Henry

By Paulie J. Johnson

Henry is a book about a boy whose father was a secretary to the secretary of an ambassador to China. His family are killed by a dissident that blows herself up. He grows up working undercover and is removed from his position from killing a man that killed women and children and shoots one of his team in his back and kills him in front of hi

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Regency Publishers, International
• Release date: Jun 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781958517413

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Henry

Paulie J. Johnson

Copyright © 2022 Paulie J. Johnson.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without a prior written permission from the publisher, except by reviewers, who may quote brief passages in a review, and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by the copyright law.

ISBN: 978-1-958517-42-0 (PB)

ISBN: 978-1-958517-43-7 (HB)

ISBN: 978-1-958517-41-3 (E-book)

Some characters and events in this book are fictitious and products of the author’s imagination. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Book Ordering Information

The Regency Publishers, International

7 Bell Yard London WO2A2JR

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www.theregencypublishers.international

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Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Foreward

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Foreward

A young boy was sent to live with his grandparents after the deaths of his family and there he encounters hardships. Living in isolation from people molded his personality into a man of righteousness. Listening was his only form of communication.

A teacher asked her students to write a report about their summer but he couldn’t. She asked why and after he told her, she asked him to write about what it was like coming to live with his grandparents.

Growing up in a southern community, he listened to all the stories the elders told and began writing his words of wisdom down on a pad he carried for that purpose.

His southern roots dominated his character and his backwoods democracy forged him into a man that only lived by one rule and that one rule was that there weren’t any rules.

The life he lived was a life where death was faced without fear, living wasn’t his concern. Through his ordeals he kept collecting words of wisdom and used his encounters to become a successful writer.

No one knew him; he altered actuality and used a pen name to protect himself from those that wanted to kill him. He was an informer and he was about to find out that when he moved, he moved into the very bottom of the pit of hell itself.

This is the story of Henry.

Chapter One

I was watching the news on the television as I rested on the sofa. Nothing I heard caught me by surprise anymore, but like always, they gave a number to call if anyone wanted to help in any way. I turned the television off and went to bed. I arose early the next morning and did like I always did to start my day; turn on the news channel and make a pot of coffee and then go for a walk.

More news of the disaster appeared about a tornado that struck and devastated a town and once again a plea was given asking if anyone wanted to help in any way to please call the number that appeared below.

I sat down on my sofa and took several sips of my coffee out of my travel mug. There were several minutes of world news and then more pictures of the tornado that ended the future of the city appeared. I took several more sips of my coffee and did what I haven’t ever done; I reached for my telephone and called the number on the screen.

Two days went by and I was sitting in my tub enjoying a hot bath when my telephone rang. I didn’t bother to get out to answer it, that’s what I had an answering machine for. I listened as a voice was explaining that she was a case worker for the disaster relief organization and that I had left valuable information that was helpful and after a brief message she left her number for me to call her back.

When I finished soaking my muscles I put on my robe and called the number. A lady answered and it was the same voice that I heard on the recorder.

Hello ma’am, my name is Henry Wadsworth Long Fellow, and I was returning your call. I said.

There was a period of hesitation on the other end.

Is it my name that’s bothering you, or did you only call me for the sole purpose of asking for my support by soliciting a donation? I asked her If you did, I’m sorry, you’ll be wasting your time and mine; I don’t do business like that over a telephone.

Sir, I’m sorry but we do deal with some strange individuals. The lady commented politely.

Do you ma’am, try growing up with a name like Henry Wadsworth Long Fellow, and maybe you’ll see why I’ve come up against my share of comedians. For all I know, I could be talking to one now.

I’m sorry sir for my behavior. You called saying you had employment plus room and board for a family.

That’s correct. I told her.

Sir we have a lady that has two children, one boy thirteen, and a girl that’s eleven. I was talking to her about an hour ago and she said she was interested.

She wants to know how I feel about the kids, huh? I said.

No sir, I want to know how you feel about the kids, it’s my job. She said bluntly.

