Doover: The Fantasia of Reincarnation

By J. Don Wright

What would you do if you drowned at your thirteenth birthday party while saving your girlfriend and woke up the next day to realize you got to live the day over? Filbert Doover does just that and continues to do it a half-dozen more times. He grows older with each attempt, even to the point of marrying Sophie, the girl he rescued the first time. Along the way he befriends Luke, a paraplegic his age who lives in a foster home. At his third death Fil and Luke both drown, which starts them on their road to discovering why they're being continuously reincarnated together. The best part, if dying repeatedly has one, is that they get to keep all the memories and skills from every previous life.

Luke and Fil create and refine the Exosuit with each reincarnation. This cybernetic construct allows Luke to leave his wheelchair behind. When the military learns of their creation, they both become actively involved in creating a combat model which evolves into a ground and air version. Fil ultimately gets to use their creation to rescue his Special Forces father, who went MIA on Fil's tenth birthday.

Sophie is a Native American from a dysfunctional home who spends the majority of her weekends and summers on the Doover's sofa. Although she isn't reborn with her two favorite guys, she does accept their explanations each time when they share intimate details of their knowledge of her which she has shared in previous lives. Having studied tribal lore and mysticism, she easily accepts their situation and becomes an integral part of helping them develop their best future. Sophie has spent many hours in self-defense training, a fact which manifests in several surprising scenarios.

Follow Fil, Sophie and Luke as they face the challenges of knowing more about life than young teenagers should while battling Russian kidnappers, Taliban rebels, and life in general. There greatest challenge may be explaining to Fil's mother and grandmother, whom they all ultimately live with, how they know more about life than they possibly can. How will they ever convince them they don't need to go back to Middle School?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Front Porch Associates
• Release date: Apr 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393912866

J. Don Wright

J. Don Wright has been a public servant for over 45 years as a member of the US Military, Law Enforcement, Emergency Management, and being a general  Renaissance Man. Many of the details in his stories come from first-hand experience.

Book preview

One

G ood morning, beautiful , Fil said as he danced into the breakfast nook. His mother was beautiful, but even more so in her young son’s eyes.

Good morning to you, handsome young lad, and happy birthday, Emily Doover replied.

Filbert Doover was right with the world. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, his favorite song was playing when his alarm clock radio came on at 6:45 am. He had just spent 10 minutes on the phone with his best girl and she had something special for him today after school. It was the last day of school before summer vacation and there was magic in the air. It was also his 13th birthday and his mom was making his favorite breakfast; chocolate chip pancakes. What better way to start the day than with a soft, warm chocolate chip cookie drenched in Maple syrup and butter?

I thought I heard you talking earlier, Emily asked inquisitively.

"Sophie has something special for me after school today," he replied with emphasis.

Well, Fil, if I didn’t know you to be the fine, upstanding young man you are and Sophie to be the proper young lady she is, I might just be concerned, Angeline Doover replied. His grandmother had walked into the room behind him, and had heard the last part of the conversation.

Fil waggled his eyebrows at his mother and grandmother, then did his best Humphrey Bogart. Well, schweetheart, he drawled, A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.

I think you may have your characters mixed up, Fil, Emily said, smiling.

So? He quipped. Gramps always said I’m one mixed up character.

It was a testament to how strong-willed Angeline and Emily were that the mention of their respectively departed husband and father were taken in stride at the comment.

Yes, I’m just sad Earl isn’t getting to see the fine young man you’re growing up to be, his grandmother replied.

But Grams, he is, Fil assured her. He’s watching from Heaven and I see him in my dreams at least once a week.

I do to, grandson, I do to, she replied softly.

Here, sit and eat, so you don’t have to rush for the bus, Emily said from the other side of the counter. She placed a steaming stack of three pancakes on the table. Butter was melting across the top and a bottle of Maple syrup appeared next to them a moment later.

Coffee, Mom? Emily asked, reaching into the cabinet. It was a moot question; her mother always took her first cup on the back deck in the morning sunrise. Pouring a cup, she handed it to Angeline as she glided past, who accepted it with a nod of thanks. Going to the refrigerator, Emily lifted a carton of orange juice from the door and poured a short glass for Fil, who took it with a smile. Minutes later, after wolfing down his breakfast, he was off for the bus.

SO, WHAT’S THE SPECIAL surprise for me? he asked Sophie as the bus pulled away from the curb.

If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, now would it? she replied.

Hey, can’t blame a guy for trying, he responded.

Well, sometimes you can be very trying, Sophie said in her best upper crust imitation.

