Secrets of the Spiral Tower

by Joe Woods

Woody picked up her suitcase and followed Willow inside. “We’ve had a good time talking with Uncle Rupert. This is really doing him some good. We talked about the two of you coming down to Woods’ Station on Lake Bruin this coming weekend.”

  “And, Daddy wanted to do that?”

  “Yes. He got so excited, especially when I told him we could cruise on the party barge and troll fish.”

  “Well, I would love that also. What about Connor? May I bring him also?”

  “Surely. Olga, Anne, and I will go Friday afternoon and look for the three of you Saturday morning.”

  “That sounds like great fun. Maybe we could grill some fish and steaks?”

  “Willow, I’ll take care of that. What you might consider is having Mamie fix a big bowl of coleslaw and potato salad.”

  Olga joined in. “We’ll grill some asparagus and other vegetables. We’ll top the meal off with some homemade ice cream.”

  “Wow! This is going to be fun. I may want to spend the summer down there.”

  “Willow, you know you’re always welcome. We enjoy our time there and look forward to having guests.”

  “What about the ferry at Port Gibson? Is it still in operation? I remember years ago, we enjoyed crossing the river on it.”

  “Yes, it is. The old ferry we crossed on has been replaced with a larger, safer vessel.”

  “That’s good. I want to take Daddy by the McKenzie Maintenance Yard and I know he will enjoy riding the ferry.”

  “That will bring back memories for you and Rupert.”

  “Yes, I’m sure it will. With the river as high as it is, I just hope we don’t have a problem crossing.”

  “Willow, I don’t believe you need to be concerned. The new ferry is much more sea worthy than the little one we crossed on years ago. Don’t worry.”

  “Thanks. I’ll try to get us up and going early Saturday. Isn’t there something else I can bring other than coleslaw, potato salad, and a pineapple upside down cake?”

  “No. I’ll take care of everything else. We’ll have a five course breakfast with bacon, eggs, grits, toast, biscuits, waffles and cereal.”

  ”You know, I’m trying to keep my weight down. If I stay around you very much, I’ll swell up like blimp.”

  “You know you can walk, jog, swim, play golf or do whatever you need to do to justify eating often and well. You know how we Southerners are. We love to work hard, play hard, and we love lots of our rich food also.”

  “I want to regain my Southern accent but not the Southern way of eating.”

  “Good luck with that. But I’m still going to tempt you with my cooking. See you Saturday morning.”

  “Woody, I’m really looking forward to the weekend at Woods’ Station.”

  “We’re excited that you and especially Uncle Rupert are coming. The three of us, together, will be like old times.”

  * * *

  Woody, Olga and Anne, as planned, arrived at Woods’ Station mid-afternoon Friday. After fueling the party barge and checking the trolling poles, the three of them sat on the end of the pier, enjoying the fading sunlight and the beautiful red sunset.

  Anne looked across the lake, as the sun’s rays danced off the ripples in the water. “Daddy, I really love it here. Why don’t we live here full time?”

  “Anne, wouldn’t you miss seeing your school friends?” Woody asked.

  “Yes, but they could come visit.”

  “Not during the week. And would you want to go to school in Newellton?”

  “Oh, no. I wouldn’t change schools. I would ride back and forth with you.”

  “So you want me to commute to my office every day?”

  “That’s the general plan.”

  “As I understand this, you and Daddy are going to leave me by myself five days a week?”

  “No” Anne said. “We’ll keep our house in Vicksburg and you could commute with us.”

  “I think we would all get very tired of that drive after a while,” Olga said. “We’ll plan on spending as much time as possible over here. Before it gets much darker, let’s go inside.”

  Chapter 8

  The next morning Anne was the first one awake and made no effort to be quiet.

  “Anne, what are you doing?” Woody called out.

  “Daddy, I’m trying to wake you. Sounds like I’ve succeeded.”

  Olga asked Anne to put the coffee pot on. “I’ll be down in a second. Woody, you stay in bed. Anne and I will start breakfast and call you when it’s time for you to come downstairs.”

  “This is great,” said Woody.

