1- The Glass Room 2- The Spirit Stone -3-bear Hugs-4- Believe (8 page)

“He’s trying. He leaves here every morning. He is willing to take anything he can get, but without luck. I’m so sorry, my love. I miss you terribly, too. I want to come home, but what can I do. I have been in touch with my stock broker and it’s all bad news from him. The stock market is going down and I’m loosing money on my shares. I am not getting the dividends that I was getting. How about your job? Everything the same?”

“Lilly and I joined a new club. It is here in the city. They meet once every month and make trips together. I went on one of their trips to the Gulf Coast to the casino in Biloxi. They went to visit one of the plantations on Hwy 90 south of New Orleans while they were having a fair, but I didn’t go. I like meeting new people and they are so friendly. They are our age with most of them retired. You would like them, too.”

“Do you have any idea how much longer it will be before you can return home? My offer for us to share my income still stands. Please come home to me soon. This situation is madding.”

“For me, too. It is getting worse around here. My two grandchildren that were so respectful and obedient are getting mixed up with the wild kids here. I’m afraid of what is going to happen to them. It’s not just the adults that are suffering from the bad economy; it is also affecting the children. They had good homes, good schools, good friends, and their dreams for their own future. They had plans to go to college and become doctors, or lawyers, or into high finance or own their own business. They wanted to manage those businesses, but without college degree behind them, they aren’t going anywhere; all that was taken away from them. Then the news came that even the college graduates can’t find jobs. Their hope for their future is gone because of these hard times. They are angry for this change in their lives that they have no control over.”

“Let me tell you about one of the men here. Someone stole his work boots; expensive ones. So even if he finds work he can’t afford the boots he would need.” He told her that part of the news of the people, but not of the single women living here. He didn’t want to worry her. They finally said their goodbyes with both of them professing their love for each other.

Chapter Nine
 

It had been coming to this point months ago. JD was tired of asking his dad for money every time he needed it.

“Dad, I was thinking; what if we open a checking account in both your name and my name. We could deposit your checks in the bank and get checks for us to cash. That would be a lot easier. Every time when it is the first of the month, I have to get money from you for the children’s allowance. It would be easier for both of us to pay the rent and Power Company and food plus any extra’s we need. What do you think?”

“You are sure you will not put Susan’s name on the account?”

“Yes, I would not do that to you. It would be just for you and me.”

“Let me think about it.”

Jimmy decided it was better that way. He hated handing out money to his grandchildren that wasn’t doing any work around here anymore. He didn’t mind when they were helping, but not now. So he told JD it would be alright. The checking account was set up, only he never had control of the blank checks. JD decided that he should just give his dad an allowance, too. This whole situation was making Jimmy very nervous.

Weeks later he told his dad that Susan was having a nervous breakdown and he needed to take her on a vacation until she calms down.

Calms down? He had never seen Susan calm down. “So where are you planning on taking your wife to calm down?”

“Not too far; maybe to Canada. That would be nice.”

Oh yes, son, that would be very nice. A vacation on my money. “You are taking the kids to Canada. They would probably like that.”

“No, I thought you could take care of them while we are gone. You don’t mind, do you?”

“Why would you think of a thing like that?” he said with sarcasm. “I’ll go along with this on one condition; that you stop at several locations along the way and look for a job.”

“Yes, that’s a good idea.”

While they were gone, Jimmy thought it would be a time for quiet around here; big mistake. It was not just putting up with Jack and Jennie, but with them came a lot of their wild friends. They were in and out of this trailer. It didn’t matter that they were underage, the drugs and liquor were brought in and passed around. They became hard of hearing it seemed because they didn’t hear a word their grandfather was saying to them. When he threatened to call the cops, that, they heard and all left in a hurry. Motorcycles were revved up and sped away around the trailer park. When his grandchildren came home about five am they could hardly make it to their beds with so much dope in them. The next day was no different with the exception of Jack coming home on a motorcycle and parked it in the yard.

“And I would like to know whose motorcycle is that?”

“It’s mine for as long as I want it to be.”