I see you’ve seen people that give you those suspicions you have. I responded Ma’am, in the real world that we all live in today, I can say the same about you. I see things that public figures are charged with and none of them ever confessed to any wrong doings, yet they plead guilty to a lighter charge. Wicked people lie. That’s why our legal system is backlogged; money has a way of tilting the scales of justice. I called the number at the bottom of the screen telling the recorder that I could offer room and board for a family in exchange for employment. If you run your investigation and you find out that there’s nothing against me, then you can call me back and we’ll have this discussion all over again.

Sir, I apologize. She said once again.

Ma’am that’s not necessary, I see where kids are killed and the first person the finger is pointed at is you. You’ve got your job to do, and if you don’t do it right, somebody gets hurt. You know it, and I know it.

Mister Long Fellow, I see you live roughly a hundred miles away. She reported.

Yes ma’am Is that going to be a problem?

No sir, she’s desperate, she doesn’t find the armory a pleasant place to be. If she’s willing to relocate, she’s going to need someone to come get her, they lost everything.

Well, just give me a call when they’re ready and I’ll come pick them up. I told her.

Sir, can I ask you why you want to help?

Are there more questions on the questionnaire? I asked her question with my own.

No sir, I get to see some good people too.

So I’m being rated then. I stated Ma’am, I moved here outside of Titus last month. The coyotes keep me company on the nights of a full moon when I sit by my fire, they sing sweet songs. And on my walks I stop and watch the deer watch me watching them. I live on four hundred acres and I’m usually outside chopping wood or building me my chicken coops, or my rabbit pens, and every now and then when I get bored, I work on my greenhouses for my garden. I was watching the news and saw what that tornado did and I heard a person say if I could help in any way to please call that number, so I did and I thought I could make an offer. I answered I don’t hang around the house much unless I’m in my study room, so I thought a family could have a place to stay and a little privacy to go along with it.

Sir, would it be asking too much if you could come and pick them up tonight. She said.

Maybe you should check this out with her. I exclaimed.

Sir, she’s not in any condition right now to make any demands, like I said, she’s desperate.

It’s going to take me a couple of hours to get there. I stated.

They’ve got nowhere to go. She stated They’ll be waiting.

When I hung up the phone I found myself driving down the road.

When I walked into the armory I introduced myself to the man at the door and he gave me the information I needed to talk to the person I needed to talk to.

My names Henry Wadsworth Long Fellow, I told the man behind a desk I was told to come here and pick some people up.

I saw a smile form on his lips.

Could you give me a few minutes? He said with his smile that he wore.

I soon heard the door open and when I turned around a young lady walked in Mister Long Fellow, I’m Brenda Lambert; you and I had a brief conversation over the phone earlier this evening.

Misses Lambert it’s a privilege to meet you. I responded.

My, aren’t we getting off to a better start. She giggled.

I assume that’s why you and I are having this conversation. I told her You and I have a lot in common. You see the face and you feel better when you see the face behind the face; ma’am I can feel you reading me.

You’re not some redneck hillbilly like you pretend to be. She laughed.

That depends on who you’re talking to. But judging by that rock you have on your finger and the way you’re dressed, you don’t do much socializing in neighborhoods that don’t have security. You’re not a caseworker. I confronted her.

Who are you she said a man that owns four hundred acres of land doesn’t worry about paying his taxes?

Are you still performing your investigation? I asked her Ma’am, I’ve driven for two hours and I’m tired. I’m thirty eight years old and I couldn’t even begin to tell you my life story in one sentence. It’s taken me this long to get to where I’m at now, and it’s going to take me that long to tell you where I’ve been.I said as I pulled my pad and pen out of my pocket and began writing down what I said.

What are you doing? She asked.

It’s a habit of mine. I used to think of things and before I got back home I forgot the things I was thinking of. My thoughts drift and went to waste, this way I can remember them. I answered.

I’m sorry sir she paused and then continued but you’re not currently under a doctor’s care, or taking any type of medication are you? She asked.

You mean Alzheimer’s? I responded. Or let’s shift our focus a little to the extreme and assume your referring to me as being psychotic? Or maybe you think I self medicate; the exclusion of the word prescription lends support to that impression. In either case it’s no on all counts. I just try to make the most of my time and I find myself to be easily distracted, that’s all.

You wouldn’t happen to wake up sometimes and write down what you were thinking of in your sleep on your pad, would you? She asked.

Yes ma’am I do.

She began smiling at me. Have you ever been published?

