HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!
Chapter 7
HELPING OUT 2, LITTLE MAC, ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES
As the first 20 container conversions were completed, the Furnishings team swung into action. Working together with the Appliance team, they arranged to buy the kitchen appliances, lighting, and plumbing fixtures wholesale and those were delivered and installed. The stores in town that sold furniture donated mattresses, box springs and basic metal bed frames for each home. Jethro, Jerry and Tobias took a break from baby furniture to build several basic platform beds. The next batch of homes would only need mattresses, no box springs, less expensive and easier to move.
Once all that was arranged, the Furnishings team got busy scouring thrift stores, flea markets, local ads, online sites and local Facebook swap groups for couches, occasional chairs, kitchen tables and chairs, dressers and nightstands. Tim wished they'd been able to bring all the extra furniture they'd left at the warehouse.
With everyone in New Mexico, parts of Texas and the other states bordering New Mexico out of shelters, the team expanded their search to include Arizona, Colorado, Utah and West Texas.
They found a shipment of metal footlockers, rectangular storage containers about 30 inches long and 15 inches wide with hinged lids, originally scheduled for delivery to a Maryland business that no longer existed; the entire lot was donated to the LLC. Hitching the Bishops' trailer to one of the pickups, John Bishop and Jim Hubbard drove to the town of Mexican Hat in southeastern Utah to pick them up. After adding small wooden "feet" and painting them, they had coffee tables with storage, enough for all 100 homes.
Not yet satisfied, the team continued their search for desks, desk chairs, table and floor lamps. When the sellers heard why the items were being purchased, they frequently gave the items away or provided deep discounts. The LLC members enjoyed fixing up the tired old things they bought, repairing, refinishing, reupholstering and sometimes repurposing.
While the Furnishings team was scavenging, the interior walls of the container homes were insulated and covered with drywall, with a synthetic flooring commonly referred to as laminate laid throughout each new home. When the team bought several dozen throw rugs at a bargain store, they washed them and placed one or two in each home. For the single container homes, the teams would add a bed or desk for the small extra room as required.
The Exterior team decided that the outsides of the homes should be painted in a variety of colors. Nobody wanted a development of homes that all looked the same. There was quite a discussion about the colors. Some people wanted to stick with earth tones to better fit the New Mexican landscape. Others wanted a variety of bright cheerful colors, others more traditional colors. In the end, they compromised.
Homes in the first phase of completion would be painted terra cotta, sage green, a sandy neutral, orange, yellow and turquoise - the traditional colors of the southwest. The second phase containers would expand the color palette to include deep blues, rich grays (including one that was almost a lavender) and deep reds. The third phase would have the bright cheerful colors, unless that group changed their mind and went with the second phase colors. One thing they did agree on, each front door would be a different color than the house.
Each home had a concrete patio outside with enough room for a grill, table, and chairs although those would be up to the residents to supply. Or so they thought, until the Furnishings team quietly expanded their list of furnishings, finding plenty of old patio chairs and small outdoor tables, refurbished them and tucked them into storage until needed. All the homes had skylights; the doubles had one in the long hallway, the singles in the kitchen.
Once the homes were inspected and approved, the entire LLC started the long process of deciding on street names. That was interesting; at first, the group came up with some silly names like "Don't Stay Long" and "Park It Here", and some serious ones like "Haven" and "Refuge", and talked about naming the streets after the kids. Finally they realized they wanted to memorialize where they'd come from, the homes they'd been forced to leave and then it was easier and in a way, more satisfying.
The first street that housed 10 of the first 20 homes would be called Alexandria Avenue after the lost hometown of the Gibbses. They wanted to call the other street in that first section Columbia but the name was already in use in the county. Instead, they voted in Georgetown Boulevard. The next section, already being prepped for 30 more homes, would have 3 streets: Baltimore Lane, Silver Spring Way and Shenandoah Drive. The streets for the third section, another 20, would be Fenwick Boulevard and Chesapeake Place.
The fourth and fifth sections, split into 15 homes each, would have Trenton Ave., Fairfax Pl., Annapolis Blvd., Bowie Ln., Arlington Dr., Bethesda Way, Clarksburg Dr., Hanover Loop, Salem Pl. and lastly, Pennsylvania Ave. The names represented their lost hometowns, each of the states that had been devastated and of course, Pennsylvania Avenue was where the White House had been. Called "America's Main Street", it connected the White House, the President's residence, with the United States Capitol.
