Chapter 20
It was late in the afternoon, before dinner that Bill and I sat down and I told him the whole story, warts and all. He didn't say anything for a long while.
I broke the ice by saying, "Look, if you want me to go, I will. I've let you down and feel bad about it. You gave me everything I have and I blew it. I'll head over to Wilmington and see what I can do there…"
"Oh shut up O.G. You saved a person's life. Just because you have a thing for the moon doesn't add up to a hill of beans. Mrs. Wheddon would like to thank you personally. She's back at Mrs. Bohannon's place and the Jones girls are there to help with the small ones. I don't know what happened, but Mrs. Bohannon is eating some humble pie over you. When you get back, let me know. I'm getting too old for all this excitement. Now, if you were married, none of this would happen… How's Attie?
"Loving it in Oregon." I said.
"Oh!" was his surprised comments.
"She's fell in with a good group of kids her age and having a great time of it." Bill was looking at me with a small smile on his face. I think he was happy about Attie finding some friends her own age.
I took the truck over to Mrs. Bohannon's place. Before I got out of the cab I couldn't make up my mind whether to open the kitchen door and yell out a greeting, or tip toe in just incase the twins were asleep. The decision was taken out of my hands when out of the kitchen door came Crystal and Sapphire, each carrying one of Mrs. Wheddon's children. They saw me and waved the kids hands at me. I waved back. I thought, "There's a conspiracy going on here." All my scheming failed, and now I find them when I'm not looking for them. Oh, well…
I walked into the house and Yelled out, "It's O.G. to see Mrs. Wheddon."
Mrs. Bohannon yelled back, "Over here, in the living room." I entered and there was Mrs. Bohannon giving me the evil eye while Mrs. Wheddon giving me a smile. I honestly believe in the evil eye. We have a steer, number 600 on a yellow ear tag. He weights about a couple of thousand pounds and supports a good set of horns. If we push him too hard, he will turn and give us the evil eye. It is best to get out of his way rather than test the evil eye theory.
I tipped my hat and said, "Ma'am," Looking at Mrs. Wheddon I added, "You wanted to see me?"
She glanced at Mrs. Bohannon and said, "Yes." With that Mrs. Bohannon got up, gave me a nasty glair and left us alone.
Sitting down, I said, pointing where Mrs. Bohannon went, "She is not very happy with me."
"Question or statement?"
I smiled and replied, "Both. I'd think she would rather me be gone and save her all these late nights and headaches."
"Then I wouldn't see you…" Mrs. Wheddon said gently
"Yes, Ma'am, I guess you're right." My voice changed tone. I had an apology to give. "Ma'am, I must apologize for my rude exit the other time. I was wrong and should not have walked out like that. It was wrong or me. What you said hit a raw nerve."
"I thought we did," Mrs. Wheddon said. After a pause she asked, "Call me Savannah, Please?"
Pew, it was starting to get a little warm. I wanted to take off my hat but thought better of it. "Savannah, yes Ma'am… Savannah. I think I can do that Ma'am."
"… and I'll call you John."
"Ma'am, ah, I mean Savannah, could you use O.G. everyone else does, and I sort of go by that name. John really doesn't fit."
I could see Mrs. Wheddon was disappointed by my request. She put on a brave face and said, "Of course I can."
I was thinking, "Pew, this is going easy. No hard questions yet." I was wrong.
"Why O.G., why not John?"
I could see she was settling for the long version, but I needed to know, "What have they told you about me? I mean, I'm the new kid on the block and I find everyone knows just about everything there is to know about me. To save time, tell me what you know and I'll fill in the blanks."
Mrs. Wheddon laughed, "I thought I was the new kid on the block by all the questions I've been asked. Okay, I have been told…"
"By reliable sources?"
"By the best."
"Ah, Mrs. Bohannon I hope?"
"The very same."
"Yep, she is just about as well informed as anyone."
"She took me from the army, to you coming here and being the new stock manager at the Circle O Ranch. The fact that you like rodeoing…"
"Love rodeoing." I added.
"Okay, love rodeoing and have a thing for younger women."
"I don't have a thing for younger women, just that Attie and me, we fit."
"Fit as in?"
