Leaving Clear Water

By Dale McMillan

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 23, 2011
• ISBN: 9781462875276

Dale McMillan

Dale McMillan retired from a long career in the petrochemical industry. After building a home, shop, three barns, and restoring a log cabin built originally in 1854, he tried his hand at writing fiction at age 67. He has written 17 other books since that first release. He lives on a small sand hill farm just outside Henderson, Texas with his invalid wife, Janell and two dogs, Marcie and Sherlock.

Book preview

Copyright © 2011 by Dale McMillan.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2011908194

ISBN: Hardcover    978-1-4628-7526-9

ISBN: Softcover      978-1-4628-7525-2

ISBN: Ebook          978-1-4628-7527-6

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

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Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 1

Time is a relentless entity that progresses whether one is prepared and ready or not. Chassity Simmons was not ready. Although she often bore the brunt of malicious rumors and the town gossip, she still loved her life in Clearwater as the wife of George Simmons and the mother of three fantastic kids. Now the Simmons kids were growing up and rapidly reaching adulthood. Chassity was constantly battling situational depression over this fact and ill prepared to face her station in life. The year was 1950. Margaret would be entering her senior year of High School; Mary Jo was starting high school. George Paul and John Too would be in third grade. Chassy Lou was seven and starting to school. For the first time since Ike was born, Aunt Mamie would not have a child at the Mansion during the school day. She had already figured this out and she was very vocal about that fact, expressing to Chassity, Law me Mis’ Chassity; dis old house just ain’t gonna be the same without some ‘chilren’ around.

Mamie did not have long to fret though because George announced that the family would be leaving on an extended vacation on June 15th. This totally occupied her mind during the two week departure preparation time. Their vacation would first take them to Ireland, to visit with their Irish relatives, and they would then take a whirlwind tour of Denmark, Sweden, Germany, France, Austria, on to Switzerland and then to Maputo, Mozambique. They planned to make a brief stop in Durbin, South Africa before returning home. George thought he would have to forego a trip into the wilds of the jungle to visit Dr. Hibochie and his native friends. Travel was very difficult and time was limited . . .

When Mamie heard this, she went into ‘meltdown’ crying her heart out.

George hugged her and used her own words back at her, Sweetie, de Lawd gonna do what he gonna do.

Mamie was not intimidated. She looked him right in the eye and scolded, Fool, you don’t haft to tempt him.

With that, she turned and went to work cleaning up the kitchen, mumbling to herself as she went about her work. George looked hopelessly at Chassity, but she was no help. Chassity was a homebody and loved her farms; she would be gone just in the middle of the growing season. She was not really excited about the trip, but George insisted that the children needed it to broaden their horizons. She knew he was right, but the thought of flying and traveling by boat halfway around the world was not high on her list of things she really wanted to do.

George often took one of the girls with him when he went on business trips to New York and Philadelphia just as his father had done with him, but he had not made an overseas trip since he had been home from his special assignment during the war. While he was in the jungle, he vowed that if he ever got back to Clearwater he would never leave again, but time heals and now he had a longing to see the people he had left behind.

George Paul stated emphatically that he would not go, if John Too could not go with him. Chassity had already decided that John was going if Ike and Emma would give their consent. Ike was in Chicago starting his first semester at The University of Chicago. Emma had gone to Chicago with him and Chassy Lou went with her. John was staying with Woodrow and Mamie.

Although Mamie threw a fit that George was taking her family off to the other side of the world, she was secretly hoping that George would take John also. She knew in her heart that this would be an invaluable trip for the children and give them a larger picture of the world. She very much wanted John to have that experience, as well.

So, when George approached her about John going, she looked at him, sheepishly, and answered I knows it be good for him, baby. I guesses I jest haft to swallers my pride and lets him go.

George looked at her for a pregnant moment and then replied, Sweetheart, you don’t fool me for one moment. You know this trip will be good for the kids.

I knows, huny, but I gonna be so lonesome.

Well, you have Woodrow and you two can look after one another. Aren’t you glad you married him?

"Yes I is glad. He’s a good little nigger."

Sweetheart, you know I do not like to hear you use that word.

I knows. I can use it, but ju can’t.

They both laughed, understanding one another.

Mamie began mumbling, I haft to gits dat boys clothes all washed and packed. George, huny, does we needs to buy him some new clothes for the trip?

Chassity will take care of it. We will dress George and John alike and folks will think they are twins.

This brought a hearty laugh from Mamie and a response, Lawd have mercy chile. You is too much sometimes. Lawd have mercy. Twins. She let out another burst of laughter.

Mamie could picture in her mind whitefolks staring at George and John dressed alike. All during the rest of the day, when this picture came to mind she burst into laughter.

George instructed Chassity to buy clothes for John and George to dress them alike—even new shoes.

Chassity considered taking Clementine, but decided that the logistics of taking a little girl along with the two boys was simply more than she could handle.

Marie came to her rescue by asking W.O. if Clementine could accompany her on a trip to New York to visit her brother there. He consented and she planned a two weeks trip to coincide with the beginning of George’s trip. They would be flying to New York together and Clem and Marie were planning to take the train home.

Excitement at the Mansion was high as they planned the trip. Mary Jo asked for permission to ask June Miller, but after thinking things through the decision was made that this would complicate lodging too severely. John was enough like part of the family that this simply would create no real problems.

