Off-Color on the Lake

By Priscilla E. Bauldry

The novel “Off-Color on the Lake,” is a sequel to the love story “Living out a Dream.” Even though “Off-Color on the Lake,” has the same memorable characters as in “Living Out a Dream,” it takes a screamingly twist since it involves a serial killer that threatens this loveable cast of characters— when all they had hoped for was an enjoyable family camp out. This is a sequel book and reading both books would bring even more pleasure to the reader, but each can be read separately since both stories are an enjoyable read. Enjoy!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 23, 2022
• ISBN: 9781665554534

Priscilla E. Bauldry

I am now 81 years of age and my novel "Off-Color On The Lake" is my second novel---"Living Out A Dream" was my first. I thought of this story because my husband and I, my sister and her husband, my father's half sister and her husband, along with a few of their grown children all went camping in Canada. Of course, our trip was very enjoyable. My father’s half-sister stated that we should take notes of our experience. I did. It is my prayer that both my sister and my father's half-sister know of this in heaven and that the suggestion that notes be taken stimulated my imagination in this story. The books cover and hair-washing scene inside the book are pictures taken of actual events we experienced while camping in Canada. Our Canadian trip was a wonderful family camp out unlike the horrific happenings in "Off Color On The Lake." I found my notes years later and the book was written.

Book preview

Off-Color

On The

Lake

PRISCILLA E. BAULDRY

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AuthorHouse™

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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© 2022 Priscilla E. Bauldry. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse  04/20/2022

ISBN: 978-1-6655-5452-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-5453-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022904860

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and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

Introduction

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 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

For the most part, good happenings continue forth from one day to the other until evil seeps out and captures an audience, bringing unrest to everyone’s psyche.

INTRODUCTION

It is said that during the ice age and thaw, the small town of West Branch located in the state of Michigan inherited its hilly landscape—beautiful as it is— Moreover, one that Appy knows well because he was an orphan since birth and resided at St. Matthew orphanage in West Branch his whole life. At the age of twenty-three and having just finished college, Appy was asked by Father Jeff to go to Africa with him. Father Jeff, who favored Appy, knew fully-well that Appy would experience a much different culture than he was familiar with; while gaining an understanding of others in their world, half-way around the world—an adventure that would only enrich him before being bogged down in a career. For Appy, it merely meant being close to Father Jeff…his hero at a time in his life when he wasn’t ready to make a break from him or Sister Jenny who both took a special interest in him at St. Matthew’s orphanage—which, of course, he considered his home and family.

Father Jeff was assigned by the archdiocese to choose children who were being cared for at Sisters of Amity whose parents were slaughtered in the midst of African uprisings; also children whose parents had died of AIDS, and bring them back to St. Matthew. The churches were asked to bring healthy children from Sisters of Amity outreach orphanage in Africa to safer orphanages globally that would afford these innocent children a chance of adoption into loving families with the means to feed, clothe, and educate them—and away from an unsettling situation in Africa at that time.

While in Africa, Appy was indeed fortunate to meet his lovely American bride, Sarah, who was studying to be a pediatrician in an exchange program in Africa. Before returning home, Appy romanced Sarah and the two married with a host of friends and children celebrating the occasion with them beneath a tent in Africa. Furthermore, throughout the couple’s time in Africa they fell in love with four children from Sisters of Amity orphanage—Zenna, Sadie, Gbandi, and Ajani—adopted them; and brought them home to America.

Upon there return to the States, the couple bought a large old home that needed some renovations. Moreover, it was always Appy’s dream that they have acreage for the children to run on and that the interior of the home have many white shiplap walls with a wrap around porch—a look of days ago. Over the years, the couple and Appy’s best friend and brother-in-law, Rahl, put some muscle to the surroundings to make it an enchanting residence sitting on five acres of land.

