Go Away, Little Girl

By Kelly and Mary Neff

After adjusting to the murder of a dear friend, Kevin and Maggie Knapp are enjoying their married life and careers in the mid-1970s while raising their toddler son, Sammy. When the cherished daughter of a close neighbor goes missing during summer vacation, the Knapps again find themselves in the middle of an investigation that tests their faith and leads to new adventures.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9798889435198

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Go Away, Little Girl

Kelly and Mary Neff

ISBN 979-8-88943-518-1 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88943-519-8 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Kelly and Mary Neff

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

This is a work of fiction; therefore, the novel’s story and primary characters are fictitious. Any public agencies, businesses, institutions, or historical figures mentioned in the story serve as a backdrop to the characters and their actions, which are wholly imaginary.

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

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

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Chapter 59

Chapter 60

Chapter 61

Chapter 62

Chapter 63

Chapter 64

Chapter 65

Chapter 66

Chapter 67

Chapter 68

Chapter 69

Chapter 70

Chapter 71

Chapter 72

Chapter 73

Chapter 74

Chapter 75

Chapter 76

Chapter 77

Chapter 78

Chapter 79

Chapter 80

Chapter 81

Chapter 82

Chapter 83

Chapter 84

Chapter 85

Chapter 86

Chapter 87

Chapter 88

Chapter 89

Chapter 90

Chapter 91

Chapter 92

Chapter 93

Chapter 94

Chapter 95

Chapter 96

Chapter 97

Chapter 98

Chapter 99

Chapter 100

Many thanks to Austin's radio station KAUS for once again allowing us to use their call letters. We also appreciate research assistance provided by helpful staff at the Moore County Historical Society, Austin Herald, Austin Public Library, and the Austin Police Department.

About the Author

Chapter 1

Right, Mom, we'll see you around noon. You guys drive carefully. Wait, wait…what's that, Mags? Hold on, Mom. Maggie wants to ask you something. Okay, I'll turn down the volume, honey. I know, I'm just excited!

Maggie fluttered her baby greens at me. That was the signal for I'm in trouble, level 1. Not too bad for seven thirty on a Saturday morning. I knew it wasn't too severe since she also kissed me before she took the phone.

Hi, Mom! First, thanks so much for making the trip. Sammy's going to be so happy to get hugs from his ‘WahFalls' grandma and grandpa. We're really looking forward to spending time with you. Mr. Kallen has his guest room ready, so you'll have some peace and quiet to recuperate from the party before starting back tomorrow. And, hey, please remember that Kevin and I are really downplaying my birthday this year. Come May 30th, we're going to celebrate with a piece of strawberry pie and a walk in the park, so don't bring any gifts for me, okay?

I could tell Maggie was in her element. The springtime sparkle in her eyes was likely very much like she had on all those Decoration Day birthday parties Jack and Joyce put together for her back in the day. I grinned and patted her on her lovely backside as I walked by with the card table we'd borrowed from the KAUS break room. Heck, I've been the station manager for nearly three years now. That's gotta give me a few perks, right?

Maggie winked at me, then continued preplanning with Mom. "Hey, were you able to find the Winnie the Pooh napkins? I have the cups and tablecloth, but I never could find matching napkins. You were? That's great! Nope, that's all we need. Like Kevin said, you drive carefully. We're not going to start until around one o'clock, so take your time. Okay, see you soon! Do you want to talk to Kevin again?" Apparently, that was a no since she hung up the phone, then scanned the backyard from the window over the sink and put her hands on her hips with a steely determination.

Maggie was about to move into turbo mode, which was understandable since she had been juggling schoolwork, news work, and parenting all week. Before she did, and before Sammy was up and running, I took her hand and gently pulled her toward the kitchen table before motioning for her to join me for the cup of coffee I had put in front of her chair. She took a breath and sat down tentatively.

