Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2018 22:56:26 +0000 (UTC) From: Kim Hansen Subject: Ring in Mine #3: Nephi & Jerome: Chapters 47. 48, 49 Chapter 47 The 6:30 double phone ring found Hugo on Adam's couch. Hugo could hear Adam in the shower. He didn't want Adam to know nightmares had driven him to take refuge on Adam's couch. Adam's quiet snore was so much like his father's' Hugo slept well. He gathered his things and slipped out before Adam came out of his bedroom. Hugo waited for Adam wearing his hat and boots. He tried not to show his disappointment when Adam appeared in his uniform. "Sorry Hugo, I'm on duty this morning." Kenton, dressed in boots, jeans and hat, arrived right on schedule. "Hi, Hugo, it's you and me this morning. We are working with the alpaca." Hugo's soon forgot his disappointment. He and Kenton worked in the alpaca pasture. Kenton monitored the health and well-being of the herd. It involved lots of treats, touching and petting. Hugo liked this even better than feeding them. They showered and met the family for breakfast. "If we are doing this Halloween Festival, we need to have it ready to go before the first of October. That gives us almost a week." Nephi announced. With the breakfast dishes cleared, assignments were given. Whenever someone had a break in their schedules, they worked on painting plywood figures. Kenton, Kyle and Hugo were priming sheets of plywood. Mary used a projector to transfer outlines onto the white lumber. Garrett cut out the shapes. Nephi painted. There was no way he would finish them all. It was afternoon when Phil and Oliver walked into the boy's dormitory with about twenty kids from Oliver's art class. "I told them if they helped paint we would give them free passes." Phil explained. The relief on Nephi's face was priceless. He rolled to the kitchen to talk with the ladies. Around dinner time the ladies served homemade pizzas and cans of soda. In one evening they completed the backlog of painting. Nephi didn't want to admit that the work was better than he could do on his own. Jared and Drake walked in late. "We had to move all of our dead trees to the graveyard area. Sean delivered a semi-trailer of full size juniper trees arrived to plant along the road." Sean arrived just after the boys with his landscaping crew. The women seemed to have a bottomless supply of pizza. Benny knew a guy that worked for the BLM. Now and then they would chain an area of the west desert to encourage the growth of grasses. It involved stretching a huge chain between two bulldozers and knocking down the sagebrush and juniper trees. Sean and his team spent the early morning digging up trees wrapping the root balls in burlap and loading them onto a borrowed semi-trailer. Junipers looked more like tall bushes. Once established they would take little water. "We even brought a smaller trailer of sagebrush. They look good in the ground. I think we will go out again early tomorrow for another load. They are doing the chaining the following day." Sean explained. The sun was down or Nephi would have driven out to the site to see the progress. He would have to wait until the morning. Nephi excused himself pleading exhaustion. He and Jerome cuddled on the couch taking their turn to watch the rented Trinity movie. Oliver was all smiles when Nephi had claimed the tape. "So what happened?" Nephi asked. "We watched the movie and talked. Then Brock went to his room." Oliver answered. "And?" Nephi asked raising his eyebrows. "We ate all the treats." Nephi wiggled his eyebrows. "The treats in the box, you dirty old man." Oliver threw a pillow at his chair bound tormentor. Jerome and Nephi fell asleep during the movie. Hugo hadn't seen Adam since before morning chores. He tossed and turned unable to sleep. He turned the light on and worked on the learning Italian cassette Mary had loaned him. Throughout the day those he worked with had started his Italian lessons by teaching words that went with what they were doing. Adam noticed the light in Hugo's room. "Shouldn't you be asleep?" "I worried about you. Being a police officer is dangerous." Hugo answered. "I should have called. No one has worried about me since Tony died." Tears were running down Adam's face. Hugo stood and wrapped his arms around the taller figure. "Instead of sleeping on my couch you can sleep in the spare bedroom." Adam helped Hugo move what he would need for the morning. Adam joined Hugo on his knees. "Father in Heaven, this is Hugo. It's been awhile. Thank you for bringing me to my new home even if it's only while my dad travels. For the first time since mom died I feel safe. Nephi says mom is right here watching over me. I hope he is right. Bless my dad and Adam. Make sure Troy is watching over Adam. Help Cruiser get better. He is the alpaca with the leg that got caught in some barbed wire. Amen." "Adam did I say something wrong?" Hugo asked. "No, you said everything just right." Adam wrapped his arms around Hugo. Tucked in Hugo fell asleep listening to the low rumble of Adam's breathing. The phone rang early in the morning waking Jerome and Nephi. Nephi hated the phone early in the morning or late at night. It meant something was wrong. Jerome looked serious as he listened. Jerome set the phone on the nightstand. "Nephi, it's my teacher. Remember when I asked you two weeks ago if you would speak to my group about the Foundation and Kazoo Day?" Nephi nodded not likening where this conversation was heading. He hadn't thought about it. The slides Jerome provided lay untouched in the box. "Today's guest speaker canceled. The professor would appreciate if you would be today's guest." Jerome's puppy dog eyes overcame Nephi's objections. "I am not doing this for your professor, but because I love you." Nephi responded. Jerome told the professor that Nephi would do it. "The meeting is at 1:00. Why don't you ride with me? You can work on your speech at the library. They have study carrels with slide projectors. It would be great for practicing with the slides. I'll pick you up and take you to lunch. Then we can go together." Jerome had the day planned. The change in Jerome's word choice did not go unnoticed by Nephi. The word class had grown to group and then to meeting. Jerome drove past the gate for the Halloween Festival. The asphalt equipment took Nephi by surprise. He shook his head. Benny had gone above and beyond again. Nephi wanted to see what was happening but would have to wait until he had given Jerome's speech. Parked in the library media area, Nephi ordered the slides and wrote notes on what he wanted to say while Jerome attended class. ---------- Controlled chaos ruled at the Samaria Farms construction site. Phil had convinced the applied trades teacher from the high school to spend the afternoons at the site with his construction class. Licensed electricians, carpenters and plumbers supervised their work. It was an opportunity the school couldn't afford. Phil and Oliver suggested they have a special night for the students that helped get things ready before they opened for business. It would create an energy in the school as students talked about the festival. --------- Sitting across from Jerome in the student center cafeteria, Nephi couldn't relax and enjoy his meal. His speech was an introduction into Samaria Farms, a Foundation Supporting Kids. The name change surprised Nephi when the new ID badges had arrived. He twisted the plastic rectangle hanging around his neck. Nephi refused to address Jerome's meeting from a wheelchair. Jerome arranged for a tall stool. They arrived early so Nephi could pull his uncooperative body onto the stool without an audience. When they entered the building Nephi turned to the right. Jerome insisted they go left and catch the elevator. The classroom was on the third floor. They found a note on the door. ---------- "Class is in the Business Auditorium, room 101 at 1:00." ---------- Jerome hoped Nephi hadn't noticed other doors with the same note. Jerome was unsure what was happening. He had misled Nephi about the number of students by saying they were 20 students in his class. About fifty students attended the lecture series. Jerome could explain the increase to fifty. If it had to be in the auditorium, Nephi would be an unhappy camper. A student met the pair as they got off the elevator. "Jerome, the professor suggested you enter from the basement entrance. The stage area is wheelchair accessible from that level." The student took the slide carrousel and disappeared down the hallway. "Let's take a peek and see how full the auditorium is. I know you've tried to distract me from the signs on the doors. Promise me you didn't know about this." Nephi looked up at Jerome and then through the door into the filling auditorium. "You don't seem very surprised." Jerome answered. Nephi removed a folded piece of paper from his notes and handed the glossy sheet to his partner. --------- You've seen them on the news and in the papers The Business Student Association Presents The Community Innovators Series Sponsors of the Kazoo Day Event Building awareness of Teen Abuse and Suicide Directors of the Samaria Farms Youth Foundation Owners of Peter and Sons Landscaping & Design Nephi and Jerome of Samaria Farms 1:00 Business Building Auditorium room 