Is the gang still coming to the pool party after school? he wondered aloud.

If they don’t, they’ll miss the best last-day-of-school party ever, she quipped.

Sophie Chiattah was old for her age, physically as well as emotionally. She had begun to develop womanly attributes and height during Christmas break, just after Filbert had hit a growth spurt in the fall. While Sophie had gone from no need for a bra to a full A cup in six months, Fil had shot up from 5’2 to 5’9 in less than four. He had broadened two shirt sizes in the process. He was now the third tallest guy in the entire middle school, even though he was only in the seventh grade. Sophie was now considered an Amazon at 5’7" and the tallest girl. The genetics of her darker skin and coloring from her Native American heritage just added to her image and mystique.

Fil had been held back a year after his grandfather had died. He had been unable to focus, or even get out of bed, for several months. It had been severely traumatic for him as he had been sitting next to Earl on the back deck when his grandfather had suddenly clutched his chest and fallen over. Angeline and Emily had gone onto the Army post an hour’s drive away to do some tax-free shopping. Fil was home alone at age 10 and had no idea what to do.

He didn’t know any neighborhood adults. They had just moved to his grandparent’s house five months earlier after his father had gone missing in Afghanistan. They could have stayed in post housing but Emily needed the familial support. He had spent his tenth birthday helping his mother and grandparents move their worldly possessions to the small town where they lived.

Sophie, having decided she was going to get through to the withdrawn new guy, had probably saved his life or at least his sanity.

So, is it a new X-Box game? he asked hopefully.

I’m not telling, she replied, shaking her head.

Is it a new model? he asked on a different tact. Fil enjoyed the challenge of building sophisticated functional models of everything; military vehicles, farm equipment, it didn’t matter.

Hey dimwit, Sophie chided. "What part of I’m not telling didn’t you get?"

Hey, you can’t blame a guy for trying, he replied.

Can to, she answered, gently cuffing him on the back of his head.

"Hey, watch it, Gibbs," Fil complained.

THE POOL PARTY WAS a roaring success. The twenty young teens in the four by twenty foot above ground pool were enthusiastic, to say the least. Sophie’s surprise had been a new bikini in deep purple, Fil’s favorite color. It left no doubt she was definitely becoming a young woman, much to the dismay of many of the other girls at the party. Most of the guys there just stared and drooled.

Have I told you how much I like my surprise? Fil said, standing in front of Sophie and trying semi-successfully not to stare at the tops of her bulging breasts.

Seventeen times now, she replied.

Well, I just wanted to make sure you knew. It’s the best birthday present I’ve ever had.

Gauging his attention, she slowly licked her lips and said, Why don’t we go for a walk down by the creek and talk about this some more?

Instantly Fil moved across the small back yard, made even smaller by the huge pool dominating it. He stood beside his mother who sat in the shade of an umbrella sipping iced tea. It was a traditional warm day in May for southwestern Oklahoma.

Sophie and I are going for a walk down by the creek, he said. We want to talk and it’s too noisy here, he added.

His mother eyed him warily for a few moments, then said, Just be careful and stay away from the creek. All this rain we’ve had for the last two weeks has got every creek and stream running full.

Okay, mom, I love you, he said, bending to kiss her cheek.

Sophie had her wrap on over the bikini and was holding his hand as they walked along the path toward the creek. The tree house he had helped his grandfather build, just after their arrival, was solemnly quiet. He hadn’t been in it since Halloween and seldom went anymore; there were too many ghosts.

Can we go up in the tree house, Sophie asked. I’d like to be away from prying eyes.

Looking at her quizzically, he nodded and led the way up the two by fours nailed to the tree trunk for a ladder. Pushing the trapdoor up and over, he let it fall in hopes of scaring off any bugs or other squatters inside. A flurry of wings told them a bird had built a nest inside. Clambering up the last two rungs, he stepped across the small inner space and pulled the plywood covering over the window inward, hooking it to the ceiling. Insects were scurrying away toward the corners and up the walls, away from the sudden light. Fil and Sophie stood waiting in silence until most of the movement stopped.

Why are we up here? Fil asked quietly, looking into Sophie’s eyes.

We’ve been together about a year now, haven’t we? she asked.

Actually, it’ll be a year next month. I already have an anniversary gift for you. I bet you thought I’d forget, huh? Fil replied.

How sweet of you, Fil; I hadn’t thought that at all. You’re always so thoughtful and all... her voice trailed away.

Aw, Sophie, are you breaking up with me?" he asked plaintively.

