Missing Mission

Chapter 3

The Doctor had told Garrison to rest. That meant no strenuous exercise but that did not rule out paper-work. Now that the pain had subsided and the pills were no longer necessary he was finally making headway. As soon as he heard the knock he knew his interlude was over.

"Hey Warden, did the priest ever…" started Casino only to be interrupted by Goniff.

"Vicar."

"What?" asked Casino.

"The Vicar."

"What about the Vicar? Oh, yeah, did the Vicar ever get his roof done?"

"I haven't heard."

"How be we drive down and see?" offered the safecracker. Garrison was eyeing him suspiciously so he added with a shrug, "I'm bored." Garrison was still watching, waiting. Casino was trying to keep a straight face but the Officer was wearing him down. He surrendered.

"Oh, all right. We're going stir crazy here."

"Speak for yourself," said Actor with distain.

"Hey," said Casino rounding on the conman. "It was your idea."

"I did not say I was going stir crazy."

"Sure you did," interjected Goniff. "Maybe not in those words," he added at Actor's severe look. "But that's what you meant."

"Do not presume to know what I mean," he said exaggerated dignity.

Garrison did not want to hear any more so he held up his hand, palm forward, opened the drawer, took out the keys and said, "Go."

There were grins all around as Casino took the offering. As the three headed for the door, Chief held back. Garrison could see him debating then he took several steps before stopping.

Chief turned and asked tentatively, "Would it be all right if I stayed here?"

"That's fine. You don't have to go."

"Thanks," but still he remained.

"What is it? Is there something wrong?" He watched and waited as the Indian looked at him, then down to the floor and then back up.

"I was practicin', doin' what Actor tol' me to do. He got me a book an' tol' me to sound out the words. The ones I couldn't read I'm supposed to write in the book an' then he'll help me with'm. An' I done it but…"

"Where's your book?" Finally he was going to find out how he was doing. As proud of him as he was he wanted Chief to be the one to tell him so he could be proud of himself.

"In the library. I'll go get it." It was bad enough he was disturbing his Hearth when he had important work to do.

"No. I'll go with you. I need to keep moving."

Chief flushed and said, "Yeah."

The two men made their way to the library where Chief pulled a book down from the shelf. Suddenly he stopped and looked fearfully at his leader. "Actor said I could. I know I shoulda…"

"It's fine. We all know you'll be careful."

Chief nodded and carried the book over to the small table and opened it. A quick scan and he pointed to a letter.

"What letter's that? I thought it was a g but it's backwards." He flipped open the front of the notebook and showed him where someone with a fine hand had printed the alphabet. Beside each letter was a line of practice letters. He pointed to the appropriate letter. "See?"

"You're right. It is a 'g' but it is just in a different style of writing."

"Oh. I'm sorry I dragged you down here for that. I should a figured that out."

"No, Chief," he said as he flipped the pages of the book, pausing to look at the illustrations. "I remember reading this to the boy next door. He loved this book."

"Do ya think they'd mind me lookin' at it? Actor said it was all right."

"I'll bet they would be pleased to know someone is enjoying it. See how the book opens easily and lays flat? That means it has been well read." It also pleased Craig that he wanted his reassurance and approval.

"Yeah. So it's all right."

"Treat all books with respect and yes, go ahead and read."

Chief smiled shyly. With renewed confidence he scanned the page and pointed to a word and said, "Tiger, like Goniff's kitten."

"Goniff's kitten?" he asked lightly trying to hide his concern. The building's owners did not want animals in the house. He had allowed them to stay because they were so young and the mother cat was injured. At some point he was going to have to insist they go outside permanently. From the sounds of it this might be a problem.

"Yeah. He likes the orange one. He calls him Tiger."

"And what about the others?" That brought a sharp look from Chief. Was it fear? He looked down hiding his emotions. Garrison knew that if he asked about his favorite that he would deny having one so he said, "What do you call yours?" He had tried for nonchalance with a hint of curiosity. Chief shook his head but did not meet his eyes.

"Oh, come on Chief. You've each picked one out." He was guessing but the quick eye contact and then down was proof.

"He was so little. I had to make sure he got enough to eat," he said by way of an explanation.

"What's his name?"

"Runt."

"What about the others?" he asked as he grinned and added, "I won't tell."

Chief met his eyes briefly. "Francesca an' Furball."

"Let me guess, Francesca is Actor's and Casino's is Furball. What about the other two? There were six of them, weren't there?"