101 ---------- "Where did you find this?" Jerome asked. "Jerome, I don't know how you missed them. They have been on every bulletin board we've passed. They were in the Student Center, the library, and even taped to the door of this building. A student passed out flyers in the library. At least there isn't a picture of me in this damn chair." Nephi explained. He chose not to mention the boy's pierced ear and the hint of eye shadow faint enough most people wouldn't have noticed. Nor would he mention the brief conversation. ---------- "You're him." The young man exclaimed. Nephi held a finger to his lips. "I think what you are doing for those kids is an example for us all. I was lucky my parents were hippies in the sixties, free love and all that." Nephi autographed a flyer with a borrowed sharpie pen. `Go forth and do good for all of God's children. Nephi of Samaria' "Do you believe in all this religion stuff?" The young man asked. "I'm not sure about religion; churches do a lot of good for some people. Officials in the church I grew up in decided not to rub shoulders with a sinful heathen. But, I am sure of my personal relationship with a caring and loving God." Nephi answered. "If there is a god how can he let bad things happen?" The young man asked. "God doesn't cause our problems. He lets us decide. Often bad things are the fall out of the poor choices we or others make." Nephi was on a roll now. The young man looked at Nephi in his chair and then into Nephi's deep brown eyes. It was as if he could see into Nephi's soul. What he saw there gave him goosebumps. Deep in those brown orbs he glimpsed the wonder of God and his creations. As Nephi answered the young man looked around and saw things in a new light. He could see the hand of Nephi's God in all things, the sunshine coming through the window, the plants in their pots, and people seemed to glow as if they were holy relics. "A gang member chose to shoot at one of my kids. I chose to give my life to save him. If this is the price to give Kenton a long and happy life, I thank my Father." As Nephi spoke these words, he realized he believed them. The young man believed them too. As Nephi rolled away, the young man's visions faded, but he would always recognize God's handiwork. He already was a good guy. Maybe he could let go of some of his anger. He had seen the news. Nephi had lost his family, his church, his home, and the use of his leg, yet he wasn't mad at his God or the world. ---------- Jerome knew Vice President of the Business Student Association would look good on his resume. Jerome knelt, so he was eye to eye with Nephi. Students filed around the pair entering the auditorium. "Nephi, I promise I didn't know it would be like this. We can leave. I'll make up a story." The offer tempted Nephi. He thought of the guy in the library. Did young guys look to him as a positive role model? Maybe he could help others beyond the boundaries of the compound. "I'm not going in there," Nephi paused making Jerome nervous. "in this wheelchair. Get me my crutches." "It would be easier if we used the handicapped entrance." Jerome offered. "That's a good idea. You use the handicap entrance. Make them think I am coming in that way. I am proving something to myself. I am not handicapped. Things are just a little harder than they used to be." Nephi's conversation with the young man had changed Nephi as much as it had changed the young man. Nephi noticed a good share of the students filing past wore the same triangle pin as the young man in the library. He changed his planned speech a little. Nephi noticed Jerome talking to a gentleman by the projection screen. It was almost time. "Would you stay with me until I'm sitting on the stool? It will need two strong men to get me that high. I can't jump up like I used too." Nephi asked. The young man's friends called him Felix after the cat. They teased he had nine lives. No matter how many times he had been beaten up he landed on his feet. "Welcome to September's Community Innovators Lecture Series. Nephi and Jerome have asked me to skip my usual introduction. I'll turn the time over to Jerome, Vice President of the Business Students' Association." The gentleman sat on the front row. Jerome took the microphone and told his story of being taken into the hills during a blizzard without a coat. He told about struggling into the nearest neighborhood and huddling behind a bush to rest. Jerome sat on the floor; his knees pulled up to his chest. "I closed my eyes for only a moment." Jerome's head rested on his knees. By then Nephi had made it to the clear area at the base of the auditorium. Nephi was glad it wasn't a raised stage. At Nephi's prompting Felix brought a second microphone to Nephi. Nephi told of being kicked out of his house and working as a day laborer. As he looked into the audience he found Paula, Benny and Marie sitting on the front row. "Peter and Paula rescued me from the street. They took me into their home and gave me the love I hadn't enjoyed since my mother had died. I would like you to meet my adopted mother, Paula." Nephi encouraged Paula to stand. Nephi told about the SUV that forced him into the snow. "If it hadn't been for that lousy driver I wouldn't have found the love of my life freezing behind the bushes." Nephi made his way to Jerome on the floor. "Okay, I found you now I am putting you to work." Jerome and Felix each took an arm and lifted Nephi onto the stool. "Thank you." Nephi paused and looked at the audience. "We forget it isn't only what we can accomplish by ourselves. The impossible becomes possible with the help of family and friends. I could not get on this stool on my own, but here I am. It is great isn't it? That's what the Kazoo Day Event is all about." With slides from Kazoo Day on the screen. Nephi explained the background and its expanded mission to build awareness of the pressures that drive kids to take the irrevocable step of suicide. Jerome explained the events that led to creating the compound. "Personal savings, family donations and donated labor made the renovations possible. The name Samaria is from the New Testament. It was the home of those shunned by society, yet it was a Samaritan in Christ's parable that cared for his fellow man. Our motto is `Go forth and do good.' It is more than the words we read as we leave our home. It is our way of life." "Isn't it true you created your own church because no other religion would tolerate your sinful ways?" The familiar voice from the audience grated on Nephi's nerves like fingernails on a chalkboard. "I think I will take a moment and answer the question." Nephi took a breath to stay calm. "No, we have not created our own church. A retired army chaplain looks after our spiritual needs. I believe organized religion helps many people. You can build a personal relation with our father without a church." Jerome picked up the theme. "We encourage but do not mandate personal prayer. Family members take turns sharing a scripture or gospel topic at meal times, from the scriptures. Nephi and I believe in a compassionate Father and Christ, our loving brother." Yancy's mom stood and faced the audience. "How can you stand listening to this pair of sinful faggots? You should boo them from the stage." She felt vindicated when the group booed until the first object hit her. Nephi scooted off the stool and balanced on one leg. "Please do not respond as she has. She is a child of God and we will allow him to reprimand her. I suggest if you do not want to listen to a pair of caring men, you leave." Jerome had moved next to his man. "For your safety security will escort you from the room if there is another outburst." Felix and Jerome helped Nephi back onto his stool. Nephi explained that the Samaria Foundation helped where they could. Concerned for the safety of the kids, he would not share details about them. "Some are straight, some are gay and some aren't sure, but they need a stable and loving environment. That is what we try to provide." Jerome explained that the profits of the landscaping company were being poured into the Foundation. Jerome introduced the Halloween Festival designed by Samaria's residents with the proceeds supporting the Foundations' operations. "We are looking for costumed volunteers to haunt the corn maze at night." The slides of the Festival site created a murmur of excitement in the room. "It is the new home of the Kazoo Day event." Jerome added. They answered a few questions before the time was up. Nephi mentioned the shooting only while answering a question. The professor took center stage and thanked Nephi and Jerome for speaking. "I would also like to show my gratitude to my partner. Nephi does not like being the center of attention. He did this for me." Jerome leaned toward Nephi and kissed him on the cheek. Yancy's mom stormed out of the room. Most of the audience cheered. As the audience left, a good share asked Nephi for his autograph. Nephi returned to his wheelchair exhausted. Jerome rolled Nephi behind a table and Felix provided a sharpie marker and a stack of flyers he hadn't passed out. Paula was first in line. Jerome had another class. Benny and Paula offered to take Nephi home. Maria said goodbye and left with a handsome black gentleman. "Marie has been dating. She thinks Bart is