The Journal: A Prophecy, A President & Death

by Parker, W. Leland

  • • •

  At this point, Agent Hinton is talking with the Market’s insurer on the phone. He explains who he is—who he really is. He tells them how to verify his identity, and gains access to privileged information on their policy. Quickly formulating a plan that should allow him to search the house for the journal, he comes back to meet with Mrs. Market and Joseph. He finds them sitting inside of the fire truck to stay warm as they finish hearing the extent of the damage and answering questions.

  With a preliminary report stating that the fire was an accident, Officer Anderson is free to leave. He verifies that the fire team could get Hinton back to his car, then heads out to his next assignment.

  Commander Watson says, “I’ve got to hand it to you Joanna, this could have been … you know, much worse. The fire appears to have started in front of the fireplace. Perhaps an ember that was lodged somewhere managed to get past the screen.”

  Joseph’s face contorts as he grimaces at the prospect of having started the fire. He looks at his mom, who looks up to heaven, then over at her son. She shrugs her shoulders and makes a whimsical face at him that says, “Whatayagonna do? These things happen.” It relieves his pain and he musters a smile back to her.

  The commander continues, “Apparently someone left a book, a leather bound book, right at the edge of the fireplace, and that is what the fire … you know, what the fire grabbed hold of.”

  Joanna gasps! She knows exactly what book it is; her beloved, leather bound, Pride and Prejudice. She reads it every year starting on her birthday, and when she remembers that she dropped it when she ran to get the phone, her heart just sinks. She closes her eyes and shakes her head in pain.

  Suddenly there’s a squeeze of her hand, opening her eyes to see her son Joseph looking right at her with a whimsical crooked smiled on his face that says, “Whatayagonna do? These things happen.” She breaks into a full smile, and chuckles a little, which he returns as they both realize the irony of their co-dependent guilt!

  Enjoying that they are taking this so well, Commander Watson is eager to share the good news. “As I was saying, you were very, very fortunate that that book was such a slow burn! The fire really took a full seven minutes I’m estimating to get up to speed. I would guess that as the fire got the pages going, somehow or another the cover fell closed and held back its progress for, perhaps another three, five minutes.”

  Joseph is impressed.

  Joanna asks, “Can that little amount of delay make a difference?”

  Joseph chimes in, “Oh, yeah, Mom! On Discovery I saw that the first five minutes in the life of a fire are the most critical! It’s when it heats up other stuff to combustion temperatures!”

  The impressed commander adds, “Hey, that’s right! Often it is the difference between … you know, between life and death. Your fire got such a slow start, that by the time you called it in …” the mother and son both glance at each other. “It really wasn’t … you know, on top of its fuel source yet. Perhaps you could have extinguished it yourself.” They glance at each other again. “But I’m glad you didn’t try, often we find that at that transition point, inexperience can … you know;” they both wait for him to finish the sentence—they are literally leaning in to hear it.

  Joanna helps out saying, “inexperience can …”

  He finally ends the suspense with, “Can really get you into trouble.”

  Joanna and Joseph actually sigh with relief.

  People Come And Go So Quickly

  Loud snores literally vibrate the face of a desk clock that displays that it’s 2:15 a.m.. James Market, the older son in college, stares at the ceiling as his roommate serenades him with a buzz saw, jackhammer concerto! He’s got his pillow wrapped around his head, and he looks for a book or something he can throw over to wake him. He touches his cell phone and all of a sudden it begins to vibrate. Exhausted, he figures he must have pressed something, but looking at the dial he’s surprised to see the caller ID shows, “Dad.”

  He picks it up and confusedly asks, “Dad?”

  “Good morning!” says his father, who is way too chipper for James frustrated state. As he rockets down the highway, his father continues, “Jimbo, I wanted to tell you that there was a fire at the house, but everybody’s okay.”

  Sitting up he asks, “What? When? Are they hurt at all?”

  “No, everybody’s fine.”

