Mitch rubbed his chin and leaned back in the hard chair. “Sorry, Doc. I gotta get back to Milwaukee. I have kids depending on me. And fires to fight.”
“I understand. I do.” Dr. Mallory shrugged. “It’s just that we’ll have to put the project off until we can find another suitable farm. Yours happened to be the perfect fit. And you would have been a wonderful resource for our animal therapy center with your experiences with troubled children and your own depression.” He exhaled slowly. “So how’s your dad?”
“Yeah, I owe you. He’s a changed man. We actually like each other now. He’s in the parlor helping Chris with chores, thanks to Miss Bernie. That lady pushes him hard.”
“Will you at least give this some thought before I report back to the board? You’d be part of something which will benefit hundreds of suffering children and their desperate families. If you could look into the broken eyes of these children, you’d see how important this work is. I know you’d find it rewarding.” Dr. Mallory pushed his long frame from the low wicker chair. They shook and the doctor headed back to Madison.
Mitch lingered on the porch, thinking about what Dr. Mallory said. Miss Bernie was at the table when he went inside, her hands deep in a bowl of hamburger, eggs, breadcrumbs, and secret seasonings. Her fancy meatloaf, Sid’s favorite.
“Where the girls at?” Mitch asked.
“Out at that swimming hole with your dog.”
“Miss Bernie, if I decided to stay on the farm, would you and the girls think about staying too?”
She stopped mixing and wiped her hands on a towel. “Mitch, honey, why you ask such a thing?”
He told her of the plans for an animal therapy clinic, then added, “At first, I thought there was no way I could leave Milwaukee but if you and the girls stayed on, maybe I could. I don’t know. The girls love it here and I think you do too.”
“I do love this place, but it ain’t my world. My old neighborhood is part of me, good and bad. I want to foster as many children down there as I can handle. Jasmine wants to help too. And she’s itching to get back to helping kids at her school with their studies. She knows that’s her gift.”
“What do you think I should do?”
“You best do some praying. Let the good Lord guide you.”
“No chance you would change your mind?”
“Clarence, Brother Williams, asked if he could call on me when I get back.” She grinned like an embarrassed teenager. “He kind of young for me, but he’s a good man. I made a terrible choice the first time but was blessed with two precious children, so I never regret that. Now they gone.” She sighed. “Now I got these precious girls to raise up. Mitch, you want a good life you need love of friends, love of family, and love of someone to share it all with. Brother Williams told me that. Said if any one of these is missing, it’s like one of those three-legged stools that can’t stand on two legs. I’ve gone too long without that third leg.”
“I should go back too. All those kids are relying on me.”
“What you started down there ain’t gonna stop if you stay here. Brother Williams will see to that.”
Mitch thought for a while and said, “Be hard to leave the fire department. I have some great friends on the job.”
“When you told me about your momma and that little girl you tried to save, I understood why you run from here. Now I don’t know what went on with you and your daddy, but I saw you two come together this summer. It warmed my bones. Watching you farm this land, I can see it’s in your blood. So why you want to run from here now?”
“I do love farming more than anything, but I couldn’t stand not being there for Jasmine and Alexus and all the other kids.”
“What about a wife and family?”
“I’ll find somebody.”
She pinched his chin. “You got somebody right here.”
“Jen’s got a man.”
“You love her?”
“God, yes. But she’s moved on.”
“Let me tell you something. She never talk about her man when we out on that porch. You know who she talk about?” She pointed at his chin. “And when you out in that field working, she never took her eyes off you. I ain’t tellin’ you what to do, just want to make sure you seeing things clear. Didn’t want to say nothing before. Don’t like to meddle, but good Lord, Mitch, you must be blind. That girl loves you.”
The words sucked the breath from him.
Chapter 61
After the early morning church service, Miss Bernie and the girls went to work in the kitchen, and the men went about chores. When they finished, Mitch followed Sid and Chris to the mudroom to wash up. Mitch opened the door to the kitchen and felt a rush of warm air, thick with the aroma of cinnamon, melted butter, baking bread, bacon, and roasting meat.