husband material." Paula explained. "If she is confessing to her priest, his sheets must need changing every morning." Nephi had noticed that Bart dressed to the left. If what he saw was real Marie must be very happy. The last person in line wore a polo with a television station logo on the pocket. Relief washed over Nephi when he realized it was the Helpful Housewife's competition. "I am impressed with what your Foundation is doing." The reporter brushed his fingers across the small triangle pin on his collar. "I would like to do a segment on your Halloween Festival; get the word out and drum up business for the Foundation." The camera crew followed Benny's car to the construction site. The entrance and the rebar dragon was better than he had hoped. Juniper trees and sagebrush lined the paved roadway. At the end of the lane stood the old house surrounded with more iron fence. To the right there was enough paved parking for 100 cars. Nephi hadn't seen the large barnlike building on any of the plans. Students were everywhere: installing plugs, building doors for the barn, landscaping with the plants the teams had salvaged from the desert and one group was carrying furniture into the house. "Benny did we go a little overboard?" Nephi asked. "No." Nephi waited for Benny to expand on his answer. "We had the money from this year's profits. It was donate them to the Foundation or let the government take half for taxes." Nephi still waited. "We had lots of volunteer help. We now have a multi-purpose facility for many things, such as Kazoo Days, A Christmas Festival and community events, and it keeps the public away from the main compound." From the way Benny folded his arms Nephi knew Benny had closed the subject. "It is fantastic. Thank you." Nephi had learned to accept what he couldn't change. The news crew had stopped at the gate for some footage. They pulled up next to Nephi's small group. "I hadn't realized that the Foundation was this big." The reporter commented looking at all the young people. "Most of these students are from the high school." Nephi looked around. "Jared, come here please." Jared took over the tour of the work in progress. "We have five groups of students here today: the applied trades students, they are the ones that build a house each year, landscaping students, drama and interior design students, they are doing the interior of the haunted house and the lighting for the hayride, and the art students are all over the place." Jared introduced the reporter to the construction teacher. "The Foundation has a tradesman for every two or three students. That's a ratio the school can't afford. This is a win-win situation." Nephi was going on his own tour of the complex. The permanent greenhouse glistened in the sun. The barn used the seasonal greenhouses' footings. New trenches waited for concrete. Half of the modular building had become two large multi-stall handicap accessible restrooms. The other half held the offices for the greenhouse. Nephi met the film crew again. This time they were in a heavy discussion with Phil and Oliver. Oliver finished his story of how he had made Samaria his home. "I don't mind you sharing the stories of my older kids if they want to share, but do not use their real names. Some have families that would love to reclaim their lost ones. Some have assisted the police by testifying against gang members. Their safety is my main concern." Nephi set down the ground rules unaware it was too late. The teams had all day Wednesday and part of Thursday to finish up. The applied trades teacher pulled his students out of their regular morning classes to help finish. On weekends there would be local artisans and farmers displaying their wares in the barn. The ladies hoped the food would be a great revenue source. This one night there was no charge with a limited menu of chili, hot dogs, donuts and cookies Thursday the family kept Nephi away from the festival site until the sun had disappeared behind the mountains. The TV crew joined Nephi at the street entrance staring into the darkness. Jerome picked up the radio and announced. "It's show time." First the Junipers along the fence line glowed with hundreds of small white lights. The tops of three tall concrete pillars burst into flames. Water glistened in the firelight as it flowed down the pillars. At night the flickering flames brought the dragon to life. A minute later the junipers along the drive came alive with lights. Later the reporter interviewed students having fun. The corn maze was the main attraction, but the hayride and haunted house were hits too. The drama students had created scenes in each room. In the kitchen a witch had a cauldron on the stove. The witch turned and offered the guests a place in her oven. There was a face pressed against the oven's glass door. At 10:05 the TV crew went live interviewing students. "It is part Halloween Festival and part Farmer's Market. But it is all fun. They still have a few openings available for vendors. They will be open Friday evenings and all day on Saturday until Halloween. School groups may schedule visits on Thursday and Friday during school hours." They had shown the background footage taken during the construction on the 6 o'clock news. The News had just signed off when the Helpful Housewife arrived with two police officers. Jerome picked up the radio. "Put the munchkin in the priest's hole; the wicked witch and her flying monkeys are on the prowl." The angry woman confronted Nephi. "Where is my stepson?" "No child of yours is here." Nephi answered. "You lying bastard. I saw him on the 6 o'clock news." She yelled. "The reporter turned to the camera. You have it straight from the Helpful Housewife. She watches the Channel 2 News-at-Six." "You bastard! Turn the camera off." Spittle flew from her lips. "Officers do your damn job. Find the boy." "Where is your warrant or court order?" Nephi asked the officer holding his wheelchair. The officers hesitated. They were on the news. Their usual bluster had evaporated. Jerome arrived with a brown envelope. Nephi handed the officer the official court document naming the Foundation as Hugo's guardian. "This has to be a fake. My husband would never trusts these faggots with our son." "People in glass houses shouldn't throw rocks." The woman's anger buried her reasoning ability. She reached down, picked up a small rock and threw it at Nephi hitting him on his bad leg. "Hugo's father found his beaten son hiding in the closet when he returned from work." Nephi handed the reporter pictures of Hugo's bloody wounds with Hugo's face obscured. "When Hugo's father had to travel overseas he feared for his son's life. His lawyers suggested the Samaria Foundation as a safe option." The Hateful Housewife dug the hole she was digging a little deeper. "I pay you to do what I say!" She shouted at her trained officers. "Do you want me to tell the world about your gambling problem?" She turned to the other officer. "You wouldn't want your wife to know about your mistress or do you want to end up like Detective Scott?" They looked at the camera. "Turn the camera off. Give us the tape." One pulled his gun. "It won't help, we went live five minutes ago." The reporter announced. The officers turned and left the thorn in their sides on her own. Her hold over them gone. Their secrets were out. They needed to pick up the pieces of their lives and watch their backs. Her eyes went wide. Her voice became ragged and her well cultivated control broke. "Hugo's father would have let his son be gay. Sam won't be returning home in anything but an urn. I've seen to that. I will save Hugo's soul even if it kills his body." Before anyone could intervene she picked up the nearest jack-o'-lantern and threw it at Nephi. "Rot in Hell faggot." There are moments when time slows down. Jerome watched the orange projectile arc through the sky unable to react. Nephi leaned his chair far to the left lifting the right wheel off the ground. The glowing pumpkin struck the right side of Nephi's head. The world returned to normal time. Jerome prayed the cracking sound was the pumpkin or the chair and not Nephi's head. Sean with his medic skills was the first to reach Nephi. "Call an ambulance!" The phone company wouldn't be running a phone line to the greenhouse offices for weeks yet. Jerome grabbed the radio at his belt. "Nephi is down. We need an ambulance." Sean did what he could to stop the bleeding. "I've called for an ambulance. I am on my way." Adam's welcome voice came from the small black radio loud and clear. Jerome looked for Nephi's assailant. She had reached the street and turned onto the dark highway. Everyone heard the sirens before the flashing lights appeared. As the paramedics prepared Nephi for his ride to the hospital, Jerome gave final instructions. "We are not cutting the night short. Make this a great night for these kids. We open on schedule tomorrow after school. Nephi would want it that way." Adam arrived with his lights flashing. Jerome jumped into the police car and followed the ambulance and its precious cargo. A local officer arrived and took statements. Channel 2 News' viewers were all witnesses. Many of his questions inferred this was Nephi's fault. Nephi and Jerome were only two of many adults at the Foundation. The