George gave Teddy Rucas the responsibility of overseeing all of the businesses except the bank while he was gone. W. O. Applewhite was assigned the task of overseeing the bank business. W. O. was a better banker than his track record would seem to indicate. His one problem was that he had not been able to adjust with the changing times. A handshake and a man’s word were no longer acceptable collateral, and W. O. learned that lesson too late to save his own bank. The fast talking corrupt investors, who had stripped his bank away from him and then lost it, had been good teachers. Hard lessons are not soon forgotten.

Chassity was having more trouble covering her bases. She finally settled on Lonnie Elliot as her farm manager. She was well aware that this would be a stretch goal for Lonnie, but she also knew he would do the very best he was capable of doing. She decided that would be good enough. She knew that Lonnie gave attention to detail to a point of this being a fault. She was also aware that this would be a problem between Lonnie and some of her crew, since close was good enough for most of them.

Excitement was high at the Mansion as the family prepared to depart. Leticia Henderson finally figured out that everyone would be gone and she fell apart. The fact became readily apparent that she could not stay there alone, so Mamie assured her that she would stay at her house with her and Woodrow. Leticia filled the void left in Mamie’s life after Lou’s death. Although severely retarded, Leticia had become a very good cook and she also kept the Mansion spotless. George and Chassity each did everything possible to make life good for her. They gave her meaningful work, and paid her well. George set up an annuity to care for her if she became unable to work, or when she reached the age where she could not work.

The upcoming trip was the talk in and around Clearwater. Anna Watson was learning Margaret’s job at the Warehouse and she was constantly bombarded with questions. George was cornered everywhere he went, so he finally just gave a copy of their itinerary to Bill Turner. George’s anger had finally cooled at Bill over his handling of the bank scandal. Bill simply printed the itinerary in its entirety. Before the paper hit the street, Rumors were flying. The WAGS were not able to process a trip of this magnitude and they were surprisingly quiet, except they speculated whether Hans Mueller would be making the trip with them. Mrs. Graham, one of the warehouse chicken feed customers, had become one of Margaret’s biggest fans. She was a simple and very kind hearted woman, completely non-threatening and open. She simply asked Margaret if that rumor was true.

Margaret smiled at Mrs. Graham, her guileless affectionate smile and replied, Mrs. Graham, Mr. Mueller and I have never dated. We have hardly been alone together. He is a good and honorable man and I respect him very much, but there is really no hot romance going on between the two of us. When I am older and out of college we may start dating, but right now I have my sights set on finishing college before I become romantically involved with anyone.

Lord have mercy child, I knew you was smart, but I didn’t realize you were that smart. You stick by your guns girl. And hang tough and get your education. You will be married a lot longer than you will be single. You enjoy it while you can.

The two stood looking at one another, each admiring the other. Margaret knew Mrs. Graham’s question had arisen from a genuine concern for her.

Mrs. Graham quelled the rumors about Margaret and Hans. Again, the Simmons became the envy of almost every person in Clearwater. Speculation began as to how much a trip like that would cost. The estimates were all low. Clearwater residents could not think in those terms. George Simmons knew and he had established a vacation account soon after returning home from service. He had contributed regularly to this account and it was adequate to meet their needs. Chassity was not aware of the account and she too wondered how George was planning to fund the vacation. She confronted George and he simply opened the books and showed her where their funds were going to come from. She gasped at the amount. Chassity had been reared in a very frugal family and investments were made in order to show a profit. She went weak in the knees when George showed her how much the trip would require.

Chassity looked George right in the eye and scolded, George Simmons, that is sinful.

George just smiled at her and replied, Well Chassity, you had better start praying for forgiveness, because we are taking the trip.

Chassity stood with her hands on her hips for a few moments, and then she began to weep. George embraced her. He didn’t have to ask what was wrong. He knew she was afraid. She simply could not express her fears. To him she was still that little scared, self conscious girl he had married, 19 years earlier. He loved her more than he could even imagine. Chassity had her cry and when she was finished, she set her mind toward Ireland. She had already decided she would simply concentrate on one segment at a time. Her mind could not process the whole trip.

She looked up at him and impishly asked, Well, are you going to have us jump out of an airplane in Switzerland like you did.

George smiled and replied, Not if I can help it. I did that once, but I am not sure I could summon the courage to do that again. Chassity, I was scared to death.

She held him close and her faith began to kick in, Holding him back at arms length, she repeated Mamie’s words, "Well, de Lawd gonna do what he gonna do. I guess I had better start packing."

So, with that, Chassity started packing. Packing for a world tour, for a family of six is no small task. She packed three trunks and each person had their own bag. George shipped the trunks to their favorite hotel in England. He had decided that would be their home base for their visit to Ireland and their European tour.

All too soon for Chassity the time for departure came. George hired Brother Willie to drive Chassity’s car home from the Memphis airport. Alice Watson was going with Marie and Clementine to the airport and would drive Marie’s car home.

Since Ike had left for college, George relied more and more on Brother Willie as his right hand man. He simply did not have the skills to take over the job as manager of the fertilizer plant. George moved Teddy Rucas into that job. This created some friction at the plant. Two people had thought the job belonged to them, and they became very insubordinate and began to stir up trouble. Teddy brought the problem to George and George told him to give them two weeks notice and then dismiss them. One was a surly overbearing sort of fellow and he told Teddy he was not man enough to fire him. George warned Teddy that this was likely to happen and Teddy was ready for him. When the man took a swing at Teddy, Teddy simply blocked his swing with his left arm and with a good strong uppercut knocked him through the door tearing it off its hinges. Hard work coupled with the fact that Teddy was by nature very hyper made him very strong. His adrenalin was already pumping since he had to fire the two men. As he lay flat of his back with Teddy standing over him, Teddy informed him to just draw his pay and not bother to come back.

