Me and Dr. Womack stood silently in front of what was left of the largest Fruit Farm in the state. I don’t know why he brought me here.

Dr. Womack had been me and my brother’s guardian since we were little. He always said he was keeping us safe from whatever evil liked to take little boys from around here. But, the things he taught us said differently.

I took my Green “Tractor Service” ball cap off and held it to my chest. Dr. Womack did the same with his Brimmed Leather hat. We were showing respect to what had become that boys final resting place.

The transient boy was last seen with Mr. Clabourne at the corner Diner. Nel; the waitress said she heard him offer the boy work. That wasn’t uncommon. He always tried to help a soul in need.

I don’t know why they decided to go hunt for the boy or who tipped them off. But, when that boy’s gruesomely assaulted body was found mangled amongst the trees, No one waited for an investigation.

A mob of angry town folks, screaming, hollering, carrying torches, burned Old Mr. Clabourne’s Apple Orchard to the ground.
Not long after, the Sherriff and his deputies went in there and drug that old man down his front entryway. He didn’t have the strength to fight, only beg for mercy. They said his head bounced off every step, making a thud and finally….his pleading stopped. If you ask anyone around here, they’ll tell you it never happened. The Coroner listed Mr. Clabourne’s death as a Natural Cause. He wouldn’t have gotten a fair trial anyways.

I believed they knew Clabourne didn’t murder that boy. I guess sometimes people just need a reason to be angry and someone to take it out on. Well…. This must’ve been one of those times.

I can still hear the change jingling in the old man’s pants pockets. He always gave me and my little brother money for a soda – Never did hurt us.

I flipped a quarter off my index finger and let it hit the ground, leaving it as acknowledgement that I believed him innocent.

The smoldering ash was too much for Dr. Womack. He put his handkerchief over his mouth and coughed. He looked down at me. “Son, this was a lesson in empathy.” He said as he sat a piece of Apple pie from the diner down by what was left of a tree stump. “Always care a little something about your victims.” We went back to the truck and never mentioned Clabourne or the kid again.

Truly?

“You’re listening to WLLV in Philadelphia. The City of Brotherly love.”

The DJ spoke so quick and full of enthusiasm that I almost changed the dial.

It was a Rainy Monday Morning. I hadn’t had my coffee and the windshield wipers on my old Volvo station wagon were failing me.

“Join us this Saturday February the 14^th at 1400 hours for our Annual “I love rock contest.” Whoever finds the Rock wins a night out with the Jock, Disc Jockey that is. Yours truly, Big Daddy Love. At the end of the evening, I will personally whisk you away in your own brand new, bright red, Ford Mustang. Don’t forget to register by calling into the station.”

Yeah, right. Like I was going to go hunt for a heart shaped rock in Fairmount park, The largest park in Philadelphia.

Along with my thoughts – came a familiar engine sputter.

I guess I will… go look for that rock. It wasn’t like I had a Valentine to spend the day with.

I got up around noon Saturday and stopped by the ATM. I withdrew my last $700.00. I showed up at the park, signed in and started looking.

“Please Lord show me some favor.” I said aloud.

I had been there well over three hours when I came across Big Daddy Love sitting at a long folding table next to two gigantic speakers blaring “Pour some sugar on me.” Twiddling his thumbs, he waited for fans to come by for an autograph. That wasn’t going real well.

I tightened my ponytail and went over. I was going to try my hand at fast talking.

“Big Daddy Love?”

He cupped his hand around his ear. “Huh? I can’t hear you.”

“Look, I have seven one-hundred-dollar bills and I need you to take them from me and tell me where to find this rock. My car is on the brinks and truthfully, this event could last for days. Help me and you both out, please!” It felt like I was speaking a million miles a minute.

He looked up, winked and shouted “What about the date, Hottie?”

“Within contest rules!” I yelled back making sure I could be heard over the tunes.

He waved me down closer to him and quietly spoke in my ear. “Wait another hour, then ask me to remove my left sneaker.”

Oh my goodness.. He had been sitting here this whole time with a rock in his shoe.

He walked over and stood next to me, holding the same glass of whiskey he normally held. His breath wreaking, he handed me an old map he found folded up in his Grandaddy’s Bible.

