TURN THE OTHER CHEEK

BY

HENRIETTE PRUGER

Dedicated to James David Audlin

My friend and literary mentor

1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.

41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

TURN THE OTHER CHEEK

BY

HENRIETTE PRUGER

Two months have passed since Robert and Mary Wilburn were married. They are at the Texas State Fair presenting a new foal ready for auction. Bobby will be the rider. Bobby and Mary are walking around with corn dogs.

"Nervous, Bob?" Mary asks biting her dog.

"A little. It's not my first time. Your dad taught me. This is the first I'm doing it without his supervision. I feel my coke wanting to come out. I'll be right back."

He walks into the male pavilion. She stands and waits, finishing her dog. Two men are walking through the crowd holding guitar cases. They are Arthur Hopkins and Noel Jackson, Grammy winning musicians. Arthur is from Chicago and Noel is from Arizona. They have not seen each other for about a year. Arthur is a lawyer and performer who is giving up his musical career for politics.

"So, how you been, bro?" Noel asks.

"Pretty good. I still do the law firm. I also finished my last record. I'm leaving the music industry, Joe. It just became too much to handle. I need to move in a different direction. This is my last hurrah. No more songs."

"What will you do?"

"You'll laugh when I tell you. I'm going to try politics. I'm running for Alderman of my ward. You're not laughing."

"It's not funny. It's honorable. You will make a good Alderman. But why quit music? What did it do to you?"

"Nothing. I just thought my experience in contract law will help me in politics."

"I can see you in City Hall, fighting with whoever the Mayor is. Good luck, bro. I'd vote for you. I just wish you wouldn't leave music. You are so good at it. Only you could write "Shoah". It won you Album of the Year."

"I'll leave that up to you. Let the world get to know Noel Jackson. That's why I agreed to do this show. It will be the last time the world will see The Hopkins Brothers together."

"I'll miss you, Art. You've changed so much since your last health problem. I never thought you would become so religious. You're just a little shy of becoming a Bible thumper."

"I want to thank God for saving me. I was almost lost by that possession. If you hadn't been there to see me, my soul would be in hell, literally. What made you use my boy's tears to save my soul?"

"I knew they had love in them. Love is the strongest emotion a person has. When they saw you possessed your boys loved you."

Mary waits patiently. She is getting restless.

"Bob, you have the weakest bladder I've ever seen. Where are you?"

Two other men see her.

"Hey, look at the blonde. She's not bad looking."

"Why is she alone? With her looks I wouldn't leave her."

"Maybe she's girl happy?"

"Let's go find out. She might like boys instead."

The two walk over. They get dangerously close.

"Well, hello there. Just our luck, to see a beautiful girl like you all by herself."

"I'm not alone. I'm waiting for my husband."

"Some husband. If you were my wife I wouldn't leave her alone, unless I was blind."

She becomes uncomfortable.

"Something wrong, dear?"

"Please, leave me alone."

Arthur and Noel stop to watch and listen.

"I'm for sticking around, Art."

"So am I. She might need help."

"We'll watch for a minute before we intervene," Noel says.

"Come on, sweetheart. Come with us. We're more fun than your absent husband."

He touches her hair.

"Take your hands off me."

Arthur and Noel step in.

"You heard her. Take your hands off her," Noel says.

"Are you her husband?"

"No, just a concerned observer," Arthur says.

"The lady doesn't want you. She's waiting for her husband. Now leave her be," Noel adds.

"Are you two going to guitar us to death?"

"Go away and bother someone else. I'm sure her husband will feel the same way."

Bobby walks up to the group. He sees Mary is upset.

"Are these men bothering you, Mary? Leave my wife alone," Bobby says.

"You're her husband. You're an Injun."

"And a mad one at that. Your four go away. I might be carrying a tomahawk to scalp you."

"Bob, only two of them were bothering me. The two with the guitars were protecting me. They just came a minute ago."

"She's right. We overheard and came over. Your wife needed help. Where were you?" Noel asks.

"Emptying my bladder. There was a line. I thought only girls had long lines."

"Next time, don't drink so much," Arthur says.

"So, she's your squaw, Cochise."

"She's my wife and say it with respect."

"Bobby, don't start anything. Let them go. I had my two protectors. I'm safe."

"Okay, we'll go. A'ho, Cochise," one man says as they walk away.

Bobby hugs Mary.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine, Bob."

He turns to Arthur and Noel.

"And who do I have the pleasure of thanking? Why the guitars?" Bobby asks.

Mary looks up at a billboard behind the brothers.

"Bob, look at the billboard behind them," she says, letting go and pointing.

It advertises the show. He does and the brothers smile.

"We're the entertainment tonight. We just happen to be going to the stage area. Our friend is waiting for us. He's probably wondering where we are," Noel says.

"And you are?" Arthur asks.

"I'm Robert Wilburn. This is my wife, Mary. We got married two months ago."

"I wouldn't leave her alone for too long. She is very attractive," Arthur says.

"You don't have to tell me. Thank you for coming to help. I knew we would find resistance when we married."

"Some people have no hearts. Believe me, I know. My wife is half Apache. All my three children have Indian blood. My brother married a Jew. We never married a fellow Christian," Noel says.

"Is he the guy we have all the records of?" Bobby asks.

"Yeah, that's Noel Jackson," Mary says.

"We came early to get tickets for the show but they were sold out. All they had was nose-bleed seats. And even they were expensive," Bobby says.

"No problem. I happen to have a few tickets in my pocket. They're main floor, three rows down. Would you like two?" Arthur says.

"We need three. My father is with us. He's somewhere at the horse auditorium registering our horse for the auction," Mary says.

"We can do three," Arthur says.

He pulls them from his front coat pocket.

"You'll be sitting next to our friend."

"He came to see our last show together. We won't be performing as a team anymore," Noel says.

Another man comes up to them. It is Sheriff Robert Hawk.

"What's keeping you guys? The band is waiting," Robbie says.

"We were defending the honor of a lady in distress. She was being harassed. Bob, Mary, this is my blood by marriage nephew, Sheriff Robert Hawk," Noel says.

"He's a cop?" Bob asks.

"I sure am. My jurisdiction is in Arizona, but I am a full time cop," Robbie says opening his coat to show a gun and hand cuffs.

"We could have used you a few minutes ago. My wife was being harassed," Bobby says.

"Your two uncles saved me," Mary says.

"We didn't need your help, Rob. We talked them away. Robbie, this is Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wilburn. They're presenting a horse at the auction," Arthur says.

"Nice to meet you," Robbie says, shaking their hands.

"So, what happened that delayed you?"

"She was waiting for me. I was in the boy's room. These two guys approached her and your uncles interceded on her behalf."

"But not before racists words were exchanged. It got ugly," Noel says.

"Is it over? Can you guys come back to work? The band is getting restless."

"It's over, Rob. You three enjoy the show. Rob, they're sitting by you. Bring them with you when you go backstage. Their tickets are also back stage passes. Let's go before Robbie arrests us," Noel says laughing.

The three walk away.

"Dad will never believe this?" Mary says.

"I don't even believe it," Bobby says.

He hugs her again.

"I'm just glad you're okay."

She lets go and grabs his hand.

"Next time don't drink so much."

The two walk away. Another man comes out of the crowd. It is Tom Watters, the dumped groom. He stands next to another man. His name is Albert Chezwinski, a professional hit man.

"So, that's him?" Albert asks.

"Make sure he's dead. Don't miss him," Tom says.

"Don't worry. I never miss. Your Injun will meet his creator tomorrow."

"I can't wait to see this on tomorrow's news," Tom says.

The two men walk off.

It is the concert. Everyone is getting their seats. The three Wilburn's go to their seats. There is a blank seat next to them.

"I can't believe you got these tickets," Roger says.

"You can blame Mary's beauty. She got the attention first. I'm just glad I came when I did. It was ugly, Roger."

"But to have the entertainment be her knights in shining armor? What luck is that?" Roger asks.

Mary looks at the empty seat.

"I guess the Sheriff is late," Mary says.

"Maybe he's backstage. I would have loved to see their faces if they saw the gun," Bobby says.

"Now, Bobby, no guns today. Tonight is music," Roger says.

Robbie runs in and grabs his seat.

"Sorry I'm late. I had to register my gun and show ID before they let me in. I guess they never saw an Indian cop."

"I know I never did," Bobby says.

"Dad, this is Sheriff Robert Hawk. He's from Arizona. Sheriff, this is my father, Roger Wilburn."

"Nice to meet you, Sheriff. I'm glad your two friends were there to help my daughter."

"They're more than friends. They're family. My Dad is Noel's best friend. He's also Secretary of the State back home."

"He's in politics?" Roger asks.

"He feels he'll be President one day."

"The first Indigenous President. Now that's something I want to see," Bobby says.

"My uncle Arthur just joined politics. He's running for Alderman back home in Chicago. Arthur is a contract lawyer along with being a performer. This is his last show. He's quitting the industry to enter politics. It's a shame. He's a damn good guitarist and singer song writer. Noel and I are very sad he's leaving," Robbie says.

"People have to move on," Roger says.

"So, enjoy the show. This is the last time the brothers will be together."

"The brothers have different names," Bobby asks.

"Noel was born Joseph Hopkins in Chicago. He had a breakdown and left town. First thing he did was legally change his name. When he reached our valley he was Noel Jackson. He's been that ever since."

"My Dad met him when he was Hopkins. They served in Afghanistan together. They're both army vets. Noel was almost killed in a Taliban ambush. He almost lost his leg. The next time my Dad saw him his name was Jackson. Only Dad knows about his past."

"Our people served in the armed forces in WWII. We were wind talkers," Bobby says.

"We won Japan because of them," Robbie says.

"They tried to draft me for Vietnam. I had flat feet. It helped I was the only son. I was glad to be refused. That war was wrong. I lost friends there for nothing. We fought for the South Vietnamese, only to lose to the North. Now they make our clothes. My cowboy boots are made in Vietnam," Roger says.

"It was the war of politics. I hear about 60,000 soldiers died," Robbie says.

"Why did your uncle Joe join?" Bobby asks.

"He needed money for college. That was the only reason," Robbie answers.

Mary looks at her watch.

"Seven o'clock. The show should start soon," Mary says.

"Remember this folks. This IS the last time anyone will see these two together," Robbie says.

The background music starts. A voice comes over the PA.

"Hello everyone, and welcome to the Texas State Fair stage. Tonight's performers will be the brotherly team of Arthur Hopkins and Noel Jackson. Enjoy the show."

The music gets louder. The other band members go to their posts. The last to come to the stage are the brothers. They put their guitars on the side of the stage and approach the microphone.

"Hello. Welcome to the last performance of the Hopkins Brothers. We have been together for many years. My brother and I have grown before your eyes. Tonight is MY final night before your eyes. Tonight is MY final night behind a guitar. We would like to thank you for your loyalty. It has meant a lot to us, especially me," Arthur says.

"Tonight's show will be in three parts. Noel and I will do the songs only we are responsible for. The last will be the LAST show of us together. Without further waiting I will start and then Noel will do his. See you later, bro," Arthur says.

Noel goes off, but waves at the small group before he leaves. Arthur begins to play. The sun starts going down. Forty-five minutes pass and Arthur is on his last song.

"My last song will be auto-biographical. In my first year of law school I made enemies of fraternal brothers. One night, as I left a night class, I was beaten up and almost died. If it weren't for my father and younger brother to come pick me up, I wouldn't be here today. I almost died. But my strong will to live and the love of my family helped me through. I fought death that night. As the title of this song says, "And I Won."

He starts playing the song and stretches out the intermediate Spanish Flamingo he usually does. The crowd is stunned including the four guest ticket holders.

"Damn, he can play and he's leaving?" Bobby asks.

"Now you see why Noel is sad. Arthur is a genius on guitar," Robbie says.

Arthur completes the song, stands and bows. The crowd gives him a standing ovation. He takes his guitar and leaves the stage. Noel runs in with his guitar. He continues clapping and then goes to the microphone.

"Now that's a hard act to follow. I'm going to miss hearing his music. I love you, bro," Noel says sitting on a stool. He picks up his guitar and puts it over his shoulder. He wipes the tears from his face.

"Arthur, you made me cry. Music will miss you."

He shakes his head and takes a deep breath.

"I'm okay, folks. It's sad to see a legacy end. Now you have my legacy. I'm not leaving, for a long time. I have to tell you the history of my first song. It's auto-biographical and about my dear sweet kindly mother. She is fourteen years younger than my Dad. When she became a woman the magazine Playgirl came out. And like Playboy there were nude centerfolds of men. My dear sweet mother collected them and rated them one to ten. Number ten being the biggest penis. Dad knew about it. He liked it. After she saw those, that night she was very horny with him. He was VERY happy."

"My experience with them began as an adult. My wife and I came to Chicago so Arthur and I could record, which the album "Love" became. We stayed at my father's house, next door to Arthur's house. I came home from the studio and heard voices in my parents' bedroom. I went upstairs to check. I didn't believe what I found. My saintly mother and my VERY pregnant wife had the pictures ALL over the bed. They were having a good giggle over the sizes of the many penises. Is there such a word? You may ask what I did next. I did the only thing a man could do. I joined them and the three of us had a giggle. That night I could hear Dad laughing. He was happy. So, I will now do "The Calendar Song".

He does the song and stops.

"Now hopefully I stopped you from crying. When Art and I grew up we both played Rock and Roll. When we split up he stayed rock and I went country. That's what you'll hear now."

He does his show and puts down the guitar and stands. He takes the microphone in his hand.

"For my last song I'll just sing it. I used it during my act but tonight I will end with it. Earlier today I witnessed a very racist incident that bothered me greatly. An inter-racial couple was being harassed. They did nothing but be what they are. I was raised to believe God is colorblind. He doesn't care what a person looks like outside. My last song is a folk and country song from the sixties. If you know it, feel free to sing along on the chorus. And when you do, reach out to the next person on either side and hold their hands in love and friendship."

He starts to sing "Come on People Now". The audience does as he says. They sing along and hold hands. Mary starts to cry as she holds Robbie's hand. He stops singing, bows and leaves the stage. Mary and Roger wipe the tears from their faces. Bobby and Robbie give thumbs up. The band leaves the stage vacant. Everyone sits down.

"Wow, I can see why they were sold out," Bobby says.

"And it's not over. Part three will never be seen again," Robbie says.

The lights go up. It is intermission.

"I can see why you came, Sheriff."

"And just think. I have that at home. Noel lives in my valley jurisdiction. I could see him every day."

"Is Part three special?" Mary asks.

"Part three is the original act of the Hopkins Brothers that started it all. It's the past. The two parts you saw were the present and the future."

There is a fifteen minute intermission. Robbie's phone rings and he picks it up.

"Hello? Hey, Noel. You guys did one good show…Yes, they were impressed…No, I won't tell them what the encore is…See you after the show."

"Encore?" Roger asks.

"Spoilers," Robbie says smiling.

The intermission is over and the stage lights come back on. They go to their positions. Arthur and Noel come in with their guitars. They are both sweating and wipe their faces.

"We needed that break. The last part of the show will involve time travel. Our career began in Evanston, Illinois. Evanston is the first suburb north of Chicago. Howard Street is the dividing line. If you were on the right it was Evanston. The left was Chicago. We began in a folk bar called "Luther's". I was nineteen. Joe was seventeen. This was our show," Arthur says.

Part three starts and concludes with "If We Only Had Love" with strong harmony. The boys take their guitars and leave the stage. The band follows. The crowd starts calling "Encore". Robbie smiles. He knows what it will be.

"Your smile is suspicious, Sheriff," Roger says.

"I know you'll enjoy it," he says.

The band and the brothers come back. The brothers have no guitars.

"Okay, you win. We're out here. Our encore will be another trip into the past. This time it will be February 1964 at the Ed Sullivan stage. Let's hear a cheer if anyone was there. Every year the cheer gets lower. You may not have been alive but I'm sure you've seen it," Arthur starts.

"Four boys from Liverpool began and ended the show. Anyone know their name?"

The crowd cries "The Beatles".

"Then you'll remember this," Noel ends.

They start doing the four usual songs they always do and end with their special treatment of "She Loves You."

They take a bow. The band does and they all leave the stage. Everyone starts to leave this auditorium. Robbie sits down as the crowd from the front leaves. A guard come to them.

"Are you Sheriff Hawk and company?"

"That's us."

"Come with me."

They follow him and enter a hallway under the stage. Roger and company are amazed.

"I didn't know there was a whole basement under the stage," Roger says.

"There's a lot you don't know, Mr. Wilburn," Robbie says.

They enter a dressing room where everyone is celebrating. The champagne is already pouring. Arthur and Noel see them and waves them in. They go up to the brothers.

"That's one great show, Noel. You've overdone yourselves," Robbie says.

"What do you expect? It's Arthur's last show. It had to be big. You should have seen the show I was in with Dolly," Noel says.

"Did you enjoy yourselves?" Arthur asks.

"It was wonderful. It's a shame you're leaving music. What did you leave it for?"Roger asks.

"God," Arthur answers.

"Why?" Roger asks.

"God asked me too. He has other plans for me, and it's not music."

Noel looks at Arthur and shakes his head.

"Don't get weird on me, Art. You're getting that funny look again. I know what you just went through," Noel says.

"There's something I need to tell you but not now. I'll know when to tell you. For now you don't have to know," Arthur says.

Noel looks at Bobby. The three Wilburn's are confused.

"Something has been bothering me, Bob. I feel I've seen your face before. You look familiar," Noel says.

"I've never been to Arizona or Chicago."

"Excuse me. I have to make a call," Noel says dialing.

"Angie, it's me. I know it's late. Sorry I woke you. I have a question…Can you find that new poetry book you just got?...Read me the sleeve and give me the name of the author…Thanks. Go back to sleep. I love you. See you in a few days."

Noel hangs up.

"I know what bothers me. My wife just got a poetry book. It has an Indian with long traditional hair riding a horse. Fury is the name of the horse. The author's name is hyphenated. Your name is not Wilburn. It's White-Wilburn. Am I right?" Noel asks.

"Yes."

"You wrote that book?"

"I didn't know it was available yet. I just got promotional copies in the mail last week."

"Publishers work fast," Noel says.

"Fury was my favorite horse."

"She still is. She's not dead. She just has a family of her own now."

"I raised her when she lost her mother. People teased me that we were married."

"My wife loves that book. She hasn't put it down. She loves the love poems about his lover. Was she real or made up?" Noel asks.

"Very real. I married her. It's Mary," Bob says.

"I read his poems before we got married. I typed them and sent them to a publisher. He just got promotional copies," Mary says.

"What a small world. I wish Angie was here. She would love to meet you."

"Then she's my first fan. Men and poetry don't always mix."

"But they mix with women. Just ask my wife. You're her Lord Byron."

"Thank her for the compliment. My work was always private to me. It was Mary who did all the hard work."

"Very smart, lady, Mrs. White-Wilburn."

Someone starts spreading glasses of champagne. Everyone takes one. Noel raises his glass.

"People, may I have your attention. I would like to propose a toast. Raise your glasses. To my older brother, Arthur, on his new chosen career. He's the first politician I would voluntarily vote for," Noel says taking a sip.

Everyone in the room toasts. Noel turns to Arthur.

"I don't know what God told you. That's between you and him. Just do me a favor. Don't become a Bible thumper."

"I promise, bro. Just between me and God," Arthur says.

Noel turns to the Wilburn's.

"I hope you had a light dinner. We're getting BBQ ribs brought in. Music is hard work and we're hungry," Noel says.

Noel and Arthur walk away. Mary turns to Bobby.

"Man, your publisher works fast," Mary says.

"Congratulations, son. If his wife is any indication, your book will sell," Roger says.

"One career ended and one started. Music will lose Arthur and literature will gain you. Congratulation, Bob," Robbie says.

….

Tom is in a hotel room packing. A newspaper is in his hand. There is a picture of the wedding on the society page. He takes a red marker and puts a big X over Bobby's face and puts it in his suitcase.

"Till tomorrow, Mr. White-Wilburn," he says zipping up his suitcase.

….

It is the next day. Bobby, Mary and Roger are in the stables. Bobby is brushing the foal's coat to make it shine.

"She's a beaut, Roger. She'll get good money. You are the king of horses," Bobby says.

"Pretty good for a guy with flat feet."

Noel, Arthur and Robbie come by.

"What are you doing here?" Bobby asks.

"You came to see us. We came to see the horse. She's gorgeous," Arthur says.

"You ride?" Bobby asks.

"A little. There's no call for horses in Chicago."

"I ride. Robbie's father just bought a horse breeding ranch near my theater," Noel says.

"You have a theater?" Mary asks.

"And a school and a small recording studio in the basement. I opened it to help indigenous teenagers stay out of trouble. I try to let music take the place of crime. Reservations have gangs. I keep the kids busy and out of trouble," Noel says.

"I wish you well. We have the same problem near me. I was Bobby's guardian when he was orphaned. I kept him out of the gangs," Roger says.

"Time to hit the stage. Bob, you put her in the corral. We'll be watching." Mary says.

"Only if I get a kiss for good luck," Bobby says.

She does.

"Love you."

He goes to the corral. The others go to the open auditorium front row and sit down.

"She is a beautiful specimen. A horse is just like a beautiful woman. She must be loved." Noel says.

Up on a high seat across from them Albert waits for his time. He aims to position. Robbie starts to feel strange.

"Something wrong, Robbie?" Arthur asks.

"All of a sudden I feel like I'm being watched. It's my sixth sense as a cop. My hair is standing on edge."

"You see anything?" Roger asks.

"Not yet. Maybe someone else should show your horse. Can't you get anyone?"

"Just the three of us came. There is no one else," Roger says.

"Something doesn't feel right, Roger. My feelings are never wrong. That's why I've lived so long in my career. Get Bobby off that horse or don't show it," Robbie says.

"I'd listen to him. He has good senses," Noel says.

"Too late. We're next."

A voice comes over the PA.

"The next entry is a female foal representing the Two Horseshoe Ranch. It is being ridden by Robert Wilburn."

"Roger, get him off that horse. NOW!" Robbie cries.

Bobby starts walking the horse to show its grace. Albert raises his gun, aims and shoots. Bobby is hit and he falls off. The horse gets spooked and has to be chased by another rider to catch him. Roger, Mary, Arthur, Noel and Robbie go to him.

"Bobby? Stay with us," Roger says.

"Why, Roger? Why?" Bobby asks going limp.

"Bobby, don't die," Roger cries holding him.

Robbie goes to Bobby and takes his hand. He reaches up to Noel.

"I need your help, Noel I can't do this alone," Robbie says.

Mary is crying.

"Don't die, Bobby. Please come back," Mary cries.

"Come back to me, Bob. Don't go there. Stay here with us," Robbie says.

Noel puts his hand on top of Robbie's. He can feel heat. Robbie concentrates and prays in his language. Roger looks at Noel and Robbie and cannot believe what he sees. Arthur comes and puts his hands over theirs. The three feel heat.

"What are you doing?" Roger asks.

"Fight it, Bob. Fight it. Don't let it win!" Arthur cries.

An EMT comes up to the group and checks Bobby and shakes his head NO.

"I'll call the time."

"NO!" Mary cries.

"Bob, come back. Don't go," Robbie cries.

Bobby starts breathing again.

"He's breathing. He's alive!" the EMT cries.

"Get him to the hospital. Quick!" Robbie says.

Bobby is put in an ambulance and it leaves. Mary and Roger are in shock. Roger faces Robbie and Noel.

"What happened here? He was dead. I know dead when I see it. What are you, Sheriff?" Roger asks.

"Right now I'm very tired. Help me up, Noel. This was too much for me. I'm not as young as I used to be," Robbie says.

Noel and Arthur help Robbie sit up. He can't breathe.

"I heard you talk about this, Joe. But I didn't believe it till I saw it. You helped him bring him back. How did YOU do it?" Arthur asks.

"I watched him a few times. His grandfather has been teaching me to concentrate for this very reason. I never used it before. I didn't do it alone, Art. You did too. We ALL gave him time to get medical help. We did it together," Noel says.

Roger's face goes pale.

"Am I hearing what I'm hearing?" Roger asks.

"Roger, you and Mary go to the hospital. He will need you. We will join you there and explain everything," Robbie says.

Roger and Mary leave. Noel turns to Arthur.

"I felt you, Art. You were there. Where did that come from? You never had this," Noel asks.

"It came from God. Who else? Now you believe me?"

Noel shakes his head.

"How the hell do we explain this to Roger?" Noel asks.

….

Mary and Roger are in the ER waiting room when the three come in.

"How is he?" Robbie asks.

"Alive. But I don't get it. He was legally dead. He stopped breathing. You three did something. Tell me," Roger demands

"Sit down, Roger. There's something you should know. Sheriff Hawk is more than just a cop. When he was a teenager he experienced…something very special. He got certain abilities from his Creator. The Creator is real. Just like our God is. He was able to talk to wolves and keep people from dying under certain circumstances. All he has to do is be there at the moment of death and will the person back. He did that with Bob," Noel says.

"But you did too?"

"I am being trained by his grandfather, an elder of the tribe. He has used my extra strength to help him. As for Arthur, I have no idea. He never had this."

"What are you, Sheriff?" Roger asks.

"I am now a trained healer. I have done this before. Someone I pulled back is very much alive. He has been on my receiving end," Robbie says.

"Who was it?"

"Me, Roger. It's a long story. I did die. That was the first time Robbie could do it. I still remember what I saw and how it felt. I bet when Bobby gets out of surgery, he will see what I saw," Noel says.

"What are they saying, Dad? It makes no sense. Did he die or not?" Mary asks.

"He died, Mary," Robbie says.

"No!"

The doctor comes to see them.

"Mr. Wilburn, he's being sent to surgery. His blood type is rather rare. We can only hope we have enough," the doctor says.

"What is it?" Arthur asks.

"B+. Only ten percent of people have it. We could use a few more pints."

"My brother and I are B+," Arthur says.

"Show us the way to the blood bank. We'll give him all he needs and more," Noel says.

The two go off. Roger sits next to Mary. She is silently crying.

"Who would do this to Bobby?" she asks.

"I think we both know. Why did he take two months to respond? I should have followed up on him. That was my mistake."

Robbie puts his head between his knees. He is not well.

"Are you ill, Sheriff?" Roger asks.

"I feel worn out. I'm getting too old for this. Thank God Noel was around."

"Can I get you something?" Roger asks.

"I find Gatorade works. It brings back my electrolytes."

"I'll get you some."

"Roger, before you go. I need to ask you a favor. Forget what you saw today. I try to keep that part of me hidden. I don't use it at work. I'm just a cop from Arizona. I just want to go to work and come home to my wife and children. I want to be a regular man, not some magician. I'm not a miracle worker. All I do is bring the person back so they can get medical help. It doesn't always work. I don't know how it first came to me. I didn't ask for it. So, please, forget what you saw."

"What if the EMT mentions it?"

"Tell him, he was wrong. Bob was not dead. It all happened so fast, it looked like he was dead. Make up your own story. Now, please get me the Gatorade. I feel weak."

Roger leaves. Robbie still has his head between his knees. Mary sits next to him.

"Can I get you something till he comes back?"

"Just some water. There's a fountain by the door."

Mary does and gives it to him. She wipes his forehead.

"Thank you for giving Bob more time."

"You're welcome. You'll never think of cops the same again. It doesn't work when it's meant for them to die. I'm just delaying the inevitable. It wasn't meant for Bobby," Robbie says smiling.

He puts his head back up on the chair and keeps his eyes closed.

"Maybe you should see a doc?"

"Been there, done that. They couldn't help me. My vitals were all over the place. What should be down was up and visa versa. The Gatorade will regulate them. A nap and I'll be fine."

Roger comes with two large bottles and gives them to Robbie. He starts to drink.

"Just tell me if you need some more. It's the least I can do for you. Bob would be dead if you weren't there."

The two brothers return with their arms up and sit down.

"Any news?" Arthur asks.

"No. Sheriff Hawk felt weak. I got him some Gatorade. He doesn't look good. Maybe he should get medical help?" Roger says.

"You're right. I never knew Indians could look green," Arthur says.

"How do you feel, Rob?" Noel asks.

"Very green. Just give this Gatorade time to work. I'll be fine after some rest."

"We're just staying till we hear about Bobby's condition. Then you can rest in the hotel room. If you come home like this, your wife will kill me," Noel says.

Time passes and the doctor comes out. He is in surgical scrubs. Roger stands.

"How is he?" Roger asks.

"He made it through surgery. He lost a lot of blood. He used the new blood down to the last drop. We got the bullet. It was a few inches from his heart. It lodged in his lungs. He'll be in recovery for a few hours. And in ICU when I release him. There's no need to wait here. The cafeteria is open. Get something to eat. The nurse has your phone numbers. If something changes, we will call."

The doctor leaves and Roger sits back down. Robbie's drinking his last bottle. He looks greener.

"Man, you don't look good," Noel says.

"It's taking longer for the Gatorade to work."

"I'm taking you inside. You need a doc. I'll get you a wheelchair. I don't think you can walk."

Noel returns with one.

"Hop in. It's time for a checkup," Noel says pointing to the chair.

Robbie gets in and they leave. Roger, Mary and Arthur are left.

"I'm not hungry, Dad."

"Neither am I."

"What do we do for two hours?" Roger asks.

Two men enter the ER waiting room and approach the nurse's station.

"Excuse me, we're Dallas PD. Is there the Wilburn family here?" one asks.

"They are sitting by the wall," the nurse says.

They turn and walk to the Wilburn's.

"Are you Roger Wilburn?"

"That's my name."

They show their badges.

"We are from Dallas PD. We've come to ask you some questions. Is there some place more private?"

"Here will be fine. We just have to wait till Bobby is out of recovery," Roger says.

"How is your son-in-law?"

"He's still alive if that's what you mean. A few more inches and the bullet would hit his heart. How can I help?"

Everyone sits down. One opens up a small notebook and pen.

"From what we've seen at the fair, that was a planned hit. Did he have enemies?"

"No, except for one. We all have the same enemy. His name is Tom Watters. Mary and I think he's behind this."

"Why do you think so?"

"It's a long story. Tom and Mary were engaged. They came to the ranch to be married. The two weeks before we were arranging the ceremony. Mary and Bobby reunited their childhood friendship and romance. She dumped Tom to marry Bob. I think Tom wants revenge."

"How long ago was this?"

"About two months. I worried he would do something much earlier. The day of the wedding I caught him loading his rifle. I stopped him from hurting them. He left the ranch angry."

"What does Watters look like?"

"Troy Donahue," Mary says.

"Who?"

"He was an actor heartthrob in the sixties. That's all I know," Roger says.

"I remember him. My older sister had a crush on him," one cop says.

