Paper Alley, page 19
Dan gave Lee a nod. As he got in his car, he offered Lee a slight wave, which Lee returned. On the drive to town, Dan thought about hauntings, spirits, and evil. Sure, people speak of haunted houses and haunted places, but Dan remembered what his brother had said about being haunted by the women he loved; it was spoken in jest but . . .
TWENTY-TWO
Julie and Dan arrived home at the same time. They parked in the street in front of the house. Dan put his arm around Julie as they walked onto the front porch. It wasn’t lost on Julie: Dan hadn’t coughed or cleared his throat. They sat on the porch swing holding hands.
“What did the doctor say?”
“He said a lot of stuff.”
“Can we be a little more specific? I noticed you’re not coughing.”
Dan had learned in battle not to think so much about what might happen and concentrate on what is happening. Speculation could also be a distraction. It needed to be considered, but without emotion.
“No, I used an inhaler he gave me. It lasts a couple of hours. It’s nice to have a little relief from my symptoms. He says he’s not going to treat my condition right away. I have a couple of serious problems.”
Julie stared into Dan’s eyes. “What kind of problems?”
“Well, I have a compromised immune system, he used a fancy word. Basically, it means my immune system is down, down real low. He said he wants to monitor me, take blood tests over time to see which direction it’s heading. If it goes lower, he’ll begin treatment. If it perks up, he’ll just keep monitoring me.”
“What causes it?”
“He can’t pin it down just yet. It’s not contagious. He said it could be faulty from birth or some environmental issue I’ve encountered, like a chemical or nuclear exposure. He wants me to think back over my life and list any potential hazards, you know like in the military. I’m not thinking well today; maybe you can do a little thinking for me.”
“What other issue do you have?”
“Fungus, I’m infected with a fungus found in bird and bat guano. I think it’s from when I cleaned out the garage.”
“Oh great. I am so sorry. Buying this house has been a nightmare. It’s my fault, all of this. I am so sorry.” Julie stood up to pace the porch. As she came back near the swing, Dan stood to pull her into a hug.
“Blame is not what we need. I could blame a whole chain of things bringing us to this point. It is not your fault, Julie. What I need from you is just love, kindness, and caring—but guilt will ruin it. I don’t want guilt motivating you; I want love.”
“Oh, Dan, I’m still sorry. So how is he going to treat this fungal infection?”
“He’s not, he says my immune system needs to battle it. But oregano oil helps kill fungus.”
“But your immune system isn’t healthy.”
“No, it’s not, it contributes to the problem. If my immunity doesn’t recover, then I don’t.”
“You don’t—”
“I’m going to build my immunity, Julie.”
“Dan, if something happens to you . . .”
“One day at time. I’m here right now . . . don’t speculate. The good news in all this is, according to the numbers I should already be flat out in a hospital, dying. But I’m not and Dr. Cohen says he doesn’t understand it. He said the truth is what it is. And it impacts us; we don’t impact it. We don’t have to know the truth for it to be so. He says something unknown is keeping me going. I told him about your prayers and my diet. He thought both were excellent. He wants me to keep a log of what I eat.”
“I’ll double down on the prayers—no, triple down.”
“Thanks. I love you, and your prayers.”
“Love you. Don’t you dare leave me.”
Dan collapsed back onto the porch swing. He wanted to get better for Julie. He couldn’t bear to see her blaming herself for his illness. There was an uneasy tension in the air. Julie pulled a bundle of Christmas cards out of the letter box mounted by the front door. She handed them to Dan and massaged his shoulders as he opened them. Aunts, cousins, friends—then one from his employer. He dropped his hands to his lap after just a quick read.
“I’ve been terminated for excessive leave.” Evil never takes a break.
“Oh . . . what about health insurance?”
“We can go on Cobra, but we’ll have to pay for it.”
Then the front door opened. It was Zane.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“I’m going to the Christmas party.”
“I told you, you can’t go.”
“I won’t let you label me a nerd, Dad. Everybody is going.”
“You’re not.”
Zane took a couple of steps, but Dan grabbed him by the arm.
“Son, don’t make this ugly.”
“I’m old enough to make my own choices. You and Mom want me to stay a baby. I don’t believe in the same things you do.”
Dan held back. He remembered the feelings he had as a teen, the rebellion.
“These people aren’t the type to be real friends. I don’t believe you, Zane. In the long haul, you’ll admit to yourself what your mother and I believe is right. You are just trying to break the strings. You go to your party, but keep your head straight. Be honest with yourself. I think you’ll conclude these are not your type of people.”
Dan looked at Julie. He wanted some sort of acknowledgment or approval of how he handled the situation. Her lips tight, she nodded. Dan let go of Zane’s arm. Zane stepped from the porch without another word. He walked to the street, then started to run. He ran until he was out of sight.
Julie sighed. “Our boys are growing up.”
Dan stared down the road. “We can’t just tell them the ways of the world; we’re going to have to let them feel the pain.”
“It scares me.”
“Me too.”
Dan sat back down on the swing beside Julie.
“I hear we might have a white Christmas.” As Julie rubbed Dan’s back, he leaned forward.