evening continued for the High School students, but the Samaritan hearts and prayers were with Nephi and Jerome. Chapter 48 Nephi had gone from diagnostic tests to surgery. There was no question of Jerome's right to be with Nephi. After the shooting Paula adopted Jerome, making them brothers, the business was `Peter and Sons.' The neurosurgeon had been vague before the surgery. Nephi hadn't regained consciousness, and he had lost a lot of blood. Nephi's condition deteriorated by the moment. The attack had been just after 10 o'clock. By 11:30 Nephi was on the table. Margaret sat with Jerome. She gave him a small white pill to take. The second hand crawled along its circular path. About 12:30, Jerome fell asleep. The anxiety medicine had done its job. Jerome was awake when the surgeon appeared at the door to the waiting room. "I won't sugarcoat this. Nephi will be touch and go for the next few days. There were three injuries to the brain: the initial impact with the projectile, the impact on the rock and the rebound when his brain impacted the far side of his skull." The surgeon waited for that to sink in before he continued. "We relieved the pressure inside his skull, removed two hematomas, and repaired any bleeders. We repaired his skull. There is minimal brain activity. He will be in intensive care where we can watch him around the clock." The surgeon finished. "Is he going to be all right?" Paula asked. Jerome felt he should have been the one to ask, but he wasn't sure he wanted the answer. "We don't know. He may wake up tomorrow and be fine. He might not wake up for weeks. As far as recovering brain functions, we won't know until he wakes." The looks on the faces of Nephi's family saddened the surgeon. This was the part of the job he hated. Nothing was worse than not knowing. Benny took the pager off of his belt and clipped it to Jerome's. "Jerome, you will go home and sleep. Tomorrow you will go to school. After school you may come and visit for two hours. Bring something you can read to Nephi. The nurses' station has your pager number. If something changes, they will call you." "I need to stay with Nephi." Jerome protested. Benny turned Jerome and stared into Jerome's soul. "Would Nephi want you to miss school? Your family needs you too." Benny addressed Jerome's protest. "There are people looking for you to fold and fail. Do your best to disappoint them. If that pager buzzes drop what you are doing and get here as soon as you can." Benny not only dropped Jerome off. He walked the dazed young man into his bedroom, helped him strip down to his boxer briefs and tucked him in bed. Jerome snuggled up to Nephi's pillow breathing in his scent. He remembered once before hugging Nephi's pillow when he didn't even remember he loved his brown eyed angel. There was one difference this time. "Daddy, why are you crying?" Jerry crawled into Jerome's empty bed. "Daddy Nephi is sick." Jerome sobbed. Jerry wiggled between Jerome and Nephi's pillow. Jerome wrapped his arm around his little boy and fell asleep. Jerry insisted he needed his daddy's help collecting eggs. In his innocence Jerry understood his daddy shouldn't be alone. After breakfast Jerry helped Jerome choose books to read to Daddy Nephi. `There is a Monster at the end of this Book' was on the top of the stack. "You need to practice the voices." Jerry insisted. Everywhere Jerome went on-campus students asked about Nephi. Jerome tired of the constant reminder of Nephi lying motionless in the hospital. Felix found Jerome in tears behind the business building. It was only a few moments work to change shirts. With Felix's hat, scarf and sunglasses people would think it was Felix, the gay kid. The disguise worked. The only attention was the occasional wave and `Hi Felix!' shouted across the quad. Jerome swore he would have to repay Felix's kindness. After classes they met and exchanged clothes again. It felt so odd to sit with Nephi just lying there. Jerome had lived this scenario before. He held Nephi's hand and told him about his day. Jerome hoped the book would wake his lover. He watched the machine measuring brain activity. Nothing changed. The doctor met with Jerome. "The good news is he is breathing on his own. For now we are feeding him through the IV and before you ask, I don't know when he will wake up." Jerome felt little comfort as he drove home. He swung by Marie's hoping she would pray with him at her church. The lights were off and no one answered the door. "She is out with Bart for the weekend. One of Bart's old friends is getting married Saturday in Vegas. They are staying tonight, tomorrow and Sunday. I love your grandmother but I have two peaceful days ahead without hearing about Bart's attributes." Paula pulled Jerome to her chest. Jerome sobbed and couldn't control the tears. As Jerome gained control of his emotions Paula reminded Jerome that she always had a shoulder he could cry on. The compound was empty. Jerome realized everyone would be at the Festival. A lone figure sat on the bench inside the gate. "I have questions I need answered." The figure stepped out of the shadow and presented his badge. "Where were you last night?" "My partner was in surgery last night. I was with family waiting for results. Uncle Benny brought me home early this morning and tucked me in bed." Jerome's story matched what the officer had heard many times during the day. It didn't explain the Helpful Housewife's disappearance. She hadn't arrived home last night and didn't show up for work. "My family is waiting for me at the Halloween Festival." Jerome's heart was with his partner and family. The officer had two more questions and offered to drop Jerome at the festival. Cars had overflowed the paved parking onto the alfalfa field. Benny arranged for a spotlight shooting a beam of light into the sky showing the way. Jerome had only taken a step or two before he heard "Daddy!" A small zombie jumped into his arms. "I got to be in the haunted house and scare people." Jerome was Jerry's captive audience. "Daddy, they won't let me go in the corn maze by myself. Will you take me?" Jerome agreed. "Dad said yes!" Jerry cried out. Jerome had always been daddy. His little boy was growing up. Donny and Micah must have been just out of sight. They joined Jerome and Jerry at the entrance to the maze. Zeke and Rafe had taken the initiative and pooled their money to buy flashlights. They were selling them at the entrance to the corn maze. "Hey Jerome, want to buy a flashlight. They are two dollars. You get a dollar back if you return it." It cost him six dollars, but each little boy had a flashlight in his hands. Jerome had walked the maze in the daytime. It was different at night. There were spook stations where a volunteer spook waited for the unwary. The kids held their flashlights under their chins. As they neared the first spook station they chanted. "If you spook us, we will eat your brains." Then they shouted boo. It had taken the mummy by surprise. "How are things going?" Jerome asked. "Fantastic! My mom wouldn't let me make a great costume to only wear one night. She helped make this one and I get to wear it all month." Jerome scanned the costume and make-up. "Tell your mom she did a great job." Jerome said as they continued through the maze. The volunteers received free passes for their families and received a meal and a snack item every night they worked. Phil and Oliver oversaw the scheduling. The marketplace in the barn was busy. One of the most popular was the neighbor carving designer jack-o'-lanterns. He was buying the pumpkins from the farm and selling them for top dollar. Ester surprised Jerome with her artistic talent. She was face painting and doing makeup. Phil bought all her supplies, and she kept the profits for her baby fund. There were artisans from the valley. They could pay a percentage or a flat rate for their space. At the far end the ladies were selling chili, corn dogs, fries and funnel cakes. Jerome's question he would ask later is where all the commercial appliances had come from. They didn't look brand new, so he suspected Benny had something to do with it. Kenton was ferrying supplies from the compound to the barn. It was getting late. Jerome and the littles caught a ride back to the compound. Washed, dressed for bed and prayers over, Jerome read the four littles three books. The last being `the book.' "Did Daddy wake up when you read him the story?" Jerry asked. Jerome shook his head. "You will need a more practice to wake him up." Jerome lay with the boys until they fell asleep. Jerome was the first one to find the sandman. The next morning with chores done and breakfast over the family headed to the festival site with gloves and garbage bags in hand, they tackled the clean-up. The ladies were exempt. They were busy preparing for another afternoon and evening. Sariah promised she would thank Benny for the foresightedness to provide the second larger kitchen in the barn. There were pots of chili and a pot of homemade caramel for the apples. They even had a conditional license from the Department of Health. Zeke and Rafe were cleaning the trash from the maze when they shouted and laughed. In a hidden corner they had come across used condoms. "I know what we are doing tonight." Jerry asked what they were. Jerome