  The aroma of the freshly brewed coffee soon hit Woody’s nose and he couldn’t stay in bed any longer.

  * * *

  After breakfast, Olga asked Annie if she would take her daddy outside to the hammock so that she could clean up the kitchen. Grabbing Woody by the hand, Anne said: “C’mon Daddy—you heard what Mama said. Let’s get to it. We need to mow the grass and clean up the patio.”

  “Wait a minute. Mama said, ‘Go to the hammock.’”

  “I know, but we need to be productive outside if Mama is going to work inside.”

  Looking out of the corner of his eye at Olga, Woody asked, “Anne, are you excited?”

  “Yes sir, I am. Is it going to be alright for me to call Willow, Aunt? I really like her.”

  “Anne I’m sure that would be all right and I’ll bet Willow will love it. You really do favor her when she was your age.”

  “Daddy, she is pretty.”

  Looking at Olga, Anne said, “But, not as pretty as Mama.”

  Standing at the kitchen sink, Olga smiled and said, “You two go outside. I need to get busy.”

  * * *

  Back at 530 Windward Way, Mamie finished cleaning the kitchen and packed the cooler. “Ms. Willow, I’ve got everything ready. Do you want me to go ahead? You, Mr. Rupert, and Mr. Connor can come later.”

  “Mamie, you don’t have to do that.”

  “But I want to. My husband’s brother has been with us for the last week and I need a break. You, Mr. Rupert, and Mr. Woody back together is like a homecoming for me. Praise the Lord.”

  “Okay, Mamie. Let’s look at Daddy’s closet and get him a couple sets of lake clothes.”

  “Ms. Willow, there are clothes in his closet he never wanted to wear, thinking he would save them to wear when he came home. Now is a good time to get them out.”

  “Mamie, that is wonderful. You’ve been such a remarkable member of this family.”

  “Ms. Willow, your Daddy gave me a job when I needed it the most. So, I’m just so thankful I can still care for you and Mr. Rupert.”

  “Oh, Mamie. Keep it up and I’m going to cry.”

  “Go ahead, Ms. Willow, release the emotion; it is good for you.”

  Willow called Connor’s home phone. Receiving no answer, she called his cell number.

  In a gruff voice, Connor answered, “Hello.”

  “Hey, where are you?”

  “As usual, I’m at the office working.”

  “We’re ready to leave. Are you coming?”

  “No, y’all go on. I may come later.”

  “I wish you would go with us.”

  “Naw. You go. You want to take care of your Daddy, so go to it.”

  “Connor, am I picking up a bit of resentment in your voice? I really want you to go with us.”

  “I may come later. You know the annual ‘Hit the Bricks’ is tonight. There’s going to be a ‘rock-n-roll’ band playing some of the oldies and goodies music we loved so much. And, I’m sure several of our high school friends will be there. We could slow dance to ‘Danny Boy’ again.”

  “That’s sound good, but I’ve got other plans. I’ll be looking for you later today.”

  Willow turned off the phone. That’s strange. He didn’t mention anything about it yesterday. He’s mad and wants to make me feel guilty. I really want him to come, so all of us can be together again. But, I’m not changing my plans with Daddy
.

  After she finished packing Rupert’s overnight bag, Mamie put it in his car. “Ms. Willow, I’m leaving now. I’ve got the ice chest and the pineapple upside down cake in my car. Is there anything else you want me to carry?”

  “No, Mamie. We’re going to cross the river on the ferry at Port Gibson. So, it will take us longer to get there, but we should arrive in a couple of hours.”

  “Yes ma’am. I’ll have everything ready for you.”

  “Thank you, Mamie.”

  As Mamie backed out of the driveway, Willow turned to her father. “Are you ready to go?”

  “You betcha. I’m really looking forward to this adventure. I can’t remember how long it has been since I visited Lake Bruin.”

  “It has been several years for me, too. But, we’re going to do better in the future. I might even consider buying a house near Woody.”

  With Willow’s help on his left side and a walking cane in his right hand, Rupert was able to walk to the car. Holding onto the door, he carefully sat in the passenger seat.

