jimmy say he wanted to play games?” Asked Darlene.
“He did seem like he was thinking about something,” Francine added. “I wonder if it had to do with us telling him who the girl was, at the soda tent?”
“You could be right, Francine,” Kathy said. “He did seem like he was far away.”
It was then they saw Jimmy taking Jay up toward the barricade. It seemed that Jay was crying. They went to join Jimmy and Jay. Jay had a black eye.
”Officer,” Jimmy said, getting their attention. “A guy bigger than Jay, beat Jay up and gave her this black eye.”
“Jay, would you recognize him again, if you saw him?” Asked Tony Palmetti.
“Yes, officer Tony. He is still by the soda tent.”
“I would recognize him, too, officer,” Jimmy added.
“Greg, can you hold the fort, while I go and take a look?”
“Sure, Tony, you go ahead. I will be all right here.”
Tony and the two boys went over by the soda tent where Colleen was doing her very best to ignore the bully.
“Hey, look, we could sit on the top of the Ferris wheel and smooch a little bit.”
“Young man, do you have a problem minding your own business?”
“This ain’t none of your affair, flatfoot, so beat it.”
Tony grabbed a hold of the bully, and started walking him toward the barricade.
“What’s your name?”
“David Carruthers, and you had better let me go, before my dad beats some sense into you.”
“Young man, how old are you?”
“I’m twelve, flatfoot. So, like I said before, this ain’t none of your affair.”
“Everything that goes on on this street is my affair today. I suggest you wait right here. We will have someone pick you up.”
David smiled, thinking he had won the battle. Little did he know, that when the squad they called arrived, David would be going to the detention center.
“See, flatfoot, I told you I would win.”
“Win what, David? You’re going to the detention center. You caused a person an grievous injury. I know that you probably think that the person you beat up doesn’t have a friend in the world, but, everybody on the lane is Jay’s friend.”
“You freaking asshole. I’m going to get my dad’s gun and come back and shoot you in the head with it.”
“Did you hear that, Greg? He just legally threatened my life. Son, you are being arrested for injury by conduct regardless of life and threatening the life of a police officer. Oh, I see your taxi has arrived. Don’t worry about the fare, we will pay it.”
“What have were, then, Tony?” Asked Steven Hastings.
“This young man here beat up Jay. Then he threatened to get his father’s gun and come back and shoot me in the head with it. We have a real winner here, Steve.”
“He threatened you with his father’s gun while you were in uniform?”
“Yes, he did. He is being charged with being a delinquent, injury by conduct regardless of life and threatening a peace officer with bodily harm.”
“You know, Tony, I think I will take him right to the jail. Maybe tomorrow we can ask the district attorney to have him waived from children’s court, to adult court, so we can try him as an adult.”
“You can’t try me as an adult, I’m not sixteen.”
“Listen, you little punk, if they can give a 6 year old in Florida the death penalty for kissing a classmate on the cheek, we can certainly try you as an adult. How old are you?”
“I’m twelve.”
“You’re older than twelve. How old are you?”
“Alright, I’m fourteen. But, you still can’t try me as an adult. I’m from Detroit, and I know that you can’t try a minor as an adult, under sixteen.”
“Oh! I am so sorry. My bad. What did you say your name was again?”
“David Carruthers, and where I come from, that name means something.”
“Yes, well, here it means you are a trouble maker. So, now, you will go directly to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200. Let’s go, young man.”
Steve put David in the back of the squad, and drove to the Pine Forest city jail. In the morning, David will be taken to the chldren’s court center, where the didtrict attorney will move to have David waived in to adult court to be tried as an adult. Steve couldn’t but think, that if David was as nasty to the judge, like he was to the him and the other officers, the judge won’t even blink, when David gets waived in to adult court. But, Steve wasn’t going to say anything.
When David got to the jail, and was shown a cell with no one in it, he had a fear run through him. Steve told David to get in the cell, and Steve locked the cell door.
“This is where you are going to spend the night. Tomorrow, we are taking you before the children’s court judge to have you waived in to adult court. You have a nice night.”
Steve left the solitary confinement area, and returned the keys to the officer on duty. David started getting madder by the moment. Then he started yelling and swearing very loudly. The jailor came in the cell area, and looked at David.
“What’s is going on? Why are you yelling?”
“You better let me go, screw, or my dad will come down here and give you an ass whipping.”
“Is that so? Well, then I guess I had better let you go, then.”
“Now you’re talking. Those other flatfoots wouldn’t listen to me.”
“All right, then, I will be right back.”
The jailor left, and David, thinking he had won this one, sat down on the hard bench seat, and started whistling. He waited and waited for the officer to come back, but it didn’t seem like he was going to. David said aloud to no one.
“That flatfoot fooled me. I’ll get even with him. Wait ‘til I tell my dad.”
In the meantime, Steve was on his way to a house where a family had just moved in. He pulled up to a two story frame house, and went and rang the doorbell. A balding man of about forty answered the door.
“Yes, Officer, may I help you?”
“Yes, is your name Carruthers?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Do you have a son named David.”
“Yes, that is my son’s name.
“What is David’s full name?
The man looked at Steve with suspicion.
“His name is David Allen Carruthers.”
“What is his date of birth?”
“August 8, 2002. Officer, why are you asking me these questions?”
“Because we have your son at the city jail, waiting to see the judge in the morning. Judge Reynolds is not going to like having to come in on a Sunday, to hear a delinquency case, but, given the severity of the charges against him, David will be lucky if the judge doesn’t send him to a girls residential treatment center.”
“He beat up a girl?”
“In a manner of speaking. May I get your full name and date of birth, please?”
“Jonah Wilson Carruthers, April 2, 1982, I’m thirty four years old.”
“Mr. Carruthers, I’m officer Steve Hastings, Pine Forest police department. David got in a little trouble today, when he beat up a transgender individual. He compounded that charge when he threatened to get your gun and come back and shoot me. He is charged with injury by conduct regardless of life and threatening a peace officer with bodily harm. We are going to recommend to the district attorney that he get waived in to adult court, so we can try him as an adult.”
“Wait just one minute, here. Are you saying you arrested my son for beating up a faggot? Why?”
“I can see where David gets his attitude from. If you wish to be at David’s hearing, be at the children’s court center tomorrow morning at ten in the morning. Have a good day, sir.”
“Wait, David is just a young boy. Can’t we just forget this ever happened, and let David go?”
“Mr. Carruthers, your son is being held on two felony warrant holds. Even if I could let David go, I would be remiss in my duty as a peace officer, to do so. No, Mr. Carruthers, I am sorry, but I cannot just let David go and I cannot forget the charges. See you tomorrow.”
As Steve was walking back to his squad car, he heard Mr. Carruthers slam his door. A smile formed on Steve’s face, because he knew he had hit a sensitive nerve. Now, all Steve could do, was wait and see what Mr. Jonah Wilson Carruthers did from this point. Steve decided to go back to the block party to add a little more security. He radioed in to tell the dispatcher that is what he was doing.
The block party was going very strong, by the time Steve got back. Tony Palmetti and Greg Olsen opened the barricade for Steve to park his squad on the lane.
“Well, you will never guess what I just went through. I went over to this house where the new family that moved in to town lived, and informed the man that we had his son, and why. The man asked me to forget about all of this and let his son go.”
“Did he try to bribe you?”
“No, Tony, he didn’t. If he had, I would have in a cell next to his son. As it was, all he did was slam the door when I was walking back to my car. Anyway, I am going to mingle and help with security.”
“Okay, Steve,” Greg Olsen said. “We will see you later.”
Steve walked down by the soft drink tent to see if Jay was alright.
“Let me take a look at that eye, Jay.” Steve looked at Jay’s eye and saw that it was really swollen and bruised. Even the makeup, Jay’s mother put over it, couldn’t hide the black and blue discoloration. “The good news, Jay, is, it will go away. It may take a few days, but it will go away. I’m going to mingle and make sure everything is quiet.”
Steve no sooner left, than he heard a loud voice coming from where Jay was.
“Where’s that faggot that had my son arrested? Somebody had better tell me, or I will wreck this place. So help me, I will.”
“Excuse me, Mr. Carruthers, but, what seems to be the problem?”
“Go hassle someone else, flatfoot. This isn’t your concern.”
“David said that very same thing, not too long ago. Now, I will tell you what I told David. Everything that goes on here, today, is my concern. I’m here with the other officers to keep the peace and make sure there is no violence.
“During our block party, especially, we have a zero tolerance for any kind of disorder.”
“I told you, this is none of your concern. Where I am from, a man handles his own affairs.”
“Mister, I don’t care if you are from Timbuktu, when you are here, you obey the law, or go to jail. I am a sworn officer of the law, empowered to make sure that those who break the law are arrested, and protect those who do not violate the law. Here in Pine Forest we take that responsibility seriously. Now, I suggest that you behave yourself, or I will have to put you in jail. Is that understood?”
“Yes, that is understood.”
Jonah Carruthers was not a man to mince words. When he told Steve that he understood, he did it with scorn and no intention of behaving, until he faced the person who had his son arrested. After Steve left, Jonah Carruthers looked at the girls working at the soft drink tent.
“Now, I have a gun. If nobody tells me where that faggot who had my sone arrested is, I will start shooting one person at a time, until someone brings me that faggot.”
“I didn’t think you’d behave, Mr. Carruthers, Steve said, standing behind Jonah Carruthers. “So, I circled around until you were so engrossed with hate, you didn’t see me watching you. So, you have gun, do you. Let’s find out.”
Steve motioned for another officer to help him, and they searched Jonah. The other officer found the gun in an ankle holster.
Jonah Wilson Carruthers,” Steve was saying. “You are under arrest for carrying a concealed weapon without a police permit. You are under arrest for threatening the lives of at least a hundred people. You are also under arrest for the attempted murder of one Jay Simons, a human being. You have the right to remain silent, if you choose to give up that right, anything you say now, can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney during questioning and if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you by the judge. Do you understand these rights as I have read them to you?*
“Yes, flatfoot, I understand. But, you understand this, I am going to use this gun, to shoot you through the head.”
“Sir, you are also under arrest for legally threatening the safety of a peace officer with bodily harm by means of a firearm. Do you understand that you have the same right to remain silent and to have an attorney present or have one appointed to you.?”
“Yeah, yeah, I understand all right, just so you understand what I said.”
The two officers took Jonah Wilson Carruthers to the barricade.
“What have we got here, Steve?” Inquired officer Greg Olsen
“You’re not going to believe this, but this is the idiot, who gave the other idiot we arrested earlier, his attitude. Like father, like son.”
“You mean, this is David’s father?”
“Yes, Tony, he is. He even had the nerve to bring a pistol here and threaten people with it, including me. Jack and I will stay here until his taxi arrives. I will go along to get my cuffs back.”
“Where I come from flatfeet, the police are considered on the take and enforce whatever from whoever pays them the most.”
“So, you are saying that the police in Detroit are all on the take.”
“Yes, and I have dealt with many of them.”
“Mr. Carruthers, I am going to notify the Detroit police department, and tell them what you just told us. Don’t be surprised if they place a felony hold on you, while you are in our jail. Bribery of a police officer is a felony.”
“Are you saying you couldn’t an use an extra grand or two, for your family, membership in that country club you always wanted to join, maybe buy a new car? Or, for whatever else.”
“Yes, Mr. Carruthers, but there are legal ways of getting money for all of that. It is called work.”
“Bah! Work! I worked once, it is highly overrated. By the time Uncle Sam gets done taking out the taxes, you are lucky to have anything left on your paycheck. No, flatfoot, my way is easier and a lot more fun.”
“That may be, but your way is also illegal and dangerous.”
“Yeah, what do you know?”
“I know, Mr Carruthers, that you are going to jail. It looks like your taxi is waiting. Let’s go.”
“I will get even with you flatfoot, if it’s the last thing I do.”
“Just get in the back seat. Now!”
“Aye, aye captain, what ever you say.”
When Jonah Carruthers was in the back seat of the squad car, Steve closed the door and got in the front seat. They took Mr. Carruthers to the city jail, and placed him in a cell block with other inmates. Some of these inamtes were first timers, and others were convicted felons.
Jonah would have no trouble holding his own, or so he thought. A man, twice the size of Jonah, came up to him and asked what he was in for.
“That stupid flatfoot arrested me, because I was going to kill that stupid faggot that had my son arrested. My son didn’t do anything to him.”
“Why did this person have your son arrested?”
“Because David, that’s my son’s name, beat the livin’ daylights outta the faggot, just for being a faggot.”
“So, you threatened a cop. Did it ever occur to you, that this cop was only doing his job? What was this cop’s name?”
William (Bull) McMurphey was a convicted felon appearing in Pine Forest County Circuit Court on a motion to over turn his conviction because of newly discovered evidence. He was thirty years old, and was starting to bald from the front to the back.
“His name is Steven Hastings, badge number 784 and is a flatfoot here in this dinky little town.”
“Steve Hastings might be a cop, but he is just and he is fair. Just because he arrested your son, is no need to call him names. Also, there is what is called, the jailhouse grapevine. This grapevine has the rumor that there is a minor in solitary, waiting to see the children’s court judge tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow!?! But, tomorrow is Sunday. Courts aren’t open on Sundays.”
What is your name?”
“Jonah.”
“Well, Jonah, Judge Christine Reynolds holds emergency court on Sunday mornings until noon. If that is your son down there, don’t be surprised if he joins us in here, to be tried as an adult.”
“They can’t try David as an adult, he isn’t sixteen.”
“Jonah, they can waive a minor in to adult court on a finding that the minor is delinquent pursuant to the language of statute. If that happens, he will definitely be waived in to adult court.”
“What the hell kind of town have we come to? You people seem to know about this faggot, and yet, you just sit there and do nothing.
“ Jonah,” Bull said, looking sternly at Jonah. “We don’t call people names like that anymore, even though there are still those who do. But, for the most part, we are changing our attitudes towards those people that are different.”
“You’re just like that cop. He said the same thing
“Did you just call me a cop? You listen to me. This motion will be denied, and when I get back to the prison, I will pass the word that you’re a queer and you like to suck cock.”
“Did you just call me a cocksucker?” Jonah asked Bull.
“Yep, I certainly did, and there is nothing you can do about it.”
Jonah, not one to turn down a dare, swung a fist at Bull, only to find himself on the floor.
“Stay down, Jonah, or, I will put you down again.” Everyone in the cell block was laughing.
Before Jonah could say whatever it is he said, Steve told the jailor that he had to get back to the block party. He stopped long enough to stop laughing. Then he went out and had another officer drive him to the block party.
Steve arrived at the block party, and Tony and Greg told him that everything was quiet. Steve walked around and stopped at the soft drink tent.
“Hello, ladies,” Steve said, tipping his uniform cap. “How is everything going here?”
“Just fine, officer Hastings. Thank you for asking.
Steve was one of the officers who had seniority in the Pine Forest police department. But, he never lorded that seniority over his fellow officers. He was a team player, which is why the other officers liked him.
With all of the excitement that happened here with the Carruthers, it was still early. It was only two o’clock in the afternoon. Steve made his rounds by the rides, making sure all was quiet. Except for the father and son troublemakers, everybody else was having a good time. What kind of town had the Carruthers come to?
A law abiding one.
*Escobedo v. Illinois, 378 U.S. 478 (1964); Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966). … Next time in Part 3: Jay and Jimmy become friends.
______________________________________________________
The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane
By Barbara Lynn Terry
Chapter 5 - Still at the block party.
With the Carruthers in jail, and the officers are back on doing their security, the block party was going stronger than ever. There were a few out of towners that wanted to know if they could get in to have a little fun. They were told no, because this was a block party only for the townspeople.
“Wait!” David Adams exclaimed. “Are you saying that this is a private carnival?”
Greg Olsen, a police officer for Pine Forest asked the man his name.
“David Adams.”
“What is your date of birth?”
“Why do want to know, flatfoot?”
“Because, Mr. Adams, I need to know the names and birth dates of all outsiders who want to attend our town block party. Now, let ne take a wild stab in the dark, here, and I will bet you are from Detroit.”
“Yeah, I am. I came to see my friend, Jonah Carruthers and his son, David.”
“Visiting hours have just started. If you go to this address, you tell the sergeant on duty that you want to see Jonah. David is being held as a juvemile delinquent and only family is allowed to see him. But you can visit Jonah.”
“Why were they arrested?”
“Because they broke the law by committing felonies. Now, this conversation is over. Either go and visit your friend, or go back to Detroit. We don’t like troublemakers here.”
“You haven’t seen trouble, yet. But, you will.”
“Is that a threat, sir?”
“No, that is a promise.”
“Just a moment, sir. Will you please step on this side of barricade?”
Greg Olsen spoke in to his hand held radio.
“364 to 566.”
“566, go ahead 364.”
“Would you please come to the barricade?”
“I am on the way, 364.”
Steve Hastings made his way to the barricade. When he got there, Greg took him aside, and told him what was going on.
“Okay, Greg. I think that maybe he should spend the night for … what would be a good charge? Disorderly conduct is just a slap on the wrist.”
“How about drunk and disorderly?” Greg asked his co-worker.
“How about drunk and obstructing an officer. He wants to visit his friend Jonah Carruthers, we will let him.”
“Good idea, Steve, this way he will have to go before the judge on Monday.”
“Mr. Adams,” Steve spoke directly to David. “What is your date of birth?”
“September 5, 1980. Why do you ask?”
“Because Mr. David Adams, you areunder arrest for being intoxicated in public and obstructing an officer. You will find out, sir, that this is a law abiding town. I have already sent a fax to the Detroit police department. They have put a felony hold on Jonah Wilson Carruthers, for numerous felonies committed there. I wonder what kind of hold they will place on you?”
David Adams started to run, only to be stopped by Steve, who actually grabbed the back of David Adams’ shirt.
“Now, Mr. Adams, that was not smart, because now you are also being charged with resisting arrest. Let’s go, I have a taxi already waiting.”
Steve put David Adams in the back seat of his squad, and raised the shield separating the driver from the prisoner. Steve drove David to the jail and had him booked. Then, as the jailor was taking David to a cell, Steve told him to have a good night. Steve then returned to the block party.
There was a lot happening here in Pine Forest, Addison county, small town America. But Steve Hastings had a nagging suspicion in the back of his mind. Steve went to the squad room to look at the wanted posters to see if Jonah Wilson Carruthers and David Adams were wanted for anything. He ran their names and birth dates and then added they were from Detroit, Michigan.
After a while, Steve got his answers. Jonah Wilson Carrtuhers was wanted for Murder in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. David Adams was wanted for Burglary, armed robbery and injury by conduct regardless of life. Steve kind of chuckled to himself, because it looked as though Jonah Carruthers and David Adams would be a guest in the Addison County jail after their court appearances.
After getting his answers, Steve went back to the block party. With all that has happened, you would think it was late afternoon, but it was only three thirty. Dinner would be served picnic style, and the rides would go to midnight. Then they would start right away at eight o’clock in the morning.
As Steve got back to the block party, he found Jimmy Shepard and Jay Simons talking to each other.
“Don’t worry, Jay, as long as I am here, I will help take care of the bullies. If you want, we can be friends.”
“I would like that, thank you.”
Steve went over by the soft drink tent.
“Hi, how is youir eye, Jay?”
“It’s all right, officer Hastings. Jimmy wants to be one of my friends.”
“I don’t see a problem with that. You are friends with all of the other children on Ginger Lane.”
“Officer … Hastings, is it? Jimmy asked kind of stammering. “I told Jay that I would help take care of any bullies that came on the lane. I live here, now, so there is no reason why I can’t help keep my neighborhood safe.”
“Thank you, Jimmy. That is very insightful. We can’t always be here on the lane, but we do through here quite often. So, if you have something to tell us, we will appreciate it very much.
“Officer Hasting,” Jay added. “Jimmy said when that boy hit me, that he would get together with the other boys on the lane, and help protect those wouldn’t protect themselves.”
“Yes, officer Hastings. We moved here from Saginaw. Saginaw for the most part is a decent town, but there are sections that are more violent than others. When you live in the big city, you get used to gangs and drive by shootings. But, while all of that is going on, we have what we call the neighborhood block watch.
“That is where we kind of look out of our windows, without being obvious, to see what is going on. If we see something illegal, we call the police. We don’t get involved, except to testify in court, if we have to.”
“That sounds like what we need here. I will tell you what, Jimmy, I will bring this up to our public relations department, and have them submit it to the city council. We could definitely use a block watch program here. Ginger Lane is the last street in the city limits, before the speed limit goes up to sixty miles per hour. I’m going to make rounds, now, to see if everything is quiet.
“One thing I always liked about the people of Pine Forest; they are orderly and peaceful. That is why we walk around like we do. There are ten officers here, and none of us are very far away from any trouble that may or may start. The boy that hit you, Jay, his father had a visitor. We arrested him for a number of misdemeanors, then I found out that they are both wanted in Detroit for felonies. They will go away for a long, long time.”
“Officer Hasting,” Jimmy was saying. “I will get with the other boys on the lane to watch, too. We won’t get involved by facing the people, but, we will call your department, so you can come and see what we see.”
“Sounds good Jimmy. I will be back shortly.”
Jimmy stayed with Jay at the soft drink tent, to help with the refreshments. The festival was going strong, the rides donated all of the money they took in for the Mrs. Mae Harkins Memorial Scholarship Fund. The owners of the carnival believed in furthering a young person’s education. The people of Pine Forest all knew Mrs Mae Harkins, and there wasn’t a bad thing any of them could say about her.
She baby sat for just about everyone in town. She helped where ever and when ever she could. There was one time she had pneumonia, and the people of Pine Forest took turns taking care of her. No, not one person in Pine Forest could say anything bad about her.
Because of her, this festival, everybody called a block party, was set up in her honor. At first, there was no carnival, just a block party with local live bands. It was later that the mayor of Pine Forest declared this to be the Mrs. Mae Harkins Memorial Scholarship Fund, and that all monies taken would be put toward that scholarship. If the festival didn’t take in enough for the scholarship, the Town of Pine Forest would put in the remaining balance.
That is why the Pine Forest police department was so adamant about zero tolerance for any violence. They felt that any kind of violence would be an insult to the integrity of the festival, which was for a very good cause, honoring a very well respected lady.
Steve Hastings, Tony Palmetti Greg Olsen and the other officers made sure that integrity was protected. It was mainly outsiders that
caused all the trouble. Like with the father and son Carruthers and David Adams. As Steve Hastings made his way around the six blocks that made up Ginger Lane, he was constantly darting his eyes from one place to the next, to make sure that there was no trouble, or, if there was, he could be on top of it almost immediately.
Kathy, Francine, and Tanya went over by Jimmy and Jay.
“Hey, you two,” Francine said, cheerfully.
“Hey right back,” Jimmy was quick to answer.
“How is the soft drink business?” Asked Kathy.
“Good. We have about forty dollars so far. But, like dad and mom keep saying, ‘the day is young, yet’.”
“Well, we’re off for a few more rides. Would you like to join us, Jimmy?”
“No, but I think Jay might want to go on a few rides. I will stay here and take care of the tent.”
“Jay, would you like to go an a few rides?”
“Yes, Kathy, I would.”
“Well, then, let’s go.”
Jay joined Kathy, Darlene, Francine and Tanya on the midway. The first ride Jay wanted to go on was, the Space Rocket. This was a ride where a rocket shaped vehicle was suspended outward by huge metal beams. The ride went around like it was in orbit, then it went up and down like a roller coaster.
When the ride was over, Jay was walking like he had a few too many. The three girls had to steady him, or he would fall. Jay finally regained the use of his legs, and decided the next ride should be the bumper cars. They had fun crashing in to each other like they were at a demolition derby. They had fun bumping in to the cars as well. When the ride was over, Jay offered to buy them a soda. The four girls accepted Jay’s offer.
They all went to the soft drink tent, where Jay told Jimmy that he would like five sodas. Each of the girls told Jimmy what they wanted, and he fetched them out of the cooler. Jimmy gave them each a soda, and Jay gave Jimmy the two and one half dollars. Each can was fifty cents.
While the block party was going on, officer Tony Palmetti radioed for Steve to come to the barricade. When Steve got to the barricade, he saw a Mayflower moving truck parked just outside of the barricade. Steve went over to the driver.
“Yes, officer,” The was driver saying to Steve. “We have the furniture and household goods for a John Shepard and 1734 Ginger Lane, Pine Forest. If there is a carnival going on, how are we going to get this truck load to the house so we can unload it?”
“I’m officer Steve Hastings, Pine Forest police department. I will see if I can find Mr. Shepard. He is helping out on one of the grills. While I am looking for him, have a brat and a beer. You have to pay for food, drinks and rides. The money goes for a very good charitable cause. Steve went over by the brat and hot dog grill and told steve his furniture and things were here. Stev also said that with the block party going on, he couldn’t allow ther truck to back in to the lane to unload it. Then Steve had a bright idea.
“You know, Mr. Shepard,” Steve told John Shepard. “We could have them unload the beds. That seems to be the most important thing right now. They would have to walk them down to your cottage, but at least they would be there. I will also call my lieutenant and see if we can’t leave the truck where it is until Monday, when the lane will be cleared. I will let the driver know.”
“Thank you, officer Hastings. I will talk to the driver after you have spoken to your lieutenant.”
Steve walked a few feet from where everybody was at, and took out his hand held radio.
“566 to 618.”
“618, go ahead 566.”
“Lieutenant, we have a moving van here at the barricade to Ginger Lane with a truck load of furniture and other household items. They want to know how they are going to get the furniture to 1734 Ginger Lane, which now is owned by the Shepard family. I suggest we can leave the truck where it is until Monday, when they can back the truck in to the lane and unload it.”
“Sounds good. You are the senior officer there. Whatever you think is best. Tell the driver that the Pine Forest police department will put them up in the Rymer Hotel for the weekend. We still have tomorrow to go before the carnival leaves, early Monday morning, and the block party tents are taken down.”
“566 to 618, 10-4.”
Steve told John Shepard that they could leave the truck there until Monday morning, and that he would take the driver and his helper to the Rymer Hotel and put them up for the weekend.
“The truck will be safe where it is. Nobody is going to bother it.”
“Alright, I will talk to the driver, and see what he thinks.” John told Steve. Steve resumed his rounds, while John Shepard went to talk to the movers.
“Hi,” John said said, in a cheerful greeting. “I’m John Shepard, and my house is the last one on the left. I’m afraid you’re going to have to move the beds, at least, by hand, and the rest on Monday morning. Officer Steve Hastings of the Pine Forest police department said they will put you guys up in the Rymer Hotel. Just ask one of the officers where it is. Steve also said you can leave your truck here.
“When they clean out the carnival and take down the tents, then you can back the truck in and unload everything else. But, right for now, the beds are the most important things.”
“Nice to meet you, John, I’m Paul and this is Clancy. We’ve been a team of movers, now, for the last ten years. I don’t think moving the beds by hand would be a problem. We will get them out, and bring them down.”
“If you need any help, just ask,” John said, volunteering his services.
“Nah, we can manage. We have a flat bed dolly besides an appliance dolly. So, we will manage.”
“Alright, I will go and tell the family you are here. While you are here, feel free to take part in our block party. Admission is free, but you have to pay for food, rides and drinks. The money goes for a very good charitable cause.”
“Thank you, John. Do you serve beer?”
“Yes, we do, Paul. There is a beer tent, a brat and hot dog grill, and two other grills. You will see as you go through the block party. There is also a soft drink tent for any kind of soda you like.”
“Well, a nice brew and a brat sounds good right about now. Come on Clancy, let’s get the beds down to their house. 1734, right, John?”
“Yes, the last house on the left.”
The movers began doing their job. They first got the flat bed dolly out,then started getting the bed frames, mattresses and pillows on to the dolly. The next thing was getting the boxes marked bedrooms. Each box was marked as to whose bedroom it came from.
Jimmy saw the movers and went over to them as they walked the dolly towards 1734 Ginger Lane, Pine Forest, Addison County, Small Town America. The movers took the dolly as far as they could and took the beds and walked them in the house.
Eileen Shepard was there waiting for them, and showed them which room each box and bed frame went to. They put the pieces in each correctly, and then returned the dolly to the truck, locked the tailgate and cab doors. Then Paul and Clancy went to enjoy the fair.
While Paul and Clancy were enjoying the block party, John and Eileen Shepard were busy putting the beds together. That took them most of the day, but, when they got the beds put together, and made them up with the bedding from the boxes, they went back to enjoy the block party. There was still enough time to anjoy what was left of the day.
John Shepard bought a few tickets and went to play a few games. He went to the one where you have to knock down three stacks of milk bottles. How he did it, even he doesn’t know, but he threw the softball really hard and knocked down all nine bottles with the one ball. The man running the game, was amazed, and then offered John anything on the top shelf. John picked out a really nice vase they had. After all, this present was for Eileen. John took the vase and put it in their bedroom. He then went back to help out at the beer tent.
By this time, it was getting on about seven thirty, and the block party was still going as strong as ever. The two grown up children, Paul and Clancy were riding in the bumper cars, and having a grand time. Steve Hastings was watching them for a bit, and decided they were not going to start any trouble. The two men decided to see what Pine Forest looked like, so they went on the Ferris wheel. Anybody who has been on a Ferris wheel, knows you can see almost forever, when you are at the top.
By the time the two movers were finished riding the Tilt-A-Whirl, it was going on ten o’clock. The loud speakers set up around the lane, notified the party goers that the carnival and block party would be closing down, and then the voice added that tomorrow was another day.
____________________________________________________________________________
Pine Forest, Addison County, Small Town America is a fictional area of the United States. While there may be references to actual places in this story, they are placed here for entertainment purposes and not to give an exact location of where this story is located. Thank you all for reading and commenting. Barbara Lynn Terry.
The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane - Part 4
By Barbara Lynn Terry
Chapter 6
Sunday morning dawned early for the residents of Ginger Lane. It was time to get up, take a shower, have breakfast and man their stations. Jay Simons was already dressed and at the soft drink tent, setting everything up. She counted the money she would need for change, and made sure the stock was ready. Jimmy Shepard, having had his breakfast, went to join Jay at the soft drink tent.
The rides were being tested to make sure they operated safely. John Shepard was helping Mark Schwimmer at the hot dog and brat grill. Eileen Shepard was helping at the potpourri stand, with Ruth McGuire. They sold everything of practical use, curios, and things that had been for practical use, but, were now collector’s items. Everyone who lived on Ginger Lane was doing their bit to belp this block party be a success.
Anthony (Tony) Palmetti and Greg Olsen of the Pine Forest police department was again manning the barricade. Officer Steven Hastings was arriving with the other officers who were positioning themselves at different places along Ginger Lane. This way, each officer would not be out of dight of the others. This was in case any real trouble broke out.
Most of the trouble at the block party, would be someone that would have one too many, and an officer would take that person home. If this would happen in the big city, the person would be arrested, fingerprinted and placed in a cell to await seeing the judge in the morning. The Pine Forest city jail was reserved for real crimes, and just being intoxicated was not, in the city of Pine Forest, a real crime. The only exception was David Adams, and he was and outsider.
The Addison county Superior Court judge was Harold W. Benedict. He was a no nonsense type of judge. If you were convicted in his court of a major felony, he would give you the time as prescribed by the statute. In other words, if the crime you were convicted of carried a maximum sentence of ten years, judge Benedict gave you ten years.
But, Judge Harold W. Benedict was more than just a judge. He was a neighbor and a friend. To the people of Pine Forest, when judge Benedict was not hearing cases, he was simply known as Harold. Like the Pine Forest police officers, Harold was a man the townspeople could trust and go fishing with. In small town America, informality was a way of life.
On this Sunday, judge Benedict was attending the block party with his family. They were having so much fun. He had a thirteen year old daughter, Sandra (Sandy) Benedict, and one son who is going on twelve, Douglas (Doug) Benedict. These two knew Francine, Darlene and Tanya McGuire. Sandy spent many a night at the McGuire house for a sleepover. Sometimes, as most sleepovers are want, they would last all weekend.
Sandy and Doug were also friends with Jay Simons, and gave her respect for who she is. As the Benedict children roamed the block party, they came upon the soft drink tent. Sandy bought two Black Bear black cherry sodas. They sat in the tent, talking to Jay and Jimmy. Jimmy was the first to speak, after learning that Sandy and Doug’s father was a judge.