shook his head and waited to hear what story they came up with. Furious honking at the gate spared them. "This is the police. Open the gate." Jerome spread the word. "Munchkins in the priest hole." As Jerome walked down the drive. Kenton and Hugo loaded all the littles on a utility cart and using the trail for the hayride took the kids unseen back to the big shed. They had practiced this before. First down the ladder, through the passageway. When they were under the house. Hugo and Kenton pushed on a shelf unit of bedding. The shelf slid backwards leaving no scratches on the basement floor. With everyone inside, they pushed the shelf back in place. They locked the four slide latches in place. Locked, there was no way to open it from the outside. The two older boys closed the heavy soundproof door. This was fun and games for the littles. There were snacks and a television. They could watch cartoons instead of working. Hugo and Kenton worried about what was happening outside. A smaller screen showed the hallway outside their hidey-hole. This is where the Patriarch of the polygamist family hid out when the police came. The police presented a search warrant. An anonymous caller suggested the police look in the fresh graves in the Halloween graveyard. There were fifteen mounds of turned dirt, each with a plywood headstone. The officers were not very careful with the wooden headstones. This would take a lot of work to get it back in order for the evening. The officers began at the back. The going got a lot harder after the first foot. That was as far down as the boys had tilled. Jerome moved the front headstones so the black lights hidden behind them wouldn't get damaged. Jared stood at Jerome's side. The officers dug on the front center grave. "I don't think you want to dig there." Jared warned the officers. "Take them back to the barn." The officer in charge insisted. They were only twenty feet down the path when they heard a loud pop and the officer with the shovel cursed. Jared turned to the officer escorting them back to the barn. "I tried to warn him high voltage wires run right under that grave. I hope he didn't cause too much damage." When they arrived at the barn, the Foundation lawyer had arrived. He was reading over the fine print of the warrant. The officers returned soon after. "Men turn this place over. They are hiding something here and find that boy Hugo." "I'm sorry to interrupt your search, but the warrant limits you to the graveyard. You do not have free reign to `Turn this place over.' Because this missing person case crosses state lines the governor's office has asked the Highway Patrol and the FBI to take over the investigation." "How has this crossed state lines?" The officer didn't like his high profile case being taken from him. He wasn't sharing that the anonymous caller wasn't anonymous. The tip arrived with five one hundred-dollar bills with a promise of more. The tip was enough to get a search warrant so the officer could go shopping. "Someone used her credit card in Vegas yesterday and again today. Since my clients haven't left the valley, they aren't the ones using the card." The lawyer informed the officer. The detective wasn't about to let the second five hundred dollars slip through his fingers. "I want to see your permits for this circus." He demanded. A Channel 2 van pulled up the drive as the lawyer escorted the detective from the barn. The licenses and permits were in order. Jerome smiled. Leave it to Benny to involve the media. A cameraman and the same reporter that had been covering the Festival arrived. "We are here at Samaria Farms again. After a successful opening night, the police have returned. Officer, will you explain why you are at Samaria Farms?" The officer saw this as his chance to get his name out there. He was running for the small town's Chief of Police. A little camera time would help his campaign. "As you know the celebrity that hosts the Helpful Housewife segment on Channel 5 has gone missing. We received a tip to look in the graveyard here at the farm." The detective explained. "Did you find who you were looking for?" "As we dug up the graves, we found bones and body parts." He answered. The reporter's light hearted banter turned dark. "So you found evidence of foul play?" Jerome spoke up. "The graveyard has been restored. It is bad luck to go digging around old Chinese graves. The officer received a real shock when he dug through the high voltage lines that feed the festival's lightening." "Why is it a Chinese graveyard." "As you know the railroad brought in many Chinese workers. There were accidents that killed many of the workers. We assume this is one of their graveyards." Jerome explained. "How did you know the bones belonged to Chinese workers?" The reporter was buying into Jerome's story. "What else could it be. Most of the bones have `Made in China' printed on them." Jared added his two bits worth. "They didn't find the Helpful Housewife because she has risen from the grave, a zombie wearing a pink apron, carrying her signature pancake turner and a meat cleaver had been seen wandering the grounds. I hope she doesn't bother our guests on the Haunted Hayride through the old Chinese graveyard." The officer realized the interview didn't make him look good. He stormed off with his officers in tow. The lawyer added some serious information. "We do not know where she is, but we would like her found, so she can pay for her crime and Nephi's medical bills. Our director's insurance will run out soon and Foundation funds may not pay his medical bills. He is still in a coma and the doctors aren't painting a bright prognosis." The reporter finished the interview. "Our listeners have opened an account at Zion's Bank to help cover Nephi of Samaria Farms medical costs. When you visit Samaria Farm's Halloween Festival you are supporting the good works of the Foundation. They encourage wearing costumes." Off camera the reporter thanked Jerome for the interview. "It's too late to make the news at noon, but we will run the story at five and maybe ten. Did he get knocked down when he cut the power line?" "You saw the dirt on his backside. Jared told him not to dig there. But some people are too important to listen to us peons. We will have to get the electricians out here before nightfall." Jerome shook the reporter's hand. The time with the cops had eaten the morning hours. If Jerome wanted to be back to help during the afternoon, he needed to go see Nephi now. Kenton remembered seeing scrap metal that would pass as rails and some landscaping timbers. With help these soon found a home in the old Chinese Graveyard. A quick coat of paint and new Chinese style lettering transformed the tombstones. They just made up the symbols. Hey hopped they hadn't written anything offensive. ---------- Jerome left the hospital when the physical therapist arrived. Jerome couldn't watch him manipulate Nephi's lifeless limbs. "Did Dad wake up today?" Jerry asked. Jerome was missing the `daddy.' "No, Daddy Nephi didn't wake up." Jerome hugged his boy. "Will he be awake before Neil is born? Neil will need both of his dads just like me. I love you dad but you can't do the voices." Families with kids filled the grounds while it was light. Younger kids loved the hay maze and the corn maze wasn't as scary in the light. Garrick and Myles put up a temporary fence around the festival grounds to keep guests from roaming around the farm. Jerome stood watch at the hayride's gate. It was in such demand, they had commissioned a second trailer. Jared plugged a microphone into a boom box so he could narrate the ride. The electrician hadn't filled the grave with the power line repairs. "I think we have a problem. Another zombie has clawed its way to the surface. Keep a sharp eye out. Zombies have pulled guests from the trailer. I think I see one coming from behind that tree." Jared shot his blank gun toward the tree with a green hand holding a pancake turner coming from behind it. "It can't kill them. They are already dead. But it scares them away." During the daylight hours Jared told jokes about the flat cut out figures. "Look out there is a flat zombie. My brother was working on the road last night with the steamroller flattening the gravel. He ran over a bunch of the scary critters. This morning we stood them up and leaned them against trees and fence posts. They don't look scary now." It was cheesy, but the guests laughed. The family knew the morning's story made the early news. At least ten green-faced Helpful Housewives haunted the festival after the sun went down. Sariah noticed Jerome's heart wasn't into the festivities. "Go. We have this under control. Three of Adam's friends from the department are taking advantage of a free night's entertainment." Jerome told Nephi about the news story and the Helpful Housewife zombies. At ten o'clock Jerome watched the news. They ran a version of the earlier story with an added twist, photos of the Housewife zombies. "Our prayers are with Nephi and his special family." "We made the news again. Jerry says you have to wake up before Neil is born. Jerry is right; baby Neil will need both his dads." Jerome held Nephi's hand. "Our little boy is growing up. Dad has replaced daddy." No one told Jerome to leave, so he stayed. Jerome