The prodigal son
Preacher opened the bar this morning. Jack was on a supply shopping tour in Eureka. Last night was a long one. They closed late.
Preacher turned on the neon sign: open. Connie stepped in, before anyone else.
+ What are you going to do? What about poor Cristopher? Are you staying here in Virgin River? – asked the old lady.
+ I don't know. As long as Jack needs me, yes. You know, I'm trying to find his attacker. And Christopher will be by my side. We're just baking pancakes. Can you see after him a bit later?
+ Of course! I love that cutie. No stranger passing through my door. You betcha!
Short break.
+ Leave him at maybe 10 am?
+ Sure! Come! And bake pancakes for me too Honey!
+ I got you, Connie!
Then she left.
Ricky helped at the bar. There were only few guests. Breakfast is over. Just two anglers and a hunter inside, and Bert, the AAA man. His hand was healed. It was like it used to be.
+ Hey Bert! – said Preacher? Can I get you somethin'?
+ Uhmm, yeah. Maybe a piece of that! – and pointed at the apple pie.
+ Right away! Any drink?
+ Just a tea, thanks!
Bert finished the pie.
+ Hey, Preacher! Listen!... I was near Calvin's camp today. Some unfortunate couple ended up like… Jack and Mel… Their vehicle got a flat tire. It's a normal thing though… But I saw something that wasn't. I thought better to tell you man. You need to know about it, because… I, I heard what happened to Jack.
+ What was it?
+ An old dictaphone. I found this… It was buried by the road, in a pit. But the rain surely washed it out. There was also a piece of paper on it… Bert put his big hand in his pocket… Here it is. I think that Brady kid… it belonged to him.
Preacher took the device and looked grimly at himself.
+ I'm sorry I just brought it now, but I didn't have time last night because of the storm.
+ It's okay, Bert. Never mind. Thank you for it!
+ I hope it helps solve the case… I've gotta go now. How much do I owe you?
+ You are a guest of the house.
Bert nodded.
+ Thanks man!
Preacher was thinking for a long time. Placed his hand on the counter next to the dictaphone. Then read the paper.
"Jack, if you find this, listen to it. Brady. Forgive me… brother."
+ Hey, Ricky! I'm going in the office for a minute. Hold the line. – shouted to him.
AT THE OFFICE
Preacher was staring out through the window then sat down in the chair. He turned on the recorder to listen it.
Calvin. Brady.
+ You know your part. – said Calvin. Fix this problem.
+ Kill him? – asked Brady?
+ I would do that. I got bored of him getting in my business.
+ Got it. – then he walked in the bar.
There was silence in there. But voices came out of the kitchen.
+ Hey, Mel? How do you want the meat?
Chair clatter.
+ Mel?
Door opening. Silence.
+ Brady. What are you doing here?
+ Forgive me, Jack.
+ Wait!
Shot.
+ Forgive me, Jack. I hope Mel gets here soon… I tried to aim to lose less blood… I'm going to hide myself. If it's clear, I'll contact you. I want to get out of this… I will help you in anything. Forgive me.
He gasped. Sat there for a while. Then picked up his phone.
+ Jack. Where are you?
+ Back to Virgin River. 20 minutes.
+ Okay, brother. I need to show you something…
Mel arrived. Came for lunch.
+ Hi Preach. Jack?
+ On his way back… Can I get you something? – smiled, but it was a false one.
+ Uhmm, I think I'll wait him…
She looked at him. He was nervous. More. He was worrying about something…
+ Are you alright? – asked Mel on his gently voice.
+ Uhmm. No. I think… I don't. Bert brought me somethin' than he had found, near the pot camp. And… It's very interesting. I need to show it to Jack… but I think you should hear it too.
+ Okey, just stay calm. What is it?
+ Err… a voice recorder… I've already listened it.
+ And?
+ It's the night of the shot.
Mel frowned. Her eyes became widened and face turned white. Hands were trembling. She seemed to be a terrified kid sitting at the bar.
Jack came in through the back door. Walked over to the woman and pressed a quick kiss onto her lips.
+ What? You look like a woman in shock.
+ Certainly. – replied Mel and looked at Preacher.
+ Preach? What is it?
Pause. Sigh.
+ There's somethin' for you… here. Bert found it… next to the camp. It had been dug, but the rain washed it out.
He gave the dictaphone to Jack with the paper.
+ It's from Brady.
+ I don't care about him anymore. – and put the recorder to the counter.
+ I think you should listen it. I've already done it.
Jack looked at Preacher doubtfully then headed for the office. Mel jumped up from the chair and followed him along with Preacher. Jack put the device on the table and went to the window. He was leaning on the frame with his forearm and looked out through it.
+ Play it. – asked Jack.
…
+ You know your part. – said Calvin. Fix this problem.
+ Kill him? – asked Brady?
