Heroes Don't Cry

By Bob Harris

Two young people stand on a new and strange island. While one is more vocal about it, both Ambrose and Alex are deeply affected by the death of their father. Alex finds herself burdened by her memories while Ambrose thinks he is burdened by unhelpful friends. Others join them as these two siblings search for a way home at the risk of losing themselves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9781524557072

Bob Harris

Bob Harris has had a diverse career as a stand-up comedian, TV and radio personality, magazine columnist, voiceover performer, TV writer, and political activist. He has appeared on Jeopardy! thirteen times, winning $170,000 in cash and prizes, staging some of the most memorable upsets and collapses in the show's history. His first book, Prisoner of Trebekistan (Crown, 2006), chronicling his Jeopardy! experience, was widely praised, as was his second, Who Hates Whom (Three Rivers, 2007), which catalogued sectarian and factional animosity around the world. He holds an honors degree in electrical engineering and applied physics from Case Western Reserve University. Bob lives in Los Angeles.

Book preview

Chapter 1

What They Lost

It was the last week of May. The snow in Bath, Maine had melted and the minds of the children turned to thoughts of Summer. Among these children were Ambrose and Alex Lawson, siblings well liked by their classmates at Morse High School. Ambrose was the elder sibling, though only by one year. He stood at 5'6 with short, brown hair and blue eyes which were often a topic of discussion by some of his female classmates. Alex, however, was 5'4 with long hair slightly darker than her brother’s and eyes an even brighter shade of blue. While Ambrose had risen to popularity in the school with his repetitive success on the school’s track team, Alex’s only after school activity was studying. Alex had a small but loyal circle of friends, while everyone at Morse knew Ambrose’s name.

Ambrose sat in his desk at school as he spoke with his friend Charlie in the desk next to him, totally ignoring his teacher. Charlie was on the track team with Ambrose and had been his best friend for all four years of high school. What do you plan on doing this Summer? asked Charlie.

I don’t know, answered Ambrose as he leaned back in his chair. I’m looking forward to getting out of here though. This graduation is going to kickstart the rest of my life! Without the teachers or the coach telling me what to do, I can finally take charge of myself. Should be nice finally being my own man.

An interesting idea, said Mr. Thompson, their teacher, from behind Ambrose. Ambrose was so surprised by Mr. Thompson that he and his chair fell to the floor. As the rest of the class laughed at Ambrose, Mr. Thompson walked back towards his desk at the front of the room and continued speaking. If I might make a suggestion though, you two should probably figure out what you’ll be doing in the fall before you make plans to enjoy the summer.

Oh, I already have plans for the fall, answered Charlie, the braces in his teeth shining as he smiled. I’m spending Thanksgiving at my aunt’s house in Wisconsin! She’s got this huge house there with a trampoline bigger than my mom’s car, and she always makes the best food.

Mr. Thompson let out a heavy, all too common sigh as he pulled the world map down from its place above the blackboard. I meant plans for college, said Mr. Thompson. I’d hoped that you boys would show a little more interest in continuing your education. Maybe put your athleticism to good use and get yourselves some scholarships.

But I did! insisted Charlie sounding both a little defensive and defeated. I’m going to school in Wisconsin and staying with my aunt to save money.

Well this is certainly a surprise to me! said Mr. Thompson as he straightened his glasses and turned towards Ambrose who had returned to his chair. What about you Mr. Lawson?

Police Academy, answered Ambrose confidently. His classmates groaned a little after hearing his answer.

Ambrose’s father was a police officer in Bath and Ambrose had talked about following in his footsteps since the first grade. Well that’s very reassuring, said Mr. Thompson. I was worried that my students were going to waste their lives away on frivolous leisure.

Oh we’re doing that too, said Charlie. It’s just a lot easier to do that with a good paying job, and you need a diploma for one of those.

A clever retort, Charlie, said Mr. Thompson. If only your feet were so quick. We might have been champions this year. The class laughed again as Charlie sank in his chair and Mr. Thompson returned to teaching.

Perhaps now we can return to our study of 16th century England. Mr. Thompson lifted his pointer and directed the class’s attention to the small gray spot between England and North America. This, as you all should know by now, is the great storm known as Kataigida. Who can tell me the name of the only explorer to have successfully navigated this storm?

