Chapter 382: Have We Lost
(Song Lyrics in Italics)
Sunday, February 5th, Morning (European Central Time)
He knocked on the door and waited. A moment or two later, he was allowed to enter. Keith walked through the door and stopped three steps in front of the desk, and saluted.
"Sergeant Scott, reporting, Sir," Keith said.
"Stand at ease, Sergeant," Lieutenant Weller said and returned his salute. Keith adjusted his body position from attention to parade rest. "How is your crew working out?"
"We're doing well, Sir," Keith said.
"So, do you still want a new crew member?" Lieutenant Weller asked.
"We're down a crewmember since Sergeant Garrison's death, Sir, and it would ease the workload, Sir," Keith said.
"I understand your position, Sergeant. I've not been able to find a gunner, and I've been looking. We're the end of the deployment, and we're not getting someone from home, so we'll have to make do," Weller said.
"Yes, Sir," Keith said.
"Sergeant, remind me what you would do if I couldn't get someone that's not a gunner," Weller said.
"I would move Private Masterson to be the gunner, Sir," Keith said.
"Private Masterson? Not Specialist Halleck?" Weller asked.
"I'm pleased with Specialist Halleck as my driver, but it's easier to train a loader, Sir," Keith said.
"Interesting, I've found a driver for you," Weller said.
"A driver, Sir?" Keith asked.
"Yes, Battalion has someone they could send down to drive," Weller said.
"Yes, Sir," Keith said.
"Well, Sergeant, Private Kerrie Derby will be assigned to your crew, and she'll be trained as your driver. Specialist Halleck will become your new gunner," Weller said.
"Yes, Sir," Keith said.
"You're dismissed, Sergeant," Weller said.
Keith snapped to attention and saluted. "Yes, Sir," he said.
Weller returned the salute and watched as Keith left his office. Outside the office, Keith looked around, sighed, and left the area. He left with the feeling he was going to have to train two crewmembers now.
Please, don't tell me anymore
There's a weight in your eyes, and it weighs on my heart
Sunday, February 5th, Morning (Eastern Standard Time)
This time Haley answered the door and let Miléna in. The older woman looked the younger one up and down and gave her a slight nod.
"Please, come in," Haley said.
"Thank you, Mrs. James-Scott," Miléna said and followed behind.
"We're in the kitchen; we can talk there, with coffee," Haley said.
"I understand," Miléna said.
They walked down the hallway Miléna paused and looked at one of the pictures. Haley stopped and returned to Miléna's side. Miléna looked at a picture with three people in it.
"Mrs. Scott, who are those girls?" Miléna asked.
"Those are our granddaughters, Brett, Maeghan, and Lacy," Haley said.
"They're beautiful girls," Miléna said.
"Thank you," Haley said.
"Any of them from Brian?" Miléna asked.
"Lacy, the youngest," Haley said, being a proud grandma. Haley looked to another picture, "That picture is our grandsons."
Miléna looked at the picture of the five boys. She studied it. "Who is this dark-haired boy?" she asked.
Haley knew right away who she's talking about. Only one of her grandkids had what could be considered dark hair. Haley steeled herself before she replied. "Wyatt, my oldest grandson," Haley said.
"He looks so much like Krisztofer," Miléna said.
"You don't say," Haley said, "Let's not keep Mister Scott waiting."
"No, let's not," Miléna said and followed Haley to the kitchen. Nathan sat at the kitchen breakfast island with his cup of coffee.
"Hello Miléna, thanks for coming," Nathan said. Haley smiled weakly at Nathan, to which he nodded. She walked past the breakfast bar to the coffee maker and got a mug. Haley turned her back to Nathan and Miléna as she made herself a cup of coffee. She clenched her jaw and sneezed her eyes shut, just trying to keep her expressions out of sight from Miléna.
"Thank you for having me over again, Mister Scott," Miléna said.
"I'm going to cut to the chase here, Miléna. Brian has had many relationships, and we've had many claims that he's fathered children," Nathan said. Haley casually, or tried to casually, drink her coffee with her back to Miléna and Nathan.