"Mrs. Wilburn, do you have a picture of him?"

"Not anymore. I married Bob instead. I have some at the house. Just google Troy Donahue. They could be twins."

He does and shows the picture to his partner.

"Handsome man. What can you tell me about him?"

"He was born and raised in Chicago."

"Chicago? I was raised in Chicago. I still live there," Arthur says.

"Chicago is a big city, Arthur," Mary says.

"It's just a large small town. Tell me about him," Arthur asks.

"His dad is a famous attorney. He comes from money."

Arthur take out his phone and starts to google.

"What are you doing, son?" Roger asks.

"I'm a lawyer and I work in Chicago. This town just became very small. How do you spell Watters?"

"Two't's."

"What are you doing, sir?" one cop asks.

"I'm calling up a lawyer directory. There are four Watters. Three are women. That leaves Christopher J. Watters."

He gives Mary his phone.

"Is that his father?" Arthur asks.

"Yes. He came to see Tom at school. That's when I met him."

"Now all we have to do is locate him," one cop says.

"Google the address," a cop says.

"I don't have to. He works in the same building I do. His firm is the whole seventeenth floor. My firm is so small and could fit in one of his closets."

He pulls out a card and gives it to the police.

"This is my card. Just go to that address and hit seventeen," Arthur says.

The cops look at the card.

"You saved us leg work. We'll give this info to the Chicago office. Thank you, Mr. Hopkins. Did you ever meet him?"

"Only in the elevator. The man reeks of money. He's criminal law and all of his clients are Kardashian. He doesn't work for free. That's all I can tell you."

"You sure he's involved and looks like Troy Donahue, and the man you met at school looks like the lawyer's picture?" one cop asks.

"Yes, I am sure," Mary says.

"We'll go back to the station and tell our Sergeant. Then we'll be in touch."

They leave. Roger sits down again.

"That killed ten minutes. Now what?" Roger asks.

"I was thinking about going to the chapel to pray. Care to join me after you get some food?" Arthur asks.

"Aren't you hungry?" Mary asks.

"I hunger for God more," Arthur says.

"We'll see you in the chapel."

Roger and Mary leave. Arthur stands and goes in the opposite direction.

….

Bobby is in his bed, asleep. Mary and Arthur are sitting waiting. It is raining outside.

"Why is it always raining when a person dies?"

"He's not dying," Mary says.

"He still could. It rained the night my Aunt Mary died. Dad told me. She had cancer. She died and the rain stopped. But these are different circumstances," Arthur says.

"I wonder how Sheriff Hawk is doing." Roger asks.

"Noel called. He's getting IV's and resting comfortably. The doc's found a virus in his blood. He had it for a while. The healing brought it out. I knew there was more to it. He recovered faster before. He'll be coming up soon. Rob will wait outside if it's contagious. Then we're taking him to the hotel to rest. By then the meds will start taking," Arthur says.

Noel walks in and stops at the end of the bed.

"How is he?" Noel asks.

"He's still under sedation but the doctor released him to ICU. We're waiting for him to wake up," Roger says.

"He'll probably sleep through the night."

"Noel, you mentioned a vision before you were pulled back to life. What was it?" Roger asks.

"There was a man with his arms wide open. He had the kindest, most loving face I ever saw. I started to go to him. I wasn't afraid. I wanted him to hold me. Just as I reached him I was pulled back. I tried to fight it but it won. I woke up, alive, in Arthur's arms. I haven't seen that man since. I don't even know who he was. Maybe he was God? I will never know."

Mary starts to cry. Noel looks at Arthur.

"Something wrong, Joe?"

Noel turns to Mary.

"Mary, come over by me."

She does.

"I'd like to try something with you. Do I have your permission?"

"Yes."

He puts his fingers under her eyes and traps her tears. He puts them on Bobby's eyes.

"What did you do that for?" Roger asks.

"I did the same to Arthur when he was ill. His twin boys were crying. I used their tears. A few minutes later he woke up. The love in those tears was all he needed. Maybe it will work with him," Noel says.

Mary sits by the bed and takes Bobby's hand and kisses it.

"Come back to me, Bob," Mary says.

His fingers start moving under her hand. Noel goes to the bed.

"Talk to him, Mary. Let him hear your voice." Noel says.

"Please wake up. Noel put my tears on your eyes to bring you back. Squeeze my hand."

He does.

"Now open your eyes," Mary says.

They can see activity under his eye lids.

"I think it's working, bro," Arthur says.

"So do I, Art."

"Is that how it was with me?" Arthur asks.

"You started crying first. The demon lost and left you."

"Demon?" Roger asks.

"Long story. Come back to us, Bob," Noel says.

"Squeeze my hand, love," Mary says.

He does and slowly opens his eyes. He has a hard time keeping them open. He finally gets them to open. He looks at Mary still holding his hand.

"Mary, where am I? What happened to me?"

"You're in the hospital. Someone shot you when you were riding the horse. Don't you remember?" Mary asks.

He closes his eyes and sighs.

"I thought it was a nightmare. I couldn't wake up from it."

"It's over. You'll be fine," Roger says taking his other hand.

"It's not over, Roger. I had another dream. I saw a man with open arms before me. He had a warm loving face. I was walking towards him. I wasn't afraid. I wanted him to hold me."

Mary and Roger look at Noel. This makes him uncomfortable.

"That's when I felt someone grab my hand and pull me away. He refused to let go. I turned and looked. It was Sheriff Hawk. I was being torn apart by two men. A second man joined Hawk. I couldn't see his face. The two pulled me harder. I couldn't get to the first man. I did see what the other man was wearing. It was a brown and yellow striped shirt, like Noel's. What was I dreaming and why did you and Hawk pull me away?"

They all look at Noel.

"I wish Hawk could come in and explain but he has a contagious bug. He could explain. Help me, Art," Noel asks.

"Bobby, this is too complicated to explain right now. Maybe in a few days, when your mind is clearer. Roger will tell you. My brother, I and Sheriff Hawk are leaving tomorrow. We just came because we were there when you were shot."

"Was it a dream or vision?" Bobby asks.

"It was really happening."

"Was I dead?"

"Tell him all of it, Joe. You might as well," Art says.

"Yes, you were. You see Sheriff Hawk pulled you away because he's a healer. He has the ability to pull a person back to life under certain circumstances. He has to be there at the time of death and he has to will it. Your shooting was the circumstances."

"What were you doing with him?

"Hawk did the same for me when I died. Since then his grandfather, a tribal elder, has been teaching me to do the same. Hawk gave me the same ability. I'm just not as strong."

"You two brought me back to life?"

"We three did it. I also helped," Arthur adds.

"There was a third person but I couldn't see him very clearly. Is that why I'm still alive?"

"Yes, Bobby. That is why," Roger says.

"Sheriff Hawk does not want his ability to be known. He wants it to stay between us. He wants to be a normal man and lead a normal life," Mary says.

"I've heard of Indian healers but I never met one."

"Well now you have," Roger says.

"Thank you. Thank Sheriff Hawk when you see him for me."

"He's right outside. He fell ill after he did it. We have to take him back to the hotel to rest. We'll tell him. We're glad it worked. We have to leave you now. Take care. Do what the doc says. Get well, Mr. Wilburn," Arthur says.

"I will. Thank you for being there."

"The bullet lodged in your lung an inch from your heart. They stopped it," Roger says.

The brothers walk out, pick up Robbie and leave.

"Why would someone try and kill me? I never hurt anyone," Bobby asks.

"You hurt one person. Both you and Mary did. I think this was his revenge," Roger says.

"Tom? You think he's behind this?"

"I know he is. I don't think he shot you. He's not good enough. He probably hired someone. If I'm right, we're still in danger. Maybe it's time a body guard should be posted by the door," Roger says.

"But why wait two months? Why didn't he do something earlier?"

"He tried but we stopped him. There were witnesses. Remember," Mary says.

"I'm going to call the Dallas PD. They still want to talk to you," Roger says leaving the room.

"When will this be over?" Bobby asks.

Mary leans down and kisses him.

…..

CHICAGO – NOW

It is the Watters's condo. Tom enters in fishing gear and fish.

"I'm back."

Chris, his father enters the room.

"The lone fisherman returns. How were the fish?"

"Good. I ate some back there but I still have more left. Give this to mom," Tom says giving a package.

"You look happy."

"I needed rest. I hear the TV. What's on?"

"Another shooting. What else? This time in Texas. Come with me."

Tom drops his fishing gear and goes into the living room. His mother opens the package as she and Chris watch the news. A reporter is speaking.

"Guns have struck again. This time at the Texas State Fair. Isn't there any places safe?" the reporter asks.

Tom smiles as he watches. He was just in Dallas. He used fishing as an excuse. The fish were bought in a store in Chicago.

"It happened yesterday afternoon at the horse's auction. A rider showing off a perspective sale was shot as he rode. He was rushed to the hospital and had surgery. Doctors say it's a miracle he survived. This was an obvious hit. The DPD is investigating. More news when DPD will release it," the reporter ends.

Tom's smile goes to a grimace.

"Shit," he says under his breath.

"You can't even go to a fair anymore. I hate guns," Chris says.

"Aren't they what pay the mortgage," Tom asks.

"They do. This is one case I wish I could handle. Whoever did the hit should himself be shot. What happened to your smile, Tom?" Chris asks.

'I'm just tired. It was a long drive. I need a shower. I'm going out after. I have calls to make."

Tom walks away.

"What was that all about?" Chris asks.

…..

Tom is in his father's car. He takes his phone and calls. He is angry.

"It's me, your boss. You failed. He's still alive. I thought you were the best…Your reputation has something to be desired. I'm still not through with you. I paid you for a kill. I still want one. This time you'll have to get personal…Get around the police. You've done it before. You're not getting paid until the Indian and his wife are dead."

He ends the call.

"I'm not through with you, Mr. Wilburn."

….

CHICAGO – POLICE STATION

Two detectives are on the phone with DPD. One is taking notes in a small notebook.

"Yeah…Yeah…I got that. What does he look like?...Who's Troy Donahue? I never heard of him…I'll google it. There has to be a picture of him on his father's profile…What was the other's lawyers name?...Arthur Hopkins from Hopkins and Durham. Gotcha. I'll google him too…Thanks for the info. We'll be in touch."

He gets off the phone.

"So what do we do?" the other asks.

"Daddy Watters is a criminal lawyer. It's time we talk to his son Tom."

"Christopher Watters, the criminal lawyer? No one gets through him. He's called the brick wall. We've fought with him before. Are they sure his son is behind the hit?"

"There is a marital problem. For now, let's go google for help."

…..

The Watters family is eating fish for dinner.

"This fish is delicious, son. We should send you fishing more often. They almost taste store bought," Chris says.

"Fresh fish always does."

"Do you think they'll catch the man who tried to kill the rider?" Mrs. Watters asks.

"I hope they do. I haven't had a gun for hire case for a while. I love the drama."

"Why did he hire him?"

"What else? A woman, the victim's wife. This case is VERY personal."

The doorbell rings.

"Who would be calling now? It's dinner time. I'll get rid of him," Chris says going to the door.

He looks through the peep hole and opens the door. The two detectives are standing before him.

"How did you get past security? Can I help you?"

They flash their badges.

"We're from CPD. Is this a good time? We have some questions to ask. Are you Chris Watters, the attorney?"

"Obviously. The guard let you in. Please come in. We're eating dinner," Chris says, letting them in.

"We'll make it quick. Is it about a case I'm handling? If it is, couldn't this wait for tomorrow during working hours?"

"It's not about a case. We need to speak to your son, Tom. Is he around?"

"My name is Tom. What can I do?"

"Could you tell us your whereabouts the past few days?"

"I was on a fishing trip. We're eating my results now."

"Where do you fish?"

"The other side of Wisconsin."

"Do you have anyone who can verify that?"

"I was alone all the time. What is this about?"

"Yes, gentlemen. What is this about?" Chris asks.

"We're investigating an attempted murder for hire in Dallas."

"Why are you questioning my son in Chicago? Dallas is not your jurisdiction,'' Chris asks.

"He knew the victim. It's a Robert Wilburn. Your son was in Texas two months ago. He was going to get married to a Texas woman."

"Do you mean Mary Wilburn? She dumped him for another man on HIS wedding day," Chris says.

"We are aware and want to know more about it. It would explain the attempted hit."

"Are you sure it was a hit and my son was involved?" Chris asks.

"We'd like to hear it from him. Tell us what happened, Mr. Watters."

"Should I tell them, dad?"

"Go ahead. You're innocent until proven guilty."

"Well, it began at school. I met Mary and proposed and she accepted. She wanted to be married in Texas with her father. We agreed to meet there after graduation. We did. That's when everything went south. When she reached the ranch, she re-acquainted her relationship with a ward her father was legal guardian too. He was twenty-four and a man. His name was Bobby White. He lived with the family for four years. Two years was spent as Mary's unofficial older brother."

"Something happened in the two weeks between the two of them. They reactivated a childhood romance. It was our wedding day. When the priest asked if someone knew why we shouldn't be married he didn't speak up. When it came time to OUR marriage, she did. She refused and walked to him and said she still loved him and wanted to marry him on OUR wedding day. He took my place and they were married."

"That must have hurt?"

"Hurt is not the word. That bitch humiliated me if front of a few hundred guests. I left the wedding with the last of my honor and I haven't seen them since."

"Are you telling us the truth, Mr. Watters?"

"Are you calling my son a liar?" Why would he lie? He's innocent. It's that woman who's not innocent. She used him when she married the other man. What does this have to do with Dallas?"

"His name is Robert White-Wilburn and he's the man who was shot three days ago."

"And you think my son was responsible? Gentlemen, if that's what you interrupted our dinner for this conversation is over. Unless you intend to arrest him, please leave and let us go back to eating. The next time you see him you will have to give Miranda."

"Sorry for the interruption. Thank you for the info, Mr. Watters. Enjoy your meal. We know where the door is,"

They leave. Roger goes back to the table. Tom has lost his appetite. He pushes his plate away.

"The nerve of them. We saw you when you came home. I know you're innocent. You would never do something like that. I raised you right. Mary is the one to blame, not you."

"I never thought this would come back to haunt me. I did love her. I saw her going away from me for that Indian. If he was shot it was someone else he knew who wanted him dead, not me," Tom says leaving the table.

"Is Tom in trouble, Chris?"

"Don't worry. I and my people will defend him if he is. Our son is not a murderer."

Bobby is sitting up in bed eating lunch. He looks at his lime Jell-O with a grimace. He puts his spoon in and starts to bring it to his face, changes his mind and puts it back on the plate. Roger and Mary enter.

"You don't look so happy. What's wrong?" Roger asks.

"This lime Jell-O. It looks disgusting. I know hospital food is bad but this Jell-O is the pits."

"It can't be that bad. Let me taste it." Mary says.

"Your mouth," Bobby says.

She goes and gives him back the spoon.

"YUK! That stuff is terrible!"

"Told you."

"How do you feel?" Mary asks.

"Better. At least I can sit up. I was thinking about what Hawk did for me at the fair. When I get better, I'd like to thank him personally. Where do I find him?"

"Noel gave me his address. We just have to find Nowhere. He says Route 66 runs through it. He will help you see Hawk. It's too early to try and go. The doctor hasn't released you yet."

"I can't wait to go home. Whatever happened to the horse I rode?"

"He was sold at a good price. This is not the first horse the owner has bought from us. He's a good man," Roger says.

"It's a shame the horse was spooked."

"It's also the shame you were shot," Mary says.

The doctor comes in.

"Well, you're sitting up. Good. How do you feel?" the doctor asks.

"Better, till I looked at this lime Jell-O," Bobby says.

"I can't stand it either. I'll keep this short. How do you feel about going home tomorrow? All you need is rest. You're just wasting a bed now. You recover better at home. Tomorrow sounds good?"

"Very good."

"Excellent. After dinner I want to get you out of bed and walk around. Take a walk around the hall. Make sure someone is with you. Your legs may feel like Jell-O for a couple of days. Don't do stairs unless you have to."

"I have too. My bedroom is on the second floor."

"Don't do it too often until your legs are stronger."

"What about my heart?"

"Your heart was never hurt. Your lungs were. You may need to catch your breath till the lung is healed. Don't do any marathons. No riding either. Let the horses be for a few weeks. I'll put all this in my discharge papers. Make sure you see your doctor in a few weeks. I have other patients to see. Good luck, Mr. Wilburn."

The doctor leaves. Bobby looks at the Jell-O again with a grimace. He puts it in the middle of his main plate and covers it. Mary laughs.

"It's good to have you back, Bob. I love you."

She leans down and kisses him. The two cops come from DPD in and stop.

"We'll come back later."

She stands back up.

"You can stay. We're finished," Mary says.

"We came to see how you're doing. Judging from what we just saw, you're doing fine. When are you going home?"

"Tomorrow."

"Any news?" Roger asks.

"With the help of Mr. Hopkins, we located Tom's father. We've sent all our info to CPD. They're taking over looking for Tom Watters. Our case is split in two. If the shooter will try again, he will do it here. I suggest you get body guards till both the shooter and Tom are caught. You're still in danger."

"Thank you for your help, detectives," Bobby says.

"We're just glad you came back to us. Death is no picnic. Good luck at home. We'll leave you now."

The two cops leave. Mary smiles at Bobby and takes his hand again.

….

THE DEAD RAT

A week passes. Roger, Mary and Bobby are in one car. A second car follows behind. They are the bodyguards. They are Route 66. It is deserted.

"Dad, we've been on this road for one hour. There is nothing here," Mary says.

"That's not what GPS says. If we don't see something soon, we'll turn back to Phoenix."

"I see a sign ahead," Bobby says.

"I'll slow down and read it,"

He does. It reads "Nowhere, 10 miles. Population: You have to be kidding. Don't blink."

"Someone has a sense of humor," Roger says.

"I see a ranch with horses. At last civilization," Mary says.

"Now you don't see that anymore. It looks like a theater," Bobby says.

"Nowhere should be up ahead. Like the sign says, don't blink," Mary says.

They drive into town. It has five main buildings. They stop by Tom's place and get out.

"This must be downtown."

"That must be the bar Noel spoke about. The diner and the motel are across the street."

The three go inside. There are no customers. A Mexican is tending bar. A woman sits in the corner reading a paper. It's Angie, Noel's wife. They walk up to the counter.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes, we've come from Phoenix and we're looking for Noel Jackson. Is he around?" Roger asks.

"No, but that's his wife. Hey, Angie, these folks are looking for Noel. Where is he at?"

She looks at her watch.

"He's probably at the theater. There's a rehearsal tonight. Can I help you three?" Angie asks.

"We came to see Noel. We met him and his brother in Dallas. We're the Wilburn's," Roger says.

She walks over to them.

"The shooting? Noel told me all about it. You must be Roger, the dad. You're Mary the daughter. And you're Bobby the poet. I recognize your picture. I hope you feel better," Angie says.

"Much better. We came to thank you and Sheriff Hawk for their help," Bobby says.

"Robbie is at work, probably the police station. Noel is at work at the theater. Come with me. I'll drive you. He'll be glad to see you. Before we go, Bob, I have a few questions for you. Was Fury the horse real?"

"Very real."

"And what happened to the girl you wrote about? Was she real?"

"I married her and she's in front of you."

"You're a lucky woman, Mary. He loves you very much," Angie says.

"You don't have to tell me," Mary says.

"Follow me. The car is in front. You can leave your car parked. I'll drive you back."

….

Noel is sitting in a vacant theater audience. He is making notes when Angie comes in.

"Hello, Darling."

"Angie, what brings you here?"

"I have three friends who came to see you, all the way from Texas."

He sees the Wilburn's with two unknown men.

"Roger, good to see you. How are you, Bob?"

"Doing better."

"Who's your two ghosts?"

"Body guards. The man who shot Bobby is still free. We'll need them till Tom or the shooter, or both, are caught," Roger says.

"Good idea. Well, let me give you the grand tour. This is our theater. We show musical bands and dramatic plays. We have one on Saturday night. It's "West Side Story" minus the dancing. My kids can sing and act but not dance. It's down to a musical review. I was just making last minute changes to blocking."

"If I remember right it had two gangs. Aren't all your students Indians?" Bobby asks.

"They play the Puerto Ricans. The whites are children of the nearby ranchers. I've expanded my students to include all races."

"What you're doing is wonderful," Roger says.

"Wait till you see the rest. Come with me. You'll love the basement."

They follow him down the stairs. He opens the door. It opens to several rooms with music.

"This is my music school. I can't show you the classes because they're in use. We teach guitar, piano, wind instruments, and percussion. Keep walking forward."

Noel unlocks a door to a music studio.

"This is my gem, my recording studio. It's small but it gets used. When my students get good enough, I record their demo's. The engineer comes in only when he's needed. Then I present my students to a live audience upstairs and represent them myself to people I know in the industry. I'm promoting two bands right now. Follow me back upstairs."

He locks the door and they go back to the empty theater.

"Let's go on stage."

They do. He stands in the middle of the stage.

"We have the same as other stages. We have curtains, back drops, a trap door with an elevator, and lights. You name it. It's not Broadway, but it's a start. Our dramatic productions are only verbal. Those we do whole. Tonight's rehearsal is for last minute blocking only. Stick around. The kids should be here soon. You'll like it."

"Thank you, we will," Roger says.

"Have your two bodyguards go with Angie to my office. They can help carry the sodas for the group. Any questions?"

"When do you have time for your music?" Mary asks.

"I make time. But my kids come first. Don't worry. I bring the money in. Just ask my manager, my wife."

The sodas are brought in. Noel goes back to blocking. The group sits in the audience.

"What do you think?" Angie says.

"Your husband is amazing," Mary says.

"Pretty good with someone who's autistic?"

"Are you for real?" Bobby asks.

"Yes, he's autistic. But he's a musical genius. He's got a few more Grammy's but that's not his goal. He's not like his brother, but he comes close," Angie says.

"Who dreamed up all this?" Bobby asks.

"An angel told him to do it."

"What?"

"Long story. He found the backing. He still does his music and tours. The royalty checks are nice. He's living his dream. He wants to be the next Andrew Lloyd Webber."

"That's quite an accomplishment."

"You're not so bad yourself. You're an excellent poet. Ever think of putting the poems to music?"

"I don't know any musicians."

"What is Noel? Chopped liver? Ask him. He needs fresh blood."

"I'll ask him, when he's not busy. "West Side Story" is more important right now."

The kids come in.

"Hey. Mr. J."

"Hello, Kids. Put your school books down. I have some final blocking for you."

They do and the rehearsal goes on. The Wilburn's and the guards watch. It ends.

"What do you think, Mr. J?"

"Guys, it was excellent. Remember the new stuff for Saturday. See you then."

The kids leave.

"What do you think people? Is the revue good?"

They give him thumbs up.

"Told you he was a genius," Angie says.

"Where you guys staying?" Noel asks.

"Nowhere, yet. I saw a motel in town. Are there rooms?" Roger asks.

"You saw our downtown. There's nothing there. We always have vacancies. Angie, get their rooms. Tell Maria, gratis."

"No, Noel. We can pay."

"You've been through hell. You need a break."

"How long is the diner open?" Mary asks.

"It's closed by now."

"I'll feed you. You'll dine with us."

"Where do you live?"

"You know that big house on the edge of town, that doesn't fit in? That's us. Noel had it built to his specifications. Let's hit the motel."

….

The group enters Noel's house.

"This is home. Our three children are with Grandpa. He's picking up our boy and should be here any minute. Noel will follow soon. Till he does, I'll get dinner ready."

"Need help?" Mary asks.

"I need help cutting. Follow me to the kitchen. This is Noel's favorite part. He always wanted a kitchen island. We'll get dinner ready here."

She brings out plates, knives and food to cut. Its tacos.

"You two body guards help too."

She gets dough from the fridge and puts it in front of them.

"This dough has been cooking all day. It's ready to cut and mold. I'll show you the size. You will prepare them and I will fry them. Tonight's dinner will be tacos ala Indian fry bread. Let's all get to work," Angie says.

Tom, Angie's father, enters the house with three kids.

"I'm here, Angie."

"Come in the kitchen, Dad."

He does with the kids and is surprised to see the group.

"This is my Dad, Tom. He's the town mayor. The three kids are mine. Danny is six. He's our little angel. The girls are our daughters. The youngest is Allison, she's ours. The middle one is Roberta. She's adopted from the Rez. Her mother is Hawk's wife, and mother of his four children. There's a lot of Indian blood in this family. I'm half Apache," Angie says.

"Can I get you something for tonight?" Tom asks.

"Get two pies from the diner and two quarts of ice cream, vanilla and chocolate."

"Yes, ma'am," Tom says leaving.

Danny sits at the island next to Mary. She smiles at him.

"You're pretty," Danny says.

"Why thank you."

"My name is Danny. She's my mom."

"I can see that."

"My daddy's at work. He'll be home soon."

"We met your daddy."

Angie fries the bread and cuts them in half.

"May I have one bread, Mommy?"

"I'm saving it for dinner, Danny."

"Please, mommy."

She gives him a quarter of one. He starts eating.

"Now go watch TV. Grandpa will be back soon."

Danny leaves. The two girls follow.

"He's adorable," Mary says.

"You don't have to tell me. He already looks like his dad. Allison looks like me. Keep cutting, Gentlemen. We need more bread," Angie says.

…..

They are all enjoying their dinner. Bobby grabs fry bread.

"My mom made good fry bread," Bobby says.

"Why did she stop?" Angie asks.

"My parents died when I was fourteen. That's when I became Roger's legal ward. He was my guardian for four years till I became legally adult."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I didn't mean to pry."

"That's how I got Bobby," Roger says.

"Forgive me, Bobby,"

"Nothing to forgive. That was ten years ago. My parents are with our ancestors."

"I enjoyed your theater and school," Mary says.

"It's something this valley needs. There's not much to do. Boredom for a teenager is why they get into trouble. They have nothing to do. I give them a choice. It's better than gangs and crime," Noel says.

"Tell me about it. I hated the gangs at the Rez. I wanted more with my life, besides drugs and gangs."

"Now you see why I continue doing it. I don't have trouble with the rancher's children. Most are well behaved. It's the ones from the Rez who need the attention. The more I get them out of the gangs, the better."

The Mexican bartender enters the house and speaks to Noel.

"I'll take care of it."

He leaves.

"What did he say?'

"There's a dead rat by one of you cars. I'll get rid of it. I'm also the garbage man. Hand me a bag and my gloves," he says ready to leave.

"Can't it wait till after dinner? It's a dead rat," Angie says.

"I'll just be a minute. I'll wash my hands when I come back. I have many jobs around here folks," Noel says leaving.

He leaves and goes to the car with the rat. He sees green fluid on the ground. He leans down and tastes it.

"Brake fluid."

He follows the trail from the rat to the back of the car. The limo has been cut. He goes back to the rat.

"Looks like you didn't die a natural death. You drank something you shouldn't."

He goes to the other car. Their brake line was cut too.

"We have a problem."

He goes back to the house and gets the two body guards and brings them out.

"What's up?"

"This rat is. Is seems both your cars had their brake lines cut. The rat made the mistake of drinking some. We have a problem guys. The person who tried to kill Wilburn followed you here. The Wilburn's are not safe anymore. You'll have to be more observant."

"What now?"

"I'm calling the Sheriff. After he gets here you can go back inside. I will be outside and waiting for him."

Noel calls.

"Sheriff Hawk please…Hi, Rob. Could you come to downtown Nowhere? We have a big problem. Bring your legal pad and phone. You'll need pictures…You'll see when you get here. Also bring George from the garage in Why. Tell him to bring his tools. You'll need his expertise. Have the nearest forensic team on hold. They will have a victim to examine…Thanks. See ya."

He hangs up and looks again at the rat.

"That, gentlemen, is what someone wanted to do with you guys. And that person is probably still here. He's not messing up again like in Dallas," Noel says.

"You still need us?"

"One of you get Roger and bring him here. He needs to see this. Don't tell anyone else."

"What about your dinner?"

"Tell Angie to save me some. I'll nuke it later. This is more important."

He does and Roger comes out.

"What's up, Noel?"

"This is a dead rat."

"You brought me here to see a dead rat?"

"He's special. He drank the brake fluid your car lost when the line was cut. The other car was cut too. Someone still wants you all dead. And he's probably in Nowhere, right now. I've called the Sheriff. He's on his way."

"Oh, dear. What do I tell the others?"

"Nothing. The Sheriff will tell them when he's finished investigating. There are things to be done."

"What can I do?"

"There's something I know I can do. After dinner, get your bags from the motel. You'll all staying with us until we catch him and this is over. You won't be safe outside of town."

"When did this happen?"

"After you got your rooms and came to dinner. That's when someone followed you. Just tell no one."

Angie comes out of the house and walks to them.

"Noel, why aren't you eating now?"

"Oh, shit. I didn't want you to see this."

She sees the rat.

"Why haven't you cleaned up the rat?"

"I can't. He's evidence. He died drinking brake fluid that came from Roger's car after the line was cut. The other car was cut too. We have a murderer in Nowhere," Noel says.

"On my God!" Angie cries.

"I called Robbie. He's on his way. He's coming with George from Why. He needs a mechanic to see the damages. He also needs to document the crime scene and give Mr. Rat an autopsy. Now you know why I said I'll nuke it. You go back inside. Say nothing. I will wait here, alone till Robbie gets here. As for the Wilburn's, they will be our guests, till this is all over. We'll make room. They can't be safe in the motel."

"You're right dear. I won't say a word."

"Robbie will tell them after he's finished. Let them enjoy their meal. All of you go back inside. I'll sit on the porch till he's here," Noel says.

They leave him alone. He goes to the porch paid and waits watching the cars for visitors.

Time passes and the Sheriff's car comes into town. Noel walks to the car as Robbie and George come out.

"We're here. What's wrong?" Robbie asks.

"See the dead rat?"

"You called me to see a dead rat?"

"This one is special. These two cars belong to the Wilburn party. They came to visit. So did the person who tried to kill Bobby in Dallas. He's in Nowhere. This rat died when he drank the brake fluid that spilled when the line was cut, on both cars. The rat drank and passed on to rat heaven. He needs an autopsy. It's time to call forensics. George, can you see what type of tool was used to cut the lines?" Noel asks.

"I'll give it a try."

He goes to one car and tugs the line and comes back.

"The knife was jaded. It wasn't straight. The cuts are uneven."

Robbie uses his phone to snap pictures of the crime scene.

"Do you want these cars to be towed after?" George asks.

"I'll tell you after forensics get here. Did you touch anything?" Robbie asks.

"Not a thing. I know better. I just worry because that person is still here."

"Where?" Robbie asks writing the incident in his pad.