"Listen, Mags, I know you're nervous, but remember. These are our friends and family joining us, and let's face it, Sammy is only a year old. It's doubtful he or anyone else is going to publish a negative review of his first birthday party, even if something isn't perfect. Would you agree?"

Thanks. I needed that. She took a sip of the steaming brew (cream and two Sweet'N Lows—we didn't know better then), gave me her Stan Laurel grin, and rubbed my hand. You're right, of course. I've just never put on a first birthday party for the smartest and most adorable child on the planet.

No argument from me on that count. Shoot, it's hard to believe it's already a year. Then again, sometimes it feels like forever since the Altman trial ended and Sammy made his world debut. Do you ever think about all that's happened in just twelve months?

And with that, we were off for a bit of our customary nostalgia. I suppose one of the many traits that brought and bound us together was an appreciation for the past. We'd always found comfort in sharing all kinds of memories, like an oral scrapbook we brought out from time to time. While Sammy was sleeping off breakfast and his latest diaper change, we reminisced a bit.

Chapter 2

Our lives certainly had improved since last May 19 when Samuel Kenneth Knapp was born. Improved but somewhat more complicated as any new parents can attest.

Maggie spent just a few days at St. Olaf's before Dr. Sanford gave her the old heave-ho. I was there to take her and the new guy home. I'd already gotten the car seat tutorial from some friends and had been practicing with a stuffed bear to make sure I got everything attached properly. Still, we were as nervous as you'd expect with the full responsibility of this new life resting square on our shoulders.

When we arrived home, our neighbor Anthony Kallen was waiting for us with a reassuring hug, a basket of diapers, and a Tupperware container full of beef stew that was ready to heat and eat. Mr. Kallen was not just our neighbor; he was a trusted friend and a true blessing.

So you have returned at last, he said with a huge grin. It was a warm spring day, so Sam wasn't covered up with blankets, and Anthony could see just how beautiful he was. He was a little reluctant to hold our bundle; well, actually, a lot reluctant, but we encouraged him to give it a go. Cautiously, he took our angel, cupped his hand under Sammy's head, then gazed at him with an obvious recognition that he was one of God's best gifts.

As the weeks progressed, Maggie and I alternated between parental exhaustion, elation, and awe at the extraordinary life changes happening in real time. Maggie's mom and dad were eager and active grandparents, but they also knew we had to find our own way. And we did. As time went on, we would wean them off as the main babysitters. After all, they still had their own responsibilities. Jack continued to teach at Austin State Junior College. Joyce had chosen to cut back her hours at the law firm after the baby came, wanting to be there for her only daughter for those first few months. But eventually, we had to figure out the next steps.

Once Sammy was sleeping longer stretches at night, Maggie and I could catch up a bit on our sleep. I resumed more normal hours at KAUS, which was still running smoothly but would be more so when I could begin implementing some of the plans I'd put on hold while we adjusted to our new role. Maggie enjoyed her family leave and went through her June Cleaver phase. I loved all the domestic bliss stuff, but I also hadn't forgotten my promise to Jack and Joyce when they gave their blessing on our marriage.

I'd committed that I wouldn't lose sight of the importance of Maggie completing college if that was her choice. A few times after I'd come home from the station, I'd found college brochures stuck in with The Austin Herald in the magazine rack beside the nursery rocking chair. She'd never said anything, but that told me all I needed to know.

One summer evening, Sammy was asleep, and we'd finished the supper dishes while listening to Tim Vidas playing the Top 40. We'd covered all the What did you do today? chat. I felt the time was right to broach a consideration of college possibilities, along with a return to work on some level. I suggested we sit down for a few minutes at the kitchen table, where we seemed to conduct all our most important discussions. Maggie, at first reticent, ultimately admitted she'd been thinking about it.

