Hearts of Grey

by Earl E. Gobel

  “Melissa, can you show me how to spray like Katie does?” little Katie asked her. Melissa lost her coffee the same way that Katie had. Katie just handed her the towel.

  “Can I what?” Melissa asked as she started to wipe up the coffee.

  “Never mind, you just did,” little Katie told her.

  “Wait a second. What did I just do?” Melissa asked her.

  “You showed me how to spray. A woman don’t spit—they spray. That’s what Katie said,” the little girl told her.

  “We don’t spit? We spray? What are you talking about?” Melissa asked again.

  Katie jumped in and tried to explain to her everything that was said and everything. “So when my little cousin here said that she was sorry for making me spit my coffee out, just like you just did, I told her that it isn’t proper for a woman to spit. And that’s how the spray concept came in,” Katie told her. Melissa was laughing.

  “What’s so funny?” Katie asked.

  “Was he looking for something? If she only knew the truth?” Melissa answered.

  “You’re right. I didn’t think about it before, but you’re right. That is funny,” Katie answered.

  “What didn’t you think about before?” Mary asked as she walked into the dining room followed by her brother and Grady.

  “Oh, nothing, just talking,” Melissa answered.

  “So how are my two whiskey-gulping party animals this morning?” Grady asked them.

  “My head feels like it’s about ready to explode, but the shower really helped,” Melissa added.

  “What about you, Katie? How are you doing?” he asked.

  “Let’s just say that I’ve had much better days and leave it at that,” she responded.

  Elizabeth walked into the room. “Grady, why is there a pair of women’s underwear hanging from your chandelier?” she asked as she sat down at the table.

  “There is? Is there still a woman wearing them, I hope?” he answered.

  “Nope, sorry. They’re empty, but whose are they and how did they get there?” Elizabeth asked again.

  “Melissa, would you care to answer her question?” Grady asked her. Everyone turned to look at her as they waited for a response.

  “Okay, they’re mine, but I haven’t the slightest clue on how they got there. Okay?” she said.

  “Oh, that’s right. You two got drunk last night. I’ve been there before too, I seem to recall. So I don’t see a need for you to explain anything any further,” Elizabeth answered.

  Katie turned to her father. “Daddy what in the world is going on outside?” she asked him. “It sounds like there’s a bunch of people out there making a bunch of noise.”

  “Well honestly, there’s about a hundred or so of the townspeople out there building you all a dance floor and rigging up a public address system. Among other things. It’s actually quite impressive to say the least,” Grady answered her.

  Everything that They Caused

  “How many people did you say were out there?” Melissa asked.

  “Oh, I don’t know how many are actually out there,” he answered, “but I would venture to guess just about a hundred. Wouldn’t you say that was a pretty close guess, Paul?”

  “Yeah a hundred, give or take a few either way. I would say that would be about right,” Paul answered.

  “At eight-thirty in the morning?” Melissa responded.

  “Eight-thirty? Hell, they were here at five-thirty. Not all people can afford to sleep in until eight. People do have things to do other than sleeping, that is,” he responded.

  “Katie dear, I really think your daddy is referring to the two of us,” Melissa told her.

  “Yeah, I got that impression too. So what do you say we sit here and drink another cup of coffee and then go outside and see what they’re doing out there?” Katie answered.

  “That sounds like a plan. But it might be more like two or three cups of coffee and then go outside,” Melissa replied.

  Katie and Melissa finished their coffee and stepped out into the bright Georgia sun. The brightness of the sun as it bared down on them made their eyes water. As their eyes slowly became adjusted to the light, what they saw before them was breathtaking. The mere fact that it was all being done wasn’t the shocking part. What made all of this so meaningful, so spectacular, was the fact that it was all being done for them by the people of the town, many of them they had never even seen before let alone talked to. But there they were, building a large dance floor and running wires from tree to tree for not only a public address system, but for a lighting system as well. And they were all pounding, cutting, setting things up. Why? Because they wanted to. With every pounding of a hammer, every banging of a piece of wood, the throbbing within the girls’ heads was increasing, but they didn’t say anything to anyone about it ’cause what all of these people were doing was far more important than their own personal miseries that they had brought on to themselves. God, how they both hated whiskey right now.

  Katie stepped off of the porch. There were people everywhere, each going about their business as if it was their job. Melissa stepped down off of the porch and walked up next to Katie and threw her arm around her shoulder.

  “And you said that you didn’t have any friends,” Melissa said as she pulled Katie a little closer.

  “Yeah, I did, but this is just too much. What we did, I mean with the gold and all, was it really that important to these people? Look at them working their butts off just for us,” Katie said as she took a few more steps forward.

  “Well, apparently it was to them anyways,” Melissa answered.

  One of the guys that were doing the lighting looked over and saw the two ladies looking around. He nudged the guys on both sides of him who in turn nudged the next two. And before long, every worker stopped what they were doing and was staring at Katie and Melissa.

  “What are they looking at?” Katie asked Melissa.