"Actor called the little female Aphrodite and the male, Zeus."

Chief almost relaxed but that vanished when Garrison said, "You know we can't keep them in the house. Someday the war will be over."

"I know." He sounded sad.

"How's the Mother?"

"She's a lot better." On safer ground he voice was stronger. "She still limps but the cut's healing. I don't know if she'll be able to hunt like she used to. I just hope the kittens can look after themselves before we have to leave."

Garrison turned back to the book. He had noticed how Chief had misread the one character's name. He wanted to give him the correct pronunciation and now that he had diverted his attention it would not look he was pointing out a mistake. The Guardian had had enough people pointing out his mistakes.

"I always liked Tigger the best. He was always so enthusiastic."

Chief caught the correction and marvelled at how his Hearth had not made fun of him. He never did. Even when he could have, he didn't. With that in mind he took the plunge. Pointing to a word he asked, "How do you say that?"

"Eeyore." He waited as his Guardian repeated the word slowly, memorizing it.

"How are the lessons coming?" Here was his chance to hear what Chief was feeling.

"He probably thinks I'm stupid." He sounded dejected.

"Why would he think that? Are you having trouble or did he say something?"

Chief paused and then said, "No, he…"

A corner of the Officer's mind began to burn. Had the conman said something inadvertently or maybe something in his attitude…?

"Actor's been real kind and patient but…"

"But what?"

Chief threw his head up and away. "I feel so stupid. Even Goniff kin read."

"What grade did you complete?"

His head came down again. "I was in Grade three."

"You are not to tell anyone that I told you," and he paused to make sure he understood how important this secret was. "Goniff went to Grade eight. There's a big difference from grade three to grade eight. When you complete grade eight you will probably be a better reader than Goniff. You seem more committed." Garrison waited to see if he would pick up on his certainty that he would continue his education but there was no reaction. Had he missed it? Even if he did not believe him he would say something.

The Guardian had not missed it. He heard but dismissed it. His Hearth still did not understand how stupid Guardians were. Even the other Indian kids he had met were not educated. Most of them went back to the reservation where they became drunks. Even the residential school taught them all they could and that was farm work like tending sheep and marching. Why bother trying to teach them stuff they would never understand. Unconsciously his posture slumped.

His Hearth picked up on his defeat. "Don't say it."

"What?"

"Don't say that you're… not smart." He saw the objection and over ruled with, "When I lay out the missions, how many times do I have to tell you?" That confused the Indian but the officer saw the new objection so he reinforced the question with, "Do I have to explain everything to you like I would to a child?" Chief shook his head so he continued. "So that proves you are as smart as the rest of the guys and if they can get their grade eight, so can you."

Chief wanted to object. He wanted to show him where he was wrong but he couldn't figure out how. What his Hearth had said made sense. Was he maybe, as smart as Goniff? Casino was smarter and Actor, well he was way out of reach. Was he smart enough?

An hour later, Garrison's phone rang. Actor was calling to let him know that they were going to stay to help with the church roof and to invite the two to come and help. After hanging up the Officer located Chief in the dining room and they headed off to assist.

They arrived to organized chaos. The materials had arrived, apparently by horse and wagon, and the few people being organized by the Vicar were young men, boys really, too young to enlist, and old men. Ladders had been placed along the building and a few of the old men were waiting at the bottom. Garrison assumed they were to hold the ladders and that he and his team would be doing the work on the roof. It looked awfully steep.

The Vicar, a jovial older man in his late sixties, saw them arrive and came bustling over. "Welcome to St. Mary's Church and our roofing bee. Come, we need good strong men to carry the materials up. The good Lord has blessed us with these fine gentlemen," and he gestured to the old men by the ladders, "who know how do what needs to be done. What we need you and your fine young men to do is take the materials up onto the roof."

It was all physical labour. The ever nimble Goniff was an asset and Casino's drive got them going. Actor watched the process and made suggestions to make it easier before he too, began hauling. They quickly settled into a rhythm but eventually the exertion brought back Garrison's headache and Actor's ankle and Casino's knee began to protest. Finally Garrison reached for the next load but was nudged aside.

Quietly Chief said, "There's a cup a water an' a cold cloth over on the table." He grabbed the load and set off.

As much as the soldier wanted to protest that he was all right he recognized what Chief had done to help him. To refuse would be ungrateful so he went and sat. The water went down very well and the cloth felt good on his forehead.