I just don't know, Kev. I mean, how would we do it? Once I go back to work, we can't ask Mom and Dad to take on even more duties. We're Sammy's parents, not them. And you can't be taking off more time at the station when you've had so much success as manager. It just wouldn't be right. Besides, I'm not sure Austin, Minnesota, is ready yet to jump into the new thinking that you don't have to stop every other aspect of your life when you become a mom. Honestly, I'm not sure I'm there yet either. I just don't know.

So you've given this a lot of thought, it seems, I said slowly. "But here's what you haven't told me. If we solved all those issues, especially the babysitter part, would you be ready and willing to take on college along with some amount of time at the paper? Do you think it's something you'd be interested in doing? That's a pretty important part of the discussion, don't ya think?"

She looked me directly in the eye and held my gaze. There are moments when someone you love looks right into your soul, and I knew Maggie was about to give me the straight-up, unvarnished truth. I tensed up a bit as I prepared for her answer.

With a little tremor and moist eyes, she said softly, I think it is, Kevin. I will never, ever stop wanting to be a good wife and a good mom, and I do want to keep my hand in the paper for a lot of reasons. On the other hand, I just think…well, I guess I want to see if I could handle one or two college courses, just to see what happens and so I could continue my education. I don't know if that's reasonable right now or if I even have the energy to make it all work.

I grinned, sighed dramatically, shook my head, and replied, "My dear, you have no idea how relieved I am! I love you being home and all that's meant to our family, but frankly, I've been wondering when your mom and dad were going to chew me out for not keeping my end of the bargain about getting you back to school!

"As for me and KAUS, you're right about my needing to be there as much as I can. I admit it. I'm proud of what I've been able to do with the changes we've made. We've built a good group of on-air talent. Sponsors are up nearly fifty percent since I took over after Roger Bourke and Maria left for Arkansas to run her family's farm.

"But—and this is a big but—my family will always be way more important. I know we need enough money to support us, but work stuff all can be managed with enough planning and thought. My dad was a hard worker and the sole wage earner for our house, but he never lost sight that family was his highest priority. He and my mom were a good team and figured out ways to balance it all out.

There's a way to do this, Mags. We're two smart people, and we have worked hard to build reputations and friendships in the community. Think about it a minute—Maxine, Caroline, Mollie, Father Jennings, Mr. Willoughby, Mike Hogard…heck, even Mayor Reding. And all the folks at church. Don't you think they'd be willing to help from time to time if needed? And it's not like I can't come home for a while most days. We have a telephone, and I can be at the office in fifteen minutes unless another blizzard comes through. Heck, if I needed to, I could bundle the little guy up and take him to the office with me for short trips. You know the staff is crazy about him. Shoot, the ladies already keep toys and a couple extra diapers around, just in case you stop by with him!

Suddenly, Maggie's face looked a little brighter, and her eyes widened a bit. She said, "Kev…you are so right! Maybe it could work! And you didn't even mention our secret weapon…Mr. Kallen! He talks all the time about how Sammy has helped him adjust to life since Kitty died, especially with his son so far away now. Even with his library volunteer work, he probably could manage a few hours a week while I worked or studied. I don't remember if I told you about going next door to visit him the other day and seeing two library books on his couch. Guess what they were about? How to care for newborns! Can you believe it?"

I rubbed her hand and smiled. "Maggie, I've been praying about this for a while now, so yes, I can believe it. When has God failed to help us find our way through a problem? Never, that's when."

And so, with our strategy set, we sealed our plan with a kiss and a hug and little impromptu dance around the kitchen. Well, at least Maggie danced, her shiny brown hair swaying just as it had the first time I'd seen her at The Country Kitchen. I stood back and watched (which I enjoyed immensely). Now we just had to figure out how and when to approach Mr. Kallen. He'd long-ago insisted we call him Tony, but Maggie and I usually called him Mr. Kallen out of habit, I guess.

Anyway, Maggie next hatched a plan to persuade the unsuspecting gentleman by plying him with pork roast and strawberry pie. I didn't have the heart to tell her that the pie probably needed a little work. The point is the trap was set, and he eagerly accepted the invitation to join us for supper the next night.