Today’s guests will stroll up the brick-laid driveway off Blossom Heath and marvel at the attention the family put into their landscape. On one side, heading towards the entrance of the home this very moment in May, a view of colorful spring happenings and sweet fragrances coming from periwinkle and violas; with a stunning display of velvety petals that belonged to an array of colorful tulips. On the other side, a winding garden of grape hyacinths tucked between yellow forsythia bushes—altogether a scene of beauty and spring life. On the west side of the home, tall arborvitaes that Appy and Rahl planted to keep the west wind from ruining Sarah’s beloved plants. The east side of the home was lined with dogwood trees having pink and white buds that wanted to bloom, but must wait a bit. After a heavy winter snow melt, Sarah always made note; It’s okay little buds, even now, you’re a thing of beauty. Most everyone approaching the home knew both Sarah and her girls Zenna, Aza, and Sadie were all avid gardeners. And, of course, Sarah had a plenitude of bulbs to share with her girls.

Any newcomers entering Sarah and Appy’s home on this day will notice that the large great room is most interesting—having three large round tables with six comfortable brown leather chairs surrounding each. To most, it might appear like a foyer in a hotel where guests were likely to gather. Instead it sufficed as a homework hub for the many school aged children that once lived there, twelve in all—seven adopted and five biological born after returning to the States. On each side of the fireplace, a bookcase of rich dark wood—a room not without comfort since there were five overstuffed chairs around the room with nearby end tables and a lamp on each. Since Sarah was a pediatric doctor, a book or two could be seen on table tops that helped her keep up with the latest in her medical profession. In addition, there were some faux trees and greenery as relief.

It was where Appy had his coffee and read the newspaper on the weekends and where the couple’s nine boys and three girls; namely, Jeffrey (named after Father Jeff) Gbandi, Ajani, Iman, Paki, Gerard, Sammy, Gus, Edward, Sadie, Zenna, and Aza loved to plop into a deep chair with a cold pop while occupied with school assignments.

Later, as some grew up and moved away and new chairs replaced the old, the children remaining in the home used the tables for projects and games. On ordinary days, one or two of the children would use the tables to both eat and study on. Sarah still thought the room to be a very practical area—not one to just admire and find spacious and orderly, but one used and enjoyed immensely.

Both Sister Jenny and Father Jeff cherished Appy’s family and home since they had invested in Appy’s future his whole life. Sister Jenny had a way of saying, Sarah, this home looks like you, feels like you, and is you, Dear.

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On this special day, as guests continued to enter the family’s entrance door, a loud celebratory sound came from within. Today marks Appy’s fiftieth birthday. Topping the occasion, Sarah brought in Chikae and Lamar from Africa—who everyone knew well and loved dearly. They were just young teens when Appy last saw the two—now men who brought their wives Bella and Mandy with them to America. And, of course, Father Reed and Sister Myra who together headed the African outreach orphanage, where Appy and Father Jeff spent so much time, were also flown in—six in all. The great room tables were full, the overstuffed chairs for sure, even the large kitchen and dining room tables were used to seat guests—a large sign above the mantel HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD—as the caterers served.

When Appy’s birthday dinner was over, everyone moved out into the family’s great room. Sarah had asked everyone to come up with something about the trial and tribulations Appy had experienced in his fifty years. The tables were cleared and everyone took a seat. Appy’s family and friends stepped forward and expressed their love for him with speeches and stories that were both of a serious nature and some funny—like the time when Chikae ran away from Sisters of Amity, or when Appy ate dog food from the fridge thinking it was hash that Sarah had made for him. Father Jeff was having a great time listening to these stories and chuckled frequently.

As the stories were drawing to an end, Appy stood up saying, Okay that’s enough about me. I need to say a few things about, Sister Jenny, who is cherished by everyone here who knows her. She has been a living guardian angel to me, is the soul of modesty, and has a wonderfulness about her that’s hard to match. Most importantly, she radiates love when she speaks, in her deeds, and in her reverence to the Lord. I certainly appreciate everything you’ve done on my behalf, Sister Jenny. For that, I love you like a mother.