"I am aware of this," Miléna said.
"Well, to protect all parties, we'd like to do a DNA test," Nathan said.
"You do not believe me that my son is your grandson?" Miléna asked. From her place, at the counter, Haley clenched her fist upon hearing what Miléna said.
"Not that we don't believe you, just we've been through so much pain we want to make sure," Nathan said.
"Fine," Miléna said, frustrated and offended, "I have nothing to hide. Tell me when and where and we will be there."
Nathan nodded, "I'll make the appointment Monday and be in contact," he said, and Miléna nodded.
Where have the children gone
We were innocent once... but that was so long ago
Sunday, February 5th, Morning (Eastern Standard Time)
The redline pass worked, and she had no problems gaining access to the office. As she walked into the waiting room, the person at the desk looked at her, saw the redline pass, and stood up.
"May I help you, Ms.…." The person said.
"Doctor," Candi corrected, "Yes, can I please see Winter Overton? Out here is fine."
"I'm not sure, Doctor…." The person said.
"Doctor Scott, Doctor Candace Scott, and I'm sure she'll see me," Candi said.
"I'll see what I can do," The person said.
"No, you will do what I ask," Candi said.
The person nodded, sat down, and picked up the phone. After a few moments and a quick exchange on the phone, the person looked up at Candi.
"Ms. Overton will be right out, Doctor Scott," The Person said.
"Thank you," Candi said.
After a few minutes, the inner office door open, and Winter stepped out. The brown-haired doctor locked eyes with the blonde woman. The blonde nodded.
"Candi, please come in," Winter said.
"No, need, this will be quick," Candi said.
"Okay," Winter said, "You've always been the hit it and quit it type."
"Well, one should talk," Candi said.
"So, what do you want to talk about?" Winter asked.
"It's simple, you're blaming me for something I didn't do, and I've had enough of it," Candi said.
"Are you sure about that?" Winter asked.
"As sure as you were in love with her," Candi said.
"How dare you?" Winter asked.
Candi smirked the infamous Scott smirk, knowing she got Winter, "Well, don't bring her up again, or in fact, don't ever talk to me again," she said.
"What? We've been friends since high school," Winter said.
"Winter, go to hell," Candi said, turned, and left the office. Quickly, she shoved her hands into her pockets to hide the fact they were shaking.
Have we lost our way back home
We have made mistakes I know, I know
Sunday, February 5th, Morning (Eastern Standard Time)
The second time this week, Izzy found herself waiting for the arrival of Jermaine Garrison. This time Izzy waited in the terminal for the aircraft to arrive. She stood at the window watching; Kari stood by her side.
Izzy could see from the window the elements of the North Carolina National Guard to post a guard of honor. The Garrison Family was waiting for the aircraft to land and taxi to the terminal. Izzy sighed and looked to Kari.
"Having a tough time with this?" Kari asked.
Izzy nodded, "Yeah," she said.
"Is it because you knew Garrison or because it could've been Keith?" Kari asked.
"Yes," Izzy said.
"Why are you so quiet?" Kari asked.
"Just thinking," Izzy said.
"Only the dead have seen the end of the war," Kari said.
"George Santayana," Izzy said.
Kari nodded, "Funny how he said it, and it seems to turn," she said.
"Older men declare war, but it is the youth that must fight and die," Izzy said.
"Who said that?" Kari asked.
"Herbert Hoover," Izzy said.
Kari nodded, "That's interesting," she said.
"What is?" Izzy asked.
"A US President said something that made sense," Kari said.
Izzy laughed, "So true," she said.
"The aircraft has arrived," Kari said, "How did you manage our space here?"
"I would lie to say I didn't pay for the tickets," Izzy said.
"It's important to be here?" Kari asked.
"Yes, yes it is," Izzy said.
Kari nodded and watched as the aircraft pulled to the terminal. Izzy took a deep breath and just waited.
