Chapter 9 – Shining A Light
"There's a partial Denver address on the box but the name, street and house number aren't legible. The zip code gives us the area of Denver we need to start a search," Norman reported. They were working on a box that was partially damaged on a dreary rainy day.
Norman handed it off to Oliver to examine the box. "I believe there's no other choice than to open it as there's no return address." Opening the box, Oliver found a stack of letters and cards with one letter taped to the inside of the top of the box saying: To David. "We'll have to open David's letter," Oliver said.
He leaned over his desk to choose a letter opener taking his time debating which to use. Shane sitting next to the desk with her laptop could no longer handle his dithering over a letter opener and picked one up for him handing it over. It happened to be the one she stole the second time she attempted to leave the DLO. Oliver slowly smiled widely at the memory while looking at the letter opener she chose, "Why thank you Ms. McInerney. That happens to be my favorite."
She knew he was recalling her trying to use it as a weapon with him on her porch before she realized it was him putting together a porch swing as a birthday gift. Hungry she pleaded with him, "Please get on with things Oliver. It's getting remarkably close to lunch time."
"Ms. McInerney I thought you'd learned by now that one shouldn't rush the timing." Oliver said still grinning.
"I may have learned, but my stomach has not." Shane looked at him pointedly as they both heard it growl.
"Missed breakfast?" Oliver asked sympathetically.
"I may have overslept," Shane admitted smiling with satisfaction remembering why she overslept. They had gotten into a disagreement the evening before over which version of the Thomas Crown Affair was better. Shane was fond of Pierce Brosnan and insisted the newer one was better while Oliver insisted nothing could compare to Faye Dunaway & Steve McQueen. Naturally, they had to stay up late to watch them both to accurately assess who was correct. Shane took great pleasure in cuddling up next to Oliver for a double feature. Oliver smiled at her recalling Shane pronounced it a draw with the movies good in different aspects before kissing him good night. He forgot about the envelope he'd pulled from the box thinking about the kiss.
Noticing the look between the two, Norman cleared his throat startling Oliver back to the present. Oliver used the letter opener to open the envelope before handing it to Rita to read while he continued to inspect the contents of the box.
Dear David,
Your Dad and I hadn't been in touch as much this last year as I was frequently out of town. He spoke often about your family and I know he's always been so proud of everything you've accomplished. It had to have been difficult for him to give up flying. Your dad said that breaking through the clouds was like getting a brief glimpse of heaven. He was a great pilot and he's been missed around the hangar.
Rita stopped realizing where the letter was heading next. When Norman looked over her shoulder, he placed one hand on her shoulder taking the letter with his other hand. He continued picking up where Rita left off.
Your Dad was a great pilot and he's been missed around the hangar. I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the funeral.
Norman cleared his throat but kept going.
You probably know about the work your father did day to day flying. I wanted to let you know what your Dad meant for so many more people. He never talked about it, but I found out after helping him unload after one of his trips. Often on his return flights instead of bringing back an empty plane he volunteered to bring back dogs a local animal training facility needed. These weren't just any dogs. The facility trains support dogs. They take rescue and purebred dogs to train for people that need support animals for a disability, health issue, or PTSD. He frequently volunteered at the facility when he was in town and kept in touch with many of the families after a dog had been placed. After helping him unload after a flight, I started going myself when I'm in town.
The letters and cards included in this box were from some of the families he helped. When they found out your father had passed, they wanted to share their stories.
Norman paused for a moment and they all looked at the desk. Oliver had been going through the stacks in the box as they listened. "There's probably about 50 envelopes in here," Oliver reported.
Remembering the sermon from attending church with Oliver the previous weekend, Shane commented a tear running down her cheek, "It's like your pastor was saying last weekend, Jacob was shining his light into other people's lives one flight one dog at a time." She'd been searching on her laptop while Norman had been reading the letter.
"Who's Jacob?" Norman asked confused.