  James, who, like his dad, decides instantly, though groggily, that he wants to be there, clears his head and gets out of bed to reach in his closet to grab some clothes and bag. As he becomes fully aware he continues, “But what about smoke, did they get any smoke inhalation?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Well, how big a fire? Where did it start?”

  Robert, impressed with his son’s thoroughness says, “Well, Jim, since I’m not a criminologist I didn’t ask all of that! Jim listen to me, I just called ’cause I thought you should call your mom, you know, touch base with her. After something like this there’s a need to know that everyone you care about is safe.”

  “O-kay …”

  “Jim, you there? You sound distracted.”

  James, who is typing something on his computer says, “No, I’m here … Uh, where do I call her, at the house?”

  “No, I think she’s at Mrs. Phelps; try Mrs. Phelps across the street.”

  “Ohhh, okay. Hmm. I don’t have that number, but I think I can find it.”

  “That’s my boy! Don’t tell your mom when you talk to her, but I should be there within the next fifteen– What? What’s this? Oh, my Lord!” At that very moment, Robert Market sees blue and red lights flashing in his rearview mirror. As what’s happening registers in his brain his eyes roll back in their sockets in utter disgust.

  James calls out on the phone, “Dad! What is it?”

  His dad can only muster, “Arrrgh! I’m too embarrassed to tell you.”

  “What, did you hit something?” asks James, who is both intrigued and entertained by his dad’s disposition. It’s a reasonable question as deer and small animals are plentiful in their town.

  “Nooooooo.” his dad replies, “If you must know, I’m getting pulled over by a traffic cop … I gotta go. Call your mom … and pray for me.”

  “Okay, Dad. Wow, the great streak comes to an end!”

  “Jim!” says his father sternly.

  “Yes, Dad, sorry, I’ll call Mom … and I’ll pray.” He clicks print on the screen of his computer and closes his eyes for a moment and actually prays, saying, “Lord, please take care of my dad, and bless me with a ride home.” Out of his roommates printer comes ten flyers, which read, “EMERGENCY RIDE NEEDED to Middletown New York or nearby New York City. Ready to leave now! Will pay for all the gas! Prefer to ride with guy.” It includes his name and cell phone number. While putting on street clothes he goes online in search of the home phone of Mrs. Phelps, which he is able to locate in just minutes. He then grabs the printouts off the printer, some pushpins, and a stapler, and heads out to pin them up on his dorm lobby bulletin board and tack them up outside.

  After a brief good morning to the dorm security, he heads outside into the moonlit and chilly early morning and posts them on light poles in front of his dorm. As he works his way down the street he takes a moment to call his mom. Flipping over the bottom flyer he locates where he jotted the number for Mrs. Phelps. “Hello, Mrs. Phelps?”

  However, it is her live-in nurse, Mary who answers the phone, “No, this is Mary Johnson, her nurse.”

  “Oh. Is she okay?”

  “Yes, she’s fine,” answers Mary, “I’m her nurse, and– May I ask whose calling?”

  “Oh, yes, I’m sorry to disturb at this hour, this is James Market, I live across the street, and I was told that my mom might be there, because of the fire.”

  “Mrs. Market? Yes, she’s here. She’s outside talking with the fireman. Would you like me to get her?”

  James with relief, “Yes, please.”

 
; Joanna Market, who is now wearing an overcoat that she’s borrowed from the Phelps, is getting details from Fire Shift Commander Watson on if and when they can go into the house. The fire truck and all the rest of the crew has left, only he and Mr. Hinton remain. Mary calls over to them and gets Joanna Market’s attention, motioning with the phone in her hand to indicate she has a call.

  She jogs over and says, “Thank you … Hello?”

  “Mom?”

  “Jimmy, I can’t believe you called! So you know about the fire?”

  “Very little, Mom. Dad called me and just told me that there was a fire and that I should call you.”

  “You two, that was very thoughtful. Everybody’s okay. Apparently the fire only damaged the floor, the wall, the ceiling, the chair, the curtains, and the bookshelf.”