"There's only one place to be in Nowhere, Tom's. But who is it?" Noel asks.

"You can help me there. I'll take care of the cars and the rat until forensics arrives. You know the locals. Take a look into Tom's. See if there is a stranger. If there is, look at the cars parked in back. You know all their cars. See if there's one you don't know. And see if it's a rental. Meanwhile, ask Tom if anyone at the bar is acting nervously. Do that and tell me your findings. I'll call forensics," Robbie says.

Robbie goes into his car to call. George checks the other car. The marks are the same. He goes back to Robbie.

"The same knife was used on both cars."

"I expected that. Now how do we catch the guy without getting anyone innocent?" Robbie says.

Noel enters the bar and approaches the counter. He goes behind it and calls to Tom. Both duck under.

"What's up?"

"Pretend you're showing me something. We have a problem. One of the patrons here is bad news. He's dangerous. It's not a local. It's a stranger. Anyone here you don't know? Point to something when you answer," Noel says.

"Just the guy in grey. He's very nervous and keeps looking at the door. Is that him?" Tom asks.

"Could be. Let me see the cars parked in back for strange ones. I'll be back. Just act normal and do as I say."

The two men get up. Noel goes out the back to the cars. They all belong to locals, except for one. He goes and reads the license plate. It's a rental. He goes around the bar and walks back to Robbie who is writing up his report.

"You were right. There is someone and only one. Now what?" Noel asks.

"George, you got a screwdriver. Give it to Noel. He's about to commit legal vandalism."

He does.

"One tire on both sides. That car isn't going anywhere," Robbie says.

"Just don't tell the Sheriff," Noel says smiling.

"What Sheriff? I don't see one," Robbie says smiling.

Noel goes to the parking lot to the rental car. The plate reads "Imilegal". He points to the tires.

"Eany meany, miney moe. Catch a tire by the toe. If it blows up, let it go."

He starts punching the back passenger side tire and then the front driver side tire. He waits till the air comes out and puts the screwdriver in his lower calf sock leg.

He goes into the bar from the back. Tom sees him and Noel mouths the word "Now."

"Excuse me, everyone. I have to tell you something you might find very interesting. Like any small desert town we have varmint problems. We have a rat and gopher problem. I just came from doing the garbage when I interrupted a family of hungry gophers having a rubber buffet. I scared them off, but not before they ate the tires on one car. Will the person who has the license plate "Imilegal" speak up?"

Albert raises his hand.

"That's my car."

"Come with me. I hope you have some spares with you. I'll help you," Noel says.

Noel and Albert go to the lot. The Sheriff hides with open cuffs. The man bends down to look at the back tire.

"Man that was a gopher?"

"You ever see their teeth?" Noel says.

Robbie stands behind Albert and waits. Albert stands up with his arms loose at his side.

"Your car is a rental. There has to be one spare. Give me the key. I'll open the trunk," Noel says.

"NO! I'll open it. You wait here," Albert say putting his hand to stop when Robbie cuffs him.

"What's going on here?"

Robbie grabs his other hand and cuffs them behind the man's back. Robbie turns him to face him.

"I want to have words with you."

"You don't have to cuff me to talk. It wasn't gophers who killed the tires. It was your friend."

Noel waves hello and smiles.

"Go call George back here."

Noel returns with George. He gives him back the screwdriver.

"Is this a robbery? I don't have money."

"Turn around and lean front face on the car," Robbie says.

Robbie frisks him and looks at Noel, who points to his lower leg calf. Robbie checks the leg and finds the knife in its leather cover. He grabs the knife with a small rag and goes to give it to George.

"Smell it but don't touch it," Robbie says.

George does.

"Brake fluid, Sheriff."

Robbie pulls out a plastic bag from his pocket and puts the knife and covers the bag. He then takes the wallet from Albert to look for ID.

"What's here? You have three ID's, with the same picture but different names and addresses. What is your real name?"

"None of your business."

"You get more interesting by the minute. Where's your car keys?"

"My front jean pocket."

Robbie takes them and opens the front seat. He opens the glove compartment and finds a gun with ammunition. He gets out of the car and goes to the trunk and opens it. There is an arsenal of guns. He calls to Noel with his finger. They speak in whisper behind the opened trunk door.

"What is it, Rob?"

"I have a problem. I can get him on brake line vandalism only. This search was illegal. I hope forensics shows up soon. This is more than a dead rat."

"Is he the guy who shot Bobby?"

"I can't tell. All these guns have to be tested to match the bullet from Dallas. If it does, they have their man. But all I can get him on is vandalism. This case just got very complicated," Robbie says, closing the trunk.

He walks to Albert.

"I don't know who you are, but after I get your prints at the station, I will. I bet NONE of those ID's are real," Robbie says.

"Sheriff Hawk, are you back here?" a voice yells.

"In the back. Follow my voice,' Robbie says.

A few members of Arizona CSI come to the group.

"What took you so long? I called an hour ago."

"It took forever to find Nowhere. Where do we begin?"

"Did you see the dead rat? It drank brake fluid. I need the stomach contents tested. I also need the brake lines checked for prints. This is the guy who cut them. I have the knife in my bag. Take these keys and open the trunk. You'll find more guns. I want all of these guns tested. There's a bullet in Dallas that needs to be matched. If it does, DPD has their man. I can only hold him for vandalism."

"What's his name?"

"He has three ID's. His prints will tell his true identity. I can send them to your lab."

"You've done your homework, Sheriff."

"And now it's time to do yours. This car has to be towed. We created the flat tires. I didn't want him to get away. You'll probably find things I didn't check for. What about the two cars in front?"

"We'll take the pictures, get your rat and tow both cars. Who do they belong to?"

"I have people visiting. It's their cars."

"We'll get what we need and they can be checked and repaired. We'll try to get them back to them soon as we can."

"I'll be in touch after I process John Doe Here. This man was hired to kill someone in Dallas. The man lived. That's why they have a bullet to be matched. He followed his assignment here and cut the lines. This time a rat RATTED on him. They're very much alive. If John Doe is the assassin, the man that hired him is in Chicago. I'll send you his name," Robbie says.

Robbie takes Albert by the arm and turns to Noel.

"I'm taking him in. Can you drive George home, Noel?"

"Sure, but first you have to tell the Wilburn's what's going on. They're owed that much."

"You're right. Gentlemen, you continue searching the car. Here's the key. I'll meet you in front before I leave. Keep an eye on John Doe."

Robbie, Noel and George go back in front. Robbie and Noel go back into the house. Dinner is finished but the dishes are on the table.

"Sheriff Hawk? What a surprise?" Bobby says.

"Not as surprised as I am. How are you, Bobby?"

"Better. The doctor said a few weeks rest and I'll be fine. No horse riding for now. Why are you here?"

"I need to talk to all of you. Please have a seat."

They do. Noel and Angie stand alone.

"I'm sure you heard the noise outside. Nowhere is very small. I'll start at the beginning. While you were eating, someone cut both your brake lines. Noel called me when we went to get the dead rat. He did not die of natural causes. The fluid poisoned him. That rat saved your lives."

"With Noel's help, I apprehended him. I found more things I can't tell you until I have proof. All I can get him on is the damage to your cars. He wanted to kill you."

"Is he the man who shot Bobby?" Mary asks.

"I can't say till all the police departments talk to each other. For now I suggest you live with Noel. The motel isn't safe till all this is cleared up. If this is the real man, and I don't do this right, he can walk on a small vandalism charge. I can't tell you anymore. I'm sure Noel will find something for you to do. I'll be in touch."

Robbie leaves. Mary turns to Bobby.

"I'm scared, Bobby. What if he's the man who tried to kill you?"

"Don't worry. Let Hawk do his job. Everything will be fine," Bobby says.

"What about Tom? What if he hired him?" Roger asks.

"Leave it up to the police departments. Hawk said it would be complicated," Bobby says.

Noel shakes his head.

"And this because of a dead rat," Noel says.

"Let's get the dishes washed. You don't leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight. Things come out at night at the desert. Mary, help me do the plates. Noel, your plate is in the fridge. Just nuke it," Angie says.

Angie and Mary leave. The men look at Noel.

"Thank you, Noel," Bobby says.

"Don't thank me. Thank the rat. Robbie will be busy tonight," Noel says.

Angie and Mary are in the kitchen. Mary is quiet.

"You okay, Mary?"

"I'm scared. Tom wanted all of us dead."

"It didn't work. My garbage man figured it out. Now relax. Get you bags from the motel. Noel and I will open up the dorm," Angie says smiling.

Mary leaves. Noel walks in.

"It's bad, honey," Angie says looking at him.

"I know. Don't worry. I'm an army man, remember? I can take care of it."

Mary and Bobby are getting ready for bed. She has a robe over her nightgown. He is wearing only pajama bottoms. She has her back turned to him. He lowers the top of the robe and starts kissing her neck from behind. Then he puts his hands over her breasts.

"Bobby, the doctor said no physical activity."

"I'm not doing anything physical. I'm just kissing your neck. You taste good and feel good."

"You better stop. You heard the doctor," she says turning to face him.

"He didn't say anything about groping. I'm your husband. I'm allowed. All I'm exercising are my hands."

"That not the point. Your surgery is still fresh. I can see the scar. The stitches could tear inside."

She traces the scar with her hand.

"Your perfect chest is gone. The scar will always be there."

He puts his arms around her waist.

"And so will I. I'm just trying to relax you. I want you to forget about what happened to us."

"I felt so scared when I almost lost you. I didn't know what to do if you-"

"But I didn't. I'm very much alive."

"I still feel scared. Whoever hates us wants us all dead. He took away our brakes."

"Hawk caught someone. Let him do his job. He's good at it. He's the first step in catching who hates us. The police have to make a case before anything is done. Just relax and let my groping hands make you feel better."

He kisses her neck. There is a knock. Bobby sighs.

"Somebody has bad timing. Who is it?"

"Noel, may I come in?"

"You may enter."

He enters. He is still fully dressed.

"I just came to see if you're comfortable."

"We are. Where is everyone else sleeping?" Bobby asks.

"Roger is in Danny's room. Your guards are on our sofa bed. It sleeps three. They will have BJ, my dog, that's his bed. He snores very loud. When the house is quiet I hear him way up here. I gave them ear plugs. BJ is a good dog but we let him sleep alone."

Noel looks at Bobby's scar.

"You're looking at my scar."

"I can see it's fresh. I have some of my own. I served in Afghanistan with Robbie's dad, 1st Lt. Robert Hawk, Sr. When I joined the army I discovered I loved guns. Every day I would do range practice. I was the best shot on the base. The range was run by an Arab national. One day I and five of my friends were sent on a normal patrol. We were attacked by the Taliban."

"I saw the face of the man who tried to kill me. It was the guy who ran the range. Turns out I was the reason for the attack. There was a price on my head because I was so good. He shot me twice, my gut and my upper left leg. When I saw his face I yelled 'No way, asshole." And killed him but not before he shot my gut again. I fell over."

"Robbie's dad and his men came to help. They killed the rest of the Taliban and then came to see us. There were five bodies on the sand. Hawk reached for me. He was going to add me to the bodies when he saw me breathing. I was barely alive and almost died that night."

He lifts his shirt to his scar.

"I lost my spleen and half my liver. The doctor glued me together. My leg was shot right above my knee. The bullet traveled up, almost into my hip, tearing veins and arteries along the way. The doc wanted to amputate but Arthur refused. I have one continuous scar to my hip. You will get used to the scar. It won't go away. It will just turn white. But on you it will show."

"You don't have a limp?" Mary says.

"Physical therapy and running training from Robbie's dad help. He gave me back my two legs again. I owe that family. He gave me my legs. And Robbie gave me back my life. That's why I try hard to help the Indians here. Without them I would be dead or crippled."

"How come you never sing about that? Isn't that what country is, real life stories?" Bobby asks.

"I did. Ever hear or see the video "Survivor's Guilt"? That's really me. The man limping away at the end of the video is me. I live with that every day. They died because someone wanted me dead."

"Do you ever feel afraid?" Bobby asks.

"Every time I meet an Arab national. I'm not a racist but they scare me. I remember his eyes when he pulled the trigger. I didn't let him win. Nothing scares me now. If someone comes after your party and I see him, I'll kill and ask questions later. I have no problem killing."

Mary and Bobby are stunned.

"I didn't mean to get you upset. I know you have a lot on your mind. I just want you to remember. I am your new best friend. I will stop anyone who tries to hurt you, even if it means killing them. Even Hawk knows that about me. He's seen me do it."

"I've taken too much of your time. You need your sleep. If you hear the ground shake and rattle, it's only my dog. Good night."

He leaves the room.

"That was educational," Bobby says.

"I saw his eyes turn red when he talked about his assassin. How do you feel about him?" Mary asks.

"I don't know yet. I'd have to see him first."

"Could you kill and not feel anything?" Mary asks.

"If they tried to kill you or your dad, I wouldn't think twice. Your lives are more important to me than theirs. I could be a killer with no trouble. Honey, let's just go to bed. Forget this talk of death and revenge. It will only eat us alive. Just lay next to me. Once I start groping your breasts you'll forget."

He kisses her.

…..

Robbie is at the station. He and a few deputies stand by Albert. He is being printed and they want to make sure he doesn't get away. Robbie takes his first hand and starts.

"This will tell us who you really are. With all the weapons you had you have to have a record somewhere. I would be very disappointed if you didn't."

"I want an attorney. You said that in Miranda."

"I did. But I can still book you and get your prints. I have you on vandalism. I would like to know why you did it and who paid you. Why those two particular cars?"

"Not without an attorney."

"As you wish. Till then you will be my guest at our jail. It will take time for the lawyer to show up. Nowhere IS nowhere. They have to come from Phoenix. You'll be here all night."

Robbie finishes and gives him a rag to clean his fingers.

"Now these prints will go to forensics. They'll find who you are, along with whatever is in your car. Take him boys. Lock him up and have him stew. Maybe than he'll talk."

Robbie goes to the nearest fax and sends them through.

"This will be a long night."

….…

The hours pass. Robbie is on his computer typing when the phone rings.

"Hello?...Hello forensics. Did you find out who our John Doe is?...Excellent. Does he have a record?... I thought he would. Send it to Phoenix PD. Next find the guns from Dallas. Don't spare the overtime."

He hangs up and walks to Albert's cell. He sits there waiting anxiously.

"I have news, Mr. Albert Chezwinski. Your attorney is on his way. He'll be here shortly to talk to you."

"Is he a law student?"

"I don't know. I have to go. I'm expecting more phone calls. Night, Albert."

Robbie walks away. He goes back to his desk and continues typing He is on his fourth cup of coffee and getting a caffeine high.

…..

Robbie falls asleep at his desk with his feet in socks on the table. A deputy comes by and shakes his head. Robbie wakes up.

"Rob, why don't you go home?"

"I want to be here for the calls."

Robbie puts his feet back into his shoes.

"Why is this case so important?"

"I was there when the man got shot. They were a young couple, still newlyweds. I didn't want the wife to a widow at twenty-one. He almost died at the fair."

"Did you do your hocus pocus?"

"It's not hocus pocus. I'm a healer. I haven't done it for a long time. I'm out of practice. I am getting too old for that."

"What is it that you do?"

"When a person dies, and I'm there. I pull them back till they get medical care. They could still die under medical care. I just give them more time to get help. I do nothing more."

"Did the victim die?"

"Not this time, but he still was very ill. The bullet stopped a few inches from his heart. It lodged in his lungs."

"What do you expect to get done?"

"I plan to hold Albert on vandalism. I found more guns in his car and multiple fake ID's. If he is the hit man from Dallas I want him to squeal on who hired him. My whole case weighs on the bullet taken from the victim. The bullet is in Dallas. That's why I'm waiting for forensics to match it to one of the guns and send their reports to DPD."

Robbie starts to get the kinks out of his neck.

"I need to walk around."

He gets up and they walk to the door, and stands at the open entrance. It's a full moon.

"I can hear the wolves howling. I wonder why they do that?" the deputy asks.

"I have a theory. Our God is the Creator. He created all of life, plant, animal and people. The Creator uses the moon as a microphone to talk to all he's made. The wolves hear it and howl back. It's a conversation but we don't understand what they're saying."

"You still do that wolf thing you did as a kid?"

"Not since Lady died, years ago. She was the connection between the creator and the human world. She was a remarkable wolf. She had emerald green eyes. She gave me a son to raise. Daggo lived many years. He died happy."

"How do you mix your police life with your Indian life?"

"Easy, if I'm wearing a gun I'm a normal man."

"And right now you're wearing a gun. And waiting for an important call."

"That's right, deputy."

"Look, if you'll be here all night, we have a cot in the back. It's better than your chair and desk. I'm here all night. I'll wake you when the call comes. Rob, call Julie and get some sleep. I'll get the cot."

The deputy leaves. Robbie looks at the full moon.

"Are you there, Lady? Can you still hear me? Please tell the Creator I want the bullet to match."

Robbie lies on the cot. The deputy is playing cards when the phone rings.

"Sheriff's office…Yes, he's here… I'll wake him up."

He wakes up Robbie.

"It's DPD. Your call is here."

Robbie gets the phone and sits down.

"Sheriff Hawk…Yes, Detective. I'm sitting down. What did the guns show? Is there a match?...This is great news. What about Albert? Who sends him to Dallas?...Fantastic. I'll be waiting for you."

He hangs up and smiles.

"The gun and bullet match. He's the shooter. DPD is coming to bring him to Texas. My arrest will be the basis of the case. And all because of a dead rat. What time is it?"

"Three something. It's too early to call anyone. Go back to sleep and shave. You need it."

"I'm so happy I could kiss you."

"Please don't. You have bad coffee breath," the deputy says walking away.

…..

It is the next afternoon. The Wilburn party is still at Noel's house. They are getting restless.

"When will the Sheriff call?" Roger asks.

"He'll call when he gets news. For tonight I have jobs for all of you. Today is Saturday. The plays the thing. Mary, I'll need you to help Angie with the girls clothes and make-up. Roger, Bobby, you do the boys," Noel says.

"What about us?" a guard asks.

"You protect them, what else. Unless you want to pass out programs and seat people," Noel says.

…..

Noel and Angie are with the Wilburn party. It is play night. The curtains are down. The actors are getting ready. Mary and Angie are helping the girls. Roger and Bobby are helping the boys. The guards are waiting in the audience. They are alone.

"I always wanted to be in the theater. My dad met my mom there. They worked behind the stage. I even did a few plays in high school. They were musicals but I didn't last long."

"How come?"

"I have two left feet. I'm not Gene Kelly."

Noel comes down the aisle with programs.

"Here are your programs. The tickets have seat numbers. Just help them when they come in," Noel says.

"What will you be doing?"

"I'm in charge of sets. They all have to work together."

"Where's the orchestra?"

"They're in the lobby tuning up. They are also my students. Broadway world will get me for not having Union musicians. I've thought of everything. Time to go back stage."

Noel does. The guards look at the programs.

"They really are all kids. He's a genius if he can train them all."

Everyone is working. Noel is monitoring when Sheriff Hawk walks up to him. Roger and Bobby can overhear as they dress the boys.

"Noel, could I speak to you?"

"Hey, Robbie, you're early. We're not on for an hour."

"I'm not staying, Uncle Noel. I have to report back to my office."

"Has something happened?"

"Plenty. But I don't want to tell anyone till after the show. I got a call from DPD. One of the bullets found in the car matched. We got our shooter."

"That's great. We can all relax."

"We can't. DPD is coming to pick up Albert. That's his real name. I only have him on vandalism. They have him on attempted murder. It's up to them to make his squeal. They have all the evidence."

"What if he doesn't squeal?"

"He will when he sees what they have on him. We won't be safe till he does and we have the person who hired him. The two have to meet in the same place, face to face."

"What if it's the dumped groom?"

"He's in Chicago and has to be brought to Texas."

"At lease we're getting close."

"What do they say in the theater? It ain't over till the fat lady sings," Robbie says.

"Tell me when the fat lady sings."

Roger and Bobby walk over to them.

"It is Tom Watters. There's no one else it could be," Roger says.

"Criminal law is based on science, Roger. When you do an experiment, you don't make it match to YOUR result. You accept the results you get. Most times it's not what you think. It's what the evidence show. That's how law works. That's what catches the bad guys," Robbie says.

"I just want this to end," Bobby says.

"We all do. I've seen death before. Sometimes I cause it. I've buried many a friend killed from guns. And I'm very tired of it. Enjoy the show. Noel, no one else should know, especially Mary."

Robbie walks away.

"Get back to work. We have a show to put on," Noel says, walking away.

"Bobby this show is about violence. Tony is shot at the end. It's the truth of guns and the damage they do. I understand how you feel about what happened to you. Don't let Mary see it."

"I won't."

Noel finishes checking the sets and calls everyone to attention.

"Tonight will be the beginning of your new lives. I don't know how many will go on to enter the theater. I want you to enjoy yourselves and give it your very best. I believe in you. Break a leg."

The audience is packed. The guards sit in back with only a few programs left. The lights start to dim and the orchestra starts the overture and then the curtains open. The Jets come on and the production begins. Mary, Angie, Roger and Bobby stay at their stations backstage. The girls are fascinated but the men are worried, especially Bobby.

"Bobby, let it go. It's over."

"Not for me, Roger. I remember what that bullet felt like. I will never forget it. Neither will Tony."

"Something wrong, Dad?" Mary asks.

"Nothing, dear."

The production goes on. Noel waits anxiously. It is the end of the production. Tony runs in calling Chino. He comes in with a plastic gun. Tony sees Maria and starts to run to her. Chino raises his gun as Noel shoots a stage gun backstage and Tony falls. Maria falls to Tony as he dies. Bobby leaves and disappears backstage. Mary notices starts to follow but Roger grabs her.

"Leave him be, Mary. He still remembers. He'll be fine."

The curtains go down. The audience stands and claps. Noel comes to the middle, spreads his arms and welcomes in two actors. Other actors come out and do the same until Tony and Maria enter. The audience cheers. Noel returns with two bouquets of flowers for Maria and Anita. Everyone bows and the curtain closes. The cast all look at each other and cheer. Cries of "We did it." are heard. Noel looks pleased. He looks for the Wilburn's but doesn't see Bobby. He walks up to Roger.

"Where's Bobby?"

"He left when you shot the gun."

"I never thought about that. I should have. Where is he?"

"Somewhere backstage. He wouldn't go far."

"I'll go find him," Mary says.

She and Noel leave together. He is under the stage on the trap door, crying. Mary goes to him.

"It's over, Bob," she says hold his hand.

"I feel like shit," Noel says shaking his head.

He walks over.

"I'm sorry, Bobby. Guns don't bother me. It was just a prop. I forgot it still makes noise. Please forgive me."

He wipes his face.

"It's okay. It was just a play. No one died."

"Except Tony. It was only one night. There will no other performances. I'll leave you two alone," Noel says leaving.

Mary continues holding him.

"I felt so scared, Mary. I wanted to warn Tony about Chino. No one warned me. I remember dying and seeing Hawk pull me back. I will never forget that. I heard the shot and saw it over again."

"I felt like Maria. I saw you fall again. It's almost over. We'll be fine."

"It's not over, Mary. Robbie came to see Noel. The man who vandalized our car was my assassin. We won't be safe till they catch who hired him."

"I didn't know."

"Hawk told Noel not to tell us till after the show. There could be others out for us. We're not safe anymore."

He holds her tight.

"If anything more should happen, Mary, know I will always love you. You are my Maria."

He kisses the top of her head.

…..

The group enters Noel's house.

"Mary, I need some time to be alone. I'll be at the bar," Bobby says leaving.

Noel enters quietly and looks around.

"Where's Bobby?"

"Tom's place. He wants to be alone," Mary says.

Noel leaves and enters the bar. Bobby sits at the counter with a beer in front of him. The place is deserted. Noel walks to the counter and sits next to him.

"Pardon me, is this seat taken?"

"I'm the only one here except for the bartender," Bobby says.

"Thirsty, Noel," the bartender asks.

"Give me an OJ."

He does. Noel takes a sip.

"I love fruit juice. It's too late for a beer. We need to talk about tonight. I'm sorry I forgot about you. I was more involved with the show."

"Understandable. I don't know what happened to me. I heard the gun and lost it. I feel so ashamed."

"Nothing to be ashamed about. The emotional wound is still fresh."

"It's more than that. I died and came back. That doesn't happen every day. You died, didn't you?"

"A few years back. Death doesn't bother me now. I'm not afraid to die. I still remember the gentleman waiting for me with loving open arms. I don't know who he was. Was he God or Jesus? Was he my guardian angel or the Angel of Death? Whatever he was love."

"I saw him too but I'm not Christian."

"You're like Hawk. I know what he believes. Maybe he was your Creator in human form? I bet you saw love in his face."

"I saw something."

"All I know is, if my death is honorable, he will be waiting for me. If he isn't I'm running in the opposite direction. Robbie won't have to find me," Noel says, smiling.

"I feel so embarrassed. I'm a grown man. I don't cry. I just know I can't stand the sound of a gun anymore. I never was like that before."

"You have PTSD. I had it when I came back from Afghanistan. The army threw me out for that. Just avoid fireworks and you'll be fine. I find if I have a fear I fight it and win. My brother did that. That's the origin of his first song. I did it with guns. I killed the man who tried to kill me. Guns don't scare people. I like them. I have an arsenal at home. You have to face your fear and come out winning. I can help you. I helped myself years ago. I sought out professional help at the VA and got over it."

"Right now you remember the pain. You'll forget that soon. It will become a mosquito bite. All I see are the scars on my gut and up my one leg. You're more afraid of the sound. The sound can't hurt you, only bullets. A gun is just a tool. It can be used for good or bad by good and bad people. By itself it does not harm, people do. You need to relearn that. You're born in Texas. A Chicago boy should have to tell you that."

"I never killed before. You did."

"And I would do it again if someone tried to hurt me or my family. I'm a soldier in civilian clothes. My wife knows it and accepts it. I just hide the guns from my kids. You need to be taught to kill."

"I'm not a killer."

"Every person is. Let me take you out and show you. We won't kill people, just cans. The sound will be the same in target practice. I did it every day on base. I do it here when I can. Let me help you learn to ignore the sound."

"By shooting cans?"

"By shooting guns, not just cans. I never shoot animals, unless it's a rattle snake. What do you say? You will not cry again because of a gunshot."

"As long as it's cans."

"I tried glass but I didn't want to leave sharp pieces on the ground. Innocent animals could get hurt. Cans can be reused. How about tomorrow after breakfast? We'll work on your allergy. Now go back home. Mary wants you."

"Can I finish my beer first?"

"I'll give you ten minutes. I want to lock up the house for tonight."

….

It is the next morning. Noel and Bobby are packing his car. Mary runs to them.

"Wait for me. I want to shoot too."

"You any good?" Noel asks.

"You bet I am."

"Hop in. I'll see what you can do," Noel says.

They go to a deserted part of the desert. Noel plants empty cans on a nearby cactus. The two join him. He hands Bobby a gun.

"I like coming out here. It's safe. You can't kill anything alive by mistake. The idea is to hit the can, not the cactus."

He raises his gun and shoots. The cans fall.

"Let's see you beat that, Mrs. Wilburn."

She sets up her cans and stands yards away from where Noel was.

"No way, lady. You can't hit that," Noel says.

"Watch me, Jackson."

She shoots and the cans fall.

"Who taught you that?"

"Daddy. I'm from Texas."

"I demand a rematch. I'm not letting a girl from Texas beat me," he says working and pointing to Bobby.

She nods and smiles.

"Your turn, Bob. Try not to shoot till I get back."

Noel does.

"Now point the gun. It's you and the cans. Remember, it's only a tool. Fire when ready."

Bobby puts his finger on the trigger. His hands are shaking and he is having trouble breathing. Noel walks up to him.

"Concentrate on the cans. They're all that matters. Don't be afraid. Pull the trigger."

He does and only hits one can.

"That's okay. I didn't bring you here for accuracy. We came for the noise. Now load the gun and aim again. You can do it. Forget the noise. You had a rifle on Tom. You weren't afraid. It was Mary who put your gun down," Noel says.

"I wish I had earplugs," Bobby says.

"It's just a noise. The cans are calling you."

He does and hits the last two.

"I knew you could do it. Now it's time for my rematch, Mrs. Wilburn. Set up the cans on the big boulder behind the cactus."

"That's too far, Noel. You'll never hit them," Mary says.

"Watch me."

He stands further than Mary and shoots all the cans. And then turns to her.

"Let me see you do that?" he says handing her the gun.

"Alright, Jackson. Just set them up," Mary says.

They start doing a one up on each other.

"You have to be kidding. No one is that good."

Mary shoots again. She looks at Noel and grins.

"What did you say, Jackson?"

"You're good, Mary. You're damn good. Your daddy taught you well. I wish I had you in Afghanistan. I never would be shot," Noel says.

"Now you know why I don't want to get her angry," Bobby says starting to smile.

"Your turn, Bobby," Noel says giving him the gun.

Mary sets up the cans and puts them even further away. He puts his finger on the trigger and shoots all the cans.

"You're both good. Who taught you?"

"My ancestors as they shot the white settlers in Texas. After, we raped the women and scalped the men."

"I'm glad I didn't know you then. I'm attached to my hair."

"I want another try. Mary, put the cans back even further," Bobby says.

"No way, Bobby. That's too far even for us."

"Watch," Bobby says raising the gun with his head held proud.

The cans fall. Noel and Mary are amazed.

"So much for PSTD!" Noel says.

"Now what?" Bobby asks.

"We pick up all the bullets and cans and go back home. I don't like leaving metal debris. I don't want an innocent animal to get it," Noel says.

They do and head to the car. Bobby goes inside first. Noel runs up to Mary.

"Mary, wait."

She stops.

"Is he okay now?"

"I hope so. I never knew he was that good. He should be fine. Thank you. Thank you for letting me whip your ass."

"You didn't. I let you win. I was the best shot on the base overseas. I still want a rematch before you leave. This isn't over, Wilburn," Noel says smiling.

…..

DALLAS

There is a severe heatwave when Albert is brought in for questioning. The air conditioning is dead and needs repair. Everyone is sweating. Albert is put into a questioning room. It's steamy and only a small fan is circulating the air. A detective enters with a glass of ice water.

"Hello, Albert. My name is Detective Lawson. You are in plenty of trouble. A bullet used in a failed murder for hire was traced to one of your guns. What do you say to that?"

"It's a mistake. I use those guns for hunting only."

"Then you must have missed. The bullet came from a man's chest. You almost killed him. Damn this room is hot. I'll be right back."

The detective leaves and goes into the hall. The air is starting to come back. Everyone is smiling.

"They fixed it, Joe. Now we can breathe."