Yes ma’am

Is that how you got your land? She continued.

Yes ma’am

I’ve never read any of your books. She said lifting her left eye a little.

Maybe because you’ve been busy, you want to introduce me to the people? I said ignoring her.

When she walked towards me, I opened the door for her.

Chivalry, I’m flattered. She said.

You shouldn’t be I would have done the same for a man. I retorted.

We stopped at a spot where three cots were laying next to each other. The two kids and the lady that were on them stood up when the girl and I approached.

Miss Brown, this is Mister Henry Wadsworth Long Fellow. Mister Long Fellow, this gentleman is Billy Brown, and this young lady is Miss Vanessa Brown. Miss Brown, I have Mister Long Fellow’s telephone number and I’ll be contacting you from time to time. It’s been a long day and tomorrow is going to be another long day. She then turned and left.

If you’re ready let’s get going, I’ve got two hours of driving to do. I said.

We were driving down the road late that night with no other cars on it other than us and deer. The trip home was a silent one. I knew they were tired and least of all a conversation wasn’t high on the list. If it was, I thought the lady or the kids would have started one.

Where are we? The young lady said waking up from her sleep as we turned off the road onto my drive that led to my house.

This is where I live. We’re about thirty miles east of Titus I told her.

She became angry You don’t have shopping centers or restaurants around here? How am I going to look for work if there isn’t any place around here to work?

I thought she must have been tired and being cranky was part of a healing process that she was going to have to go through, so I kept my mouth to myself.

You and the kids can take my bed for the night. I told her I’m moving in myself and I didn’t think I’d be furnishing the rest of the house.

I was lying on my sofa when I heard the door open from my room. Billy and Vanessa came out and sat down next to me, one on each side.

You got hogs here? Billy asked.

Wild ones, but they ain’t fit to eat. I told him.

Why, what’s wrong with them?

Nothing, a long time ago people couldn’t afford to feed their hogs so they let them run free, or they’d escape from a pen. They’re rooters, and they can have two sets of six piglets a year. It takes a domestic hog that’s a tame one I said three generations to regain their tusks, so that means the babies that have babies will have them; they’ll tear up a good size garden in one night. Did you know that hogs are fifth on the list as far as intelligence compared to man? I asked him.

Huh uh. He answered.

Yep, they have a good sense of smell and because of that; they use them to find drugs and truffles in England. I told him.

What are truffles? He asked.

It’s a mushroom that’s so rare that people who have the money to buy it, buy it to show other people how much money they have. Any who, to get back to my story. They didn’t have freezers back then so meat couldn’t be frozen like they do today, they had to smoke it or pour salt all over it to keep it from spoiling. When they slaughtered their hogs they did it in winter so the meat would stay frozen until it was needed, or they’d build hog traps or run them down with dogs and handcuff the rear legs and haul them out of the woods a squealing. They’d feed them nothing but corn to purge that wild taste out of them and fatten them up in the process. Come slaughter time everyone had a chore. Even the kids worked, they washed out the intestines to make sausage, and whatever else they were told to do.

Yuck That’s disgusting. Vanessa inserted her thoughts.

Well back then they had a way of dealing with kids that thought that chores were disgusting, and after the first time, they didn’t find their chores were as disgusting as they were before. I told her.

What’d they do? She asked.

You’d get whopped up to the side of your head with the back of the hand. I stated Besides, all children that were born back then came as a surprise, and the more kids you had, the bigger the farm. Today, it’s different, and when you grow up and have kids of your own, you’ll see the world has changed from the time you were a kid. If you were alive back then, both of you would be considered to be young adults, not children.

Did you grow up back then? Vanessa asked.

No, when I was young, I was a lot like you, curious. I listened to old men as they sat around and told me stories about when they were young. History was my favorite subject, so I like to research what I hear and find the truth to what is said.

Are you going to make us work? She asked.

No, I don’t make kids do chores. I told her I didn’t go get y’all for that.

Why did you? She asked.

The lady told me you were eleven; you sound more like your fifteen. I said to her.

I’m eleven, I’ll be twelve in august.

Well Vanessa, or would you prefer me to call you Miss Brown? I asked her.

I like Princess. She said.