  “I’m not sure, but I think they’re looking at us, but don’t ask me why,” Melissa answered.

  Then one of the guys started clapping his hands and then another, then all of them were clapping and whistling.

  “Why in the world are they clapping for?” Katie asked.

  From behind them a voice answered. “They’re clapping for you two,” he answered.

  The two ladies turned to see a very familiar face before them. It was their reporter friend from the Charleston Herald, Robert Kincaid.

  “Well, hello there, you’re Robert Kincaid, right? It’s been a while, but I’m pretty good at remembering names,” Katie responded.

  “Yes, you are very good it names, or so it would seem,” he answered.

  “So what do you mean they’re clapping for us? Why would they do that?” she asked.

  Melissa didn’t say anything. She just waited with Katie for a response from their reporter friend.

  “Because you’re heroes. At least that’s how they see you,” he answered.

  Melissa looked at Katie. “Heroes? For what? We didn’t do anything. Well, we did but nothing that would warrant this type of attention, really?” she told him.

  “Oh, you did a lot more than you’ll ever know. Trust me,” he told them.

  “What do you mean?” Katie asked.

  “Well, it’s like this. I talked to my editor several times over the past week or so. Ever since we carried that very first story about your great-grandfather, remember? Anyways, ever since that first story broke, our readers just can’t seem to get enough about you and Melissa here and the rest of your little group,” he told them.

  “What stuff? What are you talking about?” Katie asked.

  “Well it seems that ever since the story broke about your discovery, there’s been a rush on the Mattersonville library for books on American history. And when they ran out, they had to open the high school library. Now what do you think happened when about five hundred people all wanted to check out every book in the library that deals with American history. Of course, t
hey soon ran out of books as you might have guessed. So those that didn’t get a chance at a book started forming discussion groups, and then two groups formed a class. Now all of a sudden, and for the very first time I might add, Mattersonville High School is holding classes in the summer. It’s like nobody can get enough of this American history stuff. And you guys all started it. And there isn’t a girl within fifty miles that doesn’t want to be just like the two of you,” he told them.

  “You’re kidding? That’s great! I mean, that they’re taking an interest in the history of this great country. But really we didn’t start it,” Katie told him.

  “Wait, I’m not done yet. It isn’t just happening here in this town. It’s happening in every town in every state that carried your story. Libraries all over the place are being swamped with request for more history books. And if you didn’t know, sixty percent of the schoolbooks in this country are printed right here in Georgia, which means more jobs and more books,” he told the two ladies before him.

  “No way! All because of the treasure that we recovered?” Melissa asked.

  “It doesn’t stop at the libraries. Beauty salons are getting requests for Katie and Melissa hairdos. The girls want to walk like you and talk like you. And it’s not just the girls either. Your brother played football, didn’t he, Melissa?” he asked.

  “Well in high school, he did. So?” she responded.

  “You might be surprised to learn that they now have enough kids that want to play football this year. That they might have to have three teams just so everyone can play,” he told them.

  “You’re kidding?” Melissa responded.

  “And we haven’t even touched the music department whose having a run on banjos and request for lessons,” he told them.

  “So everything that we’ve done, they want to do?” Katie asked.

  “To be blunt, Ms. Windslow, yes. I have an eight-year-old daughter that worships you. And just the other day, she came home with a banjo. So now we’re doing lessons too,” he responded.

  “That’s unbelievable. I mean it’s great too, but I never thought that all of this could happen just because we discovered the treasure. And this is why they’re all doing this?” Katie asked.

  “Ms Windslow, you all didn’t just discover the lost gold of the Confederacy in this town. No, you woke the people of this town up. You woke the people of America up. Everyone has this urge to look into their past. And I know that since you’re getting married on Saturday, so you probably won’t be at church on Sunday, but it wouldn’t surprise me to find out that there’s an overflow of people at church this Sunday. Just because of you and your faith in God,” he told her.

  “Well, that’s a good thing. God always has room for more souls. Maybe they should take all of this wood and build a bigger church,” she kindly told him.

  “Well, maybe they will at that. But for now, it’s being used for a better reason. Your wedding,” he answered.

  “Well, while I appreciate the comment, I’m not too sure which one is more important, us or God,” she answered.

  “Well, I’m pretty sure that even God wouldn’t mind taking the backseat for just one day. After all, you are Katie Windslow,” he answered back.

  Katie turned and looked at the workers who had all returned to their duties.

  “Well, even so. I think all of these guys are the heroes. Certainly not us. And as far as everything that is happening just because of a simple little story in a newspaper, well, I think it’s great. But we really don’t need to be praised just for following a map. Anyone could have done that,” she answered.

  “Yeah, but here’s the deal, Ms. Windslow. They didn’t. You did. And we’re not talking about just one article in the paper either. According to my editor, our readers want more. More stories about you, Melissa, and everyone else in your little group. So it would seem that the Charleston Herald has done maybe ten or more stories about you. And there’s more to come. We’ll be here tomorrow, and your wedding will be in all of the papers as well,” he told the two shocked women that stood before him.