“Your father is a judge?” That was a question, more than it was a statement. “Where is your dad, now?”
“Oh, he is around the block party … somewhere,” Sandy Benedict said in a casual, dismissive tone.
“Aren’t you afriad someone will hurt him, or even you?”
“Not in Pine Forest, we’re not. If this were Detroit, Battle Creek, Cincinnati, or any of the other bigger cities, well, then yes, we might be afraid. But, this is Pine Forest, and here we have a saying that goes like this: ‘It takes a village’. Here, everybody looks after everybody else. This is to make sure that we are safe, no matter where in town we are.”
“So that is why my dad wanted to live in a small town. People were more neighborhood friendly.”
“Jimmy,” Sandy Benedict was saying. “If my dad needed help with something that took more than one person, there would be a lot of people here that would help and not ask for anything in return. That is part of what ‘it takes a village’ means.”
Just then, Harold came in to the soft drink tent.
“There you two are. What is your name, young man?”
“Jimmy Shepard, sir.”
“Well, welcome to Pine Forest. I’m Sandy and Doug’s father. Your family must be the ones that bought the widow Harkins cottage.”
“Yes, sir. My dad bought it Friday.”
“You know, young man, that this festival we call a block party, is in the widow Harkins honor. It is to get money for a deserving high school student to go to college, either on a sports or academic scholarship.”
“That is what Jay was telling me. Jay’s dad told us, too. Sir, are you a court judge?”
“Only when I’m working. All the other times, I am a friend.”
“Where I’m from, judges are indifferent people and don’t live in the same place as regular people live. They live in the suburbs, or out in the country, but, never where, say, most people are.”
“That is in the big city, though. Here, we are a town of sixty five thousand people, and we are very informal here. Does anybody in your family know how to square dance?”
“Yes, sir, we all do.”
“Great. Next week Saturday, we are having a square dance at the town’s community center. That is right across the street from the courthouse. There is a separate section in the community center for the children. This way, the children can have their own square dance without being in the way of the adults. This is another thing, too, the widow Harkins did. A place for the children, and a separate place for the adults, during the square dance. The widow Harkins knew how to square dance very good, too. We have a lot of fun here in Pine Forest, because we know how to get along with one another. We have picnics during the summer, live bands that play different kinds of music, from rock ‘n’ roll to country. This is a very pleasant place to live.”
“Now I know we moved to the right town,” John Shepard said, coming in to the soft drink tent. He extended his hand to the judge. “Hi, my name is John Shepard. We bought the cottage that was owned by the late Mrs. Harkins, or so I’m told.”
“Hi, Mr. Shepard. I’m Harold W. Benedict, Superior court judge here in Addison county. Most people here just call me Harold when I am not sitting on the bench hearing cases.”
“Nice to meet you Harold, and you can just call me John. I see you’ve met my son Jimmy. My daughter Kathy is around somewhere. My wife Eileen is helping Ruth McGuire at the potpourri stand. Tomorrow the movers will back the truck in and start unloading our furniture. The beds were brought down the lane by hand, just so we could sleep on something other than the floor.
“I deal in hardware. I own several hardware stores, and a hardware delivery service. I haven’t been introduced to the owner of the hardware store here, yet. I was thinking that maybe we could be partners, or he could at least order from me, and I could help him with his advertising. A good business can go under without the right kind of advertising.”
“I’m sure it can. The hardware store owner’s name is Bob Thicke. He claims he is no relation to the actor Alan Thicke.” Both men laughed. “You will find that Pine Forest is a town of people, not just separate strangers living in the same area. We actually know our neighbors, and we know where they work, their phone numbers and the names of their children. By the way, have you registered your children for school, yet?”
“No, we just bought the cottage on Friday, then the block party happened. I thought that maybe tomorrow, we could go as a family, and look around the town where the school is at.”
“That is a good idea, John,” the judge answered. “It is the town of Pine Grove, and there is only one elementary school there. It goes from kindergarten to the fifth grade. The sixth grade is in the middle school. Then there is the Thomas Addison Memorial High School.
“Thomas Addison was one of the founders of Pine Forest. I’m sure you noticed all the pine trees when you were coming in to town. Well, because this was all pine forest when he and twenty six others came here, they just called the town Pine Forest.”
“There sure is a legacy to this town. No wonder people take great pride in their community.”
“That is why, John,” The judge answered in return. “That this is a wonderful community and we can actually hear ourselves think. Let’s go over to the beer tent and I’ll buy you a cold one.”
“I don’t drink alcohol, Harold. I may have a Sprite, 7up, Sierra Mist, or some other soda to make it look like I have a drink. But, I don’t drink alcohol.”
“Well, good for you, John. It is good to see someone who is a non-drinker. Do you smoke, John?”
“No, Harold, I don’t smoke either, and neither does my wife.”
“I think I am going to like my new neighbors. Well, John, if you don’t drink alcohol, let me buy you a cold soda. Name your poison.”
“Thank you, Harold, I’ll have a Black Bear black cherry, Jay.”
“Make that two, Jay.” The judge paid for the drinks, and they sat down in one of the chairs. “The Black Bear Bottling Group* is located in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. They have been there for decades. This black cherry soda kind of tastes like a black cherry Coke.”
“Well, let’s agree to disagree, Harold. I like Black Bear sodas, because they are better than Coca Cola** or Pepsi Cola.*** They have a different taste altogether.”
“I never thought of it that way. Even the regular Black Bear cola has a different taste than, either Pepsi or Coke.”
“Black Bear has been in business since 1921. That’s a lot of years.”
“Harold, do you like to play golf?”
“Yes, John, I do. Golf is one of those games where you can relax, even while you are playing.”
“Where is there a golf course around here, Harold?”
“It is about a mile outside the east end of town. It is called the Addison County Country Club. Membership is only three hundred dollars to join. It also is a public country club, which means that for the low membership fee, anybody is able to join.”
“Well, when you’re not hearing cases, let’s go and play eighteen or so holes.”
“The only day I play golf, John, is on Sunday. Like I said, golf is a relaxing sport, and Sunday is a day of relaxation.”
“Then some Sunday, we will have to go. What about children’s memberships.”
They are automatically a member, if you join. They have a children’s golf camp, where they learn more than just the basics of the game.”
“My children know how to play golf and tennis. Kathy also knows how to play volleyball and badminton. During competition with other schools, Jimmy and Kathy have been really good. Does the elementary school have competitions like that?”
“Yes, John, they do. The towns around here chip in for these competitions, because the state legislature cut all funding for any kind of physical education and competitions. So, we take it out of the city treasury so the children can compete. John, competition allows the children to exhibit good sportsmanship and how to get along with other teams. Physical education is not mandatory any more, but for those that want to participate, they can.”
“Children, I am going to go back and help out at the hot dog and brat grill. Want to come along, Harold?”
“Sure, maybe I can put the little dogs in the buns.”
“Maybe.”
John Shepard gave Jimmy a hug and told him that he loved him.
“I love you, too, dad.”
John Shepard and Harold W. Benedict, who only wanted to be called “your honor’ while hearing cases in his courtroom. As the walked toward the grill, they met Steve Hastings.
“Hello, Harold. How do like the carnival?”
“I love it. Sandy and Doug are around here somewhere. Probably over by the rides.”
“Well, except for Jimmy, Kathy and the McGuire children are over there, too. The carnival is their favorite part of any block party. By the time the block closes down, until the next time, all the children are going to be so tuckered out.”
“That is so true. My Sandy and Doug are no exceptions.”
They arrived at the hot dog ans brat grill, and Mark Schwimmer greeted Harold as they walked up.
“Mark, Harold said he wants to help.”
“Well, John, he has to wash his hands, and then he has to put on a pair of those plastic gloves. Then he can put the dogs and the brats in the buns.”
“May hands are already washed, so I will put on a pair of these gloves, then we will be set to go.”
“I sold eight brats and seven dogs while you were taking a break, John. Business is good today. Look at the thermometer and how it keeps climbing. But, we’re only half way there.”
“I’ll have one brat, please,” said the man with a gruff voice. “Where can I get a beer?”
“Over at the beer tent. That’s the big tent to your right.”
“Thank you.”
The man was detective Robert Belford of the Detroit police department. He was a good six feet, four inches tall, and he carried himself in regal manner. A man who was very sure about every step he took. He had a rugged looking face and a head of thick red hair. In fact, it was so red, you would think it was on fire.
As detective Belford walked toward the beer tent, he met one of Pine Forest police officers. Detective Belford said something to the officer, and the officer said something in to his hand held radio. Steve Hastings met the man at the tent entrance. They shook hands, and Steve waited outside of the tent, while the detective went to get his beer. The detective was back in shirt order.
As the two neared the brat grill, John Shepard heard Steve, say, as he was talking to the detective.
“Hi, John, this is police detective sergeant, Robert Belford, of the Detroit police department. He is here to take Jonah Carruthers and David Adams off of our hands. Since Detroit’s warrants are more serious than ours, we are going to turn the two criminals over to detective Belford. So, I am going to go over to the jail with the detective, and turn Jonah and David over. I told detective Belford to feel free to enjoy the block party, but he said he needs to get those two back to Detroit quickly. I will be back as soon as I can.” Steve and the detective left.
“It looks like Detroit doesn’t waste any time. Jonah Carruthers and David Adams were just arrested yesterday,” John Shepard said, to everyone at and around the grill.
“Excuse me, folks, but if this is going to get into a case or cases I might have to hear, I can’t stay around here,” Judge Harold W. Benedict stated.
“Have a good day, Harold,” Mark Schwimmer said, as the judge was leaving. “There goes a man who actually believes that his job is to administer the law. When he first told us to call him Harold instead of judge, or your honor when he wasn’t in court, most of us were astonished that a man such he is, would allow us to call him by his first name. Since then, he has become not only a neighbor, but a friend, to boot.”
“Where I come from,” John Shepard said, in answer to Mark’s statement. “A judge doesn’t associate with the common people unless he is making an appearance at a social function. Judges in the big city actually have a different parking place than the rest of the people.”
“That is very sad, because a judge who makes himself known, and shows that he or she is a human being, maybe there would be more respect for the law. People who break the law, don’t stop to think that maybe the person or persons they committed the crime against has a family who love them.”
“I don’t know about here, but in the big city, especially Saginaw, the banks and convenience stores, as well as some other businesses, have cameras that monitor the goings on in that business. But, yet, there are still those who rob banks, convenience stores and the like. How they think they can get away with it, is beyond me.”
“Well, John, there are cameras in our bank, but they are hidden. Everybody in town knows about them, but they never tell an outsider, just in case that outsider wants to commit a robbery. The last bank robbery we had was ten years ago, when a man from Kansas City, Missouri came in town and proceeded to rob the bank. The state police caught him five miles out of town.”
“That was a quick arrest, Mark.”
“Yes, John, but, the only reason he was caught is because they stopped the man because he was speeding. When they searched his car, they found the bank’s money. He was promptly arrested for bank robbery.”
“Do the state police officers come to the block party?”
“Yes, they do, that is, the ones that know about it. I’m surprised I don’t see any of them here.”
“Well, maybe next time. Here comes my daughter with her entourage.**** Hello, Kathy, I see you have come for a hot dog.”
“No, dad, we came to get more money for more rides.”
“Just like a woman, always wants money.” John Shepard laughed. “How much do you need, kitten?”
“Enough for all of us to go on maybe three rides, or four, maybe six.” John Reached in to his pocket and too out his wallet.
“Here, punkin, take this and buy tickets for all of you to go on the rides you like, and maybe play a few games.”
“Thanks, dad,” Kathy Shepard said, giving her dad a kiss and a hug.
After the children left, John Shepard remarked to Mark Schwimmer.
“You know, Mark, as much as they may get on our nerves, we still love them.”
“Yes, John, we certainly do. I mean, after all, they are our future.”
“Yes, they certainly are.”
Steve Hastings returned to the block party. He was talking to Tony Palmetti and Greg Olsen at the barricade.
“Well, I turned over Jonah Carruthers and David Adams to the Detroit police. Detective sergeant Robert Belford took custody of the two.”
“Did you tell them what Jonah’s son did?”
“Yes, Greg, and he said he wasn’t interested in David Carruthers, just Jonah. So, David is still in the jail waiting to be seen by the judge in the morning. Won’t he be surprised to find daddy isn’t here any more.”
“I thought the judge was going to hold a hearing today, to see if David should be bound over as an adult.”
“Well, Tony, I guess she changed her mind. After all, it is Sunday.”
“Yes, Steve, I guess it is,” pondered Tony Palmetti.
“Well, I am going take a walk around, and see what’s been happening.
Steve left the barricade and stopped at the beer tent to find out from the officer there, how things have been. He told Steve that except for the Detroit detective wanting to know where he was, everything was quiet. The officer’s name is Donald (Donny) McGuire, Ruth McGuire’s brother. He has been a Pine Forest police officer for the last nine years.
Steve went over by the hot dog and brat grill to find how business was doing.
“We’re doing great, Steve. We collected over one thousand dollars toward the scholarship.”
“Thank you, Mark, that is a good amount. It looks like the block party will make the quota, as it has in the past. Two years can make a difference in a young person’s life, especially if he or she knows that he or she is going to go college. Of course, the scholarship isn’t for any particular school, unless that is the school the student wants to attend.We have had two scholarships that have sent two deserving students to college. One of them is going to go law school and the other in business management. The widow Harkins loved the students here. She said it was a shame that a deserving student couldn’t go to college because they didn’t have the necessary funds. She said in her will that the city of Pine Forest and the county of Addison, should hold social functions to get enough money to send a deserving student to college.
“We have had this block party almost every Saturday and Sunday. When we do have the block party, it starts on Saturday and ends at ten o’clock Sunday night.
“I didn’t know the widow Harkins, but she sounds like a very exceptional lady.”
“She was, John, she was.”
Knowing how the people of Pine Forest thought of the widow Mae Harkins, who previously owned the cottage he bought, he was going to make sure that he did nothing to damage the cottage. The room he wants to add on, is a room the widow Harkins would approve of. This addition to the cottage was to be John’s office where he would keep his compmay’s files.
Business at the hot dog and brat grill was good. People kept coming back for more. They bought mostly brats, though, and then went in the beer tent for a beer. A twelve ounce cup of beer cost three dollars. People paid the price because they knew it was for a very good charitable cause.
It was getting on about lunch time, and the people were going to the grills. Steve looked over and saw a long line forming at the chicken and roasted corn grill. The third grill was in case anybody wanted a hamburger, or a rib eye steak. At the hamburger and steak grill, they also had baked potatoes, wrapped in foil and placed inside the grill. When the potatoes were done, they were placed on a warmer until someone bought one.
But, all the grills and tents were getting long lines. There were benches along Ginger Lane for people to sit and enjoy their lunch. It looked as though the block party would make the necessary quota for the scholarship. Kathy, Francine, Darlene and Tanya saw the long line forming at the soft drink tent. They went over to help Jay and Jimmy. As they went in the tent, Francine announced themselves.
“We’re here to help, Jay. We will hand you whatever soda the people want to drink. It seems all the excitement actually happened before lunch time.”
“I know, right! That rough looking guy we saw was a detective from Detroit. He came and took that Jonah Carruthers and David Adams back to Detroit with him.”
“Who told you that, Kathy?” Darlene asked.
“My dad. He said officer Hastings told him. It seems that the detective bought a bratwurst at the grill my dad was helping Mr. Schwimmer at. I guess it showed on dad’s face, so officer Hastings told my dad who the guy was.”
“At least he wasn’t a troublemaker. We have had enough of them around here to last til the end of time; if there is such a thing.”
“Tanya,” Francine said to answer her little sister’s pondering. “Time is what they call infinite. That means there is no end. So, time would be endless.”
“How do know that?” Queried Darlene.
“I looked up the word, after I heard two teachers talking at school, once. I don’t quite know what they were talking about, but, when I heard the word infinite, I just had to look it up.”
While they were talking, they were filling orders for soda or bottled water. Jay, or even Jimmy, would tell the girls what they needed, and the girls would get it out of the cooler. This way, too, the business went smoothly, and the customer was happy. Not that the people buying the soft drinks would have been happy, anyway, had it only been Jay and Jimmy.
With the girls helping, Jimmy asked Kathy if they could watch the tent for a while, so that he and Jay could go on a few rides, and play a few games. Kathy assured Jimmy that they could. Jay and Jimmy then went to the midway and went on the roller coaster. They had a lot of fun.
After the roller coaster, they went to play a feew games. They came on the one where you have to knock down three milk bottles to get a prize. Jay took the soft ball and threw it at the milk bottles, knocking three of them down. Jay won a teddy bear, and he was happy. Jimmy took the soft ball and knocked down all nine milk bottles with one throw. The man running the game just stood there with his mouth wide open. Jimmy was allowed to pick anything he wanted from the top shelf.
Next, Jay wanted to throw the rings at the bottles, so he could win a goldfish. Jimmy told him that goldfish don’t live that long, and he told Jay what he should do, is play the dart game. It is the game where you throw three darts at air filled balloons. If you break three of them, you win a prize.
Jay told Jimmy that he has never played that game before. Jimmy told him it was easy. Jimmy put two tickets down, and the man gave him three darts. Jimmy shot the darts at the balloons breaking three of them.
“See, Jay, it’s easy. All you do, is shoot the darts at the baloons. Sir, she has never played this game before. May she have a free try?”
“Of course, young , man.” The man handed Jay one dart.
Jay threw the dart breaking one balloon. Jimmy gave the man two more tickets and the man gave Jay two more darts. After throwing the darts, Jay broke two more balloons, and Jay won a prize.
“See, Jay, I told you it was easy. Next time we have the block party and the carnival is here, I want you to throw the first three darts. You did really good for not having played that game before now.”
At one o’clock in the afternoon, Jay was getting very chilled.
“Jimmy, may we stop at my house? I want to get my sweater. I’m getting a little chilled.”
“Of course, Jay.”
Jay and Jimmy went to Jay’s house to get Jay’s sweater.
“Want to see my room?” Asked Jay.
“No, Jay. A boy never goes in to a girl’s room.”
“Alright, I will be right back.” Jay went to get her sweater. When she came back, she was wearing jeans with the leg ends rolled up above the ankles, and a white turtleneck sweater. “Ready, Jimmy?”
“Yes, Jay, I’m ready.”
They both went back to the soft drink tent. They found the girls engrossed in serving customers.
“We’re back, sis,” Jimmy said, announcing him and Jay.
“Great! Now, we can take a break. It has been very busy sine you two left.”
“That’s all right, sis, you girls go ahead. Jay and I can take over.”
The girls left the tent, and Kathy went directly to the ticket booth. She bought the tickets they would need for the rides and games. Jimmy didn’t have time to tell the girls that Jay knocked down the three milk bottles with one soft ball. He would do that later.
With the sun high in the sky, everybody was thirsty for something to quench their thirst. Jay and Jimmy sold more bottled water, than they did soda. For about two hours, that is what everybody wanted. For the middle of September, it was unseasonably warm.
Eileen Shepard came in the tent for two bottles of water. One was for her and the other was for Ruth McGuire. Because it was very warm, Ruth put up a outside cafe umbrella, to keep the sun off of her and Eileen. Eileen came back with the bottled water, and Ruth actually guzzled the first drink.
“You know, Eileen, the next time we have this block party, we should bring a cooler with some dry ice in it, so that we can keep our drinks cold, while we’re working.”
“I will agree with that Ruth. You bring your cooler the first time, and I will buy the dry ice. Then the next time, I will bring my cooler and you get the dry ice.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.”
The two ladies were getting along fabulously. Their girls were getting along so good, they were always together. A lady stopped by the stand, and was looking at the items for sale. She saw a hand made shopping bag. She inspected the stitching, only to find that is was double stitched.
“How much for the bag?” The lady inquired.
“For the things on the stand here, it is make an offer,” Ruth told the lady.
“Well, the stitching is very good. The material feels like denim. I will give you four dollars.”
“Thank you, ma’am. The money goes for a very charitable cause,” Eileen told the lady.
“Which charity?”
“It is the Mrs. Mae Harkins Memorial Scholarship Fund. The money is placed in the bank, and is used to send a deserving high school student to college, either on a sports or academic scholarship. That is why on this stand, it is make an offer. Your offer of four dollars for that bag is very generous. Thank you.”
“But, does this carnival make that much?”
“What we don’t make, the city of Pine Forest puts in the rest. But, we will have more block parties before the end of school in May. We have a little time, yet,” Ruth told the lady.
“What is your name?”
“I am Ruth McGuire and this is Eileen Shepard. We both live here on the lane with our families.”
“So, who was Mae Harkins?” The lady inquired.
“The widow Harkins was a very well respected lady in Pine Forest. She always had a kind word for everyone, even those that have been in trouble with the law. She could square dance with the best of us. It was her idea to have a separate section of the community hall for the children so they could have their own square dance. She also baby sat for everybody in town. The children loved her and she loved the children. Every Sunday afternoon, she would sit in the library and read to the children. She was a very special lady.”
“Well, thank you, and here is ten dollars more, for the fund.”
“Than … thank you, ma’am. What is your name?”
“I am Jennifer Wilkins from Pine Woods. I heard about your carnival and I just had to come and see for myself. Thank you for the bag, it will come in handy.”
“Well, thank you for your donation. Feel free to enjoy the rest of fair. We just call it a block party,” Eileen told Jennifer.
Jennifer then left in the direction of the rides and games. Just who is Jennifer Wilkins, and why was she so interested in the Pine Forest block party?
______________________________________________________
*Black Bear Bottling Group LLC is located at 2025 W. South Branch Blvd., Oak Creek, Wisconsin 53154 - 414-302-5660
**The Coca Cola Company is located at P.O.Box 1734, Atlanta, Georgia 30301 - 1-800-438-2653.
***PepsiCo is located at 700 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase, NY 10577 - 914-253-2000
****For the letter “e” when it requires an accent mark, there isn’t one, because I forgot the numbers to get the “e” with the accent mark above it.
The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane
By Barbara Lynn Terry
Chapter 7 - The block party winds down.
Part 1 - The block party ends.
Jennifer Wilkins from the neighboring town of Pine Woods, walked around the block party, enjoying ride after ride and game after game. Her strawberry blonde hair, was more like a red apple than a strawberry color. She walked with a regal, feminine gait, and kept looking furtively here and there. Officer Steve Hastings was watching her, because she seemed suspicious for some reason.
It seemed to officer Hastings that Ms. Wilkins looked familiar, but couldn’t place from where. As he kept watching, she approached the soft drink tent. Steve followed her, but waited just outside of the entrance where he could hear every word.
“Excuse me, but may I have a Cherry Coke, please?”
Jay handed her the can of soda pop, and went about his business. Ms. Wilkins left the tent, and walked to the barricade. It was then that Steve had spoken to her.
“Excuse me, but I am officer Steve Hastings of the Pine Forest police department. I couldn’t help but think that you look very familiar. Have we met before?”
“No, officer, Hastings. I am Jennifer Wilkins of the Addison County Post. I report on things such as this nice carnival you have to honor,” she looked at her notes, “a Mae Harkins. Everywhere I went the people treated her name with the utmost respect. I am going to write an article about this particular block party. It is amazing how an entire town can honor someone like Mrs. Harkins.”
“She was a saint as far as we are concerned. She never had a cross word about anybody. She always baby sat for people in town, even when they asked her at the last minute. She came up with the idea for a separate children’s area when we have our square dance. This way the children can have their own square dance. The actual thought behind building a new community center, was her idea.
“Mrs. Mae Harkins was a lady people would be happy to have over for dinner, and she was invited to many a house while she was alive. It is hard to believe that she only passed away two years ago in front of the supermarket. Massive coronary, the doctor said it was. When we pray to our Lord, we always ask that He bless her soul. This block party is in her honor to get money to send a deserving high school student to college, either on a sports or academic scholarship.”
“Do you mind if I quote you, officer?”
“Not at all. Maybe this way we can have more people come and enjoy our block party.”
“Thank you, officer Hastings. This will be in the paper two weeks from today. Take care.”
“You, too.”
Steve resumed walking around the carnival. Except for the out-of-towners, everybody was behaving themselves. The last few hours, it seems, the block party started picking up. There were more burgers, corn on the cob, brats and hot dogs being sold along with beer and soft drinks. The red line on the thermometer was climbing with all of the sales.
By the time midnight rolled around, the red line on the thermometer was at two thirds the way up the scale. Steve got on the intercom, and told the people that the fair was closing and thanked them for another profitable block party. He reminded the people that this coming Saturday, there was going to be square dancing at the community hall. He turned off the microphone, and started packing the intercom equipment. Other officers were bringing him the speakers that were set up around Ginger Lane.
When the last of the lights were out on the last ride, the carnival crews began dismantling the rides, and other crew workers were placing the parts on the big semi trucks, to be taken to the next carnival. The flood lights were left on, because they were the property of the carnival, and provided the workers with enough light by which to see. The police were taking down the tents and placing the money collected in to a bank bag.
The carnival payroll supervisor presented Steve with a check made out to the Mrs. Mae Harkins Memorial Scholarship Fund. Tomorrow, the receipts will be counted against the cash taken in. Everything was good on this middle of September night.
The movers with the Shepard family furniture, were already at their hotel, hopefully asleep. Steve made a mental note to stop by the Rhymer Hotel and see if they were resting. If he didn’t hear any sound from inside the hotel room, he knew they were asleep.
This has been a long day for Steve and the other officers of the Pine Forest police department. Steve could have gone home after his eight hour day was over, but he decided to stay and make sure that everything was A-okay. He was going back to the station, sign out, and go home; when the carnival workers were finished taking all the rides down, putting the pieces on the semi trucks, and leaving for the next carnival. What? Oh! Yes, he was going to sleep all day tomorrow.
Jay told Jimmy good night, and he went to his house to go to bed. Jimmy did the same thing. At least tonight he gets to sleep in his own bed. His sister was already home, as were the McGuire sisters.
Jimmy walked in to the house, and the first thing he did was take himself to his room. He plopped on the bed, and the next thing he knew, his mother was waking him up.
“Come on, sleepy head. It’s time to get up, get your bath, and change clothes. Your dad is taking you to the school to register you and Kathy. I will make sure the movers get everything in the house.”
“Okay, mom, I’m up. Did dad bring us a change of clothes?”
“Yes, he had the movers bring the boxes from your bedrooms along with the beds. Your clothes are already laid out. All you have to do is take a bath and get dressed.”
“Alright, mom.”
Jimmy got out of bed, and went to take his bath. Jimmy was one to never play in the bath tub, even when he was very little. He washed himself completely, and then got his clothes on. He combed his hair, and went down to the kitchen to wait for breakfast. Kathy had already taken her bath and was at the kitchen table before Jimmy.
Eileen Shepard came in the kitchen and made them pancakes, oatmeal, two strips of bacon, and milk, orange juice and a vitamin pill. After this past weekend, they were going to need all the vitamin energy they would need to get through the school day. They ate slowly, because this way their stomachs had time to digest the food.
John Shepard came in, had a cup of coffee, two strips of bacon and one pancake. When everyone was finished eating, John Shepard told Jimmy and Kathy that it was time they were getting on to the school.
It took John Shepard twenty minutes to get to the school. It wasn’t hard to find, as it was just off of the business district. When they pulled up to the school, and parked in a space labeled visitor, they saw the sign that said Tri-County Public Schools. Schools? John Shepard would have to inquire about this.
They went in to the office and the office secretary asked what they were there for.
“Good morning, my name is John Shepard, and I would like to register my children for school.”
“Alright, fill out these applications, one for each child.”
John Shepard took the papers and sat down at a table provided for this purpose. He had to put their dates of birth, their names, their address, and the name(s) of the school or schools they last attended and what grades they were in. It took him about thirty minutes to fill both applications. When he was finished, he went back by the office desk, and gave them to the secretary. She said to have a seat, and the principal would be right with them.
While they were sitting there, other students who were coming in and out of the office looked at the Shepard children. About twenty minutes went by, and a portly man of maybe forty -- ish, called them in to his office.
“Hello, I’m Principal Mark Edwards. Welcome to Tri-County Public Schools.”
“I was going to ask you about that,” said John Shepard. “You have schools, plural, instead of school. Why is that?”
“Because this building houses the elementary school, middle school, and high school. If you look at the outside of the building, you will see it is enormous. That is because of the three schools combined in one building. We have students here that are from three counties; Addison county, Monroe county, and Status county.”
“I see. Saginaw doesn’t have anything like this. Maybe they should. It would save money.”
“That is one of the reasons we built this building. It saves on taxes, and the children from three counties get to associate with one another, even if it is only for eight hours a day. I see you live on Ginger Lane. That is where the late Mrs. Mae Harkins lived. I was one of thousands who attended her funeral. I also see that your address is 1734 Ginger Lane, Pine Forest. So, you’re the family that bought the widow Harkins cottage.”
“Yes, we are. I bought it outright on Friday. Then we helped with the block party.”
“How did you like the block party?”
“I thought it was fun. We had a little drama the first day, but all in all, it was fun. My kids were ecstatic because they got to go to a carnival.”
“You do know, that not every block party has a carnival. There are local bands who play at the block parties, and now and then we get a country celebrity to come and sing. We have had Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks, Clint Black, a few rock bands, too. So, not all block parties have a carnival.”
“Next week, Saturday, we’re having a square dance. Everybody in my family knows how to square dance.”
“I usually attend the square dances. I am normally at the block party, too, but my in laws paid us an unannounced visit. Well, everything looks good on the applications, and we will get their transcripts from their last school. Well, John, it is nice to have met you. Your children can start classes right away tomorrow. Good luck on Ginger Lane.
John Shepard and his two children left the Tri-County Public Schools and headed back toward Pine Forest. When John looked at his odometer, he found that he indeed would be on the other side of town if he were in Saginaw.
They arrived back home twenty minutes later, and the kids went directly to their rooms, to get out their clothes for tomorrow. The movers were still moving furniture in, but the clothes that belonged in each bedroom, was already there and hung up. Eileen Shepard was busy while they were gone. Now she just supervised the movers and told them where each piece of furniture went
There were vases and pictures on the truck, too. Eileen Shepard would take care of that, tomorrow. At that moment Elaine Schwimmer paid the Shepards a visit.
“May I come in, Eileen?”
“Yes, Elaine, come in, please. I was going to ask. I like flowers to be in my home. Is there a florist in town?”
“Yes, but it isn’t on the main street. It is around the corner from where the realty office is. They are a part of the FTD floral delivery service. Annie’s Floral Shop. Annie Potts is a really nice lady. She has a daughter about Francine’s age.”
“I was just wondering. I am going to buy some flowers for my vases. I have pictures I need to hang on the wall. Then I think I will have a nice cup of chamomile tea. Would you like some?”
“Why thank you, I’d love some.”
“Elaine, my children start school tomorrow. George told my husband that the school bus picks up the children from across the street. Is that directly across the street?”
“Yes, they walk to the end of the lane, cross the highway and wait right there. When the bus brings them back, they are let off on our side of the highway and the kids can just walk down to their houses.”
“Okay, that’s simple enough. Jimmy and Kathy already have their school clothes out. I think they are kind of eager to start school. Jimmy and Kathy seem to make friends where ever they go.”
“I notice that Jimmy helped Jay with that bully during the block party.”
“Well, the man who came yelling right after that bully was taken away, also got arrested. He was the bully’s father. Then one of their friends came looking for the father and son, he was told that he could visit the father, but only family could visit the son. John told us that is what Steve Hastings said to him.”
“Well, Saturday, we are having a square dance at the community hall. It starts right at two o’clock and goes until eleven.
“We’re looking forward to it. It sounds like Pine Forest likes to have fun.”
“Yes, Eileen. We have our work and we have our play time. This is why a lot of our events are on Saturdays. Not too many are at work. Do you have a driver’s license?”
“Yes, I do, but John uses the car for work, unless I need the car for shopping, then he let’s me drive. If he is going on one of his inspection tours, he leaves the car with me. I was thinking that tomorrow he will be gone for about four months, going from one hardware store to the next, both here and in Canada. I will drive him to the airport, and then bring the car back with me. Where is the airport here?”
“It’s over by Pine Grove. That is the nearest big city in Addison county. Pine Grove is about sixty minutes from here. The airport is just outside the city limits about one mile. The big jet planes land there as well as the smaller company jets and personal planes. It is a very busy airport. It is the only airport in four counties.”