These names were not in use in the county and the Post Office approved them after visiting the site for their own assessment. Individual addresses were assigned to each lot and the LLC paid for cluster mailboxes installed just outside the gate.
NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS
Impressed with what their friends were doing, the Ortizes cleared several acres of their land previously used for grazing. Once clear, they leveled and prepared the area before bringing in dwellings. Purchasing 30 old mobile homes, the Ortizes brought them in, put them on concrete blocks, added skirting to hide the blocks, rehabbed the interiors and painted the outsides, also adding small concrete patios. Once those were done, they bought more and followed the same routine.
Within weeks, there was housing for 250 families between the two ranches and The Grove. Other ranchers and homeowners, inspired by them, bought old RVs and travel trailers, converted playhouses, sheds and garages into housing with plumbing, electricity, heat and air, beds, chairs and a table, some form of kitchen and a solid roof.
By mid-November, the evacuees who'd been sent out of the country, known as Returnees, were on their way home. Bernalillo County sent in a revised Vance-Crane survey with the current number of rooms and dwellings available and received word that their first group of Returnees would arrive within a week.
County officials met with the ranch owners and LLC, deciding the first groups would be housed at The Grove, Rancho La Serenidad and the Ortiz Ranch mobile homes. They authorized a new grocery store on Quail Hill Road across from and midway between the three properties, which would really help those without transportation. The LLC, La Serenidad owners and Ortiz family successfully lobbied to add a bus stop between the three properties. That meant people could take the bus into town for interviews and to their jobs once they had them. The grocery store would be within walking distance.
While all this was going on, the NCIS office opened and returning employees were greeted with open arms. At the end of that first week, they had a "Welcome Home" party and Leon considered having an Open House for the community once they settled in. Although his field agents probably wouldn't attend. They weren't as covert as the Marshals were but they did undercover work occasionally.
At the ranch, Ellie and Tim moved to the first floor until the baby was born, swapping rooms with the senior Gibbses, and on the 13th of November, Tim celebrated his 42nd birthday.
Three nights later, Ellie woke him. "Honey, I think my water just broke, it's time to go."
Tim put a firm lock on the panic caused by those few words. Get her to the hospital; that was his job right now. "All right. Calling Dad and then I'll help you up."
He called his father; when he answered, Tim said: "Gear up!"
Disconnecting, he helped Ellie to the bathroom, called the doctor, got her changed and then helped her to his mother-in-law's car. Ellie's bag was already in the trunk, all they had to do was get in and drive. He opened the front passenger door but his father appeared, shaking his head. "I'm driving. Ellie will be more comfortable in the backseat and you ride with her."
Ellie nodded and they climbed in the back. She lay sideways and curled up on the seat with her torso and head on Tim. Barbara jumped in the front seat. "Honey, your dad and Shannon are right behind us. They're waking Mac and the Cranes to watch the kids."
Ellie made a noise and turned her head into Tim's chest. He murmured a question to her and she answered, there was some pain but she was mostly uncomfortable. Her contractions were 8 minutes apart. It was early for the hospital but with the amniotic fluid breaking, the baby 2 weeks early and this being her first pregnancy, they were going. Thirty miles to town.
Fifteen minutes later Tim wondered what on earth made them think living 33 miles from a hospital was a good idea. The contractions were coming every 7 minutes now and Ellie said they were getting painful.
Finally, they were in the city limits with 3 miles to the hospital. Feeling helpless, Tim helped her breathe through each contraction. Then they were at the hospital and Ellie was helped into a wheelchair and rolled inside, Tim following with her bag.
Ten hours later, Tim held his newborn son in his arms, tears in his eyes, gently kissing baby Mac and his exhausted, sore wife. Eventually he and Barbara emerged from Ellie's room, taking the time to share the news and first photos of McKenzie Gerard Gibbs while mother and son had a first go at feeding. Dad and Grandma were tired but exuberant as they walked into the waiting room.
Tim grinned at his family and friends, "Ellie's exhausted, sore and happy, the baby is here and beautiful. Right now he and his mama are working on getting him fed."
He looked around, not seeing Ty or Brynie. The plan had been to bring them once the baby was born and he thought Barbara had notified the ranch. Rob saw his frown and smiled, "Mom and Dad are on the way with the kids and Grandpa. They should be here in five minutes."
"Thanks, Robbie." He looked at John and Eileen who were currently representing the Bishop siblings. "Baby Mac is a beautiful blend of Bishop and Gibbs, wait until you see him!"
"He doesn't look like Mac, you, Ty, and Brynie?"