Don't tell me of better days
There's a memory I have, it could be something I read
Sunday, February 5th, Morning (Eastern Standard Time)
Brett zipped her last bag and looked around her Tree Hill Hall room. With a sigh, Brett looked over to the window and studied the trees around the house. Next week she's at her mom's house. Jamlyn didn't have the same wooden view that Tree Hill Hall. Jamlyn had a nice view of the Atlantic Ocean.
After one more long look at the trees of Murphy Land's woods, Brett returned to her room. Slowly, she walked around her bedroom to make sure she packed everything she needed for the next week at Jamlyn.
There was a knock on the door jam. Brett turned to look and see Chase standing in the door. The two women looked at each other, and Chase smiled.
"Heading off to your mom's?" Chase asked.
"Yeah, the week is over, time to change houses," Brett said.
"You'll be done with this soon enough and off to college," Chase said.
"How did you deal with it?" Brett asked.
"Deal with what?" Chase asked.
"Changing houses between your parents, when you were a teenager?" Brett said.
"Oh, that," Chase said.
"So, how did you deal?" Brett asked.
"I didn't," Chase said.
"What?" Brett asked.
"My dad was never involved," Chase said.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Momma Chase," Brett said.
Chase shook her head, "I'm fine, but thank you," she said.
"For what?" Brett asked.
"Your concern," Chase said.
"You're welcome," Brett said.
Chase smiled weakly, stepped into Brett's room, and grabbed one of her bags. "I'll help with your bags," Chase said.
"Thanks, Momma Chase," Brett said and grabbed her other bag. Chase slung Brett's bag over her shoulder.
"You're welcome," Chase said, and they left Brett's room. As she stepped out of her bedroom, Brett shut off the light.
Of laughter and cheap guitars
In a house full of friends, it could have been one of ours
Sunday, February 5th, Morning (Eastern Standard Time)
Bobbi-Lee stood at her great room window in her small cottage and looked at her neighbor's similar cottage. The wind would gently move the leaves and pieces of debris. Bobbi-Lee sighed and turned back to look at her sofa.
On the sofa, one of her cats laid on there. Bobbi-Lee's best friend sat next to the cat and gently stroked the cat. Bobb-Lee nodded and sighed, slowly she started to turn back to the window.
"What's on your mind?" Jackie asked.
"I'm just thinking about Mrs. Ivanova and her not living next door anymore," Bobbi-Lee said.
"It's better for her; god knows how long she was on that floor," Jackie said.
Bobbi-Lee nodded, "I know, believe me, I know," she said.
"I know she helped you out when you first moved here, right after you came back from your adventure," Jackie said.
"Yeah, she was like a mom to me," Bobbi-Lee said.
Jackie sighed, "Well, you can visit her at the home," she said.
"Yeah, I didn't think about that," Bobbi-Lee said.
"It happens; we get tangled into our own shit and lose sight of other things," Jackie said.
"True, and an interesting way to put it," Bobbi-Lee said.
"How else could I put it?" Jackie asked.
"True," Bobbi-Lee said.
"Anyway, you've always been one to miss what's in front of your nose," Jackie said.
Bobbi-Lee nodded and looked to the tri-angled folded flag that hung on the wall, "Yeah, I know," she said.
"It wasn't meant to get you down," Bobbi-Lee said.
"Well, here's something to look forward to," Jackie said.
Bobbi-Lee looked to Jackie, "What would that be?" she asked.
"New neighbor and all the adventure it brings," Jackie said.
Bobbi-Lee smiled and chuckled, "Good point," she said.
"That's why you keep me around," Jackie said with a smile.
We stayed up late and loved the stars
I can't remember the rest, just a few part
Sunday, February 5th, Afternoon (Eastern Standard Time)
They gathered in the large foyer in the East Range. All the baggage was were waiting, as several vehicles were being forward to take all the people to their various flights to where they lived. Be it a private plane or commercial flight, the cities they'll arrive in would be different from New York City, Chicago, or Los Angeles.
