Earth Ship Protectress: Book Two in the Freddy Anderson Chronicles (4 page)

Chapter 6
Surprise Christmas Request

A
fter dinner we went to the courthouse for the town meeting. Devin Miles, mayor and owner of the hardware store, was calling the meeting to order when we arrived. Media was set up in the back. I sat up on the platform where the judge normally sits, except they removed the big podium and replaced it with several chairs. Mayor Miles motioned for silence. “Dr. Anderson has a request that I think would be beneficial to us all. Dr. Anderson?” He motioned for me to take the stand.

“Hi, everyone, it’s nice to see you again. Where I live, I have a dock for a boat. I would love for some of you to visit me. Just give me a heads-up so you don’t spook SEAL team!”

Someone in the back yelled out, “And get our butts kicked.”

I smiled. “That too. My friends have used the helicopter to bring in food and supplies, and that can be expensive and loud. If we had a dock in town, then we could use boats to travel back and forth. The problem is that the only place to put a dock without having to do any dredging is right in front of the schoolhouse, where that old broken-down dock is. I was talking with the mayor recently and learned that the town has size and comfort issues with the present old schoolhouse and would like to replace it. I don’t wish to interfere with the existing school while construction is going on, so I would like to propose that we build a new school up the shore just a little ways, and then I could have a new dock built for the team to use after the new school is finished. I would be more than happy to help with the design of a larger, better school and would pay for all of the materials. Mr. Miles said that you might be willing to supply the labor. This would give us a new dock for our use and give the town a new school with all of the most modern amenities. If we started ordering construction supplies now, we could have everything ready by spring.”

Several people stood up and started talking.

The mayor quieted them down and gave the floor to a woman I’d never seen before. She was young and had a kind look about her.

“Dr. Anderson, I am Mrs. April Medvinsky. I teach at the ‘old’ school, and you’re so right. This town’s schoolhouse is in deplorable condition. It’s much too chilly in the winter for the children to concentrate on their studies, and it’s long past time we separated the lower classes from the upper classes. I would like to be included in the planning of a new school. Can we have multiple classrooms and more teachers? Can we have computers and new textbooks? What does your generous gesture of kindness encompass?”

I looked at Devin and then back at her. “Mrs. Medvinsky, I’m not the person you should be asking. The planning of this school, if the town approves it, is up to the townspeople. I am willing to put up ten million dollars for construction materials. If that amount is to include computers and new textbooks, the townspeople can vote on that. Right now, we haven’t even determined if my request is a possibility.”

The entire room was talking again, and Mayor Miles had to quiet them down. The talk was about the amount. They seemed to think the amount was more than generous. Devin pointed to Mrs. Medvinsky and said, “April, if we agree on this resolution for Dr. Anderson’s proposed project, then I am sure no one will complain about your being on the school-planning committee. Mr. Marks, you have a question?”

“Yes, Mr. Mayor. I have a great interest in this school, as I have seven kids freezing in it now. My question is why? Why are you doing this, Dr. Anderson? You could buy up land, and dredge it, and put in a small pier anywhere along here at considerably less cost. Why are you willing to pay such a large amount of money to move the school a few hundred feet?”

With a smile, I addressed Mr. Marks. “You don’t believe in a free lunch, do you? Neither do I. In all truth, I need this town.” I paused for effect. “I need the help of everyone in this town. I cannot complete my projects without help, and I would rather have help from the people of this town than other possible considerations.” I paused again to let that settle in. “It just so happens that I have come to love some of the people here. Many have shown me kindness that I have never known before. I’m sorry
…
I get kind of emotional talking about this, so please forgive me if it shows. In my somewhat short life, I have been taught that if you treat everyone with kindness and honesty, then they will treat you likewise. If someone treats you with kindness and honesty, then you should do two things for that person: treat him the same, and do things that will make him want to continue to work with you. Can you understand that?”

“Yes. That’s a good way to do business and go through life, but that doesn’t answer my question.”

I thought for a minute. “Here’s your answer.” I raised my hand as he was about to say something else. “Please let me finish
…
When interacting with this town, my plan is to make sure that each interaction is mutually beneficial. I’ve already stated my reasons why I want to do this. Also, I do not base my reasoning on short-term financial considerations. Sure, it may cost me in the short term, but my primary consideration is what the long-term cost will be versus the long-term benefits. You should be aware that I base most of my decisions on actions and reactions. I look at what the reaction is likely to be and whether that reaction will help or hinder the achievement of my goals and the completion of my projects. I am not trying to manipulate you or the people of this town. If I were, I certainly would not be so candid about my plans. It’s true that I can afford to buy the land for a helicopter pad and have it fly in here two, four, six, or more times a day to pick up the supplies that I need, but that would disturb the tranquility of the town, which would not be beneficial at all. The reaction? Some people would be upset that I’m constantly flying a helicopter over their homes, so I won’t do it.

“I could easily afford to buy beachfront property and dredge a harbor so that a fairly large boat or a small ship could dock here. That would add a marina to the town, but it would ruin the fishing south of here and possibly harm the environment and sea life by changing the currents. The reaction? Captain Crain, a man I very much like and respect, would be very upset and so would a lot of others whose livelihood depends on the fishing industry. This would not be beneficial for the town either, so I won’t do it.