Okay, Princess it is, I got to thinking since I had all of this room, I could lend it out to where a family could stay while they figured out what they wanted to do to get back on their feet, but I don’t think your mom is happy here. I think she expected a little more opportunities to be available for her.

She’s not our mother. Billy said Momma left us and my dad married Shawna.

Where’s your dad? I asked.

Dead, he went to prison last year and he got killed there. He answered.

So, you’ve been living with your step mother?

She gets money to take care of us from the government. He answered.

Oh, I see I spoke I need both of you to listen hard to what I have to say, and if you want to ask questions, I don’t want you to be afraid not to. We need to clear the air on who I am so we don’t get off to the wrong start. I don’t ask anyone to do anything, and I don’t expect anything from anyone, so don’t worry about me being some kind of an old man that beats young kids to keep from paying someone to work for me. That does happen, but not here. I think that’s one of the things that’s going to take a little time for you to see. The problem is, unfortunately, your life’s been changed by a storm. I don’t know what your step mothers plans are, so I’m not sure about much of anything. Now, as far as me being around, I usually don’t come inside much except to cool off and drink a coke.

What do you do? Billy asked.

I stay busy; I get a lot of work done that way, and it gives me exercise. I want to have me a garden, so I work at getting ready for spring. I don’t get excited about my work; I learned that I can do more if I pace myself. So I do a little building on one project and when I get tired with that one, I start messing with something else to change the same old thing, and that way I stay busy. The problem with a garden is that deer can eat all that you’ve worked for and hogs can destroy that garden in one night, so, I have to build it to keep them out.

Where do you work? He asked.

Here I have a study room where I go to and I write down on my computer what I’m thinking about sometimes.

But how do you make money? Vanessa said.

I send what I write to a man and they put it in a book and they give me a few pennies.

What do you work on? Billy interrupted.

I always lived in places where I couldn’t have a garden or raise animals. I’m building greenhouses to start my seeds so I can transplant my vegetables and fruit trees to grow. I’m building chicken coops mainly because I use a lot of eggs in cooking and I think raising chickens is fun. Besides, chickens do a good job of getting rid of red ants; they’re the raptors of the dinosaurs you know. I told them.

How Billy asked.

Chickens eat snakes, lizards, bugs, worms, if it moves a chicken will kill it and eat it. If you really look close enough, you’ll see the resemblance that a chicken has with the raptor. Then there’s my rabbit hutches. I like eating rabbit fried, stewed, or in dumplings, it doesn’t matter. Rabbit’s multiply quickly like hogs, and like chickens, they make good fertilizer for my garden. Where I lived in Washington, I couldn’t have a fireplace and for that matter, I couldn’t have a fire pit either. When I moved here, the first thing I done was build me a fire. I like burning a fire by my pit on nights when it’s calm, so that means that sometimes I have to take walks just so I can gather my firewood, and while I’m gathering the wood, I’m gathering my thoughts too. I don’t get in a hurry while I’m looking for wood either.

Why Billy asked again.

I watch the skies. When the vultures soar their searching for dead animals. I began It’s against the law to shoot them because other animals end up getting killed trying to eat the dead ones on the road and an animal that has rabies can be spread to other animals, but it doesn’t bother the vultures. They ride the air currents and can smell death, so when I see them circle overhead for a long time, it’s usually because there’s something dead around. I’m a curious man; I like to see what it is. I came down here before I bought this place to see what it looked like, and on one of my walks I saw them circling overhead and I found a buck with a small set of horns. He looked like he got hit broadside, and a horn from one of the bucks he was sparring with impaled his antler in his lung. It was several weeks after deer season so it couldn’t have been a hunter, unless he was a poacher. The horns weren’t big, but I figured if I found more, I could build me a sculpture of horns. I think they’re beautiful, they’re like a snowflake you know, none of them are the same. You never know, one day someone may come along after I’m dead and see what I see and have it put in a museum, and below a written explanation of why it looked that way. Billy, people make up stories all the time to make a piece of art look better. Let’s say I was to achieve that status. It won’t matter to me, after all I’ll be dead, and what the heck, no one looks at art the same way as everyone else does. Some of them will see the horns and think that I killed them for those very reasons, I wanted the horns for my sculpture, and those people will think of me as being a horrible man for killing a buck just for its horns. I don’t hunt, but they won’t know that, and some of the people won’t believe I found them. I have a camera that I take pictures of Deer and Turkeys and hogs with. That’s my way of hunting. I don’t have a taste for wild game.