“Nice.”
“Some of the neighbors want to have a meeting this evening. Do you feel up to it?”
“Sure. It’s not what I would like to do, but we need to develop a plan. There is nothing to be gained by putting it off. What the heck, let’s call it a Christmas party.”
“My thoughts exactly. I’ll make a call. We have a call chain set up. I’ll just be a minute. Are you staying out here? It’s so nice out, I would like you to.”
“I’ll grab the old Bible. We can go over the Psalms listed in the notes; let’s try to make some sense out of them.”
Dan leaned back in the swing, keeping an eye on the street. The swing faced the Fred Black house. He watched as Fred carried painting supplies from his pickup truck to the house. Fred glanced at him, but it was quick. Maggot, Dan thought as he watched a black Escalade stop behind Fred’s truck. Fred leaned close to the open driver’s window. As Fred stood at the window, he made quick glances at the driveway and Dan’s house, nodding in acknowledgment with whatever the driver was telling him. Fred watched the Escalade ease away, his hands on his hips. By the time Julie came back to the porch with the Bible, Fred had withdrawn into his house.
Julie carried an energetic smile and the Bible as she stepped back onto the porch. The yard brightened as a gap in the clouds allowed the sun to fill the space. She placed the Bible on the swing, then resumed rubbing Dan’s back and shoulders. He had no complaints.
“Look at Psalm 12.”
He paged to Psalm 12. He read it to himself. Then he read it aloud and said, “The troubles we face are nothing new. Man has not learned a thing in two thousand years.”
“Is it perfect or what? I’m going to start the meeting with it tonight.”
“This chapter was marked as important back in the nineteen twenties. This town hasn’t changed much over the years. I guess people are people, in all times. Everyone lies to his neighbor, and lips often speak with deception. We need God on our side. This place is overrun with evil.” Julie was paraphrasing the words aloud.
“We need all the help we can get. This is a battle, and I’m afraid there will be casualties and collateral damage.”
“Now you’re talking like the military man I fell in love with.”
“Just remember, I’m already wounded. I’m beginning to believe my issues have been orchestrated by some power other than God. Why else do my numbers say I’m dying and yet my spirit says no? What’s the missing factor?”
“Dan, look at Psalm 59:6. It talks about snarling like dogs, returning in the evening to prowl the town. This might be in reference to whoever used to hang out down in the Gorge. What went on down there?”
“I stopped to see Lee after seeing the doctor. He told me some things about the Strattons, Harry, and the old town doctor. Let me tell you . . .”
###
Representatives of twelve neighborhood households gathered in the evening, two dozen in all. Chairs were moved from the kitchen and dining room into the living room, forming a large circle. Christmas music played in the background. Julie opened the meeting with a psalm. There were no objections. She read Psalm 12, and everyone just looked at each other, stunned. After a moment of silent gazing, Julie made an announcement. “Coffee and hot water for tea are on the kitchen counter, along with plenty of cups. Help yourselves whenever you’d like.”
“Hi, everyone, for those of you we haven’t met, I’m Dan Winslow and this is my wife, Julie. I know we all feel like we might know each other, but I don’t think we should take it for granted. So if you don’t mind, could we all take a turn and introduce ourselves? Just tell us your name and what street you live on.”
Each member of the gathering took their turn to introduce themselves. The meeting continued with the selection of someone to take minutes. The first order of business was to define the group’s purpose, and it was agreed their main initiative would be to work toward transparency in the local government and maintaining the values of their properties. Under rules of engagement, it was considered wise to refrain from undocumented accusations or character attacks at council meetings and to ask well thought-out questions, support each other’s needs, and help research historical references. They planned to prepare evidence for council, such as photos of extensive litter and neglect in rental property yards. When a homeowner felt the need for emotional support during confrontations with students, others in the group would respond to calls for help.
There was little disagreement as to the needs and objectives as stated. The meeting lasted well over an hour and the next meeting was scheduled for the first Tuesday evening of the next month, after the holidays. Julie finished the meeting by reading Psalm 55:23. Half the group departed at the end of the meeting; half stayed to socialize and drink coffee. Julie walked around with a tray, offering raw chocolate energy bites.
“Dan, your house is beautiful. I can’t believe you’ve accomplished all of this rehabilitation.”
“Thanks . . . I believe you said your name was Frank?” Dan extended his hand.
“Right, Frank Riley. We moved here about three years ago. We love our house, but the students are brutal. Every day I’m picking up beer cans. It ticks me off—the lack of respect these clowns have for other people’s property. I work construction—it’s demanding work I do to pay for my place—and some little jerk tosses an empty beer bottle onto my grass as if it’s a trash can. No respect—these kids should be living on campus.”
“I heard a rumor,” a woman interjected, speaking from behind Dan.
“Lynn, right?”
“Yes, there is a rumor about an investigation going on. I work at the university. Talk has it, heads are going to roll as high up as the university president. It seems certain people have come under the influence of these slumlords. It’s been going on for years. Seems they influence them to refuse building funds for new dormitories. The crap is going to hit the proverbial fan. If it turns out to be true, this little group may not even be necessary.”