No, oh, no, no, no, she gushed, not at all. In fact, I wanted to give you my anniversary present early. It’s sort of an anniversary/birthday present combined.

Well, where is it? Fil asked, looking around dramatically. You weren’t carrying anything when we left the house. Did you hide something up here? he asked excitedly, glancing about.

Fil, this is my anniversary gift, she said, removing the wrap from her shoulders. Then she unhooked the top to her bikini from behind her neck and pulled it down.

Fil stood motionless for what seemed an eternity, staring at the erect nipples pointing at him from the tips of her breasts. Finally, he said, Ah, I...don’t know...um, I mean...

Embarrassment flamed crimson across Sophie’s face and she whirled away, fumbling with the top and clasp.

Hey, wait, no, I didn’t mean... but all Fil could do was stammer ineffectually.

Having succeeded in putting her suit top right, Sophie flung herself done the ladder without meeting Fil’s eyes. He was right behind her. Sophie, wait. You caught me by surprise, is all. I’d love to see your breasts, he called inanely after her.

Sophie ran blindly along the path beside the creek, headed deeper into the woods behind the Doover homestead. As he chased her, he called repeatedly for her to stop but that only served to increase her headlong flight. Rounding a bend in the path, her foot caught on an exposed root and she pitched headlong into the engorged creek.

The water wasn’t more than three to four feet deep but it was moving with alarming speed. As Sophie’s head went beneath the surface, Fil jumped in right behind her. He landed on his feet but was instantly swept off them by the force of the rushing torrent. Thrashing through the water, he forced his way to where he thought Sophie should be and dove under. It was murky and objects were flashing past in snapshot images. Finding his footing for an instant, he flung his head above the surface and frantically glanced around.

Somehow, Sophie had gotten behind him and was flailing ineffectively toward the bank. Fill thrust his feet toward the bottom and, every time he found purchase, threw himself in Sophie’s direction. Painstakingly slow, he progressed back toward her as the two were swept down the ever-widening creek.

When he was finally able to reach her, he grabbed for her arm and missed the first time. Finding a moment’s footing he lunged for her again, this time getting both hands on her. One landed in her hair, which he pulled painfully, while the other caught a handful of the now notorious bikini top. She screamed when he pulled her hair, but Fil continued to wrestle her toward him while struggling for footing. They rolled together down the center of the raging creek for a seeming eternity before Filbert was able to force both their heads above water.

I’m going to throw you toward the bank when I get my footing again, be ready, he shouted. Then his feet struck a boulder in the middle of the creek. He was pushed backward onto the boulder, which was barely below the surface. As the force of the rushing stream pushed them up out of the water, he gathered Sophie to him, grabbing her upper arm and opposite thigh in his large hands.

I love you, he shouted as he flung her with all his strength toward the shore. The force of his effort pushed him off the back side of the boulder and he rolled headfirst into the roiling murk. His head broke the surface once more to hear Sophie screaming his name. As he was swept around a corner of the creek, he saw her pulling herself out of the water onto a fallen tree branch.

Two

I just needed to know you were alright, Fil was saying into the telephone handset. He had called Sophie as soon as he had awakened.

Well, of course I’m alright, why wouldn’t I be? she asked. It’s the last day of school and your birthday. Plus, I have a special surprise for you, she intimated with a giggle in her voice.

Ah, Soph, yesterday was my birthday, he said. Don’t you remember? We went walking down to my old tree house during the pool party, so we could be alone. His voice caught and he had to clear his throat.

Filbert Doover, what is wrong with you? Sophie growled. "Today is your birthday and you are having a party." It had been a bone of contention between them; he not wanting a party and everyone else insisting.

Sorry, I just had a really vivid dream, I guess, he offered lamely.

Well, you can tell me about it on the way to school, she soothed. Now hustle up so you’re not chasing the bus again.

Filbert could hear his mother humming as he stepped off the bottom step of the stairs.

Good morning, beautiful, Fil said as he stepped into the breakfast nook.

Good morning to you, handsome young lad, and happy birthday, his mom replied.

Filbert Doover should have been right with the world. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, his favorite song had been playing when his alarm clock radio came on at 6:45 am. He had just spent 10 minutes on the phone with his best girl and she had something special for him today after school. It was the last day of school before summer vacation and there was magic in the air. It was also his 13th birthday and his mom was making his favorite breakfast; chocolate chip pancakes. What better way to start the day than with a chocolate chip cookie drenched in Maple syrup and butter? But the sense of Déjà vu, the surreal nature of what he now had convinced himself had been a dream, was dampening all his good energy.