“Do they have a gift shop and a duty free gift shop?”
“You know, Eileen, I couldn’t tell you. I have never been in there, but I know where it is because our in laws come here through there.”
“Thank you, Elaine. At least I will know where to take John when he has to fly out.”
“So, Eileen, do you do any macrame, or knitting?”
“Yes, Elaine, and I even crochet and do needlework.”
Elaine Schwimmer looked at her watch.
“Oh, my, look at the time. I need to get home and vacuum, then put the laundry in the washer. I will be back later.”
“Why don’t I come by your place? I need to be a neighbor, not just someone who lives in the same neighborhood.”
“I heard that. There are people who live next door to each other, and don’t even know one another.”
“It is sad.”
“Well, look, Eileen, I need to go. We will talk later.”
Elaine Schwimmer left to go do her house chores. Eileen Shepard sat there for a few more seconds, then went to make sure the movers were putting the furniture in the right place.
While the two women were talking, the movers had all of the living room furniture in the house and placed where Eileen had told them to put it. Now they were bringing in the dining room furniture. Eileen Shepard was telling them where to put everything. When the dining room furniture was in place, they had the kitchen furniture and appliances to move in.
But, seeing as there were already appliances in the house, Eileen told to just put them in the basement. After all the furniture was moved in, they brought in the pictures and vases. After about six hours of moving things in to the Shepard house, the movers said they had to go.
Eileen Shepard invited them for a cup ofs coffee, if they felt they had the time. They accepted Eileen’s offer, and the two men and Eileen were talking, when John Shepard came in to the kitchen.
“Ahhh, coffee. I think I will have some. Are you guys all finished moving us in?”
“Yes, John. Your wife invited us for coffee.”
“It’s the least we can do,” John Shepard said with a smile. “You guys came a long way, and in good time, too.”
“Sometimes, we to have move people clear across the country. When that happens, we wait for someone coming back. Otherwise we leave the truck at that Mayflower depot, and fly back. We are not given a certain truck to drive, because of our national policy to move people where ever they have to go.” The two men finished their coffee. “But, we do have to be going. Thank you for ther coffee, Mrs. Shepard and good luck in your new home.” With that, the movers left.
“Well, dear,” John Shepard spoke to his wife. “We’re all moved in, the kids start school tomorrow, and I leave for my inspection of our hardware stores and delivery service. I will not be gone the usual four months, because I don’t have to go to Canada. I sent Richard a telegram, letting him know the new address, and said I would phone him after our phone is installed.
“The new addition I want to build on to this house, will be used for my office and filing room. This way I can work right from here on most days, when I’m not gallivanting around the country.”
“Do you gallivant, John, or do you work?”
“You know perfectly well what I meant,” John said with a smile. “But, anyway, we’re home, and here we’ll stay. I was thinking, too, that all the acreage that goes with this cottage, could be used as a garden. Because of the enormous size, we could plant corn, potatoes, beans, peas, carrots and more. It’s too bad we don’t have a river flowing through, or we could build a grist mill. But, I guess we will just have to buy our flour.
“Where is Jimmy and Kathy?”
“They’re upstairs. Would you like to them to come down?”
“Yes, I thought that today, since I am not flying out until tomorrow, and the children don’t start school until tomorrow, that we could get ourselves familiar with the town and the surrounding area.”
“That sounds good to me,” Eileen Shepard agreed with her husband. She called the children down from their rooms. “Children, your father wants us to go with hime, and we can look at the town and the coutryside around it.”
“All right,” Jimmy Shepard said.
“I agree. Anything is better than looking at the walls,” retorted Kathy Shepard.
“Tomorrow, while everybody is gone, I am going to go in to town and get some flowers for the vases and hang the pictures up on the wall. By that time, you children should be on your way home from school.”
Part 2 - The extradition hearings.
While the Shepard family were making their plans to look around the town, there was another plan in the making. Detective Robert Belford of the Detroit, Michigan police department was walking in to Branch 37 of the Addison County Superior Court. His purpose was to present evidence that Jonah Wilson Carruthers and David Adams were wanted criminals from Detroit, Michigan, and detective Belford wanted the two criminals extradited. But, he waited patiently for the bailiff to call the court to order. He didn’t have to wait long.
“Please rise, Branch 37 of the Superior Court of Addison County is now in session, the honorable Harold W. Benedict, presiding. Silence is commanded and gentlemen take off your hats.”
“Carl, I will have the first case, please.”
“Yes, your honor. The first case is set for an extradition hearing in the state of Michigan versus Jonah Wilson Carruthers. The state of Michigan is represented by detective Robert Belford of the Detroit police department.”
“Thank you, Carl. Appearances, please.”
Carl Tinsdale has been a deputy sheriff for Addison county for twelve years. In that time, he has seen defendants found not guilty, guilty, plead no contest or outright plead guilty. He has seen extradition hearings, and could write several encyclopaedias on everything he saw and heard. He was a man of his word and stood five feet, ten inches tall, and had wavy black hair.
“David Williams for the defendant, your honor.”
“Assistant district attorney, James W. Leeds for the state, your honor.”
“Thank you gentlemen. Mr. Leeds you may proceed.”
“Thank you, your honor. I call as my first witness, detective Robert Belford to the stand.”
Detective Belford was sworn in and spelled his last name for the record.
“Detective Belford, you have come here with an extradition warrant for the defendant, Jonah Wilson Carruthers. Would you please, in your own words, tell this court how you happened to come across this warrant so quickly.”
“Yes, I was in our squad room at the Detroit police department’s headquarters, when I heard the fax machine. I went over and looked at the fax, and, yes, there is a God in heaven. As I looked at the fax, I saw the name Jonah Wilson Carruthers, d.o.b., 04/02/1982. The fax was from an officer Steven Hastings of the Pine Forest police department, asking for wants and warrants.
“I immediately called the Pine Forest police department and placed a felony hold on Mr. Carruthers.”
“Do you see Mr. Carruthers in this courtroom, today?”
“Yes, he is seated third from the center aisle, three rows down from the courtroom door.”
“Your honor, let the record reflect that the witness has identified the defendant, Jonah Wilson Carruthers. Detective Belford, how were you able to pick him out of all the people in the courtroom?”
“Mr. Carruthers and I have a police/suspect relationship going back eleven years. When I saw the man sitting in the defendant’s chair, I knew that wasn’t Jonah Carruthers, so I started looking around the courtroom. That is when I saw him where he is seated now.”
“Thank you, detective. Now, you are requesting that Jonah Wilson Carruthers be extradited to Detroit. Will tell this court why?”
“Yes, Jonah Wilson Carruthers, the defendant here today, is wanted in Detroit, Michigan for murder, carjacking, endangering safety by conduct regardless of life, robbery, armed robbery, arson. …”
“Thank you, detective. No further questions.”
“Any cross, Mr. Williams?”
“No, your honor. I have not been able to get my client to even talk to me. So, I can’t even put on a defense.”
“Very well. Mr. Carruthers, do you have anything to say as to why you should not be extradited to Detroit?”
“This isn’t any of your affair. You flatfeet are all the same. You had better let me go, and I mean now.”
“Mr. Jonah Wilson Carruthers, it is the judgment of this court that you be extradited to the city of Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, to stand trial for felony crimes committed by you in that jurisdiction. The court further orders that detective Robert Belford is to be allowed to take custody of the defendant. This court will take a brief recess for about thirty minutes.”
Thirty minutes goes by pretty fast, and the next thing the people knew, Carl was telling everybody to please rise. When the judge sat down, Carll told everybody to be seated.
“May I have the next case, Carl?”
“Yes, your honor. This, too, is an extradition request by the state of Michigan to extradite David Adams, the defendant present in court.”
“Thank you, Carl. Mr. Leeds, you may proceed.”
“Your honor, the defendant, David Adams is wanted on felony warrants from the City of Detroit, Wayne County, State of Michigan, for various felonies committed in that jurisdiction. I call detective Robert Belford to the stand.”
“Mr. Belford, you are still sworn,” judge Benedict informed the detective. Proceed Mr. Leeds.
“Detective, please state in your own words why you want the defendant extradited to Detroit.”
“David Adams is wanted by the State of Michigan for robbery, armed robbery, arson, murder, attempted murder, and grand theft auto.”
“Is there he isn’t wanted for?”
“Objection, your honor,” Stated defense attorney Williams.
“Sustained. Mr. Williams, you know better.”
“No further questions.”
“Mr. Williams, any cross?”
“Yes, your honor. Detective Belford. Isn’t it unusual for a police detective to come and take charge of a suspect on a Sunday.”
“Yes.”
“So, why did you come to take charge of the defendant this Sunday past?”
“Because, I was in the Detroit police department headquarters squad room, when I heard the fax machine. I went over and saw that the defendant was being held here in Pine Forest. I woke up a circuit court judge and told him the facts, I showed him the warrants that have been issued for the defendant, and he gave me an extradition warrant. So, here I am.”
“So, isn’t a fact that your city issued warrants against the defendant based on allegations?”
“No, sir. The warrants issued against the defendant were based on eye witness accounts. Our investigation showed the defendant to be the logical actor in all of the warrants issued.”
“Then, why wasn’t he arrested in Detroit?”
“Because, when we went to arrest him, he had left our jurisdiction.”
“Now, detective, isn’t it a fact that you have a personal grudge against the defendant?”
“Objection, your honor. Improper cross and calls for a conclusion on the part of the witness.”
“Sustained. Anything further, Mr. Williams
“No, your honor, defense rests.”
“Very well, Mr. Adams stand up. This court finds that you are guilty of certain felonies comitted in the city of Detroit, County of Wayne, State of Michigan. It is the further order of this court that you be extradited to Detroit to stand trial on thew warrants they have issued against you. It is so ordered and this court is adjourned.”
The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane - Part 6
By Barbara Lynn Terry
(Author’s note: Susan Marie Kelly is an involuntary nom de plume for Barbara Lynn Terry. When it says submitted by Susan Marie Kelly, it should read “submitted by Barbara Lynn Terry. Thank you. Barbara.)
Chapter 8 - After the extradition hearings.
Part 1 - Jonah Carruthers and David Adams are taken back to Detroit.
After the judge gave the order for extradition, deputies of the Addison county sheriff’s office, took David Adams back to his cell in the county jail. When he got back, the other prisoners wanted to know what happened.
“That stupid judge extradited me and turned me over to Belford. Well, Belford is all alone, and it won’t be too hard to get away from him. He thinks that because he is a big shot detective in Detroit, he can be one here too. I have very bad news for this cop.”
“Yes, but what if he faxes for assistance? Won’t Detroit send a couple of cops to help him?”
“Big Bob Belford is an egotist. He won’t ask for help, because he thinks he can handle me all by himself. He has no idea of the connections I have.”
Big Jim Donohue was doing ten years for armed robbery. He was back in court trying to get his conviction over turned.
“So, how are you going to handle him?”
“I’d rather not say now. I will handle him, though.”
While David Adams was talking to his fellow cellmates, Detective Robert Belford was in the police communication center, faxing the Detroit police department, that Jonah Carruthers and David Adams have been ordered extradited. Please send two officers to assist detective Robert Belford, DPD. Detective Belford then signed it with his name and payroll number. He hoped it wouldn’t take long to get an answer.
While he was waiting, he was talking to the officers of the Pine Forest police department.
“How much time do you think they will get, when they are convicted?” Asked Steve Hastings.
“If each one is convicted, they both stand to be in prison for the rest of their lives. Jonah Carruthers is charged with attempted murder and murder and other charges. David Adams is charged with murder and other charges. When they are found guilty on the murder charge, alone, they will be sentenced to life in prison.”
“It is a pity that a grown man has to behave like that,” Steve Hastings mused. “Maybe someday, the world will not have men like Jonah Wilson Carruthers or David Adams. Maybe.”
“I hope so, too, Steve,” Robert Belford said, in answer to what Steve had stated. “You know, Steve, if we didn’t have men like those two, maybe we could have a job that pays better.”
Senior officer, Steve Hastings, chuckled at that last part of detective Belford’s words.
“Yes, maybe we would. But, the sad part is, we will never see that day come. So, until it does, the world will need people like us to enforce the law.”
“Yeah, and more’s the pity,” detective Belford said in finality. “I wonder what’s taking my answer fax so long.”
“Maybe they’re busy. I hear Detroit is a fast paced department.”
“If you only knew, Steve.”
“Bob, it looks like your fax came through. Jim Donovan and Greg Houston are on the way to help you with the prisoners,” Tony Palmetti told the detective.
“They are two good officers. Always there to lend a helping hand, not only to other officers, but to people in distress and children. There was one time, Jim was off duty and he was shopping at the supermarket. He saw this old lady struggling to get her groceries out of the store. When he learned she had to take the bus to get home, he showed her his identification and offered to take her home. She consented, and the next month, Jim’s name was on the board of honor that we have on our station lobby wall.
“He didn’t do this for being honored, but, that is the type of guy he is. He loves helping people, no matter what their circumstances are. Greg is a gung ho, rugged type that loves to go nature hiking when he isn’t working. He says he gets a good cardio workout that way. But, he, too, loves helping people. That is why the station put them both together. They get along with each other, and they both have things in common. I’m glad it’s these two that are coming to help take these two very dangerous criminals back to stand trial.
“Sounds like Detroit has a good police department,” Greg Olsen said, as he came up to the group.
“We do, there are a lot officers that are given a bad rap by criminals, but, you know how it goes. Criminals that have been convicted have this, ‘I didn’t do anything’, attitude. They blame us for their being in prison. Does the fax say when Jim and Greg will be here?”
“It just says, ‘got your fax, and we are on the way. I am bringing Greg Houston with me’, and it was signed Jim Donovan.”
“That means they will be here later today or sometime tomorrow. They should be flying in, and I should fax them to …”
“Wait, Bob. There’s another fax coming in.” They waited for the fax to complete. “It says, ‘Bob, we are leaving immediately, and flying down. Then we can drive back in your car. Best wishes, Jim.’ So,” Greg Olsen said, “it looks like you will be leaving with those two jerks today.”
“Looks like. But, now that I know about this block party, I am going to have the chief post a notice asking other officers not on active duty, to come down and enjoy the festivities. If I wasn’t too concerned about getting these two extradited, I would have had more than a hot dog and a beer. But, I will be back to have fun, the next time that I can.”
“That sounds like a plan to me,” Steve Hastings told his new friend and colleague from a different jurisdiction. “It appears that you have about an hour on your hands, doing nothing. How about I show you around?”
“Alright,” detective Belford answered Steve.
Steve showed the detective around, starting with the booking room, where prisoners were charged, photographed and fingerprinted. Then he showed Robert Belford the narcotics squad room, where there were four detectives, two of which were questioning prisoners. They went from there to the cell block where prisoners were temporarily kept until their initial court appearance. Steve then took the detective outside and showed him, where on the police department building, they had cameras that could see for three blocks in any direction.
Finally and not least, Steve showed Bob the dispatch office. This is where they were dispatched to their various crime scenes. It made no difference whether it was just a family disturbance or a traffic violation, to other minor and major crime scenes. The Pine Forest police station/headquarters was more than adequate for this small town.
After the tour was complete, Steve drove the detective to the airport to pick up Jim and Greg. When they got to the airport, the plane from Detroit was just landing. When Jim Donovan and Greg Houston came in to the terminal from the plane, they immediately saw Bob.
“Hey, Bob, thanks for the short furlough. So, we finally got a hold of those two.”
“Yes, we did, thanks to a little help from the Pine Forest police department. Jim Donovan, Greg Houston, this is senior police trainer, Steve Hastings.”
Jim and Greg shook hands with Steve and said it was nice meeting him. On the way back to Pine Forest from the airport, Robert Belford related to his colleagues about the block party they put on more than once a year in honor of a Pine Forest resident who had passed away. When detective Belford said that the money collected from the block party went in to an account, to be used for a deserving high school student’s scholarship, the other two Detroit detectives said that was a very good way to honor someone special.
Steve told them about Mrs. Mae Harkins and all the good things she did and all the good ideas she had. Jim and Greg were amazed that a whole town could honor just one person.
“I was thinking,” Bob told his friends. “That maybe we could get the chief to post a notice about this block party, and have other officers come down when they are off duty. It really is a fun fastival.”
“I will have to come and see,” Jim said in an answer. “When I am off duty. I mean, it is only across the state line.”
“We could come down together, Jim,” Greg told his partner.
“We could use all the help we can get, to get the money to send one deserving high school student to college on a scholarship. This scholarship was founded at a town council meeting, one week after Mrs. Mae Harkins passed away. Since then, we have sent two deserving students to college on the scholarship.”
“Who determines who gets the scholarship?” Asked Greg Houston.
“It is determined at a town hall meeting, one month before school lets out for the summer,” Steve told his new friends. “It is based on grades, classroom participation, SAT scores and attitude. When the student meets all of these qualifications to the satisfaction of the school, then their name is presented to the mayor’s office, who then holds the town hall meeting. We all have a vote. This year will be the third year we will send a deserving high school student to college.”
“Is this block party the only source of income for the scholarship?” Asked Jim Donovan.
“No. We have different events throughout the year. The money taken in from those events is placed in to the account for the scholarship. This coming weekend, at our community center, we are having a square dance. While admission is free, the people who come must pay for their food and drinks. Nobody in town complains, because Mrs. Mae Harkins was very well respected.
“With this scholarshp, we keep that sense of respect alive. We have sent notices to the other towns around here, and we do get a few occasionally from them, but, for the most part, it is mainly the townspeople who contribute the money for the scholarship.”
“This sounds like the kind of town I would like to live in,” stated Jim Donovan.
“Also,” continued Steve Haskins, “during the winter we have sledding competitions, ice skating events, we even have a snowman building contest. So, all through the year we have one event after another. Every event is in Mrs. Mae Harkins honor. It is the least we can do for a lady who gave most of her time to help the people of Pine Forest.”
“Now I know this is the kind of town I would like to live in,” Jim Donovan repeated himself.
“You know Jim, Bob,” Greg Houston mused. “If we all moved down here, maybe we could get jobs as detectives here.”
“We have four detectives here, and they all work in narcotics. Other than that, all the other officers are in uniform. I am the senior trainer. I train rookies assigned to me. If you three did move here, then I would have you do all the driving. That way, you get to know the area. You will find that surrounding towns all start with the word pine. Like, we have Pine Woods, Pine Grove, Pine Forest, and so on. Pine Forest is the county seat of Addison county.”
“Well, all I can say is, this is one great town. By the way; how much serious crime is there here?” Asked Greg Houston.
“Well, from our local people, not many serious crimes. We do get the occasional out-of-towner that comes in and starts trouble. Like the two you are taking back to Detroit. By the way, David Carruthers is in our jail. He is waiting to go to court and see if we can waive him in to adult court, to be tried as an adult.”
“That little pain in the ass, needs to be tried as an adult. He is trouble 101,” Jim told Steve.
“I went to tell Jonah that we had his son in our jail, and that he was arrested for assaulting a transgender person. You know that Jonah had the nerve to ask me to drop the charges against his son, and let David go. When I said no, he came down here looking for the transgender person, and started making threats. We arrested him, and I ran his name, picture and prints. What I got back was wanted posters for both Jonah Wilson Carruthers and David Adams.”
“Yep, that sounds like something Jonah would do,” added Jim Donovan. “These two are not going to be happy to see us. But, oh well.”
“Well,” Greg Houston told the others. “Let’s get these two cuffed and stuffed.”
Steve took them to the county jail, and showed the warrants to the undersheriff, who promptly ordered the two prisoners turned over to the Detroit police officers. When Jonah and David Adams were brought out to the desk, they saw Jim Donovan and Greg Houston standing there with Robert Belford.
“By the looks on your faces, you seem surprised to see us. You didn’t think detective Belford was going to take you two back to Detroit alone. Did you?” Jim Donovan addressed the two suspects.
“Also, Jonah, David, there is another charge, now, for each of you. It is called flight to avoid prosecution. I am going to have a party at my house when you two are convicted,” Greg Houston told the two wanted men.
The epithets that came out of heir mouths was something even a truck driver wouldn’t repeat.
“Bob, where is your car?”
“In the parking lot, Jim. All we need to do is get them restrained and placed in the car. By the way, I brought an official car with ordinary license plates.”
“That’s good. Steve, it was nice to have met you, and I will be back for your festivals as much as I can.”
“Same here, Jim, Greg. You have a safe trip back to Detroit. Bob, nice to have met you, and don’t be a stranger.”
“Don’t worry, Steve, unless I am working, wild horses couldn’t keep me away.”
After they had gotten Jonah Carruthers and David Adams in the car, Steve shook hands with all three of the Detroit detectives. Robert Belford pulled out of the police garage and headed north to Detroit.
Part 2 - The Shepard family tours their new town.
Meanwhile, at 1734 Ginger Lane, the Shepard family was packing a picnic lunch to have while they were out. They were going to look around the area, to become familiar with the roads, nearby towns, and look around the city of Pine Forest. Kathy and Jimmy Shepard were especially interested in where things were; like Burger King, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, theaters, department stores; all the important things. John Shepard wanted to know where the airport was, because he needed to fly out at least twice a year to visit his hardware stores and check his warehouses.
During this trip, somewhere along the journey’s path, they were going to stop and have a picnic lunch out in the open air. Eileen Shepard made the cole slaw and the potato salad. Kathy Shepard made sure that everything was packed in the cooler, and the pinic basket. They had enough food to last the day.
During this trip, Jimmy and Kathy Shepard liked to play cloud formation games. They would look for a cloud in the shape of something they recognized. Since Eileen was not driving, she joined the children in this game. But, just so they could see the clouds together, Jimmy and Kathy were looking out of the back car window. They did not block the rear view mirror.
Road trips are what you make it. They can be boring, or they could be fun. But, the Shepard family never thought that anything they did was boring. Like the city of Pine Forest, the Shepard family loved to have fun. Today was going to be more fun than normal, because they get to visit five different towns.
John Shepard made a mental note to visit all of the hardware stores in each of the five towns. Eileen Shepard wanted to know where all of the stores that sold cloth and knitting supplies were. Jimmy and Kathy Shepard wanted to make new friends. No matter where the Shepard family was going on this sunny day, they each had an agenda to follow.
The first town John Shepard went to, was the Village of Pine Woods. It is a small town, of twenty five thousand people, most of whom lived on their farms or in their country homes.
“Well, I am going to talk to the owner and look over his store. Maybe I can give him a little push in the right direction.”
“I’ll be with the children. I want to see if they have a Joanne Fabrics store here,” Eileen told her husband. “Maybe we will look for a toy store, too.”
“Most of these small towns have hardware, clothing, fabrics, farm machinery, toys, automobile fluids and parts store all in one. Why not come along with me? I’m sure you’ll be able to look around and see if there is anything you like. Jimmy, you and Kathy can look around, too.”
c“Then when the snow comes, I will teach you. At first though, I will teach you on a small hill. Then when you are used to that, we can ski on a little bigger hill.”
“Sounds great, dad,” both children said in unison.
“I am going to talk to George and see where everybody goes ice skating around here. I know fall isn’t officially here, yet, but it pays to be ready when winter comes.”
“John, I think the hardware store may have what I need. We will look around and see. I want to get some material to make curtains and drapes. Oh, children look, your father’s one room shack.”
Eileen said that when she saw a run down barn. Even John Shepard laughed.
“You’re giving away my secrets, dear.” Everybody giggled and laughed.
They went back to playing their cloud games, and saw one that looked like the state of Florida. They were coming in to Pine Woods, and the main street wasn’t connected to the highway, like in Pine Forest, but it was three blocks from the village limits.
John Shepard came to a stop sign at the highway and Main Street. There was a sign pointing to the police station, the hospital, and the business district. John turned toward the business district and found the hardware store on the corner of Pine Street and Oak Avenue. John Shepard noticed that in this area of the state, everything was named after trees, ferns, grasses, and flowers. There was even a Dandelion Road.
John parked the car in the parking lot behind the hardware store..They went in the store, and the first thing that John Shepard saw, was a pair of skis.
“Jimmy, Kathy, how would you like to learn how to ski?”
“I would love to,” Jimmy Shepard answered his father.
“I would, too, dad,” Kathy echoed her brother.
A man in his forties came over by John and his family; “Hello, folks, may I help you find something?”
“Is the owner or the manager in?”
“I’m Hugh Creston, the owner.”
“I’m John Shepard of Shepard Hardware. I would like to see what kind of stock you have in hardware.”
“Mr. Shepard, I am very happy to meet you. I order all my hardware from your mid state warehouse. We have had nothing but compliments about the quality of your products.”
“Well, thank you, Mr. Creston, and you may call me, John.”
“I’m Hugh. Is that your family?”
“Yes, let me introduce you. Dear, this is the owner of the store, Mr. Hugh Creston. He says he orders all of his hardware from my company.”
“Hello, I’m looking for material to make curtains and drapes. I would like to see your needlework, too, if you carry needlework.”
“Mrs. Shepard, we carry a full line of material for any purpose you wish to use it for. We have dress patterns, we have knitting and crochet supplies. Anything you want in the way of material to make whatever you wish to make, we carry. Did you move in to town?”
“We bought Mrs. Harkins cottage in Pine Forest on Ginger Lane.”
“Now there was a lady. She was an angel. She came in here one afternoon and asked for a bolt of cobalt blue satin material. I told her I was going to give it to her at a discount, and she told me, ‘nonsense young man, I will pay the regular price’. She didn’t accept charity, and she didn’t want things at a discount, if the thing she wanted wasn’t on sale. She did give to charity, though. As far as this part of the state is concerned, Mae Harkins is an angel. When did you folks move in?”
“I bought the cottage outright on Friday. We had quite the time helping at the block party.”
“What did you think of the block party?” Hugh asked John.
“I thought it was a lot of fun. I helped George Simons on the grill he was working. The children went on ride after ride, and played game after game. But, all in all, it was a lot of fun. We did have a little drama, but the police put a stop to that.”
“Well, feel free to look around, and if you see something you like, just holler.” Hugh went back to stocking the shelves.
Part 3 - On the road to Detroit.
As detective Robert Belford was driving along the interstate, he happened to notice a car that has been following them.
“Greg, raise the state police. Tell them we are delivering two wanted felons to the Wayne County Jail, and that we are being followed. The license number is,” Robert Belford whispered it in Greg’s ear. “You fellas are in for a big surpriase when we get you two delivered to the sheriff. Oh! Don’t worry about signaling your friends, you can’t turn around or raise your arms. If they pull along side of us and try to help you escape, they will be right in the jail with you. Remember, we have the connection to the state police.”
As they continued to drive, they saw a Michigan State Police car pull behind the tailing car. Seeing that they had been spotted, the car following the detectives with their charges, pulled off the highway. The state police followed them.
Detective Belford looked in the rear view mirror at the two wanted men.
“Your buddies pulled off the highway with the stat police right behind them. You better hope they don’t have any weapons.”
All you could hear was effen damn, and Robert Belford just smiled. Thirty minutes later, detective Belford pulled up to the Wayne County Sheriff’s building at 1231 Saint Antoine Street, in Detroit. Detective Belford beeped his car horn twice, and the doors opened admitting the detectives to the garage.
“What do we have here, Bob?” Inquired the sheriff sergeant on duty.
“We have Jonah Wilson Carruthers and David Adams. These are the warrants we picked them up on, in Pine Forest.”
“Well, well, well. It seems Santa Claus has come a little early this year,” the sergeant said. “Gentlemen, welcome back home.”
There was snickering coming from the three Detroit detectives.
“Lou, we’re going to leave, because we know these two are in good hands.” There was more snickering.
Greg Houston unchained the two criminals, and placed the shackles back in the trunk.
Louis (Lou) Reid was a deputy sergeant with the Wayne County sheriff’s department. He has worked there since turning twenty one. At forty two, Lou didn’t care for any rank above sergeant. He wasn’t glory hungry.
The three detectives went to the Detroit police administration building, where they were stationed in homicide. Actually, detective Belford went down to get Jonah Carruthers. David Adams was just icing on the cake.
Next chapter: Jonah Carruthers and David Adams go before the judge.
The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane - Part 7
By Barbara Lynn Terry
Chapter 9 - Life returns to normal in Pine Forest.
With Jonah Wilson Carruthers and David Adams gone, the city of Pine Forest returned to its normal operations. Folks were working, store proprietors were selling dry goods and groceries. John Shepard was still at the Village of Pine Woods hardware store. Eileen Shepard was looking through the sewing and crafts section. Jimmy and Kathy Shepard were looking at the toys.
Not the toys you would see most boys and girls playing with, but more sophisticated toys. There were games for the wii machine, and these were the “toys” Jimmy and Kathy were looking at. Hugh Creston was explaing to John Shepard how he orders his supplies from Shepard Hardware, Mid-State, Warehouse. He finally came to the nuts, bolts, screws, hinges, etc., and John inspected all of them. What John Shepard was looking for, was any imperfections in the quality of the hardware. He didn’t find any.
Jimmy and Kathy came over with two games for their wii machine.
“Dad, May I have this basketball game for the wii machine?” Jimmy Shepard asked.
“Of course, son. Basketball is a good game to play.”
“Daddy, may I please have this tennis game for the wii machine?” Kathy Shepard humbly asked.
“Of course, punkin, tennis is a good game to play on the wii. Kathy, Jimmy, how would you two like to learn to play tennis?”
“Only if I can learn how to play basketball,” answered Jimmy.
“It’s a deal, son.”
John Shepard was proud of his children. They have recently moved in to an area that has a transgender child living nearby. John was of the opinion that all people of that sort engaged in unnatural sex acts, but, he found Jay Simons to be decent and caring. His son even protected Jay from a bully. Yes, he was proud of his children, as they became friends with Jay Simons.
Eileen Shepard found an opaque, lacy material for the kitchen windows. Then she found a heavy material for the kitchen windows. This material had fruit prints on it, like apples, bananas, strawberries, and even a slice of watermelon. She felt this would be ideal for kitchen drapes.
For the living room, she selected a sky blue material for the living room drapes. She didn’t need curtains, because the shades they were going to put up, would cover the windows. The drapes would be added security for the Shepard family’s privacy.
In Jimmy’s room, she selected a material for the drapes that had an Iron Man print on them. This would be the drapes for Jimmy’s room. For Kathy’s room, she selected a drapery material that had Disney’s Princesses theme and the Disney castle.
With their purchases in hand, they approached the counter, and Hugh Creston checked them out. Promising to return, the Shepard family left.
“Well,” John Shepard opened the conversation. “Our next stop is Pine Tree, about five miles down the the road from here. I want to check out the hardware store there, too, if they have one. A lot of these rural counties have one hardware store for a few towns.”
“Well, dear,” Eileen stated, not to be left out of the conversation. “Maybe I can find a few things there, too.”
“Mom, you’re always buying things. Me and Kathy have what we want. What do you want to look for?”
“I don’t know, yet, Jimmy. But, I will know it when I see it.”
“Mom, may I help you look for it?”
“Yes, Kathy, you may.”
“Women!” John Shepard muttered under his breath.
“Men!” Eileen and Kathy Shepard said together.
John Shepard and Jimmy looked at each other, as they both smiled. John entered the town limits of Pine Tree, and was looking for the hardware store. As he drove in to the town, Eileen noticed that this town had a Joanne Fabrics store. John found the hardware store at the end of the main street. This wasn’t called main street, though. It was called Highway Boulevard. That is, I guess, because the highway ran right through the middle of town.
John Shepard parked in front of the hardware store, and Eileen said she was taking Kathy with her. Jimmy said he was staying with his dad. There was one good thing about small towns like this; they had a small, but busy business district. John and Jimmy went in the hardware store, while Eileen and Kathy went from store to store.
The town of Pine Tree has fifteen thousand people who live in town and the immediate surrounding countryside. As John Shepard entered the hardware store with Jimmy, he noticed how small the store was. He thought to himself, that the store could be bigger, and maybe he could give the owner a few pointers.
“May I help you, sir?” Said a voice from behind them.
“Yes, I’m John Shepard of Shepard Hardware. I supply hardware stores from coast to coast and in Canada, too. I thought maybe I could talk to the owner about maybe enlarging the store.”
“I’m Pete McDonald, the proprietor of the store. I had wanted to enlarge the store, but, I haven’t gotten around to it, yet.”