Between pork roast, fresh green beans, salad and pie, mixed with a few good jokes and Sammy cooing as he grabbed Mr. Kallen's index finger, he never stood a chance. As soon as Anthony saw him, he grinned and started doing all those coochie-coochie sounds everyone seems to make around babies. I thought about what it must be like for Anthony to be able to make such a fuss. After all, his son was in his forties, so it had probably been a long while since he had been around a baby, let alone experienced the profound joy of holding one.

Chapter 3

As if on cue, our sentimental reverie was broken by a knock on the door. It was only 8:00 a.m. but there was Mr. Kallen with party cupcakes and streamers in hand.

He apologized about the early hour and then said, I wanted to get this stuff over so you'd have it ready. Do you want me to start hanging the streamers in the trees?

He looked so eager that I didn't have the heart to remind him the party didn't start for five hours. I gave him the money for the cupcakes, each one decorated with a Winnie the Pooh character. Two dozen unattended cupcakes inside the house until one o'clock. I was hoping for leftovers or an advance sample, but with the crew we'd invited, I knew neither would happen. I resisted temptation and quickly hid them on top of the refrigerator, far out of reach of a certain one-year-old with a sweet tooth. After a couple of quick instructions, Mr. Kallen left for backyard decoration duty. I knew those ribbons were in good hands.

The streamers were an homage to Maggie's childhood birthdays, always held over the weekend, celebrating what we now know as Memorial Day. To those decorations, they'd add colorful balloons, a few little games and songs, and voilà—a birthday party! Lately, we saw a trend toward more elaborate parties at parks and restaurants and such. Thankfully, we'd agreed that was not for us. We saw no reason to turn a birthday party into a competition. Plus, neither of us remembered a birthday much before age five, so we were fine with a lower-stress affair for the next few years.

Maggie assured me she had things well under control (of course), so I went outside to help Mr. Kallen. We hung the streamers, set up the card table, congratulated ourselves on our excellent work, then took a break at the picnic table Mom and Dad had brought up last time they visited. I remembered eating many a summer supper at that very table in Water Falls. They'd offered it to us when they were doing some downsizing last fall, and we'd been grateful to accept. These days, Sam was just tall enough to hold on to the bench as he toddled along to survey his domain.

I told Mr. Kallen about our earlier trip down memory lane and asked him what he remembered about how he'd come to take on the role of Sammy's Babysittin' Buddy. Clearly, Mr. Kallen was still as sharp as a tack. He remembered details even I'd forgotten.

He said, "Oh, I remember it like yesterday, Kevin. We'd just finished supper—pork roast, as I recall—and we were in the living room afterwards. You called me Anthony, which you almost never do, so I knew right away something was up. Then you said, ‘Maggie has six weeks of family leave from the paper, and they've even agreed to hold her job for another two weeks if we need it. After that, she'll be going back to the Herald on some level, and we need someone to look after Sam when one of us can't be here.'"

He smiled as he continued, I knew what was coming next, but I wanted to give Maggie a chance to chime in…and she did! I can't remember every word, but she mentioned that her mom was going to shift to half days at the law firm for a few months after Maggie's hiatus so she could come over mornings to take care of Sam while you guys went to work. And then came the big pitch! I was on board for afternoon shifts before she asked, but adding a little money and lots of snacks sealed the deal for me!

He winked and raised his eyebrows a couple of times like Groucho. I nodded my head as I recalled those early days. You have been a true blessing, Mr. Kallen. Without you, I'm not sure we could have managed it all.

I'm glad to do it, Kevin. Heck, didn't you know I only did it so I could sample your nightly suppers? You really took on that duty like a pro.

Maggie always said the suppers were superb, but I knew she was stretching the truth a bit. Thankfully, she knew I was no Julia Child, so she was happy with tacos and more basic fare. You were my official taster some days. I figured if you could handle it, she'd be okay too.

