Chapter 25
I'm posting two chapters today due to upcoming commitments that will keep me away from here for a while. This is the second post, chapter 24 went up earlier. Finally, this story comes to an end. I promised HEAs for all, well almost all.
I returned to Texas a few days later after spending more time with Stephanie, the baby and the Rangeman men. Hector and I shopped for Antonia and her mother; food, clothing, bedding and linens and medicine for her mother. On the last day he brought her to Rangeman so I could say goodbye.
"Miss Antonia, I'm so happy you had the nerve to come up to the table the other day. I've thought about you often hoping you have survived the war."
"Thank you for helping Mama and me."
"Hector will be your helper now. If ever you need something or someone is bothering you, call him."
"I will. He gave us a phone for emergencies."
I gave her a giant hung, "I hope we get to eat more strawberry ice cream soon."
In the weeks to come Papa, Ranger, Dom, The Deacon, Tank and attorneys negotiated. Ranger read over the business prospective and market research, made suggestions and asked a lot of questions.
"What about staffing?" Ranger asked.
Dominic answered, "Hiring would be from all Rangeman offices. People would have the choice to stay or move. We assume Trenton will be cutting back, the men will have the options of moving to Texas or, if room is available to Miami or Atlanta. The codicil would be pay for your own move. Replacements would come from our usual sources."
"What if I move to Miami and Dominic takes over Trenton?"
Leo Ybarra spoke up, "Before you make that decision, we need to talk."
Leo and Ranger later met privately. "A police officer from Trenton, Carl Costanza, came to interview Gabriela and he said 'if people would just believe in us, we could do something great.' My sons and I are in a position to help Trenton rebuild. I'm not building retail stores for an area that is money poor. I want to invest in industry that will put people to work."
"Sir, you need to be speaking to the city leaders," Ranger said.
"Son, I have and they are excited to learn a bunch of Texans, my family and friends plus investment people from around the world are willing to take the chance if the people agree."
"What do you mean if the people agree?"
"There is feeling in the country wealth is evil. Without private industry this country cannot rebuild. The government could take all my money and it would last less than a second. The government could drain this country's wealth and it would last only a few days. Government doesn't build wealth, it spends it. For 300 years private enterprise built this country and it will be private enterprise that will have to rebuild it. Cities, states, even people have gotten lazy relying on Uncle Sam for funds for building projects. Well Uncle Sam's pockets are empty. The only way to refill them is to put people back to work. What I'm asking you, Mr. Manoso, is can you hold out for five years, reduce Rangeman while we get Trenton moving again?"
"Are you just talking about Trenton?" Ranger asked.
"Son, I don't have enough money to do everything and surely not everything that Trenton needs, but I am willing to do what I can. I need the people here, like Carl Costanza, to believe in themselves and step up and get their hands dirty working instead of sitting on their keisters with their hands out."
Ranger agreed to stay in Trenton for a while, maybe not five years, but he'd try. His family was still in Newark and Stephanie was especially close to them now after the months in Hawaii.
Before the new Texas office was open Hector called, "Mi Corazon, my mother and I want to adopt Antonia before her mother dies."
"Ah, Hector, that sounds harsh. Tell me more."
"When Lola dies, Antonia will become under state care. Social Services is a mess here, she could entirely disappear. Lola knows this and is begging my mother and me to adopt her now. Her mother has met my mother and wants this to happen. My mother is ecstatic about the possibility and Antonia loves her," he said laughing. "I am talking with Rangeman's attorney, Ranger's brother, and he's started the proceedings. We don't have much time, Lola is going downhill."
"Hector if you need a character reference, of course Tank and I will write them. I think it is a wonderful idea. But you realize in a few years she'll be a teenage girl."
Rangeman men treat her like a princess and vow to keep other boys away until she's 30 years old," he laughed.
Hector laughing. It was a very strange sound. I contacted Bobby to get his take on the new Rangeman princess.
"Gabe, this little girl has been through so much but yet she as the Little Orphan Annie attitude tomorrow will be better. She and Hector are amazing together. He couldn't protect his little sister, it's been eating him for years. Antonia has brought a smile to his face…which is very strange. She's trying to talk him into having his tears erased."
When word came Rangeman Trenton would be cutting staff, but a new Rangeman was opening in Texas with Tank running the new office, the men were relieved. They had jobs, maybe someplace else, but they had jobs. Most were former military and moving wasn't a big deal.
About half the staff wanted to remain in Trenton including Hal, Cal and Hector. However, after Antonia's mother died Hector called Tank. "My mother thinks Antonia needs to get out of New Jersey and the bad memories. Can we come to Texas?"
Bobby and Suzanne got married and Bobby was seriously considering moving to Princeton and going into private practice, but Suzanne sensed his empty heart about leaving Rangeman and suggested maybe he should remain at Rangeman with Ranger.
Ram, Woody, Vince, Manny and Bink came to Texas. PJ Allen Reid left the Air Force and joined us in Texas. His Air Force contacts allowed the Texas office to be filled quickly with new recruits.