That meant one thing to Jimmy. He stole it. “You are going to give it back to the owner, do you hear me. And I would like to know where are you and your friends getting drugs and alcohol? What money do you all have to buy such as that?”

“Don’t sweat it, Grandpa. Everything is cool.”

Just then a police car pulled up in their yard. A heavy knock on the door sent Jack running out the back. Jimmy opened the door. “Yes, Officer, what’s the problem?”

“That stolen motorcycle in your yard, that’s the problem. Who brought it here?”

Jimmy was not going to lie to the police. “My grandson did. I questioned him about it, but I didn’t get thru to him.”

“Where is he now?”

“He ran out the back.”

The police called for a back up and together they caught Jack and brought him to jail. Now what was he suppose to do? He was not going to bail him out. He broke the law and was going to take his punishment and hopefully learn a lesson.

When JD and Susan finally came home and were told that Jack was in jail and had been there for three days, all hell broke loose.

“How could you let your own grandson spend even one night in that horrible place?”

“You commit the crime, you do the time.”

“It’s just like you to be so uncaring.” Susan replied.

“Okay, Susan, that’s enough! How can you say he is uncaring? Isn’t he here just to help us?”

“You both better get more control over your kids. They are both doing drugs and getting more hooked on them all the time. They don’t listen to me. All they do is howler and curse me. I said I would help you, but I am not going to put up with what’s been going on around here with the two of you gone. These kids are stealing, drugging, and Lord knows what else. I’m out of here if it continues.”

Jimmy’s trembling hands was getting worse. He felt it coming on long before this, but now it was coming on stronger. He blamed it on his nerves not knowing the real reason.

JD and Susan knew they had to get control of the kids. They also knew they were staying out late; way past their coiffure. The arguments started the minute they came home dragging in at early morning hours only to be returned with fowl language Jimmy thought he would never hear coming from his two grandchildren’s mouths. That was bad enough, but with them being so doped up and out of control it was not just arguments anymore, but fighting. Jack started punching his dad. JD tried to hold him down to stop the punches, but couldn’t. Jack, at sixteen years old had grown in height and muscles, was a lot stronger. Then Jennie had to get into it. There was no controlling either of them. They were throwing each other in to the walls; knocking the table and chairs onto the floor. Dishes fell out of the cabinets, knocking holes in the sheetrock. “You are going to straighten out and get off those drugs you are using. No telling how you are paying for them. If you don’t, then you are not going to live here anymore.”

“Yea, you think so, huh? You just try to put me out and see what happens to all of you.” Jimmy laid in his bed his whole body trembling.

The stealing escalated. Clothes hanging out on the clothes-lines to dry were stolen. Lawn tools were missing. Flowers growing in neat flower beds lining the trailers were pulled out of the ground and smashed. People were getting angry. They had suffered enough; now this. Where does it end?

Chapter Ten
 

As if they didn’t have enough money problems, when the phone bill came, JD just starred at the amount of his father’s bill. Those long distant phone calls everyday to his lady friend amounted to a small fortune. He decided to call his brother, Bill.

“Bill, I know Dad is doing everything to help me, but he keeps calling his lady friend and the charges are outrageous. If I told him not to call her anymore, he would come unglued. But think about it, if we don’t stop them from being together, and if they marry in Mississippi, then if he dies, she gets everything he has ever worked for; all his property; all his money in stock and savings, everything. We have to put a stop to them being together even to their calling each other on the phone. Any suggestions?”

“For one thing, she wouldn’t get anything. That only counts if she had lived on his property while they were married so don’t worry about that. But I know how to stop him from calling her and breaking them up. Tell him she found someone else and this new man is living with her and if he calls he would be causing her problems with her new love. How about that?”

“Sounds good. I’ll tell him you and Gail saw them together and they were all lovie dovie and that he moved in with her. That will do it. But what if she calls him and tells him the truth?”

“Then we have to get word to her that Dad found someone up there that he loves and he is not coming home. How’s that?”

