by VC Angell
Jim sat stunned for a minute, “That’s not fair. Losing your whole family in an instant. Wasn’t the funeral for the rest of his family tomorrow?”
“Yes, that’s what the information we got from the Adolphsson Funeral Home said. I wonder if they’ll put it off and bury the family together on another day,” Helen said.
“It would seem appropriate. I can’t imagine how he must feel,” Jim said.
They chatted for a bit more about the accident, and then the talk turned to the Journal’s business.
As it neared lunch hour, Jim took his checkbook out of the desk drawer. He told Helen he was taking an early lunch and drove over to the Adolphsson’s Funeral Home.
He introduced himself and said, “Bill Swedmark is one of my employees. Our employee, health insurance policy, should pay any medical expenses. However, I am sure he wouldn’t have money for the funeral expenses for the whole family. I’d like to prepay them. How much are they?” Jim reached into his pocket and pulled out his checkbook.
The man was stunned, and it took him a moment to answer, “We haven’t picked up his son’s body from the hospital yet.” The man went on to explain funeral costs and give Jim a figure.
Jim knew there was enough in his checking account to cover it and wrote out a check and handed it to the man saying, “If that turns out not to be enough, let me know. You can always reach me at the Journal.”
“I will, but I can’t think of any additional expenses,” the man said.
Jim left the funeral home and drove to his favorite fast-food place.
When he got back to the office, he stopped at Helen’s desk, and they talked about the Journal sending flowers for the funeral. She said that she would take care of it. He didn’t tell her that he had just paid for the funeral. Jim went to his office and began working on the burgers and fries and a large chocolate shake.
On the funeral day, the Journal officially closed for the afternoon to allow people to attend the Swedmark funeral. After the funeral, as was the Minnesota tradition, there was a get-together with food donated by family friends at the church.
Jim joined the mourners at the church. One of the dishes was a macaroni salad that he thought was very good. There was something tart in the ingredients that cut the heaviness of mayonnaise. He thought it might be the tart taste when Bill Swedmark walked up to him and stuck out his hand.
“I don’t know how I can ever thank you enough for paying for my family’s funeral,” Bill said.
“It was the least I could do for you. I can’t imagine what you must be going through,” Jim said.
“I hadn’t even thought about paying for the funeral. When I asked, I found out you had paid for it already.”
Several of the people standing close to them looked at each other but didn’t say anything. Jim and Bill talked a bit more, and then Bill said, “I’ll be back to work tomorrow.”
“Please take your time. We will welcome you back whenever you’re ready,” Jim said.
“Okay, boss,” Bill said, trying to smile.
* * *
Jim remembered hearing, in several places, something about a big business deal. Being cautious, Jim didn’t mention it at the next meeting of the redevelopment committee. However, he watched the other committee members, and two of them didn’t seem to be fully engaged. Perhaps, they knew something he didn’t know and the discussions in the committee were moot.
Jim was surprised one morning to get a call from Levi Eaglefeather. Jim asked, “What are you doing back in town?”
“First of July is not that far away, and it is time for the Freedom Powwow at the Rez,” Levi said.
“I’ve been away from Alma for too long. I’d forgotten all about that powwow. I assume the powwow grounds haven’t changed at the Rez?” Jim asked.
“Nope. I called to see if you have time for coffee this morning?” Levi asked.
“It seems I’m the boss here so that nobody can object. Where do you want to meet?”
“I love those huge cinnamon rolls at the Country Kettle.”
“What time?”
“I’m at my in-law's house, so give me forty minutes or so, and I’ll meet you there,” Levi said.
“See you there.”
* * *
The parking lot at the Country Kettle was almost full, and it took Jim a bit of searching to find an open parking place. Once inside, he had to sit down and wait for a free table. Just as Levi arrived, Carol saw him sitting there as she left and said, “Hi, I haven’t seen you in a while.”
Jim stood up and said, “This is my friend Levi, and I have been swamped.”
“Don’t be such a stranger. Oh, is it correct that you paid for the Swedmark funeral?” Carol asked.
“Yes, I didn’t know it was such common knowledge,” Jim said.
“You might run the newspaper, but the town gossiping is full of interesting information. I’ve got to run. I’ve got a showing to go to,” Carol glanced at her watch, “in a little less than half-hour. Give me a call sometime.”
Jim watched her leave, and Levi asked, “I don’t know her. Who is she?”
“That’s Carol Amundson. She is the real estate agent who helped me find my new home.”
“There seem to be all kinds of new people here in Alma,” Levi said.
They were finally shown to the table. Levi ordered one of the famous colossal-sized cinnamon buns of the Country Kettle with his coffee. They chatted for a few minutes, and then Levi asked, “When I got home, my father-in-law was telling me about a possible new wood plant of some kind. What do you know about it?”
Jim frowned. It might be something to do with the rumors he was hearing. Jim said, “I’ve heard rumors off and on since I got back in town, but nothing in the redevelopment committee I am on. What is your father-in-law tell you?”
“It is some kind of new wood product made up of chopped-up trees put back together,” Levi said.
