Return to Donny’s Bluff

By Dale McMillan

Young John Holtz returns to Donny’s Bluff to continue what he had begun the prior year. His sawmill was up and running, but he was running out of raw materials. With the help of his new friend and adopted father, Jim Byrne, John expands to a full-blown furniture factory after discovering another drug ring in town. John’s involvement in the town improves the lives of many he comes in contact with but proves to be disaster for those who are users of people and who are mean-spirited. Follow the exploits of John Holtz as he becomes entwined in the lives of the people he has learned to love in Donny’s Bluff.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 17, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984559548

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.

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Copyright © 2018 by Dale McMillan.

ISBN:            Hardcover                978-1-9845-5952-4

                     Softcover                  978-1-9845-5953-1

                     eBook                         978-1-9845-5954-8

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.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Rev. date: 10/16/2018

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CONTENTS

Prologue: Return to Donny’s Bluff

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Dedicated to

the memory of my parents, Douglas and Lela McMillan

They taught me diligence and perseverance

PROLOGUE

Return to Donny’s Bluff

John Holtz very early years were years of loneliness. Born to wealthy parents who did not want him, he grew up very much alone in his room being showered with every form of entertainment one could imagine; but no parental love. This could have been a prescription for disaster, but his sister, Nancy discovered his plight when he was about 3 ½ years old and she intervened. When John was about 4 years old, Nancy discovered that he had taught himself to read by using a book about birds that she had purchased for him. She had gone through the book with him and read all the scientific and common names for the birds pictured in the book. He had memorized the names, and from the letter sounds of the bird name and a simple ABC tape, he taught himself to read and he could even sound out words he did not know.

Nancy arranged for an Au Pair from Germany to come serve as John’s tutor/caregiver and friend. It was a grand move for both. Gretchen Himmler, the Au Pair became not only a caregiver for this young lad, but she soon became engulfed into the life of both John and his sister Nancy after John’s mother took her own life.

After his mother’s death, Nancy took over the custody of John from his wealthy but, alcoholic, avarice father. Because of her husband’s infidelity, John’s mother left behind a will, which left all of her community property to her three children, thus John became a very wealthy young man at the age of 5.

John and his sister Nancy became entwined into the lives of a family in the Great Smoky Mountains near the small town, Donnys Bluff, North Carolina at the time Nancy was doing research for a PhD thesis on Appalachian Folklore. John used some of his funds to purchase a saw mill, which provided the livelihood for this family. During their research they discovered that this family, which included a great grandmother who was 100 years old, a grandmother in her mid-seventies, and a family with two teenage kids, was living semi illegally inside the Smoky Mountain National Park. Through a little creative maneuvering their property was never purchased when the park was established. The family had somehow eluded officials each time they came to take over the property when the park was established in 1934 until it was somehow lost in the shuffle. The Byrne family continued to receive tax statements and continued to pay taxes on the property. John begins working to resolve that issue before they are discovered and evicted. As with most of John’s endeavors he was successful and the family had free access to their property after receiving a quarter of one million dollars for the property.

With some brilliant maneuvering, John Holtz enticed the Park service to pay the Byrnes for their property, hire the family to demonstrate pioneer living and allow the family to continue to live in the park as long as they chose to do so. John locked in the right for the Grandmother and great grandmother, who was somewhere around 100 years old, to live out their lives in the only home they had ever known. One point was made very clear in the negotiations; the Byrnes had free access and burial right to the family cemetery.

John had to argue the case before congress, but he was brilliant in his presentation and he along with Dr. Culverson, the director of the Parks and Wildlife Department, succeeded in their endeavor.

John finished high school just before his 12th birthday. He intended to enroll in MIT at age 12, but the administration would not agree to this until he spent a year in community college. That proved to be no problem, since his knowledge, computer skills and pure intellect catapulted him to the forefront. He completed 15 semester hours the first term and the school allowed him to take 21 hours the second semester, since he had a straight A average. He entered MIT at age 13 with 36 semester hours already credited to his degree program. John finally settled on a Bio Engineering major. His focus will be Stem Cell Research.

John was learning one very important trait that demonstrated a high degree of maturity even at 12 years old. He was learning when to let something pass and to pick his battles. He was a compassionate young man and often took up the fight of the oppressed and the underdog. He never lost when he picked a fight.

Gretchen Himmler, the Au Pair who came to the US from Germany and served as John’s playmate, tutor, and friend since John was five years old lived with John, his sister Nancy and her husband Glen Koch and attended Boston University. She graduated with a degree in Mathematics as John finished his year of community college. She and John each entered MIT with John pursuing a degree in Bio Engineering and Gretchen to work toward a doctorate in Mathematics.

John’s sister Nancy was diligently working on her PhD at Harvard after taking time out to give birth to Mary Teresa. John was like a mother hen to his new niece. he was one of those high energy people who required little sleep. He was often up late at night and he would care for Little Mary when she awakened for a bottle at night. He learned to change her; he would then rock her and sing to her and put her back to sleep. Nancy was often chagrinned that she had slept through those nighttime feedings.

Although John had intended to back out of the management of the saw mill operation, he continued to be more deeply involved in the mill management in Donny’s Bluff than he had intended. Jim Byrne’s managerial skills were growing by leaps and bounds and a young man, Chester Duke, that John and Jim Byrne hired, was also developing into a visionary addition to the mill operation.