I glanced at my watch and saw we'd been on break about as long as we'd spent decorating! Still, there was one way Mr. Kallen had helped us that had been especially important. We didn't have too many chances just to talk one on one, so I decided five more minutes wouldn't hurt. Besides, Maggie hadn't come to the window to check on us, so I knew we were still safe.

Anthony, I'm not sure I've ever really thanked you personally for your role in getting Maggie back to college.

Oh now, Kevin, he started, and he raised his hand to stop me.

No, Anthony, I want to say this, so you're just gonna have to hear me out. You know, when Maggie had to move into her part-time work routine, I wondered if we really could work out a way for her to return to school. I knew she was motivated, and I knew her mom and dad were watching how that progressed. Honestly, I didn't see that much happening on that front.

Mr. Kallen grinned before he replied, Yep, but you didn't know that Maggie and I had been hatching a plan when you weren't around!

"Man, I remember that night! Sammy was finally asleep, and we were having a welcome respite with some overdue pillow talk. I brought up the college issue. After a few minutes, she said, ‘Kevin, Mr. Kallen and I have a surprise for you.' Since not every surprise is a good one, I tensed up a little until she said, ‘Don't worry. This is something good.'

From there, she started telling me, ‘You guys had been hatching a plan. I couldn't believe you'd put together all that research on colleges around here with journalism schools.'

I decided not to share with Mr. Kallen memories of the rest of that evening, but I surely recalled it. Dear Maggie, the love of my life, told me about the information Anthony had compiled for Drake in Des Moines, Creighton in Omaha, Concordia up in St. Paul, and most hilarious to me, Bradley in Peoria. When I started laughing at that one, Maggie had asked me what was so funny.

It's silly, I answered. Whenever I hear Peoria, it makes me sing ‘Marching to Peoria' by the Smothers Brothers. I wish we could afford to have them at one of our Mower County Fair shows. Sorry, I've digressed. Please continue.

She smiled that sweet smile of hers that tolerated my odd sense of humor. He also got some information on UM. They have a journalism school. So does Concordia's branch over in Moorhead.

Wait a minute, Mags. Sam and I don't want you going that far away. Maybe there's something in Rochester. That's not too far.

Maggie gave me kind of a disgusted look (she is incapable of giving anyone the disgusted look), batted her eyelashes a few times, and said, Babe, I was thinking about correspondence courses. Anthony is checking to see if any of these schools offer that option, then we'll check out others in the Midwest to see if they offer the same thing.

If that's the case, maybe they don't have to be in the Midwest. Can I look at those brochures?

About a week later, Maggie and I narrowed down the choices to Northwestern and the University of Missouri. Anthony came over after supper one night so we could announce our finalists. When we did, he said, Maggie, I like Missouri because they offer a doctorate, and Northwestern offers just a masters. Besides, Kitty's second cousin had a friend who once lived in Missouri, so there's a tie there.

I let out a chuckle, and Maggie bit her lip and looked down. Anthony looked at us both and burst out laughing. I guess that sounds a bit off the wall, right?

Just a tad, I said as I headed toward the kitchen for one more fried chicken leg. As I left, I added, No, really, I can't stay, I have to feed Sam.

Maggie looked at the plate and just rolled her eyes. Sam, huh? she said and smiled.

The two continued their back-and-forth. I finished kitchen duty, then came out and took one more look at the brochures. Suddenly, I said with conviction, Mags, this is it. You just must go to Northwestern.

Why? she asked.

Because that's where Brent Musberger got his degree. I just saw him on TV the other night. He was very good.

Yes, that's the reason I'd go there. Actually, both Anthony and I are leaning toward Missouri. They offer the most flexibility in their classes, including correspondence options. They also offer a test-out option for a lot of the prereqs, so you can get credit for those and move more quickly into the curriculum for your major. I'm not bragging or anything, but I'm pretty confident I could test out of a lot of them to save time. Mom and Dad think either place would be a good choice, but I think that's a better option for me.

