Our Journey

by Tey Holden

  “Why? Did you get Taylor Swift to come and sing for us?” Dannie joked.

  “No, I’m afraid that is out of my reach, but we’ll be getting some free press. The governor is coming in his helicopter,” Jo said, genuinely pleased that her friend was able to make it happen.

  “Are you fucking kidding?” Bobby asked astonished. “Was that truly the governor on the phone?”

  “Yes, he’s an old friend,” Jo replied, as if it were an everyday thing and walked over to check the ribs on the grill and add the burgers and hot dogs.

  “Shit, I didn’t know you had political connections,” Bobby said.

  “I met him before he was governor. So, my connection to him is not political,” Jo replied, and then her phone rang again.

  “Yes, this is she.” When she ended the call, Jo turned, looked at Kate and then at the rest of the group and said, “that was Mayor Smith’s office. They want to talk to me on Monday at four o’clock.”

  “What for?” Dannie asked, somewhat surprised.

  “Something related to the governor’s visit,” Jo replied while everyone looked at each other.

  Jo’s phone rang again. When she answered, she fixed her eyes on Kate.

  “Is this Colonel Joelle McCallister?”

  “Yes, this is she speaking. How may I be of service?” Hearing Jo’s reply, Kate was immediately concerned knowing that Jo would have that kind of response for a military person of rank.

  “Colonel, this is Joseph Hicks, Commander of the Blue Angels Squadron.”

  “Yes, sir.” Jo’s tone was serious and worrisome to Kate. Inwardly, Kate always feared that Jo might one day be called into service for her country on some specialized task that only Jo would know how to perform. Jo had consistently reassured her that she would never put the Army ahead of her family, and that promise had appeased Kate, but this call was concerning.

  “Our Squadron will be performing in August at the air show in Michigan. We’ll be flying in from Seattle. I have been instructed by my superior to coordinate a flyover for an adjacent town to Casper, Wyoming. We’ll be in touch with the town’s officials to coordinate logistics to provide our flyover at thirteen-hundred hours.”

  “I understand. Thank you. We’ll be looking forward to your appearance,” Jo replied, somewhat surprised by the call.

  “It’s our pleasure to be of service to you, Colonel.”

  The minute the call ended, Kate asked. “Who was that?” Everyone else waited for a response, having noticed Kate’s attentiveness to the call, and her concerned face.

  Knowing what Kate was thinking, Jo smiled, wrapped her arm around Kate’s waist, and kissed her. Jo’s reaction immediately put Kate at ease. “That was the commanding officer of the Blue Angels Squadron. They will be doing a flyover our town on the day of the fair at 1300 hours.”

  “What? How’s that possible?” Rachel asked.

  “My God, how did you ever manage that?” Cindy added.

  Jo’s eyes met Kate’s when her phone rang again. “Yes, sure, no problem. May I ask why?”

  When she finished the call, she announced. “My meeting at City Hall has been moved up to one o’clock. They said they received a call from the Blue Angels, and the mayor wants to know what’s going on.”

  Everyone laughed and talked about the tiny fair becoming a big thing. When Jo’s phone rang again, everyone stopped talking and looked at Jo expectantly as she answered the call.

  “That was the Mayor’s office again. It looks like several agents have called about some of their clients wanting to perform at the fair.”

  The laughter continued. “What! Agents? What kind of agents?” Kalie’s husband asked.

  “Performers,” Jo explained.

  “Who? Who would want to perform in this tiny town?” Kalie asked.

  Jo pursed her lips and replied. “Willie Nelson, Reba, and Garth something.”

  “Say what? They want to play in our little town fair?” Bobby almost screamed, and Cindy clapped.

  “I don’t think it’s going to be that little anymore!” Dannie added clapping and smiling.

  Kate grinned, and Jo shook her head and chuckled. “I think I forgot that when I make a call to certain people, unusual things happen,” she said, pursing her lips and looking at Kate.