“You mean like particleboard?”
“I thought the same thing, but my father-in-law told me that it was better than particleboard and could be used in the place of plywood.”
“How did your father-in-law hear about it?”
“Someone approached the tribe and told them about the project. They said they would need to hire some tribal members because Alma isn’t all that big.”
Jim’s training as a reporter kicked in, “Did your father-in-law say what company?”
“Yeah, it was a foreign name. I’ll have to ask him again because it’s a strange-sounding name.”
Jim and Levi continued to talk. After Levi finished his cinnamon bun, he said, “I have to do some shopping. I have to pick up some hacksaw blades at the hardware store and a couple of things at the grocery store. Are you going to come to the powwow?”
“Yes, I always enjoyed them.”
“We’ll have to adopt you so you can dance.”
Jim knew that would be an honor and said, “I think I’d probably have two left feet learning to dance. Are you still doing the Grass Dance?”
“No, I’m too old. Besides, I now dance to honor my Sioux heritage.”
* * *
When Jim got back to his office, he marked this calendar for July 1 and the powwow. He thought his encounter with Carol had been intriguing. He looked on his phone and saw he still had her telephone number, but he didn’t call. What if it had been just a nicety on Carol’s part?
Julie interrupted his thoughts. “I talked with Laura this morning. She looks horrible. Her face is black and blue, and she says that other parts of her body looked the same. Who would do that?” Julie asked.
“It was a guy here on some business.”
“Yes, Laura told me one of her clients had given the guy her number. What kind of business would he be in to do that?”
“I’m going to tell you something, and it shouldn’t be repeated. I have heard a wood products plant making sophisticated particleboard is looking to build a plant. I haven’t had a chance to check out more i
nformation. Still, I suspect the person that did that to Laura was someone interested in the project or connected with that company. The company’s name is strange. Possibly a foreign name. Anyway, my informant will get back to me once they find out more.” Jim said.
“That’s great news for Alma. Men who do things like what happened to Laura wouldn’t be a good addition to our area.”
“I agree. Change of subject, are we covering the Freedom Powwow?” Jim asked.
“Yes, and Joe will go to take some pictures for the article.”
Their talk turned to things around the Fourth of July. There would be the usual parade. There would be a stock car race at the fairgrounds, and the following week there would be a carnival coming to town. Jim thought it felt like home.
* * *
When Jim got home after work, he was greeted by Laura and the smell of something cooking.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I am cooking us supper,” Laura smiled, but the first signs of the black and blue of her face turning was showing ugly greenish-yellow.
“No, it will be nice not to have to cook. How did you do today?” Jim asked.
“Julie came out and talked to me. She apologized, but she didn’t think what happened to me should go in the paper.”
“I’m not sure about that. Alma is a small town and kinda fixed in its ways. That guy was dangerous. Oh, did he say anything about why he was in town?”
“Yes, as I told you, he was here on business.”
“Did he say what kind of business?”
“He said something about the land that the company would need. He mentioned the company’s name, but it made no sense to me. Sorry.” Laura said.
“Don’t worry about it. I was just curious,” Jim realized he had learned a little bit more about the business – they needed land. Of course, they would. If they’re going to build the plant, they’d need land to build it on. “Let’s eat,” Jim said out loud.
Laura had fried a couple of pork steaks, mashed some potatoes, reheated a can of green beans and some gravy from the drippings in the frying pan. It was apparent it was something they both enjoyed. They chatted as they ate, but every time Jim looked at Laura, it made his heartache.
“I did some planting today,” Laura said.
“It’s about time. I should do the same. What did you plant?”
“I got tomato plants that produce big tomatoes and a couple that produces the little salad tomatoes. I also got some Kennebec potatoes.”
“Are you going to plant more things?” Jim asked.
They continued to chat about the garden as they cleared away the dishes and filled the dishwasher.
“I want to soak and a bathtub full of hot water. If I put on a big pot of water to heat, would you bring it into me and put it in the bathtub?”
“I don’t understand. Are you going to get into the bathtub while it’s empty, and you want me to bring in the water?” Jim asked.
Laura laughed and then said, “No silly, I’ll fill it with water as hot as I can stand. When that cools down, I’ll give you a holler, and you can bring the water heating on the stove and dump it in.”
“Why don’t you just drain the tub and refill it with hot water?”
“I guess I’m just a cheapskate. It’ll be a lot easier on the water heater just to put some boiling water into the tub to reheat everything. Besides, laughing just reminded me of every spot that hurts,” Laura said.
“Okay, I understand now. That’s probably a good idea because the water heater is not all that big, and it takes a while to reheat. We just started the dishwasher, so you will probably have to start with the big pail of hot water anyway. Hang on, and I’ll get you the pail,” Jim said.
When Laura called for the second bucket of hot water, Jim took it into her and carefully dumped part of it in at one end of the tub. Laura paddled the water around the tub, mixing the new hot water with the old. Jim could see one of her black and blue breasts that had not started to change color like those on her face.