Anthony looked pleased and said, Margaret Knapp, that would be an excellent choice. I'll send away for more information tomorrow. Now I'll just take some of that leftover chicken and head home.

Maggie looked at me knowingly as I confessed, Actually, Anthony, I ate it all. Sorry.

He pretended to be upset and left me and Maggie to talk about her choice.

Soon, Maggie was on her way to completing her associates degree at Missouri. As always, we operated as a team. She worked on her studies every night after supper. I did the dishes, put away the leftovers, tended to Sam, and kissed her repeatedly. She did test out of a lot of classes, which allowed her to take a semester off to make sure all bases were covered with home, Sammy, the station, and her own part-time work. As a result, she finished in record time. She shared her commencement day milestone with both sets of parents, Mr. Kallen, coworkers, the station folks, and her longtime Austin friends, not to mention one enormously proud husband. We formed quite the cheering section.

One of my favorite photos of that day shows Pastor and Mrs. Chaplin smiling broadly as they each held one of Sammy's chubby little hands. When Sam, their only son, and Maggie's treasured friend was murdered, I sometimes wondered if they'd ever really find joy again. Seeing them looking so pleased as they posed with their boy's namesake, I knew God had helped them heal.

Chapter 4

Maggie's voice broke through the reminiscence. I glanced toward the kitchen window as she said a bit louder, Kevin Alexander Knapp, might I ask you to come in and help me pick up a bit? The more formal the request, the more I knew No was not an acceptable response.

Mr. Kallen chuckled. That's my cue to skedaddle, Kevin. When Kitty used my full name, I knew I'd better listen up and get a move on. I'll let you get on with your party planning, but let me know if you need anything else before it starts. And I'll help you clean up the backyard after folks leave.

Thanks, Mr. Kallen. I enjoyed our visit, though.

As I entered through the back door, I could see Maggie had been hard at work. Popcorn popped (yes, I sampled it), iced tea and strawberry Kool-Aid already in colorful plastic pitchers, and meaty ham sandwiches on golden hoagie rolls assembled on the counter. Sammy was up and in full alert mode as he toddled toward me with open arms and a toothless grin. He'd chosen his finest diaper for the occasion. I picked him up and tossed him just high enough to make Maggie squeal for me to stop and Sammy to shout, Mo, Daddy, mo!

When did you get so heavy, Little Man? I asked as I kissed his fine tousled hair. He giggled, wiggled his legs, and grabbed my finger. Honestly, there was no way this child was not an angel. I was sure of it.

Sounding slightly exasperated, Maggie asked, Kevin, could you please pick up Sammy's toys? I just did it this morning, but he's been up about a half hour, and it looks like I haven't touched the place!

C'mon, Sam, we have a job to do. Let's tackle it together. I knew he had no idea what I was saying, but when I started to whistle as I marched along purposefully into the living room, he followed along for the mission. Maggie looked relieved as she resumed cutting the sandwiches into quarters and rearranging them on the platter.

With trial and error, I'd found that turning cleanup into a game worked a lot better than most other approaches. We made short work of our task, with multiple races to the toy box. Sammy preferred to be the quarterback, tossing items in at about a fifty percent completion rate. I performed cleanup of the cleanup.

When we were through, I congratulated him on a job well done, then turned around to leave the room. Sammy had other ideas as he grabbed my hand and pointed to the oak rocker beside his crib. He led me to the rocker and climbed into my lap. The seat cushion, once so plush and plump, had flattened over time, well-worn from the many times we'd comforted or cajoled him through midnight wakenings and the inevitable sniffles and earaches.

I bounced him gently on my lap, listening attentively while he babbled about things only he understood. I remembered how many times I'd tiptoed into that nursery to watch him sleep. I'd softly reposition the rocker to watch him through the slats of the crib. Of course, I am a bit prejudiced, but I am convinced he was and is the cutest baby ever. A look at that full crop of brownish hair made me think back to my formative years when my hair was that very same color. Mom often brought a family scrapbook up when they visited so she could share again how we were the spittin' image of each other.