“Great news. You should have said something during the meeting.” Frank took a sip of coffee.
“I shouldn’t even have said it now, but I’m real excited about it, and what the heck, it’s time for a change, not just in this town but at the university. Everybody who works there isn’t crooked, but there are some key positions in need of a shake-up. I’m glad it’s planned.”
Dan smiled. “I wonder what caused the idea for a shake-up. I would like to think it came about as an honorable step toward correcting a problem, but knowing how politicians are, it might just be a regime change. Big contractors might have paid off the right people to get them to kick out capital for building new dorms. The local media will play it out, exposing corruption.”
Everyone within earshot smirked.
One by one the stragglers departed, and as the door closed on the last one, Dan flipped off his shoes and flopped onto the couch with a sigh. Julie sat at the end of the couch, picked up his feet, and started massaging them.
“Let’s clean up in the morning.”
“No argument from me.”
Dan closed his eyes as Julie’s touch worked magic. His breathing eased. He could feel himself drifting off. He yawned, picked up his inhaler, took a quick hit. It would be hours before he would cough. He just wanted to sleep, right here on the couch. The front door latch clicked; then the door burst open. Zane ran across the living room and bounced upstairs, unaware his parents were sitting on the couch. They heard the attic door close.
“He’s home early. It didn’t look like he was coming from a good time.”
“Should we go talk to him?”
“No, we’ll see him in the morning. I’m not feeling well enough. I need to chill out.”
Dan closed his eyes as Julie continued to rub his feet. He drifted off into sleep. Julie’s thoughts switched from Zane to the house and then to the town; when her mind settled, she mulled over the Psalms. They offered her peace, reassuring her that their experience was not unique in the eyes of the Lord. She relaxed.
Suddenly there was a knock on the front door.
Dan opened his eyes. “Who could that be?”
“I’ll get it.”
“No, Julie, its late—let me get it.”
Dan staggered to the door and drew back the curtain covering the ornate window of the door. It was Officer Jack Monroe, back to the door, scanning the property before him. He was in uniform, though Dan could see his personal car parked at the curb. He must be off duty, Dan thought. Jack didn’t notice Dan peeking through the window.
Dan opened the door.
“Officer Monroe, good evening, it’s awful late. What can I do for you?”
Monroe turned to face Dan.
“May I step in, Mr. Winslow?”
“Certainly, call me Dan.” Dan held out his hand. Jack Monroe gave a firm handshake.
“This isn’t an official visit.”
“It seems like you do a lot of unofficial work. I wanted to thank you for helping us with the tenant across the street.”
Jack Monroe just nodded and pursed his lips.
“I just came to warn you. I hear a lot of ugly talk around the Borough Building about you. It might be wise to watch your step. Organizing the neighbors is making some people feel uneasy.”
“I’m not organizing anybody. I’m just another one of the neighbors. These people are organizing themselves.”
“I didn’t come to argue the point, just to tell you, you are the focus. You are the one singled out as the troublemaker. True or not, you have the target on your back. I just wanted to tell you to watch your step . . . and your back. This isn’t a threat from me, I’m on your side.”
“I appreciate your concern, Jack, thanks.”
“Well, you didn’t hear it from me. This visit never happened. I’ve got a family to support, but I just can’t sit back while . . . well, we all know what this town is like . . . is your son home?”
“You mean Zane?”
“Yes . . . I don’t want to alarm you, but the campus police raided a party. They called the state police for backup. I went off duty just as it came across the radio.”
“Zane came home about twenty minutes ago.”
“Good, he seems like a nice kid, but I’ve seen him with some of the town’s worst. Just want you to know. Initial reports are it was a drug bust. I think public nudity brought attention to the event. These kids . . . well, I’m glad your son wasn’t involved.”
“Thanks, Jack, thanks for keeping us informed.”
Jack walked out to his car.
“Dan, what do you think?”
“I think Jack is a good man.”
“I mean about you being a target?”
“It doesn’t scare me for myself, but it does scare me for you and the boys.”
“Do you think Zane was at the party?”
“Yes, I do. I also think he left before it got raided. I think he made a wise choice in leaving.”
“We’ll talk to him in the morning. Let’s get some sleep.”
TWENTY-THREE
Dan descended the stairs to the smell of coffee and toast. Tim sat at the counter talking to Julie. The boys were still in bed. “What brings my favorite, and only, brother here this fine morning?”
“Hey, brother. Julie called me and said you needed some help.”
Dan gave Julie a quick questioning look. She just raised her eyebrows and rolled her eyes.
“Anytime is good, Tim. Umm, yeah, I was hoping you could help us with Zane. He needs to hear things about life, but not from us. We just wanted to talk with you about it while the boys are still asleep. Later or maybe on Christmas you can do us the favor.”
Dan looked at Julie with a “was that right?” kind of look. She responded with a wink.
“Sure thing, what’s it about?”
“Partying and hanging with a bad crowd. He has to learn in his own way, but hearing it from you might carry enough weight, he may avoid some of the pain we went through.”