The next morning, the other man came in hat in hand and begged Teddy to give him his job back. After quizzing him he found out that the surly individual badgered him into taking part in the insubordination. Teddy relented and took him back.

Teddy was afraid to tell George what he had done, but George looked at him and said, Teddy, you are the boss. It is your decision.

Just as Teddy started to leave George’s office, George called, Teddy, compassion in your management style is not a bad thing. You must demonstrate that you are the boss, but Teddy I am proud of you.

Teddy Rucas walked away from George’s office walking ten feet tall. He felt George’s approval of his first challenge as Plant Manager. Nothing else really mattered to him.

Brother Willie was barely literate, but he could read and write and he struggled to learn all the time. George knew that he struggled to pastor the little Harmony Baptist Church. He decided to move him into Teddy’s job at the Ready Mix plant, realizing full well that this was going to cause problems in the town. Many people in the state of Mississippi were fighting integration with all of their might. Many of them were high up in state government and would use all of the force of the law, both legal and illegal to stop any form of advancement of that cause.

When George asked him if he would be interested in that job, his eyes became as big as saucers.

He asked, Mr. George, does you really think I can handle dat job, and do you thinks folks around here will let me takes it.

George smiled and said, Brother Willie, I think you will be great in that job. You have a good Monroe calculator to do your math and we will give you plenty of time to learn. Dan Tippet can teach you how to measure the ingredients. I will deal with the town over this.

George had said this in Dan’s presence. Now it was Dan’s time for dilated eyes. Out of the corner of George’s eye he saw the color drain out of Dan’s face. Dan could not speak.

Brother Willie picked up immediately that George was giving Dan a back door compliment and he decided to join in and said, Well suh, I shore gonna be depending on Mr. Dan iffen I takes dis Job.

George had left Teddy at the plant until Brother Willie learned the operation of the machinery and all of the formulas used. He learned amazingly fast. Teddy was amazed and George was very pleased. Brother Willie learned that Dan did know how to operate the plant, although he had difficulty in communicating what he knew, but Brother Willie was the right person to help Dan as he explained how everything worked. They became immediate friends.

Brother Willie was sourly missed at the fertilizer plant and this move did not last long, but it did last through the trip. His son took over the Ready Mix plant a little later.

Clearwater residents were incensed that George had put a black man in charge of the plant. They were very vocal and a cross was burned in Brother Willie’s yard. He was terrified and ready to give up the job, but George took an add out in the Clearwater daily stating that it was his decision to promote Brother Willie to the job as manager and if anyone had any questions to bring their questions to him. This angered the entire population of Clearwater, even some of George’s friends. George simply figured that by the time he got back from his trip that things would have cooled down. Chassity feared that someone would try to burn the mansion. George had the same fear, but he had hired security people to keep watch. He simply let this fact leak out with the information that they were instructed to shoot on sight, anyone caught on Simmons property. The security people actually came and lived in the Mansion while the Simmonses were away. Mamie and Leticia cooked for them and they all became friends before the family returned.

George’s selection of Brother Willie to the post of Concrete Plant Manager made ripples all the way to Jackson, and George became a target for the dreaded Sovereignty Commission which was formed in later years. There was a constant struggle to discredit him by the commission. The commission tried every way in the world to strip the sheriff’s job away from Pat Adams since he and George were very close, but they were not successful. Pat was a good and honorable man and in reality, the town felt safe with George and Pat at the helm.

Although moving Brother Willie into the job of managing the Ready Mix Plant caused lots of heartburn in Clearwater, as George stated many times, there is no substitute for a life well lived. Because of his gentle nature and the goodness of this man, coupled with his work with Harmony House; it was very difficult for anyone to criticize George’s decision for very long and the flap soon rested in the breeze, although it did pop occasionally. Brother Willie was simply hard to hate.

Clearwater was changing. With any break from traditional labor and growth, pains are experienced. Moving black people into positions of management was the birth of a new idea in middle Mississippi in the early fifties. George’s timing for making these moves just before leaving on an extended vacation was not because he was running away from criticism. George was simply kicking the bird out of the nest. George’s time on special assignment had grown a new George Simmons; one who was impervious to criticism. He attained the quiet confidence that his father before him exhibited, and had developed a very strong Christian faith, a sustaining faith. He felt utmost confidence that the men he chose were the best men for the jobs and were men of impeccable integrity and honesty. Early on in his business career he decided he would take that over ability any time and grow the person to meet the task. It was working.

So, as the family headed out for Memphis to catch the first leg of their flight to England, George left with a confidence that he had made the right choices and that things would run smoothly while he was gone. Chassity was not as confident that her businesses would run that smoothly and she could not help but feel a little chagrinned at George’s confidence. He did not help by telling her that she needed to spend more time growing her employees rather than micro managing. This more or less slipped out and George wished a hundred times that he had not uttered that statement, but as they made their way to Memphis with Brother Willie in a jovial mood, Chassity forgave him for the statement. She communicated this with her eyes and everything returned to an even keel.

Margaret and Mary Jo were riding with Marie, Clementine and Alice. They, as well as Clementine, were in a giddy mood from the excitement of the trip. Clementine had never flown in an airplane and she was very nervous. She constantly bombarded the girls with many, many questions. Mary and Margaret had flown several times, so they were successful in relieving many of her fears—somewhat. Alice was also curious about flying, and Marie was sorry that she had not asked her to go along, although Alice was busy in school and she would be finishing her master’s degree that summer.