“May I see what you have on the shelves, and in stock? Maybe I can give you a few pointers to help you?”
“Mr. Shepard, I know about your hardware business, but I order from a different company.”
“Why don’t we sit down, say, over coffee. We can talk about how much you pay for your stock, and how much my company charges. This would not be a new customer one time rate, but, it would be a rate you can afford always.”
“I am willing to find out how I can save money on my stock orders. The company I order from charges me a small fortune.”
“Jimmy, go out to the car and bring my Thermos bottle in. Mr. McDonald and I are going to have a business meeting.”
Jimmy ran out to the car, and found his dad’s Thermos bottle. He quickly took it inside. Pete McDonald went in the back and got a cup.
“Mr. McDonald, I …”
“It’s Pete.”
“I’m John. Mr McDonald, I feel if you ordered from my company, you would see a marked increase in your business. I make sure my hardware is of the utmost quality. I have a few samples with me, if you would like to see them.”
“By all means, John.”
“Jimmy. Bring in my sample case.”
Jimmy ran to the car and got his dad’s hardware sample case. Jimmy lugged it in to the store.
“Pete, I want you to look at these samples, and compare them to what you have now. I think you will find these samples are a better quality than what you are used to buying.”
Pete McDonald took a few samples over to his bins where he had the bolts, screws, nails, hinges, and more.He weighed each one of the samples against the weight of his stock. Pete found the samples from Shepard Hardware was slightly heavier, and looked like A-one quality. After about an hour of testing the samples against his own stock, Pete McDonald went back by John.
“John, I will order from your company. These sample seem a bit heavier than what I have now. This is the kind of quality I have been looking for.”
“Then here is my card. I have a mid state warehouse here in this state. Your orders will come from them. You call the number on the card to set up an account. When you order, the secretary who answered the phone will alert the warehouse. The warehouse then fills the order and ships it out by UPS Ground. The shipping charges are cheaper that way.”
“Thank you, Mr., uh, John.”
“You are welcome. I visit the hardware stores in this country twice a year, to make sure everything is going fine. I think you will find my company a little different than all the others. We also throw a picnic banquet during the summer for all of our customers. You pay nothing except your travel costs. If you wish to bring a dish to pass around, you may.
“Pete, I show my appreciation for the customers I have. I am hoping to have more as I go on my twice a year jaunts.”
“Do you live around here, Mr., uh, John?”
“We live in Pine Forest. We bought the widow Mae Harkins place just this last Friday.”
“Everybody in these parts knows Mae Harkins. She was a lady a person could depend on. If you asked her if she could help you by baby sitting, or helping a wheelchair bound person clean their house, she would. For those who couldn’t, she would cook their meals for them. She never asked for a penny; not one penny. Mae Harkins is called the angel of Addison county.”
“Now I see why Pine Forest puts on all those events in her honor for that scholarship prgram. I regret not having met her.”
“John, every year at Christmas time, we go through the town and sing Christmas carols. It is a tradition we never got rid of. I think you will like that. It is the one event where people in the area actually send money in for the Mrs. Mae Harkins Memorial Scholarship Fund. She has touched everybody in this county in one way or another.”
“Pete, the phone number on the bottom left on my card, will be my home number. If you want, we can get together and have a few at the local watering hole. We can sit and discuss everything from the weather to the infinity of the universe.”
“Do you always treat your customers this way?”
“Yes. I don’t think of them as just customers. I think of them as friends who order quality hardware at a decent price. I think of them as friends, because that is what a stranger is; a friend you haven’t met, yet.”
“My current supplier doesn’t think like that. If I have a problem with the order he sent me, he deducts that from the order amount, but he never calls or comes around.”
“That isn’t a business. That’s a swindle. I never understood companies that did business in that way. I am having a cook out at my house next week Friday. My address is 1734 Ginger Lane, Pine Forest. The cook out, will go from eleven in the morning until midnight. Bring your family and friends and a dish to pass around, if you want to.”
“Where are you going from here?”
“I thought we would take a trip over to Pine Grove. I understand that is where the airport is.”
“Yes, it is a huge airport for these part. It can handle big jet planes, as well as the small private planes and corporate and personally owned smaller jets.”
“Good, because I fly out twice a year to inspect my hardware people and see if they are satisfied with their orders.”
“Excuse me, but what planet did you say you were from? I have been in the hardware business going on twenty years. Never have I ever heard of a big shot from one of the hardware companies ever spending time with their customers, and I never heard of them flying out twice a year to see if we were satisfied.”
“Like I said, Pete, I treat my customers as friends. I want my friends to be satisfied with their orders. If somebody makes a complaint about my hardware product(s), I want to know that, too. I am successful in the hardware business, more so than others. That is because I care about my customers being happy, making their customers happy.”
Pete lightly shakes his head. “Like I said, I have never heard of a hardware business doing anything like this. Your way of doing business in hardware, is not, as they say in jolly old England, cricket.”
“Well, Pete, we have a few more towns to go to yet. We’re just getting acquainted with the area. Our next stop will be Pine Grove.”
“The man’s name who owns the hardware store there, is Jim Bradley. He has had that store for the last twenty two years. He’s a decent man, and he has a wonderful sense of humor. Tell him you stopped by here and that I will be ordering from you.”
“I sure will, Pete. It is nice to have met you.”
“Likewise. I will be ordering from your company. As my current stock dwindles, I will order replacements from you. Drive safe, John, and I will be at your cook out, along with the family.”
“Alright, Pete, you take care, too.”
With that, John and Jimmy left the store, just in time to see Eileen and Kathy coming from across the street. They were carrying bags of something, and Eileen had a bolt of pink material in her hands. The bolt of cloth was heavy, and it was a good thing that Diane’s Fabrics was just across the street.
Eileen and Kathy got to the car, where John took the bolt of cloth from Eileen’s tired arms.
“Let’s put everything in the trunk. Our next stop is Pine Grove. So, if we’re ready, I say let’s go.”
Everybody got in the car, and buckled their seat belts. John Shepard started the car, and backed out of the parking space. They headed due west to the city of Pine Grove.
Along the way, they played their cloud formation game. It was fascinating the shapes the clouds took on. Like there was a formation of the continent of Australia. Another one of Abraham Lincoln’s head. They saw many “cool” cloud formations. Then John Shepard announced they were coming in to Pine Grove. This was the biggest city in the area, and you would think this would be the county seat, instead of Pine Forest.
Pine Forest was built and established in 1802, and was incorporated in 1875. Pine Grove was built and established in 1835 and was incorporated in 1883. When Pine Forest was first built, there was Judge Ephraim Abraham who on a good day would give you life in prison, if you were convicted of a capitol crime such as; horse stealing, murder, rape, attempted murder. On a bad day, he would order you hung by the neck until dead.
It was judge Abraham who, at a town hall meeting, suggested that a two story courthouse be built. The suggestion was seconded and it was passed unanimously. Two and half years later, the Addison county courthouse was finished.
As they drove through Pine Grove, they saw that there was a realty office, two restaurants, several taverns, and a Joanne Fabrics store caught Eileen Shepard’s eye. They passed city hall, where there was a notice displayed on the bulletin board outside. The bulletin Board was encased. On the notice, in big bold letters, it said town meeting this Friday.
There is one thing John Shepard liked about small towns. Everybody in town had a say in how things were run. The mayor in these small towns listened to the people that elected him. John Shepard was to learn a few things about the mayor and the town council.
There was a parking lot in the back of the hardware store, the front being a loading zone. After parking the car, John Shepard and family, went in the hardware store.
“Good morning, folks, may I help you find something?”
“Maybe. I’m John Shepard of Shepard Hardware. I have …” Jim Bradley interrupted John.
“Mr. Shepard, I am the owner of this store, and I order all of my hardware from your company. I have had one compliment after another about the quality of your products. I’m Jim Bradley.”
“I’m John, and I have a message from Pete McDonald in Pine Tree. He says to tell you he sent me. I am having a cook out next week Friday. Bring your family and a dish to pass around, if you want. My address is 1734 Ginger Lane, Pine Forest.”
“That address sounds familiar. There was a Mae Harkins that lived on Ginger Lane in Pine Forest. She was a widow and a very sweet lady. I offered her a cup of tea once, and we sat and talked for about an hour. Then a customer came in and I excused myself. When she left, she had bought a Brinks* padlock and hasp.”
“From what I see here, Jim, is that you have a good supply of everything. Do you remember what hasp Mrs. Mae Harkins bought?”
“Yes, since we’re right here, it is this one.” Jim Bradley showed John the hasp.
“The heavy duty one. That one is one quarter inch thick. It is meant to stand being dropped, thrown, hammered, and what not. She had a good eye.”
“Yes, John, she did. She picked it out herself, without any help.”
“Well, Jim, it was nice meeting you. This Saturday, we’re having a square dance at the community hall in Pine Forest. You are welcome to come.”
“I will certainly be there. I missed the block party this time, because I wasn’t feeling good. I hope I can make the next one. I normally come to all the events, because Mrs. Mae Harkins touched everybody in this whole area of the state in a positive manner.”
“I am just sorry I missed meeting her. It is her cottage I bought just this last Friday.”
“I have been in that house, John. It is huge inside there.”
“Yes, it is, but, I have two children, and they just love the house. It is too late to do any cultivating any more this year, but next spring, I am going to do some planting and landscaping. I want to build an addition to the cottage that Mrs. Harkins would approve of. This addition will serve as my office and file room. Well, we have one more town to visit, so I will take my leave. It was nice meeting you. See you at the cook out.”
“You bet, John, and it was meeting you, too. Drive carefully.”
The Shepard family left the small city of Pine Grove. John Shepard couldn’t help but think that he had had a meaningful conversation with Jim Bradley. They were now on their way back to Pine Forest.
Since moving in on Friday, they really hadn’t had a chance to really look around. So, today, they were going to look around their new home. The Shepard family knew where the hardware store was, but that was about it. It was, after all, the county seat.
On the way back, Jimmy, Kathy, and Eileen, were again playing their cloud formation game. It is really a fun game for any age.
“There’s one that looks like a house. They all looked at it, and sure enough, it was shaped like a house.”
“Kathy, it is your turn to look for a nicely shaped cloud,” Eileen said, noting that it was Jimmy who saw the house first.
Kathy scanned the sky, looking for a familiar shape in the clouds. She found one that was really unique.
“Look over there. That looks like a collie dog,” Kathy told everybody.
“It sure does, Kathy,” Eileen Shepard told her daughter.
“We’re coming to Pine Forest. Let’s go to the business district and get familiar with the stores, city hall, the courthouse, the community center and the Little League baseball diamond.”
John Shepard parked again, in front of the hardware store. Everybody got out, and started with the dress shop right next door to the hardware store. They went from store to store, and found out that the courthouse and community center were not that far from “downtown” Pine Forest.
Eileen and Kathy stayed in the dress shop, because they saw square dance outfits. Eileen Shepard wanted to get an outfit for herself and one for Kathy. This way, they would each have an outfit for other square dances.
John and Jimmy Shepard went in to a men’s clothing store, looking for square dance duds. They found them, s John took a complete set of square dance clothes, and then went to the children’s department to get a complete set for Jimmy.
The mother/daughter and father/son teams met at the rear of their car parked in front of the hardware store. They put their purchases in the trunk and decided to see what other stores they could raid. Jimmy and Kathy were pestering their parents to find an art store because they wanted art supplies and a couple of jigsaw puzzles.
They found Don’s Art Supply and Puzzle store on Oak Avenue, just around the corner from the hardware store. They went in and started to look around when a nice young lady of about twenty came up to them.
“Hello, my name is Brenda. May I help you?”
“Yes, maybe. My children are looking for art supplies and jigsaw puzzles.
“Well, we carry everything from acrylics to inks. We have the finest art paper in this area. We have colored pencils as well as crayons. As for jigsaw puzzles, we carry a wide variety. We carry everything from small toddler puzzles to adult 1,000 piece puzzles. The art supplies are on that far end of the store, and the jigsaw puzzles are on this end, here.
“Feel free to look around, and if you find something you like, I will be at the register, right there,” She said, pointing to where the cash register was.
Jimmy and Kathy went over by the art supplies. Jimmy was looking for acrylics, while Kathy was looking for oil paints. They found several single paint-by-numbers portrait boards, and a lot more paint-by-numbers books. They each selected what they wanted in the paint department, and then turned to the portrait boards and books.
Jimmy found a portrait board with George Washington standing up in the boat crossing the Delaware river. This was going to keep Jimmy quite busy when he wasn’t with his new friends, or doing homework.
Kathy found both a portrait board and two books. The portrait board had flowers, butterflies, bumble bees, birds and a cloudless sky with a brightly shining sun. The paint-by-numbers books she found had different themes throughout each of the books.
Kathy went to get their dad, while Jimmy kept an eye on the supplies they were going to buy. They needed their dad to carry the portrait boards, while they carried the paints and books. Jimmy amd Kathy had easels they could put the boards on.
Jimmy and Kathy did know how to draw, but they wanted something they could do qithout having to delicately taking their time, which is what you do when you draw free hand. Maybe in a few years they will be able to draw like the professional artists do when they make the images for cartoons. In fact, it was the cartoons they watch on the cartoon channel that got the two children interested in drawing.
They took the art supplies and the other purchases home with them, and then went right back out again. The next place they went was to the courthouse. They wanted to know where it was and after getting out of the car, they went inside. As they entered the courthouse, they saw officer Steve Haskins.
“Hello, Mr. Shepard. What brings to theses gloomy walls?” Asked Steve.
“Just getting familiarized with the area. I need the children to know where everything is. Is the community center open, right now?” Inquired John Shepard.
“Yes, Mr. Shepard. It allows the children to do things. They have a basketball court, a separate room where they can play table tennis, a central community area where we hold the square dances, and other indoor events. It also has a swimming pool, where people may go swimming if they want to. Does Mrs. Shepard like to bake?”
“Yes, why do you ask?”
“Well, twice a year we have a bake sale in the community center. The ladies bake some of the most delicious cookies, pies, cakes and breads. It isn’t a contest, it’s just a bake sale. The money from that bake sale goes in to the Mrs. Mae Harkins Memorial Scholarship Fund.”
“It seems,” John Shepard started saying. “That all the events here are in someway connected to the scholarship fund. Why is that?”
“Because we believe that hard work should be rewarded. A student who goes from kindergarten through the twelfth grade, with perfect or near perfect grades, and has been involved in class participation, and has ideal SAT scores, deserves to go to college. Not everyone in this world is rich. So, they go to college on a scholarship program. This way their tuition is paid for.”
“So, all the events you have here, are for the scholarship. My children are fair artists. I was just wondering if you had a picture drawing event, where the children who can draw, would be able to show what they can do.”
“Can Jimmy and Kathy paint freelance?” Asked Steve.
“Well, right for now, they paint by numbers. They can draw fairly well, but not to the point of being professional.”
“John, it doesn’t matter. We could organize such an event. I will bring it up at our next town hall meeting.”
“When is the next town hall meeting?” John Shepard asked Steve Hastings.
“We will meet a week from Wednesday, at the community center. The mayor holds these town hall meetings to get an idea of what the townspeople really want from city government. It is at these town hall meetings that the Widow Harkins came up with her best ideas for quite a number of things we have in our town now.”
“I told one of the hardware store owners that I am sorry I didn’t get to meet her.”
“You would have liked her, John,” Steve said, with reverence in his voice. “Come with me, and I will show you the community hall. I think Jimmy and Kathy will like it there. When they’re not with their friends, or doing other things, they can come here and get involved with a lot of things. Like I said, there is ping pong, basketball, we even have an arts and crafts room. Saturday at the square dance, you will see a lot more of the community hall. At the square dance, you will meet more of the people who live here in Pine Forest.”
“We just came back from having a tour in the other towns nearby. I have invited them and who ever they can bring, to come to the square dance.”
“Good, I hope they can come. The community center can hold five thousand people. If everybody came to the square dance, who liked country music, we would have close to that number. That includes all the children they will bring. So, if the people you invited do come, our square dance will be a success.”
“Well, Steve, I am glad you showed this to me. I am sure that they will come, or at least some of them. I promised my family a picnic, and I think we will go and do that now. Do you any good picnic spots?”
“Yes, John,” said Steve Hastings, answering the newest member of the Pine Forest family. “There is a brook on the south side of town. They have really nice picnic areas there, and the fee is reasonable. The …”
“Excuse me for interrupting, Steve, but how reasonable is reasonable?”
“John, for three dollars, you can rent a picnic area for the day. The brook that runs through there, really has no name; not yet. We will decide that at the next town hall meeting. See, the brook and picnic area I mentioned are within the city limits of Pine Forest.”
“I will have to go and see. Dear, are we ready for our picnic?”
“Yes, dear. I would love to see this brook.”
“I will talk to you later, Steve. There’s still a little familiarizing we need to do around town, yet.”
“I’ll walk back to the courthouse with you. Jimmy, Kathy, from where you live, any place in town is walking distance. But, don’t come this far from your house without someone with you. Ever since that Carruthers and Adams thing, our department is asking children especially, and women not to walk alone. Have someone go with you.”
“We will certainly abide by that, Steve,” John Shepard told the officer. “What do you think about that, Jimmy, Kathy, sweetheart.”
“I think it is good to go to the store with someone with you,” answered Jimmy and Kathy together.
“Well, dear, I am not going to the store, either, without someone going with me. There is safety in numbers.”
I agree, Mrs. Shepard. Well, here we are, enjoy your picnic.”
“Thank you, Steve.” The two men shook hands, and John Shepard left with his family to have their picnic.”
Chapter 10 - Jonah Wilson Carruthers is in court.
In Detroit, Jonah Wilson Carruthers is taken from the Wayne County jail to the 36th District Court, where his arraignment was done by video conference. This was a denial of his right to face his accuser. Then he got the shock of his life when he was assigned Judge Patricia M. Jackson** of the 36th District Court***, Detroit,Michigan. He knew then, that his boat had sunk, even before it had a chance to sail.
David Adams was also assigned to Judge Patricia M. Jackson, 36th District Court in Detroit. He thought to himself, what had he done to deserve a bitch like her. He might as well plead no contest, and give himself to the mercy of the court.
Judge Patricia M. Jackson, was forty two years old, and had been a judge for only fifteen years. She was known as the hanging judge, because if you were convicted in her court, you were given the maximum sentence prescribed by the MCL. Jonah Wilson Carruthers and David Adams were headed to prison for the rest of their lives, without any chance of parole.
Of course, the two criminals would have separate hearings, since their crimes were of a separate nature, involving different circumstances. However, like most suspects charged with heinous crimes, the two men pleaded not guilty, in the hopes of presenting evidence in their favor, thereby “beating the rap”. Jonah Wilson Carruthers would have his hearing first.
Normally, after a suspects preliminary hearing, and the judge finding that a crime has been committed. The judge having found that the defendant allegedly committed the crime, the defendant is bound over for trial. That trial would then be held at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice,**** 1441 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI. However, there is an exception. The trial is held before Judge Patricia M. Jackson, at the 36th District Court.
It would be the same for David Adams. These two men have accused detective Robert Belford of being an egotist. But, the two suspects, now turned defendants going on trial for their very lives, are, in actuality, the egotists. Their egos are so big, they think they can commit a crime and get away with it. We will see.
The two men, having been returned to their cell blocks, are now conspiring to let the sheriff put the two of them in the same cell block. Of course, they can’t come right out and ask to be on the same cell block. No, they would have to be sneaky about it. Thus, begins the conspiracy.
David Adams was to pretend that his life was in danger, and one of the cell mates would make threatening statements to David Adams, in front of the deputy sheriff. David would then plead with the deputy to be transferred off of the cell block and put on another cell block where he would feel safe, but not in a cell block that had single cells. David had to plan this just right.
The deputy for David’s cell block came for a check to make sure everything was orderly.
“Deputy!” Yelled David Adams. “Get me off of this cell block.”
“Yeah, deputy,” said a burly convict. “Get the asshole out of here, or I will strangle the bitch.”
“What’s going on, Adams?” Inquired the deputy.
“This bastard is threatening my life. He said he was going to kill me with his bare hands.”
“McDowell, what is your problem?” Asked the deputy of Connor McDowell.
“We will kill this bitch if you don’t get him outta here,” Connor told the deputy.
“I only have one cell block open, right now. Get your things, and let’s go.”
Connor McDowell was a convicted felon, doing fifteen years for aggravated assault. His language was intolerable. He was back in court trying to get his conviction overturned.
David was taken to the cell block where Jonah Wilson Carruthers was housed. When he saw David Adams being brought in, he smiled. Now, they could really hatch a scheme to win a not guilty verdict. Since both were charged with first degree intentional homicide, there was no bail, so they couldn’t out that way. But, they could have their attorneys convey messages to their friends, who were charged with any crime, and were not convicted felons.
When you commit crimes, it is best to make sure you have friends who can testify in your behalf. These two dangerous men, were now going to start their defense with the help of their attorneys. They were going to write letters to their friends, telling them exactly where they were and that they were being falsely charged with crimes they didn’t commit.
Attorney Jack Polanski represented Jonah. His trial record was oerfect, so far. Jack Polanski has never lost a case. In the interview room, just outside of the cell block, Jonah would slip letters in sealed envelopes, to Jack. Jack Polanski would then be instructed to mail them, being assured that there was nothing in the letter that would indicate an attempt to escape. Jonah’s attorney was due to see him in the morning. He had overnight to write his first letter.
Arnold W. Spencer represented David. Since the two attorneys would not see their clients on the same day, David had time to write his letter. David’s attorney would not be there for a couple of more days. It was disconcerting, to watch these two at work, trying to beat their convictions. They both knew, that without any winesses to give them an alibi, each of them would be found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.
They hatched plan after plan, once they were through with their cases. Each one did not know the other, until they were in the Addison county jail in Pine Forest. Since they are wanted men there, they would never go there again. Besides, it doesn’t pay to extradite on misdemeanors. However, unknown to Jonah, the Pine Forest police department placed a felony hold on him almost immediately. So, even if he is found not guilty in Detroit, he still has to stand trial in Pine Forest.
With this unknown to the two men, they continued to hatch their plan to “beat the rap”.
“Dave,” Jonah Carruthers was saying to his friend. “We need to get our lawyers involved in getting us our witnesses. I have a friend, Jeremiah Stevens, who will testify where I was on these dates they have in the complaints.”
“I know Jerry,” David Adams told Jonah. “We’ve been friends for about three years, now.”
“Good, we know at least one person in common. Let’s see who else we both know.”
“Jonah, do you know Ramsey Phillips?”
“No, I never met him.”
“Then, when we beat these cases, I will have to introduce you. You’ll like him, Jonah, he has a very larcenous heart.”
“I probably will. Tell me, Dave, does he know anything about safe cracking?”
“No, he doesn’t, but I have another friend, Joel Greene, who has been cracking safes for the last ten years. He has never been caught.”
Jonah and David were talking in hushed tones, so that others in the cell block wouldn’t be able to hear, unless they were right near Jonah’s cell.”
“Wait a minute, Dave.”
There was another man there who was in jail for the first time. He kept walking up and down the tier, when Jonah gave him a warning.
“Hey you, new guy, come here.”
The man went over by Jonah and David.
“What did you hear, walking back and forth?” Asked Jonah.
“Noth, nothing, Mis, mister Carruthers. I swear, I didn’t hear anything.”
“See that it stays that way.”
“Y, yes, Mr. Carruthers.”
“Quit walking back and forth. You’re making me nervous.”
With that, the man went back to his cell, and wrote what he had heard down to give to the deputy. James Benedict was doing this in the hopes that he and the district attorney could come to some kind of a deal. What he didn’t realize is, that he was charged with first degree sexual assault. The district attorney didn’t make deals with these kinds of defendants.
So, James Benedict kept on listening, and kept writing it down, and kept giving it to the deputy on the cell block.
“Come with me, Dave.”
Jonah Carruthers and David Adams went down to James Benedict’s cell and caught him writing down what he had heard.
“I thought you said you didn’t hear anything, grunt. Then what are these? Letters to mom and dad? You little shit, you had better be off of this tier by morning. If I find you on the witness stand at my trial, and I am convicted, you don’t stand a chance in prison. I will just tell everybody you sexually assaulted a child. We may be crooks, but we also have respect for children and the elderly. If you get called to testify against either one of us, I will make sure you leave prison with a desire to wear dresses. Do you understand me, bitch?”
“Yes, yes, I understand.”
“Good! You had better develop a very bad case of amnesia, really quick. Your ass depends on it.”
That was not a play on words. Jonah Wilson Carruthers meant it, literally. The two men went back to Jonah’s cell to continue their talk. This time, James Benedict was not so obvious. He stood where he couldn’t be seen by the two men, but could hear every word. Also, what Jonah and David didn’t know was, that James Benedict was adept at writing and deciphering shorthand. This way, he got every word.
The next morning, James Benedict told the deputy that his life was threatened by more than one of the prisoners on the cell block. The deputy in charge, moved James Benedict to a different cell block.
“Jonah, do you know what that grunt did, before being put in here?” Asked Tom McArthur.
“No.”
“He was a stenographer. The man knows shorthand, and was taking down every word you two were saying.”
“I knew there was something about him. Thank you, Tom, we will deal with it.”
Deputy sergeant Tom McArthur, was employed by the Wayne County sheriff’s department to infiltrate prisoner cell blocks, and report anything he overheard. Of course, he wasn’t as obvious as James Benedict, which is why he survived as long as he had.
Deputy McArthur would report what he had overheard, on the way to a coffee break, under the pretense of going to court. Tom McArthur would only be in the jail a couple of months, and then come from “court” and tell everybody he had been found not guilty. Tom McArthur was never assigned to the jail, he was assigned as a freeway/highway officer. However, Deputy McArthur’s cover was on the way out, though, as there were too many convicts coming from the prison, on one motion or the other.
What Jonah Wilson Carruthers and David Adams didn’t know, is that some of the things that James Benedict wrote down, he would give to Tom McArthur, who would then give it to the duty sergeant, on the pretext he wanted to go to the law library.
The 36th District court is the largest court in Michigan and the busiest in the United States. Judge Patricia M. Jackson, when she wasn’t on the bench, liked to play golf at the Dearborn Country Club.***** While she liked to play golf, her scores were always in the low plus side. She always said, “it isn’t what the score is, it is whether or not you’re having fun”.
Being single, Judge Jackson would stop, after she was finished in court, at Dave’s Diner, and have a quick bite before going home. She will never forget the time that she was right in the middle of the back nine holes, when she got a cell phone call, telling her and attorney would like to meet her. She told the attorney where she was, and it would be another thirty minutes before she could get to the club house. She told the attorney that she was on thr 14th hole, and it wouldn’t be too long before she was through with her game.
She took her time hitting the ball on the 14th tee, and got the ball half way down the fairway. This was a par 4 hole, so she had three more strokes to sink the ball in the cup. Her next stroke put the ball on the green. She was now about twenty feet from sinking the ball. The problem facing her was, this was an uphill shot with a ridge right in the middle. She had to plan this shot, carefully.
She hit the ball and it rolled withing five feet of the hole. She had to sink it now to save par. She measured and eyeballed the distance from the ball to the hole. She then hit the ball and it went in. She stayed at plus four. The next three holes were all birdies and she was now at plus one. If she got a birdie on the eighteenth hole, she would break even. Her last shot of a par three hole, broke her score to even.
Seeing she was through, she went to where they sign the cards, so the caddy can get paid. Then she turned her attention to a well dressed young lady, sitting all alone on the patio. She went over and introduced herself. She recognized the assistant district attorney for Wayne County.
She showed the judge the writ she wanted signed by her, demanding that a state witness be turned over to her, so she could depose the witness. Judge Jackson asked the assistant district attorney what was going on. All he said was, that the witness is being kept in protective custody, and said the witness was being held incommunicado, but didn’t say where.
“Mr. Donohue, you will allow Miss Schneider an opportunity to depose the witness. You know better than to keep a witness incommunicado from the defense.”
“Your honor, our whole case rests with this witness.”
“Either allow Miss Schneider to depose the witness, or I will have the sheriff take the witness in to sheriff protective custody. Now, allow Miss Scneider to speak to the witness, or be held in contempt.”
“No, your honor. This isn’t your courtroom, and you can’t hold me in contempt because I failed to abide by your order here.”
“Mr. Donohue, I don’t know what law school you went to, but anytime I conduct official business, the place where I conduct that business becomes my courtroom. Now, I will tell you one more time, allow Miss Schneider to speak to this witness.”
“I’m sorry your honor, but that just isn’t possible.”
“Mr. Donohue, present yourself in my courtroom tomorrow for one more chance at complying with my order. Failure to do so, I will entertain a verbal discovery motion by the defense. Now! Let Miss Schneider depose this witness.”
“No, your honor, I can’t let the defense know our entire case.”
“Very well.” Judge Jackson took out her cell phone and called the sheriff’s department. “Yes, this is judge Patricia M. Jackson, and I need assistance to transport a person to the jail.” Judge Jackson listened for a bit, said thank you, and hung up. “The sheriff will be here shortly. You, Mr. Donohue, are in comtempt of court, and are ordered to pay $100.”
“I’m not in contempt, and I will not pay any contempt fine.”
It was then that two deputies from the Wayne County sheriff’s department came out to the patio.
“Thank you, for coming so promptly. Assistant district attorney Joseph Donohue is to be held in the Wayne County jail for contempt of court. Please take him away. Miss Schneider, I will find out where they are keeping this witness, and I will let you know.”
____________________________________________________
Next time: The Shepard family at their picnic; assistant district attorney in jail.
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*Brinks Incorporated, 1801 Bayberry Ct. P.O.Box 18100, Richmond, VA 23226-8100 U.S.A.
**Judge Patricia M. Jackson, is a fictitious name. I changed it to protect the identity of the real judge who presides over the criminal department of the 36th District Court.
***36th District Court, 421 Madison Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226.
****Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, 1441 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI
*****Dearborn Country Club, 800 N. Military St., Dearborn, MI 48124 - (313) 561-0800.
The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane - Part 8
By Barbara Lynn Terry
Chapter 11 - Mr. Donohue gets a prisoner’s view of jail.
As is the practice of any jail, a prisoner is photographed and fingerprinted. The “mug” shots and fingerprints are then run through the NCIC (National Crime Information Center) and AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System). Assistant district attorney, Joseph Donohue is no exception. His picture was taken and shown to several victims of crimes. The sheriff’s department was waiting for AFIS.
None of the victims identified Mr. Donohue’s picture. About ten minutes later, AFIS came up with Mr. Donohue’s fingerprints. It seems that Mr. Joseph Donohue has been a very naughty boy. His fingerprints were found at the scene of a crime involving murder, arson, and felony theft. No other fingerprints, except the family’s were found. The theft charge involved the missing of five hundred thousand dollars, taken from the family safe.
The person who died from the arson, was twenty three year old Tiffany Spelling, a model. The report was filed with the district attorney, Kenneth Walsh, who immediately filed charges against Joseph Donohue. A deputy sheriff working in the jail, gave Mr. Donohue the complaint filed against him.
“Murder! Arson! Grand theft! What the hell gives here? I haven’t committed any felonies.” The deputy that gave Mr. Donohue the complaint, just walked away. A little while later, two deputies came and gave Mr. Donohue a pair of jail coveralls.
“Take off your clothes, and put those coveralls on. You are now officially a prisoner of the Wayne County jail. Here is a hanger for you to put your clothes on, so they are ready for court. We will keep your suit in a locker out by the tier desk. Ask for them an hour before you go to court.” The deputies waited for Mr. Donohue to put his clothes on the hanger. When that was done, they took Mr. Donohue to tier three. That is the tier where they kept high profile suspects.
While Mr. Donohue was contemplating his fate, Jonah Wilson Carruthers and David Adams were in their cell block, still hatching plan after plan. It seems all of the plans coincided with one another. The first plan was to get their friends to give them an alibi. They figured that if their friends testified for them, they would be found not guilty. It is amazing how criminals always make one mistake after another. Jonah Wilson Carruthers and David Adams were certainly no exception.
Attorney Jack Polanski filed a motion for the state to show cause as to why Jonah Wilson Carruthers could not be released on his own recognizance. That night, Jonah was told he had court in the morning. Jonah looked at David Adams, and smiled. When the deputy left the tier, Jonah was elated. But, he wondered just why he is going back in to court so soon.