The men stood in awe of what they saw: Sid’s favorite meatloaf, the girls’ favorite scalloped potatoes and ham, Mitch and Chris’s favorite fried chicken, along with potatoes fried in bacon fat, buttermilk biscuits, and a steaming bowl of greens with bacon. In the middle of the table was a sweating pitcher of grape Kool-Aid. And for dessert, Miss Bernie’s sweet potato pie with whipped cream made fresh from the morning milking. Miss Bernie and the girls had churched it up good for their last day on the farm. School would be starting next week, the day after Labor Day.
Billy waited beside Jasmine, his tongue dripping while they said grace.
There was no chatting while they ate, just clinking of silverware on plates and a few restrained belches from the men.
* * *
The van was packed for the drive to Milwaukee. Miss Bernie kept rearranging pots and pans, glancing around the kitchen like she lost something. The others waited at the table for her to announce she was ready.
She folded her arms and said, “Guess it’s time. Which one of you men gonna hug me before I start in on blubbering.”
Mitch and Chris went to her together for a three-way embrace. When they finally let go, Miss Bernie leaned back with a single tear track down the left side of her face. “You boys take care of that old man there. He ain’t so tough as he thinks.”
They all laughed and turned to Sid. He scowled. “Aach. At least I won’t have to listen to your nagging anymore.”
She reached her arms out. “You ready to hug an old black lady? Or you still think we the Devil?”
Sid grinned, the droop gone. “Guess you ain’t such a bad one, even if you did work me like a rented mule.” He stood and allowed her to embrace him. Mitch and Chris gawked at each other.
Miss Bernie pushed Sid toward the girls. “Might want to thank them if you can bring yourself to thank three blacks in one day. Don’t want your head to explode.”
Sid grinned. “Never stop, do you?”
He took Jasmine’s hand from her side and shook it. “Sorry we got off to such a bad start.” He patted her shoulder.
Jasmine raised her brows. “Suppose you aren’t such a bad one.”
Mitch held back a snicker.
Alexus moved in front of Sid. “You doing real good with your words, but I can’t help you no more. So you best keep working.”
Sid hoisted her and pecked her cheek. “Come back and check on me, won’t you?”
* * *
After a quiet ride to Milwaukee, they unloaded the van. While Miss Bernie and the girls were putting their things away, Mitch slipped out the door. He wasn’t ready for any more goodbyes. Besides, he’d be coming back regularly to help out.
Before he got to the van, he looked back at the purple house, stirring images of him and Jamal drinking beer and talking about girls and the fire department on that porch. His thoughts turned to Miss Bernie and the lectures that steered him toward helping inner-city kids and away from his inner struggles.
He headed to the firehouse. Before turning into the back lot, he paused in front of the overgrown field where Jasmine’s house once stood. He thought back to the first encounter with an angry, combative Jasmine and all that happened since. He let the m
emories run their course instead of fighting them. He no longer feared sad thoughts. In the words of Dr. Mallory, “Thoughts are like leaves on a stream. Acknowledge them and let them drift by.”
The aluminum overhead door to the firehouse opened. The red and white lights throbbed and siren blared as the rig sped past. Captain Reemer spotted him and waved. A firefighter he didn’t recognize rode in the cub’s seat, his seat.
Mitch let himself in. The oily diesel fumes and residue of decades of cigar smoke set off snapshots of the last year. He took his old seat at the joker stand and soaked in the visions and emotions playing through his mind. It was over a year ago when he walked through that door the first time as a cub, eager to prove himself. After all, he was the star of the training academy. How could he fail? He laughed at himself. He had been so damned naïve.
Thanks to the mentoring of the veteran crew, especially Ralph, he eventually proved himself to them and himself. And learned there were heroes all around him, fighting in the trenches every day to save these children, people like Brother Williams.
He sat for over an hour gazing out the window. He envisioned Jasmine and Alexus rushing across the street to tell him something important. He thought back to Jasmine’s selfless act of courage when she nearly died going into her burning home to find her sister. Her courage had taught him how the power of love overcomes fear.