  “Jo, I think you should tell them about that. I think everyone needs some sort of explanation,” Kate said in a sweet tone.

  “You tell them. I’m going inside to check on the kids.” The kids had gone inside to watch a movie after having been in the pool most of the afternoon.

  When Jo left, Kate explained. “Okay, I’ll get to the point and be brief. Jo doesn’t like to talk about it, by the way, so don’t mention it to her.”

  “Okay,” Wally said.

  Kate continued. “When Jo was in Afghanistan, her vehicle was in a convoy that hit an explosive device. A lot of men lost their lives.” Kate paused. “This is why she doesn’t like to talk about it. However, many survived because of her.” Kate paused again. “As a result of that tragic event, Jo believes that the men she helped on that day formed a group, and that they intervene on her behalf whenever they know she needs anything. Many of those men have left the military and are now in professions all over the country, and some of them are in powerful positions. The interesting thing is that Jo doesn’t know who most of them are, except for a few.”

  “I don’t understand,” Bobby said, “what makes her think that things happen on account of someone’s connection, and not just on their own?”

  “Because they’re not your usual happenings. Why would the Blue Angels bother to call and flyover our town on the day of the fair? And for that matter, why would Willie Nelson and other famous musicians want to perform in our tiny fair? Kate replied.

  “It’s definitely odd,” Rachel replied.

  “So, how did they find out?” Kalie asked.

  “Manny or Mike, a friend who has a helicopter, and who was also in the Army with her.”

  “Was that incident when Manny lost his foot?” It was no mystery that Manny had lost a foot in the war. In fact, his missing limb was his biggest asset when campaigning because he took pride showing people that he had lost a part of himself in the service of his country.

  “Yes,” Kate replied.

  “I’ve heard him say that someone carried him off, and that’s why he’s alive today,” Bobby added.

  Wally was looking at Kate and noticed when she lowered her eyes perhaps to not give away more information than she thought Jo might be comfortable sharing. Wally, however, didn’t need much to put two and two together. Jo had not only been recommended by Manny, but also by General Thompson, who was Jo’s immediate supervisor. General Thompson was not just any Army general. He was the one general who reported directly to the Army’s Chief of Staff. General Thompson’s recommendation was so definitive that Wally felt as if he had practically ordered her to hire Jo.

  Wally remained quiet, and Kate continued. “So, this whole thing is beginning to look like one of those strange things that often happen to her.”

  “What other things have happened?” Cindy asked.

  Kate didn’t want to get into details and waved off the question. “Too many to tell!”

  Just then, Marge took the food off the grill, and everyone began to eat.

  Jo came back to the patio and looked at Kate, who simply smiled and kissed her on the lips. “Any other calls?”

  “Nope, not for now, at least,” Jo replied. “Hey, Wally, we’re going to have to move our meeting on Monday for later, since I have that meeting at City Hall.”

  “Sure, no problem.”

  As the cookout continued, Wally and Kate met up in the kitchen while clearing dishes. “It was Jo who carried Manny to safety, right?”

  Kate looked at her. “She lost a good friend that day, and that overshadowed the magnitude of what she did for others. She doesn’t like to talk about it because of all the horrifying memories. But yes, she found Manny in a
pool of blood and carried him on her back to safety. There were many others. Jo has so many medals that you wouldn’t believe unless you saw them.”

  “Where are they?”

  “In a box, in her closet. I told her that one day, when she’s ready, I would frame and display them. We’re not there yet, but we’ll get there. If you mention any of this to her, she will reply to questions, but she will not expand to give details.”

  “Yes, I noticed that when I first interviewed her and asked her why she left her job at the Pentagon. All she said was that it was for personal reasons.”

  Kate chuckled. “One thing about Jo, she never lies. It was a very personal reason. It was because I asked her.”