Jonah Carruthers and David Adams, sat in Jonah’s cell and talked about the court hearing in the morning. They came up with a myriad of possibilities. One possible reason, was Jonah’s attorney filed a motion to dismiss. Another reason was to file a motion to show cause as to why Jonah was arrested in the first place.
All possible reasons went through Jonah’s mind. All possible reasons, that is, except for the right one. David told Jonah that maybe it was a discovery motion. That was also not the right reason they came up with. Whatever the reason Jonah was going to court in the morning for, Jonah told David that he was sure it had something to do with him getting out.
The next morning, Jonah shaved, took a shower, and dressed in the clothes he was arrested in. The tier deputy came and got him, and took him down to the booking room. It was here that the court deputies would pick up the priosners that were going to court.
“Please rise, the 36th District court is now in session, the honorable Patricia M. Jackson, presiding. Silence is commanded, gentlemen, please take off your hats.” The judge came out and sat down. “Please be seated.”
“John, I will have the first case, please.”
“State versus Carruthers, here on a motion to show cause.”
“Well, Mr. Carruthers, you seem to be a fixture in this courtroom. I will hear arguments from counsel as to why this motion should or should not be granted. Mr. Polanski, this is your motion. I will hear your argument, then I will hear from the assistant district attorney.”
“Yes, your honor, thank you. I filed this motion, because Jonah Wilson Carruthers has never been convicted of any crime in the state of MIchigan, or anywhere else. Defense thereby requests that Jonah Wilson Carruthers be released on his own recognizance.”
“Thank you, Mr. Polanski. Mr. Carson, will give us the state’s argument?”
“Yes, your honor. Jonah Wilson Carruthers is charged with first degree intentional homicide. He was arrested in another jurisdiction, outside of the reach of the court. This arrest, your honor, was actually in another state. The state maintains that anyone charged with first degree murder is held in custody without bail, pending the defendant’s trial. The state asks that the court to deny the motion.”
“Thank you, Mr. Carson. Mr. Polamski, do you have anything else?”
“Just this, your honor. This charge of first degree intentional homicide is just that; an allegation that Mr. Carruthers committed a the alleged crime. The state has no witnesses, and no tangible physical evidence even linking Mr. Carruthers to the alleged crime.”
“Is this true, Mr. Carson?”
“Sadly, yes, your honor.”
“Mr. Carson, do you have anything further?”
“Just that there are witnesses linking Mr. Carruthers to the scene of the crime. These witnesses even picked Mr. Carruthers out of a photo lineup.”
“Has there been a physical line up?”
“Not yet, your honor. We are rounding up the witnesses now.”
“Your honor,” Jack Polanski stood up. “I object to this argument. Mr. Carruthers has been in the Wayne County jail since Sunday. The state has had more than ample opportunity for a physical lineup.”
“Is this true, Mr. Carson?” Judge Jackson asked the assistant district attorney.
“Yes, your honor. But, some of the witnesses were not at home on Sunday. We were trying to get in touch with them now.”
“Your honor, the state has not shown one iota of credible evidence to keep Mr. Carruthers in the county jail. I now ask the court to grant defendant’s motion to be released on his own recognizance.”
“Mr. Carson, I am afraid that I will have to agree with defense counsel. Without any evidence linking the defendant to the alleged crime, this court hereby grants the defendant’s motion to be released on his own recognizance. Mr. Carruthers, I am trusting you to show up for your trial.”
“Yes, your honor, I will be here for my trial.”
“Very well, defendant is released on his own recognizance. This court is in recess until two o’clock this afternoon.”
One of the court deputies took Jonah back to the county jail to collect his things. As he entered the cell block, David Adams wanted to know what happened.
“Judge Jackson released me on my own recognizance,” Then Jonah whispered to David. “Plan A is now in motion.” He took his things, and was escorted out of the jail. The deputy said good luck, see you back in here in a week.
Jonah called for a cab, and told the driver to take him to his fiancé’s house. The driver took him to Janice Fieldings place, and when he knocked on the door, she answered. When she saw Jonah standing there, she said in an icy tone.
“Yes, Mr. Carruthers; what is it you want?”
“I need a place to stay until my trial comes up. The judge let me go on my own recognizance, making me promise to show up for my trial.”
“Are you, Jonah? Are you going to show up for your trial?”
“Yes, I haven’t done anything wrong. Maybe tried to get out of a speeding ticket or two, but nothing like they are charging me with, now.”
“Well, I will let you stay here, then. But, you have to promise that you will show up for your trial. You have to promise not to commit any crimes, not even getting a speeding or parking ticket. You must promise not to do anything that will bring the police around here. I’m serious, Jonah. If you want to marry me, you have to walk the straight and narrow.”
“I promise, Jan. I know what their game is. I have been arrested and charged with everything from rape to murder. The murder case is what I am being charged with now. The assistant district attorney even told the judge that they don’t have any physical evidence linking me to the crime. He even told the judge that they had no witnesses, but they were ‘rounding them up now’. I smell a frame. But it is a loose one, and my attorney is very good. Jan, I swear on my mother’s good nature, and my grandmother’s soul, that I have done no wrong.
“The assistant district attorney that filed these charges against me, is himself in jail. He was placed in jail by judge Jackson for contempt of court. Now he is officially charged with three felonies. Arson, murder and grand theft. This will go in my favor, too, because that assistant district attorney, Joseph Donohue, prosecuted all the other cases I was found not guilty on. This will be brought up in my trial, too.”
“Well, alright, but make sure that you do nothing that someone can call the cops for. Like, loud parties, loud music, and definitely no arguing. Can you promise me you won’t do any of those things?”
“Yes, Jan, I will promise not to do any of those things.”
“Then follow me, and I will show you your room. I would appreciate it very much, if you don’t put a lock on your door for fire safety reasons.”
“That sounds good to me. Even if this were my house, I still wouldn’t place a lock on the bedroom doors.”
Jonah and Janice embraced each other, as they kissed until they came up for air. Then an evil thought crossed his mind. Jonah remembered all the plans he and David Adams had laid out in the jail. His thought was that he wanted so much to marry Janice, that David Adams could go to hell.
“Anyway, Jonah, I have got to get to work. I will phone you during my break. I will be home by eleven o’clock. Make yourself at home. There is a package of summer sausage and a roll of hard salami in the refrigerator. Or, maybe you would like a piece of chicken. There are a few pieces left over from my KFC order from yesterday.” She kissed him, and told him that she loved him. He said he loved her, and she left for work.
Being left to his own devices, Jonah called Jack Polanski and gave his receptionist his current address and phone number. He said that Mr. Polanski could reach him at this number. Then Jonah’s thoughts turned to his son, David.
He thought that if David had kept to himself, he wouldn’t be in the trouble he is in. He thought about what that cop, Steve Hastings, said about his son being tried as an adult. He thought that being tried as an adult would serve the little shit just right.
He stopped an thought to himself; why all of a sudden was he thinking this way? Could it be that seeing Janice made him wake up a little more? He thought about the scrapes he had been in in the past. He remembered each not guilty verdict. Between him and David Adams, he was the only one freed. He would keep his promise though. He would see Dave’s attorney, and ask him if he would file a motion on Dave’s behalf, releasing David from custody on his own recognizance. He would call Mr. Arnold Spencer in the morning.
David’s circumstances, though, were a lot different than Jonah’s. David was actually picked out of a photo lineup, and was scheduled for a phsyical lineup tomorrow morning. Jonah thought that if David were identified by the vicitms and witnesses, David would not be released on his own recognizance.
So, erasing these thoughts from his mind, David settled down to see if there were any good movies on the cable. Janice had full cable service. Surfing the channels, he found a movie that sounded good, but ten minutes in to the movie, he turned it off. He saw Janice’s computer, and decided to see who was on Facebook.
He “fired” up the computer, and waited for the screen to prompt for the password. He entered Janice’s password, hoping she had the same one. She did. He then brought up Facebook, and began to look at all the different postings. He saw some that were funny, some that were prayers, and even some that were personal accounts of the person making the post.
Jonah identified himself and began posting. His first post went like this:
“THOUGHT OF THE DAY: If you don’t want your child to get in to legal trouble, show him/her the right path to follow.” Then he posted the thought. Then he went down through the posts clicking on the “like” button on several that he agreed with and leaving a comment on a few he had sonething to say about.
After being on Facebook for the last hour, he turned off the computer. He no sooner done that, than the doorbell rang. Jonah went to answer it. Two police officers were standing there.
“Yes, may I help you, officers?”
“Yes, is Janice Fielding at home?”
“No, she is working. She works down at George’s diner three blocks from here."
"I see. Are you Jonah Wilson Carruthers?”
“Yes, officer, I am.”
“Alright, we were just checking to make sure you were here. There has been another murder, and the man who saw the murder, said it was you that he saw. When we asked him how he knew it was you, he said he has known you for quite some time.”
“Would this witnesses name be David Adams by any chance, officer?”
“Why, yes.”
“Then you have your murderer. Before I was released on my own recognizance. David Adams intimated to me, that as soon as he got out, he was going to rob somebody he saw with a lot of money. Apparently, he kept his word.”
“We will look in to this. By the way where were you at nine o’clock this morning?
“I was in the 36th District court, before judge Patricia M. Jackson, on a motion to release me on my own recognizance.”
“Alright, Mr. Carruthers, that is easy enough to check. If what you say is true, we will look at David Adams a little closer.”
“One other thing, officer. David’s attorney’s name is Arnold W. Spencer. Apparently, he got David out on some kind of writ.”
“Thank you, Mr. Carruthers. We have had Mr. Spencer under investigation for the past eight months.”
“Thank you, officer. If I hear from David Adams I will certainly let you know.”
“That sounds good, Mr. Carruthers. Have a nice day.”
“You, too, officers.”
The officers left, and Jonah was left with his own thoughts.
Chapter 12 - The Shephard Family on the Road Again.
John Shepard and his family were talking about the brook to have their picnic at. Officer Steve Hastings had said that this brook didn’t have a name yet, but will be decided at the next town meeting. John Shepard wanted to be at that meeting. So, they loaded a picnic basket, took a table cloth with them to set the food on, and for them to sit on. John remembered being told that the brook was inside the city limits of Pine Forest.
John told his wife, Eileen, about this, and she wanted to know if the whole family could go, too.
“That is something I will have to ask Steve, when I see him. Right now, though, let’s have a nice picnic by a nice brook.”
When they got to the brook, John Shepard noticed it was actually a river, as it was over a half of a mile wide. John thought that a good name for this “brook” would be “The River Brook.” He would bring that suggestion up at the next town meeting.
Eileen Shepard and Kathy, laid out the table cloth. They began setting out the food, the Kool-Aid decanter, a decanter of tea, and then they watched as the river flowed. They could see the fish swimming because the water was very clear, as though the river was being fed by an artesian well. There were different kinds of fish. The most recognizable were the trout and the fresh water perch.
As they nibbled on their picnic lunch, John Shepard was talking about going fishing on Saturday, and asked Jimmy if he wanted to go with. Jimmy Shepard jumped at the invitation.
“Oh boy, dad, I would love to go. Do you think we could come here?”
“I don’t see why not, son. But first, I have to get a fishing license. They don’t cost a whole lot, but you need one to legally fish. I believe you don’t need one, at least not until you are twelve. I will ask when I go and get one.”
“But, dad, won’t it be bad for fishing, if there is snow and ice on the ground and water?” Jimmy asked his dad.
“No, Jimmy, because then I can teach you how to ice fish. That is really challenging. While you are in school tomorrow, I will go to the hardware store and get one. Then I will ask about you.”
“Okay, dad.”
They finished their picnic lunch, and Eileen Shepard put the left overs in the basket. Kathy Shepard folded the table cloth and would put it in the hamper when they got home.
The Shepard family was in no hurry to leave the peace and quiet of the “brook”. The sound of the water flowing and the small little waves it created, hitting the shore, was very relaxing. Jimmy saw a hermit crab, and went to chase it. Kathy just sat there and shook her head. John and Eileen thought that this town was just the place for the children to have fun.
Kathy saw a Monarch butterfly, and went to watch it. The butterfly didn’t seem threatened by Kathy’s presence, because it didn’t fly away. John and Eileen sat there watching their children having fun. John knew that if Jimmy was having this much fun chasing a hermit crab, he would have even more fun going fishing.
Like the saying goes, “time flies when you’re having fun”. Today was no exception. The children had school in the morning; their first day in a new school. John and Eileen got everything together, called for Jimmy and Kathy that it was time to get going home. They both groaned, but they listened and got in the car.
________________________________________
Next chapter: David Adams in court.
The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane - Part 9
By Barbara Lynn Terry
Chapter 13 - David Adams spends his day in court.
“The 36th district court is now in session, the Honorable Patricia M. Jackson, presiding, silence is commanded, gentlemen please take off your hats.”
“I will have the first case, John.”
“State v. Adams, case number MFC-5769, here for trial, your honor.”
“Mr. Adams, I see you are a hard man to locate. I was told by the apprehending jurisdiction that had you minded your own business, they would have never found out you were wanted here. They said you went down there with a chip on your shoulder, just daring someone to knock it off. Looks like it got knocked off, all right. Where is your attorney, Mr. Adams?”
“Excuse me, your honor, but, Arnold W. Spencer is in the federal jail for crimes against the United States, i.e., the making of counterfeit United States currency.”
“Thank you, John. Mr. Adams, the charges against you are very extensive and serious. This court cannot allow you to proceed without competent counsel. The court therefore appoints Michael Dean Dawes, to represent the defendant. Mr. Adams, you will wait in the Wayne County jail for counsel to talk to you. If I were you, I would do as my attorney tells me. Next case.”
David Adams was taken back to the jail to wait to meet his new attorney. ‘Tough luck, Spencer getting arrested at a time when he needed him the most’. What David didn’t know is that Mr. Dawes would take three days to visit him. Until then, David was left to his own devices. He also thought that Jonah turning the cops on him, when he tried to get Jonah out of the way, was sheer luck.
The two men had never met each other until that day in Pine Forest when they were in jail. They found that they knew some of the same people. Before that, however, they knew nothing about each other. David thought that he would get back at Jonah for getting his personal recognizance revoked. David knew it was Jonah, because nobody else knew he was out.
Of course, Jonah didn’t know it either, until the police showed up at Janice’s door. Jonah, of the two men, had never been convicted of a felony, but David Adams has. So, Jonah’s word would be taken over that of David Adams.
While David steamed in his cell, Jonah was enjoying the decent life of a fellow citizen, and did not act like he was charged with a heinous crime. In fact, Jonah and Janice had gone to movies, went out to dinner, took in a fashion show, and went dancing. The only dancing David was doing, was pacing back and forth.
Three days later, Mr. Dawes came to the Wayne County jail to see David Adams.
“Good afternoon, David, I’m Michael Dean Dawes, your new attorney. I want you to tell me your story. What you did you do to be here, and those kinds of things.”
“Listen, I didn’t do anything. It was that punk Carruthers. He killed a lady a few days ago, and had the nerve to tell the police it was me.”
“Did he have a reason for saying it was you?”
“No, he wasn’t even the…”
“So, it was you. Don’t worry, I won’t say anything. Your communication to me is private and privileged. My advice to you is to plead guilty and hope for a light sentence.”
“Yeah, but murder carries life in prison.”
“Not if it was in the heat of the moment. They call that manslaughter here. You could even plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter. That carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and/or a $7500 dollar fine. If you can prove it was involuntary manslaughter, you could only receive five years. The choice is yours. Go to trial on the murder charge and be sentenced to the rest of your life in prison, or plead to involuntary manslaughter. Either way you look at it, you can’t avoid a guilty plea, hoping for a not guilty verdict on the murder charge.
“It was that asshole Carruthers. He killed the woman. I wasn’t even there.”
“Well, okay, if you weren’t there, how would you know it was Jonah Wilson Carruthers? Who by the way, has never been convicted of a felony in Michigan or anywhere else. Who do you think the jury is going to believe? A person never convicted of a felony, or someone who has been convicted of two felonies.”
“I’ll get even with that turncoat, yet. Making the court revoke my personal recognizance.”
“Are you listening to yourself? You aren’t even thinking clearly. I don’t know exactly what you have against Jonah Carruthers, but you had better get it out of your head.”
“Listen, Mr. Baouse, you had better get me out of this.”
“Or what, David? Okay, you do it your way. We will see who is right, and my name is Dawes.”
“When do we go back in to court?”
“In the morning, David. Your trial is set for ten o’clock in the morning.”
Chapter 14 - David Adams is on trial.
”All rise, the 36th district court is now in session, the honorable Patricia M. Jackson, presiding. Silence is commanded, gentlemen take off your hats.” The judge came in and sat down. “Be seated.”
“John, I will have the first case, please.”
“Case number MFC-5769, State v. Adams, set for trial, your honor.”
“Thank you John. Appearances for the record.”
“Michael Dean Dawes for the defendant, your honor.”
“William Carson for the state, your honor.”
“Thank you, gentlemen. Are we ready to proceed with voir dire?” Both attorneys said that they were. “Very well, you may start Mr. Carson.”
William Carson questioned his first prospective juror.
“Juror number one, do you feel that you can render a true and just verdict in this case, based upon the evidence presented here at this trial?”
“Yes, sir, I can.”
“Mr. Dawes, would you like to question this juror?”
“Yes, your honor, thank you. Juror number one, do you think a defendant on trial for a major crime, is guilty until proven innocent?”
“If he isn’t guilty, then why would he be arrested?”
Mr. Dawes struck him as a juror.
Juror number two, same question,” Mr. Carson said.
“I can render a just and true verdict based on the evidence.”
Mr. Dawes stated his question. “Juror number two, same question.
“A person is only guilty based on the evidence presented during the trial.
“What if there is only a little evidence, but the defendant has a witness that proves the defendant was somewhere else?”
“Then, the testimony of the witness over powers the little evidence. I was told that I must render my verdict based upon a preponderance of the evidence. If one party’s evidence is weaker than the other party’s, then my verdict is based on the preponderance of the evidence.”
“Thank you, sir.” Mr Dawes left him on the list.
“Good morning, juror number three. Can you convict a person even though he or she has a witness that proves the defendant was elsewhere?”
“That’s a trick question, sir. You contradicted yourself. If a witness proves that the defendant was somewhere else, then, no, I can’t convict the defendant.”
This went on all morning long. Finally, both attorneys had a jury they could agree on. A jury of six women and six men were impaneled to determine the fate of David Adams. After the jury was picked, judge Jackson called the noon recess.
“This court is adjourned until 2:00 pm. John, make sure the jury gets lunch in the jury room.
Judge Jackson left the bench, and everyone, except for the jury, David Adams and Mr. Dawes, left, too. Mr. Dawes and David Adams retired to a conference room.
“David, we have a good jury. If you go to trial on the murder charge, you could be found not guilty. But, and there is a but, that if you do go to trial on the murder charge, the best you can hope for is a not guilty verdict. The second best you can look for is a hung jury. However, the district attorney may refile charges and impanel a whole new jury.
“You have to think very seriously about the outcome, and, you have to think realistically. Remember, if you are found guilty, that makes you a three time loser. I think you know the penalty for that.”
“Listen, Michael Dean Dawes, you HAD BETTER get me out of this. I’m not kidding. I have connections that can reach to the end of galaxy, if need be. I will tell you this, if you do not get me out of this, I swear I can and will get even. WITH YOU.”
“Alright, David, I think we are through here. I will have the deputies take you back to the jail so you can have your lunch.”
Mr. Dawes left the conference room and told the jail deputy that David was ready to go back to the jail. David was returned to the jail, just in time to get his lunch. He was talking to the prisoners on the tier what his attorney had said.
“I happen to know Mike Dawes,” A tall man with red hair told David. “He is fair, and if there is a camel’s hair chance he can win, he will do his best. Threatening him will do no good. You’re playing with dragon fire when you threaten Michael Dean Dawes.”
“Who is this fucker? Is he some kind of super lawyer?”
“No, David, he is just good. He knows when he can win and when he can’t.”
“Listen, Big Red, he had better get me out of this. I mean that.”
Fred “Big Red” Dawson was on trial for burglary. His six foot, eight inch frame towered over David Adams. He was a gentle soul, which is why he was shocked when he found that the police had a warrant issued for his arrest.
“David, if Mike Dawes said you had better plead guilty, he knows what he is talking about.”
“Shows what you know. It was that asshole Carruthers. He killed a woman and then pinned it on me. I will get even with him, too.”
“Excuse me? Adams, you have a problem. You think the world revolves around you. It doesn’t. You talk bad about being connected. Just who do you think you are connected with? I think you are nothing but a boisterous blowhard, that likes to hear himself talk. Nobody is going to pay you any more attention on this cell block. You are not right in the head.”
“You’ll see, Big Red, I know who my friends are. Right, Squeaky?”
James, “Squeaky” Morrison, looked at David Adams with disgust and walked away. He earned the nickname “Squeaky” when he had laryngitis.
“Squeaky, I thought we were friends. What gives with the cold shoulder?”
Squeaky said nothing, but went to join the poker game that was already being played. Squeaky Morrison waited his turn to sit down and play. David Adams walked over to Squeaky and grabbed him by the shirt.
“I said we’re friends. Right?”
Squeaky grabbed David’s arm, and held it behind David’s back.
“Listen to me, fucktard, if you ever grab me again, I will wipe up the tier with you. I don’t know who you think you are, but, just because I am the smallest guy in the block, doesn’t mean I am weak. Now, you get your ass outta here, and quit bragging about things you can’t deliver.”
“You just wait, you all just wait. I will show you what and how I can deliver what I say.”
With that, David paced up and down the tier. He was thinking about how to get even with those that either falsely accused him, or started trouble with him. One thing David couldn’t do, was make good on his threats. The deputy sheriff on the tier told David to get ready for court.
When David was ready, he was escorted to the court. He sat in a room, waiting to go in to the courtroom.
Finally, his case was called. When he walked in the courtroom, he didn’t see his attorney. The judge then spoke to David.
“Mr. Adams, Mr. Dawes has withdrawn from this case. He no longer represents you. This court appoints Cheryl Fields to represent you. Apparently, you didn’t take the court’s advice when I appointed Mr. Dawes. Now, either you listen to this attorney, because there will be no more appointed counsel for you. This is the last appointment. Court is hereby adjourned, so that the defendant can consult his attorney.”
“What gives, judge? I told him to get me out of this, because I didn’t do anything. It was that punk Carruthers. He’s the real criminal. He kills a woman for whatever reason and then tells the cops it was me. I swear, judge, I didn’t do anything.”
“Mr. Adams, Ms. Fields is not an attorney to be trifled with, like you did with Mr. Dawes. Now, either follow the advice of your attorney, or make the mistake of being your own attorney. Just remember this; he who represents himself, has a fool for a client. That is a quote by President Abraham Lincoln, when he was an attorney. So, Mr. Adams, if you wish to have a fool for a client, you may represent yourself. If you do represent yourself, you will be held to the same standards as any other lawyer. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME, MR. ADAMS?”
“Listen, judge, you don’t scare me either. I suggest you give me a lawyer that will do his or even her job, and do it properly.”
“John, remove the defendant, before he gets another charge.”
The bailiff took David to the back to wait to go back to the jail.
When David got back to the tier, expecting to be asked what happened in court, he found nobody wanted to talk to him. He made the mistake of walking up to Big Red Dawson, and telling him that he could kick his ass all around the tier. The tier deputy came in silently. When he heard what David told Big Red, he decided that maybe it was time to let David get the lesson he has been working himself up to.
David grabbed Big Red, and that was all it took. Big Red picked David up and carried him to his bunk.
“Now stay there! Grab me again and I will kick your ass around the tier and around the block a few times. Nobody on this tier wants anything to do with you. Don’t come out of this cell unless it is to get your dinner tray. Do you understand me, punk?”
“I’ll get even with you, you big dumb ox.”
It was now time for the tier deputy to step in.
“Dawson, leave him alone. He is just trying to act big because he is in jail. Don’t pay him any mind.” Big Red just nodded his head.
“Alright, Joe, I’ll leave him alone, but he had never ever grab me again. I mean that.”
“I hear ya. Adams, mind your own business and quit bothering everybody.”
“You shut up, too. You’re nothing without that tin star.”
Joe Braver went out by his desk and took off his badge. He removed his shirt with the sheriff ensignias on it. Then he went back in to the cell area. He motioned for everybody to stay in the day room. He closed the day room door, and then went in by David Adams.
“Alright, I have no badge, no sheriff shirt. Now smart ass, let’s see what you can do.”
David never learns. He got off of his bunk and went out to the cat walk. He walked up to Joe and took his first swing. Joe blocked his swing. David took another swing, and Joe blocked it. David took another swing, and this time Joe let him have it.
“Strike three, punk.” Joe Braver picked David up, and set him gently on his bunk. “Dinner will be up in an hour. Stay right there until it comes, unless you have to use the facilities.”
Joe Braver went back outside of the cell area and opened the day room door. Then he went back by his desk and put his shirt and badge back on.
If there was ever a complaint against Joe, everybody on the tier was ready to say that David hit Joe and Joe defended himself by picking David up and placing him on his bunk. Joe came back in about five minutes later.
”Adams, your lawyer is here.”
David got off of his bunk and went out to the desk area. He saw a woman he would guess was about thirty or thirty five, five foot six, blonde hair, and wearing a smart skirt suit.
“Hey baby, what say we blow this place, and go somewhere and tango?”
Cheryl Fields grabbed David by his coveralls and shoved him in to the conference room.
“Listen shit for brains, I don’t like assholes with come ons. You’re nothing to me, except a paycheck. I have read your case file. You have gone through three attorneys, with me being the third. Now, let’s get down to brass tacks. You blame Jonah Wilson Carruthers for you being in here. I …”
“You damn right I blame him. He kills a woman, and then has the nerve to tell the cops I did it.”
“David, do you know where Jonah Carruthers was at the time the woman was murdered?”
“Yeah, he was killing the woman.”
“Really. According to records of the 36th District court, he was in front of judge Jackson on a motion to be released on his own recognizance. Even if he could fly, Mr. Carruthers could not make it to the muder scene in three minutes. Now, I want to know why you killed that woman.”
“Go to hell, bitch.”
“You know that I am very proud to be a Babe In Total Control of Herself. Anything else?”
All David could do was growl.
“Tell me why you killed that woman, or I will walk out of that door and leave you to your own devices. The choice is yours.”
“Why can’t I just go to trial on the murder charge? I know I will be found not guilty.”
“Because the evidence is stacked against you. The district attorney has you being identified in a photo lineup. You listen to someone for a change and get that chip off of your shoulder.”
“Go to hell.”
“Fine.” Cheryl Fields walked out of the conference room.
David sat there fuming. Why wasn’t anybody listening to him? He knew he was guilty, but he also figured he could get a not guilty verdict. He needed a lawyer that knew his business. He wanted one that knew how to sway a jury. But, his gut was telling him he will never find one.
His choices were go to trial and be found guilty, or plead to a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter. Both carried prison time. He pondered what to do. If he got five years for involuntary manslaughter, he would be out in five years. If he went to trial on the murder charge, he would spend the rest of his life in prison.
David wrestled within his own mind as to what he should do. Possibly go to trial or plead to the lesser charge. David knew there was no out. He had to do one or the other. So, he decided to plead to the lesser charge. This way he would be out in five years. Then he could get even with Jonah.
David Adams could not think of any good reason that he was ever friends with the likes of Jonah Wilson Carruthers and that delinquent son of his, who shares David’s first name. There was one fact that David Adams was forgetting; he was friends with Jonah because they had a lot of things in common and knew some of the same people. They hatched plan after plan in Jonah’s jail cell. He did keep his promise and contacted David’s attorney.
“Adams, get ready for court.”
It was five o’clock in the evening. Why would he be going to court now? Whatever the reason, this was probably not a good thing. The tier deputy took David down to the booking room to wait for the court deputies to come for him and three others.
The court deputies came for the four prisoners. They escorted them to the 36th District court. David was called in first. He was surprised to see Cheryl Fields talking to the judge.
“Mr. Adams, I understand that you wish to plead guilty to the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter. Before this court can accept such a plea, I must ask you the following questions. Has anybody made any threats to you, to plead to the lesser charge?
“No, your honor.”
“Has anybody given you any monies or gifts to plead to the lesser charge?
“No, your honor.”
“Do you make this plea of your own free will, Mr. Adams?”
“Yes, your honor.”
“Now, for the last and final question. David Adams, are you making this plea to the lesser charge, because you are guilty?
“Yes, your honor.”
“Then I will take your statement and leave nothing out.”
“Yes, your honor. I was driving along when this woman came running across the street. I didn’t know I had hit her, until the police arrested me, and said that my license plate was seen at the scene of the crime. I was taken aback at this charge, because when you hit someone, you should feel at least a jolt or something with the car. I didn’t feel anything like that, at all. I am sorry the woman is dead, and had she not run out in to the street, she would still be alive today. That is all I have to say. I am sorry, your honor.”
“Very well, Mr. Adams. One more question. Did anybody tell you what to say in court, today?”
“No, your honor.”
“Do you make this statement voluntarily and because it is the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth?”
“Yes, your honor.”
“Mr. David Adams, the court accepts your plea of guilty to involuntary manslaughter, and by plea arrangement with the district attorney and your attorney, the court sentences you to five years in the Michigan state prison at Pontiac, Michigan, designated as the reception center for the crime upon which you have been convicted. It is so ordered. John, I will have the next case.”
David was escorted back to the jail. He was mentally preparing for his lengthy incarceration. He could now plot his revenge against Jonah Wilson Carruthers, who, unlike David, was actually connected to a worldwide organization. When he got to the prison, he was going to spread the word that Jonah was a snitch. What he didn’t realize is that some of the convicts at the prison, were part of the same organization as Jonah.
David had a fitful night, and before he knew it, it was breakfast time. About an hour after breakfast, the deputy called his name.
“David Adams, your bus is waiting.”
David looked like he was walking to his death from death row. Finally he was in the bus, and shackled to the floor and to a convict on either side of him. The bus pulled out of the sheriff’s garage and on the way to the state prison.
Chapter 15 - Meanwhile in Pine Forest.
John Shepard and family headed to the community center to attend the town meeting. There were only three things on the agenda, one of which was the naming of the brook.
When the naming of the brook was called, John Shepard raised his hand.
“The chair recognizes Mr. John Shepard of Ginger Lane.”
“Mr. Chairman, I move that the name of the brook be called now and forever, the River Brook.”
“It has been moved that the town’s brook be forever called the River Brook. Do I hear any argument to the contary?”
George Simons raised his hand. “The chair recognizes long time Pine Forest resident, George Simons.
“Mr. Chairman, I second the motion that the brook be forever called River Brook.”
“It has been moved and seconded that the name of our brook be forever called the River Brook. All who agree, raise your hand.”
The entire community center was in favor of the name.
“Is there any dissent?” Nobody raised their hand. “Then the name of the brook located in the city limits of Pine Forest shall be named the River Brook, by unanimous vote. That concludes our business for tonight. Thank you all for coming.”
John Shepard and family decided to stop at the restaurant for a little something. However, when they got there, there was only one booth left open. They all sat down, and a waitress they didn’t meet, before, came to wait on them.
“My name is Emily, and I am your waitress for tonight. May I take your orders, please?”
“Yes,” John Shepard answered. “I will have a cup of coffee and a slice of pumpkin pie.”
“I will have the same,” echoed Eileen Shepard. “Kathy will have a nice slice of lemon meringue pie, and a nice slice of chocolate cake for Jimmy. I will have coffee and the children will have milk.”
Emily put their orders up on the wheel, and then went to wait on someone else, who just came in.
“What did you children think about the town meeting tonight?” John Shepard asked his children.
“I thought it was democracy in action,” Jimmy Shepard answered his father. “We’re learning about how democracy works.”
“That’s great, Jimmy. But, in a town meeting, one person puts a motion on the floor. Someone then either seconds the motion and there is either a discussion or the motion is carried or defeated by a show of hands. Like tonight, for example, I put the motion on the floor, and it was seconded by George. There was a unanimous show of hands, which means everybody there liked the name. The River Brook is now official. It will go to the mayor for his signature.”
“What happens if the mayor doesn’t sign the the paper stating the name of the brook?”
