Date: Sat, 8 Mar 2014 11:44:29 -0600 From: Jake Stone Subject: Wildcat, Part 2, gay/incest My grandmother and I made it back to my house by about 2:30 in the afternoon. There were no messages on the phone. We figured we were just going to have to wait it out. My grandmother looks like a ghost. I had never seen her look so frail. She and my mother were not exactly close but my mom was her only daughter. It wasn't till 5 o'clock that anything started to happen. That's when the phone rang. We both looked at each other to see who had the nerve to go and answer it. Thankfully my grandmother took the initiative. I heard her say, "Hello,...yes this is she...Oh Mark, thank goodness you called. I don't know what to do. What?...oh, no we still haven't heard anything. The officer that called me earlier said he would get back to me as soon as he knew anything. He said no later than this evening...yes, yes...he's right here. Ok, I'll tell him. Try to be careful Mark. We don't need anymore accidents...Ok, I will. We'll see you when you get here. Thank you Mark. Bye Bye." "That was your father dear. He is going to drive up from Gulfport. It's less than an hour and a half. He just got off the boat and had to find a ride to his car then he would be on his way. Poor dear doesn't even have anything with him but a small bag from the rig." Grandmother was saying. "My dad will be here this evening?" I have been wanting to see him for years. We talk on the phone all the time and like I said, he's pretty generous with gifts and stuff, but to actually see him was going to be different. If I wasn't so miserable about the plane not being found yet I would be overjoyed. But then all those questions I've had for years were about to be answered. What he was really like, what he looked like, Is he still a nerd? I guess I would find out in about a couple hours. Grandmother made us a couple of sandwiches and some soup while we waited. I didn't realize how hungry I was till I ate it. Just as I was finishing up the door bell rang. My grandmother and I looked at each other the way we did when the phone rang when my dad called. But this time I got up first. "I'll get it this time Gram." As I opened the door the first think I noticed was two uniforms. One was a police officer and the other looked military. And then I noticed a woman. "Can I help you...?" I said not really being sure what I should say. The police officer spoke first. "Ryan Gibson?" "Ah no, my name is Ryan Earl, my Stepfather and my mother's last name is Gibson. Are you here about the plane?" "Sorry about the name confusion Ryan. Yes, I am officer Gates and this is Captain Girard with the Coast Guard and this is Martha Brand with family services. Is your Grandmother here as well?" "er, yeah, come on in." I led them to the dining room where Gram was clearing the plates. "Mrs. Clark, I'm officer Gates, we talked earlier." "Yes, what did you find out officer, any sign of them?" "Please sit down, both of you; I'm afraid it's not very good news." Officer Gates motioned us to the chairs. We obeyed quite readily. "Captain Girard is here with us because his ship found the plane. I'm afraid there were no survivors. I don't know of any easier way of putting it. Please forgive me and accept my sorrow for your loss." That's when Gram lost it. She had been pretty brave until that point. The lady went to her and tried to comfort her while keeping an eye on me. I was in shock. I didn't know whether to cry, yell or just pass out. After about 15 minutes of them trying to comfort us both and telling us about the wreckage and how they don't think anyone suffered too much because of the impact, the lady, Mrs. Brand, got down to business. "Mrs. Clark, I know this is a difficult time, but I just have to ask if you'll be taking charge of Ryan or are there other arrangements that we should know about or help with?" "No, no, I will be helping all I can but Ryan's father, Mark Earl is on his way right now from Gulfport. He should be here within the hour." "Oh I see. Well if you could give Mr. Earl my card when he arrives and ask him to contact me as soon as he's settled. We just want to make sure all is well and that there will be care for Ryan. Even though he will be 18 in just a few weeks. And again, I am so sorry for your loss, please believe me. I could never imagine how you feel right now." Mrs. Brand said. "There will not be a problem with care for Ryan. His father is a good man and will do what he has to, and I will always help. He and my daughter couldn't make a life together, but I have always liked Mark and I am sure that he will be an excellent provider for Ryan. He has always sent child support, even when my daughter told him he didn't have to anymore, since she and Thomas made a good living, but Mark insisted." Gram was defending my dad all the way. "That's fine Mrs. Clark. I am sure he will be everything you say he is. Trust me that it's all a formality. Knowing that a biological parent will be providing care takes care of most of the hurdle. Thank you for the information. We'll be going now unless you need help with anything?" "No, no, we'll be fine. Mark should be here soon. Thank you anyway." Gram got up to show them to the door. She even looked frailer than she did an hour ago. "I'll make sure Mark gets hold of you when all the arrangements are made." And with that they were gone. Gram and I were alone and we looked at each other and both melted. I cried for the first time. After five minutes of holding each other and crying into each other's shoulders we parted and sat down. We were both sad and both sniffling. We sat there quietly. We must have sat there about 15 minutes not moving. As I realized this the door bell rang again. It had to be my dad. I didn't know if I had the strength to go through anything else tonight, but I got off the couch and went to answer the door. As I opened it I saw... To be continued... Please support Nifty, donations are needed to keep this service going. http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html