  Wally seemed to be expecting more of an explanation, and Kate provided it because she liked Wally’s transparent good nature. “That woman always surprises. Even me!” Kate chuckled. “Her position, at the Pentagon, was very high. At the time, it required that she’d go back to Afghanistan to audit operations. I didn’t want her to go. I thought that it would have opened emotional wounds that had taken us years to heal. She went through a lot, and her nightmares were maddening. I didn’t want her going through that again. She didn’t need to, and I was not going to allow it for any money in the world. There is nothing that would compensate for having to go through all that suffering again. She knew I was right, and that is why she resigned and the reason we’re here. She quit because I asked her. She did it for us, for Mellie and me.”

  “She knows her priorities,” Wally responded, appreciating that Jo valued family as much as she did.

  “Yes, she does. There’s never been anyone as committed and trustworthy as Jo. You hired a great person, Wally. And I say that not just because I love her madly, but also because there are many others out there who would say just the same.”

  “Well, she’s not technically a hire, more like a business partner, and a good friend, of course,” Wally replied glad that she had followed her gut instinct because it had obviously been the right one. She also felt a sense of pride that she could count a person like Jo as her friend.

  “You made a good choice,” Kate said as she took the dessert out to the patio. “Let’s go eat.”

  ***

  Late on Monday afternoon, Jo was finally able to meet with Wally.

  “So, what happened at the mayor’s office?” Wally asked.

  “I’m glad you asked because it looks like I may have to do some work for him as a result of all of these.”

  “You mean like volunteer work?”

  Jo chuckled. “That’s what I thought at first, but no. It looks like we’re getting a contract as a result of the extra activities and publicity for the fair.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yes, he wants us to help design the fairgrounds, build stages, and booths. He also wants a transportation and traffic plan. I took the job because he sounded overwhelmed and a bit desperate.”

  “And he’s not going to start a bidding process? That’s the norm with government projects, as you know.”

  “Apparently not.”

  “That’s unusual.” Wally wondered if this was one of those weird happenings Kate had mentioned. She also thought that if Manny had recommended Jo for the job, that would have been enough reason for the mayor to offer the project to Jo.

  “So, I need to fit that into my timetable,” Jo continued, “fortunately, I’m running ahead of schedule on the other project and can move resources to this one. I’ll start working on the plans tonight.”

  “Okay, let me know if you need anything,” Wally replied.

  “I could use some artistic help in designing the main stage. It might also be a good way to show the mountain-home theme and get some publicity. You never know who might end up coming to this thing.”

  “You got it.” Wally was thrilled and now wondering what else could come out of this unexpected turn of events. “Are you expecting anyone in particular?”

  “Not as of yet, but we already have a few famous people coming, so who knows!”

  All through the summer, the fairgrounds were built. On Jo’s suggestion, Wally made wonderful western designs as facades for the stages and booths. Gradually, things came together. Not only was the fair hosting the governor and several famous performers, but Senator O’Dell, Manny’s father, was also making an appearance with an entourage from Washington. In addition, there was the Blue Angels flyover, a rodeo, innumerable food trucks, and a New York theater company was performing in town over the weekend.

  Chapter 12

  The day of the fair, Jo and Kate arrived on the fairgrounds around eight in the morning. They immediately spotted Wally and Dannie standing next to the enormous entryway Wally had designed. They had dropped-off Annie and Mellie at Cindy’s because they all had chores to perform at the fair. Kate and Dannie had to help set up the clinic’s booth, and Jo and Wally wanted to make sure everything was running well for the opening. In addition, a whole day at the fair would have been very tiring for the youngsters. The agreement was that Cindy would bring the children to the fair in the afternoon.

  “Looks good!” Kate said euphorically in reference to the fabulous fair’s entryway.

  “You’re looking pretty good yourself,” Dannie commented, patting Kate’s pregnant belly, which was already beginning to show. Kate and Dannie had become very good friends. Their nurturing motherly instincts had provided a special bonding, and they consistently helped each other with their kids to give respite to Cindy, who had three of her own.