Sawyer looked at her family; she looked at the sister she probably felt the closest. Sawyer looked at the tall brown-haired woman and smiled. They hugged, which is a big deal because Candi wasn't into intimate physical contact.
"Now behave yourself," Candi said.
"I do," Sawyer said.
"Badly," Candi said.
"Badly is still behaving," Sawyer said.
Candi laughed, "Yeah, that's you," she said.
Sawyer smiled and looked at her next sister; Kay stood. Of all her sisters, she and Kay were the most distant. After a quick glance, the two sisters looked at each other; Sawyer could see Keni doing the same with her family.
"It's good seeing you," Kay said.
Sawyer nodded, "It's good seeing you, too," she said.
"Don't be a stranger," Kay said.
"I won't," Sawyer said.
Kay smiled weakly, and Sawyer looked around to see the rest of her family. Sawyer looked at her cousin; the ten-year-old looked at Sawyer.
"You have some potential," Sawyer said, "Keep working on it."
Jess nodded, "Okay," she said.
Sawyer looked at Angela, "Watch yourself," Angela said.
"I will," Sawyer said.
"You better," Angela said.
Sawyer smiled and hugged Angela and Jess. Once she finished with her aunt and cousin. She finally turned to her grandparents. Sawyer said her goodbyes with her grandparents were in silence. They carefully hugged each other. Sawyer missed her grandparents and slowly switched her hug from one to the other.
Once they finished their farewells, Sawyer and Keni walked with the group to the door. They stood in the doorway and watched as the four cars were loaded up. Sawyer and Keni hugged each other as they watched the convoy rolled away. All too familiar sight for these two teenagers nowadays.
Have we lost our way back home
We have made mistakes I know, I know
Sunday, February 5th, Afternoon (Eastern Standard Time)
It turned into a convoy as they left Beaulieu Manor for the airport in Wilmington. Candi and her friends rode in a limo this time. Candi leaned back and enjoyed the ride. Madyson looked out the window watching the sights of Tree Hill pass by. Fawn sat facing Madyson and Candi, studying her friends.
"Yes, Fawn?" Candi asked.
"Where did you sneak off to this morning?" Fawn asked.
"The Scott Building," Candi said.
"Why would you go to the Scott Building?" Fawn asked.
"The Scott Building?" Madyson asked.
"It was named for my family; it's where Izzy's district office is," Candi said.
"Oh," Madyson said.
"Didn't answer my question," Fawn said.
"I went to confront someone," Candi said.
"What? Why?" Fawn asked.
"Someone was accusing me of something," Candi said.
"Accusing you of what?" Madyson asked.
"Of making some commit suicide," Candi said.
"That's horrible," Madyson said.
"That is horrible, Madyson," Fawn said, knowing the story.
"Why would someone do that?" Madyson asked.
"Pain," Candi said.
"Pain?" Madyson asked.
"As you know, people will blame anyone, to make themselves feel better," Candi said.
"So, what did you tell this person?" Fawn asked.
"I told them to go to hell," Candi said.
"Extra salty, Candi Scott, I missed her," Fawn said and laughed.
Candi laughed, "I bring her out on special occasions," she said.
"So, what are we thinking about now?" Fawn asked.
"I can't wait to get back to California," Candi said.
"Will you be coming back?" Madyson asked.
Candi nodded, "Yes, because this is home," she said and gave a slight smile while looking out the window.
I think they've lost something that they miss
I want to find that book, dust it off and read it again
Sunday, February 5th, Afternoon (Eastern Standard Time)
In the lead limo, Lucas looked at the back seat, packed to the gills. Looking to his left, his sister, Angela, sat there looking at her phone. Across from them, looking forward, was his mom, Karen, step-dad, Andy, and niece, Jess. Lucas smiled and looked at them each in turn.
"So, how was your visit?" Lucas asked.
"It was lovely, but the highlight was certainly seeing my two children getting honored from their high school on some they accomplished together," Karen said.
"As I said before, Luke, you deserved it; you've put in the hard work over the years," Andy said.