Sir Henry Robyn, answered Ambrose.

Correct, said Mr. Thompson as he continued his lecture. In the year 1553, Sir Henry Robyn, captain of The Wyvern, successfully sailed through the legendary Kataigida storm which has raged ceaselessly since it was first discovered by the ancient Greeks. Amazingly, this massive storm has remained in the same place throughout all of history. Hundreds of would-be explorers attempted to reach the eye of the storm, but only Sir Henry successfully managed to sail directly through the storm.

Nobody else ever tried to sail through it? asked Ambrose. The story of Sir Henry’s voyage had always perplexed him.

Most of Sir Henry’s colleagues lost interest in the prospect of exploring the storm after hearing that he had sailed straight through it without finding any land, answered Mr. Thompson. Some others tried it, I’m sure, when our modes of transportation evolved. The absence of their names from our history books, however, suggests that they failed to find anything of note or perhaps to even return.

Then why doesn’t anybody try it anymore? continued Ambrose. Mr. Thompson looked sternly at Ambrose. He was happy to see his student so curious, but he wished he would follow procedure and raise his hand before blurting out his questions. Satellite images show no signs of anything interesting in the storm, answered Mr. Thompson. Even with all of our advances in technology, nobody knows what’s causing the storm or why it’s never moved.

The final bell rang and Mr. Thompson’s students rushed out of his room. Don’t forget to study, urged Mr. Thompson as he watched his students leave all too eagerly. The school year isn’t over yet!

Ambrose walked towards the front doors of the school while Charlie hurried in the other direction towards his locker. As Ambrose walked out of school, almost half of the students and faculty he passed waved to him. It’s not so bad to be the biggest frog in the pond, he thought to himself as he walked out of school and towards his family’s apartment. His sister Alex joined him just as he was about to close the school door behind him. The two got along well enough, though they talked to each other much more before Ambrose started high school.

With Ambrose’s head in the clouds and Alex’s eyes planted firmly on the ground in front of her, the two siblings continued their short journey home until blaring sirens caught their attention. The siblings turned towards the street and watched as an ambulance hurried past them. I’ll bet Dad’s already cleaned up whatever mess they’re headed to, said Ambrose confidently.

The hospital’s that way too, said Alex as she turned back towards her brother and smiled. Maybe Dad’s in there making sure they’re okay.

Their father would, more often than not, ride in the ambulance with the injured people in the ambulance to make sure they were alright even when that injured person was a criminal he had subdued. As the siblings resumed their walk, they were stopped again when they saw the pillar of smoke erupting from just a block away. Either way, said Ambrose as he began walking again, it doesn’t look like Dad will be home for a while.

The siblings walked a short distance further before reaching their apartment building. After climbing the stairway to the second floor, Ambrose unlocked the door and dropped his school bag to the floor of the apartment. With a loud sigh of relief Ambrose sat on the sofa and lifted his feet onto the coffee table. While he was not reluctant to go to school each day, he always loved returning to this apartment.

Alex walked across the apartment and placed her school bag on a hook in her room before walking past her brother again to enter the kitchen. Alex opened the refrigerator and scanned its contents while Ambrose switched on the television. The siblings were well aware that their home was small and dreary compared to other people’s homes, but this home had always been theirs and it had always been what they needed.

Half an hour passed as the siblings settled into their usual spots. Ambrose had planted himself firmly in front of the television while Alex studied at the desk in her room. A weak beam of sunlight streamed through the curtains and came to rest on the black card table which stood near Ambrose in the living room. Ambrose’s father would play cards with his friends from work every Thursday night, with the exception of the occasional holiday or late shift.

The games were always friendly, in no small part because none of the friends had enough money to gamble with. Ambrose stood on the carpeted floor and stretched his arms. As he walked towards the kitchen, a tremendous pounding erupted from the doorway and a panicked voice could be heard from the other side. Ambrose! Alex! Open the door! it cried. The voice was familiar to Ambrose, so he answered it quickly.