  “How many articles? What in the world could they have possibly found to write that many stories on us about?” Katie asked.

  “Gee, let’s see. There’s you at church two or three times, the treasure, your wedding, and basically your life in general,” he answered.

  “My life in general? Trust me, my life story would not make for very good reading. I was there, so I should know. But still, I guess I should be flattered to some degree, I suppose,” Katie responded.

  “Well, I can tell you this. Every aspect of your life from the day that you were born up to and including the fire that took your mother’s life has made the national news,” he told her.

  “You wrote a story about my mother and how she died in that fire?” Katie asked him.

  “Yes, we did, but let me assure you that it was done in a very respectful format. But it wasn’t just about the fire and you losing your mother. It was the connection between your family and the Klan that sparked the interest. And I know that you’ve been busy and all, you know with your wedding and everything else, but I do have copies of every article that we’ve done on you,” he told her.

  “Really? I’d like to see those. But I thought that you were just going to do articles on the treasure. I didn’t think that you would dig into my past like that. My life is my life, and while I’m sure that you meant no harm, I still feel a little violated,” Katie responded.

  “Trust me, we didn’t go digging for dirt of your life. But here’s a little girl living her own quiet life in Mobile, Alabama, and then there’s this tragic fire that not only destroys your home, but takes the life of your mother in the process. That alone is a story that’s worth writing. But what we wrote about was what happened after the fire,” he told her.

  “After the fire? What happened after the fire that you found so interesting to write about?” Katie asked him.

  “You and your never-ending faith in God. Most people having gone through something as tragic as what you went through would have at least questioned their faith in God. But not you. From what we’ve gathered, your faith in God just blossomed. And that, my dear Katie, is what our readers read about. You’re a very extraordinary young lady. And to say that our readers are in love with you as a person, well, that wouldn’t be an understatement at all,” he told her.

  “I see, but I still do wish that you would have at least checked with me first, but I guess what is done is done. But promise me that you’ll do no more stories about my past or that of my father’s without clearing it with us first. Okay?” she asked.

  “That’s a promise that I intend to keep. But I do need to ask you some questions regarding a certain court case that you’ve refused to pursue. It just doesn’t make sense you dropping the charges like you did,” he told her.

  “Well, that won’t happen. That story is one that you can’t write about. I’m sorry,” she told him.

  “I understand that you might not want everyone to know the details behind that story. But again, it’s what happened afterwards that we want to write about. You have this uncanny knack for—”

  “Turning turds into diamonds,” Melissa added.

  Mr. Kincaid just stopped and looked at Melissa.

  “Exactly. I’m not sure that I would have used those exact words, but, yes, that’s it in a nutshell. I know about the four guys in that cave that night, and I know that you refused to press charges against them for whatever reason you had. But I also know that guys have turned their lives around just because you gave them a break. And that, my dear lady, is what sells papers. And like I said before, you just keep racking up points with our readers. And they just can’t get enough of the Katie Windslow story,” he told her.

  “The Katie Windslow story? But what about Melissa and my dad? there has to be some mention about Mike and Rick too, but to call it the Katie Windslow story might not be very fair to everyone else that’s a part of my life,” she told
him.

  “Maybe not, but here’s the beauty of all of this. You’re the focal point of this story. Everything and everyone associated with you is all part of the general story, you see. Just like Melissa’s job offer, that too is connected right back to you,” he explained.

  “You know about my job offer?” Melissa asked.

  “Of course I do. I’m a reporter and a very good one, I might add. And we’ll be doing a featured story on you and Rick and your plans for the future too. But that can’t happen until after the wedding. That is if you don’t mind,” he told her.

  “A story about me and Rick and our plans for the future? That should be interesting to say the least,” Melissa responded.

  “Excuse me for asking, but just how do you go about finding these little tidbits of information to begin with?” Katie asked him.

  “Well, I’m sorry to say that I can’t say. I have my sources. But just because I hear about something, it doesn’t mean that I’ll write about them. There has to be a gap between your personal life and what appears in our paper,” he told the two girls.

  “Well, that’s a good thing, but if I let you write this story that you asked about, because it is a very strong story about people turning their lives around and all, you’ll have to promise me that you will not use any of their real names unless you get their permission first. These people are my friends, and they deserve to have their names withheld if they so choose. Is that a fair compromise?” Katie asked him.

  “That’s a very fair compromise. One that I would honor without hesitation,” he answered.

  “And another thing, you have to give me your word as a person, not as a reporter, that you will not do any stories that refers or even mentions the death of my Uncle Jack or the person responsible. Is that understood?” Katie asked.

  “Without question. I know that you must have your own personal reasons, and I will honor that request,” he told her.

  “That’s good enough for me, but you’ll have to wait for my head to quit throbbing first. It would seem that I had a first and last encounter with some whiskey last night, so it might prove to be very beneficial for us to wait a while before we sit down and talk about all of this. And do us a favor, please refrain from telling everyone about the whiskey, okay?” Katie asked him.