* * *
On the first of July, Jim drove up to the Rez. The dancing hadn’t started, but the traders were there, and Jim amused himself by looking at their goods. He went to the grandstand next to wait for the Grand Entrance. After the entrance, there was a Grass Dance. Jim had heard at least two stories about its significance. The dance imitated the swaying of the grass, therefore a connection with all of life. The other was the Grass Dance, which flattened the grass for the different dances to follow. He hadn’t seen Levi, so he watched a couple of the women dances, the Jingle Dress and the Shawl Dance. Just as the Shawl Dance ended, he saw Levi and left the grandstand.
Levi said, “We keep Indian time, so we are late as usual,” and laughed before saying, “No, just kidding. We had to make a trip into town to get some more disposable diapers.”
Levi led Jim to the adjacent field where people were camping. Levi introduced Jim to his wife. She was nursing the baby and looked up at Jim smiled.
“I think your son looks more like your wife than you. It’s probably a good thing he’s not that ugly as you are,” Jim teased.
“Don’t pay any attention to him,” Levi laughed as he added, “He’s so ugly he doesn’t have a wife.” Levi’s wife laughed.
Jim spent most of the afternoon with Levi, his wife, and his son. Before he left, Levi told Jim that he had not gotten the name of the company. However, they were looking for a business card from the man who approached the tribe. Levi said that he would bring it to Jim.
When Jim returned home, he thought about calling Carol because she had been so friendly at the Country Kettle. Jim didn’t call because he decided that Carol was just polite because of the people all around.
* * *
On the Fourth of July, Jim and Laura worked on the garden, and then Jim mowed the lawn. Laura’s face still showed the signs of the beating she had taken. However, the black and blue marks were almost all gone, but the horrible greenish-yellow of healing bruises were still in place. Because of that, Laura and Jim decided to go into town just before dark for the fireworks. They sat in Jim’s car until the fireworks started, and then they got out to watch the rest of the show. Jim was surprised by the length of the show. Laura told him that it had been steadily getting longer.
Once back home, Jim asked if Laura didn’t want another soak in a hot tub. Laura answered, “I’m tired, and I probably fall asleep. I don’t want to wake up in a tub of cold water.”
“How are things getting better? How about your breast? Is it still black and blue?” Jim asked.
Laura didn’t hesitate and pulled up what she was wearing, “Look, these bruises are starting to turn color too,” pointing at her damaged breast.
For some reason, Jim didn’t understand. He blushed.
Laura covered herself and said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
“I don’t know why I got embarrassed.”
“I do! It’s because you’re an extra special man.”
“But I didn’t get embarrassed before.”
“It’s because you are thinking of me as a good girl and not the town whore. You even said that you didn’t want to fuck me but to make love to me. You proved it too.”
Jim looked at her and then said, “I thought I was very much in love with you back in high school. I fantasized about marrying you and sleeping with you.”
“You can sleep with me anytime you want, but you can’t marry me. I’m the town whore, and your reputation would never recover,” Laura said.
There was silence between them that seemed awkward. Jim shook his head and then asked, “Can we pretend we are husband-and-wife tonight?”
Laura started to say something and then caught herself and said, “Yes, I’d like that.”
* * *
After the Fourth of July, the heat of summer took hold. The people of Alma much welcomed it after each long brutal winter. As it had done in Jim’s childhood, the fast growth in the garden amazed him once more. It was
also a time of rapid healing for Laura. She thanked Jim and moved back to her apartment. The world also seemed to Jim to be the way it should be. Just three things bothered him, his brother’s murder, Carol, and the declining revenues at the Journal. Chance would probably solve the second problem before any resolution of the first one. Jim wasn’t sure the third one could ever be solved.
Jim was attending a fish fry held by the First Lutheran Church of Alma. It was being held outdoors at one of the two city parks in Alma. Picnic tables had been placed end to end to form just two long tables. Jim chatted with several people and then took his plate to one of the tables.
He had just started to eat when someone asked, “Mind if I sit here?” He looked up to find the voice belonged to Carol.
“Please, join me. The walleye is delicious,” Jim said. Carol had on a summer dress with tiny red flowers against a white background.
“The First Lutherans have some great cooks. I always come to this fish fry and the Lutefisk Dinner around Christmas,” Carol said as she sat down beside Jim.
“I’ll remember that when Christmas comes around. I’ve been both to Sweden and Norway for my old job and was told there that lutefisk was food for the poor.”
“I remember reading in the Journal about lutefisk. I could see why it would be the poor people could afford it. It is just salt cod rehydrated in the solution of lye.”
“My grandfather told me that the salt cod would be stored outside at the store before they made lutefisk. The best lutefisk was the one that the dogs peed on. He claimed that it had the best flavor,” Jim smiled.
“Yuck!” Carol made a face as she said, “I’m sure I wouldn’t want any of that.”
Jim had to laugh before saying, “I’m sure the lutefisk now was made a plant somewhere.”
They continued to chat through the meal. Jim found out that her year was going well with many sales already. She also told him that she always read his editorials each week.
“Thanks for the vote. I always try to cover the important things in my editorials. At first, I struggled because I didn’t know much about what was going on in Alma.”