Lester went to Atlanta to be with Claudia. Tank had offered him a job in Texas but true love won out. The Deacon was fine with the arrangement since he wasn't keen on losing Claudia.
It was sad to see the core team broken up: Bobby and Ranger in Trenton, Lester in Atlanta and Tank in Texas, but life goes on. Not only did the Ybarras fund the San Antonio office, they provided clients. When they spread word among their friends and business associates in San Antonio and Austin, Rangeman was up and running in no time.
Rangeman San Antonio-Austin was opening its doors when I passed my Texas medical boards. I began looking for a job when suddenly the Army came sniffing. I was no longer physically sound for combat but I was needed as a surgeon for the VA. I accepted with the understanding I had no interest in administration, just medicine and wanted to remain in San Antonio.
One day I was working at my desk when a General walked in. "Lt. Colonel Gabe Ybarra-Sherman?" he asked.
I sorta jumped to my feet; it had been a long day in surgery. I didn't need to read the name tape to recognize former Col. Gavin, now General Gavin. "General Gavin congratulations on your promotion."
"And to you too, Colonel."
After I invited him in to be seated I gratefully took my seat.
He began, "Gabe, there's only one way to say this and that's straight out, you have been nominated for the Medal of Honor."
I really wondered if my hearing was shot. "Sir, I've done nothing to earn such an honor. I've only tried to do my duty."
"No ma'am you've done far more than your duty. I was first assigned to investigate your actions at Banu Khalyl. You were nominated by the men on that ridge. That alone would warrant a special commendation, but then there was the Ancient Texts deciphering."
"Sir, I wasn't on active duty at that time. That should not be factored in.
"Technically that's true and at one point the President was going to award you a civilian medal, but since you were a reservist at the time, you were retroactively reinstated into the active Army. Plus you were on duty when you discovered the change in code and quickly warned us about the RDD in Washington giving us time to find it and defuse it."
"Sir, it is my understanding it froze." I was confused.
"Freezing did not disarm it. Once temperatures reached 22 degrees it would have detonated," the general explained.
I tried to remain neutral. I was thinking the brave people who disarmed that bomb needed the MoH. I shivered thinking about March Forth, it was still fresh and painful though over a year ago.
The general continued, "Then we have the March Forth/Rangeman action where you performed several dozen complicated field surgeries, and tended 51 patients while under fire, killed two insurgents from the balcony then cooly went back and performed thoracic surgery by flashlight. You along with PJ Reid and the Rangeman civilians held off assault after assault while providing sanctuary for injured National Guard, Army and police. When reassigned to take over the surgery wing of the civilian hospital under siege, you lead the retaking of that portion of the hospital, killing six insurgents and saving the lives of civilians, police and military under your care. Colonel you may feel this was your duty, but the President, Congress, Secretary of the Army and the country want to thank you."
"Sir, I only did what the Army taught me to do. A hand shake would suffice."
"Lt. Colonel Ybarra Sherman you are ordered to attend the ceremony and receive the honor bestowed on you by the President," he said sternly but then smiled. "I know you do not disobey orders from higher ranking officer unless it concerns punishment on the mats."
"Yes sir, as long as there are not mats involved," I smiled back. Was that nearly two years ago?
"You'll be only the second woman to receive the MoH. The other recipient was also a woman surgeon."
"Yes sir, Mary Walker, Civil War. Ironic mine is for the Second Civil War. May I make one request sir?"
"What is that?"
"Could the award wait until after I give birth to my son. I'd rather not have to stand in front of the nation in my third trimester."
Epilogue
Lt. Colonel Gabriela Ybarra-Sherman received the highest award possible, the Medal of Honor. Her brother, Master Sergeant Fernando Ybarra received the Silver Star for his actions on another ridge in Afghanistan. The Ybarra family, father, sons Carlos and Manuel and wives and children attended the double award ceremony.
Also in attendance were former PJ Allen Reid who had recently been awarded an Air Force commendation for his work during March Forth, Hector and Antonia; Lester and Claudia; and Carlos Manoso with Stephanie and little Gabriela.
The two recipients were whispering insults to one another as their waited for the receiving line to begin. "My uniform is nicer than yours," Fernando whispered as they waited for the receiving line to begin. His eyes focused forward.
"Agreed and I really like your cover. Mine looks like bowler. But my medal is bigger than yours," Gabe retorted, her eyes also focused forward.
"At least I don't have to wear pantyhose," he whispered.
"Yeah, you'd have to shave your legs; you can barely shave your face."
From somewhere a low decibel growl was heard, "Gabriela."
When the aircraft carrying the family and Texas Rangeman returned to San Antonio, all met for dinner at the same club Leo had taken Tank and The Deacon. That evening Leo stood up and announced at his sons' insistence, Gabe was once again an inheritor as well as a corporate board member Y-bar, JY-bars and Wymen Industries. Ram and Hector wasted no time in razzing Tank there surely wouldn't be a horse big enough to carry him around the Y-bar.
"Clydesdale and then you'd be in charge of the beer," Manny Ybarra announced.