Did you ever find any dead animals? Vanessa asked.

Yeah I found that buck, they get into sparring matches sometimes, and when in rut, they’ve been known to break the neck of another deer. They’ve even got pictures of a buck carrying the head of a deer on his rack, it got stuck there and the buck had to constantly twist his head to sever it away from the other buck. I’ve found dead hogs, coons, possums, and out of all of them, only one of them I didn’t have to go check out without knowing what it was before I got there.

What was it? Vanessa eagerly begged.

A skunk, no one has to smell a dead skunk and wonder what it is. Everyone knows what a dead skunk smells like, even someone that’s never seen a skunk. It’s one of those questions that don’t have to be answered, it’s always oooh, I smell a dead skunk. You can’t get past the stink to see the skunk to know it’s a skunk. Coyotes and the wolves are different, they like to roll around in dead carcasses, it masks the scent of their body, and when the hunt is on, they can sneak up on their prey without their prey smelling them because they smell the smell of the dead animal that they rolled around in. Now, tell me that isn’t smart. I’ve seen hunters pick up fresh cow droppings and wipe it all over them, for that very reason.

Huh uh Billy challenged me.

You have wolves and coyotes here too? Vanessa asked.

Yeah, and foxes, and I’ve been told an occasional cougar passes through now and then. I said.

There’s cougars? Vanessa said sounding a little worried.

When rancher’s around here find a dead calf, they go and get dogs and run the cat down. They aren’t tolerated. I was walking down my property one day along the creek bottom and when I rounded a bend, I saw a den. There I was without a gun, and who knows what was inside that hole in the rock. Talk about your hair standing up on the back of your neck, I froze right there in my tracks. My heart went to beating ninety miles an hour and I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I honestly thought I could hear it beating, and I’m sure if there was a cougar inside that hole, he had to hear it too.

What did you do? Billy said excitedly.

Nothing yet I was going to get some camera’s and set them up for a few months and see what’s using the den. If it’s a cat, I’m going to have to get rid of it; cougars lose their fear of man after several generations of off springs. But, I won’t know anything until I get my cameras set up.

How come you don’t have a girl friend? Vanessa asked.

I ignored her question Like I said, I just started moving into this house last month. I have only one bed, so that means we’re going to have to go into town tomorrow and get three more beds with dressers and mirrors, and some computers for you kids to socialize with other kids. There aren’t any kids around here, so for the time being the computer will be a source of getting out there and reaching to other kids that might have gone through the same thing that you’re going through. You might find that you’re not the only ones that this happened to. Now both of y’all need to go to bed and get some sleep, we have to get an early start tomorrow morning.

Can we sleep in here? Vanessa asked.

Is Miss Brown irritable? I asked her.

She doesn’t like us sleeping with her. And she’s acting funny; she’s in one of her moods.

Billy, turn around and put your head against the arm of the couch, and let your legs extend over my legs, and Princess you do the same, I sleep better sitting up. I told them. After they got comfortable I let them know how I felt. This isn’t turning out exactly the way I had visions of. When I saw the damage that the tornado did, and what the people were having to go through, I didn’t think, I just reacted and called the number they gave and told them what I had in mind. I was thinking more in line of a man working with me and his family being able to work out their problems together. I find myself in a fix. Billy, did your stepmother ever leave you and Vanessa alone for a night or more? I asked him.

She does it all the time. She said we’re not babies.

Has there ever been parties at your place? I followed trying to sneak up on my questions that I really wanted to know.

They got stoned all the time, I caught them putting stuff in their arms but Shawna said she’d kill me and my sister if I told anyone.

I looked over at Vanessa and she had fallen asleep.

You better get some sleep too, I know you’re tired and tomorrow’s going to be a long day. I said to him.

Early morning, I gently eased their legs off of me and got up from the couch and made me a pot of coffee and then began frying up some link sausage and eggs for the kids and their step mother. I sat three plates down on the table, filled up my travel mug with coffee and lit out on my walk for the morning.