  “Willow, it is so good to ride in my car again.”

  “I have a question for you. Why didn’t you buy something other than Ford LTDs? You know, there are several luxury cars on the market like the Lincoln, Cadillac and even foreign made cars.”

  “I have a lifelong friend who started the Ford dealership on Clay Street many years ago. I bought the first car he sold and he never forgot that. But, besides that, the Ford Motor vehicles are the very best for the money. He always sold to me at dealer cost. And, as far as foreign cars, remember, I fought in the Korean War or Korean conflict, whichever is politically correct. It would be un-American for me to consider buying a piece of foreign equipment.”

  “Laughing, Willow said, “Okay, Daddy, I get it.”

  “And by the way, Willow, what kind of car do you own?”

  “Uh… Daddy, it is a sports car.”

  “Made by?”

  “I’ll have to confess. It was made by a foreign company.”

  “Well, we will need to correct that mistake.”

  As they rolled down Highway 61 South, Rupert said, “Daughter, I must tell you again how thankful I am that you’re home and taking care of Dear Ole Dad.”

  “I’m thankful, also that I have finally returned home. Remember yesterday, when you asked why I never married?”

  “Yes.”

  “I really didn’t have a good answer to that question. The only thing I can say, and it is a cop-out, I just never found the right man. Now, I’m glad because I can spend all my time taking care of you, without the interference of another man. Daddy, you men are so demanding of your women and we enjoy taking care of y’all. But, at times like this, it is good that I’m not tied down to anyone else. I can devote all my time to you.”

  “I know, Willow, but I’m an old man and soon will be gone.”

  “Oh, Daddy, don’t say that. You’re going to live a long life. Longevity is in the McKenzie genes.”

  “That’s true but if you don’t have a life’s mate, you can become very lonely. I know that for certain. When your Mother died, a huge hole developed in my life. I just immersed myself in the towing business. But, I truly missed the close companionship with her. What I’m saying is that I truly appreciate what you’re doing for me, but don’t sacrifice your life and the joy that comes from sharing yourself with a spouse.”

  “I’ll have time for that. But, now I want to enjoy sharing with you.”

  “When we were talking yesterday about you and Connor marrying, I don’t want you to think I was pushing you. I can remember a few times during those teenage years when his actions upset you and consequently me. Even later when you were gone and he worked for me, he occasionally let his emotions get the best of him. He has a violent streak and that worries me.”

  “I don’t think I told you why he left Mississippi State University in his second year. He just didn’t fit in with the social scene like Woody and I did. He quit going to campus activities and dances. Although, I never seriously dated anyone else, I always had an escort to the parties and dances. He became very jealous of me.”

  “Willow, I wanted to let you know how I feel about him.”

  “Thank you, Daddy. I really appreciate your concern. This reminds me of some of the parental advice you gave me as a teenager.”

  Cruising along the highway up and down the hills, Willow’s mind wandered for a moment and her day dreaming state was suddenly interrupted by the sound of the car’s tires hitting the gravel shoulder.

  “Willow, are you asleep?”

  “No, Daddy. My mind just wandered a bit.”

  “I know I said I would soon be gone, but I didn’t mean today.”

  “I’m sorry, Daddy. I’ll keep my mind on driving.”

  Willow turned onto Main Street and guided around the Claiborne County Court House. “Daddy, you remember this drive don’t you?”

  “Yes, I know this road like the back of my hand. There’s no telling how many times I’ve made this loop around the courthouse. Do we have time to stop at the McKenzie compound?”

  “Sure do, Daddy. That is one of the reasons I came this way.”

  “Do you have a key to the compound?”

  “There should be one on the key ring.”

  Glancing down at the keys, Willow asked, “Is that big bronze colored key it?”

  “That’s right, unless Connor has changed the lock.”

  Willow stopped the Ford in front of the main door. “Here we are, Daddy. Let me unlock the door and I’ll help you out.”

  In the couple of minutes it took Willow to unlock the door, Rupert had opened the car door and swung his feet out. Holding onto the door he stood up.

  “Hold on, Daddy. We don’t want you to fall. I’m coming.”

