Glasshouse America

By Corson T. Cagden

I am the writer of this story. I am the reporter of these events.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: May 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9781665744300

Corson T. Cagden

Corson T. Cagden is an American Patriot and travels across the world.

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Copyright © 2023 Corson T. Cagden.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Archway Publishing

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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.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-6657-4429-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6657-4430-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023909454

Archway Publishing rev. date: 05/31/2023

CONTENTS

Chapter 1Longstride

Siblings and Strangers

Neighborhood Service

Valley High School

Chapter 2Door Threshold

Funeral

Rivalries

The Rocking Chair

Chapter 3Flagpole

Community Partnerships

Go Play on a Freeway

Primary School Introduction

Chapter 4March of the M.S.K.

Gellin’?

Chauffeur West

The Sunday Swing

Chapter 5Futbol

Blast Off

By the Skin of Your Teeth

Assembly

Chapter 6Gary Bishop

And His Lost Company

Reggie’s

Off to the Races!

Chapter 7Agreements for Stadiums

Sportsmanship

Railcar Surprise!

Reunions

Chapter 8All Politics are Local

CODE: Cover Identity

Sinister Plot

Grillin’

Chapter 9Smart Phone Duel

The Set Up

Cyril’s Favorite Deli

Sun and Sky Squid Kite

Chapter 10Memorial Tour

Snakespit

Of Birds and Mice

Somewhere in Midwest America

References

Soundtrack

1

LONGSTRIDE

EARL LONGSTRIDE MARRIED Helen Livegood six months after graduating high school in Springfield, Illinois, in 1952. Two months after the wedding, Earl shipped off to the Navy’s reception installation and completed basic training. The Navy scheduled Earl to complete an advanced occupational specialty in the construction of artillery shells for the naval vessels scheduled for deployment to the Sea of Japan in support of the war effort in Korea which extended his absence. Earl received orders for Jacksonville, Florida, a logistics hub for the entire continental United States. Scheduled for duty at the Port of Jacksonville, Earl called and informed Helen.

What do you mean Jacksonville, Florida? Helen snipped.

Jacksonville, Florida, Earl said with gusto.

Well, Helen relented, There are worse places to be, I guess.

Earl purposely withheld the part that Jacksonville was a temporary stop before the newlyweds would travel across the country to Coronado Island in San Diego, California. Earl rationalized the tactic to break the news to Helen in person and sweet talk his wife into the bedroom upon rendezvousing in Jacksonville. Earl said that the Navy would provide everything the two would need in Jacksonville and not to worry.

Helen, think of this as an adventure. Helen’s heart raced a little faster as the two shared pleasantries before Earl hung up the phone. Duty calls, my Love! See you before you know it.

Earl picked up his wife from the train station just outside of Jacksonville and brought her back to the married housing on post. Earl arrived on post two weeks before Helen and tried to straighten up the quarters prior to Helen’s arrival. Helen appreciated the gesture.

Helen, are you hungry? I was thinking that we could have dinner. I have something I want to share with you. Earl could hardly contain himself. Earl found a nice Italian restaurant off post upon arriving a few days earlier.

The elderly Italian host sat Helen and Earl down in a quiet and romantic section of the restaurant at a table with a red and white checkered plastic cloth. The booth was comfortable and worn. The newlyweds sat googly eyed facing one another and extremely excited to share a collection of moments since Earl shipped off. Helen loved the train ride south and took to heart the guidance given by Earl on the phone several weeks prior to her arrival in Jacksonville. Earl was ecstatic that Helen made the trip safely.

Earl, what did you want to tell me? I mean, you said on the phone that I should think of this as an adventure. The train ride was absolutely marvelous traveling all that way. I hope I can take the train again sometime. Helen’s comments comforted Earl because he became slightly uneasy about telling Helen that the Navy had additional plans that would bring the young couple out west in less than six months.

Well, look here, see, Earl said with a smile that seemed to grow out of a feeling to strategize the conversation correctly. I wanted to te . . .

At the very moment Earl started to come clean about the temporary duty in Jacksonville, the younger server whisked across the room to ask about drinks with dinner. The newlyweds had not looked at the menus. The server’s flamboyance brought Earl’s attention and Helen’s attention to the specials, I shall return momentarily.

My name is Papa Jim! May I take your order? Papa Jim motioned to Helen.

Helen looked down into the menu a second time, I’d really like spaghetti and meatballs and an unsweetened iced tea with lemon. I am parched.

Ahh, Spah-Ge-Tay. Excellent choice. May I interest you in salad and garlic bread? Perhaps, my great-grandfather’s secret Italian dressing.

Helen looked across the table at Earl and smiled. Earl smiled back and nodded.

Yes, please.

And for you, Sir?

I’ll have the lasagna, salad with the famous Italian dressing and garlic bread. Please, may I have an iced tea also?

Yes, sir. Coming right up! And with the final statement, Papa Jim turned around and whisked away from the table as swiftly and silently as he appeared.

Earl was mesmerized by the entire ambience of the quaint location and surprised by the fortunate opportunity of finding the establishment. Papa Jim’s grandfather started serving customers shortly after arriving in the States in the 1930’s. Papa Jim’s father enlisted the Army and returned to the old country to fight back the aggression of the 1940’s and was killed in action at Anzio. The elderly host sat the couple in a booth containing a picture of the entire family.

Papa Jim, pictured as the nine-year-old child standing next to a proud Italian father in U.S. Army fatigues, a few days before shipping out to the America’s Fifth Army, now eighteen years old whisked back through the kitchen doors with two teas. Earl and Helen were not much older. Papa Jim saw the young couple admiring the picture on the wall. Helen saw the young man’s heart begin to sink a little bit before the courageous young server swallowed his pride and said, that’s me standing next to my dad before he left for the war. We are so proud of him. Papa Jim’s statement hit Earl with much more weight than Helen. My grandfather forced me to sit this one out. Papa Jim placed the glasses down on the table without spilling a drop and glided back into the kitchen.

Earl took Helen’s hand as she continued to allow the picture to sink into her soul. Helen, Jacksonville is temporary. I wanted to tell you in person and not over the telephone. We’ll only be here for six months. The Navy is sending us to Coronado Island.

Where is Coronado Island?

San Diego, California.

Well, I can certainly think of worse places to be, Helen said and smiled warmly.

Are you sure you are OK with that?

Helen smiled and nodded in agreement.

The training that Earl received in Jacksonville put him working in close proximity with civilian defense contractors in San Diego. The Navy could observe the coming conclusion of the Korean police action and set in motion the recruitment of personnel with capabilities to support the mission of future department priorities.

One defense contractor in San Diego in particular observed Earl’s work ethic and commented with some amusement and civility, how much longer until your obligation with the Navy is complete, Earl?

The man invited Earl out for cocktails to talk shop and recruit the young sailor into the civilian defense world. "The position opens in about a year from now so, you have time to consider and reconsider your options. Talk to Helen and get her input. One curve ball is that the position is out of Larry Laughlin Laboratories in Northern California and satellite campuses