"We do the same stuff and enjoy the same things. We fit" I could tell that was the wrong answer. It might be true, but not what Mrs. Wheddon wanted to hear. I could see I was hitting a raw nerve. But why?
"Is it serious?"
"Ma'am, I'd rather not answer that one. Sort of personal." I did not want to tell her things were not going too good. I was sure she will hear about it anyway.
"Of course." Was her short reply. "Then why O.G.?"
"The facial scaring was pretty scary at first. The nurses gave me the nickname and it has stuck ever since. It sort of fit."
"Okay, but that does O.G. stand for?" she asked still pursuing a reasonable answer.
"Ever seen Phantom of the Opera?" I asked
"No, only read the book."
Oh." I did not know there was a book. "Is there a reference to the opera ghost in the book?"
"Yes! Of course, the face and the opera ghost. I see," Her smile of success was heartwarming. Then she pressed on, "Don't you ever take off your hat?"
"No Ma'am." My abrupt reply killed that line of discussion. Mrs. Wheddon was not one to give up, she just changed topic. "Then tell me, do you often go riding late at night? The sheriff has been by and has told me it was you that got me help."
I was squirming badly. I looked at Mrs. Wheddon for help. Her eyes were gentle, soft and ... I felt a falling sensation and lost all sense of direction.
Mrs. Wheddon reminded me where I was by asking, "Last night?"
"Oh, yes, last night. Hum. I was out riding, saw you fall, then I called Rose at the county command center, and out they came."
"Oh John, you are so funny. That's a good story, but not what I asked. I would like to know what you were doing out riding so late at night under a full moon."
Looking at the carpet I muttered, "I really don't know. Its old history and I haven't figured it out."
"Can I help?"
"Ma'am, I wish you could, I really do." Just talking to Mrs. Wheddon made the world look a better place.
"Old history, what do you mean?"
"Something that happened before my accident. I haven't figured it all out, but I'm trying," I laughed, "to be honest, I haven't a clue what it all means and how to solve the riddle, but I'm trying: I have to."
"Tell me, and maybe I can help."
I moved from the chair to the couch where Mrs. Wheddon was sitting. I pulled out my wallet before I got comfortable and handed Mrs. Wheddon the slip of paper with full moon dates. "This is one of the few solid links between me before and after the accident. Somehow, the old John Tyree felt it was important to have this list. As you can see, there are dots right up to the time of my accident."
"And you have been carrying on." Mrs. Wheddon said softly and pointed to the new dots, "Why?"
"That's what I don't know. I suppose trying to reach out, reach out to someone."
"Why someone?" Mrs. Wheddon continued to probe gently.
"Nothing else fits or makes sense. It started in the States and continued through Germany to Iraq. It was special to him."
"I see. All the way through to 2010." Mused Mrs. Wheddon as she carefully fingered the paper.
"And you have no idea?"
"No Ma'am, I mean Savannah. Back in Germany we thought it was a girl."
"A girl?"
"yes Ma'am, a girl"
"And what do you think?"
"I think a girl fits."
"So, every full moon you are riding about thinking about a girl."
With great embarrassment, I said, "Something like that."
Mrs. Wheddon, Savannah, gently put her hand on mine and gave it a squeeze and said, "I think you are on the right track. Just don't loose faith. I hope you find her, I really do."
"What if I do and she's married?" I worried out loud.
"Somehow, I don't think so."
"How can you say that?"
"Faith in you."
"Why in me?'
Oh, because, I do." Said Mrs. Wheddon. The last time I heard those two words I wanted to run away, this time I did not. I returned the hand squeeze and now it was Mrs. Wheddon, Savannah's turn to be embarrassed.
We sat there on the couch holding hands like a couple of school children. Feeling it was the right time I asked, "And what were you doing out that night?"
Mrs. Wheddon replied quickly, too quickly, "I needed to stretch my legs, so I went outside for a walk."
"Okay, I can buy that," Then I added the big one, "But what about the last full moon?"
"John! No!" Mrs. Wheddon scooted to the edge of the couch, stood up and walked out of the room saying, "Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom." At least I had not been dismissed. When she returned she took the same spot on the couch, I was glad of that. Now composed she said calmly, "If you must know, it's to do with my true love."