John insisted that Chester start some form of college training and he had found a Forrest Management Technology program at Haywood Community College that he encouraged Chester to pursue. Offering to pay his tuition and allow him to work part time at the mill while in the program was a great incentive that Chester could not refuse. Chester placed John very close to the status of the Lord, thus he did not refuse to take advantage of John’s offer. This proved to be a good fit for Chester, but it did delay his marriage to Linda Henike for almost a year.

CHAPTER 1

John Holtz entered community College at twelve years old. He had applied to MIT but he was turned down because of his age. He had maxed out on both the SAT and ACT, but MIT did not think he was mature enough to enter college at this early age. His brother-in-law, Glen Koch, who was a Computer Science professor at the school, did not agree with the administration’s decision, but he was not yet a tenured professor, thus he carried little weight with the administration.

John was a high energy, dynamic young man with a very high IQ. He lived in a home with his sister who was working on a PhD in English at Harvard, her husband Glen Koch an MIT professor, and Gretchen Himmler, a former Au Pair from Germany who came to the US to care for John when he was five years old. Mary Teresa, Nancy and Glen’s daughter had recently joined this family. Gretchen, John and his sister Nancy were as close as any brothers and sisters could be. Gretchen was now working on her PhD in Mathematics at MIT.

After his first year in community college, no one could deny that he was capable of college work, especially after the university learned that he was also directing the expansion of a new business, which was thriving in the little town of Donny’s Bluff, North Carolina. John purchased a saw mill because his new friend, Jim Byrne needed the mill to run to provide for his family. He had become more involved in the mill than he had first intended. John decided that the mill could not reach its full potential; simply as a saw mill. His expansion program had already included a laser guide on the saw carriage, a kiln to dry the lumber and air conditioned and humidity controlled dry storage building for high grade specialty lumber. He was exploring many different avenues, which would steer the direction the mill would take. John decided early on that he would concentrate on quality rather than quantity. He encouraged everyone at the mill to embrace that philosophy and the individuals supplying logs soon learned that Byrne Mill would pay a premium for quality hardwood. This opened other venues for purchasing raw materials. Raw material suppliers could afford to venture further from Donnys Bluff to find good product because of the premium prices for quality logs.

Glen Koch, John’s brother-in-law, was finally able to secure an interview for John with the dean of the Bio Engineering Department at MIT and after only a few minutes with John Holts the dean saw a genius of highest order. He was not aware at that point that John was conversant in six different languages and the number was still growing.

John made several trips to Donny’s bluff over the course of the school year. During the summer before he started to MIT his view of direction he intended for the mill begins to gel in his mind. He was finally able to sell the idea to Jim Byrne.

Jim Byrne’s managerial skills were beginning to surface. This fact was revealed in an email note that John received from Jim’s daughter, Mattie.

The note stated,

Dear John,

Daddy asked me to write to you and tell you that we have had a problem at the mill. He hired a young man to work and shortly after he started daddy began noticing that this young man was a troublemaker. Daddy hated to fire him because he was smart and a good worker except for his attitude and his family is struggling right now. His dad is off work from surgery.

Daddy and Chester Duke have become good friends and daddy discussed this young man with Chester. Chester suggested that Daddy take him behind the office and tell him he was going to fire him after he beat the hell out of him if he did not stop causing strife between the men.

Chester also told daddy to tell him If John Holtz comes down here and finds out that you have caused trouble between our crew, you might just disappear and never be heard from again. Folks here think you are awesome, John; me included. They can’t decide if you are devil or angel. I of course know that you are an avenging angel.

"Daddy took care of the matter. The guy wet his pants, but he has straightened out. Daddy thinks he is going to make a good hand, now that he has had an attitude correction.

Mattie wrote a lot more in her note to John. She was in love with him but he her had told her early on that he was in love with Melissa Adams from Mendon, Massachusetts. Melissa had been his salvation when he started to school in 4th grade. John had somehow convinced Mattie that Melissa was not going away.

After the settlement with the parks and Wildlife department, Jim purchased 42 acres across the road about a quarter of a mile from the saw mill. The property included an old house, which could be refurbished to make a very nice home. Jim asked Chester to look at the house and suggest ways to improve it and make it into a comfortable home. Chester’s first suggestion was to tear it down and start over, but Jim would not buy into that. During two summers while he was in high school, Chester worked with a carpenter that built upscale homes in the area around Donnys Bluff. He had seen many new innovations at that time and he made some good suggestions. His suggestions were that Jim simply tear out all the bathroom and kitchen cabinets and replace the cabinets and fixtures. He recommended that Jim have a custom cabinet maker come in, take measurements and have all of the cabinets built in a custom cabinet shop. Mattie included all of that in her letter.

In a phone conversation with Jim, John asked about the refurbishing. Jim indicated that he thought the custom cabinets were too expensive. John unloaded on him.

Pops, (a nickname that Jim and John had agreed upon) Mrs. Byrne has done without long enough. It is time for you to step up to the plate and do something right for her for a change. You have the money and you are going to make more. You refurbish that house and add brick veneer.

Chester had suggested both. Jim had been poor so long that he simply had trouble parting with any of the cash from the settlement for the property inside the park, but he essentially gave Chester free reign to line up a crew to go in and refurbish the home.

John and Chester discussed the project by phone. John instructed, Chet, Jim and all the Byrnes have been looked at as white trash too long. You and I are going to change that image. Mattie and Elroy have discussed how they are looked down upon at school. I imagine you have experienced the same thing. Let’s turn that around. You work on Elroy to help build his self-esteem. I have already started on Mattie.