  Kate had also become all the kids’ pediatrician. Often times, Kate had been called in the middle of the night with ear or tummy aches. She always took the calls and even made home visits when the situation required it. She always kept a locked cabinet at home with samples of her regularly prescribed medications for the children’s common ailments as well as first aid supplies. There had been more than one occasion when she had to stitch someone up.

  “Thanks, I feel great, thank God!” She smiled and glanced at Jo and then at Dannie, sending a hint that Jo was also feeling better. Jo didn’t notice her wife’s innuendo because she was busy surveying the fairgrounds.

  Wally noticed Jo’s inspection and commented, “all looks good, Jo. I think we can relax. The people in charge will do their jobs now. Ours is done.”

  Jo smiled, aware that she had been caught appraising the perimeter. “Yeah, it looks like it. Still, I’m going to stop and talk to Mayor Smith to make sure he’s satisfied.”

  Kate looked at her and then rolled her eyes as she looked toward Wally and Dannie. “You can tell she’s military, can’t you?” The other women laughed.

  “She follows through. Nothing wrong with that.” Wally remarked in her friend’s defense. Indeed, Jo’s training was ingrained in her personality, and it was something she could never turn off. It was the trait that had made her extremely successful in all her undertakings.

  As early as it was, the vendors and booths were already filled with people. The mayor and some of his staff were at the foot of the main stage getting ready to declare the fair weekend open.

  “Oh no, I don’t believe this!” Dannie exclaimed.

  “What?” Kate asked.

  “Look who’s there, Wally?

  “Oh, crap! I heard he had signed up for the shooting competition, but I didn’t think she’d show up.”

  “Who are you talking about?” Kate asked.

  “See that guy over there talking to Mayor Smith now? He’s Wayne Gordon, my former employer.” Wally explained.

  “And see that little blonde bitch with the big boobs next to him?” Kate looked to Dannie when she heard her expression. “That’s Pam Gordon, his daughter. She’s the one who hit on Wally and the reason we left the company.” Dannie finished her explanation.

  “We hadn’t seen her in a while. I guess this year the fair rose to her level, and she decided to favor the town with her appearance,” Wally added.

  “You’d better put up your shield and
be on the lookout. She always goes after new blood, and I’m sure she’s already picked up the scent,” Dannie warned. Kate was half surprised but half not. She hadn’t heard Dannie talk that way since they had met but couldn’t blame her because, after all, Pam had gone after Wally.

  “If she comes near Kate, I’ll have a word with her,” Jo said in a serious tone.

  “No, you won’t! You know that I’m very capable of taking care of myself.” Kate made her pronouncement, eliciting a raised eyebrow from Jo.

  “It’s not Kate you should be worried about,” Dannie said sarcastically, “worry about yourself. She likes your type.” It was obvious, when looking at Wally and Jo, in contrast to Kate and herself, that Dannie was making the point that Pam didn’t like feminine, curvy women like them but rather preferred the leaner, tighter type like Wally and Jo. Dannie thought that Jo, having the military type, would be very appealing to Pam.

  “Oh, oh!” Kate exclaimed and chuckled.

  “Great!” Jo protested, already feeling uncomfortable about the possibly rising situation.

  “At least, wait until they finish talking to Smith,” Wally suggested.

  “I’m going to check the clinic’s booth to see how they’re doing,” Kate said.

  Just before Kate was about to leave, Mayor Smith walked away. “Okay, I’ll go talk to him now.”

  “Maybe you should hang out with Jo to keep Pam away,” Wally suggested to Kate before she left.

  Kate smiled. She knew, from what Dannie had told her, about Wally’s naïve personality and never knowing when a woman was hitting on her. “Wally, thanks for your suggestion, but believe me, Jo doesn’t need my protection. She can do very well by herself.”

  “But aren’t you worried?” Wally added.

  Kate smiled, loving Wally’s true concern. “No, Wally.” She wanted to say that she had full trust in Jo, but not wanting to sound dramatic took another route. “Remember that she’s a former Army Colonel, and she doesn’t like people messing with her.”

  “Okay,” Wally said as she watched Kate go.