"Oh, sorry," I mumbled quickly, feeling like a prize fool. Taking her lead I asked, "What was your husband like?"
"Pew, that's a tall order, do you really want to know?"
"Yes, I'd like to know him, or as much as you want to share."
As Mrs. Wheddon, Savannah, thought she started to get a far away look. Sort of going back through all her memories of the two of them and selecting what to share. I wished I could do that: well I could, to a certain point in time captured on video by the Taliban.
"I've known Tim virtually all my life," she started, "His family lived across the road in the adjacent farm. We are the same age and have known each other just about for ever. We went to the same schools and many of the same friends. For a long time we were just good friends. You know, like brother and sister. I knew I could rely on Tim when I deeded him and he was always there for me. I suppose you could call us 'tight', but not in a romantic way. Growing up in a small town, you know everyone and do common things.
"I remember clearly Tim helping with my 4-H project, it was a pig named Lucy. He virtually did all the work and I got the ribbon." Mrs. Wheddon, Savannah, was smiling at the memories.
"Another time, Tim helped me put on a surprise party for my parents. It took a lot of preparation and organization. With out his help I couldn't do it. I suppose everything changed when Tim lost his parents in a car crash. I sort of went over the road to help him through those difficulties, and one thing led to another, and we fell in love and got married."
"And the children, John and Georgia?"
"Ah, the children are something else. Tim really didn't think he would ever have children because of his cancer."
"Cancer?" I asked.
"After we got married we found out Tim had skin cancer and we decided to fight it all the way. We were ready for battle and Tim fought it hard, never giving up. We went through out insurance and then received a very generous gift that allowed Tim to receive the very best treatment from M D Anderson cancer center. He went into remission and we through he was cancer free. Maybe he was. That is when the twins came. He worked hard as I had to put my feet up. I didn't know twins run in my mother's side of the family.
"It was about the time the kids were born that the cancer came back with a vengeance. We fought it long and hard. In the end he was in so much pain from the drugs and treatments that he called it quits and we had some good times before the end."
Softy I asked, "When are you due?"
Mrs. Wheddon, Savannah, smiled, "You noticed?"
"Been around too many pregnant cows; you sort of know the signs." I casually said. I guess it was not the best analogy because Mrs. Wheddon, Savannah, gave me a thump on the arm. "Ouch," I said out loud, "What was that for?"
"For letting me know I look like one of you farmyard animals."
"Sorry Ma'am, I didn't mean to…"
"Oh John, I was just teasing." She cut in. "its okay, I'll hear more about it over the next months. I'm sure people are asking why we make love when we both knew Tim was not going to be around to raise the boy."
"A Boy, what's his name?" I asked quickly.
"Tim, of course."
"Sounds like a good choice." I concurred.
"Mother and father are not too thrilled. They wanted me to have an abortion, but that is not what Tim and I were thinking. I shall keep and raise him as best as I can."
"Can you do it?" I asked.
"Somehow I shall manage. I still have to go through all the papers and other stuff one last time. Tim and I pretty much got everything arranged before he died, so I am not too fussed about the finances so long as I am careful. I still have some money left over from the gift I told you about."
"Is your money in the Lenoir National Bank, I mean the Lenoir Branch of the Bank of North Carolina?"
"Yes, why?"
Enthusiastically I replied, "I am trying to track down the owner of an account number at that bank. Do you know of someone on the inside that could help?"
She laughed, "Remember Lenoir is a small place; everyone knows someone somewhere. I should be able to find a friendly face. Why?"
"It is a lead I have to follow. When father died the old John Tyree had a lawyer sell the house at Wilmington and send all the proceeds to an account at the Lenoir National Bank. Also some bank accounts were closed out and the money sent there. I would like to know who owns that account. Looking at the appraisal district valuation and the deposit slip, the house was worth more than what most people think, more to do with location and a good school district. I would like to know why the old John Tyree felt giving the money away to someone was so important." Then I thought of another reason, "And why they have never tried to contact me and say thanks." While I put the additional reason on the table, a thought came to me. I mused, "I wonder if that is where the money from the coin collection went to?"
"Coin collection?" Mrs. Wheddon asked in a slightly worried voice.