Chester Duke felt nine feet tall with this encouragement from John. John had looked at him as one capable of helping another. That simple vote of confidence helped Chester more than anything else could ever do to help him break his stuttering nemesis.

Jim Byrne purchased a used Ford F 250 diesel pickup truck to replace his old Dodge. Jim could barely make it around a boulder in the lane to their mountain home. Gertie was looking forward to moving off the mountain. Grandmother Byrne and great grandmother Byrne (Me’Ma) were waffling on making that transition.

At the end of John’s year at community college, John coaxed Gretchen Himmler into accompanying him to Donnys Bluff to see firsthand how his saw mill was progressing. Nancy, his sister was not comfortable with this, because of the confrontation John had with a drug ring on his last trip, but Nancy had decided that John was actually grown and could make his own decisions. She worried that he was not experience enough to make adult decisions, but she had been proven wrong at every turn.

Gretchen was very willing to make the trip with John. A budding romance between her and Jerry Hearne, an ATF agent working out of the Ashville office was somewhat stymied by the distance. Jerry led the team involved in the takedown of a drug ring in Donnys Bluff and it was during this time that he met Gretchen. Their romance had been somewhat in limbo during the school term. Jerry had made one trip to Boston and discovered that he was still very impressed with Gretchen. She felt the same about him, but both were focused on their careers and there was little time for courtship. Jerry’s handling of the drug operation in Donnys Bluff catapulted him up the ladder and he had taken over the job formally held by his boss. His boss had crossed sword with Jerry and lost.

John Holtz temerity still had Jerry buffaloed and that was a thorn in his side. Jerry respected John, but felt inferior in his presence. The relationship between John and Gretchen puzzled him. They seemed to be in tune as though they were thinking with one mind. Since Gretchen came as an Au Pair when John was five years old, and her duties were simply to be a companion to John, they were closer than many sisters and brothers. They shared some of the same mannerisms, used many of the colloquial terms from Boston and New York and shared many of the same interest.

During the school term, John and Gretchen made several trips to Mendon to visit John’s grandparents. Gretchen and Grandmother Hale bonded during a year she and John lived with the Hales when John started to school.

During these visits, John always spent time with Melissa Adams, his girlfriend since fourth grade, which is where John started to school, skipping the first three grades. Although John was 4 years younger than Melissa, he was more mature. She was a sheltered, beautiful little Mennonite girl. John on the other hand was worldly wise, tough minded, and he could stand his ground in any situation. He was tall and appeared much older than his 13 years. Mr. Adams, Melissa’s dad was on pins and needles each time John came to visit.

During John’s last visit, John cornered Mr. Adams and stated rather bluntly, Mr. Adams, you and I need to talk.

Mr. Adams and John took a walk down past a little spring fed branch that flowed through the Adams farm on one of those visits. John opened the conversation, Mr. Adams, I love this stream. It is beautiful, pure and clean, just like your daughter. I hope neither get polluted in any way.

Edward Adams wanted to respond to John, but wisely held back and let John continue, and John went straight to the point of this discussion. Stopping and looking directly into this worried father’s eyes, John stated, "Mr. Adams, I love Melissa. I have since fourth grade. I am terrified that she will lose interest in me and move on to someone more her age. I would be devastated if that happened and I might not ever marry if that were to be the case, but if she does not, I am going to marry her just as soon as I am old enough. I believe she will grow up to be a wonderful woman.

"She is the kind of woman I want as the mother of my children — one who will nurture and love them. That is something I never had except for Nancy and Gretchen. I never knew my mother. Emotionally and spiritually she was already dead when she gave birth to me.

"Now I know that you do not like me ~ Mr. Adams tried to interrupt John at this point, but John put his hand up to stop him and continued ~and I do not blame you for that. Melissa is a wonderful girl. If I were her father, I would feel the same way. I am an unknown to you and you have heard all of the gossip. I’m not Gretchen’s sex slave. Gretchen is a wonderful lady and I hate all of the trash that has been told about us. It is mean spirited and evil.

I want you to know that I would never do anything to dishonor Melissa. I love her, Mr. Adams; can we agree on that.

Mr. Adams stood looking intently into John’s eyes. So very badly, he wanted this young man to go away, but he was just as candid with John as John had been with him. John, I do not dislike you as a person. I must admit that I do not want Melissa to marry you, but that is strictly because of the differences in our belief.

Sir, I am not sure there is that much difference in what we believe about God. I believe that God is the designer and creator of the universe. I also believe that he came into the world as Jesus Christ, so that we might better relate to him. I also believe that in Jesus Christ we find salvation and forgiveness for our breach of God’s laws and his design goal for humanity. Is that terribly different from what you believe?

Edward Adams is set back by John Holtz expression of his faith. He prided himself as being a devout Christian, but thinking critically and considering what he believed, he did not think he could have summed up his core belief better than John did with a couple of statements. Beyond this profound revelation of John’s core Christian view of God’s relation to man, Edward felt that, in reality, little else mattered.

John continued, "I want what is best for Melissa. If at some point, I recognize that I am not right for her, I will back out of her life although a very large part of my heart will die that day. She was my salvation when I started to school here in Mendon. I had no friends, no skills for making friends, and she became my friend in spite of our age difference. The other kids made fun of her for being my friend. Do you have any idea what effect that has on a young, hurting little kid whose life has just been turned upside down?