I thought I heard you talking earlier, Emily asked inquisitively.

"Sophie has something special for me after school today," he replied with a hint of confusion in his voice.

Well, Fil, if I didn’t know you to be the fine, upstanding young man you are and Sophie to be the proper young lady she is, I might just be concerned, Angeline Doover replied. His grandmother had walked into the room behind him and had heard the last part of the conversation.

Struggling to hide his confusion, Fil stood mutely in the breakfast nook until his mother broke him out of his trance.

Here, sit and eat so you don’t have to rush for the bus, Emily said from the other side of the counter. She placed a steaming stack of three pancakes on the table. Butter was melting across the top and the bottle of syrup landed next to them a moment later.

Coffee, Mom? she asked, reaching into the cabinet. It was a moot question; her mother always took her first cup on the back deck in the morning sunrise. Pouring a cup, she handed it to Angeline as she glided past, who accepted it with a nod of thanks. Going to the refrigerator, Emily lifted a carton of orange juice from the door and poured a short glass for Fil, who took it with a smile. Minutes later, after eating only half of his breakfast, he was off to the bus.

Let’s talk at lunch, this is too bizarre for me to talk about with all these people around, Fil was saying to Sophie.

Well, it’s the last day of school and if my best guy is troubled, we’ll just go somewhere else so we can talk now, she replied.

You mean, skip school? Fil looked puzzled. You never skip school. In fact, you argue with me when I suggest it.

Silly boy, she scolded, cuffing him on back of the head. "This is different. This is important. It’s not like we’re going to cruise the mall. We’re going to have a serious talk."

PRETTY LAME, HUH? Fil finished. They were seated in the ice cream shop at the mall, having successfully skirted the local SRO and principal on campus. The staff at the school was particularly alert for last day ditch culprits. Sophie knew several obscure passages through the campus which Fil had never known were there. It had shed a different light on his girlfriend’s reputation as a do-gooder.

So, I showed you my boobs, huh? Sophie said. Fil had stumbled and stuttered over that part of the retelling. Had I not intended to do just that this afternoon, I might think you were hinting at getting frisky with me.

Fil colored deep scarlet and turned his gaze away from her face. I...uh...aw, Soph, why do you tease me like this?

Hey, if I didn’t love you, I wouldn’t feel comfortable teasing, she replied.

Snapping his head around, Fil locked his eyes to hers. You do? he blurted.

Well, you said it first. It’s true, so there you go.

When Fil looked puzzled, Sophie relented. When you threw me out of the creek, you said you loved me, she reminded him.

Yeah, but that was in a dream, he reminded.

Come on, I want to show you something, Sophie said, rising from the booth and turning toward the door.

At least we’re not in a treehouse over a raging creek and I won’t die this time, he snarked.

Whirling back on him, eyes blazing, she whispered fiercely, Don’t ever joke about dying. There were tears pooling on the verge of her lower eyelids.

Hey, hey, what’s this? Fil was instantly serious. Why the tears?

You sacrificed yourself for me, she said. In tribal tradition, that means I owe a life debt to your family. The fact that you didn’t die means my life is yours.

Fil was stunned speechless. He knew Sophie had delved deeply into the tribal lore of her native Choctaw traditions but hadn’t realized how serious she was about it.

Taking his hand gently, Sophie led her still-baffled beau out into the mall where he moved up beside her as they walked hand-in-hand. Three storefronts down was a Teen Wearhouse clothing store and there were mannequins in the windows, modeling the latest in summer fashion. Stopping in front of one, Sophie looked at Fil and asked, Look familiar?

Fill tore his gaze from her face to the mannequin and his breathe caught in his throat. The window display was the same purple bikini Sophie had worn at the pool party. How, ah...when..? he stammered.

I was going to come here after school today and buy this, she explained. "I hadn’t yet gotten up the nerve to, because buying it would mean I had to follow through on the rest of my plan."

Both teens flushed bright pink for a moment before they simultaneously broke into laughter.

FIL AND SOPHIE WERE an item throughout high school; he on the basketball and baseball teams, she in Debate, Pom and Cheer. When she wasn’t encouraging him at a game, he was encouraging her by attending every one of her numerous debates. Sophie had quickly learned as a high school freshman how capable she was at voicing and defending concepts. Although she did well arguing from pro or con, she discovered her natural proclivity was toward a conservative viewpoint. Fil had no political bend either way but marveled at Sophie’s ability to back an opponent into a self-made corner of contradictions. He was even more amazed at how she could memorize the crucial points in an amicus brief after studying it once.