“Sounds good. Let’s try that.” they said their goodbyes gloating in their mischievous scheme.

“Dad, I have some sad news for you. I hate to tell you this because I know how much your friend, Anna, means to you.” Jimmy was paying close attention when he said Anna’s name. “She found someone new. She was so lonely being there by herself. He moved in with her so maybe you should not be calling her anymore. It might cause her problems if the new man answered the phone when you call.”

Jimmy didn’t answer him. He just went to his room and as he laid in his bed, his whole body was shaking so much, his bed was moving, too. I’ve lost Anna. She is the only good thing I had in my life. She probably met him at the new club she joined. I should have been there with her. I never should have left her. She said her waiting for me to come back to her was intolerable. Oh, Anna, I love you. I will always love you. I was wrong to leave you. He held his pillow to his face and sobbed while it was too wet to hold.

“Dad, are you alright?”

“Do I look alright to you?”

“You are shaking so much. You must be sick. I need to get you to a hospital.”

“There is nothing a hospital can do to help me. Leave me alone!”

Bill told Gail about his dad finding someone in Minnesota that he fell in love with. He told JD that he is not coming back to Picayune. He is going to stay there and when JD gets a job, he is going to move in with her. I think Anna should know so she does not phone him anymore.

“Oh, poor Anna, she cares about him so much. It is going to hurt her. Do you want to tell her or should I do it?”

“I think it would be better being woman to woman stuff. I know the street she lives on, but I don’t know the number.”

“I have her phone number. I will call her and get the address. Yes, I should be the one to tell her. And Dad really is going to stay up there? I’m surprised. He hated so much to go. Well if he found someone he loves up there then I am happy for him.”

“I’ll call her now before it gets too late.” When the phone rang, Anna thought it was Jimmy and hurried and picked up. “Hello. Is this Miss Anna?”

“Yes, this is Jimmy’s daughter-in-law, Gail. I was wondering if I could come over and talk with you. I know you live on South Curran Street, but I don’t know the number.” Anna told her while wondering what was wrong. “Will you be home tomorrow morning? I know you work at the school, but with tomorrow being a holiday, I was wondering if it would be a good day for company?”

“Yes, tomorrow will be fine. Is Jimmy alright? “

“Yes, he’s fine. I’ll see you tomorrow morning about ten. See you then.”

Gail dreaded telling her the news. But she also knew it was better coming from her than her husband. The next morning Anna was waiting at the door for Gail. She was wishing she had said earlier. She hadn’t slept at all last night wondering what this news was about. She had a pot of coffee ready if she would want that. When she saw the car pull in front of her house, she felt her heart beating too fast. Anna held the door open so she could walk right in.

“Please tell me why you needed to talk to me. I have been so worried.”

“My father-in-law is not coming back home to Picayune. He met a woman up there and wants to stay with her. I’m so sorry to tell you this.”

Anna felt her heart beating even faster and collapsed to the floor. Gail didn’t know what to do. Should I call 911? “Miss Anna, can you hear me?” Anna barely knotted. “Do you have someone I can call to stay with you?”

Anna, barely speaking, said “Lilly, it’s in the little book.” Gail saw the book she was referring to and found a phone number by Lilly’s name. Phoning her she told her what happened.

“I’m calling an ambulance and I will be right behind him.” Gail hung up the phone and got a damp rag to put on her head. Her friend pulled up behind the ambulance.

“Anna, the ambulance is taking you to the hospital. I’ll be with you. Just relax. Tell me what happened to make her so upset.” Gail told her all she knew.

The hospital admitted her as an in-patient. Several test were run. She didn’t have a heart attack, but only because she arrived there so quickly. The doctor found blockages and did balloon surgery. They kept her in the hospital until they were sure she was able to return home since she lives alone. The whole time, she cried. I was afraid this would happen. I lost Joe, now I lost Jimmy and the doctors want me to relax and not worry about anything. How do I do that? When they released her, she was given prescriptions for heart medicine. The doctor again urged her not to worry about anything. He said it was caused from stress. “You have to keep yourself stress-free.”