+ I would do that. I got bored of him getting in my business
+ Got it. – then he walked in the bar.
…
+ Forgive me, Jack.
+ Wait!
Shot.
…
Jack suddenly turned back. His face was radiating shock. His eyes narrowed. His eyebrows became angry. Slapped his fist on the table.
+ Stop it. Stop! – said Jack with anger.
+ There are more. – replied Preacher.
+ Maybe a plan to kill her? To kill those I love? You, Hope, Doc… No! I don't want to hear anything more…
Jack fell into the chair. Her eyes filled with tears.
+ Please. Please. – said Mel.
Jack looked at her love and nodded. Then clenched his fist.
…
+ Forgive me, Jack. I hope Mel gets here soon… I tried to aim to lose less blood… I'm going to hide myself. If it's clear, I'll contact you. I want to get out of this… I will help you in anything. Forgive me.
He was staring at the ceiling.
+ Why is this happening to me?... I've let him… to go.
+ It's not your fault. Jack! Listen to me!
Preacher leaned toward Jack, put his hand on his shoulder and looked into his eyes. Deeply. Compassionately.
+ It is NOT your fault. You're not a sergeant anymore… This is not Iraq. He's a grown-up man. You can't play his father. You did it long enough.
+ But. But maybe if I had not let him to go... then things would have happened in a different way.
Jack looked at her.
+ You know, when I was very under control… a wise man told me:
"We both have that in our pasts. That doesn't mean we can't have a future. You have a chance. You have a chance to move on right now with me."
A tear slid down on the Jack's face. There stood the woman who would have been willing to raise his children from another woman... who would have been willing to step out of his life to protect him.
The man wanted to hold her close. He needed it.
Mel have sensed it. Quickly walked closer to her love. Bent down. Put her hands on his cheek and kissed him passionately. She felt Jack's tears soaking her face. After a while, they moved. Jack was scanning the woman's face. It was honest. Happy.
+ What shall we do now? – asked Mel.
+ I really don't know… - replied Jack.
+ Maybe we should call Mike. And show him the recorder. – said Preacher.
Jack pursed his lips. He bit the inside of his mouth then looked up. Nodded.
+ Okey, I'll call him.
And he did.
THAT EVENING
+ I need to clear my minds. I'm gotta go for a walk. Come with me? – turned to Mel.
+ Sure!
Grabbed her coat and they left the cabin.
+ I am so proud of you. – said Mel.
+ Meaning?
+ Your decision. That you didn't do something nonsense. And I hope you won't.
She took his hand, pulled him closer.
+ I don't want to lose you. I can't live without you.
The man was moving his eyes from left to right and back. Was looking into her eye then to the other. He was touched. Another confession of her feelings. The woman loved him with her soul and body. Truly. He never thought he would ever deserve a woman like this one.
+ Mel…
And she cut him off. Put her palm on his mouth.
+ I know. Stop being so dramatic. – laughed… Let's talk about everyday things. Or happy memories. Or both.
+ Alrighty then…
And Jack grabbed her hand. It was warm and soft.
+ Tell me about your parents. Of course, if it' s no imposition. – said Jack.
+ No. Not at all. – smiled back at him. Sometimes it makes me happy to relive memories. I have lots of nice ones.
She hesitated a little, then began.
+ My father was a sound engineer and he worked with filmmakers. My mother was a set designer in a local theater, so they never worked together. One day my father went into that theater… He wanted to study the acoustics. And you know, there were designers, working on the actual set for a Shakespeare play… Aaaand my father accidentally destroyed one of these decorations… So a young woman came out from behind the curtain… Shouted at him: what do you even think you're doing? Just walk in here and ruin my work? Smug little punk… or something that she said… Well, my father apologized… of course. But she was still angry. So he went into the theater for 3 months and helped her with the set. Finally asked her on a date but my mother rejected it. Therefore, he continued it for another 3 months… Afterwards, my mother was the one, who asked him on a date.
+ Ughf. I get it now! – said Jack.
+ What?
+ That you are feisty. It's in your genes. – giggled the man.
+ I guess it so. – smiled at him.
+ Go on! I'm interested in. – replied Jack.
+ My father said he knew immediately that she was the one. Something attracted him to my mother. Maybe her militant character.
+ Well, I don' t blame him… - winked at Mel.
+ I think after 2 years… err… he asked her to marry him… She had a beautiful ring. My mother's favorite color was blue. Needed just to see that color and became relaxed. That's why my dad engaged her with a sapphire ring… I think… I admired that as a child… Before moving here, I left it with Joey. You know… not to lose or something.
+ I wish I could have known your parents. – he said softly.
+ Yeah… I would have been happy too! They would have adore you. My mother was a fan of stubble on face. But Dad couldn't grow it out. – she laughed.
Jack kissed the woman's hand and walked home.