"Hey, what about me?" Angela asked.
"If I remember correctly, you weren't sure of this honor and moped about thinking about it," Andy said.
Lucas looked at Angela, "Is this true, Angela?" he asked.
Angela nodded, "Yes," she said sheepishly.
"Mom, you're holding out on Uncle Lucas?" Jess asked.
Lucas laughed, "I wasn't feeling it either, to be honest," he said.
"You weren't?" Angela asked.
"No, neither was the rest of the coaching staff," Lucas said.
"Why, Uncle Lucas?" Jess asked.
"We just wanted to worry about the game and current players," Lucas said.
"I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels that way," Angela said.
The limo stopped at the curb by the departure terminal. After a moment, the door opened, and the driver helped Karen get out. Slowly, they all emptied of the back seat. Lucas stood by the rear door, watching the driver and attendant unload the truck.
Lucas said his goodbyes to Andy, Angela, and Jess. As they headed to the terminal, Karen came up to Lucas. Mom and son locked eyes and hugged. Once they separated, Karen studied her son.
"How are you doing?" Karen asked.
"Well, except, well, you know my health, I'm doing well," Lucas said.
"Personal life?" Karen asked.
"It's there," Lucas said.
"Well, think about improving it," Karen said.
"Okay," Lucas said.
Karen nodded, "Okay, Baby Boy," she said, kissed Lucas's cheek, and walked towards the terminal. Lucas nodded and climbed back into the limo, and waited to leave.
There was hope in the end
Sunday, February 5th, Afternoon (Eastern Standard Time)
The Limo ride to the airport started quiet. Wyatt sat looking out the window as Beaulieu Manor faded away in the background. He would glance to the back of the limo and see Grammy Brooke. Grammy Brooke was looking at his mom. Wyatt also noted his Aunt Fallon sat opposite of him but also mindlessly looked out the window.
"We've had a productive week," Brooke said.
"I think we did," Trin said.
Brooke nodded, "So, I'll be up Friday with Same, Bobbi, and the girls from Tree Hill," she said.
"Alright, do you need me to book you hotels?" Trin asked.
"Yes, please, I'll have Sam send you the names and needs," Brooke said.
"Alright, it'll get done," Trin said.
Brooke looked towards Fallon. "You're quiet, Fallon," she said.
"Just think, Brooke," Fallon said.
"About that young man, you're lying to?" Brooke asked.
"You know about that?" Fallon asked.
"You should know that there's little that happens in Beaulieu that I don't know about," Brooke said.
"Well, I just…." Fallon started to say.
"I know and understand why you're doing it, but it's not fair to him, and in the end to you either. I'm speaking from experience here," Brooke said.
"When did you do something remotely like what Fallon is doing, Mom?" Trin asked.
"I was a senior in high school, and he turned out to be one of my teachers," Brooke said.
"I have to hear this story," Trin said.
"Later, Trin, and without little ears present," Brooke said.
"Fine, Mom," Trin said.
"Well, it's been great having you down here," Brooke said.
"Thanks, Mom," Trin said.
"Thanks, Brooke," Fallon said.
"Thanks, Grammy Brooke," Wyatt said.
"You're welcome," Brooke said as they headed to the airport and the private air terminal.
Have we lost our way back home
We have made mistakes, I know
Sunday, February 5th, Afternoon (Eastern Standard Time)
They rode in the second limo in convoy. Ellie looked across the back seat to her twin sister and her sister's girlfriend. Kay and Ivy returned the same stare.
"So, you'll be heading back to New York soon?" Kay asked.
"Just for a Fashion Week, I have an assignment here that's too good to turn down," Ellie said.
"No more of those fluff pieces?" Kay asked.
"Yeah, finally," Ellie said.
"Ellie, why are you going to Fashion Week?" Ivy asked.
Ellie sighed, "Because Aunt Brooke is blackmailing me into modeling in her two shows," she said.
"You're a model too?" Ivy asked.