"You can breathe. Don't let that air get into this room. I want this guy to sweat. I'll make him talk."

"Try not to collapse. I'll bring you some ice water. I'll give only one glass, for you."

"You really want to kill this guy?"

"The hotter the room, the faster we can catch his employer."

The detective goes back inside. Albert is wilting.

"Will they fix the air today?" Albert asks.

"There's a long wait before they get to us."

Another detective comes in with only one glass and a pitcher of ice water. The detective starts drinking.

"Don't I get one?"

"We ran out of glasses."

"Not even paper cups?"

"We haven't had them in weeks."

"I'll die in here. I can't breathe."

"You think I can. Now start talking. Albert, why was your bullet coming from a gun in your car?"

"I don't know."

"Why do you have multiple fake ID's?"

"I take the fifth."

"Why did you cut both brake lines in Nowhere? Do you like vandalism? Those people would have died when the brakes failed. That's murder," the detective says, having another iced drink.

(I'm the author and I'm getting thirsty.),"

"I was paid to do it."

"Like you were in Dallas. Albert. We know you're a hit man. Other bullets were traced to other murders you did correctly. The one in Dallas was NOT done correctly. The man lived."

"Can I have a glass please? I'm burning up. This room is hell."

"This whole station is hell. We're all wilting. It's not only you. Now answer the question. Did the same person who hired you tell you to cut the brakes? You might as well tell us. We have you on other murders, in different states. Their departments are doing their homework and can't wait to get you. Dallas is just your most recent one."

"Stop torturing me. Please give me some water. I'll tell you everything you need to know. Just give me water."

The detective leaves. Albert is close to fainting. He returns with a very small cup and give it to him.

"This is all I could find."

Albert pours water and gulps it down.

"Ready to talk?"

"His name is Tom Watters. He hired me in Texas. More water please.''

The detective finishes the last of the ice water.

"I'll have to get some more, after you tell all you know."

"I just know he wanted revenge because of a bad love affair. He was dumped at the alter by his bride. She married someone else. He didn't tell me anymore. He knew the guy would be at the fair showing a horse."

"So, you shot him, and almost missed."

"I didn't miss. I'm a good shot. I have a good reputation."

"Murderers for hire do not have good reputations, or they wouldn't be in the trade. Did Mr. Watters hire you to kill Robert Wilburn?"

"Yes."

"And when he lived, you followed them to Nowhere, Arizona?"

"He wouldn't pay me till I got the job done. I didn't know what his car was, I cut both brake lines."

"And a poor thirsty rat died for it."

"Damn rat," Albert says under his breath.

"I'll get you some more water. You tell us more and you can have all the WATTERS you need."

The detective leaves. Albert puts his head on the table.

Robbie is at the police station, wilting. Bad heat is in multiple states for over 20 days. He has a fan blowing in him. His shirt is half open. A deputy comes in. He is also very hot. He sits across from Robbie and puffs his shirt.

"It's bad out there, Rob. Even the cactus is drooping. When will it end?"

"They said next week, if we last that long."

The phone rings and Hawk answers.

"Sheriff Hawk…Yes, detective Lawson. I remember you from Dallas. How's the heat out there? Our street signs are melting. What can you tell me? Did he talk? Who hired him?... That's great. Good luck finding him in Chicago. I hear daddy is a good criminal lawyer. If you need anything more you know where to find me."

Hawk hangs up.

"Albert is talking. He has diarrhea of the mouth."

"Is it over, Rob?"

"They have to arrest his employers first. I'll call and see if their cars are fixed yet. I gave them all I could. The dead rat did the rest."

The two go back to wilting.

CHICAGO – PRESENT

A TV news crew is filming a tornado disaster site. Tom Watters is now a reporter. He is waiting for his cue to do his report. Two Chicago detectives walk up behind him. The director motions to Tom.

"On in two minutes. They just finished weather."

Tom primps himself. He loves being on camera. He takes his microphone, stand and waits. The detectives wait. Tom is called.

"I'm standing in Park Forest. Last night a tornado destroyed an entire city block. At least five homes suffered roof damage. A large tree, over seventy years, broke in half and fell on two parked cars. Luckily no one was in them. Winds were reported to be over seventy miles per hour. Residents said it sounded like a train. Right now the town people are clearing the damage to restore electricity to the remaining houses. This was just one of the storms hitting ground. The track of the tornado went through two more towns and left a path of damage along the way. This is the first time a tornado has hit Park Forest. The residents weren't prepared but no one was seriously injured. This is Tom Watters reporting."

He puts down his microphone and starts to roll the cord around his bent arm. The detectives approach him.

"Are you Tom Watters?"

"I just said that. Don't you watch the news?"

"Please put the microphone down and give us your hands," one detective says showing his badge.

The other gets his cuffs out. The other detective takes Tom's hands and cuffs him.

"Who are you? What are you doing?"

"We're Chicago PD. You are under arrest for murder for hire and the attempted murder of Robert Wilburn."

"What? You're crazy."

The other detective reads Miranda.

"I did not do that. I haven't seen him for two months. Why would I want to kill him?"

"You'll find out at the station. Now please come with us."

"I will not. My father will hear of this. He'll sue your pants off."

"Will you go willingly or do we add resisting arrest to your charges?"

"It's a mistake."

"The sooner you come with us the sooner the mistake will be fixed."

The rest of the crew is in shock.

"What can we do, Tom?"

"Call the station. I'll be out before you know it. This is a big mistake. I don't kill people."

The two detectives put him in a car and drive off. The crew is still in shock.

….

Tom is brought to the station. He is mad and yelling.

"I tell you I didn't do it. Who did you talk to?"

"You'll find out when we talk."

"I want a lawyer. My dad will get me off. You'll regret the day you arrested me."

"They all say that. Now please enter that room. We'll be in a few minutes."

"Will I still be cuffed?"

He enters the room and sits down. He puts his hands before him. He looks around to see a camera in the ceiling corner.

"What the hell?" Tom says shaking his head.

The two detectives come in with another man and sit across from him.

"Who are you guys?"

"I'm detective Luke. This is my partner, detective Gorski. We're CPD. This is Detective Jones from Dallas. He's DPD. And you are under arrest for hiring a professional to kill Robert Wilburn at the Texas State Fair."

"When was I in Texas? I went there months ago to get married. My bride dumped me at the alter for someone else. I haven't been back since. Where did you get this information?"

"From this man," Detective Jones giving him a picture of Albert.

"Albert followed the Wilburn's where he tried to kill the Wilburn's again by cutting their car's brake lines. He got caught in Arizona when a thirsty desert rat drank the brake fluid and died. A town resident found the rat, recognized it as a crime scene and called the Sheriff. Albert has since been transferred to Dallas, where he won't stop talking about you."

"I never saw this man in my life. Please take these cuffs off. I demand to see my father."

"We'll take them off when he gets here. He's been called. Where were you two weeks ago?"

"Fishing. We have a cabin by a lake."

"Can anyone prove you were there?"

"I brought fish home."

"Fish can be bought in a store. We have a credit receipt dated the week Mr. Wilburn was shot. He survived."

"I'm not saying anymore till I see my lawyer. I never saw that man. I didn't buy those fish. I caught them at the lake."

"Fine, Mr. Watters. We also have testimony by the Wilburn family about how you were stopped from killing Robert and his wife after the ceremony. Then you attempted to kill a horse when Mary stopped you by almost blowing your ear off with her rifle. It attracted a crowd from the ceremony. You then insulted the couple in front of many witnesses till Roger Wilburn ordered you off his property. That was over two months ago."

"And I waited two months for my revenge? That makes no sense. If I wanted revenge I would have done it earlier."

"You couldn't. You found out the Wilburn's were showing a horse at the State Fair. Then you hired the man in this picture. He shot Robert but he survived. Albert said you refused to pay him till all three of them were dead. That's when he followed them to Arizona and got caught. Two bad about the rat. I've heard brake fluid is poisonous."

"I want my father!"

There is ruckus outside in the hall.

"I think I hear him now. I'll let him in."

One Chicago detective opens the door and Chris Watters storms in. He is fuming.

"What the hell is going on? Why is my son cuffed?"

"Have a seat, Mr. Watters. Your son was waiting for you. We'll remove the cuffs now," one detective says taking them off.

Tom rubs his wrists.

"These goons arrested me in front of everyone I work with. They're accusing me of something I didn't do," Tom says.

"Did you admit to anything?"

"Hell no. I know better. I called for you. You should hear their fairy tale. They've seen too many Colombo's,' Tom cries.

"What are you accusing him of? I demand to know."

"And we will tell you. This is Detective Jones of Dallas PD. Your son is accused of murder for hire. The victim was Robert Wilburn. He had him shot at the Texas State Fair."

"The only time my son was in Texas he was getting married. The bride dumped him. He left and never came back."

"You're right about being dumped. He admitted that. His bride married Robert Wilburn instead. He left dishonored and angry. We have reports of how he tried to kill the couple and a horse. There were plenty of witnesses."

"Do you blame him? She left him for an Indian. The man wasn't even white," Chris Watters says.

"It doesn't matter what Wilburn is. What matters is he hired a hit man to kill Mr. Wilburn at the fair two weeks ago. He survived."

"You have seen too many Colombo's. My son would never do that. Where's your proof? Where is this hit man?"

"He's been sent to Dallas, which is where your son will be sent?"

"He will not go to Dallas or anywhere else. He never went back to Texas after that BITCH dumped him."

"I tried to tell him that," Tom says.

"When did this happen?"

"Two weeks ago."

"I have you there, gentleman, and I use that term loosely. He was fishing at a cabin we own by a lake. He brought the fish home."

"That's not what this credit receipt says. He signed it and brought four fish from a fish store near Navy Pier. Why would someone buy fish if he already had some? Your son has no proof he was EVER fishing. There are no witnesses to collaborate this story."

Chris Watters becomes quiet and turns to Tom.

"Is that true, Tom?"

"They're right, dad. I didn't catch any the whole week. I had to bring some home."

"You never went to Dallas to avenge Mary's decision?"

"I let her sleep with the Injun. She'll find out she made a mistake by leaving me."

"If there were no witnesses for that week, where were you?"

"At the cabin. I kept to myself. I never went back to Texas."

Chris Watters turns to the detectives.

"You're sending him to Dallas because of a credit card receipt? I hope you're wrong. When I find out, I will sue the pants off you. When are you sending him? I want to go with him."

"There is a flight leaving tomorrow morning. He'll be on it."

"I refuse to wear orange."

"Did they read Miranda?"

"Yes."

"And where is he staying tonight?"

"In one of our penthouse suites. He's not leaving the station."

"I will pay his bail. He won't run. Innocent men don't run."

"There is no bail. Murder and attempted murder are felonies. You know that, Mr. Watters. We'll get you an extra seat. We'll give you a few minutes alone. And then he has to get booked."

The detectives leave.

"And I was afraid of a tornado," Tom say under his breath.

"Don't worry, son. I'll get you off. This story is too wild to be believed. Where could you find a hit man? Hit Men R. Us?"

"That's not funny, Dad."

"Tom, before I go any further. I want the truth. Don't lie to me. I can see a liar a mile away."

"I didn't do any of it, except buy some fish with a credit card."

"Men have been sent to the chair for less. I will do my best to help you. If they prove Texas, I will get you the best criminal lawyer there is."

"Can't you defend me?"

"No, I'm too close. Family doesn't defend family in court. You will be taken care of. And then I'm suing whoever is involved with this. I believe in you. They won't win."

DALLAS

Albert sits in a cell. He is wearing orange. He has just finished eating. The air conditioning works in the jail but it's been over 25 days of high temps over 110. It's still not cool enough. A guard comes by his cell.

"You're wanted Albert. You're going back to the station."

"More questions? I've told them all I know."

"Just following orders," the guard says opening the cell.

The two walk into the station and Albert is put in an investigating room. He calmly sits down. The air is working and he enjoys it. Tom, his father and Detective Jones enter the station. Tom is wearing orange.

"Mr. Watters, wait for us in that room. We'll be right in."

His father starts to follow but is stopped.

"We need you in another room. You'll see your son soon," Detective Jones says.

The two enter another room with a TV. Mr. Watters can see what is happening in the first room. Tom sees Albert for the first time. He is not pleased.

"Hello, Tom. Remember me? I guess that means I don't get paid."

"Why would I pay you? We've never met."

"Don't go there, Watters. You know me. You hired me .You went to one of your fathers clients and he gave you my name. It pays to be related to a criminal lawyer. You had many people to choose from."

"You're speaking nonsense."

"I speak the truth Tom. You got me to kill the man who took your bride. I waited till he got on the horse. I shot him but the bastard didn't die."

"You read that in the papers. It was all over the news."

"I didn't read anything. I called you and you said "Kill them all" or you won't get paid. I followed them to Arizona and cut their brake lines. I almost killed them. It was a thirsty rat who got me. He died when he drank the fluid. That's when the Sheriff got me. Admit it, Tom. The DPD have everything on us."

"Why did you talk?" Tom asks.

"When they checked my guns they found other bullets to other cases. They have my whole portfolio. I'll never walk free again. I made a deal. If I testily against you, I get life in prison, not the death penalty. I chose life."

"I thought you were good and you've never been caught. That's the only reason I called you."

"I had a bad feeling about you. A voice told me your problem was trouble. I knew it was a mistake to help a scorned lover. Like the phrase says, "Hell hath no fury like a person scorned"."

"You told me about me? Now I know I'm really screwed. Dad could never get me off. Why didn't Bobby die? I wish he had."

"I wish the rat didn't die. He's the one who get me into trouble. Face it, Watters, we're both screwed."

…..

Detective Jones and Chris Watters are watching. Chris is speechless.

"I can't believe what I'm hearing."

"It was the only way for you to see the truth. You wouldn't have believed us."

"What do I do now? My son is guilty," Chris says.

THE TRIAL

Bobby and Mary are standing in the bathroom, both in night wear. They are looking at a stick on the sink.

"It's been fifteen minutes. Time to check," Bobby says.

She looks at the stick. It is negative.

"We're not pregnant. We're trying too hard."

He walks up to her and puts his hands on her shoulders.

"Maybe we should stop trying. We're too stressed. It took a long time for me to completely recover. You were still worried about Tom's revenge. Let's forget it happened and start over. Pretend it's our wedding night and all we wanted to do was have fun. It will happen, babe, when it's supposed to. It's like watching water boil. It doesn't till you walk away."

"I want to have our baby."

"So do I. Whatever God we believe in will give it to us when it's ready. It just doesn't feel like we're ready for him, her or it. Let's just enjoy each other."

He hugs her and caresses her hair.

"I love you, Bobby. I want you to see the proof of my love."

"I see it every day when I close my eyes at night and when I wake up in the morning. It's in your beautiful eyes."

He lets go.

"Let's get dressed and join dad for breakfast."

The three are in the dining room eating.

"Any news on the foals?" Roger asks.

"One is due in a few weeks and hopefully another is pregnant. It depends on how fast the stallion's boys can swim. It's all mother nature."

"What about you two?"

"Nothing yet. It will happen. We're both trying. I'm having a great time. Maybe if we stop trying so hard it will happen. We haven't tried that yet," Bobby says.

"Only mother nature will do it," Roger says.

"And only when SHE wants too," Bobby says.

"It would be nice to see my grandchildren grow up before my eyes. I know you two will be good parents."

"It if doesn't happen soon, we'll both see a doctor. Maybe they can create a miracle."

The phone rings. Roger stands and gets it.

"Two Horseshoe…Speaking…When?...When do you need us?...I'll make hotel reservations today…See you in a week."

Roger puts the phone down.

"What is it, Dad?" Mary asks.

"The baby making will have to wait. Tom's trial has been called. We're needed in Dallas to discuss the case," Roger says.

"So much for babies?" Bobby says.

Tom is in a cell wearing orange. He lies down and looks up at the ceiling. His father and another man are let in. Tom sits up.

"Hey, Dad. How soon can I get out?"

"Not very soon, son. This is your defense attorney, Mr. Paulson. He has some questions to discuss with you. I'll let him go first."

"Tom, we have proof your are guilty. You were recorded when you and Albert met at the station. Your defense has just become harder," Paulson says.

Tom lowers his head.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I don't know what made me do it. I wanted revenge so bad."

"Too late now, son. You did it. Did you ever wonder what it would do to my reputation as a lawyer? You questioned a client of mine to get Albert. This will come out in court. Your employee will tell a jury. The Prosecution will call MY client to tell what he knows. There goes all the hard years I've done, all shot to hell."

"I didn't think of it that way."

"That's right. You didn't think. You can't claim innocence. And in your case it will be hard to prove. Why couldn't you have left that girl alone?"

"It was a matter of honor."

"This is not middle-age Europe. People don't fight duels anymore. It the 21st century," Chris says.

"Your father's right. The Wilburn's are already in Dallas speaking to their attorney right now. Their case will be easy to prove. Ours won't. I'll do my best. I'll get the witnesses that will help you. I will disclaim the witnesses that won't. You won't testify. You're better staying quiet."

"What will be my reason for doing what I did?"

"Insanity. You were dumped at the altar. She married someone else. It became a matter of pride. I'll have to think about what I will add. Was there any reason to want her husband dead?"

"I wanted her to suffer. I wanted her to know how it felt to lose someone you love."

"And that's why I will not put you on the stand," Paulson says standing.

Paulson and Chris stand.

"Tom, you were a fool to seek revenge. It never works when it contains murder. I've tried those cases before. I never thought I would see it with you," Chris says.

The two men walk out and the cell door is closed. Tom lowers his head; lies back down and continues looking at the ceiling.

….

The Wilburn's are sitting at the District attorney's office. His name is Mr. Brown. He sits at his desk before them.

"My name is Brown. I will represent the Prosecution. I've looked over the case file. It's very strong. Mr. Watters will not walk. I wanted to meet you before the trial begins. There are plenty of witnesses I'd like to go over."

"We're listening," Roger says.

"Besides you three I will be calling Sheriff Hawk and Mr. Jackson. They were both at the fair and the brake line cuttings. A brother is also mentioned. His testimony will be filmed. He's just become alderman of his ward and his wife is very ill with cancer. He needs to stay in Chicago."

"Will Jackson be enough?"

"He'll be more than enough. And he is closer to get. Sheriff Hawk will be here for his legal connection. He's done it before. I will also call Albert and the prisoner who gave Tom his name. I won't lie to you. He's made a deal with the DA. We have enough on his other murders to give him the chair. His deal was he would get life instead of the death penalty if he testifies against Watters."

"He should get death," Bobby says.

"We're lucky he agreed to that. He will never see freedom. He's not our problem. The defense is claiming insanity. My job is to prove he was sane and knew what he was doing. That's where you three come in. You will have to talk about what his behavior was like the two weeks before the wedding."

"We can do that. No problem."

"I've read the remarks you told DPD at the time of the shooting. I need to outline the chronology of the questioning and then go through it with you. You'll be up there a long time. I want to build a strong foundation to prove sanity."

"So far so good," Roger says.,

"I have some questions for you, Bob. What was your relationship with Mary BEFORE she proposed to you?"

"We grew up together as children. It didn't become romantic till she came home to get married."

"Were you in love with her?"

"I was in love with her since I was fourteen. I just never told her or anyone. My feelings are written in my book. She was a princess to me. I felt I was never good enough for her."

"Then I'll read parts of the book. What did you feel about Tom?"

"I didn't like him. He was too cold and vain to me. It seemed he loved himself more. She deserved better. Had he been a different man, I would not have cared."

"You loved her very much. You knew she was making a mistake, and yet when given to speak up, you said nothing. You were prepared to let her marry him. Why?"

"She came with him. I wanted her to leave with him. She must have loved him to say yes."

"But you loved her. Why did you stay silent?"

"I felt lower than her status. I'm an American Indian. My religious beliefs were different than hers. She's a white Christian. We had nothing in common."

"And you still don't. Anyone can see that. Is your marriage strong?"

"I love her very much. I couldn't ask for a better person to love me. I still think it's a beautiful dream and I'll wake up and it won't be there."

"It's no dream, Bob. You are married and that's why Watters wanted you dead."

"Tell me about it," Bobby says under his breath.

"That is what I will base my case on. You were willing to let her marry him, even though you loved her. Your thoughts are in your book. Any other witnesses you can think of?"

"I can't think of any," Bobby says.

"Neither can I," Roger says.

"There was the wedding party. There were three girls and boys. I saw them at the bachelor party. All the girls wanted to do was rape me. Man, those girls were horny. One even came into by bed. I scared her off," Bobby says.

"Now you're bragging."

"No he's not. I knew those girls. We were sorority sisters. I knew the girl who snuck into his room. He had every right to be afraid," Mary says.

"I don't think I can use that info but it's helpful to know. I wish I had that problem when I married. That was all I wanted to ask today. If you can think of anyone, please tell me. I will need to fill in time after Hawk and Jackson and the introduction of you three. Thank you for coming."

The Wilburn's stand.

"When is the trial to start?" Roger asks.

"Three days at nine. You three can relax till then. I've called Hawk and Jackson. They're on their way. Here is where they will be staying," Brown says giving them the address.

Roger takes it.

"Well get in touch with them," Roger says.

"They'll be here tomorrow. Give them time to settle in first. My first job will be to construct their testimony. Second with the shooter and the one who recommended him. You will be last, unless you think of someone else."

"We'll try," Roger says.

The Wilburn's leave the office. They stand outside the office.

"Well, Bob, the party's begun. I hope you're ready to play," Roger says.

"Doesn't look like I have a choice."

….

Sheriff Hawk and Noel are waiting in a restaurant. Three more seats are about to be filled. They are having a cocktail.

"I didn't expect to be coming back," Noel says.

"I did. It's isn't over till the fat lady sings. She's singing," Robbie says.

"I wonder what Brown will ask," Noel says.

"I already know. First, he will ask how we met them. Then he'll ask about the shooting and anything that followed after. I will be there for technical reasons. I know he'll talk about the dead rat. That rat is very famous."

"When did they say they would be here?" Noel asks.

"Very soon. Roger doesn't strike me as one who comes late. He's very professional."

"I see them."

They approach the table. Noel and Robbie stand and shake their hands.

"Good to see you, Noel," Roger says.

"Same here, Roger."

They all sit down.

"How long have you been waiting?" Roger asks.

"We just got here. And you?"

"We got here yesterday. Have you met Brown?" Roger asks.

"Only by phone. We have an appointment this afternoon. How have you been, Bob? Are you back to normal health?" Noel asks.

"I have been for a while. I went back to work. I still have a touch of asthma. My lungs were hit. I carry an inhaler with me."

"Could be worse. You could be dead," Noel says.

"That's true. How is the theatre doing? Anymore plays?" Bobby asks.

"I've been concentrating on my own career. I released a new record. Now I have to promote it. That means TV spots. Look for me on talk shows," Noel says.

"How is your brother?" Roger asks.

"Busy. He's alderman of his ward. And his wife is having chemo."

"That's sad."

"That's why he can't come here. You'll see him on skype only. I still can't believe he gave up music. He was the genius between us. Now it's only me. I need to work to pay for the theater, school and recording studio. Right now my teachers are running the theater. Their latest production is "Death of a Salesman". It's only words. The play will be straight. Besides TV exposure, I may have to tour or do shows at the Opry. I'll be busy."

"How is Danny?" Mary asks.

"Getting taller. He will have my legs."

"He's adorable, Noel."

"He takes after his mother. He has her skin tone and my height only. He's a handful. What's this Brown like?"

"Very organized. He outlined his questions for all of us," Roger says.

"I can't wait to hear what Albert says," Robbie says.

"You would you're a Sheriff," Bobby says.

"That much we know. What will be your technical angle?" Roger asks.

"I think like a cop, Roger. I will be boring but needed. Without me and Noel's discovery there is no case. What is Watter's plea?"

"Insanity, what else?" Bobby says.

"How many times have I heard that? Most of the people claiming insanity are lying. They're sane. Watters' is very sane. This was revenge not illness. The days of dueling are gone."

"I hope Brown can prove it."

"Our testimony will do that. We were there at the shooting and saw everything," Noel says.

Tom is in the TV room at the jail watching the news. Another prisoner comes up to him.

"Watching the news again, Tom?"

"That was my job before I was arrested."

"We know. We used to watch you. We always said you were pretty, another David Muir. He has a large female following. But he's gay. At least you are straight."

"I'll be back there soon. My dad and my lawyer will get me off."

"I wouldn't count on it. You have to prove you were looney, and you ain't looney. You're sane and VERY pretty. Careful, Tom, you may end up married to someone you don't want. You are being noticed by many eligible bachelors, me included."

"My father will get me out before that happens. I'm safe."

"You're safe for now. Things could change in one day here."

The inmate walks away. Tom looks back at the TV. He shivers.

"Get me out of here, Dad. Please."

…..

Tom is in the shower room. He is alone. A single guard watches. Three fellow inmates enter and approach him. Tom turns.

"What do you want from me?"

"Just a little biology."

"Get away from me. I'll call for help. The guard will stop you."

"That's what you think."

Two men grab his arms as the third man gags him.

"Help!" Tom cries before his mouth is covered.

The beating begins. The guard hears commotion and doesn't respond. He waits patiently. Time passes.

"This was just a beating. Next time will be personal and VERY intimate," one inmate says.

One man walks up to the guard and gives him some money. The three leave laughing. Tom sits on his knees. The water is still running washing the blood away. He cries.

….

The court is about to begin. There is commotion in the court house. The defense is distressed. Prosecution is getting his paper work ready.

"What's going on?" Mary asks.

"Mr. Watters was attacked yesterday. The warden has moved him to solitary for his protection during the trial."

"How as he attacked?" Mary asks.

"Nothing you need to know, Mrs. Wilburn."

She is confused. The Prosecutor turns away. Bobby grabs his arm and he turns.

"Please, tell me it wasn't sexual," Bobby says.

The Prosecutor does with his eyes only and turns away again. Roger walks up.

"Was it?" Roger asks.

"What do you think? No one deserves that. Not even Tom. I'll be late. There's something I have to get first."

"What?"

"I saw a book store a block away. I need to get something," Bobby says.

…..

Tom is in his cell. He is shaken from the beating. A guard comes to the bars.

"You have a visitor, Watters."

"My lawyer?"

"I don't think so, unless he's Indian. Come with me."

Tom goes to a visiting window. Bobby sits before him. Tom picks up the phone as Bobby does.

"Bobby? Should you be here?"

"No, but there's something I have to do. I heard about the attack. I'm sorry it happened to you. I brought you something to make you feel better."

"What is it?"

The guard gives him a Bible.

"A Bible?"

"Don't bother thumbing through it. It has no weapons, knives or guns. No secret message. It's just a book."

"Why are you giving me a Bible?"

"I know you're Christian. I'm not. I'm considered heathen. But the Bible can be very healing in times of fear and pain. When I was young I saw "King of Kings". My favorite part was the Sermon on the mount. Jesus was a smart and intelligent man. I like what he says on the mount. I thought his words would make you feel better."

"Thank you. That was nice of you."

"That's all I came here for. My favorite part is when he says, if a man strikes you on our cheek, turn the other cheek. I forgive you, Tom. I'm sorry you were hurt."

"But I tried to kill you. I don't get it."

"Read all the sermon. You will. Your God be with you."

"And also with you, A'ho," Tom says.

Bobby puts the phone down and walks out. Tom looks at the book. A paper marks the page of the sermon. He takes the book and they both walk away.

…..

It is first trial date. The jury has been chosen. All who are called are waiting. A guard walks in.

"The case of Texas versus Thomas Watters. Honorable Judge Holmes presiding. Please rise."

Tom and his lawyer Mr. Paulson stand. Chris sits behind them.

"How do you plead, Mr. Watters?"

"He pleads innocent due to insanity."

"I wish I had a dime for every time I've heard that. You may sit. Members of the jury, the defendant is charged with first degree attempted homicide and use of a murder for hire. Defense do you wish to say a few words?"

"I will leave my comments for my closing statement."

"Mr. Brown, would you like to say a few words?"

"I will leave my comments to my closing statement."

"Call your first witness."

"I call Noel Jackson."

Noel rises and is sworn in.

"What is your name?"

"Noel Jackson."

"The country singer?"

"Yes."

"You testified you were with the Wilburn's at the State Fair when he was shot. Before I ask what you saw the court need to know what you were doing with them. How did you meet?"

"My brother and I were the main entertainment for the fair that night. We were walking from our car, carrying guitars, to the stage we were to perform on. We stopped when we saw a young woman in possible distress. We waited to see if we were needed."

"Why did you stop?"

"We were raised never to leave a women in danger. My father is British and very proper. He taught us to be gentlemen."

"What did you see?"

"A young woman being harassed by two men. She was not interested and said her husband was coming. The men refused to take no for an answer. They persisted in terrorizing her. That's when we got involved. We told them to leave her alone. That's when her husband came. He thought the four of us were bothering her. She explained we were helping. That's when the other men got ugly."

"Explain ugly."

"The woman was white and the husband Indian. It was a mixed marriage. We stayed to protect them from any racial problems. The two men finally left and the four of us introduced ourselves. When they found we were the entertainment they mentioned they couldn't get tickets. It was sold out. They came with their father. We had some tickets in our pockets and gave them three. They would be sitting next to a friend I brought from Arizona, Sheriff Robert Hawk."

"Did they go to the show?"

"Yes. Afterward they were brought back stage. We partied. It was a pleasant night. We made plans to meet the next day. They were showing a race horse. We got our seats and the horses starting coming out. Bobby Wilburn sat on the horse and started parading. We heard a gunshot and he fell off the horse. We ran to help. He was shot in the chest and bleeding very heavy."

"Did you see who shot him?"

"I didn't. Judging from the trajectory the shooter was directly before us."

"How do you know that?"

"I'm an Afghanistan vet. I was the best shot on my base. I know guns and have quite a few various kinds. The shooter was in front of him in the crowd. With all the commotion he disappeared. We stayed with the Wilburn's during this surgery and recovery. When we saw he was well taken care of we went back to Arizona."

"Is that the last time you saw the Wilburn's?"

"They came to visit when Bobby was released. They came to Nowhere where I live. That night they got motel rooms and had two body guards. We invited them to dinner and the evening was going well till I was called outside."

"What were you called for?"

"I'm the official garbage man. Our downtown district is very small. You know the sign with the town name? Our sign say Nowhere ten miles, population whatever. The number is crossed off and someone wrote "You got to be kidding." Nowhere is on Route 66. When you get to down, drive slow. If you blink you'll miss it."

"Why were you called?"