When I returned, I noticed two empty plates.

Your step mother isn’t up yet? I asked Billy.

She doesn’t like anyone bothering her. He said.

I walked over to my room and knocked on the door. Miss Brown, we need to go into town.

There wasn’t a reply so I knocked on the door again. Miss Brown you need to wake up. I said in a louder tone. Miss Brown I said knocking on the door again, and still no answer.

When I opened the door, there wasn’t anyone around. The open window told me what I needed to know.

I walked back out and poured me another mug of coffee and sat down on my sofa.

Is something wrong Mister Long Fellow? Vanessa asked.

I didn’t know how to answer her.

Your step mother isn’t in the room, sometime in the middle of the night she left. I commented softly.

Don’t worry, she needs her fix. Vanessa said She’ll come back when she’s better.

I reached for my phone and called the number of the lady I talked to, and got a recording saying that she was away from her desk or she was helping someone else so I left a message telling her that we needed to talk in private. I then went on to say that I couldn’t sit around all day and wait for her to call. The recorder beeped signaling that my message had ended and I called the number back and continued my comment about the kids needing clothes and beds and other furniture. The recorder beeped again and I called the number back again and finished my statement telling her that I had to go to town, but my call was urgent and I was needing someone that could assist me. You were the person I spoke to, and you’re the only one I know. I said and the beeper went off.

Later that night, the kids and I were unloading their clothes and groceries from my truck when Vanessa came to the door and shouted to me that Misses Lambert was on the phone.

It took me a few minutes to answer her. Hello Misses Lambert I’m sorry to bother you this late at night, but the kid’s needed clothes and beds and furniture to put their clothes in so we had to take a trip into town. Yesterday I heard you say before you left that you were promised that you would have a long day today, so I didn’t want you to waste my time waiting for you to return my call; I have things I have to do too.

How can I assist you? She calmly replied.

Ma’am, the kids step mother left sometime between one and five o’clock in the night. You said she was desperate. That’s because she was beginning to go through withdrawals. I don’t know anything else right now but you told me it was your job to see to it that they get the best of care. I need you to tell me who can help me, I need documentation, if she comes back, I’ll be calling the Sheriff on her. Ma’am, I’m aware of what kind of environment these kids are growing up in. I don’t think I can let that go without some sort of intervention. I just wanted you to know for yourself what was going on. At some point you’re going to be contacted and asked questions later.

There was a long silence.

Mister Long Fellow, Federal’s in charge now, they took over three hours ago. She commented We’ve been relieved of our responsibilities.

Misses Lambert, I said ignoring her comment if that lady shows up again, there’s going to be a standoff, that’s another question you’ll be asked about. They’ll want to know if I said anything to that affect, so you can honestly say that I asked for and wanted legal intervention. Both of the kids have told me that they’ve witnessed drugs being given intravenously. I didn’t call asking you for anything other than giving me information on who I can contact for documentation purposes. I know how this works, it’s do what you think is right, and then prepare to answer for it later. If that’s the way it’s to be, then it seems that neither one of us has a choice in this matter. You have a nice day.

I was getting ready to hang up.

Mister Long Fellow, I was like you, I called the number and I was assigned this job as an aide, you were right, I’m not a case worker, this is my first time. The supervisor told me to give you a call; she said I needed the experience. Mister Long Fellow, you hurt me with your comments about your name and comedians. When the people around here heard the recording and your name, they all laughed, and I’m sorry, I did too. And I’m not feeling good about it right now. She said.

Misses Lambert, I’m over all that. I’m sorry to have bothered you; I just wanted you to know firsthand that you will be called on.

Mister Long Fellow, if you don’t mind me asking, what’s your interest in this? She posed her question.

Ma’am, you seemed a lot more concerned about the welfare of Billy and Vanessa when we first talked other than what you sound like now. You’ve never been trained to deal with people going through alcohol or drug withdrawals, have you?

No sir, I only saw training films in college. She said.

Misses Lambert, I wouldn’t worry about studying the effects that drugs have on people. They all end up with the same outcome. In reality you can’t stop someone from doing something that they want to do. Everyone wants to quit right after they get caught and stand before a Judge, and a few days later, they’re on their way to quitting again. I’m sorry for taking up your time. I said to her.