"My grandfather wanted to love me, at least I think he did, but he did not know how. Grandmother Hale tried to love me, but she could not understand who I was. She was expecting a 6 year old kid, but Mr. Adams, I was born old. Mrs. Graves, my teacher saw it all and Melissa saw me as an equal and not some mutated freak of nature.

How do you see me, Mr. Adams? Is it more than my Catholic faith that bothers you?

Edward Adams was caught totally off guard. Fortunately he was an intelligent man and did not answer immediately, but probed his mind trying to find the answer to this unexpected question. When he finally had his thoughts assembled in some coherent form he blurted out, John, I am afraid of you?

The two stood gazing into each other’s eyes for a few moments before John spoke. He shocked Edward when he did. Smiling, John answered, I’m not flattered, but thank you for an honest answer, Mr. Adams.

John and this disturbed father turned around and started slowly drifting back toward the house. Before they arrived, John stopped again and asked, Mr. Adams, are you going to forbid Melissa to have any contact with me?

Edward did not hesitate to answer this question, No John, I’m not a fool. You would figure out a way to get around that, just like you did with the Harry Potter books.

Smiling John revealed. I figured that you and Mrs. Adams both knew about that.

How did you figure that out? I’m not sure that Martha knows about the books.

Oh, I’ll bet her mother has found them. She is too perceptive and bright not to keep up with what her daughter is doing. How did you find out?

"I kept observing that she kept her nose in those folders and one day when she and her mother were out shopping, I sneaked in and took a look at them.

How did you do that, John?

I have them on my Amazon Kindle. I broke into their code and figured out a way to get them into a format that I could print out. They really are not bad books, Mr. Adams. They are not going to pollute your daughter’s mind. She is smart enough to separate fantasy from the real world.

You are right, John. I bought one of the books and scanned it out in the barn. I kept mine under lock and key.

John and Mr. Edwards each laughed a heartfelt and boisterous laugh. It was the first time that Edward Adams had ever heard John Holtz laugh. When he looked at him he saw a totally different person.

Mr. Edwards, I think it would be a good idea if you and I kept this information as our little secret. It isn’t hurting anything. It must give Melissa a warm feeling to know that her parents love her enough to buck the norm in society to protect her. I still remember when Nancy caught me watching adult movies, chewed me out and put a lock on my computer to block out porn. For the first time ever, I felt there was someone who actually cared and loved me.

This statement by John was a punch in the gut for Edward Adams. He had been totally wrong about John Holtz. He had to admit to himself that he had been so judgmental of this hurting little boy, and like many in Mendon, he had seen him almost as some kind of warlock. He had been happy when the school board blocked John from starting middle school at 7 years old and Nancy had taken him out of the system and placed him in the private school in Boston.

This was the first conversation ever between Melissa Adams’ dad and his potential son-in-law. Melissa was 17 now and a beautiful girl. She has a host of would be suitors chomping at the bits to date her. Several boys from the Mennonite church she attended had asked her out for a movie. She always turned them down.

This fact frustrated the entire congregation and even prompted a visit from Bishop Belier to discuss this matter with the Adams. As far as the Bishop was concerned, it was scandalous for her to be interested in this 13 year old Catholic young man. He made the mistake of including Melissa in a meeting with the Adams and told her flatly that it was sinful to continue to have a relationship with John Holtz.

Calmly Melissa asked, Bishop Belier, have you ever met John?

She knew that Bishop Belier had only been in their congregation for three years. John had been gone from Mendon for two years when he came.

The Bishop stammered, Well no, not personally.

Still, in her quiet sweet manner, she stated rather bluntly, Then you are judging John on hearsay, most of which is probably false and mean spirited. Shame on you Bishop Belier.

She kept a sweet smile on her face as she faced off with the Bishop. He has started to squirm a bit and Melissa does not let up. She had overheard him arrange the time for this visit on Sunday after the worship service and it is now Tuesday evening. She suspected the reason for the visit and she had called John.

Melissa explained to John that Bishop Belier’s 18 year old son, Langston had asked her for a date to attend the senior prom. She had turned him down. Langston was popular with the girls and he saw this as a real affront to his manhood.

After hearing all the facts, John instructed, "Sweetheart, I know that this is against your nature, but you must go for the knockout punch on this one. King Solomon wrote in the book of Ecclesiastes, ‘to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:’ He also said, ‘There is a time to build and a time to tear down. This is probably a time to tear down.This guy is going to hurt your reputation if you are not careful and he is going to use his Dad to do it. You need to stop it here. I don’t want to go to prison.

Poor Melissa was chilled by John’s last statement. She wished that she had not mentioned it to him. She knew he could be hard as nails. John coached her as to how to handle the issue with Bishop Belier and his instruction were brutal.

Still smiling Melissa asked, Bishop Belier, did Langston suggest that you make this visit?

The poor Bishop’s ears turned bright red and his face flamed. Edward Adams was watching the Bishop carefully and he saw immediately where Melissa was headed with this. Martha Adams also saw and she wanted to stop Melissa from continuing but it was too late.

Melissa, just as John had instructed, continued, Langston asked me to attend the senior prom with him, but I turned him down. I think he took that too personal, but you see, Bishop Belier, I overheard two girls discussing Langston in the restroom at school and they indicated that Langston did not always control his hand very well on a date. I was afraid of him.

Melissa’s eyes were huge and she had taken on a destressed look just as John had instructed.

Edward Adams just about exploded, Bishop Belier, you keep that boy away from my daughter.