  James interjects, “Oh, is that all.”

  “I know, right? It sounds a lot worse when you list it out.”

  “Did you guys get any smoke in your lungs?”

  “No. We walked out within the first five minutes or so of the fire. Less than fifteen minutes later it was out!”

  “Where did it start? What caused it?”

  “Well, that’s kinda a long story.”

  “Did it damage any house systems, like electrical wiring?”

  “I don’t know, I was getting details from them when you called. Honestly, I’d rather let your dad handle that when he gets here tonight.”

  James, a little disappointed says, “He wanted to surprise you. How’d you know he was coming tonight?”

  “I know your dad. If I don’t see him within the next hour I’ll be surprised.”

  James, while looking down the street at his signs, says with some levity, “He might be slightly delayed.” He spots one of them that has one of its tabs taken already! He’s perplexed because he hasn’t seen a single person on the street, and only one car that passed by since he first walked out. In any case he is encouraged and hopeful that he can be home soon and really surprise his mom! They talk a little longer then Joanna has to let him go so she can talk to the officials.

  • • •

  Meanwhile, the police officer has already collected Mr. Market’s driving credentials and returns to his window as he’s reviewing them. Without so much as a word he shines the light into his face to get a good look at him.

  Squinting and shielding his eyes from the light Mr. Market says, “You know, I haven’t had a single speeding infraction my whole life!”

  The police officer says, “Humph, you don’t say.” It is in fact Officer Anderson, the very one who provided Mr. Hinton a ride to the Market home. He then adds, “You know Mr. Market, this may be your lucky night!”

  Mr. Market, “Really? Wow, what a blessing; are you not going to cite me?”

  “Well, sir, you earned a citation, there’s not doubt about that, but I guess you would say that I’m going to have mercy on you, Minister. I worked at a fire detail earlier this evening that was at your house.”

  Mr. Market adds with excitement, “Oh, my! You were at my house, twelve Newton Avenue?”

  “Yes, sir. So I find it a little heartless to issue a ticket, a first ticket, to a man who I assume is speeding to be at the side of his wife and family.”

  “Oh, God bless you!”

  “Follow me, sir; I can have you there in ten minutes.”

  • • •

  Arriving at the house the patrolman turns off his flashing lights and proceeds on without stopping. Mr. Market is pleasantly surprised to see the fire equipment already gone. He pulls up in front of his house with a heart that is racing and full of anticipation for seeing his wife and son. Remarkably he feels like he hasn’t seen them in years.

  As he shuts off the engine, Joseph, wearing one of Mr. Phelps old leather jackets, runs out from the Phelps front porch right past his mom and the two officials saying only two words, “Its dad!”

  Joanna, fireman Watson, and insurance man Hinton are all curious how he managed a police escort, but it doesn’t diminish her happy silly smile. As she walks away from the men and towards her husband and son, her shoulders drop, and all remnants of tension flee; all she needs now is his loving embrace. She barely takes three steps in his direction when he rushes up to meet her. The reunion is almost worth the fire. They hug like they haven’t seen each other in years.

  Joanna begins to cry with joy, which then brings tears to her husband Robert who kisses her tears and tells her, “It’s all gonna be fine.”

  Joseph, who had given them a little space, steps over and squeezes them both together, and with surprising force. They look at their son and share a moment of realization of just how important this reunion was to him.

  Looking on, Watson and even the grizzled and dry Hinton are forced to smile. Joanna face says it all; she is happy. In spite of everything that has happened, having Robert home makes her so happy. He’s her man, and he makes things so much better.

  He’s a take-charge husband; a man that she can rely on, who is able to manage a dozen details and place them all in the proper order. Ironically it is another of the very abilities that makes him a highly sought after executive. Some women wouldn’t mind their husband away from home once a week, but this is not that kind of wife, and not that kind of family. They are a very close nit family where the father is the head, and his primary concern is always the well being of his wife and children.