Hector, his mother, and Antonia Perez-Alvarez were frequent guests at the Y-bar where Antonia learned to ride horses and eat strawberry ice cream with her surrogate grandfather Leo. Gabe and her son, Daniel Carlos (DC) often joined them in the treat. Papa Pierre had the anti-sugar recessive gene so common with Rangeman and would only sit and watch and wipe faces; Antonia's, DC's and Gabriela's. Leo had to wipe his own.
Five years later:
The stork had been busy with the Rangeman's Merry Men and their wives; Bobby and Suzanne had two children, Woody and his wife had three which included a set of twins. Hal in Trenton married a lovely Scandinavian lady and together they made several white haired blue eyed Vikings. Cal and Vince found wives but as yet had escaped the stork.
Lester and Claudia had a son and another baby on the way. Lester now had a big house, mortgage, lawn and riding lawn mower, dog, swimming pool and a huge smile that never left his face.
The most surprising was The Deacon married again. There were no little deacons running around and he and his wife didn't plan on having any. But then those were Stephanie's words as well and she and Ranger now had two children.
As for Trenton:
Wymen Industries made good on their promise to help Trenton by bringing jobs. Computer companies moved into the area making Trenton a mini Silicon Valley. Auxillary businesses sprung up with emphasis on making energy efficient modular home components allowing for the rapid rebuilding all along the East Coast. The home styles varied to allow the home to esthetically fit in with neighboring homes. Rangeman rebounded quickly, faster than Ranger expected. His wish to move to Miami and head up that office disappeared but he did retain his home there for family vacations. The vacant land across from Rangeman was transformed into additional office space for the company as well as housing for employees and their families complete with day care and health center and a private park. Trenton was becoming a "green" city with modern energy efficient homes and businesses but also with the many new parks and greenways. Stark Street was transformed into a long urban park and new homes and apartments were rushing to take advantage of the new area.
As far as Ranger's emotional needs. He was back in control. Rangeman was doing so well and the town was growing in unexpected ways, he started another company, Rangeman Industries which makes high tech security devices. He brought the same dedication he had as a special ops soldier to the business world, but he still kept his finger on the underground pulse of Trenton and beyond. Over all he was content with his new life, his wife and 2 children. Each day he started out with a hour work out and often two. His body remained trim and tight.
Once a year the original Trenton core team; Ranger, Tank, Bobby, Lester, and Hal came together for a 10 day hunting trip in Southern New Mexico. It was a time to rebond and tighten up friendships.
As for the people of Trenton, many of those who fled returned as jobs became available once again. Mary Lou, Lenny and sons returned from upstate New York; after all Trenton was home. Lenny quickly established his plumbing business.
Stephanie never stopped looking for Connie. Suddenly one day a woman came to Rangeman to apply to run the new Rangeman Bail Bonds business. It was Connie. She had escaped with her family to Italy but Europe was not the Europe her family remembered and Connie was the first to return to the US. She was hired for the Rangeman job.
Helen and Frank Plum had barely escaped the massive snow storm arriving in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in refugee trucks who plucked the freezing travelers from their cars. Frank had no intention of ever returning to Trenton and especially the Burg. Helen could talk of nothing else. After three years Frank gave in and returned to Trenton but Helen found the town much changed. Whole neighborhoods were missing, familiar stores were gone, the former Burg residents were scattered. As the town began to rebuild, homes in Chambersburg were being razed, lots sold in bundles and larger homes were coming in. The quaintness was giving way to the 21st century. Helen became morose and Frank divorced her and moved to Florida, not far from Ranger and Stephanie's vacation home.
Valerie had lost her husband, Albert Kloughn, in the March Forth wars. He had a heart attack trying to save the neighbor lady from the burning duplex. Joe Morelli offered his home to Valerie and girls during the troubles and Valerie never left. She married Joe Morelli and pumped out a son, Joseph Morelli, Jr. Joe had found his Burg wife and family but due to the size of the family sold his house and bought one of the new larger Burg homes. Helen Plum moved in with them but lasted only two years before passing away suddenly.
Stephanie and Helen never really bonded again. The hurt was too deep but being dutiful daughter she did visit. Having Joe Morelli as a brother in law was strange at first, but like Trenton, Joe had changed. He was a wonderful father to Valerie's daughters, a patient son in law with Helen and a gushing father to his namesake son. Stephanie and Joe were comfortable with one another and Joe and Ranger accepted each other into their lives.
Finally Stephanie located Lula in Memphis. She had married a widower who owned a BBQ restaurant and had two small children. Lula had an instant family and all the BBQ she wanted to eat.
Nobody knew where Vinnie's, Lucille's, or Joyce Barnhardt's location. They could have been among the unidentified dead, but nobody really cared.
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Phew, thanks for hanging in with me. Thank you for pointing out my errors, especially the spelling of Colombia…..sheeesh! In reading one of the later chapters to DH (dear husband), I suddenly realized cocaine is not an opiate—pretty bad for a horticulturist. Sorry to all you pharmacists and medics, I missed by a continent and ocean. E.