The poor Bishop was mortified. Melissa continued, Sir, I promise not to repeat this to anyone, but the talk has already spread at school. Langston has ruined his reputation, and I fear he has hurt the influence of our church, since he is your son and you are our spiritual leader.

The poor Bishop is stunned and totally deflated. Melissa has played out her roll, just as John has instructed, but tears are rolling down her cheeks as she sat looking at this heartbroken father.

Tearfully she begins, just as John Holtz had instructed, to start to rebuild. Sir, you and Langston need to talk. I do not think he is a bad person. You need to explain the consequences of his actions. He is just a young man groping his way into manhood and you need to teach him where to grope and where not to grope.

Melissa arose weeping un-ashamedly and said, Please excuse me, as she raced out of the room. Her mother followed her. In her room, Melissa fell across her bed and wept convulsively. He mother sat down on the edge of her bed and simply patted her back as she sat reflecting what had just happened. She knew this was out of character for her daughter.

When Melissa begins to control her emotions, she sat up and mother and daughter sat on the bed in an embrace. Martha finally asked, Is this the way John told you to handle this encounter.

With a brief smile, Melissa answered, Yes ma’am.

It was brutal, sweetheart, but needed. The Bishop is a proud man and pride goeth before the fall, and you sure pushed him off the cliff.

Mama did I do wrong.

Martha thought before she spoke. When she got her thoughts in order, she gave an honest answer. Melissa, it was out of character for you, but I do not believe you were mean spirited. I think you gave an honest assessment of your reason for not going to the prom with Langston. You probably need to apologize to the Bishop for your own wellbeing.

Melissa simply arose, blotted the tears from her eyes and marched back to the living room. Bishop Belier and Mr. Adams were in a serious conference. Melissa walked in and stated, I am sorry to interrupt, but I feel that I must apologize to Bishop Belier, Daddy.

Bishop Belier stood facing her. He was angry and it showed. His discussion with Edward had not been friendly. He blurted out, I suppose your mother insisted on this.

Her sweet innocent look was now in place and she answered, No, she suggested that it might be a good idea for my own wellbeing and I do indeed feel terrible that I have upset you and I have come to ask your forgiveness. I do not choose to hurt anyone and I fear that I have hurt you.

The two stood staring into each other’s eyes and the bishop’s eyes softened. He saw no evil in this face. He was thinking what a wonderful daughter-in-law she would make, but he knew very well that Langston had nixed any chance of that happening.

Melissa continued, What we discussed here tonight I will not repeat to anyone.

The Bishop replied, I will have a talk with Langston. I do not know what his reaction will be. If he retaliates in any way, please come to me.

If Langston retaliates in any way, he will have to deal with John Holtz and that will not go well for him. John can be brutal when angered, and he simply has too many weapons, not the least of which is his brilliant mind. Please caution Langston to leave me alone. He has already damaged your ministry in our community of faith Bishop Belier.

The cold steel that this young lady was made of had surfaced in her face. Bishop Belier asked, Did you discuss this with John Holtz?

I did.

And what did he tell you?

To be honest; perfectly honest.

That was another punch in the gut. Well, I guess we can say that you followed his instructions.

I did.

Edward Adams was listening intently to this exchange between the bishop and his daughter. He was more perceptive than most. He suddenly realized that his daughter is a grown woman. He had tried to build a relationship with her, but now realized he had been too harsh, too demanding that she follow all the rules to the letter and he had driven her away. She had turned to John for advice. He could not find fault with John’s approach. It was direct and to the point and had simply cut the legs out from under the Bishop. Edward could clearly see that this visit to his home to instruct his daughter was in reality a vindictive move on the part of the Bishop’s son, who was clearly using his dad to do his dirty work. Ed was livid, but kept his cool.

The teacher now became the ‘teachee’. Edward unloaded, Bishop Belier, I believe you are out of order coming to our home to confront my daughter over her friendship with John. It is clear to me that you listened to and have been manipulated by your son. You have maligned a young man that has had a very difficult life. He is my daughter’s friend. John Holtz is a good lad. Gossip got him tossed out of our town several years ago and that same gossip appears to still be alive and well. Part of it stems from our congregation, I am sad to say, and much of that gossip is fed by good but misguided intentions. None the less, it is still gossip and it is terribly wrong, I must admit it had an effect on me and I am ashamed of that fact. It has caused me to be alienated from my daughter and damaged what could have been a wonderful and beautiful relationship. But more than that, I think my actions fed their relationship and now I fear it is only going to strengthen.

I believe you owe my daughter an apology, as do I.

Bishop Belier was a proud man. He was a good man except for his pride. He was receiving a very good lesson in humility and much to his credit, he looked Melissa in the eye and with a sincere, contrite heart he walked to her, took her hand and gushed, while fighting back tears, Miss Adams, Please accept my sincerest apology for what I have done here tonight. You have made me feel very small.

Oh, Bishop Belier, that was not my intent. I only wanted to point out that John has been maligned and it was undeserved. He is a good and compassionate person. If you would simply take the time to know him you would understand that.

The Bishop also apologized to Mr. and Mrs. Adams and left with a heavy load on his shoulders. He had a very difficult task ahead of him. His wife had tried to tell him he was making a mistake by confronting the Adams. She and Martha were good friends and Martha had confided to her that John Holtz was not going away. Martha had also revealed that she did not blame Melissa one whit. And now, as he drove along he was thinking, Oh my, now I am going to catch it from Grace.