"A rat died under someone's tire. I went to get rid of it. I stopped when I saw the circumstances. I saw fluid under the car. I did a quick taste. It was brake fluid. The line was cut. The rat saw the fluid and drank. I guess he was thirsty. It killed him. I knew it was a crime scene. I went to see the other car. Their line was cut. I called Sheriff Hawk. I asked him to bring whatever he needed to file his report. He brought a mechanic from the next town for his professional advice."

"What did Sheriff Hawk do when he came?"

"He took pictures and notes. The mechanic checked the brake lines and saw they were cut by a wedged knife. Hawk called the Phoenix CSI tem to make a complete report."

"What happened next?"

"I am one of the part-time bartenders at the only bar. I know all the locals and what they drive. Hawk had me check the bar and the back parking lot. I went into the bar and talked to the bartender. It was my father-in-law. I asked him if he noticed someone who was not local. He pointed to a man who was very nervous. He kept looking at the door."

"Then I left the bar via the back door to the lot. I recognized all the cars except one. It was a rental. I told Hawk. He gave a screwdriver and told me to blow out two tires one on each side. He didn't want the guy to leave."

"So you vandalized the rental?"

"Per Hawk's orders. I then copied the license plate number and went back into the bar. Hawk and the mechanic went by the cars. I made a fake story about seeing gophers attacking tires and scaring them off. But one car got hit. I read the plate number. The odd man at the bar came with me to his rental. He looked at one tire. When he stood up Hawk cuffed him. He asked his name but the man refused to answer. He frisked the guy and found a wedge knife hidden in his calf pant leg. The mechanic smelled the knife and said it was brake fluid. He was the man who cut the brake lines."

"The man still refused to give his name. Hawk gave Miranda after he pulled out his wallet and found multiple fake ID's. He then got his car keys and checked the glove compartment and found a gun. He checked the trunk and called me over to see it. There was an arsenal of guns. He shut the trunk and we ALL waited for Phoenix CSI to show up. He left the guns untouched. We knew he was the man was who cut the lines and probably shot Bobby. He came to Nowhere to try and kill again. We only outwit him. It was the dead rat who did it."

"You do know when Hawk checked the car it was illegal. He needed a search warrant."

"Hawk knew it. That's why he left everything alone except for the knife. He needed to hold the shooter. Any evidence taken from all three cars were collected by Phoenix CSI, not Hawk. He just had the knife."

"You're an educated me, Mr. Jackson."

"I learned a lot in the army."

"No more questions."

"Does defense have questions?" the Judge asks.

"Not at the moment. Maybe later."

Noel sits down. Mr. Brown rises.

"The State calls Sheriff Robert Hawk.''

Robbie is sworn in.

"State your name."

"Sheriff Robert Hawk, Jr.. My jurisdiction is the valley south of Phoenix."

"How long have you been a sheriff?"

"About ten years. The former Sheriff retired and I took his place."

"You heard Mr. Jackson's testimony. Is there more you would like to add?"

"Noel stated everything very well. He has a good working knowledge of crime. That's why he recognized the dead rat as a crime scene, and called me in."

"Was everything well described with you got there?"

"Noel told me what I needed to file my report."

"Was it necessary to destroy the tires?"

"I couldn't think of how we would stop him from leaving. He came into town to kill the Wilburn's again. If the rat didn't die, he would have. My first responsibility is the victims I saw in Dallas. I was there when Bobby was shot. I couldn't see in the crowd either. Noel was right about the trajectory of the bullet. DPD, CSI came to the same conclusion."

"Maybe Jackson should quit music and become a cop."

"Jackson came to Nowhere as a vet with PSTD. He is primarily a soldier first. I've always known that about him."

"About your searching the car, why didn't you wait for a search warrant?"

"My gut told me to act. After I saw the results I waited for Phoenix CSI to do their job. The police departments came up with the same results. Then he was sent to Dallas. I wasn't involved after that. I did my part to stall. That was all I could do."

"And you were lucky you were right he was the person from Dallas. Car vandalism is not a felony. Murder is. No more questions. "

Mr. Paulson steps up.

"Sheriff Hawk, you have your own police record. Tell the court why."

"When I was a teen and living in the Rez I was a gang member. I have two arrests on my record. That's when I met the Sheriff and he mentored me. One arrest was trying to steal from a drug store to make meth. I had a gun at the time. The other was for sexual solicitation. Our gang worked as sex workers in Phoenix. It was Noel who got me away from that life. He dressed up as perverted John. He wore a wire to get me away from the others the night there was a police sting. Noel can look pretty creepy when he wants. I didn't recognize him and he was my father's best friend."

"And you later testified against one John."

"He killed a gang member. I was the only living victim. The murdered boy was dissected like a biology experiment. It was a bad year of my life. With the help of my family, the former Sheriff and Noel, I am now the valley Sheriff. I help other children I catch early, like I was caught."

"Do you consider yourself a good Sheriff?"

"I try my best to keep the peace. I'm not afraid to handle crisis, large and small. The law is now my life. I'm very proud of that."

"No more questions."

Robbie sits next to Noel.

"Round one," Noel says smiling at Robbie.

Mr. Brown rises.

"I call Ronald Grant."

A large black man approaches the stand and is sworn in.

"State your name and current situation."

"Ronald Grant, prisoner number 138902, Cook County Jail."

"And what were you convicted of?"

"Murder. I was at a bank job. Mr. Watters was the prosecution against me."

"What is your connection on this case?"

"His son visited me a month ago. He wanted information."

"What information?"

"The name of a good hit man. He had a grudge against the man who took his girl away."'

"Did you give him a name?"

"I thought he was crazy. I myself am a convicted murderer. You expect fellow inmates to ask and tell the people outside."

"Why did he choose you?"

"I was his father's recent case. He heard him talking about me."

"And did you tell him a name?"

"After he guaranteed certain financial privileges. Prison life can be expensive."

"How much did he pay you?"

"Five thousand. I asked him to pay my wife. She would handle the financial amount."

"And did he?"

"He did. That's when I told him to name of a friend of mine. He's smarter than me and never got caught, until now."

"What is this man's name?"

"Albert Chezinski. He's freelance. I told him where to find him. He is always on the move. Only I knew where he could be found."

"And what have you done with that money?"

"Cigarettes mostly. I need clothes items. My wife has bought me new underwear and shoes."

"No more questions."

Mr. Paulson rises.

"Mr. Grant, who did you kill at the bank?"

"A security guard. We didn't mean to kill anyone. We wanted to get the money and run."

"You realize he was a father of three. His wife was pregnant at the time."

"I didn't want to kill anyone. I just lost my job and I was losing my house at the bank I was robbing. It was vengeance. I saw financial relief when Watters came to see me."

"What was Mr. Watters' emotional condition when he came to see you?"

"He was very angry. He wanted revenge against the girl and her new husband. He was publically humiliated. He wanted the girl to know the pain of losing someone she loved. The only way was to get her new husband. He told me about the wedding."

"Did you ask him why he didn't walk away?"

"He said he couldn't. He loved her and wanted her to pay. His exact words were "I wanted to get that bitch."

"Did he seem sane when he said that?"

"He seemed angry. A sane man would walk away. No woman is worth a jail term."

"No more questions. My next witness will be Albert Chezinski. It will be a long questioning. I suggest we start tomorrow."

"I agree. Court will be dismissed for today. We will reconvene at nine tomorrow."

The Judge rises and leaves. Noel and Robbie face each other.

"I guess they don't need us anymore. The case has gone on," Noel says.

"Thanks for coming."

"I wish I could stay longer. I have a valley to protect," Robbie says.

"And I just put another record out and need to promote it."

"We understand. Thank you for all you did for us. It meant a lot. Without you we would be killed."

"I had a good teacher, Robbie. Look Roger, we're already packed for tomorrow. Let's have dinner together. We still need to talk," Noel says.

The five are at dinner. Everyone is quiet.

"Tomorrow will be interesting," Noel says.

"It's not something I want to hear," Roger says.

"You gave your reports to DPD. That's what you'll have to repeat," Robbie says.

"It's something I would like to forget."

"So would I," Mary says.

"What about you, Bobby?" Noel asks.

"I don't know anything anymore. I'm confused. I can't believe I'm married. I was ready for Mary to live her life with Tom. That's why I never said anything."

"Are you sorry?" Mary asks.

"I'm not sorry, love. I just never thought my life would get this complicated because I got the girl. I expected to live happily ever after, like in the fairy tales."

"Then why didn't you refuse when I asked?" Mary asks.

"I saw the love in your eyes. They told me it was real, just like my love. I gave all the reasons not to. You didn't want to reason with me. Now, we're in court because Tom wanted me gone to make you miserable. Aren't you confused?"

"I am not confused. I love you, Bobby. I have for years, but we were both jail bait. We are both adults. We could do something about it. We can still live happily ever after. It's you who doesn't want to. You just don't want to tell me."

"I'm sorry I asked. Let's change the subject," Noel says.

"Let's not. It's time this family talks about the trial. It will bring out negative feelings for everyone. I wanted a fairy tale ending too. I still do. I know it's possible. We need to keep a united front. We're fighting a murder for hire. We can't forget that."

"I'm not forgetting it, Roger," Bobby says.

"Yes, you are Bobby. I realize you were the victim. We all were there. You almost died. Your chest will have a permanent scar on it. Don't let the shooting take away for what you have with your wife. Your love for her has to be stronger now. Instead you've become distant. What ever happened to making a baby? Have you forgotten what you two were doing before the trial?"

"I haven't forgotten. I just feel it's the wrong time. The last thing we need is a pregnancy."

"I agree. After the trial is over would be better. It's not her fault you were shot. It's probably mine. I'm the one who put you two together the two weeks before. I did it on purpose. Blame me, not Mary. You had your heart on your sleeve. I wanted you and Mary to be happy together. We both disliked Tom for the same reason."

"Maybe he really loved her and was hurt," Bobby says.

"Then why did he have sex with the dancer?" Roger asks.

"It was a party. People were drunk. We didn't give Tom a chance," Bobby says.

"Have you two forgotten something? ME?" Mary says.

"I haven't forgotten you."

"Yes, you have, dad. You THREW me at Bobby. I just happen to love him more than Tom. You used both of us for your fairy tale."

"I just admitted that, dear. I was wrong. You mean to tell me you're unhappy too with your husband?"

"I'm not unhappy. I'm glad I married him. I'm glad every time he makes love to me. But he's right. Right now we are both confused. The day of the wedding I saw our lives as being very clear. Yes, we will be having racial problems. Bobbi and I are very different. But I love this man," Mary says taking his hand.

"And I love her, Roger. But you did throw us together. What did you expect when we both went for the cake and the wedding dress, pen pals?"

"That's enough guys. Let's close the subject before it gets ugly. Roger is right. You have to be a united front or Tom wins," Noel says.

"Tom will not win, Noel. There is more here than meets the eye. I love my wife very much. But we are under a lot of stress and there's nothing we can do," Bobby says.

"Yes, there is Robert. I have four children and when I feel stressed I create another one. You want to relieve stress. You and Mary leave the table. You've eaten your supper. You go back to your hotel room and make the most passionate love you ever made. Everything will look different in the morning," Robbie says.

"I couldn't have said it better. Do as Hawk says or he'll arrest you. A little loving goes a long way," Noel says.

Bobby and Mark look at each other. He rises and takes her hand and they leave.

"What about me, Sheriff Hawk?" Roger asks.

"You started this relationship. Just leave it alone. There is love there. Noel and I can see it. And as for this case, take your own advice. Keep a united front and stay out of their bedroom," Robbie says.

Noel laughs.

"What's so funny, Noel?"

"Robbie, I first met you as a confused teenager. You've become a very intelligent man. I'm proud of you. Kill the uncle before my name now."

"Yes, Noel. Can we finish dinner now? Romeo and Juliet will be having desert by now."

It is the next day in court. Roger walks in first. Bobby and Mary follow holding hands and yawning. Their eyes are tired. He smiles. The two hold hands as they sit.

"Too bad Noel and Hawk aren't here to see this," Roger says under his breath.

Both lawyers show up and everyone sits down till the Judge enters.

"You may begin, gentlemen," the Judge says.

Mr. Brown goes up.

"The state calls Albert Chezwinski."

Albert is sworn in.

"State your name and current residence."

"Albert Chezwinski, prisoner #7322711, Dallas county jail."

"And why are you in jail?"

"Attempted first degree murder."

"What is your profession?"

"I'm a problem solver. I make them go away."

"Is it by homicide? Please answer. What is your job title?"

"In plain English. I'm a hit man. I know I will never see freedom again."

"Phoenix CSI found an arsenal of guns in your rental car. One bullet matched the one Robert Wilburn had in his chest in Dallas. It was you who shot him."

"Yes."

"Other bullets were matched to other unsolved murders, fourteen at last count. You'll be on trial for the rest of your life, eight states total. Am I correct?"

"Yes."

"Have you made a deal with the DA?"

"I made one for this case. I don't want the death penalty. I want to live. I agreed to life in prison, with no parole."

"A hit man afraid of dying? You present your professional well. Let me begin."

"How did you get involved with Mr. Watters?"

"A friend of mine recommended me to him. He's currently in prison. He had dealings with Christopher Watters and lost. He told Watters Jr. where to find me and we met."

"Where did you meet?"

"A local strip joint in suburban Dallas. We met three weeks before the state fair."

"And how did the meeting go?"

"He explained his current situation and offered me money to eliminate someone. When I heard his story it felt uncomfortable. Love affairs are the most dangerous ones to fix. A voice told me to refuse but I didn't. The money was good."

"How much did Watters offer you?"

"Fifty grand. He really wanted the man dead. No one refuses that kind of money."

"What arrangements were made?"

"He showed me a picture of the man and told me where he and his wife would be at the fair. It was arranged I would shoot him as he presented a race horse for sale."

"And did you?"

"Yes. He fell off the horse and I left the arena as fast as I could. It was a killer shot. I don't know how he survived."

"What did Mr. Watters say?"

"He was angry and refused to pay me until all THREE were dead. I followed them to Arizona. It was a small hick town outside of Phoenix. The town was Nowhere."

"How can that be?"

"The name was Nowhere, but so was the town. I saw two cars they came in. One car was for their body guards. I took out my knife and cut both brake lines. And then I went into the only bar in town."

"How long were you in the bar?"

"A few hours. I kept looking at the door. I was checking for the police. It was a small place."

"I will tell you what happened while you were in the bar. A large thirsty desert rat came to town. It saw some fluid under one car and went to drink. The fluid poisoned him. He died by one of the tires. This was the rat Noel Jackson found. He recognized it as a crime scene and called the Sheriff. What happened next, Albert?"

"Jackson came into the bar. He told us a group of gophers were attacking the parked cars in back. He scared them off but one car's tires were damaged. He read the license plate. It was the rental I got in Phoenix. I followed him to the back lot. As I bent down to check the damage I heard someone behind me. I got up and Sheriff Hawk cuffed me."

"Did he read Miranda?"

"Not at first. He asked my name and I refused to say. Then he checked my wallet. I had multiple fake ID's. Another man joined us. The Sheriff frisked me looking for the knife I had hidden on my calf. Then the Sheriff checked my leg and found the knife. He gave the knife to the third man and he smelled it. I hadn't gotten all the fluid off. It was confiscated. Then the Sheriff read Miranda."

"What else did he do?"

"He got my car keys from my pocket and checked the car. He didn't have a search warrant. He found my guns, closed the car and waited for CSI to come."

"He had you. Was it then he knew you were the shooter?"

"No. He took me to the station and processed me. It was after he got my prints he got my name. He put me in a cell and forgot about me, except for meals."

"How long were you locked up?"

"A few days. Deputies from Texas came and got me."

"Did you try and contact Mr. Watters?"

"He didn't answer his phone. The next time I saw him was in Dallas. We were both under arrest. He pretended not to know me when we were put in the same room. I got him to talk. He was very angry. That's when I knew we were both screwed."

"In your conversations with him, did he seem sane?"

"I'm not a shrink. I can't tell. I just know he seemed very determined to kill someone after he was left at the altar. He was very angry. He wanted them to suffer for his humiliation. I didn't care. His money was good. I never saw a penny."

"If you had to do it again, would you?"

"I would not. I would listen to the voice in my head and refuse."

"No more questions."

Mr. Paulson gets up.

"Albert, how many hits have you done?"

"I don't keep a record."

"You don't have feelings for the people you kill? Don't you ever wonder if they have families, wives and children?"

"I try not to. The money used to be good. That was all I cared about."

"Do you have a heart? What if a victim was someone you cared for? How would you feel if someone killed them?"

"I consider it a job."

"And you're afraid of the death penalty? What do you think should be your punishment?"

"I don't know how to answer that question. I was doing my job and I failed. Every time I failed, Watters became angrier. He was starting to lose it. He was determined to get revenge."

"No more questions."

Albert steps down. Mr. Brown rises.

"I call Roger Wilburn."

Roger is sworn in.

"State your name and vocation."

"Roger Wilburn. I own a horse breeding ranch in Texas. We deal with race horses."

"Is Mary Wilburn your daughter?"

"Yes."

"How did she marry a man with the same name?"

"Bobby White was my ward as a minor. There is no blood relation. The day of Mary's wedding I legally adopted him as my son. We have become close."

"So when Mary married him he was her brother, just no blood relation."

"Tell the court how you first met Tom Watters."

"Mary brought him home from school. They were engaged. I never met him before."

"And what was your impression of him?"

"He was very pretty. He looked like Troy Donahue. As I got to know him he didn't seem real. He was like a Ken doll with real sexual parts. Bobby didn't like him either. He called him a peacock, always showing his feathers to attract a female. Tom was very charming but not very loving, unless he loved himself."

"Tell us about Mary's wedding plans?"

"She wanted a small wedding and I wanted a big outside wedding. Bobby and I helped her plan.. He built a wedding arch. He's good with wood. I sent him as her driver to Dallas to arrange for the cake and her dress. I had my country club cater the reception and their band was the entertainment. Everything was planned for two weeks of her arrival."

"Did everything go well?"

No. The arch was finished. I sent Bobby on an errand fixing our outside fence. The gophers were at it again. It was very hot and Bobby came back early. I just heard a severe thunderstorm report. The storm came. There was lightning and it hit the roof of our barn and the arch. It was almost destroyed so we had to fix both as soon as we could."

"You saw a lawyer before the wedding. Why?"

"I have known Bobby since his birth. His parents were my employees and tenants. At fourteen they were killed in an auto accident. Children's Services wanted to send him to a foster family in the Rez. I refused because there was a violent gang problem. Bobby was a gentle boy. The gangs would eat him up alive. I fought to be his legal guardian and won. He became my ward and lived under my roof until legal age. I would arrange for his food, clothing, and medical care only. His own people were the only ones to help his schooling, heritage and religious training. I never made him go to church. I kept his hair long. I allowed him to grow up to be an Indian."

"In those four years I grew to love him as my son. The feeling was mutual. I wanted to give him ownership of my ranch and business in my will. To do so I had to legally adopt him. I saw a lawyer to draw up the papers. I adopted him. The day of the wedding I showed him the papers and he signed them. His last name went from White to White-Wilburn. He was very happy with my actions. Mary's legal name is Mrs. White-Wilburn."

"That brings us to the wedding day. What happened next?"

"I knew Bobby loved Mary. He tried to hide it but he wore his heart on his sleeve. They had a special relationship growing up. For four years they were real siblings under my roof. I always wanted them to end up together. He really loved her but he said he would not speak up to stop the union and he didn't. When the Reverend asked if someone knew why they should not be joined, he said nothing."

"Was there a reason they shouldn't?"

"Tom had sex with a dancer hired for the bachelor party the night before. Bobby was at the party and saw it. He left after that. He came home and talked to his favorite horse, Fury. He was always using her as his therapist. She loved him. It was quite endearing. He didn't know Mary saw them. After he left alone she told me what she overheard and asked what she should do. I told her she was an adult and could make up her own mind. I was not going to speak up either and I didn't. Bobby and I kept your mouths shut when the question was asked."

"The wedding went off as expected. The question was asked and nothing was said. Tom agreed to his commitments. But when Mary was asked she didn't know what to say. She was speechless. She finally refused. Tom asked why. She told everyone about his night before and wished him well. Then she went to Bobby and declared her love and proposed to him. He was shocked and gave her every reason why they shouldn't marry. The last was their differences of religious beliefs. She was Christian and he wasn't. Indians are seen as heathens by Christians. They believe in the Creator not Christ. He said and I quote "There is no way that we can be married today under any circumstances, no matter how we feel." That's when I found a way. I helped Mary with the invitations. I knew there were two judges as guests. They married the couple."

"What was done next?"

"The couple walked down the aisle. I asked Bobby to come with me. I expected trouble. Bobby went to Tom's truck. It was parked by the barn and corral. I was right. He was loading his rifle and intended to kill them. Bobby hid in the shadows with a rifle. I talked Tom out of it and told him to leave. He did. Bobby stayed behind. I went back to the reception. Mary got worried and went to see Bobby, but not before getting HER rifle. He came back as Mary saw him raise a gun to kill Fury. She shot first, missing his ear by a few inches. I taught her well. She's a very good shot."

"Back at the reception we heard the shot and went to investigate. We got there as she was still pointing her rifle at him. Bobby had not come out of the shadows. There were angry filthy words spoken about Mary and Bobby by Tom."

"What did Tom say?"

"He said she would be seen as his squaw and his whore because she was his wife. He accused Bobby of becoming her pimp. That's when Bobby came out and raised his rifle. Mary put her hand on it and lowered it. She said, and I quote "He's not worth the jail term". I asked for her gun and she gave it to me. I raised it and said I didn't care about my jail term and ordered him off my property. Tom's words got worse and then he left. He wanted to kill them. When I stopped him he chose to kill the horse Bobby loved since she was a foal. He just wanted to kill. The man lost it."

"When was the next time you saw Tom?"

"It was about two months later. I thought I had stopped him. I was wrong. I should have kept tabs on him. The couple was happy. The State Fair came and we were showing a horse to see. Bobby rode it and then he was shot. The next time I saw Tom was at this trial."

"In your words was Tom temporarily insane after the wedding?"

"I am not a doctor. I could only see an angry man who wanted to kill. He was angry and didn't care what or who he killed. He wanted blood. This wasn't insanity, this was revenge only."

"No more questions."

Mr. Brown sits and Mr. Paulson comes up.

"As you stated you are not a doctor. Why did you feel it was revenge?"

"He seemed to be a man with a strong sense of honor. In the old days this was settled by a duel. We are not in the old days. We are in the present. I saw revenge in his eyes. I heard it in his filthy words. He was mad and I mean emotionally."

"Why didn't you ever give him a chance to prove himself? He loved your daughter. So what if he was pretty? She came with him. You threw Bobby at her. You knew how he felt. He went with her to buy the cake. He went with her to buy the dress. It was YOU who forced her on him because YOU wanted him, not Tom. Did you even wonder if he REALLY was a nice guy who loved Mary? It was YOU who pushed him away from her by pushing Bobby to her. Tom is on trial because of how YOU tried to maneuver the situation in YOUR favor, not Tom's. Do you deny that?"

"I do not deny that. I did not give Tom a chance. Something made me dislike him when I first met him. He didn't seem real. I loved my wife and she loved me. I saw love in her eyes when she looked at me. I did not see it in his eyes when he looked at Mary. I would have given him a chance if I saw honesty. I didn't see it in Tom. I saw love of money, Mary's money?"

"But Tom comes from a rich family. His father is a renowned criminal lawyer."

"Money marries money. I wanted Mary to marry love. Bobby was love."

"Mr. Wilburn, you live in a fairy tale world. Just because she did what you wanted her to do doesn't mean they will live happily ever after. Mr. White-Wilburn is an Indian. He and your daughter share nothing in common but a marriage bed. This is NOT Romeo and Juliet. The white world is not ready for relationships like this."

"Well it should be. My father was very racist to Mexicana and Indians. He tried to teach me to treat them as slaves. He never respected his staff. They hated him. He wanted me to treat them as non-humans. I refused. When he died and gave me the ranch I reversed his policy. The church told me to love everyone as my brother or sister. It taught me that EVERYONE is equal in the eyes of whatever God they worship. I taught Mary that. I refused his policy. I never saw Bobby as non-human. I loved his parents. I love all of my employees. That's the reason I wasn't thinking about Romeo and Juliet. The hell with the white world! That's your hang up, not mine."

"No more questions."

Roger sits.

"The court calls Robert White-Wilburn."

He is sworn in.

"Please state your name?"

"Robert White-Wilburn."

"Are you married?"

"My wife is sitting next to her father, Roger Wilburn."

"I want to go back to your father's testimony. Is his story about your ward-guardian relationship true?"

"Yes."

"And were you in love with Mary during the wedding ceremony?"

"Yes."

"Your father and father-in-law states you kept your tongue and didn't say anything. He states she came to you and proposed. At first you refused but it was Roger who convinced you to agree. Is that true?"

"Yes."

"Before I go into what happened at the ceremony I'd like to discuss the two weeks prior to that date. When did you know you were in love with her?"

"It happened when we lived together as siblings. She made me feel good. But I never said anything. I always felt I was lower than her. My status as a person could never equal hers. I'm told I had my heart on my sleeve."

"How did you feel when she came back with another man to marry?"

"I felt happy for her. He was equal to her in every way. I still kept my feelings to myself. I kept notebooks where I wrote poems about the situation."

"And how long have you had these notebooks?"

"Since I was fourteen."

"What made you publish them?"

"Mary, I told her about them. She wanted to see them. She helped me publish them after we were married."

Brown picks up a book and gives it to Bobby.

"Is this the final book?"

"Yes."

He flips through the book and puts them on the table, after he reads one poem.

"My wife loves this book. She says they're more romantic than Shakespeare sonnets."

"I wouldn't go that far. I'm no Shakespeare. They're just how I felt about her. That wasn't my original intention."

"How did you feel about Tom?"

"Tom was fake. He was a peacock showing his feathers to catch a mate. There was no love in his eyes, only lust. Roger kept them apart at the house. I was next to Tom's room and his heard him when he was alone with her. It was hard to sleep."

"How did you feel when Roger made you work to arrange the wedding?"

"He was my boss now. I did what he said. I drove her around while she did her errands. I built the arch for both of them."

"You mean the arch that was almost destroyed during the storm?"

"Mary and I watched in the storm as it was hit by lightning. The three of us taped it back together for the ceremony. The barn roof was more important to fix perfectly. It's where we kept your horses. They're our meal ticket."

"You mentioned three. Who was the third?"

"Tom. Tom and I held the pieces together. Mary did the duct tape. I painted it afterward so no one could tell unless they checked it."

"How was your relationship with Tom?"

"We didn't have one. He always tried to talk to me but I knew the real reason. He was keeping an eye on me. I made a point of leaving them alone. He wasn't sure what I was doing. Tom was Mary's affair, not mine. I was going to let her marry him."

"Did he ever tell you to stay away?"

"Yes, he threatened action if I did anything. I told him he had nothing to worry about. At the wedding when she asked me I told her to marry Tom. I gave her reasons why we shouldn't be."

"Why did you marry her?"

"The moment took me over. I wasn't thinking straight. I knew I loved her. For that moment I believed in Romeo and Juliet. Up to that point it was only Roger who believed. I was a realist. At that moment I stopped being one."

"Are you sorry you did?"

"Yes and no. Yes, because I knew what our lives would become. Tom was right when he said his angry words. I just didn't use HIS words. And no because I love her. She is my princess. I worship the ground she walks on. I have since I was fourteen and she was eleven."

"What were your feelings when you were shot and found out why?"

"It's hard to say. I felt scared and almost died. When he didn't want revenge for two months I finally felt safe with our marriage. We were trying to get pregnant. It wasn't taking."

"And how do you feel now?"

"I don't know. I feel confused. I don't know if Tom's actions were racial or revenge. I just know he wanted me dead. In my marriage, when someone doesn't like us it's usually racial. This is how we met Jackson and Sheriff Hawk. The two brothers came to Mary's rescue when she was being harassed at the fair the day before."

"Is she your only love?"

"The only one that matters."

"Did you ever see Tom again?"

"Once before the trial."

Mr. Brown is surprised.

"I know you trained us to answer your questions. But something else happened I never told you about. It was before the formal trial. You told us Tom had been attacked but refused to say it was sexual. I asked you and your eyes told me. That day I went to a book store to buy a Bible. I gave to Tom in jail right before I told him I forgave him. I told him Jesus told me to turn the other cheek. That is not the Indian way anymore. It was before the white man hurt us. Now we react in anger."

"Why did you react in peace?"

"I lived with my parents till they died. I heard them talk of the residential schools. They were both graduates of the torture. They never spoke to me about it. But I overheard them talking about how they BOTH were raped and starved. They spoke about how many of their friends committed suicide after their rapes. They never knew I knew. When Tom was attacked it took me back to what my parents said. That is why I bought the Bible and forgave him. I knew what pain he would feel. I'm sorry I never told you. It was something personal for me."

"Very touching Bobby. I can see why you never told me. No more questions."

Mr. Paulson walks up. Tom lowers his head. Tears are staring in his eyes.

"Was she the only woman you ever had sex with?"

"Excuse me?"

"I don't mean casual. I mean a relationship."

"No, there was one other."

"What was her name?"

"Elizabeth. We lived together for a few years when I worked at the animal hospital. She was the receptionist and I helped the vet techs."

"How was the relationship?"

"It wasn't good from the start. I wanted to break it off after a few months but I couldn't. She became pregnant. I didn't want to be a jerk."

"But you were when you told her you didn't want the baby?"

"I never asked her to abort it. She did that on her own. After she did I stayed till she felt better. That was two years more. I got used to the routine. It was a big mistake. She threw me out and went back to Roger's ranch."

Paulson goes back to his desk and picks up two pieces of papers. He gives them to the judge.

"Your honor, this is a marriage license between Elizabeth and a Dr. Morris Schwartz. You will notice it's dated recently. So Robert now you know who she married. Here is another document, a birth certificate for a boy named Robert. The date is four years ago, around the time Mr. White was thrown out."

"Excuse me, your honor. What does this have to do with the case? Was she there at the shooting?"

"Was she Mr. Paulson?"

"No. I have a reason for bringing this up. I will call her next. You'll find out in a few minutes. Please hear me out."

"Just five minutes and I'll decide what to do with this testimony," the Judge says.

"Thank you. Now, Bobby please read the father's name to the court."

"Robert White."

"Congratulations. Did you know you had a son?"

"No I did not. How could I?"

"Mrs. Schwartz sent you letters for over a year after she threw you out. Didn't you get your mail?"

"Yes. I never read them. I put them in a drawer unopened."

"She never e-mailed you?"

"I changed my e-mail address."

"The day she came to the ranch to see you, you mysteriously disappeared."

"I wanted it to be over."