"Jacob Richards was a pilot that died three months ago survived by his son David, David's wife and three kids. He was a long-time resident of Denver. I found his death reported in a local paper. He died of cancer." Shane reported sadly wiping the tears away continuing to type.
"Have you found his son?" Oliver asked gently noticing she had completely forgotten about lunch.
"Not yet. Give me a minute." She was steadily tracking the information down.
"Norman?" Oliver nodded towards the letter.
Picking up where he left off, Norman started to read again.
When they found out your father had passed, they wanted to share their stories. Bringing the dogs into their lives allowed for an increased independence changing their lives and their families.
Your father was a great friend and a man of faith. Ten years ago, I went through a particularly difficult time in my life. I lost my faith in people and in God. Your father quietly listened and continued to gently point out the joys in life that were still to be found. Eventually I made it through the other side and I'll never forget his continuous support. He truly was a remarkable man.
I hope these stories bring you comfort in you and your family's time of grief,
Mark
Norman folded the letter handing it back to Oliver who placed it back in the envelope. Rita wiped her eyes joining Oliver to look in the box. "I can only imagine the stories in this box." She ran a finger over several letters.
"Found him," Shane said sniffing slightly. "He's probably about twenty minutes away." She wrote the number down on a piece of paper on Oliver's desk.
Taking a deep breath Oliver picked up the phone to make the call arranging to take the box later in the afternoon. Hanging up the phone, "His wife said he should be home around 4:00 if we come by then. I suggest we break for lunch." Knowing Shane and Norman he suggested, "What about the Bistro? I imagine pie and chocolate would be appreciated at this point."
Norman thoughtfully said, "Ramon did recently add a chocolate mousse pie to his menu." Oliver saw Shane wistfully looking back at the box on their way out the door.
Sitting down to lunch they were all a little subdued. Ramon noticed they were quieter than usual and stopped by the table to talk for a while when he brought their food. Oliver explained they had a case they were working on that was making them all a bit more introspective. While they talked and were waiting for the mousse pie, Ramon watched Shane doodling on a napkin drawing an airplane and a couple dogs while the others finished eating. After they finished their pie, Shane and Rita gathered their things and coats while walking towards the door. "Your lovely Shane is quite talented." Ramon commented noticing Oliver hung back to casually tuck the napkin Shane had drawn on into his suit pocket.
Oliver paused looking at Shane proudly watching her walking with Rita towards the door, "Yes she is."
They spent the rest of the afternoon working on other projects until it was time to deliver the box. Walking towards the house there were children's toys in the fenced in yard. Oliver carried the box and Norman rang the bell while Shane and Rita were checking out the neighborhood. David's wife answered holding their youngest daughter. She showed them in as David joined them commenting, "I didn't realize the Denver branch made group house calls."
As they sat down in the living room, Oliver introduced everyone answering, "Some packages require special handling. We apologize the box was damaged slightly. Due to the damage of the address we had to open the box to determine ownership. Just to confirm you are Jacob Richards son?"
"Yes, my dad passed away a couple months ago." David said sadly looking at his wife.
"We know that's how we were able to find you." Norman said sympathetically while handing over the box. "We're sorry for your loss."
Rita continued, "To investigate we had to read your letter inside the box. It sounds like your father was an amazing person."
David's wife settled their child on the floor with some toys watching David open the box saying, "He was a great father and grandfather."
"What are these?" David asked seeing all the envelopes inside.
Shane leaned over handing him the letter from Mark, "This letter explains. The letters in the box were collected and sent from a friend of your father's Mark."
"I remember Dad mentioning him. When Dad got sick, he talked to Mark on the phone occasionally, Mark had taken a short-term job flying in Alaska this last year and wasn't in town." David opened the letter reading it out loud for his wife. "I didn't know. He never said anything about it. These are all letters from people that received support dogs?"
"We believe so," Shane commented. "We were able to find you and your dad with your letter so there was no need to open any of them. This was him?" She asked picking up a picture with Jacob and his grandchildren.
"Yes. It was taken about two years ago at Christmas." David answered as his older son a boy that looked to be about ten came in and sat on the floor next to his mom and younger sister.