Grace Belier did not have to chasten her husband verbally. She used her eyes to show her disgust when he got out of line. He could already feel those eyes boring into him and looking into his soul.

At home, he walked into the house. Grace was in the kitchen. She had been baking chocolate chip cookies. She had the coffee made. He entered the kitchen, walked over to Grace, turned around, bent over and said. Kick it! Kick it just as hard as you can.

Smiling, Grace asked, It was that bad, huh.

And worse. That little girl turned me every way but loose. She had already talked to that kid and they had figured out what my visit was about. She took me apart piece by piece and stomped on the pieces.

Grace was laughing at this point and her bright blue eyes were crinkled at the edges. That was a look that always melted his heart. He asked, Will I ever learn to listen to you?

She chastened, No, Roy, you are too hard headed.

They both laughed and then he gave her a blow by blow account of what transpired. He ended with, You warned me. I wouldn’t listen.

Grace was distressed by the revelation of the gossip about their son’s actions on dates. She asked her husband, Are you going to talk to Langston.

I do not know what to do about that, Grace. He knew I was going to talk to the Adams. He will know where the information came from. I am afraid he will retaliate.

The Belier’s 12 year old daughter had been studying in her room. She smelled the cookies baking and came into the kitchen. She heard part of the exchange. Roy and Grace had not heard her enter. She asked, Retaliate for what Daddy?

Both Roy and Grace jumped up out of their chairs. Roy blustered, This is church business, Allie.

She was a perceptive young lady. I’ll bet it had something to do with Melissa turning down a date with Langston. That is not going to happen, Daddy. She is in love with that John Holtz. I don’t blame her. I’ve seen him and he is awfully pretty.

Bishop Belier is stunned. Grace is frowning. On a whim, she asked, Allie, have you overheard gossip.

I just heard Betty Horn tell Allice Winn that Langston thought he was a stud, whatever that is.

Allison Belier was one of those girls that seemed flippant and scatterbrained, but behind that façade a deep and intelligent person was hidden. Grace understood this, Roy Belier did not. Grace and Allie’s eyes met. Allie had expressed her concern to her mother that she was afraid that Langston was going to get in hot water. She would not elaborate, but now that Melissa had revealed that girls were discussing him and his actions she felt it was time to probe. Grace understood that Allie was embarrassed because of her brother’s loose morals. She had much more depth than her brother.

Bishop Belier chastened, Don’t use that term, Allie. That kind of language is crude and unacceptable.

Grace was thinking, What you should be saying is that kind of behavior is un-acceptable for a Bishops son.

Allie got her cookies, left the kitchen, and went back to her room, but her mother followed. In her room, Grace sat on the side of her bed and asked, Allie, what have you heard. You have heard much more than you have revealed.

Turning to her mom with tears in her eyes, Allie revealed, Mom, Artie Toom is pregnant.

There was no need to say more. Grace Belier turned deathly pale. Mother and daughter wept on each other’s shoulders. Artie was in a girl’s Sunday school class that Grace taught. She was a little girl raised by a single dad; a hard working dad who worked for the city of Mendon. His wife died when Artie was four years old. With the help of his mother, he had raised Artie. She was 17. Grace knew that Langston had been taking Artie out on Sunday evenings after a youth fellowship.

Allie broke the silence. Mama, this is going to ruin all of our lives.

Bishop Belier kept waiting for Grace to come out of Allie’s room. The longer he waited, the more agitated he became. After an hour, he was angry and pacing the floor. He had heard Langston enter, but he went straight to his room. Grace finally came back to the kitchen. Roy started to lash out in anger but he saw that she was still pale and her eyes were puffy from weeping. A rare occasion for him, but he did not open his mouth.

Grace started gathering up the few dishes that had been used; she took them to the sink, washed and dried them. She did not even acknowledge that he was in the room. He finally gave up on conversation, went to their bedroom and dressed for bed. After about 45 minutes of tossing and turning and Grace had not come to bed, he got up and went to look for her. She was in their den, sitting in a chair with her Bible in her hands, but she was sound asleep.

Roy looked at the Bible to see what Grace had been reading when she fell asleep. The passage was Psalms 121; "I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help my help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth." (NKJV)

With a very unsettled mind he touched her shoulder and called, Grace. She slowly raised her head and gave him a faint smile.

I guess I dozed off for a minute.

It was more than a minute, Grace. It is after midnight.

Oh, I guess I had better get in bed. I have to get up, whether I have been to bed or not.

This was an attempt at jest, but Roy Belier was not in a jesting mood. He blurted out, Grace, what is going on? I need to know.

Grace arose from the chair and standing toe to toe with her somewhat overbearing husband and looking squarely in the eye she dropped the bomb, Oh, you need to know alright. Artie Toom is pregnant. I imagine that you had better get ready for a new daughter-in-law.

With that, Grace went to their bedroom and dressed for bed. Roy was stunned. At breakfast one morning he had praised Langston for including Artie in the youth activities and showing an interest in her. Allie’s eyes had met her mother’s at that time and this was unsettling to Grace. She feared that Allie knew more than she did. Grace had noted that Artie was no longer participating in class discussions in Sunday School. She had revealed that information to her husband, but he had shown no interest. That all came flooding back into his mind now.

Sitting in the same chair Grace just exited, He wept. He could see it all now. He had caught the look of disgust expressed by Melissa Adams and that had angered him. He felt it showed a lack of respect for her Bishop. He now saw that it was indeed lack of respect; respect that he had not earned and did not deserve.