  Joanna volunteers a lot, especially at church, but she hasn’t had to work in years. Robert earns a comfortable salary and the hope is that he might retire at 55 and go into full time ministry.

  “So, sweetheart, how bad is it?” asks Robert.

  “I’m not so sure, the fireman was just telling me that it’s surprising little damage … he said that it was somewhat miraculous that the fire got such a slow start.”

  “Miraculous? Did he use that word?”

  Joanna shrugs some and admits, “Well, perhaps not that word exactly.”

  “Just checking.” As a minister in their local congregation he’s always interested in such things.

  Joanna knew exactly why he inquired; she squeezes him, and says, “I’m so glad you’re here, but, sweetheart you must be exhausted”

  “I do feel a little beat, but … you’re my sweetheart.” He kisses her on the forehead and then turns to the fire commander and says, “Hi, I’m Robert Market, her husband, what do we know?”

  Commander Watson begins to fill him in, “I recognize you Minister and—Sir, it appears that you got off easy. The fire was largely … you know, contained. Contained to one floor, wall, and ceiling area. You do have some slight floor joist damage, but I’d be surprised if this whole thing couldn’t be cleared up for less than five thousand.”

  Joanna doesn’t hear the number, but Robert is not surprised and only replies, “So the fire inspector hasn’t reviewed us yet?”

  “No, sir,” Watson replies.

  Robert turns to Al Hinton and asks, “So if you don’t mind me asking, who are you, sir? I assumed you were the fire inspector.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. Market,” says Watson; “this is Insurance Adjuster Albert Hinton.”

  “Hello,” says Hinton. “I’m new to the area and happened to be at the firehouse when the call came in.”

  Robert, “Oh, okay, so we’re not likely to be allowed back into the home tonight then.”

  Watson, “I’m afraid not, sir.”

  “Okay,” says Robert. “Gentlemen, before I get the details of what you know, please allow me to get my family situated. I can also show you to our insurance papers after that.”

  They both reply, “Alright.”

  Robert then takes his wife and son back over to Mrs. Phelps’ residence. Realizing the hour is just impossible for setting up beds for three people, he simply asks if they can all just camp out in her living room for the next four hours or so. This also provides the best vantage for keeping a watchful eye on their home since alarm system is off, and since it was already approachin
g 4:00 a.m., it was the most convenient location for spotting the fire inspector when he arrived. Just the best arrangement for everyone considered.

  Mrs. Phelps’ nurse agrees, and with that all settled Robert goes back out to retrieve their insurance papers for Mr. Hinton, and to talk with Watson for any remaining details. It is largely as Joanna reported, fairly minimal for a fire of its size, but it would require the inspector to give the final report and clearance.

  Surveying the damage for the first time, he notices that the fire crew broke the front door when they entered. Peering through the windows he sees that the back door was wide open. He doesn’t comment on the broken door, choosing instead to remain on Watson’s good side and ask a favor.

  He inquires if he might personally go into the house, accompanied of course by either of the two professionals, to collect the insurance papers. The fire commander agrees and they proceed to do so. While they are there Mr. Hinton sketches a floor plan of the estate, asking Mr. Market which room is whose.

  Meanwhile, after handing over the papers, Robert seizes the opportunity to collect all of his family’s coats and cell phones. He also closes off portions of the house that are not impacted by smoke or fire, and sets up his generator and a fan to blow out as much smoke smell as possible.

  As he leaves, he places a note on the front door with his cell phone number for the fire inspector. And with that, and a quick good night to the two men, he heads back over to the Phelps home to get a few hours rest. As he walks he uses his cell phone to send a text message to Carla his administrative assistant saying he will not be in the office tomorrow due to a fire in his home.

  Since everyone has gone in, Mr. Hinton and Mr. Watson are left standing and talking on the sidewalk in front of the Phelps home. Hinton has the insurance papers, along with the sketch of the house and slips them into his file folder. “Have you ever had anything like this from them before?” he asks.