Finally just after the sun had set the cheer went up. The section of roof that needed to be done had been completed. The roofers descended their ladders to a chorus of cheers and smiles and handshakes. The Vicar was beside himself with pleasure but he held up his hand for silence and everyone bowed their heads while he said a prayer of thanks. The smiles and cheer resumed.

Then to Goniff's delight the women began to appear with bowls and platters of food. The table was covered with an oil cloth and the bowls and platters were set down. Plates appeared and everyone dug in after the Vicar had blessed the feast and thanked the women. Though the men were young and old, the women were of all ages. Young girls mingled offering to get the men another cup of refreshment or they brought around trays of biscuits. Garrison was more reserved but Goniff and Casino were eating up the attention. Actor gravitated to the older women gaining smiles and even a blush or two when he complimented the food and the pretty ladies.

Garrison and Chief had taken their plates and sat against the wall of the church while they ate. When they were finished Garrison went to the graveyard and began looking at the head stones. Chief, curious as to what his Hearth was doing had joined him.

"You think summa your relatives might be here?" asked Chief.

"No," and he laughed softly. "I was looking at some of the dates. The oldest date on this crypt is for George Atherfold, died 1793. He was alive when the United States declared Independence."

Chief looked around then remarked. "This one's got no date on it but it looks really old."

As Garrison moved over to look he saw the Vicar walking toward them. He looked tired but happy.

"I want to personally thank you," and he held out his hand, "and your men for your help today." Garrison clasped his hand. "I didn't know how we were going to get the roof repaired but I had faith that the Lord would provide. And you came. Thank you." He turned to shake the hand of the man who was there a minute ago but he had left. He was a bit surprised but then maybe he preferred the company of the ladies.

Garrison knew it was time to go. It would be getting dark very soon and driving without headlights was dangerous. He headed back to the gathering and touched Actor's arm. He was regaling several women with his description of the delights of Rome. A quick glance and he knew he understood. Casino and Goniff were each talking to the young women but a tap on his watch told them. Where had Chief gone? One minute he was there and the next…

As the Americans and transplanted Englishman headed for the jeeps they saw Chief appear from around behind the church. They thought nothing of it until Garrison saw him take a wide detour to get to the jeep. He was avoiding the Vicar. By the time everyone said their good byes and piled into the two jeeps Chief's actions were forgotten.

The next morning the two men met up as usual.

"How's the reading coming?" asked Garrison lightly. He did not want to put pressure on the young man but he wanted Chief to know he was interested. The two were headed for the courtyard for their morning run. He probably should have waited until after their run when there was more time but even if he got a word or two that would be a start.

"I ain't doin' it no more," was the growled reply.

Garrison almost stumbled. That was not what he expected and his gut reaction was to demand, 'Why Not?' but he managed to keep that one silent. Instead he said, "Oh?"

There was no answer so he stopped and turned to his companion, waiting.

Chief tried to avoid him but he was standing in his way. He looked around and finally said, "It was stupid, a stupid idea. I ain't doin' it." He stood there scowling but not meeting Garrison's eye.

This change in attitude and Chief's anger were proof that he was covering something but Garrison knew that confronting him would not work. "What happened?" he asked calmly.

"Nothin' happened."

"Casino said you were doing quite well."

"He lied, an' it's nona his business."

Being gentle was not working so he let him have it. His face turned hard and he said in his command voice, "Why did you stop?"

That got a reaction; a flash of fear and then it was gone. "Do I have to order you?" He could have used 'Command' but he did not want to resort to G-CAT tactics. Would he ever? How bad would it have to be for him to do that?

He had his attention now so he switched back to gentle. "What happened? I was so pleased when Actor told me you were willing to learn."

The look of guilt and shame on his face was added to the slumped shoulders and hanging head. Whatever it was, was bad. Something had happened. "Tell me."

"You told me to look after the books an' treat them right." His voice was filled with shame. "The book I was tryin' ta read…" He tried to moisten his lips but his mouth was dry. "I was tryin' ta be careful…"

Then in a rush of agony he said it, "But I lost it. I can't find it. I looked. It's gone. They're gonna be mad."

"It can't have just disappeared, Chief. Where did you see it last?"

"I had it in the dining room yesterday. I took my plate to the kitchen and that's when we went to help at the Church. When we got back it was gone. I looked everywhere. It's not in the library either. The owner's gonna be mad."

"Did you ask Mrs. G?"

"No. I didn't want anyone to know I lost it."

"She might have picked it up."

"That's a kid's book. Besides if she did she would a put it in the library." he added dejectedly.