It was Sam. He was an officer who worked closely with Ambrose’s father and he was very much out of breath. You two need to come with me now! Sam said between gasps of air. There’s been an accident.

Alex poked her head out through her bedroom door as Ambrose returned to the couch and picked up his shoes. Are we meeting Dad at the hospital again? asked Ambrose. Ambrose and Alex would often meet their father at the hospital when the people he escorted were struggling or had died. Officer Lawson had a habit of staying late at the hospital when these things happened. He would become depressed for a while when he failed to save someone, but his children always returned him to his jovial self.

Your dad was the first responder to the fire! said Sam as he finally caught his breath. In his panic, he had run the whole way to the apartment leaving his car and partner behind. Something went wrong and he’s in bad shape. You two should be there.

Ambrose and Alex quickly ran past Sam and down to the parking lot. Just as they reached the bottom of the stairs, a police car pulled in front of them with its lights flashing and siren blaring. The driver was Tim, Sam’s partner and a man of few words. The siblings climbed into the back of the car as Sam took the passenger’s seat. I knew I forgot something, said Sam as he fastened his seatbelt, hoping to lighten the mood. Tim simply sped forward. This was clearly no time for jokes. Alex looked toward her feet as her worry began to form tears in her eyes.

Ambrose simply stared forward, only the slightest hint of doubt in his mind. Dad’s a hero, thought Ambrose. His father was no stranger to injury, even on the job. This time should be no different. There’s nothing he can’t do.

Your dad rushed into the fire at Josy’s, explained Sam as the police car continued toward the hospital. He and one of the cooks are injured, but that’s all I heard before I ran to get you two. The siblings remained silent. Neither even turned to look at Sam as he spoke. It’s too bad, continued Sam. Josy just got herself that huge new fryer. Might’ve finally put her diner on the map.

Largest in the world, said Ambrose finally waking from his daze.

Yeah I heard that, said Sam. Of course, it’s probably too late for those record people to measure it now. Josy’s Diner had been a part of Bath only a little longer than Officer Lawson and his family. Ambrose could still remember him and his sister begging to eat at Josy’s when they were younger. Their mother had worked there, so dinner at Josy’s was a chance to eat good food and see their mother.

Ambrose found himself smiling slightly as he remembered those days. Josy was already an old woman by the time the Lawsons had moved into town, but Ambrose could still remember how she’d draw on the placemats with him while his mother worked and let his mother take breaks to join them when business was slow. Josy’s Diner was where all of the family’s birthday cakes were made and sometimes where the party was too. Ambrose was fourteen years old when his mother died. It had nearly been 4 years since then, but riding in a police car to visit a parent at the hospital was all too familiar an experience. The siblings couldn’t help but remember.

It was a surprisingly chilly night in August. With both parents at work, Ambrose and Alex were under the care of Laura. She was a college student only eight years older than Ambrose. She was just a babysitter when the Lawson’s met her, but she got along so well with the family that she became a regular guest even after the children grew old enough to watch themselves. She would often help Ambrose and Alex study for school while she herself would study to become a police officer. Mr. Lawson was happy to share his experiences with her and his children would always gather nearby to hear their father’s stories again. Alex studied in her room with Laura’s help while Ambrose sat on his couch and played on his video game console. His parents had bought it for him years earlier after saving for almost a year. He had gotten it as a present on his ninth birthday after crying to his parents for months over not having it. Most of the other children in school had one and Ambrose felt left out.

It was around nine o’clock at night. It was normal for their father to work later now, but Alex was worried about her mother. She should have been home hours ago. Laura helped her to study to keep her occupied. Alex was a shy girl even then, but she genuinely enjoyed studying. The phone in the kitchen rang. With the siblings otherwise occupied, Laura got up from her seat in Alex’s room and answered the phone. Hi Sweetheart! she said as she answered the phone and twirled the cord with her finger. Laura couldn’t afford a cell phone yet, so her boyfriend Sam would often call the Lawson’s apartment to speak with her. Oh. said Laura nearly dropping the phone with surprise.