"I take it there is no Elizabeth in your book of love poems. Mrs. Schwartz told me she sent you pictures of your son and you never responded."

"Your honor, this has nothing to do with this case."

"I'm beginning to agree. One more question Mr. Paulson and I make-up my mind," the Judge says.

"One question is all I need. Does the fact that Mrs. Schwartz originally and is Indian have anything to do with you NOT wanting the baby? After all, you and your wife are trying to get pregnant."

"Answer the question, Mr. Wilburn," the Judge says.

"Yes. That's the reason I didn't want it. She was not Mary."

"You mean she is not white. Mr. Wilburn, you have told everyone AND the court you are just as racist as the white world is."

"I protest your honor!" Mr. Brown cries.

"Mr. Paulson why are you doing this? Any first year law student knows only to present facts the DIRECTLY deal with the case. This has nothing to do with a murder for hire. I will not allow this recent testimony. Members of the jury I ask you to forget the recent questioning. It has nothing to do with this case. Any more questions?"

"No your honor."

"The witness may sit down. Due to the hour, court will begin after lunch at two. Court is dismissed," the Judge says.

Mr. Paulson smiles. Bobby goes back to Mary. She runs out of the room and he follows. Paulson turns to Chris.

"Why are you smiling? The Judge refused the evidence."

"I knew he would, Mr. Watters. That was my intention. Didn't you recognize my reasoning? You used it yourself. I was simply destroying their sense of unity. The worse Robert Wilburn looks makes Tom look good. Tom was NOT the only one who wasn't perfect."

"That was cruel, Mr. Paulson," Tom says.

"But necessary. Let's have a nice lunch."

…..

Bobby runs after Mary. She goes by the ladies room. He does not see Liz and her husband holding the child.

"Mary, come back!"

"Why should I? When were you going to tell me?"

"I didn't know."

"Try opening your mail!"

She runs into the ladies room. He starts to go in but stops when women give him dirty looks. He lowers his head.

"What have I done? I've destroyed everything," he says.

He leaves the building. Liz and Dr. Schwartz are shocked.

"I guess that means I don't testify. What now?"

"You take Bobby home. I'll follow Daddy. This isn't over, Liz. I can feel it. Go home."

They part. Dr. Schwartz sees Bobby go down the stairs and follows him. Bobby doesn't notice because he's never seen him. He turns into the first bar and goes to the counter. The bartender comes to him as he pulls out a large bill.

"Whiskey and leave me the bottle."

He does and goes to Dr. Schwartz who has just joined the counter.

"Just soda please."

The bartender does the same as Schwartz watches Bobby.

….

A few hours pass at the bar. Dr. Schwartz still watches as the amount of whiskey lowers in the bottle. He looks at his watch.

"This will be a long day," he says under his breath, drinking his fourth soda.

Bobby finishes this bottle and pulls out another large bill.

"Another bottle please."

"I'm cutting you off. You are VERY drunk. You better not be driving. Go home."

"I am not driving. I want another bottle of whiskey. Now give it to me."

"In a pig's eye. You've had enough. I don't know what your problem is but I won't have it in MY bar. I don't like trouble."

Dr. Schwartz comes closer. He is ready to intervene. Bobby tries to stand from his stool but can't.

"Then I'll just go to another bar. You lost business."

"I don't want your business."

Bobby lets go of the bar and almost falls as Dr. Schwartz catches him.

"I'll take him home."

"Does he know you?"

"He will know me. I won't hurt him. I know why he's upset. I'll take him somewhere safe. Come on, Bobby. It's time you go home," Dr. Schwartz says carrying him with his arms.

"Who are you? I don't know you?"

"You did. If you were sober you would remember."

They exit the bar and approach his car. He puts Bobby in and goes to the driver's seat. Bobby is getting sleepy. He sighs.

"Liz will never believe this," he says starting the car.

Liz is at home. She and young Bobby are at a small kitchen table. Bobby is eating as Dr. Schwartz opens the door carrying Bobby. Liz rises.

"What the hell, Morrie? Why are you bringing him here?" Liz asks walking to him.

"I couldn't leave him. He's drunk."

"I can see that. Why did you bring him here?"

"I followed him to a bar. He drank a whole bottle of whiskey," he says laying him on the couch.

Bobby is asleep.

"I can smell it. Why didn't you leave him?"

"I couldn't. He's a lot of bad things but he's still human. He's Bobby's father. That makes him family."

"I don't want Bobby to see him. He's too young to understand. I was feeding him."

"Send him to his room. Let him finish eating there."

"And what do you intend to do?"

"I intend to call his family. Now send Bobby to his room. Do as I say, woman."

She turns to a confused young Bobby and takes his hand.

"Honey, go to your room and finish your food. I'll come and get you when it's okay to come out," she says taking his plate and holding his hand as he walks.

"Who is he? Why is he on our couch?"

"He's sick. You know Daddy is a doctor. He's going to help him," Liz says.

"He helps only animals, not people. That man isn't a dog."

"If you only knew. Let's go," she says opening the door to his room and closing it behind her.

Dr. Schwartz gets Bobby's wallet and starts looking. Liz comes back out.

"Anything?"

"I found a business card for Roger Wilburn. There's a cell on it. Give me your phone."

She does and he calls. Roger picks up.

"Hello?"

"Is this Roger Wilburn?"

"Yes, who is this? How did you get this number?

"You don't know me. My name is Morris Schwartz. I'm the husband of Elizabeth. You heard about her in court today. I have Bobby. He's drunk and sleeping on my couch. I followed him after he left the court house. He went to the first bar and drank a whole bottle of whiskey. I stayed close to protect him. Put this call on video and I'll show you."

Dr. Schwartz goes back to the couch and puts it on Bobby.

"Oh my God," Roger cries.

He puts the phone back to his ear.

"Could you please come and get him? I don't want my young son to see him like this."

"Thank you for helping him, Dr. Schwartz. I don't know how to repay you."

"Just get him off my couch. I'm not a people doctor. I'm a Vet. I'll explain more when you get here. My address is…."

Liz listens and looks at Bobby and he gives the address. He hangs up and looks at a sleeping Bobby.

"I don't want to be him when he wakes up."

"What do we do now, Morrie?"

"You make a big pot of coffee. We will have company very soon."

She shakes her head.

"This is just like the old way with him. I hope his wife is ready for this."

"So do I, Liz," he says putting a gentle arm around her waist.

….

Time passes. Liz and Dr. Schwarz are having coffee when there is a knock on the door.

"I'll get it."

Dr. Schwartz gets up and goes to the door. He opens to see Roger and Mary.

"Are you Dr. Schwartz?" Roger asks.

"Yes, please come in."

"Where is Bobby?" Mark asks.

"Still asleep on my couch. He's in another world. This is Liz my wife. Our son is in his room. He's too young to see this."

"Understood," Roger says seeing his Yakama.

"You're a Jew."

"Shalom. Liz, pour some coffee. It's not for him, us. Please sit at our kitchen table. Keep your voices low. Any loud noise will be amplified by the whiskey."

She gives them coffee.

"So, you're Mary. I've heard so much about you," Liz says.

"I've heard nothing about you."

"You are beautiful. I can see his fixation. How is the trial going?"

"It was going fine till they brought you up. At least the Judge told the jury to disregard those questions."

"I didn't want to testify. I was ordered. I didn't want Bobby in my son's life."

"Mary, the defense did that on purpose. If Bobby looked bad, Tom would look good," Roger says.

"Please, tell us about you Dr. and Mrs. Schwartz," Mary asks.

"The three of us worked together at the animal hospital. I was a vet tech when he was just an assistant. Liz was the receptionist. We weren't involved then. She loved Bobby. I never liked him. He hated parakeets for one. He didn't treat Liz right. He never respected her. I was in love with her. The most I could be was her friend. No one could beat Bobby. That didn't last long. One day she came in with a shiner. You go on, dear."

"Has he hit you yet?" Liz asks.

"No, he wouldn't hurt a fly. He's a gentle man. That's what I love about him."

"I fell for that too. He wasn't the usual young Indian man. They're always openly angry. I thought he was different. Boy was I wrong. He was worse. At first he didn't drink and he was perfect. Whenever he got stressed out he had a few. It's natural to our people. We can't take alcohol well."

"When we got pregnant I told him. He became belligerent and said he didn't want the baby. He hit me on the cheek and I fell on the bed and he stormed out. I had the abortion and he got better again. But problems at work stressed him out. They knew who hit me. He wasn't happy there after that. The drinking became more frequent. I learned to duck. I had to. He had a fast fist."

"Why didn't you leave?" Mary asks.

"It was my apartment. He lived with me."

"Why did you wait years to throw him out?" Roger asks.

"He always promised it wouldn't happen again. I still loved him. Abused women always do. He was wonderful when he was sober. He just never loved me. He loved Mary. He always said her name in his sleep. We would be intimate and an hour later he called for Mary"

"There were times at night he would disappear. One night I found out where he went. I went into the living room and he was writing in a school notebook. When he wasn't there I tried to find it. He hid it very well. Those notebooks became his book. He was writing about you."

"I don't understand why you never got a restraining order," Mary asks.

"I loved him. He was like me. We were equal."

"I was there when she had the shiner. She told everyone she fell. But everyone at the hospital knew it was Bobby. I went with her to the abortion clinic. Everyone thought I was the father. I gave up telling them they were wrong. It's not every day you see an Orthodox Jew at an abortion clinic with and Indian woman. But I loved her. I just couldn't tell her. It was like you and Bobby. He was always there."

"A few years passed and she threw him out. He quit and we all took a breather. It didn't last long. She found out she was pregnant. I was her Lamaze partner and I was there at the birth. Two weeks later I married her. Everyone was happy. First thing I did was adopting her little boy. I'm the only father he knows."

"What did your family say?" Roger asks.

"My father disowned me. It had nothing to do with race. She wasn't a Jew. He declared me dead. Jews do that. I lost my natural family to give Liz and her son a family. I don't regret it. I love that little boy very much."

Young Bobby comes out of his room and goes to the table.

"Bobby, I told you I would come get you. Now go back to your room," Liz says.

"No, not yet, Liz. I want to see him," Mary says.

Young Bobby goes to Mary.

"He's a little angel," Mary says.

"May I say something mommy?"

"Yes, dear. You can."

"You're a pretty lady."

"And you are a handsome boy," Mary says taking his hands.

He smiles.

"Go to your room, dear," Dr. Schwartz says.

He goes back and closes the door.

"We better hurry Mary and get him out of here. Let's give this family back their peace." Roger says.

"He's such a gentle boy," Mary says.

"So was Bobby. I went to his home when he was born. His father was so proud to give him to me. He looked up at me and smiled. He was a beautiful baby. On days when his mother was busy she brought him to us. We never refused to babysit. There were times I walked into the living room and I saw my wife holding and rocking him like he was hers."

"When he learned to walk and I was working at my desk, he would be on the floor playing with his blocks. He would walk up to me and tug on my pant leg. I would look down and I'd see him with his arms open. He wanted me to hold him. That ended my work. I picked him up and he would curl in my lap. I would caress his hair and he sometimes fell asleep."

"Then Liz and I finally had Marry. The week she was born, he and his parents came to meet the new baby. Bobby waddled over, leaned over and gave her the biggest juiciest kiss he could on her forehead. Even then he was a flirt when it came to Mary. She smiled. I didn't want to tell him it was gas."

"Then he started school and only came when his father was working. While his dad worked I introduced him to horses. He loved them. Mary was young and obnoxious. She ran to him, said HI and wanted to play with him. He was scared of her. He ran and hid behind his father. That's how it was till his parents died. I have known that man ALL his life and I can't believe what I'm seeing now. That drunken man is not the boy I knew."

"From what I'm hearing, he's also not the man I married." Mary says.

Bobby starts waking up.

"Roger, Mary, stand behind the couch. Liz, go to Bobby's room. I'll introduce myself to him."

They all do. Bobby slowly opens his eyes and sees Dr. Schwartz looking at him.

"Where am I? Who are you? Do I know you?"

"I'm Dr. Morris Schwartz. You're lying on my couch. And you know me Bobby White."

He tries to put his head up and can't.

"Ouch. What hit me?"

"A whole bottle of whiskey. I followed you from the court house. My wife is Elizabeth. You knew her as Liz at the hospital. You knew me as Morrie, the Vet tech. I'm now Dr. Morris Schwartz. I'm on the medical staff. I hated working with you. You hated parakeets."

Bobby opens his eyes big in recognition.

"You are Morrie. You married Liz. You're Jewish. You're an Orthodox Jew. Why would you marry an unwed American Indian woman?"

"It's called love. I loved her for years. You never did. You were a real bastard to her. Everyone at the hospital knew it. We were all glad when you quit."

"How did I get to your couch?"

"I followed you to the bar. I watched you from afar. You drank a whole bottle of whiskey and were so drunk you couldn't stand. In the shape you were in you could have been robbed and killed. I brought you here for your own protection. You're still Bobby's father. I adopted him. He will grow up to be a Jew. He will be bar mitzvah. Unlike you I had him circumcised the first two weeks of his life. His last name will be Schwartz, not white."

"I have to call my family. They'll be worried."

"You're the one that needs to worry. I called them. They've been here for quite some time."

He motions and Roger and Mary stand before him. He looks at them as he sits up.

"Oh, shit. I'm screwed."

"That my son is an understatement of the year. You're lucky Dr. Schwartz followed you. You will have to answer to me."

"Roger, I can explain everything."

"And you will, starting with why you never opened your mail," Roger says.

"Roger, could you take boy wonder into the bathroom and clean him up," Dr. Schwartz says.

They go. Mary sits on the couch. Liz sits next to her.

"My husband is a mess."

"He needs professional help."

"I can't stay married to him knowing what I know now. He wasn't like that with me. You're talking about a different man."

"I'm talking about the same man who gave me a black eye when I was pregnant. He is the same man I learned to duck for. He just hasn't become abusive to you yet. Maybe it's time to leave before you get a shiner, or worse."

The two come out. Bobby doesn't look much better.

"Thank you, Dr. Schwartz. I wish I could pay you back. I don't know how."

"Yes, you do, Roger. Take good care of him. Somewhere in there is a little boy who fell asleep on your lap. Do all that you can to find him again?"

Dr. Schwartz stands as they walk to the door. Liz stands outside Bobby's door. Bobby sees her.

"Liz?"

"I didn't want to testify. I was called. I didn't want you to know."

"You were lucky you didn't have to," Bobby says.

"There's someone I need you to meet."

She opens the door.

"Honey, come out to mommy."

Young Bobby comes out. Older Bobby looks at him and then Dr. Schwartz.

"Thank you, Dr. Schwartz for taking care of my son. I'm happy he is loved," Bobby says walking out the door. Mary and Roger follow.

….

Tom is in his cell. He is disturbed after seeing what his lawyer did to Bobby. He picks up his Bible and rereads the Sermon on the Mount. He puts the book down and goes to the bars.

"Guard, could I have some paper and pen? I'd like to write someone."

He gets them and starts writing. He finishes and goes back to the bars.

"Guard, could you please call the priest? I need his counseling."

"Anything else, Mr. Watters? I'm not your servant."

"No, just the jail priest."

"At your command, pen first?"

He gives him the pen and waits. Time passes. The priest is let in. Tom rises.

"Thank you for coming at such a late notice, Father."

"Anytime my son. How can I help you? Is it confession?"

"I don't know. I need a consultation. I'm not sure if it's a confession."

"Then let's sit down and begin."

"You sit. I'll stand."

"As you wish."

"Father, I'm sure you know why I'm here. You don't need to hear the details."

"I'm told of the reasons before I see an inmate. What do you want to talk about?"

"Do you see the Bible on my bed? It was given to me by the man I wanted to kill. It was just before my trial began. I was beat up by three inmates the night before. Then I got transferred here for my protection during the trial only. My victim gave me the book to give me peace after the attack. He's Indian and not Christian."

"Why would he give you a Bible?"

"He wanted me to read the Sermon of the Mount. He said he thought Jesus was a smart and intelligent man. He then told me his favorite part. If a man strikes your cheek, turn the other cheek. He forgave me, Father. I didn't expect that. Now he needs help and I can't him because I'm in here.

"You want to help this man. Why?"

"Today my lawyer examined him in court. He brought in evidence that was not necessary. It was of a person nature. The Judge threw it out. But it was too late. It may have destroyed his marriage."

"I wrote this when I got back from court. I would like to read this out loud in the court room. Please read it and tell me what you think."

He does.

"You want to present this at THIS time. Your trial is almost over."

"It's the only way I can help this man. He forgave me. I need to forgive him"

The priest gives it back.

"I'm not a lawyer but I can tell you your lawyer will not like what you're doing. He worked hard on your case."

"I want to tell the truth, Father. I owe it to my victim. What should I do?"

"This is a confession, son. Everything you have told me will stay between us. Show this to your lawyer and father. They will probably hate you."

"My father already hates me. Will they let me speak before the court?"

"I can't answer that. I don't know law. I just know Jesus and the Father. I can tell you this. Your natural father may hate you but there is someone else who does not. He loves you. God's love is more than any type of human love. You have sought him out by writing this. That is all I can say. I wish you luck with your lawyer. Just remember, God still loves you."

The Priest rises.

"Thank you for coming, Father."

"God be with you."

"And also with you," Tom says.

He leaves and Tom picks up the book and hugs it.

Tom is in his cell holding an envelope. The guard opens the door and his father and lawyer come in. They stand.

"We're here, son. What did you want to say?" Chris says.

"Today in court I was watching what your questions did to Bobby's face. You gave him more pain then I did with a bullet. It wasn't fair," Tom says.

"It's what helped your case, Tom."

"By destroying a man in front of his wife?"

"Are you defending Mary?" Chris asks.

"Somebody has to. She was right to refuse me. I was a jerk to her. She was pretty so I didn't mind. Plus she was rich;" Tom says rising and giving his lawyer the envelope.

"What this?" Paul says.

"I would like to read this in court tomorrow," Tom says.

"You want to change your plea, now?"

"I'm not insane. I knew what I was doing and why. I was wrong. An honorable man does not kill his completion."

The Lawyer gives to the letter to Chris who reads in shock.

"That girl was a bitch to you. She deserves the husband she got. She made her bed. Let her lie in it," Chris says.

"I want this over, Dad. If I plead guilty I will accept my punishment. I was wrong! Admit it, Dad. I was wrong!"

Chris gives it back to the lawyer.

"Does that mean the trial is over?"

"It means it will be shortened. I will have him read it."

"What! Are you crazy? You're letting them win."

"Your son will not be free. He did a murder for hire and he will pay for it. This letter will say how, Mr. Watters. I have been a criminal lawyer as long as you. This is not the first time I have seen this. It just never happened to my client. I must do as he wishes."

"There goes my reputation as a lawyer. My own son screws me. It's your life, Tom. You will never get over this. Your life will be ruined."

"It already is. I did it to myself."

The lawyer gives Tom back the letter. Chris leaves.

"Tom, all this will do is reducing your sentence. You won't go free."

"That's not the reason I did it."

"Then what is?'

"I have made people suffer. Mary was right to deny me. I would have made her life miserable. I just wanted to use her."

The lawyer walks out and Tom sits down. The guard closes the door. He puts the letter on his bed and weeps.

….

The Wilburn's enter Mary's hotel room. Bobby is silent.

"I need to take a shower," Bobby says.

"Before you do, son, I have a few words to say. The trial still goes on. You are NOT to be with us in the courtroom anymore, unless you are summoned. You are to stay in this room and out of trouble until we come back at the end of the day, every day. You put this prison on you," Roger says.

"Yes, sir. What about food?"

"The diner across the street is fine but then come back here. We will tell you what happened in court."

"Yes, sir."

Roger leaves. She turns her back to him. He starts taking off his clothes and showers. When he comes out Mary is watching TV. He is only wearing a towel."

"The bathroom is yours."

"Thank you,' she says quietly.

"Are you going to be quiet forever?"

"What is there to say? I told you everything about me. You told me nothing about you. You lied to me and my father."

"He knew about the abortion. I told him when I came back. He called me an asshole and he was right. I was an asshole to Liz. I've been one to you too. I won't apologize. You wouldn't believe me anyway."

He takes off the towel and grabs his pajama bottoms and puts them on. Mary gets up.

"Where are you going?"

"To be with my father. I don't want to be with you. There are two beds in this room. Tonight and every other night here after this, you will sleep in the other bed."

She leaves Bobby who hangs his head.

"What have I done? I wish I had a gun. I'd blow my head off."

It is the next day in court. Everyone is ready to continue.

"Call your next witness, Mr. Paulson."

Paulson rises.

"Your honor, this is very irregular. My client would like permission to read something to the court."

"This is irregular. Is it necessary?"

"It has to be read. Where can he read it?

"Have him stand in front of the court."

Tom does.

"Thank you, your honor and members of the jury. There is something I need to read. I, Tom Watters, wish to change my plea to guilty without insanity. My attorney wanted to say I was insane. Maybe I was but I'm not now. I am very sane. I did this crime with complete recognition. I was wrong to take a person's life because I couldn't take refusal from a girl I thought I loved. Turns out it wasn't love. I don't know what it was, but I should have left and walked out."

"I do not want ask any legal favors for this crime. I will accept my punishment with the grace I should have had before. I'm sorry if I caused financial problems. If I had said guilty at the beginning, the state would not have wasted the money they did. I know trials are not cheap. Neither is wasting other people's time. When it comes to the verdict please accept it for what it truly is, murder for hire. Thank you."

Tom sits down. The Judge and the rest of the court are quiet.

"This puts a different angle to this case. I will withdraw to my chambers for a few minutes. I would like to speak to both counsels."

….

The Judge enters with the two lawyers.

"Please, gentlemen, sit down."

The three do.

"Let me begin with WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE? What do you expect me to do? He's your client."

"Your honor, he surprised me too. His father is not pleased. Neither am I. But he's my client and has the right to change his plea. I wish he had in the beginning. What's our next step?"

"The next step will be your closing statements. Please keep it brief. Too much has been said already. Court will be dismissed for the rest of the day so you two can work on your statements. Some days it doesn't pay to come to work. Dismissed. I will be out there shortly."

The all leave but the Judge.

"Why did I ever go to law school?" the Judge asks.

…..

Bobby is watching TV in his room. A suitcase is by him on the side of the bed. A letter addressed to Mary is on the lamp table. There is a knock on the door. He answers and sees Tom in chains with his attorney. He is surprised.

"What's going on?"

"May we come in?"

"Sure."

"Bob, I just came to say something. May I have your time?" Tom asks.

"Make it quick. I'm expecting a ride. I'm going back to the ranch."

"The trial isn't over."

"It's over for me. My marriage is over. I was wrong to say yes that day. I'm not the marriage type. I never was. My father was but he didn't pass it on to me."

"You're leaving here?"

"I have no choice. We were a mistake. It's good we never had children. We can go our own ways and not hurt anyone. But you came to talk to me. What did you want to say?"

"I came to say I'm sorry for what I did and what I said after the wedding. I was wrong. Please forgive me."

"Already forgiven, Tom. You were wrong to do what you did. And I was wrong to say yes. Mary Wilburn deserves a better husband than both of us. People like us are better off alone. Let the rest of the world find love. We're not right for it. I'd shake your hand in peace but they're tied up. You'll have to accept my word."

"Where will you go?"

"To my own people. I don't belong in the white world. There are plenty of reservations I can go to. Don't worry about me. I can't get into trouble with my own people. I wish you luck with the verdict. I wasn't in court today so I don't know what happened."

"You'll hear it on the news. It will surprise you."

"Good bye, Bobby."

"Good bye, Tom."

Bobby's phone rings.

"Excuse me for a minute…Yes, Pedro. I'm coming now. Thanks for the lift."

He hangs up.

"My ride is here. It was good seeing you again. Let's all walk out together."

….

Mary and Roger walk into the hotel room. It is empty.

"Now where is he?" Roger asks.

She sees the note, sits down and reads. She drops it to the floor.

"What is it, Mary?"

She gets up and can't speak. Roger picks up the letter. He is shocked.

"Can he do this, Dad? Can he forget what we had together? He's my husband and I still love him."

"He's a runner. He always was. A problem gets bad and he runs."

"I was willing to try and work it out. We were just angry at him for lying to us. He didn't have to leave. What do I do, Daddy?"

She runs into his arms and cries.

"Maybe this is temporary, dear. He'll change his mind. Give him time."

She pulls away.

"He ran away from Liz. Now he's running away from me."

"He's running away from himself. I wish his parents hadn't died. He would be a different man."

He hugs her again as she cries.

….

It is the next day in court. The closing statements have been said. The jury has come back with the verdict.

"Has the jury a verdict?"

"Yes, Your honor."

A guard gives the Judge the verdict. He looks at it and gives it back to them.

"Last night I wrote two closing statements for two different verdicts. I wasn't sure how the verdict would go. It appears I can't use either. This case was about a love triangle. They never end up well. This was no exception. A few hundred years ago it would have ended with a physical gun or sword duel. Both men would have been killed. And the girl would be left alone. That's exactly how this ended. Robert Wilburn, the victim has left his wife. The man who arranged the murder for hire will spend many years in jail. The assassin will never be free. He is known for multiple murders for hire. This is a case that will never be settled."

"Let's forget it began as a love triangle. Let's get down to murder for hire. These crimes happen for different reasons. Some are political. Some are financial. Some are personal, like this one. But they all have none thing in common. Someone wants someone murdered but can't do it themselves. Murder will always be murder. It's the taking of a human life for personal gratification. Mr. Watters did so. Yes, he changed his plea at the last moment, but he still admitted to the crime. Most clients try to find a way out. He is asking for any punishment he deserves. There he is admirable. Murder for hire is the coward's way out. It always will be. His punishment will be the same as anyone found guilty. Members of the jury what is your verdict?"

"We, the members of the jury, find Thomas Watters guilty of the crime of murder for hire. He was sane at the time. We suggest the fullest extent of jail imprisonment as declared by the law. As for the man he hired, we suggest the death penalty for all the lives he took. We find him guilty. He may not have gotten death for this crime but he has others he will be found guilty for."

"Mr. Watters, have you a statement?"

"No, your honor. I gave my statement in the trial."

"Sentencing for both will be tomorrow morning at ten. Court is adjourned."

The Judge rises and leaves. Mary and Roger sit in silence. He takes her hand.

"He'll come back. He still loves you."

"He loves his freedom more. It was silly of me to think he would be committed to us after the trial. He IS a runner. It's time I start to believe it. Let's go home."

….

The trial is over. Tom has been sent to another jail where he's free from assault. He is in his cell sleeping when the guard comes to the bars.

"Wake up, Watters. You have a visitor."

"Who is it?"

"Don't know I was just told to get you."

"It's not like I have something else left to do."

Tom is escorted into a large visiting room. It is more casual. The glass and phone are gone. There is a small table with two chairs. Tom sees Bobby waiting. He is growing a beard and mustache. His hair is also longer.

"Bobby?"

"Hello, Tom."

"How did you find me?"

"I called your father's office. Do you feel safe here?"

"I'm not quite sure yet. Why are you here?"

"I've come to say good-bye. I'm going."

"Where?"

"I've decided to go back to my roots and move to a Rez. I chose another state so Mary and I won't meet. I have connections in Arizona. Remember Sheriff Hawk? He was raised there. I need a room I can let until I find a job and get my own Rez place."

"You're really leaving Mary? I thought you loved her."

"I do. That's why I'm leaving. I don't belong in the white man's world. She doesn't belong in the Indian world. We were a mistake. It's good we didn't have children. We can part ways and still be friends. Mary needs to be free of me."

"Are you sure I had no part in this?"

"It was my idea."

"What will you do at the Rez?"

"After Mary is free, I'll find a nice Indian girl, marry her and have babies. I should have done that with my first girlfriend. I could be raising my son, not some other man doing it."

"It looks like we're both alone. I'm in prison and you have to start over again."

"We're both in prison. Yours is a physical building. Mine is a making of my own. You'll be out soon."

"I have to serve my full term. No parole."

"You might be surprised. On good behavior it might happen."

The guard comes back.

"Your time is up, Tom. Say your farewells."

Tom and Bobby stand.

"Thank you for coming. I feel like I should hug you. But physical contact is not allowed. The only exceptions would be if you were female."

"Well, I'm not. A'ho, Tom."

"A'ho, Bob. Bob?"

He turns back to him.

"I like the beard and mustache. It fits your face. Keep growing it."

"I intend to."

Bob walks away. Tom turns to the guard.

"If things were different and we had met elsewhere, he and I would be best friends. We would never be enemies. Home, James."

Mary, Roger and Pedro enter the house. It is quiet.

"He left you a note with some letters on your computer table," Pedro says.

Roger goes to his table. One white envelope sits on top of a string tied group of letters. He reads Bobby's note.

"I tried my best to make his stay. He kept saying he had to go to his own people," Pedro says.

"By now he's already there. The letters are there for you, Mary. I'm not interested in reading them. He did say he was going to a reservation outside of Texas. He didn't want you to meet by accident. As soon as he's settled, he'll send us an address where you can mail the divorce or annulment papers. He won't give you any trouble," Roger says walking out of the house.

Mary walks up and picks up the letters. She shuffles through them. Pedro stands waiting for his next instructions. She walks to a small trash can and dumps them in, unopened.

"Pedro, help me with my bags," she says taking hers and going upstairs.

AFTERMATCH NOTHING-ARIZONA THREE WEEKS LATER

Sheriff Hawk is at his police station desk. He is doing crossword puzzles. It is a slow day. Bobby enters the station and goes up to Hawk. He is growing his beard and mustache.

"Bobby," he says, looking up at him.

"Hello, Sheriff Hawk."

"How's Mary? What are you doing here?"

"I haven't seen her in weeks. I've been driving around."

"Without Mary?"

"We're not together anymore."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Did it involve the trial?"

"You could say that."

"What can I do for you?"

"I'm looking for a place to say, with my own people."

"By OUR you mean Indian?"

"Exactly. I can't exist in white society. I need my own people."

"I don't live in the Rez anymore. I live in Nothing. My house is a few blocks down. My two married sisters live at the Rez."

"Do they have a room? I can stay until I get a job and my own place."

"You mean the Rez?"

"Yes."

"I'll tell them tonight. Do you have a place to sleep tonight?"

"Not yet."

"I have an idea. Do you remember the horse ranch between Nowhere and the theater? My dad owns it. It's a breeding and racing school for horses. He's in the same business as Roger. Right now Dad is in Phoenix doing his political thing. That man is convinced he'll be president. But when he's home he lives and works on his ranch. I could check with his supervisor and see if they can use someone with your experience. You can even live there. How does that sound? I think Dad is coming in a few weeks."

"It sounds great."