“It looks like our backyard, Sam.” The Center is the house. The square is the sandbox, Bottom right is the swing set.” While trying to keep his voice from slurring, he pointed towards the dotted line in the front. “That’s the street.”

“I guess Mike. What does this have to do with anything?” I asked.

“I was thinking since Junior’s birthday is tomorrow. We can hide his gifts where the Red X’s are. Huh? What do you think about that? Good idea, huh? Give him the map, send him on a treasure hunt.”

“He’s only 6. I don’t know.”

“Alright then. That settles it.” He flopped back down in his La-Z-boy recliner. He was only 32 but acted much older. Now I had to go get the Power Rangers from the bedroom closet and bury them in the yard. His ideas always turned into my work.

It was still daylight. I could do it now. Luckily, there was no rain in the forecast.

There’s a Flower bed over on the right hand side of the house near the first X and a small tree in the front yard near the other Red X. I would let him find his gifts first thing in the morning and then we could eat some cake for breakfast – Make it fun. We just can’t do the party thing because Mike is always drunk.

In the front yard, I kneeled by the tree thinking there was no way I could hide this here. There was nothing to disguise this present. I would literally have to dig a hole! I let my mind wander for a moment until I was brought back to reality by the squealing of tires. The car made impact with the Electric pole, the wires shook. The women’s body was flung through the windshield. Her foot hung from the steering wheel, keeping her and the vehicle together.

I froze in shock. Mike ran out of the door. “Marissa, Marissa!”

He knew this woman? He turned to face me. “Call 9-1-1 Sam!” He screamed.

“My Darling Marissa. No!” He rubbed her bloody hair away from her face.” Unsteady on his feet, he was able to mutter a few words before he passed out. “She’s a friend from the bar.”

The twins ran into my bedroom squealing with excitement. It was the weekend. I just wanted to sleep in this once.

They both jumped on my bed in their Spider-Man pajamas, bouncing their knees up and down to make sure they had my full attention.

“Daddy’s home! Momma, Daddy’s home! He looks just like you said he would.” Had he been released already?

I ran to the window and pulled the cord on the vinyl shades so I could see out. Gasping, I grabbed my robe. Not caring who seen me, I ran out barefoot.

I threw my arms around his neck, bumping my head against his permanently placed helmet as I had done so many times in the past. “Scrambler, how did you get out? I thought the twins had to be of age before they would grant you Superb status again. Superb was code word for Super Hero in Velocia.

His status was revoked once I became pregnant. It was a violation of the Velocian rules. I was from Chicago and had no ties to it’s people and definitely no powers. He was serving time in order to regain his birthright which is what kept him alive and also to pay restitution for his misconduct.

He spoke in the computerized voice I missed so much. “I scrambled the rules. It took me years to mix up their thoughts so they would agree to my deliverance. They blocked my rays from their memory drives for so long. Everyday I exercised my tools, getting stronger by the minute. In my absence, I secured frogness to keep an eye on you. He was the only one left I could trust.” That made sense. Many a night I lost sleep because of a croaking frog.

He turned towards the boys in slow motion. “I see they will need scrambling too.” Mind scrambling was his power. “I thought you would have taught them better.” He said.

“What do you mean? I asked. “They are very well behaved.”

“You allow them to wear Spider-Man pajamas?”

He picked them both up by his foot and tossed them up to his chest. Their eyes widened but not in fear. Holding his boys for the first time. “I will never let you go.” As he spoke, I imagined that tears welled up in his eyes, if he possessed such.

“Momma, Dad’s a Super Hero.” The kids whispered in sync.

“He’s your Super Hero.”

Our house was always dark and dreary, never any excitement. Mother insisted we keep the blinds closed. The snow added to the depression I always assumed I inherited from her. My younger sister running around cheery – angered me. I felt as if I had zero in common with this family.

Jules looked nothing like me. Her hair blonde, sun kissed skin and the most beautiful hazel eyes you could find. If you looked close enough, sunflowers appeared to outline her pupils. Everyone liked her. They wanted to be her.

I, on the other hand; brunette, brown eyed, if you seen me, you would swear I had never met the sun. Most importantly, I didn’t care to be social.

“Come look at this Loren!” The excitement in her voice told me there had to be another “Hottie” on Instagram trying to befriend her. 

“What is it?”