Hello Officer Lawson! M-Mister. Lawson! Sir! Laura scrambled to get over her embarrassment. What? Oh. They’re perfectly fine, but Ambrose still has some reading to catch up on before school starts. Ambrose could feel Laura’s eyes on him without even turning to look at her. He meant to read more of the book he was assigned, but he thought his book was too boring to read more than a few pages at a time. Ambrose cared little for the love life of a twentieth century millionaire.

By the way, continued Laura. Have you heard from- Laura was cut of by Mr. Lawson. WHAT?!? When? Both siblings now looked at Laura, surprised by her shout. Of course! said Laura quickly as she patted her pockets in search of her key. I have my mom’s van. I can be there in-. What? Ok. We’ll be right out.

Laura hung up the phone and turned back towards Alex and Ambrose. Her face was pale and her eyes were wide. We have to meet your dad outside. she said. Get ready as fast as you can.

What’s going on? asked Alex from just outside her room.

Your mother’s been hurt.

Ambrose dropped his controller and sprang to his feet. The siblings and Laura quickly ran outside and saw Officer Lawson’s car screech to a stop at the base of the stairwell. With the siren blaring the whole way, they quickly reached the hospital and ran to the elevator.

The minute on the elevator felt like an hour. Ambrose looked to his father and saw a kind of worry he had never seen from him before. When the elevator doors finally opened, the group spilled out only to be stopped short by one of the doctors. I know it’s past visiting hours, said Officer Lawson. But she’s my wife! Please!

The doctor sighed heavily before answering. I’m afraid that isn’t the problem, said the doctor, looking towards Ambrose and Alex.

Then what is the problem? asked Officer Lawson. He followed the doctor’s gaze and understood his meaning. Officer Lawson shut his eyes and put all of his focus into his next words. Please. There’s nobody in the world she’d rather have around her now. The doctor silently stepped aside, allowing the family and Laura to pass. Officer Lawson led them down the hallway to Mrs. Lawson’s room and was the first to enter with Laura just behind him.

Ambrose and Alex could hardly see past these people who had stopped at the doorway to the silent hospital room. Laura tried to block the siblings while Officer Lawson stepped slowly towards his wife. It’s alright Laura, he said as he pulled his wife’s blanket a little higher. Let them say goodbye.

Laura let the siblings enter and watched as they walked slowly towards their mother. Alex fell to the floor in tears while Ambrose struggled to hold his tears back. Laura wrapped her arms around Alex and cried with her, but Officer Lawson stood silently beside his wife’s bed. Ambrose thought of this moment often and wished he could have been more like his father. Even in the face of this disaster, he stayed strong and refused to cry.

The apartment was darker for the next year, thought Ambrose as he sat in the back of Tim’s car. Most days, the only sound he heard was his sister sobbing in her room. Officer Lawson took more night shifts at work and eventually turned to coffee to keep up with everything.

As they finally reached the hospital, Ambrose and Alex got out to see Laura waiting for them at the door. She quickly ran to Alex and hugged her tightly as Tim and Sam got out of the car. Hey Sweetheart, said Sam to Laura, his wife. How is he?

Laura said nothing, but the tears on her face made Alex go limp in her arms. The kid he saved is going to be alright, answered Laura, struggling to form the rest of her words. Ambrose tried to walk into the hospital, but stopped as soon as he heard Laura speak to him.

It was a grease fire, she said as she began to sob. Ambrose froze. You won’t want to remember him like that. Alex shrieked as she fell towards the ground. Her cries echoed through the town as well as the hearts of all who heard. Ambrose stared in disbelief. His hero, his father, was dead.

Chapter 2

Saying Goodbye

Three days had passed since their father had died. Alex had spent almost the entire weekend crying in her room. Ambrose, however, had been silent. Their phone would ring nearly ten times an hour. The callers were most likely people wanting to send their condolences, but Ambrose would never know. He never picked up. Between his ringing phone and his sobbing sister, he had gotten little sleep. He now stood in what had been his father’s room searching for a tie to wear. The room was nearly empty. Officer Lawson had donated most of his wife’s possessions to charity and he had only a few items of his own.