"I'll call him tomorrow. Right now it's too late. Tonight you can sleep on my couch. You can meet the wife and my four kids. I'll have her rustle up some chow for you. She's a good cook."

"Thank you Hawk."

"My name is Robert."

"So is mine."

"Then call me Rob. I'll call you Bob. Are you thirsty? My deputy can show you where our cold sodas are."

Bobby walks over to the deputy. The two men walk away. Hawk picks up his phone and dials.

"Hey, Noel. It's Robbie. Guess who just came to dinner?" Hawk says.

…..

A week has passed. Mary is working at home. The phone rings and Roger gets it.

"Wilburn Ranch…Hello, Hawk. How are you?... She's right here. Mary, it's for you," Roger says putting down the phone.

"Hello?...Robbie. How are you? It's been a long time. What can I do for you?...Bobby? Where is he?...(long story)…Is he still there?...How long should I wait?...Thank you for telling me. I'll be there in one week."

She hangs up.

"What about Bobby?"

"He's in Arizona. He went to see Hawk to get some housing at Tohono. Hawk sent him to the ranch his father owns. It's between Nowhere and the theater."

"I remember seeing it. What's he doing there?"

"Living and working. He's back to horses. Hawk told me to wait a week before I see him. He wants Bobby to settle in just in case he runs again. He'll call me in one week if he's still there. At least we know he's safe."

"Have you decided what you're going to do? Is it separation, annulment or divorce?"

"I haven't decided. I'm in no rush. If he hasn't come home, by now he never will. For now I'm a working reporter. I still have to investigate."

"You'll have to decide soon."

"I'll tell you when I do."

She holds her mouth and doubles over.

"I feel queasy. It's probably the flu."

She holds her mouth, runs into the bathroom and becomes ill. Roger follows and waits till she's finished and comes out.

"Are you sure it's the flu?"

"Positive, Dad."

She runs back in and gets sick again.

"This ain't the flu daughter. Time to get you a small present."

…..

A few days have passed. Mary is still working. Roger comes in and gives her a present.

"What's this?"

"I was in town and saw something I knew you needed. Open it."

She does. It's an EPT test.

"A pregnancy test. I haven't been with Bob for weeks."

"Do it for me."

"Okay, Dad you win."

She takes it and goes to the bathroom. She comes out after a few minutes. The test is wrapped in toilet paper. She puts it up to her work and ignores it. She puts on a grimace

"What's the result? What will you do if it's positive?"

"I will have it. We can raise it together."

"Will you tell the father?"

"Of course. It could be Bob's baby."

"Then what did it say?"

"You're going to be a grandfather. Of all the worse times for this to happen. Now I have to go Arizona and see him. I have no choice."

"Do you want me with you?"

"I'm a big girl. I can take a plane and rent a car like anyone else."

"Do you want him back?"

"I don't know. For now I'll ask him to come back for the pregnancy and the delivery only. The rest will be up to him. I better get back to work. This has to be on today's news."

Roger leaves. She looks at the EPT.

"Bobby, you have the worst timing."

….

Mary drives up to the horse ranch near the theater. She gets out of the car and starts walking in. A man sees her. He is Secretary of State Robert Hawk Sr. from Arizona. He has taken a few days to settle some affairs at his ranch. He walks up to her.

"Can I help you, ma'am? Are you looking for a horse?"

"I'm interested in a horse trainer. Does Bobby Wilburn still work here?

"Yes, but he's not here right now. He's training a horse in the field. He'll be back soon. And who are you?"

"My name is Mary. I'm his wife."

"The girl in the picture. Your picture doesn't do you justice. You're much prettier."

"Thank you."

"It's a hot day. Come inside. I'll get you something cold to drink. Do you have luggage?"

"It's in the car."

"Come with me."

They enter the house. Hawk gets her a cold soda. She looks at pictures on top of the fireplace mantel.

"Are these your horses?"

"Some. We breed and train racing horses."

"My dad does that at our ranch in Texas."

"I know. That's where Bobby got his training. He's an excellent trainer."

"You don't have to tell me. Are you related to Sheriff Hawk?"

"He's my son."

"I can see the resemblance."

"I hope so. If not I have to have a serious talk with my wife."

"Are you the Hawk who saved Noel's life in Afghanistan?"

"I had high rank in the army. I was responsible for five bases. Joe was in one of them. His name was Joseph Hopkins. He changed his name here. I was visiting bases when a call came on the radio. A patrol was ambushed by the Taliban. We rushed over, killed the Taliban and went to our men. Five died. I was so glad when I saw Joe breathing. The only reason he lived was an accident. He was the first one shot who became unconscious. He fell back. Four other men were killed and fell on top of him. The dead bodies got most of the bullets. They shielded and suffocated Joe."

"I went with Joe and Arthur to the hospital. He lost a lot of blood. His blood type was rare. The doctor said the hospital didn't have enough and he would die on the table. He also wanted to amputate his leg. Arthur refused. So, Joe got a very bad limp instead. I had Joe's blood type and gave him all I could and still be able to stand. He came through. I guess you could say I saved his life. How did you meet my son and his friends?"

"We met the night before and they gave us free tickets to the show. It was great."

"I've seen them. They're remarkable together. It's a shame Arthur is leaving music to enter. He's a wonderful guitarist. But he made the right decision. My real job is Arizona Secretary of State. Politics robs a man of his private life. He had to give up something."

"Robbie tells he used his ability he to save Bobby. He's had that ability for years. He saved Noel when Noel was brought back. He got Robbie's ability. He died because of me. My eldest son tried to kill my best friend. I did not have good luck with my two boys. My eldest tried to kill Noel and succeeded. Robbie was in a gang. They both were bad boys, but Robbie changed for the better. When my father was alive he was training Noel. Noel is not as strong as Robbie but he can help. Robbie told me he helped that day."

"I thought Robbie doesn't want us to talk about it."

"With others but we can between ourselves. Those two brought him back."

"Three, Arthur helped them."

"He's not receptive. He doesn't understand what they're doing."

"He put his hand on top of them. It took three people to bring him back."

"I wonder where that power came from."

"I've never seen that before. It was quite shocking to us. We were glad the three were there."

"It's a shame Bobby had to be shot."

Bobby walks in.

"Speak of the devil."

Mary sees him. He is unshaven and growing his hair. He is stunned.

"Mary?"

"Hello, Bobby."

"How did you find me?"

"Robbie told me."

"I'm sorry I haven't written. I was getting settled at my new job. I was about to write this week."

"That's okay."

"How was the horse Bob?" Hawk asks.

"Too frisky. He still needs to be broken in more."

"Why are you here Mary? Is Roger okay?"

"He's fine. But I'm not."

"Please excuse me. I have some things to do in the kitchen," Hawk says leaving.

"Are you sick?"

"Nothing nine months can't fix."

His face drops.

"You mean you're-?

"The word is pregnant. One of your boys made it."

"But how. I've been gone for over a month."

"Remember the night before the trial when Robbie told us to make love."

"I remember that night. We didn't get much sleep. It was great. Is that when my guy got through?"

"As usual you have rotten timing. When we were together your guys couldn't do their jobs. When we were splitting up one guy did, right after you left."

"I won't say I don't want the baby. I do. What do you want from me?"

"I thought maybe you could stay with us and watch your baby grow?"

"I would like that very much. But I can't. We're very busy. Could you stay here?"

"I have a job in Dallas. I work for a TV channel. I'm a member of an investigative group. We help people with personal and financial problems. You need to come there. You could leave after delivery."

"What about my job?"

Hawk walks back in.

"Your job can wait. Right now your wife is more important. After she delivers you can come back. Your job will be waiting."

"We have two horses ready to deliver."

"The other men can take care of that. Go with your wife. You can leave tomorrow."

"Okay, Bob."

"Get your dinner. It's in the kitchen."

Bobby leaves. Hawk walks up to Mary.

"Mrs. Wilburn, I will understand if he doesn't come back. A man belongs with his family. Actually I hope he doesn't come back. Too many of our men desert their wives. I am guilty of that. I learned my lesson when my two sons had problems. It's time he learns his. This Secretary of State will get your bags from your car and bring it up to Bobbi's room. Wait here and follow me."

Hawk leaves. She waits at the base of the stairs.

…..

Mary enters into his room. She puts her bag by the bed. Two small lamp tables surround the bed. One table is their wedding picture. She opens a drawer on the other and finds a notebook.

"You never stop, Bob."

She sits on the bed, opens the notebook and starts reading. It's his new poetry. He walks into the room.

"I see you found them."

"You're still a good poet. There's not enough to publish but in one year there will be, "she says putting the book down.

She gets off the bed and gives him a white square box with a string around it.

"I brought you a present from Phoenix. Open it."

He does.

"Cookies"

"I hope you like them."

"They're the ones I like. Thank you."

"If you have milk we can have some before we go to sleep. I see you have our picture."

"I wanted to remember us. Those were happier days. And we do have milk."

She opens her suitcase and gets her nightgown. He puts the book on one night stand. She puts on her gown and gets into bed by the night table with no picture. He gets into his pajamas and gets into the side of the wedding picture.

"Night, Mary."

"Night, Bob."

She leans on her side with her back turned to him. He does the same and looks at the picture. He puts a kiss on his fingers and touches her face on the picture. Mary wipes a tear from her face and closes her eyes. She wipes another tear and cries silently. She feels him hold her tighter and starts kissing the back of her neck.

"I'm not sleepy. Are you?" he whispers in her ear.

"I'm not either," she says turning to him.

He kisses her lips and their intimacy begins.

….

It is after the intimacy. His arms enfold her. He starts stroking one breast.

"Why are you going that?"

"I was wondering when the milk begins."

"I don't know. I've never done this before."

"I wonder what the milk tastes like. I can't remember. I was a little baby," he says still stroking her breast.

"I can't remember either. It must be good. All babies like it."

"I'm also wondering if I kiss your belly will the baby feel it. I want to kiss it."

"I don't think so. It's probably the size of golf ball. Later, when I get bigger he will feel it."

He lowers himself and starts kissing it. She gently strokes his hair.

"You're wasting your time. It's too small and it's attached to the top of my uterus wall, not my skin. I know that much."

"I know he feels it. I want him to know I already love him."

"Do what you want. I love the feel of your hair. It's very thick. Do Indians go bald?"

"They grow bald and grey. Graham Greene is."

He goes back to face her.

"What happens after the baby is born," he asks.

"I don't know. We'll talk about when the time comes. I just want you to hold your baby once before you leave. I want us to part friends not enemies. I still want you in his life. I want him to know his father."

"Yes, on all of that. I want to see him too. I couldn't with my first but I will with this one."

He starts to laugh.

"Why are you laughing?"

"I was just thinking of his Bar Mitzvah. You don't see many American Indian Jews. He'll probably wear that little cap."

"It's called a Yamaka. Not all Jews wear them, only the Orthodox and the occasional Conservative. The Reform doesn't. There are three major types. Dr. Schwartz is Orthodox. He said so. They are the most traditional ones."

"We better get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow. One more baby kiss and we crash."

….

Mary and Bobby enter the Texas house. Roger sees them and smiles. Mary shakes her head no.

"It's not what you think, Dad. He's just here for the pregnancy and delivery. It's all he would agree too."

Pedro enters with the luggage and puts them on the floor.

"Where do I sleep, Roger," Bob asks.

"Mary's room. You're still married. Pedro and I will take you bags. I'll show you where the nursery will be. It's your old room. Come with me."

The three go up the stairs and enters his old room.

"The big bed is in the attic. Some bedroom furniture will stay for baby clothes," Roger says.

"What's the big box?"

"The crib. Pedro will assemble it in a few days. There's no rush."

"I can do it. You know I'm good with wood. What about the walls? They don't look like a nursery. They need to be painted."

"I never thought of that. I just did the furniture," Roger says.

"Let me paint it."

"What color? Pink or blue?" Mary asks.

"Both. I'll come up with something. You can trust me,"

"Is that okay, Mary? You're the mother," Roger asks.

"It sounds fine. It will keep him out of trouble."

…..

Mary and Bobby enter her room. Their bags are in the room. They both look at the bed.

"Mary, before this goes any further, last night was the last time we'll be together. I don't intend to become lovers again. I'm just here for the baby. Two people sharing a bed do not mean there will be sex. All I will do is kissing the baby good night, every night and nothing more. It isn't you. It's me. When I leave I don't want you to have emotional pain."

"I already knew that. You have that faraway look in your eyes. I agree to all you said."

"Good. I'm going to see what I can do. Don't expect me for meals today. The crib is more important. I'll make a sandwich when I feel hungry," he says leaving.

She sits on the bed and starts to weep.

It is late night. Mary is alone on the bed. She looks at the time of the clock. She gets out of bed and enters the nursery. Bob is sleeping on the floor. The crib is completed. She walks over and strokes the wood and looks at hm.

"Good-night, Bob," she says and leaves.

….

The next few days she is alone, again. She looks at the clock. It is very late. She gets up.

"This is getting ridiculous. He never sleeps."

She enters the nursery and it is empty. She goes to the stairs and looks down the stairs. She sees a lone light and his back. She does downstairs. He is drawing in a notebook, holding a ruler.

"What are you doing? It's late. You need sleep. This is becoming an obsession with you."

"You call this an obsession?" he asks showing his design.

"You drew this?"

"I've been working on it for a few days. What do you think?"

"It's good."

"Tomorrow I'll buy the paint. Give me one week and it will be done."

"What about kissing the baby every night? You haven't since you came back."

"I'll make up for it when the nursery is done. Get some sleep. I'll be fine. I want our baby to have the best."

…..

Mary is working at the dining room table. She is on the phone.

"I called the electric company. They haven't called back…I know and I agree. Someone should not have to pay light bills all at once. I think they have installment plans. I'll call again. If I don't get results we go on the news tonight. After people see it, those seniors will get an installment plan."

She hangs up. Roger walks up to him and puts his hand on her shoulder.

"Are we winning yet?"

"The electric company is. The heat wave is killing everyone. They're demanding more than before, no exceptions."

"I believe in you. You will beat them. I raised a very smart girl."

He kisses the top of her head. Bob goes up with more cans of paint.

"How many cans did he get? What is he drawing?" Roger asks.

"I don't know. I saw the paper design only. He won't let me in till he's done. I'm starting to get nightmares. I hope it's not Vincent Van Gogh."

"Could be worse? Could be Picasso," Roger says walking away.

"God forbid," Mary says picking up her phone again.

…..

It is dinner time. Roger and Mary are eating alone. Bobby joins them. Part of his hair is pink.

"Your hair is pink," Mary says.

"I know. I'm getting to like it. Maybe I should record a hit record and become famous."

"Sorry, but you're not Beyoncé. She can sing. You can't. I've heard you." Mary says.

"Finish the nursery and get rid of the paint in your hair," Roger says.

"Yes, sir. I'm starved. What's for dinner?" Bob asks.

…..

Mary is in her room ready to sleep. She can hear the shower going. He's been there for a long time.

"Now he's using all the water in Texas. There is a drought, Bob," she says.

He hasn't heard what she said. The water stops. He returns in a bath robe with wet hair.

"I tried to get all the paint out. Looks like I'm stuck with it. I'll try a different shampoo."

"Try two lemon juices with water. That should work," Mary says.

He takes off his robe and is naked. He starts to get into bed.

"No pajamas?"

"When I lived with men I slept naked. The human body is beautiful. I sleep naked to let my body breathe. Try it sometimes. Having sex should not be the only reason to be naked in bed."

He gets in and covers himself up.

"One question, Mary? Why do you always stare at me when I'm naked? You've seen me lots of times."

"I like your body. It's very nice. That's all. Before I considered it sexy, I still see it way. Does that bother you? Your lower part is as big as a polish sausage. I like mine with mustard and relish."

"I did use it for that purpose. I don't know what to think about the mustard and relish. Now I just want to sleep. Sorry I asked. Night. Tomorrow morning I'll show you the room. I'm done. The paint has to dry. Just where would you put the mustard and relish?"

"Night, Bob," she says smiling.

She gets into bed and turns off the light. He looks under his sheet and shakes his head.

….

It is the next morning. Bobby, Mary and Roger are by the nursery door.

"Ready everyone. Here goes," Bob says opening the door.

They enter and look around, confused.

"It is Van Gogh. Bobby, you painted a garden with pink and blue flowers. They look like the stars," Mary says.

"You don't like it?"

"I didn't say that. I find it fascinating," Mary says.

"You sound like Mr. Spock."

"I didn't mean it that way. Everyone knows Van Gogh. Just don't cut off your ear."

"Mary's right. It is well done. The baby will be confused. Keep it," Roger says.

"I look at this wall and smell the flowers. The room is alive. I know the baby will like it, if he's not allergic."

"Do you mean it or are you kidding?"

"I mean every word, Bob."

She walks up to Bobby and takes both his hands.

"Bobby, you are a very intelligent and creative person. What you did with this room, even though it is a copy of an art style, is wonderful. I can't do all this. All I do is stick people. Thank you. You have given your baby your best, just like you wanted," she says, kissing his cheek.

Two months have passed. Mary is getting bigger. It's the day of her first ultrasound. They are in the doctor's office. She is doing the ultrasound. There are multiple heart beats.

"I think I see four feet, Mrs. Wilburn," the doctor says.

"Where?" Bob asks.

"See those four little blurbs. They are feet and I hear more than one heartbeat. Don't you?" the doctor asks.

"It's not an echo? "Bob asks.

"I know echoes. There are two heartbeats. I'm sure. You have twins, Mary. And one is a boy. I can see the penis. I'll make you a picture to show your Dad, Bobby. Your boys did a good job. Congratulations."

Bobby shakes his head. He is confused but happy.

"I guess we need another crib. I can't wait to tell Dad. Are you okay, Bob? You look lost," Mary says.

"I am. I can't believe I made two."

"Technically you made one. God split them up. People always forget about him," the doctor says.

"Twins. I hope I'll be able to tell them apart." Bob says.

"We won't know till I can see the other one. Let's hope it's a girl," the doctor says.

Roger, Mary and Bobby are having dinner. Bobby and Mary look at each other and smile. Roger notices.

"Why are you two smiling? Did something happen at the doctor's office?"

"You could say that. Show him the picture, Bob."

Bobby gives the picture to Roger. Mary fixes it. Roger has it upside down.

"What am I looking at?"

"You see four blobs?"

"What are they?"

"Feet, Dad. We're having twins. One is a boy. See his little penis," Bobby says.

"Twins? Of my God. Congratulations, son. This is more than I ever expected. We'll need another crib," Roger says.

"It's time we do some serious baby shopping. We need double diapers," Mary says.

"We need double everything," Bob says.

Roger smiles. He is pleased.

Bobby is feeding the horses when Roger comes by.

"Hello, daddy," Roger says.

"I'm not a daddy yet. The buns are in the oven."

"I came to ask you a question. How long are you staying, Bob?"

"I thought Mary told you, just until the babies are born. Then I'll go back to the ranch in Arizona. That was our agreement. Mary already knows."

"I wish you would stay a little longer."

"Can't. I'm a runner, remember? I'm here for a short time and then I run again,"

"Not even for Mary?"

"Roger, since I've been back, we share a bed. All I do is sleep. We're just siblings, not lovers anymore. What other reason do I have for staying? I'm here to see her get fat and have two babies. And then I'm gone. I'll sign any papers she mails me, divorce or annulment. I'm a lousy husband. Admit it."

"You're a lousy husband. I'll give you that. But you still love her. Admit it."

"I admit it. That's why I'm going to run."

"Whatever happened to the sweet ward I raised?"

"He grew into me. That boy was innocent. I'm not, nor can I ever be again."

"I want that boy back."

"I don't, Dad. I've fed the horses, now what?"

"You're on your own time. Look at my computer desk. There's something for you."

Bobby goes to the desk and sees the original letters he left for them to see. He picks up the stack. Roger comes by.

"I left them for Mary to read. I found them in the trash. She never did. We don't read other peoples mail. Maybe it's time you did. I don't want to find them in the trash again."

Roger walks away. He sits down before the computer and puts the stack on the table, unopened and walks away.

….

Bobby and Mary are getting ready for bed. He has showered and is wearing only a robe. Mary is sitting on the bed looking at him.

"Something wrong, Mary?"

"Come over to me. Don't sit down. Stand."

He starts getting suspicious but does.

"What do you want?"

She opens the robe and starts touching him gently. He starts to get worried as she starts kissing his belly.

"I miss your skin. It always tastes so good. You want me to stop."

"No, but I don't want you to go any lower. You'll be forcing me to follow through and I won't take no for an answer. You're too far along. You can stop now. This is getting dangerous."

He pulls away and takes off his robe.

"Mary, I told you no physical contact. It will make it harder to walk away. I just want to sleep," Bobby says getting into bed, turning his back to her.

She leaves the room upset.

….

The next day Mary is staring at her work for the TV station. She can't concentrate. Roger walks by and notices.

"You okay, dear?"

"My head isn't on my work."

"I can see that. Want to talk about it?"

"I don't know where to begin?"

"Is it Bobby? How are things between you?"

"There's nothing. Last night I tried to get his attention. It didn't work. He just had a shower and was wearing only his robe. He proved he was the only man on earth who refused a blow job. He pulled away, said he wanted to sleep and turned his back to me. He does want to go. I might as well face it."

Roger puts his hand on her shoulder.

"Well, since he refused, let him go. I've been thinking about his decision. I want to tell him something but not now, later. When he leaves I don't want him to come back. The babies don't need the confusion. They're better off without him. As to WHAT he refused I never refused it. He was a damn fool."

"Dad, I don't recognize the man he's become. He seems far away. At times, he's even cold. Why is he doing this? Where did we go wrong?"

He sits next to her.

"WE did nothing wrong. He doesn't want to admit HE did something wrong. He's going about this the wrong way. It's not up to you to change his behavior. It's up to him. He's acting like a spoiled child"

Roger starts smiling.

"Why are you smiling?"

"I just remembered he's legally my son. I made a mistake thinking of him as an adult. He's acting like a spoiled child. It's time for a change of plan. Don't change your behavior. Concentrate on work. Are you still going to Dallas for a few days?"

"Yes, I'm staying with a co-worker and his husband."

"Excellent. You go be Barbara Walters. Ignore Bob. If he says or does anything, let him have his way. Let him think he won."

"What will you do?"

"I'll do what I should have done a year ago. I'll change his diapers. Did this discussion help your concentration?"

"Yes, Dad. And I thought it was me."

"You were just trying to be a wife. Daddy will fix everything."

He stands, kisses the top of her head and walks away. She looks back at her papers.

…..

Roger goes to the corral. Pedro is feeding a horse.

"Pedro, have you seen Bobby today?"

"Yes, he took his car and left."

"Where was he going?"

"He said he wanted to see his old house again."

"Nobody lives there. It's been closed since his parents died."

"That's where he went. He didn't say why?"

"I'll find out why."

Bobby gets to his former home. He opens the front door, walks around and touches walls and furniture. Roger gets out of his car and follows him.

"Looking for something?" Roger asks.

"How did you know I was here?" Bobby says turning to him.

"Pedro told me. You left years ago. What brings you back? Old memories?"

"I wanted to see what condition it's in. It needs work. New paint. I'd have to remove the spider webs. Add electricity and running water."

"Are you thinking of moving back in?"

"It's been on my mind. I would still be by Mary if she needs me, but I will sleep here."

"Does this have to do with what happen last night?"

"Nothing happened last night."

"You stopped Mary. She just wanted to be a wife, your wife."

"Roger, that's very personal. How did you find out?"

"I just talked to her. She couldn't concentrate on work. We had an interesting conversation. Fathers and daughters rarely talk about blow jobs. Is that the reason you want to sleep here? You don't want to be near your wife?"

"I need privacy, Roger. Intimacy would only make problems at the end. This way intimacy would stop. You understand."

"No, I don't. I don't understand anything you're doing now. It makes no sense. You're acting like a spoiled child. You haven't acted like a grown man for a while. You love your wife, so you say. But you don't want to be with her."

"I do, Roger. My feelings haven't changed, just my intentions. I don't want to hurt her when I leave. I want to leave as friends."

"She won't give you any problems when you leave. She'll let you. But you'll hurt her even more. She just won't tell you. She gave up everything for you. And you GLADLY took it. But you never gave her anything back. I can't stop you from moving in. I will tell you this. Only a coward and a child would do that."

Roger leaves the house and drives off. Bobby sighs and continues looking around. He sits down on a dusty couch.

"I am not a coward or a child. For the first time in my life I'm a realistic adult."

…..

Mary has her small suitcase by the indoor front door. She grabs her computer. Bobby enters the house as she puts her coat on. Roger is by his computer.

"Where are you going?"

"To work. I'm needed in Dallas."

"That's a long ride home. Should you be driving alone? What if something happens?"

"I'm staying with a co-worker."

"Can't you work from here?"

"I have to go to the office. I went to school for four years. It's time I use it."

Roger walks up to her as she grabs her bag and computer.

"Drive carefully, dear."

"I will, Dad. You have my address. I'll see you in four days."

"Four days!" Bobby cries.

"I have a lot of work to catch up on. If you want to see me, I'll be on the evening news."

She leaves. Bobby turns to Roger.

"And you let her go?"

"She's a big girl, Bob. She can take care of herself."

"She's a pregnant big girl, heavy on the pregnant. She can't be unsupervised for four nights."

"Look at it as a vacation. You'll have the whole bed to yourself. I have to go back to my computer."

He goes back to his desk. Bobby is flustered and walks out of the house. Roger leans back and smiles.

"Time to change your diapers, Bob."

….

It is the first night she is away. Roger gets up in the night for his bathroom stop. On his way back he sees a light in the living room. He goes down the stairs. Bobby is writing in a notebook.

"You're up late."

"I couldn't sleep."

"Writing as usual. Is it any good?"

"It stinks. Mary must be sleeping now."

"I certainly hope so. She called me after her dinner. She and Charles were playing cards."

"She's living with a man."

"Two men. One is out of town."

"She's living with two single men?"

"They're both married. Are you jealous, Bobby?"

"No, I'm just concerned. Two married men can be a dangerous situation."

"Not if they're married to each other. They're gay. You are jealous."

"No, I am not."

Roger laughs.

"In a pig's eye. Night, Robert," he says walking up the stairs still laughing.

Bobby is annoyed at his laughter.

"Two points," Roger says to himself.

…..

Mary has just returned from Dallas. She is unpacking in the bedroom. Bobby is with her. She has her back to him as she speaks.

"How was Dallas?"

"Fine. I got a lot done. I was really behind."

"Will there be any more short trips?"

"I'm too close to delivery. They don't want to take a chance."

"What about after the babies are born?"

"The trips will be more frequent."

"Who will take care of the twins?"

"Dad, or the staff. Why are you asking me these questions? You already told me you were leaving after the delivery."

"What if I change my mind?"

"We'll deal with it when it comes."

She turns to him.

"You told me you would be with me during the pregnancy. I agreed to that. You said you would leave. I agreed. I thought we had this all resolved. Why would you change your mind?"

"You were living with two men."

"Who are gay and married to each other."

"So, you slept alone?"

"No, I didn't. They have a husky dog. Their guest room is his. It's normally his bed only. He slept with me and snored."

"So you lost sleep?"

"You snore worse than him. You're lucky you don't break windows."

She turns back to her luggage.

"Isn't it too late to change your mind about leaving? I'm not giving you trouble. You're not showing any interest in our relationship lately. Actions speak louder than words."

He grabs her, turns her around and forcefully tries to kiss her passionately.

"Why did you do that?"

"Is that showing enough interest? You're still my wife."

"You didn't show that interest a week ago. You chose to go to sleep."

"I know it's too late for physical contact. But I'd like to hold you tonight. I miss the affection we had."

He pulls her close again and tries to kiss her. She turns her face away and pushes away his arms.

"I've already accepted you going. It's not fair what you're doing. I preferred it when you were leaving."

She turns her back to him. He leaves the room upset. She looks up at the ceiling.

"I did as you said, Dad. I hope we're both doing the right thing."

She sighs and starts putting away her clothes.

….

Mary is in the living room work. She can't concentrate. Roger sees her.

"Something wrong?"

"My mind is not on my work."

He sits next to her.

"What is it on?"

"What else? Bobby?"

"What's he done now?"

"Your plan is working, Dad. He's changing his mind. It's getting harder to refuse him. Was that a wise move? A confused Bobby is worse than a determined one. I'm catching him looking at me when he thinks I don't see. He's like a lost puppy."

"I planned it that way."

"You really want him to stay?"

"Don't you?"

"I don't know, Dad. I did at first. Now I'm thinking maybe he should go. Our marriage has become very complicated, very fast. He has endearing traits but he's a pain in the ass. Half of me wants him to stay. And the other half wants him to go. I keep thinking about the babies. They deserve a full time father. Instead they're getting a nut case. I don't think he's ready to be a father."

"No man ever is till it happens. I wasn't ready till you came. I had to go to daddy school. I wasn't always "Father Knows Best.""

"What's that?"

"An old TV show before your time. The dad in the show always knew what was right. He was perfect. The actor who played him later became famous for selling coffee in commercials."

"Honey, you TOO will need mommy lessons. Women don't learn overnight. Just because you carry the baby doesn't mean you know what to do afterwards. That's where other women come in. Your mother would be your teacher. I wish she were here. I miss her."

"I miss her too. She would know how to handle Bobby. I want her there when I deliver."

"She'll be there. She always watches over us. She's very happy you're making her a grandmother. I can feel it. Sometimes at night, when I'm alone in my room, I feel her watching me. I feel her warmth caressing me. I even talk to her."

"I know. I hear you talking to yourself. I was beginning to wonder about you."

"It's just me and your mother. I haven't lost my mind. Though I don't know about your husband."

Roger laughs.

"Is marriage always this complicated?"

"Sometimes worse. That's when you know you have to leave. When a relationship becomes physically dangerous, head for the door. Anything less just needs work. It can be saved."

"Can Bobby and I be saved?"

"With him it will take plenty of work. He needs to grow up. I believe it can be saved. Living with someone is never easy. You have to get used to their quirks, they have to get used to yours. When you finally do, you grow to love the quirks. That's really why you love them. In case you haven't noticed, you are the one with total control of your marriage. He doesn't know how. Every man likes to believe he's king of the house. But in every marriage the wife is. It's been that way since Adam and Eve."

"Eve was his second wife. Lilith was his first. They were both made from the same earth and both were equal. Adam started getting pushy so she left and went to the other side of the world. God sent three angels to get her to come back. She said, and I quote, "I wouldn't go back if he were the ONLY man on earth". She was the first woman libber. Women have been in charge of relationships since the beginning of time. Did this discussion help you concentrate?"

"Yours always does. You're just like that old TV show."