“Well, Kathy, he will sign it, because most of the town showed up for this meeting. They unanimously carried my motion. The reason he will sign the paper, which, by the way, is called a bill. When the mayor signs the bill, it becomes one of the city ordinances. Signs will be made that will identify the River Brook.”
“I think it was good for the children to see how a town meeting is conducted,” Eileen Shepard noted. “See, the chairman has to recognize the person who’s hand was raised first. The person puts his or her thoughts in to a motion, and a second is asked for. If the motion is seconded, then a vote is asked for. A town meeting is the simplest form of demcracy, because everyone in town gets to vote on something tangible and on the mind of everyone there.”
“I liked watching it. I think I will write a paper on what I saw for my civics class.”
“That is a very good idea, Jimmy,” Eileen Shepard said, being proud of her son. “Kathy, you could tell your class what you saw tonight.”
“Yes, mom. I have to think about how I am going to say it, so I don’t goof.” At that moment, Steve Hastings came over.
“That was a good motion you put up, John. I think calling the brook, the River Brook, was a stroke of genius. I had something similar in mind, but your motion beat me all the way around the diamond.”
“Thank you, Steve. When we had our picnic at the brook, I noticed it was as wide as a river. Everybody in town called it a brook. So I figured, why not call it the River Brook.”
“Sheer genius, John, sheer genius.”
“Well, Steve, it looks like my kids are getting a little sleepy,” John told Steve, motioning with his head toward the children.
“I see what you mean, John. See you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow, Steve.”
John and Eileen Shepard took the sleepy children back to Ginger Lane, and put them to bed. They were out like lights. Of course, it didn’t take much for them to go to sleep, because they had a very busy and tiring day.
John and Eileen Shepard stayed up for a bit longer and had a lemon/lime soda, each, to celebrate a successful town meeting.
“John,” Eileen Shepard said, bewildered. “How did you know the town would vote in favor of your motion?”
“I didn’t. I just put it out there to be either carried or defeated. It seems everybody liked the name. So, here’s to a successful motion.
“Tomorrow, I am going in to town and talk to the hardware store owner. I may have ideas how he can enlarge his store and sell a superior product for less than he is selling his present stock.
“Well, we can always use more stores to sell your hardware.”
“I thought we were in this together,” John told his wife.
“Alright, Mr. Shepard, you sell the hardware and I will count the money.”
“Of course you will. You are, after all, the bookkeeper and treasurer.”
“Let me put this another way, Mr. John Shepard. You sell the hardware and I will spend the money.”
“Of course, you will. As the bookkeeper and treasurer, you have to buy the metal to make new stock.”
John was evading Eileen’s facetious taunts. They kissed each other, and feigning being tired and a busy day tomorrow, they both went to bed. About three o’clock in the morning, John was awakened by the sound of sirens. John threw on his robe, and went to the living room and looked out of the window.
He saw the fire trucks in front of George’s house. John ran out to make sure that his friend and neighbor was safe.
“George, what happened?”
“Electrical fire. The majority of the house was saved, but we are going to need to remodel. We’re going to get a hotel room in town until the wiring and repairs to the house are made.”
“You will do no such a thing. You’re all staying with us, while those repairs are being made.”
“Oh, thank you, John, but, we couldn’t impose.”
“So, impose already. You’re staying with us.”
“I guess we’re invited to stay with our friends. Thank you, John.”
“Think nothing it. Is it safe to go and get some of your clothes?”
“I will have to ask the fire marshal.”
John Shepard and George Simons went by the fire marshal.
“Excuse me, but we are staying with our friends across the street. Is it safe to get our clothes?”
“Yes, but don’t stay here until the repairs are made. We don’t want a tragedy to happen.”
“I understand.”
George and John went to get clothes for the Simons family. They each had an armful, when they entered the Shepard home.
“John, what has happened?” Asked Eileen Shepard.
“George had a small electrical fire. They were able to save most of the house, but the fire marshal doesn’t want them staying there until all the repairs have been made. So,I invited them to stay with us.”
“Well, we do have the room. Of course, George, your family is more than welcome to stay here as long as it takes.”
“Thank you, Eileen.”
“Come, and I will show you where you will sleep.”
The Simons family followed Eileen Shepard, and she took them each to the three guest rooms. Mrs. Mae Harkins sure did love her space. She even provided enough rooms in case she had had company. George went down to the living room, where John Shepard was still up.
“I left the women to take care of getting everything settled. Are there any rules I need to know about?”
“Yeah, no loud parties after 4a.m.”
“If I am even up that late,” George facetiously told his friend.
“How long do you think the repairs will take, George?”
“I’m not sure, John. I know it is going to take quite a while. We now have to have a house inspector go through the house and record the damaged spots, and check the rest of the house for stability. Then there are carpenters, roofers and electricians. Maybe even a plumber.”
“I know a house inspector, and he does very good work. I could give him a call. He can be here in an hour.”
“Is there anybody that you don’t know, John?”
“Yes, George, I don’t know the President, yet.” Both, men laughed.
“Maybe you should give him a call, John. I want to know just what is needed to get my house back in order.”
”Alright, George, come on, you can even talk to him when I get him on the phone.
John Shepard dialed his long time friend, and stated George’s problem. John was told that he would be over in the morning, because he wanted the fire marshal to finish his investigation. John Shepard said that that was fine. Both parties hung up, and John told George what was said.
“That will be fine, John. I just want to know what needs to be repaired and what needs to be strengthened. I built that house with the intention that it would someday go to Jay.”
“Don’t worry, George, we will make that happen together.”
“Thank you, John,” George said apologetically.
George Simons and John Shepard wished each other a good night, and went to bed.
_________________________________________________________
Next: The people of Ginger Lane.
Author’s note: I have had a comment that said I go into too much detail when writing my stories. Every author has his or her way of writing. Some just touch on the fine points, leaving the reader to form his or her own opinion. I tell a detailed story so that the reader can see a time line. It is hard to follow a time line when if I were to say; David Adams plead guilty, and then immediately go to Pine Forest. My style of writing is to give a detailed time line. Thank you all for reading and commenting. Barbara.
The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane - Part 10
By Barbara Lynn Terry
Chapter 1 - George’s house is appraised.
The next morning, at nine thirty sharp, Scott Andrew Block drove in to the Shepard’s drive-way. As Scott was getting out of his car, John Shepard and George Simons came out to meet him.
“Morning, Scott,” John Shepard said, greeting his long time friend. “Scott, this is George Simons, the man whose house I asked you” to come and look at
“Hi George,” Scott said, extending his hand in friendship. :It is nice to meet you.”
“Same here, Scott,” George added, shaking hands.
At that moment, Kathy Shepard came out with a cup of coffee in her hands.
“Here is a cup of coffee for you, uncle Scott.”
“Thank you, Kathy,” Scott said with a smile, taking the offered cup. “George, I called the fire marshal last night after you called me. He said ninety per cent of the structural damage is in the kitchen. I will look the whole house over, and give you my findings later on today.”
“That will be fine, Scott. My family and I are staying here with John, until the repairs are finished. You can send me my bill here at John’s address.”
Scott chuckled a little and then walked toward George’s house, coffee cup in hand.
“I will be back in about forty minutes. I’m going to have a look around.”
John and Grorge went back in to John’s house.
“Don’t worry, George, he is the best house inspector I know.”
“Why was he laughing when I said to send his bill here?”
“Because, George, I called him and asked him to appraise your house. See, he doesn’t charge me anything, and he doesn’t charge my friends if I recommened them to him. Sometime, he will send one of my friends a reduced bill, or no bill. It is the way he is. He was my house inspector when I bought my first house in Saginaw.”
“Just how long have you known Scott?”
“I have known Scott almost since he became a house inspector. I have known him for sixteen years, George, and he had been a house inspector for seventeen years.”
“That is a wonderful friendship for it to last that long.”
“Yes, George, it is. I have had Scott and his family over for dinner more than once at my house. We have even had grill outs together, over the years.”
Jay Simons came out as the two men were taking.
“Hello, Jay,” John said, greeting his friend’s son. I like your outfit.”
“Thank you, Mr. Shepard.”
Jay was dressed in light pink shorts with a matching top that had a Minnie Mouse picture on the front. Jay’s canvas shoes matched the shorts and top perfectly.
“George, what’s going on this weekend?”
“It’s a toss up between a block party, a square dance, or a town picnic at River Brook.”
“I would go for the town picnic. We haven’t had one of those in a while.”
“I think you’re right, John,” George told his friend. I will call the mayor and let him know what we talked about. I know he will like the idea. This will give the newspaper time to get the notice printed so everybody will be notified. What time do you think we should start assembling at River Brook?”
“I think we should start getting there around eleven in the morning.”
“Alright, George, you set it up with the mayor and I will call the newspaper.”
“Alright, John, let’s get busy.”
George Simons called the mayor and told him what he and John Shepard had talked about. The mayor said he had heard the same thing from other residents of Pine Forest. George told him that John Shepard was calling the newspaper with all the details. The mayor said that was a good idea.
John Shepard was telling the entertainment editor what was needed at the picnic. He also said that he and his family were bringing soft drinks and pastries, such as pies, cakes, donuts, and a German potato salad.
When the editor hung up, he fel satisfied that he was called by the newest member of Ginger Lane. John DeWitt rushed the copy down to the printing room. He was in time for the evening paper. This notice would be printed for the next three days. This way it would be fresh in the minds of the residents.
Jimmy Shepard, his sister Kathy and Jay Simons got busy, because they were elected the planning committee. In Pine Forest, children were given tasks that they performed with enthusiasm, because they loved being a part of something as important as this.
Since the mayor already knew that the Shepard family was involved, he knew that between the Shepards and the Simons families. Things would be done right. After all, the Shepard family was the newest family to Pine Forest.
The children went from door to door, taking names of those that would bring something to the picnic. Some said they would bring potato chips and other snacks; some said they would bring the foods becessary to make sloppy joes, and still others said they would bring items to make tacos. This went on for about a whole day, until the children were exhausted. Being near the restaurant, they decided to stop and rest before going home.
Jaime came over to their booth and greeted then all by name.
“So, what would you young folks like?” Jaime asked the trio.
Jay saud that she wanted a hot fudge sundae, Jimmy wanted a banana split, and Kathy just wanted a cherry soda. Jaime went to get their orders abd came back in about five minutes. The children ate their repast, and talked about what the people they talked to, had said. They wrote everything down.
This wasn’t a family picnic where each family did their own grilling. No, this was a town affair. All the food that brought would be placed in coolers until needed. Of course, everyone in town knew their would be left overs, but that didn’t matter.
Everyone was going to have fun. There would be soft ball baseball, there would be those throwing a Frisbee. Still others, like the girls would be jumping rope, double Dutch style. There would be a day care area, where parents could keep an eye on their babies. This is where the saying, “it takes a village”, comes in. Everybody looked after the children.
This is what the criminals who came to Pine Forest to start trouble didn’t realize. In towns like Pine Forest, the entire town took pride in their neigbors. 99.999% Of the town turned out for the events scheduled or unscheduled. The proceeds from all of the activities went to the Mrs. Mae Harkins Memorial Scholarship Fund.
But, this picnic wasn’t one you had to pay to get in to. However, the money collected by the supermarket and other stores for the food bought for the picnic, would go to the Mrs. Mae Harkins Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Stores were going to be closed on the weekend of the picnic. However, if the food was running short, the supermarket would open temporarily to replenish what was in short supply. Even though it was a Saturday event, this event was going to last all weekend.
Chapter 2. The River Brook town picnic plans are finalized..
Saturday was quickly approaching. John Shepard and George Simons were making sure that the plans were all in order. They both went down to the River Brook and espied the area. They picked out a spot away from where the crowd would be. There was only one steadfast rule at any of these events. No alcohol was allowed to be brought to the event, whatever that event would be. This was so the beer sales would be donated to the Mrs. Mae Harkins Memorial Scholarship Fund. But, only beer was allowed to be sold.
With their plans finalized, George called to tell the mayor what they had planned as far as where they were going to set up the tent to keep the coolers of food and soft drinks in. There would be another tent to keep the beer cold and whatever they couldn’t fit in the food tent.
John Shepard and George Simons would be the grillers at the picnic. Jay Simons, Jimmy and Kathy Shepard and the three McGuire sisters would be the ones bringing the food out from the tents, when needed.
The children, of course, were allowed to have fun. There would be no carnival for this event. At least not for the first town picnic. This issue would be brought up at the next town meeting. I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for the results, though.
Pine Forest may be small, bu they are proud of what their town has become; a peacful, law abiding community. The Pine Forest police department would be there, but not in uniform. That is because this event was for the town. Informal dress code was the order of the day.
Two blocks up the lane, Jay Simons, Kathy Shepard and Francine, Darlene and Tanya McGuire were playing double Dutch jump rope. Jimmy Shepard and his father, John, were playing catch in their front yard. Eileen Shepard was making lemonade for the thirsty sports enthusiasts.
About an hour after they started, the children were thirsty. Eileen said in sort of loud tone; “Lemonade children”. They all went to get their glass of lemonade. George came out of the house, and poured himself a glass of lemonade.
“Children, I am glad you are all here. Tomorrow, Mr. Shepard and I will set up for the town picnic on Saturday. We would like you children to have bring out the food as we need it. Thi doesn’t mean you can’t have fun, but we would apprciate your help.”
“That’s okay, Mr. Simons,” Francine McFuire said. “We are only too happy to help.” The other children echoed what she said.
At that moment, Steve Hastings drove up to John’s house.
“Hi John, hi George. I just wanted to let you know that we will be at the picnic, but not in uniform. Our guns will actually be in an ankle holster, so they are out of sight. Everybody in town knows us, so we are going to keep a low profile.”
“We appreciate that, Steve. Unless there is trouble, and I don’t foresee any, we should have a fun filled weekend.”
“I think so, too. There will be uniformed patrols on foot and in squads, but only a handful. Then those officers that didn’t come to the picnic on Saturday, will come on Sunday. Then a few of us that were here on Saturday will patrol on Sunday. We just kind of switch places. As the senior officer, I will be at the picnic on both days.
The lieut. and captain will be here, too, but they won’t take part in the police work unless it is absolutely necessary. I just wanted you to bhe aware of this, so you know what is going on.” Steve Hastings chuckled a little, then continued. I tried to tell the mayor this, but he said to tell you. So, here I am.”
“We appreciate this, Steve,” John Shepard told his friend. That is the way, “it takes a village” works. Everybody is friends with everybody else. Yes, there a squabbles here and there, but, nothing serious.
The River Brook town picnic was the last real event before school started up again. This was the last week in August, and School started right after Labor Day. Pine Forest was also an old fashioned town, too. They didn’t start school at the end of August, like they do in the big cities.
Saturday was fast approaching. John and George went to the community center and got the tents. They took them right down to the park by the River Brook. They set the tents up. Then as they looked the inside of the tents over, they knew exactly where everything was going to go.
They then went back to the Shepard home, and sat down to another glass of lemonade. Eileen Shepard’s lemonade was tart and would make your lips pucker. But, iy was good. As the two men sat there, they were talking about the setup for the picnic.
“You know, George, I think we will use the striped tent for the beer tent and the white tent for the food. You and I are going to be the only ones grilling, so we should get there a little early, and start with the brats and hot dogs.”
“Not too early, though, John. We don’t want the people that come to the picnic to have cold brats and dogs.”
“That is true. Everybody will show up at around eleven. Some people will get there early.”
“There are enough picnic tables for everyone to sit at, so we don’t have to worry about that. You know, George, we could have a few more lawn chairs, maybe.”
“I was thinking the same thing, John. I know we could use a few around the tents for us and the children to sit on.”
“We will have to get them from the community center. Just how many lawn chairs do you think we will need, George?”
“Well, maybe, uhm, twenty or thirty ought to do it.”
“Yes, maybe that would do. There are enough picnic tables, but they will seat five small children on either side, unless they are bigger kids, then there will be only four to a side. The tables will hold three adults on either side. So, George, I think we will need about fifty lawn chairs.”
“How did you do that math so quickly, John?”
“Sheer luck, George, just sheer luck.”
Chapter 3. Saturday is here.
Saturday morning dawned with a bright sun shining. It was 9:30 when John Shepard and George Simons took the first of the food to the park. They placed three coolers of soft drinks in the white tent, along with three other coolers that had buns, brats and hot dogs. The two neb set the coolers in the tent, and then went and looked to see if the grills needed to be cleaned before they used.
The grills looked okay, but they cleaned them just the same. With the grills cleaned, they began to get things squared away before the first families arrived. This park had no real name, John Shepard noticed. He thought for a moment and then had an idea that he would bring up at the next town meeting.
John and George set about placing the fifty lawn chairs by the picnic tables. The townspeople would free to move them around to suit them. Sunday night, after it got dark, there would be a fireworks display. This would be the official end of the first all town picnic at the River Brook.
But, we are getting ahead of ourselves. Today, John and George were going to make sure that everything worked perfectly, so they could have another all town picnic at the park by the River Brook.
At that moment, Steve Hastings and his partner drove up and parked their vehicle in the first nspot nearest the tent. There were police only parking signs, but Steve Hastings left that for the marked squads, just in case.
He walked over by John and George and asked if they needed any help.
“I think we will wait about twenty minutes before the first families arrive, to start cooking.”
“That sounds good, George,” Steve said with a smile. “As I said at the house, we will keep a low profile until wen are needed. This should be a wonderful picnic.”
“I agree, Steve,” John Shepard added.
Steve Hastings partner for this weekend was Amthony (Tony) Palmetti. Tony Palmetti was a twelve year veteran of the Pine Forest police department. When he worked with Steve Hastings, things were quiet, even if trouble makers happened to stop by.
Tony came by the tent and said hello to John and George.
“I was just called, Steve, and I was told the Lieut., if coming here today. In civilian clothes, of course.”
“Of course, Tony. We have this weekend off, so to speak. But this is a working day off.”
“Hi Steve, Tony,” said Gregory (Greg) Olsen. Greg was also a twelve year veteran of the Pine Forest police department. He and Tony were actually partners, but today, Tony was Steve’s partner. “Tje captain said I should partner up with the vith of you.”
“Alright, Greg,” Steve answered his friend and collegue. “Just keep our eyes wide open at all times. Have eyes in the back of your head. We want this picnic to succeed without a problem.”
“It will, Steve,” added Tony. I just no outsiders decide to stop by.”
“Well, if we do, we have four squads that can answer on short notice,” Steve informed his partners. “If someone comes by in a car, we cam actually block them from fleeing. That leaves four squads to patrol the town. There are also five squads from the sheriff’s department that will be helping, also.
“I see people are starting to arrive. Just remember, we are just here to have fun. Even though everybody in Pine Forest knows who we are, we are still here to have fun.”
“I agree, Steve. This way if strangers do stop by, we are just townspeople here to have fun.”
“Precisely,” Steve Hasting added.
As the first of the families were arriving, two of the boys went away from the crowd and started throwing a Frisbee.* The two boys were having a great time, as one of family’s dog began chasing the Frisbee. They were having immense fun. The girls were told what to bring out so that their dads could start grilling. Then the girls went by George Simons car and got out two jump ropes. They were going to play double Dutch jump rope.
Darlene and Francine McGuire the first to hold the ropes. They twirled them this way and crossed them that way. Jay was the first to jump the ropes. She did pretty well, until her foot got caught in the ropes. It was Kathy’s turn next, and she didn’t last very long. Then Tanya McGuire took her turn. She lasted almost as long as Jay.
Tanya and Kathy were the rope twisters, and Darlen and Francine took their turns at jumping. Darlene went first, and lasted quite a bit longer than Jay. Francine was the last to jump, and she lasted the longest. One thing about double Dutch is that it doesn’t matter how much you have played the game, ir even how much practice you have had. Double Dutch is a game that usually wins over the player.
After they were finished playing, they went to get a soda. When they got to the tent, there was an unmistaken smell of burgers, bratsm and hot dogs being grilled.
“Hi girls, want something to eat? We have brats, burgers and hot dogs ready,” George Simons told the girls. “Where’s Jimmy?”
“He’s over there throwing a Frisbee with Tommy and Bob,” Darlene McGuire answered.
Thomas (Tommy) Jensen, lived in town, two blocks from the community center. He is twelve years old. Robert (Bob) Evers is nine years old, but tall for his age. He lives a block away from the hardware store.
On both sides of the business district street, right behind the stores are residential house where most of the Pine Forest residents live. Even those livinedg on the outlying areas, are within the city limits and are also Pine Forest residents.
John Shepard was running the grill that was by the striped tent. He already treated four customers to a brat each, and three of then asked for a beer. The fourth person alsready had a soft drink in her hand.
Since this was the first such town picnic, George and John were taking notes to present in the minutes of the next town council meeting. Steve Hastings was walking around talking to the townsfolk. Greg Olsen was watching the baseball diamond at the far end of the park. Tony Palmetti stationed hinself on a lawn chair so that he could see everything as well as the water and the road.
The road was filling up with cars from the townspeople. They were bringing dishes to share like pasta salad, chili, cornbread. Some even brought more brats, hot dogs and burgers. Still others brought more soft drinks. Everytime there was a town event such as this, everybody in town chipped in to make it a successful event.
Over on the baseball diamond, two teams of boys were playing softball and the parents were either watching from the small diamond bleacher, or from their lawn chairs. There was also a single tennis court, and a swimming area that was roped off from the rest of the River Brook.
The children mwere having a fun filled morning, so far. Some of the girls were playing hopscotch, or they were playing with their dolls that they brought with them. Jimmy, Tommy and Bob were still throwing the Frisbee.
John Shepard and George Simons were watching the townsfolk having fun. There were even groups of adults that were talking with each other. The two men were watching the children having fun, fun and still more fun.
It was now going on twelve o’clock noon. People were lining up to get their lunch. The best thing about an all day event like this was, the women didn’t have to cook. Jim Bowers, who lived in town, came over and told George he would relieve him, if George wanted to go and mingle. George accepted the invitation, and told John Shepard that Jim was taking over his grill for a while.
John said that was fine. Jim didn’t really know John Shepard, since John and his family had just moved in to the area.
“I’m Jim Bowers, I live over on Oak Street in town.”
“I’m John Shepard, we just bought the Widow Harkins cottage on Ginger Lane. This is our third event since we moved here.”
“So, how do you like Pine Forest?” Jim asked John.
“It is a far cry better than Saginaw. I’m in the hardware business. My company delivers hardware all over the country and in Canada, too. I’m working with Bob Thicke over at the hardware store, so he can better his business and enlarge his store a little.”
“Bob would like a little input. It seems hardware is last abd very least on the minds of the townspeople. They just don’t need hardware.”
I just cannot believe that nobody in this town uses hardware. Don’t fix things with nailsm screws, ‘L’ brackets? I cannot believe things are that bad here. What will people think when they have a basement flood, or a leaky roof? Jim, there has to be a need for hardware.”
“Well, John, I hope you can get Bob’s business back to where it should be.”
“I am too, Jim. I think what the problem is, is that Bob needs yo get his stock in order before he can advertise a premium product at low prices. He is going to be ordering from me. My products out rank ninety per cent of the hardware on the market today.
“What I am going to talk to Bob about is how to enlarge his store. We can do that by shuffling a few bins around to make it appear there is more room in the store.”
“I see. Just exactly how are you going to do that?”
“Well, Jim, I have the idea, but I axtually have to be in the store. When I was there the first time, there were no bins along the back wall. But, like I said, I actually have to be in the store to figure this out completely. Jim, would you like a brat and a beer. My treat.”
“I’d love to, John, thank you.”
John Shepard put the amount of money in the till, so that he and Jim could have a brat abd a beer. Jim went in the tent to get two beers.
“Jim, I don’t drink alcohol. I’ll just get a Black Bear soda.”
“Sorry, John.”
“Don’t be sorry, Jim. It’s just that in my business I travel a lot, and I have to have my wits about me at all times.”
“I understand, John”
“Well, Jim, it’s just when I am on the plane, I look at my files to see what progress has been made at the place I either have been, or are going to. I never sleep on the plane. Besides, I am constantly thinking, and to do that, I need a clear head. You should really try this Black Bear black cherry soda. It is really good.”
“Thank you, John, but I have my Bud.”
“I just thought I would offer.”
At that moment, Greg Olsen came over by John’s grill.
“John, Jim, there are five guys in a silver Mercedes parked up the street. I have already alerted the other officers. I just thought you should know.”
“Thank you, Greg, we will be looking dor any trouble also.
I may have forgotten to tell you, but in outdoors events like this, each tent and table had a yellow light, that when turned on, would summons the officers nearest to the trouble spot.
The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane - Part 11
By Barbara Lynn Terry
Chapter 1 - The men in the silver Mercedes.
As Greg Olsen was watching the silver Mercedes, the five men got out of the car, and walked toward the picnic area. As they got nearer to the picnic, Steve Hastings approcahed the men.
“Excuse me, gentlemen, I’m officer Steve Hastings of the Pine Forest police department. May I ask what your business here is?”
“Hey, dude, we came for the party. It looks like things are really swingin’ here.”
“Gentlemen, this is a private town picnic for the townspeople of Pine Forest. I don’t recall seeing either of you anywhere in Pine Forest. Are you Pine Forest residents?”
“Nah, officer. We were driving through, and saw the party, so we thought we would join in.”
“I see,” Steve Hastings remarked. “I am sorry, but you will have to leave.”
“In a pig’s eye we will. We came for the party and we are going to go to this party,” said the big mouth of the group.
“All right, I will need to see identification from all of you.”
“Man, you need to learn some manners.”
It was then that they took guns from their back pockets. They pointed the guns at Steve. It was then that Greg sneaked up behind the five with his service revolver in hand.
“Drop your guns gentlemen. Pine Forest police officer.”
Momentarily distracted by Greg, gave Steve a chance to draw his own weapon.
“Gentlemen, place your guns on the ground. Place your hands behind your heads and interlock your fingers,” Steve ordered.
“Like hell we will,” the big mouth, said, looking behind him.
“This is officer Greg Olsen, there are three other officers on their way. You five are under arrest for; 1. Carrying concealed weapons, and 2. Threatening the safety of a police officer. Both are felonies.
“You have the right to remain silent, if you choose to give up that right, anything you say now, can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to have an attorney present, and if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for each of you by the judge. Do each of you understand these rights I have just read them to you?”
“Yeah, pig, we understand,” Mr. Big Mouth remarked.
It was at that moment that officer Tony Palmetti walked up to the trouble area.
“What’s this, Steve?”
“We need your cuffs and a marked squad to take these five in. I will have to see the district attorney on Monday. I am swearing out complaints for all five. They were carrying concealed weapons, and they threatened my safety and Greg’s safety. When the marked squad gets here I will tell the officer to place felony holds on all of them.”
“Hey, man, you can’t do that. In Detroit it is …”
“You aren’t in Detroit. In fact, gentlemen, you may not know this, but Pine Forest isn’t even in Michigan. In this state, what you have done, are felonies. You are being held in the city jail until Monday. Then you will see the district attorney.”
“What amount of momey can we give you, to forget this whole thing?”
“You just attempted to bribe a police officer. The same rights as I have read them to you, apply here, too. Attempted bribery of a police officer is a felony.”
“Everything here is a felony, huh. What do you squares do for fun around here?”
Just then, a marked squad pulled up to the curb. Officer Janet Hastings got out of the passenger side.
“Hey, Steve. What’s going on?”
“Look guys, we got a bitch to take us to jail. Hey sweet cheeks, wanna do a little rubberneckin’?”
“Steve, there is a paddy wagon on the way. They will take the five rude prisoners in. I was sent to reinforce you, while the other officers patrol the picnic.”
Janet Hasting was 24 years old, and Steve’s sister. She had a marksman medal, and was studying to be an expert in firearms and munitions. Tomorrow, Janet would be at the picnic in civilian clothes.
“It is too bad that we are in the city limits. I would love to have you show these hoodlums just why making fun of you is not a good idea.”
“Don’t scare them, Steve. They might get nervous and confess.” Janet put her finger to one side of her mouth, as if thinking. “You know, Steve, on second thought, let’s make them nervous.” The three officers laughed at the prisoners expense.
“If only, Janet, if only,” Steve Hastings remarked.
The paddy wagon pulled up. Actully it was a pickup truck with an iron shell over the extra wide truck bed. Officer James Peabody got out and opened the hatch. He then walked over and began shackling the prisoners together.
James Peabody was a rookie officer with only eight months out of the academy. He was 23 years old, with California blonde hair and golden tan. He was originally from Carmel, California, where his father runs a vinyard and winery.
When James Peabody called his dad to tell him he had graduated from the state police academy, his father was glad that he was making something out of his life. How James got be a police officer in Pine Forest is food for another book.
James and Steve helped the five men in to the back of the “paddy” wagon. They made sure the shackles were fastened to the iron rings on the floor. James got in to the driver’s side and drove the prisoners to the city jail.
Janet said goodbye to Steve and Greg, then got in her squad to resume patrol. Steve and Greg returned to keeping watch at the picnic. It was a nice day out, and Steve and the other officers made sure it stayed that way.
Jimmy Shepard and his two friends stopped throwing the Frisbee and went to John Shepard’s tent.
“Dad, I would like a Black Bear cherry cola. Would you buy my friends a soda, too, please?”
“Sure, Jimmy, I would be honored.”
Jimmy then asked his dad if he could have a brat.
“Sure, Jimmy,” John Shepard answered his son. “Would you boys like a brat, a hot dog, or a burger?”
“Hot dog, please, Mr. Shepard,” both boys said in unison.
The boys, with their soft drinks and sandwiches, went by the brook and sat on the grass. They sat there eating and listening to the water softly flowing as they watched the fish swim by.
The River Brook was an habitual fishing place for the townspeople. But, since it was shallow, your options were limited. There was trout, fresh water perch, bass and many other types of fresh water fish.
“Hello, boys. How do the fish look today?”
”Hello, officer Steve,” the three boys said together.
“Are you boys thinking about fishing?”
“Yes, officer Steve. The perch and bass look really good.”
“That’s fine, Bobby. I may see you down here. When were you planning on coming?”
“We were thinking about Wednesday, because my dad wants to cook out. I thought maybe a few good sized fish would be something nice to cook on the grill.”
“I agree, Jimmy. Well, I will see you three later.” Steve then resumed his patrol.
The three boys finished their lunch, and placed their garbage in the park trash bin. They went to the park building and got a can of tennis balls and three tennis racquets. They went to the tennis courts and set up their area.
Jimmy and Bobby were the first two to play. The third boy would play the winner. Tommy Jensen would be the caller for the first game and then play the winner. Bobby Evers took the first serve, and the first game began.
The tennis game was about even, when Bobby Evers slammed the ball on to Jimmy’s side of the court. The game was called in favor of Bobby Evers. Jimmy stepped aside and Tommy Jensen took his racquet and took the side of the court Jimmy was on. Jimmy would be the caller for this game.
From the food and beer tents, John Shepard and George Simons could see everybody and all the play areas. They watched Jimmy and his two friends playing tennis, and having a great time. John Shepard listened as Jimmy was calling the play by play.
When each boy had played the other at least one game, they decided to get a soda. The boys took the tennis balls and racquets back to the park building. Bobby went to his parents and asked for a little money to buy himself and Tommy a soda. Jim Evers took the money from his pocket, and gave it to Bobby.
“There is enough there to get a hot dog or whatever, for you and Tommy. Isn’t that Jimmy Sheptard you were playing tennis with?”
“Yes, dad,” Answered Bobby. “His dad is the one grilling by the white tent.”
“Alright, boys, have a great time.”
“Thank you, dad,” Bobby Evers said, with a smile.
Bobby and Tommy joined Jimmy at John Sgepard’s tent. Bobby irdered a ginger ale, and Tommy wanted a Sprite. Jimmy using his host manners, had waited for Bobby and Tommy to get their money.
“Dad, may I have a Coke, please”
“Coming right up, Jimmy,” Answered John Shepard.
The trio walked around the picnic, just talking to other children. The largest grapevine in the world is the children. You can find more gossip from the children than you can from thr ladies garden tea gathering.
They were talking to Francine McGuire, who told the boys about the excitement with the five men from a silver car. Francine didn’t know what kind of car it was, only that it was silver. She told the boys how officers Tony, Greg, Steve and Janet had arrested the five men. Then an officer Francine didn’t know, came and took the five men to jail.