"Little bit but he's definitely got the Bishop and Gibbs' looks too." He showed them the photos and then grinned when his son and daughter ran in, followed by his grandfather and parents. Hugs and congratulatory kisses were given all around and then the kids were taken in to see their baby brother.
During baby Mac's first weeks on the outside his parents developed a deeper appreciation for sleep and for their own parents who helped them every step of the way.
Little Mac was nearly four months old before he slept for six hours straight through. Those few residents of the ranch house who hadn't yet fled to the barn, shelter or a guesthouse were astoundingly happy the next morning. They could barely remember getting six hours of uninterrupted sleep!
In the meantime, the LLC continued working on the container homes and helped their evacuees celebrate Thanksgiving, everyone giving sincere thanks for their lives and remembering those who'd died. By the first of December, when Little Mac was almost two weeks old and sleeping in the bassinet his Poppy made for him, they had 70 of the homes ready for occupancy and the Returnees poured in, filling not only those 70 but the guesthouses and bunkrooms in the barn as well. The Ortizes' rehabbed mobiles were also full and the new grocery store and the bus company had thriving businesses. That week also brought Brynie's 6th birthday and her family and friends helped her celebrate properly.
Even with government subsidies Christmas was going to be a bleak one for the Returnees and Evacuees still without employment or permanent homes. The LLC, ranch owners and the Ortiz family put their heads together. Ultimately they decided to have community Christmas celebrations. Residents who celebrated the holiday were given a four-foot artificial Christmas tree with lights and a box of ornaments, purchased wholesale. Their Jewish residents were given Menorahs, a supply of candles and the ingredients for traditional Hanukkah treats. Large living trees were brought in for each block of homes and lighting ceremonies were held.
Two weekends before Christmas, Santa arrived and the children sat on his lap to tell him what they wanted. The group decided none of the dads of ranch children over 1 year and under 12 should play Santa, which left Uncles, Grandfathers and Great-Grandfathers. Accordingly, Geo, Bob, Jethro, Mac, Dave, Colonel Barnes, Jerry, Leon, Steve, Tomas and Roger Ortiz rotated Santa duties. They swapped ranches so Ortiz Ranch Returnees and Evacuees were visited by the La Serenidad Santas while the Ortiz Santas held court at La Serenidad and a combined group visited The Grove.
While the Santas were busy, other volunteers were distributing Hanukkah gifts, toys and clothes for the children, gift cards and bus passes for the adults, and traditional meal ingredients for their Jewish families. Because there were several families, they decided to celebrate the Festival of Lights together. While the original plan was to have them use the shelter for their gatherings, the LLC quickly realized everyone would have to be transported. Instead, one of the laundry barns was closed for use before sunset during Hanukkah, the machines curtained off, tables and chairs brought in for the 8-day festival. The Gibbses and others were invited and all of the Gibbses went to First Night. They'd helped Ziva celebrate Hanukkah in the past and celebrating with their new friends helped ease their longing for her return home.
Other folks whose faith was neither Christian nor Jewish, let the LLC and Ortizes know the various holidays, if any, that they celebrated and those were marked on calendars.
In the meantime, Santa's helpers kept track of at least two items each child wanted and on Christmas Eve, each ranch had a grand party for their Returnees and Evacuees. Each child received three presents, something practical such as hand-knit socks or gloves, something fun such as a little game and a third from Santa, something they'd wanted. Adults were given gift cards and bus passes. The days before the party, LLC members and the Ortiz family knocked on the doors of each home with a basket containing the makings of a holiday dinner: a frozen ham, chicken or vegetarian option, potatoes, vegetables, milk, butter, dry mix for rolls or biscuits, and the makings for a pie, courtesy of the area churches.
NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS
By January, the homes were experiencing turnover as the Evacuees and Returnees found employment and either moved away or found housing in town. There was barely enough time to clean the houses before the next folks arrived to take up residence.
At Rancho La Serenidad, life continued changing and evolving. The Vances bought a house in town and moved, depriving Lia, Ricky, Teddy and Arin of two of their playmates. Pete Ware returned home from visiting his grown children feeling much better. He was seldom at the ranch for long as he and his rig were in high demand. When he was contacted by the other movers involved in the caravan, the four formed a partnership that blanketed the country.
Toni Ware was finally in a step-down unit at the hospital but her doctors told Pete not to expect much more than that. Within months, she was moved to a state-run mental health facility where she lived quite peacefully. While Pete still struggled to accept his wife's condition, the move greatly eased his financial burden.