"But I refuse to sell coffee in commercials."

He walks away. She looks back at her work. Bobby has been listening from the kitchen. They didn't realize he was there. He watches as she starts working

"I love you, Mary. I want us to work. I will try my best NOT to be a nut case," he says walking away.

….

Bobby is sitting on the bed trying to write but his mind is blank. A few months have passed. She is getting larger. She will be able to deliver if needed. She comes into the room.

"Bobby, time is getting late. Soon I can deliver. It would be two seven months babies. They wouldn't be premature. We need to talk. After they're born, what do you want me to do?"

"Give me the choices."

"Separation or divorce. It's too late for annulment. Do you really want to end us?"

"No, but I've changed. I'm not the man you married. I've become a stranger to you and myself."

"You just hit some rough times. Things will get better."

"Not for me. I'm past getting better. I think I should leave. We both need to be free."

She grabs some clothes and gets dressed.

"You still did a good job with the nursery. They felt very real. Your garden is beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you, Mary. Pregnancy becomes you."

She sits on the bed. He sits next to her and puts his hand on her belly.

"How does it feel to have two lives growing in you?"

"There are times I wish it was over."

"Three more months and it will be."

"Three more months and you'll run away."

He takes her hand.

"I don't want to run. I want to stay but I'm scared. I still haven't read those letters. I left them on Roger's computer."

"It's those letters keeping you in prison. I love you, Bobby. I glad you are in my belly. I miss you being close to me. I miss your warmth."

"That will never happen again. You're too far along."

"I won't always be. It's only temporary."

Their eyes meet. He leans over and kisses her. He backs away.

"I'd forgotten how good you tasted."

"It's my toothpaste. I can't force you to stay. It has to be willingly."

He kisses her again, this time with passion.

"I love you, Mary. I always will."

They embrace again. This time she lets HIM win.

….

A month and a half have passed. Mary is eight months. She waddles like a duck. Bobby and Roger are in the barn with a new foal.

"She's beautiful, Roger. Does she breed or train?"

"What do you think?"

"I'd like to see her race. Her frame is very lean."

"I agree. You have a good eye. I wish you would stay just to help me with the horses. You're a damn good horse whisperer. Your kind isn't born every day."

"You know I can't, Roger. I'm promised to another rancher in Arizona. Is that all you want me for?"

"I want you for Mary. She is a strong woman but she's still my little girl."

"Your little girl is built like a horse now."

"A few weeks from now she'll be a mama."

"I know you can't wait to see your grandchildren, grandpa. You love newborns."

"Aren't you wondering how your two will look like?"

"I'd be lying if I said no. They are half mine."

…..

Mary is in the living room working on a story. She stops and holds her back and stretches. She starts to feel nauseous. She gets up to go to the bathroom.

"I wish you two would get off my bladder."

She walks inside and comes back out. She starts walking to her work when she feels a contraction and doubles over. She feels water and looks under her feet. Her water has broken. She goes to the door. Roger and Bobby are playing with the new foal. She opens the door and screams.

"DADDY!"

The two men turn and she's doubled over again. They run over. Bobby gets there first.

"Are you okay?"

"My water just broke. It's time."

"It's too early. You're only eight months."

"Tell that to the twins."

Roger gets there.

"Is it time, dear?"

"It's a good imitation, Dad."

"We're going now. I'll drive."

"Roger, you drive like a turtle. I'll drive."

"Not today I won't. Get her purse. Meet me at the car."

…..

They are in the hospital. Mary is in labor. Roger and Bobby are by her. The doctor comes in.

"Doc, she's only eight months. Something is wrong," Bobby says.

"She's also carrying twins. It's getting crowded. Mary, how far apart are the pains?"

"About twenty minutes."

"You still have time. The twins aren't ready yet."

Bobby holds her hands. He is concerned. Roger notices.

"Remember what they told us at Lamaze. Be sure to breathe."

"I'm scared, Bob. I don't do well with pain."

"It will be over before you know it. You'll forget the pain when you see the babies. That's what I heard," Bobby says.

"They lied to you. It hurts like hell. I wish mom were here."

"You're not alone," Roger says.

"Ouch. That hurt."

"Fifteen minutes. It will be soon. No more than an hour," the doctor says.

"Hour? I want it to stop now."

"Babies don't work that way. They have their own clocks and it never matches ours. Try to relax during the contractions."

"Relax, you must be nuts, doc. What do you expect me to do, read Gone with the Wind?"

"Just do what you were taught at Lamaze. Women do this every day. One more hour, dear," Bobby says.

"That's easy for you to say. All you did was make them. You're not having them."

"It's too early. I had four more weeks," Mary says.

She has another contraction.

"Ten minutes now. Try to calm her. Sing to her, Bob," the doctor says.

He starts to open his mouth. She glares at hm.

"Don't even think about it. The last thing I want to hear is a dying elk," Mary says.

Roger laughs.

"That isn't funny, Roger."

"I've never heard a dying elk. What do they sound like?" Roger asks.

"And you never will, Dad. Ouch! That one was strong."

"Five minutes."

The doctor sits at the end of the bed and waits.

"I want you to push with the next contraction. You're looking ripe."

"I am not a piece of fruit, doc."

"From my point of view, every mother is."

"Something's happening. I can feel it."

"Is it a contraction?"

"I think so."

"Remember to breathe," Bobby says.

"Bobby, shut up!"

"Boy, are you sure grouchy."

Roger is fighting back laughter.

"This is not funny, Dad."

"Your mother was worse. She threatened to castrate me. Like mother like daughter."

Bobby is starting to get the giggles.

"Don't you start either," Mary says.

She has a very strong contraction.

"It's time, Mary. I want you to push with the next one."

She feels another and pushes.

"I see a head. It has lots of hair. Push again."

She does and the doctor pulls it out.

"It's a girl. You should have no trouble telling them apart, Bob."

Mary is getting tired.

"Almost over, dear. One twin to go," Bobby says.

Another contraction comes as she pushes. The doctor pulls the baby out. She falls back.

"Gentlemen, could you leave us please? The worst is over. Now it's time to finish up," the doctor says.

The two men go into the hall. Bobby feels high.

"I did it, Roger. I made those two. I'm so happy I could fly."

"That's how I felt when Mary came."

"But she's a month early. Something could be wrong with the babies. I thought it was seven or nine, not eight."

"They'll be fine. Don't worry."

"I wonder if she'll still be grouchy."

"She may be worse. Liz was."

A nurse comes out.

"You can come in now."

They go in. Mary looks very tired. Bob takes her hand.

"How do you feel?"

"If you come near me again, I will bite it off. No more baby making. You're using condoms."

"Yes, dear. You're grouchier than before."

"I haven't begun to be grouchy with you," she threatens.

The nurse bring in two babies on beds with wheels and gives one to Mary.

"This is your little lady. She's four minutes older than her brother."

Mary looks at her and her grouchy face goes away. She smiles. Bobby leans over to see the baby.

"She's beautiful. You're smiling."

"I'm still going to cut it off. You're not safe yet."

Another nurse gives Bobby a baby.

"And this is your son."

Bobby sits down, puts the baby in his arms and looks at him. Roger looks over his shoulder.

"Why is he so wrinkled?" Bobby asks.

"It's temporary. He's been in water for eight months," Roger says.

The baby opens his eyes and looks at Bobby.

"Look, Dad, he's smiling. Want to hold him?"

Bob gets up and gives him to Roger.

"He's got your eyes. He'll be a real heart breaker."

Mary gives Bobby the girl.

"She's beautiful, like her mother. You did well, Mary. They're both perfect."

She starts closing her eyes.

"I'm tired, Bob. I need some rest."

"You get your rest. Grandpa and I will hold the babies."

She closes her eyes. Both men play with their baby. Each baby has a birthmark under one ear.

"He's got a birthmark, Bobby. It's under his ear."

"So does she. It must have happened when they split."

"It looks like lips. They both have kisses under their ears. I wonder where they came from."

"They came from me. Every night I could I kissed Mary's belly. I was kissing them good-night. That's why it looks like a kiss. It's where my kisses went."

Bobby looks at Mary. She is sleeping.

"Let's put the babies back. They' ve had a hard day too," Roger says.

They are put into their beds and rolled out. They look at Mary. She is gone.

"Let's leave her. She needs her rest more than the babies. I wish I had two cigars but we don't smoke. Let's get some coffee."

….

The men are in the cafeteria. Both have coffees.

"I still can't believe it, Dad. I'm a dad, twice."

"Now it's time to talk son. Are you staying or going? Those babies need a full-time father. Will you be there for them? You've met your commitment. You can run away anytime you want. It's either stay or go."

"I wasn't thinking that when they were born. I was just thinking of them"

"Fatherhood is a twenty-four hour job. They were born with you kisses under their ears. You gave them your heart, literally. Will you take it away now?"

"I don't know, Dad. I love their mother. That hasn't changed."

"Are you ready to love all three as one family. That's the real question. They're one big package."

"I'll think about it. It's early. I will know soon."

"I'll be blunt. I should have said this long ago. If you leave now don't come back. You'll only confuse them. Mary's an adult. She'll be fine. Your children are too young to understand. I'll leave you for a few minutes. Nature calls. Think about what I said."

He leaves. Bobby looks down.

Bobby stands in front of a nursery window. His children are in front of him. He waves and smiles but they don't notice. Roger comes up to him and does the same.

"Aren't they adorable?" Roger asks.

"You're just being partial, Grandpa."

"They're one quarter mine."

"I'll give you that."

"I can't help thinking what I have to look forward too. Mary is an adult but they are new. I can't wait for their first words and steps. Once they learn you're chasing them around the house. I still remember Mary waddling, knees inward, only in her underwear. Now I'll have to worry about two."

"And then their first day of school. Mary was glad to go. Liz was the one crying. Then it's graduation from grade school. Don't forget prom night. That's when a little girl becomes a princess. No more bruised knees. Its make-up and a beautiful dress. If you're lucky to be alive when you walk them down the aisle and give her to the next man who will share her life, that's when the father usually cries."

"As you watch her say her vows and look at him with loving eyes, you remember one special conversation only you and she had. It doesn't matter how long ago it was. You remember it word by word. It's the last day she will be only yours."

"Forgive me for rambling. I remember almost everything Mary told me as a child. I'm so happy I have that to look forward too with MY twins. Those are a few things you will miss when you go away. They grow up so fast. You have to hold on to those memories for as long as you can. Once they're adults and get married they live their own lives. You only see them when they bring over the grandchildren. I'm sorry you will miss all that."

Roger sighs.

"Enough of my rambling. I'm going in. Maybe a nurse will let me hold them again."

Roger goes in. Bobby sees him receive a twin and sit down. He gently rocks and teases its nose. He then kisses the forehead and smiles. Bobby's eyes start to tear. These are a few chairs by the wall. He sits down on the last one and starts crying quietly. Bobby finally knows he wants to stay.

Roger and Mary are in the home nursery. The twins are in their separate beds. They admire the little ones. Bobby enters and leaves his suitcase by the door. They both turn. Their smiles become grimaces.

"Hello, Bobby," Roger says.

"Hello, Roger."

"It's time to make your decision. You have a choice of two jobs, your job as a father or your job as a horse trainer in Arizona? It's time to make up your mind. I'll leave you two alone. I warn you if you hurt Mary in any way you will live to regret it. And that's a promise."

Roger leaves. Bobby and Mary look at each other. They're more than six feet apart.

"I'm glad you kept your commitment. At least you saw your babies grow. You didn't run like the first time."

"I owed it to you. I'm glad I was there."

"Have you decided? You won't have to worry. They'll be well cared for. They won't lack for nothing. Dad will be their father. You will have your freedom to live your own life. I won't keep you if you choose to go."

"I've decided. I just came for one more look."

"Feel free. They won't remember. Your face isn't engraved in their memories yet. They're too young. You'll be just another face."

He looks at them and then his suitcase by the door. She stands waiting quietly. He turns back to her.

"Mary, I have decided. There is only one important job for me and it's not Arizona. It's here with my wife if she still wants me. I know I've been a bad husband. I never told all my truths or secrets. I wanted them to stay buried in the past. Even I didn't want to remember. That's why I never opened the letters. I wanted to start out fresh, with you. I was wrong. I should have told you. I should have opened the letters."

"I didn't open them. I threw them in the trash. Dad found them and put them back on his computer table."

"Please forgive me for all my errors. I never said I was perfect. It was you and Roger who thought I was. I always saw you as perfect."

"I'm not perfect, Bob. I'm human. I wasn't looking for perfection with you, just love."

"And you have it. I never stopped loving you. You were my reason for living. You still are. I want to be with our children. But I want to be with you more. Will you accept me back? You once vowed to love and cherish. I'll understand if you don't. I don't want to leave as enemies. I'd rather leave as friends if I still have to leave. I'll do as you wish."

She lowers her head.

"I guess the answer is no."

"Bob, I took those vows and meant them. I still mean them. But you have to stop seeing me as perfect. I'm not some cold Grecian statue. I'm only a warm imperfect human being. Can't you see that? If you can't, we won't work. We BOTH have to be imperfect."

"I'll try."

"Don't try, do it. See me as I really am. I'm just a woman who became a mother of two children. They need a full father. That's true. But I need a full husband, not a worshipping fan. Take me off your pedestal, please. Put me back on earth."

"I'm that obvious?"

"Very obvious. Just become a normal man and I'll take you back."

"I can't. You threatened to cut off my penis. I'm very attached to it."

"I promise not to cut it off. It stays on. Those words came from pain. I didn't mean them. Couldn't you see that?"

"Then it's settled. We start over from scratch."

"It's not settled. There's still one thing you have to do. You have to read your letters. You owe it to you, me and the twins. If you don't you will always be a prisoner to them."

"Can't we just burn them? It's the past. It won't affect our future."

"There will be no future if you DON'T read them."

She walks closer to him and takes his hands.

"We'll read them together. Then, WE can destroy them. Just keep any pictures. You need to see your first son. Welcome home, Bob."

He kisses her.

"It feels strange being imperfect."

"Just promise me no more secrets. Let's be honest with each other for the first time in our marriage."

"I promise. I love you, Mary."

"I love you, Bob."

"Is it okay if I hold the kids now? I'd like to get to know them. I want them to know me."

"Be my guest."

Roger comes back in.

"Well, what did you decide?"

"You're stuck with me, Roger. I'm not going anywhere."

"I was afraid of that," Roger says smiling.

"Which baby can I hold first?"

"Letters first, Bob, then babies. You two go downstairs. Read those letters. That's an order," Roger says.

They leave the room. Roger goes to a baby and starts tickling it. He smiles.

Bobby enters his former animal hospital and goes to the receptionist.

"Excuse me. Is Dr. Schwarz here today?"

"He's with a patient."

"I'd like to see him. All I need is a few minutes."

"I'll go check."

She rises and leaves. He looks around. Nothing has changed. There are still copies of "All Creatures Great and Small" for sale. He starts being noticed and recognized. Dr. Schwartz comes out and Bobby sees hm.

"Bobby?"

"Hello, Dr. Schwartz."

"It's been a long time. What are you doing here?"

"I came to give you something."

He pulls out an envelope. Dr. Schwartz looks inside and sees pictures.

"I finally read Liz's letters. She sent me pictures of young Bobby. I thought you should have them. You are his father."

"Stepfather, you're his real father."

"Only by blood. I don't know if she sent me copies or originals. These pictures belong to you."

"Thank you. How have you been?"

"Busy. I've had two of my own. Mary had twins."

"I love the new look. I didn't recognize you. Are you working?"

"I still work with horses. I'm a trainer."

"And do you still hate parakeets?"

"Horses have more personality. Budgies are boring."

"Don't say that. Some are my patients."

"Morrie, I've been thinking. How would you like to see our horses? You could bring the family to the ranch. Have you ever been there?"

"Once, with Liz. You disappeared that day."

"Then you know the way. Little Bobby could see his first horse."

"And will you do that. Your father did it for you when you were young."

"I was hoping you could hold him. Liz wouldn't want me to get too familiar."

"You do it. I'll ask Liz. Enough time has passed. When?"

"We both work the same days. Come by on a weekend. We'll make it a Saturday."

"Saturday is the Sabbath. I don't drive. We'll make it a Sunday."

"Call me during that week and I'll make plans to show you around. Morrie, thank you for helping me that day. I don't know what came over me," Bobby says giving him a card.

"You're Bobby's father. That makes you family. Thanks for the pictures. I can't wait to see your two."

"I have to go. Thank you for seeing me."

Bobby walks out. Dr. Schwartz puts the pictures in his lab pocket. One employee comes to him.

"Dr., wasn't he the assistant everyone hated?"

"Yes. He's changed for the better."

"Why does he hate parakeets?"

A year has passed.

EPILOGUE – THREE YEARS LATER

Albert is in his death row cell. Today is his last day. One too many homicides got him there. It only took one death and he had many. Just take your pick. He has had his last meal and gave his last confession to the priest. He looks at the hall clock. There is only a few more hours to go. Other members are in their cells but he can't see them.

"How you doing, Al?"

"How do you think?"

"You shouldn't have killed those people. Now you have to pay."

"How do you think they'll do it?" Albert asks.

"Can't say. I've heard you lay down on a bed and the juice is put in the IV. And then you're gone. Ala vista."

"At least you can say you know what day you'll die," another inmate says.

Albert looks at his finished tray.

"What did you have to eat?"

"It all tasted the same."

"At least you didn't get lime Jell-O. The guy in your cell did before he died. It almost killed him."

"How many hours do you have left?"

"They said 2 p.m... I don't want to die."

"Then you should have not had your line of work. Why'd you do it?"

"The money was good. I never met my assignments. I never even met my last one, and he survived. I had a good shot. He was dead. I don't know what happened."

"He had a guardian angel. That's what happened. What ever happened to him?"

"I hear he's alive and well."

"And the guy who hired you?"

"He's in jail in Texas. He got five years with no parole. I would have settled for life only. I'm scared. Aren't you guys?"

"I can't speak for the others but I deserve it. What I did was very wrong. We all deserve to be here. Have a nice trip, Albert. Try not to go to hell."

"I know I won't go to heaven. My victims probably did. If I could turn back time I'd refuse my last assignment. I wouldn't be here. I would be free."

"Would you quit your job and start over?"

"I would try. I'm not good at anything else."

"It was nice knowing you, Al."

"Same here. We'll probably meet in hell."

Albert sits on his bed and looks at the floor. The time has come. He hears the outside metal doors opening. He stands. The warden, a priest, and a few guards come to his cell. His door is opened. One guard walks in and cuffs him.

"It's time, Albert. Are you ready?" the warden asks.

"Not really but I don't have a choice."

"Take your last walk, Mr. Chezwinski."

He leaves the cell and follows the guards. The others say their farewells. He just keeps walking forward silently. They enter a large room with a twin cot and a pillow. There is a one-way mirror on one wall. Albert can't see who is behind it but they can see him. Two are Roger and Mary Wilburn. The rest are jury members. Bobby is not there. Albert lies on the cot. The cuffs are removed and his arms are strapped down. His sleeve on one arm is raised up and an IV started.

"I wish Bobby was here," Roger says.

"I don't."

"He should see this anyway."

"This isn't running, Dad. He doesn't want to see death."

"Do you?"

"Only when it comes to this man. It's a shame he can only die once."

Albert looks at the mirror.

"Who's out there, warden?"

"The jury and two of the Wilburn's. You've got an audience."

Albert sees the doctor open up a wood box with several prepared syringes.

"How long will it take, Father?"

"Not much, my son."

"Will I see God or the devil? I made my last confession," Albert asks.

"I don't know. It's up to God," the priest answers.

The doctor starts to inject the syringes into the IV. Albert turns back to the mirror. A sea of transparent human souls starts forming in front of the mirror. They are his victims. He starts to fall asleep.

"I'm sorry I killed you. Please forgive me."

Albert closes his eyes.

"Who was he talking to, Dad?"

"The people who brought him here. He made his own hell," Roger says.

Everyone waits the expected time and the doctor checks Albert. He nods yes and starts to remove the medical apparatus. The jury leaves the attached room. Roger and Mary watch as the body is covered with a white sheet.

"It didn't seem right. He died too peacefully. His victims didn't," Roger says.

"Bobby was right. I shouldn't have come."

"Then why did you, Mary?"

"I wanted to see him pay. Now it's over. He's free."

"It's not over, dear. His hell has just begun. His hell will be eternal. We can go now."

They walk out into the hall. Bobby is sitting alone on a bench. His beard and mustache is very long but well groomed. He no longer resembles the man Mary married four years ago. He has kept his new appearance since the birth of the twins. They are now three years old. Bobby looks up at Roger and Mary. They sit by him.

"Is it over?"

"Yes."

"Why did it take so long?"

"They had to make sure he was gone," Roger says.

"It was peaceful. Before he died he was talking. He said "I'm sorry I killed you. Please forgive me," Mary says.

"I think he was talking to his victims," Roger says.

"He probably was. I'm glad I wasn't there."

"You should have been there, son. You were almost his last."

"I couldn't, Roger. That's not me anymore. I've changed and not just physically. I'm a man who wants peace. I'm tired of anger. Jesus said "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall inherit the earth."

Bobby rises and starts to leave.

"Where are you going?" Mary asks.

"To the nearest church to pray for his soul. Someone has to."

Bobby walks to the door to the street and leaves. Roger gets closer to Mary.

"I don't get him anymore. He's not the son I adopted and not the man you married."

"He's grown up, Dad. He's finally an adult. And I like him that way."

"I can see that. I just wish he went to looking like he did before. His hair is longer than yours. And that beard. It's not him. How can you stand it?"

"The beard scratches but it's always trimmed. Maybe he'll shave later. You got your wish. Your son, my brother, is finally Indian. He's finally found himself. He's doing what we both wanted him to do."

Tom is in the jail library, sitting quietly reading. He has adopted the library after his daily chores. A guard approaches him.

"Watters, the warden would like to see you?"

"Why? I haven't done anything wrong. I'm sitting here reading. What does he want from me?"

"I don't know. I was just told to get you."

Tom closes the book and stands up.

"Let me just check this book out. I'll be right with you."

…..

The guard brings him to the warden's office. The warden isn't there yet. Tom is not cuffed. The guard sits in a chair in the rear to observe him. Tom is perplexed. He waits patiently. The warden enters and sits down across from him.

"Sorry, I'm late. I bet you're wondering why I called you here."

"It has crossed my mind. Did I do something wrong? I do my daily chores and stay out of everyone's way."

"That is why I have called you. Your behavior has come to my attention. You have been with us for three years. And in those three years you have read almost all the books in the library."

"There's not much to do after chores. I like the quiet and I like to read."

"You spend more time in the library than the general population and even less time in your cell."

"The general population is noisy. I can't concentrate to read."

"It's your choice of books I would like to talk about. There is a mixture of religion and self-help, very strange reading for an inmate."

"I won't always be in jail. I will have to blend back with the free world. I didn't want to lose touch. I'm still young and have a journalistic degree. What else can I do?"

"Watters, I've been watching you for a long time and I'm impressed with your behavior. I have called your lawyer AND your father and informed them of your life style. We have come to an agreement. You were given five years with no parole."

"I agreed to my sentence at the trial. I did not expect parole. I'm willing to serve my full term. I'm not complaining. Why am I in this office? I've done nothing wrong."

"You are in my office because we have decided to give you parole. I have scheduled a hearing for Monday morning."

"Can you do that?"

"It will depend on the board."

"But, I can't. I need to find work. My degree will be no good to me. I don't know what else I can do. That is why I've been reading self-help books. No one will hire a reporter with my recent references."

"I will tell you how the hearing will go. I will read my letter of recommendation. A witness will speak on your behalf. You will be interviewed publically by the board. Here is a copy of my letter," the warden says giving him a copy.

Tom reads and is surprised.

"Don't lose the copy."

"Who will be my witness?"

"He's waiting outside the office."

"This all sounds fine. But I still need to work. No one wants a convict."

"When was the last time you saw Robert Wilburn?"

"Four years ago."

"And that is when he said he forgave you."

"I remember. I changed my plea to help him like he tried to help me. He gave me a Bible and marked the Sermon of the Mount. He chose to turn the other cheek. And so did I."

"I spoke to him about my recommendation. He agreed you should get parole. He is the witness speaking on your behalf. Guard, we're ready. Send him in."

Tom turns to the door as Bobby enters. He is unrecognizable to Tom. Tom stands as Bobby approaches him.

"Bobby, it that you? You look so different."

"I know. Nobody likes it, but I do."

Bobby and Tom sit down. Tom is still amazed at Bobby's transformation.

"Thank you for coming, Mr. Wilburn. I've already spoken to Tom about the hearing on Monday. Mr. Wilburn has a working proposition for you. You may begin, Mr. Wilburn."

"Tom, a lot has changed for me these four years. I'm a father of twins and have two jobs. Four days of the week I'm a horse trainer. But on two days I'm a Vet Tech at the former animal hospital I used to work for."

"What's a Vet tech?"

"We have a multi-tier of jobs at the hospital. There is the medical staff, the Vets. There are the Techs. We help the vets in a medical way with the patients. We just don't do major surgeries. Then there is our office staff and finally the assistants. It's a non-medical position. Basically they do everything else. That is what I'm prepared to offer you."

"I know nothing about animals. I had a dog once, but that's it."

"You don't need to know. The Vet tech you will be appointed to will tell you all you need to know. I have spoken to my boss. He knows of OUR connection and is willing to interview you for a job, as an assistant. That is if you are given parole. Here is his card," Bobby says giving him a card.

"Dr. Morris Schwartz. He's a Jew."

"Yes, he's very Jewish, extremely Orthodox. It took me awhile to understand his quirks. I had no choice. He's become family. He's raising my first son."

"Tell him the rest, Mr. Milburn."

"There's more. The warden has proposed your last two years to be served as a parolee. If Dr. Schwartz accepts you, you MUST work for the hospital for the last two years of your sentence. You can't quit. When your two years are up, you can pursue your journalistic career. And there's one more stipulation."

"What's that?"

"I will be your immediate supervisor. You will work for me. I'm your boss."

"How do Mary and Roger feel about this?"

"They think I've lost my mind."

"Do you?"

"I meant what I said when I said I forgave you. Actions speak louder than words."

"Did you forgive Albert?"

"I prayed for his soul after he was executed. Mary and Roger went to see him die. It was death by injection. I waited outside. I didn't want to see him die. How do you feel about my proposal? The court system will take care of your other parole details."

"You as my boss. That's a lot to think about."

"But it will be two years of freedom. In those two years you can prepare for finding a journalistic career."

Tom is speechless.

"I don't know what to say. I feel like crying. But they're happy tears."

Bobby and Tom stand. Bobby offers his hand. Tom is choking up.

"Warden, I know physical contact is forbidden. But right now, I need a hug, not a hand shake. Is that permissible?"

"Yes, Mr. Watters."

Bobby hugs him as Tom starts to cry. Tom stands back.

"I accept your proposal, Bobby. Tell me is there a dress code?"

"We all wear uniforms to show we are members of the staff."

"What about personal appearance? Do I need a haircut?"

"Morrie accepts me as I am. You don't need a haircut, unless you want to. Just keep your hair clean and neat. He wants his staff to always look professional. I've said what I came to say. I'll see you two at the hearing."

"Thank you for coming, Mr. Wilburn."

"No problem."

Bobby heads for the door.

"Bobby?"

He turns.

"Will I ever see your full face again?" Tom asks.

"Mary doesn't like it. I scratch her face. Maybe I'll trim the beard down."

Bobby leaves. Tom turns to the warden.

"Warden, I think I want a haircut."

….

Tom passes the parole hearing. It is his first day of work. Bobby is in back medicating his patients. He is by a kennel. A small dog is in there. He opens the door and picks up the dog.

"Come here, Abby. It's time for your shot. Tomorrow you go home. I bet you can't wait to see your human little boy."

He puts the dog on a table and prepares a syringe. He grabs the top neck and gives Abby her shot. Then he rubs the neck.

"See that wasn't bad. The rest of your meds will be in your food at home. Try not to spit it out."

He picks the dog up and puts it back into her cage.

"Get some rest. After I medicate a few more patients I'll get your supper and you will have your last hospital walk."

He goes back to the syringes and starts to prepare the other shots. Dr. Schwartz comes in with Tom. Tom is in uniform. Bobby turns and sees them.

"Hello, Bob."

"Hello, Dr. Schwartz."

"I've brought you your new assistant, Tom."

"Hello, Tom. Welcome to the hospital."

"You will be his supervisor. The parole board told me everything. It's his first day. Show him around. Get him acquainted with our policies. He's all yours. How's Abby doing?"

"Ready to go home, Doc. She looks much better than when she came in. You worked your magic again. I'll be done soon."

"Good. Tom welcome to the hospital," Dr. Schwarz says walking away.

Bobby raises his hand to Tom.

"Congratulations, Tom. I knew you would get it," Bobby says shaking Tom's hand.

"Thank you, Bobby."

"Time to get you started. Since this is your first day you'll just observe me. I'll tell you all you need to know. This is medicine time. I'm starting with the dogs and cats. They're big. In the next room are the snakes and lizards. Birds are in the third room. I don't handle them. They're too small. By the time a bird is hospitalized he's usually in an incubator. Morrie takes care of them. After the hospital are our visitor quarters. They're usually borders. All we do is feed, water, walk and clean cages. Don't confuse the two wards."

"I'll try not to. So you do the shots?"

"That's my job. After the dogs are fed they are walked before we leave. You will not do anything medical to any animal. I am only allowed to a few things. Medicine is one. So come watch me. I'll introduce you to our current patients. I'll give their meds and WE will walk them. Then you'll see why I never got a dog. How does that sound? Think you'll make it two years?"

"I'll do what I have to do. Thank you for helping me."

"I'm not expecting us to be become best friends. I just want to help you get back into society. It won't be easy for you. Everyone deserves a second chance. Morrie gave me one. It's my turn to give you one. It's for BOTH of us to turn the other cheek."

Both men smile at each other and start walking to the other cages.

1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savior, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.

41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.

44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

ABOVE ALL FORGIVE

AMEN

CHRONOLOGY OF CHARACTERS

Families etc.

Roger Wilburn

Robert White – Wilburn

Mary Wilburn

Twins

Pedro

Noel Jackson

Angie's father Tom

Angie Jackson

Danny Jackson

Sheriff Robert Hawk

Robert Hawk Sr.

Thomas Watters

Christopher Watters

Mrs. Watters

Shooter – Albert Chezwinski

Two Chicago detectives - Luke/Gorski

Two Dallas detectives - Larson/Jones

Defense lawyer – Mr. Paulson

Pros. Lawyer – Mr. Brown

Dallas Judge – Holmes

187