"What's in the box?" He asked.
His mother ran a hand over his hair. "Gratitude, love, and memories sprinkled with some inspiration."
"That's a lot to fit in one box." He said looking at the box impressed.
Oliver stood to go. "We hope you find comfort going through the contents."
"Thank you for bringing it to us. This means more than you can possibly know." David said standing and shaking Oliver's hand.
Rita and Norman left headed home for the night. While driving Shane home, Shane asked Oliver, "Oliver today was...difficult. Do you have time to stay for dinner?"
He nodded also not wanting to go home alone, "We could order takeout."
Arriving at her house Shane opened a bottle of wine and they sat on her porch swing waiting for the food delivery. The rain had finally stopped, and the sun was trying to peak through the clouds as it was setting. "I wonder how much it costs to rent a plane to bring the dogs back or if they've had to limit where they acquire them?" Oliver pondered. His arm was resting along the back of the swing and he was mindlessly fiddling with the ends of Shane's hair. She'd noticed he'd started to do that when he was thinking.
"You're wondering what the facility has done since Jacob stopped flying?" Shane asked taking a sip of wine. "It's hard to know if someone else stepped in or if they had to change how they operated. Are you thinking of contacting them through the O'Toole Foundation?"
"We'd have to do more research and see how they're run. Even if someone else may have stepped in it may be a good organization to help support." Oliver was thinking about Sandy and how his father might not be here today if someone hadn't spent time training the search and rescue dog.
Shane laid a hand on his arm, "I can start researching them more tomorrow?" She had grown accustomed to him asking her to complete research for the O'Toole Foundation.
"You don't mind?" He asked.
"I'd be happy to…" Hearing the gate squeak the arrival of dinner interrupted the rest of the conversation.
Taking the food back into the house they sat down to eat. Shane asked, "How are things going with the building of the educational center at the Kelser Farm? Rita mentioned it's close to being done. Her parents are looking forward to getting started."
"The main barn conversion is almost done. We decided to add a little studio apartment to the back of the barn. If weather gets bad it gives someone a place to stay if they can't make it home. It adds more flexibility in the future as well."
"That's a great idea."
"Norman thought of it. He pointed out that while Bill & Sunny have taken the helm with the education center they may need help if it expands in the future."
As they cleaned up from dinner, Oliver leaned against the counter in the kitchen. "I'm incredibly proud of you Shane," Oliver said with a faint smile.
Puzzled Shane glanced at him, "Why?"
"All those letters, cards, envelopes with untold stories just waiting to be opened and read. You didn't even attempt to snag one. It must have been difficult letting the box go without opening even one of them." Oliver explained looking at her tenderly.
Shane wrapped an arm around his waist leaning her forehead against his shoulder. "It was killing me," she said emphatically. "Like when you have an itch that you can't reach, and it just keeps getting worse. Knowing I had to leave them because they weren't my stories to read."
"I could tell there was an epic battle going on in your head between staying behind maybe snagging a letter versus lunch and the chocolate mousse pie." Oliver looked at her fondly gently pulling her in front of him. "For a moment I was afraid the chocolate wasn't going to win."
She tucked her head against his neck before answering, "Ramon makes really decadent chocolate mousse. You stick it in a pie with the whipped top and chocolate shavings…" She sighed trailing off remembering how good it was. Her other arm wrapped around his waist as she nestled against him. His hand found its way into her hair before gently cradling her neck nudging her closer for a kiss. Slowly, tenderly their lips met. The kiss was different from those they'd shared in the past. Both took their time finding comfort in each other after a difficult day. Shane grateful that he understood her so well Oliver grateful not only that he'd found someone to share his life with but that she was so integrally woven into his interests professionally and personally. She could taste the wine on his lips as he eventually deepened the kiss.
Later that night Oliver was emptying his pockets before taking off his suit jacket. He took out the napkin Shane had drawn on slowly running his finger over the airplane before leaving it on his dresser.