Mister Long fellow, she quickly stopped me I’m Miss Brenda Lambert, not Misses. I thought my fiancé was a wonderful man at first, but it turns out that he was extremely possessive. I was physically abused and I have the dental work to back up my story. I didn’t have any idea what this job involved.

Well, Miss Lambert, it’s been nice talking to you. I won’t take up anymore of your time. I said.

Mister Long Fellow, I can’t let this matter go unattended, if something was to happen, I couldn’t live with myself, I can’t make promises but I’ll see what I can do. She quickly stated.

That’s all I ask for. I told her as I hung up the phone.

That night I was sitting at my computer when I heard the kids telling me that someone was coming down the road to the house, they seen headlights through the window.

I walked out of the house waiting for whoever it was to come to a stop. It was Miss Lambert.

I didn’t expect for anyone to be up this late. She said getting out of her car Mister Long Fellow, everyone was running around in total disarray and I never got to speak to anyone. You were right, everyone was too busy.

Ma’am, this isn’t your concern, it’s out of your hands. There’s one thing you need to learn, you don’t make your cases personal. I told her.

Then tell me why you seem to be so steadfast on you being right. She argued.

Because theres kids out there that’s Billy’s and Vanessa’s age that’s already experimented and a lot of them make a thousand a day running dope. Do you think a job making minimum wage would persuade them to follow a straight and narrow path? I can’t help them and I probably can’t help Billy or Vanessa either, it might be too late, but I can try, otherwise the only future they have to look forward to is being in and out of prison like those other kids I was telling you about. Ma’am, you said your fiancé was physically abusive towards you, that’s happening to those kids right now. After going through what you went through, I can only advise you to go back home and forget about your past, and concentrate on your future. I stated and pulled out my pad and pen out of my pocket and wrote my thoughts while she spoke.

I don’t have any authority. She said again.

Well, when the time comes, you can tell them that you told me that. What are you doing here? I asked her.

When you called, no one would tell me what to do. She said Mister Long Fellow, I wanted to tell you I’m sorry.

Ma’am, you’ve got a lot to learn, for one thing, if you strongly believe in what you believe in, you have to learn to stand your ground and not take no for an answer, if they don’t really need you, you’ll find that out quick. When a family’s welfare is in your hands, nothing else should be on your mind except seeing to it that they are your primary concern. People won’t listen to you unless you make them listen, and until you learn that, you’ll find that you’ll always be treated like a toy and tossed around. You were being hazed. All rookies get initiated and you got initiated good.

I pulled my pen and pad out of my pocket and started writing my thoughts.

"Do people say anything to you when you do that? She asked.

When I work, my mind was on my work, and I find myself easily distracted, my mind travels somewhere else. I don’t have a problem with it anymore. I said to her As far as what you see in me, I’ve heard people refer to me as being a little quirky, or a weirdo, or how about freakazoid or comments like not being the sharpest tool in the shed, or one card short of being a full deck. Even you said that you get a lot of strange people that call. I put down what I say sometimes and what I hear in my pad and when I edit my book looking for the right cliché’s, I have them available at my finger tips. Again, what are you doing here? I repeated.

I told you if you had any problems to call me and I’d take care of it. She answered Besides I want to talk to the kids.

They’re in the family room watching television right now, but I think it’s too late for you to do any talking. If you like you can look in the bottom drawer of my dresser and you’ll find a pair of sweat pants and you can wear one of my tee shirts to sleep in. You can have my bed, and Billy and Vanessa will sleep on the couch with me. Our furniture is supposed to be delivered tomorrow. That is unless you were planning on making this a quick visit and being home by early morning. I commented. Ma’am, you said you were relieved of your duties and you didn’t have any authority, so any problems I encounter, I won’t be able to count on you for any legal assistance. Why are you here? I asked her again.

Mister Long Fellow, you sound like a man that takes a direct aim at what he has on his mind. She was careful choosing the right words to talk to me and that only fueled my suspicion.

Missy I’ve been called a red neck in a lot of languages. But I’ve never been called a redneck quite that way. I told her.

I didn’t say that. She answered.

Didn’t you? "Let’s see, there’s being bull headed, and there’s being stubborn as a mule, and