woke around three. The TV was off. Someone had thrown a light blanket over his shoulders. A mysterious benefactor had provided a recliner next to Nephi's bed. Jerome moved to the recliner and took Nephi's hand. Before falling asleep he sent a quick heartfelt prayer for his soulmate. Nephi squeezed his hand. Jerome woke with a start. Jerome bent over and kissed his partner. "You've been asleep since Thursday. It was about time you woke up." The nurses weren't running around interfering with these first few moments with Nephi. Nephi was all questions as Jerome talked about the festival. "I'm glad it's a success. I have plans on my drawing board for the Christmas Extravaganza." Jerome thought it was too early to think about another festival. Nephi seemed concerned that his attacker had disappeared. "I fear something bad has happened to her." Nephi coached Jerome on how to make the voices from the book. Jerome turned as a nurse pulled back the curtain. "I heard you talking to someone. I must have been wrong." The nurse changed Nephi's IV bag. Jerome's heart sank. The brain wave monitors flickered. He must have been dreaming. Jerome's fear turned into anger, but not for Nephi's attacker. He was mad at Nephi. Didn't he want to wake up? He was angry at God. How could he allow this? Jerome couldn't sit any longer at Nephi's side. He swore he wouldn't sit next to this real zombie again. He left the intensive care unit without a word. Jerome wasn't sure where to go. He wanted to talk with someone. Mary didn't feel like his mother, she spent so much time with the other kids. Jerome's anger colored his thoughts with darkness. Unsure of a destination, he sat in his car and drove nowhere, as his thoughts led him on a path to a hell of his own making. Jerome sat in his car angry at the world and feeling sorry for himself when the radio in the car came to life. "Brother of Jared, this is Lucky Boy. Over." Jerome remembered the reasoning behind Jerry's handle. "Why are you called Lucky Boy?" Jerome asked. "Because I have two daddies to love. Can you come home? I miss you. We're having fried chicken for dinner. Over." The family knew of Jerome's love of good fried chicken. They also knew the story of Jerome's first and only attempt of making fried chicken for Nephi. The golden, crispy skin hid pink bloody chicken. Nephi didn't make a fuss. He helped Jerome bake the chicken in the oven until the thermometer reached a safe 165 degrees. Jerome refused to try again. Nearing home, he pressed the talk button. "This is the brother of Jared. Lucky Boy, do you read me? Over." "Hi dad, we are at the big barn cleaning up. We are having lunch over here. Sariah says dinner is in fifteen minutes. Over." "I'm all most there, over and out." Jared's stomach rumbled. It was time for dinner. He was about to pass the entrance to the compound when he felt compelled to stop. There was something he had to do. He knew it was stupid, but a `what if' lingered in the back of his mind. Jerome wasn't sure what he wanted to find. He removed the top sheet from Nephi's drafting table to find the Christmas plans from his dream. Puzzled Jerome rolled the twelve large sheets of paper and slid them in a document tube unsure what to do with them. The family had started without him. Jerry had saved a place for his dad. Being with his family and listening to their funny stories about the festival did wonders to raise Jerome's spirits. Jerome brought up Nephi's Christmas plans during dessert. "Benny, I'm glad you are here. Only you know what we can afford this year and what needs postponing." Jerome unrolled the stack of paper in the middle of the round table. The top sheet was Nephi's proposal for the front of the barn. It changed the metal building appearance to a traditional barn. The note in the corner was closest to Rebecca. She read it to the group. "I've been reading Jerome's Agribusiness magazines. If over the next few years, we upgrade the barn, it could be a venue for weddings and corporate events. We are Samaria Farms, we need to define our brand." The next sheet was Nephi's proposed upgrades for the inside. Plans for Christmas at Samaria Farms filled the next pages. The focus was cleaning up the house for a Santa meet and greet. A village opposite the parking area would be the most expensive. Creating lighting displays for the hay ride would keep Myles bending rebar for weeks unless they could hire students interested in metal work and welding. "Even if Benny says the money is available, do we want to do this? Nephi wanted to involve the students at the high school on the village." Jerome looked at the table rather than his family. He wasn't sure the family would be receptive to dedicating another month of free time on a Christmas Festival. There was almost two months before a Thanksgiving opening. Jerome didn't want to pull the boys away from their studies again. Benny had that vacant look. He was doing the math. "Fifty thousand, twenty thousand, put off to next year, volunteer labor, transfer of ownership." The adults were used to not understanding a thing Benny said when he was like this. The women were in their own incomprehensible discussion. Clarke, Sean, Garrick and Myles were discussing the needs of the farm and the landscaping company. Benny was still at it. "Potential income applied to future operational costs. Advertising potential compared to marketing expense." Benny stopped his mumbling and wandered out to his car. "We need to get phone service in the green house office. Benny's using his new car phone. I hope he's quick. It's almost as expensive to use as it was to buy it. The CB radios in your vehicles are more economical, but Benny had to have his phone." Luke explained. The women finished their conversation first. "Even if we don't do the Christmas thing we need another pair of hands to finish the Halloween season. Someone with kitchen skills, sooner than later." Sariah spoke for the ladies. "I have someone I want you to meet. The others can continue this discussion without us." Luke offered. Sariah and Holly left with Luke leaving Rebecca to represent their opinions. "I want you to keep an open mind. Tina is a little down on her luck. She and her husband ran Tina's cafe." Luke began. "My husband and I used to eat there all the time. The food was always good. One day a pile of rubble replaced the building." Holly shared her opinion. "We never heard what happened." "Tina and her husband lived above the cafe with their two children. Her husband died of a heart attack. His siblings sold the building out from under her. Things have not gone well. Most of the furniture belonged to his family. I moved what she owned to a small apartment. She is holding things together hoping her share of his money comes through." Luke's story touched their hearts. Luke explained their organization was hiring another set of hands in the kitchen and other duties. Tina flirted with Luke during his introduction while ignoring the women. "With my restaurant experience, I will be the perfect person to streamline your kitchen, Luke." "Tina, meet Sariah our head chef and household operations manager. She is the one hiring." Luke corrected Tina's misconception. Sariah explained the duties. Tina did not look pleased. She liked an apartment for her and her kids, but laughed at the salary and the variety of responsibilities Sariah had presented. Tina countered on what she would accept and demanded full control of the food service operations. "We are a small non-profit. I don't think you will fit into our family." Sariah stood. "Thank you for your time." "Luke, thanks for thinking of me. I'm not sure what I said to upset her. I need this job." Tina whined. "Can't you do something, please?" "Sariah is the director over household operations. I have no direct relationship with my Nephew's foundation." "May I talk to your nephew? I'm sure I can convince him how valuable I could be." Tina responded. "The only one who can override Sariah's decision is the managing Director. The doctor's say it might take a while before he wakes from his coma." Luke answered. "As far as salary, look at what you pay on rent, utilities, and groceries. What Sariah offered was fair. If you want the job, understand she isn't looking for a replacement." Luke left Tina rethinking her comments. He rejoined the ladies in the car. "We need Nephi. He seems to find the right people when we need them." Holly missed Nephi. Jerome threw his hands in the air in defeat. There wasn't enough money for Nephi's plans for Christmas. It was too late to cancel the order for 100 cut Christmas trees and 100 poinsettias. Benny had ordered more paved parking. He could drop one row of parking for the path through the village they couldn't afford to build. Enclosing the kitchen in the barn had to happen sooner than later. They were operating on a conditional permit. Garrick and the boys could make quick work of the kitchen. Jerome turned to find Nephi. Jerome's anger grew. Nephi should be here. Jerome was in over his head. Wasn't he trying to implement Nephi's plans? If Nephi didn't care enough to be here why should Jerome care? Jerome crawled into an empty bed, even Jerry had abandoned him. Chapter 49 The next morning Jerome woke grumpy. The women wanted to talk about hiring someone. Sean