Mitch went downstairs. The smell of smoke-saturated gear and dried sweat of the workout area brought more memories. He lowered himself onto the weight bench and thought about Nic. Why couldn’t he have loved her? He thought about how his mom couldn’t find a way to love his dad. She was right. Life makes no sense.
Mitch decided when Jennie came by next Wednesday to get Sid for the last therapy session, he’d beg her to give him one more chance, tell her he never stopped loving her. That would give him all day tomorrow to come up with the right words. If Miss Bernie was right and Jennie still loved him, she might just take him back. Miss Bernie was rarely wrong.
He went upstairs and drifted to the kitchen, the heart of every firehouse. And at the heart of the kitchen, the Bunn coffee maker. Nothing had changed, but it felt distant. Mitch put a fresh pot of coffee on for the crew, then took his gear to the boss’s office and waited, listening to the radio traffic on the squawk box. He heard Captain Reemer call for a second alarm. Heavy smoke was coming from the auto junkyard eight blocks from the firehouse.
They’d be there for hours spraying down the tangled mountain of wrecked autos and parts.
Mitch filled out a department form and put it in the captain’s mail slot, then placed a note on top of his gear along with the key to the firehouse, and his badge.
Captain Reemer,
There’s no way I can thank you and the crew enough for all you taught me and did for me. Please have Ralph accept my award at the ceremony next week. He’s the one responsible for the save. Without him teaching me the ropes I never would have made it out.
After spending the summer on the farm, I realized that’s where I belong. I’m a farmer. My resignation is in your mail slot and this is my gear. Stay safe.
Mitch
He rewrote the note five times. The first ones rambled. He couldn’t get his thoughts into words that made any sense.
On the way back to Milroy, Mitch’s excitement grew. Miss Bernie was right again. Farming was a part of him. Last Friday, he had called Dr. Mallory and told him he’d be staying on the farm and to go ahead with plans for an animal therapy center.
The farm would be alive with young people.
Sid and Chris were all for it.
All that was missing was Jennie.
Chapter 62
Mitch’s heart raced as Jennie climbed the squeaking porch steps. He had spent the night in the treehouse planning what to say. He had to get this right, make her understand they were meant for each other, that he never stopped loving her.
Jennie stopped on the top step and took a step back when she saw him. “Whoa. You don’t look so good. You’re awfully pale.”
Mitch felt like he swallowed a beehive.
The kitchen phone rang.
“Jen, you have to know how much I…”
From inside, Chris called out, “Mitch, phone.”
“Not now.”
“It’s Miss Bernie, said she really needs to talk to you.”
“Still no cell service out here?” Jennie asked as she plopped into the wicker chair, squinting hard at him. Was it interest or was it skepticism? He couldn’t tell.
Mitch shrugged and went inside. This would give his jangled nerves time to settle.
He pressed the cool receiver to his ear. “Hey, Miss Bernie. What’s up?”
“Mitch, oh, Mitch. I’m beside myself.” Her voice cracked. “Jasmine never come home after school yesterday. Brother Williams out all night looking for her.”
His chest tightened. “The police know?”
“They figure she run off.” She sniffled. “Mitch, that girl ain’t running off.”
“Brother Williams have any idea where she might be?”
“Oh, Lord, don’t take another child from me.”
“Miss Bernie, listen, Miss Bernie. I’m on my way. We’ll find her.”
Jennie sprang to her feet when Mitch burst onto the porch.
“I gotta get to Milwaukee,” Mitch said. “Jasmine never came home from school yesterday. We’ll talk later.”
“The hell we will. I’m coming.”
“Jen, no, I don’t want you down there,” he said as he brushed past her.
“I’m coming.”
He didn’t bother arguing.
When Mitch got the Browning hunting rifle from the mudroom, Jennie stared at it, furrowing her brow. “What’s that for?”
“Insurance.”
Sid paced the kitchen while Mitch filled him and Chris in. When he finished, Sid said, “You go find her. She’s a good kid.”