*     *     *

John’s Grandfather and Grandmother were having their 50th anniversary celebration on the following Sunday after the confrontation with the Bishop. The celebration was hosted by the Mennonite church ladies, but funded by the Hale’s Son and grandkids. It was beautifully and tastefully orchestrated. Nancy’s sister-in-law, Lynn took charge in Mendon, but she and Nancy were in constant communication.

It turned out to be old home weekend for John Holtz and somewhat the same for Gretchen. Gretchen had made a few fiends the year she and John had lived with John’s grandparents. John’s Uncle Anthony was present with his new wife, Marcie. She was fascinated by the fact that John carried Mary Teresa with him during the entire celebration, but she was not the only one there that was amused at John nurturing his little niece. All of the older ladies, the grandmotherly type, were beaming as they watched John. He spoke to each one and called them all by name. That anomaly blew them out of the water. John had been gone from this congregation for five years and he was only 7 years old when Nancy moved him and Gretchen to Boston. The fact that this young man would remember their names was simply unbelievable.

John found himself face to face with Bishop Belier. He stuck out his hand in a very adult manner and introduced himself. The Bishop was obviously uncomfortable with this confrontation. John saw it all quite clearly and decided to twist the knife.

John asked, Bishop Belier, may I ask a question to clear up something that has been on my mind?

Why certainly, young man.

I am confused as to why you and some members of your congregation are upset that I have maintained a childhood friendship with a young lady in your fellowship. This friendship goes back to fourth grade when she was the only true friend of a six year old kid whose mother had just taken her life and his whole world had been turned upside down. It seems only natural that he would maintain a friendship with that person. Is your theology so unbending and dogmatic that it cannot tolerate this kind of relationship. I am only 13 years old; hardly old enough to select my life’s mate, although we do kid about being engaged.

Bishop Belier stood staring into John Holtz eyes. For the first time he saw just how ridiculous his confrontation with Melissa Adams must appear to this bright young man. Trying to justify his reason for accosting the Adams over Melissa’s relationship with John, he stammered, Mister Holtz, we prefer that members of our denomination date within our community of faith. It is from those dating relationships that families are formed.

"I understand the concept, Bishop Belier. It is also true in my Catholic faith, but I am a little more open minded. I contend that we know so little about the world we live in, both physical and spiritual that no one person or groups of persons have all the answers. To me it seems that God intended us to be of different minds and demonstrated this with the Tower of Babel in the Old Testament. He confused the languages so we would expand and increase in knowledge of the world around us. It seems to me that it is each person’s responsibility to come to his or her own judgement of truth. My Bible says, study to show yourself approved, a workman that needs not be ashamed.

I believe it is the responsibility of each person to develop their own system of values. If I lived by my Dad’s values, I would be a conniving, self-centered, user of people; one willing to take advantage of anyone in my path to satiate my own selfish lust.

The two stood staring into the others eyes. John Holtz had just thrown the knockout punch. There was no reason to count. It was obvious the bishop was not going to get up off the carpet. John’s eyes soften and the bishop could not look away. He was mesmerized by John’s look.

John continued, Bishop Belier, I am sorry I struck below the belt. I hope that is out of character for me. Melissa and I know you are hurting and we are sorry about that. I am sure you tried as hard as anyone to be a good parent, but keep in mind, a parent can only do so much. Each person must develop their own sense of values and they are responsible for their own actions.

John did not mince words and went straight to the point. Don’t force Langston to marry Artie, but don’t let him shirk his responsibility to his child if it is indeed his. DNA can determine that.

The bishop could no longer face John, but turned and rushed out of the fellowship hall. He went straight to his office, locked the door and wept bitterly. Many people in the hall had seen the two conversing. Everyone who saw knew the discussion had been intense. Melissa was one of those observing the confrontation. She rushed to John and asked, John, what happened between you and Bishop Belier.

Smiling, John answered, Oh, we just had a little friendly discussion. I think we cleared the air. He is hurting sweetheart. You will need to help him and Mrs. Belier through this. It is going to be hard on everyone in this congregation. I am going to have to give Granddad some instructions. He is a crusty old buzzard, as my friend Jim Byrne would describe him.

John’s description of his granddad amused Melissa. May I watch when you are instructing your granddad?

Probably not a good idea. You shouldn’t be exposed to that kind of language.

John and Melissa had also moved outside the fellowship hall. Nancy and Gretchen had seen the confrontation and went to look for John. Nancy opened the discussion, John, were you disrespectful to Bishop Belier?

Nancy, you have taught me better than that. I always give respect where respect is due.

You did not answer my question. Was respect due in this case?

Yes, we had an open and frank discussion.

Gretchen giggled at John toying with Nancy. She went straight to the point, John, Nancy wants to know what you discussed with the Bishop."

Nancy’s cheeks pinked just a bit and with his ever present smirk when toying with his sister, John answered, "Oh is that what you want to know? We touched on the fact that I am Catholic and Melissa is Mennonite.

"You know, Nancy, just as soon as Melissa is 18, we just might forget about religion altogether, buy us a Harley, and join the Hell’s Angels. We are tired of all of these adults trying to map out our lives and let us be kids.

Looks to me like the Bishops son has used his dad’s position to help him take advantage of a poor little girl that just wanted to be loved. One who grew up without a mother, just like I did, but without all of the advantages I had. That makes me mad as hell. I am going to see that she is taken care of and not have to marry that jerk. Come on Melissa, I need to talk to your mom and dad.