wanted to discuss landscaping concerns. Clarke worried about keeping the animals in the petting zoo healthy. Jerome claimed to be late for school. Jerome fumed all the way to school. Why are they asking him? This was Nephi's dream, not his. Jerome longed for a small apartment for him and his son without the extra responsibilities. At the college Jerome ignored questions about Nephi's condition. He didn't want to deal with the problems at home. Jerome pulled into Marie's driveway. He had never needed to knock on Marie's door. He regretted not announcing himself. Bart walked out of the bathroom drying his hair. Jerome turned and slammed the front door as he left. "Bart, who was that?" Marie called out. "I think it was your grandson from the college. He walked in as I came out of the bathroom. Don't they know how to knock?" "This is their home. I've never asked my grandsons to knock. Where is he?" "You heard him slam the door as he left." "You may as well get dressed. I need to find my grandson." Marie grabbed her keys leaving Bart standing naked in the hall. It was late and Jerome hadn't arrived home. Marie buzzed the intercom at the compound. The gate opened. Marie entered the office. "Jerome came to my house to talk. Bart's staying in my guest room while they fumigate his place. He found Bart walking across the hallway from the guest bath to his room. Jerome turned and left." Marie picked up the phone calling family. No one had seen him. Margaret was the last, and she wasn't happy. "I'm calling Chief Thompson. Maybe his team can find him before he does something irreversible." Margaret announced. "He's being melodramatic, again." Jared punched Drake for his unwelcome comment. "Drake, Jerome is dealing with things you don't understand. Nephi is Jerome's rock. Everyone dumped their problems on him. Jerome may act strong but he isn't Nephi." Jared explained. "No one is!" Jared turned to the radio base station in the landscaping office. "Brother of Jared, can you hear me?" There was no answer. Jerome could be anywhere. Jared and Drake took turns throughout the night manning the radio. Every half hour they tried Jerome's call sign. There was no answer. The family covered Jared and Drake's chores. Benny, Luke and Margaret dropped in to check on the family and enjoy one of Sariah's breakfasts. Drake delivered Jared's to the office. "Brother of Jared, can you hear me?" "Yes, I can hear you. I thought about doing something stupid, but Jerry needs his daddy. Get the adults together. Brother of Jared out." When the adults were in the office Jerome worked his way down his list. "Sariah hire the girl and put her in charge of the kitchen in the event barn. It will keep her busy most of the week getting things ready for the weekend. Sean keep all the teams on. We need to get the client's cabins winterized. If Benny can find more trees plant them according to Nephi's plans." "Clarke if you need more help borrow guys from Sean. Benny, have the asphalt guys do the path for the village. We need the event barn finished even if we don't get the seasonal greenhouses up this year. Benny I hope we can find the money to clean up the old house for Santa." "Tell Jerry I love him. Make sure mom takes care of him. Damn!" The squeal of tires and metal hitting an immovable object followed Jerome's expletive. Marie grabbed the mike. "Jerome! Jerome!" Benny picked up the phone and involved the police. The family waited for news of their missing member. Margaret had a few words for the adults. Whatever their problems, could they compare with having your soulmate lying unconscious in the hospital? Ester called from the Living room. "They found Jerome's car. Turn on the television. Jerome's car and a fire hydrant appeared on the screen. "Turn the volume up." Rafe called from the back. An officer stood in front of the wreck. "An eyewitness said a bicyclist ignored the stop sign and shot into the intersection. The cyclist owes his life to the quick reactions of the driver." The reporter off screen asked. "How is the driver?" "We haven't found the driver yet. The witness had to drive three blocks to find a shop open this early. He called the police. When he returned the driver was missing. There is blood inside the vehicle." A picture of Jerome appeared on the screen. The reporter completed his segment. "The police located the driver's wallet inside the car. Jerome Tellerson is one of the managing directors of the Samaria Foundation. If you see him, please dial 911." The phone rang. They hoped it was the police, but it was a reporter. "Zeke and Rafe grab the utility trucks and make sure the gates are all locked. I am turning on the electric fences." There were five gates onto the property. Clarke wanted to be sure they wouldn't be having any surprise visitors. "I have asphalt guys coming at noon." They were donating the labor, accepting free festival tickets. Benny didn't want to make things harder than necessary. "I'll park my cruiser outside the gate with the lights flashing. The media shouldn't argue with a man in uniform." Adam looked forward to finishing his novel. Sariah took control. "Everybody, Jared gave us the answers we needed. Let's get to work. Keep your radios on. I'll let you know as soon as we hear something." The family's heart wasn't in their work, but the boss had given his instructions. Benny rode back into town with Margaret leaving Luke with the car. Luke and Sariah hammered out the conditions of Tina's employment. He left to present the offer to Tina. True to Clarke's expectations the media showed up at the front gate and monopolized the phone lines. Chief Thompson had the unpublished number for the third line. The accident was thirty miles away in the next valley. He promised to call when he heard anything. At lunch Jerry surprised Mary with a question. "Is my daddy dead? Micah heard Rafe say my daddy was never coming home because he's dead." Mary was slow answering her grandson. "I don't want my daddy to be dead!" Jerry ran into the courtyard. There was no sign of him by the time Mary reached the door. "Just like his father, when the going gets tough, run away." "You are more like the bastard you married than I thought." Mary watched Marie head into the compound. Jared followed Marie. "Where are you going?" Jared ignored his mother. Rafe and Zeke followed Jared. Mary grabbed Rafe's arm. "This is all your fault!" Zeke turned and looked into Mary's eyes. "Take your hand off of my guy or I will break it." Mary stood her ground. Zeke stepped toward Mary with murder in his eyes. Clarke took hold of Mary's arm making her release Rafe. "Rafe was talking with me. His comment was, `I hope Jerome's not dead. Without him and Nephi this place falls apart.' Look at us. Rafe was 100% correct." Mary couldn't believe Clarke was taking sides with Jerry. "Our vision to go forth and do good starts within these walls." Clarke asked Hugo and Kenton to help Sariah clean up. Zeke stepped away from the compound and put two fingers to his lips. His signature ear-shattering whistle carried across the farm. They walked toward what Jerome had named the Event Barn. A minute later a second high-pitched screech followed the first. Zeke stopped and listened. The sound of barking grew closer. The third whistle brought Max to Zeke. Zeke took a square of lint covered jerky out of his pocket and offered it to Max. Max was excited. They had played this game before and it always meant more treats. "Max, find Jerry. Find Jerry Max." Max waited for the second treat and was off. Max had learned if he lost the boys there were no more treats. He waited and ran ahead. The second time they caught up with Max they could hear Stella barking. Max passed the barn and continued along the hayride path. Jerry sat in the graveyard crying surrounded by growing puppies and Stella. "Where is my daddy? You said he is dead." Jerry stood hitting Rafe. Zeke got down on one knee and took hold of Jerry's arms. "Who told you Jerome was dead?" "Micah!" Jerry sobbed. He had given up struggling. "Micah only heard part and ran off to tell you. He didn't hear the whole story. Do you want to know what Rafe said?" Jerry nodded. Rafe got down on Jerry's level. "I said Jerome can't be dead. He has a little boy that needs him. Would your daddy go away without you?" Jerry shook his head. "Is my daddy alive?" Rafe prayed his answer was true. "Your daddy is alive. Since Jerome isn't here would you like to go see Daddy Nephi?" "He's asleep and won't wake up." Another tear ran down Jerry's dusty face. "Have you ever watched your daddies sleep?" Zeke knew the answer before he asked. "Yeah, I crawl in bed with them. I want to see Daddy Nephi even if he's sleeping." Max had waited long enough. He barked. "Sorry boy here you go." Between Max, Stella and the puppies they cleaned out Zeke's pocket of treats. Zeke, Rafe and Jerry walked back to the Event Barn. Jerry needed cleaning up. Rafe pressed the talk button on his radio. "Max found Jerry. Grandma Marie will you grab Jerry some Sunday go to Church clothes and meet us at the greenhouse locker room." Zeke took the radio. "Shrinking Lady this is Ezekiel, can you hear me?" "I am not the shrinking lady." "I need to slip a munchkin in to see his daddy. Over." "I know what you are planning. I'll see if I can smooth the way. The