Neither Brother Willie nor Alice had been in an airport before and it was a toss up as to which was most fascinated by the big airplanes.

Brother Willie kept asking George, Mr. George, just how do dem big boogers git off de ground.

George tried to give him a quick lesson in aerodynamics, but he just kept shaking his head and saying, Lawd have mercy. Lawd have mercy.

Time for take off came and Brother Willie and Alice headed back toward Clearwater. George had worried about Brother Willie driving the Lincoln. He knew he would be a target for the police in that car, so he gave him a note explaining that he was driving the car for George Simmons, and if there were any questions to contact Sheriff Pat Adams in Clearwater, Mississippi. He had also written down the Sheriff’s telephone number.

Sure enough, Alice and Brother Willie had only gone three blocks from the Airport when Brother Willie was stopped by the police. Alice stopped also. The Police jerked him out of the car and pulled his hands behind his back and handcuffed him.

Alice immediately got in the Policemen’s faces and asked why they were harassing Brother Willie. They tried to intimidate her but to no avail, so they backed off. She recorded both of their names and Brother Willie informed them that he had a letter explaining why he was driving Mis’ Chassity’s car. They removed the handcuffs and he produced the document. The policemen became agitated after they read George’s note and Alice did not help.

She said, There is going to be hell to pay when Mr. Simmons gets home. Brother Willie is his friend.

They were most apologetic and Alice and Brother Willie left Memphis and continued on to Clearwater with no further incident. Both Brother Willie and Alice were amazed at George’s forethought to write the note. Marie had given Alice all of the paperwork on her car, but she had not written a note explaining why she was driving the car.

*     *     *

The Simmons and Clementine were headed to New York. John Too had his face pasted against the airplane window. George P was stretching his seat belt to see out the window. George, George Paul and John Too were seated on one row; Margaret, Mary Jo, and Clementine were seated directly across the isle. Chassity and Marie were seated directly behind George.

Clementine and Mary Jo visited on the trip. Margaret wrote in her journal and read. Chassity and Marie had a good visit. Although Marie lived almost in Chassity’s back door, they seldom visited. Each kept a busy schedule. Chassity with her farms and Marie with her piano students; Marie was still teaching Margaret, Mary Jo, Clementine, Alice and the Augustus Twins. The twins were seniors and would be leaving for college at the end of the school year. Marie had started working with Anna Mae Fenton. Anna Mae was a Downs Syndrome child who was ten years old. Marie patiently taught her several easy piano pieces and she loved to play the piano. She bought the little girl an old upright piano which she played constantly.

The flight was smooth. The airplane was a Douglas DC 6. This was the first of the pressurized airliners, so it could fly above most of the turbulence. The airplane was powered by four Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp engines, the most efficient engines around at the time. It could carry seventy four passengers and twelve tons of cargo. There was space to move around on the plane, which made it a comfortable airplane. Only the elite were flying at this time and the Simmons kids and Clementine were the only children on the plane. The Simmons with John Too and George P dressed alike were a curiosity to most of the other passengers on the plane, and they received lots of stares.

One of the stewardesses asked George Paul his name and he answered, George Paul Simmons.

She then asked John his name and he answered, John Simmons II.

This did not help to alleviate curiosity. George just smiled at her and said, We are the Simmons from Clearwater, Mississippi.

Her response was, Oh! Are you going to New York?

Only my Mother and Clementine. The rest of us are going on a world tour.

She looked around to sort out all of the players and spotted Mother Marie. She then looked at Margaret, Mary Jo and Clem. Mary Jo reading her thoughts simply pointed at Clem. Clem smiled her radiant smile."

The stewardess took their orders for food and left wondering, Just who in the world are these people?

Margaret looked at her daddy and they smiled at each other, amused at the young lady’s curiosity.

A New Yorker was seated beside Marie. She had been listening to Chassity lamenting to Marie that she was afraid her crops would suffer from lack of attention while she was gone.

The lady could stand it no longer and finally she asked, Madam, are you a farmer?

Chassity answered, Why yes, I am.

How large is your farm?

Well, my husband and I together farm about 6,000 acres.

Good Grief!

With that, the Lady went back to pretending she was reading.

The trip was long and boring, especially for the three very active youngsters. The plane stopped in Chicago, then on to New York. They did not have to change planes in Chicago but the plane took on fuel, so everyone had an opportunity to stretch their legs. John Too, George Paul and Clem received lots of second looks as they scampered around the airport terminal. People passing would stop, and turn around for a second look. Clementine was almost the same size of the boys and from a cursory look, she could have easily been their triplet sister. Even Marie was amused at the scene they were causing, and Marie was not one to try to draw attention to herself. Because of her aristocratic look it just came natural, but if she had her preference, she would much prefer to simply remain in the background. The mock triplets, two beautiful teenage girls, Chassity with her thick red hair, George, slightly graying and steel blue eyes, and the imposing Marie, sparked lots of interest. Chassity was happy when they touched down in New York. Her family was drawing much too much attention to themselves and she was having second thoughts about dressing John Too and George Paul alike, but George had insisted. George did not mind the extra attention. It simply gave him more opportunities to meet and talk with people and George was a people person. He was proud of his family and liked to show them off. John Too and Clementine were just like part of his family, which in reality they were.

Marie’s brother’s chauffeur met Marie and Clementine at the air terminal. George and family were staying at a hotel near the airport. Their plane left for England early the next morning.