"Hum, yes. Coin collection. It seems father had a very extensive coin collection first started by his father. It was a large one and worth a pile of money. It seems the old John Tyree sold it all through a dealer in Raleigh and then walked out of the bank with a cashier's cheque. The trail stops there, and now I'm wondering if the two are related?"
"And you want to know who owns the account so you can go visit?"
"Well, of course," I said with conviction. "I would like to know why the old John Tyree dropped a pile of money in the lap of some person. We are not talking about a few pennies, we are talking a substantial amount.
"John, do you really want to do that?" There was seriousness in her voice.
"The old John Tyree must have had a reason, I'd like to know. I know I can't go back and ask for the money back, I would like to know why. What was so important or special… just too many questions I guess."
"Like the girl and the full moon? asked.
I smiled at , "and yes, the girl under the full moon; and my father; and the army; and on and on." I paused for a moment as I looked at Mrs. Wheddon, "Sorry Ma'am, it's just like listening to you going over your memories of you and your husband. I'd like to be able to do the same. That's all."
"John, do you really want that? The good with the bad?"
"How bad can it get?" I said, "I've seen myself get shot a million times. What's worse than that? Look at this face, and you are only seeing half the look, that's why I never take my hat off. It's worse than scary. Mrs. Wheddon, I'd love to know who I am, I really would." I quickly calmed down as I noticed tears starting in Mrs. Wheddon's eyes. I took out a sort of clean handkerchief and carefully whipped her moist eyes. "I'm sorry if I go on a bit, and I'm sorry about losing your husband; he sounds like a first rate guy, I wish I could have met him."
"I'm sure you two would have got on. Tim was like that, easy to get to know." said Mrs. Wheddon.
There was one thing I wanted to know, "What happened to you, why did you collapse like that?"
"When I'm pregnant I go boarder-line diabetic. It's pretty common. My blood-sugar level was all wrong and down I went. It's just a matter of eating the right things, exercising and staying healthy." Seeing my concerned look she added, "Don't worry, I've done this before and just have to watch it."
The back door opened and closed to the chatter of the Jones girls with John and Goergia Wheddon. Crystal said out loud, "They need changing."
"Do you know where the stuff is?" asked Mrs. Wheddon.
"We're good." was the reply. They went up stairs.
"Without Tim, it will be a tough job raising them," Mrs. Wheddon said glancing up toward her children, "Tim and I talked about it a lot toward the end. He was upset about not being here watching them grow up and doing all the things a father does with his children. I guess it wasn't meant to be."
The Jones girls brought down John and Georgia who ran to their mother. They were about one and a half and just starting to talk. What they said was all jabber but Mrs. Wheddon listed carefully and asked the correct questions at the right time. I felt I was intruding on something special. I had never seen a mother doing something that seems totally pointless but was so important.
I stood up and started to leave, Mrs. Wheddon asked, "Are you going rodeoing this Saturday?"
"Ah, no Ma'am, I'll be heading down to the beach. I will be with a bunch of motor bike friends. It's a guy thing." I did not want to mention Heather.
"Which beach are you going to?"
"Wrightsville Beach, down by Wilmington." There was a surprised look on Mrs. Wheddon's face. "Do you know it?"
"I went there a long time ago." She said looking away, avoiding my gaze.
"We hang out, go surfing, drink a few beers and talk about motor bikes. I'll go down Friday to be ready for a fill Saturday. The next Saturday I'll be rodeoing."
A look came over her face, a decision had been made. "Sit down, just for a moment." I did. Addressing her children she said, "John, Georgia, this is your Uncle O.G. Can you say O.G.?" This was my introduction to the different development of children. It was here I found out girls mature quicker than boys: that's the way it is. Georgia looked at me while John cuddled on his mother's lap. Neither said anything. Looking at me Mrs. Wheddon added, "It has been hard on them. At the end, when Tim was at home, he spent virtually every waking hour with them. He knew it would not be long and wanted to make every moment count. They miss him."
A mother with her children is something special, almost magical. The goal of raising children is done one moment at a time. Change happens so slowly and imperceptibly that it is easy to miss. I left her sitting on the couch with a child on either side and I wondered, I wondered how she would manage over the weeks, months and years to come raising three children all alone.