Jennie was waiting in the van. They sped toward Milwaukee.
“You ever getting rid of this old wreck?”
“Means more to me than that truck ever did.”
“Boy, you’ve changed.” She checked her cell phone. “I have service now. I’ll let Miss Bernie know we’re on the way.”
Her fingers danced over the phone. She put it to her ear and waited. “Miss Bernie, it’s me, Jennie. We’re are on our way. Can you tell us anything more? Miss Bernie? Miss Bernie?” Jennie lowered the phone. “She’s hysterical. Keeps repeating ‘please Lord, not again’.”
Mitch grasped at reasons for Jasmine’s disappearance. She didn’t have a group of friends she hung out with and drugs were out of the question. He needed to calm down. Brother Williams would have more information.
Mitch sucked in a loud breath. “Jen, we should talk.”
“Not now.”
“I’ll go crazy if I just sit here and drive.”
Jennie raised her eyebrows.
“I’m moving back to Milroy.”
“Okay?”
“Mallory talked me into partnering with the UW Hospital for an animal therapy clinic on our farm.”
“What about working with those kids in Milwaukee and firefighting?”
“I’m a farmer, Jen. I know that now. That’s all I ever wanted to do. Working with kids in Milwaukee was incredible. I can keep doing that right here with the clinic. And I’ll get back on the Milroy Fire Department.”
Jennie spoke to her wringing hands, “Mitch, you sure that’s why you’re coming back?”
“Jen. I love you. Never stopped. You have to know that. And I think you still love me. Can you tell me you don’t?”
“Mitch, stop.”
“You never answered when I asked if you loved Jason. Do you?”
“Please stop.”
“Well, do you? Say yes and I’ll stop.”
“We’re getting married next month. We bought a house together.”
Her words sucked the wind out of him. When he could breathe again, he softly s
aid, “You still didn’t answer.”
“You’re not putting this on me—why we’re not together. Don’t you do that. You left me, remember, goddammit. Ever since we were kids, I dreamed of being your wife and having your babies. Then you got all messed up and left. All you had to do was let me in, let me help, but no. End of dream. I accepted it and moved on. I had to. Now you want it to be my fault we’re not together? Damn you.”
“I love you, Jen.”
“Jesus, Mitch, you have shitty timing. Why couldn’t you have said something, like a year ago?” She turned away and crossed her arms. “Damn you.”
“So, now what?”
“I can’t leave Jason.”
“But you don’t love him.”
She stared out the side window. A tear dripped from her chin.
Chapter 63
Brother Williams vaulted down the porch steps as Mitch and Jennie pulled to a stop in front of Miss Bernie’s house. He met them on the sidewalk, his suit badly wrinkled and eyes drooping. “Thank the good Lord you’re both here. Bernice keeps asking for you.” He paused and shook his head. “She’s barely hanging on. It was a long night.”
“And Lexi?” Mitch asked. “How’s she doing?”
“We got her off to school this morning. She’s smart. Knows something isn’t right.”
“What’s being done to find Jasmine?”
“I crisscrossed these streets all night long. I cornered a One-Niner in the back alley off Sixteenth Street, the one with dreadlocks.” Brother Williams’ booming voice trailed off. “Lord, forgive me, I nearly choked the life out of him. Said he didn’t know Jasmine was missing. I demanded to see DeAndre. He said nobody’s seen him since yesterday.”
“You think this DeAndre guy knows something?” Jennie asked.
“We’ll find out,” Mitch said through gritted teeth. “That’s the bastard who killed Miss Bernie’s son.”
“Mitch, please. Let the police handle this.”
“Here’s what we’ll do. Brother Williams, go back to your school before it lets out and ask every single kid when they last saw Jasmine and where. Me and Jen will go to the fifth district and convince them to raid the One-Niner’s crack house. Then we’ll stop by the firehouse and have dispatch transmit a notice for all units to be on the lookout for Jasmine. The boss can call the other companies in the Core and tell them to watch for DeAndre. They all know the scum.”
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