Those late-night conversations with my sleeping son often went something like this. "Hey, fella. Having a wonderful sleep, I see. I don't know if newborns dream but hope you're having a good one, if you are.

"Sammy, my boy, you have your mother's eyes and nose, and since she is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, you get the silver medal. You shine so bright I need sunglasses when I look at you. You have so many wonderful things to look forward to.

"Do you realize those blue eyes of yours will experience the best life has to offer? I promise I will always be there for you no matter what happens and no matter how old you are. Till the day I die, little one, you will always be my little boy.

And I can't wait to watch you grow up, I'd continue in a whisper. Unlimited possibilities. As I see it, you could be the next Mickey Mantle, the next Johnny Unitas, the next Bob Cousy, or just excel in whatever you choose to do. I am so looking forward to taking you to your first day of school, your first baseball game, and all the other firsts. I promise I'll be there for your first broken heart too.

Chapter 5

The party went off without a hitch, was well-attended, with nothing left but two sandwiches and some popcorn we sent home with Mr. Kallen. Folks stopped by in small groups, giving us time to visit more than we'd been able to do in a long time. It was good to relax and see Maggie laugh and catch up with so many of our friends. At times like this, I realized how much these fine Austinites had come to be a part of my extended family too.

Sammy clearly enjoyed all the games with little boys and girls he'd met at church, other community events, and playdates. It was easier these days to coordinate those playdates. The neighborhood had taken on a more youthful feel. Young couples were buying nearby houses briskly, increasingly available as the prior generation downsized after reaching their empty nest phase.

Over the past year or so, we noticed that young households often included two working parents with a full-time working father and a mom working outside the home, at least part-time. It was a cultural change filled with controversy, coming on the heels of so many new social views. Editorials and commentary filled the media, each side certain their view was the only view, seeds likely planted for the divisiveness that would come to drive politics and culture wars in decades to come.

I saw the change as positive in my own family, offering Maggie the opportunity to use her talents and for us both to teach Sammy new ideas about marriage roles. My mom had concerns, given that she'd adopted the full-time homemaker responsibility in our home. Maggie's mom, on the other hand, had worked outside the home for much of Maggie's childhood, so she was much more accepting of the new direction.

Regardless of varying opinions, one reality of dual-income families we'd seen was some loss of time that neighbors previously spent getting together to visit. For that reason, we'd made sure to invite the whole neighborhood to the party, hoping at least some of them would show. The Petersons, Olsons, and Kelleys all showed up with their broods. Sammy welcomed them all with a friendly smile. But when he eyed Dale and Randy Rogers coming into the backyard with little Becky, he went running like they were long-lost kin.

Once the Rogers family had moved here shortly after Christmas, we'd begun joking that we had our own Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Sammy loved that program and watched it every day. Despite our preference for radio, we had to admit that Fred Rogers had a special way with children that really was best-suited for television. We did our best to make sure the television was on for at least that half hour every day and asked Anthony to do the same whenever he could. No matter what Sammy was doing, when he heard the opening piano notes of that famous intro, he toddled directly to the television to see what sweater Misser Rah-jahs would wear (blue was his favorite) and what adventures he'd offer in that episode.

Anyway, whether he associated them with that show, I can't say. But I surely know he had a special fondness for little twelve-year-old Becky, the Rogers' only child. The Rogers had hoped for more children but were advised against it by Dale's doctor for reasons they never explained, and we never pursued.

Perhaps because she had hoped for a bigger family as well, Becky had taken to Sammy like a cherished little brother. With her outgoing personality, she seemed to have never met a stranger. She was always especially kind to Sammy, who often waited eagerly at the living room window to see her walking past the house on her way home from school. In warmer weather, he'd pull himself into the Sammy-sized webbed lawn chair we'd put on the porch, watching intently for her appearance.