"That book is a classic. I'll bet Actor's read it." The look of misery was still there but Garrison had his answer and a place to start. "Let's go for our run and then we'll see what we can find. All right?" He received a nod and the two set off.

Later when the men sat down for breakfast the Warden brought up the subject. "Has anyone seen Chief's book?"

"Your notebook?" asked Goniff. "It's beside your bed where you left it."

Chief wanted to make a snide comment that that was not the one he was looking for but he did not want to call any more attention to himself so he said nothing.

"What book are you looking for, luv?" asked Mrs. G.

Garrison could have given the title but he wanted Chief involved so he waited. It worked.

"Winnie-the-Pooh."

"Oh, was that you reading it? I thought someone forgot to put it away. I took it to my room to read." She was surprised when Chief looked up at her with a startled expression. "I'll get it for you right after breakfast."

"You're reading it?"

"Why of course. I love that book. Did you know that the forest in the story was based on the forest out the back of the property 'ere? The author's 'ome is nearby too." From the looks, even on the Englishman, this was news to all of them.

After the dishes were cleared Garrison asked Chief to drive him to London. The Doctor wanted to assess him before clearing him for active duty. The drive was completed in silence as was the wait. After asking him about the pain and checking his eyes and reflexes he agreed that Garrison was fit to return to duty. Back out in the waiting room Chief joined him as he walked out to the parking area.

"Everythin' all right?" asked the Guardian as he walked to the jeep.

There was something wrong with his tone. Garrison studied him as he walked around to the driver's side and climbed in. It was normal for him to not make eye contact when he talked but when he did not answer his question he expected something. The rigidity of his face was also telling.

"Did someone say something?" Something was definitely bothering him. Maybe someone had said something to him.

"About what?" he asked guardedly.

Garrison was right. It could not be about being a Guardian. There was no way to know that without the collar. "What did they say?"

"Nothin'" It was a lie and they both knew it but Garrison knew this lie was a cover for something he did not want to ask about.

"Let's go get a coffee."

"Don't you have to get back?" He turned his head in Garrison's direction but there was still no eye contact.

"We've got time. Come on." He did want to get back but an Officer who did not take the time to listen to his men was headed for trouble. He stood beside the jeep, waiting until Chief got out and then he headed to the Mess Hall.

"What's bothering you? What did you hear?" he asked after they had each got a cup of coffee and sat down at an empty table. Garrison watched the internal struggle.

"It used to be…" he started then stopped looking around to be sure that no one could hear. "All I had to do was listen for the commands. You just block out everything else. It was better that way. You didn't hear…" He could not bring himself to repeat the things that were said about Guardians.

"But now…" prompted Garrison wanting to move him past the pain and shame that showed on his face.

"Now I listen, I gotta. I gotta hear what you say and the guys. It's important that I hear what's goin' on."

Garrison nodded. "But?"

Chief hung his head. "Yeah. Now I hear other stuff too."

"What did you hear?"

Chief looked up finally meeting his eyes. "I heard you lost your bars." His voice, filled with anguish, picked up steam as he added, "an' you ain't never gettin'm back 'cause of us."

Without emotion the Officer asked, "Where did you hear this?"

"Is it true?" His tone said 'please say it's not'.

"First, where did you hear it?"

"When you went in to see the Doctor I heard the receptionist talkin' to the nurse. Is it true that it's 'cause of us?"

"Do you know what scuttlebutt is?" Chief shook his head so he said, "It's rumour, talk. It doesn't mean it's true."

"Then it's not true?" he asked hopefully.

How was he to answer? Maybe if he let Chief answer it for him. "If a Guardian disobeys an order…"

"He gets beat."

"I was going to say, disciplined. In the Army you can get demoted, you lose your rank."

"Is that what happened?" he asked almost eagerly and then suddenly realized what he had just said. He looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry. That's not my business. What I meant was… it wasn't somethin' that I did or us guys did..."

"No. It wasn't your fault. I bucked an order that I shouldn't have."

"Will you ever get it back?"

"I hope so."

"If… When you do will you still… be…?"

"Yes, I will retain this command."

Chief's worry eased. "What if they don't?"

"I don't think you need to worry about that right now," he said with a smile and then drained his cup.

"When I was on the drugs I didn't worry about the future."

"And now you do. That's because you now have a future."

"Yeah," and he almost smiled. "Thanks to you."

Seeing that the Indian had finished his coffee he said, "Let's get back." The two men stood and headed back to their jeep.