The mayor had arranged a funeral service for Officer Lawson, and Ambrose knew he could expect to see a lot of people. He had spent most of his morning trying to make sure he looked his best, but even in his father’s suit Ambrose felt weak. There’s no reason to cry. Ambrose thought as he straightened his tie. "Dad did his job. He was strong. Now it’s my turn. Ambrose walked out of his father’s room and stood outside of his sister’s. He was sure that her crying could be heard even outside of their apartment.

Ambrose knocked on his sister’s door. No real answer came, but Alex’s sobs seemed to quiet and Ambrose took this as a sign to enter. Alex sat on her bed in a dress Laura had let her borrow. It was a little too long, but her mother’s shoes kept the dress from dragging. Officer Lawson’s funeral was in just an hour. Only three days after losing their father, Ambrose and Alex would have to say goodbye to him again in front of the whole town.

Ambrose said nothing, but Alex knew what he meant to say. She could not sit and cry in her room forever. She felt a little embarrassed over how much crying she had done, but she missed her father. Alex whimpered quietly as she followed her silent brother out of their apartment. They walked down to the parking lot and entered the limo that the mayor had sent for them. Sam had offered them a ride in his car, but the Chief of Police wanted to see him before the funeral. The ride to the church was silent, aside from an occasional sob from Alex. Although the church was a fair distance from their apartment, the Lawsons had gone there every Sunday morning. Officer Lawson had never been a very religious man, but his wife had loved going and he knew that she would want her children to go too.

When they reached their destination, Ambrose got out of the limo and looked at the church. It had been remodeled recently, and reporters stood on the newly planted grass. Luckily, the reporters and their crews were too busy to recognize Ambrose and Alex. They had nothing to say to anyone today. Taking his sister by the hand, Ambrose led her through the large doors and into the church. Sam and Laura stood just inside and quickly closed the doors behind the siblings.

Lucky they didn’t see you, said Laura as she hugged the siblings. Why are there so many?

Has to be the mayor, answered Sam. He’s been wanting to show of ‘his’ new church for a while, and now he has the perfect chance to do it. Laura shot Sam a look as he saw Ambrose and Alex focused squarely on the ground at their feet. Right, said Sam with a sigh. Not now.

Ambrose escaped Laura’s embrace and began walking further into the church. He found Tim’s hand on his shoulder before he got very far. I’m sorry, said Tim, but Ambrose did not turn to face him. Tim’s words had always been few and well chosen, but Ambrose hardly heard them. He simply pulled himself forward and kept walking.

This funeral still felt wrong somehow. Ambrose could not understand how someone as strong and reliable as his father could die so suddenly. He could see almost all of Morse High School was in attendance as he marched towards the front of the church. It made sense that they would be here, but Ambrose only felt embarrassed. He focused on avoiding eye contact, but Charlie got up from his seat and stood in front of Ambrose blocking his path. Charlie tried to look into his friend’s eyes, but they continued to look elsewhere. Somehow, Charlie’s friend felt distant now even with Charlie’s hands placed squarely on Ambrose’s shoulders.

I don’t know what to say, said Charlie.

Then don’t say anything, said Ambrose coldly as he pulled himself away. Charlie thought to follow, but he could feel that Ambrose should not be pressured right now.

Ambrose finally reached the seat that had been reserved for him in the front row of the church. He could only manage to look at his father’s closed coffin for a moment before he had to turn his eyes away. As he looked at the ground, Ambrose felt as though the entire town was behind him, quietly watching for what he would do. He was so focused on this thought that he did not notice Alex, Sam, and Laura had joined him in the front row. Laura still had one arm around Alex, but Sam was looking behind them at the rest of the church.

I haven’t seen him yet, but I’m sure he’s here, said Sam as he continued to scan the room. He’s probably outside talking to all those reporters.

It doesn’t matter, said Ambrose. He was much too tired to care who was here or what they were doing. Ambrose came to see his father put to rest. If the mayor wanted to be seen mourning him, so be it.

The service was meant to be short. Officer Lawson had wanted it that way. He had always been a man of simple desires. A few friends, Sam and Laura included, got in front of the crowd to talk about the friend they had lost. The last to speak, however, was the mayor. Officer Lawson had only ever complained about this rotund, narcissistic old man. Ambrose had heard of and seen worse leaders on the news, but the mayor of Bath certainly never made life any easier for people