The families met for dinner in the evening. Andrew, Marie’s brother was impressed with Clementine and John. What he did not know was that Marie had already been grooming Clementine to one day become the lady of the Simmons Mansion. Although the children were only ten years old, she had sensed George Paul’s affection for Clementine, and she did not expect that to go away. Clementine had already confided to Marie that she was going to marry George Paul when she grew up.

Clem had confided, Grandmother Marie, He is just like his daddy and I love Mr. George.

Marie held the child close and tried to look down the road into the future. Her mother’s illness, or meanness or combination of the two tremendously clouded the picture she saw, but Marie more than anyone else except Mamie knew the heart of this child. Chassity and Clementine were close, but Chassity still had problems sorting out the gray areas of personalities. She saw black and white, and she generally required George’s help for her to envision gray areas.

The evening meal did not linger. George explained to Uncle Andrew and Aunt Claire that the family would spend time with them during their return trip. The overseas flight left at 6:00 am which would require the travelers to be at the airport at 5:00 am. George cut the visit short, so they could all get a good night’s sleep before their 4:00 am wake up call.

Chassity was very quiet during the meal. It was obvious that she was apprehensive about the flight overseas. She had remarked to Andrew that she was afraid they were all going to become fish food when that old airplane crashed into the ocean. Andrew simply hugged her and tried to assure her that everything would be fine. She was not comforted.

The family made their way to the hotel and George and Chassity got the kids all settled in bed. The flight had sapped all of Chassity’s energy and she was at an emotional low. George knew this, so he simply held her close but did not speak. She went into one of her melt downs and cried herself out. After she had finished her cry, she dressed for bed, and then she and George knelt beside their bed. George simply recited the Lord’s Prayer. When George got to the point, and deliver us from evil, Chassity had never been more serious.

After the prayer, George and Chassity climbed in bed, fell asleep in each other’s arms and did not awake until their wake up call. The children all awoke with a bang, and quickly dressed. They were waiting at the curb when their taxi arrived to take them to the airport and they were actually at the airport fifteen minutes early.

George was excited about the flight. He had read about the airplane they would be flying on. It was a Boeing 377 Stratocruiser, with four 3500 hp Pratt and Whitney Wasp Major Engines with a range of 4200 miles. Its cruising speed was 340 mph and could cruise at 25,000 ft with a ceiling of 33,000 feet. The Stratocruiser had the same parts as a B-29 married to a bulbous fuselage. It had accommodations for between 55 and 100 passengers, depending on the amenities offered. Some had sleeping berths, and an upper and lower deck with a bar. It was an aristocratic airliner. The trip to England took just under eleven hours. They ate breakfast in New York, and they would have dinner in London. George Simmons was impressed with this fact. Before the flight was over, Chassity knew every inch of the aircraft. She knew it was110 feet long and had a wing span of 141feet. She also knew it weighed 141,000 pounds without passengers. The fact that she was flying almost five miles in the air on a device that weighed over 70 tons, over the ocean was not comforting.

After about five hours in the air, she began to settle down a bit and felt comfortable putting all of her weight down in the seat. George had retained a sleeping berth and he asked her if she would like to take a nap.

She just looked at him and remarked, You have got to be kidding.

Mary Jo and Margaret did take advantage of the berth and they each slept about four of the eleven hour trip. George visited and had a great time. He met people from all over Europe and had ample opportunities to practice his French and German. Several people on the flight were in the diplomatic corp. of one of the European nations. Several persons were from Germany and were involved in the German rebuilding effort. He met two who knew Hans Mueller. During the course of the flight, George made several business contacts which would prove to be extremely valuable in the future.

Chassity was not anti social; she simply did not meet people well. It took time for her to become acquainted sufficiently to engage in meaningful conversation. The eleven hour trip was pure misery for her. She did have a great opportunity to visit with her daughters during the flight and used that time to good advantage.

One couple on the flight had a sixteen year old son. They were French and the young Frenchman thought he was a ladies man. He gave Mary Jo a hard rush. Although only fourteen, she looked at least two years older. She could not move without him following her. Although Mary Jo was flattered by the young man’s advances, his manner became more and more annoying as the flight progressed, and eventually he became somewhat suggestive and lewd in his remarks, even to the point of relating to her that his parents had a sleeping berth where they could go to be alone. The young man was speaking a very poor, broken English to Mary Jo.

She looked him squarely in the eye and asked in reasonably good French, Young man, how old are you?

He puffed up and replied, I am sixteen and I will be seventeen next month.

She lied, an unusual action for Mary Jo, but she answered, "Well, I am twenty and I do not fool around with cute little boys."

With that salvo, the young man went away. Margaret smiled at her sister and squeezed her hand.

Mary Jo was red faced and angry. She looked exactly like Chassity when she was that age. The girls moved back to the cabin to sit with their mother.

When Chassity saw Mary Jo she asked, Mary what on earth is wrong with you?

Margaret spoke up and related what the young man had said to Mary Jo. Chassity flashed and was ready to punch his lights out.

She jumped up and said, I will find his parents and tell them to keep that little jerk away from you.

Margaret smiled and said, Sit down, Mama. Mary Jo has already taken care of him. Chassity looked at Mary Jo and asked, You didn’t sock him did you dear?"

No, but I sure wanted to.

Margaret said, "She told him she was twenty and didn’t fool around with cute little boys."

Chassity’s face lit up. She was about to burst with laughter but she said, Mary Jo! You lied.

She then erupted in laughter saying over and over, I love it, I love it.

She embraced her daughter and looked lovingly into her eyes and commented, Sweetheart, Aunt Mamie has taught you well.