Mindful Doctor, out." "One of these days Margaret will get in your head and make you think you're a frog." Zeke smiled at Rafe's threat. "Think of what I could do with a foot long tongue." Rafe shuddered in anticipation. Dressed and ready to go, Marie drove to the hospital. Benny's administrator friend met them at the information booth. His presence cut through the red tape and restrictions. The monitors beeped and traced Nephi's vitals. Everything looked good except the brainwave monitor. Jerry kicked off his shoes and being mindful of the wires cuddled up to his sleeping daddy. Ever so slowly Nephi's arm moved. It took a full minute but Nephi's arm wrapped around Jerry pulling him close. The brain activity monitor showed increased activity. The nurse moved to check Nephi's wiring, and the administrator interfered. "Let them have their time." Jerry soon fell asleep with his daddy. Marie retrieved a magazine. It wasn't long before her eyes closed too. Back at the farm, Mary sat in the empty classroom. Even after finding Jerry no one returned to class. Sariah sat next to her in silence. "How are you going to fix this? We need to make the kids come back to class." Mary complained. "We never made the kids attend class. They wanted to be here. The question is, how will you fix this? I hope you didn't mean to say what you did." "But it's true. Jerome runs off when things get tough. He needs to be strong, being gay makes him weak." Mary wasn't backing down. Sariah not one for violence, slapped her. "That is your husband speaking. Jerome shows his strength to even allow you back in his life. Did you stand by him as his father belittled him? What did you do when your husband returned the night of the blizzard without your son?" Sariah waited for a comment but none came. "Jerome is stronger than me. If you had shown up on my doorstep, I would have booted you to the curb. I don't think of Jerome as gay. He isn't interested in guys plural, He found his soulmate. Isn't God the one who led Nephi to Jerome not once but three times?" Sariah ended the conversation. "You are meeting Margaret at four o'clock. It's the first step to solving this problem." Sariah stood. She had a new chef arriving and wasn't ready. Clark, Kenton and Hugo were taking care of the farm. Hugo found he enjoyed working with the animals. The rest of the men were helping the carpenter in the barn's kitchen. Two-by-four walls outlined the kitchen and three restrooms. Floor joists created a loft space. Many hands made quick work. Before the end of the day the sheetrock was up and taped. A commercial vinyl material covered the ceilings and walls. Mitch would send an electrician and a sheet metal guy to finish the installation. Myles would take care of the plumbing. Mary spent her hour with Margaret. She would never reveal what they talked about, but she returned every Monday for the rest of the year. Marie woke to a commotion in the hallway. Jerome in a somewhat dazed condition was being helped by a total stranger down the hallway. Blood soaked gauze wrapped around his head. Jerome wasn't coherent. He muttered the same thing over and over. "Where's Nephi." The medical staff insisted Jerome go to the emergency room. Marie threatened to call the administrator for help. "Let him see his partner and then you can run your tests." Grace exited the elevator. She and Marie took charge of their grandson and sat him next to Nephi's bed. Jerome rested his bloody head on the bed and held Nephi's hand. The brain wave monitor blipped a little higher. Nephi's fingers closed around Jerome's. The Good Samaritan who delivered Jerome explained finding him huddled behind a dumpster. "People looked down at him and walked past. No one wanted to get involved with a homeless bum. There were a few quarters and even a dollar bill at his feet." The man led Jerome to his car. Jerome repeated the same thing over and over. The man took him home, cleaned and bandaged Jerome's head. "I asked Jerome where Nephi was. `Saint Marks.' One hospital is as good as another. So I brought him here." Contacting the police became the hospital's next concern. They lost track of Jerome's mysterious hero in all the commotion. When the police asked for his description, they varied. The police had a second-hand story that changed with each repetition. They knew four things. One, a man, who might be tall, might be short, might be dark skinned, might be light, with blue eyes cared for Jerome when others ignored him. Two, he cleaned and bandaged Jerome's wounds. Three, the man brought him to the hospital for additional care. Four, He left the hospital without a trace; knowing he had saved a life his only reward. Grace and Marie stood guard at the door. Grace had appropriated a clipboard somewhere. She looked official. They allowed one doctor in to care for Jerome. "Grace, why are you here?" "Paula called this morning. I didn't let her finish her story. I was on a plane within the hour. Why did no one call? If Nephi didn't call every week, I wouldn't have the foggiest idea what was happening at the Foundation." The doctor cleared his throat. "We need to move the patient where we can treat him." Grace had faced down an uncooperative board more than once. One lone doctor was a piece of cake. "This is a two bed room with one empty bed. It is no longer empty. She wrote on the clipboard. That is Jerome's bed." "It's the wrong ward." "The quarter million dollars Nephi's trust gives this hospital every year says it is the correct ward. We might have the wrong doctor though." "We need to take x-rays." "I passed a portable x-ray unit as I exited the elevator." "There are other necessary tests." Grace handed Marie the clipboard. "Jerome dear, it's Grandma Grace. Nephi is right here. The doctor's need to clean you up and take x-rays. They will bring you right back." Grace transferred Jerome's hand from Nephi to hers. "Marie will hold Nephi's hand for you." Jerome stood. "I need a hospital gown." No one reacted to Grace's demand. "Now!" Grace was in charge. A male nurse helped Grace wash the grime off of her grandson. Grace provided the support. The nurse did the washing. Grace removed the blood-soaked bandage. The wound oozed blood. With Jerome clean, bandaged and dressed Grace delivered him into the hands of the medical staff. Jerome refused to release Grace's hand. A different nurse tried to separate the two. "Dear if you want to retain the use of your hand I would keep it to yourself. I've taken down muggers three times your size." Grace kept up a steady stream of one sided conversation with her grandson as the staff did their work. She walked into radiology and left Jerome's side only during the actual tests. Within the hour Jerome was lying in the bed in Nephi's room. "Now push them together so they can touch." Grace was insistent. "You may push other people around but this is where I draw the line. All of you out. This is a hospital not a daycare." The nurse put her foot down. Grace picked up the phone and dialed a long distance number. "You can't call long distance from here." "Bob, this is Grace. Is Joyce well?" Grace listened. "I'm glad. She's had a rough time. I wanted to let you know we are closing one of our hospitals in Salt Lake and building a parking lot." Grace took Marie's hand. Let's go to the waiting room. The nurse touched Jerry. "Don't think about touching my great grandson. We will leave but he stays." The nurse reached for Jerry. Grace surprised Marie by gripping the nurse's arm, pulling it behind her back and frog marching her from the room. "You are no longer responsible for this patient. You are lucky they get upset when I fire people." The administrator arrived before security. "I will not have this bitch telling me how to do my job." "Did she fire you yet?" Grace interrupted. "I relieved her of any responsibility for my grandsons." "How are we going to make this right?" The administrator's nervousness showed. "You will hand pick the staff that oversees my grandsons care. Maybe the cute guys who cared for them before. I liked the blond one. You will post security at the door. They get special treatment because they are special." "Yes ma'am!" The administrator couldn't look Grace in the eye. He had only heard stories. "Grow a backbone. You act like she owns this place." The nurse had hold of a bone and she wasn't letting it go. "She threatened to bulldoze the place and build a parking lot. She did it to a clinic back east that wouldn't clean up their act. Grace and her friends own a controlling interest in our parent company. So, she owns enough of the place to call the shots. Now apologize and get back to work." Grace met with Jerome's doctor. Jerome should be fine. Their biggest concern was his blood loss. "I would like to give him a transfusion to give him a head start on recovery, but it is a rare type." Grace checked on the patients. Jerry was now in Marie's lap watching a sitcom Jerry thought was hilarious. Jerome's blood pressure was as low as Nephi's brain activity. "Well doctor, I guess it's time for a trip to the lab. I know where there is plenty of his blood type." Grace led the way. A pint of Grace's blood worked wonders on Jerome's pale color. "Marie, why don't you go home and rest. Don't let your man keep you up too late. I'll take Jerry home."