  Smiling from ear to ear, Rupert entered the building with Willow’s help.

  Rupert looked around like a kid in a toy store.

  “Willow, it just keeps getting better. Coming to this building and seeing some of my old equipment makes me want to go back on the river.”

  “We can do that. We’ll set something up with Connor.”

  Rupert patted one of his boats as he walked by.

  “This is the first contact boat I bought. You know, contact boats are used to transport relief crew changes to and from tows as they travel up and down the river. The big tows never stop as the contact boat pulls alongside, ties up and exchanges crews.”

  “I wonder if it still runs?”

  “I don’t know. It is no telling when it was last on the water.”

  “Connor will know. We’ll ask him. And, Daddy, look over in the corner. There’s your Jeep.”

  Walking toward the Jeep Rupert became quite emotional. In a shaky voice he said, “Willow, I never expected to see it again.”

  “Daddy, if it is okay with you, one day next week, I’m going to see if Connor and Woody will get it out and fire it up.”

  “I don’t know. It might be best to let it sit there in peace.”

  “But wouldn’t you like to ride in it again?”

  “No doubt about that. But, it would be more trouble than it’s worth.”

  “Daddy, let me worry about that. I believe Woody and Connor can take care of it.”

  “I have no doubt about that. But …”

  “No buts, Daddy. We’ll take care of it.”

  Rupert looked at the small cubicle in the front corner of the building and pointed. “I spent many hours in there. I wonder if the phone and radio still work.”

  “Let’s try it. We can call Woody on the phone. We probably need to let him know where we are anyway. I’m sure Mamie has made it to Woods’ station by now.”

  “Good. Call him.”

  Woody answered saying, “Hello.”

  “Hey, Woody. I’m here at Port Gibson and Daddy wants to talk to you.”

  “Oh hi, Willow. Put Uncle Rupert on.”

  “Woody, what’s going on?”

  “Hey, U
ncle Rupert. Everything is okay here. We’re looking forward to you coming.”

  “Willow brought me by my old office at Port Gibson and I’m having a hard time leaving.”

  “Uncle Rupert, I understand. But don’t stay too long. I want to get the party barge out and go trolling for a while. I see folks on the lake catching some pretty good size fish.”

  “Okay. We’ll leave in a few minutes. But, I have a question. Is the ferry safe to cross?”

  “Yes. There is a new and bigger ferry. The old one we crossed on so many times is no longer in service. You’ll enjoy the new vessel.”

  “Okay. Here’s Willow.”

  “Has Mamie arrived? Have you heard from Connor?”

  “Mamie is here. I thought Conner was with you.”

  “No, at the last moment he changed his mind and didn’t want to ride with me.”

  “That’s okay. If he shows, fine, if not, it is just as well. When you and Uncle Rupert get here, all of the important people will be accounted for.”

  “We’re going to lock up and head to the ferry. See you soon.”

  * * *

  Arriving at the ramp leading to the ferry, Willow said, “Daddy, we’ve got good timing. The ferry is pulling up on the ramp. As soon as those cars and trucks off load, we’ll pull on.”

  In a couple of minutes, the ferry operator motioned for Willow to come on board and move to the right front corner. Closely behind was a log truck. Once it was positioned, the operator blew the horn, signifying departure from the ramp.

  Rupert asked, “May I get out on deck?”

  “Daddy, I believe it best if you stay in the car. When we enter the main stream current, it may be a bumpy ride.”

  “Okay. I’m familiar with the strong currents. I can see pretty well from here.”

  At that moment, one of the deck hands walked up to Rupert’s window and asked, “Is that you, Mr. Rupert?”

  Rupert turned slightly to his right. “Yes.”

  “Mr. Rupert, it is very good to see you. I’m Clarence Stokes. I worked for you until I developed diabetes. I had to change my working habits, so I could be home every night with my wife and family.”

  “Clarence, it has been a long time. Let me introduce my daughter.”

  “Shucks, Mr. Rupert, I already know Ms. Willow. I remember when she rode some of those tows with us. But that was long ago when she was quite young.”