"No," Ellie said, "Aunt Brooke is fond of putting her girls, as she calls us, into her shows."
"Oh, okay," Ivy said and looked to Kay, "Are you going to Fashion Week?"
"No," Kay said.
"Damn! I could have said I'm dating a model too," Ivy said and laughed.
"Funny, Ivy," Kay said.
"You two are cute together," Ellie said.
Kay nodded and looked at her sister. "When are you getting hooked up?" she asked.
"Why? So, you can tease me?" Ellie asked.
"No…Yes," Kay said.
"I hook up all the time, Kay," Ellie said.
"That's not what I mean," Kay said.
Ellie sighed, "Eventually, I'll find that special someone," she said.
"Kay, people need to take their time," Ivy said.
"Yeah," Ellie said and looked out the window.
Kay nodded, looked at Ivy, and smiled. The two women kissed and cuddled. Ellie just looked out the window, lost in thought or a memory.
We were braver still, when we were young
And when we were young we spoke in tongues
Author's Notes
Episode 9, the first episode of the second ridding, third, of this story; this one will be the last I would experiment with. This one, I tried to follow a storyline writing only chapters of this storyline. Overall, I liked this method of working on the storyline. On the other hand, there is a lot of back-side work. I don't have time to do that much editing while trying to keep this story rolling.
Would I call this a hard birth? No, just tricky. The oldest chapter is Chapter 344. In the initial creative burst of this story, it was created that I had finally reached the day that it needed to be worked in. The first storyline was written was the Nathan & Haley one.
Episode 9 has the unfair place of cleaning up the mess of loose ends from the two of three episodes of the return of everyone coming back to Tree Hill. Episode 7 was very much an Ivy episode. While Episode 8 was about the basketball team and the tyranny of memories. So, Episode 9 had to tell the stories of some of the characters returning to Tree Hill and start the next storyline. Of all the storylines, the first three storylines created were The Nathan & Haley, Keith, and Izzy.
Chapter 364 was based on a real thing that happens in the US. When the mortal remains of a US Service Person are returned to the US, they mostly return to Dover Air Force Base, which is just outside Dover, Delaware. The largest US Military Morgue is located there. From there, they process the body and return them to their family. What you are seeing is how they honor the fallen service member. It is called a dignified transfer, where they transfer the service member to the morgue unit. There are also versions of this same ceremony when the service member is flown home to their family.
Chapter 345 is another version. There are fewer visual records of the unit end. It was based on a story my friend Moose told me. My friend Moose was wounded in a land mine attack where the driver of the vehicle he was in was killed. When they sent the driver home, they sent him away. My friend Moose was sent to the hospital on the next flight. I've made no bones about it that some of the military stuff is based on experiences I have had with my veteran friends, or stories they have told me. Before COVID, I spent a few days in England with my friend Moose and Deek, and we went to Bovington and Tank Museum. As a side note, I'll tell you this story, Moose was okay with the museum until we came to the Afghanistan Exhibit, and he connected with it, even signed a wall with his name and unit for Afghan vets. In fact, I talked to Moose just a few days ago, and he's doing well.
Overall, the Keith storyline continues, and Nathen & Haley have a new story. I hope you like this episode better than the previous 2.
The Annus Horribilis Secrets
1) Carson Murphy has passed away. (Episode 2)
2) Spencer Churchill "Church" Grady was killed in action as a US Navy Seal and buried in Arlington National Cemetery (aka The Garden). He is also Jessica Ashlyn Scott's Dad. (Episode 4)
3) Constance "Connie" Garland is in a permanent vegetative state. (Episode 6)
4) X
5) X
6) X
Playlist
Chapter 339: - Eluveitie - A Rose for Epona
Chapter 345: - Show of Hands - The Old Lych Way
Chapter 345: - Metallica – One
Chapter 361: - Caroline's Spine – Sullivan
Chapter 372: - Metallica – Disposable Heroes
Chapter 380: - Bob Seger – Her Strut
Chapter 382: - Flyleaf – Have We Lost