As soon as he could put a few words together, he'd call out as he spotted her, Hi, Beh-eey! Hi, Beh-eey! with a charming grin and a friendly wave.

Per a script that apparently never got old, she'd respond with an equally charming smile and a playful tease, Wait a minute? Who's calling my name? Hmmm…who could that be? Then she'd spin around with her hand above her eyebrows and squint as she pretended to search for the voice.

"Me, me, me…Beh-eey, it's me, Sammy!"

And she'd act surprised, every time. She always was willing to spend a few moments visiting, pretending to understand whatever he had to say, thus securing her place as his absolute favorite neighbor friend. I suspected in future years her kindnesses and attention would lead to a preference for older women. I was thankful her family had decided to move down the block.

Chapter 6

The fun of Sammy's birthday party was somewhat short-lived. The following Wednesday morning, Mike Britton, our program director, came into my office with a look I'd learned to treat seriously. He announced that Christopher English had just submitted his resignation. I stared at him a few seconds to absorb the news. Christopher and I went back a long way. He got to KAUS just a few months after I did about six years ago.

I asked Mike to come back in a few minutes and then closed the door behind him, breaking my usual open-door policy. I recalled that awful snowstorm just last year. Wow, was it that recent? It seems so long ago. Chris and I had holed up at the station during the entire blizzard, taking seriously the station's commitment to keep our listeners informed during weather emergencies. By that time, Chris was seasoned behind the mic. With my promotion to station manager, I had been off-the-air for a while, but it sure was fun getting back in the saddle, taking shifts with Chris, six on, six off for two-plus days. Afterward, we heard from many grateful listeners. Despite Maggie's initial reluctance about my camping out at the station, she and the community came to see in a new way how radio can impact a community beyond just entertainment.

Mike returned and handed me a Pepsi which I gratefully accepted.

You okay, Chief? he asked.

I'm fine. It's just that Christopher has been a big part of the station's success. His afternoon drive show has always been top-rated, and listeners love him. But here are the obvious questions. Why has he resigned? Did something happen here? Has he been unhappy?

Not that I know, and I asked him just that. He says he's been happy here but didn't want to lose an opportunity to move to a larger market in St. Louis, and they were pushing him for an answer. He says, otherwise, he would have come in and talked to you about it before making the decision. But the station was in a bind.

I nodded my head. I understand completely, I said. I doubt if we could have matched any offer a station in St. Louis made.

Mike went on, I already checked with the other deejays about taking over the shift, and they all said they are happy in their current time slots. We need to find a replacement right away. I have a few tapes and applications. Do you need me to bring them in so we can go over them together and you can decide?

Mike, my boy, I hired you to be as our PD because I had confidence you would do excellent work, and you have. I trust you to make the right decision. I would like to know when you whittle it down to three or four finalists just out of curiosity. He left, and I gathered my thoughts, returning to the tasks at hand.

That afternoon, I saw Chris in the lobby and said quietly, Christopher, may I see you, please? He looked at me the same way as I probably felt when Roger Bourke said the same thing to me way back when. We walked silently to my office, where I nodded the signal to sit down and then took the seat behind my well-worn desk, inherited from Roger.

Sit down, Christopher, and tell me all about this new job of yours.

He said apprehensively, Chief, I apologize for not letting you know before I made my decision, but you were really busy yesterday and had already left by the time I got off the air. KDPN said they could only give me through six o'clock yesterday to make a decision. I got the feeling they were ready to offer it to someone else if I didn't meet their deadline. In fact, their PD said as much. I'm sorry.

Chris, you have nothing to be sorry about. You have been an integral part of the success this station has had over the last few years. You deserve this. I assume KDPN is a rock station?

He smiled and said, "It is. I'm not sure about their ratings in the St. Louis market, but their PD said they were very competitive. Like