Margaret responded, Don’t sell yourself short, Mama. She is exactly like you.

The three had a great laugh over the incident, but Mary Jo was clingy with her mother for the rest of the flight. Chassity sensed that although Mary Jo had handled the situation very well, she was still a little girl at heart and the episode somewhat frightened her. This fact did not make Chassity unhappy; not unhappy at all. She could hardly wait to be alone with George, so she could tell him. She decided to wait until after the flight to tell George. She was afraid he would go after the young man if she told him while they were still cooped up in the airplane. George was very protective of his girls, and this little jerk had impugned his daughter’ honor. She knew he was not going to take that lightly.

Chassity was right. George met the parents and thought they were very arrogant and condescending. The two couples had traded barbs in the lounge area. George was better at covering his anger. Chassity had simply left the lounge and gone back to her seat.

George came back to the cabin and could tell almost immediately something had stirred up his women, but Chassity would not tell him what had happened.

She said, I’ll tell you later, dear.

No amount of coaxing would loosen Chassity’s tongue. The family sat together and visited for the last two hours of the flight. George related his flight over when he was on special assignment; how the Navigator had missed London by 100 miles and the pilot had to make a 180 degree turn because they were about to enter German territory.

He said, When we finally landed, we had only about 30 minutes of fuel left. A strong head wind would have used that up in no time at all.

John Too asked, What is a head wind?

George explained, John, if you are flying into the wind that is blowing at lets say fifty miles per hour and your air speed is 200 miles per hour, then you actual ground speed is one hundred fifty miles per hour.

John responded, Oh, you mean the wind is blowing you back by fifty miles per hour.

Yes. Have you ever watched an old buzzard ride the wind? He doesn’t even have to flap his wings. He simply glides and rides the wind.

Yes sir and I have always wished I could do that.

This brought a laugh from everyone, and George Paul related how he and John had coaxed Woodrow into helping them make a big kite once and they had gotten some strong fishing line to fly the kite. The wind was very high and their plan was for George to hold the kite and John was going to grab the tail and go for a ride.

He said, Every time John grabbed the tail, the kite came down.

George asked, Did Woodrow know what you boys were doing?

John spoke up and said, He pretended not to, but he did.

This elicited a round of laughter from everyone. They were all already missing Clearwater and they hadn’t even landed in England. Chassity knew it was going to be a long trip. She looked at George and he read her thoughts. He simply squeezed her hand and smiled. They did not need to voice their thoughts.

The first leg of their overseas trip ended at they touched down at Heathrow Airport in England. Heathrow was a jumbled up mess in 1950 with its original Army surplus tents, which had served as the original terminal structures, being replaced with Army Surplus pre-fabricated concrete buildings. The first permanent terminal building would not open until 1955.

As the family went through customs, Chassity found herself face to face with the young Frenchman’s mother. As the two women’s eyes met, Chassity in cold and measured terms remarked to the lady, Madam, you had better keep that little jerk son of yours away from my daughter or he is going to be eligible to become the Palace Eunuch.

With that said, she simply turned her back on the lady. George looked at Chassity and he could see fire in her eye. He took her arm and moved her on the opposite side of him. The Frenchman’s wife had moved behind him, leaving George and the gentleman facing one another. George was thirteen inches taller that the Frenchman. Their eyes met, but the gentleman could not meet George’s stare. Neither spoke. The young man was behind his mother and George looked at him. He would not return George’s look.

George said, I do not know what went on, but it is perhaps best that I don’t. I would hate to start our trip in jail. My wife gave your wife some good advice. I suggest you heed it.

Fortunately the French family was cleared to pass through and all three almost ran through the gate.

George looked at Chassity and asked, What went on?

Can we talk about it later, sweetheart. Mary Jo has already taken care of him.

George relented in his quest for information about the incident, although his curiosity was honed to a sharp edge. Because of their agitated state, every inch of the Simmons luggage was looked at. In each boy’s bag they found a homemade sling shot.

The customs agent held it up and asked, What is this?

Before George could answer, John Too said, "That’s a nigger shooter."

George groaned internally, and Margaret and Mary Jo burst into laughter.

George and Chassity both smiled and George explained that it was a form of sling shot. He said, We are country folks and these boys do not go anywhere without their sling shots.

The agent looked at their itinerary and then asked, What use will they have for a sling shot in the city. They will break a window.

We do not plan to stay in the city, George responded. If you will notice, our first destination when we leave London is Dublin, Ireland. My wife’s relatives live on farms near Dublin.

The customs agent’s supervisor had walked over and was listening to the exchange. He asked, Where are you from?

George replied, Clearwater, Mississippi.

The agent got a serious look on his face and said, I have heard of Clearwater.

George replied, surely not. We are a small town of about twenty five hundred people.

The agent continued, I was a civilian employee at an Army base here in England during the war, and there were a couple of guys who were the talk of the base, one black and one white. The black fellow had whipped a bear or something like that.

John Too spoke up and said, That was my Poppa.

The agent’s face lit up. You have to be kidding.

George replied, No, That was Ike Simmons and Ronnie Steagall.

Yes! Those were the two guys. Steagall had tried to rob Ike’s boss and Ike had stopped him and stuffed him in the trunk of a car.

Yep, that was me.

Then you mean that story was true?

Yep. Every word of it.

Glancing at John, the agent asked, Well, what happened to Ike?

George proudly answered, He went on to distinguish himself in battle, had his foot blown off in Italy saving Ronnie Steagall’s life. He came back to Clearwater, worked for me as plant manager of a fertilizer plant and he is now at the University of Chicago working on a degree. He is becoming a minister.