“Just come here. Please.” Her tone softened. I moped down the hall, uninterested but trying my best to be sisterly.

“I’m in Mom’s room. Look what I found.” Her hands were trembling.

I was a little more interested now that some rule breaking had taken place. But nervous in a sense.

“A Camera, Map and some photo’s and read this letter on the backside of the map.” She flipped it over, the penmanship was superb. I was intrigued. “Mom told us to never go through her stuff, Jules.” Now that I look back, a good sister wouldn’t have shared her findings.

She pressed the map against my chest “Read it!”

“My Love,

Though the miles may separate us for a lifetime. I vow to wait here for your return. Patiently longing to be a father to our child. The film on this camera remains undeveloped until you decide to tell my precious Loren of her true beginnings.

Smile Always, Brown”

My first thought was of Dad. How would he react? Or …. did he know I wasn’t his child?

“Smile for the camera. I thought Mechelle was doing today’s Broadway Beach photo shoot.”

“So did she.” The tall, slender model tilted her head to create an optimal scene. As she leaned against the buggy, her poise caught more than just the camera’s eye. The photographer found himself smitten.

“Show me what’s in the trunk.” He laughed as the camera clicked away. She repositioned her long, golden ponytails so they too could be captured.

“Yeah, I don’t think you really want to know what’s in there.” She then moved her Louis Vuitton shades over her eyes – their color matched the oceans blue. She was something to gawk at. Her attitude made her even more attractive.

He sat his equipment down in the sand and unwittingly approached her, not a practice of his. Mesmerized, he acted out of character.

“Show me!” He insisted.

“You’re all the same. Every since I was a little girl I have fought off the likes of you. So, sure let me show you.” She tilted the large wooden case over on its side and opened it.

“What in the world is that?” He bent down squinting his eyes and leaned in to get a closer look.

“Shark bait.” She whispered in his ear tickling his lobe with her breath. She reached into her tall boots and pulled out the ten inch blade she kept for protection though using it had become more of a hobby. She slid it into his abdomen over and over again. He never realized he was looking at severed body parts.

“Beach Bum” She drug him to the edge of the sea. “Shark Chum” The waves carried him away.

She returned to the set and took a soda out of the cooler. She set the timer on his camera and positioned herself for the last take. With a giggle, she placed the bottle to her lips. Very few things made her happy. Her career was for the money. Her recreations felt necessary to live. Today topped it all, she was able to enjoy a coke and a smile. “Next…” She threw her belongings in the car and headed out.

I waited for months to see if I could get cast on this season’s “Shot through the heart.” The Game show where you could win the love of a Wealthy Bachelor. This time the lucky guy was Frances Lyle, A Millionaire from California.

When I got the call, I fainted right there on my Mother’s Kitchen floor. She had to pick up the receiver and get all of the details.

I woke up with my face stuck to the ugly orange linoleum that seemingly hadn’t been mopped in a few weeks.

“Sara Beth, get up here now. Go get your Daddy’s old bow and the arrows from the shed. This is your one shot at getting you a rich feller.”

I hated to admit it but she was right.

The show would start filming in four weeks. My Archery skills were good but needed to be better.

Momma dropped me off at the studio the day I was to take my shot. She leaned over and whispered in my ear. She always advised me in secret as if the FBI were listening.

All I had to do was shoot my arrow right in the center of the target they had projected on the ceiling.

The announcer finally called for me “Sara Beth Ransomhigher please join us on the stage to take your shot at love.”

The crowd cheered.

The stage was set up so neatly, reminded me of an old alien movie. Once I was positioned on the platform, I pulled my arrow back, turned quickly and let it fly – right into Frances’ arm. Momma came in wielding an AK47 and I won Frances Lyle’s heart that way.

“Strategy girl, that’s what I’ve always told you. Momma wouldn’t steer ya wrong.”

That Station Wagon was all over the road on the way home. Frances’ tried to grab the wheel But, Momma gave him some of that medicine she keeps to help him sleep.

We met my uncle about an hour away from the house and jumped in the truck with him.

Momma burned that old wagon, said we had no more use for it. Momma knows best plus we we’re rich now. I won my Bo fair and square.

I snuck off from the crowd to meet him because I had to. Actually, I could stand to get away from the loud music, the soul train line and my drunken uncles that only showed up for the booze. The way they conducted themselves led me to believe their veins were still running with cold blood. Maybe they should have just remained with the others that chose that life.