Pine Forest was one of those towns that if something happened, the news spread fast. The grapevine news spread faster than an Air Force jet flying at the sped of sound. Jimmy, Bobby and Tommy excused themselves, and went over by officer Greg Olsen.
“Hello, officer Greg,” Jimmy greeted Greg with a smile. “Francine told us avout the men in the silver car. What happened?”
“Well, Jimmy, I can’t say right now. All I know is there an altercation.”
“What does that mean, officer Greg?” Asked Tommy Jensen.
“It just means there was a small problem.”
“Oh!” The three boys exclaimed together.
Satisfied with Greg’s explanation, the three boys decided to throw the Frisbee again. Bobby went by his father and got his Frisbee. They went away from the crowd, and began playing.
It was getting to be late, and folks had to go to church in the morning. Steve blew his police whistle and then spoke in to his megaphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to head back home. There is church in the morning, and we can all come back tomorrow. Good night, folks, and have a good evening.”
The townspeope began gathering their things, and started heading to their cars. As they were walking toward the road, they saw a tow truck hooking up the silver Mercedes. Most of the townspeople did not know about the five men that were arrested. This is the way Steve Hastings wanted the people to be. He wanted the townspeople to have fun.
The only two that did not leave right away, was John Shepard and George Simons. Their task was to make sure that all the lawn chairs were taken down and placed in the white tent. When they had finished this, Steve told them they were leaving to clock out.
Chapter 2 - An evening at the Shepard home.
When all of the lawn chairs were put away, John Shepard and George Simons collected Jimmy and thy went home. One nice thing about small towns is, there is no rush hour. George, John and Jimmy were home in ;ess than ten minutes. When they pulled in to the driveway, they saw Jay Simons outside, singing. Jay did have a very nice voice for not taking any singing or voice lessons.
They all stood there listening to Jay, before they went in the house. Inside the house, there was the smell of corn, roast beef, coffee and, Dutch apple pie. Since lunch was a while ago, both the Shepard and Simons families were hungry.
Everybody washed their hands, and waited for dinner to be served. Yes, it was nine thirty, and it would be a late dinner. But it usually is on town event night, unless it is the block party.
Dinner was almost ready, so every one took their places. The roast beef was cut in to slices, because Eileen Shepard knew that her husband liked to make a roast beef sandwich when he ate his dinner.
Eileen brought out the roast beef and set it on the table. She asked Kathy to help with the potatoes and the corn on the cob. When everything was set on the table, Jimmy said grace.
After grace, everybody sat down and the food was passed around. They talked about how they enjoyed the first day of the picnic.
“Dad,” Jimmy started the conversation. “Why didn’t everyone know about the men in the silver car?”
“Because, son, it is the business of the police to keep order at such an event like a town picnic. They try to handle a bad situation as quiet as they can. This way, the other people can continue ro have fun.
“How did you like playing tennis wuth your two friends?”
“I liked it. Tomorrow, we’re going to play more tennis. Throwing the Frisbee was alright, but the tennis games were more fun.”
“Well, at least you enjoyed yourself,” John Shepard remarked. “Tomorrow is another day, as they say. I think we will have a peaceful Sunday. Are ypu coming, Eileen?”
“Yes, John, I will come and gave fun.”
The dinner having been eaten, and everyone was full. Eileen, Jay Simons and his mother, as well as Kathy Shepard cleared the table while John and George went outside.Jimmy Shepard had already had one baseball glove and the baseball.
“Son, would you mind playing a little catch with ne and George.”
“No, dad, I would love to.”
Jimmy Shepard, John Shepard and George Simons formed a triangle and began to throw the baseball to each other. They pretended they were base men in a title game. They threw the ball hard like the game depended on this one play.
They then pretended they could hear the shouts from yhe crowd. Jimmy Shepard played shortstop on the city’s softball league. He didn’t mind the fast and hard throws from his father and George Simons.
When there are four people doing the cleanup, it doesn’t take long to do the job. When the cleanup was finished, They all went out to watch the guys play catch.
Even though George Simons and John Shepard were the organizers of the weekend town picnic, they would not be grilling on Sunday. Two other men would be grilling at the River Brook town picnic. John and George would be having fun on Sunday.
It was almost eleven o’clock, so everyone decided it was bed time. They all went inside the house and right to their bedrooms. Everyone brushed their teeth, and got in to their night clothes. After saying their prayers, they all climbed in to their beds.
The Little Girl Who :uves Down The Lane - Part 12
By Barbara Lynn Terry
Chapter 1 - The town picnic resumes.
Sunday morning dawned early, for the people of the city of Pine Forest and of the county. Church was a very important part of Pine Forest life. The people were getting up, taking their showers or baths, and getting ready to go to mass. There are three churches in Pine Forest; the Catholic church, the Lutheran church, and the Episcopal church.
Services at each church lasted for only an hour. By nine o’clock services were over. The people of Pine Forest went home to change clothes, and go to River Brook Park for the last day of the Mrs. Mae Harkins Memorial Scholarship Fund town picnic.
The town and county of Pine Forest not only respected Mrs. Mae Harkins* in life, but honor her in death. This was a lady the town of Pine Forest will never forget. This is why the town council along with the votes from the townspeople, elected to have a memorial scholarship fund in Mrs. Mae Harkins name. This scholarship fund was for a deserving student in either sports or academics.
Pine Forest police officers Steve Hastings, his sister Janet, Greg Olsen and Tony Palmetti were already at River Brook Park making sure that all was safe for the people who came to the picnic. Along with these four officers, two rookies would be joining them; officers James Peabody and Dierks Pullman. Greg Olsen and Tony Palmetti were there by Steve’s request.
The park started filling up with the townspeople and those that lived in the county rural areas. Today was the last day of the first annual town picnic. Next week was the town square dance. Of course, there would also be line dancing as well.
By twelve o’clock noon, River Brook Park was filled with children and their parents. There were also single parent and their children. But, everybody in Pine Forest respected each other. After all, Pine Forest as a law abiding community and the residents of Pine Forest were proud of that.
Jay Simons and Francine McGuire helped out at the soft drink tent. John Shepard was cooking the brats and burgers. People were buying the food, but not in long lines. Jimmy and Kathy Shepard were playing horseshoes. Everybody was having fun.
Ever so often, Greg and Steve would check the bushes for any unwanted trouble makers. All they found were teens kissing. Steve told them it was not safe to be using the bushes as a makeout nest. He explained to them that trouble makers like to hide in bushes.
He said for them to find something else to do at the picnic. Steve and Greg finished checking the bushes and resumed watching the townspeople having fun.
Pine Forest police chief, Robert Edmonds, joined the festivities five minutes after Steve and Greg checked the last bush. Chief Edmonds was more than just an administrator, he was also a team player. He was appointed Chief of police by the mayor with the approval of the town council and the people of the town of Pine Forest.
Robert Edmonds is fifty four years old, his hair greying at the temples. He has a very cheery disposition, showing pearl white teeth. There was one thing Chief Edmonds did demand of his officers. He wanted to be called Bob instead of chief when they were by themselves. In public, like the picnic, they were to call him chief. They all understood this, and abided by it.
As Chief Edmonds was mingling, his brother, Captain James Edmonds drove up to the curb. He looked for Bob, and found him. He motioned for Bob to come to the sidewalk. Chief Edmonds went by his brother.
“What’s up, captain?”
“One of the five men Steve arrested yesterday, wants to talk to us. His attorney is with him, now.”
“Greg Olsen was in on that arrest, also, Jim.”
James Edmonds went to get Steve Hastings and Greg Olsen. He explained why they were neeeded at the station. Steve found Tony Palmetti and told him that he was in charge until he returned. Steve and Greg went to the station.
As Steve and Greg entered interrogation room three, they saw the big mouth of the five men from the silver Mercedes, and another man.
“Hello, I’m officer Steve Hastings and this is officer Greg Olsen. Let’s start with your names.”
“I’m Jim Bradford, attorney for the men you arrested yesterday. I was inforned by our client, here, that he wishes to speak to you about yesterday.”
:That’s fine, Mr. Bradford, but, let’s start with his name, age, date of birth and address in Detroit,” Steve demanded of the attorney.
“His name is James Wolcott, he is twenty seven years old. His date of birth is October 22, 1990. His address, however, must remain a secret to this department.”
“Then, Mr. Bradford, we can’t do business, except in court. Have a good day,” Steve told the attorney.
In the meantime, Greg Olsen was running the prisoner’s name and date of birth. If the prisoner was previously arreted, it would come back from the NCIC. Greg waited for the information.
Greg didn’t have long to wait. The information came back, quickly. The prisoner’s name is Stephen Wilson Hudson, aka, James M. Berry, aka, Winston Adams, aka, James Wolcott. Greg went back to the interrogation room.
“Steve look at this.” Greg showed Steve the NCIC “rap” sheet on their prisoner.
“Well, Mr. Bradford, it seems that you lied to us. Let me read what the NCIC came back with, on your client.” Steve read the information to Mr. Bradford.
“I’m sorry,” Mr. Bradford told Steve Hastings. “I didn’t know about this. Mr. Hudson, you’re on your own. I suggest that you get yourself another attorney.” Mr. Bradford put his papers in his brief case, and left.
“So,” Steve directed his attention to Stephen Hudson. “Would you like to tell us the truth as to why you were at our town picnic?”
“Go to hell, flatfoot.”
“I think we’re through here, Greg. Officer, take him back to his cell,” Steve told the attending officer.
Steve Hastings and Greg Olsen left the interrigation room. They went out to the parking lot to get their cars. They both went back to the picnic. When they got back to River Brook Park, Tony Palmetti saw Steve and asked him what happened at the station.
“The big mouth of the five men from the Mercedes tried, or I should say his attorney tried, to give us a false name for Mr. Big Mouth. That was until Greg ran Mr. Big Mouth’s information. It appears that big mouth’s real name is Stephen Wilson Hudson, twenty seven years old from Dearborn Heights, Michigan.”
“So, what did his attorney do then, Steve?” Tony asked.
“His attorney claimed he had been lied to, and packed his papers in his brief case. He told Mr. Hudson that he was on his own.”
“Well, at least we know one of their names,” Tony Palmetti replied.
The three officers went back to keeping watch over the picnic area. Steve Hastings watched as Jay Simons brought out more meat for the grill. Francine McGuire was serving soft drinks to thirsty picnic goers.
Jimmy Shepard, Tommy Jensen and Bob Evers were playing catch with the Frisbee. Tommy’s dog, Shep, ran back and forth, trying to catch it. Shep did catch the Frisbee a few times, which made the game a foursome instead of a trio.
Steve saw two girls playing tennis, and there were a few of the boys sitting on the bank fishing. As far as Steve could see, everybody was having fun. That was what the whole picnic was supposed to be about anyway.
Because of the time taken at the station with the prisoner, it was nearing the time when everyone would want their dinner. John Shepard was cooling the hot dogs and the brats, George Simons was making the hamburgers, and Ruth McGuire was passing out the salads. The salads were pasta, shrimp, chef and garden salads. These salads would go quickly.
People were starting to line up at the grills for their dinners. There would be people who would get a burger and a soft drink. That was Jay and Francine’s department. They were serving the soft drinks. There were sodas, iced tea and lemonade. Black Bear (headquartered in Oak Creek, Wisconsin), was a favorite brand of sodas in Pine Forest.
Steve Hastings liked the black cherry the best. As he stood there sipping on his soda, Steve kept an eagle eye vigil on the picnic grounds. His concern was the safety of the people who came to the picnic.
Steve was also thinking about how Mr. Bradford had tried to give a false name for his former client, Steve was also thinking that in order to save himself from a criminal charge, Mr. Bradford told Mr. Hudson that he was on his own. In the morning, Steve was going to run the fingerprints of the other four prisoners.
The laughter and noise of the picnic goers shook Steve out of his reverie. He glanced around and saw that everything was all right. Everybody was having fun.
It was going on six o’clock, and there were people heading for their cars. Some people had to get up early for work. As the picnic thinned out of people, Steve saw the same two boys still sitting on the river bank, still fishing.
The boys father called for them to get ready to leave. They grumbled a little, but did as they were told. They took their fishing rods and buckets to their father’s car. The two girls who were playing tennis were also gone. There were several people still at the picnic.
When it was eight o’clock, everyone that was still at the picnic, started for their cars. It was getting late for those that had to go to work. By eight thirty, the park was empty, save for the police officers.
Steve Hastings dismissed the other officers, except for Greg Olsen and Tony Palmetti. These three officers would make one final check, and get the tents and left overs to the community center. The first annual River Brook town picnic was over for another year. Next week would be the square dance at the community center.
Chapter 2 - Monday starts the work week.
The people of Pine Forest who worked the first shift, were already at work by six o’clock, Monday morning. Steve Hastings was already at the the station by five forty five. He took the fingerprints from the men in the Mercedes, and ran each set of prints through the NCIC (National Crime Information Center) in Washington, D.C., located in the FBI headquarters.
The information came back quickly. In addition to Stephen Wilson Hudson, there was Daniel Edward Cooke, Thomas James McDermott, James Robert Hall, and Anthony Stephens. The information contained, not only their names, but their dates of birth, descriptions and addresses. They were all from Dearborn Heights, Michigan.
Steve decided that it was time to get these men talking. He went to get Greg Olsen and Tony Palmetti. The prisoners would be split up between the three officers. Daniel Cooke and Thomas McDermott would be in interrogation one with Tony Palmetti; James Hall and Anthony Stephens would be with Greg Olsen in interrogation room three; and Steve would be between the two. Steve had a method to his madness.
Tony Palmetti asked Daniel Cooke why he and his friends wanted so much to “crash” a private picnic. Tony got the same answer Steve got from Stephen Hudson.
“You know that there are outstanding warrants on all five of you from Detroit,” Tony Palmetti told Daniel Cooke.
“Yeah, what for?” Daniel asked officer Palmetti.
“For one thing,” Tony answered his prisoner. “The five of you burglarized a home in Detroit, occupied by an elderly widow. The report said you stole money and jewelry. Is there a reason that you five did this?”
“Yeah, well whoever said we did that is a liar,” Daniel Cooke told Tony. Thomas McDermott echoed what Daniel said.
After twenty minutes, and not getting a straight answer from either prisoner, Steve told Tony and Greg to wrap it up. They would have their day in court. When all four were on the way back to their cells, Steve laid a bombshell in their laps.
“One other thing, fellas. I notified the Detroit police department that we have you on felony charges here. But, we can wait for you to be convicted here. Detroit has first dibs. Robbing an elderly widow, you five should be ashamed of yourselves.”
Tony, Greg and Steve left the prisoners in the interrogation rooms to wait to go back to their respective cell blocks. The five men were separated because in the morning didn’t want them concocting a rehearsed story to tell in court.
Even though the officers didn’t get what they wanted from the five men, the day was not a total loss. As they were on the way back to their squads, Steve stopped at the communications center, where the fax machines were located. He saw a fax from the Detroit police department.
The fax read that two officers from their department would be there the next day with extradition warrants. The fax said the officers would be there between eleven in the morning and two o’clock in the afternoon. Steve was in luck; Greg and Tony had not left the building. Steve showed them the fax.
“Well, there is one good thing,” Tony Palmetti was saying. “At least they will be out of our hair for a few years.”
“True, Tony,” Greg replied. “But, they will never ger out of hail. We got them after Detroit is finished with them.
“Very true,” Steve said to Greg and Tony. “When the Detroit officers get here tomorrow. We will have to have a judicial order, because these five will fight extradition. I am actually prepared for that. You guys go ahead. I’m going to talk to the district attorney.”
Tony and Greg went out to their squads, and left Steve to do what had to be done with the district attorney.
Chapter 3 - Steve lays the foundation for conviction.
Steve went to the district attorney’s office and spoke with William O’Connell, assistant dustrict attorney.
“Hey Bill, I need to talk to you about the five men we arrested Saturday.”
“Sure, Steve, what’s on your mind?”
“There are two Detroit police officers comng for the five men, Their names are Stephen Wilson Hudson, Thomas McDermott, Daniel Cooke, James Hall and Anthony Stephens. They are all from the Detroit area. They may fight extradition.”
“Don’t worry, Steve, we’ll make sure they are extradited.”
“One other thing, Bill, I want felony holds on each of the five, from our jurisdiction here. They threatened us with concealed firearms they were carrying.”
“So you want felony holds on each of them for carrying concealed weapons without a police permit and attempted murder charges for each of them.”
“Yes, Bill, I do. When they do their time in Michigan, I want them to do time here.”
“Not a problem, Steve. I will make sure they come back here.”
“Thanks, Bill. Well, I have to get on patrol. See you in court.”
“Take care, Steve. See you in court.”
Steve left William McConnell’s office and headed for his squad.
Once in his squaed, Steve radioed in that he was on patrol. The dispatcher acknowleged Steve’s transmission.
While driving through the town, Steve was wondering about the five men. He wondered if they were somehow connected to Jonah Wilson Carruthers. He needed to find out. Jonah was still waiting for his trial to begin. His court appointed attorney was stalling the court with various motions.
“463 returning to the jail to question a prisoner.”
“463 10-4.”
Steve had a plan to see if these five men were part of a racketeering ring. He thought that this is a huge possibility. If they were, he was going to seriously talk to the Detroit officers when they came to get the five prisoners. Steve arrived at the jail. Mr. Hudson was brought in a few minutes later.
“Hi Steve, may I call you Steve?”
“No! What do you want flatfoot?”
“Nothing much. I said I would delver a message to you. Jonah Carruthers said not to worry, he has everything under control.”
“Tell me, flatfoot, why would you give me such a message? I don’t even know anyone by that name.”
“Really, he seems to know you. I even, on purpose, asked him if he was talking about the Stephen Wilson Hudson from Saginaw. He said no, that you were from Dearborn Heights. So, one more time. Jonah says hi and not to worry.”
“Okay, so I know Jonah. Is that a crime?”
“I’m not sure yet. See you in court.”
Next chapter: The extradition hearing; Jonah Wilson Carruthers.
https://pixabay.com/en/cartoon-doodle-sketch-kids-people-10820
The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane – Part 13
By Barbara Lynn Terry
Chapter 1 – The extradition hearing is expedited.
Steve Hastings left the jail. He went out to his squad to resume his patrol.
“463 resuming patrol.”
“10-4, 463.”
Steve patrolled the entire town in less than ten minutes. But, as we sll know, even in small towns things get out of hand, when you least expect it. Steve didn’t have a pattern to his patrols. He would patrol Main street at ten minutes past the hour, and then he would circle back. Two minutes later, he would be back in Main street. He has caught many criminals that way.
Of course, none of these criminals lived in Pine Forest, or the surrounding area. Mostly they were just passing through Pine Forest. It is amazing who you come across during a traffic stop.
“463,” came the call from the dispatcher.
“463,” Steve answered.
“463, there are two officers here from the Detroit, Michigan police department. The have extradition warrants for five of our prisoners.”
“463, I will be right there.”
Greg Olsen and Tony Palmetti heard the call and told the dispatcher they were also coming in. While Steve Hastings was the arresting officer, Greg and Tony were a part if that arrest. In Pine Forest, it takes a village.
In Pine Forest, the police station is also police headquarters and the city jail. The county jail and sheriff’s department was across the street next to the courthouse. In Pine Forest, the police, sheriff and state police all worked together to keep the peace.
Steve, Greg, and Tony all pulled in to the police parking lot almost simultaneously. All three officers went in to the building. They went straight to their captain’s office.
“You wanted to see us, Captain,” Steve asked.
“Yes, Steve, These two officers are fron the Detroit police department. They’re here with extradition warrants for five of our prisoners. They said they hope we can expedite the extradition proceedings quickly.”
“I hope so, too, captain,” Steve said seriously.
It was then that assistant district attorney, William O’Connell entered the captain’s office.
“Officers, this is assistant district attorney, William O’Connell for Addison county. He is handling the extradition.” The taller of the two officers extended his hand and introduced himself.
"Hello Mr. O’Connell. I’m officer Jim Bendix, Detroit police department. This is my partner, officer John Wilson, Detroit police department. We’re here with extradition warrants for Stephen Wilson Hudson, Daniel Edward Cooke, Thomas James McDermott, James Robert Hall, and, Anthony Stephens. The Food and Drug Adminstration would be here, but they got called away at the last minute.” Officer Bendix set the warrants down in front of Mr. O’Connell.
“We have a hearing before the judge at eight o”clock in the morning. This judge doesn’t take kindly to those that terrorize and rob old ladies. Eight o’clock in the morning, branch thirty seven. That is before judge Harold W. Benedict.”
“Thank you, Mr. O’Connell. We will be there. Is there a hotel we can stay the night at?”
“Yes, at the Pine Forest Hotel. It is on fourth and Main streets. They have a spacious parking lot, a six story building, with eighteen rooms on each floor. It doesn’t look big from the outside, but you will be pleasantly surprised at the inside. See you tomorrow, gentlemen.”
Chapter 2 – The extradition hearing before Judge Benedict.
The next morning, the two Detroit officers were up early, so thy could have breakfast. When their orders came, the two officers just talked about things in general; the weather, the décor and service of the restaurant, and a myriad of other things. When they finished their second cup of coffee, they had twenty minutes to get to the courtroom.
The two Detroit officers entered the courthouse and quickly found branch 37 of the Addison county circuit court. They went in and sat down after telling Mr. O’Connell they were there. Steve Hastings, Greg Olsen and Tony Palmetti were there also.
The bailiff saw the door to the judge’s chambers start to open.
“All rise, branch 37 of the Addison county circuit court is now in session. The Honorable Harold W. Benedict, presiding. Silence is commanded, gentlemen, take off your hats.
“I will have the first case,” judge Benedict told his bailiff.
“Case numbers E-768, E-769, E-770, E-771, E-772. Set for extradition.”
I will have appearances for the record,” judge Benedict told the attending attorneys.
“William O’Connell, assistant district attorney for Addison county.”
“J. W. Barker for the defendants.”
“Mr. O’Connell, you may proceed.”
“I call Pine Fprest police officer, Steven Hastings, to the stand.”
Steve was sworn in and he sat in the witness chair.
“Good morning, officer Hastings. Would you please, in your own words, describe what happened on Saturday last?”
“This last weelend, the town was having our first annual town picnic at River Brook park. A silver Mercedes with five men inside, were watching us.”
“Officer do you see those five men in this courtroom now?” Mr. O’Connell asked Steve Hastings.
“Yes, I do. They are seated at that table with Mr. Barker, their attorne
“Let the record reflect that the witness has identified the defendants,” Mr. O’Coennell said, addressing the court.
“Without objection, it is so ordered,” judge Benedict ordered. “You may continue, officer.”
“While the other officers were keeping an eye on the picnic, I was watching the men in the Mercedes. After several minutes went by, the defendants got out of the Mercedes and started walking toward the picnic area. I approached the defendants and asked what they were doing here.
“The defendant, Stephen Wilson Hudson, said they were here for the party. He added that it looked like things were really swinging. I explained that this was a town picnic for the people of Pine Forest. I asked them if they were from Pine Forest, and defendant Hudson, who did all of the ta;ling, said no, that they were just passing through.
“I told all of them that I needed to see some identification. Mr. Hudson said they didn’t have to show us anything, because they had done nothing wrong. I told them that they would have to leave. Mr. Hudson said and I quote, ‘man, you need to learn some manners. Each of the defendants drew pistols from their backs. It was then that officer Greg Olsen of the Pine Forest police department approached the defendants from behind.
“Officer Olsen identified himself as a Pine Forest police officer. When they turned to look at officer Olsen, that gave me time to draw my own weapon. The defendants were disarmed and placed under arrest.”
“Thank you, officer Hastings. Did you take the defendants to jail?”
“No, Mr. O’Connell. Pine Forest police officer, Janet Hastings showed up and told us that a paddy wagon was going to transport the defendants. When the wagon showed up, the defendants were shackled and placed in the wagon for transport.”
“Thank you, officer. No further questions, your honor.”
“Very well. Mr. Barker, do you have any cross?” Judge Benedict asked defense counsel.
“Yes, your honor. Officer Hastings, why were you watching the defendants to begin with?”
“Because it is my job. It was a strange car, and the defendants sat in the vehicle for several minutes.”
“So, what you are saying is, that you watch every strange car.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Officer Hastings,” Mr. Barker continued. “What made you suspicious of my clients?”
“They were in a silver Mercedes, They sat in that vehicle for several minutes. This would arouse the suspicions of every law enforcement officer nation wide.”
“That is all well and fine, officer,” Mr. Barker continued. “Now, may I please get a straight answer?d
“Objection, your honor, badgering the witness. Mr. Barker’s question has been asked and answered.”
“You are correct, Mr O’Connell. Mr. Barker, the objection is sustained. Please move on,” judge Benedict directed defense counsel.
: "I have no further questions.”
Judge Benedict directed the witness to step down.
“Mr. O’Connell, any redirect?”
“Just one more witness, your honor. State calls officer, James Bendix of the Detroit, Michigan police department.
Officer Bendix will be sworn.
Jim Bendix was sworn in and he sat in the witness chair.
“Officer Bendix, why are you here in Pine Forest?”
“We are here, my partner and I, to extradite five convictted felons back to Detroit.”
“Are the becessary papers all made out?”
“Yes, sir, they are.”
“Where are those papers, now?”
“Judge Bemedict has then in front of him at this very moment.”
“Why are these five felons wanted in Detroit, Michigan?”
“They willfully, and with intent and malice, terrorized and burglarized an elderly widows home. That widow is still in the hospital.”
“Move to strike the last part of the answer as non-responsive,” Mr. Barker stated emphatically.
“Motion is denied, objection is over ruled. Mr. Barker, you should know that a police officer has the right to testify about pertinent facts. Is there anything more from either side? Mr. Barker, do the defendants wish to testify?”
“Yes, your honor. Defense calls Stephen Wilson Hudson to the stand.”
Mr. Hudsin was swoen and sat in the wirness chair.
“Mr. Hudson,” Mr. Barker began. “Did you terrorize and burglaeize an elderly widow in Detroit, Michigan?”
“Objection, your honor. The matter of whether they committed the crime or not, is a matter for a Wayne county, Michian jury. Mr. Barker wants to try the matter here, now.”
“Objection sustained. Mr. Barker, do you have any questions relating as to why your clients should not be extradited back to Michigan?”
“No, your honor.”
“Very well. The five extradition warrants before me, are valid. The defendants are hereby ordered extradited to the City of Detroit, Wayne county, Michigan to stand trial for the charges as stated in the extradition warrants. This court is in recess.”
Chapter 3 – Back on Ginger Lane.
Ginger Lane wasn’t all that long, but it was long enough to hold a carnival and block party. The reason was because Mrs. Mae Harkins lived at the end of Ginger Lane. All of the events held in Pine Forest were in her honor. Money collected from these events went to the Mrs. Mae Harkins Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Jimmy Shepard and Jay Simons had just gotten off of the school bus. As they walked down Ginger Lane to their house (the Simons home was still being repaired after their recent fire). So, as the two friends were walking along the Lane, Jimmy Shepard thought that a little rough play would be in order. He did this from time to time, to see if he could help toughen Jay up a little.
Jay seemed to take the rough housing in a positive way. He didn’t complain that what Jimmy was doing was too rough. The two boys got to the Shepard home, and they went in.
Eileen Shepard was in the kitchen peeling potatoes, carrots and onions. They were having roast beef oven stew. That was one of Jimmy’s favorite meals.
“Mom, we’re home,” Jimmy announced coming through the door.
“I’m in the kitchen, dear, getting dinner ready.”
The two boys went in the kitchen. Jimmy got two High C® orange drinks from the refrigerator. He gave one to Jay. The two boys sat at the kichen table. Jay was very interested in how Eileen Shepard prepared the oven stew.
“Mom, I will need your help after dinner. I have to make a drawing of an outside scene. The teacher said something like a park, a street, or maybe just a forest. But, I will draw and I want you to tell me if I am doing it right.”
“I can help you. Jay, do you have a project to do?”
“Yes, Mrs. Shepard. I have to draw some kind of animal. Like, maybe a dog, a cat, a cow, a bird, or maybe an insect, like a spider.”
“Well, a spider is not a true insect. It is an arachnid. But, let’s not spoil your dinner, talking about such things right now.” Eileen Shepard was not concerned about spoiling their dinner as much it would probably spoil hers. After all, boys can talk about some of the grossest things while they eat.
Bulk potatoes take quite a while to boil. Eileen Shepard was only peeling the vegetables. She would put them all in the roaster with the beef. Jimmy Shepard took a carrot and gave one to Jay. They took their carrots to their rooms, so they could start their projects.
Jimmy Shepard had to draw something that looked like an outdoor scene. Artistic ability was not going to be on their grade. The teacher only wanted them to make something
.https://pixabay.com/en/cartoon-doodle-sketch-kids-people-108...
Jimmy’s picture looked like this when he was done. He showed it to Jay, then took it down to the kitchen to show his mother. Jay was working hard on his project, and it turned out like this,*
Jay took his drawing down to show Jimmy’s mom.
“Boys, I am very proud that you did this so quickly and with imagination. Now, put your names in the upper right hand corner, what grade you are in and the class room number. You both did very, very well. Is this all you had to do for school?”
They both said yes at the same time. They went to put their projects in their back packs. Now they were free to play, watch tv, or just walk over to Jay’s house and watch the workmen. Dinner would not be ready until about seven.
John Shepard should be back tomorrow night. Thursday is Thanksgiving and they always watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from New York. It wouldn’t the same without John there.
Jimmy and his sister Kathy just loved parades. Eileen loved all parades, but her favorite was the Tournament of Roses Parade from Pasadena, California, where the super bowl of college football, the Rose Bowl, is located. She loved the different ways the flowers were placed on the floats.
So this Thanksgiving, they were all going to be in front of the tv, watching the Macy’s parade. As Eileen Shepard was thinking about this, John Shepard walked in to the kitchen.
“Hi, love of my life,” he said, with a wide grin.
“You’re home a day early. Oven stew for dinner.” She gave him a very big hug and kiss.
“I caught an early flight. It looks I am just in time to have my chef’s gourmet cooking.”
“Have the boys show you their projects they had to do for school. They should be upstairs in Jimmy’s room.”
“I will get cleaned up, first. Then I will look at their projects. I also talked with the foreman of the crew working on George’s house. It will be a while before it is done.”
“Well, we have the room, and they are more than welcome here.”
“I agree. Let me get cleaned up and see the children.”
Eileen went back to tending to the last part of the preparation for dinner. John went to get cleaned up.
After he was finished washing his hands and face, he went in to Jimmy’s room. Jimmy and Jay were surfing through the net.
“Dad!” Jimmy exclaimed, giving his father a big welcome home hug.
“Your mother says you boys each did a project for school. May I see them?”
Jimmy took his project from his back pack. He showed it to his father.
“This is very good Jimmy. What was your project supposed to be about?”
“I had to an outdoor scene.”
“Well, son, this will do it. It took imagination to do this. I am proud of you. Jay, let me see your project.”
Jay showed John Shepard his project and explained what it was supposed to be about.
“This will do it. I am proud that you have this kind of imagination. Never lose that imagination. You, either, Jimmy. Where’s Kathy?”
“She’s at the McGuires. They’re having a study group.”
“What are they studying?”
“Francine’s dad got a new encyclopaedia. They’re all looking through each book.”
“Kathy’s only seven, what would she understand from a volume of an encyclopaedia?”
“Dad,” Jimmy went to his sister’s defense. “She is smarter than you think. She understands a lot.”
“Well, we will have to get a new set. Ours is ten years old.”
“Yes, dad. I could use a new one for my school things I have to bring home. Like this project. Do you really like these drawings, dad?”
“Yes, I do. They show initiative, imagination and skill for a boy your age. You and Jay have really done good. When Jay’s father gets home from work, show these drawings to him. He will say the same thing your mother and I said.”
“Thanks, dad.”
Thank you, Mr.Shepard,” Jay answered.
“You’re welcome, boys.”
John Shepard went back downstairs to the kitchen.
“They did really good on their projects. I like the imagination they used to create those drawings.”
“Yes, dear, I thought they used wonderful imagination. I told them where to put their name, grade and room number on those drawings.”
Kathy Shepard came in the house.
“Mom, I’m home,” Kathy announced.
