Young Offender, Part 57:
Junior stood in the hallway of a Phoenix courthouse; he'd been waiting since morning to talk to the probate judge. Jed and Martha Cody's will was being contested by a distant cousin from somewhere on the east coast. Jed had passed soon after Martha, and Junior had maintained the ranch since it was left to him. Now, seven months later, he was fighting to hold on to it. The cousin, Kevin Cody, had plans for developing the land. Junior knew Jed wouldn't approve.
The ranch was so close to the Grand Canyon, that it was a prime piece of land that Kevin wanted to put a resort on it. Rather than an old fashioned ranch where Junior could still care for livestock, Kevin wanted all the modern luxuries and to sell part of the land for a shopping center. The natural beauty would be destroyed, and so Junior had taken to fighting for what was deeded to him in the Codys' will.
"The judge will see you now," the blond, female clerk said. Junior moved forward, seeing Kevin Cody out of the corner of his eye. He didn't say anything to the man because their negotiations had grown bitter.
They sat in front of the huge mahogany desk where Judge Franklyn sat. Lots of paper work littered the stern judge's desk. He put his glasses on and announced, "I met both of your lawyers this morning. We think we worked out a fair compromise concerning the Cody ranch. The southern and western portion will revert to Mr Cody. Mr Geronimo will retain the north and east portions. We've had the maps drawn, which both lawyers agreed to. The paperwork will be sent to your lawyers for each of you to sign." The judge stood up and nodded to each of them. "Good luck, gentlemen."
"Thanks," Kevin said, getting up and shaking Judge Franklyn's hand. Junior did likewise, extremely disappointed, but he'd expected it. The Codys' will had a loophole that Kevin's lawyers had exploited.
Out in the hallway, Kevin Cody thrust out his hand towards Junior. Junior didn't miss the frown on Kevin's face; he was disappointed, too. Junior shook hands with the man, coolly.
"You know, when you decide to sell, I'll give you a fair price," Kevin said. Junior just shook his head and turned to leave. All the money in the world couldn't convince him to let the land be blighted by modern society. No matter how lean times became, Junior was determined to make a success and try to buy out Kevin before development started.
Chang and several other re-education prisoners were kneeling on the ground. Many fake tears flowed around the farm and the farm's guards made sure everyone was mourning properly. The news of Mao's death came in the morning, so all were required to morn.
Chang knelt on the ground and dredged up fake tears, lest he get beat. In his heart, though, he was elated. At one time, he'd admired Mao, but now he knew the truth about his regime. It wasn't in his nature to harbor hatred and anger, so Chang concentrated on hope that he'd leave. With the news of Mao's death, he hoped that a chance to leave would come soon.
"Not again..." GB groaned and turned over in bed. His clock read 2:39. The new baby, Rose, certainly cried more than he thought possible. He felt Sofie leave the bed and creep out of their bedroom. Soon the baby was silent and GB started to drift back to sleep.
He was jolted back awake, again, at Rose's cries around 4:45. He realized Sofie hadn't even come back to bed yet. He rolled over and pulled a pillow over his head. There was a casting call at 9:00 am sharp, and he really needed the work. He hadn't been able to work for two months; Sofie and Rose had needed his help. But it was time for him to get back to work, he was anxious to hear thunderous applause once again.
It was five in the morning when Rose was calmed down, and Sofie came back to bed. She snuggled in and moved closer to GB. "I'll make breakfast in an hour."
He patted her arm and took her by the hand. "You're a dream, my dear."
"I know you'll get that part. Don't worry."
GB didn't voice his doubts. This was a big step, because his casting call was for a new television show called "Porridge." The steady work was really needed. Besides, if he could get onto the BBC, then Hollywood could be around the corner.
"It has to come through," GB murmured.
"If you get this part, you can then make an honest woman of me," she hinted in a drowsy voice.
GB felt a brief surge of guilt. She'd been so patient with him, even had his child, but he kept the marriage issue off the table. It wasn't that he didn't love her and want to take care of her. It was a scary commitment to make when his career was still full of highs and lows and not as stable as he'd like. He mentally promised to get her a ring if he ended up on the BBC.
"Mamado is back!" Anan shouted after bursting into Ife's lodge. Pyunma leaped up and jogged outside. His close friend, and brother-in-law, was being balanced in between Ngozi and Rudo. Both of whom were sobbing.
"What happened?" Pyunma demanded, taking over from Rudo. He ordered his younger sister to go tell their mother.
Mamado's eyelids fluttered open after Rudo ran off. "The war. It didn't work. Mwanba is lost to us."
"Mwanba is not lost. We're a strong nation," Pyunma said as they got to the hospital tent.
"What are you talking about? War?" Ngozi asked, through her tears. "You've been gone for months on end. Where have you really been?"
"At war. With our enemies to the north. Too strong."
"Where is my father?" Pyunma asked, helping him into one of the twenty cots, most of which were occupied.
"We were separated when Unbaba's men ambushed us."
"Unbaba? You went against that butcher trying to take over Mwanba? You're lucky to be alive!" Pyunma said, helping his sister get Mamado stripped down so they could treat his wounds.
"How could you?" Ngozi said. "You lied to me!"
"You wouldn't have wanted your new husband to go make war. If I told you, you'd file a grievance to the tribal council since we haven't had a child yet. They'd make me stay home until you have a child, and Mwanba can't wait. Unbaba is taking over quicker than you know."
Pyunma stood aside and let Ngozi and an American missionary-doctor take over treating Mamado's injuries. He quickly went back to his mother's lodge where the girls were crying and clinging to his teary-eyed mother. She asked, "How is Mamado?"
"He'll recover."
"Did he know anything about your father?"
"No, they were separated. The bad part is that Unbaba showed up with his army," Pyunma broke the news.
"You mean thugs? They're no warriors. Oh why did your father have to be such a fool!" Ife said, holding her sobbing daughters tighter.
"I must go find Father," Pyunma said softly. That made Anan wail louder as she launched herself into Pyunma's arms.
"No! Don't go!" she begged.
"Anan, I must."
"I forbid it," Ife said. Pyunma's heart sank. "If Unbaba is on his way, we need you. Your father is smart and brave. He will find a way to return when Unbaba is dealt with. You must have faith in him."
Pyunma lowered his head, shamefaced. It would dishonor his father to leave the village. "I'll be in the warrior's lodge, making plans. I'll be home for dinner."
With a heavy heart, and worry about his family, he started to take stock of the weapons in the warriors' lodge.
To be continued.