You’ve become a bit of a radical this last year, Fil commented one day as they sat in her car at the local burger stand. She had been going on about the latest political intrigue to surface in Washington, D.C. and he was interested in anything else. Have you heard back from Baylor or SMU? he asked, referring to her applications for admission to law school.

No and I don’t expect to until October; it’s just April, she replied. We still have our whole senior year to go yet.

I’ve already got scholarship inquiries from RICE and Texas A&M, he responded. It’s never too early to start thinking about how we’re going to pay for college or where we can maybe go together.

You know, any college team would want a center fielder who can hit home plate from the wall, Sophie said. She also knew Fil could ruin his arm if he did it too often. You’ve got a serious cannon there, mister, she crowed.

So, that puts us...where? he asked. I want to play ball but my batting average isn’t all that great. That’s why the big schools aren’t knocking. He sighed in exasperation. Batting camp all last summer didn’t improve me by more than half a point and I’m still only mediocre at .452. I really wish my GPA could be that high.

Sophie cuffed the back of his head again, while saying, You have to think more highly of your talent. It’s something God gave you and you have to use it. Besides, smart scouts are looking for one arm, not two.

Fine, but here’s my thoughts on the matter, he said acerbically. I can sign on just about anywhere you can go to college, because law schools usually don’t have division one teams. So how about you pick a school, get serious about being accepted, and I’ll apply there?

Sophie leaned back against the driver’s door and eyed Fil speculatively. You’d do that just so we can stay together?

Hey, I’m not the brightest bulb in the box but I know a good thing when I’ve got one, he replied, smiling.

Glancing at his watch, he started. I need to get to the pool! I have life guard training in 15 minutes, he blurted.

Okay hero, cool your jets; we’ll get you there, Sophie smiled back, and away they went.

THERE WAS A SLIGHT, wheelchair bound teenage boy engaged in physical therapy in the shallow end of the pool when Fil walked in. Otherwise, the pool was empty. The rest of the trainees were already there and the coach glanced at his watch. Let’s get started, he said, turning to walk to the deep end.

From your applications, I see only one of you is returning from last year, he said, nodding at the returnee. So, you’ll just have to suffer through the entire indoctrination. This job may seem glamorous but it’s really boring and tedious, plus hot and sweaty. Looking around, he singled out Fil as the tallest applicant, who was now 6’1. How much swimming experience do you have, Fil?" he asked, glancing at his roster for a name.

I’ve been coming here since I was eleven and I took rescuer for drowning when I was thirteen. He didn’t bother to share that it was because he had drowned on his thirteenth birthday, or at least felt like he had.

Anyone else have any type of training? the coach asked. A few hands went up, and a few answers confirmed the level of experience. Looks like we’re going to start with the basics.

I’M REALLY GOING TO like this lifeguard gig at the pool, I think, Fil said over dinner. It was a tradition Angeline wouldn’t allow to be changed. They ate dinner together every evening they were home together, and always at the table. She called eating while watching TV, insulting, to the company and the cook.

I certainly hope so, it doesn’t pay nearly as well as working at the grocery store or any fast food outlet, Emily quipped. If you want to go off to college, you’re going to need better grades and a much better paying job. Lord knows, I can’t help much on my sad little paycheck. Emily and Michael, her MIA husband, had agreed she would be a stay at home mom when Fil had been born. She had been out of the job market for ten years when her husband’s paycheck had stopped coming.

Married straight out of high school, Michael had joined the Army. He was approved for training and tested to become a Special Operations Forces Ranger. He had gone missing during a CIA Black Ops mission, at the same time Congress had enforced a no-pay status on covert operatives unless such operations were cleared by them beforehand. The poor sap stuck in the middle just doing his job got the short end of the stick. There were dozens of such cases under review. Some families had filed class-action law suits but against the DOD and Federal Government, their chance of seeing any settlement in their lifetime was minimal.

This was the main reason Fil had decided not to enlist in the military. He, Emily, Grandma Angel and Sophie had lengthy, often heated, debates about service to country. Ultimately, it had been Sophie who had convinced him the timing wasn’t right. Until FEDGOV pulls their collective heads out, the military is at the whim of anyone in Congress who wants to make a name for themselves, she had concluded. Even the National Guard is open to activation and service and the US policy on Middle East involvement changes about as often as liberal students change their majors in California, she snarked.

I’ve said before and will continue to offer; I can refinance this home to pay for his college, Angeline said softly. Holding her hand up to quell the expected reply, she looked at her daughter and said, "Your argument