Rick Carter was promoted to the SAIC position for the NCIS London office and he and Denise left the ranch for the UK. A huge going-away party was hosted for the Carters at the ranch. The couple was sorely missed, as they were old friends of Jethro, Tim, Tony, and Leon.
Rick and Jim O'Brien had provided immeasurable support and training to young Probie McGee back in the bad old days when he was subjected to hazing and felt he had little support or training from his own team. When Jim transferred from Southern California to the new HQ, his friends gave him a warm welcome. A surprise was the companion he brought with him, a man named Garrett, close to Jim's age. Jethro and Rick had been two of the few in the former Navy Yard group who knew O'Brien was gay. Alerted by Jethro, Rick called his friend from London; he and Jethro congratulated Jim and welcomed Garrett.
Maggie was promoted to Team Leader of Rick's former team. Leon began looking for an experienced SFA to step in for her when the baby arrived. Evan Fuller would handle DiNozzo's team during Tony's family leave.
Mateo quickly completed his undergrad courses and his former shelter mates turned out en masse for his graduation. He'd been accepted to George Washington University Law School, housed on the new Santa Fe campus. While his relationship with Kelly seemed to be in a state of flux, she and her family professed their pride in his work.
Ellie's cousin Ali found an attorney's position in town, much to Rob's relief, while Ali's sister Trish moved to Taos to manage an art gallery. Aunt Cissy and Uncle John sold their home in Tulsa and moved to Albuquerque, not wanting to be too far from their girls.
The moment Ellie, Tim, their children and everyone else at the ranch dreaded came shortly after Christmas when the Bishops departed for their homes in Tahlequah after more than 6 months on the ranch. They were dearly missed.
NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS
The NCIS agents rolled with the times as their jobs shifted and changed. For a few months, they continued running searches and consulting for other teams before the Albuquerque office was finally given a travel budget. Then they became mobile again and took responsibility for cases in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas and up into the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. That took the pressure off other offices and made Leon's field agents very happy. Leon also considered closing Galveston and having the agents transferred to Albuquerque but Secretary Porter wanted to keep the NCIS presence there.
In January, a leading magazine interviewed members of the LLC about the housing development for the Returnees. As written into the contract, no photos were taken and no names were mentioned; the LLC supplied photos of the container homes.
When Tim returned to work full-time after baby Mac arrived, he was promoted to Regional Director of the Albuquerque, Seattle, Great Lakes, and San Diego CCUs. At his request the three staffers who'd transferred to Great Lakes before the attack remained there as his core staff. In the meantime, he hired new techs and in a new twist, sent them to FLETC.
At Leon's request, once most of the baby furniture was completed Jethro went back to work part-time, resuming his training classes with New Mexico's FLETC graduates.
Note: For inquiring minds, here are the states memorialized in the street names selected by the LLC for their Evacuee housing development. I've also included which of the gang (if anyone) lived there.
Alexandria (Alexandria Avenue), Virginia; Senior Gibbses and the Tim Gibbses
Georgetown (Georgetown Boulevard), District of Columbia; Ducky, Sarah & Bob Chalmers
Baltimore (Baltimore Lane), Maryland; Lu (from shelter), Bill, Barry, Freddie and Jose (homeless camp alumni/friends)
Silver Spring (Silver Spring Way), Maryland; Diner owner Nancy Fendlay and the former home of the McGee siblings
Shenandoah, a town and a national park (Shenandoah Drive), Virginia
Fenwick (Fenwick Boulevard), Delaware; Grandpa Mac's beach house
Chesapeake, town(s) and huge bay (Chesapeake Place), there are towns named Chesapeake in both Maryland and Virginia; the bay touches the states of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and DC.
Trenton (Trenton Ave.), New Jersey
Fairfax (Fairfax Pl.), Virginia
Annapolis (Annapolis Blvd.), Maryland; the home of the Hubbards (Sarah's grandmother, uncle, aunt and cousins) and the Cranes (godparents to Tim, Sarah and Patrick)
Bowie (Bowie Ln.), Maryland
Arlington (Arlington Dr.) Virginia; Geordie & Bec Perry, Penny Langston McGee and the Fornells. Also Arlington National Cemetery with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the burial sites of Mike Franks and many heroes.
Bethesda (Bethesda Way), Maryland
Clarksburg (Clarksburg Dr.), West Virginia
Hanover (Hanover Loop), Pennsylvania
Salem (Salem Pl.), Ohio
Pennsylvania Ave. is named for Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC, the President lives there.