“We’re in the kitchen,” Eileen Shepard answered back.
Kathy went in the kitchen. John Shepard was curious about Kathy’s comprehension level. That was because Jimmy had told his father about Kathy and the McGuire sisters looking through the encyclopaedia.
“We were just reading about different countries. How they live, what they send to other countries; the kind of money they use; the popu;ation; …”
“I am sorry to interrupt, dear,” John Shepard stated apologetically. “But, do you know what population means?”
“Yes, daddy. It means the number of people living in that country. Just like here when they take the census to see what the population of the United States is.”
“Are you sure you’re only seven?” John Shepard asked his daughter.
“Yes, daddy, I am only seven years old.”
“Right, seven going on thirty,” John said to every one.
The ladies giggled. Kathy was an avid reader, and she learned quite a bit reading from encyclopaedias, newspapers, and other books that contained articles and other research material. She used some of this information in her school work.
Kathy Shepard had this penchant for wanting to learn. She also loved to play different scholastic games. Her father was amazed that she could comprehend something that would be so difficult for other children her age.
Jimmy Shepard was the same way. Jimmy and Kathy each had their own computers in their rooms. They used those computers for studying about different things.
They would study about what makes an airplane fly, or why doesn’t a ship sink. They would study the different species of birds, including penguins. The Shepard children were no dummies. But, they also didn’t go around using big words when they talked.
If you asked the townspeople why the children of Pine Forest liked to learn on their own, they would say that is because of the widow Mae Harkins. But, Jimmy and Kathy Shepard had this yearning for knowledge, even when they lived in Saginaw.
The widow Mae Harkins always read stories, or told stories to the children of Pine Forest. The children looked forward to hearing these stories. What the widow Harkins would read to the children, or the stories she told them, would send many of the children to the library. But, still, these are children and they loved to play.
Next part, the projects are discussed in class.
The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane - Part 14
By Barbara Lynn Terry
Chapter 1 – The class discusses their projects.
The next morning, Jay and Jimmy’s mothers woke the boys up. Jimmy got his school clothes and went to take his bath. After Jimmy was finished, Jay took his bath. When they were done getting their clothes on, they both went down to breakfast.
Eileen Shephard was making scranbled eggs with bacon bits added to the eggs. She warmed up pre-cooked breakfast sausages, made toast, and set a glass of milk and a glass of orange juice in front of the boys. They ate without talking, because they were both thinking about their projects. The whole class was going to talk about why they drew that particular picture.
Since it was still warm outside, they didn’t need their coats. They got their back packs, gave their mothers hugs and kisses, said I love you, and went to meet the school bus.
When they got to the school, they went directly to their room. They took their projects and showed them to their teacher. Mrs. Minchon looked at them, and told the boys to keep them until they got up and showed the class what they did. Each student had a different theme.
Adelaide Minchon has been a teacher at this school for the last eighteen years. She was not elderly looking, even though she was three years from normal retirement. But, she told the school board that as long as there are young minds to teach, and she had her full mental and physical capabilities, she was going to continue to teach.
She loved shaping young minds. She figured if they have good study habits now, those habits will follow them, even after they are grown up, and in business or working in a factory or foundry.
Mrs. Minchon had told her students to call her Miss Addie. She said that if it was good enough for her parents to call her that, it was good enough for her students. The boys and girls in her class over the years, loved Miss Addie. She was nice and she didn’t yell.
Mrs. Minchon looked at her students coming in to the room. When they were all seated she took the roll. Adter everybody answered here, she greeted the class.
“Good morning boys and girls.”
“Good morning, Miss Addie,” they all said in unison.
“Yesterday, I gave each of you an assignment to either draw a picture or write a little story for the theme I gave you. Are you ready to talk about your projects. They all said yes Miss Addie. Jimmy Shepard, would you please show us what you did for your project?”
“Yes, Miss Addie, thank you. I was supposed to draw an outside theme. This is how it came out.” Jimmy showed the class the picture, then continued. “This is my family and friends having fun outside. This is what I was thinking about. The fun that I had over the summer. Thank you.” He handed his picture to Miss Addie.
“Jay Simons, would you please show us your p roject?”
“Yes, Miss Addie, thank you. I was told to draw a picture of an animal, insect, fish or other animal life. I chose for my picture, a green frog on a lily pad. This is how it turned out.” He showed the picture to the class. Then he continued his explanation. “Even though a frog is not an animal, I drew it anyway. A frog is an amphibian that lives in or near water. Thank you.” He gave his project to Miss Addie.
Miss Addie called on Sharon Eddleston to tell about her project.
“Thank you, Miss Addie. I was given a patriotic project to do. Let me tell you what I did. I drew as best as I could part of the Rocky mountains. If you look at them when the sun is setting, you will see a purple color on the mountains. Then, I drew an American flag underneath the mountains. This is what it looks like.” Sharon showed the mountains looked very realistic. Sharon handed her drawing to Miss Addie and went to sit down.
Sharon Eddleston lived in the town of Pine Forest. She was friends with everyone she met. On some summer days, you would find her on Ginger Lane. She was friends with Jay Simons and the McGuire sisters.
“Donald, are you ready to show us your project?”
“Yes, Miss Addie.” Donald Banks, who lived in the town of Pine Forest got up and went to the front of the class. “I was given a Christmas project. I drew a Christmas tree with lights and ornamanets. I tried to draw Santa putting the presents under the tree. This is how it turned out.” Donald showed the class his drawing.
The Santa Claus that he drew, was very good for a boy his age. Miss Addie went through the class, and one by one, they all got up to show their projects. Their teacher was proud of her students. It was now lunch time.
Most of the students brought their own bag lunch. They all lined up at the classroom door, and Miss Addie dismissed them. They all walked to the cafeteria in an orderly fashion. Jay Simons, Jimmy Shepard and the McGuire sisters all sat together. Sharon Eddleston joined them. They were all talking about the square dance at the community hall this Saturday.
Just because the children were in school, didn’t mean that there were no events going on. When the lake was frozen, and it was tested safe, there was ice skating. None of the children brought their own skates. The skates they used their parents rented. All proceeds from the ice skate rentals went to the Mrs. Mae Harkins Memorial Scholarship Fund.
So, at this school lunch time, the conversation was about the upcoming square dance. Jay Simons has a nice cowgirl square dance outfit. Jay would be wearing that at the square dance. Her outft is a brown A-line skirt, side zipper with a pearlized button, her top is a brown button down, long sleeved shirt with pearlized buttons, and different color flowers around the front of the neck line. She would be wearing brown cowgirl boots to finish the ensemble.
The bell rang ending the lunch. All the children went back to their classrooms in an orderly manner. When they got back to Miss Addie’s room, Miss Addie told the class they were going to discuss the projects they showed before lunch. She called on Sarah Jenkins, who lived just outside of Pine Forest on an unpaved road.
“Thank you, Miss Addie. When I did my project, I asked my mom to help me, and even my dad gave me a few ideas. I did all of the drawing, and even colored it in with my crayons. My mom and dad both said it was a good drawing. Thank you.”
“It is a good drawing, Sarah, and it is colored in very well,” Miss Addie told Sarah. “Next, Francine McGuire.”
“Thank you, Miss Addie. When I did my Thanksgiving project, I copied the turkey from the internet. I’m not too good at drawing turkeys. But the rest of my project I drew. Then colored it in with my colored pencils. All except the turkey, that was already colored. Thank you.”
Then she called on Jay Simons. She wanted to know a little bit more than just how Jay came across with the animal project.
“Thank you, Miss Addie. I copied the frog from the internet, but I drew everything else. The leaf the frog was sitting on and the water around the frog. It was the best that I could do. Thank you.”
“It is the best that anybody can do, that makes what you do great. We can only do the best we can,” Miss Addie told the class. “We are going to dismiss in just a few minutes, so we have time for one more project. Jimmy Shepard, please tell us a little more about your project.”
“Thank you, Miss Addie. When I did my outdoor project, I thought about a day in Saginaw, when my mom, dad, my sister, me and a friend were having fun. I drew what I thought was a good drawing of that day. Thank you.”
“It is a good project, Jimmy. All right class, put your books and papers in your desk, and line up for the buzzer.”
By the time the children put their books, pencils and other school materials in their desks, and lined up, the buzzer ending the school day, sounded. Miss Addie chaperoned the children out to their bus. One nice thing about all of the children in Miss Addie’s class, is that they all lived in or around Pine Forest.
As the bus stopped at Ginger Lane, several parents came up to the bus to get their children. These were the children that lived just outside of town, but was too far for them to walk. Jay, Jimmy and Francine McGuire walked down the lane to their houses. Francine made Jimmy promise to tell Kathy to call her. He said he promised.
Kathy Shepard was in a different class, and took a different bus. But she always got home about ten minutes after Jay and Jimmy did. Jay and Jimmy went to their bedrooms and put their coats away. Then they went down to the kitchen.
“Hello, boys. How was the discussion on your projects?”
“It went great, mom,” Jimmy answered. “We all talked about how and why we came up with what we did. Miss Addie even said we all did great, because we did our best.”
“She is right, too. All we can do, is do our best,” Eileen Shepard remarked. “Do you boys have anything to do for school, tonight?”
“No, mom, we did everything in school,” Jimmy answered his mother.
“Well, go and do whatever. Dinner will be on time tonight. I will call you when it is time for you to get cleaned up.”
“Alright, mom, we will be in my room surfing the net.”
“One of these days, you will have to show me what you look at, when you surf.”
“We will, mom. We do a lot of reading about different subjects. If we have something like what we see on the internet in school, then we will use what we read.”
“What is the boy’s name, that you were friends with in Saginaw?”
“Billy, mom. He loved playing Mortal Kombat. He was a good friend.”
“I could see that. He behaved himself when he was at our house.”
“Yes, mom. Billy’s mom and dad told him that when he was at his friends houses to show respect for that house. He just loved playing Mortal Kombat.”
“Well, I will call you when dinner is just about ready. Then you will have time to wash up for dinner.”
John Shepard came in the kitchen and gave Eileen Shepard a kiss and a nice big hug.
“You’re home early,” Eileen told her husband. “The boys are in Jimmy’s room surfing the internet.”
“I will get cleaned up, then look in on them.”
John Shepard went to wash up, and then went to Jimmy’s room. He found the boys discussing South America; more specifically, the Tierra del Fuego.
“Well, I see we’re having a study group here.”
“Yes, kinda, dad,” Jimmy stated. “We’re looking at the Tierra del Fuego. That is at the very southern tip of South America.”
“Yes, it is,” answered John Shepard. “There are a lot of penguins in the Tierra del Fuego.”
“We are finding that out,” Jay Simons added.”It says here that the male penguin takes care of the baby egg, by keeping it between his feet.”
“Yes, and like the lioness, the female penguin does the fish hunting. Penguins, when they mate, they mate for life. Penguins are a very social aquatic flightless birds. In Australia, in the city of Melbourne, there is a wildlife preserve called Philip Island. There you can see penguins,” John Shepard added to their education.
“I never knew there was so much to learn about penguins, dad,” Jimmy added.
“Maybe you boys could write an essay together, for extra credit. You would be able to impress your teacher with your knowledge of penfuins. I won’t say anything more. I will let you boys study. You can put in the essay what I told you about Philip Island.”
“Thanks, dad,” Jimmy Shepard said with respect.
The two boys continued reading about the Tierra del Fuego. They found out that the Tierra del Fuego was divided between Argentina and Chile in 1881. They were interested in these and other facts about the southern tip of South America.
“Your dad had a great idea, Jimmy. We shouls write an essay together, and give it to Miss Addie. Maybe we will get extra credit for it.”
“You’re right, Jay. Let’s write down the things that are important about the Tierra del Fuego. Then we can put it all together. When we are done, we can show it to our parents and see what th. Peopleey think about it.”
“Let’s do it, Jimmy,” Jay Simons said, excitedly.
The two friends began writing about the different aspects of the Tierra del Fuego. The wtote about the climate, the wildlife, the flora and fauna. The found out, too, that people from all over the wotld vacation at the resorts in the Tierra del Fuego. After writing down all the facts they thought were important enough for an essay, they were tired.
“Boys, get cleaned up and come down to dinner,” Eileen Shepard called up the stairs.
The boys went to wash their hands and face. They went down to the dining room. As is the custom in most households, you stand at your chair, until grace is said. Yes, there are many households that do not say grace, but it shows how thankful they are for the food they have. John /shepard said grace, abd they all sat down.
John Shepard passed the food from left to right. After everyone had their portions, the conversation was about what the boys found out about the Tierra del Fuego at the very southern tip of South America. Jay did have a question though.
“Mom, Dad, why did they divide the Tierra del Fuego between Argentina and Chile?” George Simons andswered his child.
“Did you know that the words Tierra del Fuego is Spanish for ‘Land of Fire’? George asked the two boys. I see that you boys learn quickly. It does help if you study with someone,” George Simons said. “This way you can discuss with each other whatever it is that you are studying.
“Study groups go all the way back to the first school, many centuries ago. This way, you not only study together, but you also help each other with whatever school work you are doing.” John Shepard was proud of his two children. They had these study habits even before moving to Pine Forest.
Jay and Jimmy continued their exciting research of the land called the Tierra del Fuego. As they read, Jimmy began writing the essay. Jimmy put his and Jay’s name on the upper right hand corner. Below that he put geography for the subject and under that he put room 29.
Jimmy wrote while Jay read to him. While Jay and Jimmy were making out the essay, George Simons came in the room. He stood there, watching the boys. The two friends were so engrossed in writing this essay, Jay did not see his father watching them. George left as quietly as he came in. George then went down to the kitchen.
“Those boysare reakky working hard. They didn’t reven know I was watching them.”
Yes, George,” Johm Shepard said, with a smile. “They’re doing an essay on the Tierra del Fuego. They’re going to be at this a while.”
“You know, guys,” Eileen Shepard started to say. “These boys havhe group.e good study habits, and they are learning things on their own. This is a trait that Jimmy and Kathy have had even before moving here. I am very glad that we moved here.”
“This is a town that believes in the old adage, ‘it takes a village’,” George Simons told the group. “We watch out for each other. Ginger Lane is right inside the city limits. We are all one town, and here it takes a village.”
“After they are finished with their essay, it would be nice to read it before they take it to school,” John Shepard told the others.”
“Yes, it would be very nice,” remarked Eileen Shepard. “These boys are putting every bit of energy they have in to making this essay a good one. That ,was a good idea you had, John.”
“They will find out as they grow up, that life is an everyday education,” said John Shepard.
“That is very true, John. Everyday you learn something new,” replied George Simons.
Chapter 2 – The text of the essay.
Jay Simons and James Shepard
Essay- Geography and History
Room 235
January 8, 2018
The Tierra del Fuego
Tierra del Fuego (/tiˈɛərə dɛl ˈfweɪɡoʊ/, Spanish: [ˈtjera ðel ˈfweɣo]; Spanish for "Land of Fire") is an archipelago off the southernmost tip of the South American mainland, across the Strait of Magellan. The archipelago consists of the main island, Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, with an area of 48,100 km2 (18,572 sq mi), and a group of many islands, including Cape Horn and Diego Ramírez Islands. Tierra del Fuego is divided between Chile and Argentina, with the latter controlling the eastern half of the main island and the former the western half plus the islands south of Beagle Channel.
We copied this from the internet because we thought that this would be important. We have other things to put in the essay that will not be copied. The southernmost tip of the Tierra del Fuego is at latitude 55 S. The S means south.
People first lived on the Tierra del Fuego dating back to about 8,000 B.C. People from Europe first explored the Tierra del Fuego in 1520 during Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition. The different names for the Tierra delFuego are from the different bon fires that the natives of the Tierra del Fuego did not start until the end of the 1800’s.
This was the time of the Patagonian sheep farming boom and the local gold rush. Today, though petroleum extraction (I had to look that word up in dictionary) in the north and tourism (I had to look that word up, too), are the main sources of income in the Tirerra del Fuego. (source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia.)
The boys took the essay down to the kitchen.
“We’re done with the essay,” Jimmy told the adults. Jimmy handed the essay to Jay’s father, Grorge Simons.
“You boys did well. There is a lot of information here. Your teacher will be very proud of you.” George showed the essay to John Shepard, Jimmy’s father. John Shepard read the essay.
“Well, this is very good. Miss Addie ought to be mighty of her two best students. You even have the source where you got this information from.” John showed the essay to his wife, Eileen.
“I told them to make sure to put the source at the bottom of the essay,” remarked Eileen Shepard. “This is a good essay, Miss Addoe will like this.”
Next Chapter: The boys read the essay in class.
The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane – Part 15
By Barbara Lynn Terry
Chapter 1 – Jimmy and Jay read their essay.
The next morning, Jay Simons and Jimmy went down to breakfast. They left their back packs in their rooms, because they still had to brush theur teeth. While at breakfast, they taled about their essay and how far they had gotten.
When breakfast was done, Jay and Jimmy went to brush their teeth. They came down with their back packs, ciats and hats. They hugged their parents and left for the bus stop. Francine McGuire was already at the bus stop. Her sisters took the same bus that Kathy Shepard took.
As the buses came and the doors opened, the children got on their respective buses. When the children were all seated, the driver closed the doors, and headed off to school. In this school district, school buses did not move until all the children were seated.
When Jay and Jimmy got in to their classroom, Jimmy set the essay on Miss Addie’s desk. When Miss Addie was finished at the blackboard, she sat down. She looked over the essay, while the children were still coming in the room. She looked at Jay and Jimmy and smiled. When all her students were seated, Miss Addie took the roll. After taking the roll call, she spoke to the class.
“Class, remember when I said that you learn by doing? Two students in this class put an unassigned essay on my desk. This essay is called The Tierra del Fuego. Does anyone know where the Tierra del Fuego is?”
Sherri Johnson raised her hand.
“Yes, Sherri,” said Miss Addie.
“Isn’t the Tierra del Fuego in South America, Miss Addie?”
“Yes, it is, but I will let Jay and Jimmy read their essay. You should all take notes, because we could have this on a test when we get to South America. Jay, Jimmy, will you please come up and read your essay?”
The two boys got up and went to the front of the classroom. Jimmy read the first part of the essay, and Jay read the second half. This essay was a team effort, so they both read part of the essay.*
When they were finished reading the essay, Miss Addie asked the class if they had any questions. Several students raised their hands. Bobby Johnson was called on.
“Isn’t Cape Horn in South America?” Bobby asked.
“Yes,” Jay answered. “The southern most tip of the Tierra del Fuego forms Cape Horn. Jimmy, would you like to finish the rest of the answer?”
“Thank you, Jay. Before there was the Panama Canal, sailing ships had to go all the way around Cape Horn to go to different places for a lot of reasons. Some ships carried cargo, some carried passengers. Some ships were even on expeditions. So, the southern most part of the Tierra del Fuego is what forms Cape Horn.”
“Thank you, Jay and Jimmy for that very well put answer. Does anyone else have any questions?” no one raised their hand. “Very well, thank you, Jay and Jimmy for this excellent essay and a very detailed and informative answer. You may sit down. Class, you may find out more about the Tierra del Fuego from the Encyclopaedia Britannica and online. As you all heard from Jay and Jimmy’s essay, the Tierra del Fuego is a fascinating place to study. Let us take out our math books and turn to chapter 12, page 23. We are going to study simple geometry.”**
As Miss Addie went through the lesson, there were many hands being raised. All of the students were asking pertinent questions about the lesson. Miss Addie called on Nancy Stanford.
“Miss Addie, what exactly is geometry?” Nancy asked.
“Class, geometry is the science of mathematically determining the dimensions of shapes, such as triangles, squares, rectangles, circles. Does anyone know what an octagon is.” Joel Herford raised his hand.
“Yes, Joel, do you know?”
“Isn’t that an eight sided sphere?”
“That is nearly correct, Joel. An octagon has the eight sides, but they are straight lines plus eight angles. It is actually called a polygon. Architects who build these types of buildings, must know geometry. I bet these architects know a lot more than just simple math, algebra, and geometry. We’re not going to get in to doing any problems just yet. I want you all to look up geometry on your home computers. You will find that the science of geometry is a fascinating part of the science of mathematics. I see the lunch bell is about to ring. Class, please lineup.”
The children put their books in their desks. They all lined up at the classroom door. When the lunch bell rang, Miss Addie walked with them to the lunch room. Since the children were not allowed to talk in class, unless they raised their hand and were called on. But, they went in to over drive when they got to the cafeteria.
Jay Simons did not like the cooked food in the cafeteria. It was always greasy, and you couldn’t taste the food; at least in Jay’s mind. So, Jay just took a thing of orange juice and a container of yogurt. He paid the cashier, and sat down. Jimmy joined him.
“Jay, I was just thinking that maybe we could study geometry tonight, and then we could be ready for any problems Miss Addie would give us to work on.”
“That sounds great, Jimmy. We could even practice writing them down. I also want to look octagons and see for myself what they are all about.”
“I think you’re right, Jay. I don’t think Miss Addie will send us home with any homework. So we will have all evening, up to bed time, to study. We do good school work together, Jay.”
“Thank you, Jimmy.”
A buzzer in the cafeteria sounds that the lunch hour is about to end. All the children got up and took their trays and stacked them on the cart. Those that had regular flatware, put them in to the pan on the cart as they left the cafeteria. They all went back to their classroom when the first bell rang.
“Welcome back, class. Just before lunch, I said that I was not going to give you any geometry problems. Is there anybody in this class that does not have a home computer?” No one raised their hand. “Good. So, for the next week, your geometry homework will be to study what we learned this morning. Also, we will for, the next week, be learning about the War of 1812. We will learn some of the causes of this war. Does anyone know even a little bit about this war.” Jimmy Shepard raised his hand.
“Yes, Jimmy.”
“Wasn’t General Andrew ‘Old Hickory’ Jackson in charge of the American forces in New Orleans?”
“Yes, Jimmy, but that is only part of it. ‘Old Hickory’ was called the hero of the west. But, when he defeated the British at New Orleans, Louisiana, he was named commander in chief of what was then the southern frontier. After the war of 1812 was over in 1815.
“There is a lot to be learned about ‘Old Hickory’ He was a real hero, often making military decisions on his own, without specific orders from his superiors in Washington, D.C. I see that we have to move on. Take out your spelling books.”
The children took out their spelling books and writing tablets. They waited for Miss Addie to give the lesson.
“What we are going to do is, I am going to put a phrase on the blackboard. I want you all to look at the phrase very carefully, and make as many words, three letters or longer. Are we ready, class?” They all said yes, Miss Addie.
The first phrase was simple. Miss Addie wrote this on the blackboard.
DONALD WAS ON HIS WAY HOME
“Class, make as many words from this phrase that you can. Remember, three letter words or more.”
The children were busy writing down words that they knew. We have to remember that everyone of these students has a computer at home. They use those computers to help them with their homework. So, this simple phrase will be easy for them.
Miss Addie was walking in the aisles between the desks. She was watching her students write words from the phrase on the blackboard. As she passed each student she could tell that the lessons she taught these children, was paying off.
After twenty minutes went by, Miss Addie told the children to put their pencils down. She walked to the front of the classroom, and stood in front of her desk.
“Children, I was watching you as you were writing. You all did very well. On one paper, I saw the word ‘shone’. That is what it takes. Spelling is very important. When you graduate from high school, spelling is going to be a big part of any job you work at. Well, class, I see we have spent most of the day on three subjects. That is good. The bell ending the school day is about to ring. I want you all to study geometry on your computers at home.” The school bell rang.
“Class, please line up and we will go out to your buses.”
The children all lined up, and then Miss Addie escorted them to their buses.
On the bus ride home, the children from Miss Addie’s class, were very studious.. Jimmy Shepard, Francine McGuire, and Jay Simons were talking about having a study group. These children found that studying together was a positive thing.
As their bus pulled up to Ginger Lane, they saw Steve Hastings parked across the highway. Something must have happened while they were either in school or on the ride home. The children knew not to even say hi to Steve while he had his car blocking the road. It was then that an Addison county sheriff’s squad came to help Steve block the road.
“Something happened, Jay. They are waiting for someone, because they are looking away from town.”
“Sure looks like it, Jimmy,” Francine McGuire added.
What the children didn’t know, was that the police and sheriff was waiting for a 1999 Ford Escort with three men inside. They were wanted for bank robbery. So, while this drama was unfolding, the children went to their homes.
Eileen Shepard was in the living room, just finished with the vacuuming. She greeted the two boys as they entered the house.
“Hello, boys, how was school?”
“it was alright. Miss Addie said we’re supposed to study geometry on our computers. We were talking with Francine McGuire, and we agreed to have a study group for our geometry sessions. Miss Addie said she isn’t going to give us any geometry problems, until we have studied for a bit.”
“Well, Jimmy, it sounds like you had a very educational day.”
“We did, Mrs. Shepard,” Jay added. “Miss Addie even gave us a phrase and told us to make as many words from it that we could think of.”
“We used to do that when I was in school,” said Eileen Shepard. “We came up with a few funny words, too. Our teacher would just look at us, because she knew we were goofing off. School work hasn’t changed since I went to school. After all, one and one is still two. But, today, they are teaching you more than we were taught, kinda.
“You say that you were told to study geometry on your computers. When I was in school, we didn’t have geometry until what was then called junior high school. Today it is called middle school. The basic lessons though, are still the same. If you have any questions about what you are looking at on your computers, ask me and I will help you understand it a little better.”
“We will, Mrs. Shepard,” Jay answered Eileen Shepard. “Miss Addie told us to work some of the problems we see on the internet. She said this would be the only way we could understand how geometry works.”
“She is right, Jay. The only way to understand something is to work at it.”
“That’s why me and Jimmy use the computers a lot, Mrs. Shepard,” Jay Simons added.
“Well, alright then, but if you need any help, just come and get me. Has Miss Addie given you algebra lessons, yet?”
“Yes, mom,” Jimmy answered. “We did that last semester.”
“You will find that geometry has algebra in it. Have you ever studied the metric system of math?”
“Yes, Mrs. Shepard,” Jay answered her.
“I asked because geometry deals with the metric system. I will let you boys study a bit before dinner. I am going to go and get dinner started.”
Eileen Shepard left Jimmy’s room and went to the kitchen. The two boys turned on Jimmy’s computer, and brought up a site that teaches people to study geometry. Jimmy saw a problem on the site and he tried to solve it according to the lesson. He had a few problems understanding some of the bigger words, so he was going to wait until after dinner.
I know what you’re thinking. Isn’t geometry a little too advanced for the age of these children. Not necessarily. You see, this is what they call a progressive school. Lessons learned at this school, will prepare these students for middle and high school.
Jay and Jimmy decided to study the problems on the site, until dinner was ready. Then Jimmy would ask his mom for a little help. Once these children learned something, it stayed with them. We must remember that the study habits of these children, is largely due to the influence of the widow Mae Harkins.
Eileen Shepard called the boys to get cleaned up for dinner. John Shepard was already washed and waiting for the boys to join everybody at the table. When the boys entered the dining room, and took their places, George Simons said grace.
“Mom, Jay and I were trying to study the geometry problems on the internet, but we ran in to a problem. We need your help to show us how to do the problem. Then I think we can do the rest on our own.”
“Geometry, hey,” John Shepard said surpised. “Aren’t you a little young for geometry?”
“Dad, you said the same thing about Kathy studying the ebcyclopaedia Britannica. If we are taught properly how to do geometry, then we will have a jump start on middle school when we get there.”
“You boys have a couple of years yet, before you get to middle school,” John Shepard told the two boys.
“Mom, I don’t think he understands,” Jimmy told Eileen Shepard.
“John,” Eileen said looking directly at her husband. “Miss Addie is letting them study geometry on their computers before she gives her student real problems to do. Also, dear, they are going on ten years old. It is time they were studying something they can use as adults.”
“Yes, Eileen, I agree, but I still say they are just a tad too young for geometry.”
“Well, dear, when Miss Addie and I get done with them, they will know how to do geometry really well. I think you will be surprised at the learning abilities of your children. Remember, John, Jimmy and Kathy had these study and school work habits even in Saginaw.”
“Yes, Eileen, but, geometry.”
“You wait and see, John. They will ne learning this in a very short time.”
“Dad,” Jimmy added. “Miss Addie is giving us this whole week to study how geometry works, on our computers. “
Jay Simons sat next to his mother. Jimmy Shepard sat between his mother and dad. Kathy Shepard sat on the other side of her mother. Mrs. Simons sat between John Shepard and her husband.
As they passed the food around, Jimmy spoke.
“Mom, we tried working a geometry problem online, but we got a little confused. Would you help us, after dinner? Jay and I will help you clean up the dining room and help with the dishes.”
“That is very thoughtful, Jimmy,” Eileen Shepard answered her son. “But, I think Mrs. Simons and I have it covered. I will help you when we are finished. Why don’t you see if you can work the problem again?”
“Alright, mom, we will try.”
“Geometry? Aren’t these children a little young for that?” John Shepard asked Eileen.
“No, dear, they’re not. Remember, John, our children had these study habits even in Saginaw. You have to remember, too, dear, that these children study on their own.”
“Yes, I knowm but isn’t geometry way above their learning anilities?”
“Dad, you said the same thing about Kathy, when she was studying the encyclopaedia with Francine. Geometry, dad, is the same thing. Yes, it is new to us, but we had algebra last semester, and we all passed. We are smarter than you think we are.”
“Are you sure you’re only nine going on ten?” Asked John Shepard.
“Yes, dad, I’m sure,” Jimmy said, answering his father.
Chapter 2 – Jay and Jimmy study their online geometry.
When dinner was over, the two boys retired to Jimmy’s room. They brought up the geometry site they were on, and looked at the sample problem they tried working before dinner. Jimmy and Jay read the problem instructions again. They tried to make head or tails of what they were reading. Some of the bigger words sent the boys to the dictionary.
Jimmy had an unabridged Mrriam-Webster dictionary. It was a birthday gift from his father when he turned nine. Jimmy like this dictionnary because it also showed how to pronounce the word he was looking up, as well as the definition. Jimmy used this dictionary quite often.
About thirty minutes later, Eileen Shepard came to her son’s room.
“Alright, boys, let me see the trouble that you’re having with the problem that you are working on.” Eileen looked over the problem. She saw instantly why the boys were having trouble solving the problem.
As we saw before, geometry deals with shapes. Trapezoids, triangles, squares, rectangles, circles and other odd shapes and forms.
“I see the trouble that yoU’re having. This is what is called an isosceles triangle. Now, look at the problem.”
v
“I will be here while you selve the problem. It is actually all written out in the diagram. What I want you boys to do, is memorize this equation. See what it says in the instructions. You have to solve the problem algebraically. That means you have to use algebra to solve the problem. Since this problem is already solved, I want you to memorize how they got the answer.”
“Alright, mom,” Jimmy Shepard confirmed, so that his mother understood, that the boys understood what she had said. “So, in other words, mom, to solve Geometry, we have to use algebra.”
“Yes. Now, I am going back downstairs, if there is anything you don’t understand, come and get me.”
“We will, Mrs. Shepard,” Jay Simons added.
The boys looked at the diagram. They saw how the problem to arrive at the answer was done. They looked ober the triangle several times, so that they could memorize the formula. Then they decided to look for a isoleces triangle that did not have the answer all written out.
They didn’t find a triangle, but the found a circle. They had to find the circumference of the circle. This was going to be a challenge. The circle, unlike the triangle, actually has four sides. A top, bottom, and two sides. This would be like taking a pulse. You feel the beats of the pulse for fifteen seconds, then multiply by four. This was going to be a little more difficult. They had to arrive at the answer using algebra. Since Miss Addie’s class already had algebra the semester before, these geometry problems should not even be a problem.
In the diagram below, it sgows the circumference and diameter of a circle.
The distance around a circle is called the circumference. The distance across a circle through the center is called the diameter. is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to the diameter. Thus, for any circle, if you divide the circumference by the diameter, you get a value close to . This relationship is expressed in the following formula:
In the formula below it shows how to find the circunference of a circle.
So what the boys were doing now, was attempting to find the circunference of a circle. The knew that that the Greek letter pi was simply written as 3.14/ Burt the numbers after the decimal point do go on forever. The bous knew pi and knew how to find the circumference of a circle. Now the boys knew that geometry was solced using algebra
Next chapter John and Eileen Shepard help the boys. The circle diagram and the formula did not copy.