“I could build a road into my land and devise a way to get the equipment or visitors up and down the cliff, but this would not benefit me, as I want to keep the media as far away from my property as I can, and a road would help them to reach me. Or I could use the natural channel where the old pier is located. As it stands, the old pier is useless and dangerous to everyone because it’s falling apart. A new pier would have to be built in its place, and that would be beneficial to the town and to me. The reaction? The town gets rid of an eyesore and receives a new pier that is safe for everyone’s use, and I have a more convenient, environmentally friendly means of bringing in supplies, so everyone is happy.

“There’s a problem with that plan, though. The old pier is right next to the school. The trucks using the road to load or offload supplies and equipment would constantly interfere with the school’s activities, and that would not be beneficial. The reaction? The teacher could not teach, students could not concentrate on their lessons, and the parents of school-aged children would be unhappy because their children would not receive a proper education, so I cannot build a new pier unless the school is moved.

“You must admit that the present school building is in a serious state of disrepair. Moving it would be costly and, more likely than not, it would fall apart during the attempt to move it. So moving the school is not a viable option. Building a new school is an option. The town needs one, and I need the land that the old school is sitting on to build a new marina. Building a new school is mutually beneficial, as I get the pier I need, and the town gets a new school
and
a new pier.

“The cost in the short run is very high, but let’s look at the cost in the long run. When I add up the cost of using a helicopter for the next five years versus the cost and ease of using electric boats, I will realize a huge savings. First, I am presently borrowing a helicopter from the navy, but I will eventually need to buy my own. The transporting of equipment, personnel, visitors, materials for my projects, groceries and other supplies, and the changing of the watch for the SEAL team will naturally increase over the next few years. We’re talking about a large amount of coming and going between my home and the town and a cost in the tens of millions.

“Second, I would prefer to buy and use boats that run on electricity because they are cheaper and quieter to operate and because they won’t pollute the environment.

“Third, the goodwill of this town is very important to me. I want to help my friends, like little Annabelle Crain, so that they don’t have to try to learn in a freezing classroom. And generally, doing good deeds goes a long way to lowering long-term costs and building community trust. I need your support and protection.” I spread my arms wide to show that I meant all of them. “You’ve made me a part of this town. And this”—I gestured to the commander and her team—“is my family. I intend to keep that trust and love by sharing my God-given gifts with my family and with you
…
if you are kind enough to let me.”

There was a standing ovation. I shrank back as if I were being attacked. They rose to their feet so quickly that it startled me. The commander was immediately at my side, calming me down. I don’t know why I was so jumpy. I just was. I returned to the stand, and the mayor quieted everyone down again. I finished by saying, “Mr. Marks, I appreciate your question. I would have asked the same thing. I hope my answer was good enough.”

“I’m not sure I believe it, but it sure sounds good, Dr. Anderson.”

“Thank you, sir.” I looked out over the audience and asked, “Any more questions?”

Someone in the back yelled, “Let’s vote.”

There was a large amount of laughter and affirmations to that statement, so the mayor got up and raised his hand for quiet. “Before we take a vote, are there any more questions?”

Total silence. Then a hand went up at the right front. Devin didn’t seem to see the old woman, so I pointed to her. “Mr. Miles, there’s a woman right there with her hand up.”

Devin looked where I was pointing but still didn’t see her. She smiled and looked up at me. Her hand was still up. I said, “Devin, she’s sitting right by that small table, and there’s a young lady with her—you can’t miss them.” The people in the area where I was pointing stepped back.

The commander came up and asked, “Freddy, what does this woman look like?”

“Can’t you see her? She’s right there! Mayor Miles!”

Mayor Miles asked, “Describe her Freddy.”

“She’s short, I think. It’s hard to tell because she’s sitting down. She’s sitting very straight and has long hair in a braid down to about the middle of her back. She’s wearing a heavy blue cotton dress with old-fashioned petticoats and a pinafore. It looks like she’s been working in the kitchen, because she has flour on her hands and clothes. So does the girl. The girl has a light-green flowered dress with some embroidered lace around the collar. She is also wearing petticoats. She’s taller than the older woman and has long blonde hair that hangs down below her waist. She’s the spitting image of Carroll Crain. She’s very lovely.”

There was a little fear and some real wonder in the emotions of the congregation.

The media asked people in the back what was going on.

Devin Miles said, “Ask her what her name is, and repeat what she says
…
because we can’t see or hear her.”

I looked up at the commander, and I must have looked shocked as the commander started to rub my back, and she normally only does that to calm me. I looked at the woman and asked, “Please, ma’am, may I ask who you are, and do you have a question?”

In a small voice, she mumbled something that the sweet young girl repeated in a higher-pitched voice. “Yes, young man, I do. It’s more like a request.” The girl added, “This is Annabelle Crain, and I am her granddaughter, Pamela Crain.”

When I repeated this out loud, the congregation stayed dead silent, but their fear increased to a point that made it hard to breathe. “Go ahead, miss,” I said.

The woman stood up on weak knees and muttered something else, and the young girl repeated it. “Dr. Anderson, you have come to this town and have done favor after favor.”

I bowed in thanks as I repeated her words.

“You fixed the poisoning of our waters at no cost to the town. That is something that cannot be repaid in their lifetime. You have helped their economy so that they can safely say that all of them can enjoy a good Christmas for the first time in many years. Now you have come up with this excuse—and that’s what it is, an excuse—to help them some more by building their children a good school. You are a kind and sweet child.”

I repeated everything she said, and by this time, I was blushing deeply. I said, “Thank you, miss.”