I took a deep breath when I finally made it past the parking lot and onto the grass. It seemed like another world, the stars twinkling, the steam rising from the swamp over the horizon. I kicked off my Cinderella shoes, as my niece called them and ran barefoot through the field.

My speed was better than ever and maybe it was because of the vows I had just taken. My Father told me this would happen.

I shed my silk dress and dropped down on my belly now slithering across the prickly turf. Following our Reptilian King’s distinct hiss down the muddy bank. I had been drawn to his call since my coming of age. Our meeting would validate the blood warming that had to take place for my marriage to work. A cultural ritual for those of us that chose the more anthropoid route.

My human brain thinking “hurry”. I could hear the rustling of his pant legs against the tall blades of green. My new husband was looking for me just as I expected.

Over the loud speaker, The DJ was announcing that he would be introducing the Bride and Groom in a matter of moments.

With a drawn out hiss, I was diminished from the Elite Reptile Kingdom. Back in my gown and glowing from happiness, I met Scott in the field. “I just needed a moment love. Shall we?” I took his hand and we walked back into the venue. “Your hand feels slimy.” I looked at him directly in the eyes and smiled. He should be more careful. I’d hate for him to crap out.

The sound of the windshield wipers gave me a peaceful feeling. The rain beat down on the car’s roof. The headlights made each drop look like a liquid diamond beaming off of the pavement. My wife sat next to me staring out of the window, smiling as she blindly put her hand on top of mine. It was our first night out since the twins were born. Our long time neighbor and her husband gifted us a night at the movies as an anniversary present. We had fun but I was glad to be back home.

“I’m coming around to get you.” I moved my hand and reached in the back seat for my oversized umbrella. Shutting the car off, I opened the door, put my feet on the black top and ran to her side, splashing all the way.

“Come on dear.” I held it high enough to make sure she was completely covered.

“Always the gentleman.” She smiled. We moved closer to the front porch. Out of nowhere, we were ambushed!

“Buster!” I dropped the umbrella leaving Sabrina exposed to the elements. “I hate that dog! I hate every dog!” I ran to the door. She snapped her fingers and he came to her. There wasn’t an animal she didn’t know. She patted him while I escaped my nightmare. Once behind the screen door, I waited for her to enter.

“Honey, you’re smoking!” The cold rain against her warm flesh was letting off steam. “What is wrong with you?” I was terrified at the sight.

“Bob, Celeste, look at Sabrina! What is going on?” Bob grunted and walked back to the Living room, slid back into my recliner and picked up the remote. Celeste smiling from ear to ear picked up both babies. “I take it that was your first time at the drive in? The popcorn is especially buttery.” Now that she mentioned it, I don’t recall seeing that theater before.

“Hello Sheriff, my name is Oliver Santiago. I am calling from Humble, TX. My daughter and her friends are in your neck of the woods. I haven’t heard from her in nearly three days. Something isn’t right!”

“Slow down Mr. Santiago. Do you know where they were staying? Are they here on business or pleasure?”

“It’s an Air BNB. I’m sorry, I don’t know the name of it. She did send me a picture. She said the place was beautiful and wanted to share it with her old Pops. If you give me your email address, I can send it to you. Maybe you will be able to recognize it. The place sits under Shasta and behind a Church. Ever since she was a child, she dreamed of climbing that mountain. The trip was a graduation gift from her Mother and I. She made all the plans, we provided the funding.”

“Sure, I understand. I’m going to put you on a brief hold.”

“I’m back now Mr. Santiago. I think I have it, let’s see…. Ah yes, I know the place and rather well. That’s the Hildebrandt home; Lovely piece of property. Give me your contact information and hers. I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about. You know how kids can be. I will ride out there and check around. I’ll give you a call back as soon as I lay eyes on ‘em.”

“Thank you Sheriff.”

“Oh and Mr. Santiago, one last thing. Folks around here don’t send their eighteen- year- old daughters out on adventures across state lines. You may want to reconsider next time you and your wife come up with such a brilliant idea. Good day, Sir.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Sheriff Hildebrandt?”

“What now Roy?”

“Can I just take one selfie with the girl, Please? The pretty one?”

THE END