Nancy called out, John.

John stopped and turned back to face his sister. She noticed immediately the change in John’s facial expression. The set of his jaw, the steel gleam in his eyes told her to tread lightly. Why, John; why do you want to get involved in this. It is not your affair.

John did not back down. Calmly he revealed, It became my affair when the Bishop accosted Melissa because of her friendship with me. He was highly out of order, using his position as the spiritual leader of this congregation and became an errand boy for his son. This little girl does not need to be tied up with a person like Langston Belier. You and I both know that if he is forced to marry her, her life will become a living hell. He will be overbearing and domineering. She does not need that. She lacks a year of school. She can work to receive a GED and start to community college. She can get enough education to make a living for herself and her child. If he really cares about her and his child, then he can pursue a relationship with her and then they can marry later, but the marriage will be on more equal footing. The Bishop is not going to simply sweep this under the carpet by forcing Langston to marry her.

With a smirk on his face John continued, I can give up my sweet rolls for a year to do this to free up money from my allowance.

John did not have an allowance. He had a credit card and his own bank account. He turned to Melissa and said, You and I need to talk with your parents.

Seeking out Melissa’s mom, John and Melissa spoke with her about her and Mr. Adams taking Artie and her dad under their wing to help them through her pregnancy. In typical John fashion, he tossed out about a dozen ways Artie could work at home to make a little money, so she would not be a charity case. He offered to purchase a computer for her and to pay for training in its operation, so she could use it as a tool to generate income. John was on a roll. He was tossing out ideas faster than Martha Adams could handle them.

Martha threw up her hand and instructed, Wait a minute, John. We need to talk to Artie and her dad to see if they are agreeable to this or not.

John shot back, Well, convince them. That little girl does not need to be tied up with this jerk until he learns some sense. If he is any kind of man, he will try to woo her and become a part of her life and that of his child. My guess is that he will deny this is his child, cut and run.

Martha agreed that she and Edward would approach Artie and her dad with John’s offer to help. John instructed, Don’t tell them where the help is coming from. I will let you and Mr. Adams administer the funds. Talk to Mr. Adams and you two decide if a single grant would be best or if a monthly allowance would be better.

Martha warned, John, Edward is not going to like this. He does not meddle in other people’s lives.

This is not meddling, Mrs. Adams; it is simply intervention. Melissa will communicate our concerns to you and Mr. Adams. If you think we are off base, then you have the right not to become involved, but the Beliers simply must not be allowed to force a marriage just to tidy up this package of grief.

Martha’s admiration of John notched up another click. She knew that part of John’s reason for becoming involved was in retaliation for Melissa being accosted for her friendship with him, but once he got into the helping mode, she knew that because of his pure moral goodness his help would be adequate and complete.

*     *     *

The anniversary celebration was a success, John made a toast to his grandparent revealing a few amusing tidbits of funny exchanged between him and his granddad during the year he lived with them. Nancy and Gretchen also spoke briefly. Gretchen revealed that she simply viewed Mr. and Mrs. Hale as her grandparents. That thrilled this elderly couple and endeared her to them. Nancy’s uncle also spoke briefly pointing out how much he had learned from his dad.

Two days after the anniversary celebration, Martha and Edward Adams went to visit Artie Toom and her dad. Mr. Toom was very uneasy with this visit, but Martha set about immediately trying to ease his anxiety. She opened the visit under the pretense that it was prompted by the fact that she was Artie’s Sunday school teacher, and revealed that she knew that Artie was pregnant.

Artie burst into tears and wailed, Mrs. Adams, Langston says that the child is not his, but he is the only boy I have ever been out with. I have never been alone with any other boy. He says he won’t marry me, but his daddy says he is going to."

Martha stated flatly, You should not marry him if he does not love you.

Jack Toom blustered, But she’ul have a bastard kid if she don’t.

That term is obsolete Mr. Toom. She will simply be a single mom. Society has changed. It is too uncommon I will admit, but that is the society we live in. If Langston does not want to marry you, you will be in an abusive relationship. You and your child do not need that.

Artie’s grandmother was part of this discussion and she spoke up. Well, it is about time someone with some sense spoke up. That boy ain’t no good ur he wudn’t uv done what he dun to my little girl. Artie, we can take care uv that baby.

Martha continued, Mr. Toom, a wealthy person has offered to help Artie. He wishes to remain anonymous, but he has offered to purchase Artie a computer and help line up some work at home jobs for her. He also agreed to fund her getting a GED and paying for community college to help her learn skills to make a living for herself.

Why would he do that, Tom Toon gushed.

Simply because he is a good person, Mr. Toom, Martha smilingly answered.

Artie with tears in her eyes, shyly said, It’s John Holtz; I just know it’s John.

Martha would not lie; she simply smiled at Artie and revealed, This person also told me to tell you to tell Mr. Belier to go to Hell.

A faint smile broke out on Artie’s face and she revealed, When Langston denied that this was his child, I hated him, Mrs. Adams. He told me he loved me and that we were going to get married just as soon as I finished school. He told me all that Mrs. Adams. He promised and said that since we were pledged to each other it was just like we were already married. He just told me that so he could take me.

The poor little girl was weeping out of control by the time she finished. Jack Toom and Edward Adams were ready to draw and quarter young Mr. Belier. Ed Adams gushed, "That