Astonished, the supervisor just looked at the Simmons and said, Amazing, simply amazing. You Yanks do beat all. Come on through, and boys, you can keep your sling shots.

The agent extended his hand and said, Mr. Simmons, I am James Colburn. If I can help you in any way as you travel through our airport, please feel free to call on me.

George introduced Mr. Colburn to all of the family. For some strange reason James Colburn felt as though he had met old friends. Ike’s quiet manner had stuck in his memory and the stories that circulated around the base had pictured Ike as a gentle giant who worked for another giant. Meeting Ike’s son and his legendary boss was a thrill for him that he would relate to almost anyone who would listen for the next two months. He was tremendously impressed with the Simmons women. They were all gracious and beautiful. He had heard Chassity’s remark to the French lady. He really did not like Frenchmen to begin with and he had been cheering Chassity on as she cut the lady down.

All of their VISA’s were stamped with a special code which would make clearing customs easier each place they went. It was an insider’s code known to all customs agents and not generally known by the public.

Once through customs, the hotel had sent two cars and chauffeurs which were waiting for the Simmons. They were Rolls Royce and reserved for dignitaries. The French couple was waiting at the bus stop when George, Chassity, and the family boarded the cars for the fourteen mile trip into London.

Mary Jo was sitting by the window as they pulled away from the curb. As she looked out the window, her eyes met the eyes of the young Frenchman. She was a very compassionate person, and she felt sorry for the young man. Gazing deeply into each others eyes, Mary smiled her guileless smile at him. It was a smile that would haunt him for the rest of his life. It conveyed, I am sorry, if you had conducted yourself with more civility we might have been friends. Every woman he met after that incident was measured against the young American girl who had cut him down. None ever met his standard.

The French lady looked at her husband and asked, Just who in the world were those people?

His answer was, I don’t know, but I hope I never see them again.

This was a feeling not shared by his son.

Mary Jo and Margaret were in one car along with George Paul and John. George and Chassity were in the second car. Chassity finally had an opportunity to tell George what had transpired between Mary Jo and the young Frenchman.

George responded, I wonder why he went after Mary Jo rather than Margaret?

Chassity replied, Well, you know Mary Jo is more full figured than Margaret and you know those Frenchmen.

George looked shocked for a moment just staring at Chassity. He replied, No, you want to tell me about them?

Chassity blushed and replied, Not really.

She turned and started looking out the window. George burst into laughter. He said, Good old Mary Jo. I do not think we have to worry about her. She can take care of herself.

Chassity turned back to look at George. He was still smiling at her.

She asked, What is so funny?

I was just thinking about what you told the young man’s mother.

Chassity blushed again and replied, Oh that. I meant it, George.

I know you did, Chassity. He knew it too. That is what makes it so funny. Didn’t you see him hiding behind his Mother?

They both laughed and George hugged his wife, loving her more and more all the time. He was glad his girls had her grit and tenacity.

Chassity sat up straight and said, George, can you believe that we ran into someone this far away from home that knew Ike and Ronnie Steagall. That is amazing. I wonder just what the odds are of that happening?

This is amazing. I can’t wait to tell Ike.

*     *     *

The old hotel manager was present to meet George and Chassity. He had aged tremendously, but this was only natural since he was approaching ninety. He was thrilled to see the Simmons and his first question was, How is that beautiful mother of yours?

George replied, She is great and has asked us to tell you hello and for Chassity to give you a hug.

His face lit up and he hugged Chassity. He was still animated and his brow although already wrinkled, seemed to erupt into little folds as he laughed, which was most of the time. Chassity reached up and kissed him on the cheek.

He laughed and said, Aw Lassie, I won’t wash my face for a month.

His statement brought a hearty laugh from everyone. George introduced the manager to his family. Mr. Cottrell made a fuss over the girls. He told them they were beautiful just like their mother. As they were introduced he took their hand and looked deeply into their eyes. Although age had taken its toll on his body, his eyes were still clear and bright and had not lost their twinkle.

Mr. Cottrell was just as affectionate with the boys as he was with the girls. He told George Paul that he looked like his grandfather. He went on to tell him what a good man Mr. Alex was. George Paul was a perfect gentleman as he was introduced to Mr. Cottrell. John Too emulated George Paul and also received royal treatment from the old manager. There was not even a hint that he had realized that John was black.

Mr. Cottrell relayed to George that he was preparing a meal for the family in the dignitary’s dining room. George thanked him profusely and invited him to join them for the meal. He readily accepted the invitation.

Mr. Cottrell went on to explain, I knew you would be tired from your long trip, so I took the liberty of preparing the meal for you.

Chassity hugged him again and said, Mr. Cottrell, you are so thoughtful. You are going to spoil us and have us thinking that we are somebody.

Aw Lassie, you are somebody, he exclaimed and then his boisterous laugh.

He summoned several valets and had them show the family to their suite of rooms. They had arrived at the Hotel at six fifty. Mr. Cottrell asked them if they would like to eat about eight. George assured him that would be great. This gave them an hour to freshen and get ready for dinner. He told them if they had anything that needed pressing, to please collect it and he would have that taken care of. He said, I will have a rack just outside your door. Just hang it on the rack and it will be pressed and returned.

With that he bade them goodbye and had them shown to their rooms.