Appy ended by saying, You’re perfection little lady, no one can take that from you. Sister Jenny raised her handkerchief, wrapped it around her index finger, and wiped the moist drops coming from the inner edges of her eyes. She walked up to Appy, placed his head between her hands, and gently kissed him on the forehead.

In addition, Appy announced, I feel privileged to be able to say a few things about, Father Jeff. He put his hand to his forehead as if deep in thought, It’s telling, Father Jeff, that the father I’ve always dreamed of is the spitting image of you.

Father Jeff swallowed hard, putting his fist to his mouth. Rahl, who always covered Appy’s back, walked over to Father Jeff, now in his seventies, and put his arm around him—knowing he’d get emotional.

Appy continued, You’re humorous and by far the most beautiful and eloquent conversationalist that I’ve ever known.

Father Jeff piped in, That’s because I’ve listened to so many confessions, he laughed.

See, that’s what I mean, Appy chuckled. You always know the perfect thing to say. I’ve always admired that in you. You’re an easy person to talk with. I also find you’re a brave man who went to Africa to make a difference. Of course, I helped out with the number of children I fell in love with, packed up, and brought home with me. I know you to be a gentle man—one who cares about everything that exists around me: my choice in a wife, my beautiful children, even my dog and chickens.

Father Jeff laughed again because he surely enjoyed feeding those chickens. Father Jeff embraced Appy and stood next to him when it was his time to speak.

Appy was unaware of what was coming next or that it would be the surprise of his life.

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My son, all the people gathered here are a testimony to who you are. On your fiftieth birthday Appy, we have a present for you who will further define and complete you even more…. A silence fell over the room. Father Jeff walked over to the large French doors that lead into the foyer—opening them wide. At which time, he took the hand of a beautiful mature woman, saying in a shaky voice with tears in his eyes, Appy, this is your mother.

Oh Lord, Appy responded. It was an overwhelming moment for him. Having all his beloved friends from Africa staying with him—now this shock seemed to paralyze him for a moment. To some degree, Appy had already resigned in his mind and heart that Father Jeff and Sister Jenny were the two he adopted as a mother and father to him. His biological mother hadn’t seen him in fifty years, nor had he ever seen as much as a picture of her in all that time.

Still, with all that emotion going on in his head and tears flooding his cheeks, he walked up to his mother and cupped her in his arms, speechless.

His mother whispered, Appy, I’ve missed you dearly my whole life. I prayed everyday that some day I’d see my boy again—the Lord has answered my prayers.

Father Jeff was holding back another woman waiting patiently until Appy and his mother let loose of each other.

Izzi then walked a few feet to her daughter, and said, Moreover, Appy, if I am not enough of a shock for one day, this is your sibling, Rachael.

Appy grabbed Rachael, raised her off her feet, and cradled her in his arms, not knowing what possessed him—maybe that inner feeling that he now had a sibling—an unbelievable joy: he guessed. In his youth, he had often heard, Ha ha—you don’t have any sisters or brothers, coming from the older teens at St. Matthew, who he understood as he grew older, never had any either. Still, those bullies left him sad and wishing for siblings most of his life—today in his mind he was saying, "The last laugh is mine fellows."

He seemed to be a remarkable likeness to both his mother and half-sister. The families in the room circled the two and began clapping musically—an African tradition affirming good will to those people gathered around them. Father Jeff and Sister Jenny stood together trying hard to compose themselves. Needless-to-say, Sarah broke down sobbing—knowing what a day this was for her husband.

Appy said through tears, At fifty years of age, I might have a heart attack!

His mother responded. What about me, dear—I am sixteen years older than you?

Sarah, a bit concerned said, Yes Ap, we should calm down. Let’s sit and have some dessert and coffee. We’ll have the rest of our lives to make up for what was missed.

Appy continued to address his newfound mother: Father Jeff has told you my name. What would you like me to call you?

"My name is Izzi Harper—Izzi being short for Isabelle. My maiden name was Isabelle McRae. Rachael, your half-sister, calls me Mom.