Chassity was worn out. The stress of the trip had taken its toll on her. She collected their clothes to be pressed and then told George she was going to lie down for 30 minutes and for him to wake her if she fell asleep. She was asleep almost before her head hit the pillow. Thirty minutes later, George gently shook her and she awakened very disoriented. When she got up and started dressing she was amazed at the effect of the nap. She was almost back to her normal energetic self, barking orders to the children and bossing George. Mama was in charge again.

Dinner in the dignitary’s dining room was pleasant. George sensed that Mr. Cottrell was a wealth of information about World War II, so he began to quiz him. During the course of the meal, the family learned that the old gentleman had met all of the world leaders during the war except Emperor Hirohito, the Japanese leader. When he began talking about the war and the world leaders, he went into overdrive. George realized that what he had to say was priceless for the children. He knew that this first hand view of history was better than any course they would ever take in school, either high school or college, so he kept leading Mr. Cottrell on. They got a first hand insightful view of Chamberlain, Churchill, Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, Roosevelt, Eisenhower, McArthur, and Montgomery. Mr. Cottrell had served them all.

He gave a chilling view of Hitler. As he spoke you could still feel a sense of fear that had griped his heart when he met Hitler.

He said, There was a presence about Hitler that I have felt with no other man. I knew at all times where he was in the hotel without even seeing him. I believe in my heart that he was slated to be the Antichrist if good men had not stopped him. Even then, a chill seemed to fall on the room as the old man spoke. He went on to say, Over the years, I have come to believe that every generation has a potential Antichrist. The end will come when good men fail to shoulder responsibility and stop him."

These words would ring in George’s ears for years to come. He was rethinking his decision not to seek public office. George hated for the session with Mr. Cottrell to end, but at eleven o’clock the party ended with the entire family thanking the old gentleman for his insightful view of history. They had all sat mesmerized as he expounded on the characteristics of each of the leaders.

Of all of the people Mr. Cottrell had met, Churchill was his favorite, followed by Dwight Eisenhower. He had given a dissertation of how Winston Churchill had inspired the British to rally and defend their nation or Hitler and his forces would have destroyed the United Kingdom. The old fellow’s eyes misted as he spoke of Churchill.

It was an inspiring evening and one of those life’s extras that just happen along when most unexpected. George had always liked Mr. Cottrell, but he had a new appreciation for him and his insight into the historical aspects of the war. He pointed out very vividly how the German Industrialists were instrumental in Hitler’s rise to power, and that he would not have been successful in engulfing Germany in the Nazi Party without their help. He was especially critical of the Krup family and their role in the war and Hitler’s rise to power. It was very evident that he had little love for the German people and was not anxious to see Germany rebuilt. He had lived through two world wars and fought in the first. Both were started by Germany.

The evening ended with each person thanking Mr. Cottrell for the evening. They all felt as though they had just attended a grand performance, which was true, except it was totally impromptu. It occurred because George had sensed a wealth of information and stimulated the discussions. Mr. Cottrell was most apologetic for monopolizing the conversation. George assured him that his conversation was well received and had been invited. He walked the family to their rooms, excused himself and left.

At that moment, each person felt a crushing fatigue; they quickly dressed for bed and each fell asleep almost immediately when they lay down. Everyone slept soundly until the morning activities in the hotel awakened them. The boys had to be called, but they awakened with an explosion.

The first thing John asked was, Mr. George, are we gonna get to see that big clock.

John had read about Big Ben in a book, and that was the one thing in London that he wanted to see. George assured him that he would get to see the clock. The girls had trouble awaking. The previous day had drained them physically and emotionally. Mary Jo dreamed about the young Frenchman and she was afraid someone would read her thoughts. Margaret did and this embarrassed her. Chassity knew her girls and she kept looking at Mary. This did not help. At George’s insistence they finally got dressed and George suggested they walk down the street to a little pub to have breakfast.

The kids were all amazed that people brought their dogs into the pub and that the dogs slept under the table while their owners ate. George Paul and John thought this was one of the neatest things they had ever seen. The girls were not quite as impressed.

The waitress was a young lady about twenty five. She quickly recognized the family as American. Her curiosity finally overcame her and she asked them where they were from.

George answered, We are from the center of the world. We are from Clearwater, Mississippi.

She looked surprised and answered, Oh, the center of the world?

George answered, Yes, you can leave Clearwater and go anywhere in the world.

She looked puzzled and said, Really?

He answered, Yep. Anywhere in the world. See, we are here in London this morning. We were in America yesterday morning.

The humor in George’s statement finally hit her and she lit up and began to laugh."

She said, I met lots of Yanks during the war, but I never met one from Clearwater.

George replied, Well, I am surprised. Clearwater boys generally locate pretty young ladies.

The girl blushed at George’s compliment.

Chassity spoke up and remarked, And they all like to flirt.

Margaret and Mary Jo both laughed and Mary commented, Score one for Mama.

George Paul came to his daddy’s rescue and said, Will y’all stop it and order me some breakfast. I am hungry.

George answered, Well, you boys can read, so you order for yourself.

They did, and they didn’t go away hungry.

The food was very good. This was a little back street pub that Alex found years earlier. It had survived the German Blitz and incendiary bombing which were carried out by the Germans to try to intimidate and demoralize the people of England. It had not worked and only cemented their resolve to win the war. The breakfast was a very pleasant affair and a good beginning for their trip. As usual with George, when they left the pub, the waitress was like an old friend and had pocketed a huge tip. She remembered this pleasant and apparently happy family for the rest of her life. She had heard about prejudice in the United States, especially in the south, and always wondered about the little black boy dressed as a twin of the little white boy and seemingly one